Chapter 43

Ashort time later, Louisa was standing with Killik and Ulfarr in the middle of the camp's clearing, and gazing up at the camouflaged shelters above them.

"What else, exactly, do you want to do to get it ready?" she asked. "It already seems so well appointed, don't you think?"

ButKillik followed her eyes, and sharply shook his head. "We need to build a new kofi," he said, waving toward the little shelters. "One large enough for Simon and Maria and their sons. We also need to dig and build a latrine, and more ladders. And a garden, and a smokehouse — Thomas has been asking for these, and they should show us well ready to host more humans here, ach?"

Right. Louisa's eyes settled on where Thomas and his son Angus were crouched at the edge of the clearing, perhaps gathering herbs. WhileFlora and Galmr were both seated nearby braiding rope, and above them, multiple orcs were climbing up in a large oak tree, no doubt seeking a location for Simon and Maria's new kofi.

"And," Killik continued, as he waved irritably toward the nearest tree, "Sune has told us he wishes to build a kofi of his own here, also! AndWolf has gone and agreed to this!"

Louisa'sgaze snapped up, following Killik's hand — and yes, yes, there was Sune. Standing high on a new little platform above them, and giving Killik a cool, imperious glare.

Louisa'sgrin flashed across her face, because gods, Sune looked so much better — and he didn't have his crutches anymore, either. And when she swiftly signed a hello up toward him, he inclined his head, and signed a hello back. Followed by a brief, furtive thank you.

Ittightened in Louisa's throat, prickled behind her eyes. And as she kept beaming up toward Sune, it occurred to her that if he really wanted to build a kofi of his own here at the camp, maybe — maybe he wanted to stay here, too. Maybe — forever.

Fix this, he had begged her, back in Ulfarr's dark little room. Fix this.

"Ach, I am glad to help our son build this kofi today," Ulfarr cut in, as he clasped firmly at Killik's shoulder. "And mayhap you and Louisa can fetch wood for us — if you are yet sure you wish to help, Louisa?"

Hiseyes were searching, uncertain on her face — but Louisa instantly nodded, without a moment's hesitation. Because — yes. Yes. She was facing this. Proving this.

Soshe willingly followed Killik out into the surrounding forest, and carefully listened to his instructions about what kinds and sizes of wood they needed. And soon they were tromping through the woods together, gathering fallen trees and logs and branches. Tying what they could into bundles, and hauling them into the camp for the orcs to use, and then heading back out again.

Andwhile it was a dirty, sweaty job, working with Killik again turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable. Perhaps because he again pointed out tracks and nests and burrows to Louisa as they went, and guided her through any tricky terrain, and even helped her hunt a rabbit to eat for lunch. And perhaps also because he didn't balk at her various questions about the camp, or building the kofis, or even about Sune.

"Ach, Sunecan speak aloud, if he wishes," Killik told her, when she tentatively asked. "But he does not oft wish to, and we have no wish to force this. Our kin ought to learn to sign instead, and Wolf and I have sought to uphold this. Both in our school, and throughout the mountain."

Itwas very generous of them, to Louisa's mind — but when she told Killik so, he only huffed a laugh, and shook his head. "Ach, you ken not how I have suffered for this," he said wryly. "ThatRosa went and formed a Society for SkaiSigningScholarship and Dissemination, and has not ceased nattering me over it since! As if she has not yet granted me enough grief with her OrcMountainEducationalCongress!"

Louisalaughed, earning an aggravated roll of Killik's eyes toward her. But her thoughts were still caught on Sune, and on another question that had been vaguely nagging at her ever since Sune had first shown up at her door.

"DidSune ever tell you," she began, careful, "why he ended up on Rikard's property in the first place? Was he looking for you and Ulfarr?"

Killikhuffed a laugh, and shook his head. "No, he well knew where we went," he replied. "He came there to look for you. He wished to face the woman who will steal Wolf away from us, he said."

Louisa'sbreath caught, her eyes widening on Killik's face, because — Sune hadn't really thought that, had he? And why was Killik telling her this? Was he — was this another test, somehow? Another challenge?

"I hope you — clarified that for him, then," she said, a little too stiffly. "I did try to tell him myself, too. I know how much Ulfarr needs you, and loves you. Both of you."

Killikshot her a brief, searching look, and then jerked a dismissive, too-casual shrug. And blinking back at him, Louisa was again suddenly, bizarrely reminded of Sune. And of the way Sune had looked, the way he'd answered, when she'd told him she knew Killik cared for him. Maybe. I'm not sure.

"Oh, right, I forgot, Ulfarr would never want you," Louisa drawled, in her best attempt at mimicking Killik's usual mocking voice. "He doesn't like you at all, Killik. That's why he's always watching you, and doting on you, and talking about you. Praising your hunger and your wisdom and your loyalty. Calling you his fierce lusty pup, the Skai'sfinest weapons wielder, with your strong Skai seed."

Thederision was far too strong in her voice, ringing out between them. And in return, that might have been a quiver, rippling up Killik's lean body beside her — so Louisa huffed a low laugh, and elbowed him in the side. "Gods, didn't you hear your wolf just this morning," she added, "when he scolded me for dishonouring you? And had you punish me by holding me upside-down, and jamming yourself down my throat?"

Thatwas definitely a quiver from Killik this time, and then a hoarse little laugh. "Ach, this was almost as he was… before," he replied, quiet. "As if he was… the Wolf of the Skai again. So calm and settled and easy, you near forget he has teeth — until he spins around and slaughters you."

Louisa'sbreath caught, even as a smile quirked at her mouth. "Just like his favourite pup, right?" she said lightly. "ButI'm — glad to hear it, Killik. And" — her smile faded, her eyes intent on his face — "you know, he really is lucky to have you."

Itcame out sounding wistful, enough that Killik shot a narrow glance toward her. And though she braced herself for some kind of mockery, he only gave a low exhale, a jerky shrug of his shoulder. "Ach, the luck is all mine," he replied. "Wolf saved me, when I needed him most. ThusI shall never cease upholding him, not until he asks this of me. And mayhap" — a bitter little laugh — "mayhap not even then."

Louisastudied him for another long, silent moment, her head slowly tilting. DidKillik really still think Ulfarr would stop wanting that? Stop wanting him? Maybe that Ulfarr would finally heal, and move on with that new son, and leave Killik behind waiting and longing, like a lost little pup whose owner had forgotten him…

Louisaswallowed, opened her mouth — but Killik had stalked off up ahead, without looking back. And as she followed him back toward the camp, the longing and the determination settled deeper into her belly. She needed to do this. Fix this. ForKillik, for Sune, for Ulfarr. For herself.

Soshe threw herself into the rest of the day's work with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. HelpingKillik sort and stack all the wood they'd hauled, and then consulting with him and Thomas on the best place for a garden, and the latrine. And then she did some braiding with Flora and Galmr, during which she learned how to knot ropes for ladders and hammocks, and even managed to make a hammock for Sune's new kofi. And finally, she worked with Leikr and his little friends to clear rocks from the clearing, and add them to the firepit. Just doing whatever Killik said needed to be done, without question or complaint, until the sun hung low on the horizon.

Butonce Killik had climbed high into the oak tree with Elgr and Igull, finally setting the bones of the new kofi in place, Louisa found herself wiping her sweaty forehead, and blinking around at it all. Because yes, the camp already looked better, tidier, the clearing more open and welcoming. AndSune'skofi was almost finished, now, a cozy little bough-covered hut against the tree, with Louisa's new hammock hanging outside.

But. Even if they finished it all, the new kofi and the garden and the latrine, would it be… enough? Surely it would help, of course, but Simon was coming here to judge Ulfarr, not the state of his camp. Right?

Louisatwitched as Ulfarr himself slid down the rope from Sune's new kofi, his face and chest covered in a sheen of sweat. "Ach, Louisa," he said, as he settled his warm hand against her back. "You must be weary, for you have done so much for us today. I thank you, yet again."

Heleaned over, pressed a kiss to her hair, and Louisa willingly sank against him, inhaled the sweaty-sweet scent of him. And drew up the question she didn't want to ask, but…

"What do you think Simon will really be… looking for, when he comes?" she ventured, with a wince. "What's most likely to sway his opinion of you? His… judgement?"

Ulfarr'sbody stiffened, and Louisa could hear the sudden rapid thud of his heartbeat, too loud against her ear. "WhenSimon first cast judgement upon me," he replied, halting, "he said I must earn his reward. I must work for our clan, and our kin, until I again gain his trust."

Right. And the camp was work, yes, it was helping the Skai, helping Ulfarr's kin… but surely Simon would want to see more than that. He would want to see… what? A good show, Killik had said. Ulfarr had to earn this, gain his trust…

Buthow? What else could they do? What could show such an intangible thing? What would be sure to be… enough?

"Wolf!" hissed a voice from above, and when Louisa glanced over, it was Ragni, furiously signing from his watch-tree, and waving toward the south. And in return, Ulfarr jerked around to look, frowning, while the rest of the camp went suddenly, curiously still. Except for the faint flashes of blades being drawn, and Louisa could see Killik slipping down from the oak tree, landing in a silent low crouch. Signing swiftly toward Ragni, who signed back into the forest, and then back at Killik. Who stared for an instant, and then let out — a groan?

"We're here to see Louisa," called a voice, a familiar voice, ringing high and clear through the trees. "Could you let her know we're here?"

Louisastartled, and then lurched forward, jogging across the clearing toward the voice. Toward where — wait — there was an entire group of orcs, climbing up out of the tunnel that led to the mountain. And at the front of them, beaming brightly toward Louisa, was — Rosa.

"We wanted to accept your invitation to come visit your new camp," Rosa announced. "And more importantly" — she drew herself up straighter — "we're here to help you save it."