She tottered a little, but Harruq caught her in his arms. The elf pressed her fingers to her temples and patiently breathed in and out.
“You going to be all right?” he asked her.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Just get us into the air. We’ll find someplace further away to rest, then figure out just what Sir Kull will run into when he flees north.”
Harruq helped her atop Seleven, then sat behind her. Haern curled his cloaks about himself and leaped atop the horse’s back.
“Be glad when this damn winter is over,” he muttered.
They flew low to the ground, following the flat spaces between the hills, which Aurelia felt a likely guide for Sir Kull’s movements. As they travelled north, the hint of smoke lined the horizon.
“An army?” Harruq asked.
Aurelia shook her head, her face grim.
“I fear worse,” she said, though she didn’t explain what.
Seleven beat his mighty wings, and toward the smoke they flew. A heavy knot was twisting in Harruq’s stomach as the hills rolled past. They saw no army, but instead the remains of a large village. Without a word, they landed on the outskirts, dismounted, and surveyed the wreckage.
“They burned everything,” Haern said, shaking his head. “Just… everything.”
Over a hundred homes lay crumpled, broken boards and smoldering ash all that remained. The odor of smoke and blood hung in the air as Harruq wandered toward the village center, his hands trembling. Flies swarmed about, blanketing pools of blood and entrails that lay scattered about the streets. Despite the carnage, he saw no bodies.
“Where are they?” he asked. “Where are the dead?”
“Here,” Haern shouted. Harruq followed his voice. On the other side of the village was a giant pit, and Harruq nearly vomited at the sight. Thousands of bones were piled within. An army of crows hopped among them, feasting. When Aurelia saw it, she immediately turned away and covered her mouth.
“What happened?” Harruq asked, dreading the answer. He felt distant memories crushing in upon him.
“Man-flesh,” Aurelia said, her face pale. “They butchered everything, Harruq. The goats, the pigs, the cows… and the rest.”
Harruq turned and fled. His swords were in his hands, yet he never remembered drawing them. He struck broken boards and nearly collapsed walls. Gray sky hung above him, but in his mind it was filled with stars. The village was empty, but in his mind it was full of fleeing men and women. This village had no name he knew, but the one of memory was called Cornrows. In years past, while still serving Velixar, he and Qurrah had destroyed the entire village, leaving not a single survivor.
Harruq stumbled over a broken sword and fell to one knee. He knelt there, his vision blurred. Aurelia called out to him, but he didn’t hear. He didn’t want to hear. The weight of a hundred murders crushed his shoulders and choked the breath from his lungs. Harruq dropped his swords. Amid his red vision he found a cornhusk doll, half of it burned away. When he picked it up, he felt tears well in his eyes.
“Harruq?”
The half-orc looked up. He felt naked and confused. A slender hand touched his shoulder, and he flinched as if struck. Another looped around his neck, and then Aurelia’s hair fell across his face, and within its privacy Harruq sobbed.
“No better,” he said when he could to speak. “I’m no better. How could I have done something like this? How could I… how could… ?”
“Shush,” Aurelia whispered, but Harruq would not listen.
“I’m a monster,” he said. “Just a monster.”
Haern approached. his sabers swing at his hip.
“The orcs went west,” he said quietly. “They must have attacked here on the way. Wouldn’t be surprised if they had run low on supplies. When Sir Kull and Lord Sully arrive, they’ll have to be men of stone to ignore this carnage.”
“Thank you, Haern,” Aurelia said, still clutching her husband. “Please, go to Seleven. We’ll be with you soon.”
Haern nodded and left. Harruq’s sobs had turned to soft, shuddering breaths. He seemed almost embarrassed by his outburst. Aurelia used her fingers to wipe his face, and when he looked to her, she smiled.
“What?” he asked.
In response, she kissed his forehead.
“Not a monster,” she told him. “Maybe once, but not now. And not ever again. Do you remember when Aullienna was born? You tried to flee me, flee her. Do you remember?”
Harruq nodded.
“You were scared out of your mind,” Aurelia said, and she smiled again. “But you stayed. You changed. Don’t punish yourself over what you’ve done. No matter what, I love you. And no matter what Qurrah does, I’ll love you. And no matter what happens to this whole blasted world, I’m still going to love you.”
Harruq chuckled, embarrassed and ashamed and tired. He held her tight, his hands lost in her hair, his wet cheeks pressed against her neck.
“I think that’ll be enough,” he said. “Just don’t leave me, all right?”
“How could I leave such a mopey half-orc?” Aurelia said, kissing him once more. “Now let’s go. We need to make sure those two stupid lords and knights get the right message out of here.”
They returned to Haern, who stood waiting by Seleven. He watched the south, and when they neared, he pointed.
“I believe that’s Sir Kull,” he said. “They’re moving like someone’s lashing their backs with whips, so Lord Sully must not be too far behind.”
“Are they heading this way?” Harruq asked.
“Looks like it,” Haern said. “The smoke has drawn their attention.”
“Let’s wait for them,” Aurelia said. “But away from here. The smell turns my stomach.”
They rode Seleven a quarter mile south and waited. When Sir Kull’s army neared, the three Eschaton expected their customary greeting. They weren’t disappointed. Soldiers surrounded them, weapons drawn.
“You’ve led us on a merry chase,” Sir Kull said once he arrived. “Lord Sully stalks us even now, and the northern hills are still days away. And what of the smoke in the distance? Do you play games with us, elf?”
Aurelia shook her head, clearly having no patience for such banter.
“You’ll see it with your own eyes,” she said. “Your land is in dire peril. But my words will mean nothing. Go see. Ride ahead on a horse if you must.”
“I will not flee into an ambush,” the knight said.
“Then bring the whole army,” Harruq said. “Hope they have strong stomachs.”
Sir Kull glared but did not respond.
“Come with us,” he said. “Let us see what game you play.”
Aurelia glanced to the others, who merely shrugged.
“Very well,” she said. “Lead on.”
They traveled in relative silence, talking only when asked a question pertaining to what they knew of Lord Sully and his movements. Seleven trotted behind them, and Harruq figured the horse glad to stretch his legs instead of his wings. All around them, soldiers in armor huffed and puffed, their eyes drooping and their faces ragged. If it came to battle, he doubted they’d be up for a fight. Slowly the smoke cloud neared, until those in the front could see its source.
“Auchby’s been attacked!” shouted one of the soldiers. The cry traveled through the army.
“Auchby?” they shouted. “Auchby burns!”
Sir Kull grabbed Aurelia’s wrist and yanked her close.
“What part did you play in this?” he asked. Harruq was there immediately, ignoring the swords that pointed toward his neck.
“Let go or lose the hand,” the half-orc growled.
The knight paused a moment, then let go.
“I would never have part in something so vile,” Aurelia said. “We’re here to help, but to do that, you people of the Hillock must first open your eyes.”
The men marched on, a bit of urgency returning to their step. The path they took led them between two thick hills, and at the end of its c
urve they arrived at the massacred town of Auchby. The Eschaton remained on the outskirts as, wide-eyed and horrified, Sir Kull’s army slowly spread throughout the remains.
“Watch your tongues,” Aurelia told them as they waited. “We’re walking on thin branches.”
“Above hungry lions,” Harruq added.
“The analogy worked well enough without your help,” Haern said.
The half-orc shrugged.
After ten minutes, Sir Kull returned, flanked by six of his men.
“Orcs did this,” he said. “How long have you known?”
“We came to warn Lord Sully,” Aurelia said, watching the knight closely. “He would hear none of our warning. When we came to you, we doubted any better a result. So we’ve brought you both north. As for this village, we found out only this morning.”
Sir Kull’s hand drifted down to his sword, and Harruq tensed in case he drew it from its sheath. Haern was already swaying, his hands hidden underneath his cloaks.
“Who loosed the orcs upon the east?” Sir Kull asked. “When did this happen? We’ve heard only outlandish rumors of Veldaren’s fall at their hand. Never once did we take them seriously.”
“They’re real,” Aurelia said. “The orcs crossed the Bone Ditch, and will do so again. They must have a bridge. If we can destroy it, there might be a chance to protect your Hillock, for a time.”
Sir Kull looked south.
“Richard will be here soon. We’ll set up formations beside the village. If he wants to fight amid his own people’s dead, then so be it. The Hillock will be better without him.”
Sir Kull saluted and left.
“Aren’t we messengers of doom,” Haern said, throwing back his cloaks and halting his rhythmic swaying.
“Not much good news to spread lately,” Harruq muttered.
“Let’s go,” Aurelia said. “I’d be shocked if Lord Sully desires to fight after seeing this. We have a bridge to find.”
She whistled, and Seleven trotted over. The Eschaton climbed atop her back and took to the sky. They flew westward, the smoke fading behind them. Harruq looked back, watching for a long time before turning away.
The sight of the Bone Ditch nearly unhinged Harruq’s jaw from his face. Noticing this, Aurelia asked Seleven to fly lower, directly into its center. Stretching hundreds of feet from side to side, the giant chasm made them seem puny and insignificant. Far below them ran the Rigon River, making its way south across Dezrel. The rock was red and brown, the cliffs sheer. All along the bottom were untold numbers of bones. The creatures of the Vile Wedge had long used the chasm as both a burial ground and an execution method, and it was their name for it that eventually stuck.
“No wonder the orcs can’t get across,” Harruq shouted. “You really think they can build a bridge long enough?”
“It’s been done before!” Aurelia cried.
They swooped higher and followed the Bone Ditch north. Harruq leaned over to one side and watched the chasm twist and curl below them. Sometimes the sides narrowed together, and sometimes they spread wide, but at no point did they seem within even a hundred yards. At no point could he imagine a bridge long enough to span the distance.
And then he saw it.
Hundreds of orcs lined both sides, scurrying like an army of ants. Cut logs and planks were stacked on either side. They hurried about, weaving ropes, smoothing boards, and hacking into the rock. Seleven dipped low, swooping underneath the bridge. Below it were more orcs, hanging from ropes and hammering into the rock to create supports. Ropes had spanned the narrow area, almost two hundred yards in length. So far the middle was empty, just a gap between the supports. Given the work going on, it looked to be finished within days.
At their passing, the orcs shouted and pointed, and a few hurled their hammers or nails, to no avail. Seleven banked higher and out of range of any projectile the orcs might use.
“What do we do now?” Harruq asked.
Aurelia glanced back and winked. Seleven spun them around, and from high above Aurelia closed her eyes to concentrate. Fire burst from her fingers. As they flew overhead, she hurled seven fireballs toward the bridge. Each ball erupted in a great explosion of flame, shattering supports, charring the rope, and destroying the wood planks. They banked around a second time as the bridge collapsed and fell into the chasm amid howls of fury.
That done, she wrapped her arms around Seleven’s neck and shouted orders above the wind. The winged horse turned, flying back toward Auchby.
“They’re trapped now,” Aurelia said. “Without a bridge, they can’t reinforce from the Vile Wedge.”
Harruq grinned. Without a way to retreat, the orcs would be crushed against the chasm by the Hillock’s soldiers… assuming the soldiers hadn’t hacked each other’s heads off in their feud.
When they arrived back at Auchby, it appeared their feud might wait. Lord Sully’s men camped about half a mile south of Auchby, while Sir Kull’s were set up to the east. Aurelia landed in Sir Kull’s camp since they were still uncertain what Lord Sully’s reaction would be to them breaking out and disobeying his orders.
“Welcome back,” Sir Kull said. “Might I ask where you’ve been?”
“The orcs were building a bridge across the Bone Ditch,” Aurelia said. “I destroyed it. They have nowhere to go. If you march now, you might wipe out the whole lot of them before they can scatter north.”
Sir Kull nodded, then turned toward Lord Sully’s camp.
“His men are searching the village,” he explained. “I sent out a messenger with request to parlay. We’ll see if he accepts.”
A soldier arrived, his armor polished and his tunic clean. Evidently Sir Kull had fixed him up a bit before sending him over to Lord Sully’s. The man saluted, then delivered his report.
“He’ll meet you between our camps, in front of Auchby,” the soldiers aid. “Their camp is stirred, and angry, but I don’t feel it directed toward us.”
“Good,” Sir Kull said. “Dismissed. Gentry, fetch me a horse. William, see if you can find me a fresh tunic.”
Sir Kull turned and bowed to the Eschaton.
“Forgive me,” he said. “I have much to do.”
“We’re glad to get out of the way,” Harruq said. “Just make sure I get to kill some orcs by tonight, eh?”
Sir Kull flashed a smile.
“I pray you have your chance,” he said.
The Eschaton ate a bit of food offered by Sir Kull’s soldiers, and then rested while they kept their eye toward Auchby. The two noblemen met, each accompanied by three escorts holding flags waving their family’s coat of arms. For a long while they talked, to the point that both armies became nervous and fidgety. Finally, they saluted and broke. When Sir Kull rode up, he held his sword high.
“Tonight,” he shouted, “we repay the blood spilled this day! Lord Sully has granted me my rights, and shall press no claim until the day our lands are safe! To the west!”
Harruq let out a whoop.
“Time to kill some orcs,” he said.
They rode atop Seleven, but kept to the ground. Following them marched the combined armies of Sully and Kull, their animosity vanishing like the smoke behind them. They followed the inner slopes of the hills, the Eschaton leading them northwest toward the bridge. Aurelia angled them a bit, so that when they were parallel to the bridge they’d have a bit of distance between them in case the orcs had fled either north or south.
“They’re likely to assume an army will be near,” Aurelia said as the hills steadily smoothed out toward the Bone Ditch. “Though if we’re lucky, they’ll think we were alone, as the Scoutmasters of the Quellan elves often are.”
“I don’t think we’re often the lucky sort,” Haern said. “They’ll be ready, and from what I saw, our numbers advantage is slight.”
“Yes, but we have horsemen,” Aurelia insisted, gesturing to the two hundred knights riding with Lord Sully’s group. “We’ll trample the orcs against the cliff.”
At last the hills smoothed out completely, and waiting for them in battle formations were the orcs. They formed circles around the remnants of the bridge, a thin line of spearman before a great many with axes. They howled and cheered at the sight of their enemy. Lord Sully and Sir Kull joined the Eschaton at the front.
“They’re packed tight,” Lord Sully said as he rode up on his horse.
“Too tight,” Sir Kull said. “If we surround them, they’ll have no way to maneuver. One steady push with your horsemen and we’ll knock them right off the cliff.”
“I’m sure you’d love my knights to drive headlong into their spears,” Lord Sully said. “What’s your plan, to push us off after we finish with the orcs?”
“If I wanted your men to die, I’d simply give the word,” Sir Kull said, his hand falling to the hilt of his sword.
Aurelia saw this and felt her temper flare.
“Auchby burns,” she said, recalling the words each of their own men had shouted. “Or have we forgotten?”
Both men glanced away, as if embarrassed. In the distance, the orcs shouted and clanged their weapons together, working themselves into a frenzy.
“My men will engage their left flank,” Lord Sully said. “Have yours engage the right. When we see a gap or weakness, I’ll lead the charge with my knights.”
“Good enough,” said Sir Kull, saluting. The two noblemen returned to their armies, shouting orders and encouragement.
“Once these orcs are dead, we might have a tough battle still waiting,” Harruq said as they left.
“We’ll have to remind them that these orcs are just the tip of the arrow,” Aurelia said.
“So you heard their plan,” Haern said. “Where do we fit in it?”
“Well, since each army is taking either left or right, how about… middle?” said the elf.
Haern grinned.
“Perfect.”
With a call of trumpets and a communal shout, the human army approached. The orcs howled, sounding almost impatient. As Lord Sully swung his men left, Sir Kull broke them right. They swarmed about the orcs, giving them no path to retreat, only the long fall in the Bone Ditch. If they were worried, the orcs didn’t show it. With unusual control for their race, they didn’t even charge when the humans neared. Instead they waited, letting the fight come to them. That alone worried Harruq as he dismounted from Seleven.
The Half-Orcs: Books 1-5 Page 104
