A short time later, we returned to the meal hut.

Already hungry, the incident had roused an even greater appetite in me and I sat down to eat. The food was leftovers from the previous night's feast, which suited me fine. My new body seemed to crave the sweet root vegetables and fatty bird like a drug. Bubbles appeared to feel likewise, as she devoured more than her body weight of food.

Beside us on the floor, Seressha was tending to Krelnar and the smaller Kobold's injuries. The injuries were modest; the priest had sprained his wrist, and the Smaller Kobold suffered a minor concussion when it was kicked and banged its head on the outer wall of a hut. This, I learned through her translation spell, which she kept up even while tending to their injuries.

Grunt returned to the hut as we were finishing up our meal.

He paused in the doorway and made a slight bow, one fist pressed into the other palm. "On behalf of Hollow-Trunk tribe, I must apologize," he said, his tone formal. "To you, Krelnar. And to you, Dread Lord"

Krelnar rose from Seressha's ministrations to return the bow in kind. "Please friend, stand tall. We have asked much of your tribe, and you have given graciously despite your own hardships. All is forgiven."

The big Orc's eyes turned towards me and Bubbles.

Standing from the wooden bench, I returned the bow in the same manner. "We accept your apology."

The whole situation felt surreal -like I was an actor in a Chinese period drama.

Bubbles, floating beside me, blew a strand of hair out of her face. "Hmph! Just like, make sure it doesn't happen again."

"As you say." the Orc chief replied. "Grog is a good son. Still young. Will grow to be good leader."

He spoke in a quiet tone as if to reassure himself. With everything else going on, the idea that Grog would be the next leader hadn't even crossed my mind.

An image of the other orc youths gathered behind Grog as he tormented Krelnar rose in my mind. Bullies were like that; alone, they might even be pleasant, but in a group their negative qualities were amplified.

"...Grunt. Perhaps it's none of my business, but... you might separate that group. If you want your son to become a good leader, his friends will have a big impact."

Grunt was silent for a moment as if pondering the idea. Then shook his head with a reassuring smile "Dread Lord is wise. But this is way of Orc. It is way of our youth. Youth must have fire. Mellow with age."

That... might not be wrong. Everything I'd seen indicated that Orcs and humans were more alike than not, and it was certainly true that humans became more conscientious and conservative as they aged... but it was also true that the company one kept was instrumental to who they became. "You're the average of your 5 closest friends," was more than just a catchy pop-psyche phrase. But to explain that to Grunt? And did I want to explain it? Did I, as the only one with the knowledge of my world, have a responsibility to use it to better this one? or was I being presumptuous to presume my own culture knew better?

I looked to Krelnar and Seressha, seeking some hint of how to proceed.

The priest hesitated, then spoke reluctantly. "The Dread Lord may be right about this, friend. I was reluctant to raise this matter, as we will soon be leaving in any case, but this is not the first attack by Grog's faction against our group."

"This has happened before?" I questioned Krelnar.

"Not so bad as this. Well, not so far as I know." he quickly amended. "But Seressha has had to treat several Kobolds and even some Goblins. It has been growing worse over the past week and... well, we hear things."

Bubbles beside me perked up "Things, what things?"

"Well... " Krelnar demurred. "Nothing concrete per-say. It seems your son is gathering allies who... are less than satisfied with the status-quo. Those who believe the tribe could rise by taking more... aggressive action."

"It's~ their belief that Orcs are s-superior. They do not see~ why they s-should s-suffer the weaker races~ as~ their equals~." Seressha spoke up for the first time.

It sounded like a classic tale of impatient youth thinking they knew better than their elders. Grunt, for all I had seen, was a wise and gentle leader, who had taken in Krelnar's refugees and provided them a home while expecting little in return. Even with the supposedly enlightened culture of my home back on earth, I suspected few of my fellow humans would be so willing to open their homes to a group of strangers.

"Mmm." Grunt hummed a response. "Should have come to me with this sooner, friend. I go now, see to this. We speak again later."

As the Orc leader stepped from the hut, a small shudder passed through my body. Had I an inkling of the disastrous cascade of events we had just set into motion, I would have sooner wrestled the mountainous orc to the ground with my hands tied behind my back than let him go. But knowing nothing, I instead turned and addressed Krelnar.

"We're leaving soon?"

"Yes, now that the summoning is complete, there is no reason to stay any longer. We will leave for the Dread Fort tomorrow, or the day after at the latest. As you have heard, we may have already outstayed our welcome. "

"Hmph!" huffed bubbles, "Hardly a fitting attitude to have towards two Dread Lords!"

"Your Dreadliness speaks truly of course, but if this lowly one may make a request? Do not let this incident color your view too harshly. The ritual to summon your powerful Dreadlinesses took near two-ten days to prepare, and the Hollow-Trunk tribe offered us their hospitality and protection all this time... If it pleases your Dreadliness, please remember them for their generosity and not the action of a small minority of their youths."

Bubbles looked away. "...Fine, I'll let it go this once," she waved imperiously as if to say 'all is forgiven.'

"Your Dreadliness is gracious as ever." Krelnar bowed, then turning to me continued "My lords, perhaps you would accompany me to my shelter? I would show you the map of our upcoming journey and discuss our preparations."

---

Krelnar's shelter was a sparse affair; a nest of dried grasses made for a small sleeping area, while the rest of the space was taken up by canvas sacks, clay pots, and small wooden boxes. The map now lay unfurled across one of these boxes.

Bubbles and I peered at it curiously while Krelnar described our route. Seressha had accompanied us, presumably to ensure smooth communication with her spell.

"We are here" Krelnar motioned to a position in the southwest of the map, which sported a small dot beside a group of cliffs marked with 'Hollow-Trunk tribe'.

"And we journey to the Dread Fort, here" he traced one clawed finger across the map to the north where the drawing of a small fortress sat amid a row of tringles labeled as 'Dragon Spine mountains'

Between the two points, I noticed several concerning skulls and crosses, alongside notes like "Psychic Spiders," "Killing Fields," "Witchs swamp" and "Gnoll territory."

"Looks delightful." I drawled.

"The greatest threat is already passed" Krelnar tapped his nail against a small castle to the northeast labelled as 'Riverton - Human.' It sat within the larger blank space which was marked as the 'Killing fields'

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Unfortunately, we will need to pass back through the human's territory again if we are to reach our destination in a timely manner." he gestured along the westernmost edge of the killing fields, bordering the forest labeled "Psychic Spiders". It seemed he wanted to keep us as far from the human settlement as possible, without entering the ominously marked forest.

"And where is your people's city? You came from the east?" I asked.

"Yes, my people live several tendays to the east. It is not on this map." he gestured off the map as if to indicate where his home would be, were the paper much larger.

Krelnar went on to explain that when they had been ambushed by human patrols, they had fled south, seeking refuge in the forest, and had managed to lose their mounted pursuers. They then met up with Grunt's tribe where they licked their wounds and decided that it was too dangerous to journey on without protection; namely us.

More details followed, but nothing of much note. It seemed we would be leaving a lot of supplies behind, and carrying most of the remaining on our backs. The expedition had departed with several pack animals, but many had sustained injuries during their flight from the humans and had been eaten as supplies dwindled after arriving at the Orc camp.

After some time, I interrupted Krelnar's explanations. "It seems you have it all well in hand. Bubbles and I will get out of your way"

"Thank you, lord. Please, if there is anything you need do not hesitate to find me and ask"

"You mentioned a book of prophecy. May I see it?"

Krelnar hesitated a moment. "Ah, the book of prophecy is it...? Yes, certainly you can. but..." he trailed off.

"What is it?" I prompted.

"Ah well, nothing. It's just that it has already been packed in a secure location. It is only a copy, of course, but I couldn't risk it being damaged or stolen, you see. What did you want it for exactly? If you have any questions, this humble servant would be happy to answer them."

(Something seemed off about Krelnar's response, but not wanting to press the issue, I let it slide and soon forgot. Had I pressed the issue at this time, perhaps future tragedies could have been averted.)

"I want to study the magic of the summoning spell you used to bring us here, to learn about the magic of this world"

"Ah!" Krelnar's expression brightened. "If it's that, then there are some basic diagrams and scrolls packed in the main storage tent, I could have some brought to you if you'd like...?"

"I could accompany him." Seressha cut in, volunteering.

Krelnar's brows creased in a way that I was starting to recognize as a Kobold's version of a frown. "Are you sure, do you not have other duties to attend?"

"I can make myssself available." the Naga replied, her eyes never leaving me. They seemed almost hungry; like she was sizing me up as a potential meal. (I had no way to know it at the time, but this wasn't far off the mark.)

"Very well, then." Krelnar continued "Dread Lords, please find me if there is anything else you require." he bowed and moved to roll up the map.

"Please, follow me," Seressha said, leading the way out of the shelter.

---

As a rule, games on earth portrayed Goblins as weak, unpleasant creatures. They seemed to be a distillation of everything unpleasant about humanity, without any of our redeeming qualities. And, so far, my impression of this world's goblins was doing nothing to disabuse me of the stereotype.

"ain't my fekin' problem is it." the heavily tattooed female goblin in front of me said. "I told yas I ain't seen 'em, then I ain't seen 'em. waddya want me to do 'bout it?"

Even with the translation spell, I struggled to understand the Goblin as her words fought their way past a display case worth of rings and studs.

[Bubbles] AZZY, She looks like a REALLY ugly baby headbutted a box of fishing hooks!

Indeed, it looked like the Goblin had bombed a jewellery store, and caught the shrapnel with her face.

...Well, maybe it wasn't that bad. But suffice it to say that she wouldn't have gotten through airport security in a timely manner.

I tried to suppress a grin as I replied to Bubbles.

[Alex] That's not kind, Bubbles.

[Bubbles] Truee~. If I had a face like that, I'd want to stab it too.

I couldn't help myself and let out a small snort of laughter.

"What's he laughin' at?"

"He will laugh at whatever he pleassses. He is the Dread Lord, and you will addresss him with the ressspect that hisss ssstation isss due." Seressha hissed, her voice taking on a dangerous quality.

"alright alright. didn't mean nuffin' by it. We is all loyal to the cause. dun' get yer tail in a twist."

"My tail is fine. which is more than I can sssay for you, if you don't find uss those ssscrolls."

"Fine fine. I think I saw 'em in the back somewhere." The Goblin replied, and I wondered why she hadn't led with that and saved us all a lot of trouble.

"Oi, Butt-Scratcher!" she called out to a nearby Goblin as he ambled past. The Goblin stopped and looked around, then pointed at himself uncertainly. "Yeah you, ya halfwit. Get over here!"

He shuffled over.

"Take this lot and find 'em scrolls."

Seressha's scales flushed a telling shade of pink. I don't think she cared for us being referred to as 'this lot,' or perhaps it was being handed off to a subordinate. In any case, I figured that the Goblin was deliberately winding Seressha up. Knowing what I do now of Goblins, this was certainly the case.

---

We followed Butt-scratcher deeper into the shelter wherein numerous boxes and sacks had been set out. Goblins and Kobolds flitted about the area, seemingly quite busy preparing for our upcoming departure.

The Goblin paused a few times and peered into a box or sack. Reaching into one, he pulled out a purple cabbage, sniffed it, and placed it back in the sack.

The action did not inspire me with confidence that he knew where we were going. I exchanged a look with Seressha and Bubbles.

"Hey! Er-- Butt-Scratcher, right? You're taking us to find the scrolls." I asked.

"Yeah...I guess I am..." The sentence was one long sigh. Each word elongated as if bubbling it's way up through thick molasses before falling from his mouth.

"You're what?" Bubbles jumped in. "A butt-scratcher, or finding the scrolls?"

He paused and looked back at Bubbles with narrowed eyes.

"Don't do that," he said.

"Um. What?"

"Don't treat me... like I'm stupid. I'm not...stupid."

"Riiight-" Bubbles began sarcastically, but I cut her off.

"Sorry, Butt-Scratcher. We just want to find the scrolls. Do you know where they are? You seemed...uncertain."

The seconds dragged for an uncomfortably long time as the Goblin just... stared into space.

Finally, unable to restrain herself, Bubbles interjected again "Um, hello?"

"They should be... in the shelter?" he continued uncertainly.

I wanted to make a sarcastic quip about stating the obvious, but didn't think it fitting of my new lordly station.

"Goblins~!" Seressha hissed in exasperation by my side.

Just then, I spotted a series of bamboo tubes that had slid down among a pile of sacks and boxes. "Wait a moment." I said, recalling how Krelnar had removed the map from a similar looking tube.

Retrieving and opening one of them, I pulled out a rolled up piece of paper within to find it covered in a series of geometric shapes and arcane glyphs. It was somehow foreign and familiar all at once. As I held it out and looked at it, something in my mind seemed to slot into place.

"Woah...!" I swayed on my feet as the symbols and glyphs gained meaning. My eyes flickered across the page. Over here, a power syphon. This one converted the magic into heat, and here...

"My lord?" Seressha asked by my side. When had she come over?

"Isss sssomething the matter?"

"No. No, nothing at all." I turned to the Goblin, "Thank you, Butt-Scratcher. You can go now." I dismissed him.

The Goblin shuffled back and forth uncertainly, and I returned my attention to the scroll. It was a scroll of... fire? Heat? I would have to examine it in further detail, but pattern seemed clear; intuitive even.

"Happy to help" Butt-scratcher sighed out after a moment. Then turned and plodded off to whatever other task demanded his attention.

"Bubbles, come take a look at this." I called, and she fluttered over.

"What? It's all a bunch of squiggles to me."

"No, see here? The magic enters via these gathering runes," I gestured to some tear shaped glyphs spaced around the outside of the pattern. "It flows around the circle, and these five points act as 'if' gates... Ah! These runes here must define the variables...Let's see... once each gate contains 250 units of magic, they open. Which would send the energy to the syphon here..." I gestured to the centre of the scroll, where a densely packed series of runes were drawn. "And this part seems to act like a resistor, converting... it... to... " I trailed off as I realized Bubbles and Seressha were both staring at me. "What?"

"You're smiling!" Bubbles replied with a grin.

"Ah." I began, feeling the truth of her words on my face. "Yes, I guess I am. Not Dread Lord-y enough?"

"Mn, no." she shook her head. "It's good to see you smile again." She continued with a gentle smile of her own.

I felt a sudden surge of gratitude to have her with me in this new world. It was good to know that whatever happened, wherever our journey might lead, we'd face it together.

"Like, honestly you've been a bit of a downer lately. I was just about ready to ditch you if you didn't sort yourself out."

Or not.

[Alex] Wow... way to ruin the moment, Bubbles.

"You're welcome!" she replied and zipped off.

[Alex] Wait, don't you want to check out the scrolls?

[Bubbles] No way! Boring! It's all squiggles to me, Azzy.

[Alex] Alright, then. I'm going to look them over. I'll see you back at the hut later?

[Bubbles] 'Kay. Byeee!

And so began my first foray into the magic of this world. If only I had known then the horrors that my innocent explorations would unleash, perhaps I would have been more cautious.