Page 28 of The Iron Oath
Amulet let out a cry at the sight of Golub’s body slamming into Magoza. She had missed whatever had just happened but all she saw was him landing on top of Magoza. Their weapons were on the ground some distance away from them. They grappled on the ground, exchanging blows. Magoza flipped them over, and in the same motion a blade appeared in her hand. She pressed it against Golub’s throat. He grew still. Magoza had turned the tables on him.
The crowd lost its mind. The screams and cheers were thunderous. The ground practically shook from the audience stomping and jumping around in their excitement.
“Do you yield?” Magoza snarled.
Both of the warriors were battered, bloodied, and bruised. Magoza slammed her knee into his stomach and pressed the knife harder into this skin. The crowd grew silent. They all waited to hear if the warrior would yield. Or would he try to fight back even with a blade digging into his neck? Amuleta wasn’t sure if either of them would be physically able to continue. They had been evenly matched, and it was apparent that fatigue had begun to take a toll on both of them.
“Kraz,” Golub replied.
Amuleta could have wept with joy. She pushed off the wall and turned and ran down the stairs. She had seen all she needed to see.
ELEVEN
“You fought with great honor, Commander,”Aguk remarked.
Magoza winced from the sting of the herbs the healer used to cleanse her wounds. She glanced over to find him observing her. He was a great warrior who fought underneath her. He was currently working as a guard for the participants of the trials. He was dressed in his formal leathers. He bowed his head to her and pounded a fist above his heart.
“Golub was definitely a challenge. I’m honored to have fought and defeated him.” She smirked. She nodded to Aguk who snorted.
“He was certainly a mountain. His family is boasting that the great commander defeated him,” Aguk said.
Golub had already come to her and given his congratulations. He was an honorable warrior. He had tried his best which Magoza appreciated. It would help her prepare for the next battle.
“And now the commander needs to rest and allow her body to heal,” Sharma, the healer, muttered.
Magoza chuckled at Sharma’s scowl. She was one of the elder healers of their clan. She had healed many of Magoza’s battle wounds.
“I’ll be fine, Sharma. Don’t worry,” Magoza said.
She gave another nod to Aguk who bowed then turned and stalked away. The infirmary was currently filled with healers scrambling around to attend to the participants of the trials.
“Worry? Ha! Why should I? You will be back here again with more wounds for me to sew up, pack, and cover in salve,” Sharma muttered. She reached down for her needle and thread. She motioned for Magoza to turn slightly to present her shoulder to her. “Come. I need to sew up this wound that is determined to continue to bleed. There will be no infection on my watch.”
Magoza bit back a smile and turned as Sharma directed. This was not the first time she’d been sewed up, and she knew it wasn’t going to be the last time. Life as a warrior guaranteed that she would become well acquainted with the healers of their clan. She barely felt the prick of the needle or the tugging of the skin as Sharma worked. She ignored Sharma’s grumbling about stubborn warriors. The old orc may fuss over Magoza, but she proudly attended to her and all of the warriors. It was a great honor to serve as a healer for a clan. Each healer was well respected for their knowledge and expertise.
Magoza’s thoughts drifted to her conversation with her father. He’d been shocked when she’d announced that Amuleta was her fated mate.
“Are you sure?” Tulak ran a trembling hand across his face.
“As sure as I know Nogora gave her heart for us,” Magoza answered without hesitation. It was a knowing that was deep inside her. She couldn’t explain it, but she accepted it without question. One did not doubt the gods and fate.
He came to stand before her and rested his hand on her shoulder. He had a tenderness in his eyes that had her almostfeeling like she had when she was a young child coming to him with her problems.
“I’m happy that you have found your fated mate, but…” He paused, shook his head, and gave her a squeeze.
She already knew what he was about to say before the words even fell from his lips.
“I doubt the kingdom will accept a half-breed on the throne next to you.”
Hearing the words aloud was like taking a knife to the heart. Her people should accept her mate without question. Especially a fated mate. No one should stand between fate and the gods.
“Then I shall make them,” she vowed.
He released her and folded his arms in front of his chest.
“And how will you do that? Fight every single man and woman in the village? In Aghon? Lose the trust and love of every orc who follows us? Who has bowed down to us? Is that what you would do? Create a divide in Aghon? That is not the making of a great leader,” he said.
“Then what shall I do?”
