by Nova Rose
* * *
Sing all ye of Hemίl
and of the great King Edrei.
Death tried to take him
but failed against the Great Lion.
So come all enemies
we await your venture
for our king is protected
by the spirit of the lion.
“What is that rubbish they are singing?” asked Max as he stepped away from the opening of the tent.
Tesnayr listened to the new song that one of the soldiers had composed. A small smile crept across his face. “King Edrei’s life was saved by a lion the other day. Apparently the men have made a song honoring it.”
“What nonsense,” said Max. “It was probably pure chance.”
“Most likely,” agreed Tesnayr. “But let them be. It does them good to be able to sing about their king. Besides, we have other matters to discuss.”
“So you need my expertise,” said Max as he chewed on his pipe.
“According to Ernayn,” said Tesnayr.
“I wouldn’t listen to that witch,” said the wizard. “The truth is you do not need me.”
“Perhaps not,” said Tesnayr, “But you have spent most your life in the tavern and men tend to be open mouthed there.”
“The orcs have swept over the five lands, this you know,” said Max, “They also have men working for them as there are many who are willing to sell their services for a few promises. This you also know. But what you do not know is that the orcs are actively recruiting.”
“The orcs have always recruited others,” said Tesnayr.
“You misunderstand me,” said Max. “The orcs have been seeking people, desperate people. They make offers and even let those who refuse to leave unharmed. They do this by day or night.”
“That is a new move for them. I wonder what Galbrok is up to.”
“For someone who understands the orcs, you are missing something.”
“Don’t you start,” warned Tesnayr, “If you know something, then tell me. Don’t play these games.”
“It isn’t a game,” replied Max, “Merely a statement. I have heard of your exploits, General. Even those who frequent taverns have spoken of you. You have fought the orcs, formed your own army, defied a king, and won many victories. Yet little is known of you. And stranger yet, despite your glorious outcome, you are no nearer to winning. Why?”
“You’re the wizard. You tell me.”
“Please, General, you don’t need me to figure out the obvious.”
“So you’ve said.”
“Why Ernayn wanted me out of that inn is anyone’s guess. But now that I am out of there I think I will stay away for a while.
“Think, Tesnayr, why did the orcs succeed in conquering your homeland? Why is it that despite your successful exploits that you are no nearer to victory than you were when this first began?”
Tesnayr pondered the question a moment. “There are so many of them. No matter how many orcs we kill, Galbrok always has more. It’s as though he grows them in a field. Once more, there are always those willing to serve people like him. Even Blynak has joined his ranks.”
“Yes, I remember Blynak. He caused the king of Belyndril a bit of trouble some fifteen years ago. Then he disappeared. And now he is helping the orcs. Most likely he has been promised his own kingdom.
“So, numbers alone will not win the war.”
“No,” said Tesnayr.
“And this last defeat brought you close to decimation.”
“Yes. It was cunning that allowed us to live, but once the orc commander figures out he has been tricked, he will be back. And in a far worse temper.”
“And what would it take to truly defeat the orcs?” asked Max.
“Galbrok’s death. The orcs are incapable of truly thinking. They are not intelligent. They think collectively, but are always in need of a leader, of someone telling them what to do. Kill their leader and they will flee in a panic.”
“Strike the head of the snake.”
“Precisely.”
“But if the orcs are not capable of critical thinking, then why is it that Galbrok is?”
“Because Galbrok isn’t truly an orc,” replied Tesnayr. “Not entirely at least. The orcs like to use people for their pleasure. His father was an orc. His mother was human. She abandoned him when he was born. Many of the orcs who command have a mixed heritage.
“The problem is, Galbrok never fights openly. He stages the battle, but remains in the shadows. He uses fear to conquer. The only way to kill him is to get him out in the open. Or assassinate him. But it has never been done.”
“Interesting that you know such intimate details of our enemy,” said Max. “So you survived today with cunning. You need Galbrok to show himself so that you can kill him. How do you plan to do this?”
Tesnayr’s head ached from all the double talk. Sometimes he just wished someone would tell him what to do instead of forcing him to figure it out. He knew that his current direction would lead to the same end as before.
“It is okay to lose the battle, so long as you win the war,” said Max. “You might want to remember that.”