Durgash pushed Kragor from the creature's path at the last possible moment only to fall beneath the hooves himself. There was a sickening crunch as it passed, and then it whirled to face Kargen.
The great chieftain stood his ground, axe held in two hands. He stared at the beast, watching its eyes as it returned his gaze. There was no malice there, only the watchful eyes of predator and prey, but which was which?
For an instant, time seemed to stand still, and then the creature was moving again, its thunderous approach kicking up dirt and needles of pine.
Kargen was dimly aware of a distant chant, and then the creature inexplicably slowed, giving him time to react. He sidestepped, bringing his axe across in a low swing to the legs. Flesh parted, and then he felt his weapon bite as it dug deep into bone. Down the creature went as surely as a tree being felled. More arrows thudded into its now exposed underbelly, and then hunters rushed forward with spears to finish the job. It thrashed about, knocking two more Orcs off their feet, and then the creature finally stilled.
Kargen wheeled around, seeking out Durgash, but Shaluhk was already there, calling upon arcane forces in an attempt to mend the broken flesh.
Laruhk appeared at his side. "By the Ancestors, what was that thing?"
"I have no idea," Kargen replied. "But if it is any indication of the predators in this area, I think we should keep moving."
"Agreed." Laruhk gazed over at Shaluhk, who was laying hands on the injured Durgash. "How is he, Sister?"
"He will survive," Shaluhk replied. "Your trinity is still complete."
"Trinity?" said Laruhk.
Kargen smiled. "It is a long story."
Other hunters gathered, then the rest of the tribe, assured of its demise, began to approach the carcass.
"Look at those teeth," said Laruhk.
"Indeed," said Kargen. "They snapped poor Dulok in half, not to mention ripping the leg off of Urglan."
Laruhk moved even closer. "This thing's head is the size of my chest," he announced. "And did you see how far its mouth could open? It is a wonder it did not kill more."
"It caught us by surprise," said Kargen. "We should have been better prepared. From now on, we must take greater care in protecting our people. We can not afford to let this happen again."
"Agreed."
Shaluhk rose, taking Agar's hand and leading him across to where the two Orcs were in discussion.
"Durgash will recover," she said, "but he must rest."
"It is a miracle he even survived," noted Laruhk.
"The Ancestors watched over him this day," agreed his sister, "but he has lost much blood. I am afraid his hunting days are over for a while."
"How long is awhile?" asked Kargen.
"A ten-day, at least."
The chieftain turned to Laruhk. "It appears you will have to find a different hunting partner for the time being."
"I shall be pleased to perform that duty," called out Kragor, moving closer to pull his arrow from the body. He tugged hard, only to find it had sunk a hand's depth into the beast. "It was a good thing Shaluhk saved you," he noted, "or else we would have had to elect a new chieftain."
"Shaluhk saved me?" said Kargen. He briefly remembered the chanting, then turned to his bondmate. "What spell did you use?"
"Slumber," she said. "Not enough to put it to sleep, but it slowed its reactions."
Kargen smiled. "A good choice. It saved my life."
"I could not have my bondmate die," she said with a grin. "It would have been no end of trouble to select a new one."
He moved closer, wrapping his arms around her in a hug, still able to feel her trembling. "I thank the Ancestors you were there," he whispered.
"As I shall always be."
"What shall we call that thing?" asked Laruhk. He was sitting at the fire, roast beast on his dagger.
"I do not know," said Kargen. "It is like nothing I have seen before."
Laruhk took a bite, spitting it out immediately. "Well, it is definitely not a boar. This meat tastes rancid."
Kargen laughed. "Then it is not to be hunted. What of the hide?"
"It is tough," said Shaluhk. "Unsuitable for clothing but perhaps useful on a shield?"
The chieftain smiled. "Shields! An excellent idea."
"I haven't seen a shield for some time," noted Laruhk, "though they were common enough in our youth."
"Then we shall have to learn to use them anew," announced Kargen.
"Why?" asked Kragor. "Surely there is nothing in these woods against which it would prove useful."
Kargen smiled. "While it is true that such a thing would be useless against that"—he pointed at the carcass—"it would certainly be useful against Human horsemen."
"But there are no Humans here!" said Kragor.
"You forget. We are following in the footsteps of Athgar and Nat-Alia."
"And?"
Kargen turned to Shaluhk. "Tell me, bondmate, where it was the Ancestors told them to seek?"
"A Human city," she said, "named Ebenstadt."
"We have no idea where that is," said Laruhk.
"Nor do I," Kargen confessed, "but if the Ancestors are interested in the place, should we not also be?"
"You think we are going into danger?" asked Kragor.
"Life is dangerous, and I might remind you that the creature was defeated only by the combined might of the tribe. If we work together, we will prevail."
"Elk-boar," proclaimed Laruhk.
They all turned to him in surprise. "What?" said Shaluhk.
"Elk-boar. That is what we should name the beast."
Shaluhk rolled her eyes, a mannerism that threw the others into fits of laughter. "That is the worst name I have ever heard!"
Parley
Summer 1104 SR
Athgar pushed the branches away from his view. "There's a clearing here," he announced. "The perfect spot to wait for the Orcs."
"And you're sure they will find us?" asked Cenric.
Natalia looked at the king's champion. "You doubt the word of my husband?"
A look of annoyance briefly crossed the man's face, but then he composed himself. "It is not that I doubt his word, but these
