Journal - The Attack

Journal - The Attack

                The creatures that have been sighted in the forest for the past few months attacked this morning. I suppose we know what happened to those who have gone missing over the past few days, as well.

                I was at the inn, taking breakfast (as I do every sixth day to ensure I spend some time away from my caretaking duties), when the creatures came. Screams arose from outside, and I looked out the window - leaving my meal abandoned - to see what the commotion was.

                Down the street ran several of the townspeople - I do not remember precisely who. Though initially I could not see any of the creatures, they soon came into view. A rabble of haphazard monstrosities; plants mocking the shape of animals of various kinds.

                Small dog like creatures, a tangle of vines making up much of their body, leapt upon people to knock them down. A handful of larger feline creatures - perhaps as long as a man is tall - ran behind them, as did some broad man-shaped ones. These two kinds had longer vines they used to grab at the townspeople, and spikes I assume were for combat (which they did not use bar on those dangerously armed).

                The creatures had not come to kill us, but to capture us. The larger creature bound those they caught (or whom the smaller beasts disabled) and began to leave immediately (very strange behaviour).

                A woman of sound mind, Millis ordered the inn fortified as soon as the handful of patrons outside had slipped in. After an upended table obscured my view I, not wishing to miss the action, fled up to the inn's third floor and looked out from there.

                In the street below the creatures stalked or dragged away their victims. Sounds echoed from inside the houses across the street and alongside the inn; screams, shouts, and often the sound of cracking wood. From below I heard constant thuds - the defences of the inn were being sorely tested.

                Several others had joined me upstairs, and together we watched the chaos unfold. Those who had found (or retrieved) weapons clutched them tightly. There were not terribly many of the creatures below, but most had continued on into the rest of town. Faint sounds came from most directions; however, even then I surmised that the attack had begun here, and realised that the attack was not strong enough to take the entire town.

                This was a massive relief, for as long as the inn held out (quite likely - the main door was strong, and the windows too small for the larger creatures to breach quickly) I was safe.

                Then someone opened the window, and I heard... Not a scream. Begging, really. A voice begging for someone to save them. Then I caught sight of her.

                Allisat. A year and a hair older than I; a soft girl, but always kind. The kind who deserves no troubles in life, least of all deserves being abducted by plant monsters. She was being dragged away by one of the man - or perhaps ape - shaped creatures. Someone had hurt the creature quite severely - its only remaining vine was wrapped around Allisat, but it was only enough to drag her slowly behind.

                I tried to drown out her yells, but I couldn't. As she was slowly dragged away my conscience forced my hand. Roughly I shoved aside the others who had gathered around the window - those who could stomach seeing friends and neighbours taken away (some were even commenting) - and shifted my boots to their active state.

                "Get out of the way!" I said, "I can - I can save someone, at least!"

                "What?" asked the young baker, Louin. I shoved him aside; I think that he followed the eyes of the others to my boots then.

                I have not mentioned my boots in this journal before, as I did not know if I wished to reveal my expedition to my father. I will detail it further later, but sufficient to explain is that I snuck into the core ruin and managed to make my way into an unexplored residential corridor. Much that was there was junk; but I recovered two items of interest. The boots, and a long dagger (not quite a sword).

                The dagger seems unremarkable beyond its make - like much else from the ruins, it is exquisite in quality. The boots, however, are likely intended for scout work. They have two states - an unremarkable inactive state, in which they appears as if ordinary leather boots; and an active state, which is strange. Parts of the boots shift outwards, almost doubling the size, and a strange double-levelled form results.

                This active state allows the boots to use several abilities. They allow the wearer to jump around eight metres into the air, and land from at least twenty safely. The jump can also be used to deliver a mighty kick (if one can aim it correctly), using the other leg as an anchor. These abilities were instrumental in my escape from the core ruin (all of which is detailed in my expedition notes, but which I will summarise later).

                I'm not quite sure of the first impressions the townspeople had of my boots - but I am sure they recognised the likely source. I am hopeful that most believe them to be a gift from my father; having my exploration of the banned place widely known would be troublesome.

                I clambered half way out the window, my hands gripping the edges to steady myself. Then I jumped into the air, sailing across to the building opposite. I believe it is Maud and Joy's residence. I landed on the roof and scrambled to find purchase on the tiles, and luckily I did before I slid off. Then I made my way around the roof and looked down at the terrors below.

                Shambling away - most quite fast - were at least of a dozen of the creatures, with captives tightly bound amidst their vines. Allisat was still being dragged along, several of the smaller vine creatures propping her up to smooth and speed her passage. Compared to the rest, it was very slow. I think by that point she had screamed herself hoarse, and was instead sobbing.

                Several leaps from building to building quickly got me to the edge of town, and quite close to Allisat. Our town is a strange one; a handful of small buildings past its edge and then the forest (at least, on that side; on the other lies farmland). But where the town begins the buildings are at least two stories tall. A proper town from end to end, they say.

                After a few moments of planning Allisat's rescue, I leapt from the roof of a three story building right at the creature that had capture her. I slammed into its back and knocked it down, and myself rolled over it and onto my feet. It was still struggling to stand (its balance terrible without most of its vines, and its one remaining one holding Allisat) when I dispatched it with my blade - a gift from my father that I bear always.

                Allisat took a few moments to say stammer "Thank you"; time I spent quickly ridding her of the vine and dispatching the smaller creatures that did not flee. I sheathed my sword, then grabbed her and told her to hold on. I had to squeeze out "A little less" as she crushed the breath out of me initially.

                There was no time to catch my breath - several of the smaller creatures were closing in, and the largest creature I had seen was also closing (despite seemingly already having a captive). I made a small running leap over most of the smaller creatures to get close to the town buildings, and then leapt up to the roof of the woodcutters' hall.

                "Thank you so much," said Allisat as I lay her down on the roof. Apart from a few scrapes, she was fine.

                "You're lucky. Very lucky. I don't think I can get anyone out of multiple vines safely, but -" I began, before being interrupted.

                "I know, thank you. Thank you," said Allisat. She took a few deep breaths, which gave me time to continue.

                "We may be safe up here," I said, "but I'm not sure."

                I unbuckled the sheath I took from the ruins from beneath my coat, and passed it to Allisat. "Here," I said, as I did so, "It'll be enough to get the little ones. I saw a couple of them - and the four legged ones - climbing."

                "Thanks," she said, unsheathing the knife. "This is - this is from the ruins, isn't it?"

                "Yes," I said. "And it hasn't been dulled."

                Allisat sheathed the knife very carefully, and buckled the sheath to her belt. "I'm in your debt, Don," she said.

                "There's probably still time to save my ass," I replied.

                Allisat smiled, then frowned and said, "I don't think so. I couldn't even keep a crippled creature from capturing me. Did you notice that the lost vine ends had browned and died? The thing was barely alive and it still caught me. And - now isn't the time for light-heartedness."

                The shouts and smashing had faded a bit, but she was right. The town was in the middle of being raided, countless townspeople had been captured, and I'd made a smarmy adventurer comment. I felt a bit like a fool; though it had only happened as I was flush from my success in rescuing Allisat. "You're right," I said.

                She made a slight, tentative smile in response, and I moved so that I could peer over the edge of the roof. It was good that I did - one of the four-legged creatures was sneaking up the wall. Upon seeing me it sped up its ascent.

                I pulled back from the edge and readied my blade. "Is something-" began Allisat; she fell quiet when I nodded an affirmative. The creature was preceded by the foremost of its vines, which I avoided. When its head appeared, I struck - first at the vines that were writhing above and before it; then at the creature's body. It screeched in pain (or perhaps just anger) and flailed, trying to drag itself up to bring its unharmed vines to bear.

                As it did so I struck again, and again. My fourth strike caught its head and destroyed one of its eyes. A kick from my boots sent the weakened creature flying from the roof; it landed below with a whine, then fell silent. I believe it was later dispatched for good, having only become unconscious.

                No other creatures were climbing the sides of the hall, not even the smaller ones. There were many other easier targets for them to attack, and by this time the majority of the creatures had fled with their captives.

                Allisat noticed this - "It seems to be clearing up," she said. I nodded, looking around. The inn seemed to have been breached, but several dead creatures were piled just outside the door and I saw the glint of weapons inside. Other buildings had not fared so well - doors and windows busted; most silent now after their inhabitants had been dragged out (or proven too much to handle).

                The town was a sorry sight, although there were a scattering of dead creatures around. There was one dead human body, I think one of the elderly whose heart had given out from the stress.

                It was at that moment that a great cheer went up at the other side of town - loud enough to be heard even where I was. Though I did not know at the time, the militia had just slain a huge creature ('the leader' they claimed, though I am all but sure that claim is wrong - it was more likely a distraction). This was the end of the fighting; the militia swept through town and mopped up the rest of the creatures that remained (stragglers and many of the smaller ones).

                Allisat and I watched them advance from up high, steadily and carefully making their way through town, checking residences and rushing after the few stragglers they found. Their bravado visibly decreased as they realised exactly how many had been taken from this side of town - most homes had been breached, and few who were home put up enough of a fight to save themselves.

                After the militia reached the edge of town  - a few spreading out to check the out buildings - one of the militiamen began announcing that it was safe to come down. He also requested that all those with useful witness information and any others interested (so, the town busybodies who knew no more than any other and the rare few who had seen things of interest) come to the centre of town to meet with the mayor.

                I leapt down with Allisat and we made our way there - I suspect Allisat was hoping to meet up with the rest of her family, whereas I... One of the inn patrons had mentioned my boots to the militia, it was best that I went. I did deactivate them, however, and on the way over Allisat asked several questions about them. I almost wrote pestered, but Allisat doesn't pester. She asks, respectfully. She really is too kind.

                We arrived just as the militia's orders were finalised - pretty much just 'follow the creatures on horseback and rescue as many as possible'. As always, the mayor had heard of my boots before I arrived (news reaches Nueva like light spreads - instantly). She requested to speak with me in private, and I agreed. Allisat was asked along as well, to explain her impression of the boots.

                While Allisat searched for - and soon found - her family, I listened in as an overarching view on events emerged. The creatures had attacked from the north-east side of town along a broad front. The largest creature, roughly four metres tall and eight metres long, had barrelled directly for the centre of town, knocking several people over and killing two. Once there, it had begun fighting, as had other creatures at the front of the attack.

                The militia had engaged the creatures where they could, and many of those from the north-east side of town had been drawn into the central fight, unsure of where the attack originated. The remains of these creatures revealed that they were more combat oriented than the others - they had spines, rather than vines.

                Behind the first wave (and in some cases splitting off from it) came the less combat oriented beasts, who immediately began taking captives; first those they caught on the street and then those they dragged from various buildings. A few residences and business held them off, but most were damaged quite thoroughly and their inhabitants taken. Strangely, no fires got out of control in the chaos - one witness story indicated that the creatures doused flames when they found them.

                By the time the militia were successful in down the massive creature (with about a dozen casualties, and two deaths) the other creatures had mostly completed their mission and fled. All told, it took about fifty minutes to clear out the town and send off riders; yet the mayor was grim about the possibility of recovering everyone. "They took a couple of hundred of us," she said, "and we have thirty riders, with another thirty or forty readying. We'll miss some, though hopefully not many." I fear she may be right.

                We met with the mayor after about an hour and a half of deliberations; lucky first out of those she wished to see in private (almost private - the town treasurer and militia master were also present). I suspect Allisat's father (a diplomatic man who serves as de facto leader for several farmers) pressured Nueva into it; or perhaps she was simply intrigued and tired of hearing about the creatures.

                Either way, she got straight to the point. "So, you have boots from the ruins?" she asked.

                "Yes," I replied.

                "Now," she said, "Unless your father has been lying to me - and I'm damn sure he hasn't been - those weren't given to you by your father. Have you been into the ruins on your own?"

                "Yes," I replied, "About two weeks ago."

                Kouglas, the treasurer, immediately said, "So we have you to blame for these creatures!"

                I was taken aback, but Nueva spoke before I could say anything. "No, Kouglas. These creatures have been sighted as far back as three months ago, and they're definitely not mechanical in nature."

                Lusha, the militia leader, nodded. "First sighting was thirteen weeks ago exactly, by a couple of woodcutters. The disappearances began earlier than that, though not amongst our people. A couple of hermits gone, one cottage ransacked."

                "Thank you, Lusha. Donnul, recount a summary of your expedition. Though first - did you find anything else?" asked Nueva.

                "Yes," I replied, "A knife. Allisat has it." At this, Allisat unsheathed the blade, and passed it to Nueva.

                "Your boots?" asked Nueva, motioning for me to take them off. I took a seat and did so, then passed them to her. "Please, begin your summary while I inspect them."

                "I know about the back entrance - my father felt it was my right to know, as a member of his family. Working off his notes, I figured out how to get past the double defence by throwing rocks into the area of each at once. I did so, and made my way inside after ensuring that my entry was forgotten by the response drones.

                "I've read my father's notes on every threat and their usual patterns countless times, so with great care I managed to make my way through the area that has been explored and into a previously unexplored residential corridor. Like most others, it was nearly completely empty, but in a locker I found the boots and knife. There was a lot of junk - the kind of stuff we retrieve to sell - but I left it behind because it would weigh me down and I couldn't sell it without revealing my actions.

                "Making my way out was a lot easier - the boots allowed me to hide in places that are outside the usual drone patrol routes, and also to leap right through the targeting of the double defence emplacement (and the ordinary ones at certain points, also). I returned to town, and have been compiling my notes and possible further exploration routes in the time since," I said.

                "Thank you. I know that you, more than most others, understand the dangers of entering such a place, and that you would never dare destroy one of the drones that protect that place. Nor would you foolishly meddle with devices beyond your ken. By right of exploration these are yours, Donnul," said Nueva. She passed the boots back to me, and continued, "Allisat, the knife?"

                Allisat handed over the knife without hesitation. "Your survival within the ruins indicates that you're capable enough to be trusted, Donnul," said Nueva, "Though any further expeditions shall be cleared with me, I should hope."

                She passed the knife back to Allisat, and said, "I especially ask that should you wish to bring someone with you, you clear it with me first. While we deal with this raid I may need the skills of certain individuals. You are not amongst them, unless something in your father's notes is of relevance?"

                "No," I said. It was perhaps a let down, to not be needed. My father would surely have been kept around. Yet at the same time, it left me free to delve into the ruins again - and likely with Nueva's blessing. A blessing in disguise, I think.

                Nueva nodded. "Allisat, is there anything you have to add?"

                "No; I guess you've heard enough about Donnul rescuing me," she said.

                "Several witness accounts, yes. Enough; but is there anything you specifically have to say? Or you, Donnul?"

                "One of the creatures climbed up to attack us and Donnul dispatched us," said Allisat.

                She hesitated, unable to think of anything else to say, so I spoke, "The creature that had Allisat was injured a while ago - not during the attack. The severed limbs had browned and sealed off."

                Nueva nodded. "Worthwhile information. Thank you both. If I need either of you again later, I'll send summons," she said.

                On our way out Allisat and I passed the sigil mage, Frane. He had been injured in the raid; bandages covered the top half of his left arm, fresh blood colouring them. He lives on the side of town away from the woods, so he likely got himself into trouble doing something foolish during the raid.

                Once outside, Allisat asked me something curious. "Does the knife feel strange when you hold it?"

                "No," I said. "Can you describe the feeling?"

                "It's like - kind of like it's trying to guide me in how to use it? How to sheath it, how to fight with it," she replied. "It's really weird."

                I smiled. "It's a tutor knife, then, excellent. They guide those who have no training - some even teach you a lot, and very well, but they don't work if you know something about using the weapon. They assume you know better, which is probably for the best but... They're quite useful," I said.

                "Huh," said Allisat, getting the knife out. She made a few quick cuts in the air - I'm not sure how skillfully, but surely guided by the blade. "Can I - can I hold onto this for a while?"

                That reminded me that the knife was mine, and that I should probably get it back some time. It's strange how quickly such things can slip from your mind. "I guess so. I had forgotten that I should get it back from you, actually," I said. It was an odd request, but I assume she wants to learn how to wield a dagger. Considering the times it's not surprising.

                And, I will admit that I am fond of her.

                "Thank you," she said with a smile. "I'll return it soon."

                "Keep it as long as you need it," I said, "It's best to learn as much as you can from such things."

                She smiled again, and said, "I need to find my family and head home, but thank you. You've saved me and given me a great gift in one day."

                "I'll see you around," I said.

                "Tomorrow," she said, "Bye!"

                "If you wish. Goodbye," I said. We parted ways, and I returned home, and - after a few minor things - wrote this journal.