We line up in front of a giant double-door gate. The chanting of the crowd rang heavy even behind the thick reinforced gate. An unnamed announcer gives an introduction to the next event. The cheering masses were still reeling from the previous morning's activities. I hear murmurs of our impending death from somewhere in front and behind. These were all warriors in some capacity. The Oromanians have an innate ability to pick out those with combat experience. Unlike the group, I was a part of yesterday. Our chances of survival were worlds apart compared to then. Assuming we worked together as a unit. We were at least close to fifty percent of a company's strength. As I was formulating a battle plan, the footsteps and chatting of more people came up behind our formation. Someone cursed, speaking of useless cannon fodder being added to our ranks. I turn to see just what the unseen person means. An equal-sized group to ours was waiting behind us. They were grossly underequipped. Behind them, I could barely make out an even less armed company. Mixing well-trained forces with inexperienced or civilian personnel is a recipe for disaster. This new element added an unnecessary dash of chaos to our side as a whole. Ballio put his hand on my shoulder.
"This is going to be an issue," Ballio stated.
"Sending us in with weaklings is inviting death for all of us," Sven muttered.
One of the team members in front of us spun around. A red-hair woman that could pass as an Amazonian of legend stares daggers into my eyes. Her blood-red eyes burned with ferocity. She has thick eyebrows, an upturned nose, high cheekbones, and heart-shaped lips. The woman's face was displeased by Sven's comments. She wore a red one-piece chest plate that resembled a leotard with a roman style skirt. Matching gauntlets and black armored knee-high leather boots. Her weapon of choice was a sword, shield, and spear. The vixen was tall but far from my level. Her long hair was braided into two ponytails with ornaments at each section.
"We should protect the weakest among our ranks if we are to survive this bout. Every sword will be needed for this event," the woman said in an Irish accent.
That was unsettling to hear. Leaving aside the woman's ability to understand Sven. The ginger vixen's statement implies that the opposing force is superior to ours. 'Was she speaking from experience or compassion?' I had to press this issue now while there was time to plan.
"Have you fought in this event before?" I asked.
"A week ago, yes. This is a popular event that is held every week. We're going up against prisoners of war from the frontlines. We will be outnumbered severely," the woman revealed.
The trio of women that made up her unit all wore a look of distress on their faces. Our morale could have been better, and we had yet to enter the field.
"My name is Adam Thomas. If we are going to survive this, we need to operate as a fighting force," I said.
"I am Ellisif Inna Uí Finn of the Alistriona Tribe, Clan Fionnuala," Ellisif said.
"Hmm, I'm Ballio Trebius, former High Preator of the Zyon Empire," Ballio stated.
"Tsk, how do you suggest we organize these helpless souls?" Sven snapped.
"That's Svan Vegeirsson, and I'm Grey Hawthorn. I'm sure we can devise a strategy to win," Grey said.
"These are my fellow clansmen, Frida Bóinn, Aslaug Isibéal, and Runa Agata. If you have a course of action, we will assist," Ellisif said.
"We will find out soon enough," Sven stated.
The tremendous heavy doors swung open with surprising speed. Rays of blinding sunlight bathed us all in a toasty wave. Someone at the front gave the order to march. As a group, we slowly jog into the grand arena to the distinct booing of the massive audience. I heard the announcer introduce us as the Golden Legionnaires of the Gormarian Empire. The opposing force was introduced as the Savage Tribes of Orcish invaders. Our mock castles sat in the center of the arena. Four other smaller forts were in either direction. One much larger Castle was placed near the opposite end of the field. We marched right into the open gate of the fort.
The walls were high, and the exterior had defensive fortification. I counted two entrances, one on the south and one on the north side. Inside were several buildings; besides that, there was nothing of use. The rest of the group dispersed around the inside. A tower was a part of the central structure where a silver flag was. It was placed on the roof of the building. Ballio and Grey had the same idea as me. Our two teams make our way to the tower. I get the first view of the battlefield. As I looked around all four forts, I saw green men I recognized as Orcs. Ellisif was right; we were outnumbered five to one. The opposing force was one close to seven hundred or more. I scout the last stronghold out. The flag there was gold, meaning that they were our enemy. These Orcs were just an obstacle to hinder us. To be sure, I scanned all four encampments and saw the flags were purple. Reaching the gold flag will be challenging, and we did not have the numbers to fight through the Orcs and assault the gold stronghold.
"So, what do you think?" Ballio asked.
"We need to get that flag once the fighting starts. These walls will hold for a few hours. The structure was meant to last only a short time. This is nothing but a game to the crowd. They expect a show and won't wait for the natural evolution of battles. Those Orcs will lay siege until they break our defenses or wear us down. Then the real opponent will march right in and take our flag," I explained.
"Then what do you suggest we do?" Sven said.
"A small unit strikes at the gold's base. See the position of their Castle? That means they can't see directly to the south of our location. They can only do that if they send scouts west and east. So the assault team will have to fight past the South enemies. Then travel along the arena wall until they are on the north side of the gold team's Castle," I explained.
"A bold plan, but that would require a distraction. Something to draw the enemy's attention," Ballio said.
"Leave that to me. We allow the Orcs to break the north gate. It will draw the gold force's attention. Maybe even trigger a counter-siege," Grey said.
"So, who goes on this strike force?" Ellisif asked.
"Me, Sven, Ellisif, and Aslaug will be the strike unit. Ballio will command the defense of our flag. Grey, Frida, and Runa will lead the distraction. Once we have the flag, we'll still need to fend off the siege. I don't expect the battle to stop just because we have the flag," I said.
"Why bring these two women with us? You and I can handle this alone," Sven stated.
The Viking referred to Aslaug, a blonde-haired, green-eyed vixen part of Ellisif's clan and tribe. Of the four women, she was the tallest and fastest. Aslaug's hair is braided into a long single ponytail. Her angled eyes, plump lips, feminine nose, and high cheekbones gave her a stunningly beautiful appearance. Like her comrades, she wore a matching outfit. I picked her because of her weapon, a two-handed halberd. We'd need weapons with reach for our defense. Plus, she was quick on her feet like Ellisif. I'd observed her as we marched to our Castle. This is a small detail but vital in my plan. Likewise, Sven was quick for a hulking body like his. Speed and quickness were crucial to our goal. Striking fast and silently was our path to victory and survival.
"Very well, I agree this plan is our best chance for victory. However, I have no illusions that these Orcs won't surrender once the battle ends," Ballio said.
"We shall see if this plan of yours works," Sven stated.
Sven points to the march of the Orcs approaching us from all sides. They ignored the mock Fortress to the north of our position. No doubt, they were told not to attack them under the penalty of death. Little did they know that those same forces would likely slaughter them too. Sven, Aslaug, and I went down to the south gate. I look at the armed fighters among us. They looked terrified and less than ready to fight. I would leave it to Ballio to organize them into a real fighting force. Sven pushed the heavy doors open, and we entered the open arena. The massive audience bursts into cheers. In front of us were a hundred Orcs marching right at us. The plan's first stage required us to bypass or meet them head-on.