The foul air whipped through Alison's hair as she moved across the city's rooftops. Finally, the other shoe had dropped and her prey had entered the battle. As expected, the enemy used the siege's chaos to strike their biggest targets, the Source Crystal users. The familiar raspy voice whispered in her ear as it directed her towards the target. 

Behind her followed her contingent. Kerensa along with a squad from the Thieves Guild had been stationed at the watchpoint when the explosion went off. They followed along behind, wielding heavy crossbows, short blades, and the special gadgets Titus had developed for them. 

Alison stopped atop one of the roofs and gestured for her squad to get into position. Working in a mad frenzy, the ambush squad quickly took up positions and set up one of the devices Titus developed. A large box was dropped by one of the members and a squat tripod was set up as the box was placed atop it. Others swiftly and gracefully dropped through the windows below and took up positions while others raced to the bottom of said buildings and set up tripwires. Just as they finished, their query rounded the street corner. 

A pack of snarling wolfmen howled in triumph as they chased down the fleeing civilians. Amongst them, Alison spotted her targets slightly behind as they let their squad butcher their way through. The blood, smoke, and screams filled the air distracting their otherwise keen senses from the looming ambush above.

Perhaps they thought no one would attempt to shoot them down, with civilians so close. They would be drawn out into the streets to face them down in a desperate attempt to separate them. 

Just as the leader under her roof, Alison gave the signal. She had no such compunctions. 

The streets below erupted in hellfire as the ambush was sprung. Molotov cocktails rained down on them from above and from windows. Then, aimed square at the formation from above, the box blew open with a brilliant light as a massive shaped charge detonated. A cone of molten hot metal moving at the speed of sound shot down the street into the furry mass. The stench of burning fur and flesh filled the air as wolfmen were cooked alive in their armor. Those who were fast enough to rip off their burning armor were met with heavy crossbow fire cutting them down. Despite the initial shock of the ambush, the survivors quickly reacted. Wolfmen used their great agility to cover the distance quickly and smash down the doors of their would-be attackers. 

[i]click[/i]

Tattered wolf bits flew through the air as recently set traps detonated with extreme prejudice. Yet still undeterred, the final remaining wolfmen bravely charged into the houses, where brutal hand-to-hand fighting ensued. 

This was the moment Alison had patiently waited for. With the remaining wolfmen committed to rooting out her squad, the leader was left exposed. With a nod to Kerensa, they both lept down behind the leader and dashed forward. Alison aimed low, a slash poised to cut the wolfman's tendons, just behind the knee. Kerensa dashed towards the pack member beside him, curved blade whistling out towards his neck to take his head in one swing.  

It was the moment of truth



[hr]

All that escaped the sentry's mouth was a pained gurgle as Pete's blade withdrew from the man's throat. It was going well. He and Olaf had emerged from the hidden tunnel undetected. It seemed the majority of the siege's attack was focused in the south, with only a thin picket surrounding the rest of the city. Their enemy had assumed they would only have to deal with fleeing citizens or retreating soldiers. Not the Thieve's Guild's finest cutthroats on a desperate raid. 

Thus, slipping through the picket and to the enemy camp had been unnervingly easy. Pete picked the pace as he and Olaf led the raid toward the enemy camp. His mind raced in panic. If they had committed so fully to the assault, then Valheim had but minutes until it fell. He silently prayed that the Second Chance would live up to their calling. 

The camp would soon be within reach, and regardless of the fate of Valheim, they would make sure the enemy would not leave this place unscathed. 

[@xenon]