"I remember you fought Gold Tooth on the water. He must really want to see you again."
Roroshanik glanced at Liya. When she said nothing, he shifted in his chair, slightly resetting his jaw as though he were biting his tongue.
"There did seem to have been such a thing."
he said, with obvious reluctance.
"Yes, an accidental clash at the time. I believe both sides should forget it."
"Then how did you find me?"
"That cannot be disclosed."
Guk raised one eyebrow, not as encouragement but as an order to continue.
"It was also an accident. I feared you would not understand and become angered."
Ur snorted at the implied insult, but Guk seemed to be smiling.
A moment later, the smile was gone.
"Explain what exactly you came to me for."
Upon hearing Guk's words, another envoy leaned forward.
His form was humanoid, yet strangely wavelike and blocky, as though he wore some kind of human-shaped carapace beneath that blue-gray robe.
This envoy did not introduce himself. Instead, he spoke bluntly.
"We were the owners of this world before the Long Night descended. When the sector garrison was withdrawn to defend vital star systems, we became vulnerable targets. We could only leave the surface, allowing the world to fall into the hands of monsters and alien races."
"Now, we intend to settle an ancient hatred."
Another agreed.
"We have watched this planet from orbit and know everything that has happened upon it, yet many things have still exceeded our expectations."
Roroshanik suddenly reminded them.
"Now is not the time for recounting history."
"As the only Ork possessed of intellect and reason, I believe it makes no difference to tell Lord Guk a little more."
Upon hearing that, Ur wanted to beat the bastard senseless, though he had no