Page 54 of The Orc's Rage

Her shoulders relaxed, and she thought that at least she had that much. She wouldn’t be marked on the outside to match the fresh scars she bore on the inside.

Kargorr’s lips were anchored in a hard frown as she pulled her cloak tighter around herself.

“Can I go and get breakfast?” she asked, trying to determine whether she was a prisoner again or not.

His dark eyes studied her, and then he rose to his feet in a slow, heavy motion that made him look like he was made of stone.

“I will.”

Cedar’s whole body slumped. She should have expected it. Shedidexpect it. But the misery that came upon her at the idea of being trapped here again, unable to leave the tent with only Rathka for company...

“Come,” he said, and she realized Kargorr was now standing right in front of her. Cedar tilted her head back to look up at him, and he took her chin in his hand. “We will walk there together.”

It looked like he might try to kiss her, but then he hesitated. When she gave a faint nod, he let her go and stepped out of the tent.

Cedar followed behind him, Kiya at her side. Usually the cat strayed away, sniffing things as they went, but today he remained close to her with his eyes pinned on Kargorr, a curl in his lip.

Other orcs greeted Lord Kargorr as they passed, always keeping their gazes down, tapping their chests and nodding with respect. There were many smiles as families had reunited the night before, and the good mood floating around the camp made Cedar want to disappear.

Once they secured food and the cook handed over some raw meat for Kiya, they made their way back to the tent and ate together in silence. Cedar only finished about a third of her portion before pushing it away.

Kargorr looked down at the mostly full bowl, and then up at her face.

“You must eat more than that,” he said, sliding it back toward her. “You are thinner now. It’s not good for the orcling.”

She clenched her teeth together, lips pursed.

That’s all she was to him. A body. A host for his offspring.

Cedar took the bowl back, and shoulders tight to her neck, she forced the rest of the food down.

Kargorr

He had hoped that mentioning their orcling would bring out Cedar’s maternal instinct. Surely, if she didn’t care for him, or herself, she would care about their young. She would take care of her body in order to ensure its survival.

Instead, Cedar had hardened even further, like an animal retreating into its den to hide.

Kargorr had matters to see to, but he was reluctant to leave hisyapirawithout at least bandaging the wound between them. But leading theparog, and the success of his mission, was paramount.

After Cedar had forced down the rest of her breakfast, she sat there quietly, not speaking. Kargorr leaned out of the tent and called someone over to fetch Rathka so hisyapirawould not be alone. When the old orc woman arrived, she simply nodded to Kargorr in deference, without a shard of obstinance on her.

Cedar did look up as Rathka arrived, and her eyes narrowed. She seemed even more wary now, more closed off, so Kargorr leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“She’s only here to be your friend, little deer,” he murmured. When she gave no response, he sighed into her hair and left.

The new concubines still cried, his warriors told him as they began the long process of unloading goods and dividing them up. He had no advice for them, because hisyapirahad never been such a weak thing.

A stash was made for further gifts to neighboringparog, and everyone was thrilled at the prospect of so much fresh meat and produce. Some of it had gone bad on their journey, but most survived thanks to the cold, and the cooks were thrilled to have new ingredients to work with.

Orgha found him that afternoon, out in the sparring field, dueling a pair of younger orcs at the same time. Kargorr couldn’t bring himself to return to his tent, not yet. He hoped that perhaps Cedar’s anger would fade if she was given time and space.

But what she felt toward him now, was it really anger? Or something worse?

Kargorr was sweating as he tossed away his weapon and walked to greet his right hand. Orgha tapped his chest.

“There are rumors that your concubine ran in the night,” Orgha said quietly as they began to walk.

It was inevitable. The right thing to do, the correct thing to do to maintain order and reinforce his authority, would be to punish her—publicly.

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