Page 10 of The Iron Oath
“I am told that there is a half-breed female who comes around here. She sells fruits and veggies to our kitchens,” Magoza said.
Fodor would definitely know who she was talking about. There was nothing that went on in his domain that he wouldn’t be aware of. He took pride in the food he served, so Magoza was sure he would have a hand in every vendor who came through the doors.
“Amuleta? Yes, she comes here once to twice a week.” He visibly stiffened under her watch.
Amuleta. So that was her name. Magoza repeated it in her head, and a warmth rushed through her. It was a unique and beautiful name, just like her.
“She’s a decent being. Half-breed or not, she is a good woman. She forages and grows the best fruits and vegetables. She comes here to offer us first choices before she sets up her stand at the market. Those crotori pies I made that you loved, were because of her. I believe she grows them,” Fodor rambled on. He paused for a moment and took her in. He tilted his head to the side. “Why? Has she done something?”
“Where can I find her?” Magoza ignored his questioning. Amuleta hadn’t done anything but steal her attention away. The burning need to find her grew in Magoza’s chest.
“I’m not quite sure where she lives, but I do know she’s a forager deep in the Eltaki Woods. I’m guessing she lives north of here,” Fodor replied. Curiosity burned in his eyes, but he must have thought better than to ask any other questions. “I hope she’s not in trouble. It’s a shame how she’s treated. She’s a sweet girl. I asked for more crotori berries. Hopefully she will return soon with more.”
All Magoza heard was Eltaki Woods and north. It was a start.
“Shamir omie.”Thank you.Magoza patted the orc on the shoulder in assurance. “I promise you she’s not in trouble. I just need to find her.”
Magoza stepped back and turned on her heel. She began to stalk out of the kitchen but first needed to snag a few items to take with her. She would need sustenance while she went on her mission to find her tuskless beauty.
Amuleta.
Magoza was on high alert. Something had startled her shukan, Barto. She held her breath and opened up her senses to try to detect what had caused her beast to tense beneath her. The sounds of the forest continued on. She doubted a predator was nearby, otherwise there would be silence. She relaxed slightly and patted Barto on the neck.
“It’s fine. Why are you so spooked?”
His fur was thick and coarse. Her shukan may be a large animal, but he was swift on his feet when they needed to charge into battle. He was trained for war and had been her faithful shukan for many solars. She glanced at the sky which was blocked by the tall trees and their leaves that provided shade from the twin suns that were high. She blew out a deep breath and inhaled sharply. The scent of water was close.
“Come, my friend. Lets get you a drink.”
The one thing about shukans were their dense hair could cause them to overheat, so one had to be careful to rest their animal. Their long hair disguised their leathery skin that was hidden beneath it. This provided protection against their enemies’ weapons.
Magoza squeezed her legs to signal for Barto to continue on. She swept the area with her gaze to keep a lookout for whatever had gained his attention. She tightened her hands on the reins and guided him along. They ambled toward the sound of running water. Magoza relaxed, not sensing any threat. Her shukan must be weary and tired. Once they got to the small river that was close by, she would allow him to relax and drink his fill of water while she ate the food she had taken from the kitchen.She hadn’t eaten before she’d left. She had wanted to start her journey to find Amuleta.
“Amuleta,” she murmured. The name rolled off her tongue with ease. What she was going to do when she found the woman, she did not know. But she would inquire about her. Magoza didn’t know of anyone who lived in the Eltaki Woods. She knew these lands like the back of her hand. She and Nargol had spent a better part of their childhood exploring when they were not training.
His muscles grew tense again. Barto released a high-pitched screech and bucked. His body reeled back to where he rose on his hind legs, sending Magoza down to the ground. Her body hit the hard earth that almost knocked the breath from her. She rolled over to ensure Barto’s big frame didn’t land on her. She pushed off the ground swiftly, drawing an axe from the sheath at her waist, ready to meet whatever had alarmed her beast.
Another squeal echoed. Her gaze landed on a fat pekare trotting off into the woods. Magoza sighed and relaxed.
“A pekare, Barto? How does that scare you?” she grumbled. She had half a mind to follow the damn animal and kill it. Their sweet meat was always juicy, and she was sure Fodor would appreciate a freshly caught pekare to prepare. She glanced down at herself and took in the mud and dirt that caked her. She released a curse and secured her axe back on her waist. “Come. Lets get you to the water so you may rest.”
They were close enough to where she could almost taste the fresh water in the air. They broke through the brush and found the narrow river. Barto didn’t need any coaxing to go to the water. He practically raced to it. He took a few steps in and lowered his head.
Magoza sighed and followed her animal. She bent down and thrust her hands into the cold water and scrubbed the dirt from her skin. Her stomach chose that moment to rumble.
“Blood and tears,” she muttered. She stood and shook her hands off and took a few steps over to where Barto stood. Thanks to her high leather boots, she had no worries about her feet getting wet. But her clothing, that was another thing. Her pants and shirt were caked in mud. Short of removing everything and washing them, she had no other choice but to leave them be.
She snagged her saddlebag from Barto and walked back to the bank. She glanced around to find a place to sit and rest while Barto took his fill of water. While she ate, she would decide which direction she would go. So far she hadn’t come across any homes out in the woods.
Maybe Fodor was wrong in his assumption of where Amuleta lived. For as long as she knew, no one lived in these parts. It was quite a trek from town and hidden deep away.
But then again, out here was the best place for seclusion.
It’s a shame how she’s treated.
Fodor’s words echoed in her head. Magoza was well aware of how orcs held on to their traditions. She grimaced at the thought of anyone disrespecting Amuleta or any other person to their face because of their heritage. She eyed a tree that had a clearing in front of it that would be the perfect place for her to eat her food. She stalked over to the tree and took a seat. One of the kitchen staff had prepared a bag for her and included a fresh loaf of bread, along with some dried lokapi meat.
She tore off a piece of the bread and bit down into it. She held back a groan at the softness of it. There was nothing better than fresh bread. The lokapi meat was just as good. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was. Before she knew it, all of the food had disappeared. She gave a slight chuckle. Maybe she should have had them make double for her.
