Summoned to a Shattered World

Birthright Chapter 28 - United in Purpose

With no obvious food sources presenting themselves, our only option was to obtain food from one of the villages. Unfortunately the closest one would require a considerable detour and we were only about a day away from Biustarn. Neither of us were looking forward to skipping yet more meals but it was bearable, we still had water. The only problem was explaining that to the ogres without them trying to smash us to goo. "I'm guessing they won't take it too well if we just tell them the truth."

Elmidath frowned. "Probably not. But there's no need to overthink it, I'll just tell them it was all the fault of Lord Yueryurn."

She explained to the ogres how we'd had every intention of feeding them, only to be foiled by the same villain. But, she assured them, they'd be able to eat their fill when they reached the domain of her ally.

Aog howled, barely holding back tears of outrage. "I knew there was evil in this land but who could have thought there was a blight of such magnitude? This man is truly the enemy of all that is good in the world."

His companion's reaction was more subdued, it made me worry that Gurk might be doubting Elmidath's story. Which would hardly be surprising, it was a ridiculous lie. "It seems we must continue to bear these indignities a while longer. But take heart." He slapped Aog's naked back, the sound alone was enough to make me wince. Though Aog scarcely seemed to notice. "Before long there shall be a reckoning and this foul being will be repaid tenfold for all that he has wrought. That day shall be far more nourishing than the meals he has stolen from us."

Aog's anger faded to be replaced by confusion and he looked at the other ogre. "Vengeance is all well and good but it's no replacement for food."

After a moment's thought, Gurk bowed his head. "You're right, I've been a fool. In my righteous anger I lost sight of one life's simple truths. This is surely a result of this terrible hunger I feel, it has already started to affect my mind."

Terrible hunger? What right did these buffoons have to talk about hunger after they'd gorged themselves last night? Not that I was going to voice my justified complaints. As unfair as things were, I wasn't in any hurry to start a fight with them.

"We must soldier on as best we can," Aog said," despite this hardship, we shall preserve through this crisis. I'm sure our condition will only worsen the longer we're out here but the righteous are not so easily thwarted."

Dealing with the ogres was already proving exhausting but at least they were on board. Their complaints only grew more dramatic and insufferable as the day passed. Fortunately they didn't try to eat anyone, though it felt like only a matter of time. I could have sworn I saw Gurk eyeing me as if I were a tasty meal.

We reached Lord Biustarn's estate without further incident. A spiralling tower of stone rose high above the surrounding area, glittering in the light of the twin suns like an enormous red jewel. I didn't know much about Biustarn but he certainly had a nice house; much nicer than Elmidath's. Not that I would tell her that. But regardless of how it looked, it didn't mean there would be a lot of surplus food. Or that he'd be willing to share it. "He will feed the ogres, right?" She paused, filling me with apprehension. "...right?"

Elmidath's features trembled and her laughter spilled forth like an erupting volcano. There was a manic edge to it that did little to reassure me. "I hadn't even thought about him refusing but it's entirely possible." Apparently finding that hilarious, she continued laughing.

"What's so funny?" It might be disastrous if that were the case and it warranted serious thought.

"It would just be so ridiculous. To get screwed over like that after all this? How am I not meant to laugh at that?"