Prevention of Destruction

It was this very morning that a cloaked and hooded figure made his way into the city of Phatep from the eastern gate. He was a dwarf and had a long, bushy beard with twigs and dead leaves entangled in it. There was a flicker in his eyes and he seemed very much in touch with nature. The clothes he wore were worn and weather stained. Upon his feet were boots that were caked with many layers of mud.

He strode through the grand city as merchant's voices could be heard hawking their wares, mingled with the occasional barking of a stray dog and children at play in the streets. He made his way to a shadowed nook and then to the knight who seemed quite out of place in such a spot.

The knight approached him and said, "Greetings, traveler. May I help you find something?"

"May I ask of you who you are and why you wish to speak with him?" asked the knight.

"Very well, I will let him know you are here," said the knight. "Wait here a moment, if you will."

The knight then entered the guildhall. "Lord Vengro, there is a strange character by the name of Barset who wished to speak with you." said the knight.

Some time later Gelltor emerged from the entrance of his hall. "Greetings, Barset, my friend." spoke Gelltor with a smile. "It's good to see you again."

"Yes, though it is grim." spoke the dwarf. "The village of Windy Bluff is in danger. A band of about three score orcs is heading toward the city from the north."

"That is what I think, but I cannot be sure," said Barset. "I first spotted the two nights ago on the Eyan Highway. I was high in a tree beside the road and tried to listen to what they were saying. It was hard to decipher anything, as they were talking in their own wicked tongue, but I did hear an orc, who appeared to be the leader, say something about an attack on Windy Bluff in four moons."

"This is bad news, indeed!" exclaimed Gelltor. After a bit more talking, Gelltor entered the hall followed by Barset. "Tell the knights to gather in the Great Hall," said Gelltor to Cogline and Krothgar, both of which were nearest him at the time. "All will be explained in detail there."

It didn't take long for all the knights to be seated at the great, long table. Gelltor sat at the head of the table with Barset on his left and Krothgar and Cogline on his right. They all eyed the dwarf suspiciously.

"Yes, I am, but there is no time for further questions at the moment," said Barset.

Gelltor then retold in full what was said to him by Barset. "Time is of the essence," said Gelltor. "Already two days have passed, so the leaves us only two days before they lay siege on Windy Bluff. They have passed into the Fetin Swamp north of the Windy Bluff Forest, that should slow them down a bit, and the fact that they only travel by night shall allow us to overtake them at the dawn of the fourth day. We will probably have to defeat them in the forest, as that is where they will likely be when we catch them up. I know many of you aren't trained in woodland combat, but I have faith and confidence n al of you. We shall take two score to meet their three. I will lead one score, while Cogline leads the other. My group will go to Windy Bluff, then into the forest through the north gate. Barset will guide Cogline and his knights through the wilderness and will approach the orcs from the north. In doing this we will surround them, as such none will escape. We must set out at once. Krothgar will remain in command while I am away. Let's go hunt some orc!"

It was noon by the time they had finally set out. The sun shone brightly high in the cloudless sky. A cool breeze blew through the trees rustling their leaves. The galloped through Phatep as children and townsfolk looked on. Some even followed them as far as the eastern gate before turning back.

The grey light of dusk fell over the land as Gelltor and his knights arrived as Windy Bluff. They slept at the Tinkers Rest Inn that night. Two hours before dawn they awoke and continued their journey.

In the hour before dawn they came into the Windy Bluff forest. They were forced to slow down, but still rode on at a great pace. They needed go much before a rancid smell filled the air.

"It is the smell of orcs," replied Gelltor. "Look! There is smoke rising from that clearing up ahead. That is where they will camp for the day. We shall wait here among the trees for Cogline and the others before we start the attack."

The eastern sky brightened as the sun rose over the land, bringing a new day. Suddenly a black-feathered arrow flew through the air and buried itself into the truck of the tree near where Gelltor stood mounted. An orc who was set as a watch guard had climbed a tree and saw the knights. One of the knights pulled a dagger from his belt and threw it with deadly accuracy up at the orc. The short blade found its mark in the foul beastâs forehead. The orc fell from the tree screaming in pain. This immediately roused the other orcs.

"We can no longer wait for the others, we must start the attack now." cried Gelltor. "We can only hope that we can hold out long enough for Cogline and his knights to arrive."

The call of the Knighthood's horn ripped through the still morning air. The orcs recognized the sound and muttered curses under their breath. The clang of metal rang out as knight and orc alike drew their weapons from sheaths. The early morning sun shone brightly on their blades. Gelltor lead the charge into the center of the battle. An orc larger then the rest was in the center of the camp shouting orders.

"Aim for the horses!" he yelled. "If we can dismount them they will be easier to take!"

A deadly rain of poison-tipped arrows fell upon the knights. Luckily, orcs were not very good archers. Many horses were slain from under the knights, then the orcs would move in and thrust their scimitars, which were poisoned as well, into the ones that were slow to their feet. Gelltor rode through the orcs cutting them down where they stood. An arrow stuck him in his side causing him to fall off his steed. Two more orcs with crooked, yellow teeth moved in for the kill. A nearby knight saw Gelltor fall and went to his rescue. He slew one of the orcs with a quick thrust of his sword. Gelltor leapt up, and removing the arrow from his side, buried it deep into the other orc's chest. He then uttered a phrase and the pain of the poison lessened.

"We have slain many orcs," said the knight. "Yet, there are only five of us left and thirty or so orcs."

"We must hold out till the others arrive," said Gelltor, who had turned and hewed the head off another orc.

Above the din of battle, the orcish leader could be heard yelling. "Victory is ours!" he shouted in the common tongue.

No sooner had he finished his sentence that an arrow sung through the air and buried itself into the throat of a nearby orc. It came from a bow that Barset was wielding. A great horn blow ripped through the air over the din of battle. This took the orcs by surprise, for they were not expecting an attack from the north. There could be heard curses and screams on the north side of the clearing, as the knights set about the orcs. This restored the zeal in the remaining knights that were in the southern end. Barset climbed a tall tree and notched arrow after arrow to his bow and slew many an orc.

Gelltor fought his way into the center of the camp where the large orc stood. He said to the others, "Leave this knight to me."

The sound of battle seemed to grow faint and far off, as the knight and the orc stood sizing each other up. A sly grin spread over the orcs face. "You will not live to see another dawn." he snorted.

"I go by the name of Gothar," said the orc. I will slay you and then take the town you call Windy Bluff."

Then Gothar gave out a cry and lunged at Gelltor. The knight parried his attack and tripped him. He thrust his sword down, but missed the orc as he rolled and leapt to his feet. Gothar pulled a small dirk and hurled it toward Gelltor. There was a clash of steel as Gelltor knocked it out of the air. The large orc then moved in and drove his sword into Gelltor's side and backed him against a tree. He kicked Gothar in his stomach and sent him sprawling backwards and he withdrew the sword in his side. Gelltor then struck out with his blade, but the orc was quick to raise his sword in answer. There was a loud rang and Gothar's sword was notched. Gothar flung the sword aside and stooped to pick up a scimitar from a slain orc nearby. The knight saw his chance and with one swift movement drew a small white-hilted dagger from about his waist and threw it at the large orc. It caught the orc in the throat. Gelltor then rushed in a slashed Gothar in two about the torso. When his enemy had fallen, Gelltor stumbled over to a nearby tree. The poison from the scimitar had wound its course through the knight's body. Everything began to fade to black and Gelltor fell slumped by the tree.

When the remaining orcs saw that their leader had been defeated they fled into the surrounding woods. Cogline and the other knights hunted them down and slew them mercilessly. After that task was complete and all the orcs lay slain, Cogline asked, "Where is Lord Vengro?"

None of the knights knew. Just then they heard a groan come from under a tree. The knights quickly ran over to the foot of the tree.

Cogline then cured him of his poison and healed his light wounds. They then helped him to his feet leaned him against the tree.

After an hour or so when Gelltor could move on his own again, he gave the order to stack and burn the corpses of the orcs and give proper burial to the fallen knights. While the other knights set about the task Cogline stayed by Gelltor's side and spoke to him in soft tones.

"Yes, I have noticed this as well." said Gelltor. "I have often wondered if they came from Bar-Gith, rather than the Pardor Mountains."

"Who sent them and why were they trying to take Windy Bluff?" asked Cogline. "There is nothing of great importance there."

Gelltor shrugged, "Maybe they know something we donât. Yet, I think our questions will be answered in time."

Once the knights had finished the burning and burying it was noon. They mounted their horses and rode back toward Windy Bluff. The smoke of the burning corpses could be seen from many leagues away. Barset watched the knights from the tree where he was until they were but a speck in the distance.

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