XIV
Ulûrk
Ulûrk rose early the next morning, well before the crack of dawn. He dressed quickly in a heavy fur coat, as the air was frigid with the onslaught of winter. Within two minutes he was already outside, locking the door. He wanted to arrive punctually to make a good first impression on the officers.
In the dark, chilly early morning, he walked quickly toward the recruitment office. He made good time, and arrived just as the sky was beginning to lighten. He hurriedly crossed the deserted street and tried the door, which was locked. Ulûrk peered in through the door's window.
The room was gloomy and quiet. The papers from last night were still scattered over the desk. Ulûrk sighed, trying once more in vain to open the unyielding door. Then, resigned to the cold, he leaned against one of the wooden pillars propping up the awning. He wrapped himself tighter with his coat and huddled there, waiting for anyone to arrive.
Ulûrk supposed it must have been less than an hour, but it felt like two or three, before he finally heard approaching footsteps. Numbed by the debilitating cold, he forced his unwilling legs to stand up. He saw a solitary figure slowly walking toward the building.
"Ay!" he called out frantically. The approaching orc just seemed to notice him. He quickened his speed, practically running over to Ulûrk.
"You an officer?" he asked, sounding rather breathless. Ulûrk was rather disappointed.
"No, I was just gonna ask the same of ya! Ya don't happen ta have a key ta this place, d'ya?"
"No I was just looking for an officer so I could start training I enlisted yesterday and they said I could start today are you training too?" He said it all very quickly in one breath. Ulûrk was left feeling rather winded.
"Yeah, I'm joinin' the army, if that's what ya mean?"
"It is – oh gosh I'm so excited we getta fight and kill the Men it's just like how we used to swordfight with sticks as kids but real!"
"Calm down!" Ulûrk yelled.
"Calm down oh no I can't calm down I'm so excited aren't you I getta serve our country it's so noble and I'll be a hero!"
Ulûrk caught less than half of that. The orc, who seemed (at least acted) very young, was getting on his nerves. Before Ulûrk could even say anything he went on, barely pausing for breath.
"I'm so hyper that I forgot to introduce myself oh gosh oops excuse me don't think I'm impudent it was an accident it really was sorry sorry sorry oh by the way I'm Zhatren who are you?"
"What?" Ulûrk asked in irritation. "Take a breath, kid!"
"What's your name I forgot to ask you before what is it?"
"Ulûrk," Ulûrk said without much interest. Then, in an equally bored tone, he went on, "What's yers?"
"I just told you didn't I oh no did I forget anyway it's Zhatren that's my name."
Ulûrk sighed. He felt exhausted now – he was already tired from getting up so early. But this young orc – Zhatren, if he had heard correctly, sapped his energy quicker than any amount of sleep deprivation. Additionally, all of Ulûrk's own enthusiasm had evaporated. His own feelings were greatly diminished in juxtaposition with those of the overexcited kid next to him.
Zhatren went on without waiting. It didn't take much to prompt him, it seemed. "So, shouldn't we learn something about each other?" A short pause, where Ulûrk said nothing, but probably couldn't have even if he had wanted to. "Well, I'm 15 years old and I'm exactly five feet tall, to the inch. I weigh about a hundred and forty pounds or at least I did last time I checked which was about a year ago so it's probably not the same is it?"
"No," Ulûrk agreed, struggling to follow, and wondering why he even cared.
"You're right I'm probably 160 or more how about you how much do you weigh if it isn't too personal I mean no offence."
"But I'm gonna take it, if ya start askin' me about my weight."
"Oops there I go again I offend people often I'm really sorry believe me I didn't mean it like that I…"
Ulûrk stopped listening. He saw two other orcs: one walking, the other riding, toward the recruitment centre. The sun had now risen fully, and Ulûrk could clearly see that the orc walking was Barg, the same who had recruited him the night before. Moreover, he could also recognise the sharp features of Captain Khentz, mounted on a coal-black warg. He groaned quietly, cursing his ill fortune. Of all the captains in Garkhôn, he had to get assigned the one who had taken a personal grudge against him.
"Well, well, look who's here," Captain Khentz said condescendingly as he rode up. "Wanna know somethin', Mr. Smith, not just anyone can join the army. Ya gotta have skill."
"Smithery takes skill!" Ulûrk retaliated, finally losing his temper. The infuriating conversation, if he could even call it that, with Zhatren had drastically reduced his patience. He had no desire to put up with any of the captain's crap right now.
There was silence for a moment. Ulûrk stood in defiance, while Captain Khentz glared down at him and Barg hovered behind uncomfortably.
"No it doesn't," Khentz said softly. "You have no skills whatsoever. And for disagreeing with me, I'm gonna have to punish you. Give me twenty pushups, and hurry, we haven't got all day!"
Ulûrk did not budge.
"Ya got to learn something, Mr. Smith. You're wrong about two things. First, moron, 'smithery' isn't even a word. Second – when I tell you to do something, move your fat ass and do it! It's fifty pushups now, and it'll be a hundred in two seconds! One…"
Ulûrk hurriedly dropped and began doing the push-ups. He was angry at himself. He shouldn't have spoken so defiantly, as his impudence served no purpose save giving the captain more reason to abuse him in the future. He grunted, arms already aching, as he went down again. He hadn't realised how much he had gotten out of shape.
Finally he finished, taking far longer than he should have. His arms were burning, and he was completely exhausted. He hoped they wouldn't be doing any physical training today.
Captain Khentz sneered as Ulûrk rose. "Took quite a long time, didn't that, Mr. Smith? You sure you're prepared for the army?"
Ulûrk deigned not to respond.
Captain Khentz laughed quietly, then went over and unlocked the door, sparing Ulûrk any further humiliation. Instantly Zhatren, who had been standing (very quietly, which was surprising) in the corner, ran over.
"Oh no so sorry that guy was a jerk he really shouldn't have said such mean things about you I'm really sorry I feel bad it's not fair—"
"Thanks fer yer concern," Ulûrk said, cutting him off. He just wanted to get rid of the lot of them. Joining the army was something he'd always wanted to do, but that was because he had assumed he would be with others like him, not a malicious captain and a fifteen-year-old, overly hyper kid.
"You're welcome I feel for you I really do I have the greatest pity my heart aches and I feel a great remorse and – oh are we going inside?" Annoyed, Ulûrk had simply walked over to the door and was opening it. To Ulûrk's frustration, Zhatren followed, keeping up his continual stream of meaningless and incomprehensible talk.
"Alrigh'," Barg said when they entered. "The two newest recruits. 'Ave any o' ya guys ever used the bow?"
"No," both said, though Zhatren said it much faster and did not stop at just one word. "I came here to learn though I really wanna get to use real weapons it's so cool isn't it—"
"Shut up!" Captain Khentz roared.
"Oops I'm so sorry I didn't mean to offend you take no offence I—"
"Do you–" the captain growled through clenched teeth, advancing menacingly, "know what – the phrase – 'shut up' – means?"
"Yes I'm sorry I'll shut up no really I will it's just that you see I have a problem, with shutting up it's not easy you—" Captain Khentz roughly grabbed him and held his hand over the poor kid's mouth. Zhatren struggled and continued mumbling, but Ulûrk couldn't understand what he was saying. Ulûrk sighed, feeling pity for the kid, but frustrated by the feeling. It wasn't so much that he liked Zhatren, rather, he just hated the captain, and didn't like to see Khentz bully anybody.
"Uh…" Barg muttered, unsure. He waited a while, and Captain Khentz eventually let go. Zhatren fell to the ground, clearly trying not to cry, but his cheeks were red with shame. Barg went between them and continued his inquiry.
"Ever used the axe?" Barg asked.
"Not fer more than felling trees," Ulûrk replied. Zhatren shook his head.
"The sword?" Barg asked.
"Yep," Ulûrk replied, drawing his. Again, Zhatren, who was still down on the floor, shook his head.
"Maybe you've used the sword," Captain Khentz said, walking over, "but that doesn't mean a thing. You gotta have skill with it, Mr. Smith. Else all the nasty little Men will cut your undersized head from off your puny little shoulders."
"Why don't we 'ave Ulûrk show 'is comp'tence," Barg suggested. "I'll duel 'im – we got some wooden swords in back fer mock swordfights."
"That's a good idea, Bargzer, but I want to duel him."
"Is that alrigh' with ya?" Barg asked Ulûrk. Ulûrk nodded, eager for a chance to retaliate at the captain. Barg hopped over the counter and came back with two polished wooden swords which appeared fairly new.
"Jus' got 'em 'bout a month ago, when some of our old uns broke. They're a tad lighter than yer average sword, but there ain't anything we can do fer that. 'Ere ya go," he finished, giving one to both Ulûrk and the captain.
Captain Khentz glared down at Zhatren, who was still hunched in the middle of the room. "Go cry elsewhere," he growled coldly, "You're in our arena."
Zhatren jumped up, eyes puffy and swollen, and ran out the door, slamming it behind him. Captain Khentz laughed, and Ulûrk felt a sudden desire to chop his head off with the wooden sword. He grimaced, restraining himself, as in a minute he could show, through his sword, his contempt for the brutal captain.
Barg cleared the tables, giving them a decent space in the centre. Ulûrk and the captain took their places on opposite ends of the room.
"Ready, begin!" Barg called, before Ulûrk was even fully prepared. The captain lunged at him, and he had to somersault out of the way. His head banged against the desk, disorienting him. He looked up just in time to see Khentz hovering above him, grinning. Quickly he thrust out the sword in defence, righting himself at the same time. Captain Khentz brought his sword down at the same time. There was a loud, sharp crack as Ulûrk's sword splintered.
The combatants paused, and Ulûrk wiped the sweat from his brow, feeling the small lump on his head where it had made contact with the desk. Barg sighed, looking at the broken sword, which was twisted askew, and hopped the counter to fetch another. He returned with a whole bag of wooden swords, and tossed one to Ulûrk.
They resumed their positions. "Ready," Barg called, "Resume!"
This time Ulûrk was prepared, but the captain did not lunge. They stalled for a while, both walking slowly counter clockwise around the circle. Eventually, as Khentz did not seem to be making a move, Ulûrk sprang forward. Khentz deftly sidestepped and Ulûrk slammed hard into the wall, feeling his head ring.
Khentz allowed him a few seconds to recover, and Ulûrk took advantage of it, striking out. Like lightning the captain's sword appeared from nowhere, blocking his blow. They parried for a while, then Khentz thrust upward, sending Ulûrk flying backward. Ulûrk landed on his rump with a soft thud.
Quickly Ulûrk got back up, thrusting his sword at the captain. Khentz blocked it with ease, then retaliated. In one swift motion, he disarmed Ulûrk and flung him again to the ground. Ulûrk blushed with shame, as he clearly was no match to his adversary. The humiliation hurt worse than the physical pain.
"Just as I suspected," the captain said, gloating. "Utterly incompetent."
Ulûrk rose from the ground, infuriated, but controlling his temper. "That's why I'm here to train," he said matter-of-factly.
"You've got a long way to go, Mr. Smith."
Ulûrk decided it was best not to respond.
"Anyone seen the big cry-baby?" Captain Khentz asked.
"Er… no," Barg answered. He seemed, like Ulûrk, reluctant to think of Zhatren as a "cry-baby".
"Well if you do tell him to show up to-morrow at the barracks. And you too, Mr. Smith, though after seeing your 'skills' I highly recommend that you give up on your aspirations of becoming a soldier. But if you're determined, go ahead and try; you'll just make a fool of yourself like you did toady. I'm leaving – I have more important business to attend to. Good day."
He walked briskly out the door to his warg, mounted, and rode off. Barg shrugged.
"Sorry, but 'e's always been kinda a jerk."
"Not yer fault," Ulûrk said, disinclined to bring up the topic. "I gotta go home."
"Good luck with yer trainin'!" Barg called as he left. Ulûrk waved and turned away, exhausted, and angrier than ever at the evil Captain Khentz. Now he could look forward to the prospect of months of training under him. Enlisting now seemed a terrible mistake.
He sighed. There was nothing he could do now. If he quit, Khentz would assume it was out of ineptitude, and bully him more. He would lose face across the town. He would just have to put up with it and hope that he could finish his training as quickly as possible.
Eventually he would rise in rank, and maybe even become a captain himself one day.
Smiling at the prospect, he was almost skipping as he walked the rest of the way home.