“It is most amusing how some of the cultures most often disparaged as backwards or barbaric in this day and age also happen to be the ones with the best traditions of showing hospitality to strangers. Perhaps that in itself is a warning call, that the concept of hospitality itself has for some reason become a poor fit for modern society as it stands, and might even fade away should we do nothing to prevent it from doing so.” - From a lecture by Garth Wainswrought, Dean of the Levain Institute for Higher Learning, circa 693 FP.

“Please excuse us for having to make do with just these tonight, we were on the trail and had no time to prepare a more elaborate feast, given the time constraints,” said Miro apologetically as he sat down cross-legged beside Aideen. The middle-aged great shaman poured some light liquor to fill Aideen’s cup as he did so, which was a gesture of honor in orcish culture, given his position of importance. “Could have made something grander if you’d let us know three days ahead of time!”

“This is plenty, Miro, besides I wouldn’t want to trouble you that much,” replied Aideen with a shake of her head. The enthusiasm that the clan welcomed her with was well within her expectations, given her good relationship with them several generations ago and how her legends had apparently become some of the ones told to the growing children of the clan as well. “I see that the clan has grown larger and stronger since back then.”

“That we have, Milady, that we have,” said Miro with a proud look on his face. When the potential danger of the Clangeddin Empire was made clear to the orcs of the northern plains many generations ago, during the first expedition, the clans had at first been shocked, but then quickly got themselves together and almost as one gave their people a simple command.

Which was to have more children.

The clans of the north were unable to contend with the full might of the Clangeddin Empire back then, and was fortunate that only a small portion of said might even headed north, because there weren’t that many of them. With the command given, however, the orcs of the various clans took it to heart, and where normally there would be three to four children for every couple, the number quickly swelled to six or seven.

Such an influx of children did not trouble the clans that much, as most of them were well off, especially after beating back the expedition. Said children grew up and had their own offspring, and the process repeated itself over generations. By the time Aideen left the northern plains a century ago the number of orcs living there had more than doubled already.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Now that another century had passed, she made a rough guess and pegged the Bloodfangs alone to be at least six to eight times larger in number compared to those she first met back in the days. Given the higher proportion of people capable of joining a fights amongst the orcs compared to humans, as well as the number of the clans that lived in the plains in total, Aideen guessed that even if the Clangeddin Empire was to bring their full force to bear against the orcs nowadays, they would not be able to accomplish much other than cause a lot of blood to be spilled.

It was somewhat amusing to her how the Empire missed the best window of conquest because of its own internal bickering and politicking, but such cases weren’t even that rare in recorded history. All too often grand “Empires” failed due to internal issues rather than an external foe that brought them down.

Several youthful orcs were going around, presenting platters of snacks and appetizers before the gathered crowd who were already seated. It was a rather enviable task to get, as helping with the serving meant that they got to eat with those who cooked the meals, allowing them to get samples of the food that they normally wouldn’t be privy to given their status in the clan.

Most of those who were already seated like Aideen and Miro were the best hunters, warriors, shaman, and apprentices from the clan, people who practically determined the course that the clan would take on its way forward. The present chieftain of the Bloodfangs was seated on the rug to the left of the one where Aideen and Miro sat, while the current shaman was seated to their right, both giving Aideen respectful greetings.

The current chieftain of the Bloodfangs, a thirty-something orc with an impressive build even amongst their race named Radu, was a distant descendant of Orica, the chieftain when Aideen visited back then. Given how Orica’s entire direct family were amongst the best warriors of the clan at the time, it was no big surprise to see their descendants continue the trend.

As for the shaman, she was from a lineage Aideen was not familiar with, though one similar to Miro, in that she rejoined the clan after one of her parents married out to another clan in the previous generation. The orcish woman was maybe fifty or so in age and had a patient look on her face, and had been Miro’s apprentice when she was younger.

Which was again, no surprise. It was most common for great shamans like Miro to take on apprentices amongst the promising children of the clan to then pass them on to the current shaman of the tribe for them to decide a successor from. The passing of wisdom from generation to generation continued undisturbed that way.

Platters filled with fried fruits and nuts were respectfully laid down before Aideen’s group, as were platters filled with what seemed like thick, clotted cream, the sort that the clan made for celebrations and festivals. The thickened, semi-solid cream was drizzled with precious honey, and shards of crisp flatbread was also presented on a separate platter next to it, so one could partake without turning their hands into a sticky mess.