Invasion

by B. N. Crandell

Gerard leapt atop the dead orc, narrowly missing a strike from a free snake, and took an even larger leap over the rest. The snakes not pinned under the weight of the orc pursued him but between him and the three dwarves they were soon cut down.

  He took a quick scan of the room and realised that in the time it had taken him to deal with the snakes, the rest of the enemy had been slain. Captain Riyad and another soldier were lowering the chains holding Jeff. Gerard ran over to his friend and helped him to stand.

  “Cutting that one a bit fine weren’t you, big fella?” Jeff’s legs shook and his eyes were glazed over, but still managed to come out with his light humoured comments.

  “I like to keep it interesting.” Gerard smiled and turned to the rest of the group who milled around. “Can someone grab him one of those black cloaks? We can’t have him wandering around the Palace naked — and preferably not the one that had snakes coming out of it.”

  “I thought I was a goner for sure this time. I knew you’d be comin’ for me but I figured you were finally gonna be too late.” Jeff put his arms in the armholes of the cloak as a soldier guided it up over him.

  “I would have been earlier but we went to the dungeons first searching for you. We released the prisoners there and they told us you’d been taken to be sacrificed so we rushed up here. Without that crossbow I would have been too late — which reminds me, any sign of Sylestra?”

  “She got away,” said Captain Riyad. “She reformed into her solid self, hobbled out that door and had it locked behind her before we could get there.”

  “That’s a shame. Hopefully she is too weak to pursue us for a little while.” Gerard led the group back out the door and into the Palace corridor.

  Decker brought Mistress Cali along with him this time so that she could replenish the invisibility spell at will, allowing them more time to spend with Master Pilk. He did take her up on her offer of using her levitation spell as she made as much noise as a dwarf walking through the grove.

  Master Pilk was lying on the edge of the magical cage closest the trees. Great Shaman O’tukka reclined at ninety degrees to him, close enough to overhear their whispers but far enough away so as not to attract attention.

  “So what have you decided?” Decker sat on the hard ground, leaning as close to the bars as he dared.

  “We both agree that this cage is a very powerful spell and would not be easily overwhelmed and may even contain hidden traps within — far too little time to learn more about it and far too risky to blaze away at it. Great Shaman O’tukka will agree to form the second gate, but will delay in doing so for as long as possible. This will buy us time to fabricate a more feasible plan.”

  “What if we can’t rescue you before the gate is created?” whispered Mistress Cali.

  “Ah, I did not know you had come, Mistress Cali. It is good to hear your voice. To answer your question, we will need to hope and pray to every deity that Great Shaman O’tukka once again fails with his destination.”

  “I’ll be trying my hardest to do so in fact.” Great Shaman O’tukka rolled over and repositioned himself a little closer.

  “Sylestra will expect that of course, or if she doesn’t she will become wise to it soon enough so our time will still be very limited,” said Master Pilk.

  “As soon as they bring you out of this cage we’ll have Master Tayer teleport in, grab hold of you both and teleport back out again.” Mistress Cali’s excited whisper was a little too loud and attracted the attention of a nearby orc.

  “Who’s there?” said the orc.

  Master Pilk rolled over and feigned a yawn while stretching.

  “Excuse me?” asked Master Pilk.

  “I heard a voice. What’s going on here?” The orc took a few paces toward the cage.

  “Voices? I heard no voices. Then again I was enjoying a nice sleep.”

  “He talks in his sleep,” said O’tukka. “I’m surprised that’s the first time you’ve heard him. He chatters that much while he’s awake that his voice box doesn’t know how to switch off.”

  “If that’s so then you won’t mind me taking a look around.” The orc grabbed a burning torch and started walking around the cage, holding it up high and looking into the distance.

  “Be my guest,” said Master Pilk.

  The guard got to within a few paces of Decker until he realised the orc would trod on them both if they didn’t move. He gestured to Mistress Cali and she stood up and tiptoed further around the cage. Decker followed, being careful where he placed his feet and wishing Mistress Cali would do likewise.

  Mistress Cali stood on a dry twig which cracked loudly under her foot. The orc immediately turned in that direction.

  “What was that noise?” asked the orc.

  “What noise? I merely shuffled around to get comfortable. It’s not overly pleasant having to sleep on the ground,” replied O’tukka.

  “You’re a very skittish orc aren’t you?” Master Pilk’s comment was rewarded with a low growl from the unimpressed orc. The guard went back to searching the area, changing course and heading closer to the trees.

  Decker became more and more worried about the invisibility spell wearing off so he gestured to Mistress Cali to renew it. Her cantrip was barely audible and the familiar sensation of magic flowed through him.

  Eventually the orc grew tired of his search and returned to his post. Decker and Mistress Cali moved back into position.

  “I’m sorry.” Mistress Cali’s eyes were downcast as she whispered her apology.

  “It’s okay. We just need to keep our voices to a low whisper,” said Pilk. “Now what were we saying?”

  “Getting Master Tayer to teleport in and out when they bring you outside of the cage,” Decker offered.

  “Too risky, replied Pilk. “They’ll no doubt have physical contact with us the entire time and crossbows levelled.”

  “I can deal with any brandishing crossbows,” said Decker.

  “Perhaps. It may be an option and one we can explore as we examine their methods. For now I think we need to determine the properties of this cage. Are you confident in doing this Mistress Cali, or should we get Master Tayer or Grand Master Reibeck?”

  “I’ll try it.” Mistress Cali sat and crossed her legs. Her face lost all expression as she closed her eyes. Her lips moved but Decker could hear no sound.

  For five minutes no one spoke. Decker watched Mistress Cali’s face for any sign of what may be going on. Aside from the occasional twitch she could have been mistaken for a statue.

  “How long should this take?” Decker asked Pilk.

  “Depending on how strong the magic is and how many traps may be set within it. It could take minutes or hours.”

  “Need I remind you about the duration of her invisibility spell?”

  “I’m sure Mistress Cali is well aware of that and simply doing a cursory scan.”

  Sure enough Mistress Cali came out of her trance moments later. Her eyes opened but took a little time to focus. Eventually she turned to Decker and then to Pilk.

  “I don’t think we’re getting this cage opened,” she whispered. “I could not penetrate very far at all without risk of setting off traps even with a scan.”

  “I was afraid of that. This cage is well designed.”

  “I have strength enough left to cast one more spell of invisibility. That scan really took it out of me.” Mistress Cali turned to Decker and once again cast the spell.

  “Yes, yes,” replied Pilk, “you and Decker must leave very soon. We will work on refining our one option in the days to come. In the meantime Decker, you have to go and visit the elves.”

  Chapter 18

  Pursuit

  Tracking and catching up to the throng of fleeing slaves proved easy. They left a path of dead orcs in their wake. The city gates had already been won and opened wide with the slaves rushing out.

  Gerard and his small group pushed their way through the masses receiving pats on the back and the occasional cheer. Hope gli
stened in the eyes of all the slaves. Most of them had never experienced freedom. They had a hard road ahead of them yet but if they stuck together they could survive.

  He reached the front and relief trundled through him when he saw Thirak and Major Isak unharmed.

  “Well it sure is good to see you again, Jeff” —Major Isak turned to Gerard— “and I’m glad you were able to make it unharmed.”

  “Another second or two later and I wouldn’t have been standing here,” said Jeff, “but that’s a story for another time.”

  “I look forward to hearing it.” Major Isak turned from Jeff to Gerard. “Any sign of pursuit or of Sylestra?”

  “I shot Sylestra in the side with a crossbow. She was badly wounded but I wouldn’t count her dead. The Ta’zu has very skilled healers. As for pursuit, I’ve seen no sign of anything organised, just a few small angry groups here and there. With any luck we’ll be far from the city before they can regroup.” Gerard looked further along the road leaving the city to where the road lamps finished. Once they were beyond them they would be in almost complete darkness as the half moon was covered by thick cloud.

  “That’s good news. Hopefully it’ll be some time until Sylestra is well enough to pursue. We must find a good defensible location before then.” Major Isak looked ahead and frowned.

  “Did we bring any torches with us?” asked Gerard.

  “We have a few, but not enough to last all night. We’ll be walking blind at some point.”

  “Ay, th’ dwarves will be leadin’ ya true and straight don’t ye worry ‘bout that,” said Thirak.

  “Then we stick to the road south until morning. After that it’d be wise if we left the road behind,” said Major Isak.

  “By morning we shouldn’t be too far away from the canyon anyway by my recollection,” said Jeff, “and the Ta’zu capital is not far north of Black Rock Canyon — well according to the Black Skull maps— but there is a city southeast and another southwest so we need to watch for enemies ahead as well as behind.”

  They walked all night without incident. It had been slow going once the torches burned out but they continued on and not one complaint came from the slaves. Spirits were high and those that seldom smiled giggled and laughed as they trudged along. One in particular was Sarai. It made his heart glad to see such a kindly person like her so happy, especially after what she had experienced in the fighting.

  The road curved to the east around the foot of a mountain and there they decided to stop for a rest. They rationed out the food and divided all the weapons they had taken from the Weaponsmith among those capable or willing to fight.

  Jeff seemed happy to find clothes that fit him and get out of the Necrolyte’s black robe. While it being a simple black robe, Jeff had expressed concern that some kind of energy flowed through it.

  Once they had all rested, scouts set off in search of any threat. Jeff went south to locate the canyon. Gerard stayed with the group, still hampered by his injury.

  They left the road and started navigating their way over hilly and rocky terrain. Gerard blew into his hands and rubbed them together to ward of the chill as he kept a close eye on the thick black clouds that loomed ominously in the sky.

  An hour after leaving the road, a rear scout returned and reported a large group of City Guard in pursuit. Among them, some twenty worg riders and ten necrolytes led by a necromancer.

  “We must find high ground and quickly,” said Major Isak. “The sooner we find it, the sooner we can start preparing it.”

  Gerard jogged up to the top of the small rise and scanned the horizon. Up ahead was a place they could use. Though not perfect, it would do.

  The small hill littered with medium to large sized black boulders had a sheer drop on the eastern side. A few dead trees dotted the landscape. Gerard jogged back to Major Isak and reported his findings.

  “It’ll have to do. C’mon, let’s get everyone moving with haste.” Major Isak lengthened his stride and walked with determination.

  They arrived at the top of the hill a short time later and Gerard then realised it stood at the edge of the Black Rock Canyon. He wondered where Jeff had gone but figured he’d no doubt gone off in search of a way down into it.

  “All right, we need to determine which of these boulders we can push and which we can hide behind. I want people chopping down those dead trees and dragging them over here so we can funnel their attack.” Major Isak shouted out orders to prepare the battlefield. He divided the large crowd up into groups and put Captain Riyad, Thirak and Gerard in charge of a group each while taking one himself.

  The trees were chopped down with battle axes and dragged into the centre of the battlefield. They loosened rocks and repositioned them strategically. They dug holes and covered them over to make traps. When the enemy showed on the horizon, Major Isak ordered everyone to take up their positions.

  As the rain fell, the enemy marched to the base of the hill and stopped. The Necromancer took twenty paces out in front and spent some time scrutinising the battlefield.

  “Any who wish to return to the compound step forward now. You will not be punished for your actions,” he shouted. “If you do not come willingly you will be destroyed, or dragged back by force where you will be severely punished.”

  Gerard was proud to see the faces of all the slaves remain defiant. Not one of them considered the proposal.

  Major Isak stood up on top of a rock at the front and shouted back, “I make a counter-proposal. Turn around and return to your city and pursue us no more and we’ll let you live. Make a move against us now and every last one of you will die.”

  Gerard stood close enough to see the evil grin form on the Necromancer’s face. Then he noticed something else — his lips were moving.

  “Get down!” Gerard watched in horror as the Necromancer lifted his arm and pointed at Major Isak. A black bolt of energy shot forth. The Major jumped to the side but the bolt still hit him in the legs and flung him backwards. He lay writhing on the ground as the bolt formed into a tendril and started wrapping around his legs. Gerard ran over to him and started hacking away at the tendril. He chopped it up into pieces but as those pieces landed on the ground they would start wriggling back toward the Major.

  Nearby soldiers came over and started swatting the crawling tendril pieces away while Gerard worked at freeing him. Eventually he cut it up enough for Major Isak to pull his legs free. He reached out his arms and gave the Major a hand to his feet. The battle-hardened man looked down the hill and ordered the rocks to be let loose. Gerard turned around. In the time it had taken him to free the Major, the guards had charged halfway up the hill.

  Slaves in front of the tree barricade pushed away at their rocks and got them rolling down the hill. As soon as their rocks were rolling they retreated with all haste behind the barricade where slaves lined up brandishing crossbows, Sarai among them.

  Orcs were crushed under the avalanche of rocks while others dived away from them. The worg riders managed to dodge or even jump over the rolling boulders and continue their charge.

  “Can you stand?” Gerard pulled his eyes away from the battle and checked the Major over for any serious injuries.

  “I’m fine. I’ll just have one hell of a bruise on my leg,” he replied with a smile. “Now get back in position.”

  Gerard ran back over to his flank and once again stood at the head of his group. He watched in satisfaction as the first round of crossbow bolts took flight, taking down a number of worgs and their riders.

  The slaves reloaded their weapons and took aim again. At such a close range none of the bolts missed and worgs plummeted to the rocky ground throwing their riders. Some riders arose and resumed their charge while others were too injured or even killed in the fall.

  No time remained for the slaves to reload again and so they retreated up the slippery slope. The remaining worg riders jumped the tree barricade in hot pursuit. Gerard ordered his group forward at the same time as Major Isak and Captain Riyad
.

  The three groups converged and covered the retreat of the slaves. Gerard sidestepped around the open maws of the attacking worg, ducked under the rider’s swinging sword and jabbed the worg in the rump. The animal bucked and threw its rider while the men following Gerard skewered it many times with their sharp weapons.

  Gerard met the next worg head on and slashed down with his sword cracking open the beast’s skull and spilling its brains. The worg’s head planted into the rocks, flipping its body with the momentum. Gerard dived to the side to avoid being squashed. The rider dropped his sword and jumped off, landing on Gerard and tackling him to the ground.

  Pain shot through him as his chest wound opened up. He tried his best to put the pain out of his mind as he wrestled the orc in an attempt to get on top of him, but the orc proved too strong. Changing his approach, Gerard bent his knee to bring his foot up closer to his hand, allowing him to grab the concealed dagger in his boot.

  The orc punched him in the face which caused him to lose grip on the dagger and it dropped into a crevice among the rocks. Gerard shook, trying to get the orc off him, but the orc reached down and wrapped his hands around Gerard’s neck and began to strangle him. Gerard fumbled around on the ground searching for anything to use as a weapon. His hand stumbled onto a rock small enough for him to grip.

  He swung the rock as hard at the orc’s head as he fought for breath. The orc released his hold and blocked the attack. The rock slipped his grasp and the orc resumed his strangling hold. Running out of options and strength, Gerard thought his luck had run out when suddenly the orc went limp and was thrown to the side.

  Gerard looked up to see Sarai standing above him with her crossbow in hand. He turned to the dead orc beside him with a crossbow bolt imbedded deep in its back.

  “You’ve become a good shot rather quickly.” His respect increased.

  “I had a large target.” Sarai bent over, put her crossbow to one side and helped Gerard up.

  “Modest aren’t you?” Gerard stood and scanned the battlefield to find out where he could be the biggest help. A worg charged a group of men and tore some of them apart. He retrieved his sword and dagger and ran off at once.