Chapter 303: The Competition

The massive wall wrapped all the way around the city and encompassed the river that ran through it. On the other side of the river, north of the city’s walls, the plains extended with no farms in sight. I felt out of place as I walked on the desolate road. My only weapon was my runic dagger, but I had worn my adventurer’s armor. There was no one in sight as I crested a hill. Below me, in a long valley, numerous structures were dotted among black stone paths.

Large pairs of dogs walked the sprawl’s perimeter under a handler’s care. I was only standing there a moment before a pair of mounted orcs thundered upon me from the right. I remained calm and waited for them. Maybe I should have ridden on Ginger, as I was forced to look up at the agitated riders as they reined in their mounts.

The pair were both tattooed, and I identified them as Pathfinders by their armor and weapons. “Human, you need to turn around and go back to the city. You will only be warned once.” The orc’s tone was flat and threatening.

“I am here at the request of Chronicler Glasha to serve as Cleric Mynasha’s First,” I said confidently. The two orcs looked at each other, confused, clearly at a loss for words. They had a brief, harsh conversation, uncertain of a course of action regarding the impudent human standing before them.

The older of the two finally ordered the other, “Bring the Chronicler here. She can resolve this.” He turned to me. “If you are wasting the Chronicler’s time, your honor is forfeit and your life ends here, human.” His voice was harder now. I nodded and waited as the other rider kicked his heels, his horse thundering down into the valley.

It got awkward, so I pulled out an apple and started crunching it. All horses were apparently the same. The Pathfinder’s mount kept trying to dance closer in hopes of getting some. I could tell the Pathfinder was not a skilled horseman from his poor control over the spirited horse. I tossed the core in the grass, and the horse eagerly took it, to the consternation of the Pathfinder. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

It was almost an hour before I saw Glasha’s pony riding up from the valley, escorted by the Pathfinder who had gone to find her. When she arrived, she was a bit breathless but wearing a massive grin. “You have come,” she said.

“Am I too late to accept your offer?” I asked, somewhat amused by the Pathfinder’s disbelief that I had been speaking the truth.

“Demons, no! The Choosing has been suspended until Warlord Melkos and Krage arrive to confirm Mynasha’s claim of besting five mountain trolls,” she said, smiling with the knowledge that it would be confirmed. “Cleric Anatasha is about to be severely disappointed that he challenged her honor on that fact.”

The Pathfinder interrupted the banter. “The human is allowed to descend to the valley, Chronicler?”

“Yes,” she hissed impatiently. “He is with me. Return to watching the grass grow!” She turned her pony and walked it as I caught up with her. I gave the Pathfinders an I told you so look before settling in beside her.

Glasha was walking her pony at a sedate pace, and I took the opportunity to ask, “How are things going?”

Glasha groaned comically, “I don’t know if it’s going better or worse than expected. Tarnasha has been in six shouting matches since yesterday with the Elders about protocols. Your appearance will cause another round of quarrels, I’m sure.” She grinned madly. I could tell she was having fun, even with the Caliphate’s future hanging in the balance.

“What of the competition?” I asked the red-haired orc.

“Five other candidates for Supreme. The sixth and seventh have already pulled themselves out of consideration. There will be a sixth if Cleric Ottasha presses his candidacy when he arrives,” she said mildly. “Three are favored more heavily than Mynasha, though. It is not going to be an easy road.”

I wasn’t concerned about their politics. Glasha knew why I had come, so I asked directly, “Is Warlord Rhuuk here?”

She looked over at me, her tone serious. “He is. He is serving as Cleric Jhuarkasha’s First. He has four goliaths with him, but I am unsure if any are the ones you seek.”

I nodded, happy but also cautious. “Is there any way you can get me close enough to confirm?”

“Unlikely. Each paired candidate and First have their own compound in the valley. The slaves do not leave the compounds.” My dissatisfied look made Glasha sigh and roll her eyes. “Fine, we can stop at Jhuarkasha’s compound under the pretense of arbitration.”

We reached the bottom of the valley, and the mastiffs there were the size of Glasha’s pony. The dogs had rich brown leather vests that matched their coats. One trotted close to me as I walked next to Glasha’s pony. It sniffed the air tentatively and growled, massive canines showing in its snarl. His partner started barking, a deep rumbling threat. Other mastiffs nearby joined the chorus.

Glasha looked irritated at the handler, who rushed forward, scolding the dogs and pulling them out of our path. “They are trained to uncover anyone who is not of our blood. You can expect more such encounters.” I turned and could see a half dozen pairs of slowly quieting hounds in this area of the valley. It would not be easy to sneak around unseen—or un-smelled.

We walked past a number of large longhouses as we made our way deeper into the valley. Each large building had smaller support buildings surrounding it. Some of the structures had open windows and doors and looked abandoned. Others had a myriad of activity as people flowed around the primary structures and smaller support buildings. Some had elite guards standing watch outside, while others looked to only have civilians.

Seeing me studying the structures, Glasha explained, “The compounds are assigned by the Elders. Most of the year, they are empty. Warlords and clerics from across the Caliphate descend on the valley when an important gathering occurs. The higher your importance, the closer your temporary residence is to the valley’s center.”

The large structures were spaced about a hundred yards apart, divided by dense thickets for privacy. They continued far into the valley. As the number of occupied structures increased, I studied the orcs moving about their business of serving the leaders of the Caliphate. Most walked with purpose and were laden with goods. Some appeared to be running messages between the buildings, judging by the haste in their steps.

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We had passed a lot of buildings and were approaching the center of the valley when Glasha abruptly turned her pony down a path. I turned off the primary dark stone path to follow Glasha. Two elite orc warriors flanked the wide entrance to a longhouse. The tattooed guards stepped to block her approach even before she reached the door. Even Glasha’s title was not going to gain her quick entrance.

Glasha, in a sharply irritated tone, barked, “Tell Jhuarkasha that Chronicler Glasha is here to discuss the Choosing.” A graying orc exited the building at her words and studied Glasha before retreating inside without a word. Glasha growled quietly so only I could hear. “I hope you appreciate me supplicating. Once you identify your goliath, let me know and I will extract us.”

We didn’t wait long before a tall, lean orc exited the structure. He had a feral grin on his face at seeing Glasha. I assumed this was the cleric candidate from his loose clothing and lack of musculature. “Glasha! Have you discarded your poor choice of a candidate and come to support me instead?” His tone was slightly mocking, and I was a bit concerned we would not gain access.

Glasha sighed. “I came to discuss an alliance for the first Trial. This is Mynasha’s First.” She waved her hand in my direction, and the orc seemed to notice me for the first time. His eyes widened, and he started laughing.

“Seriously, Glasha? A human? How desperate is your candidate? She might as well concede and retain what honor she can.” Jhuarkasha chuckled to himself. Even though orc culture was different, I would say this orc had what I would call a punchable face.

“If you don’t want an alliance, that is fine. I know what the first Trial is, though.” His mocking visage faded instantly.

“That would be duplicitous and lessen Mynasha’s honor,” he said angrily. Glasha sported her own orcish grin now. “Fine. Let’s discuss a partnership for the first Trial only.” We followed the disgruntled cleric inside, one of the guards taking the pony’s reins.

The room beyond was massive, with dozens of orcs, humans, and five goliaths moving about. One more than Glasha had said. Furniture was scattered across the chamber, and a single cooking stove was lit in the center. As my eyes adjusted to the darker room, I sent aether to my eyes to see better. The room was divided into areas for sleeping, eating, sitting, and combat practice. Four elite warriors fought a monstrous, bare-chested, tattooed orc. He twirled his sword in a blinding display of skill, speed, and power. His two-handed sword connected over and over again against his opponents’ weapons, forcing them back.

As I focused my gaze, it became clear that he was channeling aether through his tattoos, which had a soft, luminous glow in my aether sight. The sight of his lightning-fast movements deserved my admiration. A wave of uncertainty washed over me, making me question my ability to confront such a dangerous warrior. Yet I took solace in the fact that I had other tactics to turn a battle in my favor.

I tore my eyes from the impressive display to focus on the face of the first goliath we approached. This goliath was clearly a female and was helping two human women prepare food at a long table. Curiosity made all three look up at us as we approached. I only knew Zorana from the dreamscape, but this goliath was not Zorana. Her eyes looked devoid of energy. She was broken, with no spark of will there. The two other women working with her were the same. I pitied them and feared what I was going to find.

It was clear the cleric was guiding us toward the fighting orcs, which was fine because I would be able to get close to the other goliaths in the chamber.

Three other goliaths were also feminine in their curves. One was working on mending some clothes, and the other two were among the spectators watching the combat, their backs turned to us as we approached. The goliath working on the leather stitching was not Zorana either. We were being led to the fighting practice when the orc warlord paused, seeing Cleric Jhuarkasha approaching. The combatants retreated, and all eyes turned to us.

My heart raced as the goliaths turned, and I immediately recognized Zorana. The joy she displayed in the illusory space was not there. Here, in reality, her expression was blank, but at least her eyes were not dead like the first goliath’s as she studied me with curiosity.

The large warrior wiped the sweat from his face and took us in. Cleric Jhuarkasha was excited to speak. “Warlord Rhuuk, Chronicler Glasha has come to bargain. She brings Cleric Mynasha’s First!” I knew Cleric Jhuarkasha was expecting a stronger reaction from the warlord, but his eyes just settled on me as he studied me. “A human!” the cleric emphasized to get a reaction, but none was coming. There was a cold, calculating nature to this warrior that I returned. We were two alphas staring each other down.

“What bargain does she bring to us?” he asked, finally focusing on Glasha. It was clear who was in charge of this partnership and making the decisions.

Glasha spoke to Warlord Rhuuk, ignoring the cleric, sensing it too. “I know what the first Trial is. It heavily favors Cleric Fioasha.”

The warlord waved his hand dismissively. “Not unexpected. We will not be one of the two eliminated in the first Trial. We do not require your assistance, and I do not want to owe you any favors, Chronicler. Mynasha has not even been recognized as a candidate yet.”

With a little anger tainting her voice, Glasha replied, “She will be by tomorrow, and Cleric Anatasha will be forced to withdraw after challenging Mynasha’s word!”

The warlord bellowed a deep, wicked laugh that made some of the slaves cringe. “You hope for too much, Chronicler! Cleric Anatasha will lay the blame on someone else for supplying terrible information. You can leave.” He turned his muscled, tattooed back on us to return to his practice. I looked one last time at the side of Zorana’s face. She was much older and thinner than her manifestation, but it was definitely her. I wanted to reveal myself and reassure her, but that would be beyond foolish. Maveith would be exhilarated when I told him she was alive.

Cleric Jhuarkasha was a bit flummoxed as he walked with us to the exit. He wasn’t deterred and almost pleaded, “What is the Trial? I can promise we will not hinder Mynasha in the first Trial.”

Glasha seemed to consider as we walked the length of the chamber. A little distastefully, she finally spoke. “The first Trial is to return with a pixie. It must be presented alive. The last two to return will be eliminated.”

The cleric growled. “What a foolish Trial. But you are correct; it does favor Fioasha heavily.” He stopped his escorting and eagerly returned to the combat that had ensued again behind us. He was going to use the information whether Rhuuk liked it or not.

“A pixie? The annoying woodland fairies? Are they common around here?” I asked.

“There are untouched groves a dozen miles northeast of the city. They are rare but can be found there,” Glasha replied. “Tarnasha learned of the Trial from one of the Elders. Mynasha is going to have difficulty with it, so my hope is that you can aid her now that you are here. Your abilities were unknown to the Elders when they were selecting the trials.” Glasha formed a mischievous grin.

Pixies were tricksters and not overtly dangerous unless they or their home were threatened. They would not be happy with having one or more of their number abducted. “I should be able to help. I will come back tomorrow morning, and we can formulate a strategy.”

Glasha stopped walking and turned to me. “Didn’t I tell you? Unless it is part of a Trial, no one who enters the valley can leave until a Supreme is selected,” Glasha said innocently.

I stopped walking. “No. You definitely failed to mention that,” I said, annoyed.

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