Page 60 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

Ergoth continued. “Since you are unable to speak, I will elect someone to speak on your behalf. Someone who was there that night and can give a firsthand account. Maythra, please rise.”

What? Maythra was getting her chance to speak now? So early on?

Miranda was on her feet. “I object.”

A rolling grumble of irritation rolled through the clan, but Miranda did not budge.

“Young woman,” Chief Ergoth said. “Do you plan to find issue at every stage?”

“No. Just the unfair ones,” Miranda said with a shrug that made amusement rise in Govek’s chest despite himself. “I was told that the victims get to speak first. So Maythra shouldn’t be allowed to speak before I do.”

“Maythra is the only one who can properly account for Wolvc’s tale,” Ergoth countered.

“I ask that you let his father, Agol, speak for him instead. I’m certain Wolvc has communicated everything to his father clearly, even if Agol hadn’t been there to witness it.”

What? Govek went cold. Miranda hadn’t told him about this part of her plan.

The gleam in Chief Ergoth’s eyes instantly unsettled Govek. “His father. Well, of course, that is a perfect alternative. I will allow it unless any have objections?”

None rose, but Govek felt the twist of uncertainty clench his mind as he tried to fathom what Miranda intended with this.

If it had been his own son on the stand, Govek would likely have been willing to say anything that would prevent him from being sent to war.

But before Govek could find a way to rationally object, Ergoth called Agol to the platform, and the male stood tall, right before him. Agony and fury masked the male’s features.

Govek had nearly killed his son.

Govek lowered his eyes as Miranda sat down again, close enough that he could feel her warmth, but it did nothing to soothe him this time.

Agol spoke in a flat tone that gave no hint to his true thoughts. “According to my son’s account, he was walking with Rogeth and Maythra to the hall when they happened upon Govek and Miranda. Miranda appeared to be unconscious and mostly unresponsive, and Govek was on top of her. Wolvc rushed to intervene and Govek attacked him without issuing any challenge. When Miranda recovered, Govek spun her a different story to make her believe my son and his companions were the ones attacking.”

“Shit.”

The whispered curse made Govek whip his head toward Miranda. She moved to cling to his hand with both of hers, pulled it into her lap for comfort. Her expression was tense and angry as she regarded Agol.

Clearly, she’d been of the opinion that the male would speak the truth. But could he have even known it? He only knew what his son, Maythra, and Rogeth told him.

“That is all?” Ergoth asked, his tone giving no illusion he was pleased with this outcome.

Govek burned, looked at the contrast between Ergoth and Agol. Both fathers. Both standing for their sons.

But where Agol was standing to defend Wolvc, Ergoth was...

Govek squeezed his eyes shut as his guts rolled. It was for the good of the clan. Chief Ergoth was only doing what needed to be done to protect the orcs of the Rove Woods.

But his repeated mantra was not soothing his fury like it had in the past.

“No.”

Govek blinked up at Agol’s clipped word.

“No,” the lead guard continued. “I have more to say.” The male’s eyes pierced into Govek’s for a long moment and behind him, Ergoth’s lips curled into a smile. “Although this is the account my son has communicated to me, I have doubts at its truth.”

The clan began to murmur again, much louder this time.

“Silence, my clan, be still. Warlord Karthoc, do you not see that this is why the clearing is so important? Please, Sythcol, go to your post?—”

“Be silent, Ergoth,” Karthoc snarled. “My decision on that vile clearing is final. It will not be used.” Then he roared to the clan. “You lot are fucking grown! Act like it and be silent!”

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