Steel Wolf

Crossed

The leader of the Blood Shadows, Tanaya Newlander, strode beside her squad in four columns of four people. The rhythmic thumping of their feet on the ground reached the ears of a Regular Military perimeter sentry. The sentry did his duty upon spotting movement and blew a whistle to draw attention to himself. As other sentries joined him, the Blood Shadows stepped onto the road, turning left toward the city gates.

Soon enough, most of the Regular Military camp had turned out to line the road in order to catch sight of the orcs and the woman who had tamed them. Jeers and catcalls, cries of "orc lover" and other more derogatory things were shouted.

Gaspar Delgado caught a quick movement from the corner of his eye and leapt forward, hand outstretched to catch a rock which had been thrown at Gugras. Twisting in midair, Gaspar neatly threw the rock back, pegging the thrower in the forehead, being rewarded with a scream of pain.

"You orc fucker! I'm gonna kill you!" screamed the soldier, blood streaming down his face.

"You guys go on. I've got this," said the Blood Shadow, facing the charging soldier.

Just as the soldier was about to crash into Gaspar, the warrior sidestepped and bent his right leg, leaning slightly. This put his left foot in exactly the position to trip the soldier, running hell-bent-for-leather. Totally unprepared, the man hit the road and skidded on his face a few feet.

"Stay down, man," said Gaspar, turning to face him. "It'll only get worse from here."

The soldier rolled over and sat up, his nose bent at an odd angle, gravel embedded in his face, bleeding profusely from multiple abrasions. He stood up, charging Gaspar again. Gaspar stepped to the left, his well-muscled right arm straight out to his side. The soldier caught Gaspar's arm at chest height, flipping completely over to land face first on the road again.

Gaspar stepped over to the fallen man and rolled him onto his back.

"Dude," said the Blood Shadow, conversationally, "there's no shame in admitting defeat. If you decide to continue, I fear you'll break more than your nose. How about it? We'll get you patched up, hit the officer's mess, I'll buy you a couple drinks, and we part as friends. Right? Otherwise, your commanding officer gets involved, my commanding officer gets involved, you go to the stockade, I go to the stockade, and you swear revenge on my family for all eternity. Twenty-five generations down the road, our families are still going at it. All because you threw a rock at my bro. Whadda ya say?"

He extended a hand for the bloodied soldier to take, helping the man to his feet, brushing the dust off.

-o0o-

The Blood Shadows marched through the gates of the city, making their way down the main street to the park where they turned left and headed for the base house. The Royal Guard paid them no mind, as they were in formation and not to be trifled with. Tanaya called a halt, then dismissed them. The orcs immediately moved to the backyard and began setting up tents and a fire circle. Once this was complete, they reported to Tanaya who led them into the park proper to meet the Royal Guard.

Along the way, Royal Guards shook their hands, welcoming their new brethren. An insult was yelled in orcish, Lieutenant Jeffers Matheny sporting a huge smile on his face. Dubok cast a glance at Tanaya who grinned, winked, and nodded at him. He smiled proudly, catching the intent immediately; they were truly welcome in the clan. Turning his head, he looked at Matheny deadpan, then roared an orcish retort, questioning Matheny's relations with the goat Dubok had eaten last week. Matheny promptly doubled over in laughter.

"Matheny! Front and center!" yelled Tanaya. Jeffers trotted over, still chuckling.

"Yes, Commander?" he asked.