"No," countered Kargen, "Athgar's people have suffered, just as we have. Like us, they were driven from their cities, centuries ago. We have few enough allies these days, let us embrace him as a friend."

The volume of noise grew considerably. Kargen waited for it to die down, then sat.

Uhdrig rose once again, "We have heard both sides, now it is time to hear from the tribe. Ask your questions that we might all hear the answers."

A number of Orcs stood. Uhdrig pointed at one, allowing him to speak.

"What threat have the Humans ever presented to us, and what are the potential risks?"

It was the Chieftain Gorlag that answered, rising to his feet. "Like the Elves before them, the Humans desire land. They will not rest until they have driven us from it!"

"That is not true," corrected Uhdrig. "Even as we speak word comes to us of a distant land where a group of Humans has come to our aid."

"What nonsense is this?" demanded Gorlag. "You are making that up."

"I have done no such thing," she replied. "Our brethren in the Great Netherwood tell us of a Human hero named Redblade who defeated our enemies with her friends."

"Lies," accused Gorlag, "the Humans have no female heroes."

"She speaks the truth," said Artoch, "or do you speak against the word of Uhdrig?"

The grumbling grew amongst the Orcs. The shamaness was beyond reproach in their opinion, and their chief's remarks did not sit well.

Uhdrig turned back to where the Orcs had stood, to see them all sitting. "You have no further questions?" she asked.

"No," one replied, "we are ready to decide."

"Very well," said the shamaness. "Let us cast our votes. Stones represent a vote to allow Athgar to stay, while the lack thereof is a vote to banish."

The master of flame stood, lifting an earthenware pot from behind him and handed it to a fellow Orc, who dropped a stone in and passed it on. In this manner, it moved down the hall, around the far end of the fire pit, and then back to Master Artoch, who stepped back, emptying the contents on the ground and began counting.

The Orcs sat in silence. Athgar leaned towards Kargen, whispering, "What is he doing?"

"Artoch knows the strength of the tribe, each vote in your favour is a stone. If he counts the stones and they number more than half, we have won."

They waited as the master of flame returned each stone to the pot. His work complete, he advanced, whispering to Uhdrig, who then stood, drawing everyone's attention.

"It is the decision of the Red Hands," she said at last, "that the Human, Athgar, be welcomed into the tribe."

The pounding resumed, echoing through the large hall.

Athgar glanced at Gorlag, and even he could see the Orc was not pleased. Athgar looked back to Kargen, "Will he accept it?"