Page 1 of Orc's Claim
CHAPTER ONE
LILY
“Look at that monster,” Jessie says as two orcs talk in the common area of the market.
Pen’Kesh is the only market where the five species on Kovos come together in the name of trade. Not necessarily peace.
Like the spokes of a wheel, five sectors connect to a central hub in our market. Between those sectors, walls. Tall, clay, and brick walls provide privacy. Or security, depending on one’s view.
Each sector has one way in and one way out… through the hub, which has two additional spokes. The first is a path that leads to the beautiful woods and rivers outside Pen’Kesh. A place to walk and forget all the foul smells and tempers of the market. The second is a long corridor that leads to where we all hitch our wagons and tie our horses. Or gorjas, in the case of the orcs.
Orcs.
We rarely see orcs in Pen’Kesh as they avoid the market as much as possible. They don’t bother using their sector to sellgoods. The distance they maintain, their isolationist ways, adds to the mystery, and the rumors.
“Foul beasts,” Jessie continues cursing the orcs. “Animals, every one of them.”
“Why would you say that?” I pull a row of stitches out of a pair of pants I’m making larger for one of the men back at New Earth.
“Just look at them! And that stench.”
I repress a chuckle. She doesn’t smell so great right now given the heat.
“Andtusks, Lily. Only animals have tusks.”
While I wouldn’t call them animals, it’s safe to say the orcs are the deadliest of all the species on Kovos. They strut around with several knives strapped to their chests and broadswords sheathed on their backs. Weapons they’re not afraid to use.
With their ridged foreheads and constant scowls, they send off vibes that keep everyone away. As if that weren’t bad enough, the two tusks protruding from behind their lower lips add to their monstrous appearance. And instill fear in a lot of the men and women of New Earth. Like Jessie.
“I’d watch what you’re saying. They might overhear you, and you know it doesn’t take much to piss off an orc.” I wince when I lean in to the rumors to get Jessie to shut up, but I’m tired of listening to her fear-mongering.
“I feel sorry for their women,” Jessies says, albeit lower this time. She organizes the leather goods on our table after the last customer, a bantaran, picked up and inspected every harness, bag, and belt without buying a single item. “Could you imagine sleeping with one of them?”
“Maybe their women are just as scowly.”
“That’s not a word, Lily.”
Maybe not, but I won’t tell her how attractive I think the orc on the left is. I’m not sure what about him appeals to me, but I can’t take my eyes off him. I don’t normally go for a guy with long,wild hair, but he’s solidly built, with a muscular chest, thick arms and thighs, and dark green eyes that meet mine every time I look in his direction.
“You’re flushed, Lily. Are you okay?” Jessie’s eyebrows bunch together. Thank god she doesn’t follow my line of sight.
“It’s the heat. I need a break.” What I need a break from is Jessie, but I’d never say that. She left Earth less than a year ago and has already adopted the predominant attitude of the people in our colony. They all believe the four species we share this planet with are monsters, but none more than the orcs.
I’ve been judged too much in life with sneers behind my back because of my curves. People are more than their appearances. That includes the moxxels, bantarans, vints,andorcs.
“Don’t take too long a break,” she says as I step away from the table. “You know how Owen is.”
“Owen, the asshole,” I grumble under my breath as I head into the magnificent woods of Kovos. The gravel path leads to the river where I take most of my breaks, simply sitting and listening to the water rushing by. I let my mind wander, away from Owen and all the other men of our colony and the way they treat us. As if they own us.
When I turn the bend, I glimpse something huge and green moving as fast as a mountain lion, even though there are no mountain lions on Kovos.
An orc?
Curiosity overtakes me. As quietly as I can, I follow the figure.
Not far down the river, squeals and grunts stop me in my tracks. I dart behind a tree, trying to stay hidden. As clear as day, I watch an orc maneuver the yenga into the shallow water, giving it no retreat.
Beautiful green hard muscles flex with immense power as the orc works his broadsword free of its sheath. Even with that sword, he’ll need to be careful. A yenga, Kovos’ version of a boar, grows long, thick horns that often weave into a complex anddeadly sharp net that can ensnare and rip a sword away from an attacker.
