Mitri attends a Chieftain meeting...

The trio made their way quickly and quietly through the darkened capital, trying to stay out of sight and reach the gates without anyone realizing that one of the princesses was about to leave the city for a potentially dangerous meeting. Broden didn't like this, but Mitri had too many questions and wouldn't accept being left behind. Mis had dropped the news on her about their false status as mercenaries and now the princess wasn't going to let up without an answer. He couldn't chance her going to her mother, so he had agreed on her coming along but... All Mis'Ra could tell him was that Rulgan was outside the gates.

Rulgan was one of the chieftains sworn to Horgrog. Chieftains under a War Chief swear something called The Oath. It is the most binding of promises and something an Orc will not break lightly. Those that have sworn the Oath to each other do so knowing that they are now as brothers, as close as family. What makes that so important is that Orcs don't kill their own blood unless it is a duel of honor. And even then, they normally call the duel a draw once a winner is clear. To kill your own is the greatest of Taboo. That was why Broden was still alive. Horgrog broke Taboo once and his tribe was outraged. He couldn't kill a second child without inciting open rebellion.

These thoughts made Broden's mind as dark as the alleys they traveled, and his worries grow ever stronger. Why was Rulgan here? Had Horgrog sent him? What about his people he had hidden near the border? Too many questions. He looked down at Mitri beside him and was glad they had made her wear a hooded cloak. At least if they were seen, Mis could explain that it was a scout that had come to them for aid or something. A flimsy lie, but it would have to do. As they neared the gates, the guard at the smaller door waved them over.

"I was waiting on you Mis'Ra. The Orc went back into the trees after delivering the message. Should I call for soldiers or something?" The guard glanced nervously at Broden and the cloaked princess, but Mis gave him a pat on the head.

"No, Broden and myself can handle this. We're bringing this scout with us to verify what happens later if anything needs to be reported. Just wait for us to return and be ready to let us back in."

The guard nodded and opened the door for them. There was only one small lamp hanging from a hook outside the door, so there wasn't much in the way of light to guide them. Mis was a master scout and tracker though, so she easily picked up Rulgan's trail and led the group into the forest. It was another five minute hike, but soon they found a clearing that was lit by three torches. Standing in the clearing wasn't just Rulgan. With him were also Vil'Ra, Hilroth, and Brial. All chieftains under Oath to Horgrog. When they entered the clearing, Mis stopped dead in her tracks.

"A-auntie Vil?"

"Child," Vil'Ra said with a nod.

Broden now understood. This wasn't a mission for Horgrog. This was a Chieftains' meeting. Broden felt his stomach drop. He would have preferred assassins to what was coming. Brial looked to Mitri and gave a disgusted grunt.

"Why did you bring an Elf? This is Orc business."

"She is Mitri, daughter of Queen Ethimilee. Her presence was required since this meeting was called so suddenly."

"Why would her presence be... Wait..." Hilroth started to chuckle, and Vil gave him a pointed look.

"Let the boy have his doxie." Vil'Ra's eyes locked on Mitri who timidly stepped closer to Broden.

"I... I promised myself to him."

"Oh," asked Rulgan with genuine interest. "A mate then Broden? As Chieftain you are allowed two, I suppose. But as War Chief...."

"Don't go there Rulgan. What you are suggesting would break Taboo."

The four Orcs chuckled at Broden's protest. He knew what was coming, and dreaded it. There was but one way out of the Oath, and that was to break Taboo. To show that the bonds of family created by the Oath were meaningless. Horgrog had done that once already. They day he executed Broden's older brother for his failure in their duel.

"Princess Mitri, is Broden truly that important to you," asked Vil'Ra.

"Yes," came the answer without any hesitation.

"Then take the Oath." said Hilroth.

"What Oath," she asked as Broden snarled at the chieftains.

"You ask more than she should give!"

"If we are to give ours' then we need to know she will not betray us."

"What is there to betray," Mitri asked unsure of their meaning.

"The man you love, little princess, holds a secret. He is the second son of War Chief Horgrog the Destroyer."

"More like Horgrog the Kin-Slayer," snarled Rulgan. Vil'Ra hushed him and looked back at Mitri.

"Broden is a prince in exile. He leads more than three hundred warriors and their families. And with our numbers, he will have more than four times that number. If you take this Oath, you swear your loyalty to him above all else, as if he is your very kin. Horgrog has slain two of his sons, one for losing to Broden and the other for refusing to chase him. That makes him a breaker of Taboo and our Oaths meaningless to him. We now choose to follow Broden."

Mitri's eyes went wide and turned her shocked gaze on Broden.

"Prince? I mean... Why? What? I don't even know where to start..."

"I'm not a prince. Orcs don't use that title. I'm the second son of a murdering tyrant and I fled the wastes so more of my kind wouldn't die... But now I learn that he killed Tolran as well... Vil, is Horgrog coming?"

"Not yet. How long until he does come... Who knows? But you, you will take us to the promised land. Our homeland of old."

"That is my plan," Broden answered.

"Then if she is willing to take the Oath, so shall we," Rulgan said, looking at Mitri.