Chapter 4
Chapter
Four
MIRANDA
“ S o, you are taking me to Govek’s home, right?” Miranda asked. Her initial joy at seeing humans for the first time had dimmed substantially, and the fact that these were complete strangers was daunting.
Strangers who had a pretty negative opinion of Govek.
“We will only stop at Viravia’s home for a moment to fetch clothes. Govek’s dwelling is much further out, and her house is on the way. Unless you would like to see the healer,” Maythra said, her sharp eyes glinting in the torchlight. She was bigger boned than Miranda, probably in her sixties.
“I don’t need a healer. And I want to go to Govek’s home.” Govek had kept them moving at a brisk clip, but she felt perfectly healthy. Like living on Faeda was rejuvenating, camping out on frosty nights, eating nothing but roasted fish and the occasional late autumn berry, getting lost in the beauty of this new world.
It was so easy to forget everything when she was around Govek. The destruction of Earth. All the death.
Miranda gulped and pushed the memories deep. Away. “I can’t believe you built your houses into the trees. It’s really amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Savrah, a young woman close to Miranda’s age of twenty-four with light brown hair and even lighter eyes, finally found her voice. “It is, isn’t it? I’ve lived here for a whole season now and I still marvel at it.”
“They are a marvel,” Maythra said, sweeping her hand toward one of the nearer dwellings. Firelight flickered through the carved-out windows and Miranda could see a table and chairs within, but no occupants. “There are many homes without owners, Miranda. I would be glad to find you one to stay in while you are here.”
“Govek’s home will be fine. Thank you.”
“You’re safe now,” Maythra insisted. “He can’t hurt you anymore. We can protect you.”
“I don’t need protecting from Govek and he didn’t hurt me.” Miranda tried to keep the snap from her tone but wasn’t very successful.
“Then what happened to your clothing?” Maythra asked with narrowed eyes.
Miranda hesitated, unsure how to answer. Her first set of clothes had been irradiated and left behind on Earth, more was abandoned next to the spring since it was too worn out and dirty to use, Govek had ripped up others in haste she couldn’t blame him for, and the rest... got sucked up by a tornado.
“Where are you from?” Savrah asked. “Govek found you? Where?”
“In the woods. I’m really not sure where. I was... I guess you could say I was lost? There were dogs...”
Her throat closed up despite herself. It was so hard to talk about Earth, but these were humans. Humans! She wanted to talk to them. For a moment she thought she might never see another human again.
She’d known Govek’s plan to stay away from his clan probably would fall through. She’d prepared herself to talk about this. And yet, now the time had come, and nothing would come out.
“What village are you from?” Savrah asked.
“I . . .” Miranda swallowed.
Maythra’s hot gaze struck Miranda again. “You are safe now, dear. You are past the pain.”
Miranda’s stomach twisted. “I wish that were true.”
“It is true. We can offer you support. We all have painful pasts. The Waking Order and their war has touched us even here,” Maythra said, her pace slowing slightly as she examined Miranda. “You wouldn’t have to do with the war would you, dear? Could that be why you are fleeing your home?”
Miranda gulped, voice thick. “I am fleeing war.”
She could feel Earth’s destruction in her veins. See it every time she closed her eyes. Smell the char, feel the blistering heat, hear the dogs howling.
Her gut rolled.
The bank she’d been trapped inside when the bombs hit was three miles away from the Riverside Daycare but still, she should have gone back to check. To help. To look for them.
Her babies.
The little toddlers she’d cared for almost every day. With their endless chatter and constant energy. She could feel their warm bodies in her arms. Smell their sweetness. Her throat closed.
She’d abandoned them. She’d left them to die. She should have died with them.
Breathe.
She did, sucking in cold air through her clenched teeth.
They might have made it. Her babies and their parents could have been the ones that lit the road signs to the ocean. They could have fallen off the cliff into Faeda just like her.
Her memories were hazy and distorted. Hope burned in her chest like a blazing fire, consuming all logic.
And she let it.
“Miranda, what is wrong?”
Miranda jolted back into the woods, surrounded by massive trees with houses built into them and lanterns on top of birch trunks and rough dirt paths lined by dense forest so thick and dark and growing more ominous as the light of day faded to night.
The two strange women regarded her with skeptical brows and pursed lips. Both in cloaks like the one Govek had given her and cotton dresses with long sleeves and high collars. They looked warm. Miranda shivered. There was chill deep in her bones but not from the incoming winter.
Maythra stepped forward and tugged Miranda’s cloak closed. “Come then. I can see you’ve been through a trial.”
Miranda nodded, following mutely. Her chest was too tight to form words.
They led her toward a truly massive tree. So big that Miranda could hardly fathom it was real. Its trunk was as thick as a convenience store, and it stretched up so high that Miranda couldn’t see the top before it disappeared into the darkness.
The overwhelming scent of sage and lavender grew thick as they drew near the doorway. Three steps led to a little porch and bright light flooded out the windows flanking it.
Maythra knocked solidly.
“Why are you knocking?” Miranda asked. “Isn’t this Go?—”
The door swung open flooding the stoop with laughter and light.
The woman who answered the door was likely in her late twenties with blonde hair and sharp features. Her smile was easy when she looked at Maythra but froze solid when her eyes found Miranda.
Miranda froze too.
This clearly wasn’t Govek’s house.
“Hello, Beleda. Is Viravia well enough for a new visitor?” Maythra asked, trying to look passed the blonde woman.
“You were supposed to take me to?—”
“ New visitor?” The voice within was so sweet and high Miranda wondered how it could be real.
The woman who came into view behind the blonde was stunning . She had long dark hair, bright blue eyes, and pale skin that accentuated plump red lips.
Her smile was bright when she saw Savrah but it was struck from her face when she made eye contact with Miranda. “Who is?—”
“Govek has returned,” Maythra said steadily. “With a woman, but none from Estwill.”
Their eyes engulfed their faces. Miranda felt like a zoo animal.
“C-come in, come in. By Fades,” the beautiful woman said, and Miranda was jostled inside before she could fight it. The warmth of the house pulled her in almost as hard as the woman behind her pushed.
Maybe she could stay for a couple minutes.
The woman called her attention back with a smile, but Miranda couldn’t pull her gaze from the woman’s lower body. She was heavily pregnant. Judging by things she was likely due any day.
Was . . . it an orc baby?
It had to be, right? Govek had said no human men lived in the clan. Only women. Miranda’s thoughts ping-ponged around in her brain, emotions like yearning and excitement competing for space. Her hands clenched as she resisted the urge to pepper the woman with questions. How many children were in the Rove Wood Clan? Was pregnancy different with an orc baby? Would any of the parents need a babysitter?
Did she deserve to watch children after she couldn’t even save her babies on Earth? Bile burned the back of her throat and her enthusiasm waned.
“Welcome, please have a seat over here. I’m Viravia.” The gorgeous woman gestured toward a table and Miranda pried her gaze away only to freeze all over again.
The butchery was one thing, but this home was something else entirely. It was hard to put a time period on the dwelling. Some things looked modern, like the cushioned chairs and couch flanking the fireplace and the ornate rugs on the floor. But others looked far less so. Namely the lack of appliances visible in the kitchen space.
If you could call it a kitchen. There were two cabinets carved out of the tree and a single countertop. A cast iron oven, so small that the kettle sitting on top almost dwarfed it, sat in a nook near the back. The large window to the left had a bowl cut out of a pedestal beneath it that Miranda assumed was a sink, but she couldn’t see a tap.
Govek had told her they had magic that worked the same way as indoor plumbing but now, seeing this, she wasn’t sure she believed him. Or maybe Viravia’s home just didn’t have the magic that Govek’s did?
Her gaze found the stairwell next. It wrapped around the outermost part of the trunk and worked with the natural rings of the tree. There was another large window halfway to the second floor and a branch had grown up from the railing, arching toward the sunlight, tiny orange leaves covered its branches.
Miranda was still pondering the oddity of having to rake leaves inside your house when a throat cleared, and her attention was drawn back to the four women.
Viravia regarded her with a stunning smile that drew Miranda in despite her reservations.
“What is your name?” Viravia asked, gesturing toward the table again. The base of the table was attached the floor—or rather the tree —with six chairs around it.
“Her name is Miranda,” Maythra answered curtly, not even bothering to glance Miranda’s way before sitting down at the table.
“I think she can answer for herself, Maythra,” Viravia said, but the older woman ignored her.
“It is Miranda. It’s good to meet you.” Miranda tried to force a smile. “I was told you had clothing I could borrow?”
“Oh, of co—” Viravia’s eyes went wide as she glanced down Miranda’s body. “What— uh... where are your...?”
“Govek—”
“It’s just been a crazy couple of days. Luckily, Govek was kind enough to loan me what he had.”
“Where did he find you?” The blonde woman, Beleda, asked, eyes fixed to Miranda’s body.
“I was lost in the woods.”
“How did you?—”
“Why don’t we let her settle in first, Beleda? Come sit here, Miranda, and I’ll get you some of my pre-baby clothing.”
Miranda couldn’t help herself as she followed Viravia toward one of the chairs at the kitchen table. “How far along are you?” The final two women followed suit.
“Only one more moon now,” the woman said, rubbing her belly tenderly. The gentle expression on Viravia’s face had Miranda’s tension softening.
One moon. From what Govek had told her, that meant Viravia only had thirty more days or so. Miranda wondered how long orc gestation was. If the pregnancies had the same side effects as a human one.
What did a tiny orc baby look like? Green with little black tipped nails and pointed ears?
Adorable.
Viravia broke Miranda’s musing, “Wait here, and I’ll fetch the clothes from my room. Beleda, could you make more tea?”
“O-Of course,” the blonde said before rushing into the tiny kitchen.
“I’ll go get them, Viravia. You should be taking precautions with Tavggol’s son,” Maythra said, moving to intercept Viravia’s ascent up the steps.
Viravia’s expression flattened. “I can handle my own staircase, Maythra.”
“It is the heir to the clan you carry,” Maythra said, looking pointedly at Miranda. Miranda tensed. “His protection and wellbeing are the concern of all in this clan.”
Viravia shot her a glare and pointedly went to the stairs, going up with a slight waddle and no further issue. She disappeared into the upper floor.
“That woman,” Maythra muttered darkly, returning to her seat.
Heir to the clan, huh? Miranda wondered who the father was. If the orc was going to show up here soon.
“Do you like sage, Miranda?” Savrah asked, a slight warble to her voice. “Viravia has wonderful sage tea.”
“Uh, yeah. Sure.” Sage tea ?
“She also makes wonderful soaps too,” Savrah said.
Oh wow. That didn’t make the tea sound better.
“She used to do more crafts before she got pregnant and before... well...” Savrah’s face paled, and she went quiet.
“Yes, it’s all been a trial since the tragedy. Things are still so uncertain,” Maythra said.
“Uncertain?” Miranda asked, unable to help herself.
“Miranda,” Beleda interjected then, standing pensively with the empty kettle still in her hand. “Are you Govek’s conquest?”
All eyes were on her in an instant and Miranda thought their weight might sink her down into the floor. Bury her alive.
“I mean... I don’t plan to have his child anytime soon if that is what you are asking,” Miranda said. Of course, she wasn’t. They’d just met.
And... did she even deserve to have a baby after abandoning her babies on Earth?
Stop .
She took a deep breath, pushing the horrors away.
“Well, that is a relief,” Maythra said.
Beleda went back to fixing up the tea and Savrah sagged in her seat. Miranda glanced between them. “Why is that a relief, Maythra?”
She’d thought the woman might dodge the question but instead she narrowed her sharp gray eyes and Miranda felt stuck right through. “You must have not been with him long if you have to ask.”
“Maybe I haven’t known him as long as you , but I’ve been alone with him for days and he’s done nothing to make me think he wouldn’t be a good father.”
Maythra’s mouth curled almost in disgust and Miranda’s spine straightened. “If that is the case, then he must have you perfectly beguiled.”
Miranda huffed out a disbelieving laugh. Just where did this woman get off?
“Miranda,” Maythra’s voice went lower. “Heed my warning. Do not remain with that male. Do not tie yourself to him. I have lived in this clan for more than fifty years. I have seen everything that male has done. You would do well to take my advice.”
“Take what advice, Maythra?” Viravia asked, coming back down the steps. Savrah got up quickly to take the bundle of clothing from Viravia’s hands.
“You needn’t worry.” Maythra said, with a wave. “Govek and Miranda aren’t planning any children.”
“I was gone a moment, and you are already asking her about such personal matters?”
“I would think Govek’s decision to bear a son would be of particular importance to you, Viravia.”
“We shouldn’t be discussing such things so soon after Miranda has arrived. We should be making her comfortable and helping her settle in. Miranda, let me show you to the washroom.”
Miranda wasn’t sure if she would rather get dressed or shake all these women until they explained what was going on. She took the clothes Savrah handed her and followed Viravia across the living space toward a door in the corner.
“Take your time,” Viravia said, pushing open the door. Inside the torches were already lit. Miranda entered, and the door clicked shut behind her.
The space was exactly what Miranda would have expected from a rustic bathroom. A rather large wooden tub sat near the back. It didn’t have a faucet and Miranda hated to think how much time it would take to boil water to fill it. There was a sink on a pedestal off to the left and a toilet that—thankfully!—appeared to be made from ceramic rather than wood.
It was clean and cozy from the light from a few torches flickering on the wall above the sink and Miranda found herself lingering, trying to get her bearings.
This was fine. Everything was fine.
Leaving the clothing on the side table near the door, she used the toilet, which had an old-fashioned rope pull to flush, but she couldn’t figure out how the sink worked to wash her hands. It was wood like the tub and didn’t have a faucet either, but they must use water with it because the smooth shiny surface was scattered with little droplets.
She went to try on Viravia’s clothing. The cotton was rough and had buttons down the front. The long sleeves and high neck resembled those of the other woman. It would be nice and warm. The fit looked about right.
She set down the clothes for a moment and pinched the bridge of her nose as anxiety twisted up her gut.
She absolutely should have asked Govek a million questions about his clan before they arrived here. But there was no point beating herself up about that now.
Miranda yanked off the cloak and shirt and pulled the gray dress on over her head. The cotton was a little scratchy, and the dang thing hung baggy around her breasts and hips, but was a bit snug around her waist.
Jeez, Viravia was a bombshell.
Pushing aside her self-consciousness, Miranda went to the door and cracked it open a bit.
“Where do you think she came from?”
Miranda paused.
“Quiet or she’ll hear.”
Mumbling followed, and she could no longer make out what was being said. Dang it. Miranda considered her options. She really shouldn’t be nosy. She should be good and rejoin them all. But she’d never really been that good.
So, as a last ditch effort, Miranda pressed her ear to the crack in the door. And it worked. She could hear them.
“Do you think she was a traveling trader? Viravia, do you remember her from any of your travels?”
“No, I don’t know her,” Viravia said.
“We should remain vigilant,” Maythra said. “Keep an eye on her.”
Viravia’s tone was hard. “She couldn’t be of the Waking Order or she wouldn’t have been able to cross the border into Rove Wood. The magical barrier is too strong.”
“And Evythiken would have known, right?” Beleda asked. “He’s a seer, after all.”
Miranda could almost feel her ears perk up.
“Chief Ergoth confided in me that the seer hasn’t been in his right mind. That is why he was dismissed from the overlord’s service and sent to Karthoc,” Maythra replied.
“It wouldn’t hurt to have him examine her, though, right?” Savrah asked. Her quiet voice was hard to make out. “We could ask Chief Ergoth?”
Was the seer here? In Rove Wood? It kinda sounded like it. Miranda chewed her lip.
“I don’t see why not. It’s the least the seer could do while enjoying our hospitality,” Maythra said. “I can ask our good chief. I’m sure he would do us the favor.”
So, he was here! The seer was here !
“I don’t think we need to go that far,” Viravia said.
“I disagree,” Maythra said.
“When I first came to this clan three seasons ago, you all welcomed me with open arms. Even though you knew nothing about me,” Viravia responded. “But now you meet a newcomer with such suspicion.”
Maythra snapped at Viravia. “After what happened to your mate, I would think you would be the most reserved. And besides, when you arrived here, you were already mated to our beloved Tavggol. The trusted and respected heir to this clan. This woman is involved with Govek of all orcs. Of course, she’ll be met with suspicion.”
Miranda’s stomach twisted at how they referred to Govek. He’d told her he wasn’t on good terms with the clan, but it was still jarring to hear the venom in Maythra’s tone.
“I think she might be imprinted to Govek,” Savrah said.
There was a brief silence.
Beleda’s shocked tone came first. “What? That cannot be.”
“I overheard him say that if she called him, he would hear her and come.”
“You must be mistaken. They couldn’t have known each other for more than a few days. That’s far too fast for any imprint to form. Even Tavggol took a moon with Viravia, right?” Beleda asked.
“R-Right,” Viravia hesitantly confirmed.
“And that was considered very fast.”
Maythra cut in. “Anything is possible with that monster. It’s possible his break from Yerina has made Govek obsessive. We all know how he treated her.”
Miranda clenched her fists. Where the heck did she get off calling Govek a monster ? And who was this Yerina? Govek’s ex?
“Watch your tongue, Maythra,” Viravia’s voice was clipped. “What transpired between Yerina and Govek is rumor, and imprints are born from care and trust, not obsession and control.”
“Perhaps for other orcs it is about love and care, but Govek is an abomination .”
Okay, wow .
“You know what he did at Clairton.”
“Maythra,” Viravia warned again.
Beleda piped up. “Maybe Govek has known Miranda for longer than we think? His break from Yerina is a full season past now. And his hunts often took him to distant places. Perhaps he met her elsewhere and has been wooing her for a while.”
“Govek doesn’t hunt outside the Rove Woods. He might be fueled by rage, but he isn’t stupid. And Oakwall is the only human village within these woods,” Maythra countered. “No, I’m certain he must have stolen her. Just look at her condition.”
“She is in rough shape,” Savrah said so softly Miranda almost couldn’t make it out. “Do you think she might have been a slave? I overheard one of the warlord’s warriors talking about how the Waking Order forces men and women who refuse to join their gospel into labor. They treat them like animals.”
“If she was, then Govek didn’t steal her. He saved her,” Viravia replied.
“Ha, rather he took her to be his own slave,” Maythra said.
“That’s too far.” Viravia said. “I will not have you speaking so ill of my kin.”
Miranda pressed her ear to the crack to hear better. What did Viravia mean by her kin? Were... were they related ?
“You still call him kin after what he did at Clairton?”
“We weren’t there, Maythra. We don’t know what happened.”
“We weren’t, but it is our good chief who told us of Govek’s transgressions.”
“Transgressions he was forced to commit in order to retrieve his brother’s remains.”
“So, you are trying to justify Govek’s horrors?”
“All I am saying is that we should look upon his loss of sanity with compassion. I know how I felt when Tavggol’s remains were returned in that state. As his brother, Govek must have been utterly devastated.”
Oh wait, hold on now. Tavggol was Govek’s brother . And Viravia was Tavggol’s mate. So Viravia was Govek’s sister -in-law? And the baby was Govek’s nephew ?
“I think Chief Ergoth should have more grief over this than any of us , Viravia. He lost both his sons at Clairton that day. Tavggol in spirit and Govek in mind.”
He lost both his sons? Govek is the son of the chief?
“I think the only one who truly lost his mind was Chief Ergoth when he sent his only remaining son to Estwill.” Viravia snapped.
What was this about Estwill? Hadn’t Govek been going to war? Was the war at Estwill? Miranda’s heart thundered in her ears, and she tried to calm it so she could keep listening.
“How dare you? Chief Ergoth is our steady leader. I know him better than any in this clan. I am his only true confidant, and I can assure you he was torn to bits over his decision to send his only living son to Estwill. Even with how vile Govek can be.”
“Insult Govek so blatantly again and I will no longer welcome you in my home.” Viravia’s clipped tone sent a shiver down Miranda’s spine.
And still, Maythra found the gall to argue. “I speak only the truth.”
“You speak cruelty toward the male who may well become the next chief of Rove Wood Clan.”
By god, the punches just kept hitting.
“Ergoth would never formally name Govek as his heir. That brute will never be chief of this clan,” Maythra said loudly enough that Miranda could move away from the door slightly and still hear her. “Fades help us if he bears a child upon this new woman, he’s stolen from blast knows where.”
“Maythra,” Viravia snapped, her tone hushed. “Quiet!”
“Don’t you try to silence the truth! We all know what will come if he bears a son. With our beloved Tavggol gone, Govek’s offspring would be able to vie for the place of chief within this clan. Do you truly want Tavggol’s son to have to compete for his rightful place against Govek’s monstrous spawn? Do you really want to see our peaceful clan ripped apart by such strife?”
Miranda’s hand clenched at her lower stomach and fury boiled hot in her veins.
A pounding sounded at the door.
“Wh-who is it?” Beleda asked, her voice a mere squeak. Apparently, Miranda wasn’t the only one disheveled from listening to Maythra and Viravia go at it.
There was a brief pause. The patter of shoes going to the door.
“It’s Govek.”