Assimilate All Talents

The streets of the capital were buzzing with life, a vibrant festival in full swing. Colorful banners fluttered in the cold breeze, strung across stone buildings and wooden stalls. The air was filled with the scent of grilled meat, smoked herbs, and sweet pastries. All were local specialties, popular in the Frostaxe Clan. Laughter, cheers, and the rhythmic beat of drums echoed between the stone walls of the city.

Sol, Thorwyn, and Reena walked side by side, taking in the sights.

While Reena had been the one to suggest exploring, her expression showed little of the joy the others seemed to find in the festive atmosphere. She couldn't help it. Whenever something caught her eye that genuinely interested her, her mood was immediately dampened the moment she saw Sol who walked beside her. His presence only served as a reminder that she was ultimately a prisoner here which led to her occasionally glaring at him.

Sol, on the other hand, ignored her gaze as he looked around. "They really went all out." He muttered, glancing up at one of the many towering totems that now stood proudly along the main street.

Thorwyn, too large to walk comfortably down the narrow stone walkways, trotted alongside them on the main road. He occasionally dipped his head low to sniff a meat stall or nudge an orc child who stared at him with wide eyes. He barked playfully whenever a group of children approached, his tail wagging as they tried to climb onto his back.

Sol shook his head as one of the children, having made it halfway up, suddenly lost their grip and fell, only for Thorwyn to quickly move his paw to cushion their fall.

Leaving Thorwyn to play with the children, Sol turned his attention to the totems, which stood far taller than any nearby building. Unlike the ones he'd seen the night before, still being assembled, these were now complete, with fires lit at the top that brightly illuminated the area. What caught his eye was that each totem was divided into multiple sections, each one depicting a different animal with unique color patterns and symbols. Some leaned into myth, featuring animals that existed only in stories, while others were more realistic. Surprisingly, the most common animals weren't rare or powerful beasts, but rather boars and chickens.

Curious, he approached a nearby elderly orc who was speaking to a younger orc, pointing at one of the totems.

"Excuse me." Sol said respectfully addressing the elderly orc. "Is there a reason behind these totems? There are so many, and each one feels so unique."

Besides the totem tower they were looking at now, there were at least ten more on this street alone. Sol couldn't begin to imagine how many there were in total across the city.

The old orc turned to him, his eyes narrowing with scrutiny, wondering who would ask something so basic. But upon seeing Sol's face, his eyes widened in sudden recognition. He bowed his head slightly and placed a hand over his chest. "Savior." He greeted with clear respect in his tone.

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"You don't need to call me that." Sol replied, feeling as though he'd never get used to that title.

"Forgive me, but I must insist." The elder said with a slight smile before continuing, "We do not forget those who helped save our people."

"You ask about the totems?" The orc turned back to the towering pole and gestured toward it with pride. "Each section is made by one of the many families of the Frostaxe Clan."

"They serve as a reminder. For by itself, the totem holds little meaning. But when joined together with the ones made by their fellow clansmen, they become something far greater. For even if we are small alone, together we can reach for the skies. That belief has carried us through dark times, even before our clan settled in these mountains. For even if we lose our land, our homes, as long as we are together, we will thrive."

"As long as we are together… I completely agree." Sol nodded and he truly meant it. It was impossible to overcome everything alone and Sol was very aware of that fact.

The orc smiled and bowed once more before returning to his conversation with the boy.

As they continued walking, Reena finally spoke. "I didn't expect orcs to have such a collective mindset." She said, her voice tinged with genuine surprise. "I thought they just loved fighting and didn't care about such things."

Sol chuckled softly. "They do love a good fight, but they love their clan even more." He looked ahead, looking at the tens of totems that filled the sky with light. "Every orc I've met so far has a deep loyalty to their clan. I don't doubt for a second that any one of them would willingly lay down their lives if it meant ensuring the clan's survival."

He paused, his thoughts drifting as he recalled something.

'Kirgar... he was even willing to become the focus of the Life Cluster ritual, to serve as a conduit for the life energy of thousands, just so his people could live safely under Orna's domain.'

While it had been Sol who determined that punishment, Kirgar had accepted it with a smile and deep gratitude. But now, Sol's anger toward him had lessened to the point that he now found the original punishment too extreme.

'Kirgar should still be punished, but it doesn't have to be for life. That's too much. Ten years should be enough.'

Sol made a mental note to send word to Chieftain Kuruck. He couldn't visit Orna in person right now, since he couldn't exactly drag Reena up the tallest mountain just for a conversation, but a messenger could be sent in his place. Kirgar didn't deserve lifelong punishment.

Beside him, Reena was lost in her own thoughts.

"So orcs place the clan above everything else…" she muttered. "Not that different from elves, I suppose."

Sol glanced at her.

"We put the Yggtree above all." She continued, her tone softening. "It's the origin of all life, and it's our duty as elves to protect and maintain the balance of nature."

Then she turned sharply toward him, her voice shifting to a sharp, biting tone. "If only humans could hold themselves to such standards."

Sol only smiled at the jab. He knew plenty of humans who had given everything, for their country, their family, even for strangers. But he also knew Reena was too set in her ways to believe him, no matter what he said.

So instead of arguing, he let his gaze drift to a nearby group of orc children. They were laughing and running through a courtyard, kicking a leather ball back and forth. The goal of the game seemed to be getting it through a small stone hoop carved into the side of a building.

A grin slowly crept across Sol's face as he got an idea.

"Hey." He said, getting Reena's attention. "Want to play a game?"