NOVEL NEXT Book II Chapter 9: Declarations
That evening, the tribe gathered around the large tent where Aldrin stood with his friends and Tar-Xuk. The former Orc chieftain's gaze was vacant, filled with the command of Aldrin, which was to stay put for the time being. They waited at the entrance of the tent for the last stragglers to trickle in as the sun set on the horizon, turning the sky to its purple and gold hued twilight hours.
When Aldrin felt that the entire tribe had gathered, he took a step forward, garnering all eyes to him. He looked left to right and left again, making eye contact with a few that chose to look away in fear. In the back of his mind, the Vampire purred in delight at the subservience being shown. However, he was not here as Aldrin the Vampire Progenitor, but as Khotal-Ur, the new Chief of Tar. He took a deep breath, committing the roast beef aromas of the Orcs to his memory then he cleared his throat, silencing the growing murmurs of the Orcs.
"As most of you have seen, there has been a change in leadership. I, Khotal-Ur, have won the Har-Jugag against your leaders," he paused letting his words flow through the crowd. "If anyone here wishes to challenge me, they are free to do so." He waited before he continued. There were a few looks, but none stepped forward again. "If any of you wish to leave, you are also free to do so." Again, nobody left, which gave a hint of satisfaction to the Vampire.
He paced back and forth, pondering his next words. "As many of you know, I am a Vampire." Gasps swelled throughout the tribe, then the murmurs started. He let the whispers and hushed conversations circulate before he cleared his throat to continue. "A Progenitor of Vampires," he said, which turned the quiet conversations into massive outbursts as most Orcs shouted amongst each other.
"What does it mean for us?" A brave light green Orc asked, silencing some of the crowd as they listened for an answer.
Aldrin looked at the lean Orc. "What's your name, brother?" Impressed by the bravery shown.
"Buramog-Kurdan.. uh, Chief?" He looked away nervously.
Aldrin chuckled, "May the fields of Gorsh-Nik bless you, brother," he addressed the Orc. "But what that means for everyone is that your side has been chosen in the coming wars ahead."
"What wars?" An Orc in the back asked
"The Second Progenitor Wars," Aldrin answered, turning his back to briefly glance at his friends, who all had grim looks. He shook his head and turned back to the Orcs. "Fight with me and I promise you all prosperity, food that will fill your belly, your children's bellies, your grandchildren's bellies, and their grandchildren's bellies!" He didn't stop, feeling the crescendo as the flame danced within his eyes.
"Fight with me and I will take you where no Orc has gone before, where they will sing your names among the fields of Gorsh-Nik!" he shouted, which roused the Orcs into an uproar. They cheered and jeered at each other, getting sucked up in the moment. Aldrin held back a grin as the Orcs celebrated. "We leave at dawn!" he announced, earning more cheers.
Pierre was the first to step forward next to Aldrin. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, looking warily at the Orcs as they began to disperse and move about, dismantling their tents with extreme fervor.
Aldrin placed a hand on Pierre's shoulder with a soft smile. "It's only the beginning, my friend. I intend to take over Ebira too."
Pierre scratched his growing stubble on his cheek at the response. His head flicked back to Evie, catching her concern. "She's worried about you, you know?" he said as he turned back to face the crowd so they had some semblance of privacy.
Aldrin's smile dampened. "Why..?" He asked, sharing a quick glance at Evie.
"Says you're changing too fast, I guess," Pierre shrugged.
Aldrin barked out a laugh. "Isn't that what she wanted to begin with?"
Pierre shrugged. "Honestly, I never understand her half the time. One minute she's on your side and now she's questioning everything. Granted, I can understand where she's coming from about the Orc Tribe."
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Aldrin grimaced. "She doesn't understand Orc culture."
Pierre chuckled, "Then explain it to her." He shook his head with a grin and looked at Aldrin with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Women aren't your strong suit, are they?" He asked with a smirk.
Aldrin winced. "Is it that obvious?"
Pierre laughed and slapped him on the back. "More than you know, my friend. Come on," he said as he walked back to where they stood.
"Help pack things and get ready to move out," he commanded Tar-Xuk, who wordlessly complied. Aldrin stepped back and looked at Evie. "I'm sorry," he started. "I know things look a bit out of character for me right now, but it's a plan. Please, just bear with me for a little longer, and I will explain."
Evie's anger subsided as her gaze softened. "I expect a good reason for exposing yourself like this when we have desperately been trying to avoid that," she said.
Aldrin chuckled, "I will. I promise." He held out his hand for a fist bump. Evie rolled her eyes with a grin as she gave Aldrin a fist bump. "Now," he said. "When we are further from here and closer to Ebira, I'm going to open the portal to the Black Bazaar. I'll go in first and check it out, and if it's somewhat safe, I'll come back and take you guys with me."
Jared slowly raised his hand. "If you find a pet I can bond with, can you bring it back?" He asked with a sheepish grin.
Aldrin laughed and nodded his head. "Sure thing, buddy. Any preference?" He asked.
"Can I think about it?" He asked.
"Of course. I'll let you know before we go." He then turned and searched the crowd. "Tar-Xuk!" He called, and the enthralled Orc came trudging over. "How long is the journey to Ebira?" he asked.
Tar-Xuk grumbled, "With everyone, it will take us two weeks. A week and a half if we push."
clamped down and snubbed the brewing resistance. "Now." Aldrin commanded more forcefully, watching them go. "If there is any pushback again, let me know, and I'll deal with it," he sent along the Servant Strand to Evie, who curtly nodded as she walked away.
"Jared, get with the other Beastmasters with the Terrorbirds and see how the profession works. Get some practice. I want you to know the ins and outs of it." Aldrin said, and Jared nodded, waving to them as he left, leaving only him, Pierre, and the two guards. He breathed in, sniffing for the stench of rotting meat, which wasn't as prevalent as he thought. "Come on, Pierre, we have something to do, and bring your Alchemist Kit," he said.
"Okay?" Pierre responded and followed Aldrin to another large tent that was still erect. Two Orcs stood guard at the entrance and dipped their heads in respect when they saw Aldrin approach.
One Orc with a blue feather necklace opened the flap to the tent. Pierre tried his best not to show his disgust as the stench of sickness wafted out. "Is this..?" His question died as he looked at Orcs nestled on makeshift cots. Some could barely open their eyes when the flap of the tent opened. The others coughed and wheezed, staring at the ceiling of the tent with distant gazes.
"There is a sickness that ravages Orcs…" Aldrin started as he stared at the dying Orcs in front of him. "They don't know what causes it, nor how to cure it, but it affects one out of five Orcs when they reach their prime. I assumed that, with what you were doing in Lor-Vold, on top of how you met Jared during a biology class in college, you were heading into medicine?" He asked, stepping aside as Pierre stared helplessly at the Orcs.
"How did you…" Pierre couldn't speak as his feet took him forward to his first patient.
Aldrin didn't bother saying anything else, a small smile creeping onto his face as he watched Pierre become immersed in figuring out the sickness. He hoped Pierre could at least alleviate some symptoms, which would solidify him amongst the Orcs and give him the practice he wanted with his Alchemist Profession. With Evie's runestones, Aldrin guessed some Orcs would want to learn which she would happily oblige. He wasn't worried in the slightest about Jared since he would naturally endear himself to the Orcs just by being the way he was.
With the beginnings of his plan enacted, and once news traveled to other Orc tribes, it would only be a matter of time before more Orcs flocked to the banner of Tar. However, a small part of him dreaded confronting the Khotals, but that was for another time. For now, Aldrin would be content with the start of his new foundation for a syndicate and whatever else blooms from it.
Stepping out, the night welcomed him in an embrace like an old friend. He felt better away from the harsh sunlight as the coolness of night draped over him, restoring his powers and strengthening him further. He strode forward to set the last plan in motion. The migration to Ebira.