Harrumph chap .15.

The morning walk leading through the ravine gave me much needed time to restructure my mind, so many new ideas and worries had nipped at the still, very secure state of mind; but worries are nonetheless worries.

However strong, one should always humble oneself to think about the worst outcomes.

Not relying on ones current strengths alone.

I personally am strong, but the position I've come to occupy isn't exactly a strong one, I could prevail in battle many times over; even when outnumbered.

With the several elves and one human girl, (soon to be two) residing in the party, it wouldn't be enough to secure any vast, noticeable amounts of land down south.

We could probably build a light fortification in the large forest we passed on our way here.

But what good would hiding do?

Once we grow past a hundred, incomes a thousand: Thereafter we'd no longer be capable and sustainable in the forests alone.

The more we become, the more land we'd need and the resources to keep sustaining growth, a little forest hideout would easily be discovered; we truly can't hide.

Our advance needs to be swift, village after village, a wandering march with few stops, through lands that will fill our ranks.

Once the lords seek vengeance on our puny party, they'll find new breeds, strong and filial orcs birth with my blood. Pure, strong, healthy and to strong as oxens.

With this, we can overcome.

Nonetheless, these worries hold me back, this revenge of mine won't be swift.

It may take years, possible a decade even to undo man as the unsuitable primary heads.

Their rule will end with my ascension.

A light sigh left my frosted lips.

Clenching my fists.

Behind me followed the human girl, she kept her distance, happily putting her feet in the prints left by me in the thick snow.

Seems dull, (will she sharpen with time) and rather uncouth.

But I like that about her, the rough appearance with an angel face, brightening her surroundings.

Her lack of clothing in the snowy weather is proof of their thick skin and warm blood.

She won't be a liability.

We're so alike.

Though shorter and scrawny in comparison; I like these kinds of women.

"... Am I trying to kid myself," veering forwards as we closed in on the castle.

This hatred that ran through me, my strength; my very essence.

A fact that I'm here.

Burning like wildfire, encapsuled and outright stuck, rotted to an ideal that'll cause chaos.

Why do I not hate hate all humans; the ones here seem reasonable.

Am I nothing more than a lowlife.

A traitor who sits pretty with some humans and certain elves, to think them some sort of friends, even possibly, allies.

Won't all humans come to hate us once I begin my march.

Words will spread.

Hate will brew.

When time comes, they'll certainly choose to stand with their own, truly.

Would the chieftess really put pleasure above kin?

I doubt so.

I shouldn't try to make friends with humans, to see it from their eyes and seek out a logic that made them hunt us like animals; pursue us into slavery.

That will taint my own view.

It'll corrupt my purpose.

I'll enslave all women, kill the useless that'll seek revenge; those who lack ability will become slaves.

Turning the tide, asserting my view.

That's how it should be, no more wasted kindness.

No more useless diplomacy that sees both parties prosper.

Killing every useless human I meet; if not enslave.

Will that solve the issues at hand?

I wish to absolve this world of man's greed, orcs need to be dominant: I need to stand at the top.

"So why, why is it that I'm bothering making small talk, easing into this normalcy with humans, and acting as if they are equal, who am I kidding?!"

Myself, no one but myself.

Swallowing I felt the pain of shame, for the first time it had actually come to bother me.

Aren't I also to do better?

Talking, reasoning and making friends out of foes.

Then again, the lowly scum that lead us to this complicated situation, did they try to negotiate with the former elders, kings and clansmen of my kin.

Did orcs get a word in, did they ever cede land for peace or was there never such talks?

I do wish to reclaim lost lands, to rebuild an orchish kingdom.

Vast enough to stretch from ocean to ocean and encompass all of mankind.

Seeking revenge, is that plausible as a reason to do something so immense, or is that a stepping stone in the grand strategy?

But again, is all that doable with humans, elves and the other species diluting my sole purpose?

I can't live a lie and tell myself to be two sides of the same coin, one must always face upwards, to be resolute.

It's not time to regret, I need to be as brutal as can be; to show humans what fear is like.

War...

HATRED!!

I am burning with the flames of vengeance.

All shall kneel.

Even so.

At the head of an army with orcs only, will we manage?

With elves and some brutish humans, goblins and others ahead; come to think of it.

Weren't dwarves, centaurs, lizard folk and other races of unique backgrounds, once they were touted as evil, wicked minions birthed out of dark magic.

I wonder where current, other wicked creatures would be hiding.

Satyrs seem less than manageable, minotaur's would be hiding in areas less accessible.

That's besides the point, an army of many would be best suited to take on the might of an allied force. We need to be better than our enemy, use everything to our advantage.

Even so, will they again submit and fight in the coming darkness, crush the accursed plight that is man. It's all the same in the end, isn't it?

Loyal minions, lesser than orcs but, no less useful.

Once you become my subordinate, a servant to see out my ambition.

Accepting my domination, maybe that is all I need.

I'm truly done with being nice though; this is where it all ends and where it starts.

Even so, I will want archers, elves to stick to me.

Human women of strength and prowess, their gifts will be turned on their kind.

I can live with sacrificing some guilt, to see me rise faster by the help of others.

Would that really do, recruiting those that wish to see my destiny fulfilled?

I let out a sigh, the gate ahead was opening and at the entrance stood my lonesome daughter.

"Nox..."

The dark hair taken by the wind.

Maybe for the sake of those to come, we shouldn't be too hasty.

We've got such a long road ahead of us, that's right.

- Somewhere in a human settlement -

A lightly guarded building, fenced in with an iron gate.

From the front door exited a woman, tall and of elegant stature.

A man wearing light armor with a tunic covering the sheen, purple and white, a clear and lovely flower in it's center. "Sona."

The man bowed and curiously asked, "it's been long since that prickly sis of yours went out?"

Her tone rough, "tsk... Uggh, don't bring that tart up. She's up and left with half my men back then, stating, "I'll bring back some orcs," that was just ahead of the war ending, stupid girl. So rash-"

She sighed, "some orcs could've paid all our debt, instead I've already done that... Though you are right, she has been gone for quite awhile now, something important must be keeping her."

Sona gave a listless stare at her feet, shrugging off any bad thoughts that came to mind.

"Do you, do you perhaps think she got bested?"

"No..."

Confident in her answer.

"She's not particularly eloquent, but she speaks with her sword and she's incredibly quick at that. But if something happened to her-" She paused.

"Then, that someone, will surely come to regret it."