"The air here is different, Vrogak. It smells like..."
"Humans?"
Durgah grunted. "Yes."
Vrogak's eyes turned to the captain of their ferry. It was a large and well-crafted vessel, far more impressive than he had ever seen before. But the captain was a small, weak man, easily swayed by a few gold pieces. It was humbling to know that even the Great One knew of the greed of humans. They believed themselves to be worth more than even their own kin. Vrogak, though, knew he was a servant to greater purpose. Gold did not make an orc great; he knew that. They had no need for it, thus the Great One kept all the gold away in the mountain, far from the greed of others.
Alas, when traveling outside the Seret it was prudent to bring enough gold to pay off those who would accept it, and enough men and weapons to push back those who would not. On the ferry sat forty orcs. They were quiet. Perhaps listening to the only other passenger aboard wail to the captain about how horrid it was that she was being made to sit near such disgusting creatures.
Vrogak sighed and looked at the fast-approaching ports. The Cairou river was wider than any in the Seret, yet all the activity made it seem polluted and impure. He could smell the humans. He could smell their industry, their sweat, their experiments. And yet they were here to learn from it. Was this what the Great One sought for the future of the Seret? Vrogak would need to explore and learn quickly. Still, he knew that orcs could adapt quickly.
The ship finally settled into the dock, and the Sereti were quick to disembark. The port district was supposedly more accepting of outsiders, but forty imposing, blue-skinned warriors walking the streets of Elbion drew eyes. They were not here to hide. They were here to learn from the scholars and sages here of how to improve their civilization. The walls here were tall and imposing, a far cry from the crude barricades of Kannorgopad.
Vrogak would not fail.
They were stopped at the gate. The guards were nervous, but Vrogak and his brethren stayed calm. An officer poked his head out from the top of the gate.
"What do you want?" His voice was weaselly and laced with disdain. The foot traffic into the city seemed to stall as the forty orcs waited just outside the city.
"We would like an audience, with whatever official will meet us of the Grand Council. Additionally, we wish to speak with a representative of the College of Elbion." Vrogak spoke in a tone more formal than the officer above.
The man grunted. "And why should I let you in?"
Durgah chuckled. "As if they could stop us."
Vrogak hushed his clansman with a wave of his hand. "We come bearing gifts, for the College and the Council." He gestured to a pair of large chests his party had brought ashore. "I trust you will bear my message to both."
The officer grunted again and disappeared atop the wall, leaving the orcs to wait.