Lord Marcello focused his attention on setting up a magical barrier as far out from the outer wall as possible so that the armies’ approach would be even further delayed. After he had finished with this task, he used his powers to enhance the integrity of the walls and all entryways. He then jumped down from the bulwark that was barely taller than he was and made his way back into the heart of the city. He had used a great deal of magic within a relatively short space of time once again and needed to rest. I hope that my efforts will be enough to delay those vile beasts from attacking long enough for me to regain my strength. He sat down in the king’s courtyard and leaned back against the fountain and began to sleep. It was an amazing sight to behold…a massive giant asleep in the midst of a full on battle. He had done his part; now it was up to the home guard and his siege warriors to fend off the seething mass of orcs while he regained his strength. He knew that doing so many complex spells so close together could kill him, so he was truly spent after his valiant efforts.
While the giant leader slept, his siege warriors killed thousands of orcs and injured numerous others. Dead bodies lay everywhere a short distance from the outer wall. Even with the persistent rain, the smell of the deceased was rank and fetid. After a few hours, the protective barrier that Marcello had created gave way and the huge ballistae moved into place. Even after suffering staggering losses, the orc armies continued to push so that they were close enough to begin using their siege weapons. Massive arrows the size of a small black oak began to whirl through the air. The outer wall was hit repeatedly with these flying battering rams, and cracks began to appear. The magical shielding was beginning to erode, and the bulwarks were beginning to crumble as a result of this weakening. Large numbers of orcs rushed forward at the site of the failing magic with their huge ladders in hand. They were going to scale the now-unprotected walls, and they were going to make the pointed-eared fairies pay for their losses. They had not been confident because of the unexpected use of magic by one of the giants, so they were ecstatic with the opportunity before them.
The southern wall was engulfed in a war of attrition over the next several days resulting in large numbers of orcs being killed or injured. The home guard was reduced to half their original numbers before their defenses gave way. The giants had suffered very few deaths and were the only reason why the southern part of the city was not yet overrun with the ugly brutes. Lord Marcello finally awoke from his slumber after four days and rejoined the battle. His return helped to push back the tide of orcs, and the wall was again enchanted with his protective magic, which prevented another breach for a time. The rains finally subsided, and the sky was blackened by the smoke from the forest burning in the southwestern part of the forest.
It was at this point that General Verandos appeared out of nowhere. He had been missing since arriving at the southern gates. He had been scouting in his bear form and had learned just how big this army was that was attacking them. He also learned of the source of the fire away in the south. He had returned on the fourth day when Lord Marcello had awakened from his rest. As he approached the wizard, he had a look on his face that did not hide the severity of their situation. Any news that this druid had was not good. The giant warlock looked down at his co-commander with a look of distress on his face. Marcello was not like other giants because of his magic capabilities and his inability to hide his emotions. He attributed the lack of control to his use of magic.
“What have you learned?” asked Marcello at once.
“There are three orc armies out there. I would have never thought that unity like this was possible with their kind. You have managed to put a dent in their numbers, but they are still over three hundred thousand strong,” reported the druid darkly.
“How have they managed to put that large of a force together?” asked the giant rhetorically. “They were supposed to be limited in size as punishment from the last war. What about the forest?”
“It appears that someone has set fire to it on purpose. They were trying to create a buffer between the armies of orcs and the Seda. At least, that is what I have deduced.”
“Is that all you were able to accomplish on your trek?” Marcello was a little perturbed about the current situation and immediately regretted his insinuation.
“I attacked several different areas of the rear, which helped slow their approach. I must say that your attack did more good than any of my efforts or the home guard for that matter. I salute you, master.” General Verandos snapped to and saluted Lord Marcello. The giant’s features eased, and a smile came across his face. It pleases me greatly that a druid recognizes my powers and respects them. We are going to get along just fine.
“Please go to your troops and reposition them. They have taken heavy losses and are a bit dejected. I think that the archers are crucial at this point because they can protect my siege warriors from attacks while they continue their aerial assault.”
“I will station my archers in a protective pattern around your soldiers. I will also try to inspire them to greater heights and encourage them to not give up hope.” General Verandos smiled warmly at Lord Marcello and hurried off to his carry out his various tasks.
As the druid made his way to the troops, he stopped on the main thoroughfare momentarily to see a massive number of elven troops heading his way. Once the people had heard that the warrior druid was leading their army, a large number of people volunteered for service. They all respected him and knew that the situation must be dire when a peaceful elf would lead an army. Verandos smiled inwardly at that shear number that had joined up. Lord Marcello would not question his friend’s use of time anymore. Before he went on his mission outside the walls, he had recruited several people to join his army. He had instructed them to be ready in three to five days and to meet him at the southern gates when they had gathered together everyone that they could muster. There were one hundred thousand elves in the army marching toward the orc armies. General Verandos looked over at his stunned counterpart and winked.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were recruiting?” boomed the giant’s voice, half irritated and half relieved. He always knew that the general would be the one to save the day, and this massive elven army was just what they needed.
Mistress Khalida
A beautiful guardian flew through the air with the grace and ease of an angel atop what looked like an eagle. She was on the guardian’s errand and would not fail to complete the tasks given to her. She was heading toward the north face of Mount Lamont to meet with someone very important. She knew that her master had already met with her quarry, but she was there to give special instructions to him. She was to inform this formidable ally to wait to intervene in the war, which was all but inevitable by now, until the very end. The guardian would call for him and his kind to get involved in a more direct way when the time was right. Khalida knew that the others had already spread out amongst the land because she had been receiving reports from them for weeks now. She knew that Mount Carrick was under attack as well as the Black Forest. She also knew that the battle for the Nairi Canyons was hot and getting worse with each passing moment. She even knew that there were two orc armies heading for Mount Adem. She was impressed that her spies had not become involved and had limited themselves to merely observing these events. She was especially impressed that the fire in the southwestern part of Renshaw had not goaded them into action.