Legends Lost Tesnayr

by Nova Rose

  * * *

  Nelyn emerged from her tent. She wore a simple rose pink dress with a white belt. Elegantly, it flowed with every movement she made giving her a delicate feminine disposition. She shoved a dagger under her belt as Arnin stared at her speechless. For the first time in his life he realized that Nelyn truly was a beautiful woman. She possessed a natural beauty that did not require any cosmetic paint to enhance. Her dress accentuated her femininity which usually remained hidden beneath the armor she wore most days.

  “How did I do?” asked Arnin finally getting his breath back.

  Nelyn sighed. “The dress is perfect in every way, except one. It’s pink.”

  “What is wrong with that?”

  “Pink happens to be a girl’s color.”

  “It was the only one I could find and you are a girl.”

  Nelyn gave Arnin a hard look before knocking him off his feet and walking away. Nigilin approached at that moment doing his best not to laugh. “That is the second time she has kicked you—,” Nigilin said before Arnin cut him off.

  “I know.”

  “So what was it this time?” asked Nigilin.

  “Nothing.” Arnin stalked off.

  “I do not know much about human relationships, but I do believe they like each other,” said Turyn appearing out of nowhere. Nigilin chuckled and motioned for the cat to follow him.

  “Come on,” said Nigilin. “It’s time to leave.”

  Poised on a ridge just above the orc encampment, Arnin watched as Tesnayr hung by his wrists from a tree, swinging in the breeze. His head hung low indicating that he was unconscious. Orcs marched past him. One took a rod and slammed it into Tesnayr’s stomach getting a yelp of pain.

  Arnin surveyed the rest of the camp. Men guarded the entrance. More men walked around the camp intermixed with the orcs, but they kept their distance. “Now,” Arnin said to Nelyn.

  Nelyn strolled down the hill and approached the two guards at the entrance to the camp. She swayed her hips from side to side allowing her curls to flow behind her. With a sly smile, Nelyn glanced at them hoping that her physique would work to her advantage.

  The guards blocked her path as she reached them. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  Nelyn smiled. “Nowhere. I just thought I would give you some company. It must be lonely sitting out here. Of course, if you want me to leave—” She turned to go.

  “No. I did not say that,” said one of the guards grabbing her arm. “It does get a bit lonely here.”

  Nelyn ran her fingers through his hair. “Perhaps, I can keep you both company,” she said sweetly placing herself between both of them. She leaned in close pretending to kiss one of them while pulling the dagger from under her belt. Swiftly, Nelyn plunged the knife in the man’s stomach and elbowed him in the back of the head. She quickly turned on the other guard disarming and killing him in a matter of seconds. Nelyn whistled. Arnin, Nigilin, Jarown, and a few others appeared.

  “Orcs and guards are spread throughout the camp. They’ve made a protective wall around it. It’s not very good construction. Tesnayr is being held at the southern end of the camp. You three patrol this area and keep it clear. You two take care of the distraction,” said Nigilin as Nylin and Nedis smiled at each other. “We will go get Tesnayr.”

  Idæas motioned for men to surround the perimeter of the camp. They did so, loading their bows and awaiting orders. Once positioned, the elf waited near the entrance with Arnin and Nelyn for the precise moment.

  Nedis and Nylin moved stealthily through the camp crawling through the slick mud on their elbows. They scooted forward allowing the muck to cover them. Nedis stopped suddenly. He flicked a pebble at his brother catching him on the top of his head. He pointed at the orc that stood only inches in front of him. Oblivious to their presence, the orc surveyed the landscape around him.

  Nylin flung a rock several feet away. Instinctively, the orc jerked his head in that direction. Seizing his chance, Nedis jumped up wrapping his arms around the orc and wrestled the beast to the ground breaking its neck. He scooped some of the black mud over the body in an effort to hide it.

  A low whistle caught his attention. Nedis hugged the ground just as a troop of orcs marched past. Gradually, he and his brother inched their way through the encampment. Nedis noticed a row of five catapults lined up neatly in a row, all of them loaded and aimed at the horse pen. He flicked another pebble at his brother’s head.

  Clearly annoyed, Nylin mouthed, “What?”

  Nedis pointed to the catapults. “Excellent,” they whispered in unison, reading the other’s thoughts.

  Changing course, they wormed their way to the catapults. Using some rope they rigged a single trigger to fire all the ballistas with a simple yank. They ducked behind some tents with the long cable in their hands. Smiling at one another, they jerked the rope. A slow grinding filled the air as one by one the catapults fired, hurling giant pieces of stone directly into the horse pen. Frightened, the horses bucked and kicked free of their confinement. Thundering chaotically throughout the camp, the animals stampeded any who barred their way. Satisfied, Nedis and Nylin left to seek the others.

  The moment the catapults fired, arrows darkened the sky pelting the earth. Orcs and men ran aimlessly in an effort to dodge the deadly spears. Within minutes, bodies littered the muddy ground soaking it with blood.

  On the other end of the camp Nigilin and Jarown watched a group of orcs and men that stood between them and Tesnayr. “Do you think Nedis and Nylin were caught?” asked Jarown.

  “No,” said Nigilin, “They should act any moment now.”

  An ear splitting explosion knocked them off balance as the giant boulders pounded the earth leaving craters. Mud and rock flew everywhere raining upon those unfortunate enough to be close by. Distracted, Tesnayr’s guards dashed away to see what caused the commotion.

  Seizing their chance, Jarown and Nigilin bolted for the barely conscious Tesnayr. Carefully, Jarown cut the rope binding him to the tree and placed him on Nigilin’s shoulder. Tesnayr moaned in pain. Gently, Nigilin gripped Tesnayr as he supported him.

  “We need to hurry,” said Jarown taking Tesnayr’s other shoulder.

  “Easy, lad,” soothed Nigilin when Tesnayr moaned again.

  Though barely able to keep his eyes open, Tesnayr noticed the same girl that had helped him earlier. She hunkered behind a bunch of crates and barrels in fright. “Get her,” he said.

  “What?” asked Nigilin.

  “The girl,” repeated Tesnayr. “Help the girl.”

  Jarown noticed the girl for the first time. Instantly, he lunged for her wrapping his arms protectively around her and lifting her off the ground. Together, Jarown and Nigilin dragged them away from the foray.

  Back at the camp entrance, Arnin and Nelyn watched as Nigilin and Jarown headed for them. Nelyn spotted a group of armed men and orcs standing between them and the entrance. They’ll never make it. Nelyn ripped out her sword. She charged into the melee expertly dodging a deadly blow as she rammed her entire body into an orc. Without delay, she plunged her blade into its chest. Quickly, Nelyn turned on the spot raising her weapon in time to block an attack from one of Blynak’s men. Her arm tingled from the impact. Straining, Nelyn shoved the man away from her before stabbing him in the side.

  Idæas and Arnin appeared beside her. “Hurry,” yelled Arnin as he disarmed an orc.

  Sluggishly, Jarown and Nigilin heaved the limp body of Tesnayr and the girl to the camp entrance, and their only escape. Their feet slipped in the slick mud with each step. Finally, they pushed past their comrades.

  A great weight slammed into Nelyn knocking her into the black slime. She shoved it off of her only to realize that it was Idæas. A quick inspection told her that he had taken an arrow in the arm while pushing her out of its path.

  “Help him!” shouted Arnin.

  With great effort, Nelyn pulled the elf to his feet.

  “I am alright,” said Idæas.


  “Go!” yelled Arnin.

  “What about you?” asked Nelyn.

  “GO!” Arnin shoved her away.

  Reluctantly, Nelyn followed after Idæas, leaving Arnin alone.

  Arnin ducked a deadly blow. Instantly, he righted himself and stabbed his opponent in the back. He quickly whirled around smacking an orc in the mouth with his blade. A man screamed furiously as he ran for Arnin with his weapon raised. Arnin braced himself. Just then, an arrow struck the man in the head. Wasting no time, Arnin dashed for the camp entrance.

  A whistle sounded nearby. Nular stood ready with the horses. Nigilin and Jarown placed Tesnayr and the girl on one before mounting their own.

  “Hurry,” shouted Nigilin as Nelyn, Idæas, and Arnin arrived. “Make for the river!”

  Immediately, their horses sped off trampling any who dared to bar their path. Each rider felt the heavy breaths of the horses as they rode. The river lay less than a quarter of a mile away, but to them it felt like a much greater distance.

  Nelyn soon found herself at the rear of the group. Water splashed in every direction as they plunged into the river. Carefully, each rider guided their horse through the strong currents holding on tightly so as not to be swept away.

  The pursuing orcs halted on the riverbank firing arrows at their escapees. Gradually, they crawled out of the river and onto its soft bank.

  “Nedis,” screamed Arnin pointing Nelyn out to him as he was closest to her.

  Nedis turned around plunging back into the river in an effort to reach her. He was too late. Nelyn struggled fiercely with her horse as it cried in fright. An arrow struck the animal causing it to rear up and throw her into the water. Within seconds, Nelyn and her horse disappeared with the current.

  “Nelyn!” yelled Arnin.

  Jarown spun around when he heard her name. “Nelyn! Nelyn!” He charged the riverbank only to have Idæas grab hold of his horse forcing him to a sudden stop.

  Desperately, Nedis struggled to the riverbank to join the others knowing that he had failed to save his friend. Together, he and Arnin watched helplessly as the river washed away any trace of Nelyn.

  “Move out,” shouted Nigilin. He smacked Arnin on the shoulder to get his attention. “We have to leave.” Reluctantly, Arnin and Jarown followed the others as they headed to safety. They had no choice but to leave Nelyn behind.