<b>Allassiel could sense Thorgan's reluctance to let go, but they really did need to rest – especially him. Still, she was surprised when he moved his bedroll next to hers, and watched as he lay down to sleep. She smiled and watched him close his eyes before laying back to go through every strategy she knew in her mind. If she knew them, <i>he </i>would as well. The better prepared they were for what could happen, the more likely they would remain alive.</b><br/><br/><br/><b>The ground shook with the steady footfall of soldiers, only broken by the occasional command barked in the black speech. Ahead of them, their commander strode, his midnight hair roped down his back and swinging in time to the wordless cadence. Tirelessly they kept moving, so long as he did, for none dared to draw his gaze to them or invoke his wrath. <br/>
<br/>
An orc approached from the side, riding wargs. Different from the rest, he wore the trappings of dark magicks and even the larger orcs nearby cringed at his passing. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>It is ready.” He hissed to Rakothûrz. <br/>
</b><br/>“<b>You know what to do then.”</b><br/><br/>“<b>It will be done. And what of the ones that travel with her.”</b><br/><br/><b>A sneering smile curled one side of his face. “Delay them. Do not kill them … yet. I want her to see them die as I break her.”</b><br/><br/><b>The orc nodded and spurred his warg, sending it racing ahead into the darkness. </b>