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The apparent Rolar snorts with derision, relaxing his posture a bit more.
“You fling accusations like a dog flinging water after running in the rain. I am not making threats, Jovak.”
“Chief Jovak,” Jovak snaps. The gathered orcs exchange glances, and one by one, they let out the tautness of their bows. I notice they still have their arrows nocked, though. It wouldn't be hard for them to take aim and fire. We’re not out of the woods yet.
“As I said, you cannot be the chief because you are dead. When you did not return, the council decided to declare you officially dead.”
“I’ve only been gone a matter of days,” Jovak says.
“You have been gone for over a moon.”
Rolar’s voice holds a definite note of accusation. His feelings are hurt, I realize. All of them have some mixture of betrayal and contempt on their faces.
Jovak looks surprised to hear him speak.
“Surely it has not been so long as that,” Jovak says, but I hear the lack of confidence in his voice. “Has it?”
His voice trails off, and his eyes seem distant. I assume he’s recalling the time in his head. When he finishes, the look of dread in his eyes lets me know that Rolar’s estimate isn’t far off. That does seem like a very long time for a leader to be away from his people.
“Yes, I can see it in your eyes, ‘Chief’ Jovak,” Rolar says with disgust. “And while you have been off cavorting in distant lands, our people have suffered.”
Jovak’s eyes grow hard and serious.
“What are you speaking of, Rolar? Tell me this instant and cease your cryptic ways.”
Rolar’s scarred face twists into a smirk
“You would have me speak plainly, my Chief?” he snorts. “Very well. In the last fortnight, we’ve lost seven tribesmen. Vanished without a trace.”
“Vanished?” Jovak’s gaze narrows. “Surely there must be some signs of where they went missing, at the least.”
“Of the seven who went missing, three were on the same patrol route. The others were ranging in totally different directions.” Rolar stops posturing for a moment, and the two seem to be on the same page. “We have found no pattern in any of it. Not all of our tribesmen who patrol are going missing, yet it’s a constant worry.”
Jovak shook his head.
“Why did you not start patrolling in pairs after the first few of them went missing?”
“We did that after the first two were gone,” Rolar snapped. “We are not so stupid as to be helpless without a chief.”
“If I’m so unnecessary, then why are you all so upset about my long absence?”
Rolar snarled.
“Without the chief to give the final word, our people bicker among each other about the right course of action to take. We have been stymied by indecision. Eventually, I gathered these brave warriors together, and we set out to search for our missing brethren ourselves.”
Jovak nods, and there’s a measure of respect in his eyes and in his tone when he speaks.
“A wise decision. I approve.”
It’s subtle, but Rolar puffs up his chest at the praise from his chief. I take it there’s not a total lack of respect between these two. If anything, I’d say that Rolar is more hurt than angry.
“It is not so wise, perhaps, given we have found no sign of them.”
“How long have you ranged out?” Jovak asks.
“For the last three days.”
“And you have seen no signs of them?” Jovak sheathes his axes and strokes his chin in thought. “There must be a way we can find out what happened to them. Perhaps if we split your band into thirds ...”
