They could feel the ground vibrate under their boots. Moments passed by, and the rumbling grew stronger. Soon it turned into thundering quakes. Hooves beat against the Earth. Who would dare to approach the Northern Orruk mountains?

The small cavalry of Knights who rode atop massive black horses came into view. The Orc men readied for a confrontation, grasping the hilts of their weapons. The archers above the gates drew back on their crossbows and waited for the signal.

"And who the fuck are you then, eh? What business do you have with the Orruk?" One of the orc swordsmen boomed out.

The leader of the group approached the gates with caution. He was taken aback by the Orc's impropriety.

"Watch your filthy tongue with me, swine. I am Commander Tollak of Blackwater Hold." He said as he glanced up at the Blackwater coat of arms woven into the Banner held high by the Bannerette.

"Fetch your superior... beast. I have a message from King Corvus of Blackwater Hold." He demanded, clenching his jaw.

Humans and the Orruk have had a long-standing feud for hundreds of years. According to Orruk history, Orcs once ruled over most of this continent. However, they were slowly driven out of their homelands by Human and Elven warriors who were ashamed of the Orcs.

They were condemned thousands of years ago by the Elves. Orcs themselves had descended from Elves who had fallen from the light. Once the Humans had dominated the land, they turned on the Elves and extinguished the entire race. The Human race was full of greed. The Orcs were left to occupy the mountains in the North and South.

The Humans were intimidated by their force. They used the power of war and propaganda to weaken the Orruk race. Orcs were known to terrorize and seek vengeance on humans who dared to enter their territory but otherwise left humans alone.

There was a time when they did seek peace with the Humans and the Elves, but humans portrayed the Orcs as animalistic beasts that raped and pillaged. From the Orruk's point of view, this was not the case. It was not in their nature to force themselves on human females.

They hold consent to the highest prestige. Orcs protect and worship the women who married into the horde to continue their race. They only sought war with those who attempted to overtake Orruk territory in order to protect their borders.

The Orc smirked in disbelief and looked to his comrades "You posh bastard." Stepping forward, he pulled the large sword from its sheath. The sharp sound pierced the air as the knights lowered their spears toward them. "You come to our territory and bark orders at me? Your king has sent you here to die, human." He spat, his accent growing thicker. He planted his foot in front of him, ready to charge.

Suddenly, the gates to the mountain slowly thundered open. The stone underneath their feet began trembling once more. A large Orc walked forward through the gates. His bulk blocked out the sun, casting his shadow over the knights who stood at the foot of the steps to the gate.

He had to be the largest Orc of them all. His height topped at least seven feet tall. There was no way he weighed under 250. He was fully armored in thick iron, intricately designed, and enameled in gold.

"Sten!" He boomed. "Stand Down."

"Chief Bloodborne," Sten said to acknowledge his superior. He and the other Orcs kneeled in respect.

Commander Tollak began to speak, but Chief Bloodborne raised his hand in protest, warning him to hold his tongue.

"You," Bloodborne said. "I have asked my men to stand down. You have disrespected them. I will not stop them if you disrespect them again. I can not deny them that right."

Chief Bloodborne's hand tightened around the massive hammer that hung from his right hand as if it weighed nothing.

"Why does your king request my attention? What could he possibly want from me?" He questioned.

Commander Tollak's adam's-apple bobbed as he swallowed, indicating that Chief Bloodborne struck a nerve.

"King Corvus wishes to have an audience with you to propose an alliance, to put differences aside." Commander Tollak said, trying to maintain his composure.

"And why would your human king seek to create an alliance with my kind." He said skeptically

"There is rising friction among the kingdoms of men. King Corvus seeks to strengthen our forces and secure our northern borders."

"So your race squabbles like juvenile boys, and your king wishes to drag the Orcs into this human nonsense." Chief Bloodborne's voice was deep and gravelly, rumbling inside him.

His calm, deadly demeanor never faltered. He turned his back to them and began to signal to the lookout post to close the gaits.

"Chief bloodborne!" Commander Tollak interrupted before Bloodborne could complete his hand signal. "Our king offers to give you compensation. He wants to make a trade. If you lend us your strength, he will relinquish control of a substantial amount of our land to the north." Tollak haggled.

Chief Bloodborne stood stiff for a moment. He breathed out before giving his command. He couldn't easily refuse this offer without considering it.

"Ready the Wargs and a company of warriors. We leave within the hour."