Rise of the Horde

The Drakhars began cleaning up the aftermath of the battle. They have taken those who surrendered captive and killed those who refused to surrender.

Most of the defenders gave up resistance after the Drakhars managed to force their way inside the fort. They knew that continuing resistance would certainly lead to their death which is why they surrendered. Being taken captive was better than being among the dead.

Although most of them surrendered, there were still those who were persistently holding out against the Drakhars. And the stubborn fools were gifted with sharp spears of the Drakhars. Unlike the orcs who would appreciate their tenaciousness, the Drakhars were not like them.

They viewed their refusal to surrender as being just plain foolishness. They ended them right there and then less they become headaches for them later on. Their main concern was that these stubborn fools might incite the now captives to fight back if given the chance.

*****

The Ereian battle line was forcefully dismantled by the Yurakks on the right and the ogres on the left. Their center held out for a bit longer thanks to the efforts of Isma and Menna. The two were spent, their energy almost depleted rock bottom and their stamina nearly emptied out. No matter how strong they were, against the lunacy of the orcs, they were forced to flee.

The continuous swarm of orcs aiming for their heads despite defeating many of them humbled the two. They were taught a good lesson by the old passage, "Unless you have absolute strength to dominate everything, numbers will grind you down."

"Sound the retreat!" Isma finally decided after judging that if the situation continues, they would all fall there.

The sound of retreat was finally sounded and as if relieved from something holding them back, the Ereians disengaged from their opponents and began to flee.

Ishaq who was still tailing the enemy cavalry was baffled after hearing the sound of retreat. He can't believe that Isma and Menna were forced to retreat.

"Let's go," he turned around with haste. Ishaq was hoping that they could return back to the main army fast enough for him to find out what was the reason the two were forced to retreat.

"Do we gave chase, chief?" one of the riders questioned Khao'khen who signalled for them to halt their march. Their goal of luring away the enemy cavalry to neutralize them was done and was successful.

"No need to chase after them. We return to the battlefield at our own pace," he replied and began their return towards the battlefield. The tables have turned. Instead of Ishaq and his cavalry tailing, it was now the opposite.

Galloping at full speed, Ishaq was finally able to see what was happening. His troops were scattered all over the place, busy fleeing for their lives and the orcs chasing after them. Those who fought back were quickly taken down and those who surrendered were spared.

Grinding his teeth, Ishaq led his cavalry away. He knew that with their strength, Isma and Menna would be able to escape the chaos. If they wouldn't be able to getaway then it was their fault.

*****

After the battle, the horde managed to capture 2000 of the fleeing soldiers. The Drakhars on the other hand took captive of over 2000 enemies.

The battle to take control of the fort was less brutal than the clash between the horde and the soldiers under the lead of Isma and Menna. Many of the casualties in the battle for control of the fort came from the bombardment and the initial clash. Unlike the encounter with the horde which had bodies piled up of over 6000.

Although they won, the horde suffered casualties. Hundreds of the Rakshas had fallen and a few of the Yurakks fell prey to Menna's last rampage after fleeing. Only a handful of the Rakshas were free of wounds which was a testament to how strong the enemy that they faced up against was.

Although there were only two of them, Isma and Menna dealt of heavy blow against the horde. This clash gave Khao'khen a rough estimate on the limits of the orcs' physical advantage. Orcs are powerful thanks to their innate strength but that would all be negated if they were up against leading figures of an enemy army.

He was still gauging the strengths and limits of his warriors. The average strength of the world that he was now in, the number and limits of the mysterious powers and abilities that he was exposed, he was still unaware.

By midnight, the victorious side was finally done cleaning up the battlefield. The orcs buried the bodies of their fallen foes as a show of respect and to honor to them for the good fight that they have given. They gathered their fallen brothers and carried them back to their camp.

Pyres were lined up all around their camp. Their victory and the fight came with a price but they were all willing to pay for it. A feast was held to celebrate their victory and to send off their fallen comrades. The celebration lasted until morning.

*****

There was only one stronghold in the way to the capital of Ereia. Khao'khen noticed that there were a few strongholds further to the east.

Adhalia noticed the gaze of Khao'khen which was towards the eastern part of the map. She knew of those lands and who do those territories belong to.

"The lands to the east from here are the territories of Viscount Redore and Baron Kasto. The huge swath of land in the center was the territory held by my house previously," she pointed at the map. Remembering about their previous territory, she can't help but feel angry.

"Are the two nobles enemies of us?" he questioned. He had to know in order for him to map out their next move. Directly charging towards the capital while leaving enemies alone that can possibly cut off or disrupt your supply lines was not good, there is also a possibility of them striking at your rear.

"I am not yet certain. Faynah and I will lead the Drakhars to ascertain if they are our friends or foes. Along the way, we will also reclaim our family's ancestral lands," she uttered while a worried look was on her face. Adhalia was worried that the chieftain might not trust her and want to keep her by his side in order for her not to be able to go back on her word.

But her greatest worry was that he might conquer the capital too quickly and deny her of the chance in exacting her revenge personally.

Khao'khen nodded his head in agreement, "Leave behind an enough number of the Drakhars to keep the captives in their place. Also try and secure some supplies from the lands to the east if available. We can't stretch our supply lines to long."

The chieftain's words calmed down her nerves.

Accompanied by Faynah and the Drakhars, Adhalia headed east noon.

"Are you sure about this chief? There is a possibility of them stabbing us on the back." Sakh'arran finally voiced his opinion after Adhalia and her army were gone from their sights.

"There is no need to worry about them," he reassured him. He trusts Adhalia but not fully. He allowing her with her army in tow, far away from him was also his test for her. It was gamble.

"But if she decides to betray us then we can just eliminate them all," he continued as he shrugged his shoulders. Although he had a joking tone in his voice, Khao'khen was dead serious in eliminating them all if they Adhalia decide to break his trust. The thing that will easily send him over the edge was betrayal. He was already betrayed before and it cost him his life.

"Don't tell me that you are scared by some female human?" Gur'kan had a confused look in his eyes as he questioned. He can't quite figure out what Sakh'arran was worried about. Although Adhalia now has an army with her, there was no powerful warrior among her troops like the two that they have encountered in the previous battle.

Sakh'arran clicked his tongue in annoyance and was about to refute the words of Gur'kan when he was cut off by the chief.

"We will act accordingly." Khao'khen said to stop the two from bickering.

"Also if the two of you don't have anything else to do, I could use a little spar to loosen up my bones. I wasn't given a chance to participate in the recent battles," he continued as he stretched his back.

Trot'thar, who remained quiet the entire time, silently exited the tent after hearing the word 'spar'. He knew that the word spar means a lot of agony.

Upon hearing the word spar, Sakh'arran and Gur'kan visibly trembled. They were reminded of the pain and suffering they went through during their spars with the chieftain. It was like they were being tortured.

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