A strange offer...

So, another week has passed on your journey with this caravan. The area you walk through becomes less wooded, but the terrain becomes more hilly. In the distance, some mountains can even be seen on the horizon... There is also an unpleasant fact: the weather is getting colder... Fortunately, your caravan has pre-prepared supplies of warm clothes... You have already covered about half of your journey to the border of Orlania with the Despotate of Yalann.

Well, soon your caravan will reach another human settlement in the Sacred Kingdom of Orlania. To be more precise, the caravan will need another day and a half of travel to reach the walls of a sufficiently large human city...

Fortunately, this human city is a fairly large and fortified settlement, so the merchant guild has a fortified complex. Where caravans like this one can shelter, protected by high walls to avoid theft from the locals. Which is good because, Belknab had to hire a few new guards to replace those killed in the attack. The most surprising thing about it was that you seemed to have advanced in his eyes, the first thing that happened was that you was given a fine steel swords to replace your iron blade. You couldn't help noticing that it had belonged to one of the dead guards, you had noticed it hanging from his belt the week before. And then the dwarf had paired you up with Gouhuk the other half Orc, the two of you made for a intimidating pair. You had always been big of course, but beside Gouhuk you looked almost like a skinny half Elf. Oddly you notice the steel cuffs around the bigger half Orc's thick wrists and ankles, along with a brass ring through his wide flat Orcish nose. Also almost concealed under his cloak, you spot a heavy iron collar that hints of slavery.

Belknab put you and Gouhuk training the newly hired guards, and right from the start it was plain these young humans were farm boys. One of them broke his ancient iron sword the first day, taking pity on him you gave him you own old sword. They were strong enough... had quick hands for the most part, but no real fighting skill. It would be hard keeping them alive the next time the caravan was attacked, you got the feeling this was another of the gruff dwarfs life lessons. You and the almost silent Gouhuk when through everything you knew, then put them to practicing with shields and wooden swords on each other.

You drilled them hard in the few days you had, you also got a laugh as Jodaz lured a handsome straw haired lad into his wagon to get warmed up. Not so long ago it was you waking up with a hang off, and lewd memories of what you allowed the merchant to do. Belknab taunted the boy about it of course, and then pointed you out as the last victim. You smiled at the embarrassed lad, nodding your head as you understood this was the Dwarfs way of defusing the situation. "It feels even better when yer sober..." You told the lad clapping him on the shoulder friendly, explaining that you still let the fat man do it for you.

Belknab announced that the caravan would be moving out first thing in the morning, advising that they all get a good nights sleep because it would be the last for awhile. You start towards Jodaz's wagon to get your release, when that gravelly dwarfish voice calls you over. "Oi smartass... I've decided ta call ya Ulkin now." He joked gesturing for you to follow him into his wagon, you get a unnerving feeling but follow him inside taking a seat on the bench opposite him. "I'm not gunna ply ya with whisky." He joked as you look across the wagon at him, as he looks ya over for a long moment. "Yer blooded now... got a fight under yer belt. Ya did alright fer yer first time... didn't get sick nor take and arrow or anythin'. If ya wanta be a real fighter... I kin help ya... train ya... but yer gunna have to show me the proper respect. I'm not just gunna be yer captain, if ya agree. I'm gunna be yer master... I'm gunna own yer ass." The short stout Dwarf is looking straight into your eyes as he said all of that looking strong and proud, as you can't believe what your hearing. "That's how my family got its name ya know... we broke trolls to our will, trained them to work in the mines. I broke Gouhuk... he's my property. But now I'm looking to train a new boi... and since there aint no trolls around pig faced half Orc's will have to do." You open your mouth to reply, but your so shocked that nothing would come out. "Don't answer now... take yer time think it over. It's a long trip we are on... you kin answer anytime on the way there or back. Anyway good work training the farmers, here." He tossed a cloak pin across to you, reaching up you easily plucked it out of the air looking it over. "Yer a corporal... lead the males under you well."