Chapter 28

Marvik

I wait with bated breath, listening for Adalind’s verdict. Holding one of Dura’s hands in mine, I give it a reassuring squeeze. Her apprehension is apparent, even without our bond.

After a pause, Adalind continues, “On the matter of desertion, we find Dura ka Woreki . . . guilty.”

My blood runs cold. What is happening? Dura’s hand spasms in mine and resignation seeps into me from the bond. Shocked murmurs go through the crowd.

Still, Adalind carries on, “On the matter of dereliction of duty, we find Dura ka Woreki . . . guilty.”

Now the whispers from the gallery increase tenfold, shock and some offense taking hold. Apparently, we did a good job turning the feelings of the crowd in our favor, because they do not seem happy with the queen’s decision. But I suppose everyone loves a dramatic story like ours.

Adalind claps her hands together once more, silencing the crowd, then sighs dramatically. “This was a hard-won decision by King Rognar and I, not easily reached. But Warchief Verrick was right. Justice must be served.”

I am in shock. I can’t believe that my sister has failed us. Or was it I who failed? My arguments were just not sound enough, my manner not persuasive enough. I have doomed Dura because of my failings.

My sister keeps talking. “It is also true, however, that the throne owes General Dura a debt for her actions at Grimblton. And Sir Marvik is also right; we do not believe that there is any risk of the General deserting again. Hers was not an instance of cowardice or fear, but of the heart and Fate. Therefore, we have reached a ruling.”

The orc king surprises me by standing at these words. He walks down the dais and approaches me and Dura. When he stands in front of my mate, the room is deathly silent, wanting to hear what is going to happen next.

“General Dura ka Woreki,” he begins in his gravelly voice, “in accordance with our laws and traditions, you are hereby relieved of your place in the Horde. Your titles and prestige are as nothing. Your honor is naught. No longer are you General of the Southern Horde. No longer are you Keeper of the King. No longer will you hold our clan’s Amulet of Invisibility. Your holdings in the south are dissolved, your wealth is confiscated, to be disseminated as restitution to the Horde that you deserted.”

He reaches up and yanks the amulet off Dura’s neck, snapping the chain. I flinch at his actions, but Dura stays firm, standing impassively. Only our bond tells me how devastated she is on the inside. He pauses here, a terrible pregnant pause. Finally, he starts again. “But within justice, there is room for mercy. Though your actions were shameful, they are understandable. In light of this, and your actions three days past at Grimblton, we rule that you will not be banished to the Killikar . Instead, live the rest of your days amongst our peoples, working to regain your honor and serve your countries.”

Dura’s hand slips out of mine and she takes a knee, placing both her chained fists on her chest. “It will be as you say, My King. I thank you for your wisdom and mercy.”

I take a knee as well, my hand over my heart, like a knight in front of his king. I suppose he is my king now. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The orc king takes another moment in front of us, then nods, walking regally back to his throne. He reaches out a hand and Adalind stands, taking it. They stand looking out at the court and Adalind asks, “Is there any dissention to this ruling? If so, make yourself known or forever be silent. ”

No one says anything in the space of a moment and then Adalind declares, “Then this trial is concluded. Guards, release Dura ka Woreki.”

The guards step forward, undoing the manacles at Dura’s wrists and then step back, fading into the crowd as they let Dura go. We both stand and I take Dura’s hand in mine. Courtiers from both sides of the room come forward, buzzing around us like insects, both with congratulations and condolences. Some of them seem genuine and others seem to have hidden barbs, but I am already tired of being around the court without having to discern the politics at play in their reactions.

I look up toward the dais, but Adalind and her husband are already gone, exiting through the doors behind the thrones. I push through the surrounding crowd, giving bare minimum responses to their words, and work to extricate Dura and myself from the turmoil around us. Finally, we make it to the door and the guards open it, letting us out, and close it behind us, shutting out the courtiers that were following. Still holding Dura’s hand, I lead her along, guiding us through the winding halls of the castle.

“Where are we going?” Dura asks me, bemused. Her feelings in the bond are jumbled. There is relief and amusement, but also something very much like sorrow and pain. Losing her titles publicly was hard for her.

“My rooms,” I say. “Hopefully there is no one else in them, but if there is, we'll kick them out.”

Dura laughs slightly at my words, letting me lead her. When we finally get to my rooms, I knock, just in case, before opening the door. Within, all is as I left it. My tapestries hang on the walls, my bed is covered in my blanket, and my chest is still at the foot of the bed. A fire is in the fireplace's hearth, winking cheerfully as the sun goes down outside, the last vestiges of sunlight gleaming through my window. Perhaps the fire was set by the servants at the behest of Adalind, probably suspecting that we would need to find some respite after their ruling. It’s almost eerie to see the space unchanged after being away for so long. The last time I was here, I was a completely different person.

As the door closes behind us, I pull Dura into my arms, kissing her with hunger and relief. We are safe. Banishment is no longer on our horizon. I pour all my feelings into her, my joy at us being out of harm’s way, and also my regret that she was hurt by the process. She responds immediately, her arms coming around my neck as her lips mold with mine.

Pulling away from her, I do not want things to go too far before we can talk. “I’m sorry that you still lost your titles, huntress. I should have been more persuasive.”

Dura shakes her head, her forehead still touching mine. “I deserved punishment. What I did was selfish and against my Oaths as one of the Horde. The ruling was just.”

“But it still hurts you,” I point out.

She smiles a little. “I will get over it. I just grieve for the career I worked hard to create out of nothing. I was born in exile, the lowest of the low. Working my way up in the Horde, and honing my skills, was difficult. There was much opposition while the old king was on the throne, but I succeeded despite that. I was very proud of how far I had come, what I had achieved with the strength of my arm. It will take a while to adjust, to no longer being a part of the Horde, but I will do it. I have you, the prize that makes up for my losses.”

I give her another kiss at her words. I have never been called a prize before. I will have to work to live up to the way she sees me.

The door opens and Dura and I hastily pull apart, looking at the intruder in our bittersweet, private moment. It is Adalind, her awe-inspiring face wreathed with smiles.

“Well,” she says as her guards close the door behind her, “that went just as well as could be expected.”

Dura puts both her fists on her chest again. It must be some sort of gesture of esteem since she keeps doing it when she sees our rulers. “Queen Adalind,” she says, “allow me to. . .”

“There’s no need for all that,” Adalind interrupts, walking forward and gently pushing Dura’s fists down. “We are family twice over. Let us not be formal when we are all alone.”

“We played our part well in your plan, I take it?” I ask.

Adalind turns her smile on me. “You did brilliantly. I never expected you to have such a silver tongue, Marvik. Politics suit you.”

I mock shudder. “Say it is not so.”

My sister laughs, completely different from the cold, impartial judge she was earlier. “It is true. The court followed your every whim. You masterfully guided them toward sympathy for your cause. You will do well on the Council of Thirteen.”

That confuses me. “The Council? What are you saying?”

Adalind’s smile becomes a little more devious. “Dura may have lost all her titles, I’m sorry for that by the way, but you haven’t. With the deaths of your parents, you are the new Duke Grimble and Dura is your duchess. The crown has held all your lands and holdings and we relinquish them back to you. You are the steward of Grimblton and the surrounding lands and with that comes a seat on the Council, if you want it. I hope you do, because I can always use more allies on the Council.”

My head spins. “Then that was your plan? Dura loses all her influence in Orik, but we gain it back in Adrik?”

Adalind nods. “Of course. I couldn’t let you both be banished, not if I had anything I could do about it. If we could have gotten away with it, you wouldn’t have been punished at all, but the law is the law and, as rulers, we must abide by it or there will be chaos. This way, though you lose Dura’s titles and holdings, you both gain yours and still can be members of mine and Rognar’s court. We will still be able to see you regularly. Though, we will wait a few days before announcing you as the new Duke Grimble, just to let the furor die down. House Strand’s holdings will be divided at the same time and two new Houses raised up to the Council. We have chosen House Mallay and House Kopex to receive the holdings and replace House Strand and House Howser on the Council.”

“House Mallay?” I ask. “Lady Ursa’s house?”

“Yes,” replies my sister. “She has been heading up the War Bride effort and has executed her duties admirably. In recognition of her service to the crown, we are making the Mallay barony a duchy. Her brother will be the first Duke Mallay, and House Kopex has always been an ally to me. Lady Wothea Kopex is currently in charge of the house until her grandson is of age and I expect her to raise him well.”

“It sounds like you don’t really need me,” I tease.

Adalind gets serious. “I will always need you, my brother. I can’t tell you how happy I am that you are back, that I can speak to you like this, that I can give you back your lands and make you Duke Grimble.”

I grimace. Duke Grimble. That will always be my father to me and he was an evil man, worse than I ever even thought, now that I know he was part of an abhorrent secret society. I want no part of that man. Truly, I want no part of politics. I am a warrior at heart, but perhaps this is only fair. Dura received her punishment and now, though I know that it isn’t Adalind’s intention, I am receiving mine. Leaving behind my days of knighthood so that I can become someone with the power to protect the one I love. I will miss the freedom I experienced when I was living in the forest, just me and Dura, but, perhaps, I was never meant for a free and simple life.

“I will accept your generosity on one condition,” I tell Adalind, taking Dura’s hand in mine.

“What is that?” Adalind asks curiously.

“That we retire the Grimble name. Truth be told, I have never felt close to my family, and now that I know the extent of their crimes toward you and Adrik, I have no desire to carry on their name. I will never give my parents the legacy they desired.”

“That is understandable,” my sister says, cocking her head. “But what name will replace it?”

“Woreki,” I declare, squeezing Dura’s hand in my own. “I will take Dura’s name as my own and we will forge our own new legacy. We will be a symbol to everyone of Adrik and Orik, working together and becoming one country.” Dura squeezes my hand back and in the bond, and I feel that she is touched by my words.

“It will be done,” Adalind says, nodding slowly. “Then you will be Duke and Duchess Woreki, a new house with both the cultures of the humans and the orcs. That will be a potent symbol indeed.”

My sister gives me an apologetic smile. “You really are quite good with politics, my brother.”

Some bitterness fills me as I think of all the lessons my father taught me, the lying, the manipulating, the power struggles. But they are as much a part of me as my honor and sense of duty. They have saved me more than once in my life, and perhaps it is time to stop fighting against them. To use them for the good of the country instead of the way my father intended.

“I will work to use my skills only for the good of our people,” I tell Adalind solemnly.

“I expected nothing different,” she replies simply. She then gives both me and Dura a small smile. “I must go,” she says, “there’s still much I must do before the evening meal. I’ll have the servants send your meal here for tonight, as I’m sure that you don’t want to deal with the stares you would receive, but I’ll see you on the morrow.”

With that, Adalind leaves the room, leaving Dura and me alone once more. Dura turns to me, a rueful smile on her face. “I don’t know that I’ll ever get used to how your sister looks,” she tells me. “I never knew that beauty could be such a weapon. It robs me of my words to look at her.”

“It gets easier over time,” I remark. “You’ll always be a little awe-stricken by her, but you’ll be able to function.”

I mean my words mostly in jest, but Dura looks at me with a serious face. I feel hesitation in the bond, like she wants to say something, but can’t find the words .

“What is it?” I ask.

She bites her lip, then says, “I don’t know how to be a human duchess. I cannot keep a castle running or order about servants. I am a warrior. It’s all I’ve ever been and all I know how to be. I will be an embarrassment to you.”

I stop myself from scoffing at her words. She obviously means them and is feeling vulnerable. Laughing at her, no matter how ridiculous she is being, won’t do. Instead, I take her in my arms again. “I don’t want you to be anything other than what you are,” I tell her. “And we will be the stewards of a land that is on the border of a nation that has declared war on us. Grimblton needs a soldier more than a courtier who can pretty up a castle. When it is time for such things, we will get a proper housekeeper to do those things for you. But for now, I can say without hesitation, that you are the duchess my people need and the mate of my heart. I will have no other.”

Relief surges at me through the bond, as well as hunger, and soon Dura is kissing me, pushing me toward the bed and I grin against her lips.

Then there is no more talking.