Aknon's POV

I learned a very valuable and useful lesson. When orcs say that they live nearby, they mean that it's about half a day's walk. It had practically killed me trying to keep up with their pace. Most of them were full-blooded orcs, meaning that Mesh had to jog to catch up with them sometimes. It had been a big headache. At least I didn't have to worry about anything attacking us, since the orcs could handle the wilderness pretty easily.

I'm calling it the wilderness because they had immediately marched into the forest which surrounded Kourjit to the west. I wasn't a huge fan of the fact we were moving away from the city, but I knew where I was going if I had to go back, which I probably would end up doing.

I didn't think that I would get any answers from the orcs in all honesty. I figured that they stayed within their clans most of the time, and that they had their own little societies. I understood that they didn't care much for outsiders, as most cities didn't care much for them. I was an outsider, and yet they were still letting me into their stronghold. At least I figured they were, since they were tugging me along and waiting for me once I got too far behind. Some of them found it funny, and I noticed a few sympathetic glances in my direction.

I slowed even more as a wooden fort came into view. I understood where we were immediately, and I was growing apprehensive. There were spikes in front of the fort with the carcasses of many animals, and maybe one or two human skulls. I didn't know how friendly these guys actually were. They had probably just saved me because I was with Mesh.

Most of the orcs filed in with a cheer, bringing Mesh inside, who looked back at me for a few minutes before being pulled away. I paused by the gate with Grolen, who had talked to me occasionally and asked me how I was. She told me about her son and husband, who surprisingly didn't live in the stronghold. Her husband was a human, and their son was a half-orc just like Mesh. From what I'd heard, he's absolutely adorable.

"The chief hasn't been here in a while," Grolen informed me as she stopped me by the entrance, pulling me to the side. "It means that this place has been a little rowdier than it usually is. My best advice would be to stay with Mesh or I and keep your head down. And by that, I mean try to fit in."

I hesitated. "That would be akin to telling a fish to walk on land," I pointed out with a sigh and a shake of my head. "Maybe the fish has a better chance."

She laughed and hit my shoulder, I assumed it was meant to be a friendly pat, but it almost caused my knees to buckle. "You will get a hang of our lifestyle, it shouldn't be too bothersome for you, little fish." Her teasing smile didn't help my mood. "I believe that if you stick with Mesh, your schedules and preferences will line up somewhat. It'll be easier for you as opposed to the rest of us. You will require more sleep and less food." She gave her stomach a pat. "It is food time now actually; they will all be in the hall."

I nodded slowly, looking inside the stronghold to see if there was anything which mildly represented a hall, but I couldn't find anything. "And what do you prefer to eat?" I was only slightly sceptical. I'd seen Mesh eat bugs and wood, but also enjoy a good meal at the inn.

Grolen laughed like I had made a joke. "We eat anything." She wrapped an arm around my shoulders once more and led me inside.

There were straw dummies nearly everywhere I looked, all in various degrees of use. Some had been completely covered in cuts with straw falling out of them, laying in a heap on the ground. Whilst others looked brand new and hardly touched. There were targets in a far corner, with various weapons spread out on various tables beside them. There was even an axe in one of the targets, right on the bullseye. I didn't want to think about what they used for the red colour for the markings on the targets.

There were also several tents scattered around. Some were tall and large, whilst others were relatively small. Each of them looked like they'd been handmade from old scraps. The bigger ones gave the impression that they were once small and had to be adjusted to accommodate more inhabitants. It was quite a nice sentiment if I thought about it, the tents growing as the family grew.

I noticed that some orcs were going to the biggest tent of them all, walking back and forth between that tent and the fire. They held what seemed to be plates, once again all in varying condition. They all appeared to be made of wood, which led me to wonder if they got splinters and if they were even bothered by the idea of it. I'd eaten off of a wooden plate many times before, but they were always meticulously crafted and used in inns, very safe to use.

Everyone was chatting amongst themselves, the chatter being rather loud in comparison to what I was used to. But the atmosphere was somewhat warm and friendly. It made me feel like this was a huge family, and I was the intruder who had been brought by one of the distant cousins. Either that or I was the burglar here to steal some food.

There was plenty of food left, so I grabbed a small portion of potatoes, carrots, and some kind of meat which looked very questionable. I figured that it wouldn't be poisonous, it looked cooked and there wasn't any kind of disagreeable nature about it. It tasted a little like pork.

I sat by Mesh, who happily talked with the other orcs, but I could tell there was some hesitation. I wondered why, given that he'd been so excited to come here. I wondered if he was tired, or even regretted his decision.

I was distracted by my thoughts the whole time, but I managed to have some conversations with those around me. Grolen had told me to fit in, and I was right on the assumption that would be nearly impossible for me. I couldn't laugh as loud as them, nor did I particularly like their humour, but I tried. I think that they could see that as well.

The night was drawing in as we finished eating, the fire illuminated the stronghold and people began to settle. I noticed a few children here, full-blooded orcs who had wide and bright eyes. I assumed that they were the children of the chief, from what I knew of orc societies I knew that the chief was often the only one with offspring. Then again, I didn't particularly research orc society during my free time.

The children found interest in me, for a very obvious reason. They enjoyed it when I tried to attack them with my tail, of course dealing no damage to them. It was amusing to watch, and I felt like if I had any role here, it would be a babysitter. I thought that was typical, given the fact I'd done that with my siblings most of my life.

"That's enough," Mesh said after a few hours of talking with his kin. His voice was somewhat authoritative, which surprised me. After a few hours of talking to the tribe, it seemed his attitude had definitely improved since dinner.

"But it's fun," a young boy protested, looking to be about nine years old. "We haven't seen anything like this before, his tail so so quick it's so much better than the obstacle courses we have." I didn't know if that was a compliment or not.

"Yeah, he said that he'd actually fight us next time we pulled at it," a young girl added, crossing her arms over her chest. There were two other children, but they seemed to just be having fun with it, being around between three and six.

"Hm, I know Aknon doesn't tell lies, but he is tired." Mesh shook his head before putting a hand on my arm, once again nearly forcing my legs to crumble beneath me. "Aknon needs to speak to Buruh tomorrow."

The children immediately straightened their backs, glancing at each other nervously. Their lips were thin lines, and it was the most terrifying thing I'd ever seen. Seeing the very enthusiastic and somewhat defiant children go from excitedly dodging the point of my tail to seeing them silent and at attention like soldiers gave me a foreboding feeling.

"He's going to talk to Buruh?" the young boy asked sceptically, looking back and eyeing me up and down. "Why? Would she even talk to him?"

Mesh chuckled and ruffled the boy's hair. "Of course she will. Her guidance is not only limited to orcs. She is just the best person to go to right now."

"But I don't think so," the boy replied, still eyeing me, even though Mesh had somewhat moved his head away. "He's not going to war, is he? What will Buruh do?"

Those words reminded me of who Buruh actually was. She held the title of the deity of war and battle. The orcs worshipped her in many ways, since most of their culture is centred around battle and fighting.

Remembering this caused me to frown, as I hadn't asked to be connected to another deity. Did Mesh know something I didn't? And was that information why he came with me in the first place? That felt impossible. I was just getting more questions, and I doubted that I'd get any answers, even from my book.

The children grumbled and left, heading to a large tent near the far back of the stronghold. I gave Mesh a questioning glance, which he didn't acknowledge as he gestured for me to follow in the same direction.