To Save a Heart

Galliard pried off the orc helm and took a deep breath. Wrinkling his nose at the lingering odor of orc. Thankfully he possessed a human body and only had to endure the stench left on the equipment he used as a disguise while visiting the orc encampments. Most of the other un-dead spirits were possessing orc bodies. At first a few human spirits had complained about the smell. Without comment, the Master banished them back into Darkness and selected another spirit to possess the vacated body. The complaints stopped then.

Galliard looked down at the parchment he held and then addressed his hand picked troop. Well, at least these had managed to survive for a week. "There is a Mongol tribe living just south of the Yew moongate. The Master has commanded that we fetch him the soul of the Mongol leader." He began. "Fail and you will return to Darkness. Succeed and you will be given human bodies." He smiled. "Then you will not have to endure this god-awful orc stench."

"Orc nub smell bad" contradicted a guttural voice from the back. "Me nub wanabe hummie."

Galliard looked up at the orcish form. One a little bit larger and quite a bit uglier than the average orc. Perhaps there was a bit of troll somewhere in the family tree. The orc stood with arms crossed fingering the hilt of his axe. There was what appeared to be a scowl of defiance on his face. "Ah, Bunelck. That's right, you were an orc *before* you died and fell into Darkness. Well then, you can just stay an orc as your reward."

"Guud!" said Bunelck, nodding once in satisfaction. This exchange elicited nervous laugher from Bunelck's comrades. Normally Galliard would book no challenge.

Galliard continued his briefing; "These Mongols are the best horseman in the land. Unless taken quickly and buy surprise, they will use the speed and mobility of their horses to cut you to pieces." He reached into his pack and brought forth a strange looking device. Some rocks connected by bits of leather. "However, the Master has planned for this event and has created another new weapon. I will now demonstrate it’s use. Bunelck, mount this horse." He indicated the horse that he had ridden in from Yew.

"Me nub set on fuud!" replied an indignant Bunelck, crossing his arms again.

"It’s not for food" explained Galliard. "I’m going to use this new weapon to knock you off of the horse." "Hmmm... Dat be OK den" conceded Bunelck as he attempted to mount the horse.

After a few tries he was sitting there atop the horse. Facing in the wrong direction, had he intended to actually ride the poor beast, but for the purpose of Galliard’s demonstration one way was as good as the other.

"Watch closely now." Galliard whirled the new weapon over his head and threw it at the surprised orc. The leather straps spun about the orc pinning his arms to his sides. At the end, one rock flipped up striking the orc in the back of his head. The rock broke.

"Ow, dat hurt" exclaimed Bunelck as he reached up to hold his head, snapping the leather straps like old string.

Galliard looked disappointed. "The rider is supposed to be knocked off of the horse."

At that Bunelck fell off of the horse, face first into the dirt. "Dat be guud clomper" complemented Bunelck as he picked himself up, still rubbing his head and spitting out bits of gravel.

Galliard passed out the rest of the new weapons. "You will wait until the Mongol leader is alone. Then you shall strike and take his soul for the Master. Once you have it, bring the soul to me. You may find me under the sign of truth."

He laughed at the contradiction. "I will be in my office reading."

Galliard watched as this orc troop filed off into the night intent on their mission. He didn’t really expect them to succeed. At best, they would provide a warning and, perhaps, a diversion if the other Mongols of the Horde were about. One way or another he would not fail at this task. He waited a short while and then mounted his horse leading a second group of orcs, all possessed by fellow demon-souls, off in the direction of the Mongol clearing.

© 2001 Todd Bailey