Page 3 of Adored By Her Orc Avenger
“No…” I mutter, ignoring her blatant disrespect.
“Some of our clansmen are lucky to make it back with only injuries Dana, others are not so lucky. Also, I truly mean no offense but if warriors can’t defend themselves out there, what makes you think a herbalist can?”
“So you’re telling me they’re afraid of a few wild animals while they carry around their obnoxiously big axes and swords? Give me a break, my work can’t be neglected because a bunch of others can’t handle mother nature.”
“Well,” Birneth says as she stands up. “Good luck with making it out. Be their guest to try!”
She walks away, leaving me alone to contemplate how I’m going to make it out into the forest today. With nothing coming to my head, I spot the patrol guards making their shift changes at the gate.
Determined, I decide to confront them directly. What good is an escape plan without a little intel from the opposition? They notice me as I trot over, scoffing and rolling their eyes.
“Yes? Can we be of any assistance to you young lady?” One calls out when I reach them.
“I heard that none of us can leave because of an increased amount of wild animal attacks, is it true?” I shout up to him.
“Yes! No one is to leave unless they're sent out to gather food,” the guard explains.
“How long will we be on lockdown for?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” shrugs the guard. “We don’t have that information yet, just give it time.”
“Well I have herbs that need replenishing, I must go into the forest to find some,” I insist, trying to sound assertive.
“There ain’t no way that’s happening. You’ll just have to make do.”
“Well…” I mutter, trying to think of something else. “What about the escorts? They usually accompany me on my trips anyway.”
The guard shakes his head.
“None of them are available, every single escort is out on an emergency mission to gather more supplies.”
“So you can’t spare even one?” I ask.
The guard sneers, bursting into a mocking laugh.
“Do you hear what you’re asking right now young lady? I don’t think anyone else in this settlement would agree that wanting to go exploring in the forest counts as an emergency. Now piss off before you trouble me any further.”
He waves me off, turning his back on me. I storm off deciding no rules are going to prohibit me from carrying out my work.
* * *
A few hours have passed.Everyone in the settlement is busy tucking into their lunch meal, roasted hare with steamed carrots and broccoli. As I gorge myself on the food, I keep an avid eye near the back of the settlement, where I know there’s a hole big enough for me to sneak through.
I watch as the guards walk by the hole, completely oblivious to it. There’s a small bush that’ll provide me some cover. I look to the sky, still bright but I can’t afford to waste another minute sitting here as I eat up not only some sustenance but precious daylight too.
If it really is true what they’re saying about wild animal attacks, I need to have the light of day to be able to guide myself safely back to the settlement. I swallow the last mouthful of my food before walking off to my quarters.
I pick up an empty bag for whatever loot I may find and attach a knife to my waist. As I make my way to the hole in the wall, I glance around for any suspicious eyes. Everyone continues to eat as they go about their daily business.
I get down on my knees and sneak into the bush, trying to claw some plants out of the way. Just then, my heart drops as I hear approaching footsteps. I drop to the ground, laying as flat as I can as I look up to see a guard standing too close for my comfort.
“Vasilik, what is it?” calls out a distant voice from behind him.
“I thought I heard an animal rummaging around here, just checking it out,” replies the guard.
“I’m sure it’s nothing, come back and take your lunch before I start helping myself.”
The guard walks off as I second guess the risk I’m making in breaking out. If I stay now, I’ll have nothing to occupy my mind until the gods know when. They’re likely to spot me coming back later but whatever, I’ll accept the punishment as long as I have my herbs.