Page 12 of The Iron Oath
Was that heat in her gaze? Her attention landed on Amuleta’s chest for a moment, trailing down to her feet. Amuleta’s breaths came faster. Did she find her appealing?
Magoza was a legend amongst their people. This woman was a great warrior, respected by all, and was expected to be the next leader of their people once her father no longer held the position. She wouldn’t be interested in a half-breed like herself.
Amuleta wasn’t to snarl at the term. She was proud of her heritage. The orc side of her represented her beloved father and the human side was from her mother. She would never be ashamed of who she was. Others may have issues with it, but that was their problem. She had learned to be proud of who she was. Her father wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“You can lower your weapon. I do not mean any harm,” Magoza said. She took another step forward, her eyes locked on Amuleta.
“I’m sorry. One can never be too careful,” Amuleta finally found her voice. She reached down and picked up her bag. She slid the knife into the outer pocket that would allow her to easily grab it if she needed it. She glanced around and realized she should go. Maybe the commander wanted to use this part of the river. “I was just leaving?—”
“Please don’t,” Magoza said, her voice softened.
Amuleta’s eyebrows rose sharply at the request. Did the commander need something? Was she lost? If so, Amuleta didn’t have a problem helping her find her way. She knew this part of the forest like the back of her hand. There was a patch of crotori berries not far from here. She wanted to check in on them to see if they were ready for harvesting.
“You were the female who was watching the training the other day.”
Amuleta stiffened. The commander had spoken with the three warriors. She had been too embarrassed by how they had been speaking about her. It wasn’t anything she hadn’t heard before in passing. Plenty of orcs could be lewd and disrespectful when it came to her looks. She’d been propositioned plenty of times by orcs and others who wanted to test out a half-breed.
“Yes, that was me.” She lowered her head and gave a nod. Of course the commander would remember her from the warriors laughing and making crude comments about her. She had jumped up from where she had been perched and left. She didn’t want to hear any more of what they had to say. Just because she was used to people making comments about her and her heritage didn’t mean she had to stick around and listen.
“I guess I should introduce myself. My name is Magoza Cy?—”
“I know who you are,” Amuleta interjected.
She flicked her gaze back to Magoza. Did she truly think Amuleta didn’t know who she was?
“Oh, my apologies.” A smirk appeared on her lips. She eyed Amuleta curiously. She took another step toward her.
Amuleta gripped her bag and watched her move forward. She had the sudden urge to run away, but then yet something in the back of her mind was telling her to stay.
“Well, seeing as how you know who I am, who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”
Amuleta remained silent for now. She had been so used to staying to herself. Even in town, she doubted most of the townsfolk knew her name. Half-breed was always thrown out when someone tried to get her attention. After a while it became pointless to correct them. Even when she did tell them her name, it never did any good.
“Amuleta. My name is Amuleta,” she replied softly. She held on to her bag tightly as she took a step back. She glanced over at the clothing drying on the trees and bushes. She motioned to the water. “If you were wanting some privacy here, I’m about to leave. I’ll come back for my things once they are dry.”
“I hope I’m not scaring you off.” Magoza took another step forward.
Her amber eyes watched Amuleta. There was something in them that Amuleta couldn’t read.
“I’m sure you heard what those warriors were saying about you,” Magoza said.
Amuleta stiffened and made to turn, but Magoza held up her hand.
“I just wanted you know that those warriors were punished for how they spoke about you.”
“But why?” Amuleta sputtered. Her hand flew to her mouth at the thought that someone would actually punish them for their crude remarks and talking about her. She had never had anyone stand up for her before—at least since her father had passed.
“Because their language and conversation was unfitting for warriors who should have been training.” Magoza closed the gap between them.
Amuleta was frozen in place. She tilted her head back and stared up at the beautiful orc.
“And they should never have said such cruel things in front of a beautiful lady.”
Amuleta’s eyes widened. She must be dreaming. Maybe she had finished washing their clothes and had settled down on the thick grass near the tree line and fallen asleep.
That was it.
She was asleep.
