Of the many formidable races to have shaped the world's history, few are as prolific or as physically formidable as the Krags. They trace their lineage to the mythical figure of Kraggroth the Bane, a historical giant of such import that scholars still debate whether he was Real. Some tales speak of him as a demigod, some say he was a Risen. Others speculate he was the last of a lost race of giants.
His connection to the fabled "early race" remains a personal subject of my own futile speculation and research. A question perhaps I may never find the answer to.
—Excerpt from On the Clans of the Northern Wilds by Alaric the Questioner
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The air was chilling even with his hooded cloak. The cold snow beneath his feet didn't help matters either. All it did was make his already tense senses even more sensitive to the danger around him. The hostile Krags who had taken it upon themselves to surround him were really starting to make him anxious. Especially with the Silence pressing down. Even as his mind raced through trajectories of potential of escape, Femi knew the odds.
He had entered one chance.
Yet, this was also familiar ground. Femi was beginning to become accustomed to these kind of desperate situations those wretched villager people loved to force him into. So after gauging his opponents, he got ready to deploy the strategy he had developed to counter such unfair odds.
Ogoro(cheating).
Without hesitation, Femi's hand shot out, snatching a handful of snow and flung it forward. The powder exploded in a cloud of white, blinding Tuck who roared in anger as he tried to clear his vision while swiping his blade though the white cloud recklessly, like a maddened beast. Giving Femi the opening for his next move.
"You insect!" Tuck bellowed, blinking furiously.
Femi slipped past Tuck's flailing arms, his body bending like a paper bag in the wind. His axe held low ready to slice the tendons behind Tuck's knee. But Kovar was faster than his bulk suggested. Already covering the distance with shocking speed, his own axe whistling toward Femi's skull without hesitation.
Femi threw himself backward having no time to block. Instead, his free hand drew a dagger and sent it spinning toward Kovar's eyes. The Krag jerked his head aside, raising an arm to block, giving Femi just enough time to dodge the blade that whispered past his ribs. Another attempt from the fatherless Krag, who had tried to disembowel him with rage filled eyes.
Using that instance, they were close, Femi launched himself onto Tuck's back.
"Get this rat off me!" Tuck bellowed, as he bucked and twisted trying his best to shake Femi loose. Unfortunately for Tuck, Femi was determined to frustrate the fool. Twisting and dodging all attempts to be pulled of Tuck, instead he made his way up the Krag's shoulders his axe clenched in his hand. With a swift and deadly motion, slammed the back of his axe head into the Krag's temple. Tuck's eyes rolled back as his crumpled forward into the waiting powder, unconscious. The snow muffling his fall.
One down.
Kovar charged at Femi with a ferocity that sent shivers down his spine. Femi swung his axe, but the Krag was too fast. He dodged the attack and swung its own axe, aiming for Femi's head. Femi barely managed to duck, feeling the rush of air as the axe whipped past his ear.
Again, Femi dodged and again, Kovar pressed, sending a relentless series of slashes that drove Femi back. With one even grazing his shoulder, stunning him long enough for Kovar's backhand to connect and sent him flying.
Femi landed roughly, and after shaking off the flying cows from his vision, got up quickly. Just in time to react to Kovar appearing before him again, swinging his axe like a savage beast. Femi parried the attack but was sent tumbling to the side again.
And just as Femi was wondering whether things couldn't get any worse, he caught movement from the corner of his eyes. A green fist that would have crushed the chest of another less prepared person. Yet, Femi was already on alert to the vibrating female Krag, and therefore had been tracking her since the fight began. So, his body had already leaped away from the furious fist, that generated such force as to ruffled Femi fur.
"Aren't you all ashamed?" Femi shouted, backpedaling. "Ganging up on me?" This was getting out of hand, Femi thought. This could actually lead to his death.
But, the female Krag blocked his retreat. Her amber eyes flashing with a fierce savagery that disappeared immediately after.
"My friends, let's calm down first," Femi said stepping back slightly as he tried to reason with them. "Can't we reach an amicable solution, to our current situation? Let's be honest, Arieus won't be happy if he catches us fighting."
Femi's eyes darted between this thug Krags watching for any movement from the strange female. While tracking Kovar who was now to his left. He was right, there was no hope from the beginning. He was too outmatched, and he had no desire to become an escape goat anymore. He forced a smile onto his face, hoping to defuse the situation.
"I'm sure we can work something out. After all, there's no need for any... unpleasantness."
"Ah, yes let's calm down…" Femi heard a calm voice say, forcing him to look in the direction it came from.
It was the amber-eyed male. He stood slowly, dusting snow from his arms. "Let's do what the ratling says. Especially after he came here uninvited… insulted our warriors. Mocked our pride." He took a step, then another, beginning a slow, bouncing advance.
"Do you really think you can dishonor us and walk away?"
He pointed at Tuck's still form. Face still calm, even though Femi could feel the strong intent of harm he was sending his way.
"Ha. Tuck was weak," the amber eye juju priestess female mocked in disdain. "Bested by a ratling. How shameful."
The other female krag moved to join Kovar in pacing around Femi, her bare hands flexing. No weapon in sight, but Femi didn't doubt she was the deadly.
The ambered eyed male Krag's continued as his voice became menacing. "He was under my watch. I won't allow any more disrespect." He drew a sword that looked savage, serrated…. and well-used.
"I will kill this rodent. And if Arieus has a problem with it…" He raised his voice, letting it carry over the gathered onlookers. "He can meet me! Duran, son of Chief Drug'wag of the Iron Tusk Clan!"
The Duran voice echoed through the surrounding area, loud enough that even the Krags at other campsite took notice. Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Some looked displeased, some laughed, and others just watched quietly at the growing spectacle.
Femi's eyes widened as he realized the gravity of the situation.
Damn, Femi what have you involved yourself into?
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"Thanks for your help, Varga." The old quartermaster grunted as she dropped the last weapons crate into place.
She nodded simply in response. Victim who had chosen to accompany Varga, settled in the snow beside her, with a huff that sent snow scattering into the air. The beast's blue eyes tracked the camp's activity, while her thoughts went back to her campsite. That was now occupied by whelps barely old enough to hold steel.
Hopefully, Femi will handle it before she was done.
She would have a word with Areius after she was done here. For him to let whelps take her spot was unusual. At least one that required an explanation.
As Vagra began inspecting the cached equipment, a large figure approached parting the crowd. The familiar heavy tread made her turn. Goruk's bulk appeared with his signature axe in tow, along with a genuine smile.
"Varga! I had a feeling you were back. Camp's been dulling without your bright smile. Hahaha," boomed Goruk, as he strode towards Varga.
"Goruk… it seems Arieus has been keeping you busy."
"Yes, he has. As you can see our war band has grown. Hahaha."
"Oh. Before I forget, where's our bands very own mutant? I would like the see the result of your time away, Varga."
Vagra merely pointed behind her in the direction of the were she left him last.
Goruk smile faltered.
"So, you already saw your campsite then"
"If you mean the whelps squatting in my space, then yes, I did see it. I was planning to speak with Areius soon after this."
"Well then it is a good thing he sent me to get you as soon as you return. He wants to speak to you about that."
Varga stopped what she was doing and looked up at Goruk, his faced had become neutral all smiles were gone.
She frowned. This can't be good.
Getting up after dusting the snow from her fur coat. Varga whistled for Victim, the beast stretched, then strutted towards her.
"Let's get this over with."
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Femi's eyes locked onto Duran, his mind racing with building anxiety. This people are actively challenging Areius. The boss…no the Oga of the camp. No, this people are bad news.
"So, you don't care about Arieus' no fighting rules, huh?" he asked to make sure his ears were clean.
Duran's laugh was colder than the snow. "You must be deaf and stupid rodents," Duran smirked, his eyes gleaning with malice.
"I said you will die here. The only true question is how much you squeak before it's over." he sneered. While approaching Femi with his savage looking sword.
"Oboy." Femi took a step back, but the amber-eyed female Krag moved to match him, blocking any possible escape route.
There was nowhere to run.
Femi's eyes darted around, searching for any of Arieus band mates that would step in to assist him. But, the surrounding Krags seemed to be the ones that would not mind this arrogant vagabond dealing with a helpless ratman.
To hell with these backstabbers, now that he was thinking why did Varga leave him to handle this thug on his own. Did she really think he could out muscle this krags own his own? I knew she was looking high, that was the only logical conclusion to her actions.
Cha! Varga you have killed me. This people want to victimize me here. No..no..no. I knew things were too quiet. They have stuck again. Those damn village people, have striped me naked and delivered me into the hands of my enemies.
"Bear your neck, rodent," Duran commanded, as he walked up close and raised his blade.
Femi mind took a pause, as he tilted his head slightly while staring blankly at Duran.
"Bear my neck Ke! Wait are you a fool. Do you think I'm a Christmas goat? He asked, shocked by the level of stupidity to ask someone to willing die. Femi accepted that he had fumbled into his enemies' hands…. but why would he submit to victimization.
Duran's eyes narrowed, as his smirk disappeared.
Femi tossed his axe to his left hand and drew his sword with his right. The metal sung free, catching the pale light.
"My friend, let me tell you something," he said, his voice steady and focused. "There is a parable from where I came from, it says it takes a community to raise a child." He settled into a low stance, sword in front, axe held back. "And since you want to misbehave, Uncle Femi will discipline you now…"
He met Duran's amber eyes.
"Bring your head down and receive your beating, boy."