Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

GOVEK

" W hat the fuck happened last night, Govek?"

The pleasant chatter of the humans and orcs died away as his cousin narrowed his dark eyes. His hulking frame was menacing. His fists were balled to strike, his teeth were bared.

"Perhaps we should take this to privacy." Govek looked toward the humans' tables. None of them seemed to notice Karthoc's fury yet, but Govek was certain they would soon enough and he had no idea what effect it might have on the residents of Oakwall.

"We're doing this here . Right now," Karthoc said darkly, and Govek knew better than to argue again. "Ergoth says that you struck Wolvc outside of a challenge. Tell me that isn't true."

Govek could say nothing, and his silence was enough for the warlord. Karthoc's scowl deepened. "Fades spit , Govek, what were you thinking ? How could you do something so insane? Do you know the kind of trouble you've caused for me?"

"I would not think it would be of much consequence to you," Govek said.

"Of course, it is! It ruins every Fades-blasted plan I had set. Ergoth is forcing my hand with this wretched judgment your clan is holding tomorrow. He wants me to enact the punishment I would give one of my warriors who attacked without a challenge."

Govek's stomach dropped.

"I'll have no choice but to send you to Avokil, Govek. To the fucking foothills ."

To the front lines of the war.

Govek's head swam. His thoughts blurred. He sought out Miranda in the crowd, followed the sound of her voice on the wind. Stuck to her smile and laugh as Savili familiarized her with the trade.

Fuck fuck . He would lose her.

He could not let that happen.

"I can't change it, Govek," Karthoc continued, "Your bastard of a father made sure that all the warriors within earshot could hear it. I can't show you favoritism, even if you are my cousin."

"I don't expect you to."

Karthoc sighed raggedly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Tell me there is something that could sway this judgment, Govek. Tell me why you would attack this male."

Govek managed to breathe past the tension in his gut. "He drugged and tried to harm Miranda."

Karthoc paused, stunned into silence.

"He and Rogeth, as well as the human Maythra, drugged Miranda with vorial root extract to make her lose consciousness and I lost control when I happened upon the scene."

"Fades mercy. No fucking wonder you lost your blasted mind. I would have done far more than rip his jaw off."

Govek tensed at the reminder of what he had done. Fuck, the feel of that crack under his knuckle, the scent of blood, Wolvc's pain-laced voice.

Miranda's call for aid.

It roared through him.

He wanted to attack Wolvc again.

"I assume you have proof that your words are the truth and not theirs?" Karthoc asked, tension leaching into the tone.

Govek inhaled deeply, thinking of Miranda's little bag that she called "evidence." "It may not be enough. The final judgment is put to a vote and my brethren—they have traditionally never been on my side, no matter what truths are presented."

"Fuck, Govek." Karthoc raked a hand through his hair. "If we can't prove that they attacked your woman first I will still have to order you to the foothills. Why would they do something so heinous?"

"I don't know. Miranda overheard a bit and thinks they were trying to get her back to the hall. They thought that if I saw her there, unconscious, I would go on a rampage and prove myself to be unworthy for the role of chief in Rove Wood."

Karthoc scoffed. "Fucking lunatics. All of them. They think that would will stop me from merging the clans? From unseating Ergoth off his crooked little throne? The fools had better think again. This whole fucking judgment is just to swindle you out of your own birthright. You are meant to be chief of Rove Wood Clan, Govek. Ergoth should have stepped down long ago."

Govek gulped, trying to find the words to tell Karthoc he had no intention of becoming chief here. That, at best, he would stay behind in these woods when the rest of his brethren left for Baelrok Forge.

"This has all gotten so Fades-blasted wretched. It was supposed to be fucking easy. Ergoth gets shoved out, you take his spot. Simple. Now I've got my fucking seer breathing down my neck about staying here indefinitely and a whole massive judgment to oversee and no end to this stay in sight."

The seer wanted the warriors to stay in Rove Wood?

"But fine. So be it. Ergoth thinks my patience will run out first? Ha! He's in for a Fades-cursed season. I'll just bide my time here and wait him out. See what kind of hole he digs himself in trying to get me to finally give in to his foolish demands. At least the seer will be happy."

Govek stomach churned threateningly. So Karthoc wasn't going to be leaving then?

What exactly was the warlord's game?

One thing was certain, Govek wanted no part of it. "Karthoc, I have no intention of taking on the role of chief."

Once again, Karthoc was stunned. His jaw slacked. His dark eyes bulged. "You must be jesting . I thought a few days would have helped you to see reason ."

"I've never wanted that power. And the only thing that matters to me is Miranda's safety. Something that I cannot ensure among these males. Look at what they did to her last night. And not a single fucking one of them believes her."

"All the more reason to want to be chief," Karthoc hissed. "You should be fucking clamoring to get power over these wretches who have treated you so foul for your entire life. You should want to get revenge on them."

Govek shook his head slowly. "Get revenge? What good would that ever do?"

Karthoc sputtered, looking for words, blinked when he couldn't find them.

But Govek could. "Getting revenge would not undo any of the damage. It would only prove me to be the vile abomination they claim I am. Something I've tried to do my entire life without a glimmer of success. I give up, Karthoc. I refuse to spend even one moment more trying and failing to change their minds."

Miranda cared for him. Miranda did not think he was vile.

And that was more than enough.

Fuck, he wanted her now. He turned to go. Scanned the crowd to find her.

"Wait. Govek, stop. I . . . apologize."

It was Govek's turn to be stunned. He snapped his gaze back to Karthoc.

The male sagged. "Look, Govek. I . . . fuck, this isn't . . ."

Govek waited, throat tight.

"I... need you to be here to help train the magic wielders I've found, Govek."

His hope extinguished in a quick burst.

Karthoc continued, undaunted. "Ergoth won't do it the way I need. I need them to be strong . As strong as you were at Clairton. With these seventeen males, we could turn the tides of the war."

Bile burned the back of his throat. "You think what I did at Clairton was on purpose ? "

Karthoc rose an eyebrow. "Wasn't it?" Shock burrowed so deep in Govek's gut he couldn't find words and Karthoc waved him off. "It doesn't matter if it was on purpose or not. It was incredible. That kind of power will win us the war."

Fuck, that stung. "So, I really am just a weapon to you."

"No, Govek, that isn't what I?—"

"I am not capable of this task you would have me put to, Karthoc. I can barely control my own magic. I won the day for you at Clairton because I completely lost my mind . I do not even recall most of what I did in those moments. It's a blur of red and wails. I am not fit to teach anything. "

"Govek—"

"You think the orcs of Rove Wood treat me unfairly? That they don't see my potential? I believe it is you who does not see how horrific this potential of mine could be if left to run wild. Your own drive for power has made you blind , cousin."

"Govek, that is too far," Karthoc said so low and deadly it snapped up Govek's spine.

But Govek could not stop. Not now. "Everything that my brethren say about me is true , Karthoc."

The snarl faded from Karthoc.

"Every Fades-fucked thing. I am uncontrolled, and violent, and unpredictable. My fury is unchecked and turns my magic into something so foul it is a wonder Rove Wood Clan has sustained me this long. I have not even been trained to control it. None could stand in my way if I truly lost myself."

"Easy, tough guy."

Miranda's voice soothed him through his mind's eye and Govek managed a deep breath. "I am the vile wretch they say I am, Karthoc. And we both know that it's best for everyone's sake that I stay far away."

With that, Govek turned away from Karthoc, walked into the crowd and used Miranda's scent to guide him.

Fuck, fuck . What had he said? What was he doing? Karthoc may have been his cousin, but he was still the warlord . Treating him so brashly could get him sent to the Foothills before the judgment even took place.

He would lose Miranda.

There was no way Govek would ever let that happen.

A foolhardy plan skipped into his mind, planted itself deep.

He knew what he and Miranda would have to do. It was drastic and foolish and she wasn't going to like it, but they had no other option.

Govek moved through a crowd of orc warriors and into an open area at the center of the trade. Everyone around him was mingling, peaceful. Laughter radiated and smiles abounded.

None of that did anything to lighten his mood.

He scanned, desperate to find Miranda. His eyes locked on her but instead of relief his body quaked with turmoil.

Miranda was talking with Yerina.