Chapter 398: Companionship (2/2)

He offered, carefully checking the reactions of the elders before asking.

”[Orc] So, what do you all think?

Interestingly, there was quite a mixture of facial expressions on the elders' faces. For Roas, his look turned sour, which was shared by almost half of them. Others retained their neutral looks, whilst only two of the present Orc Elders responded with vigorous, elated looks on their faces.

Turning to Roas, he asked his first guardian.

”[Orc] What is it that is weighing on you, Roas? Don't worry, you can tell me.”

”[Orc] Young Master…” Roas looked at his youthful lord with a bitter, sorrowful look. ”In our case, and I assume this is the same for several others as well… We have no 'rest of the tribe' waiting for us at all. When we were invited, there was a certain… cost, for us to set out and join. We couldn't leave behind our elderlies, our children our females. Everyone came, but the harsh climate, the long, arduous travel without any safety, the recurring clashes with the locals took its toll. In the end, all that was left from my old tribe are already present.”

He sighed, turning away from the group, and wiped away an escaping drop of tear from his face.

A heavy silence descended on the room upon his words. Just from looking over, it was clear that most of the present elders had similar issues.

However, there were two that seemingly didn't share the same sentiment. Their tribes didn't share the same gruesome fate as it was clear from the smug, proud looks on their faces.

Eventually one of them, -probably the bravest of the two- gave a light cough and spoke up, breaking the ensuing awkward silence in the room.

*Khm*

”[Orc] Young Lord, if I may…” His voice was faint, powerless in front of this enigmatic youth. Though he looked incredibly young, his presence was dominating. He could still clearly remember how this young figure devastated their proud ranks with ease on that fateful night, before offering a new chance in life.

Although his orcish nature was still quite conflicted, he wasn't stupid, nor blinded by his orcish pride. As a warrior race, they respected power atop all else. As the saying went in their kind: ”Might makes Right!”

True, they turned a new leaf with this new settlement, but the change was never instant, but rather gradual. Not everyone could change like that big grey giant shaman ex-tribe-leader that stood at the young man's side and looked like a faithful puppy.

After Aiden nodded, allowing him to speak, he coughed once more to clear his throat and also his mind before speaking.

”[Orc] Luckily, my…” feeling a gentle poke in his waist, he coughed again, fixing his mistake. ”…sorry, OUR tribes were luckier and not shared the same fate. Unlike the others, we lived inside hard-to-reach areas, deep inside the Saronite Mountain. We left behind the weak with a few guards to protect them and ventured to this campaign. Those that didn't come with us should still be there unless something had happened to them.”