The road to the black fortress

The march of the Black Dogs was an arduous one, they have crossed the Taurus pass which was cold and full of monstrous greenskin tribes that would often harass them left and right unrelentingly, their supplies were well protected by the Black Dog regular infantry who fend off every attacks of the orcs who tries to distract their Taifali cavalry corps and the Gothic troops, thinking that by doing so would leave the supply wagons unguarded and ripe for the taking but the Black Dogs regular infantry themselves were fierce enough to drive them away.

"Their ferocity could be mended by discipline" one of the goth troops said as Macrian couldn't help but agree, he remembers fighting against the Black Dogs once during a territorial disputes against one of the duchies of Feoh, they had lured the Black Dogs deep into their territory, making them think that victory was near only to trap them into a series of ambush and traps, they panicked of course and were forced to a retreat but was cut off by the Alani-Sarmatian warriors who were hidden on a forest nearby, it was at this time Macrian felt that victory was theirs if not for the intervention of Celestine Lucullus.

Whatever sorcery she did to my father, I wish that I had slit her throat, Macrian thought as he looks at his son Theodoric who was afraid as he watches the carnage, "don't be afraid Theodoric" he said as the boy began to give him javelins to refill his stock, "these scum will not show fear nor hesitation my boy, to them you are just their food and the women are their play things" Macrian then ruffled his hair, "go to your mother" he said as Theodoric went running back to the caravan.

"Hengist!" Macrian calls out as a Getheod on horseback began to approach him followed by other horsemen "I need you to chase the whole orcs, don't let them regroup, don't let them try to attack our supply caravan again am I clear?" Hengist nodded as he began to shout orders on his men only to be stopped by Vault who was going towards them.

"Belay that order!" he calls out as Macrian turns to him.

"We already got them on the run, one more pressure and we can slaughter them all!" Macrian cries out as Vault and Kin didn't try to call off their orders but instead tried to explain to Macrian why such would be foolish.

"If we leave our baggage train defenseless then what would happen if the orcs only lured the cavalry away from the supply train and another hidden forces would charge against us, these orcs are already defeated Macrian let them be" Vault said as Macrian couldn't argue the logic of the argument and so halted the orders for the cavalry to chase down the orcs.

Theodoric watched at a grisly scene as every man began to cut down every enemy that were lying unconscious, his mother holding him as they smell the filth of the battlefield, he tried to look away but was stopped by Alaric "don't look away" he said as he gestures for Theodoric's mother, Lodilinde, to let the boy follow him "when we were boys your grandfather let us look at the aftermath of a battle" he said as they walk around the battlefield observing the dead and dying.

"Why?" Theodoric asked as a spear landed on flesh near them, Alaric gestured for the owner of the spear who handed it over to him and then gave it to the boy motioning to the stirring unconscious monster lying in front of them.

"It was to remind us that war is a cruel necessity" Alaric said as he planted his boot on the orc, "kill him Theodoric, this creature would not hesitate to kill you, better to kill it first" he said as Alaric looked at him and then at the orc on the ground before driving the spear to its belly, blood gurgles and Theodoric's nose scrunched as he smelled something foul and he began to puke on the ground.

Luitpold looked at the direction of the Black Dogs mercenary company as they began to set up camp, it was suspicious to see one of their spellcaster Kin always making this trips away from the agreed perimeter of their camp. "Hey Luitpold!" his attention was now called by Hicks who gave him a pat on the shoulder, "what's the matter my good man? You've been out and away from the past couple of days" he said as Luitpold shrug off his worries as he looks at his friend.

"It is nothing Hicks, its just that I find it suspicious that Kin has been going out of our perimeter" he said as Hicks raised an eyebrow to him.

"Eh what do you know of spellcasters? Kin always acts so mysterious and mystical like all mages anyway, come on lets drink and feast tomorrow we will defeat the Dark Queen and we will go home as heroes like in all of those stories you Goths seem to like" he said as Luitpold decided to let it be despite the sinking feeling he has of the spellcaster.

It was night when Luitpold decided to follow the spellcaster when he went away from their camp once more, the light of the moon and the close sight of his charge was his guide as he follows Kin deep into the forest, after some few hours of Kin seemingly trying to loose him from tailing him they finally stopped on an open clearing near a spring there was no one there except for Luitpold who hid himself in the bushes and Kin who was waiting for someone, minutes passed and a group of orcs showed up and Luitpold was about to spring to the spellcasters defense when Kin began to speak their guttural language.

What they were speaking of? Luitpold wonders as the orcs began to nod to the spellcaster who smiles to them, they seem to be in agreement of something and Luitpold knew that it was something bad.

"Trust not in witchcraft and magic for it will lead you astray from God" he remembers the words of a priest as Luitpold began to stand up to confront the spellcaster only to be stabbed from behind, he looks back then sees Hicks whose sword connected to his flesh.

"Why?" he questions surprised and hurt at such a betrayal as Hicks smiles remorselessly to him.

"Sorry mate, can't have you reporting back of our little plans here" he cruelly said as he quickly kicks Luitpold away before finishing him off with a flourished stab to the heart.

A few beats of his heart Luitpold began to feel the slow and cold embrace of death which he welcomes.

Author's note: well now that's a wrap this will be a short chapter before the next which is the Battle of Garan, the Dark fortress which would result to the divide within the Black Dog ranks.

Criticisms and Praises are appreciated!

Miko 56