Just as the first orcs stepped onto the opposite bank, a row of torches suddenly blazed along the river embankment. The Arda garrison lying in ambush had long been ready, and the roar of artillery and volley fire tore through the tranquil night. Countless columns of water exploded across the river. Orcish warriors struck by the shells sank beneath the surface, their blood spreading across the water before quickly being swept away by the rapids.
The one-eyed general leading the force personally roared orders to retreat from the middle of the river. His war horse was struck by a shell, and its heavy corpse nearly dragged him to the riverbed. In the end, the drenched orc survivors fled miserably back to the eastern bank, and the crossing ended in a crushing defeat.
"Orderly!" The one-eyed general grabbed the soldier beside him. Fury and unwillingness burned in his only eye. "Go tell the Great Chieftain that Stone Bridge Town is a tough nut to crack. We need siege weapons and more troops!"
As the horns of retreat sounded, the Vanguard Force set up camp two miles outside the town. Under the light of the campfires, the groans of the wounded rose and fell. On the city wall, Major Hodgson gazed at the scattered campfires in the distance and knew that the real trial was still to come—the main army of Alba was on its way.
The orc orderly's war wolf skidded to a halt before Alba's Golden Tent, kicking up a cloud of dust. The Great Chieftain was enjoying roasted venison with his generals, and when he saw the newcomer, his wine cup was already raised high.
"You took it this quickly?" Alba's laughter shook the brazier inside the tent. "Looks like that boy Geluke has some ability after all!"
But