Steven Burke - The Fallen Guardian

Before Khalida could go on the offensive, he was gone. Who in the name of all that’s holy was that? Why would an elf attack me? Maybe that was one of the high elves. But why was he down by the water all by himself? We know that the orc and high elven armies are positioned in Nodin a few of miles east of here. After a few more moments of pondering what had just happened, she decided that she had better get across the river and get back to Landen as fast as possible. She needed to report to King Leroy about what she had learned and then inform him that the next major attack would likely come from the south.

She gently prodded Kuma with her mind to cross the bridge and to hurry as fast as she could along the base of the southern cliffs. As the bear began to pick up speed, she could hear a voice in her mind telling her to wait. She halted her bear midstride and whirled around to face the direction the familiar voice came from. It was Lord Neb who had called after her. She rode back to the edge of the water on the north side of the bridge they had just crossed. She hopped down lightly onto the ground and walked a few paces into the cool water.

“What news do you bring?”

“I have met with one of the druids. I was told that he was assisting the army of Aran by helping them to enter Landen through a secret passage. He, of course, made it clear that his kind still do not trust us after all these years. Also, Lady Hilzarie gave me some even more interesting information.” He went on to explain about the druid council and also told her what the druids had learned about Kana.

“Well, this is both good and bad news,” she replied slowly. “The good news is that the druids will help our allies fight this war. The bad news is that they will likely try to make us all out to be the source of evil in this violent affair.”

“What shall we do about it?”

“Nothing; let them do what they feel is best. They are wise enough not to make all of the guardians out to be villains. I am sure that Zaide knew that Kana was the only Elemental fighting against the peoples of Tuwa. It will be because of this knowledge that he and his kind will not stir up the people against the rest of us. He knows that we will be needed to put an end to Kana’s evil ways.”

“What do you think Kana is doing up in the north? We know that she has Lord Keb up there, but what else is she doing up there?”

“I fear that she has committed an unforgivable sin. Evil wraiths do not just float out of the north anymore. We took care of those spirits centuries ago. Someone has released them from their imprisonment, and we know that only one of the elder guardians could do that. I am afraid that she has gone and made a deal with the devil himself.”

“You think Kana released Drogan along with his horde of vile abominations? If this is true, then the druids and the rest of the races of Tuwa will never trust us again. There will be no winning this fight. Evil will run across these lands like my flood of Nairi. Do you think our master knows of this treachery?”

“I do not doubt that he does. He knows a great deal more than we are being told, but I am certain it is for the best. As for this war that is about to consume us all, I agree with your assessment of the situation. Unless we find a way of stopping a northern army, the people of Tuwa will perish…the good with the bad.”

“So you believe that there is very little hope then.” This was a statement rather than a question. They both knew that these tidings and deductions spelled the doom of Tuwa.

“If we can turn Kana from her evil ways, then we will have a chance. Remember, it took all seven of us to imprison those fowl creatures the last time. We need to get this information to the others as soon as possible. Neb, will you contact the others for me?”

“I will.”

“I must find our master and see if he already knows of this evil. Maybe he has a plan to turn the tide of this dreadful affair.”

They both quickly departed to carry out their tasks. Neb went in search of Hilzarie and Necia to give them the information they had just discussed. Khalida jumped onto Kuma and urged her to run as fast as she could. I must find my master, Kuma. You know what to do. The bear picked up the pace and headed north along the western cliffs.

Generals Tadok K’K and G’Dang approached Mount Adem with trepidation in their wretched hearts. Though many considered the orcs to be brainless, bloodthirsty beasts, they were actually among the more intelligent races of Tuwa. They did not have scholars or artisans, but they had some of the finest battle strategists. These two generals were among the most adept at planning tactics that would ensure them victory in almost any confrontation. However, King Kasim’s mountain kingdom provided several obstacles that were not easily overcome. The two massive armies made camp some ten miles northeast of the northern entrance to the dwarven fortress. They were still in the eaves of the forest, which afforded them protection from prying eyes. A patrol sent by the dwarves would be hard pressed to find the orcs because of their location. They were situated just south of the Seda’s domain, so that meant that none of the allies would be caught near their camp.

“G’Dang, we are going to have to make our move soon or else we will lose the element of surprise. If the Seda keep pestering us day in and day out, we will begin to have deserters,” boomed General Tadok K’K. He did not care for the spirit creatures, but he also knew that they did afford them a measure of protection from those that they were on their way to kill.

“Tadok K’K, you make a very good point. I think we should analyze the defenses of the dwarves and prepare the best possible strategy from what we do know about this mountain fortress. Of course, we will need several escape roots if the need should arise. General Magnar is the greatest warrior the dwarves have had in centuries. He has caused us much pain and loss during his regime. We cannot allow ourselves to underestimate the temerity of this little fellow,” replied General G’Dang.

“The first thing we need to account for is the hidden archers along that massive wall that surrounds the entire mountain. It is impossible to see them even in the daylight, so it would probably be better for us to attack during the night. This will not mitigate the damage they will inflict upon us, but we will have a better chance of gaining the tops of the walls with minimal losses. Once on top, we can systematically remove the long range threats.”

“Are you proposing to use the siege ladders only? What about constructing some siege towers? What about providing cover for our troops with our ballista’s?”

“The point of just using the siege ladders would be to make an approach that will give us a measure of stealth. We do not need to announce to the entire kingdom that we are on their doorstep. Plus, I do not believe that we should attack during the middle of the night. We should choreograph the attack so that it coincides with the sunrise. They would never suspect that from us. They think that we cannot stand the sunlight, but we will prove that they are wrong about that. Dead wrong.” Tadok K’K gave a short harsh laugh as he said this.

“What about their legendary secondary defense?” G’Dang asked this cautiously because of Tadok K’K notoriously short temperament.

“I do not believe they even exist, but if they do, we will be ready.”

“How will we do that? They say those creatures are impervious to pain?”

“Simple. We will remove their heads from their bodies like any other beast. We will not waste any arrows on those guard dogs because it would only irritate them. I am more concerned about the real defenses that lie behind the wall.”