"So here's the thing, when we pull up to the orc tribe they are likely to have to fight some Giants."
The whole carriage stared at me like I had lost my mind. Even Ulfr was looking in my direction and he was blind. I sighed, "Fine, I'll explain. The Orc tribe was cursed by their god. Malacath, and on top of that. They are at war with a tribe of giants fighting over the shrine the tribe and several other tribes worshipped malacath at. It's a holy site or something, I don't know nor do I care."
Canary looked at me, "So why tell me, are you helping them."
Ulfr actually jumped in, "He wants to become Blood-kin. If he has a mine he wants to outsource to the orc tribes. It would be cheaper than anywhere else."
I nodded, "The imperial legion taxes it too since most smiths need to work on legion armor or tools. I could do it myself, but I can't do it all the time. Finally its off the records so I can use the funds a little more freely."
Viree asked the question, "How would it be used more freely?"
Canary sighed, "He means bribes, if it is off the record the money produced by the business could be used discreetly to bribe officials. Its honestly very smart, this is a gold mine right? I don't know if you mentioned it before. However it sounds like this mine you have in mind is a gold mine."
I nodded, and pointed to Hajvarr and Ulfr. "Which is why I needed the extra hands."
Viree slowed the carriage, "Is that the Orc fort?"
Canary took out her bow while I pulled out the staff of Panoply. We could see three giants at the gates of the fort. Only two orcs attacked the Giants with ranged attacks. The rest seemed to be holding the gate up.
Canary shot three arrows into the back of one Giants head while I slung a Ice spike into the head of another. The one I ice spiked fell forward and was impaled on the fort walls. The one Canary shot turned, however Viree slammed her hammer in its leg making it stumble. I drew sable wave and jumped into action as well.
The second giant was butchered in seconds while the third realizing it was being ambushed turned to run. One of the orcs however climbed the wall and jumped onto its back. The orc bit into the giants neck making it spew blood like a fountain. I did recognize the orc as the one that take over the chieftians job after Yamarz.
I waved at the Orc mage. "Hail, having trouble?"
Atub, the orc mage in question let out a deep sigh. "We thank you travelers! You couldn't come at a better time."
Canary asked Atub about the giants as me and Viree looted the giants. "May I ask why you are being sieged by giants? They don't often have such hostile interactions with people let alone... I mean no offense, but an isolated Orc Clan like yourselves."
A man clad in full Orcish armor shouted back. "That's none of your business! Now leave outsiders!"
I ignored the dead weight. "I assume someone hunted their mammoths. Giants care for them like children. Pissing off a tribe of Giants can lead to them doing things like this. On top of that, if they can't exact vengeance on you they get pretty petty."
Atub looked conflicted, "I will handle the guests Chieftain. They at least deserve some hospitality."
Yamarz scoffed, "Do whatever."
As he walked off Atub welcomed us in quickly. All the orcs of the camp barely looked at us. They either had their eyes down or nursed new scars. When we arrived near a small alter Atub turned to us. "Please! Please! Hep us break this curse. We won't survive much longer."
Canary shook her head, "This is your problem Vek. I'm just gonna relax on the carriage."
I nodded and Canary left leaving me and Viree to talk to Atub. Well that really just means me. Atub let her leave and when we were alone I asked the obvious question. "How did you tribe actually get cursed?"
Atub ratted Yamarz out immediately. "This is all because of our chieftain. Yamarz secretly hunted some mammoths and offered it to Malacath at his shrine. The giants tacked him back and upon discovering what had happened they took over the shrine. They killed anyone who entered and after a few days Malacath cursed us. For allowing the shrine to be taken over and being to cowardly to retake it."
I sensed that wasn't everything. She clearly wanted me to ask something. So I asked, "Then why don't you do something about the shrine?"
She closed her eyes, "Despite the curse and the giants... Yamarz still remains the strongest of the tribe. Thus as long as the tribe follows the code of Mauloch, we can hardly act."
I sighed, "So you have a plan?" She was being far too round-a-bout the whole thing. So I just jumped ahead, "I assume you wish to contact Malacath through a ritual and ask Malacath to push him into action."
Atub nodded, "I have everything for the ritual already, but two harder to acquire items. I need some troll fat and a daedra heart."
Viree looked at me knowing I had exactly that, and I smiled. "Here, hopefully Malacath won't mind I helped you."
Atub looked at me with an odd look. It wasn't suspicion, but she certainly seemed surprised. She took the two ingredients from me and immediately set them on the alter. Soon the armored scare crow glowed with power. Unseen eyes studied us and the alter of ingredients vanished into fire.
A disembodied voice spoke, "So you seek something from me as well? Vek Frostwane, your greed is by far your worst trait. Though your mastery of the metal craft is something I can't help respect. Whether be through luck or skill I wish to see you forge a new artifact. I believe you understand my request."
Atub seemed flabbergasted that Malacath addressed me rather than her who preformed the ritual. His attention turned to Atub though. "You wise-woman! Go fetch Yamarz or I will smite you."
Atub jumped into action and began to run to the long house. In the meantime Malacath spoke to me again, "I will warn you this though, you use the weapon forged from Volendrung and I will send my most devout to slay you."
Viree smiled, "He can give it too me!"
I looked at her, "Really?"
Viree shrugged, "Not like you are gonna use it."
Malacath was silent, it seemed he said his peace. I guess it made since he wasn't the talkative type. When Yamarz and Atub began walking to the alter though Malacath seemed to rumble the earth with his anger. "YAMARZ LARGASHBUR! You let GIANTS! Mere GIANTS! Invade my shrine, and now." Malacath roared and I stepped back from the power. "YOU SO NOT HELP WHEN THEY ATTACK YOUR TERRITORY, YOUR HOME! You might as well be betraying your promises as a chieftain. If you do not go kill the giants that started this whole mess. I will make sure you regret ever being born an Ornim. I am sure this rat would kill you in a heartbeat if I offer him an artifact."
I nodded, I would, without a doubt in front of the whole clan too.
Yamarz hands were formed into fists of pure anger. Malacath continued to speak, "Vek will ensure you complete this task. If you fail I will make sure he strips you of your flesh! NOW GO!"
The power faded from the area and the scarecrow covered in orcish armor no longer glowed. Yamarz yelled, or more screeched in his own anger. He crashed into the scarecrow and ripped it from the ground. He threw the scarecrow into a small bundle of logs.
Yamarz pointed at me, "You! Since Malacath seems to think you are one of us you will help me with recovering the shrine."
I rolled my eyes, "Sure, I think that was expected though when he said he would send me to strip you of your flesh."
He shook his fist in anger, "I will meet you at the shrine, I need to prepare."
He marched off and Atub was left staring at me. Her voice had a hint of fear, "How... Why? Why would Malacath speak to you in such a way. He even complimented blacksmithing."
I nodded and held up Sable Wave, "I'd say that comes from me forging one gnarly sword from two daedric artifacts."
Atub looked down at her hands as if her world was turned upside down. I turned around and patted Viree's shoulder.
She whispered to me as we walked off. "What's Volendrung?"
I explained simply, "A dwemer artifact that somehow ended up in Malacath's hands. Most likely since he liked the craftsmanship. Though I must admit I was surprised he told me to reforge it."
Viree wondered aloud, "Maybe he thought you were going to reforge it anyway?"
I will admit I was in fact thinking about it. However I was unsure I could, Volendrung was not simply made from dwemer metal. I didn't even think it was made from ebony, despite requiring ebony for the refinement process.
I shrugged, "Who knows, I didn't really want Volendrung originally. I mostly just wanted the position of blood-kin. Though I will admit the challenge of reforging another artifact would be interesting. I will need to look into making a strong enough forge however."
Viree nodded, "I'm willing to wait, so long as you gift me whatever you make."
I jumped into the carriage where Canary was reading a book. She looked up at me, "So?"
"The quest was acquired. Next stop is a place called Darklight Tower, its home to a witch coven." I was ready for the next location, but Viree asked.
"Don't we need to head to that shrine or whatever?" Canary also eyed me suspiciously.
I gave a name to the location. "Fallowstone cave, is the place you are thinking of. It's past Riften, and besides I think Yamarz can wait."
Hajvarr looked confused, "Who's Yamarz?"
Viree shrugged and I explained that too, "The orc chief, a major knob that got his tribe cursed. It's a whole thing."
Canary set down her book, "Is this next location going to be a whole thing? I don't mind the stops, helping people is good. However I do not like helping people."
I laughed, "So you do mind the stops?"
Canary nodded, "Yes, I would like to get to Riften. I doubt they have the most comfortable Inn due to the fact its one of the most corrupt cities I have ever been too. However I would still prefer a bed over a bed roll."
I raised my hands, "We can talk about it on the road. Philip giddy up!"
Philip began pulling the carriage along, without a care in the world.