Page 63 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“No torture of animals has taken place in the Rove Woods.”

Miranda’s breath caught as triumph worked its way warmly through her mind, even as an odd sense of disappointment warred with it.

The clan became loud once more, but another snarl from Karthoc forced them to quiet.

“This wisdom is from the Fades themselves? They showed you these truths?” Ergoth asked.

“The Fades show me nothing,” the seer said, and Miranda’s disappointment mounted. In the back of her mind, she’d hoped that the seer might come in and simply tell everyone that Govek was not at fault. He’d been the one that told her to sit on the log after all. The seer must have known what was going to happen next.

And yet, somehow, she’d known that it would not be that easy.

This wasn’t about Govek. Not entirely. This was about her healing from her trauma. This was about getting justice in some small way so she could recover enough to dredge.

And she would not recover if the seer did everything for her.

“I only know that no torture has taken place because we are in the Rove Woods. Acts of malice against healthy creatures would leave a trace. You orcs can commune as well as I. Reach for that truth, and you will quickly find that the only darkness tainting these woods is found within the blight.”

“I don’t see how you can be so certain of anything,” Chief Ergoth asked. “You yourself say that your head is clouded of late.”

“Are you calling my abilities into question, little chief?”

Miranda blinked at the seer’s tone and the orcs seemed to have an even more violent reaction. Their muscles bunched, and their eyes went wide.

“N-no, Great Seer. Of course not.” Chief Ergoth managed through clenched teeth. “Very well. Since you say that no torture has taken place, then I will see this as a valid motive for Rogeth to have sought retribution. Even if it is not certain that Rogeth is truly behind this act.”

Of course, Ergoth would call it “this act” instead of saying clearly what it was.

Govek had been framed.

Rogeth shot up again, “My chief, I swear I never?—”

“Silence. Now is not the time for this,” Ergoth said. “The truth has been brought to light, and we will leave these troubles in the past.”

Miranda’s jaw dropped. Was he saying they were just going to let this go? Years of Govek being framed as an animal abuser, just “poof”—gone—like he hadn’t been wronged.

“Rest assured,” Karthoc said, his voice low, slow and deadly. His dark eyes were trained on Ergoth and the chief grew tense. “I will be doing a thorough investigation into who is responsible for deceiving the clan and making them all believe Govek abused his kills.”

“F-fine.” Ergoth straightened his purple robes. “I wish you well with it.”

“And you will aid me.”

Ergoth scowled. “Since most of the evidence has been eaten, I do not see how much more I could do.” Karthoc growled and Ergoth hastily replied. “Fine. Yes. I will help. Miranda, you’re finished with your account, yes? Let’s move on to Maythra?—”

“Ergoth,” Karthoc said threateningly.

“I’m not done,” Miranda said quickly. Ergoth was stupid for even asking.

Did that mean he was getting desperate?

It didn’t matter. She would keep going as if the whole world was against her. She put her entire being into the act of getting justice for Govek. For herself.

Miranda straightened her spine. She was ready. She’d thought this all the way through.

She pulled her dress from that night out of her bag of evidence. “Is Hovget here?”

“Hovget, come forward,” Ergoth said, and in a moment, the healer made his way up the stairs onto the platform. The long gray hair that framed his face was disheveled and his clothes were crooked and there were large bags under his eyes.

“This is the stain where the tincture they threw on me was. Can you tell me what it is?”

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