“Typical, orc,” she grumbles, dropping below the counter to search for something. “This is for you, unless there’s another brother to Bellator in the city.”
The whole room is blanketed in silence at the mention of Bellator’s name, a crowd of wide eyes glancing around the room until the hum of noise returns. She hands me a matching envelope to the one earlier, and I pass it back to Steve, taking the water from his hand.
“Here, please have a drink. I can see it will be hardfor you to get a break at all today.” Quieting my voice, “Can you tell me anything else about the games?”
Taking a large sip of water, she closes her eyes, welcoming the refreshment, and I subsequently pat myself on the back. It doesn’t matter the job you do, on those hard days, to get some sort of acknowledgement for the effort you’re putting in, it can change everything.
“I shouldn’t say, but there’s a rumour that the Emperor plans to have a death fight at the games… apparently a beherit was seen near the Gate a few days ago.”
“What’s a death fight? What’s a beherit?” Steve stands at my back as I hurriedly whisper, but a small fight breaks out in the corner, and she scambles away from us, screaming at the commotion. Steve picks me up again and strides out the door, ignoring the voices of complaint as he bumps into impish waiting in line.
“What did she say?” Steve asks as he walks us out of earshot of any passerby.
“There are some sort of games being played, and there is a rumour of a death match. That and a beh-rit? I can't remember how she pronounced it.”
“A beherit? Did she say beherit?”
“Yes, that's it.”
Opening the envelope, bright gold letters stand boldly against a red card.
“Steve, I have a bad feeling about this.” I clutch onto his shoulder, seeking some comfort in the crook of his neck.
“Me too, princess, me too.”
Chapter 12
Bellator
“You right, Commander?” The firm hand of someone tapping my face is of no comfort as I'm roused from a slumber I did not ask for nor want. “Open your eyes,” the voice asks again.
“Airmatus?”
“It is I, Commander. Take as long as you need to wake.” He continues to tap my face, and I pry my eyelids open with an effort far greater than necessary.
“Report?” I croak, my throat dry.
“There ye are,” he smiles down at me, leaning back on his haunches. “Ye were thrown down here several hours ago. We tried waking ye a few times, but nothing worked until now. A few of the men wanted to pull this thing off,” he taps at the collar around my neck. “But we thought it might hurt ye worse.”
“You have done well. Thank you all for watching over me.” Sitting up, my head spins from themovement. This may be one of the few occasions in my life that makes me uneasy. If the Emperor has found a way to control the orcs, we are in far greater danger than I first thought.
“Hey,” the boy guard from earlier calls out. “Commander?” He whisper yells.
“Talk, boy. My patience wears thin.”
“Ah, y-yes Sir, you will be sent to fight in the colosseum. There is word the Emperor arranged a special homecoming. You need to have your wits about you.” He holds on to the steel bar, darting his gaze behind him. He is brave, but he is stupid.
“Do not risk your life for me. I am not worthy of the honour, but you have my thanks for seeking me out.” Wobbling a little as I stand, I step toward him. “Do you know what this is?” I ask, pointing to the collar.
He pushes his head into the metal, squeezing his face between the bars. “I do not know for certain, but a witch was sighted in the city last month. The power it holds, it is something not seen in this Realm before. There is talk among the guards that there are more of them.”More of them?“Something is coming, Commander, be careful.”
What is the Emperor planning? Is he so threatened by our strength?
“Thank you, boy, do not risk yourself anymore. Your mother does not deserve to lose both a husband and a son.”
“The impish… they know you're here. You're our final hope, Commander.” He begs.
“Impi? What you doing down there? You ain’t been eatin by those filthy green-skins.” He looks back down the corridor, stepping toward the rough voice of the other guard.
