Page 10 of The Orc's Wife

“Don’t… ever… do this… again,” I wheezed, while Mina was giving me a sympathetic look.

“How else will you learn?” she asked. “You must practice, lady Una.”

“Then at least warn me the next time,” I muttered.

But I was feeling better already. I had crossed the busy street, and I was still alive. And now, I could look into the shops on this side of the street. Some had their wares exhibited in front of their narrow doors, so I could tell there was a shop with weapons, and a shoemaker… But with others, I couldn’t tell what they sold without entering the dark doorways.

Then Mina pointed out the signs hanging high over the doors – high enough that even the tallest orcs could pass underneath. There were shops selling food, clothes, jewelry, horse equipment…

“Every shop in the city belongs to an orc, but usually humans work inside,” Mina was explaining as we were walking, slowly looking up at the signs. They weren’t in writing but depicted images that allowed me to guess what a given shop traded in.

“Is there a book seller?” I asked, my heart suddenly beating faster. And then, before Mina could answer, I faltered. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t have money.”

“Don’t be silly,” Mina said. “The general can open a credit in any shop he wishes. I have his seal with me for this purpose. He sent me word to attend to you in any way you wished and spare no cost.”

“Really?” I perked up, a sudden warmth flooding my chest. So, Urgan was taking care of me, after all. Even if he expected me to sit in his dungeon all the time. I squashed the pang of guilt and asked Mina to lead me to a book shop.

We found one in a narrow alley off the main street. The shop was smaller than the ones on the main street, but its tall walls were piled high with shelves crammed with books of every size imaginable.

I ran my hand over their spines, my heart fluttering in my chest.

My mother had owned few books, and she had had to hide them from my father. He hadn’t approved of women reading. But my mom, let her soul glide high over the world of sorrow, had secretly taught me to read.Shebelieved every woman needed to read so she could learn new things and sometimes escape her life of drudgery.

After my parents died, I read my mother’s books over and over, until I knew them by heart. And then I befriended the Tradesman, the official representative of the orc rulers in our village. He taught me the orc language in return for my help with the womanly tasks in his home, as he was a widower, and he also lent me his books.

But he had owned only a few more than my mother, and soon, I knew the Tradesman’s books by heart, too. For years, I’d longed to read something new.

And here, in the book shop in the orc capital, I stood paralyzed, completely overwhelmed by the variety and multitude of books.

“Welcome,” said the book seller, coming out from a room at the back. “What are you looking for?”

There wasn’t any reverence in his voice. If anything, I thought he spoke with hostility and impatience. Mina shot me a look and proceeded to set up Urgan’s credit, explaining to the book seller who I was.

“How can I help you, my lady?” he said after the short but intense discussion, his voice now ingratiating. I raised my head high.

“Are there any books describing the current, uhm, life and protocol in the Imperator’s court?” I asked. I longed to ask about fantastic romance stories from the times before the orcs, some of which I had read at home. But this would be just an indulgence, and I needed to spend my time productively if I was to be of any help to my mate.

“Certainly,” the book seller said, going over to a desk piled high with newer tomes. “The Imperator’s scholars studying the old human books produce their own manuscripts. And many orcs are beginning to appreciate the art of the written word… Aha. This is the newest work by Lamblian, the Imperator’s most esteemed historian. It’s calledThe Guide to an Orc Lady’s Culture and Mores.”

“I’ll take it. And do you have a map of the city? And I’d need a book on warfare tactics…”

I kept rattling off subjects that I thought could be useful, adding also a shiny newDictionary of the Orc Tongueto the pile. The shopkeeper’s manner remained oily, but his eyes flashed with suspicion. I chided myself for being so careless, but there was nothing much I could do now. And I needed those books.

“Thank you,” I said, giving him a smile I hoped looked vapid enough. “Those will be splendid gifts! I adore giving books as gifts, don’t you? It gives one such a learned air! Even if I do not read any apart from… Say, would you have some thrilling romance stories for the ladies?” I asked, giving him a conspiratorial wink.

The shopkeeper’s frown cleared, and he handed me a thin volume in a leather cover printed in roses. So maybe he wouldn’t go around telling people that the general’s mate had boughtStrategy in Warfare and Politics.

And I had a story to amuse myself, too.

All seven books I had picked went in Mina’s basket, and she hunched a little under the burden. Urgan’s seal was dipped in a dark red liquid and stamped on a writ of credit, which the shopkeeper would bring to the palace to get paid from Urgan’s coffers.

Orcs of the court didn’t carry money.

I wanted to help Mina with the basket, but she waved me away.

“You’re a lady,” she hissed at me, sweat beading on her forehead. The day was getting hot. “Act like it.”

That stung, and I had a lashing retort ready at the tip of my tongue but bit it back. Mina had a point. I needed to act like the person I was supposed to be.

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