Over the next several days, Naguk, Ezukar, and the rest of their camp adopted a quieter, less combative approach. Their chief commander had made it clear that they were to avoid any direct confrontations, focusing instead on activities that would not jeopardize the fragile peace efforts. It wasn't glamorous work, but it was vital. The orcs turned their attention to securing supply lines, ensuring that food, medicine, and other necessities reached camps further from the conflict zones. They also prioritized the evacuation of civilians who were caught in the crossfire or who lived too close to the fighting.
Despite their fatigue, Naguk and Ezukar threw themselves at these tasks. The camp that had housed the orc civilians was eventually emptied, with families and vulnerable individuals escorted to safer, fortified locations. However, the camp itself remained active due to the ongoing custody of the human captives.
About a week later, after returning from a successful civilian evacuation, Naguk and Ezukar sat down in the mess area to eat. The two friends exchanged idle conversation as they ate.
As they were finishing their meal, a soldier approached them, his expression urgent but controlled. He stopped a few steps away and said, "Naguk, Ezukar. The human kid from the other camp is here. He's speaking with the chief commander right now, but he said he needs to see you as well."
Naguk raised an eyebrow, glancing at Ezukar. "Us?" he asked. "What does he want with us?"
The soldier shook his head. "I don't know. I was just told to fetch you. Don't make him wait, though."
Ezukar set down his plate, wiping his hands on his trousers. "We'd better go," he said, standing up. Naguk followed, brushing crumbs off his armor. The two made their way to the command tent, exchanging puzzled looks but saying little.
Inside the tent, they found the chief commander seated at the head of a table, flanked by several of his advisors. Ler stood in the middle of the room, flanked by two human soldiers. The humans were tense, their eyes scanning the room carefully, but Ler himself appeared composed, if slightly nervous. As Naguk and Ezukar entered, the chief commander gestured for them to join the group.
"Ah, you're here," the chief commander said, motioning them forward. "We have good news."
Naguk tilted his head slightly. "Good news?"
The chief commander nodded, then turned to Ler, waving a hand as if to say, "Explain."
Ler stepped forward. "Our general has responded better than we expected. After our commander informed him of everything, he agreed to move forward with the peace efforts. He's issued orders for all forces under his command to halt their advances, and he's even begun convincing other units to do the same."
Ezukar's eyes widened slightly, but he said nothing, letting Ler continue.
"However," Ler added with more serious tone, "the general has one condition before he fully commits."
Naguk narrowed his eyes slightly. "One condition?"
Ler nodded. "He was intrigued by the reports about the two young orcs who managed to achieve so much understanding between our people. He wants to meet you both, along with your chief commander, in our camp. He believes that seeing the people behind these efforts will help solidify the trust being built."
Naguk and Ezukar exchanged glances.
Ler continued. "That's not all. After meeting in our camp, the general wants to visit your camps as well. He plans to oversee the release of the remaining captives and discuss further steps toward peace in your camp. He believes that showing a united front at both camps will send a powerful message to everyone on both sides."
He finished speaking, taking a step back as he awaited their response. The tent was quiet for a moment, the weight of Ler's words settling over everyone.
Ezukar and Naguk were momentarily stunned by the weight of what Ler had said. They exchanged looks, their expressions fluctuating between disbelief and hope. Ezukar's lips eventually parted into a wide smile, unable to contain his excitement.
"Did you agree to this, Chief Commander?" Ezukar asked, his voice brimming with both anticipation and anxiety. "Will you go?"
The chief commander leaned back in his chair, his eyes thoughtful as he scrutinized the group. He allowed a pause to linger before he spoke. "It could very well be a trap," he said gravely. Ezukar's smile faltered, and he began to open his mouth to plead further, but before he could say anything, the chief commander continued. "That being said... If we go, we risk only three lives. But if we succeed, we could save countless more. So, yes, I will go."
Ezukar's smile returned, wider than before. He bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir!"
Naguk, standing to his friend's side, allowed himself a rare grin. For once, even his guarded demeanor slipped, showing a glimmer of the idealism Ezukar carried so openly.
One of the chief commander's advisors, a burly orc with a scar running down his cheek, spoke up, his tone laced with concern. "Are you sure about this, sir? You're walking into their territory. If it is a trap, you won't have an escape."
The chief commander stepped closer to the man who had spoken. He clapped the advisor on the shoulder. "If we don't try, nothing will change. The bloodshed will continue, and we'll lose more than we can ever afford. But if something does happen to us—" he leaned in slightly, his voice low, almost a growl—"you will move immediately. Give us ten hours. If we're not back, that means the talks failed, and you act accordingly. Understood?"
The advisor straightened, nodding solemnly. "Understood, sir."
With that, the chief commander turned to Naguk and Ezukar, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Gather what you need and meet me at the gate. We move now."
After gathering their essentials and taking a brief moment to collect themselves, Ezukar, Naguk, Ler, and the chief commander began their journey toward the human camp.
As they moved, Ler turned his head toward Ezukar and Naguk. "You know," he began, his voice breaking the silence, "I didn't think this would get this far. I didn't think either side would listen, let alone agree to something like this."
Naguk grunted. "Neither did we. But it's not over yet."
Ezukar chimed in. "We're here because we believed it could happen. And now, so do they. That's enough to keep trying."
Ler nodded, a faint smile gracing his lips. "I hope you're right."
The group arrived at Ler's camp as darkness fell, the firelight of torches illuminating the settlement. The human soldiers standing guard gave the group sharp, assessing looks as they passed. Ler walked slightly ahead, his presence enough to keep the tension at bay.
Near the center of the camp stood a large tent, flanked by higher-ranking human soldiers. As they approached, the soldiers outside the tent stiffened, their gazes wary. Ler exchanged a few quick words with them before they stepped aside, allowing the group entry.
Inside, the atmosphere was heavy. A group of humans stood around in the middle. At the center of it all sat a tall and broad-shouldered man, with sharp, calculating eyes and a thick scar running diagonally across his left brow. His dark, slightly graying hair was cropped short, and his uniform was immaculate, adorned with a silver insignia on his chest—a mark of his rank. This was General Varek Stormclad.
As the orcs entered, Varek's gaze lifted from the table, and he stood. His eyes landed on Ezukar and Naguk first, lingering briefly, before shifting to the chief commander. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he extended a hand.
"So these are the two young fellows responsible for all this?" he said, his tone carrying both curiosity and a trace of humor. He didn't wait for an answer before turning fully to the chief commander. "And you must be their leader. It's a pleasure to meet you, as unusual as this situation might be. I am General Varek Stormclad, commander of the third battalion."