[Alatariel Telemnar]

‘Bloody, stupid fools,’ Thrákmazh said grimly, his hand against one of the trees, tapping his finger against it.

‘Yes, bloody, stupid fools, sir,’ Urkrásh said, right after, making is voice sound smaller than his master’s. Urkrásh had sensed Thrákmazh’s impatience and did not want to anger him any more. He stood still as he watched Thrákmazh steadily increased the speed of his tapping, and it slowly wore bark away. Urkrásh did not look directly at him: Thrákmazh might not like to be stared at.

Urkrásh remained in his place as Thrákmazh walked towards the uruks, the plates of armor around his legs clanking.

‘C’mon, you lot, we’ve got work to do. Not time for these…games. Get up!’ he said, standing in the middle of them. He paused a moment, as all the uruks turned their heads or position themselves so they could look at him. Urkrásh watched as he closed in on two uruks that were too occupied in their game of dice to take notice of him. He towered over them, as one who had been foolish enough to cut his own hand was throwing the dice across the ground. They did not even notice the shadow cast over them from his towering. Urkrásh looked around at the numerous orcs whispering among themselves.

‘Did ye hear me? I said, NOW!’ Thrákmazh yelled. Urkrásh stared in wonder at the big blur as he had pinned the orc to the tree and stabbed his hand, causing the orc to drop the dice. And before Urkrásh knew it, the orc was on the ground, a cut across his chest.

‘Filthy worm,’ his master spat, the corpse rolled a few feet as he kicked it, ‘trying to get himself killed before the elves get to him.’ Thrákmazh turned, wiping of the orc’s blood. ‘You maggots remember this; I don’t care how many of you I have to kill before you get the message. The Great Eye doesn’t stand for stupid brutes in his army who don’t know the difference between a tree and a rock. I’m in command here and I get the job of making sure none of you rats get out of line, or do anything that might hinder this mission in any way. Now, get yerselves ready, we’re getting out of here.’

Urkrásh shivered at his words. The other orcs and uruks grew nervous, he could tell as they looked around. They stayed standing as he stepped on top of the limp body, causing the bones to crunch. And didn’t move as he walked past them, through the lines. Urkrásh looked at them, disappointment on his face.

‘Come, Urkrásh.” Thrákmazh said, “There are other matters to attend to here.’

Urkrásh jerked his head up from the soldiers to his master. Nodded, and then followed behind him, slightly hunched over, glancing at them as he passed.