by Nic Weissman
“It's our opportunity. Hurry!” pleaded Erion.
They walked quickly to the backpacks, while the magician was pulling the carefully folded scroll that was stored in one of the inside pockets of his robe. He started making gestures as he was muttering what was in the scroll. The murmur was unintelligible to everyone and it was very dim, too; hard to hear. But the magic seemed to work anyway. Moments later, a portal had opened before them, similar to the one they had used two days earlier. They all picked up their backpacks and entered the portal one by one.
*******
Erion was surprised that the impression of vertigo this time was even greater than on the previous occasion. He didn't know if fatigue had to do with it, or perhaps the weight of the young girl on his shoulders. He knew that the effect would not last, and he closed his eyes, was patient and waited. Soon after, he could feel the reassuring sensation of ground beneath his feet. He opened his eyes. They were in a forest next to a large river. He felt cold. They had left that hot and humid tropical climate behind. The vegetation and the landscape made him feel at home. Although he was a bit puzzled. Undoubtedly, they were not in the same forest from where they had left, close to the mansion on the hill.
The rest of the group was there and looked at each other wondering where they were. It was late in the afternoon. Everyone started to pick up some clothes from their bags for warmth. Ithelas was visibly shivering.
“I see you're back. All of you,” said a voice behind them.
They turned and saw Phoroz, the dark elf, their client, with his distinctive red eyes. He was accompanied by a strange gnome fully dressed in hunting clothes, which would enable him to camouflage well in the field. Samar noticed that he also wore a cloak woven by her people.
“Yes. Where are we if I may ask?” asked Thost.
“In the Mositus mark. That is the Calen River. Across it lays Fugor, the kingdom of the orcs,” Phoroz said.
The group was too exhausted to digest news like those. After all their efforts they were now just steps away from the most dangerous country in the world of Oris.
“Do you have the box?” asked the dark elf directly.
“Here it is,” Ithelas said, after grabbing the object from his bag.
A big smile lit up the face of the sinister character. Erion was sure that this was the first time he saw him smile. He didn't remember seeing even a grimace of a smile in any of the previous occasions when they had met.
“You've succeeded! Fantastic!” Phoroz said as he handed the box to the gnome.
He bent down to give some instructions, almost in whispers. The gnome saved the box in a bag on his back and ran toward the river. They saw a small canoe he had hidden on the shore. It was so small it couldn't even carry a man. With large strokes the gnome began to paddle toward the opposite shore.
“He's going to the kingdom of Fugor!” Mithir exclaimed surprised.
“Right. But you don't have to worry about it. You have already done your part beyond all my expectations. Now we can only cross our fingers,” said the elf with a slightly more friendly tone than they remembered having heard before”. Who is that girl?” he asked.
“She was captive in the vampire's castle,” said Samar.
“She's lucky. You saved her from the horror. Well, we're not fine here. Follow me,” Phoroz said.
They walked a few steps behind him. Finally the elf stopped and asked them to stand close together forming a circle, shoulder to shoulder. Then, the dark elf introduced himself in the middle of the circle and, after saying a few words, saw how a ring that he was wearing begun to shine. After a while they were elsewhere. It had happened without the vertigo they had felt after going through the portal; simply, suddenly, they were in a different place. It was the outdoor patio of the mansion on the hill.
“Here are your fees,” Phoroz said, giving Thost a bag. “I have included a little extra because I need you to do me a favor. I want to buy one of your horses. I must go immediately to the capital. I have to be there before dawn.”
Thost went to the barn, grabbed a brown horse with white spots and handed the reins to the elf.
“Here you go. It is a docile and fast horse. It will serve you well. Anyway, I think you'd get there faster using your ring,” said the knight.
“Yes, but I can use it only once a day. So, I have to ride,” said the elf.
“Ok, but the capital is far away. Even with a fast horse you won't get there until tomorrow afternoon,” estimated Thost.
“Not when you feed it this sugar,” he said, putting his hand closer to the horse's mouth. “Don't worry, it will not suffer. I know how much you appreciate your horses.”
Phoroz mounted the horse and said goodbye with a wave of his hand. Then he rode at high speed down the hill.
CHAPTER 11: THE PRELUDE TO THE BATTLE
The orb rested on a pedestal in the center of the room. Urlabus had oriented it towards the north window, pointing directly to Fugor. Everything was ready, but they were still waiting for the right time to activate it. Vargarr and Urlabus waited patiently, sitting in the room. Sathudel was downstairs, in the door of the tower, waiting for the mail. They needed to receive good news right now to put their plans in motion.
Following Vargarr's recommendations, Lakajev had left that afternoon to go back to Borydos. It was the right time to get away from the facts that were about to happen. All the nobles had departed after giving the final instructions to their corresponding colonels. The operation was now under Vargarr's full command. Sathudel appeared at the door.
“They have finished. At last!” he exclaimed.
“Finally, it was about time,” said the Major. “Have all the trenches established in the plan been completed? Or are they half-done?”
“The mail said that everything is finished. There are no weak points in our fortifications. We could stop an army of orcs with minimal casualties,” Sathudel said.
“We'll see. It's not so easy to fight against these beasts, as some believe. The important thing is that we are ready. Urlabus, begin preparing the orb. The time has come.”
The magician went to get a bag from which he pulled out a wand and immediately approached the orb, starting to make some magical gestures.
“How long will it take to activate?” Sathudel asked.
“It looks like in a matter of minutes. Then, the effects begin immediately, but considering the distance, probably the enemies will come in numbers at dawn,” Vargarr said calculating, perceiving that it was already dark.
“We must be prepared, then,” said Sathudel.
“Yes. I will return to the forefront right away. We will place double guards and leave a detachment of archers entrenched overnight. The bulk of the troops will rest. They will have instructions to prepare for a great battle from early in the morning. I'll keep watch during the night. They will not surprise us. You must stay here, watching the "prisoner",” ordered the major.
“Yes, sir,” said the guard.
“Done. The orb is active and pointing to Fugor,” Urlabus declared.
They all turned to contemplate the strange ball and its little pedestal in the center of the room. Occasionally, it gave off tiny light green flashes. Now all they had to do was waiting.
*******
It was almost noon and Vargarr was infuriated. During the night and the hours of that day they hadn't seen a sign of a single orc. He had sent a few scouts to visit the border posts and they were expected to return at any time before noon. He tried not to worry. Perhaps it was only a short delay.
He had just returned from a brief visit to the tower where Urlabus had assured and reassured him that the orb was certainly active and pointing in the right direction. With this information, but not much more tranquil, Vargarr had gone back to the front trying to be patient. The situation made him uneasy. Perhaps the orcs were more distant from the border than they expected; it may take them longer to get there than they thought. Or maybe something was wrong, badly wrong.
When they reached the top of the hill they went to him directly and told him the news of the border. None of the posts had been attacked; they hadn't even seen any enemy trying to cross the river. This was unheard of! His plan was starting to water. He returned to the command tent without a word, opened a bottle of his best brandy and poured a long drink. He drank. He should calm down. They still had time and things may change at any moment. He decided to sit and wait.
*******
It was dawn and Vargarr looked bad. He hadn't slept for two nights and couldn't remember ever being so frustrated and angry. The orcs hadn't attacked, and they were running out of time! He had had to give orders for the Kiyats, Golsou and Borydos detachments to immediately part at dawn. They couldn't risk having the troops there any longer. The Borydos troops were the first to leave the camp; they were the ones that had a longer way back home. The others were still preparing.
The Mositus and Central Bor troops would remain there for a few more days. Although the maneuvers were not planned to last for many more days, no one would be surprised if they were extended a little more. Vargarr had faint hope that the orcs would still show up and, if so, he hoped that what he had would be enough. They may have more casualties than they expected, maybe they could even lose the battle and have to retreat, but at least they'd have irrefutable evidence to begin the war. That would be a reasonably good scenario for their goals. There was still hope.
“Sir, you must come out. A delegation just arrived and wishes to see you,” a captain said, poking his head inside the tent.
“But who do they think they are?” Vargarr cried beside himself.
He was red with anger. He left the tent ready to reprimand those who had dared to interrupt him at that time. Then he saw something that made his blood run cold. Leading the procession was a figure he hated deeply. General Bellish got off his horse and walked towards him.
“Vargarr, this time you've crossed all the lines and you're going to pay,” he cried.
“Sir, I don't know what you mean,” babbled Vargarr, surprised.
“I saw the troops of Kiyats and Golsou amongst the formations. You were very cunning to get the King's permission, thus avoiding me. But such authorization only allowed you to mobilize the troops of Bor Central and Mositus. This concentration of troops is unprecedented for maneuvers and if orc explorers perceive it, we could be causing a war,” said the General.
His tone was direct, haughty, and sharp; a tone that he rarely used. That occasion, in front of thousands of soldiers across the kingdom, was one of them. Vargarr had to make a superhuman effort to contain his anger. The public ridicule that he was undergoing was more than he could bear; however, he knew that he had too many problems and he shouldn't make things worse.
“Sir, it's possible that there may be soldiers from other territories from the bulk of the troops. How would I know? Possibly they are soldiers who are on leave and in their free time, have decided to join this operation voluntarily,” Vargarr said, desperately looking for a way out.
“No, no. You won't get out of this one so easily, Vargarr. Do you see that group of knights approaching? We have recognized the Golsou and Kiyats colonels among the troops and they are coming over here now. Their presence, coupled with the fact that the soldiers of the two counties aren't isolated men, but complete detachments, form irrefutable proof that this is a joint operation; operation for which you had no authorization. Having concealed the flags of the different troops hasn't been enough to fool old Bellish,” concluded the general, satisfied.
That was incredible. How had he managed to track down the colonels as easily among many troops?
“The truth is that I hadn't seen them. They may have come tonight, or perhaps are on leave as well. In any case, concerning your argument about the orcs provocation, we have scrupulously respected the limit of three leagues that the guideline of these maneuvers established. You agree with me that this should be a safe distance to avoid any provocation,” tried to argue the Major desperately.
“Silence! Not another word. I've had enough of you for today. Perhaps you convinced the King that three leagues was a reasonable distance. And maybe it would have been for training a couple of detachments; but certainly not enough if you concentrate a fucking army that you can see from ten leagues away.”
This time it was the general who was angry.
“Vargarr, take your horse now and part immediately back to the capital. Within five days you will come see me at the royal castle where you will be informed of the disciplinary measures this entails. Until further notice you will not command the Central Bor troops. Now, go away!” ordered the general abruptly.
Vargarr felt a strong desire to strangle him right there in front of everyone. But he knew this would mean the end of his career. Maybe the old man was provoking him precisely to try to get a reaction. An event like that would give him an excuse to permanently remove him from the army. He had to contain himself. He bowed his head, closed his fists, stammered "Yes, sir," and went to get his horse.
*******
The general had to force the Mositus colonel to accompany him on his visit to Kehu, the capital of the Mark. There they met with the Marquis Gorusaj, who was nervous. When the General enumerated the offenses he had discovered, the Marquis hastened to deny any knowledge of the participation of troops from other areas in the maneuvers and deflected the responsibility towards Vargarr. After a tense meeting, the General indicated that nobody in Mositus should get hurt by all of this if the Marquis worked with him. He then requested that the Colonel submit a small detachment of soldiers of his utmost confidence and that both the Marquis as well as the Colonel accompany him on a little tour.
Bellish led them then to the tower where the orb remained activated. Using all his authority, he forced the detachment guarding the place to leave their posts and relieved the soldiers that the Mositus colonel had brought with him. Sathudel was the one that resisted the most, but couldn't refuse a direct order from the general. In addition, when the general explained that the maneuvers were canceled and that Vargarr had been sent back to Deepcliff, obstructing his actions became meaningless.
“Follow me, please,” Bellish finally said.
“Where are you leading us?” asked the Marquis.
“I think it's time for you to know what really happened here,” said the general as he led the Marquis Gorusag and his colonel to the top floor of the tower.
CHAPTER 12: RONU'S STORY
Erion was the last to wake up. He went to check on the girl who they had rescued from the vampire's castle. She slept soundly. The cleric had done some cures in her injuries on their arrival at the mansion, and had given her an herb elixir to help her get better. Dreshpho had nursed her overnight so Ithelas could rest. She had changed her clothes and had dressed her with something that Samar lent her. The two girls used similar sizes. Although the young stranger had a better color than the previous day, her skin still looked a little pale.
Erion went to the kitchen where Dreshpho had left a hearty breakfast with many options prepared. Thost, Mithir and Samar were there eating and chatting. The morning light coming through the kitchen windows illuminated the white walls of the room. Erion felt then that it was a bit later than he had believed.
“Wow, the sleeping beauty has arrived,” said Thost jokingly.
“Wait, I don't think he's awake yet,” Samar added, following the joke.
Indeed, Erion was constantly blinking with half-closed eyes as he got used to the level of clarity of the kitchen.
“How did you sleep?” Mithir asked by gesture
s.
“Very well. I needed it. Have you been awake long?” Erion asked.
“Not really. Almost everybody came down a half hour ago. I think everyone was exhausted,” Samar said.
Erion sat down to eat. The day before they had arrived so tired that they all went to sleep after taking only some bread or some fruit, to Dreshpho's despair who insisted on preparing a roast, with two entrees and dessert. But the stomach of the young man remembered now that he had barely eaten in the last twenty four hours and Erion felt able to eat one boar on his own. As they ate, they chatted amicably recalling all the adventures that they had experienced in the recent days.
Erion then remembered his adventures in the commander's house. It seemed like a long time had passed, but in reality it had happened little more than a week earlier. Mithir began to tell some bad jokes he had read in some book while Erion tried his best to reproduce them. Although the jokes weren't very sophisticated they all laughed with joy, as if their souls needed entertainment after all the tension they had suffered. A while later, they started to talk about more serious issues.
“Well, now what?” Erion asked, addressing Thost.
“What do you mean?” asked the knight.
“You're the host. What are we going to do next?” Erion said.
“Well, let's see. We have to take care of this girl until she recovers. We also have to appraise everything we brought. And then divide the gold and everything else,” listed Thost.
“I already thought about that. But what happens next?” Erion insisted.
“That depends on you, my dear friends,” Thost said. “On my part I think we worked very well together and if you decide to do so, you can stay with us and we'll seek new adventures, and new problems. Meanwhile, you are welcome in this house as long as you like,” he added.