The two boys were out by one of several groups of passed-out orcs. The D’Orcs were in other parts of the camp. Sober or not, the shapeshifting would have had them freaking out. This band of orcs was a lot larger than the Crooked Sticks.
Several D’Orcs were busy mating with orcs; others had gone around from campfire to campfire to tell their stories to new groups. Fer-Rog had said he bet that the D’Orcs were having as much fun telling their old stories to people, who had not heard them every other day for the last four thousand years, as they’d had on the hunt.
Given that D’Orc children did not come along that often, every one of them were immediately inundated by old warriors who needed someone new to marvel at their stories. At this point in his life, Fer-Rog had heard most of them, and a couple of them twice.
Rupert concentrated and shifted into another orc passed out nearby. It was different in that the orc was technically a bit larger than his true form, so he did not feel as compressed, but it was still uncomfortable. He just needed to concentrate on the form. He had no plans to use this particular form, but just practicing any new form, particularly an orc form, would be useful.
“So, what are you two little demons up to?” a stern woman’s voice asked behind them. Both boys lost their assumed forms as they spun in surprise.
It was Beya Fei Geist, the shaman Tom had contacted. She chuckled at their surprise. “Skin-walking lessons is it?” She walked over to the dying campfire and tossed another log onto it, stirring the embers to cause it to blaze up. “Very impressive for two such youngsters, demons or not, to be teaching themselves skin walking.” She gestured to a nearby log. “Sit.” She sat herself.
“So, you are both impressive and fierce-looking young warriors. Why would you want to look like far less fierce orcs?” Beya asked.
The two boys looked at each other sheepishly and shrugged. Finally, Fer-Rog spoke up. “I have lived my entire life at Mount Doom. I want to go to other places, have adventures, maybe get to fight someone who has not been training for thousands of years and have a chance at winning.”
Beya burst out laughing. “Okay, that last bit, the wanting to fight someone who has not been training for thousands of years. That is a new one for me!” She laughed once more. “An admirable response. I can see where such combat could be frustrating for you.”
Beya turned her attention to Rupert. “And for you, son of Tommus?”
“I too have had a sheltered life. Now that I am starting to come into my own strength and power, my father is always there, casting a large shadow. I’d like to get out and make something of myself on my own, prove my worthiness to be his son,” Rupert said.
Beya nodded thoughtfully. “Another good answer. One I’ve heard many times, but still a good answer.” She was silent for a moment, thinking. “So you would pretend to be normal orcs, so as not to frighten everyone you encounter?”
The boys nodded in unison.
Beya chuckled again. “You see, that is the difference between demon youth and orc youth. The orc boys and girls dream of going places and have people quake in fear. You two seek the opposite.” She smiled warmly and looked Rupert directly in the eyes. “Clearly you understand the fear you can cause.”
Rupert nodded and the three sat silently by the fire for a few moments.
“Very well then,” Beya finally said. “I know something of skin walking. My precise methods may not be your methods, but perhaps I can teach you a few things that would be helpful. At least during your short visit tonight and tomorrow.”
“Are you ready, My Lord?” Zelda asked as Tom opened the door to let her into his suite.
“All set. Where are we doing this?” Tom asked.
“I have the commanders and other team leaders meeting in the command center. We also have maps of the Doomplex to discuss the arrangements.”
“Excellent; let’s go.” Tom joined her in the hallway. “Maybe we’ll pick up the guys who are here.” He gestured to the other suites in the hall.
Zelda squinted in thought. “Boggy and Tizzy are in a lower kitchen, cleaning it up and organizing.”
“What for?” Tom asked, puzzled.
“The cookies!” Zelda grinned.
“He’s going to make them? And here?” Tom shook his head. “Where is he getting the ingredients?”
Zelda shrugged. “He’s got a stream of type I and II demons hauling in supplies from the closest boom tunnel. Including Estrebrius.”
Tom shook his head in wonder. “Well, he does seem to know almost everyone in the Abyss; I wonder how he got them to haul all this stuff for him?”
Zelda chuckled. “I have a sneaking suspicion he’s offering them room and board in your house.”
Tom chuckled too. “Would you be okay with that?”
Zelda shrugged. “We have the room. We used to have demon servants and even some warriors back in the old days. As long as they swear allegiance to you, it would not be unprecedented. I am sure several of my senior staff would appreciate having more hands to do work. As you can imagine, D’Orcs aren’t much for doing routine chores.”
“And we will need to maximize our combat readiness. If the D’Orcs are free to train and prepare, that could be useful,” Tom said.
Zelda nodded with a smile. “Exactly my thinking, My Lord.”
“Okay, so Reggie is with his accursed mistress; Rupert and Fer-Rog are in Ithgar.”
“Talarius is with Antefalken, working on the x-glargh,” Zelda noted.
“Really?” Tom looked at her as they walked down the corridor. “Talarius is actively involved?”
“I heard Antefalken tell him the Astlan hunting party had brought in some barrels of wine for the mortal guests, so I suspect he wanted to try that out,” Zelda commented.
Tom chuckled. “So do you have the basics for the ceremony worked out?” That was what they were going to the command center to work on with the various leaders.
“Yes, we are thinking to do the swearing in, in pairs, if that will work for you. Each will swear an oath, but they will come up in pairs. I think that will save some time,” Zelda said.
Tom nodded. “Do you have a good time estimate?”
“At least a full day. If we put in some breaks and adjust for the rotation of people working on preparing the party, I am thinking about a day and a quarter,” Zelda said.
“And we start...?” Tom asked.
“The last of the parties will be back by noon tomorrow, or shortly thereafter. So we are thinking to start early fifth period.” She paused, then added, “Oh, and before I forget, can you have the Ithgar crowd purchase some tanning supplies? I have a list somewhere.”
“Tanning supplies?” Tom looked her askance. Why would D’Orcs want to tan? There was not even a sun, or rather Fierd, in the Abyss. Normal demons could not tan; a good number were red already.
“Yes.” Zelda looked at him, surprised by his surprise. “We have all these kills, and we have a lot of D’Orcs who could use some new clothes. The hides, bones and ligaments of the kills are going to be more useful in the long run than the meat!” She seemed surprised he had not considered this.
“Oh yes, of course. I was thinking of a different type of tanning.” Tom shook his head. Tanning like tanning a hide, making leather. Clearly, he was a city demon.
“Another type of tanning?” Zelda asked.
“It’s not important. Humans like to lie out in the sun, I mean Fierd, to darken their skin; they call that tanning.”
Zelda blinked. “That doesn’t make much sense. Why would you want to dry out and age your skin like that? From what I’ve read, nobles and rich people like pale, soft, supple skin, not the leathery skin of a field worker!” She shook her head. “I do know that Morok and his tribe, who have very pale skin, have to use special ointments when on planets to avoid starburn.”