It had been nearly a year of wandering. Of journeys to far off places, hoping to find more and stronger allies to their collective cause. As they sat around the fire, the five of them- Azrael, Marius, Garagrim, Taltosh, and Ra'Shalm- looked to his comrades and wondered, "Who are these men I travel with?" Surely, they had each known they were betrayed, or sought some sort of vengeance, but what happened? Time would have to tell, as darkness had fallen fast this night, and they were almost out of wood.
And what of this darkness? It had plagued them since they'd met. At first they had just been light clouds, too thin to really block any sunlight, but now they loomed overhead and blocked not only the sun during the day, but the moon and stars by night. They felt no fear, but were wary of each step they took, and closely watched the edges of the woods they'd pass.On the Steppes, they had come upon a caravan of nomads. As the Grudgebearers approached, riders came to meet them. Their leader, a man named Vaida, introduced them as the Kutriguri, and openly offered the Grudgebearers their company in travel. Honored by his kind offer, they accepted. Yet as they walked that short distance back to the main body, Garagrim spotted something approaching quickly from the East. Barely had he turned to see than he knew what had come. "Orcs!" he shouted to his comrades, taking sword and shield in hand to meet the boar-mounted chargers. The rest of the Grudgebearers drew their blades and had barely taken their first steps to charge when Vaida stopped them. "Stand your ground, friends! These orcs travel with us as well." Garagrim had a most sour and displeased look, even for a dwarf. "There are many strong raiders on these roads, the promise of gold and meat is a bargain for the protection these orcs provide."
And strong they were. Hulking masses of muscle, decorated it all manner of skulls, pelts, and blades that looked as if they could cleave their massive boars in two. They were the Laffin' Skull, and though few in number, they stood taller than Vaida as he was mounted on his horse. "Who be deze boyz? Deyz not giffinks you trubblez, is dey Boss?" asked the largest among them, with a voice that shook the pit of the Grudgebearer's stomachs. "They are friends, Jalek, and they will be travelling with us." Each of the orcs looked down at them from atop their tusken steeds. Their eyes all settled on Garagrim, whose temper had nearly boiled over at the prospect of travelling with them. Jalek let out a low chuckle at the dwarf's expression, and patted a small spoon hung from his belt.
Weeks had passed travelling with Vaida and the Laffin' Skull. As they rode, Vaida turned to Taltosh. "The look in your eyes tells a lot about you, my friend. It was long ago that I, too, had sought revenge." Taltosh looked at Vaida. Here stood a man who, like himself, had sought retribution. A man who would soon be the Khan, leader of his people. Taltosh wondered what would become of himself after he had his revenge. Vaida looked to the sky ahead. "I will tell you, my friend, that something wicked lies ahead. I know not what, but I will tell you. Whatever happens, remember who you are."
