Legends Lost Tesnayr
Page 57
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Rybnik carefully stalked his prey in the dim twilight. The deer had not noticed him. Remaining silent, he raised his bow and took aim. A twig snapped. The doe ran off taking supper with it. Rybnik jumped to his feet sword in hand. Two orcs walked toward him.
“Put your weapon down, human,” said one.
Rybnik refused.
“We do not wish to fight you,” said the orc again. “We have an offer for you.”
“Offer?” Rybnik kept his weapon raised in case of an attack.
“We orcs are not unreasonable. As I am certain you humans aren’t.”
“You are Rybnik,” said the second orc.
“How do you know my name?” inquired Rybnik, suspicious.
“Galbrok knows many things. He knows all about you and the failed coup you staged ten years ago. He knows that you have been banished from your home.” The first orc circled Rybnik as it spoke. “Let us put all pretense aside. Galbrok has an offer for you. The same one he has made to many of you humans and those who are wise accept.”
“What is your offer?” asked Rybnik.
“Your general lost the battle today. We all know it. He could not defeat my master before. He will not defeat him even now.”
Rybnik listened intently. He knew that they had not won the battle. It was only chance that made the orcs leave before they had all been killed.
“You are privy to Tesnayr’s secrets,” said the first orc.
“Hardly,” replied Rybnik. “I have only known Tesnayr for a few weeks. And he does not include me in his inner circle.”
“But you can acquire that information. You’re very good at such things,” said the second orc with an oily tone.
“What do you want?”
“Our army is on its way back here,” replied the first orc, “We simply want you to ensure that Tesnayr and his forces do not put up much of a fight. If we succeed in killing them all, you will be greatly rewarded. Say the throne of Sym’Dul.”
“How do I know you’ll keep your word and not kill me after I’ve delivered my part of the bargain?”
“We could kill you now if we wanted to,” said the first orc, “But there is no need. If you refuse our offer you can go freely because no one who stands against Galbrok will survive this war. But if you accept, Galbrok always keeps his word and rewards those who serve him most generously. Think about it. We will be back here tomorrow night for your answer.”
The orcs left. Rybnik rested his sword by his side. Unsure of what to do, he stood there for several moments. A bird cawed in the distance. Rybnik went back to camp once he was satisfied that there were no more orcs in the woods.