Khurlig beat on the boar in frustration as the manifestation of her will began to fade. Desperate to hold on to what little of the physical realm she could, she thrust out her hands, calling forth words of power that had not been uttered for centuries.
Shaluhk felt her skin crawl, unaware of the reason. Moments later, two spectators fell to the dirt, strange twisted ghosts emerging from their bodies. They rushed towards the younger shamaness, striking out with clawed hands.
She had been a silent observer of the fight between Uhdrig and Khurlig back in Ord-Kurgad that had resulted in the death of her beloved mentor. Now the truth of the matter came rushing into Shaluhk's mind, overwhelming her with the ramifications. She was a shamaness, that was true, but her training was incomplete. How could she ever have thought to defeat such a foe?
A claw raked across her forearm. There was no blood, for they were both spirits, but the pain of the wound lanced up her arm, causing her to scream out in agony. She backed up, trying to put distance between herself and her attackers. Khurlig was still struggling with the spirit boar, the noise of the ancient one's encounter echoing around them.
Shaluhk's thoughts raced, desperate to find a solution as another claw struck out, cutting across her abdomen. She fought back against the pain, using the only weapons she had, her fists. Knuckles struck the strange creature in the face, and she unexpectedly felt the resistance of flesh.
The entire battle felt like a dream, almost as if this were happening to someone else. Her first opponent fell, but in her own desperate struggle for survival, she had forgotten the other one until she felt him leap onto her back and pain as teeth dug into her shoulder. Shaluhk twisted, throwing herself onto the ground to be rewarded with a grunt as her opponent let go of his grip upon her.
Casting her eyes around, she caught a glimpse of Khurlig. The ancient shamaness was back on her feet, the boar having dissipated into nothingness, but the fight had taken its toll.
Even as their eyes met, Khurlig began to fade. A final shriek escaped her lips, deafening to Shaluhk's ears, then Khurlig was no more, banished once again to wander the spirit realm. Her summoned ghosts vanished in an instant.
Kargen struck out with the head of his axe, thrusting it towards Zahruhl's eyes. The mighty Orc pulled his head back to avoid the blow and then stumbled, shaking his head. Kargen watched as his opponent's eyes went wide, taking in his surroundings.
"What is this?" asked Zahruhl. "What is going on here?"
Kargen lowered his weapon. "You have not been yourself, Mighty Chieftain. Forbidden magic was used to control you."
"I do not understand."
"Look to your left," said Kargen. "Even as we speak, Khurlig battles for control of Voruhn."
Zahruhl turned his gaze to see the bodies of Voruhn and Shaluhk lying motionless.
"What magic is this?" he demanded.
"It is an ancient spirit, one who, in life, was one of our most powerful shamans. Her lust for immortality led her to Voruhn. It is not the first time she has attempted such a thing."
The villagers had gathered around the two fallen Orcs, unaware of the cause.
"Voruhn!" called Zahruhl, rushing towards her.
Kargen followed, watching as Shaluhk rose, shaking her head, trying to reorient herself to the physical world. Everyone was shaken to the core as a distant scream echoed off the trees.
Kargen ran to Shaluhk, and they embraced. Zahruhl knelt down beside Voruhn, lifting her head and staring down into her face.
Her eyes fluttered open. "Zahruhl, is that you?"
"I am here," replied the chieftain. "Tell me what has happened."
"It is all my fault. I was too eager for power, too consumed by my quest for knowledge. I called on the Ancestors for help, and Khurlig answered my request."
Shaluhk released her bondmate, moving closer to kneel beside Voruhn. "You were not the only one to be swayed by her words," she said.
"Initially, she simply advised me, but it soon became clear I was not ready for such things. She offered me a solution, a way for me to find mastery in a short period of time."
"She wanted to inhabit your body," suggested Shaluhk.
Voruhn nodded. "Yes, at first it was just for a moment, but the more comfortable I became with it, the longer her spirit lingered. She convinced me that we could both inhabit one body, allowing us to combine her ancient power with my youth, but soon it became a prison for me." Tears ran down her face. "I had to watch, helpless, as she took control of you, Zahruhl. It broke my heart."
The great chieftain looked at Shaluhk. "And this Khurlig, is she gone now?"
"For the present. She has been sent back to wander in the Afterlife until the opportunity arises for her to again walk the spirit realm."
"I thought the Ancestors lived in the spirit realm?" said Kargen.
"That which we know as the spirit realm is a border between the living and the dead," replied Shaluhk. "Some spirits are strong enough that they can linger there, but others can only make the trip if they are summoned. There is always the risk Khurlig will attempt to return. We must be ever vigilant."
Voruhn winced, causing her to look down at her leg. The blood was still dripping, discoloured by the blue ichor.
"I am done," she said, "for I have been poisoned by dragonsbreath."
"No," said Shaluhk, "it is not dragonsbreath. Rather it is crushed blueseed."
"Blueseed?" said Zahruhl. "But that is an aphrodisiac, is it not?"
"It is."
"But you have placed it in her wounds?"
"I have indeed."
"What will be the effect of such a thing?"
Shaluhk simply smiled. "Well, you are bondmates, are you not?"
Zahruhl took a sip from the bowl before passing it to Kargen. "Tell me," said the Stone Crusher Chieftain, "why did you enter the spirit realm to do
