"You return alone, Zether?" asked the general as the scout ap-proached.
"I do, general, at the request of Feygrus. We discovered a human vil-lage which has just recently been burnt to the ground. Our best guess is that it was destroyed by orcs, though a smaller breed than our own. No human bodies could be seen, so it seems as though the humans deserted it before the arrival of the orc army. Feygrus has continued on to learn more, but sent me back as he was sure you'd like to hear of this as soon as possible."
"Feygrus is wise indeed," replied the general. "So the humans already have their hands full. This could work out quite well for us. Come and tell me everything, Zether, I want to start moving as soon as we can."
* * *
"I think we have very little choice," argued Gerard. "I dislike the idea of sharing secrets with these orcs as much as you, but if we can find out our own secrets regarding them it could be worth it." The men had been arguing the point since being returned to their damp, dark and cramped prison cell. Gerard stood in the centre of the cell close to the barred doors, almost fully recovered from his wounds, facing the men sharing the cell with him who were sitting along the lower beds staring back at him with bewildering expressions. The beds were nothing more than big wooden planks, fixed to the stone walls on each side of the cell, stacked three high with very little clearance between them. A wooden ladder was fixed to the head ends of the beds allowing access to the higher bunks.
"That's if we were able to get back to our world to make use of that information," spat back Jethro. "Orcs are not about to share information with us and send us on our way. They will kill us before we can use that against them."
"These orcs are different to what we've seen of orcs, Gerry. I agree, but Jethro's right. They are still our enemy. I'm sure they won't hesitate in betraying us should the need arise," said Jeff.
"I understand that. But at the same time we have a great opportunity here to gain knowledge of our enemy. The big ugly orc told us that no orc of the Black Skull tribe would kill us. He also said he would release us at a time of his choosing. I believe I can amend that part of the deal and at the very least put a time limit on it. You deduced the same as me, Jeff, I'm sure. These other orcs in here have no love of the Black Skull orcs. Therefore, they have enemies on this world. If we can escape, or be released, we might be able to aid their enemies here and perhaps one day find our way back home."
"That blow to your head, Gerry, must have been harder than I thought. Can you hear yourself? You're talking about trusting the word of an orc," Jeff rose to his feet.
"I saw the look the orc general gave him when he promised that. He didn't agree with the decision but knew full well that if the deal was made, he would be forced to abide by it. These orcs seem to have a degree of honour, if that's possible."
"I have to admit, you have the scraps of a plan, Gerry, which is a lot more than I have. But I don't like the idea of betraying our kingdom," Jeff faced Gerard with a look of concern.
"It's not betraying the kingdom. We can be selective about what we tell, and tell the odd mistruth about other things. The orcs will possibly be more honest with us, because they believe we won't live long enough to make use of the knowledge."
"They could well be right," added Quade.
"You are a devious one, Gerard. I will follow your lead on this one, but I hope you're right about it," Jethro put his hand firmly on Gerard's shoulder.
"So do I," replied Gerard in a softer tone.
* * *
Feygrus followed his own advice and tracked the river along until he could see a way around the rocky maze. The sun was just going down as the two orcs walked back into the camp. He was amazed at how far the camp had come along already, and even more amazed at how large the army was that had come through while they had been gone. Feygrus sought out the general and told him everything that had happened.
"I need a shaman," said General Krak'too aloud once he had heard the report. "A powerful shaman. I need to meet that council before they go to war." General Krak'too turned around and stormed off immediately, leaving Feygrus and Mok'ha alone.
"Get some rest, Mok'ha. I think we'll be on the move again very soon."
Feygrus was right. About an hour later, General Krak'too returned with a very powerful shaman by his side. It was no less than Great Shaman O'tukka himself. The general found Feygrus resting in his tent. By the time he had had something to eat, Feygrus had only rested for twenty minutes or so before General Krak'too was ordering him to come along with him. The general and great shaman along with ten worg riders accompanied Feygrus as they walked to the edge of the grove in the southwest. There, Great Shaman O'tukka cast the first of his gate spells. Once they had all walked through, General Krak'too said, "I thought you'd be able to take us straight there, great shaman. I can still see the edge of the trees we came out of." The great shaman cast a dangerous look at the general.
"I can only direct gates accurately to places I have been before. This world is strange to me and so I must put the exit gate within my sights." The general took the warning of the great shaman's tone and said no more. While General Krak'too was among the few orcs who could even look the great shaman in the eye, he was not stupid enough to get this orc mad.
With the great shaman's help they were within sight of the orc army in no time at all. The small orcs made way for the arriving orcs, but one orc made the mistake of standing in their way and ordering them to stop while looking into the great shaman's eyes. Immediately the orc dropped to his knees and started shaking uncontrollably. Only once the group had long passed was he able to regain his legs, although they were still quite shaky.
It was perhaps two hours before midnight and the majority of the army was fast asleep when the group reached the council's tent. Four orcs guarded the tent and as the group approached, one of them stood forward.
"The Blood Council did not expect your return so quickly," said the guard. Obviously word had already reached these guards that this group approached. General Krak'too was actually somewhat impressed at the little orcs composure. "They will be ready for you soon," continued the guard.
A moment later and a voice from inside the tent informed the guards they were ready for the visitors. The four guards parted as the one who spoke to them earlier said, "The Blood Council will see you now. Your riders and your ... ah, mounts will have to remain outside as there is little room inside. Weapons are also forbidden in the council tent." General Krak'too was the first to surrender his weapon. Feygrus knew the general could easily kill all inside the tent if the need arose, even without his weapons, so he was not surprised to see the great orc give over his weapon.
Feygrus accompanied General Krak'too and Great Shaman O'tukka into the large tent, leaving the worg riders outside. The door of the tent was obviously designed for the smaller orcs as the three entering had to stoop low as they stepped through. Inside, small candelabras had been lit and positioned around the tent. In the middle stood a makeshift table which was basically two large tree stumps pushed together forming a figure 8 shape. A smaller tree had obviously been cut into sections supplying the chairs around the table. At the rear of the tent were two covered doorways, most likely leading off into the council members' private rooms. Other than the table and chairs, the large square room was devoid of furniture.
A further four armed guards stood in each corner of the tent on the far side of the burning candles so as not to block the light. The ten council members were already seated around the table and looked almost comical to Feygrus. He thought he caught a slight smile from the general and assumed he also was struggling not to laugh at these orcs. Two 'chairs' were left unoccupied and one of the council members, Chief Fa'rasha, Feygrus remembered rightly, beckoned General Krak'too to take a seat. Feygrus doubted the general's knees would allow him to sit so low but would be very interested to see it. He didn't get the chance as General Krak'too said, "I fear, chief, that the seating is unsuitable for my frame. At your bidding, I
would much prefer to remain standing."
"You have some unusual words I do not understand, but I understand your choice to remain standing. So that the council does not have to strain their necks, we will also stand," said Chief Fa'rasha as he began to stand, followed by the other council members. "Now, if we could have your name, orc, and that of your mysterious companion." Feygrus noticed a slight flinch from the general at being referred to as orc, but he composed himself well. He understood all too well how much General Krak'too would just like to slaughter all these puny orcs where they stood, but there was much more to be gained here by diplomacy. He was quite impressed with the chief, though, that he was able to look Great Shaman O'tukka in the eyes without the slightest tremble. Perhaps there was some strength in these orc leaders.
"I am General Krak'too, this is Great Shaman O'tukka and Feygrus here you have met."
"The fact of him being a shaman is unmistakeable. I see incredible power in his eyes. So, General Krak'too, what have you to say to the Blood Council?" Feygrus suspected he knew what the general would like to say to the Blood Council, but knew he would hold his tongue.
"I simply wish to aid your cause, chief. I have close to six hundred orc warriors I can have here by noon tomorrow. Among those six hundred, I have twenty-five worg riders, like the ones I have brought with me this night. I have one hundred heavy axe and one hundred crossbow warriors. The remainder are lower skilled warriors but still fierce in battle."
"A nice addition to this force, no doubt, general. We were told of your unusual mounts before your arrival. The council would like to see them before you depart. But I must ask you, general, what do you hope to gain from joining this army, and why should we give you any of the plunder that we will gain without your help?" asked Chief Fa'rasha.
"All we ask for as reward, chief, is as many human prisoners as we can get." A loud roar of laughter erupted from around the table and also from the previous statue like guards in the corners of the tent.
"Prisoners? You seek human prisoners, general? The only useful hu-man is a dead human. Their skulls on pikes serve as a good reminder to the rest of them not to invade our land again," replied the chief quite loudly. "And should those prisoners escape your clutches, what guarantee do we have they will not return here to attack us once again, general?"
"My ... ah, superior wishes human prisoners. For what purpose, even I don't know. But I do know that the humans will be taken back to our world and held captive far away from their only chance to return to this world. Any prisoners we take, chief, will never return to this world, let alone this place." General Krak'too looked sternly at Chief Fa'rasha
"You talk again of this different world Feygrus mentioned to us," started Chief Narva. "How do you expect us to believe in this world we have not seen? I admit you are very different from any orc in these parts, and ride some strange beast, but another world?"
"I invite you to come and witness this world first hand, chief. I assure you it exists." Agitation edged the general's voice.
"And have you kill us when you have us alone? I don't think so, general," piped up one of the other chiefs.
"Then send a lesser orc back with us, one you can trust. Let him report it to you." All the council members looked at each other and, one by one, they nodded at this.
"The council agrees on this one thing, general, but as we told your scout master, we begin to assault this human fort first thing in the morning. We are still awaiting some reinforcements, but have been assured they will arrive by mid-morning. By noon tomorrow, we could well hold this fort as our own, and no humans will be left alive. So, I fear you have wasted your time here, general," said Chief Fa'rasha rather casually.
"You expect to take this fort in five or six hours, chief? I fear you may be a bit optimistic. From the little my scout master told me of these walls you face, and from what I have witnessed personally of the way these humans fight, I see the ground from here to the walls littered with orc corpses by noon tomorrow and few human corpses, that is unless you have some secret weapon I have yet to witness." General Krak'too loomed threateningly over the smaller orcs.
"Have you not noticed the size of our force, general? And, by all re-ports, there is less than a thousand humans behind those walls. By mid-morning tomorrow we will outnumber them ten to one at the least," spoke up yet another of the chiefs.
"Very well. I ask the council, though, when I return tomorrow at noon, should you require our aid and we give it, would you allow us the reward of human prisoners?"
"Wait outside, general, while the council discusses this. However, I feel our decision either way will be unnecessary," said Chief Fa'rasha. The three large orcs turned and stepped out of the tent immediately, and re-joined the worg riders.
"Will they agree, general?" asked Feygrus when they were a safe dis-tance from the tent.
"It doesn't matter. I intend on returning here anyway with our army. We'll take prisoners by force if we need to. Orc and Human alike," said the general with a smug look on his face.
The orcs didn't need to wait long before the ten chiefs filed out of the tent; looks of surprise on all their faces as they noticed the large wolf-like creatures called worgs. Quickly regaining his composure, Chief Fa'rasha said, "The Blood Council has agreed that we have no need of your additional forces. We have things well in hand here, general, and we need no more leaders. We want the humans dead, not captured."
"I hope the council does not come to regret their decision," replied General Krak'too forcefully.
"As I said, general, the situation here is well in hand, and whatever decision we came to mattered little. This fort will be our new home by this time tomorrow. Now, about sending an orc with you to see this world of yours ..."
"That, chief, is no longer on offer. I made that offer in good faith. If you have no need of our aid, then, it seems, you have no reason to confirm our story," said the general, barely in control of his anger.
"So be it," replied Chief Fa'rasha. "Now, I'm sure you won't want to waste any more of your time, general, as we have no wish to waste ours." With that, the ten chiefs turned and filed back into their tent.
* * *
Master Pilk returned as he promised, and the boys gave him their lists of things they wanted collected. Master Pilk gave the list to a soldier both the boys knew. Kade was the one soldier that took the time to comfort the boys. He said little to them, but just his presence made them feel a little better.
"Private Kade will see that your things are collected and delivered at once. Now follow me," said Master Pilk.
The boys followed Master Pilk out of the castle and into the cobbled stone streets of Arthea. It was getting late in the day and all the merchants were closing up. Few people were out at this time, most of them already at home after a working day. Master Pilk's house was only a few blocks walk from the castle, which made sense, as he spent most of his time at the castle. It was located in a respectable neighbourhood, not rich, but certainly not poor. It was a double story town house made from solid greystone, the most common stone to be quarried from stonecutters defile, and a well-constructed black slate roof. It had a narrow veranda on the upper floor facing the street, with a dark wooden handrail. The windows were glass, unlike the open windows in the poorer parts of the city. Master Pilk unlocked the thick oak door and led the boys in. They passed through a small lobby, and into a sitting area. Through a door on the left they could see the kitchen and on the far right of the room was a dark wooden staircase. The sitting room was sparsely but tastefully furnished. Master Pilk led the boys upstairs and showed them their rooms.
"I have not yet had the chance to furnish these two rooms, so for the moment you can bring some cushions up from the sitting room to use for beds. I'll see about the beds tomorrow," said Master Pilk. "That room at the end of the hall is my private room, and that locked door on the left is a room you are never to enter, understood?" Both boys nodded that they understood.
Back downstairs, Master Pil
k showed the boys around the rest of the house. While not a large house, it was bigger than the boys were used to and more lavishly decorated. Their parents weren't poor, but they didn't spend money on unnecessary items either, with perhaps the exception of Trent's mother, Adrianna. Most of their money was spent on improving the efficiency of the farm.
"Why don't you go out the back and acquaint yourself with Mezz, while I fix us something to eat."
"Who is Mezz?" asked Vik.
"Oh, just a little friend of mine," replied Master Pilk. "Go outside and you'll see." The boys walked to the back door and Vik opened it up. As he did, he almost got knocked right over by an excited Mezz. Trent, standing behind Vik, got the fright of his life, but once he saw what had nearly knocked down his friend a huge smile grew on his face; the first one since the death of his mother.
"Mezz is a dog?" asked Trent, already knowing the answer.
"Yes, she is a Great Dane and very affectionate," answered Master Pilk, glad to see smiles on the boys faces again. The boys went outside to play with Mezz, while Master Pilk walked off to the kitchen.
* * *
Great Shaman O'tukka was able to create a gate that took them all back to the rapidly expanding camp. Squad Leader Gundruna stood watching the gate form and the orcs return. She was a young orc, the youngest squad leader in fact, and one of the few females in the Black Skull army. Rarely did a female orc rise above grunt level in the army. Gundruna was an extraordinary worg rider. She could use a bow while riding, which few orcs could achieve due to the rough running motion of the worg, and was able to switch in the blink of an eye to wielding a large two edge sword. This alone helped her to rise to the rank of worg rider squad leader, but it was also aided by her sheer aggression. She instilled fear into lesser orcs as a great general would. Few challenged her leadership, and those orcs that did often wound up dead.
The Gate - A New Breed of Orc (The Gate Series Book 1) Page 11
