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But, he had a sound mind for fairness and truth, which made him a popular choice for the role of sheriff. Especially in a village where the most significant disturbances usually stemmed from a disagreement over land or crop rights.

As soon as Tobias waved his hand to open a gate in the bramble wall that protected the ranger village. Kender came rushing in, breathing hard and begging for help.

“Calm down, Kender, what is going on?” Tobias asked, grasping the man's shoulder and turning him to look him in the face. He could clearly see Kender was frightened and more than a little shaken. He also, for the first time, noticed the blood that splattered the sheriff’s clothing.

“Orcs!” was all the poor man could manage as he leaned over to catch his breath and try to steady himself.

“What Orcs?” Tobias asked calmly. The sheriff raised back up, and a look of terror crossed his face.

“They carried a stuffed boars head as their tribe banner is all I know.” Kender said, still breathing heavily.

“God, preserve us, they killed most of the villagers and scattered the rest fleeing into the forest. They took no prisoners; they just killed any who were in their way.”

Tobias turned to Decker, a look of anger and disgust on his face.

“Black Boar Orc’s,” He spit the words as if they left a bad taste in his mouth.

“But why would they attack a defenseless village? If they weren’t after slaves or supplies, it makes no sense.” Decker said, pondering the sheriff’s news.

“Because they are vicious, that’s why. Orcs’ care nothing for life or spoils. Their sole purpose seems to be the conquest itself. I would have thought after the thrashing they took from us last winter, they would have returned to the Dread Wastes in search of easier targets.” Tobias turned back to Kender and gripped his shoulders tightly.

“Don’t worry, Kender, we will do all we can to see they are run from your village. As well as locate and help any who may have survived their assault.

“Decker gather a few men and search the forest. If anyone is lost out there, they will need to be found before they run into more danger. I will take the rest with me and see that those damned Orcs pay for this chaos.”

Decker couldn’t help but feel there was more to this than a simple attack on a village. Still, Tobias was right. The forest was no place for farmers and villagers, especially at night. He rushed off to gather help for his search while Tobias escorted Kender to the main house for treatment and rest.

“I will leave you here with Sagina. She’ll look after your wounds and prepare for others who may need a healer.

“Thank you, Tobias, I knew the Thorn Callers wouldn’t let us down.

“Don’t thank me yet, there's still the matter of saving your village. If there is anything left to save.” He said, shaking his head.

His words caused Kender to stop in his tracks in fear. He hadn’t considered they might destroy the entire village. As that fear gripped at him, he hurried to catch up with Tobias and enter the main house.

Inside, Tobias called quietly for Sagina. Not wishing to disturb Maximillian from his rest, which was becoming ever more difficult for him to do comfortably. Mainly because of the pain the poison caused.

He informed Sagina of what was happening then turned to head back into the village. He needed to rally the rangers he would need for the fight ahead. And he had no doubt a fight is what would occur if the Orcs were still at the village. They may be raiders and bandits, but if Orcs know anything, its war.

To an Orc, every battle is a war, whether it’s against one foe or thousands. They live for it, out of a twisted belief that the only honor worth having comes from bloodshed.

Tobias shook his head with contempt. If it was a fight they were after, he would be glad to oblige them. Especially after what had been done to Max.

He had been itching for a chance to get a little payback, and it didn’t matter if the Orcs were to blame or not. Only that they presented the opportunity he wanted.

He thought suddenly of Rone, who was supposed to be going to Grey ridge on his way to the city. He wondered why he did not send word of the fire? They wouldn’t have known it even happened, had it not been for Dirk Bansal spying the smoke while on patrol. Dirk may be the oldest of the Thorn Callers, but he knows more about Agnar forest than anyone.

He was still wondering about Rone when Decker came riding up.

“I’ve gathered enough to search the forest and told the rest to meet you at the stables. They know already they ride for a possible fight. Remain safe brother and bring justice to those who upset the balance of our forest.”

With that, Decker and those with him rode from the village into the forest. Thrushwall was a good half-hour ride from Briarthorn, so Tobias hurried to the stables to meet up with his brothers.

All remaining rangers, except Sagina, were assembled at the stables. Kellett stood holding the reigns for his horse as well as Tobias’s. “Decker told you what has happened then?” He asked those waiting for him.

“He has,” Kellett replied.

“Then let us drive these Faespawn from our forest for good.” He said as he climbed into the saddle.

As the Rangers neared the village, they could see the night sky being lit up with the orange and red glow of flames. This only drove them to move faster, as they spurred their horses into full running gallops. The anger of one was shared by all those gathered. To attack a peaceful village without provocation was not honorable but cowardly, in the eyes of the Thorn Callers.

When the village came into view through the trees of Agnar, the Rangers felt their hearts sink in their chests. The entire town was burning. The homes, the crops, everything was engulfed in flames. That’s when the sickening smell filled their senses and threatened to cause them to vomit.

They immediately recognized it as burning flesh. The Orc’s were burning the villagers they had slain. Something that was considered appalling to many Mortalis.

While most Fae races believed in cremation as a final passage for the dead. Most humans preferred to be buried as a symbol of returning to Earthera’s beginnings.

As Tobias and his men entered the village, they could hear the chants of victory celebration from the Orcs. Who yet were unaware they had arrived. A quick assessment told Tobias they were sorely outnumbered. But, they had a job to do, and he was determined it would indeed be done. He hadn’t even climbed off his horse before he sent the first of his arrows flying.

It struck its mark, burying itself up to the feathers of its shaft in an Orc’s chest. He dropped dead before he even knew where it came from. The others all stopped their chanting and began to search for their attacker.

They had barely realized the Rangers were there when Kellett’s own bow began to hum with shots of his own. He may have been a Thorn Caller, but he was first and foremost a WaldFae. And if Wood-elves were to be known for anything, it was their incredible skills with a bow.

He had fired a half-dozen arrows before the others could fire two, and every one of them found their marks. With three sinking into the chest of a female warrior, while the other three each found separate targets. The Orcs, however, had recovered from their moment of surprise, and now are rushing towards the rangers in a death charge.

Their green and brown colored skin glistening in the firelight, as large chorded muscles flexed with the raising of their own weapons. None carried bows. Instead, they wielded massive battle axes, greatswords, and war hammers.