Gorgul’s stance didn’t change in the slightest.He was relaxed and confident.Even bored.
“Here’s how it’s gonna work,” he said.“First of all, we pick out some dusty, out-of-the-way corner no one’s bothered with for ages.We throw some old bones inside, then smoke up the place with so much incense, Ul-rott won’t be able to see the tips of his own tusks, let alone what’s in the room.You chant your nonsense and shake your stick and make a good show of putting the old man to rest.And once it’s all said and done, you get rid of that one-eyed fool and appoint me as your new captain.”
It was a sensible plan…which made it all the worse.I’d approached the situation like an obedient soldier, and I’d just presumed Taruut’s honor guard would be the same.All the while, Gorgul had been scheming to get ahead.
All these years of being drilled in duty and respect….I had a lot to unlearn.
“Don’t look so disappointed,” Gorgul said.“Won’t it feel good to stop pretending?Do as I say, and I’ll leave you be.You can carry on spewing your fake predictions and dicking your slaves.And everyone will be happy.”
Did he know about Archie, or was he just probing for weaknesses?He was only half-right—I’d just as soon fornicate with a wild boar as touch the goblin—but I steeled my expression so as not to give anything away.Too bad I couldn’t quell the desperate pounding of my own heart.And as Gorgul glanced into the brazier where scraps of Archie’s shirt remained, I suspected it was no guess.
I flexed my fingers, eager to grab him by the throat and jam his smug face into the stony wall—to tell him that if any harm came to Archie, his skull would be the next one rolling across the sanctuary floor.But he was armed and I was not.And even if I did somehow slay him, I’d have trouble explaining the death of my guardsman within my own walls.
“There’s still time to find the real crypt,” I said coldly.“Now, go.”
Gorgul complied—but with a smirk that told me he only left because he wanted to.
The situation was hopeless.The more I sought to defend Archie, the more likely he’d be used as leverage against me.I itched to do something, anything, to help myself.But I was stuck playing the shaman, and could only pace around the ridiculous cushion where I was expected to meditate.I’d practically worn a path into the floor when the heavy stone door clicked and began to roll aside.
I expected it was Gorgul, come to give me his next command.But the scent of human reached my nose half a heartbeat before I realized the man joining me was Archie.
Relief swept through me at the sight of him—whole, and more than that, well.He’d shed his cadet linens for human garb.It was only clothing.And yet, now he looked not just older and more mature—but far more exotic.
Even beautiful.
“Is it time for breakfast already?”I asked.
“Not quite.I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”How human of him.And strangely heartwarming—which made no sense.My attachment to him only made me more vulnerable…and yet, his presence kindled such hope in my heart.
Grown orcs didn’t tend to each other’sfeelings.I would never think to ask the chieftain if he felt trepidation over an upcoming battle—even if he was my own father.Or to see if my captain wanted moral support over an unexpected defeat.The only person I would even imagine speaking with about such things was my bride…the one stolen from me by my brother.
Which somehow mattered much less to me whenever I was with this fragile human.
Archie eased up to me.His gait was distractingly graceful, and his eyes raked my body.His tone was a light banter.“If you’re hungry, I could go put something together….”
Who could think about food right now, anyway?“Never mind about that.”I tore my gaze from the delicate hollow of his throat.“Actually, I want to know your thoughts about something.”
“The wise, all-knowing shaman seeks the council of a lowly human food taster?This ought to be good.”
“You’ve been here longer than I have.”More importantly, I trusted his motives.“Can we dress up an unused chamber and pass it off as a crypt?Or will Ul-Rott have our heads?”
Archie’s brow furrowed—human faces were so expressive.“It’s a huge gamble.The chieftain didn’t get where he is by being stupid.”
“But he is as eager as anyone to lay Taruut to rest.He may believe what he wants to believe.”
“That’s an awfully risky presumption.”
“I’ve walked these passageways myself.There’s plenty of old—” I almost saidjunk.“Old artifacts we could gather into the semblance of a tomb.There are bones everywhere.The walls are covered in them.Arrange them cunningly enough, wrap some bundles of twigs in a shroud, and there you have it—a succession of dead shamans.Surround them with necessities they would need for their journey across the veil—”
“Y’know what?”Archie blurted out.“I think you’re onto something.”
It seemed an awfully abrupt change of heart, given how skeptical he’d been just a moment before.
But Archie quickly warmed to the idea.“Therearequite a few spots where no one has ventured for a very long time.Quite possibly longer than Ul-Rott has been chieftain.Since Taruut was older than dirt, I doubt many orcs around here have been to the last shaman’s funeral.And if they question your methods, you can just claim things were done differently in the Two Swords Clan.It’s perfect.”
He dusted his hands together as if he was eager to get to work and lavished me with a broad, encouraging smile.
It might have put my mind at ease…had his scent not soured with anxiety when he added, “Especially if you dress it up with your stormsilver.”
