Chapter Two an Orcish Encounter
Nearly a week passes as Haga recovers from his trip to the Hallows. After a few days of studying its pages, the elders return the book. Much of it is written in some language he was unable to read. However, the bits he did understand helped his powers grow tremendously. The group has been slowly climbing the mountains, though Haga is unsure as to why. The area is a neutral territory, but that is only due to the orcs.
Studies of the book come to a halt when he hears a creak from the floor. Something or someone is sneaking around the hut. Cautiously getting up from his bed, Haga peers into the shadows. A pair of glowing blue eyes stares back at him.
Standing motionless, the very world around him seems to have stopped. Making the first move, the hooded figure lifts their finger to their lips, as if to signal to remain silent. Considering what to do next they both silently wait for a moment.
Immediately reaching for the protection of his staff, the hooded figure uses the moment as a distraction. Quickly they maneuver around the mage. Before having a chance to aim his weapon, Haga feels a blade pressed up against his throat.
“You aren’t very bright, are you?” a gentle voice calmly whispers in his ear. “I’m not here to kill you. Shh…”
Slowly directing him outside, the attacker pushes Haga out the door. Then, as quickly as they appeared, they disappear running back into the shadows. The clattering of hooves can be heard in the distance. Sounds like an army is approaching.
Shouts of commands and torch light surround the encampment. Now he is faced with what seems like dozens of angry Orcs. Often considered brutish and barbaric, they typically keep to their own territories. Something must have got them up in arms. Other mages and a few elders also make their way outside to confront the group.
“Chieftain Zuzzath searching for Elf girl!”, one of the riders shouts. “No want trouble with magic, just give us girl!”
The situation is getting tense. Orcs are not known for their mercy and don’t typically use magic. They only hesitate because they are not prepared to deal with the mages power.
Attempting to persuade them by casting a bright light and showing them that no Elf is here may work. Recalling his time in The Hallows, Haga cast a familiar spell. Light from his staff fills the area suddenly. Eight orcs are revealed. Three on horseback and five on foot. Thinking quickly, one of the elder mages raises their hands peacefully.
“There are no Elves here, we are but a small school of Mages on our way to Bukose. Please, we seek no quarrel.” the elder lectures. Only whispers and grunts are returned by the opposing Orcs. Suddenly, a loud howl can be heard in the distance.
“All Mages stink of lies! Our Worgs find Elf here!” yells the leader of their group. It appears that they are not going to be leaving anytime soon. As if waiting for such a que, several of the Orcs begin to raid. The leader rides off towards the direction of the howl, but wo massive clubs are heading straight for Haga.
“I should be able to set an Ice Snare to trap the assailants.” he thinks. Then a cold mist circles the charging Orcs. They stumble to the floor as their feet become encased in ice. Feeling a tug at his arm, Haga notices one of the elder mages is begging his attention.
“You and the others must get to safety. Let us deal with these beasts!” he yells.
Sounds of chaos and confusion can now be heard amongst the fighting. Desperately searching for a way through the rampaging Orcs, Haga sees a flash of a familiar blue scurry past. It is that hooded Elf woman they’re looking for being chased by an Orc. It must have flushed her out of hiding.
Haga decides to assist by launching Ice Shards and trying to knock the brute down. Shards of Ice shoot forth from his staff. The force of the spell knocks the Orc giving chase off balance, but the hooded figure continues to flee. Haga then feels a bone shattering force strike from the side. The impact from landing on the ground steals his breath as well.
It was one of the Orcs he trapped moments ago. They must have broken free from the snare. He could barely understand what his eyes were seeing as the foe raises their arms to strike once more.
“This is it.” Haga thinks. “This is how I die.”
Leaping into the fray, the young elf quickly deflects the blow. She was so agile that Haga didn’t notice her dagger had struck the attacker in the eye. The Orc lets out an unsettling howl as she removes her blade from its eye. Staggering to his feet, Haga shuffles past the blinded Orc who is now flailing their club violently. Haga’s new ally grabs him by the arm and begins to lead.
“This one looks angry!” she proclaims pointing her bloodied dagger at the beast who was in pursuit “Got anything in that bag of tricks?”
Though he may have knocked it down earlier, the Orc is back on their feet and charging after them both. Struggling to keep up with the woman’s pace, Haga clutches his staff.
Lava like flames spout forth from the weapon. The Orc falls to its knees as its flesh begin to melt away instantly. Haga can feel the intense heat from the spell nearly consume his body. For the first time since discovering his gifts, he feared losing control.
“That’s enough!” the Elven woman proclaims, as she pulls him away from the scene. “The others will be here soon if we don’t get out now!”
They hastily make their way through the mountain pass for what seems like hours. Every now and then catching the sound of grunting Orcs and howling worgs giving chase. Without time to wonder about the group left behind, they simply continue to run.
Chapter Three the Labyrinth
