"Right, Nuri, you go and see if there is a way to get to the general. See if we can get down into the hole. It don't look too deep. We'll head back into the cave until you return." Burr started walking back toward the cave.
Nuri nodded hesitantly, turned and started walking toward the quake affected area that moments ago he had been sprinting away from. It didn't take him too long to reach the edge of the newly formed crack in the ground. His heart sank as he saw the sheer drop of the walls and the dwarves lying on the hard, rock covered floor some thirty feet down. But as he continued to watch them, he noticed them start to move.
The newly formed crevice was too long for him to see the other side of it as it disappeared from view around a bend to the left, and for as far as he could see, his brethren were strewn across the chasm floor. Most seemed to be moving now, although more than a few obviously had broken bones. Nuri just hoped that the ones not moving were merely unconscious, but he held little hope for the bodies he could see near the most severe rock slides. No doubt a good few dwarves were buried under those large rocks. He shouted down to one dwarf who seemed to be almost entirely uninjured. The dwarf looked up grimly as he continued to dust himself off. "Where's the general?"
Nuri shrugged and yelled back, "Hopefully on the other side of this crack. Are you all okay down there?" He felt silly after asking the question because he could see for himself that they weren't all okay and that getting them all out of that hole would be a huge task and a time consuming one. He wasn't sure they had that much time.
"Some of us are in bad shape by the looks of it. Got any rope to get us outta here?"
"Don't think so," answered Nuri. "We were told to pack light, but I'll go and ask the rest. We have to find the general somehow, but I don't see any quick way around this hole."
"Go see if you have any rope, I'll run to the other end and see if I can find the general. I'll meet you back here." Nuri shouted back his agreement and sprinted back to the cave. He met Burr at the entrance to the cave and reported what he had seen. They quickly established that they didn't have any rope among them.
"Could we jump down into the hole?" asked Burr.
"Is a fair drop with a hard uneven landing, we risk injury," replied Nuri.
"Right then, we set up a dwarf rope, and those that's left on top risk the jump. We got's to get into that hole and out the other side before trouble arrives," said Burr.
The dwarves stormed off toward the crack. The dwarf that Nuri had spoken to earlier hadn't returned yet when they got there, but a number of other dwarves were up and about, some moving around quite gingerly. Burr started to organise the dwarf rope at once.
One dwarf gripping the ankles of another as he hung over the edge, held onto by a couple of the strongest dwarves on top. Then a third dwarf climbed down the other two to grip the ankles of the lowest dwarf. This system continued until the lowest dwarf was only about ten feet from the chasm floor. The remaining dwarves then began climbing down the dwarf rope one at a time. This was slow going and hard work on the dwarves forming the rope, but it was working. By the time the third dwarf had reached the bottom, the dwarf Nuri had spoken to returned, and he had a rope over one shoulder.
"The general's alive and on the other side of this crack," shouted up Jerzy, as he began preparing to throw the rope to the top by tying off a small stone on one end. "They have a few ropes set up on the other side pullin' dwarves out." Nuri caught the rope firmly as Jerzy threw it up to him, and he wasted no time in securing it around a nearby tree, but as he turned back to inform the group that it was secure, a blue glow appeared next to him and he found himself trampled by a huge orc as he screamed an alarm.
* * *
After a brief rest Great Shaman O'tukka had been able to create a magical gate to get some orcs to the dwarves. While he was unconscious General Krak'too had sent two companies of grunts ahead on foot reinforcing to them that he wanted prisoners. He now watched on from his vantage point as his orcs spewed forth from the magical gate, taking advantage of the dwarves vulnerable position.
He had been told that dwarves would not leave a fallen soldier behind, no matter the risk; he was relying on that information now and could imagine that the dwarves were working on rescuing their kin at the far end. This would hopefully slow them up sufficiently that his army could catch up to them, and with injured among them it would slow them down even further. He viewed this as a severe weakness in this otherwise reportedly strong race.
* * *
Burr heard the shout from his friend Nuri, and turned just in time to see him trampled by a massive orc. "Orcs!" he shouted as he readied his battle axe. "Arm yourselves," he continued as he engaged the orc that had trampled his friend. Only about thirty dwarves remained on this side. The dwarves forming the 'rope' were quickly pulled up and the valiant dwarves set themselves for a fight they couldn't win.
* * *
Jerzy heard the shout of orcs from above, and saw the 'dwarven rope' pulled up. He knew that those brave dwarves were trying to buy some time for them to escape. He sent one dwarf on ahead to alert everyone of the attack, while he helped the able carry the disabled, ignoring as much as he could the sounds of battle overhead. It was slow going, but not one live dwarf was left behind and soon enough the far wall was in sight. But when Jerzy saw how many dwarves were still left to be pulled out he knew not everyone was going to make it. He soon realised that he was likely to be one of them as he looked behind and saw orcs in the distance rapidly approaching him. "Orcs are coming, hurry it along," he shouted, as he picked up his pace as much as he could with his burden, a badly injured dwarf, over his shoulder.
Halfway to the wall he knew they'd never make it. "Okay lads, time to kill some orcs. Let's buy some time for those ahead." With that, he gently put down the injured dwarf knowing he'd soon be in a similar, if not worse way and set himself to fight the rushing orcs.
The first orc to reach him was dead before the orc even got a chance to swing his huge axe, a look of confusion mixed with pain as he slumped to the ground.
A dwarf protecting injured kin is a dangerous enemy indeed, as the orcs quickly discovered with their front line dispatched in moments. But the orcs were far more numerous and as the dwarves began to tire; their slower reflexes cost them dearly. Jerzy had killed five orcs already, but with how hard he had to hit these large orcs to take them down, he was tiring quicker than usual.
He thought his end had come as the orc he was fighting stepped back out of range of his clumsy swing, knowing there was no way he could reverse his momentum and block the counter attack. But the counter never came, and as he looked back at his opponent he understood why. An arrow was protruding from the orc's eye as he swiftly collapsed. With a quick glance behind and above him, and a thankyou wave to his ranger friend, Jerzy set his feet once more and began his battle with the next orc in line.
* * *
Decker nodded politely at Jerzy's wave, but knew full well that the dwarf was in a lot of trouble, as were all the dwarves still below. From his vantage point, he could see the huge number of orcs charging along the crevice floor. His quiver was running low. Very soon all he would be able to do was watch on as the dwarves below were slaughtered. Although he did notice that the orcs didn't seem overly interested in administering a killing blow to the dwarves. The ones already injured from the fall, the orcs simply left behind. He had heard reports that these orcs were different from the norm, but now he was seeing it first-hand. They were certainly much larger, towering over his dwarven friends, but normally orcs would be quick to kill the easy prey. Even the ones they fought, once overwhelmed and disarmed, they left them behind to be dragged away by the trailing orcs.
It was obvious to Decker now that these orcs sought captives. Firing off a few more arrows, Decker said to General Ludko who was standing beside him, "We have to leave, general. If those orcs reach our ropes they'll overwhelm us all." Decker watched as General Ludko looked around at the scene. He knew that the general wou
ld hate the idea of leaving kin behind, it was unnatural for dwarves. After a few moments General Ludko shouted out a command to lift the ropes and retreat. Decker could tell that the dwarves hated the order but they were still quick to obey. He turned back to the general and noticed a tear form in his eye. He draped his arm over the hardy dwarf's shoulder and turned him around to face the way to Arthea.
* * *
Jerzy didn't need to look behind him to realise that the general had called a retreat. More able bodied dwarves came to fight and die beside him, having no other choice. It was obvious to him before a dwarf had even told him, that the ropes had been lifted. They were on their own. Jerzy realised that the general obviously had no choice, but still couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. He noticed a few more arrows fly into the orc ranks, but then they too stopped. Decker had most likely run out of arrows.
Knowing his fate, he wanted to make as many orcs pay for it as he could and so he took on a newly found fury, carving up the orc he was fighting even after he knew the orc was dead. This made the next orc in line hesitate slightly before engaging the furious dwarf. Jerzy smiled at the orc before charging him.
As more and more of his kin fell beside him, Jerzy quickly found himself fighting on all sides. He knew he had little time left, but was satisfied that he had fought as best he possibly could. The longer he held these orcs back, the further away the retreating dwarves would be. Orc bodies lay all around him, making footing for the attacking orcs a bit tricky. This was his only advantage, but he used it as best he could, pushing orcs away that were already unbalanced as he swung his axe at others.
At one stage he was able to duck under a wildly swinging axe and see it plunge into an orc to his side. He was then able to kill the wielder of that axe swiftly as he tried in vain to free his weapon from his comrade. Not long after that comical orcish error Jerzy's vision went pitch black, and all strength left his legs as he sustained a huge knock to the head. Jerzy never felt his body hit the ground.
* * *
General Krak'too looked into the distance with a satisfied grin. He couldn't have planned this better if he had weeks to do so. The earthquake had divided the dwarves and injured a great deal of them. The company of grunts he sent through the gate were soon joined by the two companies he sent out earlier. The grunts were able to use a rope the dwarves had already set to gain access to the bottom as well as set a few of their own ropes.
The dwarves on this side were quickly overwhelmed and his army swiftly caught up to the fleeing dwarves as they tried to rescue their injured. He looked to be losing more orcs than he had expected from that small resistance but the result was set. Knowing that, he stepped through the gate and yelled out to the rearmost orcs not to pursue the dwarves beyond the crevice. He knew the human city wasn't too far away and that they would be quick to come to the aid of the dwarves.
He had already achieved enough. In all likelihood he would have near on two hundred dwarves to present to the fierce one; no small gift. Maybe then the fierce one would do more than just make up for his losses. Maybe he would find himself in charge of a full regiment. Thinking of what he could achieve with a thousand strong army brought a large grin to the general's face. Perhaps he could slay certain stuck up members of the Blood Council.
* * *
The city walls had never appealed as much to General Ludko as they did right now. He had lost full on half his army on the way here to an enemy he knew little about. He should be marching proudly toward the gates right now instead of wearily carrying in wounded dwarves. He should have been met with loud cheers as the humans noticed the large dwarven group coming to their aid, not the quiet, concerned faces he was now seeing. The sun was just dipping below the horizon as the city gates opened before him. He had perhaps two hundred battle ready dwarves, and an additional fifty who would prove a strain on the healing capacities of a city preparing for a large battle. Would he now be seen as a help to the city or a hindrance? Offloading his injured burden to a nearby dwarf, General Ludko, with shoulders slumped, approached the leader of the gate guard.
"You look in bad shape, general," said the guard as he approached.
"Stinkin' large orcs ambushed us on the way; lucky that any of us made it here. Got a powerful shaman with 'em they do," grumbled General Ludko.
"The large orcs? Haven't heard much of them for some time. The duke will want to hear all about that, I'm sure. We have your escort waiting, general. Would you like some carts for your injured? I'll send them straight to the healers if you'd like."
"Aye, that'd be good, thanks, sergeant."
"Follow these men over here," said the sergeant pointing to a group of five soldiers off to his right. "They'll take you to the barracks set aside for you, then once you are settled, they'll take you to see the duke, general."
"Thanks again, sergeant," replied General Ludko, and turned to walk off to the group of men.
"Oh, and, general," said the sergeant, "thanks for comin'. I'm sorry for your losses, but it sure is good to see you and your soldiers here."
General Ludko faced the sergeant, gave him a small nod, then turned and continued walking toward the soldier escorts.
* * *
"Injured already? Have the orcs come?" asked Cressida.
"No, Priestess Cressida," replied the lady messenger. "The dwarves were attacked by the large orcs on their way here. They have carried many injured with them. Your help would be much appreciated."
Cressida had only registered herself as a cleric in the city hours earlier. She didn't expect to have much work until the orcs attacked the city.
"Of course I'll help. It's what I came here to do, after all. But firstly you have to stop calling me Priestess Cressida. It's a real mouthful. Just call me Cressida," she replied firmly.
"As you wish, now come as soon as you are able, Cressida," said the messenger a little awkwardly.
"I'm able now. Let's go." The messenger turned and started leading the way. Cressida looked back at her brother and shook her head before she followed after.
* * *
"I'm sorry to hear about your soldiers, General Ludko. Although all in Arthea don't feel your pain as much as you no doubt do, I assure you that the loss of those dwarves pains us all greatly," said Duke Angus after the general had been formally introduced to him.
"They fought bravely I assure you, Duke Angus, against a common enemy. A general can ask nought more of his soldiers. I'm eager to end this war in Arthea so I can take my revenge in full force to those orc scum," replied General Ludko.
"If I have any men left to spare after the coming battle, general, I will send them with you. We have lost many good men as a result of those unusual orcs and I am just as eager to see them eliminated. Now, I trust that your wounded are being cared for?"
"They are. If we're lucky they'll all be fully healed before Arthea is at-tacked, and mighty eager for spillin' orc blood."
"There'll be plenty of that to spill soon enough, general. By latest re-ports, I shan't be at all surprised if the orc army starts its march at first light tomorrow. So by late noon tomorrow, the view from our walls could be much different."
"I'm just wishin' I had the full five hundred dwarves I left with to aid ya duke, instead of half that number."
"I wish the same, general, but wishes don't win battles. General Kehar will be along at any moment. He will go over all our defence plans with you and work out where you and your soldiers will best fit in." A knock on the gong at the double doors alerted the both of them that someone had arrived. "That'll be him now; unlike General Kehar to be on time for a meeting."
The door guard opened the doors and took a step into the large meeting room. "Master Pilk..." began the door guard as a well-known figure to both the duke and the dwarven general stepped around him and barged into the room.
"Yes, yes, he knows who I am and his eyes can see that I am here, be so kind as to close the doors now, good sir," said Master Pilk as he walked briskly toward where the
duke and the dwarf were seated.
"Master Pilk, however, seems to always arrive at a meeting before he is even summoned," said Duke Angus with a grin to General Ludko. "I should not be surprised that you have heard the news already now should I, Master Pilk?" said the duke, turning to face the rushing wizard.
"Hundreds of dwarves marching over cobbled city streets tend to make quite a ruckus, my lord duke," replied Master Pilk with a smirk on his face. "Well met General Ludko, I hear your trip here was an eventful one?" he continued as he nodded to the general and took a seat opposite him on the table.
"Half my soldiers are now in Vala's halls, and fifty of 'em are gettin' stitched up. An event I could have done without, wizard," replied General Ludko gruffly.
"I apologise for my rash statement, general, and I am indeed sorry for your loss. I would, though, like to have a detailed recounting of the fray when you have the time and patience for it."
"I 'ave a battle to prepare for, Master Pilk. Both my time and patience will be sorely tested I don't doubt."
"Indeed, yes indeed. Perhaps you could tell me just one thing then. Did the orcs use any magic?"
"The ground opened up beneath us, and orcs seemed to appear out of thin air. If that ain't magic, I dunno what magic is."
"An earthquake spell," muttered Pilk. "Very interesting indeed," he continued to mutter.
Just then, the gong sounded again and the doors opened.
"Saved by the gong," said Duke Angus quietly to General Ludko with Master Pilk seemingly oblivious to any of his surroundings. "If you'll excuse us, Master Pilk," uttered the duke quite forcefully once General Kehar had been introduced.
No response from the muttering wizard prompted Duke Angus to repeat his not so subtle command. Master Pilk seemed to come out of his mutterings suddenly, nod to the duke and dwarf, rise from his chair and walk briskly out of the room with his head down in deep thought, almost knocking over an approaching General Kehar.
"I do believe he would have continued his incoherent mutterings for hours given the chance," said Duke Angus to the dwarven general, then he stood and welcomed General Kehar to the table and waved his hand at the hastily abandoned chair, signalling the general to be seated.
The Gate - A New Breed of Orc (The Gate Series Book 1) Page 22
