Page 14 of Valka

“Do you wish to challenge me for her?” Raska asked, stepping toward Skala.

“You said there would be no mate for you until all our males were mated.”

“I did. But then the round one was brought to me by my skaevin. She pleases me. It is decided.”

“You will pay for this! You lied! I deserve one of them!”

“The old one is there,” Raska said, lifting his chin in Delia’s direction.

“If I take that one, she will learn or she will die.”

Raska didn’t even get a chance to reply.

The sound of metal clanging repeatedly against stone rang out through the village, followed by a thud, then heavy footsteps approached.

“Old one Valka’s!” Valka declared.

All eyes turned toward the male declaring that Delia was his.

“Valka? You can’t truly want her,” Raska said, surprise clear in his voice.

“Valka battle all,” Valka said.

“You despise females. Why do you want this one?” Skala demanded.

“So not yours,” Valka said, smirking.

“I deserve her!” Skala shouted.

Valka grinned and lifted his battle-axe, swinging it in controlled circles over his head. “Try take her,” Valka taunted.

“I will not battle over a female I do not even desire!” Skala bellowed.

“Go, little Orc. Only big Orc here,” Valka said, grinning at Skala.

“Do something!” Skala demanded of his brother.

“Go home, Skala. Your female will come, but the time is not now.”

“It is now!” he insisted. “Give me yours! You take the old one!”

“Go home, or battle Valka for the old one. Which do you choose?” Raska asked.

“You will regret this,” Skala threatened.

“Skala no brave. Win battle. Win female,” Valka said with a shrug.

“You will pay,” Skala threatened both Raska and Valka before stomping angrily back through the village with a blood curdling cry of rage pouring from his throat every step of the way.

“Valka is old. You are old. Go with him,” Raska said to Delia.

“I am not old,” Delia snapped. “I will not go with anyone I don’t choose.”

“Do you choose Skala?” Raska asked.

Delia stood quietly, knowing the one male she definitely didn’t want was Skala, but not too sure about Valka either.

“What about me?” Bettina asked, shifting the attention to herself.

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