The Prowling Forest, Part 7

Hrothgur's Rampage

Hrothgur's plan had worked out brilliantly. Using the tunnels of the abandoned scorpid hive, the Ironforged had moved quickly and safely. They had emerged near the scattered shells of some stone-built structure, clearly remnants of Qul'takteq. But these walls had been cleared from vines and undergrowth and shoddy walls and roofing erected against them. Whether that had been the camp of Chaos worshippers or of Dawnbringers, it didn't mattered to the Ironforged. There was enough assorted loot left behind for them to replenish their stocks. And if anybody came claiming it for their own, that would have been even more fun.

Skargat and Hrothgur left Marg and Growt to ransack the main structure and went searching for any other traces of the former occupants.

A loud shanty, sung above an obsessive drumming, echoed under the canopy, calling Growt and Marg out, just in time to see the Swordfyshes approaching.

They had a new mate coming along with them. The bearded orruk stepped ahead of the other greenskins, as if leading them, all the while gesturing wildly.

As the new comer clenched his fist, a great aetheric foot came slamming down on Marg.

The Glutton shrugged off the magical attack and together with Growt jumped into the encampment courtyard to cross blades with Mainstay and Flotsum.

Skargat rushed back to the structures, bellowing insults at Krashhart which, together with Mr Flea, had just joined the shaman.

Hrothgur could not believe his eyes. Krashhart and his crew's shaman next to each other. He had to run quick if he didn't want Skargat to have all the fun with them.

But the Tyrant was having a hard time. Repeatedly stomped on by the shaman's magic and taking a couple of hard hits from Krashhart's Gristle Grinder, he was struggling to land any decisive blow.

Hrothgur stomped throught he courtyard, ignoring Growt and Marg as they pummelled Flotsum to the ground and letting Mainstay slip away to climb onto one of the outer structures.

Suddenly, Basha, which had hidden in the shadow of a wall, cried a warning. More Swordfyshes were coming.

The gnoblar and Growt rushed to stop the incoming party at the edges of the abandoned encampment.

Marg and Mainstay played at cat and mouse, climbing and jumping down a rickety walkway.

Hrothgur left Mainstay behind and bodily slammed onto Krashhart, just as Skargat's axe sent Mr Flea sprawling to the ground. But Gork's foot and the Gristle Grinder came coming down on the Tyrant and for the first time since he had come to the Scarlands, Skargat wa knocked unconsious.

Krashhart and the shaman leapt over the fallen Tyrant and past Hrothgur, trying to make it to the main structure. But Watcha emerged from it and started tripping them. That was enough for Hrothgur. He shoulderbarged the shaman and slammed the flat of his axe on Krashhart's temple. As the Warchanter fell, the Crusher took another step forward and barred the way for the shaman.

Marg jumped down from the walkway and finally managed to catch up with Mainstay, flattening him with his own weight. Marg and Basha fell back to secure the main structure, Battendown pointlessly chasing after the gnoblar.

Behind them, Hook realised there was no way the Swordfyshes could dislodge the ogors now that they were all hunkered down in the main structure. He barked an order and the orruks retreated.

***
Meanwhile, the Maneaters were ranging far away.

Barag was exploring the Prowling Forest at another exit from the scorpid hive. He couldn't find anything of value, but he spotted some unusual tracks, as if somedoby had been dragging boulders away. Where the track went, he could not tell as the trees had already moved around and hidden parts of it.

Cargo had stayed close to the Ironforged camp and realised that Blubberfen was surprising shallow, to the point that chunks of Amberbone, usually found deep beneath the mud, could be seen sparkling in the sunlight. With a chuckle he grabbed one and stashed it away.

***
"Triple ration for Hrothgur! You truly proved yourself worthy of the Gulping God! A truely unstoppable rampager!".
Skargat sounded in high spirit despite the battering he had taken. Around him, the Ironforged were once again feasting, this time on the dried meats they had found after the fight with the Swordfyshes.
"And now, I have a task for you! Find out what is going on with Blubberfen. If this bog dries out, we'd loose our camp. Fail me, and you'll be on the platter!
Hrothgur belched in acceptance, but making sure droplets of his drool reached the Tyrant's face. He could see when he was being bullied, but for now it was not yet time to mount a leadership challenge.