Maledictus Terra Book 3: Vetitum Nemus Part 90
Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
Sorry that I have been a little behind... I had a rough week... Let's post a decent part!
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
Maledictus Terra Book 2: Sanguifex started HERE with Part 1 and ends at Part 111 HERE
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found here!
Part 90
Gorma followed Adrian out of the room where the two old mages continued to converse. It was necessary to update this new ally. Adrian had insisted to Adiran that he needs to do things differently if he were to expect different results - this time.
"What did you mean when you said to your unc.... erm... to Adiran that he needed to change things this time?" The Orc warrior woman asked him. She was walking beside Adrian as he led her to the royal commons. He would like to have a meal now and with her but without too many eyes on them.
She was very tall, something that he was quite aware of at this moment as she walked close to his side and kept up with him with what he realized were short steps. He elongated his own strides and he matched them as easily as though he was leading her in a dance.
He supposed that she had this sort of spatial instinct because she was a warrior. "Well... I am not sure that you are going to like the answer, but it is because this is not the first time he has travelled back in time and become his own uncle."
"He reversed time more than once to come back to you... himself?" Gorma's brow furrowed in a frown. "I can't say that I dislike that... but it is difficult to understand."
"It is not even as simple as that." Adrian said. "Because of the enemy that Adiran is running from, the being that is tied to him as well as me is outside of time. Time does not exist for this creature which you might call a God, but it was not involved in the creation of this world, nor its heavens and the stars. It is an immensely powerful invader God. There is a reason why its powers are so unnatural to our world."
"It does not belong here." Gorma suppied, there was a question in her voice, but as she said it, it had become a statement of which she was more sure once she had said it.
Adrian nodded. "Indeed. Though like with humans and other mortal creatures that use conquest to take over from others, it believes that might is right and if it can, it will destroy whatever is in its way and take over this plane of existence. It might have succeeded since more of the Gods of this world have been defeated, corrupted, captured or forgotten."
Groma's face was grim. "I have noticed that there seems to be a lack of the spititual since we awoke. Besides Bellum who resides within your ancestor, the Orc's Gods Innana, the Earthmother and Temuz the Fire-eater are our prodominant deities. Our Shamans were aghast to find that they could not commune with them. Chief Tayo herself wept the moment we were released and it took hours to calm her down. Only later did Orc and Goblin Shamans confirm what it had been that had upset the Trollmother so."
They had arrived at the royal mess hall commons. Adrian waved at an aide to bring them food and drink. The woman had been staring at the big armored Orc woman, so it took a second attempt to get her to respond.
"When we had met the Chiefs, Chief Tayo had said that the eart spoke well of our deeds. How is that possible without her link to Innana?" Adrian indicated a seat at a small table that had a view over the city. Gorma nearly walked past Adrian and he blocked her path off with his body and drew the chair out. "Please sit. I do not know if you know of this custom?"
Gorma face flushed a deeper green. "We do not have this custom amongst the Orc Clans... or any of the Tribes. But I have heard of some of these customs." Gorma seemed to be somewhat taken aback by Adrian's insistence.
"Well, I wanted to extend you all the courtesy that would normally be bestowed to any high-born lady." He smiled as she sat down and then went to the opposite side of the table and sat down.
"I am no high-born."
"You are the daughter of a powerful Chief. That means you are a member of the leadership of your people. There is no need to compare title names. The result is the same."
Gorma seemed hesitant. "That is not completely accurate. While great things are expected of me because of my father and it is common for the offspring of Chiefs to become Chiefs, it is not certain that they will."
"I think you would make a fine ruler." Adrian said, at which Gorma's face flushed again.
"Smooth talker." She grumbled in accusation with an Orcish pout and then seemed to brush it aside as though it had not happened. "Back to the question. Yes. None of the Shamans were able to make contact with Innana, but Chief Tayo is the closest to the Earth and she explained that there is a spirit inside of the Earth that is the servant of Innana. It remembers some things though it is difficult to get precise information out of Chief Tayo."
"Indeed. I understand why."
The servant woman had arrived with pitcher of fruit juice and another two aides followed her with trays of food. It was bread, sliced and buttered, beef stew and vegetables on potato mash. A fairly plain fare for the royals but it had been the decree from the Queen that all food be prepared the same as what the servant staff are having on that day.
"It smells good!" Gorma exclaimed and the servant women bowed their heads. The senior of the trio smiled at Gorma.
"Thank you ma'am, I hope that it shall be to your liking. Please call on me should you need something else."
Adrian nodded at the woman who retreated to the far corner of the room near one of the doors.
"This feels as though you had planned it." Gorma said coyly, winking and grinning. "Did you want to set all this up Prince?"
It was Adrian's turn to blush, his a deep red. "Haha! Well, not really. Though... "He took a deep breath. "I saw the opportunity and took it."
Gorma's face turned to that of shock for a moment. "I see... How is Stonemaw?"
"Marrok has nearly doubled in size! He has been taken away from the kennels and now lives in my suite in the royal wing not far from here." Adrian grinned. "He is a good boy though! I have found him easy to train and teach."
"Really? Teach a warg? What would you teach it?"
"Do the Orcs not train the wargs?"
Gorma shrugged. "In a manner of speaking. They form a close bond. But without the guidance of someone like Master Pattoq, the Kennelmaster, I wonder how you managed to train an unruly pup?"
"Well, that is something that you might find it interesting..."
Over to you Lex!
Thank you for reading!
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Vetitum Nemus
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@zakludick
Aww! I love it!
I am glad that you enjoyed it!