Milo

  “Our scouts have noticed gatherings of Orcs outside the basin.” Ivan speaks bluntly, with no introduction, he just starts speaking.

  I frown. “How many?”

  He frowns. “Our scouts have noticed multiple groups of Orcs coming together, and joining, but we estimate they number around 30,000. We believe they are led by a high ranking leader of some sort. Otherwise they would never group up like this.”

  I follow up with another frown. “Why not? Isn't it common for hordes to raid the villages in this part of the world?”

  He shrugs. “A raiding party is usually a couple hundred people at most, usually organized by a B ranker, or something. But a horde is hundreds of those raiding parties put together. They would never be able to cooperate. Which is why they need someone stronger to direct them.”

  I nod. “If you assist with building the walls how quickly do you think they can get done?”

  He shrugs. “If the dwarves are helping too, I need a week. I think we have enough time, but I'm not sure.”

  I nod reassuringly. “I have several hundreds gold in the coffers right now, ill start throwing it, at hiring adventurers, or warrior. I'll also ask Alistair if he will start building up a force to help fend them off.”

  Ivan purses his lips grimly. “I don't know how much time we have left. Alistair is by far stronger than me with prep time, but he doesn't have much of anything prepped right now. Ill try to delay them when they arrive, but make sure Alistair is producing.”

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  I sigh, and nod.

  The rest of the day is spent talking with Alistair, the dwarves, and trying to hire adventurers to help defend.

  “So you think the orcs are going to attack?” Alistair questions while leaning back into his chair. Alistair paid for a nice apartment built into the side of the mountain that has a great view of the city. This is where he lives now, and it is very nice, and the dwarves who built these apartments were smart enough to install a device that uses weights made of stone, to allow you to rise up or down the mountainside without the long walk.

  “Yes, I really do. I need you, and any other necromancers to be producing as many undead as possible. But don't alert people, I don't want to cause panic.” I speak, gesticulating with my hands. The leather of the chair is soft, and cold soothing my frayed nerves.

  Alistair sighs, and reaches under the beautiful wooden table, and removes a bottle of alcohol. Not sure what it is but it seems expensive.

  He reaches down, and pinches the cork between his thumb and pointer finger, and pops the cork free from the bottle. He sighs deeply, and pours two glasses, before sliding one to me, and sitting back. “Milo. I am many things. I am a battle mage. I am a necromancer. I am a carnimancer. I am a Cadre of the black nights. But before all of that, I'm a coward. If for even a moment it looks like i'll die in this battle, I will flee.”

  I grimace, and twist my face.

  He continues, ignoring the faces I'm making. “So, for your sake, I will stay at the back lines, and send forth many beasts. I have five tons worth of material to work with that I brought with me from Brindle. Once I am done working with all of them, I can run a purge on the local wildlife, and have 10 tons. Once I'm done working on them, I can run, another purge, and have 20 tons. Don't worry. You don't get to be in the A ranks for nothing, one A ranker could turn the tide of a battle by themselves, but two A rankers, and if Theo gets back in time… I doubt we will struggle too much.”

  I smile gratefully. “Thank you.”