Marnor scowled, the malice in his face causing those around him to cower in fear.

"Just how you could have failed to find their tracks is quite beyond me!"

"It is a large forest, my lord, full of dangers indeed. The Elves have powerful magic, and are not to be trifled with! They are great warriors, many of them having fought in the last great battle -- "

"Silence!" roared Marnor, and the tracker quailed further. "I will have those tracks by nightfall at the latest, or you won't ever lay your pathetic eyes to the ground again! Then, and only then perhaps, you might finally be put to good use!" The cruel warlords eyes darted over to the group of Orcs resting in the shade of the trees, out of the sun's rays, his meaning clear.

"My lord!" An earnest young voice called out, soothing Marnor's frustrated nerves somewhat. He turned and almost managed a snarl at the newcomer.

"I have just managed to communicate with our spy in the other party. He has given us a bearing of where they are headed, and I do not see why we shall need to rely on such a useless method as tracking!"

"Please my lord, no, my Lord! How are we to know that this spy is reliable?"

Ifrit rounded upon the quaking tracker, his dark eyes glittering.

"Are you implying that my plans are somewhat -- lacking?"

"No, no, Lord Ifrit, I did not mean that!"

"What did you mean then?"

"Enough, Ifrit!" Marnor said, although there was no mistaking the glint of malice in his eyes.

Perhaps in response, the cloaked figure of the Dyrian disengaged itself from the group of Orcs and strode over to the humans.

"What news, Marnor?"

Marnor allowed his knees to buckle as he bowed low in apparent fear.

"The trackers, being the useless swines they are, have been unable to make any headway to where the Elves have headed. Ifrit, however, tells me that he has found another way of seeking them out, of hunting them down, for he has planted a spy in their midst. All we have to do is to follow his instructions."

"Good job, Ifrit, but I'm afraid that would be rather unnecessary. You see, all you have to do is go around to the North-Eastern edge of the forest and wait. Their party would have emerged from the wood there, and it will not be difficult to pick up their trail."

Marnor effused his greatest admiration for the Dyrian's foresight, careful to seem as witless and afraid as possible, while Ifrit bowed low too.

"What about him?" Hkaradil hissed, motioning toward the trembling tracker.

"Take him with you," Marnor said, without a moment's hesitation.

Ifrit tried not to cringe in disgust as the man was dragged away by the Dyrian. A loud crunching filled the air, complemented with a blood-curdling scream. The boy had seen how the creature dealt with his prey, ripping them apart alive.

Even then, his father did not flinch, and instead straightened up and shrugged off his earlier coat of weakness.

"So he thinks himself so clever," Marnor whispered with a glimmer of malice in his eyes.

"He does not stand a chance!" said Ifrit with disdain. "I suggest that you play along with this longer, for it is clear that both he and the Elves are after a great treasure, and that the Orcs are a helpful addition to our party."

A chilling smile appeared on Marnor's lips. "Well spoken, my son, that was as much as I gathered. I must say you have proven yourself greatly in this trip, and it intrigues me how Gallenon and Allanor have managed to win the trust of the Elves. You really do show great perception in managing your spies!"

Ifrit tried not to let his nervousness show, for he knew Marnor was getting suspicious, and he only got away with this much by virtue of being his son. "Let's just say that they took a big gamble and it paid off well. They could have been killed by the guards, who did not know about the plan. It was why the Elves bought it. Gallenon had heard about the plan to undertake this journey from the Orcs. Speaking of which, I am also told that the girl is among the party of Elves!"

The distraction worked well as Marnor's face twisted with desire.

"Indeed, your plan is very well thought out, and I am proud of what you have achieved. The treasure will be ours in a matter of time. It must be great indeed, for both the Dyrian and the Elves to be going after it!"

Ifrit felt a shiver of disgust well up in him as he saw the look upon his father's face. The greed, lust, and gluttony was something he had never thought possible in a man. But then again, he knew better than to underestimate what Marnor was capable of. It was a blessing then, that he inherited Marnor's refusal to let anything get in the way of his plans. Especially when that person was his father.

*****
A/N: It's a rubbish cliffhanger, I know, but I promise the story will pick up, with me trying to cut back on the moaning and angst factor.

Also, sorry for the terrible delay in getting this chapter up, but work and stuff has been absolutely manic. I'm moving in 2 weeks, and everything will go crazy again, but hopefully some semblance of normality will return soon enough. I apologise again for keeping every waiting, but hope you enjoy it nonetheless.