Page 24 of X’nath (Dark Orcs of Helfallow)

24

A Quest for Peace

X’NATH

T he sun was barely rising, casting a soft glow over the mountain peaks when I awoke with a singular purpose. Last night’s skirmish with the creature had left me feeling exhilarated, but that wasn’t what kept me awake. No, it was the haunting memory of Gracie’s face, twisted in fear as she fought beside me. I had noticed the way her eyes would flicker with dread at night, the subtle shudders that would betray her when she thought no one was watching.

I’d heard her cry out in the dark—whimpers that cut through the stillness of the night as I patrolled by her home. Night terrors. I wanted to help her. But how? I wasn’t a healer or a scholar. I was a simple orc, after all. A warrior. But that didn’t stop the need to do something.

I recalled a conversation with one of the older orcs, a shopkeeper who seemed to know the land and its secrets better than anyone else. There was a herbal tea, a calming infusion that could help soothe troubled minds. I made my way to his shop, my heart racing with a mix of hope and urgency.

"Old Barak!" I called as I approached, the wooden door creaking open with the tinkle of a small overhead bell to reveal a cluttered interior. The smell of earthy, pungent herbs hit me instantly, and I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the dim light. Inside, the shelves were stacked with jars of dried roots and various concoctions.

Behind the counter stood Barak, an old, weathered orc. His bald head was dotted with sunspots, evidence of years spent under the harsh rays. His belly, which protruded farther than his belt could contain, jutted out proudly, a testament to his age and fondness for good food. His skin was leathery, like a hide left too long in the sun, but his eyes—those sharp, wise eyes—were as keen as ever.

“X’nath, what brings you here at this hour?” Barak squinted, his beady eyes glimmering with curiosity.

"I need something for... night terrors," I admitted, awkwardly scratching the back of my neck. I shouldn't feel embarrassed about it. After all, many of our great warriors were plagued by them. Though, I wasn’t sure any of them ever sought help for it. "Something that can help calm my fears."

He paused, contemplating, then nodded. “Ah, yes. You’re looking for the Nightshade Bloom tea with some Juniper. A potent remedy.”

“Can you make it?” I asked, trying to sound confident.

“Not at the moment,” he replied with a sigh, shaking his head. “I’m out of the main ingredient—the Nightshade Bloom itself. It only grows in the deepest recesses of the mountain mines, where the sunlight barely reaches.”

A wave of disappointment washed over me. I had hoped to get this remedy for Gracie without delay. “Do you know the exact location to find it?” I asked, my voice tinged with impatience.

Barak’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of warning in his gaze. “You’ll need to journey deep into the mines, where the flowers grow—if you can call it growing. It's a treacherous path, fraught with shadow beasts and dangers that even the bravest fear to face. Many have ventured, but few have returned. The mines are not kind to the unprepared.”

I wasn’t about to let fear deter me. Gracie deserved this, and I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from helping her. “I can do it,” I asserted, the words escaping my mouth with a fervor I hadn’t expected.

“Then you’ll need a companion,” Barak suggested. “It’s not wise to venture alone.”

I nodded, already planning to drag Karg into this. He'd been brooding a lot lately, something clearly off between him and Erin. He was young, but tough as nails, reliable, and always ready for a challenge. It would do him some good to get some fresh air and clear his mind. “Consider it done.”

After a brief discussion with Barak about the flower’s location, I hurried back to our camp, adrenaline pumping. I found Karg sharpening a blade, a lopsided grin spreading across his face when he saw me.

“Where’s the fire?” he asked, putting down the stone and giving me his full attention.

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice so only Karg could hear. “I need your help,” I said, my tone deliberate, laced with secrecy. “We’re heading into the mountain mines to fetch something… a flower. It’s important.”

As I spoke, I began gathering a few items for the journey, slipping a pair of goggles over my head, their lenses glinting in the dim light. It wasn’t the safest of places, and I needed to be prepared.

Karg raised an eyebrow. “A flower? Are you trying to woo one of those girls? Because I can tell you?—”

“No,” I interrupted, exasperation bubbling to the surface. “This is for Gracie. She’s been having nightmares, and I want to make her tea that will help her sleep better. Just… come with me.”

His expression shifted, a flicker of understanding replacing the teasing. “Alright. Let’s go get your flower, then.”

As we gathered the rest of our supplies—ropes, weapons, and some food—I felt a surge of purpose. This was different. This wasn’t about boasting or proving myself in battle; this was about doing something good for someone I cared about. Yargol followed us as we made our way out of the camp.

Located on the far east side of our valley, opposite to the direction of our mountain, the trek to the mines was filled with the usual sounds of the forest: the rustle of leaves, the occasional call of a bird, and the steady crunch of twigs underfoot.

Karg, ever the conversationalist, kept up a steady stream of banter to ease the tension, but my thoughts were elsewhere—distracted by Gracie, her silent pain, and the nightmares that seemed to plague her. I couldn’t shake the feeling that she was slipping further away, no matter how close I tried to get.

Despite my own concerns, I couldn’t ignore the simmering tension between Karg and Erin. The young orc was clearly struggling, unsure of how to navigate the subtle complexities of the human female. It was frustrating to watch, but I had my own thoughts on how to fix it, even if my methods were... less than traditional.

“Karg,” I began, slowing my pace just enough to catch his attention, “Is everything alright between you and your human female? Erin, was it?”

He shot me a look, his brow furrowed, as if I were about to give him some grand lecture. “What about her?”

“Look,” I said, my tone casual but firm, “you’ve been dancing around her for too long. She’s not going to come to you if you keep playing this guessing game. You need to take what you want.” I glanced over at him, seeing his confused frown. “You’re a warrior, right? Act like it. Go after her, make your intentions known. It’s that simple.”

Karg stammered, clearly caught off guard. “But I don’t… I mean, what if she doesn’t feel the same way? Sometimes it seems like she does, but other times... it’s like she pushes me away. I can’t tell if she’s just teasing or being serious.”

I gave him a pointed look, shaking my head. Seemed these human females had a lot in common. Gracie also enjoyed pushing me away when I could clearly see she wanted me closer.

“Karg, no one gets what they want by standing around waiting for it to fall in their lap. You have to take what’s yours. If you’re too busy second-guessing yourself, someone else is going to swoop in and take her from under your nose.” I paused for a moment, considering my words. “Females like Erin aren’t complicated. She’ll respect you more for showing her what you feel, rather than hiding behind all that uncertainty.”

Karg still didn’t look convinced, but I could see the wheels turning in his head. I wasn’t expecting him to suddenly turn into some smooth-talking charmer, but I knew he’d figure it out eventually. There was a strength to him that even he didn’t fully realize yet.

“Just don’t let her slip away because you’re too afraid to make a move,” I added and Yargol squeaked on my shoulders, batting my cheek with his paw as if to say I should be taking my advice. “It’ll only get harder the longer you wait.”

We continued walking in silence for a few moments, and I could see Karg’s mind working through my words. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he knew I was right.

When we finally reached the entrance of the mines, I felt a chill run down my spine. The air was on the stuffy side, and the smell of damp earth clung to everything. I turned to Karg, his face set with determination, and together we descended into the depths.

“Stay close,” I said, my voice echoing off the stone walls. “It’s easy to get lost in here.”

“Easy for you,” Karg replied, his voice laced with mock bravado. “I’m the one who has to keep up with your long legs!”

As we ventured deeper, the light from the entrance faded, and shadows began to dance around us. I could feel the weight of the mountain pressing down, the silence thick and heavy. But I wasn’t afraid. I had a mission. For Gracie.

After what felt like hours, we stumbled upon a cavern illuminated by faint, bioluminescent fungi. In the center of the room, nestled among the rocks, were the Nightshade Blooms. Their petals glowed softly, casting a gentle light that felt almost ethereal.

“There they are,” I exclaimed, relief flooding my chest.

Karg chuckled, his voice echoing in the cavern. “All this for a flower? You sure know how to pick your battles, X’nath.”

I grinned back at him, but my smile quickly faded as I remembered the dangers that lurked in these depths. “Let’s grab what we can and get out of here. We’re not alone in here.”

As we moved cautiously toward the flowers, I kept my senses alert. The thrill of the chase, the promise of victory, all felt electric. But just as I reached for the first bloom, a low growl reverberated through the cavern, freezing me in place.

I turned to Karg, my heart pounding. “We need to go. Now.”

But before we could react, the shadows shifted from the room behind us, and a monstrous figure lunged from the darkness, jaws wide and eyes gleaming with malice. My instincts kicked in, and I prepared for a fight, adrenaline surging through my veins. I wasn’t just fighting for a flower; I was fighting for her. For lak’osh .

“Let’s show this beast what we’re made of!” I shouted, charging forward, ready to protect what mattered most.