The expedition made for the journey, up the path to the outpost, the fastest the wagon could suffer, it was a rickety journey for the carriage's occupants, creaking under the speed it was subjected to.
While everyone was tense, silence mostly reigned, the journey went by without trouble once more, though this calmness rather seemed like a facade now, for out there, there could be any one currently beset by a madman like one had beset the currently unconscious Hellguard.
The red of the sun's setting was visible on the horizon when the outpost finally came into their sight, its fortifications of solid black stone, the surroundings devoid of life it seemed, trees forcibly removed to deny an enemy as much useful ground and wood for siege weapons as possible.
The ground here appread to be ragged, tell-tale remnants of how once a grand amount of land had been forced to fall in on itself in the tunnel networks.
Soon, guards became visible on the walls, all of them wearing the familiar rust-red. The expedition coming into sight, the Hellguard's colors easily visible, though they certainly also spotted the gryphon in all his unnaturality, the news of the creature having been accepted by Wolfram had been purposefully spread by the latter for just an occasion like this they opened the gates without question, calling for the resident commander.
Passing through the gates, the interior of the outpost consisted on several solid wooden buildings arrayed in something of a circle, serving the purpose of storage, barracks, stables, armory and smithy, unremarkable in most regards.
Had it not been for the grand memorial erected in the middle, all the buildings facing it, it being that of a lovingly-rendered Hellguard sculpture, crossbow in one hand, sword in the other, the former loaded and aimed at the gates, the latter raised in defiance against all that dared standing against the might of the fortress. Interestingly enough, it also appeared to double as a sort of well. Morr resolved to ask one of the inhabitants about this, as well as spend some of his time at the memorial itself.
Said commander, a man in his thirties with early-greying hair and some slight scars on his face, yet still a muscular build, wearing a standardized uniform instead of his armor, soon stepped out of one of the buildings, flanked by two of his subordinates, he ignored Morr, throwing a w and instead approachd weibel Belatia, while gesturing at the unconscious Hellguard on the wagon "Sergeant! What is the meaning of this?" he asked, voice calm, yet precise and sharp.
"Sir, I'm not the commanding officer of this expedition, I'm under the command of sir Morr-" she nodded at Morr's massive form "-, granted this command under order of Wolfram himself."
Eyes narrowing as he turned to Morr, the commander adressed him "Very well, sir Morr, I must ask, what happened to private Selene? I certainly hope you took care of her." while nodding to his two subordinates to take the now named Selene, as gently as they could, sister Elia following them just in case.
"Soldat Selene was attacked by a demonically possessed madman and lost her arm as she battled bravely, but the inhuman beast cared only for murder and little about itself, she would have had her life taken, had it not been for sir Swiftbeak,-" he gestured to the wounded gryphon "- who managed to defeat the monster, though soldat Selene still helped via liberal application of her crossbow. After that, we burned the monstrosity while sister Elia, the one who just followed those two under your command, stabilized her. Besides that, our orders are to investigate the rumors that roam the High Seas, for the purpose of which we are aiming to travel to Pikewall from here, as well as restock you." Morr stated matter-of-factly, voice remaining emotionless as always.
Throwing another glance at the gryphon, the commander replied, alarmed "A demonically possessed man?", hands balling into fists, he continued "I must thank sister Elia then... and... sir Swiftbeak." turning to the gryphon, with some effort, he said "You have my thanks, sir Swiftbeak." Turning back to the rest of the expedition, he went on "Now, while I may have many questions, I can see you are all tired from a day of travelling. I will have beds provided for you in the barracks, your horses brought into the stables. Sir Morr, when you have the time, I must ask that you come see me later in the barracks, there are many things that require clarification."
Nodding again, the commander retreated back into the building, most certainly said barracks, as other Hellguards arrived who began to unload the barrels from the wagon, while others led the horses, the Hellguards under Morr's command dismounting, to the stables.
Staring at the memorial for a moment, Morr soon turned to weibel Belatia "Weibel Belatia, always have two of your men guarding Urist, you have command for now, if you have need of me, seek me at the memorial." before beginning to walk towards the statue.
Your support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)
