Invasion Read online

  Master Pilk’s legs weakened. Was O’tukka setting them up for a trap after all? He still didn’t think it likely. He had the opportunity to betray them in the past and hadn’t done so, but perhaps he had waited for this very moment. The combined forces of Arthea and the dwarves of Corwyn were all here in a poorly defendable outpost instead of behind high city walls or solidly constructed gates. If they were defeated here then the entire south of Lertia would fall in short order.

  He rose immediately and hurried to the Gate. All the wizards assembled there but no longer hurling draining spells. O’tukka also stood there looking genuinely worried, but that could be an act.

  “You were wrong,” said Pilk nastier than he meant to.

  “I am as confused as you, Master Pilk,” replied O’tukka with menacing eyes.

  Duke Angus approached.

  Pilk hurried over to him. “We need to find out what’s going on, my lord Duke. The Gate grows more powerful.”

  “We’ll send scouts at once,” replied the Duke without stopping. Pilk took up step beside him. True to his word, Duke Angus had two scouts with tower shields entering the Gate within moments.

  Pilk waited nervously for them to return.

  After a full minute it was obvious the scouts were not going to return. Something had gone seriously wrong.

  Chapter 6

  Changing Plans

  The meeting with the military leaders of the Black Skull had gone well into the night. Gilkan had ordered a full retreat which left the northern borders exposed to the Red Axe. Sylestra hoped to turn those fleeing armies around before the Red Axe took advantage of the situation.

  On the plus side, the Black Skull no longer needed to fear attack on the western border and with The Great Black Sea to the east and Black Rock Canyon to the south they only needed to worry about the northern border. Reinforcements had been dispatched first thing this morning in case Qunik, the northern-most city, needed to be recaptured.

  All of this planning had kept her from what she wanted— take control of the Gate and hunt down her traitorous son. She was on her way to do just that now. If only she had managed to capture O’tukka when last she had seen him in her personal chambers, but no he run away like a frightened child using one of his magical gates.

  She took out her wyvern shaped whistle and blew into it hard. Within minutes Zaydok landed next to her. She mounted his scaly back, strapped herself in securely and then gave the great beast a mental command to take flight.

  Even after centuries of riding the mighty black wyvern, Sylestra still enjoyed the exhilaration of flying high above the world at breathtaking speeds.

  On her way to the Gate, many carts laden with timber were being pulled along the road by worgs. She figured General Jak’ho must have ordered it to expand the camp, but that wasn’t the case.

  General Jak’ho had been more patient than she imagined. It didn’t look as though he had attempted to go beyond the Gate yet but he had sure been busy preparing for it.

  Carts were being modified to be longer and more heavily armoured. Arrow slits ran along the length on all sides and the driver’s seat nearly fully enclosed. She was impressed both with the design and with Jak’ho’s patience.

  She landed in the scant space and dismounted. Finding General Jak’ho proved an easy task as his booming voice echoed off the canyon walls.

  “I see I have not missed out on all the fun.” She smiled at the General.

  “Besides the two captives we took, very little has happened,” he replied.

  “Captives?” she asked curiously. “They sent scouts?”

  “They did. I think they must have noticed the Gate becoming stronger again and so wanted to know what was happening. I had necromancers positioned close by for that eventuality and they were quick with their spells. The humans collapsed before they even knew what happened.” General Jak’ho turned his attention back to the construction works behind him and ordered the driver to get the newly completed cart into position.

  “Where are they now?” she asked when she had his attention.

  “They are still unconscious. I have them in chains in that building over there under guard.” He pointed to a small log cabin a hundred paces away.

  “How long until you are ready to attack?”

  “Within the hour, Supreme Mistress.”

  “Excellent. I’ll go and check on these prisoners in the meantime.” Sylestra let General Jak’ho get back to directing the troops.

  The prisoners were still unconscious when she went to check but they would make fine additions to her rapidly growing empire one way or another. They were both young, fit and handsome — just the way she liked them.

  An hour later General Jak’ho informed her that they were ready to attack. The long line of carts stretched back beyond her sight and all were packed with warriors.

  General Jak’ho called the charge.

  The first cart took off and sped toward the Gate with the second in line following soon after. The usual tingle of anticipation ran through her body.

  That tingle soon vanished as the worgs hit the Gate and stopped dead with the cart crashing into their rumps.

  “What was that?” asked Master Pilk looking at Duke Angus. “Have they started shooting at the Gate again?”

  “It didn’t sound loud enough for a ballista bolt. Perhaps they tried charging without checking it was clear,” answered the Duke.

  “Ay well there be a few orcs with blisterin’ headaches right about now,” said General Ludko. “That wall’s as solid as we can be makin’ it with wha’ we got and the time we ‘ad.”

  Master Pilk had to smile at the image he conjured in his mind of a group of orcs sitting on the ground rubbing their heads. The smile didn’t last long when he pondered on their options.

  “So do we pull out, my lord Duke?” he asked. “We can’t close the Gate from this side now that they’re strengthening it and we can’t defeat them on the other side.”

  “It does appear grim Master Pilk, but I say we make them pay heavily for taking this ground,” replied Duke Angus.

  “Aye I agree, laddie. We’ll rig this fort to burn in a moment’s notice. No point givin’ ‘em a ready-made defensible location,” added General Ludko.

  “Indeed. But what then? Once they’re through how do we stop them?” asked Pilk.

  “That is something I’ll have to discuss with the King. He’ll have to send troops our way or we’ll lose all of southern Lertia.” Duke Angus’s sombre tone disheartened Pilk.

  A loud thud made them all look towards the walled off Gate.

  “So it begins,” said General Ludko.

  “Master Pilk, make sure all the wizards are well-rested. We’ll be needing them soon enough,” ordered the Duke.

  “Most of the visiting wizards won’t fight, my lord Duke. They only came to help close the Gate. I’ll make sure those that will are fully rested though.”

  “Try to convince as many as you can. This is not Arthea alone they are fighting for, it’s all of Lertia — maybe all of Ka’ton for all we know.” Duke Angus turned and started shouting orders to soldiers. Master Pilk walked to the other side of the Gate where all the wizards were gathered.

  “I know many of you came to close the Gate and no more and for that I thank you. You have shown much more honour than those that chose to follow Grand Master Rotager’s counsel. However, be aware that the army coming is not simply coming for Arthea. The leader of this army will stop at nothing short of all Lertia under her command. So you can choose to make a stand here and now where we have a defensible advantage or possibly face much more dire circumstances in the near future. I will give you all time to consider it and I’ll think no less of you whatever you may decide. Go and get some rest and we’ll meet back here first thing in the morning. I’m sure the dwarves’ wall will hold for at least that long.” Master Pilk observed their worried faces as they all dispersed. He understood their trepidation. They had never been in a battle and now battle s
ought them out. All the wizards that were experienced in battle were either in or around Arthea or were stationed in Witchwyn along the northern border.

  Being well-rested, Pilk went off to see how Decker was. At the entrance to the fort he came across his sister and by observing the activity in the distance he knew what she would say before she said it.

  “They are taking all the wounded back to Arthea. Decker was carried off minutes ago,” she said.

  “It’ll be for the best. They are not safe here now and would get in our way.” Cressida looked at him curiously. “We’ll all be on our way back to Arthea soon enough. We won’t hold here.”

  “So we are not going through to clear the other side?” asked Cressida.

  “No — indeed no. That would be suicide and gain us nothing. We will defend this side as long as we can but we won’t hold.” Pilk lowered his head and sighed.

  “Then I will remain here and do what I can.” Cressida stood with her arms folded across her chest.

  “It would be best if you returned with the injured. They will need all the healers they can get. Did Jaz accompany you?” Master Pilk spoke as soothingly as possible knowing how hot-headed his sister was and also understanding the emotional turmoil she must be feeling.

  “No I left Jaz with a friend,” she answered. “Injured will be needing me here too and I can fight better than most.” She stood taller and pushed her shoulders back. Master Pilk almost laughed at her proud pose but managed not to.

  “No one doubts your fighting prowess Cressy, but Decker will want and need you back in Arthea and you also have Jaz to think about. If you were to fall here you would leave the girl without a mother.” Cressida visibly relaxed at his final words.

  “Perhaps you’re right. I’ll get myself something to eat first and then I’ll return to Arthea. You will stay to fight I assume?”

  “I will, but I can leave in an instant if things get out of control and help many others escape too.”

  She nodded as he spoke. “Well, be careful.” She wrapped him in a tight hug. Master Pilk accepted it awkwardly at first but then returned the embrace.

  Great Shaman O’tukka transported himself to his office in Heperi by means of a magic gate. He walked across the hall to General Krak’too’s office but he wasn’t there.

  Walking outside, he was confronted with an overcrowded city. Tents and makeshift houses were erected in every available space to house the refugees of Gnash. The noise of construction could be heard wherever he walked as buildings were renovated, expanded or constructed to meet the needs.

  He finally met up with a captain who told him where to find the General and a short time later he found him. For once General Krak’too didn’t wear his battle armour and if it wasn’t for his distinctive ponytail and triple braided beard he may have overlooked him altogether. He held a timber in place while another orc fixed it in position. O’tukka’s respect for the mighty General increased.

  “Taking up a new trade, General?” asked O’tukka as he drew near.

  “I’m teaching these useless scum a thing.” General Krak’too’s gruff voice was only pretence.

  “We have a big problem, General.” O’tukka kept his tone serious and the slight smirk forming on the General’s face dissipated.

  “Can you manage this now by yourself?” he asked the orc fixing the timber in place.

  “I can, General. Thank you for your help,” replied the orc obviously not wanting to hold the General up any longer.

  “Let’s take a walk.” General Krak’too walked by him and set off along the road toward the City Hall. O’tukka hurried to his side and struggled to keep pace with the longer-legged orc.

  “The humans can’t close the Gate?” General Krak’too guessed as he took a seat behind the desk in his office.

  “No. The Ta’zu is on the other side in force. We were close to having it drained but then it started to grow stronger.” O’tukka took a seat at the desk. General Krak’too tilted his head to one side. “I don’t know how she is doing it but it grows stronger quicker than we can drain it indicating that she has forty or more shamans adding their power to it.”

  “Either she has had these magic casters all along and did not inform you or she has acquired them recently or something much worse.” General Krak’too stared off into space as he spoke.

  “Worse? What could be worse than her having control of so many shamans?” asked O’tukka.

  “Her having control of the entire Black Skull tribe or at least working in league with them.” General Krak’too turned back to face him.

  He couldn’t believe that he didn’t think of that. Could the hatred both tribe leaders had for him unite them in this common cause? He didn’t think that likely as both tribes shared an equally strong hatred to one another, but where Sylestra was concerned, he wouldn’t rule anything out.

  “She must have acquired them recently,” said O’tukka as the General stared at him, “because if she had them all along she wouldn’t have needed to implant me into the Black Skull. I would have imagined Gilkan was too proud to unite with the Ta’zu in order to come after us but he may not have been given much choice.”

  “So we can assume that either the two tribes have a temporary alliance or Gilkan is dead and Sylestra now rules both. Either way it does not bode well for us. We will not be safe here,” said General Krak’too.

  “We are not safe anywhere if that’s the case,” replied O’tukka grimly.

  General Krak’too nodded. “What does Duke Angus plan?”

  “To hold the Gate as long as possible and make them pay heavily for taking it. When it becomes overrun he will retreat to Arthea, destroying the fort behind him.”

  “Good plan, but what then?”

  “He will seek King Cassien’s counsel. That is all I know so far,” replied O’tukka.

  “Take me to Duke Angus,” commanded General Krak’too

  “At once General.” O’tukka stood up and formed a magical gate in the middle of the room and beckoned the General to enter.

  They located the Duke almost immediately as they heard him shouting commands over the constant thud of ballista bolts hitting the blocking wall.

  “Can I have a word, Duke Angus?” General Krak’too glanced around the fort as he waited for the Duke’s attention.

  “Certainly, General.” Duke Angus quietly spoke a few words to Major Hillsworth and then directed General Krak’too and Great Shaman O’tukka to his personal tent. “How can I help you?” He took a seat at the table and indicated they should do the same.

  “I hear that you will not be successful in closing the Gate which means Sylestra’s army will be flooding into this world very soon.” Krak’too shuffled himself into his chair and leant forward as he spoke.

  “That about sums up the situation, yes,” replied Duke Angus.

  “Then this is very bad news as I’m sure you know. You have high walls to hide behind but all we have is a small city with limited defence. It won’t take Sylestra long to realise this and she’ll wipe us out in short order.” Krak’too spoke slowly and deliberately. O’tukka knew that his scenario was correct and if that were to happen, death would be the best outcome for himself. But he had a sneaking suspicion that Sylestra wouldn’t want death to steal her victory.

  “I think I see what you are getting at, General. You wish sanctuary in Arthea?” The Duke’s eyes were unreadable.

  “I believe it to be in both our interests. We can help you defend your city when the Ta’zu inevitably come against you.”

  “Or perhaps Sylestra is just after your shaman here and the Gate. Maybe once she has those things she will leave us be. We have very little to go on here, General, only your word and some very old books.” The tone and posture of Duke Angus did not appear accusatory, merely questioning.

  “Do you believe that to be the case Duke Angus? If you are wrong and you leave us to be destroyed, you will be left to defend your city alone. Sylestra has conquered a few cities mightier
than yours in a few days. Do you think you can withstand her?”

  Duke Angus rubbed his chin and lowered his gaze and then replied, “She will be without magic on this world so she may find it a bit more difficult to conquer, yes. But I don’t doubt that your help would be invaluable and you have not betrayed us so far.”

  “It now appears she has Black Skull shamans aiding her and their magic will work on this world,” added O’tukka.

  Duke Angus acknowledged his comment with a nod.

  “So we have agreement?” asked Krak’too.

  “We do,” replied Duke Angus. “Can your warriors aid us here in defence? The more damage we do to them here, the less we’ll have coming against Arthea later.”

  “They are protecting our females and little ones in case the Raziyan’s return.”

  “Then move them to Arthea now and send what force you can spare here. I’ll send a group with you to help with the transfer.”

  “Agreed. I’ll see to it at once.”

  “I’ll get that group together now.” Duke Angus rose from his chair and walked to the entrance of the tent. He waited there for Krak’too and O’tukka and escorted them out.

  O’tukka stayed with the General near the Gate and watched the defence preparations of the humans and dwarves.

  “They certainly are an industrious race,” said Krak’too as he watched the dwarves strengthening the wall blocking the Gate.

  “It won’t be enough to save them,” replied O’tukka miserably.

  Chapter 7

  Breach

  Jeff pushed the small cart loaded with meat along the rails for what seemed like the thousandth time that day. He had surprisingly already grown accustomed to the smell of the Slaughterhouse. The cart reached a tunnel entrance where the rails descended to the lower level for the next stage in the process. He stopped and looked around to make sure the guards weren’t watching him while he feigned a brief respite.

  No guards were in sight.

  He took advantage of that and gave the cart a shove and then jumped on the back of it. The cart accelerated at an alarming rate as it plunged into the dark tunnel. Before it picked up too much speed, Jeff jumped off the back and did his best not to slide down after the cart. Even so he tumbled and rolled until he managed to grip hold of something.