Fang
growled, "I have fought for my own, as well! You think I like to kill, but
you are wrong. I want to fight, because there are enemies. I am a warrior, but
I am not a beast! Goblins do not understand. They attack from behind. We march
into battle! The enemy sees us coming, so we must fight with fury."
Slither
scowled. "Orcs are loud and obvious. We strike when the enemy is unawares.
But we still die, just like you. I have lost many friends on the field of
battle."
"Then,
you should understand why I want to return. There are enemies to fight, and my
people need me. You are needed, too."
The
goblin grew frustrated. "You have always seen me as smaller and weaker.
So, what makes you think I can make a difference?"
Fang
looked right at him. "When, we were young, you convinced me to help our
fathers. I did not want to do it. So, you told me you would do it alone. Now,
it is my turn. If you will not return to the war with me, I will go
alone." And with that, he turned to leave.
Slither
paused, and then said, "Wait."
The
orc stopped, and turned to look at him.
"We
have fought the humans before. Our numbers are of little use."
Fang
walked right up to him. "We will not return as warriors, but as
Chiefs."
"You,
a leader?"
The
orc smirked, "You followed me." Slither was about to speak, but Fang
held up a hand. "I know the Shades will follow you. We are heroes."
He gestured all around. "Look at how they revere us. We will show them we
deserve it. And we must use it as a weapon against our enemies."
Slither
bowed his head. "I do not want to be a hero."
Fang
assured, "What we want does not matter. We can make things better. We have
done it before."
"Does
Clar know about this?"
The
orc chuckled. "Can I keep secrets from her? She knows, and she is not
happy about it."
"Gishin
will not like this. She will blame you."
Fang
shrugged.
Slither
turned to look at the orchard, as if for the last time.
The
orc just stood there, waiting.
"What
if we offer to be Chiefs and they refuse?"
Fang
grinned. "We will convince them."
Hand of Fate is available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2SM81S
