Caleb's Journey
Chapter 20

More recruits

Trogdon saw Skarlarth’s absence as a means of proving his greater worth to his brother. He viewed it as a chance of procuring his brother’s favor and a spot beside him in the coming conflict. Therefore, he stepped outside of his brother’s explicit instructions to prepare the troops and enlist the aid of the gnolls. Instead, he placed ogres that he thought competent as he set out to enlist the aid of the gnolls and dispatched emissaries to the two other ogre chieftains, Manaan and Wulu. It provided him with something he sought, a chance for Skarlarth to see him as a competent leader, not just a younger brother riding on the coattails of his older brother’s successes.

Fortunately for Trogdon, the gnolls had a single monarch, Lotaag, as opposed to the fractured nature of the ogres and their many tribes. If he won Lotaag’s approval that meant he had the gnolls to count as allies. The gnoll kingdom boarded Skarlarth’s domain and it was but a few days ride, which gave Trogdon ample time to ride there, make his offer, and return in time to oversee the final preparations for war. He rubbed his large hands with glee at the thought of getting confirmation from the three aforementioned parties. “Imagine Skarlarth’s surprise when I tell him the great news of my successes to swell our ranks.” He thought to himself. “He will finally see me as more than a kid brother. Instead, I shall be a bright, competent leader who can stand beside him, not behind him, in the days ahead.”

Lotaag’s troops met Trogdon near the border and gave him a friendly greeting. They readily agreed to provide him safe passage once he explained that he sought a meeting with their king to propose an alliance. His being well-received went exactly according to his plan. He knew that the gnolls feared his brother and figured it was only a matter of time before he turned his attention on their kingdom. Previously he had only attacked other ogres, because he wanted to consolidate his power base. Skarlarth felled Detug, the previous owner of the land that butted up against the gnoll king, thereby ending that campaign and allowing him to look to the land of other ogre chieftains. Owning the land next to the gnolls protected his rear from invasion as gnolls generally feared ogres.

In a few days Trogdon and his escort arrived at Lotaag’s lair. It was a palatial home, inside a walled stronghold. The house and main markets existed inside the fortress to serve as the hub of commerce and a place of retreat from invaders to their south, the ogres, or to the north, against their hated foe, the tigans. As to Lotaag’s home it was a rather large structure with a green colored cupola on each corner, topped with a statue of Barometh. Pristine, whitewashed brick walls connected the aforementioned turrets. A brass rimmed pair of paneled oak doors served as the entryway to this place of residence, all of which was surrounded by manicured shrubbery. Gnolls took delight in aesthetics such as landscaping. They saw it as a means of appearing better and more sophisticated than the other races.

One might incorrectly not ascribe such a hobby to the offspring of an evil force, especially based on the outward appearance of these creatures. Standing between six and seven feet in height for an average male, possessed of a canine like head, a body covered with fur smattered spots of color, lean, powerful arms and legs, and an evil, sinister laugh, not unlike that of a hyena. Still, they indulged their passions regardless of what any other creature considered of them. Rather, they took pride in their work and thought it the envy of all races.

Lest anyone assume that these creatures had a docile nature, they also had proven themselves as fierce warriors on the battlefield. Every male carried a dagger at his side, sheathed in a scabbard, attached to their leather belt. Many a gnoll had angered another and a tussle ensued, sometimes involving said dagger as gnolls were quick to quarrel. When they took to the field their infantry units wielded flails and defended themselves with wooden shields. The infantry was supported by archers equipped with crude, short bows as they had not mastered the craft of bow making to the extent of humans or the best archers of all, the elves. Thus, they had a natural aversion to attacking either of these countries due to their lacking a tactical advantage and having suffered great losses in previous campaigns.

In possession of all of this knowledge Trogdon knew he had a daunting task ahead of him in securing the loyalty and military alliance with Lotaag and his people. However, he also knew the weight his brother’s name carried and that by nature the gnolls were a greedy lot. When faced with the possibility of expanding their realms and plundering the human countryside, they might find it enticing enough to cast their lot with their cousins, the ogres.

Upon his arrival inside Lotaag’s home the king’s advisor, Ang Taba greeted him in the entryway with a polite bow and these words, “Greetings, noble Trogdon. I am Ang Taba, Lotaag’s chancellor. I trust that you had a pleasant travel in our lands and that you find them to your liking. It will be my pleasure to conduct you to his highness’ throne room. He has cleared his calendar for the day to meet with you. All matters of state or those requiring royal judgment can wait a day when we have the honor of hosting one so esteemed as you.”

When they entered the inner sanctum of the castle a herald, well-groomed, tall, and decked out in a fine purple robe and hat, the hat being rimmed with gold, stood bolt upright and announced the arrival of Lotaag’s guest.

“

All welcome the emissary from the Aerti Plains, the lands that bordered the gnoll nation, noble Trogdon, brother of Skarlarth, friend to the gnolls.”

Everyone who was present, even Lotaag, bowed in respect to the ogre. That is to say that other gnolls, besides Lotaag and Ang Taba, were present. Trogdon had hoped for a private conference with the monarch in his antechamber. That plan became thwarted by the presence of eight gnolls seated in two separate rows, lining a portion of the hall that lead up the steps to their king.

Inwardly, Trogdon cursed his luck. Indeed Lotaag had cleared his calendar, but it became apparent by their presence that he had also summoned his royal council. These eight dignitaries served as lords of the eight provinces that comprised Lotaag’s realm and they each held great sway with their sovereign. Trogdon felt quite vexed by this predicament. He had hoped to meet with Lotaag and secure his alliance and then have Lotaag issue a royal edict. Having to contend with a group was not to his liking.

Still, he persevered despite their presence. He had too much to gain by stopping short of achieving his goal. The clever ogre knew that seeking a private audience with the monarch would be met with disdain, an affront to the other nobles in attendance, a distinct injury to both their pride and status as chancellors. So, he addressed his intentions to all of them.

“

Esteemed leaders of the gnoll kingdom you are too kind to receive me in such a benevolent fashion. It speaks well of the strong bonds between our two nations. It is that strength of unity I wish to draw upon, for it led me here to present you with a terrific opportunity to better your country.”

“

What might that offer be?” Lotaag inquired.

“

An alliance between our two nations,” Trogdon replied.

Lotaag grasped his scepter with his greedy hand and leaned forward, scepter in one hand and the other on his knee. “You have our complete attention. We welcome an alliance with you and that is a generous offer. It will further both of our ends and secure our borders.”

Trogdon raised his hand signaling a desire to speak and to stop Lotaag from speaking before he had heard the entirety of his offer. Normally the gnoll king would not suffer such an interruption, but the possibility of warding off a potential invasion trumped his vanity as with many of us, self-preservation supersedes numerous other motives.

“

Great Lotaag, sovereign of this esteemed realm, my generous offer goes well beyond a simple alliance. It exceeds your expectations for such an accord. My brother, other powerful ogre tribes and Xerax have joined forces to march side-by-side to attack Attalis, crush it, and raid the spoils of the Golden Realm. The humans will never expect such a strike and will want to make peace and in that peace we will extract land and money from them in exchange for laying down our weapons. Join us in this campaign and become rich with plunder!”

“

And bathed in the blood of our lives!” one of the dignitaries countered. “The humans are too strong and even if we destroy their southernmost stronghold they will never negotiate with us, whom they view as their lessers.”

“

Aye,” another commander barked in assent. “With our main army gone

, what is to stop the tigans from attacking us? To leave our homes unprotected leaves us vulnerable to that attack. I’d rather attack them.”

Soon another governor joined in the chorus, but in the affirmative, “The humans have pushed all of us around for too long. I say we decorate our homes with their bones!”

Grumblings and shouting emanated from all eight overlords both for and against the war. Trogdon struggled to control his anger in light of all of these opinions.

“

Silence!” Lootag commanded, as he slammed his scepter against his chair. The room grew quiet.

Trogdon smiled and bowed to the gnoll king. “Thank you, great king for interceding on my behalf so that I may continue with my proposal. I came here in the spirit of friendship and brotherhood to offer your nation a chance to share in the spoils of war. Never forcing the decision upon you, but offering it up for your approval.”

“

We are grateful for it,” Lotaag replied. “I have to consult with my wise advisers before committing my subjects to anything. Give us the remainder of the day to discuss the matter. I’m sure that we can reach an accord. In the meantime, allow my herald to conduct you to my guest quarters.”

“

I thank you and accept the offer. You flatter me, your grace.” Here Trogdon paused for a moment to gain everyone’s attention as he delivered his carefully crafted message, “I would hate to return to my brother with news that is not to his liking. A pity, he was sure you’d want to spill blood together. Let your herald conduct me where he may. Thank you.”

Said herald led Trogdon to the castle’s guest quarters where the ogre remained save to enjoy a meal with the nobles. The next morning Trodgon received the answer that he sought. Much pleased he provided Lotaag and his chancellor with the particulars of the meeting point, Xerax’s army, as much as he knew of it, and heartily thanked Lootag for using his power to sway the deliberations in his favor. After more kind language he left to return to Terran to oversee the preparations of Skarlarth’s armies.

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