Page 35 of The Orc Queen

“Does my uncle and the leader of the Bonos know of this, old orc?”

They look at each other again, before Owa shakes her head.

“Why haven’t you told them?” I ask, voice lower like someone may hear.

“There is nothing he can do about them.” She says.

“Why?”

“Only the rightful King can save us and keep them on their side of the great river and bring us all peace. That’s what the spirits say.”

I am left hanging. “What does that mean, old orc?”

“You know what it means, young one,” Jani says.

The room falls in silence for a few minutes as I look at them; a part of me hoping they are playing. I don’t know what I will do if it’s correct and I don’t know how everyone is going to react if it’s true.

The Soko problem is mine to solve? I know for a fact my uncle and mother will never understand or receive this news. They’ll think we are all lying. And my uncle has a tight grip on power, he would never vacate my chair in peace.

This is bad.

This is bad for me. I had hoped for a life of peace, at least for now. This will give me no peace. What about my children? If I take this to my uncle, it means I turn this tribe on its head again and I am already seen as the same manic orc who is power hungry.

This wouldn’t be an issue if Aria wasn’t pregnant, and I was alone. If she wasn’t here, I would have taken my throne back. I would have taken my place and shed blood if I need to. But my family and I have no back, nor forward.

I thought I’d bide my time for a year or two until I can find a safe place to move my family before I claimed what is theirs. But this will have me fight well before then. Especially if this tribe aims another attack. And according to the reports they haven’t attacked the borders in six months, meaning their attack is due any moment.

“They will all call us liars.” I say.

“Last time I remember you did not care for the opinions of irrelevant orcs, son of Zad.” Jani says.

“I have a family. I have a human mate.” I say. “She is due in less than three months. My uncle has placed me at the border to captain, I will have to leave my children here while I am away.”

They don’t answer me, they just look at me with faces full of compassion. I understand.

They can’t tell me what to do.

“How do I do it?”

“You are asking a slither how to fly.” They both stare at me. It is clear, I have to figure it out.

“I will say this, your destiny will meet you when you meet yourself again. The past and the present. Stay true to the orc you are. To the orc you have always been. To the orc you are still to be. That’s what the spirits say.” Owa says.

That sends me in an even bigger confusion. When I meet myself. I open my mouth and close it.When I meet myself?What does that mean?

After some time, I understand there is nothing more they can offer me. I remember something I wanted from Owa.

“Old orc, I need your favor.” I say trying to remove my mind from that big bowl of confusion.

“Tell me your story, son of Zad,” she says

“You welcomed me to this world; I would like you to welcome my spawn.”

She and her husband smile. “It would be my honor.”

“Your fruit is already blessed by the Gods, son of Zad. We haven’t had twins in this tribe in over millennia.” Jani says.

I hadn’t really thought deeply about that.

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