Foundation of Smoke and Steel

Chapter 168

DanielDaniel looked at him steadily. “I am Ethan Zhou of the Li House of the Empire. I will accompany you, Urdek of the Wolfhide Clan.”

Daniel took a deep breath. “I will accompany you to meet your leaders.”

The words felt heavier once spoken aloud. Not because he doubted them, but because he knew exactly what they implied.

The scout’s eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second, then widened just as slightly. Respect, maybe. Or recalculation. He dipped his head once, sharp but measured, as if marking something down that he had just understood.

Daniel turned his back. “Honorable Urdek of the Wolfhide Clan—give me a moment to confer with my people, and we will leave.”

Urdek nodded and took several steps back, giving them space. Daniel fought a smile as he heard the orc whisper. "Well done, human. "

There was talking from everyone all at once, but in the recesses of Daniel’s mind, Ethan spoke clearly.

Ethan said, his tone tight with concern.

Daniel considered that as he watched the Iron Tide in the distance.

The mere fact that they had not attacked yet was telling in and of itself. He had meant it when he explained to the others earlier that the Iron Tide’s presence alone, especially after the near-total destruction of the demon-touched orcs, was significant. Any force that wanted blood would have taken advantage of that window immediately.

Instead, they had waited. That, coupled with his understanding of the situation (Vivian, the Princess, Ethan’s sisters, the Gate, the search for Divine Moonsteel, and even the Iron Tide coming to the mainland instead of attacking the Murai) told him that he to talk to the orcs. It was important when things change as quickly as this, there needs to be a catalyst for that change. Daniel needed to figure out what it was. He had to trust his instincts here. Since the Iron Tide was not here to attack, not yet, at least. They were here for something else.

The problem was that, for the life of him, he could not figure out what that something was.

Daniel replied internally.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Ethan countered.

Daniel said.

He paused, then added,

Ethan was quiet for a moment, turning that over.

he admitted.

There was a faint note of comparison in his thoughts.

Daniel tried not to grin.

Daniel grew serious.

Ethan replied.

Daniel’s gaze shifted back to Urdek, who was trying not to watch him. He was a middle-sized orc, tusks sharpened but not exaggerated, posture confident without being overtly aggressive. Curious eyes hid behind a practiced mask of intimidation. Even so, Daniel could feel the magic rolling off him.

That strange flavor again. The mana that wasn’t quite mana.

Ethan said.

Daniel almost smiled.

Ethan replied.

Daniel nodded faintly.

Ethan gave a quiet, humorless chuckle.

Daniel smiled to himself.

A touch on his shoulder pulled him from the internal exchange. Daniel turned to see Vivian Li. His wife was looking at him with daggers, her expression sharp enough to cut.

“I’m coming with you,” she said.

He opened his mouth to object, but she continued before he could speak.

“I’m not letting you walk into an orc camp alone.”

Daniel was already preparing a protest when another voice joined them.

“I’m coming as well,” Sophie said.

She stepped forward, every ounce of her Imperial bearing on display. There was steel in her posture now, not just ceremony.

“I am the representative of the Imperial family,” Sophie continued. “If the orcs want to talk—about anything—then they will speak to someone who carries that authority.”

She hesitated, then added honestly, “I don’t know what they want. But if they want words instead of blades, then they should hear them from someone who represents the Empire.”

Daniel looked between the two women, felt Ethan’s unease echoing in his own chest, and knew this argument was far from over.

But the path forward was already narrowing.

And the Iron Tide was waiting. They needed to figure this out. Now.