Guards were posted, fires lit in the twilight. The group settled down for the night just north of the great east road.
In the Dawn, the camp began to stir, bones creaking, coughing fits, hardly giving the impression of an elite fighting force. After they had broken fast, Donhelm once more gave a blast on his horn and slowly, they packed up and were on their way once more.
In the crisp morning, the world seemed without care or shadow.One of the dwarves began to sing a bright travelling song, which was soon picked up by his companions.after a few miles, the journey became far more pleasant as the sun rose steadily and the stunted bushes gave way to grassy plains. Over it all stood Amon-sul glistening like a pink jewel in the morning light.
“Glumhallow I have heard it named” Asulin said. He had been riding in the van and scouting ahead on occasion with a few hunters. “A sizable camp Donhelm, we saw Orcs in number. Archers mostly with a few larger armoured types. Fell looking creatures who moved about the area with the confidence of victory. They must have taken the area recently for they were not reported here last time I passed two months ago”
Donhelm nodded and scratched his beard. Battle would come quicker than he had hoped, for a few skirmishes would have been better to blood the group as a whole, but no matter, this is what they had set out to do..that and to find Mugendo. They would strike a blow at Glumhallow.
The Orc camp was situated in a deep semi circular valley with its back to a rock wall. A site poorly chosen for defence, and Donhelm smiled grimly as he peeked over the rim at the camp. He slithered backwards on his belly some yards and then stood, out of sight to the orcs below.Already he felt the blood rise and the stomach flutter with the anticipation of battle. He walked back to where the others waited and grinned.
“the gods smile on us” he proclaimed. “few guards are posted, there are no buildings to speak of..only rough tents. There will be nowhere to run or hide for these filthy vermin!”
They went over the plan twice and when all were in agreement, silent signals were conveyed throughout the group who strung themselves all along the rim of the small valley. The dwarves had trotted to the far side of the rim, well away from Donhelms group and he watched as they sat in anticipation of his signal. No horn would be used this time, instead, a banner would be waved to signal the start of the killing.
Minutes passed in silence.the rough voices of the Orcs below carried to the waiting warriors. When at last he was sure that all were ready, Donhelm turned and nodded.
The banner was lifted and waved quickly. They stood, breathed, and ran…
The first thing that struck Donhelm was not his own laboured breathing, but the speed of the dwarves on the far side. Before he had even made it halfway to the camp, he could see the dwarves already inside the eastern palisade, axes flying, and shouts of “Baruk- Khazad!” piercing the air. His only thought was that there would be none left to kill for his party, but he needn’t have worried.Orcs poured forth from the entrance to his front and suddenly Remis appeared on his left, screaming like a wraith and Asulin on his right shouting curses in his native tongue, which to Donhelms ears sounded very fierce indeed.
Now the rage was on him! The blood pounded through him and he laughed as he met the first of his enemy, sidestepping its clumsy attack with ease and bringing his sword across, releasing its head from neck with ease. “should I take the ears?” He thought, and laughed a great laugh, drawing looks from those closest to him in the fray.
All was in perfect unison! Wherever he turned, staff, sword,Javelin,axe and bow worked in harmony and he felt fiercely proud of his companions. And then it was done. Tents burned from overturned campfires, dark bodies littered the field. Victory! Hopefully the first of many! Donhelm wanted to sit down there and then and compose a letter to Cymaru, informing her of this feat, but the blood still coursed through him, and he could not keep his hands from shaking.
Someone brought an ale and he drank deeply. Oh the joyous taste of it! They would not be stopped on this journey, they were invincible! A cough behind him made Donhelm turn. There in bloodsoaked armour stood Madeiel, her shield sticky with gore..within her helmet, Donhelm could see her eyes wide. Madeiel had been another caravan veteran, she had protected it as far as Enedwaith with no real concerns, but something had clearly affected her in this battle.
“Maddy?” he said, watching her lift of her helmet to reveal a pale young face. “Maddy are you wounded?”
She shook her head
“then what ails you?”
She lay her shield on the grass and sat beside it, rubbing her eyes then putting her fingers through her hair to loosen it.
“It spoke to me” she said simply
“it?..what spoke to you?”
“The last Orc I killed..it laughed and spoke before I despatched it”
Donhelm had never heard of an Orc speaking the common tongue and he listened as Maddy continued.
“As I brought my javelin back to finish it..it laughed Donhelm! it laughed and I paused!..then it said to me..as clearly as you speak now..it said..Mugendo is dead!
Donhelm took this news like a blow.All the strength fled from his legs and he sank to his knees.His mind raced, thoughts tumbling over each other..how did the Orc know who they were looking for? Was this a trick to put them off the scent? Had Maddy misunderstood its guttural language and formed the words in her own mind?
For long moments he said nothing, trying to make sense of the news, and then at last he raised his head and looked at Madeiel.
“You heard nothing!”
“Donhelm?” she looked at him
“You heard nothing Maddy, it was a trick of the mind..speak not of this again! Promise me on your oath!”
She nodded slowly. “But I heard…”
“PROMISE ME!” The raised voice stopped Bob in his tracks just as he was approaching.
She quailed before his anger..”I..i promise!”
Donhelm stood and walked away.He didn’t see Madeiel weeping when Bob sat beside her.
He would not believe the twisted words of one foul Orc, but still the question remained as to how the object of their search had been passed to the enemy.
Donhelm would have to think long and hard, but for now,It was time to ascend Amon-Sul
