When Twins War: Book I

Chapter Eighteen

At last, the Dernium contingent had arrived at the ruin of Oilaba, tired and weary. Gray morning was breaking over the desert horizon, the sand colour slowly reshaping into a bright white and yellow. Having withdrawn water from the healthy wells at the ruin after spending the night, they were getting ready to move on.

A scout scrambled down a dune, running straight for Cadell's tent, asking to see him immediately. Cadell came out and — to his horror – was told Desert Goblins had been seen very close by and they appeared to be in marching form, marching in their direction. Immediately, Cadell called for Gerald.

"I am grieved," he said as he was getting ready. "I had hoped we would escape them, and enter Foré peacefully. I did not expect them this close to the border."

"How much distance do we have from them?" asked Gerald.

"Far enough. We shall have to flee, I suspect. The scout says there seems to be about five hundred of them. Five hundred!"

Gerald considered that a moment. "That's a rather large number for Desert Goblins."

"Indeed," agreed Cadell. "We are merely half a day's journey from the Foré border, and these goblins will surely not pursue us for as long as that. We know they have reservations about the cooler climate, for one, and the green land; and they are afraid of the Foré armies."

"So are we," said Gerald. "If they discover us, Walise will not be pleased, and we will certainly be hindered by them as we journey north to the Twins."

"We don't want to battle against Foré. That would be an act of war. But yes, Gerald, you are right – but our only recourse is to flee now. Let us disassemble camp immediately and whatever we can leave behind, shall be left behind!"

The necessary orders travelled through the camp quickly. It had only been about forty minutes later when a sound echoed through the desert sands — a flat, deep and loud trumpet sound spurting through the dunes like the purr of a sickly cat.

"They come!" shouted Gerald as he instructed his men. "Quick, we must leave what can be left!"

Cadell ran towards his horse and mounted. "We cannot afford to take them!" he shouted to all. "We have a war to fight at Iza!" Pointing his sword in the direction of the border he shouted, "Come, men, we must fly like the wind towards Foré!"

Another goblin war trumpet echoed through the air. This time, much closer.

Those who had horses mounted them, while the others were going to have to run on foot. The pursuit began — the thump, thump of the goblins marching echoed loudly behind them. It was joined by a cackle, chirr and clanging as the goblins beat their armour, cussing and gnarling amongst themselves. They blew their trumpet again.

The heat was ignored in the few hours of relentless chasing that continued. But the goblins were closing in. Eventually arrows were beginning to pierce their ranks. Cadell knew they were still about two hours from the Foré border, and tried to console his weary men to push much harder.

But the goblin horde continued to gain on them and, sure enough, they could see them directly behind, their spears and arrows first seen trailing up a dune, followed by deformed and angry faces in their full brown armour. Once the goblins spotted them, their trumpet spurted, joined by threatening shouting and snarling. A group in front of their ranks leaned down and shot another company of arrows towards the Dernium army, and they closed in ever more determinedly.

Gerald swept over to Cadell.

"We are a few hours from the border!" yelled Cadell as he saw Gerald approach. "We must make it! Make haste!"