Adran disappeared around a sharp corner and Malark hurried after him. The others filed after the first two, unable to see them in the windy passage. Some thirty feet on they found them in another large cave. Sleep pallets and furs, plus crates and sacks filled much of the cave. Three tunnels and a hewn passage branched of this space, The noticed the floor and walls had been carefully smoothed, hammer and chisel used to make the natural cave more habitable. From one passage they noticed the red glow of hot coals. Another passage was blocked by a crude wooden cage. Jarek headed towards the glowing coals, leaving the others. Adran approached the cage and heard weak voices from within.
“Thank Yondalla! We’re rescued!”
Seraphina and Lia hurried over to look through the bars of the cage. Malark barely glanced at the sound, and moved around the cave looking in the crates and sacks.
“Who are you?” Adran hefted the heavy lock and chain that closed the cage.
“My name is Geradil and she is Courana. We are from Blackburn, a little place about a day or so from here. On the way to Goldenfields.”
“How did you get here?” Seraphina could see the prisoners were filthy, their clothes tattered and worn.
“Captured by the orcs. They have been raiding and stealing.”
“Taking prisoners for ransom, too.”
“’Cept our families can’t raise the ransom.” Courana frowned. “I don’t know what will happen to us.”
“You are going to rescue us, right?” Geradil had his face pressed to the wooden bars and was reaching out. “You can’t leave us here. They will kill us!”
“Can you fight? We aren’t leaving yet, and we have orcs to fight and kill.”
“Nay, we can’t fight.” Geradil looked down sadly. “I’m just a farmer. She works in the tavern.”
“I can punch an unruly drunk, I can’t swing a sword.” Courana leaned against the bars. “But you can’t leave us here.”
“We don’t know the way out. Not up here. We can’t escort you home through the caves below. Not yet. What do you want us to do?”
Adran dropped the heavy lock. “If we get you out, you will have to hide on your own. In the dark. If any orcs find you, what will happen?”
The two prisoners looked at each other. The girl shook her head, and looked away.
“Can we just accompany you? Follow behind? We’ll stay out of yer way. Promise.”
Serphina reached through the bars to touch the girl. “It won’t be safe. Once we get in a fight, we can’t protect you. Not if there are too many orcs.”
“We’ll take our chance. Being out there, with a chance to run and live, is better than being in here knowing we are going to die.
Jarek came back in, interrupting them. “Nothin’ in the other cave except some battered pots and pans and remains of meals. Ho! What do we have here?”
He stepped close to the cage and looked at the two human prisoners.
Serphina replied to him. “Meet Courana and Geradil. They are from Blackburn. Not too far from here.”
“Orcs bring ye here to eat?” Jarek snorted.
“For ransom, Mr. Dwarf. ‘Cept our families are too poor to pay.”
Adran leaned against the cage. “Should we get them out? Or leave them be for now?”
“Get us out!” Geradil was insistent and pleading. “Please!”
“Can they fight?” Jarek eyed the two prisoners. Adran shook his head. “Be a liability, then. And we cannae afford a liability. Not now.”
“Please, Mr. Dwarf. We can’t stay here. They will kill us.”
“Methinks they will try and kill you if they see you with us, lassie. Not much changes, in or out.”
“We can stay out of any fights. And try to run away.”
“What do you think, elf?”
“I don’t know. When we start fighting the orcs, they might send someone to kill the prisoners. If they are with us, they might be a target for the orcs then, too.” He shrugged and looked away.
“We should let them out. Fighters or not, they can try and stay back. Or hide. We could even show them where the shaman’s lair is and let them hide there.”
“Please. Don’t leave us here. Anywhere but here.”
“Not leave.” Malark started chopping on the thick logs. He took heavy, two-handed swings muscles straining with the effort. Each time the blade hit it bit deep and tore large chunks of wood free. He tore through one of the logs the chain was wrapped around. When it split, he pushed the broken log, separating the parts so the chain slipped free. He pulled the gate open. “Not leave for greenskins.”
“Thank you, thank you, kind sir!” Courana rushed out and hugged Malark. He looked uncomfortable, and patted her on the head before wiggling free.
“It’s decided now. You can’t stay here.”
“Take them to the shaman’s lair, Mr. Jarek. Let them hide there for now. After we, um, ‘get rid of’ the other orcs, we can go get them.”
“Maybe. Maybe that be the best place.”
Lia was chewing her lip, thinking hard. “What about round the staircase? Just past that barricade? Seems none of the orcs want to go there.”
“Even with the barricade down?”
“Will they even notice? If one of them goes to fetch the shaman, they will use the secret passage, won’t they?”
“Aye lassie, they will. The gits seem to be afraid of the stirges or the trogs down in the Glitterhame. They dinnae go there. Come on you two, I’ll take you.”
Jarek and the two scared villagers headed across the cave and down the rough tunnel they had come from. The dwarf was gone less than ten minutes, striding back into the cave with purpose.
“Had them rebuild the barricade, best t’ey kin. Took some of the food from the other cave, too. Seem a hungry pair. Did you lot find anything else?”
“Closed doors down there,” Seraphina pointed. “And that tunnel goes back to the other cave.”
“I felt a draft when I was in the kitchen-cave. Were the doors seal’t tight?”
“No, Mr. Jarek. There is a gap ‘round the bottom.”
“They lead to the Mountain Door, sure as sure.” Jarek headed towards the doors. “Been mor’n a day since we tried the front door. They shouldn’t still be waitin’ fer us to come through.”
“Will there be guards at all?”
“Likely. When we showed up, they was on guard. In an’ out. Likely they still are. Ready? Let’s take them!”
Jarek had his hand on the door and Malark was next to him, axe and shield in hand.
Adran nodded once, drawing an arrow. Seraphina sheathed her swords, readying her bow. Lia had a bolt laying ready on her crossbow.
“For Moradin!” Jarek yanked the door open and charged through. Malark was close on his heels and the others hustled to keep up. Pouring through the double doors, they found themselves in an irregular cavern that stretched away from them. Close by were a pair of thick pillars supporting the ceiling. A dozen or more javelins were leaned up against each pillar. Between the pillars was a pair of orcs hunched over and looking at something on the ground.
“Caught ‘em rollin’ bones!” Jarek was loud and cheerful at the prospect of combat. “One fer me, one fer you, ye big lout!”
Jarek swung his hammer in an uppercut, the head connecting with his foe, sending the hunched orc tumbling backwards, sprawled out. Malark was growling, grinning a feral smile. He buried his axe in the other orc, driving his knee into the orc’s face. The knee strike snapped the orc’s head back causing it to grunt in pain.
The sprawled orc scrambled to his feet and fled, using a rickety rope bridge to cross a wide chasm of infinite darkness. The bridge swung and swayed as the orc struggled to maintain his footing on the narrow boards. Adran was the first to react, launching an arrow across the open space and hitting the fleeing orc in the back. Lia raised and fired her crossbow in a fast, smooth motion. The stubby bolt soared after the orc, catching it low in the back and causing it to stumble. The orc scrambled for footing, desperately gripping the frayed ropes. Wounded and weak, the orc held on for only a moment before plunging into the darkness, a scream of terror lasting far too long.
Malark dodged a clumsy attack from his foe, then hit the orc with a smashing axe strike that crushed the life from the beast.
Before they could enjoy the victory, a pair of orcs across the chasm started a volley of arrow fire. Burning braziers brightly lit the ledge they stood on, and behind the orcs, a pair of massive stone doors. One of the doors stood ajar and a massive beam leaned against the wall.
“The Mountain Door!” Jarek sped towards the rope bridge, slowing as its apparently poor condition came into view.
Seraphina returned the arrow fire from the distant orcs, hitting one. Jarek inspected the bridge, gingerly setting foot on it. An arrow narrowly missed him and he hurled insults at the orcs, trying to bait them into a melee fight. Adran fired another arrow, hitting his target in the eye, crumpling the orc into a rough pile. The dead orc’s companion fired once more, then fled through a door in the wall, closing it behind itself.
Without the danger of flying arrows, Jarek hustled across the bridge. Once or twice he stumbled on the swaying construction, each time catching himself before he tripped. On the other side, he rushed to the doorway and pushed the open door shut. Dropping his hammer, he hefted the huge beam and dropped it into place, locking the Mountain Door.
“That’ll keep any guards out on the trail from coming in. Now where did that sneaky git run off to?” He moved over to a seemingly bare wall and began running his hand over the worked surface.
Malark gingerly moved across the bridge, his weight sagging the rickety structure. He looked terrified, boards and ropes creaking with every step. Once across, he dropped to his knees gasping in relief.
“Can’t leave them over there.” Adran frowned and stepped onto the bridge. He moved swiftly, light steps on the aged boards, He joined Jarek and Malark on the brazier-lit ledge, turning to watch the others. “It is more sound than it looks. Light steps, stay balanced.”
Lia and Seraphina crossed over, one at a time. By the time they were across Jarek had found the hidden door the orc fled through.
“Found it. Might lead to the arrow nest overlooking the ledge.” He turned and looked across the ledge to the far wall. “Should be another door there. There were arrow slits in that wall, too.” He stomped across the ledge and began studying the wall. “Probably means a couple orcs are holed up in there. Gotta be smart. If I remember right, and I do, there was only a single arrow loop this side of the entrance stairs. This nest will be smaller. Other side,” he pointed with his hammer, “where the sneaky git ran off to, that’s gonna be larger. Might be an archer barracks. This side first.”
“Those other orcs will be ready if we give them time.”
“Dem gits have already had enough time, elf, one minute warning is all t’ey need.”
Adran shrugged, but didn’t argue.
“How big is this area? Honestly, Jarek, how many orcs could be living here?”
“I dint know really. This place wasn’t big. Durgeddin’s clan was small. They nae woulda dug mor’ then they needed.”
“If the passage is narrow, it will be a one-on-one fight.”
“Aye, Adran, t’will be. Unless you come after me with that nice elven bow ye got. Ye kin shoot over me head while I protect ya, or fight the orcs. I think the little miss might be able to squeeze by ya, and get some shots of her own. I kin keep the orcs at bay, ye kin pick them off with arrows. What say ye?”
“He makes sense, Mr. Adran. If the tunnel is narrow, we can’t all get in the fight. Us or any orcs in there.”
Jarek pointed at the far wall, “and to keep all of us safe, the witch and the big man kin keep an eye on that door, case the orcs over yonder come back. I’ll borrow his shield, that will help in the tunnel.”
Lia shook her head, but kept her tongue after Jarek’s ‘witch’ comment. Malark handed over his shield and he joined Lia.
“I cannot fault the plan. There shouldn’t be many orcs in this archer’s nest. Clear this side, then head after the others. They will be waiting.” Adran was watching Jarek closely.
“Let ‘em wait.
“Open the door.”
Jarek pushed on a section of the wall, causing it to rebound and open. He looked back and nodded to Adran and Seraphina. Both had arrows nocked and ready. The dwarf pulled hard on the door, creating a narrow gap and slipped through. Adran raised his bow, aiming over the shorter dwarf. Seraphina waited until they were both through the door, the slipped after them. Leaving Lia and Malark alone on the ledge.
“Watch that wall, big guy. The orcs might come screaming out.” Lia had reloaded her crossbow and was staring at the far wall. “Might come from that way, too,” she added after glancing at the bridge. “What a fantastic place to have a fight.”
“Cut bridge?”
“I wish. That would keep the others across on their own side. I don’t thing we can, though. It might be the only way into the rest of the hold.”
Malark stepped to the edge and looked over, into the darkness. “Deep hole.”
“Very deep. Did you hear that orc scream? It fell for a long, long time.”
They could hear the rush of distant water, far down in the darkness. A cool breeze flowed up from the depths carrying the scent of wet and rot.
“You can get away from the edge. Please.” Lia was glancing at Malark, but not really looking at him. “Far from the edge.”
He finally stepped away, moving closer to Lia. He was holding several javelins and had more stuffed into long quiver.
“Took their weapons. Nice.”
“Kill greenskins with greenskin javelins.
Lia smiled and was rewarded with Malark’s weird scowl-smile. She laughed and shook her head, “you need to work on your smile. It’s kinda freaky, you know that, right?”
“Freaky?”
“Scary. Weird. Not really a smile.”
Malark shrugged. He hefted a javelin, testing its balance.
‘Guess not.” Lia murmured and started watching the hidden door again.
In the arrow nest tunnel, Jarek held the shield up, blocking most of his body. Adran was close behind him, an arrow protruding over Jarek’s shoulder. Seraphina was so small she could fit in the space between Adran and Jarek, peering along the edge of the shield. The tunnel was short, maybe fifteen feet long before turning to the right. They could hear at least a pair of voices talking softly around the corner.
Jarek moved up to the edge, glancing back and whispering, “Ready?”
At a nod from the others, he moved swiftly around the corner. The passage stretched away from them, lit by the light from an arrow slit in one wall. The light spilled over a trio of orcs atop a short set of stairs. They were face to face and turned to look at the sudden intrusion. Adran let an arrow fly as soon as he cleared the corner. Seraphina waited a few seconds more, the drop of the stairs partially concealing the orcs from her. Jarek moved closer, letting the shield take one arrow after another as the orcs reacted. At the top of the steps, Seraphina was able to see clearly and began sending arrows flying down the narrow passage. With nowhere to hide, the orcs were quickly pin-cushioned by the elf and halfling arches. They pushed pass Jarek and searched the bodies, recovering their arrows and a few coins. There was a stash of orcish arrows in the nest and Adran filled his quiver. Seraphina searched through the arrows and found a few shorter arrows she thought she might be able to use.
“Where are some goblin archers when you need them? Their arrows almost always are short enough for me.”
She counted arrows in her quiver and looked up at Adran. “Getting low. I won’t be much use with a bow by the time we leave.”
“You are just as deadly with your blades, lassie, so nay be sad. You kin fight still.” Jarek searched all along the end of the archer’s nest. Hands on rock. “I dinnae think there is a door here. Back out?”
“Back out. They whole place should know we are here by now.” Adran was peering through the arrow slit in the rock. “I can see the main stairs, and another slit across the way. Hold on.” He swiftly drew an arrow and aimed through the slit. Releasing, he drew another arrow and released. “Hit the orc over there at least once.” He smiled grimly. “A good shot, even for me.”
They filed back onto the ledge by the main doors, rejoining Lia and Malark. The big man went to take his shield back when Jarek put his hand up.
Might be another narrow passage. We kin try the same trick. Me in front with this,” he held up the shield, “the two arches ‘hind me killin’ orcs as we go. You two kin follow us this time.” He nodded to Malark and Lia. “There were more arrow loops this side, probably gonna be a longer passage, or a barracks even.”
“They will be ready.” Seraphina was chewing her lip, looking at the concealed door.
“Ay, lassie, they will be. And so are we. You an’ the elf keep the arrows flying, and I’ll be protectin’ ya both.”
“Only way is forward.” Adran sighed and drew an arrow.
Jarek hefted the shield and approached the door. “Ginnae see how ready these weedy gits are.” He traced the edge of the door, picking out the faint edge none of the others could see. He pushed a tiny bulge of rock, causing the door to click open. “Ready?” He pulled the door open, crouching behind the large shield.
They all waited, muscles tense, for missile fire to rain down on Jarek. No shouted curses. No arrows. Nothing but silence.
“Did they just flee?” Seraphina whispered, peeking around Jarek.
“Doubtful, lassie. Nay, they be hidin’ further on. Waiting for us to make a mistake. There will be stairs, like ‘en the other side. Be waitin’ beyond the stairs, they will.”
Jarek moved slowly, letting the others keep up. The tunnel made a hard left and climbed a short set of stairs.
“Told ye,” Jarek murmured. He took the steps one-by-one. Adran was just behind him, an arrow nocked and ready. Seraphina was between the two, using her small stature to best advantage. Malark pushed Lia forward, putting her between the others and his huge frame.
“Protect you,” he whisper-shouted.
Lia shook her head, her long hair flipping back and forth. Her shoulders shook as she stifled a laugh.
The instant they crested the stairs, arrows started flying. Some shots peppered the shield, others bounced off the walls, or skipped of the flagstones. Seraphina narrowly dodged on they sparked off the tunnel wall and sailed past her. She and Adran returned fire the best they could. These orcs were canny, shooting around corners and ducking back to reload. The had a large, square room to hide in. Across the chamber was a tunnel, and closer to the stairs was an alcove. Arrow loops were carved in several places, all dwarf-height.
Jarek stopped and backed up when an orc to his right hit him with an arrow.
“Moradin’s hairy arse… Jarek ye orcwit…” He grunted in pain, reaching to yank the arrow free. “Shootin’ from three places, they are.”
“We can’t stay here!” Adran raised up and fired off another arrow. “They could surround us!”
“I cannae block from all sides, elf!”
Lia slipped up and hurled one of the glass vials she took from the dead shaman. Plucking out the other, she hurled that one, also. Both shattered on the stone floor, spreading fire and smoke.
“Go, dwarf! Go!” She shouted. “While they are distracted!”
Jarek plowed forward, waiting for another arrow from the archer to their right. Lia turned the corner and shot the hidden orc with her crossbow, then drew her dagger and charged. Malark pushed past the others. Leaping over the flames, looking for something to fight. A pair of arrows shot from the tunnel across the chamber. One skipped off his shoulder, leaving a slight cut, the other solidly hitting him in the chest. Roaring, Malark charged after his assailants. Jarek pushed towards the alcove, forcing the orcs to hide from Adran and Seraphina. Rounding the corner, they both quickly dispatched the hidden orcs with a pair of arrows each. Jarek dropped the shield and charge to Lia’s aid. She was wrestling with the orc, hands on its sheathed blade, trying to keep it from drawing its weapon. Jarek howled a litany of curses and smashed the orc in the face with a brutal punch.
“I got this one, lassie. Ol’ Jarek has somethin’ for these Beldarakin noror!” Swinging his hammer, Jarek pummeled the orc, breaking bones and crushing the life out of it. “Be after the big man!” He called out as he dealt death.
Lia chased after Malark, igniting flames in her hands. She found him in a small chamber at the end of a hall. A door that seemed a part of the wall stood partially open, like someone had been in a hurry to flee.
“Did one get away?” She crept up to the door, listening carefully.
Malark shrugged. “Not know. Killed two.”
Lia looked back up the hall, then through the narrow gap. One of the orcs lay dead near the larger archer’s post. The other was nearly to this smaller room with the concealed door. “Looks like they were fleeing. I can’t see much of what lies beyond. A tunnel maybe.”
The others joined them after a few minutes.
“I got one more out on the ledge. There were two, but the other took off, around that turn we hid behind.” Seraphina was matter-of-fact, not taking joy in dealing death, even to orcs.
“They didn’t expect to be fired on from inside the hold.”
“They did not. Lia, what are you looking at?”
“A concealed door. If it was closed, I would not have noticed it. The orcs are helpfully careless.”
“First rule of manning a fortress. Keep the doors closed and locked.” Jarek examined the door and the surrounding wall.
“Even in times of peace?” Adran watched Jarek, his eyes following the dwarf’s nimble fingers.
“Especially in times of peace, elf. Your enemies expect you to get careless when your guard is down. We dwarves have learned our lessons. There is no peace anymore.”
Adran’s shoulders slumped. Despite his abilities at dealing death, he was not a fan of conflict. The dwarven way of war was not his way. “Surely there can be lasting peace?”
“Nay, laddie.” Jarek turned and fixed his gaze on Adran. “Not unless all the greenskins in the world took their last breath, and all the things in the Deep joined them in death. Even then, there would still be dragons and all the threats of the wild.”
Lia arched her eyebrows, eyes to the ceiling, as she shook her head. Finally looking at Jarek she asked, “Through the door?”
“Seems we have to. Both archer posts are clear, and I cut the bridge.”
“You what?” Lia’s voice pitched up. “The big guy asked me if he could cut the bridge, and I didn’t let him. Then you went and did it anyway. What if that is the only way across that chasm?”
“T’won’t be, lassie.”
“How do you know?”
“No dwarven fast would have a single path to the front gate. We always provide a back way to reinforce the gate.”
“Always?”
“Always.”
“Every dwarven hold?”
“Aye’ lassie, always. Second rule of defending a hold. Don’t lose access to the gate.”
Adran shook his head. Lia rolled her eyes and loaded her crossbow, not looking at Jarek. Malark was watching them talk, keeping out of it. Seraphina nodded.
“Makes sense, Mr. Jarek. What if the bridge had to be cut and there was no time to rebuild it? Wouldn’t you want to be able to flee if you needed to?”
Jarek stifled a laugh, his eye to the narrow crack. “Flee? No, lassie. Not to flee, to attack from behind the invaders!”
“Well, that too!” She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. Her wrist was bound in a leather brace carefully carved with intricate designs and mounting silver hardware.
“Moradin’s hammer! Is that a…?” Jarek gushed. “Kin I take a look at yer bracer?”
Seraphina shrugged and started to take it off. “You never noticed them before?”
“Nay, I dint. Keep it on. Just…” He took her forearm carefully and inspected it closely, his nose almost touching the leather. “It is. It truly is. You have a fine pair of bracers, lassie. Fine indeed. Magic, they are. Did ye know that?”
“I guess?”
“You guess?” He snickered. “These are examples of the finest artisans in the world. Yer bracers are elven-made, methinks. We dwarves make a fair few ourselves. Ye ne’er noticed how ye kin shooting better while wearin’ ‘em?”
“I guess. I mean, yes. It’s just been so long I have had them, that I never really think about them. My Auntie Zennys gave them to me years ago. Said they were special. They are pretty, so I wear them all the time.”
“Pretty they are, and potent. Gives ye an edge, lassie.” He patted the bracer softly and let go. “A fine piece of craftsmanship. Even for an elf.” He winked at Serphina and turned back to the door. “Now, lets see where this goes.”
“Malark thinks one orc got away. Slipped through this door.” Lia had her hand on the door to keep Jarek from throwing it open.
“So?”
“So, we should be cautious.”
“Aye, lassie. We kin be cautious.”
She let go of the door, and Jarek pulled it open a little more, peering through the gap.
“A tunnel. And steps down, I think.” He pushed it open even more, and stepped into the narrow tunnel. “Aye, there are steps. And another door. I kin see light.”
“No way they are not waiting.” Adran was pacing.
“If one of them fled through, they are probably arousing the rest of the hold. All the other orcs.”
“Hopefully.” Jarek let his hammer smack into his palm.
“We still have no idea how many orcs are holed up here!” Adran was stern, staring at Jarek. “So far, we have gotten lucky, we have faced them in small groups. If they gather in strength, we won’t be so lucky.”
“Which is why we cannae waste time discussing it. Keep the pressure on them, so they kint gather.” Jarek turned and stomped down the stairs. “Stay if ye want, Elf, this dwarf is killin’ orcs t’day.”
Light flooded the narrow passage when Jarek flung open another door.
“Come on ye ruddy orcs! Come and meet yer doom ye Beldarakin! Come and die!”
“We can’t leave him!” Seraphina was pleading.
Malark pushed through their group, chasing after the dwarf, laughing his crazy laugh, and howling in battle-lust.
“Great. Now they are both fired up. We better get after them.” Lia shook her head, hefting her crossbow in one hand and throwing her other hand out, flames lighting over her palm and fingers. She ran after Malark, leaping down the stairs.
Seraphina looked up at Adran. “I’m going. Stay if you want, we can’t abandon him. Even if he is a bit of a crazy.”
“A bit? That dwarf has a death wish.”
Seraphina shrugged and turned to run after the others. She hopped down the stairs, taking them two at a time. Adran sighed, then pulled an arrow from his quiver and ran after the others.
War Across the Ages, and other dark horrors 