Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

MIRANDA

" M y father told me you asked for space."

The words rolled steadily through Miranda's mind, even as she bounced little Haysik on her lap and chatted pleasantly with his mother. She tried to enjoy the lush autumn scenery. The day was absolutely stunning—bright sun streaked through the red and orange leaves, blue sky peeked through the branches, glittering frost covered the shady areas.

It was so beautiful and . . .

And Govek's father had lied to keep Govek isolated.

Miranda took deep breaths and glowered toward the cart where Ergoth was seated at the front of the line. She reminded herself that screaming at him would do nothing.

Especially with the judgment coming up the next day.

She and Govek would win. They had to.

"Let's get down," Savili said, alerting Miranda to the fact that they had stopped. Savili took her baby, leaving Miranda feeling a little empty as she stood up on the crate of apples she'd been sitting on and looked around.

They'd made it to the trade.

The space was massive and open, probably as large as a football field on Earth. The white and gray trunks of birch trees, which lined the entire exterior, arched high above their heads, perhaps thirty feet, looming and leaning and intertwining with each other to create a roof that Miranda suspected was tightly packed enough to stop rainfall from coming in. The branches above were barren of leaves which allowed her to see the woven pattern—like thatch work but spiraling out in points that looked like sun rays—more clearly.

In the center there was a round opening that let in light, but Miranda couldn't see what it illuminated on the ground because there were so many tall orc bodies roaming around, mingling among each other, unloading boxes.

A human man appeared in the crowd and called out. "Chief Ergoth, Warlord Karthoc, welcome ."

"Miranda."

Govek's soft call brought her back to his attention, and she discovered that Iytier had begun unloading the cart at the back. She stepped to the edge where Govek was and let him lower her to the ground.

"Are you okay?" she asked, noting the tightness in his face, the clench of his fists.

"I'm fine."

He wasn't, and it was a stupid thing to ask anyway. He'd just found out his father had lied to him and the entire clan.

"Welcome, welcome!" Boomed the man's voice again and Miranda whipped around. He was a tall human with a heavy-set frame and kind eyes. His clothing was much the same as that of the orcs—cotton shirt, woolen pants. The only difference was that he wore a brown jacket where the orcs had cloaks. Or at least, the orcs from Rove Wood Clan did. The warriors barely had any clothing on their torsos at all.

The human approached Karthoc without a scrap of hesitation, as if the orc male didn't dwarf him. Ergoth rushed over to intercept but it was too late.

"I am glad to see you and your warriors here, Warlord. I have told my people what to expect so feel free to mingle openly."

"Your generosity is?—"

"Headman Gerald," Ergoth said, his voice a little louder and more clipped than usual. "I would like to speak with you in private."

"Of course, Chief Ergoth." The headman looked more amused than worried over Ergoth's anger.

"I would like to join in on this conversation as well," Karthoc interjected.

"You don't need to—" Ergoth started.

"I insist," Karthoc said with a wide grin. "After all, I should verbally cement our agreements before any of my males proceed. Wouldn't you agree, Headman?"

"Of course, Warlord. Right this way. We can talk in private over here."

Miranda couldn't help but be pleased with how frustrated Ergoth looked. Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

"What do you think, Miranda?" Govek asked.

"I think that headman is going to give Ergoth a run for his money." Miranda kept her voice low so no one but Govek could hear .

"I meant about the trade. "

Oh gosh. She'd pretty much forgotten where they were. "Ah, it's, um..." She looked around again, really not able to get a good view now that she was on the ground. There were just too many orcs and people mingling about.

"Can I lift you?" Govek repositioned to stand directly behind her.

"Okay...?" Miranda agreed and he scooped her up by the waist like she weighed nothing.

All the way up to his fricking shoulder .

She gasped out a laugh as he plunked her down. "Govek, oh my gosh!" She giggled, warm and giddy. He was so dang strong . His shoulder was so wide her scrawny butt fit on it quite comfortably. He wrapped an arm around her thighs to keep her steady and she clung to the top of his head, weaving her fingers through the short strands.

Her stomach flipped as he shot her a little smirk. His teeth were all tucked away, and his face was squat, and she leaned down to kiss his forehead even though it tipped her off balance. He tightened his grip so she wouldn't fall.

She cupped his face. "My tough guy, carting me around like I really am a rucksack." She leaned close to his ear. "Or should it be a ‘fuck sack'?"

Govek snorted and covered his face as his shoulders shook from silent laughter. She clung to his head to keep her balance even though his grip on her legs was more than enough.

"For Fades will, woman." His grin was huge and his jaw was slightly lowered as his tension eased. "Just look at the view ."

She obeyed and lost her breath.

The branches of birch trees that lined the perimeter had been bent and formed into tables that spanned the outside. Humans, both male and female, were setting up goods to display. Everything from blankets, to trinkets, to wood carvings and massive shoes fit for orc feet.

The ground was packed with springy green moss, dotted with tiny purple flowers. At the center, where the opening let in light, there was a thick but short tree with golden yellow leaves and a white trunk dotted with carvings. Its roots spiraled through the moss like spiderwebs for twenty or more feet before disappearing beneath.

"Wow," Miranda breathed. "This is incredible... what's written on that tree?"

"The Honor Tree displays the original treaty that brought peace between Oakwall Village and Rove Wood Clan."

"It's amazing. Everything here is amazing." She glanced behind her to find most of the orcs were unloading the crates and piling them up. "You guys don't have tables?"

"No, we stand before the goods of the humans and indicate we have a trade to deal. If they are keen, they wave us forward to negotiate. Then we come back here to fetch our goods for them."

"I see. Very organized."

"Yes. It was created as such to prevent fear or distrust."

Miranda hummed, watching as orcs approached humans with warm greetings and groups visited amicably. Fear and distrust didn't seem to have much place now.

"What the . . ."

Miranda glanced down at Govek and followed his eyes across the mossy clearing. A massive orc warrior was walking up to a table packed high with bread and pastries .

Miranda looked between them. "What's going on? Wait, isn't that your cousin?"

"It is," Govek said quietly, distracted as he watched. The woman behind the table, a short girl with a full frame and dark curls, straightened and waved him over. She greeted him with enough gusto that it was clear she knew him.

Govek snorted. "So that's what Karthoc meant. How on Faeda did Brovdir come across Trinia?"

"Trinia?"

"Yerina's younger sister."

Oh frick.

"How the fuck did they even meet?" Govek asked as Trinia's smile warmed at something Brovdir said. They were too far for Miranda to hear properly. The woman leaned over her table a bit when handing him a pastry, pushed her breasts up, and tipped her head so her neck was elongated.

"Govek. A word." Karthoc drew their attention away as he stomped over. Govek lowered Miranda back to the ground. Ergoth was watching smugly, and the headman was nowhere to be seen.

The warlord's face was a mask of contorted fury. Gosh, she'd forgotten how big Karthoc was, only slightly smaller than Govek.

Govek tucked her tightly into his side.

"Govek," Karthoc's deep rumbling voice lacked the pleasant qualities Govek's voice had. "I need to speak to you. Privately. Now ."

She felt Govek tense, and she took a moment to look around. She found that Savili was chatting with Iytier as he unloaded produce from their cart.

"That's fine. I'll go ask Savili to walk around with me," Miranda said. Govek was still tense so she patted his hand and teased. "I'll go get some ‘oozing' done."

Govek made a shocked choking sound and she peeled herself away from his side. She flashed him a reassuring smile before she turned to join Savili.

"Did your woman just say she was oozing ?" Karthoc asked and Miranda had to cover her mouth to keep from bursting with laughter. She looked back only once, just long enough to see that Govek was pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes squeezed shut, and a slight smile at his lips.

She grinned and went to join the other woman.