Earth, more commonly known as the Prime amongst the magical, is home to many powerful and influential groups from clans, to companies, to kingdoms hidden beneath the grand illusion. In the states, all manner of these groups can be found, and it's no different in Oregon, home to a large number of fae and were clans due to its large open areas, preserved nature, and, of course, its lively, yet still calm atmosphere.

From all across this state, attention has turned to the largest city: Portland. A city well known for its fae, and diverse Downtown area. It’s beautiful natural parks, and a wide variety of magical products available for relatively cheap prices compared to most places. For the past decade and even decades before, the para community has remained at relative peace. Of course, with all cities, especially those of similar size, there is a criminal element, and when it comes to the supernatural, the criminal element, quite literally, never sleeps.

But despite that, no major incidents have occurred, and DOSA keeps a relatively small force within the city, at least compared to other cities like the chaotic city of Milwaukie. A place of warring were packs and planar tears.

However, the peace of Portland has been shattered, from within and afar. An auction run by royal fae from a distant plane had arrived with simple goals on the surface, but neath, their plans run deep, as is expected of the high fae. Schemes and plots are in their blood, even those who deny it.

Treasures, relics, and artifacts of old attract many an eye, not just from Oregon but beyond. Across the states and even in other countries, groups have readied themselves and taken the journey to the city. Some have invites while others possess power enough to stop any problem from simply visiting. Others have infiltrated the city or risked the wrath of the locals. Some have even pulled out as whispers of an ender spread. A hound let loose by DOSA. Due to the meddling act of a mysterious figure who some have named The Port Fool or madman who is linked to far more than meets the eye, as witches clash and wolves weep. A devil hunts, the city his hound.

Whatever the case, the peace of Portland is gone, and in its place, a calm. A quiet waiting for the storm to come. Gold, blood, power, dreams, and nightmares come with visitors from afar.

****

“Where is that fool?” A tall, handsome elf sighed as he glanced down at his watch. His blonde hair and green eyes were clear, matching his dusky brown skin to create an image that had won him more women than he could count, though those days were long since past. At least publicly. He turned to another elf that stood close by, dressed in similar attire. A well-fitted black suit, over which was a white and gold length of cloth with the symbol of his house. “Abasi, where is my fool of second son?”

“With the princess, I believe,” Abasi said, his muscular, yet lean frame tall, and reaching the ceiling of the private jet.

Azaran shook his head. “What does she want with him, now of all times?”

“I suspect it's to discuss his half-sibling.” The words were spoken carefully as though Abasi were afraid he might wake a slumbering tiger. Azaran sneered. “Bahir is well aware of what is expected. Speaking of him, has Fabia made contact with the orc yet?”

“I believe so, your highness. Would you like me to call her?”

Azaran waved a hand. “No need.” Then he frowned. “Actually, call Ianthe. I need to speak to her before we land, and I’m forced to make pleasantries.” He regreeted agreeing to his dear wife’s idea of taking a jet rather than simply using teleportation. The plane wasn’t uncomfortable, but he had little to do but wait around. All of his plans were already set, and he had gone over them twice then thrice more, just to be safe.

As Abasi left to make a call, Azaran called out, “And send that flight attendant here. I might as well enjoy some part of this trip.”

As Prince Azaran Zamor prepared to spend the last hours of the flight enjoying the flesh of the race he so despised, in another part of the plane, a beautiful elf with long dark hair, and bright violet eyes, tired to keep the smile on her face as she spoke to her fourth born about his half-sibling.

“All I am saying is that it wouldn't kill you to show some decency.”

“I know, mother,” he said, an offended look on his face. “Father has told me how I must act if I am to win her over.”

Zaria held back the urge to shake her head. “That is not what I mean.”

“Then what? And why aren’t you telling Ianthe or Kasanir?”

Because they’re too far gone from aid, is what she wanted to say, but she actually said, “I will, maybe later.” It was a lie, but Kai was not ready for the truth. He was the only one of her sons left who had yet to be corrupted by his father. He still looked at her as a mother, unlike her first and thirdborn who looked at her more like an acquaintance and obligation. It wasn't like she hadn’t tried. She had and would continue to, but not now, not where they were going.

She spoke for a few more minutes with Kai before sending him off. “Poor boy.”

“He’s not gone, yet, mom,” a feminine voice said, having gone unnoticed by her brother. Jade second born of Zaria, glanced at her mother from her nearby seat. “It’s not long left till we arrive.”

“I know.”

“He’s going to try, mom.”

“I know that better than you do.”

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“So, you know that Zara needs help. I can be help.”

“No,” Zaria said sharply. “If you get involved, and caught working against your father, the consequences will be dire, and I won’t be able to save you then.”

“Then I just have to make sure I don’t get caught,” Jade said. “Come on, Mom. I won’t do anything big, and I’ve always wanted to meet the one other sibling I have that isn’t on one of father’s strings.”

Zaria was thankful for the luck and circumstances that had led to Jade becoming as she was. From an early age, she had played the loyal daughter to her father, but it was a mask, and behind it lay the truth. Jade despised her father, seeing him as her mother did. She had been close with her siblings and on the surface still was, but in truth, Zaria knew, she saw the same thing as she did. Puppets, children turned into tools for their father.

“I’ll think about it, but I make no promises.”

Jade hopped up and grinned as though Zaria has said yes. She looked out the window, wondering how her true firstborn was doing. Even after all these years, she remembered holding her child, born with help from the man she had loved. The only man she had ever loved. The one regret she held was that she had not fled when he had offered, although if she had, then she would not have Jade. As the scenery below passed by, she whispered to herself, “Dear daughter, am I still your mother?”

****

Far below, a group of orcs used a much quicker means of travel to arrive in Portland. A teleportation array. Each orc had the powerful build of their race, though, unlike the Gilden or Huuron, each had a chain and lock tattooed around their neck, the color of blood, and invisible to any mundane eyes. A hulking orc stood in the center of the group, laughing boisterously as one of his clanmates spoke of a previous tumble with a half-troll. Upon his neck was the same chain, yet his was larger, and not simply because of his greater size.

All were clad in fairly normal clothes, although many of the male orcs had on jackets or coats without shirts underneath, and a few of the females did the same, though they had bandages wrapped around to cover their chests.

The Crimson Link were less a clan of orcs, and more a group formed by former mercenaries and veterans of many battles. In the Prime, they were a PMC, a private military contractor, and a very deadly one at that. The chains around their necks were magical and bound the orcs of the Crimson Link to a set of rules, and guidelines, which there weren’t many of, but should an orc attempt to break these rules, the chain would tighten and tighten, choking the life from them while flooding their body with searing poison. For many, this was too much and many a potential recruit had left due to the requirement. For those who stayed? Some found it negligible, but for others, it was a regret as the Crimson Link was for life.

Normally, an event like the fae auction would not catch their interest, but rumors had spread of ancient orcish weapons for sale, and talk of a feud between the Huuron and Gilden. A chance for treasure and a potential job.

****

Having already arrived in the city, another group of orcs had piled into black vans and cars owned by the Huuron. These orcs of the Nylas clan were similar to the Huuron and friendly chatter abounded as they headed to the compound where the Huuron would host them, but one among them was happy to stay silent.

“Nick, something wrong?” An orc stay close by asked.

“No, just thinking,” The heir to the Nylas clan said

“I bet about the heiress, eh, Nick?”

Nick rolled his eyes as another orc made a lewd joke. The others burst out into laughter and he received a strike to the shoulder.

As much as he didn’t want to admit it, In truth, he was thinking of the heiress. The orc who could potentially be his future wife if the Huuron agreed to the match and allowed him some time with her. “Brooke.” He tested the name. He had heard some talk about her, but only a little as most had been about a feud now ended and some inner drama about the Huuron chief's traitor son. He had heard the boy had been sent to Gol, a harsh punishment, but for a traitor son, it was lenient, in the eyes of most of the Prime clans at least.

Nicholas Golza Nylas continued to think as they neared the compound and his potential future wife.

****

From all over, orcs arrived at the Huuron compound, greeted as much warmth as wariness by the Huuron. Each of the heads or heirs of the visiting clans locked arms with the chief and spoke words of greeting and respect. For none could deny the skill and strength of Braylon Huuron, the Bloodrinker.

For the next month, these orcs would live, train and sometimes fight with the Huuron. Alliances would be made as would deals and contracts, some more unexpected than others.

Brooke locked arms with what had to be the hundredth orc this night. She knew they wouldn’t all be arriving today, but more had come than she had expected. She knew her father and mother were glad of the large size of the compound, and the fact that not many of their clan actually lived there. It would make things easier, though she also knew it had been a headache for her mother to organize who would stay where and keep rival clans and enemies apart.

As she moved to the next orc, she paused, taking in the odd-looking man. He was tall, and muscular like many orcs, but also had a shade of skin she had never seen. His skin was a dark orange that bordered on brown, and his tusks were longer than any she’d ever seen, but also thinner. She locked arms with him as she met his dark eyes. “You’re Brooke,” He asked, his voice deep, and smooth.

“Yes, you are?”

“Nicholas Nylas, but you can call me Nick. Everyone calls me Nick, just please not Nicky. Makes me sound like a girl.” His eyes widened. “Not that it's a bad thing, I mean I like girls. Of course, I do. I just meant, it makes me sound like a girl.”

Brooke just stared at him. “You’re the heir?”

He nodded and smiled. “And you’re the heiress? C-can you show me around?”

She opened her mouth to reply, when her mother suddenly appeared next to her, smiling at Nick. “Best you and I talk, first. I recently spoke with your mother.”

Nick nodded quickly. “Oh, yes, sorry.” He blushed, then smiled at her once more, before walking away with her mother, glancing back once and waving awkwardly. Brooke tilted her head and clicked. “He looks like Rick if he were an orc, sounds like him, and his name is Nick.” She snorted and had to press a hand to her mouth to stop from laughing. A few orcs nearby glanced at her. Oh, I can’t wait to tell Zara this.