Part 6: The Siege of Dun Baldar

The sun light shone through the heavy snowfall it all but blinded the two dwarfs who were guarding the road which ran through the mountains from the tunnel to Hillsbrad and the camp that had served to garrison the alliances army’s meagre reserves. Only the night before it had seen dozens of wounded and non combatants passed by as they were evacuated, now though it was silent, deadly silent.

“Damn this snow, I can’t see my hand in front of my face,” complained one of the dwarfs.

“You’re telling me I have stumbled three times in the last few minutes,” commented the other. “How are we supposed to guard any thing in this blizzard?”

“You got m…” the first dwarf began but was his words stopped as he was decapitated by a dark shadow loomed out of the blizzard. His partner leapt back and drew his axe looking wildly about for a sign of where the attack had come from. Then he heard a sound behind him, spun round and for an instant saw a black onyx hammer head swinging towards him…

* * *

The pack of wolf riders did not even slow down to see if the dwarfs were really dead, they had no time too. They had to move hard and fast to outwit the alliance once again, down on the road below was fighting a desperate but successful delaying action against the main horde force and Captain Galvangar concluded that that could mean only one thing.

Now here they were the wolf riders, the elite of their clan, and Nyako still could not understand why she was with them. She could just make out her eldest brother Lor’kan as he cleaned and secured his blade after killing the first of the two dwarfs that the riders had encountered. Nyako herself carefully stored her own hammer after she had used it to slay the other.

The silence that had hung over the valley was shattered as the sound of the hordes battle cries erupted from the road below the wolf riders, it was almost instantly mixed with the sounds of steel on steel and even the occasional flash of orange/black magic that shone out of the heavy snowfall. It was clear however that from the location of the sounds the battle was not moving much in any direction, the alliance were still holding their position.

But now the small band of wolf riders were behind that position, but the blizzard had begun to wane so they knew that they needed to find a way down fast before they were spotted by any large alliance force that could be up in the tops of the mountains with them. Their luck held as thanks to the alliance miners who had piled the rubble and unusable rock which they had taken from Iron Deep mine it provided an easy way down.

Now though the sound of battle was very close, the riders drew there weapons silently and started to move their wolves forward. A human miner suddenly appeared that the base entrance to the mine and spotted them, before he could yell out however one of the female orcs spun and hurled a small throwing axe. The man made a gurgling sound as he flopped on to the ground with the axe lodged in his throat. Moments later the others in the mine would notice their comrade’s disappearance but by then Nyako and the orcs had already launched their attack…

* * *

“Fall back!” Commander Duffy yelled, “Draw them back into the canyon.” The dwarf ordered his troops, he grinned as he watched them follow his command and lure the horde back into their trap. “Archers ready, Fire at will.”

The closest three orcs caught up with a wounded human soldier and much to Duffy’s anguish hacked him down, but they were then all killed themselves by a fury of arrows an instant later. Even with the death of their fellows the horde warriors pushed on into the storm of deadly projectiles. The archers sorce a few more kills, but their enemy was not stupid and pulled back momentarily, Duffy risked a quick look down towards the base of the legs that were holding up the bridge which was the main route into Dun Balder.

He was horrified to see that the dwarven demo teams which had been charged with placing explosives on the legs so as to deny the horde an easy route into the base were all dead. He could see an orc removing their axe from the skull of the last dwarf who had died. Almost in that same instant he saw movement in the corner of his eye.

The black onyx hammer would have crushed his face had he not thrown himself backwards out of its path. Rolling along the ground he leapt back up on his feet and turned to face his attacker. A young slender troll female stood before him, a cocky little grin on her face and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She was not alone either as at least a dozen orcs fell upon the rear of the Duffy and his troops, for now though the commander knew he had to deal with this troll who was once again coming at him.

He swung his axe at her exposed midriff, he thought that she was coming in high with her weapon, only to realize to late that the hammer above her head was a diversion and her real attack was a kick to his legs. Her foot caught the back of his knee and pulled it forward, the result of this was that Duffy’s own attack caused him to over balance and fall into a kneeling position and it was then that the hammer came down. It hit him in the side of he chest, he felt his ribs break, and it suddenly became a lot harder to breath.

Before another blow could land however the three of Duffy’s soldiers leapt between them and force the female troll away from him. One of them seized the rains of the nearest ram mount and threw him over its back, before they hit the beast on its rump and sent it running back over the bridge. With his eyes beginning to blur he saw the main horde force finally made it through the canyon and were slaughtering his troops.

Soon the sight of the carnage was gone and then his ram suddenly seemed to come to a forced halt. Strong hands pulled him from the back of the creature and lowered him to the ground, as he lay there people gathered around him. By now though his vision was so bad everything was just a blur of colours. However there was a strong orange shade and he knew that Vanndar Stormpike was there.

“General Stormpike,” Duffy coughed weakly. “We could not hold them the demo teams are dead, the bridge can not be blown.” The blur that was Vanndar spoke but his words were nothing more than a fading whisper, then finally his vision faded to black.

* * *

Nyako struck down one of the humans that dived at her and then the other, but by then her quarry had escape on a ram back over the bridge to the alliance base. Some of the horde as always caught up in their lust for battle charged across eager to kill the alliance in their main base, however as Nyako expected the bunker covering the bridge open up. Those that were not killed outright retreated back across out of range. Soon Captain Galvangar himself appeared to look over the situation.

“Is the bridge secure Nyako?” he asked her directly much to the surprise of those around her.

“Yes captain, the dwarfs were unable to place their charges” Nyako responded.

“Good Work, I can see why the frost wolf rider have such a fearsome reputation.” He complimented her and the others. “Now that the alliance are all but trapped in their base how do we get to them.” He paused and looked about at those around him; a orc in the blue armour of the Hammerfall garrison stepped forward after shooting Nyako a nasty look he spoke.

“I have instructed my grunts to assault the southern defences of the base,” he said his voice betraying the fact that he did so in an attempt to impress Galvanger. “They’ll find out soon enough if there are any weaknesses in their defences.

“No, they are already dead Blood Guard,” commented another orc dressed in dark purple robes, who was walking up behind the group, Nyako recognized the voice of Zujin instantly. She spun with a grin on her face as the warlock embraced her. “Hello Nyako, good to see you again,” he said as they stepped apart.

“Just what do you mean warlock?” The blood guard spat the last word, clearly mistrustful and insulted.

“I mean that the area has been scouted already and it has been noted that the slopes on the south side of the alliance base are too steep for an assault and that they have significant defences able to fire on any who would attack from that way.” Zujin explained calmly. “I’m afraid that the only way to finish off our enemy is over that bridge.” This last statement was directed at Galvangar, the Blademaster nodded grimly.

“Very well prepare for another…” Galvangar started to stay but was interrupted by a blood curdling roar of fury coming from the alliance base.

All eyes turned and watched as a male orc leapt from the top floor of the bunker next to the bridge, he hit the snow and rolled ungraciously down the step slope. The alliance soldiers which were in the bunker began to shoot at him with their bows, while others who had been outside the structure ran towards him. Without hesitation however the orc was on his feet, he was moving as fast as he could but it was clear from his limp that his left leg was injured. Every horde warrior with a ranged weapon began to shoot in the hope of giving their fleeing comrade cover, those warriors without began to cheer at the top of their voices egging him on.

“He is not going to make it,” the Hammerfall Blood Guard commented morbidly. “The alliance will be on him long befor…” his next statement was cut short by a powerful white wolf knocking him over. Everyone looked to see Nyako riding across to meet the orc half way.

‘What the hell am I doing?’ Nyako thought to herself as she urged her mount faster and faster. An arrow glance off her shoulder armour as some of the alliance turned their attentions to her, as for those giving chase they were almost upon the fleeing orc. But almost was not close enough as she thrust out her hand and with a show of strength that shocked even her Nyako hauled him on to the back of the wolf and turned for home. As she did so an arrow stuck in her thigh and another in her siide, she grunted with pain but did not even pause. With her heels digging into its flacks the wolf carried them both to safety.

Upon reaching the horde warriors both Nyako and her passenger were half lifted half pulled of the mounts by the shaman who had rushed forward to give them aid. Around them the orcs, trolls, tauren and even a good number of the forsaken cheered. It fell quiet though when Galvangar and his command party strode up.

“Ok shows over,” came the powerful voice of the Blademaster, and the crowd began to dissipate.

“Thanks for the help Nyako,” laughed the orc as the shamans healed his wounds.

“Anytime Mulverik,” Nyako replied to the clans top wyvern rider.

“Good Work Nyako,” Galvangar commented. “Mulverik are you able to fly?”

“Just try and stop me,” the wing commander challenged as he stood up.

“Good get back to the village, your fellow riders are waiting for you, I have a plan to weaken the alliance defences,” the captain informed them, “Nyako when you are healed ride back with these orders, tell the catapult crews to bring their war machines forward.”

* * *

Night was beginning to fall and in Dun Baldar everyone was on edge, running through the mind of every soldier in the base was; when will the horde attack? For now though there was nothing to do but prepare. In the heart of his fort Vanndar Strompike had gathered his commanders who still lived, to discuss their options.

“The situation is grim, the horde control all of the valley save for Dun Baldar, our demolition crews have failed to destroy the bridge so any attack will reach the heart of our base here within moments.” Vanndar stated. “So I want options what could we do?”

“We still have our griffons and the ram riders general,” Commander Mortimer answered. “We should use them as a spear head for a breakout force and make for the passage to Hillsbrad.”

“That’s your answer is it Mortimer, to run away, so much for the legendary bravery of the dwarfs,” Scoffed Alpharius.

“Why you impudent little whelp,” the red bearded dwarf roared and went for his axe, not to be out done, Alpharius reached for his sword. All around them the other commanders grabbed the pair each attempting to hold them back.

“ENOUGH!” Vanndar roared and the fight stopped. “We are surrounded by the horde cut off from any chance of relief, now instead of fighting and killing each other something I’m sure the horde will be more than happy to help us with why don’t you come up with some suggestions.” His answer was silence.

“I’m sorry General but there are only two options,” Lord Sim spoke up. “We either surrender or fight to the last.” He stated matter-o-factly. “Dishonour and life or Death and Glory.”

Vanndar stared hard at the paladin standing before him, this infernal self-righteous human was right. He was about to speak again when his nephew, Noreg Stormpike ran into the room. All eyes turned to look at him as he stood gasping for air.

“Uncle Vanndar, the horde are bringing up catapults.” He said and pointed back the way he had come.

The entire room emptied as the commanders went outside to see what the corporal was talking about. A group of spotters stood next to the southern bunker and when Vanndar and the others arrive at their location they pointed out the four slow moving machines, each illuminated by a torch light in the dying light.

“We don’t have much time,” Vanndar stated. “Mortimer, ready your Ram Riders, Ichman we’ll need your Griffons in the air, those machines must be destroyed.”

The pair did not need to be told twice and they spun on their heels calling out orders as they moved away. The two forces were assembled with a great deal of speed, though the heavy catapults that the horde was bringing forward were moving at a slow pace there was no time to waste.

“Mortimer,” Vanndar called out as the other dwarf mounted his ram. “Be fast, set those catapults ablaze, after that go to ground in the hills. Ichman and the other griffon riders will give you air cover no telling if the horde have their Wyverns back in the sky or not.”

“Understood General,” Mortimer saluted. “Ram Rider’s Hoo!” he yelled and spurred his mount to wards the southern slopes.

“Hoo!” was the replying yelled from the other dozen dwarfs and they followed their leader. Silently the trio of griffon riders took to the skies and followed their allies…

* * *

Oathbreaker held the rains of his wolf lightly, even though the mountain road was narrow, the daylight fading and the mountain sides steep he felt at ease on his sure footed mount. He could sense that the other mercenaries around him were frustrated by the fact that they had been assigned to escort the catapults but in his view they were still all being paid so who cared. Not long after they had passed the ruins of Icewing bunker he heard the faint sound of hooves moving towards them. He knew that sound

Without looking at the others he steered his mount away from the torch light that illuminated the war machines before moving parallel to them in the darkness. His hunch was right as he soon made out the silhouettes of at least a dozen alliance ram riders making their way up the slope towards the catapults.

A low pitched growl came from his wolf as it too spotted the alliance making their way through the darkness. But true to its intelligence Oathbreaker did not have to hold any tighter on the reins as the canine waited for him to begin the attack. He held back until their enemy were only just out of torch range before he made his move.

“That Alliance are upon us too arms!” he roared and dug his heals into the flanks of his wolf. The massive beast surged forwards and smashed into the front two ram riders. Blood exploded over Oathbreaker as his mount savagely ripped into the neck of an alliance ram. The snow underneath them however was not strong enough to support their combined weight and within moments all of them were tumbling down the slope.

Oathbreaker felt one of the dwarfs stabbing at his side with a broad bladed dagger but at that moment they hit one of the many tree stumps that litter the steep slope the small humanoid screamed as his arm connected with it and he lost his grip on his weapon. They all came to a stop when they reach the bottom of the hill, instantly the bull was on his feet drawing his weapons, the dwarfs had also reacted with similar speed.

With a snort of amusement Oathbreaker blocked a diving thrust by the first dwarf and hit her with the butt of his sword. Before he could capitalise on his opponent’s stunned state however, the second dwarf attacked him, though the tauren quickly noted that the small males left arm was hanging uselessly by his side. He parried the blow and move back his hooves suddenly immersed in cold water.

Watching the two dwarfs rounded on him each with a short sword held ready to hack him down. They came at him simultaneously from different sides, this for anyone else this could have been a problem but not Oathbreaker, for as soon as they came close he slammed his feet hooves in to the ground so hard that they each stumbled and dropped their swords into the water. With a beastial laugh Oathbreaker spread his arms and charged, grabbing them both he dived into the deepest part of the stream that he could see.

His heavy metal armour made him sink but even still when his feet hit the ground his head was still high enough above the water that he was in no danger of drowning. Not so the dwarfs, even without Oathbreaker holding them down their entire bodies would have been totally submerged. This combined with the weight of their own armour made it relatively simple for the tauren to hold them under the surface until those last few bubbles went ‘bloop’ and they stopped struggling. He released his grip, then watch their corpses settle on the bottom of the stream, and noted that the female’s eyes were open staring upwards in mute horror. Looking about to make sure that no one else was around he put his hand back under and closed her eye lids before hauling himself out.

As he retrieved his weapons he spotted his black wolf happily tearing a huge chuck of meat off one of two large dead rams. Then his gaze was drawn skyward by the sound of a battle in the air…

* * *

Their attack had not been as sudden as Mortimer would have liked, just before his troops hit the catapults a huge shadow lunged out and took the two riders who were at the front of their charge back into the fading light with it. Regardless the riders attacked the now warned and ready horde guards. They hit hard and broke through the line of foot warriors that had hastily assembled in an attempt to stop them.

Quickly seizing his axe the dwarf commander brought his weapon down in one powerful motion that cut straight through rear axel of the first catapult and removed its left back wheel, disabling it. He looked and saw that others of his band were doing the same but already three other dwarfs were dead or dying on the snow covered road. His momentary pause though almost cost him his life, a troll hurled a spear in his direction and he was only saved when his ever loyal ram reared up on its hind legs taking the weapon squarely in its abdomen and throwing him to the ground.

Mortimer had to watch his steed that had carried him all through the third war topple onto the ground and lie next to him. He climbed to his feet but no sooner had he done so than three orcs leapt at him and began to beat him mercilessly with clubs. He hit the ground once again. Between two blows he looked skyward in the hope that the griffons wound soon becoming to their aid…

* * *

Wing commander Ichman was flying in a V formation, Sildore was on his left and Vilpore on his right. They were staying low to the ground just behind the dwarf ram riders so as not to be spotted by horde look outs. The ground was moving quickly underneath them as Ichman felt the cool night air blow through his mounts feathers and fur.

Like beacons the horde had lit up their catapults so as to easily steer them down the narrow road. But not for one moment did he think this was going to be easy, no they may be able to see their targets but that did not mean they were going to be able to destroy them. As the dwarfs made it to the steep slope they drew their weapons and spurred their rams onwards up the hill.

As they drew close however a voice yelled out alerting the horde to the incoming attack, and moments later a tauren mounted on a large wolf came out of the darkness and snatched the two leading ram riders before they all we sent rolling back down the slope they had just come up.

‘Split up and come at those machines from different sides,” Ichman ordered his fellow flyers, they nodded and banked away. He himself flew upwards and drew out his Storm Hammer a powerful weapon that had been given to him by the dwarfs of Airie peak, the high altitude allowed him to charge it till it was ready to unleash its lighting bolts on the horde below.

His hammer raised high Ichman dived, he could feel not only the wind rushing past his face but the magic energy building up in the weapon. He was almost within melee range when he swung his hammer towards the now crippled catapults, though he did not release his grip on his weapon, a lighting bolt leapt from its large head. The war machine exploded in a shower of wooden and metal shards as his attack hit it. The remaining three where disposed of by Vilpore and Sildore.

Now they needed to focus on the horde warriors who were already overwhelming the dwarfs below, so Ichman pulled his wyvern upwards and headed back into the air so as to take another run. Suddenly though his vision was filled with a huge scorpion tail that stabbed him in the shoulder and almost pulled him off his griffon. Instead though Ichman turned his griffon with the attack and the tail spike came out.

Ichman looked to see that the horde’s Wyvern riders had come out of the high clouds and attacked them from above. Vilpore was already off his griffon tumbling through the air towards the ground below and Sildore was throwing lighting bolts from his hammer at a laughing female orc. But before he could help his fellow griffon riders he had to deal with the hordes flying ace Mulverick. The orcs red goggles glinted demonically in the fading light as he swept up and around before diving back towards Ichman.

With gritted teeth Ichman gripped his hammer in both hands and urged his griffon onwards. The orc laughed as he threw a heavy javelin at him, it was such an obvious attack the weapon should have been easy to avoid but for the fact he had been injected with the paralysis causing venom from the wyverns tail. As such the javelin hit him in the thigh which was followed by a green hand grabbing his torso and pulling him backwards of his griffon.

“Lets see how you fly now,” Mulverik laughed and let go…

* * *

By first light the damage caused by the alliance’s ambush became clear; every catapult had been destroyed and now sat as burn out husks on the road. There was nothing that could be done to repair them. It was however not the loss of the war machines that angered Galvangar but that it left them with only one option with which to break open the alliance stronghold and it was a bloody one.

“Those fools think that they have bought themselves some time,” the captain stated shaking his head. “What they really have done is seal their fates more than ever before.”

“Does that mean your accepting my lords offer Blademaster?” Primalist Thurloga asked in her smooth and deep voice.

“Yes Thurloga, it would seem I have no choice,” Galvangar sighed. “Just make sure that your lord knows who his enemy is.”

“Have no fear, the ice lord is greatly angered by the alliances disregard for nature due to the infernal digging.” The shaman assured him. “My apprentices have already collected the blood tribute, and will soon have the ritual circle prepared. We just need ten able warriors to assist us.”

“Fine I’ll have Lieutenant Vol’talar round up some warriors,” Galvangar nodded in the direction of his troll aid. “Oh and Thurloga,” he called out as she turned for the door, “nothing better happen to those warriors I send you,” his tone was clearly and unmistakably threatening.

* * *

“So what exactly is it we are summoning?” Nyako asked as she walked beside Vol’talar.

“It be a creature of great powa,” Vol’talar told her. “An it will be helpin us break dat alliance base into little bits.”

“Like the one the alliance summoned, that did not go so well for them remember,” she commented with a smile.

“That will not be the case with the Ice Lord I can assure you of that,” Primalist Thugloga interrupted stiffly as she rode past on her kodo.

“Tha captain be no likin her ‘lord’,” Vol’talar said quietly as the shaman move out of ear shot.

“Why?” Nyako asked puzzled.

“He not be trustin magic, especially creature dat be made of it,” Vol’talar answered. “He says it be too much like when da orcs relied on dat demonic power of dere, being a Blademaster he knows how bad it be to over rely on stuff like dat.”

Nyako wanted to ask more but they reach what was clearly the ritual location at that point. A dark purple circle had been drawn in the snow and filled with magical symbols, some of which the female orc shamans were just finishing. Also standing to one side was Oathbreaker his weapons drawn and his face grim.

“We have all the help we need here,” Thruloga told the bull. “You may return to the front.”

“I’m here to make sure this pet of your knows who its supposed to fight,” Oathbreaker replied rolling his neck.

“You think that you could hurt ‘Lokholar the Ice Lord’” the shaman all but scoffed.

“Everything can be killed Thruloga, and besides I have done it before,” he stated the tension in the air became thick. For a moment Nyako thought that the shaman would say something else but instead she shrugged and turned back to her apprentices.

“Are we ready?” she asked them they nodded in unison but their eyes were looking warily at Oathbreaker. “Very well, you’ll see that your presence is not need here soon enough…”

“I’ll be the judge of that shaman.”

Instead of rising to his tone, Thruloga directed each of the ten warriors each to hold a large vessel of dark red liquid which could only have been blood and then stand at specific spots around the circle. No sooner had the last one stepped into place than the ritual began.

An invisible force began to pull Nyako’s vessel downwards and the blood began to drain out of it. By the time it was empty its base was almost on the ground as she struggled to hold onto it, as soon as that last drop was gone the force lessened and Nyako was able to stand back up fully. She looked to her right and saw the Vol’talar was now going through the same thing.

One by one the vessels were all drained of their contents as the shamans looked outward for anything that could threaten the ritual. But then from out of the rocky ground ‘Lokholer the Ice Lord’ arose. Nyako saw Oathbreaker walk to the ledge that looked over the spot where the elemental had been summoned, his grip on his weapons had tightened and he looked ready for a fight. Though she was not sure if she had seen it, Lokholer seemed to look at the bull for a moment and its eyes seemed to flash in acknowledgement, before it turned and sped north ward.

* * *

It had been a tense night in Dun Bal’dar, all throughout out the night the spotters looked for signs of what was going on. Thanks to the hordes torches they had been able to see the battle fought at the catapults clearly, but then the lights had been extinguished and they saw nothing more for the rest of the night.

When daylight again crept back into the valley the entire base looked southward eager to see what had happened the night before. There was cheering when one of the spotters called out that all the catapults had been destroyed and a loud cheer went up, maybe there was hope. But then the alarm bell began to ring frantically, and all eyes turned southward again.

“By the light, what is that thing?” one human solider yelled out.

“It would appear as if the horde has a powerful magical ally of there own,” replied Lord Sim who had been standing close by, then he took in a deep breath. “TO ARMS, THE HORDE APPROCHES, TO ARMS!”

All around him officers were making similar calls as swords where drawn, shields were picked up, armour strapped into place, and bows were loaded. Alpharius lead the footmen to the bridge where they drew up a battle line and waited. Behind them archers who were not within the bunkers pushed arrows into the ground ready for easy access when the battle started. Within the bunkers dwarven cannoneers loaded their iron weapons, and aimed them high so as to hit the giant elemental that was fast approaching. Everyone knew from Vanndar Stormpike to the footmen standing at the bridge, this was it.

“Soliders of the alliance,” Vanndar called as he emerged from his fortress in full plate armour. “This is it, the horde are playing their ace, remember that you are part of the same military force that has beaten them time and time again, today will be no different, push this attack back and we will have won the day.”

The hills that framed the small valley before the bridge were shattered as the elemental broke through them. Behind it the horde warriors were roaring their battle cries and waving their weapons above their heads. The monster look across at Dun Bal’dar and spotted the alliance soldiers there ready to do battle and it charged the horde hard on its heels.

As one the cannons in north bunker fired as soon as the elemental came into range, as did those of the south, but though the cannon balls knock chucks of rock off the monster it did not slow and soon slammed into the infantry. Soldiers were sent flying through the air or crushed by it massive fists, and it seemed to be growing in size with each of them it killed.

In the space that it created the horde poured in…

* * *

The massive form of Rokash broke away with another two of Maligned’s warriors and made for the northern bunker, Nyako saw them and after crushing a dwarven skull with her hammer followed them. Using his massive tree truck as a battering ram the giant tauren burst through the bunker door with such ease the alliance might as well have left it open. Quickly the second tauren warrior who Nyako knew as ‘The Groo’ follow his kinsman into the structure, but the orc with them who was called Azog showed amazing agility as he leapt onto the balcony that covered the entrance and dived through the opening into the top floor of the bunker. Inside there was nothing that the alliance could do but die, the fight was over in moments and Rokash tossed each of them an explosive.

“Place those on the supports,” he ordered them, “Quickly.”

Nyako reached the one nearest her and placed it on the ground next to it, as did ‘The Groo’ whose weapons were still covered in blood. Azog on the other hand flashed Nyako a playful smile and turned his back to his pillar and ran at the wall opposite, just before he reached it he leapt and kicked of it, then while in the air he spun round and placed his bomb on a small ledge at the top.

“Typical Warsong, always showing off,” ‘The Groo’ laughed.

“And don’t you forget it,” Azog laughed back and dived back out the window as the others ran down the stairs.

Rejoining the battle Nyako quickly noticed now the few alliance mages were adding their fire power to breaking ‘Lokholar the Ice Lord’, he was still absorbing it, but cracks were beginning to show in his massive form. The north bunker exploded with a loud boom and numerous combatants were thrown off their feet. While picking herself up she spotted the warlock Zujin almost casually walking across towards the southern bunker, she moved to join him but from out of nowhere she was tackle to the ground by a dwarf in ochre armour.

As she lay on the ground he drew his blade and attempted to stab her, but she kicked him of and rolled back onto her feet. His eyes were a mixture of hate, and surprisingly loss and sadness. His expression confused her for a moment allowing him to almost run her through for a second time, but her senses came back to her and she avoided the blow. Though her hammer was too low to get a good swing at him she thrust it forward connecting with his shoulder and knocking him back so that she could raise it higher.

Her first swing was blocked by his shield and she had to jump back as he thrust his sword at her. Almost dancing she spun around behind him as his attack took him forward, before once again raising her hammer; she brought it down but this time he turned his failed attack into a roll and her second blow hit only empty space. Now they were facing each other again and the dwarf seemed to be even angrier and filled with hate for her personally than before.

Holding sword up he charged again and Nyako met him head on they dodged and parried each others blows with such speed their limbs were almost a blur to those who saw them. Then he got lucky and bashed her hard enough with his shied to knock her down onto the snow.

As he brought his blade up ready to kill her he snarled something that she did not understand. His pause however though short gave her the opportunity she needed, she lashed out with her legs and kicked his feet out from under him. Even as he was going down she was going up, now that there situation was reversed she wasted no time and brought her hammer down onto his chest. It was a blow of such force that his chest plate cracked and left her in no doubt the injury was a mortal one. Even in death the dwarf glared up and spat a curses at her, not wanting him to suffer she prepared to finish him off. Her killing blow though was intercepted by ‘Thunderfury’ and she found herself alone facing the alliances if not Azeroths number one mercenaries Tout’Sweet and the ‘Fists of Fury’.

* * *

“Get Noreg back to the fortress,” Tout’sweet called out to the other Fists.

“That trolls hammer, it was my sister’s,” Noreg roared out and attempted to shake the gnomes off, but he was too weak.

“Get to a healer,” Tout’Sweet told him and the others dragged the dwarf away.

‘So young,’ Tout’Sweet thought as he looked at the female troll before him, he knew that she recognized him by the fear that crossed her face for only a moment. Then it was replaced by acceptance that she was going to die fighting, such a shame she was so young. He pushed her back and she went with his movement and took a few more steps backwards to put some distance between them.

He was about to attack when a shadow fell across them both, and their swing a huge tree trunk which was bigger than a human, above his head was Tout’Sweet’s ultimate rival the huge tauren Rokash. Taking this opportunity the troll girl turned and fled, but he was no longer focus on her. The two powerful warriors now circled each other, time and time before they had clashed and there was yet to be a victor between them.

“Will today be the day?” Tout’Sweet asked with an amused smile.

“Let’s see shall we,” Rokash replied in crude common and charged his tree held above his head.

The two smashed together ‘Thuderfury’ cutting large pieces of the tree, but its size was such it hardly mattered. Rokash however could not even land a blow on the fast moving gnome, as he dodged a arc of lighting from the blade of his rival At that point the other three members of the ‘Fists of Fury’ reappeared from out of the viscous battle going on around them.

“We have to help him,” Rascal called to her fellow Fists, but two firm hands gripped her shoulders.

“Not this time Rascal,” Maestro told her as he held.

“Tout’sweet told us about this tauren,” Brimstone added when she saw the rogue’s confused expression. “We are never to interfere in one of their duels. Just keep him covered.”

True to their orders the other ‘Fists of Fury’ kept the area clear of all other combatants, horde and alliance, Tout’sweet was pleased this was no one else’s concern. Just then Rokash slammed his hooves into the ground, the move would have stunned the gnome but at the last moment he spotted it coming and jumped into the air. But when he landed he saw the tree trunk coming straight at him, he barley had time to raise his shield to block the blow which knock him through the air.

Years of fighting gave Tout’sweet the skills to make sure that he land on his feet ready to continue the fight. The two were suddenly separated by flailing bodies of alliance soldier’s which landed between them, it was then that the gnome realized that there was some thing more important than his duel with Rokash.

“Fist’s of Fury,” he called out. “With me, we need to bring that elemental down,” and before Rokash could get near him he was gone, heading to the aid of his old friend Vanndar Stormpike with the taurens bellow roar of rage ringing in his ears. “Next time,” he said to himself with a smile.

* * *

After the monsterous ally of the horde had hit them Sim and Alpharius with the ‘Crimson guard’ had withdrawn to the southern bunker. It was clear to them that the focus of the horde assault was in taking the fortress so here they figured was a good place to use their hearthstones and withdraw from the valley. As they entered however they found that the soldiers within were all dead and a force of horde were setting bombs at the bases of the support pillars. They all stopped what they were doing and the two groups looked at each other.

An orc in dark purple robes stood at the top of the stairs in front of them, the energetic imp at its side gave away the fact that this was a warlock; the other horde and they went back to placing their bombs. The orc made a strange motion with its hands and the guard to Sim’s left suddenly vomited a black viscous fluid and dropped to his knees as it began to run out his nose, then orc made another gesture and to his right the only female guard screamed in agony before falling in to a foetal position on the floor crying in pain.

Before they could stop them the remaining four guards charged past Sim and Alpharius the swords draw ready to cut the orc down, only for it to emit dark and terrifying howl that had them running and cowering in fear. Now the two paladins made their move in unison.

Alpharius attempted to cleave the orc in half from head to toe but he was beaten back by fire-bolts thrown by the small demon at the warlock’s side. Sim on the other hand brought his weapon the ‘Ice Barbed Spear’ in low and attempted to disembowel their enemy but he himself was suddenly on his knees spewing black fluid from his mouth with agonising pain rippling through his entire body.

The orc still had not drawn its blade but merely looked at the humans around him, the guards were all back on their feet ready to attack, but now the other horde in the bunker had finished their task and dropped down surrounding the humans. Sim threw a bubble of holy magic around him and instantly the fluid stopped coming out his mouth and the pain vanished.

“Everyone Hearthstones,” he called out activating his own, seeing that the humans were not going to fight the horde around them made for the door. Sim caught a mocking sneer from the orc Warlock before it too left.

Dun Baldar’s south bunker soon went the same way as north and all the other alliance bunkers that had been built in the valley. All that remained was for the horde to crush the few remaining alliance soldiers who were making their last stand within the fortress…

* * *

Nyako could not believe how close she had come, not since the fight in the sunken temple had she believe so completely that she was going to die, but thanks to Rokash she was still alive. She found herself fighting along side Zujin who was in the process of draining the life out of an alliance soldier who was trying to hit him.

“You gave us quite a scare there Nyako,” he laughed. “What were you thinking taking on the ‘Fists of Fury like that?”

Before she could reply he broke off with his green beam and hit the soldier with a violet one instead. The human gave a small cry as he collapsed and a shard the same colour as the second beam appeared in Zujin’s hand, it vanished just as suddenly when the dwarf Nyako had been fighting was engulfed on black fire.

“I don’t think that that over sized moving rock is going to be so lucky,” he said and pointed to Lokholar who was starting to loose more and more of himself as the ‘Fist’s of Fury’ focused on him solely. They were moving too fast for the Ice Lord to hit and his chances became even slimmer when Tout’Sweet removed his right ‘arm’ with a blow from ‘Thunderfury’. Suddenly a final cannon shot from the one mounted above the fort’s entrance caught the elemental just where its head was and it exploded, with the rest of his body fell uselessly to ground. It was a victory, but too little too late the base was lost just the alliance in the fort refused to accept it.

Nyako saw that after they had defeated the elemental the ‘Fists of Fury’ ran into the fortress unmolested by the horde warriors who were all caught up fighting the remain soldier’s that stood their ground outside. There was nothing to be done now but storm fort.

“Come on, Nyako lets end this,” Zujin stated and with a large group of horde warriors made their way inside the last alliance stronghold.

* * *

“Well fought Tout’Sweet,” Vanndar said simply as he hefted his two war axes. “Where is that snake Lord Sim?” he called out to the few remaining soldiers.

“Gone general, we saw him enter the south bunker shortly before it was destroyed.” someone called out.

“I suppose it’s too much to hope that he died in that blast,” Vanndar laughed. “Ok lads time for you all to get out of here, Maestro open a portal for you and my boys to Ironforge.”

“But sir we cant abandon you,” cried out one of the dwarfs.

“You will and that’s an order, this fight if finished.” The General ordered, behind them Maestro opened a portal and the dwarfs reluctantly moved through. “You too my old friend, take your group through, you’ve done all you could.” He said and offered Tout’sweet his hand.

“Lord Sim will pay for his actions, I promise you that,” Tout’sweet replied as he took Vanndar’s hand, he knew better than to attempt to persuade his friend to run. “Die well General,” he added as he stepped back through the portal which closed behind him.

“Goodbye,” Vanndar said to the empty space and turned to face the entrance. “All right you Frostwolf dogs lets see how you handle Vanndar Stormpike.” He roared as the horde burst into the room…