Chapter 14

Chapter

Fourteen

MIRANDA

T he hall was absolute chaos .

The voices of the orcs as they exchanged their good mornings, found places to sit, and visited were almost a roar by the time the breakfast had finished being served. It seemed like everyone who hadn't wanted to eat here was now showing up. The door was propped open at this point.

And Miranda was so impatient she wanted to gnaw her fingers off.

Instead, she busied herself by going through her little bag of evidence. She reread her note and tried not to stare at Maythra, Rogeth, and Wolvc, who were seated in chairs just as hard and uncomfortable as her own on the opposite side of Ergoth's platform. Maythra's glare was hot enough to burn her to cinders, but Rogeth was constantly fidgeting. He squirmed around and tried to look anywhere but at her.

Wolvc, however, almost appeared resigned. His jaw was bandaged in white linen. His eyes were a little cloudy, like he was drugged. He twitched a few times as if pained, and Miranda wondered just how bad his injury was. Once or twice, Miranda managed to catch his eye and furrow her brow at him, and each time, he simply regarded her with a dejected look she was dying to decipher.

Would he tell the truth?

A light brush to her hair caught her attention, and she leaned into Govek slightly, letting his warmth and comfort soothe her frazzled nerves. He'd chosen the chair between her and the clan, blocking her from view for the most part. Didn't stop people from staring, or from trying to crane their necks around Govek's bulky frame to see her, but it was better than nothing.

"You doing okay, tough guy?" They'd been sitting here for a while now. Long enough that her butt was going numb. Govek was already so tense, and the chair seemed too small for him. It forced his knees to bunch up. He kept extending them out for a few seconds to stretch. She stroked her hand down his leg, meaning to be soothing, but the fire in his eyes made her stomach flip.

"I'm well, Miranda," Govek said softly. "Just as I was a few moments ago."

"I wouldn't keep asking if you stopped lying," she grumbled, and he scowled at her. "We're ready. I've got all my evidence, and I know all the proceedings."

Though she kinda wished her plan wasn't quite so... argumentative.

There was no way around it. They'd been set up to fail, and she intended to level the playing field.

She had to. She had to get justice. She had to overcome or else the seer wouldn't be able to help her. She scanned the crowd for him again .

Still not here.

"Miranda," Govek rumbled, making her shiver. He trailed a finger up her arm and back down to her palm. The gentle caress was so soothing and made her marvel. He'd been so affectionate since the trip to Oakwall.

Not that she minded in the least.

She tipped her head a little. "Lean down here. I need to tell you something." His eyes flashed with worry, but he obeyed, and she smacked a kiss to his cheek before murmuring, "I love you."

That adorable little snort of contentment he always did when she confessed her affection broke from him and he pressed his forehead to hers a second before sitting back up. Then he wrapped a hand around her hip and tugged her closer, almost off the chair.

She laughed despite her tension as their thighs bumped. "You want me to just crawl into your lap?"

"Wouldn't mind that." He sent another quick grin at her. He didn't seem worried about this.

But he wouldn't be, since he had a plan whether they won or not. A plan Miranda didn't want to think about. Living in the mists in complete isolation. Always looking over their shoulders. On the run.

Her babies wouldn't thrive there like they would in the Rove Woods. She may not even be able to keep them there. She'd have to introduce them to Oakwall Village and leave them behind. Again.

Just as she'd left them on Earth.

Her stomach twisted.

They wouldn't need that plan because they would win. She would get justice.

"Maybe if I ask Chief Ergoth really nice, he'll let me sit on you for the duration," Miranda teased, her eyes flitting to where Ergoth was still mingling with the clan down at the first table. The same one Govek had struck with his magic. She could see the black bolts jutting from the charred center, which had a crater the size of a soup bowl. They stretched almost twenty feet before finally petering out.

It looked kinda cool, honestly.

Ergoth continued to chat away with a group of orcs with black hands. Govek had said they were the lead conjurer team, but every now and then, Ergoth would look her direction. And the fury in his eyes made her stomach queasy.

"Why's he so mad at me ?" she murmured to herself, but of course Govek heard.

"I think..." Govek trailed off, and she looked up at him and stroked the back of his hand to get him talking again. "His plan was to have me bear the role of chief but default entirely to his judgment."

"Right." Miranda nodded.

Govek held her eyes. "But he cannot have control over me because you hold all of that control."

Miranda's stomach flipped right over, and she let out a little laugh before shaking her head. "Govek, don't make jokes like that ."

"I am not jesting, woman," he said with enough sincerity that it forced her laughter to die out.

Her blood buzzed and her heart clamored out a rapid pace. "So I guess this means I really can tattoo my name on your ass."

Govek chuckled. "I'd let you tattoo much more than that . I'd let you brand any part of me you wished."

"Oh my god, Govek," she snapped, and he was surprised enough at her outburst that she realized his mind hadn't taken the turn hers did. Her eyes flashed down to his groin and he instantly got it, going tense as he realized the liberty he'd just granted her. Before he could worry she might not be joking, she said, "Nope, not going there. That is perfect just the way it is."

She stroked a hand up his thigh, forcing a shiver out of him. He snatched up her hand before it got too high.

A loud scoff came from across the platform and Miranda looked up to find Maythra glowering at her. She opened her mouth as if she were about to spout off.

Karthoc burst into the room.

Miranda sat straight along with the rest of the clan as the scowling warlord stalked into the hall with his battle-scarred brother following close behind.

And no one else.

Dang it, where was the seer?

Chief Ergoth called a greeting even as he made his way toward the platform. "Karthoc, good morrow to you. I trust the trade went well after we parted ways."

Karthoc's scowl was hot enough to melt all the crystal leaves of the Rove Tree and Miranda was instantly curious about what had happened after she and Govek had left.

"The seer won't be joining us today?" Chief Ergoth asked. Apparently, Miranda wasn't the only one who'd noticed his absence. Ergoth climbed up onto his platform as Karthoc approached, but the warlord stayed on the ground, scowling up at his uncle.

"He still may," Karthoc said. "He was unwell this morning, but he is going to make the attempt."

"I am sorry to hear it." Ergoth didn't sound the least bit sorry. "Let us not delay. "

The chief stood tall and stretched his arms wide. His billowing violet robes were even shinier today, catching the light from the nearest bonfire. He had not one white hair out of place from his braids.

The hundreds of once clamoring orcs fell into hushed silence, all eyes on their leader. "My clan! Welcome. I trust we are all rested. It is here, beneath the Great Rove Tree, that we have another judgment. Although it may cause pain to see strife within our great clan, together we overcome."

He followed with a chant in a rolling, deep language that most of the orcs in attendance joined, but she noted that neither Govek nor Karthoc spoke.

"Warlord Karthoc has deigned to oversee these proceedings. It is a great matter that we are deciding on today. Long has it been since such violence has been done to one of our own women." Ergoth turned and met Miranda's eyes. His expression made her back straighten. "I would like to formally apologize, Miranda, on behalf of all in this clan who failed to protect you. I swear it will not happen again."

Miranda tightened her grip on Govek's arm. "That's nice of you to say, but I don't need your protection."

The chief's eyes burned but before he could say another word Rogeth cut in.

"Chief Ergoth."

The young orc butcher sat on the edge of his chair. His fists clenched and unclenched.

Ergoth turned his raging gaze away from her. "Yes, Rogeth, you may speak."

"Can the binding be removed now?" His question came out almost as soon as Ergoth stopped speaking.

"That is fine, as long as no one objects. "

Rogeth's eyes darted around the room and Miranda realized that his fidgeting and nervousness may have been because he was in pain .

"Come forward, Sythcol," Ergoth called. And while the conjurer came up to the platform, Miranda looked to Govek.

"Tough guy . . . how bad is it?"

Govek glanced at her and then let out a long breath. "For me, not bad. I have practice dealing with it, but for them..."

Miranda looked over to where Sythcol had just finished removing the binding from Rogeth. The male all but collapsed into his chair, head in his hands, body shuddering.

"But... it was that bad for you? At first?" Miranda's throat closed up a little.

Govek nodded.

She hugged his arm tight, brought his hand up to kiss his palm.

Fuck Ergoth and this entire clan. Govek had literally been tortured .

Sythcol stopped in front of Govek and rose his black hands to his chest. The discoloration stretched to his elbows, much further than the other conjurers.

Miranda could not see this magic, but the concentration on the conjurer's smooth face told her when the task was done.

Before he stepped away, Sythcol whispered, "I am sorry." His voice sounded tight, and his eyes were lowered.

"You need not be. I've long grown used to this," Govek said, but his response only made Sythcol look more stricken before the conjurer turned away.

"Let us move on. Tell me, Miranda, has Govek informed you of how these proceedings take place? "

"He has."

"Then you know first we will announce the consequences of this judgment," Ergoth said, looking more than a little smug. He kept his eyes on her as he stated, "As we are all aware, this is an extreme case. Attacking a member of this clan is never taken lightly, to say nothing of the attack on one of our women. Therefore, the punishment must also be severe.

"The males in this face the ultimate punishment for warriors of Faeda. The transgressor will go to Avokil with Karthoc. To redeem themselves in battle against the Waking Order."

A shocked rumble passed over the orcs and Miranda examined their faces, tried to catch some of their words. They seemed rather surprised, but no one seemed overly alarmed.

Govek took her hand in his and she glanced up at his tense expression. She couldn't tell if he was offering comfort or needed it. Likely it was both.

And then, Chief Ergoth's lips curled in a smile that made a shudder go down Miranda's spine. "In addition, the punishment will commence immediately after the judgment has concluded . "

Miranda's blood went still and icy as her mind sparked over that order.

Immediately? Govek would be taken into custody right then and there?

Would they have a chance to escape?

"Govek?" Miranda whispered, her voice broke, and his expression did nothing to quell her terror. His cheek twitched and his hand clutched hers so tight it was painful .

Nausea spiraled in her and she worked down the bile in her throat.

They wouldn't lose. They wouldn't .

"There are two outcomes in this," Ergoth continued. "Either Govek attacked Miranda and then attacked Wolvc when he came to her defense." Miranda gripped Govek's hand tighter. "Or Wolvc and Rogeth harmed Miranda, and Govek attacked Wolvc when he came upon the scene." Miranda's stomach twisted at the way he worded it.

It dropped completely as Ergoth continued. "Therefore, we are holding two punishments today and deciding two outcomes. One for the attack on Miranda and the other for the attack on Wolvc."

"Wait! So, you intend to punish Govek no matter the outcome?" Miranda went so cold she was almost numb.

"Govek did attack Wolvc in both cases, using his magic to ensure the worst injury would be endured." Ergoth's piercing golden eyes caused ice to skitter in Miranda's veins.

"But he was defending me." Miranda rose to her feet and the eyes of every orc in the room bruised her flesh. "Are you suggesting that orcs aren't allowed to defend their women?"

Ergoth's expression twitched, revealing malice for a split second. "That is not in debate here and holds no bearing on the outcome."

"H-holds no bearing?" Miranda snapped just as she felt Govek tug her back into her seat.

"I agree with Miranda."

Miranda craned her neck around Govek and found Iytier standing among the sea of green. Savili sat at the table beside him. She cradled their baby and watched her mate encouragingly.

"Iytier, please voice your concerns," Ergoth said without even the subtlest hint of irritation or worry.

"I find it unsettling that males of this clan could be subjected to our most extreme punishments simply for protecting our mates. Oftentimes, in such situations, there is no time to issue a challenge and action must be taken immediately. Are we all to be forced to go to the frontlines of the war with the Waking Order simply for protecting our women?"

A general clamor of agreement fluttered over the orcs, and Ergoth held up his hand to silence them. "I agree with this."

Miranda was stunned with Ergoth's quick reply and not so surprised when he followed up.

" However, we must maintain on the topic at hand. We can discuss this issue at another time. For today, we must maintain the judgment."

Iytier tensed, scowling. "So Govek should be punished today and another orc who is accused of the same transgression tomorrow will not be?"

"Hmm," Ergoth said slowly, his light smile grating against Miranda's nerves. "I see how this is unfair. If you would like, we can hold a vote on this."

Iytier glanced down at Savili, who nodded and he straightened. "Yes. I call a vote."

"Fine," Ergoth spread his hands wide again. "All those in favor of reducing Govek's punishment now, before we know if he is responsible for these heinous attacks, please stand."

"Ergoth," Karthoc growled threateningly .

"That isn't what I—" Iytier started.

"I apologize." Chief Ergoth looked genuinely remorseful. This orc's ability to fake contrition unsettled Miranda. "Truly. I must have misunderstood what you wanted. Please, Iytier, word the vote exactly as you will it."

Iytier looked around the room in defeat.

The damage was done. Who would vote to reduce the sentence without proof?

"I... call to vote that Govek not be punished for injuring Wolvc while defending his woman."

No one stood.

" Just for the attack on Wolvc," Iytier clarified rapidly. "The punishment for the attack on Miranda can still maintain."

She searched the room.

No one stood. Not one.

Miranda looked to Ergoth, who stood atop his podium, chin raised, posture easy. He'd known none of them would side with Govek. He'd known that not one of them would play fair.

Govek and her were officially fighting a losing battle. But Miranda steeled her jaw and straightened her spine.

She would still fight.