[Soredamor]

Grûglach paced, scowling at the ground in anger at his own nervousness. This was what waiting did to him sometimes. There was a certain anticipation, as well as a good deal of impatience. This was true particularly when he waited for news that he worried might put him in a situation in which he did not wish to be. He liked his position, and he liked the authority he had here. He was always ready to shed the blood of Men, but he was concerned with who else’s blood might be shed. What ‘they say’ had been on the Captain’s mind for some time now.

He could not remember when he had ever felt like this. It bordered on fear, this feeling. Grûglach’s anger grew at the thought of him ever feeling fear, and he quickly disregarded the thought. It still burned in the back of his mind, unable to be completely settled or ignored. Neither could the feeling in the pit of his stomach be fully ignored. Realizing that it was a familiar feeling, and assuring himself that it was of no importance, the Captain decided it would easily be quelled. What would not be stifled was the concern he had for what the orders he knew were coming. Mainly he was concerned with what they would mean for him. And he expected that he would not like what he discovered when they arrived.

Gorurk seemed to sense his Captain’s anger. Luckily, he sensed only the anger, and not the uneasiness or the nervousness. Grûglach was pleased to see that the lieutenant still cowered and sniveled. It lightened his mood…barely. His breath no longer rushed out of him in a growl every time he exhaled, at least. A bitter smirk seemed to permanently adorn his face, any differences between it and a scowl or a sneer unnoticeable. And so all approached him with caution, and were afraid to leave his sight, though they hated to feel his eyes on them. Gorurk seemed to be having this trouble. The orc lingered, uncertain and afraid, always so afraid, fearful of his uncertainty. Grûglach was tired of seeing him out of the corner of his eye.

“There has to be something you can do around here, Gorurk. If not, I’d be happy to give you something to do for me.”

“And I would be happy to serve you, Captain, sir.” Grûglach gave a grunting laugh. The lieutenant smiled uneasily as his Captain turned to look at him. It was hard to tell if it was a good thing when Grûglach laughed. And normally it was not.

“Then take a walk through the barracks, would you? I’ll skip an inspection of my own for today.”

Gorurk’s nervous smile had been wiped from his face as soon as Grûglach had said ‘barracks’. What replaced it was a look of shock, and clearly of fear. He blinked several times and worked his mouth a bit before he could speak. His throat sounded dry. The Captain felt a smile grow on his lips.

“Ye-…” Gorurk swallowed, and Grûglach could hear him gulp. “Yes, sir.” The lieutenant turned and wandered away in a daze, his mind going over with growing fright what he was about to do. Gorurk had never gone into the barracks without Grûglach for a reason. And Grûglach knew this very well. The Captain would wait a little longer, just to see if the lieutenant returned from his walk, but he would soon take a look into the barracks himself. He felt the troops had been settled in there for far too long. It was time to get them moving. He knew what his orders would be, and he had waited long enough.