Eternal
As good as you believe you are in combat, you have to admit to yourself that you don’t really have too much experience in leading a large group. Perhaps it would be wiser to defer to someone who does have such experience.
“Very well, you may be right. I suppose we really shouldn’t worry about anyone escaping since if they do, they’ll eventually be found anyway. Did the svelk report say they saw any actual shadows at any of these places?”
“Not at most of the locations as they seem to be just safe houses for normal rebels, but there was one in particular which seems to be more of an actual armed camp that they saw more than a few of shadows hanging around.”
“We’re going to hit that place first then. I just hope the svelk were as silent about their scouting as you said they claimed to be. Anyway, let’s get going we’ve got traitors to purge and I’m anxious to see it through.”
You and Gruz get the troops ready. The general idea is to first have the svelk to sneak up on the target locations and then after they initiate the attack the orcs come charging in from all sides. It seems simple, but perhaps simple plans work the best due to less chance of things going wrong. At least you hope they do.
After a march through the swamp you reach your first target and it does indeed resemble a small military compound. It’s really just a walled village though. You’d guess that this particular place is so far from normal civilization that this just went unnoticed and the shadows eventually just subverted the entire place or at least started placing sympathizers there.
You order the attack and all goes well. The svelk and yourself easily scale the walls while Gruz and the orcs bash down the pitiful gates. Given how pathetic the opposition is though, you almost wonder if you couldn’t have taken this place all by yourself. You still haven’t seen any of the rumored shadows in this place though and that slightly concerns you. Did they already flee, or did they just cloak?
“Keep alert! There may be shadows still lurking about!” you shout as you cut down one of the rebels.
No sooner have you said that, when you sense something amidst the chaos. A feeling like you’re being targeted…
“GET DOWN!” Gruz shouts as a female shadow decloaks and fires a bolt at you. You’re just quick enough to duck down and avoid being hit.
An orc attempts to strike her down, but she easily fends off the attack and eliminates him instead. She’s moving faster than anything you’ve ever seen.
“Crossbows now!” you order and the svelk mercenaries closest to you unleash their own bolts at the shadow. She may be quick, but she can’t avoid all of the bolts from the repeating crossbows. She catches more than few bolts and collapses in a heap.
As she attempts to crawl away you go over to her to finish her off and that’s when you get that feeling again only this time you know where its coming from and instinctively pull up your sword to deflect the hit. When the shadow decloaks you’re close enough to see the hatred in his eyes, you’re also close enough to hear him muttering about revenge for Bianca. You’re guessing that was the female shadow that’s now a pincushion.
He attempts to pull the same speed trick, but you prevent him from doing so by interrupting his spell with a dagger to his side.
“Not such a good day to be a shadow is it traitor?” you ask as you twist the blade around.
Shocked by the metal piercing his insides, he reels backwards when you pull out the blade and his death follows when Gruz smashes his axe in the side of the shadow’s head.
You go over to finish off the female shadow who is still desperately trying to crawl away.
“There will be no escape. The Emperor’s eye sees all and justice will be delivered to all who oppose him!” you exclaim before running your sword through her back.
You keep alert for the possibility of more shadows lurking, but either those two were the only ones, or the rest have fled. If they have, no matter, they will be found.
The rest of the battle is more of a simple matter. The non-shadow rebels are no match for your superior force and a few try to surrender, pleading for you to at least spare their families. You spare no one as traitors cannot be tolerated. Your ruthless orders to cut down every man, woman and child are not questioned, though the svelk take a bit more pleasure in it.
The village is put to the torch and you’re eager to move on to the next target. You want to stomp out ALL of these traitors before they even get the possibility of regrouping.
Day after day you wipe out several small encampments and hideouts of the rebels. It’s sickening to you that there is as many as there are. How could any citizen defy the Empire or the Emperor? Don’t they know it is a losing proposition? Don’t they realize and appreciate how much he has done for all of their miserable lives?
As for the shadows, their treachery is even more sickening. The Emperor gave them all a grand honor of serving him in a most important way and they’ve been nurturing rebellion in their black hearts for centuries and enticing the weak willed into helping them. Fitting that they call themselves shadows, as they are cowards who obviously rely on tricks and subversion to gain any sort of advantage. Well that stops very soon.
“This one was an easy one. They gave up almost immediately.” Captain Gruz says cleaning off his axe after a short skirmish.
“Yes, a pity they should only realize until it’s too late the folly of their treason.” You reply.
“Yes, I imagine many have felt that way.” Gruz answers.
“And all of them are fools for doing so. And fools deserve no mercy. The loyal and dedicated on the other hand are to be rewarded. Captain, we are nearing the end of our mission and I imagine I will soon return to the Emperor to give my report. I want to tell you that I will be speaking highly of you to him and suggesting that you receive some sort of higher position.”
Gruz isn’t sure how to respond though he thanks you.
“I was just doing my duty sir, but I thank you. However if you’re serious about your wanting to do something for me and it isn’t too bold of me to ask, I do have specific request.”
“Speak freely then.”
Gruz looks around as if he’s being watched and then moves closer toward you and speaks almost whispering.
“I know I’m sort of the Empire’s token intelligent orc and that’s fine. However it’s my people sir. I really do try to keep them in line and for the most part it works, but I’m still just one man and despite common perception, orcs do have minds of their own and think about deeper things than just looting and pillaging sometimes.”
“What are you getting at?”
“What I’m saying sir, is all I would request is you ask the Emperor if he could give his loyal and dedicated orc soldiers a pay raise. It doesn’t even have to be that large. I mean the extra fighting and danger they are always assigned to do is fun and all, but just a little something extra so they know they’re being appreciated for their hard work would be welcome.”
Well that was bold of Gruz, but you did tell him to speak freely. However, you’re suspicious of his request, since it almost sounds a bit like blackmail.
“Very well, you may be right. I suppose we really shouldn’t worry about anyone escaping since if they do, they’ll eventually be found anyway. Did the svelk report say they saw any actual shadows at any of these places?”
“Not at most of the locations as they seem to be just safe houses for normal rebels, but there was one in particular which seems to be more of an actual armed camp that they saw more than a few of shadows hanging around.”
“We’re going to hit that place first then. I just hope the svelk were as silent about their scouting as you said they claimed to be. Anyway, let’s get going we’ve got traitors to purge and I’m anxious to see it through.”
You and Gruz get the troops ready. The general idea is to first have the svelk to sneak up on the target locations and then after they initiate the attack the orcs come charging in from all sides. It seems simple, but perhaps simple plans work the best due to less chance of things going wrong. At least you hope they do.
After a march through the swamp you reach your first target and it does indeed resemble a small military compound. It’s really just a walled village though. You’d guess that this particular place is so far from normal civilization that this just went unnoticed and the shadows eventually just subverted the entire place or at least started placing sympathizers there.
You order the attack and all goes well. The svelk and yourself easily scale the walls while Gruz and the orcs bash down the pitiful gates. Given how pathetic the opposition is though, you almost wonder if you couldn’t have taken this place all by yourself. You still haven’t seen any of the rumored shadows in this place though and that slightly concerns you. Did they already flee, or did they just cloak?
“Keep alert! There may be shadows still lurking about!” you shout as you cut down one of the rebels.
No sooner have you said that, when you sense something amidst the chaos. A feeling like you’re being targeted…
“GET DOWN!” Gruz shouts as a female shadow decloaks and fires a bolt at you. You’re just quick enough to duck down and avoid being hit.
An orc attempts to strike her down, but she easily fends off the attack and eliminates him instead. She’s moving faster than anything you’ve ever seen.
“Crossbows now!” you order and the svelk mercenaries closest to you unleash their own bolts at the shadow. She may be quick, but she can’t avoid all of the bolts from the repeating crossbows. She catches more than few bolts and collapses in a heap.
As she attempts to crawl away you go over to her to finish her off and that’s when you get that feeling again only this time you know where its coming from and instinctively pull up your sword to deflect the hit. When the shadow decloaks you’re close enough to see the hatred in his eyes, you’re also close enough to hear him muttering about revenge for Bianca. You’re guessing that was the female shadow that’s now a pincushion.
He attempts to pull the same speed trick, but you prevent him from doing so by interrupting his spell with a dagger to his side.
“Not such a good day to be a shadow is it traitor?” you ask as you twist the blade around.
Shocked by the metal piercing his insides, he reels backwards when you pull out the blade and his death follows when Gruz smashes his axe in the side of the shadow’s head.
You go over to finish off the female shadow who is still desperately trying to crawl away.
“There will be no escape. The Emperor’s eye sees all and justice will be delivered to all who oppose him!” you exclaim before running your sword through her back.
You keep alert for the possibility of more shadows lurking, but either those two were the only ones, or the rest have fled. If they have, no matter, they will be found.
The rest of the battle is more of a simple matter. The non-shadow rebels are no match for your superior force and a few try to surrender, pleading for you to at least spare their families. You spare no one as traitors cannot be tolerated. Your ruthless orders to cut down every man, woman and child are not questioned, though the svelk take a bit more pleasure in it.
The village is put to the torch and you’re eager to move on to the next target. You want to stomp out ALL of these traitors before they even get the possibility of regrouping.
Day after day you wipe out several small encampments and hideouts of the rebels. It’s sickening to you that there is as many as there are. How could any citizen defy the Empire or the Emperor? Don’t they know it is a losing proposition? Don’t they realize and appreciate how much he has done for all of their miserable lives?
As for the shadows, their treachery is even more sickening. The Emperor gave them all a grand honor of serving him in a most important way and they’ve been nurturing rebellion in their black hearts for centuries and enticing the weak willed into helping them. Fitting that they call themselves shadows, as they are cowards who obviously rely on tricks and subversion to gain any sort of advantage. Well that stops very soon.
“This one was an easy one. They gave up almost immediately.” Captain Gruz says cleaning off his axe after a short skirmish.
“Yes, a pity they should only realize until it’s too late the folly of their treason.” You reply.
“Yes, I imagine many have felt that way.” Gruz answers.
“And all of them are fools for doing so. And fools deserve no mercy. The loyal and dedicated on the other hand are to be rewarded. Captain, we are nearing the end of our mission and I imagine I will soon return to the Emperor to give my report. I want to tell you that I will be speaking highly of you to him and suggesting that you receive some sort of higher position.”
Gruz isn’t sure how to respond though he thanks you.
“I was just doing my duty sir, but I thank you. However if you’re serious about your wanting to do something for me and it isn’t too bold of me to ask, I do have specific request.”
“Speak freely then.”
Gruz looks around as if he’s being watched and then moves closer toward you and speaks almost whispering.
“I know I’m sort of the Empire’s token intelligent orc and that’s fine. However it’s my people sir. I really do try to keep them in line and for the most part it works, but I’m still just one man and despite common perception, orcs do have minds of their own and think about deeper things than just looting and pillaging sometimes.”
“What are you getting at?”
“What I’m saying sir, is all I would request is you ask the Emperor if he could give his loyal and dedicated orc soldiers a pay raise. It doesn’t even have to be that large. I mean the extra fighting and danger they are always assigned to do is fun and all, but just a little something extra so they know they’re being appreciated for their hard work would be welcome.”
Well that was bold of Gruz, but you did tell him to speak freely. However, you’re suspicious of his request, since it almost sounds a bit like blackmail.