I wish I could have had a better story to tell than this, one that isn’t about corruption, scheming nobles, and wars. It may seem epic, but rest assured, it’s not. Alas, I must, for who will after I’m gone? Will soldiers from wars I fought tell it on the streets of foggy canal cities or to kings in high towers and ballrooms? It must be me, and only me. I think it’s time to begin.
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It all began 80 years ago when I was ten. I lived in the small Sumariyan village of Garvan, full of old cottages wrapped in vines and ruined chapels where witches did sermons in. My mom worked at home, slaving away for my future. You see, my mom and dad had grown up together in this village, had endured massive wars, and had seen the whipping of their kind. Green orcs like us are always ignored, sent to work in coal mines, and help human farmers with their windmills and fields of wheat. It was seldom that one of us would land a job in the major Sumerian cities, the nearest one to us being Olikep. It was grand, massive, and full of elves. The buildings were top quality, made of quartz and iron frames. It was the high-tech city of that time, with King Elrop being the best ruler since Valerie the Sixth, who helped stop the famish of 78 B.G.W (Before the Great War).
Anyway, my father worked in an iron mine, spending hour upon hour in the deep pits. It was all for me, he’d said once. The manager was a malicious elf who often beat the workers. Fortunately, father got on his good side, and managed to only get whipped once in his 7 years working there. I was seven when he left the mine, later that week landing a job in the local bakery. This was a great decision, as soon we had dozens of loaves for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making food less an issue. I, myself, had grown accustomed to hunger, knowing that any day I could die from undernourishment. That was an idiotic worry, as my mom always fed me, even if it was a small mushroom baked in weeks-old grease. As a family, we didn’t fight much. Most of the time was spent chatting or maintaining the small animal and vegetable farm. I went to school 3 times a week, sometimes having to skip due to farm work. The things taught at school weren't much anyway. Most peasants didn’t need math or history. Back then, the best future was as a soldier, as you only needed one year of education, the rest being taught at the academy for no charge. At church, we worshiped gods and sometimes even donated. Life was good then, full of no worry, and no major change. It wasn’t until late June, in a great rain covered the whole countryside. Even in Olikep, there was major flooding in the drains, even getting into people's basements. Luckily for my family, we were prepared. Mom had made dozens of jarred foods, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and zucchini. While some of it tasted rancid, I was happy to eat it. We would sit in the basement of the home, reinforced with layers of stone and mortar. Winds raged through homes as screams echoed throughout the day.
By the time the storm ended, the whole village had been wiped out except for a select few. Foundations had been ripped from the ground as trees lay scattered about. Past the horizon, you could see bodies, arms, and legs contorted in dangerous, uncomfortable positions. Clothes also lay about, seams ripped apart. Back then, I didn’t understand it all. Why did this happen? Did I anger the gods, did we orcs do something wrong? The next few hours were a rush. My parents packed all we owned, faint but still worried smiles painted on their faces. My mom would look out at the bodies beyond, and then at me. She must have been so blessed, as I was the only child left. I didn’t realize that tune, but now I do.
The road to Olikep was massive compared to the small trails that littered the countryside. We were going to the city in search of a new life. My father wanted to meet the king and tell the royal court what happened. It seemed like a dream to me, entering the royal court. I then realized that our kind wasn’t treated well. Our only hope was that King Elrop would welcome us in open arms, having sympathy for what happened. However, I was wrong.
When we entered the metropolis, slurs were immediately thrown at us. “Go back to the mine tusker!” Elves gave us vain looks, looking down at us like lowlifes. I closed my eyes, and here a faint sniffle from Mother.
The hill to the palaces was long and arduous, getting steeper and steeper as we climbed up the stairs. The city itself was built atop a hill and was said to be holy due to how large it was. Some even believe the Great War had ended here, the enemy king being pushed into the river below. Many people had lost their lives building this place, though the exact number is unknown. That day, the sun was high in the sky. There were no clouds, yet the number of slurs was infinite. The palaces came into view after three hours of climbing. I encouraged my mom, not sure what was happening yet knowing that she needed it. As we reached the main gate, guards approached us.
“Planning to speak with the king?” Asked the one on the left.
“Yes, sir.” My father said desperately.
“Well, wait in line with the rest. You'd better have food because it's a long wait.” The right one opened the gate by a lever inside the nearby tower.
I couldn’t help but feel scared about what would happen next. Would we be tossed out the moment the king saw us, mocked down upon by the nobles sitting around the room? I couldn’t stand to see my father this way, the amount of worry painted across his sweat-filled face. I clung onto Mama as if my life depended on it, knowing that any second we would meet the king.
I didn’t expect it to be that long, with at least 30 people behind us. The smell wreaked of rotten meat and manure. I envied the luxury that was given to the nobles. They probably hadn't worked a day in their lives, knowing that each night they could return to a soft bed and full platter of food. That was a dream, to have a life like that.
For the next hour, I waited in line. Everyone began to sit on the floor, moving up slowly as people left. The king got slowly agitated, I realized. Most of the complaints and requests were petty, ones that the king couldn’t give. I loved the attention I got from the nobles. They saw me as a nuisance, as the truth of what life truly was; the fight to survive. My mother, on the other hand, tried to cover me from their judgment. It felt like an eternity in that line, but finally, we got our turn. Father stood up, brushing off as much dirt and styling his hair as best as a poor man as he could do. The king’s glare was something I’d never seen before, the way fear managed to creep up on me as he gave a simple glance at me. Father had bowed, then spoke in the most dignified voice he could muster.
“Gracious king, I have a story to tell you, of the destruction that has been wrought upon our people.” The king slouched at this.
“Tell me, what happened? Robbers, thieves, arson? Please, tell me.” The king was putting on a show, and my mother and I realized.
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“You see, the recent storm has killed all in our village except a select few. My fortunate son was the only child left alive, my king.” The king stood up, walking toward me.
“Is this true? Are you the last kid left in your orc town?” I nodded, plastering a smile on my face.
“Well, in that case, I will take this kid in. It’s not out of pity, but for how lucky he is to have survived the recent storm. We can all agree that many people died out there, though I’ve heard nothing like the story told to me. You will have a place in court, I assure you. Your parents, however, will be hooked up with a nearby home, right across from the royal square. If any trust is broken, I will send you and your family away, forever placing a stain upon your family’s name.” The king took me in his arms and hugged me. Tears of happiness formed, even if I knew that a life like this would only bring me down more, and make me more lonely. I would be the only orc at court, except for my family, and have to be with the people I hated most. I know I should’ve been happy, but how, in an environment as hostile as the court? This would be a chance to gain some power, maybe even get the throne if I get the trust of the king. And so, my life began as a courtier.