billytheseal

King Obould sat, upon a throne made of the skulls of dwarves, and gazed about his court. His magnificent black armour, a gift from the high shamans to replace that destroyed by the drow, strained to contain his mighty frame. His greatsword, his most prized possession, which erupted into flame at his command, rested easily beside him. All about, his warriors danced and fought, drank and throw bones, enduring the boredom that winter brought, waiting for spring, to once again take up arms and sweep across the land. His fist clenched, patience, he counselled himself, patience. He would not lose his kingdom through rash action, like so many of his predecessors. The Kingdom of Many Arrows would last, would rival those build by the Elves, by the Dwarfs, and by the Humans. His kingdom, of iron and fire, of blood, would blaze through history. Now was the time of the Orc.

Frowning, he sat back against his throne. His sharp eyes quickly found the three sons he had at court. Taking their measure, he spat. It hit the court jester, a naked, heavily bruised dwarf, with one foot nailed to the floor. The dwarf made not a sound. Once again the problem confounded Obould, a problem that set him aside from common Orcs. A problem of the future, a problem that no true Orc would ponder. Who best to be king after him? The oldest here, Urick, a straightforward fighter, with more brains in his muscles than his head, would break the kingdom within his life. He had argued against his decision to dig in for the winder, to build fortifications and cities, to prepare from the coming campaigns. He had wished to continue the assaults against the Dwarves, to hurl every last Orc against them for glory. He had only backed down when Obould had his wives killed as a warning. Fat Gorbuln perhapsno. He was like a goblin, cunning but weak, and would never hold together the tribes. Kurn perhaps, the half human. Yes, he would be the one that would merit the most watching. A horn blasted, and Obould snarled and he set aside such things. He was still strong, and no one could challenge him now.

The court quietened as heavy footfalls echoed around the hall. Five figures strode before him, and waited. Four could be dismissed, hobgoblin warriors. They carried themselves with the ease of natural killers sure, and their arms and armour were well made, but in themselves they were of little consequence. The fifth, tall and strong, in the manor of a hobgoblin chieftain, held his gaze. Dull blue scales gleamed along his shoulders, and curved horns swept back from his head. Obould smiled. Welcome, Lord of the Kulkor Zhul, welcome, Azarr Kul.

The figure before him, Azarr Kul, betrayed no surprise. Greeting, Obould Many Arrows.

So Azarr Kul, I trust that we are in agreement. The Wyrmsmoke Mountains are yours. All the Spine of the World are yours. And all the Human lands that fall within the shadow of your kingdom are yours. In return, your goblins are mine. Youralliesare mine. Youare mine.

We are agreed, Obould Many Arrows. With that, Azarr Kul turned and left with his warriors.

Urick busted before him. Why talk? I should have slaughtered them in their caves. Their pitiful kingdom is ours!

Obould mailed fist struck out, and launched Urick backwards, spitting blood and teeth. So, mighty Urick would fight all foes. How many, Urick? The Dwarfs of Mithril Hall and Citadel Ackbar? The Ten Towns and the Barbarians of the North? When we march against Silverymoon itself, shall Urick make war against the Giants? No. For now, the Kulkor Zhul are better with us. After everyone else has fallen, then shall we turn our blades on them.

As Azarr Kul made his way back to his war band, he turned to his father, masquerading as a bodyguard next to him, and shook his head. The price is high, perhaps too high, but we have bought the time we need. I know you sensed it, as I did. A great power has marked Obould, and we would do well to avoid its attentions. Let us gather out strength, and take what has been promised to us. Later, when Obould has exhausted himself against Siverymoon and all the kingdoms of the North, he shall fall beneath out teeth.