The orcish skirmish

One orc charges directly into Krest’s pike, blinded by the light behind you. Another crashes into your shield with a shoulder check, failing to knock you over due to your low stance. You use your morning star to bash in his knee as he falls. You efficiently finish the job by caving his skull in with your morning star as you raise your shield again. From further down the hill, you hear guttural chanting as the bright light of the fire is extinguished leaving the battlefield cloaked in darkness. Your vision is only guided by moonlight as you fight valiantly, killing three more orcs with the help of Krest. One of the luckier orcs manages to cut into your side before you take him down. Petra casts a spell as the wound on your side closes, and you feel your strength be bolstered.

Just as you begin to feel confident about your attack on the orcs, you hear a yelp from behind you. A flanking orc tackles Petra to the ground. He partially pins her, trying to bring a hand axe down upon her. Petra narrowly manages to dodge his strikes on the ground as the orc grows frustrated. You can hear another volley of orcs charge up the hill from behind you as you feel split. Time seems to slow mid combat as you weigh your options. Petra is clearly in danger due to her position under the orc. Then again, she is a fairly nimble gnome. She might be able to slip out without your help and smite the orc herself. You could break rank to help her, but you’d be leaving Krest alone to fend off the onslaught of orcs that are charging up the hill.

“Where the fuck is Bax right about now!” you scream to yourself as you make your decision.