Page 52 of Storms & Sacrifice
“Zratza, Orim.” He sounds so much better than I do.Shit, how does this next part go?“Kip’ra sol’tu vu.”
“Close. It is ‘sil’ta,’” he corrects me with a grin. “You have improved much.”
“Still not as good as you.” Can’t even say ‘I am happy to see you,’correctly.
“I have been practicing much longer than you have.” He squeezes my shoulder to console me.
“I know, I know.” I smile to let him know it’s alright. I’m not actually bothered or anything; it’s just that learning stuff from books has never been my strong suit. I’m glad Khazak likes to read out loud because I tend to get bored with a book a fewpages in.
Khazak makes his way back over to us with another orc in tow, I assume the druid. She’s younger than Shaman Wu’dag was, but still old enough to have plenty of grey streaks in her long black hair. She’s dressed more athletically, a set of light leather armor adorning her body and a set of boots onher feet.
“Ranger Broadedge, David, this is Druid Drasta Darkwolf, the spellcaster for the north patrol camp.” She stands at Khazak’s side while he makes introductions.
“It is good to meet the both of you.” She gives each of us a small bow of the head.She might be the first orc I’ve met who isn’t a hugger. “The captain has informed me you have a busy night ahead, so let us get thingsstarted.”
She hands Orim his own compass stone before instructing the ten of us to gather up so that she can sync them. We form a circle—a very squished circle—but manage to get everyone’s hands in the center. Once she’s done charging them, and I feel the stone give a familiar pulse in my palm, I slip it back into my pocket. The only reason I didn’t forget it was because I never took it out ofSir’s bag.
“As you have all noticed, things are a bit crowded in camp at the moment,” Khazak starts speaking to the group. “Unfortunately, until we manage to deal with our potential assailants, this is how things are going to be. Everyone will need to bunk up with someone else for the week.” There are a few groans. “That includes me. Additionally, our patrol schedule been doubled, and two officers are now responsible for walking a perimeter around the camp. So, figure out what your sleeping arrangements are going to be and quickly. The first round of patrols starts in tenminutes.”
The group breaks apart after that, rangers and officers talking to each other to figure out who’s going to sleep with who. Which we will apparentlyalsobe doing. I turn to Sir for some clarification.
“You know, I could point out that there arealreadytwo people sharing your tent.”Okay, maybe I want to complain a little first.
“You could, but somehow I think you will refrain.” He cocks an eyebrow. He has perhaps beenslightlyless tolerable of my ‘smart-ass mouth’ this past week as Ragnar put it.
“Okay, well, I was thinking we could maybe ask Orim since it’s his first time out here and all?” I know he’s older than me, but I want to look out formy buddy.
“That is very thoughtful of you, David.” He gives me a warm smile. “Please go ask him. I need to speak with Druid Darkwolf again about changes to the warding spells inthe area.”
He leaves us again, and I look over to see Orim looking a little like the awkward new kid at school. It kinda reminds me of when me and Mikey started taking different classes, and I got nervous he wasn’t going to have an easy time making friends. He was fine, of course, and also Orim’s a 6’2” bald orc with a full beard,but still.
“Orim,” he looks over as I approach, “would you like to share a tent with Captain Ironstorm and me forthe week?”
“Yes, thank you.” He nods his head, lookingrelieved.
“Great! Let’s get your stuff inside.” It’ll be just like camping with my friends.
“How many more of these do we have to do tonight?” I ask Khazak wearily. We are headed back to camp after ourthirdpatrol of the night, the sun having set about twenty minutes ago. It’s dark.Reallydark.
“This is the last one,” he responds, just as tired as I am. “Youdoknow I am not enjoying this any more than you are, right?”
“I know. I’m sorry.” It’s been alongweek. “Do you think this is goingto work?”
“I certainly hope so because I am at a loss for what to do next.” He sounds frustrated. “We spent the entire week searching every corner of the city andstillturned up nothing. It feels like all we are doing is waiting for their next move.”
“Hey, we’ll catch them,” I try to reassure him. I understand how he feels, having a problem but the only thing you can do for it is to wait. I hate wait—*THUD*
“Oww, fuck!” I stumble backward after walking face-first into a tree.
“Are you alright?” the dark, Khazak-shaped shadow asks me.
“No, I just walked into a fucking tree.”I hate trees. “How do you even see where you’re going right now?”
“Fairly decent night-vision. Something most orcs have.” The shadow moves closer, and I feel a pair of hands grip my shoulders to adjust me. “I should have thought about that before we left camp. Druid Darkwolf would have been able to improve yours.”
“She can?” One of the hands moves up to cup my chin, inspecting the damage.
“Enough to ensure you will not attempt to get friendly with any more trees.” He takes my hand as he steps back. “About as good as an orc or a dwarf but less than an elfor gnome.”
