Elunara sat under the tree, drawing the training below. It was one of her favorite times of day. She hummed a jaunty tune as she worked. The crunch in the grass behind her was unfamiliar, but she flexed her hand and readied her dagger just in case. It was always easier to defeat an opponent that felt they had the upper hand.
"So, this is what my goddess does to relax."
Elunara looked up and eyed the large orc, her grip tightened on her dagger. "Hello Charnak. I assume you've returned with my army?"
He got down on one knee and bowed his head. "My Goddess, I have done as you bid. Outside these barriers lays an army of Warsong orcs, five hundred strong who have claimed loyalty to the Goddess."
Grogek's eyes widened at the presence of Charnak. His wife was obviously handling herself, but he was prepared to strike at any time.
She put a hand on his shoulder. "I must see this army for myself. Then you will have proven your worth to me."
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Let me show you."
She closed up her board and sat it by the tree, sending subtle signals down below. She dare not check to see if he saw her.
Charnak took her by the hand and led her down through the orchard and towards the barrier.
"Should we go after them?" Jordan swallowed nervously.
"No. She says to stand by, she'll let us know."
He led her through the barrier and she stared at the men, women and wolves lining the hills in front of her. She did a quick scan and believed five hundred was on the money.
"BROTHERS AND SISTERS!" He held up his arms as he yelled. "I HAVE BROUGHT YOU THE GODDESS OF WAR AND MERCY!"
The crowd roared in appreciation.
Her face betrayed no emotion. "This is your army?" She considered them. She walked up to a random warrior and ran her fingers on his muscled arm. She turned back to Charnak. "This pleases me." He preened under her praise. "But are they really so loyal?"
"We would like a demonstration of this Goddess." Someone commented.
Charnak growled, but she held out a hand. "This is acceptable. Bring me your five best warriors, and a place to fight."
They hastily scrambled together a ring and five warriors stood in the center. She inspected each one in turn. "They please me." She stood in the center, flexing her hand. "Come at me."
It took nearly twenty minutes, but as she progressed, the waves of appreciation began to pour off the crowd. "MORE!" She cried. "GIVE ME MORE!" Still holding her dagger in her hand, she took down another twenty. She was feeding off of their frenzy, giving her more strength and endurance. "MORE" She felt them come this time, the golden wings of her excess power. "CAN ANY OF YOU BRING ME DOWN?" She roared. She hit seventy five disabled combatants lying on the outer ring by time they started to shrink back in fear of her power.
"MY GODDESS YOU HAVE RETURNED TO ME!" Charnak cried as he leapt into the ring.
She fought him like an angry demon, faster and meaner than she had the others. She had him on the ropes, but she backed down. She did it gradually so that he would feel superior, without alerting him to the trick. When he sliced down into her shoulder, she took the blow and went to her knees.
"YOU, Charnak have proven yourself worthy of me!" She yanked the axe out of her shoulder and flung it at him. He caught it, just barely, in surprise. "Your army has proven satisfactory to my tastes as well. Make your camp outside of my town. I shall bring Charnak to my followers and make him one of my own." She flexed her arms and dismissed the haze.
"She IS a Goddess, just as he said." Some murmured.
"She is a ferocious wolf." Said others.
She ran her fingers under his chin. "Come; join your brother as one of my champions."
He knelt before her and put his fist to his chest. "Yes, my Goddess."
She wrapped her arm around his and led him into the barrier. They entered near the training yard and she strolled past as if this was an everyday occurrence. Grogek and Jordan met her shortly after.
"Elunara? Is everything alright?" Jordan asked.
She waved her hand. "Yes, yes. Charnak has done as I bid him to do. He has brought me an army of Warsong Orcs to command as I will." She gave him a fond gaze. "Wasn't that good of him?"
Grogek's eyes went wide. "How many."
"Five hundred of the strongest men and women I could find for the Goddess." Charnak declared.
"I have tested their mettle, and they please me. I told him that I shall show him his place as my champion. Come my best Champions, let us show the others this great leader." She led him to the platform of the training yard. She released him and walked forward. "Everyone! This is Charnak! He has fulfilled the task I set of him and brought me an ARMY of five hundred Orcs to command as I see fit! He will be in charge of this army and will train them as I deem acceptable. You should know that he is under MY command."
He knelt before her, fist on the ground, fist on his chest. When she touched his shoulder he stood up. "I BOW BEFORE THE GODDESS AND NONE OTHER!"
She made a face at Grogek that made him grin.
"Come. I wish to make your presence known to those who follow my command and command the others. I cannot be everywhere. Though I try." She led the way, taking Grogek's hand to step down. "If you wish to please me, Grogek is first to me, and Jordan is second. This is important. Come, I shall lead you to my third." She led the way through town.
"Momma? Who is that?"
She smiled. "Charnak, these are my children, Darguni and Bradly. If you are less than kind to them, I will slit your throat and find a new champion to lead my army. Do you understand?"
He put his fist to his chest. "Yes, My Goddess. A mother's anger is quick and merciless."
She moved on.
Bradly leaned over to Darguni. "He calls momma a goddess."
"That's seriously cool."
Savage walked along beside her. She gave him an absent scratch.
"That is yours?"
"His name is Savage and he is my companion."
"You've tamed one." His mouth hung open.
"And he will not hesitate to rip you apart if he is unhappy with your attitude towards me." Savage gave a low growl, as if understanding her words.
