We rise from our seats. Just outside of the entrance to the canteen, Yaghed stands with his arms crossed. Assembled behind him are his group of lackeys, blocking our route out of here.
“Where do you two think you’re off to then, eh?” he growls.
“Step aside Yaghed,” barks Duma.
“Shut up Duma.”
“You better listen to what he says,” I snarl.
“Ha! Don’t think you can push me around like you did last time. You got lucky then. I ain’t going to listen to you no more, not after learning you carry yourself like a whore.”
“What on Protheka are you talking about?”
Fuck, he couldn’t possibly-
“The boys and I have gotten word of your relationship, how you and Duma are sharing some human cunt from the mines.”
Shit!
I ball my fists as my chest tightens in adrenaline.
“Sharing a woman? What’s that all about? It’s a fucking disgrace to orcs everywhere!”
“You’re a disgrace!” yells Duma.
“Hey!” screams Yaghed. “I thought I told you to-”
“No! I’m done taking shit from you. You think so highly of yourself Yaghed, but if you’re really man enough then you wouldn’t need all these men as backup!”
Yaghed squints his eyes at Duma, growling underneath his breath.
“He’s right, you know,” I say. “Besides, your men aren’t going to be a problem. It’ll only give you a bit more time to prepare.”
“Prepare for what?” hisses Yaghed.
“For the beating I’m about to give you.”
25
DUMA
“Haha! Your threats mean nothing to me!” retorts Yaghed. “Boys, go take care of them. Leave them sniveling with bones broken!”
Yamarz gestures for me to come closer to him as some of the orcs come forward. There’s almost too many for me to count in the heat of the moment. Two of them lead the way.
“You get the one to the left, I’ll handle this fucker on the right,” bellows Yamarz.
Without hesitating, I throw a right hook to the orc closest to me, knocking him to the ground. His head smacks on the dirt with a loud thud, rendering him unconscious. I may have been kicked out of the battalion but I still know how to throw a good punch.
Passers-by gasp and begin gathering to watch the action. I look at Yamarz, standing over his fallen attacker as he gazes back to Yaghed with a devilish smile. He raises his hands, gesturing them in a motion that tells Yaghed tojust bring it.His lackeys around him look to their ringleader in confusion with half raised fists.
“Well don’t just stand there you dickheads!” he yells. “Do something!”
More onlookers gather around as Yaghed sends forth more of his men. Their evil grins do nothing to tarnish my newfound defiance in the face of my nemesis. The growing crowd begin murmuring to themselves before resorting to insults aimed at Yamarz and I.
“It's those fuckers! They’ve been sharing a human woman!”
“What? That’s fucking disgraceful!”