Oerbora, Daggerfall

2:50 p.m. 20th Banem 1092.

A heavy, tense silence hung over the city, several orcs going about their day with bloodshot red eyes. News of the massacre at Rhatheh had spread far and wide, reaching the ears of even the most reclusive of orcs. The proud tribes, consumed by rage and anger, wished for nothing more than to go out and slaughter every dwarf in sight for revenge. Unfortunately, the chief Grimlock had instead, ordered a lockdown until he got to the bottom of what happened.

However, everyone knew the real truth. Grimlock was waiting for either Renark or Dust to return. Neither of their bodies was found among the dead, leading the chief to believe at least one of them was alive. He hoped to hear the news of exactly what transpired in that meeting that managed to catch both orcs off-guard.

Suddenly, a shout pierced through the stillness, its message instantly invigorating the once quiet city. "It's Ragelock! Ragelock is back!"

Like a great green flood, thousands of orcs immediately dropped whatever they were doing and rushed to the city gates, eager to see the famous chief and hear what he had to say. Did the dwarfs really betray them, or was something else at play here?

The orcs eventually made it to the gate, where they saw a stumbling Renark supported by GrizzlyDiamond, with the other members of Silver Spear around them. Normally, the orcs would have reacted strongly to the presence of these humes, but Renark's critical condition seized their attention. The poor orc suffered numerous large and small injuries, many of which were life-threatening. He could barely stand, only managing to walk as a result of GrizzlyDiamond's support.

Seeing Renark's state, the orcs could not help but exclaim in shock, "Vengeful Sutr. What happened to you!?"

Renark violently coughed, spitting out large mouthfuls of blood in the process. The orc weakly raised his eyes to look at the person who spoke and then begged, "Grimlock. I need to see Grimlock. Quick!"

The orc rapidly nodded as he processed his shock, and then turned around to go find the great chief.

Meanwhile, the other orcs quickly crowded around Ragelock, each one with a thousand questions. What had happened? Where had he been? Who were the people with him? A thousand questions for a single orc who looked to be on the verge of death. Luckily, a smart orc realized the severity of the situation and pushed the rest of his brethren backward, creating space for Renark to breathe.

"Th-thank you," Renark huffed between heavy pants, and then asked once more, "Where's Grimlock?"

"I am here, Ragelock," Grimlock called out as the crowd parted, forming a path to the injured orc. Grimlock walked up to Renark, eyes narrowing slightly as he glanced at Brilith and her party. However, moments later, he looked at Renark with sadness in his eyes, "So. It really is you." The orc sighed and then asked, "And Durst?"

Renark shook his head. "We got separated at Adder's Pass." He took a deep breath to stabilize his breath and then continued, "He drew our pursuers onto himself so I could escape."

"Sounds like something he would do," lamented Grimlock with a sigh. "I can only pray he is not dead. But if he hasn't returned for this long, then he most likely is." Grimlock sighed once again as he took out a potion and fed it to Renark. "Here, this should help clear out the foreign ki in your bloodstream."

"Thank you," Renark said as he felt the foreign ki invading his body slowly being expelled outward, which then allowed his regeneration to finally kick in. The orc let out a relieved chuckle as he felt strength returning to his body. When he was strong enough, he removed his hand from GrizzlyDiamond's neck and then slowly regained his balance, as his leg muscles healed at a visible rate.

"Good. It's working," Grimlock remarked as he observed Renark's rapidly healing injuries. "Now tell me everything. Who ambushed you? How did they do it? and why did they do it?"

Renark nodded, knowing that Gimlock was not a very patient orc. "It was the dwarfs. They set up an ambush at the town. I don't know how they even knew we were going to be there."

"Dwarfs!" "I knew it!" "Those Bastards!" "Kill them all!" "Kill them all"

Grimlock raised his hand, quieting the protest before it began. With a frown, he asked, "Dwarfs? Those cowards bested both you and Durst?"

"The dwarfs weren't the problem," Renark explained. "They had help from a powerful guild. I have never met Summoned that strong before. We were on the defensive before we even knew what had happened."

"These Summoned. What are they called?"

"The Hopeful Maggots," Renark answered with a hardened gaze. "They're planning on world domination, and it seems we were next on their list. They must have allied with the dwarfs to gain full control of Daggerfall."

"Hopeful Maggots?" Grimlock repeated with a frown. "I have heard that name somewhere." The chief scratched his head, but then failing to recall, he just said, "Ah, it doesn't matter. We'll go on lockdown right now. We have enemies to our front and back. We cannot afford to engage in any prolonged battles right now.

"What? No!" Renark shouted in rage. "My people are dead! Hundreds of orcs; men, women and children, all slaughtered. And you want us to turtle even further!? No! I say we take the fight to the dwarfs! Let's see how much they like it when it's their homes being burned to the ground."

"YEAAAH!"

The earth trembled as the surrounding orcs shouted in unison, each one excited at the prospect of enacting vengeance on the wily dwarfs.

"I said no," Grimlock affirmed with a cold look. "We don't know everything yet. There are still many pieces missing. Until we have a clear picture of the board, we shouldn't react by instincts alone, or we'll all get killed."

"Nonsense!" Renark roared in rage, bloodshot eyes revealing his deep-rooted anger. "You cannot let the dwarfs get away with this! We must strike now and strike hard! I refuse to wait around for another town to get burned to the ground. If you won't help, then I will go on my own!"

BOOM!

Renark stumbled, eyes wide as Grimlock's aura swept through the surroundings, knocking over several orcs like dominoes. The chieftain glared at Renark as he gave a snarled warning, "I understand you are angry, but do not ever question my decision again!"

Renark snorted, eyes narrowing as he roared, "This post has made you senile, old man. Since you choose to stop me, then I'll take your place!" The orc raised his war axe, and then tossed it on the ground in front of Grimlock. With a savage glare, he challenged, "Pick it up, Grimlock. I challenge you to Uruk-Thai!"

The road went silent as the orcs processed what just transpired. Moments later, however, they erupted in a loud shout of joy as they shouted, "Uruk-Thai, Uruk-Thai, Uruk-Thai!"

Amidst the chanting and swearing, Renark glared at Grimlock, a grim smile on his face as he challenged, "Surely you won't turtle away from this too?"

Grimlock looked at the axe, then at Renark, and finally at Brilith and her companions. He seemed to have reached a conclusion as his gaze hardened, a sinister glint in his eyes. "You have gone down the wrong path," Grimlock warned as he bent over and picked up the axe. "I will set it right."

Crack!

The orcs once again went silent as they watched Grimlock snap Renark's axe handle in two. This singular act had changed the nature of the Uruk-thai. It was no longer a battle to find who was stronger, but a true deathmatch. Evidently, Renark's challenge had greatly infuriated Grimlock.

Once again, the orcs erupted in a series of loud cheers, disbelief written all over their faces. To think that they would get to see not just an Uruk-thai, but a true deathmatch between two of the strongest orcs. They could not wait!

Renark looked at Grimlock, eyes grim as he picked up the broken pieces of the axe. "What time?"

"Sunrise tomorrow," Grimlock stated and then turned his back to the orc. "Be ready."

"Don't worry about me," Renark snorted as he too turned away.

The crowd cleared a path as both orcs went their separate ways. They could not wait. The next day was bound to be an unforgettable one.

A couple minutes later, within a building in the Elven district, Renark let out a sigh as he looked out of a window, his eyes heavy with hints of regret and self-doubt. "Am I really doing the right thing here?"

"Now is not the time to doubt yourself," chided Brilith Loneheart as she walked up to and then stood next to the orc. Gazing out the window, she said, "You might not realize it, but your actions have saved the lives of your brethren." A sadistic smile played across her cold lips as he stated, "If you had not taken my hand, this city would only be a pile of rubble by now. You are one of the few people who have seen my true power. You know I could do it if I wanted."

Renark clamped his hand over his mouth, tears pouring down his cheeks as he sobbed, "My men. All of them. Massacred. This was not supposed to happen!"

"We also lost a lot of good soldiers in that massacre," Brilith stated with a regretful sigh. "I did not expect an ambush in that situation." Her gaze grew sinister as she snarled, "We will find this woman of the Chaos Order and drive a sword through her throat. Until then, you must keep your head on the mission at hand."

Renark clenched his fists, blood dripping down his palm as his nails dug into his flesh. "Why did you have me name the Hopeful Maggots? What part do they play in this?"

"That is more a precaution than anything else," Brilith admitted. "Our spies in Serisis reported that the Hopeful Maggots have made multiple contacts with Serisis' royalty. Durst and the dwarf might come into contact with them while there. This way, we can paint Durst as the villain if the need ever arises." Brilith smiled as she added, "Never forget that the most important part of a lie is its foundations. You need to set preparations to back up your lie well in advance of actually telling it. That way, you might even deceive yourself that it is the truth, not to speak of whomever you are lying to."

Renark's eyes glazed over as he looked at Brilith. "You are a deceitful, spiteful woman."

"Why, thank you," responded Brilith with a cold smile that sent chills up Renark's spine. "I try my hardest." With those words, Brilith turned around and made her way out of the room. "Tomorrow," the wisben called as she paused at the door. Without looking over her shoulder, she questioned, "You are confident in your victory, correct?"

Renark clenched his fists, but then nodded and said, "Yes. Yes I am."

"Good to know," Brilith said as she disappeared into the corridor, her parting words filling the orc with untold dread, "It would be preferable if I do not have to interfere."

Renark glared at the door, remaining silent until he was sure Brilith had gone out of earshot. Only then did he turn back to the window, blazing eyes gazing out into the streets below. The orc let out a sigh as he muttered to no one in particular, "Forgive me, Durst. This is the only way to save our people." The orc gripped his fists and then said with firmed resolve. "Whatever it takes..."

Forever Sea,

3:50 p.m. 20th Banem 1092.

Somewhere in the Forever Sea between Rosendun and Serisis, a group of fishermen on a fishing trip stared wide-eyed and slack-jawed at the most absurd thing they had ever seen in their lives.

A stallion, mounted by a foolishly grinning daeben, charged across the ocean, leaving massive waves and lightning storms in its wake.