The ravine pass was narrow leaving no room to walk side by side and treacherous from the loose stone and gravel that littered the ground under the party's feet. Sounds of another flying patrol echoed through the ravine from above.

Irzen still on point not only looked up but down and all around checking his corners in anticipation of another attack. His survival training as a child in Naermon Nithren was serving him well.

The narrow ravine made the wind sound louder than it actually was. It was deafening as the party neared the exit. The booming and swirling kicked up dust, dirt and knocked loose stones downwards forcing them to move faster.

Alyson spoke up in primordial and the winds calmed down enough for everyone to see. "We're being watched. Venger is aware of us now. The element of air here is NOT our ally."

Madeous and Lazheros remained on guard.

"Good! I'm ready for him." Irzen sneered, "I have no problem giving The Dark Lord a none too gentle reminder about how sharp my sword can be when I am pissed off!"

********

The party could hear the heavy armored footsteps of orcs marching up the path until the scream of a Nightmare landed in front of them. Upon which the orc captain snorted, "Master. The sky patrol has not returned. Sounds of steel and fighting echoed down into the valley from the plateau. The scouts only found tracks. All human except one."

"No doubt more of Dungeon Master's spies!" The Dark Lord quickly surmised, "But which ones?"

Alyson, Madeous, and Lazheros remained silent. They all knew who ruled this part of the Realm and rode a Nightmare.

Irzen remained silent as well but with an evil grin slipping across his face. With his blade in hand, the Swordsman was ready for action!

A whistling sound could be heard above the party and a handful of stout figures appeared. Above them a pair of lightly armored dwarves dropped a rope down to them.

Alyson jumped, "Hey...mmph!!"

Lazheros clamped his hand over the elementalist's mouth just seconds before Venger turned in their direction. He backed up against the narrow ravine pulling Alyson with him.

Madeous glanced up towards the dwarves who were motioning them to grab ahold and climb up.

Irzen quickly followed suit realizing that he did not need to be told twice that he had to leave.

Another whistling sound was heard, followed by a loud thunk and a yelp by two orcs.

The elementalist took ahold of the rope and was hoisted up quickly, followed by Lazheros with Madeous climbing up last.

When Irzen reached the top of the ravine, the Swordsman turned to his rescuers, "Nice of you to drop by and lend us a hand. But, if you don't mind, can you tell us who you are?"

One of the dwarves replied in a low tone, "Archer heard you were in the area, Elementalist. Rather we all saw you fall out of the sky. Not something my kin see here unless 'ole horn head is fighting something."

Alyson shook her head, "Archer. Here...wait a minute, I know that sound. Everyone duck!"

Madeous braced himself while Lazheros dropped to the ground.

"Archer? Who is Archer?" Irzen asked to no one in particular before he hit the ground.

***********

"WHAT?!?" Venger reined the nightmare to the right to avoid the light hammer hitting him.

"OY! YA BIG OLF! DID YOU REALLY THINK THAT BURYING ME IN THE GROUND WOULD BE THE DEATH OF ME?!" Came a snarky female dwarven reply on the other side of Venger and company.

The Dark Lord swung his Nightmare around to face this new challenger. As his right hand crackled with magical energy, Venger snarled, "Reveal yourself and face me, coward! Or hide in your hole like the craven coward you are!"

With the sound of a whirl and a whoosh, a pair of light hammers returned to the hands of the female dwarf stepping up onto a large rock. Medium length auburn hair draped down each shoulder in a braid. Hazel eyes with dusky skin clothed in dark green leather armor. The monster slayer tapped both hammers together and smirked, "Well, that depends, horn head on who's the real coward 'ere. You are blight in this world oppressing folks here trying to survive and your pork army comes in and says we work for you! Ha!"

"Archer! You insignificant pest!" Venger stretched his right hand towards the Dwarf, "I should have done away with you years ago! Now, I have a chance to correct my err!" The Dark Lord fired a blast of white magical energy that sliced through the air as it made its way towards The Dwarf.

The monster slayer flipped him the bird and rolled out of the way. Archer followed up by clanging both hammers together sending loud echoing shockwaves throughout the narrow path.

**THOOOMMMMM!!!**

The ground literally exploded right under the orc patrol sending Venger's troops flying everywhere. Squeals and grunts from orcs slamming and falling on top of each other from the chaos. The orc captain dodged the erupting earth and charged the dwarf. "GRRAAAWWWWWW!!"

The sudden eruption of earth spooked The Dark Lord's Nightmare sending both rider and steed flying upward until Venger was able to wrest control over his mount roughly fifty feet above the ground.

"I have you right where I want you, Archer!" Venger cut loose with another blast of magical energy centerd upon the exact spot where the Dwarf was standing. "Prepare to meet your doom!"