Page 131 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
Our infantry moves forward towards Tavan without delay. The first thing I glimpse as we near the fortress are the bodies of dwarves, elves, fae, and orcs hanging over the battlement. Svenn had warned me of this, and yet my heart seizes from the horrific sight.
I take a deep, steadying breath. There’s no time for fear. Not until this battle is over.
“The leader of the orc rebels is a cousin of Akaloth,” Lord Wesley informs with a frozen calmness. “He refuses to meet us for any armistice. This is it, Your Highness.”
I glance at the aforementioned orc. Once, the male with the short-cropped black hair might have been handsome, but the Asterdust has turned him into something else entirely. He hardly resembles an orc with that bulk of muscles and bulging eyes. An army of a thousand strong stands beside him. More behind the gray walls of the fortress.
The leader stays at the head of their line, a mocking smile on his face.
“We have you surrounded,” I shout, mustering whatever grace that I can. “Surrender the fortress and we will leave you to your king’s judgement. Not a single person has to die today.”
I know he can hear me with his advanced hearing. There is a desperate, fledging hope in my chest that the orc rebels will accept this parlay.
He gives me a laughter that rakes talons and claws on my skin. “The first to take the elven bitch’s head wins a place at my table.”
“It’s no use talking to them,” Lord Wesley says, his face drawn and steady. “Take formation!”
I retreat with Shade to take my place beside the Mhlaryan elves in the middle flank. I make sure the enemies can see me parading around on my handsome steed in the wide, open field. They need to know they can have me if they want to because that’s what I am.
A bait.
Bone drums pound as the enemies advance towards us, more and more of them are revealed as they depart from the sturdy walls of Tawan. The beat goes faster the moment they sprint towards us at an insane speed. They’re drug crazed from the Asterdust.
The horde of orcs descends upon us like wolves. My heart is pounding in my chest as I wait for their arrival with bated breath. I take one glance at the Silver Stag of the East to draw courage. My uncle’s face is unmoving as he stands on the front lines. His Grimsbanes are primed to attack, eager to spill blood.
I draw out my sword from its sheath. I need to be ready too. General Raleich’s army suddenly charges towards the behemoth fortress without warning.
What are they doing? That’s not part of the plan.
“Come back!” Wesley screams to him, but the general keeps advancing forward with his mounted knights behind him. My heart crumbles. I know not everyone will believe in my battle plan. This is why I wanted Rainer to be the one who suggested it.
Some of the orkan warriors flee at the formidable sight of the brave elven cavalry. General Raleich’s cuirassiers break through the enemy line easily with their fast steeds. They reach the thick wall in no time. I recall the general’s words during our covenant yesterday.‘The rebel orcs are disorganized without a proper army. If a lone vampire can breach the fortress, imagine what an advance army of three hundred can do.’
Their Tluryan elves have created a lightweight drilling ram. Raleich’s knight sets the equipment quickly over the steel gatesof Tavan. But try as they might could not break the gargantuan door and thick walls.
Heavens help us.I told them what Svenn had revealed to me. The walls are dwarven made. They will never fall.
“Help!”
Raleich and his soldiers are surrounded by the enemy now. Shade canters his horse next to mine, grappling my reins. “Don’t go. It’s too late for them. They made their choices.”
My heart tugs as I look at the knights and horses perishing at the skillful hands of the drug-crazed orcs.
“I have a person waiting for me to come home to in Tiamat.” The assassin grips my hand, drawing my attention to his eyes once again. “You have someone like that too, right?”
My breath catches at the question.
I’m going to come home to Svenn. I promised him earlier.
This morning will not be the last time I saw my husband. I give the assassin a small nod.
“Then stick to your plan, Queen of Aelfheim,” Shade mutters sharply. “See this through until the end.”
Concencrated and blessed arrows shoot from the Mhlaryan elves’ bow. Some bounce off the orkan’s heavy shield, some find their mark, sundering flesh and bone. The horde of orcs continue marching towards us, the ones on horseback leading the charge. I brace myself for the impact.
Most of the drug crazed orcs are carrying bones as necklaces. Elven bones. Bile burns the back of my throat at the sight of them. If I die today, my body will not be ritually buried in peace in the crypts below Aelfheim. It will be devoured by these beasts or used as a trophy.
These are no longer the proud orcs of Myrkheim. I draw my sword and rid my heart of any doubt.
