BigSaltyDog

  Chapter 9: Blood Pacts and Bone Steel The thunder of drums rolled across the Black Hills, echoing like the gods themselves beat war from the mountains. Beneath a sky thick with black clouds and ash, the Warcouncil of the Horde had assembled. Tens of thousands of Orcs snarled and pounded fists against the stone arena—half-naked savages beside hulking warriors in dark bronze and boiled leather. Green flesh gleamed with oil and sweat, eyes glowing with bloodlust and firelight. Behind them, Goblins yelped atop enormous wolves , their spears shaking with anticipation, while ogres stood still as towers, waiting for the command to unleash hell. At the heart of it all stood Warlord Moggraz Skullcleaver —the one-eyed Orc king whose axe had split kings and kinsmen alike. His armour was forged from scorched iron , wrapped in bones of slain paladins and stitched with chains taken from broken castles. His helm, crowned with jagged tusks, bore the mark of the ancient god Urg’drath , the B...