Just as Valerie leaped out, Markus did likewise. He hit the ground running and booted one of the Goblins on the ground in the chest, cracking its ribs and sending it flying into the closest tree to fall crumpled on the ground. His sword leading with his next step, it clove the nearest Goblin's head in two, the heavy blade chopping through between the mouth and nose. He finished his next step, and two Goblins were already dead.
His dark eyes fell upon the other two, promising more death. They were understandably perturbed, especially because to the side they saw Valerie dispatching the rest of them with practiced efficiency. The last two hefted their weapons however, and came forward. One held a short spear, and the other a scimitar.
The spear wielder gave a thrust forward while the bladed one attempted to hack at Markus' legs. He backpedaled for a moment, before knocking the spear to the ground and stepping onto its haft. The weapon was yanked from the Goblin's grasp. The flat of his blade hit the Scimitar wielding Goblin in the face, staggering it. He passed it by and kicked the spear Goblin. It lay sprawled upon the ground from the force of the blow, and Markus finished it off by stabbing his sword into its small body.
Markus turned, knowing the scimitar wielder wasn’t dead. As he turned, he was met with dirt in his face, flung by the Goblin.
“Ah!” he reacted.
Damn it. He slashes his blade in a wide arc to keep it away from him, but once he regained his vision he saw the Goblin fleeing rather than attacking. Once he wiped his face with the back of his sleeve and saw the creature using the opportunity to sprint away fast as it’s stubby legs could carry it, he gave chase. He knew he could catch it. His legs were as long as it’s body.
He gained on it easily, but before he could reach it, the greenskin dived into the bushes. The Swordmage groaned, slowing down only slightly to see if he could get a better view of the thing. Just as he realized how hard it would be to spot a green Goblin among green leaves, a massive...something moved the closest tree canopy with a rumble. He heard a Goblin’s pitiful squeak, and the Sellsword's face went from concentration to shock when he saw an Ogre step out of the tree line. It held something in its meaty left fist, a small Goblin hand sticking out from within its fingers.
It squeezed, and blood began to pour out between its thick fingers.
“Ugh.” Markus uttered, feeling a bit sorry for the Goblin.
Plus that would just feel unpleasant in general.
The ten foot tall monstrosity dropped the broken creature onto the ground, and turned its head to regard Markus as the man backed away.
No matter how experienced you were, an Ogre was an intimidating and dangerous adversary.
He eyed the creature as he backed up beside Valerie. This thing might not be able to traverse the forest as easily as they, but right now they were in a small clearing and his legs might just be able to carry him fast enough to catch them. Then again maybe not, but Markus wasn't going to chance it.
He grabbed Valerie's arm. "Look at me." he said. When he had her attention, he spoke quickly. "Act like you're running away. Go into the tree line and go 'round. Keep out of sight. I'll distract it here." His voice was breathless. "Once you're around behind it, slice its hamstrings. Once its on the ground, we can attack it easier."
The Swordmage looked like he wanted to say more to her, his lips parting. But he dismissed it and gave her a light push. "Go."
He turned to see the Ogre looking at Valerie hungrily.
Hell no. For that, a throwing knife suddenly bloomed upon the Ogre's massive wall of a chest. It roared in agony, and hate filled eyes glared at Markus.
That's it, keep your eyes on the prize. He felt like he should say something, but how does one mock an Ogre?
Just treat it like you're at a bar fight back home, he told himself.
"By the Gods." he said theatrically, as if noticing for the first time just how hideous the Ogre was. His following tone was casual. He pointed his other throwing knife nonchalantly at the Ogre. "You know, you remind me of my step mother." he told the monster. "Fat, you butt into things you shouldn't, and just ugly as sin." Despite himself, he grinned. He never did grow out of his rebellious sarcasm.
The Ogre was not amused. "Die human!" it cried.
@Luminosity
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