Morn peered outside the tent. It was just after dawn and the elves in the encampment were up and about. Most of walked about with a confused look in their eyes. Morn sighed. When they joined Aoda, Morn was expecting something more than just elf-sitting. Something with action and violence. The fierce snake warrior had inspired them with pretty words when they met her for the first time. They thought they’d be joining a strong clan, not a hoard of pussies. Morn was bored. Perhaps they could convince her to let them bash in some of their neighbors heads. Morn remembered seeing some goat-like creatures on their way to the Grove. The thought of goat for breakfast cheered them up. Morn got up and stepped out of the tent into the soft sunlight. Might as well bring my axe, they thought as Morn made their way to Aoda.
When Morn reached the border of the encampment they saw that Aoda was accompanied by an elf they did not recognize. The elf’s build was slender and slight curves showed underneath her well fitted, dark leather vest. Morn guessed it was a female. As an orc, Morn did not care much for gender distinction. But they knew enough to understand the importance of genders in the culture of other species. Orcs naturally possessed the capability to reproduce on their own. Though, they were able to reproduce with another orc if they so chose.
As they approached, Aoda greeted them with a bob of her head. Her hair shuffled slightly underneath her golden headpiece. She wore her usual tight silver armor set in gold and decorated with red embroidered white cloth. Her beautiful appearance almost obscured the fact she was a warrior. Only the sheathed blades she carried on her hips hinted at her capabilities in battle.
“Good, you’re here,” she said to Morn with melodious tones. Aoda inclined her head towards the elf next to her.
“I have a tassk for you two.” Morn grunted bluntly. Their breakfast plans were disrupted, but at least now they would have something to do. They looked at the elf, who gave Aoda a quiet nod in apprehension. Their gaze shifted back to Aoda when she resumed to speak. With her golden eyes Aoda took in the yellow orc standing in front of her. Both their skin and her eyes lit up in the soft light of the morning sun.
“The sspawn Acantha has plansss to gather water. I want you to assissst her in moving ssafely through the foressst.” Morn rolled his eyes. Great. Spawn sitting. Aoda noticed Morns obvious loathing and the edges of her mouth curled into an all knowing smile. A slight mocking sounded through in her voice as she concluded her order:
“I trussst you are able to keep them ssafe from the Ghar and Wolfkin roaming around these parts.” A bird started its song in the forest, feeling safe between the lavish leaves below the canopy.
With a last piercing look and the assumption that her command was clear, Aoda turned and took her leave. Morn watched her as she slithered into the camp towards the nearest elf whose face was painted in bright colors and looked at her hands in both confusion and horror. Aoda laid one of her hands on the elf’s shoulder and whispered something. The elf seemed to calm down.
“I’m Jade.” Morn tore their gaze from their Totem and looked into the sheepish grin of the stranger. Morn frowned. They had seen too many crazy elfs to trust this one. She’d have to work for it.
“Morn,” they replied curtly, “Let’s find Acantha.” The elf’s smile disappeared and the expression on her walnut colored face grew serious. She nodded silently, glanced quickly at the camp and then back at Morn. Obviously at loss, she raised her eyebrows expectantly.
“The bushy one. There.” Morn pointed at a green figure standing in between two tents near the center of the camp. A large treelike spawn stood next to her, he was hunched forward as if carrying a large burden on his back. As Morn moved closer, they noticed that the tree-spawn was smiling merrily, his eyes kind and friendly. Morn sighed, he was tired of dealing with odd creatures which heads he could not bash in. This ones face apparently did not get the memo on the discomfort of his own body. When Acantha saw Morn approach, she opened her mouth to say something, but Morn beat her to it.
“Ready? Let’s go.”
Acantha’s eyes flashed from Morn to the strange new elf to the tree-spawn standing next to her. She straightened her back and lifted her chin to prevent losing control of this situation.
“Hold on!” she demanded, “Did Aoda sent you? Perhaps an introduction would be in order?”
She raised an eyebrow at Morn, who grunted in reply conveying with a wave of his hand to get on with it and make it quick.
“I’m Acantha,” directing her conversation towards the elf, who, Acantha expected, was actually interested. She spoke a bit louder and more slowly than necessary, as if talking to a small child. “And this is Glyndwask.” She moved her arm to gesture at the tree-spawn. “He’ll be retrieving water from the lake.”
Jade nodded and her eyes shifted between Acantha and Glyndwask, barely blinking. Then, realizing she was up, added formally:
“I’m Jade, I’ll be your escort into the forest,” she grinned apologetically, “I do hope that you know where we are going.”
This startled Morn. They too had no idea where the lake was. Acantha giggled bemusedly and started their way into the forest. The tree Glyndwask followed her without a word, the only sound he made was by rustling his leaves. Finally, Morn thought, they were getting somewhere. Morn couldn’t help but smile. Perhaps they would be getting their breakfast after all.