The Easel Chronicles; The Burning Hands

Chapter Twenty Nine

Chapter Twenty Nine

Getting into Rednokor was an easy ask for Aravoen and his friends. After convincing the traders to let them borrow their cart and horses, the travelers had no problem concealing themselves among the folds of weaponry and armor.

They had tied the horses a short distance away from the walls of Rednokor. Aravoen peered through the folds of the blanket that covered them as they passed through the great opening.

Rednokor was a not like any other city in Elasia. It was full of massive hovels where the giant beasts moved in and out. The pathways were lined with bones and carcasses of dead animals and men. The orcs also seemed to have made a different camp from the Grendels. Small openings into the sewers of the city dotted the dusty floor. In the center of the enormous clearing a wooden citadel like structure towered over all the hovels.

It seemed like the traders were heading to the side of that structure. Aravoen lay back waiting for the cart to stop moving. He waited for sometime before silently climbing out. He hid behind the cart where he waited for the others to join him. Slithbron came along with Sybilla and they were soon followed by Mindacil.

"I've seen their horses," Mindacil whispered.

"Talk about a lion's den." Sybilla said.

"I told you the Grendels were fierce," Aravoen said. "They are too many of them and I'm sure Edril doesn't know about their numbers and he will surely be overwhelmed."

"Adding the orcs to their number as well," Slithbron chipped in. "This is some bloody business my friends."

"But first we have to find a way to get in there," Aravoen pointed to the wooden citadel.

"It looks like it was just put up," Sybilla said.

"How can you tell?" Mindacil asked.

"The wood seems new," Sybilla answered, "too new if you ask me."

"Well observed." Aravoen said.

"Now to the question of getting in there," Mindacil said.

"Let's try sneaking round and following this stable," Aravoen said. "Look there," Aravoen pointed to the side of the wooden structure. "That is our way in. There might be some stairs there or some entry point."

"If not?" Slithbron asked.

"We find a way to get up and see what Siras is really up to," Aravoen said pursing his lips.

"I dint miss your wet blanket mood Slithbron," Mindacil said.

"Yes I know."

They began their slow progress towards the side of the wooden citadel. It seemed like there were no look outs in this place. I don't blame them. Aravoen thought. He knew that the Grendels were confident in their numbers as well as size to waste time in placing lookouts.

"See stairs," Aravoen said turning to Slithbron.

"And orcs boy," Slithbron lowered his gruff voice.

Aravoen turned round and saw that the dwarf was right. At the end of the stairs a group of five orcs stood in an argument.

"Mindacil," Aravoen said pointing to the orcs.

"Seen them," Mindacil answered, "but there are five. Too many."

"I know," Aravoen said.

"I'll deal with two," Slithbron drew two throwing knives.