"We traded with the Therengians for years," said Kargen, "though only in small quantities. That is how I met Athgar."
"Through trade?"
"Yes. In my youth, my father told me of the Humans, but theirs was a place to be avoided."
"If you avoided it, then how did you meet Athgar?"
"That is a longer story," said Kargen. "When I became a hunter, I had difficulty in the making of arrows."
"He is all thumbs when it comes to such things," added Shaluhk.
Urughar chuckled. "It is often so with our most gifted hunters. I, too, find such fine work hard to master. But tell me, what made you decide to approach the Humans?"
"I found one of their arrows in the woods protruding from a tree. A hunter had likely missed their mark and lost it amongst the greenery. For years I had been taught the Humans were savages, and yet here was this arrow that showed care in its construction."
"What did you do?"
"I located the Humans' trail and followed it back to their village. We all knew of Athelwald but kept our distance, not wishing to antagonize them. Now, as a young hunter, I took it upon myself to investigate and learn more."
Urughar was so intrigued by the story that he stumbled on a fallen branch. He quickly recovered, chuckling as he righted himself. "Go on," he urged, "this is most interesting."
"Where was I?" asked Kargen.
"You were learning more of Athelwald," offered Shaluhk.
"Yes, that is correct. It soon became clear the Humans were poor hunters, still relying on old techniques to acquire game."
"Yes," added Shaluhk, "they used spears if you can believe it."
"We still use spears," said Urughar.
"Yes, as do we," agreed Kargen, "but only for hunting boar. They were using them for everything even though they had bows."
"Why is that?"
"It had something to do with their rituals of becoming adults. Athgar tried to explain it to me, but I found the entire concept difficult to understand."
"And so these Therengians made bows but didn't use them?"
"In their minds, they were weapons of war. I doubt Athgar's father would have been as successful had I not started trading with him. His arrows soon became a common sight amongst our tribe."
"It must have been difficult to approach them that first time."
Kargen smiled. "It was. I watched them for days waiting for an opportunity, and then, one day, Athgar's father, Rothgar, went into the forest alone to gather wood for his craft."
"And that is when you approached him?"
"Yes, though I must admit our first encounter did little to calm his fears. In those days, neither of us spoke the language of the other. It took a long time to convince him I wanted to trade, but in the end, it was worth it. Eventually, he learned our language and I, some of his."
"Yes," added Shaluhk, "and then he actually walked right into Athelwald."
"The Humans must have been alarmed," said Urughar.
"Indeed they were," Kargen agreed. "There were three of us that day, but Laruhk and Durgash chose to remain in the trees. Rothgar managed to calm the village, and from then on, I would visit Athelwald once a ten-day, trading meat and skins for arrows, bows, and other assorted things. Rothgar had two offspring, of which Athgar was the eldest. When he was old enough, he took up his father's profession and continued the trade."
"Remarkable," said Urughar. "To think Humans could be so civilized."
"It has been my observation," said Shaluhk, "that Humans, once you get to know them, are not so different from us. Obviously, their physical form is smaller, and I can not even begin to describe how weak their younglings appear to be, but inside, where it counts, we are very similar."
"Their offspring? You have seen them?"
"No," she admitted, "but I have heard stories. Athgar tells us they spend much time in their mother's womb. Far longer than our younglings do."
"Yes," added Kargen, "and they take forever to become adults. Would you believe Athgar was not considered an adult until he was twenty?"
"Twenty?" laughed Urughar. "We mature at fourteen. How did the Humans come to dominate the land under such circumstances?"
Kargen shrugged. "It is beyond my understanding."
"The Humans are fascinating," said Shaluhk. "I look forward to spending time in one of their villages."
"I would not put much hope in that," warned Urughar. "We are only allowed short visits, and none has ever stayed past nightfall."
"Then you do not know Athgar and Nat-Alia," said Shaluhk. "Many times, we have spent the best part of the darkness talking."
"It is not Athgar who limits us so, but his king. Each time we visit, his warriors watch us."
"He does not trust you," said Kargen.
"I think it more than that," said Shaluhk. "I think it is Athgar who he does not trust."
"What nonsense is this? Athgar is a staunch ally. He would never betray his friends."
"All that is true," she replied, "but the Therengian king likely sees Athgar as a threat to his power."
"Then perhaps Athgar should seek to become chieftain," suggested Kargen.
"The Humans do not work that way," said Urughar. "Their position of king is hereditary."
"You mean to say he is not elected?"
"No. Was it not so in Athelwald?"
"Athelwald had no king," said Kargen. "They were run by a leader chosen by their village, much as we are."
"How curious," said Urughar. "I wonder why they differ here?"
"You said they had five villages," said Shaluhk. "That is likely why."
"It is a valid point," added Kargen. "In Orc society, when a tribe gets too big, part of it breaks off, forming a new tribe, but from what you are describing, the Humans do not follow this practice."
"Is that not obvious?" asked Shaluhk. "We passed through the Duchy of Holstead. What better example to us?"
"I had always thought the Therengians were different," said Kargen, "but it appears it is a trait all Humans have in common."
"It is good that we do not follow the same path," said Urughar. "Can you imagine how difficult it would
