The wind was cold... the sun ever shining... it was perfect. Edonel underestimated his leaders’ wild decision. This was truly paradise! He roamed around the landscape on his mount Baenglor. Baenglor is not only his mount but is his friend as well. His father gave him Baenglor when he was just a cub and from that day on they were inseparable. The lion was still getting used to the snow on the ground. He never knew what was beneath. During his time here, he tumbled a few times when he found holes underneath. Baenglor growled but Edonel would smile and chuckle.
“Ah my friend we are settled at last. No more nobles pestering around the court and certainly no more messengers!” Baenglor growled in approval. The lion and the elf continued roaming around, surveying the new landscape. The town was not far, the townsfolk still unpacking and settling in while the soldiers continued building new houses for their families to live in. Lionel was away giving thanks to the Dwarf King for his generosity. Edonel was chosen to take his place while Lionel was away but he kindly refused although still honoured that his superior considered him an equal. In his stead Lionel left Dillon in charge. Due to Dillon’s temper, Edonel chuckled at the thought of Dillon being surrounded with townsfolk demanding things from him. But alas this was not his burden now and for him it is the time to enjoy his new homeland.
As Baenglor was moving through a patch of snow, ever hoping that now holes lay about, Edonel heard a noise. Suddenly Baenglor stopped and he too heard the noise coming from afar. Edonel shifted uneasily searching for the location from where the noise was coming from. Manic laughter and shouts were suddenly clear and Edonel froze as he realised what the noise was coming from. Orcs! He spotted a party of Orcs riding boars and they were heading towards his town. The town was undefended, the warriors busy building their homes. There was no time for them to prepare and no time for Edonel to warn them of the coming danger. Edonel gulped and without hesitation made his way towards the Orcs. Still unsure of what to do, Edonel hoped that he would distract the Orcs and lure them to follow him. One of the orcs spotted the elf and turned his board towards his direction, the others soon followed. Edonel guided Baenglor backwards and started riding as far from the town as possible.
Not very far from him and Baenglor, Edonel spotted a forest. This might be a good way to lose the orcs. Their unending manic laughter got louder which meant they were getting closer. Baenglor leapt off a rock and went into the forest. White lions are animals raised for battle not for riding. The elf was a good distance away from the orcs but they were getting close and fast! Baenglor was panting heavily as he manoeuvred around the trees. Edonel felt his mount getting tired and the orcs got so close... there wasn’t any choice for him left. He guided Baenglor around a big tree and halted. Edonel got off and prepared for battle. Nine, no eleven orcs lay in front of him. The biggest of them all moved forward and smirked at the elf.
“Well boyz, luk at wha we evv ‘ere! A skinnie!” The orcs laughed and mocked the lone elf.
“So wer’z ur kitty eh?! Hew wud make a nice rug for me tent. Donthca tink so boyz?”
The elf grinned, “Ah yes and your heads would make great trophies for my den.”
The orc hacked out a bile from his throat and left a small puddle of spittle between him and Edonel. “Blargh he’s yours boyz, dontcha take long, plenty more o’ him wer dem pointy stunties sed.”
Edonel opened his eyes wide as he realised that the orc was referring to his townsfolk! Without hesitation the orcs started darting towards the elf one by one. Edonel lifted up his axe and surged forward. The first orc came down as Edonel gutted him, another one followed as he was decapited on the spot. One by one the orcs came down. Suddenly from behind a tree, Baenglor leapt at the burly orc warrior! The orc spotted Baenglor and without a single thought lifted up a spear and pierced the lion right under the chin. The orc moved out of the way as the lion fell to the ground. Edonel saw this and shouted out his companions name with tears starting to show in his eyes.
“Derz my trofy boyz! Haha blargh” the orcs behind him started laughing and cheering.
Edonel clearly in rage darted forward avoiding the orcs in front of him just to reach the big orc who had just killed his friend. As Edonel came close to the orc he lifted his axe to kill his target when all of a sudden the orc strafed to the left. Edonel missed the orc completely. He regained his footing and leapt at the orc once more. This time the orc lifted his massive shield and smacked the elf dead on his forehead. Edonel was done, the blow was struck and he was lost. As he dropped to the ground, Edonel could only catch glimpses. He saw Baenglor only a few meters away. All life had left him as he lay dead in a puddle of blood staining his white pelt. Edonel felt footsteps coming closer.
“Well skinnie... dis be it den.” The mighty orc lifted up his massive spear to finish the elf. Edonel knew this was the end and took his last few breaths.
“AAARRGHHHH Wats’ dis??!!”
Vines started entangling the orcs feet. They started pulling away at the vines but the vines persisted making their way upwards covering the orc bodies, impairing them from movement. The orcs lay still, shouting and grunting as their constricted bodies were covered in vines.
“Wot sorta magik is dis??!! AAARRGGGHHHHHH”
Edonel was still dazed on the ground but he could see the orcs in their current state. Suddenly, from nowhere... crows!! Lots and lots of crows! The crows started pecking manically at the eyes of the orcs. The orcs cried out as the beasts tore away at their eyes. Edonel heard another voice in the background. The voice like an echo in the forest. From nowhere spears darted and struck the orcs dead in the chest. These spears were not made from wood or metal... but ember! Suddenly the orc cries stopped as the creatures died.
Edonel turned his head as he could and saw two figures walking towards him. One of them examined Baenglor. The other however came to his side.
“W-w-w-who... a-are...”
“Shh rest now, we will talk later.”
