Page 10 of Shared By Two Orcs

“It smells amazing.”

“I think I make a killer bahru but I’ll let you be the judge of that.”

We tuck into our food, finding time for talk in between mouthfuls.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking something,” I say. “But earlier, you mentioned that you don’t have many friends, are you new here or something?”

“I’ve been here a while,” he replies, dabbing his mouth with a cloth. “So I’ve had time to get to know people, but here’s the thing, I just don’t get along well with the other orcs. You might have noticed I barely have a scar on me, and that’s something the others tend to look down upon. Also, the perimeter guards always get shit treatment compared to the battalion orcs.”

“You look pretty threatening with that ax, why don't you go talk to Sukha? I’m sure he’d happily take you onboard.”

“Well, I was actually demoted from the battalion. I lost a battle with another orc and was deemed unworthy to fight.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” he says, drinking a mouthful of bahru. “It’s fine this way. I prefer being alone sometimes, it gives me space to work on my happiness. I just want to focus on myself and live my own life.”

“I’m the same!” I exclaim. “I want to just go with the flow of life and not care about what the other orcs think about me! My sister and I have had to look after ourselves since we were children so I’m used to being independent.”

“Well then here’s to us,” he says, raising his glass. “From one independent spirit to another, all I can say is we’re doing damn good for people who have no support from others.”

After the toast, he finishes the last of his bahru in one gulp.

“So, is there dessert?” he asks suggestively, his eyes making my legs quiver.

“Although I’m just as hungry for something more as you are, I think we should leave it at that for tonight,” I reply. “Let’s save dessert for another time, that way I know for sure you’ll come back here.”

He smiles, nodding in agreement.

“I suppose I’d better get going then,” he says, rising to his feet. “This camp has no chance of survival without me looking out for it.”

“Ah yes, of course. We’d be nothing without your watchful eye.”

We share laughter as I open the front door for him.

“Thank you for the meal.”

He seemingly forgets his ax as he begins walking out.

“Forgetting something?” I ask.

I hold the thick handle in my hands, stepping closer to him. Duma’s eyes dart between his ax and my lips. He leans closer.

“You’ve got a good grip.”

“I’ve got good hands,” I whisper as he closes the distance between us.

“I’d love to feel that firsthand.”

I close my eyes as his lips meet mine. In that moment, all of the tension building between us melts. I want this kiss to last forever. He softly pulls away from me, taking the ax in his hands. The look in his eyes is one I’ll remember forever.

“I’ll see you around.”

With that, he disappears, vanishing like the sun is by the moon, now sitting high in the night sky like a speck of white paint against a black canvas.

6

YAMARZ

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