As the party of humans and goblin trekked down the dark passage, they had to cross murky pools of mud and on one case, squeeze their way through a narrow path. Guided by the lights conjured by the mages, they slowly made their way to the end of the underground passage, where a huge boulder blocked the entrance.
"There it is. It's caved in," the goblin said.
"A concerted basic Push spell should do the trick," Farador observed. "Ready men?"
Sir Delyus nodded and signalled to the other mages.
"On the count of three. One, two, three!"
The mages mimicked Farador as he made a pushing movement with his right hand and shouted," Xi Blox!"
The boulder suddenly blasted out of the gap and into the sky, landing a few metres away. Light filled the opening and the men had to shield themselves from the bright sun.
Sir Delyus spoke," Let's get out of here quickly".
The mages extinguished their conjured lights and moved out of the opening, observing the area swiftly.
"There may be enemy troops nearby. We must make haste to Cleremont".
Hastily, they made their way down a dirt footpath right beside the underground passage. In just a few moments, they could make out Cleremont in the distance. A moat surrounded the capital, with its drawbridge lowered.
"Something's not right," Hayden whispered. "The dwarves wouldn't dare to lower their defences like this."
"They probably escaped to the portal and used it to teleport to Whitewoods," the goblin said.
"Where's the portal?" Farador asked.
"In the library of the Castle Cleremont."
"Be careful of enemy troops," Sir Delyus grumbled. He pointed at the goblin and added," Lead us to Cleremont".
Nodding, the goblin beckoned them to follow him closely and attempted to cross the bridge above the moat. Just as they entered the castle compound, a minotaur appeared out of nowhere.
"Humans!" The minotaur raised an ornately designed horn, and blew it so loudly that it seemed to have struck the party dumb.
Ken cursed and let loose an arrow at the minotaur swiftly. The arrow struck the minotaur's chest and he let out a loud roar. Angered, the minotaur charged at the party.
Farador sneered," Let me warm you up". He cast a Fireball while Sir Delyus summoned a flame pillar. In moments, the minotaur roasted into charred beef.
"Look out!" The goblin screamed as he indicated an approaching group of enraged minotaurs, orcs and skeleton warriors from the back.
"Go! Go! Into Cleremont!" Sir Acton bellowed amidst the loud thumps of charging minotaurs and orcs' feet.
"Xi Blox!" Farador pushed a group of orcs onto their own troops, then ran to safety.
The minotaur chief gruffed," Don't let them escape!"
As if accepting a personal challenge, Sir Delyus ran back into the fray and shouted for all to hear," You want me? Come and get me! Lora Manta!"
A torrential whirlwind gushed forward and sucked in a score of orcs who about to strike him down.
"Delyus, come back!" Farador screamed. However, Delyus ignored him and conjured a ring of fire around him.
"Delyus! To your left!"
"An axe whooshed towards Delyus and hacked his steel plate armour. Delyus felled as if he was a lifeless puppet. Rushing to his fallen body, Sir Acton picked him up and piggy-backed him, while Farador covered them by hurling another Fireball at the pursuing enemies.
"RUN! RUN!"
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As King Bogard held a council with his advisors, a soldier rushed into the throne room and made his report.
"Sire! We are under siege! Two legions of orcs and skeletons are marching towards us! They are now constructing trebuchets just right outside the outskirts".
Lord Edward commented," Sire, if i may make a suggestion, we can tear down their siege equipments with mages and thus break the siege".
The king leaned forward and said," Burn them".
Lord Edward nodded and continued," We could send about 5 mages to burn them down. The Alliance Keepers can attempt a sneak attack".
At this, the king shook his head and replied," Not a good move. The Alliance Keepers are needed here. We may be able to destroy their siege weapons, but we must also ensure that our guard is up. Remember, the Steel Peaks are now lost and our defences are pushed back to our own walls. We need every men available to hold the line. Maybe just a single mage rider will do".
"Who do you wish to send, my liege?"
The king looked at him gravely. "You, my friend".
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"That was too close," Farador puffed as the party hid into a small corridor inside Castle Cleremont. "How's Delyus?"
Sir Acton answered," Sir Moulder has managed to heal his wounds, but he is still unconscious. The axe burnt his armour when it passed through his ring of fire".
"Is he always that reckless?" Farador muttered, shaking his head.
Sir Acton favoured him a smile," Sometimes. Now, we need to wake him up somehow. It's hard for us to travel under such condition".
"Let's try this," the goblin said, pulling out a green-coloured mushroom, and fed it to the unconscious Sir Delyus.
"What's that you're giving him?" Farador questioned him, eyeing the mushroom.
"It's a restorative mushroom that can cure abnormal conditions," he said. "Watch".
To be continued.