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The large room was filled with shouting and laughing orcs, all coming back from their posts for some rest and food. The room was large both in depth and height, but this was almost impossible to tell with the weak light the few flickering torches emitted. The walls were crumbling in places, and there were many dark stains on the old stone where fights had broken out. Most of the orcs sat at the many tables scattered randomly throughout the dim room, laughing and shouting as they stuffed their faces with meat and ale, whilst a few orcs leaned against the hard, stone walls watching the others. Nazklash was one of these orcs.
He watched the other orcs silently from a dark corner away from any torches, as he thought about everything that had happened over the last couple of days. Uzgash, Lugnush and he had sat in the deep tunnel for a long time, planning how the revolt would begin, and how everything would work. Nazklash had listened carefully, and now understood everything that had to be done so that the Chief could finally be overthrown. His only problem was Lugnush. Nazklash knew that Lugnush wanted to be the captain, but Nazklash was much better for the job, and more deserving, why else would Uzgash have gone to him? But Lugnush, he knew, was strong and could easily kill Nazklash if he got his hands on him, so he would have to be careful and keep his eyes on the treacherous orc.
Suddenly there was a loud shout, and Nazklash looked up just in time to see two orcs wrestling on the floor. They were both quite large orcs, and they swung madly at eachother as the rolled across the floor. One suddenly kicked the other off him and stood up quickly before picking the other who was still recovering and throwing him hard into the gray stone wall. The sound of the orc smacking the wall reverberated through the room, and a large group of orcs came to stand around the fighters, as they started cheering for the one to finish the other off. The orc only spat at the other on the ground and went back to where he had been sitting, deciding he could always finish him off later.
Nazklash looked away from the great form of the orc who was now starting to recover from the fight, and saw a tall, lean orc come in through the wide doors at the end of the room. Nazklash smiled as he recognized the orc Gorzag, and started to walk purposely towards him. It was time for the revolt to begin.
Gorzag nodded in greeting to Nazklash as he finally reached the tall form. He had to recline his head to look at Gorzags face, which was covered in scars and had a long gash running down his left cheek. Nazklash knew that Gorzag could spread news about anything or anyone faster than any other orc in Moria, and could make sure that those who weren’t supposed to hear, didn’t. He had become known for it by all except those in high ranks, and was known as the messenger of Moria. But his ‘services’ as he called them, weren’t normally free.
“I ‘ave a job for ya.” Nazklash said, as he and Gorzag walked over to a corner where there were less orcs. Gorzag looked down at him as they reached the corner. “And what’s the pay?” He asked curiously.
Nazklash smiled. “Jus’ listen to me. No one likes how the Chief’s been running this place lately, and there’s been lots o’ talk about a revolt.” Gorzag leaned in closer, so he wouldn’t miss anything Nazklash said. “ An’ the talks true. But we need to get all of ‘em worthless lugs together if we even ‘ope to defeat the Chief.” Nazklash looked into the messenger’s dark eyes, which were now filled with surprise.
“Ya mean…your going to lead the revolt?” Gorzag stuttered. “Why shouldn’ I?” Nazklash said indignantly. “The rest of you filth are too scared to even do anythin’. I’m the only one that ‘as the guts to do somethin’ about the Chief. Now, I need to get all of ‘em scums together tomorrow so that we can overthrow the Chief. You better ‘ave everyone ‘cept the Chief and his officers down in the deep ‘all or I’ll have your ‘ead!”
Gorzag scowled down at Nazklash as he asked once again. “And what do I get in return?” Nazklash stood as straight as his small back would allow and answered after a pause of thought. “When we finally kill the Chief, I’ll give you an ‘igher rank, maybe ya could be my personal messenger, you’d be paid better then what these lugs can give ya.”
Gorzag straightened again and paused as he thought about his options. Nazklash waited silently as Gorzag cracked each knuckle one by one as he thought. Nazklash looked around him, becoming a little impatient and watched the other orcs as they went about their business, completely oblivious to the two orcs. Finally, Gorzag bent down a little so that Nazklash could hear him clearly. “Fine, I’ll do it. But if something happens, you better find some way to pay me back, cause I know plenty o’ orcs that could grind you into the ground.” And at that, he walked away into the crowd of orcs.
Nazklash grinned and left the large room.
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