“alaright settle down you lot” Sargent Tellos bellowed at the newly formed “squad” of troops.
“As yer know your the most greenest of green horns in this outfit so guess who has to do the shitty stuff first!” The scarred man grinned evilly; revelling in the sour looks and winces of anticipation his words brought.
“…But…” he continued still grinning, “… don’ let it be said I didn’t do nothing for yer. First task for you saps is a cake walk, not very interesting but still easy duty so listen up!”
“Your squad gets to escort master Malcianus to the Princes fayer day after ter morra. You get to pitch a camp then stand around looking snazzy in yer nice new uniforms. If you’re lucky you’ll get a chance to sample the Ale before yer leave. So nothin’ hard that even you chicken legged beginners can get right aright?
“You ‘n’ you get to the quartermasters and check out a wagon and a tent” he finished pointing ot you and one other. Rest of yer, back on the square more drills for yer so you don’t embarrass the boss first time outta the compound. DISS- MISSED!”
Stoically the pair of you made your way to the quartermasters to get the Wagon and extra gear. On the way your companion whispers “You heard the rumors about the Orc yet?”
Shaking your head you motion for him to continue. “Yeah well, I was pulling guard duty in front of the Bosses’ rooms day before last and there was one hell of a commotion from inside. ‘parrently Master Zath has a big temper when it lets go and somebody had just told him that the local Orc tribes had refused some message he sent them. Well not ‘zackly refused. The grey skinned buggers asked him fer more money over something near as I can figure out. Says “they’d collet there due by themselves” and Zath stormed off cursing that they had best not interrupt his plans of he’d turn them into stones or some such…
“I did some askin’ around and a mate of mine in the scout platoon said they’ve seen more Orc tracks in the forest than is usual last few days to be sure.!”
“Thats all very interesting, but so what?” You reply “There not mad enough to come attack this Manor even before we got ourselves a wizard in charge. Whats the worry?”
“Well way I see it, we’re gonna be all alone in the woods with nothing but a bunch of peasants and maybe an Orc warband or two. ANd guess who the boss wants us to protect and make nice too… Just what you think will happen if they find out we’re in the woods all alone.”
“Huh, never attack us next door to the Princes faye the Princes guards make chutney outta them even if we weren’t there…”