Page 18 of X'nath

“We’ll keep you safe,” Greag said loudly, his voice booming through the swamp. “Don’t worry, little ones. We’re not letting anything happen to you.”

One of the younger women, a blonde who hadn’t spoken much during the battle, glanced at him, clearly unsure. “But… the swamp…”

“Swamps are nothing,” Vakgar said with a dismissive wave. “This is nothing compared to what we’ve faced. We’ll get you out of here in one piece.”

"Just try not to gettooclose to the weasels," Gorruk added with a chuckle, gesturing to the small, furry creatures darting around our feet. "They tend to bite."

The woman hesitated but managed a small smile. "Thanks... I guess."

I noticed a few of the others exchanging looks, their expressions still full of doubt. They weren't completely convinced. I couldn't blame them. They’d seen horrors, and we were just a new set of dangers to them. But we had to show them that we were on their side. At least for now.

"Alright, let’s make sure we stick together," I said, my voice steady and low. "We’re moving fast, but we need to be careful. This swamp can hide anything, and I’m not taking chances with the lot of you."

Greag glanced back at the women, his usual gruff demeanor softening. “We’ll make it out, I promise you that.”

Karg, always the one to add his two cents, let out a hearty chuckle. “And if anyone tries to make trouble, they’ll have to answer to me.” His voice was teasing, but there was a dangerous edge to it.

I shot him a glance, rolling my eyes. "Just keep your blade where it belongs, Karg," I said, half-amused, half-serious.

He gave a mock salute, his grin never fading. "Oh, I always do. But if any of these swamp creatures try to get too close to the women, I’ll be more than happy to show them how we Orcs deal with pests."

"Just don’t make a mess," Greag muttered, already scanning the path ahead. "We’ve had enough trouble as it is."

“Don’t worry, Greag,” Karg said, winking at the women as they passed. “I’m an expert in clean kills.”

I smirked at his confidence. “You’re an expert in getting us into trouble, Karg.”

He laughed, slapping me on the back. "That’s just part of the fun, X’nath!"

I felt a swell of pride for Karg. It hadn’t been that long ago when he was the nervous young orc, barely able to hold his ground. But now, after these battles, the time spent fighting side by side, Karg had grown. The battles had sharpened him. The confidence in his words, in the way he stood tall, was proof of that. He was no longer the scared rookie who had joined us; he was an orc who had learned what it meant to survive, to fight, and to protect.

And I found myself silently admiring him, in spite of his cocky attitude.

The younger women looked at each other, some nodding but still unsure. I caught the eye of Gracie. She held my gaze for a moment, her expression unreadable. I saw the usual flicker of suspicion in her eyes, but there was something else too—something like acceptance. It was a start.

“I think they’re starting to come around,” Gorruk said, watching the women closely. He elbowed Vakgar. “See? They’re not running off screaming. Progress.”

Vakgar grinned. “Maybe they’re just afraid to run off without us. Who else will feed them?”

I rolled my eyes. “Always thinking with your stomach, Vakgar.”

He smirked. “If we kept ‘em around long enough, I’d have ’em wrapped around my finger. But no… looks like X’nath’s got first dibs.”

Gorruk snorted. “X’nath doesn’t know how to handle women.”

“Excuse me,Gorruk,” I said, raising an eyebrow, “but I think I do just fine.I’mthe one who kept you all alive and safe.”

Greag laughed loudly, clapping me on the back again. “That’swhat they’ll remember, X’nath. Not your smooth talking, but that you kept them alive. That’s a bigger charm than anything.”

“Seems to me, a little dark-haired female was the one who gave you the perfect opportunity with that crone, X’nath,” teased Vakgar, who was retucking his pistol back into place.

He was wrong, but not entirely. I was already formulating my plan on my own, with or without their help. Her interference, though, was an unexpected bonus.

The men chuckled, but the mood was lighter now, the weight of the battle beginning to lift. As we pressed on through the swamp, the sound of our laughter mixed with the strange, eerie calls of the swamp creatures.

The women, though still skittish, were slowly adjusting. I could see them glance at us, wariness in their eyes, but also the faintest hints of curiosity. They hadn’t fully let their guard down, but they were no longer as hostile—as much as Gracie would like them to be.

She hadn’t spoken much about it, but I knew the influence she carried with the other females.

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