Page 41 of Orc's Pride
I’m cut off by another explosion, this one muchmuchcloser. I grab Gor and tackle him into the ground, nearly missing a large piece of rubble that comes flying at us and hitting the meeting’s building. Behind us, I hear some of my men curse.
Gor’s rolling up onto his feet before I have a chance to register what the fuck just happened.
“Oh gods, Pitha!”
I push myself up to, just in time to see orcs that I don’t recognize descend on the base. It’s chaos immediately, with weapons being drawn and battle cries being shouted out. My axe connects with a long sword, the metal on metal contact has my arms and shoulders vibrating from the force of it.
The strangers surround Gor and I from all sides, each of them taking turns swiping at us while more infantry races past us.
I don’t have time to shout over my shoulder at Dreft to order him into following after them, but trust that he has the foresight to do it anyway. I’m hammered away at by weapons swinging at me, all of which I narrowly avoid or get my axe clipped at with.
Who are these people? And why have they come to invade the base?
The last time I’d heard of outsiders invading a base, it was to raid one of the northern ones for supplies. But that had been years ago and we have never once turned away a hungry troop looking for shelter.
Gor and I cut through the line of orcs that seem to be never ending, both of us panting heavily by the time the last one drops at our feet. I kick one of their heads, seeing a clan insignia on the back of the collar—one that I don’t recognize.
“Where are they from?”
I shake my head. “No idea. Why would they attack us?”
“Food? Shelter?”
I shake my head again. It makes no sense. Why go out of the way in blowing up some buildings and not simply meet us at the front gate. An invasion like this is pre-planned, not something a troop of orcs who had stumbled upon the base would come up with out of desperation.
“Shit.” I spit out.
Gor turns to me. “What?”
“Dana.”
His face hardens. “Go find her, I’ll catch up with the guards to investigate this further.”
Just then, another explosion rocks the ground near us once more.
“Fuck!”
Gor shoves me. “Go!”
I don’t think twice before I turn around and run through the empty streets.
Rubble and broken pieces of building litter the walkways, making it almost impossible to get around without having to climb over everything. As I pass by some storefronts, I see terrified eyes peeking out from them.
It hurts not to stop and reassure them that I’ve got everything under control, but the truth is, I most certainly do not. Whatever this attack is, it’s way too pinpointed. Someone wants us dead.
Though, I can’t imagine what, other than dark elves.
But dark elves and orcs would never work together.
I climb over another pile of rubble and finally make it down my street. The dark cloud of smoke from the fire looms ahead, causing my heart to pick up speed.
Oh gods, what if that explosion had hurt Dana? What would I do if I found her corpse laying among the debris and rubble? I’d never forgive myself for it. Our last interaction having been some misunderstanding turned fight that we’d never gotten resolved.
No, I can’t think like that.
She has to be alright. I would accept nothing less.
Once I get up closer to the source of the fire, I see that it’s not my home but one a few doors down from mine.