Page 62 of The Orc Outcast's Miracle

“No. But I heard both Rogeth and Wolvc talking.”

“But you did not see them throw the tincture on you?” Ergoth asked again and Miranda was forced to concede.

“No. I didn’t see them. But I know they were there. Afterward I?—”

“What motive do you suppose they had for attacking you so unprovoked like this?” Ergoth interrupted again.

“For fuck’s sake, Ergoth, let the woman speak.” Karthoc threw his hands up in exasperation.

“Thank you, but I’ll answer.” She’d known this question would come up at some point. “I overheard them all talking. Maythra, Rogeth, and Wolvc about how they wanted to get me to the hall, show me unconscious to Govek, so that he would lose his head and attack in front of the clan.”

There was another rumble as the orcs began to converse. She couldn’t tell from the tone which side they were on, but judging from the fact that Ergoth did not interrupt them, Miranda suspected they didn’t believe her.

“I understand that this is what you have heard,” Ergoth said, with a genial nod. “But I am unsure that this could be given as a valid reason. A single outburst from Govek would not be enough to change Warlord Karthoc’s mind. Am I right, Warlord?”

“Yes.” Karthoc said flatly and Miranda’s stomach plunged, especially when the voices of the clan murmured their agreement.

She drew a long breath. She’d been prepared for them to cast doubt on her claim, since it was her word against theirs. But her alternative reasoning wasn’t much better.

“I have another motive that could have caused this,” Miranda said. “Before I left the hall, I accused the lead butcher, Rogeth, of framing Govek for animal torture.”

The rumble of the orcs was silenced by Ergoth’s swift hand. He waved for her to continue.

“I was told that Govek tortures his kills and leaves lash marks on them. But I’d seen him kill the elk a few days ago, and it didn’t have any marks before we delivered it to the butchery. As the lead butcher, Rogeth is the one who could have put them there before he brought it to the hall.”

“How dare you accuse me of such a thing!” Rogeth bounded to his feet and Govek let out a low growl. Thankfully, Rogeth was smart and didn’t approach. “I would never defile the body of the Fades creatures like that.”

“Miranda.” Ergoth’s face was smooth and calm. She gulped. “Once again, I must ask, do you have any proof of your claims?”

“It doesn’t matter if I have proof or not.” The collective surprise at her statement nearly helped calm her nerves. “What matters is that I accused him of it. In front of the whole clan in the hall. And that is enough motivation to anger him into attacking me right after.”

Rogeth sputtered, going pale. “I didn’t—I wasn’t even there when you?—”

“Miranda.”

Ergoth’s voice was smooth and careful and it made Miranda’s stomach sour as she met his glittering gold eyes. “Why would Rogeth care so much about this accusation?”

Miranda chose her words carefully, unsettled by the intensity of Chief Ergoth’s gaze. “Why, indeed? I can imagine he wouldn’t be angry, unless it was true, and he was trying to silence me.”

“I did not do it,” Rogeth spouted. “You make no sense. It sounds as if you are only bringing this up here to try to place blame on others for this torture, when the fault lies only with Govek.”

Miranda could tell from the rumbling of the orcs that they all agreed, and her blood went cold. She should have known this line of reasoning wasn’t solid enough, but she’d been desperate. Her mind worked for something she could say to counter. Anything.

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

Miranda’s heart jumped into her throat.

In the open door to the hall, outlined by the morning light, stood the seer in his white robes. He moved inside, navigating easily despite his blindness. He made his way over to where Karthoc stood.

Ergoth spoke up. “Seer, you are most welcome here today. But please, do not trouble yourself with these proceedings. I know how unwell you have been and how unwell you were just this morn.”

“Your concern is so touching, Chief Ergoth of Rove Wood Clan, but alas, I am perfectly well now and see no better way to spend my morning than listening to this nice little show you have created.”

Ergoth straightened, shoulders tense, jaw tight, fists balled. “I do not know what you mean. This is not a show but a judgment proceeding of great consequence.”

“Yes, and that is why I have come—to impart my wisdom.” The seer took a place at the center of the floor in front of the platform. His face tipped up at the chief as if his clouded eyes could see him. “I have truths that need spoken here.”

Miranda searched Ergoth’s face, but the male was too good at hiding his thoughts. “Speak your truths then, seer. We are glad to hear them.”

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