With the warmer weather came the first of the wagons. Loaded with blankets, pots, and spears, they were accompanied by half a dozen Human warriors who met with Agrug out of sight of the rest of the tribe.
Urgon began to worry. The change was subtle at first—Orcs becoming enamoured with the gifts, but then more wagons followed, each one carrying an increasing number of weapons. By mid-summer, the wagons were packed with bows, axes, and knives, the earl"s men no longer caring to hide their plans.
With the weapons came more Human warriors, and then the training began. It started with only a few Orcs learning fighting techniques. Then, as others watched, interest grew until almost the entire village was participating.
Throughout the summer, Kraloch"s knowledge of the Human tongue grew by le
