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"Get up you gits, pack up the tents and supplies. You! Scarf down the rest of that gob then get moving, and the sooner you do, the sooner we'll get around to stickin' the pinkskins and bleeding em like pigs!" Gruugash strode around Jax, shouting out his decree and ordering his messengers to spread the word to the rest of his hoard. Gruugash wanted to move his force to the northern part of the Corollian and Alzas border forest. Once they had arrived there, the trolls he had sent to retrieve lumber from the lower part of the forest would transport it to his new camp.

Pushing aside the flaps to the goblin chieftain's tent, Gruugash swept away the chief's personal guard, and walked across to the Jax's previous king. "Chieftain Luc, you are to go ahead with your top goblin engineers and travel northwest of Silf." As he said this, Gruugash drew out a scroll from his belt and handed it to Luc. "You are to show this to nobody, and you are to have it done by the time the main force moves to our new position." Once again crossing the tent, Gruugash stopped at the entrance and turned once more to face Luc. "As you pass through the area north of Silf, do it by nightfall, it's important that you are not seen.

As he finally arrived at his own tent, Gruugash ordered his guards to go and get their gear together; this would give him some time with Kiva, out of earshot of his warriors. Walking inside of his tent, Gruugash immediately spotted Kiva and approached her, paying Sauri no mind as he did. "Among orcs, when a gift is given to another, that gift belongs to who it's given to. In other words, you are mine to do with what I will, and you will obey my every order, do you understand!?"

Without waiting for a response, Gruugash approached the table, and swept the bundle of Kiva's clothes on to the ground. "If you have anything above that pink neck of yours, you'll know about the city of Silf... and you'll know that throughout this continent's history, it has only been taken twice, once by the Dark Lord of the East, Kalin. Still, none of that matters, the only thing that matters is that the pinkskins who live there are all cowards who won't come out of their hiding hole to have a fair fight…. Still, capable humans are a rare thing…. Offspring! You’re part pinkskin, test our new gift…. and offspring, if you let this pure pinkskin beat you, I’ll have to give your position to her, won’t I?

Gruugash knew only one way of testing a person’s competency, and that was through combat. He doubted Kiva could even land a single blow on Sauri, but still, if she could survive his daughter’s attacks, then she was probably capable enough to fulfill Gruugash’s plan.

A one-on-one battle? Kiva wondered. What are you planning Gruugash? Kiva nodded. She knew that she would have to do every thing Gruugash told her to do in order for her to ensure her survival, but still, she feared for what he might have planned for her. This is my time to show him that I am worth keeping around... but I'm still no warrior.

Kiva watched as the girl threw her sword to the ground. Kiva knew that most people would underestimate her fighting abilities, but still, Kiva did not want to be in a battle position. In fact, Kiva longed to be like any other typical woman. To find a good man, settle down, and start a family. "I must admit," Kiva began. "I am no warrior. Would it be possible if I use your weapon?" Kiva gestured to the sword at the foot of Gruugash. She knew she would not be able to back out of this fight, and it would probably be best if they didn't know the full extent of her strength.

Without waiting for the woman to reply, Kiva picked up the sword and directed it to the girl's position. "I will do the first strike." Kiva announced as she swung the sword at the girl, who easily dodged it. Kiva took a step backwards and held the blade horizontally in a defensive mode, waiting for the woman to strike.

Kiva waited for a moment for the woman to strike, but instead, the woman kept her distance, and held up her arms in a defensive mode, unwilling to attack. Kiva sighed slightly. She's not going to attack me until I tired myself out using her sword. I guess I'll just have to play her game for a while. Kiva held out the sword towards the woman again, took a step forward before charging at her. Swing after swing, the woman continued to dodge each attack with ease. It's no use. I'm no good without my weapon, and she won't attack me yet. I don't want to defeat her and take her position, but I need to impress Gruugash...

Kiva continued to smile as she twirled around the girl, as it was customary to do so as a dancer. Hoping to confuse the girl, Kiva contined to dance around her and suddenly swung the sword. The woman barely dodged the swing, but in an instant, a piece of cloth shot out of Kiva's sleeves twisting itself around the girl's arm, pulling her back towards the sword. Kiva pulled the woman back towards the blade, slicing her arm just enough to bleed. The pieces of cloth immediately returned back into the sleeves of Kiva's outfit. Kiva knew that Gruugash would catch a glimpse of it, and hopefully that would be enough to assure him of her worthiness.

Gruugash watched the entire battle without as much as a single word. He had always had the belief that one on one combat was a sacred thing, if he, an outside party, was to have stopped the fight, he would never have forgiven himself. After all, even pinkskins have the right to a fair fight. The only time Gruugash's demeanor appeared to change was when Kiva's cloth seemed to come to life, aside from seeing the potential this could have, Gruugash realized that the Feldarians would have only had one reason to send a "Dancer" with such an ability.

Once the duel seemed to come to a conclusion, Gruugash looked at his daughter for a moment, then with a simple nod, he turned to face Kiva. He couldn't say it, but he was proud that Sauri was able to fight with enough restraint to not harm Kiva, but enough to reveal her hidden ability. "Gift of Feldar, among my tribe it was always believed that through watching how a person fights, you may learn everything there is to know about them... I doubt I can trust you, but the same can be said with most of those who hold high positions in my army." However, before Gruugash could say anything more, the orc chieftain Wulf entered the tent and looked around with a look of mild surprise.

"A fight between pinkskins? I don't see the point old friend, put a piece of bread between two starving gobs and you'll get much more entertainment.... they'd probably be more useful on the field as well." Wulf spoke in his usual growl like voice, and when he had finished he let out his bark like laugh. When Gruugash didn't reply to this, Wulf continued, "I have something for you old friend, I intercepted your messenger on the way back, said you had him hire some pinkskin to buy the Feldarian seal off an official, don't know what you'd want the damned thing for, but anyway...." With this, Wulf drew a small sack from his belt and threw it to Gruugash. "Aside from this, I'd say we'll be ready to move in about an hour." With this, Wulf moved towards the exit of the tent, and as Gruugash looked away, Wulf looked at Kiva, and smiled, his tongue moving over his large fang-like canines, then without another word, he quickly left the tent, mounted his wolf, and rode off into the night.

Turning the sack over into his hand, a small steel seal fell out and into Gruugash's hand. Setting this on his table, Gruugash pulled out a scroll identical to the one he was given declaring Feldar his official "Ally". Looking over the scroll, Gruugash nodded, then grabbing a small red candle he had been burning in the corner, he pressed the seal into the runoff wax, and then applied it to the scroll. Looking to Kiva, he held the scroll out to her as if to take it. "The first thing I shall have you do under my banner, is to take this to Silf. I imagine that among other pinkskins you would be called "Beautiful" although I can hardly see why.... and for this reason, you would make the perfect diplomat from Feldar to Silf."

As the woman finished her attack, Kiva felt a strong wave of energy rush past her. Feeling the full impact of the attack, Kiva was forced to take several steps backwards to keep herself from falling. "Teh euna." The woman said. It took Kiva a moment to register what the words meant. Although she was half-elf, she had grown up with humans and was not familiar with her kind. It was easily to pass as a human, and they could be easily deceived. All her life, those around her knew nothing of her elven blood, except for her deceased lover. But here, it was different; her true identity wouldn’t be hidden for long.

Kiva smiled and nodded at the woman after a moment when she finally remembered the meaning of the words. Soon Gruugash began to speak to her, and it was clear that he didn’t trust her one bit. Although it was typical for people to not trust those they had just met, Kiva wasn’t used to this. With all her previous assignments, she could easily gain their trust simply because those men would be too enamored by her looks. Suddenly another orc entered the tent and began speaking to Gruugash in their gruff voices. Before this orc left, he gave Kiva an unfriendly look. What terrible people. Kiva thought to herself.

She turned to face Gruugash as he began speaking to her. "The first thing I shall have you do under my banner, is to take this to Silf. I imagine that among other pinkskins you would be called "Beautiful" although I can hardly see why.... and for this reason, you would make the perfect diplomat from Feldar to Silf."

How cruel. Kiva thought bitterly to herself. She had never had anyone doubt her looks before. But here, with the orcs, they were a cruel bunch. Kiva took the scroll and nodded. She wondered if she should tell him about her predicament and perhaps an idea what the general might actually be planning, but she decided against it. He didn’t trust her, and if she said anything about that, it would probably give him more reason to not trust her. And there was doubt in her mind that he would even care about her safety. But what she didn’t understand was why he would choose her and what he was planning exactly. She knew about Silf and its advantageous location. It could easily be used as a stronghold base, and thus was highly desirable by many leaders. She even knew that the general one time too many mentioned about taking over the area, but she refrained from letting Gruugash know this, she, like him, did not trust the other.

“If I may, I’d like to get some fresh air for a moment.” Kiva picked up her bundle from the ground and stepped outside the tent before he could reply. She didn’t actually need the fresh air. Kiva knew something or someone else had been out there when she arrived and she needed to know who it was. She closed her eyes and began focusing her energy towards the direction of the loud clash before. “Found you.” Kiva mumbled inaudibly to herself when she located a single aura of energy. The energy was very bizarre, it was as if something was throwing off this person’s aura. You’re not a human. Strange how your energy feels similar to an elf… perhaps you are one of those dangerous drows that people speak of. If so, you can’t possibly be a spy or an assassin sent from the general, right? Kiva tried to reassure herself. From the moment that she read the note from the soldier, her mind was not at ease. She knew that she would be followed by the general’s men if she went to Silf and that it would probably provoke movement from the army, but she also didn’t want Gruugash to know about this; at least, not until she trusted him.

Kiva decided that she was going to find out who that person was hiding in the distance and began walking towards that direction. However, she was stopped short when an orc grabbed her wrist and pulled her back roughly. “Where do you think you’re going pinkskin?!” The orc growled at her.

She sighed. “I’m sorry, I was just getting some fresh air.” She smiled apologetically, but the orc seemed to ignore her. “You stay here for chieftain Gruugash, or I chop off your little head.” He threatened as he held up his weapon to her throat. Normally, Kiva would not tolerate this kind of treatment from subordinates, but she did not want to give Gruugash further reasons to distrust her. If you can be a friend, I will find out who you are eventually. But if you were sent by the general, I will find you and kill you. Kiva thought referring to the strange aura person in the distance.

She nodded and waited for her next commands.

The drow/elf blinked in surprise. The dancer girl, called "pinkskin" by the leading orc, seemed to sense her. It doesn't look like she'll be allowed to come after me though, she thought a the dilemma. The orcs didn't seem very trusting, so they probably wouldn't listen to the other woman if she made a comment to go outside of camp.

And they have terrible sentries, Evelyn thought smugly. Not that it would've mattered. Her hiding skills were stealthy enough to get passed any security, even without her knowing.

When her ears heard the overbearing Gruugash's last statement, all her senses went on alert. She was from Feldar. Or at least that was were she spent most of her lift. Scratching her cheek she nervously thought, As much as the information I could get from these people could be sold to the right source, I don't want to get killed in the process.

Evelyln straightened from her perch in the tree and jumped down. As soon as her soft landing rustled a few leaves, she felt the pull of the blue amulet on her neck. Her eyes slightly drooped as sleep tugged at her. She cursed and began a silent run. Watching for small rocks, she made the trek away from the orcs. The power of the amulet drained her energy as she fought back to get some distance. She was at a reasonably safe distance, though she didn't know which direction, when she fell with her back to a tree. She didn't even have time to quess if she was out of danger before a dreamless sleep overcame her.

Kiva watched as the orc scampered away in fear. She was Gruugash’s property now and she would have to do his every command. There were many times in her life that she wished she was in someone else’s shoes. Skilled as she was in what she did, she never really felt alive. As a dancer, she would always be known as someone’s property; an object that someone could simply discard when bored. In all her life, with all the men that she’d been with, there was only one that treated her like a person and not like an object. She longed for that kind of companionship again, but somehow, she felt that she may never feel that way again. Still, she did not want to give up. She would continue to hang onto that slight bit of hope.

Gruugash’s rough and angered voice broke her deep thoughts. “…convince the lord to sign the scroll… my offspring will follow you … see anyone from Feldar, … they don’t live to tell about it.” Was the main points that Kiva could catch as she was much too concentrated on her own thoughts. However, she shot up in alert when she heard the last part. I’m from Feldar… does he trust that I would really kill them? Suddenly, Gruugash’s offspring burst out of the tent and rushed towards where Kiva had sensed the strange aura person. The person is gone now, silly girl. Kiva thought to herself, wondering if Gruugash, an orc, actually bed with an elf woman to create such a rare creature.

Kiva had a lot of questions about the situation and wondered if she should ask and possibly risk angering the warchief, or keep silent and possibly have more suspicion on her from Gruugash. In the end, she decided to do the former. “My dear Warchief, “ she began trying to carefully word her question. “I am a little baffled as to why a great leader such as yourself would choose a humble servant to do such a great deed, but what I truly wonder is if my lord, you, have forgotten that I came from Feldar.” She paused for a moment for Gruugash to interpret her flowered sentence. “With that in mind, would there not be a chance that I may have been sent here for purposes other than to entertain you my dear warchief? If that is the case, could there not be an off chance that I could use this,” she raised the scroll up a little higher. “against you? Or perhaps, whatever my lord has planned, something terrible goes astray, such as information about this task leaking out to the people of Feldar.” She paused momentarily again. She knew she was saying a lot and she was doing so in confusing manner. But she had to, it would lighten the blow if Gruugash did get angry because he wouldn’t be sure what she was trying to say. Or at least, that was what she thought as the worst case scenario. “Or, there is one last possibility that I can think of,” Kiva paused to give it more emphasis. “that Gruugash, my lord, was displeased with Kiva’s performance and may very well be sending her to her deathbed.” Kiva doubted the last part, but she had experience with these types of engagements. And over time, she learned that by ending it off sounding like it was all about her, it would alleviate their anger. At least, with humans this was true.

Kiva looked up at Gruugash and stared straight into his eyes. She hoped that her lavender pools had the same calming effect on him as it did to everyone else. “I am prepared to do anything my lord, you, ask me to. But I do not think now is an opportune time to deliver this.” She said, once again raising the scroll.

Feldar had betrayed her and there was no way she was going to protect them any longer, but she wasn’t completely on the orcs’ side either. Regardless, she knew that if she didn’t deal with the assassins the general sent after her, Feldar would know every move she and the orcs make.