After walking for about two hours, we made it to the forest outskirts, that separated us from the attention of the big two.
within the forest, I and my other tribe warriors escorted the prisoners through this world of wood and leaf.
The forest hummed with life all around me. I twirl about, gazing up at the canopy, searching for the birds that sing sweetly. The sun breaks through the cracks, lighting up the dirt path ahead of me, decorated with outgrown roots, wildflowers and fallen leaves that crunch beneath my b.a.r.e feet. I walked on, taking in the fragrance of minty grass and the damp earth. Each breathe is like water, fresh and cleansing, flowing freely into my lungs.
'Speaking of water, I suddenly feel thirsty' with that thought, I grabbed the half filled water flask hanging by the sides of my battle skirt.
Unfortunately, the peace didn't last long, because...
"Aaaargh!! what?!! let me down!! Untie me, you filthy Dregu swines!!" the unconscious young Orc finally awakened after three full hours.
'Weak!' I muttered and ignored the fool.
"Un-hand me!!" He yells, and his voice being rather unpleasant to hear made me cringe.
"Who is in charge?!!, No need to hide Obum!!!" He continues.
Seeing that he was being ignored, He roared, "Is the Great Obum the gruesome afraid to face me?".
"Big words from a small Orc" Gilgar stated curtly as she rolled her eyes.
"What?!!"He attempts to retort as he struggled to turn from the Orc warriors shoulders.
"little Chief, I don't think they are from the Dregu" another prisoner says, it was the brown scaled lizard folk from before.
"What??!" Shocked once again, He began to struggle fiercely as he yelled," Who are you all?? who is your leader??".
Listening to their conversation, I heard something interesting, so I ordered the Orc, "Skarv, Why don't you let the little Chief down"
"Gruff" Skarv snorts heavily while smacking the 'little Chief' onto the ground like a log of wood, even I was surprised.
"Ugh!!!, Huh huh" He g.r.o.a.n.e.d from the initial fall and dramatically rolled a bit further from Skarv before trying to run but he seemed to have forgotten he was tied up and ended up falling again.
""""Hahahaha"""" the warriors began laughing, I was also amused.
"Don't laugh!!Argh!! show me your leader!!"
"a Halfling?!!" He says with a shocked expression but in my anger I kicked him by the Jaws.
"Uaaah!!!"screaming as he fell backwards, he looked like he was still in shock, because of me being a Halfling.
Calmly walking around him as he recovers, I observed his every action and finally noticed that he was dressed rather luxuriously. Perhaps, being used to seeing the fancy ways the Black moon tribe's clothes were made, I had overlooked this.
"So you were the true leader behind the ambush, and that trap was set for this Obum the Gruesome of the Dregu tribe"
"Un-hand me this instant, I am Bhok, son of the great Chief of Shammob, the third strongest in the Orc lands!...If..." He began to tell like I was dead or something.
Gbam!!
"ugh!!" In spite, I kicked the clueless fellow by his ribs, I couldn't Stand the arrogant look on his face, it's ugly to see on a bald Orc.
"Shut up, it just means there are two stronger than him, what's there to be proud of" I say.
Gilgar chimed in while palming her face, "I almost feel ashamed for his father".
"Stupid..."
"Yes very stupid, Skarv" We continued mocking him. "Are you saying you are useless? eh Bhok?"
"You...!" He tried speaking but I cut him off, there's not much time left for the day, "Enough, Skarv take this fool, we are returning to the village now, I'm sure the Chief would have use for him".
Skarv grins weirdly before saying "Okay" as he cracked his knuckles.
"What? what are you trying to do?" Bhok yells, looking genuinely scared.
gbak!!!
Surprisingly, Skarv knocked him out with a punch to the head and I couldn't help cringing, Gilgar could be heard laughing not to far ahead.
"Hahahaha, I think he fainted from the fear rather than the actual hit...hahaha" clutching her stomach while laughing loudly.
Seated alone in the Hall, I calmly felt my body reactions. Ever since I heard that prophecy, a strange energy has been moving silently across my body.
Observing it, I found that I could slowly control, So I willed it towards the palm of my hands and a pale green flame appeared.
I watched it closely and connected it to the energy that entered my body when I accepted to be Ayaseh's champion. Even stranger, the system was yet to have a reaction to it.
So I chose to personally explore and experiment on this energy. although it was in the form of a flame, it was cold but my palm didn't feel uncomfortable.
"Strange" I muttered unconsciously as the flame flickered in front of me. At this time, a shadow beneath my throne rippled silently as Moz made an appearance.
Materializing in front, she saluted,"My Chief".
"..."
"Are you really going through with it?"She asked. Hearing her question, I said with a sigh as I stood up from the throne, "It's only natural, as she is the only one Capable of reaching that place, initially I wanted to have you go but I changed my mind".
"are..."
"Speak"
"Are you perhaps disappointed...Did I fail you My Chief?"Moz seemed to struggle with herself while asking that question.
Hearing her question, I couldn't help staring for a second, "..."
"Hahaha, no! far From it...I have a better mission for you, a very important mission" As I spoke, her eyes seemed to shine brightly.
"Your task is going to be the most important in this game" Stroking my Beard, a grin was plastered on my face, 'Things will become more interesting, very soon'.
kpa kpa kpa...
The sound of the wood snapping at the fireplace echoed across the Hall.
___________________________
By Night fall, I watched the warriors train within the training field as they suffered under Urim's fierce training. Alpha laid by my side as I absentmindedly stroked his Fur, Raz had completed the iron plating for my leather gauntlets and has proceeded in upgrading the ones used by the other warriors.
There's still no news from Torrelsav's daughters, so we'll be setting off in the morning tomorrow in order to find them.
"My Chief" Dabok came from behind with a Salute.
Seeing his expression, I could almost guess his next sentence.
"Old Dabok, with that expression on your face, you could scare a 'Vrom' beast from afar" with a small laugh, I teased the old Orc.
"..." He snorted coldly and turned the other way, "I'm afraid, It's time you settle this matter...we are having more relations with outside tribes this days and it would soon be a problem"
"..."
"We received news that Greyeye will be here in two days for a 'friendly' visit" Dabok continued.
"Is this news reliable?" I asked.
Dabok remained silent for a few seconds as he stared at the training field, "Yes, One of the Hobgoblin scouts was informed by a Greyeye clan's envoy".
"I suspect, He has been to white mountain"He added.
Understanding his thoughts, I said calmly,"Understood, have Nazu come see me...and have Lovan, start transmuting the Totems".
"As you will..." He says as he walked away, "Do you think this Janetta, will really be able to steal it?"
"..." Hearing his question, I chose to remain silent, after all, what I took was a gamble.
"I understand, let's hope for the best then" Dabok says with nostalgia all over his face before leaving.
It didn't take long but Haji came this time causing Alpha to growl in complaint.
"My Chief, The warriors have returned with a gift?" The Goblin stated with an expression filled with confusion. This made me ruffle his hair while shaking my head, "Let's go".