Outcaste by C. S. Marks

Author:C. S. Marks [Marks, C. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Parthian Press
Published: 2015-04-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14: Triumphs and Disasters

Farin's plan to slow down the attacking forces from the east had worked very well. Although the eastern attack-force was smaller, there were still five trolls and about two hundred-fifty Ulcas to contend with. The smoke, heat, and lack of air had stymied the Ulcas temporarily, and they had sent the trolls ahead with instructions to take care of matters however they could.

Trolls are very nearly fire-proof, at least for a while, and these had no difficulty in crawling over and around Farin's impressive burn-pile. They made a sort of half-hearted attempt to smother the flames, snorted in distaste, and moved on. They didn't care whether the Ulcas fought beside them or not.

Hallagond caught the first whiff of the trolls’ singed flesh as the rumbling thunder of their heavy feet grew deafening. “They’re here!” he shouted across the opening to Azori, who crouched upon a high perch beside an Outcaste archer named Fortuno. Azori's fingers tightened on the small hunting bow he had borrowed from Nelwyn. In truth, they were itching to hold a blade, but he had been charged with aiding Hallagond in protecting Galador, the troll-slayer. Hallagond drew his own stout bow as he stood by Galador on a rocky ledge on the opposite side of the entryway, ready to deal with any potential threat.

As it turned out, the defenders were very fortunate to have only the trolls to contend with. They arrived all together, and three of them burst one at a time into the chamber, roaring and howling and attempting to smash anything that moved. The Outcastes on the ground scattered like leaves in a gust of wind, and everyone in the Company knew that they had underestimated the ferocity of their foes. These were unexpectedly quick, making the defenders duck and dodge and try to stay out of the way.

Then it seemed that the entire mountain shook with some unknown force. Galador, who was concentrating on aiming at one of the trolls, nearly toppled from his perch. “What was that?” he exclaimed, nodding to Hallagond, who had grabbed his arm to steady him. The answer became immediately apparent, as the two trolls who had not as yet made their entrance were seen. They had attempted to burst through the smallish opening at the same time, and had become hopelessly lodged there. They howled and roared and bickered and spat and struggled to no avail. The force of their collision with the tunnel walls and their subsequent dismayed squirming had shaken the mountain.

“Ha! A lucky chance!” yelled Farin, who was the first to recover his wits. He leaped aside as one of the free trolls aimed a hammer-blow at him; the Outcaste standing beside him was not so fortunate.

Galador turned his attention back to his task, waiting for his moment, and it finally came. His arrow flew straight to a troll's mouth, wounding it severely. It backed into the wall, shaking its head and flailing at the arrow-shaft, its tiny eyes squeezed shut.

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