[Note: This story follows the events of Faith and Fury]
Dust and sand were caught up in the abrasive winds of the Cassian desert, their sting was relentless. These winds had blown for eons, carving out canyons from the rock. Viridia headed toward such a canyon to seek cover from the wind as well as from the scorching sun overhead. She sought relief not only for herself but for her dying teacher whom she carried on her back. She was better equipped for the harsh environment than he was. Every inch of her skin was protected. She wore many tan robes and scarves about her body. She also wore a bronze helm that hid her face in shadow. Her teacher, Rok-Dahn, was more exposed. He had no head covering, his wild gray hair and long beard blew in the wind. Heavy as the old dwarf was for Viridia to carry, she could just barely manage it since they were both unburdened by the weight of water. There had been no time to take any while they had fought their way out of the Cassian camp. It seemed that the wounds she had been dealt during that battle were superficial. They had stopped bleeding a while ago and the blood on her robes had dried. The same could not be said for her teacher.
Even so, she knew she would only be able to press on for maybe another hour or so before she too collapsed. Viridia had endured a great deal for one day. She had not expected them to make it this far. She had expected a glorious death in the Cassian camp. Instead, they had survived the fighting and now they would die shamefully alone in the wilderness, like wounded animals.
“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am the Voice,” she said aloud in a weak raspy voice. She was praying to her God in the way her teacher had taught her, reciting prophecies. “I will strengthen you,” she continued, “Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
The shade cast by the canyon wall crept over Viridia and Rok-Dahn as she took them further down into its shelter. Rock formations rose from the sand all around them. The heat was less intense here, and so was the deafening sound of the wind. Her ears adjusted to the relative quiet. Subconsciously she was scanning for signs of life as she listened. It would be difficult for her to see any threats hiding among the boulders and caves around them, but any sound made here was amplified as it bounced off the canyon wall. Her senses were sharp and she soon realized that she and her teacher were not alone.
Viridia stopped in her tracks. The sounds of her last few steps lingered throughout the valley until the echoes ceased. She waited in the stillness for what seemed like an eternity. There it was again. The sound of a stone getting brushed aside by a step.
An animal? She thought.
She heard the step again. This was no animal. She had been trained well enough in her younger years to tell the difference. There was the sound of sentience in those steps.
I can’t run, she thought. At least not with Rok-Dahn on my back. She looked upon the face of the old dwarf. I will not leave him, she thought.
Viridia balanced the dwarf so that she could check her equipment with her right hand. She adjusted her robes so that her knife could be more easily drawn. She checked her teacher’s belt and found his warhammer. She tried to wield it but it was heavy and her hands were weak. It slipped from her fingers and crashed into the ground. The crash resounded throughout the entire valley. There would be no hiding.
I don’t have the strength to fight, she thought. Perhaps they will talk.
With a groan, Viridia went down to one knee and leaned Rok-Dahn against a nearby boulder. Her legs almost gave out on her as she rose back to her feet. She stumbled forward out into the open and tried to look strong.
“Who goes there?” she shouted. She was met only with silence. Then there was the sound of more steps.
There’s quite a few of them, she thought. I must be cautious. We have many enemies and few friends in this desert.
“I said who goes there!” she shouted again.
“You can demand no knowledge from us!” a man’s voice shouted. “Tell us who you are and why you are here!”
“We are…travelers, from an Aquumian caravan,” she said.
“What wounded you?” said the unseen speaker. There was the sound of steps all around them now, closing in.
“A foul beast attacked us,” said Viridia. “We are all that live now. Will you not help us?”
“You tell lies,” said the unseen speaker. “Some of the dwarf’s wounds were dealt by weapons.”
It was at this time that the speaker revealed himself. He stepped out from behind a large block of sandstone. He was covered head to toe in the same tan robes as Viridia. Many figures just like him appeared all around her. Spears were raised and bows were drawn. The blade of every weapon glinted red in the sun. They were made of Rakta Rayi, the sharpened “bloodstone” used by the orc tribes. There were twice as many animals as figures that stood around her. At least two kit foxes stood by the side of each warrior. These animals were tense. Viridia knew that with a single word, they could be made to bear down on her.
The Gray Orcs of the Fox! she thought.
“Yes!” she rasped. “I told lies. I thought you were enemies. I thought you were scouts of the Imperium Malgiliri or Cassian slavers!”
“We may still be enemies,” said the leader of the orcs. “Having enemies in kind does not make us friends.”
“I am Viridia. This is my teacher Rok-Dahn,” she said. “A week ago we were saved and protected by the chieftain Dolgurag, a respected kinsman of yours to the east of here.”
The orcs looked at one another. The one who had been speaking whispered with another orc beside him. Those who wielded bows relaxed, but the spearman kept their weapons raised.
“Do you not know him?” asked Viridia desperately.
“We know Dolgurag well,” said the leader. “But we cannot be sure of what you say.”
Not saved then, she thought. They won’t kill us, but they may leave us here.
“Perhaps,” she tried to swallow but her throat was too dry. “Perhaps if we cannot promise the favor of Dolgurag, we can win favor with you.”
“How?” said the leader of the orcs.
“We are mighty warriors,” she said. “We are Iudex of the Lex Legis. Our weapons are blessed by the Voice who protects us. Is there no enemy that burdens you? Is there no beast that hunts you in this desert? We will slay it!”
A murmur spread among the orcs. Viridia could not discern how warmly her plea had been received. She lamented that she had been made to beg.
Why? She thought to the Voice. Why have you brought us so low?
“Your God does not seem to have protected you well today,” called out the leader. Viridia thought in silence for a moment before answering.
“He has delivered us to you,” she said in a weak voice. Her head was aching with a dull throbbing pain. Her helmet felt like it was crushing her skull. She wanted badly to cast it off but she dared not reveal her face now.
“And the Voice has placed an ally of the Iudex among this tribe!” shouted another voice from among the orc archers.
A robed figure stepped out into the clearing. He pulled back the scarves wrapped around his head to show that he was a man, a human, not an orc. He had dark olive skin, wavy black hair, and a scruffy black beard. He also revealed a bronze brooch pin among his many robes. It was a symbol that Viridia recognized. It depicted the north star, the symbol of the Navigators, another order that had once protected the kingdom of Aquum before its fall.
“I’ve seen how Iudex fight with my own eyes,” said the man. “She can help us. I’ll vouch for her.” The orc who had been speaking for the tribe stepped out into the clearing and faced the man.
“You will vouch for her Aedus?” asked the orc.
“I’ll do more than that,” said Aedus. “I’ll take her there.”
“We have lost too many fighters to spare you,” said the orc.
“I’m not fighting the thing,” said Aedus. “I’ll only be navigating. I’ll be back before you know it.” Viridia had been listening to this with a glazed look in her eyes. She was feeling dizzy.
“What burdens you?” she asked weakly. The orc and the man turned to face her.
“I am Orinuuk,” said the orc. “I speak for this tribe since our chieftain Bagra was taken. Several days ago, we were found and attacked by the Imperium. They had with them a massive sand troll. We lost many good fighters in the battle.”
“What do you ask of me?” asked Viridia. Her vision was getting blurry. She had to win them over quickly.
“This man Aedus,” Orinuuk motioned to the man. “Tracked them back to their camp. Aedus learned that several of our fighters still lived, among them was our chieftain Bagra. Perhaps they will execute them as a show of strength to the other orc tribes, or perhaps they intend to sell them as slaves to the Cassians. Either way, our tribe is greatly weakened and they are beyond our reach. But perhaps if you are such a great warrior you can do what we think to be impossible, defeat the troll, and save our orcs.”
Viridia thought for a moment. What Orinuuk said was true. A battle against this enemy would likely be her last, but she could see no other way forward for herself and her teacher.
“I will do this,” she said. “I will help you. Look after the dwarf until I return.”
“We have enough water for the dwarf to drink for three days,” said Orinuuk. “We struggle to provide for our own elders and wounded. After three days he must be left to the desert if you have not returned. I wish these days were not so desperate,”
“Fair,” said Viridia in what was almost a whisper. She was starting to sway in the wind.
“Then we’re bound to each other,” said Aedus. “I’ll take her as soon as she’s ready.”
“Good,” said Virida. With those words, she finally released the desperate hold of the last of her strength. She fell forward and was unconscious before her helmet crashed into the dust.
***
When Viridia awoke she was lying on her back. Her hands shot to her face and found that her helmet was still covering it, as it always did.
“We never took it off,” said Aedus.
Viridia breathed a little easier. She was lying on the floor of a cave. The air was cool.
“Is it because of your ancestry?” asked Aedus. Viridia turned to look at him. He was sitting on a rock beside her sharpening his dagger.
“If you never removed it then how could you know of my ancestry?” asked Viridia.
“I was a Navigator,” said Aedus with a grin. “It was my job to pick up on these things.”
“Was?” she asked gloomily.
“The Order’s long gone. You knew that. No one to guide, no kingdom to represent. These orcs are my people now.”
“I…understand,” said Virdia. Aedus nodded.
“I think I know why you hide your face,” he said. “You were wise to do it. But you probably don’t need to keep it up. Most of these orcs don’t hate all of your people, just the ones who…” he paused as Viridia met his gaze. “I see,” he said.
“Where is Rok-Dahn?” asked Viridia.
“The dwarf?” said Aedus. “He’s safe. Still out like a light though. We closed his wounds. He’ll get just enough water to live until you return.”
“I want to see him,” she said. As she tried to sit up a wave of dizziness came over her and she had to wait a moment before trying to stand.
“You should stay down,” said Aedus. “You’ll be needing your strength tomorrow.”
“We are leaving today,” said Viridia. She grunted as she forced herself to her feet. “The Imperium could slay your captured orcs at any moment. We have no time to waste.”
“Fine,” said Aedus. “This way.”
He got up and walked toward the entrance of the cave. Viridia steadied herself on the wall for a few seconds before following after him. As she walked out into the day she could tell that it was early morning. The sun had not fully risen and it wasn’t yet so insufferable to stand outside. They were still in the canyon. There were a few orc tents set up, but most of the orcs that Vridia could see seemed to be dwelling in caves along the canyon wall. She followed Aedus through the camp. They passed by orc women and children among the warriors. Few orcs walked without weapons about them. Even some of the children had at least a bloodstone dagger on their hips. Most of the orcs that Viridia passed were accompanied by a kit fox. All orcs had a way with taming beasts and gray orcs especially liked foxes.
Eventually, Aedus came to a stop outside one of the cave dwellings. He motioned inside. Viridia entered. She soon found her teacher Rok-Dahn. He was lying among several old and wounded orcs. His condition looked grim as if he might be dead. She knelt down beside him and checked to see if he was still breathing. He was, but very softly. Viridia grasped his hand firmly and recited a quick prayer of protection under her breath. She took one final moment to look upon him for what she thought might be the last time.
“Take care teacher,” she said with despair in her voice before walking back out of the cave. Aedus and the orc Orinuuk were waiting for her.
“Like I said,” said Aedus. “He’s alive. They’ll keep him that way as long as they can.”
“When will you be leaving?” asked Orinuuk.
“As soon as I have a spear and some water,” said Viridia.
“You will not be resting any longer?” asked Orinuuk with a raised brow.
“There is little time,” said Viridia. “It is already an impossible task, let us not make the way harder.” Orinuuk nodded and a grim smile spread across his face.
“You show spirit Iudex,” said the orc. “Take my spear.” The orc held out his bloodstone spear with both hands. Viridia paused and then took it very gently. The red volcanic glass of the Rakta Rayi spearpoint shimmered in the sun like obsidian as she turned it.
“I am honored,” she said.
“I’ve already packed enough water for the both of us,” said Aedus.
“Very well then Navigator,” she said. Aedus straightened up a bit at the mention of his former title. Viridia took a moment to remember the ancient words.
“Duce Ad Tutius Cras,” she said.
“A safer tomorrow?” chuckled Aedus. “Not likely.”
***
By the time the sun reached its zenith Viridia and Aedus had left the canyon far behind them. They made excellent progress in their travels. Aedus knew where to tread. He knew how to avoid troublesome brush and how to scale and descend mighty dunes with great speed. Viridia followed in his footsteps and tried to learn his ways. They traveled for five hours before resting. They took cover from the sun in the shade of the skull of a mighty dragon. The beast had been gargantuan. Its skull alone was as tall as a great tower. Viridia and Aedus would have been like ants in the beast’s wake. For a while Viridia and Aedus ate and drank in contemplative silence. Eventually, Viridia broke it.
“How much farther?” she asked. Aedus held up a finger while he finished chewing. He swallowed.
“The Imperium soldiers that have our chieftain are quartered in a Cassian settlement not far from here,” he said. “We’ll be there by sundown.”
“How many of them will we be facing?”
“You’ll have to deal with at least thirty men and a sand troll,” said Aedus. Viridia’s face was hidden beneath her helm but she cocked her head in a sufficiently questioning manner. Aedus responded, “I’m just getting you there. You saw how many children, wounded, and elderly our tribe has. We’ve lost too many of our fighters to risk losing me. This is your fight.”
“I cannot call upon your honor as a Navigator?” she asked.
“Honor!” chuckled Aedus. “Honor was a thing of the Iudex. Navigators just got the job done.” There was a break in their conversation and for a few minutes, the only sound was the whistling of the wind through the dragon’s skull.
“Do you know of any more surviving Iudex?” asked Aedus. “Are you and the dwarf, it?”
“We may be,” she said with a sigh. “There were several more in a hidden stronghold on the edge of the Cassian desert. The Imperium found us a week ago. Rok-Dahn and I are the only two I can be certain escaped.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Aedus. Viridia felt that he meant it.
“Thank you,” she said. “Perhaps you cannot help me in the battle, but can you promise to do what you can for Rok-Dahn? I know the tribe is desperate but even if I should fail, he must live!”
“If you should fail it won’t just be Rok-Dahn who dies,” said Aedus. “The survival of the orc tribe, my tribe, is hanging by a thread. The loss of our chieftain was a great blow. Bagra is a wise leader and she is like a mother to many of us. I’m helping you because I believe you are our only chance of getting her back! I hope you care about saving us too.”
“Yes,” said Viridia. “You’re right, I am sorry.”
“Why just him and not you?” asked Aedus.
“Hmm?”
“Why must only Rok-Dahn live? Why do you throw your life away?”
“He has lived for more than two centuries,” she said. “There are so many of our scriptures and prophecies that he has memorized, whose scrolls have been lost or burned. If he dies the world will lose a library.”
“Still,” said Aedus. “Your death would not also be a loss? One of the last two Iudex?” Viridia turned to face the desert. She thought for a long time before answering him.
“I am not certain the Voice has any great plans for me,” she said. “When I first became a Iudex I thought the Voice would soon restore us. But it has not been so. We have only fallen farther. If Rok-Dahn lives our order may rise again one day. As for me…I have never seen our days of glory. Perhaps I never will. Perhaps I have lived too shamefully to be worthy of seeing them.”
“That’s pretty grim,” said Aedus. “I’d expected the Voice’s chosen to have a little more hope.”
Viridia spoke without turning. She recalled a prophecy she had learned from Rok-Dahn. “‘But Aquum shall be saved by the Voice with an everlasting salvation: you shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.’”
She turned back to meet Aedus’ gaze.
“I will do all that I can for your kinsmen,” she said. “Please promise me you’ll do the same for Rok-Dahn.”
“I’ll do what I can for him,” said Aedus. “But I make no promises.”
“Very well,” said Viridia, her voice full of sorrow. She shouldered her pack and rose to her feet. “Let’s keep moving.”
***
The Imperium’s soldiers were stationed at a small Cassian settlement named Kisurra. On a dune to the east of Kisurra, an ancient tower of pure white stone loomed. It was a ruin of the Auditorum empire. No one alive remembered how the old empire had fallen. The tower had seen eons of the desert’s cutting winds and yet not so much as a scratch could be seen on its perfectly smooth surface. The sun had set over the Cassian desert and the white stone shone in the light of the moon. Presently, Aedus and Viridia used the tower as cover from which to look over the forces of the Imperium.
Most of the soldiers were living in tents on the south side of the town. On the edge of the Imperium camp, there were four wooden cages where the orc prisoners were kept. It was clear that during the day the cages offered no shade and the prisoners were made to burn in the sun. Not too far from where the cages were, loomed the bulk of the troll. Viridia might not have noticed it if Aedus had not pointed it out to her. Much of the troll was made of sandstone. In the dark of the night, it looked almost like a rock formation. Only the subtle movement of the troll’s breathing gave away the fact that it was alive. There was a large carapace strapped to its back that a soldier could ride on. Virdia was sure this was one of the largest trolls she had ever seen.
Its mind must have broken long ago, she thought. I wonder what its name was.
“Looks like they haven’t added any to their number,” said Aedus. “Still, thirty Imperium fighters will be difficult to overcome. What’s your plan?”
Viridia thought in silence for a few minutes. She turned over various ways forward in her mind, few of them seemed wise. Eventually, she asked Aedus a question.
“Would it be enough just to get the prisoners to this tower?” she asked. “Could you get them home from here?”
“Too risky,” he said. “Some of the orcs might be injured. If the Imperium was close behind they would soon cut us all down.”
“What if someone was holding them back, buying you time?” she asked. Aedus met Viridia’s gaze.
“Maybe,” he said. “That might do it.”
“Would that be enough for the tribe to protect Rok-Dahn?” she asked. “Would it be enough for you to tell them of what I did?”
“Yes,” he said slowly. “That would be enough.”
“Very well,” said Viridia as she readied herself for battle. “It seems that Orinuuk will not reclaim his spear.”
“He’ll be glad to know it was put to good use,” said Aedus. “Good luck.”
Without another word, Viridia was off. She swiftly descended the tower. As she crept through the dark sands toward the Imperium camp she secured her spear across her back and drew her dagger.
It seemed to her that she was able to pass through the clearing between the tower and the town while remaining unseen. She took a deep breath and stepped into the camp. Two guards stood between her and the first cage where the orcs were kept. The imperium soldiers wore purple tunics under black splinted-iron armor. Like Viridia, they too hid their faces. Their black iron helmets contained bronze masks shaped like human skulls.
She waited until they had their backs to her to creep up behind the closest soldier. She had to be quiet. If she was swarmed with enemies before the orcs were free then it would all be for nothing. In one motion, she came up behind the soldier, thrust her left hand under the skull mask, and grabbed the soldier by the mouth. He was unable to shout as she wrestled him to the ground and quickly dispatched him with her dagger. The second guard heard the scuffle, but he turned too late to dodge the spear that was already sailing through the air. It caught him in the chest and he collapsed into the dust.
As Viridia retrieved her spear she heard a weak groan a little ways behind her. She turned to see that a third guard had stepped out from a tent and spotted her, but before he cried out several arrows struck him with deadly blows. Viridia looked across the clearing toward the Auditorum tower just in time to see Aedus ducking back behind the tower’s parapet. She grinned beneath her helm and then quickly got back to work.
The brief skirmish had been enough to wake some of the gray orcs. The ones who still slumbered were quickly stirred. Viridia approached the first of the four cages.
“Where is your chieftain Bagra?” she whispered. The orcs pointed to the fourth cage. Viridia closed her eyes and drew her dagger. She thought of the heat and power she felt during her battle with Eshkar.
Lend me your strength again, she prayed. I believe it is your will that these orcs go free.
As soon as she opened her eyes her dagger flared up. The long bronze blade of the dagger glowed white hot and flame spouted out from it. As Viridia passed each cage she cleaved through the iron locks with her dagger. When she came to the last cage she saw that there was only one orc in it. The orc was sitting up straight but did not react to Viridia’s presence. Viridia knew her to be an orc chieftain by the markings on her robes.
“Chieftain, we must leave now,” said Viridia. “Aedus waits for you at the white tower.”
“You must leave without me,” said Bagra. “I will only be a burden to the others.”
“What do you mean…” Viridia saw Bagra’s leg as the orc turned around. The leg was covered in robes but those robes were blood-soaked.
“It is wounded,” said Bagra. “The wound has festered for many days. I cannot walk and they will have to run.” As Bagra said this, Viridia could hear the sounds of soldiers rousing throughout the camp. They didn’t have long. Viridia knelt down beside the chieftain and placed a hand on her leg. She began to pray.
Exalted Voice, I have heard of days when your Iudex could heal such wounds in an instant. Please lend me that strength now.
Then Viridia began to speak scriptures aloud. As she did her hand glowed with a radiant light. It shone brightly in the dark of the night.
“Those who plunder you shall become plunder,” she said. “And all who prey upon you I will make prey. For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, so says the Voice.” As Viridia spoke Bagra’s eyes widened. The orc chieftain rose to her feet. She shifted her weight back and forth and her face was full of astonishment.
“It is as if the wound was never there!” exclaimed Bagra inspecting her leg. “Who are you who heals in such a way?”
Viridia stood up. She could feel that healing had come over her body as well. The many aches and pains of the last few days of relentless travel were gone. She no longer felt the wounds she gained during her battle with Eshkar. For a moment Bagra’s astonishment filled her heart with pride, something she had not felt in many years.
“I am a Iudex of the Lex Legis. A servant of the Voice,” said Viridia. “The glory of this healing light is his.”
She left the cage. Most of the orcs had already fled, but two had stayed behind to help their chieftain. Viridia gave them a nod as she passed them. A mass of Imperium soldiers were now out of their tents and into their armor. Bagra rallied the last of the gray orcs and fled into the desert behind Viridia. Before Viridia, there were over a dozen Imperium soldiers. Their shortswords and spears were drawn. The moonlight reflected off their bronze skull masks. Viridia held her long fiery dagger in her left hand and Orinuuk’s bloodstone spear in her right. She felt fresh. She charged.
As soon as she clashed with the enemy she could tell that these were mighty foes. They were far more disciplined than the soldiers in the Cassian camp. Though they were many, they attacked as one. Every time Viridia engaged with them her life balanced on the edge of a knife. She made no mistake that they did not see.
She worked her way through the horde of foes. The tips of their weapons were like drops of rain. Viridia attacked from a distance with her spear to hold them back, then when an opening appeared she would close in and cleave with her long flaming dagger. Even a single strike from the dagger could melt through iron armor and send a man to his grave. Still, each time she attacked she received a few cuts of her own.
Eventually, there was a brief break in the fighting. Six imperium soldiers lay dead and a few more were wounded. Viridia had been dealt many wounds but she stood tall, seemingly unfazed. The combatants caught their breath. Clouds of condensation puffed through their skull masks in the cool night air. By this time the whole camp was awake. Dozens of soldiers were surrounding Viridia.
“Behold, the whirlwind of the Voice goes forth with fury!” She shouted. “A continuing whirlwind; It will fall violently on the head of the wicked!”
Though she was outnumbered, the soldiers were wary. The guards in the Cassian camp had charged recklessly at Viridia with religious zeal. These soldiers kept their distance when they could. It had been their fathers who had conquered this land, back when the Iudex were plentiful and every one of their blades was blessed with holy fire. The men who Viridia fought now had been told stories of those battles since they were young. They were finding out that those stories had been true.
“Stay back from her!” shouted a voice from the dark. The soldiers surrounding Viridia obeyed the order and slowly backed off. The mass of enemies parted and Virdia could see the speaker. She could tell that he was an officer by the red cape he wore and by his helm. He wore similar armor to the others but His skull mask was made of gold and a purple plume crested his helmet. He walked with a slight limp toward the sand troll. As he approached it the troll stirred, but it could not stand for it was tied down.
“You speak of your Voice’s fury,’ said the officer. He spoke with a gravelly voice that showed his age. “I have seen many of your order die calling out for their Voice. He is a weak God and he has brought you here to fall.”
The officer climbed up the mound that was the sand troll. He seated himself in the carapace strapped to the troll’s back and cut two of the ropes that held the troll down. The soldiers around Viridia rushed back much farther than before. They were giving her and the troll a wide berth.
They must not be able to control it very well, she thought.
“Stay back men,” said the officer. “She will slay no more of us.”
Sand poured off of the troll as it rose creating a billowing cloud. Viridia coughed as the dust and sand blew over her. When the cloud cleared the troll towered over Viridia. The troll’s eyes were focused on her. It had metal hooks in its mouth attached to leather straps held by the Imperium officer. He used these straps to direct the beast.
If I could just grab hold of those straps, she thought.
Viridia charged first. She slashed at the beast with her spear in an attempt to keep it at a safe distance. She struggled to find flesh between the segments of natural stone armor. The officer pulled one of his straps and the troll swung at Viridia with a fist the size of a horse. She tried to dive out of the way, but the troll’s fist just barely caught her legs, sending her tumbling across the sand.
Viridia shot back to her feet just in time to avoid being flattened by the troll. She could feel that one of her legs was injured. Every movement shot intense pain up her thigh, but she couldn’t afford to stay still. She rolled and dived away from the troll, slashing at it with her spear. Each step the troll took shook the ground. All around her, the skull masks of the soldiers glared at her. She expected them to jeer but they watched her in silence. Now and then one of them would hurl a javelin at her. She had to be wary of these attacks too.
Keeping her distance wasn’t working. She started trying to strike her foe with the dagger. This required getting closer and taking more risks. Eventually, she saw an opening. She ducked under the troll and landed a slash on either leg. Each strike from her burning dagger cleaved through the rocky armor and tore into the flesh of the beast. It let out a mighty roar, then without command from the officer, it lashed out with its fist suddenly. Viridia was too close to doge. It struck her directly, sending her flying through the air over the circle of soldiers. The leather strap holding her helmet to her head snapped and it went soaring off in another direction. Viridia’s landing was softened somewhat as she fell into a tent, which then collapsed around her.
Viridia lay sprawled across the ground coughing up blood. She had lost hold of her weapons and could feel that she was deeply wounded. She could hear the Imperium officer cackling and the thuds of the troll’s steps as it slowly approached.
This will be my end, she thought. Bagra and the orcs escaped. Aedus will guide them home.
Viridia brought herself up to her knees. She closed her eyes and waited for death.
Rok-Dahn will live, she thought. The orc tribe will survive and the Iudex may live on. It is no great loss that I alone will perish.
NO
It was not something she heard so much as it was felt. The word reverberated through her very bones, convicting her that what she had just thought was wrong. Her eyes shot open. It was then she noticed the flame. The tent was burning all around her and the air was filled with smoke. She had lost hold of the dagger but it still burned. She found it among the flaming ruins of the tent and took hold of it. Its blade glowed hotter than it had before. Rok-Dahn’s survival had been secured and yet the Voice still blessed her blade with holy fire.
“This is for me!” she gasped. “That I may live!”
She looked around a little more and found the orc spear. As soon as she took it up in her left hand its spearpoint also burst into flame. She slowly rose to her feet. Every movement was wrought in pain. The fire of the burning tent was all around her casting light on the green leathery skin of her exposed face. Her bronze-tipped tusks glinted in the light of the flame. The troll was only ten feet away from her now. The officer peered over the top of the beast.
“An orc!” he said. “An orc Iudex? Why are you helping the gray orcs? Where is your tribe greenskin?”
“My tribe is far from this place,” she said. “but the Voice is very near.”
It was then that she saw Aedus sneaking up behind the troll. He had come back for her. She cried out in righteous fury and charged the troll. Every step was excruciating. Her leg was gravely injured. Still, she was able to duck under a swipe from the beast. Once she was close she slashed the beast several times with her blazing weapons. They found their marks and dealt severe blows to its rocky hide. The troll roared and started to thrash about at random. The officer on top struggled to control the beast.
Aedus aimed and let loose several arrows at the officer. He put one into a place his armor didn’t cover and the officer fell from the carapace. After that Aedus rushed forward, lept into the air, and pulled on one of the hanging leather straps attached to the hooks in the troll’s mouth. This caused the troll to wheel around and begin thrashing at the mass of Imperium soldiers. Aedus rushed through the chaos toward Viridia.
“We’ve gotta run now!” he shouted before turning to run out of the camp. Viridia nodded and turned to run with him but nearly collapsed. Her injuries were growing more severe and she could no longer stand on her own. Aedus returned to her side and helped her to her feet. He let her lean on him as they limped toward the desert. Most of the Imperium forces were preoccupied with combatting the sand troll and fighting the fire which was spreading throughout the tents of the camp. Only a few soldiers took notice of Aedus and Viridia. These men were quickly dispatched.
“Why did you come back?” she asked. “How will Bagra return?”
“I told them to meet us at the dragon skull,” said Aedus. “I wouldn’t’ve stepped in if I didn’t think you would win.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“You’re welcome,” he said. “You may not think so, but I thought you deserved to get out of this too.”
Once they had put a few dunes between themselves and the camp Aedus noticed Viridia’s face was exposed.
“Well there’s no hiding your ancestry now,” he said. “I don’t envy you breaking the news to Bagra that she was saved by one of your kind.
“I am what I am,” said Viridia. “Let Bagra say what she will say. I will no longer be ashamed while the Voice is with me.”
Behind them, deep in the camp, among the chaos, Viridia’s helmet lay half buried in the sand. Eventually, the bronze helm was trampled and flattened by the rampaging troll.