text: [Themes: grimdark fantasy, grimdark, villain protagonist, war]
  
  You may have lost your mind thinking that you can even attempt living a normal life, but then you're the same guy who actually listened to a twisted abusive svelk bitch that convinced you it was a good idea to attack the Emperor too.
  
  And what's this decision compare to something like that?
  
  You tell your second to take command of the camp, when he asks for how long, you just tell him until further notice. He's at a loss of how to respond as you leave.
  
  When you arrive back at the museum, you find that Calvin, Jennifer and several others are packing up a lot of equipment.
  
  "Hey, what're you doing here?" Jennifer asks.
  "I had to talk to you...what's all this?"
  "Another expedition! After all these years, Quintus is funding another one."
  "What? He's sending you to dig around in Quala again?"
  "No, we're going to Rask!" Jennifer says excitedly.
  "Rask!?"
  "Yes! Remember when I mentioned there were rumors of a warrior's guild up there? Well over the years I've been studying old maps and the newer charts created by the few adventurers that came back alive from there and I think I've managed to pin point the location. See?"
  
  Jennifer suddenly unfolds a map and points to a circled spot on it. You know a lot of time has passed, but if your knowledge of Rask geography is still remotely relevant at all, that looks like where Fort Defiance would've been located.
  
  "That looks like where Fort Defiance was located." You remark.
  "There was a fort there?" Jennifer says.
  "Yeah, it was the furthest military outpost in the north of the Empire, well save for one other, but that was more like a small watchtower." You answer.
  "I didn't know you served in Rask."
  "I didn't actually, but I did carry out one personal favor there for a fellow Eternal, the one manning that watch tower I just mentioned actually."
  "Oh. Well still, this would be one of those times I wish you could come with us. Your knowledge of the area even if it is out of date would probably be useful."
  "Believe me, I'm tempted to. I can't believe Quintus is just sending you out there like this. The dangerous journey TO Rask is bad enough, but the weather in Rask is just as treacherous as the inhabitants and I can only imagine after centuries without any order there its probably only gotten worse since."
  "Well he probably wouldn't have if I hadn't went to him about the information I found. Plus he was in a good mood about senator's Batalimus' recent suicide. Did you hear about that?"
  "Uh, yeah another lucky break for our side, look I better go with you." You say.
  "But don't you have orcs to slay or defending our borders or..."
  "All of that can be done without me, I think the army is competent enough now that I don't need to hold their hands and if they still do then you're REALLY going to need me to come with you because that means the soldiers you are taking won't be worth shit in a fight. In fact if you even want to get to Rask, you're going to need me to negotiate with the Flogger tribe. Not to mention there's much worse things in Rask than ogres and giants."
  "What about Quintus? Don't you have to report this to him?"
  "Fuck Quintus, he's not my master. He could stand without me holding his hand every five minutes too. Nobody tells me what to do."
  
  Jennifer takes a pause from your remark, before continuing.
  
  "Well, alright then, as long as you don't think it's going to cause any problems I'd be very happy for you to join us. So what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
  "Huh? Oh...that. Uh, nevermind now."
  "Oh come on, you obviously had something pretty important if you left your post in Quala to tell me.
  
  This expedition to Rask business sort of distracted you from your original intent of coming here in the first place, but nevertheless you haven't really abandoned your previous thoughts of settling down with Jennifer so you take her to one side and tell her. Her reaction is mixed though not one of any negativity.
  
  "Sounds like you've given this some thought and this decision couldn't have just been on a whim for you." Jennifer says.
  "It wasn't, that's why I had to see you. I mean I know there's something between us and why shouldn't I focus on that?" you reply.
  "What about reviving the Empire?"
  "Yeah, originally after I woke up and got a bit more of my bearings, the concept of doing that did sound appealing and move me into the direction I've been currently going in, but that's been my whole life! I mean my original purpose is gone. MY Empire is gone. Why shouldn't I try something else? What could it hurt?"
  "Nothing I suppose, but have you thought about what else you would do with your time? I mean no offense, but battle and war are pretty much your best skills."
  "Yes, I know. I wasn't talking about abandoning such things completely though, I mean I could go with you on expeditions and guard your museum."
  "Guard the museum?!" Jennifer says followed by laughter.
  "What's so funny?"
  "The idea that we'd need a warrior mage to guard my father's museum is hilarious to me. I think the word overkill comes to mind. While the expedition protection would no doubt be of help, it isn't like that's what we do all the time as you well know. We're in the museum most of the time and you'd get bored. Very bored. Besides, it isn't like we get people trying to steal anything on a regular basis. The last time was ten years ago and the thief in question only managed to grab the tooth of an old Usksha sand worm before he was apprehended."
  "Well I could talk about the old Empire when people come through or something..."
  "So you want to be part of the tour? Yeah, I don't see that working in the long term either. Look I think you're just feeling home sick or time sick or something again. Why don't you think about this decision more after our trip to Rask, and if you still feel the same way when we come back, we can make arrangements for your future plans I suppose."
  
  You agree to Jennifer's proposal since she does have some good points and now you're a little less worried about your future so much as you're more concerned with this expedition. When Calvin hears that you're accompanying the expedition he looks relieved. He mentions that he actually tried to talk his daughter out of going on this thing, but she wouldn't be swayed so he was going to go with her knowing that he'd probably die in the process. Since you're going now, he's going to stay at the museum stating that he's completely confident that she'll come back alive now.
  
  Along the way to Rask you warn everyone about the wendigo. Other than Jennifer nobody else seems to know anything about them and she's only heard stories. Apparently they're just "myths" nowadays, but you assure everyone that they're very real and if anyone begins to feel like an unnatural force trying to gain control over their mind, they need to see you immediately and fight the mental attack as if they're life depended on it because it does. This information probably makes everyone a bit more paranoid and on edge, but quite frankly they should be.
  
  Eventually you get to the Flogger tribe territory, which seems to have moved further south from when you last remember. Apparently Trog has indeed been taking advantage of uniting the other tribes under his banner. The decor hasn't changed though; they're still favoring the hundreds of dead bodies stretched across various wooden frames with their backs completely flayed of all skin to mark their turf.
  
  Naturally everyone (especially the soldiers) are expecting a fight given that you're technically at war with the orcs in general, but you tell them you can handle this and tell them to stay put.
  
  "Oy! Youz that Ternal man!" an orc shouts from the crude watchtower. Not that you're an expert, but this orc is familiar, if only because of his great fat belly.
  "Fatbelly wasn't it? Where's your comrade?"
  
  It takes awhile for Fatbelly to process this question at first, but he eventually he knows who you're talking about.
  
  "Oh, youz must mean Bilge. He dead. Idjit got 'imself killed by gettin' into scrap wit an ogre. 'Ead got popped off an lived for awhile. Won bet on how long! Hah! Anywayz Trog spectin' you again. 'Ead on in."
  "He knew I was coming?"
  "Geez, maybe youz powerful, but yooz stooped as Bilge. Trog Shaman! He haz vishuns member?"
  "Hmm, how could I forget." You say ignoring the rest of Fatbelly's insult and heading past the dead bodies. Trog isn't far ahead."
  
  "So once again the Eternal visits Trog. And once again Trog see that you come, but not know the reason. Is our arrangement going as planned?"
  "Yes, in fact while I'm here I might as well address that too. We've gotten what we need from the war. You no longer have to play any role in it, that is stirring up the other orc tribes."
  "Trog see. Very well we did have an agreement and the Floggers have benefitted greatly from this arrangement, so it is done for now. However, Trog cannot promise that other minor tribes will not still attack. Can only promise that Floggers will no longer play any part in such attacks."
  "That's fine, probably for the best that we still get a few attacks. The other reason that brings me here, is that I and my group need to get through to Rask."
  "Trog see. Can you not just go around us?"
  "From what I can tell Trog, that isn't even possible anymore. Your territory was probably blocking the easiest route to Rask to begin with, now it looks like you're blocking it entirely. We have to go through your territory."
  
  Trog doesn't look enthused by your suggestion, but ponders it a bit.
  
  "Very well, but you cannot just pass for free. Need to extract some sort of payment or security of goodwill."
  "We aren't really carrying any valuables Trog."
  "Do not want things. Want people. Give us two. One for your passage through and one for the return trip."
  "Okay...so what are you going to do with them?"
  "Nothing. Just keep here so you do not pull any tricks."
  "What tricks would I play, I've always dealt straight with you. And you do realize that if I was going to play any sort of trick, I'd be more than willing sacrifice whoever I did leave behind and do it anyway?"
  "Hmm, true. But still, cannot just let you pass for free. Tribe would perceive as weakness. Those are the terms. More than fair."
  
  Trog IS being more than fair. He's downright civilized compared to most humans you've known. Under normal circumstances you'd do it without a blink, but you're fairly certain the group is going to be VERY resistant to this idea and you can't say you'd blame them.
  
  It's this or just pushing your way through.
  
  > push your way through
  Trog is being fair, but there is always the chance that Trog is outright lying and he'll have them for breakfast or something. It isn't likely, but it's still a possibility. Plus he needs to realize that he's gained a lot with your alliance.
  
  "Trog, I understand your position, but I can't just leave two people with you. Now our deal was pretty good for you, so I'd say letting us through is the least you can do." You remark.
  
  Trog continues to remain stoic and unmoved by your remark.
  
  "This offer is not negotiable, Eternal. Perhaps you are mistaking Trog's civility for weakness, but Trog urge you not to make such a mistake. You either pay price or you can find another to Rask." Trog says.
  "Erm...maybe we should do that. Surely we could find another way around and..." Jennifer begins to say, but you're only half paying attention. You're too annoyed with Trog right now.
  
  "Look, we're not going to waste time going around your shitty barren territory. It's not like you've got anything worth while here that we're going to disturb anyway. YOU seem to forget who the fuck I am Trog. I could slaughter you right now and you know it! We're going through and that's it!"
  "Eternal you kill Trog and you'll bring down the entire wrath of the Floggers down on your head! And even if you get away, Floggers will turn their eyes towards your precious nation and never stop waging war until it has completely been burned to the ground."
  "Given some recent events I've experienced, you seem to think I actually care about Nalin...but perhaps killing you isn't the solution." You say and then suddenly grab Trog. He attempts to struggle, but after a couple of hard punches to his face you knock him the ground and tell one someone to hand you a rope.
  
  "What...what the hell are you doing?! Isn't this going to bring every orc here down on our head?!" Jennifer exclaims.
  "Nope. Trog here is going to be our safe passage. Now gimme some damn rope!" you order.
  
  One of the Jennifer's crew nervously throws one to you, meanwhile everyone including your soldiers are looking around anticipating an attack.
  
  "You...you fool. Eternal, you believe Floggers will not attack just because you have Trog hostage? You think Trog cares about life?"
  "Nice try Trog, but it's all bullshit. If you were a regular simple-minded orc, I'd agree, but you aren't are you? You're a fucking shaman, I'd wager that even most of the Floggers know how advantageous that is and they won't risk your death. As for your life, well like I said, if you were the average orc I'd say no you don't care, but you're not average. You have a sense of self-preservation. If you didn't you wouldn't have made a deal with me in the first place. Now let's go!" you say and pull Trog up from the ground after tying him up.
  
  "You will rue this day Eternal." Trog says, but complies with your commands.
  "I'm really afraid, this seems really dangerous, maybe we should just go back." Jennifer says.
  "What the fuck did you think this was going to be Jennifer? A walk through the flower fields? If you think this is dangerous, what the hell do you think Rask is going to be like? It's a pitiless land filled with fucking monsters that will eat your fucking heart! Now this is YOUR expedition, I suggest you get comfortable with the fact that unexpected things like this might happen!" you yell.
  
  Jennifer is taken back by your response. Granted she's been on the receiving end of your vitriol before, but not for quite some time and at the time you weren't putting everyone in danger.
  
  "Come on, we're getting the hell out of here." Jennifer remarks to her crew. "This is just insanely dangerous." Jennifer remarks and begins to walk in the opposite direction. Her crew slowly follows her.
  "Are you fucking kidding me?" you say. "After all I've done for you?!"
  "Done for me? You ruined this expedition by taking an orc shaman hostage! Even if we DO make it through, did you think about how we were going to make it back? I dunno what the hell happened with you recently, but you are not thinking shit through. You just told Trog that you didn't even care if orcs burned down Nalin! I highly suggest you get your..."
  
  Jennifer's speech is cut short with an arrow through her back and out her chest. She stares down briefly to see the head of the arrow still dripping blood and piece of her heart on it. She then falls to the ground dead.
  
  The weird thing is you don't even see any orcs in the direction where the arrow came from. In fact there aren't any around, yet another arrow hits one of your soldiers.
  
  You turn to Trog who just stands there silent and still tied up.
  
  "Call off your fucking greenskins Trog! You turned them invisible or whatever you did, I don't care, call them off or your life ends here!" you command.
  "You were right Eternal, Trog do value life. That's why Trog not even really here." Trog says and before your eyes you see Trog's image completely disappear. An illusion. All along you were talking to an illusion. Who knows where the real Trog is.
  
  You have little time to find out as more arrows from invisible orcs rain down on your position killing whoever is still left. Had you been paying more attention, you could've just cast a barrier around yourself and avoided them, but while you were threatening illusionary Trog, several arrows puncture your internal organs.
  
  You fall to the ground and begin coughing up blood. You desperately try to heal yourself before you succumb to your wounds, but there isn't enough time. You start to lose consciousness before the orcs finally materialize and finish you off in a more up close and personal way.
  
  Your last moments are being beaten and chopped to a bloody unrecognizable pulp by several clubs and blunt axes.