Exodus: Guns And Gore 20 Thunder Stronghold

QJ gave out a low whistle. "How many of them would you say?"

Ringo watched the Freeborn as they a.s.sembled into a well-organized militia. They donned black armor that covered their alabaster skin. Their dark eyes were intense behind full faced helms. "Looks like they have outstanding blacksmithing skills. I'd say there are about three thousand."

QJ guessed a similar amount, he kept his eyes on Lilly. They had given her Ornate black and gold armor. She sat on a creature called a liraptor, that the Freeborn used as mounts. Bane had also given the Princess a melee weapon, so Lilly had returned QJ's arms to him. The animal reminded him of an oversized ostrich, but rather than feathers it had scales. It also had a beak and claws that were wickedly curved. It was like nothing he had seen in GnG.

Once a.s.sembled, they set out for the North entrance. The liraptor mounts were very swift, QJ and Ringo rode hard to keep pace. During the ride, QJ slowly a.s.sembled the raid. There were fifty total by combining both the 3rd year and 1st year GnG cla.s.ses.

By the time they had arrived at the exit, he had completed the task. Bane moved her liraptor close to him, "The platform on this side will raise up, the water won't rise much higher than your knees before we break the surface."

The platform she mentioned was large enough for everyone to get on at once. QJ shook his head in wonder, "there must be a h.e.l.l of a counterbalance."

Bane pulled the lever and a moment later the entire floor s.h.i.+fted beneath them and started to rise upward. At the same time water flooded in, but most of it ran off the platform and down the road. The starlit sky greeted the force as they surfaced, quietly and efficiently, they moved toward the sh.o.r.e.

*Raid Speak: QJ* I've separated everyone into groups of five. Counting our off-heal cla.s.ses, we have nine healers in all. The tenth group will be all Riders; we will place them on the perimeter where they can provide sniper support. My group will be the Command group since we are escorting Lilly.

Command Group: QJ, Dessi, Ringo, Jigsaw, Lotte.

Bane and her Lieutenants gathered and approached QJ while he began laying out the battle plan.

*Raid Speak: QJ* Pay attention please, hold your questions until the end. We will be going through the Main gate to the stronghold. Our operative will open the Gate from the inside, at this time the raid will push into the courtyard and break off into skirmishes. The Freeborn will come in immediately after. Expect heavy resistance, you will have sniper support from the perimeter. Yell out in Raid Speak if you need them to focus fire. The Command Group will push into the building and attempt to find Prince Morbin. Questions?

*Raid Speak: Tempest* (Maya) What happens if the gate isn't opened.

*Raid Speak: Ringo* Then it becomes a very short raid.

*Raid Speak: QJ* Be ready to move.

The a.s.sault force moved quietly to the edge of the woodline. They would have to cover about four hundred meters of open terrain to the stronghold.

*Group: Dessi* Too bad it isn't cloudy.

*Group: Ringo* Good luck QJ.

*Group: Lotte* Wait... QJ is the operative?

*Group: Jigsaw* (Nina) How are you going to get there without being seen?

*Group: QJ* Be ready.

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

*Group: Lotte* Dang... share your toys neighbor!!

*Group: Jigsaw* Hey... did you drag me to safety a few nights ago?

*Group: QJ* Yep, now focus.

QJ covered the distance to the gate at a slow jog, the walls surrounding the stronghold were quite impressive. They were twenty feet high and thick enough so that three men could walk along the top of it side-by-side. It was a solid gray stone structure with a steel portcullis and a huge drawbridge that would extend over the moat when lowered.

He waded slowly into the moat, careful not to make noise and was finally forced to swim as the water became too deep. He pressed against the side of the wall looking upward. The positioning of the torches made it possible for him to see the shadows of the guards. There were two stationary guards and one roving. QJ guessed the rover was walking half of the wall before turning around and retracing his steps, there must be a second rover on the other side.

He mirrored the rover's movements for a few seconds and then took out his rope. It took two tries to la.s.so the battlement. He climbed quickly up the side of the wall and pulled himself onto the walkway. He left his rope tied securely, in the low light the guard probably wouldn't see it.

On schedule, the guard returned to his position. QJ waited until he pa.s.sed by and then drew his pistol.

QJ slammed his pistol onto the back of the guard's neck.

A Roving Guard has been stunned.

QJ picked up the end of his rope and wrapped it twice around the guard's neck before tossing him over the side. A sudden crack as the rope was stretched taut sent a s.h.i.+ver down QJ's spine.

A Roving Guard has been slain.

QJ left the rope and moved toward the nearest guard. They were both standing in front of the battlements. QJ sprang onto his back and wrapped his legs around the man's waist, pinning his arms to his sides. He locked in a rear naked choke and struggled in silence as the guard kicked his legs in vain.

A Thunder Stronghold Guard has been slain.

QJ restealthed and headed for the last guard, aware that time was working against him.

*Raid Speak: QJ* Move now! I'll have it down in thirty seconds!

The guard must have felt his presence, he turned toward QJ with his sword raised. Mercilessly QJ kicked him below-the-belt and then promptly tossed him over the wall into the moat.

"s.h.i.+t..." He picked up the sword the guard dropped and with one swing severed the rope holding the drawbridge counterbalance in place, causing it to slam down across the moat. QJ ran down the stairs and grabbed the portcullis wheel and started to turn it. Slowly it began to rise, creaking and groaning in the night air.

"The Portcullis is being raised, sound the alarm!"

System Message: You are attempting to take the Thunder Stronghold belonging to Prince Morbin. You have thirty minutes to capture the fort by slaying half the guardsmen successfully.

System Message: King Quilyn is aware of the hostile actions between his children and has dispatched a mediator to your location.

QJ swore under his breath and continued to raise the portcullis. He glanced at the wrought iron gate, it was currently at shoulder height. He gritted his teeth and pictured Cleo in his head.

"Come."

A moment later Cleo appeared.

[Command: Defend me]

*Cleo has cast summons.*

QJ smiled as the two Incider Spiders appeared and immediately attacked the guards who were closing in on him. He rotated the wheel twice more before the first horses charged through the gate. He quickly locked the portcullis wheel in place.

[Command: Retreat]

Cleo moved back to QJ's side, both Incider Spiders had been killed while holding off the guard. The stream of horses quickly stopped only to be replaced by the flood of liraptors entering the fortress.

*Raid Speak: QJ* Break off into skirmishes. Concentrate on bringing down guardsmen, we have thirty minutes to take this fort.

*Group: Lotte* That was impressive.

*Group: QJ* Find me quickly.

QJ watched the minimap while his group closed in on his position. They needed to enter the stronghold and find the prince. He watched the health bars of the 10 teams, they were fluctuating a bit, but the healers were keeping up. Ringo, Lilly, and the rest of the group found him almost immediately.

The path to the keep door was open, and all the guard were currently occupied. QJ broke into a trot and moved quickly to the keep steps. "Wait a moment, I'll check inside."

The keep doors were two solid wood doors reinforced with metal strips.

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

QJ quickly opened the door and immediately dodged to one side as a spear was thrust into the opening. He grabbed the spear with both hands and rolled backward while kicking up with his feet. The guard refused to let go until a moment before he was sent flying into the wall.

An Elite Guard has been stunned.

*Group: QJ* Come in quickly.

*Kneecap*

An Elite Guard has been slowed by forty percent.

*Cleo has cast Arachni Predator*

All Allies receive + 40 ATK, 30 percent Haste.

*Group: Jigsaw* Holy s.h.i.+t... Whose spider is that?

*Quick Shot*

Lotte has. .h.i.t target for 5,252 damage.

*Quick Shot*

Ringo has. .h.i.t target for 5,144 damage.

*Aimed Shot* [Head-Shot Bonus x Critical Hit]

QJ has. .h.i.t target for 14,450 damage

*Aimed Shot*

Jigsaw has. .h.i.t target for 3,200 damage

An Elite Guard has been slain.

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

QJ walked through another set of doubled doors and left them open, no one attacked him this time when he stepped through.

*Group: QJ* Jigsaw there are six guards in this room, come pull one of them.

Jigsaw stepped into the doorway but didn't enter the room.

*La.s.so*

An Elite Guard Captain has been roped and is closing in on your position.

QJ made sure there were no adds and then he followed Captain.

*Kneecap*

An Elite Guard Captain has been slowed by forty percent.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Lotte has emptied her gun into target for 1600 damage, 1380 damage, 1517 damage.

*Six-Gun Fan*

Ringo has emptied her gun into target for 2214 damage, 1874 damage, 2111 damage.

*Medical Kit* [Area of Effect x Critical Heal]

Dessi has restored 4500 health to all group members.

*Group: QJ* Keep clearing this room, use Feign Death if you pull more than one. I need to find us the fastest path to Morbin.

*Group: Jigsaw* Understood, be careful.

*Fade*

You have faded from view.

QJ ignored the rest of the guard and entered the hallway behind them, it led to the kitchen and the mess hall. He retraced his steps just and went through the west door just as Jigsaw was pulling another guard. This led to a storage area and then downstairs to a cellar.

He returned to the entrance hall where his group was finis.h.i.+ng off the last guard. Without stopping he headed through the east doorway. This lead directly up to a flight of stairs and a long hall. Most of the room doors were left open, a glance showed that they were empty. Red luxurious carpeting lined the hallway and the rooms. It was fairly extravagant for a residential hall. QJ checked each room as he proceeded down the hall. It ended abruptly with a set of double doors.

*Group: QJ* Go through the east door and come up the stairs. I think I found our guy.

A minute later, his group caught up. They stood outside the double doors staring at the entrance.

*Group: Ringo* That could be a hornet nest.

QJ nodded and then headed into the last room before the double doors. It was a large room with a canopy bed.

*Group: Dessi* This was a soldiers room?

QJ went to the far window and opened it up. "Bingo."

Lilly moved in behind him. "Did you find anything?"

QJ nodded, "we can reach the balcony."

*Fade*

You have Faded from view.

*Group: QJ* Stay here for a moment.

QJ climbed out the window and jumped to the adjacent balcony. Two large gla.s.s doors hung wide open leading into a huge suite. There were four Elite Guard standing by the heavy doors. A young man in fine silks sat behind the desk. There were two small chests in front of him, and both were glowing.

*Group: QJ* Found him and some quest items. Come through the window but stay next to the railing. Do not approach the gla.s.s doors.

*La.s.so*

Prince Morbin has been roped and is closing in on your position.

QJ retreated to the far edge of the railing.

*Kneecap*

Prince Morbin has been slowed by forty percent.

*Group: QJ* Hold him here.

*Feign Death*

QJ has died and lost all aggro.

*Group: Lotte* What are you doing QJ?"

*Group: Jigsaw* He's resetting aggro so he can stealth again. Keep attacking.

*Fade*

You have Faded from view.

QJ quickly snuck back inside and grabbed both chests from Prince Morbin's desk.

System Message: You have obtained proof that Prince Morbin has attempted to a.s.sa.s.sinate Lilly.

System Message: You have obtained proof that Prince Morbin has bribed several members of King Quilyn's inner circle.

"IN THE END YOU WILL GAIN NOTHING!!" The prince screamed manically and took something out of his pocket. He pressed it and a moment later an explosion wracked the balcony.

You have been slain.

*Group: Jigsaw* s.h.i.+t, QJ died.

*Group: Ringo* The Prince has become a non-combatant. Hold him down.

[Dessi has offered to resurrect you. Do you accept?]

"Yes," QJ replied.

QJ quickly recovered as he examined the aftermath of the explosion. "That d.a.m.n fool killed his men."

System Message: You have captured Thunder Stronghold.

You have leveled up.

You have leveled up.

*Group: Dessi* I leveled up twice.

*Group Ringo* Everyone in the raid did.

QJ smiled as the cheers from the raid members reached the balcony.

*Raid Speak: QJ* Nice job everyone one.

"Stop all aggressive action immediately!" A tall woman dressed in gold robes approached them through the charred remains of Morbin's office. "I'm Chancellor Ivy, and I represent the crown's interest in this matter."

Lilly bowed her head slightly. "Chancellor! Prince Morbin has attempted to a.s.sa.s.sinate me. I enlisted the help of these heroes to defend myself.

Prince Morbin staggered to his feet. "Lies! You invaded my stronghold in an attempt to eliminate me. You brought a foreign army into my territory!"

Ivy studied the two royals with a keen eye. She was convinced that Morbin was lying, however he had a valid point.

"A moment please Chancellor Ivy." QJ bowed deeply and handed her the doc.u.ments he had placed in his inventory.

System Message: You have turned in 'Proof of Guilt.'

System Message: You have turned in 'Proof of Treason.'

Ivy carefully studied the doc.u.ments she had been handed. After a moment she turned toward her guard, "place Prince Morbin in chains and return him to the palace."

Lilly's eyes were wet with tears, "QJ and Ringo, thank you both so much. You have defended me in my most dire moment. I can't thank you enough."

QJ grabbed Ringo's hand and pulled her beside him and bowed. "We will escort you to Maelstrom."

Ivy shook her head. "Thank you heroes, but I will take it from here. There are several things that must be kept secret. Your mission has been accomplished."

System Message: You have completed A Major Event Quest.

Escorting the Crown Jewels

Quest Type: Major Event

Escort Cousin Lilly from Laredo

to Maelstrom.

You have leveled up.

You have leveled up.

A new six-gun has been placed in your inventory.

New armor has been placed in your inventory.

System Message: Guild One Problem has been awarded Thunder Stronghold as their Guild Base.

System Message: New Content has been uncovered. Phoenix Server will shut down in five minutes.

QJ didn't have a chance to say anything further as Ivy ported out of the Stronghold with Morbin and Lilly.

*Group QJ* Let's log out and figure out things after the server resets.

*Raid Speak: Ringo* I recommend everyone port to the nearest town. There is no telling what changes are going to be implemented because of new content.

QJ nodded, "okay everyone I'm out."

**********

QJ stretched in bed for a moment before sitting up quickly. "A Guild Base... sweet Georgia."

He quickly showered and changed, then hurried into the kitchen. By the time Tal came down to make coffee, he was cutting up some fresh fruit.

"Hey sweetie." Tal leaned over and kissed the top of his head. "Yogurt, bagels, fresh fruit... Who are you feeding QJ? Did you cut some fresh flowers from the garden?"

QJ took out the breakfast tray from the pantry and sat it on the table. "Yep, it's for Nanna."

"She's been helping you?" Tal poured some orange juice and handed it to her son.

QJ nodded and placed it on the tray, before he could leave Tal poured a cup of coffee and handed it to him. "Thanks, mom."

He stopped outside her door and knocked lightly on the doorframe. "Hey Nan, I need some help."

Anna sat up slowly in bed and looked at her clock, her alarm would have gone off in five minutes. "Whatever you need QJ." She gave him a sleepy smile, her dark hair sticking straight up.

He entered the room with the tray and stood next to the bed. "Scoot Nan."

Anna's pretty face slowly broke into a wide smile. "For me QJ?"

QJ nodded and placed the tray on her lap before sitting beside her. "Yep, Nanna's the best."

Anna nodded and took a sip of her coffee. "I'm awfully good."

"And very pretty too." QJ handed her the flowers he had taken from their garden.

The dimples on her cheeks showed, "I really like compliments, don't feel like you have to stop."

"Nan's the smartest, the sweetest and the best friend a person could have." QJ leaned back on the bed, grinning at her.

"Hmm, you're really quite good at complimenting me. I shall reward your effort by sharing my breakfast." Anna handed him the gla.s.s of orange juice while she took another sip of her coffee.

"I'll tell you all about the night I had."