"The tribe will continue without us if necessary," said Kargen. "It has always been so, and will continue to in the future."
"And if we die, what will happen to Agar?"
"He will be raised by his uncle," said Kargen. He laughed. "Then only the Ancestors will be able to help them."
"You jest, but I am serious."
He mellowed his tone. "I am sorry, Shaluhk, but we must be strong. We are on a dangerous mission, you and I, and I do not mean to make light of it, but we are always stronger when together. Just as Athgar and Nat-Alia have their task to complete, so, too, do we. And if we should die, then at least we are together at the end."
"You speak with heart, bondmate mine. So be it. Let us seize our fate with both hands."
"Spoken like a true Orc," he said.
They walked on in silence, the only sound the crunching of pine needles.
"It is peaceful here," noted Shaluhk. "It reminds me of the day we first met."
"It does? I thought we met at your parents' hut. I came to visit Laruhk, and you were smitten with me."
"That is not the first time we met," she said, "and I was hardly smitten. No, the first time we met was when you were out hunting with Durgash and Laruhk. I was sent to find my brother because he was late for his dinner."
"Oh yes, I remember now. You were such a tiny thing back then."
"Was I indeed? And now?"
"Now you are the very model of the perfect Orc."
"Good answer," she replied.
"Tell me, what DID you think of me when first we met?"
"I must admit to some attraction, but you were still young at the time. It was only later when you fully matured that you began to make my heart flutter."
"I am glad you waited. I doubt I would have been a good bondmate back then. Tell me, do I still make your heart flutter?"
She smiled. "Only whenever you enter the room."
Preparations
Autumn 1104 SR
The headquarters of Lord Deiter Heinrich, the Duke of Erlingen, was a busy place. At some point in the past, the structure had likely housed a great hall, but someone had extended the original building by adding wings to either side, giving the place a more grandiose appearance. Sir Raynald led them into one such wing now, passing through a long corridor where warriors scuttled back and forth, each in a hurry, though, for what purpose, Athgar couldn't say.
When they finally arrived at a door, the knight halted. "This is the waiting room," he announced, "but we'll go straight in to see His Grace." He opened the door, revealing a packed room.
Sir Raynald elbowed his way past a group of burly axemen, ignoring their complaints. "Right through here."
They halted before another door, guarded by a warrior lazily leaning against the wall.
"Ah, Janik, is His Grace in?"
"Are these the two mages?" the warrior asked as he leaned forward slightly and looked them over. "They don't appear very impressive."
"We are in our travelling clothes," explained Natalia, "and have had scant time to unpack much of anything. Is His Grace interested in our magic or not?"
Janik straightened. "My pardon, lady. He is within." Opening the door, he stepped aside to allow them entry. Once through, he followed, closing the door behind him.
Lord Deiter Henrich was an imposing fellow, standing a head taller than Athgar and with a full grey beard. He turned his weathered countenance upon the newcomers with an intense gaze.
"Who is this, Raynald?" he asked.
"These are the two mages I was telling you about last night, Your Grace. Allow me to introduce Natalia and Athgar.
"Greetings," said the duke in his deep baritone. "I trust Sir Raynald has filled you in on the campaign?"
"Not really," said Athgar.
"What my husband means," added Natalia, "is while we are fully aware of the crusade, we are short on details."
"Ah, well, I can provide those." He moved across to the wall, where a crude map had been hung. "This is a map of the area as far as I can ascertain." Deiter shrugged. "It's not very good, admittedly, but then again, we are in the armpit of the Continent."
"My lord?" said Athgar.
"He means we are in the middle of nowhere," explained Sir Raynald.
"Yes," said the duke, "precisely. It's difficult to find maps of the area, so I commissioned this one myself. Terrible waste of coins if you ask me. I mean, look at it." He scowled, then picked up a tankard, taking a sip. "Tell me, are you familiar with the area?"
"Only in the most rudimentary capacity," said Natalia. "Why do you ask?"
He frowned. "I was looking for someone to lead us."
"These are mages," said Sir Raynald, "not scouts, Your Grace."
"Couldn't they be both?" The duke sighed. "Never mind, I shall have to do without. I'm told the Church is familiar with the area. We'll simply have to trust in them. Now tell me, what kind of mages are you?"
"I am a Water Mage," said Natalia, "and my husband is a Pyromancer."
Lord Henrich rubbed his hands. "A Fire Mage, just what we needed. I should think you'll prove quite valuable, young man."
"Perhaps," piped in Janik, "a demonstration of their power might be in order?"
"Yes, my aide has a good point. What do you say, Athgar? Care to show us what you can do?"
In answer, the Therengian looked around the room. His eyes came to rest on the fireplace, which sat unlit. He pointed. "May I?"
"By all means," said the duke.
Athgar took some logs from where they sat beside the fire and tossed them into the fireplace, stepping back once complete.
"You will note the logs," he said, then closed his eyes, concentrating on his inner spark. Moments later, the fire came to life, bringing a smile to the old man's face.
"Marvellous," he announced. "How about you, my dear. Care to give us a little example of what you can do?"
Natalia concentrated, taking her time
