Chpater 70: More Orcs
Nimbrethil barely paused as she topped a rise and saw a large orc encampment spread out below. The orcs had seen her but did not make a threatening move so she had no worries about approaching them. She heard the quiet, muffled curses of her companions and bit back a smile. She knew they thought some of the things she did was crazy, even stupid, but they had also seen her proved right in her actions too many times to doubt her. She came to a stop about three feet from one orc who, judging by his clothes and weapons, was the leader of the band.
"I know who you are elf," the big orc half-snarled. "Spies sent to determine my brother Logram's fate were quite accurate. I should kill you now for that offense."
Nim snorted derisively, "If you had intended that, I would already be dead, so save your posturing for someone who would be impressed by it."
The orcs standing behind their leader growled and grumbled, and she heard the whispers of her companions as to what in the hells they thought she was doing. "Your brother Logram was both stupid and weak, he deserved death for that alone. More importantly, he tried to interfere with my business and no one does that with impunity." Nim's voice was filled with both contempt and arrogance and her eyes flashed a challenge at the big orc, daring him to contradict her.
"This impudent elf dares insult you and your family Uthanck," a burly orc to the left growled. "Allow me the privelage of killing her."
"Logram was stupid to ally himself with humans, but his weakness was in allowing them to tell him how to handle things in his own territory," Nimbrethil snarled. "Killing me will not change the truth of my words."
Angry growls and curses issued from the mouths of the orcs in the camp as they shifted restlessly. Behind her, Nim could feel her companions tensing in preparation for an attack. However, she had locked her gaze on Uthanck, and he on her, and she knew that if she broke eye contact then this would end in a bloodbath.
Uthanck held up his hand and yelled for silence. "The elf speaks the truth," he growled. "My brother was weak and stupid, but I however am not. My scouts reported on your activities at the statue near the entrance to these ruins. I know that you have the favor of the nature gods and only a fool would ignore the implications of that. I also know that your purpose here is not for conquest, but a hunt of something you need that can only be found here. You have my permission to move freely within the ruins and my word that my clan will not attack you."
"Not attack us?" Khelgar sputtered indignantly. "We've already been attacked by members of your clan."
"They were berseker Khelgar," Nim said sharply. "If we had not killed them, they would have been slain upon their return to camp."
"You know of orcs and their ways?" Uthanck asked in surprise.
"I know many things," Nim said enigmatically, a slight smile curving her lips.
"Hmph, pretty smart for an elf," Uthanck said thoughtfully, a strange gleam in his eyes. "Feisty and brave too, you'd make a good mate for my son."
With a growl of anger, Bishop swept an arm around Nim's waist and snarled at them, "Only if he kills me first. She's mine, so back off." His tone was both feral and possessive, his eyes glaring a challenge and promising death to those who accepted.
Sand gripped Casavir's arm tightly as he felt the paladin start to step forward to intervene. "Do not move or say anything or you will get us killed," he hissed in a low voice.
"Ha, ha, ha," Uthanck roared in laughter. "I think I'm not ready to lose my son just yet human," he held up his hands indicating no challenge before turning to Nimbrethil. "It's late and I'm hungry. Join us for some meat and ale and tell me of how you came to travel with such an interesting human."
"What about my other companions?" Nimbrethil asked, a challenge in her voice. "They have travelled far with me and I would not like to disrespect them by leaving them out."
"We will tolerate them as long as they respect our wishes and do no harm here," Uthanck nodded and then turned towards the large fire.
"Well my dear, I must say I am impressed," Sand murmured as he came to stand next to Nim. "Nevalle could learn a thing or two from you on the finer points of negotiation, as could some others in the group," he finished with a stern look towards Casavir and Khelgar.
Nimbrethil shrugged, "Orcs have their own codes of honor and conduct. Strength, violence, and bloodshed are concepts they understand. They view the human need to negotiate peaceful resolution of problems as a weakness."
"Yes and by responding with the threat of physical altercation you diffuse their aggressive nature," Sand nodded.
"I think I'd rather be back with Qara and Elanee listening to Grobnar sing," Shandra spoke up, Neeshka and Khelgar echoing her sentiment.
"Refusing their hospitality would be an insult and guarantee an all out fight," Nimbrethil said sharply. "That would serve no purpose other than to put all our lives at risk for lack of a little tolerance. You don't have to get all cozy with them, just don't be rude or insulting and you'll be fine." She turned and, with Bishop at her side, walked into the camp to join Uthanck at the fire.
Bishop and Nim settled at the fire next to Uthanck, neither seeming to mind being surrounded by orcs. Sand, while not exactly comfortable, refused to sit apart from them for he wanted to hear everything they talked about. He knew Nim would not say anything about their exact reason for coming here, but he did want to make sure she did not slip in her words. This Uthanck character seemed smarter than the average orc, no doubt he could glean useful info from even the most innocuous of statements.
Casavir was definately not happy at being in the camp. His experience with the orcs at Old Owl Well had conditioned him to not trust them as far as he could throw them. Not only that, he hated seeing Nim treated like Bishop's property and the ranger's earlier statements galled him. He settled next to Sand, his eyes moving surreptitously around the fire looking for trouble. Neeshka, Shandra and Khelgar settled on the ground a little ways back from the rest. None of them wanted to get any closer than they had to.
As Nim told Uthanck what she knew of the humans involved with Logram, Bishop kept his arm around her waist, his body tense. He didn't like the way some of the orcs were eyeing her and he didn't notice any females in the camp. Orcs were not too particular about having sex with humans or elves as long as they were slaves. He wasn't sure how they would view Nim now that their leader had made her welcome. He hoped he wouldn't be challenged for her, the paladin would have kittens if that happened. He looked across the fire to find Casavir staring at him and smirked a little at the heat in the other man's eyes. So, the saint was ticked by his behavior was he? He snickered softly to himself, his promise to Nim did not mean he couldn't enjoy it when he upset the paladin, unintentionally of course.
Nim was aware of the tension her presence was causing. She too had noticed the lack of female orcs in the camp and wondered what Uthanck's purpose was here. If the orcs meant to make a permanent home here then their women and children would be here as well. The absence of their families combined with the fact the camp looked well settled meant only one thing. Something was stopping the orcs from claiming this area.
"I noticed Uthanck that your camp has been here for a while," Nim began. "You obviously meant to establish your clan here but your families are not with you. That means that something is stopping your plans and I'm curious as to what that might be."
Uthanck stared at the elf for a while, impressed at how accurate her observations were, and now even sorrier that she was taken already. What a mate for his son she would make! "We knew these ruins were long abandoned and we came with the intention of claiming the castle located here. However, a tribe of bugbears had got here first and prevented that. Matters are further complicated by the presence of a giant name Ghellu and his goblinoid slaves. Ghellu is a mage, and those slaves of his also know magic, making any confrontation with them a problem."
"Yes, we battled a few of them not long ago," Sand spoke up. "They are almost all warlocks, annoying little pests too."
"I know that Ghellu is searching for something in the basement of that place," Uthanck told them. "I think maybe you look for the same thing. If so, then you will have to deal with him before you can get what you want."
"And solve your problem at the same time?" Nim asked archly.
"I want the bugbears and Ghellu out of the castle," Uthanck confirmed. "Kill them and you will have the gratitude of my clan."
Nimbrethil sat in silence for a while, not liking what the orc implied by that last statement. Finally she spoke, "I will decide how to handle Ghellu and the rest once I've seen the situation for myself. They would pose a significant problem for my group as well as yours." She made it clear that she was not going to do his dirty work.
"Fair enough," Uthanck nodded. "Now, it is time for us to rest for we have work to do early tomorrow. There is a clear space a short way off to the right of this camp where you can set up your own camp. It is far enough away from the others so you should not be bothered by them and we will not bother you either."
Nim and Bishop got to their feet, both knowing a dismissal when they heard it and not willing to overstay their welcome. The others also stood and began heading in the direction Uthanck had pointed, all of them relieved to be away from the orcs. After a few minutes walking, Nim saw the clearing surrounded by trees that Uthanck had spoken of and was pleased with the location. Helping the others to set up their tents, she told them she would take first watch that night for she was not yet tired and had a great deal to think on. She saw the unasked question in Casavir's eyes but was not ready to give him an answer. She knew he did not like the idea of fighting or killing Ghellu just because an orc wanted it. He surely knew her well enough by now that he should not have to worry about her doing something like that. However, she would have to talk with him in the morning and put him at ease.
Without another word, she turned and headed off into the woods a little ways, Bishop right on her heels. She noticed that he had been practically on top of her from the moment Uthanck had expressed his opinion of her worthiness as a mate. She felt a little thrill run through her at the knowledge that it was jealousy that spurred him on. What surprised her was that the feeling didn't scare her. In fact, she rather liked the idea that Bishop saw her as his mate.
Bishop for his part was still seething inside at the way the orcs had looked at Nim all while they were in camp. A slight rustle in the woods to their left came to his ears and he just knew that at least one orc followed them. He could only see one reason for that. The orc wanted Nim and was watching to see what Bishop would do. It was time to make his claim a fact and he abruptly grabbed Nim and scooped her into his arms, possessing her mouth in a fierce kiss.
Nim, caught by surprise at his sudden actions, at first didn't respond. However, in just a few seconds, the passion she had for the man holding her flared to life within her and she wrapped herself around the ranger, losing herself in his kiss. She was barely aware of the fact that Bishop had loosened the laces to her trousers and was pushing them down off her hips. In a heartbeat, she found herself forced roughly to her hands and knees, her base ass exposed to the wind, while her lover crouched over her.
While stroking the soft skin of her backside, Bishop fisted his other hand into Nim's hair and pulled her head back sharply, exposing her throat. "Are you mine elf?" he growled even as his teeth scored the skin of her neck.
Nim found herself at a loss for words, not only because of his question, but also because the rough handling was exciting her beyond rational thought. Her only reply was a low moan of desire as she pushed her hips back towards him.
"Say it aloud, Nim," Bishop growled again and bit sharply on her ear, feeling her body shudder in response. "Let those orcs know who you belong to. Let the whole world know that you are mine and mine alone." He saw her hesitate and knew she didn't want to admit it. Running his hand over her, he gave a sharp slap to her ass and pressed himself against her, hearing her whimper with desire. "Say it, Nim, go on, say the words," he purred seductively in her ear as he loosened his own trousers and positioned himself behind her. He was about ready to explode, but he held himself in check, needing to hear her say the words before giving them both the release they needed.
Nim felt him poised and ready and desperately tried to impale herself on him, but his firm grip didn't loosen. Finally, unable to bear it any longer she gave him what he wanted. "I'm yours Bishop," she loudly and then screamed in pleasure as he drove himself into her.
Bishop began a hard and forceful drive within her slender body, the pleasure her admission gave him driving him onward. Gripping her hips with both hands, he increased the pace and force of his thrusts until the elf's entire body shuddered from it. "Say it again Nim, scream it out," he panted loudly as he felt himself reaching his peak.
Nim could barely breathe and could feel the power of her impending orgasm rushing through her. Just as her brain registered Bishop's words it hit, and she felt as if her body exploded with the force of her climax. Unable to stop herself she screamed, "Yours Bishop."
"MINE!" Bishop roared as he filled her hot body with his release. So powerful was it that he collapsed, practically crushing Nim beneath him. It was a few moments before he realized it and managed to find the strength to roll to the side a little. As he lay there panting, he briefly heard movement in the woods, but the sound was headed away from them. He smiled as he realized his point had been made.
"I think we no longer have to worry about one of the orcs coming after me," Nim managed to gasp out. Her body still trembled slightly and she felt as weak as a kitten.
"You're not mad at me are you?" Bishop asked. "I mean, the orcs are probably not the only ones who heard us."
"No," Nim murmured, a slight smile on her face. "In fact, I was rather turned on by your primal need to mate." She heard his chuckle, a self-satisfied sound that made her smile widen. "You animal you!" she teased.
Bishop nuzzled his mouth against her neck even as his arms wrapped around her and pulled her close into his body. "Well, you like animals, even the two footed kind."
"Yes, I do," Nim said softly as she turned in his arms to face him. "And as much as I would like to stay here like this with you, we do have to stand watch. There are other dangers around besides the orcs."
Bishop chuckled and then gave her bottom a slap. "Well, then wench, get your ass in gear and get dressed." He then heard a sound he never thought to hear coming from the elf's lips. She was giggling! He found himself unable to stop the grin that curved his lips at the happy sound. What surprised him even more was the fact that her happiness made him happy, a feeling that he always buried deep within himself. However, he couldn't bury it this time, becuase it felt so good, so right, to be happy when he was with Nim. Getting to his feet he straightened his clothes as he watched Nim straighten hers.
"There's a rock off to the right of us that would make a good spot to stand watch," Nim told him.
"Lead the way elf," Bishop gave a mock bow and chuckled at the scowl she gave him before turning away.