Read Online The Fallen Guardian (The Guardian Chronicles 2) by Steven R. Burke - Free Book Online
Authors: Steven R. Burke
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arms out with his staff in his hands
high above his head. He muttered a series of spells under his breath, which
caused several things to happen all at once. The clouds overhead turned an
ominous purple color as they began to swirl. Twisters sprang up at various
locations and began to sweep would-be attackers into the air. Hail the size of
a giant’s head began to pound those that did not get swept away. Unnatural lightning
strikes began to occur with increasing frequency. Instead of white and purple
flashes of discharge, the color was golden. None of the orcs were hit, and they
seemed to take heart because of this fact.
As
the orcs regrouped and pressed forward, they were taken by complete surprise by
Marcello’s true purpose of his lightning strikes. Snakes had sprung up from the
scorched holes in the ground. These reptiles were not like any other in the
lands and appeared to be an extinct breed. These were the same creatures that
poisoned thousands of orcs during the battle they fought with the peoples of
Tuwa a thousand years ago. The Eldar had created the slithering beasts and had
used them to drive the orcs back from their forest. The snakes had a camouflage
pattern on their scales that made it impossible to see them until you had
accidentally stepped on one. They were able to mimic their changing environment
like chameleons. They averaged sixteen feet in length and could deliver their
poison in one of two ways. First, they had enormous fangs that carried enough
venom in one bite to kill five full-grown orcs. Second, they could spit their
venom at their prey, which would eat through their skin or hide within seconds
while poisoning them at the same time. There was another secret to these vile
apparitions, and that was their eyes caused a person to go temporarily insane
if they should meet its hypnotic gaze.
Several
howls of anguish and fear ripped through the already noise-filled air. Chaos
erupted as a result of this deadly attack by the giant wizard. Marcello used
the extra time created by his attack to position his siege warriors for an
offensive. They were so well positioned that they would be able to utilize the
same spots for defensive purposes. It was clear to the magician that they would
need these protected areas in the very near future. His assaults had been
nothing more than an irritant and a delay tactic. However, his actions were
very effective and provided the giants time to integrate with the battered home
guard that was still trying to defend the outer wall against an army whose
numbers were unfathomable. Spears the size of trees were released into the sea
of orcs by the giant defenders. These attacks eliminated several dozen orcs with
each throw. The orc armies were becoming highly agitated because they were
still out of their archers’ range and their siege weapons were still en route.
Lord
Marcello focused his attention on setting up a magical barrier as far out from
the outer wall as possible so that the armies’ approach would be even further
delayed. After he had finished with this task, he used his powers to enhance
the integrity of the walls and all entryways. He then jumped down from the
bulwark that was barely taller than he was and made his way back into the heart
of the city. He had used a great deal of magic within a relatively short space
of time once again and needed to rest. I hope that my efforts will be enough
to delay those vile beasts from attacking long enough for me to regain my
strength. He sat down in the king’s courtyard and leaned back against the
fountain and began to sleep. It was an amazing sight to behold…a massive giant
asleep in the midst of a full on battle. He had done his part; now it was up to
the home guard and his siege warriors to fend off the seething mass of orcs
while he regained his strength. He knew that doing so many complex spells so
close together could kill him, so he was truly spent after his valiant efforts.
While
the giant leader slept, his
high above his head. He muttered a series of spells under his breath, which
caused several things to happen all at once. The clouds overhead turned an
ominous purple color as they began to swirl. Twisters sprang up at various
locations and began to sweep would-be attackers into the air. Hail the size of
a giant’s head began to pound those that did not get swept away. Unnatural lightning
strikes began to occur with increasing frequency. Instead of white and purple
flashes of discharge, the color was golden. None of the orcs were hit, and they
seemed to take heart because of this fact.
As
the orcs regrouped and pressed forward, they were taken by complete surprise by
Marcello’s true purpose of his lightning strikes. Snakes had sprung up from the
scorched holes in the ground. These reptiles were not like any other in the
lands and appeared to be an extinct breed. These were the same creatures that
poisoned thousands of orcs during the battle they fought with the peoples of
Tuwa a thousand years ago. The Eldar had created the slithering beasts and had
used them to drive the orcs back from their forest. The snakes had a camouflage
pattern on their scales that made it impossible to see them until you had
accidentally stepped on one. They were able to mimic their changing environment
like chameleons. They averaged sixteen feet in length and could deliver their
poison in one of two ways. First, they had enormous fangs that carried enough
venom in one bite to kill five full-grown orcs. Second, they could spit their
venom at their prey, which would eat through their skin or hide within seconds
while poisoning them at the same time. There was another secret to these vile
apparitions, and that was their eyes caused a person to go temporarily insane
if they should meet its hypnotic gaze.
Several
howls of anguish and fear ripped through the already noise-filled air. Chaos
erupted as a result of this deadly attack by the giant wizard. Marcello used
the extra time created by his attack to position his siege warriors for an
offensive. They were so well positioned that they would be able to utilize the
same spots for defensive purposes. It was clear to the magician that they would
need these protected areas in the very near future. His assaults had been
nothing more than an irritant and a delay tactic. However, his actions were
very effective and provided the giants time to integrate with the battered home
guard that was still trying to defend the outer wall against an army whose
numbers were unfathomable. Spears the size of trees were released into the sea
of orcs by the giant defenders. These attacks eliminated several dozen orcs with
each throw. The orc armies were becoming highly agitated because they were
still out of their archers’ range and their siege weapons were still en route.
Lord
Marcello focused his attention on setting up a magical barrier as far out from
the outer wall as possible so that the armies’ approach would be even further
delayed. After he had finished with this task, he used his powers to enhance
the integrity of the walls and all entryways. He then jumped down from the
bulwark that was barely taller than he was and made his way back into the heart
of the city. He had used a great deal of magic within a relatively short space
of time once again and needed to rest. I hope that my efforts will be enough
to delay those vile beasts from attacking long enough for me to regain my
strength. He sat down in the king’s courtyard and leaned back against the
fountain and began to sleep. It was an amazing sight to behold…a massive giant
asleep in the midst of a full on battle. He had done his part; now it was up to
the home guard and his siege warriors to fend off the seething mass of orcs
while he regained his strength. He knew that doing so many complex spells so
close together could kill him, so he was truly spent after his valiant efforts.
While
the giant leader slept, his
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