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Gurak and Rulu slept soundly through the night in the private room. They rested peacefully, Gurak's rest was heightened by the warmth surrounding him. The orc awoke to find Rulu on one side and Wukin on the other, both had their arms around him protectively, he smiled and leaned in, kissing each on the face. The monkey must have returned after a while and joined them in bed.

The orc stayed still and just held the two men in his arms, enjoying the warmth and affection of both for a while longer, before he felt Rulu stir, the lizardman sat up and stretched and almost immediately went for the orc's groin. He gently squeezed the lizardman and pulled him back down to lie with him. Rulu looked a little surprised but smiled at him.

“Let's just stay like this a little longer." He whispers and the lizardman nods. Leaning in to nuzzle and kiss the orc's neck they stayed cuddled up and silent for a while longer, at least until the simian woke up of his own accord.

Rulu and Gurak nuzzled each other quietly for another few moments before Wukin started to stir, he sat up and rubbed his eyes, looking over the orc and Rulu, smiling happily seeing the orc. “I thought it was a dream." He whispers as he leans over and rests his head on Gurak's shoulder.

The orc hugged Wukin tightly and shook his head softly. “Not a dream, you're stuck with me again." Gurak rumbled out as he kissed the side of Wukin's face.

The monkey nods his head and rubs his face against the orc's neck. The three lay there quietly a few moments longer before Wukin sat up slowly and smiled at the pair. “So what are we doing today?"

Gurak looks up to Wukin. “Well, we need to wait for Zamdor, and then go to Macta, I think. That's where Towen is, right?"

Wukin nods his head. “Yeah, I spent the day with him yesterday," Wukin says as he watches the other two. “I think since it's done and over with, it's probably okay to talk about. The princess, Elizabeth Macta was kidnapped by some dwarven anarchists, folks who were related to the original royal line, the Marblerocks."

Gurak sat up slowly, Rulu was only a moment behind him as all three sat there. Wukin continued. “Anyway, uh, Towen tracked them down, had run into me, and asked me to help him out so that's what I did yesterday, and why I didn't come back home. He needed someone he could trust." The monkey's face lit up when he said it, clearly hearing those words from Towen brightened the monkey's mood. “So we went to the lower city and tracked her down. Honestly, I'm surprised we found her still in Macta. I guess they were arrogant or didn't think anyone would find them so fast."

Gurak nods, his hand rubbing Rulu's back gently. “Was she okay?" The orc asked.

Wukin nodded. “Yeah. She was drugged, I think. But the healers counteracted it quickly enough and we apprehended all of them. Took a bit to get them all in cells." Wukin then looked concerned. “After everything, they were gonna investigate the perpetrators, or at least, who they thought did it." He looks down at the bed. “But it turns out everyone who was associated with the case, the Marblerocks, and even the prince, Zeben Macta, was killed last night."

Gurak grumbled softly. “Do they have any leads?" He asked concerned.

Wukin shook his head. “Initially, Towen suspected me. But I swear I had nothing to do with it." He bows his head to Gurak. “I swear on my life, I didn't."

Gurak reaches up, cupping the monkey's chin and lifting it. “Hey, I trust you." He smiles, cupping Wukin's cheek gently. “I believe you when you say it. I bet Towen believes you too. You said he needed someone he could trust. Why would he change his mind a day later?"

Wukin smiles and nods. “Towen isn't sure, but it's a lot bigger than it was, the whole case, I mean, so Towen's being reassigned somewhere else, while other CFCs come in to investigate. Since he was so closely tied to this last case, they wanted to make sure a fresh set of eyes and unbiased investigators come in."

Gurak nods his head some, yawning and stretching out. “CFCs?" Gurak asked.

The monkey nods. “Captain first class, it's a special title, a captain above captains."

Gurak scratches his head gently, but he nods. “Sounds kinda...weird, but okay."

Wukin nods his head a touch. “That's human hierarchy's for you." He shrugs gently.

Gurak nods his head. “Well, we need to get to Towen. While I was gone, I was asleep, like, full-on knocked out, slept for two years asleep."

Wukin blinks, he'd never heard of something like that. “After Whetstin, I couldn't find you and the...damage was extensive, the crater was massive, I can't even fathom it."

Gurak nodded. “Yeah, I was just...drifting in darkness for what felt like forever, and then I was sinking into it." Rulu's hand came to Gurak's and held it gently, holding it firmly. The orc smiled and squeezed Rulu's hand in return.

“I woke up underwater, which in itself was scary. Cause I thought I was gonna drown." He touches the gold collar-like metal around his neck. “Merise, a merfolk woman came over and calmed me down, got me to breathe slow and deep." He smiles softly.

“Her brother, Seaton is the merfolk we met on the beach, the leader of his group." Wukin nodded, he remembered the large merfolk man.

Gurak smiled and nodded. “I met him too, they were taking care of me while I slept. She had a vision from their god, Nereus."

Wukin blinked. “I...don't know that god."

Rulu nodded his head as he looked at the two of them. “Me either, I know the main nine. The other gods, I don't know offhand." The orc nodded his head.

“That's who they worship, not Hudabo, but Nereus specifically, of oceans, not water," Gurak said softly.

Wukin nodded his head a touch. “That's a lot."

Gurak shook his head. “While I was asleep, I saw my dad, we sat around a campfire and talked." He said, watching the monkey. “He told me about a lot of things, let me glimpse a possible future." He waves his free hand, while his other squeezes Rulu's hand gently. “I was given the choice to pass on to Dargre'Ok"

Wukin nodded his head. “The eternal forest, where orcs live, hunt, and spend their lives with their ancestors and Aethos." Gurak nodded his head.

“Or come back, and fulfill my destiny." He looks to Wukin, who looks surprised but nods.

“You chose to come back." The monkey says as he regards the orc.

Gurak nods and smiles. “Of course. Everyone I love is here. Everyone important to me is on, or at least, close by this little chunk of rock in the ocean." He grins.

Rulu didn't catch it, but Wukin did, he smiled. “You fell for Seaton, huh?" He'd only heard the name once, but it was the only name he heard the orc say, besides the name of the ocean god and the guy's sister. Wukin didn't think the orc was interested in ladies.

Gurak's face darkened with blush and he laughed. “Maybe a bit. He's a sweet man."

Rulu feigns shock and laughs at the orc. “You slut."

Gurak laughs and smiles. “Sorry! He was handsome and kind, I couldn't help it!"

Wukin and Rulu grin at the orc and laugh softly. “We'll have to punish him, won't we Rulu?" The orc's eyes glance towards the lizardman.

Rulu nods as he looks at Gurak. “Definitely. Leave us for two years and then tell us he has another husband? Can't let that slide."

The orc grunts. “Hey now, wait a minute." Gurak put his hands up defensively, but it didn't matter.

Wukin and Rulu both pounced on the orc, Wukin holding his legs down, while Rulu held his arms, as best they could manage, the pair simply tickling the orc who laughed and squirmed. Not hard enough to throw either of them off, but enough to pretend to struggle.

After a few minutes of the orc laughing uncontrollably, they stopped and just laid overtop of the orc with a low rumble.

Gurak catches his breath finally and smiles. “Let's go get breakfast."

Wukin laughs softly and looks at Rulu. “Breakfast was hours ago." Gurak looked surprised, upon hearing that.

“It's almost midday. I came back early in the morning, did you think it was night?" The monkey said, his hand rubbing over the orc's hairy chest and stomach.

Gurak nodded. “Yeah...I have been underwater so long and away from the sun so long my internal clock is off."

The monkey blinked. “Internal what?"

Gurak blinks and waves his hand. “Ahh, it's like...how my body tells time. My body was just innately used to a certain schedule, and being underwater without light, my body's natural rhythm changed."

Wukin nods his head, understanding that explanation better. “Well, I hope we can get you back to normal." He smiles.

Gurak nods and leans over, kissing Rulu's cheek. “I know we usually have fun in the mornings, but it'll have to wait today."

Rulu shook his head. “I don't mind. I just like spending time with you." The lizardman rumbles out as he nuzzles in against the orc's neck.

Gurak nods and hugs both men against him. “I love both of you as well." He rumbles out. “However, I need some food in my belly." He chuckles and gives them a firm squeeze before he pulls away slightly. “So let's head upstairs, get a meal, and see if anyone knows when Zamdor is headed back."

Gurak, Wukin, and Rulu all got up and dressed, Gurak leaned against Wukin just a little. “I meant to ask earlier, but, we got sidetracked." He looks at the monkey. “I'm going to go to Macta shortly, I wanted to give you the option to stay here, if you wanted to."

Wukin looked to Rulu who was still getting his gear on, then back to Gurak. “Why would I want to be anywhere else? You and Rulu are my family, I don't have anyone else."

Gurak almost frowned, hearing that, he put his arms around Wukin and hugged him gently. “I'm sorry that that is how things ended up." He whispers, but then he kisses Wukin's cheek. “But I'm happy you are here, I hate the hardship you endured, but I wouldn't have you in my life if it wasn't for that hardship."

Wukin nods and leans in against Gurak. “With you and Rulu is where I belong, wherever that ends up being." Gurak nodded and smiled.

“I just wanted to be sure. I knew how you'd answer, but you having a choice matters. You didn't have one in the Umbral Blades, but you always have a choice here." Gurak rumbled out. Wukin nodded in understanding.

The three of them left the room and headed upstairs, the three settled into a booth, and Oliver walked over, saw the trio, and smiled at them. “I'm happy to see the three of you together again." The owl said softly.

Gurak nodded his arms around both Rulu and Wukin. “I'm proud of my guys for making do without me for so long, I'm sorry I wasn't here, but I won't be going anywhere else without them ever again."

The owl smiles softly and nods. “What would you like to eat fellas?"

Gurak shrugs. “I dunno. Whatever is the special, I guess? I had two burgers yesterday, so I don't need another one today." He laughs and smiles.

Rulu nodded in agreement. “They were really good, but yeah I think I want something else today too. How about some fish for me."

Wukin perked up upon hearing that the place had burgers. “Wha, when'd you get burgers here?" He asked the owl.

Oliver smiled. “About a month ago. With how much you talked about them, we had to get the device for it and start making our own."

Wukin laughed softly. “Sorry, they're so good though."

Rulu and Gurak agreed with that. “He's right, they are delicious." The orc chimed in.

Wukin grinned. “Well then, I want a burger." The monkey said.

Oliver grinned at the trio. “Drinks?"

Gurak spoke first. “I'll just have water." He rumbles out.

Rulu and Wukin followed up with the same answer.

Oliver smiled and nodded, then turned and took the order into the kitchen to get it started.

Gurak leaned back and kept his arms around the two. “I'm debating if I should try to go to Whetstin to get my staff and axe back. Before we go to Macta." He sighs softly. “I hate not knowing how much time I have before something bad happens. Dad just said I needed to go to Towen, he needed me."

Wukin shook his head softly. “He's okay." The monkey said softly. “I was just with him a few hours ago." He smiles as he looks at Gurak. “We've been kinda close since you left. I love Zam and Rulu, but they kinda did their own thing sometimes." He laughs softly. The monkey smiled as he looked at the table. “Me and Towen became friends after you disappeared. We found comfort in each other."

He looks up at Gurak and Rulu then smiles. “No, no, not like that, well, I mean once, a little." He waves his hand. “But it didn't go far. We just cuddle most of the time. Delivering letters for Rulu to Towen gave me a good excuse to visit him every week or so."

Gurak smiled and shook his head. “I'm not mad." A pang of jealousy hit him, but he wasn't angry. “I'm glad you found solace in one another." He rubs Wukin's neck gently as he smiles at him.

Oliver returned with three mugs of water before he departed once more to tend to other things. The three took a few swigs of their drink.

Wukin spoke up. “But, uh, yeah, he's doing okay. We solved the case, spent the night together, nothing lewd." He smiles. “Promise. The only time that ever happened was right after you disappeared Gurak." He admits quietly. “I was hurting and Towen holding me gave me comfort, I was overcome and kissed him."

Gurak nods. He leans over and kisses Wukin's cheek lightly. “I understand. I have no reason, or right to be angry. I abandoned all of you 'cause I was selfish, I didn't want to risk you getting hurt, or worse, hurting you, with a stray magic."

Wukin nodded his head softly. “I know. I was mad for a long time, but I understood the reasoning, even if I didn't like it."

Gurak hugs the monkey to his side. “I am sorry Wukin, I hope you can forgive me."

Wukin smiled and shook his head. “There's nothing to forgive." He leans in and rests his head on Gurak's chest. “I don't like what you did, but I understand it." He rests his hand on Gurak's chest. “If I knew I was going to a dangerous situation, where I might die. I wouldn't want to take you with me." He rumbles out quietly. “I couldn't live with the knowledge I led you to your death. I understand completely."

He smiles and just rests there against Gurak.

Rulu leans against the orc as well. “I hate that he's right, but...he is." The lizardman says softly. “When put in that perspective. If I knew I was going into danger, and it might lead to you, Zam, Wukin, or Towen getting hurt? I don't think I could let you come with me." Rulu almost whispers out. “But that's the life I chose." He says as he sits up, looking at Gurak. “No matter what comes of it. This is where I want to be."

Wukin nods and grins at Gurak. “No pressure." He sticks out his tongue at the orc who sighs and rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, no pressure, just don't think about leading us to a situation where we all die." He grunts and fakes a frown.

The two grin and nod. “Yeah, see, no problems." The pair start laughing and the orc sighs and hugs them tightly. Pushing away the mental image of them having been killed his father showed him without him here.

His squeeze tightened briefly before he loosened it and smiled at them both.

The mood changed when Oliver arrived holding three plates. First, a seared fish set in front of Rulu, then the burger planted in front of Wukin who looked excited seeing it. Finally, a plate was set in front of Gurak, he was so excited, seeing the delicious fish and burger, despite him not wanting a burger, it looked good, but he was a little disappointed when he realized what he'd got was a plate of cooked vegetables.

Oliver smiled warmly all the same. Gurak smiled back and resigned himself to the meal in front of him, he could always have meat for dinner. Oliver watched him a moment. “We added this to the menu specifically for Zamdor, since he prefers veggies."

Gurak nodded. “Yeah. I'll be sure to thank him for having this available to eat." He grinned back. Oliver left and the trio started eating, Gurak wasn't too thrilled, but it didn't taste bad, a mix of veggies and seasoning, was still appetizing.

The three ate silently for a bit, Gurak finished his plate the quickest, the sooner it was gone, the sooner it wasn't on his mind anymore. Wukin was next to finish and then Rulu. Oliver, seeing the three finished came over to collect the plates, he returned soon after.

“Your total comes to ten silver." He asks softly, Gurak nods digs into his backpack, pulls out twelve silver pieces, and places them into the owl's hand. Oliver looked surprised. “No gold piece today?"

Gurak chuckled. “I can, if you want." He grins at the owl, who looks flustered briefly and shakes his head.

“Please no." The owl laughs softly and grins. “I appreciate the extra money, but it's so hard to explain to Brun when he asks why we have more silver than matches our records."

Gurak grins. “Sorry, I just want to make sure you guys get what you deserve. I'll try and keep it more reasonable like now, in the future."

Oliver smiles and nods his head. “Thanks, I appreciate it." As Oliver turned, Gurak spoke up.

“Do you know when Zamdor will be back?" The owl shakes his head.

“They should be back by tonight, if they're not back by morning, we'll send a search party." Gurak nods his head, so they have about a day to fill. Oliver turns to go back to other tables, checking in on them.

Gurak turned to look at Wukin. “Do you think you could take me to Whetstin? I could fly again, but, I don't want to go by myself."

Wukin nodded his head softly. “I can. But what about Rulu?"

The lizardman shook his head. “I can use the time to gather my things and spend the rest of today with my parents before we leave." Something about the way Rulu carried himself, Gurak got the feeling the lizardman didn't need the orc to shield him anymore, not like he had when they first met.

Gurak watches Rulu, then turns to Wukin, who nods. “Alright, we can do that. I can handle one person pretty easily." The monkey rumbles out quietly.

The three slowly got up from their booth, Gurak stopping to finish up his mug of water before they left. Gurak hugged Rulu tightly and kissed his forehead. “I'll be back."

The lizardman smiled and nodded. “I know, and if you don't, I'll kick Wukin's butt."

Wukin laughed and nodded. “He just might, he's been getting good with a sword." The monkey rumbles out.

Rulu flexes his arms and grins. The lizardman's arms were beefier than he remembered. “I bet. He was so timid about so much at first, now he's a swordsman huh?"

Wukin nods as he looks at Rulu. “I bet he could go toe to toe with Towen, who spent years training before Rulu, and I would still place my silver on Rulu winning."

This made the lizardman's face darken a bit in blush, neither Gurak nor Wukin noticed due to his scales, however.

Gurak hugged and held Rulu for several moments. Before finally letting him loose, the lizardman smiles. “You'd better come back today. Next time you disappear, into the ocean I'll come down there and drag you back up."

Gurak laughed and smiled. “Promise, I won't disappear like that ever again. You have my solemn word."

Rulu nods and pecks a kiss on Gurak's cheek, then turns to go back into the doorway leading to the private rooms, and likely down into the sewers, a great way to hide it was to make it look more commonly used by regular folks, and not a sneaky path.

Gurak turned to Wukin and smiled. “So uh...What do I do?"

Wukin laughed and took his hand. “Just stay close." He wrapped his arms around the orc and they walked towards the door, Wukin stepped into it, and Gurak felt himself pulled into it. His arms tightly holding the monkey. He felt darkness envelop them. He had never felt something like it before. It was nothing like when he was lost in the darkness when he'd gone into a coma.

He felt like he was falling, but his feet were also planted, it was such a strange sensation to feel. A few seconds later, they came out and were somewhere in the wilderness. Wukin looked around and smiled. “We're about halfway there."

Gurak blinked. “So fast?" He asked, surprised.

Wukin shook his head. It's been a few hours." He looked up at the sky and saw the sun was leaning in the direction of going down. No longer directly overhead.

“It didn't feel like it was that long. It was like minutes had passed." Gurak said as his eyes adjusted to the light.

Wukin smiled and nodded his head. “Time feels different in the shadow-space. We'll be in Whetstin in just a bit by your ability to understand it, but it'll be a few more hours. It'll be faster getting home since there's more darkness for me to work with."

Gurak nodded and hugged Wukin firmly as they walked back towards a tree's shadow as soon as their feet touched it, they sunk into it and the familiar feeling of darkness surrounded the orc, his grip on Wukin staying firm as they went through what felt like miles in moments.

A few breaths and they pair were suddenly standing outside of what looked like a small town. It was a mix of stone and wood, a lot of the town looked vaguely familiar in design. “Is this Whetstin?"

Wukin nodded, the sun was just starting to touch the horizon, somewhere between six to eight hours had passed, it was slower than when he flew here, but it was still massively impressive.

The pair walked through the front gate, there were no guards blocking entry, and no one checking papers, it wasn't a secure town currently. They were still rebuilding. A lot of the town was still barebones wood structures with no walls or roofs yet.

Gurak and Wukin walked through the town towards the docks, they were all around the crater, many docks pointed at the center, and there were at least 20 different wooden walkways to various boats there. Gurak saw the destruction he'd wrought firsthand.

The sun setting made it a little darker, but he saw it well enough. It wasn't small, by any measure of the word. At least a mile, or further was just erased from the land itself. Gurak looked out over the ocean, the docks went all about halfway around the crater before they stopped and the others were only in the process of being built after that.

Gurak looked at Wukin, he reached out and took the monkey's hand, Wukin accepted it and squeezed his hand gently. “This is what I found when I got here….I wasn't close enough to see you, but I saw the explosion, I moved faster, further, by myself, but I still wasn't as quick as you were." Gurak felt that probably wasn't accurate. Wukin had gotten to within visual distance of the city in the time after it took him to get out of the paralysis and still get here in time to see the remnants of the city before Gurak lost control.

The orc squeezed the monkey's hand. “I'm gonna dive in and get my staff."

Wukin nodded his head and sat on the dock. “I'll be here." The monkey replied as he watched the orc.

Gurak dived into the water, to a few astonished gasps of onlookers who hadn't expected it. The orc then, using the neckband, took to breathing in water like it was air, as he swam for the center of the crater. While he swam he reached out to Seaton, since he was here and wanted to test the long-distance conversation skill again.

“Hey oceanfriend, how are you doing?" He sent out.

A few moments later he heard the reply. “I'm okay. Just swam around town and ran some errands. How are you meatfriend?"

The orc smiled, it was such a silly name, but he'd grown to love it. “I'm doing okay. I'm getting some of my lost gear back where I fell unconscious initially."

Seaton's reply came a few moments later. “In that wet sand place?"

Gurak smiled. “Whetstin, yeah. How is Merise holding up?"

Seaton's warm deep voice came back soon after. “She is doing alright. Has been resting since she's been trying to have another vision, so we can be ready for anything. They don't come when we want them to, of course. But she's trying."

Gurak kept swimming towards the center of the crater, he focused some wind magic at his feet to propel him forward faster, it felt like he was making no headway at all under his physical strength. “Make sure she takes care of herself."

Seaton's reply was quick after that. “I will. I have to take care of my sis."

Gurak smiled and finally saw what he was looking for. “Good. I just wanted to check-in. I'll be heading further inland soon, so I don't know when I'll be able to chat with you again."

Seaton replied. “I understand. Thank you for taking the time to message me as much as you have, I'm glad you are doing okay."

Gurak smiled as he slowed to a stop. “Of course. You're part of my family now. If you want to be, that is."

Gurak waited several moments without a reply. He swam forward slowly and touched the staff, it was firmly embedded into the ground, it wasn't too deep in the water, and there was almost a small mound where the staff sat. Gurak pulled it gently, and it resisted just a moment before the stone beneath gave and the metal staff rested in his hand once again.

Gurak knew it was just a tool, a means to an end, but he'd felt naked without it. Gurak was about to swim to the surface when he heard Seaton's voice.

“I want to be." He heard the shark say. “As much as I have ever wanted anything, in my whole life." Gurak blushed softly, he could even hear the inflection of emotion in Seaton's words. It'd taken the shark a few minutes to think about it, the orc surmised, but that just meant the shark meant every word, as he put thought into it, rather than replying in haste.

“Then you are, family, through and through." He replied to the shark. The same affection in his voice, or so he hoped as it was carried miles upon miles through the waters.

“Thank you, meatfriend. Merise is going to try again, so I need to focus on her." Seaton said.

Gurak smiled and replied. “Okay. I'll be out of the water in a moment. Take care of yourself." The orc swam upward and using wind magic to balance himself, held the staff in one hand, and called with his other. He felt the pull, something held it a moment before it broke free and started towards him.

Gurak caught the first axe head, locking it into place in the staff before he called the other, it was in another direction, deep in the water. He focused and pulled, commanding it to return. He felt it resist, something held it tightly, and he called again, harder. It broke free from whatever held it from escaping, it spun through the water, many miles away, but it came, slicing through the ocean.

He saw the water almost vibrating as it came towards his hand, it landed in his palm and it was like warmth washed over the orc, as the weapon was reunited. He locked the other head in place and held it in his hands for a moment, just admiring it. “I'm sorry I lost my grip on you old friend. You've been by my side since I was a kid." He rested his hand on one of the blades a moment before he shrank it down to fit on his hip, where he locked it into place with a knot, and turned, using the wind magic at his feet to fly across the water much faster than swimming through it had been.

Not too far away, a head peaked out of the ocean, eyes took in the sight of the orc floating just inches above the ocean, taking the axe head, HIS axe head, before flying off towards where the dirtwalkers were building. He growled and water bubbled around him as anger welled up within him. 'thief….thief…' was all he could think of while watching the orc fly off into the distance. The image of the red-haired orc burned into the memory of the eyes watching him fly away.

Gurak, oblivious to the eyes on him made for Whetstin, arriving there shortly after finding his armaments. He landed carefully on the dock and smiled at Wukin, who looked surprised to see him flying.

“I needed to be underwater to find my staff, but once I had it, I didn't need to stay underwater anymore." He told the monkey as he smiled at him.

Wukin blinked but nodded. “That's a hell of a way to come into town though."

Gurak nodded softly and laughed, already dry. “Shall we get back to Halfsea, before Rulu worries? The moons will be up before we get back."

Wukin nodded and wrapped his tail around Gurak's waist as he slipped into the shadows, pulling the orc behind him. Gurak's grip on the tail was firm as he felt the world shifting around him. They were traveling faster than before, Wukin must not have been kidding, as soon as he realized it, he was in Resol Tavern with the monkey, standing just inside the stairway that led up to the second floor, they stumbled a moment, Gurak's arms wrapping around Wukin as they stood there. His chest is against the monkey's back.

No one even blinked an eye when Wukin just came out of the shadows of the stairway, perhaps used to the monkey's style of travel, or perhaps thinking they stumbled downstairs, who could know for sure. Gurak and Wukin walked through the tavern, just a few steps, before seeing Zamdor sitting with Brun and his crew, the group was talking loudly, mead was clearly in their mugs and it seemed an overall good atmosphere.

Brun stopped what he was doing and patted one of his crew's arms. Surely they'd heard Gurak was back, but seeing him was a touch different. One by one the others interrupted the one beside them, disrupting the mirthful atmosphere, the dominoes continued around the table. From rhino to lion, dog, bull, one by one, each went silent and got the attention of the one to his right. Till someone patted Zamdor's arm who was talking, he blinked and turned to look at the bear, who then nodded towards Gurak.

Zamdor turned his head and blinked a moment. Gurak smiled and waved his hand nervously. The bull stood up and stepped from the table. He pushed his chair back in and moved in closer. Zamdor was a good head over him in height, the bull moved in close, and the whole bar was silent as the orc and bull stood, just a foot apart, eyes locked.

Zamdor leaned in and picked up the orc, hugging him tightly, spinning in place a moment and squeezing the orc who grunted, struggling a little, the air was a little hard to breathe in. Zamdor held him a few moments like this, before setting him down, then leaning over him to hug and hold him. The bull's face nuzzling and snuffling at the orc's neck and chest aggressively, the bull's eyes shut tight as tears welled up within them and slipped out. “Lad" Was the only word that slipped from his lips.

The bull was not willing to let the orc go at first. But he did eventually, smiling to Wukin who grinned back and Zamdor turned to the crew and he cheered loudly. They did as well, Zamdor hugged Gurak again and scooped him up. Looked to Wukin and made a head nod at the monkey, as he carried the orc, over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and down into the private rooms.

Brun's table was cheering for Zamdor, as the orc and monkey disappeared, led by the bull. Brun smiled from his seat, knowing he'd lost a capable warrior from his crew, but at the same time, knowing that the bull's heart belonged to the orc more than anything Brun and his mercenary group could offer for him.

As the trio came downstairs they went into the same room he and Rulu shared the night before, Gurak should have noticed it last night, the bed was too big for just Rulu and himself, Zamdor gently set him onto the bed and smiled. The bull got down on his knees and nuzzled in against the orc's chest as he hugged the red-haired man affectionately.

Gurak's hands rubbed the back of the bull's head and neck, letting the older man just press close and sniff at him as much as he needed to for the time being. The two sat like that for some time, while Wukin sat on the bed beside them, smiling softly. The orc held Zamdor for several more minutes before the bull finally sat up and looked Gurak in the eyes. “You really do smell as good as I remember."

The orc blushed and chuckled. “Heh, thanks. I...I thought you'd be mad."

Zamdor shook his head. “I am, honestly." He reaches up, both hands cupping the orcs face. “But my missing you outweighs my anger by a significant amount. We'd heard Rulu found you. So it wasn't a surprise to see you, however, I was so overcome with emotions, I just couldn't stop myself when I saw you." The bull blushed softly as he spoke. The orc didn't blame him, he'd missed the older bull as well. At least he didn't get bit or punched.

Gurak nodded softly, leaning in to kiss Zamdor affectionately. The bull tilted his head and pressed up into it, kissing the orc back firmly. Pressing into it so firmly that, as he stood up, he leaned over and pushed Gurak flat onto his back, Zamdor held Gurak down against the bed as he leaned over and rumbled.

Gurak's face flushed with embarrassment, he wasn't quite sure why he was feeling that way, but he did. He leaned back as Zamdor climbed atop him and pressed him down into the bed. The bull and orc shared a kiss the whole time as they stayed close.

Zamdor finally pulled away as he looked into Gurak's eyes and smiled. “I've waited so long for you to come back."

Gurak blushes softly. “I didn't mean to be gone so long, or at all."

The bull nods and he starts undoing the buttons on Gurak's shirt, pulling it open and his nose pressing in against the skin and hair on the orc's chest, making him blush even more. The bull groans as his nose presses in against the orc's skin.

He kisses all over the orc's chest, finding one of the orc's nipples, and kissing and suckling on it ever so gently. Gurak huffed softly, it wasn't intense or overly stimulating, the orc stroked his hand over Zamdor's neck and the back of his head softly. It felt different though, not like anything he'd felt before at least.

The bull nuzzled through the hairy chest and in against the orcs underarm, taking a few deep huffs and moaning as he did. The bull leans back, looking Gurak in the eye. “Can we?"

Gurak blinked and nodded, he stroked the bull's cheek. “Sure. You wanna join Wukin?" He asked as he looked at the monkey.

He turned to look at Wukin who was already completely naked, the orc chuckled softly. “You kinda expected this, huh?"

Wukin nodded his head. Sitting just a foot or so away from the pair. “Oh yeah. He's been looking forward to this for a long time now." The monkey said. That made the orc worry about just what the bull had in mind. If he'd been plotting this for weeks, months even?

Gurak blinked, looking at Zamdor, who was undoing the orc's pants, pulling them down and off, tossing them to the floor nearby. The bull leans over and grins at the orc. He presses in close, but rather than sitting on the orcs bulge and grinding his ass against it. The orc's ass was being held against the bull's bulge as he huffs and snorts at the orc's neck.

Gurak swallowed hard. “O...oh...that's what you wanted." Zamdor nodded he stopped and leaned back after a few moments.

“I can stop if you don't want to." He said softly. Zamdor leaned in to kiss the orc's face gently. “It's been years since anyone touched me back there." Zamdor said as he rumbled out. Gurak knew the bull was primarily a top and only bottomed for him. The orc blushed but shook his head. He pulled Zamdor in close and kissed him again with a smile on his face.

“No no, you're fine Zam." He rumbles quietly. “I just wasn't expecting it." He hugs the bull gently. “You're probably the only one I'd offer myself to like this."

The bull's face turned a shade darker as he rumbles and chuckles. “Heh, it's all I've thought about for seasons."

Gurak blushed and chuckled, smiling at the bull. “Heh, well, I won't deny you any longer." He tugged his undergarments off and tossed them aside, the orc was half-hard already.

Zamdor pushed Gurak up the bed somewhat so he was closer to the middle of it. The orc squirmed nervously as Zamdor pulled his legs up and exposed his backside. The bull, rather than just shove himself inside, leaned down to kiss around his rump, before his tongue started to work against that heretofore untouched pucker.

The orc grunted suddenly as he lidded his eyes, feeling the warm, slick muscle pushing against his ring of muscle. Zamdor rumbled and groaned as he worked his tongue against that rump.

The bull leaned back and chuckled. “You smell so good here too." He leans in and presses his nose to the orc's balls, taking in a deep breath, before his tongue goes back to work to relax the orc's pucker. Gurak's eyes shut tightly as he felt those sensations shooting through him unexpectedly. He knew the bull was going to do it, but the intense feelings of pleasure that came with it were what he hadn't expected.

The tongue felt amazing, and in truth, there was a sting of pain when the bull's muscle initially pushed past his defenses. The orc grunted as his inexperienced ring parted for that thick tongue. It was easily thicker than a finger, but it moved around inside of him, which was an incredibly odd, albeit pleasant feeling. Especially when the bull pushed deep enough to hit his sweet spot. The orc's grunts turned into moans as he started to relax.

The thick muscle worked its way inside of him, hitting his pleasure spot inside, causing the orc's initial hesitance and resistance to almost immediately melt away. Gurak's hands gripped the bed as he felt his lower half held up higher than his upper half.

Wukin was watching and let out a little giggle, making Gurak look at him. “W-what?" The orc asked.

The monkey grinned. “You're being folded in half almost and it's kinda funny to see. Never thought I'd see you on this side of things." The monkey leaned over and kissed the orc, Gurak naturally didn't resist and pulled the monkey down into the kiss, his moans being silenced amidst the wrestling of tongues, while the bull's thick muscle was spreading the orc's virgin ring open.

Zamdor finally leaned back and moved his hand to the cup under the orc's lower back, his thumb stroking back and forth across the slick pucker a few times before he grinned. “I think you're ready Gurak."

The orc huffs softly and pulls from the kiss with Wukin to reply. “Just uh, take it easy on me. I haven't spent years playing with toys back there." He squirms when his hips were set back down.

Zamdor grinned and patted Wukin's back. “It's okay. I'll have Wukin here sit down on you nice and slow so you're focused on that instead of me opening you up." Wukin grins as he leans in and kisses Gurak again, then climbs up onto the bed. Scooting back and with Zamdor's help guided to where the orc's arousal was twitching and oozing pre. The monkey's tail wrapped around the orc's dick and squeezing it. Then he lifted his hips and pressed back just a little more.

The orc moaned softly as he felt Wukin pushing back, sinking just a bit. The monkey didn't seem too disturbed by the action, he likely had been doing something to practice when Gurak was missing. Seems the orc was the only one in for a rough night.

This train of thought was derailed when he felt that thick bull dick against his ass, pushing against the ring that resisted at first, but finally relented, causing the orc to grunt in a bit of pain. The bull leans over Wukin's shoulder and smiles. “Just relax Gurak, slow breaths, stop clenching up."

The orc grunts and laughs. “I know, I know. I've coached a few guys through this already, but man is it hard to do that when in the moment." He huffs and leans his head back, doing all he can to relax.

The bull huffs softly and grins. “There we go. Finally calmed down. I'm gonna start pushing, nice and slow, when I'm balls deep, I'll let Wukin go wild." He laughs as he wraps one arm around the monkey's torso his other gently stroking his fingers against the orc's taint, which felt nice, despite how full the orc was starting to feel.

Zamdor moved slowly and as gently as he could. The bull's hips pressed forward, the thick bull dick stretching out the orc's insides, forcing the orc's body to acclimate to the bull's bigger size. Gurak adjusted slowly. It had been a lot for Rulu, who had a little experience at least, but for Gurak this was the first and only thing ever inside of him this deep.

Gurak's legs were spread wide around Zamdor's hips, the bull leaning over and letting his weight control the speed of his penetration. The bull rocked his hips forward, making Gurak grunt and huff. The bull laughed and patted the orc's thigh. “There ya go lad, ya took every inch of me. Ya might not be a natural, but we can teach you to be."

Gurak grunts and laughs. “I don't think this is for me, but I'll endure for you Zam."

The bull blushed softly, he nodded and leaned over, kissing Wukin's neck as he smiled at the orc. “Alrighty Wukin, settle back and ride him till he's empty." The bull's arm around Wukin's side, his hand patting the monkey's belly and giving Wukin a few gentle gropes, and a slow stroke, from base to tip. Coaxing a drop of pre to peek out the tip of his monkey dick.

Wukin scooted back, and with Zamdor's help lined himself up slowly to sink the rest of Gurak's turgid length inside. Wukin and Gurak moaned almost at the same time as the green dick sunk into the monkey's eager rump. He wasn't as tight as the first time, but he didn't move with the same practiced ease Rulu had.

Once Wukin was settled in place, he lifted his hips and grinned down at the orc. Gurak grunted and huffed. He lifted his hips, sinking fully into Wukin as both moaned, and then Zamdor pulled back, so when Gurak pulled back he sunk around Zamdor, taking the bull's dick into him deeply once more.

The three of them kept up like this, with Gurak doing most of the work as the three moved. Zamdor sometimes pulled further back only to drive in fully, making Gurak grunt and shudder as his prostate was hammered by the thick bull's shaft.

Zamdor's hand roamed and rubbed over Wukin's chest as he rolled his hips, his monkey dick bouncing in front of him, Gurak's hand eventually reached for it and stroked it slowly. Wukin groaned and moved his hips faster, grinding down harder against the orc's groin as he felt the shift in the bull's stance. He leaned forward more, putting more strength into his thrusts. The monkey bounced upward each time the bull thrust into Gurak now.

The orc, did his best to hold out, but the simultaneous pleasure from both sides guaranteed he'd be the first to orgasm. The orc's fingers dug into the monkey's hip, as his hand tightened around the monkey's shaft while stroking it rapidly. Feeling his own body shudder and his cock starting to twitch inside of Wukin, then a flood of orc cum rushing out and pumping deeply into the monkey.

Zamdor felt the orc's body clamping down around him, making the bull grunt and thrust harder, shaking the bed with his firm, rapid thrusts into the orc. His length throbbed a few moments later, before flooding Gurak's body with bull cum. Pumping it deep into his once virgin backside, before he slumped forward, panting and huffing, a grin on the older bull's face. Wukin rocked his hips a bit more, letting Gurak stroke him, till his own finally hit, and streaks of monkey cum shot across the orc's chest and face, that familiar warm grip around the orc's dick making him moan and groan in pleasure.

The trio slumped back and panted. Zam leaning on Wukin and the monkey's hands were on Gurak's shoulder as they all smiled at one another.

They stayed tangled like this for a few minutes, before the bull carefully pulled away, making Gurak grunt softly, the friction wasn't painful, but it was still rather sensitive after the beating his poor ass had just taken.

Zam moved to lay beside the orc and kissed his face several times as he rumbled and smiled. “Thank you for letting me do that with you Gurak."

The orc's face blushed. “Might be the only time." He laughs softly. “My ass hurts like a minotaur just had his way with me."

The bull grins. “He did." Zamdor then winked and chuckled.

The orc nods and leans over, kissing the bull gently. “I don't think I'll do that all too often, but I'm glad I did it with you." He then lays back and rubs his hands over the monkey's thighs and stomach smiling up at him.

Wukin smiles back and carefully leans over and nuzzles in against the orc's neck, holding him gently. Even going so far as to lick a streak of his own cum from the orc's face.

The three stayed like this for a little while, before Zamdor patted Wukin's rump. “Okay, let's clean up, I'll change the sheets when we get up." He stands up and helps Wukin up as well, the monkey's legs shake slightly as he gets up. The pair had to help Gurak stand and walk, his legs were shakier than the monkey's.

The trio made it to the shower, Wukin and Gurak showered first, while Zam changed the sheets on the bedding, tossing the soiled ones to the corner to be taken out for cleaning later.

Wukin helped Gurak wash up and made sure to clean up his rump, the monkey was gentle with the orc, knowing how sore he was, the orc didn't protest, and endured it with a smile. It stung of course, but he didn't want to look weak in front of the guys he cared about. He was glad when they rinsed off. The monkey and orc took a moment to just hold one another under the hot water coming from the showerhead. Zamdor waited patiently outside.

Gurak did consider trying to tease and fool around with Wukin a little more, but his rump was taking him out of the mood for more. He chuckled though and kissed Wukin firmly once, then leaned back. “Let's get out so Zam can clean up and then we can rest."

The monkey nods and helps Gurak out of the shower. When they came out, they saw Rulu and Zamdor talking, the bed was made and the dirty sheets were nowhere to be seen, likely Rulu took them out for cleaning.

Zamdor kissed Gurak firmly before he walked into the shower room and started cleaning himself up. Gurak, Rulu, and Wukin climbed into bed and got comfortable. The orc was flat on his back, the monkey on one side, and the lizardfolk on the other. Each nestled in against him with a happy series of noises coming from both as he held them close.

Zamdor finally came out a while later and chuckled, seeing the three of them. “No space for me huh?" The old bull grumbled, the trio looked up at him, and Rulu and Wukin rolled aside, allowing Zamdor to cuddle up against Gurak and lift him, so the orc lay on his chest. Then Rulu and Wukin climbed back into bed, each on either side of the bull.

Gurak blushed fiercely, he was lying atop the bull, feeling his heartbeat, but also the hands of Rulu and Wukin were laid over him, so he was at the center of all of them. The three held him protectively as he started to drift off to sleep, he was a lot more tired than he thought he was.

The orc drifted off, feeling safe and warm in the arms of the men who loved him. His dreams were pleasant. The warmth of those around him fended off any bad dreams that tried to come.

Gurak awoke to a familiar feeling. His eyes slowly peeked open and he saw Rulu sucking on him gently. The orc chuckled softly and reached down to pat the lizardman's head. Rulu grinned and pulled back. “Sorry, old habits."

The orc shook his head gently and smiled. “I never minded before, I certainly don't now." Rulu nodded and went back to bobbing his head. The orc lay there and enjoyed the attention, his hand rubbing over the lizardman's head scales gently, petting him almost as he basked in the affection.

After a few minutes though, the suckling stopped. Gurak opened his eyes curiously and saw that Rulu was sucking on Zamdor now, the bull's arm reached up and patted the lizardman's head, then moved to stroke Gurak slowly. Making the orc moan softly as he leans his head back and huffs.

Zamdor chuckled. “Ready for another load of bull cum in ya lad?" Gurak grunted in reply, Rulu sat up and grinned with a nod of his head. The lizardman thought Zamdor was talking to him, of course.

The lizardman looked at Gurak, blinked, and laughed. “Is that why the sheets were dirty Zam?"

The bull grins and nods, patting the orc's stomach softly. “Mmhmm, took it like a champ, mostly. Poor fella will be sore for a few days though."

Gurak covered his face with his hand and sighed. “Ugh."

Rulu laughed and kissed Gurak's stomach before he got up and smiled. “Well, I was just enjoying myself anyway. We should get what we need and pack up to go to Macta, right?"

Gurak looked up at Zamdor. "You can stay here, with Brun and his crew if that's what you want Zam." Gurak said softly, not wanting to force the bull to come with him.

The bull grunted and gently pinched the orc's side, pulling on him ever so lightly. The orc grunts! "Ow!" He grumbles out.

"That's what talking like that gets you. I'm your bull, no one else's, I was only waiting for you." Zamdor grumbled out, before his arms wrapped around the orc, hugging him as the bull's head came down and nuzzled the top of the orc's head. "You need a haircut." He rumbled out but grinned.

Gurak nods and smiles. "It's gonna get more dangerous from here on out."

Zamdor shrugs. "Then I get more dangerous to match the situation. With you, Rulu and Wukin is where I belong. I told ya when you met me in my tower. I threw my lot in with you, no matter what."

The orc nods and pats Zamdor's side, then looks to Rulu and over his other side to Wukin, all nodding as he looks at each of them. It seemed nothing he said would sway them or change their mind.

Gurak huffed, looking at his untended erection, and relented as he was helped to his feet, his legs still a little wobbly. Rulu and Wukin helped him into his clothing before everyone got dressed. The four of them got their things and went upstairs. They had breakfast, mostly meat and bread with some eggs. Zamdor rarely had proteins, so seeing him with some eggs on his bread, as well as a few veggies simmered a bit before he crunched on them. Making the orc think they weren't fully cooked, but he seemed happy with them.

Once they'd had a good meal and were ready, the four of them headed out, he looked to his friends. “So uh...where's the wagon? It's been a while, figure the horses are a bit older now too."

Wukin spoke up. “Yeah. We sold the wagon and horses over a year ago. Didn't know when you'd be back. We couldn't afford to upkeep the horses every day without your magic money bag." He laughs softly.

The orc nods his head. “That makes sense." It didn't make him happy, but it was a solid and sound financial decision. He understood the need for practicality over sentiment.

The monkey smiles. “Don't worry. I had Rulu pick out a new wagon and horses yesterday while we were out at Whetstin. He got us something nice. We'd had time to save up money while you were away, so we wanted to get something a bit more....you."

The orc was led to the northern gate, Brun and his whole crew were there, smiling and giving congratulations. Hugs for most of them who wanted them and generally pleasant tidings.

“So you're headed northeast to Macta?" The rhino asked, Gurak nodded in response.

“Yeah. Can't explain it all right now, but we gotta be there for something, not entirely sure what, if I'm honest. Just know that's where I need to be now."

The rhino nods and pats him on the shoulder. “You take care of Zamdor for me. He was a gods-sent miracle for my crew, while you were out. If he ever needs a job, later on, I'll happily take him back in."

Zamdor grins and bows slightly towards the rhino. “It was an honor and a privilege to serve with you, Brun."

The rhino smiles and bows in return. “You fellas take care of yourselves, and each other, especially. We've been tasked with investigating some disturbance over in Whetstin."

The orc blinked. “Disturbance? It was fine yesterday."

The rhino blinks. “You were...there?"

The orc nods. “Yeah. Long story, but, nothing was amiss. Construction was underway."

Wukin nods. “Yeah, we'd stopped in to get his axe."

The rhino scratches his head. “Hm, well, we got a letter this morning, from a carrier bird. Saying something seemed odd in the waters, so we were gonna go investigate."

The orc nods and looks at the rhino. “If it's merfolk, don't attack'm. They're not aggressive. Try and find a way to communicate, I promise, it's worth the effort."

The rhino blinks, but nods. “I'll do my best kid. You and the others be safe in your travels. It'll be about three weeks before we're there so it's not a rush job"

The orc nods. “Alright. We'll long since be in Macta by then, I hope."

After the goodbyes Gurak was led to where the wagons and stables were kept, just outside the city walls, there sat a wagon, well made, detailed, and seemingly plated with metal all around it, making it look even more ornate and fancy. “What's this?" Gurak asked, surprised.

Zamdor grinned. “Well, we aren't a mercenary group or anything, but I figured you deserved a nicer wagon. We used bits of mithril and silver for most of it. Mithril cause it's lighter than most other metals and pretty sturdy, plus it polishes up really nicely. Still wood underneath, it's just plated, but it looks fancy as can be."

The orc chuckles. In front of the wagon were a pair of equines, they weren't the original horses though. Gurak looked a little saddened. Wukin rumbled out, seeing the orc's expression. “I know you were looking forward to seeing the old horses, but, we sold the pair to a good farmer. He's very kind to them. These are some of his younger horses. Their foal wasn't old enough to pull our wagon."

Gurak blinked. “Their foal?"

Wukin nodded. “Yeah. We sold them as a pair and he kept them that way. They've had a foal since then, the female's pregnant with her second as well. In a couple of years, they'll be old enough to train, ride, and travel with us."

The orc smiles softly. “Well, as long as they're okay."

Wukin nods. “They are. His farm is where I spent my free time to learn how to take care of the land." He smiles warmly. The orc smiled as well, he was pretty proud of Wukin for finding a new path for himself.

The orc climbed up into the wagon, it was much sturdier than their old one, he smiled warmly. “You had Blert help you out, didn't you?"

Rulu then grinned and nodded. “Yeah. We had Zamdor find the minerals, he's good at it using his earth magic, after that, she helped us build it, and we in turn, helped her with her water wagon." Gurak knew they meant the submarine, but they called it something else of course.

The orc chuckles, but smiles. He took the reins. Looking to his left, looking into Wukin's eyes, then his right, where Rulu and Zamdor sat, his eyes meeting theirs as he rumbles softly and grins.

The wagon started forward and he led them onto the road northward, first to the orc settlement of Churreg, and then east to Rolwood, the human town, and then finally into the main city of the continent, Macta.