The dense forest was alive with the calls of distant birds and the muted rustling of leaves beneath their feet. The human team navigated carefully, staying close to one another to avoid being split up. The forest was a vast, sprawling expanse, and they couldn't afford to be careless.
It was Amukelo who first spotted it – a barely perceptible footprint in the soft, moist earth of the forest floor. He knelt down, examining the imprint. It was large, much larger than any of their feet. The toes were broad, and the impression left was deep, suggesting considerable weight.
"Orcs," he murmured.
Eliss moved closer, examining the footprint. "Recent, too. They have to be nearby."
Amukelo nodded, "Exactly."
Kael whispered, "So, we're on the right track. Let's follow these prints."
Following the footsteps became a silent mission, each of them hyper-focused on the signs the orcs had unwittingly left behind. Broken twigs, footprints, and even some discarded pieces of rations told them they were heading in the right direction. It was clear that the orcs were not being careful about concealing their movement. Their strategy was aggressive, confrontational.
Lyon, peering through the dense foliage, spotted a figure. "There!" he whispered, pointing to a silhouette steadily climbing the mountain, "That's got to be one of their mages, likely Mara, since she's the slowest."
Eliss contemplated, "It's clear they're using the high ground to their advantage. They want to spot us first. A typical strategy, but it makes them predictable."
. . .
The human team huddled, formulating their plan of action based on the observations they made of the orcs' strategy.
Amukelo began, "The orcs are expecting a direct confrontation. They've got the physical advantage in a head-on battle. We need to be strategic."
Lyon nodded, "Agreed. We need to create a situation where we have the upper hand. We can't let their physical prowess dominate the battle."
Kael, ever the daring one, chimed in, "What if we draw them out? Lure them into a trap?" He looked at the others, waiting for their feedback.
Eliss frowned in thought, "It's risky. But given our current position, it might be our best shot."
Lyon pondered aloud, "We need a convincing lure, something they can't resist. A pair maybe, split from the group, seemingly vulnerable."
Ksara stepped forward, "I volunteer. With my spells, especially the one that boosts speed, I can evade them if things get dicey. Plus, they'd be less suspicious seeing a mage and a swordsman together."
Kael grinned, "That settles it then. I'll be your partner in crime, Ksara. We'll be the bait."
Eliss looked worried, "Are you sure about this? It's extremely risky."
Kael winked, "It's a risk I'm willing to take. And besides, with Ksara by my side, we'll give them a good chase."
Amukelo nodded, "Alright. Kael and Ksara, you both will lead the orcs away. The rest of us will position ourselves to ambush their mages. The key here is timing. We need to strike as soon as their defenses are down."
Lyon added, "And remember, don't get too far ahead. We need to be able to jump in if things go south."
The plan was set. The human team took a moment to gather themselves, preparing to set their trap in motion.
. . .
The dense thicket of the forest provided ample hiding spots, each more concealed than the next. The rustling leaves and the chirping birds made the forest alive, though the looming tension of the upcoming confrontation overshadowed nature's serenity.
Amukelo, Eliss, and Lyon strategically chose a spot deep within the woods, where the canopy above was thick, casting dappled shadows onto the forest floor below. They positioned themselves behind a cluster of bushes and tall ferns. Each of them had a clear vantage point to see their two teammates on the edge of the woods and the area that the orcs would most likely approach from.
Lyon, with his spear at the ready, whispered, "Stay low, we need to wait for the right moment."
Eliss nodded, clutching her staff closely, her eyes scanning the mountainside. "I'll prepare a few spells, just in case we need to act swiftly," she whispered back.
Amukelo added, "I'll keep a lookout for their mages. We strike them first."
Meanwhile, on the edge of the woods near the mountains, Kael and Ksara seemingly strolled with a relaxed demeanor, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. They were walking, portraying an image of fools unaware of the lurking danger.
Ksara, while subtly preparing her speed-boosting spell, whispered to Kael, "Remember, we need to be convincing but also vigilant."
Kael smirked, "Trust me; I've got this. Let's give them a show they won't forget."
And so, with their trap set, the human team waited, each second feeling like an eternity, hoping the orcs would take the bait.
. . .
High atop the mountain, the orcs maintained their vigilant watch. Rukh, their lead warrior, with keen eyes sharpened from years of hunting and battling, squinted as he spotted movement at the edge of the woods. Pointing towards the location, he grumbled, "There! Two of them, a swordsman and a mage."
His compatriot, an orc mage named Gara, followed Rukh's direction and murmured an incantation. The air shimmered momentarily before his eyes, magnifying the distant scene. "They're running away, Foolish humans."
A sly grin spread across Rukh's face. "Perfect. They are isolated. Easy prey."