Page 24 of The Orc Chief's Baker
Brovdir went tense. Karthoc’s eyes were trained toward the front cart where Ergoth was sitting. The male looked so regal in his bright robes. Cloth that shimmered in the dappled sunlight and revealed how privileged he was. It looked almost slippery.
“I think Ergoth just released a bird,” Karthoc muttered. “I saw it swoop low and then dart into the trees. And why are we moving so Fades blasted slow?”
Brovdir rose his brows.
“You were right. He is plotting something.” Karthoc hummed a low growl under his breath. “Don’t think questioning him now would do much good. He’d just stonewall us. Just stay alert for anything unusual.”
He nodded.
“I wish Tavggol were still with us.”
He blinked in surprise as he looked at his brother. Karthoc wasn’t one for sentimentality and rarely spent any time mourning, but there was a sorrow in his eyes that unsettled Brovdir. It reminded him of how Karthoc looked after Ovinia had fled.
Hopeless.
But the warlord quickly shook the grief away and said, “Can’t change the past. Can only move forward. And mark my words, Iwillbe moving forward with this, no matter what Ergoth does. His time in that seat of power is coming to an end.”
Brovdir said nothing. There was nothingtosay. Karthoc was his superior, and he was a warrior. He was born to follow orders and had never strayed from that Fades-given duty.
No matter how badly he may want to.
He took a deep breath in through his nose. It was a long way off yet, but on the wind, his keen sense of smell picked up the heady scent of dozens of humans.
One of whom was his woman.
He would be with her soon.
Chapter
Seven
TRINIA
Trinia was out of breath, half panicked, and completely illogical by the time she’d made it to the group waiting to walk over to the trade.
She had to find someone to help her. She justhad too.
The open area in front of the village gates was large enough to fit every craftsman in the village and their wares comfortably. On a typical day, it would be nearly filled with fifty or more families bustling around. Children would be dashing through the yard and causing mayhem. Elderly folk usually sat beneath the only tree, which was barren of leaves now. The chatter would be loud and the laughter even louder.
But not today. Today Trinia walked onto the packed dirt meeting place to find near silence and less than twenty craftsmen. The ones who had shown up looked somber and nervous. Even Hermest, who was usually bellowing greetings and booming with laughter, was silent as he waited next to his cart of cheese and milk. Those who did speak, did so in hushed tones as they strapped their goods down tightly. Some of the folkwho typically had cows or donkeys to pull hadn’t brought them today.
Trinia’s stomach twisted as she looked around for anyone who might be willing to pull her cart for her.
She gave up after a few moments and made a beeline for the headman, who, as usual, was at the head of the line with his ledger book, checking in folks attending and writing down their inventory. Even if he hadn’t been in his usual spot, Headman Gerald would have been easy to find. He was the tallest man in Oakwall and one of the burliest, though that didn’t make him any less spry. He had a boisterous laugh and a kind smile and had done right by their village since he’d been made headman nearly twenty years prior. He always went out of his way to help and such altruism is what got him voted into the position year after year.
She hoped that would extend to her today.
Headman Gerald saw her rapid approach and looked up. In his eyes, she could see how exhausted he was.
“Trinia, hello, you’re here to check in?” The eager tone of his voice had her both nervous and relieved.
“I want to, it’s just...” She glanced around, still searching for someone,anyonewho could pull her cart.
“I swear to you that the warriors mean no harm. They only want to trade. And, as promised, every family who participates is guaranteed one full elk processed and dried by the warriors themselves.Justfor participating. Additional trades with them can still be bartered.”
Trinia snapped her gaze back to Headman Gerald, eyes wide. One full elkeach. It was a wonder more families hadn’t chosen to attend.
But then... she could also understand their reservations. They were probably picturing the burly and quick-tempered Govek. His reputation for being unpredictable and dangerouswas so prominent, it nearly drowned out all the good his hunting skills had done for them over the years.
