Swamp of Death - Chapter 26

 DORULL SAGA - SWAMP OF DEATH

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CHAPTER 26

 

 

Saekul led his soldiers through the narrow, dark tunnel they just stumbled upon, until they came across an enormous cave. It was an almost perfectly circular, atrium shaped pit that looked like a gigantic well. A spiral staircase carved in stone, headed all the way down, into a five hundred feet deep hole. There, illuminated with several torchlights, glistened the rippling water of a small lake. Saekul immediately noticed numerous openings in the cave walls, undeniably dug by hand. They apparently stumbled on the magnificent residential complex, built by the generations upon generations of goblins.

Sudden, loud shouts from many women and children, meant they were spotted. But the elven commander wasn’t getting particularly bothered by it, turning his soldiers around, from where they came. Earlier, he noticed yet another tunnel, and was now planning to head back to explore it. But as soon as they stepped into it, they found themselves, face to face with a large group of angered goblins. Armed to the teeth, they charged at the insolent attackers, without a warning.

In this tight passage, Saekul couldn’t organize the formation properly. Without the possibility of retreat, the only thing left was to issue the charging order. With the help from a couple of his soldiers, he sliced through the first few rows of goblins, but was left with no space to move further. Pushing and shoving from the back, wasn’t stopping. No one from the back knew there was a blockage in the middle. And those who found themselves in there, in the tunnel, threatened to be crushed and suffocated. Saekul sheathed his scimitar back, angrily looking at the nearest goblin, standing just a few feet away from him.

“Tell your men to go back!”

“N...no, you tell yours.” the goblin answered, scared.

“Perhaps someone behind you will agree to cooperate.” Saekul said, drawing his blade in the blink of an eye.

Long, sharp scimitar easily went through the chest of the terrified goblin, who fell to the ground, drowning in his own blood.

“Retreat, retreat, we are dying!” yelled a goblin, who was now nearest to the elf.

Immediately, their attack stopped, as they began to fall back. Saekul wasn’t losing this opportunity, slicing the goblins as they tried to run away. His soldiers were ready to pounce, following their commander. The tunnel widened into a rather large hall, lit by many torches. Realizing they were tricked, goblins tried to consolidate their ranks, and were soon pushing again onto incoming Vallsynk soldiers, slowly appearing out of the narrow passage. Divided in small groups, they fought valiantly, surrounded by the overwhelming goblin force.

Unevenness in numbers, showed almost immediately as the fight started to shift against the humans. Concurrently attacked by the four goblins, Saekul found himself in a difficult position, trying to defend, and at the same time, issuing the orders to his men. A lot of his soldiers fell to their deaths, not being able to withstand the counterattack.

Sharp goblin dagger left a deep mark on the elf's arm. But it seemed as if Saekul didn’t even notice it. Concerned for the outcome of the fight, he pondered for a moment. Wondering where is the other half of the army. Without their help, he soon realized, all was lost.


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