Part Nineteen
It was midmorning and the orcs had not come upon them. The Lady knew her people had to stop. Those they had sent ahead had grown so weary that those defending their rear had caught up with them almost by accident. The Lady surveyed the land around them. The road was coming to a place where it curved around a hill on its southwest side. The hill seemed clear, and if they could get to the top, they would have a better view and possibly have some chance of defending themselves.
"Ash, Birch, scout that hill. The rest of you, stop! Those with weapons circle the others. Rest your feet for now. If the hill is clear we will make a camp there."
Ash and Birch climbed the hill quickly and then called down for others to come up. The hilltop was clear and defensible, but on the side opposite the road, there were some trees, and those in the hunting party thought attacks could be staged from there, as the vegetation would provide cover from arrows.
"None of us have the strength left to clear out the trees if there are Orcs, but we will need wood. We are too weary for a short rest, we have marched without stop for nine hours and some of us have not slept in one full day. I believe our best hope is to defend the hill and hope aid comes to us. Smoke by day and fire at night will be a signal to others and from this hill our signal will be seen over a great distance." The Lady turned and spoke to the rest, who came up the hill. "You have all been most brave and your effort is not in vain. At dawn we caught site of some Orcs, so we know they are in the area. We cannot press on, so you must all continue to be brave. I need volunteers to draw in wood for fires. The hunters will cover you as they are able with their bows. All the rest, please huddle close and rest. Put your packs toward the outside of your circle. Those without weapons move to the center."
Some older men that were not part of The Lady's hunting party volunteered to go down and gathered wood. Three of the hunters went with them, armed with their bows and swords. One man did not come back, though the hunters did avenge his death on the Orc who slew him. The hunters held a position at the bottom of the hill long enough for others to run down and also collect wood, and then they all climbed up, for the other Orcs had began advancing on them.
The two horses, pony and five riders came in site of the hill during the time the wood was being gathered. The Lady signaled to them by reflecting sunlight from a hand mirror.
"How did the come to be behind us?" The Lord asked, "When they left before and were mounted."
"They left the road to rest."
"Then we and the Orcs both passed them unknowing."
"Yes." If they were willing to help now, even if only to run a message to Newhaven, The Lady would be in greater debt to them, but grateful.
It was Dale who drew the Orcs away for a time, so that the wood could be gathered. The distraction also allowed the pony and horses to be led up onto the hill.
Dale climbed the western slope of the hill, which was uneven, but easily defensible, as figures would be seen clearly from above. Tsuki and Kato had just arrived and were speaking with the Lord and Lady regarding strategy. As a Ranger, Dale felt he was Tsuki's equal and he would not have a lover who treated him as a child, but he acknowledged that Tsuki knew more about military strategy and fighting in numbers, so he trusted Tsuki would work out some defense with the hunters. Kato had no military background, but he was perceptive and though he was naïve in some respects, he did have experience with managing and negotiating with many people.
They built five small watch fires on the hilltop and within the circle of them piled up all their packs to give themselves at least some simple shield against missile attacks. Within that circle they put watchers, five to ten per shift. Within the watchers circle they put those who had some armament but were resting until they would take the next watch. In the very center, they place those who were very old, young, or injured. As they took their places, they rationed out some of the water and food they carried and shared the amount amongst the entire groups.
The animals, of which there were only the three, were removed of all their packs and gear and allowed to roam. Tsuki adored Moon-halo, but he knew that horses were sensible creatures and that if Orcs reached the hilltop or too many arrows flew, the horses would run to safety. Dale was certain Nightmare would lead them away and return when they had need. As he said, he had broken the creature, and so it was his.
The watchers were positioned approximately at the south, west, east, north-northwest and north-northeast, with the fires placed between their positions, such that the watchers would have a clear view between columns of smoke, and if they held out until night, a view lit by the overlapping glow of two fires, without the glare of looking over a fire.
Tsuki and Dale both put themselves at the south with the youthful blonde witch they called South. The Lady and Lord took positions either side of the North fire, with North and Birch helping The Lord and Laurel and Ash assisting The Lady. Summons, Hazel and Yew watched East and thought he was recovering from the arrow shot to his chest, West took his post with Willow and Rowan. Fei and Kato had wanted to watch as the others did, but Tsuki had convinced them that it was better they rest and be ready to watch or fight if another did fall. Dale suggested that Fei be ready to go west and Kato east. The eastern side of the hill was steep and not likely to be attacked, so Kato, who needed to get his message though would probably not deal with a heavy attack. The western slope had good visibility and so West and the two women should be able to fend off attacks if their arrows lasted, but if they did not, Fei might move forward with his borrowed dagger. At each post, at least one remained awake at all times and others slept
There was little activity to be seen below the hill during the day. All the watchers saw Orcs moving about at some point. Tsuki was looking down into the trees with his spying glass, though it was not yet autumn and the tress were still full enough to give the Orcs excellent cover.
"I think they are doing something, Dale, you have a look."
Dale lay on his back beside Tsuki and lifted Tsuki's small mirror over the primitive defense wall to look down the hill, without lifting his head. He swiveled the mirror in his fingers to pan the area below. "Doesn't look good. Let me try that glass."
Dale put the mirror down and flipped over to take the glass from Tsuki. He pulled up the hood of the cloak he had borrowed from South, as Kato had suggested the Orcs might charge one side of the hill, if they noticed Dale's red hair or black hood, and raised his head enough to look through the lenses.
Some Orcs were huddled and crouching. Dale did not have to look long to know what they were doing, because he had seen the ritual so many times. "They are spilling seed with each other. They like to do that before a battle."
"You mean they..."
Dale made a small cough and returned the spying glass. "Yeah. Not a good sign when you see that, but then, it can also mean they expect many to die."
"So they wish to have pleasure one last time."
"No. It's so they will have a chance of making more Orcs. Orcs do not reproduce the way other races do. Though, I don't think we have much worry, the ground here will not stay moist and warm enough."
Below, Marduk's band was involved in the ritual. Some of them used each other's holes, or moths or hands, by impulse and force rather than agreement between partners. They all labored toward completion, grunting encouragement to each other, and when each was near spilling, they moved from the bodies they used and aimed for the hollow Dog had dug for the purpose and spurted there, one after the other.
"Look," One of the Northerners said, "Dog's came out thick, and so did our bitch's."
"They are our lucky ones this time!" said the Westerner.
Marduk said nothing.
The easterner who had been taken for a bitch laughed. "It would have been better if we had one that we could all take one after the other, and plug them up until the sacs grew and we had a proper place to bury them."
"If one of you wants to carry sacs for us, then expose your rear and shake it so all the Orcs here can take you," Marduk said bitterly, "You will not take me, and Dog is for my own use."
No Orc indicated that they wished to be a sac carrier.
"An Elf would be good," a Northerner said, "Their bodies are strong, and they make good screams."
Atop the hill, North was crawling around to all the women and showing them the best ways to take their own life with a knife and encouraging many to take poison if they were captured. Dale saw what she was doing ass she came close and called out to her. "That is a really stupid way to go about preparing for attack! You should be giving the people some hope and reason to live, not telling them the best way to die!"
"Would you rather anyone here be prisoner to Orcs? Perhaps you would like to show them the very surface of what is in store for them if they care captured!"
"You are all witches, do you not know some herbs to take to purge their bodies? You can make them bleed before their time or have need to squat and pass waste from their body. Those are the herbs you should tell them about if they are in danger of being captured by Orcs. Those and herbs which reduce pain. You don't need to tell them how to kill themselves if there is hope they can escape or be rescued."
"That is an excellent point, North," South said sleepily, "Though I do not oppose suicide as an absolute last resort. If the battle is not absolutely lost, wouldn't any of us try to rescue prisoners that have been taken?"
"But I cannot take those other herbs," one woman said.
"Why is it?" North asked.
"I am already with child."
At that, Ash, who was resting near this woman sat and embraced her. "Why did you not tell me?"
Another man who was older sat then. "What is this? You are not yet bound by marriage!"
"Sir..." Ash began.
"Father, Ash, I am sorry. I love Ash, and he has spoken of marriage to me, but we thought, perhaps when his time as an initiate is through and then we would start a family, but...and I wanted to tell you, but then The Lady said we should leave our home and I was afraid that if I told you and something bad happened, you would all be so sad."
"But, you should be sad then all on your own. Do not worry," Ash said, "I will protect you. We will survive this and be married. Come sit near my post when I am on watch."
"It will be too much of a distraction to you," Dale said. "Put her near me. She can have my rations of food and water as well."
"No, she can have mine," Ash said.
"If you are to be my son-in-law," said the old man, "then you will need your strength to protect her, and we cannot rely on the Elf. She will have my food and water. I have a knife and we will sit near the middle, and if Orcs get through, I will defend her with my life!"
"Rely on the Elf," Dale told them, "We are immortal. If I do not die of despair or receive a wound so grave that no healer can help me I shall live, and if not my spirit shall fly west and receive a new body just as the one I lost was meant to be. If I do not find the west to my liking, I may sail back here and share my wisdom with you."
"Always returning as the same one, forever?" North asked.
"That is our fate, to be immortal in a world where all things wear and age and die and remember through the ages. You have the Gift of Men, so that you will all be mortal and your spirit shall move on to a newly born body and you shall have no memory of the ages. Sometimes you think it your doom, but I have only thirty-four years and there are memories I wish I might lose; it is your gift."
"Then, Sir Elf, do not carry my fate on your conscience," Ash's lover said, "Leave me my gift and let Men protect me."
"All of you go toward the north then. There are more watchers on that side and I expect south may be the most likely point of attack." Dale watched the others move and then turned his head to see Tsuki laughing silently. "What now?"
"You are a noble creature."
"Next to Men, perhaps; I come from one of the least noble lines of Elves."
"It has nothing to do with blood. You are noble."
"I suppose you are as well, coming to the aid of those who tried to kill you."
"It is what Elves often do, come to aid Men in their time of need. The one I am devoted to is an Elf and I aspire to be worthy of them."
"Dale snorted. "Do not play a game of pronouns with me now. It is 'him'."
"Yes, and you have long known you would never choose a wife. I would say it were a shame we are each not with the one we would most desire, but I am so well satisfied by our current arrangement."
"A dangerous thing to say, your intended might get jealous."
"I hope he does."
Dale laughed and lifted the mirror to look down the hill again. "I tend to agree with the sentiment. You are a good friend, despite all the Wizardry, argument, and more annoying Mannish qualities."
"Good friends do argue when they think a topic must be broached and is of import. Otherwise, I should be grateful you can look beyond my flaws." Tsuki's amused tone communicated that he did not believe said qualities were flaws.
"Well, let's see if you can still laugh..." The birds had returned with company. Dale watched them circle the hilltop and raised a hand.
"They were longer than I would have expected."
"These two are mine, but still quite wild. Who knows what business they conducted along the way." The pair of blackbirds alighted on Dale's arm and made bird sounds. Dale listened. He sang softly to them. Tsuki could speak Common Elven but he did nor fully understand the song. The notes were more important that the lyrics so far as the birds were concerned.
"The bring worse news than we already have?" Tsuki asked. "I think the others do not think your birds a good omen."
"They are not. Give me the spying glass and continue watch with South. I will go speak to The Lady and then return."
Tsuki wanted to know the news, but he trusted Dale would tell him soon, or there would be an announcement. Dale dismissed the birds, but they did not fly far and perched upon a stack of firewood.
The Lady was watching the western half of the north side of the hill and had a view of the road from which they had come. "No, it is tonight. A day and night of equal length and then the nights grow longer. I do not like facing the Orcs tonight. I feel that darkness is gaining on us and will be victorious."
"We are in trouble," Dale said as he crawled toward them.
"I did not recognize you in that cloak," Laurel said.
"Lady, come with me a moment," Dale said. He gestured for her to follow and crept toward the northeast, where The Lord watched. "Look with this," Dale told them, and showed them how to peer through the lenses. "Look north and east. Do you see movement?"
The Lord looked first, peering through the spying glass as Dale scanned the horizon and then the ground below them with his eyes. "Orc reinforcements," The Lord whispered.
"When I saw the Orcs last night there seemed less than thirty. I estimate we have forty, about half of which have any weapons or skill with them. If there are not too many more, we still stand a chance. The hill is defensible."
"What can we do but hope our signals have been seen by allies?" The Lady asked.
"Not much more. The Birds told me something else. They said Orcs are attacking some small group of Elves the other side of the city. It could be, if there are Rangers or any sort of militia in Newhaven, they were aware of a disturbance either side of their city and had to choose between them, and yet give thought to protecting themselves. The Orcs have been behaving most strangely recently. We may not be the only ones in trouble."
"The war is over," Birch said, "Even our wild territory was brought the news months ago, along with news of the King who has claimed the throne of both the north and the south. What force is left to lead and manipulate the Orcs?"
"None. That is why they have become strange," Dale said.
"I cannot get a clear count of them yet," The Lord said, "but they are clearly Orcs."
The Lady looked defeated. Dale did not know what to say, and so he returned to his post. Tsuki was there, lying down, while South watched over the wall. Dale knelt beside him and touched the backs of his fingers to Tsuki's hand. "I think Gwindor is in trouble."
"Gwindor, how? Where?"
"There are Orc reinforcements coming from the river. Yes, even though Orcs usually dislike crossing water. The birds say that the other side of the rivers and the city, Orcs are pursuing a smaller group, with Elves. The birds do not use names as we do, but I believe they have described Gwindor and possibly Gib as well."
"They went to River Forge..."
"Yes, but perhaps they were sent out on an assignment. There is another trade road that runs in a somewhat north-south direction. If they went east they would have crossed a tributary of the river we are coming to and come upon a dwelling place of Elves. I know it well, as it was the place where I recovered. The road south from there is also old and passes through Newhaven, as our road, but before that it passes through the old home of the Elven smiths that were driven out by the Dark Lord. They dwelled there because that was where the mines were."
"The Orcs. They have overtaken the old mines in those mountains." Tsuki and Dale both looked east. Even though they were hundreds of miles away, the mountains were clearly visible on the eastern horizon, with their sharp white peaks.
"I think since the war many Orcs, even those not previously Mine-Dwellers, have been in the mines and in the surrounding mountains. They can breed if they have shelter for a while. They mature quickly."
"And that is the only reason they are venturing out so far now? Because they are numerous?" Tsuki asked.
"That is likely part of it," Dale said, "but you remember what we spoke of before. They want something."
"Information," Tsuki whispered. Dale and Tsuki did not even know the content of Kato's message.
From below, there was drumming.
"South," Tsuki said, "Pass the word around to the watchers, put oil on the fires nest they add wood, to send up more smoke. If your people know any remedies for poison, prepare them now and make them ready with anything that might be used as bandaging for wounds. We should all take a bit of food and water shortly, as attacks may come as the sun begins to set."
"And tell them if anyone needs relieve themselves, use a pot and pass it to the east side. The hill slopes and sheers off there and I fear the Orcs will try to scale it soon and surprise us, as out visibility is poor to that side."
"You mean us to dump the piss pots on them?" South laughed.
"It will keep them from trying to scale that side of the hill." South left and Dale took the watch from the south. "Any Wizardry that will be of use to us?"
"I will put oil on the fire and at night, throw some powders on the fire to change the color of the flames. We must frighten the Orcs as we signal for help. And of course, I shall visualize myself surviving the battle."
Away to the east Gwindor dove beneath some low growing holly where Galadhir and Gib had already crawled. He was breathing heavily and sweating more than was normal, an even an Elf would sweat greatly after the run had had just finished. Gib and Galadhir looked at him with concern.
"It is the poisoned wound," Galadhir said, "We were fortunate to beneficial plants...but..." Galadhir did not have to continue. It was an area long ago settled by Elves, and their careful plantings had spread to the wild, but even with proper herbs, they understood that Gwindor needed more healing than they could provide.
None of them were unscathed. Galadhir had received arrow wounds and one rather serious sword slash to the left arm. It made drawing a bow painful, but that did not matter, as they had run out of arrows long before. Gib had taken arrow wounds as well, and though his light armor had prevented mortal wounds thus far, his right leg was wounded and tended to open and bleed again if he ran.
"Leave me," Gib said, "My legs are not so long as those of Elves nor my body so light. Galadhir must get through. Together you might outrun them. I leave a trail of blood for them. Let me lead them away."
"No!" Gwindor hissed. "I cannot!" He could not let another one that followed him die. Gib was assigned as his partner, and not his subordinate, but it would still send Gwindor into despair if he died. It would make his sister sad as well. "I will not leave you to die or be taken by Orcs!"
"I do not wish anyone to sacrifice themselves, but we will all be taken by Orcs soon," Galadhir whispered, "We are coming close to the town, but we are close to the road coming from the mines as well."
"I wish we knew what had them all coming out of the mines. And...so many different sort of Orcs working together."
"The big ones' necks are hard to reach, I must settle for chopping at them piece by piece," Gib said. "It is hard work."
Gwindor brushed damp hair from his face. He wished he might just lie beneath the bushes and sleep. Galadhir put a cool hand to his face. "He is burning with fever. Gwindor, you took some new wound giving us time to hide."
"Yes. It could not be helped. Trust that they paid for it dearly."
"And so may you," Gib whispered, he is bleeding from his side."
"No!" Galadhir whispered. "We must have something left that can be made a bandage." Gib and Galadhir searched their remaining inventory. They had lightened their packs and abandoned many things along the way, though Gib refused to leave the stove behind. They had already torn jackets to make bandages.
"If we had some remotely clean piece of cloth we might use a strip of his cloak to bind it to him," Gib suggested.
Gwindor was fading.
"Gwindor. It is only your spirit that fails you. You are Prince of a noble line of Elves and one thousand years old. You cannot allow these small wounds and filthy Orcs to be your end. We will get through, somehow. You will..."
Gwindor laughed weakly, his eyes closed. "Alas, my mother is only Sylvan."
"You seem no less noble to me," Gib said.
Galadhir put dagger beneath shirt and brought out a length of bandaging. Gib gazed at Galadhir steadily and they both nodded understanding. Gib lifted Gwindor's blood soaked shirt to press the bandage to the wound as Galadhir cut a strip of cloth from Gwindor's cloak. The bandage was bound tightly to Gwindor's torso and then as Gib redressed his own wound, Galadhir gave Gwindor a drink from their shared waterskin.
"We were lucky those others crossed the river earlier. I thought that entire lot would be on us, but they passed us by," Gib said.
"Lucky for us," Gwindor whispered, "but bless the spirits of those they do find."
There was a thud nearby and then another. "Orcs!" Galahad hissed, "Get up! Gwindor! On your feet! Gib!"
Galadhir's sword flashed from its sheath and took some of the bush with it as Galadhir rose. Two Orcs lay on the ground, with primitive arrows in them, but more Orcs were advancing, their stride casual and unhurried. Galadhir did not know from where the arrows had come, but staggered back from the bodies, feet dancing around the bushes.
Gib stood, steadily with his right leg tightly bound again. He glanced along the road, which in this area was only a dirt path. "We will have to fight our way through!"
Another arrow flew, from somewhere in the trees, and took the Orc that most obviously blocked the road with a short through the eye. "Fly fools! The arrows do not grow on the trees ready made!"
"Bless our father, if our brother does not stop talking of the sea and departs, our father will have no heirs left!"
"Lenaduiniel! She is here!" Gib called. He ran toward the next Orc and put his ax to its neck.
The leaves rustled above.
Gwindor drew his sword and followed Gib. Galadhir called from behind. "I have your back! Fly! Fly!"
They cut their way through the Orcs that attempted to block them from reaching the road. Gwindor summoned what strength remained in him and slew many Orcs with his sword. Gib took nearly as many with the swings of his ax. Galadhir ran behind, making sidesteps to keep the Orcs behind in sight, and slashing at them when they closed in. From above, Lenaduiniel shot her arrows. She did not have unlimited supply, but she made effort to choose her shots well.
And then they came to a place where the line of trees broke and the Orcs were thick about them and seemed desperate to keep them away. They were at the crossroads, one path leading east to the mines and the other somewhat more southerly leading to the settlement of Newhaven.
The Orcs were most desperate to keep them from the mines, perhaps, the Rangers thought, not understanding that the Dwarf and Elves wanted only to escape them and get to the town. In truth, the Orcs were concerned with protecting that which they named Precious Things and had a great fear of loosing them to the Elves.
The Rangers became more desperate than before. The trees had thinned and so Lenaduiniel was forced to reveal herself or give no more aid to her brother and his companions. She chose of course to give up her branch-walking and jumped from the trees in her blue gown and grey cloak. She drew a scavenged Orc sword from her back and joined the battle, though her sword mostly was used to blow blows; Lenaduiniel did not have much skill with swords.
The odds seemed to be four against a myriad. Gwindor was fevered with poison and soon Lenaduiniel also had wounds. And then Gib fell and the others knew the wound was mortal. They said to each other, "Then let us die here and not let the Orcs take his body and defile it, for this Dwarf was surely an Elf-friend and dear to us."
And just as they thought they would perish, a horn sounded and they heard many hooves beating and coming closer. The Orcs scattered, frightened off by the signs of reinforcements from the town. Lenaduiniel threw herself over Gib, though his body was cut nearly in half.
The Dwarf was unable to speak, but there was still some small life left in him and he looked into Lenaduiniel's eyes. She looked on him kindly, then bowed and kissed his lips. Gib received the kiss and sent his last breath into Lenaduiniel's mouth.
Gwindor started screaming. Galadhir looked to the Orcs watching from a distance and to Gwindor and thought him mad. He seemed he might start swinging his sword at trees, and for an Elf of the wood, that was a definite sign of madness.
The hoof beats came faster and louder and then the horses could be seen, five of them, but only one rider. He made a call and the horses halted. "Come! Ride!" Called the rider wearing a richly made green cloak. The others all knew him an Elf by his voice, but his accent was strange to them.
"We will not leave his body!" Gwindor shouted.
The rider threw off his cloak, revealing long brown hair streaked with red and gold and more rich clothing that hardly seemed suitable for travel or battle. "If the Lady would hold my cloak," he said as it fluttered toward Galadhir. Galadhir tossed the cloak to Lenaduiniel. The strange Elf drew a sword and it glowed bright blue. "They are so stubborn at one thousand," he said to himself and then, to the others more loudly and firmly, "wrap the body tightly and seat it on my horse, and then mount. You will all ride, even you girl-Elf, I know for a fact both your brothers ride and your legs are nothing I have not seen before!"
The other three Elves then watched in shock as the stranger proceeded
to silently and efficiently dance from Orc to Orc, smiting with his sword
all those who did not run in terror and never receiving a single wound.