Halonar

Life

The orcs never really stood a chance, but then again, they had it coming for them.

Jack watched it all unfold from town square. It wasn't pretty, yet it was a beautiful sight.

The guards had not been able to hold off the orcs, as their sheer numbers were overwhelming for the limited defenses of Rorin.

But Rorin didn't need to defend itself, the Summoned would.

Jack had been cutting his grass when he saw the dust cloud erupt from the square. At first, he thought that he had done his crop spells wrong and Dimetaru had summoned a dust bowl to display her frustration, but he had remembered about the orc attacks.

Finally, He thought. At some point, he began to worry that the heroes wouldn't show up, but they did, as they always did.

Orc attacks weren't rare, but they weren't a common sight. At least not until the great

summoning.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Helen pressing her face against the window. Her fingers fumbled, as if attempting to open the glass itself. She ducked back when she saw him.

Jack sighed. Helen had tried to hide her interest in Adaraians , to no avail of course. He assumed it would be quite normal for children to take great interest in Adaraians and magic, and all sorts. Sheila had often tried to encourage Helen to study literature and science, which she showed some interest in. But her behavior, not her interest, fueled his concern.

Often, he would see her take a garden tool and swing it at a hay bale or tree. It worried him that she might, at some point, try to insert herself in a dangerous situation. But alas, every time he looked, she would be watching from a safe distance. He could dismiss it as an irrational fear, but then again, it didn't hurt to be too careful.

Jack rolled up the grass. He would have to sell it within the day. That said, as early as possible. He took another glance at the window. Helen was no longer there. He refocused his gaze back to the cloud of dust in the distance. It was already starting to clear up. He lifted his wheelbarrow and rolled it downhill.

As Jack approached the square, groups of people stood outside the gates. Some were inside. Orcs enjoyed attacking defenseless civilians, but they hated Adaraians with such an incredible passion that they would be drawn towards them.

Jack squinted. A group of orcs circled a man, his hair swayed in the wind. His body faintly glittered with trophies of war and trinkets. His youthful appearance a clear indication of being a summoned. He stood over a dead orc, which his long sword rested upon. He had a disappointed look on his face, as if he expected more from the battle. The orcs roared and lunged at him. He moved the sword in a sweeping motion with just one hand, cutting two of the orcs in half at the waist.

The other three orcs, momentarily stunned at the sight of their fellow monsters' eviscerations, Charged him in fury. He quickly cut them down as well. Organized orc attacks usually meant well trained, battle hardened warriors, but this didn't seem to be the case.

The dust was finally starting to clear up. And as it did, Jack spotted more bodies. Orcs littered the town square. The hero spun his sword on his finger and glanced at the crowd. They cheered, raising their hands up and jumping.

The hero smirked before he looked away. People began entering the square as the hero walked away. Many people lost interest quickly. Adaraians probably had a full schedule of dealing with things like this. In Jack's opinion, leaving them alone was the most polite thing to do.

While the square was being cleaned, Jack had set up shop completely. Halson, The owner of the Smokewood Tavern, approached him quickly.

"Hello, Jack! I know a guy who could use that grass." Halson stroked his chin. His beard was white like a puff of smoke.