CHAPTER 21

The Dragon Prince Radais and his guardsmen friends have traveled to the human and elf hybrid town of Vinestone via the Ways to aid the King Arthurian and the kingdom of Slahan against their orcish invaders. Our heroes were alarmed to learn the true scope of the threat, it wasn’t one warband threatening the kingdom but at least four: the venomous Spiderkin Clan, the thunderous Earthbinder Clan, the menacing Iron Monger Clan, and the devastating Sheriker Clan… now those very same ferocious forces are bearing down on our heroes in a surprise assault…

Vinestone with its Waygate is the last foothold into the kingdom, if the heroes are unable to hold the line here, then all shall be lost.

The hillside was so thick with orcs it appeared as if the land itself was a single writhing angry mass of green, red, and black. Master Hanover had been gravely mistaken, this was not a matter of hundreds of orcs but rather thousands perhaps even hundreds of thousands. Through his spyglass, Radias surveyed the opposing army. At the crest of the hill, the toxic green-skinned Spiderkin sat upon their horse-sized giant hairy spider mounts. Next to Spiderkin were the rust red metal skinned Iron Mongers each one stood at least eight feet tall and with a build like a wizard's tower. Yet neither clan seemed to be moving. Rather they simply stood and watched as the charcoal-skinned Shriekers ran down the hill like made men uttering their terrible howls. Likely the explosive Shriekers were to be set first to weaken the defenses and take down the outer city way to clear a path for the other warbands. Radais did not spot any of the gray-skinned Earthbinder clan. Perhaps they were on the other side of the hill?

Grantar was already barking orders. “Get the refugees that are still outside through the gates, and begin funneling the non-combatants through the Waygate.”

The Vinestone’s defenders elf and human alike marched forward to the city's walls as those that couldn’t fight were ushered across the bridge into the mage tower where the Waygate waited. The poor helpless refugees couldn’t even spare a moment to collect what meager possessions they managed to save when they fled their original homes, they merely got up and started running for safety.

“What’s the plan boss?” Zhanatos inquired as he drew Bloodraven and the Sword of the Prophesied Hero, one in each hand. Bloodraven was annoyed that the ‘blue-handled hussy’ was just part of the team now but longed for the taste of orc blood so he remained quiet.

“Got to the wall and help however you can, be ready to retreat when it is sounded,” Radais replied.

“What about you?” Larxened questioned. She didn’t like the idea of her charge being without at least one of his guardsmen. “Shouldn’t one of us stick with you just in case?”

“No… I’ll…” Radais sighed. “I’ll stay here and help Grantar oversee the battle.”

“Wait wait… you’re NOT fighting?” Zhanatos asked with a raised eyebrow. That wasn’t like the Dragon Prince at all, generally, he was a ‘lead from the front’ sort.

“What good would I do?” Radais asked rhetorically with a slight hint of annoyance. “The orcs are resistant to magic and even if they weren’t they WANT to catch fire so they can explode, so fire magic is out. My poison breaths will affect our soldiers just as much as it will the orcs so that’s too risky. I doubt my illusions would work, it's a whole army I can’t fool them all.”

“Yeah… you’re kind of completely pointless, right now! But I’m still glad you’re here!” Xion giggled, then let out a sharp embarrassed squeak as she slapped both hands over her mouth in embarrassment her eyes shot wide open, shocked by her own words. After a moment she loosened her grip, “I’m so sorry, my Prince! It's the positive karma, I can’t--” She felt another laugh coming on and clamped down on her mouth once more.

Radais let out a frustrated sigh but then nodded. “You’re not wrong though… go out there and do what you can. I’ll try to think of *something* I can do.” If only he wasn’t cursed! If he had his true dragon form he’d fly out over the orcs and paralyze all of them with his poisonous purple breath, but as a half-dragon sorcerer… right now the best thing he could do against an army of magic-resistant orcs was to stay out of the way.

“Well… you heard the Prince.” Zhanatos began forcing a chipper tone to his voice to help rally the others, “Let’s go slay some orcs!” He turned and charged towards the front. “The one with the lowest kill count has to make supper!” He declared.

“We are NOT having orc for dinner!” Larxene called as she chased after the berserker.

Xion hung back for the moment. She wanted to say something comforting to Radais, but she didn’t trust herself. Instead, she opted to give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

Radais smiled at her in a reassuring manner, “I'll be fine, just keep them safe.” He gestured with his head to indicate Zhanatos and Larxene.

Xion nodded in return then took off after her friends.

Radais followed Gantar to a command post set up near the bridge. The raised platform looked out over the sloped human side of the city to the walls and the orcs beyond. A perfect vantage point to watch over the battle. The first line of defense was already at work. Lines of archers and abjurationist were at the front of the wall. The protection casters used their magic to create a defensive wall around the refugees that were still coming in through the gate and to create walls like a fence across the hillside. The walls were slotted with holes which at first might have seemed like a mistake until the archers with flaming arrows began firing their barrages. The slotted walls created natural choke points where the Shrieker orc would all attempt to push through thus clustering them together. When the fire arrows hit the Shriekers would catch fire and explode, which while yes was their goal ultimately (the orcs themselves had archers lined up with arrows ready to be lighted) but their intent was to do so at the city wall. With the abjurationist holding them halfway up the hill, however, the exploding Shriekers only served to stall the enemy out. It was a brilliant tactic, the exact sort of thing Radias himself would have suggested, he was pleased to see Elderman Gantar had already devised and implemented such a plan.

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“Seems you already have some excellent defenses in place. Well done, Gantar.”

The wizened old elf nodded, “One must always be prepared. Prince of Dragons. Our defenses were created with layers in mind. First, we hold them at the city wall, should that fail we shall fall back across the bridge… preparations for its destruction have already been made.” He added with a pained tone.

It was a lovely bridge and had stood as a symbol of peace and unity for generations. It would be a shame to see it destroyed, but crossing the river without it would slow the orcs down considerably. “Alchemical explosive charges?” Radais guessed.

Gantar nodded, “Indeed you are correct. Once the bridge is destroyed our last rally point is the mage’s tower with the Waygate. Should the orcs reach it the tower shall be destroyed thus sealing off the entrance to the Ways. It will mean the end of Vinestone, but I would see my home destroyed rather than fall to the orcs.” His words were brave, but Radais could hear the underline dread beneath them.

The Prince thought of his own island being besieged by orcs. How would he keep his people safe? He couldn’t really, after all, Dragon Haven was their place of final respite. There would be nowhere else for dragonkin to flee should the island fall especially with the empire's machine assassins stalking the Ways.

Radais surveyed the orc army looking for any clues about their next move. As he scanned the line he noticed one particular orc. It stood out due to the fact it was at least ten feet tall. Taller than even the Spiderkin on their mounts. “What in the name of gods is that?” He asked aloud.

Gantar raised an eyebrow and approached the edge of the command post taking out his own spyglass and followed Radais’ gaze. He spotted the giant orc and then nodded grimly. “So the rumors are true then. Prince of dragons, that is the orc that has united so many others. I believe he is known as ‘Mahk the Undying’.

The two leaders watched as the massive Mahk marched along his front line barking orders in his native tongue. Each of his soldiers stood in perfect attention seemingly as if in awe of him. Orcs respected one thing, strength. If Mahk was able to command so much respect from his fellow orcs… enough to unite clans that would otherwise fight he must have been powerful indeed. “One arrow to the skull and we could end this right now,” Radais commented aloud.

At that very moment, Mahk the Undying turned towards Vinestone revealing the previously unseen left side of his face and the no less than seven arrows sticking out of the side his head right in his temple which should be one of the weaker parts of his skull.

“It would…” Gantar began with a stuttering surprise. “... it would appear others had that same notion, prince of dragons. It does not yet seem to have worked…”

Radais was awestruck as he zoomed in to get a closer look at Mahk. The arrows were real and their arrowheads were buried into his flesh. Some were fresh while others had been there for some time judging by the dried blood stains. That meant Mahk had been shot in the head REPEATEDLY and it bothered him so little he hadn’t even taken the effort to pluck them out. “It would seem… the name ‘Undying’ is quite apt.” If the only way to drive off the orcs was to kill their leader and said leader was apparently unkillable what was Radais to do then? There was also the question of how Mahk was unkillable. Powerful regeneration magic would allow one to suffer injuries such as his, but the orcs' magical resistance worked on ALL magic not just the harmful kind. It would take some source of healing magic beyond mortal keen to give an orc such regenerative prowess. What could it possibly be? Radais had a sinking feeling as he thought of the two depleted Dragon Gemstones in his possession.

At the wall…

The volleys of arrows from the orcs fell upon the city wall like hail in a once-per-century storm. The abjurationist couldn’t project their protective barriers outward to hold back the Shriekers and shield themselves at the same time, as such they were forced to rely upon others for their protection. Larxene and other casters with wind magic channeled their power to blow the arrows away. Zhanatos was out on the field escorting refugees into the city and battling any orcs that managed to slip through the abjurationists’ protective field. Xion was among the healers patching up anyone that was injured, her charged positive karma state helping to aid in recovery. It would seem that the battle was at a stalemate.

Back at the command post…

Something was off Radais could sense it. His enemies were not fools. They may have a lot of Shriekers but not an infinite amount. Even if they can reproduce via sporing it would take months. The current assault didn’t make sense… unless. He scanned around the town behind the city wall, and that was when he noticed the Earthbinder orcs emerging from the tunnel entrance that lead down into Vinestones mines. “The assault at the gate is a diversion!” He cried out. “They’re coming in through the mines!” That was why he hadn’t spotted any members of the Earthbinder clan earlier; they were busy tunneling through the ground!

“What? That’s impossible! Most of the mine walls are solid rock; they'd have to know the exact layout to tunnel in.” Gratar declared, but then noticed the orc flooding in through the mine entrance ready to attack the rear flank of Vinestone’s defenders.

Radais knew the enemy had caught them off guard. There wasn’t enough time to organize the defenders to block off the mine, not unless someone could hold them off. Without a moment’s hesitation, the Dragon Prince leaped over the edge of the command post and kicked off from the wall, and spread his wings to guild down, hoping that by the time his feet hit the dirt, he’d have come up with a plan.