The Tale of Duluk - Prologue

• Posted by Agnorith December 2, 2013 - 514 views

  The year was 4E 171, at the close of the Battle of the Red Ring. Unrek gro-Yargul gripped the pommel of his waraxe firmly, his orcish fingers clenched with fury. Clad in Imperial armor and surrounded by his comrades, he ran through the smoldering ruins of the Imperial City. Bodies of Aldmeri and Imperial soldiers alike lay among the rubble, victims of the bloodiest battle in the Great War.

  Unrek was running alongside his patrol, seeking out any survivors, when he heard crying. The young orc silently fell out of step with the other soldiers and sought out the strange, almost cat-like mewl. Nestled between two pieces of rubble and wrapped in tattered rags was a young khajiit, scarcely four years old and with striking yellow eyes. Although a fierce orc, Unrek couldn't help but pity the child. It must have been scrounging for food since the elves had sacked the city and forced its residents into poverty. The orc scooped up the young khajiit, much to his delight. Realizing that he couldn't return to his patrol with a khajiit lad in his arms, Unrek retrieved a spare piece of bread from his pack and gave it to the child, promising that he would return soon. As he returned to his comrades, Unrek thought of a name for the lad - Duluk, Orcish for "cat".