<b>Allassiel felt a wave of relief at the dwarf's words. Despite their own numbers at the fortress, she knew the tactics and strength of the army below – and of its leader. They'd need every advantage they could get. She was already at work, mentally planning against what they would surely do next when she was jarred out of her thoughts by Thorgan's speech. Was he mad? Surely he hadn't. <br/>
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The was a brief silence on the field before a deep, cruel laugh started to fill the air, setting off a series of jeers as the orcs parted and made way for Rakothûrz. He strode to the front with a grace that few orcs possessed and stared up at the wall. As the laughter died down, he began to speak – though in no language Thorgan had ever heard. The sound was grating and guttural, and Allassiel let out a gasp of agony as she covered her ears against the black speech. Despite that, she could still hear his words reverberate through her head.</b><br/><br/>“<b>Worm, do you think to mock me? Orcs do not fall prey to such petty trickery. Fear death? I've seen far more than death, mortal, and yet I am here.” He paused, pointing at his chest, before continuing. “It is not I who hides, but you, behind your walls and dwarrow, your shields and arrows. Just like a human – puny and weak. Come down, if you wish to challenge me and we will see who is coward.” <br/>
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The hooting laughter resumed, and Rakothûrz waved a hand, cutting it off abruptly before continuing. But this time, his words were not for Thorgan. “You think to hide behind this mortal? I will make you watch them die and the stone return to my master, saving the mortal for last. He shall watch as I claim you - wife. ”</b><br/><br/><b>As all eyes on the wall turned to her, Allassiel translated Rakothûrz's words, leaving out the last part. “Don't listen to him,” she advised, a pleading edge in her tone. “It will be a trap.” She watched Rakothûrz rejoin the ranks. “We'll stop him, but this is not the way.”</b>