Page 44 of The Orc's Bride

“General,” Grikh said, addressing Urgan by his military title. That meant he had an official request.

“Yes.”

“I ask for permission to speak freely. I must warn you that what I want to say is only based on suspicions.”

Urgan frowned. They never hid their opinions from one another. If Grikh was making a formal request, that meant he was about to throw a serious accusation.

“Speak.”

“I don’t believe it was a coincidence that the ragghits targeted us. They can be trained to follow certain scents. I believe these ragghits had been trained this way.”

“It sounds far-fetched,” said Urgan. “And there is no proof. But I agree it is strange that they followed us for such a long time and attacked on this road.”

Grikh nodded.

“You have many enemies, general,” he continued. “And… there is a chance someone from the capital has sent them to kill you.”

“Go on.”

“I think…” Grikh paused, shooting a glance at Una. Her eyelids were twitching now, a sign that her eyes were moving fast underneath. “It may be safer for you and her if you don’t return to the capital right away. I want to seek your permission to go alone and find out what I can.”

Urgan thought about it, weighing his options. Staying out in the woods was a risk. There could be more ragghits nearby. He wouldn’t survive another attack like the last one.

And if he were on his own, it would be enough to make his mind. He would ride into the capital and find whoever had sent ragghits his way. If that was indeed what had happened.

But he wasn’t alone. He was responsible for Una. And he couldn’t protect her if he didn’t know who wished him dead enough to prepare such an elaborate attack.

“You may go. But first, we’ll bury our brothers. And then, we’ll find a safe place where we can wait for you.”

Grikh hit his chest with his fist, accepting the orders.

Una moaned, her eyes fluttering open.

“You alive,” she said, her voice raspy. She tried to smile, but her smile turned into a grimace. “Oooh… My head in pain. When Brrthak push me to the ground, I must hit my head… Ow.”

“What happened?” Urgan asked.

“I think… That squirrel ragghit coming for you. And you hugging the bear, so I… I think, squirrel ragghit not very strong, right? Even I can catch fluffy squirrel… Only the stupid thing too fast!”

She groaned, sitting up slowly. She touched the back of her head gingerly and winced.

“And Brrthak come suddenly and push me to the ground. I hit my head then. Everything dark.” She looked around then, peering at Urgan and Grikh. She turned, looking behind her.

“Where others?”

Urgan told her in clipped, simple words. When Una heard about Brrthak’s death, her eyes filled with tears. When he told her Kluga and Zadran were dead, she started sobbing, big fat tears wetting her face.

Honest tears and sincere grief for his brothers in arms. And for Brrthak.

If Urgan had had any doubts left about her, they would have dispersed at that moment. She had saved his life. And then, she cried for his brethren. She wasn’t asking for anything. Wasn’t using him. For her, he was more than a tool.

He was her companion. Someone worth of saving. Someone worth of sharing grief with.

He opened his arms to her, and Una shuffled into his embrace, shaking against him. Urgan gave Grikh a grim look. He believed they were thinking the same thing – if it turned out someone had sent those ragghits to kill them, there would be no mercy. Urgan and Grikh would avenge their brothers.

Chapter 16

Una

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