Iorrjaer

Chapter 13

Bne and Sîgg waited at the steps to the Chapel of the Deities for Tapht, Captain Xen, Grunr, Kara, Geird, Yotul and Yakhar. Bne and Sîgg loitered before the steps awkwardly before sight of the others came into view. Their silence was pensive and weighted. Yotul apologized for Yakhar's tardiness, saying that just as they were leaving, the cadets came to their office.

Bne was unhappy already and this news made the veins in his neck pulse. Tapht reassured him that it was probably something unrelated but even he did not believe himself. Yakhar appeared and hurried towards them. Her expression was of haste and apology, so Bne controlled his ire.

Once together, they secreted themselves down an alley and through a basement door where there were two orcs awaiting them. The female was their Patrolling Paladin – Hildýr. The other was massive – like a standing full grown grizzly bear in a black fur leather-lined cloak and hood. Hildýr stood apart and was dressed as she always was: fur coverings for her waist and breasts. Her scar riddled arms, legs, neck, and core were for all to see – part of her image as a warrior. Her spear, now leaning against a wall, held a crude but effective appearance, even resting. And it was not far from her reach.

The massive orc reminded Tapht and Bne immediately of Häsmæl and it was hard for them to believe that this one challenged Häsmæl's size. When they entered, he removed his hood and revealed a large head and face with dark brown hair and a full beard. His look was of one that had been in the wilderness for many, many years. His eyes were tired but by no means weak.

Upon seeing Yotul and Yakhar, the new orc gained a new kind of energy that made them take a step back but Hildýr stepped between them and spoke in a low, cruder form of orcish that the sisters struggled to understand. Sîgg gave them a quizzical look and they shrugged.

Tapht broke the ice: "Welcome. Thank you for calling his meeting, Hildýr. I am eager to learn about what you have found in your travels. I can say that I am and I'm sure everyone else is curious to meet your new friend."

The giant calmed and nodded apologetically.

"This is Jzwër. He has information. Information on Ockburg." Hildýr's Common had improved but she still spoke it like it disgusted her.

Jzwër glanced around at his audience. The bearing that he got from them was that despite Bne's commanding presence, he was faltering. Tapht and Sîgg, an unlikely pairing of a dwarf and elf, had the most command of the room. The two orc sisters still confused him but they were welcomed by the others that they stood with so their being there was not a mistake. Kara, Grunr and Geird were unlike many of the humans he had seen. Mostly hiding out he was used to seeing peasants and farmers and now seeing three human females in armour and armed gave him a sense that he needed to be here to see commonly warring races working together.

"Gerð Jænaktër. Jörcnir für vërdi Gjënbɵrne."

Kara looked to Yotul and Yakhar: "Catch any of that?"

They shook their heads.

"Never heard true orcish." Yakhar said.

"Jörcnir is reborn." Hildýr stated.

"Ockburg not... örug." Jzwër said in really rough Common.

"Safe." Hildýr translated.

"Häsmæl är Jörcnir."

"Häsmæl is Jörcnir." Hildýr stated.

"Who is Jörcnir?" Bne asked.

"I can answer that." Yotul said and Jzwër looked relieved when Hildýr told him. It was obvious that he was having a hard time keeping his speech regulated for his audience. Sîgg could tell that there was much more he wanted to say but was nervous to put Hildýr in the position of translator.