After two additional days of going back and forth between Storm and the winning bidders of the Undercity.
He was finally finished and Grombrim gave him the go ahead to depart for the orcs.
Storm was probably the only person alive that was this excited to go for diplomacy with orcs and Minotaurs .Like the rest of their society, it was a brutish and violent affair.
But after two weeks of doing nothing but shake hands and smile at pompous nobles.
Storm really needed to hit something.
He met with Leyocan and they flew off together towards the place where the Tribe had set up camp. On route they were discussing plans.
"Any idea why your previous attempts to win them over failed?"
"We couldn't agree on the workload during downtime. I wanted them to help out with any heavy lifting around the city in construction or mining efforts.
They refused, stating that they would never be slaves again!
They want to spend their downtime training or sitting around and party while everyone else is contributing to the city!" Exclaimed Storm.
"In their defense, aren't you specifically getting them for the city work? They are no doubt concerned that you are trying to bind them?"
Storm's temper flared up for a moment.
He closed his eyes and was silent as he tried to bring his emotions under control.
After a minute he spoke up again.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't insinuate that I'm no better than the humans!
Unless you would like me to drop you on your head! I have never, and will never keep someone as a slave!" Exclaimed Storm.
"I meant no offense, I'm just stating how Torin is seeing this. Remember, he was raised by humans. He was a slave for all his life until he managed to free himself.
He's no doubt traumatized by the experience, wouldn't you be?" Asked Leyocan.
The truth was that Storm would be if he had gone through such an experience.
He couldn't really blame Torin for being extra cautious.
"I would never exploit another being for my own gain. In the past... maybe...
I did some questionable things before Aurora and I were reunited... But I can't give him a free pass either.
Everyone else is contributing, it wouldn't be fair to them if I did this for the orcs.
I can't afford to start playing favorites." Explained Storm.
"That, is what we need to convince Torin about. Show him that you have no malicious plans for his people and you'll be able to win him over." Explained Leyocan.
"How much do you know about him?" Asked Storm.
"Not much, just the briefing your people provided for me. His tribe was destroyed when he was still a calf and he was enslaved by a noble family and forced to fight for their amusement in the family arena.
Befriended the other gladiators and eventually led an uprising that cost his captors their lives.
Performed banditry with his fellow freed gladiators to survive until he was captured and incarcerated in King's Peak prison, where I freed him.
Returned to the lands of his people and started challenging war chiefs and taking over their tribes.
He then led these tribes in a series of battles to liberate enslaved non-humans.
Earning a reputation as a great liberator and earning the title of 'Khan' in the process. " Explained Leyocan.
"I was hoping you had some more information on him.You're the only one of us who met him before he became a Khan." Exclaimed Storm.
"We didn't exactly have a lot of time for small talk at the Prison. He seemed a decent sort though.
His people went out of their way to protect the non-human Dwarven and Elven prisoners, And he has been working hard to free captured beast-kin." Explained Leyocan.
The large camping grounds that made up the place the tribe was currently settled in soon came into view.
It consisted of small to medium sized tents and it stretched to as far as the eye could see.
A small border fence of wood surrounded the entire camp, except for the north and south facing sides, that had small gates to hold back invaders.
Large patrols of orcish warriors could be seen in an wide range around the massive camp.
They were riding on the backs of large black furred direwolves that were almost as big as horses.
Storm decended and landed at one of the entrances and folded his wings.
Leyocan climbed down Storm's left foreleg until his feet touched the ground.
Although Storm had chosen this particular area to land in the hopes that he wouldn't unnecessarily spook the tribe.
But it seemed like his efforts was in vain as the sentries cried out in alarm and war drums soon began to play throughout the camp.
Leyocan and Storm walked forward and tried to defuse the growing situation.
"Leyocan of the Northburg Nogitsune and Storm of 'Sanctuary' here to meet with your Khan! We mean you no harm!!" Called Leyocan.
He held out his hands to either side and away from his weapons.
Storm meanwhile laid down on his belly and did his best to appear as non threatening as possible. Not an easy thing to do when you're as big as a house.
A moment later a large orc riding a black wolf came up to them.
He was wearing a pair of long brown pants and a long sleeve wool shirt underneath a laminar suit of armor. He had a metail helm made of the same material as the armor.
Hanging from a belt was a ornate axe and strapped to his left arm was a large kite shield.
His long black hair was neatly tied into a single queue that went down to the small of his back.
He had a long black thick black beard that was neatly tied together into a single braid that ended at the center of his chest.
Like most orcs, he had features that closely resembled primates and had a highly muscular body with a pronounced mouth and cheeks and 2 sharp fangs extended out past his jaw.
He stopped a few feet from them and dismounted before walking the remaining distance seperating them.
"Welcome to the camp of the Crimson Tide!
I am Pargu Wolf Brother. Chief of the Crimson Tide Wolf Riders, and Torin's second in command.
Before I take you to see the Khan.
I would ask you to take human form, Dragon.
And for you to hand over your weapons, Fox." Stated Pargu.
Storm was just about to comply when Leyocan suddenly took a step forward.
"No! I don't think we will!"
Pargu frowned in response.
"If you wish to see him, then you'd better comply, fox! Don't forget where you are!" Threatened Pargu.
Leyocan did not back down at all despite his threat.
"Orcish beliefs is that a part of a warrior's very soul resides in his weapon, and as a result, it is forbidden to demand a warrior's weapon. " Explained Leyocan.
"You two are not orcs! Don't attempts to hide behind our customs!!" Bellowed Pargu.
"Leyocan what are you...!" Asked Storm mentally.
"Just play along, Storm! I know what I'm doing!" Replied Leyocan.
"If you want our weapons, then you'll have to take them, orc!!" Exclaimed Leyocan.
Pargu walked closer until he was right up into Leyocan's face.
The two adversaries glared at each other and Storm suspected that they were about to come to blows. Until Pargu suddenly burst out laughing.