The messenger waited patiently by the chapel, his body facing outwards to observe the townsfolk milling about. He wished to finish his task quickly and return to his warband, but he couldn't help but wonder the possibilities within the near future. While many orcs like himself had joined Malakaus for the chance of plunder and violence, Malakaus had grander desires than just base destruction. It was a desire that resonated in many young orcs; while the older orcs pined for the glory days the new generation wanted change. Something different from just laboring in the wilds and something more exotic, exciting. For him, it truly felt like he was part of something grand. The orc shook this feeling off as some more of the wounded arrived to the chapel. His duty was simply to deliver the message, nothing more nothing less. Though admittedly his attention was caught when he spotted an elven woman assisting the wounded. He's never [i]seen[/i] an elf before. He's only heard about them in passing, usually through the racist rants of his elders when complaining about the lands and history they've lost to the likes of elves, humans, and dwarves. She nodded to him. This made the orc freeze up a moment, nod back, and tried to look like he was guarding the chapel instead of just standing around like some sort of fool. Though to his surprise, he spotted another orc making his way to him. He didn't think Malakaus would send another messenger... [hr] Meanwhile back at the camp, Malakaus and his fellow orcs had finished smelting the left over steel into ingots and were ready to move out. He still hadn't heard from his messenger yet so he presumed that he would need to head to the town himself, however as he was packing up his belongings Garruk approached him. He spoke in a hush tone with two of his falcons sitting on his outstretched hand. [color=00a651]"Zned um ud?"[/color] Garruk nodded as he let his falcons fly off into the skies. [b]"U mirmi e tumdohpersi ur dni lehmn. La wecsyrm wyort dni muknd yw er eddesg. Ry mohfufyhm, ry pytuim."[/b] Malakaus didn't seem concerned, but Garruk wouldn't bother him about trivial things. This must have been important if Garruk came to Malakaus himself to tell him about it. [color=00a651]"Zem ud era yw la lir? Yh bihnebm timihdihm?"[/color] The falconer shook his head as he put his hand to his mouth in deep contemplation. [b]"Ry. Dned'm zned syrsihrm li. Ry pcesg ehhyzm, pod riudnih zihi dnihi mukrm yw mukruwuserd mdhokkci. Dni pytuim zihi kyri dyy. Yrca pcyyt mdeurm ert e mdhokkci. Lihi timihdihm whyl dned lihsireha ehla syoctr'd nefi guccit dni sehefer my iwwusuirdca."[/b] What the orc said did make Malakaus concerned, however he knew better than to jump at every shadow. His army wasn't nearly large enough right now that he could afford to fight every battle he comes across. A weakness of usual orcish leadership who become too greedy and don't choose their battles carefully. [color=00a651]"Pertudm ehi ryd er oromoec dnhied ehyort dnum ehie. Sihdeurca zyoctr'd pi mohbhumit uw dnia'hi mguccit iryokn dy bocc yww e hyppiha zudn ry semoecduim. Ert ifir uw dnia syoctr'd efyut ayoh iaim, ud zyoct pinyyfi dnil dy dha ert kid hut yw era ifutirsi wyh dniuh yzr megi."[/color] Garruk lowed his arms and shrugged. [b]"Bihnebm. Pod dni sehky ert nyhmi zem ryd degir yww dni hyet. La wecsyrm wyort ud'm dhesg syrduroit dyzehtm dni dyzr yw Tamberle. Umr'd ud sohuyom wyh hyppihm dy degi dniuh sehky ert dha ert micc ud ur dni suda? Zyoctr'd dnia dha dy micc dniuh zehim dy myliyri zudn cimm mshobcim?"[/b] Malakaus was slightly surprised that Garruk even knew about fences and other clandestine businesses, considering he's lived in the marsh his whole life. But Malakaus wouldn't question how he learned these things considering he talks to falcons somehow. [color=00a651]"Zned ehi ayo kiddurk ed? Ty ayo mombisd lyhi iriluim ehi ewdih Maren?"[/color] Garruk nodded his head. He pointed in the direction of Tamberle, and in the distance one of his falcons were also flying in that direction. [b]"Ud zyoctr'd pi oromoec wyh dni lihsirehuim dy nefi hiurwyhsilirdm dy syli. Ifir zudn dni timdhosduyr yw dni leur ehla, dnimi lir lea dha ert degi etferdeki yw dni wukndurk dy mdhugi znuci dni suda um mducc hisyfihurk."[/b] Malakaus gritted his teeth. He had no problems fighting a battle, but he only fought against the Karsusian mercenaries because he knew exactly what he was dealing with, how to fight them, and had his own reinforcements ready in case things took a turn for the worse. He didn't have the same intel on this new foe, if it even is one. Not to mention he had already extended his hand to assist Maren with the mercenaries once, he wasn't about to offer charity a second time to protect her from this new enemy if she can't even be bothered to speak to his messenger. As with all things Malakaus must act cautiously, less he finds himself in a situation he could have easily avoided. He turned to Garruk and ordered him to scout the area and find out more information about this new threat. Where they're at, who they are, anything that could be useful. He then went over to Tarkin as he was overlooking the catapults they took and ordered him to make them ready. He had his riders go out to gather any orc that had left to go hunt and tell them to hurry back to muster. There may be another battle soon. Finally, Malakaus' mother approached him. She informed him that the women were ready to leave. Malakaus told her to lead them back to the allied clans and wait for them. There was still some things he needed to take care of, and he didn't want his mother or any of the other non-combatants nearby when it happens. This just made her scoff; an orc woman was just as deadly as a warrior, especially when she has to defend her home. But Malakaus was firm and had her take the others back to the clans. There was one more problem. This time Hew came to Malakaus and told him very simple that the Erymanthian Spawn was dead. This caught Malakaus off guard; while he knew it wasn't as powerful as the true boar, the fact anyone could kill it was shocking enough. But what Hew said afterwards made it clear that it wasn't murdered by humans, but the spawn had awakened something. Something stronger than it. Fortunately while it died within the Fire-fens it wasn't near Tamberle itself. As much as it concerned him, Malakaus didn't have time to send men out hunting for a dead monster. Though he'll keep in mind that there apparently is something worse than the Erymanthian Spawn in this place. Wasn't long before the women cleared out, leaving Malakaus and his men ready to sally forth. For now, he would need them to be on standby until Garruk and Hew bring back more information about what they might be dealing with. Malakaus also sent out another runner to his messenger warning him of strange things happening and for him to remain on alert, especially around Maren. Malakaus gave his axe a few swings to get used to it's weight and heft, before an Tarkin came up to him and handed him a sword wrapped in cloth. Apparently his mother wanted Malakaus to have it. [color=00a651]"This... Heh. Suppose I might as well hold onto it for now. Could be useful."[/color] Slinging the sword onto his back Malakaus and his men finished up their preparations.