Breaking the Mob BR12 August 683

Lakota, Chieftain of the Skin Walkers, went through the plan with his officers one more time. He pulled out the floor plan of the gang hideout that Mas had provided, and ensured all of his men knew their places in the attack. He had dismounted all of his archers, and had them covering the routes that the thugs reinforcements would likely come down, with some of his warriors to back them up. His cavalry were in place to ensure any large concentration could be broken up, whilst his remaining infantry would be assaulting the building itself. Lakota had informed the leaders of Teluna that the assault would be taking place, and had politely asked that they keep the city guard out of the way of his men until after the conclusion of the assault. The Marshall had agreed to the terms; however his men were ready nearby in case the Skin Walkers were using this as a chance to get a large military force in the city. Lakota understood his reasoning, but still felt it was an insult to his honour. The building to be assaulted was once a notable merchants home, until Oks and his gang had taken it over. It was three stories high, with the ground floor windows all barred to prevent entry. The gang had been quick to strengthen it by boarding up the upper windows so they could be used as arrow slits and adding a watch point on the roof to warn of attack. Lakota had immediately seen the flaw in its design, and quickly came up with a plan of assault. The officers all went through their tasks in the battle, and sure that they were as ready as possible Lakota ordered the attack to begin. His Sea Blades who had taken the Midnight Wind in the raid on the docks were the first part of the plan. They had gathered bundles of combustible materials and covered them in pitch. As they ran forward the watch called the alarm, but they kept moving forwards and hurled

them at the ground floor windows, whilst the Iron Club, another of his units, lobbed torches at the same windows. Arrows were quick to fly from the upper windows, many found their mark and his men raised their shields to protect themselves. The torches caught the incendiaries, and soon thick black smoke was pouring into the house. The alarm spread along the rooftop lookouts the gang used, and their reserves began to muster, though Lakotas assault should have completed before they arrived. Shouting and coughing could be heard coming from inside the building now and the men inside began hurling water through the windows in an attempt to douse the flames. It had little effect, and though the fires had not caught on the building yet, the smoke was so dense that the defenders were forced to make a sally out of it. Lakota grinned as more than fifty thugs came out of the smoke half blind and attempted to launch an assault. His warriors made short work of them, killing many and capturing the rest. Then with damp cloths wrapped around their faces they moved into the house to clear it out, whilst others cleared the burning masses from beneath the windows with spears. The warriors were quick to clear most of the upper floors, it seemed many of the thugs had given up the fight, but a small band led by Oks still resisted on the top floor. The Skin Walkers outnumbered them vastly, but still they fought on. It took minutes to finish them off, and Oks was dragged down to be dumped at Lakotas feet. There were many fresh cuts on him, his left eye had been sliced out by an unlucky blow, and he had a slice across his guts that would most definitely kill him. Lakota knew Oks would not live long. He would have to question him thoroughly. Before that he needed to finish this fight. He left the Sea Blades to hold the prisoners here, whilst he led the rest to deal with the thugs reinforcements. His archers and cavalry had had little difficulty dealing with the rest of the thugs, and with so many of the City Guard nearby many had decided not to go to aid Oks. Lakota was pleased with the swiftness and calmness of his troops, and made ready to deal with Oks and present his findings to the city leaders.