The whistle pierced the night. G squad was the first to arrive at her position along with Bu Li sweating and a blushing Shiela. Astrid came with Bobby still adjusting his armor.
Konigsdottir helped the girl up "Where are the Orcs? How many?"
"Too many to count. We were out collecting glow berries when we it happened. Orcs and goblins attacked our village and the outlying farms. Purdy and I ran to fetch the watch here. I heard Purdy fall but I was scared. I just kept running." the girl cried.
"Astrid send up a flare." Bu Li commanded.
Astrid raised her hands skyward shouting "Hikari!" causing colored lights to flare up high in the sky like Roman candles.
The first of the Orcs came rushing from behind the girl eager to finish her off. They came unexpectedly to a sudden halt as Konigsdottir spit the first orc on her boar spear. The cross guard prevented
the orc from reaching her.
Konigsdottir pulled her spear free. Bobby used his warcry to taunt the next few orcs to exit the forest.
Bobby used his shield to bash the next orc. Astrid followed up with fire finger spell igniting the orcish oiled leather armor.
Bu Li shouted for them to fall back to the wall while Shiela shielded the heroes.
Zip bang! Zip bang! Spells attacked the orcs as the heroes retreated to the wall. Three orcs carrying staffs and feathered capes exited the canopy of trees.
"Orc mages" said Sheila. "Orcs carry cudgels, clubs and spears but only the mages were a cape of feathers" Shiela continued.
Several screaming villagers were brought before the orc mages to be sacrificed. Sharp stone knives cut down the villagers.
From the top of the wall the heroes saw the orc mages begin summoning their magic. Hands glowing white with power reached into the bloody villagers.
"Blood magic!" Astrid gasped. "The orcs are using the mana of those villagers blood!"
Having finished their spell the orc mages pointed to the gate. A flaming arrow shot from each of their fingers. The arrows shot into and through the gate leaving small holes in the reinforced gate. Again the orc mages dipped their hands into the dead villagers to repeat the spell.
Bu Li shouted. " A villager has a single mana point like Konigsdottir here. If they catch one of you heroes think of the spells those blood mages will wrought."
From the trees emerged a hundred orc warriors carrying spears and shields. These were followed by small goblin archers. Only there glowing eyes could be seen clearly by Konigsdottir. The skin of orcs and goblins wear near perfect camouflage at night with the woods behind them.
Konigsdottir began shivering.
" Blood magic and bone magic. Capturing any hero would bring those orc mages victory. A hero's blood would work several thousand times better than the average villager. With my blood they could rule the world" thought Konigsdottir.
Astrid looked over to Konigsdottir. "Hey there don't worry Bobby and I have been grinding levels with s** magic. You should see what I'm going to counter with!"
****
The orc commander looked to her minion. "Grupo is it confirmed the Lifestar is among these heroes?" She asked the small gray goblin.
"Yes Commander Tej. The Lifestar is among this group of young humans." Grupo said.
"Good. We will soon have the power to control the demon nation. " replied Commander Tej.
"Have the archers begin their barrage. After the second flight of arrows initiate the ground assault to attack the gate. The winged assault will begin after the fifth arrow barrage." Commander Tej said to his aide.
****
"Are these really orcs? Were they always this smart?" Bobby asked. He was pushing his shield against the remains of the gate while men and boys nailed more wood onto it.
After the spells bored holes in the gates the orcs attacked using their spears to chip away at the gate. The arrows raining down took out some of the carpenters.
"Two more groups of orcs were spotted North of our position. We're already outnumbered. We are going to retreat." Abe said.