Tense and on edge, I pointed to the pack, and second, to myself. “Mine.” The word came out rude and demanding.

His body slumped in a depressed posture. He climbed down with the pack over his shoulder.

I backed away a bit, trying for diplomacy as I’d be no match in strength.

"Hey, Mr. Orc,” I called at him when he came down. “The bag,” I pointed at the bag. “You must have smelled it.” I pointed at my nose and scrunched to sniff at the air. “I saw you put it near your face. You know it is mine. It has my scent on it.” I pointed at the bag, took a big sniff, pointed at myself, and inhaled some more.

The orc started exaggeratedly sniffing the air with his mouth open like some animals do. He growled and grimaced. At my smell, I’m assuming. Again, his mouth widened. If he opened his mouth any wider, he’d swallow the bag. Nostrils flared, he let out a huge sneeze. He didn’t like that one bit either.

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Neither did I.

He took one step towards me, luring me with my bag.

I took one step back, gesturing the tossing motion.

We were at a stalemate. I didn’t want to get any closer to this big monster, and he didn’t want to toss me my bag.

He gazed away from me into the horizon. Then he turned and looked at where the girl ran. If he was as intelligent as I thought, he must have realized that I told the girl to bring help.

He looked again at me, and he kind of nodded. I wasn’t sure if orcs nodded in the first place.

The orc backed away, guarded, to the nearest tree, all while keeping constant eye contact.

But the moment he reached the tree, he turned and darted.

"Hey!"

Ugh. I really didn’t need another chase.

But what could I do? I sprinted to follow.

I went further into the woods. I didn’t know how far I had to follow, how safe were these woods, or if I would get to meet an orc village for a nice family dinner. But I wanted the jewel-encrusted dagger and magical feather back. My grandmother’s survival hinged on bartering the dagger and the feather was my backup support.

I had to get my pack back.