“Your stats are fine Belar,” Kel’Van repeated. It may be that you need more experience with your weapon. Give it some time. But now though, I think it’s our turn to boost those stats, isn’t it?” smiled Kel’Van.
A predatory smile returned to Belar’s face.
“Oh yes, it is Kel’Van. Let me show you just how far I’ve come,” Belar’s smile promised.
And just like that, Belar’s mood changed, and suddenly Kel’Van became the recipient of her frustration.
Kel’Van had not allocated his points yet. He was looking over the amount of experience he had tallied over the day. He had dumped 1 into magic and 1 the other into stamina on his last level. Both Belar and Fer’shad had already gained a good lead over him in strength. His edge of having more battle experience would only help him so far if he didn’t add some stamina. If only so that he could compete in training. Besides, he was aiming for the spell blade build, so some stamina would only help him. Particularly if he doesn’t make the grade as a Shaman.
“Hopefully, that won’t be the issue.” Kel’Van thought to himself as he dumped 1 point into magic and 1 into stamina.
“Well, that keeps me well rounded at 3.” He noted. He was almost at 4 and would problem hit 5 by the end of the week, or whatever made up a week in this world. He shut off his D.S. and stared at the weathered ceiling of his tent.
“Soon, I’ll get to leave this place and finally see the rest of the world.”
He rubbed his arm's soreness from his last fight with Belar, and drifted off to sleep.
CHAPTER 8
Kel’Van stared at his sword in udder wonder.
He, and Fer’shad were standing in line, receiving their gear for reaching level 5. The arms man had just handed him a sword shaped the same as his practice weapon. This was somewhat of a comfort to see that is was familiar with what he normally used. As he sat down in his new tent and bunk, he marveled at the weapon laid out on his thighs. The difference was instead of wood, the weapon before him was carved out of bone.
The yellowed light weapon was about the size of his arm lengthwise. The edges were sharpened from the tip, and on only on one side of the blade. The handle was wrapped in crisscross patterns of some type of leather hide. It looked like some vicious weapon out of the stone age.
He got in a fighting stance and began swinging the blade in arcs, stabbing the air, and using backhand motions. Picturing opponents surrounding him.
“It’s a little bit heavier than my practice sword, but I can get used to this quickly.”
Fer’shad was putting on his new gear already. It was made of a thick leather hide. Almost black in color and light. The torso was tailor-fit for his gigantic stature. The armor covered his whole body, leaving his arms bare. His gloves covered up to his forearms with the same dark material, as were the leggings. The shin area right before the foot and knee was protected by extra padding.
Kel’Van’s armor was sitting right next to him and seemed to be a bit lighter in weight than Fer’shad’s. Otherwise, it was practically a copy of his with only a sword sheath added to his belt.
" Looking like a million bucks, bruh! “cheered Kel’Van
Fer'shad smiled while he stretched his arms and legs, making sure he fit snugly in his uniform.
“What is a million bucks Kel’Van?”
" It's just a saying, man!" replied Kel’Van. " It just means you look very intimidating."
" Yes," smiled Fer'shad. " I believe I do."
" So, do I," said a voice entering the tent.
Both warriors turned towards the entrance to see Ulgo Meatgrinder accompanied by youngling Voresh, already garbed in armor similar to their own.
"Youngling Belar has her armor and weapons and is already proceeding here. At first daylight, you will be greeted by yours truly, and accompanied by 4 other seasoned warriors for your first patrol.”
The brusque orc trainer glanced around the tent and eyed Kel’Van holding his new sword.
"I suggest you get acquainted with your armor and weapons and be ready for your first excursion at daybreak. For whatever reason Kel’van, you only level when you sleep. I’ll just add that to the list of things that don't make sense about you. If you’re not level four when I come at daybreak, don’t bother coming out of your tent.”
Then the taskmaster turned to the others. “Congratulations, for after tomorrow, you will be younglings no more."
The trainer backed out of the tent and roughly closed the door, leaving the younglings to themselves. Kel’Van looked over at Fer'shad, who returned a small smile when facing him.
"Finally, Kel’Van whispered, " we get to go outside and play."
Daybreak had finally arrived, and as promised, Ulgo Meatgrinder had arrived at the tent as the sun rose in the sky. He was mirrored by 4 more orcs, all clad in similar gear. Kel’van had put one AP point into his Health and another into his Magic stat just moments before they walked in. He figured he would have plenty of opportunities to build up his stamina bar today, so he wasn’t worried too much about his build being magic heavy.
“The big one here is captain Belos, Berserker class,” announced Meatgrinder. “The slayer next to him is Mal’kep, and the other two Roc’shor and Toresh. Both are raiders. Mind all of them, and watch what they do.”
" Are there no heavy armor classes for orc’s?' Kel’Van thought. He then dismissed it. That was a question for later. He was best served with his mind on the here and now.
"Okay, younglings, We are about to leave the confines of this camp, towards the outskirts of Ulgo territory. Get your weapons stored until we reach our destination, or I order you to draw them," said Meatgrinder.
He then asked his four orcs to lead the way out of the tent, with Kel’Van, Belar, Fer'shad, and Voresh behind them. Two guards in front of a massive gate of oak and pine stood vigil. Both guards pounded their fists to their chests as Ulgo Meatgrinder approached them.
"Open the gates," the trainer yelled.
The guard on the left reached down on his hip and pulled a white horn in the shape of an elephant tusk. Then with both of his hands, he pressed the small end to his lips and blew on the horn. Four orcs ran out of towers that were on either side of the gates.
"How did I not notice that?" whispered Kel’Van.
They began to pull on the door with a rope that was thick as an arm until it connected to the door handles. As the gate opened, the smell of trees and damp earth hit his nostrils. He breathed it in deeply, smelling the scent of his freedom from the camp.
"C'mon younglings, I'll give further instructions once we are further from the gate," bellowed Meatgrinder. He walked steadily as the veteran group followed closely behind him. Kel’Van stole a glance at his comrades just in time to see them staring back at him. As a group, they followed after the warrior’s wake.
The sun stood high in the sky, beaming down upon the backs of the soldiers. It didn't bother Kel'Van and the new troops much. Everything was practically a new world for their group since all they have known was a large camp full of tents and weapons. Tall trees and plants of many colors surrounded them. The sounds of insects and birds flying above them repeatedly captured the younglings' attention in their group as they spied the skies. Kel’Van had experienced the valley previously before he "died." But for Belar, Fer'shad, and Voresh, they were in awe of the world around them. Watching them from the corner of his eye, he could see Belar tap Fer'shad on his bicep to get his attention on an animal in the tree, or a bird landing on an overly sized plant, eating the seeds.
"You younglings need to keep up! You'll have plenty of time to gawk at nature later!" cried Meatgrinder. The soldiers hurriedly followed back into line.
The crew of nine stopped by a large pond surrounded by small bushes and two large trees placed on opposite sides of the water.
Okay, this is far enough," said Meatgrinder. “I'm now going to form a war band. A group consists of 2 to five members. A war band is 6 to 10 members. When grouping, we are a
ble to see each other's stats and health bars. They help me, the war band leader, to be able to determine who I want in a specific position."
He then pulled up what Kel’Van could only guess was the trainer's own D.S.
Observe, and do not be frightened."
The Warband did not have long to wait before seeing their first battle. In the front, one of the seasoned warriors put a finger to his lips and then waved in a downward motion to the ground. Meatgrinder nodded his head and got into a low crouching position. He looked back and motioned for his youngsters to do the same.
Crouching low, Meatgrinder slowly began creeping toward his senior warriors with Kel’Van, Belar, Fer'shad, and Voresh tailing behind him. As Meatgrinder crept closer to Belos, he pointed down below them. There, at the base of a hill, was a group of hairy-backed, grey-skinned beings. They were squat creatures compared to orcs, but they were broad-shouldered, with ape-like arms almost scraping the ground.
Belos silently turned his head toward Meatgrinder. The war-band leader gave the nod, then the older soldier slowly started descending between blades of grass and small trees, while the rest of the senior group left shortly after him. Kel’Van and the others watched silently as the four warriors got into a position to engage the enemy. The creatures were still huddled together over a kill they made. Some bared rudimentary weapons of some sort. Others were poking at the large animal with sticks, making sure the animal was truly dead. They almost didn't hear Belos running from behind them between the tall trees.
"For Gaea!" roared Belos, springing from his area of concealment. His two-handed ax gripped tightly with both hands trailing behind him. The creatures barely had time to turn around before he was upon them, shouting, "Ulgo Cleave!" In an instant, the warrior Belos seemed to blur as his body streamed forward and swung his bone ax in a sweeping arc. The blow decapitated a head and simultaneously cut deep into three of the dusky creatures' bodies. The other six were now drawing their weapons. Some of them began snarling, their large jaws filled with jagged teeth, dripping strings of saliva unto the ground.
Belos began to slowly turn counter-clockwise with his large ax in front of him. When the creatures tried to surround him, he quickly jabbed his weapon at them, keeping them in front of his vision.
Fer'shad whispered harshly," Ulgo Meatgrinder, we must help him!"
The Warband leader looked sternly at Fer'shad and ordered, "You will do what you are told, youngling!" Then he turned at the others surrounding him."We will join the fight when I deem it so. Watch and learn."
Kel’Van pensively began to lower his weapon and watched the battle unfold with the other five orcs.
Mal'kep appeared from behind the tall blades of grass, rushing to join in with both Toresh and Roc'shor tailing behind him. From the birds-eye view where Kel'Van and his group were watching, it looked as if the onrushing orcs were a triangle pushing towards the rear of whatever these things were that were fighting Belos.
"Death to the trespassers!" yelled Mal'kep as he closed the distance on the enemy, sweeping his two-handed sword in a low arc. Performing a move similar to Belos’s cleave, cutting through both legs and kneecaps. Blood sprouted spouted in the air covering both Mal’kep’s face and chest. Toresh and Roc'shor suddenly picked up speed. To Kel’Van’s vantage point, it now looked as if the triangle sides had closed up to surround the unfortunate creatures. From the side, the two raiders began brutally cutting down the enemy unmercifully. Toresh, with both of his double-bladed axes, chopped off a head with a single strike, then swiftly buried his other ax into the face of another, shattering teeth. Roc'shor dipped under one of the creatures' swinging weapon, then stabbed him in the stomach with one of his short swords. While the unfortunate creature was holding his guts in, Roc'shor did a reverse spin, slicing open the neck of the creature behind it.
It was all over in a matter of minutes. Kel’Van could hear the hacking of limbs and guttural screaming as the last creature died. All was silent on the top of the hill, as the younglings watched the gruesome battle end almost as soon as it began. Ulgo Meatgrinder stood up, no longer worried about being seen, and looked at the younglings who were dead silent.
"Now we join our fighters," breathed Meatgrinder. Then he turned his back and began marching down the hill. Fer'shad looked back at the others silently. He nodded his head toward the others and began trudging behind the war band leader. All was silent as the rest of the younglings followed behind them.
CHAPTER 9
"My god," whispered Kel'Van under his breath.
The grass and surrounding rocks were littered with splashes of blood and gore. The bodies, all in all, laid misshapen. Some of them almost frozen in pain, others with their eyes still open. Belar got down on one knee, closing the eyelids of one of the fallen enemy.
"What exactly are these.... things?" she whispered.
"These....things are called Stone gnolls." Roc’shor solemnly stated. He scooted one of the bodies over with his foot to one side as if searching for something. He sheathed both his bone axes on his back as he knelt down beside the corpse.
" Do not feel pity for these wretches. They do not deserve such. To them, you are nothing more than flesh to feed upon." said Toresh.
That little revelation startled Kel’Van out of his somber state. "These things are cannibals?"
Belos looked at Kel’Van strangely, as did Belar still crouched down over the dead gnoll. Flustered, Kel’Van palmed his hands over his eyes.
"Orcs!" he cried out. " So Gnolls actually eat orcs. Is that what you are saying? “asked an exasperated Kel’Van.
"Yes," said Meatgrinder. When Gaea first brought us to this land, she instructed us to tame all from the valley, to the top of the peak of the mountain Aramor." He looked around and pointed at the highest peak, just north of the valley.
"There… From the top to the caves below it and the valley. All were given to the Ulgo's to tame and build. The first beings we encountered were the Gnolls. They were mostly on the northern side of the valley. At first glance, we believed them to be at least semi-intelligent, so we were not of the mind to start a war with the natives here. We had lost enough during our exodus fighting off the Elves, humans, and the rest of the Terrans."
"Terrans?" Fer'shad asked, walking toward the gathering group forming to hear Meatgrinders Tale.
"The Terrans are races that began life on the surface world. The elves, humans, giants, and so forth. The Stone orcs, the first orcs, began their civilization underground beneath the mountain," explained Meatgrinder.
"We left them to their own devices," he continued. "We settled on the opposite side of the valley. We foolishly took their seemingly rudimentary intelligence as being harmless and not much of a threat. At least to any able-bodied orc."
Meatgrinder took the time to make sure he had everyone's attention. Even the seniors, he made sure every eye was glued to his face before he continued.
"We were wrong."
"Very. Wrong."
"On the second night of our arrival, we discovered our scout team that had gone out to search for food did not come back. We sent to runners to search for them and return within 3 hours. That night while most of us were sleeping, the gnolls silently crept into our camp through a small hidden cave just outside of the valley," whispered Meatgrinder.
The elder Ulgo's eyes started to glaze over as his face lowered toward the ground.
"At first, no one was the wiser that they were in the camp. They slit the throats of some of the children and women creeping from tent to tent. One of the runners returning from the search just happened to hear the gurgles of a dying orc. Peeking in, the scout saw the gnoll perched over two children, mouth and lips dripping with their blood. The scout immediately blew his horn, alarming all orcs of intruders in the camp. Like true orcs, we defeated the vermin that dared to invade us."
Meatgrinder sighed and sat down on the nearest rock. "The cost of victory was great. We lost eighty souls that night. A third of the original orcs th
at made it to the promised land. We discovered the entryway of the cave and followed the trail. Once we reached the end of the cave, we were greeted by the sight of gnolls chewing on orc flesh. One of them was actually still conscious, while his flesh was being chewed off by those massive things, they call teeth."
Kel’Van took another look at the face of one of the gnolls. Its large jagged teeth took up most of its face. Just Imagining the cruel fate of one of those orcs in Meatgrinder's story made him visibly shudder.
"It took us almost till daybreak just kill the nest of them there. We gathered our dead from both the nest and the village. We now fully understand what Gaea meant when she told us to tame the land, or the land will tame us. The territory that she promised us must be earned," said the old orc.
He then stood up from his seated position on the rock and faced the orcs around him with conviction in both his eyes and voice.
"We will tame all those within the border of our promised domain. As with most things in life, you must protect what is yours by fighting for it. You see a gnoll in Ulgo territory, you kill it. No mercy for those that kill us or take what is ours. NONE!" breathed Meatgrinder.”
There was an air of quiet anger brewing amongst the orcs after hearing Meatgrinder's tale. As he emptied the corpse of anything valuable, it dispersed in a veil of black smoke. Another difference Kel’Van noted on how different the update changed Avarice online. Dead enemies used to just disappear in pixels of color. He watched the rest of the Warband grimly repeating Meatgrinder's actions. Carrying their weapons with a sense of purpose. In a small corner of his mind, Kel’Van pitied the next gnoll that these orcs came across.
AVARICE ONLINE: KEL'VAN RED HAND Page 7