~Please start this series from chapter 1 if you are new here! Thank you so much for all the kind comments/support and patience!!~
|Chapter Nine|
The orc known as 'Gobran' stood at almost eye-level to her from across the table. The dark green leathers and black cloak he wore were different from the armed soldiers Astera had met before. A band on his upper right arm marked him as a member of the First Fist, although he was too thin to belong among the ranks of Vrel that fought in battle.
Eventually she asked, "What route will you take to the Imperial Palace?"
He'd been staring at the map spread out between them, but his eyes flickered up to meet hers before turning back to the table. She stiffened, trying her best to smooth over a look of surprise. His eyes weren't completely black like the other orcs she'd met. He had wide, dark blue eyes. Human eyes, not all-black.
Gobran pointed to Va'Sagresh on the map, his sharpened nail tapping against the wood. When he spoke, his speech barely hinted at an accent, his common tongue perfect. "I will head north, Nhyema. The Silver River is the fastest. Then horseback the rest of the way to the palace." He traced his intended route up the bending river with his finger.
"What about the rapids? You cannot travel that far north by water."
"This time of year the rapids are no issue."
When she frowned, he averted his gaze, pointing to one of the many snaking trails that led to the palace. "This route is the fastest."
The map was covered in strange paths and symbols. It was unnerving, actually seeing the massive web of orc roads and trails laid out before her.
She pointed to the end of the Silver River. There were fewer orc roads the closer they got to Thelfare and the palace. "After the Silver River, which route will you take the rest of the way?"
"I will pass through Thelfare. Then there is a trail, starting here, that leads though some marshlands north-"
"Choose a different route."
His eyebrows creased. "A different route?"
"Yes." Her throat tightened, thinking of the first time she'd come face-to-face with the remnants of Felshi in the marsh. "The swamps there are too dangerous. What about this path?" She pointed to another, which wended a little further to the east to avoid the old battlefields.
He frowned, revealing small sharp tusks. "Hmm... It will add time. I should arrive at the palace within a week."
Her eyebrows shot up.
A week.
The month-long journey along the human highway seemed laughable now.
She gave a sharp nod, trying to emulate Soarruk's cool confidence instead of her surprise. "You will deliver this letter to the Emperor yourself?"
"Yes."
Astera pulled out the bound letter from her satchel. When the messenger didn't move to take it, she placed it on the table between them. "The letter, and your payment." She laid a gold coin beside it.
The orc's eyes widened slightly, the whites a little more visible. He bowed to her. "I will ensure this reaches the palace as soon as possible."
"When you speak with the palace guard, give them this." She pulled a rolled up script from her bag, placing it on top of the letter. "They will grant you an audience with the Emperor immediately."
"I will leave at once."
"Thank you, Gobran. Light- er, may Luaya watch over you." She stumbled over her words, trying to remember Kaeri's usual blessing.
Gobran took the items carefully, stowing them in his own satchel. He bowed to her, beating his fist over his heart, and then to Soarruk. He slipped out of the room silently.
Astera stared at the door. A long breath escaped between her clenched teeth.
It's done.
"That should give my father a few months to help Thelfare with supplies... and then winter..." Her voice trailed off, lost in thought.
"The letter has been sent. Put the humans out of your mind." Soarruk's voice held a hard edge. "You have done more than enough for them."
She turned sharply to glare at him, but faltered. He was sitting in the corner of the room, shadows half cloaking him. He looked so inhuman compared to the messenger who had just left. Dark eyes met hers. His tusks were bigger, ears longer and more pointed, skin a darker shade of evergreen. He looked every part the Orc King, menacing and dangerous.
"No."
Soarruk's brow rose, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Her heart began to hammer in her chest. It wasn't the same playful smile he wore on the balcony the day before. "No?"
"I am human
and
queen. Don't ask me to pretend I am otherwise." She turned back to the table, her hands clenched into fists against the hardwood. "Explain this map to me. What are the red lines for?"
Soarruk didn't push the issue. He didn't move to join her at the table, either. "They are the roads that have been destroyed."
More than half the map was covered in red lines and large black smudges...
No, those are symbols!
"And the grey symbols in-between?"
"Settlements that have been lost."
Her eyes narrowed. The orcs had marked the destruction of both their villages and human cities the same, with a smudged grey swirling symbol. She could see a pattern in the chaos, where the Demon Horde had come from the south, ravaging only human cities at first. The further north they had moved, the move indiscriminate the damage became, red lines snaking from human cities into orc lands. "You've lost almost as many villages as we have."
"Aye."
A warm hand slid around her waist, and she flinched at the sudden contact. She had been too concentrated on the map to hear his movements. Soarruk pressed against her side, pulling her close. Along the side of the table were small carved wooden symbols. He picked up a handful, placing them on the map.
