Page 75 of The Orc's Rage

“You will nottouchmyyapira!”

Lord Kargorr’s bellow rang out over the silent camp. As soon as the words were spoken aloud, though, an audible objection rose up from the assembled orcs.

But many on Kargorr’s side of the fire were silent. He saw them nodding, as if this had come to be understood already by many.

He had said it. He had said it aloud, for everyone to hear.

“Youryapira?” Gannag asked, aghast. “This human?”

“Yes.” Kargorr couldn’t un-say what he’d said. It was the truth, after all. “I bonded to her many moons ago.”

It felt as if a great weight had fallen from his shoulders. Though he faced judgment out around the fire, for the first time since finding Cedar, he felt as if he was truly himself.

“And you have used yoursarga? On ahuman?” Lord Gannag shook his head. “And this is the orc I’ve chosen to align myself with.”

“You will not question my character,” snapped Lord Kargorr, and he pulled the knife free. “I can cut you down for your insults, or you can sit back down, and drink your mead, and perhaps find a ripe woman tonight.”

Quiet fell as Lord Gannag shook with his fury. He sized up Kargorr, and it could be a bloodbath between them—but that would sow chaos and death among theirparog.

“We share a purpose, a mission,” said Lord Kargorr, running his hand down Cedar’s side. “Do not throw that away because I have chosen a mightyyapira, whom you have deeply insulted.”

Lord Gannag growled, but did not advance. Kargorr was prepared, his muscles taut and ready. He would do whatever he needed to defend Cedar and hisparog.

With a great sigh, the otherkazekpicked up his mug. Then he slung back his mead.

“Then give me a woman,” Gannag said with a growl. “I want one of these humans, who has so fine of a cunt that she can call an orc lord heragsan.”

Kargorr’s shoulders loosened, and he took a heavy breath before he slapped Lord Gannag on the back.

“Of course,” Kargorr said amiably, as if none of this had ever happened. “That’s the wonderful thing about conquest. There are many more humans to be found. Perhaps you will find your ownyapira.”

Lord Gannag scoffed. “I will not succumb to that weakness,” he said gruffly. He glanced at Cedar, who now stood stricken. “Though some fine, half-orc offspring...”

He went on about the virtues of half-orcs, their superior sight and fine craftsmanship, but Kargorr could not forget his own words.

He had, at last, announced to the world who Cedar was to him. It was now done and could not be undone.

And he was grateful for that.

Cedar

She had fully expected to die. Or at least be lashed until she bled and begged.

The revelry went wild after the lords settled their conflict. When at last Kargorr rose to his feet and announced he and hisyapirawere off to bed, it was met with hoots and hollers and cheers.

Kargorr took Cedar’s hand and brought his lips to her forehead before whisking her away to their tent. As they passed through the crowd, Cedar caught sight of Rathka, who had her arms crossed with a touch of amusement playing on her lips.

Once inside the tent, Lord Kargorr did not even let them reach the bed first. He whirled her around in his arms and slid up her tunic to expose her growing breasts.

“My fierce woman,” he said, pausing to lick her nipples, panting as he sucked on them. Cedar’s chest arched into him, and he curled his arm around her waist to hold her fast. “Willing to strike agrroseklord for his insults.” He hungrily took her whole breast in his palm and feasted on it while she moaned and tangled her hands in his hair.

“I... I would not be ahole,” Cedar said, interrupting herself with gasps.

“Indeed,” Kargorr murmured, finally releasing her. “You may be human, but you have the ferocity of an orc.”

That felt like a compliment. She wanted to be ferocious, to be feared, as Kargorr was.

“Now,” Kargorr said, kneeling to pull her pants down, which were still wet with his seed, “will you say it?” He dragged his lips from her calves to her thighs, then to the crux of her legs. He continued upward, rising to his feet, until he stood high above her, one hand on her cheek.

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