Page 5 of My Fated Orc Hero

"It's not—I mean, he doesn't need—" I sputter, feeling my face grow hot. "Just wrap it up, dwarf."

Surely these will entice him to return. Before the mice take over my pantry, I mean.

Leaving the shop, treats and bed in hand, I nearly collide with Finn the Satyr and Koda, still making their way from the town meeting.

"Well, well," Koda smirks, eyeing my purchases. "What do you have there."

I bare my teeth in what I hope is a menacing snarl. "Nothing you need to worry about.”

“Is that a little cat bed?” Finn tries to hide a grin.

“Of course not. Othrix, slayer of tiny beasts, has no need for a bed. He lays wherever he has made his last kill.” I glower defiantly.

“Um-hmm.” Koda smirks, apparently unconvinced.

“What sort of Orc do you think I am?”

“Clearly one who cares for his little kitty...” Finn quips.

“Watch it, goat legs, lest I snap you like a twig."

Koda, imposing in his own right, steps between us. "Easy, fellas. We're all friends here." He turns to me, his furry face creased with concern. "Any luck finding the little critter?

I feel my shoulders slump. "Not yet. But he'll turn up. He always does."

"Oh, I see, I didn’t realize." Finn’s expression turns contrite, his earlier teasing forgotten. "I’m sure he’s fine. That cat's tougher than half the warriors in this town. Present company excluded, of course. Still, ‘goat legs’ is a low blow."

We all share a laugh as we make our way to the Bullhorn, our local tavern. As we enter, Kalen's booming laugh cuts through the din. The minotaur is behind the bar regaling a group of patrons with what's surely an exaggerated tale of his youth. He catches my eye and winks gesturing us toward a long, open table.

After only a few minutes, he saunters over balancing a tray of drinks with surprising grace for such a large creature.

“Gentlemen,” he grins, charm practically radiating off him, “your usual poisons.”

Kalen distributes the drinks with a flourish, then leans on the table, his brown eyes twinkling mischievously. "So, Koda," Kalen nudges the sasquatch with a muscular arm, "I hear you called Elowen out on her spell work. Bold move, my friend."

Koda rubs his forehead with the back of one furry paw. "Ah, I guess I should have kept my mouth shut, but I couldn't help myself.”

“Hey you called it like you saw it,” I say. “She shouldn't have gotten your hopes up like that."

“Hergetting our hopes up?” Nox interjects, Koda’s the one who kept saying what amazing mate summoning skills Tabitha has over in Monstertown.”

“I was just repeating what my cousin said. He thinks Tabitha’s the real deal...” the sasquatch retorts.

“Enough about Monstertown!” I bellow.

“Sorry,” Nox responds matter of factly, “but like or it not we have the same problem.”

“What problem? We can all go to Europe for a tour of all the old towns. I hear the ladies in Europe are quite... adventurous. Who knows who we could meet?” Finn shrugs, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Maybe it's time for a little cross-continent expedition, eh?"

“Look, it was nice of Elowen to at least try her hand at a summoning spell, but come on, you can’t tell me you really still believe in all that shit. Nope. I am thinking of going the mail order troll route. Proven method,” says Kalen before picking up a few empty bottles and heading back to the bar.

"I still can't believe it didn't work," Koda muses. "You guys just don’t have any faith."

"Faith?” Nox barks a laugh. Best you get over it. No harm done. It’s like Finn said, maybe we plan a little trip to Europe to find are fated mates.

"Oh boy now we’re on to fated mates?" I grunt.

“What, you never wonder about that?” Koda retorts. "About fate? What if there really is someone out there for each of us?"

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