There were 12 of them in all, and those creatures wore loose pieces of armor and shattered leather armor that were just the deadliest part of their muscular green-skinned bodies. Feathers, tribal trinkets of all kinds, necklaces made of bones, adorned with powerful orc warriors who emerge from the shadowy woods with light movements. Their muscular protruding arms and fanged faces resemble beasts, all marked with jagged primitive tattoos, which further enhance their already fierce image. They carry broad-bladed axes with skillful ease, and heavy knives, weapons that seem to be natural extensions of their bodies. Tirio was stunned by the orc's savage appearance. What perplexed him the most was to see the change in their bead-like eyes—no longer the eyes of the orcs burning with evil and hatred, who were calm and vigilant, showing wisdom and cleverness that was definitely not theirs.

Tirio held his breath, promising not to make any other movements. From what he knew, the orcs might have felt that he had somehow attacked Itreig. The orcs just stood, staring at the two men on the ground, as if waiting for orders. The panic spurred Tirio's nerves. If he had allowed himself to be chopped to pieces in the wilderness after he had done this, he must have been cursed. But no matter what he tried, he knew that he would not be able to hold out for a minute against such ferocious warriors.

Suddenly, a huge figure appeared from behind the warriors, and many orcs stood silently aside, as their leader stepped forward. Tirio took a cool breath. It was the orc chief he had seen in battle. So close, Tirio could see the black plate armor of the great orcs adorned with brass rune inscriptions. Tirio had never seen an orc in full armor before. The sight was impressive and terrifying. The orc's mighty stone warhammer looked as old as the world itself. The creature's black hair was braided and hung down to his armored torso. Its green face was a little less like a beast than the other orcs, and its cruel and intelligent eyes were surprisingly blue. Tirio understands that this is no ordinary orc.

The mighty creature stepped forward and knelt beside Itreig. Tirio tensed. He remembered that Itreg had abandoned his duties as an orc warrior. Maybe the orcs were here to punish him?

Struggling to overcome his fears, Tirio slowly moved forward, hoping to protect Itreg if necessary. The orc gave Tirio a strong, menacing glare—warning the human to stay still and be quiet. He was surrounded by the chieftain's guards, and Tirio was forced to obey the orc's silent orders. Seeing that he would comply, the incredible orc placed his large hand on Itreig's head, closed his eyes, and focused. Itreig's eyes blinked, and they opened, staring at the dark orcs looming around him. The incredible orc's expression changed a little kindly.

"You're the Itreg of the Blackstone clan, aren't you?" The orc asked in a human dialect. Tirio raised his eyebrows in surprise. Do all the orcs speak so clearly?, he thought.

Shivering, Itreg watched as the other orcs around him nodded at his tired head. "I am," he said slowly.

The big orc nodded and straightened up. "I think so. It took me so long to track you down, old man," he said calmly.

Itreg sat up and looked intently at the Great Orc. "Your face is familiar to me, warrior. But you're too young to ......" Itreg looked at the orc's strong face for a moment and said, "Who are you?"

The orc nodded and stood up completely straight. The gathered orcs all looked straight, raising their chins as their leader spoke. "I am known as Sal, old man. I am the chief of the tribe," he said proudly. Itregu's jaw was dropping. Tirio stared timidly. This, obviously, was the Eruption Chief that Dasohan had mentioned.

"I've heard of you," Tirio said, his voice heavy and contemptuous. He saw the orc guards around him sternly hardened, ready with their weapons. Obviously, they were unhappy that their leaders were being humiliated. The orc turned and stared at the former paladin in surprise. "What have you heard, human?"

Tirio caught the orc's cruel gaze. "I have heard that you are planning to rebuild the tribe and to wage war against my people again," he said calmly.

"You're partly right," Sal began, with a distinctly light hint of interest in his tone. "I'm rebuilding the tribe. Can you be sure that my people will not carry the yoke for long. Be that as it may, I'm not interested in waging war for war's sake. Those dark days are over. ”

"Those days are over?" Tirio asked, skeptical. "I just saw you and your warriors cut a path through Stratholme. ”

Sal calmly faced the accusatory gaze of this human. "You're too self-conscious, human. We were only attacking the city to save one of us. Times have changed. Your kingdoms and your people mean nothing to me. I just want to finish my father's business and find a new home for my people," Sal replied calmly.

Itregu's eyes widened with a look of surprise recognition. "Your father's career?" He stammered excitedly. "I know I know your face, warrior! you're the son of Durotan!" Thrall just nodded, never taking his piercing eyes off Tirio. Itreg couldn't help but rejoice.

"Will it work, after all these years?" He asked, taken aback. He looked at the faces of the orcs around him, looking for further confirmation. Their proud, stone-like faces showed nothing.

Thrall turned and knelt beside Itreig with his back to Tirio. "I'm here to take you home, old man," he said warmly. "I'm sorry it took us so long to find you, but we've been a bit busy for the past few months. We've rescued many tribes, but I need a famous veteran like you to help me teach them the old traditions. Your people have a request for you again, brave Itreig. ”

The old orc couldn't believe it and shook his head in fright. He stared into Sal's sharp blue eyes, finding hope in the depths of their glitter. After years of depressed loneliness, his heart was once again filled with pride. Slowly, Itreig began to believe that his people would eventually have a future.

"I will follow you, son of Durotan," said Itreg proudly. "I will help save our people in any way I can. Thrall nodded and placed his hand on the old orc's shoulder.

Glancing sideways at the guards around him, Tirio cautiously stood up to face Thrall. "Itreg told me about your father - and his fate. He must have been a great hero to seduce his son into such devotion. ”

Sal's face was expressionless, and he replied, "That is what our people have always insisted on, and it is the duty of a son to accomplish his father's cause." Tirio nodded sadly. He wondered if Tyran would always have that sentiment all along. Maybe not, he concluded. The child has always been proud to have a degraded exile as a father, and it is quite possible that Tyran will only insult me for what I have done.

Thrall motioned to Itreig, shouting several short guttural commands in the orc dialect. Tirio looked around as the guards moved forward, unsure of what to expect. Will the orcs kill him? will they let him go? Many warriors knelt beside Itreig, hooking their arms under his shoulders. Tirio looked back at Thrall suspiciously.

The young chief smirked knowingly, "You risked your life to save our brother, human. We don't get out of trouble with you. You are free to go as long as you don't follow us. ”

Tirio breathed a sigh of relief as he watched as the orc warriors carefully lifted Itreg up together. Thrall gave Tirio an orc salute, then turned away without a second look. Many of the orcs had disappeared into the shadowy woods behind. Tirio shook his head as if in a daze. A strong hand grabbed his arm. He looked down and saw that it was Itregg. The rough face of the old orc showed a look of peace and contentment.

"We are both bound together by blood and glory, brother. I won't forget you," Itreg said.

Tirio laughed and raised his hand to his heart as the orcs carried Itreg away. He stood for a moment, watching them go. The sound of battle still echoed from within the walls of Stratholme. He decided that he had better keep himself out of sight until the human army arrived.

With a silent prayer to the Light, Tirioferdin turned his back to Stratholme and set out, searching for solace in the treacherous and unknown wilderness of the kingdom of Lordaeron. (To be continued.) )