Noah’s thoughts raced as he considered the available courses of action. They could potentially flee down the ladders, being on the opposite side of the city from the incoming beasts, but the jostling would put the injured at risk. It was also possible that the enemies would catch up with them, not content to reclaim their city alone. If they stayed though, their fate was all but sealed. It was not as if they had enough warriors to man the wall for a siege, and their guard tower wasn’t nearly large enough to make a stand in. He considered the palace, but the foreign environment would likely be more to their detriment than advantage. Worst of all, the longer he took to make his decision the worse their chances got at any of them. He took a deep breath.
We aren’t dying today.
Noah raised his fist, and every eye turned in his direction.
“Prepare the injured for transport. We will carry them upon their cots and do our best to preserve their lives. Everyone else gather your gear and descend the ladders. We leave as soon as the wounded are lowered down.” He announced, his orders only briefly acknowledged before they sprung into action. Noah walked over to Un’Dal.
“Is there a way to keep them alive on the move?” He asked. Un’Dal nodded slowly.
“If we bind them to the cots, they should remain stable enough. It is imperative that they are able to rest and receive constant healing. We will need someone to carry the apprentices and myself so that we can give our full attention to the patients.” Un’Dal instructed. Noah nodded, considering the options.
“That can be done.” He replied before tracking down his group. He wanted his most trusted people to carry out the task. A hand grabbed the edge of his garment as he passed, one of gravely injured warriors, muttering too quietly for him to hear. He leaned in close, his ear nearly touching the dying woman’s mouth.
“Chief, leave us. We will only slow you down.” She rasped through cracked lips. Noah smiled gently at her and squeezed her hand.
“You will live to see another day. No one is being left behind.” He replied, though his words fell on sleeping ears. He left her, returning to his task.
“Ne’Ja, Ga’To, Me’Zin. Gather the others to the turret. I have a job for you.” He ordered, catching the three packing together just outside the guard house. They nodded and ran off to gather the rest of group 1. Once they were all in one place Noah explained their role in carrying the healers upon their shoulders in alternating shifts. He entrusted Ne’Ja with ensuring the well-being of the healers before seeking out Ta’Ku to have his group join in the effort to carry the stretchers. Noah would carry Un’Dal alongside his group, Ro’Kar would lead the tribe from the front, and Recter would stand vigil at their rear.
Within the hour they all stood at the bottom of the ladder, just outside the city wall. The stars illuminated the night in their ethereal beauty, apathetic to their plight. The final stretcher was lowered down and Un’Dal climbed upon Noah’s shoulders. He nodded to Ro’Kar who raised a fist in silence before leading the tribe in a brisk pace due west. They had decided on that bearing just in case the enemy was already circling around, opting to cut south only once they were sure they had avoided detection. They ran, and though retreat was a bitter pill, Noah gladly swallowed it as he considered the fate that awaited them if they stayed.
They ran through the night, not daring to stop until they found a grove of trees just as dawn was breaking. Noah decided they would risk the stop in hopes of spying out any pursuers from the cover of the trees. He wanted to avoid running under the light of day, but somehow doubted they would be afforded that opportunity. The break also served as their first check-in on the wounded, and Un’Dal immediately began his examinations. Noah joined Recter near the edge of the trees, examining the horizon for any signs of movement.
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“I sense trouble, Noah.” Recter hissed as he squinted into the distance.
“Do you see something?” Noah asked, following his gaze. Recter shook his head.
“Call it intuition. My blood is roiling, eager for the battle that is coming. I fear our time on the run will soon be cut short.” He warned. Noah shuddered at his words, only able to hope that they weren't true.
“What do you think we should do?” Noah asked.
“I’m not sure there is anything we can do.” Recter replied, “Prepare for battle and steel yourself for the trial ahead.” It was then they caught sight of the black spots moving across the plains, the beasts already on their trail.
“They found us.” Noah whispered. Remembering too late that even Earth beasts could pick up on a trail of blood from a distance. He turned to his tribe.
“Our run has come to an end. The healers and injured will remain here. Everyone else, prepare for battle!” He said, shouting the last line. There was no more time for wishes or regrets, so Noah unstrapped his hammer and checked his side weapons, pulling them from their sheathes in practiced motions. Someone behind him began to stomp and another joined in. Noah smiled as the familiar war chant started as a whisper amongst the trees. He felt his blood begin to stir as his brothers and sisters in arms steeled their resolve and came to stand beside him. They had stared death in the face and come back time and time again. They would not fall today.
The chant was deep and guttural, filled with words that somehow remained foreign to Noah’s ears, as if the System failed to fully understand this rich piece of orc culture. By now however he knew the words and a bit of their meaning, so he joined them as they stared down the fast approaching enemies. As some of them witnessed their coming end.
“Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish’Ko yo-ray, ma’far nu’su, ba cho li.”
The words of the chorus were the most familiar to Noah, the low rumbling and rhythmic stomp every part as meaningful as the words themselves. They roughly translated to ‘Part the clouds, part the seas. The great warrior comes, the enemies devour, and a legend I will be.’ As they chanted their war song, Noah felt the resonance within him, as if the words carried essence and power. His body was quickened, his mind sharpened, and his resolve forged into steel. The beasts drew ever nearer, their numbers matching their own.
“Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish’Ko yo-ray, ma’far nu’su, ba cho li.”
The leader of the beasts emerged from the horde, a humanoid tiger robed in flame. The beast raised its gaze to the sky, its lips moving in incomprehensible tones. There was a bright flash as the sky was torn open and a pillar of fire descended upon the beast, causing a terrible transformation to take place. The orange fur gave way to blackened flesh and the light in its eyes turned dim. Its body rippled as it grew, taking on a grotesque form reminiscent of the hell hounds of old. The once noble tiger dropped to all fours now looking every bit the raging demon, many times the size of its original body. It let loose a blood-curdling screech and turned directly toward their position. The warriors following roared a thundering response and raced after their demonic leader.
“Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish’Ko yo-ray, ma’far nu’su, ba cho li.”
Noah’s heart raced as the very visage of death tore across the plains in his direction. Though he faced a terrible end, it wasn’t fear that made him tremble. No, as his blood boiled and his knuckles turned white it was the anticipation of battle, of the awaiting legend that set his heart’s rapid rhythm. Backs straightened, eyes focused, and grins formed as the tribe made peace with their lot. To die in glorious battle. To join the great berserkers in the tapestry of legend. To fight to the very end, in the hope that their companions may sing of their tale as they breathed another day.
“Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish’Ko yo-ray, ma’far nu’su, ba cho li.”
Noah raised his fist and every warrior raised theirs in turn. No words were needed as he took the first step out of the trees, lifting his hammer into the brilliant white light. Then like the mighty floodwaters of a breaking dam the tribe filled the hills with a roar so loud that even the hellhound flinched in momentary horror. They charged forth, with fire in their eyes and their spirits alight knowing that their every step brought them closer to victory or the grave. Noah locked eyes with the terrible beast and glared his promise of its coming end.
“Asay, asay-nahrem. Asay, asay-fashi. Ish’Ko yo-ray, ma’far nu’su, ba cho li.”
What had started as a whispered chant now rang out like the drums of war, setting the beat of their hearts and the pace of their steps. The enemy, now only moments away stood heads taller than them in stature but were dwarfed in spirit. Noah grinned as he hefted his hammer in preparation for the first strike.
Let them come.
