NONINDIGENOUS ORC
Teflar's scope was wide as the warrior trio marched upon the southern end of the marsh. Nostrils were assailed by the impressive reek while they stomped over the soft grounds. The night was still and soundless; only a tiny gurgling emanated from the darkness up ahead. Snakey mists curled around a few pools of stagnant water edged with muddy banks.
The paladin scanned the pitch blackness " I don't have any idea about those orc creatures. It seems as if they were having some kind of ritual." Nerendil fixed his gaze upon Teflar and took a deep breath " What do you think of all this, Teflar? Those monsters could be an important clue to our mission."
Teflar mused " Finding the orcken band so close to the swamp makes me uneasy. They must be from the downs, but I think you're right Nere, it must have been some sort of ritual. Unless we can find evidence that they were in connection with the stolen starpoint, I think it's a mystery that may have to go unsolved." The ranger ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
Nerendil questioned further " Don't you think it was strange that we find just a few orcs? I mean, I used to believe that orcs move along in bigger groups. I'm afraid they might not be the only clan around here." Nerendil watched as the ranger stepped across the soft bank. " Do you see something new?" Vaedamir agreed, but cautioned " I can't venture a guess to their involvement here, but if we are looking for signs of more orcs, let us hope that we do not find any whilst separated from the others. How are we supposed to fight if we can't even see the hands in front of our own faces?"
Teflar addressed his fellows in the dark " I'm glad we seem to be in agreement over the path ahead." He bent down to examine the ground and pinched a patch of dirt. Rolling it between his thumb and forefinger, the grains slid back to the earth " I don't think our magic is quite up to the evil the swamp might hold."
Teflar shook his head " I don't sense orcs, but yet again, it's too dark out here to know for sure."
After an hour of fruitless patrol, the trio returned back to the watchfire.
Gulius collected his expended axes while Gailwind studied the lead orc in amazement. The lorist thumbed through a zoological encyclopedia and expressed incredibly
" This is not a regular orc!" He paused to catch his breath as those not attending personal matters gathered round " I mean, it's not indigenous." He examined the slope of the orc's skull " This is a TAHGA and it hails from the Boridine Flatlands. What is it doing here I wonder?"
Aramil responded " Hmm, that is mighty strange. I didn't think orcs strayed from their own territory, at least not this far. Seems doubly strange following the theft and I have no doubt they are somehow linked."
The lorist crouched in thought " Orcs are everywhere, but there are territories where they cannot abide for long."
The introverted monk spoke softly
" I would agree with you Aramil." Torynth sat cross-legged upon the ground having just opened his eyes from meditation.
" I have been trying to piece together this puzzle Phantinius has laid before us and I still have many questions. Now here is something that has been bothering me. Our first night out, a signal fire is seen. For there is no reason to have a flame that large for a campfire. Upon arrival, we are ambushed. Orcs from different tribes fought to the death against us ...even when outnumbered. I don't think that is normal for an orc. That last calling out 'Agrana'. Does anyone know who or what Agrana is? It might be important."
Gailwind stood and paced the grounds as the weary cleric tried his best to heal Gulius's wound.
" The leader or the Tahga shouting 'Agrana' was the only nonindigenous orc. The rest were from, my guess, north of the swamps. Agrana means 'attack without caution' in most orcken language."
Leah slid her dagger through the entrails trying to ascertain their former host.
" Someone very influential and far-reaching has orchestrated these thefts." surmised Torynth with deep consideration " I am under suspicion that someone at the Winter Council is involved. The timing of this fire was too coincidental and only someone at the meeting would have known our intended destination. I believe that this ambush was designed to delay us and reduce our effectiveness." He turned a sad eye towards the pyre.
Splendor adjusted his cloak and spoke indifferently to the monk" I don't know whom you could be referring about. Why would you say someone at the council when this could have been planned by thieves from the outset? Whom do you suspect?"
Gailwind negated " No humans I know from any region involve themselves with orcs. Ambushes are the normal ways of these beasts. They are notorious for waylaying wandering animals and people for sport and natural hunger."
The monk was silent at first, but then replied " I am still considering possible suspects. I would speculate that this ambush indicates we are, or were, on the right path. We can follow the spice trail to Tolx and, with luck, pick the trail of the thieves up again there."
The bard recited a bit of poetry to himself as Hebron pulled out layers of old, torn clothing from the chest. The raiments were tattered and stained with rust streaks. The dummy was wrapped from the same shredded garment as it layed there with a mock, crude smile.