21. Brewing a counterattack(1/2)
There are numerous forests that make it easy to hide, making it a very suitable terrain for assassins.
The coordination between the orc killer and the young sergeant was also perfect. Auriden on horseback shouted from the front to attract the attention of the wolf cavalry, while Black appeared from the shadows behind to attack and kill.
There is also the support of Nathanos Maris, a deadly ranger hiding in the forest.
Every time he fired an arrow from his hiding place, he could always accurately penetrate the eyes of the orcs, or nail the wolves under their crotches to the ground, creating an assassination opportunity for Black.
And, Maris’s hound named “Desolation”.
That beast was extremely vicious.
Black saw it more than once, bravely challenging an orc warwolf that was slightly larger than him, but it could easily win every time. Even though ordinary Gilnean hounds had excellent blood, they could not do such a thing.
Maris, the hound, is probably the best among the famous Gilnean hounds. It is said that only the Gilnean royal family and the Greymane family have domesticated pure-blood royal hounds.
I don’t know how he got it?
In less than ten minutes, they killed all the orcs and wolf cavalry scattered in the forest. Nathanos blocked the forest with a bow, and these unlucky ghosts couldn't even escape.
forest...
This is a battlefield ruled by rangers.
They rescued seven or eight scouts, but unfortunately, the others died.
A single poorly trained human scout without heavy armor has a very small chance of winning against an orc wolf cavalry.
"Cut off their heads! Bring them back to the castle, and the major will reward us!"
The young sergeant Oridon, who had fought a bloody battle, shouted to his remaining soldiers. Although the remaining soldiers were still afraid, everyone was injured.
However, out of hatred for the orcs, they did not object to this order. Several others gathered the bodies of their companions, dug a hole in the forest, buried them hastily, and collected the dog tags.
"Two masters, you saved us."
Auriden rubbed his hands and approached Blake and Maris who were resting by the tree in the forest. He changed his name to a more mysterious one and said in a respectful tone:
"Come back to the castle with us. Major Blackmore is destined to do great things. He needs two warriors like you now."
Maris probably had more contact with elves, so he behaved quite coldly in front of strangers. He just leaned there, making new arrows with a knife, and didn't talk to him.
Blake, on the other hand, acted like a "worldly master", took out the dried meat from his bag, fed it to the little fish-man in his arms, and said to the slightly embarrassed O'riden next to him:
"I'm still far from a master assassin, so don't call me that. Also, your surname is Perenold? What is your relationship with His Majesty Aiden Perenold of the Kingdom of Alterac?"
"Just distant relatives."
The young man's smile suddenly became more awkward.
Blake noticed the change in his expression and asked no more questions.
When he heard this name before, he recalled the complete life experience of this young man with a somewhat exaggerated style, and also knew his future fate.
This guy is neither a warrior nor a decent person.
He escaped the Orc War and the subsequent Undead War.
He also had poor abilities that did not match his ambition. Even many years later, he was still a nobody.
But he was also the best "stepping stone" for Blake to enter Durnholde Castle. The pirate assassin lowered his head and stroked the little fishman's head.
He rolled his eyes and said to Auriden beside him:
"After a long hunt, my companion and I really needed a safe place to rest. Also, my companion brought very important battlefield intelligence to Major Blackmore.
We must go to the castle immediately.
But for me personally, I hate the orcs as much as you do, so if Major Blackmoore really plans to start a war, I am willing to do my best to help him."
"good!"
The young sergeant, who was already a little disappointed, suddenly brightened up.
He also has his own little plan.
He went out with a scout team of more than thirty people for reconnaissance, but was defeated at the hands of the orcs, with less than ten people left. Although he returned to the castle with the heads of more than twenty orcs, he had washed away his shame.
But he also has his own ambitions.
He hopes to stand out in this war.
However, with such a record at the moment, it is really hard to show off, but if the "orc killer" who has been in the limelight recently can be invited back to the castle, his mentor will definitely be very happy.
Black talked to Maris for a few more words. The ranger was uneasy about the surroundings. He guessed that there might be orcs approaching, so he mounted his horse, took his hound with him, and continued to patrol the surrounding area.
After seeing the indifferent Maris leave, Oridon, who was resting next to him, looked around. He lowered his voice, rubbed his hands, and said to Black:
"Um...Master, I just saw you put away the weapon of the orc wolf cavalry captain, I..."
"Um?"
Blake glanced at him and said:
"You want to steal my prize? Do you know the price of provoking a shadowwalker?"
"No, no, no, it's not a conspiracy!"
Auriden witnessed Black's method of killing orcs with his own eyes. He waved his hands and explained:
"I mean, I know that many warriors have the hobby of collecting enemy weapons. As a branch of the Alterac royal family, I actually have this tradition.
But I'm still practicing with my mentor, and I don't have the opportunity to get my own trophies.
Master, you are a walker in the shadows, and that two-handed sword is not the weapon you are used to, so I just want to ask, do I have the honor to buy it from you..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw Blake looking at him.
The pirate assassin wore a mask, revealing only a pair of eyes, but the smile hidden in it made Oridon feel that all his little thoughts had been seen through by the orc killer in front of him.
He suddenly felt ashamed and a little nervous.
"Shua"
The rough-shaped head-sharp sword was inserted at his feet, and Black also took out another thing from the bag, the head of the orc wolf cavalry captain.
These two things made Auriden's eyes flash with desire and greed.
His lame excuse is definitely false.
Collecting weapons and the like is just a trick to deceive children. This cunning and ambitious guy actually wants to "buy" his own military exploits.
"Take it."
Black threw the orc captain's head to Auriden. He waved his hand and said hoarsely:
"It is human nature that young people should have their first orc head. I can understand it. If you can prepare a comfortable and undisturbed room for me in Durnholde Castle.
And by bearing all the expenses for my stay there, I can guarantee that your 'glory' will be flawless."
"No problem, Master!"
Auriden looked around like a thief, picked up his small magic bag from his waist, and put the orc head and sword into it.
He is worthy of being a royal child of Alterac.
Even if he is just a side branch, he still has such a good thing as a magic bag.
His eyes were full of satisfaction, and his attitude became more flattering now. He personally brought a horse to Blake, and after briefly paying homage to the war dead, he rushed all the way to Durnholde Castle.
---
"What shocking news!"
In the lord's parlor of Durnholde Castle, the human Major Edras Blackmoore, who is wearing a white armor, has a strong body and sharp eyes, is welcoming the arrival of Black and Nathanos.
This veteran of the Kingdom of Stromgard is not aristocratic, and his tone of voice is in line with the boldness that a warrior should have, without any pretense.
He looked seriously at first, after listening to the news brought by the human ranger.
After learning that Orgrim Doomhammer, the orc warchief, secretly left the hilly battlefield with half of the orc army and headed for Quel'Thalas via the Hinterlands, the major stood up in shock.
He said:
"Those greenskins are really a bunch of war maniacs! They are arrogant and arrogant. Before they defeated us, they dared to divide their troops to provoke the Elf Kingdom. However, this may not be a bad thing."
Major Blackmore walked around his desk a few times. He thought in a mature and steady tone and said:
"Their actions of dividing their forces at will and making enemies will win us more allies and more time.
Perhaps after witnessing the violent offensive of the orcs, the Sun King of Quel'Thalas, who has not responded to human requests for help, will reconsider the alliance's suggestions.
But that’s for later!
Now that I know the news, we can go big in the hilly areas!"
The major looked back at the tactical map on the desk. With his eyes shining brightly, he drew a circle on the map with his finger. Then he turned back to Nathanos, who looked calm and said:
"I am personally very grateful for the news you brought back, Mr. Maris. You are indeed a hero of the Kingdom of Lordaeron, but I have a small request.
I also have scouts under my command.
But you have also seen that those losers are unable to break through the orcs' increasingly rampant hunting roving. I am not worried about letting them contact Tarren Mir and Dalaran with the news!
But the chance of war is fleeting, especially at a time when we desperately need an inspiring victory."
To be continued...