Grulaka studied the corpse of the dragon he had just slain. Green blood dripped from his mace. Split scales and specks of flesh covered his body. Another hunt done. Another beast slain.
He peered down the mountain towards Burz’kal. The feeling of victory crossed him.
With a grunt, he urged his warg down the sloping hills towards the great hall of the tribe.
As he entered the grizzled fortress, he was met by the grunts and howls of pugs wrestling for the attention of the Thur’par. He could not help but chuckle as he glanced over the pugs aggression for his notice. He carried on through the city.
Securing his warg at the stables, he lumbered towards the great forge of the horde.
He was met by none.
The Warchief had taken away, as he was to do.
The Warshaman would be at the temple.
Silence and solus was needed.
In the corner of the halls, he settled in and drew out his black oak pipe. Filling it with the finest Burz’kal Red tobacco. He took an lit branch and lit his pipe.
He drew one hard breath.
Inhaling the smooth, intoxicating smoke deep, he held his breath for a long moment and then exhaled slowly.
The fire lit hall began to swirl before him. The shadows on the walls danced hither and froe. The drum beats of the city lulled him into a deeper fugue.
“GRULAKA!”
Before the Thupar stood an orc that none had seen in a generation.
“GRULAKA!” the orc roared again.
Grulaka stood…only then realizing that he was surrounded by the caldera of the mighty volcano.
Before him stood the mighty Grull Bluud’ryda, a legend among the Uruk, a deep red mist swirled in his left eye.
“Grulaka, I have been sent to you in this time. Gruumsh has called me back to him. Dark shadows cover the land. The whispers of the Nar-ded are turning to howls. You are ready to take me in. You have slain a mighty wyrm and proven this.”
Grulaka shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “But I am Grulaka…not the Bluud’ryda. How could any uruk be?”
Grull stood higher than Grulaka and snarled.
“You are the strongest in the clan. You have my blood. You are me and I am you!”
In one motion, the spectral warrior drew a blade and ran the Thupar threw.
A gasp escaped his lips.
“So…say… GRUUMSHH!!”
With a roar, he fell into the burning fires.
Hours passed.
The clang of metal rang as he walked out of the hall.
The usual raucous of the city stopped. A pin could be heard dropping.
A true beast walked out of the halls toward the temple of Gruumsh
The orc that once was Grulaka was no more.
Red mist swirled in his left eye.
In the distance, a warg howled.
Grull Bluud’ryda had returned.