Chapter 73

  The council spoke late into the afternoon, finally reaching a consensus after every idea was considered and debated. As soon as the injured were on their feet they would withdraw from the city and distance themselves from the kingdom. If Jeline failed they would need to quickly regroup with the orcs they had left behind and find new territory to settle in. If she managed to pull through then they would consider their next actions with the extra time they gained. After consulting with Un’Dal they were assured that the worst off would be ready to leave within the week and would be stable enough to carry before then. After the decision had been made, Noah called the warriors together to share the news.

  “Within a week’s time, we will leave the city and make our way to the rest of the tribe while we await the outcome of the final battle. We do not wish to see another warrior fall in this forsaken place. As for the fallen, we will send them to their final end tonight. Though we lack a feast for the traditional merriment, we will not fail to add them to the legend.” He announced. There was a chorus of grunted approval and soon Noah found himself sat in one of the many circles on the cobbled ground, retelling the heroic tales of their brethren and granting them their final end.

  Recter stood atop the parapet looking down upon Noah and the orc warriors. He found their customs strangely familial considering their lacking relation. Yet as he listened to their reverie and their so-called legends, he couldn’t deny the budding desire to belong to such a clan. Drakon did not commune like the orcs, and even in cities they rarely interacted outside of necessity. He could not remember a time that he had so freely laughed among others prior to his fateful meeting with Noah. Perhaps a day would come when he too could join in honoring their comrades through legend and song. The thought brought a smile to his reptilian face, an expression that felt less and less foreign as the days went by. For tonight, however, he would gladly stand watch as his companions honored their fallen brothers and sisters.

  The final song ended hours into the night, and the orcs now free from their burden found rest along the outer wall. A watch was organized and Noah soon made his way back up the turret to join Recter in looking out over the city.

  “Do you think Jeline will prevail?” He asked. Recter cocked his head in contemplation.

  “She bested me with such an ease that I felt like a drake before a dragon. She will not go down easily if at all.” Recter replied. Noah nodded.

  “And if she does?” He mused.

  “Then we better run fast. I do not wish to be bound by a tyrant’s oath again.” Recter muttered. Noah couldn’t help but agree, his words making their week-long wait feel entirely too long.

  The following days were filled with restless waiting, failed attempts to connect with the locals, and the relocation of the siege ladders to their current turret. If they needed a quick escape they would be ready. Noah couldn’t help but spend the majority of his time scanning the horizon, wiping his eyes as his vision played tricks on him. The tension of waiting ate at him and it was Un’Dal’s insistence alone that drove him to rest. His lecture about his pride and carelessness costing them their lives had been plenty reason for Noah to sleep. Several of the warriors had gained significant XP from the battle, allowing them to finally pass the threshold into Adept at level 150. Noah had gained sufficient XP to level 13 times, and he did so, bringing his level to 199 as he didn't dare to leave any advantage on the table with the trials ahead. On the fourth day, Un’Dal finally cleared the weakest of them for travel, though they remained unable to walk.

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  There had been no sign of enemy movement so they opted to remain, giving as much time as possible to those that remained. Some of his tribe explored the city, looking for treasures or at least something to buy their time. Others sparred, training to grow accustomed to their increased stats. Some scavenged food, though Noah didn’t dare think of the sources, instead choosing to eat it in peaceful ignorance. During the next night, he convinced himself to sleep, mindful of Un’Dal’s warnings. He regretted that.

  A few hours before dawn a cry so terrible he gasped awake rang out from just outside the guard house. Noah shot out of bed, his weapons already at hand and sprinted down the stairs. Drowsy orcs roused by the pained shrieking desperately formed a defense, their foes all too clear. They were surrounded by a semi-circle of beasts trapping them against the wall. Where did they come from? Noah wondered as he doubted the sentries had failed so devastatingly in their duty. His eyes scanned over their opponents, finally revealing their identity. They’re from the city. They wore little to no armor and carried weapons without the tell-tale grace of experienced warriors. A small wisp of relief trickled into his heart as he took in their enemies with fresh eyes.

  “They are the cowards of the city! Do not fear them! Attack!” He shouted at full volume, temporarily drawing the attention of several of their attackers. Noah rushed into the fight, eager to pour out his fury. His hammer became wrath incarnate, spelling the end of monster after monster. He allowed himself to become soft, offering an olive branch to these beasts in hopes of a peaceful transition. He had been a fool. These weren’t beings capable of reason as he had suspected, no they were bloodthirsty monsters capable of killing his people in their sleep. The battle cries of his tribe reached a fever pitch as they ground their enemies into the cobble. The fifty-some foes died one after another as the band of warriors retaliated with unexpected fervor. His people did not come away unscathed, however, as one more joined the fallen, and a dozen others were in need of immediate attention.

  Noah helped the wounded into the guard house, and he was once again reminded of their pressing need to obtain more healers. If they had Jeline’s healers then all of the injured could be restored in a day or two but the onslaught of wounds would take Un’Dal and his team twice that if not more. Noah had gained several minor lacerations and a single deep puncture in his arm that one of the apprentices worked on. As they did he looked around at the chaotic scene, counting heads and searching for faces to ensure no one had been missed. What he hadn’t expected was to see the two warriors posted to sentry duty atop the turret. His eyes went wide as he saw them being bandaged and his heart raced.

  “Were we attacked from above?” He asked in a raised voice. The pair turned to him and shook their heads emphatically.

  “No, chief. We rushed down to help as soon as we spotted the trouble.” They replied. Noah breathed out a relieved sigh. Wait.

  “Are you saying that no one is watching over the city?” He asked, dread already creeping in. They nodded, their faces paling as the folly of their choice became clear. No. Please no. Before the apprentice could finish, Noah bolted out of his seat and climbed the ladder to the parapet. He scanned the horizon, only the light of the stars illuminating his sight. He took in the countryside, seeing nothing but dark rolling hills. Then he saw a brief flash for just a second. He squinted, frantically trying to catch sight of it again. For minutes there was nothing, and he began to believe that his mind had played tricks on him. Then it happened again and his heart sank as he spotted what he recognized as the glint of metal blades coming over a hill not more than a couple miles off. It's too late.

  He scrambled down the ladder, his mind turning. The others must have seen the wild look in his eyes as the guard house soon went silent. Ro’Kar gasped as he put the pieces together.

  “Have they come?” He asked. Noah nodded gravely.

  “They are just over a mile away. Assuming they didn’t send anyone ahead we have perhaps a half hour to prepare.” Noah replied. Fear could be seen in the faces of the warriors, many of them with fresh injuries, already spent from the previous battle. Un’Dal met Noah’s gaze and shook his head, the message clear. They couldn’t run.