An Orc's Journey

4. The Cave Made Of Wheat

"Couldn't we have waited until sunrise?" Grub asked stomping through a large field.
"Yeah why did we have to do this immediately. It's not like the Troll is going anywhere." Farb looked the most out of breath and also the furthest behind.
"Hush." Dehaka turned to look at the Halflings "Trolls can hear from miles away. Now imagine that plus it being in a cave. So do me a favour and go back to the tavern. I don't need you here."
Farb and Grub turned to walk away. "You coming Hak?"
"He stays, you two leave"
Hak continued off with Dehaka through the fields.
After a good 30 minutes of walking Dehaka sat down on the edge of a field
"These are your fields aren't they?" Dehaka turned to look at the Halfling practically invisible in the field.
"One of my father's. I've maintained it over the years. How did you know?" Hak turned to him slowly.
"You're careful as you walk through. Almost like you're trying to preserve it."
"The fields are different here. My father died in one of them and on the spot he died, a tree grew around him. We visit it every year to remember him. And these.. these were his fields." Hak started to tear up as his memories flooded him.
"We're almost here. You should wait outside." Dehaka drew a sword as he approached the cave to the side of the field.

Dehaka walked slowly into the cave. As he did so he drew his other sword and crept forward into the darkness. The further he went the weirder the cave got. The floor became softer and it started to smell like the fields.

"Stupid Half humans. Trying to get me to leave. This is my home and I'm trying to be comfortable in here." A new voice came from down the cave. Could the Troll talk?  Dehaka stopped and checked his surroundings. It was cold and dry. The Troll could be sentient if the temperature was right. The colder it is the smarter a Troll can be.

Dehaka approached the light and saw the Troll. Tall and broad. This would be a hard fight, but hopefully it wouldn't come to that.
Dehaka sheathed his swords and sat down at the fire. "Hi there. You alone in here?"
The Troll turned and stared at the Orc that just appeared in front of it. "Yes. Who are you?"
"My name is Dehaka, do you have a name in human tongue?"
The Troll sat down away from the fire and grunted "My name is Finn back home. Tell me Dehaka why are you here?"

To anyone else in the cave all they would have heard is a series of grunts and roars as the two conversed after this point. Speaking in the native tongue of Orc and Troll made it easier for Dehaka to understand Finn.

"I'm here to get rid of the Troll problem. That wouldn't be you would it?"
"Sadly so. Trying to reduce the heat in here is tough. So I went and gathered wheat for shelter. You have to kill me don't you?"
"Or convince you to leave. But we both know that you've made up your mind."
"Indeed. It will be a shame to lose to a Orc, but a Halfling would be more embarrassing. Also you don't look like a normal Orc, to much muscle."
"I'm the Shadow Hunter for my people. You know what that means i've been through"
"Well let's get on with this then". Finn stood and took a giant tree trunk in his arms.
"I'm sorry for this" Dehaka stood and drew his swords "If there was another way i would do it".
Finn swung the trunk behind him as Dehaka spoke "I know, sadly this is the way all Trolls die". 

Finn took the first swing. Smacking Dehaka out of the cave and into the field.
"Sooooo. Didn't go so well?" Hak looked at Dehaka.
"Nope. Don't bother paying me. You'll need the money." Dehaka rose and charged at the cave.
Finn roared as he walked out. "My. Home. Leave. Or. Smash!"
That's the last time he would be able to talk. Dehaka approached him from under the cover of the field. He approached Finn's legs and stabbed at both. Finn roared and grabbed Dehaka, who was constantly stabbing his hand. He threw the Orc into the next field and followed him dragging his trunk with him.

Dehaka lifted his head from the crater he had made. He looked around to see the yellow leaves of a tree in the middle of the field. He stood and sheathed his swords. Finn approached slowly growling at the sight of Dehaka. Withdrawing his battleaxe he readied himself and charged at the Troll. He slashed at his left leg severing the foot. Spinning and facing the Troll's back he ran up its body as it fell forward. His battle-axe slicing his back open and spewing blood like a pinata. Finn tried to grab the Orc but slowly toppled, missing him completely. Dehaka leaped from his neck and raised the axe above his head. As he brought it down the Troll screamed for the last time as it head was split in half as Dehaka reached the floor. The blood seeped into the field. Turning the crop red as it did so.

Hak reached the tree and saw Dehaka sitting by the trunk. And the body of a Troll with a severed head. "The fields will be like this forever now."
Dehaka turned to him. "This will make your father's tree a sacred site. No one will be able to move it or take it down no matter what happens to your farm. The Troll's body will slowly grow into a pillar of bone that will attract animals of all nature. You may want to build a bigger farm"
Hak looked at Dehaka confused. "You did this on purpose?"
"The tree means a lot to your family. This way it'll last forever."
"Thank you for this. Do you need anything for your troubles?" Hak got out a small pouch.
"Only directions to the portal." Dehaka pushed the pouch back into his hands.
"The portal? What do you need to leave Friton for?" Hak stood and looked deep into the Orc's eyes.
"I'm looking for anyone to help me in this life of solitude. Any advice when I go through the portal?" Dehaka began to walk away from Hak.
"Go to a library or archive. Also buy a bird to make traveling faster" Hak watched the Orc leave then walked back to his house.