There comes a time in a man's life when he realizes that unless his strength crossed the truly heroic boundaries. Often with special talent's they were best served doing backline shit.
I could swing my axes with speed and blood fury that would make a Bloodletter nod in appreciation. I could coat my body and swing with flames that would make a fire singer sing to my glory.
Or... I could work the backline. Saving the lives of thousands of dwarves. As I made impossible healing potions, I reinforced the taken areas so we couldn't be flanked.
And most importantly, I could directly take control of several the dwemer centurions that were protecting the High King and the Beacon Walker.
I was very strong and a menace in melee combat. I was proud of my ability to cull any rats and even the odd rat ogre that rushed me. Buuut...
A single angry dwarf wasn't as efficient in the slaughter as a dozen dwemer centurions that operated with far more direct attention.
Then, not long after a loud rumble that shook the hold, the High King returned from the front lines as even he got exhausted after a full day of slaughter.
"Kharn! Git over here, we got things to discuss with the High King and other kings." Ungrim Ironfist said as he and his most skilled Slayers waved me over.
I followed the Slayer King into another long hall that was well lit with several gleaming star stones that gleamed like stars on the black obsidian walls.
And as we kings settled into some chairs with some ale and light rations put in front of us after the day of slaughter. Thorgim Grudgebearer, the High King, started things off after he took a heart gaff of his ale tankard.
"Our surprise attack has successfully pushed back the Thaggoraki. But that loud rumble was the upper floors collapsing onto this level after the Skaven tried to collapse a hall onto us."
"This opened up a direct path to the upper levels past the lost and fortified tunnels the Skaven took over, besides any secret tunnels they might have found over the years. But... The Greenskins above are now pouring into our level from that direct passageway."
Thorgrim looked over us before he said thoughtfully. "With Kharn's Nether portal, we for a change actually have a swift supply line of battle-ready kin and supplies so we CAN hold a siege with allies coming to reinforce us here and at our own holds."
Then Ungrim spoke out bluntly. "But a long siege does not suit us. We cannot outlast the greenskins and rats because they will simply outbreed us if this drags on too long."
Just because the dawi were 'used' to dealing with decades, if not centuries-long sieges by these damned rats and orcs. That didn't mean we wanted to deal with that here.
I then spoke up. "I can have some of the Ogres under my employ that can turn unseen to the eye, go in. And hunt down the broodmother's of the rats in the area. So that while we will be in for a slog with the greenskins, we can at least cull any rat reinforcements that will be ready in a few months."
Shaggit did have a taste for those warp-tainted rats, and if he wanted to eat much bigger rats, more power to the disgusting bastard.
Then one of the kings said with a hint of disgust. "You would employ and have ogres walk the sacred paths, our hold Kharn of Barruk?"
And with a sharp look, I said coldly. "I will use any and all methods to kill the Thaggoraki. And what sacred land do you mean, Ironbeard of Clan Astrieos, you mean these holy halls you and your own clan were expelled from centuries ago?"
Several other kings in attendance threw me dark looks with the sound of clenching gauntlets ringing out. As this was Karak Eight Peaks. Out of the couple of thousand Dawi clan's of the world. At least a quarter of them would say they hailed from this holy hold once upon a time.
And whether it be that they were expelled and fled the hold when the Skaven flooded it and then took over the lower levels. While the orcs took up the higher floors. All of the clans involved had a deathly grudge bent on taking this holy land back.
Before that King could snap back at me. Thorgim grunted heavily and said loudly. "Enough! This holy land, our people have been tainted and will need to be consecrated once it has been taken back. Having Ogre's spend their own lives to ease our conquest is only a matter of Kharn's own will and honor."
Then Thorgim said very bluntly. "Kharn, as High King, I do not approve of the use of Ogres in our warfare. But this is not warfare but a cleansing of lost land, and lost homes. So long as they do not attempt to lay down roots, and YOU yourself want to pay them, and they otherwise don't cause trouble. I will support your clan with gold and silver to pay those Ogres."
I nodded in understanding before I said calmly. "Then I have a trip to make to get back to my own Hold. It will be a couple of days before I come with such reinforcements. But I do not lack gold nor silver to pay the Ogre's I will employ."
More like I won't be paying them a fucking lick of gold or silver. I will pay them a mountain of food to glut them on and tell them another mountain of food was waiting for them after they bring the heads of the rat broodmothers back.