War Plans

Stella is in her war room, observing the map laid upon the huge oak table. Around her, wooden puppets moves tokens and figures around in accordance with the latest intelligence.

"Troops of orcs are gathering north..." she says out loud while observing the little effigies gathered on the upper side of the map. The puppets nod in approval; They are programmed to recognize their mistress' voice and give her positive feedback no matter what she says. "But that is not a strategic position, why in the name of the Gods would they do that?"

"I know, right?" The booming voice of the orc startles her and she turns her attention to him.

Korr, wearing loose robes of red silk and smelling of vanilla and lavender soap, is gnawing on a turkey leg. He has really been making himself at home since having been brought to the enchantress' tower a week ago.

"What is your opinion on the matter, darling?" Stella asks while bringing her eyes back on the map.

Korr comes up behind Stella, pressing his hard muscular body against her. This mere contact is enough to fluster the witch, especially since she can feel his huge cock pushing against her back. He's doing it on purpose to entice her and bring her attention away from the strategizing, and they both know it.

"My father is gathering his troops for a frontal **** on the Taryn Plains. The last real army-against-army confrontation was five years ago and he is thirsting for the carnage and the bloodlust of the open field."

"Why has it been so long?"

"Because of the Shepherds."

"The what now?"

Korr exhales, amused. "That's a silly name we gave ourselves, the men of my party and I. Our official name is the Skull-Crushers, a classy name that the warchief assigned us."

"And why Shepherds then?"

"We've been doing guerilla warfare against the armies of Gallade, but we've also used our intelligence reports and stealth to do some tactial maneuvering on our own side. We're guiding human and orc troops away from each other, to protect our own and keep them from danger. Like shepherds protecting their flock."

"Those, huh, Skull-Crushers of yours... They must be pretty close. Bonds forged in blood are always strong."

"They are like brothers to me."

Stella swallows, gathering the courage to ask what she wants to ask. "During your capture... did any of them..."

"You want to know if you torched any of my blood-brothers with your fireballs?"

Stella remembers the scene; They were deep in the royal forests, in the middle of the night. She doesn't remember seeing any charred orc corpses, but they might have been hidden by the darkness.

"You didn't," Korr says, calming her mind. "I was actually alone during that encounter."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It was my fault. I got cocky and brought my men deep into human territories. There were more troops and patrols than we had anticipated. When I realized my mistake, I split from my group and ran ahead. I managed to pull enough enemy soldiers with me to allow my men to retreat safely back to our own territory."

"Are your men not shepherding without you?"

"I do not know. I haven't been in touch since my capture and subsequent imprisonment."

"Would you like to get in touch with them?"

Korr stays silent a moment, allowing Stella to focus on the feelings of their close contact.

"You are a puzzling woman, witch."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm having a hard time pinpointing your motives in this war, especially now that I've seen your machinations from up close."

"It's easy, darling. I'm in it for myself, and nothing more."

"So, if working with the orcs would be more advantageous for your designs, you'd join our side?"

"I've only been fighting for Gallade in the last two years of this decades-old conflict. I am only on their side now out of convenience."

"Could I convince you to switch side?" As he tells her this, he bends forward a little.

"You can certainly try," she responds in a sultry voice as she slowly presses back against him.