The Orc prisoner's growls reverberated through the stronghold's halls as Ashar and his team dragged him into the holding cell. A crowd gathered near the entrance, their faces pale with fear and curiosity. Many of them had never seen an Orc up close, let alone one shackled and vulnerable.
Ashar pushed past them, his expression a blend of exhaustion and focus. "Back to your duties," he barked. "There's nothing to see here."
The crowd hesitated but began to disperse, murmurs rippling through the air. Rylah followed closely behind Ashar, her sharp eyes scanning the faces for any sign of dissent.
Inside the makeshift cell, the Orc sat chained to the wall, its golden eyes glaring with unbridled hatred. Ashar stood across from him, arms crossed, while Rylah leaned against the doorframe.
"You have two choices," Ashar began, his voice cold and steady. "You can tell us everything you know about Gorrok and his plans, or you can keep testing my patience. I promise you, I don't have much left."
The Orc let out a low chuckle. "You think threats will scare me, human? Your kind has no stomach for what's coming."
Ashar stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "I don't need to scare you. I just need answers. Start talking."
The Orc's grin widened, revealing jagged, yellow teeth. "Gorrok is coming, and when he does, your pathetic little rebellion will crumble. He's not like Gorn. He's smarter, stronger. He'll break you."
Ashar clenched his fists, but his voice remained calm. "How many does he command?"
The Orc laughed again, a deep, guttural sound. "More than you can count, boy. He'll march with legions, and every one of you will kneel or die."
Rylah stepped forward, her dagger glinting in the dim light. "Legions don't march without supplies. Where are they based? Where's the food, the weapons, the reinforcements coming from?"
The Orc's laughter ceased, his eyes narrowing. "You'll learn soon enough. When your walls fall and your people scream, you'll wish you had run when you had the chance."
Ashar exchanged a glance with Rylah. "We're wasting time."
"Agreed," she said.
Ashar turned to Varek, who had been standing guard outside. "Keep him alive, but make him comfortable. No food, no water. Let's see how loyal he remains after a day or two of hunger."
The Orc's growls followed them out of the room, but Ashar ignored them. Once the door slammed shut, he turned to Rylah.
"We need to plan for the worst," he said. "If Gorrok truly has legions, we're not ready for a full assault."
Rylah nodded, her expression grim. "Then we use the time we have to strike first. Hit their supply lines, disrupt their plans. If we wait for them to come to us, it'll be too late."
The Council
Later that evening, Ashar gathered his closest advisors in the war room. The air was thick with tension as they pored over maps of the surrounding territories.
"The eastern woods are where we intercepted the scouts," Sorin said, tracing a finger along the map. "If Gorrok's forces are gathering, they'll need a steady flow of supplies through these routes."
Rylah nodded. "Which means their supply caravans will be vulnerable. We can use that to our advantage."
Selka, seated near the corner, spoke up. "We need more information. The prisoner's words are vague at best, and he could be lying about the numbers."
Ashar leaned over the table, his brow furrowed. "True, but we can't afford to dismiss the possibility. If Gorrok's forces are as large as he claims, we'll need to think beyond just raiding supply lines. We need allies."
The room fell silent. It was no secret that the neighboring villages were hesitant to join the fight. Many had suffered under Orc rule for so long that rebellion seemed like an impossible dream.
Rylah broke the silence. "The villagers won't act unless they believe we can win. We need a decisive victory, something that will prove Gorrok isn't invincible."
Ashar straightened, a new determination sparking in his eyes. "Then we give them one. Sorin, I want you to scout the supply routes. Find the most vulnerable point. Selka, prepare a team of archers. We'll strike hard and leave no survivors."
"And the prisoner?" Varek asked.
Ashar's jaw tightened. "He stays alive, for now. If he talks, we might gain valuable intel. If not, he serves as a reminder of what we're fighting against."
Nightfall
As the meeting dispersed, Ashar found himself standing alone on the ramparts, gazing out at the dark forest beyond. The stronghold was quiet now, save for the occasional clatter of guards patrolling the walls.
His thoughts drifted to Gorrok, the shadow looming over their hard-won freedom. The name carried weight, even without the prisoner's taunts. Ashar could feel the stakes rising, the calm before the storm threatening to break at any moment.
He clenched his fists, his mind racing with strategies and possibilities. Every decision felt like a gamble, and the lives of his people were the stakes.
Rylah's voice broke the silence. "You should rest. Tomorrow will be another long day."
Ashar turned to see her approaching, her expression softer than usual.
"I will," he said, though the weariness in his voice betrayed him.
Rylah studied him for a moment. "You can't carry this alone, Ashar. Let us help you."
"I know," he said quietly. "But it doesn't make it any easier."
She nodded, understanding all too well. "Gorrok may be a threat, but we've faced threats before. And we'll face this one too. Together."
Ashar managed a faint smile. "Together."
As she walked away, Ashar turned back to the forest, the weight of leadership pressing heavily on his shoulders. Gorrok's shadow loomed large, but Ashar knew one thing for certain: he would not let fear define their fight.
The battle for freedom was far from over, and Ashar would stop at nothing to ensure their survival.