A Friend

"I know someone near here, who monitors human tribes and gives reports to us." He says, handing his **** a small piece of jerky and a piece of hardtack. They had traveled half a day to the southwest and it was almost nighfall before they reached the top of the sheer cliff face that protected the hidden Fort Glarishkka. The fort was built by Chief Walgortz, deep in the heart of the hume lands. The idea being to have a base of operations behind enemy lines should the humans ever launch an attack on the race of Orc.

Emilia was tired, having never climbed before, her lungs did not know how to handle the thin air. You were fair to her, allowing her to rest when needed. It isn't until sundown that you reach the Fort. You are greeted by Walgortz two eldest sons, Arrkku and Tarruk. "Father has taken bed for the night." Arrkku tells you before Tarruk replies with "Yeah, by now he's probably halfway through breeden his six bed wives, if I had to bet he's seeden Brekna, the big breasted offerin' from the Sunless Tribe." Kolgrug replies curtly "You sound jealous young one." Tarruk quizzically replies, "And you're not?"

"No child, if I was, I would have taken this post when it was offered to be by Zarrak 2 decades ago." Kolgrug shifts his weight before continuing "I'm here to see Xanar, his midwife." Arrkku snorts at the reply. "That frigid one from your tribe? She not getting her reports out on time or something?" The aging orc replied dismissively "Not that you fools need to know. But I need her council on a human matter." Clearly confused but not in the position to deny an orc passage, they point to the observation tower on top of the longhouse.

Together they make the quick climb arriving to see a gigantic cloaked figure huddled over a long tube-like contraption. It points up, towards the stars, the moon full and overwhelming in its brilliant white hue. "I will never understand what you see in those pinholes." Kolgrug says, "You stare at them all day despite being the strongest orc in our tribe. Whatever is more important than defending and taking?" She shifts but does not rise. "We've had this discussion before, brother. Why must you pick at old scabs?" Kolgrug replies, "Because a scab is nothing if it doesn't make a scar, Sister."

He steps closer and she rises to write something in a journal before addressing them. "I thought you were morally opposed to enslaving the weaker races." He counters, "And I thought you would never marry." She smiles at him. "It wasn't my choice, you know I waited for you to start your own keep." The words hurt Kolgrug but he steels himself "For the record, it wasn't my choice to enslave this girl. It's why I'm here. I need to know if any of the human raiding tribes have been moving in the south lately." Puzzled, the towering orc woman looked over the young human woman. "Why would you choose to be enslaved child? Couldn't currency or trade of other kinds have motivated my brother." Emilia spoke, obviously fearful. "I had nothing else to offer him, my home was burned, my family was killed around me as I hid. If he hadn't have come by, I'd probably be dead."

"Human women are raised to be weak so they can focus on rearing children, Sister." Kolgrug states "I took pity on her, and she will bear me a child. "Xanar burns a hole through him now, "I would have bore you many children,Kolgrug, and you wouldn't have needed to extort me for it either. In fact, it would have been the happiest day of my life. Instead you left me behind so you could fight, meaningless battles, for pence." Her face is iron, her words crackle with emotion. "I swore the Oath of Fire to you. I melded my spirit with yours, I gave you the favor you waste, everyday. You looked at me and you promised me you'd come back. And how am I treated for the sin of loving you, brother? I'm left alone, married to a man that thinks of me as a worthless tribute too old to be worthy of his prick." She turns away from him going back to her work.

Kolgrug stands there for a moment, the air between them heavy. "Has he claimed you yet?"

She turns a nob on the contraption. "No. But the day will come eventually when he will lust for what he hasn't had. I can't reject him forever"

Kolgrug walks away slowly, "Then there is still hope." He grabs Emilia's arm and begins to lead her out. "Condor's Pass." She calls out to him. "About 30 men strong, her village was the 3rd this year."

Wordlessly, they depart.