Page 37 of The Iron Oath
Tomorrow was another day of trials for Magoza, and Amuleta planned to be there. She was going to show her support for her mate.
FIFTEEN
“Lanhas. Are you ready for today?”Nargol appeared behind Magoza.
She caught up to Magoza as they entered the hallway that led to the waiting cages underneath the arena. Today was the next round in the trials. Each day, more fights would commence until two fighters were in the final event. Warriors gathered in the cages, a term given due to the bars on the small windows that lined the ceiling. They could view the matches if they liked while waiting their turn.
“My axes are as sharp as my focus,” Magoza replied.
She eyed her sister. She paused and faced her. Something was wrong. Even during battle, Nargol was known for her crazed smiles.
“What is it?”
“I don’t like the rumblings that I am hearing in the village.” Nargol’s scowl deepened.
She looked both ways as if sensing someone was eavesdropping. There were few warriors making their way to the cages and a couple of guards at the entrance of the tunnel.
“What are you hearing?”
It was no surprise that Nargol kept her ear to the ground. Magoza would trust what she would tell her any day without a second thought. If whatever it was bothered Nargol, then she must have verified the information.
“Word has spread around the village and further of your relationship with Amuleta,” Nargol whispered.
Magoza stiffened at the news. She shouldn’t be surprised at this revelation. Gossipers always had her name in their mouths. She blew out a deep breath.
“And?” Magoza arched an eyebrow. So there was chatter going around about her and her mate. She couldn’t stop the villagers from talking. She had thick skin and was used to them always spreading tall tales about her.
“They are not happy that the future chiefess is openly claiming a half-breed to be her mate.” Nargol’s voice dropped.
“Who said this?” A growl came from Magoza. Her hands itched to pull her axes from their sheaths and send them directly into the chest of the ones who were against fate. “Show them to me. I will gut them?—”
“I cannot break the trust of my most-trusted spies.” Nargol rested a hand on Magoza’s shoulder and pushed her back against the wall. Her eyes flared with anger. She leaned in closer to Magoza for her next words to only be heard by her. “Take this rage out in the arena. Defeat your opponents and prove yourself worthy of being the next chiefess. Then we will deal with those who stand against you.”
Magoza nodded. She was thankful Nargol was the one currently with the level head. She was ready to storm off and find who would be bold enough to discuss her mate.
“What would I do without you?” Magoza muttered.
“You will never know. What are little sisters for?” Nargol cracked a smile and pulled her off the wall. She shoved Magoza toward the entrance of the cage.
“Have my back. That’s all you’re good for,” Magoza said. She felt more like herself than the raging orc who wanted to go slay those who spoke out against her mate.
Nargol slapped her on the back with a hearty laugh. “Thank the fates I’m so damn good at it, too.” She chuckled.
They entered the cage, and their smiles vanished. It was time for them to prepare themselves for the battle at hand. Nargol had won her first challenge and had advanced along with Magoza. The sisters were expected to go far in the trials.
The room fell silent as they strode in. Magoza eyed the warriors who stood around waiting. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. She narrowed her eyes on a few warriors and stalked past them. At the moment she didn’t know who she would be up against next. She hadn’t checked the brackets this morning to show the pairing of opponents. The fighters were randomly selected for each battle, and the names were announced. She didn’t care who she went up against—she’d win.
A slight murmur went up in the air, conversations beginning again. Some warriors were doing warm-up moves, while others checked their weapons. The air was tense as the wait continued. The first match of the day had yet to commence. The sounds of the crowds out in the arena were growing louder. Entertainment usually kept their attention before each match.
She moved over and found a spot along the wall to wait. Nargol separated and went over to speak with a warrior they knew from a western clan. Magoza couldn’t sit at a time like this. Her muscles were tight with anticipation of her next fight. She needed to focus on what was to come. Some of the warriors appeared relaxed around the room, but she knew it was a farce. Winning the trials was an honor, and villages who had warriors go far in the trials earned the right to boast about them.
A couple of warriors stood not too far from her. One eyed her as they spoke low. Immediate alarms went off in her head. Sheclenched her fist and folded her arms in front of her chest. He turned away and said something that led the other one to laugh. She didn’t recognize either of them. They weren’t from her clan, and it was obvious they didn’t have any respect.
“What’s so fecking funny?” Magoza asked.
The other conversations that had started back up in the cage ceased, and all eyes turned in her direction. The first warrior glanced over at her and smirked.
“None of your business. I was speaking with Dengul, not you,” he said. He was a little over seven feet tall, with dark hair that was pulled away from his face in a low bun, and fierce tusks that were slightly discolored. He went without a shirt; deep scars were evident on his muscular back that were hidden slightly by his scabbard.
