As Castor ran toward the closest troll, he heard another volley of elfish arrows. The arrows struck deep into the troll, except where the armor was placed, breaking wood shafts on the hard metal. With the two volleys of arrows in the beast, he looked like a porcupine.

Castor stopped several feet from the monster. With a growl, the troll swung his hammer heavily down in his direction. Castor dove in the other direction as the hammer smashed into the ground with a boom. Dust puffed into the air and small stones were sent flying. Swinging his sword upward, Castor sliced the troll's wrist open. Thick droplets of blood rained down on him as the troll clutched his injured limb.

From behind him, Castor heard two bows release as two silver arrows cut through the air. The first found its mark, cutting through one of the troll's eyes. The second struck the rim of its helmet and was sent harmlessly into the dirt.

Taking advantage of the troll's momentary blindness, Castor ran between its legs and slashed furiously. Two long, red gashes appeared on the troll's legs.

The troll groaned again and bent down to grab the wounds. Quickly, Castor thrust his sword into the face of the ugly monster.

With another groan, the troll's legs buckled and he face-planted into the stony ground.

Looking around, Castor saw that Theuses had ordered the remaining Aurtha Ra to engage the other trolls. One that had been attacked by the Night elves lie in a mangled heap as the warriors ran across it to engage enemy forces.

After wiping his sword, Castor returned to where Theuses and L'arch stood. Theuses and replaced his bow and now held his bare sword. With it he pointed to the tunnels the trolls had come from. "These will take us behind the Urki lines. We will travel them to get to the fortress, and then to Morgorath's chamber."

"If the tunnels lead to the fortress," Castor asked, "why not just lead the soldiers through there; then we won't need to fight our way through."

Theuses shook his head. "The tunnels are sure to be guarded. The three of us could easily get through, but if we tried to take an entire army through there the guards would alert the Urki who would trap us in the passages."

L'arch drew her knives. "Then it's just us."

Theuses looked down and cleared his throat. "Um, about that. I was thinking the troops will need a leader. Who better than you?"

L'arch looked at him dumbfounded. "Are you out of your mind? There's no way that I'm letting you go in without me."

Theuses looked her in the eye. "I want you to stay here. It's safer, if that's possible in a battle, then you coming with us."

"Oh my gosh Theuses! For the last time, stop telling me to stay safe. I am more than a pretty flower. I want to go with you and I will go with you, whether you like it or not!"

Theuses's shoulders slumped. "Fine." Turning around, he led the group through the piles of bodies and into the tunnel.

As they made their way to the mouth of the tunnel, Theuses called over several Aurtha Ra and commanded them to follow the group.

Once they got to the tunnel, they stopped. "Alright, you two," Theuses said to two of the Aurtha Ra, "stay here. Tell me if anyone tries to access the tunnel. If anyone does, hold out as long as you can. If they start to overrun you, retreat to the allied lines. Understood?" The guards nodded and took up their positions. Castor did not understand how they could tell Theuses from the distance spanning between them, but the elves seemed to understand.

Their footsteps echoed like drums as they entered the tunnel. L'arch replaced her knives and strung a silver arrow on her bow. The three of them clutched their weapons tighter at the noise. "If they didn't know we were here, they do now." Castor mused.

"Just be wary of any movement." Theuses cautioned.

After getting deeper into the tunnel the noise of the battle outside quieted until they could hardly hear the commotion. The silence was unnerving.

The shadows loomed above them with torches illumination the sections of the path. It seemed the torches worked more to lower one's vision in the darkness than to show the path. Suddenly the noise of footsteps came down the rocky passage. Silently, Castor ushered the elves into the shadows and they waited as the party passed.

A troop of ten Urki clad in armor and holding crude swords and spears began to tread past. Castor heard parts of the conversation of the two apparent leaders.

"Figures General Tarris would bale on us like that." The first muttered. "First he works us into the war rage, than abandons us in the middle of battle."

"Shut-up you moron!" The second commanded. "If it pleases lord Morgorath we will serve the Emperor."

"I only wish the humans would kill the filthy Maneket in the process." They both snickered as they marched past where the group was hiding.

Waiting several moments, Castor gave the elves a clear sign. "That was close." Almost before he finished the sentiment, an Urki soldier ran into the passage.

"Wait you forgot your..." He stopped when he saw the elves and Castor. "What the filthy viper are you doing here?!" Without hesitation L'arch released the string of her bow, sending the arrow flying into the Urki's shoulder.

The monster growled as he pulled the arrow shaft out and drew a bow of his own. Pulling an arrow from his quiver he attempted to ready the weapon, but was stopped by an elfish arrow to the throat."

"We need to hurry," Theuses called. "This passage is too often used. We can't hide anymore or wait for parties to pass through. If we encounter any, we kill them. Put it plain and simple. L'arch?"

"I'm out of arrows, but I have my throwing knives." She drew two, small blades from two sheaths on either leg. "They will be enough to take-down an Urki and I can retrieve them after a kill."

"It isn't much but it will have to work. Castor and I will protect you from a front attack, but if anyone tries to run back, take them out. If anyone gets past us," He nodded to the Aurtha Ra, "you deal with them."

h�ן�Q�L