Plum paced back and forth, it was nearly morning and Urim hadn't returned yet. She was anxious and had a bad feeling.

Her feelings were confirmed when Gor'lok busted through the tent, Urim's arm was wrapped around his shoulder and he was holding Urim up with all his strength.

"What happened?" Plum said, guiding Gor'lok over to the bed. Gor'lok plopped Urim down and tried to catch his breath.

"I don't know what happened, we split up and I just found him like that."

Plum looked over his body, she looked and felt for any wounds but didn't find any. She bent down and place her ear to his heart. It was faint but it was beating.

She smelled poison, as she drew closer to his lips. She carefully opened his eyes, they were completely dilated.

"He's been poisoned," Plum said.

"Poisoned!" Gor'lok said. "Are you sure?"

"I'm positive, see how his eyes are dilated and his lips are blue and I can smell it. It's faint but I can smell it." Plum said. "You didn't see anything?"

"No, nothing," Gor'lok said. "But maybe the same person who did this to Urim is the same person responsible for Glasha's disappearance. We never found her."

Gor'lok fell silent and looked at Urim.

"Is he going to die?" He asked.

"No!" Plum said. "His body is already fighting off the poison and I can make an antidote. But the poison is already in his system, it will have to run its course."

"How long will that take?" Gor'lok asked.

"I don't know," a look of uncertainty flashed in Plum's eyes.

"Plum, are you alright?" Orgul said, busting through the tent.

The rumors had already begun to spread. Orgul sucked in his breath when he saw Urim's motionless body laying there.

"What happened?" Orgul asked.

"Poison," Gor'lok said.

"Not good, lil sis, not good. You gotta get him out of here." Orgul said.

"Orgul's right, he can't stay here. It's too dangerous, he vulnerable now and we can't take the chance that someone won't try and finish him off." Plum said.

"Do you really think-" Orgul started to say.

"Yes," Plum interrupted. "There are many who probably want him dead. Orcs and humans, in his condition he's an easy target."

"Wait a minute, wait a minute Plum. The horde wouldn't come after Urim he's our Chieftain." Gor'lok said.

"And yet he lays here poisoned and fighting for his life," Orgul said.

"And how do we know it wasn't someone in the horde who poisoned him," Plum argued. "Protecting Urim is all that matters now."

"Listen, I agree," Gor'lok said. "But we don't even know what's going on, and Glasha is still missing."

"Glasha I saw her with Dura yesterday," Orgul said.

"What!? You saw her? When? Where?" Gor'lok asked.

"Yesterday morning," Orgul replied. "And I'm positive she was with Dura."

"Ogurl, are you absolutely positively sure?"

"Gor'lok, I'm sure I saw Glasha and she was with Dura. I'm positive." Orgul said. "I know what I saw and I saw Glasha and Dura together."

Gor'lok silently glared at Orgul.

Plum's blood ran cold and the color drained from her face.

Dura was not her favorite person, but kidnapping and possibly attempted murder of the chieftain, that's too much even for her.

"What should we do?" Orgul asked.

Plum and Orgul turned to Gor'lok. "Why are you looking at me?" He asked.

"Your Chieftain Urim's second," Orgul said. "Control of the horde falls to you."

Gor'lok eyes widened in disbelief, he never considered that.

He looked at Plum as if seeking her approval. She nodded and turned her attention back to Urim.

Gor'lok wasted no time he had the horde looking for Glasha. He needed to find his wife and it would be easier with more people looking.

     A winter storm was quickly rushing in, the search would have to be called off until the next day. Gor'lok had a newfound respect for his friend.

Being Chieftain was no easy job, everyone in the horde now looked to him for leadership and guidance.

He wondered in the freshly fallen snow and found himself standing in front of Urim's tent. He took a deep breath then entered.

Plum wasn't there, it was an unsettling silence that filled the tent as Urim lay motionless, his eyes close.

"How did I end up here?" Gor'lok said.

He quietly laughed to himself, "For years I've watched you lead. You made it seem so easy, I was sure I could do it. I..." tears filled his eyes. "It was all Dura's idea, all to get back at you because you fall in love with Plum. I let her kill my wife just to get back at you. Just to be Chieftain."

Gor'lok turned around when he heard a low gasp come from behind him. His heart sank when he saw Plum there and he knew by the disgusted look on her face she had heard everything.

Plum stared wide-eyed with her hands over her mouth.

"You monster, how could you, she was pregnant," Plum said.

A glare of remorse flashed in Gor'lok eyes but only for a moment. She tried to run but Gor'lok grabbed her arm, threw her to the ground and straddled her. He put his massive hands around her neck and began to choke her.

Plum tried to fight back but Gor'lok was too powerful.

"Sorry it had to be this way but you heard too much," he said. "This was never supposed to happen, but when the horde finds out you poisoned our dear Chieftain and I killed you to save him, I'll be a hero and Chieftain. But don't worry, I'll send your brother my condolences just before I kill him too."

Gor'lok gripped tighter, Plum could feel herself becoming light-headed.

"Goodbye Plum," Gor'lok said.

There was a loud thud and Gor'lok fall over. How did Urim manage to move in his condition? Plum wondered.

"Urim," she said trying to catch her breath.

Urim was able to pull himself up and smash Gor'lok in the head with a basin.

Plum wasted no time, she grabbed her bow, helped Urim to his feet, and disappeared into the darkness, into the storm.