“No’Ah, have another drink!” Ro’Kar bellowed as he slapped Noah on the back, promoting an orc to set another tankard in front of him. They had been ushered from the gates and into the growing village where Ta’Ku slipped away, Noah however was paraded around before being stuffed full of meat and drink in the new tavern. According to Ro’Kar, a visiting chief must be catered to before any official business can take place. Noah thought it more likely that he wanted an excuse to get drunk and celebrate. Not wanting to cause any offence he accepted the hospitality without any complaint.


    “Why not!” Noah yelled. He had discovered that the simple brew was totally inadequate to get him buzzed, perhaps an unexpected effect of his higher constitution. The drink was quite enjoyable though, it would have been undrinkable swill on Earth but for Noah, it was like fine wine as he savored the first not stream-water beverage of his new life.


    “Ro’Kar, how did you manage to brew this ale anyways?” Noah asked, realizing that his mind had skipped over the incongruency. The chief nodded gravely.


    “Ah, more evidence of my ignorance I’m afraid.” He admitted.


    “How do you mean?” Noah responded.


    “The barley was grown by a non-combatant using magic. A non-combatant!” He huffed. “I convinced most of the orcs to give up any thought of choosing the ‘weaker’ path and now we are reliant on the humans for such novelties,” Ro’Kar explained. Noah nodded, his mind latching on to the mention of his people.


    “I guess that makes sense, though I would rather be alive than dream of novelties.” Noah mused.


    “Well said.” Ro’Kar agreed, taking a long drink and slamming his tankard on the table. Noah grinned at the chief, enjoying the lighthearted banter.


    “So do you engage with the humans often?” He asked. Ro’Kar nodded.


    “Oh yes, there is a settlement near the forest, a couple weeks travel for most. We trade them meat and pelts from higher-level beasts for their different services and products. They are primarily non-combatants but have at least one or two iron warriors in their ranks.” He explained. Noah smiled. I bet Kyle is one of them. Noah was relieved to hear about the settlement and was suddenly eager to leave the orc village. Perhaps Ta’Ku would enjoy some time with his people. Noah didn’t want to cut his friend’s time short, but he wasn’t willing to hang around for days. The two bantered into the night, and Noah felt part of his heart settle as he heard the orc’s tales; the hordes kept coming but they rebuffed one after another. It would only take one beast from above. Noah shook his head. Now wasn’t the time for that kind of thought, they still had years before his vision would come to pass.


    He was given a bed in the guest room of the tavern and fell asleep quickly. He dreamt of his friends and family, enjoying their lives. He watched them helping wounded warriors, brewing coffee, and training young ones how to shoot a bow. It was a pleasant dream and he would have gladly stayed there. Then he watched as hordes came and pressed against the walls of their cities. The first wave didn’t breach them, nor did the second or third. The hordes never stopped though, and soon the cities were flattened, and flames and screaming filled his vision. He bolted awake, covered in sweat and breathing heavily. There has to be a way.


    Ta’Ku found Noah later that morning, training in a frenzy. He watched as he swung a hammer in the forms they had practiced together, then transitioned to body-weight exercises, and finished with a martial form he had studied in his old life. Noah then repeated the routine. He looks fine. He nodded to himself and turned toward the tavern to find some breakfast. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    “Ta’Ku! Perfect timing! I need a sparring partner!” Noah shouted from behind him. He sighed and turned around. The two traded blows in their typical fashion, ramping up their intensity as they got into the flow. Ta’Ku found that Noah was moving more slowly than usual and had a furrowed brow as he made measured attacks and counterstrikes. Ta’Ku responded to his partner’s focus and wielded his hammer with every bit of skill he could muster. They continued on until Ta’Ku’s endurance finally gave out, some time later. He is learning quickly. He thought as they came to a halt. After bowing to each other–a tradition that he had adopted from Noah they raised their heads to loud cheering and applause from the gathered orcs.


    “That was incredible!” Ro’Kar shouted, stepping forward. He narrowed his eyes at Ta’Ku before shaking his head. “I regret not becoming your Dan’Kar myself. It seems that I have been thoroughly surpassed already.” Ta’Ku grinned.


    “You can only say that because you know nothing of what I’ve gone through!” He laughed. Noah winced.


    “That was all your choice, to be clear.” He said. Ta’Ku nodded sagely.


    “Sure. it defintiely was.” He said, a bit too quickly to Noah. They burst into laughter and Ro’Kar watched, his heart warm at the two warrior’s banter. He believed No’Ah about his visions and knew that he would need close companions if he was going to save them from the coming destruction. He also knew that his place was to protect his people. If No’Ah failed, then he would be ready to pick up where he left off.


    “All right, we appreciate your performance, but I think it''s well past breakfast, and we are all hungry,” Ro’Kar interjected. Ta’Ku’s eyes lit up as he nodded vehemently. They made their way to the tavern and were met with a glorious sight. On their plates were piles of meat and potatoes. Noah felt like he could cry as he bit into the hearty tubers, never having missed vegetables so much. The pair ate everything that was put in front of them and the waitress had to shoo them away when the restaurant ran out of its stocks. Full and satisfied, the two made their way to the wall where they found a perch to look out over the mountain. They could see for miles, the skies clear with no obstructions. The forest looked like a green sea from their vantage and it really did seem to stretch on forever. Why is everything so massive? How will I ever find my family if the world is all like this? Noah wondered.


    “Ta’Ku. I think I am ready to keep moving. I am itching to see my people.” Noah began. Ta’Ku nodded his head slowly. “What do you think about splitting up for a bit so that you can have this time with the others before our next adventure?” Noah asked. Ta’Ku took a deep breath.


    “It wouldn’t be tradition to split paths.” He responded. Noah nodded, expecting that.


    “It’s hardly tradition for a human to have a Dan’Kar. Besides, I think it will be a long time before we can next return. If you want the opportunity to connect with your people, I suggest you take it.” Noah said. Ta’Ku was still for a minute before coming to his conclusion.


    “Thank you, No’Ah. I will take this chance to see my people, but you will need to return before you set off again.” He said. Noah smiled.


    “I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Noah replied. “I plan to set out in the morning.” They spent the rest of the day meeting Ta’Ku’s friends and perusing the blacksmith’s wares. Noah learned that smithing was one of the few honored non-combatant roles in the orc society and the smith had served in the same capacity on their homeworld. Noah was unsure of what to offer the orc for the new weaponry, but the smith had staunchly refused any mention of remuneration, assuring him that no smith in the entire world had as great an honor as him. Noah felt unsettled by the idea, but he wasn’t about to refuse the new weapons. He walked away with a new hammer, much heavier than the last but of a similar form, and a small hand axe with a single blade. Ta’Ku likewise traded in his hammer for a heavier one, opting for a double-blunted warhammer with a spearhead jutting from the top.


    They trained their weapons for a bit before eventually making their way to the tavern. It was quieter than the night before, and everyone seemed a bit on edge. Nevertheless, they enjoyed their meal, drinking down several tankards of the barley brew. Some time into the night the chief found them, a grim determination on his face.


    “What is it?” Noah questioned.


    “The hordes attack at least once a week and it has been six days since the last one. We are readying for beasts, will you join us?” Ro’Kar asked. Noah nodded, seeing Ta’Ku do the same.


    “Of course we will.” As he spoke the familiar horn sounded from outside.


    “Its time.”