《King of shadows》


 Forking paths

    Pffft! Pffft! Two arrows whizzed past, singing a deadly song near my ear. I ducked low, urging my mare forward. Her nostrils flared, eyes wide with terror, mirroring the frantic pounding of my own heart. The stench of Orc filled the air, thick and suffocating, a monstrous presence closing in fast.


    "Micah! Jasmine!" I screamed, my voice snatched away by the wind.


    Their figures emerged from the trees, faces etched with grim determination. Jasmine reined in her horse, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Let me stay with you," she pleaded.


    I shook my head, my jaw set. "You need to go with Micah. Get to Landcaster, warn the king. The Orc King has returned."


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.Her gaze held mine for a beat, then she nodded, a tender smile gracing her lips for a fleeting moment. With a final nudge, I sent her horse galloping away, Lyam and Wilgar flanking her like loyal guardians.


    Lyam, ever the optimist, let out a rough laugh. "Trying to hog all the glory, are you? Not a chance!"


    Wilgar, his face a mask of stoicism since the Orcs had butchered his family, remained silent, his grip tightening around his axe handle.


    "Today''s a good day to die fighting Orcs," he finally rasped, his voice a low growl.


    A tense silence descended before the forest erupted in a cacophony of guttural roars and pounding feet. The Orcs were upon us.

 The first battle

    This is a strong start to a fantasy adventure! Here''s a slightly edited version with improved grammar and flow:


    "They say an animal is most dangerous when cornered, and it''s especially true with trolls. These violent and bloodthirsty creatures are fearsome opponents. As the troll toppled, losing its balance, it spat out a vile, green liquid. Wilgar, who had been readying his axe for the killing blow, dodged frantically, but some of the acid still splashed onto his back. He roared in pain as the acid melted his skin.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Lyam loosed another arrow, unerringly finding its mark in the troll''s neck. Wilgar jumped, his axe whistling through the air as he swung with all his might, splitting the troll''s skull open. We had defeated the troll, but we knew more would come, and even worse ¨C Orcs.


    We mounted our horses, which we had tethered nearby, and rode north as fast as we could. Days of relentless travel had left us exhausted after the intense battle, but with the Orc army closing in, we couldn''t afford to stop. The fate of the world hung in the balance.