In My Time of Troubles

by Crossposted

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

45. Entry 45

When: 12th Day of Alturiak, 1358 Dale Reckoning

Where: Mansion House, Host-tower Islands, City of Illusk

Weather's been clear for a week [ten-day] now, and seems to look good for the next one, so we've been working busily on the Mirabar caravan and making sure they don't stab us in the back. Well, the last part is all me, but the general principles apply as Shrouda has basically lived in my home as we plot; and by we, I mean me, Oggy, Missy, Veladorn, and Rose. Tanalasta and Shandy too, the two humans turned orcs that only I know about, but that advisory, like Zah's, the slaves, and any others wanting stuff like Menkin the kobold. Mithril is my main interest of course, and Mirabar needs it to flow, and we need some of it – ensuring we don't seize it is their goal, and getting supplied ours. Orcs never traditionally get access to that, outside loot and grave-robbing, and I really want a steady supply to equip my forces with.

Harbours clear as well, and, in 'cooperation' with our 'glorious emperor', we're getting our weather battered ships in order, along with getting fishing boats back out there. We've also constructed six longboats over the winter and they are, I've been told, sea-worthy, so they'll be moving up to Fireshear and the Ten Towns to see the situation there. Ideally to trade, but we have to error on the side of caution between looking like an invasion force, and sending one ship that might get raided or attacked as 'orcs!' on board. The three large ships of our 'navy' will be lingering closer to home, with the longboats serving as our immediate short term, short range, trading arm. Less ethical human ships captains are, unfortunately, likely going to be our main source of trade into the future, though our Calimshan traders hopefully have some future business interest. Other that whatever their actual secret reasoning for risking here was.

In that regards I'm going the deposit basis, or downpayment basis maybe, using our own coins. Largely because we're sitting on a pile of shiny loot that's realistically useless, and largely been falling into our hands due to paying for food and other barter by smaller clans. Many would object, but it's a risk I'm willing to take as a minor one right now, and it tests the waters. Mirabar, and Longsaddle, as trade partners opens up a market to the wider world, even at very high cost. For instance Coffee from Calimshan would be a WONDERFUL THING, as I miss 'Kaf' as they insist on calling it, though tools and other quality goods are really what I want. Yes having a powerful army, and skilled mages is important, but trade and your economy pay for all those wonderful things, even with a feudal-military-theocracy that Illusk is.

Another reason is that using our coinage, I hope, offers some degree of legitimacy as it's not something 'uncivilized savages' do, and instead is a sign of wealth and power. Fake it till you make it perhaps, but we're trying to draw in the more non-human, or half-human, adventurers to use as advance guards to secure ruins and holds around our lands. Thankfully my Missy is a shrewd negotiator, and I've my own knowledge, so I'm leveraging it as best I can;- even down to the Temple of Waukeen down in the marketplace. It is the one major benefit of controlling religious matters within the city, and I've been having religious festivals and ceremonies regularly enough. That is amongst the humans and their gods as well, though under our control of course, and crushing of any heretics to the Illuskan Faith;- because yes, I am the bad guy in that regards, even if the heretics themselves are usually blood rituals and such.

--

When: 20th Day of Alturiak, 1358 Dale Reckoning

Where: Mansion House, Host-tower Islands, City of Illusk

Our forces are on the move to press our control once more beyond the immediate area surrounding the city itself now we've had sufficiently good weather. The caravam for Mirabar will depart in a few days, and pressing our claims up the river along with patrols more importantly, as that makes the journey safer for them and gets me a better idea of how things went over the winter. Well, a more accurate image as we've had steady enough reports I'll admit, but that's only been close in and myself and Zah are sending off a fast moving squadron back to the stronghold and the valley itself. I want to make sure raids haven't been too bad, and that crops are going to be planted, as well as stores still be relatively well stocked.

The other reason is banditry, undead, and dangerous wildlife likely to emerge from winter containment as our outposts have had some reports of all the above over the winter. It's something to 'blood' our less experienced troops on I dislike saying, and also a target for our Adventurers Guild members as we don't want our newly conquered farms being destroyed. Even Kurnak agrees with that, and the other issue of bandits is also an annoyance when other trouble is probably on the horizon. They could be spies and scouts after all, or could be paid to be such, so they are a priority to be routed out now, rather than later, when other issues are going to rear their ugly head.

Magical defences wise, well, divine magic was poured into the city, and we've been raising Ward Stones and the like all winter so that's as secure as I can make it with current skills and powers. Shandril has been a help there of course, as has Doctor Ned and my Arcane Academy, and protections against demons and the undead have been a priority. Not that I won't use undead of course, but that's not a go-to, and certainly not one to use within the city and farmland where negative energy would damaging to the land. My own abilities in that area have also grown, in both my arcane and divine spellcasting, though my efforts to use one source in place of the other is less efficient than I'd like. Still, I'm getting there, and one can only hope that will be enough when the time comes. Anyway, Slán go fóill.

--

When: 22nd Day of Alturiak, 1358 Dale Reckoning

Where: Training fields, outside City of Illusk

We've got constant mock-battles and training in the field outside the city with a variety of 'prizes' and 'rewards' for the best squads/companies/etc for the winners when they clashed and battled. Good practice for our healers too, even if training swords are what's being used outside more bloody clashes; can't be losing too many warriors after all. The real bloodsport takes place down in the Arena after all, though that's an exaggeration I'll admit as most bouts aren't to the death. It's useful for settling disputes too I'll admit, duelling being a legitimate thing to do that after all, along with my Lawgivers and Red Branch Knights. Violence as such remains a constant, but it's no longer the feral, self-destructive, idiocy of the first weeks; a veneer of course, but that's what I've got Enforcers for!

Anyway, I've been using the Tome of Wiki as best I can to see what I can do to improve methods here and there, but the bright side is our clan's forces are properly equipped heavy infantry now. Other clans are too, having access to the city's forges and foundries now I've concentrated them somewhat into a more efficient production system. Sure it's not mass production, but neither is it pure craft either as I'd rather we churn out a decent amount of good quality plate and other armour versus a small amount of excellent quality armour. Perfect after all, is the enemy of good-enough, and we orcs need good-enough, as that is several levels above our normal standards.

Rose has been drilling her Auxlia as well, doing well enough when I pitted a company up against one of the minor clan's amalgamated legion company's. Hard fight, and a narrow victory for my Rose, though I stayed out of judging to avoid bias. Getting combat construction has been more an issue, but we've got better rewards for that where I can, along with religious extortion, so that's happening as well with building and tearing down of primitive Legion Camps. Yes there were objections, there always are, but some magical choking, whippings, and one death put an end to that problem rapidly enough. Kurnak, our Emperor, agrees with me in this, in that we need combat engineers, though that's not what he'd call them, and not just for sieges.

Tanalasta is being unusually talkative of late, during the training. Woman is a combat machine, and Ghorza approves of the training even if she wouldn't want the warrior-orcess [to her] joining our family and disrupting her position. I'm fine with that, as is Tana as I know who she is, and have enough problems without adding that to it. That and she's proving a useful subordinate in getting my minions to a semi-civilized, yet combat deadly, state as Red Branch Knights need to enforce laws, crack skulls, and occasionally heal said cracked skulls as well. I'm training hard as well, more martial aspects now, as I have to stay in shape; weakness cannot be shown in this dangerous game. Which I may get back to now I think.

--

[Karguk 91]

Two days march east of Illusk, North of the River Mirar

Qilue Veladorn had her hood up as the sun beamed down on us, and I could understand as I'd done similar to handle the brightness of the midday sun. It merely irritated me thankfully, years of training at work, but the overly tall drow was still a better rider than me despite that limitation. Still, I like to think I'd improved as out cavalry troop of six squads moved over muddy dirt paths and fields towards our destination. A few miles back the larger force was setting camp, a properly fortified camp with watch towers, on a hilly, wooded, spot overlooking the River Mirar. Now that we'd seen the trade caravan to Mirabar off I was going to deal with other issues while they were likely small issues, rather than waiting for them to become potentially bigger, more problematic, ones.

I was High Priest after all, and it was hard to get out for 'minor' matters now, and I was using the caravan as an excuse to get the lay of the land distant from the city itself. The other reason of course was that there was an undead problem here from all reports, a corrupted shrine in a small village off the road, and that was something to be dealt with by my hand. Everything within easy reach of the city had been relentlessly investigated, and then mercilessly purged, by my clan and the others, and now I was pressing out our claim to all the former Luskan lands. It could be a thing of nothing, though I doubted that, so I'd deal with it now if I could; and if it was a dangerous threat then I'd pull in the small army I'd brought with me and was currently setting up a watch fort.

"Such a pleasant day, for such unpleasant business…" Lady Veladorn murmured to me as we rode together in a column of twos "…though it is bright for such a cold day"

"Aye, it is…" I admitted eyes scanning the terrain again, checking out our squad of outrider scouts were still in view "…but it's best to deal with such corruption in the daylight hours, much as our peoples prefer darker times"

She chuckled at that beneath her hood "Or the underground for many of my younger acolytes, one know they struggle in these dark times. Two tasks with one stone it seems to mine eyes, or is it three, with the show of strength to the caravan perhaps?"

I gave an orcish snort at that "No, at least not as an intended, as I merely want that caravan safely beyond our territory. Though as to the fort and clearing out whatever is here? Yes, that is true I'll admit"

"Ah, honesty, such a pleasant thing to see" she replied back with amusement "One sees the building of a chain of small forts along the roads to make them safe, and exert control"

I shrugged awkwardly, though the movement was masked by the horse I guessed as I sighed "Fortified bunkhouses, watch-forts, taverns, yes. Though rebuilding is probably a more accurate reflection as in times of peace between Luskan and Mirabar they were there along the road…where we're encamping seems to have had something there before after all. Not that they'll see off major assaults, but the plan would be to ensure a secure road and river for traders"

"Under your control, and toll, hmmm?"

"Illuskan control, yes" I replied, glancing back along the column and seeing we were still in formation before shifting back to the drow Chosen "Though in part it's easier to order amongst our own by keeping things simple sometimes. That and these lands are dangerous, always have been, and even just patrolling these lands means setting up rest spots along the way"

It was more than that really, it was about holding the lands further out from the city, and locking down ground with small manned garrisons. Rotating ones most likely, and that'd keep off bandits and smaller groups by ensuring constant small patrols up and down the roads during the non-winter months. Rapid communications were one pillar to creating an orderly system and having a responsive army, let alone making the roads safe for traders. So that led me to riding a large horse towards an abandoned hamlet in this war-torn land to deal with one of the nearer problems as the land slowly started to come alive again after the harsh winter.

I'd brought a magic-heavy force along with some of my personal guard, with Qilue Veladorn here largely to plot and seek out things free of the city I figured. Well, mainly to see of her priestess that were part of the caravan with a good bit of gold and firm instructions, but also likely to do what I was doing and get a lay of the lands before the armies woke up along with the greenery. As our conversation returned to silence I closed my eyes, carefully as I was riding the blasted horse, and reached out with my 'minds eyes' to the ravens and crows nearby;- seeing through their eyes as the spell took effect. Scouting, seeking, but finding nothing as moments later I opened my own eyes once again as we approached the ruined village.

'Well, nothing in the woods at least' I admitted to myself as I brought our column to a halt as one my scouts came back to us, while Tanalasta came up from behind me with Arleigh "So, what've we got up ahead?"

The scout was one of my Battlestaves, his fist coming to his armoured chest in salute as he replied "There are dead things moving within the village when night falls. We did not stray close, as was ordered Lord Shaman, but the land reeks of death. I'd say…I think it was plague and bandits, some restless dead"

"The shrine?"

He nodded back at me tiredly "They look to come forth from there Holy One"

I let out a sigh, nodding "Sounds like a corrupte shrine, or someone defiled it…that graveyards beside the chapel I'd guess Hukyk?"

That was his name I reminded myself as I got another nod and answer in the affirmative "Right, since the place is just a bunch of hovels we'll a controlled burn. Tana, get two squads and do a sweep and clear of the nearest buildings gate after we dismount, the rest of us will form up behind in case you need us, and then we'll push up to the shrine and burn it out most likely"

"Aye Milord" she replied with a grunt of acknowledgement, before turning her horse and riding back along the line to get the two squads she wanted as I surveyed the almost idyllic looking ruined village with the very basic palisade around it. I gestured at the scout, Hukyk, and had his scouts take a rest while I sent the squad of outsiders to watch our rear and flanks while we dealt with the taint before it spread. Sure I could have left it to adventurers, but I'd rather get it organised and the ground consecrated just in case. That and burning out the ruined shakes would discourage any further habitation by things like giant spiders, or more mundane ones like bandits.

"Well, this is a change to lying about all day?" Arleigh said to me as she came up alongside us in her chainmail armour "Aye, Master?"

I gave her a firm look "Aye, it is. Now be on guard. Just because we don't expect much doesn't mean there won't be an issue, so follow orders and show me what you can do. Understood?"

She nodded "Of course Lord"

I turned my attention back to Veladorn as she dismounted her horse, her two escorting priestesses coming up beside her, one taking the reins of the three horses to hold them. Dismounting myself I handed over the reins to one of acolytes, and strode forward to cast another spell to send in my flying spies. There wasn't much more to see, beyond the feeling of the birds towards the rot inside the small stone temple in the village. Unnatural feeling of it, though…they seemed inactive at the moment, and only a handful of walking corpses laying about where they'd died. Seemed plague and war had visited this place months, likely years, ago and this was the unhappy result. In a few years it would have either faded, or the 'stronger' curse might linger…

But not this day as by the time we remounted and rode back to the main camp the tiny hamlet was ashes, and bodies properly cremated with souls put to rest. Someone had been stupid here I figured, but it had let me discuss matters with the drow, and resolve certain ones that might crop up when more arrived, as I got the small number of priestesses of Veladorn integrated the Auxlia squad, and one of my more trustworthy personal guard ones. I shook my head, looking at the sunset as we rode away, the sun sinking in a blood red sky. Winter had ended, and the now the Summer of Bloodshed was drawing near…

--

When: 28th Day of Alturiak, 1358 Dale Reckoning, Year 01 Illuskan Calendar

Where: Encamped, East of Illusk, along the River Mirar

Another day, another village burned. Well, an abandoned one, but still had to be burned out due to a corrupted shrine. One of a number of small problems that have cropped up due to the collapse of even minimal order out here in the lands between us and Mirabar;- something we're bringing an end to. Order shall prevail in this region, largely at the hands our savage, but somewhat trained, warriors. For now I'm focusing on establishing a simple fortified block-houses and small watch-forts, chain along the road and river while I got about clearing out small problems like this cursed place. Some small raiding bands down from the Spine, mountain clan, and we ran a group down early last night that clashed with us immediately.

Nothing organised, but it does show it's going to be an issue given time. Patrols and a few small watch-forts will be the way to handle small bands, and we'll see come the late spring/summer unfortunately if an enemy horde arrives. At least this way they won't have easy scouting of our territory if, when, it comes. Limited resources, ie guards, is part of the problem as usual, as we can't just penny packet elite squads or personal guards to do things like this. So its trained up younger legion warriors of a diverse number of clans is what is, and we've had all winter to hammer them into something resembling discipline, along with rotating cavalry patrols once we link up with forces out of the valley and the Moonblades holds. Sorry, Clan Bloodmoon now I mean.

Now, unto business, or politics perhaps?

Dangerous ones at that as I knew Veladorn was communicating with outside sources, like her sisters, but I was surprised at being told of it. Or of the fact it's confusing that I'm being told of an expedition forming in Neverwinter. See I think I'm being manipulated, or there's more going on that I know about, as why are her 'sisters' telling her about this, and I know which one, in that is where she and her lover now control to my understanding. So why warn us of dangers to come, and why out here, away from the city?

Obviously to tell me alone of course, but the underlying reason is confusing. Is it an effort to build trust? To divert our attention in that direction? To deal with rivals?

Honestly it feels like Neverwinter might be planning to offer both the olive branch, and still see about how well an expedition of 'renegades' would do against us. It's likely to be months away too, so it's not a matter of urgent warning, so why now?

That, of course, is the question on my mind as the ship of drow and sympathizers on their merry is likely to bring word of this, so I've time to prepare, unknown to others, for such an expedition. Smugglers and other human renegades might be able to suss it out for me, as it's a time away, but it's yet another threat to add to the table. It also throws off immediate plans to try 'reach out' to Neverwinter. Or we do that and acknowledge that there's likely to a denial-ops effort by groups to throw us out of our newly acquired city? I have to be careful how I frame this message, and knowledge, with our Emperor and the other clans as I can't really afford many, any, missteps on the matter.

So, that's what I'm thinking on right now, and a matter that's going to involve talking to Missy about the politics of her home city. I'll admit that threat was always on my mind, and consulting the Tome of Wiki doesn't really give anymore ideas on a warning of who and what could be the ringleaders of, or numbers, of what could be coming up the road. Right, need to get back to training. All I can do is do what I'm doing here on the southern route and make sure the area is regularly scouted and patrolled towards Port Llast;- or the ruins of that small city anyway.

--

When: 30th Day of Alturiak, 1358 Dale Reckoning

Where: Encamped, East of Illusk, North of the Mirar River

Found a nice spot to build a more solid castle-like fortification with a solid view of the areas north and east of here. Clearly spotted by others over the years I guess, but not even ruins, so the whole harsh drilling to build quasi-Legion camps has paid off as we'll a simple motte and bailey established from the lower slope up to the top of the rocky out cropping in a day or two. Yeah, I know, the Romans could do it hours, and miles of walls, but I've got orcs, humans, a few drow, so a solid fortification isn't quite uniform yet and it's taking time to chop down the surrounding forest.

We'll leave a force of two squads here, along with four of the horses, as it's a bit off the road, even if it has a good vantage point and that'll be more for sending warning of large troop movements. Been thinking on Quile's warnings, so want to start locking down places like this around the city, so instead of returning immediately as planned I'll take my two hundred odd strong force south of the city after this after linking up with a few more squads from the valley. I've gotten reports the other clans are starting to do similar, setting up small holdfasts on the routes to their territories in the Crags, so good to be imitated I guess?

Of course we still need to keep our forces concentrated in our most important territories, so it's a balancing act with avoiding having too many in the one place on one hand, versus speading too thin our best soldiers. Sure we've plenty of warriors, but I don't trust the vast majority if left alone to laze about for months on end out in the wild. Definitely need to make sure teams are moving, and those squads are monitored for discipline in some way that I have yet to think of. Anyway, need to get back to work, can admire the view when the place is finished after all.

--

When: 6th Day of Ches, 1358 Dale Reckoning

Where: Green Griffon Holdfast, South of Illusk

Port Llast is largely still abandoned according to our outriders, but there are maybe a hundred, more or less, humans hold in the harbour area behind barricades. So, that's something at least, and they at least were willing to trade with our mixed cavalry once the threats stopped apparently. I didn't attend in person, I've decided to turn this former inn and trade-post into a proper fortification and forward base on the North Road. It also borders the Neverwinter Woods, and there's been trouble with giant spiders, wolves, and other predatory creatures.

I know because I'm now in the middle of giant impromptu 'Imperia Hunt' as Zah and our glorious Emperor have turned up with a fairly large force and started doing said hunting while I get building done. Building and more religious ceremonies after the talk of simply marching on Port Llast ended;- though it wasn't a really serious talk in that regards. Should a force from Neverwinter march up the road, sponsored by that city, and support by the port, then we'll doing some occupying I think.

For now though this former frontier tavern is about to become our southern forward operations base to watch that city, and to control the southern route. This place is important enough to get a Battlestave or Cleric, or both, along with a decent sized garrison to patrol a number of smaller forts I'll leave orders to be established in a web out from the fortification. So, since we're lingering here to feast and hunt, and plot, I'll be talking to Jernak and Obould about getting some of their clan-warriors down here. Missy and Ghorza had joined me as well, and Missy suspects that Quile could be telling the truth, as the city might literally try to make peace with us, overthrow us, ignore us, and trade with us – all at the same time. Seems everyone is divided, even moreso, than we orcs!

So, I'm in a Partying Military Camp, and me and Missy are escaping it right now to read, write, and do some study before the next bout of madness is thrust upon me. See I know part of this was Kurnak getting wary of me running off grabbing things, and this is all about showing authority and clashing with me. Well played you backstabbing fecker, well played. So, I'll be returning to the city with the rest of them, whenever that is, as there's plenty of dangerous things to deal with around here. Anyway, times up, need to go back and handle the feasting. Slán.

--

[Ogrash 17]

Temple of the Bloodmoon Witch, Market District, City of Illusk

It was suitably gloomy and cave-like Ogrash found as she entered The Temple to the Goddess with Mara at her heels, and guards separating out so that they took their place at walls as she entered, two following along behind them obediently. The upper level was packed with whelps and acolytes teaching and playing with them, her own young amongst them this day, and she gave a wave at them as they saw her and Mara where they played with the whelps of the clans being educated this day. It was best to leave them alone for now, as the guards were all loyalists to the clan along with the acolytes. Kethri was also a serving slave today, kneeling along with a few other valued female slaves of the clan leaders, and would report back and whispers later today that came to her ears.

Passing through the main hall towards the staircase she and her servants descended down into the 'Depths' of what had been a large, well built, stone cellar, and then undercellar, that had been used to store wine and crates of other goods. Leading down to the docks it had seemed, but they had closed off those exits and entrances from the new Temple, and replaced them with a new tunnel, one hidden by mundane means and the Goddess's blessings. They had been forced to take ownership of the three nearby 'Mansion's and cut through the stone over the winter, but now a, admittedly still small, cave network had been established as was proper. Healing, blessed spell-work, and fertility magic, often needed some privacy from males as well as a place to secure those slaves owned by the Church itself.

"Good Night Sister of the Cave" Ogrash found herself greeted with by Dayeth of the Nightblades and Ulketa of the Bloodmoons, as she came down the stone steps into the welcoming warmth and scent of the inner under Temple. Other priestesses and acolytes were busy in the nearby rooms, preparing ointments or praying as rituals demand, and Ogrash nodded in response to the other two senior priestesses of their clans. Both were young, like herself, the older priestesses largely remaining in the caves of the Clan Strongolds while those like herself braved the front to establishing new Dens for Orcs and the Goddess.

"Sisters of the Cave, a good night to you both…" she replied coming to a stop as her guards waited at end of the stairs, Mara, silent as a shadow, sliding to her knees, head bowed, at her feet. One of the privileges of seniority, just like these two, though only Dayeth had brought her slave, Ulketa instead being attended by a young acolytes it appeared "…the whelps have behaved I hope?"

Ulketa nodded with a grunt "As much as whelps ever do"

"That is truth…" Dayeth agreed "…but they are learning, as all learn, and the future warriors and witches show much promise….which, in part, is something we best talk of"

Ogrash paused, frowning faintly "Trouble?"

Dayeth waved her right hand in the negative "No, it is good perhaps, a blessing of the Gods, but to something you may wish to see"

"Lead the way then to this mystery Sisters…" Ogrash chuckled back taking the lead in the conversation before it could devolve into small talk with a gesture forward of her hand "…now you have made me curious"

"Ah, thought it might" Ulketa chuckled back striding forward with a glance at Dayeth who acquiesced as Mara and other slave rose back up to a bowed walk behind their trio alongside the acolyte just ahead of them "It is a small matter, but a few have noticed it and brought it to our interest. We may need to seek more knowledge on what may have occurred, once we know more"

Dayeth nodded "Aye, truth, still beyond such matters we have great need to find more den-space, or to convert more buildings to serve as places to rear and protect the whelps when away from the clan-parents"

"My mate has sent to a place to teach the older whelps in magics and other learnings of strange mysteries, but I agree, our numbers swell, and there will be many swollen bellies to birth in the coming months…" Ogrash agreed as they walked through a connecting tunnel, then towards the next staircase downwards "…and those whelps…"

"….need Den-mothers when war comes and draws all the warriors away!" Ulketa agreed and the three of them gave guttural chuckle at the familiar problem "Aye, that is an annoyance we must plan for, but it is new, different, to raise our young within a city, under such a strong horde?"

"A good difference…" Ogrash replied, getting nods "…but it was strange over the winter snows yes to still be gathered in such numbers. It is a problem to be solved as one I know would say, and we are learning and ruling as the Goddess demands I believe. We have taken these lands, now they must be held and ruled as the Gods demand of us"

Some shrieks and loud groans spoke of the injured whelps complaining of their healing within the nearby healing rooms Ogrash heard as they passed them, followed by the sound of priestesses and acolytes hushing them afterwards. This, the main Temple, was for healing the young mostly, and certainly only them below the upper levels where the entrance one, and was the place of whelps, and females who served the Goddess and not even the male guards of the Defenders of the Sacred were allowed in these depths. Of course she could defend herself here with claw and spells as the Cave Mother taught, but Mara was also a nice secret bodyguard and weapon, her hidden blades and poisons ready to strike at a moment's command.

She chuckled as one of the injured whelps attempted to 'escape' getting healed to fight with another whelp, before they were driven apart by one the priestesses wielding a cane as a weapon of peacemaking. It was good to see such energy amongst them, but they also had to temper that aggression with discipline just like with any idiot whelp. Clan rivalries probably, though the Church was doing its best to temper that, and ensure all knew to serve the Gods and fight outside enemies harder than their own. Yes, rising through strength was important, but not at the detriment of the clan, or horde, as a whole either. Ogrash herself had seen where that idiocy led before she, her family, and her allies had taken control of the clan and deal with the problem-causers amongst their ranks.

Descending into the Undercellar the gloom darkened, only illuminated by the faint glow of incense candles in their lanterns and a few glow-gems like moonlight off the walls. There were no birthings today so there was only the odd wailing of young whelps, and low chatter of the acolytes, but it was much quieter than above as she passed acolytes and two quickly prostrating slaves of the Order of the Chained Bear. Following her fellow priestesses into one of the larger 'wards' of the birthing chambers she saw one of the senior masked slaves waiting before the shrine of the Cave Mother talking softly to the priestess of the Ice Dagger Clan. Seeing their approach the masked human female went to her knee, masked face bowed to them.

"Blessed Mothers of the Cave, how may this Chained One serve you?"

Ogrash found the human woman's voice a little distorted by the bear-face mask she, like all the female slaves of the Order of the Chained Bear the Church had established, as usual. It made them a little more guttural and pleasant sounding somehow she found thought, wondering of whichever priestess had designed them had done that intentionally or just by accident as they all had it. Not that it mattered as Ulketa waved the kneeling human female to stand as she nodded to the Ice Dagger Priestess "Greetings Honoured Concubine of the Cave, you may rise as we have questions to be answered. Basically stand up Lugash and tell the High Priestess here what you noticed in a moment when we ask"

"As you command Blessed Mother Ulketa" the Honoured Concubine, head of the Order of the Chained Bear replied, pushing herself back to stand, hands behind her back, masked head bowed. Ogrash would freely admit they'd taken some of the ideas for established one, then two, Orders under the Church, from Karg and Missy even….if she was asked, which she hadn't, so she wasn't telling anyone it was anything other than the Church elders idea. So far it had been a success, and the small number of these slave-sisters had proven very useful over the winter within the Temple, and the other small cluster over on the islands Temple cellar and undercellar.

Honoured Concubine Lugash had had a human name once, and she'd been a healer in the city, albeit a very poor one living in the 'slums' as Ogrash had heard it. Giving a new, orcish, name had been one of the parts of the ten-day long initiation ritual she and her fellow priestesses had created after they drew out all the details of the old life and started the tattooing and binding. The sacred runes and sigils were still clear and dark against the pale white skin alongside the metal ankle and wrist shackles, and the only thing beyond amuleted-collar and the bear-mask with head shawl that the Order's members were permitted to wear without permission.

"Sister Kesulki, asking questions already?" Ulketa chuckled to the Ice Dagger Priestess, who merely shrugged and gave an embarrassed look in response as she answered.

"My apologies my fellow priestesses, curiosity, and I had other business with the Honoured Concubine such as the progress shown in exercises and training"

Ogrash nodded as the other female gestured at their fellow, though non-orc, servant of the Goddess "That we can discuss later, now Honoured Concubine Lugash, you wish to tell me something?"

"If it pleases you High Priestess, this lowly one would like to show you, if that is acceptable?" the human female replied with a bow "And if this one may speak freely to explain"

Ogrash nodded "Lead the way Lugash, tell us what you have learned, as it had escaped our eyes it seems and we shall judge you based on your service to the Goddess you understand?"

"Of course High Priestess, as you command" Lugash replied coming out of the bow and following Ogrash's hand gesture to show them "I'd noticed one or two during the winter, but then it seemed something of a pattern…"

Ogrash listened as the Honoured Concubine laid out her explanation as she exited the shrine room and was brought into where a number of whelps were being suckled by milk-mothers, in this case two young clan-females who'd birthed and two of the Order of the Chained Bear thanks to Luthic's blessing. Coming around to the nearest, who'd just finished suckling, the Honoured Concubine had the Chained One's hold the whelp so they could see the….male…and continuing her explanation as the whelp was displayed in front of them.

"…and it continued to show up. None of the children have been sick since the city has fallen, I mean not those born since it has fallen, none of the usual problems with birth, and look here at this young man…and his twin sister over there"

Ogrash frowned "That is…unlikely"

"I know, but…" the human replied tugging at the gurgling whelp, pointing at a barely visible birth-mark and rubbing at his belly "…this child and his sister are…unusually blessed. I can, somewhat feel the energy in them, and a few other amongst the recent births have felt the same. I've seen it before, on both sides…mostly on the lesser pit side sadly…in my past life. Divine or Demonic blood in their veins"

Ogrash blinked "There has been a great deal of magic used in the storming the city, you are saying…"

Lugush nodded "Yes, it seems that great magical storm and death of the demon….thing…has perhaps had an impact, and I feel some….many…of the recently pregnant may had similar. I think we're going to have a very unusually high number of births in the coming seasons with children whose long dormant bloodlines may become active, or with a…blessing?...of the Gods upon them. If it us just amongst orcish births I cannot say, as I have not…"

"You shall have a chance to study the matter…" Ogrash cut the female off, glancing at her fellow priestesses "…as it good news perhaps, but one best investigated as one or two we had seen, but blessings may extend to those not of orcish blood and they must be honoured for that, and their strength added to the Horde if it is so and the Goddess has marked them and their mothers so"

--

[Missasri 37]

Illuskan Encampment, South of Illusk, North of Port Llast

She missed her little Siggy Missasri found, thought she also felt relief to be free of her little bundle of screaming energy and out of the city. Even if that change of scenario was an orcish military camp, and in this case the troublesome situation of being stuck with the gaggle of women, orcs and others, free and slave, that had been brought along by their men-folk for the hunt. Or, to be more honest, to have around looking pretty, and occasionally bed, while the orc men went off and killed monsters while her Karg ran the army around building a fortified camp that was more a castle at times. It was both relax, dangerous, and frustrating all at the same time somehow.

So she sat in a large, smoke smelling, tent, surrounded by two dozen other, while dressed in her 'impressive looking' wizards robe as the fire in the centre crackled inside it's stone lined circle as a recently hunted boar roasted above it. There was plenty of guards around the tent, her own included, though most were as much there to keep many of the women in her as to protect them. Only a few here, like herself, were freely able to move about the camp or even order around the orc guards, and there was the usual tension of competition in the air as well. Missasri resisted letting out a groan at that;- she'd only just arrived and she was mentally griping about the situation and the company.

Arleigh followed her in, glad to be out of the chilly night air as the woman had abandoned her travel armour and clothes for something more harem-slave and revealing in appearance as she shrugged off her cloak and boots upon entry. Missasri was somewhat behind that, as they had to show their 'status' amongst the other women, especially the few orc women with Missasri in her current position. That meant not showing weakness, and showing that the older Arleigh, high priestess she might be, was subservient to Missasri as a slave-concubine to a proper wife. So Missasri had stroke forward with authority upon entering, Arleigh at her heels, and sat imperiously on the cushions in the 'better' part of the large tent.

"Would one wish some company?" a gentle voice greeted her, and Missasri smiled up at the earthy green and cerulean blue clad figure of the elf Hollawyn, one of the wives of her Karg's friend the Chieftain Zahgorim, with the half-elf Sylfine just behind her. Missasri patted the cushions beside her, Arleigh siding behind and to the other side as eyes watched from the whisper filled tent "It has been some time since we have spoken Missasri has it not?"

Missasri chuckled sipping her cup of wine as two other slave-concubines changed position on the other side of the flames "Indeed Holawyn, and you Sylfine, though we seen each other over the winter, when time allowed at the least"

The half elf laughed softly, soft and real rather than the dull eyed misery that the former adventurer had been for her during her enslavement. She was well dressed now for one, the collar gone too, with silks over a mithril chain armour that had the clothes almost woven into them. Publically freed like Missasri herself, but the orc clan tattoos on the half-elf's cheeks were different, and as best Missasri could tell it was self-interest and lack of options, considering the half-elf's feelings towards the Chieftain, that made her swear to her new role. Then again…it brought a great deal of hatred from certain other slaves, just like with Misssasri, and returning to ones former life wasn't ever going to be easy, or doable, considering what choices they'd made.

"Ah, the lives of the high and mighty that we have risen too, eh?" the half-elf murmured with bitter amusement in her tone as the two sat beside her, their own drinks in hand "Little time for small talk. Still better than traipsing the woods I guess"

Missasri sighed looking into the crackling fire "Oh that is true"

Holawyn let out a huffing pout "That is not true! The woods are a beautiful place….well, not these particular woods, as they are rather dangerous"

"Hence the brave warriors wanting to hunt here of course…idiots" Sylfine replied with amusement as she down the wine goblet, refilling from the bottle she'd brought over in her other hand, refilling her goblet before doing the same for a befuddled Holawyn "But, men…hmm, well, orc males, but still the same at heart. Though I do wonder, are we bait for a trap?"

"Oh?" Missasri queried sipping her wine "What makes you think that?"

"All the mighty warleaders out being…idiots as I hear it put?" another voice answered in a deeper, guttural, tone as an orc woman in expensive furs came over. The third wife of the orcish 'Emperor' Kurnak, followed at her heels by a collared slave-girl, human, wearing what probably had been an expensive thigh length night-dress made of nearly see-through silks "Though, I would suspect that it might be a way to draw out any fools that might be nearby, as this tent alone must be a tempting prize. Greetings wives of Chief Zahgorim, High Shaman Karguk"

"Greetings Yusha, wife of our Emperor" Missasri answered for herself and the others, making the offer with a friendly smile despite rather not having the issues that came with such "Would you care to join our…drinking session apparently"

At least that what it looked like from a glance at Sylfine, and the orc woman guffawed at that as she took the cushion on the other side of Missasri, Arleigh falling back behind Missasri with the teenager joining moments later "Ah, that is something not refuse, it will wash down that boar and warm away the cold for a start"

Missasri chuckled holding her own goblet in both hands "That it will, best to enjoy the fruits of success when you can"

"Heh, heh, that's the spirit…" the orc woman replied taking a gulp of her drink, and Missasri momentarily mused that how good her own orcish had gotten, and how they all now communicated most of the time in the Crag dialect of that savage tongue over the Common tongue, before the orc burped before continuing "…I like the fruits of winning, they taste like strong wine it appears"

Yusha sat back with a huff of amusement "Now, we're bait, ah? Or just tempting out the oomans to the south unto the field maybe?"

Missasri shrugged at that "Oh, I don't think we're bait, at least not intentionally anyway, I think our husbands are just bored and needing an outlet for that. We might be like a red cloak to a bull, but only young and foolish…" like she had been, once upon a time "…adventurers would try such idiocy. Still, I think there may be a battle with some of the city, someone always wants to see how strong they are, and probably without permission of the Lords"

It was the line she and Karg had agreed upon after all; they did not want war with Neverwinter, but either a Lord or Lady's army, or adventurers, were likely to try their luck by his 'visions'. Ones Missasri could see as being very true as, while she had never been involved in politics….the city factions trying everything at once, from war to peace to ignoring the problem, was highly likely based on her limited knowledge. Preventing that, and clashes between small warbands and Illuskan adventurers doing the same, turning into war was going to be hard then. Starting with the need to keep the likes of the 'Emperor' that Karg wasn't fond of happy with both fighting, and trading, was going to be starting point…well, with his third wife first now it looked like.

Sylfine snorted, nodding her head "No traders, not even dumb ones, tryin' the roads"

Missasri sighed deeply "Aye…aye, a bad sign, but smugglers and pirates will come to the port, and they'll bring news to know better. It takes time to gather numbers, and to gather coin to pay for the food for them to march….so weeks at the best I think, but I am no warlord either to know for sure"

The 'Emperor's' third wife grunted "Eh, yes that's what the Gods gave us males for, but the clans of the Spine will descend too, though in what numbers none can say…" then, after another drink, decided to change the subject suddenly "…and has news come you that Obould of the Winged Victory's wife is arrive? That he seeks to add others now his strength had grown?"

Missasri frowned "Hmmm….no, I had known he had gotten a few of the women of the Sky…Winged Victory's Uthgadts with child, but not that he was to take wives when he took none at Midwinter. Considering so many of his warriors took wives from amongst the fallen warriors widows I would have expected…"

Yusha nodded "Indeed, a new one to consider as I know not of this female he summons, nor how many warriors it will bring"

"There are many warriors coming to the city…" and many widows and slaves for them to take still, even outside the former Sky Pony tribe Missasri thought but left out of her reply "…and many women and girls of clans we do not know yet"

"Yes, and some very few powerful ooman females to take as mates too of course…" the orc woman replied with a chuckle "…elves even, though that prestige eludes some for….merely a little longer I imagine"

"Or those half in between…" Sylfine replied in a friendly tone, but clearly a tone of challenge hidden underneath "…as our blood, with the help of….the Gods…can grant strong and healthy whelps"

The orc woman nodded smile an amused, or maybe fake, toothy smile "Oh yes, the priestesses of the Cave Mother gained much prestige with that indeed. You must strong not only to have survived, but earned your freedom"

"Strong enough"

Missasri resisted sighing at the reply, then the orc woman's amused snort and words back "Good, I too was strong when a slave, worthy to rise up. Only the worthy and strong should I think. We have to wonder how such matings of strong clans' leaders would change things. Even those of human blood claimed as daughters"

Now Missasri sighed "I shouldn't worry on that matter, Rose is rather more enamoured of being a warrior priestess right now to….enter that battlefield"

Yusha snorted "Ah, one of those types of females. I would warn away my husband and such that he tells those that need to be warned of such. But, yes, strong but not too strong…few males like one to rule them as a warrior and a wife, cept' perhaps an ooman, which'd be fine too I imagine...though who the northerner chooses will be interesting, as well as those that…"

'Oh, it's going to be long night' Missasri thought taking another drink and engaging in the small-talk and indirect politics as others cluster together and broke apart in these nasty little invisible games…

--

[Interlude 27] – [We who are about to die salute you!]

--

[The King in the North]

Grener, King of the Spine of the World as he styled himself, sat upon his throne, hands on the skull handrests, as the priests exhorted his warriors to fight for the glories of the One-Eye. Or, in this particular case, to fight hard and merciless for him as King in the One Eye's name when the time came. His upstart nephew Greneire was starting to build up too much support amongst the stronger mountain clans in the north-east and, with Grener's own failure to crush that old shaman the situation was snowballing…rapidly. The success, even if only in death, of the Shaman's Crag clan horde in taking the human port city, after driving off loyal clans to Grener, was a humiliation that must be answered…or he himself would face daggers in the dark at some stage.

Already there had been a few young, foolish, bulls who'd thought him old and weak;- he'd cut them over the winter barely breaking a sweat, but Greneire wasn't so foolish as try that route without significant support. So time was not in his favour, for now it was okay but as that time was running out and the longer the insults were left unanswered then what he amassed would slip away. That meant gathering his warriors now and dealing with the upstarts, then sacking that city and then, perhaps, Mirabar as well. With such victories under his belt dealing with his wretched nephew should be no great problem, at least with drawing the arrogant little shit out into open battle.

For now though he watched as warriors fought for the honour of being Captains in the slowly growing horde that would descend upon the south lowlands once there was enough for it to forage on its march. Tens of thousands of warriors…young, stupid, eager for glory, fodder warriors…would be called to his banners and then crash over the Crag-orcs like an avalanche. Or, at the worst, hope that he could throw Greneire's loyalists into the direwolf's maw to have their heads bitted off instead of his warriors; that would be a lesser acceptable outcome as well. His attention turned away from the bloody arena fights as young warriors fought and killed for the honour of leadership over the weaker as his Shaman Nulduk came towards him, silent as a shadow.

"What words do you bring Priest?"

His Shaman stood beside resting on staff, looking out with contempt as a weakling was slain by the truth strength of a battle warrior with bulging muscles and a mind that obeyed without question "The filth and their walking bones have been purged from your lands Mighty King, the lands they tainted cleansed by the power of the One Eye"

Grener nodded, gulped down the blood-wine with a belch after offering a salute to the victorious warrior and watching as the body of the weakling was dragged from his sight "Good, would have done well my Priest, and it seems you will have your war then"

"You're glorious war Mighty King…" Shuknil the Priest murmured back "…one that the Gods bless as a true fight in their name"

"Bah, don't try that with me Shuknil. You get your Holy War heresy stamped out, and I get my crown nice and secure on my head. Don't think otherwise"

The priest nodded "If you wish. Just remember….who kept that crown on your head My King"

'Your lot, but dealing with that problem is for the time after' Grener thought drinking deeply of his wine and watching as more fools were brought forth to die for him "That we won't forget Priest. You don't forget whose side you're on, and I won't forget which one I'm on"

They both lapsed in silence at that, knowledge that one problem, those damned necromancers who'd intruded into the caves and depths, had been dealt with and now his horde could muster with problems. With the 'Holy War' underway he could final deal with a number of problems once the summer came and the lands bloomed with life for his armies to pillage. Defeats, retreats, and setbacks had harmed his servants before, but not this time, now was the time for slaughter and plunder….

--

[Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow…]

Yilariel Dawntree glided through the crowd of uncouth humans and half-and-halfs, over to the table in the mansion where her comrades in arms….wow, she had comrades-in-arms now!...sat together, even if they were uncouth as well sometimes. But that was to be expected of non-elves, even if Lynette was uncouth as well despite also being of elven kind. Then again what could one expect with parents such of bloodlines such as her friends?

Still, Yilariel wouldn't trade her, or them….well, maybe Tanyth…for anything else in the world as she slide back onto the bench and taking hold of a goblet of fine wine provided by the brave Lady Ursula Owlcroft who had brought them all together to aid in the defeat in the forces of evil to the North. Around her the room was filled with hushed whispers and raucous laughter as others, just like them, gathered around awaiting the feast thrown in their honour before tomorrow's departure by ship. It was a…new experience for Yilariel, but she smiled bravely, determined to look stoic and resolute, and appear before others as the adventurer she knew she was born to be.

"You missed the show!" her height challenged gnome company Rimmy told her as energetically as ever "You missed the show! It was so funny! This big guy was growling at Lady Ursula saying she was 'foolish' and 'madness' and 'ponies'….well, the ponies might be my hearing…but, anyway, she went "Oh you're a big dumn coward and should run back to Mister Barrysun and tell him whatfor!" and we'd drive the evil out after throwing the wine on him. Dontdaredictatetomeinmyhome!"

Yilariel looked at her human friend Harold, who was actual *almost* civilized thanks to her teaching him proper behaviour s he could translate the rapid gnome talk "Some big, ugly, half-orc came in and started to speaking to the Lady and her table, not sure exactly what was said…don't have some people's ears…so she threw drink in his face and told him to leave and take his cowardice and complaints elsewhere. Something about another Lord here in Waterdeep considering against her Ladyship and her alliance with Lord Winterhaven up in Neverwinter"

"Uhhh, aye….politics!" Lynette muttered, already half-drunk and half-leaning into Harold "Is terribe innit? Doin good, and always some scroll pusher gettin' in the way of justice"

Yilariel sighed "Lisette, you're a wizard, you use scrolls remember?"

"Am' a fun wizard, that right guys? The best kind wizard!"

"Yeah Yilly, don't be such a sour puss!" the overly cheerful gnome and Yilariel gave a firm look of reproach that Rimmy, of course, ignored as she waved about her flagon "You know what grumpy wizard turn into? Shadowmirror gnomes! And nobody likes them because their terrible people! So don't be terrible people Yilly, because you're the best! With such soft, shiny, velvety hair that…"

Yilariel glared "Do. Not. Touch. My. Hair"

"Yeah Rimmy, remember the last time?" Tanyth muttered, their token maybe-evil, party member that her Paladin senses told her to punch in the face near every day. Sure he was Harold's friend….but boy was a thief, and all thieves were evil in her mind. Sure they were going up against worse things, against true evil in orcs and the wicked cousins of elven-kind, the Drow, but that still didn't make it any more pleasant to have to travel with Lord No Morals "Sooo….but, I'm not full sure about this guys, that seemed pretty serious for us to get involved in, and I don't see many…well, mercenaries signing up for this"

Harold rolled his eyes "Don't be such a worry-wart Tanyth! Always this and that!"

"This isn't chasing after some goblins guys and…"

"Tanyth, indeed, there is great evil to be slain" Yilariel replied serenely and earning a momentary glare from the damned thief in chainmail "…and think of the good that can be done if one our number was to rise to the promised lordships. There are slaves to be freed from their shackles! To be lead into a brighter future so that their labours would allow us to defeat even greater darkness!"

"Uh-huh…" he muttered back "…old Lord, new Lord, joy, but I just find it a bit strange is all that we're being recuited and not some well known bands…"

"Do not look a gift horse in the mouth!" Lynette huffed back as the sounds of bells announced food was arriving for them to eat "I will have my promised tomes after defeating these savages!"

"Exactly" Yilariel agreed with her friend holding up her goblet "So a toast! To Victory!"

Her friends, and Tanyth, answered with raised goblets of their own to finish the little party saying "To Victory! Never Surrender!"

The future was bright and shining, as new lands called for evil to be cleansed and great deeds to be done…

--

[Deep, deep, in the dark, someone rises towards their grave…]

Wrath burned in her heart Yvonnel Baenre found as she gazed out at the City. One minor humiliation was too much to bear…and yet she must bear it was the Queen of Spiders demanded. Her assault mere months ago upon Mithril Hall, a mere probing in truth, had been repulsed and then word had come from familiars that one of the Goddess's servants had been summoned, then banished.

Banished by the weak pathetic filth that was her Goddess' wretched daughter's servant; one that had allied with orcs and humans to seize a surface city to spread her weakness into the Underdark. Now, least she suffer the Goddess's disfavour further, she would rise up and conquer in her name.

'It is still a start to the conquest of the lands above, remember that' she thought to herself, reminding herself that this was merely the start and the shame of the minor setback reversed in its wake. Indeed if she could just capture the rogue Do'Urden male AND the so-called Chosen of the Wretched Daughter of The Most Holy, and perhaps that one's spawn to make a trio. Well, then the sacrifice of their screaming bodies in the Temple would surely exalt her amongst all others in Lolth's many eyes would it not?

Her eyes drift down to the House warriors training below, as preparing supplies, and she nodded to herself as considered her options. Thousands of allied House warriors, a large force of loyal priestess, all leading the near surface slave vermin auxiliaries should easily allow her overcome the few servants of this 'Chosen' and her orc 'allies' and then allow her to push on and take Mirabar too.

Perhaps even Neverwinter to beyond that before she moved to deal with the Insult that was Mithril Hall. Scouts and raiders reported the surface lands torn by war and chaos, with the surface mountains and upper Underdark seemingly more dangerous than usual. It was understandable perhaps for weak male scouts and warriors to fail in the face of beasts only the Blessed of Lolth could slay.

Oh, the males of the Sorcere under her spawn Gromph could….but that was dangerous, too dangerous to risk bringing along even if the over-cautious Archmage seemed to be opposed. Not directly of course, none would be so foolish as to oppose her will, or that of the Queen of Spiders, but his 'reasoning' was as wary as always, as overly-cautious as ever.

Would that he had been born a female and shown more aggression….but then again, she'd have had to dispose of him sooner if that was the case most likely. No, even taking Jarlaxle was problem, and risk, enough when this victory was to hers, and hers alone, before the eyes of the Goddess;- then her position within the City would be more secure, and rivals could be more easily dealt with.

No, she would use a number of potential rivals amongst the allied clans…

'Not, just that it would be advisable to take a number of Acolytes from the Academy of Arach-Tinilith and deal with them…as a testing for them. Yes…yes, that would garner the ambitious and dangerous ahead of the merely competent' Yvonnel decided after a moment's thought, then began to plot how to make it happen. Allow just enough to die, perhaps sacrificing a few of her own….hmm, yes Gromph needed a humbling and his daughter was proving...intelligent, perhaps too much so….

--

[Karguk 92]

Library, Living area Temple of Ilneval, Host-tower Islands, Illusk

I had gathered the beginnings of a decent library, and it was nicely organised at last as Tsuruhoki handed me the tomes I'd requested and placed on the table, then giving a formal, and rather elegant, bow. It was good to be back, at least for a little while, as I had to consider if there were any weaknesses in the system we'd cobbled together over the past few weeks. The woman as a gem really in her abilities, and an excellent Head Librarian and research assistant now that her language, and writing, skills were up to local standards; and she ran my small library with an iron hand as well. In the velvet glove to so speak as she seemed to be demure and submissive in how she'd broach matters, but still firm in her resolve when she thought I was wrong on something.

Thankfully she'd healed up, almost fully, from her ordeal as some demons intended spicy barbeque meal and the kimono she wore now, while harem-y at thigh lenght, seemed to delight her greatly as well. Largely as she had design and made it herself; while myself and Nedorious had done the protective enchantments on it, as well as on the golden torc around her neck, and bracelets on wrists and ankles. Nothing special, but they were quality of life improvements and minor protections for her, and had served as a good test bed for other enchanting work I'd been doing. I rather liked artifice and scrolls, and potions, than having to rely solely on pure magic as the seconds ticked by to the Godswar and my divine magic failing. The Black Staff of the Gods might work for that…

'But one can't trust fate to a maybe and a might be' I reminded myself opening up the texts and maps and begin to mark down the various locations of watch-forts and where ley-lines were. A sadly under developed area of study on Faerun, and my own knowledge was lacking from what I like, but I had a reasonable mapping of magical hotspots in the regions surrounding the city…as well those needing investigation. Abandoned shrine, old ruins, and other past relics were potential benefits, but also disasters in the making. Guantlgrym for one, but that was an expedition for later, much later….after we all still alive from this fast approaching terror of this year's events.

"Has there been any trouble since I was away?" I asked Tsuruhoki as she stood beside my chair, hands clasped together in front of her stomach "Anything you need? All is well?"

"Your humble servant is feeling excellent Karguk-sama…" she replied softly and demurely as I wanted to huff in annoyance at the mixed weirdness she'd opted for in response to my 'not Master, Karguk' since wasn't a slave, but a valued member of the household. That and part of me, an old, near forgotten, part of me found the almost-anime Engrish a mix of amusing and irritating "…many thanks for caring for her health and continued prosperity. The household has been well in your absence, merely the usual clashing of wills within the concubines of your Court, though nothing that is burdensome. It is held well in hand by Lady Ogrash and Lady Lua'kah'wyss. Also, my Lady wished for me to inform you Lady Ghorza and Mara are again with child"

I dropped then pen, blinking and shifting my gaze to her in confusion "What?"

"That your wife Lady Ghorza, and mistress, Mara, is with child Karguk-sama"

I was about to shoot up, hand on table when I forced myself calm, sitting back down and letting out a deep, calming, breath "Oggy put you up to telling me this…Now, when I started my studies. Didn't she?"

"Yes Honourable Master, Lady Ogrash did order your humble servant to tell you in this exact manner" Tsuruhoki replied and I could see the faint crinkles of a smile on her lips that she was clearly trying not to show. I patted her butt, as if I was going to smack her but not as I gave her a mild glare as the pat broke her cool and she gave an awkward, but amused smile as she bit her lip. Tsuruhoki was a very serious person…except on these rare occasions when she wasn't, and tried to be a prankster with Oggy's clear encouragement. She, or Ghorza, or Mara, could have easily told me when I'd arrived back, but clearly not since she wanted me ending my studies early tonight.

"Ahhhh….of course she did, well it's not going to work. I want to get this done before I do go to bed. I shouldn't be surprised, now should I?"

The straight-faced, stoic, and respectful look was back as she bowed to me "Your poor servant cannot say my Honourable Master as she is not sufficiently skilled in such matters to know the truth of an oni married to a priestess of a fertility deity bedding women and babies resulting. She apologizes for her inability to serve in offering this knowledge Karguk-sama"

I gave her a hard look "It seems your sarcasm healed up with your health"

"This one does not understand what you mean my Blessed Lord, though this one had heard such reprimands as a child if your servant recalls correctly"

It was…Boss above, she said it with such a straight face, though the sparkling eyes gave it away despite the tone and elegant bow "Were you now?"

"Indeed, this is truth Honourable Master. This mere servant is merely following the orders of her Lord, and his Ladies, in serving your glory…" she hesitated, the mask wavering then setting back in place behind that 'servant smile' she had "…as he had requested, but accepts any judgement rendered upon her. It is her…trust in her Master's benevolence"

I smiled, it seemed I was being manipulated a little, but I didn't mind too much in this regards as it was a sign of recovery with the oriental woman, and it was amusing…from her point of view I supposed as I reached out and cupped her chin, rising it up to look me in the eyes as she bowed "That you can, and you have been nothing but respectful…even if it seems someone is mocking me a little. Now, sit down there and tell me if there are any other earth-shattering news to tell me"

Because it was a sign of trust as she didn't flinch or do more than give an embarrassed flush despite keeping the serious look on her face. I was well aware I towered over her when I stood, and I was certainly big and burly, with clawed fingers, compared to her petite frame and yet…she wasn't afraid as I patted her cheek, then guided her forward to sit on the arm-rest of my chair. That trust was hard to build, and hard to keep, so I wasn't going to get mad over nothing like a little bit of amusement at my expense by my family at the direct of the woman's direct superior in my household.

Tsuruhoki nodded, serene as she perched on the leather and fur arm rest of the orc sized chair, bare feet coming off the ground to rest beneath her "In truth Karguk-sama that news is the hammer to the anvil of what news I would bring, a moment of mirth for your Lady Wife I believe"

"And you?"

"A servant such as this one would never be so disrespectful to her Lord, even during her own moments of mirthfulness"

I snorted returning to marking out the needed notations as trap areas were reconfirmed, along with favourable, and unfavourable, ground to risk or not risk battle on "Hmm….indeed, and there really isn't any trouble in the household?"

"No Lord, none more than the usual caused by the favouring of one amongst them…" she answered as I worked, pushing aside thought to go grab one of the parties involved "…Lady Lua'kah'wyss has kept them in line, and this humble one has ensured those that serve within the Library are appropriately trained and disciplined for that purpose. Where greater discipline is required your wife, Lady Ogrash, judges all such matters. It is a…pleasant situation this humble one finds, far better than the plotting of murder of what she had heard of the Imperial Court and that of the mighty lands of Shou Lang"

I glanced back at her at that "Well I'm glad there is no plotting or murder, thank the heavens"

She smiled in amusement back at me "Honourable Master, there is always plotting amongst our numbers, even of the women of an Oni Lord…hmmm…especially amongst that of an Oni Lord"

"And are you plotting?"

Tsuruhoki bowed her head "This humble servant merely wishes to serve her Master and Noble Lord. One is….less…influenced by what occurs amongst such. The Land of Tomes and Scrolls is one's domain in her Honourable Master's name so to speak, though this humble servant may have a….request"

I sat back, looking down at her "Hahhh….that so, and what might your request be? Or is it only your request?"

She kept them serene, stoic, face as she smiled back at me "Not entirely Lord….this one would has ….discussed such matters with Lady Ogrash of course…"

Meaning Oggy told her to do it "…and Eleanora is requiring some time…away…from the other concubines one believes. Indeed, what one would request would for this one, and the 'elf, be made our Honourable Master's body-slaves when one ventures forth on campaign again"

I frowned at her now "Tsuruhoki…are sure of that request? It is dangerous, you understand? It's not just you being ordered to…"

She shook her head "No, your servant asks this of her own desires if she may be so presumptuous to ask such things. One wishes to see these lands, and a Lord needs attendants as Lady Ogrash states, and Eleanora requires training. Even if the seeing is of battle and horror, at least one will be forever contented within these walls of tomes and scrolls"

'What did the elf do now?' I thought, though Eleanora wasn't one that actively wanted to come near me….well, till I'd come back. Which explained that rather dreadful attempt at trying to ingratiate herself with me, if that was what it was anyway, and I sighed as I'd a war to fight after all. Oggy made it point to humiliate Eleanora I found, as while others clothing was…attractive in its scarity…the elven woman hadn't worn clothes since her capture. All I could assume there was some sort of competition amongst the slave women, which annoying as I tried to provide what they wanted without playing favourites, nor did I drag them to bed. The elf in particular had an aversion to that, so I left her be to work in the library…

After a moment I sighed, nodding "If that is your wish, then so be it, I'll talk to Oggy and…"

--

When: 2nd Day of Tarsakh, 1358 Dale Reckoning, Year 02 Illuskan Imperial Reckoning

Where: Mansion House, Temple of Ilneval, Host-tower Islands, Illusk

Well I'm the subject of an amusing joke. Mara and Ghorza are pregnant again, and I find out from Tsuruhoki in Oggy's attempt to disturb my studies. It didn't work, but, now I'm calm, I'm delighted and had something of a little family mini-feast to celebrate. All I can say it was nice to spend some time with the children, and do domestic stuff for a day. It's easy forget the stress building up till you take a moment to relax and realise just how much stress there was in fact, and I thanked Lua for the massage, it was a great help. So, I relaxed for a day and a night, and have now returned to the studying and logistical grind that is ensuring Illusk continues; oh, and training myself with Doctor Ned, and training Shandy myself.

Personal distaste towards and blood magic aside, they are useful things to learn in the current crisis, along getting as many scrolls made as possible. See scrolls, with disciplined, if low-level, Battlestaves with training our magical striking power goes up. Something we badly need as word has reached us that the northern mountain clans are starting to call in their warbands to fight us. Easy enough to find out as there's a steady flow of recruits coming down from said mountains to join our new Legions due to our overthrowing of Luskan last year. They go straight into the training camps and get bad habits broken, as our laws are iron and I won't have troublemakers allowed in to screw it all up, or act as saboteurs.

See, we've got our forges and blacksmiths organised into a production setup, and fires burn day and night, so the production is up despite us orcs being less advanced. That lesser level of skill has meant that I've had to raid the Tome of Wiki for more 'manufacture' basis production lines over skill crafters, and then ensure lots of lower level wards are place upon the clothes and armour. Even for silly things like Oggy's priesthoods 'stripping spell' and other, fertility aligned, magic, I want protections again it; though mind control is the main focus with things like helmets. Whatever the case our so-called 'professional' forces are full plate equipped now, and the thousands of new recruits can be kitted out reasonably well by human nation standards, and superbly by tribal orc ones.

We've also got a six of the 'magic tanks' {or Battle Wagons as the others call them} in the field, to a much higher standard than before with their steel plate and magic artifice. Ballista and other field artillery have been prepared and I'm happy with the standard, though it's probably fear from the human craftsmen that created them as much as payment made that ensured that quality. Blackford Crossing seems good ground to engage on, either bank of the river, and both myself and Kurnak can agree on that after Zah and Obould proposed it and one or two other locations as battlefields. The bright side is that'll take time, early summer at least, for such a horde to get together so we've time to prepare.

I'd also hope the series of watch-forts we've established will give extra time, or warning, as well, as we've supposedly got murder-hobos and mercenaries coming from the south too. All when my divine magic is likely to be gone, though, storage into scrolls of the magical energy *should* work as said energy is already 'used' rather than drawing more. Merely stored in said scroll or gem, so usable; maybe, it's all very much like Gods-Staff in that it *should* work, but no guarantees. I'm not being paranoid when I say showing weakness, which that would show, leads to challenges, and those I need to crush if and when they do arise.

Yes, I know, I'm talking around the subject of new babies, but I'm really trying to keep my head in the game right now. After all I've expanded my personal retinue, as have the other priests due to Kurnak expanding his guard, and I've got Tanalasta training them along with my Red Branch Knights. Yes, yes, they are Ilneval's fighters, but right now they are part of my enforcement mechanism within the city. It's all a veneer of civilization, as with all civilization really, and only constant order can maintain it, even if it's of the simple and brutish kind. All I can hope in a generation, my children's one, that things will be a little better, even down my little Kargash learning magic along with Korugal and Ogkra.

--

When: 4th Day of Tarsakh, 1358 Dale Reckoning, Year 02 Illuskan Imperial Reckoning

Where: Mansion House, Temple of Ilneval, Host-tower Islands, Illusk

Dammit, more problems? Really?

Right, okay, Shrouda, our happy Stargleam, is back, riding hard with a cavalry escort ahead of the returning trade caravan. Yeah, so there's an army of drow moving up through the Underdark from Land of Bdsm Elves towards the surface. Really they should be heading towards Mithril Hall, as per canon – BUT, someone, called Karguk, seems to have disrupted that history path. The Drow assault on Mithril Hall *last year* as such wasn't derailed as it should have been, and then was repulsed with help, including our small group sent, so my initial assumption of them going there is wrong. They're moving through the deep Underdark towards our neck of the world according to the Deep Gnomes that Mirabar and Mithril Hall deals with.

What's worse that matches up with what Mirrinock's clan has been seeing of deep dark orc clans of auxiliaries been forcibly recuited or paid to help the Drow. Something I'd written off as preparing for canon, with even thinking I'd completely disrupted the progression of *history* by my very actions. Arrogance and sloth on my part; and ,damn, if it hasn't been a dangerous thing to overlook as I know *exactly* where they are going to go after – Us Here in Illusk.

See, there's another caravan in Mirabar, heading for here. It includes a certain emo drow boy and his band of miscreants. All while I've got the Chosen of the Spider's Hated Daughter and said Chosen's daughter, also an important priestess, living here, openly defying said Demon Spider Queen. Damn but this is big-ass problem, and it's impossible to know for sure where they'll emerge on the surface. Well, not yet, as there should be some warning as they start to near the 'underground' parts of our territory. In the end Illusk is a surface and Near Underdark civilization so we do have our own warning scouts in the former Nighttombs and other under-surface clans.

I'm going to inform Kurnak come nightfall, and I've already sent word that we need to assemble the clan leaders as I've received word of an approaching threat. Even with the time taken to march up from the depths they'll be here well ahead of summer, likely ahead of Kythorn when certain magic is going to fail – so, great, Drow Army with Magic at full. Fecking great all in all, as it's a fatal threat that requires no holds barred murder-tricks to break them. This is a matter of our survival now as the Drow of the Spider are merciless monsters with little to no restraint. Fine, if that's how they play it, then we'll play that game too. I need to double guards and patrols first, and then think on ways to deal with their superior magic;- I'll talk to Oggy, then Nedorious, and Quile and think on the matter.

--

When: 7th Day of Tarsakh, Year of Shadows

Where: Mansion House, Temple of Ilneval, Host-tower Islands, Illusk

Councils of War are super-fun- happy times. The real problem is we've not damn clue where the Drow will emerge from, or when the murder-hobos will arrive, and all we can adequately track is the formation of the Northern Horde. Good news; troops from Many Arrows has arrived, included Obould's First, and technically only, Wife though that first part is likely to change soon I've been told. Between the caravans arriving from the Crags we've gotten a fairly large horde of our own assembling here at the city, with another, smaller, one forming in Crags proper once warnings reach the holdfasts there.

Shrouda of course feels the attack will be on Mirabar, and we've agreed in principle to aid them should the attack come on them. They gave us coin and mithril for that pact, though I doubt, and Kurnak doubts, they'll help us in the same way. Dwarves and humans being like that we orcs know from experience. Though at the very least it gives us a reason to push up a large-ish scout force up the River Mirar in what would be Mirabaran territory. Really, the main thing now is trying to get some Harpell magic aid {I can't believe I'm saying this} as the extra firepower will be needed I know.

In regards stopping them destroying our forces via magic nuke of some sort I'm reasonably confident we can Counter and Dispel the immediate destruction stuff. Even up to higher level stuff, though it'll be hard and costly to use army level casting to do that; after all, it's how I built our Battlestave and Warsword forces. Demons are the other likely problem, along with Driders and likely Illithids drawn to Drow banners as mercenaries. Yes they'll have auxiliaries, thousands of them most likely, but we can deal with those, even if it's just through demoralising them. Ideally we ourselves will have the numbers advantage, but that's hard to know despite tens of thousands nowadays in our allied ranks.

The other defence is on stopping teleportation in, just the Host Tower before us did, while also ensuring watch and protection from magical assassins. We've our own in Mirrinock and his priests and I'm calling a Conclave tomorrow to discuss wielding the powers of the Gods against our foes, as is proper. Even that of Oggy's Luthicans, as there's a few 'harmless' spells that might be usable on the right ground. The White Hand's priests and Night Lord's though are my go-to here as we need to get a handle on what's coming, and then to try weaken it before battle. Plans, plans, plans, that's what I need now. Stack advantage on advantage and show no mercy to the foe as the Cunning Warrior dictates.

--

[Liriel 01]

Miles above Menzoberranzan, The Underdark

Aching muscles and sores on feet weren't mentioned much in the books Liriel Baenre found as she sat, hiding a wince as she rubbed her right foot after another long, tiring, march. Of course she wasn't a brave adventurer on an adventure she reminded herself, she was the prey trying to avoid the predator, in this case that of House politics it seemed. Passing her, rigged, Blooding despite certain people's efforts should have been enough…but apparently not she noted watching as the army made camp and others did like herself and took a moment to ease aches and pains. And also to watch their rivals; again just as Liriel doing as this moment, wisely in her mind, even as she tried to relax and recover her strength.

This whole 'expedition' reeked of an excuse to eliminate potential threats by her Grandmother, and Liriel might very much fall into the 'price of plans' according to her Father. Or, simply as a punishment for some perceived slight by the Archmage of the Sorcere towards the House Matron too she suspected, but Father was tight-lipped in his usual way. But…the fact he was giving her, secretly, magical gear and tools to survive on the surface, on her own, did hint at good thoughts on his part…

'But is it a test? Maybe even a purposeful trap?' she wondered for the hundredth time as she watch slaves being hustled about to establish tents, along with all the 'auxiliaries' being milled about by senior priestesses to get what was demanded. Liriel wasn't meant to be with the Acolytes, but this dangerous test was to be her 'acceptance' into The Academy at long last, along with a number of other talented or connected young females from various Houses. She didn't dare say her thoughts on that, as many of them were stupid and ambitious enough not to realise the trap….while others were smart enough to grasp it, but were ambitious enough not to care. Or were planning on having a rival stop an arrow for them, or fall off a cliff as she had been forced to carry out.

'Well, you wanted a chance to escape to the surface, here's your chance' Liriel reminded herself, also for the hundredth time as she watched, out of the corner of her eye, a fight break out over bedding space based on ranking. Or was it?

That was always the question as she watched to make sure it didn't intrude on her bedding area in some effort to secretly off her or one of the other Acolytes in her section. Not that she trusted her three 'travelling companions' as far as she could throw them, but there were significant dangers that came assassinating one within your own group that it was…less likely. Still she, carefully and silently as possible, placed arcane alarms and a protective shield that should give her a few moments to react should someone try to stab her in her sleep. They others in her group were more obvious in their own efforts, but Liriel did her own 'obvious' ones as well…so maybe they knew more than they were letting on as well.

"Ugh, more dried meat rations?" Zyrilla, of one of House Baenres minor allies, House Ilshyara, complained as she came back over to her bed just across from Liriel as she pulled out said rations from her pack "We're eating like goblins here!"

"Only for the higher ranked they'll risk cooking fires…" Liriel replied, actually honestly for once in dealing with the other girl "…we're up in dangerous territory they've all being saying. Even if we're supposed to getting a few of those dangers to fight for our army"

"Filthy creatures"

Liriel shrugged "No disagreeing here, they aren't to be trusted those mind monsters…" even if they were lesser ones, since the true ones would be far too tempted to eat lovely Drow brains, army or not "…but the Matrons and Priestesses have the matter well in hand of course"

Zyrilla nodded "Of course…what are they fighting about over there?"

Liriel pretended she hadn't noticed and been following the altercation out of the corner of her eye, and she turned her head, blinking in 'confusion' as she did "No idea….looks to be broken up though"

Meaning it wasn't a planned fight…probably…and she watched as the two fools were dragged off to be lashed on the orders of one of the Priestesses. There wasn't much of it, but she'd already counted three 'accidental' deaths since they'd departed and the funny thing was….some of it was probably true. Petty clashes were a thing, and she herself had nearly snapped over small things as her creature comforts were taken away suddenly and she was forced to traipse about in constant danger. Especially when everyone knew this was all happening because of the failure to crush the dwarves some months ago in their recently reclaimed ancient hold.

"Goddess that's silly…" the other girl replied shaking her head in disgust "…we've a fight not too far away, and they're fighting over something so stupid"

Liriel nodded, she agreed, somewhat with her "They aren't worried, it's only some gnomes in their mind"

Zyrilla continued to give her a, nearly concealed behind a friendly 'idiot' look, a calculating glance "But not you?"

"Oh, we'll crush them of course…" she answered smoothly and with complete fake-confidence "…and enslave the survivors as sacrifices, just as we'll crush the orcs and dwarves, but it's a walled city and I admit I know nothing of sieges. I can only say it must be difficult as the mercenaries of the Bregan D'aerthe have said such, and that is their trade, one they are well paid for…so they must be good"

"Well they better be…" the voice of another of her hastily formed group, Nedynae Gallaryd whose mother was a merchant, but wealthy enough to attempt get her into the Academy. Assuming she could survive this 'test' like the rest of them of course Liriel mused glancing at her as she sat down grumbling "…they are costing quite the bit of coin I hear. I don't know about you, but I aim to grab some sweet little daarthiir when we're up there and get *her* to carry all this gear for eternity instead of me"

"Oh not a bad plan…" Zyrilla laughed back "…though I think the best we'd be allowed is a slave-share, unless there are more up there to grab than we were told!"

"Hah, as if merely acolytes would be allowed such luxuries and…" Liriel voiced back with amusement thought finding the idea silly in of itself. But it was better to engage in pointless small-talk than risking pointlessly aggravating the other four when she didn't have too. Blingdenstone wasn't more than a few more days march supposedly, and then beyond that the surface, so she needed to make sure these four in particular didn't think her anything but a loyal priestess in training rather just being desperate to avoid getting dead. Following the army till they sacked Luskan, and Mirabar, was something she'd rather avoid…but she needed up to date maps, and the ones she'd…borrowed…were likely decades, maybe or century or two, out of date.

It was beyond frustrating as she was so close…and yet so far from what she wanted to do Liriel found as she smiled and talked carefully. One wrong move and you were dead, as always, and it was hard to know how far Matron Baenre was willing to go to regain Lolth's blessing after failing so recently. Then again the whole idea that the Goddess was sending them off after effectively two people, plus one's daughter, was utterly bewildering for how…petty it seemed to Liriel. Here was an army of thousands, off to raid and pillage the surface, and conquer there for House Baenre and its 'allies', with the Blessed Spider-Quenn giving it her blessing because she wanted to catch some uppity Matron and a male who'd dodge being sacrificed!

'Sure he got away, but this seems overboard. The male with face to march ten thousand soldiers! As if!' Liriel thought as the conversation died down and the army began to rest before the first push. From what she'd been able to learn they were confident the gnomes would be brushed aside, with help from…filth…but then they'd be up on the surface. There sunlight would be a bigger issue than mere orcs they said, and the dwarves were supposedly weakened…so maybe there'd be plenty of chaos for her to take advantage of?

--

[Cirla Kag 04]

Blackford Crossing, East of Illusk, Mirar River

'Bosses do sure love digging….or getting us to dig' Cirla Kag grumbled silently as she and the others of her squad worked away under the clear spring sun to dig trenches and tunnels. Thankfully she wasn't doing the tunnels…much…as it was hot and dirty in them, and even working out her under the sun had gotten her stripped down to boots and trousers with the sweat as she shoveled. Her weapons, armour, and proper clothes were stacked in easy reach nearby of course, but it was exhausting and dirty work…and they weren't get those ruined and marching filthy. There were squads on full time guard duty while they worked anyway, the lucky bastards, so that was that she grumbled filling another bucket and handing it up.

'March here dig this, march there dig that…Gods damn it' popped into her mind again as she wiped her brow while the bucket of earth was winched up by rope and thrown into a wheelbarrow to be brought to the earth and stone walls of the rising camp at the crossing. The current holes were odd though as they were burying Totem Poles and digging strange symbols it seemed, though no one was telling her what that was about. Her orcish overlords were strange like that, and thank the Gods for that as that meant she was digging a hole with a break and food to come, rather than digging a grave to be sacrificed in at the end.

Then the bucket was back down and she was digging again, while the bigger, bulkier, two men of her squad began laying the wood beams and nailing them into each other for the supports. Nothing fancy like was being done with actual craftsman further in, but it'd 'do the job' she'd head from Captain-Cleric Orlac, her immediate orc overlord. Whatever that meant, but Cirla Kag was used to working in the dark, both literally and figuratively, so she shut her mouth and worked hard at what she was ordered to do regardless. There were rewards for the 'best' squads, even slave-warriors like her, speed and effort in the establishment of the fortifications.

"Right, up, get grub!" came the shout from above in harsh guttural orcish. Cirla Kag grunted as she threw the last shovel full of earth into bucket, and then rested her shovel on her shoulder. Orlac was Captain, but it was her job to be the task-mistress as Squad Senior Sergeant to get the others moving. So, exhaustion aside she found her voice, taking on a commanding tone and snarling in her own guttural orcish. It was a great language for snarling and shouting in Cirla Kag found shovel resting on her right shoulder and gesticulating with her free hand.

"Alright you fuckers, you eard' the Captain! Finish up what yer doing and get up that ladder! Stack tools where you are told or I'll have ye lashed!"

"YES SERGEANT! AS YOU ORDER!" came back as she stood and waited for them to ascend one by one till it was her turn to follow them up to the grasslands above. Even this distance from the river the ground was muddy and she and her comrades in arms were mud soaked she saw as they collected their gear, but marched down to the river first to wash off. That area at least was already fortified, on both banks, and 'bathing areas' had been dug and wooden spars driven into the ground to support that idea. She wasn't sure who'd come up with it, but it was a grand idea as she shed boots and trousers and got into the watcher to watch herself, and the trousers off quickly.

'Good to be clean again' she thought shouting at the others to form up and get into under-armour, slinging their washed clothing and armour over wooden carry 'banners' so they could get food and rest inside the camp. Cirla Kag checked no-one was missing anything, a lashing offense if they were, and then fell in behind the Cleric Captain as they marched in formation back into the fortified camp proper. Looking back out to where they'd been working it was hard to see much of the effort from here, just long grass, bushes, and trees along with the wide dirt roads south, east and west.

Still, that was only for a moment as she was finally allowed to collapse into an exhaust sit down at their squads tent, and gather some vegetable and boar stew with hard bread from cooking section of the camp. It wasn't great food, but it was hot and after the back breaking work of the late night and early morning it certainly helped get enough energy into her and the others so they could manage another few hours who of chores and drills within the camp proper. Camp duty was always exhausting but dull, and it wasn't long before Cirla Kag collapse into her bedroll with a welcoming groan and into well earned, in her mind, sleep…

--

….drums thundered and Cirla Kag's eyes snapped open, rising immediately and reaching for her weapon and rolling out of her bedroll. It wasn't usually an attack, but failing to get up and act like it was one got you a beating and she was shouting out orders even as she began putting on her armour over her gamesbon and trousers. Around her other squads were forming up, similar orders being shouted out, as well as armoured orcs in the colours of the dreaded Red Branch Knights and Ilnevalite clerics moving about watching and shouting out commands.

Forming up with her eight compatriots and orcish command her squad stood in a rectangle as she got the last straps on her armour tight and stood at attention. It was bizarre that the orcs of the Crags were even more demanding than the Luskan City Guard had been, but they were, and discipline was harsh too so she stood ready in the night, hand on sword hilt and shield on the other side.

Drums and horns filled the moonlit night and soon she was marching and forming up with nine other squads into a company under orcish command as they passed out the front of the stronghold. Nothing had been told her yet about what was happening, but she merely forward the Legionary Wolf standard as they moved out onto the flats outside the fort and formed a battle-line….then stand in place for ages, doing nothing.

"Orders Master?" she queried as a messenger moved down the line and Orlac was spoken to for a few moments before the orcish warrior commanding the Company passed along to the next in line. Orlac nodded as they gazed out into the distant mists amidst the sounds of an army preparing for possible battle….or, just another mock battle maybe. The mad High Shaman and equally mad orc 'Emperor' did seem to love fighting, even when there wasn't any need to do so during training.

"We're marching out Senior Sergeant…" Orlac replied motioning at the distant road "…along with a few other squads and some horse-orcs. We're to meet up with a caravan from the dwarf city and ensure it reaches here safely. There is fog on the mountains, and while say the dark elves are still in the depths we are to make sure what is being gifted to the High Shaman Karguk and Emperor Kurnak arrives safely. Ready the squad, we will be marching out at a shout"

Cirla Kag saluted fist to heart, gauntlet clanging softly off her breastplate "Yes Master, as you command"

Then turned back to her responsibility with a cold look holding down the irritation of being up and awake from her sleep far too early once again "Alright you lot, check your packs, because so help me I'll whip your ass red if you're missing things miles from here"

As usual there were things to be got, and she immediately sent two of them running to the quartermasters to get supplies and one, maybe two, of the carry carts if they could. No slaves to carry here to shout at in the Illuskan Legions…other than herself of course, but they expected the orcs to carry their own pack too so she wasn't going to complain too much. You were expected to be able to march and fight, at the same time, and the Orcs Priests would happily remind you, painfully, of the Laws of the New Horde.

So she did just that herself, packing her backpack like she was some very particular sort of coin obsessed adventurer and slung the carry staff over her shoulder as horns sounded and they were ordered into formation. Luckily her two runners had returned with everything she'd sent them for, along with one two wheeled light cart, that she had two of the new additions to the squad pull them, and some waterkins arrived back before they were marching out of the camp behind two other Auxlia squads and a force of orcs.

She glanced out at the cavalry, glad to see them as booted feet began to leave the relative safety of the camp and move out into the dangerous lands beyond. Dawn was nearing she noticed as she glanced up at the mountains as meters became miles and the suddenly welcome drudgery and toil of digging ditches and random holes in the ground disappeared into the wary guardedness of marching to potential battle…

--