Risha took a deep breath, then turned to face Earth-Shaker. “Earth-Shaker, meet Klu and Sasha, two orcs under my protection.”

Earth-Shaker smiled like he’d won a game she hadn’t known they’d been playing. “I don’t understand. I thought you hated the orcs as much as we did.”

Risha showed her teeth, matching the orcs grin, “Not all orcs are the same. It’s just like how not all kobolds are village slaughterers… I hope.”

“Hmm, well, it seems like Fire-Taker disagrees with you.” Earth-Shaker motioned towards the other Evolved Kobold.

Fire-Taker looked towards Earth-Shaker in surprise, but quickly dropped his gaze.

Risha wasn’t exactly sure what was happening, but she didn’t like it. “Then he can disagree. They’re still under my protection.”

Klu, the orc, stepped forward and Risha realized that his two children had been hiding behind him and his wife. “Risha-” the orc started.

Risha shook her head at him.

Earth-Shaker watched this with a curious eye, but when he realized that nothing else was going to be said, he spoke. “Since it looks like this could be an issue amongst our people, and they’re under your protection… well, there’s a clear way to solve this.”

Risha didn’t like where this was going, or how Earth-Shaker had taken control of the conversation.

“Fire-Taker, would you stand as a champion for our people?”

Fire-Taker looked hesitant, then looked at the orcs and his face hardened. “Yes, alpha.”

“Good. Risha, my people solve arguments like this by championing our ideas. Since you’re their protector, I’m guessing you’ll stand as their champion.”

Risha quickly caught on, and she frowned. Her anger at the sadistic Kobold grew as her mind put everything together.

She held up the sword she’d been carrying and unsheathed it. This was more than a challenge against the orcs, Earth-Shaker was testing and challenging her.

“Earth-Shaker,” Risha started. She couldn’t keep her anger out of her voice. “I see that you’re too scared to challenge me yourself, but I’ll-”

Klu kneeled down in front of Risha, “Grand Mother.” His voice was hard, and it stopped her cold. “Please let me champion for you.”

She looked him over, reexamining the orc she’d accepted into her village. She carefully grabbed the blade of her sword and held the handle out to him. “I can bring you a spear.”

Klu shook his head, then took the handle of the sword. He stared at the blade for a long hard moment. “Thank you Grand Mother. Let me show you our gratitude for your protection.”

The orc stood tall, his muscles rippling under his red skin. His scars were suddenly more apparent to Risha, showcasing all of the battles he’d fought in.

The orc turned towards Fire-Taker, the sword fitting naturally in his hand as he moved into a well-practiced ready position.

“Grand Mother Risha.” The orc said, his voice calm as he examined his opponent. “I don’t believe I ever said thank you. I know what prejudices you must’ve put aside to accept my family and I. I will forever remember the kindness you’ve afforded us.”

Risha was genuinely surprised at the gratitude in the orc’s voice. She didn’t think she’d done much for him and had generally forgotten about him unless the Elders brought him up. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the surprise and annoyance in Earth-Shaker’s eyes.

“Kill him Fire-Taker.” Earth-Shaker said.

There was no warning as the Grey Kobold jumped towards the orc. He was fast enough that even Risha had trouble following him.

Klu, however, was ready, and his sword met the claws of the wolf in an expert movement that spoke of years of experience.

Risha watched in awe as Klu flowed through his swordsmanship, dismantling every attack the kobold threw at him and throwing him off balance. As soon as Klu switched to the offensive, the fight was over, his sword cutting through the wolf’s neck.

Klu stood still as the kobold fell to the ground and the world was filled with the sound of the partying goblins

Risha growled at a random goblin. “Find Tya!”

She didn’t know if it would be possible to save the kobold, but if anyone could, it would be Tya.

Earth-Shaker watched the orc with narrowed eyes, his hands opening and closing.

“You lost, Earth-Shaker. So leave.” Risha said.

Her words knocked Earth-Shaker out of his thoughts, and he growled softly at her. She showed her teeth in response.

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He spun around, the kobolds leaving with him.

Klu stood still, his eyes on the blood on his sword.

Risha stepped up to him slowly. His red eyes met hers and some semblance of sanity returned to them as he bowed his head to her. He held out her sword, which she took from his hands carefully.

He walked towards his family who watched calmly.

“Klu.” Risha said.

The orc turned towards her.

Risha looked at the blood flowing over the ground, thinking about what she wanted to say.

“You’re one of mine.” She finally said. Her eyes rose to meet his. “I would’ve gladly fought for your family.”

Elder Tya ran onto the scene at that point, and hurried over to the downed kobold.

Risha missed any response the orc gave as she closed her eyes and replayed every moment of the brief fight. Even the overseer hadn’t wielded the sword like that, and she mentally adjusted a lot of her usual forms as she analyzed the fight.

She opened her eyes resolved to find the orc at some point. She’d enjoy sparring with him.

Tya was finishing up by that point, and Risha suspected that the Kobold would live despite his injuries.

Risha stepped away from them. Tonight was supposed to be a party, and she was going to have fun.

She took off the spider-silk shirt and rejoined the dancers next to the bonfire. She wanted to forget herself for a while.

***

Most goblins woke around midday the next morning, and things were slow going as everyone recovered from the exertion of the previous night.

Risha luxuriated in her bedroll for a good while before getting up to put on her clothes and armor.

After she felt ready to face the world, she climbed out of her pit and entered the village. She slowly made her way to a cabin she knew of but had never been to, greeting every goblin she passed and talking with the occasional Elder about how to integrate the visiting army of kobolds.

Eventually, she reached the cabin and knocked on the door.

There was silence for a few moments, before the door opened a crack. A familiar red eye looked out at her.

“Morning Klu.” Risha said.

“Grand Mother Risha,” The orc fully opened the door, bowing his head slightly. “Come in. Shasha just made some breakfast.”

Risha stepped in. They’d turned their home into a near identical copy of the one she’d met them in, with carefully carved wood furniture taking up lots of space. The two orc children looked at Risha curiously while Shasha spooned out soup into wooden bowls. Shasha waved and bowed her head at Risha as she entered.

“Would you like some food?” Klu asked.

“Oh, yes. I forgot to eat.” Risha stood awkwardly, still not sure how to interact with the only orcs she didn’t hate.

Shasha pulled out another wooden bowl, and poured some soup into it.

“You’re strong.” The taller of the two orc children said. It was a girl with the same scarlet hair of her mother, “I can feel it.”

Risha wasn’t sure what to say in response. Thankfully, a bowl of food being put in her hands was a good distraction.

“Don’t mind Cali.” Klu said. He accepted his own bowl from his wife with a happy smile. “What brings you here Grand Mother Risha?”

“You can call me Risha here.” She took a bite of the food as she thought about the question. It was a warm and filling soup. “It’s good food.”

Shasha lightly blushed at the compliment, turning her red skin a deeper color.

Klu looked at his wife warmly. “Shasha likes sharing her food. With everyone so busy, we rarely get visitors.”

Risha looked at Shasha and realized that she’d never heard the female orc talk. Klu seemed to catch onto her confusion.

“Shasha can’t speak.” Klu’s mouth settled into a hard line. His wife put her hand on his arm and he expression softened. “Her tongue was cut as a punishment a long time ago.”

“That’s horrible.” Risha said. “Is Shasha okay?”

Shasha nodded her head and smiled.

They ate in silence for a little while. The youngest of the two children, Calu, stared at her the whole time, while Cali quickly finished her food and left the table.

“I came here because…” Risha paused, her voice trailing off. Eventually she got the courage to continue, “I’d like to learn from Klu. I want to learn the sword.”

Klu looked startled, but quickly recovered. “I’d be happy to teach you what I know Gr- Risha.”

“Good.” Risha stood up, “Can we start now?”

Klu looked at his wife, who made a motion for him to leave.

He downed the last of his soup, then followed Risha to the door. Risha was excited, and couldn’t stop herself from showing it as she bounced up and down on her toes.

Outside it was lightly raining, the snow turning to sludge underfoot.

The weather didn’t stop the slight skip in Risha’s step as the made their way to the training ground of the goblins. But the gazes of the goblins slowed her walk. They were filled with distrust and anger, not directed at her, but at Klu.

Klu looked unbothered by the gazes, and kept his gaze straight ahead. But Risha didn’t like it.

Risha stepped forward. “This is Klu! He is Risha’s friend and under Risha’s protection!”

Most of the goblins looked away at her words.

Risha turned to Klu with a large smile. He had a slight grin on his face as he looked at her. “Thank you Risha.”

Risha turned to one of the goblin warriors. “We need sticks that we can use as swords.”

The goblin ran off and returned moments later with carefully carved sticks that looked suspiciously like the sword she’d taken off of the overseer.

The goblin handed both of the sticks to her and she gave one to Klu.

“They respect you a lot.” Klu said.

Risha nodded.

Klu’s expression hardened as he looked at her, the rain pouring over both of them. “The first thing I want to fix is your footwork and stance. Raise your sword.”

Risha raised the wooden sword.