You leave the cage

The ball ended without much incident. It was a quiet and dignified affair, which was all the more reason you detested the whole thing. People weren't really this sophisticated and noble, you've seen that first hand. Thankfully, the remainder of the evening was at least quick. What came next however, was far slower. That you found yourself so eager for it only made the waiting more painful. True to their word, the nobles had concocted an initiative to try diplomacy with the Orcs. Despite being the closest thing to an expert they had, your advice and counsel was never asked for, which made you worry about the success of this whole endeavor. That was the one thing you had in common those who were either orchestrating the event or being brought into it. That was about the only commonality you had. You cared little for any of their sakes or their precious empire, your only fear was that these orcs do not believe you, and in trying to create some form of peace with them, you end up dead. You also worry that the Intransican Empire may be using this as some kind of ruse or setup, to try and wipe out another large clan of orcs under the auspice of diplomacy, to move closer to their outright extinction. It was fumbling through this thought that you recognized you are not a good diplomat, in the traditional sense, as you're more concerned with the wellbeing of the other side than with your own. The others have to be anticipating that, if not expecting your betrayal. You joked on that very matter, although the joke is largely funny because of it was true.

After weeks of waiting, you were finally outside the claustrophobic walls of the castle and the city, in the complete freedom of the wilderness, in what appears like a trading caravan, heading northwest towards to the RageRock clan. You had only heard of them occasionally in your many years further south under Baskal and his clan. They were one of the most venerated and honored groups of Orcs. Even as the clans frequently warred with each other as much as with the empire, the RageRocks were respected for their history more than their numbers. They claimed to be the oldest of the orc clans, and while many clans throughout the world tried to make that claim, this one wasn't idle banter. Most, if not all of the original Chiefs of the current clans could trace their family lines back to the RageRock. You remember hearing an old legend about the greatest of the RageRocks, Chief Groll. He was not only one of the fiercest warriors ever seen, but his conquests didn't stay on the battlefield. He was gorgeous by orc standards; It was said that women fell to their knees at the sight of him, and that he impregnated every woman he ever fucked. You scoff at such a tale; even as much as you might like to wish it were true. Groll probably was a real Orc, and actual Chief of the clan, but the stories of him probably grew in the telling.

The journey itself was also days and weeks in length, which was not helped by the miserable members of the entourage. Terrible paranoia had crept in their minds before they even left, that the orcs knew what about the mission already and were waiting to strike at any moment. Any 'bad feeling' or thought of an ambush had to be checked out. That there were so few among this noble group that had 'roughed it' outside for an extensive time didn't help anything. You were at hopeful of at least that one thing; that if these people got at least a taste of what the normal member of their kingdom encountered and experienced on a day to day life, something may yet be done to help their lives and fortunes. Not for you though, you think, there's no hope for you, no chance to go back to the life you were supposed to have. Even if that dreadful home you grew up in was still standing, you'd rather die than work that land again. The others here seem to recognize that even more clearly than you, in the sparse room of the caravan, talk travels fast and is heard far, and you've eavesdropped on a few referring to as simply 'that wild woman'. The label is apt, and you frankly care none what they think either, or their fortunes. You convince yourself that you would be perfectly happy if the RageRock Orcs ran their spears through the hearts of every single person here, and sleep perfectly well the night after.

And yet, you do the opposite when you come within days of their suspected camp. A scouting party of orcs found your caravan, and on their feral Warg beasts, had begun to close the distance rapidly to attack. Where the others had all either panicked and scurried for whatever replacement for safety they could find, or grabbed their weapons to prepare a defense, you had done something entirely more brave. You sprint out from the group, running towards them with your arms wide open, to make it clear you hold no weapon.

"STOP!" You call out in the Orcish tongue. The scouts do exactly that, though their weapons are still drawn.

"Who is are you that speaks our words?" The scouting leader yelled angrily.

"My name is Boudicca. I was a member of the Stonefoot Clan, I chose the life of a **** under Chief Trusk and lived beside him for over twelve years, and was the only part of his clan to survive. Please, we mean you no harm."

The scouts look at each other, unsure of what to make of this story. "I've never heard of a human willingly living among Orcs for so long, but I have heard of the hatred and brutality of the Empire. You stand with your Chiefs killer in the name of peace?"

"To prevent further deaths, of both orcs and humans yes. The human Chief wants to wipe you all out, these people want to coexist, at least to try. We would like to speak with your Chief, please."

The scouting party murmurs together about what to do, but the leader pays attention to none of them. He raises his hand and speaks loudly to silence those below him "Very well. Whether there will be peace or war is the decision of the Chief, not I. We will bring you all to him." The scouts stationary for now, their weapons recalled, you turn back to the caravan. You feel pride and strength beaming out of you like light and warmth beam from the midday sun.

"What was that?" Caius asked as he ran towards you "What the hell did you do to get them to stop?"

"I talked to them as equals" You said with a sneering smile, walking right past him "You all should try it some time." Dumbfounded, the caravan continues on, with a vanguard of orcs. The first challenge over, trepidation only further grew among everyone. Being in an orc camp, the group would be surely outnumbered, the chances for treachery and **** would be everywhere. Not you though, you had an entirely different feeling as you approached the RageRock.

You were finally heading home...