Christian's Journal (2) : Our Task is Decided

It has been decided - at the break of dawn tomorrow, the three of us shall set out to the north for the orc stronghold. At the council meeting earlier, we were gathered together with the Queen Mother, her attendants and the tribal elders to discuss how we were to destroy the orcs.

Several plans were suggested and discarded; finally, after hours of debating, one of the Mother's attendants, a feisty little spitfire, spoke and brought up a plan to sneak into the stronghold and slay the captain. I agreed; the village does not have the strength to muster a full-scale assault on the orcs. Discretion is the key, and the demise of their leader will demoralise these orcs who are reined in by fear rather than true leadership and respect.

I requested that my small party take up this mission - keeping to mind the orders of my high priest - and the Queen Mother agreed to my demands, despite the vociferous objections from the tribal elders, who felt foreigners such as we should not "steal" the honour from the other warriors of the village. Yet the loudest and most indignant of them all was the Mother's attendant herself, this sprightly young woman called Tianna Evaline. She felt she was the best choice to lead this foray into the enemy territory. There is such a fire in this attendant! It would be foolish to take her as a normal and lowly handmaiden, for the katana she carries about her waist does not seem like a mere decorative ornament to me.

However, she submitted to the Queen Mother's decree, and soon after we departed from the great hall, to make our own preparations. I convened with Nakai, our healer, and Thorin, axe ever ready in hand, to discuss our battle strategy, since stealth, not valour, is crucial. It would not be wise to charge into their lair with a furious battlecry only to have the entire stronghold of irate orcs bearing down upon us with their wicked swords and axes.

I am confident in our task, for shall good not truimph over evil? I yearn not after the accolades that we may win with our success, but that the innocent might be absolved from the foul presence of the orcs. They have caused too much pain, terror and death in Faerun, and such a debt must be paid with their blood. Time grows short.. I must attend to my prayers.