A fortress of orcs had been reported in the Northern Mountains near Minoc years before. They had never really posed a problem and had been all but ignored by the local community. However, lately things had changed. They had allied themselves; it seemed, with Ettins and ratmen of vicious natures. With their new numbers they were slowly working their way towards Minoc. They had already taken the valley below the mountain and were nearing the edge of the forest. Masterpoet thought the time had come to harvest a few monsters and stem the growing tide of evil.
Having gathered what members he could, Masterpoet looked upon them. Josie, his princess and love would provide powerful magic. Jason, his strong willed and stronger armed fighter would be a necessary front line. And Cifra, with his steady yet powerful halberd would add a needed punch at just the right time. They were ready. He marked their maps of the location he’d scouted before. “I have a plan”, he said, “that will make this as easy as possible. There are many mages in this fort, and they are supported by a mass of orc lords from many different tribes. However, when we get there, we will be ready.” A chorus of agreements followed and Masterpoet almost felt a twinge of pity for the enemy. There would be many death fires tonight.
Almost from the beginning things didn’t work out right. Jason decided he would rather run than recall. Masterpoet felt they should arrive together but did not argue. Then, after they’d recalled, Cifra fell behind as his mount lagged. While looking back he failed to notice Josie charge in, forgetting perhaps that she was a mage first and a warrior second. It went worse from there. Following his plan he circled wide around the fort and began firing magic arrows at many lords and mages then backing off to take them on a few at a time. He then stormed through a patrolling band of ratmen with no loss. He was feeling invigorated until his mental bond with all three members lit up simultaneously. The orcs surprised them. They had cast a tremendous spell that made all of them move as if they were walking through molasses. They’d been set up. Cifra was falling back trying to keep from being surrounded. Jason was severely wounded and cut off from the rest of them. And Josie was dead.
The next ten minutes were a whirlwind of weapons, magic, and blood as they all fought their way to Josie’s corpse to resurrect her before the tide swallowed them up. And the lag monster was still slowing them down. Standing over her corpse Jason fell to a group of lords around him. Cifra was flanking the enemy and trying, while dreadfully wounded himself, to draw as many enemy away as possible. Twice Masterpoet found himself cut off and surrounded. Twice he cut a swath through the encircling masses to reach his guild mates. All the while praying he wasn’t too late to save them. His people were fighting like heroes, but they had all walked into a trap. Masterpoet blamed himself. After resurrecting Josie and Jason, Masterpoet cleared the immediate area of enemies and they all took a breather too reequip and loot the pile of corpses. Through his mind link with them all he sounded a retreat. “Run, retreat to Minoc and we’ll meet there.” Cifra and Jason unwillingly complied. Josie continued to stay as the forces massed in the distance. “I’ll not leave you here alone.” She flatly stated. “I can hold a rearguard easier myself”, Masterpoet replied. ‘If you stay we’ll both fall, GO!’ Reluctantly, Josie chanted her Kal Ort Por and vanished from sight.
Pulling his rune out Masterpoet began to chant. “Kat Ort OOF!” The rune fell from nerveless fingers as a blast hit his mind. Suddenly he felt nauseous and, as he looked up, lighting sent him reeling back. The suddenness of it all threatened to unseat him from his mount. Four mages had teleported around him and several lords charged in from the north. Masterpoet sighed. At least they were all safe. Then a second barrage came in and he nearly lost consciousness. Everything became a mass of axes, bolts, and orcs, even as the poison ate him from the inside out. Masterpoet saw three lights in front of him. “Where are you? What is taking you so long?” “I am dying”, he replied. “We are on the way,” they countered. “Stay there. It is too late and you’ll be lost as well. Take care of Josie for me and….” That was it. Everything froze. The world was like a painting. Even the orcs this time felt the same lag. They all moved in slow motion and Masterpoet saw an opening in the ranks at a final, agonizing second.
Jason was worried. His friend and Highlord had lost connection minutes ago and had never replied. They all feared the worst. Against his order they were reequipping to go in after him when suddenly a shimmering behind him startled Jason out of his wits. Masterpoet fell out of the shimmer and gasped, “heal.” With one look Jason could see he was hanging on a thread and poison wracked his body. Scorch marks covered his head and chest and his plate armor was nearly torn from his body by a mass of axe craters. Jason quickly forced a curing potion down Masterpoet’s throat before administering bandages to his most severe wounds. Josie and Cifra ran around the corner of the bank with worried glances. Masterpoet felt himself falling and he dropped a pack to their feet. Inside they saw jewels, piles of gold, over twenty axes, and various sundries that would bring a good price in the markets. “We are a very courageous group.” Masterpoet said. “But there is a thin line between courage, and stupidity. Next time, let’s follow my plan. Agreed?” A chorus of sheepish “sure Highlord” ”Whatever you say MP” and “Yes sire” followed before Masterpoet smiled and lapsed into unconsciousness.
