CHAPTER 1

"No, fellow. I don't think I will follow you through that hole... I must hurry to Orlin. The Pass, it will be overtaken soon, and we need as many man as we can get to aid the King!"

"A defense? No...you're mistaken. The Pass is already under siege. Their chaff, already massed. If you must go to Orlin, do not go through the easy way. Alas, the Host of Evil already sieges that place: the Black Rider and his grey palls, aye, already have their paws at the city gate. "

"Then, all is lost?"

"You've already given up? No, join the siege, man! The size of you and the size of your axe! Cleave them and drag their foul bodies all the way to the City of Bronze!" he steps closer to the hole "I will give you advice. This way is nothing but death, but follow the road until you see a smaller mouth: the Mouth of Mardun. Tis the safe shortcut to the passage that will bring you to Orlin, the Lake of Lorn and the Pass!"

He jumps through the hole and it seems that, through the noises of rusty metal scraping and churning, and even of turning of pages: he has come out through the other side. And with a spark, the hole circles itself shut.

"Then he is gone..." says the priest

"What is the danger, going through this very Mouth, priest?"

He laughs and takes a swig "Orsenmen!"

"Orcs? This far?"

"Aye boy, they've made a Fortress of Clay, but no one knows who commands them. Be wary!"