In My Time of Troubles

by Crossposted

Crossposting of the TheIrishDreamer’s FanFiction on SpaceBattles all credit goes to the original author.

27. Entry 27

[Missasri 26]

Illuskan Camp, Outskirts Village of Longsaddle

"We'll been encamped here for a little while, and I don't want trouble with the locals, understand?" Karg was saying to the various warriors as the caravan came to a stop near to the village that the mad mages of the Harpell family called home. She patted the back of her horse and gave silent encouragement to her tired mount, they'd both soon get to rest which she expected was as welcome for the mare as for Missasri herself. Well, at least she'd get to get off the horse a time because they still needed to set a watch and fortify their position somewhat from the sounds of it.

'Hmm, which is for the best with the way things have gone in these lands' she mused glancing around already seeing the wagons being moved into position on this patch of rough ground near to the village where they'd encamped the last time they'd been here. Mostly to ensure the village was between her Master's warriors and those of the Uthgardters, and the fact there was already an encampment of traders-slash-refugee-adventurers also just outside the village.

The militia captain and his few guards clearly did not want trouble breaking out due what his face clearly thought of as a bolt of madness by his lords in inviting a bunch of war-like savages to meet up nearby his home. Though of course, the escort was somewhat less orcish in nature that these guardsmen might have expected from another band of orcs she would guess. Mostly because a significant number of the riders were non-orcs; humans in the most, but a few half-elves hiding their elven heritage mixed in with them.

And of the orcs themselves; many were half-breeds, or a few being females. At least amongst the Spartan clan-orcs at least, as the Moonblade ones were generally leaning towards younger male orcs who would 'age out' of mounts they currently rode according to her orcish husband. It made sense as many of the horses were suited in size for elven or human-sized riders, and those bigger bulkier orcs were somewhat difficult for those breeds of mount. Something that was causing Karg to want to get as many large mounts for a herd as possible, even the big draft horses less inclined for the violence of battle.

"All finished Master? Shall we dismount, or do you wish to head into the village?" old habits died hard she noted with an amused sigh, calling him that instead of husband once again. Still she was making progress on it, and in actually wielding some level of influence within her own little sphere under Karg within the stronghold. It was...strange to think of going from grovelling slave to being feared by many of those same orcs, and to be low learning magic from a true master of the Art!

"No we're here for the moment looks like..." he replied moving from the saddle to dismount, booted feet thudding off the ground beneath them as he did so "...it's getting dark and what their Sherriff said indicates they'll meet us sometime tomorrow. Which honestly is fine by me as it lets us setup here, and then get a bit of rest. Way the weathers been past few days were as well making use of the dry while we've got it..."

He turned his head and shouted at one of the orcs nearby "And all of you lot over there! Yes you! Get some axes and start clearing those trees over there for stakes and firewood! Once we get some fires ye can all get some grub into our bellies!"

'That'd be good' Missasri admitted as she moved her legs and carefully dismounting from her own mare before handing over the reins to one of the riders assigned to that role. One of the half-elves in fact, even if her ears were carefully hidden by hair and cloth band, who was soon guiding her horse and that of the nearby Rose over to one of the wagons. Karg was pretty intent on establishing a crude larger of sorts before further fortifying a proper camp over the next few hours as his own horse was led that way as well; I'd be good to sleep in a tent tonight-morning rather than under the damp and dreary cloud like she had of late.

"Ah, I thought we'd get to see the other village today! Lady Bella was saying how nice it was!" Rose complained as she came over to Missasri and Karg. Karg, who promptly snorted in amusement at the tone and rapped his gauntleted fingers on his adopted daughter's helmeted head.

"Hush now you and being impatient! You'll get plenty of time to see the market and see the sights in the next few days. Such as they are anyway, but just remember why we're here okay?"

Missasri smiled at the younger girl's, well near adult now, huffing pout as she moved her head away and moved to take off her helm "Yep Papa, I'm just glad to be camping for a little while is all. Watch and listen like you said, and that I'll do!"

"Good, just stick close to me and on you guard in the village, or if any of those Uthgardters are near. Can't be too careful out so far away from home...Oh, and no wandering off by yourself either!"

"I think she knows that husband dear..." Missasri chuckled moving the distance to rest against her orc's red armoured body and pat in mock commiseration at the other girl's playful punch to his arm along with a 'I know that!' retort "...and what of Harkle and Bella? I have not seen them"

"Returned to the Ivy Mansion with that Sherriff of theirs, show of good faith...and honestly it's best I think to let Harkle go back home before he invites any of his family over here, like he was talking about before we arrived. I've got Doctor Ned laying down an anti-scry ward right now hopefully..." Karg replied looking off down the camp seemingly seeking out that mage amidst all the activity as Missasri heard Mistress Ghorza shouting orders in the distance "...so the plan is get setup, ensure we aren't ambushed by uthgardt, bandits, or whatnot, and get some grub into us. Sound like a plan?"

"Indeed it does, and do you still desire me to help with talking to the traders?" she asked curiously, it still felt strange to be travelling like this and being looked at as a trader of sorts once again. Back in the family business in some small way somehow...but on her own terms and after all her suffering along the way. She'd been reduced to absolutely nothing; a grovelling slave and everything she had now was from her own efforts to prove her worth. Her orc's big chainmail covered arm came around her shoulders rather carefully in a sign of affection.

"Yes of course Missy, you're my secret weapon after all!" Karg rumbled down at her as he gave her a hugging squeeze "...and you've got a chance to set a letter to your family, or send word or whatever you want as well while we're here"

"Hmph, Hmph" Missasri hummed in agreement...sort of...well, to the part about being the secret-weapon anyway. Sending word to...could wait, a time...maybe...it was hard to think much good would come of the matter. Say what exactly?

Hello Mother, Hello Father, you were entirely correct and I managed to go off and get everyone killed, and then ended up a slave a time. I have recovered though and now have found myself a power within an orc...oh and have since married an orc shaman-wizard with the chance of half-breed grandchildren for you in the future. Truly, I have lived up to all thine expectations...

She resisted a snort at the likely response. Or from Dargan's family, Nicta's and Sister Mah...it would likely be unpleasant, to say the least. It had been so much easier when 'evildoers' and 'villains' were easy in the mind of the naive girl of over a half-decade ago. Maybe in a little while, when the battle against the Uthgardt savages, and these other orcs from the North, was won and her powers were greater than they were now. Or maybe it best that Missasri Bladecutter had died something of a hero with her friends, and the Wizard Missy Giant-slayer, as she'd heard a few orcs call her, continue on in her place...best to think on other matters she decided.

"Do you think you'll get anywhere with this truce?"

He sighed "Maybe, hopefully. If we can keep them off our backs even for a little while I'll call it a success really. Priestess here in this village is one of the Dawn-lovers lot same as the one Rose here nearly gutted a little while back. Might...might...persuade the fanatics to listen and wait till our bigger threat foes are all well and truly dead or buggered off elsewhere. That or Mirabar reins in their catspaws...and pigs may fly..."

Missasri glanced at him as he paused and the frowned at both of them "...OH...and Don't mention that turn of phrase to the Harpells dear heavens above. I've already seen one of their abominations an' that's enough for one night let me tell you"

She nodded in agreement to that; she'd learned it best not to give the Harpell mages Ideas such as that. Mostly because they might just attempt to actually do something and create some dreadful horribly gone right version of said spell. The Frog-Horse thing could rather easily be followed by the Vulture-Pig after all. So best to avoid that possibility at all really...

--

[Interlude 09]

--

Prelude to the Deluge: The Forgotten War in the Crags

Authored by Tarfinri Agosil, Scholar of Candlekeep

...then by the coming of the spring of the Year of the Worm that the War in the Crags between began to truly bleed into the Great Northern War. Of course these preceding events, and the matters creating them, are often ignored by scholars of lesser schools or bloodlines; instead of presenting them as lightning from a clear blue, or some divinely ordained event coming to pass. No, one must always look to the underlying of these events by the victorious battles in the wilds of the Illuskan Orc Kingdom came to the fore in the Crags, and in the changing motivations of the various players and their influence.

Most relevant to these considerations to influence, and its shifting nature, is to simply point to the great assembly that took place under the auspices of the Harpell Family during early spring of that year. It is here that one must point to as the source for several of the later events of the Great Northern War. From the re-founding of Mithril Hall, to the Sack of Mirabar, it is here the roots can be found in what pacts that were brokered in darkest silence. In all it would be a great betrayal of the free peoples, one that would shatter the unity of the Harpers themselves in the years that followed this dark unholy pact.

To understand though why such a meeting was arranged, and rarely spoken of in that manner by any of those involved to hide its true purpose, one must first note how the situation had changed in the Great Northern War and within the Crags themselves. Neverwinter had suffered severe reverses during both the Year of the Harp, and proceeding Year of the Bow, at the hands of the Host Tower led Luskan forces and equally problematically lost control of their Illuskan proxies to the Harpell Family. Indeed so bad had the defeats been it seemed that the dispatch of disposal pawns from Waterdeep came over the early days to the conference; dark and evil drow, but ones with links to Laeral Silverhand in the shape of the Dark Sister.

While it is never mentioned anywhere one must reach beyond the scant source material, and speculation of peasants, to the motives of the arrival of such to this assembly. For many, the majority, of those involved can all be strongly linked to the various factions of the Harper in some manner and all the hallmarks of that organisation in its heyday can be observed from the results that followed. So from the north came the heir presumptive of Mithral Hall along with party including yet another white-haired elf with the dark taint of wickedness shown upon his flesh. Too many things that others scholars attempt to ignore as strange coincidences were prevalent at this assembly that cannot be ignored by any who truly wish to study the subject in all seriousness.

As such the Assembly at Longsaddle took place to knit together a grand coalition that was likely intended to achieve several rather clear cut aims;

- Firstly to eliminate the great orcish horde that was to descend later that year from the Spine of the World under the Warlord of the Crags who had been driven to seek support after his defeat in the previous year at the hands of the newly risen Illuskan Kingdom. Such a host would a great threat to most all the sides in conflict, save Neverwinter, and needed to be dealt with for mutual benefit.

- Secondly to target the suddenly powerful and risen forces of the Host Tower of the Arcane in Luskan, and to seek to bring an end to spiraling chaos along the Mirar river valley. Even the Ten Towns, though foolishly from the long view of history, were concerned enough to send several of their own to support their goals.

- And lastly, and perhaps with less attention than should have been warranted perhaps, upon warding against the grand assembly of Uthgardt tribes that had begun to form under the Griffon tribe Warlord Kralgar Bonesnapper around Griffon's Nest. With the co-option of the Sky Pony tribe by Mirabar such a threat would have roused concerns amongst both those of the Harpell Family and the Council of Sparkling Stones.

What makes such machinations most apparent was in the attempts to wed the warring armies of Sky Pony Uthgardters under Mirabar's proxy banners, with those of the Orcish Illuskans who had allied with the Harpers through the Harpell's, and previously Neverwinter. Such attempts must be placed of the context of the bitter warring for power waged within the Crags by these two proxies in the previous year; and of the general decline in the fortunes of the Uthgardt as the power of the Illuskan orcs rose in-line with this. Even the attempting of binding such foes together was a matter of great hubris, and ill-advised as the latter days of the Great Northern War would show. But in so many ways this hubris is indicative of the attitudes of those involved at the Assembly, and perhaps of their powers and wits that that so much would change in the aftermath of those few ten-days in the village.

One merely must point to Mithril Hall, despite their fervent denials, to see the seeds of change even beyond the immediate region as a direct result of the support of the Harper alliance in the days before its great schism. It was an indirect attack upon the great Orcish hordes that lurked in the Spine of the World in those days, under the 'King of the Spine' as they were styled. No lock-step legions with spell, blade, and dark tools were these hordes, but there numbers were still mighty relative to the then existent human, elven, and dwarf city-states of the North. The creation of another bastion would only serve to weaken these great and savage orc clans; who themselves would prove the most bitter and ferocious of foes to the Illuskan orcs in the times that hath followed the Assembly.

Something the Orcs of the Crags were themselves seemingly aware of in their own low cunning, having allied with the one known as Obould, King of Many-Arrows, in the days before his own dark rise to power in the lands eastward. Whether this future was intended in those days, it must be noted that two future Kings, Bruenor of Mithril Hall and Obould of Many-Arrows, were present and would arise soon thereafter with far more cordial relations between their kingdoms than would be the standard for Dwarf and Orc in those days. This scholar will not delve into the lower slopes of conjecture that other, lesser, scholars are wont to indulge in, save to state such companions that both possess are rather indicative of their less than usual allegiances and alliances. Or that both kingdoms would war violently and mercilessly, as did that of Illusk, with the future Orc Kings of the Spine of the World...

--

[Interlude 09 (B)]

--

[The Uncrowned King]

"Regis?" he queried calmly and not shouting loudly at the halfling like he wanted to "We do I spy meself a small army looks like, an' orcs amongst them, camping out in the village we're going towards to talk ta these wizards of yers?"

"I...don't know?" was the less than useful reply as their small party waited upon the small hillock as not too far off figures were turning in their direction. Small farms and the village a little further down the dirt track that served as a road lay before them.

Then nearby, but not too close either, were clusters of folk behind what were rough field fortifications and a number of banners that fluttered on the evening breeze. Orc clan banners amongst them he knew from experience, even if he did not recognise any of them by sight nor why they flew the Harp banner. He squinted and trying to study the encampments on the other side of those dark and wicked banners "I see a banner of Mirabar off yonder, and the Sun of Lathandar nearby, but those others flying with them I do not know"

To his surprise it was Wulfgar who answered sounding confused "They are banners of my folk...but I do not know this tribe or why they camp with both townfolk and filthy orcs"

"Riders, from the village" their Drow companion stated loud enough for them all to hear without being shouted, cloaked head nodding towards the road out of town where figures on horseback had begun to ride out towards them. Bruenor and the others decided it best to wait for them where they were, with the sun to their backs, and to see what had would be said. For Regis swore that these wizards were the best chance at Bruenor to be able to find and return the glory that was Mithril Hall to the North, and too discover why such an assembly as lay before them had been arrived at.

"Greetings travellers" the lead rider asked politely as he and his companions brought their mounts to a halt just before them "Might we ask your intentions in these parts?"

"Ye might..." Bruenor began to snap back at them, but halting as Drizzt motioned with his hand not to agitate them and allow Regis, who supposedly knew something of them, to speak.

"We have come to see the Harpells, our business does not concern your town though we seek the wise counsel of the family in the mansion"

"Heh heh heh heh...ahhhhh...sure ya are heh heh, Wise counsel heh" the lead rider suddenly laughed, bringing a leather gauntleted hand up to his face "...my apologies, but really? You're seeking wise counsel in the Ivy Mansion, may the Gods help ya"

Shaking his head at them, the other riders making similar sounds of agreement, the rider brought his hand back down to rest it upon the pommel of his saddle "No I'm afraid it is not so simple as that travelers, I shall need to know thy names before you allowed enter the village. If you have not noticed my home is rather full of unusual folk and I see a Dwarf, an Uthgardt, a Halfling, and a Drow before my eyes so who are you with? The crazy orcs and their Shaman? Lady Shouts-alot and her Uthgardt? Adventurers who got lost and decided to add to the madness that is the village? Or are you here to find your friend a wife..." he motioned at Drizzt "...because we also a number of drunken scantily females of his kind wander about are causing our wives, and therefore all us married folk, no end of hardship?"

For a moment Bruenor and his companions were rendered silent by the confusion brought upon them by the words of the human. Who sighed after the silence persisted a few moments as bewildered glances were exchanged between Bruenor and his comrades, though Drizzt's face carried a look of concern and horror upon for some reason as well...

"Look folks, you'll be welcome in just tell us who you are and I'll see if the Mage Lord or...one of the other ones...will see you on your business. I am called Roland, Sherriff of the village, and we've enough troubles without an odd company causing more. Oh, and no fighting with the orcs, or Uthgardt, or...just leave it at don't start anything or angry wizards and angry me will...

--

[The Gleaming Star from the Sparkling Stones]

"It is somewhat irritating when it is the orcs who are more willing to deal with our desires rather than our supposed allies" she muttered unhappily as she sat with her two bodyguards-slash-advisors savouring the local ale. She maintained the fiction that the Sky Pony Tribe were 'allies' or a 'third-party' to Mirabar rather than what they were; paid mercenaries who were there to keep the troubles in the land away from the city. And maintain the trade routes, but they'd done a rather terrible job at doing that all in all.

"Heh, I did warn did I not? Still she's sworn on her honour and God to honour this alliance of sorts" Elyth of House Talboksh chuckled out and she resisted frowning at him. Shrouda hated when the greedy idiot was right in such matters. Mostly because he'd never cease his uttering of how wise he was and how all of the council should listen to him more. Sadly he was a rather wealthy merchant, and financing this little expedition through the chaos that was the southern road, so she smiled and voiced her agreement that he had indeed wisely warned them of such.

'Still we've managed to get both sets of savages aimed at the other savages coming down from the Spine. We should be ever hopefully they will all slaughter each other in a merry meeting of savages and then the Axe can deal with the remnants. It is a feat that we can drink to in good cheer' she thought to herself resting back into the bench and surveying the rather bizarre crowd sitting and walking around in the tented area outside the village tavern.

The filthy orcs who the Harpells, and more worryingly the Harpers from the banners, had managed to recruit as catspaws. Shrouda Stargleam mentally kicked herself for the Council of Sparkling Stones allowing such effective minions slip through their hands and into those of the Blackstaff and his little friends here in the village of lunatics. So far it seemed they had successfully slaughtered the more problematic orc tribes in the Crags, hammered upon the Eldreth Veluuthra elves, and more annoying reduced Mirabar's own proxies through irritating victories over them.

'But they are aimed at Luskan and those filthy savages coming from the North so the matter comes down to how to co-opt them to our services, or to ensure that all parties have been reduced so that they can be eliminated in the field' she mused watching as...a male drow tried to desperately flee from three scantily clad females of his kind. Hmph, she had always known elves were that way inclined and here was the proof in the desperate flailing and attempts to hide behind a dwarf of all things.

Luskan, of course, was the true problem, even beyond the vast Orc Horde set to descend from the Spine in a few months according to all reports from scouts and adventuring bands sent there. Or at least those that had survived to tell the tale anyway; but still even if these savages failed it would reduce such a host considerably and that would make it manageable to deal with as they had with others in the past.

She drank from her tankard studying the orcs mercenaries and their half-breed ranks, even with full-blooded humans amongst them. No, the true danger to the City was Luskan and its currently successful war against both Neverwinter and themselves. Trade had quite simply collapsed in the past year, and ending the conflict on their own terms had become the Council's focus; enough to send them here with a large bribe/tribute to get all the savages aimed in the right direction. Now...all they had to do was see if such information were to arrive in Luskan and see would those traitorous pirates and monstrous liches throw their own mercenaries into the mix. Mirabar would never break oaths of course, but if all these threats were to eliminate each other by merely clashing by chance...

--

[Karguk 43]

Village of Longsaddle

I wasn't in my happy place right, but it was really hard to be content at an already stressful negotiation when one giant potential problem arrived, only to be followed by yet another one a day or so later. Not only I the headache of riding herd on a bunch of other clans idiots, the presence of Obould and his shaman, and the Harpell family...now I had Qilue bloody Veladorn running around the place alongside the murder-hobo party from hell.

It was also the problem of the fact if Drizzt and his buddies being here it meant that the other party was meandering through our lands right. The one with the death dealing assassin, the death golem, and an imprisoned Catt-Brie; the second I'd heard the Drow and his friend had arrived...the four swiftest riders were sent back home with a message to both warn of the dangers, and to ensure if encountered that girl was to be taken unharmed in anyway.

By my order, as my war prize, honoured guest...I didn't care as long as the orc hating bitch was taken alive, unharmed and untouched. The Tome of Wiki had helped alot about the dangers of that other group, but the real dangers was the Flesh Golem 'secretly' with them thanks to Dendebar the Mottled; which meant the Host Tower. Ideally they'd pass through our lands unharmed but...

'Odds of that are friggin low since we control the Crags, so dammit...tipping my hand to the other clans is my only option before one of them ups and kills, or even worse rapes, one of the protags of that story and then we've got the Drow murder machine, uncrowned King, and angry Barbarian dude looking for our blood' I mentally grumbled as I stepped out of my tent into the spring sunshine. Another irritation that, and deliberate of course to try 'weaken' the 'savage orcs' by meeting through the daylight hours; well jokes on them, it only served increase my influenced within my party as the sun was merely irritating to my clan not punishing as it was to some others. Years of training, early mornings and such had ended any penalties we'd suffered to fighting or moving in the bright daylight.

"Aight, I'll be keepin' order here my mate, so you and Missy can go off and yap to all the filthy elves and stupid utghardts. Least it'll keep down me urge to just stab'em through the face with me sword" my lovely second wife announced with a stretch of her arms and a yawn as we exited the tent. I rolled my eyes at the grumbling of red armoured wife, while my third wife in her new fancy wizard robes merely smiled at Ghorza's complaining.

While she'd done rather well in Zybelin's Drift as military governor (Countess? Baroness?); she didn't really mix well with the likes of powerful non-orc rulers/groups here without resorting to going for her sword. Or at least that's how it felt to me and there was always a need for a ruthless hand to keep order with so many natural enemies in range of our encampment.

'Oh just fucking great, Team Many-Arrows up bright and early...ah, I thought I'd get at least a few more hours before they decided to tag along' I mentally rumbled trying to keep the unease off my face as Ghorza wandered off with a guard on either side of her to check the camp for trouble.

My escort of currently-under-training Red Branch Knights allowed the young future Orc King fall in beside me and Missy I indicated that we were preparing to head into the village, once I gathered Rose and Doctor Ned at least, and see about discussing more of the past few days. Most of which involved not killing each other and basic ground rules for who was allowed go where; followed by threats and performing basic guest right in our various traditions.

"Captain Obould, Shaman Snarrl, greetings to you both; come to join me in getting glared at angrily by crazy female that rules the Sky Ponies? Glared at angrily by the Dwarfs? Or merely to watch those crazy drow females chase the male one around the human village?"

Stress made me a snarky git sometimes I found, but even without that it was better to go for refugee in audacity than grumbling and get irritable with the powerful warrior, and useful ally of sorts, before me. At least it got something of a rumbling chuckle from the plate clad orc warrior, as I caught sight of Rose whomping on one of the hastily constructed training dummies with my bodyguard and senior Red Branch Knight Hreshgk standing guard nearby.

Girl had been full of energy earlier on, and me my two wives wanted a little alone time, so off she'd gone to indulge one of her hobbies; smashing things with her enchanted mace. Considering the brutal nature of us orcs it was useful to make the younger males aware of the bad things that could happen to them if they went near to my recently adopted human daughter. Though really I should say savage and brutal nature of the world really; as the various battles had show the humans and handful of half-elves amongst our ranks were just as bad, then the females even worse to those of the defeated when they got a chance...

"Hmph. Why are you trying to help Dwarf and his strange warband find their old home? And send riders to other clans to make sure capture his female alive and unharmed? His eyes say he did not believe your words, and their face show much hate towards you. Why do you wish to aid an enemy?"

'Oh joy, it's very easy forget he rose to power through brains as much as death dealing combat machine' I thought holding back any sigh of unhappiness at the question. I expect if he was older he wouldn't be quite as blunt with me, but I'd worked on building a 'friendly' relationship of some degree with him and had encouraged the relative honesty on such things. Even where it was bloody awkward...so best go with the relatively honest answer as I shrugged after waving Rose to finish us and join us.

"In part, visions from the Cunning Warrior which is how I know of them and the female. Who is the planned mate of the Uthgardt by the way; her blood kin are dead I think, and the dwarf took her as his own child. He is destined to reclaim his stronghold and be King one day soon...if he survives that is, which I would prefer him to succeed at. Yes, you all believe it is madness but restoring Mithril Hall to its former strength is of aid to Illusk in the time to come"

"How? They are Dwarfs and Drow and Humans, enemies of our people and foes who will fight us as always. Why not take it for ourselves"

Missy was interested of course, but remained quiet as she leaned on her staff with one hand while waving at Rose with the other. I smiled as she placed the shield over her back and made to come towards us "Yes they are, but we are surrounded by enemies. Many of them not-orcs, but the most direct foe is a great warlord of our own kind. Just because dwarves are dwarves, and orcs are orcs, does not mean that are all allied together in some great...Mirabar will not be glad of such a place returning when someone with half a brain and little honour hears of it. For Mirabar's source of strength is in its mithril mines, and the fact no other can mine and forge such as they can has given allows them to charge as they wish for it. That great wealth allows them to draw powerful wizards to their city, and to afford larger armies with better weapons than their size would allow"

I glanced at the powerfully built at the two orcs from Many Arrows "Now...what do you imagine will happen if another place was to start mining and selling such metals? How would you react if you and your clan act if they had a great and glorious treasure...and then one day this upstart who you have treated like a weakling beggar suddenly rises up and reduces your treasures by half? That your strength declines as theirs rises?"

"We would crush them would we not Obould? No such insult would be accepted by the clan" was the calm answer from the Shaman with a faint chuckle "...is that why you told them not to trust those of the dwarf city even though they are kin?"

I shook my head "Thing is; they are not kin, merely dwarves of a different clan the same as we are of one horde, and Wyrmog is of another. For now I doubt those of that city will see the problem beyond the more far-seeing, nor does the dwarf and his companions see such a divide arising...but, in time, interests will divide their unity..." I gestured at the assembly of camps and village "...as self-interest here unites foes who hate each other. As you said...they are our enemies, but they are also each other's enemies...save for there is another foe to gather all together under one banner for a brief time"

Honestly I couldn't help but chuckle an ironic and slightly bitter chuckle "...and then they will turn on us when the danger of Wyrmog has passed I expect. Perhaps a little later when the Luskan's have been driven off and we prove useful to them...and then they shall turn on the warrior female and her tribe because they stand astride the roads and impeded their trade. Those Uthgardt are only slightly less hated than us, and they are supported to prevent us growing too strong. Once we are gone they'd be attacked next, isn't that right Missy"

Missy probably wanted to argue different, but she was looking thoughtful before nodding "Yes husband, the Mirabarans would do as such perhaps once peace is restored in the lands. The adventuress who leads the Uthgardt is too strong and capable to be let live with no orcs to slay, such support of her and her warriors is only due to how bad the chaos in these lands has been of late"

I nodded "And it costs us nothing to aid them, hells I'd give them a few warriors to help them succeed if I thought it would help. Their so-called glorious stronghold is far from our lands, and will not be strong for many, many, years and the worst is they hate us and will not trade in return for such while it weakens our nearest foe. It is not like we could send a horde to take such a place and hold it with it so far away from these lands we have conquered with fire and sword. And if they fail..." I shrugged "...we've lost nothing just that their one less old dwarf warlord in the world. Really it's all win-win as far as I can see..."

--

[Karguk 44]

Village of Longsaddle

Qilue Veladorn was, as the Tome of Wiki had suggested, tall and stunningly beautiful; like, just a little bit shorter than me and I was a six and a half foot something orc. Considering most Drow, Lua and Lara back in the stronghold included, were generally only a bit over five foot she somewhat towered above her escort of priestesses I found as I sat cross-legged on the grass. And, also like with Lua and Lara, the moonlight had that weirdly shiny-sparkly effect on their hair I noted as she moved to mirror my position.

The amusing part was she wasn't very impressively dressed, nor was her escort as they lingered a little distance back from us just like my own was doing behind me. Simple but sturdy armour and a heavy travelling cloak instead were the order of the day. Travelling through hostile lands where everyone by and large hated Drow, at least if they knew what they were, made such dressing plainly and solidly a fairly sensible precaution. Even if they didn't recognise Drow dressing richly might have been an invitation to attack from all the bandits running about, and might make them more easy to track by those Drow who served the Spider-Goddess.

I nodded, but stayed silent as she motioned to her blade, then moved to remove her sword belt and place it on the grass beside her. In reach if things were to turn hostile between us, but a gesture of some degree of willingness to avoid violence between us hopefully. Violence between us was the very last thing I wanted with the Chosen of both Mystra and Eilistraee, well-trained escort and Dread Necromancer notwithstanding. Still, despite my unease at sitting down with such an incredibly dangerous creature I couldn't resist the faintest of chuckles at the scene I was likely in.

"Something amuses you Orc?"

Stupid on my part, but in my defence I was nervous and the image just popped into my head randomly as I'd glanced up at the dark night sky with twinkling stars and crescent moon. And while her tone was cold it was more neutral than confrontational; she distrusted me, and with good reason from her position. So I sighed, my breath steaming on the cold night air, and opted for the honest option.

"I'm sure this scene is likely out of some poor elf's nightmares; the brutish, savage, orc shaman of the barbarian upstart kingdom sitting down to parley with the ruthless, beautiful, and cunning Drow High Priestess beneath the dark night sky. Surely what evil is being plotted by we dark creatures of the night?" I answered with an uneasy chuckle "...I apologise, the image that appeared in my mind amused me, and I am used to being more at ease with another priestess of your goddess so I got ahead of myself. My apologies if it offended"

"You are a very strange orc, truly thy nature is not one that was expected when this journey was begun at the urging of the Goddess. One must say you seem less brutish and crude than I'd feared, intend you have been far more pleasant and polite in your words to myself and mine priestesses than those others assembled here in these dark times" she stated calmly after studying me a few moments and I shrugged. It was hardly what I wanted to hear back, nor had it ease the tension, but it hadn't angered her and I couldn't say I wasn't expecting the Boss's meddling to not have such things as Quests being aimed in my direction. So, might as well point out the obvious in return.

"Right back at you Priestess, not every orc is a bloodthirsty savage...just as not every drow is a torture-happy servant of that bloody spider. I know much of your Goddess, Goddesses, and I can respect them you may be surprised to hear. As to politeness..." I sighed "...well it doesn't hurt, and we have enough enemies as it is without adding to them. And more than that those that look and see nothing but a vicious primitive to be looked down and sneered at...though, I would not expect much from many others of my kind. I am an odd orc as you say. Now, shall we prevent others listening in our conversation Priestess?"

I placed the scroll, dagger and small metal box between us and allowed her to inspect them all silently before she nodded her agreement after a few moments. Privacy was a thing, and protective wards and oaths like this could be called a temporary contract as much as a spell casting between us as I used the my knife to make a small cut and dab the blood on the spell focus. Followed moments later by the Drow doing likewise, with both of us casting our respective 'privacy' spells; non-could scry us as we spoke now, nor could those standing around us hear our words. Well, they could see us, but even trying to lip-read would see nothing but a strange blurring effect on their lips.

Resting my hands on my knees I waited and allowed the Drow to take the lead in our little parlay "You appear more one of your kind should know of Shaman...I hear that you had words of dangers to come for the lost son of Menzoberrazan and his companions...and of the death of my dear sister and, from visions she has afforded me, the very Goddess herself"

The last was spoken like a hissing snake despite the cool and calm. Ah...so the Boss was playing prophetic visionary during that little conference in the Hotel de Karguk. Unsurprisingly in some ways, the possible threat of death was certainly going to be a motivator and who knows how much the Boss had pushed upon that little button. I took a breath, and then let it out in a slow sigh before answering as the dangerously powerful Chosen of Two Goddesses stared at me. Joy.

"Ahhh...yes, indeed that would be me I expect. Visions as you say, well...let's just go with the fact I've snippets of things that might potentially happen as a gift, or curse, and those were amongst them. So then my Boss and yours obviously had this nice little chat..." I frowned motioning around "...can't speak of it to anyone can you...least not without the whole protections or instructions on the matter?"

She frowned, looking to the side and up at the stars before sighing and glancing back at me "No, I have not been able to do so till this moment"

I gave a bemused grunt "Welcome to the club then...sigh...and I expect you have been sent to investigate on her behalf. Not the safest of places I must warn you, as the assembly here shows a rather large horde intends to descend on our lands and slay us with fire and blade. Nor likely pleasant to your sensibilities either I expect; much as I want to try improve things our lands are pretty terrible, as our traditions can be"

Qilue gave me a strange look "That is...not what mine ears expected to hear, nor does it give encouragement of what lays within those hills. Should not thee be attempting to threaten and warn? Or even as to speak of rightness of your rule?"

"I could if you prefer, but I'd prefer to be honest with you. I know you will find much of what occurs within our lands as an injustice, mostly because...well...Ugh..." I fumbled for the words for 'I'm shagging one of your fellow priestesses and she told me' politely "...look, one of my...concubines...and we discuss such matter fairly regularly. Oh, and...well, we bought another, a soldier of Menzoberranzan, from another clan had enslaved and tortured and have been trying to heal her somewhat. She's still officially a slave because the High Priest of the One Eye we took her from is my superior, and also more powerful than me. If you swear to see to her recovery and safety I'm sure Lua wouldn't object to you taking her into your company"

No that didn't sound awkward at-all-at-all I noted holding back a wince as the Drow woman just looked at me with a large 'Wut?' expression written all over her face. Eerie silence engulfed us for a seeming eternity gave a helpless shrug "Look, I want peace between us and..."

She held up a hand, shaking her head causing the long white hair to bounce in the moonlight before rubbing at her face "A moment please..."

After a brief moment of seeming to work her mouth silently while rubbing at her head she brought the hand back down and mirrored my stance "Do you offer safe passage through your lands to us then?"

I nodded "Yes, no harm will come you and you shall be under the protection of my clan as long as you and yours swear oaths to cause no harm against us, nor plot against us, during your time amongst us. You would be an honoured guest, though I will again warn that we are at war and may soon be called into the field to face such a threat"

She took a breath, in and out, before nodding "Acceptable. If you swear to do us no harm, then we shall swear to do no harm to yours in return. Nor will I, or those of mine party, attempt to cause any damage to your clan, or too challenge your laws beyond to defend ourselves. As thine words have been honest with me Karguk of Illusk, then mine lips shall speak truthfully and forthrightly with thee; my journey seeks to judge the nature of your horde, and to avert the dark fate that has been prophesised"

"Fair enough, a very understandable position to take Priestess Veladorn. Since we are talking freely now I would say to you what I would like to see, though cannot achieve in the days that come soon. Slavery is endemic within the Crags, and within the entirety of the North and Savage Frontier for all those of certain lands call it serfdom or some other more pleasant name. And before you say anything...I agree it is wrong, and for all you may not believe my words I have tried to lessen the savagery of my people's usage of it. I'm just...just no powerful enough to end it, if I tried I'd be killed off pretty rapidly by those stronger than me, or from my own subordinates. But I can offer you a small settlement as a vassal where you can practice your faith in peace, and not have slavery in existence. Given time, longer than I'd like perhaps, but in time it might slowly push us away from..."

--

[Nedorious Illian Kline 09]

Village of Longsaddle

He gave a friendly wave goodbye to yet another satisfied customer as they left his temporary work office "Good day to you good Sir! Remember to recommend Doctor Ned for all your corrective and enlargement surgery needs!"

It was always enjoyable putting a happy smile on a happy customer's face...though the monetary compensation part of it was a rather big bonus he'd found, and was so much easier that piracy or adventuring. Though there hadn't been much difference between the two he'd found in practice beyond who was getting their possessions taken away. Still, his dear secretary-cum-murder-dwarf was grumpy as ever he found with a sigh as he watched grumble-mumble disparaging about the last paying customer.

"Now-Now, big smile...maybe little less murderous that Crue dear...see, like our lovely Nyssa and Dyssa over there are doing; Cheerful smiles, happy paying customers, what more can one want?"

Well, except vengeance maybe, but he was getting to that in short order...

"Ah ain't suckin' up or hidin' anything from these bunch ah thieves and gravediggers Boss..." Cruenditha grumbled back giving the currently incognito former member of the Luskan guard. Nedorious hoped she and her companion kept the name changes; so much easier to remember really. That and when you actually got them out of their leather armour and into dresses they made rather decent friendly sales assistants. He figured it was from all the experience taking bribes back in the City of Sails that allowed them to fake sincerity as well as they did. Cruenditha was still grumbling as he glanced down at her.

"...anyhay, ye pays me to break legs and smash heds'in so ah ain't gettin' inta now dress. Canna be scary at all iffin yer weain' a dress!"

Nedorious gave a thumbs up "Well a big hairy barbarian in a dress would be rather terrifying I imagine...anyway, one must say what a marvellous job you do smashing heads Crue dear! Where ever would this business be without your firm debt collection methods! Now, we are all finished up for the day so who feels up for a celebratory drink?"

"Kargs goin' be there and payin' fer it isn't he?" the former bounty hunter Etlin queried as he came through the doorway of the barn turned surgery and Nedorious gave a cheerful smile back.

"Why now that you mention it our kind orcish patron shall indeed be there, as shall some of the noble folk currently in attendance for these festivities!"

Cruenditha sighed "Ah course Boss, yer generosity know nay bounds. It nay gunna be that stuck up fella and his strange band ah rejects?"

"But you and he have so much in common! He's a dwarf! You're a dwarf! He has a beard, you like beards! You both have that whole...attitude...thing in common. Why you could just bonk him on the head and drag him off that underground dungeon of dwarfness you've always wanted! I saw some lovely spots back near the stronghold..."

"Da' thar not underground dungeons ye know dang well Boss, an tha' were jus' da one time in..."

"Yes, yes, Crue dear...sacred dwarven traditions and such I expect..." he cut her off with a cheerful clap of his hands "...now let us all stride purposely towards the local tavern so we may enjoy the merriment of that fine establishment"

'And plot revenge against my enemies' he left unsaid, but it brought a cheerful hum to his lips he place the last of his goods into his bag of holding and exited the building his assistants-slash-bodyguards in tow. There were so many interesting possibilities resulting from this rather useful assemblage he found, local militia following him notwithstanding. Still, they seemed a friendly sort so he gave them a friendly wave and a cheerful greeting that he was off to the tavern and they were welcome to join them. After all they had been such helpful fellows after services rendered, and they were little concern compared to the truly dangerous casters currently in residence. He smiled happily at that; good thing then that was on good terms with young Harkle and Bella, and having their family members seeking both education services and professional consultations during the brief stay here. Also, the thoughts of managing to violently end an enemy like Dendybar and then use his corpse as an undead servant did rather improve the mood.

'Visions, young clerics and their divine patrons...still nice to see that, for once, their pretty clear and detailed rather than vague hazy nonsense! And for people I know too! Oh tis that not grand!' he mused to himself whistling a jaunting tune from his sailing days. It seemed that the Gods of the Orcs have actually given useful information to their worshipers during that midwinter magic celebration of theirs; information that Nedorious Illian Kline THE THIRD could use to deal with one or two minor little problems. Problems such as the Lord of the North Tower himself if the visions granted to young Karguk were proven as true as the orc seemed to believe that were.

'I do believe my young orc apprentice has forgotten little ambitious Sydney from his brief time before those curs murderer Barty and the ladies. Or grasped at, or considered fully, who the poor dear served under Dendybar the Mottled. Especially if she's been granted a Flesh Golem to aid in the task...oh I do so hope they take her alive! So many things to ask of her, so many interesting possibilities...' he mused giving a pleasant smile to the lovely drow ladies in their travelling armour as they approached the entrance to the tavern. A Chosen amongst them...oh, the potential there if he could just direct her in the right direction the same as the Harpells, and Mirabar...and his new orcish friends. Oh dear boney Arkleem would be ever so surprised at that...

"Hi Everybody!" he announced with great merriment as he stepped inside the tavern...the already full tavern he noted as many just stared back at him in confusion. But, thankfully, there were just enough who he'd already given a beneficial opinion of to motion back in some manner to his greeting to the bar. After all, it wouldn't do at all if he managed to destroy his enemies in the Host Tower and they didn't know it was he who'd helped bring about their downfall!

"HI DOCTOR NED!"

"Barkeep! A round for everyone in attendance! Truly there is no better village to visit than Longsaddle" he answered back waving his arms and getting a grand cheer in return. Cruenditha gave him a look and he handed her a bag of coin to do just that. It seemed most of the important players were here tonight and such means were a rather easy way to be somewhat memorable to them. Sometimes a few well purchased ales and then it didn't matter if they were gravedigger selling a corpse or a Lord in his castle; most became more receptive to one showing them some measure of friendliness and generosity. Getting them drunk also helped considerably too he thought moving towards young Karguk, all while his bodyguard threatened idiots out of the way of her armoured dwarfy-ness.

"Ah Karguk my boy! How are you and your lovely wives on this rather pleasant evening! All engaged in great skulduggery and glorious diplomacy I expect, just like many a poor soul here this night? Or merely here to gaze upon the beauty of these fair drowish women beside us? Fair Maidens may you enjoy the local beverages!" Nedorious asked happily, bowing to the drow women. Then plopping into the pro-offered chair beside young Karguk as the orc's bodyguards stood aside and allowed he and his own pass. Sadly it seemed the female drow had elected not to chase their male quarry this night, instead moving to sit upon the table just beside his own. To his eye it appeared the Harpell's were set to join them as well since fair Bella was here giving him a polite nod from the other side of the table.

"Glad you could join us Doctor Ned, and for the drink of course. Did you have a fruitful day in your temporary surgery? And enjoy being human once again?"

"Oh its dreadful drab I'm afraid. Orc Ned is Best Ned really, but sadly one finds that customers prefer the more human touch so speak. Now, are these fair maidens to our right going to join us for our return journey to the stronghold? I must admit they must have been sad to see that scared young man leave with all his friends..." Nedorious began leaning to the side and attempting to bring the powerful drow cleric and her escort into the conversation. Bit of polite conversation, a fair amount of alcohol...and maybe one of the younger priestesses that made up her escort could be persuaded to let slip something that might prove useful.

--

[Krowluc 17]

Village of Longsaddle

"Right, once we're ready to move I want to set a fast pace..." Shaman Karguk stated rubbing at his chin seemingly thinking on the matter at hand while Krowluc listened for the moment "...along the southern route. We travel through the night till we hit those old ruins we passed on the way and then we rest for a bit before heading onwards again"

Krowluc gave his employer a questioning look and got a vague gesture towards the village along with an unhappy tone of voice "The Mirabarans just sent two riders off at pretty rapid pace, and I don't want to hang around here now that we have an agreement of sorts now that the others have started to depart. We can't risk getting caught out in the open by the pretend-Uthgardt heavy cavalry, or a by bunch of greedy adventurers, so time to get a move on I reckon"

"And the..." he asked of the Shaman nodding in the direction of their new additions to the return journey hovering a little ways away from the now full wagons. Seemed he didn't even need to finish the sentence as Shaman Karguk gave a sigh.

"Yes, the Drow are returning with us, as are the two Harpells as well, though only the Harpells know we are to depart within the next hour or two. But they've been travel ready since they arrived, and they knew that we would depart at a moment's notice considering ours and the others here...relationships let's say"

"You believe they may stab us in the back my mate after speakin' such pretty words?" the Shaman's warrior wife rumbled in dark sounding amusement as the orc red armoured shaman gave a shrug.

"I think Lady Crusader will keep her word, but I also think her folk will be a whole lot less tempted to try kill off a few orc leaders if we're in the middle of a horde or stronghold rather than out in the wilds. One never knows what accidents can happen, or bandits appear, out in the wilds I'll say"

Krowluc frowned "And the riders perhaps calling for the Axe?"

Shaman Karguk shook his head "I've doubts we're ones those riders are running off to get dudes with sharp blades sent after them. For all their pretending their friends, that's a wee bit obvious considering the gap between that band departing and the riders. Hopefully, those two clerics that got added on to their band will make the difference, even assuming I'm right in what I'm thinking...anywho, are there any objections or issues with us moving to depart now?"

"None Shaman, we're ready to move whenever you command. I've already got scouts ranging forward in case of any trouble" he answered honestly. While the first day or so had been a period where many or his, non-orc mostly, riders had been excited to be in a town that wasn't the stronghold...that had faded. As always Krowluc could admit from personal experience; it was all well and good getting out of the wild. But booze cost money, and here hard discipline had to be maintained due to the presence of so many enemies here in territory that was neutral but could have just as easily turned hostile. Considering the powers available to the local lunatic wizards the effort to avoid causing anything more than bar brawls was something he had gotten fully behind during this brief stay.

"Good, what I want to do is keep the ten drow ladies in with the wagons and the Harpell's. Well, the two of them and their three or four bodyguards...hmm, anyway, other than that I think same formation as when we travelled to here. And make sure your scouts are ready for the band I foresaw entering our lands. Ideally we'll avoid them, but there's no guarantee. Doctor Ned you're..."

"Oh indeed, Scrying ahead and watching for such a strange band as you described! And keeping nasty eyes away too...Never fear! Doctor Ned is here!...to help!" the ridiculous dressed wizard announced cheerful from his place sitting upon 'his' wagon just behind Shaman Karguk. Ridiculously dressed or not Krowluc was glad to have the added magical strength with them on the journey; after all he'd seen the powers available to the mad mage. Still, best try to keep an eye on him...

"I'm sure Nimmil would be glad to aid yourself, and Lady Missy if she wishes, in that matter and others if you require" he left unsaid that the gnomish illusionist was still fuming after he won't allow her to get completely drunk and celebrate in her normal manner. In a town filled with insane wizards it was best not to add the Company's Dread Gnome and her drunken antics to the mix he suspected. Ideally they run across some nice weak stupid idiots and she could work out her frustrations in productice ways like setting said idiots on fire; otherwise it was going to involving letting her enjoy her drunken madness upon the return to the valley and stronghold proper.

"I think we'll keep Nimmil with myself and Missy actually...at least while we ride herd on Harkle and Bella...and on Qilue and her priestesses too I guess...so we can cooperate with our spell-casting in the event of ambush..."

'Left unsaid the part about ensuring such mages do not cause any trouble I expect' Krowluc thought as he listened obediently as the Shaman, and his warlike wife, gave the outline of the intended travel route. They had alot of magical support on this run...but that could be a sword with no grip at times if an argument broke out between. So it was good to know his employers were focused on maintaining solid marching discipline with so many differing groups in the caravan; especially with these Drow suddenly being escorted. It spoke of dealings beyond Krowluc's current level of contract after all.

So he'd just focus on following orders as keeping order within the caravan was headache enough, even without mages, and drow, and potential vision-induced bandits. Half the riders weren't under his command, or even the Shaman's clan, and that had meant Spartan 'Red Branch Knights' that formed the Shaman's Bodyguards/Enforcers spent much time watching everyone like hungry eagles. Much like he himself had been Krowluc could admit as it only took angry fool stabbing another and there'd have blood on the streets. He resisted smiling at the follow up to that thought; if anyone got uppity and troublesome...then they got dead pretty fast in Sparta clan.

"Captain Krowluc, Captain Obould, a word before ye leave" the Shaman stated as the brief discussion ended and all the others moved to depart. Krowluc still wasn't sure to make of the powerfully built orc from the Spine of the World; other than he was strong, and most dangerous of all due its rareness amongst the sons of powerful clan's warchiefs...a functioning brain, one with willingness to learn at that. Still his presence and that of his own band of warriors, even if most had remained behind in the stronghold for lack of a mount, hinted that the battles come the summer were not likely to be pleasant if interest was been attracted from so far away. With everyone other than themselves and his bodyguard out of earshot the Shaman glanced off towards wagons then back towards them.

"Right, nothing major but make sure to keep a firm hand on yer riders around the Drow, especially around their High Priestess. I need them unharmed, and not frothing for our blood because someone took a fancy to try screwing an elf, or because something looked shiny"

Krowluc nodded in understanding, as did the other orc Captain currently in charge of the non-Sparta clan riders though his tone was curious "I'll make sure none of those I command act above themselves, though what use are they if they are so weak as to need our protection?"

Shaman Karguk shook his head "Need our protection? No...this is for the protection of all those idiots in our ranks, and maybe even ourselves if things go awry. Don't let her young looks and body shape fool you...she is old and powerful, to the level of High Priest Phargk of the Night-tombs strong, except older. She dances around naked in tunnels and in the wild where lots of dangerous enemies want her dead, and she's still alive and most of those who stood against her...are not. They would useful potential ally against others of her kind who follow the Spider-Goddess, but a dangerous foe too if handled badly. So keep watch on them for any threat, or things they seem wary off, and keep the warriors in line basically. I know I can trust both of ye to bash any heads that need it"

Krowluc gave a chuckle "Aye Boss, no worries there. Any heads that need breakin' will get broken I can tell ya here and now"

"Heh, easily done Shaman..." the powerfully built young orc standing beside him rumbled back with a nod "...and you give much to think on, and I will be glad to be gone from this place. It stinks of the enemies of our people. Best to return and prepare for the glorious battles to come"

"Well, this was the easy part I'm afraid Captain and preparing for the battle is struggle in of itself..." the Shaman replied with a sigh "...we're all on the one side now...in-theory...so treat the Priestess and her escort as a trail run for when we must move with the Uthgardt to face our common foe without murdering each other on the way"

The northern orc gave a rumbling chuckle "Is why chiefs have shamans, to do such things"

"Evidently" Shaman Karguk grumbled before giving a shrug "Ah well, such is life. Now, unless there are any questions I think it is time I tell our human wizards, and the drow priestesses that we are moving..."

--

[Zahgorim 24]

South-East of the Valley of Sparta

"Looks like Karg was right in his visions, four of them out there. And supposedly a tame demon of some sort nearby that slaughtered the scouting warband. Think we can take them?" he rumbled out in a chuckle to those around him, kneeling on the overhanging slope and gazing into the valley below.

Mostly to the ancient Shaman of the Nighttombs of course, but also to ensure that there would be no silly business about the taking down of this dangerous quarry. Or in dispute the claim he and the clan had spoken over the female captive that Karg has asked...warned him...to be taken alive or bad things were in the future according to the visions. The only real problem was...well there were two human females and it wasn't particularly easy to tell which was the important one and which the wizard one.

"Oh yes, young warchief, as you wish. Though the golem raised by dark magics will be no easy thing to overcome with steel alone..." the ancient Shaman gave a wicked looking grin of feral intent "...but such a creature shall be my joy to destroy, even more so if these words of a powerful foe controlling the monstrosity from afar like a coward"

Old Taugh grunted in agreement as they remained under cover of the sides of the valley, as below the warriors readied their ambush of the four human riders edging forward into the pass. Out of sight, the 'golem' creature must lurk Zahgorim expected "Aye Holy One, as you say. My Chief our warriors, and your Holy Ones, are ready for the battle that comes and know their duty. Priestess Ogrash and her acolytes is also waiting below to heal and cast their magics as needed"

Zahgorim nodded, taking his helm and slamming it down upon his head "Well then, let's go make these outlanders pay for killing our warriors in our lands. Just make sure to take the females alive and untouched or there'll be consequences"

All three passes that humans had to pass through had been covered, and now that they knew which one they were heading through, he and those around him descended swiftly down the slopes to the ambush force hidden in the trees and hillocks below. Night was falling, and at the current speed of the riders it would be just as the sun died for another day that they would blunder across the ambush party he expected.

He expected them to be on guard after wiping out Knurck's scouting patrol, but these were his clan's lands and these humans seemed less than experienced travelling over them than any Uthgardht enemy would. As he thudded softly off of the soft earth Ogrash gave a faint hand gesture of greeting and a hissed "Would you be bloody quieter in that big damned suit of metal ah yours Zah"

'Fine, Fine' he motioned back crouching down into the underground along with his personal guard of the clan's best warriors and those of the recently returned High Shaman Phargk of the Night-tombs. And then it was the boring waiting part of a prepared ambush as time drifted by in silence. Just the whistling of the winds through the mountains, and the gradual darkening of the sky above as the hateful fled in the face of the welcoming darkness of the oncoming night. Eyes and ears sought out every detail of the approaching four, shifting position silent at the indication of the High Shaman and the scouts above as between their eyes, and those of his 'magic bird' and then...

The sounds of horseshoes on cold hard earth mixed with the faintest whisper of voices on the wind...and then the four were at the furthest edge of his vision. Clustered close together, with heavy cloaks against the cold winds over them as they spurred their mounts forward; likely seeking out the nearest area to shelter for the night.

Or merely to get through the pass before the bleeding sun descended fully and their human eyes struggled more than an orcs would. Zahgorim gestured silently with his gauntleted hand, matched by one of his captains's a moment later and then up and down the line as the four neared and moved warily forward. Ah, one of them was bound to the saddle of their horse, or at least looked that way with a rope guide lead from the mount and rider in front of it.

There was no warning for the humans as his warriors nearest to them burst from cover, stabbing spears at the ready, and slammed home the sharp points into mounts or threaten enough for the creatures to rear back and throw their riders. Both of the males according to the visions were dangerous warriors to varying degrees, and one of the females was a magic user...which probably explained Karg's visions on the subject Zahgorim mused for a brief moment as he rose up with a warcray and locking shields with his warriors. Below on the slope, the humans were surprised, their mounts falling and the riders themselves having being thrown upon the ground...

...but one of the cloaked figures rolled easily out from under his horse as the shield wall began to charge down towards the fight. Rolled, then let fly one dagger, then another, that slammed into two of the attacking clan warriors and either killing or knocking them out of the fight. Zahgorim frowned that the human had managed such a thing even before coming out of the awkward roll sword flashing, and slashing, across the throat of one of the nearby young spear-wielders. Still, that meant he had separated a little distance from his compatriots...

"Archers! Spears! Kill him!" he roared out loudly as the human tried to dash away and jump upon a rock to break up the grouping of clan-orcs around the still living horse. Despite the distance... a dagger suddenly thudded into the thick shield Zahgorim held before him as the human performed an annoyingly acrobatic manoeuvre. Airborne to throw the dagger, then slamming downwards with a kick and forcing himself amongst the clustered warriors and now safe from threat of the archers as Zahgorim growled in frustration before snapping out commands to Karg's Battlestaves as the other three attempted to rise.

"Battlestaves! Knock them out!"

"BOK! COME! SAVE ME!" the slightly hysterical sounding voice of one of the females came to his ears just as he let out a warcry and the shieldwall slammed into the nearest human male. Who, unlikely his free flowing and death dealing comrade, had only just managed to stagger back to his feet. Now standing with weapon ,ready shield and sword in a guard position...before two squads of heavily armoured clan-orcs smashed into him, knocking him to the ground either death or unconscious as Zahgorim pressed on towards the 'prize' of sorts.

'Knock out the caster first!' his mind shouted at him as they tried to get the formation to move faster as the standing human female started to chant. There were still a few metres between them...

...when her eyes rolled up in her head suddenly and she collapsed to the ground snoring. He blinked, and a brief glance showed that two of the young Battlstaves had just completed their spells and dealt with that problem at least. Which left the human female bound at the wrists who was staggering to her feet...and the whirling dervish of destruction that sought to fight his way clear despite warriors moving to surround him on all sides. Zahgorim grunted, waving the warriors to surround the human with shield and spears while another group formed a solid shieldwall for the Flesh Demon that would likely soon rush to aid its masters "Surround him! Shield and Spear!"

The red-haired human female turned to run seeing him approach as his warriors, dozens now in number swarmed around what was the 'Assasin' as Karg called him and began to stab and stab as the circle closed on the human. But just like with the snarling and swearing male, the female realised she was trapped; turning this way and that as his personal guard surrounded her in a rough circle and he strode towards her, sheathing his weapon as he so had one of his gauntleted hands free.

The sounds of blade on flesh, followed by the end of the humans swearing, indicated at least that problem had been dealt with he noted as the female staggered and fell as she moved away from him. She hissed at him..in hate and hear, as he grabbed her by the leg as she fell upon her back and yet still tried to delay the inevitable by sliding away. Useless kicking at his shield with the other free leg, and failing despite being bound at the wrists, followed and he couldn't help but chuckle at it and the hissing snarled curses at him.

"Trust Karg to send me to capture a female orc in human flesh!" he half-shouted as he brought his shield away and grabbed the other flailing leg. Something those warriors standing nearest to him chuckled at as one of them came forward with a rope and bound the legs together securely, then another binding the human's wrists to her waist as she continued to cursed at him despite her apparent terror. He snorted in amusement as she still tried to roll away; instead he grabbed her around the waist, slinging her over his shoulder in an easy motion as she grunted at the movement.

"Oh be quiet you! Your gonna be kept nice and safe till I can give ya to Karg and let him...do his Shaman vision thing. Count yerself lucky Red!" he told her with a pat on the buttocks, which caused another round of curses and flailing as he turned.

"Oggy? The creature with them?"

His friend, first mate of Karguk, and Priestess strode towards him and grabbed the girl on his shoulder by the hair to inspect her "Good, alive and unharmed. Fiesty one too, might be bit orc blood in'her if the Gods sendin' visions of her...and Yes the Old Scary Bastard has that thing on fire while his warriors managed to take off its leg just on other side of the rocks. Cuz hells below were that blasted creature running faster than a beast its size and weight should move at!"

Zahgorim nodded, in agreement and at the snoring human in robes nearby with warriors milling about while 'guarding' her form "Well hopefully the Holy One can deal with the Beast, so do you and your females want to secure Red here and Sleepy over there and we'll move to aid the old shaman and Karg's trainee wizards..."

--

[Maekrix'edar'nesh Kirask'Iden'nabal 03]

Menkin's Magical Tavern & Apothecary, Stronghold of Sparta

"Coughing nows Fueryons" he instructed his slave standing beside her kneeling form, resting a hand on the weird-not-scaly-flesh as she did as instructed "Agains!"

Menkin nodded to himself feeling the motion of the muscles as his slave coughed again, then breathed deeply at his command 'Good, good, all is healthy and lungs are strong...sickness all gone quicker than thinks. Potion effect better than expected must make note'

Ordering her to remain in place he moved back to the where his Tome of Kobold Knowledge rested, taking the quill in hand, and after dipping it in the inkwell scribbled down that very fact and seeing what else he needed to check. Knowledge was power, and considering his personal slave had been badly ill for several days...well, losing her efforts, and spending time healing her, best be put to some use he found with the studying of the fever and his treatment of it. The potion of Cure Disease had solved the worst of it, ending the outbursts of laughing and body itch she'd suffered, but the after effects had lingered for just over two days before she'd slept through enough to recover fully.

Now he'd lost a week's worth of work from her, and seen a bad reduction in output from her breeder Vaerier due fretting over its offspring; non-dragon-blooded creatures being strange like that he'd found. Someday he would make a study of such strangeness...most likely when he was a dragon and had trained Fueryon and Vaerier to a level capable of handling all the boring work. For now though, such matters must be handled by his capable claws as he returned over to the freshly scrubbed clean slave and continued with the general check-up on its health. The faint smell of herbs and flowers were far more palatable he found than the horrid stink of sweat soaked flesh and damp fur during the sick days.

"Hmm...hmm, need gets Fueryons fed and back to exercising again Menkins thinks. Fueryons is hungries Menkins expects? Does still feeling weaks?" he noted critically inspecting her musculature, mildly unhappy to note little in the way of fat after the long winter and then several days of eating only what liquid meals they'd almost had to shove down her throat along with some bread. Scribbling into the tome beside him he made a note to increase her feedings and make more efforts to strengthen muscles.

"Hungry yes Master, but the tiredness is gone and I am eager to get back to serving you" she stated back as he moved to standing in front of her and grabbed at her arms and shoulders to check the muscles. He gave an amused hiss-snort at that.

"Slave is tired of dark empty room Menkins thinks and not just eager to gets back to works. Menkins had planned lets you rest another day and night here, but maybe best comes with Menkins to markets instead...hmm...hmm..." he took a potion and handed it to his slave "...drinkings this, then follows Menkins goes to room to makes notes and thinks a moments. Needs dress Fueryons warms; Menkins be mad if slave get sick again after Menkins healings you all up."

Placing the tome into his satchel, and throwing and the other items over his shoulder he scrambled up the wooden steps from this room built into the hill and into the back area of his new tavern built into the caves of the stronghold's hilly parts. Spotting the half-orc slave finishing her task of sweeping the floors he commanded her to clean the room, and beddings, where Feuryon had been resting before striding on to his room and unlocking it with a spell with Feuryon a step behind. While she clothed herself in a fur trimmed cloak over a thick tunic and belted pants he hopped up into his chair and began to take out the various items he wanted to bring with him to the trade later...

A knock at the door after a few minutes brought the bowing form of his senior slave Vaerier through a moment later "Master; You ordered me to report upon the Shaman and his party were due to return and the horse-orcs have been spotted approaching in the distance and should arrive soon those in the common room have indicated"

"Yes-yes, goods-goods, Vaeriers minding taverns and Menkins brings Feuryons and doings much business..." he told them hopping off the chair, grabbing his staff and satchel as he did so "...yes-yes much doings, comings Feuryons must be goings. Bringings foods withs us! Mush-mush alls! Wagons to be tradings!"

Getting there ahead of the big stupid-orcs and others like that evil gnome was important to ensure all of the goods he wanted could be gotten as quickly as possible. The half-orc Krowluc had agreed to purchase for him goods from the humans if they had any of it, though the beers and wines for to sell at great profit would be the foremost amongst them, followed by herbs and other such seeds not nearby. Waving his staff and muttering loudly cleared some idiots out of the way of the future mighty dragon as he walked out into rather cold day despite coming into mid-spring at least. Placing his super-awesome-fancy-hat-with-feather upon his noble dragonic head he pushed forwarded as he saw clusters of orcs and others beginning to stroll in that direction as well as word spread of a returning warband.

Heavily armed orcs were roaring at some stupid goblins who were causing problems as best Menkin could tell, though he ignored them as his and his slave's booted feet trod down the steps to the area below. As always it was an impressive sight to look out over the valley...and ah for the day when he would soar majestically over the lands gazing down at all the tiny folk beneath him looking up in jealousy at him. Because that would show those stupid idiots back in his home mountain village with their 'cunning plans' and traps more dangerous to themselves than anyone else who was the best kobold ever born there. Maybe he'd even write a tome one day about 'how to lay traps without killing yourself and your friends for dum-dums' to help correct that. That'd show'em...

"...and says Shaman is back with more evil scary darkie elf females"

"Krazy Karguk is Krazys, is nothing new. Gotta wonder does he just go up to elfy cities and say 'give mes urs females or elses!' instead of looking for proper loots"

He shoved...well had the now somewhat larger Feuryon...the way clear for him as some orc guards, a young one and an old one, coming back up the steps talked amongst themselves. It seemed the party of riders had already returned he noted as these ones seemed to be carrying word of that arrival up to the stronghold proper at an easy pace. Sadly he was forced to wait a few moments to let them pass as they were rather big, Feuryon was just barely recovered from her illness, and setting them fire like he wished to would probably get the big Warchief and crazy Shaman of the orc tribe mad at him. So he stood aside with Feuryon behind him and let the two orcs in the clan's Legion colours pass by as they prattled away.

"Is probably some plans from his mate. Steals all the elfy womens and then the elfy mens can't have no more elfy babies. Boom! Thens we walks ins and takes overs! Priestess Ogrash idea probably like says"

"Or is just his crazy magic strong females fetish, evens got Chief Zahgorim copying him now and capturing crazy redhead human and wizard. In my day you took the big hipped obedient one!"

"In your day we wuzz eating shit and being chased all time. Ah don't want live in your day, ah like..."

With them past he continued his descent and managed to catch sight of the wagons assembled just in the area between the earthen walls with its wood & stone gatehouse and the stables of the orc clan. All around were the dismounted riders, some leading horses towards the stables while others stood guard over the wagons being brought through the gate against the growing crowd around them. One of them caught sight of him, the human male that tried slept with everything that was female regardless of species...and that Menkin would not let near any of his slaves. Despite that Menkin waved with his staff, and after some shouting from the big burly armoured Orc Captain was allowed to pass through the crowd.

"Hey Menkin, your here right quick..." the plated armoured half-orc stated taking off his great helm and resting back against a wagon as Menkin approached "...ya'll be glad to hear got most all the stuff ye wanted. Got two wagons full ah mead, wines and other strong bottles of booze fer ya. Let you check'em first course, but most of the lot smelled fine, and the few samplin' we took had not no-one getting sick or dyin...so all good there. Little rat bastard of a gnome who owned the tavern their screwed us good bit on the price but nuffin more than what you said to keep below"

"And herbs? Re-gen-ants? Not-boose stuffs Menkins wantings and givings to sells?"

"Not so good luck there Menks, sold the stuff for a good price but they just didn't have much in the way to sell what with all the fightin' cutting trade routes an' what not. The mad wizards who lived there sold a few of the rare ones you wanted...but anything that wasn't grown there isn't gettable fraid little mate"

Menkin grumbled a moment at that as the half-orc pulled satchel from the wagon behind him "...did manage get some of the better parchment, and all the writing equipment ya wanted...even with the Boss Shaman making his best effort to buy it all up for hisself"

'That is good news, mostly' Menkin admitted taking the satchel and looking inside as he answered "Yes-yes, what Menkins wanting hears, yes-yes. So Krowlucs comes drinks and eatings withs Menkins and Feuryons yes-yes?"

The half-orc gave an amused snort "And have me boys and girls bring's the wagons to the tavern while ah do that?"

Menkin shrugged "Wells if Krowlucs and warriors comings to feast with Menkins thens maybe bestests for thems to brings stuff to..."

--

[Karguk 45]

Underkeep, Stronghold of Sparta

Whelp...my current little nightmare wasn't exactly what I expected when Oggy and Zah had told me of their heroics. And of the two prisoners sitting in the Underkeep, along with the two very dead humans a flesh golem in the taking of said prison, which had been the result of said heroics. Now I had a complete and utter derail of certain events on my hands as well as having two very dangerous potential problems; an apprentice of the Host Tower, and Catti-fucking-Brie.

So while I'd resisted (mightily) the urge to freak out at the news I'd steeled myself for finding some way to deal with this scenario as Oggy and Zah led me into the Keep of the Stronghold and got through ground rules in regards those who'd arrived with me with the other clans. So I was tired and stressed when I was finally brought to the cell of...

...not exactly what I expected really my mind noted as I entered the 'larger' of the secondary rooms here in the Underkeep of the stronghold. What I'd expected was a dangerous, orc hating, Mielikki worshipping, nutter of a human, eyes blazing with defiance and someone I'd be happy to send on their merry way to get her the fuck away from my children and those of the rest of the clan. Instead...I found a scared red-haired teenager just turned adult huddling up against the furthest stone wall of her 'cell' and staring at me framed in the doorway in a combination of terror and defiance.

The room was fairly sparse, a clean bed of straw for her to sleep on in an alcove where I expect a proper bed had been millennia ago, a stone 'chairs' and table worked into the floor and wall of the room, and...that was basically it as we just stared at each other a moment; her on her bed of straw, and me in the doorway with my guards at my back before I waved them away and entered. I sighed, striding forward and sitting down on one of the stone 'chairs' that was really just a simple stone stool and motioned at the one on the other side. Still, it was plenty large for the large bottle of strong ale, two wooden cups, and a large crude wooden bowl filled with bread, cheese, fruit and dried meat.

"You're not what I expected honestly...now please have a seat and we can have a little talk, you and I. And please...don't throw your chamber pot at me. It won't hurt me and there's an army all around you. Here food and drink for you while we chat" I told her adjusting my sword belt as it tapped off the stone floor and she eyed me as best she could in the faint illumination of the prison cell. It was almost pitch black in here, the only light sources being the oxygen producing glow-fungi that we'd gotten from various caves in the valley. Hardly ideal with human eyes, but Oggy had warned the young woman had grabbed for a dagger and tried escaping upon getting untied.

'Not that I'm surprised, a bunch of orcs take off her clothes as well as the ropes tends to elicit such panicked reactions' I thought as she just stayed there staring at me with knees up to her chest, then her arms wrapped around them. Oggy probably did it deliberately; she enjoyed the freak outs a little too much sometimes I found. Though, I supposed I should be glad she gave the girl clothes after having her washed down even if it was a just a cloth wrap top and loincloth made out of simple string and white coloured cloth. Not something that'd be ideal on the outside with the recent cold snap, but for the comfortable warm of the Underkeep it was fairly ideal...and likely made it harder for her to try escape.

"Poison..." she muttered loudly at me, still huddling back into the, to her, darkness of the sleeping alcove "...I won't...you won't..."

"I'll eat and drink it with you to show you its perfectly safe. I'm hardly going to try tricking you into eating or drinking poison when you're in the position you're in now am I? And I'm here to talk about getting you back to your father Bruenor, your barbarian fiancée, and that drow fella that spend all the time with us in Longsaddle being chased by scantily clad drow women wanting to have their wicked way with him. Oh, and the halfing too I suppose" I replied tiredly opting for mild snark and trying to shake her out of fearful defiance by referencing Dwarf King Daddy and his strangely lobsided adventuring party. Something that achieved success as she shot to her feet as if she'd sat on a hot piece of coal and made to move towards me in a panic...before freezing a metre away and hugging herself as words tumbled out of her mouth.

"What? You LIE orc...my father and the others would never...sit down and...with orcs. Drizzt is what? Are you threatening...but he said his women were...I have to get to them! Let me go! That's what you said! You..."

I motioned at the other side of the table as she babbled a moment "Please have a seat, you've under my protection till we get you gone, but we have to talk about all those things. I know a bit about you Catti-Brie, and your adopted father and his group have gone on towards Mithril Hall. Which I want to help them succeed in, and my clan just freed you from your captors did we not?"

"And put me in another cage! Here the darkest pits of your dungeon!" she retorted...but moved carefully take a seat across from me, stance wary and ready to fight despite being unarmed and unarmoured unlike myself. I won't let my own guard down though, I'd read enough on her and her companions to risk doing that. Despite that I forced myself to remain calm and friendly as she rested hands on the edges of the stone table and glanced at the food and drink suspiciously. I took up the large bottle of strong ale and began to fill the two cups as I replied with a sigh.

"You stabbed one of my clan's warriors Catti-Brie, swore curses at the clan chief, and my wife as well I might add, so honestly you're lucky they didn't whip your back raw in punishment. That's what the Uthgardt would have done for a woman doing that..." though everyone in the clan found it absolutely hilarious rather than threatening or insulting evidently "...or heaven forbid if pulled it in the face of Luskan or Mirabar's rulers. So, yeah, this was till I returned and you can be trusted to not try stab people I may like. Now...here have a drink with me and relax a moment"

I downed the thankfully ice cold red coloured ale in one drink, giving a contented sigh before refilling it "See, all save and sound to drink.." I blinked as she basically copied me in downing the cup, mostly in her seeming urgency to quench her thirst now that she was somewhat believing I wasn't trying to poison her...coughing after a moment as she drank too much, too fast "...okay then. Here, let me refill that for you"

Silence reigned for the time being, though she hesitantly allowed me to refill her wooden cup and place the bottle between us on the table. Breaking a piece of bread in half after a few minutes of the silence between sipping at the ale, I took a bit out of my half while handing the other to her then visibly taking a bite and eating part of my own. Oh she hated me, and feared me too, but she was behaving at least for the moment while staring at everything and anything but me while slow starting to pick at the food before her. Unsurprising really she'd hardly eaten or drank anything since being captured two days ago...and it showed as the slow picking at food turned into starting to savagely devour it. I decided to fill the silence as I shifted my weight and rested one leg on the other.

"Now, your companions have left Longsaddle for the lost dwarf fortress of Mithril Hall as I said. That's a problem I'm afraid because and I've spoke Harkle Harpell on it..." and boy was that a nuisance since he had a crush on the other prisoner evidently. Emphasis on had till she'd been placed in a truth circle and told him her...true feelings...so to speak; I'd sort out what to do with her next I guessed "...and sending you on to Longsaddle right now is not an option; in part due to the big giant war going on here, and also part due to who you are and the danger of others taking charge of you"

Distrust, suspicion, distaste, shone on that face as she refilled the cup again. In a way it'd be ideal if she did drink more, so I said nothing about that as she addressed me "You're...keeping me prisoner here! You'll never break me Orc!"

"No I won't, nor harm you unless you force me too in self-defence. And honestly I want you gone as soon as possible girl. You are a danger to me and mine because of who'll want to use you as bargaining chip to get at your father and friends, and I know that's why Malchor Harpell and his brother the Mage-Lord are leaving stuck here for now. If you turn up in Longsaddle and the Mirabarans there get wind of who you are..." I waved my hand in a gesture of swatting a fly.

"...that would likely end in your position as their captive, or dead in a ditch. I'll be letting you talk to both Harpells later, so you can ask and confirm all this with them by the way. You hate and distrust orcs, that's understandable, but I can't let you endanger the clan either. So I'm willing to let you stay in a variety of places within the stronghold, with humans but under guard, or a room of your own within my tower under my wife's, my human wife's, monitoring..."

Actually the fact the Six Gods-slaves wanted to bunk with Catti-Brie was concerning in of itself "...also under guard because my children live there too and you will stay well away from the young of the clan do you understand? I know what you can become Catti-Brie under Mielikki's guidance"

She jerked a moment at my tone at the end of the sentence "I...I...I what?"

I resisted wincing, instead sighing at my emotions getting ahead of my planned friendly-friendly approach and spilling the beans "You'll find out eventually, but I have...prophetic visions...let us say and you have featured in one or two and I know what you can do, become"

Her silence told me that after indignation the fact they were only orc babies had won out and I shrugged "Yeah, what I figured. So I'm willing to let you a measure of freedom around the stronghold till I pack you off and make you someone else's problem. But I want an oath, sworn on your soulbefore your Gods that you will obey and follow my directions while you are in my care. Or, you stay in this place...with furniture additions and extra clothing, till we can find Dwarf Dad and get him to collect you. It'll be your choice on the matter"

Silence reigned as I took another sip of my ale, and she held her hands in her lap starring at the table silently as it lengthen awkwardly. After what seemed an eternity she took a shaky breath, took her cup in hand and down it in one motion, and looked *sorta* at me "I...will think on that...I...have heard of the Harpells from...if they say what you say is truth I...will swear to not cause trouble till...can get back to Bruenor and the others. They'll be...very mad if I get hurt you know that Orc?"

The last part was said more confidently, pride-filled even as she brought up chin to look me in the eyes despite the shadow darkness around us. I couldn't help but snort of amusement at that despite the implicit threat behind the statement "Oh yeah I would very much expect so Catti-Brie. And my name Karguk by the way, not Orc...if you're in trouble, or are having trouble, best ask for me with it"

Oh well, back to looking away again it seems "And the...wizard woman who was taken with me? What...what, is to happen to her?"

"Well, less pleasant things than to you I'm afraid since those she works for are trying to kill us, and that fact she is mage. Now our resident wizard, whose human pretending to be orc, actually knows well enough as he taught her...sorta...back in Luskan. Now he wants her as his slave-apprentice of sorts after doing some sort of binding thingie to ensure she don't go betraying. I met her in Luskan when I was there, bossy arrogant girl from what I remember"

The red-hair girl drinking pause, blinked, then looked at me "In Luskan...but your...and..."

I gave an extravagant motion with my hands like a stage magician "I was in disguise! A wig and bit of makeup and they never..."

--