Chapter 11: Rescuing Elvin Rangers

It was two days later that we heard the sound of fighting. I wanted to have Ellie wait but she jumped from the wagon to the light dusting of snow. I tied the horses and pulled up my rifle as we moved forward. We came around a tree with drooping limbs to see a small clearing. In the center of the clearing were six men fighting back to back against five times as many orcs.

I knelt and started shooting while Ellie watched behind us. When I changed the magazine all the orcs were dead or dying. I stood and we moved forward, the men turned out to be elves and they were all wounded in one way or another. Ellie stayed and I went back to bring the wagon closer.

Ellie did what she could and we put the elves in the wagon before I led the horses back to the trail. As we walked I thought about the orcs. Ellie gestured to one side and I followed her lead and turned the horses. It was not long before we came to an old set of ruins. I took one look before working the wagon through into a walled courtyard.

I began setting up the camp as Ellie helped the elves out of the wagon. One of them glanced at me, “more orcs will come. That was only a small advance party.”

I looked at Ellie and started a fire, “Can your magic move the stones to seal the entrance into the courtyard?”

She stood and looked around, “they can still come over the walls.”

I smiled, “Let me worry about the walls.”

She smiled and did something that made her staff appear. A few minutes later the ground shook slightly and loose stones started flowing across the ground to fill the entrance. I unhitched the horses while she helped the rangers. There was a large tower in one corner with the top broken off and collapsed in on itself.

I checked it and there was no way in but through the one doorway. It was barely large enough to hold the horses and Ellie helped me move them in. There was one set of broken stairs on the wall by the entrance and I went up. After checking I returned and helped Ellie moved the elves to the doorway of the broken tower.

I nodded to the doorway, “When they start coming over the walls move in with the horses.”

I pulled out my pack and a few more magazines before moving back to the tower doorway and setting the pack down. I went back up on the wall and knelt to wait. Every time I glanced back Ellie was always watching. It was almost three hours before they surged out of the forest in one huge wave.

I did not even hesitate as I started firing. I went through four magazines before I turned to move down the stairs. I backed towards the tower as the orcs started coming over the wall. I started picking them off as fast as they appeared. I knelt when I reached the tower and continued to kill orcs.

Now they were dropping to the ground and rushed towards me. I was going through magazines quickly, one shot, one kill. Finally the slide locked back, I yanked the sling off and pulled my sword as I let the rifle drop. I moved forward into the rushing orcs and began killing them as I danced an unforgettable dance.

My world narrowed to slash, step, block, slide, lunge, whirl, cut, shift, stab, block, step ... It went on and on until there were no more orcs attacking. I sighed and knelt as the fatigue I had pushed away returned. Ellie was suddenly there and kneeling to hold me, “Are you hurt my love?”

I shook my head, “Just tired.”

An elf cleared his throat, “That was amazing human.”

I glanced at him as he leaned against another elf to stay on his feet. I looked at Ellie as Little One and Charles came from under the wagon, “I am afraid you will need to make camp without my help.”

She grinned, “I will manage.”

I groaned as I stood and moved to my pack and the dropped rifle. I pushed Little One away, “I am all bloody.”

She chirped and sat with her tail wrapped around her feet as if saying, “I will wait.”

I shook my head as I began picking up the dropped magazines. I walked to the wagon as the elves began the task of dragging the orcs to one side. Ellie pulled out supplies to fix dinner as I set the pack down and started undressing. Ellie gestured to one side, “Throw the clothes there and I will see if I can get the blood out.”

I nodded and finished before taking a clean rag that was offered. I used water from the barrel on the side of the wagon and started washing. One by one the elves moved to copy what I was doing. We were eating when something made me turn my head towards a wall. I rolled to my feet as my pistol came up and fired. The orc standing on the wall fall back.

I gestured to Ellie, “The tower now!”

I knelt to grab my rifle and backed towards the tower covering Ellie and the elves as they struggled towards the door. I held the rifle back to Ellie, “Hold this.”

I was carrying eight spare magazines for the pistol, each with ten rounds. We did not have long to wait as suddenly the orcs were spilling over the wall and rushing towards me. I made every shot count and went through the magazines quickly. The elves helped by using bows and even more orcs fell.

Finally there were only a couple left as the slide locked back and I dropped it into the holster and reached for my sword. I did not have to touch it as several arrows from the elves took the orcs. I was quiet as the dim light showed the carnage. I headed straight for the wagon and pulled out all the ammo I had as well as my old rifle and vest.