The Harrowmark: The Twisted Oak, Part 3

The Dead and the Beasts

Greenish light poured forth from the eye slits in Kalyustar's mask. Try as he might, his witch sight could not pierce the thick fog.
"What is it, Soulchemist?" as always the Skull's voice came to him at the time of need.
"This is not usual fog. Neither is the beginning of a spellstorm as we have seen before. I sense something in it..."
"Yes, a power like none seen before in the Harrowmark".
"The Twisted Oak is calling the fog to it. I have to seize its power, but how?"
"Blood and gravesand have always served you well, Soulchemist".
"This they did. So, where to get them?"
"Why not start from Wortbad? Surely, there you'll find what you need. And more..."
"More? What do you mean, old friend?"
Kalyustar waited, but no answer came from the Skull. He turned to his Company and they jerked into motion, filing up along the path to Wortbad.

A Score to Settle

Wortbad was near when the fog finally lifted. As Kalyustar was splitting the Company to enter the village from as many paths as possible, a booming, guttural voice spilled a torrent of abuse. It came from Deathwatch Tower and there Kalyustar saw the hulking shape of Kapitan Da Leeva.
"So that is what you meant, old friend! The Rotmoons, still here in Wortbad!"
"Remember how they interfered with your glorius plans? Not once, but twice?", there was a note of mockery in the Skull's voice.
"Yes, and it is time they are reminded of what their place is. Tollich and Krunti, take the front. Thronir and Keinrich, left flank. Rhedgar, with me on the right flank!"

The Rotmoons rushed out of Wortbad, taking the bait offered by the patrol led by Krunti and Tollich.

The Grave Guard and the Dwarf Champion staggered forward, ready to intercept the Rotmoons advance. The Gor and a Halberdier peeled off to secure two choke points where the orruks could be corraled later on.

Kalyustar lined up the skeletons in front of him and ordered to advance.

As planned, the lone Gor was able to hold the advancing Rotmoons.

Tollich and Krunti stood their ground long enough for Kalyustar and his group to reach the orruks and pinning them in place. Kalyustar focused, preparing to raise the Grave Guard and Skeleton Champion again.

The party led by Thronir and Keinrich emerged from the woods, ready to intercept the Rotmoons reinforcements led by Da Leeva himself.

Suddenly, an anguished howl pierced the receding mists. A corrupted, slavering creature pounded forward and slammed onto Kalyustar, breaking his concentration.

Without their master returning their comrades to the fight, the Swordmen and Halberdiers led by Rhedgar sacrificed themeselves to stop the Rotmoons.

On the left flank, Da Leeva's cutlass crushed skeleton after skeleton until Keinrich engaged him in combat. El Doctoro's spells thoughened the orruks and the Company's blade could not cut their green flesh.
Kalyustar managed to repell the mutated beast and turned to see the orruks withdrawing. Of his Company, only few still stood.
He locked gaze with Da Leeva. Their score was still unsettled, but the orruk now knew Kalyustar was far more than he had been last time they crossed path.

Interlude

Kalyustar waited patiently outside Wortbad, restoring his fallen soldiers. It did not take long for the Rotmoons to leave the village and as they did, the Necromancer moved in. If that first fight had tought him anything, it was that he needed more soldiers.

A Scrap in the Mud

Badruk trudged forward, mud squealching underneat his armoured boots. He was brimming with unspent rage. They had not had a decent bash in days and now that Gorkamorka damned deluge had separated him from most of his boyz. Suddenly, he spotted something moving through the woods. Flashy runts in 'oomy clothes. They deserved a proppa duff up!

With a thunderous Waaagh! on his mouth, Badruk charged the runts. Puffs of black smoke welcomed him as the Rotmoons opened fire with their guns.

The two boyz tried to keep up with him, but the muddy ground slowed them down.

The din of combat pulled the rest of Badruk's Boyz towards where the fun was. But again, their armour and weight proved too much on the treacherous mud and only one managed to get to the Rotmoons.

Badruk took another battering from the Rotmoons' guns and then Da Leeva was on him. The Kaptain headbutted the 'Ardboy Boss, sent him sprawing onto the mud and let his crew fire at will.
The nearest Boy grabbed Badruk by the anckle and dragged him away, shouting for the others to fall back.