Orcs are a tribal race that speak with a harsh guttural language. They are recognized as the first Outlander in the universe. They have no known home world and the universe is worse off for it. In the experience of one such as I, the orcs seem to derive from a singular tribe, regardless of the parallel they are encountered in. One wonders; what if they had a home world? Would the invasions stop? Perhaps humanity should sacrifice a world to the tribe and the All Mother. Or would her power then become absolute?

Excerpt: Progeny of the All Mother

By HPL

Gideon awoke. His body hurt everywhere. He tried to sit up, but two hands were place lightly on his chest and pushed him back down. They weren’t forceful, but they were very insistent that he stay down. “Sit still. You still have healing that needs done.” He opened his eyes, other students were sitting on the ground around him, all awaiting medical attention as well. The healers walked about the battlefield lending aid where ever it was needed. There were many students with minor injuries, then others like him that were injured more seriously. Some were unconscious with multiple healers working over them frantically, trying to figure out who was in need of healing the most, moving on to the next after a person was stable. This is the first test? I hope this isn't how things go every year? He didn’t think so. He’d bet good coin that professors don’t usually interfere either. What had happened, he wondered?

He tried to lift just his head, and the pain was intense. He saw that what he thought was a healer for the Academy was actually a young girl that looked to be a year or two older. “What happened to me and everyone else? Who are you? Am I going to be okay, can you save me?”

“Not if you don’t hold still like I told you. I’m still learning, I’m not the best healer here by any means, but I was able to get you stable, but it took a lot of my void energy. Now sit still or that might not remain true if you hurt yourself before and advanced healer can check on you. All your internal organs need healed, or at least checked. Oh, and my name is Gage. Gage McClane of the House of Delvers Guild.” Gideon’s head cleared up a little and he noticed more details of the current situation. She wore the blue and white colors of her house. Her blouse was full of ruffles and she had a dark blue scarf that was pinned to hold it in place. She had mid length brown hair and bangs. Her hair flared out at the bottom and she had a look that said she was a very tidy person. But today, well she had dirt smudged all over her face. Her shirt was a bit unkempt and covered in blood. She looked overworked and was sweating quite profusely. Was that my blood?

She appeared to have been at this for awhile. She wiped her brow. “As to what happened. Well first Professor Dunwich blew you through a wall. That was pretty unexpected and looked like it probably really hurt. Based on the amount of healing you needed, I’d say it definitely did. That’s when things got real interesting though. That Primrose Verao summoned a Lesser One. A giant toad like creature. She couldn’t control it though and things got out of hand. The professors intervened and sent it back to the void after a short battle. Luckily they dealt with it fast enough before it was able to digest the Maximus boy.

“What are you talking about? It ate Maximus?” Gideon shouted. “Ow! Ow!” he yelped. The short outburst caused him a lot of pain.

“I told you to sit still and stop getting so excited.” Gage said.

Gideon tried to reposition and find a more comfortable way to lay, hoping it would lesson the pain. “You just told me one of my friends summoned a monster and another one was eaten by it. So you’ll have to excuse me if I lose it for a minute.” He settled for the idea of laying on his back again, able to breathe with the least pain.

“That’s fine. As long as you do it quietly. While. Not. MOVING!” she said sternly.

“Attention students,” Headmaster Dagon projected to the crowd. “We’ve had an exciting start to our year already. We will continue to work to get everyone healed up. After that is complete we will be moving inside to prepare for tonight's festivities. First years, the bidding for your house placement has already begun. Everyone will meet in the dining hall for the welcoming commencements and assignments. Afterward you will go to your houses, meet your fellow recruits, and settle into your bunks. Dinner will be tonight and the houses will present you. Good luck.” Gideon sat still like he was told by the young woman, and let the healing magic work. It was an odd sensation he had never experienced before. He worried over his friends. I need to talk to Primrose and Maximus to make sure they are both okay. I wonder how Riley and Hank did.

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“Did you hear anything about a Hank or Riley?” he asked conversationally.

“I can’t say that I did. To be honest the battle had started, but not much happened before things went sideways. Then everything happened at once. It was hard to follow, sorry.” She said apologetically. “Lets get you healed up so you can head in with the rest of the first years. It won’t look good for you, or me for that matter, if you’re delayed.”

A man’s deep voice interrupted their conversation as it approached. “I’m afraid being delayed is inevitable Miss McClane,” Orpheus Hemlock said as he walked up to the two. “Mr. Daniels, you’re with me when your healing is complete. Gage raised a brow at this, but continued to work without saying a word.

“Yes Professor Hemlock,” Gideon said. I wonder what I did? Maybe this is about the fight in the city earlier? Gideon sat quietly, paranoia building. I just know I’m going to get kicked out. All because of some some thieves, he thought angrily. Gideon growled unintentionally as he let his frustration show.

“Oh, sorry,” Gage said and jumped back.

“No, no, no, I’m sorry It’s not you, it’s me. You didn’t do anything, I’m just a little frustrated and can’t do anything about it. You know, things aren’t exactly going how I’d Imagined they would for my first day.”

She laughed at this. Then she frowned the more she thought it over. “I’ll say. If you’d imagined your first year starting like this I would say you were mental.” Another wave of healing magic washed over him as another healer stopped to help Gage. "She leaned in as they worked and talked softly. “Just so you know, Hemlock is a real hard ass. I don’t know what he wants with you, but walk the straight and narrow.” She said quietly. “All done,” she said louder for Hemlock to hear. “You’ll be stiff for some time. Healing can repair the damage but it also uses the same amount of energy that would normally be required to heal it. Some of that energy comes from me and the rest from your own personal stores. So you’ll feel drained for a day or two. Best to avoid any delves for the time being. Healers orders,” she said with a wink. "Make sure to go to a professor immediately if you have any long term discomfort."

“Thanks I will,” Gideon said. “So that means you’ll be drained for a couple days too? I really owe you then.” Gage gave him a big smile and looked to Professor Hemlock.

“I’ve done everything I can do. He’ll need a more experienced healer to check for internal damage, but I think he should be okay," she said.

“With me Mr. Daniels, we don’t have time to spare,” Orpheus Hemlock commanded.

Gideon followed the professor. They walked past the stairs that ascended to the academy. The professor’s stoic demeanor unsettled Gideon, but there was little he could do. They proceeded down a path that circled to the side of the academy, the path was overgrown and nearly invisible. If it weren’t for the surefooted professor leading the way, Gideon wasn’t sure he would have seen it. As they were climbing up the side pass, Gideon saw a small cove down below with a dock. He hadn’t known it was there, but it made sense. The academy must get personal deliveries back here, away from the docks and city regulations. The academy stood above the Parliament, not only in location, but in power as well.

Movement caught his eye below. There were four adults leading a young boy up the backside of the mountain up to the academy. They appeared to be heading to the same place as Gideon and Professor Hemlock, but were a good distance behind. From this viewpoint, the boy looked to be shackled in chains and a collar. That couldn’t be right, could it? I must be seeing things? He is just a boy, no older than me, maybe younger? What is going on? Gideon opened his mouth to speak and ask just that, but the professor beat him to it. “It doesn’t concern you, but know it is for his protection and yours. It may look bad, but it is necessary. Tell no one of this.”

“Of course professor I won’t tell a soul. I would never do anything to hurt someone or endanger my place at the school professor.” Gideon said.

Professor Hemlock eyed Gideon, a look of anger and frustration touched his face and then was gone before Gideon could comment. The professor lectured him as they walked. “Think highly of yourself do you? Who said anything about fearing what you can do? It is about taking the proper precautions for you and the other students that is our concern. I assure, everything that is being done is because of him and what he can do. In that boy's world, you’re just along for the ride. You better change your attitude soon. If you’re unable to harm someone, you won’t last long here.” Professor Hemlock said cryptically. After the fight in the arena, he thought he understood what the professor was saying. He walked the rest of the way in silent contemplation. They came to a door that was locked with a magitek crystal and a void gate. The professor released some power into the crystal, and the door opened for them to enter. Gideon had made it to the academy. He took his first step into the school. Finally I am here.