[This is a work in progress, my first fantasy fiction writing]
The dark night sky shined obsidian. A harsh wind was blowing. She thought she was the only one on the trail, but plenty of animals were wandering the wilderness.
She was a settler running away from an abusive husband. What she didn’t know was that she and the entire band she was traveling with had suddenly treaded upon orc territory.
The Orcs were brutal yet courageous creatures of war. Their pure strength is what preserved their power and place amongst the Great Council, a band of governors from all races, from across the land. The Orcs had great leaders. They were often war leaders but not all the orc chieftains were strong fighters. Some were strategists.
It was a fluke that humans and orcs ever met each other. One day
opened up in Asmerald, and human armies marched forth through it and upon exiting the portal, they ran into orcs.
At first, the humans slaughtered the orcs 10,000 in three days. But once the orcs banded together, they brought an army of 300,000. They decimated the human forces.
Human bands were paid to go through the portal and live with their families, with protection by soldiers that also lived in these colonies. But there would never be enough soldiers to hold off against nefarious orc bands. They were insistent on burning, killing, and holding these new invaders back.
Her name was Meriold. She was in her mid twenties and had a high forehead and long brown hair. Her husband had scolded her and punched her in the face, whereupon, she left the camp. This would be the last straw and be the catalyst for her running away and finding a new life somehow. Her husband was named Cross. He was a cold man older man and prone to anger late at night after wine. He oftentimes took advantage of Meriold, forcing her to do his bidding at any given moment.
There was a cold breeze. She walked the trail some twelve miles before the trail ended. She had a jug of water that she carried in a knapsack on her back. Then she found herself lost in the woods. She walked continuously, lighting a candle and walking with it, slowly, thinking. Having realized the seriousness of her situation and being alone, she thought about going back home and begging forgiveness to Cross.
She walked and walked. Another mile. Another. And then finally she reached a cabin house near a tree. She saw a light light inside and realizing that she was at body and wit’s end, she gave in and knocked on the door. An old woman answered the door.
“Get in,” she said.
Tired and barely able to speak, Meriold said, “I need some water, food, and lodging for the night please. I have gold.” The small old woman opened the door and ushered Meriold in. She seemed nice and Meriold trusted her.
“What brings you to these woods? I haven’t had a visitor in nearly a week,” she said.
“I’m lost. I ran away after my husband beat me. I can’t go back to him, or that band, I’m going to make it on my own out here in this world,” Meriold said.
“Well then. You have a lot to learn girl. But you have courage in you! I What do you say, you stay here for a couple of nights and I’ll teach you what I know about these parts, and how to deal with the orcs,” she said. She sparked a flame in the fireplace and sat down in a chair across from Meriold’s chair.
“My name is Urdu, and I come from a tribe much like yours. I worked as a nurse in my previous life, and even nursed orcs. I am married and have one son, who lives out in the cities. I married an orc once,” she said.
“Are you the first to do such a thing?” Meriold said.
“No, but there’s a strong taboo against it. The Orcs are a superstitious peoples that live and pray to the wind, the thunder, the lightning, and other such Natural things,” she said.
“But surely not all orcs like that?” Meriold said.
“You have a lot to learn. Get some rest. We’ll talk more in the morning,” Urdu said.
Meriold lay her head down on the pillow. She was comfortable and fell asleep fast. Six and a half hours later Urdu woke her up with tea and cakes.
“Eat up. You’re still young, you can eat a few more sweets than I can,” she said with a smile.
“Thank you so much. Let’s get down to business. What do I need to know? What can I use for protection? Where’s the direction for the nearest town?” Meriold said.
Urdu calmed her down and talked all day and all night. The only way to truly defend herself was by her own arm, with a sword. She would in effect, learn to fight, and become a warrior for her own protection while walking the Earth.
The Orcs had a long history and the battles they fought were legendary.
Their names were unpronounceable to Meriold, but their kings were described by Urdu as valourous in war, family, and tribe, as well as natural and holy rites. They had a long history of civil wars but the battles fought against humans took all their attention now.
The Orc male is good at wrestling, battle, military history, and military strategy. Most were soldiers in small bands. The larger tribes came from huge enclaves that housed some 10,000 or more.
The leader of their race was named Anoroth, a giant with a booming voice like thunder. His dark red skin stood out from usual green/gray Orc skin.
The current human leader was Jane, a fire mage trained at the academy. They were trying to come to an agreement over the amount of land humans could purchase from the orcs. In addition, how could the humans prevent orc bands from attacking human settlements? In addition, they wanted to know more information about this new world. Any information would do.
Anoroth, thus giving her this information, asked Jane what her purpose was? What was she and where did she hail from? Why do human generals seem intent on bringing war and disease to this new land? Why did you bring us war? It was a difficult negotiation.
Urdu explained that the best way for Meriold to get by would be to spend a few days training with an old sword of hers, and once she was confident in her swings, to cut off her hair, leave the woods, and head for the nearest town. Once in town, she was instructed to join up with a local army band, and become a female warrior disguised as a man because of her short hair. At least until they find out who she really is.
Meriold had no other options.
All kinds of planning would be involved. She would need a new name and an identity, made up on the spot but believable enough to get by. She would need new clothes. She would have to cut her hair, and develop a manner of male mannerisms and customs.
“What will your new name be? ” Urdu said.
“The name I choose shall be Johaan. I will presume to be a knight traveling from beyond the Realm.” Meriold said.
“You and I will discuss the details. Please, while it is daylight, let us go outside, where you can test out this sword. You will need it to defend yourself just in case something happens before you find the next human camp. When you get to the biggest town outside this forest, you will be able to make your way, doing whatever you like. And now you know the dangers,” she said.
“I’ve already decided I’m to become a knight and join up in the army bands against the orcs. There, I can be provided food and shelter, and eventually make my way back through the portal, to my mother and father, who probably miss me very much,” Meriold said.
“I’m sure they do,” Urdu said. “But let us go outside and I’ll have you go through various sword training exercises that I can remember from my younger days.”
They went outside. It was a beautiful sunny day, even with the trees blocking the sunlight. Urdu handed Meriold the sword. Meriold was of medium height, with long brown hair. She was thin and when she grabbed the sword her weight shifted in such a way that she almost fell right then and there onto her own sword.
“Watch it girl, lest you kill yourself before your story begins.”
“Oof,” Meriold grunted.
It was an old bronze sword. Meriold was told to practice swinging the sword 10,000 times and then come inside for tea and biscuits.
Although Meriold was just a young wife she proved to be much more than adequate at handling a sword. She seemed natural at sword swinging. But would she really be strong enough to handle a man or an orc that tried to kill her?
After her training exercise Meriold went inside for tea. Urdu had a smile on her face.
“You handle the sword very well. Were you ever formally trained?” she said.
“Not at all. Actually, I have no experience in combat,” Meriold said.
“Very well. Fortune smiles on you this day,” Urdu said with a smile.
“You will train all day and all night tomorrow with the sword, to make sure your skills aren’t a fluke. The next day you’ll be off on your own. I will show you the way out of this forest myself,” she said.
“Thank you very much Urdu. Without you there’s no telling what would have happened to me. I owe you my life,” Meriold said.
“Don’t mention it. You won’t find many others like me out here beyond the Portal. Be wary. Get some sleep, see you in the morning,” Urdu said.
Meanwhile, Meriold’s husband woke up drunk. Ever since Meriold ran away, he was at his wits end. Without a wife, the other traveling settlers saw him as a lesser man who not only couldn’t control his wife but angered her, and forced her to run away out of the fear of being beaten and worse. Most of the settlers were religious nomads, not only seeking a new life and way to live in the new Realm, but to also spread peace, love, and the worship of their various gods.
Cross was a simple-minded fellow.
