An army of a hundred strong Orcs marched in lockstep toward our mock stronghold. Cheering from the crowd drowned out the approaching enemy's war cries. We were just four opponents in the eyes of the marching horde. I was about to suggest we pretend to verge off like we were running away when Sven charged directly at the oncoming threat. 'Shit!!!'
"Let's go!" I yelled, charging behind Sven.
I hear the war cry of Aslaug and Ellisif as the charge behind me. Then, a burst of cheers erupts as the four of us race toward certain death. Our sudden sprint at the enemy lines marching triggers the foes to change tactics. A small force of a dozen charge to meet us. 'They must have seen the event from yesterday.' In mere moments our opposing forces clash violently. The first Orc to engage me met the blunt end of my hammer. He was nearly twice my size, but the strength of my hammer caused him to crumble like a house of cards. There was no time to gloat over the kill. Another Orc needed to taste the end of my hammer. The giant Orc fell as his brother-in-arms did. I quickly glance at Sven, dismembering any foolish Orc to get within reach of his battle axe. The two tribe women held their own, sending their opponents to whatever Heaven or Hell they worshiped. I didn't care; my place in the pits of Hell was already reserved. The engagement was over in less than two minutes. Our small number yet highly skilled fighters overpowered the wild and chaotic Orcs. I didn't hold my breath as these were just the lower grunts. Cannon fodder eagerly charged to their deaths without a second thought.
Sven continues to lead the way. Unfazed or showing any fear at the horde between us and our goals. Our slaughter of the Orcish captives was noticed. More broke rank and charge at us. Yelling war cries and obscenities, I wasn't familiar with. Finally, two groups broke off to flank either side of our approach. We met the attackers head-on yet again. Cutting down the brutish Orcs with shocking efficiency. Many were double our size, yet we succeeded in breaking the attack. If they'd had a single archer, many of us would be dead already. I can sense the demoralization our strike team was having. Ahead of us, the marching army split into two companies. We weren't the immediate objective. Whatever task they were given didn't involve four measly warriors charging their position. They could pick us off once they sacked our stronghold. That was the thinking of the enemy commander.
"Sven, hold back! This is our chance to sneak towards the arena walls!" I yelled.
"Ah! There's nothing like a battle! Isn't it?" Sven yelled.
The blonde Viking was invigorated by the battle. High on adrenaline, ready to slay all who challenged him, but he heeded my words and followed me.
"Where did you find this berserker?" Aslaug asked.
The four of us continue to the wall, avoiding the marching horde and their forward fort. But, as I suspected, the Orcs south camp and our stronghold blocked the line of sight. We reach the wall just as the Orcish army arrives at our Castle. Only the southern forces were delayed.
"Sven, take Aslaug and head west along the wall. Ellisif and I will travel east. We'll infiltrate from both sides," I explained.
"Glory to the battle!" Sven yelled.
"Be safe, sister!" Aslaug stated.
Ellisif bids her kin farewell. 'Hopefully, this will not be her last words.' Ellisif signals that she is ready, and we sprint along the wall. Now that we were so close to the barrier, the cheering crowd was deafening. The stadium was at least four times that of a regular arena. Three Roman colosseums could fit inside this grand theater. The Orcish army showed no interest in us passing by the next fort. They didn't even bother to leave a defensive force behind. 'I guess taking their flags was meaningless.' Then something popped into my mind. I had better sight than anyone in this world. We can use the Orc flag as a Trojan horse. They wouldn't have sentries watching the flank, but if they did, this could buy Sven and Aslaug time to get inside. So I diverted and went for the flag. The fort was abandoned, and the flag still stood in the center. I ran to it and snapped the wooden pole with ease.
"What is this for?" Ellisif asked.
"Insurance that Sven can capture the flag. Anything we can use to gain an advantage is useful," I explained.
As I turned to leave, a group of eight men stood at the open gate. They didn't look like they were from our group or the gold team. All sporting some very intimidating weapons. I saw Ellisif take a defensive stand beside me.
"How many coins do you think we'll get for bagging these two?" The fat giant said.
"For the woman, a hefty amount. Just make sure not to damage her face or important parts. We get paid for quality stock," the towering leader said.
"What about the big one?" A lanky lackey asked.
"Kill him... those are our orders," the leader said.
This was an unforeseen turn of events. These were mercenaries hiding amongst the chaos of battle. Shifting off anyone that strayed from the main event. I handed the flag to Ellisif and gave her a gesture to run. It was necessary to take out the trash before they jeopardized our goals. I held my hammer in both hands tightly.
"Come... Kill me...," I whispered.
A few of them smiled, while others laughed in amazement. A trio dashed at me with little regard for coordination. Ellisif leaps back in a quick instant. She was out of sight before the others could react. I slam my hammer into the center foe, collapsing him to the ground and swiping the right attacker off his feet. I chain my next attack to the last runner, splitting his head open and caving in the enemy's chest while lying on the ground. The sight of three of them falling so fast triggered the leader to send the last four of his men in at once. I pick up a discarded sword and throw it at one of the attackers, hitting him in the chest. Before the other three could act. I barrel roll in between them and swing wide, hitting two. Bones snap, and blood splashes from the gaping wounds on either man. The last mercenary hesitates, and I give him the total weight of my hammer.
I turn my attention to the leader. Sheer terror and anguish met my gaze. Seeing how fast I dispatched his crew; he didn't know if he should run or face me. I took the choice away and threw my hammer at him. The leader of the mercenary's head was obliterated by my hammer. Leaving his headless body flailing around aimlessly. Retrieving my hammer, I quickly searched the leader's body. I found a heavy pouch of what I assumed was coins. Someone sent them to interfere with the event. 'This could be normal for all I know.' Ellisif returned a few moments later with the flag on her back.
"Adam, you are a skilled warrior. You have no fear," Ellisif whispered.
"Let's get moving. We have a flag to capture," I said.
The two of us returned to our mission. I glance at our stronghold at the center of this event's spectacle. Ballio was doing an excellent job of holding off the horde. We continue traveling along the barrier. As we draw closer to the gold stronghold. I can see them massing on the south side of the Castle. 'They're preparing their siege.' Our presence had yet to be noticed, or we'd been deemed a minor threat. Either way, this gave us the element of surprise, even by the narrowest descriptions. I could see Aslaug and Sven making their way to the western side. They were nearly there and had not been detected. This was the time to act.
"Ellisif, keep going and link up with Sven and Aslaug. Then, I will take the flag and draw the attention of the entire force," I said while running.
"Are you mad??? You may be strong, but how could you stand against such odds?" Ellisif yelled.
"I've been up against worse and far more terrifying odds in my world," I stated.
The red-hair woman relented and passed me the flag. I verge off from her as she travels the wall. I stick the pole down my back inside the chest plate. It only takes a few moments for my approach to be noticed. As expected, a contingent peels off from the marching army and heads right for me. I change direction and sprint toward the head of the army. Ellisif was right in her intel. We were grossly outnumbered by a long shot. Now I was wedged between an army of slaves and an army of Orcs.