Chapter 16

Chapter

Sixteen

MIRANDA

M aythra's eyes scorched Miranda's body, making her feel like she was suffering through another blazing Earth summer. Though instead of being caused by pollution and global warming, this awful heat was brought on by something far more satisfying—forced silence.

Miranda shouldn't relish the woman's angst so much, but she did. Maythra had been queen bee for far too long, and it was time for her to get squished.

"Miranda, please come forward and explain what you believe happened that night."

Miranda caught her breath, gave Govek's hand one last squeeze and left the protection of his large frame. No longer concealed by his body, she moved to take center stage.

A cold flash prickled along her skin as every gaze in the hall skewered her. It was a lot more daunting to have hundreds of eyes on her than she'd thought it would be. Everyone was so quiet and still as they waited for her to speak. She clutched her bag of evidence; the weight was comforting in the face of this.

Her voice came out a little squeaky. "I had just finished talking with the seer in the woods and was on my way back to the hall?—"

Ergoth interrupted. "Why were you speaking with the seer?"

"I don't think that's really your business," Miranda muttered before thinking and earned a dark scowl from Ergoth. Dang it, he already didn't like her and here she was making him even angrier.

"She is right," Karthoc said. "Her business with Evythiken is her own. Move on."

Miranda nodded. "I was returning, taking rest on a log, when someone threw a sweet-smelling liquid all over my face."

"You did not see who this was?" Ergoth asked.

"No. But I heard both Rogeth and Wolvc talking."

"But you did not see them throw the tincture on you?" Ergoth asked again and Miranda was forced to concede.

"No. I didn't see them. But I know they were there. Afterward I?—"

"What motive do you suppose they had for attacking you so unprovoked like this?" Ergoth interrupted again.

"For fuck's sake, Ergoth, let the woman speak ." Karthoc threw his hands up in exasperation.

"Thank you, but I'll answer." She'd known this question would come up at some point. "I overheard them all talking. Maythra, Rogeth, and Wolvc about how they wanted to get me to the hall, show me unconscious to Govek, so that he would lose his head and attack in front of the clan."

There was another rumble as the orcs began to converse. She couldn't tell from the tone which side they were on, but judging from the fact that Ergoth did not interrupt them, Miranda suspected they didn't believe her .

"I understand that this is what you have heard," Ergoth said, with a genial nod. "But I am unsure that this could be given as a valid reason. A single outburst from Govek would not be enough to change Warlord Karthoc's mind. Am I right, Warlord?"

"Yes." Karthoc said flatly and Miranda's stomach plunged, especially when the voices of the clan murmured their agreement.

She drew a long breath. She'd been prepared for them to cast doubt on her claim, since it was her word against theirs. But her alternative reasoning wasn't much better.

"I have another motive that could have caused this," Miranda said. "Before I left the hall, I accused the lead butcher, Rogeth, of framing Govek for animal torture."

The rumble of the orcs was silenced by Ergoth's swift hand. He waved for her to continue.

"I was told that Govek tortures his kills and leaves lash marks on them. But I'd seen him kill the elk a few days ago, and it didn't have any marks before we delivered it to the butchery. As the lead butcher, Rogeth is the one who could have put them there before he brought it to the hall."

"How dare you accuse me of such a thing!" Rogeth bounded to his feet and Govek let out a low growl. Thankfully, Rogeth was smart and didn't approach. "I would never defile the body of the Fades creatures like that."

"Miranda." Ergoth's face was smooth and calm. She gulped. "Once again, I must ask, do you have any proof of your claims? "

"It doesn't matter if I have proof or not." The collective surprise at her statement nearly helped calm her nerves. "What matters is that I accused him of it. In front of the whole clan in the hall. And that is enough motivation to anger him into attacking me right after."

Rogeth sputtered, going pale. "I didn't—I wasn't even there when you?—"

"Miranda."

Ergoth's voice was smooth and careful and it made Miranda's stomach sour as she met his glittering gold eyes. "Why would Rogeth care so much about this accusation?"

Miranda chose her words carefully, unsettled by the intensity of Chief Ergoth's gaze. "Why, indeed? I can imagine he wouldn't be angry, unless it was true, and he was trying to silence me."

"I did not do it," Rogeth spouted. "You make no sense. It sounds as if you are only bringing this up here to try to place blame on others for this torture, when the fault lies only with Govek."

Miranda could tell from the rumbling of the orcs that they all agreed, and her blood went cold. She should have known this line of reasoning wasn't solid enough, but she'd been desperate. Her mind worked for something she could say to counter. Anything.

"No torture has taken place in the Rove Woods."

Miranda's heart jumped into her throat.

In the open door to the hall, outlined by the morning light, stood the seer in his white robes. He moved inside, navigating easily despite his blindness. He made his way over to where Karthoc stood.

Ergoth spoke up. "Seer, you are most welcome here today. But please, do not trouble yourself with these proceedings. I know how unwell you have been and how unwell you were just this morn."

"Your concern is so touching, Chief Ergoth of Rove Wood Clan, but alas , I am perfectly well now and see no better way to spend my morning than listening to this nice little show you have created."

Ergoth straightened, shoulders tense, jaw tight, fists balled. "I do not know what you mean. This is not a show but a judgment proceeding of great consequence."

"Yes, and that is why I have come—to impart my wisdom." The seer took a place at the center of the floor in front of the platform. His face tipped up at the chief as if his clouded eyes could see him. "I have truths that need spoken here."

Miranda searched Ergoth's face, but the male was too good at hiding his thoughts. "Speak your truths then, seer. We are glad to hear them."

"No torture of animals has taken place in the Rove Woods."

Miranda's breath caught as triumph worked its way warmly through her mind, even as an odd sense of disappointment warred with it.

The clan became loud once more, but another snarl from Karthoc forced them to quiet.

"This wisdom is from the Fades themselves? They showed you these truths?" Ergoth asked.

"The Fades show me nothing," the seer said, and Miranda's disappointment mounted. In the back of her mind, she'd hoped that the seer might come in and simply tell everyone that Govek was not at fault. He'd been the one that told her to sit on the log after all. The seer must have known what was going to happen next .

And yet, somehow, she'd known that it would not be that easy.

This wasn't about Govek. Not entirely. This was about her healing from her trauma. This was about getting justice in some small way so she could recover enough to dredge.

And she would not recover if the seer did everything for her.

"I only know that no torture has taken place because we are in the Rove Woods. Acts of malice against healthy creatures would leave a trace. You orcs can commune as well as I. Reach for that truth, and you will quickly find that the only darkness tainting these woods is found within the blight."

"I don't see how you can be so certain of anything," Chief Ergoth asked. "You yourself say that your head is clouded of late."

"Are you calling my abilities into question, little chief ?"

Miranda blinked at the seer's tone and the orcs seemed to have an even more violent reaction. Their muscles bunched, and their eyes went wide.

"N-no, Great Seer. Of course not." Chief Ergoth managed through clenched teeth. "Very well. Since you say that no torture has taken place, then I will see this as a valid motive for Rogeth to have sought retribution. Even if it is not certain that Rogeth is truly behind this act."

Of course, Ergoth would call it "this act" instead of saying clearly what it was.

Govek had been framed.

Rogeth shot up again, "My chief, I swear I never?—"

"Silence. Now is not the time for this," Ergoth said. "The truth has been brought to light, and we will leave these troubles in the past. "

Miranda's jaw dropped. Was he saying they were just going to let this go ? Years of Govek being framed as an animal abuser, just "poof"—gone—like he hadn't been wronged .

"Rest assured," Karthoc said, his voice low, slow and deadly. His dark eyes were trained on Ergoth and the chief grew tense. " I will be doing a thorough investigation into who is responsible for deceiving the clan and making them all believe Govek abused his kills."

"F-fine." Ergoth straightened his purple robes. "I wish you well with it."

"And you will aid me."

Ergoth scowled. "Since most of the evidence has been eaten, I do not see how much more I could do." Karthoc growled and Ergoth hastily replied. "Fine. Yes. I will help. Miranda, you're finished with your account, yes? Let's move on to Maythra?—"

" Ergoth ," Karthoc said threateningly.

"I'm not done," Miranda said quickly. Ergoth was stupid for even asking.

Did that mean he was getting desperate?

It didn't matter. She would keep going as if the whole world was against her. She put her entire being into the act of getting justice for Govek. For herself.

Miranda straightened her spine. She was ready. She'd thought this all the way through.

She pulled her dress from that night out of her bag of evidence. "Is Hovget here?"

"Hovget, come forward," Ergoth said, and in a moment, the healer made his way up the stairs onto the platform. The long gray hair that framed his face was disheveled and his clothes were crooked and there were large bags under his eyes.

"This is the stain where the tincture they threw on me was. Can you tell me what it is?"

Hovget took no time. "It's vorial. It is used to aid in sleep."

"Right. You prescribed this to me, didn't you?"

"Prescribed?" he asked, brow furrowing at the word. "I did give you some of it, yes."

A snort came from Maythra's direction and Miranda looked to find the woman smug and satisfied with her arms crossed under her bosom.

"You have something to say , Maythra?" She was honestly surprised Maythra hadn't interrupted already. It made Miranda's plan a little more difficult.

She needed Maythra to start talking.

"Rise, Maythra," Ergoth said soothingly. "You may speak."

Maythra took to her feet, hands clasped in front of her. "I just find it very telling that you admit to having this potion. That Govek had easy access to it."

"It was offered to me. " Miranda used a more forceful tone, hoping, praying, it would be enough to goad her. "Not Govek. Govek had nothing to do with it."

Maythra laughed. " Govek was the one who requested it for you. Of course, he had access to it."

Bingo!

"How could you possibly know that?" Miranda put a hand in front of her mouth as if shocked, hoping that it would hide the smile threatening to quiver at her lips.

"I know everything in this clan," Maythra said with a wave of her hand. "Especially where the women are concerned. And I passed Wellia multiple times while she was on her way to deliver this potion to you. So, I know you have been using it quite a bit. Or perhaps did you lose some and need a replacement?"

This accusation was said with a pointed look toward Govek and the clan began to chatter again.

Miranda rose her voice to be heard. "I never got a replacement. I never got this tincture at all."

"Don't lie ." Maythra swept her hands out. "Many here also saw Wellia on her way to your home."

"Wellia." Miranda looked out into the crowd. "Care to speak?"

"Wellia." Ergoth went to the edge of the platform toward the table where all the women sat. "As a woman of this clan, you need not speak if you do not wish to."

"I wish to." Wellia stood and pushed her dark curls back away from her face.

Miranda soared. Her heart hammered. She looked to Govek and found his eyes wide, brows raised.

She knew he never thought this would work. When she'd drawn this conclusion on her own while pouring over all the events surrounding Maythra's attack, Govek had confessed to being confused over how a tiny detail such as this might bear so much weight on the argument at hand. Miranda supposed all those years watching crime documentaries were finally paying off.

"I never delivered the tincture," Wellia said clearly, and her voice was almost drowned out in the end by the clan breaking out into open chatter.

Karthoc roared for silence, but Maythra didn't bother to obey. "That is not true," she wailed. "I saw you. Three times I saw you. And Hilva saw too. As did Beleda and Tove. Tell them ."

The three stood but Karthoc yelled, "Sit down! Wellia is speaking first."

"I'll come up." Wellia hurried to the platform and stood next to her mate, who regarded her with surprise. She took Hovget's hand and gave it a gentle pat before she looked out over the clan. "I never gave Miranda the potion, and the account books at the Healer's House can prove that."

"But I saw?—"

"What you saw , Maythra, was me attempting to deliver it. I went to Govek's home three times to deliver the vorial, but they never answered the door and I did not feel comfortable leaving it since it has such extreme side effects when too much is used. As we all know."

"Govek must have stolen it then."

Wellia's eyes were cold. "Perhaps. One vial is missing, but it went missing after you visited, Maythra."

"Are you accusing me of stealing now?" Maythra nearly shrieked. "I was never anywhere near the Healer's House!"

"I'm not accusing you of anything. I have no proof. I've been on my own these last few days, so there have been many times I've been out of the room where we store our tinctures. I cannot watch the vials at all times. But I do account for them three times daily."

The clan chattered again, but Miranda was standing close enough to Hovget that she could listen in as he leaned close to his mate. "Why did you not tell me vorial was stolen? I could have aided you."

"You've been so busy with your study," Wellia whispered with a glance toward Govek .

"I am sorry," Hovget said gently. "The poison from the boar has been keeping me so preoccupied."

The poison from the boar? Did he mean the poison from Govek's blood? Was the blood Hovget took from Govek keeping him up studying?

Miranda's curiosity was piqued and catching like a wildfire.

"All is forgiven, my love." Wellia placed a kiss to Hovget's cheek.

"This still proves nothing! " Maythra's cry drew Miranda's full attention. "I'm certain Govek stole the vorial! I've done nothing wrong! Chief Ergoth, you swore you would ensure this played out the way I?—"

"Be silent, Maythra!"

The venom in Ergoth's words made Miranda flinch. The whole hall quieted.

There was something in the chief's golden eyes, some vicious glimmer, that made Miranda suddenly itch to run. Go back to Govek. Head for the mists like he planned.

But her curiosity burned too. What had Chief Ergoth sworn to Maythra?

"This is a very serious crime you are accused of committing." Ergoth's voice dripped with checked rage. "And you have made far too many mistakes along the way for anyone to think you are completely absolved."

"B-but my chief ?" Maythra stammered.

"Speak the truth now, and perhaps I can be lenient," Ergoth said slowly. "Did you steal vorial from the Healer's House? Did you attack Miranda in the woods? Was it you who has lied before this clan?"

Maythra clenched her hands in her skirts, darting her eyes around the hall. "I-I don't. I didn't?— "

"We did."

Miranda's gaze shot to Wolvc. He got to his feet. His body wavered, but his eyes were clearer now. He raised his chin high and looked out over the clan.

"We attacked Miranda." His words were muffled from the bandages and slurred from his injury, but clear enough to make out. Miranda's heart pounded. "Maythra's idea to show Govek as unfit."

"No!" Maythra screamed, but it was drowned out.

Miranda's mind buzzed and her ears rang with the sound of the clan in a complete uproar.

And her eyes found Govek, who had gotten up. He was standing strong and tall and utterly shocked. Eyes wide, eyebrows high, mouth almost agape.

Hands unclenched and relaxed at his side.

They had won ! They had gotten him his justice! It was done!

And yet . . .

The thrill of victory dimmed in her chest. The adrenaline and anticipation of this day ebbed away. Her stomach clenched and her palms sweated.

The faces of her babies flashed in her mind.

They had gotten justice. She should feel better. She should be ready to talk to the seer!

But the heavy, pressing weight of grief clenched in her gut.

Why hadn't it ebbed? Even just a little?

Karthoc silenced the room, and Ergoth said loudly, "I call for a vote."