Part Forty-three
They had come to the river before sunset. Though they had left the road, they found there was a horse path here and that the way along the river was traveled not infrequently. The horses were quickly watered, then tethered together and left in the grass. The group fell into a usual routine of setting up a temporary camp where they might have rest and a meal. The assigning of chores was discussed. Kato and Fei volunteered to prepare a meal and Gwindor and Galadhiel said they would not mind drawing water. The rest arranged the baggage in a safe central location and then went to rest or work as they wished.
Beryl sat to mend his cloak as best he was able, and felt foolish for not removing it before going into battle, or else for traveling with such exquisite clothing. Tsuki and Laurel sat together talking, as Laurel prepared spells and potions and Tsuki constructed a drum. He had been working on it since before their stay in the city and now had purchased some horsehide to stretch over the larch wood frame.
"I think I will mix another spell like the one I used today," Laurel said.
"What did you put in it? It seemed a little strong."
"You do not think it turned out well?"
"It was well crafted, only, it seemed to effect Duma very strongly."
"Perhaps because he was close. I do not know why he slept. It was only supposed to bring out the brilliance of the sun onto the Orcs."
"Really? Only Orcs?"
"You do not think I did it right?"
"Let us mix the powders together this time and see if it is possible you made a bad combination. The association you have is most important, but certain items put together have effects that all will feel."
Lenaduiniel came from exploring the are of their camp and sat near Tsuki. "There is no wood here to make arrows."
"It is well enough. Seven of our party carry bows and have quivers of their own. Gwindor rarely uses his. We will have enough until we find wood."
Lenaduiniel touched the staff that lay at Tsuki's side. Her own bow was laid across her legs; it seemed, although they agreed to stop and rest, each felt the need to keep weapons near. "You have been working on it. I can see the animal shapes clearly now. Rabbit, horse, frog, snake...and what is this to be?"
"It is only half carved, but it is to be an eagle."
"Do some people associate eagles with the moon?" Lenaduiniel asked.
"I know not whether some do, but it is a more importance matter whether I associate the animals with myself."
"I thought it strange that Tsuki carved animals onto his staff, and not runes or spells..." Laurel began.
Tsuki broke in, "There will be such runes and characters before I am done with it."
"The animals seem befitting on your staff."
"Yes, yes, impressive staff, Tsuki," Dale sang as he approached from the river. He set a full waterskin beside Tsuki. "I believe there is a taint in this water. I did my best to filter it. Gwindor does not taste or smell anything that he does not in all rivers outside Elven realms, but I would swear Orcs have bathed in it."
"Orcs bathe, do they?" Laurel asked.
"Orcs have been doing a lot of strange things of late."
"Would you feel better if I devised some additional filtering method?" Tsuki asked.
"Galadhiel did a blessing and Gwindor said it was good to drink. It may be I imagined the taint. I do not know that I would feel better drinking Wizard water."
Tsuki was by then no longer fully listening to Dale. "We have a limited amount of charcoal. We could begin by boiling..."
"I would collect dew if I were not against staying until morning. A chill comes in the evening now..."
"You are of a mind to break camp sooner?" Lenaduiniel asked.
Dale drew up a sleeve to show a bandage. "I will have more scars when these heal."
"The stitches were small!" Beryl called softly, "have no worry."
"I am certain we would all rather avoid a conflict with the Orcs if possible," Tsuki said, though he was still thinking on how he might purify water. "Take a vote on the matter. We need not stop for the night, but only to eat and have some rest."
"The horses need rest. We ask them to carry us and our baggage. We must take care with them."
"Dale is quite Elven in regard to animals, Lenaduiniel," Tsuki said, "He cares for his horse, yet knows that Nightmare, like the other horses, must have it within their instinct to flee Orcs."
"Horses will flee Men if not already tamed," Dale pointed out. "The horses will be well enough. I am not suggesting we run continuously until we come to the Great River, only that we travel by some nights as well as days, or even in the stead of daylight hours."
"A witch learns to work nights, but I would prefer to see the sun now and then."
Dale smiled at Laurel. It stuck some of the others as rare, as often Dale spited Laurel for spending so much time near Tsuki. "It would seem some magics are best worked by day. I felt it was summer again."
"You felt...?" Laurel asked.
"Where is Duma?" Tsuki asked, with intent to change the subject. He understood that Laurel's spell had affected Dale because some part of him still believed he was an Orc. Some part of Dale might forever doubt that he was Elven.
"Elven in color but not in vision. He is standing there with the horses," Dale said. "I think he is a bit...well, dazzled, that Beryl has given him a horse."
"Sold," Beryl called without raising his voice equal to a shout.
"Dazzled to own a horse. She let him ride. I remember when I first realized that I had Nightmare's trust. It was...a good sort of feeling. It is not the same as with people. Sometimes, you fear the trust is pretended, but animals do not pretend. Few Elves own horses and no Orcs that I know of, save perhaps those that whip war horses under orders of their masters. The only animals Orcs come close to taming are wolves, and that as well is done with whips and starvation. Whips and starvation can break a creature, but...they will not really trust you...they will turn on you." Dale shut his eyes. "If none of you need me, I will go see whether Kato and Fei can use help speeding our meal."
"He..." Lenaduiniel started and did not finish. It seemed then to her that the others understood and agreed and that no one needed to say what they were thinking. Dale did not tell everyone that he met of his past, and so those that came to know him often came to a point at which they supposed they had surmised his history and that it was difficult and unpleasant, and then every once in a while, they realized they understood little of his past, and it was much more difficult and unpleasant than they had ever known.
Whips and starvation were not pleasant things.
Duma took a step back from his horse to observe the clay red handprint that covered Beryl's brand on the mare's hindquarters. He wondered if the animal would let him put rings through its ears or nose. The way of Orcs would be to make the piercings without show of submission, but the way of Orcs had not caused this animal to serve Duma. Beryl would probably say hair clumps were not for horses, but perhaps he would not object if Duma braided the mane. Duma might drill some stone beads and make a few simple metal bands to decorate the braids; this mare did not look very strong or dangerous.
Duma left his horse and walked through the camp to wash the paint from his hand in the river. Most of the others were now gathered around the stove. "We will not only be eating it today," Kato was saying, "most of these sacks are full of queer gourds."
"Do they grow such things in the east?" Galadhiel asked.
Fei looked up from his pan and gave an annoyed expression.
"I think they must, only perhaps they would vary from those in the west," Tsuki said, as Men of the east and west vary, and the look of their animals."
"I have faith in Fei, if nothing else I would eat the seeds, if roasted," Beryl said. "If some of these taste good, I would like to dry some seeds for when I have a garden again."
"I am going to go catch some fish," Dale sighed.
"The food will be good. Well I have learned to cook. In the west I learned. Name the dish you prefer, I can make it from the meat of these gourds. We have sweet and...not sweet."
"Is stir frying the best method to prepare this 'meat'?" Leanduiniel asked.
"I do not remember eating so many of these foods when among the Horse-Lords, perhaps there is some other way to prepare them?"
"Longer it takes if soup or baked dish you wish to eat."
"Perhaps baked with one of these dairy foods?" Kato asked. "They gave us an abundance of cheeses and thick creams."
"I am going to get some fish," Dale said again.
"We have plenty of smoked and dried beef as well," Kato continued.
Dale walked to the river. Duma was there, his coat, boots and pants on the grass, while he stood in the water, looking toward the west. "You've scented them, too," Dale stated.
Duma started at Dale's call, but made no other response.
"It is the females. Or what is left of them. Marduk sent them east before the fighting began."
"Yes," Duma agreed.
Dale pulled a fine red net from inside his cloak and stepped into the water. Duma turned to watch him, as Dale lowered the net to the running water. He sang a rhyme under his breath asking for fish. When a fish was caught I the net, Dale picked it out, snapped its spine, then tossed it to the grass.
"They taste better fresh. I have eaten fish. If you wish to end their life mercifully, then fill a pouch with water and place them alive into it, and kill them only just before eating, or cooking, if that is what Elves like."
"If I had a cave or house to travel back to, I would, but they will be coked soon enough. I do not plan to stand here much longer." Dale picked another fish from his net and snapped its backbone as well.
Duma tried to snatch a fish from the river, but with his claws trimmed, the fish slipped easily from his hands.
Somewhere upriver, Ugarit closed her hand on a fish and held it fast with her claws.
"Give it to us," Sarpanit called from the riverside, where she and Damkina tended a meager fire.
"Put it to the grass a minute," Damkina said firmly, "the water will make our fire smoke."
"Dry it well," Sarpanit said, agreeing with Damkina then, "We do not want the horse-boys to find our fire."
Ugarit put the flopping fish on the grass. "Can we go to the other side of the river? I think I see wood there."
"No!" Aladima said loudly, "we do not want to take wood from there. The trees fell Orcs across this river."
"The trees that move," Ugarit said in tone of awe. Many Orcs living in this masterless time had heard stories of them. "No mercy for Orcs, just like the horse-boys."
"And are there any that have mercy for Orcs?" Sarpanit asked.
Ugarit almost spoke, but held her tongue behind her fangs. Other Orcs said Death-Shadow was a merciless hunter of their kind, but when Ugarit had been smaller, he had received and traded her with only a small cut on her arm to mark her as once his. There were less merciful Chieftains and masters among the Orcs than he was. Duma had been against fighting, when, Uagrit had learned, he likely had the ability to win. There were times when Death-Shadow could have stayed to fight and maybe to win, but he ran instead. He did not seem afraid, but holding back strength, like Duma. They were merciful to Orcs.
"Do you think there will be more wood to the east?" Damkina asked.
"Yes, some," Aladima said.
"We do not have Marduk to keep us warm at night," Damkina said. Orcs were physically able to withstand a great range in temperature from freezing to blistering, but this did not mean they preferred to withstand extremes.
Aladima snarled. "Your male did not even sleep with you, but with his warriors." She was jealous, perhaps. Razh-Razh had slept with an arm over her, so that he would know if she tried to leave him. She did not know if her male had survived the battle, but she hoped if he had, the other Orcs would be long in finding them.
It was not his sleeping that kept us warm," Damkina said, laughing coldly.
Sarpanit laughed with her. She did not really like to share with Damkina, but they agreed on many things and Sarpanit found Damkina a useful ally. "We should stay here at night. Marduk will come for us in darkness."
"Ugarit said Marduk wanted us to track Death-Shadow," Aladima said. She hoped this would take them far ahead of the other Orcs.
"We do not know where they are. Death-Shadow went to the road."
"They are close, just downriver," Ugarit told Sarpanit. "I can smell them. The Elves disguise their scent now..."
"Men and horses are all over this country. You do not know you have scented our enemy."
"The Halfling smokes a pipe," Ugarit said, "and their fire burns waxes and woodchips not always gathered from their campsite. Their cook pans give off a scent unlike that of horse-boys. Not enough meat."
"Advantageous of that Halfling. We should eat him first," Damkina said.
"Have the little one, I will eat Elf."
Ugarit growled. "You will not eat any of them before Marduk is with us. Marduk wants to learn from them with interrogation. He want to know the business of the Wizards and strange Elves. We must learn what can make many Orcs sick."
"How do you know Marduk's wants?" Damkina asked.
"Dog tells me some news, and the rest I hear from Marduk. I listen when he speaks to his warriors and you are busy tending a fire or arranging your hair."
Sarpanit hissed.
"Who spends time weaving trophies in their hair now?" Damkina asked.
Sarpanit laughed. "she is trying to make herself pretty enough to attract an Elf."
"She would have to ask the Wizard to straighten her hair."
Sarpanit smacked Damkina with her hand, as she also had clumped, tightly curled hair and found its arrangement quite attractive.
Damkina shifted Tashmetum, hissed at Sarpanit then rubbed her arm where it had been smacked.
"Ugarit, if you want to eat, you best go catch some more fish," Sarpanit said then.
This seemed to make Damkina feel better. "If the Elves are so close, She is probably letting them know where we are by washing out her bloody rags in the river," Damkina said in mock confidence.
Ugarit spit at their fire then stalked away to find food.
"She acts above her rank," Sarpanit said.
"We could teach her with my knife handle."
Sarpanit shuddered. Before Marduk had been Chieftain, she had felt a whip handle more than once; as much as Ugarit annoyed her, she was the same gender, breed and clan as Sarpanit, and Sarpanit did not want the smaller one to feel what must be harder than the leather covered wooden whip handles. If it could be done to Ugarit, then it could be done to Sarpanit. They should protect each other, so long as it was advantageous. "Try it on yourself first," Sarpanit told Damkina.
As night fell over the country and darkness came, Marduk led his Orcs down from their rocky hiding place in the hills and ran north, past the capitol of the Horse-Lords. The King had heard of the day's battles and had patrols riding around the city and along the roads approaching its walls. It was decided that his Sister and her husband, along with their guard, would ride to their home come morning, by way of the road. They would help bring the message of troubles in the west to all their allies. Though messengers had been sent, sometimes the message seemed of even greater importance when carried by a noble, than when carried by a noble's official messenger.
Marduk hoped for speed and stealth, for though his fighting Band was still large and now well fed, some were injured, and he wanted to avoid battle with the Riders and find his females. Stealth Marduk was able to maintain, but not speed, as detouring around the patrols or else waiting for them to pass took time.
Just after dawn, a party rode out from the city of the Horse-Lords, with banners of the Shield Arm and the Royal Hills. If they were to meet Orcs along their way, they would be stragglers only, as Marduk was nearly to the river by then and Ugarit was leading the female Orcs east along the riverside horse path.
When the grass was still wet with dew, they came to the camp their quarry had made the night before. None of the females had particular experience in tracking, but all Orcs, male or female, were born or spawned with instincts for hunting and the signs were clear after some study. All the impressions in the earth, the bent blades of grass and the latent odors identified the camp and indicated the way the party had gone.
"They crossed the river," Ugarit said quietly.
"We cannot follow. The trees are there. We should go back and seek Marduk," Sarpanit said.
Even Damkina glanced at her warily. Orcs also had a strong instinct to find others of their kind and to join a Clan that would take them, should they be alone or feel overwhelmed. This instinct had driven so many Orcs to the Mines, when it had seemed the only stronghold left to any of their kind. But they had orders from a Chieftain, and Orcs had served too many years to easily forget orders.
Sarpanit seemed weak for her conflict, but the others also feared they might face the same confusion. To be strong now, meant relying on each other, for they were all fairly smart Orcs and understood a lone Orc of any gender was not safe in this country.
"We need to be smart Orcs," Damkina said, adjusting Tashmetum's sling, made from clothing of a Rider they had killed. Ugarit had said they should not take meat from the Men, but Damkina for one had taken everything else from them Sarpanit and Aladima would allow her. The other females had taken more trophies, because they had done more fighting. "Ugarit, did Dog or Marduk say where Death-Shadow might go?"
Ugarit growled with irritation as she looked across the river. "Marduk does not know for certain, that is why he follows, to see who they will meet."
"Aladima, Are these lands familiar to you yet?"
"Some. I know the land further east. I know the big river."
"If they meant to go to a place further north and they do not fear Orcs, they could have taken a mountain pass in the summer and been done with their journey, do you think, Sarpanit?"
"Yes," Sarpanit agreed hesitantly. Ugarit knew Sarpanit had been spawned in more northern lands and would have an understanding of the passes. "Marduk said they came from the north?"
"He was following Forest Men since the very hot part of the year and came upon Death-Shadow on a road in the north, I have heard. He had one of those sick Northerners as a guide then and heard from him about activities of Men, Wizards and Elves in the North. When we met Marduk, he had already tracked Death-Shadow and fought battles against his party."
"And the Witches. I heard stories of that battle," Sarpanit said. "Death-Shadow and his companions are smart. They have evaded Marduk for a long time. They would not come so far south to go north again, would they?"
"Maybe they had something to collect from the horse-boys?" Damkina said.
"I do not think so," Ugarit said. "Marduk seemed convinced they had been sent by Wizards in the north. If something was wanted from the horse-boys, they could have sent their own party to deliver it. They are not afraid of Orcs."
"They should be," Aladima spat.
All the others agreed. "They must be going somewhere in the south, either to the city of that Man-King or to a place across the River. Perhaps even to the lands where the Dark One bred his Easterners."
"Then why do they cross this river?" Sarpanit asked.
"The roads Men would travel are south of us now," Aladima said.
"A trick?" Damkina asked. "They know Marduk will follow. Maybe they trick us."
Ugarit nodded. "Maybe they will cross again when they think us gone, or perhaps they will follow the river, but on the other side."
"Who claims the land there?" Sarpanit asked.
"Horse-boys," Ugarit said, "they have flat grassy land to raise their horses and cattle there. They have the same King, but another they call Marshal. They do not have as many mail-wearers or spear-carriers as the city we saw, but their Men will fight Orcs."
"Cattle to eat and fewer Men to fight us? We should cross the river!" Damkina said.
"We would have to pass by the Moving-trees," Ugarit said, "is that right, Aladima? I know some of the lands there, I think."
"Yes. Not safe. But if we get farther east, then we could cross. There would just be Men and their animals. The place where the river grows wider and is fed by waters flowing from the north, after we come to that place it is more safe to cross."
"Then Death-shadow has crossed the river here to keep Orcs from following. You think they still travel east?"
"Yes," Ugarit told Sarpanit. "They must be going east. If we continue on this side of the river, we may find them later!"
"They have horses and the land is more flat on that bank. We should hurry if we hope to find them when we come east," Aladima said.
"Is Tashmetum secured, Damkina?" Ugarit asked. "We may have to run for many days."
"I will do my part to track and follow, but I will not run without some rest, unless you have a whip in your hand."
"We should have some rests," Sarpanit agreed.
Ugarit growled. "We might have caught them on this side of the river and at least overheard their plans if you had not been sick this morning."
Sarpanit hissed.
Ugarit shrugged. "I hope we find some Man house on this path. We can kill them and steal their bread to settle your stomach each morning."
"If a woman lives there, maybe we will find plants to brew medicine," Aladima suggested.
"Shala drank much liquor when she was carrying a little one and he did not look right when she birthed him," Damkina said. "I drank only a little while I carried Tashmetum."
"Maybe she cries so much because you did not drink enough. If we brew, then I will give your little one her medicine and she will be quiet for us when we are hiding."
Damkina hissed. "If you threaten Tashmetum one more time I will never let any Orc you bear have her!"
Across the river, Dale was singing. The night before he had barely slept and in half-sleep had found nightmares. His recent wounds, as well as older ones had seemed to burn and itch, but now he felt better. There was running water nearby. There was grass. There were even a few trees. That day, the sky was clear and sunny. Though the season was getting colder, it seemed in all a beautiful day.
The others in the party were happy for Dale, and also entertained. Even Galadhiel and Laurel who were not then very close with Dale, found him likeable and could feel good to see him looking so well.
Dale's mood seemed contagious and as the day continued Kato sang some favorite tavern songs and Beryl sang a proper ballad for them.
By evening, around a small fire of dead wood found on the ground, Duma was singing. He did so quietly and the lyrics were not well understood by the others, but the Elves could all hear his song.
Duma stopped when he realized the others watched and listened.
"It's not that bad, for a war march, you can sing if ya want," Dale told him.
"It is probably not the right place or time to sing of whips and such."
Dale shrugged.
"You can sing about whatever you wish," Beryl said, "Dale often makes his songs up as he goes."
Dale grimaced. Then, he put a smile on his face. "I guess we could teach you some songs we know, but it's just as well to make it up, if you feel like singing. You can sing of anything, trees, water, even different kinds of rocks."
"The endowments of one compared to another," Tsuki suggested.
Dale huffed.
The next two days passed in much the same way. The company was in good spirits and entertained each other with songs and stories as they rode along the river. Sometimes, on watch at night, they would see shadows moving across the river, but there were no attacks and no signs that anyone attempted to cross the water or enter their camp.
One the third evening after crossing the river, they came to the place where waters from the north flowed into the river and it widened. To continue on their way, they had to cross either the river or its tributary. They discussed making camp where they were and crossing in the morning; it seemed a vote would pass, but then Beryl changed their minds with his announcement.
"I will be leaving you now, for a while," he said, and continued before any of the others could question. "Some of you have a mission to carry on and should not travel on my time. I joined your party because I was fond of not a few of you and wished to be of help, but now I have business of my own and would not ask you to detour north with me. Cross this tributary river now; the land and water should be good to you there. Rest as long as you will, and then carry on. I will rejoin you further on. Look for me just before you come to the Great River. I will be able to catch up to you then."
"What need have you to go north now?" Kato asked.
"He's prob'ly going to collect ingredients for some hair dye."
Beryl laughed merrily at Dale's suggestion. "I take news to an old friend," Beryl said, "Brethil will continue to carry you..." Beryl turned to Gwindor. "Will you carry my spears?"
"Of course."
"Beryl, you have protected me, all of us, I should not want you to wander without horse or full armament where I am unable to repay the kindness."
"It is better if I travel lightly."
"If he takes weapons and supplies it will be that much harder to run to meet us," Dale said, understanding Beryl's plan. "You want to wager whether the Green Elf knows what he is doing?"
"I would not want to bet against Beryl," Kato admitted.
Beryl took his sword with him and one basket hanging from a strap that he slung across his chest. Gwindor carried Beryl's spears on his back. The rest of Beryl's things were left with Kato and his horse. "Watch for me when you near the Great River," Beryl reminded them, "If you travel quickly, I may only catch you then and not before. Do not carry your weapons at the ready unless you have real need. The people of this region are just as cautious and war-weary as their fellow countrymen. Tsuki knows enough of their language to make proper explanations and introductions, if the need should arise. If the male Orcs find you, I trust you will deal with them."
"I would not count the females any less dangerous," Dale said quietly, "except that we likely outnumber them two-to-one."
"Whatever their gender, if they come meaning harm, I will fire arrows upon them without regret," Lenaduiniel said.
"Elves are ruthless when they believe they are protecting their people or interests," Duma observed.
"Elves love peace," Gwindor said, "and that is why we will fight so fiercely for it."
Duma was about to ask about the logic of this when Dale caught his eyes. Duma saw Dale shake his head, saying without words that it was pointless to try to understand; it was simply the way of Elves.
"Peace makes Orcs restless, I think," Duma said.
"Yes," Gwindor said gravely, "We witnessed their restless behavior in the west."
"Elves were created by the Gods. Orcs were created by sorcery. We may have become accustomed to traveling with you, but there are Elves who believe all Orcs are abominations that should be slain," Galadhiel warned. "Our mission does not really matter. Whether we be enemies to your Orc-Lord, Marduk, or not, there will be no future for Orcs unless they learn to love peace. The restlessness of these masterless creatures who have been bred for war and foul service will not be tolerated much longer."
Duma blinked rapidly.
"I know of no plot such as your Marduk suspects, but I do know the Rangers, Elves and Wizards will not be alone in confronting the Orcs when the crisis comes. You seem intelligent, Duma. If you care for the Orcs at all, you should instruct them to love peace in the messages you leave them."
Beryl spoke to Gwindor and Galadhiel in Elven, scolding them for frightening and upsetting Duma, who was now their companion. "The Orcs must and will be dealt with," he continued in the same language, "but I for one shall work to make sure those dealings are as peaceful as possible. An Elf should not be afraid to fight when all other means to keep peace fail, but an Elf should always remember to try other means before the decision to wage war is made."
Gwindor and Galadhiel both made bows to Beryl.
Beryl spoke then to Duma, even more softly than was his usual manner. "It is sorcery Marduk suspects. I will have you know, the Orcs must be dealt with, but I personally will fight to see that sorcery is not used to combat sorcery. We must have no more Dark Lords."
"I would fight to see that no more Dark Art is worked, though I do not like fighting, and do not expect I am very good at it."
"That is why you are in training," Dale said, "so you can make a difference whether you choose to fight or not."
"I expect you to continue your lessons with me when I return," Beryl said.
Duma spoke a customary farewell in Elven.
Beryl bowed and gave the usual response. The others also said their farewells to Beryl, and then watched him jog north along the river, his cloak swaying behind him.
"I think we should walk the horses upstream a short distance and look for a likely ford," Tsuki said, breaking the silence that had fallen at Beryl's parting.
The decision seemed reasonable to all, and so they found a place to ford the river. They secured their gear and lifted that which they wished to keep dry overhead and then drove the horses across the river.
A drying line and windbreak were erected using their various spears, staves, tarps, stakes and lengths of rope. Dale was sent running toward some trees to seek enough wood for a fire to warm them, as he was voted the one most likely to acquire wood without running afoul of trees. Duma and Kato took a turn at drawing water for their camp while Tsuki and Laurel set up the stove in preparation for cooking.
"Shall we have yellow squash, green squash or orange squash?" Laurel asked.
"Not green," Lenaduiniel said, as she was nearby hanging wet garments on the line, along with Galadhiel. "I find it bitter and the shape reminds me of Orchish torture devices."
Tsuki's lips curled mischievously. "How would she recognize such a device?"
"I think the reply would be 'I am six hundred years old,'" Laurel said in laughter.
"I believe in all honesty that her father's house must have many Orc trophies in its vaults. The Elves of the Wood live further north, close by the place where there was once an Orc kingdom of sorts."
"I have heard stories of times when the Dark Lord's minions ruled in the north and armies of Orcs and Wolves were a danger to all the free peoples."
"I do not know what should be done with the Orcs," Tsuki said, "I fear it may come to war."
"I wish we might prevent such a war," Laurel said.
"I fear what people will do to prevent another war."