David Bishop and the Legend of the Orb by T.C. Crawford (tools of titans ebook .txt) 📕

as the warriors told stories of famous battles of their forefathers and their victories over the enemy. An air of energy and excitement rang throughout the camp and stirred the men to high spirits as they ate, drank, and danced their worries away into the night.

David, Rex, and Orin all had tents set up together along with the newly appointed General, Cornelius Owen, and his ranking officers. They all sat around and discussed their plans for the coming day and the battle that would ensue when they reached the capital city of Eldergate. Being the most familiar with the layout of the city, Orin decided to begin.

“Once we make our way across the plains, we will come to the Great Road that will lead us up to the main gate of the city. Due to the absence of any Wolf Guard so far, I think it safe to assume they have moved their forces from the grassy plains to the Great Road in order to block our entry into the city.

If this is the case, I would also assume that General Krauss’ soldiers have set up defensive positions along the outer and inner city walls with their infantry, as well as fortified their archers along the walls in order to help stave off any incoming attacks. The city’s defenses will probably be the biggest obstacle for us to overcome.”

“That’s where we come in” said David. “Erin and I had escaped from the city through a secret passageway in its outer walls in the Western District. Rex, Orin, and I can lead the way with a small group of soldiers. While their main forces are distracted with the battle at the front, we will come in from behind and take out the guards at the gate, giving us the chance to open the gates and surprise them from the back. Hopefully, this will give us the chance we need to divide their forces between two fronts and take them out while also giving our main forces a way into the city.”

“Right. And once their main forces are separated, the boy and I will head towards the Royal Palace in an effort to find Erin, Tyrius, and the King before making our way to take out General Krauss.” said Orin.

“How do you know that the ones you seek will be in the palace?” asked General Owen, skeptical. “From my experience, things seldom go as planned in battle. What are you going to do if your friends aren’t there?” he asked.

“If they aren’t being held captive in the palace, we can only hope that Erin was successful in finding Tyrius and the King and helping them escape. At that point, we will just have to make our way to General Krauss so we can stop him before he opens the Dark Abyss and frees the Defiant One from his prison.” answered David.

“Well it looks like you won’t have to worry about that first part!” shouted Rex, pointing to the outskirts of their encampment.

Everyone turned to look at where he was pointing, and David almost fell off his stool in surprise.

Standing off in the distance was a young woman and elderly man talking to one of the barbarian soldiers near another campfire. Her hands were moving frantically as she spoke to the soldier who then laughed and patted her shoulder roughly, nearly sending her falling forward into the roaring fire. He then pointed over in their direction. When the woman looked their way, she immediately caught sight of David and the others and after motioning to the elderly man with her to follow, started running toward them.

It was Erin and Tyrius!

David started to stand and almost as soon as he got to his feet was nearly knocked to the ground as Erin threw her arms around him and squeezed. He felt as if he could barely breathe. He wasn’t sure if it was from excitement at seeing his friend again or from the ridiculously strong grip she held him in, but either way he wasn’t complaining. When she finally let go, she had tears streaming down her face and a broad smile from ear to ear.

“I’m so glad to see you! You did it! You were able to convince Rex’s people to come help! I have so much to tell you. All of you!” she said, looking to her friends.

She recounted the events from the time she left their camp that night several days prior until the moment her and Tyrius had arrived in their encampment just a few minutes ago.

They all stared in wonder when she told them her story of the rebel forces and how they had saved her from imprisonment before taking her back to their camp in the forest, along with the two assaults they had overcome by the undead soldiers, and finally the mages and their timely rescue by the Elven warrior prince and his men.

“Then it is as I had feared. It is a good thing that I decided to train the soldiers in magical warfare!” commented Orin, nudging General Owen.

General Owen and his officers were relieved to hear that there would be more forces teaming up with them during the next day’s encounter, however they were genuinely concerned about the prospects of having to fight the undead along with these mysterious hooded mages.

“I sure hope your training sessions pay off, old man.” he said, with a weak smile. “If all hell breaks loose and those mages are putting a whipping on my men, I expect you will be there to lead us through it, no?” he asked.

“Right you are. I won’t leave until any magical threats have been eliminated. Tyrius and I will be able to take care of them, don’t you worry!” he promised.

“I’ll hold you to that, old man!” he said, more optimistically.

Erin continued her story.

“Tyrius could sense the orb’s presence as you drew nearer, so we headed in the direction that the orb’s aura was strongest. Once we reached the edges of the forest,