Chapter 16

It was a relaxing time for all the party, particularly once the Elves got over their nervousness at being treated informally by Erren. Much was discussed by way of getting support for Darras with various tasks in various realms, though Annos was disappointed to learn that her magical ability could not be adapted to capture a shadow as she had no real talent in the ‘light magic’ that would be required.

“Your affinities are all based in wind magic; hence you were able to use air pressure to open the barrier in Thenarron,” Erren explained. “It requires a mighty effort to be sure, but it is limited for holding something for a length of time.”

“This is true,” Annos sighed.

“There will no doubt be other missions,” Erren sympathised. “I will be collecting various people to aid and assist Darras and your group will most certainly be involved, particularly in getting him swiftly across countries from their gateways.”

“We would be honoured,” Firios replied for all.

“What I need for you to do is to begin, along with the aid of my priest Harinas, to prepare your people for war.”

“With the shadows?” Tinara asked.

“No, that aspect is for my Darras,” Erren smiled. “That will be for other Realms affected by the shadows. It appears they are working towards weakening alliances and meddling in politics to both impoverish Kingdoms as well as cause a downturn in diplomatic restraint.”

“It’s small scale stuff at the moment,” Darras added. “They look to weaken nations through corruption and missteps. But we now know they have a plan, though sadly not what that plan is.”

“We will aid,” Firios replied firmly, the others showing their agreement. “Though why not speak to our Land-King?”

“He will be busy with diplomacy on a higher level than you,” Erren explained. “Your task will be preparing the people to support a war and not just them saying ‘it’s none of our concern’.”

“This we can do,” Tinara affirmed.

“Good. Now, dinner is ready, so come enjoy yourselves before you must go to begin your work for me,” Erren informed them with a smile of satisfaction.

Dinner was, as ever, a culinary masterpiece by Erren and the normally austere Elves enjoyed it a lot, eating and drinking their fill in a relaxed atmosphere with ‘their’ goddess.

“Will this be the only time we meet face to face, Wenderos?” Tinara asked Erren diffidently.

“If you aid Darras in a task, you can come here and I’ll heal your wounds and restore your spirits,” Erren replied with a smile, making Tinara relax and smile happily.

“I think we are blessed above all Elvenkind,” Firios added with a smile.

“Whilst I cannot interfere physically in your world, I can ensure those who help my agent are treated well in my world.”

“There will be others?”

“Yes. In Fordel, the Dryads are training a young Human in the art of light magic to enable him to bind a shadow,” Erren replied. “There will be others too, not just Elves and Humans.”

“Will we be expected to work with them?” Firios asked carefully.

“You may,” Erren nodded. “This may mean working with Dwarves, so be warned.”

“If they worship you, we will ... accommodate them,” he replied with a slight grimace.

“Good. I know it won’t be easy for you, or them, but these tasks will be important to me.”

“That is all the confirmation we need,” Firios declared. “When you set us a task, we will see it done; no matter with whom we must work alongside.”

“Good. Now relax,” Erren replied with a smile.

The Elves had returned home and Darras was assisting Erren to tidy up, something he knew she could do with her powers, but she did seem to enjoy being somewhat ‘domestic’, even if there was no need for her to use her powers.

“How serious is the situation, my Erren?” he finally asked.

“Far more serious than I thought when I first brought you here, my Darras,” she sighed. “The ability of the shadows to infiltrate society seems to have passed right under my gaze. They are far more entrenched than I thought, as well as working to some sort of plan, along with a very dangerous Ally.”

“Then it’s time to start taking the fight to them,” Darras stonily replied to her. “We also need to develop a weapon that your ordinary creations can use to cast a shadow out.”

“Not kill?” Erren asked with an amused smile, as Darras had expected, she’d understood his intent.

“I doubt they could,” Darras chuckled. “But they can possibly be blocked from possessing.”

“Hmm, I’ll look into it; though we first need a shadow to experiment on and Doriel’s man isn’t ready yet.”

“I’ve no doubt he’ll get there,” Darras nodded. “Now, where are you sending me next?”

“The Orcish plains. The Wasnich clan are being used to foment trouble over and above what is normal for Orcs,” Erren replied. “I suspect a shadow, maybe more than one though.”

“How do I get access to them?”

“They accept traders from Xallant. You’ll be able to join a party of them there.”

“Anything to be wary of?”

“Other than the fact that they are Orcs, ill-tempered and highly combative?”

“Yep,” Darras chuckled.

“They follow a code of hospitality, which means you should be fine within the trader group. However, straying outside the group on your own can be risky if you run across an Orc having a bad day.”

“Can I fight back?”

“Yes, though they are twice as strong as an average man, but you can use your quarterstaff.”

“If I kill one, will their family come after me?”

“No. It’s a society where an adult takes their chances. Though they do protect their women to a degree.”

“Not followers of you then?”

“Only peripherally. They worship Saltak, the god of the plains, though acknowledge me as his sister.”

“And your brother can’t control them?”

“Not really. A lot of what they do is kind of species related. So he just accepts their worship. He gave them the rules of hospitality and now lets them get on with things.”

“Not on your side then?” Darras asked.

“Neutral, though he is irritated by the shadows, I’m told.”

“Is it pointless relying on him then?” Darras chuckled.

“Only for the ones you’ve met here,” Erren giggled.

“Hmm, I’ll manage. When do you intend sending me?”

“In a couple of days. There’s a party leaving Dinone in Xallant then and will be escorted by the Orcs when it ventures into the plains.”

“Works for me,” Darras nodded.

A refreshed Darras stepped through the gateway into Dinone, the capital city of Xallant, toting a very heavy pack as well as a hand cart full of trading items in demand by the Orcs. Other than an entry fee, he wasn’t held up by other questions and was simply told where the trading party was as well as the fee for renting a wagon. Once there, he introduced himself to Pollo, the party leader, and set about loading the wagon assigned to him.

“Food’s part of the fee. If Orcs attack, feel free to defend yourself, you’ll be OK with our guards though,” he intoned as if giving the same speech had become rote.

“Any issues out there?” Darras asked.

“Just the usual crap,” he chuckled wryly. “Nothing special, but at least you asked, more than my usual charges ever have.”

“Seemed a sensible thing to ask,” Darras replied with a smile. “Only fools walk into danger unknowingly.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Pollo retorted and slapped Darras’s back. “I can see we’re going to get on.”

The wagon train moved out of Dinone and followed a well-maintained road through some low hills until it passed over a stout bridge across a broad river. Once there it pulled into an encampment and Darras was able to see an Orc for the first time.

He’d been warned by Erren to curb his speculation from the fairy tales of the Ostari, but was still surprised at the tall, well-muscled humanoids who were staying at the far end of the encampment and generally ignoring the wagon train. The Orcs’ skin tones varied from a light green to black and their facial features had an ape-like appearance with a broad jawline and just two slits for their nasal cavities, which appeared to be closable.

‘It’s to help cope with the spring pollen and summer dust, ’ Erren helpfully informed Darras.

“What are they riding?” Darras murmured.

‘Chelvaks, ’ Erren replied. ‘A type of warm-blooded lizard, far faster than a horse and a smoother ride for combat too.’

“Combat being those staff-slings they use?”

‘Yes, they are very proficient with them, though they aren’t as fast as you or any bowman, ’ Erren informed him.

“Elves firing from cover would massacre them,” Darras nodded.

‘Yes, though no Elvish Kingdom abuts the Orcish plains.’

“Pikes and archers, along with swordsmen to contain any breaches of a marching square,” Darras mused. “Knights for a counterattack if necessary, assuming they are disciplined enough.”

‘Interesting, ’ Erren giggled. ‘But we’re not here to discuss the downfall of the Orcish clans.’

“You never know,” Darras chuckled. “One day someone might unite them.”

‘True. I suspect my brother may plan this as the actions of the clans seem aimed at allowing a leader to arise, ’ Erren agreed.

“Seriously bad news for a Human Kingdom which thinks of them as savages.”

‘Yes. They also understand siege warfare, though rarely practice it. Hiding in a castle will not avail you if they trap you in it.’

“Starve them out whilst wrecking the infrastructure,” Darras nodded, knowing how the Trannish horse archers from the Ostari world had dominated warfare for nearly two centuries until the invention of gunpowder and cannons.

‘Yes. They would eventually be defeated, but would leave precious little of use behind them in their retreat to the plains.’

“You there, Human! Back to your kennel!” A guttural diatribe assailed Darras’s ears as an Orc took offence to his observing them.

“When I want the advice of a child, I’ll ask. Until then, hold your tongue, Orc!” Darras retorted, knowing showing weakness would only make things worse.

There was a roar of laughter from the Orcs observing as Darras had hit back perfectly and made the original commenter look foolish.

“Human scum! Know your place!” a reply came.

“Well, get down on your knees and kiss my foot, if you want that,” Darras chuckled, making the watching Orcs laugh even harder.

At this the Orc drew what to him was a knife, but to a Human was a short sword, and advanced on Darras, looking extremely angry and menacing. What happened next though brought snarls of admiration from the Orcs as Darras used his quarterstaff to first disarm the Orc and then, when he still advanced, land a series of blows upon him, knocking him senseless.