Page 56 of Lost to the Orcs

When Narod and I enter and the door shuts behind me I growl, “What the fuck was that about?”

“Don’t pay any attention to that–

“Worthless piece of shite?” Jae looks at his brother with a bored expression. “I speak what you think.” U’s explains with a shrug.

“Ach, weel,” Jae hesitates, taking a deep breath, as if preparing for a storm before pressing on. “Sumira is challenging you.”

“What does that mean?” My hands are in fists.

U’snar butts in, taking my fists in his palms. “In Orc culture, during the first three moons, a bonding can be broken.” My jaw drops. “It is painful for all parties, an’ no’ everyone can survive it. Most oft, if it were a human, they would die.”

“What in the world is wrong with her?” I growl. Taking a deep breath, I ask the one question I don’t want to ask. At all. Ever. “When are we fighting?”

My mates look at me like they aren’t sure if I’ve got all my wits about me but we all know this is inevitable. If she didn’t have the support that she does, then we wouldn’t be in this predicament. Why the hell anyone would want to usurp Jae is beyond me but apparently,somethingisn’t up to snuff according to some Orc getting his dick wet.

Jaedason sighs, rubbing the back of his neck, frustration clear across his face. “In two weeks.”

I grind my lips between my teeth before smacking them. “Well, that leaves out learning how to fight, effectively, I mean. I can fight dirty. But it’s not like–Are there rules? What do I need to know to survive this? I don’t know anything about this. Also, I’m pregnant. What about that?” So many questions run through my brain at mach five that I just don’t know which ones to focus on.

Jae nods to his brother Narod. “Narod knows more. Am chief, he’s a–how t’ say? Observer o’ tradition. ‘Reeves.’ They uphold an’ watch o’er traditions. Remind ‘he chief o’he rules. O’ things promised when becomin’ chief. U’s is my successor. Then ouer child. Narod’s successor, since he has no child, is Irf, ouer closest relative.”

“So then, your other brother, uh…” I snap my fingers trying to remember. It’s like grub. Or something. Gorg? Grob? I grimace and give them an apologetic shrug, “I can’t remember his name but he’s dead?”

Jae purses his lips for a moment before stating, “Lost. ‘til we find his body, he is lost.”

So, presumed dead. I stroke my mates arms in sympathy and they give me small smiles of reassurance.

I look to my brother-in-law, is that what I’d call him? Or do I just call him brother? Something to ponder. Our eyes meet and he gestures for me to sit, so I do and he lays out a piece of paper, I didn’t know he had on him, a quill and ink. Dipping his pen within the inkwell, he draws a near perfect circle. “This, is the ring. It symbols o’he eldest Twin. Represents ouer unity in this. The battle against ‘he rightst’ matin’. If the tribe is split in half on who is the rightful mates, then those questioned, may‘ave t’ fight for that right within ‘he first three moons. If no’, it is forfeit t’he challenger.” He draws weapons. “Yer allowed any one o’ these weapons. Or t’ fight wit’ hands alone.” There are staves, lances, knives, swords, I think a flail but I don’t actually know if that’s the item I’m thinking of, and a whip. “Many speak o’ usin’ a’least one o’hese weapons ye know weell so ye may wound yer opponent afore ye’re both too tired t’ fight wit’ fists. But isnae required.” I nod for him to continue. He draws a tally system that is made with placards. “There are three who watch ‘he fight an’ determine truth. As ‘he Reeve Ay always must reside o’er ‘he battles. But Ay must remain indifferent. ‘he o’er two cannae be related t’he mates questioned.”

“Okay, doesn’t sound too complicated. What are the rules though?”

“Death was once a requirement for ‘he match. But Chieftain Jaeda wasnae ‘appy with this. Af’er much discussion an’ back an’ forth with each tribe under her rule, they changed it. Now, excessive bleeding can occur due t’ weapons allowed. This can end ‘he match. Bein’ pushed out o’he ring weel end ‘he match. Submittin’ t’ yer opponent ends ‘he match.” He pauses. "One can break bone, but that doesnae end ‘he match. ‘he only ways t’ win is t’ concede, t’ maim, or push out o’he ring.” Or death. Though it is no longer a requirement, it is obviously an option.

I nod. “That makes sense. I just... is there any way for her to cheat?”

Narod makes a pensive expression as if he were thinking of a way to answer my question. He hums. "If there were a way, Ay donnae know it. As far as my knowledge; none have cheated. But then, Ay've only resided o’er these types o’ traditions thrice since gainin’ my position.”

“If you weren't the one who has residing over these traditions this whole time then who was?”

He looks at me as though I should already understand why or even who it was. But obviously I don't, or else I wouldn't be asking. So, with an arch to brow, I look at him in silent query. He responds, "Ock, Ay oft forget how new t’ ouer mountain ye’re. Ay was only recently appointed t’ my position as ‘he last Reeve is–has gone t’he after." I stare at him for amoment, still rather confused, before it dawns on me. Because there's only one person that I know of who has very recently passed in this world into their after world, someone that may or may not have had the position that Narod is speaking about and that is Irf's father.

Just then, a face peered into the meeting room around the opening door. The face belonging to the son of the male who had died. He looks at us each in turn, before settling on me. His eyes are intense even though, to my surprise, I can tell he is not drunk. I am about to congratulate him or maybe say some encouraging words, when he interrupts me with the door scraping closed on the stone floor.

He looks at everyone except Narod. Studiously ignoring the elder males gaze upon him. "There was ne’er any cheatin’." He stares at me with that intense gaze of his. As if to convey important information. "If anythin’, ouer people are extremely, if no’ sickenin’ly, good people. Any form o’ cheatin’ would ‘ave been called out e’en by those in ‘he sidelines. Therefore, isnae somethin’ ye need t’ worry about.” Before I can sigh with relief, he adds, “Butif perhaps therewascheatin’, there are protocols put in place for it.”

“What kind of protocols? And how do you know them when your father was the one who originally had the position?” I look at Narod, “So why not you? H’nash was a Dream Weaver. I thought that was a full time job.”

Narod shrugs, giving me a sheepish expression. “Ay cared no’ for power. Wanted a carefree life.” He puts on a false smile. “H'nash was willin’. Ay gave him ‘he position. We agreed Ay would assume it, if he were t’ pass afore me. An’ afore Irf was ready t’ take ‘he position.”

“I learned much from my father. But I donnae know as much as Narod. Therefore, he is the Reeve.” The words sound like they were ripped out from inside him. Begrudging and annoyed to even give that praise.

I nod in concession. “That explains that, but what about these protocols for cheating?”

“She an’ anyone involved would be redressed by ‘he crowd. Stripped an’ beaten. Tossed from ‘he mountain.” Irf states.

I pucker my lips in thought, probably looking like I’d swallowed a lemon. “Okay, I guess. Explain the points system. You said there was a fourth way to win.”

“It does no’ usually happen.” Narod shrugs.

---