Page 32 of X'nath

19

Echoes in the Shadows

GRACIE

The day had been quiet, the usual hum of activity around camp settling into a familiar rhythm. The orc women were going about their work—cooking, mending, and tending to the younger children—while the men joked and shared stories over the low crackle of the fire. In the distance, I could hear the rhythmic clang of metal against metal as some of the orcs worked in the smithy inside the mountain, crafting new tools and weapons.

Others were gathered near the outskirts of the camp, testing different amounts of gunpowder with pistols, the sharp pops and crackles breaking the otherwise calm atmosphere. It was the kind of day where everything felt strangely peaceful, almost too peaceful. The human women, though still adjusting, were finding their routines as well, helping out where they could. The sounds of laughter mixed with the occasional clink of tools or the distant murmur of conversations, creating an air of calm that I had almost grown used to.

As I watched the activity around me, I took a deep breath. There was an undeniable sense of equality here among the maleand female orcs, something that was a stark contrast to the way I had lived back in the human settlement. In the settlement, women were often restricted to roles dictated by tradition and societal expectation. But here, the orc women were not only accepted but actively participated in every aspect of life. They worked alongside the men, shared responsibilities, and contributed to the clan in ways that felt natural and unforced.

It was refreshing to see that no one was looked down upon or given less opportunity based on their gender. The female orcs weren’t simply taking care of the children and the home—they were warriors, strategists, hunters, and leaders, equal to their male counterparts. I realized how much I had missed the feeling of true equality, something I hadn't even known I was longing for until I arrived here. It made this life feel more freeing, like I could finally breathe without the weight of outdated rules and expectations.

The sounds of laughter, the clink of tools, and the hum of conversations, all mixed together, gave the camp a peaceful, balanced rhythm. It was a quiet that I hadn't known could exist, and yet, in a way, it felt like the calm before a storm. But, for now, I allowed myself to enjoy it, knowing I was no longer trapped in a world where I had to conform to someone else’s idea of what I should be.

Sophie had settled in with Greag, while Vakgar was busy expanding his home to accommodate Kelly. Erin, on the other hand, was struggling to communicate her needs with Karg. Despite his youthful energy, he was a bit like a young human man—clueless when it came to understanding female flirtations and subtle hints. He fumbled often, frustrating Erin, but it was clear there was an undeniable interest between them.

Salma and Korrin, on the other hand, had kept to themselves, rarely showing their faces in the communal areas.However, every so often, I’d catch the sound of her soft laughter drifting from behind their walls.

Everyone was settling in with someone sooner or later. That left me alone in the home we had built together, a home that no longer felt like it belonged to just me. I wasn’t sure where I’d fit in once they had all found their place. The uncertainty haunted me.

The air shifted quickly as the loud, frantic voice of Rasha cut through the village, her panic palpable.

"Ahnak! Ahnak!" Her voice rose in desperation as she frantically searched the area for her youngest child.

The orc women were on their feet in an instant, trying to calm her, but Rasha was beyond reason. Her hands shook as she clutched at her chest, her eyes darting around like a cornered animal. The little ones, oblivious to the panic, continued to play nearby, their laughter echoing in the house, unaware of the growing tension.

I stood frozen for a moment, my heart hammering in my chest. It wasn’t just the fear in Rasha’s voice that gripped me—it was the way she moved, like a mother about to lose her child. The tribe members began to organize, a few of the men exchanging light-hearted banter, dismissing the situation as something normal.

“Boys are always getting into trouble,” one of them said with a chuckle, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. The others nodded, their tones casual, as if the missing child was no big deal.

But Rasha didn’t look relieved. And that was enough to send a spike of fear through me.

I had just returned from one of the homes on the outskirts of the tribe, the familiar weight of a basket of fresh vegetables pressed against my hip, a gift from one of the clan members. As I stood there, my eyes scanning the area, I could feel the tensionin my muscles. There was a restless energy inside me, an urge to do something—anything—to help.

That’s when I heard it.

A small, faint scream. It was so quiet that I was sure I imagined it at first, but it was there. A sharp, frightened sound that cut through the chaos and into my bones.

My instincts took over before I could even process what was happening. Without thinking, I dropped the basket and bolted, sprinting toward the source of the noise. The orcs, too preoccupied with organizing the search, didn’t notice my departure. I couldn’t hear anything over the blood rushing in my ears anyway, fear and adrenaline propelling me forward.

I ran, following the scream’s fading echo. It wasn’t far—just a few hundred yards from the communal house.

I paused at the edge of a small clearing, catching my breath. My eyes darted around, scanning the area. The woods were quiet now. Too quiet.

And then, I saw him.

Ahnak. The boy was crouched in the brush, his small body trembling with fear. His wide eyes were filled with terror as he looked up at me. He was covered in dirt, his clothes torn, and I noticed a strange, sharp smell in the air. Something was off.

"Ahnak," I whispered, kneeling down slowly, trying to keep my voice calm. "What happened? Are you okay?"

He didn’t respond. Instead, he backed away from me, his gaze fixed on something behind me.

That’s when I felt it. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and a cold chill ran through me. I turned, my heart in my throat, but saw nothing at first.

Just the trees swaying gently in the breeze.

Something moved in the shadows.

---