Page 5 of Mountain Orc Daddy

I zone out on the path and have no idea how long we’ve been on it or how far we’ve walked. But I’m snapped back to reality when I accidentally walk into my father. My whole family has stopped near an opening that leads out of the woods into a clearing.

“What’s going on?” They all turn and shush me.

“Blair, look,” Jade says in a hushed tone.

I crane my neck to look past my family to get a good look. In the clearing ahead seems to be some sort of encampment. Are there people living up here? I can see figures moving around, but I don’t have a good view.

“Say, Mara,” my father says, turning to my mother. “When was the last time you saw an orc?”

Orc? Did my father just say orc? Orcs don’t live around here, right?

“A long time ago, Phineas. A long time ago. How exciting.”

“Did you know orcs were living up here?” My brother’s voice is quiet, but his tone is excited.

“No idea. I’ve never heard anyone mention them living up here before.” My father sounds just as fascinated.

“How long have they been here?” Jade asks.

“Maybe we should ask,” my mother says with delight, no longer bothering to whisper.

“Ask?” I butt in. “Are we sure that’s a good idea? Maybe we should just leave them alone.”

“Oh, Blair, don’t be nervous. I’m sure they’re nice.”

‘I’m sure they’re nice.’ That’s a bold guess. They are living up here alone, and no one even knows about it. I doubt that’s because they love having uninvited guests strolling up and asking questions.

I get into a better position to take a clearer look at the orcs. Even at a distance, they’re much bigger than I expected. Of course, when you think about an orc, you imagine them being big, but my mental picture doesn’t do their true size justice.

This is an encampment of some of the biggest beings I’ve ever seen. In my life, I’ve known all kinds of supernatural beings. Witches, shifters, vampires, gargoyles, all of them. I thought I couldn’t be surprised by this stuff anymore, but God damn these orcs are huge.

As a family, we silently stand near the edge of the woods, admiring our discovery. I guess I can no longer say this trip is boring. Next to me, I can sense my mother getting anxious.

“Mom? Are you okay?”

“Oh, I just really want to talk to them! I want to learn all about these orcs! It’s fascinating!”

“Mara, keep your voice down, please.”

“Let’s just ask the Chieftain a few quick questions and head on our way.”

“How do you know which one is the --?” My mother interrupts me by simply pointing.

She points at one of the bigger orcs at the edge of the encampment. He has unique and grand markings on his skin that help him stand out next to the plainer orc beside him. Additionally, I don’t know much about orc clothes, but his seem more impressive, with fine leathers neatly lined with fur.

That orc is definitely their leader, or at the very least, is an important figurehead of some kind. I can’t make out many finer details from here. But the tusks in his mouth are prominent and imposing. On top of that, I can tell his hair is braided back in a longer chain than anyone else’s.

Those all seem like details that point to him being in charge. I’m a bit surprised at my mother’s intuitiveness, but I’m realizing she’s probably right.

Of course, I suppose we could ask him ourselves. Because it seems my mother is about to get her wish. He’s spotted us and is heading straight here.

4

UZUL

“Now what fresh hell is this?” On the edge of our encampment, a group of humans stand watching us. From where I am, I can spot four, two older and two younger. Others in the tribe have begun to notice them too. My fellow tribesmen look to me for what to do next.

“Everyone, stay calm and hang back. Let me handle this.” I’ll go and confront them alone. Father always said humans tend to get violent when scared. If we all approach, who knows how they will react. My tribes’ eyes are all on me as I approach the humans.

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