An Ancient Truth
Copyright© 2026 by Asa Strong
Chapter 15
Gait had been gone for two weeks, and I was becoming somewhat worried. After we had finally talked with Tag’ar’s captain, we had decided on three search parties. Gait would lead one, directly to the west of the Cavern; Saraid would lead another that would try to find out where the orcs might have gone by backtracking them from our last encounter. I had taken the third party and searched towards the northwest. Both Saraid and I had returned to the Cavern without much in the way of further knowledge of where the orcs had gone. Saraid reported that there were so many orc tracks leaving from our last battle site that it was impossible to know which way any of them had finally headed. Now I was becoming concerned.
“You look worried,” Torg asked, as he came up behind me.
“Yes,” I answered, “we have been back now for three days, and Saraid returned yesterday. Gait should have returned by now as well.”
Torg nodded, “What you say is true. But Gait is not so easily trapped, and besides, it is a very difficult journey west, into the land of the humans.”
I had heard before that there were humans to the west of the cavern. I also knew from the many references in the scrolls in the crystal cave that they had been driven west, through the Dragon’s Teeth, by the orcs a long time ago. However, other than that limited information, I knew very little else.
As I was pondering this, Saraid joined us. “Have you any word from my husband?” she asked.
I shook my head, “No—nothing at all.”
I could tell by the look on her face that she was worried.
“Saraid, I’m worried also. If we don’t hear anything from him by tomorrow, I’ll send another scouting party in search of him.”
She nodded, but I could see it did little to ease her worry.
By the look in Torg’s eyes, who now stood beside Saraid, my words were not that reassuring to him either. But as he had mentioned earlier, Gait was an enterprising fellow.
By noon the next day, I had started forming a party to go in search of Gait. It turned out not to be necessary. Just as we were getting ready to mount, Gait and the four scouts that accompanied him arrived.
“Donta, we have trouble!” He blurted out, as he bounded off his mount.
Regardless of the relief I felt with his safe arrival, I could tell from his demeanor that this was something serious.
“Explain, please.” I asked.
Gait took a deep breath and then started in with his report:
“We traveled for six days west without any sign of the enemy. On the seventh day, during the early afternoon, we found a large track where many orcs had passed. For two days we followed it west. Eventually, we crossed a small mountain range into a lush, green valley. Before us was a most terrible sight. The entire valley, as far as we could see, had been ravaged. Farms and villages had been burnt to the ground, farm animals slaughtered for no reason and left to bloat in the sun.”
His words shocked me, but I could tell that there was more.
“There is more,” I asked?
Gait nodded his head, “Yes, much more. We followed the horde of orcs westward and finally caught up with them on the far side of the valley. There were many thousands of them and they were in the process of attacking a large town. The town was very well fortified, and I could see from the hill to the east, where we were observing, that it would be difficult for the orcs to conquer.”
Saraid arrived and Gait ceased his tale long enough to give her a squeeze and a hug. After she had collected a kiss from him, he continued on.
“We watched for two days, and the orcs were taking terrible casualties. But, I could tell that they were also being reinforced as well. More orc troops were arriving every day. It was plain that the orcs would be able to eventually win. There were just too many of them.
“The commander of the village must have realized that as well. The next day, at the crack of dawn, a large mounted troop sallied forth, followed by a huge number of wagons. The mounted troops caught the orcs by surprise and cut them down like dogs. They managed to mow their way through the orcs and make way for the wagons to follow.”
Sometime during Gait’s discourse, Tag’ar arrived. I had not seen him, and he startled me when he asked, “Did they manage to break the orcs?”
Gait also must not have noticed Tag’ar’s arrival; he looked startled, but replied, “Yes, at first. The wagons, full of women and children, passed through and then the men closed ranks after they passed.”
“You said, at first. What do you mean?” Tag’ar asked.
Gait took a deep breath, and then said, “It took the orcs about a half hour to regroup. By that time, the men had a good defensive rear guard in place, but the orcs finally managed to pursue them. When we finally made it to where the humans were in retreat, they were fully engaged in defending their rear. We helped, but it was a moving fight that lasted until the sun went down.”
“Where are they now?” I asked.
“We stayed with them for two days, but Kavin, who is the Lord of the village and surrounding area, asked us to come to the cavern for help. We left them three days ago and have rested very little on the trip here.”
“How are they managing?” Tag’ar asked.
“They are becoming very tired. The orcs push hard during the daylight hours; only retreating when the sun sets.”
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