by Marcus Sloss
The orc and I both recovered from falling down. He was quicker since I had been surprised. My pike had flown away from me during my fall, I quickly got to my knees and pulled my short sword off my belt. The orc charged me with a rusty sword aiming to bury the weapon into my face. Still on my knees in the dirt I deflected the thrust. The orcs legs were exposed, and with a powerful short chop, I removed a leg. It howled in pain and crashed to the ground beside me. This orc was as small as the three in the clearing. Probably a youngling stuck on perimeter duty. I couldn't hesitate, my opponent was down in agony. I leaped up to my feet towering over his withering body and severed his head.
I gave a quick glance toward the four orcs. Hoping by some miracle our fight hadn't been heard. Nope. No such luck. The three adult orcs and the chieftain barreled towards me in a sprint.
I yanked the arrow out and tossed it to the ground. The arm hurt but was working fine. I quickly grabbed the body and placed it over my injured shoulder. I looked at the dead open eyes of the decapitated head and stuck two fingers from my left hand into its nose. Because... well as gross as it was to carry a severed head by its snot maker it worked. I had lost the element of surprise, and I was about to be swarmed by warriors who knew how to fight. It was time to...
“Run!” I shouted with a bellow. I knew Donnie could hear my yell. I hoped his legs were long enough to keep ahead of us.
The chase was on. I sprinted with my prize of a body as I was hounded by the orcs. As I got up to speed I noticed I was pulling away from all of them besides the largest chieftain. Our reckless charge through the woods had my heart pounding furiously.
There. I caught the briefest of glimpses as we barreled onward.
Off to the left was my staged pike.
I was going too fast and off course to reach it. I did have a chance at my greataxe though.
I came to a sudden stop as my feet dug into the dirt with the chieftain only a dozen paces behind me. The hulking brute of a creature gave an ear splitting war cry with flying spittle. In one smooth motion, I did two things. I dropped the head with my left fingers, then grabbed the hidden greataxe with my free hand. I bent forward and underhand threw my short sword at the chieftain's thighs. I didn't have time to watch my sword sail toward my foe. I used the momentum of the throw to spin my body. As I spun forward toward my opponent I got both hands on the greataxe and executed a mighty horizontal swing. The dead body from earlier flew off my shoulder from the movement.
At the end of the spin, I saw the shocked face of an angry orc chieftain. He had deflected my distraction. The sword never touched him. Both his mace and shield were low on his body and unable to rise in time to parry my attack. Not that I think it would have mattered. The force behind my spin attack was massive. It shredded the orc’s left shoulder joint and tore across the body with ease. The blade cleanly parted his skin and bone, exiting under the right armpit.
As the momentum continued my spin for another loop I felt the top half of the chieftain fly into my back with a splat. I arrested the turn and gazed off to see the other three adult orcs pause and howl in frustration at their leader’s demise. If I had to guess they had stopped to allow the chieftain a fair duel with his fleeing prey. Their mistake was my gain. I raced for my short sword and got it in my belt ring quickly. I placed both bodies over my left shoulder. I grabbed the first head by the nostrils again and managed to leverage the chieftain's head and shoulders under my right arm. It was awkward to do while I still carried the greataxe but I wasn't leaving anything else behind. I already had to ditch two pikes.
Even weighed down by the two bodies I began to outrun the three orcs who chased me. I was tired, out of breath, and super happy to slow down when I crossed the boundary line.
Donnie was there, hands on knees panting. I shifted my weight left and let the bodies tumble onto the ground, and tossed the heads beside them. Free of the burden of the bodies I turned to face the remaining orcs. There were no orcs behind me though. They knew better. Fighting by a boundary safe zone was suicide and a huge advantage to the humans. I simply could step out, range attack, and step back in. I let out a long sigh and collapsed down in the dirt.
We panted until we caught our breath. I got up and kept my head above my heart to make sure I didn't pass out. My body was angry at me for running so intensely while eating so little. When we calmed Donnie asked what happened.
“I was dumb. I never looked up. This asshole shot me from above and then tried to drop down and stab me. I got lucky that he missed his drop stab. I hacked off his leg and then his head. I had to leave the leg and a pike at the first spot. He was so well hidden in the trees even Lydia never saw him.” I said as I kicked the smaller body. I then pointed to the larger dead body of the chieftain. “This one chased me down, which I am surprised he could since I am insanely fast. I tossed my short sword at him as a distraction. While he deflected the throw I used the greataxe to cleave him into two. Check out this crown. It is fused into his head. By the gods, this must have hurt.”
The chieftain's head had a six inch tall oval crown on it. The side of the crown was decorated with runes of intricate detail. The shocking part was how the crown was attached to the head. I studied the base of the crown where it was fused into the chieftain's head. If I had to guess it was melted into his skull. The skin above the skull had angrily healed into the crown. I tested how firmly it was connected to the head by picking up just the crown. The head traveled with it into the air. Yup, it was firmly joined.
“Looks like someone burnt this into the top of his skull. Savage, oh well. I will ask Elan or Velia about it later. Good thing you are full of energy Donnie, I need you to run to Jak and have him come heal me. Oh, and get the hand cart we forgot. While you’re down there in the western fields have a fire started. Bar Bee Que orc for lunch!” I said with excitement. I didn't care that the orc was a sentient being. I needed to eat.
I rested while I waited for Jak to show up. He found me napping against a tree and gently woke me. I peeled off my armor and showed him the hole in my shoulder. He nodded and touched me. I felt his aura heal the wound. It was awkward but the pain and tenderness of the wound vanished. We waited for Donnie to arrive with the cart.
Jak told me how he was done for today with his healing. He was low on aura now and that I should probably wait until tomorrow to risk further injury. I told him about the young boars that were a priority. That Donnie and I would have to risk going without his healing. When Donnie arrived we loaded the bodies onto the cart and made our way to the western fields.
Lyna and Pipi were the first to greet us with beaming smiles. I saw Elan down in the fields talking to Velia. They stood by a new fire pit that held a dancing flame. I hauled the cart with the dead orcs right up to the pit.
“Welcome back,” Velia said with welcoming wide eyes as she planted a soft kiss on my cheek. Her hand wrapped around my neck and that teased me to turn the greeting into more. I keep my distance though and composed myself.
“I came by to get my copper from this young lady and you surprise me with orc bodies. May we hear a quick story of how you won the day? Not quite as easy to kill as goblins right.” Elan mentioned as he inspected the bodies.
“By the Gods! Gryff!” Elan shouted. “This is the chieftain who collects our monthly required food. The crown allowed him to pass the barrier wall. I wonder what this means for the next quota...”
Elan had paused mid speech in contemplation.
“How did the collection work anyway?” I asked.
“Once a month we collect every bit of food that is grown. Both here in the western fields, and the northern fields managed by the rest of the village. We make a big pile about the weight of three men by the northern boundary on the old road. This orc would come with a wagon pulled by two immense wolves. When he approached the barrier his crown would illuminate and he would pass through as if it was never there. Then he loaded up an exact amount that he somehow knew and would leave the rest. We always over de
livered to ensure we meet our quota. Part of why we’re starving so badly right now is because were nearing the end of the month. In four days’ time, this orc is supposed to get our next supply. What happens then, I know not. I bet Duke Riza will know.”
“I will add it to the list of things to discuss with him tomorrow. As for the battle, little orc ambushed me from above, and the big boss exposed his upper body while protecting his legs. Then I ran like a scared child to ensure I made it to safety. Not a very interesting story really. Lessons were learned though.”
Velia cupped her hands around her lips. “Gather up, enough weed picking for today!”
“Weed picking?” I asked as the ladies and children made their way in from the fields.
“Yeah... I would say ninety percent of the time we spend in these fields is removing unwanted growth. The other five percent is pruning the fields and the last five are getting the actual food. We got all these wonderful supplies from Cern for new clothing and shoes but lack the time. We always work extra hard near the monthly deadlines. The risk is too great to fall short of the quota. If we had some trained goats or rabins that ate the weeds we could free up so much time. Lyna! Add baby goats and rabins to the list.” Velia shouted to Lyna. Lyna who was standing right by her chuckled and went to add the items.
Donnie saw my confused face. “Know what a goat is?” I nodded. He continued. “Rabin?” I shook my head no.
Elan handled the explanation. “A rabin is the size of a small wolf about knee high on me. It has a long thin snout with human like molars. It has horrible eyesight but great smell. They are uncommon this far south as they generally love the warmer climates. There are some cold climate versions that are generally in high demand. They love to eat weeds and dead plant growth making them ideal for farming. We had a livestock raiser who used to own the northern fields. A nice gent named Parka. Died during a raid along with all our animals. He raised them, said they were one of his best money makers. We actually still have a lot of pens for livestock in the north fields. Just no livestock.”
“Donnie mentioned farmer Parka when I asked about egg laying animals. Gods I am so hungry. Velia what can I do to help get some of this orc over the fire?”
“We got it. The heads will need to stay separate and left alone. They sell as a single unit to the alchemists. They differ from the goblins in that the skull itself is stripped of flesh, then used to brew potions in. The brains, eyes, tongue, and ears all have a purpose. Generally in a big city like Lakeland you sell the head, then they handle the parts. We will add the heart, liver, and bones in a separate pile. The bones get ground down into a strength potion. To be honest that is all I know about what happens to the parts that sell. Frin bought some of the orc bone purple potions before he left for war.” Velia said to me.
The ladies had quickly gutted the orcs and were bloodily flaying the meat off the bones. Thin strips of meat were skewered on sharp sticks and placed over the fire. The sizzle of the meat cooking made my mouth water.
Elan looked over at the pile of parts being saved. “The eyes are boiled into a potion to help with seeing issues or for scouts to see further. The brain is desired by the nobles who say it gives them or their children extra clarity while studying. It is ground into a paste and taken as a pill. Not sure about the heart, ears, liver, and tongue. Must be used in some spell or another. Maybe the Duke will know or some mage in Lakeland will give you an answer. So, Gryff, we generally pile our food together and work toward a common cause as a village, yet these orcs were slain outside the village. I don't want to impose but there are many hungry mouths to feed. May we have a lunch feast and invite the rest of the village who are working in the northern fields?” Elan asked.
I only briefly contemplated it. “Of course. We can always get more food. The smelons will start to ripen any day now, we have a trade convoy planned tomorrow, and after lunch, I am taking Donnie out to the caves to try to trap the war boar’s young. Since they are siblings I am not sure if we should breed them but if we are able to take them alive I think we should. You wouldn't know of a way to knock them out easily would you?”
“Club em on the head,” Elan said with a friendly banter.
We had a laugh at that. Pipi came over with a sizzling piece of meat. I gratefully took the stick she handed to me and kept blowing on the strip of cooked flesh. The moment it was cool enough I devoured it. A second stick was placed in my face and I gobbled that piece down too. Villagers poured down the ramp and joined our group as food was cooked and passed around. I thought people may have a problem eating sentient beings. Nope. When you’re starving you eat, or you die. I drank a full bucket of water after my meal and stumbled into the shed with a full belly.
Pipi saw me and followed me into the open overhang. She sat down then patted at her lap for me to rest my head. I got comfy on the dirt floor and placed my head on her leg. Pipi stroked my wild hair until I drifted off into a nap.
∞∞∞
I sprawled awake hunting for a warm body when I realized I was alone. I stood to see the sun past the midday mark. I observed more vines neatly stacked by thickness in the clearing by the fire pit. A large net was partially assembled by five women. Jak and Donnie were debating the trap manual from earlier. I stretched my way over to see what trouble I could get into.
“See how it calls for the weave to be like this.” Jak showed Donnie a part of a diagram. I was glad to see them getting along. Jak really had been a great addition.
“Okay, I see what I was doing wrong now. Afternoon Gryff, have a good nap? We figured you needed the rest from your exertions earlier. Momma bragged this morning about how even when exhausted you don't snore. Apparently that matters and she was happy about it. Mina tells me I snore when I sleep.” Donnie said to me.
He was right about needing the rest, but I felt great now and ready to go.
“I feel fantastic. What is the net for? The boars?”
“Actually no. They would tear right through these vines. This is to block any fish that make their way into our creek from the river. The water flow increased today. Lyna said if the dam bursts we may have flooded fields for a few days. We talked about how it might be the goblins and orcs over there messing with things. Or it could be the gap you created is widening. We would need Lydia to scout it by air to know for sure or risk it and scout by foot.” Jak told me.
“Great thinking. When we fly off for Lakeland tomorrow I will take a peek over there. How long until you’re done with this?” I asked pointing to net being assembled.
“The ladies will finish it. You ready to try to get those young boars? I decided to help you.” Jak said. He set the manual on the ground and placed a rock over it. He then grabbed a pike from the tool pile and slung the javelins on his back with a new string.
I joined him and Donnie in getting ready to go back out. My armor went on and I latched my weapons to my back and belt. The three of us walked through the village and to the map Lydia had drawn earlier.
“Jak, we are here. This is the trail the war boar used.” I said as I started to indicate places on the map. “We follow this trail south, then cross this creek, and travel to these caves. If we get separated to get home follow the boar trail until you see fresh direction marks in the trees. Turn left or west to get back to the village safety. I will make sure to show you the marks when we pass them. Before we leave the trail to cross the creek we will make fresh marks there too. The goal is to keep things simple, be safe, and try to come back with more food. If we find nothing we can come home empty handed without pressure. The orc meat and fish feast means the villagers have eaten well lately.”
“Got it, boss. I am nervous but excited. I’ve never crossed the boundary on foot before.” Jak told me.
“You will feel a tingle and then it is over. I have seen a goblin run into the barrier, it was funny.” Donnie said.
“Alright, I will haul the cart for now. Let’s get started.” I said.
We crossed the eastern boundary
and walked to the boar trail. I noted the area to Jak and showed him the direction marks on the trees. I took him to the north side where the arrows pointed right then the south side and had him face north where the arrows pointed left. He reminded me he was not a child or dumb and we moved on.
We were quiet as we progressed south toward our turn at the creek. Donnie spotted two smelon trees that we passed by. Donnie and I marked trees on the path with a circle and arrow toward the fruit. I was excited to mention these later to the ladies. I would be gone to visit the Duke for at least a day so maybe Donnie could come out here with someone and harvest them.
I heard the creek off to my left and raised a hand to halt us. I pulled them in close to relay a message to them.
“Creek is over here on the left. I am going to check it for predators and a potential ambush. I will also look for a crossing. Remember, I say run. Go north, turn left at the arrows.” I whispered to them both.
They nodded in understanding and I left the trail. The bushes were thin around the pines. The floor dominated by pine straw. That gave me a reminder of something on my to do list. I needed to get the floor of the half shed covered thick with straw. It would help mud from forming on the floor and keep the chill of the earth off those sleeping there.
I took my steps carefully and even looked into the empty treetops. It was quiet and peaceful. The creek was small and I saw no signs of game trails or Horde movement.
I hurried back to Donnie and Jak who were partly hidden. That was good, better than standing dumbly out in the open. I grabbed the cart and forded the creek with no issues. We made a trail through the pines for a good twenty minutes until we entered open fields. Tall oats sporadically swayed with the gentle breeze. They dominated the competing wild weeds and underbrush in the treeless area. You could tell this had been a farmer’s field previously.
“Oat field. See how they beat out most of the weeds. This was a good farm at one point. A bit far for harvesting and out in the open. Not sure we should ever risk coming here to harvest this. Also, see how often these are eaten. It would be better to hunt the prey that eats here.” Donnie said.