"Very well," said Gorlag, "we shall let our... guest recover from his wounds. In three days, we will determine his fate. In the meantime, who will speak on his behalf?"

"I will," declared Kargen, meeting the chieftain's stare with a steely gaze.

"Very well," Gorlag replied, "and I shall speak against him. The will of the tribe will decide what is to be done with this Human."

The sword struck downward, cutting into the wood. Athgar felt the shudder as the bow absorbed the blow, narrowly missing his fingers. The rider's massive horse forced him back.

As his vision blurred, he saw his sister, Ethwyn, staggering forward, blood pouring from her forehead. Another rider loomed over her, striking her down with the flat of his blade.

Again a blur, and then he felt his chest tighten as the horse's hooves impacted, knocking him backward. When his enemy opened his visor and laughed, Athgar saw the man's face, one he would not soon forget; the long scar running down the left cheek, cutting through the thick black beard was forever seared into his memory. The Therengian staggered back as all turned dark.

Athgar opened his grey eyes. Everything around him was fuzzy, and out of focus, then a green face loomed over him. Sounds started coming to his ears, the language of Orcs.

"Where am I?" he asked, using their tongue.

"You are in Ord-Kurgad, our village," replied the face, finally coming into focus.

Its wrinkled countenance identified it as an elderly Orc, or at least that's what Athgar assumed. "My name is Uhdrig, I am the village healer," the Orc said.

"I am Athgar," he murmured, his voice weak. "What happened?"

"You were found in Athelwald, buried in the ashes," she replied. "What do you remember?"

The images once again came flooding back to him in a rush. "There was a battle, we were attacked. Men on horses burning the huts," he coughed out.

"You must rest," Uhdrig advised. "You were badly burned. I have used magic to heal you, but the burns will take longer for the spell to have an effect."

"How long has it been?" he asked.

"More than a day, why?"

"I must find the survivors," said Athgar, trying to sit up.

"There were no others," she said, pushing him back down. "Kargen told us you were the only one they found."

"They were all slain?"

"No, but Kargen will explain later. For now, you must rest and recover your strength. Once you are better, we have much to discuss."

Another Orc loomed over him. "How are you feeling?" the newcomer asked.

"Sore," replied Athgar, "and my skin feels like it's on fire."

"That is to be expected. I am Artoch, Master of Flame. Tell me, how long have you held the spark?"

"What spark? I don't know what you're talking about."