Four weeks later.......

Castor nodded to the Aurtha Ra at the palace gates as they opened the doors. Inside, Theuses was standing at the map table with Aeran and L'arch. At the sound of the doors opening they looked up.

"My men have returned." Castor had sent Horace and some of his knights to go to the capital city of Archain and get reinforcements. They had returned with two-hundred cavalry and eight-hundred footmen. Combined with the soldiers already stationed in Ilesmatr the humans alone had an army of three-thousand. Elves had come in small groups of ten or twelve at a time ever since the word had been sent that help was needed. The elves finally reached an army of two-thousand. In all, the two races had a force of five-thousand soldiers and cavalry, with an additional fifty Aurtha Ra. "Good, are they prepared?"

"They are as much as they will be. I have held the reason for our departure from them as not to intimidate them and lower their resolve."

Theuses nodded, obviously agreeing. "This is no small feat. Though, if what I think is happening then it will be much more difficult to delay the danger."

~ ~ ~

Two days later the humans filed into rank after rank alongside the elves. Their armor clinked noisily as they tried to find a comfortable position under the hot sun. The ground was slightly moist with recent rains. The noise of animals, armor, and shouting commanders mixed into a jumble of confusion.

Merric and Horace walked back and forth between platoons of troops, speaking to their captains and trying to maintain order. The elves seemed to need little to no help getting ready for travel, but they seemed very solemn.

Castor also noticed that his men were eyeing the elves suspiciously; something the elves seemed to be oblivious to. Removing his helmet, he rubbed his temples trying to rid his mind of the noise and confusion.

"The soldiers are ready sir," Merric announced.

"Have you sent sergeants to the other contingents?" To prevent further chaos, the armies had been assembled in four separate locations, each under the control of a captain.

"I've just received word from the last one. They've started marching."

"Good. I'll tell Theuses."

Just as they had before, an advance party set out first. In it were Merric, Horace, Castor, Theuses, and L'arch. Three human soldiers dressed in suits of mail, blue tunics, and iron caps rode with Castor. In one hand they held long spears and in the other they held round shields. Three Aurtha Ra also accompanied the force. They sat tall and proud amount their snow white horses. They wore their traditional white armor with green capes and carried their I'rl; spears with long sword blades at either end. One messenger was present as well. Once the horn was sounded the group set out.

~ ~ ~

Bantu stood in his throne room with Tarris in front of him. A disgusted look hung from his face.

"Take two-hundred Argles into the forest to take the prince and the snobby elf king. Do not kill them, however. The Dark Lord will wish to kill them himself. Take them to the Urki fortress near the Mountains of Ilmara. There you will keep them until the Dark Lord has risen. Once you are sure they have been taken to the fortress meet me at the Pass." Bantu was slid his sword into his scabbard after inspecting its sharpness. He also wore a breastplate of scale-mail and bracers on his arms. Under his arm he held a silver helmet. "I have received word that Tarnagh's bonds are almost destroyed. After rousing his clans he will meet us at the Pass. The same goes for Fearior, the pyromancer, though it will take a little longer."

"Yes sir," Tarris answered. Bantu turned and left the chamber without another word, leaving Tarris standing there.

~ ~ ~

Theuses stopped them. They had ridden all day and now the sun dipped on the horizon, sending bright orange rays across the forest floor. "We will camp here tonight. It is as good a place as any."

Castor nodded and slung down from the saddle along with his men. He walked over to his three soldiers. "Scout out the perimeter. Come back if you have anything to report."

They quickly ran into the forest. Castor slouched down and laid his head on a tree trunk. L'arch started a fire with magic while the Aurtha Ra stood around the small camp, acting as watchmen. Soon they had all pitched their one-man tents. The elves had fancy tents made of lavish silk while Castor had a rough, course fabric tent. Several hours later the three soldiers returned.

"Sir, we have seen nothing in the immediate area; though we thought we might have heard a force of Argles. We have nothing else to report."

Castor had suspected as much. "Go pitch your tents." The men nodded obediently and went to do as ordered. That night the humans had venison while the elves eat their normal dinner of greens, fruits, and nuts. Castor went to bed shortly after, though to no avail. His dreams were plagued with dark shadows and huge, invisible warriors. He woke quickly to the sound of footsteps. Heavy, strong footsteps. He jumped from his tent, barely waiting to don his clothes. Outside the elves were already awake. Castor's men were also there in their chainmail and carrying their weapons.

Castor almost asked what it was when Theuses put his finger to his lips, signaling him to be silent. The footsteps grew louder; shaking the very ground. Castor clutched his sword and pulled his shield closer. Finally the steps grew steadily quieter until they could no longer be heard. Now Castor asked, "What the blazes was that?"

"An Argle party. From the sound of it a pretty big one too," Theuses answered. "L'arch noticed them earlier this morning, though we didn't think much of it after the noise disappeared. Then it returned just before you woke up. How it got that loud without us noticing, I don't know."

Aeran walked over to them. "I'll tell you. It was magic. You can't hide that many men at one time without some sort of spell. Argles are no spell casters though."

"Are you implying they had a Maneket with them?"

"A Maneket, Pixie, human or anything else that uses magic."

"Where would you say they are now?"

"Judging by the fact the footsteps slowly grew quieter I would say they missed us; just missed us."

"Then we leave quickly," Castor said. "Everyone, pack your tents. We need to leave NOW." The party quickly took their tents and stuffed them into bags before jumping up on their horses and taking off into the forest once again.

Almost immediately after they took off a second noise joined the rhythmic pounding of the horses' hooves. Castor recognized it as the beating of the Argles' footsteps. Castor looked around quickly. He could not see them yet but the footsteps seemed to get louder with every beat of his heart.

Finally he saw the first one; a hulking Argle with a massive battle-axe in his fist. Armor covered his chest and biceps with two long, curly horns on either side of his head. His eyes glared forward, dark and menacing. Theuses noticed too. Two arrows flew at him; one hit the tree nearby and the second hit its leg. The Argle howled in pain, though it was only a flesh wound. Three more appeared behind him and four after them.

"Hurry!" Castor shouted. The horses' hooves grew faster, as did the Argles footsteps. Castor saw Theuses fire more arrows, though most simply hit the surrounding trees, several did strike their intended targets.

Again Castor looked back. A mass of Argles could be seen through the brush. Their sides heaved with effort and their feet hit the ground with a thunderous pounding. More ranks appeared. Several stopped and raised bows. Castor felt a stone form in his throat as four black-iron arrows came hurtling toward them. The arrows struck the horses with solid thuds and screeches of pain from the unfortunate animals. It was Theuses's, Castor's, and L'arch's horses that were targeted and went down, never to rise again. The riders spilled from their mounts; the elves spinning to brake their falls while Castor was less agile and hit the ground at full speed.

Luckily he landed on his shoulder which was padded. It took him only seconds to get up. The others in the party quickly turned around their horses and dismounted, preparing to face the threat. L'arch drew two wicked looking knives from her belt while Theuses pulled out his long sword. The human soldiers lifted their spears and braced their shields as three arrows hit the metal clad faces. Castor yanked his sword free and stood to face the Argles. The first came upon them with lighting speed. It swung down with its axe, preparing to split the skulls of one of them. Theuses leaped up to take the blow and dispatched the foe with an underhand cut to the stomach. The three Aurtha Ra ran forward with their spear blades flying. One was cut aside with a dreadful crack. L'arch jumped to face them as well. She fought with a series of lighting fast knife strikes that none of the beasts could stand against.

One of the Argles broke through the line of elves and swung a mighty blow at Castor. He ducked quickly before following up with a cut at the monster's chest. The blade cut the skin, but did not pierce for lack of weight. The Argle howled in frustration and swung down once again. Castor dove forward to avoid the blow and landed another cut on the beast. This time, the creature took no time in facing him, but pulled a black throwing knife from its belt and threw it in the direction of Castor. The heavy blade flew not inches from Castor's face before planting itself in a nearby tree. The Argle bellowed and charged him. This time there was no room to move. Quickly Castor pointed his sword forward and brace himself. The Argle began to try to stop, but it was too late. His head was impaled on the point. The force of the charge startled Castor, but he had no time to think about it as another monster attacked.

He took a quick look around the area. More Argles charged at them and one of his men lay dead on the ground along with the dead Aurtha Ra. Theuses now held his bow, pecking off the Argles before they could reach him. L'arch also fought fiercely with a hungry light in her eyes. Merric was hacking his way through the hordes as well with Horace covering his back. Bodies littered the ground. Castor faced his enemy, dispatching it with ease. Again, he turned to see how his allies were. Just as he turned his head he saw another Argle axe make connection to a human soldier who crumpled to the ground. His hopes sagged even farther when he heard the voice bellow above all the grunts and crashes.

"Hold! Argles, stand down!"

The monsters instantly stopped, looking behind them and parting to make room. From the heart of the mass a single, robed figure with a hood over his face approached.

Tarris.

With a slither of steel he pulled his sword from his scabbard. The hand that Theuses had severed was now replaced and covered with a black-leather glove. He walked straight to Theuses. "I am sick of your games, elf. Hand over the human and you may be spared."

"I will not."

"So be it." Tarris raised his hand. Three more black arrows shot from hidden Argle bows and killed the last remaining human soldier and the two other Aurtha Ra. "Will you continue to stand and fight?"

Theuses flashed a glance at Castor. Castor knew what he was thinking. They were clearly outnumbered and any resistance would prove fatal. They would stand and fight when the time came, but this was not it. "We will not."

Tarris nodded, obviously pleased, before signaling four Argles to take the two elves and Castor. Suddenly it hit him: where were Merric and Horace? He smiled slowly. So there was hope yet, he thought as he felt the Argles tie his wrists with rough cords.

?֟n