Page 24 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

Miranda rose her brows at Ergoth. Apparently, all his bluster about hospitality didn’t extend to his own kin.

“Well, we have been invited. To the trade at least,” Karthoc said with a grin that flashed his massive sharp teeth. None of his warriors tucked up their jaws like the Rove Wood Clan orcs did.

How would Oakwall respond to that? Had they seen warrior orcs like this before?

“W-What?” Chief Ergoth stammered. “You can’t. I won’t allow it. The peace with Oakwall is more important than your selfish wants, nephew.”

Karthoc’s grin only widened. “Well, it isn’t my want you are speaking of now. But the want of Oakwall. They themselves have invited us.”

Karthoc then pulled out a tiny piece of parchment with scribbled Faedish writing that Ergoth quickly snatched out of his hand.

Miranda glanced up at Govek, finding him tense, jaw tucked up, eyes stuck to the note. She stroked his arm to soothe him, though really, she wanted to know what was in the message just as bad as he did.

“I would like to speak to you in private, Karthoc,” Ergoth said between clenched teeth, and Miranda blinked at the usually composed male’s rapid shift into fury.

“Of course, dear uncle,” the warlord said smoothly, a grin on his face as he followed Chief Ergoth away. His warriors continued to mingle on the path and watched their leaders casually.

One of them, huge and scarred with a deep gash in his neck, nodded to Govek and Govek returned the gesture before he gripped Miranda’s elbow and turned her away.

“What was that about?” Miranda asked.

“That is Brovdir, my cousin. Karthoc’s younger brother.”

“No, no. I mean Karthoc. He’s going to the trade? Did you know?”

Govek glanced at her before picking up the pace slightly. “I... knew that he wanted to attend the trade. I told him to seek aid from Viravia. I don’t know how speaking with her could have resulted in him openly attending the trade, though.”

“Hmm.” Miranda glanced back. Ergoth was obviously livid, but Karthoc looked smug. “I guess your attendance isn’t going to be the highlight after all.”

Govek blinked, considering.

But before he could find a response, they had rounded the bend and the sight of fifty or more orcs making ready came into clear view.

There were massive carts piled high with baskets of vegetables and barrels of fish. Crates of tinctures were being loaded carefully into smaller two wheeled wagons. She couldn’t see any animals that might pull them. No horses or elk.

The atmosphere was pleasantly busy as people bustled about. Everyone seemed to either be distracted by chatting or occupied with tasks. They hauled goods by hand, adjusted wooden wheels, stacked and organized crates made from twigs and branches.

Current day Faeda was almost like medieval Earth. Back before noxious fumes had broken down the atmosphere. When the sun wasn’t so deadly, and the water wasn’t so toxic. When animals could live freely without human intervention and plants didn’t struggle to survive outside of farms and greenhouses.

Miranda’s mood shifted; her chest ached.

“Miranda?”

She snapped out of her self-pity and gave Govek a reassuring smile. “I’m okay. Where do we go?”

“Let me see about finding you a cart to ride in,” he said, glancing around.

“I don’t see Viravia.” Miranda searched the crowd of mostly green bodies.

“She wasn’t able to make it today.”

Miranda spun around and she came face to face with a woman right about her age with golden hair and a pinched nose. She wore a plain cotton gown and a thick wool cloak that was wrapped tight around something buried underneath. Something that appeared to be resting in a sling over the woman’s shoulder.

Miranda’s heart twisted.

The woman glanced at Govek hesitantly before saying, “I’m sorry for sneaking up on you. My name is Savili. My mate Iytier and I returned early from the seasonal communion when we heard from Viravia that you were here with Govek. She told me I should help you out today.”

“Oh, uh...” Miranda said, still distracted by the bundle in her arms. “Govek can help me, but thank you for the offer.”

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