by Nova Rose
Chapter V
The First Engagement
“How long is he going to sit there?” asked one of the men.
“As long as he deems necessary,” replied Nigilin overhearing the man’s comment.
“I thought we were to be fighting orcs.”
Nigilin stepped closer to the man. “You will get your chance. In the meantime, perhaps you wish to challenge me.” The man understood Nigilin’s silent message and dropped the matter.
After returning with the orc dispatch, Tesnayr secluded himself to ponder over the orc writing. Though well versed in their language it had been months since he had used those skills. In an hour he had translated the message, however, it soon became apparent that the entire thing was written in code. It took time, but Tesnayr managed to decipher it. What he read deeply worried him.
Tesnayr called a meeting with his officers. “The severity of the situation is worse than we had originally thought,” began Tesnayr. “The orcs have attacked the eastern edge of Belarnia. King Shealayr is entrenched there. He and his elves are holding out, but they won’t for long. There is a battalion of orcs two days ride from here headed for Belarnia. Reinforcements for the ones that are already there.”
“King Shealayr will never be able to defeat that many,” Nigilin blurted out.
“King Slyamal sent a second contingent of troops to Belarnia,” said Arnin.
Turyn made his presence known. His habit of turning up when he pleased no longer surprised the others. “They are all dead just like the first one he sent.”
“Always the bearer of good news,” gibed Arnin.
Tesnayr cut them all off. “If that battalion reaches Belarnia, then Galbrok’s hold in these parts will be sealed.”
“What are you suggesting?” asked Nigilin.
“Those orcs must not reach Belarnia. They are currently in the southern part of Hemίl. I think here is the perfect place to set a trap,” he said, pointing on the map. “Afterwards, we will ride the two days to Belarnia. There is another matter that concerns me,” Tesnayr continued, “Orcs are not known for sending dispatches. What’s more, they do not write their messages in code. There is something more behind this.”
“You believe they have an ally,” suggested Nigilin.
Tesnayr nodded grimly in affirmation.
“The question is: who would align themselves with these orcs and why,” said Arnin.
“Turyn,” said Tesnayr, “I want you to find some answers to this puzzle.” The cat waved his tail as he nodded and bounded off.
“We leave within the hour,” said Tesnayr ending all discussion.
Tesnayr crouched behind a boulder with his men as he watched the orcs approaching the ravine. The clatter of their armor echoed around him warning every one of their advance. “I hope they take the bait,” he whispered.
“If those three did their job, they will,” replied Nigilin.
The orcs began to divert from the path that led to the gulch. Suddenly the creaking and grinding of rubble speeding down a hill filled the area. Dust flew everywhere as the debris came to a rolling halt on the very path that the orcs had begun to take. Orcs dashed out of the way as rocks and trees crashed around them. Yelling and shouting ensued as they argued about what to do next.
“Like the show?” asked Nylin as he approached with his brothers.
Tesnayr silenced him. He studied two orcs as they gestured animatedly. They argued for several minutes before conceding the fact that they must take the road through the gorge. Tesnayr grinned as the beasts filed into the gully. Perfect. “Get ready,” he said. “Now!”
Nigilin released a flaming arrow into the sky. It shot straight up into the air. Many of the orcs watched from below curious about its meaning. Suddenly, the sky turned dark as arrows rained down upon the orcs from both sides of the ravine. The beasts huddled together locking their shields in an attempt to protect themselves. A series of clattering and clanging noises echoed through the ravine as the arrows pounded their shields. Many squeezed through the cracks and pierced soft flesh.
“It’s a trap,” yelled the orc commander. “Pull back!”
“Signal the second wave,” said Tesnayr.
Nigilin fired another flaming arrow into the sky. Men on both ends of the ravine burst from under mounds of brush and charged the orcs. The beasts braced themselves. Their position put them at a severe disadvantage. Cries filled the gorge as swords clashed. The orcs huddled close together only to realize their mistake too late.
Leading his men into the gorge, Arnin charged. Thunder roared as they stormed the enemy carrying sharpened lances. Debris flew around them as they picked up speed. The impact jarred Arnin’s arm as his lance pierced an orc’s shield and struck the beast behind it. He quickly pulled out his sword and sliced another.
The orcs attempted retreat back the way they came but found their path cut off by a group of armed archers.
“Fire,” yelled Jarown.
Arrows shot straight through the air knocking down the orcs at the front of the line.
“Again,” shouted Jarown.
More arrows whistled as they left their bows heading straight for their target. Orcs crumpled to the ground clutching their throats with arrows protruding from them as sticky, black blood poured from the wounds.
“Plow your way through,” ordered their commander.
The orcs wavered slightly before charging.
“Now, you scum,” screamed their commander.
Releasing a deafening cry, the orcs raced toward the archers. They raised their weapons high for the attack.
“Swords,” yelled Jarown.
His men obeyed. They braced themselves for the onslaught. At the right moment, Jarown gave the signal. His men ducked and lurched forward effectively dodging the attack and throwing the orcs off balance. In such a tight space, the orcs found it difficult to maneuver so as to counteract their enemies’ defense. But Jarown’s men were prepared. They whipped around and attacked from behind. Within moments chaos ensued as the two opposing forces slashed and moved.
Arnin dodged and weaved his way through the mass of fighting orcs with his men heading straight for the group that battled with Jarown’s unit. They cut off any chance of escape, pinning the orcs down.
Tesnayr watched from his vantage point. “Let’s go,” he said. He and those on the hillside dropped ropes down into the ravine. They slid down them with ease. Quickly, they joined the others in battle, but the orcs had already been decimated. Only a few remained.
The orc commander charged from behind as Tesnayr slid off the rope. Tesnayr jumped out of the way using the rope to knock the weapon from the orc’s hands. The orc punched Tesnayr knocking him back a few paces. Tesnayr swerved out of the way of another punch. He rammed the heel of his boot in the orc’s knee and felt the bone crack. In one swift strike, Tesnayr brought the blade of his sword down severing the orc’s head. It rolled across the gravel until it stopped by Nigilin’s feet.
Surveying the aftermath, Tesnayr made certain that their goal had been accomplished. He wasted no time in pushing the army onward when it became clear that they had suffered no losses. “Put their armor on and take their weapons,” shouted Tesnayr.
Men stripped the dead orcs of their armor and swords. Tesnayr watched unconcerned as the unceremoniously stripped bodies were left to rot. Crows circled above waiting for their chance to feast on the carnage.
“This smells horrible,” complained one man as he put a dead orc’s helmet on.
“Hold your breath,” said Tesnayr. “Mount up. We ride for Belarnia without rest. Nedis, lead the way.”
“I’m not Nedis. I’m Nylin.”
“I thought you were Nular,” said one of the other triplets as he approached.
“I guess I could be,” said the first.
The third triplet approached apparently right on cue. “I thought I was Nular.”
“If you are, then who am I?” asked the first with a wide smile.
“Nylin I presume,” said the third.
“Then I guess that makes me Nedis,” commented the second. “Of course, I could just as easily be you as you could be me.”
“When you three finish figuring out who you are,” said Tesnayr, “Feel free to join us in Belarnia.” He rode off. Dust billowed everywhere in heavy clouds as horses pounded the earth on their way to war.