Forgotten Realms:

Angels and Demons

Part XXI

Al watched over his charge, seeing with eyes that saw more than any mortals could. Below the surface golden light wisped about, looking less like a maelstrom, and more like a grand ballet. The swirling mists circled around in rings, each twisting in a different direction. Less chaos, there was beautiful order to the show. At the center was his core, and the brightest light. The Celestial smiled.

Kirann was on the right path, even if he had taken a less worn path. The comfort of rules and law would have kept him from the chancel of failing. In this case, falling and turning his Celestial nature inverse. Instead of a champion who brought light and life, he'd be a scourge who brought darkness and depression. A calculated risk to right a wrong, and following his own moral compass, his heart.

Al turned his gaze, to look at the coming darkness. A foul power had taken control of an army of Orcs. He couldn't interfere directly, but he could follow his charge's example. Now, how to indirectly help and keep his charge, along with his allies safe. It was a problem worth having. With that the Celestial disappeared into the night.

Hours later the sun rose, but the Challengers were gone. The innkeeper had been woken early and was grouchy. However, the band had warned him of danger coming, and at first he had scoffed at them. With smoke billowing on the horizon, the innkeeper changed his mind. Windows were boarded up and his family was secured behind the walls. Worse came to worse, they knew the secret tunnel that led to the forest.

Terror filled his heart as he saw the first Orcs emerge from the trees. That terror increased in level tenfold, as more appeared, and in formation. At their head was a man in pain, playing an instrument with pain written on his face. The innkeeper couldn't see the reason for the pain, the burned hands that still hadn't healed all the way. However, what he couldn't help but see, were the skeletal wings that burst forth.

The man with the bone wings turned, and followed the trail the Challengers had taken. That didn't leave the inn completely safe, as about twenty Orcs remained about it. They had a hungry look about them. The innkeeper started a prayer to whatever god could hear his plea, and wished the adventurers had stuck around a little longer. All he had in the inn were a bunch of merchants, not a fighter among them.

Kirann's fist smashed into an Orc skull. The crunching sound reverberated, even amongst the sounds of battle around him. Another Orc howled as electricity surged through a new stab hole in its back. A sliding short sword blade finished it off, just as another was cleaved in half with blade and holy light. Three others were blown back as a fireball blasted them in the face. Only one climbed back to its feet, for a blade staff to end its life

Boris lept forward, burying his axe into another Orc, while behind him Manheim let loose with a ray of enfeeblement. That Orc lost all coordination and ended up landing on its own axe. Right before finished itself off, trying to remove the axe, and getting impaled on its neighbor's spear.

Raven hurried the DuValls on, keeping them from the fighting. All around them, explosions of sound and magic erupted. The DuValls ran, fear moving them, as much as the need to find safety. An Orc popped up in front of them, but Raven took it out with an Eldritch infused slash. She led them onward as another Orc appeared, but this one found a radian sun bolt waiting. The Orc stumbled back, half its chest burned away. Kirann didn't keep it in pain, and his next strike ended the Orc.

"Hurry, Challengers," he called out. "Let's get these people to safety!"

Leilani came up behind the DuValls, "Come now, this place is getting a little rough."

"Silly Elf," grumbled Boris. "This is just getting fun! Come on you dirty beast Orcs! My axe needs to drink more of your blood."

"Dwarves," sighed Manheim. "We better be getting paid well for this."

Kirann pointed to a rushing Orc on their path, "Walton, that one needs smiting!"

The paladin intercepted the Orc, his blade swinging down, filled with holy power. Pure light sliced the Orc in half and then an eruption obliterated the falling halves into dust. Another rushing Orc stopped in its tracks, at the sudden sight of its neighbor being erased from existence. Thinking better of attacking the heroes, it proceeded to retreat, complete with excrement flowing freely behind it.

This allowed the Challengers to push forward, with the remaining Orcs nipping at their heels. Pushing the DuValls to their limit, they made their way towards Altamar. Unlike the adventurers, they were not used to being on the move for so long, or though such terrain. Luckily, they soon came onto the Challenger's cart.

Kirann and Val helped the two into the back, joined by Manheim and Leilani. The rest of the group piled onto the wagon, surrounding the DuValls, while Raven sat shotgun with Kirann up front. With the wagon, they made better time. The Orcs soon fell further behind, except for mounted ones. Those Leilani and Manheim dealt with, using their magic to take out the riders. It would still be close though. Their horses were good sturdy horses, but they weren't the fastest.

It was going to take a good hand at the reigns. Raven kept an eye out for attackers, leaving Kirann to focus on keeping everything moving. The pathway wasn't completely overgrown, but it wasn't as clear as the main roads. The cart skipped across it, and jostled the passengers in the back. He hoped that the wheels held, because a broken one would leave them at the mercy of Orcs.

The Challengers thought their worries were over as the pathway opened up to the road leading to Altamar. Until they saw the enormous horde on their flank. Thousands of Orcs spanned across the horizon and filled the land like a dark shadow. A pulsating mass of angry yells and guttural screams. That mass rushed forward, and Kirann snapped the reigns. He pushed his team onward.

Racing forward, the wagon flew across the land, with bumps and rocks sending he passengers bouncing up and down. None complained, because the foul breath of the chasing Orcs were right upon them. One orcish arrow ricocheted off Walton's breastplate and embedded into the side of the wagon. Another landed right by Val's head, and she returned fire with her short bow. She fired again and again, not sure if she was hitting the Orcs, but knowing she must have. If only by pure numbers alone, she was guaranteed to hit one.

The horses' breathing was starting to give Kirann pause for concern. He couldn't let them slow down. However, if they didn't get to safety soon, the horses might fall over dead. Luckily, he saw the gates coming up quickly. He heard the loud command to open the gate, and the monk pushed his team forward.

The wagon entered the walls, and just as quickly the opening closed. The portcullis slammed closed with a metallic crash. Only then did Kirann let his team slow down. Rushing up to meet his group, were the stable hands of the guards. He let them guide the horses, while he turned back to check on the DuVall's.

They looked good considering, even with being slightly pale and terrified. Both Boris and Walton showed signs of battle. Boris had three arrows sticking out of his armor, but no serious injuries. Walton had an arrow lodged between the plates of his armor, so he too was fine. Val looked from the arrow near her head back to Kirann and smiled. Captain Reynolds was coming up with a group of guards.

"You know how to make an entrance," he said to the gathered adventurers. "Are these the people?"

"Yes," Kirann answered. "These are the DuValls."

"Those Orcs seems awfully interested in getting to them," Boris said. "I haven't had that much fun in years!"

"Don't mind the Dwarf, he's been hit in the head too many times," Lorinda growled. "You are safe here, Lord Wallace will protect you. He's a good man."

"That's saying a lot for someone who doesn't like cities," Leilani ribbed the druid. "Come, we should get to the tavern before its drunk dry."

Captain Reynolds laughed, "I hate to do this, but Lord Wallace is asking for you to report to him now. I'll bring you all a bottle of whiskey later, just in case."

"You better!" Leilani said. "After that flight, you might want to bring two."

Kirann shook his head, "Come on then. Let's see what is needed."

The city had changed in the short time the Challengers had been gone. Before everything was open and the standard noises of a city abounded. Now, though everything was quiet, too quiet. The only noises were coming from the soldiers moving about, orders being given and forces moving about. It was different though, as if everyone were waiting with baited breath.

Once open avenues were now closed off, and the whole city had been transformed. The overall strategy seemed to have invading forces funneled into small areas. Giving the defenders a better way to fight, just incase the invaders breached the walls. Kirann had to give the architect respect for such a defense. He just hoped that it wouldn't come to that.

As such, the normal quick trip to the Lord's castle, was longer. As they got closer, more guards and soldiers were seen in greater groups. Most were receiving orders, others were relaying new information. All was centered on a grand table, with many maps and papers strewn about. A tent had been erected over it, to keep the elements from effecting the documents scattered about it. At the center of this grand table, sat Lord Wallace, who looked tired.

The lord of Altamar showed the lack of sleep, with bags formed under his eyes. However, they lit up when the Challengers walked up. Walking up to meet them, he grabbed Kirann's hand in a hearty shake. The advisors nearby went about their duties, not wanting their distaste to show. Lord Wallace favored them, even if the other nobles found them distasteful. Not that they hadn't used those like them in the past.

"It is good to see you all safe. How was the mission?" Lord Wallace asked. Seeing Val, he turned to her, "I'm glad to see you safe and sound."

"Tyranfall will be sending forces," Kirann explained. "Lord Byron has been imprisoned and his wife now helps rule the city. The DuValls are here now"

"Really?!" Lord Wallace didn't want to sound incredulous, but those words seemed beyond belief.

"Yes, your Eminence," Walton said. "Tyr was guiding our hand, as the guilty have been punished and the innocent freed."

Raven said next, "With the prophesized parents here, I'd expect the Orcs to stop at nothing to get in."

"The ones behind this attack may show themselves now," Kirann said. "They may want more control over the situation."

Lord Wallace nodded, "Might be able to flush them out then. Still, the numbers we're seeing may prove too many. Even with Tyranfall and Wyvern's Rest sending forces, I fear we are catastrophically outnumbered."

"Any other forces coming?" Lorinda asked.

"Possibly some sellswords from Luskan and Neverwinter," Lord Wallace answered. "How many, I'm not sure."

"Then we'll need to hold out and make them pay for each inch," Kirann said. "What's the plan?"

Lord Wallace smiled at the monk's straightforward manner, "We've got the regulars set. However, if you and your group could handle the irregulars. We've got several bands already in the city, but I'd like you to be over them. We could use your unique insight with them and any bands that may come in."

"We are getting paid for this, right?" Manheim growled, but Kirann ignored him.

The monk nodded, "Let's see what we have to work with."

Captain Reynolds led them from the main area, down towards the docks. There they found a less structured and far noisier scene. A dozen bands were gathered, and each one thought they should be in charge. None wanted to listen to the others, and demanded why they should. The captain of the guard was feeling bad for the Challengers. This was not going to be an easy challenge.

"These are the irregulars, many here for coin as much as to make a name for themselves," Captain Reynolds explained. "They all have done some work with us in the past, but not to the extent you all have."

"Why do I get this feeling that we're all doomed?" Manheim complained. "They'll make great fodder, but not an army."

"You need faith," Walton said. "Our leader has a way about him."

"Attention Sellswords!" Kirann called out, throwing a radian sun beam into the air to get their attention. "I am Kiran of the Challengers. Lord Wallace asks us to defend Altamar from Orcs. Together we will push them back, and glory will be ours. Those we protect will be most appreciative, maybe enough to share their riches.

All of this is naught if we don't take this threat seriously. My team has fought those Orcs outside, and they aren't normal Orcs. They use our tactics, use weapons forged for people. They are dangerous. They will still fall, because we will work together.

Any who have good ideas are welcome to speak. However, we can't speak to everyone now. I ask each of your band leaders meet with us. Those ideas will be heard then, and then a plan made."

One of the gathered sellswords cried out, "Who put you in charge?!"

"Lord Wallace did," Captain Reynolds interjected. "These adventurers know more about the threat than anyone else. Listen to them and follow their lead. Lord Wallace has agreed to pay you well for your time."

"Money is money," another sellsword piped up. "At least its one of us, instead of a know nothing stodgy nobleman. I say we hear them out. Worst case scenario, he turns out to be a fool and is replaced."

Captain Reynolds let out a long sigh, "Sorry, Kirann, I wish we could give you more to work with."

"It'll be fine," the monk said. "They may even surprise you."