We had barely begun our travel to Forlaw when Rhiwnag halted, his head tilted up sniffing at the frigid breeze. “Aye, there are Orcs nearby”, his thoughts growled into mine. I drew up next to him and dismounted. I stroked the horse’s neck and bade him to stay near but safe, then the battle-cat and I crept up the side trail leading toward the Orcish stench and their crude voices. Soon we saw the first of several small Orc camps strung along the path up the slope and around a bend. The banners at each little camp proved the White wizard’s influence. Their conversation focused on the cold, a lack of meat, and impatience with being ordered to hold this position. Prudence dictated we should not stir up this foul nest, so Rhiwnag and I crept back down the hill, found the horse, and hurried back to the Scylfig gate to report our find. We promised to ask the Forlaw Reeve to send reinforcements.
Resuming our journey, we soon came upon another of the invaders; a warg-rider.
We were as much of a surprise to him as he was to us, and he hesitated before reacting. Rhiwnag, however, was quick to act, and with a terrifying roar bounded after him. The Orc, seeing he was out-beasted, tried to wheel his warg about to run, but his creature was too intent on the fight. I kicked my horse into a gallop after the battle-cat, making a spellcast ready just as Rhiwnag leapt onto the Orc, tearing him from the saddle. The warg attempted to charge my companion, but my cast had him engulfed in flame and quickly had him writhing on the ground, howling. In a moment, Rhiwnag had finished the screaming Orc, and my second cast brought lightning down on the warg, mercifully ending its torment.
We paused, listening for any more invaders approaching. Satisfied none were near, we examined our victims. The warg bore no clues, but the Orc wore the mark of the White Hand.
“Yes, Rhiwnag, we are definitely facing a wizards work”, I muttered dryly.
Rolling his eyes at me, his growling response touched my mind. “Indeed…. perhaps we should stay off the road.”
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