Feast with the orcs

After some time getting cleaned up and dressed, assisted by a giggling Maya and Anna, you and the girls make your way into the gathering hall for a feast prepared by the orcs. The few tables are covered with food, it seems that the standard is to mingle while you eat. There is a group of musicians playing a lively tune, much to Sadie’s delight. Kali follows you, as the rest of the girls scatter to converse with the various orcs.

Several come up to you and give comments and friendly advice on your fighting, and you receive compliments on your sexual abilities as well. Apparently Dura is well known for her talent with both, so impressing her is no small feat, especially as a human. Meanwhile, your opinion of the orcs as a whole only improves. Though definitely a rough and ready people, they are as a whole seemingly pleasant and friendly.

You look around to see what the girls are doing. You chuckle to see Maya and Anna with a crowd of children gathered around, with Maya telling them some kind of story. Maya extends her claws to describe something, to the delight of the children.

Yura and Lynn are listening with rapt attention to an older orc tell a tale. The orc is clearly some kind of seer or shaman, and the diminutive duo are hanging on her every word.

Clarissa is in an animated discussion with several warriors, sharing tales of past battles. She even summons her axe and lets one warrior give it some trial swings. Her axe, so massive in the dwarf’s hands, looks like a regular weapon when held by the towering warrior.

Unsurprisingly, Sadie is dancing. The big surprise is that Elys is there with her. They twirl and laugh in a circle of clapping and cheering orcs, though a longer look shows the tension in Elys. She is clearly nervous about her upcoming return to her homeland. A casual observer might think Sadie oblivious to her companions disquiet, but you see her continually trying to draw Elys into more and more dances. In her way, Sadie is trying to help Elys lose her worries.

That just leaves you and Kali. Kali is looking around with a haunted look in her gold and blue eyes. You take her hand and squeeze, and she gives you a small smile. “What’s wrong, Kali?”

She sighs. “Just...memories. Of less happy times. It’s so strange, seeing them like this, happy and free. It feels...right. But it also reminds me of what I was.”

You nod. “You’re not that person anymore, Kali. You went through some horrible things, and it made you do horrible things. That kind of trauma takes time to heal. It’s not the sort of thing that goes away in weeks, or even months. But we will be here to support you. I’m here for you, no matter what.”

Dura approaches. “He’s right, you know. What you were is important. You need to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going. But don’t let it rule you.”

Kali smiles. “Thank you for your kind words. I didn’t expect you to be kind to me, because of what I was.”

Dura grins. “I’ll admit to some ulterior motives. If I’m good to you, maybe your man here will come back and we can go another round.”

You laugh. “In battle or in bed?”

Dura winks. “Yes. You need some work in combat, but your prowess in other areas is top notch!”

You laugh again. “Well I will definitely take you up on that, Dura. Though I might need a better shield next time.”

“I was going to mention that, actually. One second.” Dura walks to a nearby table and opens a chest sitting beneath it. Turning, she tosses an object from within to you. You catch it, a leather glove with armor plates on the back, etched with various symbols.

Dura grins. “I think you’ll find that a much better shield. Similar to what you already use, but much stronger. It would take a blow from a dragon or giant to shatter this shield, and it deflects spells as well. Consider it a gift, a symbol of our alliance.”

Nodding, you put it on. You can feel the power held within. Dura’s voice grows serious. “You can consider this an alliance with all orcs. We few hundred here are the largest group left, after the purges by the demon lord. More gather here as they make it, but I think there’s less than a thousand living orcs. I will forge us into a spear tip you can drive into the enemy and tear out their heart. Give us the command, and we are yours. We will fight, and help you bring the peace you desire.”

Her grin returns. “And then we can go back to fights being foreplay!”

You chuckle, and shake her strong hand. “I will not ask you to spend your lives frivolously. But we all know war is coming. I will call on you when it is time.”

Dura smiles. “Spoken like a true emperor. Go, enjoy the feast, Magus Josh. And Kali, take care of this one. You’ll never find his equal.”