way.
Cordeb struggled for all he was worth, but once the turn was begun it was inexorable. Slowly their hands moved towards the bar top even as the orc turned with it trying to find the leverage to push back the other way.
The thump as the back of the orc's hand hit the wood released a sigh from the patrons of the bar who had been watching the two go at it. Many had ignored the first try, but seeing the unexpected result everyone had been drawn in to watch the second round.
"Yoo strong for a hooman," Cordeb said shaking out his hand and his head at once. He was stunned, but the ire was out of the creature and respect had replaced it in his eyes. "Yoo all right, Drayden."
Without complaint the orc ordered a pair of ales for the two men who drifted to the corner of the tavern where the light wasn't as strong. After all the time in the spotlight, the younger man thought that it was probably too late to try blending in to the background.
"Is that how you blend in, Drayden?" the younger man asked slightly bemused by the idea. There was seriousness in his eyes that belied his youthful looks.
The other man had seen the look before in him and replied with a good-natured smile, "Well, sometimes being seen is as good as not, especially when a friend walks onto a bear trap."
"I could have dealt with him," his companion said with a shrug. Such was the confidence in his tone that anyone listening would have believed him, though no one would have understood why.
"You could have, but it makes more sense for a man somewhat known here to take the fall. The orcs have needed me to prove myself a few times. Not every human is allowed here as you have been warned. These orcs are mostly military. When they aren't being ordered around by humans all day, they want to drink in peace away from our kind.
"At least, that is what most have wound up saying after I managed to get them talking. They are surprisingly chatty once they approve of you."
"And have your chats proven fruitful?" the younger man asked.
"Somewhat, but here is not really the place, Bas."
"You have somewhere better?"
Nodding the bearded man drained his mug before standing. The younger man took a sip making a face. Alcohol, especially that made for orcs; wasn't a favorite of Sebastian who preferred a cleaner way of living. His work required a strong mind and body; since he didn't have a strong taste for alcohol; it was easy enough to leave out of his usual menu.
The two men walked out of the bar without too many eyes on them. It was a bit of a surprise to Sebastian. After such a spectacle, he had feared that everyone would be watching them; but these were orcs so fist fights and arm wrestling were like casual conversations. Albeit a human winning a match was rather rare.
Their steps took them to the east and north towards the large lake hidden within the mountain. Whether it had always been there or the emperor's warlocks had found a way to create the fresh water source, he didn't know; but it made Ensolus very self sufficient should it ever be besieged. It had never in its history come under attack though. The emperor and his army of monsters had instead attacked the human population after the Cataclysm driving off or killing many. Some thought to grovel at the Dark One's shadowed feet. Such early allegiances had led to men being elevated to the status of lords under the emperor.
Whether the elves and orcs serving the Dark One cared mattered little. No one questioned the decisions of the emperor publicly for fear of his power. Even rich and powerful men might disappear if they disputed the throne.
They found a building, a two story house; but instead of walking up the steps to the main floor, they descended a set of steps along the side of the house. It was fairly sheltered from curious eyes and served well for the man and his purposes.
Opening the door led the two into a basement which was already lit by lanterns. The younger man noticed that none of the lights were
Cordeb struggled for all he was worth, but once the turn was begun it was inexorable. Slowly their hands moved towards the bar top even as the orc turned with it trying to find the leverage to push back the other way.
The thump as the back of the orc's hand hit the wood released a sigh from the patrons of the bar who had been watching the two go at it. Many had ignored the first try, but seeing the unexpected result everyone had been drawn in to watch the second round.
"Yoo strong for a hooman," Cordeb said shaking out his hand and his head at once. He was stunned, but the ire was out of the creature and respect had replaced it in his eyes. "Yoo all right, Drayden."
Without complaint the orc ordered a pair of ales for the two men who drifted to the corner of the tavern where the light wasn't as strong. After all the time in the spotlight, the younger man thought that it was probably too late to try blending in to the background.
"Is that how you blend in, Drayden?" the younger man asked slightly bemused by the idea. There was seriousness in his eyes that belied his youthful looks.
The other man had seen the look before in him and replied with a good-natured smile, "Well, sometimes being seen is as good as not, especially when a friend walks onto a bear trap."
"I could have dealt with him," his companion said with a shrug. Such was the confidence in his tone that anyone listening would have believed him, though no one would have understood why.
"You could have, but it makes more sense for a man somewhat known here to take the fall. The orcs have needed me to prove myself a few times. Not every human is allowed here as you have been warned. These orcs are mostly military. When they aren't being ordered around by humans all day, they want to drink in peace away from our kind.
"At least, that is what most have wound up saying after I managed to get them talking. They are surprisingly chatty once they approve of you."
"And have your chats proven fruitful?" the younger man asked.
"Somewhat, but here is not really the place, Bas."
"You have somewhere better?"
Nodding the bearded man drained his mug before standing. The younger man took a sip making a face. Alcohol, especially that made for orcs; wasn't a favorite of Sebastian who preferred a cleaner way of living. His work required a strong mind and body; since he didn't have a strong taste for alcohol; it was easy enough to leave out of his usual menu.
The two men walked out of the bar without too many eyes on them. It was a bit of a surprise to Sebastian. After such a spectacle, he had feared that everyone would be watching them; but these were orcs so fist fights and arm wrestling were like casual conversations. Albeit a human winning a match was rather rare.
Their steps took them to the east and north towards the large lake hidden within the mountain. Whether it had always been there or the emperor's warlocks had found a way to create the fresh water source, he didn't know; but it made Ensolus very self sufficient should it ever be besieged. It had never in its history come under attack though. The emperor and his army of monsters had instead attacked the human population after the Cataclysm driving off or killing many. Some thought to grovel at the Dark One's shadowed feet. Such early allegiances had led to men being elevated to the status of lords under the emperor.
Whether the elves and orcs serving the Dark One cared mattered little. No one questioned the decisions of the emperor publicly for fear of his power. Even rich and powerful men might disappear if they disputed the throne.
They found a building, a two story house; but instead of walking up the steps to the main floor, they descended a set of steps along the side of the house. It was fairly sheltered from curious eyes and served well for the man and his purposes.
Opening the door led the two into a basement which was already lit by lanterns. The younger man noticed that none of the lights were
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