Pinned Down

[Viridian]

The Outlands were dangerous. It was madness to cross it with anything less than a full army. What possessed the Council to send only one escort? True, a single Wing Knight could vanquish hundreds of the Outlanders, but was it worth the risk? First Wing Teyla could only lament over her assignment. Perhaps there was some sense in sending only her; a small enough threat that it would be overlooked by the hordes. Her charge was a mage, Skrye. Whatever knowledge she gained from her voyage was so secret that it could not be sent by messenger. Teyla would have liked to see more steel covering the scantily-clad caster, but even the scholars of the Council Library were potent in the magic arts. Skrye's skill would be put to the test.

Teyla hurried ahead. Normally she would be comfortable with a company of Wing Knights by her side. Now on a solo mission, she scanned constantly for threats. A dozen of the Outlanders had already fallen to her blade. Skrye hadn't yet needed to conjure up any magic tricks, but she was skillful in wielding her staff. Teyla thought she could make a battlemage out of her yet.

An arrow whizzed by. The Outlanders were not known to make use of bows in their training, their scrawny bodies making them a poor fit for power and precision. Yet, something felt different about these tactics. Hit-and-run. Advanced parties pulled back. Light skirmishing. Very different to the regular Outlander waves that were typical sword practice for a Wing Knight. The shower of arrows began to thicken. They had set up some kind of beaten zone with the archers perched on high rock formations. There was a way out through the rocky outcrops, but they had to fight off the threat first. Teyla planted her feet and stood her ground. She blocked several arrows with her shield, while several others thudded into the muddy ground. Beside her, a white-blue flash shone, knocking many arrows out of the air. Skrye had her staff held up, directing her power to form a barrier. The arrows continued to fly. It was frustrating for Teyla, who was growing impatient for the inevitable charge. One that would not arrive.

The Outlanders had picked up a few tricks in the war. They learned their lessons well from the sharp blades of the Wing Knights. Where they lacked in strength, they now made up for in cunning. Here, they did not need to fight. They just had to wait.

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One of the archers scampered around. Teyla tried to turn to face it, but her feet wouldn't move. She looked down to see her legs being sucked down by the dark, grimy mud. Skrye was in the same situation, though in her trance she seemed not to notice. Teyla now realised the Outlanders' plan. She swatted aside another arrow while Skrye kept her side safe. Teyla shuddered as the mud crept up her thighs. What can a Wing Knight do?

[PM2K]

Love this! Great art as always, and I love the story idea of using quicksand as a weapon against one's enemies. I have a fondness for stories where someone uses nature's death trap for their own purposes.

[sixgunzloaded]

Dude, I'd say this is your best yet! The details and colors are beautiful as are both the girls and their outfits. And I love the way the mud is clinging to their legs as it sucks them down. Really creative! Well done!