Chapter 21

Chapter

Twenty-One

GOVEK

M iranda babbled constantly as they made their way toward the hall doors. It was as if she could read his mind and knew he needed a quick distraction to keep his tension at bay. Knew he needed something to look forward to.

"So, after this, I think we should stop by the storeroom and pick up all the ingredients for a new food I want you to try." She stroked his arm. Her fingertips were like the touch of butterfly wings and made him shiver. "It's called pizza and it's basically flat bread with a bunch of delicious toppings on it. I'm not sure how the bread will turn out, but it can't be much worse than the rolls you made for us, or should I say, the rocks ."

Govek snorted and slowed his pace. He wanted a few more moments to listen to her, and the hall was far too close.

"I think we should try to figure out what your favorite of all the things I cook you is. Maybe tomorrow I can make all the best dishes so you can try them together. Then you can choose your favorite. I guess that might be wasteful though, right? Maybe we should invite Viravia and Brovdir over to help us eat it? Man, I forgot to quiz Brovdir about that woman he's seeing at Oakwall. Dang it, now we have to invite him over for dinner."

Govek disliked the idea of sharing his time with Miranda. He tugged her closer to his side. "You do not need to invite them, Miranda. I will eat everything you make."

"Oh really? That sounds like a challenge." Miranda grinned. "You'll have to pay attention though, cause I'll want to know what you like best."

"I already know what I best like to eat."

Her eyes danced with mischief. "Oh really ? What might that be?"

"I'll give you a hint." He brushed his lips against her ear, kissed along her cheek. He tipped her chin to his mouth.

"Govek."

He jerked away from his mate. Chief Ergoth stood before him.

"What are you doing here, my son?" his father asked, eyes on Miranda. Govek felt his blood lick with flames as he pushed his mate behind his back. Ergoth puffed in exasperation as he adjusted the sleeve of his shimmery blue robes. "Really, Govek, you must act this way? After yesterday, I would have thought you had learned your lesson."

Learned his lesson? But he'd won the judgment. He had no lessons to learn from his victory.

None aside from the new knowledge that he may not be as reviled as he'd thought. Govek straightened his back as his father continued.

"I hope you don't mean to eat in the hall, Govek. You know how everyone must feel after the ruling. The sorrow over Maythra, Rogeth, and Wolvc's banishment is high."

Govek kept his voice firm. "I was invited."

"Invited? Who invited you?"

"Viravia did, and she will be here to join us soon," Govek said.

"I am still chief of this clan, Govek. And your father. I demand?—"

"Govek! Greetings."

Govek blinked and turned to find Iytier standing behind him with Savili and their baby. The male narrowed his eyes at Ergoth but said, "Have you come to eat in the hall, Govek?"

"Viravia invited us." Govek tucked his jaw up. "She said we might be welcome."

"You certainly are," Iytier said, but his eyes never strayed from Ergoth's face. "Estoc and Jehvlek are already within. I am confident they would like to speak with you. On friendly terms and nothing less."

Ergoth spoke up. "While I agree that a few in the clan would be fine with Govek's presence, there are many more who would be uncomfortable. Govek, I strongly urge you to return to your home for now. Give those who are grieving time to come to terms."

"Those who are grieving traitors can do so in their own homes."

It was Estoc. He had just exited the hall and walked over to their small group. Govek had been on the receiving end of the male's ire more than once, but this time, his dark eyes were narrowed on the chief.

Govek had never seen anyone look at his father this way.

"Govek was found in favor . He should not be treated as if he were the one being punished."

"I meant nothing of the sort," Ergoth said, his voice flat and his eyes seething. "I think only of the sadness and suffering of my clan members."

"You've turned a blind eye to your own son's suffering enough times. I would think you could manage the act for Maythra's supporters now," Estoc snapped, flooding Govek with the oddest sensation—like he was growing tall, moving higher. He could look down upon his father and know that any rebuke Ergoth attempted could not reach him at this new distance. "Govek, come eat with me."

Govek stood frozen as Estoc went back into the hall. The male was clearly angry, but not at him, right? Or was this meal about to turn into an interrogation? Govek had not been around these males enough to read what their intentions were. They were his brother's friends. And yes, they'd gone fishing and hunting, and occasionally, they'd shared a meal together, but Govek had been an outsider in those gatherings. On the outskirts. Watching rather than participating.

And yet his chest lightened at the memory of Jehvlek offering him a place at the campfire. Of Iytier asking him for tips while hunting. Of being amused by one of Estoc's tales.

Would they really have allowed Tavggol to invite him along if they hadn't wanted his company?

"Come, Govek. Let us catch up on old times and enjoy each other as we once did." Iytier held open the door for him, even Savili seemed pleased. She grinned at him and Miranda triumphantly.

Miranda placed a hand on Govek's arm, looked up at him with questioning eyes and a light smile. He soaked up her confidence and nodded.

He took a deep breath and entered the Hall.

The world inside was much different from anything he'd experienced in the past.

Govek had never been allowed to participate in the revelry after the families came back from the seasonal communion. He was told he couldn't be trusted around the children.

But not one of the children even noticed he was there as they rushed around, yelling and laughing. Celebrating. Their schooling would take a break now and the energy was high.

"Govek," Iytier said, gesturing for him to follow. "This way." He pointed to one of the tables dead center in the hall, and Govek tensed as the eyes of orcs and women landed on him.

He'd always kept to the outskirts, always lurked along the wall. He'd stayed out of sight as much as possible. He could not recall ever walking toward the center of the Great Rove Tree, head high, eyes scanning rather than averted.

And when he did look... Blast. The angry, worried faces he'd endured were gone. Confusion lay in their wake. Uncertainty. There were whispers, but the clipped unhappy tones were absent. The hush wasn't allowed to permeate with so many happy children playing around them.

So many children . Govek had never realized how many there were. Probably close to fifty. One-sixth of the clan .

"Govek... if they merge, what will the kids' lives be like?"

Fuck.

"Sit here, Govek, Miranda." Savili gestured to the bench right across from Estoc and his mate, Roenia. Roenia was nursing their babe, and Govek's mind shifted to a mental image of Miranda cradling one of their own.

He glanced at Miranda and found her features soft and her mouth quirked into a grin. But her attention was on a group of children playing on Ergoth's platform. Two much younger were whooping with delight as they leaped into an older boy's arms.

Miranda was so Fades-wretched beautiful in this moment of happiness Govek felt his entire being soften at it. She had spoken of cameras, magic that could capture a still image. He had to admit that he longed for this to be made real on Faeda. He couldn't count the sights of her he wished to preserve.

A throat cleared and Govek jolted, brought back out of his musings to find both orcs watching him with wide eyes and their women... well their women were hard to read, but their smiles made his gut pitch.

He helped Miranda onto her bench seat and Roenia leaned as far toward Miranda as the suckling babe would allow. She held up her hand to her mouth as if that would somehow prevent Govek from hearing. "You two seem to be getting along. Are you playing conquest? Or are the two of you thinking of being mated? Do you plan to stay here in Rove Wood Clan for the pregnancy?"

Miranda flashed one of her best smiles and greeted warmly. "I'm Miranda. Nice to meet you."

Savili chuckled as Roenia flushed and stammered. "I'm Roenia, and this is Uvion." She touched the babe's head. "I have four other sons as well." She gestured over to a group of about ten running around. There was no way to pick out which were hers.

"I'm Estoc." Roenia's mate cut in. "I'll get the boys over to introduce later. No use trying to talk sense into their thick heads right now. You'll understand soon enough with your own orc babes."

"Maybe," Miranda said with a shrug and a grin that told him he knew just what she was doing to their curiosity.

Estoc kept his gaze on Govek as he muttered, "You picked a woman as tight-lipped as you are, I see."

Govek huffed as Miranda's grin widened.

"Stop pushing, Estoc."

It was Jehvlek's quiet tone that cut the tension. He walked over with his usual smooth glide. His slender frame and careful demeanor gave him an aloof air that had never left Govek feeling completely comfortable. This was the first time he had laid eyes on the male since Tavggol's death, but he met Govek's eyes with ease. "Govek has always been private, so I can only assume his woman is as well."

"He could at least tell us if she's staying," Estoc muttered but dropped the subject.

Jehvlek made no move to sit. "I'll return shortly with my mate. Would you like us to bring meals for you and your woman, Govek?"

"I'll get it once she's settled," Govek said firmly and Jehvlek gave a simple nod before disappearing into the chaos.

Surprisingly, Estoc grinned with amusement. "Ever the provider. You—" He froze, eyes narrowed on the door. "Fades be fucked."

Govek looked over to see his father walk into the hall. He kept to the wall like Govek usually did and scanned the crowd. When their eyes met, his father glowered, straightened up, and turned away. He moved off toward his platform where the children were still roughhousing.

"You'd think he'd read the energy," Estoc growled under his breath and Roenia patted his arm with her free hand. "He should either explain himself or stay out. He's going to spoil the mood."

Roenia censured him quietly. "Estoc, you promised."

"I know, I know," he muttered. "Sorry, Govek. I know it's not a pleasant topic, but fuck, Ergoth hasn't even... sorry. Nothing."

A tense silence followed as Estoc went quiet, though his eyes still narrowed on Ergoth, who had climbed up to his platform and disappeared into his private rooms.

"What do you mean?" Miranda pressed, drawing Govek's attention back. "Ergoth hasn't even what?"

Roenia met Estoc's eyes. "We, most of the clan, have been asking him to clarify some things, like why he lied to keep us from visiting Govek after Tavggol's death, but he's been rather avoidant."

"Guilty is what he is," Estoc snapped, going off in a way that made Govek's brows rise. "He even promoted the rumors that you abused Yerina. That's why so many here believed them."

Govek clenched his teeth so hard he thought they might crack.

"Estoc," Iytier cut in. "You vowed to make this a pleasant meal. "

Estoc growled slightly but met Govek's eyes. "Sorry, we're all furious. Karthoc said he'll search out the truth, but what for? We all already know the truth."

Govek swallowed and searched the hall to where Karthoc stood beside Brovdir, chatting with a large group of males who were all sitting and eating. Most of the expressions were actually pleasant.

Had... the warrior's reputation in Rove Wood Clan changed? What had caused that?

"He won't be our chief for much longer anyway," Iytier said, giving Govek a pointed look.

Govek's skin prickled.

He would not become clan leader. He was not suited for such a role.

Govek calmed himself by toying with the idea of taking Miranda on a long hunting trip. He'd hide her away from all these complications until they resolved on their own.

Estoc snorted loudly and drew Govek's attention back. "Regardless, most do not think of Ergoth as our leader any longer. Too many vile things have been uncovered. Why even the clearing has—Vaiteg!" The male rose to his feet, eyes flaming. Govek was jolted by the sudden shift that it took him a moment to remember that Vaiteg was the name of Estoc's eldest son. "Get out of that cauldron! Do you want to be turned into stew?"

Govek blinked, trying to pull himself out of his own mind as Estoc charged off to get his child out of the cooking pot. He clenched and unclenched his hands, working to calm his nerves.

Miranda's bright laughter instantly caught his attention. Everyone's really. He turned to find her eyes trained on Estoc. He yanked his son out of the cauldron only to realize it was partially full of raw fish already. The muck splashed out and splatted all over the floor and Estoc's legs as well.

His tension dimmed as Estoc's raging disgust roared over the general clamor of the hall. Vaiteg barely looked bothered.

"That boy certainly keeps us running." Roenia nodded at Miranda with an easy smile. "This isn't even the oddest thing he's done."

"Oh, I'm sure. Kids with that much energy tend to get into the worst trouble. And the most hilarious," Miranda said.

"Miranda used to work with children," Savili offered.

Roenia's eyebrows rose. "I bet you have some good stories."

"Oh man, absolutely." Miranda leaned in a bit. "One time this four-year-old, Josh, got into the snack room, which is usually barred from the kids, and ate every pack of fruit snacks we had on hand. Like three pounds of the stuff."

"Oh no!" Roenia said, clearly amused, though Govek heard the note of confusion in her tone at Miranda's Earth words.

"Was he ill?" Savili asked.

"That's an understatement."

"Vaiteg did something similar." Roenia started up her own tale as Iytier got Govek's attention.

"Govek"—his spine locked with tension as he wondered what the male wanted to speak on—"do you remember that fishing trip we took alone last spring?"

Govek blinked, brow furrowed. "Yes?" It had been of little consequence. The clan had needed fish, and Iytier had volunteered his aid. They'd barely spoken. Kept to the task at hand .

"I want a rematch."

Govek blinked. "You what?"

"A rematch. I've been practicing my skill since then and I know I can beat you this time." The male grinned. "Or are you too scared to face me?"

Govek's chest tightened, and he huffed, trying to think of what exactly this male was trying to goad him into. "You want to... challenge me to a fishing match?"

Warmth slipped into his hand and he realized Miranda had laced her fingers with his under the table. She cast him a little smile before going back to her own conversation.

"Why so shocked? You didn't think the one would suffice after our numbers were so close. I only caught ten less fish than you. I'm certain I can get more." Iytier said with a confident nod.

"I..." Govek wasn't certain how he should respond to this lunacy. He gave Miranda's hand a squeeze, drawing strength from her. "I did not realize we were competing."

Iytier's face fell. "You what?"

"I did not realize we were having a competition."

"Are you jesting?" Iytier's voice rose, thoroughly flummoxed. "Tell me you're jesting."

Govek shook his head. "I am not."

"Oh, for the will of Fades, I was blistering my balls to beat you and you weren't even trying ?" Iytier's voice carried, and all around murmured in shock. Some nearest Govek seemed to get up to move away. "Fuck, Govek, that settles it. We're going fishing tomorrow . And this time, I want your best."

Govek could not place the fluttering emotion that had begun to gnaw away at the edges of his gut. "Fine. I will rise to your challenge. "

Iytier nodded confidently and turned to Estoc, who had just come back over with a bowl of steaming stew. "Estoc, tomorrow, fishing against Govek. Winner gets to boast the title of best spearman in the clan. Are you with us?"

Govek's amusement heightened.

"Fuck, no," Estoc said, settling down across from Iytier. "I don't need to prove myself."

"You too scared to face him again?"

Govek tensed. The last time he and Estoc had fished together had ended poorly.

"Fuck off," Estoc muttered, arranging his mate's bowl carefully so she could reach the spoon. "I'll come watch and be glad to laugh at you while you lose."

Govek snorted as amusement bubbled up in his gut and threatened to split his face.

"We're going to laugh at Iytier?" Jehvlek appeared out of the crowd holding two bowls with his curly haired mate in toe. Roenia and Estoc made room between them so Aralie could stay next to Jehvlek but the separate conversations could be maintained. "You can count me in."

"Shut it, Jehvlek. We're going to challenge Govek for the title of best spear-fisher in the clan," Iytier said.

Jehvlek laughed humorlessly. "Good luck with that, but it will be a pretty sight to watch you suffer a humiliating defeat, Iytier."

"You two have no bravery!" Iytier tried to goad them, and Govek had to admit, he would find it far more amusing to have more challengers.

So, after a half moment of hesitation, Govek said, "I will teach you how to spear against the rapids."

The three males fell silent as they turned to Govek, and he clenched his fists. He'd always avoided putting himself in any role that might be misconstrued as dominant and the place of teacher unsettled him, but... "I remember how you wanted to learn, Estoc. If you agree to the challenge, I'll show you." The male split into an enthusiastic grin that had Govek saying, "Perhaps it will give you an actual chance of winning."

"Ah fuck." Estoc slapped his hand on the table, glowering and grinning at the same time. "I don't know if I'm excited or insulted. You're fucking on, Govek. You better get a good night's sleep tonight."

"I'm in too," Jehvlek said with a solid nod.

"Then it's settled," Iytier said triumphantly. "Tomorrow after morning meal, we'll go."

"Yes," Govek agreed, already anticipating the event in a way he'd never had before.