Annaliesa stood up, watching as the men with torches scattered with the rest of the raiders, flinging them at the barn and the outbuildings. One of the torches flew end over end into a wagon of stacked barley, the drying grain bursting into flame.
Hutwig got knocked back, his ankle not able to hold the push, falling over onto the steps with his shield covering his face. The sword slashed him across the thigh, grunting before he swings outwards with his own sword, trying to push back against the man.
The farmhands and some volunteers just about heard the shouts over the screams and thrill of battle, running to try and protect the barns though low in number they could easily be killed. They try their hardest to try and attack any they see with torches but the raiders are seasoned and greater in number.
Elluf took the hit of the sword on his shoulder, grunting as the steel plate dents in with the force. He staggered slightly and spat at Hutwig, growling, "Die cripple!" He tried to pop his chin with his shield when a whistling sound can be heard, an arrow that thunked into his shield. He looked up, roaring at the annoying and dangerous archer, "Little bitch!" He rolled to his side, trying to get Twiggy off balance.
Hutwig took the hit to the chin and lip, blood gushing as it split. He still tried to push against the man, getting to his feet and scrambled up a step or two, off balance but now with the upper ground. He swung down for him, growling out. "Don't you call her a bitch!"
Corrinne leaned farther out to try to fire at the awkward angle as they closed in on the porch. Elluf snarled at him, "I'll fuck your little bitch before I split her pretty head open."
He laughed, a harsh barking sound, and threw up his shield taking the blow. Around him the raiders dart in and out, the torches tossed into the dry wood of the storage sheds, bright flames licking up the sides.
Hutwig growled at his words, now going to slam his shield down into him, his sword sweeping out low. Elluf caught the sword across the flesh of his calf, the heavy leathers providing some protection but he can feel the pain and the warmth of blood. In a rage, he threw himself at the other man, trying to force him to put weight on the hurt ankle.
Hutwig shifted himself, leaning against the man as he pushes against him before he goes to lift his injured knee up and try and strike it into the man's crotch. His balance being thrown off by this, making him fall back afterwards, his shield kept over his chest.
Elluf grunted and sucked in a breath as the knee racked his balls, even with the thick leather a sharp pain shoots through him. He tried to stomp on Twig's shield bringing his sword up to aim for his neck when an arrow struck his shoulder, piercing the armor. He howled and nearly dropped his shield.
Hutwig looked up to the man howling, before he thrusts outwards with his sword, aiming for the man's unprotected thigh, leaving his face unguarded.
Annnaliesa rushed to the back of the house, trying the doors but they're locked firmly. She shouts for a torch, using her mace to break a window, the sound of shattering glass can be heard even in the din of battle. She tossed in a lit torch, the fire catching the curtains.
Elluf screamed as the blade punctured his thigh, rolling to try to keep it from going too deep. He uses his own sword to swipe wildly at the man, catching him across the temple with the flat of it, slicing his face on the way. Hutwig fell to the side after the blade hit him across the temple, the pain in his face burning as the blood trickled down to his collar. He got up, breathing heavily before he swinging out with the most ferocity he can muster, trying to slam the hilt across the face of the man, blood trickling down his face.
Corrinne moved towards the back window, catching sight of the men rushing with torches. She opened the window in time to see a cloaked figure breaking the glass. The person was too close to the wall to hit so Corrinne aimed at man torching the barn, striking him down. Some of the volunteers managed to stop the torcher bearers, though some could not build the courage, others dying as they tried. Chaos and terror swirled around the farm, the sounds of animals squealing in fear and pain as the barn went up in flames could be heard over the shouts of injured men.
Elluf took the hit in face, dazed but not knocked out. He fell back off of Twiggy, dragging himself up. One of his men rushed in, grabbing him, "We go now?" The tall raider nodded, "Everyone, get the fuck out of here now. Hardly anything left." He hollered a retreat, the raiders now ignoring the handful of volunteers and looting what they can from the stores.
Hutwig looked up the steps, looking at the smoke rising from inside the house. Upon hearing the retreat, he looked at the window, knowing the door is barred from the inside, he simply smashed, before clambering inside.
Elluf with the help of his man, ran towards the back catching sight of his sister as the raiders rushed off into the growing darkness. They grabbed their wounded and left the dead, for they could not be made to speak. Bodies were scattered all over, blood soaking into the dirt and the cries of the wounded could be heard along with the crackle of flame.
Hutwig coughed at all the smoke, heading into the room before he shouted out, "Corrinne! Gram!"
Corrinne shot the last of her arrows at the retreating raiders, her face flushed with anger. She now smelled the smoke stronger and she heard Twiggy's shout, "Get Gram! She's in the pantry! I'm coming down." The dog barked and whined at the pantry door, until it opened with the old woman coming out, her face pale and frightened.
Hutwig pat his thigh, getting the dog to come towards him before he moved over to Gram, helping her along as he lifted the lock before kicking it open, grunting at his bad leg. Watching the dog and grams go out, waiting at the bottom of the steps for Corrinne.
Corrinne ran down the stairs, her bow across her back, one hand full of her skirts. "I'm here!" She turned, spotting the flames going up the wall and spreading across the floor near the cooking hearth. "The raiders are all gone? We need water!" Gram took the dog, hobbling off the porch helped by one of the volunteers to get her to a wagon that is unburned.
Hutwig coughed some more, going to usher her to the open door, his weapons now dropped. "Get out! I will do what I can." He nodded, his breathing becoming heavy as sweat and blood trickled down his face.
Corrinne hurried out, shouting to the volunteers to get buckets. Some of them are already running back and forth to the barn, one blindfolding the oxen and trying to drag it out of the burning barn. She grabbed a bucket, rushing to the well.
Hutwig went across the house, taking off his leathers to try and get cooler in the burning building. Wearing his vest and leggings, small embers falling down on his arms, burning him. He grabbed the most valuable things he saw, trying to save whatever he can.
Corrinne runs back with a bucket, rushing past Twiggy to splashing water on the fire on the floor, hearing the sizzle and the smoke rose thicker. One of the militia with a gash on his chest, still bleeding brought another bucket, followed closely by a surviving farm hand. She grabbed some of the smothered fabrics Hutwig had stomped out and dragged them outside, dunking them in water to bring back soaking, throwing them against the smoldering floor.
Hutwig took whatever bucket he could, throwing it against the wall and watching the flames die down where it landed. Corrinne’s arms ached, her shoulders felt numb as she passed on more buckets, the men showing exhaustion in their eyes and soot covered faces. Soon the fire died off in the house, leaving the back wall charred and crumbling.
Hutwig went about the house, opening any windows to let the smoke out. Once the fire had died, he went to find Corrinne, burn marks on his arms with soot covering him, coughing slightly from all the smoke he breathed in.
He found her collapsed on the front steps, sitting heavily as she watched the burning barn, too far gone to save though the men did get most of the animals out, including the two oxen, the chickens scattered on their own. The old plow horse unfortunately had collapsed from smoke and died in the barn. She pressed her palms to her bloodshot eyes and her shoulders shaking without sound.
Hutwig went to sit next to her, noticing her sobbing and frowned. He then tried to place a comforting arm around her, his skin warm to the touch after being in the hot building for so long. "I'm so sorry, Corrinne..."
Corrinne leaned against him, her stoic defenses breaking down and she cried openly. The bodies are visible in the firelight and she can hear a man call out for help, whether he is militia or raider she could not tell. She sniffed, "We can't sit, we have to keep going, there are hurt people out there."
Hutwig pat her back softly, taking in a breath. "You are hurt too. On the inside." He looked out across where the fighting had happened, the blood on his cheek now dried.
Corrinne wiped her face, "I'm not hurt, just tired and...and...I can't believe this happened." She got up, wavering slightly, "We should go for help, to Bree. Get the oxen hitched to the wagon and put the wounded in there."
Hutwig let her get up, pushing himself up, too. His ankle even more damaged, struggling to walk on it at all. "Alright.. I will see you off down the road, but I am staying here for now."
Corrinne reached out for his hand, "Thank you, for guarding the house that way." She reached up and presses her hand to her head. "What will I tell my family?"
Hutwig let her take his hand, "I told your brother I would take a spear before they would get anywhere near you and your grandmother." He then looked at her, thinking. "Tell them it was my fault if you don't want to get into trouble.."
Corrinne sighs and shakes her head, "It's not your fault or mine, it's the damn brigands." She looked out at the bodies and then at him, "Will you help me...we've got a lot to take back to Bree, wounded and those that aren't we must find out who they are and talk to their families."
Hutwig nodded his head, "I will always help you. You know that."
Hutwig said, 'I will help you load up. Save what I can, and then come join you. That sound good?'
Corrinne nodded at him and sighed deeply, "I'll take Gram to Piperel's house. Once the wounded are under care, I"ll return."
“Take your time, and keep safe, aye? I will clean up as best I can while I am here. Send the volunteers and farmhands back, too.'I will start loading up the wounded.”
Hutwig nodded to her, limping down the steps before he moved between the fallen, stopping over those still alive and dragging them to the cart.
Corrinne went to help him with the wounded, she noticed all the brigands left are dead. "They must have taken their own." She helps a man up who has a crossbow bolt in the leg and a head wound from a club.
Hutwig moved as many as he could at once, managing two smaller men. "I would of killed any alive anyway.”
Corrinne glanced at him and sighed, then nodded without a word. They helped the last man into the wagon, Hutwig wiping his brow. He turned to where ever Corrinne would be, limping over.
Corrinne made sure her Gram was secure in the front, handing her the reins and she went around to the oxen, picking up the lead that is strung through their nose rings. She looked up at Twiggy as he approached. “'Straight to Bree, aye?”
Corrinne nodded at him, gathering the rope, the surviving militia surrounding the wagon loosely, "Straight to Bree."
Hutwig said, “Good. Keep safe.”
Corrinne looked at him, "You too, don't strain yourself or I'll put you in the cart and take you back." She tried to smile and failed, reaching up to brush back her long dark hair, her face smeared with soot.
Hutwig chuckled slightly, it turning into a cough. He then opened his arms out, "Give us a hug before you go?" He raises a tired brow, a tired grin coming onto his cracked lips.
Corrinne pressed into his arms, resting her head on his shoulder, her free arm wrapping around his neck.
Hutwig patted her on the back, smiling slightly. "Don't take too long now!"
Corrinne nodded at him, "I'll try, get some rest if you can and some water. I'll be back as soon as I can." She pulled the oxen forward, they resist at first but then follow along docile as ever.
Hutwig waved to her and to Gram who sat hunched in the front seat beside one of the men with a badly broken leg. "Don't you two worry about the farm! I have it under control!"
