Free Black Metal: The Orc Wars by Sean-Michael Argo

which were piled up for some as yet undisclosed purpose.
    Ghalik’s wisdom and authority had turned a refugee camp into a military outpost, and the morale of all three groups had increased significantly. All three races seemed united towards a common goal, everyone felt as if great things were on the horizon.
    At the center of it all stood Ghalik, next to his newly claimed throne, dressed in wolf skins against the cold. By his side stood Reygoth and Ca’tic’na, each accompanied by two warriors from their own tribes. As Okada and Ma-Gur approached Ghalik nodded and gestured for them to take their places amongst the ranks of the other warriors. Everything was arranged to both physically and symbolically represent the hierarchy of the camp. On the throne sat Ghalik, below him on the supporting raised dias stood Reygoth and Ca’tic’na, and below them on the ground stood the six warriors.
    “Now that we are all here, I would like to begin,” Ghalik stated as he waved a hand for all to be seated. Reygoth and Ca’tic’na had small unassuming chairs of their own, the warriors were forced to sit on the ground.
    His voice rising above the tumult of the bustling camp, Ghalik spoke, “We have joined our forces, what once were three groups of displaced people are now an army. Our numbers may pale against the might of these allied armies that harass us, but the trolls are strong and the goblins cunning. We orcs are the bridge between, we have strength and cunning enough to fight on both fields. The glue that holds us together is the enemy. Their attacks have made this alliance, so let them choke on it.”
    “Now we have an outpost, a sanctuary from which to strike. Which brings me to Ca’tic’na and his goblins,” rasped the old wizard.
    Upon hearing his name the goblin leader stood and turned to face Ghalik. Of those non-goblins assembled the orcish wizard was the only one able to understand the little man. The goblin began speaking, his chirping voice full of excitement as he spoke with Ghalik. The old wizard relayed the goblin’s words to the rest of the group, translating Ca’tic’na’s rapid speech as quickly as he could.
    “Ca’tic’na says that in their time on the borders south of here the goblins discovered that the human and elf forces have been receiving aid from a nearby dwarven fortress, Ameran.”
    The revelation caused an outraged rumble deep in the throats of some of the warriors. It was well known that the dwarves kept to themselves, preferring to quarry their stone and smelt their precious metals than to get mixed up in the affairs of the outside world. Their involvement now was testament to their greed or intolerance for the ancient races, either of which condemned then in the eyes of all gathered around the throne that night.
    “He says that they have been supplying the crusaders with weapons and supplies, as well as free passage through their lands. It will not be long before they begin adding detachments of troops to the crusader armies,” Ghalik translated.
    “What are we going to do about it? Everyone knows that when battle comes the stone men go to ground. How are we supposed to fight them, invade their stronghold?” snorted Reygoth as he folded his arms across his chest disapprovingly, his ego still bruised from the loss of his throne.
    “Yes,” Ghalik uttered as he looked hard at the group, his confidence and determination radiating about him.
    Reygoth was still unconvinced.
    “How?”
    “My ranger Okada is going to go with a goblin hunting party into the dwarven lands. Their mission will be two-fold. First they are going to pick out a few good raiding opportunities like villages or supply lines. While word is sent back to inform us they will continue on towards the stronghold. Hopefully they will be able to locate a weakness that we can exploit,” explained Ghalik as he smiled toothedly, “Then we attack.”
    “But do we have sufficient siege equipment?” Reygoth questioned,