The Battle for the Badlands

Some of Braduks around the fire snorted in laughter. To them the name Gorfjol was one you didn't forget in a hurry. Lukra's normally severe look split into an amused grin. Another Braduk called up mockingly to Zlazh : "He spent his days stealing toys from cubs, scourge of the clan he was!". A chilling glare from Lukra was masked by tempered words. "Don't mock." The Braduk quickly and humbly backed down, averting his eyes. Lukra's eyes flicked back to Zlazh, leaning forward to rest her arms on her lap. "No. No, that was not the last bad deed that Gorfjol committed, brother. And if that's your roundabout way of asking what happened next, ask me straight. Don't beat around the bush if you want something." Zlazh smirked and crossed his arms. "Fair play. What happened next, Lukra?"

Lukra chuckled. "Someone bring some greens, you'll need them to get your head around Skog the Mad."

"In the months after the smashing of the Black Flag pirates and the death of Urdnot, command quickly came to Braduk. His rule was not disputed, and was popular amongst both the young and old. Save Gorfjol, of course, but they were still brothers - for now at least. From the wrecked ships of the pirates, the refugees found weapons but more importantly timber to fortify and improve on their tent dwellings. The victory over the Humans had strengthened the renown of Braduk's camp and many more had flocked to their banner. Braduk dreamed of a true home for the huddled masses that looked to him for leadership. But to claim that home would require a journey into sea of chaos that they had left behind in the desert. For all their ills the Humans we face today are not evil... but in those days of legend, what Braduk and his kin were faced with was a glimpse into the heart of darkness that dwells in madness and nightmare."

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The Battle for the Badlands

The badlands were located roughly a mile away from the tent village that was now commanded by Braduk. It was referred to the badlands due to its un earthly high temperatures, only the strong could survive there. It was uncharted. The badlands itself was a valley that stretched two miles long, at the end a large mountain. On the left, a series of massive sand dunes, known as the ‘Hilltops’ and on the right, another series of sand dunes though not as big. Just beyond the dunes on the right was the ‘Cliffside’, a sharp drop that fell down to the rocky shores of the sea. A year had passed since what was now referred to as the War of the Black Flag had ended. Braduk had taken command and his people loved him.

A lost beast

Braduk sat in the seat his father had sat in for so long. Even now, a year later, it felt awkward to sit in a dead mans chair. Braduk mourned his father quickly and quietly. He couldn’t afford to focus on his emotions, not when so many people depended on him. Gorfjol walked into the tent. Ever since that day, the day the pirates were defeated, Gorfjol had been…different. Braduk could never understand why, but he knew his brother, and that was not him.

“You wanted to see me, brother.” Braduk perked up, sitting straight in his chair.

“Yes. Our numbers are forever growing. It is mostly ferocs and cubs who have lost their mates and fathers in the clan wars, but it adds to my responsibility nonetheless. The badlands are more secure. We can set up a life there, we can bunker down and protect it when need be.”

“You want to move this settlement, to the badlands?” Gorfjol asked, not moving from where he had first entered the tent.

“Regardless of what I want, that’s what I am doing. These people are my people. It is my duty to keep them safe.” Braduk spoke as he looked over the old map on the table. A un charted section, with only ‘Badlands’ written over it was where his gaze rested. Everybody knew what made up the badlands, but nobody had yet ventured inside.

“So tell me then brother, where do I fit into your grand scheme, hmm?” Gorfjol’s voice gave off an irritable tone. Braduk chose to ignore it.

“I would have you among the orcs I take to scout the badlands. We need to have an idea of where we are moving first before we go. We can’t just pack up and leave.”

“Name the time and place, and I will be there.” Gorfjol didn’t wait for a response, turning to leave the tent. Braduk sighed, and recalled the days when he and Gorfjol could speak without tension. Those days had long passed. Braduk went back to studying the map. He rose from his seat, made of oak. Part of the arm rest broke off as he did so. Braduk squinted, picking up the piece of oak. With a shrug, he tossed it carelessly onto the table. It landed on the words ‘Badlands’.

“Alright boys, this is the first step to our future. Stay close, eyes peeled, weapons out. We don’t know what we are going to find, so be ready. Lets move out.” Braduk took his group of ten men, including him and Gorfjol. The journey to the valley of the badlands was long and hot. The heat increased as they neared. Blazing, blistering, what lay ahead of you was blurred out by the haze of the heat.

“Skah, its hot.” One of the grunts said. The group laughed.

“You don’t say, dumb skah.” Another grunt said, causing more laughter.

“Alright, enough. We-…the skah is that?” Braduk squinted, he could barely see because of his blurred vision. Whatever was coming was big, and green. “Ready yourselves boys!” Braduks men took to battle stance, but as the thing grew close, it was revealed to be an olog. Standing at 13 ft tall with nothing on but a loincloth, the olog held up his hands.

“I’m not here to harm you, or your orcs.” Braduk and his squad did not stand down.

“Whats your name, olog?” Braduk asked, hammer at the ready.

“Kudo.” A pause between the greenskins lasted about ten seconds.

“Why are you in the badlands?”

“Is that what you call it? Hah, I’ve called it home for a few years. Not any more though.” Kudo the olog let out a rapsy laugh, his lips were bone dry. “Got any water?” A grunt moved to offer Kudo some from his canteen, but Braduk stopped him. “Herh, well you lot look well fed. You got a camp?” Braduk and Gorfjol exchanged glances.

“Yes, we do.” Braduk responded, he sounded uneasy.

“Take me there, I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

“No, we’ve got a job to do.” It was Gorfjol who spoke this time. It was clear he was taking too kindly to this large new comer.

“And what might that be, little orc?” Kudo chuckled. Braduk stepped forward, releasing his battle stance.

“We are moving into the badlands.” As Braduk spoke, Gorfjol grunted. “Stand down boys.”

“You don’t want to do that.” Kudo said, as if he were serious.

“Why would that be?” Gorfjol stepped forward, he still looked ready for a fight.

“Take me back to your camp, Ill fill you in.” Another silence. Braduk sighed, nodding.

“Come on then.” The journey back was quiet, almost, peaceful. Braduk and Gorfjol dragged at the back of the group, speaking quietly.

“You would bring that thing back with us? What if it’s a trap?” Gorfjol had repeated himself numerous times. Braduk gave the same answer.

“Then we will kill him and any who stand before us. We will endure, as we have always done.”

Arriving back at the tent village, Braduk told his men to go escape the heat and to have a drink. He, Gorfjol and Kudo made their way to the tent upon the hill. Braduk sat behind his map table, with Gorfjol leaning against it on the opposite side. Kudo stood near the enterance.

“It’s a nice place you’ve got here.” Kudo said, breaking the silence.

“Would be nicer still, if we could lay the foundation for an actual village in the badlands.” Braduk spoke without caution, as if he trusted Kudo. This annoyed Gorfjol, yet he remained silent for the time being.

“That raises a bit of a problem.”

“Why is that, Kudo?” Braduk responded.

“I was apart of a group of orcs, not a clan, but we followed this one orc. Skog. He is mad. He is cold, unforgiving, and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. That is why he is such an effective leader, but he has no morals, no honour. He took it too far the other night. He murdered baby cubs just to make a point. That is why I left.” There was an obvious pain in Kudo’s voice. Braduk leaned back in his chair. He was already developing a hate for this orc, this, Skog.

“We will end his reign of terror.” The air in the tent fell still, Braduk’s voice was as serious as ever.

“NO! Not my cub!” Faint cries from somewhere in the village seeped into the tent. The two orcs and the olog quickly left the tent, weapons drawn and fists at the ready.

Meet the Mad Orc

The orcs of the tent village gathered around at one of its outskirts. Braduk, Gorfjol and Kudo pushed their way to the front. It was there that they saw them. A large wooden cart attached to four dark brown boars. Ten orcs, crowding around it, one holding the reigns, three on the cart with loaded crossbows aimed at the people, five armed and armoured on the ground but one stood in front of them. This orc stood well over eight feet, his skin sickly and pale. The orc had long fair hair with a beard of equal length, but the bottom of it was dyed red in blood. One white eye, and the flayed face of a human attached to a chain of beads around his neck. The orc held a long thick oak club, the end of which rested against the head of a small orc cub, no older than four.

“My name, is Skog. I have also been fashioned as ‘Skog the mad’. Hah! Call me that to my face and Ill eat your brains.” A feroc tried to run forward but was restrained, she was the cubs mother.

“Please don’t hurt him!” Skog simply laughed.

“Well, I can be reasonable. But I can also be the baddest momoskah’ha in the land, depending on how you all treat me. Bring forth your leader, now.” Braduk made his way to the front, and Skog grinned at the sight of him. “Ah, I take it you lead these people.”

“I serve them as much as they serve me.” Braduk responded. Skog shrugged.

“A valiant notion, but a skah’n stupid one,” Skog peered past Braduk and saw Kudo, “big man, why are you here?” Kudo made his way to the front of the crowd.

“I could ask you the same thing Skog.” Skog nodded, making a pondering face that you could only hope even he knew was exaggerated.

“Honestly I was tracking you. We had been ever since you left us,” Skog’s voice went oddly serious, considering it had a lighthearted yet demented tone to it just before. “and I want you to remember, whatever happens to these people happens because you are here.” Suddenly Skog snapped back into his normal, sadistic and humouress self. “You all belong to me now, like a feroc should belong to an orc. I will return every week and take my desired amount of supplies from you. Food, materials, weapons. And in return for your cooperation, I wont wear your eyes as ear piercings.”

“What if we refuse?” Braduk said, clutching his hammer tightly. Skog looked almost offended.

“Then we will be able to read this cubs thoughts because his brains will be on the skah’n sand.” Skog looked serious now, and brought the oak club up, ready to swing. The cub’s mother cried out, as did the cub. Braduk looked at Skog, then to the cub, then to his mother.

“Ok. One week.” A near silent murmur floated around the camp, Gorfjol looked at Braduk wide eyed, whilst Kudo had not taken his eyes off Skog. Skog on the other hand, laughed, handing his club off to one of his orcs.

“Perfect. One week.” Skog kicked the cub over to his mother. Skog and his crew piled back onto the cart, and they kicked up a storm of dust and sand as they rode off. Braduk’s people stared at him. He did not return the looks, but only walked back to his tent. Kudo and Gorfjol followed.

“You would agree to terms with that skah’n mad orc?” Gorfjol was livid, and paced back and forth in the tent.

“That cubs life was at risk. I needed to protect my people.” Braduk’s voice was monotone, he stared blankly at the cloth wall of the tent, slumped in his chair. Kudo folded his arms, deep in thought.

“Yet you sell them off to ‘Skog the mad’?” Gorfjol yelled.

“Silence yourself little orc,” Kudo marched over to Gorfjol, shoving him, “he did what any –good- leader should do.” Kudo snarled at Gorfjol before returning to the table, leaning over it. “Braduk, are you sure this is the path you want to take? I have seen this happen before. His take gets bigger and bigger until you cant pay, then he wipes you out.” Braduk was listening, but his face showed conflicting emotions. Gorfjol slammed his hands down onto the table.

“Well then brother, you know what we have to do. We out number his what, ten orcs? Take our best fighters to his camp and end them before they can do any real damage.” Braduk nodded, standing up.

“Get our cousin, Gundabad and our four best fighters. Go Gorfjol.” Gorfjol smirked, running out of the tent. Kudo began to speak but Braduk cut him off.

“Kudo, could you take us to the camp if we used the path on the dunes?”

“Yes but…” ”Good, prepare yourself.”

“Braduk wait, there is more than-…” It was too late, Braduk had already left the tent. During the journey to the badlands Kudo tried to speak up, but was shut down by Gorfjol every time he did. Eventually the olog decided to let them find out for themselves. The group of nine orcs crouched atop the dunes of the Hilltop, their eyes wide and jaws open.

“Holy skah…” Gundabad muttered.

“This is what I tried to tell you, you fools!” Kudo said as his face scrunched up. They were looking at a semi tent, semi hut village, almost as large as their own.

“How many…” Braduk’s voice showed no hint of fear, only worry.

“A little less than your entire village. Yet they are all males, all warriors.” A few soft thuds graced the sand behind the orcs. They all sprung around, and were met by almost twenty orcs, each with crossbows, loaded and aimed.

“Weapons on the ground boys, make this easy.” Having no choice, Braduk and his men did as they were told. “Bind them.”

Braduk didn’t try to struggle free as he was brought through the camp. He knew it would achieve nothing. The sun began its descent over the horizon, but its heat lingered in the air. Finally, they reached the mountain that sat at the end of the badlands between the two dune walls. Resting against it sat a make shift throne made of bones from various creatures. Sat atop the throne, was Skog, his oak club lying across his lap. Braduk and his orcs were put on their knees in a line in front of the throne.

“Well, I wasn’t expecting to see you all so soon.” Skog laughed, and his men did as well, but it was clear they did it out of the fear of what would happen if they didn’t. “You know, leader orc, I never got your name.” Braduk growled lowly.

“Braduk.”

“Hmm, for some reason I seemed to imagine something a little more…pinkskin. Strange huh. But lets get down to business, Braduk. Why are you here?” Skog relaxed back into his throne, as if he was just having a casual conversation with a friend. Braduk looked at Skog’s non-colour coordinated eyes with a deep feeling of hate.

“I was coming to kill you. And I promise you, I will.” Braduk’s gaze did not waver for a single second.

“Honesty is key in friendship Braduk, so I appreciate it. Yet to try and kill me, eh, it’s a big mistake. Now I thought I made it clear back at your skah’y village that I can be reasonable, I didn’t bash the cubs skull in. Yet you just have to skah’n push me and test my patience,” Skog sighed, but made it obvious it was put on, “well one of you needs to be punished.” Skog rose from his throne, paced along the line of restrained orcs. He passed each of the grunts with little care. He arrived at Braduk. “I cant kill you, Ill lose the cooperation of your people.” He moved next to Gorfjol. “Heh, too small.” Next, Kudo. “Ah, old friend. I would not have you so easily from this world.” Lastly, Gundabad. “Looks like its you my friend.” Braduk tried to get up, but was quickly held back.

“NO! Skah’n take me, he has done nothing wrong.” Skog laughed, moving over to Braduk, crouching infront of him.

“The very fact he was here is what he did wrong. Now I will only take his life, think of it as a kindness. Push me, and not only will I kill all of you, we will sweep through your village and kill every single orc that resides there.” Braduk looked to his cousin.

“Its ok cousin. I sacrifice myself so that you may return and end this sorry skah. You would have done the same for me.” Braduks jaw tightened, and Skog moved infront of Gundabad. “Come on the-…” CRACK. Skog had swung with such a heavy force, three out of the four of Gundabads tusks snapped off. CRACK. Gundabad’s head snapped back, his nose broken. CRACK. Skog laughed as Gundabad’s jaw dislocated. He was in pain, but kept upright. CRACK. Blood poured from his eyeball as it popped out from the hit. CRACK. Gundabad fell to the side, barely managing a grunt. CRACK. A dent in the orcs skull appeared. CRUNCH. Gundabads skull caved in, his brains spilling to the floor.

Panting, but laughing Skog wiped some blood splatter off his face. He moved back over to Braduk, crouching before him.

“You made me do this, I hope your remember that. But I also hope you remember I can be fair, I can be reasonable. But don’t push me. This is a warning for each of you.” Skog got up and moved back to his throne, easing back into it. “Take them back to their settlement. Hah, see you in a week Braduk.”

Evil at your Doorstep

A week passed, Skog allowed Braduk Gundabads body for funeral rites. The whole village was eerily quiet. No orcs drinking, no orcs training, no socializing. Suddenly, a horn was blown. Braduk, Kudo and Gorfjol emerged, seeing Skog with about fifty orcs spread between three carts. Skog walked up to Braduk and put his arm around him.

“Hello friend!” Skog said. Braduk shrugged his arm off, his face snarling up. “Don’t be like that Braduk. How have you been?” Braduk sucked his teeth, grunting.

“Take what you want and go.”

Skog shrugged as Braduk spoke. “I intend to, but you don’t need to be such a feroc about it.” And with that, Skogs crew began rummaging through the tents. People were kicked out of their little homes and had their possessions pillaged.

“You can’t just let this happen Braduk!” Gorfjol whispered. Braduk shook his head.

“Let it happen Gorfjol, I know what I’m doing.”

“You have gone soft!” Gorfjol shouted, punching his brother in the jaw. Kudo went to grab him but Braduk wove him away. Cracking his neck, Braduk went face to face with Gorfjol. The two stared eachother down. Skog emerged, stealing a pregnant ferocs food and eating it. He cheered as the fight occurred. Braduk headbutted Gorfjol, stunning him. He spear tackled him to the ground, and began laying punches into his little brothers face.

“Ok enough.” It was Skog. Kudo pulled Braduk of Gorfjol. The two brothers stood up, glaring at eachother. Gorfjol stormed off. Kudo patted Braduk on the shoulder. Skog smirked, waving his club in the air. His orcs moved back and climbed into the carts. As Skog went to leave, he stopped in front of Braduk. “You’re an interesting host Braduk, Ill give you that.” Skog chuckled as he got into one of the carts, and with a series of tugs, the boars trotted away, pulling the carts with them.

“Kudo, on me.” Braduk motioned for Kudo to follow and they made their way back to the hill tent. Braduk quickly sat down, overlooking the map. He looked at the piece of oak on the “Badlands” marking on the map. He ran his fingers through his hair. Oak. He threw the piece of oak to the side and pointed to the bone placed on the very edge of the map. “Throughout this week I have been sending scouts all through out the sands. They have reported a human controlled cart that ventures on the very edge of the desert where sand meets dirt that carries dynamite. The cargo is large enough to take a considerable amount of Skogs orcs out, leveling the playing field and evening the odds.”

“You seek to take the cart.” Braduk nodded. “Then we descend upon the pinkskins with superior numbers.” Braduk shook his head.

“No, such a large movement of troops will cause attention, only me and you will be going.” Braduk balled his hands into fists, resting them onto the table.

“You don’t bring Gorfjol?”

“Its best if my brother has time to simmer the skah down. This is our one shot, and his foolishness could put it in jeopardy.” Kudo nodded.

“When do we leave?”

“Dusk. It will take a days trip up and back, that is why we leave so soon.” Kudo nodded once more.

“I understand. I will prepare.”

Nightfall had just begun when Braduk and Kudo left the village. The two traveled silently. They had become good friends, Braduk considered Kudo his second in command over Gorfjol by this point, but there was too much on each of their minds. The pair covered much ground, and by midnight, they chose to stop.

“We will rest here until dawn. If we’re lucky, we will hit where the cart passes by noon.” Braduk said, rolling his shoulders. Kudo offered Braduk some water but he waved it away. An hour passed, and Kudo was fast asleep. Braduk was not afforded that luxury. His mind was racing. Could Skog be defeated? What would his father have thought if Braduk failed? He had the weight of his ancestors on his shoulders, and the lives of his people in his hands. Braduk tossed and turned in the sand, but never found rest that night.

The morning sun just broke over the horizon. Braduk slapped Kudo, who punched him in the gut. They laughed.

“How foolish of me to wake a sleeping giant.” Braduk chuckled, gathering his things. Kudo got up, stretching.

“If only you were Skog. I would’ve ripped your orc parts off and fed them to you.” Kudo said with a yawn.

Braduk and Kudo continued the walk to the edge of the desert. They arrived at the path before noon, making good time.

“Come on! We need to get this stuff delivered to the dwarves. Hurry it up!” One of the humans in the back of the cart called out. The one in the front holding the reigns of the two horses pulling the cart rolled his eyes. Two more sat in the back with the one who yelled out. The path they turned onto was half sand, half dirt. On one side, green shrubbery. The other, blistering sand.

“Why have we stopped moving?!” The commander of the humans got off from the back of the cart and walked around to the front. The driver had a bolt lodged through the side of his head and was slumped over. “What the fu-...” An axe came flying through the air, hitting the commander in the chest. Braduk and Kudo emerged from the bushes. Kudo ripped his axe out of the dieing humans sternum, charging at the other two who were now off the cart. Braduk ripped the bolt from the driver’s head and engaged the left over humans, crossbow in one hand hammer in the other.

“A good find, Braduk.” Braduk nodded to Kudo, who had just kicked the driver from his seat. The two humans had fallen rather quickly. One was lopped in half, the other, missing half his skull.

“We will make it back by nightfall if we don’t stop, which we wont.” Braduk sat in the driver’s seat and Kudo climbed into the back.

“Finally, I can rest my legs!” Kudo exclaimed, laughing. Braduk chuckled, and with a whip of the reigns, the horses rode forth.

Day soon drew onto night, and Braduk and Kudo soon drew close to home. But as they could see it on the horizon, they also saw five carts. Braduks eyes widened, he whipped the horses with their reigns, commanding them to quicken. They rode with all the speed they could. As they arrived, Skog was waiting patiently to greet them.

“Braduk! Returned from your adventure it seems.” Skog had a devilish grin sprawled across his mangled face.

“A week has not passed Skog you break the agreement!” Braduk said, hopping off the cart. Kudo soon followed. Braduk went face to face with Skog, and for the first time realized, he had to look up. Skog chuckled, patting Braduk on the arm.

“My boys and I had a feast to celebrate your cooperation. We quickly ran out of supplies, so we decided to make an early return. Your people tell me you barely have enough for yourselves? Seems we took too much last time. Oops.” Skog looked back to his orcs who all laughed, but Skogs attention soon shifted to the cart of dynamite. “What do we have here hmm?” He prowled around the cart, peering at the dynamite. “Is it safe to assume, you brought this as a gift for me because you were undersupplied?” There was a silence, and Kudo stared at Braduk, who met his gaze for but a moment before speaking.

“Yes Skog, of course.”

“Perfect! Now to stress that I am such a good and respectable skah’n orc, I will take this and call it even. Next week, I expect normal supplies though.” Skog put his arm around Braduk, who did not shake it off this time. Braduk chuckled.

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Skog was taken back by Braduks words, but laughed.

“See you next week.” Skog ordered some of his orcs onto the dynamite cart, and the now convoy of six rode off. Braduk began walking away, back to his tent upon the hill. About an hour passed, and then a grunt flung the tent flaps open, panting.

“Braduk, Gorfjol and a small group, twenty orcs, they’ve left and are headed for Skog!” Braduk looked up from his table.

“How many orcs do we have that are fit for battle?”

“Five hundred by my last count.” Braduk nodded.

“Assemble them all, get them to meet me on the outskirts of the village in an hour.” The grunt nodded, and almost as soon as he left Kudo burst through the tent.

“Braduk, what was that?”

“Hmm?”

“With Skog, are you two friends now or some skah?”

“I don’t have the time to explain, but trust me Kudo, I know what I’m doing. Ready yourself for battle. I want you at the outskirts with me in thirty minutes.” The two exchanged nods and went their separate ways. Skog’s last hours were ticking.

A Brighter Future

Braduk looked at the horde before him. It seemed like a lifetime ago when he stood amongst them and his father was where he was now. Thoughts of the past served no purpose, and Braduk gripped his shorthammer, scanning the faces of his troops.

“My brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, my orcs. We have suffered for too long. We have been forced to eat dirt at the hands of this, monster, known as Skog. That ends now. Our path has been difficult, it has been dark and perilous. But I see a brighter future. And yet to get there, I ask that you follow me, one last time, push yourselves, one last time. And then, we will start truly living, this I promise you.” All of the orcs nodded in agreement. “The sand beneath your feet is sacred ground, watered with tears of blood. We have shed them, but on this day, Skog and his foul orcs will bleed rivers!” Braduk held his hammer up, and his orcs cheered his name. The forces of Braduk, marched.

Dawn broke as the orcs of Braduk arrived at the badlands. Braduk send one hundred and fifty orcs to move along the Hilltop so they could attack from the side and outflank Skogs orcs. The forces of Braduk stood proud, proud to fight for their leader, and their leader was proud to fight for them. Marching through the valley, they hit Skogs camp. Standing on the outskirts, Kudo blew a horn to get the orcs attention.

Skog emerged, holding Gorfjol by his war pony, dragging him along. Once he felt he was close enough, he dropped Gorfjol to his knees and held a long dagger to his throat. Twenty orcs stood behind Skog, each holding pikes with the heads of the orcs Gorfjol took with him impaled on the tip. Braduk grunted, snarling at the sight of his brother.

“It’s a shame we meet like this Braduk!” Skog called out, chuckling. “You just had to push me, didn’t you?! Well now I kill your brother, then we kill you. That’s they way its got to be, I’m sorry my friend. But you brought this on yourself.” It was Braduk who laughed this time, seeing the cart of dynamite, his laugh progressed into a shouting command.

“ARCHERS! THE DYNAMITE, FIRE!” On cue, his archers shot a flurry of arrows, some strayed hitting orcs, but most pierced the dynamite. With a deafening roar, the explosives shot out, as if springing to life, spurting fire and shrapnel. The explosion wiped out more than half of Skogs orcs, which left him with about three hundred and fifty. Braduks orcs on the Hilltop charged down, engaging Skog’s dazed and stunned followers. Skog himself and been blown off his feet by the impact. Gorfjol lay face down in the sand, but was breathing. Braduk ran forward, gunning straight for Skog, who by that point had gotten to his feet albeit shakily. When he grew near, Braduk lept into the air, bringing his hammer down onto Skogs skull. Dazed, Skog dropped to his knees. Raising his hammer to finish him, Braduk left himself exposed, allowing Skog to crack some of his ribs with his oak club. The two paced back, preparing to engage. The battle raged on around them, and Kudo had already killed the better part of fifty orcs.

Braduk’s hammer and Skogs club met, and the two came face to face.

“I promised you I would kill you, skah’ha” Braduk roared, overpowering Skog, pushing him back. Skog parried Braduks next swing.

“You will try, and fail! As all those before you did!” Skog swept Braduks leg, causing him to land on the sand with a thud. He swung his club into Braduks hammer, knocking it out of his hand. “Now, you will suffer the same fate as your cousin? I think I remember him calling you his cousin. No matter.” Skog brought his club up, a sadistic smile splattered across his jaw. He slammed the oaken log down with all his force, but it was caught. Braduk had caught it. He got to his knees, and then to his feet, Skog was in shock. Braduk ripped the club from Skogs hands, breaking it in two.

“I am not like the ones before me.” Grabbing Skogs throat, Braduk threw four devastatingly powerfully punches to Skogs face, before tripping him to the ground.

Spitting some blood, Braduk walked over to his hammer, clutching its handle. He lifted it high above his head, Skog looked at it, beginning to laugh. Braduk shook his head. “Skog, you truly are mad.” Skog broke out into a hysterical laugh, and in one swift blow, his skull was cracked open. Slumping back into the sand, Skog the Mad was dead.

When the rest of Skogs forces had been slain, Braduk sought out Gorfjol. He was standing in a crowd of some Braduks orcs. Braduk, with Kudo at his side pushed his way through, punching Gorfjol in the face. The punch sent him to the sand.

“What the skah Braduk?” Gorfjol cried out, holding his jaw.

“I have had enough, of you disobeying Gorfjol!” Gorfjol quickly got to his feet. “You could have ruined the plan!” Those words had a familiar ring in Gorfjol’s ears.

“I did what you refused to do!” Gorfjol retaliated.

“No, you put my people’s lives at risk, you let your emotions get the better of you!” Braduk shoved Gorfjol. “You have lost say in all decisions of worth, I will not allow you to bring any further danger to my people!” Gorfjol shoved back.

“Your people?! When did they stop being my people too?! You know you were always the prodigal son, the favorite. Father even said so to my face! I was a runt to him, and you, his pride, and it had always been so! Until I ended his wretched life!” Gasps sprung up amongst the orcs.

“What?” Braduk dropped his hammer.

“On his ship, he did no noble deed. I killed him, for he would have killed me in the same situation!” Braduk lept forward, punching Gorfjol again in the jaw. Gorfjol fell back, and Braduk moved ontop of him, laying punches into his jaw and head. Orcs moved in to break them up, but Kudo motioned for them to stop.

“He is gone from this world because of you!” Gorfjols blood splattered across the sand and Braduks knuckles.

“As would the rest of us if I had not been captured and you had come to rescue me!” Braduk stopped punching.

“You think, I came for you?” He got to his feet, Gorfjol did aswell. “You think I came to rescue you? I came to finish Skog, not for you. That was the plan you skah’ha, and you put that in jeopardy.” Gorfjols face turned red. He looked to a group of five orcs, his best friends. The group left the valley. Kudo walked over to Braduk.

“Don’t worry about him.” Braduk shook his head.

“I’m not, even so, he will be back. My thoughts turn only towards the future. A brighter future, for our people. We will build something sustainable for generations. We will live.”