Fates of Grenora: Return of the Night

On the fourth day of traveling, their carriage ride came to a halt as they all stepped out. Everyone took in the fresh air of the grassland plains as the sun was slowly rising over the horizon. "There is nothing here, but the carriage pulled to a stop," Jared said, looking around at the endless fields of green with nothing in the distance.

"No markers, no traces of any trails, and definitely not an outpost," Pierre said as he looked for clues.

Aldrin breathed in, then his eyes went wide as roast beef tickled his nose. "Oh no. They are here, and something else is here too. Smells like…" he sniffed, wrinkling his face trying to figure out what it reminded him of. "Chicken…?" he guessed, and as soon as he said that there was a loud squawk that bordered on a shrill shriek of an enormous bird.

The surrounding air shimmered as, one by one, giant terror birds with green and brown-skinned Orc riders adorned in skulls, animal pelts, and feathers from their terror birds. Aldrin was the only one who didn't seem alarmed as the others pulled out their weapons and runestones. Aldrin looked for the Shaman who had disguised them in the first place and spotted him near the back of the circle with a necklace of bones. He made a mental note to be on the lookout for that type of magic ‌later; as it even blinded him within his sense sphere.

There was one deep green Orc, who was large and stocky with matching skulls of a long-toothed animal on his shoulders and a plume of light blue feathers adorned around his head, similar to that of his terror bird, trudged forward on his mount. "You step on Tar-Kresh lands. State your business." He growled, his large curved tusks jutting from his lower jaw, making him slur his words.

Aldrin threw his hand up for his friends to put their weapons away as he discreetly looked at them being surrounded by the group. The terror birds squawked around them and ruffled their feathers as the Orcs tried to placate them. "We come from Folos. We were told to find you. My friend," he pointed to Jared behind him. "Wants to learn the ways of your Beastmasters," he dipped his head slightly as a sign of respect, but the necklace of ears beneath the feathered plumage didn't escape his notice. 'Fuck…' Aldrin mentally winced when he saw that.

The Orc snorted then turned to gauge and judge Jared. After a minute of hard scrutiny, the Orc let out a deep rumble of a laugh, which made the surrounding Orcs laugh as well. "Come, our Chief will want to see this," the Orc said as he gave a heel-kick while tugging the reins of his terror bird to turn around.

Aldrin turned back to his friends. "Get in the carriage and do not come out until I knock," he warned them with a glare. Evie wanted to protest, but Aldrin subtly shook his head. The three of them stepped back into the carriage's portal before Aldrin turned back to see the Orc nudge his head to follow.

He let out a sigh as he climbed into the driver's seat of the carriage. "Hellix, Drellix, follow the Orc. Don't chomp at the escorts either." He commanded, which earned a few snorts of disagreement from them, but they complied anyway.

They veered off the beaten path as they traveled through the grasslands; the carriage leaving deep furrows with its wheels. Aldrin couldn't be more thankful for the enchantments as he knew he was hitting every bump imaginable as they went off-road.

"I am Tar-Nurbag, son of Chief Tar-Xuk." The deep green Orc who greeted them said as he strode next to the carriage. He whistled a sharp note that signaled a change in formation. Three other Orcs on terror birds moved into position in front of them, forming a wedge. Tar-Nurbag gave a toothy grin to Aldrin, only for him to give a tight-lipped smile as his mind recalled how certain tribes preyed on non-Orc beings. Unfortunately, Aldrin guessed this was one of them if the dried ear necklace was any indication.

The terror birds squawked again, trying to keep their eyes on the warhorses pulling the carriage and Aldrin. Tar-Nurbag patted the neck of his mount as it started becoming antsy by raising its feathers whenever he tugged it to go closer to Aldrin. "What do they call you in your lands?" He finally asked after wrangling his terror bird to cooperate.

Aldrin eyed the terror bird before he answered, attempting to connect with its mind, but his Skill failed. Instead, he tried Charming Gaze, attempting to calm the creature, which worked as its bristled feathers soon laid down. Smirking more to himself, "I am Aldrin. Well met, Tar-Nurbag. May the fields of Gorsh-Nik welcome you."

Tar-Nurbag's eyes went wide at the response, ignoring how calm his terror bird was. "You know the Hizotul God?" he asked, leaning closer.

Aldrin chuckled, "I spent some time around other Hizotul orcs when I was younger. Hells, you might know of them." He paused, turning to look at Tar-Nurbag. "Khotal-Zibi," he said.

Tar-Nurbag let out a booming laugh with his head tilted upwards. "A foundling of the Khotal-Zibi?!" he asked with a wide grin, showing jagged and crooked teeth. "I thought they never did such a thing with outsiders."

Aldrin shared a closed-lip grin of his own. "They don't. Or didn't until my family and I came along and helped them."

Tar-Nurbag stopped, his face turning grim. "What is the name to call you then, brother?" he sneered.

"I would rather save that for when I'm in front of your Chief and high elders." Aldrin said, brokering no room for any argument.

While Tar-Nurbag didn't like the response, he let it go as they rode in silence until they finally came upon a settlement with wooden stakes for walls. Large tents made of animal leathers and furs made up the bulk of their homes. Small Orc children ran from their mothers inside the village as the male Orcs toiled away, fortifying the village with carved stones. "Welcome to Tar-Kresh," Tar-Nurbag said, stopping at the entrance and dismounting. He whistled again, which signaled the other terror bird riders to peel away and circle around the camp. "We go on foot now. Call for your companions," he gruffly said.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Aldrin nodded, getting down from the driver's seat and giving a soft knock on the carriage door. Evie was the first to step out, carefully observing for any traps or danger until her eyes settled on Aldrin's calm demeanor. "It's alright," he whispered to her. She nodded and waved for Jared and Pierre to come out as well.

"Well, I'll be damned! This is fucking cool!" Jared said as he stepped out, admiring the outside of the village. Tar-Nurbag snorted, trying to stifle his laugh. Pierre came out next and did a quick glance around before fully stepping out.

"Follow. We will go see the chief now," Tar-Nurbag told them and started walking in.

Aldrin followed along with his friends. The Orcs stopped and gaped at the newcomers and the horse carriage that stopped outside the entrance. Aldrin didn't bother to stare back at them as they loomed closer to the massive tent in the middle of the settlement. Each step made his heart turn colder, and his face hardened as he came to a decision.

"Wait here," Tar-Nurbag commanded, pulling at the flap of animal skin and stepping inside. Aldrin crossed his arms and slowly turned around to see the village gathering closer to them.

Jared tugged at Aldrin's shirt. "What's the plan?" He whispered.

Aldrin shook his head. "For now, just follow my lead. I'll do the talking. Orcs… are a temperamental bunch if you don't say or do the right things."

Jared stepped back and waited, ignoring the whispers as the male Orcs started pushing themselves to the front to protect their females and children. A lot of the Orcs were decorated with terror bird feathers of red, green, and orange. Animal leathers covered the females, while the children only wore strips of leather and loincloths with bone pendants. Tar-Nurbag soon stepped out. "Chief Tar-Xuk and the high elders will see you now."

The group stepped forward, but Tar-Nurbag held his hand. "Just him," he said, jutting his head at Aldrin.

"It's alright, guys. Trust me," Aldrin pleaded with his eyes more than his words. Pierre got the hint immediately and held Evie back from saying something. Together, Tar-Nurbag and Aldrin stepped inside the tent. It was hazy and dark, but Aldrin could see perfectly. In every alcove stood a guard in tribal gear, armed to the teeth with makeshift bone weapons and the occasional iron weapon. In the middle, around a small campfire, bright enough to only illuminate the figures around the fire, were four greying Orcs and a large one, similar to Tar-Nurbag, with one broken tusk and the other a jagged mess.

The chief, he assumed, was the large Orc who had an iron pauldron on one shoulder and an animal bone sleeve going down his other arm. A metal chain skirt clinked together when he moved, as did the beads in his thick dreadlocks. "Come. Sit." The big Orc said in a deep voice that exuded authority and strength.

Aldrin and Tar-Nurbag complied immediately and sat cross-legged across from them. "May the fields of Gorsh-Nik welcome you home when it's your time, revered elders, honored Chief," he dipped his head in respect.

"May the fields of Gorsh-Nik welcome you home when it's your time," they repeated in unison.

"I am Tar-Xuk, chief of this tribe. Who do we address?" the Chief asked.

Aldrin mimicked taking a deep breath and closed his eyes, preparing for what he had to do. "My birth name is Aldrin, but to my brothers, I am Khotal-Ur, blood brother of Khotal-Dergu, son of Chief Khotal-Grikug."

Tar-Xuk growled, "You dare to claim yourself blood brother to a great Khotal? Prove it!" he said, summoning a large steel hammer, capable of squashing a man with ease, and placing it in the fire, signifying a challenge.

Aldrin chuckled, which only incensed Tar-Xuk even more. The guards in their alcoves stepped forward, growling their dissatisfaction. "I invoke Har-Jujag!" he said, summoning Sin-Screamer in his hand and placing the great sword in the fire, on top of the hammer.

"Accepted!" Tar-Xuk roared and got up with the rest of his elders, including Tar-Nurbag. Aldrin stood, not backing down from the challenge. He had to look up at Tar-Xuk as the orc looked down at him, snarling his discontentment.

"Bring me your best warrior to the circle. I'll be waiting." Aldrin said, then grabbed Sin-Screamer from the fire, took two steps back before turning away and leaving the tent.

Aldrin looked around with a sneer. "Where is your warrior's circle!" He shouted to the surrounding Orcs, startling his friends out of their hushed conversation.

One Orc stepped forward, unaffected by the simmering rage Aldrin was showing. "This way," he said, and walked around the large tent to the back.

Aldrin looked back at his friends. "Whatever happens, do not interfere. Come on," he told them as he started following the Orc.

They weaved deeper into the village as war drums sounded around the settlement. Deep rhythmic beats that spoke to the warrior's spirit within. Aldrin wasn't a stranger to the Har-Jugag. It was a battle between two parties to settle disagreements, a rite of passage, or in his case, a suspected lie. He had once fought one against his blood brother when he decided to leave the tribe and return to human lands. It was a bittersweet day, but one that was needed. This one would be no better.

The Orc that led them showed them to a wide circle that was marked with flat stones for its boundaries. There, most of the village trickled in from every direction, the drums telling them what was happening and where to go. "Stay here," Aldrin told his friends as he took off his shirt and re-summoned Sin-Screamer as he stepped inside the circle.

The beat of the drums picked up as Tar-Xuk and his group came from the other end. Behind him, the elders and Tar-Nurbag. Tar-Xuk grinned menacingly as he tapped Tar-Nurbag to step forward. Removing his animal skins, bone armor, and his feathered plumage. He kept the necklace of ears, proudly displaying it as he summoned a steel spear.

"Khotal-Ur, may Gorsh-Nik bless our weapons and blood!" Tar-Nurbag thumped his fist to his chest.

"Tar-Nurbag, may Gorsh-Nik bless our weapons and blood!" Aldrin repeated, thumping his fist to his chest too.

Then they readied themselves in their stances. Aldrin slightly bending his knees, with the point of Sin-Screamer angled at Tar-Nurbag. The Orc simply grinned, spinning the spear in a dizzying motion that let Aldrin know he held years of experience with it. However, that didn't bother Aldrin as none of them knew what Tar-Nurbag would actually be facing. A Vampire Progenitor, trained in the ways of the Hizotul Orc with a tempered mind that had been forged in the crucible of the Holy Order. They would regret this folly. They all would.