The pass was vital—an ancient chokepoint between the eastern wilds and the fertile plains beyond. Whoever controlled it could shape the future of the frontier. Gorak knew this, and so did the mercenaries who now held it.
From the Beastborn scouts, Gorak learned that the Sable Contracts—a ruthless band of sellswords—had taken over the crumbling fortress of Hollowpeak. Two dozen strong, well-armed, but undisciplined and overconfident.
"They drink more than they train," Drask reported, sneering. "Their leader's a brute named Halvar. Paid well, but lazy."
"Then we bleed them at dusk," Gorak said. "Flamefang needs to sing."
Night cloaked the hills. Under the cover of shadows, Gorak's forces took positions. Ten of his strongest warriors moved with Drask to flank the south gate. Gorak himself approached the front, hiding among the rocks with his elite.
When the signal came—an owl's cry—Gorak surged forward. Flamefang blazed, cutting through the outer guards in silence. Then, a second cry rang out. Drask's side burst through the weakened wooden gate.
Panic erupted in the mercenary ranks.
Sellswords scrambled for weapons, still half-drunk. Gorak's warriors surged into their midst, disciplined and savage. Flamefang unleashed Ember Slash, a wave of searing flame that broke enemy lines and set their tents ablaze.
Halvar finally appeared, swinging a massive hammer.
"You're dead, orc!" he bellowed, charging.
Gorak met him head-on. Hammer struck axe. Sparks flew.
Halvar was strong, but slow. Gorak baited a heavy swing and punished it with an upward slash across Halvar's chest. The brute staggered, and Gorak followed up with Ancestor's Roar—a thunderous battle cry that summoned spectral orcs to his side for a moment.
Halvar tried to flee. He didn't make it far.
When the dust settled, Hollowpeak was theirs.
[Fortress Captured: Hollowpeak Pass]
Resources Claimed: Iron Cache (x500), Food Supplies (x1200)Structures Repaired: Barracks, ForgeUnit Upgrade Unlocked: Beastborn Ironshields
Drask grinned. "A fine victory."
Gorak looked to the stars. "We hold more than land. We hold the hammer that will break the chains of this wild frontier."
Hollowpeak now bore the banner of Ashfang.
And the world would soon learn the name Gorak Flamehide.