Trouble Brews

Not gonna lie. Being a baby with a completely developed brain sucks.

No joke, you end up having all these expectations on what you should be able to accomplish and then you realize that your body is puny and pathetically uncoordinated.

My first few days were spent in absolute boredom. All I could do was look around the fairly empty barren hut that was my new home.

The only moments of reprieve were when I was fed and when my parents got around to fucking. I don't how strong an orc's libido is, but it felt like they got it on a lot.

I'm not complaining honestly, once I got over the shock of watching my parents have sex it became pretty normal. Also... like I mentioned its really fucking boring.

Eventually however, my mom finally felt that I was ready to leave the hut.

She bundled me in her arms and pushed the fur flap that served as our door. My new eyes were overwhelmed for a minute as I had my first experience with natural light.

Eventually my eyes adjusted and I got a good look at the world outside my hut.

The Bloodmoon tribe that I had heard about was a sprawl of wooden structures draped with fur and leather walls.

The village was backed up to the beginning of a massive forest. On one hand, a vast rocky plain that sprawled for miles and I could not see the end of it. On the other, my eyes couldn't penetrate more than a few feet into the gigantic forest that dominated the landscape. The air was a calm morning air before the day suffuses it with heat and energy.

I could see orcs moving about in the village, each with a separate purpose to fulfill.

The few who were near the two of us looked at my mother with respect and me with curiosity. Clearly word had spread about the newest addition to the tribe.

I was still unsure of my parents status in this world. I had no point of reference as to how impressive it is to be at the second evolution.

Now that I could finally compare their physiques I couldn't necessarily see too much a difference. Sure my mom, Kashna, looked a little leaner and more athletic than most and my dad might be larger than the average orc that I could see.

The only major difference I could discern, was the air of danger that seemed to hover around my mother. Her aura was much sharper than the others.

My mom carried me through the tribe toward a central round tent that was larger than most of the residences in the tribe. Two large orcs with tall spears stood at the jutted entrance of the tent. As Kashna approached they bowed their heads in deference.

She stepped through and the interior was filled with various orcs. the two most dominant figures in the room were a wizened old pair of orcs. One was an old orc man who still maintained a powerful physique despite the weathering of age. He sat at the far side of the tent in a chair that commanded the attention of others.

The other notable figure was a woman whose face contained a sagacity that I hadn't seen in any of the other orcs I had encountered except for maybe Kashna.

The Orc woman was sitting behind the old Orc and slightly to the right. She seemed to be some sort of councilor.

The more I looked at her the more familiar she seemed to me.

When Kashna entered the room the discussion among the various orcs slowly died down and they all turned to face her.

"Chieftain, Mother" Kashna bowed her head slightly to the seated pair. "I have come to present my son Mar to the tribe." Everyones eyes shifted the bundle in my mother's arms.

I could feel the warmth and happiness in everyone's gazes.

The Chieftain smiled broadly.

"The tribe welcomes all new members. Mar will be a name that forever echoes with those of the ancestors. Jurza, add his name to the records of the tribe." The old orc turned toward the woman, who I guess is my grandmother.

At least now I know why she seemed familiar, still getting the hang of orc faces but now I'm faced with another conundrum. What exactly are the ages here?

I mean I know the chieftain is an old orc that much is obvious but my grandmother doesn't look much older than maybe thirty? I turn back to my own mother and I realize she looks pretty young herself. I have no idea what the maturation rate of orcs is and it's making me wonder how long I am going to be a baby.

Who knows maybe I won't be stuck in this useless body for as long as I thought.

I snap myself back from my musings just soon enough to see my grandmother put her hands together and a flash of light appear before slowly disappearing.

Was that magic? it's the first instance I have seen of otherworldly powers since coming the Bloodmoon tribe.

"His name is recorded in the Totem of Renewal that has record of all members of the tribe." Jurza said before smiling warmly at me.

She beckoned to Kashna, "come, sit, and let me hold my grandson."

The other orcs all took seats in a circle inside the tent, each finding a place on padded fur blankets. Kashna took her spot to the left of her mother and handed the me to Jurza.

My grandmother softly cooed as she rocked me slightly and appraised me with kind gentle eyes.

"He is a beautiful little thing isn't he?" Kashna asked her mother.

"He sure is, he seems to have inherited your wisdom, his eyes are sharp and contain much mystery." Jurza replied softly.

Unfortunately before I could be showered with even more praise, whatever meeting had been occurring before I arrived seemed to have begun again.

"Lukshu, what were you going to report?" the chieftain beckoned a hand toward a not so large orc who did not have the vibe of a warrior coming off of him.

"Yes Chieftain, as everyone knows our lands are vastly isolated from the rest of the world. The infinite plains have always been empty of anything but the extreme dangers of beasts and fiends for us to hunt. As far as the world is concerned it has no strategic value and poor soil except for the hardy grass that springs from it.

We also have the Greenoak forest that serves as a natural boundary to most foreigners. Our only neighbors that we know of are the Lakeborn elves that reside deeper in the woods than we generally venture.

We respect them and they us through our similar beliefs about nature. We even have a smattering of trade with them from time to time.

This simple isolated existence has been our way of life for generations.

However my last interaction with the elf Tunidril brought unsettling news. Foreigners have been seen in greater numbers along the wooded paths. Interaction has been limited between them and the elves but it has become a cause for concern among the Lakeborn who have always sought isolation.

They have elders who still remember the great wars of the past led by the demon lords of old."

Lukshu took a moment to pause here to emphasize his point.

"No foreigners have been seen by our braves as of yet but if it enough to cause concern among the Lakeborn then we must be prepared for incursions in our own land as well." he finished his report looking at all the assembled orcs who had a variety of reactions to the news.

The chieftain stroked his long grey beard as he mulled over the news.

"What manner of people are these foreigners and have any of them been hostile to the elves?" The chieftain finally asked.

"As far as Tunidril would reveal it seems that both beastkin and trolls have been seen moving around in small numbers and neither have been in the least bit hostile.

The news sent waves through the assembled group.

"Nobody has heard of beastkin or trolls in these lands for centuries!" One excitable orc finally exclaimed to the group.

Soon side conversations broke out among the assembled.

"Don't the records of the ancestors speak about our people once having an alliance with a group of trolls to defend against the enslavement of the demon lords?"

"I've always wanted to see a beastkin, I hear that certain types are quite formidable."

"The beasts of the plains have been agitated of late, and we have lost three braves to fiends recently...."

The hubbub slowly grew until I could no longer discern individual conversation.

Eventually the chieftain raised his hands and the crowd quickly quieted down.

"This news is troubling because it signifies change. For years we have known no change to our way of life. We have lived in simple attunement with the world around us, growing closer to the land and our ancestors. However, change is something that will happen no matter all our intentions.

Rather than letting it catch us flat footed we must be like water, ready to flow in whatever direction the current takes us.

As many of you know, Orcs are not a traditionally peaceful people. History is littered with examples of our people taking the road of conquest and washing over the land like an unstoppable tide.

Our powerful bodies have always made us natural warriors.

Our ancestors chose to break from our kin and seek a new way of life. It was from this schism that the creation of a new evolutionary path came to be, The Orc Brave evolutionary path is the symbol of our peoples' new way of life. We have treasured each other and the tribe ever since."

The chieftain explains the history of the tribe. I realize that Orc Brave is not just an evolution but also a way of life to these people.

The chieftain continues. "We must make every effort to protect our way of life. Even if we must once again prepare to fight against others." The chieftain stands up abruptly his frame still powerful despite his age, in fact it seemed to lend more presence because of his experience,

"Receive my command,

Lukshu, you are tasked with strengthening the bond between Orc and Elf. Our natural neighbors are our natural allies in this circumstance.

All Orc Braves will now devote five hours a day to combat training. Outside of hunting and fiend patrol we must now learn to fight against intelligent enemies.

We will not seek conflict if the foreigners do not initiate however.

Kashna and Jurza, you are the only two who have achieved a different evolutionary path than the Orc Brave. I want you prepare measures in how to deal with foreigners and what steps should be taken to secure the tribe.

All members of the tribe will work in unison to stockpile food, supplies, and maintain equipment. We must be prepared for any circumstance."

After his declaration each member of the tribe placed an open palm over their hearts and then sprung into action. The tent quickly emptied of everyone but the chieftain, Kashna, and Jurza.

"I'm afraid your son has been born into troubled times Kashna" the chieftain sat down heavily on his chair, his face now revealing a weariness he had hidden from his fellow tribe members.

"Times are changing and I am feeling my age. I hope that he can grow up strong and quickly. The tribe needs as much strength as it can muster." the chieftain admitted.

"Chieftain, we will not fail you" Kashna swore.

"I know Kashna, your grandfather was the greatest orc I have ever known and if he and your father hadn't given their lives to save the tribe then he would be sitting in this chair instead of me.

It is the time for younger orcs to take the reins and lead the tribe, you two are the most promising members of your generations."

The chieftain looked at the two women with fondness in his gaze.

"We merely wish to protect the tribe and in so doing protect our family." Jurza responded while gripping my small form protectively.

"Jurza, you are the only other orc besides me in the third evolution. The younger braves show promise especially Balraav but your generation has been robbed of its strength too soon. We will need your strength in the days to come.

Anyway let us stop this needless brooding, go be together and celebrate the life you hold in your arms. That young orc is our future."

The chieftain finally dismissed the two women as he sat alone on his chair brooding over the issues being forced upon him.