Authors: B.N. Crandell
Invasion (20 page)
Rotager set up another magical gate that exited on a faraway hill.
“We should Fort Lowmount from the top of that hill,” said Grand Master Rotager. “It’s been a long time since I visited the fort but I know it’s close.”
Sylestra entered the gate and caught sight of Fort Lowmount as she exited. It appeared as formidable as O’tukka had described it. From this distance she made out the little orcs that were scattered along the wall like ants.
Beyond that massive outer wall would stand a lesser inner wall. O’tukka had described with great delight how the humans had killed many of the smaller orcs in between those walls — an explosion that had them hastily retreating. She figured she stood on the very hill that O’tukka had used for his vantage point.
“Get me down to that road about five hundred paces from the wall,” she commanded Rotager.
“Remember, Supreme Mistress, these orcs will attack you before asking any questions — they hate humans above all else.”
“That is why I have you here to shield me. You can cast a shielding spell, I presume?”
“I can, Supreme Mistress, but it will only hold up for so long.”
“I understand. I will get my point across quickly I assure you. Now create the gate and cast your shielding spell on us all.”
Grand Master Rotager cast a spell and as he pointed to the road a swirling gate formed, followed soon after by one near them.
He spoke another cantrip and the familiar flow of magic traced through her body. She placed an incredible amount of trust in this wizard as he could easily be casting a more sinister spell, but she sensed sincere hatred from this man of the current system. Knowing magic as she did, she identified the spell’s signature and could instantly tell that it was as he had stated — an Orb of Protection.
The expressions on the orcs’ faces as she stepped from the gate and walked toward the walls of the fort was priceless. She had to stop herself from laughing. She remembered this breed of orc from Aleri and their almost comical nature. They were created and bred as slaves for the large orcs. What they lacked in intelligence they made up for in breeding potential. Their numbers had to be forcibly controlled on Aleri. She had sure done her part by sacrificing large numbers of them but they scarcely produced the power of a wildebeest. With nothing to control their breeding on Ka’ton it was no wonder the humans were always harassed by them.
An arrow shot toward her but it missed by a mile. She didn’t even break stride as she walked straight for the gates. More arrows were released as a horn sounded but very few hit her shielding.
“I wish to speak with the Blood Council,” she shouted coming to a halt ten strides away from the gates. “I mean you no harm so stop firing.”
An orc wearing a blood-red robe near the centre of the wall held up his arms.
The arrows stopped.
“I am Chief Fa’rasha, human. You are either very brave or very stupid to approach our walls so few in number and I see you have an orc traitor with you.”
“He is no traitor. He is my number one general and has been among my tribe since birth. We come from a distant world and I am the leader of the Ta’zu tribe which is a mixed tribe of humans, orc and half-orc.” Sylestra took a couple of small steps toward the fort as she spoke.
“Half-orc?” Chief Fa’rasha laughed a mocking laugh. “You mean to tell me that orcs and humans breed together among your tribe? That is disgusting. How does Gr’guck even allow such a thing?”
“Gr’guck has no power or influence with our tribe. The Ta’zu serve a greater power, the goddess Nefari, and it is our ability of being able to work together despite racial differences that makes us strong as a tribe.” Sylestra realised that it was no longer true about Gr’guck having no power among her tribe since she had united the Black Skull tribe with her own but she didn’t want to discuss this so openly.
“Nefari? I have never heard of such a goddess even among the many that the humans serve. She must not be all that prominent.” The orc folded his arms and straightened his back.
“She is very prominent on my world and her power here is growing.” Also not a truth, but she couldn’t allow this orc to know she had no magical power on this world. Sylestra hoped to make this statement true in the coming days anyway.
“And what is your relationship with the Black Skull tribe?”
“If I could meet with your Blood Council in private I would tell you all you need to know. Shouting out such things is not wise.”
“You have nothing to offer us that we would be interested in. We are managing quite well. This fort used to belong to humans, did you know? And now it belongs to us. It will not be the last we take from the humans.”
“Your attempt to take their city of Arthea failed miserably. With my help, the city would fall within days. Make an enemy of me and your fort will fall within days. The choice is yours.” Her patience ran thin.
“We learnt much from that attack. Their numbers are much reduced while our numbers continue to grow by the day. Our next attempt will have a far different result.” Fa’rasha leant his hands on the merlon and glared down at her from the top of the wall.
“So you will not meet with me?”
“No. We will not. Past dealings with orcs from your world have made us wary of any future dealings. I will give you a count of ten though to leave and never return before I give the order to kill you.”
“You make a grave mistake.”
“Ten,” shouted Chief Fa’rasha.
Sylestra turned to Grand Master Rotager. “Get me on top of that wall.”
“Nine.”
“Excuse me, Supreme Mistress, but isn’t that suicide? Your shield will not hold out for long,” replied Rotager.
“Eight.”
“Then I’ll be sure not to get hit, just do it.”
“Seven.”
Grand Master Rotager formed a gate in front of her and pointed to the top of the wall.
“Si—arrgh.”
Sylestra watched the life flee from his eyes as she retracted her scimitar from his belly. It took the surrounding orcs a moment to react, which was a moment too long against an opponent like her. Four orcs were dead before any made a move against her.
General Jak’ho charged out of the gate with his mighty axe leading the way. He hit an orc with so much force that he split him in two, spraying blood over all nearby. This served to enhance the General’s blood rage and his backswing felled another two orcs who were not quick enough to get out of his way.
Sylestra was well accustomed to her General’s fierce fighting style and not distracted in the least, while the orcs in close proximity were. She slashed and jabbed, killing an orc with each stroke. All of a sudden the orcs within ten paces of her went flying. She glanced behind her to where Grand Master Rotager stood with his staff firmly planted against the top of the wall, gripping it with both his hands. A crack showed where his staff had made contact. Sylestra sought to take advantage of this situation.
“Stop,” she yelled at the top of her lungs. “It doesn’t need to end this way. Join with me and I’ll provide you with more than you have ever dreamed of.”
An orc larger than the rest, but still well short of the average height of orcs from her world, stood out from amongst the throng. He stepped over the fallen corpses and approached her. He was bald while his face was almost entirely covered with thick, brown hair. He wore leather amour with a blood-red sash hanging diagonally across his chest. A sword hung by his side which seemed to be a rare weapon among these orcs as most wielded axes, spears or bows.
“I am Chief Narva” — he looked at the fallen corpse of his fellow chief and back up at her — “now the leading chief of the Blood Council it would seem. You are outnumbered here and although you are obviously powerful, you would eventually be destroyed and yet you attack us so.”
“I wish to unite your tribes with my own but this chief” — she kicked the body of Chief Fa’rasha — “would not even grant me an audience.”
“Perhaps he was right to do so after the aggression you have shown toward us.”
“I will speak to the Blood Council or kill every one of its members along with all who get in my way of doing so.”
“Just the three of you? I doubt that very much.” He turned around and walked away.
“I will enjoy killing you, Chief Narva.”
“Kill them!” Chief Narva darted into the orc masses and became lost from sight. Archers and spearmen sealed his escape route.
“It is time to go.” Sylestra turned and followed Rotager through the gate with General Jak’ho close behind.
When they arrived at the base of the wall, Rotager dispelled the magic gate and created another. The three of them rushed through it just as a volley of arrows streamed toward them.
“As you can see they are not as reasonable as the orcs you may be used to,” said Rotager as they emerged from the gate and into her office at Fort Dega.
“They are a slave race and I have had many dealings with them in the past. I expected their intelligence to have grown somewhat, but it seems as though it hasn’t.” Sylestra looked around the room. “This is the first and last time you create a gate leading to any of my personal rooms do you hear? If you disobey this order my judgement will be swift.”
“I understand, Supreme Mistress. I sought to get us back here as quick as possible and this room was the easiest for me to remember.”
“You are dismissed,” she said to Rotager.
Rotager bowed his head, turned and walk toward the door. When he reached the door, she stopped him.
“Grand Master Rotager, you performed well today. Keep that up and I will be very pleased.”
“Thank you, Supreme Mistress.” He once again bowed his head and turned and walked out the door.
“You trust him?” asked General Jak’ho.
“He had a chance to betray me today and leave me stranded on that wall without protection, so yes I trust him.” Sylestra walked over and sat behind her desk. The adrenaline from the fight had dissipated and the pain in her wound returned.
“Are you okay, Supreme Mistress?” General Jak’ho took up a seat opposite her.
“There has been some upheaval at home. The slaves have revolted and managed to escape. I was wounded by one of them, but I will be fine.”
“You have sent an army after these slaves?”
“A large group of the City Guard pursued them but were all killed with the exception of one. I can spare no more warriors to go after them. It matters little as they are heading this way anyway. We can deal with them in good time.”
“I will kill this man myself that injured you.” General Jak’ho thumped his chest.
“I fear that if you fought him one on one it would be you killed.” General Jak’ho narrowed his eyes and clenched his jaw so she expanded, “It is Gerard. I have fought you both and while you are an exceptional warrior, this man is your better.”
“In a fair fight perhaps.” General Jak’ho’s mouth curled up into an evil smile.
“Perhaps, but for now I want you to ready the army and march for Fort Lowmount. Take our new group of wizards along with you. Leave a thousand behind to continue work here.”
“Are we to attack?”
“No. This is purely a show of force. Set up camp out of bowshot range until I arrive.”
“It will be done, Supreme Mistress.”
Decker rode through the gates of Foxcoast ten hours after setting out. His magical horse had run at a frightening speed the entire way without tiring and had been able to run in a relative straight line instead of following the roads — at one stage even galloping over the centre of Blacksilver Lake. Ciara never ceased to amaze him. Where had this horse come from?
He was to meet Grand Master Reibeck at the Ivory Sailor Tavern when he arrived and so he asked a member of the City Guard where he might find it. After admiring his horse for a good long while, the Guard pointed him in the right direction.
The tavern was rundown. The sign with an image of a sailor clad in ivory clothing should have been hanging by two chains but barely hung by one rusted chain. The glass windows were so heavily coated in dust that Decker could barely see inside, while the white paint peeled from the walls so bad that it was hard to tell the building had ever been painted.
Decker dismounted, once again expecting to be stiff and sore from the long hours of riding, but finding himself more refreshed than ever. He made for the doors of the tavern where a group of rowdy men gathered off to the side.
“Aren’t ye gonna tether ye fine horse?” slurred one of the men.
“No need,” replied Decker, “she won’t run off anywhere or if she does she will soon return when I need her.”
“And what if somebody be stealin’ her? Fine horse like that would fetch quite a price,” said another of the men.
“Ciara can handle herself.” Decker turned away from the men and entered the tavern with a smile on his face. Likely those men would try to steal his horse. They would be in for quite a shock if they did.
The tavern presented little better inside than it did outside. Dust hung thick in the air and covered many of the unused surfaces. The wooden tables and benches were all bolted to the floor. Evidently the tavern proprietor grew tired of replacing broken furniture from erupting brawls.
Despite the condition of the place it was crowded, many of the patrons being sailors. Decker fought his way through the crowd of bodies over to the bar struggling to get near. Three large-breasted women wearing matching tight fitting uniforms busied themselves serving the demands of the many customers while they did a good job of ignoring the continual lewd comments.
It took time for Decker to get the attention of one of them after shouting over the tumult.
“I’m looking for an elderly wizard by the name of Reibeck. Is he here?”
“Are ye Decker then?” she asked.
“Yes, he was expecting me.”
“He didn’t mention how handsome ye’d be.” The barmaid winked at him.
“It probably doesn’t weigh heavily on his mind.” Decker smiled. “So where can I find him?”
“Room twenty-four. Up those stairs and turn right.” The barmaid pointed to a flight of stairs over in the far corner. “Be sure to come back for a feed and some ale once ye done catchin’ up with ye friend. I’d be happy to wait on ye. Just ask for Annie and I’ll look after ye.” She gave him another wink.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Decker nodded his thanks, turned and shuffled his way through the crowded common room toward the stairs. Patrons were even milling around on the stairs so he had to politely push his way past them. As polite and unobtrusive as he tried to be, he still received a number of angry or annoyed stares. It would be easy for a brawl to erupt in this tavern.
Exhaustion took a hold on him as he reached the top of the stairs and turned right. He kept his eye on the numbers on the doors as he walked along the narrow hallway. At the end on his left he found room twenty-four. He knocked without hesitation and a moment later a bleary-eyed Reibeck opened the door.
“My goodness I wasn’t expecting you until at least late afternoon tomorrow.”
“Evidently my horse has a few tricks up her sleeves.” Decker entered the room as Grand Master Reibeck stepped aside and extended his arm.
“Or under her mane perhaps.” Reibeck chuckled a throaty chuckle that turned into a short coughing fit. “Take a seat. You must be exhausted and half starved. I’ll go arrange food and drinks to be sent up.”
“Annie will be sorry to hear that.” Decker sat on a well-used, but comfy padded chair. He let out a large appreciative sigh.
“Annie?” Reibeck stopped by the door and turned back toward him with a raised eyebrow. “You mean the barmaid?”
“Yes, she seemed quite taken by me and wanted me to go back down later and order a meal from her.”
Reibeck chuckled. “Is that so? And did you break her heart by telling her you already had a woman?”
“No. I was rather anxious to get up here so I let it go at that.”
“Oh I see.” Reibeck shuffled out the door and closed it behind him.
Decker must have fallen asleep almost instantly because he awoke when Reibeck returned and slammed the door behind him.
“I’m sorry to have startled you. I didn’t intend on closing the door so hard.”
“No need to apologise. I didn’t realise how fatigued I was. It’s strange — when I first get off Ciara after a long ride I feel refreshed. But a little while later fatigue hits me hard.”
“It makes perfect sense. Whatever magic she uses eventually wears off like all magic does and then your normal body senses kick in. You would do well to remember this. Always allow yourself a reasonable rest period after any long rides on her.” Reibeck walked over and took up a chair by the dining table. “Food and ale will be sent up soon so you may wish to refresh yourself before it arrives. You’ll find a small tub with pump water in the second room on your right.” Reibeck pointed to the hallway leading toward the back of the building.
“Thanks. I may do just that.” Decker stood up on shaky legs and walked along the hallway. He opened up the second door on his right and walked in, surprised at how neat the room was laid out considering what he had seen of the establishment so far. This must be their fanciest room surely.
While the tub was small it had a pump tap over it and had a small boiler on a stand if you wanted to add hot water and could be bothered lighting a fire. Even a block of soap sat on the edge of the tub. A towel rack holding a freshly washed towel hung on the wall near the tub.
Decker stripped off all his clothes, put the plug in place, hopped into the tub and started pumping the water, letting it run over his body. The water was cool but not too cold. It was early autumn and the days had still been quite warm so the water had retained some of that warmth.
He used the soap to clean the dirtier areas and stuck his head under the tap to wash his thick, fair hair. After a good wash he pulled the plug, stepped out and dried himself. He examined his dirty clothes on the floor and couldn’t bring himself to put them back on so he wrapped a towel around his waist, scooped up his clothes and walked to the lounge room to retrieve his pack.
Just as he entered the room there was a knock at the door and Reibeck answered it. Annie walked in carrying a tray with two plates and two mugs. She looked over at him and winked while she walked to the table and placed the tray upon it.
“Feeling fresher I trust?” She set out the plates and mugs on the small table.
“Much better, thank you.”
“Hand me those clothes and I’ll see that they are washed and pressed.” Annie hurried over to him and held out her arms to retrieve the dirty clothes.
“I fear we may be leaving early in the morning.” Decker took a step back and held the clothes tight against him.
“Then I’ll be sure to mark them as urgent and have them returned to ye first thing in the morning.” She gripped the clothes and pulled them out of his hands. Her eyes looked him up and down before she winked at him again and smiled.
“Thank you,” was all he could bring himself to say.
“Don’t mention it. Now enjoy ye meal and don’t ye be forgettin’ that you’re more than welcome down in the common room for an ale or two.” She retrieved her tray, rushed over to the door and after taking one more glance at him, she left.
Reibeck broke out in a hearty laugh. “She sure has her sights on you.”
“I have a woman I am very happy with.” Decker picked up his pack.
“And yet you have neglected to tell her such.” The old wizard sat at the table and took a deep drink of his ale.
“As you can see, she doesn’t allow me much of a chance to talk. Now, where is my room?”
“First door on the left.”
Decker took his pack to his room and put on fresh clothes. He returned and sat opposite Reibeck. He took a sip of his ale which turned into a large gulp as he realised how parched he was. His dinner consisted of roast lamb with gravy and cooked vegetables. A very simple meal but it smelled delicious and had his stomach grumbling.
“While I was ordering our meal I secured us a ship for tomorrow. I had one planned for the day after as I didn’t expect you here so early.”
“Neither did I truthfully. Ciara is really something special. Does the ship Captain know we have a horse as cargo?” Decker cut a piece of lamb, put it in his mouth and chewed it slowly, savouring the taste.
“Yes he is well aware. He’ll expect us to do some work for him while we’re on board. I trust you won’t have a problem with that?” Reibeck placed a large piece of lamb in his mouth, dripping gravy onto his long white beard.
“I’ve never been on a ship so I’ll need to be shown what to do, but I’m sure I’ll manage.”
“I doubt he’ll get you doing anything too complicated. No doubt just scrubbing the decks and other menial tasks.”
“How long will it take us to cross the Strait?”
“Depends on the wind but normally it takes about a day.”
“A full day? It’ll take that long?”
“It sure will. Katifi Strait is very wide and travelling over water can be slow going.”
“Ciara could get me across quicker.”
Reibeck chuckled. “No doubt she could but the elves would see you dead before you reached the shore. Their law stipulates that no non-elf is to enter their lands by magical means. The punishment for breaking this law is death. There is no quicker way.”
“I understand. I’m just eager to return home. I sense something very bad is about to happen.”
Reibeck chuckled. “The very reason for us being here is because something bad has happened.”
“Yes, but I fear something much worse is coming.”
“I’m sure that Master Pilk and his orc friend will manage to delay things. It is a specialty of Pilk’s you could say.”
“Pilk and O’tukka are very capable at their crafts but I think even they are outmatched this time.”
“They sure are. I have read much about this Sylestra and at the height of her power she was all but undefeatable. It was only a result of her unquenchable thirst for power that she came undone. Dabbling in the affairs of dragons is never wise. I fear for Pilk too. He was my favourite student. He always kept me on my toes and always managed to make me laugh. If I was to ever have to count on somebody, it’d be Pilk as I have full confidence that he would be there for me.” Reibeck stared at the table as he spoke.
“Yes he’s a good friend, but it’s not only him I fear for.”
“You fear for his sister too?” Reibeck lifted his head and raised an eyebrow.
Decker nodded.
“You care for her very much don’t you?”
“Mostly she confuses me.” Decker laughed. “But when she looks at me in a certain way my heart begins to race and I feel as though everything will be all right. She is so different to most women. She can be a brutal fighter or a caring Cleric and can switch roles at the drop of a hat. Her personality is much the same and sometimes I don’t know where I stand with her.”
Reibeck chuckled. “Yes she certainly is Pilk’s sister. I guess it could be defined as passion. It’s passion that makes them fight furiously for the ones they love and care about, while it’s also passion that makes them so tender with these ones. I guess some times they mix up the roles. If you can learn to be understanding of both her sides and adapt to the moment, I’m sure all will be well with you.”
“I do try to be understanding, but when she is in her defensive position she really knows how to get under my skin.”
“A sign of a skilful warrior is it not? How do you deal with an enemy opponent attempting the same thing?”
“I kill them.”
Reibeck laughed. “That is merely the end result, victory, not how you achieved it.”
“I ignore their taunts and focus my efforts on identifying their weaknesses.”
“And therein lies your answer. Once the weakness is identified you need to determine how best to take advantage of that weakness to meet your desired end.”
“Do all wizards speak in such riddles?” Decker chuckled, but in truth the wizard’s words had been very helpful.
“Riddles are the best way to draw out answers that are buried deep.”
“Well thanks for the advice. I’m going to head off to bed now. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.” Decker finished off his ale and stood up.
“Good night, Master Ranger.”