“I have to go. I don't have a lot of time and I need to work." He heard the regret in his voice and realised with it just how much he didn't want to leave her there.

“I know. I wish you well." “Thank you." He reached over to grab his trunks and his boots. * eK KK

Gregory descended on the camp with a hot fire freshly ignited in his belly. The first stop he made was to Torren's tent where he swished back the canopy and found the large smith and the smaller Talina settled in each other's arms. They were both laid naked atop the bed and snoozing contentedly.

Not having the time or the inclination to come back another time, Gregory snatched up an iron bar and clanged it against Torren's anvil.

“Alright Lovebirds! Up you get!" he yelled.

Talina jolted upright and quickly rolled off her Lover to Look around for the impending cavalry charge. Torren also shot upright, although he did it quite a bit faster and less gracefully than Talina and managed to roll off the bed and hit his head on the floor

Upon seeing Gregory, Talina's expression shifted from attack mode to a bright and pleasantly surprised smile.

“Master! You require us?" she tilted her head to the side, completely unfazed by her obvious nudity.

“Actually I require him." Gregory pointed to the smith who was groaning, rubbing his head and getting up off the floor.

Torren was a good deal more self-conscious about public nudity and quickly grabbed his tunic to pull over his head. The world hadn't quite caught up with him right then. He'd managed to process that there was a loud noise, a hard landing with the floor, and then his master appearing in his tent and making a lot of noise. It took him a full minute to realise what Gregory had said.

“What? Me?"

"Yes, you. Fire up the forge, my friend. I think it's going to be a long night.”

ORK KK

It was indeed a long night, and Torren had to ask another human worker in Bolut's camp for assistance. The man had experience working metal, but he wasn't as effective as Torren. They also needed to bribe one of the orc smiths to lend a hand before dawn peaked over the horizon. Gregory himself learned the basics of hammering metal, and by early morning they eventually had what he needed.

Just as they were finishing up, Algra stormed out of their tent and approached them with war-like intent. The violent stance she'd taken on her approach evened out quite a bit when she saw Gregory working amongst his impromptu group of craftsmen.

“What is this!?" she growled.

“I'm trying something new." He smiled up at her.

“Try in day, not when sleep!"

! Yeah, sorry about that. Did we keep you up all night?"

“We didn't sleep much." Janette had emerged from the tent to casually walk up beside Algra and sleepily lean on the orc.

“What were you doing?"

"He try something new." Algra rubbed her eyes

"Right." Gregory nodded.

“I need the Runts here. Actually, no, I need them in the jungle. The spot where we practice together. Could you two bring them from the proving grounds?" 0327 481%

“I sleep." Algra grunted before turning away and prowling back to the tent. She was not a morning person.