Later, in the Orcanine village…
As the Ocranine Orcs returned to their villages, they were immediately greeted with thigh-slapping applause. Even though no one had yet seen what was inside the crate, their noses had already told them everything they needed to know.
"BU! TO! TO! Was it successful?" their fellow Orcs asked expectantly.
But instead of triumphant grins and excitement, the returning Orcs showed an awkward expression.
After bringing back a crate full of meat, everyone had assumed that they had successfully won over the merchant's favor and gained employment. Surely, they had outmaneuvered the Orcupine tribe.
"Chieftain!" The returning Orcs called out as they saw their leader step out of his tent.
"What is it?" the Chieftain asked, noting the conflicted look on their faces. This was not the look of accomplishment, but strangely, it wasn't that of loss either.
"We met with the human merchant…" one began.
