His head was bald and one of his pointed ears had long since been mangled in some battle or other. What unnerved Gregory about the warchief more than anything were his eyes that burned with intense orange flame and carried across a very keen gaze whilst giving away very little about his intentions.

“Warchief." Gregory didn't really know how to address the massive orc leader and so simply used his title. He also tried a respectful short bow.

"You have come," the great behemoth remarked passively before going silent for a moment. "Good. You will give me Algra."

The words hit Gregory like a sharp punch in the gut. He managed to keep his composure and lifted his gaze to look the mighty orc right in the eye despite how terrifying it might have been.

“If Algra wishes me to gift her to you then I will. If she wishes to stay with me then I will not leave her." Gregory wasn't exactly thrilled with what he knew might be coming next since he wasn't all that fond of being pulverised but he stood firm despite his worries.

“Algra has already asked me not to challenge you for her. She wishes to stay with you." Grolfir let out a Low growl at having to admit such a thing.

“Then if you want her you'll have to challenge me.”

“You're good...but not that good. I am no fat merchant, boy. Many far greater warriors than you have fallen before me." Grolfir snarled menacingly.

“I know. I don't even think I stand a chance." Yet Gregory didn't waver.

“Still, it's Algra and I think she's worth fighting for, even if I die trying. So if you want to challenge me then that's fine. Let's do it. I haven't dropped anyone as big as you before but fuck it, there's a first time for everything."

Grolfir gave Gregory a very long icy stare that burned into the young man like cold fire. Even then, Gregory didn't yield an inch. So it was, after a long moment, the corners of Grolfir's mouth curved upward into a very pleased tusky grin before he threw his head back and let out a loud bellow of Laughter.

“You are obviously mad, little human." He finally said in amidst his amusement.

“Yet you honour my niece and have a heart forged of steel. I had to know if you were worthy of her and it seems you are. Although, it also seems you're suicidal, but I shall take the good with the bad."

Relief flooded through Gregory. This was just a test. Grolfir moved around his heavy desk to the Large storage chest. He lowered his Large hand to move his own sword aside and run his fingers across the wooden engravings upon the container.

“Algra's former master and mate was my servant. He was a great warrior and an honourable orc. When he died in battle she should have passed to me but instead she chose exile. Her possessions were her master's and when he died they became mine. I offered her them then but she refused to take what was hers. She wanted no part of our way any more for her grief and shame were too great. These are her things. Her armour, her sword and her possessions. I give them to you in the hope that you will pass them on to her." Grolfir pushed the chest across the floor toward Gregory.

“Thanks! I'll be sure she gets them." Gregory looked over the chest but didn't open it for the contents didn't belong to him.

A long silence followed in which Grolfir looked upon Gregory as if trying to size up the boy. It seemed that the great orc wasn't the only one with unreadable eyes.

“How did you best her? She is a very dangerous warrior. I know you have some skill, human, but you are not her equal," Grolfir asked as he moved to take one of the seats and then extended his arm to offer Gregory a place on the chair opposite.

He told the warchief about his first meeting with Algra and how she had severely underestimated him. The truth was that although she certainly hadn't known his capabilities, she was also very much in heat and quite distracted as a result. Orc women passed through a very sexually frenzied state from time to time and poor Algra had been alone for a very long while out there in the forest. She hadn't been thinking very clearly when she'd challenged him. He didn't let Grolfir know this of course since he didn't want to embarrass his orc lover or her far more intimidating uncle. In any case it had all worked out in the end as he'd certainly seen to her needs.

They talked for over an hour as Gregory saw no need to deny his otherworldly origins. Grolfir was very keen to know about Earth and the things they did there. After half an hour of conversation it was clear to Gregory that the warchief was a great fan of military history. He'd studied the stories of many battles in his own world and was fascinated by Gregory's tales of Alexander, Hannibal and Caesar. Gregory was a keen student of ancient to medieval military history and he had no shortage of tales to impart to the great warchief.

“And what about the orcs? I don't mean to offend but I've never seen anything Like your people before. I'd love to learn more about them.” Gregory finally managed to venture the question.

Grolfir nodded his head at the trade off and turned his head to look toward the opening of the tent.

“Some ale!" He turned back to Gregory.

“What would you know of us?"

“Well, why don't you Let humans join your society? They can't challenge an ore for anything can they?"