Page 108 of The Orc Chief's Baker
The chorus continued as the nearthirtyboys all began complaining at once. They were covered head to toe in mud. Many had pickaxes and shovels, but a few were working the ground with theirbare claws.
Brovdir felt like his head might explode.
Warmth clasped around his fingers, and he shot his gaze back to Trinia. She rubbed her thumb over the back of his knuckles, quirked an enchanting smile, and murmured, “They look like they’re having fun.”
His brows pinched, but when he looked back toward the boys, he suddenly saw them in a different light. They were exhausted and filthy and performing a futile task.
But also grinning from ear to ear.
“Look at this one!” Vaiteg, Estoc’s eldest son, who’d been oblivious to Brovdir’s presence, popped up out of the furthest side of the trench. “Come help me! We have to get it!”
More than half the boys raced to Vaiteg and jumped into the hole. The others watched from the edge, clamoring and boisterously proclaiming their excitement.
And a moment later, Brovdir saw why.
The boulder these boys were lifting out of the ground wasenormous. At least one and a half of his lengths around and nearly as tall.
How they were able to move it with just fifteen of them was beyond him, but move it they did. They heaved and hollered and hoisted the rock out onto the stable ledge.
“Good show, boys! Good show!” the elder exclaimed, quickly hobbling over. Trinia went too and Brovdir instantly followed. He kept a keen eye on her and the littlest sons, making sure they stayed clear of the boulder’s path.
They rolled it up onto the frozen grass with a final cry and then cheered so loudly Brovdir thought his ears would burst.
“Amazing!” the elder yelled above the celebration. “You did it! This one is as big as a boar’s behind, for sure!”
Brovdir was overwhelmed by the desire to smack himself in the face until he saw stars.
At least until he heard Trinia laughing. Then his whole body lit with delight. The sound was melodic and soothing.
“Let’s get back to it!” Vaiteg announced and the other boys whooped with vigor and jumped back into the hole.
“You see! They’re doing marvelous!” the elder said with a laugh as he returned to them.
“Sythcol says the ground isn’t stable,” Brovdir said.
“This ground is perfectly stable,” the elder said. “I communed with the Fades just a few moments ago. They want us right here.”
“The... Fades want you to dig a hole here?” Trinia asked carefully.
“They do, indeed!” The elder nodded. “Sneaky things trying to trick me into using my magic to blast the ground myself, butIknow better. I know the success needed to be shared.”
“Not worth the risk,” Brovdir said. “The sinkholes?—”
“The sinkholes all give warning before they rattle open. We’re keeping a close eye out and are prepared to leap into trees the moment we notice the ground shaking,” the elder said with more lucidity than Brovdir had ever seen. “I know you’re worried, Brovdir, as any good leader should be, but have faith. It’s good for them to have something to take their mind off the chaos and change. And besides, they are no less safeherethan they are playing together in the clan or forest. The sinkholes could openanywhere, but at least here we are being diligent and I’m keeping a close eye.”
Brovdir couldn’t fight that logic. These sons werealwaystogether. Usually without their fathers, since the Rove Woods were so safe.
Or at least they used to be.
But... “I should seek advice from Sythcol.” Brovdir felt a hollowness in his chest as he spoke.
The elder’s face fell because they both knew what Sythcol would want.
Trinia tapped his arm. “Can I speak with you a moment?”
He nodded immediately and followed her to the edge of the tree line. The elder went back to watching the children, as diligent as he promised he would be.
Once they were a good distance, Trinia turned to face him. She fidgeted with discomfort, but she was so Fades blasted beautiful, he couldn’t take his eyes from her.
