Resentment and Romance

Jukzuk sighed, "Looks like I'll have to impose on you today, Zukky."

Gorzoc grunted as he checked on both his wives.

"You're going to explain this to me later tonight, Husband," Shoragah spoke softly, but Gorzoc cringed. He knew that he was going to be chewed on later. He simply nodded, as he checked on Yazganna.

Yazganna let out a wiffling snore, as it seemed that the stress was more than her cultivation would allow. After all, while Shoragah was ranked as an Orc Lord, Yazganna was only ranked as an Orc Champion compared to Gorzoc ranked as an Orc Warchief, well above both his wives.

Everyone in the Blacktongue clan knew that Gorzoc was a mighty warrior and a war hero of the bloody gates, but not many knew that he rivaled the Blacktongue Chieftain, Varbuk, in Cultivation. Something that even the Blacktongue Chieftain did not know...

"I'm going to send a message to Varbuk... It would not be good if I nor Xa'Gun reported back to his burrow tonight, least ole' Varbuk think we deserted." Jukzuk stood up, slightly unsteady on his feet.

Gorzoc grunted in understanding.

"I'll have my youngest son send your missive." Gorzoc stood up as well, with Yazganna in his arms.

Jukzuk grunted as he watched Gorzoc carrying Yazganna to their home far in the back of the compound, with Shoragah using Gorzoc to steady her steps as she followed.

*******

"Message has been sent to you, my Chieftain."

An orc announced to Varbuk, as he was reading through hunting reports from the west side of the mountain range. It seemed that game was becoming scarce for unknown reasons.

Meetings for the day had concluded and thus, the Blacktongue Chieftain had retired to his chambers or as humans would know it as his work office.

Varbuk grunted as the orc put a scroll in his hands. The orc saluted and left Varbuk's chambers.

Varbuk scanned the contents of various dots and claw marks, the Orcish language letters, as compared to their symbols, marks, and runes.

[Xa'Gun has begun cultivation and a strange event occurred?] Varbuk mused within his mind.

[Just what could take two Warlord ranked Orcs to calm his gathering strength... I'll need to get Uvog to check the ancestor scrolls.] Varbuk thought as he held the scroll over a torch on the wall. It burned into ashes and became dust upon an easy breeze that circulated within Varbuk's chambers, courtesy of a wind stone contraption.

Varbuk adjusted his seating, as he propped his head on his hand in thought, [If the two of them are going to stay in the Hellhar community, then I should advise Midka to see Xa'Gun before he returns to his burrow to be flanked by her sisters.] Varbuk nodded, as he began writing a quick note in code to be taken to Midka.

[I really resent you, Xa'Gun. I really do...] Varbuk thought as he finished inking his note, and called his personal messenger.

*******

"Your master told me you need my council. I assume, as it must be beyond my husband's abilities, then it must be in part to summoning and foretelling." Uloth walked into the great hall, or what humans would call a living room. She carried with her an earthenware pot of boiled water.

Midka sat in a traditional orcish style, something akin to the Seiza style used by the humans of the Rubrumaka Empire. As she sat there, Uloth took a few dried ghostberries. If one didn't look close enough, they might believe these ghostberries were small dried octopi.

As the ghostberries entered the boiled water, they quickly hydrated and began to wiggle, but soon the heat of the water stilled their movement, as the water began to be dyed black.

"That... That isn't actually why I have requested your council." Midka confessed.

Uloth raised a brow, as she poured the ghostberry tea into two cups. She passed one to Midka, who took it from her hand, as Uloth spoke, "What could bring you to my council, but the ways of the shaman?"

Uloth took a sip of the black mixture, as she frowned and tossed a few large sugar crystals into the cup.

"Well, it's that... I need... Well, no... I guess I should say that I wish to learn..." Midka danced around the topic she wished to know.

Uloth was now confused and curious as to what could fluster Midka, the most talented shaman she had seen in many years. So she asked, "If it's something hard to talk about, we can start with something small."

Midka nodded and drank the bitter mixture in her cup.

She breathed in deep and calmed her mind.

Uloth took another sip of her tea, now better from the sugar, as she waited for Midka to collect herself.

After a moment of silence, Midka asked her most pressing question, "Spirit Guide Uloth, How does one attract a mate?"

Uloth took another sip, before coughing, and placing her cup back onto the small table that separated her and Midka.

"You wish to... Attract a mate?" Uloth asked to make sure she did, in fact, hear correctly. In orcish, when referring to a mate it would be the opposite sex. Other words would represent lovers, spouses, and otherwise.

Midka passed Uloth a small cloth from her pouch, with Uloth taking the naping and using it to wipe the corners of her mouth.

Seeing that Uloth was calm again, Midka responded, "Yes, ma'am." and then nodded her head in great respect.

Uloth held her chin in thought, as she smiled, "I thought you had no interest in mates." Uloth then gave a husky laugh, before she began.

"I can't say you came to the right Orcess, but I did have my fair share of fans in my prime..." Uloth boasted, which wasn't untrue.

Midka listened intently to Uloth, as she went on about many named current heroes of the tribe and even her father had asked for attention.

"My father did?"

"Yes, yes. Of course, I had already decided on Uvog, so I had no choice but to turn him down. Please don't be mad." Uloth nodded, as she poured more tea into both of their cups.

"No, no, no. I wouldn't dream of it! But still... Why Uvog, and how did you attract his attention?" Midka asked as she took a sip of the newly poured tea.

Uloth tossed in some more sugar crystals, as she spoke again, "Ah, that. Uvog is, well, Uvog." Uloth laughed, "but honestly, his work ethic and intelligence drew me to him. He dedicated himself to the workings of shamanism. I always loved to watch his expression while he poured over the ancestor scrolls. Watching his brows furrow and his eyes twitch. It was like I was watching his mind work. That great mind of his." Uloth shook her head.

"What's the matter, if I may be so bold?" Midka asked as she caught hints of Uloth's disappointment.

"Oh, it's just... Honestly, it doesn't matter. Let's answer your second question."

Midka noticed this wasn't a topic that Uloth wished to pursue, so she decided to ask later when time permitted.

"You just need to tell the orc, in question, that you are interested in him. I doubt very much that anyone in the tribe would turn you down. You are a very good-looking orcess. Anyone with eyes could see that you and your other two sisters are very blessed by the elements."

"I see... What if, the orc I'm interested in is also favored by other orcess." Midka asked, placing her empty cup on the table.

Uloth poured the last of the tea into both of their cups, before continuing, "That is a bit of an issue, I suppose. Do you wish to share this orc or do you wish to claim him for yourself? As a princess of the clan, I can only imagine that you wish for him to be yours solely. Most orcess will only share a husband between really good friends or sisters."

"Yes, I wish for him to be mine and only mine." Midka declared as she was told by her adopted father, Chieftain of the Blacktongue Clan.

Uloth held her chin again in deep thought... Her eyes twinkled, as she blinked a few times and looked to Midka, "So you wish for Xa'Gun to be your mate... To take him from both of your sisters. I would have never thought it of you... How vicious, Midka." Uloth laughed with her husky voice.

"That... I mean..."

"No, no, it's alright. That boy was named by the spirits, so it's only natural that a shaman orcess would be interested in him." Uloth nodded, not knowing that Midka did not have any current feelings for Xa'Gun, and this was only for the clan.

"Alright, I'll tell you a sure-fire way... If I'm not mistaken, Xa'Gun hasn't laid with an orcess, yet. But Midka, if you do this... You can ruin him. What I'm about to tell you can ruin a male orc... His life will, and by extension, his heart will be in your hands. You will be his weakness. Will you accept this?"

Midka thought for a few moments. This was for the tribe, and to bind him to herself. This would be for the best. If he were an asset to the clan, then she would hold him high, if he turned out to be a wastrel or worse, to turn against the clan, then it would be perfect to ruin him.

"Yes, ma'am. I am willing." Midka lowered her head and placed her fist over her heart.

"Here's what you do..."