| Fantasy Fiction posted January 13, 2024 | Chapters: |
...3 4 -5- 6... 
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Yagami and Valerie encounter trouble while running an errand
A chapter in the book Campfire Fantasy
Advance And Retreat!
by T.A. Walk
| Background A 1000 word or less flash fantasy fiction collection! Each chapter is meant to both stand alone and connect into the overall story. |
Prologue: A Chance Meeting Summary
Dwarven fighter Orin Shieldbearer and Elven ranger Vortex Varian meet unconventionally in a dark forest. One on a trek alone, the other alone and starving, the pair choose conversation over battle. While wary, the travelers find solace in company.
Chapter 1: The Necromancer
Ulric the Paladin, Serene the Ranger, Valerie the Mage, and Yagami the Ninja are hired to assist a town with a frightening problem. A necromancer has moved in and begun killing their lands. However, there’s a twist!
Chapter 2: Dwarves For Dinner
Ulric the Paladin, Serene the Ranger, Valerie the Mage, and Yagami the Ninja arrive at an inn and bar for a welcomed night of rest. Interrupted and once again rising to the need of others, they must face a gruesome foe to avenge the fallen.
Chapter 3: An Unsavory Encounter
Ulric the Paladin, Serene the Ranger, Valerie the Mage, and Yagami the Ninja hope to barter when they come across a wagon along a dirt road. Unfortunately, the thugs tending the wagon aren’t inclined to host guests.
Chapter 4: Rude Awakening
Dwarven fighter Orin Shieldbearer and Elven ranger Vortex Varian are awoken early in the morning to face off against a feral pack of wolves. They quickly realize they can work together better than either had thought.
“Whoa!” Ulric shouted.
The horses and wagon came to a halt in front of the inn. Yagami climbed out first followed closely by Valerie.
“We’ll be back soon,” Yagami said.
Stepping down from the wagon Serene added, “We’ll be right here,” with a defeated sigh.
“Have fun babysitting,” Valerie said trying to contain a giggle.
Ulric literally growled as the two women passed by. Both Yagami and Valerie laughed. The small city was enchanting. The streets were lined with festive hanging lights and art adorned the sides of the buildings. By all accounts, this city was a haven for artists of all races and varieties.
They walked along, looking at murals and sculptures as they passed. Valerie stopped for a moment to take in a large image painted on the side of a warehouse. An Orc War Chief and a Human Paladin stood shoulder to shoulder and the text within the image read; Remember the war! Together we can rebuild!
“Come on, Val,” Yagami said softly. “Let’s get to the meeting spot. We can talk later.”
A tear fell down Valerie’s cheek and Yagami grasped her hand and lightly squeezed. Valerie looked at her friend and nodded. She pulled free of her friend’s grip, wiped her face, and smiled. I’ll never forget, mom and dad, she thought to herself. She pulled her gaze away, and the pair continued.
They took in the beauty of the varied architecture of the city and the multi-raced denizens of it as they walked. Street merchants and buskers charmed the crowd. An artist on scaffolding painted as he bobbed his head to the rhythm of a pianist along the street. Musical instruments and singers could be heard all around.
There was a populated square at the end of the street. Up ahead, an ogre was drawing an interested crowd as he performed poetry. He stood above the crowd atop a crate in the center of the busy village square. The Ogre’s position and loud, booming voice drew attention from far off visitors.
“Please do not despair, my good friends and neighbors,” the haggard Ogre began. “For storms can’t last forever! And God gave you the strength you need, brothers and sisters!” he shouted with passion, “to survive in any weather!”
The crowd erupted in applause around the Ogre. Cheers of joy and elation in the name of multiple Gods came from all around. Suddenly, the sounds of the crowd were replaced by a loud explosion. Yagami and Valerie felt the heat and shockwave of the blast, but they were unaffected. Smoke and flames distorted their view of the area where the Ogre performed. Bodies lay strewn about the square while screams filled the area.
Valerie grabbed a passerby, screaming above the confusion, “What happened here?”
“Eye of Gruumsh!” the terrified woman cried. “They don’t believe in a united community!”
Valerie released the woman as Orcs flooded into the square. An ominous chant flowed through their ranks. Gruumsh! Gruumsh! Gruumsh was the worshipped deity of destruction and creator of the Orcs. According to the will of Gruumsh, Orcs were meant to defile the world and nothing more.
While the uninjured crowd ran from the square, Valerie and Yagami ran into it. Valerie felled several Orcs with energy bolts, drawing their attention. A massive, one-eyed Orc pointed its sword in her direction. The women could here the city guard shouting and engagements in every direction.
An Orc rushed Valerie, chopping downward with his sword. She dodged right and slid her dagger into his stomach and around his torso. Another attacker was flung several meters by a closely fired energy blast. The huge Orc was charging her way fast, but her attention was drawn by closer assailants.
Yagami flung shuriken until her pouch was empty. She dove low to dodge a crushing blow, landing behind her attacker. As the Orc fumbled, Yagami buried her kama in his back. She flung her kusarigama, slicing the throat of an incoming attacker. With precision she yanked the chain, sending the weapon’s blade into the torso of another. She pulled back, whipping the blade and chain behind her.
Yagami launched the blade into the skull of an attacker at Valerie’s back.
“Kill him!” Valerie screamed, pointing at the one-eyed Orc commander.
Yagami pulled back her kusarigama, deftly catching it in her hand. She wound the chain in preparation and ran towards her target. Dipping and dodging, slashing and stabbing, Yagami made her way to the incoming Orc. A blinding light and several flying bodies indicated Valerie was holding her own. Several energy blasts dropped targets in Yagami’s way, and she found herself before the commander.
The Orc moved fast, slashing downward with his battleaxe. Yagami moved right, but the Orc’s axe was already coming at her again. She parried with her kama and the Orc’s strength knocked her back. She thrust her kusarigama into his stomach as he pressed forward. The Orc continued, knocking Yagami backwards off her feet.
Several arrows dug into the Orc’s back. A city guardsman tackled the Orc, allowing Yagami precious time. The Orc wrestled the guardsman to the ground. Once on top, he smashed the man’s skull with his axe handle. He stood up and a volley of energy blasts knocked him back down.
Yagami’s kusarigama was imbedded in the commander, so she drew her wakizashi. She leapt onto the Orc’s back and stabbed her sword through the Orc’s spine and neck. Immediately, the Orc’s nearby began to grunt loud and repetitively. The sound travelled throughout the square, from Orc to Orc. At once, the Orcs turned and retreated. Defenders gave chase and concerned citizens quickly flooded in to deal with the wounded.
Yagami was startled by Valerie’s hand on her shoulder.
“Even in places of great hope, there is evil,” Yagami whispered.
“But it is our job to keep hope alive, my friend,” Valerie said with a smile. “We helped here. Come,” she said offering her hand. “We still have children to help.”
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