Trade Convention

"Brother Leiluo, do you know which clan organizes this trade fair?" Leiluo, attending a trade fair for the first time, asked curiously.

"The trade fair has existed for a very long time. Probably not many orcs still know which clan originally organized it. All we know is that during the last month of spring and autumn each year, the orc clans gather at Nordel, either to trade for food for the winter or to trade for warriors to fight Ogres and Gorons."

Hearing Leiluo's question, Leolox asked in confusion, "Brother Leiluo, didn't your clan's previous Chieftain tell you about these things?"

"Uh... well, Brother, you know my father passed away suddenly, and I was appointed Chieftain in a crisis... so..." Leiluo did not want Leolox to discover the truth about his clan, so he could only use his bargain-bin father as an excuse. It was not a lie, anyway. His bargain-bin father probably would not have known these things either—the clan's foundation was simply too weak.

"Oh, it's fine. Then I'll tell you about it again." Hearing Leiluo's words, Leolox also felt that his question had been inappropriate, so he could only change the subject.

"Nowadays, trade fairs are spontaneous gatherings of the various orc clans. No one organizes them, since they're held for the sake of survival."

"But in recent years, Ner'zhul, Chieftain of the Shadowmoon Clan, always holds some sort of martial tournament during the trade fair. He has the Chieftains of each clan send people to compete, and some Chieftains of smaller clans even enter personally."

"Why would Chieftains enter themselves? Does winning this tournament bring huge benefits?" Hearing Leolox's words, Leiluo vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

"Of course. The winner receives a bottle of potion bestowed by Ner'zhul. It is said that whoever drinks it experiences a massive increase in strength, and some have even advanced in rank because of it!" Leolox smacked his lips, wishing he could drink that potion himself.

"However, I heard that the skin of orcs who drink that potion changes too—it turns green. Oh, it's horribly ugly!"

Although Leolox kept saying how ugly it was, Leiluo could still see the longing in his eyes. For an orc, what could compare to increased strength? Especially given the situation Leolox's clan faced, they needed powerful force all the more.

It seems Ner'zhul has already been beguiled by Gul'dan. That so-called potion that strengthens orcs is almost certainly Demon Blood. Looks like there's something to do at this trade fair. As Leiluo listened to Leolox's explanation, he pondered how to make Gul'dan's scheme fail.

Fortunately, Leiluo learned from Leolox's description that Gul'dan had not yet distributed this potion widely among the orc clans. He was likely planning to use the tournament to let all the orcs learn the benefits of Demon Blood before making them willingly drink it themselves.

"By the way, Brother, you once said that you went to the Frostwolf Clan and Blackrock for aid. Does that mean you know Durotan and Blackhand? Are they sending people to that tournament too?" Leiluo did not know the attitudes of the major orc clans toward Demon Blood, so he could only ask Leolox, an old hand among the clans.

"I wouldn't say we're familiar. We only know each other. When I asked for aid, Blackhand said we weren't pure-blooded orcs and flatly refused. Durotan spoke with me for a long time, but in the end, he still refused. That's why I'm truly moved that you were willing to form an alliance with our Moknasa." Recalling that period, Leolox still could not quite let it go.

"But as for Ner'zhul's potion, large clans like the Frostwolf Clan and Blackrock may send people to the tournament, but they aren't enthusiastic about it. They treat it as training for the warriors of their clans. And even if they win and obtain the potion, they generally won't drink it."

Hearing Leolox's words, Leiluo felt greatly reassured. If the major orc clans had not used Demon Blood, then Gul'dan's plan could not yet have much effect. He still had plenty of time. If he added fuel to the fire at this trade fair, he might even disrupt Gul'dan's plan and force him to make new arrangements.

After two days of travel, Leiluo and Leolox finally arrived at Nordel, the site of the trade fair. The place was already bustling with voices and excitement. Temporary tents erected by orcs could be seen everywhere. After all, some clans came from far away and had no mounts, so they arrived late. That was why the trade fair lasted so long.

Under those tents were food, leather, and weapons. Others displayed sturdy orcs with straw stuck through their necks, who were presumably the warriors Leolox had mentioned could be bought. Beyond that, Leiluo even saw Ogres and Gorons with straw through their necks beneath some tents, showing that they too were traded.

Everything before him opened Leiluo's eyes. He could not help thinking of a custom from his childhood homeland called a market gathering—a similar kind of trading market held at a fixed time and place to meet people's needs.

Just as Leiluo was engrossed in watching, Leolox beside him gave him a pat. "Brother, stop looking. While some clans haven't arrived yet, let's hurry and find a good spot to set up camp."

"Hey, Brother, isn't there space over there? The location is so good. Let's camp there." Leiluo pointed to a large open area in the center of the market.

"Ah, Brother, that's where major clans like the Frostwolf Clan and Blackrock set up camp. Small clans like ours wouldn't dare go there." As he spoke, Leolox pulled Leiluo to an empty patch near the edge of the market center. "We'll stay here."

Now even more aware of the importance of strengthening his clan, Leiluo said no more. He had the clan's warriors set up camp alongside Moknasa's warriors. Just then, a burst of commotion came from outside the market.

"Oh! The Frostwolf Clan is here!"

Amid the shouts, Leiluo saw nearly a thousand people riding enormous direwolves into the center of the market he had noticed earlier. He kept his eyes on the orc leading them. The man wore a bearskin and had a build no different from that of ordinary orcs, seemingly nothing special.

The orc dismounted from his direwolf. The surrounding orcs all set down their work and saluted him, and he returned each salute in turn before instructing his subordinates to build the tents.

Perhaps sensing someone's gaze fixed on him, the orc looked toward Leiluo. Their eyes met, and only then did Leiluo realize that the orc he had thought unremarkable possessed extraordinarily spirited eyes. Within them, Leiluo seemed to see the starry sky.

The orc raised his right fist and saluted Leiluo. Leiluo returned the salute, and the orc went back to directing his subordinates.

"Brother Leiluo, did you see that? That's the bearing of a major clan. See that one wearing the bearskin? That's the Chieftain of the Frostwolf Clan—Durotan!" Leolox introduced him to Leiluo, unaware that the moment Leiluo had met that orc's gaze, he had already known who he was. Otherwise, Leiluo would not have saluted him.