The patrol was walking along the edge of the forest, where the tall trees gave way to the hilly grassland. There were five of them, gnarled figures dressed in shabby leather, armed with rough metal weapons, their dark ochre skin and misshapen faces making their identity unmistakeable. Orcs.
Gracius glanced back at Bear, who was standing a few paces back, hiding behind a tree. Gracius nodded, holding up five fingers. Bear grinned and slowly, quietly, notched an arrow into his war bow. Gracius scurried back from the bushes behind which he hid to join Bear and Val in their hiding spot behind the tree. Bruno peeked his enormous head out from behind a tree a few paces further back.
"I don't see anyone else, but we should be quick. No telling how many more of them are out there," he said quietly.
"What do we do?" Asked Val, nervously.
"He charges," said Gracius, pointing at Bear, "we follow and take out whoever is still standing."
"I like it," said Bear, smiling.
"We take them out, okay..." repeated Val, clutching her antler sword.
Gracius gave her a reassuring pat on her shoulder. It was obvious that Val was afraid, but trying to hide it. He had to remind himself that despite the bravery she had showed before, she had never been in combat. This will be a good test, he thought. A necessary test.
"I will be right by your side. Just do what I do," he said reassuringly.
"Okay, no problem," she said, though mostly to herself.
Gracius gave her one last look. She had grown in the last few days. She was quite literally taller now, nearing six feet tall, her skin an even tanned brown, her body more visibly muscled than before, even though she had already had an athletic build. Her breasts were still high and firm, tipped with brown nipples, larger than they had been before, he thought. Her hair was pulled back in a rough braid, revealing the two little horns rising from her forehead. The glow had left her eyes, though even Gracius could feel the energy still swirling within her.
Gracius moved forward, peeking over the bush. The orcs were a dozen yard away, about to pass them as they walked along the forest's edge. Gracius noticed something; another small group of orcs, walking parallel to the first group, about twenty yards further away, almost hid by a fold of earth.
Shit, thought Gracius. Charging at them orcs was not going to work. The second group would have far too much time to run away and warn any other orcs in the area.
"New plan," said Gracius as he once more scurried back. "There's another group past this one. We'll have to make sure they don't alert anyone."
"How many," asked Bear, looking serious.
"Just a handful," replied Gracius.
Gracius motioned to Bruno to come forward, motioning him to be quiet. Val almost smiled, watching Gracius deal with Bruno like a fussing parent does a toddler. When the lumbering giant was seated next to them, Gracius turned back to the others.
"We go first, " said Gracius, indicating Val, himself and Bruno," and distract them and you come in from behind to catch the other group," he told Bear.
Bear nodded and quietly moved back to start a circling path.
"Come on," said Gracius, taking Val's hand.
*
The first orc saw them and grunted in alarm. His companions clustered around him, looking into the dark forest. A naked woman came strutting out of the shadows, tall and beautiful, holding a stick. A gold chain was hanging from her hips, a single pearl dangling down, resting on the dark triangle of curls that covered her pubis. The orcs hooted in excitement. There were few things better in life than naked women and gold.
They excitedly started to lay claim to her, not paying attention to the half-man, half goat who was crouched behind her, half hiding.
By the time they saw him, it was too late. Gracius stepped forward and threw his first dagger, taking an orc in the belly. A sudden crashing sound made them turn. A minotaur came charging out of the bush, head held low, arms wide like a wrestler.
With a screech of defiance and rage, the orcs faced the new threat. Bruno was on them in a second, like a steam locomotive crashing through a herd of goats. He pounded one into the ground with a massive fist, goring another from belly button to throat with the tip of his horn. The other orcs jumped aside, spreading out.
With a thundering of hooves Bear cut off the distant group of orcs, taking two down with his bow before they could even react. The young centaur warrior drew his carved wooden club and charged.
The battle was on.
Gracius kept a hand resting on Val's lower back. Gently guiding her forward as they trotted towards the two remaining orcs.
"Sword up, " he reminded her.
Val nervously hefted the sword, holding it with two hands. One orc was facing off with Bruno, holding a short spear with trembling hands. The other orc came at them, sword held high, snarling a curse in an unknown language. He swung at Val, aiming for her head. She screamed and stepped back, ducking away from the swinging sword.
"Use your sword!" Urged Gracius, who was moving quickly to stay right behind her.
"What do I do?!" Val snapped back.
The orc came back at them, sword aimed at Val's exposed belly.
"Block!" Shouted Gracius.
Block? Thought Val, how is that helpful advice?
But block she did. Or at least, the sword did. It twitched in her hand and, faster than her own eyes could see, it rose up to stop the orc's incoming blade, knocking it aside.
Gracius whooped.
"Kill him!" Shouted Gracius.
Val hesitated, the thought half formed in her mind. She had never chosen to kill anything, or wanted to kill anyone. The orc came back at her, sword swinging. She could only think of blocking the blow, which the sword did again, perfectly.
