Jaspers POV

That morning, my men and I rose before the sun. I should have been thinking of war, but the only thing on my mind was the touch of this woman's hand in mine.

"What is wrong with me," I thought to myself.

Why was I catching feelings for a woman who could never feel for an Orc? I had only known her for less than 48 hours, but I had this curiosity growing inside me for her. I could have any woman I wanted, and I had, but none of them had me intrigued like her. I couldn't explain it.

The sound of armor echoed throughout the candlelit halls as we readied ourselves. We had no intention of war with these humans, but if they want it, we will be ready to administer it to them.

I was nearly done armoring up myself. I tightened the leather straps to secure my breastplate. This time my men and I would be wearing black armor. It's been a tradition throughout Orc history to wear black in war, and we will abide by it. I put my helmet on, and I was ready to lead.

Every able-bodied Orc was to ride with me today. We were going to show these humans just who they were messing with. They have been under the impression that our numbers have dwindled, and that's what we wanted them to think. We are taking no chances.

I saddled up my warg and turned to my men.

"Today, we will protect what's ours at any cost. We are to avoid war, but if the humans want it, we will give it to them!"

My men chanted in response, signaling that they were behind me. We all mounted and began riding south to confront them.

As planned, we approached their camp. We hadn't yet broken through the tree line, but they knew something was coming. Not many of them had left their tents yet. Some of them were sitting around fires eating their breakfast. Some of the humans were looking around, trying to figure out where the noise was coming from.

I signaled for our archers to stay at the tree line. I stopped before exiting and looked at Sten, who was on my right. He nodded to me, and we slowly marched out of the trees on our wargs.

They had geared up more since yesterday. These humans had now rolled in stone throwers, and some of the tents had spears and other weapons lined against the sides of them.

The men jumped up wide-eyed like they were going to shit their pants. They went scurrying around the camp. Some of them were yelling and running to blow horns. Some were fumbling out of their tents, not even prepared. We had caught them with their pants down.

Our front line continued to move forward to make room for all our men to come past the trees. It took a moment, but it had an impact. These men's eyes grew wide, and their faces grew pale. We outnumbered them by double.

We had to wait a good 10 minutes for them to get their shit together and get Commander Tollak's ass out here. I knew damn well that Corvus wouldn't likely show his face to me again after our last meeting. I couldn't see my expression due to my helmet, but I was smirking.

Finally, a handful of humans grabbed spears and gathered a few yards ahead of us. If I wanted to, I could easily run them through. Tollak, Himself marched forward on his horse to the middle of the space between us.

"Took you long enough, ya pussy's!" Sten called out. I responded to his outburst with a glare. Lately, I've been soft because of this girl. Typically I don't fuck around and put up with this shit. He shut his mouth real quick.

I marched forward on my warg, who was just as big as his horse.

"Did I not warn Corvus to stay away from our borders," I growled at him. He didn't speak for a moment like he didn't know what to say. He pulled out a scroll that had a broken wax seal with the Blackwater symbol pressed into it. He cleared his throat and began to read.

"By the Order of King Corvus, Blackwater has declared war on the Northern Orruk Horde. He calls for the aide of the Kingdoms Orindoth and Thera."

I interrupted, "What is his reasoning!"

"The King calls for war because you and your men have kidnapped his daughter. If you are to return his daughter, land, and your Chief to be tried for his crimes, he will call off his war." He projected his voice loud for all to hear.

"Your King must have lost his mind then. He traded his daughter to save his own ass." I snarled back at him. There was no point in saying it to them all. They wouldn't believe it. They were already brainwashed by Corvus.

He laughed and turned to his men, "This beast claims our King would trade his daughter away to him." They all began to laugh. "Well, if that were true, have her formally announce this, and maybe you can save your asses."

This was his plan all along. He's put me in a position that I can't escape. It would be suicide for her to stand before Blackwater Hold and say Corvus didn't think her worthy of anything better than me.

I wouldn't ask it of her. Her people wouldn't accept her if they knew. He used her as a pon to get power over us. I wanted to kill Tollak's smug ass, but I refrained. How could a father treat his child this way?

"Then, we will go to war," I said grimly.