Kira looks over at Barak and Ganth, but does not speak. Considering the company, her words might get her in even bigger trouble.

Ganth awakens and looks around. He sees the other Orcs around him and thinks to himself... What else can go wrong?! He notices two of his friends here, "Any ideas on how to break out of this place?"

Barak will Whisper Ganths Words to Kira and then say we are not chained only caged and still have our weapons.

"Careful," Kira whispered as quietly as possible, don't let them hear you." She was obviously referring to the other prisoners. "It's best if they think I'm deaf and mute."

"Not really they might just kill you to get the weakness out of the race" Barak whispers " i'm surprised im still alive being half and orc"

"You think they won't kill me if they find out I cain't speak O'cish?" Kira whispered back fiercely.

"I didnt say that either if someone talks to you just grunt and let me do the talking" Barak replies.

The huge den of orcs mill around for a while until a black-robed orc enters and addresses everyone. The orc's voice seems unnaturally loud, and is easily heard by everyone, "Congratulations, you all have been chosen to lead the assault. You will train for the next few days until the attack commences. Food and drink will be provided. That is all," the orc then leaves, the door shuting stoutly behind him.

Barak translates the words for Kira, "Oh, goodie," Kira whispered, looking seriously ticked off.

"No kidding..." Ganth gets an idea.... "Ya know... we could have a huge party right now.... Like me starting a fight with the rest of them in here. That would be alot of fun."

"That would be a good idea except i dont think that Orcs punish people for assisted suicide Ganth" Barak looks at Ganth and shakes his head as always he will repeat what ganth says and his own responce to Kira

Once The guard is gone and Barak witnesses the other orcs whispering he will ask " how many of you want to be here?"

A few of the orcs look at Barak like he is crazy, "I wasn't too thrilled about how we got here, but we get to kill humans soon!!"

Barak will mumble under his breath "Well that rules out the angry mob theory".... To Kira and Ganth in both Languages very quietly "we need to sneak out of here and find Adriena" in Orcish only "and no fighting Ganth unless absolutely necessary."

Kira looked at Barak with wide, innocent eyes and whispered in shock, "Really?" She made an indelicate noise and added in a decidedly petulant whisper, "And just how do you propose we do that?"

At this time the door opens again as 5 orcs enter with lumber, hammers and nails. They quickly construct a large door frame in the middle of the cavern. The door frame is about 6 foot wide and 10 foot tall. Once complete, the worker orcs move on one side of the frame and using chalk and string mark lines on the ground. Once completed they leave the cavern and the same robed orc enters and speaks, "It is simple, even you morons can do it. Everyone will line up on this side of the doorway," he points to the side that doesn't have chalk-marks and string, "When the officer blows his whistle, you will charge through the doorway and take up positions. The officers will show you where. That's it"

With that the robed orc leaves and the officers take over. They quickly show how the chalk and string represent walls and corridors. It takes several thrashings but the plan finally sinks in to the multitude of orcs. Over the next few hours, the officers run the orcs through the drill. Lining everyone up and blowing the whistle. Every orc that touches the wooden frame as they go through are pulled to the side and given a harsh beating and then tossed back with the rest of the orcs. After all of the orcs are through the door frame, the officers spend several minutes berating the orcs for minor mistakes and giving out indiscriminate beatings, before starting the exercise again.

After what seems like forever, the officers stop and explain, "You all are going to be our secret weapon. You will lead the attack against the Humans and will have the first opportunity to slay them. We were initially going to keep you here but that is no longer an option. Go get some rest and return at nightbreak. Those that don't return will be branded cowards, those who do, will lead the attack and get first dibs on Human flesh and human treasure. You are dismissed."

As the trio watch, the orcs start filtering out of the large cavern.

Barak says, "Add exactly which gods are smiling on us tonight ... now we just need to quickly find Adriena and sir whatits and the artifact and get out of here. Simple first we find Adriena she's probably here..."

Ganthanor is barely aware of his surroundings... the thought that Adriena is with another Orc is driving him crazy. He's got to find her. He does not respond directly to the others....

The three mingle in with the rest of the orcs that are leaving. Each orc is given a small badge to identify them as members of the First Assault. Moving with the stream of orcs, the trio move through cavern passages until finally reaching a set of stairs leading up. Heading up the stairs and passing through a set of double doors, they head down another passage until they reach the center chamber of the Keep.

There are several sets of staircases leading up. The Keep is square shaped with no inner walls, so one can see up to the higher floors. There seems to be a lot of floors, more than one can count.

In the present chamber there is a large feasting table, currently empty. Orcs in army uniforms move about the keep, from level to level, disappearing into rooms, etc. The stream of orcs are moving down the main hallway that leads to the main entrance. The main door has a portcullis as well as a thick wooden bar on it. The door is currently open, the portcullis is up and the orcs are heading out into the lights of early dawn.

Barak says, " Well they seem to be lettng people up there why dont we look around?"

Kira nods in agreement. Gathanor remains silent.

Barak nods in return and leads the three up the stairs to the second level. They see several passageways leading off ffomr the main center chamber. Additionally there are plenty of orcs milling about, on errands, etc, to show that there is always activity in the keep.

Barak says, "Lord Heirpen is probably downstairs however the Item is probably up stairs... i suggest we go for the man first and hope that he can then get up to the item any other suggestions??"

Kira nods in agreement.

The three move around the floor and eventually find stairs that lead down to the dungeons. They are able to move around with impunity, since they are on the other side of the bars, the jailor half-asleep ignoring them. Wandering from cell to cell, the three see orcs, half-orcs and humans. Upon concluding their reconnaisance of the cells, while seeing a lot of humans, they do not discover the human Lord that they are looking for.

Heading back up, the three return to the large center chamber.

Kira sighs. "I've had enough of this. I'm getting out of here." She moves silently through the crowd until she had a chance to dart away.

The other two climb the stairs and begin searching the floors. They get lost several times in the large complex and on several occasions find doors locked or otherwise barred to their entrance. After reaching the third level, Barak hears mention about a human Lord who is at the Keep as a guest of the Orc Generals, somewhere on the 5th or 6th floor.

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