The statement takes even the cleric, whose cloak had hidden any sign of emotion, by surprise.

“My grandfather, Garen Marcella, became interested in the tribe and would hire bodyguards to protect him while he studied the members from afar. One day, he got separated from his guard and was captured by one of our members. Desperate for his life, he explained why he was there and that he meant to harm.”

“What happened to him?” Venice asks.

Garik continues, “What he didn’t know was that the woman who had captured him had been watching him as well. She knew that he was no warrior nor spy, and hearing him speak in our language convinced her to let him go.” He continued to study them, and eventually she would join him to talk about their experiences.”

“After the massacre, my grandmother overthrew the leader and she became the leader. The first thing she did was try to apologize for his actions. It didn’t go well until Garen helped convince them to call a truce. It was then that he proposed to her and they went back to our village. Over the next few years, they rebuilt our broken tribe and had a son, my father.”

Vikar grows more irritated with every word Garik speaks. “Tell us what became of him, orc.”

Garik struggles to find a good way to answer, the effects of the spell gripping his throat every time he starts to speak.

Standing now with a face filled with rage, Vikar pounds his fists on the table. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!?”

“Uncle please,” Venice starts to say before Garik finally answers.

Looking down in shame, Garik admits, “…a few years after my dad was born, Garen was murdered by a member of the tribe.”

The atmosphere of the room turns somber as his words hang in the air. 

“And there it is,” Vikar breaks the silence, “there is the reason we can’t allow this ‘tribe’ of savages to exist alongside us.”

The man climbs onto the table with an agility that betrays his age. Focusing solely on Garik, he says, “You expect us to trust you when the only man who ever gave you a chance was killed in cold blood! What gives you the right to suggest peace when the only result is the slaughter of…”

Vikar has marched past everyone at the table, and Garik alone is able to make out tears forming in the old man’s eyes.

“Shoot him down.”

“Huh?” the half-orc questions as the cleric rises from his seat and raises a hand towards him.

“ENOUGH!”

Virgil’s voice booms throughout the meeting room. “I am the lord of this house and will not allow any blood to be spilled within it. Nilas, please escort my uncle and his guest off of the estate.”

The butler rushes into the room with two guards behind him. “Stay your hand,” one of them orders the cleric. The cleric points a finger at Garik but lowers it. 

As the guards take the two men away, the cleric’s voice echoes inside Garik’s head.

Rest assured, I do not intend to harm you. Perhaps one day we shall meet again, under more personable circumstances. Be well, Uu’ghru warrior.

Garik is puzzled by this experience. Not only at the cleric’s ability to put messages in his head , but specifically at his last words.

Uu’ghru warrior? What did he mean by that? Garik questions to no avail. He considers chasing after the mysterious man, but the lord addresses the room once more.

“My deepest apologies for my uncle’s outburst. Rest assured, both of you are safe within our home.” He bows to them while his wife and daughter echo in agreement.

“T-Thank you.” Adeline says, visibly shaken by the experience. “Maybe it is a good time for us to leave so things can settle down.”

Virgil sighs, “Yes, perhaps that would be for the best. Before you go, I must tell you this. The strife between humans and orcs in this country isn’t limited to Varden. Due to your grandparents’ situation, it has become more complex, but the animosity towards each other has been an issue generations before Varden was even founded. Having the blessing of one family will not solve that.”

Garik frowns. He has never seen the world outside of Varden and his tribe’s land, and does not know much of the world outside of where he has been.

“But don’t lose hope,” Rosaria interjects. “There are countries that have peaceful relations between all of the species. Your dream is possible to achieve.”

To the notice of no one, Venice’s eyes light up. Hiding her excitement, she says, “I’m sorry we can’t do too much to help you directly, but I’ll do what I can.” 

Garik and his aunt are escorted out in the same way they arrived. They go over the events from the back of the carriage.

“I’m sorry that didn’t go how you wanted.” Adeline says with a frown, “It’s clear that this situation is very personal to Vikar. He must have been very close to your grandfather. As much as I want to hate him for how he treated you, I can’t help but feel bad for him. That man’s bitterness must be eating him alive.”

Garik, deep in thought, does not answer immediately. How close was he to my grandfather? Who was the man with him, and what does he know about me? Why did he call me that?

Unable to come up with any answers, he sighs, “It’s fine. I actually had a little fun back there. I’m not done yet, I just need to come up with another idea.” His aunt’s face brightens at his optimism.

“We are back at the front entrance. Thank you for visiting the Wainwright Estate,” the guard calls, getting up to help them out of the carriage.

After exiting the gate, Adeline blows a kiss at their escort and the two set out towards home.