Thralls of a Dread Lord (1.13T)
Welcome to my weekly serial. This is a rough draft that I am working on, for your reading pleasure.
It is a grim tale, so be warned.
Here is the first post from this series.
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“We are doing Wechegak’s work for him if we go to the vaults,” complained Uyage.
“You can wait for us in Fenstink or the abattoirs,” said Retaak.
The trio, Retaak the noble Ogre, followed by Uyage the sharp-eyed Orc, with the rear taken up by Ashoktyaar the flame-scarred Troll, followed a steep staircase leading up carved into an ancient tunnel. Their destination was The Vaults, where Wechegak the Wealthy laired.
“Do not insult my honour, Retaak,” growled Uyage. “I have pledged to follow you.”
“Are you certain he is worth it?” Asked Ashoktyaar.
“Is anyone?” Returned Retaak.
“As if either of you would understand,” muttered Uyage. “Once I have given my pledge, not even death can sway me.”
Retaak frowned at this, thinking back to many nights trying to dissuade Uyage of this. Ashoktyaar laughed, and clapped her on the back approvingly, oblivious to the glare she shot back at him.
“Honour I don’t understand, but I admire your willingness to face death, sister. I hope that this adventure will see us test our strength together once more,” said Ashoktyaar.
Uyage nodded, distantly. The Troll did not pick up on the shift in her focus, but Retaak knew Uyage well, and drew descended to his weapons as he asked, “what troubles you Uyage?”
“We are being followed,” she responded after a moment, eyes scanning the dark, ear twitching. “I think it is Biugichaag.”
The death mother, Biugichaag, was the most feared of Wechegak’s hunters, an assassin so skilled that many wondered why she did not work for the Dread Lord himself. Retaak considered most of what was said about her to be rumor, or even carefully manufactured reputation enhancement. Still, he could not help but cast a look over his shoulder.
“Idiot,” hissed Uyage. “Now she knows.”
Ashoktyaar, carefree, laughed.
“Perhaps we can tell her that we intend to call on Wechegak,” said Retaak. “We could avoid confrontation–“
“What if she intends to shoot you with a poison needle Retaak?” asked Uyage. “How would you even get words to her?”
“The orc has a point,” a feminine voice, weathered but steady. Retaak looked around, seeing no adversary. Even Ashoktyaar reached for his weapon, a long metal club covered in studs.
“There!” snarled Uyage, raising her crossbow.
“Enough, you know that I am Buigichaag. If I wanted you dead, I would not let you see me. Is it true that you want to see Wechegak?”
“It is,” answered Retaak, sheathing his weapon. Ashoktyaar let out a sigh and did the same. Uyage did not relax.
The goblin woman seemed to materialize out of the rock in a spot that Retaak was sure he had looked at. He felt a thrill of alarm as he realized what he was seeing and how she had been so close to him without him being aware. Not even Uyage could surprise him like that, and she knew him well!
“Better yet, I have silver toward my debts,” said Retaak.
“Silver is the language my master is most familiar with,” said Buigichaag. Her arms were raised and her hands were empty, but her dark eyes were hard and showed no fear. A hood concealed most of her face, but she looked younger than Retaak would have guessed for a spawn with such a formidable reputation.
“How do we know that you are truly her?” asked Ashoktyaar.
“You don’t,” answered the goblin woman, lips showing the hint of a smile. “But very few spawn would be able to avoid the the notice of this orc for very long, and of those, only Biugichaag can be found in the lower warrens.”
Retaak nodded. “Well met then. I am Retaak, these are my companions Uyage and Ashoktyaar.”
“I see,” answered the goblin. “I will take you to Wechegak. Follow.”
Uyage swore silently, finally lowering her crossbow as she followed.
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