Page 3 of Valpar

“Yup, got my stuff. I’m going to look around the coast this time. Maybe she’s in the water,” Sugha said excitedly, as I tugged on the reins for Ulam to follow.

I made a gagging sound as we trotted over the wall line, which was what separated the Monktona Wood and the Bergarian lands. “They smell like fish. You hate fish.”

Sugha shrugged his shoulders. “But if she is supposed to be mine, then it won’t matter. I’ll love her smell no matter what.”

I didn’t say anything in reply. I kept my eyes on the path I’d taken over the years. Orcs still traveled by themselves and went on their own journeys to find their mates, but the big migration every six months, we all did together, for the mating balls. Except for the elders.

“Whatever you say. Just don’t drown. You can’t swim. And Thorn and your seeded orgamo would get angry with me. I can’t watch you all the time.”

Sugha stopped in his tracks and put his hand over his mouth. “You know, I forgot about that. Think she will still feel the bond from the shoreline?” Sugha placed his hand across his smooth face and scratched his cheek.

Ah, that bond everyone talks about. I see it at these mating balls. They sniff or look at each other and just know that is who their mate is.

I never stick around too long to watch the other creatures get their miresas. I became too tired and disappointed. My miresa has never shown up. No orc has ever claimed their mate. What if there was something more we needed to do? What if it wasn’t a smell or a look? Do we need to touch them?

I hated touching.

“I’m sure she will come to you,” I told Sugha, to appease him.

How could Sugha be so excited after all this time waiting? He was always the optimistic one, even as a young orcling.

I pulled on my messy hair, tugging at the head pain that was coming. Ulam, sensing my discomfort, nudged my arm and I wrapped it around his head.

His touch didn’t bother me. Maybe it was because I spent most of my time with him. I never felt threatened by the beast. It was a new concept for orcs, caring for an animal, but amongst those in Bergarian they were calledpets.

Once, my orgamos said they wanted to cook Ulam, and that was the first time I’d felt fear.

He has never been anywhere near my seeded orgamo or orgamos ever again after that.

“What do you think, do you think I would attract my miresa with this?” Sugha stepped in front of me and walked backwards to keep up the pace. When I gazed up at him my head reared back in shock.

Sugha was wearing a bright pink tunic, opened in the front, showing no hair on his chest at all.

I frowned and side-stepped. “It’s hideous.”

Moon Fairy, save me. Must I be tormented by such a clan brother?

Sugha fluffed up his tunic. Other orcs behind us barked in laughter and pointed at his ridiculous cloth.

“Hey, I don’t see you having any miresas on your arm, or on your shaft! Mind your own!” Sugha shouted at the others.

I groaned and ran my hand down my face. “Take it off! You are causing a scene,” I hissed and tugged on his tunic.

“No, I think my miresa will like it.” Sugha ran his hand down the large ruffles in the middle of the shirt. He didn’t even have pants on, just his long cloth that exposed his thighs. It looked ridiculous.

“You look like a bird. That is what you look like. A funny, skinny bird with bright colors. You want your miresa to be the most beautiful, not you.”

Sugha smiled, and his cheeks turned a dark shade of green. “Ah, Valpar, do you think I am beautiful?” He blinked his eyes rapidly in my direction.

My mouth hung open, and I turned away from him, keeping my head on the path. “I, uh. No, I do not. I find you disgusting and, bassza, very annoying. Now leave me be and let me lead the caravan.”

Sugha squealed, skipping up to me. “But Valpar,” he said in a higher-pitched voice. “How can I ignore it when you find me so captivating.” He flipped the invisible hair on his shoulder behind him and tried to intertwine his arm around mine.

I snarled, gripping his arm and putting it around his back. Instead of screaming in fear, he laughed, giggling while the other orcs watched in amusement. “Do not touch me,” I growled. “And stop with your foolishness. This is serious.”

Sugha calmed and nodded his head when I let go. He straightened himself as we carried on, but it was just a few minutes later when he spoke again.

“You still want to meet her, then?” He tilted his head, and I shook mine in reply.

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