"And what makes you think it is her?" asked Rugg.
"The hatred for Kargen and myself. She blames me for preventing her return."
"But why would Voruhn allow such a thing?"
"She likely desired power above all else, and Khurlig's words proved persuasive. No doubt she was convinced the knowledge would be hers to use, but instead, she is now a prisoner, trapped within the realm of spirits."
"How can we be sure?" asked Rugg.
"I can journey to the spirit realm," said Shaluhk. "If Voruhn is trapped there, I can find her."
"Then you can bring her back?"
"No, to do that I would have to battle Khurlig."
"I have a plan," interrupted Kargen.
"Go on," urged Gahruhl.
"Your tribe will come for me. When they do, I will challenge Zahruhl to trial by combat. You will have to back my claim, Rugg, or else Shaluhk and I will find ourselves at the mercy of the elements once more."
"I will do as you ask."
"By tradition, the fight will be in several days. It is important that this is enforced, for I must have time to recover. Zahruhl is a great warrior, and I can not defeat him as I am now."
"You can not kill my brother," said Gahruhl.
"Nor do I wish to, for my fight with him is only a diversion."
"For what?" said Rugg.
In answer, Kargen turned to Shaluhk.
She smiled. "While the fight is underway, everyone's attention will be on the combat. I shall use the opportunity to attack the spirit of Khurlig."
"She is powerful," warned Kargen. "Are you sure you are up to it?"
"It will take a lot of attention to control Zahruhl, particularly if he is fighting. She will be weakened."
"Assuming this Khurlig is indeed the cause of the problem," said Rugg.
"We shall know soon enough," said Shaluhk, "for I can consult the Ancestors once I have regained my strength. They will know if Khurlig still treads the spirit realm."
"How is it," said Urumar, "you are untouched by your ordeal when your bondmate is so weakened?"
"You forget," said Shaluhk, "I am a shamaness. I placed myself into a healing trance."
"I did not know you could do that?" said Kargen.
"Nor did I until the need was there."
A yell outside drew their attention.
"It appears your absence has been discovered," said Rugg. "It is time to put your plan into operation."
They waited patiently, the shouts growing louder as more took up the call. Rugg moved to the door, throwing aside the flap of leather to peer outside. "They are over here," he called out.
Hunters came rushing, pushing their way into the small hut, their spears unusable in the close confines.
"I challenge Zahruhl to trial by combat," said Kargen, his voice booming.
"You are under arrest," said a guard.
"It is his right," said Rugg.
"He is not of this tribe," came the protest.
"True, but he is a chieftain, and all chieftains are considered family."
"He is correct," said Gahruhl, "and as my brother is fond of saying, 'It is not our place to determine their fate. Rather it is that of our Ancestors.' Tell Zahruhl the Ancestors will judge them all in three days."
"Are you nervous?" asked Shaluhk.
"Yes," admitted Kargen, "but if you tell anyone else, I shall deny it."
"You are a mighty hunter."
"As is he, and he is significantly larger than I am. I also have to prolong the fight to give you time to deal with Khurlig."
"You will win."
"Will I? You seem so confident."
"I know what we do is best for the tribe."
"You are the one facing the unknown," said Kargen. "How can you be so calm?"
"I merely look calm, but inside I am as nervous as you."
"Then let us sit awhile in calm contemplation. It will steady us both."
"I can not, for I still have to contact the Ancestors. There is yet the chance it is not Khurlig we face."
"Very well. I shall stand watch as you cast if it does not disturb you."
"You could never disturb me," she replied, "and your presence is most welcome." She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly.
Kargen watched her begin her incantation, the words of magic flowing from her lips effortlessly. Moments later, she opened her eyes, seemingly taking in the room around her.
It was clear from his point of view she could see someone with them, and he wondered who. She muttered a word of greeting and then cast again, this time at Kargen. He sat still, feeling a slight tingling, and then a ghostly shape took form before his eyes.
"Artoch!" he called out.
"It is I," the old spirit replied. "As I was in life, so I am in death. Tell me, my old friend, does the tribe prosper?"
"In a manner," said Kargen, "but it is Shaluhk who must explain."
The spirit turned to Shaluhk, a smile on his face. "Speak, Shaluhk, for I would hear your words."
"We are in the village of Khasrahk," she said. "Prisoners of their chieftain, Zahruhl."
"Prisoners?" said Artoch. "How can this be? The Orcs of the Stone Crusher Tribe should be friendly."
"We believe," explained Shaluhk, "that their shaman may be possessed by the spirit of Khurlig."
Artoch nodded his head. "She has sought long and hard to return to the realm of the living. Who does she occupy?"
"Voruhn, Shamaness of the Stone Crushers."
"This is terrible news," said Artoch, "for Khurlig is said to have mastered life and death before she passed into the spirit realm."
"If she mastered death, how did she die?" asked Kargen.
"She could bring back the dead, but passed before she could impart the skill to another."
"That is against the most solemn vows of a shaman," said Shaluhk.
"So it is, but Khurlig was driven by a lust for power that could not be satiated. In the end, it was her undoing."
"How did she die?" asked Kargen.
"She was caught attempting to raise an army of the dead."
"But all shamans can call upon the spirits, can they not?"
"This is different," said Artoch. "You can learn
