* * *
"We must act now, Master Pilk. The wall is all but overrun with orcs," said Captain Hillsworth.
"I was hoping to do it during a lull in the battle," began Master Pilk, "to allow our soldiers to flee the wall if things went wrong. Now if it goes wrong, soldiers will die at my hand from a crumbling wall."
"I thought you of all people, Master Pilk, would realise that we don't always get perfect conditions in battle. Secondly, soldiers will die upon this wall if you don't act now, and thirdly, don't get it wrong." The last was said with a huge comforting smile on his face.
"All right, Master Tayer. Mistress Cali, are you ready?" asked Master Pilk turning to the two wizards. "Remember, Master Tayer, I will only be invisible for around ten minutes, I'll need you to get me there and back as quickly as you can, as the casting will take approximately 8 minutes and I'll no doubt be unconscious after I have cast it," Master Pilk instructed the older wizard.
"Two more minutes than what I need, I assure you, Master Pilk. I'll have you down there instantly, and back just as quickly when it's time for you to return."
Master Pilk didn't doubt him for a second. He knew few other wizards capable of teleportation and fewer still able to teleport beyond line of sight to familiar locations.
"I still don't understand why you can't have a magical shield active when you go down there, Master Pilk. What if you are sensed by a shaman and attacked, you'll have no protection," said Mistress Cali stepping forwards.
"I thought you of all people would understand why, Mistress Cali. After all, you personally witnessed my first and only attempt at this spell. I think my magical shield prevented me from casting the earthquake spell to a forward location, and that it why it happened right beneath my feet."
"Then why not try casting the spell from up here, without shielding?" argued Mistress Cali.
"Because if I'm wrong, the earthquake will certainly destroy this wall and all upon it; if I'm among the orcs and that happens, then the earthquake will still only affect them."
"And you," shouted back the female wizard.
"Yes, yes. Quite so. A necessary risk, and if Master Tayer is as quick as he says he is, then we'll both be back up here before the earthquake gets really nasty," said a flustered Master Pilk, losing a little patience with all the second guessing. "Now, if you'll please, mistress, make Master Tayer and myself disappear." With a sulky expression Mistress Cali did as he bid and a moment later, both wizards vanished.
No sooner had Master Pilk felt himself vanish, the people he loved and swore to protect surrounding him vanished, to be replaced with angry rushing orcs. Master Tayer was indeed quick and had picked a perfect location on the battlefield as well considering the darkness. They were about fifty paces in front of the northern wall; hopefully far enough out that the shaking ground wouldn't affect the integrity of the city wall.
If Master Pilk's spell worked as he desired it too, the ground should start to open up ten paces in front of the two invisible wizards, giving them some time to teleport safely back to the top of the wall. Master Pilk felt the building tension in the older wizard's hands as they gripped tightly onto his arm, and could picture the look on the stern wizard's face. One problem with being invisible meant that Master Tayer had to maintain contact with Master Pilk at all times, otherwise he would not be able to teleport him back.
"Easy, wizard," said Master Pilk quietly. "I promise I won't go running off."
"If you'll kindly begin," replied Master Tayer.
Pilk needed no more prodding than that, and began to get himself into a state of absolute concentration. The city wall behind him vanished, the loud charging orcs left his mind, and the pressure on his arm from his wizard friend's powerful grip lessened, until Master Pilk could no longer see, hear or feel anything around him. The words flashed up in his mind, and disappeared as soon as he uttered them in a whisper. He felt the power building within him, a power he had not felt before.
As he repeated the words of power over and over again, the power within him seemed as though it was ready to explode. Master Pilk wasn't sure his tiny body could withstand all this active energy, but went on nonetheless. He needed to put as much power into this spell as he possibly could, and so he repeated the words of power more times than what was recommended. Each time they were uttered, more power flowed into him.
Once content that he held within himself enough power to form the earthquake, he brought up into his mind's eye the words needed to transform that power into the intended spell. Time was lost to him; he knew not how long he had been there. It seemed to him like days, and yet he knew that it was not. He pictured the exact location he wanted to unleash the spell, down to every exquisite detail that he could, and once he had that image in his mind, he uttered the release word shi'nook, and then he fell into a black void.
* * *
After firing off the arrow that killed the ogre behind Cressida, Decker shouldered his bow and ran to the rope hanging from the wall nearest the cleric. He could easily tell that the defenders were outnumbered on this section of wall, and needed all the help they could get. Barely slowing, Decker practically ran up the wall. Gripping the rope with his hands, and placing his feet against the wall, he scaled it quicker than most could climb a ladder. His feet had barely landed on top of the wall before his two weapons appeared in his hands as if by magic. It was just as well, too, as he was quickly spotted by a nearby orc who sought to jab him with his spear before he got his footing. Forcing the spear out wide, Decker spun in closer to the orc, and planted his dagger in the side of the orc's neck.
Quickly removing his dagger and letting the dead orc drop to the ground, Decker set himself for the next enemy, who was wielding a great axe. Knowing orcs were very limited in their use of these weapons, Decker didn't even attempt to block the horizontally swinging axe, but instead just jumped back out of range and then quickly came back in behind the wild swing and pierced the orc's heart with his short sword. Two more orcs fell in quick succession as Decker's tiredness was removed with a rush of adrenalin.
He took a moment to glance over to where he had last spotted Cressida, and was impressed with her fighting skills. She was battling two orcs simultaneously and looked to have it perfectly under control. Letting his eyes linger too long on her almost cost Decker dearly as an orc charged in from the side, sword point levelled at his ribs. With an arching downward swing he was able to deflect the attack to the side, but the orc kept coming, running straight into him and knocking him off his feet.
The orc landed on top of Decker and with a wicked grin he pulled a knife from his belt and plunged it toward Decker's chest. Dropping both of his weapons, Decker grabbed the orc's wrists an inch before the knife would have penetrated. Normally he would have had no problems out-muscling an orc, but his exhaustion was taking its toll on his strength as he struggled to keep the point of the knife descending further.
The wrestling continued for some time before Decker kneed the orc in the back. This was a risky move as it could have easily forced the orc further forward and thus inadvertently plunging the knife into Decker, but it had the desired effect. The orc became distracted and weakened his hold momentarily, giving Decker enough time to turn on his side and let the knife fall to the ground as he released his grip on the orc's wrists. Quickly retrieving his own dagger, he jabbed it into the orc's leg which allowed Decker to roll out from under him, which he did with all haste. He was up on his feet, short sword back in hand, in a heartbeat and half beheaded the orc he was grappling with before the orc had a chance to rise.
As he stalked in toward another orc, a loud roar erupted in the dis-tance, followed soon after by a lot of screaming orcs. Orc and human alike looked out into the darkness, lit ever so lightly by a clouded moonlight, to see the ground opening up, swallowing all in its path. It was opening up parallel to the city walls, but some cracks were making their way towards them. Orcs were running every which way trying to avoid falling into the appearing cracks,
with many of them failing. Fear found its way onto the faces of every orc upon the wall, no doubt realising that they were soon to be cut off from their reinforcements.
In that moment, many distracted orcs died upon the wall as the disciplined defenders got back to business. Some orcs even jumped from the walls, some into the city, but most trying to get away from the city. The ground continued to roar and open up the length of the battlefield and beyond. All orcs on the other side of the large crack ran away as fast as their cowardly legs could carry them, many throwing their weapons to the ground so they could run faster.
Then the shockwaves hit the city walls, and some parts began to crack and crumble. The signal was sounded for the defenders to abandon the wall, forcing soldiers to grab for the nearest retreat ropes, ladders and ramps to fall back into the city. Some orcs tried to follow, but were swiftly cut down in the organised retreat. Decker grabbed hold of Cressida's hand and started pulling her away to the closest rope. She resisted at first, but as a large chunk of the wall collapsed away nearby, she saw the wisdom in it. As they reached the rope the wall stopped shaking and the noise died down. The earthquake had stopped.
* * *
Master Tayer noticed immediately that Master Pilk had successfully directed his spell. Only then, Master Tayer felt Master Pilk go limp and fall to the ground almost losing his hold on him. Not wanting to hang around any longer than necessary, Master Tayer pictured the place he wanted to teleport to and uttered the release word.
Appearing a moment later in his own private quarters, Master Tayer quickly carried his friend to his guest room and laid him on the bed as best as he could manage; still not being able to see him. He felt his way steadily up Pilk's body until he located his neck to see if his friend still had a pulse. With a relieved sigh, he pulled the blankets up around Master Pilk and went off to prepare something to eat and drink for when he awoke.
* * *
"Where are they? They should have returned by now." Mistress Cali's voice was frantic.
The wizards on the wall had set up a few gates as the earthquake started and had abandoned the wall as it began to crumble. Captain Hillsworth remained on top of the wall for as long as he could, ensuring that as many soldiers as possible made it to safety, before jumping through a gate. Once the wall stopped shaking, he quickly ordered the soldiers to get back up there and started heading back himself until Mistress Cali had grabbed him by the arm.
"I'm sure they are both fine; perhaps Master Tayer teleported them to a safer location. Now, we must get back on top of that wall, Mistress Cali," replied the captain.
Mistress Cali felt marginally better realising that could have been a possibility, but she still worried about the two wizards, particularly Pilk; she was quite fond of the unpredictable, scatterbrained little man. Trying to think positively, she chased after Captain Hillsworth.
* * *
Decker realised that he was still holding Cressida's hand as they walked back to the front of the wall and looked out into the darkness. Cressida didn't seem to notice either, as they could both make out the large, opened crack in the ground below. It was obvious that many orcs had been swallowed by the ground, and on the other side, no orc seemed to remain. Trapped between the city wall and the large crevice were still many orcs, but they seemed more intent of finding a way around the crack and escaping.
Decker reluctantly let go of Cressida's warm hand and readied his bow. Cressida gripped her staff with both her hands and charged off to kill the orcs remaining on the wall, which were very few. After firing off a few arrows, Decker was joined by many other archers picking their targets below. Soon after, wizard's spells were seen hurtling toward the enemy. The retreat was on in full, with some orcs even jumping into the crevice to escape the missiles from above. A tired cheer went up an hour later as the last targets were killed.
"You fight very well for a cleric, Priestess Cressida," said Decker as he approached the tired looking woman.
"Call me Priestess Cressida again and you'll find out first hand, sol-dier," replied Cressida firmly. "But I must say, you have some healing ability for a soldier," she said a little more calmly.
"I'm no soldier, Cressy," replied Decker, remembering the shortened name Vik had called her and figured this was her preference, "I'm a ranger."
"Well, ranger, only friends call me Cressy, and as I don't yet know your name, we can hardly be friends."
With a sigh, Decker replied, "Decker, at your service ma'am," with a half mocking bow, receiving a hard whack on the back of his head for the effort.
"Well then, Decker, friends?" asked Cressida extending her hand.
"I'd like that," he replied in all seriousness. The two of them then began walking slowly toward the closest steps leading back into the city.
"So, how'd you know I had some healing ability?" asked Decker after some time, with a slight knowing smile on his face.
Chapter 14
The Clean Up
The morning showed the carnage of the night's fighting. Skeleton crews rotated guard duties throughout the rest of the night, making sure no further attack came, while everyone else got some much needed rest. Catapult crews rotated throughout the night as well, launching fiery pitch into the crevice, killing any orc remaining alive within. The orcs had not been seen, including those attacking the western wall, which had run off after hearing reports from the north. If any remained alive in the newly formed canyon, they would soon die from hunger, smoke inhalation, or from their existing injuries as no orc would return to attempt a rescue.
Bodies littered the ground in front of, and on top of the wall—mostly orcs, but far too many humans amongst them. The northern wall still stood, but was in need of some major repairs. Soldiers were beginning the tedious work of cleaning up the mess. The human corpses would be gathered together at the city morgue and readied for a mass burial, while orc carcasses would be piled in heaps outside the city and burned. Clerics were still hard at work tending to the injured.
Duke Angus was in discussions with General Ludko and his top engineer, Nardo, about the construction of a large stone bridge over the newly formed canyon north of the city, along with repairs to the city walls. People were already whispering that the canyons name should be Pilk's Gorge.
Master Pilk regained consciousness early in the morning, but had fallen asleep again as soon as he had a meal and something to drink.
Grave fears were still held amongst all in the city for the wellbeing of General Kehar. He had still not regained consciousness since talking to Captain Hillsworth, and didn't seem to be responding to any further clerical healing.
A dark, heavily clouded sky echoed the sombre moods of all the survivors, relieved that they had won, but saddened at the great cost of victory.
A few days later, citizens of Arthea began to return and the cleaning and rebuilding work escalated. The temporary northern gate was burnt to the ground, rather than trying to disassemble or move it, and new gates had been constructed and fitted. Word had returned from the Jasper Ranges; King Buster was sending a construction crew to start work on the new bridge and repair the northern wall.
* * *
"The humans prevailed, general," reported Feygrus the morning after the battle. "A great earthquake erupted amongst the attacking orcs, killing many and dividing the rest. It was no natural earthquake, magic was definitely involved."
"So the humans have spell casters perhaps equal in power to our great shaman here," replied General Krak'too. Great Shaman O'tukka didn't look too thrilled with this comment, but he had already suspected as much after his run in with the spell caster on the hill near the fort the humans called Lowmount.
"And where have the little orcs run off to?" continued General Krak'too.
"Most of them returned to Fort Lowmount. However, I observed quite a lot of them making for the southern mountain range," Feygrus answered.
"Either deserting the orcs' alliance, or gone to fetch more reinforce-ments," mused General Krak'too.
"I'd like to find out which is the case, Feygrus," he said after a moment's pause. "Send two of your best scouts to these southern mountains to find out what these orcs are up to."
"Right away, general," replied Feygrus with a bow of his head and then he scurried out the door of General Krak'too's quarters.
"Meanwhile, great shaman, I think we need to go see the fierce one with this latest news. The humans likely won't wait too long before sending an army against us. We will need some reinforcements before this happens or we will lose this fort," said General Krak'too as he made his way to the door. Great Shaman O'tukka nodded and followed the general out the door.
* * *
A cheer went up from all the soldiers and others watching on as Captain Hillsworth made his way to the platform. Standing there before all the people was Duke Angus and seated behind him was a weak looking General Kehar. He had regained consciousness a few days before this ceremony and insisted on attending against the advice of Priestess Cressida.
Duke Angus had already made an honourable mention to General Kehar and presented him with a medal for his heroics and great leadership in battle. He had just finished mentioning the great deeds of Captain Hillsworth and his ability to take charge in the absence of General Kehar and announced to all that he was now being promoted to a major. Arthea had lost both its majors in the battle at Fort Lowmount and no doubt this thought was echoed among all in the crowd as they watched Captain Hillsworth accept his medal and take hold of his badge identifying him as a major.
The Gate - A New Breed of Orc (The Gate Series Book 1) Page 32
