The Reunion of Loved Ones

39. Death of a dragon

Dana didn't know who to keep an eye on. Who currently posed the greatest threat? The Orcs or Fortior? She didn't lower her sword for a second, while she slowly backed away. She felt she bumped into someone but didn't dare to look to see who it was, as she was already short on eyes. One moment of inattention could cost her life right now.

To her left, Fortior was threateningly creeping closer, arching his neck every now and then, as if looking for a weak point in their defence. He kept his body close to the ground, making Dana think of a lion on the attack. This one also crept closer until the prey was within reach and then made one big leap to pulverise it. The dragon licked his teeth hungrily, and his fiery breath quickened with excitement.

However, the Orcs were also approaching. They didn't care about the huge dragon, confirming Dana's suspicions. This was a conspiracy between the dragon and Arko's monstrous servants. Dana had tried to count the Orcs to assess their chances, but she lost count after a hundred. It seemed that more and more Orcs from the mines were joining the initial fifty Orcs to eliminate the danger. This reduced their chances to zero, and although Dana was still trying to come up with a plan, she knew that a miracle had to happen if all five of them were to come out of this alive.

The Orcs created a path, and Dana saw that one of the larger Orcs was riding a bear-like creature, but certainly twice as big and with the snout of a wild boar. His mount had a rough black coat that looked battered. Dana suspected torture was the cause, as she could see several scars under the hair. Its long snout was twisted in anger, and it growled menacingly, revealing its large yellow teeth. Dana had read about this animal species. This beast belonged to the Abrûlar, a race of bears native to the Magnus Silva. The bears were often captured and trained for warfare.

The chief of the Orcs halted his Abrûlar right in front of Dana and looked at them mockingly. 'When King Arko informed us that intruders would come, we didn't know we would receive the Liwel triplets in our mines.' He laughed mockingly. 'Well, men. I believe we have served our lord well and deserve a reward, for we have them! We have caught the mighty Liwel triplets in our trap! The three witches who became too much for King Lembo are now powerless before us. Our Lord will reward us richly for this achievement.'

The Orcs growled excitedly, but Dana shouted, 'Oh, really? Do you really think you have us?' She tried to look triumphant, as if she had an infallible plan in mind. Maybe she could bluff them out of this situation. After all, Orcs were not known for their high IQ. And these were not the clever Orcs from Valsor.

The large Orc growled deeply in his throat as if in disbelief and stepped off his Abrûlar. With his steel club over his asymmetrical shoulder, he waddled threateningly towards her, and Dana took a few unnoticed steps back, bumping into Nissa. He was now even more deformed than she had initially expected.

The chief looked down at her mockingly, and Dana could see his black slanted eyes. He had a bald head with a warrior's tail on his crown. He was not only tall but also incredibly broad. He had arms the size of a thin tree that seemed to carry his club effortlessly. His grey upper body wore nothing but two weapon belts that crossed his chest. 'What did you want to do, witch?' he asked mockingly. 'You are five people, two of whom are unconscious. We, on the other hand, are - let's see - more than a hundred. Besides, we have a dragon...'

The Orc chief continued to talk and utter countless threats and insults, but Dana was distracted. She could kick herself. They were not alone at all! They still had a rear guard! All she had to do was buy time until their dragons could be here, who surely hadn't been idle all the time they were in the mines. Maybe Prudentus was already closer than she thought.

Dana immediately focused on Prudentus and after searching for his spirit for a moment, she felt the familiar touch of his soul. 'Pru? It's Dana.'