Cursed king

Time now being early in the morning, there wasn't much we had to worry about, pampering the two siblings whilst picking up any gear from the satyrs remains.

To my surprise we'd found several swords and proper throwing spears in proper sacks.

Knowing now that satyrs ruled these parts. Goblins, as weak as they are would have certainly been pushed aside with ease; made to go further into the mountains.

I could hope to find signs of them as we ventured further, now with the wagon and prisoners trailing behind, we'd slowed to a crawl and the terrain with steep inclines made us ever so slower.

Morning soon turned day and we were forced to stop to eat, the prisoners weren't as able bodied compared to us orcs, I might add that some showed signs of soreness after last night's event.

Taking initiative I ventured ahead, standing next to a cliff side that overlooked the barren chasm, able to see a path that'd take us further through darkness, "excuse me?"

A voice caught me off guard. "Qira! Do you have a moment to speak."

I nodded and gave Elba a wave, the two of us having a seat by a set of rocks.

"What's on your mind-" her side pressed against mine.

"well, you see... One of the elves said she'd offer her services, her expertise, (she said) could see us through the pass and I thought you might want to know?"

"Help us?" I said briskly, wondering if the elf had other intentions.

"I agree that it's easy to think ill when a lowly elf speaks, even I felt discouraged listening to her, suggestion."

I slowly turned to face Elba, curiously asking, "then why bring it to my attention."

Reluctantly her eyes met mine, worryingly she spoke. "Because she wasn't lying."

I little grin formed and I put my size to good use, pushing into Elba, "based on what did you make an assumption like that."

"Qira, magic is more so to do with your body, and I have my set of powers as a shaman... I might not be the most powerful, but I can see things, intentions."

"So this means you can now read minds and see that her intention is pure, what you are saying is that we should trust her based on magic alone? What if she tricked you?"

"I know some elves are magical users, but that doesn't mean much, I saw her intent and I'll have to say, she seemed rather content in helping us." With a quick grip I pulled Elba in, her cheek pressured by my hand as I had a deep look into her eyes, practically greeting her soul.

"You trust her?"

Swallowing she nodded faintly, "I do."

A moment passed and I let Elba go, her cheeks were flushed and a bright sheen was visible.

"Bring me the elf, have her clothes returned and whilst you're at it, give her a bow with a full quiver, if she's too help us then she could inspire the same out of the rest."

Elba freaked on hearing my words. "Wait? Giving her a weapon wasn't something I'd thought to do, It's different from helping you find a passage way, but to hand her a weapon?!"

A light chuckle was let out as I nodded. "I command it-"

"Hmpf, you and your commandments..."

Poking her fleshy butt with my index finger, swallowed by the girth of plush.

Playfully I let my nail graze the full length, down to her plush thighs.

"If you're a good little witch and do as I ask without questions, you might get to warm up my tent for the nights to come."

She shook her head quick to get flustered, her crossed arms loosening as she practically skipped towards the rest who were eating lunch, fast to do my bidding.

I was left with my thoughts as I wondered on the best course of action.

If one elf follows my lead, becoming attuned to our ways and lives with us accepting the simple fact that they're lesser than orcs, perhaps in the future a world for all of could be made.

Perhaps not one where humans, elves and so on are "equal," but allowed to exist in a harmonious space, it's too soon for me to speak of a unified world where everyone can live in some artificial peace.

Orcs would by all means have to be the most numerous, dominant in all matters- but elves could coexist through their longevity, even if they aren't to mate with each other, they'd live for so long that it wouldn't matter.

As well as that.

Having some archers of their kin would be valuable, far more valued than their corpses rotting at the side of a road; we orcs will need to change our ways.

I pondered on this topic as the elf prepared herself to move out with me.

* * *

Moving with the unrestricted elf made it easier for us to go ahead of the rest, finding the best path before they arrived.

After half an hour of walking I abruptly stopped and turned to face the elf who were lagging behind. "Do you have a name, slowpoke."

She awkwardly nodded and spoke quietly. "Ilyana Helfyr."

"Ilyana, that is special to the ears of any orc." I watched her blush and turn to avoid me seeing her cheeks, but it was too late. "It's pretty-" I said with little emotion.

Shortly after I felt a light wooden object press against my back.

She'd tapped me with the bow, "Thank you." She let out.

That's when I noted her long ears and fair hair, like the finest silk the strands flowed calmly.

I hadn't really thought about it to this very moment, elves have such fine ears, sharp faces and hair no other would posses. "Need something?" I asked with a warm tone.

"I just wondered what your name is."

I twirled around and lightly flicked her forehead before parting her bangs.

"Qira, is your owners name." She fell as if under a spell, having almost forgotten her place as a mere slave; for now that is. Things can still change.

Another half hour passed with little talks other than minor chats about the princess and who they were, having seemingly been lost in the woods thinking we were looters, not knowing the war with the orcs had been won; for now.

The princess was from the south, her guards all the same, more than that I didn't ask.

I didn't care too much about prying her for information, I had other things on the mind, such as the ruins ahead of us.

"Stay close to me-" I briskly told Ilyana.

The two of us entered the main gates into the courtyard, burnt corpses scattering the ground had been eaten away at by the elements, we reached a set of double doors and I pushed them aside, for a moment everything seemed quiet, all until a disembodied voice called out. "Guests, how quaint?"

A laughter filled the halls as we moved further in, on a throne at the back in the chamber sat a black fog, a person which could be seen just barely, the person shifted his legs and eagerly leaned forwards.

"Well now... An orc traveling with an elf, for how long have I been here for such races to make peace-" The cold voice let out a simper, stopped only by a harsh set of coughs. "Travelers, I wish you no harm... Since you're a southern elf, you're not whom I have a quarrel with."

Ilyana's legs were trembling, even as he'd said she wasn't on his list of enemies.

"Wraith, who are you." I asked assertively.

"Me... A king, cursed... A king no more perhaps, but yet live and my crown remains, my lands... No more, but here I am-" His cough once again interrupted his speech. "I don't have much, shelter from the rain is all I have, you're not the first to have come so recently, seeking refuge."

"Who would've been here before us?" I asked curiously.

"Green little fellows, goblins. The queen was quick to leave on hearing my voice, spoke of a threat."

I shook my head and nodded, "So a queen is ruling the goblins?" Muttering to myself.

Soon I'd be the queen over the goblins, they'd see me as their regal lord.

"We're getting closer."