[https://i.imgur.com/sfHqwWT.jpg]

Spectacular show, brother! But I don't think they have the same sentiments.

The atmosphere was tense as orcs surrounded Drac. Their faces were twisted with anger. They were closer than before the duel. Hundreds of green hands grip clubs. Drac lets the OrcLord's head drop on the floor and readies himself to fight for his life.

“Calm down, you mongrels!!” A loud orc voice shouted from afar. Drac sensed an aura from behind the crowd. An object fell with unbelievable speed and broke the ground before Drac.

A new opponent? Bring it on!

The dust cleared with a swipe of an axe. A younger orc, as big as the rest—dark hair tied in a ponytail and head shaved at the sides—stabbed his weapon into the ground for a declaration.

“When did you become cowards?! Do you want to shame our ancestors even further!?”

Orcs of the horde cower before his voice. They mutter to each other, and some hang their heads in disgrace. They trot away, departing through the woods. The young orc turns to Drac. With a surprisingly handsome face, the orc smiled cheerily.

“My father. if you would please.”

Drac backed away from the sleeping OrcLord. The orc left the long golden pole of the axe stuck upright in the ground. Drac noticed a chunky piece of gold metal stuck in the butt. Stange lettering was etched into the metal, just like Drac’s sword.

That rune… How…

Do you know anything about it?

Hood went silent.

Is that a rune weapon!? I always wanted one. Grandpa always told me about how strong they were. But he always got pissed off when he remembered guns—always complained that an idiot could use the weapon. No art or class, he would always say. I wonder how pissed off he would be if he knew what you were hiding behind your back! HAHAHA!

The young orc bent down. His golden necklace and rings jangled and tinked as he picked up his father. Drac tuned Loqui and whispered.

“You owe me like I owe you.”

The young orcs' pierced eyebrows lift. The orc let out a large, bellowing laugh that could give Gove a run for his money.

“True. My name is Kankraa. You're skilled, so it won't be hard to find me. We need to talk.”

Kankraa followed his horde towards the woods, away from the road to Heartbook. The axe shook, wiggled, and released itself from the ground. Floating, it glided towards its master. The dashing orc turned back and smiled as he nodded to Drac as he vanished into the bushes. The adventurers yelled a loud, deafening cheer. They hug and cry together in jubilation. A gentle hand brushed along Drac's, and all felt right in the world.

Stolen story; please report.

"You're gonna find the flamboyant orc, aren’t you?"

Drac smiled. He turned around to the adventurers. The happy faces turned perplexed as Drac put his mask and hood down.

“I saved you. You help me. Seen a guy look like me anywhere?”

As the dark man said, the giant man found them and showed the party to a gawdy, colourful caravan. Colours assault Fegus’ eye as he and his group hitch a ride. A large black dog lay on the floor with his owner. Typical of commoners, Fergus thought she would be treated better at his carriage instead of this hovel. The caravan came to an abrupt stop.

The dirty woman spoke while brushing her freighting dog. “He has come back and brought a lot of friends.”

Thinking the scruffy lady had gone mad, he went back to clean his weapon. Wipes of a soft cloth, and he polished his sword to mirror. A bruised visage looked back at him. He looked up. A happy Lisa sat by the large hound. She giggled with the crazy woman and Fergus went back to his polishing. But a thought wiggled at his brain. Was she talking about the dark stranger?

Uoro tapped his employer on the shoulder. “Stop scowling at Lisa and look outside.”

The caravan came to an abrupt stop.

Fergus sheathed his sword and stood up from a wooden seat to look out the caravan window. Dozens of injured warriors come out of the roads and walk to the main road. The caravan shook. A large man jumped down from his driver's seat and grumbled.

At the head of the group, a couple walked together with big smiles while covered in blood.

Fergus’ angel touched the dirty foreigner like long lovers. The sight disgusted the noble. wood splintered under his hand.

“Sorry, Bob. I keep giving you work," the stranger said to the priest with a grin.

“I know an introduction has been late, but the name’s Drac.” The adventurers cheer at the name of the saviour around a fire pit. Sachals of wine were passed around. Drunk songs were sung, and delighted folk danced around the fire. Pleased to finally have a drink, Marina joined in the festivities. Done with healing, Bob silently read his book, and a tracker sat near her black dog. “As you have noticed by now, I am not an adventurer. I am in search of someone. My brother. He could be a twin for how much he looks like me.”

You have gotten better at bullshitting.

“His name is Asa. A young priest in training that was sent here by the church.” Drac, look for any clerics nearby. "Anyone know of his last whereabouts?”

The adventures looked among themselves and shook their heads. But a lone adventurer put an arm up. A swordsman.

The brave lad from before.

“I might be of help.”

Drac nodded for him to continue.

“Unlike most here, I have stayed at Heartbrook for quite some time. I preferred to train a bit before moving to the higher levels. So having been in the beginner areas for a while, you hear things. Like a foreigner looking for a party.”

Interesting…

"It took him some time. Since you know now…”

"Is it hard to trust a man with dark skin?” Drac asked.

The swordsman replied. “They are too…disgusted.”

Disgusted? What for?

Oh, sweet, naive child. You will learn, as we all did one day.

“HA! They face more ugly creatures every day, and a priest intimidates them. Anyway, go on.”

“Mmm, as the foreigner had trouble getting help., he went to get help from a sketchy lot. They accepted his plea, and they were hired to escort the priest to the tree and back. Came back, they did. With no foreign priest.

A new lead. Good. Now we are not wandering in the dark.

Flida sat down beside Drac, filling a cup with wine. “No doubt they have some of his things. Get his things; I find your man.”

With a grin, Drac clinked cups with the tracker and drank his first wine of the night.