The Gate - A New Breed of Orc (The Gate Series Book 1)

by B. N. Crandell

  "And if we decide to force our way in?" asked Chief Fa'rasha.

  "I would not advise that, chief," said General Krak'too and narrowed his eyes. "You may win, through sheer weight of numbers, but I assure you, your losses would be great. Exercise a little patience and keep control of your army, and this fort will be yours."

  "How long before you have shipped out all your, ah ...cargo, general?" stammered Chief Fa'rasha.

  "We are still gathering together some of the wounded humans. At last count there were near to three hundred of them. I have only about four hundred orcs left here, and so I will need to have the humans transported in two groups. First thing tomorrow morning I will leave this fort vacant for you."

  "Very well, general, just see that you stick to your word." General Krak'too felt rage build up inside him.

  "I always stick to my word, Chief Fa'rasha, and I don't take kindly to threats. Now if you'll just thank me for aiding your victory, I'll be about my business," growled General Krak'too.

  "Should you do as you have stated, General Krak'too, you have our thanks," replied Chief Fa'rasha. General Krak'too let the first part of the chief's comment slide, nodded his head slightly and left the tent housing the Blood Council. How he longed for the day he could kill each and every member of that council. He may have to mention this possibility to the fierce one.

  * * *

  "Major, Captain Riyad has regained consciousness," said Quinby coming up beside the major.

  "Thanks, Quinby," said Major Isak as he turned and headed over to where Captain Riyad lay.

  "What will they do with us, major?" asked Quinby, coming into step beside him.

  "Knowing orcs, nothing pleasant. But while we live, we can at least plan an escape. These large orcs have marginally more love for the smaller orcs than they do for us. This could be useful information if we happen to escape."

  "Then escaping is our priority I'm guessing," said Quinby. Major Isak smiled slightly at this.

  "Escape is the only thing on our agenda at the moment, Quinby," whispered Major Isak as a large orc bounded past them and they came into sight of Captain Riyad. He had regained some colour and was sitting up now, grimacing a little as he spoke to the nearby soldiers. When he noticed the major approaching, he put on a large brave smile.

  "Captain Riyad, it's sure good to see you alive. Watching you on that swing rope I thought you doomed for sure," said Major Isak.

  "I had them right where I wanted, major. I'm insulted by your lack of faith in me," said Captain Riyad with a sly grin on his face.

  "You have my sincerest apologies, captain," said Major Isak sarcastically, giving a slight mocking bow before the injured captain. Just then, the orc Major Isak had spoken to floating above the battlefield approached them, surrounded by a group of large, well-armed and well armoured orcs, and a smaller orc, the one they had seen cast some devastating magic. Major Isak didn't doubt that either the largest of the orcs, the one calling himself General Krak'too, or the smaller orc alone, could kill a large amount of them, being unarmed as they were, so the entourage of bodyguards was no doubt unnecessary. General Krak'too stopped in front of the major with the shaman on his left and the group of bodyguards behind him.

  "It is time to leave, human," said General Krak'too. "Your men are to be divided into two groups. The ones too injured to move just yet are to be in the same group and will stay behind until the second trip. I also need you to put in charge another that can understand our language, so that we can communicate our orders to the group staying behind. Who will this be?"

  "I fear the man best suited for that is dead. He was another major and the leader of the, ah...riders. Captain Riyad here understands your language, but is still badly wounded," replied Major Isak.

  "Then Captain Riyad it will be," said General Krak'too cutting the major off. "We will see that he is healed. Now, Major Isak, divide your rabble and lead them over to that building," ordered the orc general pointing toward the keep. "There you will be given further instructions." With that, the orc general turned and stormed off, followed closely by his shaman and the other orcs.

  "I don't know how he intends on transporting us all out of here," began Major Isak. "The only way out is through the army of smaller orcs. They won't be too pleased to see us captive instead of dead I wouldn't imagine."

  "He appears to be an orc that knows what he is doing, major, I'm sure he has a plan," replied Quinby.

  "Yes he does, doesn't he? We have a lot to learn about these orcs, I just hope we live long enough to do it," said Major Isak as he walked off and started dividing the men.

  * * *

  "I have only enough power left today for the first group of humans, general. The next group will have to wait til after I have rested. Not to mention there are quite a few that are too seriously wounded to move and the injured are still coming in. I don't see how we can hand over this fort to the little orcs first thing tomorrow," said Great Shaman O'tukka forcefully to the general.

  "We have a few healers with us, Great Shaman, we will use them to heal the seriously wounded just enough for them to walk, and we will arise early and prepare our departure," replied General Krak'too just as forcefully. Great Shaman O'tukka's eyes flashed in anger, and General Krak'too actually found himself taking a small step back.

  "You would waste our healing energies on these humans, general? Have you gone mad?" growled the powerful orc.

  "The more humans I can present to the fierce one, the happier he will be. I'm not sure what he intends to do with them, but I do know he has some cunning plan, and I follow the fierce one's orders," shouted back General Krak'too. He surprised himself that he had spoken like this to the Great Shaman, but was even more surprised to see Great Shaman O'tukka also take a step back, and the anger drain from his eyes and face.

  "Now go and prepare the gate, Great Shaman O'tukka, and once they are all through it, go and get some rest," ordered the general. Great Shaman O'tukka bowed his head ever so slightly and begrudgingly, turned and walked out of the keep to do as instructed. General Krak'too watched him walk out and allowed himself a large sigh when he was alone. He hoped that the fierce one knew what he was doing.

  * * *

  Major Isak watched as the shaman walked out of the keep. With all his experience of fighting orcs, never had he witnessed one like this. Not much larger than the orcs he was used to, this shaman was very small for his own breed and yet possibly the most powerful; even more so than the mighty general. He noticed that very few of the orcs looked the shaman in the eyes and he understood why. When he was talking to the general earlier, he glanced briefly over at this orc and a feeling of hopelessness started to seep into his thoughts. Being one of strong will, Major Isak was quickly able to block it out, but he held no doubt that should he attack this orc, he would be struck down before taking his second step.

  While the rest of the large orcs wore different types of armour, ranging from a form of leather right up to the full plate armour of the general's personal bodyguards, this shaman was almost regal in appearance. Ugly beyond doubt, yes, but dressed like a rich noble of the Kingdom of Lertia. He wore a ring on every finger and a big golden chain around his neck. His long red robe with golden trimmings and black vertically curving lines made him stand out among his own kind. He walked very upright for an orc, with shoulders back and a confidence that diminished all near him. He had unnaturally black eyes that missed nothing and seemed to bore holes in all those he gazed upon. A thick black belt around his waist held vials and an assortment of small sceptres, much as he had seen Master Pilk wear.

  He walked to within a few paces of Major Isak and looked him up and down before staring straight into his eyes. Major Isak wasted no time in blocking out the shaman's spell and stubbornly gazed directly back into the orc's eyes. After a brief stand-off, the orc smirked evilly and without a word turned around and began casting a spell. A magical gate appeared before him, and after directing a number of orcs through it, he signalled that M
ajor Isak and his men should follow through. Not really in a position to argue, the major led his men before the gate and stepped through.

  He almost tripped over on the other side as he didn't expect the rougher ground. With a quick glance around he knew they were in Bilwarks Grove; he had been there many times in his life and knew the trees well, but this part of it had been transformed. He found himself surrounded by masses of large tents and even more orcs. In the distance he noticed a couple of ogres pulling large rocks over to a makeshift wall. These ogres towered over even the largest of the orcs and their muscles bulged under the stress of pulling the heavy load. The orcs were building a fort.

  A fool could see that these orcs, wherever they came from, were pre-paring for a long stay. Along the wall, Major Isak could see orcs working at building wooden towers, some very near to completion. Off to his left in the distance he noticed another magical gate. This gate was much larger than the one he had just come through and a much deeper purple. Major Isak had been told about the appearance of these orcs, and knew without a doubt that through that gate he'd find the orcs' origin and likely a lot more of them dwelling there. He continued to walk forward as instructed, as more of his men came through behind him. The orcs herded them all around to the left; the direction of the larger gate. It looked as though he was about to find out first hand exactly what lay on the other side.

  * * *

  "The last of your wounded are coming in now, captain," said General Krak'too. "Some of them are quite badly wounded and one has a crossbow bolt deep in his chest and is not expected to live. Any who are not fit enough to travel by first thing in the morning will be put to death." The sun hung low in the west the great mountain range covered Fort Lowmount in shadow. Being midsummer, the air was still warm and the stone buildings still hot to touch after the day's exposure to the scorching sun.

  "I understand," said Captain Riyad, who, thanks to some healing spells from the orcs, was looking quite well. "Can I go and see these wounded and have some of my men tend to their wounds?"

  "Of course, captain, our healers will also assist," replied the general.

  "Thank you, general. Can I ask why you are bothering to care for our wounded; we are not used to that from your kind."

  "From my limited experience with the orcs of your world, captain, it would seem that we are more alike to the humans here than the orcs. But to answer your question, like you I am under orders. Our leader wants captives; therefore I get them for him. Now, go and see to your wounded, captain."

  Captain Riyad gave him a quick nod and walked off to where the wounded were coming in and being laid down, surprised that this orc had levelled with him even as little as he did. He had some of his men follow to give him a hand. As he neared, he noticed ten bodies lying on the ground. The general was right; none of them looked very well at all. At one end he saw the soldier with a crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest and recognised the man instantly. Major Sarkis was still alive, although for how much longer he didn't know. The captain quickened his pace and headed straight for the major. He was still unconscious and his breathing was irregular and shallow.

  "We have to get this armour off him," said Captain Riyad to his men. "We need to have a closer look at this wound to see if we can remove this bolt and seal the wound." The men nodded, but not one of them looked too hopeful. The captain and two of his men set about carefully removing the major's armour, while the rest of them tended to the other wounded.

  "We're gonna need to cut this armour off him," said Captain Riyad, after the men had tried a few different ways to get it off. The captain walked over to the closest orc and asked him to help in cutting the armour. The orc didn't seem too impressed but had obviously been instructed to help out where needed, and so he produced a large dagger and followed the men over to the injured major.

  Captain Riyad briefly entertained thoughts of over powering this orc and stealing his weapons and leading his men in a resistance. But he quickly realised that even if they were to kill every last orc in the fort, which still outnumbered them and possessed weapons and armour, a much larger army of smaller orcs were stationed just outside the inner wall which now had no gates for protection. So instead he just watched as this orc gently cut the leather armour from the major, gave him a slight nod of thanks when he had finished, and watched him briefly as he returned to his post.

  With the armour removed, Captain Riyad actually held some hope that the major could survive this. The armour was thicker than he had thought and the bolt shorter, meaning that it had not penetrated as deeply as it first appeared. It was still a serious wound, and the blood loss was substantial, but it had hit no major organs or arteries. Looking closely, the captain could actually make out the steel head of the bolt. They would need a heated poker to cauterise the wound once they had removed the bolt and the sooner the better. Captain Riyad started toward the orc that had helped him cut the armour before, when he noticed a few orcs heading his way. He recognised one as the orc that had helped heal him and figured these three orcs were all healers. So he changed direction and walked quickly over to them and explained the situation.

  "General Krak'too has given us specific instructions not to waste our healing energies on any who are unlikely to live," explained one of the orcs.

  "But what the general doesn't realise is that this man is a major in our army, who would make a very valuable prisoner, I'm sure," replied the captain.

  The three orcs looked at each other until finally the orc who had spoken before turned to one of his companions and said, "Find the general, tell him the situation and ask him how we should proceed."

  "He doesn't have time for that," shouted the captain. "If we remove the bolt now and stop the bleeding he has a very good chance of survival. The longer we wait the more blood he will lose," he screamed, almost hysterically. The orc told his companion to go and continued on his way to the wounded, ignoring the captain and making an obvious point by starting with the injured man farthest from the major.

  Captain Riyad was furious, but was powerless to do anything about it, so he went back to Major Sarkis. He knew that if he waited for the orc to return it could be too late, so he ripped off part of his own sleeve, covered it with an ointment he carried with him at all times for cleaning and treating wounds and told his men to remove the bolt on his order. He was glad Major Sarkis was unconscious for this bit. The instant the bolt was removed Captain Riyad put the treated cloth into the wound and kept pressure on it, stemming the flow of blood. He was willing to sit here for hours if it meant keeping Major Sarkis alive and so he got himself in a comfortable position and ordered the other two to see to the other wounded.

  An hour later, Captain Riyad's hand had lost all feeling and he had changed positions as often as he could to keep himself awake and comfortable. The Major was no worse, but neither had he improved. Captain Riyad had eased the pressure on the wound a couple of times to find that it continued to bleed. Finally, the orc returned and told Captain Riyad that he was instructed to seal the wound and no more. The man's survival would depend on how he recovered after that.

  The captain just nodded and let the orc cast his spell of healing. The orc let him know exactly when he needed to remove his hand from the wound, and when he did, Captain Riyad was relieved to see the wound sealed over. He took a deep breath and lay down on his back to rest.

  Chapter 9

  A World Away

  They spent an uncomfortable night surrounded by orcs on a foreign world. The men had been marched through a large canyon, along a road and through the streets of a large orcish city. They were taken into a large building, presented to what the orcs called the fierce one, before being herded into a large compound, which was then sealed off and kept closely guarded by a number of orcs. They were supplied no bedding, food or water for the remainder of the day, and so had to sleep as best they could on the hard, rocky ground. First thing in the morning food arrived, or at least Major Isak assumed it to be food. He imagined it
was once an animal of this world which had been stewed for far too long and then re-stewed without any flavour or spices being added to it. He ate it, though, knowing that he had to keep up his strength as much as possible, and his men followed his lead. The water seemed drinkable enough with perhaps a few more, or different, minerals in it than normal, most likely from the canyon they walked through.

  Not wanting the men to get bored and depressed, Major Isak began his usual disciplined training that morning, the only difference being that they lacked weapons to train with. The orcs watched them closely, but hid their thoughts under their expressionless faces. Major Isak kept an eye out for any weaknesses in the orcs' guard, but found none. These orcs were far more disciplined than any orc he had experienced thus far.

  The men were pretty much left to their own devices and the morning went without incident, until what Major Isak considered to be about mid-morning, the men who had been left behind at the fort arrived. Most bore injuries and a couple of them needed to be carried in on makeshift stretchers by those without injury. Remarkably, one of those carrying a stretcher was Captain Riyad, who was quite badly injured when Major Isak was taken away from the fort.

  Even more remarkable than that was the person he was carrying. Looking deathly pale, there was still no mistaking Major Sarkis. With shoulder length hair, more grey than black, and a bushy moustache on his upper lip, Major Sarkis was lying flat, but conscious, on the stretcher that Captain Riyad and another soldier were carrying in. When Major Sarkis noticed him, he weakly gave a thumb's up gesture. Major Isak nodded at him with a half-smile and then turned to look back at Captain Riyad who wore a rare, uncertain look on his face.

  "It's good to see you still alive, Major Sarkis," said Major Isak as he approached the men.

  "Not half as good as it is to be alive, major," replied Major Sarkis weakly. "I believe I owe that fortune to your captain here." Major Isak looked at Captain Riyad curiously.