“King Lix’tuk?” I ask gently, walking closer to him.
I don’t want to wake him. I’m sure he’s under a lot of pressure. More pressure than he’s been under in a long time. These are supposed to be his final days, but clearly Uzrirgard needs a king more than he realized. Especially now.
I wait a few minutes, but when he doesn’t stir, I turn to the door. I almost get there before his chair creaks.
“I’m awake, Clover,” he murmurs. “I just barely have enough energy to speak.”
“You need rest,” I say apprehensively. “Even the Lords and Ladies sleep when they stay over.”
“I’m just waiting for more updates,” he says, gesturing to the screens in front of him. “People in Concord City are protesting, which is understandable, but I don’t know what the endgame is.”
“Do you think it’s going to reveal itself if you sleep in front of the monitors instead of in your bed?” I ask.
“No, I’m waiting for the war council to return,” he rumbles. “They should have an update from our spies. We haven’t heard from them in two days.”
“What about the women from the ship? What happened to them?” I ask apprehensively. “You didn’t have them whipped, did you?”
“The Lords and Ladies really pushed for it, but no, I didn’t allow it,” he assures me. “They’re no longer quarantined, but we’re keeping them at one of our hotels. I still haven’t figured out what the fuck I’m going to do with them. I don’t think I can just send them back.”
“Why? Wouldn’t that show the people in Concord City you didn’t ask for them in the first place?” I ask.
“No, not after President Highton’s speech. He didn’t declare war on us, but he might as well have,” he says. “If I send them back, it’ll look like weakness. They’re going to stay where they are for now.”
I’m not sure how benevolence could be interpreted as weakness, but this isn’t my world. Politics. War. I don’t know enough about either of them to offer much input. But at least King Lix’tuk is being merciful. He hasn’t hurt the humans who were sent to Uzrirgard. I’d like to believe I’m partially responsible for that act of mercy.
King Lix’tuk sits up and sighs. “I just got a notification. The war council is returning.”
“Do you want coffee? Grog?” I offer.
I know they don’t need my help. I’ve seen orcs stomping into the enormous kitchen to get food and drink. They always ignore me, so I stay out of their way. All I do is clean up the mess they leave after they’re gone.
“We’re using one of the rooms in the East Wing as a war room,” he growls, standing up. “You can bring me some blackroot coffee. I probably need a gallon of it at this point.”
“I’ll make you a double just to be safe,” I say, turning back to the door.
I hurry to the kitchen and fill the biggest cup in the cabinet with blackroot coffee. It almost takes three bags to finish it. I dump the remainder into another cup and make it the way I like it. I still can’t drink much without getting a heavy buzz that leaves me with a headache.
When I get to the East Wing, some of the Lords and Ladies have already arrived. Lord Frax’mo is on the war council, but there’s no sign of his wife. From what I’ve learned, those who obtain their title through marriage aren’t actually part of the government. Lady Frax’mo’s meddling suggests they have a bigger role than they’re supposed to.
“Here you go,” I whisper, putting the cup of coffee down beside King Lix’tuk and trying to remain invisible.
“Thank you,” he rumbles, then he pulls the chair beside him closer. “Have a seat.”
For a second, I just stare at the chair. I’ve been displayed, bought, mocked, and hidden away, but I’ve never been invited to sit at a table where decisions are made.
“What?! Really?” I exclaim, my eyes and mouth no doubt both open wide.
Lord Frax’mo doesn’t seem to like it. He glares at me, then at King Lix’tuk. “You really think it’s wise allowing a human to attend a war council meeting?”
“I didn’t ask your opinion,” King Lix’tuk barks. “Her people have turned her into the face of whatever the fuck this is. She has no loyalty to them.”
“I don’t,” I offer, looking down. “I’m starting to dislike humans as much as orcs do.”
There’s silence for a moment, then all of the orcs except for King Lix’tuk begin laughing. They clearly find humor in what I said. King Lix’tuk pats the seat beside him, so I sit down. I feel a little odd about being included, but I’m definitely interested, even if I have no real input. I certainly didn’t ask to become asymbolof anything.
“Okay, what are the latest updates?” King Lix’tuk asks, leaning forward.
The war council consists of Lord Frax’mo, Lord Bruz, Lady Sharog, and Lady Ushug. All of them are in armor now, which makes the room feel less like politics and more like the breath before violence. Prior to President Highton’s speech, most of the orcs who visited Zrogmul were wearing formal civilian attire.
