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The journey was uneventful, an event many of the sailors attributed to the benevolent God of the sea. Their sacrifice of land animals appeased their one true God, and after the second week Astrid was tired of hearing it. Minya and Nance spent their time recovering and training, no easy feat when dealing with dried foodstuffs and stale water. Patli spent her time helping the doctor treat sickness and the occasional small injury.

Upon docking, friends of her father and rulers of the Eastern Sea Kingdom offered Astrid and her people horses and carriages, not to mention fresh foods and ales. The soldiers were quite helpful in carrying the barrels to the carriages, but it was all in good fun. Einar was bound by the heavy ship ropes and stripped of any weapons that could be found, so he was no threat. The gag from the queen was designed solely to silence, and seeing as how she was a world-renowned assassin in the part, Astrid was grateful for the gift.

Minya and Patli dropped to the dirt and kissed the ground, "A tradition?"

Minya shook her head, "Orcs were not meant to travel at sea. We are ready to go, and..."

Nance hopped onto the set by the carriage driver, "Let's go, I'm eager to see Einar punished." Her new crossbow was crafted from jet black wood and weighed much less than her previous weapon. As such, she volunteered to defend the caravan.

"Let's hurry. As fine as these horses are, they are no Wendlow horses. It will take some time and no doubt bandits will take advantage." Astrid climbed into the back of a carriage after helping the orcs, "Move out!"

"How will your men know the way? Is this land not massive?" Minya was curious, as were all outsiders.

"There is one main road dividing the continent, if we follow said road we will arrive at the grand kingdom of Wendlow. We will pass other lands that were once sovereign nations in their own right, but that was before I was born." The dirt road was a bit soft because of a passing storm the night before, but the conditions for travel were perfect. Astrid sipped some ale and watched the road dissapear into the horizon.

"Tell me," Minya asked, "Will we be accepted into Wendlow? I have seen no other orcs since we left from our former home."

Astrid nodded, "Wendlow accepts all, as long as they don't kill or steal. Making yourself useful will only increase your popularity among the people."

Patli did her best to communicate, and Minya translated, "Is there a need for healers?"

"Always. It is a large kingdom and accidents and illness are commonplace. If I recall, there should be a home available in a town near the castle. Any more healing would be much appreciated, and knowledge of plants as remedies is always welcome."

"Another question, but how are we supposed to purchase a home? All we have are these clothes that queen in black gifted to us." They wore more than rags, but the clothes were nothing special. Simple worker's clothing, "We could most likely find work, but we have nothing as of now."

Astrid smiled at the setting sun, "As I said, a home is available. You will be given a home as long as you can make yourself useful. That is much easier than you'd imagine, so try not to worry." She sipped some more ale, "Only the rich have to buy a home, though the ones that can be bought are larger. This home will be little more than two rooms, but the wind and the cold will not affect you."

The captain of the soldiers nodded, "I know of that neighborhood, a lot of new families. The homes are wooden but sturdy. Didn't you say you were a hunter?" Minya pointed to herself and nodded, "You may be able to make some easy coin hunting in the nearby forest. The tavern could use the fresh meat and the tannery would be able to use the hides quite well. If my memory serves, there is also a small hospital nearby. You two would fit in quite well."

Patli's green eyes lit up, "I suppose that would work out for a while. I'd need a weapon though and a few allies."

"Minya, there are no doubt plenty of hunters in the area and the newer ones would appreciate the wisdom you already have." Astrid finished her mug, "Always empty when you want more."

The captain looked at her, "Drinking a bit much I see, are you alright?"

"Simply celebrating my friend, it is wonderful to be back in my homeland. The air is clean here and the chill from the mountains wakes my mind." Minya and Patli were communicating in their own way, "It will be nice to rest in my own bed for once, I have been gone for a long time."

"Several months, correct? I too would be ready to rest if I had been gone as long as you. But we aren't home yet, and the road is long and monotonous."

Days passed, and only the occasional trader broke up the horrifyingly boring trip. A few stories here and there about life and comedy made for a good distraction, but on the seventh day a different sort of story popped up. The kingdom known for its expensive jewel and precious metal castle has been in the midst of a secret civil war. The trader hadn't been found out by the queen, so he was able to relay this information, "A civil war? I thought all kingdoms were required to inform Wendlow of any activity."

"King Erhardtt would have acted. If what the trader says is true, they are attempting to hide their infighting. The real question would be why."

"Their queen is involved no doubt. If we could talk to one of the peasants we may get a better picture of what is happening. We're still two days away though."

The captain slid past Astrid and the orcs to shout out, "Speed up! We need to rush!" He held tightly and the carriage jolted, "We should be there within a day. Our first priority is to get Einar to justice, but this is a dire issue. I will inform you that with our small force we will not be able to do much."

Astrid held her sheathed sword horizontally, "I understand. Still, if they are breaking a treaty they must be dealt with."

Minya was visibly nervous, "What is happening? I don't understand."

A long time ago, the other kingdoms in this land fought in a major war and Wendlow was the victor. Since then all other kingdoms are merely districts of Wendlow and must follow all laws. In addition, they must report of all affairs of the state weekly. The king of Wendlow must not have heard about this civil war, else the tales from the traders would be about a defeated rebellion or a defeated corrupt queen."

"Deception then?"

"Sounds that way. We must learn the truth and act accordingly. We will find you a home, but I won't be able to guide you for some time." From that point on, the trip was tense. The soldiers were mentally preparing themselves for combat while the horses were pushed to their limits. The group took a short break at night, but left again just as the sun began to crown over the trees.

It wasn't long before a dirty group of bandits stood in front of the caravan, "Stop! Surrender all weapons and food!" Astrid looked out and found a rather handsome human holding a modified woodcutter's axe and scraps of leather as armor. His beard was small, but the hatred in his eyes was pure, "Don't try anything!" Several archers leaned out from the tree branches, and they were just as filthy.

"Are you the rebels or just some bandits?" Astrid jumped out and approached the man, "Well? I need to know if I should ask you about the civil war or slay you right here."

"Civil war? You think this is a war?!" He growled, then let the rage go and shouted upwards, "This is no civil war!"

A woman, old enough to be the young man's mother, put a hand on his shoulder, "We are the just fighting against the soldiers of the queen and her tyrannical rule. They have taken advantage of us, stolen our possessions and money, even our daughters and sisters. It is our right to fight back!" She raised her rusted spear and the other rebels cheered, "So who are you? Another patsy to the queen?"

"Astrid, Daughter of Erhardtt and Keeyi, Princess of Wendlow. I have been away on a mission to recapture my mad brother. If what you say is true, my father must hear of this."

"You trust this royal brat?!" The young man snarled, "She's just like them! She'll turn us over to the queen to be burned alive!" The extended blade on his axe wiggled, it was not secure.

"It is my duty to uphold Wendlow laws and treaties, and if this queen violated either I must gather the armies of Wendlow and inform the king." Astrid tied her sword to her belt, "How many warriors do you have with you?"

The angry man snarled again, so the woman had to speak, "What you see here. Most of the victims are peasants who have never held a sword in their lives."

Astrid looked around, "We are at least a day away, and then gathering an army will take more time. If I were my father I may be able to make a quick decision, but..." She looked to her soldiers, "Men! Feed and water the horses, give every spare supply we have to these people! We must reach the king as soon as possible!"

Nance lowered her crossbow, "So shit like this happens here too eh? Why am I not surprised?" The boredom had overwhelmed her over the past week, and she was ready to do anything, "Got my crossbow all ready and everything. How about I stay here and help out?"

The woman was skeptical, "Why?"

"My home was conquered until recently, I lived through the worst of it. That should be reason enough." Nance hopped onto the dirt road, "So you have my help whether you want it or not."

Astrid swirled her finger in the air, "We're moving, hurry it up! Rebels, lay low and only act when you know you can succeed." A few barrels of food and ale were dropped off on the side of the road, as well as a few steel spears and hammers. The caravan jumped forward as the horses were whipped and Astrid jumped onto the side of the lead cart, "Move!"

Hours passed by in minutes, and before long the castle of Wendlow was in sight. The horses were exhausted and hunger pains affected the soldiers, but they had to push on for honor and duty. When in running distance to the castle, she saw lines of citizens gathered to greet Astrid on her triumphant return. Her behavior started a hum of curiosity in the crowd. The captain was right behind her, "Gather the armies!"

Erhardtt and Keeyi were waiting at the castle gates, "Civil war to the north! They've been deceiving you!" Astrid belted out while stumbling a bit on her numb legs, "You must gather the soldiers!"

"What do you mean? Speak clearly. Have you obtained and confined Einar?"

Astrid took deep breaths while nodding, "Yes... but north... the queen... attacking peasants... we rushed as fast as we could." She stood up, "You have to act now! Please!"

Erhardtt looked to his guard, "Gather our armies and my armor. We march immediately. Astrid, you have done well, please rest for tonight. This stress cannot be good for you." he turned to the soldiers that accompanied Astrid, "All of you have earned rest as well. Sleep well and protect our people here, at home."

The celebration turned into a very orderly chaos and everyone seemed to know where to go. Everyone but the orcs, whose carriage finally arrived. They stepped out and got the dirty looks they expected, "Where are we supposed to go?"

Astrid was being helped up by her mother, who happened to be wearing a very pretty dress, "Right... I'll show you to your new home. Follow me..."

"Your friends need a place to stay, but you don't seem to be in any shape to help them. Go rest in your room and I will help them find a home in the new town." Astrid sat on the iron stairs that led into the castle courtyard, "What are your names?"

Minya stood in front of her scared sister, "I am Minya, this is Patli."

The woman nodded, "I am Keeyi, please follow me. It shouldn't be a long walk if we head there immediately."

The orcs struggled to keep up with Keeyi's long stride, and half an hour later they were in a small town with a bunch of small wooden homes side by side. Keeyi looked around for a moment, "Excuse me, which of these homes is unoccupied?"

It was dark and yet she could see a man pulling a cart towards the lit up building in the distance, "I believe second from the last on that side."

Keeyi thanked him and made her way to the house, "Ready?" She opened the door and it really wasn't much. One large wooden room, a small doorway, and a moderate wooden room in the back with two beds, "You're lucky there are two beds, but if not it would only be that way for a night. Here," She pulled a purse from her side and counted out twenty gold coins, "The usual allowance for a newcomer is twenty coins, though I didn't bring it with me. Take these from my personal funds, they'll get you through the night and a few days. The tavern was that building down the street, you can get a good meal there from what I hear. You can also introduce yourself and perhaps find a career."

"What of the others? Will Astrid be okay?"

Keeyi smiled, "She is strong willed and selfless, much like her father. Sometimes I wish she knew her limits better, but a mother always wants the best. If you'd like, I'll send her here tomorrow."

Minya looked to a tired Patli, "We may just sleep tonight."

"As you wish. The key to this home is here on the fireplace mantle." It was a small fireplace encased in stone. Not enough for decoration, but certainly for function. The queen bid the orcs farewell and as they laid down they quickly fell asleep.