Thread: Flames of the South (Visions Of Black and Beautiful Disgrace)

They thrived in the darkness. The light of the stars were like candles and the moon was as bright as the sun to their cool slitted eyes. The throng writhed in a small valley just on the other side of the mountain, black and green bodies moved closely to one another as grunting, yelling, and fighting took place. These orcs, wild to their purpose, were celebrating hours before the battle that was to come. They danced and fought in the darkness as the eldest among them sang songs of power and conquest. In this way, even those that fell in battle would be part of the revels, those that would not live still got to celebrate victory. So sure were they of their conquest that they always celebrated victory before they even fought. Sitting on a ledge near the throng a tall muscular humanoid, obviously not an orc, watched with some boredom over at their celebration. The missing scouts, which had been looked for by Lord Maelstrom only moments before were at his side. Two of them were hanging by their ankles from a rope which was tied in the tree. Their throats were slit and the blood they let loose dripped down the rock face to the party of orcs. The third scout, a young girl who had just entered service, the only military position females were allowed was scouting, due to their smaller size they were particularly suited for it stood in front of him, her clothing mere rags that hung onto the curves of her young body like wet paper. She shivered in the cold as the snow fell onto her head and her shoulders and the creature in front of her took her in. This is the first one I've seen close up he chuckled, looking to his left as he made the remark towards a large orc that sat nearby. Human, I mean he said with a small chuckle. They are worthless, their teeth are not even sharp, they cannot fight. the orc grunted in reply. They have some use he said as if in a correction, as he placed his hand between his legs and looked at the girl again, and chuckled. The creature in front of her merely smiled. It was too dark to make out his full appearance but he was dark, not as dark as the orcs, but dark. His skin seemed to be a navy blue and he was almost human, except that his extreme height put him on parr with the orcs. Perhaps they do he laughed as he stood in front of the girl his hand in her hair gently before he gripped tightly and twisted, jerking her to her knees. The big man smiled as he looked down with delight. Enjoy yourself little one. Those were the last words she heard in her own tongue as she was kicked viciously in the chest and hurled back into the throng of orcs... Arlen laughed at the words of the women, several were optimistic, but, his sister, Marionette, was not. What do you know of war, girl. he said with a small laugh as he polished his sword on the edge of his tunic. When the fighting comes, you keep your mouth shut and your legs closed! At the last comment his mother smacked him in the back of the head, but said nothing. He smirked and briefly took a look at his step mother. It was true, his father had said - he had not consummated the marriage. Secretly Arlen was thoughtful of the fact that if his father died during the battle to come the men would have to fight for control. The read headed little vixen might find herself underneath him, or at least, he hoped. Aye we must believe in our Lord, he will keep you lot safe at least he smirked And me, unfortunately...I am doomed to sit with you and wait out the battle while my brothers fight. he readjusted his warm fur cloak and stood up for a moment before looking at the women. Cold? Eh? Atop the battlements Lord Maelstrom sighed again as he walked across the walls When will it happen! he growled, pushing past two of his guards.