The feast after the arrival of the Jarl is held in the town hall, where long tables are put surrounding a large campfire, the orc warriors are sitting around, chatting about how brave they fought in the last battle or making fun of the others' cowardice. The Jarl and his wife sit next to each other on the throne, where they are surrounded by the Warmaidens and the Champions, the strongest warriors of town who sacrificed their needs for feasting to maintain order and fulfill their duty of protecting their overlords.
In the corner of the feast, we can notice Abutai and Alina sitting next to each other giggling about the orc warriors. Although they fight each other a lot, they seem to be good friends of each other, as they laugh when Grog the Hesitant is mocked by his old comrade about how Grog was knocked to the ground by a cavalry charge and how fierce Grof, Grog's twin brother fought to rescue his brother from the dead.
As time goes on, more wine is drunk, more meat is eaten and the stories become more exaggerated than ever. Seeing the party is coming to an end, Jarl Umber stands up and raises his cup, raising his voice:
- Warriors of Ravenhill, in the last battle we triumphed over our enemies. Let us toast for the Valkeries that have brought us victory.
-"TOAST" Everyone yells in return for the call of the Jarl. Then, the sounds of orcs drinking wine are all over the place. The Jarl signals the servants to refill the wine before continuing his speech:
-To achieve our victories, 63 orcs had to join our ancestors in the Hall of the Death, their glory and deed will be always in our hearts. Let's toast for them.
-"TOAST" Everyone responds to the Jarl but with a sadder voice. They drink again but at a much slower pace.
Then, the Jarl put down his cup and raise his voice:
-"Abutai, step forward."
With hesitation, Abutai slowly walks to the center of the hall and lowers his head as a sign of respect to the Jarl. Whispers start to erupt in the crowd as being a half-orc in a pure-blood valuing community is viewed as a sign of disgrace. If Abutai's father is not the hero Brutan, he would have become a nameless corpse hanging on the gates of Ravenhill already.
-" After the battle with the humans, I have received news that an army of goblins has appeared to the west of Ravenhill. Because we ran out of supplies, I have to send Brutan with 500 orcs to survey that area and promised him that I will send reinforcements afterward. " Jarl Umber starts talking, explaining for the disappearance of Brutan and 400 soldiers. "However, Brutan has asked me for a strange thing." He looks at Abutai with amused eyes.
-" Our hero thinks fighting goblins would be a great experience for our adolescent children. Thus, Brutan wanted me to send 100 orcs who have never fought a battle with his fostered son, Abutai as the commander of that army." The Jarl pauses a little before continuing: "
The whisper becomes louder and there are yells from the crowds saying that their children would not follow the command of a half-breed. A champion stands out, draws an axe, and yells at the Jarl:
-A HALF-BLOOD WON'T COMMAND ANY ORCS."
Looking at his disobeying champion, the Jarl slowly stands up, he is taller and larger. A threatening atmosphere appears from the Jarl, and a bloodthirsty lust comes out from an orc who is not only a battle-harden warrior but also a competent lord and commander, earning his name of " The Black Raven" through countless battles and political crisis in the Kingdom of Byjorn.
-" An orc never breaks a promise that he has already made. Are you questioning my decision, Bodi? " Umber slowly draws a sword from the waist of his retainer while signaling who's wanting to seize Bodi to back off.
-" I will not let a half-blood command any orcs. I challenge you to combat. " Bodi charges toward the Jarl raising his axe high in the air, shocking everyone present. However, no one moves in an attempt to save the Jarl. Is it because they don't care for their lord? No! Is it because they are too shocked to realize what's happening? No! The reason is simply this: they don't think their Jarl needs assistance in this situation.
In the blink of an eye, the Jarl swings his sword, cutting the hand holding the ax of Bodi before chopping his head off. Seeing the head of his champion rolling over the floor, the Jarl sighs in silence before speaking:
-MY NAME IS UMBER THE BLACK RAVEN, AS LONG AS I'M THE JARL OF RAVENHILL MY WORDS ARE THE FINAL. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
The orcs standing in the hall are still in shock, no one says anything in response to the Jarl. The incident also ends the feast, which is supposed to be full of happiness but ends in the loss of a soul. Abutai slowly walks out after hearing a sentence whispered to his ears from the Jarl:
-"A champion died for me to keep my promise to your father, don't fail me."
The blue moon is rising high in the sky as Abutai gets out of the town hall. He walks faster and faster before changing to running. As he runs, tears start to erupt from the eyes of the 12-year-old child. In his head, flashbacks start running to the moments when his father taught him how to fight with a spear properly, to where they have conversations about how terrible this world's going to treat him.
"In order to be recognized, you need to work harder than anyone else. You need to be stronger and wiser than any orcs that have existed."
Abutai keeps running until he meets a pond, where the orcs of Ravenhill often take water from. Looking at the water's surface, Abutai sees the face of a human, aside from the fact that his skin is green and two little fangs rise from his mouth. The sounds of people calling him " Half-blood"; "Half-breed" echoes in his ears.
-"Who are you? An orc or a human?" he asks himself. Then, he starts punching the water, making loud noises as he punches faster and faster on the water which reflects his face. He is so overwhelmed by his emotions that he doesn't notice a female orc appears from the trees behind him. Her eyes are closed and covered by a black towel; her face has several tattoos of animals and her mouth opens with a mischievous smile. Her clothes are all black like the dark night, with the sigil of a white sun embroidered on her back. In the orcs' belief, the white sun is the sun that shines upon the Hall of the Death; instead of providing warmth, it provides coldness for the dead souls.
-"What are you doing here at this hour, my child?" The old orc asks with a soft voice. The wind starts to travel across the area, blowing up the hairs of Abutai and the strange female orc.
-"Who are you?" Abutai asks; tears have dropped off from his face, revealing two blue and green eyeballs sparkling beautifully like jewels.
-"Ohh, blue and green eyes, just like what the Gods have let me see." The female orc speaks, puts her hands reaches out for Abutai's face. Her fingers slowly touch our main character's face before she continues talking:
-"My name is Rhea, people often call me the Seer. I am the one who connects the orcs to our Gods. I can see that you are suffering, my child; but have faith in yourself, the Gods have great plans for you, keep going forward and you will find a way."
And their conversation continues…