Page 7 of Mountain Orc Daddy

I ponder the idea. If they are genuine. I could learn a lot about the world outside. With the tribe wanting to expand, their knowledge could be invaluable.

But at the same time, magic users are opponents I know not to underestimate. If they are hiding something and are leading me into a trap, I’m in huge trouble. I can’t abandon my tribe in the face of that.

Then my eyes fall once again on Blair and my decision is made. I look at her and I feel like I can trust them. “Okay, just wait here. Let me tell my tribe where I’m going.”

The humans all nod and I turn away and head back to my tribe. Rogar runs to meet me at the edge of our encampment. He looks concerned.

“Uzul, what is going on? Who are they?”

“Calm Rogar, please. Calm. They are witches, I will be joining them at their camp for the night.”

“But, why? Uzul-”

“They have knowledge of the outside world, something we need. It’s just one night. I’ll be back.”

“Can we trust them?”

“I believe we can. And, if they prove me wrong, we can kill them.” Rogar gives a hesitant nod as I turn around and head back to the Morgan family.

When I return to them, Mara steps forwards towards me again. "I just realized we never asked you your name. My apologies.”

“I am Uzul, Chieftain of the Broken Maws Tribe.”

“Well, it is very nice to meet you, Uzul, Chieftain of the Broken Maws Tribe. Now, come, follow us.”

Mara leads the family back down the path they arrived on. As they begin to leave, I can feel Blair’s eyes on me. I turn to look at her and she immediately looks away and hurries after her family.

These humans are not what I expected from my father’s stories. Blair even seems to put me at ease in a way I’ve never felt before. Regardless, I need to be ready for anything. Who knows where this visit could lead.

5

BLAIR

“It’s a good thing we packed extra food,” I whisper to myself.

Our new guest keeps his distance. He lingers on the edge of our camp, watching closely. He must be wary of newcomers showing up around his tribe. I get it, since the Veil fell, it’s been rough for anyone not human.

Though his tribe seems to have done well for themselves. Nobody knows that they’re up here. No one knows enough to even be afraid of them. That’s a dream most have given up on since the Veil fell.

My family and I sit around the campfire enjoying its warmth. My brother uses his magic to stoke the flames, keeping it alive. The family conversation isn’t very lively, I think we’re all not sure what to say with Uzul listening in. Not that I’d be paying attention anyway, I can’t stop looking at the orc.

Never seen one so… handsome before. When you think about an orc, handsome isn’t the first word that often comes to mind. But Uzul is handsome.

My eyes are instantly drawn to his tusks, thick and imposing. Then I notice his piercing yellow eyes, that look like they could see right through me. I also can’t help but admire his massive muscles, I bet he could snap me in half with ease.

All those features come together to make Uzul. In a way I’ve never felt before in my life, I want to get closer to him. Before today, I never thought I’d ever think of an orc this way, but here we are.

Uzul notices me looking at him and we make eye contact. I quickly look away and can feel my face getting warm. Oh god I’m blushing.

What am I doing? This is an orc that I just met. Plus, I’m on a camping trip with my family. This is hardly the time or the place to be having these thoughts. I need to push any thoughts about how attractive he is out of my mind. Besides, I’m the least interesting member of this family, he doesn’t care about me.

Later in the night, he watches me and my family as we pack up the camp for the night. I can feel his eyes on me as I secure the cooler full of food, making sure it’s locked tight. Before we left, we assumed bears might smell the food and be an issue in the night, but with an orc around I’m sure most animals steer clear.

It’s getting late, my sister and brother have already turned in for the night. Uzul has even stopped watching us and is now looking up at the stars. I continue to poke the smoldering fire as my parents get up.

“Can you make sure the fire is out before you go to sleep?” My father barely gets through the sentence before yawning.

“Yeah,” I respond. “Goodnight.”

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