A single large figure in a robe walked deep into the cavern once more. He looked around at what was left of his experiment. It had been a fabulous success. Not only did he gain control over the brutes and ascend them into a more vicious war variant that had not been seen for a generation, but for a brief time, they even exceeded his expectations. He had seen the four adventurers rushing back to the village to play saviors. He didn’t restrict their progress. He had figured they would not have much impact on his test run. Even if they did, he would get his desired data on the new orc variants abilities. How much stronger, faster, and tougher they were to the normal War-Orcs that bred by themselves.

As he watched them charge the village with his far sight, he was giddy with glee. They were much faster and showed a much tougher constitution. He had felt the power of that fire ball. He was happy he had allowed those four to return to help him with his experiment. His variant, that he had spent sixty years refining, had come out from that spell far fairer than a normal War-Orc could have. He had hopped a few would survive its blast, and not only did they, but they kept on moving forward in the throws of their berserk ability. He had even seen a few missing partial leg muscles still powering on, all be it a bit slower.

The archer showed a lot of promise with her skill. But his children had muted her skill with their nigh-indestructible flesh. Only a certain kill shots were able to stop them. Alas, he knew his orc children would not have taken prisoners. They were bred for one reason only. Death and destruction. They were an army bred for the purpose of leaving nothing alive behind them. A land was easier to conquer when there were no living natives. It was time for Orcs and their kind to rule these lands once again, as they had hundreds of years ago.

He entered the roughhewn throne room of his patriarch. Orcs were never meant to live in caves and the underground. Pushed to the brink by humans and their allies. Forced to hid in the underneath, like their most hated nemesis the dwarves. Dwarves were earth crafters. They could thrive down here. Orcs could only just survive. Orcs where hunters of fields, not caves. Born tall and strong, they should not have to bend low under a ceiling. His was the key to the resurrection of the orc race.

Upon an immense throne of stone, sat a War-Orc, the likes unseen in hundreds of years. Not since the great fall.

Not to mention myself. Unq’rul, War-Orc mage. There had not been a mage born to the Orcs tribes also since the fall. The Orc God Kesh was showing forgiveness at our failure finally. Demanding us to ascend once more. To reclaim our rightful inheritance. No more hiding! He has given birth to both a mighty king and mage in the same century.

“My king!” Unq’rul knelt before the throne. “I have the results of our trial.”

“Speak.” A low growly voice intoned. Ruk’Kesh the king of kings spoke.

Ruk’Kesh was so named after our God, as he was a true god among Orc. He stood three meters tall, or more, as like most he hunched due to being holed up in these accursed caves. He was a mass of corded thick muscle, all two-hundred kilos. He did not wield a weapon; he wore the Gauntlets of Kesh. A creation of my own making. They were indestructible, pure Fell-Steel. It took me ten years to recreate the metal of the Orc mage smiths long gone. We have a little now, that I wove into a weapon fit for our God-King. Soon I shall create his armor. Then he will be complete. I will re-forge him too. He will become as the kings used to be, feared even by the ogre clans. A true Legion-Orc.

It will take time, and much soul energy. But that I have in plenty. As there are so many weak kin still here. They shall feed us, be used to remake our army of dread.

“The small group we sent out has preformed better than expected. Even a top human fire-mage was unable to stop them. They were glorious in their charge, unstopping, even through a hail of arrows. None could have stood before them!” It was better to ignore the anomaly for now.

“Then begin with our plan. Make Kesh proud. I will bathe his alters in the surfacer scums blood! There will be no more captives. Only death. We will take what was ours. Leaving no other humanoids alive to challenge us. Then once we have our hunting grounds back. We will starve the Dwarves out of their holes and eat their marrow.”

“Yes, my King! It shall come to pass! I Unq’rul so swear! Bring the weak to me at once.” I called out to the guards in the room. “I shall begin the harvest of souls.”

=================================

Shae entered the common room of the inn and made her way over to the table where the four adventurers and the village head sat waiting. While I didn’t rush downstairs, I did take a bit of time to get my head straight. I would need to be at my best here. I did not want to make any blaring mistakes and let on that I was not from this world. Just make them think I was not from here.

When Shae sat in the open chair, there was a pitcher of water on the table, and each had a cup. There was one for Shae as well.

They each went around the table, introducing themselves more formally. While they were a small band that had been together some time, their group wasn’t named yet. They couldn’t come up with anything that stuck. Which was off track and unimportant, so Canson said.

Then they got down to it.

“Alright, now that the niceties are done,” Canson started out and looked at her from serious eyes. “Why not just tell us you could do that? It would have changed the whole plan.”

There was a slight nod from Kip, but the others just sat, like they were there to observe.

“Ummm, don’t’ recall what happened. I’m sorry.”

Canson stared at her for a short bit.

The others were no help either.

“It can happen,” Nick piped up. “When a mage goes critical, that being not using a shield, and sacrificing all their power in one large expenditure, there can be some memory loss of the incident. Not surprised she does not recall the events.”

“Fine, I’ll go over what happened from my perspective, since she was right behind me.” Canson took over and explained what had happened in a quick brief.

“I, umm. Have never had any kind of training. I didn’t even know I had magic.” ‘Though it makes sense, considering how magic is formed, I guess.’ Shae thought to herself.

“Which would explain the lack of shield controlling the spells area.” Nick softly said almost to himself nodding. “I’m just glad whatever you did was friendly fire. Most area spells are as dangerous to the mage and their friends as it is to their foes.”

There were nods all around the table.

“Sorry.” Shae said a little pouty.

“I think you should come with us Shae.” Nick put out. “You will need to be assessed and given formal lessons. I will give you a letter of recommendation to the mage guild. They will be able to get you sorted out. Otherwise, you will become a danger to those around you, and if so, the guild would most likely come for you themselves.”

“I would like that very much. Thank you. But, as I said, I don’t have money or anything other than a few necessities. Being new to this area I wasn’t expecting to end up in a jam like this.”

“What’s in a Jam?” Nick asked

‘Oops! No earth slangs!’ “Sorry, where I come from it means being stuck in a situation you are not prepared for. My having magic is a bit of a… surprise. I mean I knew I had that aura as you call it. But I did not know I could access it like that.”

“Alright.” Canson stood up. “I guess I’m done here. You’re fine to stay as long as you need here. We do owe you a lot after all. But I do agree. You should go with them and get yourself figured out. I can outfit you with food and a little money. We’re not a rich village, but I have my own stash I can dig into.”

Shae beamed at him. “Thank you! That would be very helpful.”

“The least we can do, is help you get started here.” Canson just shrugged.

“Guess that’s why they sent you out. Northerners are not known for powerful magic. They probably knew they couldn’t help you. I just surprised they didn’t say anything to you.” Mel chimed in.

“It was a bit abrupt for sure. Just kind of said off you go. Good luck.” Shae replied.

“Well, if you go back. You should have a word with you family about how they handled things. So many things could have gone bad for you. Even just a week ago we had to kill a troll in the wild. Though maybe you could have been ok, trolls are no joke.” Mel added

‘Oh yes, the troll, I will never forget getting trolled.’ She mentally chuckled at that bullet dodged.

“Anyway, it’s late. You five should get some sleep. I’m heading home.” With that Canson headed for the door and out into the night.

“Right, we should all get a decent night’s sleep too.” Kip spoke up. “We still have packs we need to dig up. Guess we will need to borrow some sacks for food and such.”

With that the group split up to head to their own rooms. Shae was giddy about being able to use magic. She couldn’t wait for her new life to start moving forward properly.

Her final goal was to head back home eventually. After all her uncle had said he was able to traverse worlds. He just said it may take her a few hundred years.

Before Shae was in her room Kip called out, “And you need some new boots. Those weird shoes can’t be very comfortable or protective.”

Shae smiled at him and entered her room. Little did he know how comfortable her runners really were. Though he was right about the lack of protection. Especially with cloth clothing.

‘Maybe a sexy wizards robe…” She though with a huge grin as she got into bed. Dreaming about big plans and new sights.