The Blessed Hunt

[Laeonathan 5889]

 

The Blessed Hunt

As Foretold by Ghoraza

☽ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻☠︎︎⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ☾ 

☽ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻☠︎︎⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ☾ 

Lurakhan, 1st of Amber Cold, 217 S.A.

Grakh had no idea what the shaman was doing when he cut his hand. Blood dripped from it as the shamanic ritual was conducted. He didn’t understand what had happened until Ghoraza spoke up.

Rex Thrall’s stare didn’t bother the young Lur. All he really wanted to know was whether he should follow the path of protecting the desert, or one of forging grand machines. Kretz’ox, the Tekgoth, had left a lasting impact on him, but the desert had its own pull.

Finally, Ghoraza spoke. “You will achieve nothing by simply waiting and asking. We give you this advice: Seek out the Hunt, and you will find what you want.”

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Petran Roads, 5th of Amber Cold, 217 S.A.

With those words heeded, he rode into the desert, hoping to find what had been promised. Days passed in the unforgiving heat. Nothing. Eventualy, he made it into the greenlands. Burgundy, Alba, Petra… he took the scenic route. Maybe some prey would be there, he thought.

A wide grin spread across Gakh’s face. On the far horizon, an elf appeared, mounted on a steed. Lanky. He had no intention of killing him – no, definitely not. But messing with him? That was tempting. What if he tried to knock him off his horse with his broom? Wouldn’t that be hilarious?

But when they stood face to face in the middle of the road, something stirred. Something was off. And it wasn’t the elf.

A sudden flutter of wings – finches passed overhead. Something else was nearby, prowling around the two riders.

As night settled, occasional rustling sounded through the grass. Two red eyes flashed in the dark, vanishing, only to reappear elsewhere. Than a low howl – followed by more. A chorus of predators under the moon’s cold gaze.

The young Uruk reached for his war axe. This time, he was ready. He had expected a fight. And he was far too certain of his victory. "THE IZGUL HAVE BEEN RIGHT. GHORAZA PROMISED ME A HUNT!" he shouted in youthful excitement. The elf, however, was far less amused by the evil lurking in the dark.

Direwolves. Three of them.

"The Izgul bless mi," the orc growled again, turning alongside his Lurwolf. The beast beside him towered slightly even over the Direwolves. The Lurwolf below stepped back, preparing for a charge. The colossal creatures stared them down. Two of them faced Gakh'Lur, while the white, elder wolf locked its blood-red eyes on the elf.

Then it lunged – only the elder moved for now, leaping with bared fangs toward Enric’s horse.

The Direwolf slammed into the steed, sinking its teeth deep. Blood sprayed as the horse screamed. The Lurwolf countered, clamping down on the Direwolf’s neck while Gakh slashed with his axe. Another Direwolf charged, knocking the orc from his mount.

He hit the ground hard. Dazed. A roar escaped him – fierce, if still youthful. The horse collapsed with one final cry, throat torn open. The beasts clashed – snarling, biting, and tearing. One of the Direwolves hesitated. Something in Gakh’s roar had awakened primal fear. It leapt – but the orc struck mid-air, while his Lurwolf bit deep. With a flash and a yelp, the beast fled.

The fight raged between the last two. The Lurwolf grappled its foe. Seconds later, Gakh's axe split the Direwolf’s skull. It went limp. Dead.

Gakh'Lur turned to find his companion still locked in a bloody struggle. The Direwolf had its jaws on the Lurwolf’s throat. Enraged, the orc roared: "LAT WILL NUB HURT THE WOLF OF A LUR!" And so, he drove his axe into its exposed back.

That blow ended the fight, but the sight of his wounded Lurwolf sent Gakh into a rage. Again and again, his weapon fell upon the dead foe. Blood splashed in every direction, soaking the earth – and the orc. It was a brutal display of orcish rage. Had the elf not fled, he might’ve been its next victim.

But he had. And so, Gakh’Lur simply returned to the Goi, a new pelt draped over his shoulder as a trophy.

☽ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻☠︎︎⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ ☾ 

Spoiler

Thanks to Capn_Avery for the event. It was legendary timing :D