I lock eyes with Gorthal, decision made. The risk is significant, but the reward could be transformative for my growing army. A blood-priest with magical abilities as my third bond? It's exactly what I need to complement Nerk's physical power and Morrigan's arcane knowledge.

  "I have a better idea," I tell him, rising to my feet. "If you're offering yourself as my third bond, we can settle this right now."

  Confusion flickers across his scarred face. "What do you mean?"

  "The bonding process will reveal your true intentions," I explain. "I'll know immediately if you're lying to me."

  Nerk shifts his weight, clearly uneasy with this approach. "Master, unwise to bond without testing loyalty first."

  "The bond itself is the test," I counter. "I'll sense his thoughts, his motivations. If he's betraying us, I'll know before the bond fully forms."

  Gorthal's yellow eyes widen with something between fear and anticipation. "You would bond with me now? Here?"

  "Unless you have objections," I reply coolly. "Having second thoughts about your offer?"

  The orc straightens, his massive frame towering over me despite being on his knees. "No. I am ready." He pounds his chest once with a closed fist. "The blood-priest submits to the tamer's power."

  I nod to Nerk and Morrigan. "Watch him carefully. If anything seems wrong during the process, restrain him immediately."

  They move into position on either side of Gorthal as I step forward. The familiar tingling sensation begins in my fingertips as I reach toward that third slot I've felt waiting to be filled. It hums with potential energy, eager to connect.

  I place my hand on Gorthal's forehead. His skin is hot to the touch, almost feverish. The network of ritual scars across his body seems to pulse slightly as contact is established.

  The connection forms instantly—far faster than it did with either Nerk or Morrigan. Power surges between us, and with it comes a flood of sensations, memories, knowledge. I see glimpses of Gorthal's life: ritual chambers deep beneath mountains, ancient rites performed by firelight, the complex hierarchy of orc society that few outsiders ever comprehend.

  I feel his ambition—burning hot and undeniable. His hatred for Blackjaw is genuine, born from a combination of ideological differences and personal humiliation. Gorthal truly believes in the prophecy he spoke of—a tamer who would bond with a blood-priest to usher in a new era for the orc tribes.

  But there's more. As the bond strengthens, I sense Gorthal's unique abilities—blood magic that taps into life essence to enhance physical capabilities, ancestral rituals that can temporarily resurrect fallen warriors, knowledge of forbidden combat techniques passed down through generations of orc priests.

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  And crucially, I detect no deception about tomorrow's meeting. Blackjaw genuinely intends to ambush and kill me, then attempt to subjugate my monsters.

  The bond completes with a sudden snap of finality. Gorthal gasps, his massive body shuddering as my energy flows through him. Unlike Nerk's transformation or Morrigan's enhancement, the change in Gorthal is more subtle at first—the scars on his body beginning to glow with a dull red light, his eyes taking on an unnatural clarity.

  "It's done," I announce, removing my hand from his forehead. "He's telling the truth about Blackjaw's trap."

  Gorthal blinks rapidly, adjusting to the new sensations coursing through him. "The power," he mutters, staring at his hands where the ritual scars continue to pulse with light. "I had not imagined..."

  "You feel it already?" I ask, surprised by the speed of his response to the bond.

  "Yes," he growls, flexing his fingers. "The old magics stir. Blood rituals that took hours might now take minutes. Powers that required sacrifices might now need merely a drop of blood."

  Morrigan circles him cautiously, her head tilting as she examines the magical changes manifesting. "Fascinating. His aura reshapes already. Never seen transformation progress so quickly."

  It makes sense. Both Nerk and Morrigan required time to evolve under my bond, but Gorthal is already a practitioner of enhancement magic. The synergy between his blood rituals and my tamer abilities creates a powerful feedback loop, accelerating his development.

  "Tell me about Blackjaw's defenses tonight," I say, focusing on the immediate tactical situation.

  Gorthal rises to his feet, now officially my third bonded monster and lieutenant. "He has twenty elite warriors at his forward camp near Split Rock. The main force remains in the valley camp two hours' march from here. With your two bonds and mine, plus your best warriors, we can strike his forward camp before dawn."

  I consider this information, now confirmed as truthful through our bond. "And when Blackjaw falls, his warriors will follow you?"

  "Some immediately, some after demonstration of power." Gorthal's lips pull back in a tusked smile. "Blood-priests command respect, even fear. With your enhancement amplifying my rituals, they will have no choice but to recognize the prophecy fulfilled."

  I turn to Nerk and Morrigan. "Prepare our best forces. Thirty goblin archers, the two ogres, and us four. We move in two hours."

  As they depart to organize our troops, I focus on Gorthal, exploring our new connection. Already I can sense his abilities developing, changing under my influence.

  "Show me what a blood-priest can do," I tell him. "Something small, to demonstrate."

  Gorthal nods, then draws his black metal dagger across his palm. Blood wells up, but instead of dripping to the ground, it hovers above his skin, forming intricate patterns in the air. He whispers in the harsh orc language, and the blood ignites—not burning away, but transforming into crimson energy that coalesces around his arm like armor.

  "Blood-shield," he explains as the energy hardens into a translucent red gauntlet extending from his hand to elbow. "Simple ritual, usually lasts minutes. With your power..." He flexes his protected arm. "Stronger. May last hours now."

  The demonstration is impressive, but more importantly, it confirms that our bond is already enhancing his natural abilities. With Nerk's martial prowess, Morrigan's conventional magic, and now Gorthal's blood rituals, my core lieutenants form a formidable trio.

  And soon, if all goes well, we'll add three hundred orc warriors to our growing army.

  The night raid feels right—decisive, unexpected, and playing to our strengths. Blackjaw thinks he's setting a trap for tomorrow, but instead, he'll find himself the target tonight. With my three bonded monsters leading the assault, we'll eliminate a powerful rival and consolidate a significant force under my command.

  My monster army takes another step toward reality.