Apostles of Doom

As if in response, Tal Gor felt a rumbling in Schwarzenfürze’s belly beneath him. Was her stomach growling with hunger? He had always thought battle starved and hungry for battle were expressions of a desire to fight, not literal sensations of hunger. He shook his head, noting that the distance between the two parties was decreasing quickly at this point.

“In position: D’Orcs on the front line, orcs with crossbows behind!” Zargvarst ordered, spinning around to face the advancing alvar. “Try not to waste quarrels on us, but do not shy from tricky shots; you cannot harm us!”

The band moved into a rough wedge formation with Zargvarst at point, Kirak to his right followed by Didar An Sep, and then two of the pack D’Wargs; to his left was Nagh and then Zerg and two more pack D’Wargs. Each member to the right or left was a bit behind their mate towards the center. Essentially, they were forming a shield around the orcs, who were readying their crossbows.

For the orcs, Lob took inner point with Bor Tal and then Elgrid to his right, Soo Ann and Fed Tal to his left. Lob gestured for Tal Gor to move behind him, making him the most shielded of all. Tal Gor frowned at the implication that he needed the most protection. Although it was technically true, it still did not sit well with him. Nor, judging by her growl, with Schwarzenfürze.

“I wonder if they realize that puny ball of light does not impair D’Orc sight,” Kirak said.

“They are elves,” Didar An Sep spat emphatically. “They are cunning and tricky, dishonest, manipulative and cowardly, but still fundamentally stupid, ignorant and useless.”

“Crooked Sticks!” Zargvarst called back. “See if you can use us to shield your eyesight from Fierd and take aim around us at a target not directly between us and Fierd as we approach.”

This was actually a pretty good idea, Tal Gor realized as he and Schwarzenfürze moved to comply. As the distance got shorter, fewer and fewer alvar were in line of sight with Fierd. Tal Gor cocked, then raised, his crossbow, his Eagle Sight bringing a target into close range.

This was actually something he had some skill with. His bad leg impeded his ability to fight in close combat, or chase down and slice open prey while hunting, but he could hunt with a crossbow. It was also the reason that Eagle Sight was one of his best shamanic skills — he used it to hunt both animals and game birds.

This was a bit different from shooting birds; he was not aiming up and the effect of gravity would be different; however, he should be able to compensate. At their current distance, he could clearly see that these were indeed Nuren Alfar: the pasty face, the dirty dishwater hair, the pointy little ears. The alvar were definitely armed. In fact, the one he was staring at was drawing its bow in preparation.

They were within range of alvaran arrows, but their accuracy would not be good at this distance. No problem when shooting into an army, but when looking for specific targets, it could be difficult, particularly if one was not a shaman. While alvar had legendary eyesight, it was no match for Eagle Sight.

Tal Gor could easily target the alfar. He was just a little too short for a traditional quarrel; however, using an orcan recurve crossbow and a shamanic chant of Forceful Accuracy, he should be in range. “Steady, girl — about to shoot,” Tal Gor told Schwarzenfürze. The D’Warg moved into a smooth glide, giving Tal Gor the steady platform he needed. He aimed for the exposed throat; at this range he could not penetrate the armor. He began his chant.

Steady… Tal Gor thought to himself as he chanted. Now!

Thung! went the crossbow as it released. Tal Gor continued his chant; he would chant until the quarrel found its target. He tracked it with his Eagle Sight. Going, going… thunk! Hit!

Tal Gor grimaced. He had hit the shoulder joint. His targeting was off. Curses!

“Whoa!” Lob Smasher exclaimed in surprise.

“Hah! First blood, shaman!” Didar An Sep shouted.

“Hurrah!” shouted the D’Orcs admiringly.

“By father’s balls!” Bor Tal shouted. “How did you make that shot? That was incredible!”

“Lots of hunting and a bit of shamanism!” Tal Gor grinned at his brother and then turned back to watch his target try to pull the bolt out of his shoulder. Tal Gor began reloading.

“Leave some for us, lad!” Kirak shouted.

Schwarzenfürze’s stomach growled again, presumably in agreement.

The other orcs began firing. Bor Tal managed to hit a hippogriff’s wing, causing the creature to screech and wobble slightly, but it continued to advance. Soo An narrowly missed her target. Fed Tal cursed loudly as his bolt went wide. Elgrid managed to scrape a rider’s armored leg and perhaps draw some blood from his mount.