“Brother, tomorrow is the day of the trials. Are you prepared?” Grok asked, tossing half a loaf of bread to Veil.

“I think I am. Do you think I am?” he asked as he tore into the bread with his teeth. “Gah, this is stale.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. We had a couple loaves left over from Senta’s sale,” Tank replied.

“Wasn’t that sale like a week ago?” Veil asked.

“Yeah, and as you so eloquently pointed out, the bread is now stale. Come now, brother, let’s get us something a lot fresher and maybe a little more filling,” Grok said. “And to answer your question, yes, Veil, I think you’re ready. I think we both are. We are tied together, so if we aren’t, we will just try again next year. It’ll be fine.”

“They said if I don’t pass, then I can’t be the beast master,” Veil replied, looking down at his lap, sadness seeping into his voice.

Grok shrugged. “We’ll have a quest laying the path for us either way. No matter what happens, we will be leaving this village when the trials are done.” He turned to the door. “Anyways, what do you want to eat?”

“Meat?” Veil asked.

“Meat!” Grok yelled in response as he ran to the door. “Let’s go!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming. Let me put my shoes on,” Veil replied.

“Let’s go!” Grok pleaded.

“You’re acting like you’re starving,” Veil replied.

“I am! That bread was horrible,” Grok replied. “I couldn’t get past the first bite.”

Should we make him wait, Tank? Veil asked telepathically to the puppy that was sleeping at the foot of his bed.

No, he may change his mind about loyalties and try to eat us. Veil chuckled.

“Why are you laughing, brother?” Grok asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Veil replied. “But I just realized something, Grok.”

“What’s that, brother?” Grok replied as they stepped out the door.

“You knew that the bread was old and yet still you had me eat it,” Veil asked.

“Yes, well,” Grok replied with a snicker, “a brother should rejoice in sharing in one’s pain.”

“That’s messed up, man,” Veil said, pushing his brother lightly as they walked, causing Grok to laugh harder. They were still laughing as they entered the tavern several minutes later.

“Hey, guys, you’re early,” Griselda called out from behind the bar. The tavern was longer than it was wide, dimly lit with no windows. It was dark all day but always sparkling clean just the way Veil, Tank, and even Grok liked it. It had quickly become Veil’s home away from home.

“Hey, Gris. Someone tried to poison me today with old bread, so now we’re here hoping you have something prepared for breakfast so we can get to training.”

“Two things,” Grok said with a chuckle. “One,” he held up one finger with a smile, “I did not try to poison him. I was merely testing the human’s palate. And two,” he held up a second finger, “there will be no training today. Tomorrow is too important for us to risk injury.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“There’s no training today?” Veil asked, astounded.

“No training, brother,” Grok replied.

“Then what will we do with ourselves?” Veil asked.

“My father sent a missive for you. He wishes to speak with you after breakfast.”

“A missive?” Veil asked, intrigued. “When could he have sent a missive? I’ve been with you since we woke up.”

“No, brother, since you woke up. I’ll never understand why humans require so much sleep.”

“No, he really doesn’t. I’m surprised you haven’t noticed,” Griselda said. “Orcs only require about four hours a day of sleep.”

“Then why does he stay in bed until I wake up?” Veil asked.

“Oh, I am very lazy,” Grok said with a smirk.

“He’s been watching me while I sleep,” Veil said aloud to Tank as he scratched behind the puppy’s ear.

He totally has been, Tank replied, although to the others it just sounded like a growl.

“So, Gris, anyways, breakfast. What do you got for us?” Veil asked.

“Well, I did just get a shipment of eggs, I think I have some leftover bacon, and maybe some onions. I’ll make you an omelette. Grok, you’re paying double for trying to poison the beast master,” she said, pushing her pointer finger into Grok’s nose. “That’s not very nice.”

Grok’s smile faded away swiftly as he realized what had been said.

“D-double?” Grok said with a gulp.

“Double,” she said with a nod.

“Serves you right,” Veil replied with a smirk.

Grok punched him in the arm. “It was only a joke,” Grok said.

“Ouch, that really hurt,” Veil said, rubbing his arm.

“Maybe we should train today if that light tap caused you any pain,” Grok said, again returning to his face.

“Triple,” Griselda said in a sing-song voice.

“Awe man,” Grok said, kicking a chair over.

“Want to go quadruple?” she replied.

“No, ma’am,” Grok replied.

“Let’s go sit,” Veil said. “Usual seats?” Veil asked.

“Usual seats,” Grok replied.

Griselda reappeared from the back ten minutes later, carrying two plates and two mugs of fresh milk. They dug in hungrily and finished swiftly, not speaking as they ate. After breakfast, they paid for their meal, Grok grumbling about the raised price, and headed outside. “Okay, brother, it’s time for us to part ways for the day,” Grok said, holding out his hand for Veil to shake. Tank was already walking towards the gate.

“Where ya going, buddy?” Veil called out to Tank.

I’m going hunting. The forest calls to me, and I must answer.”

“Okay, bud, have a great day,” Veil replied, turning back to his adoptive brother.. “Alright, Grok, it’s time for me to go meet with your father,” Veil said, turning to walk towards the elder’s longhouse.

“Hey, Veil,” Grok called out.

“Yeah?” Veil said, looking over his shoulder.

“I just wanted to say I’m proud of you,” Grok said a little too loudly.

“Huh, thanks, Grok,” Veil said, waving as he began to walk again.

“No, seriously, little brother. You may be small, but you can now keep up with even me in hand-to-hand, and your mastery of our language is just short of amazing. Are you sure you don’t have some kind of, I don’t know, linguistic ability?” Grok said.

“Linguistic ability? Like a scroll?” Veil asked.

“Yeah, they have them at the capital, or so I’m told,” Grok replied.

“Wait, so…” Veil started.

“Yeah, we can try to get you one. Just know they are very expensive and it will be difficult to find a vendor who won’t try to add a surcharge, even for the beast master,” Grok said. “But you’ve already learned the language of the land, so it should be fine,” he continued. “Anyways, brother, I’ll see you later.”

“Alright, brother,” Veil replied as he continued walking towards the chief’s domain.

The walk through the village wasn’t a long one but had many things to see. Veil stopped to talk with the smith, saw children playing, and even peered into the baker’s window to see what kind of treats were on display that day. Realizing he was procrastinating the daunting task of meeting with the elder, he hurried down the path towards the domicile. His heart pounded in his chest as he lightly knocked on the door, his confidence failing him. In the last six months he had spent with the orcs, he had found his true family. It was foreign to him at this point, but as he thought about it, he hadn’t felt so complete since before his father died. He took a deep, calming breath and knocked with more gusto.

“Come in,” the chief’s gruff voice sang out.