The Game of Fates by Joel Babbitt Page A

Durik was
looking for more than that and continued.  “I think the results speak for
themselves.  Those vagabond orcs we fought early the first day might have seen
us first, but we were smart enough to set out a sentry, so we ended up catching
sight of them before they could ambush us.”
    Keryak
broke in, “Yeah, but you’ve got to admit we weren’t exactly expecting to see
orcs on the path here.” 
    From
the back Arbelk chimed in, “I think we saw a lot of things we weren’t expecting
to see.”  With that everyone laughed.
    “Agreed,”
Ardan said, enjoying the laugh as much as everyone else, including Keryak. 
“That’s my point exactly.  Because we followed good practices and put scouts
and sentries out, even though we weren’t expecting to see anything unfriendly
out there, we ended up ambushing those orcs instead of them ambushing us.  I
think we need to keep it up, and perhaps focus on scouting even more, even when
we’re not expecting to see any enemies.”
    Durik
nodded and pointed to Kiria.  “Agreed.  That’s a standard we should keep.  In
fact, we should probably put more emphasis on it now with the addition of
Morigar’s team.”
    As
Manebrow looked at the rest of the company, he could see the effects of Durik’s
character on his fellow warriors.  They talked openly, honestly, and they were
excited about the company.  If there was one thing good leadership did, it was
to create a powerful, positive energy; energy to get them through the hard
times and to give them that competitive edge.  There wasn’t much a group with
such energy couldn’t do.
    Just
as the conversation began to wane, one of Lord Krall’s kitchen staff arrived to
tell the assembled group that second meal was ready for them.  Closing the
discussion quickly, Durik turned the company back over to Manebrow, who had
them quickly secure their equipment before heading off to eat.
    The
discussion at second meal started light, until Durik mentioned the dragons. 
Durik had gathered his three sub-leaders around him before the meal and had
told them what he knew about what lived in and around the Hall of the Mountain
King as well as about Morigar’s mission to find out about the remnant of the
Bloodhand Orcs.  Of course, when he mentioned the pair of dragons, Manebrow,
Ardan, and Gorgon all perked up.  There were many questions, most of which went
unanswered.  Finally, it had come down to trust, trust that Durik’s information
was correct and that the dragons would leave for long enough, or trust in each
other that they’d figure out what to do if that wasn’t the case. 
    With
their attention refocused on their eventual departure, the leaders all talked
for some time about responsibilities and reorganizing more effectively.  In the
end they split their two teams into three; a leaders’ team that also had
responsibility for the packdogs, then two warrior teams that were organized for
scouting and climbing as well.
    “With
the addition of Morigar’s team, Durik and I have decided to put Ardan fully in
charge of my team,” Manebrow said.  “I will be his second only, and no longer a
team leader.”  Laying his hand on Ardan’s shoulder, he looked his old friend in
the eyes.  “This is well deserved,” Manebrow said.
    Ardan
just smiled.  He was sure Miratha would be terribly excited for him, as this
would almost certainly get him the elite warrior mark he had sought after for
so long, and give him the wealth he would need to provide for a family…
     

     
    Manebrow
didn’t know the extent of Lord Krall’s generosity until he and Krebbekar
visited the various merchants and craftsmen to fill his and Krebbekar’s lists
of needed supplies.  The first place Krebbekar took them was to the mines. 
Manebrow thought it a strange place to get the supplies he needed, but soon
they were talking with the dog master that cared for the dogs that pulled the
carts in the mines, as well as the riding dogs that served