The Rangers of the Dark forest rushed to the village of Icebor. The sounds of battle in the distance excited them.
Arkam led his brothers to the edge of Icebor and stopped them. “Hold here, Rangers.”
Blood dripped from Demorac's wound. Arkan knew he should've stayed behind but there was no telling him.
Garel wiped his blonde hair from his eyes. “What's the plan, Boss?”
Arkan looked out at the village. Barbarians were everywhere, raiding, lighting homes on fires, and killing anyone that lived.
“I want you each in groups of two. Garel and Belim together. Demorac and Farondil.”
The other rangers looked at one another. “And what about you, Arkan?” Farondil asked.
Arkan ignored the question at first. “I want you to spread out around the village. Contain the barbarians to inside the village. Save anyone you can.” Arkan looked at Farondil. “I will take out any barbarians that happen to escape. Am I clear?”
Each ranger nodded in succession.
Arkan took an arrow out of his quiver. “Then let's get to work.”
The Rangers of the Dark Forest spread out around the outskirts of the village. Each group moved into the village while Arkan stayed outside, overlooking the scene with his bow drawn.
Even with his wound, Demorac was stealthiest of the rangers. The spiked mace he held in his grip was anything but. Demorac slipped to side of one of the huts as cover. He could hear a barbarian running around the corner. He swung his mace in a deadly arc and caught the barbarians square in the chest without even revealing himself. A fountain of blood erupted as the dirty man fell to the ground.
Farondil used that chance to stick a barbarian in the back with his rapier. The enemy turned around with blood dripping from his mouth and grinned. The barbarian lifted his heavy axe above his head and Farondil took a step back. But the barbarian couldn't hold the weight and his whole body fell backwards as he exhaled his last breath.
Belim was big, round, and loud. He didn't care about stealth. He walked into the middle of the road with his heavy warhammer in his hands. “Who will dare fight me?”
Three barbarians took him up on his challenge but they didn't know what they were getting into. Belim might be slower but he was as deadly as any other ranger. The fight was over in seconds and only took Belim two swings of his hammer.
But he hadn't noticed the fourth barbarian sneaking behind his back.
Garel jumped out of the darkness and onto the back of the barbarian. Two blades crisscrossed around the enemy's throat and Garel sliced. They spun around, dancing until the barbarian was dead.
Belim turned around in shock and then let out a laugh. “Trying to steal one of my kills again, Garel?”
Garel stood up and wiped the blood off his daggers. “Just saving your life, asshole.”
Arkan watched the two groups of rangers take out barbarian after barbarian. One slipped out of the village, thinking that he could escape. But Arkan had different plans for him.
He let an arrow slip away that traveled across the village and connected with the back of the barbarian's neck. Almost took his head clean off. Arkan didn't revel in his kill but nocked another arrow and looked for his next target.
A scream came from the trees behind him.
Arkan whipped around and stared into the Dark Forest. Someone needed his help.
His brothers didn't really need him anymore. They had already taken care of most of the raiding party. Arkan made the decision to investigate.
He ran into the Dark Forest with his bow ready. Arkan had only heard one scream but that was all he needed to pinpoint the location. He moved through the trees like a bird, quiet and quick.
Arkan saw two barbarians with their backs to him standing over a woman. He didn't need to wait to see what their intention might be. He let an arrow loose that hit one right in the back. It only took another second for Arkan to nock another.
When the barbarian noticed his friend fall over. He looked over his shoulder right on time to get an arrow through the eye. The woman screamed as the corpse fell on her.
Arkan rushed over. The girl strained to get the heavy man off her but Arkan was able to push him off with just one foot.
He revealed the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.