is now just a matter of time. When their strength fails, we will push through. And fail it will.”
Velixar waved his hand over his throat, casting the spell with but a thought. When he spoke, he spoke not to those around him but to the entire city.
“People of Neldar,” he said. “Your walls have fallen. Your last measures are failing. Your army has abandoned you to death. I am the word of Karak. I am his witness, his prophet, and his sword. Fall to your knees and worship the true god and you will live. Ashhur has not abandoned you, for you were never in his care. Cast aside your delusions. Worship Karak. Cry his name. Seek his forgiveness. If you do not, then you will die by the sword, and you will not rest. Your corpse will rise, and even in death you will serve. Choose, people of Neldar. Service in life, or service in death. You have no other choice.”
Velixar smiled and ended the spell.
“I have long waited to give that speech,” he said. “And it was as glorious as I had always hoped. Order Gumgog to bring his troops to the western gate. Our victory is near.”
A ntonil rushed up the steps of the castle. The guards stationed there threw open the door so he could enter. He marched down the carpeted hall, feeling a strange anger at the luxury around him. He was covered in blood, and his boots left red footprints across the carpet. He took off his helmet and held it in his hand. In his other hand he held the hilt of his sword as it swayed in its sheath. Sitting on his throne, still wearing the ungainly gold armor, waited King Edwin Vaelor of Neldar.
“Your highness,” Antonil said as he bowed on one knee. “We must get you to safety. The walls will soon be breached. There are tunnels to the forest, and from there we can flee to Felwood castle.”
At first Vaelor only stared at Antonil as if he were staring at a half-finished puzzle.
“You wish us to flee,” the king said at last. “You would let them plunder our city while we cowered in the woods. I will not be a beggar king. Lord Gandrem would sooner hold me prisoner and retake Neldar in his name after the orcs are slaughtered.”
Antonil felt his cheeks flush red. He could feel the heat of his anger baking off of him.
“It is either that or death, my lord,” he said.
“Is that a threat?” The king stood, towering over Antonil because of the raised platform his throne rest upon. “We will die fighting and in glory, not hiding. Is your spine so soft, you coward?”
At one time Antonil might have felt intimidated, but now he felt only fury.
“You bathe in scented oils and perfumes,” he said, rising to his feet. “I have bathed in the blood of my friends and foes, yet you call me a coward?”
“How dare you speak to me in such a manner!”
Antonil put his helmet back on his head and glared at the pathetic man before him.
“I will save as many lives as I can and then flee this city of tombs. I swore to protect Neldar, and so I shall.”
“Then you are a traitor to the crown,” King Vaelor shouted. “How dare you commit such treason?”
Antonil turned and pulled the crown from Vaelor’s head. In one smooth motion he placed it on the ground and then smashed it with his sword. Gems broke from the gold and rolled across the floor. He grabbed the king by the top of his armor and pulled him close so that he could smell the stink of blood on him.
“There is no crown,” Antonil said. “And the blame is yours.”
He stormed out of the castle. As he marched down the steps, the king rushed out, screaming at his guards.
“Seize him,” he shouted. “He is a traitor, a coward. I demand you execute him!”
Antonil stopped and glared at the two guards. They looked between one another, their swords wavering unsteady in their hands.
“I will not spare your lives,” Antonil said. “Lower your weapons.”
To the king’s horror they did as they were told and then joined Antonil in their march away from the castle. Vaelor returned inside, closing the giant doors on his own. It was the last time Antonil would ever see him.
T he priests’ shield was weakening. It no longer harmed those that struck it, so Trummug had every orc in his army hurling his weapon at the shimmering white magic. Velixar laughed, enjoying every second.
“Let the dead rise,” he whispered. Karak’s power flooded his being. He shouted out the words of his spell. Over a thousand dead bodies of orcs, hyena-men, and bird-men rose from the ground, held sway by his command. A chill swept through Qurrah at the sight.
“Beautiful,” Tessanna whispered.
In his joy, Velixar could wait no longer. A solid black beam shot from his hands and into the white shield, which flickered and bowed inward against the barrage. The ground shook as the priests’ last protection for the city broke. The orcs needed no command. Into the city they poured, where the priests waited. Their strength was spent. Their role was played. They raised their arms to the sky and let the axes fall, knowing the Golden Eternity waited for them.
Velixar gave his last warning to the city.
“Your walls are breached. Your city is lost. Come out of your homes and kneel. Cast aside your weapons, your faith, and your lives. Serve Karak as you were always meant to serve.”
The thousand undead shouted the name ‘Karak’ in perfect unison, the sound horrifying to every soul within the walls. Velixar cast one last spell on his orc army. They heard his voice in their ears, and the power of his command was great. Those that kneeled, lived. Those that did not, died. The orcs obeyed. The slaughter began. Those hiding behind locked doors and barred windows lived as long as the barricades held, which under the biting axes and raging muscle of the horde, was not long. In minutes, the entire west side of the city was filled with blood and the cries of the dying.
S hit,” Harruq said as he heard Velixar’s message. All around were the people of Neldar. They were terrified, and every one was filled with an instinct to flee. They had nowhere to go, no safe haven. And then they started kneeling. More than half cast down what meager weapons they had and kneeled. A few prayed. Others just waited for death.
“Cowards!” Harruq screamed to them. “Karak brings you nothing! He’s no savior. He doesn’t know mercy!”
“They’re just scared,” Aurelia said. “Put me down, Har.”
He did as he was told. The sight of so many on their knees filled his blood with anger. How many had died to protect their lives? Would they blaspheme against the sacrifice made for them by their worship of a death god?
“Aurry,” Harruq asked, “can you make my voice loud, like his?” He gestured west, toward the general direction Velixar’s voice had come.
“I can,” Tarlak said. “What you have in mind?”
“We go east,” he said. “And we go fast.”
He ran down the street, not caring if they caught up. His heart was racing. He could hear it throbbing in his ears. All about men, women, and children were opening their doors and kneeling. He wanted to shout and curse their names, but he did not. There were those loyal to Ashhur, he knew. He would call them to him. Those with the will to live. Those with the courage to fight.
Since the eastern side had no gate, and therefore no traffic, the more wealthy had built their homes within. Harruq watched as the homes grew nicer and the streets better cared for. At the end of the road he saw the wall, looming high above the homes. A glance behind him showed Tarlak and Aurelia both running after. When he reached the wall he stopped, not the least bit winded.
“Cast the spell,” he said. Tarlak glared, still trying to catch his breath. He put his hand on Harruq’s neck and then muttered the spell. The half-orc felt a tingle in his throat and assumed it ready. He sheathed his swords, cupped his hands to his mouth, and began shouting.
“People of Neldar! Come to the east gate! If you want to live, if you want to fight, then here is your salvation. Come east! Come east!”
He turned back to Tarlak and nodded. The mage snapped his fingers, ending the spell.
“So,” Harruq said. “You two ready to make us a gate?”
He backed away as the two casters put their hands upon the stone. They muttered amongst each other, picking a spell to cast in unison. When decided, they began. Words of magic flowed from their lips. The wall shook as invisible waves assaulted the stone. Harruq watched as Aurelia grimaced, pain etched on her every feature. His
