Page 58 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

Govek’s rage simmered at the back of his mind. He was already too caught up. He could not face a male looking at his woman the way Sythcol was now. He wanted to rip the conjurer to shreds.

“Govek,” Chief Ergoth said loudly. “Control yourself or I will have to ask you to be removed from this judgment.”

A clamor of agreement rumbled through the clan, but Miranda rose her voice to speak over them. “That is exactly the problem, Chief Ergoth. That is exactly why I don’t want the clearing used.”

His father scowled at her and Govek had to shut his eyes, take deep breaths. Miranda gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, but it did little to quell the rage in his blood.

“You make no sense, nor do you have the right to demand this.” Ergoth’s voice was clipped.

“Explain, woman,” Karthoc said, earning himself an angry rebuke from Ergoth, but Karthoc skewered him with a glower and the chief fell silent.

Miranda got to her feet. “Govek told me that Sythcol’s clearing magic helps everyone to maintain attention on the judgment.”

“That is true,” Ergoth said. “It is to everyone’s benefit.”

“Is it also true that it prevents people from interrupting the proceedings?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Even if they want clarification or to ask questions?”

The rolling voices of the clan rose higher.

“They do not need to ask questions. All the information they need is presented in proper order so they can make a fair judgment.”

“So, they get to draw their own conclusions. What if not everything is covered? Wouldn’t that mean they fabricate evidence in their minds to fill in those blanks?”

“How dare you?—”

Maythra had started to spout off, but one look from Karthoc made her pale and bow her head.

Then Govek turned back to his father and his stomach dropped. Ergoth’s eyes were blazing.

Govek resisted the urge to pull Miranda back down into her chair, to hide her at his side, as Ergoth stepped forward. “That is a rather lofty and unfair assumption. You are a human outsider. Who are you to judge the great workings of our lead conjurer, Sythcol?”

Miranda was undeterred. “Isn’t it true that in the past, just like today, Govek has been asked to leave the proceedings before he could speak, and the judgment was concluded without his input at all?”

“That is for the safety of our clan. You are too new and blinded by your biased opinion, but we all know how uncontrolled and dangerous Govek’s rage can be.” Ergoth swung his hand out. “Just look at our table. Sythcol says it will take half a moon to mend. What if that strike had landed on another orc? Or one of the women?”

Govek’s stomach churned, and he felt like he might be sick. His fists balled and his claws dug deep.

Miranda reached out to cover it. Her touch was so gentle. He breathed deeply.

“What Miranda says is true,” a voice called.

Govek looked out over the clan to where Iytier was standing once again.

“There have been many times that Govek was asked to leave before he was allowed to speak and more still that he was not even present for the proceedings at all. Estoc, you have witnessed too, yes?”

What? Estoc was here? He’d arrived back from the seasonal communion early as well?

Govek swallowed, unsure if Estoc would be of any aid. They had always been at odds.

Estoc rose to his feet. He was short of stature but had a stocky build. One that Govek realized in an odd turn matched his own proportions somewhat, just on a smaller scale and with far less muscle.

A quiet descended on the clan. A chill.

“Yes, it is true,” Estoc finally said. “I have been present for every judgment where Govek has stood accused. There have been many and most of them have seen Govek dismissed long before he had any chance to defend himself.”

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