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Authors: Steven R. Burke
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siege warriors killed thousands of orcs and injured
numerous others. Dead bodies lay everywhere a short distance from the outer
wall. Even with the persistent rain, the smell of the deceased was rank and
fetid. After a few hours, the protective barrier that Marcello had created gave
way and the huge ballistae moved into place. Even after suffering staggering
losses, the orc armies continued to push so that they were close enough to
begin using their siege weapons. Massive arrows the size of a small black oak
began to whirl through the air. The outer wall was hit repeatedly with these
flying battering rams, and cracks began to appear. The magical shielding was
beginning to erode, and the bulwarks were beginning to crumble as a result of
this weakening. Large numbers of orcs rushed forward at the site of the failing
magic with their huge ladders in hand. They were going to scale the
now-unprotected walls, and they were going to make the pointed-eared fairies
pay for their losses. They had not been confident because of the unexpected use
of magic by one of the giants, so they were ecstatic with the opportunity
before them.
The
southern wall was engulfed in a war of attrition over the next several days
resulting in large numbers of orcs being killed or injured. The home guard was
reduced to half their original numbers before their defenses gave way. The
giants had suffered very few deaths and were the only reason why the southern
part of the city was not yet overrun with the ugly brutes. Lord Marcello
finally awoke from his slumber after four days and rejoined the battle. His
return helped to push back the tide of orcs, and the wall was again enchanted
with his protective magic, which prevented another breach for a time. The rains
finally subsided, and the sky was blackened by the smoke from the forest
burning in the southwestern part of the forest.
It
was at this point that General Verandos appeared out of nowhere. He had been
missing since arriving at the southern gates. He had been scouting in his bear
form and had learned just how big this army was that was attacking them. He
also learned of the source of the fire away in the south. He had returned on
the fourth day when Lord Marcello had awakened from his rest. As he approached
the wizard, he had a look on his face that did not hide the severity of their
situation. Any news that this druid had was not good. The giant warlock looked
down at his co-commander with a look of distress on his face. Marcello was not
like other giants because of his magic capabilities and his inability to hide
his emotions. He attributed the lack of control to his use of magic.
“What
have you learned?” asked Marcello at once.
“There
are three orc armies out there. I would have never thought that unity like this
was possible with their kind. You have managed to put a dent in their numbers,
but they are still over three hundred thousand strong,” reported the druid
darkly.
“How
have they managed to put that large of a force together?” asked the giant
rhetorically. “They were supposed to be limited in size as punishment from the
last war. What about the forest?”
“It
appears that someone has set fire to it on purpose. They were trying to create
a buffer between the armies of orcs and the Seda. At least, that is what I have
deduced.”
“Is
that all you were able to accomplish on your trek?” Marcello was a little
perturbed about the current situation and immediately regretted his
insinuation.
“I
attacked several different areas of the rear, which helped slow their approach.
I must say that your attack did more good than any of my efforts or the home
guard for that matter. I salute you, master.” General Verandos snapped to and
saluted Lord Marcello. The giant’s features eased, and a smile came across his
face. It pleases me greatly that a druid recognizes my powers and respects
them. We are going to get along just fine.
“Please
go to your troops and reposition them.
numerous others. Dead bodies lay everywhere a short distance from the outer
wall. Even with the persistent rain, the smell of the deceased was rank and
fetid. After a few hours, the protective barrier that Marcello had created gave
way and the huge ballistae moved into place. Even after suffering staggering
losses, the orc armies continued to push so that they were close enough to
begin using their siege weapons. Massive arrows the size of a small black oak
began to whirl through the air. The outer wall was hit repeatedly with these
flying battering rams, and cracks began to appear. The magical shielding was
beginning to erode, and the bulwarks were beginning to crumble as a result of
this weakening. Large numbers of orcs rushed forward at the site of the failing
magic with their huge ladders in hand. They were going to scale the
now-unprotected walls, and they were going to make the pointed-eared fairies
pay for their losses. They had not been confident because of the unexpected use
of magic by one of the giants, so they were ecstatic with the opportunity
before them.
The
southern wall was engulfed in a war of attrition over the next several days
resulting in large numbers of orcs being killed or injured. The home guard was
reduced to half their original numbers before their defenses gave way. The
giants had suffered very few deaths and were the only reason why the southern
part of the city was not yet overrun with the ugly brutes. Lord Marcello
finally awoke from his slumber after four days and rejoined the battle. His
return helped to push back the tide of orcs, and the wall was again enchanted
with his protective magic, which prevented another breach for a time. The rains
finally subsided, and the sky was blackened by the smoke from the forest
burning in the southwestern part of the forest.
It
was at this point that General Verandos appeared out of nowhere. He had been
missing since arriving at the southern gates. He had been scouting in his bear
form and had learned just how big this army was that was attacking them. He
also learned of the source of the fire away in the south. He had returned on
the fourth day when Lord Marcello had awakened from his rest. As he approached
the wizard, he had a look on his face that did not hide the severity of their
situation. Any news that this druid had was not good. The giant warlock looked
down at his co-commander with a look of distress on his face. Marcello was not
like other giants because of his magic capabilities and his inability to hide
his emotions. He attributed the lack of control to his use of magic.
“What
have you learned?” asked Marcello at once.
“There
are three orc armies out there. I would have never thought that unity like this
was possible with their kind. You have managed to put a dent in their numbers,
but they are still over three hundred thousand strong,” reported the druid
darkly.
“How
have they managed to put that large of a force together?” asked the giant
rhetorically. “They were supposed to be limited in size as punishment from the
last war. What about the forest?”
“It
appears that someone has set fire to it on purpose. They were trying to create
a buffer between the armies of orcs and the Seda. At least, that is what I have
deduced.”
“Is
that all you were able to accomplish on your trek?” Marcello was a little
perturbed about the current situation and immediately regretted his
insinuation.
“I
attacked several different areas of the rear, which helped slow their approach.
I must say that your attack did more good than any of my efforts or the home
guard for that matter. I salute you, master.” General Verandos snapped to and
saluted Lord Marcello. The giant’s features eased, and a smile came across his
face. It pleases me greatly that a druid recognizes my powers and respects
them. We are going to get along just fine.
“Please
go to your troops and reposition them.
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