Ashar stood at the edge of the village's defensive wall, his eyes scanning the horizon. The wind whipped through his hair, and the distant mountain peaks were shrouded in mist. His thoughts, however, were focused not on the landscape but on the tense negotiations that had taken place in Blackstone's grand hall.
The village had agreed to join the alliance, but Ashar knew that promises made in the heat of the moment could easily dissolve in the cold light of reality. Blackstone's leaders were pragmatic, calculating. They weren't motivated by idealism or a sense of brotherhood; they cared only for their own survival.
Rylah approached from behind, her footsteps light on the stone ground. She had a concerned expression on her face, and Ashar could tell she wasn't entirely at ease.
"You're thinking about the negotiations, aren't you?" she asked, her voice soft.
Ashar nodded, glancing at her over his shoulder. "I'm wondering how long this will last. They've agreed to fight with us, but I'm not sure if they'll follow through when the Orcs show up at their gates."
Rylah crossed her arms and leaned against the wall beside him. "We can't afford to second-guess ourselves, Ashar. You've done what you needed to do. Now it's time to focus on the next village. If we can get them on our side, the pressure will build."
Ashar let out a deep breath, his eyes narrowing. "I hope you're right. But if the next village is anything like Blackstone, we'll be fighting an uphill battle."
"Then we'll fight," Rylah said with a quiet determination. "You've built something here. A force. You've got allies now. That's more than what we had before."
Ashar allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. Yes, the stronghold had grown. The army was expanding, the villagers were beginning to believe in their cause, and word of their victories had spread. But each step forward was met with more resistance. The Orcs were still out there, and their forces were formidable.
"Have you heard from Kess?" Ashar asked, changing the subject. Kess, one of his most loyal fighters, had gone ahead to scout the next village. He was due to return by now, but there had been no word.
Rylah's brow furrowed, her gaze darkening. "Nothing yet. I've sent people to check the usual routes, but it's been quiet."
Ashar felt a surge of unease. Kess was resourceful, and he knew how to avoid detection. The lack of news, however, was unsettling. What if something had gone wrong? What if Kess had run into trouble?
"We need to send a search party," Ashar said abruptly. "If Kess hasn't returned by now, there's a good chance he's in trouble."
Rylah's hand shot out to stop him. "You can't go charging into the unknown without a plan. We don't know what's waiting out there."
Ashar met her gaze. "I know. But I also know that if we don't act quickly, we could lose our advantage."
Rylah hesitated before nodding. "Alright. We'll gather a team and head out. But we need to be smart about this."
Ashar didn't wait for another moment. He turned on his heel, making his way back to the command tent. There was no time to waste. Every minute counted.
***
The search party set out at dawn, moving swiftly through the dense forests and rocky paths that led to the next village. Ashar led the group, his thoughts consumed by the need to find Kess and ensure that nothing stood between them and the next phase of their plan.
The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional bird call or rustling of leaves. Ashar's senses were heightened, every sound amplifying the tension in the air. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he was ready for anything. The Orcs had spies everywhere, and it wasn't beyond them to sabotage his efforts from the shadows.
"Stay sharp," Ashar muttered, his voice low but commanding. "If Kess is in trouble, we need to be ready for an ambush."
Rylah, walking beside him, nodded. "We're moving in blind, Ashar. I can feel it, too. We don't know what kind of resistance we might face. If Kess got caught, it's possible they're waiting for us."
Ashar's grip tightened on his weapon, the familiar weight of the sword reassuring him. The path was narrow, and the trees seemed to press in on them, casting long shadows over the dirt trail.
They moved quickly, following the tracks left by Kess's group. The trail was faint but still visible—broken twigs, scuffed dirt, and the occasional sign of hurried footsteps. Ashar could feel the unease in the pit of his stomach. Kess had always been careful, meticulous. If these tracks were his, something had gone terribly wrong.
Hours passed as they followed the trail, and the tension grew thicker with each step. Ashar could sense that something was amiss, but he couldn't put his finger on it. The path ahead seemed too quiet, too still.
And then, just as they neared a clearing, the silence was shattered by the sound of snapping branches. Ashar's instincts kicked in, and he motioned for the group to halt.
"Stay down," he whispered. "We're not alone."
The air grew thick with tension as Ashar crouched low, his eyes scanning the trees. He knew the signs. There were Orcs nearby—he could feel their presence like a storm brewing on the horizon.
Rylah's voice was barely audible as she whispered, "They're close. Too close."
Ashar's heart raced, but he remained calm. They had the element of surprise on their side. The Orcs were unaware of their position, and Ashar was determined to keep it that way.
Suddenly, the bushes rustled, and Ashar's hand shot out, signaling for everyone to remain perfectly still. A shadow moved in the distance, and then another.
"They're searching for something," Ashar muttered. "But what?"
Before anyone could respond, Kess's voice came from the shadows, low and urgent. "Ashar... over here."
Ashar's breath caught in his throat. He motioned for the group to move in his direction, and within moments, they were crouching behind a thick tree, peering into the clearing.
Kess was there, bound but alive. His eyes flickered with recognition as he saw Ashar, and he gave a subtle nod.
"They've been watching us," Kess whispered, his voice strained. "I was followed. They know you're coming."
Ashar's mind raced. If the Orcs had been tailing them this entire time, it was only a matter of moments before they would be trapped.
"Get ready," Ashar said, his voice hardening with resolve. "We need to move fast. If they know we're here, we can't afford to waste time."
Rylah looked at him, her expression grim. "What's the plan?"
Ashar's eyes hardened as he stared into the clearing. "We fight. We end this now."