She wakes from her slumber, muscles aching and eyes fighting to stay open, she looks at that abandoned sword still by her side, how could I have asked him to do such a thing?
But that's why he was here in the first place, right?
Now she is curious about the Fang. What IS he?
She stumbles out of her covers, stretching out the sluggish feeling of the morning and tip toes to the opening in the tent. The Fang stands right at the outside opening.
He stands arms crossed, for a change he does not have all his armour on, just his dark blue shirt, shorts and greaves and one of his gauntlets. They stand in silence, the previous night still fresh in their minds, she looks down nervously, afraid she pissed him off, in fear he would hurt or scold her. Her eyes catch what is in her hands as she finds the ground, she has his sword, her fingers are loosely coiled around the handle like it is her teddy bear like a child would after being woken up from her nap.
Slowly, she lifts the sword up to him, Fang's hand leaps to its handle and pulls, he feels a wave of relief as the little resistance allows his only companion to return to him, although now Jaco is the nervous one, attempting to kill her then leaving when she wanted to be dead, this is such a weird situation.
"Look I am no good at like, well stuff to do with talking or uh…" he really feels awkward as he tries to find his words, but she is grateful he is not going to harm her, she sees in his eyes what his intentions are now, he could have easily left right there and never speak to her again, or he may have hit her for stealing the sword he left behind. Instead he bothers to try to speak to her. He is the first to do so since… ever.
"It's okay, I guess we both got stuff to deal with, how is your arm? Are you ok?" he had forgotten about that, he inspects the bloodied and very clumsily wrapped bandage over his arm that his gauntlet only partially hides,
"Umm yeah, I am fine, I kinda… panicked and well-"
"You don't have to explain yourself to me, everyone has their own way of coping with stuff, but I think maybe you bit just a little too hard." She comments. He is relieved she is not demanding an explanation, not judged for his wild action, although that was when he realised he did go a 'little' bit far by chomping on his own arm.
"That… would have been less of a mess I guess." he smirks at her comment, he wants to keep talking to her, but doesn't know how to continue from here. Aw SHIT say something!
"So how was the walk here?" he instantly regrets not leaving at that point.
"From the tent to here?" she asks with a giggle.
"Uh no, I meant to the city. Must have been a challenge." She is confused by the weird question, she smiles though and follows his question.
"Oh, it was cold but I could tough it out in the end, how long you been with the Clan?",
"Since I could fight." he finally lets out a deep relaxing breath, thank fuck she just went with that, most people at this point usually walk away or stare at him.
"I've got to go." Fuck me, a siege is less stressful than talking to a stranger. He takes a few steps,
"Oh, uh, would you like to come with me?" She smiles again, seeing him stumble and struggle to function in a conversation makes her want to stick around and see how he'll survive in an actual conversation.
"Sure, where ya going?" Fang lets out a breath trying to calm himself.
"A briefing about yesterday's meeting, we'll probably discuss a plan on how we'll deal with the orcs.", she is relieved hearing that the clan is taking this seriously and so quickly.
"I'm allowed to watch?"
"Well no one is going to tell me no if you're with me. Plus… it might… give you peace of head?" she lets a laugh leak out,
"It's 'peace of mind' haha. But thank you Fang, I would really appreciate it.", he feels awkward again, but her smile quickly makes him feel more comfortable, she did not have any fear in her eyes at all now. Strange.
She looks straight into his eyes now, but they are very much different from that meeting, they are more relaxed, alive even.
They leave the barracks, ascending up the mountain slowly at her pace,
"Oh, I am Jaco, by the way.", he thought she should call him by his real name, nobody else has called him by that name in years. She finally knows her new friend's name but doesn't know WHAT he is yet.
"Call me Nia. So, can we maybe… talk about what happened last night when you have time?", Jaco panics at the thought of having a heart to heart conversation with someone, but feels she has a right to understand what had happened last night.
"Sure, but I'm no good at talking about stuff", Nia didn't need to be told that.
"Then I'll do most of the talking, you can just nod your head if that isn't too hard for you.", she winks, teasing him.
"Yeah and we'll see how I fuck that up somehow…", they both laugh this time, knowing what will come will be VERY awkward but they both accept it and just walk onward. Jaco still cannot believe how long he has kept this up without Nia leaving, but he still dreads that conversation she is looking for.
The walk to the meeting is quiet but Nia is just happy that she has somebody to be around who doesn't want to order her around.
The war tent is already silent as Jaco and Nia enter, the surprise guest takes the commanders aback but Haygon darts up, welcoming the unexpected guest, and somewhat thankful Jaco brought her,
"Ah great timing son, come sit down, I'll get you a chair too lass", Nia thinks she had heard him wrong when he said 'son', nah he must have said hon' or maybe even Cun-
"Hey brother, how was your training?", OK I must be still dreaming! Quillen walks up, then notices she is next to him,
"Oh, Hello." she nods while her mind tries to find the link. Jaco looks down avoiding his brothers' eyes, realising this may have been a bad idea. Nia is really confused meanwhile.
Jaco looks nothing like his 'father' and 'brother', he has brown eyes, they have blue, he has white hair and they have blonde hair, but they do have that friendliness to them at least.
The Commander Khan stands up once the meeting begins, with plans and strategies in mind and on paper, Jaco sits as usual, laid back and playing with his blade with Nia next to him trying to not stand out. Just one glance around however, she spots a creepy old man staring a hole into her, and also at Jaco,
"Who's that?", Nia whispers, not aware of the situation between the family members,
"Oh, I am his Uncle Kaycon, I rudely interrupted you yesterday at the meeting, my apologises again.", he slithers out with a plain grin, Nia, now just letting this play out as it will, just sighs and looks at Jaco. Of course he is related too, again, I don't see a resemblance here. That man standing with the papers might as well be his kid then!
"Fuck off Kaycon." Jaco barks at him, knowing he would try to manipulate her at the first chance.
Before Kaycon can counter, Khan smacks the table with his gauntlet, demanding the attention of his peers.
"All right, after yesterday's meeting, we agreed to help the slave girl's village from the Orcish slavers, now listen close, the first thing we must do is find the damn place, turns out they move around both our territory and clan to the west, the Shark Clan." Khan rolls out a map, with a few circles in both the clan's territories,
"I can conclude they must get most of their recent slaves out with the area, because there haven't been any recent attacks in our territory, the shark clan has a very busy port with no proper record of the stock and ships coming and going, so I believe they work on the surrounding islands or in shark territory right now.", Nia looks at the map nearest herself, it is a less detailed drawing of Wrah and its clans, what she knows of the country's clans is information learned from fresh prisoners and drunk orcs just chatting about their travels.
That is when she spots 2 other land areas she never knew existed, on small island like area in the north far from Wrah's shore and another island in the east much further out that looks like someone doodled a tower in the middle of the island. Khan continues ,
"However, we will wait to attack a common place they must often camp for a while as marked by the girl," he notices Nia sitting politely in the corner, he nods and smiles at her with his bright brown eyes, then his scowl returns,
"It's at a cliff hanging over a lake and covered well by trees and wildlife. Good for concealing and preventing an attack from there rear. We will cut down certain trees to get a clear view for a nearby camp that will observe the cliff until they return, by then we will have our forces ready. We must use a smaller force since space is limited by the forests and the town like structure we'll be fighting in. Our objectives to first; secure the slaves and second; defeat their small army and ensuring they cannot recover to continue slaving away at our people."
Stopping them from ever enslaving more people? The thought of that hit her hard, a tear tries to rise out of her but she keeps it suppressed as she follows the conversation.
"Lord Dune, I suggest 3 forces for the battle, "2 main units, 1 will be for the vanguard to surprise the enemy, and a 2nd unit will be a support for them and they will protect the slaves until the end of the battle.", Haygon Dune is as always impressed by his friends thought out plan within just hours of being given the information. Kaycon then taps the map in front of him.
"I want recon duties given to myself." Khan's right eye twitches irritably.
"Why? Do you not trust my soldiers?"
"No I do, but as my brother and the commanders here would agree, you tend to risk their lives, I know I can get the same information for much less risk to our soldiers' lives. AND, since these are also our people, our wolves, I want to personally see to their safety. All I need is someone who knows the land to get it done though."
Commander Thee leans in from her chair, under the light of a sun lit canopy above her, her eyes still keep that eery light blue tone she was born with, it phases through the thick strands of loose hair from her loose mohawk, it leans back and slips back onto her shoulder like a pet snake.
"I can have someone fill that role." Her gaze shifts to the Fang who has been quiet this whole time,
"But before I say who, why do we not just send him into the place right now, piss him off a bit and throw him behind the gates, let 'em whittle them down since he's a killer…"
"No Thee." Khan jumps into the soon to escalate conversation, "They already packed up and left, as if they knew we would check the area, they must have moved on after the girl escaped days ago. Plus, they have prisoners, you cannot throw the Fang inside while he is under that blood lu-…"
"Under the what, Commander Khan?" Thee leans forward even more and perches her chin on her knuckles like a predator waiting for its prey to start running.
Khan struggles to say finish that sentence, he looks over at the Fang for a second and sees he is holding onto an outburst incoming, the hand on his handle shakes ever so slightly, but it is the only sign Quillen, Haygon and himself need to know the Fang is riled up.
"Look, drop it Thee." Kaycon says to break the stalemate, "We are not going to risk his life just to give you entertainment." He says with disgust, "So, who can fill the role?" the defence for the Fang was unexpected, but Jaco somewhat appreciates his uncles support in this moment. I was getting ready to jump over this damn table.
"You are no fun Kaycon, sometimes a gamble is worth it. His name is Thrak, met him recently as he is still one of my newer soldiers, but he is one hell of a navigator, must have travelled quite a lot in his youth. Plus, he reminds me of yourself Khan;" Nia watches as Thee, who is sat to her left, raises her hand up to her freckly right cheek and pinches at it,
"The guy's skin is fucked, apparently a disease or something ate away at his flesh, he likes to hide under clothes a lot, kind of like you. Thought it was cute…" Thee tries to prod at Khan, but he can keep his emotion in check compared to Fang.
"That so? Tell me, could Thrak cut a slice on the other side of your face too? Cause I can help even out your face." She cackles out loud, her grin spreads open like sliced flesh being pulled open, she looks over to the Fang, and that is when Nia could see what Khan meant.
From where Nia was sitting, she could not the large slice of her cheek missing, her teeth on the left side of her mouth on full display, then the scar extends up to her half-severed ear.
"You hear that Fang? He wants to finish what you started! You just going to sit there and let him finish the job?" Nia can hear the Fang's sword rattle on his lap like a chained animal trying to reach at someone.
Haygon now steps into the conversation,
"ENOUGH. Cut it out Thee, if you so wished to rematch my son, I am sure he would oblige." Nia turns to Jaco once the shock of Thee's scar wares off, his eyes actually seem hungry, but for what she did not know. Thee leans back into her chair and Commander B'ray decides to move the subject to something less violent.
"Lord Haygon, with the slave girl here, it reminds me that we need one of us to gather basic food and drinks once we have the freed slaves. That way we can maybe even have them trust us and join our clan to work, or even fight for us." That did not feel right to Nia, you expect us to slave away for you next..?
Haygon shifts uncomfortably at B'ray's idea,
"I appreciate that you want to think ahead, but I don't believe that is the best course of acti-"
"Nonsense sir. I believe they would help develop the city with our people possibly. Then we can use them to push the enemy clan's borders -"
"B'ray." Haygon says, it interrupts his sentence and the tone alone makes B'ray wait for his command like an obedient dog,
"This is not the time to discuss this." B'ray nods and silences himself,
"Anyway, I do believe commander Kaycon would suit the recon mission more, especially if we can save risk of our own guys. Thee, please lend him your specialist. Khan & B'ray, I will work with you to handle resources and units for the assault. And Quillen, all I ask of your vanguard is to wait until the slavers return to the area. Please stay home, train and relax, this battle will most likely to be a bloody brawl of dominance!", with that they all slowly leave the tent, but Kaycon grabs Jaco's shoulder and pulls him aside.
He whispers,
"OK boy, time to talk, ALONE.", Jaco complies to avoid conflict around Nia. He nods to her and mouths the words 'wait here'. They take a left towards the steps down the mountain, the tension builds up against the buildings between them.
"Will she be YOUR slave now? Or a new toy you can play with!? Why didn't you kill her like we agreed!?", Kaycon is suppressing his fury as best as he can, he expected a corpse this morning, not a guest.
"It isn't like that. I have my reasons," Fang steps forward one step, enough to be face to face with Kaycon,
"and I do not answer to you. Nor to Thee or Haygon.", Fang's temper begins to rise already, his hand grips his sword's handle tightly, they lock eyes, staring each other down. But Kaycon is scared, he can just smell it, yet the weaker old man does not back down.
"She's not just a problem for me. She isn't. I am thinking about keeping us safe! She could reveal our weaknesses and strength to our enemies! Plus, what is she going to do since Khan has all he needs to make a plan for the battle anyway!" Fang grabs his collar and pulls him closer.
"Look I enjoy a spot of killing every now and then, but how about instead of killing her, I kill you…" his grip tightens, but Kaycon lips slowly part to a grin even in this grim scenario. What am I missing here?! It only pisses the Fang off more. What he did not notice was Kaycon's own hand behind his head.
Before he finally snaps and does something he probably would not regret, Kaycon's personal guards stalk behind him, they are nearer Haygon's size and never speak and are always wearing similar old armour and clothes to their master.
What stands out the most is their unnerving dull grey rings in their eyes. These individuals are always behind Kaycon like servants. Creepy.
He composes himself before he lays waste to them all. Jaco can see Nia behind them all, watching with terrified eyes.
Jaco barges past them as Nia's eyes convince him to just walk away from this. But as he spares all three of them and walks off, this shocks Kaycon. This is the first time the Fang just walked away, but this didn't mean he had won this game. Kaycon drops his hand back to his side and back inside his cloak.
Jaco and Nia descend the mountain. She heard it all, how he was meant to kill her from his orders, and that he chose to let her live, her mind spins with everything that happened at that meeting.
"Is every meeting that tense?" she asks. Jaco grunts and breathes heavily, still livid at what his uncle said, and how badly he wished he could just rip him apart.
"Yeah, usually. But that was the closest I got to properly killing someone during one."
"Wait, you mean you nearly killed one mid meeting?" Nia cannot believe what she is hearing, mother always described these clansmen as disciplined and close bonded.
"Why do you think Thee has the scar? Was one of the first meetings we had when I joined the vanguard."
"Well with the way she acts, I am betting she started it." Nia comments, she may not be a soldier but she could see the subtle cruelty she gave everyone.
"She always is, but when she tried it on me, I immediately challenged her. I'll admit she is tough, but she wouldn't have a head had the Chieftain not interfered with the attack that scarred her."
"So, she resents you for the scar right? Wants revenge."
"No actually. She didn't care too much about it, but she has been using these meetings to anger me enough to do it again for a rematch." Fangs says.
"And she doesn't just challenge you directly?" Nia asks.
"If she was not a commander, then she could, but it is greatly frowned upon for commanders to do that. She also refuses to let one of her warriors do it for her." Fang's grip on his sword begins to loosen, the veins fade and the knuckles return from their white shade,
"Shame we can't just end it, she is actually a good challenge, and like I said, she is tough." He walks on ahead as Nia's thoughts slow her down, Geez, it is a good thing the rest of the city seem to be fine with him unlike Thee, no one challenged him on our way down.
They reach the barracks, and that is where Jaco stops.
"I'm off to train, guess I'll see you around." she wants to say something, but had nothing else to say, she didn't want to bother him just for his company.
That is one thing she dislikes about Jaco, that animalistic nature and beastly temper she saw at the meeting, she kept thinking of him as night grew closer, wondering what his story is, why is he so feared and unique to the Clan? How can a sweet man have such a terrible presence?
She can then hear muffled thuds outside her tent, a dark being stalks her, moving slowly in the black of night, she takes a deep breath and accepts her fate.
I know I can't fight back even if I wanted too, not with this strength and no experience. She wants to face it however, like she had with Jaco that night.
She slowly rises, sliding toward the opening, heart bursting in fear which surprises her since she welcomes death, she looks forward and opens the tent.
Blood is everywhere. A large being lays face down, back torn open and spine exposed for all to see, she looks around, and sees Jaco fighting off one of Wolves.
The wolf swings its arm trying to grab at Jaco, he ducks and swiftly raises his sword across his chest and neck, its body explodes in a crimson cloud that collapses lifeless on top of him on the ground. Jaco turns around breathless, seeing Nia confused and scared,
"They were here to kill you… but you knew… why didn't you fight? Or run away?" With a face bloody and aggressive stare on his face, she still walks towards him slowly, then wipes his face with her sleeve, and looks in his eyes,
"Why do you care? Why SAVE me? You were meant to kill me last night but didn't… I myself don't even think I want to live anymore. It is clear none of those wolves of this city really give a damn about me or my people since all they want to do is use my people once they kill the orcs, they didn't even ask my name. They just called me 'the slave girl' or 'the orc'.", Jaco freezes, he didn't expect her to rant like that since she was walking to her death so casually, but she also raised good points. Especially about why he clearly does not know what he wants either or understands why he does any of this.
Taking a step back, she says,
"So where do we go from here?", they stand in silence, but Jaco lays done his blade, looks at Nia and clears his throat.
"Well umm, if you want, I can teach you to defend yourself? Means you can't be targeted easily, no one can try to hurt you again without getting a surprise, but I could also try help you become a member of the Wolf Clan too, so that you can have a home here and he would be unable to hurt you anymore.", Nia is shaking hearing this offer, from a man not known for his acts of humility,
"I know the commanders seem exploitive, but they aren't terrible like Thee. If you met the people in the city though, you'd see why the Chieftain and commanders fight so hard to protect."
"That's… that would be so kind, but in return I'm going to help you with that temper and talking to people. And I am curious about your story too.", Jaco turns towards the mountain, glances back and says,
"Only fair then, since you told me your story." She smiles, "Come with me, I have somewhere you can stay tonight."
They together ascend the steps, processing what just happened and what the future could hold. Jaco looks at the bodies one more time, the eyes of the ones he killed faded from a grey to blue, the other black. He does not think too much of it, he merely lifts his sword and flicks it downward to clear the excess blood from his sword.
I'll let that bastard clean his mess up.