Today everyone is at the workshop to make some weapons. This would be a test of everyone's skills, and we had to be careful about how we go about it. I needed new weapons since my axe was rusted straight to hell, and without one I would be mince meat. So we took the materials and got to work.
I used a pine branch and with Connor's help, I was able to widdled it down to a long bow and then attached copper threads to each end. After some stressing, it was quite effective. I then made arrows out of various metals, fangs, bones, rocks and other...materials. Connor was quite impressed with the end result, even asked if I had indigenous heritage, which was a bit blunt but I admitted I did.
"Cool, My brothers and I just have Irish and Scottish heritage." He said.
"Well I got some blood from there too." I chuckled.
I also made a long dagger for close combat. It's basically a wooden handle wrapped in leather with a long iron blade. The blade has been cut down into a double edge with the ends sharpened. Leo helped me with it, and even complimented my work. He even asked me for help on his own. Leo was making a sword for himself. The handle was crafted from oak wood and wrapped in pure leather. Then fitted to a double edge, steel blade that was two and a half feet long and six inches wide. I helped craft the handle and then attached the leather, while he focused on the blade. The end result was a simple design with deadly force, perfect for a man like him.
Kyle also wanted help with his weapons. He was making twin daggers, but with poor execution. The problem is he keeps fitting the blades to an unfinished handle. So we scrapped what he had and started over again. Together we made handles out of small white PVC pipes wrapped in black rubber. After that we made ten inch blades that were made of steel. He was happy to have it finished, but nervous about using them. Apparently he not the most confrontational, and back before he joined the Knights, he mostly scavenged with Darnadle. So I offered to teach him how to use them. Hestia also offered to teach Darnadle how to fight opponents larger than himself. They were reluctant at first, but agreed to the one on one training.
Over all it was a successful day of work. After everyone was done, I walked with Kyle to the designated training center. As we walked, Conor asked if he could join us, so it became two on one training course.
"Alright Kyle, if you want to use your knife on something, first you have to keep a good grip. Now let's see if a forward or rear grip is more suitable." I suggest.
So we tested various factors on forward and rear grips. All from how to stand, lean, slash, swipe, and stab to the size, speed, strength, and skill of the opponent. It was decided that He was better of with a rear grip edge out. That would give him a better chance at avoiding an accidental injury while having an easier time at attacking his target. He landed some good hit on both me and Connor.
The next order of business was fight stance. According to the marine corps, the best knife fight stance is forward pressure. That means holding the blade close to your body between the belt and chest area. Kyle was tall with little muscle, after all he's only sixteen. So it was imperative for him to lessen the chance for the enemy to take the blade from him. This stance would provide that security while allowing him to strike repeatedly.
By dinner time, Kyle could attack, evade and even disarm his opponent if needed. He was very proud of himself, and rightfully so, felt much more confident in his combat skills. Even Leo was amazed at his work.
"Its like you started today as a boy and now your a man." Leo praised.
Kyle blushed, "It all thanks to Anna, she helped me a lot today."
"Give yourself some more credit than that," I said, "you always had it in you, I just brought it out."
{_Same with Darnadle, you both have great potential. Just gotta stop doubting yourselves and have more faith. Also don't be afraid to ask for help, Anna and I are more than willing to give some more tips if needed._} Hestia commented.
Kyle looked at her with wide eyes, as if he'd been caught red handed doing something bad. Still Hestia is right, he always had potential, he just needed to be given a chance to release it. I was just about to back Hess up, until a shadow passed through the sky.
Looking up, I noticed the evening sun being block out by a dark cloud. Except, this wasn't a cloud at all. It was a swarm of bloodsucking aswagn that was diving down on our base. If that wasn't already terrifying enough though, several packs of hellhounds were also running our way. All of a sudden the base was besieged from the air to the ground.
"Red Alert everyone!" Leo shouted as Daenerys roared a battle cry. Hestia ascended into the air, breathing her deadly fire at the aswagn. I headed for the watch tower, knowing it would be my best vantage point.
As I ran, the bloodsuckers hurtled down like kamikazes trying to wreck the integrity of their target. I had no choice but to fight to reach the tower, with full understanding that it was my only chance. So I unstrapped my new dagger and started to slash and hack my way through the winged beasts. Going for the wings and neck, I was able to forge a path in the chaos, cutting down each demon that stood in my way. I cut up and down the aswagns bodies, spraying they're black blood everywhere. Slash and stab, slash and stab, slash and stab. Over and over again until...Finally!
Reaching the base of the watch tower, I called forth a ring of fire and then thrusted it into every remaining aswagn in the vicinity. After setting them all on fire, I climbed the ladder of the tower and surveyed the battle. All dragons except Darnadle and Kaylin were burning the swarm into ashes. The riders stood against the packs of hounds that were attempting to cross onto the pier. So without hesitation I grabbed my bow and shot every damn one I could see. Aiming for the eyes, I was able to shoot two dozen down before, the rest of the dragons incinerated them.
Thankfully none of the hounds survived the fire, and after the last few aswagn were killed, we finally had a moment of peace. But it was only the beginning.
"Bronzed bulls incoming!" Markus yelled.
{_Every Dragon should be on the ground in crescent formation._} Daenerys instructed.
With that said, we moved quickly to the entrance of the pier and got into formation to stop the raging creatures. Bronze bulls were some of the toughest creatures around. They were three times the size of normal bull and had skin that shined like bronze and was just as tough, hence the name bronze bull. The horns were five feet long and jutted out of their head like deers antlers. Both were sharp and made of bronze coated bone. We had to keep them from reaching the base or they would trample it into the ground. The crescent formation would help us cover the entrance and allow the dragons to fire up without causing unnecessary damage.
I ran straight to Hestia's side, knowing that the closer I am the calmer she would be. Everyone stood together as one, riders beside their dragons inorder to back them up. It also meant that if the bulls broke the line, we could retreat. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.
{_Prepare to fire._} Daenerys said as the bulls drew closer to our base.
Hestia was already allowing her flames to gather in her maw. It was as if she was trying to swallow a fire ball. I could see that Monti was also holding back his shot, smoke spilling out from his lips. The bulls were getting closer, closer, and closer until...
{_FIRE_} Daenerys shouted.
Every dragon stretched their jaws and shot a large stream of fire at the rampaging monsters. Shaking their heads from side to side, all of them made sure not to miss a single bull in their line of sight. Hestia even became airborne inorder to reach the ones further in the back. The heat was so intense, the ground was a hundred degrees in just a few seconds.
After a full two minutes, the dragons finally let up on the attack, and after the smoke cleared we saw they had been successful. Not a single bull was left standing, some were so badly burned that they were ashes on the ground. Others were chard out husks or a burnt pile of bones. Still, it was a job well done and thankfully the last of the assault.
Everyone was shaken up though. This was the closest attack we had and the biggest as well. Whatever provoked so many creatures to storm our base, clearly had enough strength and power to terrify each and everyone of them. Unfortunately I had damn good feeling what caused this battle today, and it may cause more in the future.