He grinned, "Well, you will have to excuse me a moment if I am to drag that Therengian back here."

"You are excused," she said, "but be quick about it, the food is almost ready."

Kargen stepped into the sunlight, letting his eyes adjust a moment before continuing. The village was busy, as it always was after a successful hunt. He made his way past the other huts, his mind looking forward to the reward his stomach would soon enjoy.

Athgar's hut was situated on the west side of the village, among the other shamans and their apprentices. Kargen halted at the Human's door, ready to knock on the framework, then stopped himself. Thinking it would be far more fun to surprise his friend, he pushed the hide curtain to the side, preparing to enter as quietly as he could.

To his surprise, he saw Gorlag, the chieftain, standing over Athgar, axe in hand, ready to strike the sleeping Human. Kargen leaped into action, tackling the chieftain and driving them both to the floor. The axe, knocked from the assailant's hand, flew through the air, landing on the dirt floor across the unlit fire pit.

Gorlag struck back, punching Kargen in the side, causing him to roll to avoid further injury. Now separated, they both rose, glaring across the tiny hut at each other.

The chieftain spat blood from his mouth as he pulled a knife from his belt. "He must die, do you not see?"

Kargen stared back. He had divested himself of weapons when he had returned from the hunt and now stood, unarmed, waiting for Gorlag to make the next move.

Athgar was awoken by a loud noise. He snapped his eyes open and sat up, his pulse quickening. Before him were two Orcs, facing each other, and in the dim light, he soon recognized them as Kargen and Gorlag. Even as he watched, the chieftain drew a knife, and then lunged, jabbing Kargen in the stomach, driving the blade deep, until only the handle remained exposed.

Kargen fell to the ground, the great chieftain on top of him, now withdrawing the blade and raising it for another strike.

Athgar acted instinctively, summoning forth his arcane powers, and released a streak of flame that raced across the room to hit Gorlag in the side, knocking him off of Kargen. The chieftain quickly stood up, the side of his body burned, his clothes still smouldering.

Athgar rose, preparing to cast another spell, but the sight of Kargen lying in a pool of black blood changed his mind. Instead, he ran forward, ignoring the attacker in a vain attempt to save his friend's life.