Page 12 of Orc's Pride
“I was seeking shelter.”
I can’t stop the laugh that escapes me. “Shelter. Right.”
A lone human traveling in these woods would have their survival measured in hours, if not minutes. These aren’t easy woods, not even for orcs.
“And how long have you been looking for shelter?” I nod towards the tent with the dark elves inside. “Since your masters were slaughtered? Or are you working for someone else?”
“Please.” She bows her head. The modest approach fits her as well as my broadsword would. Every delicate, melodious word only serves to infuriate me more. Does she think I’m a fool? She must. She lies as easily as I breathe. “I’m hungry and tired. I was separated from my party, and I was desperate for help. Iamdesperate for help.”
“Yes, I could see how helpless and desperate you were when you were nearly toppling my second-in-command over there.” She’s lying. I can feel it down to my bones. I release her shoulder and nod at Gor. “Bring her to my tent.”
Her eyes flash with fear before she blinks it away, staring at me impassively even as Gor hoists her back up by her legs so she can’t kick him again, carrying her like a sack of wheat.
For a strange moment, I almost want to reassure her—but fear is good. She has the sheer audacity to lie to my face in front of my men.
Let’s see if she can still lie after I’m done with her.
6
Dana
The annoying orc, Gor, dumps me unceremoniously on the floor of the tent. He doesn’t even bother to come inside, just sort of heaves me through the opening like he’s offloading a sack of flour. I can feel my leg protesting already, not appreciating this second fall of the day.
He leaves as suddenly as he arrives, and for a second, I wonder what the other orc must be planning to do to me if he had Gor bring me to his private tent.
But I don’t have time to worry about that. My heart is already racing, focused on another, more important, problem.
The list. The damned list, which has caused me nothing but problems. It’s almost aggravating, how powerful a tiny piece of paper can be.
I had shoved it into a little pocket of cloth, sewn on the inside of my boot. There’s little chance of anyone finding it there, in such a discreet and unnoticeable hiding spot. However, the moment that the orc had swung me over his back like that, I felt the panic set in. Could it fall out? Was it still safe?
The other orc from earlier, the scarred one with long, dark hair, enters abruptly.
I scramble to sit up, pretending to adjust myself. My hand slips inside my boot as I pull it higher on my leg. I barely conceal the relieved sigh that wants to slip out when my fingers brush over the paper. It’s still there.
For just a moment, my fingers linger there. I consider pulling it out and telling this other orc everything. He’s obviously the leader or captain or whatever you want to call him.
I could give it to him and be done with this mess. Let it be his responsibility to get word back to Malik, however he wants to do so. As for me, I’ve had just about enough. Maybe this is a task that’s in his pay grade because it’s certainly not mine.
The thought only lasts a brief minute before it is cast aside. Entertaining as it may be, it’s also ridiculous. I haven’t forgotten the strange woman’s warning.
Trust no one. Enemies are everywhere. I’m to give the list to Malik directly, relying on no one else.
I can’t share it with this orc, or anyone. Even if I’d like to abdicate all responsibility, the burden is mine to carry. There’s simply too much depending on this for me to quit now.
Of course, what that means right now is that I’m stuck dangling on this hook. He’s got me backed into a corner. I can’t answer his questions without giving myself away, so just how am I getting out of here?
Lucky for me, I’ve always been good at winging it.
“Are you in charge here?” I ask, rising to my feet. “Or is there someone above you?” I probably won’t trust them, either, but I’d like to know just how high up the ladder I might be sent.
He doesn’t answer, just stares. I can’t read his expression, but I note how carefully he masks his reaction. He doesn’t let anything slip by that might give away his frame of mind.
“I’m curious what would give you the impression that you’re here to ask questions?” he notes calmly. “You came to answermine. I’m not about to engage in chit chat with a spy. I’m a high enough rank to know better than that, anyway.”
Despite his unruffled exterior, he suddenly spins on his heel. The motion is too fast for me to follow. The next thing I know, he’s facing me again, and there’s a strange whistling noise as something heavy comes whizzing past my ear.
I can’t help but flinch, instinctively drawing my arms and shoulders tight against my body to protect myself from the attack. When I can sense that the motion has stopped, I slowly turn my head to identify the source.