Chapter 2
The ride to the northern territory had taken five days. Nargol’s shukan trotted alongside Makhel’s. They had pushed themselves pretty hard to make it to the village within a decent time.
The village of Soza sprawled before them with its buildings low and constructed of dark timber and stone. Smoke curled from hearth vents and carried the scents of meat and ash.
Nargol raised her hand, and they slowed to a halt at the top of the hill. Soza was nestled at the base of a mountain. Orcs moved openly through the streets.
“I need a hot meal, a soft bed, and a few hours of sleep, then I’ll be good as new,” Makhel muttered.
Nargol nodded. That sounded damn good to her, too.
“Let’s find shelter first, my friend, because I’m not sleeping on the ground tonight,” Nargol said.
“Lead the way.”
They continued down the worn dirt road that led to the village.
Nargol kept the hood of her cloak drawn over her head to keep her face from being seen.
Soza was known for its trading markets. This far north, lots of travelers made their way to the village for the markets.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t be suspicious that two nomads were walking to the village.
Nargol and Makhel had devised a story for their cover.
Two sisters, with no ties to any clan, just passing through, who needed work.
It shouldn’t be questioned.
She tried to keep her body from tensing as they drew closer to the village. Cardu had been very vocal against her sister’s mating. He’d spoken of traditions and the old ways. Apparently, he felt that Magoza taking a half-breed mate would weaken orcs.
The thought of how he’d looked at her sister when he’d been on his tangent tightened her jaw.
She had to relax.
She couldn’t blow her cover.
They slowed, reaching the outer edge of the village. Two sentries stood at the main path with spears resting in their hands. They wore the crest of the Ogola clan on their chest. At the sight of Makhel and Nargol, they stood to their full heights.
“Allow me to talk,” Makhel murmured.
Nargol offered a subtle nod.
They arrived at the entrance and halted. Nargol held on to the reins of her faithful shukan, Torch. He’d been with her for solars. He was a trained shukan who was no stranger to racing into battle with her. She gave him a good solid pat on the neck.
Makhel moved ahead. “Orra,” she said, her posture loose and unthreatening. Which was saying much for the fierce warrior. She, like Nargol, was great at blending in with non-militant orcs.
“State your business,” the first orc said.
Nargol had to fight to keep from tensing. She didn’t want to give them any reason to question her presence. For a village that was open and friendly to trading with travelers from all over Aghon, why did they need sentries? Guards who questioned a being before they even entered the village?
“We are travelers, just passing through,” Makhel announced. She offered a warm smile. “We are looking for rest and temporary work.”
One of the sentries eyed them. His gaze lingered on Nargol for a fraction too long. She forced herself to remain relaxed with sloped shoulders and an expression that would appear bored.
“Where are you from?” the sentry asked.
“Everywhere, but nowhere worth staying.” Makhel was damned good at this, and it was for the best that she did the talking.
The sentry grunted in approval. He waved them through with no other questions. Nargol kicked her feet to signal for Torch to follow Makhel.
Once they were out of earshot of the guards, Nargol blew out a deep breath.
“You are smooth, my friend.” She chuckled.
“I’ve always been better at lying to strangers than you.” Makhel snorted.
“Feck off.” Nargol rolled her eyes.
They moved deeper into the village. Orcs of all sizes crowded the streets. Some were towering, while others were squat and thick with muscles. Nargol’s gaze landed on other figures, and she kept her mouth from dropping open.
Humans.
They were fewer in number, but they threaded their way through the crowds. Their eyes were lowered, their steps quick. Not that she had problems with humans. There were barely any in Udenia, but here, she was shocked to see so many.
This wasn’t something she had expected.
Makhel had stopped an orc and asked for a recommendation for lodging. While she spoke with him, Nargol took in the street. The humans gravitated toward certain workshops and market stalls. There was a subtle divide amongst the orcs and the humans.
Interesting.
“Come. My new friend here said there is an inn on the west end of the village that should have available rooms,” Makhel said.
The large orc nodded and carried on down the street.
Nargol blinked and inhaled. Her stomach let out a growl. It had been yesterday evening since she had last eaten. They had captured a few pekares and roasted them. Once they got lodging, then they could worry about a good hot meal.
“Perfect,” Nargol said.
They continued through the village, which allowed her to take it all in. She kept her hood on her head to mask her features. Not many paid much attention to her or Makhel. In a village that was known for trading, she was sure plenty of travelers passed through here.
They arrived at the inn, a narrow stone building with a sagging roof. It had a boarding barn behind it where they were able to house their shukans. A young male orc assisted them in settling down their beasts.
“Behave yourself and rest, my friend,” Nargol said. She gave Torch another good scratch under his chin. He rumbled his pleasure. She smiled and backed out of the stall. She hefted her bag onto her shoulder and shut the door.
“He will be in good hands,” Tror said. He was in his teens and worked for the inn. He was tall and lean with his dark hair pulled back.
“Don’t let him talk you into too many snacks.” Nargol tossed Tror a wink.
He grinned and shook his head.
“They all try. I’m firm with my snack rationing,” he said.
She nodded and ambled over to the opening of the barn where Makhel waited for her. They headed up to the main house and entered through the front doors. They were greeted by a sharp-eyed older female orc who leaned against the counter.
“Looking for rooms? I only have one,” she said gruffly. No greetings, just straight to the point.
Nargol could appreciate that.
“Does it have at least two beds?” Nargol asked. She wished they’d inquired about rooms before they had boarded their beasts.
Makhel looked as if she’d had the same thought.
“Room is small, but it has two beds.” The woman sniffed.
“We will take the room. Not sure how long we’re staying, but we’ll pay you for a month,” Makhel said. She slid a small bag of coins across the counter toward the woman.
She immediately snatched the bag up and weighed it in her hand.
“Now I told you it’s small, so no complaining.
We offer food if you be needing it, too.
Breakfast and supper. If you’re late and miss it, that’s on you.
” She turned and snagged two keys from the desk behind her.
She pushed them across the counter then stopped, keeping her hand on the keys.
“I don’t tolerate any trouble. I run a decent establishment. No funny stuff.”
“We are peaceful women who’re just passing through, ma’am,” Nargol said gently. She held the woman’s gaze. “Looking for odd jobs, a place to rest at night, and a decent meal. No more.”
The female studied them for another moment, removing her hand from the keys. Nargol released her breath she’d been holding. Had the female changed her mind, they would have had to make do with a backup plan.
“If you need anything, holler. My name is Agnes,” the woman said.
Nargol nodded and scooped up the keys. Agnes informed them where their room was located. She gave them another once-over then turned back to a ledger that was on the counter before her. They headed up to the second floor where Agnes directed them without a word.
The room was exactly as promised—cramped, with two narrow beds and a single shuttered window, but at least it was clean. There was a communal toileting room down the hall that was for all patrons.
“First impression?” Makhel dropped her satchel onto the first bed. The warrior folded her arms in front of her.
Nargol glanced at her and grinned. Her friend wasn’t speaking of their accommodations. They had certainly slept in worse conditions.
No, she knew exactly what Makhel was asking.
“For someone who openly opposed Magoza’s mating to a human, there are a lot of them in this village,” Nargol murmured.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
Nargol moved over to the single window and brushed aside the curtain, opening the shutter. There was no grand view to take in. Just an alley and the back of another building. The sounds of the village filtered in. She eyed the small scrap of an area between the inn and the next building.
“It’s not. I’m just thinking that he was so opposed to Amuleta who is half human and orc.
Why was his opposition so damn strong when he has plenty of humans roaming around here?
” She turned back to Makhel. She was now more curious of the clan leader and what else she’d find in his domain. “Let’s go out. Explore the area.”
“That would be perfect. I hear there’s a fair today.” Makhel rotated her shoulders.
“Is that so?” That would be the ideal way to blend in with the villagers. Get some to start talking, make a few friends. As newcomers, attending the fair would help them blend in with the locals.
“Yeah. There’s a tournament and a market. We could—”
“A tournament?” Now Nargol was truly interested. She arched an eyebrow at the way Makhel rolled her eyes. Nargol was always down for a little competition.
“Goddess help me. Why did I mention the tournament?” Makhel muttered.
Nargol strode forward and stood directly in front of her friend.
“You know…games….fighting…archery?”