Passage

"The short answer would be passage through the fort." Alex said, the orc huntress beside him nodded.

"That's very unusual. I assume they have a good reason for this?"

"Yes they do. As I mentioned they don't have a chief and so they can't enter into negotiations. Apparently there is a brewing clan war and without a chief there's no standard for them to be asked to be left alone. Anything that happens would be the decision of the clan chiefs and that tends to be 'join us or die' in the middle of a clan war."

"How big are these warring clans?"

Alex looked to the huntress but she shook her head, "War pacts haven't ended yet."

Alex nodded, "No telling at the moment. A clan starts at around 100 orcs in a single tribe, but a chief can be elected to any tribe bigger than 30. A war council will take place in neutral ground and any chief who wants to attend can. At the council the warring clans will argue their cause and the attending chiefs will pick a side. Once all the chiefs have picked a side or declared neutrality the council ends and the fighting starts the next new moon. A single council might take days or weeks, until you hear it ends most of the tribes too small to join the council try to get as far away as they can."

"And this bridge makes this as far as this particular tribe can go? Why not hide in the mountains?"

"Giants, Dragons, Ice and Whelps."

The commander looked to Alex to elaborate, so he did. "There aren't many orc tribes who venture into the mountains. It's not native for their livestock and they seem to be afraid of dragons. Also since she mentioned it I did see more small children in the camp than normal for a tribe this small. It's almost winter so moving south is a better idea than climbing into the mountains."

The commander scratched his beard in thought, "That is true, but for them to pass the bridge they'll have to pay the tax which is set by the magistrate and can only be achieved through coin. Orcs don't typically carry money so they would have to either earn it through trade or get a merchant to sponsor them as a guard. Without an actual war in sight of the fort I'm not at liberty to grant passage as asylum, even to the villagers." That last bit seemed to be a sore spot for the commander so Alex didn't push the topic.

"Any chance that the town will let them stay where they are?"

"Unlikely. Once the news of a clan war hits the streets people are going to become more nervous about them, not less nervous. And I'll have to make an official posting for the merchant caravans and send a runner to the capital in case this boils over into human settlements. You don't happen to have a ride by any chance do you mercenary?"

Not exactly, Alex thought to himself, but just said, "No I don't. Also I'm heading south "

"I was afraid so," the commander rose from his seat and bowed respectfully to the huntress, "I am sorry that I cannot let your tribe pass through the fort for free. However there is a smaller bridge further up the river that is too small for wagons but gets used by the herds. Your tribe may cross there if you are willing to leave anything too big to carry behind."

"Leave it for plunder by town?" She was displeased with the notion.

"Or you can trade it to a passing merchant and get more further south. Talk with your shaman and if you are still camped in the same place in a few days I will come to speak with your shaman myself and see what we can do for you."

"I believe this ends my assignment." Alex said casually.

"It does," the commander replied, "give my a minute to get your payment."

The commander went into a locked closet at one end of the room and then came back shortly with a small sack of coins.

Alex counted the coins quickly while the huntress watched with curiosity, satisfied that the amount was right he pocked his pay and thanked the commander. Then he and the orc huntress left the office.