Ashar had barely set foot inside the stronghold when the weight of their victory began to sink in. The battle for the clearing had been won, but the Orcs were relentless. Their retaliation would be swift, and Ashar had no illusions about the consequences if they failed to stay one step ahead.
"Gather the council," Ashar ordered as he walked through the stronghold's entrance, his voice sharp with urgency. His people had already begun to filter into the main hall, their faces reflecting a mix of exhaustion and determination.
Rylah was close behind him, her eyes scanning the room with practiced caution. She was his right hand, and her instincts had been invaluable in the battle. "You'll need to act fast, Ashar. The Orcs won't give us much time before they regroup."
Ashar nodded, pushing the heavy wooden door open and stepping into the room where the council had gathered. Kess, Aric, and the others were already there, waiting for him. Their expressions were tense, their eyes betraying their concern.
"The Orcs will be here within days," Ashar said as he walked to the center of the room, his voice cold and measured. "We need to be ready."
Aric, the former blacksmith turned strategist, was the first to speak. "How many did we lose in the battle? We barely have enough to hold this place if they come at us full force."
"None of us were lost," Ashar answered, his gaze steady. "We were lucky, but luck won't win the next fight. We'll need to train harder, faster."
Kess stepped forward, his hand resting on his bow. "We can't afford to wait. The Orcs have already started to regroup. If we don't act quickly, we'll be sitting ducks."
Rylah spoke next, her voice calm but firm. "Ashar is right. We need to train our people. Every single one of them. If we're going to fight, we need to make sure we're ready for what's coming."
Ashar turned his gaze to the map spread across the table in front of him. The lines and markings were familiar, each one representing a potential threat. He could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, but he couldn't afford to falter now.
"We don't know exactly what the Orcs are planning, but Kess overheard something," Ashar said, his tone sharpening. "They're preparing for something bigger. We need to find out what that is, and we need to be ready for it."
Aric leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "I agree. If they're preparing something larger, then we need to have a plan in place. We can't just sit here and wait."
Kess nodded. "We need to get spies inside their ranks. We need to know what they're planning before it's too late."
Ashar met Kess's gaze. "Agreed. But it's not just about spies. We need to hit them where it hurts. We need to strike at their supply lines, disrupt their plans, and force them to divert their attention."
Rylah smiled slightly, her eyes gleaming with approval. "That's the spirit. If we can keep them off balance, they won't know what hit them."
Ashar turned to the others, his gaze steady. "We'll need to organize raiding parties. Target their supply caches, their patrols. We'll hit them fast and hard, and we won't stop until they know they can't afford to underestimate us."
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone processed the plan. Finally, Aric spoke again, his voice low. "And what if they retaliate? What if they come at us with everything they have?"
"We fight," Ashar said simply, his eyes cold. "And we win."
***
The days that followed were a blur of activity. The stronghold, which had once seemed so secure, now felt like a ticking time bomb. Ashar pushed his people harder than ever before, training them in the arts of guerrilla warfare. Everyone—man, woman, and child—had a role to play.
The women and children worked on fortifying the walls, reinforcing the gates, and preparing basic supplies. Ashar had never imagined that a group of people could be so resourceful, so determined to protect their freedom. Even the most malnourished and weakened among them had shown remarkable resilience.
Kess, Aric, and Rylah were busy organizing the raids, sending small groups out to disrupt the Orcs' supply lines. Ashar's mind was always working, always analyzing the best way to outwit the enemy. His leadership was being tested in ways he had never imagined, but he was rising to the challenge. He had to.
There were days when he found himself alone, staring at the horizon, lost in thought. The prophecy that had haunted the Orcs for so long was always in the back of his mind. The reason they had enslaved humans in the first place was because of the ancient prediction—one that foretold the fall of the Orc civilization at the hands of the humans.
Ashar didn't know if he believed in prophecies, but what he did know was that the Orcs had underestimated the will of the human spirit. They had underestimated him.
As the days passed, the raids grew bolder. Ashar sent his people deep into Orc territory, attacking in the dead of night, disrupting patrols, and stealing supplies. The Orcs were becoming more paranoid, more desperate, and it was working in their favor.
But Ashar knew they couldn't keep this up forever. The Orcs were bound to retaliate, and when they did, it would be brutal.
***
It was the second week of their raids when Ashar received word of the first major attack. A small group of Orcs had managed to slip past their defenses and were heading directly for the stronghold.
"Get ready," Ashar told his people, his voice low and commanding. "They're coming. This time, we'll make sure they regret it."
He rallied his people, preparing them for the battle ahead. The stronghold's defenses were ready, but Ashar knew that no amount of preparation could stop the Orcs if they attacked with everything they had.
The ground rumbled as the first wave of Orcs appeared on the horizon, their war drums pounding in rhythm. Ashar gripped his sword tightly, his heart pounding. This was it—the first real test of their strength.
As the Orcs charged toward the gates, Ashar's people stood firm. The stronghold had been built for this moment. They had the advantage of surprise, and they would make sure the Orcs knew it.
"Hold the line!" Ashar shouted.