[Folwren]

Kwell worked with a will, when it came to sloshing buckets of water around and over the pit opening. He had obeyed Lindir and not killed any of the drunken orcs, even if he had wanted to, but to be able to make them even more uncomfortable than before was wonderful to his mind. He nearly laughed as the water and mud splashed and dripped down into the pit and they sent up curses and horrible imprecations. They did not cause any fear to start up in him, as they used to. Their threats were empty. Their hands were bound and had no whips clutched in them.

But soon, Lindir said it was wet enough, and they must retreat and take cover until the other, sober orcs came in. The rain was quickening. The mud was thick, slippery, and as ready as they could make it. They retreated and gathered stones and sticks before finding a hiding place.

They waited. Silently. Kwell wondered again and again if this would actually work. It was risky - and all for the sake of not killing the orcs. He didn’t understand why they just could be shot. Why bother throwing them down into the pit with the others? Were there not enough orcs to get information out of? He couldn’t comprehend Lindir’s thinking...

After a long while of silence, intermixed with the steady patter of the rain, Kwell saw dark figures moving in closer. Kwell shifted his weight and picked up two rocks. They were over the pit now...leaning down to reach the ones inside...

The first rocks were thrown. Kwell stood up and hurled first one and then the other with all his might. He bent again to get more and then, as he continued to throw, those with swords and other, longer weapons charged. Kwell continued to hurl as many rocks as he could, over his friend’s heads and hopefully at the three orcs, but as the humans got closer, he ceased his bombardment, for fear of striking someone in his side.