"You're welcome."

Stillwater says "So, other than managing to rescue some of my people, how did things go?"

"Well, do you want the good news or the bad news first?"

Stillwater says "Let's go with the good news!"

"The humans have been wiped out and around ten thousand orcs died."

Stillwater says "That's great news! That would call for a feast even without you rescuing my people!"

"The bad news is that none of the human ships were big enough."

Stillwater says "So, we are going with the second plan and building a ship?"

"Yes, unfortunately. That is our only real option."

Brightfire says "Why is it so unfortunate?"

"Because of how much time it will take."

Stillwater says "Alright, what can I do to help?"

"Well, the first thing I am going to need is a tree. But it needs to be somewhat special. I need a tree that can be infused with mana. Know of any special trees?"

Stillwater says "I can only think of one, but it isn't going to be big enough to build a ship. Not only that, getting to it will be a problem as well."

"The size isn't an issue, I can make it grow. Why is the location a problem?"

Stillwater says "Because it is in the north. It is located where we first built when we arrived here, but that was before we knew about the orcs. After the war with the orcs started we were forced to abandon that location and move south of the orc's territory."

"Don't forget, I can just fly over the orcs. Although that does remind me of something odd. The ten thousand or so orcs that attacked the humans, I didn't see any advanced orcs."

Brightfire says "What do you mean by advanced orcs?"

"Orc warriors, shamans, and champions. All the orcs I killed were all regular orcs."

Brightfire says "Is that why they ran away in the end?"

Stillwater says "What?! Orcs ran?!"

Brightfire says "Yes, dad. They ran away from him!"

Stillwater says "Never in all our encounters with the orcs have they ever run away from anything!"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Under Stillwater's questioning, Brightfire and I end up having to tell him everything that happened. He refuses to talk about anything else until he is sure he has heard every single detail. It doesn't really bother me, after all he just wants to know more about his enemies.

It is something I am also curious about, why did the orcs suddenly change. Before that last fight I didn't think that the orcs were even able to feel fear. So them suddenly running away is also something I want explained.

"Now that you have heard everything, what do you think Stillwater?"

Stillwater says "I have no idea why they suddenly ran away. I do agree that them not having any leaders is extremely odd."

Brightfire says "Maybe them running away had to do with them never having encountered someone who could kill so many of them so easily?"

Stillwater says "Maybe. We will probably never know. It's not like we can ask them."

"That's true. In that case can you tell me more about the tree?"

Stillwater says "Our histories tell us we came from somewhere else, but they don't say where. They do say that the seed was brought from our first home and planted when we first settled here."

"Are you telling me that you don't know anything about the tree?"

Stillwater says "Basically, although in the thousands of years since we arrived it has only grown into a sapling."

"Is that why you think it won't work for a ship?"

Stillwater says "Yes, unless you want to make a child's toy."

"Let me worry about that. Where can I find the tree?"

Stillwater says "As I said it is in our first village, but that is also a part of the problem. The village is in some hills on the north side of the badlands, but I don't know exactly where. No one has been back in several generations."

"Then how can I find it?"

Stillwater says "Alone you can't. You will need a scout with you. Our scouts have their own kind of symbol language that will lead to the village."

Brightfire says "I volunteer!"

"Are you afraid of heights?"

Brightfire says "No. Why?"

"As I said, we will be flying over the badlands."

Brightfire says "Flying? I can't wait!"

Stillwater says "Well, that settles that. When will you be leaving?"

"Right now."

Stillwater says "No way! You are the hero of the feast! You can't just run away!"

"Why not?"

Stillwater says "Because, it will be important later that everyone knows and respects you. You are going to be the captain of the ship aren't you?"

"I guess that makes sense. Alright, fine. We will leave first thing in the morning."

Having won the argument Stillwater is all smiles as he leads us out to join the feast. Having already learned from the former slaves what types of foods the elves like I start adding food to the feast. I do this because otherwise with the limited food the elves have it won't be much of a feast.

The feast is pretty much a nightmare for me, every single elf comes over to talk to me. With everyone taking turns to talk to me I hardly have time to eat, let alone enjoy the food. However, Stillwater was right, I am going to need these people to listen to me.

After the feast I head to my hut to get some rest, it has been a while so I decide to actually get some sleep. However, I have no interest in sleeping on the floor, but luckily I still have my hammock. Once I set it up I am able to sleep just fine and don't wake up until an hour after dawn.

Once I am awake I have some breakfast, put the hammock away, and then head to Stillwater's. When I get there I find Brightfire is already there and waiting for me. I give her a wave and then activate my shapeshift, but I try something new.

I select the eagle form but before shifting I attempt to make the eagle larger. It works even better than I was hoping and when I am done shifting I am an eagle the size of a small plane. This should be plenty big enough for me to carry Brightfire, at least that is the hope.

Brightfire says "Wow! So majestic! Am I going to be riding you?"

"That's the plan. We will see how well it works."

Brightfire doesn't need any more encouragement and immediately climbs me. Once she is seated on the back of my neck she grabs ahold of some feathers and then shouts ready. A few seconds later when I launch into the air she lets out a scream, but she doesn't sound scared.