Page 4 of Rescued By Her Monster Mercenaries

“So why stay?”

I gestured for another ale and some food, and soothed the beast with a few long strokes until he settled. “You suck at pep talks. We need more females in my clan. We only have three, and we need more young to keep the clan going. We’re small and most of our males are too young or too old. Between warring with other clans and lack of females, our males are leaving or dying. And since we live outside the Orc King's lands, we’re vulnerable. As new clan leader, I need a female and orclings to carry on the line.”

“How can this be your last year, then?”

“I’ll give up leadership to one of the younger orcs, let them enter the auction in the spring. It’s my duty, if I cannot carry out my role.”

We sat in quiet for a moment, drinking our ale. Jarrus looked morosely into his mug, and I shifted Nuar’s head off of my lap to stand. He groaned and stretched, then let out a loud belch that echoed down the length of the bar. The barmaid brought us two more mugs of ale and swung away to serve others.

“You know,” Jarrus said at last, “you can always make the best of this. You don’t have to feel helpless. You could offer some services in return for a female companion—take care of her needs and provide security and a home in exchange for her loyalty and fidelity.”

I took a swig of ale and stared out the window at the setting sun. “I could... but it wouldn’t be enough. To do that, I would have to give up my duty as clan leader—if not in name, then in spirit—and I can’t do that without knowing who is going to take my place beforehand. Someone has to guide the younger orcs into manhood, train them in battle tactics, teach them our ways so one day they can succeed as clan leader someday...it must be done if our clan is going to survive. But where will we find someone who is willing? Who will have both strength and intelligence? Orcs are not easy creatures to control—too wild at times or too dull when afraid; it needs someone with true courage that can inspire them like my father did when he first became leader."

Jarrus huffed, shaking his horned head, the fur settling around him. “Our clan is losing members, too. Fading into history as our numbers dwindle and birth rates are low. I worry that, if I don’t succeed this season, I’ll have to divert any of my funds to another, younger minotaur next season.”

I studied him morosely. “What will happen to you without a mate?”

“Plenty of minotaurs have survived without a mate. It’s not easy, but survivable. As long as I don’t find a female to whom I could bond. Which is why I am considering not joining the auction tomorrow. If I don’t expose myself to females, a bond won’t manifest and I won’t be vulnerable.”

I stared at the fire. “Then we both have every reason not to attend tomorrow.”

“And yet, we’ll both be there.”

Chapter 3

Olivia

I woke up the next morning praying it had all been a nightmare, something I had done every single day since I had found herself in this strange world, even though I was agnostic at best in my religion. But, when I opened my eyes, I was in the same place, though my circumstances had improved. Maybe.

I wasn’t a prisoner in the wagon, sleeping on a hay-covered wood floor, with shackles around my wrists and ankles and bars on the windows. But the bars on this new prison were invisible. I’d bet if I tried the door, it would be locked from the outside, with guards stationed at every exit and patrolling the grounds. Sure, they told me this auction was the key to a better life, a safe life, and there was no way to get home. But I was just a better dressed slave, housed in a gilded cage until my new master could buy me.

The door opened and two girls came in to help me prepare for the day, much as they did the previous day. I had a bath and a new dress, very form fitting and flattering for me. If I hadn’t been filled with doom for my circumstances, I might have even enjoyed the feeling of being dressed like a princess.

I was escorted to the same room with the women as before and joined Daria at the little table overlooking the courtyard. I had a plate full of sausage and eggs and fruit. At least I couldn’t complain about the food.

Daria eyed me with a hint of amusement. “That dress is even nicer than the one last night. I should hate you, but I don’t.”

I glanced around the room at the other clusters of women as realization dawned. “You were the top bitch this year.”

I put down my fork, the food suddenly losing all appeal for me.

“Got it in one. The top girl gets first pick. Now that honor goes to you.” She sipped her juice and watched the people milling about outside. “Don’t worry about it. As long as we settle a few rules between us, we’ll be fine.”

Here it came; payment for the advice I’d been given. “Many of us girls pick a time when to join the auction, when we think we have the best chance of getting the right male. Sometimes, we even arrange things to our satisfaction.”

“You seem like an arranger.”

A secret smile played about her lips. “I come from a poor farming family. I wasn’t going to marry another farmer or spend my life milking cows. I set my sights a little higher. Fortunately, the goddess blessed me with looks to go with my ambition. The trader came to town and offered my family more than enough to compensate for any dowry my family would have gotten from the farmer’s son next door. When I got here, I caught the eye of an orc lord’s son from across the border. He has money, not enough to enter the king’s tournament, but enough for the auction. Now, we just need to make it through the auction.”

“You want to marry an orc?” I couldn’t imagine marrying one of those scary beasts, but then again, it appeared I didn’t have much of a choice. There were scarier creatures out there, based on what I saw walking around outside.

“Trust me, he was better than the options I had at home.” She leaned forward, her voice lowering. “And they say orcs can make great lovers, if you pick the right ones.”

She let her words sink in and continued to eat while I studied the creatures walking about outside. I felt so adrift in this new world. How was I to know what and who to pick?

After we had cleared our plates, I voiced the question that had been on repeat in my brain since the previous evening. “Is there really no way out?”

“No safe way,” came the swift reply. “I meant it when I said the auction was actually in your favor. Talk to each of these women and ask why they’re here, then come back and let me know what you find out.”

---