by Quinn Dallas
“So wasn’t expecting that!” I replied. “Let’s get you over to our healer.”
Yvir and I helped him to his feet, and carried him between us towards Shauna. The red-haired cleric was busy tending to Leonidas. Her eyes glowed with a golden light as she passed her hands over him.
“I should have his hit points restored soon,” she said. “But this is seriously exhausting my Mana.” She gasped. “I must rest after this.”
“I don’t need healing,” Cairngorm gasped and sat down, pressing his back against the rock wall.
“Are you sure?” I said.
“The perks of being a Necromancer,” he answered. “My body will start to heal itself soon.”
“So why anyone didn’t tell us there would be scorpions!’ Leonidas laughed and then winced.
“Where’s the fun in that?” Yvir slapped him on the back.
“Good point,” He continued. “Well that was a good way to get the blood flowing.”
“We lost a mount,” I said. “One of those fuckers killed my horse!”
“I felt her death,” Shauna turned to me with tears in her eyes.
“Did you feel the scorpions die too?” I asked her.
“No,” she sniffled and rubbed her face. “They were chaos aligned. Thank the gods I have no affinity with such creatures.”
“It’s well past dark now,” I tilted my head back for a better look at the sky.
“Look over there,” Yvir pointed to a pillar of smoke snaking upwards over a ridge.
“That’s a campfire!” Leonidas stood and narrowed his eyes. “-a big one.”
“We were closer to the outlaw camp than we thought,” I folded my arms. “Things may turn out alright after all.”
“What’s next then?” He put his hand on my shoulder.
“That’s not too far to travel by foot,” I replied. “I’m going in alone.”
“Are you insane?” Shauna stood tall and pointed at me. “You can’t take on an entire Orc regiment alone.”
“Of course I can’t,” I replied. “But you forget I can go in there unseen. Then I’ll find him and report back to you guys.”
“No way!” Yvir shook her head. “All for one or none at all!”
“I’m not asking you to abandon me.” I replied. “Just rest up, charge up your mana, and wait for me to come back with information.”
“If you insist,” Leonidas crossed his arms and smirked. “But we are coming in there after you if you take too long.”
“That’s the idea,” I told him. “If you stay here you’re far enough away to not be noticed if I’m caught.”
“Do it,” Cairngorm waved his hand in the air. “Just don’t get caught. We don’t have the firepower to take on all those Orcs.”
I fastened my supply belt around my waist. Then I pulled my cloak over my shoulders. “It shouldn’t take long to cross that ridge.” I smiled. “I’ll be back before you know it. Keep the fire low and wait for me.”
Leonidas nodded and Yvir slapped me hard on the shoulder. I didn’t dare look at Shauna. I already knew she didn’t approve. Determined, I headed off towards the wisp of smoke, not sure what would happen.
The desert was unbelievably dark. I don’t think I’d ever been in such pure darkness before. The landscape stretched out before me. The sounds of various nocturnal beasts chirped and clicked. I prayed that I didn’t run across any more scorpions.
I shivered at the thought and quickened my pace. It seemed like I had walked for an eternity before I reached the ridge’s edge. I peered over the outcropping and looked below.
It was definitely an Orc’s camp. These bandits didn’t seem to care much about hiding their location. Cooking fires blazed and the sound of hoarse Orc voices filled the air.
My stomach grumbled at the smell of roasting meat. Shauna’s fruit meal and the bread we’d packed had been good. But nothing compared to a hot meal. Then I thought about Orc eating habits. I’d rather not know what sort of meat they were cooking.
Wildlands Orcs were sometimes cannibals. Which meant feasting on roasted human flesh wasn’t beneath them.
To my left was a rocky path that led down into the ravine. Summoning all my courage I worked my way downward. The Orc's camp just below. I hadn't any idea what or who I would find there.
CHAPTER 18
The Orc camp bustled with activity. I crept with great caution and care. Even though I couldn't be seen and my boots silenced my movements. Orcs had keen senses. One false move and I was done for. My mission was clear, find Rolf Alehorn and if possible rescue him.
I puzzled over the number of ways I could smuggle him out. The magic cloak I wore would allow me to extend my invisibility to another. But only if I remained in physical contact with them.
The other option would be to wait for my party to arrive and try to come up with an alternative to freeing Rolf. I’ll be honest, we didn’t really think this through. In fact, there were a thousand ways this could end in disaster.
But I couldn’t give up now. We beat up giant scorpions for chrissakes. A small army of mangy Orcs shouldn’t be a problem.Should it?
As I peered around a tent I caught site of a three Orc Warriors. They sat huddled near a roaring campfire eating some type of meat. I decided it was best I didn’t know what kind.
Wild Orcs were known for eating any kind of flesh they could get their hands on. While the more civilized Kingdom aligned orcs were a bit more gentile in their eating habits. Their barbarian brothers however, they would even eat other orcs. I strained to listen to their conversation.
“Aye, this bite is all gristle,” The largest Orc tore into a femur sized bone.
“Tough meat for sure,” one of his brethren chimed in.
“Give it me,” another Orc spoke and reached for the bone. “I’ll eat your portion!”
“Hands off,” the large Orc smacked the greedy one’s hands. “Or I’ll add ye’ fingers to the menu!”
The group erupted into laughter and then continued to eat. The sound of it caused me to shudder. While the Orcs of King’s City were rough, they were downright civilized when compared to these brutes.
Then the thought occurred to me. What if they’d eaten Alehorn? There’d be no way to find the underground temple and we’d be trapped in the Tiberian Kingdom forever.
“Your turn to feed the prisoner,” the largest Orc shoved a plate into the hands of another.
“Why me?” he groaned.
“Because I said so,” the Big Orc replied.
“Why don’t we just roast him up?” The smaller one smacked his lips.
“Shregun has commanded we keep him alive,” he slapped his companion on the back of the head. “Now go and feed our little guest.”
The smallest Orc snatched the plate and grumbled as he stood. Moving with great stealth I followed the wayward Orc. He made his way through the maze of tents towards a small circle of caged wagons.
He dipped a tin cup into a wooden keg of water. Then banged the cup against one the wagon’s metal bars. “Wake up thief, time to eat!”
A small figure rumbled beneath a pile of blankets, then a tiny disheveled head poked out. “Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep you filthy oaf?”
“If it were up to me,” the Orc shoved the plate and cup through an open slit. “You’d be in the stewpot!”
“Is that any way to treat a guest?” the little man spat. “You have no hospitality.”
“Shut yer filthy Gnome mouth and take yer’ dinner.” The Orc then turned on his heels. He walked past me and then paused. I held my breath and didn’t dare move.
My invisibility cloak was still active, The Orc sniffed the air then huffed. Taken one last look around before heading back to his comrades.
I approached the cage and peered through the bars. The little man inside was bit dirty and bruised, but seemed otherwise well. He perked his ears and then peered out between the bars, “Who’s there, I can sense you!”
> “Shhh,” I whispered still invisible. “Rolf Alehorn?”
“That be me!” he answered in a hushed tone. “Who be you?”
“I’ve been sent to find you,” I whispered. “By the wizard Varick.”
“Hah,” Rolf spat and then took a drink from his tin cup. “That old rascal, I should’ve known he’d be wanting me services again.”
“Look,” I continued. “I can get your out of here, but it won’t be easy.”
“They stole me invisible ring!” the Gnome moaned. “I could have used it to follow you!”
“I have a cloak that will let me extend my invisibility around you,” I continued. “But you have to stay in physical contact with me.”
“Then what are ye’ waiting for ye’ daft girl?” Rolf grabbed the bars and pressed his face against them. “Get me out of here before these beasties decide to make a meal of me!”
“I’ll pick the lock,” I said as I made my way towards the cage's door. The lock looked fairly simple. I pulled my burglary tools from my belt and went to work. First, I gently stuck the finest pick into the lock. Wriggling it carefully as I felt for the internal latch.
When I struck it, I applied a little pressure. Soon I’d have Rolf free and we’d be back on our way to my party’s camp. I didn’t notice the trap until it was too late.
A greenish gas seeped from the lock, stinging my eyes and causing me to cough. I covered my mouth in a vain attempt to stop breathing in the noxious fumes. Someone had placed a fairly sophisticated magical trap on the lock.
The world around me began to spin as I struggled to stay conscious. Through blurred vision I saw two large Orc’s approaching. I willed my legs to move but there didn’t obey me. I took one last struggling gasp of air and fell to the ground.
“What do we have here?” A gruff Orc grunted as he stood over me. I made one last vain attempt to raise my head before the entire world went dark.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d remained unconscious. As I woke I aware of two things. The feel of cold metal around my wrist and a throbbing headache.
My eyes opened and I winced as the light hit them. A splash of cold water hit my face and I shook my head and exhaled. I’d been chained spread eagled and standing. The strain of the restraints on my ankles and wrists was far from comfortable.
“The bitch is awake,” a deep voice said.
“I see,” a softer female voice replied. Firm hands gripped my chin and tilted my head upwards. I locked eyes with the most astonishing woman I’d ever seen.
Her eyes were sea-blue. I’d never seen a blue-eyed Orc before. In fact, this woman looked more human than Orc. Her skin was green and a long tresses of red-hair hung down past her shoulders.
She seemed better dressed than I recalled most Orc’s being. My eyes fell to her bosom and while I was only half-conscious, I couldn’t help but stare.
She slapped me hard, “My eyes are up here Shadow Thief.”
I winced at the pain and smirked, “Sorry, I believe you have me at a disadvantage.”
“Why are you smiling?” She put her hands on her hips. “Don’t you realize how much trouble you are in?”
“You don’t sound or… smell like any Orc I’ve ever met,” I pulled against my bonds.
“You think we’re all ignorant savages do you?” Her full pouty lips parted. “Then you don’t know much at all.”
“A Half-Orc?” I questioned as my vision cleared. “I’ve never met one before.”
“I ask the questions,” she pressed closer the scent of her perfume catching me off guard. Still groggy from the poison trap I spoke, “Hmmm-you smell good.”
She slapped me again. This time hard enough to cause a trickle of blood to spill from the corner of my mouth. “Speak to me like that again and I’ll kill you.”
I had no idea why this female Orc had such an influence over me. With all the willpower I could muster, I summoned up my internal HUD display. Most of her stats were hidden… but she was definitely an NPC.
[NAME: SHREGUN SANDBLADE]
[ARCHETYPE: ROGUE / THIEF