The following day, the miscreant soldiers appeared embarrassed, and this brought Grogek great joy, though only Elunara saw it in his face. General Renwa took notice of this and summoned Gerald to his chambers.
"Report."
"Well, sir..." Gerald scratched his head and had the integrity to look embarrassed. "The Orc and the Whore..."
The General cleared his throat.
"I mean... Grogek and Elunara snuck off, and per my orders, I followed them." He straightened up. "I followed them to a hidden location where they began to take part in some particularly acrobatic... uhh endeavors." He cleared his throat and stammered.
General Renwa sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Tell it to me clear."
"Well, sir. Some of the other men found out about it and gathered around..." He sighed and hung his head. "To watch."
Renwa tried to hold his laughter. "Then what?"
Gerald cleared his throat again and tugged at his collar. "Well, they went at it for hours."
"How many men?"
"Uhh, sir?"
"How many? I care not for names."
Gerald seemed to be counting in his head. "Including me... 15..."
"Really?!" General Renwa sat up. "You let that many men..." He groaned. "Continue."
"Well... it's all fun and games, until it got... uhh personal."
"Personal?"
"Personal. It wasn't just a pair of horny teenagers going at it. This was... different somehow. We were spying on a real couple," He made motions it his hands. "Enjoying each other."
"Is that how you saw it?" Renwa murmured, thoughtful.
"There's no other way to describe it." Gerald sighed. "Everyone sort of feels guilty now. Me especially, because I did nothing. Probably even encouraged."
"Probably." General Renwa said flatly.
Gerald hung his head. "Definitely."
"Hmm."
"How was I to know they actually love each other?" He muttered.
General Renwa did laugh this time. "He may love her... but otherwise..." He trailed off and considered. With a shake of his head, he stood up. "While I am going to avoid punishing the others for now, I think you have earned yourself latrine duty for the next week."
Gerald winced but had the dignity to keep his mouth shut. With a stiff nod, he left.
They spent their days at the training yard, and their nights wandering the town. People had stopped out right avoiding them, but the distrust was still there. They wandered, fingers mingled together.
"The nights are turning cooler." He murmured.
"I'll keep you warm."
He laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You boil me alive." Kissing her shoulder he murmured in orcish.
"I really should learn your language."
"Only if I may learn yours."
She cocked her head to the side. "Then we have an arrangement."
Every day, they worked together, learning each other's language. She even taught him to read some of her shorthand writing. He turned out to be a fast learner. She knew that teaching him to understand their writing was against current orders, but she found she couldn't help herself.
Grogek was explaining his methods to the General when a scout ran up the both of them.
"Sir!" He panted. "Iron Horde sighted on the east of camp."
Grogek and the General looked at each other for a moment before they both took off. Grogek grabbed up his axe, and Elunara grabbed her writing desk.
"Time to earn your keep, Grogek." The General muttered.
Grogek just snorted.
On the eastern edge, a pair of soldiers was holding a female orc at gun point. Elunara slapped a hand to her face. "Oh man..."
Grogek tossed his axe down into the dirt. "Sister! What are you doing here?"
"That's his sister?" General Renwa blinked at Elunara.
"Oh yeah. And she fucking HATES me."
"Ah, good. I thought we had an actual problem." Renwa rolled his eyes.
"I've come to free you brother!"
"I am free enough, sister." Grogek crossed his arms.
"They have enslaved you!" She cried. "You do not see it, for that whore enchanted your mind! Break free brother! Return to us. Return to me." She pleaded.
Grogek laughed. "Sister you are deranged."
Lama held up a piece of paper. "I have proof!"
Grogek took the paper and frowned at it. "This is the drawing of your beloved. I see no proof."
"It's in the runes!" She pointed. "These here. They are magic. Our shamans have discovered the magic hidden in all the runes on all the papers."
Elunara made several eye movements and facial gestures. General Renwa gave her an "I hope you know what you're doing" gesture.
"Release her." Elunara waved her hand.
Grogek tossed the paper at Lama and she grabbed at it desperately. He turned and walked toward Elunara.