Kapitel 12: Making Friends out of Enemies

For a second, the Orc King stared through Cas' very soul. Erupting in laughter the King managed to snort "Baha The human is wise beyond his years, this would be where id exclaim I, Surgade Scarsworn, King to the Orcs, Slayer of all things that bleed grant your request, yet you desire friendship!" Surgade was thoroughly amused, with a thunderous slap across Cas' bare back the king shouted."Morktu fetch tankards, I wish to drink with my friend. Come, human, err, Casimiro, I wish to show you something. Krukna, stay with my son, see that the soft skin's don't finish the job my friend started!" As if the two imposing guards were born to serve, they split off, attending to their tasks. Entering the hall, King Surgade took another look at his badly burned son, a flash of disappointment shined in his eye. "Xujarek owes you more than his life. You taught the boy a lesson I never could. Underestimate enough opponents and your fate will be the sharp end of the blade." With Cas and Raeja in tow, the mighty orc king led them from the infirmary. Outside, a larger contingent of orc guards awaited their King. Each clad in ornate orange plate armor, emeralds imbedded in the decorative ridges dazzled in the setting sunlight. They marched ahead, paving the way to the King's pavilion erected outside the city. Hundreds of orcs camped outside the city, they had formed a small city around the pavilion. A gigantic boar roasted on spit, the smell alone sent Cas and Raeja's stomachs into audible growls. Hearing their hunger, the King announced to his people, "I Intended to feast in honor of my son's victory. Instead, we feast in the honor of my new friend, Casimiro." Responding in an uproar, the crowd of orcs cheered, Cas was a bit startled as they seemed to actually support him. "My kind appreciate strength above all else, defeating Xujarek was bound to earn the respect of some." Inside the pavilion, a smorgasbord had been set. Crisp roasted peacock stuffed with mushrooms and raspberries, racks of spiced boar ribs covered with honey, slices of baked bread spread with melted whale blubber. Tankards filled with a made with sliced mutton, raisins, prunes, grated bread, and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Plumes and oranges rounded the dishes. At the head of the table sat a female orc eating grapes. Unlike the King, the Queen wore a crown made of gold, inlayed with rubies. Her green gold skin glowed, crimson red hair fell to her breasts, and she wore a thin silk robe the color of sapphires. Compared to her husband, the queen was tiny, a head shorter and over a hundred pounds lighter. Standing behind her was another female orc, this one, a warrior. Had her helm been on Cas would've assumed she was male. She wore full plate mail and held the pommel of a black greatsword, the blade stuck into the ground. "My queen, I've brought the human who nearly killed our son to dine with us, Mazoga meet my friend Casimiro." Surgade waved his hands back and forth.