Page 29 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

She and Govek would win. They had to.

“Let’s get down,” Savili said, alerting Miranda to the fact that they had stopped. Savili took her baby, leaving Miranda feeling a little empty as she stood up on the crate of apples she’d been sitting on and looked around.

They’d made it to the trade.

The space was massive and open, probably as large as a football field on Earth. The white and gray trunks of birch trees, which lined the entire exterior, arched high above their heads, perhaps thirty feet, looming and leaning and intertwining with each other to create a roof that Miranda suspected was tightly packed enough to stop rainfall from coming in. The branches above were barren of leaves which allowed her to see the woven pattern—like thatch work but spiraling out in points that looked like sun rays—more clearly.

In the center there was a round opening that let in light, but Miranda couldn’t see what it illuminated on the ground because there were so many tall orc bodies roaming around, mingling among each other, unloading boxes.

A human man appeared in the crowd and called out. “Chief Ergoth, Warlord Karthoc, welcome.”

“Miranda.”

Govek’s soft call brought her back to his attention, and she discovered that Iytier had begun unloading the cart at the back. She stepped to the edge where Govek was and let him lower her to the ground.

“Are you okay?” she asked, noting the tightness in his face, the clench of his fists.

“I’m fine.”

He wasn’t, and it was a stupid thing to ask anyway. He’d just found out his father had lied to him and the entire clan.

“Welcome, welcome!” Boomed the man’s voice again and Miranda whipped around. He was a tall human with a heavy-set frame and kind eyes. His clothing was much the same as that of the orcs—cotton shirt, woolen pants. The only difference was that he wore a brown jacket where the orcs had cloaks. Or at least, the orcs from Rove Wood Clan did. The warriors barely had any clothing on their torsos at all.

The human approached Karthoc without a scrap of hesitation, as if the orc male didn’t dwarf him. Ergoth rushed over to intercept but it was too late.

“I am glad to see you and your warriors here, Warlord. I have told my people what to expect so feel free to mingle openly.”

“Your generosity is?—”

“Headman Gerald,” Ergoth said, his voice a little louder and more clipped than usual. “I would like to speak with you in private.”

“Of course, Chief Ergoth.” The headman looked more amused than worried over Ergoth’s anger.

“I would like to join in on this conversation as well,” Karthoc interjected.

“You don’t need to—” Ergoth started.

“I insist,” Karthoc said with a wide grin. “After all, I should verbally cement our agreements before any of my males proceed. Wouldn’t you agree, Headman?”

“Of course, Warlord. Right this way. We can talk in private over here.”

Miranda couldn’t help but be pleased with how frustrated Ergoth looked. Oh, to be a fly on the wall for that conversation.

“What do you think, Miranda?” Govek asked.

“I think that headman is going to give Ergoth a run for his money.” Miranda kept her voice low so no one but Govek could hear.

“I meant about the trade.”

Oh gosh. She’d pretty much forgotten where they were. “Ah, it’s, um...” She looked around again, really not able to get a good view now that she was on the ground. There were just too many orcs and people mingling about.

“Can I lift you?” Govek repositioned to stand directly behind her.

“Okay...?” Miranda agreed and he scooped her up by the waist like she weighed nothing.

All the way up to his fricking shoulder.

She gasped out a laugh as he plunked her down. “Govek, oh my gosh!” She giggled, warm and giddy. He was so dang strong. His shoulder was so wide her scrawny butt fit on it quite comfortably. He wrapped an arm around her thighs to keep her steady and she clung to the top of his head, weaving her fingers through the short strands.

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