An Orcish Tale

One Day

"Thwak!"

With the sound of an arrow piercing the elk's ribcage it finally gave way to its demise and lied motionless upon the lush deep green shrubbery.
"A well placed shot Gorbash" Durza commented as we both approached from out of our hiding spot behind a large rock covered in moss we had assesed would camouflage our own green skin; the carcass itself barely visible too through the thick morning mist that encompassed the mountainous valley.
"It was a lucky shot" I darted back as I holstered my bow across my back.
With a few mumbled grunts of frustration Durza finally pierced the Elk's thick hide and began to skin the carcass and cut it's meat into smaller portions ready to carry for the journey back to the stronghold.
"Our kills bring much needed food and clothing to the tribe Gorbash, you should commend yourself every so once in a while."
I hummed in approval as I started to haul the larger pieces of venison on to my shoulder being careful it didn't come into too much contact with my bow and quiver leaving the smaller parts for Durza.
"Ah" Durza sighed sarcastically. "The benefits of having an older brother." Saying as she let out a hushed laugh.
"I'm just doing my part now." I mumbled.
"As soon as we're in the stronghold you're the one explaining to Father as to why we're taking so long" I added with slight jest to my tone.
With only bones and guts as remnants of the kill of the day laying as feed for the lucky and numerous creature that hid in the hills, I adjusted my fur garb to cater to the heavy burden of fresh meat and followed Durza leading the way up the mountainous path back to the Stronghold.

Still early in the morning, the sun's glare slowly began to cut through the clouded sky along with an orchestra of rockwarbler birds calling and responding amongst themselves their all too familiar song as they flew overhead. Durza's lean yet muscular build continuing to lead the way with a slight swagger as she marched in front of me.
Her adorned battleaxe hanging from her back reflecting the sunshine from it's blade swaying in unison with her orcish braids that she had tied into a ponytail behind her pointy ears fastened with rings of silver and leather. Though I had always questioned the practicality of her battleaxe in our countless hunts as it wasn't always the most silent of weapons when it came to sneaking up on wild game, it has saved my hide many times from being a feast for preying prides of sabrecats.

"Do you ever wonder?" I implied between our chorus of footsteps kicking through the grass.
"About what Gorbash?" Durza replied without turning her head back to me.
"About what it would be like outside this."
Durza grunts confusely not sure what I meant.
"Outside this..." I added.
"All we have done is hunt, and will be expected by the tribe to do so until the end of our days." I continued.
Durza paused for a few seconds, perhaps taking into account what I had said.
"I honestly think about that too Gorbash, but our link to Malacath is a strong one, and to think about going against his will is a bad idea brother."
Durza said with warning in her tone as she resumed the journey.
"Just look at whats happening at Largashbur Gorbash. I'll be surprised anyone is still alive next time we accompany father to find another wife for him there." She added whilst stepping up a steep bump in the road.
"It won't be too long until I recieve such a fate of being taken to another stronghold as another wife to a chieftain." I could sense the sorrow in her voice.
"At least you can challenge father in combat and still live amongst our own..."
"But that does not stop the feeling of being prisoner in a cage little sister! If we even talk about leaving the stronghold around the wrong person we would be branded outsiders by the tribe or even Father himself!"
I realized Durzha stopped and turned around in reaction to my sudden outburst and I bowed my head down avoiding eye contact in apology.
"Sorry sister... I just dont want to die knowing I- or even we, could have explored the reaches of the outside world but only lived long enough only to know the wooden walls of our stronghold."

With the morning mist finally dissipating in wake of the sun now in full shine, it cleared our vision of the road ahead giving us a glimpse of the wooden walls that me and Durzha were all too familiar with.
We approached the wall of sharpened stakes and towards the main gate to see Lagash, our youngest brother standing watch upon the battlements nestled on top, all of which were fashioned from thick darkwood logs only orcish hands could carry and set upright.
"Did you find the nirnroot Mother asked you to look for whilst on your hunt?"
Lagash asked as he descended the battlements to open the sealed gate.
Lagash stood a foot taller than the rest of the tribe which was ironic due to him being the youngest. His tattooed face accentuated the small single braid of hair he brandished on his head signifying him being of the younger stock within the tribe. His mother, being Father's newest forge wife from Largashbur; hence the similarity in his name, constantly taught Lagash the art of smithing for which every forge wife of any stronghold is worldly renowned for proven by the countless blood-kin (a term coined to define any non orc who gains the trust of a stronghold) who came from far and wide in means to trade for their daily made arms and armor.
As the gates opened I walked inside leaving Durzha outside as she mumbled curses under her breath hastily looking through her collection of leather pouches hanging along her waist belt in a long row adorning the wolf fur coat she wore turning side to side in frustration as to where she put the glowing root inadvertently dropping a few red mountain flowers and canis roots.
"The only plant in the hills that glows and you still can't find it." Lagash sighed whilst picking up the ingredients falling from Durza's belt.
"Like you can talk Lagash! Remember that time you put glowing mushrooms into Father's stew thinking it was nirnroot and he couldn't see for a week?" I bursted out laughing.

"Found it!" Durza finally exclaimed as she pulled her hand out from one of her larger waist pouches holding the glowing root which radiated a light bluish glow. Without looking she dropped the smaller haunches of venison on the wooden table facing the centre fireplace that you first see once you walk into the stronghold and rushed to Grandmother who was working on some leather on the tanning rack in her outdoor apothecary. In turn I headed over to the centre hearth as well albeit slower having the hefty rest of the elk hauled over my shoulders.
With a long awaited exhale I let it drop down on the table letting it thud against it's wooden frame. I looked up to see Father sitting on his makeshift throne shaded by the longhouse, along with Mother by his side braiding his aged weary hair into Father's signature top knot while they both stared at the fresh carcass on display.
With Father's gaze fixed on the table he then raised his pale grey eyes to meet my own deep brown ones. His staunch expression unflinching against the fire's ashes.
"You two have hunted well this day."
Father commended maintaining his gloomy expression. It was eerily silent.
"I do what I must for the tribe Father." I replied as I slowly crouched against the fireplace to start skewering pieces of venison onto a long iron pole suspending it on top of the fire with a frame to begin cooking the tribes first meal.
"And you do it well." Mother added as the smell of freshly cooked venison slowly started to permeate the stronghold.
Expecting to be scolded over the tardiness of me and Durza's hunt as the tribe usually feasted an hour earlier Father abruptly broke the awkward silence.
"Once you are done cooking and Durza is done helping your Grandmother go to your brother Burguk at the other gate." Father commanded whilst tapping his foot against the bare ground. Perhaps he was not aware of the time of day.
"There is an Imperial Soldier there and Burguk is still questioning him on why he has ventured this far into our territory and with reports from other strongholds down south that a war is happening between the Imperials, High Elves and Breton tribes we cannot risk any incursion from either race as they may want to gain the upper hand with the ores from our mines for better equipment and I don't think trade is on any side's mind but rather conquest." Father explained with a grim look on his face.
"I'll go right away then Father." I said as I left the skewer of meat on the fire to slow roast and headed down to the northern gate to see how Burguk's interrogations were going. Walking anxiously to see what this was all about I then hear Father behind me groan as he rose from his chair and mutter another final word of warning.
"Make sure your weapons are nearby Gorbash... My experience with humans is that if theres one, then theres more around..."
I nodded and then turned around. Walking towards the gate I beckoned Durza to follow, her heaving battleaxe already in hand.