“Okay now that Luna has her assignment it’s time I gave you two yours.” Oliver said. “I would like you two to infiltrate the orc base. I have a map of their location.” Oliver pulled out an old looking map that had the whole forest on it, it was crudely drawn. On it there was their location. “The orcs respect strength and would never turn down a challenge, So that’s where you come in, Yadi, I want you to issue a challenge to their leader, the war chief.”

“Where do I come in?” Drippy asked excitedly.

“Well Orc’s have a skill that lets them sense how strong an opponent is. That’s why when we first met I went for Yadi. She was the strongest amongst you three.” Oliver explained and Yadi puffed out her chest a bit proudly. “You however have no battle presence. That’s how you were able to get the drop on me.” Drippy looked a little crestfallen. “Don’t worry this is actually an asset. The point of this plan is to get information. I see you have frog-like attributes. Do you think you could stick to walls?”

“I haven’t tried it in this body but my legs still seem pretty powerful. So it’s worth a shot.” Drippy looked determined. She moved quickly like lightning onto the side of what looked like Oliver’s home. She focused on her fingers and toes. She stuck to the wall. It was a little weird at first but after a while it began to feel natural.

“Excellent!” Oliver sounded ecstatic. “Now I believe another feature you may have is night vision. Do you have night vision?” 

“Yes I do, I can see great in the dark pretty much like in the day.” Drippy smiled. She was glad it seemed like her body could be useful.

“Excellent!” Oliver said excited again. “Orcs only have dark vision, so for you Yadi it would be like if there were dim light. So this is the plan. Yadi will challenge the war chief tonight. Drippy will be following close by out of sight. I think in order for me to stand a chance against the war chief I will need to get the drop on him like you did me.” Oliver smiled widely.

“Doesn’t seem like too much of a plan. Then again I’m not one for overly complicated plans.” Yadi said and Drippy nodded in agreement.

“Then let’s get to it. Start heading towards the orcs base by the time you make it there it should be night.” Oliver pointed to the location on the map.

***

“So what are Orcs like?” Drippy asked Yadi.

“They’re a bunch of brutes that don’t recognize anything other than strength. They look a bit similar to Oliver except there is no naga half. They are also bigger than him, more muscular, and taller too.” Yadi explained. They had walked for quite a while at this point. The trees were thick and made navigating difficult. They had arrived at the Orc base at nightfall. Drippy almost let out an audible gasp but Yadi placed her hand over her mouth just in time. The entrance to the orc base was that of a large skull. Drippy had never seen anything like it, it was massive.

“Is that?” Drippy said in a small voice.

“Yes… It’s a dragon skull. These guys might be stronger than I thought. It looks old though. Maybe the person that killed it isn’t alive anymore.” Yadi suddenly felt a bit nervous; she channeled that energy and decided to turn it into excitement. “Drippy you got my back right?”

“Of course. If things get too dangerous I’ll just rescue your butt again.” Drippy said with a smile.

“You better.” Yadi laughed and playfully hit Drippy in the shoulder. “Now find a place to hide. I’m going to go in.” Drippy nodded and hid herself in the trees. Yadi waited till she couldn’t see her anymore. Then exited the forest and approached the skull. Two flames lit the skull's eyes giving it an almost lifelike appearance. There was a bell attached to a tree nearby. It read ‘Ring for a challenge!’. The writing was sloppy. Yadi gave it a ring and the skull opened to an imposing figure.

“Are you the challenger?” The orc had asked. It was hard to make out his appearance due to the limited lighting but his muscles were large.

“There isn’t anyone else out here is there?” Yadi said sardonically. The orc quickly scanned the horizon.

“You make a good point, you may follow me.” He turned and went inside the skull. Yadi had to quicken her pace to keep up with the orcs' long strides. She discreetly gave Drippy the thumbs up to follow.

The skull was quickly closing. Drippy wouldn’t have been able to make it even if she ran. She would have to hop it. She coiled her legs and launched herself. She made it just before the skull shut. By the time Drippy had gotten in it looked like Yadi and the orc were gone. Drippy pressed her hands against the wall hoisting her body up. Once she was far enough she used her feet to secure her footing. She climbed up high. The orc base was definitely larger than they had expected. That made sense considering the orcs were so large themselves. There were torches every few feet to illuminate the place. The walls were covered in names. Drippy wondered who they could be. She had caught up with Yadi and the orc.

“So what’s the deal with all the names?” Yadi asked. 

“They are the names of great warriors.” The orc said.

“Is your name on here? What is it by the way? I’m Yadi.” 

“My name is Morbash.” 

“Not one for conversation are you Morbash?”

“No. We orcs prefer action over words. I just got this name recently?”

“You weren’t just born were you?” Yadi asked and Morbash laughed. The sound was loud and booming. It made the walls rattle. Drippy had to stay focused. The sound almost made her slip.

“You are, funny small one. No I wasn’t. To orcs' names are sacred. One obtains a name when they have earned it.”

“How do you earn a name?”

“You must prove yourself. We all start out as nobodies, then after several battles we become unnamed, once we prove ourselves in battle we receive a name.” Morbash gestured to the wall. Those who have been named may add their name to the wall. Making our mark on history. The firsts started at the entrance where you came in. The more recent additions are added later down closer to the war chiefs chambers.”

“Where does the war chief fall in the ranking? Are they considered named?”

“Good question. The war chief is the strongest named we have. They participate in every battle keeping a close eye on our young and ensuring our future generations grow strong.” Morbash said. Yadi could tell he respected the war chief. 

“That’s interesting. Speaking of. Where is everyone? Is it just you here? I know you said the war chief lives here.”

“That’s correct. This place is sacred. The only orcs allowed to live here are the war chief and I the record keeper. He watches over the present and future and I maintain the past.” Morbash explained. “The other ranks of orcs are camped throughout the forest. We like to use the resources we have. You never know where you will have to sleep so it’s best to learn to sleep anywhere.” 

Drippy relaxed a bit. It was a relief that she only had to worry about the eyes of two orcs.

“We are approaching the war chiefs chambers. I do feel a strength in you Yadi but I worry it dwarfs in comparison to our war chiefs.” 

“That’s exactly what I’m here for. Steel sharpens steel, right? If I want to get stronger I have to take on stronger opponents.” Yadi said with a smile. Morbash nodded in understanding. “Plus don’t worry Morbash, I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”

“Here we are.” Morbash said with a smile as he gestured towards two gigantic wooden doors.

Yadi felt a wave of dread shoot through her body. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt fear like this. Every fiber of her being was yelling at her to get away from here. She was trying her hardest not to shake.

Drippy was familiar with this feeling. She had felt it when the dragon was nearby. Drippy worried if the war chief was on par with them. 

The door opened and the oppressive air doubled.

“You may go in.” Morbash told Yadi. He gave her a helpful nudge to move her along.

“You’re not coming with me?” Yadi asked.

“No I’m not. The war chief prefers to take on his challengers alone.” Morbash gave a little smile.

Yadi cursed internally. “Lucky me. I guess I’ll see you later, Morbash.”

“I hope I see you later too, Yadi.” Morbash said from the other side of the door. It closed and the door slammed. It was very dark in the war chiefs chamber. Yadi hoped Drippy had made it in. That thought helped Yadi steel herself a bit. 

“Approach!” A voice echoed throughout the chamber. The volume almost knocked Yadi off her feet.  She moved towards the source of the sound and there she saw an orc. Her expression was stern. She had armor covering the top of her shoulders, part of her chest and her knees. It looks like it was designed for mobility over protection. They were older than Morbash and were covered in scars. “I am Oakgu! What is the name of my challenger?”

“Yadi” Yadi said in a semi confident tone. 

“Yadi.” Oakgu repeated back to her. Yadi saw that Oakgu was a female Orc. She stood up. She was only a little smaller than Morbash but her muscles were much larger than his. “Would you like to give the first blow?”  Oakgu said in a condescending tone. 

“Don’t think because you’re a big deal it doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass!” Yadi said with a smile. She did a flourish and before Oakgu could react an arrow had pierced her shoulder.

Oakgu laughed. “I hope this wasn’t your big move, Yadi.” Oakgu sneered as she broke off the shaft of the arrow.

“And what if it was?” Yadi sneered back.

“Then I would be very unimp-” Oakgu had started to say. Her right arm started to tingle, feel irritated, and then go numb. Her once green skin started to turn red. “What did you do?” Oakgu yelled angrily. She started to feel dizzy and fell to her knees.

“Just a touch of frog poison. Even this poison would give a dragon pause. I hope my big move wasn’t enough to take you out was it?” Yadi taunted.

Oakgu was silent and then she rose to her feet. “I am a war chief!” Her body gave off heat alost as if her blood was boiling. “I’ll purge this poison myself!” Oakgu grabbed her knife holstered to her leg and with expert skill cut a gash in her arm. Yadi and Drippy felt like they were going to be sick. Now Oakgu was red all over but this red was different then the one from poison. The heat was similar to that of fire. “Now it is my turn!”

In the span of the blink of an eye Oakgu was before Yadi and she threw a punch with her full weight behind it. Yadi barely had time to raise her arms to block. Her wooden arm blocked it but the impact was too much and she went skidding into a wall. Had it been her other hand her bones would have shattered.  Yadi was trying to catch her breath but Oakgu was on her again. Yadi tried to jump away but Oakgu was in hot pursuit. Had she really overcome the poison? That shouldn’t be possible. No she’s still fatigued, her breath is heavier than it was. Yadi delivered a kick to the area where the arrow had pierced.

Oakgu yelled in pain. Her shoulder throbbed. “Cheap shot!”

“Hey, give me some credit. I’d say I’m doing well for myself.” Yadi quickly took on a fighting stance, she raised both her hands to guard her face, as she delivered a blow to Oakgu with her wooden hand in the same spot she kicked. Yadi had definitely felt something crack and it wasn’t her hand. 

“I admire your battle instincts. You created a weak spot and have continued to hammer into it. Now let’s see which one of us will drop first.” Oakgu spit out some blood and smiled. Oakgu was enjoying the match and Yadi was scared but part of her enjoyed it too.

Oakgu had used her legs to sweep Yadi off her feet. Yadi carefully dodged and landed another blow to Oakgu. Yadi wondered how long this could go on for. 

A loud and deep resonant sound shook the chamber. Morbash came running in with a worried expression.

“Oakgu! It’s the nagas! We are under attack!” Morbash shouted. 

“We will have to finish this another time, Yadi.” Oakgu bolted out the doors and Morbash followed. 

Yadi collapsed and fell on her behind. “Oh thank the gods. Saved by the horn.” She looked up. “Drippy would you mind taking me back to Ollie’s my legs don’t seem to be cooperating.”

Drippy climbed down the wall. “Don’t worry Yadi I'll get you out of here.”. Drippy gave Yadi her back and Yadi hoisted herself up. “Let’s get out of here.”