"I will not be here long," said Thrall.
"Come spring, I will rejoin Grom Hellscream, and help his noble clan storm the camps and free our people."
"Grom Hellscream," sneered the stranger, waving his hand dismissively. "A demon-ridden dreamer. I have seen what the humans can do, and it is best to avoid them, believe me."
"I was raised by humans, and believe me, they are not infallible!" cried Thrall. "Nor are you, I would think, you coward!"
"Thrall--" began Drek'Thar, speaking up at last.
…
"I will not be here long," said Thrall.
"Come spring, I will rejoin Grom Hellscream, and help his noble clan storm the camps and free our people."
"Grom Hellscream," sneered the stranger, waving his hand dismissively. "A demon-ridden dreamer. I have seen what the humans can do, and it is best to avoid them, believe me."
"I was raised by humans, and believe me, they are not infallible!" cried Thrall. "Nor are you, I would think, you coward!"
"Thrall--" began Drek'Thar, speaking up at last.
"No, Master Drek'Thar, I will not be silent. This stranger comes seeking our aid, eats at our fire, and dares to insult the courage of our clan and his own race. I will not stand for it. I am not the chieftain, nor do I claim that right. But I will claim my right to fight this stranger, and make him eat his words sliced upon my sword!"
The strange Orc laughed heartily and rose. He was almost as big as Thrall, and now, to his astonishment, Thrall saw that he was completely clad in black plate armor, trimmed with brass. Uttering a fierce cry, the stranger opened his pack and pulled out the largest warhammer Thrall had ever seen. He held it aloft with seeming ease, then brandished it at Thrall.
"See if you can take me, whelp!"
Mass Market Paperback, 278 pages
English language
Published Sept. 30, 2001 by Pocket Books.