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

still reluctant to go along with Ghalik’s seemingly mad scheme.
    “Every stronghold has a weakness, just like every suit of armor. Once we find that weakness, there will be no siege. We will see just how far too ground the stone men can go when we begin raiding their lands. Perhaps we will be able to draw them out, then take the citadel while the majority of their warriors are away. If we bide our time whilst our scouts bring us information, we can win,” Ghalik responded, his enthusiasm for the plan showing in his gleaming eyes.
    Reygoth said no more, apparently satisfied for the moment with Ghalik’s answer.
    “You warriors were assembled to listen to this war council. Go now, and tell all of what you have heard. If all of us know our mission then all will proceed as planned,” commanded the Ghalik as he descended from his throne, “Okada, take your rest while you can, the goblin’s will wake you when all is prepared. Now go.”
    Okada did as he was bidden, giving Ma-Gur a knowing look and disappearing into the camp. Ma-Gur stood and walked purposefully into the orc encampment. As he neared the fires of his comrades he could see that word of his involvement had spread quickly, and everyone was waiting for news. Remembering Ghalik’s orders he raised his hands in greeting, then began his retelling of the meeting and informing the Gor-Angir of the old wizard’s scheme.
    No questions were asked of Ma-Gur when he was finished speaking. All present had heard him clearly in the nighttime silence. The plan was simple, yet it hinged dearly upon the success of Okada and the goblin scouts, so an anxious energy crept into the encampment.
    As the night wore on many warriors, and not just orcs, could not sleep. Their thoughts were with the orc ranger and his goblin raiders, who stole away in the dead of night. There were ten goblins all told, silently gripping their spears as they stealthily blended into the night. Okada was not the woodsman that the goblins were, yet was as accomplished as any orc possibly could be in the stealthy arts. He too crept out of his shelter, shouldered his stolen elvish bow, and followed the fast paced goblins into the night.
    For nearly five days life at the outpost went on as it had on the day before the hunting party’s departure. Food was secured, wood was gathered, and weapons were cared for. Ghalik had revealed his purpose in having so much wood and food stored, he intended for the army to live on their nourishment and warmth once the dwarven stronghold was taken. His rationale being that the dwarves would likely poison their supplies before the invaders could stop them. The old wizard had also conscripted a large number of the more nimble fingered goblins to begin making coils of rope. The more coils, he insisted, the less time that will be lost moving the army should rope be required.
    The barely suppressed anxiety was worked out as everyone went about their tasks, until near dusk on the sixth day. A cry went up from the sentries as one of the goblin scouts from Okada’s party came running into the camp. By the time the goblin reached Ghalik’s throne the entire camp had dropped what they were doing and hurried to listen. As they gathered round they could see the goblin making his report in the chirping language of goblin kind. Total silence fell as Ghalik stood to face the crowd.
    “They have found all that we had hoped for and more! The land is ripe for our vengeance!” bellowed Ghalik. The crowd descended into roars of excitement, but were quickly silenced by Ghalik’s booming voice.
    “But the enemy is upon us! Another force of crusaders comes at us from the east. We must pack and move quickly, lest our fire be quenched before it is given the chance to brighten!”

“The scrolls tell us that in the ancient times vast armies of orcs marched across the land that one day would become this blessed Empire, and that walls crumbled before their mighty siege engines even as the knights