#orc monster

You would awake every once in a while to different scenes. Sometimes, you were flooded with healers checking on your body. Other times, it was complete silence. There was always something going on though. You finally awoke at some point and stayed awake long enough to take the scene in for what it was.

The elf had been heavily medicated. You can only assume that she was quite traumatized when she came in and probably fought anyone who tried to get near her.

Most of the beds in the unit were filled. It looked to be mostly guests at the feast. You can assume from the large number of people that not only had the drink been poisoned but the food as well. It never got any better. The news was grim. If a family member had done this to you, how would you feel? Do the same standards count for orcs?

You awoke with a start at an unknown time. Your heart was racing hard. You looked around the room as most of the thirty beds in the infirmary were still full. You felt sorrow. It hadn’t been that many earlier. It must have been the poison. You glanced across the room to the elf. You needed to know her name. You were so glad she was alive but the road to recovery was a long one. You heard the healers talking earlier. It wasn’t pretty.

You looked towards your small bedside table to see a bell. You really didn’t want to wake the whole room just because you needed assistance. You shuffled back in your sheets and whined from the pain in your body. The medicine must have worn off by now. Hell, you may need to wake up the whole hall if the feeling persists.

You glanced towards the exit as a twinkle of light sprinkled through very briefly before shutting. You sighed and stared at the ceiling before seeing movement come your way. You checked and instantly smiled, seeing Ekoh. It had been a very long time.

“Hello.” You murmured.

“I didn’t realize you’d be awake. I snuck away to check on you and bring you these.” He waved his hand to show several wild winter flowers before sticking them in the vase on the table.

“What time is it?”

“It’s about 8 pm.” He sat on the side of your bed.

“The next day?!” You put a hand over your mouth after hearing the volume of your tone.

Ekoh shook his head. “It’s been three days, my queen.”

“Three days? Oh my gods.” You put your hand against your chest. “I didn’t know I was hurt that badly.”

“You weren’t. I heard Merzo say it was because of the vision you had. I guess stuff like that can exhaust the body and the mind. You needed the sleep.”

“Where is everyone?”

“The healers are outside with the guards. It’s been quiet here for about a day. Some of the poison really had some of the orcs on their deathbed but everyone seems safe for now. They also had extensive work to do on Lyrei. She has to stay sedated as she heals.”

“Is that the elf’s name?”

Ekoh nodded and patted your hand. “You saved her. You’re very good at saving orcs too, they will give you a title, I’m sure. It will be a great honor. Maybe The Savior, The All Seer, or something heroic like The Guardian.”

“A title, huh?”

“Like King Uzul, King of Noverak, Destroyer of Foes. “ Ekoh posed as he spoke. “Or Zahala, King of Noverak, The Winner.”

“Where do their names come from?”

“Uzul’s is obvious. He’s the meanest of the mean on the battlefield. It does not matter what your army looks like, Uzul and his men are like the sharpest blade. They move with precision and cunning. It is an honor to see Uzul on the move.”

“And Zahala?”

“There are jokes that he can see the battle before it even begins. That one had a mind like no other. He wins any battle he’s encountered. It’s like he knows. You do not trifle with him.”

“Do you want a title some day?”

“Of course! I’m going to be Ekoh, Great Paw! I’m going to be the best hunter that’s ever lived. Nothing will stand in my way.” He struck another pose.

“You will follow a Druidic lifestyle?”

He nodded and smiled at you. “I want to be the next great Druid of Noverak. I will start school in a year or two for it and come back home when I’m done to join the guild.”

“You have it all planned out.” You patted him.

“I do. I’ll make you and the other Kings proud. I promise, my queen. I didn’t think much when you first came here as a human princess but now! You have won the hearts of Noverak. Every man, woman, and child adores you. Not only did you fight in the cold abyss against all sorts of creatures and save orc lives but now! You saved a simple servant girl! Oh, how the chatter is only of you. The people love you, my queen. The word has spread how you tackled two orcs and wounded them so bravely!”

You couldn’t help but lightly laugh. “That’s not how it happened. Also, you keep calling me that.”

“That’s what you are, my queen. Uzul plans to wed you here in front of all orckind. You are the queen to his king and make us all proud but not only that! The election will be soon with Parug the Traitor kicked from his position. Many wish for you to take a spot as a leader. Magic is highly regarded here for many. But enough of that, do you need anything?”

You didn’t have time to question him about all that. “Thank you for asking, Ekoh.” You squeezed his hand. “Can you get me a healer? I am feeling fatigued.”

“Anything.” The kid bounced off the bed and ran out the doors. You were left to lay there momentarily distracted by all that he said. You were to be married in front of all of Noverak? You didn’t want to think of weddings. You wanted to know if everyone was safe.

A healer came bustling in with a small tray. “My queen, tea is being made but take this cup and chew on these leaves until it comes. Don’t swallow them.”

You tried to sit up and complained with every moment. The healer helped you the best they could as helped you with the medicine. A fretting healer entered the room with Uzul at her side. “She is fine, my king. You need bed rest.”

“I will rest when I see her.” Uzul came your way as you chewed on your leaves. He wore the same thing he did all those days ago. He sat on the edge of the bed as the healers started running in every direction to fetch something. He looked tired and worn down. The skin on his knuckles were broken. He had blood splattered on him. “How are you?”

You slowly brought the cup to your mouth and spit the leaves out as gracefully as you could while you could feel his eyes staring into your soul. You made a face and tried to get it all off. Uzul moved and washed his hands in a bowl at the end of the bed before coming back and grabbed your face. “You’re terrible at this.”

“Well, I’m sorry that I’m not a professional leaf chewer. This is for cows.”

His strong fingers tapped your chin. You rolled your eyes and opened your mouth before shoving your tongue out. He checked you before nodding and patting your head. “You’re fine.”

“Did you answer your own question or is that about the leaves?”

“Both.” Uzul turned his head to watch a healer bring supplies with her and stand in front of him. He gave her his hand to start bandaging up.

“What has happened since I’ve been asleep?”

“Parug came clean about his part of everything. He got entangled with Anana after the dinner she came for. I don’t know if I ever told you because we weren’t close then but my sister wasn’t supposed to be there. It was an elder dinner. None of my other siblings were there because they simply did not belong. Parug said she came because she had heard the news of my human wife. My sister hates nothing more than humans.”

“Your sister did all this? Really?”

“In the name of power. Mother always said she had a taste for more than what she could have. I just never knew she had it in her but this is not the first time for a plot of this degree. The night of the dinner she got you very intoxicated. I never thought of it before but I remember her leaving shortly after you did. Parug said she confessed to him that she had planned to kill you that night but apparently another orc had found you first. I remember finding you with Krex.”

You were shocked. “Has she done more than just that?”

“She used a high ranking orc to gain favor in another city. It did not end well. She was banned from the orc city.”

You frowned. “Can I ask what happened?”

“He had a wife. Anana got pregnant. She wanted to be the wife. He took her on as well but Anana wanted to be THE wife, not a wife. There’s mixed stories from there but his first wife left him. No one knows the whole story. The night you saw my sister was the first I had seen her in many years. She says I disgraced the family more than she has by taking a human wife.” Uzul shrugged and switched hands for the healer. “I have sent messengers everywhere to tell every city, town, village, and kingdom that she is wanted and of her crimes. It seems she took off after things went the wrong way at the feast. She is stripped of her name, clan, and rank in orc society. She will not be helped. ”

“Why did she show up? I never realized that she was...different from you. I didn’t even know she wanted to cause me harm”

Uzul sighed. “Parug told me she told him that she followed my family here to dinner and snuck in at the last minute. At that point, it was too impolite for my mother to cause a scene. Anana latched on to Parug soon after that seeing a weak man in a big position and off it went. Parug is not the soul to do this on his own. He just wanted to make a strong front until election time. Anana just used him.”

“I’m so sorry, Uzul. I’m so sorry.”

He frowned at you. “Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault.”

“I feel awful for you though.” You reached for him.

“It’s a shame but I don’t feel hurt by it. My sister is not family to me. She definitely isn’t now.”

You gripped his fist but loosened it quickly. “What will happen to them?”

“The goons have been executed. Parug and Anana will have a trial but they’ll be found guilty and will probably be executed as well. My sister will be found.” Uzul looked to you for a reaction.

You just shrugged. “They wouldn’t have even had a trial back home. You are more lenient than my father.”

“That’s surprising.”

You shook your head. “Father would have us stand in the courtyards as they beheaded them. I saw death for the first time because of that. Some rebels were planning to slip into the castle and steal a few of my younger siblings and myself. My father didn’t hesitate. I think I was six years old when I saw the guillotine.”

“That’s dark.”

“It’s how things are. It's a lesson. People do not cross us. Father would always say ‘I can see guilt.” It always scared me for some reason when he’d say that. I felt like...he knew more than he was saying.”

The healer walked off and Uzul leaned back, half-laying on the bed. “I promise you Noverak’s never been this grim before but it’s not as grim as it could have been. I don’t know if your father has magic but you ,my love, saved lives.”

A nervous laugh bubbled you. “It’s just me, Uzul.”

He looked at you for a long time, his eyes soft and searching. “You are more than I ever bargained for.”

“The Gods do not give you more than you cannot handle.” Merzo’s voice filled the room as she entered the infirmary. “You will learn to know this, Uzul.”

“I’m not saying it like it is something bad. I’ve never felt more sure about anything in my life.” Uzu wouldn’t stop looking at you.

“You’re freaking me out.” You snuggled deeper into your bed and held onto the sheets with clenched fists as the pain rippled through your body. Merzo came flying over and waved Uzul off the bed.

“Brute!” She huffed at him. “Let her rest! She’s not even been awake long enough to understand what has been happening.”

“I don’t want her in here anymore. Have her moved to my bed chambers.”Uzul ordered before getting up. “I want you to attend her and only you.”

Merzo brushed your hair from your forehead and held a cup with her. “He’s a brute and you can just stab him when he becomes too much.”

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, its warm, golden light flickering across the small room. You were curled up on the straw mattress, a blanket pulled up to your chin as you tried to sleep, but rest wouldn’t come. It hadn’t for weeks now—not since your father had sold you to this…orc. You didn’t even know how long it had been since you arrived in the orc’s encampment. Days blurred together in a haze of resentment and exhaustion.

You shifted under the covers, your eyes squeezing shut as you willed sleep to take over. But the soft, almost rhythmic scratching sound near the fire caught your attention. You opened your eyes and turned your head just slightly. Pert’ah was seated by the fire, his broad, muscular form hunched over something in his lap.

You studied him, curiosity tugging at you despite the cold distance you had tried to maintain. His rough features—large tusks, strong jaw, and dark green skin—were cast in soft shadows by the firelight. His long, dark hair was tied back, leaving his sharp, intelligent eyes exposed. He was so different from the human men you had known, yet there was something almost peaceful about him at this moment.

He didn’t notice you watching him as he worked. His large hand moved with surprising gentleness, guiding a piece of charcoal across the page of an old, worn book. The scratching sound was his sketching. It struck you as strange at first—an orc, known for their brute strength, sitting quietly by the fire, creating art.

Your gaze drifted to the rest of the room—his space, now shared with you. It was small but organized with care, wooden furniture crafted by hand and everything in its place. There were his weavings, hung neatly on the walls, adding splashes of color to the otherwise drab space. You had always kept your distance from him and his belongings, but tonight, your defenses felt weaker. Maybe it was the late hour or the quietness of the moment, but you couldn’t help but feel a small spark of curiosity.

Slowly, quietly, you rose from the mattress and tiptoed toward him, careful not to disturb the peace. He still hadn’t noticed you, his focus entirely on the sketch he was working on. You hesitated just a few feet away, unsure if you should say something or return to bed. Before you could make up your mind, his hand stilled, and his head lifted slightly.

“Why you awake?” His voice was low and gruff but not unkind. He still hadn’t turned to face you.

You swallowed, caught off guard by the question. “I…couldn’t sleep,” you mumbled.

He nodded, still looking down at his work. “Fire helps. Calm mind.”

You shuffled awkwardly, unsure how to respond. His broken English always made conversations feel a bit stilted, but you could tell he was trying. He always tried. Despite everything, Pert’ah had never been cruel to you. Frustratingly kind, even. Still, the bitterness of your situation gnawed at you, making it hard to accept any gesture of goodwill.

“What are you drawing?” you asked softly before you could stop yourself.

Pert’ah finally turned his head toward you, his expression unreadable in the firelight. He hesitated for a moment, then held out the book in your direction.

You took a tentative step closer, eyes darting down to the page. Your breath caught in your throat.

It was a sketch of you.

In the drawing, you were lying asleep, the blanket pulled up around your shoulders. It was a peaceful image, detailed and precise. The lines were soft, capturing your form with care. He had been drawing you without your knowledge, but there was no malice in the action—just quiet observation.

You stared at it, unsure of how to feel. His drawing was beautiful, but the thought of him watching you sleep, even harmlessly, made your skin prickle. “Why did you draw me?” you asked, your voice barely above a whisper.

Pert’ah looked back at the sketch, then at you. “You are…here. In my life now. I want remember this. Peaceful moment.”

Your chest tightened. A part of you wanted to snap at him, tell him that you weren’t here by choice, that nothing about this was peaceful to you. But another part of you—the part that saw the care he put into that drawing—felt…something else. Something softer.

You didn’t say anything for a moment, unsure of what to do with this strange mixture of emotions.

Pert’ah’s gaze fell to the floor. “I sorry… if this upset you,” he mumbled, his shoulders slumping slightly.

“No,” you said quickly, surprising yourself. “It’s just… unexpected. But it’s—” You paused, searching for the right word. “It’s nice.”

He nodded once, clearly unsure how to respond to your hesitant compliment. The awkwardness lingered between you like an invisible barrier, but it wasn’t as heavy as it had been before. You glanced at the sketch again, still processing how gentle his work was despite his imposing exterior.

Without thinking, you reached out toward the page, wanting to take a closer look. Pert’ah, moving at the same time, reached to turn the page, and your hands brushed together.

The touch was brief, just the lightest contact, but it felt like a jolt of electricity had passed between you. Both of you froze. Your eyes flicked up to meet his, and you saw the surprise mirrored in his expression.

The air in the room seemed to still. Your heart thudded in your chest, and you didn’t pull your hand away. Neither did he. It was a simple touch, nothing more, but the warmth of his skin against yours lingered, refusing to fade.

Pert’ah was the first to break the silence. He pulled his hand back slowly, looking down at the book as if embarrassed by the moment. “I… make you new blanket,” he muttered, his voice quieter now. “Orc blankets warm...Keep you comfortable.”

You swallowed hard, feeling the tension settle back into the air. “Thank you,” you whispered, stepping back toward the mattress. Your hand still tingled from the brief contact, and you weren’t sure why it affected you so much. You shouldn’t care. You shouldn’t let any of this matter.

But it did.

As you lay back down, you glanced at Pert’ah once more. He had returned to his sketching, but his movements were slower, more hesitant. You could still feel the faint trace of warmth where his hand had touched yours. It was a small, fleeting moment, but it stuck with you, lingering long after the fire had burned low.

Maybe it was the quiet of the night, or maybe it was something else entirely, but for the first time since you’d arrived, you didn’t feel completely alone.

In the quiet darkness, your thoughts churned, and for the first time, you wondered if perhaps things might change—if maybe, just maybe, you could learn to see Pert’ah not as the orc who had taken you, but as the quiet, kind soul who had always offered more than you could give in return.

You weren’t ready to admit it to yourself, not yet. But something had shifted tonight, something you couldn’t quite put into words.

“You’re making very distracting noises, princess.” He whispered to you, fingers slowly trailing down your rear to skim your inner thighs.

“I’m sorry.” You apologize and try to focus on what he’s saying and not his touch. You feel a throb between your legs and the heat that follows.

“Why are you apologizing? I want you louder.”

The heat was in your face now. “Louder?”

“Louder. I want my name rolling off your tongue. I want to touch you and make you feel good.” His voice was very deep and low. It sent shivers down your spine. “I can smell your heat.”

You looked around still waiting to meet someone’s gaze after being so bold in public. Your body felt alive and tingly. “My heat?” You whispered.

“Yeah. That’s an orc thing, a very sensitive nose. I can smell you, your body…the way it’s reacting right now.”

“Oh my gods.” You wanted to squeeze your legs together.

Ikkath laughed and leaned back again, taking his hands with him until he touched you again, pushing the front of your dress up your legs. He took your hips and brought you further up his lap until you knew exactly what you were sitting on. Your mind went blank immediately. “I smell your heat. I feel it too along with your heartbeat.” He whispered to you.

“My heartbeat?” You stared at him as he cupped your face with one hand before taking his thumb and swiping it off your lips. Something deep inside you had you instinctively kiss his finger as it passed.

You blinked, in the middle of a conversation you don’t remember. “I’ve got a bad feeling.” You whispered to Uzul as you grabbed onto his armrests and stared up at him. The feeling was growing. It was gnawing on your insides like a ravenous hound after the hunt.

The food portion of the feast was over. Music was being played and all sorts were dancing on the floor with mugs in their hands. It should have been such a good feeling so why did you feel like this?

“I’m going to discuss things with Zahala tomorrow and the guards. It will be taken care of.”

“No!” You huffed out a little too quickly than you were expecting it to come out. “Something is happening now.”

“Did you give her herbs today? She seems antsy.” Zahala commented as he staggered back to his chair and leaned over to stare down at you from his seat. His hand was resting on his stomach like he was nauseous.

You wrinkled your nose at the albino. “I’ve not taken anything since we were still traveling in the cold. I have no pain anymore.”

“She’s stressed for some reason.” Uzul commented and reached over to grab your hand. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not. Something’s wrong.” You placed your goblet down and got up. “I’m finding Merzo.”

“The mystic is probably smoking a joint somewhere.” Zahala laughed and rubbed his belly a little more.

Uzul held onto you. “Don’t go.”

You looked at him for a long moment. You had never thought you’d hear those words from him. You leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I won’t be long. I just need to talk to her.”

He didn’t seem satisfied with that but he removed his grip. “Find her and come back immediately.”

You nodded eagerly and bounced off the raised platform and melted into the swarms of people. You knew where you saw her last but where was she now? You fumbled through the crowds until you came out on the other side. You looked back to see the kings on their thrones and stared for a moment. Something was wrong. It felt like the whole world was swimming. You stumbled, your stomach rolling. It felt like a dream within a dream.

You jerked your head towards the exit, where the rest of the orcs who didn’t live in the mountain came in from and went down the hallway. What’s wrong? What’s wrong?

You put your hand to your chest. Your heart was racing and you felt a little sick. “Merzo!” You called out as if she’s materializing in front of you on command. You walked down the hall with the feast creeping further and further away from you after few twists and turns. You stopped in the hall when the sound from the party was almost a hush and looked back. You shouldn’t be here. Maybe it’s just nerves. Maybe you did need to be on some sort of medication or herb. You’ve been a little jumpy ever since you came back. Maybe it was some sort of disorder. You had heard of soldiers coming back from battle and not being the same. You were no soldier but could that have happened to you?

This was stupid. You cupped yourself face and stood in the hall for a while. You should just go back to Uzul and be content. Maybe he could dance with you.

You facepalmed yourself. That’s an embarrassing thought. It shouldn’t be though! You and Uzul shared a moment. You leaned against the wall and reflected. You were in a relationship with Uzul. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to dance with the man you were in love with! You wanted to kiss him, hug him, dance with him, and have a life.

Then why was something wrong? Your stomach was rolling. Why did everything hurt like this?

You squealed out loud and shook your whole body as it made your emotions go away. Feelings could be overwhelming. You half-smiled to yourself. Maybe it was nerves. You stood up from the wall and started walking back when you noticed a door that was slightly cracked open. Usually everything was kept pretty neat and tidy. Somebody probably just left the door open. You walked over to it and grabbed the handle to immediately feel a residue on it. You jerked your hand back, grossed out that somebody’s been in something when you see bright red.

Your alarm bells start sounding off. Your body just reacts after that. You close your scarlet palm and just push the door open with your knuckles. It’s a storage room with cleaning supplies but what’s in the middle of the the floor is what knocks you off your feet and into the ground. There’s a ringing in your ears. You stare and stare and stare until your eyes hurt from looking.

It’s her.

The elf girl from before that warned you. You choked out a sound but nothing came. She was butchered. The room was painted with her life. Her face was twisted in a horrible, permanent look of terror. You gasped for air and crawled onto your knees and went as close as possible to her without dragging yourself into the puddle on the floor. Your instinct was to see if she could be revived but you knew from the way she was twisted that there was no chance. She was gone and what did she die for?

For you.

You stood up and closed the door. It latched and all the sound in the world came rushing back.

You were staring into your drink. You looked up and the feast was still going on. You looked to Uzul. Hadn’t this all just happened? Your grip wavered, the drink spilling into the floor like honey spilling onto a counter. Uzul tensed beside you and immediately started checking on you. Something was wrong. You reached forward and slapped his drink out of his hand as well and spun around to yank Zahala’s from his grip. “Do not drink this.” You got out of your chair to glance towards Uzul but you noticed Parug pale as ever behind him. You took that into your memory but focused on your orc. “Come with me now.”

All three kings looked flabbergasted. You took off immediately, unsure if you’d even be followed but you ran. You ran through the rows of orcs and fellow residents of Noverak who were eating calmly at their tables. You could feel the stares being drilled into your body. The feast was so loud. No one would have been able to hear her! Her pleas for help would fall on deaf ears. The burn in your throat was sorrow. What if you were already too late?

You flew down the hallways immediately, going a path you’ve never yet traveled but knew. What does it mean?

You turned into the hallway, waiting for the horror that you knew you were going to find only to feel like your heart skipped a beat.

Three tall, grey orcs were dragging a kicking elf. They were too busy to notice you. You had nothing on you to help. You yanked down a piece of decor off the wall and ran as fast as you could down the hall before slamming the piece of art into the back of a head before leaping onto a different orc and just clawing with all you could. “Let her go!” You dug your fingers into soft tissues and refused to let go, feeling the ooze of something drip but not letting it register in your brain. The orc screamed and bucked onto his knees.

The elf wiggled and yanked a muzzle out of her mouth and screamed with the loudest volume she could muster. “HELP US! PLEASE GODS!”

You were yanked off the fallen orc by a different one and thrown against the mountain walls. The orc in front of you was pissed and drew his blade. “Another fucking soft belly to add to the grave!”

“You’ll never see the heavens of the gods! They’ll piss on your corpse in the Burning Depths!” You gasped for air with every word hurting.

He raised the sword above his head. “Then you’ll burn with me, soft belly!”

Merzo stands with you in front of the mirror, adjusting the long simple tunic and fixing the jewelry that hung from your body. Your hair was braided beautifully and very intricately with all the bells and whistles.

“I almost forgot what I looked like.” You reached for your face, lightly pampered up with some stains to enhance your features. “I don’t recognize myself.”

“You aren’t that same girl that left that castle. You aren’t a girl at all actually or a princess. What stands before me is a queen.” Merzo continues to make sure everything is perfect. “You’ve grown so much before my eyes. I wish I had a daughter. I just had stubborn sons. One stubborn little girl would have made my whole world. I think that’s why I love you so much. I see a child from another mother that calls to me. Family can be so many things, so many shapes, and so many sizes.”

You could have cried right then and there. “You love me?”

“Of course. What? Do humans not have these sorts of exchanges?”

“No!” You squeaked, fanning your hands towards your face. All the bracelets jingled around furiously. “Humans have messed up relationships especially in royalty. “

“Oh, well. I love you, you little soft belly.”

“I love you too, Merzo. You’re like a mom to me. I never knew my mom. Dad was a distant soul in our lives. We were raised by maids.”

“Your parents didn’t have a hand in your own raising?” Merzo came to look at you from the front. “That would haunt me if I hadn’t raised my kids.”

“That’s how human families can be, Merzo.” You looked at her.

“Well, at least you didn’t act like that cow of a sister you had. We could hear her screaming down the hallways. You turned out good. Your kids will turn out good.”

“You think I’ll have a big family? Like an actual big family where we all sit down for supper at night and we all do things together?”

Merzo laughed. “You’ll have an orc family. There’s nothing better. Uzul will fatten you up with future children. No worries.”

The heat from your face came with a ringing in your ears. “About that…”

“Yes?” Merzo took your hand and led you out of her room and towards the hallways.

“We still aren’t married in orcish traditions but we are in mine. I...my body...I have questions.”

“You take a knife and keep it tucked under your dress at all times and if he tries to take advantage, you gut them like a hog on a festival day.”

“Oh my gods! Nothing like that!” You protested.

“Then what?”

“I don’t even know how to put it into words. What would happen if we became physical?”

Merzo looked at you with a raised eyebrow. “We just had the discussion about children. I’ve heard about the birds and the bees so I’m unsure how humans do it but after all of it, the orc that ejaculates the sperm will grunt and a long time after with some trial and error of grunting, a baby comes!”

You were horrified. “I mean socially!” Your ears were burning.

“Oh! Nothing. The Orcs will smell Uzul on you and stay away. It’ll help with Krex as well but I thinks he just has an in general soft spot for you.” You were at the doorway to the room. There was a roar of life there. The feast room was bright with flames and snuggled away deep in the mountain so the giants couldn’t hear anything. Merzo looked inside. “Well, it’s almost time. I’ll go find myself a seat.”

“Where am I supposed to go?”

Merzo seemed to be looking somewhere behind you. “You’ll know soon enough.” She left quickly with a sneaky smile on her lips.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” You whispered to yourself. You looked inside the room and listened to all the conversation. You were suddenly aware of how well you were understanding the language. It was becoming second nature now. There were only a few words here or there that didn’t catch.

“You look beautiful.” His voice came next to your ear.

You jumped and looked at Krex as he continued to walk past with a human at his hip. He gave you a grin that could melt butter and entered the room. “Thank you.” You replied more to yourself than any other. You looked at your hands for a moment, trying to get the nerve to walk in there. You haven’t been at a feast of this scale. It looked like literally every orc in Noverak was there. The feast with Uzul’s family was different.

“The King is coming.” Another familiar voice teased as they walked past.

“You’re already walking in there.” You pointed a finger at Zahala.

“Oh, I guess you’re right.” He shrugged, the albino continuing on his journey.

You turned finally so no one else could sneak up on you. Parug walked side by side with Uzul but when he saw you, his eyes hardened. He moved past you without even acting like you were there. Uzul came up to you and took your hands. “I have a thousand things to say but first off, wow.”

“Where did you go!?” You huffed. “The bath!”

“I...yes. We need to have the conversation.” He shifted. You noticed he had no jewelry on. You slipped some necklaces off and started attaching them to him.

“Where did you go!?”

Uzul let you apply jewelry to him. “There was a small issue.”

“An issue?”

“An issue.”

“Speak plainly.” You moved away from his touch.

Uzul stood up straight and adjusted his shirt. “There’s been minor issues while we’ve been gone. It’s just little break-ins, minor issues. Nothing to be worried about.”

“Unless there’s a scheme behind it all.” You stated.

“Another issue arises as well.”

“What is it?”

The orc looks uncomfortable. “Your father sends men to check on you.”

You almost choked. “When?”

His face hardened for a moment before melting away as he looked towards the feast. “Soon. Maybe within the next few days. But we can’t worry about that now. Let’s just enjoy tonight. Can’t we see where it’s going to take us?”