Page 21 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

His gut warmed, and he lowered his jaw back into the right place.

“Come, let’s share a meal. We caught so many fish in your springs our blood will smell of it before our time in these woods is done.”

Karthoc kept a firm grip on Govek’s shoulder as he guided him toward the large bonfire at the center of the camp.

“What are they doing?” Govek asked, watching as Brovdir carried a massive fallen log out of the woods. The ground shook with the weight as he dropped it into the circle. Others came to help shear off the remaining limbs with their claws and smooth it out, so no sharp edges were visible.

“Building a challenge arena.” Karthoc said casually, and Govek was struck once again by the differences between Rove Wood and all other orc clans.

“Have you ever been challenged?” Karthoc asked, dark green brows raised, and Govek shook his head. “What the fuck does Ergoth even do when there is strife among his males?”

“Judgments,” Govek said, unable to keep the bitterness from his tone.

“Judgments,” Karthoc muttered. “That’s right. You haven’t been in one recently, have you?”

Govek’s brow furrowed, wondering just what his cousin was getting at. “Not recently.”

After Tavggol’s death, he had kept himself away from the clan, stayed in the woods or in his home on the outskirts. One couldn’t stand accused in a judgment if they had no contact with other orcs.

Though he’d half expected Yerina or one of her friends to bring one about eventually. Take the rumors she’d spread about him after he’d refused to see her again to his father to get revenge.

But she hadn’t. Yet.

“I thought perhaps Ergoth sending you to Estwill was some sort of extreme punishment.”

“No.” Some punishments he’d endured over his life had been extreme, but not that extreme. “Being sent to Estwill to retrieve the women was meant to be an honor.”

Karthoc scoffed and spat upon the ground. “An honor? It is an honor to be slaughtered?”

“I do not believe Chief Ergoth understood how bad off Estwill truly was—is,” Govek replied.

“How could he not know? Is he so blind to how Faeda has fallen?”

“We have no contact with any outside the Rove Woods besides the warriors you send to fetch tinctures.”

“Not even to get women? I’ve seen a few here already.” Karthoc lowered his voice, “You can’t tell me they all came from that single village here in the Rove Woods.”

“They are all from Oakwall Village, yes.” Oakwall had been trade partners with Rove Wood Clan for centuries and was cut off from all outside humans.

“Lower your voice,” Karthoc muttered, looking around at his warriors. “I don’t want my warriors knowing about it or they’ll fight to death over who gets to visit.”

Govek nodded. He couldn’t imagine Chief Ergoth would be keen on the warriors visiting Oakwall either. The peaceful trade between Oakwall and Rove Wood Clan was the only reason their communities could survive without ever leaving these woods.

The humans of Oakwall flinched when Rove orcs bellowed and bared their fangs, he couldn’t imagine how they might react to one of Karthoc’s battle scarred warriors.

As if to prove Govek’s thoughts correct, a thunderous roar sounded. Govek jerked, glancing toward the arena, which was still being created, and found that two males were engaged in bloody carnage. One slugged the other in the nose and blood sprayed in an arc.

Karthoc barely glanced at the battle. “So, you really think Ergoth didn’t know what he was doing when he ordered you to your death?”

Govek’s gut twisted, and his hands balled, and he took a few cleansing breaths of the crisp autumn evening. Now that time and distance had softened the order, Govek could see reason. Think logically. Put himself in his father’s place. “I know he didn’t.”

Karthoc narrowed his eyes. “So, you’re saying you didn’t even try to tell him that Estwill is their main stronghold this side of the Wyin Mountains?”

“I did.” Govek recalled the last meeting he had with his father. In the hall. In front of his clan. Where Govek had tried to impart how going to Estwill would lead to his death more swiftly than any other act.

But his father had not listened. Not when he had missives from Govek’s mother, who supposedly lived in Estwill, claiming that she had five young, fertile women wanting to join Rove Wood Clan and play conquest to orcs.

“I know your mother’s hand better than any other. Corine was my mate for seven years until you were born.”

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