Page 30 of Agor

“How can he fight us if he’s tied up?”

“Good point,” Islav agreed, his voice lifting. “Let’s do it then.”

Sliding my sword out of its sheath, I stepped out of the shadows.

“Hey, boys.”

“Oh, hi Becca.” Islav stood straighter, as if I was the guards’ leader.

I’d lead both Vlad and Islav into battles against orcs before, on the elders’ orders. But I didn’t hold any actual rank or title that put me above them. According to the elders, women weren’t supposed to have ranks.

“What are you doing up so late?” Vlad asked.

“Nothing. I’m just not feeling sleepy at all right now. I slept in this morning.”

“Did you?” Islav gazed at me wistfully.

I shrugged casually. “The perks of having no kids or husband. I can sleep whenever I want.”

“Nice.” Vlad sighed.

“Hey, why don’t you go get some rest for a couple of hours? I’m wide awake, anyway. I may as well stay here instead of you.”

“Alone?” Vlad inquired, with hope in his voice. He didn’t have a teething baby at home, but it was safe to assume he’d much rather cuddle against his wife’s warm side in bed than stand here in the cold.

“Sure. I don’t need company to stay awake. You know me.”

“I know you.” Vlad laughed. “You don’t need anyone ever. You love being alone.”

He clearly didn’t know me that well then. I managed just fine on my own. That didn’t mean Ilovedbeing alone all the time. I didn’t correct him, however, because right now, I didn’t want him to hang around and plot more of his murderous plans.

“Go on. Get some sleep. Come back after a few hours. I’ll guard it here until then.”

I waited for them to leave, then listened for the sound of doors to their wagons closing behind them.

The orcs at the keep probably wouldn’t expect Agor back until later at night or even early in the morning. If he didn’t return, they’d probably come looking for him, thirsty for revenge. That was if he told them where he went. If he didn’t, they would likely still be able to track him to our settlement sooner or later.

Either way, it was not a good idea to keep him here, either dead or alive. Even if I wished Agor dead, I’d still think twice before killing him. His murder would bring us nothing but the wrath of his vengeful clan.

The elders might not realize the danger as fully as I did because they never saw the orcs’ keep with their own eyes. They remained skeptical when I told them how many orcs there were and how well organized their community was. They failed to understand that the bog orcs were nothing like a pack of timid jackals, easily spooked by the smell of their own blood. If they came for us with a vengeance, they’d be brutal and thorough. If we killed their High Chief, it might end with the demise of us all.

The night seemed still. I pried the lock open with my hunting knife, then pushed on the hall door. It squeaked, but only a little. Making sure all remained quiet out there, I slid inside and closed the door behind me.

There was no light in the hall other than some moonlight coming from the only two windows in the entire building. That was how much glass we found among all of us, enough for only two windows in our community hall.

Agor was tied to one of the support posts in the middle, with several ropes holding him upright and his arms above his head. He was awake and alert when I approached. The cloth that had tied his mouth was now down around his neck.

“Becca.” His chapped lips stretched with a smile. He looked triumphant, having learned my name by overhearing it outside. “What a lovely name for a pretty little thing like you. But I still reserve the right to call you my newt whenever I want.”

“Really? Is that what you’re thinking about here? While they were debating the whole evening the best way to kill you?”

“They could try.” He shrugged in the ropes.

“They have tried, haven’t they?” Rising on my tiptoes, I moved a long strand of his blood marred hair away from his face. “It looks like they almost succeeded too.”

“I’ll live.” He seemed unconcerned.

“Not for long, if you stay here.”

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