As dawn broke over Stagpeak, its usually calm streets were abuzz with an unease that hadn't been felt in decades. The watchtowers, perched along the town's borders, had been manned since nightfall. The lookouts, tired yet vigilant, scanned the dim morning horizon. Suddenly, one of them—a young but seasoned scout named Elric—stiffened as he noticed a dark mass slowly emerging from the misted forest. His heart sank as he realized it wasn't just a trick of the light.
The trees began to tremble in rhythm with a distant, guttural chant. The ground itself felt alive, vibrating with the weight of approaching bodies. Elric leaned forward, his pulse quickening as the realization hit him fully: a horde of orcs was making its way toward Stagpeak. Their twisted armor caught glimmers of morning light, casting eerie reflections across their snarling faces.
He scrambled down from his post and sprinted through the streets, his shout cutting through the murmur of waking townsfolk. "Orcs! A horde is coming!" Panic swept through the town as people roused from their sleep and rushed to arm themselves or hide.
Within moments, the knights of Stagpeak were summoned. They emerged from the garrison, clad in polished steel, their cloaks bearing the emblem of the town—a golden stag leaping over a peak. These were not just any soldiers; they were trained, hardened warriors who had dedicated their lives to protecting Stagpeak. And at their head was Captain Edric Kael.
Captain Kael was a formidable figure, tall and broad-shouldered, with a gaze as sharp as the tip of his drawn sword. His armor was intricately designed, its dark steel layered with etchings that marked his years of service and victories in battle. His very presence commanded silence and focus, and as he strode before his knights, his voice boomed, steady and calm.
"Form up!" he ordered, and the knights fell into line, the clinking of their armor a stark contrast to the distant roars of the approaching horde. He nodded to his lieutenant, a wiry, calculating man named Roderick. "How many?" Roderick asked, peering toward the hills.
"More than we've seen in years," replied Captain Kael, grimly.
The townspeople, who had gathered in clusters, watched in fear as the knights took their positions just beyond the town gates. Some held their children close, while others exchanged worried glances. Maya stood among them, her heart heavy with worry not just for Stagpeak, but for Rowan, who was still nowhere to be seen. She clenched her fists, a silent prayer on her lips, hoping he was safe and that he would somehow return in time.
The lookout horns sounded again, sharper, closer this time. The sound of marching orcs grew louder, intermingling with the ominous beat of war drums. Then, through the morning fog, the orc horde appeared in full force. The sight was terrifying—a writhing mass of brutes wielding jagged weapons and shields adorned with grotesque symbols. At the forefront of the horde stood a hulking orc with sinewed arms and skin covered in dark, winding scars. His armor was a haphazard collection of bones and metal, and he carried a massive battle axe with a blade chipped but still deadly.
This was General Ignatz, known among the orcs as "The Destroyer." His voice, deep and primal, echoed as he barked orders in the guttural orcish tongue. The horde spread out, forming a wall of flesh and metal that seemed endless. He raised his battle axe, pointing it toward Stagpeak, and let out a guttural roar, a challenge to anyone brave or foolish enough to stand in his way.
Captain Kael stepped forward, his face stoic. He raised his sword high, a beacon of defiance. His voice, calm but loud enough to reach the ears of every knight and every villager who dared to listen, rang out.
"Today, we defend not just our homes, but the lives of everyone here. Hold the line, for Stagpeak!" His words rallied the knights, who stood even straighter, their eyes locked on the advancing orc horde.
As the knights braced for impact, the townsfolk could only watch, their breaths held, knowing that the fate of Stagpeak would be decided within the next few hours.