The Hassles of Hoff; 'Terror Rising pt2'

Previously on:

    Shadowy blokes, beaches, Steel Griffons, contracts, campfires and the riddle of a risen Hoff...and if that makes no sense you can catch up with the story so far here, here and here.

-Outskirts of Cleft, militia camp
       As darkness enveloped them the leader of the militia force, captain Rumbold Sloosh scrambled to his feet. 'To arms damn you to arms!' he bellowed, they are here, we are the only thing between them and the northern coasts men so get up and bloody well fight!!'. All about him in the gloom the ramshackle volunteer force of old soldiers and young boys formed up as best they could, awaiting whatever would come. In the distant tree line they could make out figures moving.......

 The militia force awaits its fate.

Captain Sloosh readies himself.

-An interchangeable back ally, The town of Musky-Dripping

          'Look its quite simple' said Captain D'ballet to the whimpering, cowering figure currently being pinned to a wall by the giant fist of his enforcer, 'House' Martin. 'I want you to answer the question, where are the Fighting Cocks?'. The figure gave out another whimper. 'We know they were here not last full moon, protecting you from a flock of killer geese i believe, so all i need to know is where they went next?'. He drew closer to the figure, a playful smile on his face. 'There's a reward in it if you tell me'. The figure instantly stopped struggling, his eyes hopeful. 'A reward' he beamed, 'great, what is it my lord?'. 'Mr Martin here will let you keep both your teeth!'.

-Outskirts of Cleft, militia camp

 As the militia formed up the tree line erupted, shambling figures emerging and breaking into a stumbling run, howling with joy at the bloodshed to come.

They came from the trees...

  Striding behind them came a cloaked figure, gesturing like a twisted puppeteer, his movements seemingly controlling his charges.

The dark figure guides his creatures forth.

  As the horrific tide of flesh fell upon them Captain Sloosh raised his sword and bellowed 'Charge!!'...

-The beach, Sandycrece

   'Ginger....Ginger....', Sgt Hoff knelt over his young squire gently slapping his cheek, 'Come on lad, Have you never seen a man rise from the dead before?'. Ginger laid prone on the sand, the occasional weak whine coming from him. 'Gi' me some room sgt' bellowed the muscular figure of Bear Maloy as he strode towards them, wooden bucket in hand. 'Ye may wanna stand back an' let a medic do his work'. Sgt Hoff just about scrambled clear as Bear reached ginger and dumped a bucket of sea water over the boys face.

-Outskirts of Cleft, militia camp

 As the lines clashed it dawned on the defenders of Cleft that the enemy were no mere men, they were walking bloody corpses!.  The smell of rotting flesh and death filled the air as the undead tore into them, using nothing more than claws and teeth, manic laughter coming from the figure advancing behind them.

  The unnatural enemy were too much for many of the militia to bear, some ran for safety!

'Leg it!!'

Seeing his line crack Captain Sloosh heft his sword and strode into the mele.

-The road north, just outside the town of Musky-Dripping

    With banners flying and trumpeters trumping the Steel Griffons rode north, Captain Stanley D'ballet and Sgt Darren Duran at their head. 'What a helpful fellow' mused Captain D'ballet, 'very eager to help i found'. 'Quite' replied Sgt Duran, 'Mind you, i'm not sure breaking both his arms was required'. 'I know Darren' Answered Captain D'ballet 'but you know Martin, he just enjoys his work too much some times, who am i to stop him when hes so happy?'.

-Outskirts of Cleft, militia camp

 Captain Sloosh lay about him left and right, limbs flying, flesh tearing as he went. Foul animated corpses fell to his fury!. He stopped briefly to catch his breath, weed and years cheating him of it in his exertion. He looked around slowly. It was then he realized he was surrounded.....

-The beach, Sandycrece

  Gingers eyes flung open as he flew to his feet in a blind rage, the bellows of laughter from the watching troopers ringing in his ears as he tried to blink away the water in his eyes, 'Wakey wakey laddie' laughed bear. Ginger fell to his knees, his faculties not yet together. Sgt Hoff put an arm on his shoulder. 'Try not to do too much lad' he offered. Ginger stared at him with his eyes wide, his mouth trying to form too many words at once. He finally managed a week '...how?...'. Sgt hoff pulled him to his feet. 'Walk with me for a moment Ginger, i think you may have some questions for me....'

-Outskirts of Cleft, militia camp

   The last thing Captain Sloosh felt were claws, too many claws dragging him down before darkness took him...

Sloosh falls!

All along the Millitia lines the story was the same, pockets of survivors outnumbered, the lucky ones ran, the rest......

The last stand of the Militia of Cleft.

-The lords chamber, Ballant keep

  Lord Ballent could not stop pacing. When would they send word?. His beloved daughter was out there goodness knows where with him, That roundstabout Hoff!. The name brought bile to his mouth!. The cheek of the man!, Invited into his keep, eating his food, drinking his good wine!!. Insulting him to his face before his household!. ESCAPING FROM HIS CELLS, TAKING HIS ONLY DAUGHTER HOSTAGE!. When would that bloody D'ballet sent word, or better still that bloody cads head!!.

-Outskirts of Cleft, militia camp

 From atop the wall he took in the scene. No longer would they doubt him!. They would see, they would kneel before him!. First the north then who knows what!. The dark cloaked figure raised his staff and beckoned to his charges. Slowly they shambled towards him, faces turned to him, empty eyes gazing into his. The fallen also rose, stumbling to their feet as if waking from a nightmare. They too assembled before him swelling the numbers of the horde.

 The horde

 Is that...wait..no.....bloody hell it is...ITS ZOMBIE CAPTAIN SLOOSH!!!!

 He stood before his children, reveling in his own power. Nothing could stop him now, no one can stand in his way!. No one..ring ring....ring ring...Can resist his mighty...ring ring...'oh for gods sake!'. 

He reached into his robe and pulled out a glowing globe. He held it before his face before waving his hand theatrically over it. 'Hello...yes darling its done.......no, no we are all in one......no i did not get myself maimed....yes i raised the enemy dead as we.....no.....no i realize.....for gods sake no....im sorry, no......look im.....of course i have time for you.......yes their all zombies.......nothing wrong with zom.....yes i know their are more types.........no......no.....ok see you then........love you too............

.....To be continued.......