Path to Chiefdom VIII

I'm left in shock with a sinking feeling in my gut as the women and children stand before me, the previously light Volendrung weighing even heavier in my grasp.

My mind racing, trying to think of something, anything I can do to save their lives...

I slowly step towards them, as some of the younger tribe members look away, and the women try to shield their children as I raise the hammer high above my head before bringing it down in a heavy blow...

*Thump*

And a dull thud rings out as the head of Volendrung gets embedded in the ground, as I let its handle slip from my grasp as the surrounding orcs gasp in confusion.

"Listen here, and listen close!" I shout to the crowd as everyone's attention is focused on me once more.

"Malacath knows I'm not what most would call a 'traditional' orc, sure I fought hard to earn your respect with nothing but the strength of my fists, proving I can fight and lead with honor. But... I don't follow the code without question, I lie, steal, cheat, and even..." I explain to the orcs as I form an ice spike in one hand and an open flame in the other causing a murmur throughout the orcs.

"And despite this, I stand before you with Malacath's blessing no less, proof that we can hold our pride and honor while being who we are in our hearts... And while I'm a liar, a cheat, a thief, and a mage, I am also a leader; a warrior; and most of all a father. And as a father, I could and will never take the life of a child, or their mother's should they not give me a reason." I explain to them as I extinguish the magic in my palms. Though even more whispers fill my audience at my revelations on my character.

"I have honor, same as any other orc, but I know when to set it aside to do what is right for those I call family. And as your chief, I consider you all my family, and I'd do anything to keep you safe... All of you..." I say, before kneeling down and raising the three women up from the ground they had ducked down to, to protect their children.

Shaking slightly in disbelief at my touch, as the children look at me with a mix of terror and anger.

"So, as chief, I refuse to kill these women and children... Some may call me weak or a tradition breaker, but if you still think that after all you have seen today, then I invite you to look out that gate one more time... At the body of your former chief, and know that I will be using my full strength against any who question my ability to rule this tribe!" I bark out before making an ice spear with both my hands and hurling it towards one of the training dummies in the central camp area, completely shattering it with my blow and having my ice spear travel further before embedding itself in the interior of the stronghold's walls.

The orcs gasped at the strength of my spell as some of them looked at the armor of the warriors, wondering if it could stop that mighty blow.

"Now, would anyone like to challenge my ruling?" I ask, standing tall as I fold my arms over my chest and stare down at the orcs gathered around me.

One by one, the orcs looked away or down to their feet as I glared at them until only one was left. She glared at me with a fiery anger, able to stand against my overwhelming presence.

It was one of Yamarz's young daughters, the only one to hold her head high despite everything going on around her.

"You, what's your name?" I ask the girl as I kneel down to her level.

"... No..." The girl says defiantly as she glares at me, making me scoff.

"I'm sorry for her, Chief Tarruk; my daughter's name is Bula; I am Ghal." The girl's mother says while putting herself between the girl and me, trying to shield her.

"Don't fear, Ghal, and keep that grit, Bula; you're going to need it if you're going to come for my position someday." I say as I stand up, I drag Volendrung out of the dirt and rest it across my shoulder before calling out to the crowd.

"As your chief, we'll be moving our stronghold to the ruins of Helgan. I have allies there who need our strength and there, we will lay the foundation of New Orsinium! Prepare to move!" I declare, bringing back the joyous atmosphere from earlier before walking to the stronghold gate and speaking to Wru, who had been standing outside the stronghold with the rest of the giants during all of this.

Gringar had followed me to the gates as Wru was still examining his new brand, stopping only when he had noticed my arrival.

{Chief, what is it you need?} Wru asks as he stands up and wrests his hands on a mammoth club he had "borrowed" from a fellow tribesman.

"I need you to help move the orcs to Helgan; follow Gringar's orders, as I'll leave him in charge of the move, while I leave to take care of some business." I say, turning to Gringar.

"Yes, Chief Tarruk," Gringar says, and I see him smile at being able to call me a chief.

I see him do that weapon-forearm salute before organizing the orcs, with Atub coming to his side as I watch Wru return to his tribe.

Left alone, I finally have a moment to notice the wet feeling on my side...

I look down to see my pleated black undercloth beneath my armor, drenched in a growing pool of blood rising from the dagger cuts Yamarz had landed on me.

I get a little lightheaded as the bloodloss catches up with me, and I quickly start casting a healing spell as I feel my side wounds begin to stitch up and mend.

'What the hell is going on?' I think to myself as I make my way to where Inigo and M'rissi are camped, hoping they haven't killed each other in the meantime.

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