Page 124 of The Orc Chief's Baker
Then they exited the room and every scrap of tenderness disappeared.
“What the fuck were you thinking?” Sythcol’s booming voice thundered off the walls of the tree, vibrating all around them like a storm of fury. He charged toward them, eyes wild, vibrant purple robes billowing in his haste.
Brovdir gripped her tight around the middle and pulled her behind his back.
“How dare you!” Sythcol’s bellow dripped with venom. Behind him, she could see the other orcs watching with wide, shocked eyes. “Howdareyou schedule to meet with the human headman without discussing it with me first! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re going to speak on! You’re going to tell him I’m not fit to lead, aren’t you?”
Not fit to lead? What?
“No.” Brovdir’s voice was tinged with confusion. “I will tell him about the sinkholes.”
“The sinkholes?” Sythcol blinked his damp eyes and shook his head as if trying to clear it. “That’s not... You aren’t allowed to do thateither.”
“I must.” Brovdir’s voice was solid, but his posture was slightly hunched. “Things have changed.”
“Changed so fast you couldn’t evenbotherto tell me? Changed so fast you couldn’t consult me at all? Changed so fast you forgot that I am yourpartnerin this? How dare you treat me like I’m beneath you!”
“Meant no disrespect.” Brovdir bowed his head.
“You’ve done far worse thandisrespectme! You’ve betrayed me!” Sythcol’s eyes were wild and reflecting the flames from the cooking fires. “Now the humans will use this as leverage against us!”
“Leverage?” Trinia stepped around Brovdir so she could get a better look at Sythcol. “What do you mean?”
“For more boons! More services! Moremagic!” Sythcol roared into her face. His breath smelled of rot. His skin was aglassy grayish green, and his cheeks were hollow. “Magic I do not have the energy to provide?—”
Boom!
Trinia jumped and the floor beneath her feet rumbled. It took a moment for her to realize that Brovdir had slammed his heel into the solid wood floor. It was a wonder it hadn’t cracked the tree open.
“Are you going tochallengeme, Brovdir?” Sythcol’s posture was tight, and his arms came up as if poised to protect himself should Brovdir lunge.
Trinia gripped the back of Brovdir’s shirt and tugged. “I’m all right, Brovdir. Please. Don’t.”
He snapped his gaze to her, and she could see the anger there. She wasn’t too pleased that Sythcol had yelled at her either, but attacking him wasn’t the answer. Especially because there was clearly somethingwrong.
“This isn’t like him,” Trinia whispered to Brovdir. “Sythcol isn’t like this.”
“Don’t speak like I can’t fucking hear you.” Sythcol’s voice was shrill. “There isnothing wrong with me.”
The inflection in his tone was so odd and unnerving that it made her blink.
“I’m going to tell Oakwall.” Brovdir let the words echo in the hall, strong and certain. “Sinkholes, prophecy, warriors.Allof it.”
Her chest swelled with pride.
Sythcol looked ready to combust from the rage simmering behind his eyes. “You will not.”
“I will,” Brovdir insisted. “You can come or not, but I will.”
Sythcol’s face contorted.“You will obey my orders! I am the reason you thrive. This clan would benothingwithout my rule.”
A deadly quiet settled on everyone and everything in the hall. Even the fire hesitated to crackle as the venomous weight of Sythcol’s words rocked every one of them to their core.
Including Sythcol.
His whole body went slack. His eyes widened. A fine sheen of sweat appeared on his forehead.
Brovdir exhaled slowly. “Orders do not suit between us, fellow chief. We work in tandem. Together. I am not yours to command.”
