The trio of orcs in the doorway part to reveal three robed figures, two of which are chanting runes. The third is taking aim with a small black box. From the rear of the room Magnus points at the scarred orc and shouts, "That’s their new leader! Kill him and maybe we have a chance!" He then continues moving tables and chairs into a barricade in the rear of the room.

          Mordred is forced on the defense as one of the orcs attacks him. The other continues the attack upon his companion. His companion seems to be able to defend himself quite well, but he cannot penetrate the defenses of the orc.

          The third robed figure launches his black box, the box soars though the air leaving a glittering train of lights. The box arcs toward the last pale warrior who brings his sword up and swats it. As the sword contacts it a brilliant flash momentarily stuns those watching. When the eyes clear all that is left of the pale warrior and the three attacking orcs are merely piles of ash.

          The man with the sword and the axe moves for a position to the rear of the new orc leader.

          The drunk and the other human have moved over to join the ogre and the leader human, together forming a rough circle they make their way slowly to the back of the room.

          One black bolt streaks through the room hitting the scarred orc in the chest, knocking him down. The bolt is immediately followed by a string of curses from the old man. He is examining the wand he is holding.

          Two orcs position themselves on either side of the cook while he levels his wand at the orc fighting Mordred’s companion and the green glow shoots from the wand tip slamming into the back of the orc forcing him to stumble towards the elf. The cook yells, "Tan ak, shefols!" With this the two orcs launch themselves at the cook, Twin screams are heard as their blades appear to pierce not only the cook, but each other as well. As the two orcs fall the cook seems to shimmer a little but otherwise stands unharmed. Upon seeing this several other orcs who were converging upon the cook change direction and seek other targets.

Chapter 23

          Taking advantage of the orcs stumble and also noting Mordred stumbling, Mordred’s companion goes into a furious attack yelling, "Die damn orcs! Die, die, die, die!" His blade is a blur as slashes frantically at anything in reach. The unfortunate orc is relieved of several body parts, before the he moves on to another target. Heading straight for Mordred, he catches the orc attacking him by surprise and it is quickly cut down by the whirling blades. Grasping at Mordred, the elf helps Mordred toward the rear of the room, after a few steps he has to carry Mordred who has all but collapsed.

          Magnus moves over to the smoldering pool and fills a glass vial with the liquid. As he sees the elves moving toward the rear, he puts the vial away and helps them behind the barricade.

          As the man with the sword and the axe moves to strike the orc leader, the orc laughs and dances out of the way. "This is not the forest, ranger. Here your are as loud as a room of newborns!", he says in perfect common. With that he twirls his weapon in front of him, effectively catching the mans axe and yanking it out of his hand. The orc dodges back to avoid the sword and gives an angry grunt as the sword slices a dent in his armor.

          The leader of the humans starts to rummage in his pockets for something.

          The third robe figure retreats into the doorway, he is replaced by an orc wearing full plate armor, but doesn’t make a sound. He is carrying what appears to be a quarterstaff made of dark wood except it has blades on both ends. As one of the robed figures finishes his rune he touches the armored figure and it begins to levitate. The other robed figure finished his rune and the touches the armored figure, who then starts to fade into a mist before disappearing completely.

          The orcs give a concerted rush and push the man with two swords back.

          Slowly, fighting every step of the way, the superior numbers and fighting skill force him to retreat. The human leader gives a shout and the orcs surrounding the group fall back as he raises up a black box similar to the ones the orcs have been using. "Eneruis hear my plea! Save your faithful one from the forces of entropy!" With that he tosses the box at the front door. The three shield orcs expressions are plain to see. Two are shocked, the third has his head hanging down and begins to cry as the box hits one of the retreating robed figures. A giant red fireball appears consuming the entire front area, where the three orcs, the robed figure and the armored figure were. The backlash of the heat slams into everyone in the room who stumble just from the shock wave caused by the explosion. Many orcs are momentarily stunned, giving the defenders time to reach the barricade near the end of the bar.

Chapter 24

          Using the explosion as a distraction, the man with two swords jabs one of them into an orc as he retreats back behind the barricade of tables.

          The man with the sword and axe jabs his sword in the face of the scared orc piercing an eye and coming out the other end. As he withdraws the sword the orc falls. He retrieves his axe and joins the others behind the barricade.

          Magnus helps bind the wounds of the two elves, while the priest sees to the other wounds. The ogre and the leader human watch from behind the tables at the scene before them.

          The orcs have moved in a group toward the center of the room, between the burning wall and defenders. They seemed to be undecided as they argue. Though it is obvious, they still wish to attack the defenders, but they also wish to get out of the room alive.

          The entire front wall is ablaze and the smell of burnt flesh and burning wood dominates the room. The heat is increasing rapidly as the fire starts upon the walls and the floor.

          The leader human looks upon the fire and seems to be unsure if he did the right thing.

          As the defenders huddle behind their barricade, Magnus looks around and says, "We have to leave this place soon or we are as good as dead. As I see it we have two options either we rush past the orcs or we try to break open this back wall." He taps his staff against the wall. "With the ogre’s strength and some weapons", he says, looking at the man’s axe, "it should not be too difficult. Otherwise the group should charge together and hopefully most of us will get through. If a couple of us use the table as a shield we can plow down a good portion of the orcs and run to the door. And we must remember the wounded." Indicating the little man and Mordred.

          The old man looks around, "We’re in deep shit. You there." He points to the ogres magely companion, "You look to have some degree of magical competence about you. Do you have anything in your pack that may help us."

          The man with the sword and axe, the ogre, and the drunk human all crouch nervously near the tables watching the orcs and looking in the air a lot.

          The leader human looks around and say, "Sorry guys, I think I just made the situation worse. I guess I didn’t think this through enough. But getting out of here is now our top priority, forget fighting." He turns towards the cook, "You were the only one who has seen outside, if the inn has been teleported as you say, then where are we. I mean what did you see out there?"

          The smoke from the fire thickens as the man with the two swords says, "Fellow ranger! With the axe and sword! Come brother, we need your help! Try to cut a passage in the back wall with your axe. It is too dangerous to try to go out the front. I will protect you and if others help, you shan’t be touched."

          Mordred’s companion pulls out a crude brown bottle with a blue field bearing a large tree on it. Opening the top he pries open Mordred jaws and slowly pours the bluish liquid.

          The cook who had been edging toward the break in the barrier stops.

Chapter 25

          The defenders all get to the ready as one of the orcs appears inside the barrier. Before anyone can react the orc drops his weapon and says, "Hold! Do not attack! This situation is too dire for us to remain enemies, to do so would ensure that none of us survive." Turning to face the man with two swords, "Brother ranger. We have met so briefly before. I would not fight you then and I will not fight you now. What you said makes sense we must leave though the back way as the front is completely engulfed and soon we will be too. I offer the services of myself and my comrades under a truce to last until we are all safe. At that time we shall then decide what to do." As he says this, several faces poke though barrier, some hopeful, some scared.

          Mordred coughs nearly choking on the liquid. His companion angles his head so that the liquid goes down better. After a few moments his eyes open and his hand goes to his head.

          Now it seems the time for fighting has passed as Mordred’s companion, positions him so as to be more comfortable and stands. "Okay, we have to organize. The truce is holding ‘till we get clear of common danger." Pointing to the ogre and the man with the axe, "You and the ranger orc start first. No more than 3 people can work at a time as there is no place. After a minute we switch." Pointing to the drunk and the man with two swords, "We will take your place after than, the three strongest orcs go for it. By that time the wall should give way."

          Magnus agrees, "Yes, the orcs has the right idea, we must work together or we will all perish. However we must be careful of them for they are still our enemies."

          The man with two swords says, "Thank you, brother ranger. We will need your help. First of all, do any priest have a spell to warp this wood? I know such a spell exists. The priest who raised me had it. We need to bust though that wall."

          Mordred mumbles, "Ah man, who turned down the light .....!"

          The orc ranger shakes his head and says, "We had several priests, but you slew the only two who entered here, the rest are on the other side." He points to the raging inferno at the head of the room. As he points a burning support beam collapses and smashes into the floor sending burning embers everywhere. Several yells are heard as the orcs come over the barricade, one or two with their clothes on fire.

          The man with the axe moves to the back wall, examines it for a moment.

          He is joined by the ogre and the ranger orc.

          "Pardon me sir," the ogre says, "My staff isn’t very good for breaking down walls, may I use one of your swords?"

          One of the orcs coughs, and points to the huge war hammer laying next to the silent form of Latok. The ogre looks and nods.

          The man with the axe swings his axe at the wall. The axe impacts and splinters the wood, imbedding itself deeply. When he pulls it out the ranger orc takes a step back and in a short run jabs the sword at the impact site damaging it further.

          The ogre goes over and picks up the hammer. As he touches it, his eyes go wide. He is obviously straining to lift the hammer. "How did he lift such a weapon? I can use it to break down the wall, but never could I use such in battle!" Moving over with the other two he swings the hammer back and forth in greater arcs until finally the hammer swings up over his head and comes back down again to hit the damaged site. At the impact the entire room shakes. The tables in the barricade fall down. A crash is heard in the front as a good portion of the wall comes down and the flames burn higher and closer. The back wall however now has large hole in it. The hammer went all the way though the hole and slipped out of the ogres grasp. The hole is still too small for anyone to get though, but its a start.

          Magnus gets a scrap of cloth and wets it with liquid from a water skin from his pack. He ties it around his head covering his nose and mouth.

          "Can anyone create water? That may help keep the fire from spreading."

          Looking around, everyone shakes their head no. He starts muttering under his breath.

          Mordred mumbles, "I feel like an orc, after I cut its neck off!"

          This last comment produces some grumbling among the orc contingent. One or two start tapping their sheathed weapons looking pointedly at him.

Chapter 26

          The old man looks around and then walks over to the ogres magely companion and whispers something to him. Without waiting for a reply, he goes over to Magnus and whispers something to him as well.

          The cook turns to the human leader and says, "Name’s Burk. I only got a quick look outside, and there were two to three dozen orcs. I didn’t recognize the landscape."

          A loud crash is heard as another portion of the roof collapses sending embers everywhere, the smoke is getting very thick.

          The first teams steps back and the drunk, the man with two swords, and Mordred’s companion each take turns hacking at the hole making it larger. It is now large enough for some of the smaller ones to crawl though.

          The orc ranger wipes his brow and says, "What was that wall made of? Stoned wood?" This elicits a few guttural snorts from his companions.

          The old man leaves Magnus and moves over to Burk and whispers something to him as well.

          As the second team gives way, the hole is larger. Three orcs with maces attack the hole opening it up enough for most to leave.

          The old man moves over to Mordred’s companion as he rests and speaks to him.

          With a shout, the orcs clear a hole large enough for even the ogre if he bends down.

          Magnus, absent-mindedly rubbing a figurine on his necklace, looks around and says, "To keep with this truce we must go out the exit one at a time, first a human then an orc so as to give neither group an advantage." With that he moves over to the little thief, where he is joined by the man with two swords. Bending over the man he says, "The wounded should be brought out first."

          "Whatever we do had better be soon", the ogre says.

          The man with the axe speaks up, "I am Rek, a brother Ranger. I will check to see if the exit is safe. If not, I will do my best to secure it!" With that he passes though the hole.

          The wall with the hole on it is starting to catch fire. The smoke is so dense that the ogre is down on his knees to breathe the air, everyone else is bending over.

          Without hesitation the orc ranger nods and motions to his men who pull away slightly from the hole. Only one of the orcs passes through. He is quickly followed by Magnus carrying the little thief. Two burly orcs slip through, followed by Mordred, being carried by his companion.

          An orc with a ragged slash on his right arm leaves, followed closely by the old man and the drunk human. Three more orcs slip though before the leader human and the priest exit.

          The ogres magely companion bolts though with an orc and the other human fast on his tail.

          A resounding crash is heard by those outside and the wall explodes outward as the ogre charges though the hole carrying the ranger orc. Followed quickly by the man with two swords and the remainder of the orcs.

          As they exit the room the defenders find themselves in a large cavern, the light from the fire is bright enough to light up the walls and casts strange moving shadows. As they look back they see the entire structure is in flames. The flames fill the entire area and the smoke is thick and black covering the roof.

          Mordred’s companion speaks up, "Hey guys, I am Gwydeon the wanderer. It would be nice to know your names." Pointing to the cook, "We already know Burk, Magnus and Mordred." Motioning to them.

          One of the orcs speaks up, "I speak tongue. We go. You come follow. Danger still." All of the orcs are armed and wary, but it is not the defenders they are worried about.

          The ogre who was carrying the orc ranger, puts him down.

          The orc ranger looks around and says, "Moak! Yhea ul Moak!"