The Arrogance Of A Targoth

[Shalashask 1112]

The Arrogance Of A Targoth

Kharak’s taint had been spreading throughout the surrounding lands for years now. It washed over the natural formations, leaving both beasts and fauna to rot in pestilence. What was once a land enjoyed by orcs for hunting and gathering was now a barren wasteland. It was filled with scarred lands which showed no similarity to their formal fertile self. Nothing could be seen moving, other than the occasional silhouette of an orcish patrol or raiding party.

Targoth Mok’han’Braduk had looked on as the taint was spread by Rex Kharak’Raguk. Initially he had seen no problems with it, as it forced humans and elves who challenged the orc’s ways from their lands. It allowed orcish forces a clear path to carry out raids on their nearby enemies, and greatly dissuaded any assaults from Oren forces due to the rampant spread of disease.

Soon after the death of Kahn’Braduk, Mok’han decided to pay a visit to his mother’s blarg, so that they could mourn the late Rex and discuss the fate of their clan. Lukra shared many of her past memories of Kahn with her son. He had heard most of these before, but still enjoyed hearing the past exploits of his father. As the hour grew late, Lukra brought up the subject of the taint. Mok’han was surprised to hear of her disapproval, and pressed the issue. Lukra explained how many of the beasts she had hunted alongside Kahn had fallen to the plague. Her hands waved over her large collection of trophies as she expressed how she would never be able to hunt these beasts again.

Initially in disbelief, Mok’han set out to the lands to the west of the Uzg. He and Kahn had spent most of his early years here, learning how to track and hunt the various beasts. Mok’han had not returned there for years, and could not wait to return to the hunt. As Mok’han looked out on the lands, he could not believe that the lush fields which had been home to so many different forms of prey were now left empty and devoid of life. He searched for days trying to track down any form of wildlife, but his attempts were in vein. Kharak’s taint had completely irradiated almost all forms of life, leaving nothing to hunt. As much as Mok’han had initially supported the taint, he now beleived it was unnatural, a scourge upon the continent. It was not right letting life fall to disease when they should be fought, face to face. Mok’han decided he would confront the Rex, and attempt to put a stop to this blight.

Mok’han received word that the taint had been pushed back, and a huge tree erected near the orcish border. He would surely find Kharak there, and so he set off for the border. There he found Kharak alongside the shaman Shagarath’Yar. A huge tree, which towered over the orcish walls had indeed been erected. It stood out as a beacon for nature and fertility among the harsh orcish landscape. They stood by the trees roots, a look of disgust joint upon both of their faces. Shagarath was chanting, most likely performing a shamanistic ritual to undo the reversal of the taint. Kharak greeted Mok’han as he approached, explaining that somehow the druids had pushed the taint back.

To Kharak’s annoyance and surprise, Mok’han expressed his happiness with the taints sudden halt. A heated argument began between the two. They squared up to each other, spraying spit on each other as they growled in disagreement. Kharak was convinced that carrying out Orgon’s will was the way forward for the orcish race, and that he had the spirits on his side.  Mok’han saw it as unnatural, and stated that it was not ‘orc-like’ to allow disease to kill their enemies when it should be done with sword and axe. Both knew that this would not be settled with words, but with a klomp, as are almost all conflicts within the Uzg.

“Mi nevar gruk’d mi wuld klomp wiff ah kub uf latz poppo", snarled Kharak, as he readied his sword and shield.

“Mi poppo wuld du juzt da zaym if hi peep’d wub latz wuz doin”, growled Mok’han as he slammed his sword against his own shield, gesturing Kharak to charge forward.

 

Spoiler

"I never thought I would fight with a kub of your father".

"My father would do just the same if he saw what you were doing".

The two slammed forward into each other, splinters from their shields flying in all directions. They inflicted many blows onto each other, as their wooden swords pursued paths through their defences, seeking the flesh of their opponent. The two showed how stalwart uruks could be, as they both took one hit after another. By the end of the fight they were slowly transformed into two hulking piles of bruised flesh.

Finally Mok’han slammed his shield down, breaking through Kharak’s defence. The Rex attempted to bring his own blade up, but Mok’han’s pommel had already impacted with his forehead. Kharak was sent sprawling into the dirt, as a gash opened up on his forehead. What remained of his wooden sword landed in the dirt beside him. Mok’han stumbled forward, inspecting the fallen Rex.

“Mi haz wohn. Latz wihl ztohp da zpreahd uf da taihnt.”

“Dat iz nub gunna hahpen. Nevuhr”

 As the bloodlust coursed through Kharak’s body, he would overcome his pain, rising to his feet against his injuries.

“Latz iz denyin da owtkom uf da klomp?”

“Latz du nub gruk wub iz hohz fuhr da Uzg!”

“Diz iz nub da orkizh wehy, tu leht zum dizeaze flatz ahr enemiez.”

“Owh manyh kundz ahm eith gunnah agzplaihn diz tuh?”

“If wiz iz ztrung enuff, wi kan flatz ouhr enemiz wiffowt diz dizeaze. It iz nub need’d agh iz unnahturahl.”

“Wi hav zurviv’d ouhr enhtirhe livez ihn da Uzg. Wi nud needh diz zhit ‘ole.”

“Deze landz may nub bi need’d, buht dey kontaihn mani beaztz agh plantz. Id iz nub rite tu leht dem awl flatz tu dizeaze. Nub awl wihl regrohw.”

“Da beaztz ahm alredhi flat.”

“Mi duz nub gruk diz wihl ehnd wiff uz blah’n. Agh mi gruk wood’n zultz wihl nub zuffize.”

“Dehn wi wihl calh ohn da immortdal zpiridz, agh deirh verdigd. Wi wihl klmop tuh flat.”

“Az latz wizh’z, Kharak.”

 

Spoiler

"I have won. You will stop the spread of the taint."

"That is not going to happen. Never."

"You are denying the outcome of a klomp?"

"You do not know what is good for the Uzg!"

"This is not the orcish way, to let some disease kill our enemies."

"How many times am I going to explain this to you?"

"If we are strong enough, we can kill our enemies without disease. It is not needed and is unnatural"

"We have survived our entire lives in the Uzg. We don't need this **** hole."

"The lands may not be needed, but they contain many beasts and plants. It is not right to let them all die to disease. Most will not regrow."

"The beasts are already dead."

"I do not think this will end with us talking. And I think wooden swords will not suffice."

"Then we will call on the immortal spirits, and their verdict. We will klomp until death."

"As you wish, Kharak."

 

Spoiler

 

The two ripped their wooden shields from their hold. Both had been made near useless from the previous battering, and would be decimated by a single strike from an orcish forged blade. Both drew their blades from their sheathes, the sound of metal gliding against the straps rang out. Kharak’s was an expertly forged blade, made by Raguk smiths deep in the Raguk caves. Mok’han’s was similar to his own body. Oversized and covered in dents, yet it had ended many lives before.

Although both were injured from their previous fight, bloodlust had consumed them, and they allowed it to carry them forward. The sound of the two orcs roaring and the clash of metal on metal resonated around the surrounding area, as they fought for the second time. The hulking frame of Mok’han towered over Kharak as he delivered sword strikes from above, while Kharak used his speed to outmanoeuvre his opponent and lunge through Mok’han’s openings.

As Mok’han leaped forward, aiming a slash towards Kharak’s neck, the red orc jumped out of the way. Using this to his advantage, Kharak let out a savage strike towards Mok’han’s head. Mok’han tried to dodge this, but his blade had become lodged in one of the giant roots of the tree. Kharak’s blade soared through the air and impacted on Mok’han’s tusk, shattering it to pieces. Roaring in pain Mok’han slammed his massive forehead forwards towards Kharak, sending him backwards with a forceful headbutt. Using this time Mok’han pulled his blade from the ground and readied himself for another attack. Kharak was faster though, and pressed for another slash to Mok’han’s legs. Mok’han tilted his blade downwards, and at the last minute Kharak changed direction, aiming a stab at Mok’han’s stomach.

Panicking, Mok’han foolishly raised his arm to block the strike. Kharak’s blade sunk into Mok’han’s arm like a Lur wolf’s canines to a fresh steak. As he roared out in pain Kharak pushed the blade in further, and it ripped through his arm, penetrating his stomach. Mok’han crashed back into the ground, his blade falling into the dirt alongside him. Kharak yanked his blade out from Mok’han, leaving a mangled crater of green, red and yellow where his belly used to be. Mok’han lay helpless, as he spluttered blood from his mouth in an attempt to speak. As Kharak looked at the body of his past brother, his face showed a mesh of sadness and anger. He sheathed is blade and turned, leaving the huge Braduk to his fate in the dirt.

 

[ThumperJack 927]

Ghorvakh'Braduk sits in his blarg sharpening one of his hunting blades. The large Uruk sniffs the damp air of his dark abode, slowly shaking his head "Zumthin' nub'hozh iz gunna huppun, mi gruk ihd." He shrugs, reasoning so long as he has his fists and weapons nothing to0 terrible should happen.

[HedgeHug 2049]

Spoiler

 

 

[Elad™ 560]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.