Read Online Black Metal: The Orc Wars by Sean-Michael Argo - Free Book Online

a sound, then just as Reygoth was about to snort his disapproval, the goblins emerged from the wood. Not just Ca’tic’na’s clan either, but all of the other clans as well. Diminutive in size, yet their numbers were staggering. As was the fact that they held their spears at the ready, and were moving up to flank the trolls.
    Reygoth quickly realized that a fight would now be a guarantee defeat for the trolls. Perhaps they could beat the orcs, but not all of the greenskins at once. The glint of bloodlust had sparkled in the orcish wizard’s eyes, almost daring the troll to order an attack. Reygoth could only see one way out, to do as Ghalik wished. Inwardly the spark of hope shone yet. Reygoth was a knowledgeable leader despite his quick temper, and he knew that possible subservience was better than assured annihilation.
    “Fine, trial by combat,” he muttered, taking a step back and placing his hand of the shoulder of the troll that almost came to blows with Ma-Gur, “Let the two so eager to draw blood decide this thing.”
    Ghalik nodded silently to Ma-Gur, who hefted his weapons and stepped forward. Ghalik whispered in his ear, “All great deeds are bathed in blood. Never forget.”
    A circle of orcs and trolls quickly formed around the two combatants. The occasional goblin had squeezed into witness the action, one of these was Ca’tic’na. His eyes went wide as he looked into the circle. Right in front of him stood two warriors entering into ritual combat. How odd he thought, that these orcs and trolls were using the place of Meeting Stones for such things. Only Ca’tic’na remembered the stories and legends. Only he knew the tales of the sacrifices made by vast armies here. Who before battle would hold ritual combats to consecrate their war efforts with spilt blood. It was held that victory was assured when the stones shook as a sign of the god’s approval. He had no idea what that would mean, but still he stood enthralled as history unknowingly repeated itself.
    Ma-Gur and the troll looked across the makeshift arena at each other. The menace and hostility was electrifying and contagious. Threatening snarls and growls filled the circle as Ghalik and Reygoth held their forces in check. The two leaders exchanged glances, then simultaneously nodded and held their right hands in the air. The silent pause was deafening, all that could be heard was breathing and the creak of armor as everyone waited for the fight to begin. Without warning the two leaders chopped the air with their hands as they lowered them, signaling the beginning of the match.
    Ma-Gur and the troll roared their battle cries and charged straight towards each other. The troll ran forward madly, raising his giant mace to the sky. Ma-Gur had slung his shield onto his back and charged the troll with his cleaving sword held in both hands. It seemed like an eternity before the combatants finally collided.
    The massive troll brought his club down at the same instant Ma-Gur swung his sword. The two weapons met in midair with a grating clash as sparks flew from the great impact. Their strikes mutually thwarted, their parry became a test of strength as both troll and orc locked their weapons and began to push.
    Ma-Gur was the largest orc in the tribe other than old Ghalik, and had quickly become known in the tribe for his size and strength. Always being the strongest, and never having fought a troll, led Ma-Gur to make the mistake of entering a contest of strength with his opponent. For a few moments the two warriors seemed evenly matched, but as muscles creaked and the tension built the troll’s superiority began to show. Ma-Gur was slowly forced downwards by the impossibly strong troll. Soon Ma-Gur was on one knee, barely staying on his feet under the combined weight and strength of the troll warrior.
    The deadlock was broken when the troll lashed out with his foot in a vicious kick to Ma-Gur’s ribs. The force of the blow picked the orc up off the