Athgar fumed. This was going nowhere. How could he convince them the Orcs were not their enemies?
Skora, who had been helping serve the assembled group, knelt beside him, whispering in his ear. "Natalia is tired."
Looking over, he saw his bondmate stifling a yawn. He stood, bowing respectfully. "With your permission, Lord King, I shall retire. It appears my wife is fatigued."
"Of course," said Eadred, "and our best wishes go with her."
Athgar saw the scowl on Cenric's face but chose to ignore it, instead reaching out to Natalia. "Come," he said. "It's time you were abed."
She stood, steadying herself on his arm as a wave of dizziness rolled over her. Taking a breath, she nodded, letting him lead her from the room.
Skora held the door for them. "I shall stay here and be your ears," she said quietly.
Athgar nodded his head and then led Natalia from the hall.
"This is going nowhere," he commented as he guided her towards their hut.
"They see nothing of value in the Orcs. What was it like in Athelwald? Did they distrust Kargen's people?"
"Granted, there were some that disliked them, but most saw the wisdom in trade."
She latched on to his words. "Trade? What kind of trade?"
"Primarily finished goods—arrows, pots, cloth, that sort of thing."
"And for this the Orcs traded…?"
"Raw materials, wood, skins, and, of course, meat."
"That might be the answer to all of this," Natalia advised him. "If we can explain the benefits in terms of trade, perhaps they will be more amenable?"
"Where would we start?"
"We need to determine what this village has that the Orcs might like in trade."
"That's easy," said Athgar, "wool. The Red Hand always had a need for it, especially when winter came."
"And we know the Therengians prize meat. There simply aren't enough hunters to supply the entire village."
"The Orcs also have medicinal herbs," he added, warming to the task. "I'm sure their shaman would have plenty to spare."
"Anything else?"
Athgar looked down at his feet and smiled. "Footwear," he said. "These boots Shaluhk made me are the most comfortable I've ever worn."
"So there are things of value on both sides. We should wander the village tomorrow, see what else we can find that might be of use."
"I look forward to it."
"Good, but for now, I need to rest. My back is aching, and I'm feeling light-headed."
Athgar tossed and turned, visions of war flashing through his mind. When a hand shook him awake, he opened his eyes to a familiar face looming above him.
"Skora? What's wrong?"
"I have just now come from the king's hall," she said. "Eadred means to deceive the Orcs."
He sat up, his heart pounding. "Deceive them, how?"
"I overheard him talking with Cenric. He means to attack while their chief is negotiating. He will lead a small party to the rendezvous, but, unnoticed by you, a larger group will follow, armed and armoured for battle. Our king hopes to leave them leaderless and disorganized."
"Then he's a fool!" declared Athgar. "The Orcs elect their leaders. If Kirak were to die, another would simply take his place."
"Eadred is a vain man," said Skora. "He cares only for his own riches, and those of his most trusted men. He seeks to destroy the Orcs and plunder their home."
"He would have a hard time. The village is walled."
"Walled? Truly?"
"Yes," said Athgar, "and I doubt he would have the men to breach it. His plan can only lead to greater death and destruction."
"What can we do?"
Athgar looked at Natalia, but she was deep in slumber. "We must send word to Kirak."
"Would that not cause the very same conflict you seek to avoid?"
"It's the only way. Perhaps if he is given sufficient warning, he can take steps to avoid the trap."
"When shall you go?"
Athgar threw off his covers. "This very moment."
"You cannot," said Skora. "It is far too dark, and you would likely lose your way. You must wait until morning."
"What is the king doing now?"
"He has retired," said Skora. "He would likely be asleep by now."
"Very well," he said, laying his head down once more. "I shall leave first thing in the morning. Thank you, Skora. You may have just saved our people."
"If only the king felt the same way."
Two days later, they stood at the edge of the clearing once more. King Eadred was led by three guards but noticeably missing was his champion, Cenric. Athgar ignored the absence, concentrating instead on the field before them. Across the way, he could make out Urughar bearing the black banner of his tribe: a large rectangle of cloth hanging from the crossbeam of a pole.
King Eadred had no such banner, leading Athgar to wonder why? Did the Therengian people not have a flag?
"They are ready," announced Natalia. "Shall we proceed, Your Majesty?"
They stepped into the clearing, Athgar leading the way. The Orcs, seeing their approach, did likewise, eventually meeting in the middle of the field.
"Welcome Kirak, Chieftain of the Black Axe," said Athgar, effortlessly switching to the Orc language. "May I present King Eadred of the Therengians." He swept his arm, indicating the king.
"This," continued Athgar, in the common tongue of man, "is Chief Kirak of the Orcs of the Black Axe."
The two leaders nodded their heads in greeting. The tension in the air was palpable. Athgar instinctively looked to the woods. It took him a moment to spot Raleth. The hunter was perched at the edge of the trees, acting as Athgar's eyes and ears. He looked briefly at Natalia, who nodded in understanding.
The Water Mage stepped back, distancing herself from the rest of the party, her eyes locked on the treeline.
"Tell the Orc," said the king, "that we are pleased to greet him."
"His name is Kirak," rebuked Athgar. "Would you have him refer to you as 'the Human'?"
He watched as the king's face turned red. His Majesty obviously felt the need to say something, but with the enemy so close, he would not deign to show discord. "Please convey to Chief Kirak my pleasure at making his acquaintance."
Athgar made the translation,
