Page 24 of The Orc Outcast's Mate

“Now, if you will excuse me, I am weary from all the interrogations we have suffered this day.” Ergoth looked pointedly at Karthoc.

“I only wanted to know why you would send Govek to his doom, uncle. He is your only living son, after all. I would have thought you would treat him better.”

“It is not I who dismisses his worth. After all, how many of your messages mention him even in passing?”

Karthoc scowled.

“Exactly. It is clear that your only care is for the healing tinctures my clan provides you. And that is fine, since they are winning you the war and saving your warriors’ lives. My conjurers gladly turn their hands black to keep your legions safe. But do not, in your arrogance, assume that my clan’s only worth is to keep up with your ruthless demands. We few orcs born under this Rove Tree are the only ones the Fades blessed with magic, and you best not forget that fact.”

With that, Ergoth turned on his heel and disappeared back into the woods, back to the hall, and Govek felt all the tension in him evaporate as exhaustion took its place.

“It is not my arrogance that is the problem,” Karthoc said, his dark eyes following Ergoth. “The whole lot think themselves superior only because they conjure magic. But tell me this, who would have held back the forces at the base of Mount Rayvol? Who would have ended the siege at the Blur-ang River? Who would have prevented the burning of the very Rove Woods these orcs hold dear if not my warriors?”

Govek understood his elder cousin’s words, but his eyes were trained to Karthoc’s own brother, who was still working on smoothing the logs. To the numerous scars and marks covering Brovdir’s hulking frame. To the deep slashed scar along his neck that carried the proof that without Rove Woods healing tinctures, most of their warriors would have perished long ago.

“Magic is only as powerful and useful as the beings who wield it,” Karthoc said. “How did you survive goblin poison? Was it your magic?”

“No.” The question betrayed how little Karthoc truly knew about conjuring. “My conquest saved me with water from the Spring of the Fades.”

“This woman you found, from where does she herald?”

“She was lost in the woods.” Govek was uncertain how much of Miranda’s past to give.

“Did she give you a name?”

“Miranda.”

“Miranda of…?”

Earth. “I’m not sure.”

“How did she know about the spring’s effects?”

“I told her. I managed that much before I collapsed, and we were close enough for her to accomplish it.”

“Fucking odd,” Karthoc said, looking back to his warriors. Govek was well aware that most of them had tried and failed to find conquests. “Most humans would rather skewer you through and steal your wares. Take your hospitality and leave you nothing but dark yearnings in return.”

Govek narrowed his eyes, trying to work through his cousin’s double meaning.

“Enough of this. We will be taking some time here to regroup. The Waking Order is planning something. I suspect a siege on Baelrok will be their next move, but it would be foolhardy of them to attempt it so close to winter.” Karthoc crossed his bulky arms and looked off toward a large black tent near the edge of the clearing. “My seer says time with the Spring of the Fades under your Great Rove Tree might reveal their intent. I don’t have much hope. These day’s he can barely divine his own ass in the privy.”

Govek’s jaw slacked with shock. “Seer Evythiken is with you?”

“Yes, though it only serves to slow us down. Blind fool can barely handle the travel on a good day. He’s constantly plagued with visions from the Fades and can barely concentrate on anything else. Sometimes he can hardly walk. I would order him to be carried if I had the power.”

Govek gritted his teeth. The seer wasn’t well? What did that mean for Miranda and her longing to have Evythiken divine for her?

“Why? You want to ask him something?”

Govek was unwilling to mention Miranda’s plans. “I only wondered if he might know a place free from the war.”

Karthoc looked away, toward the camp, toward his brother. His brows furrowed and his concern was plain to see. “Evythiken does know a place and the blind fool thinks that we all should...”

Govek startled. He hadn’t expected that response. “Should what?”

Karthoc waved him off. “The seer’s mind is muddled and raw. He is in constant agony from the onslaught the Fades force upon him. He can hardly eat and move, let alone divine the will of our creators. It was no wonder the overlord dismissed him from his fold.”

Govek’s eyes widened. He hadn’t known that Evythiken had been dismissed from the overlord’s council. He’d assumed the powerful seer had been reassigned to help Karthoc.

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