On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart
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		<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Non-Adult Sandbox =&gt; Non-Adult Roleplays =&gt; Topic started by: Cheka Man on May 11, 2022, 09:26:16 pm</h2>
		<dl id="posts">
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 11, 2022, 09:26:16 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				In the heart of the Royal Castle of Grond, the Orcish King Aegon smiled as he beheld his daughter in all her radiant beauty. She had soft yellow eyes that would darken to a deep chocolate brown whenever she felt really strongly about something, long black shoulder length hair, beautiful green skin, and wore fine clothing of red silk and fine golden jewellery, her coronet upon her head. Somehow, he doubted she would like to hear much what he was about to tell her, but affairs of state came before his daughters happiness. “Princess Helen, as you know, it is royal Orcish tradition that the King chooses who will marry his daughter. For the past few years we have been in a war with the nation of Barrthland, and even for us, there is a time when we need peace with the humans. And as part of the price of peace you are to be married off within a week to Prince Trevor. Step forward from behind my throne.”<br><br>Instead of a strong, brave healthy and good looking Orcish noble, a pale, pink skinned human walked into view. He was fat, more then twice Helen’s age, had a scar on his cheek from a scratched open bite mark, and he looked lustfully at her. <br><br>Seeing his daughter’s eyes darken to as brown as he had ever&nbsp; seen them, King Aegon knew that what she was about to say would be anything but nice.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 11, 2022, 10:18:35 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen had dutifully walked before her father's throne. Well, more like trampled there. For more than a few months, Orcish warlords and warriors of all kinds from so many tribes and nations had been achingly vying for her hand and attention. It was rather exciting, as each one had tested their strength against her own and there were more than a few good candidates. Even if considered not exactly handsome, or a little older, any that had come for her attention had well proven themselves capable. It was merely a notion of wittling down the list of whom she liked best.<br><br>She was rather vocal to her parents about which ones she thought would make her a good husband. Who would protect the tribe, and their family and would give her strong children. Even warriors wanted a family, and Helen was no exception. She longed to be a mother to a hoard of little warriors, and a devoted wife that would fight at the side of her husband. And if the day should come that he'd fall in battle, she would grab her ax and charge into an impossible warfare to hasten at his side in the grand halls to be with him once more. That was the love Helen had in mind, the love her mother had instilled she feel when taking a husband.<br><br>However... circumstances had now changed. The more King Aegon spoke... the more Helen's beaming and eager smile faltered at her father. The glisten of gold upon her tusks was the only brightness about her as that... PIG stepped forth from behind the throne of bones and swords her father sat upon. Those bulging rolls under his tunic gave away immediately that this man was weak, soft... and the way he looked at her caused Helen to actually snort in anger. <br><br>Those usually bright golden eyes darkened then to a near inky black cesspit. Large fists curled at her sides so tightly that the pointed claw-like nails of her hands broke the green flesh. "You... can't... be SERIOUS!" she suddenly bellowed out, looking past this UGLY filthy little human to her parents. In fact, she shoved him out of the way with the end of her ax as if he weren't there, stepping towards her father with a burning anger written in every line of her face. "I have for months been courting great warriors! Grunlock, Tarek, Mulrock, Wonred, Belfide! All FINE warriors from great families!" Blood dripped upon the floor from her palms as she sneered at Prince Trevor. "And you would marry me to this... this... PIG?! This soft-bellied pale-flesh could no sooner please a donkey as a husband, let alone ME!"<br><br>It was clear that Helen was NOT keeping secret how she felt about the arrangement. "I'll not do it! I'll not disgrace our tribe nor lay upon my back for him to hump my leg like a dog! My children - father-" she looked to her mother then, imploringly. "Mother, they would be halfbreeds! Weaklings like him! The humans would no sooner follow them or recognize as leaders than our tribe would! I would be disgraced, they would be illegitimate outcasts! Father, you're asking me to dethrone myself and our family! I would be no Queen, nothing but a glorified concubine for his lusts! AND BY ANCESTORS I WILL NOT BE A BROOD SOW TO THIS PIG!!"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 12, 2022, 01:38:41 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The royal hall was unusually crowded, not just with the normal courtiers, warriors, servants and noble Orcish ladies that were normally present, but with strong warriors of noble birth and great bravery when in battle that had come, some of them from hundreds of miles away, to seek the hand in marriage of the fair Helen. Tales both of her beauty and, equally important, of her personality had travelled far and wide through all of Grond, and representives from mountain tribes, plains tribes, cave tribes, town- based tribes and even tribes who lived a lot of the time in great ships had come to see her.<br>They had preformed feats of strength, and also did a lot of friendly talking with her-and listening to what she had to say. <br><br>They were fine strong warriors and whilst a few had the odd scar from a sword wound in battle, these small scars showed that these Orcs were not afraid to fight, and could win even when wounded. Amongst Orcs of all classes from royal lines down to the poorest, someone’s personality was seen as very important, indeed the most important thing in a marriage. Beauty could fade through age or battle damage but inner beauty lasted as long as the mind did. When the King was ready to make his choice, the hall fell silent. And when Prince Trevon stepped out from behind the throne of swords, bones and skulls, there was angry muttering all through it.<br><br>Apart from the King and Queen, every Orc present, be they noble or not, was horrified and felt deeply sorry for the beautiful Orcish princess who was to be given to this…this elderly, fat, ugly, human!!! Instead of a brave, noble warrior Orc who would show her love and respect, take her into battle with him during times of war and provide her with healthy Orcish babies who when they grew into children, teenagers and then full adults sharing the Orcish values-she would be shackled to this ugly, weak man who could neither satisfy her in the bedroom, nor give her Orc children. Half Orcs were looked down on by most humans and Orcs alike and could not hold senior roles in either society, and not very many wanted to date or marry them. They watched as the smile on her face turned to a scowl and then a frown, and the gorgeous yellow eyes darkened to hazel, to brown, and then went as black as ink. She snorted, and her nails cut into her skin as she was gripping her hands so hard into fists.<br><br>“You cannot be SERIOUS!!!” Her anger was clearly justified from the viewpoint of Orcs as she pointed out all the time she had spent courting and talking with great and (mostly) handsome Orc warriors. Whilst the royal Orcs were born to their role, the nobility at least partly earned theirs through bravery in battle, taking the heads of foes and other such feats. She had made a short list of the seven that she most liked and seemed the most compatible with her, yet her up until now beloved father wanted to marry her to this beast. Green blood dripped from her palms to the floor and her hands hurt. <br><br>After naming some of those she had been courting and saying how good they were, she openly called Prince Trevon a pig to his face. Turning to her mother, Queen Mellsende she pointed out that their children would be outcasts and that she would be dethroneing herself and her offspring and making herself into no more then a royal concubine.<br><br>The Queen knelt before her husband and said “See how upset you have made our daughter. You have humiliated her in front of all Orcdom. I beg you to let her choose her husband freely, it is the least you can do for her or more me.”<br><br>He answered “Sometimes even we Orcs need peace and Prince Trevon insisted on marriage to our daughter. Helen,go to your room before I send you to the dungeon instead.”<br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 12, 2022, 02:23:58 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The muffled anger within the room echoed within Helen's pointed ears, her usually beaming face upturned into a menacing snarl at her father. She could not believe he would even ignore her mother's pleas for her happiness! If she were to be married to an older chief, THAT even Helen could accept, for the man would be an Orc, and a powerful warrior at that as their kind did not often see old years. An old Orc warlord she could at the very least respect, and proudly bear full-green skinned children. But this... this filthy pink fleshed pig...<br><br>"You go too far, Father!" she snapped at the King, and with a flick of her wrist, a dagger appeared in each of Helen's hands. "I would rather soon die as Orc Princess Helen of Grond than be shackled as a slave to this PIG!" Her declaration bellowed over the throne room as she pointed a blade in her father's direction. "I challenge you to combat. Either kill me where I stand or let me choose freely. I will NOT be married to this hideous fat IMP! Even for peace! Any one of these warriors present would create alliance to overthrow the humans or at least secure the borders! I will not bear his filthy halfbreed children nor be a plaything for his bedchamber!" <br><br>Yet the chance to fight King Aegon never came. For the moment her daggers were drawn and her challenge made upon the King, a swarm of guards rushed from behind to tackle the Princess to the ground. They had been warned this might well happen with Helen being so free-spirited. Before she could even make protest at least a dozen guards were upon her, binding her in shackles and gagging her as the woman was dragged away to be locked within the cells, the Orc warrior kicking up dirt and screaming all the while for her fate. <br><br>Unceremoniously, the warriors loyal to King Aegon tossed the lovely orc into the stone-walled cells, her shoulder hitting hard upon the cold ground. Her wrists struggled behind her in the bonds as the door shut to lock behind her, leaving her in darkness. For a while she screamed obsinities and curses upon those who would betray her. After a bit, she quieted, and pondered her escape. There wasn't much to see in the dim light save for a jagged stone in the dirt. It took some effort, but Helen managed to roll over onto the jagged rock on her back, pressing her bindings against it and sawing fervently at the ropes. <br><br>Bit by bit, the rock cut through the woven threads until there was enough damage that a flex of her muscled arms broke her free. She made no sound, lest she alert the guards. She steadily put her ear to the ground, closing her eyes and listening to the sounds of footfalls, for the pattern of the patrol around her cell. There seemed to only be one guard who only walked every ten minutes or so. Shuffling to the furthest wall, Helen knocked upon the stones at the bottom. Rainfall had loosened the mud between them, but she would need to move them carefully lest she collapse the whole wall and get caught again.<br><br>This was not going to be her fate. Locked in a cell or married to Prince Trevon. Grabbing a couple of rocks in each hand, Helen began to lightly chisel at the mud holding the largest stone to the others. She had to be quiet, to take her time.. if any heard her, it would be over. They would put her in irons and bind her better no doubt. It was only by luck that none came to check on her, and the patrol was none the wiser of her plans. It was well into nightfall when at last the rock loosened itself. <br><br>Excitedly, Helen dug her long nails into the edges and began to gently pull and wiggle the boulder straight out, praying all the while that the foundation would not be compromised. At last, the boulder was free, and Helen's yellow eyes peered into the darkness. She could see her tents. Most of the camp was still in the halls, she could hear the shouting of outraged bachelors at her father. Slowly, steadily, the orc princess crawled from the hole, squeezing her shoulders and hips through before at last... freedom.<br><br>Through the darkness, she ran to her tents, slipping in unnoticed as she hastily began to throw belongings into sacks. Jewels. Coin. Clothing. She rolled up her bedroll and pulled on a black fur bear cloak that she used as a blanket. Every weapon in her possession was lashed to her person. The final thing she packed in a small separate pouch... the wedding garments her mother had gifted her. Beautiful velvet and silken gown of starlight with silver armored woven on top of the bodice. <br><br>Hoisting her belongings onto her back, Helen sliced open the back of her tents, slipping out with a final look towards the fortress of her father and mother. "... Goodbye Father... Mother... One day... we shall meet again in the halls of ancestors." With her final whispers into the darkness, Helen slipped into the forest at a run, disappearing into the foliage without a trace. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 12, 2022, 09:12:13 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Not knowing any of this drama, a lone Orc by the name of Kall was looking up at the far away Castle Grond, all lit up against the night sky, and feeling a little bit sorry for himself. Once he had been the heir to his father's tribe, but he had overheard his brothers planning within their tent to have him blinded when his father died, so that one of them could take the throne. His first thoughts were either to draw his scimitar and go charging in, or to inform his father of their foul plot, but he decided to do none of these. If he went charging in like an angry yak and lost the fight, and it would be two if them against him, not only would he get himself cut down but he would look like the bad one for trying to kill his brothers. <br><br>If he won the fight and killed them both and his story was not beleaved then he could face&nbsp; execution or worse, and he lacked witnesses to back his story up with evidence.<br><br>If he informed on them and was not beleaved then he would be exiled from the tribe with just his scimitar and a full water bottle, but if he was beleaved then his brothers would be blinded, and he realised that despite what they wanted to do to him, he didn't want that to happen to either of them. He would happily have seen them exiled, or thrown in a dungeon for a while, but his tribe had no dungeons and if you were caught planning a violent crime against a fellow tribal member and were found guilty, then the same thing happened to you, which in his brother's case meant the blinding iron. So he had collected up some useful items of his such as his crossbow and arrows and some bedding and a few more things and left quietly at night.<br><br>Looking up at the castle, his thoughts turned to the Princess Helen and he hoped she was happily married. Such a fine Princess, unlike in Orcish fairy tales, would surely never choose a wandering Orc like him as her loved one.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 12, 2022, 09:40:01 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Into the night the princess fled, hoping against hope that no one would discover her gone til dawn's meal, perhaps. The forest was thick this time of year and well stocked with game. She regretted being unable to bring a mount with her, but a warg or a horse would have made too much noise and were always heavily guarded. Mount thievery was considered a crime worthy of death in her tribe.<br><br>As she had put a good bit of distance between herself and the Castle of Grond, Helen finally stopped her running to rest, allowing her body to sink down against a tree with heavy breathing. Bit by bit, Helen began to remove the pieces of gold from her tusks and neck. It would only draw attention to her from bandits and the like to try and rob her. While she caught her breath, her stomach made a loud growl, and the woman grumbled in contempt. It had been quite some time since her last meal. <br><br>Taking up her bow, Helen slowly began to slink through the trees, sniffing the air and looking for broken brambles and bushes, bent twigs and the like for game. She didn't have time to set traps, as she would need to eat and then flee. As she walked, she pulled handfuls of berries from the bushes, noticing then a set of hoofed game tracks. Perfect. They were fresh, only an hour or so old by the looks of it.<br><br>Through the darkness she stalked, yellow eyes agleam as she followed the tracks down through the sloping forests. It wasn't long before she heard the snorting of an elk. A large male. His massive antlers could be seen even in the cloak of night. Downwind of the beast, Helen crouched, readying her bow and aiming for its heart beneath its foreleg. Its pelt would make a fine blanket as well... WHOOSH, her arrow flew through the air, piercing deep into the soft flesh of her target. The beast let out a shuddering cry of agony before it fell where it stood, labored in its breathing momentarily before the life drained from his eyes.<br><br>Helen could have cheered herself! Normally such a shot would have made the creature bolt in adrenaline and she'd have to track it! Emerging from the bush, she hastened over to the creature, reaching to grasp a hold of one of its antlers with the plan of dragging it off to a more sheltered place.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 12, 2022, 10:12:50 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kall’s stomach was starting to demand ever more firmly that it be fed, and whilst he had taken some dried venison with him he decided to save that for when he really needed it. Instead he would go hunting. Unlike the human monarchs who banned hunting for all but themselves and their closest noble friends, the Orc king was far less strict on the subject. As long as they ate all the safely edible parts of what they hunted and didn’t hunt excessively to the point that they killed too much of the wildlife, even non-noble Orcs could hunt. With a look up at the two moons in the sky, Kall unslung his crossbow and went looking for an elk. The meat from that could fill his belly and then be dried, giving him enough food for weeks. Sneaking through the trees, he saw an elk, aimed carefully and fired, watching it as it let out a cry of pain and fell to the ground.<br><br>As he came to drag it off, he saw to his surprise a good looking Orcish woman in fine silken clothing, yellow eyed, black haired, but his first thoughts were not of her beauty but with the annoying fact that she was trying to steal his supper.<br><br>“Oi!!! That’s my supper. Go and hunt your own deer, I just shot this one for myself.” Whilst he didn’t want a fight he was ready to fight for his food if he had to.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 12, 2022, 10:37:34 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sharp outcry from a male startled the woman. The first thoughts that flew through Helen's mind was that she'd been found by her father's guard. So soon after she'd left?! Yet as those golden eyes snapped upwards at the man, she instantly saw no mark of her father's clan upon him, making her relax... momentarily at least. Confusion swept onto her brow as the pale emerald beauty looked over the massive man stomping through the brush, her tusks glistening as she snarled at him to keep away. <br><br>"YOUR supper?! This hunt is MINE!" Lifting her leg, she stepped on the massive elk's shoulder to stake her claim. She was ready at a moment's notice to draw her daggers if she needed to, the red silk fastened over her armor always gave people the impression that she was not defended. Oh how badly that often turned for those who underestimated her. "I just shot from those bushes!" <br><br>She pointed down to the red-feathered arrow sticking up from its heart as the male drew closer to her. It seemed the woman was not afraid to fight for what she believed to be her own, and was ready to prove it should he attempt to fight. The dark of night shrouded much of this male's appearance, even as he got closer she could not quite make out what he looked like. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 12, 2022, 11:03:10 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kall backed away a few steps, and said "If you turn that elk over you will find my arrow in the other side of it, which would make it belong to both of us. I can't force you to do that for me but I hope you do that."<br><br>He did not draw his scimitar but he was ready to do so if he had to, but he really hoped she would turn the elk over and discover his arrow. Traditionally and often in practise, a shared kill meant the meat was shared. "If you share the meat, you can keep the whole skin for yourself." <br><br>He noticed how good looking she looked, her tusks white in the moonlight, her skin a soft shade of emerald green.. But this was hardly the time to bring such a thing up to her now. If he said or did the wrong thing she might attack him. Then his stomach grumbled loudly again and he decided to turn the elk over to show her his arrow in it. His hand on the hilt of his scimitar, ready to whip it out in a second, he walked up towards the dead elk and the beautiful and, given her fine clothes, most likely noble Orc woman in front of him. He kept his eyes on her hands, in case she drew any weapons or tried to notch another arrow to her bow.<br><br>"I am willing to share but I will fight you if I have to, he warned." His own eyes, normally a light green, darkened to the colour of fine emeralds, a sign he too was getting angry at this strange woman who was a rival for his food.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 12, 2022, 11:59:50 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The whole skin? His proposal seemed to catch her interest, though his nearing to her caused the woman to stiffen in defense and snarl at him. That was until she heard his stomach growl as loud as her own. He really... wasn't some guard sent out after her. He was just a hunter looking for food. Helen paused in her aggression towards the male, tilting her head, long wavy black hair falling around her face as she stepped away to allow him to show her proof of his kill.<br><br>"Well I'll be damned," she grunted with a huff, folding her arms as those golden eyes befell onto the male's arrow. Her eyes lightened once more, showing she was halting her aggression. Even her stance became more relaxed as the woman looked up to the towering hunter, raising her open palm to show she was not armed. "I shall take the pelt, but will grant you the antlers if you like them. They may well fit upon your shoulders for protection," she added, leaning down to pull her arrow from the dead creature.<br><br>"You made a well shot... I was curious as to why the beast did not bolt. Two arrows felled it so quickly, it had no force to flee." She spoke quite elegantly for an Orc, even somewhat polished and proper. Helen made note this man was not like usual ones... most males of her kin would demand that they shot first and if she wanted to share a meal, she'd also have to share his bed. Yet this one readily offered, even sweetened the deal. Was he cowardly? Or was he simply too tired and hungry to pick a fight?<br><br>Likely the latter... he seemed willing to fight, but did not wish to. As she looked up and saw him closely in the light of the two moons, a feint blush came to the lass' high cheeks. In Orc terms... this male was considered a well-blessed man in terms of looks. Large tusks protruding from a finely shaped jawline, thick hair and a broad and muscled frame that was like a mountain to climb. Various scars told her that he was unafraid to fight, and that he had survived even with injuries. He was strong, and skilled at that if his hunting was any indication. She found herself looking him over a little too long. Clearing her throat, she set about attempting to hoist the dead beast over her shoulder. <br><br>"I do not yet have a camp set. Have you seen anywhere suitable where we might sup and take shelter for the night? At least what remains of it..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 13, 2022, 11:39:12 am</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				(OOC-My main computer works again which makes it easier to type then on an Ipad.)<br><br>He pulled his own arrow from the body and backed away a little to give her some space. Especially when male and female Orcs who didn't know each other at all met in a situation like this,not getting too close was important. If an Orc girl or woman thought that she was about to be attacked, raped or worse, they would fight back as hard as they could, and it was the same with fellow Orcs as it was with humans. That was what their culture taught them from when they were old enough to know about that sort of thing. Once they got to know each other and were on speaking terms, space was not quite so much an issue. A look into her yellow eyes showed that if she was indeed angry, she was hiding it well. His own eyes were back to their normal light green. Her accent when she spoke was clearly that of a noble Orc. He noted her green cheeks darken a little but decided to say nothing about it. Noone liked being embarassed, by they Orc or human, and he wanted to stay on good terms with her.<br><br>She certainly looked good, now he could look at her closely. The dress of red silk that she wore was one of the kind worn by noble Orcish women, her hair was perfectly clean, and her skin was a pure emerald green whilst his was a slightly darker shade of green, as was normal with male Orcs. She looked more then good-in Orc terms, she was a true beauty. Now was still not the time to compliment her on her looks though, as it might make her think he was going to demand something sexual. When she asked him "I do not yet have a camp set. Have you seen anywhere suitable where we might sup and take shelter for the night? At least what remains of it..." he said, I have a smallish cave half a mile from here. You can share it if you like and sit nearer the cave mouth from me so you don't feel trapped. My name is Kall. And yours is?"<br><br>Most likely, he thought, they would go their separate ways in a day or two. They didn't know each other well at all, and why would a beautiful Orcish woman of that quality, and with that dress riches&nbsp; as well, want to have anything to do with him?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 13, 2022, 10:48:21 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Little by little, the orcish princess was forcing herself to relax. This man was a hunter, not a guard swarming after her. Perhaps it would be well to stay with him this night... she'd be vulnerable and exposed alone. With the anger seemingly to have diminished between them, and an agreement settled upon, Helen relaxed her form with her arms crossed over her chest, giving a nod to the wanderer. He was at the very least respectful of her space, and he showed no signs of pouncing her or insinuating she share his bedroll. "Kall? Tis a good name for a fine hunter," she commented, fingers grasping her own chin as she pondered in thought of his offer.<br><br>"He-" She began to say her name and radically changed the vowels as they left her lips. "-la... I am Hela..." she stated, clearing her throat with a blush before hastily reverting the conversation. "A cave would do well. If you will take care of our hunt, I will gather wood and find a suitable stone to cook upon-" she commented, already beginning to move from the carcass to allow Kall to handle. She was not picking up scrawny twigs and limbs, no, she was hoisting and breaking apart thick logs with her bare hands as she followed where he led, tying a good sized bundle onto her back. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 13, 2022, 11:42:55 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When she clammed up about who she was, he didn't press the matter. Most likely, she was an orc woman who just happened to have the same name as the famous Orc Princess Helen of Grond. It was not banned to use the first name of a member of Orcish royalty, although the family name of Grond was jealously guarded. As to why she was a little stand-offish, she didn't trust him fully yet, and maybe she had foes of her own too that she didn't want to talk about, or she'd committed some serious crime that could lose her a hand or even her life. He showed her to the cave, and then he sat down within it, drew an Orcish blade and carefully cut the skin from the elk before giving it to the Orc woman who would rather not share her name, his green eyes much better at seeing in the dark then human eyes were. "Here you go. Once you've prepared it, that will be a good blanket for you unless you would rather make a cloak out of it."<br><br>He had some private thoughts about her that he thought a good idea to keep to himself. <em>She would be a good girlfriend, but if I was to say that aloud she would either leave on the spot or most likely want to fight me.</em><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 14, 2022, 12:00:15 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Upon arrival at the cave, Helen said nothing further to herself for quite some time. She stayed guarded towards the entrance as she began to build a small stone circle for the fire, even taking some twine of sturdied vines and making a spit to hang over the flames to cook the meat. Would be much easier than a stone. As she struck her flints against one another to light the wood, her eyes kept casting to the hunter as he so flawlessly seamed the pelt from the meat. He presented her with the fine thick fur, and Helen could not withhold the smile of gratitude. <br><br>"It is a fine gift. Are you certain you would not rather keep it to give to your woman?" she asked. Any male, at least in her mind, who was so careful around a female, was either already married or she had caused him some sort of terror. The Orcish princess was at least attempting to have some semblance of normality and not be so... obviously secretive and suspicious. <br><br>With the beast gutted and cleaned, Helen hoisted the animal to tie it by its hooves to the pole extending over the fire that would help it cook. From within her satchel, she withdrew an apple, splitting it in half and offering it to her new companion. He had shown her gracious hospitality in sharing his shelter, she could at least share her fruit with him. "Have you walked these lands long, Kall? Perhaps you would know the quickest ways to the borderlands? I'm leaving Grond, and would rather do so sooner than later."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 14, 2022, 12:48:58 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(OOC-In RL my bath and my bed are calling me. :) )<br><br>"I'm single-because the human soldiers from&nbsp; Barrthland killed my wife in the last great battle. Tina was her name. She was beautiful, capable at everything she did, and everything I could want in a woman, and now she lies six feet underground with her axe and a few grave goods for the Otherworld. And you are a woman worthy of this gift. I have another skin of my own, one of the things I took with me. Thank you for the apple, I finished my own fruit yesterday." He crunched into it with relish. "You know, some stupid humans think we only eat meat. Don't get me wrong, meat is really tasty but I'd get sick in the long term if I just had meat to eat. Of course not all humans are like that-and I'm not an outright human-hater-but many of them have no idea about us Orcs. They think we raid all the time, except when we are whipping slaves. Heh! We are like onions-we have layers. Have you ever wanted to just punch some human in the head because of what he said?" He finished the apple and let out a loud burp. "Oh, sorry, I should have answered your question quicker. There are three main routes out of here. One, the main path through the Wargtooth Mountains, leads to&nbsp; Barrthland. I don't know the details, but I heard a rumour that a peace treaty will soon be signed to end the war and the border will be opened for trade again, the sooner the better. Then we have another that leads past the Mirrormere lakes and the Barrow Downs to Kuboloth, twistier and not so often traveled. And then we have the southern route to the Wall. East of here is the Purple Sea just two days walk away, but a berth on a ship is expensive. Where would you like to go?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 14, 2022, 01:12:49 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen did a double-take of surprise to know a male his age had already married... and her heart ached for him to know that his mate had been taken from her in her prime. It was not right, and no wonder he wandered alone. Sometimes Orcs grieved themselves to death or left their homelands to seek vengeance or to escape the memory if they could not die in battle alongside their beloved. Believed or not, Orcs were a very emotional people, everything they did, they did with the whole of their beings. "... I see your sorrow," she stated, an Orc way of saying she felt for his loss. <br><br>She looked to the pelt then, the fur hanging high above the smoke wafting from the fire. The smoke would tan the hide well. "Hmph, I have well wanted to rip the head off of humans for what they say... or tear out the eyes of one in particular who looked at me like..." She shuddered at the memory of Trevon looking at her with such lust in his gaze. It almost put her off her meal. "I had to leave hastily... so the pelt will be a welcome covering in my travels," she admitted to him, beginning to open up.<br><br>Helen laughed a bit at his burp, listening to his routes. "Hmph, I wish to stay far from Barrthland... I would not put stock in the rumor for a peace treaty and open borders," she stated rather bluntly, an anger in her eyes flickering for a moment as she stared into the fire. "Princess Helen has been betrothed to the pig-... what's his name, the human Prince Trevon I believe. Anyone who knows King Aegon's daughter knows she won't stand for that.." she stated with a snort, thinking over the other two options. "Hmmm... either t Kuboloth or the Purple Sea... there may well be other lands across the waves yet unexplored by our kin, it would be interesting to see them."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 14, 2022, 10:00:36 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"She and I got split up in the battle that led to her death, and I didn't see her go down, or I would have just left the ranks and fought all alone until I was sent to join her. I have no real desire to go to Barrthland either." When he heard the news about Princess Helen being betrothed to the human prince, he let out a deep snort. "Whilst I have never been lucky enough to see the Princess, I can't see her being at all willing to marry a human. I saw the Prince riding with his escort of human soldiers towards Castle Grond, and even if he had been born an Orc, she wouldn't have wanted that fat old man. Parents should love their children, not force such unwanted matches upon them. Whilst there are a few human-Orc pairings that have genuinely worked out well, for me and I'm sure for most of us, it just does not work out. They are weak compared to us, that and we have been fighting so long that it just would not work out. I hope Helen manages to escape, even if she has to be a fugitive running for her life, it would be better then being an unwilling bride."<br><br>"Kuboloth is allright, as long as one does not get caught raiding there, as their laws are strict. Across the Purple Sea, it is said, are island chains and vast Empires, some of which are xenophobic, but some of which will welcome any human or Orc who is healthy and not a troublemaker, and have reasonable jobs with reasonable pay rates for them both in their armies and in civilian life. Perhaps crossing the Purple Sea is the way to go, but it's expensive for landspeople like us. Would you like me to travel with you? Two Orcs are stronger then one against bandits and other such dangers of the road."<br><br>Of course, Kall had no idea that the woman with him had enough money and jewels to make it easy to pay the fee. Her golden tusk-coverings alone would pay for a long sea-crossing with a decent cabin. Such things were only worn by royals and the upper Orcish nobility because of how expensive they were to make.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 14, 2022, 03:45:41 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen did not know if she could endure such heartbreak as to lose a husband in battle. Much less to not know until the battle was over that her spouse was dead and there was no honorable way to join them. She could assume they hadn't yet had any little ones, as no man of the Orc would leave his young behind with the mother dead. "I have not yet known the happiness of marriage, nor the heartache you have endured," she spoke, taking a swig from a water flask as she turned the meat over on the spit. "My father was meant to pick a man for me, but... I have grave disliking for those he chose," she vaguely spoke of the truth, grinding her teeth a little at the thought.<br><br>It amused her though to think that this man sat before the very woman he claimed he'd never seen, or been lucky to know. "Unwilling is putting it lightly. I fully expect her to burn her father's kingdom to the ground, if not Barrthland as well... unless they throw her into a cell of course and she has to, as you stated, become a fugitive." She gave a quirked smile of the corner of her lip. "Aye! Better to be living in exile than to become a broodsow of illegitimate heirs for that pig Trevon!" she slammed her hand on her knee before taking another drink of water.<br><br>Helen took note of the differing lands, her eyes shifting between the cooking meat and her ... well, rather handsome host for the evening. There was a genuine surprise upon her features though as he offered to travel with her. Those golden eyes widened as the emerald of her skin glistened in the firelight. "Hmm... there is sense in what you say. There are certain dangers a female does face in traveling alone.. it might well suit me to have a marksman like yourself along." Not to mention the fact that being on the run, her father and his guards would be looking for a lone female... not a female and a male traveling together. <br><br>"Very well. I would have you travel with me," she spoke as decisive as a noble, as if now that the subject was broached, he could not withdraw his offer. "Though there are ground rules I will establish. Not to insult the memory of your dear wife, may her battles in hereafter speak of her glory, but I am aware of your stare, Kall. Just because we're traveling together does not give you leave to attempt to share my bed. Secondly, for ... reasons... if anyone asks how long we have been traveling together, I would be obliged if you would say over a year or so. Not to get into detail, but... you well deserve to know I am on the run from my tribe. If I am found and caught, you are not obliged to come to my defense, I won't be killed by them, though if you do... and are successful... I will pay you. Is this agreeable?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 14, 2022, 11:45:27 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When the Orc woman revealed herself to be a supporter of the escaped Princess Helen of Grond, Kall raised his own water flask in a salute. "A toast to Princess Helen of Grond-may she forever escape being a forced concubine to that ugly Prince Trevon. And the same to you, since your family wanted to marry you off to someone you don't love or even like. Parents should respect their daughter's wishes for who they want to marry. I will respect your wishes. I won't try and share your bed, or force kisses on you. You must be on the run because your family went to the Tribal Court and raised the hue and cry over the marriage refusal. I'm in self imposed exile because my brothers decided to force me out so one of them could become the Tribal Chief when my father died. I could have fought back but they are my brothers. I didn't want to kill them or to subject them to the blinding iron if I won, as we used to be on very good terms. So I left in the night. I agree to help you out as best as I can." <br><br>That night, after they had eaten all they wanted to Kall put the fire out with a soft hiss&nbsp; by pouring some water on it, telling Helen that it was so the light would not give them away to anyone looking for them, and he gave Helen a wide berth so she would not think he was going to try and share her bed.<br><br>*****<br>In the morning, by which time they had moved on a bit, the guards discovered, not a helplessly bound and gagged princess ready to be carried in a closed litter, but ropes, a gag, and the signs of an escape. "Your Majesty, Princess Helen has escaped!"<br><br>"Have everybody search the castle for her. The castle servant who captures her will be made an honorary noble, and if a noble is the one who catches her he or she will be given gold and a rank raise." For an hour everywhere from the dungeons to the topmost turrets of&nbsp; Castle Grond were searched, and then mounted warg units were sent out to try and find the royal escapee to drag her back to give her to Prince Trevon.<br><br>Meanwhile Kall told Helen "We need to go along mountain tracks and through streams to break our scent trail in case wargs are after us. The further we get away from your tribe the better. If we stay here they are likely to track you down." He was determined to protect the emerald beauty from capture, even though she had not even told him her name.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 15, 2022, 12:19:44 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen flushed a little bit in her cheeks as Kall unknowingly toasted her. However, it brought a smile to her tusked lips to hear his support and favor of such. "Your support is appreciated, Kall... my mother attempted to dissuade my father from the arrangement, but even she could not change his mind." She looked down at her food as they ate of the meat, leaving it to be smoked most of the night so they could take it with them. "I do not know if it is greed that drives my father or ... or if he is simply doing what he felt was right." She pondered those thoughts as a guilt began to set in. A guilt of leaving her people in an uncertain outcome of war. <br><br>As he spoke of his own exile, her brow lifted in curiosity. "Wait... you are... a Chieftan's son?!" There was genuine surprise upon her face, though as she thought about it... it spoke volumes of sense now of his manners towards her. "... Perhaps one day then, Kall, I might help you regain your rightful place."<br><br>As they slept that night, Helen curled towards the mouth of the cave, her thoughts wandered over many reasonings of leaving and staying. Was running away the answer for either of them? Were they cowards for running? Or were they brave to seek their own lives and save their skins and spare their people the bloodshed? Perhaps she would discuss it with Kall in the morning... she should tell him her real name... but could she trust he would not turn her in?<br><br>With the rising of the sun, Helen was already wakened and fresh from her slumber, carving up the meat from the elk as she packed away the pelt and gear. It was not long before they left the camp to move out, the pair now a good ways from Castle Grond, nearing the borders of the mountains. "Likely," she said to his comment of the wargs, pulling her pack more securely around her body. "We should attain a pair of mounts ourselves at some point, would make the travel a lot faster. I only hope they don't discover I'm gone for a while more..."<br><br>Helen walked a little behind the towering male, chewing on her lip as she fought her conscience. Should she tell him the truth or not? It was late morning when the sounds of horns bellowed across the lands, and Helen froze in her tracks as she heard the sound. A curse flew from her lips as her head whipped back towards castle Grond, raven hair shimmering down her shoulders. "We have to move! NOW!" she stated in a hurried cry, suddenly grabbing Kall's hand and pulling him into a full run. "Where's the nearest river?! Thats the Warg Rider call! They've mounted for a hunt!" And she was the prey. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 15, 2022, 01:00:35 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes, I am the eldest son of Chief Uttar of the Xamarg tribe. "<br><br>The next morning they heard the horn call of a warg patrol and she asked him where the nearest river was.<br><br>"The Nine, just half a mile away. The good news is that the nearest bridge is ten times further away and if we can swim through it it's very unlikely that they'll send the wargs in after us-or that the wargs would agree to go. Our stuff will get wet, but it'll dry in the sun." Wargs were brave in battle for the most part, and normally very loyal to any good owner who treated them well, but they had a limit. They would go up against anyone who was fleeing, and even those armed with swords who stood their ground, but they would not charge spear-armed units, or jump into rushing waters. If they thought death was certain or near certain, they would refuse to put themselves in such danger except to save their cubs. "The bad news is that we might get drowned or swept over a waterfall. The Nine is an unforgiving river, but it's better then a forced wedding to some coward or some extremely old and ugly Orc which must be what your family want for you." They could hear the horns and the loud barks of the wargs. Whilst they wouldn't eat the Princess alive-the wargs knew her personally-they and their riders could easily prevent their escape.<br><br>The two went racing on, his hand in hers, until they reached the rushing rapids of the River Nine. Kall tightened his backpack straps. "Tighten your backpack, as if it gets washed off you won't find it again. Good thing it's not winter. Are you ready to jump? I will happily jump with you rather then face those hungry wargs and their riders."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 15, 2022, 01:33:52 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her heart pounded against her ribcage as they ran, legs flying in long strides as their boots stamped themselves deep into the earth as the fleeing pair headed towards the rivers. Now she had a choice to make... an unforgiving river and a possible death, or a slow death being married to Prince Trevon.<br><br>The river. Definitely the river. Her hand tightened into Kall's as they ran, the woman impressed that one of his bulk and size could actually keep up! At the edge of the river, Helen hastily began tightening her straps, hearing the wargs in the distance howling as they were tracking her scent. "You had better be right of this, Kall of Xamarg," the orcish warrior spoke as she looked to the river.. backed away... and then ran to jump into it.<br><br>She felt the cool waters surround her body, dragging her under the rapids with the weight of her armor and cloth before the force of her kicking legs pushed her to the surface once more. A large gasp of air filled her lungs momentarily as she floundered and was pulled back under, being swept away down the river. Her head bobbed up and down in the rapids as she fought to keep her nose and mouth above the surface, her body hitting a rock now and then. Up ahead was a large tree that had fallen over the river halfway, and Helen knew that had to be her chance.<br><br>With all her strength as she approached, she propelled her legs to kick herself up out of the water, powerful hands gripping down onto the bark as the water threatened to try and pull her back in. Gritting her teeth, Helen tugged and scrambled and pulled herself up onto the trunk, laying face down on the massive tree, huffing for air and exhaustion. Suddenly she sat up, thighs tightening to straddle the tree as she hastily and desperately searched over the rapids for Kall! If he was headed towards her, she could help catch him and drag him onto the tree! "KAAAAALL!" she bellowed out his name over the rapids, golden eyes worriedly looking around as the drenched woman searched for her companion. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 15, 2022, 02:12:33 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(OOC-In RL my bed calls me but I'll do one more rp bit before I have a few hours of much needed sleep.)<br><br>IC-Kall took a deep breath and jumped in, preferring the dangers of the river to being chewed up by wargs, or at least being arrested for helping a fugitive escape. He didn't hit any rocks on the way in, but it took all his strength to swim after the Orcish woman and not get swept away or, worse still, sucked under. He watched her get to the shore first and drag herself out, her dress sticking tight to her body and showing off her figure very nicely. "KAAAAALL! He managed to get close enough to grab her hand, and let her pull him out. A human woman would most likely have got pulled in instead, but Orc women were as strong as their menfolk, which was why in most cases they were largely seen as equal and in the majority of cases could choose their own romantic partners-with exceptions when it came to royalty and nobility.<br><br>Laughing, Kall stuck both fingers up at the wargs in a very rude orcish gesture. "There are a lot of them and there is a human too on horseback, an ugly fat fellow. That's...that's Prince Trevon! Why would he get involved in some orcish tribal spat? Unless...well, we had better get out of here before they reach the bridge." He wondered if this was indeed the famous Princess Helen, well known for her intelligence, her physical beauty, and her dedication to the important Orcish values. True, she was not wearing her crown and fine jewelery if it was her, but she would want to hide that from bandits, thieves and whoever was after her or would snitch on her.<br><br>He waggled his bottom in Prince Trevon and then decided they had better get out of here and quickly. "Let's go. We need to buy or steal mounts of our own. Oh and...thank you for pulling me out of there." As long as it remained warm Orcs, unlike humans, could let wet clothes dry on their bodies without getting sick as a result.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 15, 2022, 02:26:40 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen facepalmed at Kall's antics of mooning the Prince, even if he had a fine body, this was not the time! "Yeah... that's the Prince alright," she stated from her hiding place beneath the trees, looking up the cliffs at the warg hunters. Soaked to the bone it felt like, the Orcish woman took the male's hand and tugged him along with her, her eyes darkened to a deep brown, almost black from her anger at them having found and caught up so soon. <br><br>"They shouldn't have been able to track me so quickly... I should have put pepper in the wargs food last night," she grumbled as the two hastened through the trails. She knew she couldn't keep the truth from Kall much longer, he would figure it out eventually. He wasn't stupid or dimwitted. Handsome, yes, but not a himbo. Their pace and direction took the two towards an active mine, men of all kinds working the rock and stone quarry. Stopping outside its borders, the Orcish woman turned the male traveling with her, stopping him and looking to him rather seriously.<br><br>She was somewhat dried now, though the silks over her armor were still dripping water as was her hair. "Kall.. before we go any further together... you deserve the truth of the matter." Taking a deep breath, she slowly exhaled, squaring her shoulders. "I am Princess Helen of Grond. King Aegon is attempting to force me to marry Prince Trevon, that was true. I was thrown in prison last night for challenging my father's decision. I escaped and now we're here."<br><br>Looking away for a moment towards the mines, her eyes pinpointed some strong mounts that could carry Orcs like them. "... If you wish to wash your hands of me, I understand. We only just met and you will likely be killed if we are caught. They may well think you're a suitor or lover I'm running off with. I can purchase you a mount, so you can get as far away as possible, but I am going to the Purple Sea, where they are less likely to follow... I hate to leave my&nbsp; people in such turmoil... but they are strong. I cannot be a sow to that Pig, the disgrace of being such, I'd never look myself in the mirror again, nor stand to mother those children... killing them would be a kindness," she grumbled before finally looking him back in the face. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 15, 2022, 11:41:37 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kall saw the Orcish girl's eyes briefly darken when she saw Prince Trevon, from yellow to hazel to a deep chocolate brown, and she answered "Yeah... that's the Prince alright. "They shouldn't have been able to track me so quickly... I should have put pepper in the wargs food last night," she said as she took his hand and pulled him along. The wargs and their riders headed off meanwhile looking for a bridge. As they started getting close to an active mine, she told him "Kall.. before we go any further together... you deserve the truth of the matter." Taking a deep breath, she slowly exhaled, squaring her shoulders. "I am Princess Helen of Grond. King Aegon is attempting to force me to marry Prince Trevon, that was true. I was thrown in prison last night for challenging my father's decision. I escaped and now we're here."<br><br>He looked to make sure they were not being watched, then gave her a quick but low bow. Orcs bowed to very few but they did to their own royalty. No wonder she was so beautiful and capable at everything that she had done so far. This was Princess Helen of Grond standing in front of him-just not wearing her golden jewelry-and she was under threat of being forced to marry Prince Trevon, and forced perhaps to bear him children. He decided that he now had a noble Quest to go on. He would stay with her, protect her, and even die for her if he really had to.<br><br>&nbsp;If you wish to wash your hands of me, I understand. We only just met and you will likely be killed if we are caught. They may well think you're a suitor or lover I'm running off with. I can purchase you a mount, so you can get as far away as possible, but I am going to the Purple Sea, where they are less likely to follow... I hate to leave my&nbsp; people in such turmoil... but they are strong. I cannot be a sow to that Pig, the disgrace of being such, I'd never look myself in the mirror again, nor stand to mother those children... killing them would be a kindness," she said.<br><br>"I want to stay with you and take the chance of getting caught. You are the Royal Princess of Grond, and it was not as if I was doing anything important, exciting or particularly enjoyable before we met. And if I do end up getting executed I will meet my beloved Tina on the other side. One strong Orcish horse could carry us both, or for maximum speed you are most likely wealthy enough to buy two horses and still be able to afford to cross the Purple Sea. You have more chance of getting away safely if I stay with you," he replied.<br><br>At the mines, a couple of guards were busy playing chess right next to the horses, and a couple of wargs in their own enclouser. Wargs, sadly in this case, would not accept new owners, but horses certainly did. These ones were Grondian Timberhorses, bred to carry Orcs, with extra-strong backs so that to them an Orc was no heavier then a human was to an average horse.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 18, 2022, 10:40:14 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The golden eyes of the Orcish princess seemed to light up, become brighter in their hue as the Orc man pledged his loyalty to her. A heavy sigh of relief tore the weighted burden of carrying this secret and mission alone from her shoulders. She clasped his forearm in her own with a bright smile crossing her features. "You are a brave and loyal man, Kall... your tribe would do best with you as their leader. Perhaps one day, you shall lead, as your Tina would have seen you do."<br><br>If there was any way to repay him, then perhaps, one day, she would return to his tribe and help him take back his place as Chief. It was his rightful place, not his brothers. Only cowards plotted in darkness behind walls, not facing their enemies or proclaiming challenge. Kall was no coward. Kindness was not cowardly. Not wanting to spill the blood of one's kin, was not cowardly. It was Orc. They would get no where as mindless barbarians, and the bloodlines would end as quickly as they began.<br><br>As he spoke of the horses, Helen began to rummage through one of the smaller pockets, pulling out a fine hammered bracelet of silver, embroidered along the edge in gold with four emerald stones set apace. "I think perhaps this might get us some horses, supplies... and perhaps the men buying us some time," she stated, biting her lip as she looked to Kall and then back to the guards. "If they resist... don't kill them, knock them unconscious. I don't want to leave a blood trail behind us that will incite more hate than necessary."<br><br>If she was caught, the princess wanted people on her side, not against her, and a murder spree would not help that. With a plan in mind, Helen set to walk down the slope towards the camp of the mines. They were still rather soaked, as well as their backpacks water logged. "Gentlemen!" she called out to the guards, making them aware of their presence as she held up her hands, showing off the bracelet and to show she was unarmed. "We would like to do some fair trade and business with you! We're travelers, and I clumsily fell into the river- my partner here had to jump in after me. We'd like to fairly trade for two of your horses, and some fresh supplies." Not many trusted Orcs, so there was no telling what they'd do.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 19, 2022, 01:15:13 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kall felt pleased when he saw Helen's golden eyes brighten. She liked him and trusted him like he liked and trusted her, and when the eyes of an Orc-any Orc, not just royalty, light up like that, they were clearly genuinely happy. Smiles, just like with humans, could be faked, but not so much an eye-glow like that. She was fast becoming a genuine friend. He did not of course expect any more then that. He was a commoner and she was of royal blood. Of the guards, one was a human and one a fellow Orc. In this mine at least, humans and Orcs seemed to get along reasonably well. He was ready to fight if he needed to, but, this time at least, it turned out he didn't have to. That bangle was worth a lot of money, and the guards happily sold them their own horses, with full water-bottles, pillows and blankets as well. The guards would still have money left over even when they brought new horses for themselves. All the same, it was best to get out of there reasonably quickly. Apart from anything else, there were wargs and their riders on their trail, wanting to drag the Princess Helen back to the castle to be married off and taken to Barrthland to be used as a concubine. And Kall really didn't want that to happen to her.<br><br>It was a few hours later when they needed to decide where to go next-to an inn, or to sleep out in the open or in a cave if they could find it.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 22, 2022, 09:21:01 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was a great comfort to the Princess Helen, to have a loyal companion as Kall. The son of a Warchief, he'd no doubt prove to be capable and strong in a fight should it come to that, but as the two rode their horses along through the forests, another thought came to Helen's mind. Kall... could have turned her in. He could have pretended to help her. He could have subdued her and turned her right around to take her back to her father. Such a return would have earned him great wealth and influence from her father. Wealth and influence enough... to overthrow his brothers into exile or jail where they belonged and take his proper place upon his father's throne. No doubt her father had some reward out for her capture.<br><br>Yet... Kall not once even hinted at an interest in turning her in. He was loyal to the ways of an Orc. Freedom and self-preservation. Chains, no matter if they were physical or metaphorical, would not bind a true Orc. The sun was beginning to lower over their surroundings before Helen finally broke the silence. It felt... strange, to have a companion along who wasn't consistently ogling her or whom she had to body slam or stab to prove herself towards. It was welcomed, but... strange. <br><br>"I think we should camp for the night, Kall," she finally spoke, looking back towards him. They had been following the river some ways, keeping to the base of the mountains in case the horses needed to make a break for it. The warg riders and Prince Trevon had to still be following their trail... and she did fear for their Orc brother who might be tormented if they saw her bracelet. "I suggest we use the last of the light to ride up the mountain a ways, find shelter with higher ground. We'll have advantage over the hunters if they follow us, and we'll need to set traps."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 23, 2022, 12:45:56 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As they rode along, Kall was just pleased to be with the Orc Princess, and had no intention of turning her in. Such a beauty would shrivel with misery if she was forced to be some ugly old human's concubine and he knew it. "We should make it so we can roll rocks down on the wargs if they see us and come up after us. Wargs may be brave, but they are not stupid. They will turn and flee rather then be killed or badly hurt by a rock. Hopefully, in a few days we can cross the Purple Sea and find safety in exile somewhere. Some foreign Orcish noble would most certainly want to earn your love if that's what you are hoping for in the long term. Your beauty is known of wherever there are Orcish tribes. And me, hopefully I can be your bodyguard-servant, since I'm not all that rich, at least not compared to you." <br><br>When they got up the mountain and tethered the horses, Kall rolled a few rocks to where they were ready to be sent rumbling down the path. As the sun was about to fully set and both moons came out, he pointed out to Helen, looking very small, like tin soldiers down below, the wargs and warg-riders. "I don't think they'll ever give up until they have you tied up at the altar. Why would Prince Trevon want you so much? Most humans find even the most beautiful of Orcish women to be ugly from their point of view. Does he have an Orc fetish?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 23, 2022, 12:22:11 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You know much of the beast-kin, Kall," she stated as they were setting up their camp. A fire would give away their location, so it was cozy blankets this night and if it dropped extremely low, they may have to share a blanket just to keep warm. "Were you a rider in your tribe?" As he mentioned the possibility of an Orcish noble frantically trying to earn her love, Helen blushed softly, clearing her throat as she set out their meal for the evening. The brother at the mine had been good to them, giving them much needed supplies, and she hoped that the wargs had not caught their scent near there. "I... well one day, I do hope for a family. Children to carry on the values of our people." She tore into the dried fish they'd purchased from the guards. "It matters not to me the rank of their father. I have seen stable boys act more nobly than the knights they serve, risking life and limb to pull spears from a dying horse they cared for. No, what I want is a husband who is a TRUE Orc. One who holds to our values, who is strong and resilient. Who does not mind if his wife wishes him to sire a hoard by her," she chuckled, taking a drink of water before looking at him quizzically.<br><br>"Why do you demean yourself, Kall? You are the son of a Warchief. Your blood is just as noble as mine. Wealth can be fleeting, so I put stock in other things. Such as a strong arm and mountain back, and unrelenting character. Thus far you have stayed at my side, and not given me up to my pursuers, even when I did not speak full truth in who I was. You are as noble and as Orc as any of our brethren, and if it is your wish to be my guard, then I will name you my Thane." She gave him a smile. His heart likely still lay and mourned for his dear Tina. <br><br>As he pointed out the wargs, Helen's eyes darkened, and she drew the pelt around her body as if to shield herself more from sight. "I think you are right... " she sighed, shaking her head. "I do not know. But the way he looked at me... " her fist curled around one of her daggers. "There was lust written all over his face when he looked at me. Like a dog salivating over a steak, I thought he was going to lick his lips," she shuddered. "I think the only way I could stop their pursuit is if I were already married to an Orc who had armies doubling my father's..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 23, 2022, 08:21:01 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It turned out they would be OK as long as they didn't light a fire, which would be a big sign saying "HELEN IS OVER HERE!". Their pursuers would themselves want some sleep and so would the wargs.<br><br>Kall ate some fish as well as she told him that she hoped to have a family one day-with a true Orc, not some ugly, nasty human. When she asked him why he was putting himself down, Kall replied "I think it's because I lost Tina to some human-held sword. I was not there to save her, or even to die in battle with her because I had got separated and was out of sight and sound of what was happening. I'll never hear her voice again or feel her kisses or see her again. That's probebly why I didn't try harder to hold my position against my brothers. I'd already lost her, and didn't want to kill or blind my brothers as well."<br><br>"And then when I found you on the run, even before I knew you were a Princess, I decided that I had a proper purpose in my life, to help you out. And when I found your true identity and why you would flee your life of luxury, I was even more determined to help you. You are a beautiful, capable, and intelligent Orc Princess. Your spirit would wither if you were chained up in some human castle as a sexual plaything for a horrible human. If you could help me get my chieftainship back-most of my tribe would follow you-hell, most Orcish tribes would follow you if they knew why you were rebelling in the first place, we could make your father respect your wishes and let you choose who you want as your soulmate and will make you feel respected and happy. Don't get me wrong-I'm not saying you should kill or maim your father-without him you would not exist." He smiled and his eyes shone brightly. Perhaps they could find a way not to have to flee. Privately, he thought that she might not be wearing the traditional finery of an Orc Princess, but she still looked great, even when those golden eyes turned brown. It was no wonder that so many noble Orcs had sought her hand in marriage, for she had all the physical and mental virtues of Orcdom. A lot of princesses were weak and unable to survive on their own, but not Helen. Some human royal houses suffered from inbreeding, but never the House of Grond, because they married out enough to avoid such gnarly problems.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 23, 2022, 10:31:36 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sorrow in his voice moved the orc woman, as she put down her meal with a heavy sigh, leaning in close to place a hand upon his own. "Kall. It was war. Your Tina knew the risks, as do we all, when the battle rages. Her death... was not your fault. She is with all those who fell before her, she watches you, hoping you find reason to be happy again and to stop blaming yourself. You will see her once more, but your death will not be for a long time." <br><br>The princess was attempting to comfort and console him, a firm grip upon his wrist. Men were so stubborn at times, they could not let go of the past to move on. "Yet in leaving, you have lost your brothers. They turned their backs upon you for power. For greed. They turned on you while they knew you mourned. That is not Orc. We fight when our enemies are at their peak. Your tribe will suffer under their coward's rule. They're not just your people, they are your Tina's people as well, are they not?" she asked.<br><br>Helen pondered a moment, golden eyes aglow brightly as he managed to bring a blush to her cheeks with his praises of her. She shifted in her armor, the red silk tied over the brown making for a stunning color against her skin. "Well... how do you propose I help you get your chieftainship back? Because the only leverage I have is walking into the tribe and forcing you and your brothers to fight to the last over the title of Warchief.... either that or sending out word that I will marry the Orc who kills Prince Trevon, brings me his head as proof and rallies a loyal army to hold against his or my father's... "
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 23, 2022, 11:33:57 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I think you are right, I should go there and fight for the chieftainship if need be. With you backing me up, they would have to duel. If the worst happens and I do die, at least I could meet Tina again. It's what Tina would want me to do. And if I win, you can tell my tribe why you have fled from your father and once they know the fate you are facing, they would rally to your side. They may have only heard stories of you, but they all like you and admire you. Many of the girls and women wish they could be you, although I doubt they would if they knew what you would be facing if captured. A base of support would be better then fleeing over the Purple Sea into permanent exile." He had noticed when her cheeks briefly blushed to a darker green, and he loved seeing her happy with her golden eyes softly glowing. He wanted to&nbsp; be her loved one, but he knew better then to tell her such a thing. He didn't want to lose her friendship if she didn't like what he said.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>May 24, 2022, 01:12:52 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Happily, Helen of Grond slapped him firmly on the shoulder in a sign of comradery. "That's the Orc way! Just do not make me appear a fool for believing and trusting in you," she teased him a little with a smile. She'd only known him a day, but it felt like... almost a lifetime. "I do not do this for myself, Kall. You deserve your life back... and if that means I lose your guardianship to your tribe, so be it."<br><br>As he praised her further, that blush only deepened as she pulled away, clearing her throat. "I do not wish to go into permanent exile, but... it might be nice... would be nice to see new lands abroad... to see how the other tribes live, to earn my place in a new world... maybe to court again... and know if a man wanted me for more than what my father offered in a dowry or my title... but for me."<br><br>She leaned back against the cave wall on her bedroll, looking up at the stars. "They all admire a figure that may no longer exist if my father remains so adamant in this position... What's it like, Kall? To be in love, I mean... "
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>May 24, 2022, 01:56:29 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kall smiled, clearly thinking of Tina. "When you are in love with someone who loves you back, she or he is the most beautiful or handsome in the world. Even when they are feeling sick or they've just come from a battle or they've just been rained on. You love them for them, rather then because they have a high rank-although having a high rank is helpful-but love is something that Orcs and, yes, humans too share, from the very rich, to the dirt poor who just have themselves and nothing else. You, I'm guessing, were most likely not allowed to just go out and date, as you were being saved for a dynastic marriage that you assumed would be someone who was at least good-looking, reasonably brave, and an Orc, so you never got the chance to have real romantic love-to be in the arms of a boyfriend who loves your personality much more then your beauty or even your crown. To be with someone who cares about your pleasure, both in and out of the bedroom. Who likes it every time your yellow eyes glow happily. Who can be funny as well. That reminds me about what happened at the Rout of Moy, when a human general who went by the name of Lord Loudon went after an Orc brigand named Robin and his little band of six, after they caught him on his own, robbed him and stole his clothes."<br><br>"He came after them with no less then one thousand, five hundred human soldiers with swords and crossbows, but they had the last laugh. When he found them, it was on a night much darker then this. Robin pretended to be an Orc clan chief and called down imaginary tribal regiments to the attack, whilst his six fellow Orcs ran back and fouth waving their weapons and making a lot of noise. The first hundred humans thought they were facing a tribal army many times their size and ran for their lives. The commander of the next hundred thought the first hundered must know what they were doing and led his men after them, and another three hundered humans followed him, until a third of the human army was running away from seven Orcs and an imaginary Orcish army. Loudon then got scared and one of his own soldiers accidently crossbowed him in his backside, and he ordered a retreat, and his whole army ran away for several miles until sunrise." He laughed at the thought. "Stupid humans."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>June 16, 2022, 01:28:16 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen couldn't help but laugh at the tale. It sounded absurd in truth, but goodness if it wasn't good for a laugh! Some relief in this adrenaline fueled chase with the warg riders and that damned human that chased her. He wasn't even worth remembering of a name. Those golden eyes brightened in their glow in the night, as she took deep breaths to maintain her giggles. "And they call US the dumb barbarians," she chuckled, tossing back her long braids of black hair, sighing as she stared up into the stars.<br><br>"Hmm... I did have a few beaus and courtships. All fine Orcs, good warriors too. Though... if I may be honest... I never felt that... flutter when i looked at any of them. That .. rapid war drum in my chest that makes your heart feel like it will burst forth from your ribs." She twirled one of her braids in her fingers as she stared up into the night. "... You know those human fairy tales...? Where princesses are swept off their feet by some handsome rescuer, or are romanced with their favorite blossoms and such? ... That doesn't happen for us really. We get traded. Bought and sold for treaties and properties... I think that's where the Evil Queens come from... they're the real princesses who had to endure the worst of circumstances, who had their hearts wither and die long ago... they're the princesses who were never saved. Makes me wonder... what's going to happen to me."<br><br>She gave a sigh before turning over on her bedroll trying to get comfortable for the night. "Regular scullery maids have a better chance of having a prince put a slipper on her foot and declare his love than I do right now of any sort of happy ending in this... we should get some sleep."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>June 16, 2022, 11:27:53 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kall smiled openly when he heard Helen's giggle and saw her yellow eyes brighten, which as it was dark by now was much more noticeable than it would be by day. It turned out that she had a few courtships. Even though she was royal, she was allowed to have some courtships outside marriage as long as they didn't cause illegitimate children, unlike human royal families that tended to be far stricter with their princesses. He was happy that up until very recently her family had been kind to Helen and respected her. Then she brought up the human fairy tales of Evil Queens and how princesses in real life were brought and sold and didn't get to properly choose their loved one unlike most people. When she wondered what would happen to her Kall wished he could offer to be her prince but decided not to, as that would most likely make her split off from him. He was content just to be with her, to talk with her, make her laugh, help keep her safe from those humans and orcs and wargs who were hunting her and enjoy the sight of her beauty. She was both physically beautiful, with her emerald-green skin, black hair and yellow eyes, and intelligent and mentally beautiful. Kall thought to himself that there was no way that such a beauty should be the forced concubine of some ugly old human king. Such a fate would make her wither. He thought of himself as her knight, there to help her find safety and peace and freedom to find someone someday to love and respect who would love and respect her in turn. He didn't think it would be him as there were Orcs out there who were richer and stronger and no doubt better looking then he was, and although in exile she was still Princess Helen of Grond, an Orcish royal.<br><br>He soon fell asleep next to her. Whilst they obviously preferred to have nice beds, Orcs could "rough it" better then humans as long as it was not really cold or raining. When he woke it was day and he carefully peered over the edge of the cliff. There were wargs and their riders starting to climb the mountain, but at a walking pace. Going fast on mountain trails was dangerous for the wargs and their riders alike and could be fatal. They had an hour or two, but it was best to wake Helen and get out of there so they wouldn't be there when the warg riders did get to the top. Gently rubbing her arm to wake her, he said quietly "Sorry to wake you, Princess, but warg riders are climbing the mountain and are about an hour away, and we need to get away before they reach us, or they'll likely kill me and drag you back to a nastier fate then death."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>July 01, 2022, 11:02:47 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daybreak pierced through her eyelids as Helen squinted in fury at the sunlight looming overhead. Dreams had taken her far away from this place, to arenas where she fought for honor and glory against Orc males, a declaration that he who could best her would be her groom. Yet none could best her, nor match the swiftness of her blade. Disheartened, the princess had almost given up hope, until there was a grand shadowed figure that stepped forth to take up the challenge. Yet he did not raise a blade to her, simply held out his hand. In her dream the sun blinded her from the sight of the stranger, though as dream faded into the world of the living, Helen blinked rapidly at seeing Kall's face coming into focus. <br><br>What... was that? Was this still part of the dream? His voice broke through the haze, rousing her from her sleep with a groan. "Thank you, Kall... and you may call me Helen. You've more than earned that right." She gave him a smile before peering over the mountainside's edge, snarling with her tusks glistening in the light. She wanted to spit upon all those who rode with that damned human prince. There was no time at the present to contemplate her dreams.<br><br>"Kall... help me roll these large stones. It may slow their pursuit. If it crushes the damned human, I won't shed a tear," she spoke, indicating to the large broken rocks that had slid down long ago from higher up the mountain and landed on the crevice. A few rolling pushes and shoves from the pair of them would send the rocks careening down the mountainside towards the pursuers. "That aught to slow them," she huffed angrily, her eyes darkening for a moment before turning to hoist her travel sack upon her back, taking the reigns of one of the horses. They certainly couldn't ride the animals over the mountain until there was smoother terrain.<br><br>"I suppose you should take the lead now, if we are traveling to your tribe," she smiled to him reassuringly, laying a hand upon his arm. "You will be a great chieftain for your people." A thought suddenly entered her head as they began to move on, making her chuckle softly. "You know... if some bard heard this tale... he'd speculate that the two orcs were secret lovers all this time and the princess was running from an arranged marriage to be with a chieftain that held her heart. It would make a proper orcish fairytale truthfully... one where we're not always the villain."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>July 02, 2022, 10:37:42 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When Kall saw Helen's eyes flick open, they were a deep chocolate brown but they rapidly turned yellow as she groaned at being woken up a bit earlier then she had planned for. "Thank you, Kall... and you may call me Helen. You've more than earned that right." She looked over the edge of the mountain, and she snarled at her pursuers. Kall could see clearly her hatred for them and for the human prince that so wanted to capture her and have her as his deeply unwilling bride. "Kall... help me roll these large stones. It may slow their pursuit. If it crushes the damned human, I won't shed a tear." Kall put his back into it and so did she and soon enough the rocks went rolling down, causing panicked shouts and curses from those below and blocking off the path. They would have to desend the mountain and go around it giving Kall and Helen a nice head start on them. "That aught to slow them." Her eyes briefly went brown and then back to yellow again and she was once more in a good mood, putting her emerald-green hand on his darker-green arm. "I suppose you should take the lead now, if we are traveling to your tribe. You will be a great chieftain for your people.." She chuckled happily. "You know... if some bard heard this tale... he'd speculate that the two orcs were secret lovers all this time and the princess was running from an arranged marriage to be with a chieftain that held her heart. It would make a proper orcish fairytale truthfully... one where we're not always the villain."<br><br>Privately, Kall was falling in love with her but now was hardly either the time or the place to tell her that, given the situation they were in. "It would be a bardic tale for the ages. An orcish princess and her lover, fleeing an utterly loveless marridge. Centuries from now, Orcish actors and actresses will have a stage play about us, bards will sing of us, and mothers will tell our story to their children, and of course they would say we were in love." As they led the horses as quickly as they could safely go down the mountain, Kall told Helen more funny stories that often ridiculed the humans for their greed and stupidity, happy just to keep her happy and dull her fears of recapture. Later he said "I don't know why that human prince wants you so much anyway. Most humans find even the best looking of us to be ugly to look upon, and he knows nothing of your mind and personality. Maybe he just finds you exotic. Your destiny is to be free and to someday choose your own lover, not waste your life away in a human royal court giving birth to half-orc children you neither want nor could love."<br><br>They reached the bottom of the mountain and could race their horses for a little, not for too long but just for a bit to put some extra space between them and the wargs. Kall loved the sight of Helen, her long black hair blowing in the wind, her eyes yellow and bright, her mouth smiling, her skin flawless. She didn't need royal jewels and gold and silver to look fantastic. He had throught the tales of her beauty were people trying to suck up to royalty and social climb at the royal court, but the tales were true. More then that, she had a very fine mind as well. She was intelligent, could be funny, and knew what she wanted and what made her happy. No wonder so many great Orcish warriors had come to Castle Grond to try and earn the love of this princess. Later they let the horses rest a little and had some of the food they had for lunch. "Tomorrow if all goes well we will reach my tribe, and they will be very surprised to see you. Surely they will deal with those who are chasing us and make them either back off, or die. Then you will have so many options in your life that will be open to you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>August 06, 2022, 02:51:16 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Focused as she was on not being captured, Helen was rather oblivious to Kall's wandering gaze that focused over her form and face. Her mind was set to never be chained by a loveless marriage, much less to a human whom she held no attraction to. He wasn't at all like the Orcish warriors that vied for her hand, who had fought and spent weeks attempting to showcase their skills and strengths, displaying their tusks and roars in attempts to one-up each other to impress her. Helen doubted she could ever be attracted to a being who had no tusks! Now Kall, she had noticed, held a FINE set of tusks in his jaw. Not to mention a strong arm and a sense of honor to what was right. Helen could admire that of him. Could admire many things about him, but in her mind... he obviously stilled pined for his lost love. A love once lost was hard won or found again.<br><br>As the pair of them made their getaway, the sounds of orc and human screams and shouts and yelping wargs from the small avalanche they had tumbled down in their direction echoing over the mountain, Helen listened to Kall's tales with intent. She was actually smiling rather soon from his stories, and laughing rather brightly. As if she had completely forgotten the fact she was being pursued by an overly lustful human prince that had a pension for orcs. His distraction did dull her fears and worries, it made her happy to simply be in the company of someone she could trust. "I do not know, but I know one thing. I have met KOBOLDS with more skill and attractiveness than that human. I would yes, rather marry a KOBOLD than that man!" she laughed jokingly. <br><br>As they rested their horses for a midday meal, Helen leaned beneath the shade of a tree, working on reorganizing their supplies to make sure everything had dried out thoroughly from their time in the river and that they food they had left would see them a couple more days should there be any delays returning to his tribe. The elk the pair had hunted was serving them well. "Are you certain of that, Kall? You know well if you attempt to step back into a position of authority, your brothers will fight you... what if your tribe attempts to kill you and trade me to the prince? Or... what if one of your brothers demands me as payment for protection?" It wasn't too far fetched of what could very well happen. Greed ran rampant through orcs, selfishness, it was a way of survival. "In those cases, if we get any inkling of that... I will leave and go to the coast as we spoke about. I will stand by you to fight for your position as rightful chief, if that is truly what you want. It is the least I can do for your help..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>August 08, 2022, 02:51:54 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(OOC-I am on my IPad.)<br><br>IC-Kall was happy just to be with Helen, keeping her happy and safe without expecting anything in return. Although on the run from a terrible fate she was still a royal princess, both beautiful in her body and intelligent in her mind. Although the son of a chief he was still below her in rank. He laughed along with her when she said and no doubt meant it that she would rather marry a Kobold then that ugly fat old human with a weird desire to bed Orcish royalty. They could rest and eat for a bit, although on the alert for the loud barks of wargs. Wargs were fine mounts and very loyal if treated well but they had all the stealth when domesticated of a herd of elephants. When she mentioned that Kall’s brothers might themselves try to capture her and hand her over to that disgusting old man, for the first time in a long while it was Kall’s turn to feel worried, his eyes briefly going a deep dark green before brightening again.<br><br>“If I had to, I would give up my own birthright to keep you safe and free, Helen. You might have to go abroad to be free, and I would travel with you if you wanted it enough. There are many positions open to us if we picked the right city to go to. Somewhere where Orcs are accepted as much as humans or dwarves. Where no one will be chasing us down. I could easily become a tavern or casino bouncer for example, and I’m sure you could find a position before our money ran out.” Although he didn’t want to risk squicking out Helen, he realised he was certainly falling in love with her. It was no wonder that so many great and talented Orc warrior-princes had found her so incredibly attractive. The last time he had felt this way, was when he and his then wife had been marching in their war-band on the way to the battle with the humans where she had fallen and gone to the halls of the honoured Orcish dead whilst he had survived.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>September 10, 2022, 11:41:19 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen almost dropped her food as he spoke of leaving his birthright behind. "Why?" she asked him, simply, curious golden eyes staring the orc-man over. "You have your own life to live, Kall. On the run, constantly looking over your shoulder... I wouldn't want that for my worst enemy... well, aside from the obvious," she gave a small chuckle before heaving a deep sigh. "I have never seen a human dwelled city where our kind are accepted, but we are only two. Not enough to truly give cause for worry."<br><br>Over the course of their rest, Helen gave all their woes great thought. If she left, there would be war. If she stayed, there would be war of her fighting against that prince. She would not go with him. Then, as if by magic, the answer suddenly dawned upon the fair Helen. How could she have been so dull to not have thought of this before?! Though before she actually processed it with any thought to the meaning of the situation, the orcish woman turned her long dark haired head towards her companion. "Kall. Would you marry me?"<br><br>Her tone and expression were astute and genuine. Her posture sure of her every move as she sat upon her horse staring back at the man. "I do not ask this lightly, nor expect you to say yes. If I were already wed to an orc, by our laws the prince would have to challenge my husband to combat. A fine-tusked warrior like yourself would never fall to such a weakling of a man. I'd kill him myself, but that would be seen as murder and I would be put to death for treason." She was silent for a moment before clearing her throat. "My plan is simple. We get to your tribe, you reclaim your place as Chief. Enact a law stating beneath your banner, no orc shall be wed under duress. We would... well, wed... if you do not wish to, I understand, your beloved Tina awaits you-" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>September 13, 2022, 06:16:47 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(OOC-At last RL has let me do a new story bit for you.)<br><br>IC-Kall watched Helen as she looked at him with curiosity.&nbsp; "Why? You have your own life to live, Kall. On the run, constantly looking over your shoulder... I wouldn't want that for my worst enemy... well, aside from the obvious." She smiled and he saw her yellow eyes briefly brighten as she no doubt imagined her ugly fat human pursuer having to be the one&nbsp; on the run for his life. She sighed and her eyes went back to their normal brightness. "I have never seen a human dwelled city where our kind are accepted, but we are only two. Not enough to truly give cause for worry." As they rested, she turned her head towards him, and he was surprised and joyful at what she asked next.&nbsp; "Kall. Would you marry me? I do not ask this lightly, nor expect you to say yes. If I were already wed to an orc, by our laws the prince would have to challenge my husband to combat. A fine-tusked warrior like yourself would never fall to such a weakling of a man. I'd kill him myself, but that would be seen as murder, and I would be put to death for treason. My plan is simple. We get to your tribe; you reclaim your place as Chief. Enact a law stating beneath your banner, no orc shall be wed under duress. We would... well, wed... if you do not wish to, I understand, your beloved Tina awaits you-"<br><br>His eyes brightened and shone like the finest blue sapphires of the land for several seconds. "I would love to marry you, Helen, and not just because you are a Princess of Grond, but because of your personality and your beauty, both inside and out. If that ugly Prince does dare to fight me for you, I'll slash his guts out. If he refuses, he will be shamed and embarrassed in the eyes of all Orcdom and even his own men and will have to slink back dishonored and with badly dented prestige in the eyes of everyone. At the very least, I will be a better husband then that fat old human could ever be, and capable of providing you with healthy, happy, fully Orcish children to carry on the Grond line.I need to get my Chiefdom back, and we need to make our vows in front of a shaman. Then you will never have to fear Trevon ever again and will be accepted back by your family and we can live hopefully long and happy lives together."<br><br>He reached over, with some difficulty as they were both on horseback, and kissed her warmly on her cheeks and once on her forehead to show her that he loved her and respected her. She would be a wonderful wife and it would be a true Orcish fairy tale for the ages about how a wicked human prince was brought low and humbled and an Orcish princess rescued by a true Orcish hero. For now they had to reach his tribe as quickly as they could.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>September 14, 2022, 12:04:48 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen was... overtly confused by the response of Kall. Especially when he kissed over her cheeks and forehead, and speaking of living long blissful lives together with full-blooded Orcish children. She had meant the offer to be one of a temporary arrangement at most, only until Trevon would get the message that Helen would rather die, or marry a complete stranger - so long as he was orc - rather than that fat, ugly prince. Kall's affection took her by surprise, so much so, Helen almost stabbed him with her hidden daggers, but luckily caught herself before she even withdrew the blade.<br><br>"... Kall, why ... why do you seem eager for this marriage?" she asked him, brow lifting. "Not that I'm dissatisfied by your response! Merely... confused. Granted, you're a fine-appearing specimen of orc, strong and capable... and you possess every quality of what it means to be Orc that I would demand to be passed on to my own sons and daughters... but... you did not put forward your own self for courtship when all bachelors were called. No doubt you were still mourning your dear Tina..." She chewed her upper lip in thought, her shining tusks gleaming.<br><br>"Kall, you understand the other orcs angered at my engagement to that filthy human might well challenge you should you want to... keep me as your wife? Are you prepared for that? If you truly want for this... us, I mean, to become more than a temporary arrangement... " She hadn't truly thought about the marriage being permanent, but... would it be so bad to be the wife of Kall? He had been prepared to protect her on the run, he had a loyal heart. The green-skinned princess of Grond seemed to find that she had become rather fond of his company. <br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>September 14, 2022, 08:50:45 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Kall had no idea how close he came to getting stabbed by the Orc Princess, which would have sent her right back to square one. When she said to him "... Kall, why ... why do you seem eager for this marriage? t that I'm dissatisfied by your response! Merely... confused. Granted, you're a fine-appearing specimen of orc, strong and capable... and you possess every quality of what it means to be Orc that I would demand to be passed on to my own sons and daughters... but... you did not put forward your own self for courtship when all bachelors were called. No doubt you were still mourning your dear Tina...Kall, you understand the other orcs angered at my engagement to that filthy human might well challenge you should you want to... keep me as your wife? Are you prepared for that? If you truly want for this... us, I mean, to become more than a temporary arrangement... " he thought for a little bit, and replied.<br><br>"Let's see how things go. It may be that once we have either killed or otherwise dealt with that human Prince, that either we don't have much in common and I am not the one you would want long term, or that I perish in an Orcish duel and a finer, stronger, healthier warrior takes my place by your side. If it turns out that you just want me as a friend, I will voluntarily step down so that you can find your true love. Not just because you are a Royal Princess of Grond, but because you deserve happiness and to be with the right Orc for you. To answer your question-it's because you are intelligent, capable, beautiful, and a Princess of Grond in that order." He happily gazed at the black-haired, emerald beauty in front of him, hoping things would go well, but knowing that she might not feel the same way she did, and that there were so many fine Orc warriors who would want her. She was well known to be one of the most beautiful Orc women on the planet, after all. "If the worst happened and I got cut down, then I would be with Tina again. It was because of what happened to her that I was not trying to win you earlier, that and having to flee from my own tribe because of those scheming brothers of mine."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>EvaEverheart</strong> on <strong>October 09, 2022, 12:01:25 am</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Helen listened to Kall's response with intuition, lifting a brow at him and giving a chuckle. "You flatter me with words, but I'd prefer you flatter me with pursuit. You are free to try and win me by any means. You should have been among the bachelors fighting for my hand," she noted with a sigh, looking over the banished chief. "I have seen many warriors in the past weeks, and very few have been as fine or strong as you are. You embody much of what it means to be Orc, you are proving you will fight for what you believe is yours. Show me that you wish me as more than merely a friend, and there is great likelihood that I shall return such a feeling!" the orcish princess declared, thumping her fist upon her shoulder across her chest. "If you wish me, like the others, then show me, tell me. If man is too patient, orc woman feels he does not care for her."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: On The Run Cheka Man/EvaEverHeart</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Cheka Man</strong> on <strong>October 09, 2022, 04:55:16 pm</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				(OOC-RL finally let me do a new bit. OOC2-Since our charecters are starting to get sexy I moved the new rp bit to the Adult part of the board to avoid annoying the Mods.)<br><br>https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=346100.0<br><br><br><br>
			</dd>
		</dl>
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