“No, but you might lick it,” I chuckle, sitting down.
“You’re always going to tease me about that, aren’t you?” she smirks, sitting in the co-pilot’s seat.
“Probably,” I grunt.
I take a few moments to familiarize myself with the controls before I start the engines. This ship has more power than I need. It was designed to get orcs into orbit, before we realized the atmosphere is too thick for our current technology. I’d hoped to see an orc on the moon before my final days were over. That technology may require more generations than I have left. Even more, if Uzrirgard is plunged into war.
Clover looks out the window with curiosity and wonder in her eyes once the ship ascends and we’re zooming across my kingdom. I used to look out the window like that while my father pointed out the land I would one day rule. Always thought I’d do the same with my son. Those dreams died with my wife.
“I saw some of it when I arrived, but it’s even more beautiful in the daytime,” Clover remarks. “Everything is so green.”
“If we weren’t in a hurry, I’d take the scenic route, but this can’t wait. Your fuckingpeopleare up to something.”
“Mypeople? Humans?” she asks, like the word doesn’t fit quite right anymore.
“Yes,” I confirm. “Now be quiet for a few minutes. I need to call President Highton.”
Clover’s eyes light up with worry. “I don’t like him. He was the one who auctioned me.”
“He’s an asshole, but he’s still the fucking president,” I retort, tapping the button to start a video call.
Every ring makes me more annoyed, because we have a direct line for a reason, even if I never use it. I’ve never gotten a call from him, but his predecessors were a lot more vocal. I never let their calls ring more than twice. There’s at least twelve before he appears on the screen in front of me.
“Ah, King Lix’tuk,” his tone so shmoozy I want to vomit immediately. He uses a napkin to delicately wipe his mouth. “I was expecting your call.”
“Then you know what this is about,” I snarl. “We didn’t ask for you to send us a ship full of humans and food. Where the hell is this food from, anyway?”
“That doesn’t matter,” he says dryly. “As for why we sent the ship? I’m afraid you’ll just have to listen to my speech tonight. I’m addressing the nation at eight o’clock. You’ll definitely want to hear what I have to say.”
“Don’t play games with me,” I warn. “Tell me what the fuck this is about.”
“Orcs are so impatient,” he sighs dramatically. “You’ll find out when everyone else does.”
“You owe me a lot more respect than that,” I snarl. “Or have you forgotten where all your food comes from?”
“I’ll be covering that in my speech tonight as well, King Lix’tuk,” his stupid face smug. “Until then, I do hope you’ll try one of the watermelons we sent. They’re absolutely delicious. But I must apologize, I have a meeting with the senators. If you still have questions after my speech, we can continue our conversation then.”
President Highton ends the call, leaving me even angrier than I was before I called him. He’s definitely up to something. If they’ve found a way to solve their food crisis, great. I don’t give a fuck about that. But that doesn’t explain the women.
“What exactly is going on?” Clover asks, concern in her pretty brown eyes.
I let out an annoyed sigh and tell her everything. It doesn’t matter if she knows. It’s not like she’s going to tell anyone. I’m sure all the Lords and Ladies have heard by now, but I don’t want the general public panicking until I have some answers.
“If they sent a ship filled with food, do you think they just sent back some of the food they previously got from Uzrirgard?” she asks.
“It’s possible, but if they didn’t send their ships to collect more, then they’ll starve,” I counter. “Unless they’ve found a way togrow crops. I’m more concerned about the women. There was no reason for them to be sent here.”
“The next auction should be soon,” she says. “But I don’t know how many people get auctioned every month.”
“Me either. I haven’t kept up with it in a while,” I reply, tapping the screen in front of me a few times. “Auction isn’t for another week. They haven’t even brought all the second-borns to Concord City yet.”
“If they’re not second-borns, then…” she says apprehensively. “Where did they come from?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” I say, then I see the harbor in the distance. “But I’ll have answers soon.”
I steer the ship toward the harbor, glaring at the human vessel being moved to our quarantine zone.
I don’t know what the fuck is going on, but I damn sure intend to find out.
