Free Zectas Volume V: The Sequestered Seminary of Sawtorn by John Nest, You The Reader, Overus Page B

pillage villages."

Cynar huffed. "That's not much at all."

"There are several Ork Tribes, and one of them has been constantly harassing my village," explained Cynar. "Have you heard of Newt Village?"

Smoke shook his head, pretending to have no clue as to what he was talking about.

"It used to be an OrkElf settlement," began Cynar. "There are hundreds of them scattered all around Vitzytl Kingdom. Heck, even Thanotl Kingdom has plenty of those as well."

Then, Cynar took out a small black knife and played with it. The knife dance around his black gloves, not once injuring him.

"I made good use of the thousands of OrkElves drifting from one settlement to the next, and I made it into the village," said Cynar.

"I see, and how is that related to the job you're offering me?" queried Smoke.

"You see, Faux, these bothersome Orks pillage villages," began Cynar. "Sure, they leave settlements alone. But once that place becomes a village, those stupid Orks come rushing in. I personally don't know why, but I'm not taking any of that crap!"

Smoke nodded. "So, you want me to help you defend it?"

Cynar waved his hand in dismissal. "No, no. I already have several Sonstwelters for that job. I'm already spending a fortune for my Newt's defense, but it's worth it. Last month those stupid Orks tried invading my village, but the Sonstwelters and my trained OrkElves killed all of them. Of course, I did lose Ayert, but still..."

Then, the Assassin carried his chair and placed it next to Smoke's.

"No, I have a more savage job for you," Cynar said to him.

"You see, I just recently heard that an UrukHai Horde attacked Lahm Village yesterday," began Cynar. "They were successful on their assault and they looted the village clean. They even wiped out all of the Sonstwelters and the Zectians that resisted."

Smoke let out a deep sigh, as he remembered what Esper and Colere told him about the Ork Horde invasions.

"Hey, you're not a fan of the Orks are you? Are you?!" Cynar suddenly shouted ask Smoke.

"Me? Of course not!" retorted a surprised Smoke.

"Good. I just want us to be clear," said Cynar. "Anyway, the UrukHai Horde may have been successful, but they suffered tremendous losses. In fact, my sources told me that they now number less than a thousand."

Cynar then reached inside his pocket for a map.

"They are currently held up here, in Waylay Pass," Cynar said to Smoke, pointing to the place on the map.

"I want you to seal the pass here, and force the UrukHai to face my trained OrkElves," Cynar disclosed his main plan to Smoke. "I already have three-thousand of them ready, and that alone should be enough to finish them off."

Smoke scratched his head and studied the map.

"Don't worry, I'm mostly in this for the revenge," Cynar said to Faux. "So, I'll split everything we loot, right at the middle, fifty-fifty. Well, what do you say, Faux?"

Smoke did not respond, and thought about it for a moment.

'This could be a great chance to finish Cynar off,' pondered Smoke as he stared at the map.

"Sounds like a plan," he said to Cynar with a smile.

Then, a Quest window popped up.
 
    + Quest: Ambush the Bushwhackers
    Annihilation Quest
    Level: B

    Cynar has asked you to join him and his army of OrkElves to wipe out the surviving forces of the UrukHai Horde.

    Accept the Quest? [YES/NO]
    "I'll do it!" boldly said Smoke to Cynar. "Count me in!"

"Great!" replied Cynar. He smiled and shook Smoke's hand.

"I don't know why, but I feel like I could trust you," suddenly said Cynar. "Maybe it's because you remind me so much of Ayert. You know? You're only the second person to enter this room. The first was Ayert."

"In fact, that was his desk right there," said Cynar, pointing to the only table in the compact room, with four books on it.

"Oh, about that," eagerly said Smoke. "I'm a voracious reader, and I hope you won't mind if I read those four books there?"

Cynar paused and studied Smoke's