Korgan walked back to camp. He took in the green of the trees and grasses, and the blue and white of a cloud-spotted sky. A fresh wind blew and he breathed deeply in. He was close to the borderlands where he had lived as a child, and scents of the earth turned his thoughts to that time.

For years he had grown up in relative happiness and peace. An idyllic existence, cut short by a war that captivated the hearts and minds of a large part of the earth. He had lived in a village hidden in the wooded hills of the borderlands. At one time there were many villages like his, where orc and human had lived side by side. In these times there were none known that remained. A warlord had arisen among the orcs, and declared war on all humankind. The humans had responded in kind, and pogroms began where peoples mixed.

The hidden settlements of the borderlands where he had grown up, were among the first victims of this purge.

His parents were both of mixed bloodlines, and lived the only place they could, in an outcast settlement. Korgan would not have traded his childhood for another, his parents and community were loving and kind. He only wished it could have lasted a bit longer. The love he had known there had given him the strength to live after what had happened. For all he knew, he was the only one from his childhood village left alive.

It was sheer dumb luck that he looked human enough to be mistaken for one fully blooded. His adoptive father Heiram Grachan, and a few others knew his true heritage. And out of respect and love for him they kept it close. It would be dangerous to reveal the truth while engaged in a full-scale war against the orcs.

War.

The first part of his life had been harmonious and loving, The latter had been caught up in the world of war. He had grown tall and strong. He had learned to fight. He had made friends and enemies. He fought humans in training and orcs on the battlefield. He had killed, it was a part of him now. The first time he had imagined he was killing those who razed his village to the ground, who killed his friends and family. But in the aftermath, he knew that was a lie. He did not relish killing, it was simply a part of his life... this life that he had known since he had lived as a human. On days like this, a part of him yearned for a better way. He remembered that there was a better way, the smells of the earth reminded him.

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All too soon the tents of his encampment rose before him, shaking Korgan from his reverie. The watchmen recognized him and saluted his approach, He smiled and waved casually.

"Ho, Peter! Krabos! how fares the watch today?"

"Nothing new today Sir, the woods have been quiet lately"

"Very good Peter, lets hope they stay that way"

"Captain wishes to see you Sir!"

"Thank you Krabos."

Korgan walked into the encampment and sought out Captain Grachan. As usual he found the older man in his tent poring over a map. Grachan smiled as Korgan stepped in through the open flap of the tent.

"Greetings Captain Grachan."

"Well met Korgan, what news this day?"

"No signs of any Orc activity in this area since the skirmish we had a month ago, it’s like they've disappeared."

"Indeed. It's just as well, MacRauri is here, he stopped by the camp earlier and asked after you. He told me to tell you he would be at the library of Grayhafen, and to meet him there as soon as you returned here."

"MacRauri. Did he say anything else?"

"No, he came and left in a hurry. Not sure what this business is about, it’s always been hard to tell with him."

"I guess I had better be off then, I'll take Strider too."

"She's a good horse... It’s good to see you wearing blue Korgan, command suits you."

Grachan smiled again.

"Thank you Grachan, I appreciate everything."

They clasped shoulders and touched foreheads, then Grachan hugged Korgan.

"You are the son I never had."

Grachan pulled back with tears in his eyes and looked at Korgan, who felt his own throat welling up.

"Thank you Grachan. All that I am today, you gave to me."

They stood a moment, neither one saying anything.

"I must go, MacRauri will be waiting."

~~~

Korgan did not delay, and set out for Grayhafen at once. MacRauri was a friend, mentor, and magician of no small power - and he knew Korgan's true heritage. He was never one to visit simply for the pleasure of seeing old friends. No, MacRauri would be here for some kind of reason. What business might cause him to seek out Korgan? These thoughts carried him along the trail to town.

The ride was quick and clear, just some five leagues from the war camp, and Korgan arrived in Grayhafen just after high sun.