In My Time of Troubles

by Crossposted

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

30. Entry 30

When: Summer, 1356 Dale Reckoning

Where: Blood Glaive Peak Stronghold, The Crags

Well, their sufferings have come to an end. Or at least they have on this plane of existence; Lloth is not the most pleasant/forgiving of Goddesses according to all sources I've known. Honestly it was a rather horrendous experience to have to endure being involved with, even if that involvement was just watching in silent hopefully stoic horror and learning dark magic rituals from my 'mentor' the Dark Orc Lord. That part our new 'ally' and current guest, Chosen Drow Priestess, wasn't around for despite the disturbing generalised support behind 'finding out what they know' and 'ending the threat' implied by her.

So we've executed-sacrificed the two surviving would-be assassins; and I've had a nice long drink, sleep, and some debauchery to ease the crippling stress and sense of horror in the immediate aftermath of things. Still mentally scarring, oh yes it was, but work and day to day issues of the coming campaigns post-defeat are something to take the mind off all the nightmares of this nasty death world. And there has been plenty of that too do in getting this army back into something resembling fighting shape despite our much reduced numbers after the battle.

Writing helps too I find, even if into my spell-book and 'experimental log & notes' tome rather my diary, and knowledge is knowledge however dark in origin. Phargk is evil, and cruel, but his powers are real and methods are practical if nightmarish and monstrous. Countering blood magic sadly requires knowing about said blood magic, and damned if not getting an unwanted education on the subject right now. So, more blood was spilled and that damnable black staff did...something? and activated in some manner for yet other quest ordained by the Gods themselves. What exactly I don't know, Phargk doesn't entirely know perhaps or merely refrains from discussing it full to myself and the other clerics beyond the Gods have granted us their blessings. Two more to go then it seems; Yurtus White-Hands and Shargass the Night-Lord to go it seems.

So many things are signed in blood, fire, and violence with us it seems. From this barebones alliance with Drow, to the confirmation of loyalty by all remaining clans to the new Illuskan Kingdom, and finally our High Shaman becoming our Holy Illuskan Emperor. Or Warlord in the minds and words of some, it often being the 'traditional' title after all; though Darth Phargk wants to be The Emperor, so that's hunky-dorky with me all things being honest. That and it's not like I could do anything to stop him, since the ancient bastard has been the lynchpin leader of our merry little alliance and right now we're somewhat on the back foot after the battle, and resulting desertions.

The nature of titles aside, along with bloody sacrifices through naked beheadings, the practicalities of such discussions is what to do in the coming weeks now that position becomes clearer in regard our foes to the north, east, and west. By this of course I mean what we plan to do now that pursuit looks less and less likely, but scouts have reported small raiding bands of bandits, murder-hobos, and of course deserters beginning to appear nearby. Word has been sent from the valley at home of similar small raids on the edges by small bands, and of previously vassal clans turning upon our alliance in rebellion – ie, making a raid on our lands. Which is why myself and Zah left half the clan's forces behind, even if only a core were of the 'elite' forces and the rest basic trainees; between them and some 'adventurers' of our own these raids ended poorly for these raiders.

So far at least, and the summer is rapidly drawing to a close. Time is of the essence right and we are in 'discussions' over what to do next now that we're recovering our strength. Perhaps too long now that I'm thinking more clearly – the Uthgardt have slipped away and could be doing anything from rallying, to preparing a mass raid against any of us now our forces are concentrated here. We don't know basically, and there's a need to get things organised before we crush our foes at our backs now we might have some time before Luskan comes for us. Or sends mages after us now that we know they have some deal with the Drow – concentrating here is also going to stretch supply lines as harvest season starts to approach. There is a limited time for doing things before we need to get crops brought in and stored away. (Even if I'm the only one who seems to grasp such minor details at times)

Anyway, most go for now; another round of the shouting match to stand through.

--

When: Summer, 1356 DR

Where: My Tent, Blood-Axes Camp

Another week/ten-day of shouting, threatening, and haggling there is something of plan in place and we are soon to be upon the move. Praise the Boss. Firstly it's hunting season on murder-hobos within the Crags firstly, well, at least for those not willing to bend the knee and serve Illusk and the Greater Good. Unlikely they will but it doesn't matter how the problem is dealt with; only that it is dealt with. In the end it's not the primary concern right now, merely a danger in case a veteran and powerful adventuring band appears amidst them and does massive danger relative to their numbers. Still, much like the other things, it's something that must be dealt with and that's what's going to happen in tandem. So our new murder-hobo guild will hunt down their murder-hobos as well; fighting fire with fire there.

As I said it isn't a primary goal for now; for now the main target are the rebel clans, and those that are wavering, along with finally dealing with the Sky Pony problem. Order, our order, will be brought to the Crags and any who deserted, or rose in rebellion in the case of certain tribes of orcs, goblins, and other vassals, will get a chance to bow once more or get destroyed. Achieving that result means campaigning, and that means splitting our forces – which is what we are going to do now. Of course holding the northern areas here, especially post raid, is vital as well so Holy Emperor Phargk, Blessed of the Blah, Blah, Blah, is remaining here with his clan and a dozen minor ones and the Blood Axes as one 'Legion' to do that. (And sit on the Red Axes in part too I expect)

The actual 'crush every orc clan not allied with us' falls to ourselves and Moonblades; each of our clans taking over a 'Legion' each made up of the smaller clans allied and hammer them into something a coherent fighting force in the process. The Moonblades targets are the western and southern areas of the Crags, while our own is in bringing the Uthgardt and the strongholds to the east back in line while returning home and sorting out clan succession with Breyjuk dead. Really that means Breyza taking up the position of Chieftess (hence why leaving her and Oggy in charge while we were on campaign) but that'll mean either myself or Zah staying in the valley while the other campaigns.

Initial plan is to march tomorrow back to our valley, with the Moonblades who'll continue unto their own, and reorganise ourselves before marching on our foes before summer ends and we need to get in the harvest. Short, sharp, campaigning – those that bow, great, and those that don't get crushed if possible and if not then we target them next year or after we return and get in the harvest. The Sky Ponies are getting the same offer as an orc clan would; bow down and have a place, resists and die – truth be told their practically orcs in nature anyway so they'll largely get 'equality' in terms of being an 'orc' clan within the alliance. We take their boys and men and beat them into a Legion like we're doing with ever other clan.

Unity will be brought about with discipline. We need to build up a military machine capable of surviving those Mirabaran and Luskan back-stabbers in the years to come; from farms to feed it, mages to shield it, and pike formations to shatter enemy cavalry outside these mountains. Oh, and not forgetting settling our 'free village/town/stronghold/whatever of Drow that we've promised Qilue Veladorn in whatever area strikes her fancy. Idly nearby to our stronghold, there's a few spots just outside the valley that are defensible and open to expansion into farmland – or they settle in our valley for a time till they have more a dozen people to live there before they move. If murderous drow are coming after us, then we might as well have our own to...

Have to go, longer than I thought. Seems to be time to shout at people again as part of the last 'council' of the clans before marching; fun times.

--

[Ogrash 13]

Stronghold of Sparta

The evening sun blazed hatefully down outside the windows Ogrash found pushed off herself up from her bedding with a yawn. Rubbing at her face she noted her body-slave Kethri slide to her knees and press forehead to ground with a 'Mistress how may I serve?' in greeting as one of the whelps wailed hungrily across the room to the slave's younger sister. For the moment she ignored the slave, and the whelp that quietened down as Mara took Ogkra up to suckle at her teat, instead shoving her hair back and attempting to wake herself up and head out into this summer heat. Through the window slits from outside the noise of the stronghold's activities reached her ears; shouting, the clatter of wooden training swords, and the creak of wooden wheels.

After stretching her arms out with a last yawn she glanced down at Kethri "Get up, your Mistress has much to do so get my boots. You will follow..." Ogrash glanced towards the younger human female "...Mara you shall tend the whelps and den. Later I will send a guard with word and you will bring the whelps to the Keep and guard them. Understood?"

"Yes Mistress" was the immediate response from both, Kethri having rising to her knees and bowing her head while Ogrash's favorite Mara gave a nod of the head so as not to disturb the suckling whelp held against her breast. Order given, and another stretch, she strode forward and grabbed one of the lighter robes from the neatly stacked bundles of cloth on wooden shelves. At the start she'd thought Karg a bit silly training the two body-slaves to do that, wasting time even, but it was ideal when you just wanted to find the right thing and not rummage (or have a slave rummage) through a pile of clothes. Now it was mere moments after rising from her bedding she had the sleeveless dress emblazoned with the Goddess's sigil to cover her nakedness, and her staff of office taken into hand, without any effort.

She glanced at the swiftly approaching form of Kethri again; clad in loincloth and collar as the human girl knelt down and offer the firs boot for Ogrash to step into "Kethri, clean yourself off, then clothe yourself in robe or tunic for this heat so that you show the strength of your Master and Mistress's household"

It was always important to remind the other females of the clan of the well-trained obedience and health of her's and Karg's concubines. While also reminding the field slaves, orcish or not, of their place in the slave hierarchy by the higher status of those females taken into ownership by the likes of Ogrash. It was rather important to constantly remind all of their places within the clan with word of the death of Old Breyjuk having arrived, and of all those who had joined the clan in a great surge since they had taken this stronghold.

Word of the defeat of the Heretic Warlord Wyrmog had helped greatly for keeping everyone focused on gathering strength for punishing the humans that had attacked afterwards. Or, more importantly, for fighting off the bands of raiders that were suddenly pushing at the fringes of the valley in the past three ten-days; Ghorza having crucified one band she captured according to what her messenger had told them. With Karg and Zah returning soon with the clans warriors and auxlia the time to drive those fools off, and conquer those damned Uthgardt, would finally come.

Ogrash could thing of several things that could be done with a few hundred slaves from conquering them, or at least if they were subjugated into the clan as junior females at the bottom of the rungs within the clan. From growing food, to weaving the robes she now wore, there was much to be done she had learned in her short few years of being Priestess of the Cave Mother and leader of the clan's females. She gave a smile as Kargash ran around her and Kethri as she stamped the last boot on "Now Kargash obeying Mara? Be strong little warrior for Ogrash?"

"Yesh! Yesh!"

"An' if other whelps try stands over you or friends?"

"Claws them face! Kicks in cock!"

Ogrash grinned patting her eldest whelp on the head, just four summers old now but growing up fast, brave, and strong "That's a good girl! Momma so proud! Now Ogrash having go do Momma works so follows Mara and play with other whelps"

"Okays!" was the energetic answer as Ogrash ruffled the hair a moment before walking away as Kethri appeared at her side with a bow clad as instructed. Food could wait for the moment, perhaps in that kobold's tavern to give excuse to inspecting the town below and ensuring there was no troubles brewing anywhere...that was being slurred over tankards of ale and cider anyway. It was always amazing how stupid some of the would-be plotters could really...or just outright challenging the likes of her Karg, his subordinates, or just Squad Captains after a few mugs. A never ending task of weeding out the imbeciles as fresh youngsters moved to join the Big Clans of Illusk.

"Priestess" greeted her from the guards as she opened the door and getting a respectful fist to heart salute from the two at the door. Instructions repeating what she was too doing, and what Mara would so be doing, were given in a swift manner before she descended the stone stairway of the tower to the same as she passed the guards at the next level. Karg's acolytes this time rather than her own Luthican Den Guardians, and a few waved greetings to some of those with some degree of skill present on the various levels teaching smarter of the whelps in arts of the gods, or of magic.

The Gods-slaves were up already she saw descending to the lower level, already awaiting her presence as she strode into the room with her Goddess's shrine. Kethri knelt at the door as Ogrash herself moved forward to bow, then prostrate herself, before the totem and speaking words of worship to the Goddess along with the Six-Slave Sisters. Any lingering layers of tiredness left her in the gloom of the room as power manifested ever so faintly and her prayers were answered once more as the terrifying and glorious touch of the Cave Goddess's power touched her mind. Ogrash shivered in joyful fear at it as time before it ended and she moved to stand once again after the brief prayer; others matters were to be attended to today after all. Such as...

"Now you six, come with me so we can start your training for today. Bit earlier than planned, but you have eaten yes?"

"Yes Priestess of the Goddess" the chorused in that odd unison thing that they did. Ogrash nodded, motioning for them to form up and move out ahead of her; which they did as three pairs moved silent forward ahead of her as Kethri followed just behind. Two of her guards fell behind as well at a motion of her hands as the gloom of the tower gave way to the still bright and blazing evening sun of summer with each step forward. Despite that painful sun the lowest level of the tower, and the courtyard beyond, was bustling with activity as sense (and skills) was beaten into older whelps and recruits by those she, Ghorza, Missy, and Karg had trained. She snorted to herself thinking of her mate and her subordinate wife; she better be pregnant by or Ogrash would ensure they worked at it strenuously upon their return – even Ghorza finally had a whelp growing in her belly after all!

"Ah...she has been training? Long?" she queried blinking her eyes and throwing on the broad brimmed hat Mara had made for her as she came out into the yard. The guard-orc, one of old Cardacs's veterans if she remembered correctly, nodded in response as Ogrash's eyes fell upon the red hair human female clashing with one of the recruits. Though 'beating senseless' was probably a better description in Ogrash's mind as the sweat soaked human female kicked him to the ground and continued to whack him with the training sword till he called out yielding.

"Since just after high sun priestess, she is riled up and seems to have energy to burn" he replied as the human, Catti-brie her name, fell back and waited with training sword in one hand and shield in the other. Eyes glanced in her direction for a moment, before the human huffed and moved to rest against a wooden railing at Cardac's shouts to wait. Ogrash paused in thought a moment, scratching at her chin in thought a moment before turning her head to the trainer and Silver-Hair of the Gods-slaves.

"Do you wish to spar Silver? With Angry Red over there?"

"Yes Priestess, it would be most enjoyable. For this slave and to the God that this one serves with all heart"

'Yes I'm sure he would, as would Zah, and I'm sure the males here too I expect. One scantily clad female fighting an unclothed one does tend to do that, Orc God or no' she thought for the briefest moment resisting a chuckle. Instead nodding "Good, then speak with Cardac and spar with her till you both feel fit to collapse with exhaustion"

Her eyes flowed over to the guard "Encourage the female, but don't hint to her we want her to do so. Instead that it is her choice to do...though I doubt it should be hard as she has been penned up for days now. Have her healed and given stamina potions if need be...let her have...fun"

He gave the faintest nod of acknowledgement "Of course Priestess. Not gonna be hard, hateful little thing she is as well as tough. Got an orcish soul few'em thing. Though just say that too her and she'll be fighting long as can so ah'll do as you say"

"Good. Send word to me when she begins to tire" she answered then motioned at the Six Gods-slaves and then at the courtyard "...now, you six are to get to training. Exercises for you five, and Silver find a sparring partner to train with"

Today was the ideal day to grab the orc-hating human female and get her completely and utterly blackout drunk later in the darkness. Not only was it blazingly hot, already reddening the girls skin and burning water off in sweat, the exertion would exhaust her and give a great thirst once any healing magic or battlefield stamina potions wore off. At that point it would be easy enough to bring the female to the tavern and ply her with alcohol in a 'friendly' gesture towards her as Karg's 'guest' now. Shouldn't be hard as being trapped surrounded by people she feared and hated, and being largely confined to the stronghold itself, would encourage her to come down easily. Perhaps even thoughts of escape – though those didn't seem serious as the mad Wizard female assured the girl her mate was going to come for her in a season or so.

'And either her mind will be completely befuddled and willing to talk of things that might be useful, or I have a fun night myself drinking and relaxing. At least after a day of this the girl will be less of a danger should she be a violent female after booze' Ogrash mused to herself moving onwards towards the entrance of the Keep and thankfully out of the blasted heat and light. Placing the female with the Gods-slaves had lasted all of two nights before almost begging to have her own room under guard, even if chained up if need be (though Karg had told Ogrash that was out of the question even before leaving); evidently the female had suffered bad dreams...

"Ah! If itself young Karguks better half!...or quarter?..hmmm...lovely wife! Yes my apprentice's wonderful lady wife and her assistant, excellent timing!" the voice of the crazy wizard Karg had found on his Quest from the Gods. Though she would complain about this particularly wizard, he at least had turned himself into a proper orc and kept a tight leash on his armoured murder dwarf who even now followed in his wake along. Along with the very heavily dressed slave wizard that had been placed in his charge by Karg shortly after his captured of her and the red haired female outside. Ogrash couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the normally nude slave; who looked thoroughly miserable with sweaty face and tired eyes and breathing before her.

Something 'Doctor Ned' took note of glancing at her, and then at the slave, before back at Ogrash again with that ever cheerful smile on his face. Ogrash personally did like it much, but a few of the younger females had eagerly hopped into his blankets due to it...or the fact he'd gave them bigger breasts. It was hard to know with simple minded idiots like Kurhja and Iurhska really "Oh? Sydney's been rather disobedient I'm afraid...but I did promise her she'd be out of the whole 'trying to seduce your owner gets you punished' punishment so...taa-daaa! Crue suggested it though"

'Ahhh...that cruelty make sense then' Ogrash thought nodding "Oh, of course. Dwarven punishments are ever cruel and tricksy"

"Yes, it's why I have the ever lovely Crue around apart her good looks and fantastic ability to murder people I don't like! Isn't that right Syds? Isn't it just jolly good to have your dignity and modesty back?"

"I'm so very, very, sorry Master" the human whined, moaned, head downcast as the orc necromancer motioned with his hand as if to swat a fly.

"Now Syds, you got leeway with the compulsions on your collar and what to I find? Trying to sneak spells you're not able for! Tut-tut! I shall teach you reasonable necromancy even if it kills you. Can't have idiots running about giving me a bad name after training as my apprentice – no Sirree Mystra! Responsible Necromancy that's the Key my dear..." the wizard blinked and looked at Ogrash again "...Oh, yes, apologies. I just about to seek you out actually! Some of my students...

A glance at the miserable looking human girl "...obedient students that is, are ready for a bit of testing spells just up for their levels. Fair Bella agrees with me, but explosions being explosions with her around I'd like a few healers on hand just in case..."

--

[Karguk 52]

Mountain Pass, Central Crags, moving southeast towards Sparta Stronghold

The sound of feet marching in unison mingled with that of the creak of wagon wheels and clinking steel filled the evening air as our part of the in-theory united Illuskan Legions moved through the pass. Mountain fog up in the jagged peaks on either side of our marching column blocked out the blazing summer sun that seemed to have come upon us in the wake of all our battles. Something that had slowed down our largely orcish army as, Spartan training or not, we weren't exactly fans of the sun nor was there a general readiness for forced marches after all we'd fought through. So instead we moved at a slower, more disciplined, marching pace with scouts ranging out ahead and on either side of us to prevent any ambushes; while we kept a cavalry screen at the rear in case of surprise attack from there.

Mountain fogs and mists were both a positive and a negative for a force like ours on the march. Positive in that it masked our movements somewhat while shielding the column from the tiredness of marching under a hot summer sun. Negative in that mists and fogs worked to shield enemies from our forward scouts and gave less time to react to attackers as distances became shorter. Such as the 'brave band of adventurers' yesterday who'd blundered into our forward screens, or through them due to their only being five of them more factually, and gotten overwhelmed within minutes. And gotten our forward scouts shouted at alot by myself and Zah while pointing at our five new prisoner-slaves; competence wasn't high on the murder-hobos skills-list so that said bad things about our forward elements.

'Though in fairness the orc-don't-like-light-scouts missed five idiots blundering around at the height of summer sun, while that lot missed a whole army when they could see perfectly fine' I reminded myself with a glance at the five chained up begin the wagon ahead of me. No mage weirdly enough, which was a shame as they seemingly had no sorcerer or equivalent either, but they did have a useless druid and an elven priestess who I was pretty sure was straight out of acolyte-hood. Who sadly, despite the whole being somewhat useless part, were the more competent seeming of Team Unprepared for the Wilderness as they could in fact heal and move around in the wilds without starving to get.

'Because really...a team made up of a Bard, a Druid, a barely trained Monk, a Rogue of some sort, and a Cleric of a minor Goddess whose more suited for study over travelling the wilds? Yeah that's just asking for a TPK over a bunch of wolves let alone an army of orcs with minions' reminding myself that such not-the-deadliest -killers-around mentality had saved their lives despite the whole brave-and-foolish taunts given when they'd realised our presence and offered terms. Unlike the other two groups encountered by scouts and hunter bands my lot had encountered since the battle against our enemies to the north who'd ended up dead due to being either Drow murder band, or pretty much bandits role-playing at 'heroes' hired by Mirabar judging by the former farmer's wife and daughters they'd dragged along with them for later sale.

This was in many ways part of the hypocrisy of my own approach here for Illusk; freeing the three women knowing they had nothing to go back too and little chance of getting far in the Crags without starving or being eaten by some of the wildlife. But instead publically promise them a new home, freedom, and food in exchange for information on our foes and blood oaths of services...of course they'd sworn the poor abused and starving wretches that they were. Or perhaps it had been the opportunity to take a knife to the two surviving bandit-adventurers in revenge for lost father, husband, and brothers that had swayed their weeping acceptance? They'd certainly been as savage as orc women to captured enemies that had offended them at the very least.

"Thinking on what to do with them Papa?" Rose asked from beside me as we strode along with Lua, and my ever present bodyguard under Hreshgk hovering nearby. Missy had been ill somewhat these past few days, throwing up and such, so was in the wagon just behind chatting with Tris, Lara, and an Uthgardt girl named Vol on my last glance back. I shrugged at Rose's question, though as ever Lua was there to offer 'advice' on what to do on the matter.

"Woohoo new concubine! A lovely flaxen-haired darthirii priestess to boot! Oh Karg! You are the greatest jaluk ever for bringing such beauties before mine eyes"

I sighed and gave a grinning Drow a look "The worst thing is I know you're probably somewhat serious in pushing that little thought of yours Lua. But No, we both know I've claimed ownership for the very simple reason of avoiding executing or sacrificing said elf instead of putting her to more useful work and learning everything in that head of hers. That and the fact she and her friend the bard had the sense to surrender before her friends got killed earns some small measure of mercy from me if they serve. For now at least, assuming they don't cause trouble or try to escape"

The biggest problem of course lay in the fact the elf was of that very profession; priestess of Melira Taralen, Elven Goddess of Song-writing, The Arts, Bards, Minstrels, and all other things related. One of the Seldarine and loyal servant of Corrie the Idiot, so therefore bitter foe of the Orc Pantheon – and therefore blood sacrifice bait unless I took over and gave a clear reason for not killing out of hand. Something that spoke well of her all things considered as she had surrendered knowing full well all that surrendering implied in an effort to spare her friends lives. It was handling the 'spare their lives so they might heroically escape' part that I'd have to deal with going forward; if only just to deal with future prisoners after we separated the wheat from the chaff in regards the murder-hobos entering the Crags.

She huffed bringing her hands up behind her head and trying to puff out her currently unarmoured chest "Borrrinnggg Karg, and after I had all of them stripped down to their under-garments too!"

I rolled my eyes "That's called disarming them and removing their armour Lua. We do it for all prisoners remember?"

"Well...most prisoners don't have nice butts like she and her friend the monk has. Or those orbs the bard has on her..." Lua continued making gesture at her chest with both her hands "...I'd have so much fun with those. Isn't that right Rose?"

"I don't like girls Lua. The Druid has muscles and strong legs though"

"Hmm, hmm, every jalil should watch out for nice strong jaluk to have around so he carry heavy things for her and stab annoying people for her too"

I put my arm around Rose's shoulder, motioning at the 'sagely' nodding Drow woman walking beside us with my other hand "Lua is not a valid role-model my dear Rose"

My adopted daughter nodded then rested against my side as we walked "I know Papa. Mistresses Ogrash and Ghorza told me the proper way! Find a cute male, bash him over the head or in the manhood, and then drag him back to my cave"

"You did that deliberately didn't you?" I whispered down to her as I heard rather than saw the uneasy shuffling or stumbles of one or two of the marching warriors nearby. Because that's why she'd raised her voice suddenly I expected as well as getting a clap of amusement/agreement from Lua as well; the little smirking grin back up at me gave confirmation as I shook my head in exasperation. Whatever was I going to do with this lot?

I sighed "Right, right, but being serious now you two. I'm inclined to listen to you Rose and what you saying about all this good weather and the harvest, so that means arriving back in the valley to stay for a time before departing after the harvest rather than the original plan of leaving and returning after a number of ten-days. So when I'm talking to Zah later I'm open to suggestions on dealing with that lot, and for the ones that'll appear in time. Oh head of the Adventurers Guild Lua'kaj'wyss and heir to Zybelin's Drift Rose Humbltree"

Missy of course had given her opinion on the matter; which involved a measure of mercy, threats and blackmail apparently. Keep them alive; separate them amongst the slave legion auxlia, and then have the druid and cleric enslaved to the 'Tower of Midnight' as people kept calling my merry band of casters. Pull the 'serve to free yourself eventually' approach with them as I had with her with them and ensure that escape attempts. It would sell well with our new Drow 'allies' in Veladorn, much better than killing them outright would anyway, and in truth I prized learning and knowledge – and this was an opportunity to learn knowledge of our foes. Something that both Rose and Lua largely agreed with it seemed as we chatted away on the march through the valley and evening continued to darken.

Once we were through we'd rest a time, and then continue the march over the night with the aim of arriving back in the valley by the dawn. When we got we got home...then came the decision on whether myself or Zah led the offensive eastward to clear out the deserting clan-holds and the Uthgardt. Delaying brought the benefit of properly resting and restoring our forces to fighting strength; even down to swapping out squads that had remained at home with ones that had taken heavier losses. Or simply had been wounded severely enough to require extended periods of time and healing to be fully recovered to be battle ready again. Get in the harvest, campaign over the autumn, and then rest over the usual serve winter while Illusk as a faction licked its wounds and knitted itself together into an organised force over conquered lands. Of course Rose pointed out another valid reason to delay a few weeks as well.

"...and it would catch those we would be attacking as they were bringing in the harvest, or just after Papa. So it helps stop having everyone going hungry once we beat them. And we need to protect ours with all these raiders in the hills now"

"That's a good point true enough, once the food is gotten in, secure, we can worry about the next part. Can't be having us winning battles and then going hungry over the winter now can we?"

It was hard to judge really, agricultural land within the valley had expanded massively since our taking control over the past six years. Old abandoned fields, villages even, had been cleared and planted; production areas like mills, brewing areas, and recently a few watermills had been created and churning out things like alcohols, floor, and baked goods. Yet...it was hard to judge still. There was food for years, if preserved, to feed my clan and the villages we'd taken even without further growth...about three years ago. But the population had surged within the valley as well, and was still expanding as the Drow exiles and conquered orc clans showed – and that meant more growth being required to feed them. My gut told we had enough, but it was more than just making it through the winter as well with full larders. I needed enough to last a bad year or two, and to sustain armies on the march like we had assembled weeks ago. But for now it was deciding what to do upon returning to home with the army.

'Well, lets see what Zah says and we can work from there with prisoners and who does what when we get back...'

--

[Missasri 29]

Village of Zybelin's Drift

It was a swelteringly hot summer's day, just like all the past few days had been Missasri found as she wiped sweat from her forehead. Thankfully unlike those days on the march or camping under whatever cover they could, they had at long last made it to Rose's village; even if it was only at the stage of getting the army encamped right now. One that had meant a long, tiring, march through the mountain valleys and forests to get here not too many hours after the coming of dawn, and before high-sun, most everyone's head bowed in weariness.

So it was with some relief that Missasri followed Rose with the others over to her grandmother and collapse under the shade of the large leafy tree with a sigh of glorious relief as Rose almost jumped into the older woman's embrace despite the girl's own tiredness. Their guards waited a little distance away as each of her 'household' moved to fall into their own positions either against the tree like Missasri, or sprawling on the ground like Lua. Lua who huffed and then scooted backwards on the shady grass to rest her head back on Missasri's legs's like they were some sort of comfy pillow from the drow's contended sigh and closing of eyes.

Giving a grumbling sigh, but too tired now to kick the Missasri glared down at the contended looking drow "I am not your pillow"

"Uhnnnn...I'm tired...and it's soooooo hot! And the sun is so bright! Someone turn it offfffffffff"

"Oh quit your whining ye lazy drow, we all must suffer this dreadful brightness. It seems not even brave battles can beat the elfy whining out of ye looks like" a gravelly female voice rumbled from nearby and Mistress Ghorza, a rather fat bellied Mistress Ghorza at that, wandered into sight shaking her head at them from under a broad brimmed herdsman's hat. Bare arms folded across the light tunic over that now large belly she gazed down at them, then a glance out at Rose and the army moving into place beyond as village women and children came out to greet their men-folk. Tris and Lara bowed or knelt to the taller orc as she came over, Lua looking up sleepily from her 'resting spot' and giving a small wave as Missasri rested back against the tree behind her with Ghorza's hand gesture to rest.

"Hi Matron Ghorza! Sorry! We've been marching long and hard, and the nasty evil sun won't stop shining down upon us with its horrible nasty warmth!"

The orc female snorted rolling her eyes "No it bleedin' don't, and ah were the nicest rest till ye lot sent word ye were to show up during my time to get some bleedin' rest away from this damnable sun"

"Yeah boo! Damnable sun boooo!"

Missasri resisted groaning at the Orc and Drow bonding over the evils of daylight. Not that she entirely disagreed right now with the sweat soaking her body and general exhaustion from it and...her other concern...making sleep, or at worst getting into the hot-springs in the caves sound so appealing "Greetings Mistress Ghorza, sorry to have arrived at such a time, but we were all eager to get to the village rather than rest again out in the mountains when so close"

"Meh, best anyway, this lot of females here would like as much been up and running about makin' noise an' keepin' me away what with their warriors so near..." Ghorza grumbled back "...and least yer all alives so that summin' innit. An' ye, lazy drow, it seem yer lot are to ally with us after tryin' to kill warriors of the clan at night?"

"Oh no, they were enemy drow...and they died screaming to no one's sadness at all...and we hath Her Holiness to the righteousness of our cause. Or maybe just the chance to build our own castle on the surface and not get chased out by crazed rivil maybe...or you can Tris can tell thee of her rather more tawdry version of the tale that involves much swooning, nudity, and many, many, happy thoughts!"

"I'm helping! Document events I mean!" the half-elf falling back to rest against the tree beside Missasri muttered back tiredly, before resting her shoulder on Missasri's shoulder and sighing tired "...helping"

"Her Holiness did not swoon Tris...though one must acknowledge the nude dancing and singing part as a matter for historical posterity"

Missasri groaned softly "Oh for the love of...hahhh...yes Mistress Ghorza we have allied with them in exchange for a stronghold of their own to settle. They've returned with us, not too far behind with us in the column, and should be resting here with us for the time till the harvest most likely, the fighting was hard Mistress and the warriors need rest before against the next foe we're told"

"Aye, they certainly looks it as does ye lot from just this blasted weather; and ye won and kilt that uppity heretic an' his bunch ah' maggots so that's the will of the God made manifest at last. Bless be the Cunnin' Warrior and his champion eh?" Ghorza rumbled squatting down before sitting on the grass in the middle of them and taking charge of the household by motioning for Rose and her grandmother to join them "...oi, get over her ye two. Wanna hear yer reports and what about this harvest an' everything to get done now that all these warriors are back home a time in der dens. Ogrash ah'll be here a few days with the others and the whelps, so don't want any surprises before then"

Lua raised her hand idly, motioning at Missasri "Oh, well...then Missy's preggers too like you Matron, Rose back...heyyyyyy!"

Missasri kicked her leg up shoving the wicked evil drow blabbermouth off of her to rub at her head, a pout on her face as she whined at the glare Missasri gave her as she hissed "Lua!"

"Well you are! Rose confirmed it a few days ago...as if all the throwing up and belly rubbing wasn't a hint...and I thought we were telling with Matron Ghorza and Matron Ogrash arrived! Look...Matron Ghorza! Ta-da!"

Hitting the dreadful drow...no, lightning bolting the dreadful drow...was so, so, tempting right now Missasri found continuing the death glare at the nasty loudmouthed creature. Who, of course, persisted in turning this heartrending and life-changing shock for the Neverwinter girl into a source of personal amusement and teasing where respect and decorum were needed for the situation. Missasri had been shocked at the outcome...it was unexpected to say the least, and...a child?

How was she to know what to do when having an orcs child within her belly?

'Hello Mother! Hello Father! Here look at my beautiful half-breed child!' she thought the image flicking into her mind momentarily...along with the sure attempt to 'hide the shame' via murdering said baby immediately afterwards. It changed things, changed them so much as...she wanted to have this child, it would hers...but it meant things were going to change again, and returning home...

'Even sending word of my survival is now more than just my life in the balance. Or that Mother won't just send assassins to prevent the shame, or a blood claim, on matters of inheritance' she thought pushing the dark thoughts and confusion away and settling for huffing indignantly at the drow and her supporters in the household as Mistress Ghorza nodded.

"Good, about bleedin' time" the orc muttered glancing at Rose "...and she is right? The Drow isn't just being stupid again?"

"Hey!"

Rose shook her head "No, Lua isn't lying. Missy is with child about...a month, two maybe? Mistress Ogrash's magic would know better than mine on that though"

The red haired girls grandmother clapped her hands together "A most auspicious sign for the fecundity of the harvest Lady Ghorza when seen with your own pregnancy..."

Mistress Ghorza sighed as Missasri reddened "Yes, yes, Wifne ye'll be having yer big festival thing and ah'll keep a handle on the idjits, or moreso get Karg to watch the idjits. Think ye'll need tell'em all that the harvest ah yers is ready to be started at with all this sun, so can start a ten-day or three once we've..."

--

[Interlude 12]

--

[The Axes on Moradin's Fist]

He glared out from the higher ground, eyes squinting and gauntleted hand over his eyes to see somewhat further as the sun beat mercilessly down upon him and his warriors from the clear blue sky above. And there, off in the distance behind a hazy mirage not born of magic this time, marched the full weight of the army assembled by those damned Luskans. Bringing his hand down he brought a potion bottle into hand, thumbing off the cork, and downing its contents to relieve the brutal oppression brought upon by marching and fighting in full plate under a hot summer sun.

"They'll be here afore nightfall, movin' slow iffin thar only up thar be now. Seems Goldsun managed pull off his wee ambush an' slow'em down. He be alive lass?"

"Aye Torgar..." the exhausted wizard Shroud Stargleam answered leaning tiredly on her staff as they stood on the hill covered in dust and shattered bones "...he lives. Whether he hath escaped or not I cannot say, but my casting tells me yet lives, and he hath swore not to be taken alive"

"Nat that ya'd want to be by Greeth an' his hilk lass anyway..." the old dwarf answered grunting a moment at the infusion of the stamina to chase away the weariness of the destruction of the Luskan's undead vanguard. Not the best idea that, but then again the Lich had bodies to burn and winning wasn't really part of the plan he expected; outside of exhausting the already weakened Axe before the really siege "...but'in looks like we ain't gonna be able do any more afore they push us back to the walls"

"Ara nuffin we can do Torgar? We blew through this lot with only a dozen lost on ar side..." Agrathan, Stargleam's fellow Council member and Priest of Dumathoin asked kicking at the shattered orc or human skull from one of the destroyed undead "...ah say we take the fight to that blasted monster and send'em back with his tail atween his boney legs"

Torgar snorted "Nary a hope ah that Agrathan, dar too strong and its throwin' all these vanguards forward fer us ta destroy cause we canna afford lose a dozen to a few dozen in each won battle while so'far it an' its buddies ain't lost anything of his own guards. Reckon he's letting riff-raff get kilt of by us too, them scouts were pretty damned shite this time again"

Not that it had done much good since the crushing defeat of the Axe and that useless Luskan fuck Dendybar he Mottled not too long ago; they'd already lost too many warriors to his like fighting the orcs and uthgarht animals when Akhlem bloody Greeth had turned up army in hand. It seemed it had been aware of the plot by the Marchion, Council, and some of its own mages to remove the wretched abomination from control of Luskan...and moved to destroy them all in a one swift decisive blow. One moment Mirabar had been on the verge of ending all the main threats to it and the trade routes...and the next it had been a desperate, slow, and hard-fought fight to slow down the Luskan army marching upon the city and its Mithril mines.

"Another fight won...and yet again we retreat"

"Aye lassie, we've bought time an' that were all we could have done. Ah' just pray we've gotten in enough stores fer the comin' year iffin' this siege now, any folk with a lick ah sense have fled to the safety of the city walls..."

'Or at least supposed safety anyhow, it like will be the mines and caverns we'll have ta fall back too if things go the worst' he thought tiredly as he spoke of the need to regroup and retreat back behind the city's walls before the fall of nightfall. Hundreds of the simple-folk had already fled to the city in the past few years as the north grew ever more chaotic, and that constant trickle had turned into a veritable flood as word race ahead of the defeat that the Luskans were marching on the city. Marching...and more importantly burning, looting, and raping their way towards Mirabar.

Along with none too few of the more roguish adventurers they'd sent off towards the Crags and who now had turned around and joined with the Luskans, or merely switched to banditry on a solo-basis. Thankfully they'd managed to recall some of the better groups at least, and the remain groups would hopefully continue to be a nuisance to the orc and uthgardht savages and slay the more evil inclined parties to prove their heroic deeds. Of course must would die in the attempt, but that was just the nature of being an adventurer like in his own days fighting in that manner. Now greater battles were upon him; such as retreating again, one last retreat, and attempting to stave off the Luskans till favourable terms could be sought, or till Neverwinter stopped losing and forced Greeth to withdraw his army here...

--

[Into the Thunder Peaks]

It didn't matter the waters were icy cold, or that the moon beamed down from the blackness of the night sky, Alusair couldn't care less as she shook off the last of armour and clothing, stacking them carefully within easy reach, before sliding into the mountain creek with a soft gasp. Shivering at the cold she submerged herself down her neck swiftly by half-sitting, half-squatting, down into the pool in the rocks as the stream gushed and murmured in the darkness around her. Strangely bright and easy to see through darkness now she thought as everything shone in odd grey and sepia colours as her breath steamed on the night air as ran hands over herself to wash away the dirt, sweat, and misery off her body.

Swift, careful, and ever watchful movements despite this rare chance to remove some of the exhaustion and ache of limbs from the past few terrible ten-days moving almost blindly through the woods and hills ever northward. Or at least what she assumed was northward and eastward as she ran from the very people she had hoped to save not too long ago. Dipping her head beneath the chill waters, the first 'safe' area she had found in her headlong flight of the past days, she savoured the brief moment of satisfaction like it was a gloriously hot bath back within her parent's palace. For a moment, one brief glorious moment, she could pretend she was back there in those steaming baths...before breaking the surface of the waters to stand in the waist high cold waters and running hands threw her long dirty hair to clean and untangle it a little.

Her flesh prickled in goose-bumps from the chilly night hair...greyish-grey orc flesh she thought looking at her new face, with its small tusks and tired eyes. Not the only change as she studied her body for a brief moment; tattooed words of her new 'benefactor' in a circle on her belly an image of bloody sword declaring herself a loyal and faithful servant of Ilneval, Orcish God of War, of her...Questing in his name. Again she ran tired fingers over the black and red runes and the sword image in the middle of them, the water rippling and softly splashing around her waist as she let out a frustrated sigh. Some more words, runes, decorated her back and had gotten her believed enough amongst the orcish bands the at least gain some basic information on her curse; short though the knowledge had been before she had been forced to flee in the wake of the revelations...and her father's army arriving to kill every orc they could find.

'Every orc including me' she thought forlornly gazing up at the bright moon shining down through the shifting tree branches as the breeze dancing across her body caused her to shiver again. In truth her new...Master...had delivered on his side of the agreement; soon after her walking into the Orc war-camp and been brought before a Shaman his priests had received visions. Visions that had caused those warbands loyal to him to leave soon afterwards as they clashed with the other orc priests and chieftains...just before her father's army had arrived and scattered the now weakened Horde to the winds. Glorious, wonderful, a price paid...and utterly terrifying and exhausting as she herself had been forced to flee, and fight, and kill, to escape joining the corpse piles the vengeful defenders of Tilverton were creating. Not even children had been spared, orc children but still they'd been so small and squalling...

She closed her eyes a moment, pushing the sights and sounds of memory away; orcs were savage monsters, but it seemed even the simple-folk could be as savage too. And pleasant illusion ripped away by her desperate prayers to be an adventurer. Shaking her head, the water droplets flowing of her hair and down her back and over her breast as she took it in hands and shook it off muttering "Fool girl, you get what you wish for now don't you...never know who's listening when you beg for a life of high adventure in your prayers eh?"

Taking a breath, fogging on the air before her eyes as she gripped the edges of the earth and wood on the bank of the stream and pushed herself upwards out of the waters; time was a precious commodity here and danger lurked around every turn. Much as she desired to stay a little longer in those cold fresh waters there was no time left to risk being so vulnerable now that the dirt and most of the stink were gone. Undergarments, gambeson, trousers, and then her heavier armour almost flew on as her eyes watched the undergrowth nearby warily; the mountains as ever filled with faint sounds of night wildlife and whistling of winds through trees.

The chaos of her flight into the mountains had, somewhat deliberately though now that seemed a mistake, separated her from contact with any of that great horde's survivors. Sadly it had been approaching a settlement of her own ki...of human villagers...that had rammed how bad an idea attempting to lone wolf it through the mountains having lost her pack horse, with only the few rations she had left and a small fortune in coin, gems, and one or two artefacts upon her person. Unfortunately that small fortune did not translate into food and water when you didn't have anyone to trade them for; not something she could do as an orc like she had been doing since fleeing the palace.

'Need to find a stronghold, not get murdered or assaulted by proving my strength, and then try and feed myself someway with my blade orloot...once I can get far enough away from Father's vengeful armies at least' she thought to herself carefully tucking away her weapons and slinging her shield over her shoulder along with her back-pack of supplies and bedroll. Or maybe with her healing...the bastard orc God who was her new master had gifted her some abilities it seemed; calling her a favoured soul of his in that creepy dream/vision during her brief stay in the Horde camp. Grumbling, with one last pat down check to ensure she had forgotten nothing, Alusair began her trek into the mountains towards Sembia and the Dalelands were her new life of quests and brave adventures awaited...

--

[Campfires in the Endless Waste]

His mount, a great winter wolf who'd torn many a foe asunder at his command, growled darkly as the riders came forward towards the great bonfires that marked this parley camp. Growling his own command shushed his beast and the stirrings of his own beast riders as the humans came forward under the moon and starlight on their horses and other mounts; pulling them up a short distance away and planting a banner in the ground. His own eyes were only on the leader of the Tuigan Humans, short in stature but this one was dangerous he knew even without the visions of his God. This Yamun Kahan had the eyes of a true orc despite his human flesh; cold and cunning, ruthless ready to conquer his and make them bow to his will while he fucked there females.

Grundush Witchslayer, Beast Rider, Priest of Ilneval, and Warlord of the Blizzard Riders gave a dark and genuine smile at the kindred soul across from him and raised a fist in greeting. The dragging his dagger under the eyes of the humans cut it across his palm and allowed the blood to drip upon the ground "Hail Yamun Kahan of the Hoekun! I, Grundush Witchslayer, offer you peace at these fires so we may talk of war and pillage. I swear by blood oath before that I allow for you and your warrior to come and go in peace from these fires so long as peace is offered. This I swear before Ilneval the Horde Leader"

The human studied him a moment, then dragging his own blade to draw across the opposite hand as is blood moved to spill across the hard harsh steppe earth as Grundush's own and answered in a pidgin of common and orcish as Grundush had "I, Yamun, Kahan of the Hoekun, swear by Akadi Queen of Air and Grumbar Lord of Earth that we come in peace and will leave in peace. Sworn and signed in blood I spill"

A swig of a potion and the wound was gone, two warlords mirroring each other on their war-steeds till he himself motioned to his bodyguards to bring forward the gift "In sign of peace I offer a gift as one mighty Warchief to another"

Movement disturbed some of the human riders in the moonlight, quickly squashed by the cutting gesture by the human warchief as from behind Grundush one of his wolf riders came forward to between the two groups and half-flung, half-rolled, a naked human female bound ankle to ankle and wrists behind back unto the ground. A pained snarl came from behind the cloth bag covering the females head and the gag around the mouth as the body rolled around helpless upon the hard cold ground of home "A Witch of Rasheman to sacrifice, to fuck, whatever you desire Warlord of the Hoekun"

Cold, calculating eyes studied the struggling form of the female, named Zugla or Sulgana as best Grundush had understood, before the human warlord nodded and motioned at an armed female of his kind at his side "Then let us sacrifice such an auspicious gift in honor of alliance Warlord of the Orcs. Khongordzol, get her bound and spill her blood as need be"

Grundush did not envy the wretched witch her fate, the females of the Tuigan were as merciless as any female orc defending her whelps and this one had a rather unnervingly happy grin at the command. But it was good, for now there was a sign of agreement between there Hordes; the War-maker wished there to be peace with these humans for now so that a new kingdom could be built to the west. An Orcish Kingdom with he, Grundush of the Blizzard Riders ruling it; so what if the Tuigan homes built their own kingdom or empire...somewhere else, hopefully far away. For now though that meant preventing himself and the Tuigan Horde under this human from destroying each other when they had the rich lands of the soft decadent folk to descend upon; the humans by day and his proud orc warriors by night.

Watching each other carefully the two warleaders moved to dismount, almost simultaneously as booted feet impacted off the ground as three fur clad human females with curved knives dragged the witch by the feet towards others being ordered to plant stakes in the ground. Soon they would bargain and barter as only warlords of their kind could for the lands and lives of others as warriors glared at each other hateful while screams and prayers filled the moonlit night air of the Hordelands. Long before dawn, with the screams, bartering, and fires ended Grundush left with the daughters of two of the Tuigans enforced vassals as concubines and hostages as the human left with two strong females from allies of Grundush. Soon their enemies, at least those their own kin, within the steppes would be brought to heel and then the many raids on the softlanders would turn to a great wave of conquest...

--

[Ogrash 14]

Village of Zybelin's Drift

"Zah should go now, or by that I mean within the next two ten-days or so. And you stay here Karg an' sort out the harvestin' and getting the rest of this lot beaten inta shape again ah for the autumn comes in force. Ah have to agree Zah on this Karg..." Ogrash said as they, the leadership of the clan, sat around the fire as the summer moon shone down upon the busy human village they had conquered "...if we wait till after all is sorted then the Uthgardt will have had time to rally. Moonblades can join up with Zah's war-band and strike'em hard before they can rally together again, or for them to knell to us. Whatever is best for the clan is all that we need from it; too many betrayers to deal with before the first snows fall"

Breyza, now Chieftess in name as in truth, snorted at that "Not something to believe with all this bloody heat and nasty bright summer of late, but we'd have ye dallying off for the whole of the time before winter Zah. Our stores will be filled with this harvest, and our halls stand with much loot, we gain what we can now and rest so that the next seasons after winter we will have gathered our strength once again. And Shaman...its best to allow those who did not march with you two to glorious battle to march out now so they can be blooded...and not causing troubles here with their over-eagerness"

Karg sighed after swallowing down a bite of the cooked chicken in his hand "Yes I can see the benefit of getting them gone for a time, I'd just thought to get Zah and me around while we gather the harvest and knock sense into anybody gets uppity since your Father died Breyza"

"Well they'll get uppity and die then, either here or in the field with the Chief Shaman..." Old Taugh rumbled as the others nodded "...iff'in we strike out now we can reduce the nearest strongholds ah them damned deserters an' the humie ah' think they can be orcs. Truth ah'd agree tha rest'em all for a bit, but we've got a number here ta blood in a fight, an' we can send the gobbies and little damned lizards with'em fer archers. We can rest an' train up half the clan warriors like ye want, and send half with the Chieftain an' the Moonblades"

"Well...ye've all got me convinced, so up to you Zah, you're the Big Chief now after all. I'll take the Auxlia for the harvest, the wounded, the tired and the ones needing the most training and you head on out and smash about our enemies..." Karg agreed with a shrug "...though as yer Shaman I'd say go after the Sky Pony first and foremost, and bring the couple we've got in the auxlia with ya. We don't need another big bloody battle, just bring'em in line as vassals to Illusk and then start wiping out those clans that think they can stab us in the back after the battle. We need..."

Ogrash nodded silently as Zah cheerfully agreed to the suggestions offered by Karg on breaking the Uthgardt foes first; or more-so bringing them to bow at long last to the clan. It was a conflicting issue here Ogrash found; the clan needed to blood the younger warriors, and whittle out the weakest, but didn't need another big bloody battle like the one the old Chief Breyjuk had lost his life in glorious battle during. Send out part of the clan for raiding now though was ideal; raiding and weakening the enemies of the clans while the harvest was gathered here and filled larders to bursting once again. Karg was thinking of another great battle she guessed, but in this there was likely to be many small battles against idiots who'd fled a real battle; idiots and Uthgardters. And the last thing any of them wanted to given was time to get brave again after fleeing, or time to try escape with their stores and meagre treasures.

Ghorza was unhappy because she couldn't go raiding and fighting again and that was why she was all for waiting longer Ogrash; in some mad notion she'd pop the whelp and be off on campaign once again none the weaker unless waiting a few ten-days. Even the others like Old Taugh, crotchety old bastard that he was, really only wanted to delay so that those who'd fought at Blood Creak against the heretic and then the humans could head out again with him at the van. So Ogrash sat, chewing on her cooked meat and berries as the others came around to hers and Breyza's position; Zah's position too, but that was only because he wanted to go off kill the enemy and fuck their females so as to punish their cowardly betrayal of the horde. Not surprising there really she found, relieved then she and Breyza had gotten their way and the conversation moved unto the other clans under their new Illuskan banner.

"Our reach grows will now grow in the mountains with this banishing of the heretic and his followers. High Shaman Phargk is old, but he is strong in his magic and none dare challenge him I think. That is good, it gives us time to grow and fill out our numbers" Ghorza muttered, or more grumbled, as the flames of the campfires crackled and danced on the cool summers night as another pheasant was thrown upon it to cook and sizzle by Ogrash. The whelps rested with the other females of the household, Missy in charge as third wife, so it was time both relax and to talk of clan matters as they were all together.

"Holy Emperor Phargk now, and Ghorza's right in that; nobody's going to challenge him if they've any sense in their skull anyhow. And that serves us well, for the here and now at least, as while our numbers have swelled and the whelps we started training up when we first arrived at the valley are in the ranks the truth is..." Karg began then sighed, looking up the starts while resting back on both of his hands "...the truth...the truth is we've land, and numbers, grow; but we'll have to rule and patrol all these lands around the valley soon. All while we've to fight both city-states to the north since they're coming after us. We could do with time and getting things organised then in the surrounding areas before the next campaign. Something I think that Chief Jernak and his Moonblades would agree with least...and I want us to start patrollin' the Long Road too in time"

"Lootin ya mean Shaman eh?" Old Taugh snorted after taking a gulp of the strong village ale from his wooden tankard. Karg shook his head in the negative.

"Nah, patrollin' and keeping it safe...and for that nice privilege of having nice strong brave orcs keep bad things from eating them I reckon we should get a payment of goods or coin of some sort. The raiding I think we can save for those beyond those areas, plenty of land out there after all...and plenty of enemies on those lands to fight as well, for a long time at that. But for now I think we need to focus on making sure we can hold down the lands around the valley, before the other clans try to muscle in on it. This means moving certain groups we can trust from within the clan to settle a few strong-point areas and take over as bosses"

Ogrash nodded in agreement to that, though for different reasons that Karg she knew, opening her mouth her and speaking with authority as priestess "Aye, the Moonblades tribe will be doing similar south of us and the Red Axes have been expanding around their new stronghold these past seasons...copying us with their slaves and vassals growing foods for them. And our numbers continue to grow here, more come each passing season and it would be best to move some to these places Karg and Zah think is best. From securing the food and goods for the clan, but also to make sure the stronghold is not crowded beyond what we would want. It is the same as we have done with the watchtowers and small fort-dens we have built here in the valley...just a little more distant"

"They'll not resist much in the way of a real attack priestess..." Cardac hummed back scratching at his bearded chin "...least assuming we're talkin' size ah the watchtowers and what here in the valley"

"There not really meant too are they Oggy?" Zah queried and gave a nod before drinking down some of her own ale as Zah continued "Yeah thought so. They'd hold off raids easy enough and give us warning of enemies coming...and keep a foot down on these humans once they give up, or I have to whomp on them a few times till they figure it out"

"Well I doubt it'll be as easy as that, but can hope so. But if we could get them to knuckle under or flee then we can settle up the lands east of here, either with orcs over Uthgardters, or minor clan holds we setup from those we want. Give us a bit of a buffer from raids that direction, and it'd let us establish a route to the mad wizards in their village without having to sent a small bleedin' army each time" Karg agreed, glancing at Old Taugh and Cardac who nodded after looking at each other and shrugging, before Breyza made her opinion known as she elbowed Zah.

"Oi, and don't forget to mention to them Zahgorim that it'll be the likes of you two old codgers who'll be taking charge of these hillforts full of females, slaves, and maybe uthgardt females and a smattering of young dumb idiots to serve ya"

Zah shrugged thumbing at her with his free hand "Yeah, what me wife and your new chieftess just said"

"An' do ye have idea where these small strongholds of ars' are gonna be Boss. And' any others ye'd suggest fer he honour..." Old Taugh rumble back in amusement "Nat that'd I've any problem been let alone wif a horde a fertile yang females youngin"

Ogrash snorted in amusement "Judging by all yer whelps and their whelps over the years great-uncle ah doubt any of us could doubt that part. But I doubt we've anywhere yet...Karg?"

Her mate shook his head "Nah, too early to know, but I reckon it'll be on or near the clans who try to fight us be they Orc, goblin, or Uthgardt. Zah here can scout out the area and we can plan over the winter. No point tryin' setup till next year anyway...and as to others. Hmm...I reckon the mercenary Krowluc and his cavalry in the lower valleys nearby, and a few others like that. Need to keep'em loyal and that means ties of land and coin...and lets not forget the Drow and where they fort up..."

--

When: Harvest time, 1356 Dale Reckoning

Where: Zybelin's Drift

Well it's certainly been a hot few summer weeks, with showers of rain in between being a bit of relief to not having a dry spell, and now we're getting in the harvest a little earlier than planned as the crops are grown in the fields. Just in time for our battered forces to return and recuperate in the valley after the defeat, and it's somewhat less than ideal for my own plans to campaign a few weeks first and then rest out afterwards. Instead Zah's marching off with better reserves we kept here, those cohorts still in top fighting shape from the army, and of course most our cavalry to go off smash the Sky Ponies and the other enemies of the clan nearby. So gets to take most of the army and I get to try reorganise the parts of it are broken or needing rest all while I organise the harvest and storing of things.

Though that is unfair and self-important sounding when really all I'm doing is getting other people to do the actual work while playing management and logistics-guy. Rose and her grandmother for instance did the blessing of the fields here in the village, and the villagers and demobilised villager auxlia are the ones pulling in the fields of various crops, and the berries bushes nearby. Then comes the whole process of ensuring the food lasts a long time, and we keep vermin off the stuff when we store it; the more you have the more attracts the damned things. But that's what cats, new recruits, and newbie adventurers are for after all. Well that and preservation and protection wards anyway.

This is why I've pushed such mundane things as cleaning the hot-springs water/rooms/caves with magic as training regime for the new magic users in our ranks; it's a start of discipline with magic usage, and at the same time keeps things maintained routinely. Honestly, because routine maintenance and checks of wards and such seems to have been a completely overlooked thing in this world. Yes big rituals and individually skilled ward creators are important, but they are a limited resource and if I want to move away from a pure Master-Apprentice guild system to a more 'universal education' system then one needs to have jobs for people to do as well. I'll have to check for the expected shoddiness but with Doctor Ned here during the campaign I'm kind of hoping that's being kept down. Since he's here now I'll be talking to him later and try and get back to my own studies alongside my now pregnant Missy – no more campaigns for her for a while then.

Something that brings me unto the next 'level' of development of the my arcane and divine societal 'class' structure; getting a system in place for the non-warfare orientated magical roles. Well, outside of healing and fertility magic which Oggy's Church of Luthic covers; so the focus is on expanding non-orc structures that I trust in some measure. Ie. - Rose and her clerical abilities in relation to divine magic right now. I'll admit in my 'Tower of Midnight' as its being called for some reason I have a number orc wizards and such, even the former Sky Pony Warlock girl (Vol I think?) who went off with Zah's army to try and persuade a peaceful surrender of some sort. I'd prefer that outcome, even without the whole not wanting to murder a whole pile of people but even just from a pragmatic point of view of adding more workers and warm bodies to the Auxlia Legion for the coming conflict.

Anyway, getting distracted; the primary issue for ensuring a subordinate support order is them not rising up in a bloody rebellion that I'd have to violently put down. That would be bad, for all involved, so the focus in my mind is to get Rose and Wifne to expanding Chauntea's priesthood here within the valley. Wifne is confused, Rose is excited at the general idea, and I'm to discuss with them in the hot-springs later on the nature and rights of such a group within the valley. In part it's because I don't like druids; for reasons both personal taste, and more importantly ideological differences between wanting a steampunk/magi-tek/industrialised society versus the get-back-to-nature beliefs of even the non-divine. I accept Lua and her crowd are here too, but there are issues there as Lua is not in charge of said religious group while Rose will the High Priestess in relation to her merry band.

Oggy, mostly, agrees with my line of thought on the matter. Largely because it applies to non-orcs and has a similar view that Rose and her granny will keep things in line, and it somewhat gets ahead of other religions that would be less willing to accept our rule. Or existence as a species in the case of certain Gods and Goddesses who are banned in our territory – thought honestly? Why certain retard evil, and I mean self-destructive evil, religions are widespread in certain regions. Yes orcs, but in fairness even One Eye's brand of evil tends to be focused on his idea of being beneficial to orcs as a whole vs everybody else, while certain human deities here for instance are as bad for their followers as they are each other. Certain ones who basically blackmail communities into worship ala a mob protection I get, but some are just plain dumb in my mind for a society. Then again, even some of the Good ones make terrible models societal values wise so who knows.

So my plan, rough outline of a plan, is to get in the harvest and then have Rose and Wifne take on two or three acolytes and start their training after the harvest and over the winter within the stronghold. Technically my tower and the magical workshops beneath the main keep, but basically the stronghold. I want an organised, coherent, and hopefully loyal, system of governance for the human vassals here and then to extend similar ones into Goblin Town at least. The kobolds are somewhat of a special case after all, as while there isn't much of a problem with their God worship and clashes between pantheons the whole if dragon appears they all go goo-goo eyed means a rebellion is always a danger. Unless we get an allied dragon that is, or keep the current course of trying to have the likes of the tiny egomaniac who runs the tavern and their chieftain keep rein on things.

Honestly because their useful from a pragmatic point of view; we're bashing the goblins into shape as both a fighting force and town, but kobolds are naturally organised. Naturally organised and egomaniacal, but also very, very, industrious as the fact supplies and materials are reaching them and their mining and crafting has rising dramatically since allying/vassalage with us. Even from a food and brewing point of view the various fungal based items, from mushrooms to various alcoholic brews, is a big help in terms of keeping larders full at all times of the year. Full bellies help keep order and provided healthy workers and fighters, which is a benefit of Chauntea's priesthood being around to either increase crop yields, stave off blights, and other such agricultural based bonuses for a civilization build.

So I'm here in Zybelin's Drift for the time being, as is much of the various 'leadership circles' from the clan and my tower of magical wonders to try get things organised with Zah off to war with the other part of the clan and our fighting forces. Because I get to play defence here in the valley, and there are raiders lurking about near the valley to deal with. Order within, defence without, and having to be ever watchful of another assassin band or wizard party trying to take us all out now that both city-states have slated us for destruction. Well then, it's a war to the knife most likely, and buying time is our option for the moment till we can marshal our strength against them. Mostly as we can't do more than play defence and try and survive right now really.

In other news I am still to properly interview our band of overconfident adventurers, they've been locked up separately in the hills and across the village in the 'jail' setup by Ghorza. I know well enough not to keep them all together, and I'm going to talk to the Priestess first with Rose present later on in the hot-springs, and the Druid afterwards; when he's gotten 'washed' by some of Ghorza's female archer auxlia. I reckon that'll thrown them off their game after days of being chained up, tired, and hungry and then being gotten clean with food and booze into them afterwards. Now that's only for the 'magical ones' so that might wedge the party loyalty a little with those getting the Slave Auxlia job versus getting to study, serve, and teach with the tower. Assuming they are willing to serve without too much trouble anyway; though Oggy believes there very inexperienced, and the priestess and bard weak links in the chain even if the druid is potentially less so. Eh, worked with worse and it's a way to freedom at least. Then I have...

Ah, well bath and talk time it seems already. Slan go foille a chardai.

--

[Karguk 53]

Village of Zybelin's Drift, Spartan Valley, Illusk

I sighed in a small amount of relief looking out at the valley as the loud crack of thunder filled the air, from off in the distance just as the flash of white light faded. Then another flash not too far off from the first in the dark of night as people ran for shelter as the tell tale temperature drop accompanied this loud rumbling roar indicating that sweltering summer heat had ended for a time. Normally I'd complain, it was going to delay the harvest plans a little, but the humid sticky heat had been irritating as it persisted day after day and when the faint patter of rain off wood and stone nearby came I greeted it with relief of sorts.

At the very least it meant we wouldn't have any big fires due to lighting strikes I found as the wet deluge began just as another lightning bolt flashed up in the mountains illuminating the cave entrance to the hot-springs where I stood ever so faintly. Taking off my helmet I motioned at one of my escort; sending him off into the village to make sure patrols were out for both enemies trying to sneak in under cover of the weather, but also for any damage caused by the summer thunderstorm itself. Considering the amount of rain coming down as the faint patter became a dull roar as I stood watching the visibility fall to next to nothing as orc and human sized shapes now raced for any form of cover from the downpour.

'Well, bar the poor fecker I just sent out into it and the patrols, but that's the way it is' I thought watching young Ker'nuck vanish off into the heavy misting rains. It was nice as the cooler air flowed off my sweat soaked head as ran a leather gauntleted hand through it as I turned towards Hresghk. With even getting a chance to open my mouth the head of my bodyguard nodded in the direction of further into the cave and the noise emanating from within with an answer to my unspoken question.

"There inside already Boss, the human and the females guardin' him have been brought to the barracks in the cave over yonder, an' Priestess Ghorza is talkin' to the females an' will inform ye' of what were said an' done when you're done"

I nodded, gave a last glance at the rain and then turned to head into the cave helmet in one hand and the other resting idly on the hilt of my sword "Good, I'm going get this over with then. You and others guard the entrance here, and take turns having a rest an' drink if ye want. If the elf prisoner tries escape just try and restrain her rather than kill. Well, unless she's armed herself and tried harm me or the others of course but that's another thing from a mad sprint for freedom. There wasn't any trouble with Ghorza's group?"

"Nah Boss, not that any of the Warswords said anyway, beyond maybe they got'em drunk an' one or two of the females bedded'em"

"Of course they did" I muttered almost to myself, but reminded myself that was part of the point of sending in team naked half-orc and more 'human appealing' full blooded females to the 'interview' process. Hopefully they actually got some useful information; what little so far had indicated this group had passed through Mirabar, and seemed inclined to cooperate due to bonds between them as a group. Good and bad of course as they'd try and escape if pressed, but their crime of attacking us was fairly minor and if they could be kept in line they would be useful as slaves to be freed after a reasonable period of time. Still it would set a precedent of sorts for dealing with newbie-idiot adventuring groups that tried to 'stop our evil orc plans' and redirecting their energies into useful directions. Well...useful for us of course, but I had no problem giving rewards of land and shinies for loyal services down the line.

It didn't take more than a few quick strides into the small cave 'network' that I came to the impromptu room the villagers had setup with table and stools, and the lamp hanging from the ceiling above which illuminated the group clustered on them as I entered. Fear, or at least more fear and terror it seemed, greeted me from the pale skinned elf woman as she almost choked on her the wine half forced down her throat by Lua it seemed. Almost choked, then feebly covered herself as Lua gave an annoyed huff as she spilled the dregs of wine over the pale skinned elf due to the woman's frantic flailing. Truth be told I dislike this form of bullying, and it was because of what the elf girl was terrified of amongst a group of orcs, but it was still better than the alternative (and standard orc practice in most barbarian cultures, not just orcs) of torture them till they break. Rose waved cheerfully at me while her grandmother gave a bow of sorts from her position sitting cross-legged on the rugs beside Ogrash.

"Hey Papa! You're late!"

I gave a snort of amusement, placing my helmet beside the other gear and beginning to strip off the armour as she folded her ams across her chest and gave a huff of indignation immediately after the greeting "Sorry, sorry, was busy making notes and planning Rose dear. Now I see you've all been enjoying yourselves judging by the empty wine jugs. I trust our guest there hasn't been any trouble"

"Nope! Only one attempt to run and then she drank and drank and drank..." my red haired adopted daughter replied with a nod, then switched from orcish to common as she glanced at the terrified elf "...don't worry I told Papa you've been good, isn't that right Mistress Ogrash?"

"Yes, indeed Rose, She learned swiftly not to disobey" my Oggy replied in a bored tone resting back against stone wall behind her and glancing up at me "Took your time Karg, Lua help him out of that armour of he'll take all damned night. And I want to get into the waters, the air seems to have chilled in the last little while"

"Now behave you" I told the grinning drow wagging a finger at her as she hopped up from the ground, almost pouncing at me as she closed the distance between us in almost an instant. Ogrash, Rose and Lua could keep the Elf Priestess in line, my presence would hopefully mortify her, and one could hope Rose and Wifne would have eased her fears of being assaulted in that manner with their non-orc, non-drow, supposed evilness as priestesses of Chauntea. Lua pouted, shaking her body suggestively at me with hands on hips before her hands moved to help me pull of the padded elven chainmail from off my sweaty body; it had taken some effort for the blacksmiths and cloth-workers to stitch the two suits of elven armour together but the result was better than my previous protection.

"Boo! Boo I say! That is not how you should react to the gloriously naked body of a fair drow maiden! It is you who should behave Lord Orc Shaman, you should..."

I somewhat turned out the next few lines as I 'Yeah, yeah, yeah'd' back to her as the chainmail came off to be placed beside the helmet and paladin's blade inside its sword belt. Lua was amusing herself of course, but she was being somewhat behaved for the sake of Wifne and the elf prisoner; the first of which sighed tiredly while watching me as the elf woman desperately looked anywhere but where I stood getting ready for my bath. Well, it was psychological warfare of a sort on my part and from the gulping down of another cup of wine offered by Rose by the elf indicated it was working in some manner. Something I replicated a few minutes later with my armour and weapons secured behind me as I took a cup from Oggy and downed it before taking the half empty jug with the rest in it.

Then it was off to the 'baths' outside with Rose and Lua half-pushing, half-dragging the elven women up to her feet and out ahead of me as I shooed the rest of them towards the steam of the hot-springs outside. With a motion of my hand and some words the door to the room clickedshut with the weapons behind me with a Lock spell just in case blonde-brown hair elf made a dash for the room and things stored therein. I doubted she would considering her friends were hostage to her behaviour, she had to be utterly exhausted from the journey and imprisonment, and of course the fact trying to charge my personal guards buck-naked and unarmed was likely to end poorly for an any beyond a high level monk. Which she was very clearly not in the realms of from the fight to capture her party; but still, precautions were there for a reason and damned adventurers and their luck sometimes.

"You should relax and enjoy this while you can..." Wifne was saying calmly and gently to the terrified elven woman as the pale skinned woman baulked at getting into the steam shrouded pool with the sparkling lights above it in little gems a few of the acolytes had created at Ned's teaching. Useless at most thinks but they gave a decent amount of light for the non-infravision or darkvision endowed amongst the people of the valley "...don't cause a fuss and you'll be fine. Just ease in...yeah, there we go...aahhhh that's nice isn't it? A nice treat after the long days on the road?"

I sighed deeply myself as I slid into the large pool of water, careful not to splash it everywhere, and glad as ever for forcing my magical minions to practice their magic on cleaning the pool. Otherwise it'd be a real bastard to clean with the likes of my tired and sweat form, or the still somewhat dirty form of the elf as Lua of course volunteered herself to clean the poor dear. Oggy slid in beside me and motioned the drow to do just that as Rose submerged her head below the water a few moments before splashing back up with a delighted gasp. Something that earned her a gentle bonk on the head from me and finger wag from her grandmother on the other side of her. I relaxed back against the warm stone behind me and rested both elbows to prop myself up and looked at our 'interviewee' placed so she was on the furtherest side of the pool from the room or the exit as she nodded back to Wifne and Lua's words.

"Now that's better, so what's your name? I'd guess you'd prefer to be called that than Elf, or Slave, or the even more imaginative Elf-Slave yes?" I asked as Lua and Rose shoved in on either side of their nervous quarry wielding their weapons of cleanliness and pushed their victim into the centre of the pool. She looked at me fearfully, nodding slowly after a few moments as Rose whispered something to her and stuttered out her name eyes flowing from me to Oggy, and then over to a Wifne Humbletree relaxing in the waters with eyes closed and elbows on the stone rim behind her like myself.

"Ri...Rir...Rinirya...Rinirya Mo...ooo...onfl..ooower Ma...ma...master ooor...orrrrr...cccc"

"Well Rinirya Moonflower, I'm Karguk, Shaman of this clan and as you seem to understand apparently; your owner now. The others have introduced themselves to you I expect?"

"Oh yes Karg, we got to know each other really well; a new daarthir friend for Lua'kah'wyss! Tris will find her adorable!"

I gave my cheerfully happy drow priestess a look, then at the elf clearly as afraid of Lua as of me "Ignore Lua, but yes or no?"

"Yeee...yee...yesss Mas...masss...ster"

"Do you have a stutter normally?"

"Nnnn...nnnnn...nnnnooo...Ma...ma...master Su...su...sir!"

I sighed enjoying the waters and at internal unhappiness the fear I was causing with my current role in life "Okay, we'll work on that then. Was this your first adventure?"

A nod this time, arms attempting and failing to wrap around chest as she squirmed and struggled against the two evil fiends tormenting her on either side "Bad luck then for you in a way. Good luck in another I suppose, because I'm willing to let you and your friends earn your freedom for your crimes. You understand what most bands or strongholds would have done to you all if captured?"

From the sudden paling and ending of any attempts to resist Rose and Lua I got the impression she very much did realise the other endings to this story. I sighed again; something I seemed to be doing alot of lately, probably due to exasperation and disappointment with myself "I know, but while we're not the outcome you wanted it's better than other fates. You work hard, serve me and don't cause a fuss and you'll be able to buy your own, and your friends, freedom within a period of time. And you won't have to serve as a bed-slave or field-slave either; you , your druid friend...who was getting on very well with the ladies bathing him apparently...and your bard friend if she's educated enough get to serve in the nice comfortable magic tower as my slaves. In cushy beds, with full bellies, and occasional privileges like this and booze from time to time – better paying too, so you can buy your friends in the Janissary Auxlia ownership as well. Understand?"

Dumb nods of obedience really wasn't going to break the ice much so I changed the subject a bit "Now, having been forced to adventure before..."

"We killed zombie-ghoul-chickens! It was both awesome, strange, and terrifying!" Lua piped in, followed by Rose of course.

"And we fought Baron Crazy-pants! He was Death Knight or something till we bashed his head in! I helped! And then there was the time with the farmer eating zombie plants..."

"Yes...yes, you did Rose dear. Thanks, both of you" I muttered as Wifne gave me a glare at that and the elf grew ever nervous yet again "...now, as I was saying I adventured too of course. Gods will in my case, but what brought you out from behind your nice safe walls and into our lands?"

--

[Krowluc 20]

Hilly-Plains, Eastwards from Spartan Valley, The Crags

He'd ensured they'd camped under the shelter of the trees and nearby rocky overhangs, scouts out, so that they could rest a time in some degree of safety after the days pressing forward from the valley after only a bare few days rest. It was enough to cause grumbles after the hard fighting that had come before; or would have been save for the promises of more pay from their bosses and whatever loot they could get from crushing those that had fled the great battle up north. So off they'd went, a mixed force of his own and Moonblade orc cavalry with some light infantry to screen the advance eastwards.

Krowluc preferred that idea over resting too long and then attempting to get this lot moving again after weeks of laying about and drinking their way through their coin; at least this way they'd have plenty to drink their way through the winter months rather than causing trouble. That and it let him break in the new recruits, and actually put the few humans and Utgardhters amongst his ranks to some use other than having trouble in the orcish horde they were now part of. The crazy shaman wanted the Sky Pony's either made surrender, driven off, or just killed off if not and Krowluc was quite happy to try go for the first two like the Spartan Chieftain seemed to be going for as well.

Considering the harshness of the fighting so far, and the chaotic violence abroad amidst these lands of late, that would be for the best he figured as he sat around the campfire with various squad leaders. Losses so far had been acceptable, light considering he'd gained more riders than he'd lost for his Free Company, and he knew building upon that strength was the key to leveraging a position within the new order emerging within these savage lands. Assuming that his current employers won out of course he silently reminded himself accepting the wineskin from Bareyaras as the half-elf took his place sitting beside him and the others beneath the shelter of the trees and rocky alcove behind them.

"Hope we got some decent grub..." he heard the half-elf grumble, glancing towards the crude cook-pot they were grouped around "...gone sick of hard bread, cheese, and cold fruits ya know"

Krowluc shrugged nodding towards a point off into the distance and hidden by the trees "Eh, you'll be glad ta hear its pheasant, fox, and rabbit stew with roots. Foragers got a good haul while we setup camp an' your lot check ahead, seems was a big ol' den of rabbits over yonder. Good bit of meat before we get back on the trail on the morrow"

"Thanks ta yers truly...well me lads anywho, but I supervised!" Kyras announced clicking her clawed fingers and motioning at herself "Shot one of them bunnies meself with me eyes closed I did, natural skill with a bow let me tell ya. And without any of your elfy ponciness to boot!"

"Uh-huh, sure ye did yer highness Kyras the bandit princess of the bow. I'm sure..." Bareyaras stated back as the two half-breeds, elf and orc, got back to their usual round of friendly bickering as Krowluc allowed them their idiocy while stoking the flames of the cook-fire despite the damp caused by the summer storm and rains of a day or so ago. Of course the ground had been unhappily dry from the days of blazing summer sun they'd had to endure till those rains so from his point of view the downpours had been a welcome relief; even down to just allowing easier refill of water supplies for his riders and their mounts.

"Can we talk about what the plan, or whats ahead of us rather than hearing these two idiots bickering?" Nimmil complained gesticulating with her small gnomish hands at the aforementioned bickering pair and getting a few nods of agreements from the others at the fire "Or, at the least, get some of this grub into us? Hungry wizard is not happy wizard!"

"Well the unhappy wizard may wait, or she'll be an unhappy wizard with an unhappy stomach an' shittin' everywhere cuz her weakass gnomish body can't handle the undercooked food" he heard Dargunk rumble back as the burly orc poked at the simmering pot full of meat, water, some wine, and whatever else they could forage from the land. Nimmil of course, being her usual patient and friendly dread gnome-self gave a hand gesture and something unfortunate about the orc's mother.

"Yes she was, what about it?" and apparently having the remark go completely over their orcish, and surprisingly decent cook, member's hairy head as he scratched at in confusion. Krowluc sighed, shaking his head, and deciding to get back to hearing his scouts reports now that basic defences were in place and the food was still cooking.

"Right children, back to business please" he stated in his 'command' tone that he was getting more and used to since taking over the company since that disaster in the village what felt like decade ago though it was mere seasons "...what've ya got Bareyaras? More strangeness?"

"More strangeness Boss..." the leader of his forward mounted scouting force answered as he gave Kyras one last playful punch in the shoulder. Thankfully the sprog growing inside the half-orc wasn't going to reduce her fighting ability till after the winter sometime, but he'd have to watch for any troubles between any of the three prospective fathers. Hopefully it was the idiot Bareyaras or his 'apprentice' Egar as neither would get all 'husbandy' with the blade wielding thief that was Kyras unlike Jurnuk the Moonblade orc; if that was the case then he'd have to sort some weregild for when Kyras killed that idiot "...there was clashes not too long ago; bodies are half-eaten but there Uthgardters, Thunderbeast from the markings but there be another Sky Pony buried nearby"

"Yeah that's passing strange innit, and all signs point to'em moving eastward still right?" Nimmil queried resting back into the tree behind her and rubbing at her chin "...cuz there was something done back at that great auld mound of theirs. Ya'd think they'd be stompin' on the Sky Ponies if they're fightin'em, or chargin' westward at our lot"

"It is, seems all the Thunderbeast clanholds are abandoned accordin' to the Moonblades an' all the other clans scouts they lurked around here. Oh there's been clashes like always they say, but the few groups around here have been moving steadily eastward since the spring...save they think some shamans or wizards passed up to the mound of theirs and performed a ritual"

"Um, Um, did something anyway. Ground's all disturbed and I could feel something was done there by'em Boss" Nimmil agreed with the half-elf looking thoughtful "...so that leads into where's they all goin' if they ain't allying with the ponies again' us"

"Well can't tell that yet Nim's, Boss, but pretty sure they ain't plottin with the other tribe here to fight us from the looks of things. That's one big clash between'em, and a half-dozen little fights like this one, we've come across in the past ten-day so trouble brewin there. Trying to grab supplies, slaves, the usual looks like to my eyes but it's a bit messy since big chunk of the mercs the Utties had seem to have up stakes and headed south-eastward as well"

"Hmmm...probably Longsaddle and then on toward Mornbryn's Shield or Nesme probably, that or south towards whatever Neverwinter's supposed to be fighting..." Krowluc mused. It was a logical choice if the Warrior Princess who'd commanded the Sky Ponies AND led the Lathanderite Free Company was indeed dead; not much to bind the two groups together anymore, and heading towards Mirabar who'd betrayed both was highly unlikely "...it'd be my move if I were there cap'n and things had gone ta shit like that"

"Make things easier for us if they have" Nimmil agreed and Krowluc nodded in agreement like the others did; though made a 'be cautious' gesture with his hand as well before speaking.

"Yes, but let's not get wed to that idea either in case someone's being tricky and trying to lay a trap for us and the army behind us" he reminded them, because that's also something he'd pull in the enemy's position if the merry alliance had continued so as to lure in a stronger foe into a trap "Still, I'll admit that is a possible situation with that lot. If it is our own Utties might be able to convince them to throw down the blade and give in to the Bosses demands. Pretty damned generous after'all ya ask me, but Uthgardter clan leaderss can be stupid an' want fight out the hopeless fight anyway; they're pretty stupid like that"

"Weren't yer Ma an Uttie Boss?"

Krowluc snorted, rolling his eyes at Kyras half-question "Yep, and she'd have told ya that most of her formers clan's leaders didn't work with a full deck of cards at the best of times. Course most orc clan outside the ones we're working for now are the same so maybe it's something out here makes some folk get stupid. Sumthin' magic an' whatnot maybe...anyway, what else you see out there Bareyaras that I need to know about?"

"Pretty much same as past few days; Ponies are falling back towards the valley off yonder looks like, either from the raiding of the other tribes, the nearby orc clans, or the blasted adventurers lurking about playing at bandit. Strength in numbers probably and I'd guess there's harvests to pull for them somewhere up ahead of us in those hills to gett'em through the winter. Or on a trek if they decide to break and flee – I think if we catch'em before they get their stores in they'll have to fight it out here or starve if they break..." Bareyaras answered rubbing his beard seemingly trying to think on matters "...but it's mostly movements east. Pretty sure there's fires off in the distance that've been moving north; towards Xantharl's Keep if I'd had to make a guess at the destination. But that's about it beyond there's signs of small groups and lots wild animals running wild in these parts, and already knew that..."

--

[Zahgorim 26]

Hilly-Plains, Valley Entrance, Eastern Crags

"...that's it. So looks like they've finally decided to make a stand up ahead Boss in those numbers, seems like they've mustered up a fair sized force really up o that hill with the huts and old tower on top of it that ah told ye about. Not lookin' very confident either, nary a sign of'em coming down and chasin' us and me boys off. Pretty sure moving forward took'em completely by surprise been honest, we grabbed a few running back after all" the heavily armoured horse riding captain Krowluc told him and the others as they stood under the summer sun while the scout captain jerked an armoured thumb in the direction of the enemy. Zahgorim nodded, hating having to move under the hatefully bright sun but moving hard now had gotten them here before their foes could react fast enough it seemed.

"My warriors have moved up the valley too?" Chief Jernak of the Moonblades asked/demanded of Krowluc's subordinate, getting a nod and words of the affirmative in return. Sending the Moonblades cavalry forward up the valley harmed any chances of the Uthgardters making an easy escape to the plains eastward, but should still be close enough to help if the battle went badly. Which it shouldn't considering they outnumbered their enemies anywhere from two-to-one to five-to-one in terms of warriors, but Zahgorim had learned you didn't get too arrogant when on a raid or before a battle lest you get a punch to face as a surprise. Enemies tended to have plans of their own he'd found, and those could be anywhere from good plans to absolutely terrible ones.

"Well, let's get this lot into proper battle-lines then and march on this lot just in case they've laid a trap or have warriors hidden nearby. Captain Krowluc you head back with your squad and link up with your warriors so ye can keep watch on that lot; same with your warriors Jernak?"

"Yeah, yeah, you and my warriors can keep an' eye on that lot while we come forward. If they start to sally out to me us, or make to flee the valley send word back immediately"

"Of course Lords" the armoured warrior replied banging his gauntleted fist off his plate armour and moving towards where his riders waited holding the reins of the big ass warhorse he rode. Riding horses was hard Zahgorim had found, and didn't like them over much as most were too bloody small for a warrior like him and when not seemed bad tempered as well. Pushing that aside he turned towards his fellow Chieftain and their various subordinates, notably the captain from the Spine Obould along his Shaman, and then three minor chieftains of allied clans and the old orc serving Jernak as advisor.

"Looks like we've caught them before they'd pulled in their forage and harvest if they're coming out in those numbers, most of'em greybeards, whelps and females at that, instead of moving away or trying to just charge forward at us and hope they'll run us off with being crazy. Either that or their trying to be tricky and pull an ambush on us"

Jernak shook his head, more confident now after some battles rather than that youngster confused at that Battle of Blood against the now dead Wyrmog seasons ago "Don't think so, they've been pretty beaten up in the past seasons by our clans, and we've seen the tracks of all those warriors heading away from here. Not long ago, but definitely after the great victory up north, so be strange if they have more proper warriors coming here as if by magic. Truth, they've a bit more than I thought they'd have up ahead if what said there holds"

"Armed up the greybeards an' broken tusks, females an' whelps sounds like ta me..." Urd'nush of the Copperblood Cave tribe, Captain of the 4th Company, rumbled scratching at his head in an effort to hide the sun a bit more Zahgorim guess "...haz all the looks of a clan makin' a last stand I reckon. Leas' if they wuz an' proper orky clan anywho"

"Aye, think they don't have the food stores maybe?" one of the others, a younger captain called Tonalk asked as from around them the shouts went out for the warriors to form up into fighting ranks, anchoring themselves with the hills on their right flank, and a reserve on the other flank behind the front rectangle guarding the advance from the scattered trees there. Zahgorim looked out over rolling ground ahead of them with its smattering of trees, still full bushes full of berries and supposedly unharvested fields the scouts reported before the scattered huts on hill he couldn't quite see yet. He nodded.

"Seems like, which be great for getting them to fall in line quickly...or getting wiped in battle instead of having to dig them out of their den with a siege. Maybe. So we advance and wait see what they decide to do...daylight is burning and longer it takes the better for us when darkness starts to fall. I know we thought we'd end up fighting in the daylight, but better in the darkness if we have to don't ya think"

"Aye" "Hmm-hmmm!" and other sounds of agreement came back in response to that as Zahgorim laid out his plan of attack for the possible fight ahead to them. Jernak could have commanded as his fellow chief, but all had agreed that Sparta would lead this expedition while one of Jernak's Uncle's led another warband against the two small traitor clans south of the Moonblades new lands. All Zahgorim could figure was there was some sort of bitterness between Jernak and one of those minor chiefs allied with them, and neither side wanted a bloody fight. Probably because the minor chief was allied with the Ancient Shaman or the Red Axes he'd have to take a stab the reason behind it all...least that's what Oggy and Breyza had warned him before leaving. Ideally they'd be able to take out the Uthgardters quickly, and then use here as a stronghold to crush everyone else who might oppose Illusk in the nearby hills.

That hadn't been the original plan of course, but the original plan had been thrown out with the good weather and the early bumper harvest they could try capture by moving quickly. Karg had wanted to wait, because always wanted to do everything after lots and lots of useless extra thinking and pages with strange scribbles on them first, but sometimes moving fast and hard before the foe could react or even think about what was happening to them. Of course they weren't going to surprise them anymore now that the Uthgardters knew they were coming for them, but a steady march that wouldn't exhaust the warriors was the first step in making the enemy know how bad off they were. Something he explained to his fellow chief and the large muscular orc from the Spine as they walked alongside the army towards the coming battle.

"...let'em see us coming, can't hide it from them now an' a few hours isn't going to help any. We'll keep our warriors fresh, and let them quake in fear of our numbers before we arrive and make demands of them to give into us..."

"...I...don't think there's anyone really in charge over there right now..." he found himself a few hours later as he watched the muster Uthgardt 'warriors' mill on the hill about ahead of them. As he turned his head to the other leaders of the army the young female Uthgardt serving Sparta, Vol, bowed to him and retreated a distance away after repeating the words given to her and her escort riders "...we will talk and listen to terms...jus give us a moment to pick someone to meet with you about it?"

"Maybe they stall for time?" Jernak queried rubbing his chin though looking like he believed that as little as the other orcs around them. Zahgorim shook his head looking back across to the faint sounds of shouting emerging from the disorderly and ragged shield-wall of the Uthgardt; course the fact they had a shield-wall at all was a big step up from previous clashes he'd had with the savages.

"No, that...doesn't match what the female says. She wants her folk to give up after all so we don't kill'em all and enslave the rest ya know...I...I think we came in the middle of them having a fight for who gets to be chieftain now that their mad female magic knight got herself killed by those betrayers up north. All her warriors up'd stakes and left and that lot haven't worked out who to follow yet..." he found himself replying, then calling over the Uthgardt female and her horse riding mate to explain they knew. Nervous they were, but it seemed that was the case before he sent to wait while the two armies watched each other. His more numerous and better armoured ones in disciplined ranks and the enemy in a blocky wall of shields and spears letting out occasional shouts or sounds of weapons banging off shields at them.

"We could charge over there and kill them all more easily if they are disunited" one of the subordinates suggested as time stretched out and the crude banners and totems of 'truce-parley' remained held by both sides despite nobody coming forward from the enemy yet. Zahgorim waved his hand back and forth in a sign of uncertainty and non-commitment to that suggestion.

"Yeah...maybe, but corner a rat and even the most cowardly will try bite you, and it's not as if they have to do more than stand there and swing a blade, and shoot an arrow. That and we want to take most of'em alive, even if just collect all these crops for us to eat and not have everything catch fire like it always does in every blood raid or battle of late. That and we need someone over there to boss around and tell the others to do what we want when we win, and other stuff like that. Plus they didn't stab us in the back at the battle and the shamans, both mine and old one, want to try using this lot for other things than corpses and slaves if we can avoid it. So let's hold off on fighting for now, till sundown at the least. So anyorc got any idea you want to offer me if that is the case with that lot?"

"May I speak with you Great Chiefs aside a moment?" the outlander orc warleader Obould asked after a few moments silence, earning a baffled look from his shaman, before Jernak glanced at Zahgorim for what direction to take. Nodding his head to the side Zahgorim walked in that direction a few steps with Jernak and Obould at his sides.

"What?"

"If they have no true ruler let me challenge them to rule them?" the well built and armoured northern orc replied quietly "...you have terms most generous to offer them, more than they deserve for being so weak. But I can see yours and your shaman's desire in this, offer them those terms to flee as they are from these lands if they will not serve...but only they would accept challenge from me of their best warriors to rule them. My warriors can bridle them during the winter as you bring away those to hold as hostage or train as warrior-servants, you gain a new clan loyal as you wish. I gain glory and standing as your equal as a chief in my own right, be they weaklings or not that I must fix, and all that you lose is my head if I fail in my challenge. They would have earned the right to escape by slaying one such..."

--