Soul Knight - Chapter 27 (Patreon)

Nick marched along with Kaya and Eirwen at the front of the entourage, Jerome and Jasper at their sides. Nick now wore Kaya’s short swords in sheathes at his waist after their discussion, though he kept his soul blade on his shoulder.

The thirty wolflings walked in rows of five, their march as uniform as he could make them.

They were given a few instructions on how to act, and Nick tried to make it sound like they would be rewarded greatly if they performed well. There was more than a little bit of moose and bearcoon left for them to enjoy.

As they marched toward the gate in full view of the orc settlement, Nick remembered something. “Why do you think they didn’t send anyone to meet us?”

Kaya hummed. “I wonder if they have some other threat or problem? We didn’t see anything when we observed them, but that is peculiar. You'd think they want to meet us, right?

Eirwen noted, “The humans of Zura didn’t either. I think you’re right, maybe the Trial has provided them something else to deal with.”

The gate opened as they neared, and five fully-armed orc men approached. One of them was in the lead, but Nick would bet against them being the leader of the orcs–at best, a similar position to Torvus.

Compared to most humans he had met in his lifetime, they were on average taller and bulkier. Their armor looked well-made, a combination of plate and chain. The weapons on their backs were large, and just as Eirwen had said–axes and maces.

Only the leader held a shield, the man also wielding a spear. The warriors had blood on them, as if they had just come from a fight.

When they neared not far from the open gates, he shouted his greeting, his deep voice booming.

“Blood and honor, Trial Takers! Welcome to Nagduros. We have been expecting you, our Chieftain is waiting to meet you. If you swear all combat will be honorable and free of subterfuge, we will swear the same. Will you give your oath?”

Nick responded and spoke seriously, “Blood and honor. I am Nicholas, and I walk the Hero’s Path. You have my oath that my people and I are here to aid you in settling your Conflict and have no ill intent against you. We will adhere to the laws of your people, and only engage in honorable combat, or be subject to your people’s justice.”

A white light grew around all of Nick’s entourage in response to Nick’s oath, all being Nick’s wives, followers, or Soul Servants. Nick somehow knew that the wolflings, even aside from desiring to be behaved from his orders as their alpha, would somehow adhere to his oath.

The man laughed. “That was interesting! Somehow, I feel your oath has great meaning. I am Zarog, son of Lothar. Come, I will take you to meet the Chief.”

They continued their march inside, the paved road being a main boulevard in their village. The houses were spaced out throughout, decently architected buildings of stone and wood.

Overall, quite different from what Nick imagined an orc village would look like from games he played or fantasy movies. They even had sewers, so Nick imagined they may also have running water.

Various stalls lined the boulevard periodically, though they were empty of people. A plethora of different goods were for sale, from clothes to food to crafted items, it seemed that the orcs had industrious people among them.

That, or they were just selling raided goods, which was entirely possible.

The village had eight main thoroughfares following the cardinal directions, with extra space for a main path from the gate toward the tower. Overall, the village was not that large, with only around a dozen buildings or so on each path.

His wolfling tribe looked about in interest, keeping their yips and barks quiet, almost like a calm discussion. Some of them marched with their chests puffed out in pride with their spears in hand, and Nick was thankful for their efforts to appear civilized.

Nick wondered where the orc’s farms might be, or if they were somehow left back outside the Trial. They did not see any outside the well-built village.

He wanted to ask Eirwen all about these developments, but couldn’t in front of their guide.

After traveling just a little over a hundred meters, they arrived at what appeared to be the main plaza.

There was actually a large wall and gate around the plaza, which blocked off much of the view. Nick had seen this from a distance, but he couldn’t tell the purpose or reason.

As they passed through the gate, Nick and his party instantly understood what was keeping the orcs busy–both from being able to meet them at the entrance of the Trial, and from here in their village. Beast carcasses were strewn about, the many dead creatures being dismantled.

Many orcs were gathered in the center ring, around two dozen male warriors, and some women that appeared involved in the fighting.

It was in this plaza that Nick felt things were a lot more tribal. There were large tents setup and surrounding the wall they just passed through, with many women busying about with cooking and working on various trade skills.

Hides were being skinned and tanned, a forge was being worked, a butcher was carving meats, and even a cobbler was making shoes, among many others. Various items were being produced from the downed beasts, and Nick was shocked at the number they had slain.

There were a ton of people, and it was like the entire village was here. The entrance to the tower was different than the one at Havendale, this one looking like what he imagined was an orc chieftain’s home in front of the entry gate.

As the women moved about with haste, there appeared to be a shadow looming over many of their actions, as if something was missing. Nick could almost feel the anger in the air, though it was not directed at Nick’s party.

Many looked at him with what he thought was hope, but all had bags over their eyes and their shoulders slumped. They were exhausted, or stressed, Nick guessed.

Eirwen had told him an interesting detail–that orcs were born in about a one to two ratio of male to female. However, orc males were larger and more prone to fight and die in honorable battle, sometimes before they even came of age, depending.

This meant the resulting ratio would be much closer to many of the beastfolk races, who Nick had learned averaged closer to one to three–depending on their type.

Having learned that detail, it was no wonder beastfolk were alright with sharing their mate. Red panda beastfolk were one to one, though.

Sharpened staked fences surrounded the section of tents, completing a ring that was around the large open plaza. The warrior men and women all sat near the center in front of the tower, where a larger beast was downed. It appeared they were absorbing essence.

The orcs didn’t look all that different from humans. Their skin was green, and the male’s features a bit bulkier and with tusks.

Otherwise, the women looked no different or less varied than human women, aside from their skin color. They wore clothes of decent make, though there was certainly a more tribal motif with much of their skin showing. Still, many wore tribal tops and skirts, shorts, and working pants.

At the downed beast, one large man stood next to a smaller woman that looked just as much a warrior as the man. The man was over two meters tall, and a tower of muscle. His armor was thick over his vitals with large pauldrons, and a giant axe rested on his back.

With no wrinkles on his face, he looked in his late thirties at most. His expression was that of a hardened warrior as he watched his warriors at the downed beast.

His black hair wild and short, but gathered into a top knot. The woman next to him was similar but was armed with a shield and a mace, and Nick guessed she was his wife.

Their guide quickly ran ahead, and spoke to him for a moment.

With his arms folded across his chest, the man had turned to regard Nick and his entourage with a challenging smile. As Nick spotted the man’s soul, he had to smile back.

Like all the orcs so far, Nick had an excellent impression of him. These people had been involved in many fights in their life, but they were all honorable battles, fights adhering to their law and culture.

While they might fight or attack others, it was following a series of rules which prevented someone from truly being killed or murdered in cold blood, even if they were raiding. Nick even guessed this man helped uphold the law in some way. That his people would actively hunt bandits, both for justice and glory.

The man was clearly the Chief. Lothar’s voice was booming. “Blood and honor! I can’t say whether your timing is good or bad, Trial Takers! You missed the fight. Not to worry though, the Trial will likely ensure the next will be soon.”

Nick chuckled, as he looked over the largest beast they had downed. It was huge, larger than an elephant. It almost looked like a saber tooth tiger or similar, but the body was much bulkier and less feline.

Considering that essence also changed their capabilities significantly, Nick guessed it was more than a little powerful and difficult to deal with.

“It’s a shame we missed it, I’d have liked to see that beast while it was alive. I’m Nicholas, and these are my Followers–My wife, Eirwen, and my guard, Kaya. The wolflings were found here in this Trial, and joined us.” Nick had motioned to each of them in turn, and they nodded in kind.

Lothar looked at Jerome, then to Jasper with a questioning look.

The woman with Lothar also had a questioning gaze, and an energy shimmered around her eyes before she spoke. “Interesting, everyone is somehow linked to you? The wolflings are young, yet behaved, and the hobgoblin and the large wolfling are very peculiar. Well met, Trial Takers. I am Agatha, wife of Lothar, and head shaman of Nagduros.”

Lothar gave Nick a steely eyed stare, before looking over at his warriors. Turning back to Nick, he spoke in a much more serious tone.

“As Trial Takers, you are carrying out Orion’s Will. When you entered my village of Nagduros, you swore an oath that you came to aid us in our Conflict. But to us orcs, those are merely words. A man can only understand another when they have fought together in battle. For us to treat you as allies–brothers in battle–you must spill blood, and prove yourself in honorable combat. Will you face a duel challenge to the first spilling of blood?”

“I will. I, too, seek to test my strength–may you send a worthy challenger.”

Lothar smiled. “Good. Andross! You are up. You must test this outsider’s strength and honor.”

A man near the beast stood up, and he was nearly as large as Lothar. He held a glaive, and Nick now wished he could at least wield his soul blade. Short swords were not the weapon of choice Nick would use for this matchup.

They were escorted to an area off to the side, where many orcs gathered to watch. They formed a sort of dueling circle using the edge of the staked fence.

The orcs gathering essence stayed where they were, but Nick could tell they were all watching.

Kaya stopped Nick for a moment. “Wait a moment, Nick. Be careful–this is a trained soldier. That means he almost assuredly has a skill, and likely not just one.”

“What do you mean, like what the bearcoon and the hammerhead rhino did?”

Eirwen nodded from his other side. “Yes, and so many more. The truth is, a warrior preparing for an Ordeal before the second stratum would have at least four skills before they bothered to enter. Movement, Defensive, Offensive, and Support–these are the minimum number most would have. A class may grant one or more of these, depending, but most would fill in the blanks to have at least one of each. It would be foolish not to.”

Nick suddenly almost felt naked. He only had what one might consider defensive and support skills, not having a movement or offensive ability at all. Then, Eirwen said that was the minimum a true warrior would have. On top of that, Nick was being restricted on using any of his abilities, since they were magical.

This orc could be using all four of them, and he would have nothing.

But he quickly shook it off. “Thanks for the warning, Kaya. I’ll whup this guy, just for you.”

He moved quickly, and teasingly kissed her on the cheek, faster than she could respond.

She blushed. “N-Not in front of so many people.”

“Ah, alright. I’ll give you your proper reward later. After all, I appreciate you.”

She became even redder in response, and Eirwen giggled. “Kaya, your face is as red as your fur!”

The man from the dueling circle, Andross, seemed to shout teasingly, “Are you ready for battle yet, youngling? Or are there more maidens you must kiss?” He made kissing sounds and then barked a laugh, and Nick could tell he was just playing it up for the crowd, who hooted and hollered.

Nick strode forward confidently, drawing Kaya’s two short swords. The blades were barely a foot long, far from the length he’d be happy facing a man with a glaive with. But he would have to make do.

“I’m always ready for battle. But I’ll always choose a pretty maiden over an ugly sweaty guy.”

Andross laughed again. “It’s a sentiment I share–but not one that I practice. Make that choice too many times, and you’ll end up dead–and your maidens with another.”

Nick laughed. “I guess I’m lucky, then. I get stronger for having more maidens.”

The man stirred his essence within him, and Nick knew it was on. He dashed in with his swords, as Andross stabbed out with his glaive.

Nick hardly slowed in his approach as he brought his body forward and low, dodging it, and continued his dash. But the orc stepped back and brought his weapon down as he spun the glaive, trying to keep his distance.

Nick just stopped the attack with one sword over his shoulder, and slashed out with his other sword at the orc’s armored leg as he arrived in range low to the ground.

The orc warrior blocked with his haft, and tried to elbow Nick in the face, even as he retreated. Fighting with a polearm was all about maintaining distance, and Andross used this.

Nick was fast, and was able to just twist his body as he moved his face out of the way of the oncoming elbow. He tried to punish Andross with a slash of his sword to an armored joint, but the orc twisted his arm and blocked his sword’s blow with a thicker, more armored section.

Being this close to the target was bad for the polearm user. As Nick stirred his essence and was about to both prevent the orc’s defense with one hand and attack with his other, the orc stirred his own essence.

The man slumped or ducked slightly, and suddenly dashed backward rapidly. It was not a huge dash, only two to three meters, but he had kept his feet almost planted on the ground from start to finish. Then, he had moved quickly, faster than Nick could dash after him–at least, when Nick wasn’t prepared for the move.

The orc’s glaive was now at the maximum distance, ready to defend against Nick’s approach once again. It appeared this was the movement ability he had chosen.

Andross’s glaive stabbed out again, and Nick began his dance and approach once more. Only this time, the orc activated another ability–a powerful stab, that Nick could tell used much more essence.

Nick barely met the fast stab with a cross-sword block, and it pushed him back–stopping his assault. Not only that, but once again, Andross had controlled the distance of the battle. Nick was starting to understand that the orc’s choices in skills were to cover the flaws of the polearm weapon–while also enhancing its strengths, at keeping the target at a distance.

But Nick was now ready for the orc. He dashed back in, this time moving his essence. He moved with conviction, his steps, and movements flowing into one another. The orc stabbed and slashed at Nick’s approach, but Nick twisted and dodged, his body contorting at odd angles to move as each step took him forward–and fast.

Andross used his ability early to dash back, but Nick felt the essence stirring, and he leapt forward at nearly the same moment, causing Andross to not gain any more distance from its usage.

It was then that Andross used his fast and powerful stab skill, but Nick did not block it this time. He twisted his body backwards, as if going under a limbo bar. Shuffling his feet forward, he grabbed the haft of the polearm and used it to pull himself up with one hand, which caused the orc to stumble slightly. Nick did this while empowering his blow with essence on his other.

Nick was about to strike Andross in a gap where his armor met another section, when the orc shouted and a barrier of essence blocked his blow. The orc then punched out, forcing Nick to dodge, and Andross once again leapt backward.

The orc was nearly breathless, but he still teased, “Not bad, lover boy. I better beat you before you find more maidens.”

Nick smiled. The man was definitely running low on essence now, but he put up a good fight. Nick was forced to charge in a few more times, but eventually, Nick dodged under a powerful stab, and this time, spun and leapt to the man’s right as he lashed out at the man’s ankle.

Attacking where the metal was thinnest, his blade slashed into his flesh, causing Andross to fall to his knees.

Blood was shown on Nick’s blade, which he raised to the sky.

The orcs roared and cheered, before a woman, likely a shaman, moved in to heal Andross.

The wolflings cheered, clapping and woo’ing at Nick’s victory. All the orcs looked at them in question, their own people cheering and hollering.

Eirwen giggled and Kaya snorted before clapping, cheering along with everyone. The fight was fast and exciting. Nick stored his blades, after Eirwen wiped it clean with a rag.

When he was done being healed by the woman, Andross stood and shook Nick’s hand.

“Good fight. You are fast, and your blade is fierce. You fight calmly, watching your enemy and looking for a moment to strike–like a serpent. I deem you strong and honorable.”

Lothar approached and patted Nick on the back. “Well done! You truly have strength fitting of a Trial Taker, a warrior walking the Hero’s Path. The orcs of Nagduros now see you as an equal, a warrior worthy of respect. Your people are welcome to walk among mine, and join us in our combat and feasting. The Trial keeps spawning enemies, and we cannot keep up with the spoils. We must not allow this to go to waste.”

Agatha added from his side, “Yes, creatures are spawning here periodically that we must fight, but enemies of this magnitude only happen about once per day. Please, you are welcome to join us in our home, where we can fill you in on our situation. If you are willing to aid us in the Conflict, there is much for you to learn.”

Nick and the girls would finally learn how things started. With only a little over eleven days remaining, they would need to move fast.