The next four days passed without any other unexpected events. Amukelo and Eliss no longer stayed behind the group while moving. The healers used their spells whenever they could, ensuring that Naguk's injury and those of the other wounded orcs healed properly.
Eliss eventually abandoned completely her efforts to clean up the orcish rooms, deciding her time was better spent studying her grimoire.
Naguk regained his strong voice after a few days. With each speech, he rallied more supporters. By the time he delivered his final speech before their return to Grenskar, Naguk was confident people will vote for him.
After the final speech concluded without interruption, Naguk gathered his team. "Now," he began, "we will go back to Grenskar. Tomorrow, we strategize for the last week. After that, we move out again for the final push—five more speeches before the match. Is everything clear?"
"Yes, sir!" Everyone responded, and with that, they began the journey back to Grenskar.
After some time Grenskar came into view. As they entered, some of the townsfolk recognized them, offering nods of acknowledgment and quiet greetings. Naguk led the way to their usual meeting hall, where preparations for the next day's planning began immediately.
The following morning, the team gathered early in the meeting hall. Initially, only those who had traveled with Naguk during the campaign were present. Maps were spread across the table, along with notes detailing potential strategies for the upcoming speeches and the final match.
Not long after, Urul and Zurgha arrived with their respective teams. Both orcs looked weary but unharmed, and their numbers were intact. As they entered, Naguk greeted them with a nod. "Urul, Zurgha. Report."
Urul stepped forward. "We encountered resistance in Greymaw Keep, but nothing we couldn't handle. Our ambushes disrupted the enemy's movements, but it wasn't something that will stop them for good."
Naguk nodded approvingly. "Good work. Take your places. We'll begin once the others arrive."
The group waited for what felt like an eternity. But then, the doors swung open.
Ghak and Yargol entered, their teams right behind them—or what was left of them. Ghak supported Yargol, who was limping heavily and looked barely conscious. His armor was scorched and tattered, and a deep gash ran across his side. Behind them, only half of their original teams followed.
Naguk immediately stood. "What happened?" he demanded.
Ghak lowered Yargol into a chair before answering. "We stepped into a trap," she said with barely restrained anger. "The enemy had placed a rune diagram on the ground. It was almost impossible to spot. Once it activated, we were trapped. No one could leave until we broke it down."
She clenched her fists. "It took us too long. By the time we destroyed it, the enemy had the upper hand. We lost too many." Her voice wavered slightly. "Yargol was injured breaking through their defenses, but he's alive. That's more than I can say for the others."
Naguk's jaw tightened, and looked over the remnants of the teams. "How many?" he asked low.
Ghak lowered her head slightly. "Half. Only half of us made it back."
A heavy silence fell over the room. The survivors from Ghak and Yargol's teams stood silently, their faces etched with fatigue and grief.
Naguk lowered his head as he spoke. "These cowards..." His voice was low, filled with restrained fury. Then, louder, he said, "You don't have to join our remaining missions. You can heal, recover, and stay with your people. I won't push you to continue."
Ghak stepped forward immediately. "No. I will join. There is still work to do. We can't give up yet."
Naguk raised a hand to stop her. "Your people are heavily wounded, Ghak. Some of them have fallen. Even if you are able to continue, you should stay with them. They need leadership, someone to guide them through this loss."
Ghak's clenched her fists. "They are not weak," she argued. "They will take care of themselves. I can still fight. I will not let their sacrifice be in vain."
Naguk's mouth opened to respond, but before he could, the smaller orc messenger from earlier hurried into the room, his face etched with urgency. "I have a report," he announced, bowing slightly.
Naguk waved his hand, gesturing for him to continue. "Speak."
The orc straightened. "The Ashfang tribe's candidate has moved out of Greymaw Keep. He left his family there without protection. We could use them as occupants, leverage to blackmail him into resigning his candidacy. It would significantly improve our chances."
Naguk's wondered as he leaned forward slightly. "It sounds like a good opportunity," he admitted slowly. "If we can force him to resign, that's one less opponent to contend with."
Eliss, standing in the corner, felt her heart rate spike. Her hands clenched at her sides, and she turned to Amukelo with a pleading expression. "We can't let that happen," she whispered. "Innocent people will suffer because of that."
Amukelo looked at her with distant face. "I am not the one to speak here," he said. "I've done worse things, Eliss. I can't act as an authority on morality now." He said with deep regret.
Eliss bit her lip. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Ghak stepped forward. "Let me do it," she said. "If this can help us win, I want to help."
Eliss's voice broke as she said. "We can't involve innocent people in this!" The room fell silent as every head turned toward her.
Ghak's eyes narrowed as she walked toward Eliss. "What did you just say?" she asked.
Eliss didn't back down. Her face was pale, but her resolve was unshaken. She turned her gaze to Naguk with raised voice. "Weren't your speeches about how you're different from your opponents? About how you refuse to hide in the shadows like cowards and instead stand in front of your people, leading by example? What could be more cowardly than targeting innocent people? What could be more disgraceful than harming those who have no part in this fight?"
Ghak's teeth bared in a snarl as she stepped closer. "They are hiding," she spat. "Naguk is rallying. This is war, human. There is no cowardice in taking the opportunities that present themselves. Their weakness is not our fault, and their suffering will bring us closer to victory."
Eliss stood her ground, but she was trembling. "It is cowardly. Using innocent people as pawns is exactly the kind of thing your enemies would do. What separates you from them if you stoop to their level? How can you claim to be a leader of change when you embrace the same tactics you condemn?"