Rise of the Horde - Chapter 363: Chapter 363:

As they moved along the river banks, Haguk and his clansmen were careful not to make any noise that could alert the people living nearby. They were on a mission to gather information about the area and the movements of the baron’s forces. It was a risky task, but one that their chieftain deemed necessary.

Haguk was leading the group, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. His warg, a fierce beast with razor-sharp fangs, was by his side, ready to pounce on any enemy that would cross their path.

The night was silent, except for the sound of the river flowing nearby. The stars were shining brightly, providing enough light for the surroundings which was a bit of a problem to the orcs who wants to sneak around without being seen. Haguk and his men moved swiftly, their feet barely making any sound as they made their way deeper into the territory.

They passed by small villages and saw the lights from the windows of the houses. They could hear the faint sound of people talking and laughing, and the smell of food being cooked wafted towards them. But they didn’t stop. They couldn’t afford to be seen or heard or else they would be in big trouble.

Under the cover of the darkness, they soon reached a large settlement which was quick to be spotted because of the amount of light that it was emitting from a distance.

As they approached the community, Haguk signaled for his men to spread out and stay hidden. He and his warg moved closer to get a better look. From their vantage point, they could see the movements of the baron’s forces. Soldiers were patrolling the area, their swords and shields glinting in the moonlight. Right at the middle of the settlement was an imposing structure.

From where Haguk was at, the place looked like a turtle shell. It was a circular structure, with a wall around it that provided better protection against attacks. There were also archers stationed on the walls, their bows at the ready.

Just outside the imposing walls of the fort were huts neatly arranged around it which certainly belongs to the workers and the common people of the territory that they are at.

The settlement was built around the fort, the latter towering over its surroundings like an imposing shadow. Even in the cover of darkness, the fort was imposing, and it was obvious that whoever was in charge of it had no trouble controlling the people there.

The light of the houses of the large settlement was warm and welcoming. It’s a mixed feeling-a sense of belonging, being home for the first time. Sounds are a distraction from the hunt. Smells are the smells of home- meat being cooked, children laughing and playing.

Haguk knew that they needed to be careful. They couldn’t risk being seen by the soldiers or the scouts, or they would be outnumbered and outmatched. He signaled for his men to retreat, and they moved away from the settlement, their footsteps barely making any sound. They traveled further along the river banks, marking the locations of the baron’s forces as they went. They were careful not to leave any trace of their presence, knowing that even a small mistake could mean their downfall.

After a few hours, they finally reached the outskirts of the baron’s castle. Haguk could feel his heart pounding in his chest, and his warg was growling softly at the smell of danger in the air. One simple mistake on their side and they would be inevitably encircled by enemy forces. The fortress that they just went by a few hours ago would quickly receive news of their presence if they commit the mistake of making their presence known to the enemy. They saw the castle walls looming in the darkness, and the torches of the guards that were patrolling the area. They knew that they couldn’t get any closer without being seen.

The castle was huge, with high walls and towers. It was still night so they could only see the torches standing guard along the walls. But with what they can currently see, the castle was hard to attack without a proper plan and the tools to assault it.

The castle is tall, more than fifteen meters high. It towers over the surrounding landscape, a dark and foreboding sight, imposing its will on the lands around it.

The castle loomed above them, torches lined up in neat rows on the battlements, casting a dim light on the area below.

The chieftain of the Warghen Clan ordered for his warriors to carefully scout the surroundings of the place and try to find some sort of weak point that they might be able to use.

Hours later, the orcs gathered together to make report of what they have found out. Haguk’s expectations of finding a flaw was dashed, the castle was like one solid rock according to the reports being given by his clansmen.

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Haguk then ordered for a retreat, and they quickly moved away from the castle, their hearts heavy with disappointment. They knew that they had to report back to Khao’khen, and that they had to come up with a new plan equipped with the information that they have gathered. They moved further away from the castle, retreating back towards where they came from.

*****

It didn’t take long for the messenger sent by Duke Hanbal to reach the capital of the kingdom. The dispatch rider was both cowardly and wise as he passed on the letter of the duke to one of the Royal Guards and didn’t enter the palace and as soon as the letter was out of his hands, he quickly left without notice which confused the man who he passed the letter onto.

The messenger’s steed collapsed in the middle of the city because of exhaustion and without any second thoughts, he ditched it and travelled on foot. He needed to get out of the city fast, the personality of the king, he knew of it which is why he was in a hurry to be gone from the city. The towering city walls no longer provided him a sense of security, the city was no longer a city to him but a prison and he must get out of it before the wrath of the warden of the prison falls upon him.

Drenched in his own sweat, the runner finally made it to one of the gates. Under the confused gazes of the soldiers guarding the gate, he directly went towards their leader. “I need a fresh mount, the king had assigned me to deliver a message to the duke with all haste.” He confidently uttered.

Hearing that the man was under the orders of the king, the leader of the guards quickly ordered for his men to get fresh mount from the stables nearby and gave it to the messenger. “Thanks…And may Faerush bestow you all the luck you will need.” Then he scurried away from the gates towards the vastness of the desert.

The parting words of the messenger confused the captain of the guards even more but he just shrugged his shoulders then turned towards his quarters to continue with his drink. After a quarter of an hour, rapid footsteps and shouts came, the command was to close the gate.

The soldiers on duty were mystified by the command but they still heeded it.

Ten Royal Guards then directly headed towards the quarters of the guards.