“Great speech.” Semthak said, passing Koruk a bowl of soup.

  “Thanks. It seems to have done the trick.”

  Hemust and the imp leader were conferring together along with their warriors. Koruk had told them the story of his adventure in full, and answered their countless questions, and his throat was feeling harsh from the exercise. The hot soup helped.

  “Do you think we can beat them?” Semthak asked.

  “I hope so. For Moktark’s sake.”

  Hemust appeared to finish his discussion, and walked over to where Koruk and Semthak were seated, flanked by the imp leader, who Koruk had learned was named Aiffi.

  “The red men want to see the invaders first hand. We’ve decided to send a scouting group to Brittle Teeth to see what’s going on there, while the rest of our people continue on to the caves.” Hemust began. “You said you left your friend behind there. I thought you might be interested in joining them.”

  “Yes of course.” Koruk said, swiftly rising to his feet. “When do we leave?”

  “Tonight, under cover of darkness. Ten of my stoutest warriors, and Aiffi here, will accompany you.”

  “I apologize for my behaviour earlier.” Aiffi said, bowing. “I look forward to traveling with you.”

  “You’re going yourself?” Koruk asked.

  “My raiders can handle themselves. I’d like to verify your story firsthand.”

  “It’s decided then. You have a few hours before the sun sets to prepare yourself. I suggest getting some sleep if you can.” Hemust said, turning to leave. “Oh, and take whatever you wish from the weapon stockpile. I think you’ve earned it today.”

  While the selection was limited, Koruk found himself a fine barrellwood bow and bronze arrows to go along with it, and a copper axe that fit his hand well. After some thought, he decided against any heavier armour, strapping a lamellar leather vest over his borrowed tunic, and a fur rimmed leather helmet over his messy black hair.

  “It suits you.” A voice called behind him. Semthak stood leaned against a tentpole, watching him.

  “Are you coming with us?” Koruk asked.

  “Do you even have to ask? Of course I am.” Semthak said, finding himself a sturdy spear. “Although it has been some time since I used one of these.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Yes well, we’ve come this far. Let’s go find your brother.”

  Koruk smiled and clapped him on the shoulder.

  The journey south to Brittle Teeth over the next few days took Koruk over familiar terrain, retracing the steps he had taken with Moktark and Oben. It had felt different then. Almost jovial, as though they had been heading out on a fishing trip.

  Now, the atmosphere in the camp was dour. The orcs spoke in hushed tones to one another, as if afraid that the humans would hear them and attack from the shadows. The imp leader, Aiffi, sat apart from the orcs, and Koruk occasionally caught him watching him. The Rock Crusher warriors were congenial enough, as was Semthak, but Koruk had never felt more alone as on that journey. There was an empty spot to either side of him, and when he glanced to his left or right, he half expected to see Moktark’s goofy grin, or even Oben’s shy smile.

  He found himself slightly surprised that he missed Oben. The human’s betrayal had wounded him deeply, and even now the suicidal quest they were embarking on seemed like it was his fault. Somehow, he had brought the invaders here. Koruk didn’t know how, but he knew. Seeing him in the town square of Brittle Teeth had all but confirmed it in his mind. There could be no forgiveness for such a thing.

  The humans gave them little trouble as they journeyed through the open plains. They kept an eye on the sky, and occasionally spotted one of the strange birds employed by the invaders. They tried their best to lie flat and hide from their sight, but the monsters didn’t seem particularly interested in them. If Koruk was honest with himself, he didn’t think there would have been anything they could have done if they had decided to attack. What use are stone arrows and spearpoints against skin of metal, and barkers that could deal death with a fingerpull?

  These gloomy thoughts plagued him until they started to pass the rock formations for which Brittle Teeth was named, and Koruk’s thoughts turned to more immediate concerns.

  Aiffi rose his hand to call a halt, and the orcs reflexively ducked down behind the rocks, eyes to the sky above them scanning for threats. The imp hopped over the stones and crouched down with them.

  “Two. Maybe more in the metal cart.”

  “Were they the giants?” An orc asked.

  “No. Small. Pink skin, grey shirts.” Aiffi said. He rubbed his scarred chin thoughtfully, and raised an eyebrow at Koruk. “Seems you were right.”

  “And these men ride inside the bodies of the metal giants?” Another orc asked.

  “That’s my interpretation, yes. I saw one of their faces poking out from a suit when we were… captured.” Semthak replied.

  “No shame in that. We lost our whole city, heh.” The orc chuckled mirthlessly.

  “What do we do?” Koruk asked.

  “We wait. We’re here to scout, not fight.” Aiffi said. This elicited some grumbles from the orcs, but they kept their heads down.

  “There will be other days for revenge. The imp is right. We need to see what we’re up against.” Semthak said.

  They waited for some time while the humans milled about. Eventually they got into the back of the cart, and with a low hum it rolled way, its six wheels tearing up the rocky ground behind it.

  When they were about to get up and continue stalking towards the city, a rock clattered off the stones they were crouched behind. An orc pointed above them, and Koruk followed his finger to a small figure seated on the lip of a terrace of rock.

  “Wait.” Koruk said, stopping an orc from nocking an arrow in his bowstring. He squinted at the figure, trying to make it out, and it waved at him in a familiar way.

  Koruk smiled, for the first time since they’d set out for Brittle Teeth.

  “This one’s a friend.”

  Kiwai nimbly hopped down across stone outcrops from the hoodoo he was hiding on, and joined the party of orcs. He clapped hands with Koruk and Semthak, his thin forearm being engulfed by green flesh as he did so.

  “I didn’t dare hold out hope.” Kiwai said, smiling broadly.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  “It’s good to see you my friend. What of Moktark and the city? What happened?” Koruk asked.

  “I believe he still lives. The humans took captive all they could catch, and force them to build fortresses of stone within the walls. They kill without mercy or warning.”

  “We must help them.”

  “And how do you walk free, traitor?” A voice growled behind Koruk. He turned to see Aiffi. The imp’s hand was on his sword. “Maybe they sent you to lead us into an ambush.”

  “If I am a traitor for helping these people, what are you? Do you not walk with the greenskins as well?” Kiwai retorted.

  “Stop this now both of you.” Koruk barked. “This isn’t helpful.”

  “He’s right. Focus on the humans. You can sort it out later.” Semthak said. Aiffi bowed with a flourish, never taking his eyes off Kiwai.

  “Of course.”

  “We need to get inside the city.” Koruk said, turning to Kiwai. “Can you help us?”

  The imp nodded, and started into a description of the human defences. Apparently the cart that had just left was their only patrol, seemingly tasked with looking for orcish stragglers and escaped slaves. Most of the giant armoured humans had left on their winged air craft, leaving behind a few taskmasters to oversee the city. Where the armoured warriors went, he didn’t know.

  “Wait a second.” Semthak interrupted. “If the warriors are gone, why haven’t the orcs rebelled? They should easily be able to handle a few squishy guards.”

  “I don’t know. I don’t understand it. The orcs there, they act different, as though something has been done to their minds.”

  Murmurs spread through the group. It was a disturbing implication.

  Armed with knowledge, they easily avoided the roaming patrol, and made their way to the city under the cover of the night sky. As the silhouette of the city came into view, a few of the party gasped. Looming above the broken gate archway, soaring into the sky, was a square sided tower. The top was jagged, as though it was still under construction, but it still easily eclipsed any of the other buildings in scale, rising at least four stories high. Scaffolds ringed it, and figures moved slowly on them, like termites building a nest.

  A pair of human sentries stood at the gate, wearing the grey uniforms that Koruk had noted aboard the sky-ship. Kiwai led them on a path easily avoiding them, and they snuck through one of many holes that had been blasted in the low wall ringing the city.

  “Why are there so few guards? An idiot could gotten past.” Semthak asked.

  “They don’t take us seriously. They don’t think we’re a threat.” Koruk responded.

  “They’re probably right.”

  “No. They’re wrong.” Koruk said, turning to address Semthak. The other orcs watched him, saying nothing, but Koruk could tell he had their ears as well. “And we’re going to show them just how wrong they are.”

  “We’re here to scout, to count their numbers. That is all.” Aiffi whispered. The orcs barely even acknowledged him. They were already nodding and whispering to each other, their focus entirely on Koruk. Semthak grabbed Koruk’s arm and spoke to him sotto voce.

  “There will be other days for battle. The imp is right.”

  “Look at their faces, Semthak. Look at the misery these men have endured. We need a win, and we need it now. We can do something here, right now, and we have to take that opportunity!”

  Semthak looked him in the eyes for a long moment, and then smiled.

  “Where’s that shy young whelp I set out with? Alright then.” Semthak sighed. “Let’s go save your brother.”

  As they stalked through the city, they found the streets empty. Every home had been abandoned, every shop laid bare. Many of the buildings had been blasted into rubble during the battle, and every now and then they passed a dust covered lump that might have been a half buried body.

  When narrow streets began to give way to the open plaza of the market and town square, it became readily apparent where the population had gone.

  “Look at them.” Koruk whispered, peeking out from the corner of a building. “What are they doing?”

  Lines of orcs were working listlessly, slowly stirring pots of grey sludge, or carrying armfuls of building materials. They looked as though they were half asleep as they worked, although given the hour of the night maybe that wasn’t too surprising. Perched on the remnants of an inn’s roof was an armoured figure, watching the procession and barking orders to other humans, who relayed them to the slaves by way of pointing and shouting. Koruk watched as a confused orc was accosted by two guards, and then fell to the ground and began writhing about as though having a fit.

  “As I said, there appears to be something wrong with them.” Kiwai whispered. Koruk nodded grimly.

  “What’s your plan?” Semthak asked.

  “The big one up there, on the roof of the tavern. It looks like he’s in charge of the whole lot. If we can take him out, we should be able to stir up the orcs into fighting back against the rest.” Koruk said.

  “How do you intend to do that, pray tell?” Aiffi asked. Koruk wasn’t sure if he was mocking him, or if he just always had a snide tone of voice, but the imp was beginning to get on his nerves.

  “Ambush him. Figure the rest out as we go.”

  “Good enough for me. My axe hungers.” One of the orcs breathed. Koruk had noticed that they were beginning to defer to him. He wasn’t really sure how that had happened, or if he was comfortable with it. At the moment though, all he cared about was finding Moktark.

  One at a time they dashed from building to building, leapfrogging towards the tavern upon which the armoured giant stood. As Koruk passed beneath the shadow of the oppressive tower, he shivered. Hearing no shouts of alarm, he decided that they hadn’t been rumbled, and he ducked his head into the doorway of the building, the others following close behind.

  Koruk found himself in a familiar place. He hadn’t realized it at first, but he was in the wanderer’s tavern where he had stayed prior. It seemed to have been converted into something between a barracks and a hospital. Orcs were laid out in close rows on the floor, fast asleep. A human wearing white robes stood over them, her mouth agape at the sight of the armed party that had just burst through the front door.

  The human’s shout of warning choked off before it began, an arrow embedded in her throat. Aiffi appeared at Koruk’s side, grinning smugly. Koruk refused to acknowledge his gloating with a response.

  Semthak rose from checking on the laid out orcs, and shrugged in bewilderment.

  “It’s like they’re drunk, or drugged. I can’t get anything out of them. They’re still alive though.”

  “Poison. Cowardly pig fuc…” Koruk began, but Kiwai stopped him with a hand to his chest.

  “Someone’s coming. Hide!”

  Koruk dove behind the bar counter and went prone, as the rest of the party scrambled to hide. He peeked around the bar to see who was coming.

  An orc stumbled into the tavern, her eyes listless and empty, seeming to stare at nothing. She stumbled over to the rows of drugged bodies, and flopped down on the floor with a thud. There she lay unmoving, chest gently rising and falling. Another orc followed, and another, all collapsing without a word.

  Koruk glanced around the room from his hiding spot, and caught the eye of Kiwai. The imp shook his head in horror. Koruk gently rose to his feet, and scanned the room.

  “Is this to be our fate too?” Semthak asked. “You were right. We need to put an end to this.”

  Koruk nodded, but said nothing. Gingerly, he picked his way around the sleeping forms, and headed to the stairwell.

  As they climbed, the situation was similar on the other floors. Every room was filled with heaped up orcs, all breathing shallowly. Once they passed one that was awake, and sitting on a stool. He stared forward at nothing, and didn’t respond at all to their passing, drool leaking from his thick lips.

  Disgusted, they passed him by, heading to the rooftop.

  Koruk popped open the hatch and peered outside. The hunchbacked giant was turned away from him, looking over the crowds of slaves, a huge barker held lazily in one ironclad hand. Koruk motioned for the others to follow him, and he crept out onto the roof keeping his head down. His fingers curled around the handhold of the barker, and he withdrew it from its holster.

  He let out the breath he was holding, and stepped out from the cover of a chimney, pointed the barker, and pulled the trigger.

  The weapon flashed in the darkness, momentarily illuminating the back of the giant. A loud ‘ping’ sound followed the bark which echoed through the night.

  The giant slowly turned, its joints creaking from accumulated dust and sand, and switched to a double handed grip on its weapon.

  Koruk fired again, and again. The barker blazed fire and sparks flashed on the metal surface of the giant’s armour as it roared with fury. But still the monster stood.

  “Pig shit!” Koruk yelled, squeezing the trigger again and again. The barker now only made a clicking noise, as though its life energy had been expended. In frustration he hurled it at the giant and it clattered off a massive shoulderpad.

  “Charge!” He yelled, hefting his axe in hand.