Noche'Wa's second blows lands as well, slicing open a rip on the huge barrel chest of the construct. The Shoanti dances away,a voiding a retaliation strike. The construct looks very wounded, Noche'Was bvlows are strong and sure.
Noche'wa doesn't really know what it is, but he knows constructs are tough fighters.
The woman stands up, shakily, and holds a holy symbol of Iomedae in front of her. The craven figure inclines a head to her.
"It is a Graven Guardian. Some of the forts have crypts protected by them, the orcs, must have left it out. I..I don't know what weaknesses it has, other then adamantine..I do know it can heal itself, slowly..."
As she speaks Korz suddenly bursts into a sprint, attack the back of the creature. Noche'Wa can tell the rage is on the orc, his muscles bulging, and his teeth exposed.
He misses, his rage blinding him. The construct turns and lashes out at him, blade a blur.
One blow hits, slicing open a ribbon of flesh, dark blood oozing down the enraged orc's chest and torso.
The woman shrugs, "I don't know. But it won't attack someone bearing this symbol, unless they are already fighting them..." She trails off and adds, "I should have led with that."
Noche'Was blows do more damage, just not as much as he'd like. One wing is torn off though, and the chest is full of slashes and pits from his jabbing spear.
Korz, bloodied but still upright, swings again. He is roaring in Orc, too loud and strained for the Shoanti to make out.
The blow is low, strong and fast. It cuts into the constructs side and rips upward, the orc's muscles twisting in exertion. He slices the creature from hip to neck, nearly tearing it in half.
The construct takes one wobbly step then falls apart, shattering as it falls. Korz looks up, foam dripping from his fangs and howls to the moon above. Then, without warning, the orc dives at the woman who seems paralyzed in sudden fear and confusion.
Noche'Wa dives at Korz, shouting. The orc slashes with his blade at the human brawler, blade gleaming in the darkness. The woman screams then, ear-splittingly loud.
The blade hits and slashes a broad wound on Noche'wa's back, and blood sprays the trees. The Shoanti tackles him though, throwing the heavy orc to the ground. For a moment Korz struggles, spit and blood flying, throwing needles everywhere. Then his eyes clear, and his breath calms. Then he spots the stricken woman, the wounds on Noche'Wa and udnerstands.
Carefully, slowly, he rolls away and sits up. 'I...I have failed my oath. I am like a armuak...a novice, first taken by bloodlust, oaths and promises forgotten. I am shamed." His voice is a shattered growl. With great care, he pulls a knife and stabs himself in the gut with it.
Korz is silent in his suffering and his healing. He sits, quietly (and very un-orc like) at Noche'Wa's feet. he doesn't react tot he yelling or the spitting.
The woman shouts, 'You are going to let him live? he, he was going to kill me!"
'Only because you stopped him. You trust traveling with someone like that?" She glares at the orc. 'he is an animal, all of them are. I've seen nothing different."
Korz takes Noche'Wa's hand and comes to his feet. You are a strange man, Wild Mouse. To let me live and give me your hand. I will think on this..."
The woman doesn't like being ignored and huffs loudly. But at Noche'Wa\'s next statement she speaks again, pointedly ignoring Korz. "The tomb is empty. The orcs found it. They....they made me help them. That was where that thing cam from." She waves a hand at the shattered construct laying in pieces. "It was the defender but they drove it off. The tomb is empty."
Korz though seems pensive and stares at the woman closely before asking, "Whose tomb was it?"
"Zaask, one of the main..."
Korz cuts her off, 'followers of Belkzen. Tell me, did the White Skulls find anything?" he seems very eager, intent. His eyes gleam and the woman takes a step back, looking at Noche'Wa but she answers.
"Just a single chest. I didn't get a good look, but it was filled with just old rags and such. Nothing valuable."
Korz opens his mouth, closes it, then says, "Thank you." With an effort he turns to Noche'Wa. "Yes, yes. Rest then back to Manhome. We have killed White Skulls and this is good. I have my own missions to do..."
Korz doesn't answer for a long moment. He looks up at the distant stars, "There are legends, of what the lieutenants of Belkzen took when he was betrayed and killed. Those relics are the holiest items in our world." A pause then, "Perhaps I will tell you these legends sometime, if we are fated to travel together."
'But now it is late, and we are weary."
Noche'Wa can see the orc knows far more then he is telling, but he is not lying.
The travel and time pass slowly. The next day Noche'Wa, the woman and Korz head south, cutting through woods and meadows, trying to avoid trouble. The Conquered Lands are too full of foes for the Shoanti to be at ease, but he detects no signs of danger. The woman keeps her distance from Korz, always making sure Noche'Wa is between her and the orc. Korz ignores her, apparently the human woman reminding him of his own shame.
Finally, after two days of travel, they see Trunau on the horizon. The woman speeds up at the sight, obviously encouraged. As they approach though, they have to cross through the Barterstones. She looks with distaste at the orcs and others trading there.
Korz pulls Noche'Wa aside. "You fought well, pinkskin. Now we part, for awhile." then he adds, "Only awhile. Come back tonight, I may have a...task for us to do together." Saying nothing else he heads for his brother's tent.
The woman looks at the departing orc and spits, "How can you stand such animals?"
Korz shakes his head, "I deserve nothing, I failed my word."
The woman ignores Noche'Wa just as obviously, and they march into the town in silence, not looking at each other. They are greeted with cheers and shouts though, as the whole town comes out to greet them. Word of his mission must have spread then...
In a marketsquare father and daughter meet in glad embrace, hugging and crying in joy. From the side Halgra watches, face unreadable but Noche'Wa sees little joy on her face.
The merchant breaks off from his daughter and comes over to Noche'Wa. he hands the man a bag full of coins. "This is all I have to give, but you have my gratitude. If there is anything I can ever do for you, just name it." The rescued woman looks on him coldly, silently.
The merchant is confused as he takes back the coins, but his face is wary. Any trader knows the value of a un-named favor.
At Noche'Wa's little speech, he gets mixed reactions. He notes a few people nod in agreement, but only a few. More look unmoved or judgmental, silently watching. Many though look angry at the declaration, and grasp hopeknives. Before they can say anything Halgra steps in front of Noche'Wa.
Her voice is cool, firm. "Well said. And through his brave actions, this girl now has a future, instead of despair and death. Cheers for the Shoanti!" A few ragged cheers break out, before the crowd starts to break up.
Halgra sighs heavily and turns to Noche'Wa, "You like controversy, outlander." Then she adds, 'You make my job more difficult with your success."
Halgra shakes her head and waits for a few others to walk out of earshot. The older leader looks weary. "I am glad you saved the girl, of course I am. I, more then most, know the Hells you saved her from."
Then she sighs, "But it was a fluke. Most missions like that would have failed. Do you think this is the first time such a thing has happened and I have had to be the cold voice of reason, leaving people for dead? Next time it will b e harder because they will crow this from the rooftops...You inspire hope where it is better left cold, Shoanti." Her voice is bitter, self-hating.
"The merchant was too powerful to ignore, I needed to do something. Sending our own would have been foolhardy. You were in the right place at the right time." Halgra smiles a bit, 'Part of me wished you had failed, but of course not. Just now, I must look forward to the future and sometimes that is a long road to survey."
Noche'Wa walks through Trunau in a black mood. he had saved a life, and had orcish help to it! It should be a great victory and bring some peace in its wake but hatred has deep roots....
He finds a small inn named the Fish Hook decorated with taxidermy fish and fishing equipment. It is small and clean enough. Inside are a few men, looking like local farmers and poorer artisans. A barmaid with a lopsided grin spots him come in and says, 'Hello, stranger, What will it be? Free drinks to those with good stories." A few of the other men (and women) nod their heads.
The woman's face falls a bit but she asks, 'What'll it be? We got lamb on the spit tonight. " And indeed, a lamb is slowly rotating over an open fire, sending savory smells throughout the room.
The other patrons turn back tot heir own talk while two men start a spirited game of darts in one corner.
The gossip is mostly of the usual type. Farming, the weather, the local pretty girls (and boys). A local holiday is coming up, celebrating fertility, so that is discussed. Also, rumors of a new paladin push run rampant, that Lastwall is finally going to reclaim some of these lands.
after a very filling and good meal, Noche'Wa heads down tot he Barterstones. At the gate he is eyed suspiciously but he is a returning hero after all. The gate is cracked and the Shonati slips through. Behind him he can hear the gate being hurriedly re-locked. The world of Men.....
He enters the small orc encampment, the more guttural laughs, jokes and talk of the orcs fill his ears. the cooking smells are also different.
A shorter orc stumbles out a tent, nearly running into Noche'Wa. the orc eyes him unsteadily and says, 'Friend of Korz?" His Common is bad and slurred with drink.
The orc stares hard at Noche'Wa then nods, 'Saw him, today. This morning...I think you with him?"
He points to a tent, 'He there. You friend of his?"
'Come in!" Korz shouts form inside. being invited into an orc's tent is no small social honor. Noche'Wa ducks in through the heavy leather, noting it is simply but well-made.
Inside Korz is sitting at a small fire, the smoke curling through a draught hole in the roof. He has a leg of some kind of meat in hand, eating it with vigor. He points at a round stool for the Shoanti to sit on.
'Drink or food?" he asks, voice rather formal. He waves at another leg of meat and some nasty looking green liquor. After that he says, in his usual gruff tones, 'What would say to a trip West?"
The Shonati is used to hard brews and this taste much better then some of the rotgut he has tasted. The fire warms him, not overwhelms him.
'Why would you say that?" Korz asks, eyes hooded but shakes his head, 'No, I was sent by my chieftain, Grask Uldeth of the Empty Hand to go West. Through the Skittering Mounds there is an old fort, Skull Hill. It was once made by the paladins, then run, in secret by the Chelish. Strange rumors have come from there and my chief wishes me to investigate. I have come."
He is silent then, as if expected Noche'Wa to say something.
Noche'Wa knows little but recalls a Chelish outpost there, years ago.
Korz pauses then says, "Maybe, but I have my task. The White Skulls havce taken it anyway. In any case, bringing back that tale to Grask is enough, for now. Perhaps I shall tell it to you, as well."
He shrugs, shoulders rolling. "What do you say to investigate Skull Hill? There may be orcs there, and they may be friend or foe. In any case, I then go back to Urgir, to report. If you prove yourself, you may come with me."
The orc grins, teeth sharp, Grask would like you, I think."
As far as Noche'Wa can tell the orc is telling the truth,a s far a she knows it. He is more interested in those 'rags't hen he lets on, but they don't seem to be involved in this trip to Skull Hill.
'Tomorrow." Korz says, shrugging, "Unless you have business in Manhome? The weather should be fair and it will take time to get through the Skittering Mounds. Best leave soon as possible."
Then the orc does something very unexpected. He turns and rummages among his pack and gear. He pulls out a wooden box and opens it. It unfolds into a flat board, and a number of pieces. It is a game, although Noche'wa has never seen anything like it.
Orcs play board games?
Korz grins and says, 'There is much about my people you do not know. Shall I teach you? Perhaps you can learn something of us..."
'It is called ucieczka." The orc word for 'escape'.
"Legends has it was invented by Belkzen himself, but I have heard tales that it was one of his most gifted lieutenants. The one who betrayed him..."
He sets up the board, a group of black pieces and one, larger, white piece. 'There is the chief and there are his foes. He must escape or slay his foes, before being slain himself. Simple, eh?"
"White or black?" Korz asks, formally. Noche' Wa has a feeling this is a test of character.
Korz explains the rules, how sometimes the chieftain can kill his foes or even temporarily turn them to his side. It seems simple enough, what one would expect from an orc board game.
Noche'Wa loses the first four games so fast, he doesn't even see what happens.
There is some deeper strategy going on here, but the Shoanti can't grasp it. Not yet.
After an hour Korz chuckles and puts the game away, 'There will be time on the trail. Tonight, we both need sleep. Where will you stay?"