by Gabe Jones
"Yes, General," Durfur replied.
"You might want to step back," Steris told Morek.
The Dwarves stood in a box marked with white lines. General Khuddim held a broad sword while Durfur held his "famed" battle axe.
"Begin!" Steris shouted.
The Dwarves lunged at each other. Durfur began to misstep and quickly lost the upper hand. Khuddim disarmed him and held the sword to his neck.
"You have been out too long," Khuddim said. "That was sloppy." He sheathed his sword and handed Durfur his axe. He then turned to Morek. "I will teach you how to fight, Steris will teach you magic, and Durfur will teach you strength," he said. "Rest. We begin again tomorrow."
It seemed as though time rushed forward. The days blended together as Morek trained. He was learning more spells and becoming able to use multiple spells in a row. General Khuddim and Morek had a mock battle everyday. For weeks, Khuddim pinned Morek to the ground with his sword against his neck. Durfur wrestled with Morek throughout his training. Morek learned patience as the strong Dwarf repeatedly pushed him down. The strength training started to show through. Morek's muscles became more prominent over time.
Morek also spent his time within the city. The male Dwarves all had short tempers and were constantly shouting, but Morek became entranced with how the females kept their cool. They were all lovely to spend time with. Many times, Morek was invited to spend the evening with a family. The Dwarves would ask him questions and serve him amazing food.
During the several months of training, however, he noticed a deterioration in the city's spirit. Gloom fell on the faces of the once lively Dwarves. Morek believed many were losing faith in their deliverance.
Morek approached Khuddim one day and said, "I want to complete my training."
"You believe you’re ready for the final battle?" Khuddim asked.
"I do," Morek replied.
"Then, come," he said.
Morek, Steris, and Durfur were led to the town square outside of the main castle. Curious Dwarves began to gather around.
"Dwarves of Nerngarohm," Khuddim announced, "Today your Guardian will complete three feats: fighting, strength, and magic. Let us begin with magic. Steris, you will face Morek."
Steris stood with her wand and Morek with his sword. She cast the first spell, knocking Morek back. He got up and returned with a temporary blinding spell. He then knocked her down and held his sword to her neck.
"Strength with Durfur," Khuddim announced. Morek quickly wrestled Durfur to the ground.
"Fighting with me," Khuddim said, grinning. Unlike Durfur and Steris, with whom Morek was very comfortable fighting, Khuddim gave Morek a weird feeling. It was probably the unsettling grin on his face.
"Fight!" Durfur shouted.
It seemed as if the world slowed, and Morek and Khuddim were the only people there. Khuddim would expect him to make the first move, so instead of lunging, Morek stood still. He whispered an incantation too quiet for anyone to hear and held up his sword. Khuddim, enraged, shot forward with a yell and ran face first into the invisible shield coming out of Morek’s sword. He was knocked to the ground. Morek took his chance and kicked Khuddim’s sword away. He held the sword to Khuddim's neck and just like that it was over.
Morek had completed his training. The Dwarves cheered as Morek helped the general to his feet.
That night, the people gathered in the square for a feast. The food regulations were lifted, and the best meal Morek had eaten in quite a long time was served. Mid-way through the meal, Durfur came around with a pitcher.
"My boy," he said, "The best alcohol you will taste in your life is in this pitcher." He poured the sweet smelling liquid into Morek's cup. "You are a good man Morek," Durfur went on. "You will be our savior. Now drink!"
Morek raised the glass to his lips and let a sip slide down his throat. It was sickly-sweet and burned as it went down, but left him wanting more. He finished the glass and refilled it. He drank several glasses before the world became blurry.
The rest of the night was a blur. He remembered bits and pieces such as lively singing, dancing, and more drinking. That night Morek slept knowing he was a good man. He was a Guardian.
Chapter Seven: Dawn of War
That day was not like any other day Morek had spent in Nerngarohm. No one bustled through the streets. The market remained empty. People looked scared. Durfur assisted Morek in donning his armor before putting on his own. Morek sheathed his sword as Durfur strapped the battle axe to his back. They left the palace.
"You will be in between the Fourth and Fifth Legion. Khuddim does not think you are ready for the front line," Durfur said as they reached the front gate of the city.
Outside the city on either side of the passage were the Fourth and Fifth Legion. Dwarves with everything from pikes to shields, war hammers to battle axes stood at the ready.
"He really does not like me for showing him up yesterday," Morek jested.
"No," Durfur said, grinning. "But I am sure you will still get to fight. Steris and I will be your company. We will always fight with you."
"Fourth Legion, march!" bellowed the voice of Khuddim.
The Legion began to walk in formation through the opening of the exit passage. Steris came up behind them and stood watching. Then, Morek heard the sound of wood scraping together. The group of three all turned and watched as the huge wooden gate closed behind them. The Fourth Legion had made it through the passage.
"Let's go," Steris said, leading the way. They followed behind the Legion as the general shouted for them to march.
"It is about a half-day march to the gate," Durfur explained. "Above our heads sit several mountains. Nerngarohm was carved into the greatest, most beautiful mountain, the Ekridge Mountain, thousands of years ago. When the Orcan Empire conquered it, we were enslaved and forced to spend everyday in the mines. If you were wondering, the two Dwarves carved into the city gate are the leaders that liberated us from the Orcs of this city."
"Interesting," Morek said.
"I have been here before," Steris said. "The celebration of the Great Dwarf Empire was held here."
"Indeed, it was," Durfur replied.
"I remember vividly," Steris told them. "It was a warm summer's day. The usually snow-capped mountains had melted, revealing their rocky cliffs. Our spirits had never been so high. Even Emperor Borious came to celebrate. It was quite lovely."
"Have you thought of becoming a storyteller?" Morek asked her.
"What do you think I did all those years trapped in Umard Woods?" she asked.
Their long hike continued onward. They told stories of war, feasting, happiness, light and dark. One story caught Morek's ear.
"Durfur," Steris said. "I never did tell you where we were going in the first place."
"Where would that be?" he asked.
"Our final destination is the Orc capital and the Nesur Crystal," Steris told him.
"I know of the Crystal," Durfur said. "Legend tells that it was once contained by the Dwarves here in Nerngarohm. The Orcs moved it here after the war, before the city was relinquished from them. It was said to be on top of a staff. The stories say the Orcs worshiped it like a god."
"Orcs will worship anything," Steris said. "I once heard they worshiped the bodies of the dead and even rubbed the blood of the dead on themselves."
"We kept the artifacts left by the Orcs," Durfur explained. "One is a tapestry of an Orc rising from death with that crystal above it."
"It can heal people," Morek said. "We are retrieving it to save my father from death."
"Does your father work in the tavern?" Durfur asked.
"Yes," Morek said.
"You are the one who would not drink," Durfur realized.
"You are the one who would always be drunk," Morek said.
Durfur glared at him. They continued moving forward. At long last, they reached the gigantic cavern along the pathway. It was filled with soldiers. Shouts and the banging of iron bounced off the
walls. Two openings on either wall held inner staircases.
"Where do the stairs go?" Morek shouted over the noises.
"They go to the observation and defense area. There are flamethrowers that we will use for the assault," Durfur replied. A loud gong rang out through the cavern.
"Legion check!" shouted a loud voice. "First Legion!"
"Present!" responded a large group of Dwarves.
"Second Legion!"
"Present!"
When all were accounted for, the voice of the leader went on. "Dwarves of the Ekridge Mountains, you are assembled at the gate of your great city for one purpose only! You are here to wipe these Orc scums off the face of this planet!" he roared. The Dwarfs shouted in approval.
"We have the honor and privilege to have a Guardian among us. At all costs, you are to protect Morek. We will defeat these Orcs, and we will triumph over them. In honor of all of our brethren, let's destroy those Orcs." The Dwarves roared. "Formation!" he shouted.
The Legions got in formation. Morek, Steris, and Durfur stood behind the Fourth Legion. Morek heard the turning of gears and grinding metal. The rock gate began opening. Morek tried to peer through the crowd at the road ahead. It was empty. No Orcs could be seen. The Legions began walking out beyond the gate.
That was when the rocks began. Huge boulders began to tumble down the mountains, crushing the First and Second Legion. Then, the Orcs descended onto the remaining Dwarves, slaying them where they stood.
"Retreat!" shouted a general. Like a swarm, the Orcs moved swiftly and unorganized down the road and into the mouth of the cavern. Morek stood in shock.
"Morek! Morek!" Steris shouted, shaking him. He snapped out of it. The three hightailed and ran. The Orcs moved into the mouth of the cavern and began attacking the running Dwarves. Some turned and fought, but most ran. The howl of the beasts sent chills down Morek’s spine.
"What are we going to do?" Morek asked between breaths.
"We lost our best soldiers," Durfur said.
"If we can get back to the city, Morek and I can create a force field that will hold long enough for us to make it inside the gate," Steris replied.
"The city is still hours away," Morek said.
"We will have to do it here," Steris told him. The Orcs were fast approaching. "Morek! We have to do this now!"
They stopped and turned around. "What about the other Dwarves?" Morek asked.
"I'm sorry," Steris said. "Please just help." The Orcs came closer. "Morek," Steris pleaded.
Morek looked at Durfur. He nodded. Morek held out his sword as Steris gripped her wand. They began the incantation. Blue light shot out of the wand and sword; it stretched across the passage. The force field was up. A few Dwarves ran into the force field.
"Help!" they shouted.
"I'm so sorry," Morek said. The Dwarves looked at him with pleading eyes.
"We have to go," Durfur said. Morek, Steris and Durfur turned and started into a jog, as they abandoned their comrades.
Chapter Eight: The Belly of the Beast
Morek was exhausted as he returned to Nerngarohm. The gate was closed, the towers were armed with Dwarves on watch, and a guard patrol was outside the city.
"Morek!" someone shouted. Khuddim ran to them. "I thought you were dead.”
"I am glad you are alive," Morek said.
"We put up a force field that should hold them for a little while," Steris told him. "We had to leave some of your men behind."
"We will have time to remember them when this is over," Khuddim said. "Until then, we are stuck in the city until the Orcs break through that shield."
"What is the plan?" Durfur asked.
"Well, we lost the best of us in the First and Second Legion," Khuddim said. "All we have is the remnants of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Legion."
"You have us," Morek said, gesturing to Steris, Durfur, and himself.
"I do not want to put our only Guardian in the front," Khuddim said.
"General," Durfur said with pleading eyes. "You know he is ready for this."
The general sighed. "I know he is." The three held their breath. "Fine. But you two are to protect him at all times," Khuddim said eyeing Steris and Durfur.
"Yes, sir," they said.
The gates opened and the king passed through, nearing them. The group bowed to him.
"I am here to fight," he said. "General Khuddim, you have been ranked up to Commander of the Nerngarohm Army."
"Thank you, sir," Khuddim replied.
"All healthy men are being brought to fight in the Fifth Legion," the king told them. "Prepare, they are coming."
The most rigorous days were ahead. The army was put in formation. Morek, Steris, Durfur, and Khuddim stood at the front line at the mouth of the opening, waiting for the Orcs to come through. All civilian Dwarf men stood waiting in the back with the Fifth Legion. One day, Steris approached Durfur while he was examining his axe.
"Here," she said, handing him a glowing stone. "Place this in your axe. It will make it be able to emit a powerful pulse that will knock back your enemies."
After one week, they came. It was a normal day, around noon. Lunch was finished. The Legions were in loose formation in front of the city. Khuddim was making his rounds, checking on troops. Morek and Durfur were sparring while Steris slept. Then, the horn blew. The recon team in the passage signaled that the Orcs were incoming. There was maybe an hour before they would approach the city gates.
"All Legions to formation!" Khuddim shouted.
The Legions snapped into formation. The Third Legion held shields and pikes. Behind them, the Fourth Legion held ready with battleaxes and war hammers. The less trained and civilian Dwarves in the Fifth Legion possessed some normal Dwarf weaponry, as well as many swords.
The hour expired. The stomping feet of thousands of Orcs drew closer. Finally, they were able to be seen. The swarm of Orcs ran at them with a war cry. Morek held out his sword. Steris held out her wand. Durfur held out his ax. The Orcs were now a short distance away. The three shouted an incantation and blasted the first line of Orcs back. The next line came forward. Morek and Steris destroyed them.
"Move to the Fourth Legion!" Durfur shouted.
Morek and his team ran around the Third Legion who held their pikes out in front of them, skewering the Orcs. The Dwarves marched forward. Many more Orcs ran into the pikes and shields. But eventually there were too many. The Dwarves were crippling under the weight. Orcs busted through their ranks. Khuddim reached Morek.
"Fourth Legion!" he shouted. "Charge!"
Morek, his friends, and the Legion charged at the Orcs breaking through the Third Legion. Morek engaged in combat, slaying any Orc he came across. Able to regroup with the assistance, the Third Legion brought their pikes and shields back up.
"Morek, Steris, Durfur, get back to the front!" Khuddim commanded. "The next wave will be coming up."
So Morek and his friends went to the front and blasted the Orcs again. They returned to the Fourth Legion and assaulted the Orcs that made it through the shields and pikes. This process was repeated several times. It was tedious work, but each wave of Orcs defeated was another victory. They just kept moving forward, destroying more and more Orcs for hours. At one point, Morek thought it was never going to end.
Then, it stopped. No more Orcs came forth. The Dwarves and friends cheered and pumped their fists into the air.
"We did it," Morek said.
A cold wind blew hard down the passage. "Diroqrax," Steris said. "He is here." A dark laugh echoed through the passage.
"Khuddim," Morek said. "Get your troops out of here, now."
"Why?" he asked.
Then, the Third Legion disappeared. They were just gone. Morek walked to where they were standing. Something softly moved beneath his feet. He scooped at it with his palm and lifted it up. His hand was full of ashes.
Diroqrax landed in front of him. "Look," he said. "The Guardian of legend."
Morek gripped his
sword. He whispered something Diroqrax could not hear. Diroqrax held out his hand and shot out a dark blast. It hit a protective, invisible shield around Morek. Diroqrax was taken aback. Morek held out his sword and shot a blast of energy that threw the wizard back.
"I swore to protect these Dwarfs," Morek said, walking toward him. "You are not going to hurt anyone else."
Diroqrax blasted him back. Morek landed on the hard ground. Diroqrax moved toward him. Morek sent up a wall of fire before him just as the wizard flew into it. He screamed and fell on his face.
"Diroqrax, you are sentenced to death by the Guardian, Morek of Harthwait," Morek said. He stabbed the blade through Diroqrax's heart. The wizard of evil turned to dust. Morek returned the sword to his sheath. He looked at Steris, Durfur, and Khuddim as they stared in near shock. "Let's go," Morek said, walking past them back toward Nerngarohm.
They followed and came back to the city. Morek passed the cheering Dwarves, not looking at a single one of them. He went into his palace room, locked the door, and fell asleep.
Chapter Nine: It Must Go On
Morek was not seen for many days. The door remained locked. Nobody was allowed inside. Flashes of him were seen through the windows every once in awhile. A celebration was held in the square after a few days had passed. The Guardian did not attend. Those lost in battle were memorialized the next night. Again, Morek did not make himself present.
One day, Steris had had enough. "I am going to Morek," Steris told Durfur.
"You cannot," Durfur replied. "The king said we must not interrupt the Guardian." Steris stomped past him and went to the front door of Morek's palace.
"Key?" she asked. Durfur reluctantly handed it over with a sigh. She inserted the key into the lock and began to turn it, but she was suddenly thrown back by a force. She fell on Durfur and they ended up in a heap on the ground.
"He is clever," Steris said, lifting herself up. "But not as clever as me." She held out her wand and launched a bolt of blue light into the force field until it disappeared. Steris tried the key again. The lock clicked; the door swung open. They were greeted by cold. No fire burned in the hearth. No candles were lit. The home seemed eerie and desolate.
