Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.50T)
Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.
It is a fairly grim tale, so be warned.
Here is the first post from this series.
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Gurgumaar’s camp was easy to avoid in the dark; despite the fact that Spawn could see quite well in the dark the hand of the Dread Lord preferred to ring his camps with huge bonfires. Some said that he supposedly thought that it made his forces look more fearsome. Retaak wondered if it had something to with the Ogre Warlord’s fascination with the kingdoms and tactics of the lords of the human kingdoms subjugated and driven to extinction by the Third Dread Lord. Gurgumaar’s called his bodyguards ‘War-Dukes’ and dressed them in heavy plated armour.
“I’m glad we lost them,” whispered Albyursia over his shoulder. “I do not fancy trying my chances evading lady Karniloth’s eight envious orbs.”
Retaak nodded. “Kuzat could see us through the desolation, I have faith. But I prefer to avoid further conflict. I have already lost one friend in this errand.”
Distantly horns sounded as battle broke out in the city. The main attack was spent, at least until the morning sun roused Gurgumaar. By now the Spawn would be busy looting and searching for vulnerable elves who were not hidden away in Greyrock. The main body of elves, as they always had, would be waiting for opportunities to sally forth and attack isolated groups of spawn while the few units of Gurgumaar’s forces who were still hungry for fighting would be trying to ambush the elves, in turn.
The walked through trees along a ravine for some time. The tall pines hide them well from view. Soon enough they began to ascend into the foothills west of Oystkivat, back toward The Fellspawn Warrens. At last, long after the moon had fully risen overhead, Uyage signaled that they could stop. Gurgumaar’s Camp and the siege fires around Greyrock were nothing more than star twinkling through the trees by then.
Retaak eased Albyursia off of his back.
“No fire,” said Uyage as Uyaashie began to strike tinder. “If we can see them, they can see us.”
Uyaashie looked up crossly, then sullenly put her flints back into her kit. At least she did not object; Retaak did not look forward to breaking up a fight at this moment. Uyage made certain that their vamp was well hidden, she took her duties very seriously.
They ate cheese, dried meat, and some tart berries that Kuzat found while they made camp. Albyursia made no objections, joining them in their meal and talking to each of them. Retaak would have taken interest, but he drew last watch and promptly sought sleep.
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He woke with a hand over his mouth. Something stopped him from responding with immediate violence and he looked to see Uyage, finger to her lips. The forest was dark all around them, but he could hear cracking twigs and the jingle of weapons; the sounds of a warband passing close to their hidden camp.
Albyursia stared to him from across the little hollow, eyes wide. Kuzat and Uyaashie were but shadows within shadows, only the whites of their eyes and the tips of their steel giving them away.
Retaak did not move. He dared not look. Uyage would warn them if they were spotted. Instead he kept a tally of how many must be marching past. He lots track after fifty; that too many to fight and win on this terrain, even for him.
Willing himself to stillness, Retaak waited. His hands itched for his weapons and his instincts ached for battle. He felt like he would burst if he did not move. But he kept himself in check. Eventually the sounds grew distant, and then passed entirely. Uyage scanned the darkness, looking for scouts and stragglers. She waited and after some time sat down, breathing out a long sigh of relief.
“We are lucky they did not bring dogs,” she said.
“I counted five score or more,” said Uyaashie, her voice shaking just a little. “Was it the Bloody Axes?”
“Yes,” said Uyage. “Now you see why I did not want a fire.”
“They must be going to the pass to head us off,” said Kuzat. “We should try to bypass them in the dark before they beat us to it.”
“No,” said Retaak. “They were in no hurry. They already have the pass sealed, they are sweeping, looking for us. We will assess the situation in the morning. For now, the rest of you should sleep. I will take this watch.”
He left the worst unsaid. If the pass was sealed, they would have to try their luck in the Desolation after all.
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