Hordrek in Camp
Garjin stretches in the early evening darkness. Awakening from his afternoon slumber slowly, and shambles over towards the fire pit to gather some of the stew brewing there.
Hordrek plods toward the fire pit, a little bleary eyed as if newly awakened. Grumbling mightily, he kicks several snaga out of the way. Relentless, the fat orc stalks his prey -- a kettle of stew. Hordrek takes a laddle from a frightened snaga cook. Convinced the snaga is frightened of him, Hordrek fails to see the Kings approach. Hordrek takes the kettle of stew from the fire, plops it down of the ground and begins to eat heartily.
Garjin approaches the firepit just in time to see the obese jailor take the entire pot from the fire, and begin noisily slurping down the rancid meat, slavering over the pot. Deciding that it is too early to waste his time trying to pry the food from the Jailor, the regent simply walks over to where Hordrek is sitting, and sits beside him, pausing briefly for the snagas to scatter and attempt not too be noticed. Looking around and finding one particularly slow snaga, Garjin yells at it, "Bring me some meat, you maggot! And none of this slop that you feed this blob next to me!" Turning back to look into the fire, and speaking to Hordrek with a lowered voice, "It is time we continue this quest. The Scouts have come up with nothing, and the Goblins are equally useless. If we fail, then I will have you reporting to the Beast, so you had better have your guards pulling double duty as scouts, for the Fire will not appreciate you reporting your failure."
Slurp! Gulp! Slurp! Hordrek is focused intently upon his food. A new smell greets the early evening air as Hordrek seems to visibly rise a few inches from the ground. Is it possible...but for a moment all the fires within 20 feet of this plump orc appear to roar briefly, increasing in size and heat as if encountering something combustible. Whatever Hordrek is oblivious to the startled cries and the screams of several singed cooks. Yet a voice does break though Hordrek's paradise. The sound of the King's voice. Hordrek nearly chokes at the words of the King. Through the frenzy of the orc's feeding, Hordrek manages to say, "Yes, your majesty. My guards will search for the Dray-gone. Once found they will report its whereabouts." Hordrek eats some more before continuing, "I have news on other fronts to report...Want some stew?"
Garjin seems oblivious to the fumes lingering in the air, whether due to the strength of will of the King or the lack of any olfactory ability is, however, unknown.
Garjin looks back around at the scattering snagas, and waits for his meat, seemingly ignoring the gas-bag's offerings of the spittle-stew, and continuing with his near monologue. "And yes, I will hear of your reports. Make it quick though, for I have other matters to attend to as well." Garjin does seem to have a noticably more shallow breathing pattern than usual for an orc such as he.
A magnificent sunset, full of beautifully vivid colors ends a bright and warm day.
Hordrek nods...and in a remarkable move of respect for the King set's aside the laddle to stare into the fire. Speaking softly the fat orc reports..."Your majesty, the talk of the camp is Lord Gerp's encounter and hatred for Lord Bult. The Burgapai continue to speak poorly of the Valnul and recruit openly speaking evil against the Valnul tribe. At any excuse they bully the Valnul. The Valnul appear to be equally at fault. Both chieftains appear to enjoy mocking the other tribe almost provoking fights with the other. In my opinion, the level of animosity grows but is not yet to the point of civil war. This brings us to another matter. One Kargath a Valnul cobug is reported to have disobeyed an order and attacked Malrek a Burgapai Muzgak. The cimcumstances of this attack is highly suspicious. It would appear that Malrek ordered threw a knife at Kargath and ordered him to cut out his fangs, Kargath complied and through the knife back at Malrek. Malrek claimed that the knife was thrown to hit him. Ghauster, also a Burgapai, arrested Kargath, and reported the events to me. I ordered him held for your judgement since it involved a matter between the tribes. Yet Lord Gerp ordered his release." Hordrek sighs, "I investigated but was stonewalled on several occasions and am still investigating. I was able to determine the charge of disobeying an order was unnecessary and Malrek withdrew the charge. I strongly suspect that this is a matter of the Burgapai bullying the Valnul. I alse suspect that soon one of the Burgapai may find himself under similar circumstance. Probably from that fool Riant, who seems to delight in provoking the Burgapai." Hordrek looks weary, "This is my report, my King. My guards and jailors are at your service, though tribal standings run high through them."
Garjin nods and furrows his brows. Sitting silently for long moments, his thoughts lost in the flickering tongues of the fire before him. With his chin resting in his hand, and his elbow on his knee, he looks uncharistically like one of the philosophical shamans. "There is many feelings of hatred between the tribes, as there was when I was a Valnul, but my orders are this, if any uruk kills an orc from another tribe, they shall be slain by you after reporting the event to me. If any Chieftain slays one of his own, then he alone is responsible for maintaining the tribe, and no action will be taken, but if any other Muzgak or Maluuk kills an Uruk of his own tribe without his Chieftains approval, then he will be slain as well. Make this known to all. The insults mean nothing, and neither do the threats or the scuffles. Death of my troops will not be tolerated. Any dealings with the Goblins, should be brought to me, and have your guards keep the goblins out of our camp unless it is Yog or his parasite, or if they have my permission. Fail me in this, and I will have to have your second in command reporting to the Demon, for your carcass will be busy feeding the maggots and vultures in these mountains for months to come."
Hordrek shrinks before the words to the King, "Your majesty, I am loyal to the Balrog and to you as King. I have always been loyal to the Balrog and King. I obey your commands. What is to be done with the Kargath matter?" Hordrek clears his throat, "I speak now as friend, perhaps this places me in danger of your wrath even more, yet I must advise so. Pain, torture, and threats are useful tools, but they are only tools. Applied scarcely and rebellion reigns amongst the populace, applied too frequently and the people are driven to rebellion. The situation while grim may need to be solved in another fashion..." Hordrek cringes expecting a blow to be sent by the King at any moment.
The King's eyes seem even more crimson and bloodshot than usual, but his expression is stoney and cold. Turning to face Hordrek, he speaks in his low gravelly voice, "You do not speak to me as a friend, because you are not my friend, you are my subject and will act as one. Your pointing out of your will to use force is understood, and I will give you free reign to slay any offenders that you feel you can justify to me. If you fail, then you will pay for the transgression with your own life. My rules are simple, do what is my will, and you will please me. Go against my will, and you will pay as is proper for your doings. If you wish to slay Kargath, and feel I would be pleased, then do that. If you can not accomplish this, then bring the two maggots to me and I will do the deciding for you. Now leave me be. Your stench annoys me and makes the meat turn rancid." Garjin then turns his head back to the fire, dismissing Hordrek without words.
Hordrek nods and takes the pot with him. His look is grim.