Rivalry

Prologue

Blades clashed with loud bangs as metal hit metal, struggling not to break as the wielders, one orc and one human struggled to best one another. They were evenly matched in skill, though the orc had size over the other, his opponent did not falter even once. The ground was slick with blood as they fought, both clearly exhausted but not submitting defeat, for it would mean certain death to make a false move now. The orc dodged the long blade his enemy swung him, but he lost his balance on the slippery ground. He tried hard to catch his balance and landed on his back. The man took his chance and buried the weapon through the orc and in the ground. The orc was not dead, and the dark-haired man pulled the weapon free, making the suffering orc scream out in pure agony. There were footsteps from behind the human and he turned raising his blade to attack but held as he saw one of his warriors. He took a moment to regain his composure of his surroundings, assessing the situation in the Orc encampment they had just conquered. The soldier was holding something wrapped up in a worn blanket and began speaking. "King Malicus the camp has fallen with few only a few wounded survivors. We have what you came for, and we found this." Stepping forward he handed the bundle of cloth to the king and retreated a pace. Holding the cloth covered package he brushed hair back from his face and uncovered the package, he gave a wicked smile from ear to ear, "Thank you, you may rally the troops we are leaving. The survivors are of no concern to us, send a few of the huntsmen with their hounds, we do have what we came for and more." The heavily armored soldier bowed deeply and retreated shouting orders at the other troops in the area. The king returned the cloth over the package and sheathed his weapon readying himself to leave, suddenly something heavy grabbed his foot though he knew what it was. Not startled, looked down at the orc who still lived now gripping his leg, knowing in full life the creature could well enough crush his foot where it held but not anymore. It spoke human tongue, "My .... Everything ...." With only a chuckle the man took out a short blade from his belt and cut the throat of his adversary. "Oh no chieftain, this is mine now."

"Careful of your steps little ones the pale skins are right behind us, you must keep up pace. The tall grey-haired figure said in a jog as to let the young orclings keep up with him. There were nervous and scared chatter among all the children as they ran through the forest. "but where are we going, elder?" one of them said in a panting voice. The tall orc shook his head, for he did not know that answer entirely for himself, but he did have an idea. "I will bring you to another village, where there will be others to look after you." "But I want my mommy and my daddy." "I know little one, but those monsters back there do not care for you, nor me, nor any of us. Your parents died protecting you and I will see to it that you will be okay." He heard sobbing from some of them that he knew only now realized their family was dead. It made a great fire awaken inside him and burn with the intensity of the sun. Behind them howling could be heard and the voices of a few pursuers, over the time they spent running it sounded like they were closing the gap and the older orc knew he would have to stand and protect the future of his tribe. They had just broken through the edge of the forest displaying a wide-open field of high grass. He had heard that the village was further past this field, though it was a dangerous trek for a group of orclings to do alone. They were already tired but knew the tall grass would keep them hidden. Stopping at the beginning of the grassy plain he looked at the little ones panting at the hard work they had just done. "You must go on; I need to hold them back to give you a chance to escape. Continue through the long grass until you are on the other side, do not stray from a straight path, stay low as if you were hunting. Follow the sun, just like you were taught, I will find you." There were sobs and tears rolling off little cheeks, and they looked up to him for guidance, he kneeled and gave the biggest of the group an animal bone dagger and whispered to him, followed by a long hug. The one wielding the dagger turned and began towards the grass and the rest followed behind him, disappearing into the long blades of grass, the only hint of them moving was subtle sway of the tips of green.