Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

GOVEK

G ovek's chest swelled with each moment that no one spoke. The stark parallel to the hall's horrible silence after he'd been ordered to Estwill was not lost on him. This time, instead of dark spiraling dread sinking him down, Govek was hurtled to his feet, brought into the light. Hope gleamed brightly in his mind and warmed his chest.

And then Iytier stood. "I side with Govek."

Govek's chest swelled, males who had never spoken to him, males who had offered him only harsh looks and clipped words, stood in agreement. Spoke out to Rogeth's and Wolvc's faults. By the end, the entire clan was on their feet.

The judgment was done.

He had won.

A burst of joy flooded him. Elation tingled in his veins. He turned to Miranda, looked into her wide eyes. Wanted so fucking badly to kiss her. To sing her praises. To thank her for the important part she'd played in this. He owed her his life in so many ways.

He managed to keep his composure as she returned to his side, but just barely.

And only because there was a haunted quality to her eyes that unsettled him. His throat worked.

"It is done then," his father said over the general clamor of orcs sitting back down. "Now for punishment."

The punishment. Govek's chest tightened. He would still be punished for attacking Wolvc.

"I want to call another vote."

Iytier again, his voice loud and booming over the orcs. Karthoc bellowed for silence.

"What vote is this?" Ergoth said slowly.

"I call to vote that Govek's punishment for attacking Wolvc be delayed. I vote that we hold a judgment in a few days' time to decide whether protecting a woman is justification for attacking without establishing a formal challenge first. After we get that result, we can decide if Govek should be punished or not."

Ergoth's face contorted and Govek felt like his stomach was going to bubble up and out of his own throat.

His father was blistering mad. Govek had never seen him in such a state.

Terror gripped Govek.

"I second this!" Estoc said. "Stand to vote."

Most of the orcs were already on their feet before Ergoth could say anything to interrupt them. And seeing the unanimous decision again, Chief Ergoth was forced to concede. But his father's face went tight, his posture went rigid, and Govek could see the rage that simmered beneath his skin .

Resignation thrummed a familiar beat in Govek's chest. He would need to stay out of his father's sight after this. Not a difficult task. He'd been doing that his whole life.

"It's done then!" The victorious tone wasn't lost on him. "Govek will not be punished this day."

The rush of that slammed into Govek, and he lost his breath. His every fiber buzzed with the knowledge.

He would not be sent to his death. He would not be separated from Miranda by force.

He dragged his mate to his side and tucked her up close. She beamed up at him, eyes glistening.

Fuck, he was the most blessed male in all of Faeda.

"Sythcol, please come forward to bind Rogeth and Wolvc so that Karthoc can take them back to his camp." Ergoth's voice was tight.

"Wait!" Rogeth cried. "That's not necessary. I'll comply with everything, I swear."

The conjurer came back to the platform slowly, his eyes sorrowful and his hands trembling slightly. For a moment, Govek thought perhaps it was simply from overexertion.

But it dawned on Govek, upon seeing the horror on Rogeth's face, that the lead conjurer didn't want to bind him any more than the young butcher and guard wanted to be bound.

That Sythcol was being forced by Ergoth to commit acts of torture .

Torture, and then, after all that, they would be sent to the front lines. To their death.

Would the magical binding still be in place when they were pushed to the front of the battle? Govek trembled, horror gripping his guts .

"Stop." Govek's voice carried much further than he thought it would. The clan hushed in an instant.

Ergoth looked out over the now attentive clan and scowled before turning to Govek. "What is it, my son ?"

What was it, indeed? Govek had spoken without thinking and could hardly find the words to convey what he felt.

Warmth pressed to his chest, and he looked down into Miranda's curious eyes. Govek breathed deep, kept his voice solid so it would carry but spoke to his mate. "I do not think forcing them to death is appropriate."

Miranda smiled.

"It is not your place to decide."

Govek looked up at Ergoth, brow furrowed. His father continued. "They have committed a crime against this clan as well as your woman. Attacking one of our few precious women is a severe offense. Or do you not agree that harming Miranda deserves punishment?"

Govek's gut twisted but Miranda took his hand up in hers and spoke for him. "I agree it deserves punishment, but even as the person who was attacked, I think forcing them to the front lines of the war is extreme. Surely there is another punishment that would be better suited, Chief Ergoth?"

His father hummed in thought, eyes glimmering, and Govek wondered just why Miranda had placed this punishment back into Ergoth's hands.

Maythra fidgeted, clearly wanting to step forward, but the two males had stayed back and looked at the floor. Although Wolvc had been the one to tell the truth, Rogeth had not fought it.

Just how much of their plight had been from Maythra's influence? Did they truly despise Govek enough to get him killed, or had they simply been led astray by a manipulative woman who had, at many times, acted as their mother?

"There is another punishment that may well be better," Ergoth said, going back to the edge of the platform. "My clan, in a great show of leniency, our newest member has suggested a lesser punishment. We will hold a vote to change their fate from death to silencing."

Govek suddenly felt chilled.

"And since this type of conjuring can also be cast upon humans, Maythra will receive it as well."

"What?" Maythra nearly shrieked as she stepped toward Chief Ergoth. Her hands clasped before her, her eyes wild and pleading. "My belov—my chief, you can't. Please, I beg you to show mercy. I swear I will never speak on this event as long as I live. I will never?—"

"Silence!" Ergoth cried and Maythra went quiet, but for a few muffled sobs.

"What is silencing?" Miranda asked softly, searching Govek's face.

He leaned close, more for his own comfort than to help her hear his response. "It is magic that prevents the one cursed from using any form of communication. Even hand gestures and writing."

Miranda paled. "Oh wow, is that better ?"

He thought it likely was better than death, but not by much.

"Let us vote."

" Please . My chief, I swear ," Maythra said, but it was too late. The clan was already rising to their feet, albeit reluctantly .

"It is done," Chief Ergoth said quickly. "Sythcol. Perform the spell."

"W-wait!" Miranda hurried in. "Shouldn't we at least let them have a chance to speak their goodbyes before being silenced?"

"Those are not the terms of the punishment," Ergoth said, eyes narrowed.

"I agree," Karthoc said. "I believe letting their punishment wait for a day or two will do no harm."

Many of the orcs voiced their agreement and Ergoth's expression grew dark. "Fine, I will concede. They will all be placed in confinement where they can write their final words and the silencing will be performed tomorrow. Agol, please take them away."

Govek's eyes shot to Agol. The male was clearly stricken and disheveled. It was his son about to be silenced, and Govek could not even fathom the pain of this.

"No," Karthoc said.

Ergoth glowered at Karthoc. "No?"

"I believe, under these circumstances, being able to actually speak their goodbyes to their loved ones is warranted. Unless Miranda or Govek feels that is too lenient."

"I don't. Govek?" Miranda looked up at him and he simply shook his head.

"That is too far, Karthoc," Ergoth snapped. "You do not have the authority to overrule my judgments."

Karthoc scoffed. "How many times do I have to repeat that I have all the authority, dear uncle. But if you truly feel that this is too lenient, when even those who have been wronged do not, perhaps you would like to put it to another vote? "

Ergoth looked out over the clan, at their steely faces, and relented. "No. I see I am in the minority in this. I only feel so strongly because it is my dear son who has been so wronged."

Govek's nose curled up and Miranda snorted as if she were about to start laughing. Ergoth glowered at her but Govek managed to push Miranda behind him before he could confirm Miranda's mirth.

Ergoth turned back to Karthoc. "Perhaps you would comply with having an orc be witness to these conversations. Just to ensure that no lies about my son are spread."

Karthoc looked like he was vacillating between disbelief and irritation. "Fuck, uncle , I never knew you cared so much about my cousin. From all your past actions, I would have assumed you would wanted vile rumors to fly."

Ergoth's voice grew dangerous. "These jests of yours are getting out of line, nephew. "

"Jests," Karthoc snorted. "Of course. But very well , if it stops your complaints, I will have one of my warriors sit with them to ensure topics remain on personal matters."

"And one of my conjurers."

" Fine . Now, are we done?"

"Yes. Call one of your warriors to escort them to your camp."

Brovdir came forward without preamble. Ergoth addressed the clan. "I call this judgment to a close."

Brovdir gestured for Maythra to move and she refused so he took her arm. She fought and demanded he let her go, but he barely looked at her as he pulled her out. Rogeth and Wolvc followed without any fight, and Agol took up the rear .

"Ergoth, wait. Ergoth!" Maythra screamed, fighting Brovdir until the hall doors thudded shut, cutting off her words.

And Govek was still inside.

Elation burst through him like crisp spring water flowing over his overheated flesh on a warm summer day. It flooded, drenched, his body trembled under the force of the fury in his gut being drowned out.

They had won !

He instantly caught Miranda in his arms and pulled her in for a kiss, uncaring who saw them. She tasted so sweet, and her warmth was so delightful. He wanted to laugh until his chest burst open.

He wanted to bellow with triumph as a thrill coursed through him. The hall grew brighter, as if his vision had cleared and his mind had been cleansed.

He had won this justice. And not just in his own mind. He had won it in the eyes of his clan.

He set Miranda on her feet and searched her lovely face.

Her expression was a little tight as she patted his hand. "We should get down."

He agreed, leading her off the platform and into the crowd of orcs, most of whom had left their seats now. He scanned the masses, feeling brave enough to do so. They had heard him. He had not been silenced or shamed. They had seen his truths and judged him to be right.

Iytier's face appeared in the crowd, smiling, and nodding confidently. Estoc too, though the male did not smile.

"I'm glad for this, Govek." Iytier clasped him about the shoulder. "Truly. "

"Yes," Estoc said. "Those three deserve everything they have coming."

Govek felt light, thrilled. His face hurt from the effort of keeping his jaw tucked while smiling.

"The rest of our clan is returning from the seasonal communion now. They will be here by mid-meal," Iytier said. "I will be sure to tell them all of what those three have done and of the outcome here."

"They're going to be Fades-blasted shocked ," Estoc grumbled. "I know after Iytier told me of all the lies he has uncovered." His eyes slid to where Ergoth was now mingling among the clan. "Our chief has much to answer for."

The venom in Estoc's tone unsettled Govek. He had never heard an orc of Rove Wood Clan speak this way about his father.

He glanced to where Miranda should be at his side, wanting to know how she felt about this shift and found her gone.

Panic sliced through him, and he jerked up, scanning the crowd, used her scent to follow where she was.

And when he found her, he felt no better.

She was standing with the seer. Tense, trembling slightly, wavering.

She was going to have another attack.

"Govek?" Iytier said, but he ignored the male's prompt and forced his way through the crowd.

To get his woman before it was too late.