Chapter 11

Chapter

Eleven

MIRANDA

“ T he hall is in the Great Rove Tree?”

Miranda’s eyes stung from the glittering light as they approached the center tree. It was literally the size of a skyscraper and towered over them. Its branches were as thick as houses and stretched further than she could see. Its crystalline leaves caused sun beams to ricochet off the lush browns and reds of the forest. It was so dazzling that Miranda was stunned speechless.

“Yes,” Govek said tensely. His eyes flashed toward the groups of orcs who were all watching, whispering. Miranda tried to ignore it, but the task was becoming almost impossible as the crowd grew thicker.

She gulped. It was fine. She’d been in crowds many, many times. She’d lived in a major city, for crying out loud. And these people were far different from the screaming, panicking bodies she’d seen outside the bank windows before her boss had dragged her down into the vault.

One person had been trampled right outside the doors.

Govek squeezed her shoulder gently, leaning to meet her eyes. “Stay with me, Miranda.” She breathed in his scent, focusing on what was above her. Branches and leaves and chilly breezes. As they got closer, she could see carved symbols etched into the surface of the trunk surrounding the massive main doors.

“What is that writing?” she asked, more to distract herself than anything.

“All the names of the members of Rove Wood Clan. They are carved there on the day of their birth.”

“Really?” There must have been thousands, possibly tens of thousands. They stretched so high above that they faded out. “Where’s yours?”

He didn’t answer.

She pulled her gaze away from the tree and tapped his arm.

“My name is not among them.”

Her brows shot up. “What? Why not?”

She’d thought the alienation had started when he was seven, when they’d found out his magic was powered by his negative emotions, so why wasn’t his name on the tree?

What had happened on the day of his birth?

Before she had a chance to comment, they had breached the entry and all sense of comfort she’d had was snuffed out.

The space was overwhelming. It domed overhead with arches made out of branches. The crystalline leaves grew from each one in clumps almost like reflective clouds. The voices echoed off them, making the laughter and chatter seem like it was coming from above.

Three impossibly long wood tables spanned the room with few places to spare. Bonfires crackled between them. Some with massive pots hanging above the coals, others with hunks of meat on spits. Smoke wafted up and disappeared into the leaves.

The hall was packed with male bodies in all shades of green. Most of them were slender and tall.

Miranda’s breath caught in her throat at the sudden, stark reminder that she was in a different world with a whole different species. Then she pushed her nerves to the back of her mind and straightened her spine.

Govek tucked her close to the wall, or rather the trunk , as they made their way around the perimeter. The walls were sanded smooth but followed the natural dips and grooves of the tree’s outermost rings. The floor was solid wood with each huge ring shining below and continuing to circle all the way to the center of the room. If she counted each one, she could probably figure out exactly how old this tree was, but judging from what she could see from her vantage point, there were likely thousands.

The edge where they were walking was dark but for a few strategically placed torches. At the center, hidden among the clear leaves, she spied a dozen or more wood chandeliers covered with white taper candles. The candlelight was reflected off the crystal foliage and cast the room in a bright, warm light.

Most of the orcs were milling about, chatting with others, or fetching food and drink from around the huge bonfires. The atmosphere was friendly, almost inviting.

But every group she and Govek passed by went silent and watched them pensively. Their faces ranged from curiosity to contempt.

After how they’d treated him on the walk here, she couldn’t bring herself to even be surprised.

She didn’t care about them anyway. “What does the seer look like?”

“He is almost white. And blind.”

He was blind?

Miranda searched the room again, but it was no use. She was so short compared to all the orcs here. But if she could get up a little higher, a white orc would be easy to pick out. Most of the orcs surrounding her were bright or dark green.

She gave up for the moment but determined to ask Govek to lift her onto his shoulders later. She tucked herself into his side and wrapped her arm around his.

Govek let out a content huff that had her looking up at him again. His eyes focused on her face as he breathed, “Thank you.”

She blinked, tipped her head. “What for? For matching your pace? Cause I think you’re matching mine really. I’d have to run to keep up with your natural gait. I guess it would be a good way to get a workout in.” She popped her lips. “Though, I can think of much better ways to get a workout in.”

Govek’s eyes widened.

“Oh god.” She covered her face with her palm. “Why do you let me ramble on like this? You know I always end up saying things I regret.”

“I enjoy your rambles, Miranda,” he said, perhaps for the millionth time and it warmed her the same as always. “ Especially the ones you regret.”

“Jerk,” she said, though she softened the blow with a stroke to his hand and he chuckled. “Oh, what’s that?”

Ahead, attached to the trunk, was an embroidered tapestry that spanned thirty feet both up and across. They were too close to the edge for her to get a good look.

Govek hesitated before pulling her away from the wall, into the crowd. The orcs that had been milling about gave him a wide berth and she tried to ignore their staring and concentrate on the incredible imagery before her.

It was of the Rove Tree. The trunk spiraling up in the center and arching over the top. The creators must have used the leaves to make thread because, just like the real thing, the canopy glittered and reflected the hall behind them.

Beneath were hundreds of orcs all performing various tasks. Those closest to the tree were mixing potions, meditating, growing plants, and filtering water into barrels from a bright blue stream that Miranda thought might actually be the spring Govek had taken her to.

“It is one segment from the Oracle of the Fades,” Govek said, resting a hand on her shoulder.

“Oracle of the Fades?”

“Yes. The Oracle depicts all that was, all that is, and all that should be. It was the last gift given before the Fades went into eternal sleep.”

“This is just one part?”

“The original work is said to be at the Sylph Tower on Mount Vythor. A place only traveled to by flight.”

“Flight? Do you guys have planes?”

Govek’s brow furrowed. “Like fields of grass?”

That answered that.

“How do you get to it? The Sylph Tower?”

“We don’t.”

Oh. Miranda turned back to the tapestry. “It’s really amazing.”

The orcs in the center were clearly of Rove Wood. They seemed regal, mindful. Their hands were clean and their actions were passive, but these only made up a small number. Perhaps ten percent of the whole. Most of the orcs were brawny. They ripped up trees, herded animals, and trudged in knee-deep mud to unblock rivers. One was tackling a wild cat, claws bared, teeth glittering, muscles bulging. Miranda was so struck with the comparison to the real life event, she didn’t notice that the orcs at the end of the table behind her were whispering loud enough to hear, until one of them cried out. “Rogeth, get back here.”

Miranda turned to look. They were all young, likely in their late teens or twenties. One was yanking his friend back down into his seat. She recognized Rogeth but none of the others. “Don’t be stupid .”

“But he’s?—”

“Vunek is right. It won’t work.”

“He’ll go into a rampage.”

“We have to be smart. There will be another time.”

“But what if we’re too late?”

Miranda looked between the still chattering orcs and Govek, trying to piece together what exactly was going on. Govek seemed set on completely ignoring them, but the more broken sentences Miranda made out, the more worried she got.

“Govek?” she whispered.

“I won’t do anything,” Govek said, though she could see his throat working, and his hands trembling, and she felt the tension rolling off him in waves that crashed around her, threatening to suck him down.

“I know you won’t,” Miranda said. “What are they talking about?”

“Saving you.”

“Saving me?” She glanced back at the orcs, who were still watching. “But you’re not doing anything.”

“That does not matter. I am not safe,” Govek said through his teeth. Miranda tightened her hold on his arm.

“You heard him,” one of the orcs snapped. “I’m going to get her.”

Govek ripped away from her, moving toward the males at the table. He took a single booming step forward as they all clamored to their feet. Bowls and soup and meat splattered to the wood floor.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Miranda yanked his hand, dug her nails into his wrist. Forced him back around. “Govek, don’t!”

Dang it, how could she even begin to stop him? He was so much stronger than her. There was just no way.

But her words were enough for now, at least. He whirled back toward her, heaving for breath, shaking for control.

“It’s okay,” she soothed. Her stupid brain was unable to think of anything better to say.

“My son .”

The loud call came from her right, and when she turned, she was faced with the sight of a wood platform, like a stage, nestled right up against the wall of the tree trunk. It was around four feet high off the ground and likely more than twenty feet square. There were no railings or carvings and the only furniture on it was a single, high-backed chair placed at the center.

An older orc stood in front of it. From the distance, she couldn’t make out much other than his wrinkled face and white hair.

And that he had his attention trained on them.

Govek jerked to his full height, away from the males he’d been about to fight. His muscles bunched, his back straightened, his tucked jaw quivered as if he were about to bear his fangs.

Then he moved her toward the platform, his hot hand tense at her lower back. As they drew near, the older male’s features grew clearer. His frail limbs were covered by intricately embroidered robes, and he had white hair in detailed braids. He had a long nose and sharp eyes and a mouth set in a firm, unhappy line. His jaw was tucked up, like all the other orcs in this room, but it didn’t look uncomfortable on them like it did on Govek. It didn’t distort their features as much.

Probably because their teeth were much smaller.

“Govek,” the orc said loudly, even though he and Miranda were drawing nearer by the moment. Many of the orcs around that weren’t already watching turned their heads to look. “This is a happy occasion. There is no need for such violence here. Can you not withhold for even the length of a meal?”

Govek’s jaw worked. His eyes fell to the floor. “I apologize, my chief.”

The chief. Miranda had suspected this was his father.

They didn’t look anything alike at all.

“Your apologies would be better served to the males who you frightened just now.”

Govek turned and faced the younger, still glowering, orcs. “I apologize.”

None seemed very receptive. In fact, Rogeth’s glower seemed to get hotter.

“Good. Now come here. Bring the newest member of our clan. I wish to meet her.”

Govek was so rigid he was trembling, but he tugged Miranda the rest of the way over to the platform. Everyone around them was silent, watching. The hair stood up on the back of her neck.

“Fair woman, I apologize for my son’s lack of decorum,” the older orc said, still talking too loudly, still standing on top of his platform. The chair, or rather the throne , behind him was done up in intricate carvings she hadn’t noticed at the prior distance. The red wood and elegant vine patterns glistened in the dappled light of the hall.

“Govek, release her. Don’t drag her about. You are rendering her bruised.”

Govek let her go and Miranda blinked with shock, chest tightening at the fact that he could release her by someone else’s command so easily.

“Come, child,” the orc said, his voice smooth and coaxing. He gestured toward the stairs near the back of the stage. “Join me here so we may converse more easily. You have nothing to fear. We will not allow harm to come to you.”

“I wasn’t worried about that. Govek does a good job of protecting me.” Miranda tried to take back Govek’s hand, but he had balled it into a tight fist and her stomach twisted. “Hey, uncurl, don’t cut yourself.”

Govek ignored her and the chief continued. “What’s this? He’s cut you? Fades, Agol, call Hovget to my throne. We need to get her injury seen to.”

“What? No, I’m perfectly fine,” Miranda said, even as a somewhat muscular orc she hadn’t noticed before left his post at the back of the stage, descended the five steps, and disappeared into the ever-watching crowd. “I was talking about Govek ?—”

“Hovget, good, you are here. Bring Miranda to the stage.”

They were back already ? “Hold on, time out. I don’t want to?—”

“You should go.”

Govek’s strained rumble caught all her attention. “Govek, I’m fine with you.”

“I’m not...” He raked a hand through his hair, eyes darting back to where the orcs he’d almost brawled with were still sitting and talking animatedly. “I need a moment.”

Miranda let out a long breath, not wanting to leave him but...

The platform was taller. Would she be able to see the seer from up there? “Okay. I’ll go up, but don’t bolt on me. I don’t know how to get back to your house.”

“We would be happy to find you a home closer to the hall,” the chief said. “Hovget, she’s just here. Guide her up.”

The doctor orc appeared on her left and gestured toward the stairs without touching her. “Miranda.”

“Hi,” she said to the male with a nod before brushing Govek’s still clenched hand. “I’ll be right back, tough guy.”

Her pet name seemed to soothe him slightly. She would have given him a quick kiss to calm him further if the doctor hadn’t been ushering her up so quickly, sticking close to her back.

“Don’t mention the blood.” Hovget hissed into her ear as they ascended the steps onto the platform. They were a little taller than she was used to and she had to concentrate on each one to keep from tripping.

“Excuse me?” Miranda said.

“Govek’s blood,” Hovget said. “Don’t tell the chief I took some.”

What the...? She didn’t have time to question it because a second later she was being presented to the opulent orc whose wide smile and tucked away teeth were far more unsettling than Govek’s sharp rows.

“Welcome, welcome. Come, tell me your name. Hovget, examine her wound. We don’t want to leave her bleeding,” he said exuberantly, waving Miranda forward.

Was he talking about her period? Jeez, could every orc smell it? “I’m really not hurt.”

“She isn’t,” Hovget assured, passing her on toward the chief. “Can I go?”

“If there is nothing more you can do for her, then yes, Hovget, by all means, return to your mate. Come here, child. Let me look at you. My, you do look a state. We’ll get you some better treatment now that you’ve arrived.”

“I’ve been treated well by Govek.” Miranda was getting tired of repeating this.

“What are you called? I am Chief Ergoth of this clan. You may come to me if you are in need of anything.”

“You can call me Miranda,” she said, looking out over the crowd of orcs. Most of them were now seated, which made it easy to search for the seer.

“Miranda,” the chief said smoothly. “That is quite lovely and unusual. You are most welcome here, Miranda. We are glad to have you. It is very rare for us to have a woman from outside Rove Wood join us. Most come from Oakwall Village, you see. A community of humans we are quite peaceful with. All orcs of Rove Wood Clan are welcoming to humans. I’m sure you have enjoyed some of their hospitality so far, yes? Have you made any friends?”

“Uh, we just got here.”

“But you visited with Maythra and Viravia last night, did you not? They spoke very highly of you. I’ll make sure you can visit with them again. And that you can meet all the women who have chosen to make our clan their home. Them and their mates. We would be happy to host you here at the hall for all of your meals.”

“Thank you.” Miranda managed, blinking. Dang, and she thought she could talk fast.

“I’m sure being surrounded by so many orc males feels a might daunting. Do not fear. I will make sure only a few come to make their acquaintance at a time. And if you see any males you would like to become friendly with, please let me know and I’ll ensure a meeting can take place.”

What was this—a meat market?

“I was told your clothing was taken from you.”

“That isn’t?—”

“Please be assured that we can get you anything you need. We don’t have much in the way of women’s clothes here, but our trade with Oakwall is only a few days hence. I’m certain you will find everything you need there.”

“Oh, yeah, going to the trade would be good.” Miranda glanced out over the crowd again. The faster she found the seer, the faster she could get down.

“Excellent. I will get Maythra to be your guide. As the oldest woman in our clan, she has much more experience and would be happy to impart it to you.”

Oh, heck no. “That’s nice, but I’m sure Govek can be my guide.”

The chief looked momentarily stricken. “Ah, that may be difficult. My son has not gone to the trade for many moons.”

“Oh?” Miranda asked, looking down at where Govek was. His hands were bunched, and his shoulders were slumped, and his dark eyes were brooding as they burned right through her. “Why is that?”

“There are... many reasons,” the chief said, gesturing for her to follow him over to his throne. “Why don’t you sit, Miranda? You’re most welcome to, and I’m sure you are tired from walking for so many days.”

“Oh, no. I’m good.” The only place to sit was the fricking throne .

But the position the chief had moved her into, right near the center at the front of the platform, was much better for searching. She began scanning again. Dang, this room was huge. And packed full. There was only one stretch of the furthest table near the far back that was empty. Probably because there was a massive branch right above the blotted out the light from the chandeliers.

“Of course. Whatever makes you most comfortable. Your comfort here is paramount to me. As is the comfort of all within my clan. It is my duty to protect everyone within the boundaries of the Rove Woods.”

“Thanks,” Miranda said quickly. Gosh, there were so many faces. All slender and dressed in loose cotton garb. She would have thought with the varying skin colors it would have been easy to find one that was white, but now she noted that there were plenty of very light-skinned orcs.

“I only want you to be happy with your new home, so please , I urge you to let me know if there is anything or anyone troubling you. Also, you can help yourself to anything you like from the storeroom. There are many empty homes for you to choose from, as well.”

“Thank you,” Miranda said, only half listening. She’d found a stretch of table where a group of women were seated with their orc mates. It was a wonder she could find them at all in the sea of huge green bodies.

There were close to ten women in total and they seemed to come from all kinds of nationalities. What was the human demographic like on Faeda? How big was Faeda? Was it all one continent or many? The map Govek had showed her only covered this corner of the world.

The chief lowered his voice. “And there are many in this clan who would also readily offer you protection. Agol, my lead guard, has a son, who is equally as mighty. I would be glad to assign him to you.”

“What? Oh, no. That’s not... no. No, thank you,” she said, noting now that there weren’t any kids. Where were all the children? Had they just not been invited to this announcement?

“I understand. After what you have gone through, I can imagine that the company of any orc would be off-putting.”

She really wanted to find the seer, but it didn’t look like he was here. Actually, Karthoc wasn’t here either and none of the burly warriors Govek had described. All the seated orcs were slender. The most muscular one was that Agol guy who’d fetched the doctor and even he only had a third the mass Govek boasted.

“But I must assure you that the other males of Rove Wood are not like my son.”

Ergoth’s words had her brows furrowing and her gaze turning to Govek. Poor thing looked so uncomfortable. Everyone’s eyes were on him. She should get down now.

“You need not stay with him out of fear, Miranda. I swear I will never allow him to take advantage of your vulnerability again.”

Miranda turned, all her attention suddenly on the chief. “Excuse me?”

“You don’t need to feel embarrassed. You were lost, hurt. It is shameful that my son would take advantage of that.”

Oh shit. “No, no. That’s not—no. Govek didn’t?—”

“You don’t need to defend him, my dear. I believe you. I know my son better than anyone.”

“Govek didn’t?—”

“Please sit,” the chief said, gesturing Miranda back. She realized suddenly that he’d herded her far away from the edge of the podium and now her calves were bumping against the seat of his throne. “Rest. Be at ease.”

Why did he want her to sit in his chair so bad? Did it have some kind of double meaning? She would not take the risk and find out.

“I want to get down now,” Miranda insisted, moving to the side to escape the chair.

The chief’s eyes flashed with an emotion she couldn’t place and it made her stomach knot. “Have I done something to upset you? If so, I sincerely apologize.”

“I just... I want to go back to Govek.”

“You don’t have to return to him, Miranda. We can protect you.”

“I don’t need protecting from him.” Miranda’s voice came out clipped. She was getting tired of repeating this. She looked past the chief and back down to where Govek should have been.

He wasn’t there.

Her stomach dropped. “Where is?—?”

She was suddenly wrenched away from the chief and his throne and into a hard wall of pine-scented muscle.

Thank god!

“Get away from her!”

Oh shit.

“Govek, control yourself,” Chief Ergoth ordered firmly. “My son, this is unseemly . You’ve hurt her arm.”

“No, he has?—”

“Let her go, Govek.” Another snarling male had come up behind them. Agol. He looked like he was going to try to brawl with Govek over this. Brawl and lose badly.

Govek growled but his grip loosened as if he were going to obey.

“The fuck is happening here?”

The roar came from the entry and Miranda turned to find Karthoc had arrived with ten other warriors in tow. All battle scarred. All brawny and thick.

Not one of them was the seer. Damn it.

“Ergoth, what the fuck are you doing parading Miranda about on your blasted stage like she’s some prize?” Karthoc stormed across the room, his booming voice reaching every corner.

“I was only getting acquainted with her, my young nephew. She is the newest member of my clan. I wanted her to feel welcome.”

The warriors lined up at the trunk wall, watching silently as their much smaller counterparts glowered at them, whispering scornfully.

“You offer welcome by taking her up there for all your orcs to see, while her male is forced to stand by and allow her to be gawked at like a trinket?”

Hit the nail right on the head with that.

“She willingly came up to greet me,” the chief countered, as Karthoc pounded up onto the stage. “Didn’t you, Miranda?”

Did he expect her to agree? “I very clearly told you I wanted to get down, and you blocked my path. That’s the only reason Govek ran up here, right?”

Govek kept his head lowered but his grip on her arm firmed again.

The chief’s gold eyes went wide and then he fell into a sweeping bow that left Miranda flustered. “I sincerely apologize. I should have let you leave the moment you requested it, but I was afraid you felt coerced into staying at Govek’s side.”

“He saved her from the perils of the woods,” Karthoc said, crossing his burly arms over his wide chest. “Of course, she would want to stay with him.”

That he had. Govek had protected her and fed her and dragged her back to sanity after she’d fallen apart and not complained about it once.

“He’s wrenched her by the arm,” the chief said to Karthoc, eyes narrowed. “She should not be pulled around so harshly by a male so much stronger than her. It is clear intimidation and will make her feel like she is not allowed to leave him should she want to.”

Govek flinched and released her, left her feeling cold after his warm touch.

“Leave him for another orc, you mean? Are you trying to spark a challenge between your males? You want to watch your precious conjurers be cut down by Govek’s prowess?”

Miranda slipped her hand down Govek’s arm and took his balled fist. She felt a hot sticky wetness between his fingers and her chest tightened with dismay.

“That is not how we do things here in Rove Wood Clan. We do not have vile, bloody fights among one another,” Chief Ergoth said with his chin high. “Women are not belongings to be carted about. They can go where they wish. Speak to whomever they like.”

“Well, I want to go with and speak to Govek,” Miranda said firmly.

“There!” Karthoc said. “It’s done. Now both of you can go join the rest.”

Govek led her down in an instant. Miranda had never been so relieved to get off a stage in her life.

“Fuck, Ergoth. What’s this precious little thing? A blasted throne ? Like one of those prissy little human Highman? You’re so frail you can’t even get through your own blathering without needing to squat?”

Laughter bubbled up in Miranda’s chest. She couldn’t help it. But at least it was quiet enough that only Govek heard.

He jerked, startled, and snapped his eyes to her face. Seeing her smile seemed to put him more at ease and as he guided her away from the platform, he spoke. “I’m sorry, Miranda.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze. “Thanks for coming up to get me.”

He nodded tensely and led her to privacy at the back of the hall.