11-12-2012, 06:18 PM
The First Mission
The voices outside their family hut were low, and hushed, but she could still make them out. In the darkness of the night she looked to where her Brother should have been sleeping across the room; but he sat awake, looking back to her. Slowly, he raised a finger to his lips to silence any intention of sound that she might make. She only nodded, and even that was a slight movement. She didn’t even dare breathe deeply for fear of being heard. It was together in that darkness that the siblings listened to the important talk of Elders, a hobby that would eventually become hard to break.
“It’s true, Kuro. I heard it myself. The Frostwolves will not drink. Durotan refused Gul’dan’s offer.”
“You are certain?”
“I am. Durotan’s beliefs do not mesh with this new way of things. He stands against the Shadow Council. What this bodes for us, I cannot say.”
“I see.”
“If they do run, like they are planning to, we will be hard pressed to keep an eye on them. I do not know if I like the idea of an entire Clan out there, wandering just out of our grasp. When the Clans were isolated, there were less of these plots and issues to deal with. Now, we need our eyes on everything to stay ahead. I say we convince them to stay, or at least make sure they are not allowed to leave.”
“You will do no such thing. We have no the power to stop an entire Clan, you know that well. Besides, the migration and defiance of one Clan is no direct concern of ours as of yet. There is no power or profit to be gained in participation in uninformed revolution. This is a conflict between the Frostwolves and Gul’dan right now. Let it stay that way as far as the rest of the Clans are concerned. Direct involvement would be…catastrophic to our family. Let us watch and see how things unfold. You cannot deny that you are curious to observe this power struggle.”
“Curiosity is dangerous, Kuro. And I am not sure I like the fact that the Frostwolves cling to the more traditional ways of our people. Are they so afraid of change?”
“Is not everyone afraid of change?”
“Do not play games with my words. When strong opinions develop, battle follows. In war, one must choose sides carefully.”
“I know this well.”
“And yet you would sit idly by?”
“I do not sit idly, I watch. I wait. And then, then I make my decision. Do not be so impatient my old friend. You know I appreciate good stories. This may someday be one.”
“What if the Frostwolves plot to wage war against all the Clans that did drink?”
“Then they plot.”
“And you would let us stay in the dark? Blind to whatever they might be plotting?”
“No. I have no intention of staying in the dark. Knowledge is the lifeblood of war.”
“What then..?”
“We create light.”
“…You mean to send one of us in then? Heh. I suppose that is the best way to know what is going on. But who will you send? I imagine the Frostwolves will be suspicious and on guard against everyone right now. Especially if Durotan feels threatened by the consequences of the choices he has made.”
“They cannot fear that which they see as small and inconsequential.”
“What?”
“No worries, old friend. I will take care of the rest.”
“As you wish. I will await your word.”
“Indeed.”
The outside chatter ceased, and then there were the soft sounds of footfalls upon the earth. One set moved away, and the other moved within the hut. Reka shut her eyes quickly, pretending to be asleep. She did not look to see if Jurek had done the same, but she assumed he had.
Kuro strode calmly to the middle of the hut, sitting himself down before a small table. He stroked his beard with one hand, starring to the wall.
“Reka, attend me.”
Reka did not reply. Gently, the young Orcling bit down on her lip. If she replied, Father would know that she had been listening.
“Do not make me ask again.”
Reka did not need to be told twice. She climbed to her feet, moving to her Father’s side. She rubbed at one eye, yawning. “Yes Father?”
“I would like some tea.”
“Tea, Father? But it is late. Can you not wait for your morning tea? I’m sleepy.” Reka pouted her lower lip at Kuro.
The Elder Orc backhanded the pup with his right hand.
“Do not speak to me with such disrespect. You know better.” Kuro narrowed his eyes as he peered down the length of his nose to his daughter.
Reka stood very still, her cheek stinging from where Kuro had struck her. She did not cry, nor did she yell. Her little hands clenched at her sides as she nodded.
“My apologies, Father. I did not mean to-“
“I do not care for your intentions. I care for the results. In the end, the results are all that matter.”
“I understand, Father.” Reka moved to fetch a pot for his tea.
“Wait.”
Reka stopped in her tracks.
“Come back here.”
Reka turned and moved back to her father, sitting before him as she awaited his next instruction.
“I trust you were listening to my earlier conversation?”
Reka nodded.
Kuro smirked to himself, which surprised Reka. She would have thought him to be furious, but instead he almost seemed to be on the verge of laughing.
“You are a good girl, Reka. And you do make the best tea. It pleases me.” Kuro gave a stern nod, resting his hand atop Reka’s head. “You do wish to make me proud, yes? To be my favored child?”
Reka nodded again.
“Ahh, very good. Now, there is something I need you to do.”
“What is it, Father?”
“There are a group of Orcs that will be going away very soon. I need you to go with them.”
“Where are they going?”
“On a very long trip, my dear. I need you to keep an eye on them for me. Remember what I said about keeping your enemies close?”
“Yes Father, but you also said that everyone is an enemy.”
Kuro chuckled, a deep guttural sound that emerged from his throat. It soon shifted from amusement to a sigh as though it were never a substantial or real thing to begin with.
“So I did, and so both lessons are true. I need you to live with these Frostwolves, Reka. You are but a pup still. They will not see you for what you are.”
“What of you and Jurek, Father?”
“We will remain here. Should the Frostwolves plot against our kind, you will find me. Should they hide? You will tell me under what rock they have crawled. I will know everything.”
“I will be your eyes?”
“Yes, my sweet Reka. You will be my eyes, and I will be your Blade. And when I am gone, that job will fall to your Brother.”
“But Father…”
Kuro frowned at the mention of the word “but” as though expecting another rebuttal, however feeble. His tell tale glance of displeasure caused Reka to swiftly shake her head.
“I was…just wondering who would make your tea!”
“I will fend for myself. I am a grown warrior after all. Now, go back to bed. You will need your sleep after all.”
“But your evening tea!”
“I will wait for the morning. I do not wish to ruin a perfectly good breakfast tea I suppose.” Kuro smiled, and this caused Reka to smile back. She nodded, and with another pat on the head from her Father ran back to her pile of furs.
Kuro sighed again, watching her dart off. Once she had settled, he stood from his place at the table and clasped his hands behind his back. His eyes wandered to where Jurek “slept,” and a smirk crept upon his face. He said nothing, however, and wandered back out into the night.
Reka pulled the furs up to her chin, looking at the ceiling. Living with a group of strangers? It didn’t seem right. The Clans never spent time together save for the once a year gatherings. Of course, things had been changing lately…but it still felt weird. Her eyes began to water, and she shook her head to clear her thoughts. She would not cry. She could not cry. Jurek would never let her hear the end of it, and Father would be so disappointed if he knew. She curled up, to bring her knees closer to her chest. Everything she knew was here. How could she leave it all behind? She shut her eyes tight, taking a deep breath.
The sudden touch of a hand upon her shoulder surprised her, and her eyes opened in an instant. There was Jurek. He said nothing, just sat there close by. Reka tried to hold everything in, but knew her trembling lower lip betrayed her. She sat up and moved closer to her brother, wrapping her arms about him.
Jurek patted her back and let her cry.
“I’ll miss you, Brother.” She whispered between tears.
“I know,” came the typical stony response.
“Will you miss me?”
“No. I know I will see you again.”
“Do you promise? Really promise?”
Jurek nodded.
“You’re the best Brother ever, you know.”
“I know. Now go to bed before Father returns.” Jurek peeled his little sister off of him, letting her lay back down. He pulled the furs up over her and sighed, noting that she was still watching him. “What?”
“Will you stay with me? Until morning?”
“If I must.” Jurek rolled his eyes in a somewhat playful manner. "I will never be rid of you."
“Father says you’ll be my blade.”
“Father says a lot of things.”
“Oooh. I’m telling.”
“No you won’t.”
“You’re right. You know I’ll always keep your secrets.” Reka grinned.
“I am not the one with secrets to be kept. Now close your eyes little sister.”
Reka did as she was told. Her tears had stopped at least. Tomorrow would be a miserable and terrifying experience she was sure, but at least her brother would be there when she woke. If nothing else, she would always have him looking out for her. That was her one certainty in this changing world.