It wasn’t until after noticing the armored man and goblin that Oscar noticed the orc. Filthy, robbing vermin that held no value for life in any form, orcs were. The man started to call out but was cut short by the booming voice that emanated from thin air. “That,” he mumbled to himself, shaking the voice, which was different this time, from his noggin. 

Rupert neighed and obviously wanted to follow the other two, or join them at the very least. Taking the time to unsheathe his arm from the shield, he fixed it to his back once more. No fighting would occur, it seemed. Hopefully the fight would not be between the two and him, though the orc offered a different tale to be told, perhaps. Shifting in his saddle, Oscar patted Rupert on the side of his neck twice. The horse jerked forward and was at full speed in only a matter of moments. Dirt flew up behind the horse, splattering the swordsman’s legs with moist dirt. 

He encroached on the two within only a few moments. Whether they supposed he now posed a threat was to be seen, but little mattered in that regard at the moment. “That,” he repeated. “is what brought me to you two I’m guessing. Well,” he continued, “not that exactly. More of a voice in the sky with no body to accompany it, is why we are finding ourselves talking at this moment.” Oscar’s voice was thick with the island accent that most Ju’ra citizens had. The fiery red hue of his hair was faded by the thin layer of dust and muck that accented the follicles. It hung in tendrils that kissed his cheeks. Once, about three days ago, it had been slicked back and held tight to his scalp. Things, however, had changed rather abruptly. 

“Since we are going in the same direction, I ask two things,” he questioned, “has anything odd happened to the two of you lately? And, is that filth your companion; or, do we turn on it and have it for dinner this evening?” There was only a slight nod of his head as it tilted backward, motioning to the orc that stood in the distance behind them. Normally, Oscar’s voice was laced with jovial tones and gentle kidding, but not now. He was serious about turning on the orc and slaying it where it stood. Also, he may have been sincere about eating it. There were rumors that floated around Ju’ra about cannibalistic tribes that sought power from devouring their foes, or anything that they could get their hands on for that matter. 

Rupert’s breath returned to him and he walked beside the two, who seemed to be companions already. The horse had seen armored men all of his life. In his conquest for freedom with Oscar, he had even seen a few goblins. This one, however, seemed likeable. The horse’s head peered from above, large eyes cast down at the creature’s form. Would it be too much if I nudged him? Maybe he has some food? I will have to make sure to nudge him when we get where we are going. This grass is plain and tasteless. Maybe he has a carrot. Without an eye forward, Rupert almost walked directly in front of the armored man, correcting his stride at the last moment possible. 

The horse looked upon the armored man, shaking his head and breathing a sigh of apology for almost trampling him.