“Algra has lived alone and free out in the Embervine Forest for months now. I've heard of at least twenty orcs who went out there to challenge her and came back with nothing but bumps and bruises having been soundly beaten and then gifted back to their former masters by her. She didn't seem to want to return until you brought her back here."

Rudd chuckled and finished the cup he'd been sipping at throughout his explanation before pouring himself another.

“So why did she choose me then?" Gregory found it hard to believe that Algra had willingly sent many of her own people packing but had voluntarily tried to take him on the road.

“I suspect she was in heat and required some relief.“ Rudd chuckled as Gregory felt heat suddenly rush to his cheeks. "Orc women do that. They're always a rather, ahem, vigorous people but an orc female in heat can be very...demanding. She was probably wanting to use you and then free you." Rudd lifted his feet to rest on a small stool nearby.

"Oh. I see." That explained a great deal.

“So I've managed to get myself a highly prestigious slave and piss off Grolfir at the same time." He Leaned forwards, drained a good deal of his cup in a few deep gulps and rested his head against his hand shortly after.

“There now old boy, you'll be fine. Grolfir's been known to Lose his temper from time to time but he's an awfully decent sort once you get to know him. Algra's refusal to be taken beneath his wing is a bit of a mystery to us all actually. If I might ask, why did you come here?" Rudd's voice turned from amused to sympathetic.

“I came here with two people. I think some orc traders might have taken them. They have something I really need." Gregory lifted his head to look over at Rudd who was studying him curiously.

"I see. Well in orc Lands we must obey orc rules of course. Except for me and my friends out there. Diplomatic immunity is rather wonderful you know." He grinned and poured himself another cup. The man certainly put that stuff away quickly.

“Though I suppose if you asked you could be taken to see the human slaves. They're usually treated decently unless they're disrespectful. In fact I'm not too proud to say that a few peasants have escaped from our kingdom looking to be taken into work by the orcs. Bloody short crop this year and all."

“Well won't I get challenged if I go out there?" Gregory asked whilst running his fingers through his messy black Locks.

"I doubt it. You own Algra and if she’s brought you here I daresay she'd step in to fight for you. That's allowed. You might get a challenge from some hot head of course but I doubt any of them would want to step up against Algra Strongblood. She has quite the reputation for brutality." Rudd stood up and moved to the door to his caravan.

“Come on, I'll take you myself if you Like. I find it hard to resist being part of a scandal.”

Reluctantly, Gregory stood and followed Rudd out of the caravan. A few of the other humans looked at them curiously before going back to their business. Rudd led him along the paths telling him this and that about orc society. Despite his current circumstances Gregory was quite fascinated by the ways of the great green giants. They were a hard people to be sure but their odd way of establishing a hierarchy had a great deal of honour to it. Apparently it was considered a very Low thing to abuse a slave after winning a challenge. Sometimes a harsh gesture of devotion was required if the challenge was particularly violent such as the loser scarring themselves or breaking a bone to honour the victor. Beyond that however, masters being cruel to their slaves was practically unheard of. Rudd said it had something to do with almost everyone being a slave to someone else.

They arrived at the trader‘s tents and Gregory saw a few more humans there going about setting up a cooking spit and a couple more sharpening some orcish swords. Upon spotting them, a heavy set orc stepped up and set his giant fists on his hips. He then said something in orcish that Gregory couldn't understand. Luckily Rudd picked it up easily and replied in the series of rhythmic beats of sound that made up their Language.

"He says hello." Rudd explained as he turned to look at Gregory. "What do your friends Look like?"

Well they weren't exactly his friends but he wasn't about to point that out.

“They're both my age, a guy and a girl. He's my height, pretty strong, shaven head, pale skin. She's slim, red hair, kind of..." Gregory lifted his hands over his chest and mimed a well endowed pair of tits.

Rudd chuckled before translating to the orc. The descriptions he gave drew a frown from the creature and he started speaking faster in an obviously annoyed manner at the emissary.

“Ah, It seems that your friends have committed a crime. Yes. Apparently after they were taken the bald one tried to cut the throats of one of this gentleman's friends. He's been nothing but trouble since then. They assumed that the pair were bandits and...oh dear." Rudd lifted his hand to rub his temples as the big orc turned and led them across the way.

Fearing the worst, Gregory followed and soon saw the criss-cross pattern of a caged floor resting over a very Large hole in the ground. As they approached this pit which was set quite a bit away from the tents the smell hit them Like a brick wall. Rudd immediately turned and vomited up his few cups of wine and Gregory nearly followed along, barely managing to keep down the dinner Algra had made for him.

The overpowering smell of shit was daunting as they moved over to the pit and Looked down inside. There Gregory didn't see the gaunt faces of unruly slaves as he'd expected but rather a machine. It was a large circular slab of wood with handles coming off in four directions. On three of these handles three Large naked male orcs pushed relentlessly and on the remaining handle Gregory spotted Freddie, naked as the day he was born trying to shove his handle along and keep the machine turning.

“What is this?" Gregory asked, placing his hand firmly over his mouth and nose.

“Orc punishment. These are criminals. Most are executed on the spot but the especially annoying ones get put them down there. We gave them that machine years ago. It's connected to pipes that run under the campsite. The sewage system." Rudd explained in a shaky voice.

He couldn't stand there any Longer so Gregory turned and led the way back toward the tents. As soon as the orc and Rudd joined him he spoke again.