I turned to look in the direction we were being led and saw that we were approaching another orc that was much bigger than the others. He was sitting in a large chair made of bones and leather at the end of the path. His head was shaved but he had gray sideburns and every inch of his skin below the neck was tattooed with symbols. He had a nose ring like that of a bull and more piercings lining his ears as well.
He was speaking to some children and patting their heads before he noticed the orc that was leading us in front of his chair. "Chief Grimwore. I have brought a human who wants to participate in Raknorah." Suddenly, everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at us wide-eyed. The orc called Grimwore turned to look at me and raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's a first."
He placed his hands on the rests of his chair and his eyes narrowed. "Either you're the biggest fool there is, or that wizard put you up to this. Which one is it?" I didn't know what was going on but didn't let my uncertainty show on my face. "Theodius is responsible for my presence here."
Grimwore then laughed and stood up from his chair. "I heard about you. You're said to be the toughest human there is and judging by how far you've gotten on that wizard's game, I don't doubt it. But, do you really think a human will be able to pass the trials of Raknorah and become a man in the eyes of an orc?" I was about to answer but stopped myself as I fully processed what he said.
"Wait a minute. Are you saying there is a set of trials, WITHIN a set of trials?!" Theodius then appeared next to Grimwore out of blue flames and he instantly started laughing his head off. He pointed at me and continued to laugh until he fell to the ground and rolled around uncontrollably. He gasped for air as he laughed so hard and I glared down at him. He managed to calm down and stand up again to only say one thing. "It was nice knowing you."
He then disappeared as soon as he came and Grimwore crossed his arms. "Okay... Now that that's over with, I want to see for myself if this human is worthy." He walked toward us and the watchman that led us stepped aside. He leaned down to my height a few inches away from me with a serious expression. "Answer my question from before. Are you strong enough?"
I scoffed and crossed my arms, not paying his intimidation any mind. "Please. I'm so strong one time I just looked at someone and their kneecaps snapped." Grimwore's expression didn't change. "Are you prepared for the danger?" I leaned closer as well and shared his expression. "I eat danger for breakfast." A moment of silence passed before he stood up again and laughed. "I like this one! Prepare the first trial for tonight! We're going to have our first human Raknorah!"
Everyone around us then started chanting Raknorah again and again, and I was still lost to what was happening. May jumped happily next to me as the chanting calmed down. "Yay! You're worthy!" I said nothing and Grimwore turned to the both of us now with a smile. "What names are you two called by?" May answered him and put her hands on my shoulder. "This is Dedrin and I'm CherryMay. It's a pleasure to be here!"
Grimwore nodded at her, politely. "The pleasure is all mine." He then turned to me again with a smirk. "Now, let's get you ready. In total, there are five trials. The test of strength, skill, endurance, humility, and fertility." I blinked. "What was that last one?" Grimwore laughed and didn't bother answering me. "The first test will be held tonight in the pit of fire. But first, you need to get rid of that armor." My expression quickly changed to surprise. "What?"
Grimwore laughed at my reaction. "A real man doesn't hide behind a shield. He believes that he is strong enough to take on every challenge in nothing but his own skin. Therefore, armor is not allowed in the trials. I will have tents set up for you two while you're staying with us, and meals are held by the whole tribe so don't be late." He turned to another orc and told them to carry out his orders, and they nodded and left without hesitation.
Later, I had taken off my armor and given it to May for safekeeping. I was pissed that all I was allowed to wear was a loincloth and I wasn't even allowed shoes. I felt so naked and vulnerable without my armor but in a way, it made sense why I wasn't allowed to wear it.
I was surprised, however, to how luxurious the tents that were set up for us were. It was a large space and it was carpeted from corner to corner. It was in the shape of a square like the others, and there was a wooden pole in the center that held up the top higher than the four others. A bed was included but it was really just a large pillow that I sunk into like my bed back at the palace in Reinthoria.
I was surprised by how soft it was and the pillows and blankets that came with it were just as silky. May's tent was next to mine and looked about the same. Saniel was also given space outside of our tents where he could sleep without bumping into anything. At sundown, we had dinner with the rest of the tribe and it was interesting to see a whole village come to eat together. May socialized with the orcs and helped with the cooking, and I was sitting on the ground next to Grimwore at the low table, discussing the trial.
"This is the trial of strength, so it will be set up like a duel against one of my best warriors. All you'll have to do is survive ten minutes against him and you'll pass." I hesitated. "Really? I don't have to defeat him or anything?" Grimwore laughed a little as he filled his plate. "It won't be as easy as it sounds."
After dinner had passed and the sun had gone, torches were lit and we were led out of the village toward the pit of fire. Everyone had decided to come and see the fight and I didn't know whether that should be concerning or not. I was curious about what was considered to be the pit of fire and if it was a euphemism for something, but unfortunately that was not the case.
We were taken into a large cave at the base of a mountain, where the walls and ceiling were entirely made of hardened lava rock. The cave was big enough for the entire village to come and watch, and in the center, there was a pit with large flames coming from out of it. There were also pedestals of rock emerging from the pit and I could only assume that was the terrain I was going to have to fight on.