All Novel Sweet
670
“We are.” Bolut spat at the ground to highlight just how much he thought that particular alliance was worth.
“The orc alliance is with the Empire,” Emmet helpfully filled in. “But there are five realms outside the central empire that are virtually their own kingdoms. The high lords of each realm have grown in power as the empire has weakened from the Eternal War. Uldrin is the realm that borders Embervine. We must travel through the territory to get to the central province. The imperial line has been that the southern orcs are friends and allies to the human peoples, but the high lord of Uldrin hates them. He can’t outright revolt against the empire, but he does everything in his power to sabotage relations.”
“He is an idiot. I have seen the Eternal War. If our warriors walked away from the north, the humans wouldn’t stand six months before their lines were shattered and their lands burned.” Bolut grunted, shaking his head.
“Quite. The rumour is that the High Lord of Uldrin isn’t exactly . . . sane,” Emmet said.Belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - All rights reserved.
“Well at least now I know why orcs don’t trust humans.” Gregory let out a long breath. At least he wouldn’t take the foul looks other orcs gave him all that personally anymore. If he was living next door to a bunch of bloodthirsty people ruled by a crazy guy then he might have had some trust issues too.
“Some humans are good,” Bolut noted, his grim expression turning into a hearty smile as he looked back to Gregory.
“Thanks. Orcs aren’t so bad either, despite the occasional near-death beating.” Gregory flashed a grin before extending his hand out to Bolut. “Anyway, I really just came over here to say thanks for everything. Stay safe out there.”
Bolut, who had seen the gesture performed by humans before, reached out and shook Gregory’s hand amiably.
“It is good that you are here, Gregory Hopkins. Do not fear for us. We have travelled the route many times and we keep well protected. Then, once we leave Uldrin and travel to the Imperial City, the gold flows like water.” It was Bolut’s turn to grin. The big orc’s expression was similar to the one that the rest of his people took to when thinking about battle. “Emmet will stay here with you, as will Valise and Torren. I know you have become close with them. It is good to have friends with you at the provings to talk of battle and victory.”
“Heh! Yeah, victory.” Gregory didn’t sound very enthusiastic about that.
“Yes! Do not fear, my friend. After all, I managed to pass.” He hefted his considerable gut for emphasis and his grin broadened. “You have passed many great tests since coming to us. I believe you will pass this one.”
“That’s what Janette just told me.”
“Then she is wise.” Bolut nodded.
“I guess so.” Gregory smiled. “I’ll let you get back to work. See you in a few months?”
Bolut waved goodbye before resuming his contemplative frown as he regarded the papers before him. Gregory turned to go find Algra and realised that he felt relieved. He was glad that Emmet, Valise, and Torren would be sticking around. They had indeed become friends, and in Valise’s case quite a bit more than that. Talina, Fiona, and Lydia would also be staying at the camp of course, given their duties. Gregory had heard around the fire that Bolut didn’t take the courtesans into the human lands. Humans were apparently quite a bit less restrained than orcs when the girls started their entertainments. The big orc theorised that this was probably due to their repressed sexual practices of only allowing the act behind closed doors and keeping much of the body hidden under their clothes. Gregory felt he should argue that point, but he was slightly disturbed to find that he didn’t quite know how.
Still, he wasn’t sure humanity was quite ready for fucking like rabbits in the street just yet.
* * * * *
Making his way to the place he’d unofficially branded the Training Glade, he realised he was feeling considerably better about himself. Janette and Bolut had a point, and he’d done alright for himself. Especially after being hurled into a parallel dimension filled with mythological creatures that mostly seemed to want to either screw his brains out, bash them in, or in some special cases, both. He’d somehow managed to get himself a free pass to ravish a number of beautiful ladies, and if Bolut’s caravan returned safely it seemed like he’d have quite the small fortune on his hands. His new pack had accepted him, and he’d managed to face up to some seriously dangerous orcs and survive.
And he’d only nearly died once!
When he saw Algra standing in the glade in all her fierce beauty, he came to another quick realisation: Some things were very much worth dying for.
It didn’t surprise him that she turned to knowingly look upon him where he emerged from the tree line. The beautiful orc had the senses of a wolf, and he’d made no effort to silence his approach to the glade.
What startled Gregory was the sight of his favourite emerald-skinned lady standing in the glade without a scrap of clothing covering her body. Even after all the times they had been together she was still breathtaking to behold in her alien beauty. She stood tall and proud, with her chin held high and a little mysterious smile playing around her small, white tusks. The wild mane of her black hair had been given attention for the first time since he’d known her. She had shaved the area about her temples to leave a thick Mohawk of wild black hair rising up across the top of her head and down to hang between her shoulders in a succession of intricately interlinking braids. The midnight colour of her hair contrasted against the gleaming golden rings linking those braids together.
Algra had always been a formidable figure to behold but in that place, with the golden light shining across her gorgeous figure, he saw that she could quite easily hold the mantle of a queen.
Her nude body stood delectably firm and gloriously honed. The radiant image was highlighted by a thin layer of oil coating those appealing curves and scintillating slopes, making her skin gleam in a way that made his mouth water.
Whatever the reason for her newfound attention to her appearance, it certainly had a notable effect on Gregory. Before he quite gathered the faculties to consciously make any decisions he realised he was already running toward her. In fact, he was sprinting so fast that the world at his feet was a blur. When he finally reached her, she welcomed him into her arms as he grasped her about her waist and melded his mouth against hers.
The kiss that followed was downright ravenous. Passion sizzled through his blood and he felt her naked form ignite with a primal lust of her own. Words were quite simply beyond him. His curiosity fell to the wayside in favour of feeling her body pressed to his.