Ill fated meeting...

The young human wasn't that surprised to see the pudgy green face, Orc's came down out of the mountains all the time anymore.

At least this was the case for several relatively civilized Orc tribes who lived in the Grayhead Mountains. These tribes of mountain orcs were small in number and, perhaps precisely because of their small numbers, were less aggressive than their forest or steppe counterparts. Local human feudal lords often used orc mercenaries from these mountain tribes...

The status of these orc mountain tribes was characterized by some form of vassalage to one of the major states whose lands adjoined the Grayhead Mountains (be it the Sacred Kingdom of Orlania, the Despotate of Yalann, or the Republic of Grondfarg).

In addition, lone orcs who were expelled from the tribe could sometimes wander into the lands of the Sacred Kingdom of Orlania to find work and a source of food...

Looking for work in town and cities, it wasn't anything out of the ordinary other than the time of year. Travel though the mountain pass's would have been very difficult, the snow up there was pretty deep this late in the year. Like most of his kind this Orc had wide shoulders, although his wide belly hinted at a more prosperous standing than a dock or warehouse worker. As the stranger drew nearer, the two young men could see a expensive-looking purple silk robe with bright gold trim along the edges beneath those furs.

"Hale... and welcome traveler." Remy called out cheerfully, just like his father always did when a traveler came into the Inn. Nigel elbowed his brother in the ribs, there was something he didn't like about this Orc. That pudgy green face had a kind of sour frown, like most all Orc's he had tusks projecting up from his lower lip... but they're not very prominent maybe an inch or two. Certainly not the big ones most Orc warriors had, this one wasn't much of a threat at least. He had greasy black hair pulled back from his shiny face, and a modest beard that was starting to show gray. Holding up one hand the older Orc flashed the young humans a wide smile, it was a predatory grin that made Nigel feel intensely uncomfortable. Still the young man couldn't help noticing, the small claws on the stubby fingers of his rather doughy hands. Sarg looked over the pair of young men with his beady black eyes, the smile on his wide face a mask hiding the wicked thoughts in his head.

"Well met... good to see a warm dry Inn." The fat old Orc grunted opening his fur coat a bit, as he left the road to move up closer to the pair of younger males. Both of whom cowered before him, Sarg was on the short side for an Orc so that both young humans were half a foot shorter than him. "I've been on the cold dark road for days... I can hardly wait to get a hot meal in my belly and a soft bed under my back." The fat faced older Orc flashed them lewd smirk, as he strolled up a little closer along the stone lined path. Glancing back over his broad shoulder, as if he were afraid that there might be pursuit hot on his heels. Luckily the snow in the mountain passes, would be blocking any pursuit for at least a few months. "Of course I wouldn't say No to a bit of company... if ya know what I mean." There was little doubt he was slyly asking if the Inn had a comfort female working there, something many Inn keepers had to make a bit more money off male travelers.

"You'll find all of that right inside..." Remy answered with a welcoming smile, the rather innocent lad not picking up on the old Orc's inquiry about a comfort girl. Remy had lived a kind of sheltered life, while Nigel had accompanied their father to the city more than a few times. Staying overnight at Inns there, he had learned more than a few things about the way males other than his father ran things.

"Well food and a bed anyway." Nigel confirmed as he looked the traveler in those beady black eyes, the young human suddenly feeling the urge to run and hide somewhere. "Da does not allow anyone to keep company in the rooms." Nigel snorted wondering why he was feeling so frightened of this guest, after all he or his brother could no doubt easily over power and toss the old Orc out. "How in the world did you get through the pass in this weather?" Nigel asked sharply as the older Orc looked him over coldly, plainly this one was going to be more dangerous than his brother.

"I just barely beat the last snow... but my horse died after I got through." Sarg explained with a grunt, the truth was he had rode the poor animal to **** in the deep snow. If he hadn't made it through the blizzard he would have been executed, the old Orc pushed that out of his mind as he moved off the road and up a bit closer. "A blizzard was just hitting as I came through... the pass is snowed closed for the winter now." The fat old Orc assured with a grunt, hope that his enemies would just give up coming after him.

"I see... keep chopping Remy... I'll show our guest in and get him into a room." Nigel ordered much to his brothers annoyance, just because he was a few minutes older Nigel always tried to order Remy around.

"What... wait I've been chopping all morning." Remy protested, they normally split the work up one chopping for awhile and then the other chopping. It was true that Nigel had been planning to switch out with his brother soon. Remy had been using the ax for a long while now, Nigel frown at his brother for a moment before snorting.

"Okay... you show him in and get him into a room." Nigel snorted moving past his brother to grab the handle of that ax, thinking that having the tool in his hands would make him feel better. "But come right back we still have two more wood box's to fill before it gets to dark to see." But even with a deadly weapon in his huge hands, Nigel felt a intense thrill of fear as the Orc waddled past him. Still he couldn't figure out why, the Orc only had a small belt dagger and a carved walking stick for weapons.

"Don't worry I won't keep yer brother long." The nasty old Orc snickered, clapping a hand on Nigel's shoulder in passing. Once again sending a shiver running down the young man's spine, even as he watched the fat Orc lay one arm over Remy's shoulder. There was nothing mean nor aggressive about that action, but it still made Nigel feel worried about his brother. Remy was babbling on happily to their older guest, as the young human never got to talk that much with travelers normally. They father generally kept them to busy for that, and so Remy loved getting to take the stranger inside. He was busy asking questions about the lands North of the mountains, while babbling on about the Inn and his family to the fat old Orc.