Rise of the Horde

“Won’t we be at risk of being assaulted by the beastfolks?” Adhalia came beside Khao’khen who was warming himself with fire as he sat close to one of the bonfires that were around.

“And also, won’t we be spotted with all the fires around?” she continued as she casually sat beside him and stretched her hands towards the fire as to warm herself up.

‘With how congested the trees are, I highly doubt that someone outside of the woods would be able to know of our existence unless they come inside of the woodlands then there is a possibility that they will be able to know of our existence but I am certain that no one would be foolish enough to enter the woods specially at night in this place as the beastfolks that you mentioned roam around. And the issue about the beastfolks attacking us, they can try and they’ll be thought a long-lasting lesson but I am skeptic of the possibility that they would dare to attack us with them around.” Khao’khen replied as he casually pointed towards the ogres who were leaning against the trees as they slumber.

******

“We would be able to reach the castle of Baron Masud tomorrow by morning the latest.” The second in command of the group happily chatted with their troops as he took a swig of his wineskin. They spent a few days under the scorching heat with nothing to do but move forward to accomplish the task that was assigned to them which almost bored them to their deaths.

“Tonight! We rest! For tomorrow we feast!” Commander Lastam raised his wineskin in the air and his troops broke into loud cheers as they all knew what their commander meant by the feast that they would be enjoying tomorrow. The thoughts of the clearly drunk men run wild as they imagined the events that would unfold tomorrow, wealth and pleasure was what awaits them at the territory of Baron Masud who was stripped of his nobility.

“If this kind of mission would just come as often as possible then I would have no regrets even if die from exhaustion in accomplishing them…” Commander Lastam burped after he swallowed a mouthful of his wine as he sat down near the fire and grabbed a piece of roasted meat before munching on it with satisfaction.

.....

“The number of nobles in the kingdom would dwindle down quickly if such missions are given out often which would be quickly followed by chaos and rebellion…” the second in command responded as he knew that the possibility of such missions being given out is small. Unless there is something wrong with the head of their ruler, he wouldn’t be giving out such a task too often.

“Chaos? Rebellion? Who cares? The nobles can screw themselves up if they want… I don’t care!” Commander Lastam has clearly drunk too much wine as he was spouting such things openly with no care. His second in command clearly knew how timid their commander is in front of nobles but he also knows that his mouth has no censor whenever he drinks to much which had resulted him in receiving some punishments because of his foul mouth.

“Alright, I’m going to sleep..burp…take care of our boys..burp…” their commander yawned after giving his order as he walked towards his tent with unsteady steps. Lishtal shook his head as his gaze followed the back of their commander who many times almost fell down with how shaky his steps were, he was prepared to go and help him up if he actually falls down.

His gaze soon turned towards their troops who were having fun as they boasted whatever they can boast about to the others while they drink. “The night’s still young…” he mumbled after taking a look at the brightly lit sky filled with twinkling gems and the gracious moon that was providing them much needed light during the night. He chugged down a mouthful of wine and headed towards where their troops were at and joined them in having fun as they make merry.

The soldiers cheered as they noticed their second in command joining them. Noise of their celebration echoed through the cold and silent desert as they enjoyed their night. Past midnight, the boisterous laughter and cheers was replaced with snores and as always it was Lishtal who was the last man standing as he knew how to control the amount of wine that he drinks unlike his comrades who drank with no care.

“I guess I will be the only sentry again for the night…” a helpless sigh escaped his lips as he fed more firewood to the flames to keep it going as he sat near it to keep himself warm.

“The people in the territory of those two lords sure are pitiful…” he mumbled then shifted his gaze towards the soldiers who were sprawled all over the place as they embraced the nearest source of warmth that they could find which was their fellow soldiers. Lishtal had to stifle his laughter as he witnessed two grown men happily embracing each other in their sleep.

“But who cares! As long as I can enjoy my life…Why should I care about others…” he threw the useless thoughts that suddenly came into his mind as he fantasized about the pleasures that he would enjoy tomorrow.