Trapped

...but before the iron could give way, the heavy canvas entrance of the tent was violently thrown aside. Within seconds, five massive mutineers crowded through the flappy cloth doorway, filling the narrow aisle between the row of empty cages. Their crude iron axes and spears glinted in the flickering lantern light, blocking our only exit completely.

Uthul glanced at the crowded doorway, then down at the crowbar in her hand, and finally at the five hulking orcs grinning back at her. With a heavy, dramatic sigh, she casually tossed the crowbar onto the dirt floor and raised her broad green hands into the air.

“Alright, alright,” she drawled, her voice dripping with dry sarcasm. “Don’t get your loincloths in a twist. We surrender.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I immediately threw my hands up alongside hers, backing slowly away from the entrance.

From the dirt floor of his cell, Korant let out a low, miserable groan, burying his face directly in his hands. “By the Light... captured twice in two days... And in such questionable company!”

The lead grunt stepped forward into the tent, his yellowed tusks bared in a wide, mocking sneer as he looked the three of us over.

“Well, well,” he rumbled, chuckling as his crew barked with laughter behind him. “Look at what dropped into our lap! The disgraced chief, her pretty human pet, and the sore-assed knight all bundled up together in one tent! Saves us the trouble of hunting you down in the dark.”
“You’re welcome,” Uthul smirked back, completely unfazed as she leaned her back against the canvas tent wall and crossed her arms. “Though if you think you’re keeping us all in this cramped little tent, you’d better order more grog. The knight here hasn’t stopped complaining about his backside for the last ten minutes.”
“I have not!” Korant sputtered, his head snapping up with a furious, crimson blush. “My lord, tell her to cease this instant!”
“Quiet, cattle!” the lead grunt barked, violently rattling his spear against the iron bars of Korant’s cage...