Tales of the Trio: Unbroken

Chapter Eleven

     Another group of orcs showed up through the gates, they noticed their shattered frozen allies and retreated. Maximus sighed with relief, almost everyone came over to check on Dominic since he just saved them all, the ones who didn't come over went to make sure the orcs were actually retreating. Dominic was not responsive so they took him to the towns best healer who said that he was okay just needed lots of rest, the amount of magic he used drained him. So Maximus and Lela decided to go back to the gate and help clean up, when they got there they noticed some soldiers mourning, family members were there too. There was quite a few deaths but less than what Maximus had thought, many of those he thought were dead were actually just wounded or knocked out. Many were cut up bad from fighting orcs, the ones who were ran over by ogres or knocked away by them suffered broken bones and head injuries if not death. Soldiers and town workers were moving the injured away into town to be treated, laying the dead soldiers in a wagon to be buried after their family and comrades paid their final respects before the burying funeral, dead orcs being tossed into a pile, after all the orcs were piled up they started tossing the now melting ice shattered pieces of orcs on top the same pile. While this was going on town workers, specifically the multiple craftsman and the construction team were seeing what could be salvaged from the broken gate and cracked wall and began working on repairs, the rest going back into town to build a whole new gate. The captain was organizing with the other high ranking soldiers, setting up scout parties, watches, strategies, etc.

Maximus and Lela walked to the captain who looked at them, and said "Ah you two again, thanks for your help and for what your friend did. We'll be ready when or if they come again." The captain waved his hand and pointed at a spot, Maximus looked to where he was looking and saw some people moving wooden logs with spike tips around the gate inside and out making anti Calvary spikes in a way to funnel the orcs and to hopefully counter the ogres, well that's what Maximus would do so that's what he's assuming the captain would be doing. The captain said "My soldier informed me you wanted to leave, when your friend is better you can, although I'd advise against it, they are still be out there." Maximus said "We want to help more, what can we do?" The captain responded "You already helped fight, and move bodies, you've done enough to help, thank you but I'm busy." The captain walked off to continue overseeing things, as Maximus and Lela walked away back to where Dominic was staying, the soldiers and other townsfolk were thanking them or at least nodding in their direction. A couple hours passed and Dominic hadn't moved meanwhile Lela had been unfreezing her sword while they waited, so when it finally thawed and was ready to go, Maximus and Lela went outside and began practicing against each other, Lela being aggressive forcing Maximus to be defensive. She got the best of him easily, mainly due to her speed, but he almost got her a few times, he decided he should just focus on being a literal shield and tried to block every incoming attack and not counter attacking, which resulted in long stalemates before she finally bested him. They went another round and when she couldn't get past his shield or get around him in time to flank before he turned in her direction to counter the flank, she ran and jumped up landing on top his shield and then front flipped over him and just as she landed she went to spin so she could have her blade to Maximus's back where he'd be completely exposed however she didn't land properly which made her trip when trying to do the spin, allowing Maximus to win. Maximus was surprised and said "That was amazing! When did you learn to do that?" He put his sword away and offered his hand she put away one of her swords so she could take his hand and be helped up, she pulled her sword out again and said "I actually didn't think I'd be able to do that to be honest." Maximus said "If you can manage to land that properly you can best anyone." Lela smirked and lunged at him while he was still trying to pull out his sword, he laughed as he barely blocked with his shield shortly afterwards they heard the horn again.

They checked on Dominic who was still passed out, they ran to the gate, and saw the captain on top the wall so they went up there too and saw to be what looked like triple the amount of orcs from the first assault along with even more ogres, some pulling wagons with humanoid sized rocks in them. Thankfully almost all the soldiers who are still able to fight were on this side of the town now so they might stand a chance if they are to be so lucky. They noticed some lit braziers near the archers, assuming for fire arrows, soldiers were running outside setting up bear traps and then carefully making their way inside. The soldiers were in their formations waiting for the orc army to march inside. Maximus and Lela stayed on the wall with the others to watch the orcs approach. Two soldiers came running from either side of them, both reporting to the captain that the other gates haven't seen any other orcs in the distance from their sides. The captain nodded at the two and told them to go catch their breath before the battle.