Carefully the Mercenary band crept back to the edge of the great clearing. The signs of Orcs were everywhere. A thin trail of smoke permeated the whole of the forest, faint metallic tones in it told that the Dwarven forges were burning out of control or some such, clearly the gathering was a mess. The question was only if there was anyone or anything left worth saving:

“Report” Malcianus whispered as the last of the scouting parties returned.

“Two more squads along the western edge sir” the trooper began grimly. “One had another of those wolf things with them some are lightly wounded but nothing that will slow them down that much”

“Hmm the odds are nearly even then twenty of us and a little more than that of them. The problem then is the prisoners, if we rush in they will surely be put to death before we can overpower them all. Hmm…” He stroked his chin for a moment before coming to a decision.

“Well the word from our Master is that the main force of Orcs is besieging the Princes stronghold still. Master Zathabarius is mustering the most of the company and will lead a relief force there, I have reported the carnage here and that there are some survivors though the longer we delay the less of them there will be. So this is what I want to do:

“I will lead two thirds of the band in a diversionary attack from the west. The rest of you are to sneak in and deal with any guards that remain by the prisoners and get them to safety back at our Manor. I do not have any magic that can deal with so many Orcs while they are so spread out, but if we can draw them back towards us in a group then I have a spell that will blind or render them unconscious from a poisonous fog.

“When you see my signal, watch for your moment, then rush the Prisoners guards. It is imperative that you make sure they stay with you and head towards the Manor not the Princes Keep to the west, if they do that they’ll likely run into outriders from the main Orc band. Keep them working east towards our home. Master Zathabar has left a single warband behind to man the walls, if you make it back there you can hold this rabble off till we rejoin you.

“Any questions? Yes soldier…?”

“Sir… Whats imperative mean………”