"Then how do you account for the error?"
"There is only one answer; it's counterfeit. It appears someone went to great pains to legitimize the crusade."
Home
Winter 1104 SR
Athgar took a sip of the milky-white liquid, passing it to Kargen. The Orc chieftain drank deeply, draining the bowl.
"Kargen," said Shaluhk. "You're supposed to sip it, not drink it dry."
"Then it should not taste so good," he said.
A shout erupted from the doorway, and then Agar ran through the hall, his wooden axe held high. He pounced on Laruhk, who fell back, holding the young Orc above him.
"He has quite the spirit," said Athgar. "He'll make a great hunter someday."
"Perhaps he will become a shaman," suggested Shaluhk.
"It matters not," said Kargen, "so long as he is happy." He turned his attention to Natalia. "And what of you? How much longer must you carry this youngling?"
Natalia rubbed her swollen belly. "Not much longer, I hope. Skora thinks it will only be a few more weeks, and I must admit I'm eager to get her out. She's making me quite uncomfortable with all her shifting about. I think she takes after her father."
"I don't make you uncomfortable, do I?" asked Athgar.
"Uncomfortable, no, but you do shift around a lot. I don't think you've sat still since I started to show."
"You Humans are a curious race," said Shaluhk. "I could have birthed two younglings in the time it takes for you to have one. How did your people ever come to dominate the Continent?"
"Beats me," Natalia replied, "but I'm with you. I wish we had a shorter gestation period."
"More ale?" asked Athgar.
Kargen grinned. "Need you ask?"
Athgar poured the drink, filling the tankard to the brim.
"This is an excellent brew, my friend," said Kargen. "You have quite a gift for making it."
"It's Skora you must thank," the Therengian replied. "It's her recipe."
"Where is she?" asked Shaluhk.
"There were many spare huts after the battle," said Natalia. "She chose to take one for herself, though she still drops by every day to check up on us."
"Yes," added Athgar. "She's become quite the popular person now, with all her wealth of experience. Many's the young villager who looks to her for guidance."
"And you?" said Kargen. "How have you been?"
"I've been well. We both have, aside from the whole pregnancy thing, that is."
"And now you live in the chieftain's hut."
"We do, but that wasn't my idea."
"Then whose?" said Kargen.
"Don't look at me," said Natalia. "That was all decided by the villagers. They officially elected Athgar as their thane."
"What of the tribe?" said Athgar. "Have you finally decided where to build your new village?"
"We have," the chieftain replied. "We sent hunters far and wide, seeking the best location in which to build. Such a place must have fresh water and wood in abundance."
"That sums up the entire area," said Athgar. "There must be more to it than that?"
Kargen grinned. "There was indeed. We also needed a place in close proximity to our allies, so we could come to their assistance if needed."
"And what was your conclusion?"
"I think we have found the perfect spot."
"Go on," urged Athgar.
"Yes," insisted Natalia, "don't keep us in suspense. Where will you rebuild?"
Kargen looked at Shaluhk. "That depends," she said.
"On what?" asked Athgar.
"On what you might think," added Kargen. "We would not want to upset you."
"Are you going to tell us where you will settle or not?"
"Well," said Kargen, drawing out the conversation as long as possible, "we thought we might build here, right beside Runewald."
"Beside us?"
"Yes. Naturally we would have to coordinate such a thing. The palisade, for instance, would have to incorporate your village as well as ours."
Athgar broke out into a grin. "That's a marvellous idea."
"Yes," added Natalia, "and you can use our great hall."
"Or better yet," said Athgar, "we'll build a new one, of stone, with rooms off either end, one for us and one for you. What do you think, Shaluhk?"
"I think it a grand idea," replied the shamaness. "It will bring our people even closer together."
"And we shall continue this great alliance," added Kargen. "We will meet regularly with the other chieftains and thanes to better us all."
"Yes," agreed Shaluhk, "but we must find a better name for our land."
"I have it," called out Laruhk. "The Great Alliance!"
"I think you should stick to hunting," said Shaluhk, "and leave the naming to others."
They all laughed, little Agar joining in despite his lack of understanding.
Natalia leaned back against the furs, soaking in the look of merriment on the faces of her friends and realized she and Athgar had finally found a home.
Epilogue
Winter 1104 SR
Illiana Stormwind was laid out in her formal attire as people shuffled past, paying their last respects. She had been head of the family for years, keeping an iron grip on the reins of power until age had finally claimed her. Now, with her death, the struggle for control of the vast influence of the family was set to commence.
Marakhova Stormwind gazed down at the body of the matriarch, a smile crossing her lips. There had been a bitter feud between them these last few years, fuelled by the matriarch's strange obsession with one of her students, Natalia Stormwind. The girl was a powerful mage, likely the most gifted student of the last decade. And yet there was something else to this graduate of the Volstrum aside from her power, something that took hold of Illiana's interest, and Marakhova was determined to discover what it was.
She moved away from the body, finding a window to gaze out as she struggled to come to grips with the ramifications of the matriarch's death. Outside, the winter winds howled across the courtyard, sending flakes of snow swirling in the air, but Mistress Marakhova had far more important things on her mind.
Malvar Stormwind, one of their most powerful Water Mages, cleared his throat. She turned, giving him a stern look. It was a well-known fact that
