"We must find water," he said.
"I shall take Durgash and search the area," said Laruhk.
"Be careful. We are in unknown territory. Who knows what dangers may lurk here?"
"Look around, the trees thrive. There must be plenty of water for them to reach such heights."
Kargen looked skyward. "There is certainly no lack of wood in these parts."
Shaluhk looked up from where she sat with Agar. "Is this, then, to be our new home?"
"For now it is merely a resting place," answered her bondmate. "We can not make that decision until we have thoroughly explored the area."
"In any event," added Laruhk, "we have seen no trace of the Humans."
"Not yet," his sister added, "but we have seen little of the area at this time."
"She speaks the truth," said Kargen. "I would not tarry here were it not for our exhaustion."
"This place has its blessings," noted Shaluhk, examining a moss-covered stone. She held it up for his inspection. "Look, warriors moss. It looks like it grows here in abundance."
"And yet the lack of vegetation would suggest there is little in the way of game. I fear we must move farther north before we find sufficient food."
"But first the tribe must rest," cautioned Shaluhk.
"Yes, as long as we discover some water."
"We shall find it," said Laruhk. "The Ancestors would not have guided us here to our death." He trotted off, calling out to Durgash as he went.
"My brother is tired," said Shaluhk.
"As are we all," said Kargen, "but if we are to survive, we must find a way to persevere. Tell me, is any of this moss edible?"
"Yes," she answered. "Over there is elk moss. It can be eaten raw, but some find it unsettling. It is best when boiled until soft."
"And that will sustain us?"
"In the short term, yes, but a tribe of our size requires a lot of it."
"Then locate those who can identify it, and gather what you can while I go and seek to comfort the sick and weak."
"That is my burden," said Shaluhk, "for I am the shaman of this tribe and its healer."
"True, and yet your knowledge of moss is more important at this time. Once we have fed them, you shall have your chance to see to their well-being."
It didn't take long for Laruhk and Durgash to find water, for many streams trickled into the area, fed by the snow-capped peaks. In the end, a small pond proved the easiest to reach, and so the weary travellers picked up their meagre belongings and made the trek to this new-found source of life.
Now, their thirst slaked, they partook of boiled moss, a somewhat tasteless concoction that, nonetheless, provided some welcome relief from hunger.
That evening, Kargen felt the tribe had recovered enough to hold a meeting. Lacking any huts, they gathered at the water's edge, campfire providing enough light to stave off the coming darkness.
As Kargen stood, the tribe fell silent. "We have come far," he started, "through the Human lands, that have since fallen into war, and past the mountains. Now we are amongst trees once more, though they are far different from what we are used to. The time has come to make some decisions, decisions I can not make alone."
He began pacing back and forth, occasionally looking at his tribe, but mostly just staring into the fire. "Our Ancestors have led us here, but now we must carve out our own fate. My question to you is whether we stay here or continue farther north?"
An elderly Orc stood, a sign he wanted to address the tribe.
"Yes, Dulok?"
"You have led us here through thick and thin, Kargen, and you have weighed the choices you have set before us this day. Tell us, what can we expect if we stay or if we leave this place?"
"A good question," noted Kargen. He swept his gaze over the tribe, noting all the eyes that were locked onto him. "Here we have water aplenty and much wood to rebuild a village, but there is scant evidence of game in the area. If we stay, I fear it may restrict our diet to nothing but moss and fish"—he looked at the pond—"provided such can be found here. On the other hand, there is no guarantee things will get better as we travel farther north. The truth is we have scant knowledge of this area."
"And what of our shamaness?" asked Dulok. "What does she think?"
Shaluhk rose, passing off Agar to her brother. "We can not survive on moss and water alone. Trying to do so would make us weak and sickly. We know there are other tribes in this area somewhere, and that means sufficient hunting to sustain a village. I propose we continue this trek until we have found a new home."
Dulok nodded his head, then sat, allowing others to speak should they wish.
Kragor stood, his treasured warbow clutched in his hand. "We elected you chieftain, Kargen. You have led us through adversity to this place of relative safety. We can not stay here; Shaluhk has said as much, and so I say we go north, deeper into the forest. Surely, once we are beyond the mountain's feet, game will be found aplenty."
"I thank you for your words," said Kargen, "though I daresay your bow has seen better days."
The Orcs all chuckled, for the snow had not been kind to the warbows of the Red Hand.
"Normally," Kargen said, "we would take a vote, but our stones have been lost, along with our home. Let us then raise hands to indicate our choice."
He sat, leaving Shaluhk to continue. "All those in favour of moving on, raise your hand." She moved amongst them, counting. "Put down your other arm, Durgash. Only the one may be counted."
Her task finished, she resumed her position at the head of the fire. "The tribe has spoken with a clear voice. We shall head north and seek out better hunting grounds."
The Orcs began beating the ground with their fists,
