Chapter 30

TheOrcMountainNewMateExperience was, Louisa soon discovered, an actual plan. An introductory guided tour which had been personally developed by Rosa herself, and served as a complement to her related written publication, which was apparently titled TheOrcMountainManual for ModernMates.

"As soon as I heard Killik was seeing you, I gave him a copy, too," Rosa informed Louisa, as they walked through the lamplit corridor. "I hope he passed it on to you for review, and answered any questions you had?"

Louisatwitched, because the thought of Killik passing on an informative publication for her review — let alone answering her questions from it — seemed utterly laughable, and she couldn't quite hide the quiver on her mouth, or her brief glance at an equally amused-looking Jule. "Er, no, I'm afraid Killik didn't mention it," she replied, as steadily as she could. "Perhaps he just — forgot?"

ButRosa huffed an irritated growl, and threw both her hands in the air. "That stubborn Skai," she snapped. "His perpetual blatant contempt toward the written word is foolish, and short-sighted, and utterly unconscionable! I still can't tell whether he really is that ignorant, or whether he just enjoys provoking me, and obstructing any Ka-esh attempts at our mountain's betterment!"

She'dbeen speaking very quickly, her voice high-pitched, and Louisa belatedly recalled that Rosa's orc mate — and therefore her clan — was Ka-esh. The same clan Killik had complained about several times, right? And also, the clan who hadn't been able to send anyone to guide the camp's tunnel-digging efforts.

"Er, well, I wonder if it might just be that they need help digging some tunnels?" Louisa carefully replied. "I know they were very eager to have that done, out at their camp."

"Oh, that," Rosa said, with a sigh, and a wrinkle of her nose. "I do agree that the delays are deeply unfortunate, but our engineers do have a process, and an extensive waiting list full of urgent matters! And even John-Ka — my mate, I'm sure you remember — isn't able to sway that list. WhichItried telling Killik, but he only sneered at me, and told me the list was a Skai-shafting scam, and ought to be shoved up the engineers' tight Ka-esh arses! Which was a highly unnecessary comment, and which still" — she drew in breath, and frowned at Louisa — "has no bearing whatsoever on why he didn't give you my Manual for ModernMates!"

Right. Louisa's mouth was twitching again, and she fought to suppress it, to say what she should have said from the start of all this. "Uh, well, it's probably also because I'm not actually anyone's — mate," she replied. "We're just — friends, that's all. So perhaps Killik thought giving it to me might imply that —"

ButRosa loudly scoffed again, and on Louisa's other side, Jule snorted, too. "So damned typical," Rosa said, with a roll of her eyes. "They never learn! And those Skai are perpetually the worst! Let me guess, Killik offered you some sort of agreement? Some kind of limited-time deal, so he could enjoy the benefits and pleasures of your company, without actually having to offer up any commitment or vulnerability or emotional investment of his own?"

Louisa'ssteps faltered, her eyes snapped wide on Rosa's face — how did she know? — and Rosa gave her a sympathetic glance, and a reassuring pat to her arm. "Just ignore them," she said crisply. "IfKillik's not your mate already, he will be soon — if you really can bear him, that is. And in the meantime, if you'd like to give him a taste of his own foolishness, or move things along" — her eyes glinted — "feel free to try to leave him, or go spend some quality time with another orc instead. Now, why don't we make some introductions? And properly start our NewMateExperience here?"

Louisawas still fighting through her clamouring thoughts — Rosa was certainly mistaken on this, there was absolutely no way Killik would ever become her mate, right? — but she gave a belated nod back, and allowed herself to be drawn into Rosa's grand tour of OrcMountain.

Andjust like the camp, OrcMountain wasn't at all what Louisa had expected. It was impossibly large, extending both above ground and below, and it was made up of multiple corridors and rooms, each one more astonishing than the next. There were bedrooms, meeting-rooms, common-rooms, sparring-rooms, forges, shrines, and spring-fed baths. And even a large, clean central kitchen, where three lovely women of varying ages offered Louisa a delicious meal of tender meat and fresh-baked bread.

Italso turned out that OrcMountain was divided into five sections, one for each of the five clans of orcs — Ash-Kai, Bautul, Skai, Ka-esh, and Grisk. And not only was each section unique, with distinctly different lighting and layouts, but each clan's orcs seemed to share common characteristics, too. TheAsh-Kai and Bautul orcs tended to be big and bulky and carefully courteous, while the Grisk — the clan Sune's friend Timo belonged to, apparently — were generally both smaller and kinder. AndRosa'sKa-esh clan, who lived deepest beneath the mountain, indeed seemed to be comprised mostly of scholars — some polite, some uninterested, and several just as cheerfully chatty as Rosa.

Butmost intriguing of all — and perhaps most confusing — were the other Skai orcs. TheSkai clan's wing was situated nearer to the top of the mountain, and it was darker than many of the other sections, with narrower, twistier corridors. And as Rosa and Jule led Louisa through the corridors, making introductions to various Skai orcs they met along the way, Louisa found herself faced with a bizarre array of greetings in return. SomeSkai were friendly and welcoming, while others responded far more like Simon had — frowning at her, and looking alarmed, or surprised, or even troubled. Again, almost as if… Louisa wasn't welcome. As if she wasn't supposed to be here.

Butif Rosa and Jule noticed, they didn't mention it, and they merrily kept on with their tour. Next showing Louisa the admittedly impressive Skai bath, made of a thundering waterfall pouring from the ceiling, and then the huge, echoing Skai arena, and then the Skai forge. Where they met a burly, bearded, silver-haired smith by the vaguely familiar-sounding name of Argarr, who greeted Louisa with genuine-seeming kindness — even as he pulled over what appeared to be a waiting orc client, and yanked down his trousers.

"Argarr!" Rosa yelped, wrinkling her nose toward him. "Not in public, remember?! AndLouisa's our guest!"

Butthis Argarr only shrugged, flashed Rosa a devious smile, and then proceeded to bend his quarry over his workbench, before pulling down his own trousers to reveal his scarred, dripping prick. "Ach, and this woman is a Skai, with my brothers' scent fresh upon her, so I ken she is not easily frightened," he said with a wink toward Louisa, as he began casually feeding himself into the orc's upraised backside, while the orc shuddered and moaned. "And we are not public, for you are in my forge, ach? How are you to question how I do my work? And if Voggr here" — he slapped the bent-over orc's arse — "wishes for his blade today, then he is free to move himself to the top of my list, ach?"

Rosascoffed and muttered something about highly unethical list management, but Jule only rolled her eyes, and looked wryly resigned. AndLouisa — while still rather shocked by this development — had finally remembered where she'd heard the name Argarr before, and couldn't help a flustered-feeling smile toward him as she yanked her knife from her belt.

"You're the one who fixed my knife, right?" she said, holding it out between them. "It really was impressive work. Thank you."

Shemeant it — the knife really had been much improved — and Argarr looked distinctly pleased as he inclined his head, and kept grinding into the orc's upraised rump. "Ach, I am glad this was of worth to you, woman. I wish my brothers' mates to be kept safe with good Skai steel."

Themate thing again. That somehow seemed more disconcerting than his steady circles into his moaning client's backside, and Louisa still felt hot and unsettled as they traipsed back into the corridor again. SurelyKillik and Ulfarr — especially Killik — didn't see her that way, right? It was only a deal, she wasn't even supposed to be here…

No, woman. Five more nights. Prove this to me…

"Now, I'm sure you'd like to see our new communications office next!" Rosa announced, with an excited grin toward Louisa. "I'm sure you remember the informational campaigns I launched when we first met, right? And you must have noticed our ongoing outreach efforts, too."

Shehad? Louisa fought to cast her overwhelmed brain backwards, dredging up the memories of how Rosa — during the time Louisa had helped her — had begun creating and distributing informative pamphlets throughout the province, seeking to correct human misconceptions about orcs. To the point where Louisa had introduced Rosa to several printers and distributors she'd known from her life as LadyScall, and she'd even offered them initial payments from her rapidly dwindling coffers, too.

"Yes, of course I remember," Louisa replied, though it sounded slightly forced. "And wait" — more awareness was slowly dawning — "all that community service the orcs have been doing around the province… is that your outreach? The road clearing, and the like?"

Rosa'seyes lit up, her head rapidly nodding, and she eagerly commenced a detailed explanation of all the orcs' ongoing outreach activities. Which apparently not only included the road clearing, bridge building, and various odd jobs upon request, but also regular orc participation in markets and fairs, and attendance at community meetings. All of it supported by a constant rotation of flyers and pamphlets, which were all now printed here in Rosa's new communications office, by several steel contraptions called hand-presses.

Ittruly was an impressive endeavour, and Louisa praised it as enthusiastically as she could, even as her head began to ache from the smell of the ink permeating the room. And her unhelpful thoughts kept wandering to Killik, who would long ago have rolled his eyes at all this, and left. But no, she shouldn't think of Killik, he didn't want her here, and…

"So, how about the school next?" Rosa said brightly, once she'd finally guided Louisa back out into the corridor. "You can see where Killik teaches! And he's part of our advisory committee too — I'm sure he's told you about it? TheOrcMountainEducationalCongress?"

Thewhat? Louisa's scrambled thoughts were struggling to catch up again, because yes, Killik had told her about his teaching, right? But he'd never actually mentioned an actual school… had he? Let alone the OrcMountainEducationalCongress?

Butdespite Louisa's ever-rising consternation, she again allowed herself to be guided along, up toward what indeed turned out to be a schoolroom. A busy, full-on schoolroom, outfitted with bright artwork, toys, and books, and occupied by several dozen young orcs of all ages. They were currently in the midst of what appeared to be a loud, enthusiastic drumming lesson, led by two drummers — a bulky, smiling orc, and a beautifully dressed Eziran woman with multiple gold beads in her tightly braided hair.

"Oh, you're Louisa!" the woman said, once Jule had waved her over, and introduced her as Geva, the school's director. "We've been dodging impertinent questions about you for what feels like an age now! I'm sure you've heard all about Killik's work here, have you? He's such a wonderful teacher — and Ulfarr, too. The orclings absolutely adore them both."

Louisawas again stunned into blank silence, because no, no, she hadn't known there was an actual school here, because they weren't together, they weren't… mates. This was only for the deal, only for five more nights, and Killik had only wanted to see her in a week. And gods, she wasn't even supposed to be here, and what was Killik going to say — and something spasmed in her throat, even as she attempted a jerky, too-late nod.

"It — I'm so glad to hear it," she managed. "It looks like such a lovely little school. What kinds of subjects do you teach?"

Thankfully, this led to an in-depth discussion of the school's curriculum, including a list of all the subjects Killik and Ulfarr apparently taught, which included sparring, climbing, agility training, and hunting. And even as Louisa kept the smile on her face, kept asking what she hoped were appropriate questions, that tightness kept worsening in her throat, clenching in her belly, too. She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be giving these lovely, friendly women the wrong impression. After this, she would probably never see them again…

Shewas deeply grateful when they finally said farewell, and Rosa waved her and Jule out of the room. "Next on the NewMateExperience is the nursery!" Rosa said brightly. "And our sons are staying there this afternoon, so you can meet them, too!"

Theirsons? Louisa's belly clenched again, but she nodded, and soon found herself in a cozy, well-appointed nursery. It was apparently run by a group of caretakers from the Bautul clan, orcs and women both — and they were caring for perhaps a dozen young orcs, including Rosa and Jule's tiny, adorable sons. And yes, Jule and Rosa apparently both had two orc sons — each — and Louisa felt almost dizzy as she watched their small grey bodies eagerly clinging to their mothers. Her friends had… orc sons. Twoeach.

"This is Tengil, and Tykkr," Jule told Louisa, as she hoisted them on each hip. "Can you say hello to Louisa, Tengil?"

Julesmiled toward the older of her two sons — he might have been around three years old — and he solemnly nodded toward Louisa, and even put his little clawed hand over his heart. "Hewwo, Woo-isa," he said solemnly. "We we-come you to our home."

Oh, gods, he was so adorable it hurt, and Louisa put her own hand to her heart, and bowed back toward him. "Thank you, Tengil," she said thickly. "It's so good to meet you. And you, Tykkr."

Tykkrjust gazed at her with his huge baby eyes, so impossibly bright in his plump baby face, and Louisa had to force herself to breathe, and to turn toward Rosa's sons, too. They were named Thorin and Samuel, and they were just as painfully adorable, clinging to their mother with their tiny orc claws.

"They're just the absolute sweetest," Louisa said to Rosa and Jule, her voice only slightly cracking. "My heartfelt congratulations. To both of you."

BothJule and Rosa smiled and waved it away, but even as Louisa smiled too, her throat felt even tighter, and a distant ache had begun pulsing behind her eyes. Because she'd never told either Rosa or Jule about her inability to have children, and while neither of them said it, she could still feel the silent inevitable questions, dangling too powerfully between them. Do you want children? When will you have them? Will you have them with Killik…

"Could we go see Sune next?" Louisa asked, through her constricted throat. "I'd love to see how he's faring."

BothJule and Rosa willingly agreed, and soon they were back in the corridors again, and heading downwards. WhileLouisa fought to find her breath, to settle her whirling, shouting thoughts. She needed to just get through this, and leave first thing in the morning. Five more nights, that was all…

Itwas a relief to finally reach the sickroom, which was situated in what seemed to be the middle area of the mountain. It was large, clean, and well-appointed, with beds separated by tall dividers, and multiple orcs resting in the beds. AndLouisa's eyes instantly caught on Sune, lying on a nearby bed with his leg outstretched, and his two friends sitting on either side of him, their heads bent together.

Theyall glanced up as Louisa approached, and then the green orc — Timo, his name had been — leapt to his feet, and gave a bow toward Louisa. "Please forgive my rudeness when first we met, woman," he said. "I am Timo of ClanGrisk, and we thank you for keeping Sune safe, and bringing him back to us. He is already much healed, ach?"

Louisa'sshoulders sagged, the tightness loosening in her chest, and she smiled toward Timo, and toward Sune in the bed, too. "I'm so glad to hear it," she said, glancing down toward where Sune's leg did look much improved, the trap's awful cuts now almost — fully healed?! "You're looking — so much better?"

Shecouldn't quite hide the disbelief in her voice, and in return Sune angled a brief glance across the room, toward where another new orc — a big, heavily scarred fellow — was striding over toward them, and nodding curtly toward Louisa. "It was a good thing you brought him, Skai, and kept him off his leg," he said, in a clipped, matter-of-fact voice. "It would have eventually healed on its own, but he'd never have walked properly again. But now that I've fixed the bone fracture, and healed together all the torn tissues around it, he should be as good as new within a few days."

Oh. Well. Louisa's confusion studded through with a sharp, sinking gratefulness, and she let out a shaky, relieved exhale. "Thank you so much," she told him. "That is — truly miraculous work, sir. Is there some kind of — bill I ought to pay for your services?"

Shefought down her wince at the thought — she'd have to dig into Killik's final payment to cover it — but the orc scoffed and waved it away. "Call me Efterar," he replied. "And we don't take payments here. But" — he darted a wry look at Sune — "I do expect you to stay put, Sune, so no running off on that leg, unless you want to be knocked out for the day."

Withthat, this Efterar turned and strode off again, leaving Sune frowning resentfully after him. ButTimo and the girl exchanged a decisive, meaningful look, and Timo clasped Sune's slack hand, as the girl gripped at his shoulder. WhileSune gave a Killik-like roll of his eyes, followed by a brief, incomprehensible sign of his hand, and a jerk of his head at — Louisa?

"Oh, of course," the girl said quickly, as she leapt to her feet and lurched toward Louisa. "I haven't introduced myself either, have I? I'mCecily, and it was so lovely of you to help Sune, and defend him like you did. If there's anything you need during your visit, just let me know, though I'm sure Jule and Rosa have been taking good care of you, and…"

Hervoice trailed off, her eyes darting uneasily between Jule and Rosa, and then narrowing as they settled back on Louisa. Or wait, damn it, on Louisa's still-filthy clothes. Which she'd entirely forgotten about, and which she'd just worn while traipsing around on a full tour of OrcMountain, meeting gods knew how many people, and making them think this ratty, grimy woman was Killik'smate.

"Look, no judgement, because you're obviously a helpless fashion disaster of a Skai, just like him," this Cecily said now, with an irritated wave of her hand toward where Sune was glowering at her from the bed. "But — you two! Why haven't you offered her a bath? Or taken her to the shop for a new outfit?"

Shewas glaring between Jule and Rosa, both of whom had blinked at each other, and then glanced down at Louisa's ensemble, as if they'd just noticed it, too. "Damn it, I completely forgot," Jule said, with a wry, apologetic grimace. "So sorry, sister."

Rosanodded too, looking deeply chagrined, while before them, Cecily gave a smug smile, and pulled herself up straighter. "Well, fortunately, you've now found the right Ash-Kai," she said firmly. "Now let's get you a proper OrcMountain makeover!"