Chapter 25 #2
“Yes, they know who you are, Your Majesty,” Lady Sharog says. “But that’s not necessarily a good thing. They’ve been taught to fear you. Nothing you say is going to stop what is going on in the streets. If anything, it’ll just give President Highton more ammunition.”
“Like he needs more ammunition,” Lord Frax’mo gripes. “Military enlistments haven’t been this high since they were drafting people for The Great War. It’s a powder keg, Your Majesty. We shouldn’t light it for them.”
“Fuck,” King Lix’tuk growls, shaking his head and adjusting his crown.
They continue discussing their options. I listen but don’t say anything.
I don’t think it’s my place to speak. But after listening to them debate the same topics over and over, an idea surfaces.
I’m not sure if it’s a good idea or a bad idea.
I reach over and put my hand on King Lix’tuk’s wrist, waiting until he can give me his attention.
“Could I say something?” I whisper.
King Lix’tuk’s nostrils flare like he’s angry, but then his expression softens. “Sure, go ahead. Everyone, Clover has something to say.”
“She shouldn’t even be here,” Lord Frax’mo snarls. “She should be serving the purpose she was purchased for. In your bed. Providing Uzrirgard with an heir.”
King Lix’tuk starts to say something, but I meet his dark stare, and he bites his tongue. I don’t know how this is going to go, but every orc in the room is looking at me. I’ve got their attention.
“You mean with my legs spread, waiting for him to put a baby in me?” I ask, meeting Lord Frax’mo’s aggressive stare. “Because that’s all I’m good for, isn’t it? Making sure Uzrirgard has a king, so that the Lords and Ladies don’t tear it apart fighting for the throne? Even if it costs my life.”
“It’s why my wife bought you,” Lord Frax’mo replies condescendingly.
“And we’ve seen how well that has worked out,” I say, finding some courage beneath the anger that has been boiling since President Highton’s speech.
“I’ve been turned into the face of human suffering and I’ve become a symbol…
or a martyr, as Lady Sharog put it, even though I’m still breathing, despite your wife’s wishes. ”
“We don’t know for sure it will kill you,” Lord Frax’mo says defensively. “This has nothing to do with the current problem. We won’t be fighting each other if we’re united against your kind.
“There doesn’t have to be a war,” I say, surprised that King Lix’tuk is actually letting me argue with his war council. “Now or ever.”
“And how are you going to stop this one, much less… fucking hell, I’m not discussing this with a damn human. She’s probably a spy,” Lord Bruz says angrily.
“She’s not a spy,” King Lix’tuk cuts in. “I trust her as much as I trust every orc sitting at this table.”
The war council doesn’t like that. They start muttering angrily under their breaths.
It even catches me by surprise. I mean, I think King Lix’tuk trusts me.
I haven’t lied to him since I got punished for it.
But hearing him say it out loud, with that much conviction, tightens the determination inside me.
“King Lix’tuk can’t get through to the humans. They won’t listen to him,” I say, glancing over at him with a faint smile. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. I think you know that.”
“Yeah,” he admits begrudgingly.
“But if they’ve turned me into a symbol, then let me be one,” I offer, looking around the table. “If you can hack their broadcast, then do it. Let me talk to them.”
“And say what?” Lord Frax’mo’s voice is shrill, sounding offended by my suggestion.
“The truth,” I reply. “They’re chanting my name in the streets. They’re painting it on signs. If they think so damn much of me now that they’ve sold me, then let me tell them who is really responsible for all the evil they’re blaming on orcs.”
The war council exchanges a few glances. A few whisper to each other, but I can’t make out what they’re saying. King Lix’tuk sips his coffee. I can’t tell what he thinks of my plan.
“I don’t like this at all,” Lord Frax’mo shouts, turning to King Lix’tuk. “What if she doesn’t follow the script? What if she says something that makes this worse?”
“If the only thing she tells is the truth, then she doesn’t need a script,” King Lix’tuk shuts him down fast. “Maybe we’ve played the propaganda game for too long. It was never our way. We brought that home with us after The Great War, just like the technology we adapted to suit our needs.”
“Most of it was for their benefit,” Lady Ushug says, pointing at me.
“Yes, because we no longer gave a fuck what happened on their side of the world,” King Lix’tuk reminds her. “As long as we got enough human women to avoid extinction, we didn’t care how they framed it. Now, I’m seeing that was a mistake. We allowed generations of hatred to fester.”
“Are you saying you no longer hate humans?” Lord Frax’mo asks incredulously.
“Don’t put words in my mouth,” King Lix’tuk snarls and Lord Frax’mo looks away.
“I’m talking about their hatred, not ours, but we’re as much responsible for this as they are.
If we launch a preemptive strike, we’re just playing right into it.
Proving we’re the savage villains President Highton made us out to be. ”
“You’re actually considering it. Letting her talk to them?” Lady Sharog asks.
“I haven’t heard any better ideas from my so-called war council,” King Lix’tuk’s tone is contemptuous, looking around the room.
“You’re the king,” Lord Frax’mo says bitterly. “If this is the direction we’re going, then you have the final say.”
“Make the arrangements,” King Lix’tuk says, pushing himself up from the table. “We’ll do it tomorrow night when most of the humans with televisions will be staring at them.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Lord Frax’mo replies, but he doesn’t look happy about it.
The humans have used my name to start a fire that doesn’t need to burn. Maybe my voice can choke the lie before it spreads. They’re the ones who gave me one. I was just another second-born that nobody gave a damn about. They probably think I’ve been whipped and broken by the orcs.
Tomorrow night, they’re going to see how wrong they are.