Sir Raynald looked at the ground, where the remains of the ice shards were melting. "Was that you, sir?"
"No, my wife. She's a Water Mage."
"Then, much to my chagrin, I am indebted to you, ma'am. How can I ever repay such kindness? Could I purchase you both a meal?"
"Certainly," said Athgar. "We should be delighted."
"You said your name was Sir Raynald," said Natalia. "From whence do you hail, Sir Knight?"
"A place called Andover. Are you familiar with it?"
"It's one of the northern kingdoms, isn't it?"
The knight smiled. "It is indeed. May I ask where you are both from?"
"My family is from Karslev, but I was raised in Draybourne. That's where I met my husband."
"I must confess I'm not familiar with the place. Is it close?"
"No," she continued. "It's some distance to the south, across the mountains."
"Ah, I see. I take it you're here for the crusade?"
"We are, in fact. We're both mages, come to make a name for ourselves."
"Well, you've come to the right place." He paused, looking around the area. "There's a nice tavern just up the street that serves a delicious stew. Shall we?"
"By all means," said Natalia.
The Hungry Fox was popular amongst the nobility. As soon as they entered, Sir Raynald's name was called out. It appeared the knight knew everyone here. He guided them to a seat, exchanging pleasantries with the other guests.
"You'll have to excuse them," he said. "We're a close-knit group."
"Group?" said Athgar.
"Yes, the duke's knights. Not his personal knights, you understand, but we fall under his command."
Natalia looked around the room. "Just how many of you are there?"
"This is only a small sampling. We actually number fifty-two."
"Fifty-three," called out a balding man. "He hired another this morning."
"There, you see? Even I cannot keep up with such things."
"Can anyone?" said Natalia.
"I can tell you are a woman of refinement," said Sir Raynald, "but you"—he looked at Athgar—"you're a bit of a puzzle."
"He's a Fire Mage," said Natalia, declining to provide further information.
"Ah, I see," said the knight. He soon turned his attention to a server, who was hovering nearby. "Bring us your best," he said. "It's on the duke's tab."
"Is that wise?" asked Athgar.
"My dear fellow, it's how things are done here."
"Might I ask who hired you on?" asked Natalia. "That is to say, who do we go and see about joining the army?"
"I suppose that depends on who you're going to serve. Ordinarily, I would tell you to go to the temple commandery, but they won't deal with women."
"They won't?" said Athgar. "Why's that?"
"I don't know. Something to do with their oath of celibacy, I should think. No, you want to report to the duke directly. I can take you to him if you wish?"
"Would you?" said Natalia. "We'd be grateful for the help."
"I'm more than happy to be of assistance, but it'll have to be tomorrow as he'll be up at the father general's this time of day."
"At the commandery?"
"No, at his estate. He's not from the local chapter, you see. He also brought staff officers with him, so he needs the extra space. I tell you what, where are you staying?"
"At the Wolf of Adenburg," said Athgar.
"I know it. I'll meet you there tomorrow morning, right after sunrise, if you like. We can walk up to the duke's together, and I'll introduce you. He'll be tickled pink to get a couple of mages into his employ."
The Tribes
Autumn 1104 SR
(In the tongue of the Orcs)
Agar ran into his father's arms, bringing a smile to the great chieftain's face.
"He has missed you," said Laruhk. "You have been gone for some time."
"So we have," answered Kargen, "but we have news we must share. Fetch Durgash and Kragor, and then I shall tell what we have learned."
Laruhk rushed off, eager to find his compatriots. Shaluhk smiled as her bondmate lowered their son to the ground. Agar ran off, his wooden axe in hand, hunting for something to do.
Kargen watched him closely, taking pride in his actions. "I remember when I was young," he said. "How simple things were back then."
"Too simple," said Shaluhk.
"Why do you say that?"
"I was not part of your life."
He grinned. "That is true, and I would not change a thing if it meant losing you, but I speak of the responsibility of being chieftain. I think life would have been simpler if I had not taken on that burden."
"You know as well as I that it was your destiny. Without you as their leader, the entire tribe would have been wiped out at Ord-Kurgad. You have shown us the way to a brighter future for our people."
"And yet, still we have to fight. Will there be no end to it?"
"We can not surrender to fear, my bondmate. If we do not fight now, then we will do so later, when the Humans have grown stronger still."
"And supposing we beat them? What then? Will they simply return in greater numbers like they did at Ord-Kurgad?"
"No," said Shaluhk. "We shall not let them. Instead, we will negotiate peace."
"You think Athgar capable of that?"
"No, but Nat-Alia is. She is the voice of reason in all of this. It is her words that will bring us peace in the long run."
Kargen gazed into her eyes. "You are worried; I can see it in your face. Tell me what it is that has distressed you so."
"I worry for Nat-Alia. I fear that in saving us, she will reveal herself to her enemies."
"The Stormwinds?"
"Yes, even if we negotiate peace, word will get out, and she is quite distinctive in her appearance, is she not?"
"She is," he admitted, "and yet the family would have a hard time getting close to her amongst Athgar's people."
"I would suggest we remain close once they return."
"We think along similar lines, but how would we do such a thing? Are you suggesting I give up my position of chieftain?"
"No," she said, "I have a more radical idea."
"I am listening."
"What if our people lived
