Invasion (24 page)

“Well that sure did the trick.” Gerard examined the shattered fence and shook his head. “The farmer is going to be very cranky about this when he sees it.”

“He’ll be a lot crankier when he’s noticin’ his lost stock,” added Jerzy.

“Well let’s get to it before we’re noticed,” said Jeff.

With a quick lesson from Norbie they all grabbed a solid stick each and chose a laborg to lead out. Gerard chose a large one that grazed in a section of paddock by himself and heeding Norbie’s advice, he crept around the back of it and whacked his stick on the ground.

The laborg moved but in the wrong direction so Gerard positioned himself on the left side of the beast and gave the ground another whack. Hearing the noise the animal jerked to the right and picked up its pace. Now it trotted off too far to the right.

Norbie had made it appear so easy.

Gerard rushed around the other side, trying to keep up with the laborg and smacked the ground again. It made a screeching noise and started bolting off to the left.

“You’re hitting the ground too hard, Gerard,” shouted Norbie. “Use a little less strength and a little more subtlety.”

Gerard acknowledged Norbie with a nod and went charging after his animal. He hit the ground gentler this time and the laborg made a slight adjustment to his direction. It still wasn’t enough so he hit the ground again. Now the laborg headed for the damaged fence but the trouble was that it moved way too fast.

“How do I slow it down?” yelled Gerard.

“Stop running after it and it’ll soon slow. They are quick in short bursts but soon tire. If they have no reason to run, they won’t run.” Norbie gently guided a laborg straight toward the damaged fence while shouting his instructions to Gerard.

Gerard stopped pursuing his animal and scanned the paddock. He had fared the best out of them all. The dwarves, having scant knowledge of herding animals were chasing their laborgs all over the paddock. Gerard chuckled at the comical scene.

Jeff managed okay but his animal still moved too fast to be properly guided. Hearing the advice shouted by Norbie, Jeff eased off and let the laborg get ahead of him. The animal slowed and Jeff smiled and nodded at Gerard.

“I think I’m getting the hang of this now,” he said.

Gerard laughed and turned around in time to see his animal jump over the scattered debris from the fallen branch and rush out of the paddock.

“I think I better go and catch mine.” Gerard sprinted after the laborg but soon slowed when he realised the animal had all but stopped on the other side of the fence.

He took up his position behind the beast and gently tapped the ground. The laborg started moving slowly. Gerard soon got the hang of steering the animal and started guiding it back toward the canyon until he paused and decided to wait for the others.

Norbie was the first one to catch up with him and steered his laborg expertly close to Gerard’s.

“If you could watch them and keep them from wandering off, I’ll go help the others,” said Norbie.

“Good idea,” said Gerard with a smile. “I think they could use all the help they can get.”

Norbie sprinted off as Jeff guided his laborg near the other two.

“Brings back memories doesn’t it?” said Jeff.

“Yeah, and not all good ones.” Gerard lowered his head and started scratching at the sandy soil with his stick.

“Mostly good ones,” replied Jeff. “I’d take the worst day on our farms over the best days on this world any day.”

“The worst day on our farms was when our wives and my daughter were slaughtered. I’d take any day on this world over that day.” Gerard couldn’t help but put a bit of anger into his voice. How could Jeff say such a thing?

“It’s not what I meant Gerry. I meant any average working day. Mending fences, rescuing dumb animals, shearing and slaughtering — all of that.”

“Yes, those days don’t seem so stressful now do they?” Gerard calmed his voice but still didn’t raise his head.

“I’m sick of this red sun, Gerry. It casts a bad light on everything. I can’t wait to see our yellow sun again.”

“Have you thought about what life we may be returning to? What damage the orcs may have done to our world? Our farms will almost certainly be lost.”

“I think about it all the time, but whatever the case is back home it’ll still be better than wandering around on this world, never knowing when you’ll be attacked next or by whom? Even the wildlife is hostile here — animals and plants all seeking to kill you each and every day.” Jeff chuckled.

“Yeah and it’ll be good to see our boys again.”

“We’ll make it back, Gerry. You have to believe that. We’ll find a way.”

Gerard lifted his head and regarded his friend. The sheer determination in his eyes was one reason why Gerard became such good friends with him in the first place. Looking at them now gave Gerard the confidence that what he said would prove true.

They would find a way.

“Gerard, Jeff! You better come quick,” shouted Norbie.

They both sprinted up the small rise simultaneously. When Gerard crested the hill he drew his sword — Jeff did the same. The dwarves were already huddled together with weapons drawn with the humans behind them. Gerard, Jeff and Norbie ran to join them.

The orc pack riding worgs encircled them and levelled crossbows their way.

“What creature are you?” asked the orc leader in the orc tongue.

“My friends in the front are dwarves and we are humans,” replied Gerard.

The orc’s eyes widened in surprise at Gerard’s use of the Orcish language.

“I have never heard of such beings. Are you all thieves then?”

“We are hungry and seek food.”

“Then you pay for it like everyone else, or you hunt for it yourself. The Jagged Spear rules these lands and theft is a serious crime. You will lay down your arms and accompany us to the local gaol or die where you stand.”

“You do not want us in your gaol. It will cause more problems for you than a few stolen animals.”

“You dare threaten me? I am a member of the Tan’ero Guard and charged to uphold the law in these lands.”

“And we are but a small group from a much larger one — numbering well over fifteen thousand. We will take only what we need and be on our way and nobody gets hurt.”

“You lie. We would have seen your like before if you numbered so many.”

“We have been held as slaves for the Ta’zu tribe and recently broke free. We traverse the floor of the Black Rock Canyon on our way home.”

“And where is this home you speak of? To the east beyond our lands lies the Great Black Sea and no one has successfully crossed over it.”

“A magical gate has been created in the lands of the Black Skull which links to our world. We intend on using it to return home.”

The orc laughed a hearty laugh. “You must take us for fools. A gate to another world? That’s the best story you can come up with?”

“Send a rider to the edge of the canyon. You will soon see that I speak the truth. If you keep us imprisoned, you will incur the wrath of the Ta’zu who will destroy anyone to get to us.”

“I will. But until we verify your entire story you will remain locked up. Now lower your arms.”

Gerard pondered their options. They could no doubt overpower them here but certainly not without loss and he had seen enough death to last two lifetimes. By going peacefully it would hold them up but he had faith that either by diplomacy or force of arms they would be free again in no time.

“Lower your weapons,” commanded Gerard. Jeff turned to him, opened his eyes wide and let his jaw drop. “It’ll be all right.”

He hoped he was right.

Chapter 26

A Growing Power

Sylestra was weary but she sensed the power of her goddess on Ka’ton. She tried a minor spell, the Tendril Bolt, and it worked without a hitch. For the first time on this new world she felt complete.

“Can you get me to Fort Lowmount quickly?” she asked Grand Master Rotager.

“Of course, Supreme Mistress. I can get us to the top of that hill we were on instantly. I made a point of committing it to memory.”

“Well quit talking about it and do it,” she snapped. The wizard gave her a brief warning glance before disguising it with a fake smile. Obviously he was not accustomed to being spoken to in such a way. When the gate formed she stepped into it. Rotager followed her and closed the gate behind them.

She scanned the horizon to the southwest where the sun dipped below the horizon and was relieved to see her army camped near the fort.

“Get us down there now,” she spat at the wizard.

Without reply he created another gate, no doubt as a dramatised response to her earlier criticism. She smirked at him, turned and entered the newly created gate.

“Has there been any communication with them yet?” asked Sylestra as she approached General Jak’ho.

“No, Supreme Mistress, there’s been nothing.”

“Very well. I think it’s time for a little diplomacy. Come along General and Head Wizard.” She couldn’t help but chuckle as the pompous Rotager stood tall and pushed his shoulders back.

“Would you like me to enact some shielding, Supreme Mistress?”

“No need. I’ll create my own. You can shield yourself if you must.” Sylestra marched toward the wall, stopping within ten paces.

“I speak to you all now,” she shouted, enacting a spell to enhance her voice so that all heard her. “Within the hour deliver me the heads of all those of the Blood Council remaining alive. Do this and submit to me and I will accept your service. Do it not and you all will perish before morning. I will return in an hour to hear your response.” She turned and confidently walked away.

“Very diplomatic of you, Supreme Mistress,” said Rotager.

“I am pressed for time and running out of patience. The orcs will serve me one way or another. Whatever they decide is of no consequence. Now I’m going to have a short nap. General, where is my tent?”

“Follow me, Supreme Mistress.” General Jak’ho led the way to her large tent. Her bed was a simple wooden frame with a hay-filled mattress on top but she was so exhausted she could sleep anywhere.

“See that I am awoken in an hour’s time, and that I’m not disturbed until then except at absolute need.” Sylestra watched Jak’ho leave her tent and then collapsed onto her bed.

The hour went far too quickly. She felt lethargic as she climbed out of her bed but perked up when she pondered the excitement to come. She freshened herself up by splashing her face with water, running a brush through her hair and then left the tent.

Dusk had set in as she approached the wall again with the General and the Wizard by her side. She made sure to put her shielding in place even though she had an idea she wouldn’t need it.

  “What have you decided?” she shouted.

A bag was produced near the centre of the wall and an orc, a shaman by his appearance, threw it over. It landed mere metres from her with a thud and two decapitated heads rolled out.

“You’ll find the nine heads of the Blood Council inside that bag,” yelled the orc that tossed the bag.

“Do you all pledge your lives to me?”

“We do,” answered the orc.

“I want to hear you all answer. Do you pledge your lives to me?”

A loud chorus of ‘we do’ sounded from the top of the wall and from within.

“Again! Do you pledge your lives to me?”

Their answer came louder this time.

“Good. I accept your service. Now open the gates and let us in.”

“My lady, your army will not fit inside these walls.”

“You are to title me Supreme Mistress and five hundred will accompany me inside. The rest will remain camped out here.” She turned to General Jak’ho. “Prepare five hundred of your finest to come inside.”

“At once, Supreme Mistress.” Jak’ho marched off.

“Check that bag for me will you?” she said to Rotager. “Be sure to count nine heads and tell me if they look like the leaders.

The Wizard screwed up his face at the request but he did as instructed. He opened up the bag using his fingertips and peered inside. He jumped back suddenly and let the bag drop.

Sylestra laughed at his pale face.

His lips moved as he looked back at the bag and it floated into the air. Once it reached eye level, the bag tipped over and the heads spilled out but floated before they hit the ground.

She recognised one head as Chief Narva and was somewhat disappointed that she did not get to kill the arrogant orc personally.

Once Rotager had finished counting an examining the heads, he allowed them all to fall to the ground and returned to her.

“There are indeed nine heads in there but whether they are all the leaders I cannot say. They all look alike to me.”

“Very well. It will do for now that they have at least made a show of submitting to me.”

“You expect treachery?”

“Always. Stay alert, Grand Master Wizard. This may become fun yet.”

“I think you and I have differing opinions on what fun is.”

Sylestra chuckled. “I believe we have differing opinions on many things.” She walked toward the opening gates. “Stay close, Wizard.”

The orc shaman met her at the centre of the opened gates, looking quite ridiculous in his tattered brown robe, well-worn sandals, animal tooth necklace and carrying a skull-tipped staff. She had to remind herself that these orcs evolved from a slave race and didn’t share the intelligence of the larger orcs of her tribe.

“And who are you that now leads this army?” she asked.

“I am the head shaman of Chief Fa’rasha, the orc you killed on top of this wall yesterday. My name is Targhed.”

“That you are a shaman is obvious. Are you a good one, I wonder?”

“I have been referred to as the most powerful shaman in this army. Whether that be true or not I can’t tell you.”

Sylestra chuckled. “A modest shaman. I never thought I’d see the day. Well Targhed, do lead the way in. For now I will use you as the voice and figurehead of this rabble until they come to trust me.” Sylestra waved her arm forward and Targhed turned and led the way in.

“The barracks are quite full I’m afraid, Supreme Mistress, but your army is welcome to set up tents out here. I can’t imagine we’ll be attacked while your monstrous army is camped out front.”

“No we will not. The humans and dwarves have already learned the folly of trying to stand against me.” She smiled at the shaman’s shocked expression.

“You have fought against them?” he asked.

“Fought and won. They retreated hastily to their walled city but their safety will be short lived.”

“We have attempted an attack on the city they call Arthea in the past and failed. They are not easily defeated behind those walls and they have a mighty wizard.”

“You attacked foolishly and with not a quarter of my army’s strength. As for the wizard you speak of, I believe I hold him captive. Their defeat will be swift.”

“You mean to attack the city then?”

“At first light. I’ll need you to start preparing your army here so that they are ready to march. In the meantime can you tell me of any trouble I should be aware of? A group of orcs not too happy to submit to me perhaps?”

“Most were quick to agree as they feared having to fight against your army. We have seen the large orcs fight in the past and they are very skilled. But Chief Izidorr’s tribe wanted to resist, saying that the walls would not be breached while so many defend them. But we saw how you were able to get on top of them yesterday. We did finally convince them but they weren’t happy about it.”

“Have the tribe meet with me outside the walls in two hours’ time. I will speak with them personally and help convince them.”

“As you wish, Supreme Mistress. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“That will be all.” Sylestra watched the shaman scurry off and turned to Rotager and said, “Return to Fort Dega at once and bring back with you as many necromancers as you can.”

“Of course, Supreme Mistress.” He created a gate and disappeared through it.

Next she approached General Jak’ho who led the five hundred warriors inside.

“Get them to set up camp here in the bailey and then come and meet me outside the gates. We have much to arrange.” Sylestra stormed off after receiving a nod of understanding from the General.

She stood out the front of the gates until Rotager returned with the necromancers.

Urzal was the first to follow after Rotager.

“Form a Diamond of Power by these gates as fast as you can. If you need anything from Fort Dega just ask Grand Master Rotager here to create a gate for you. Can you get it done?”

“How large should it be, Supreme Mistress?” asked Urzal.

“Large enough for perhaps two thousand.”

“I will see it done.”

As Urzal rushed off, General Jak’ho approached.

“Accompany me to my tent. We have much to discuss.” Sylestra turned and hurried off.

After discussing her plans with the General she dismissed him with orders to come and rouse her in an hour. She hated taking all these short naps but they were necessary to restore her strength after such a draining day and she would need as much as she could for what came next.

“Is it our mission to be captured by every tribe on this world?” Jeff chuckled. “If so we are doing a mighty fine job of it.”

Gerard lifted his head and smiled. “I assure you my friend, it’ll be a minor delay this time.”

“You seem pretty sure of that.”

“I am. The Jagged Spear, as you know, is the smallest of the six tribes. They can ill afford any trouble with us. We could no doubt capture and defend this city if we chose. Major Isak will not suffer us being locked up for long.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Jeff.

The main door to the small prison opened and a short while later the orc who had captured them appeared at their cell.

“Your story checks out so far. The canyon is swarming with your kind and you also have orcs amongst your ranks. You seem well armed though for escaped slaves. Do you mean to attack us?”

“We are well armed because we brought a lot of weapons with us from the slave compound. We also recovered weapons from the Ta’zu we killed both at the compound and in a later battle. We have no desire to attack you but if you hold us against our will that may become inevitable.”

“Again you threaten us. Do you think us so weak that we could not defend ourselves against your number?”

“As I said, we have no desire for war. In fact we may be able to offer you helpful information.”

“Oh, and what information would that be?”

“In exchange for our release, the return of our weapons and enough food and provisions for two days march, we will tell you the location of the Gate along with everything we know about the Black Skull and Ta’zu tribes and that is substantial indeed.”

“And why would we trust your information. It could well be false.”

“You can check out the location we give you first before releasing us and take its accuracy as a sign of trust for the other information we offer.”

“Hmmm, I will talk this over with others and return with my answer.”

“Very well. Do not take too long with your decision for every hour you hold us you put your own tribe at risk from the Ta’zu.”

“I will return before nightfall with my answer.” The orc turned and marched back the way he had come.

“We will be out of here before you know it.” Gerard smiled a victorious smile at Jeff.