“I seek lodgings,” I grunt. Not giving away any more than necessary.
Looking up at the outer walls, the stark white stone seems to stretch on far higher than I remember.
“You are newly bonded, yes?” the other guard closer to the drawbridge asks.
Bonded… he thinks we're bonded? That bastard of a Gatekeeper had a bonding dress made for my female. I should go back and end him for even thinking of her like that.
“Have you come to this Realm to bond, or have you already?” he tries again, and still I remain silent. “I don't think he understands,” he turns to the other guard.
“Lodgings,” I grunt again.
“Wait a minute? Is that a human? He has a female in his arms.” The second guard moves closer, and I move my female into my chest, further away from them.
Once we were out of the prying eyes of the Gatekeeper, I gently clothed her in the dress that was made; however, now that I know it is considered a bonding dress, I will have it burned.
“It's a pretty bonding dress. My bonded was hoping for something similar. She showed me one that looked almost the same at one of the shops in the first quarter.”
“You should be thanking the Devil herself you’re even bonded with a face like a slapped swine.”
I think they have forgotten I'm here. Lost in their own conversation.
“Hey! I don't look like a swine. I swear if you squint your eyes a little, you can barely notice mymissing ear,” they both chuckle, brows drawn together as if they share something painful. “Anyway, I couldn't afford it in the end. Shame really because it really is a nice dress, but they wanted ten whole aureus for it.”
“Ten aureus!”
“I know! I even went back the next day to see if there was a way I could pay it off, but they said no. That's almost three months' wages. In the end, she said it didn't matter, that it's not a dress that makes a bonding, but I know deep down she wished to have worn it.”
This once prosperous land has truly changed. Hearing the guards are paid so low means others will be even worse off. To become a guard was once a sought after profession. Not only did it hold respect, but you were set up for a comfortable life.
The weight of my coin purse weighs heavily against my hip. The gold coin I carry and have access to is vast and far more than these guards would see in the next century, even if they saved every aureus they earned.
The money jingles in my hand as I take a fistful, choosing to try and help these two imps. It could play to my favour if word spreads that an orc is handing out coins for assistance. That, and it doesn't hurt me to spread some wealth while I am here.
“Lodgings,” I repeat for the third time, shoving my fist between them, the gold glistening in thelight.
“May the Devil bless me on this day,” one of them whispers as they both stare at it.
“You can take the coin if you show me to the best lodgings in the city. One appropriate for my?—”
“For your bonded, yes, Sir. Right away. We will both take you.”
“I do not want you to be punished for leaving your station. My brother would not approve of it, and I do not wish you harm.”
Rational seems to creep back in, and they both take a proper look at me.
“Your brother? I see the resemblance now. Sir, I am sorry, but you have come too late.” He steps closer to me, lowering his voice so I can barely hear him. “All orcs of the Realm were imprisoned. He is a great leader, Commander Bellator, but the Emperor… something changed in him, and well, you might not be able to see your brother.”
“I wish to show him my bonded. It will be granted, I am sure of it.” At least I think it will. There is only the tiny detail of us not actually being bonded. They don't need to know that my female passed out hours earlier and that if she were to wake, she might scream and possibly pass out again. It is a lot for any new creature when they arrive in Hell, but seeing she did not lose her mindandher soul within the first few minutes,thatmakes her special.
Thatmakes her mine.
“I believe hewouldwant to meet her, Sir. The problem is, I don't know if he can.”
What is going on in this Realm?
“He was imprisoned.”
The words hang in the air. Imprisoned. So the rumours are true. The Emperor has turned against the species he used to build his power. As I reside in Realm Seven, I am not subject to the rulings here, but I'm sure I will be treated with contempt because of it. I need to find a safe space for my female, and then, I need to find my brother.
