Fantasy: The Beginning of the End

Fantasy: The Beginning of the End - Z. Smith - Part One: The End - Chapter Five

The shrill screams of Umarla had died hours ago, and now only the blackness of a moonless night permeated the silent streets of the Ruined City. Far below, the flickering of dozens of fires crept along the barren streets as torch-wielding patrols scouted the streets for survivors and cowards. Above it all stood the city's conqueror, and she gazed down through the ruined remains of the city's Tower of the First. The remains of the city's former leader had been removed and flung alongside the remains of so many of Umarla's defenders. Somewhere in the city, a mass grave was being dug. No fire would consume these fallen warriors, lest anyone out on the Great Plains see the blaze and come to investigate. Subtlety was a necessity from this point forward.

"An Orc is no easy foe to best," Captain Dryden was telling her curtly as he fretted about the shattered remains of the perfectly circular throne room.

"We lost three in the assault," Kuva replied smoothly, "and eleven Humans. Losses are to be expected in any battle."

"I understand, Lady Kuva," Dryden responded, sounding weary and exasperated, "but the wounds on this Orc were... different."

"I read the report. Flash-burned eyes and a sliced throat. Not highly unusual wounds."

"Not individually, no," Dryden admitted, "but combined with the reports of another Orc before he perished, I can only conclude that we have a situation on our hands."

"And what were these reports?" Kuva inquired flatly, turning her attention fully to her captain.

"Before he died," Dryden explained, "the Orc claimed that he and his squad were pursuing a pair of males when they were attacked by a magic-wielder."

Kuva's eyes narrowed, and Dryden could not help but feel alarmed at the sudden fire burning in her icy blue eyes.

"Description of the attacker?"

"Unfortunately," Dryden sighed, "the Orc died before we could gain any more information on the magic-wielder. However, there was one other aspect that concerned me. The two males the Orc was pursuing were not among the dead. I can only assume that they managed to escape the city."

"Which puts our plans in jeopardy," Kuva growled before turning her back to Dryden to gaze back down at the city.

"What are your orders, milady?" Dryden asked when it became clear that Kuva was not going to continue.

"Create three teams of Orcs, and scour the Plains," said Kuva. "I want them back before dawn. If they find no one, we will accelerate our plans. In the meantime, contact Daku on the Focari. I want the weapon offloaded by tomorrow evening."

"Yes, ma'am. Anything further?"

"No. You are dismissed."

"Very well, milady."

Dryden bowed in his usual reverence before departing, leaving Kuva alone in the shattered tower. She gazed silently out at sea, where the remainder of the warships quietly bobbed in the inky water of night. Her first command, and she had conquered a city in only a few hours. However, the master plan itself was in peril. Two unknown survivors had managed to flee the city and been saved by someone like herself. The knowledge left an uncomfortable pit in her stomach, and Kuva found herself gritting her teeth unconsciously. Perhaps the Orcs would find the survivors, but she doubted their success. And if he was involved in some way, then Kuva had to make sure he did not interfere or discover her mother's carefully crafted plot. The Witch was the playwright of Umarla's final fall; Kuva had merely been a player on the stage. And if he were involved in any way, the curtain might fall too soon. Kuva could not allow the traitor to foil this scheme, even if it meant hunting him down herself.