Page 34 of Scoring the Orc

By the time the evening shadows lengthen, I’m exhausted, my body aching from the day’s labor. But the house is spotless, every surface gleaming. I take a moment to survey my work, a small sense of satisfaction mingling with the exhaustion. This, at least, I can control. This, I can accomplish.

And I try to ignore the fact that Jurto didn’t seek me out once today.

I hear Jurto’s heavy footsteps approaching and straighten, my heart pounding despite my resolve. He steps into the room, his eyes sweeping over the spotless surfaces, but he doesn’t acknowledge my efforts. His expression is still hard, impenetrable.

“Good,” he mutters, barely glancing at me before heading towards his study.

I nod, though he doesn’t see it, and turn back to my work. The sting of his indifference cuts deep, but I force myself to remain calm. This is how it must be. I will not let him see how much he affects me. I will not give him that power.

As the night falls, I finish the last of my tasks and retreat to my small room, the day’s events replaying in my mind. I lie down, staring at the ceiling, steeling my resolve. I must be strong. I must protect myself. Jurto may have the power to command me, but he will not break me. Not again.

22

JURTO

“Keep at it! Don’t give up, Borka!” I yell, pointing at the orc who has tripped up on his own feet as he tries to pursue Varg down the field. “If you keep doing that during matches, we won’t stand a chance against our opponents!”

“Oh, Jurto,” Hrogun mumbles beside me, shaking his head. He drinks languidly from his water skin, observing our teammates. “Do you aim to kill the rest of our team with these drills?”

“I’m building character.”

“Yes, under an excruciating heat,” he replies, slapping me on the shoulder. “Give them a water break before they all die on you.”

With a sigh, I clap my hands and call out for everyone’s attention. “Alright, alright! Hrogun pities you all, so we’re taking a short break. Recollect yourselves because practice isn’t ending any time soon!”

“Thank you, Hrogun,” Kraag whispers, spitting onto the ground. “I was about to faint.”

I might be taking out my frustrations on the team, I realize. I’ve been suppressing thoughts of Emilia. In turn, I’ve been punishing the team for entertaining the thoughts of my perceived fondness for her.

There might be grains of truth within their gossip, but I won’t admit that to them.

As we all take a break, my team scatters, collapsing onto the benches, gulping air like it’s their last breath. The sun bears down on us, relentless, as if it's trying to sear the very spirit out of our bodies. I stand apart, letting the clamor of my exhausted teammates fade into the background. My thoughts drift to Emilia, her defiant gaze, the slight tremor of her lips when she's worried. I shake my head, trying to scatter her image like leaves in the wind. I can't afford distractions.

Suddenly, the chatter of unfamiliar voices catches my attention. I turn, squinting against the sun. Gargash, with his bulky frame and sneer that could curdle milk, saunters onto the pitch followed by a couple of hulking orcs from his team, the Stonebreakers. They wear their arrogance like a second skin, and disdain drips from every word as Gargash stops a few feet away, his eyes gleaming with malice and amusement.

"Jurto, always pushing your team to the brink, I see," Gargash bellows, his voice echoing across the field. His cronies chuckle behind him, their laughter grating on my nerves.

I straighten up, crossing my arms. "Gargash, to what do I owe the displeasure?"

He smirks, stepping closer. The stench of his arrogance is almost palpable. "Heard a bunch of rumors about you, old friend. That you’ve got yourself a sweet little human plaything. This surprises me, Jurto! Quite the exotic taste you’ve developed."

The mention of Emilia tightens my jaw. I can feel the stares of my team, their curiosity piqued. This is exactly what I didn't want—attention on my personal life, on her.

"She’s not a plaything," I grit out, my voice low.

Gargash laughs, a sound like rocks grinding together. "Oh, come now, we all know what happens with pets, Jurto. They either run away, or they break. And I’m thinking... What's it like, eh? Maybe I should find out for myself. Take her from you, see how sweet she really is."

The threat hangs in the air, heavy and sinister. My hands clench into fists at my sides. "You try it, and it’ll be the last thing you do, Gargash."

He steps forward, his face inches from mine. "Is that a challenge, Jurto?"

"It’s a promise," I reply, every muscle in my body tensing for a fight.

Staring me down, he huffs out a breath. As much as I want to knock the tusks out of his lower jaw, I hold myself back. Somehow, he manages to infuriate me just with his mere presence.

My rage simmers just beneath the surface, a volcanic heat ready to erupt. Gargash’s words, vile and venomous, hang in the sweltering air between us, fueling my fury. "She's not yours for the taking," I snarl back, my voice a low growl that doesn’t quite mask the undercurrent of protectiveness I feel.

Gargash's eyes narrow, a cruel smile playing on his lips as if he’s just placed the last piece in a puzzle. "Oh, I think we can let the game decide, Jurto," he suggests, his tone dripping with malice. "How about a high-stakes match? If my team wins, the human is mine."

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