A thick haze of smoky incense wafted out from the large hut as Markoz and Brigitte approached. The walls were made of thick timber beams, which was unusual for orc structures in the Angrian March.
Probably stolen from Sandora or Thesta,
she thought. Most of the unusual things found in the March could be explained that way.
That proper building materials and techniques were used was an indication of the wealth and stature of the hut's inhabitant. It had taken a lot of cajoling, but Brigitte had finally convinced Markoz to move forward with her plan. The first step was to call a conclave of all the remaining tribes, but while Markoz was a powerful and respected warrior, he didn't have the authority or gravitas to summon the other tribal chiefs.
There was one orc who did have the influence, but it wouldn't be easy to convince him to do it. Jogarth was a mighty chieftain in his prime, and it was his defeat of Turogg that had stopped the King's consolidation of the orc tribes, at least long enough for Turogg to get intertwined with Jeanette and the politics of the Western Kingdoms.
Jogarth's victory won the acclaim of all the orcs remaining in the Angrian March, and there was no other orc more respected. But in the years since his victory, the orc champion had grown old and fat. Brigitte trembled at the sight of his bulbous, corpulent flesh as she waded through the haze of incense and approached the orc's throne.
As she got close she had to restrain herself from coughing as she took in Jogarth's stench. The incense was doubtless meant to suppress his odor, but the closer they got the harder it became. The former princess wondered how the women arrayed on either side of him could stand it.
But I suppose you get used to it, after a while.
"Markoz, welcome!" Jogarth exclaimed, his face lighting up with delight. "It's been too long since a warrior of your stature graced my hall." The obese orc reached down to stroke the dark hair of one of the women seated to his side. "Can I offer you the service of one of my women?" He asked as his gaze shifted to Brigitte, leering at the young woman.
"In time perhaps, great Jogarth,but there will be time for women later. Now is the time to talk of battle and riches!" Markoz replied amiably. Brigitte couldn't tell if he was being sincere or not, but was sure Jogarth was used to such flattery regardless.
"Hah! Battles and riches? It's been over a decade since I handed control of my tribe to my son. My days of chasing battles are over, and I have riches aplenty. Only women remain to comfort me and keep me warm in my twilight." Jogarth's lips twisted into a nasty grin as he leaned forward. "Speaking of, is this the pretty morsel I've heard so much of? The human princess?"
Brigitte shivered beneath the old orc's lecherous gaze. Her scant clothing did little to hide her curves, especially since Jogarth made no effort to hide his intentions, but boldly leaned forward to look inside her vest at the curves of her breasts. She wanted to scold him, but knew that would be a mistake: for the moment she had to let Markoz do the talking.
"It is: my little Brigitte." Markoz slipped his hand beneath her loincloth and groped her rear affectionately. With his other hand he pulled back her vest to expose the Princess' breasts to Jogarth.
Taking it as in invitation, the older orc reached forward to grasp one in each hand. The rough, calloused grey hands squeezed her milky flesh, testing their heft and firmness. His fingers, still strong despite his advanced years and physical deterioration, sought out her nipples and pressed around the nubs. He twisted the rings piercing them back and forth, then grinned lecherously as the nubs sprung to life beneath his touch.
"Very nice, very responsive."
Brigitte suppressed a shudder as the repulsive orc fondled her breasts. She pressed her ass back against Markoz's fondling hand for support as she bit her tongue to prevent herself from snapping at the old orc.
Talking about me like I'm not here,
She fumed.
Remember why you're here, remember Megdis and father. I can put up with this for them.
It took everything she had to keep silent, but she knew that it still wasn't the right time to speak, not if she wanted to bring Jogarth around to calling for a conclave.
"She's proving to be quite the little gem. In addition to being a spirited, passionate concubine she's also a font of information on targets to raid." Sensing her discomfort, Markoz placed his other hand on her shoulder to steady her. He gave it a squeeze as his other hand continued to massage her bare bottom beneath the loincloth.
"Yes yes, but is she fertile?" Jogarth asked as he released one tit to stroke Brigitte's cheek.
"I think so, though it is still a little too early to tell. We should find out soon enough, isn't that right?"
"Yes, Chief." Brigitte replied, looking past Jogarth to the orc's concubines standing on either side of his chair. Her eyes fell on an olive skinned girl from the Eastern Kingdoms who was looking at Markoz longingly.
I can't blame her, compared to Jogarth I'm happy to serve Markoz!
"Oh? When was the last time you bled, girl?" Jogarth asked as he gave Brigitte's tit a final slap and sat back on his chair.
"Three weeks ago, Chief." She replied baldly. While most women might be offended at the invasive question, Brigitte took it in stride. It was just a natural bodily function, after all. However, thinking about it did send her stomach a flutter.
I was at my most fertile when all this started. I could be with child right now.
"So, fertile for your initiation, hmm? How exciting. I hope things didn't get out of hand." Jogarth snickered as he reached out with both hands to touch the women at his sides.
"Not in my camp, Jogarth. None would dare. They know me, and they fear me. Plus, they know I have a scent for victory and have always led them well. Like the opportunity little Brigitte here has presented to me; some leaders would pass it by or ignore her, but I sensed the potential for great wealth and triumph."
"Hah hah hah!" Jogarth laughed from his belly. "You're not going to let it go, are you Markoz? Very well, very well. Tell me what you came here to say, and then maybe we can get back to discussing your lost princess."
"We've all seen how raiding isn't what it used to be. The Thestan and Sandoran lands within easy reach of the March have been largely depopulated. All the best treasure was looted long ago, and the young women have all been taken or fled. There is very little worth fighting for, or risking the wrath of Amelie as Grogosh did. So instead, we turn on each other."
"True true, so what do you propose? A deeper strike into Thesta while the Princess-Knight is distracted by war?"
"We could, but there aren't any tempting targets in range. Not like there is in Zentara. Haverset is just across the border on well known and well traveled routes. The men are all away for the war, so it sits undefended, filled to the brim with centuries of treasure taxed from our ancestors."
Jogarth steepled his fingers as he thought. "What will you do with all that treasure if you can't use it for anything? Haverset is the only place we can go to sell off our gains, or trade it for livestock and tools."
"We have other merchants to sell to, orc merchants. There are plenty of men, great leaders such as yourself, with outposts in the March. You'll be happy to take our plunder and sell it on the eastern caravans. Think of the fortune you could make! Plus, by looking towards the eastern markets you'll open up new opportunities to acquire more of their women, like that beauty behind you." Markoz leaned forward with a predatory grin. "You know I'm right. Trade with Haverset has been declining ever since Turogg's son took the elfish throne. They don't need the scraps we have to offer. Besides, how much of your gold has disappeared into Haverset over the years? Wouldn't you like to get it back?"
Brigitte watched Jogarth carefully, trying to gauge how he was reacting to Markoz's persuasion. The words seemed to have an impact, though he didn't look totally convinced. A sudden epiphany struck her and she blurted out, "My chief has been regaling me with tales of your victories, especially your legendary triumph over Turogg. I had never heard of them before, for in the Western Kingdoms they only speak of how he conquered the orc tribes and led them to victory for Zentara. Now you can set the record straight, to show them all who the true warrior is."
"Your victory over Turogg as a youth made you a hero, Jogarth." Markoz continued, "Let this victory over his children make you a legend. Call the conclave, and let us show the humans what true orcs can do!"
The corpulent orc stared at Markoz for a long moment, before a grin broke out on his face. "Very well, I'll do it! If nothing else, a conclave will liven things up. I'll send out riders to the tribes immediately. But if I am going to call a conclave and sponsor you to speak, then let us share our women, like brothers do."
As Jogarth leered at her, Brigitte hid her resignation. Markoz had told her it might come to this: that it probably would come to this. She was ready to pleasure him, despite him being the most repulsive orc she had met yet.
At least he isn't going to enter me vaginally: that much is forbidden to him.
"Of course, Great Jogarth, I would be honored to sample your women."
"The 'princess' has such soft, honeyed words. I'd like to see if her mouth is equally as sweet. Which of mine would you like to sample, Markoz? The eastern delight you noticed earlier?" Jogarth leaned forward to grope Brigitte's tits again, playing with the shiny piercings as he pulled her closer, until he could bury his face between her breasts. His rubbed his tusks against her cleavage as he nibbled on the soft flesh.
"She'll do nicely, I think." Markoz replied as he patted Brigitte's ass, nudging her forward to Jogarth.