IX

The Orcs of CTU-3 sat by the shores of Ice Lake. They had remained hidden outside the watchtower in order to preserve the secrecy that their commander wanted. Corporal Veltgar had assumed tacit control in the absence of Major Orak. This morning however, had given him reason to worry. The Paladin host had issued force from their lands and was nearly upon them. He faced a tough choice. Corporal Veltgar feeling he wasn’t technically in commandleft it up to each member of the team to choose and the most popular would be accepted. They could remain in place and die with honor, break secrecy and enter the tower to probably againdie with honor, or they could withdraw to Portgrad on the far side of the lake. Going to Portgrad would give him a chance to report in to Headquarters about the status of CTU-3, but linking back up with the Major would be difficult, not that it was very likely anyways. They all thought it over and decided that their mission to capture the Singh children had nothing to do with fighting the Paladins. They all unanimously voted to head to Portgrad. Corporal Veltgar and the others headed off around the southern bank of the lake.

…

Athnor and his commanders looked over the battlefield. He gave each General a portion of the battlefield to control. He didn’t give Quathnor a section because he wanted him to be by his side for the assault. They decided that they would attack the main gate with Lorna Vittenmore’s VI Corps. Athnor considered Lorna Vittenmore, the only woman to achieve the rank, to be the Paladin’s greatest General. Though younger than her peers she maintained a record of extreme excellence. He valued her so much that if the code of succession hadn’t prohibited women from assuming the senior most position he would have gladly picked her over his son, the most capable male General he had. Of course he never mentioned that to anyone, but he often thought it.

Once the tower was surrounded and the surrender demands refused, they all got into place. Everyone knew when they were to advance and the air assumed an unnatural quiet and calm. Athnor, Quathnor, and Vittenmore all drew their swords and rode to the front of their infantry column.

“Sire, I know you desire to lead your men