"I will speak to those present first. Scout you are dismissed; go join the rest." Gilkan stood on a nearby rock, making him an even more opposing figure and faced the crowd of orcs.
"Today is a glorious day. Gr'guck has heard our pleas." He began, referring to the orcs' god, "Gr'guck has provided us with a great tool. Through this gate we'll no doubt find a solution to the threat of the Red Axe tribe. We will discover and use this gift of Gr'guck to reclaim our northern lands. And once those lands are reclaimed, we will continue north and claim some new lands, those once belonging to the tribe of the Red Axe. We will punish them for their boldness. My father was weak and let our enemies diminish us. I will not make the same mistake. We are the orcs of the Black Skull. We are not weak but strong. We will repay spilt blood thrice over. We will expand and conquer." At these last words, a great growling cheer went up that shook the foundations of the canyon.
"Bold scouts, go on through the gate. You have your orders."
The scout leader led his group toward the magical gate and paused briefly before it. Then once he had gathered his bravado, he took a step through.
* * *
Vik looked at Trent and was sure his friend was mirroring his own fearful expression. They didn't dare move. What they saw coming out of the magic field was the biggest orc they had ever seen. The same murky green coloured skin, apelike face with two huge horn-shaped teeth protruding upwards from the lower jaw, but half as tall again as the average orc and twice as wide.
The orcs around Arthea were an inch or two shorter than the average man. This orc was a little bigger than Vik's father. The armour he wore was better made than any orcs the boys had seen attacking Arthea; dark brown leather armour that covered his torso and legs with large spiked spaulders on his shoulders. He carried a great double bladed axe that could likely fell a small tree in a single chop.
Vik was thinking that this orc must be some great general of a large orc tribe until he saw what followed him through the magic field. Another orc of similar size, wearing similar armour, and then another. Ten orcs had stepped into the grove where seconds ago there were none. All wearing the same armour with the same black skull mark stamped on the breast. The last orc took one step away from the magical light, slowly turned around a full three hundred and sixty degrees, looking at everything in view. Once he had done this he stepped back through what Vik now discerned to be some kind of magical doorway.
One of the orcs who had a couple of strange marks on his shoulder, obviously the leader of the group, started barking commands in a language the boys couldn't understand. They soon got the gist of it, though, as orcs paired off and started heading in four different directions. The boys slithered as quietly as they could further into the bushes, trying to entirely conceal themselves.
The two orcs that were sent to the east trounced past soon after. The boys knew that if they stayed where they were, eventually they would be discovered. They looked at each other and silently agreed it was time to move. They crawled ever so slowly, about ten strides to the nearest large tree, making as little noise as possible.
Using the large tree for cover they quickly moved beyond the next tree and waited briefly to listen for any sign of pursuit. None came. They were fortunate that the ground here was largely rocky and compact, and the few twigs lying on the ground were avoided with little effort, making it easier to travel soundlessly.
"If we head straight northeast from here we should avoid the orcs, and it is a direct route back to our farm," said Vik in a whisper.
Trent just nodded and followed after him. They continued on as slowly and as quietly as they possibly could until they reached the edge of the grove. They both agreed to stop for a brief rest there in the cover of the trees. From this point on they would be out in the open where you could see long distances, and, the boys realised, be spotted from long distances. As they rested they gazed to the northeast, the direction of Vik's farmhouse, and noticed two figures in the distance.
* * *
Gerard was out mending a gate with his daughter, Marley. A tree branch had come down in the storm the night before and landed right atop the gate. He had finished cutting up the branch into smaller more manageable pieces and Marley was dragging them over next to the wagon where Gerard would later throw them in to be taken back to the house and used as firewood when the wood had dried out.
He had been kicking himself all day long that he had let the boys go to Stonecutters View as he could have really used their help today. But a promise was a promise, and the boys had been a great help to him over the past few weeks. He inspected the damage the branch had caused to his gate and shook his head. The gate was shattered so badly, he'd be better off building an entirely new one. There was always some pressing matter to attend to on the farm.
The sheep were gathered together in a large group a safe distance away, curiously watching Gerard and his daughter work. Gerard knew full well that if he didn't repair this gate immediately, he'd be chasing sheep all over the countryside for weeks to come.
Off in the distance, a strange light brought him out of his musings. It was coming from Bilwarks Grove and had a purple hue. That doesn't look good. Ten years as a soldier in the army, Gerard was no stranger to danger and would always meet it head on. Now with a family of his own to protect, he would fight even more fiercely to ensure their safety.
Marley came up beside him just then and asked, "What is it father?"
"I have no idea, Marley, but it doesn't look friendly."
"What are you going to do, father? Vik and Trent haven't returned yet."
Gerard had temporarily forgotten about the boys. They were due home any minute now with dinner only being a few hours away.
"If I know those boys, they are just as likely to investigate that light instead of coming straight home as they should. Marley, run next door and get Jeff to come here. Tell him to bring his sword. I'll be back at the house."
With a nod to her father she sprinted off.
Gerard jogged back to the house and told Elly about the strange light. When she took a look out the back door, she could see the light as well. Gerard went off to grab his sword and scabbard. As he came back, still strapping his scabbard on around his waist, he noticed the worried look on his wife's face.
"I'm sure the boys are fine, El. They are no doubt hurrying home this instant." Gerard didn't believe that for a second, and he could see by her expression that Elly didn't either. Vik had always lacked any sort of fear. The younger of the boys, he was fearless and if something dangerous was to be tried, he would be the first to try it. Trent, no coward himself, would follow straight after.
Gerard and Elly were standing on the rear porch watching the light as Jeff and Marley came striding along.
"I saw it as well, Gerry, and was just strapping my sword on when Marley came knockin'." Jeff spent eight years in the army and fought alongside Gerard against the Ki'haran orcs many times.
A severe injury almost costing him his life saw Jeff resigning from the army. Although he made a full recovery, he was tired of all the killing. Not long after, he found a woman and settled down to farm life. A year later, Gerry bought the land next door to him, built a house and moved in with his new bride.
"Keep an eye on those sheep, El. I don't want them getting out. But if you see any sign of danger, I want you and Marley to run and hide in the cellar."
Elly nodded and gave her husband a big hug before the two men headed off.
* * *
Once he had sent of his scout groups with orders to kill anyone that notices them, Feygrus started to take note of his immediate surroundings. He judged that it was a few hours later in the day here than on Ki'arantha, his home world. He knew this was a different world as the sun was larger and brighter here. Ki'arantha's sun gave out a more reddish light.
He noticed that he was in a small clearing amongst many strange trees. The clearing was perhaps one hundred paces across and largely firm and rocky under foot. Groups of rock
s were scattered about the clearing including a small group just in front of the magical gate. He knew his first job would be to clear those potentially troublesome rocks. As he was looking at them his last scout, Zether, returned back from reporting to the fierce one.
"Report, Zether," said Feygrus.
"Very little to report. I told the fierce one of our immediate surroundings. He was pleased to see the gate had obviously succeeded. He wants the area in front of the gate cleared of all hazards. As soon as the area is thoroughly scouted, he wants the first company and ogre group sent through."
"Exactly as I was going to do. Scout groups have been sent out. You and I, Zether, will start by moving that large rock in front of the gate. So let's get to it."
* * *
Bekka and Kilgore walked to the east as ordered by Feygrus. They paid little notice of things until well into the tree line where the clearing was out of sight. They put twenty strides between them and continued on a parallel course so as to cover a wider area. Besides a few strange birds and small forest creatures, they came across very little; just more trees and more rocks.
They came to the edge of the trees suddenly where they looked out over a large, open landscape. They could see some mountains away to the southeast, but to the northeast just a huge open expanse full of long grasses and the occasional cluster of rocks. The ground was reasonably flat, affording a view of a large area.
Further north they could see a few puffs of smoke. It was obvious to Bekka that there was indeed intelligent life on this world, especially as he lowered his eyes and saw two figures a distance away, walking toward the trees. Bekka noticed Kilgore grip his great axe in two hands.
"Feygrus said kill only those that's seen you," said Bekka.
"Feygrus not know that they not seen us if we not tell him," replied Kilgore with a glint in his eye. Bekka didn't like disobeying orders but he saw nothing wrong with Kilgore's reasoning. If they killed these two creatures, there would be no proof that they didn't see the two orcs prior to killing them. As a scout, Bekka rarely got to kill anything. It was always to see, but not be seen. Just once he'd like to be able to kill something. So with a brief nod toward his comrade, Bekka started the charge toward these creatures.
* * *
Vik noticed the charging orcs first. He had quickly identified the two figures walking toward the grove. His own father walked alongside Trent's and had obviously come out to investigate the strange light.
Vik was glad to see his father draw his sword the moment he noticed the charging orcs. Trent's father was a split second behind. He wasn't sure if he imagined it, but Vik thought he saw some hesitation in the orcs' charge as the two men drew their swords and confidently stood their ground.
Both veteran soldiers, used to each other's fighting styles, Vik re-mained confident they could quickly dispose of these orcs. But these orcs were larger than normal, so Vik was still a little fearful for his father. It was that fear that fuelled his next move. Before he was even aware of what he was doing, he pulled out his wooden sword and charged after the orcs.
* * *
"What are those foolish kids doing?" asked Gerry.
"Your son's leading the charge. Makes him the more foolish," replied Jeff.
"A follower of a fool is the bigger fool in my book."
"Ahh! We would have done the same at their age, I'm sure."
"Well, let's dispose of these extra-large, ugly fools first and then we'll deal with the smaller fools, ay?"
At that, both men walked confidently toward the charging orcs, experienced enough not to expend too much energy before a fight. The charging orcs would be all but out of breath before even reaching them.
As the orcs were upon them, Gerard suddenly turned side on and jumped back out of range of the orc's swinging axe, and Jeff followed his lead and fell in beside his friend. The orc nearest them now had two enemies to face while the other orc had to try and circle around. He didn't have to wait long though, as Jeff crouched and slashed the back of the first orc's thigh before he even began to turn and face them. His howl of pain was cut short by a quick stab from Gerard's sword into the orc's exposed neck. The orc was lifeless before he hit the ground.
* * *
Seeing Bekka so easily defeated, Kilgore knew he'd soon be joining him. He thought about running, but orcs of the Black Skull never ran. They were fearless and fought to the death. Kilgore discovered fear in that instant, though.
Scouts were not known for their fighting prowess, but were certainly not novices in a fight either. These two creatures, one their match in height and brawn, but the other a good head shorter, had killed Bekka in a heartbeat. Kilgore swung his great axe in a big, round sweep, trying not to hit his opponents, but to make them retreat back a step. That they did, but came straight back in at him.
Kilgore managed to block the low attack from the lesser creature with the head of his axe, but took a nasty cut in his shoulder at the weak point of his armour from the greater creature. Still he held some pride that he had lasted longer than Bekka. Just then, though, he received a massive blow from behind. He was not even aware of the threat behind him. He died wondering about what had hit him as his head was removed from his shoulders a split second later.
* * *
Vik had dropped his wooden sword during his mad charge realising it'd be useless in this fight. In his last few strides he had rotated his upper body and shoulder charged the large orc. Even though he was only thirteen, he was solidly built. That combined with the momentum of his furious charge contributed to the force of his impact. As he made contact, he turned his body so as to avoid any attack his father or Jeff made at the orc.
Pain exploded through his shoulder, and the wind was knocked out of him as he hit the ground, but that didn't stop him from continuing his roll and jumping back to his feet, ready to meet any coming challenge. It wasn't necessary though, for by the time he regained his feet and assessed the situation, the orc was laying headless on the ground.
"What on Ka'ton were you thinking?" his father asked.
As he calmed down and finally stopped shaking, he heard himself say, "Not much, father, not much at all."
"That much was obvious, son," said Gerard as he burst out laughing, followed quickly by Jeff. The laughter was infectious and Vik soon found himself laughing along with them. Just then, Trent finally arrived.
"I've never seen you run so fast," said Trent trying to catch his breath. "Good move dropping that sword, though. Wooden swords don't do too well against thick leather armour I'd imagine."
Laughter erupted again from all four of them. As the laughter died down, Vik's father said, "Seriously though, Vik, it was rather foolish. You could have been badly hurt or even killed."
"I know, father. I was just so worried about you and Jeff and thought I could perhaps help. They were very large orcs and they're not alone."
"As you have no doubt now observed, Jeff and me can quite handle ourselves— what did you just say? Not alone?"
"No. The source of that light is some sort of magical doorway. Ten of those large orcs came through it."
"Come; tell us what you saw as we walk home. Your mother is worried sick. She'll be furious to learn that you went to investigate that light, even though, like me, she expected it."
* * *
"You what? You boys are not leaving your respective houses for a month."
"You're not Trent's mother," Vik dared to say.
"I'll have a talk to Adrianna and I'm sure she'll agree with me." Trent looked at Vik with an expression that said 'thanks for making that worse'.
"Let's just calm down a bit, El. The boys have discovered a threat to this entire region. Fools, they may be, but they have bought us some time to maybe end this threat before it begins. Jeff and I have to go and report this at once to the duke and I think the boys should come with us as eye witnesses." Elly glared at her husband for an instant before she relaxed.
"Vik, go and get Swift Breeze and Crazy Daisy s
addled up and ready to go. You'll ride with me and Trent with Jeff," ordered Gerard.
"Trent, go and help Vik," said Jeff unnecessarily as Trent had already turned to follow Vik out the door.
"That was some move you pulled on that orc," Trent said as he caught up to Vik on the way to the stables. "Bold, decisive and you were so quick back to your feet. I was impressed. You'll make a great soldier one day. I was scared out of my wits."
"I was foolish. Father was right. What if the orc turned at the last mi-nute and swung his axe? I had no defence. And what if my father and Jeff didn't dispose of him so quickly? He could have come after me as the lesser threat and killed me," replied Vik as he opened up the barn doors and walked over to the stall housing Swift Breeze, a dappled grey thoroughbred Marley had so named for her seemingly effortless speed. Trent hesitated briefly before moving over to the stall of Crazy Daisy, a chestnut horse Vik had named for her temperamental behaviour and reckless speed.
"A lot of what ifs. I get the impression every battle fought would be full of what ifs. What if you hadn't done what you did and that orc got lucky and killed one of our fathers?"
"I never thought of it that way," admitted Vik.
"What's done is done. A perfect outcome no matter how foolishly achieved," commented Trent while giving Vik a friendly punch in the shoulder.
"Ow! You dolt, that hurt."
"Oh yeah, I forgot. How is your shoulder anyway?"
"Gonna have a nice big bruise for quite a while, I'd say."
"A little reminder of your foolishness, ey?" said Trent cheekily. The boys pulled out the saddles and began to get the horses ready for the ride to Arthea, with their grumbling bellies reminding them that it was almost dinner time, and now they had to endure an hour on horseback. They would certainly sleep well tonight.
* * *
After a quick dinner, the two fathers and their boys were on the way to Arthea. They lived a couple of miles off North Road and it was about another nine miles along that road to the northern gates of Arthea. It was a well-kept road and relatively flat, with the exception of the pass between a small cluster of mountains and Evergreen Forest. So even with the extra load, the horses made swift progress and the city gates were in view an hour later. The gates were still open, as the sun had not yet gone down. It was the middle of summer so the sun was late in setting. Both Gerard and Jeff were well known by the city guard and so were waved straight on through without question.
The Gate - A New Breed of Orc (The Gate Series Book 1) Page 2
