Private Tales What Does Not Kill Us

[Pern]

Water pails successfully returned full to the campfire, Pern handed them off to one of the orcs tending the evening's meal and quietly apologized for the delay. She had been expected to help prepare the fish, but it seemed everything was in order.

<<You can help with the evening meal,>> said the orcess that Pern could not recall the name of. A friend of Shari's, though that meant little in the way of differentiating tribe members. Everyone here seemed to be friends with everyone else - she'd yet to see any odd rivalry but they had also only been with them for a short while.

Pern nodded in agreement, <<When does ...>> she licked at her lips as she thought on the words, <<the tribe find another ...many people?>>

<<Town,>> said the orcess, a word Pern did not yet know.

<<Town,>> echoed Pern, gently cleared her throat, <<When does the tribe ...find another town?>>

The orcess made a noncommital sound, <<Few days.>>

Another nod, <<Big town? Supplies to trade?>>

<<Not very big,>> said the orcess in response as she turned several fish to charr the other sides. A moment of thought as the gently touched at the fish with her fingertips to test them, <<There is a merchant who trades supplies.>>

<<Thank you.>> Said Pern, turning to look for Hath and finding him over in what had become their usual spot around the fire. She moved to join him, settling down on the ground at his side, "She shaid we will stop at another town soon. We should check our supplies."

She was not familiar with the path the tribe took or what this town might be. Few maps were so detailed this deep into the countryside, so far from major trade routes.

 

[Hath Charosh]

Hath glanced up as Pern settled beside him, his attention shifting to her. The firelight caught in his grey eyes as he listened, thoughtful rather than guarded now.

"A town, then," he said quietly. "They know this place? I used to go to towns to trade. It could be...interesting."

There was no disdain in his explanation, only acknowledgement of the difficulties for orcs trading with other species. A little note of humour.

He leaned forward to prod at the fire with a stick, embers stirring, then let it rest again. He was left wondering if the fortune tellers words had affected him and changed the future all on their own.

He wondered how often his shamans had been praised for predicting the weather. When they said it would be sunny again in the savanna and it was, did they deserve praise for their insight?

"We should ask the closest we will be to Elbion with the tribe. Lands there are not too dangerous."

After the trading at Wikkerton they had been left replenished. Initially hesitant about travelling with this tribe, it had saved their resources. He smiled to himself. After their darkest moments they had found that strange market town. It was a place he would always remember.

"Shall I collect skins to trade?" he asked.