Rise of the Horde

"Come... Let's go meet our friends"

Haguk smiled and put one arm around Sakh'arran's shoulders and guided him towards the entrance of the cave.

A hollow and high cloud of dust was being kicked up from the south, which can only result from fast moving creatures. Sakh'arran squinted his eyes and saw the Rumbling Clan and their massive steeds galloping towards them.

The Rhakaddons were as intimidating as ever, their three horns on their massive heads screamed of danger. Their massive heads take up so much space that would ensure that anyone foolish enough to stand on the path of their charge would be thrown away even after evading their dangerous horns.

Sakh'arran examined the Rumble Clan. They were much like the Warghen Clan, who heavily relies on their beast companions to be effective and mobile in battle. Staring at the massive creatures galloping towards them, Sakh'arran remembered the chieftain's term 'Heavy Cavalry'.

The chieftain told them that having a cavalry at their disposal is a tremendous advantage when they begin battling against humans who fight in formations. Sakh'arran wondered about the effect the so called 'Heavy Cavalry' until he witnessed the destruction brought about by the charge of the Rhakaddons.

"I'm glad to see you back, alive and well"

Haguk chuckled and approached the leading rider who skillfully somersaulted off his steed. He landed crouch down on the ground with his right hand on the ground while his left was behind his back.

The chief of the Rumbling Clan maintained that pose for a few seconds before slowly and dramatically raising his head up, then smiled towards Haguk.

"Show off!"

Haguk exclaimed as he watched the dramatic entrance of his friend. He had witnessed this many times already, but he still can't get quiet get use to it.

Sakh'arran just stared dumbly at the chief of the Rumbling Clan. He didn't if he should laugh or cry at the strange behavior of the Rumbling Clan's chieftain; it seemed that the chieftain he served wasn't the only one who has an odd behavior.

"This is Sakh'arran, son of Arat'than the chieftain of the Arkhan Clan."

Haguk introduced Sakh'arran to the chief of the Rumbling Clan, who was busy flexing his muscles in different poses.

"I am called Dhug'mhar, chief of the Rumbling Clan. When there is trouble, we rumble!"

Dhug'mhar said as he continued on flexing on his muscles in different poses, which was the same as what body builders do during competitions.

"Just ignore his strange showing off then he is no difference from any other orc."

Haguk said while sipping on his drink.

"Tsk! Why can't you just appreciate my awesomeness"

"You're just envious of my big muscles and perfect body."

Dhug'mhar retaliated while flexing his biceps at Haguk. Dug'mhar then kissed both his biceps and his eyebrows rapidly rising and lowering while looking at Haguk.

"Tsk... Big muscles, my ass. Perfect body, my ass. This is what big muscles look like."

Haguk scoffed at Dug'mhar's declaration, then proceeded to flex his own muscles and copying the poses that his chieftain friend executed.

"And this is what a perfect body looks like!"

Haguk continued, then pointed to his face down to his foot and continued to flex his own muscles at Dug'mhar.

Sakh'arran stared at the strange actions of the two clan chieftains who were performing different poses to show off their muscles against each other. The two were competing against each other in a very strange competition.

Sakh'arran didn't know if he should laugh or cry. Haguk was pretty normal before Dug'mhar arrived, but now, he isn't certain if he really was normal.

*****

After the two chieftain' were done with their strange competition, they gathered around Haguk's tent. Haguk then told Dug'mhar about Sakh'arran's chieftain and the feats that he had accomplished.

"Oho! It seems I now have a worthy opponent. I hope he can best my muscles in a Mazu'rotha and able to fend off my perfect self without feeling guilty striking the most perfect creature."

Dug'mhar proudly said, with his chest up and patting his biceps, which bulged under his flexing.

"Tsk... Feel guilty, my ass! Even an ugly goblin that has fallen to this plague won't feel guilty scratching that dumb face of yours."

Haguk scoffed at the ridiculous statement of Dug'mhar.

"Heh... You just can't accept the fact that I am more perfect looking than you. And please don't talk about those dirty creatures, they can't even compare to my excrement."

Dug'mhar retaliated, then snatched the jar that Haguk was drinking from and gulped down a mouthful before breathing out in satisfaction.

Sakh'arran stared awkwardly at his two new friends. They were bickering against each other like children. Subtly shaking his head, he just kept mum about the situation and drank silently.

Upon remembering that his two new friends were going to challenge his chieftain in a Mazu'rotha, a mischievous smile can't help but crept up on his lips. He was greatly anticipating the grunts and groans of pain of his new friends upon fighting his chieftain.

*****

The mood inside the camp became solemn as the Warghen Clan sent off their fallen brethren. Bronze gongs made a cacophony of sounds as chanting resounded, the noise echoing through the walls of the cave, making it sound mysterious.

Dug'mhar suddenly turned silent as the ritual was going on, and a serious look was on his face. His eyes were staring at the many corpses being slowly consumed by the crackling flames upon the pyres.

The Warghen Clan howled towards the ceiling of the cave and the wargs joined them, howling to express their feelings for their fallen comrades.

Sakh'arran watched in silence as he witnessed a very different Warrior's Rite of Departure. Nobody spoke a word. Only the sound of the bronze gongs, the chants and howling of both the Warghen Clan and the wargs could be heard.

Orcs have many rites, traditions and rituals which varied from clan to clan but they all express the same meaning even though they were slightly different or very different from each other.