Eden's Gate: The Scourge: A LitRPG Adventure
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“What do you want, commander?” Ergoth snarled.
“I recognize this human,” he said. He turned his worg to the side, leaned over and squinted his eyes as he looked at me. “Yes, he was not dressed as a mage before, but it is him.”
“What are you talking about, Greshnog?” Ergoth barked.
“He is the human who returned the Fellblade,” Commander Greshnog clarified.
As soon as he said that, I remembered him right away. He was the orc who was battling Commander Atwood near the mouth of the Wastelands early on in my adventure through Eden’s Gate. He was the orc I had handed the Fellblade over to with Princess Adeelee that day.
Ergoth’s eyes went wide, and he looked down at me. “You…You returned the Fellblade?”
I nodded as best I could and muttered, “Yes.”
He clenched his teeth and flared his nostrils as he pushed me away, knocking me to the ground.
“It was a great favor to the Scourge,” Commander Greshnog spoke. “Even greater than subduing the Gilgaroth. If he had given the Fellblade to Highcastle, we would be unable to ride today.”
“How can this be true?” Ergoth asked, sneering and turning his head.
“I don’t believe it!” Prince Azhug cried.
“Shut up!” Ergoth yelled. “It was your carelessness that lost the Fellblade!”
The Prince slumped and quieted.
“This is an unheard-of event,” Mordok said as he stepped over to me and helped me off the ground. “This master mage not only used his magic prowess to return the Fellblade to the Scourge, but he also used it to subdue the Gilgaroth. Two favors he has done for the Scourge, and he asks for only one favor in return!”
“Yes… yes,” Hoshgrim agreed. “We should maintain our principles. To ignore his request would be a dishonor to our traditions.”
“Forget traditions!” Azhug yelled. “Highcastle’s blood shall be spilled tonight.” He marched towards his fallen axe and lifted it.
“One more move, my son,” Ergoth warned, “and your blood will be spilled!”
Azhug froze, but his face boiled with anger.
Ergoth swiveled to the shamans, and the two who hadn’t spoken for some time both gave silent nods. He then looked up to Commander Greshnog.
“I agree with the council,” Greshnog said. “If the Wastelands are safe now, we should call off our plans and ride another day.”
Ergoth frowned, his chest heaved, and his face twisted in anger. He looked down to his side and took deep breaths as he struggled with the situation. Suddenly he rushed towards me, grabbed me by the throat again and lifted me to my tiptoes. “Is that what you want, human?! For us to call off our war?!”
I croaked and gave my best nod.
Ergoth gritted his teeth and licked his mandible fang. “Fine,” he grunted. “I will call off our attacks, but only for now. In one year’s time, the Scourge will ride, and no further favors will stop us. Warn King Rutherford if you wish; we will only grow stronger in time.”
Orcs started mumbling and moaning in disappointment at Ergoth’s words.
The King shoved me back again, and I grabbed my sore throat and coughed.
“And one more condition,” Ergoth said with a grin. “Newich will remain ours! If the human King does not accept, we will ride. If he attacks us, we will ride. And in one year’s time, the Scourge will ride!”
“Newich is in the Freelands…” I muttered.
Ergoth scowled at me and repeated slowly. “Newich will remain ours...” He turned to the crowd and waved his hands. “Return to your homes and wait for orders. We are finished for tonight!”
Grumbles, moans, and howls continued as the massive army began to fall back and disperse.
Ergoth turned to Mordok. “Take him to your tower and remove him from the Wastelands!”
Mordok nodded and joined me where I was standing while the shamans and orc royals scuttled off to the entrance of Fort Morgsgorg.
My heart rate slowly started returning to normal, but my stomach turned at the sight of Rithnar’s body lying mangled on the ground.
I had succeeded at stopping the Scourge’s assault, but I had lost a friend, and a child was left without a mother or a father. I felt numb and confused. No matter how big a win it was for me, Highcastle, and Edgewood, it didn’t feel like a success at all.
Chapter Fifty-Six
2/24/0001
King Rutherford slammed down the parchment in his hands, then lifted it back up and shook it in front of his face. “Retain Newich!? Have they gone mad? Absolutely not!”
I shrugged as I stood a few meters in front of his throne. “I’m afraid it’s the only option. Ergoth will accept nothing less.”
“He wants me to just give up one of our towns and just…” The King shook his head. “...let orcs roam back and forth between the Wastelands and Newich? It’s madness!”
“Are you certain of what you saw?” Commander Eldrich asked. “They have that many orcs and goblins ready to attack? And a catapult that can reach Highcastle?”
“The orcs and goblins, yes,” I said. “I don’t know if the catapult works, but I know it’s real.”
The Queen leaned forward in her chair. “What of worgs?”
“There were a lot of normal worgs. Maybe forty or more. I’m guessing ten or fifteen Great Worgs.”
Her eyes widened as she slowly leaned back in her chair. “Fifteen Great Worgs? Heavens…”
Commander Eldrich shook his head. “We are not equipped to handle fifteen Great Worgs, your highness. Even if our entire army was in Highcastle, that would push us far over our limits.”
“We fight using the Inner Walls as fortification,” King Rutherford said. “There will be many casualties, but if I summon the rest of our army back now, we might be able to withhold.”
“And allow all of Outer Highcastle to fall?” the Queen asked. “Outer Highcastle is far more valuable than Newich.”
“I’m certain that Newich is nothing like it once was now that the Scourge have maintained control of it for days,” the commander said. “And if this catapult of theirs works…”
“Ergoth has the Fellblade!” Isabella spoke up from her chair. “Don’t forget that, father.”
“Oh, hell,” the King spat. He pounded his hand against the side of his throne.
“It’s a difficult choice Owen,” the Queen said, “but we should be thankful that it’s a choice we can make. Clearly we’ve underestimated the Scourge’s power for too long.”
“If the orcs honor the treaty for a year, that will give us time to muster our forces and train new men,” Commander Eldrich explained.
“Yes,” the Queen said. “Perhaps it’ll buy time for diplomacy as well. We could work on forming an alliance or two, so that we have more than the Fighters Guild as reinforcements.”
The King took a deep breath as sighed. “I suppose there is no choice, is there?”
“We can assume it’s a lie and launch a surprise strike on the Wastelands now while Ergoth isn’t expecting it,” the commander said. “Perhaps send an assassin. If Ergoth dies, it will take time for the Scourge to reorganize.”
“All terrible ideas,” the King stated.
“But choices nonetheless,” the commander said.
Windsor, who was standing behind the King, spoke up. “My opinion may not be of value in this matter, but our economy will continue to struggle if this war continues. We need trade to return to normal or our coffers will be drained.”
“With orcs moving about the Freelands?” Isabella asked.
“We’ll build watchtowers near the Wastelands and near Newich,” the King muttered. “We’ll issue continuous patrols to make sure no caravans are attacked.”
“So, you’ve made up your mind?” the Queen asked.
“My mind has been made up for me,” the King said. “If what Gunnar says is true, we are simply not equipped to say no. We’ll let them have Newich, so order can be restored to the Freelands. We’ll take it b
ack in a year.”
The Queen sighed. “Highcastle is going to be a whole lot more crowded.”
“That’s for certain,” Windsor said. “Prepare for complaints about real estate prices in both Inner and Outer Highcastle. Hopefully, some from Newich will choose to set up home in Thorpes instead.”
“We’ll have time to prepare for their catapult,” the commander said. “Perhaps a wall can be built that would block such an attack?”
“I want confirmation of this catapult first,” the King said. “Let’s try to get a spy into the Wastelands somehow who can report back to me on this matter.”
“Will do,” the commander said.
The King shrugged. “We’ll figure out something, be it magic, or otherwise.” He scribbled something on the paper and thrust it towards me. “Tell the Scourge that we accept the treaty, but also make them aware that I can’t control if private citizens kill an orc or a goblin wandering around in the Freelands. In fact, I will encourage Freelanders to defend themselves whenever necessary. Personal squabbles should not be considered an act of war.”
I took the treaty from him and pocketed it. “I understand. Is there anything else? I kind of need to get going.”
“Nothing else,” the King said. He creased his brow and held up a finger. “Or rather, you could find an ancient weapon and bring it to me. That would be the type of thing that would make these decisions easier.”
You’ve received a quest offer: Arm the King!
King Rutherford would like you to bring him an ancient weapon.
Reward: 30,000 XP
Do you accept this quest? Accept/Decline
I smiled shyly, held up my palms and shook my head. I wanted nothing to do with any more wild hunts for ancient weapons—at least not for a long time. “It’s far too dangerous. I’ll have to pass.”
You have declined the quest: Arm the King!
“Unfortunate,” the King scoffed. “You’re excused.”
“Thanks,” I said. I closed my eyes and started to focus on a Recall Home spell.
“Wait a moment!” the King said loudly.
“Yes?” I questioned as I opened my eyes.
“If you notice anything suspicious in and around Highcastle, please let me know,” he said. “We’re still dealing with a kidnapping problem here.”
“Kidnapping?” I asked.
“Yes,” the King said. “Another man was snatched from Outer Highcastle last night. It’s beginning to spark panic amongst our citizens.”
You’ve received a quest offer: A Watchful Eye!
The King of Highcastle wants you to report any suspicious activity you see that may be related to the recent Highcastle kidnappings.
Reward: 10,000 XP
Do you accept this quest? Accept/Decline
As I read off the quest, I couldn’t help but wonder if somehow the kidnappings were related to the reaper issue in the Wastelands. It made little sense why or how anyone would be kidnapping both orcs in the Wastelands and humans in Highcastle, but it sounded eerily similar. I had little time to think or question further, as I had people waiting for me.
“Yeah, I’ll let you know,” I said.
You have accepted the quest: A Watchful Eye!
I closed my eyes, refocused on my spell, and shortly after, I found myself in Edgewood.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
2/24/0001
The guild was all gathered round in a close circle as Trynzen cupped the baby orc in his arms. I sat atop Sora right beside them.
“Be careful, Trynzen,” Keysia said softly. “Don’t hurt him.”
“Barbaros no hurt orc,” Trynzen said as he looked up and grinned. “Orc, Barbaros peace.” When he looked down to the baby, still grinning, the baby started wailing, raised and stiffened its arms.
Trynzen’s eyes went wide, and he jolted his head back and forth, unsure what to do.
“It’s okay,” Keysia said. “Just hand him back to me.”
Trynzen leaned over, and Keysia gently scooped the baby from his arms. It immediately stopped crying.
“That’s a good boy,” Keysia said as she bounced the baby up and down. “You’re gonna be okay.”
“Awww,” Rina said. “I’m going to miss him.”
“I think we all are,” Keysia said with a smile. She tilted her head to the side and made eye contact with Jax. “Right, Jax?”
“What?” Jax asked, playing dumb.
“You’re going to miss this little monster, aren’t you?” Keysia asked.
“Hardly,” Jax muttered. “It has no place in this forest.”
“You sure?” Keysia pushed. “You sure you don’t want to hold him once before he leaves?”
Jax crossed his arms and looked aside, but after a short moment, he uncrossed them and turned back around. “Oh, fucking hell. Hand him here real quick.”
Keysia smiled as she handed the baby to Jax, and Jax looked both scared and excited as he held the baby in his hands.
“Oh, Jax,” Rina whined. “Look at you!”
“Hmm,” Jax grunted, looking down at the baby. “It’s ugly but somehow a bit cute.”
Rina blushed and sighed. “I can’t bear seeing you hold that child. It makes me want a baby of our own.” She closed in and placed her hands on Jax’s shoulder. “What do you think about that?”
Jax’s eyes darted between the baby and Rina several times before he simply turned and shoved the baby towards Keysia. “Here, take this thing back.”
I chuckled at the interaction, but I somehow understood Rina. As Keysia bounced the baby in her arms, made silly faces, and spoke in baby voices to the kid, it triggered something in me that I had never felt before. She was still that sexy temptress and spunky, outspoken badass girl I had grown to love, but she was also so much more that I hadn’t known. She was strong enough to put me in my place, but tender enough to jump right into caring for a child without missing a beat.
It made me sort of want a child of my own—something I had never felt before. But it wasn’t a feeling that I just wanted a child; it was more of a feeling that I wanted a child specifically with her.
“I guess this is it, little guy,” Aaron said as he leaned in and teased the orc with his finger.
“Jeremy, Sung?” Keysia called. “Either of you want to hold him before he goes?”
They both shook their heads.
“I’ve changed far too many of its diapers,” Jeremy said. “No more for me!”
“I’m not good with goodbyes,” Sung explained. “It’s best I stay over here.”
“Okay, well, little one,” Keysia said with a sigh. “Looks like it’s time for you to head home.” Keysia bounced the kid a few more times before she walked him to me and held him out.
“I’ve got him,” I groaned as I leaned over the side of Sora and took the baby out of her arms.
Keysia frowned and turned away. “I can’t believe I’m going to miss that thing.”
Rina comforted her by rubbing her shoulder. “Take good care of him!” she yelled.
“I will as long as I have him,” I said as I adjusted the baby between my legs, “but that won’t be long.”
“No more disappearing acts, right?” Aaron asked. “Or do you plan to go on another umm…” He held up his fingers and made quotation signs with his finger. “… quest, again?”
“Just handing him off and coming right back,” I said. “I’m not disappearing. We’ve got a lot to cover as soon as I return.”
“Well, be careful, homie,” Aaron said.
I looked over to Keysia and we made long eye contact before she gave me a slight nod and turned away. I wasn’t sure what the gesture meant or if she were focused on me or the baby, but once again, she intentionally or unintentionally pulled at my heartstrings.
Father, Sora projected
Yes.
You’re tense.
I scratched the side of my head. Maybe a bit.
Well, stop looking at her, and let’s get going.
It was odd seeing the Freelands free of orcs and goblins. Much of the rich, green grass of the rolling hills was trampled flat and browned. Lots of ground was kicked up, and there were endless circles of ash and coal where the Scourge campfires had been put out.
I looked in the direction of Newich and could see specs of Highcastle soldiers grouping outside, preparing to ride away. Smoke was still billowing from the center of the city.
I wasn’t sure how that was going to work out—having an orc city smack dab in the middle of the Freelands—but I figured that was going to be the new normal. In some ways, it seemed like a good thing as it created an entire isolated town where one could go and grind orcs for experience without having to risk delving into the Wastelands.
I unexpectedly shuddered at the thought. Grind orcs? It was an ordinary concept before, but after befriending Mordok and Rithnar, something about it seemed a bit wrong. I would’ve taken no issue with killing Ergoth, but now orcs felt a lot more human than other monsters.
Not all of them, of course…
Especially not the ones in the grog post. Rotten Goblin was a pretty sick game.
Orcs were rough, brutal, and many of them were downright sinister, but there were some good ones amongst the bunch. They had lives and were working towards goals like everyone else in the world.
As I closed in on the Wastelands, I saw Mordok standing alone right outside the entrance, waiting for me. He uncrossed his arms and raised his eyebrows as I approached.
“An elven Great Beast…” he muttered.
“I found her in an elven forest,” I explained.
“Unusual for a human,” he noted.
“So I‘ve heard.”