Bolut stood at the centre of the camp overseeing a truly enormous caravan of goods. A mere glance at the formidable trading vehicle showed that it took more design cues from a tank than a horse-pulled cart. Four enormous ox-like creatures had been reined in to pull the thing, and were currently chomping away at a box of jungle leaves in preparation for the journey ahead. Their curved horns were larger than anything similar Gregory had ever seen on Earth, and their front forelegs packed a tremendous amount of muscle compared to their smaller hind legs. Behind them, the vehicle itself rose up high enough to comfortably fit several fully grown orcs, though it was instead currently being stocked with various goods from the camp. The frame was clearly made of metal with a toughened wood exterior covered in hardened Leather. Signs of wear and tear were evident in scratches on the leather, and a few arrowheads still embedded here and there with their broken shafts sticking out at odd angles.

Gregory guessed that travelling to human territories with plentiful supplies of trade goods wasn't exactly the safest of journeys for an entrepreneurial orc.

Beside Bolut, Emmet was helping to oversee the loading operation from beside the juggernaut. They barked orders out every now and then before turning back to look over a number of parchments that Gregory assumed were the log books of the camp's current stocks.

“Um, excuse me," Gregory took a cautious step forward, deftly avoiding a slave rushing past with several rolls of multicoloured cloth piled up in her arms.

“Not now!" BoLlut yelled without looking up from his papers

Recognising Gregory's voice, Emmet turned and cleared his throat before jabbing Bolut in the arm. It was almost funny to see the frail wisp of an old man getting the huge orc's attention.

“What!?" The orc growled out the word with no small degree of annoyance. After seeing Emmet pointing over to where Gregory was stood Bolut's expression shifted from anger to slightly flummoxed surprise.

“I'm sorry," Gregory held up his hands peaceably.

“Didn't mean to bother you."

It took Bolut a full minute to get out of “boss mode” and realise that his master was stood in front of him. He cleared his throat and spread his arms open in a far more welcoming gesture.

“Gregory! It is good that you are here. Forgive the shouting? Busy day," the big orc noted in a much more friendly tone, gesturing around them at the bustling humans and orcs Loading up the massive caravan

“Oh, it's no problem. I just wanted to see you before you left. Haven't had much of a chance to talk these past few weeks, have we?" He paused and looked over the caravan. "This is a bit . . . huge. When you said you were going on a trading trip I figured you'd just be hauling carts with horses or something."

“It was once just so." Bolut nodded grimly and folded his arms. "These days there are many in the human bandits who attack us. Road is not safe. The caravan needs protection. Easier to protect this than a smaller convoy."

"Yes, and mister Rudd tells us that things are not getting better in the north,” Emmet said.

“The high lord of Uldrin is sowing more discontent towards the orcs amongst his people. Many believe them to be child-eating, bloodthirsty murderers."

“Wait, what? I thought that the southern orcs and the humans were allies? Everyone fighting together in that long war in the northern mountains?" Gregory took another step forwards toward the pair as introductions gave way to conversation.

“We are." Bolut spat at the ground to highlight just how much he thought that particular alliance was worth.

"The orc alliance is with the Empire," Emmet helpfully filled in. "But there are five realms outside the central empire that are virtually their own kingdoms. The high Lords of each realm have grown in power as the empire has weakened from the Eternal War. Uldrin is the realm that borders Embervine. We must travel through the territory to get to the central province. The imperial line has been that the southern orcs are friends and allies to the human peoples, but the high lord of Uldrin hates them. He can't outright revolt against the empire, but he does everything in his power to sabotage relations.”

“He is an idiot. I have seen the Eternal War. If our warriors walked away from the north, the humans wouldn't stand six months before their lines were shattered and their lands burned." Bolut grunted, shaking his head.

“Quite. The rumour is that the High Lord of Uldrin isn't exactly . sane," Emmet said.

“Well at Least now I know why orcs don't trust humans." Gregory let out a long breath. At Least he wouldn't take the foul Looks other orcs gave him all that personally anymore. If he was living next door to a bunch of bloodthirsty people ruled by a crazy guy then he might have had some trust issues too.

“Some humans are good," Bolut noted, his grim expression turning into a hearty smile as he Looked back to Gregory.

“Thanks. Orcs aren't so bad either, despite the occasional near-death beating." Gregory flashed a grin before extending his hand out to Bolut. "Anyway, I really just came over here to say thanks for everything. Stay safe out there."

Bolut, who had seen the gesture performed by humans before, reached out and shook Gregory's hand amiably.

“It is good that you are here, Gregory Hopkins. Do not fear for us. We have travelled the route many times and we keep well protected. Then once we leave Uldrin and travel to the Imperial City, the gold flows like water." It was Bolut's turn to grin. The big orc's expression was similar to the one that the rest of his people took to when thinking about battle.