Chapter 21
Pain returned before her other senses. It pulsed at the back of Nargol’s skull. It was dull, heavy, and felt as if a hammer was striking stone in a slow rhythm. A metallic, salty taste filled her mouth. Dust clung to her tongue. A groan escaped her.
A scream.
Orlena.
Nargol’s eyes snapped open. Warrior instinct surged through her body before she could think. She rolled to her side and forced breath into her lungs. Her muscles were drawn tight as if she had merely risen from sleep instead of unconsciousness.
She blinked and took in the open sky where the twin suns blazed. The scent of wood shavings and fresh-cut timber filled her nostrils. She pushed up to her knees. Warriors immediately surrounded her. Four of them, broad, armed and waiting for her to make a move.
Nargol immediately recognized where she was. The courtyard. Memories of the guards entering her cell, the fight, and then pain exploding in her head that had led to darkness. She shook off the memory, but then her gaze landed on what was in the center of the courtyard.
The gallows.
Two upright beams. Crossbars. Twin nooses swaying gently in the breeze. Her gaze darted sideways.
Orlena was being held by two warriors, arms gripped tight in their meaty hands. Tears streaked her brown skin. Rage ignited so violently inside Nargol that it burned away the fog of pain that had plagued her.
A low, deep growl rolled from her chest. The warriors by her rested their hands on their weapons.
On the raised platform of the gallows stood Grat. He had positioned himself where all could see him. His boots were planted wide, his chin lifted, and he threw his arms outward.
“My people!” he called out. His voice boomed across the courtyard. “Today marks a new era for Soza. An era of strength. An era of survival!”
Villagers had gathered along the perimeter. Some stood rigid and silent. Worry filled some faces, but others looked on with hungry anticipation.
“Rujin will come,” Grat continued. “And when he does, those who bow will be spared. Those who resist will serve as an example.” His gaze dropped to Nargol.
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Nargol took in everything in a single sweep. The number of guards. Their positioning. The distance to the outer gates. The weapons they had on their belts to even the arches above on the stone wall.
Her wrists were still shackled behind her back. The iron bit into her wrists, but she ignored the slight pain in them and in the balls of her shoulders from her arms being in this fecking position for so long.
Orlena cried out as one of her captors jerked her forward. Nargol growled again, this time deeper. Grat turned toward her with a smug smile.
“Bring them up.”
The warriors hauled her to her feet. The world swayed for half a heartbeat, but she steadied. She would not stumble. If she were going to her death, she would walk on her own two feet. She was a strong Cydassi warrior, and that’s how she would want everyone to remember her.
They dragged her to the wooden steps of the gallows. Orlena fought, but they forced her forward.
“Nargol!” she cried out. She tried to look behind her, but the orcs were in the way.
“I am here!” Nargol called back. Her voice was steady despite the storm raging inside her.
They shoved her up the steps. The platform creaked under their combined weight. The nooses swung closer. The guards kept her surrounded, moving along the platform.
She was positioned underneath one noose, and Orlena was placed under the other. They were close enough where she could see the tremor in her mate’s hands. Close enough to see the fierce love in her eyes.
“I love you,” Orlena said. Her voice shook, but her words were clear. Those big brown eyes of hers were locked on Nargol.
The strength her mate exuded took Nargol’s breath away.
“Here and in the next life. May you feast proudly with Nogora in the Halls of Ironfang.”
The words pierced her.
Every warrior wanted to go to the Halls of Ironfang in the afterlife. It was an honor to be with the war goddess herself.
But that would mean Orlena wouldn’t be there. She was not an orc, nor a warrior. That wouldn’t do for Nargol.
She lifted her chin. If this was their time to leave this realm, she wanted to spend the afterlife with her mate.
“I will find you,” she swore. She’d give up the warriors’ honor. Anything so she could have her mate. “In this life and the next.”
More tears spilled down Orlena’s cheeks. She bobbed her head in a nod.
A guard stepped forward and reached for the rope above her head. He brought it down and slid it over her head. The rope was rough against her throat, the noose settling around her neck.
“Let this be the first lesson.” Grat lifted a hand.
A sharp whistle spilt the air.
Then impact.
The guard next to Nargol spasmed violently. An arrow protruded from his throat. Shock flashed across his face, and he collapsed.
For half a second—silence.
Then chaos.
Nargol whipped her head toward the courtyard gates. Makhel rode through them atop her shukan like a storm breaking over a horizon. Behind her thundered Nidani warriors—axes raised, swords swinging, war cries tearing through the air.
At the center of the warriors was her father—Tulak.
And beside him, her sister, Magoza. Her battle braids whipped behind her, and she urged her mount forward. The courtyard exploded.
Villagers scattered in screaming waves, running from the melee. The warriors guarding the gallows turned, scrambling to meet the charge of Nidani warriors.
Nargol surged forward, driving her shoulder into the nearest guard. Even shacked, she was lethal. She drove him back, knocking him off the platform.
Another lunged at her.
She ducked and drove her forehead into his nose. Bone cracked, and blood sprayed from him. He fell down to the ground. She caught sight of Nidani axes rising and falling with brutal efficiency.
Magoza leapt from her mount before it had fully halted. She bounded up the gallows steps two at a time.
“Well,” she barked. Her eyes were blazing as she reached Nargol. “I see I have to save you once again, lanhas.”
“I had a plan.” Nargol bared her teeth at her sister.
“Of course you did.” Magoza snorted.
She slammed the flat of her blade against the shackles at Nargol’s wrists. Iron split under the force. Nargol brought her arms around and rotated her shoulders. They were stiff and ached, but she could still use them.
Magoza shoved an axe into Nargol’s freed hands. “Try not to die.”
Her sister vaulted back into the fray.
Nargol spun immediately toward Orlena. She sliced through the rope binding her mate’s wrists and grabbed her hand.
“Run. Hide. I will find you,” she ordered.
Orlena hesitated. An orc charged up the steps with a sword raised. Nargol shoved Orlena aside and met the blade with the haft of the axe. Wood cracked on the steel. She vaulted and drove the axe blade deep into his chest.
He fell back down the stairs.
She turned back to Orlena who stood with gaze locked on the bloody axe.
“Go!” Nargol roared.
Orlena jerked her eyes away from the weapon then spun around and ran.
Nargol lost sight of her almost instantly as bodies collided across the courtyard.
Nargol sprang from the gallows, her feet landing with a thud on the ground.
The battle spilled outward through the gates, across the training ground and into the open land beyond.
It had been a long time since she had fought beside her family.
The rhythm returned instantly.
An orc lunged from her left. She stepped inside his swing and buried her axe into his thigh. He dropped; she ripped it free and swung upward into his jaw. She grinned and pulled the weapon from him. She swiveled and met another one head-on.
The battleground was a thunder of steel and fury.
Nidani warriors raced forward in disciplined formation. They were the most trained warriors who knew not to give any mercy.
An orc charged Nargol from behind. She swung around just in time to see him twitch suddenly. An arrow punched through his spine. He collapsed at her feet.
“That was a hell of a shot,” Magoza said, appearing at her side. She was covered in dirt, grime, and blood. Her sister was a brutal warrior, and any orc who stepped up to her would suffer.
Nargol scanned the wall.
Then saw her.
Orlena stood on the stone landing of the stronghold’s outer wall.
Bow drawn with a quiver on her back. Her hair whipped in the wind, and she notched another arrow. She released.
The arrow flew true and slammed into the chest of another orc charging toward Nargol and Magoza. He was thrown backward by the force. Magoza followed Nargol’s gaze.
“I take it that is your mate,” she said.
“Yes.” Pride surged through Nargol. Even though she and her mate were going to have a little talk later. Orlena was supposed to have gone and hidden, not join the fight.
Orlena moved with fierce concentration. She was steady, controlled, and deadly. Each arrow found its mark. Each shot protected Nidani warriors.
Grat’s supporters faltered. The Nidani clan was too much for them. They began to flee. Some dropped their weapons and surrendered. Nidani warriors rounded them up swiftly with Makhel leading.
The battle was over.
Tulak strode through the carnage like a war god. His towering figure and the fierce scowl embedded on his face had most shaking in his presence. Blood streaked his leather armor, his axe covered in it as well. In one massive hand, he dragged Grat by the collar.
The traitor’s face was pale green. Fear had replaced the arrogance he’d once touted. Tulak flung him at Nargol’s feet.
“Is this who dared lead a conspiracy against me?” Tulak demanded.
Nargol looked down on the traitor. She didn’t feel an ounce of sympathy for him.
“He is the last of them. He murdered clan leader Cardu, and it was he who has been negotiating with Rujin to come to Aghon. They wanted to unseat you, Father, and have Rujin take over Aghon.”
“Rujin!” Tulak sneered. His eyes narrowed on Grat. He gripped his axe tighter. “You conspire with the troll warlord? Our mortal enemy who almost wiped out our people?”
“They wanted to remove our family from the throne and allow the troll warlord to take our country,” Nargol continued. “Grat and his associates were bargaining with Rujin. For a slice of power of their own.”
“She lies!” Grat sputtered.
She arched an eyebrow at him. Was that truly going to be his argument?
“I—”
Tulak did not allow him to finish. With one clean motion, his axe dealt a swift blow on Grat’s throat. Blood spilled out in front and behind him. His body fell backward onto the ground. It did not take long for him to stop moving.
“Nargol!”
She turned just in time for Orlena to crash into her. She wrapped her arms around her mate instantly. Her grip was tight, and she buried her face into her hair.
“You were supposed to run.” Nargol lifted her head. She couldn’t help the growl that ripped from her. Even though she was relieved Orlena was unharmed, she had defied her.
Orlena pulled back and tilted her chin.
“Why, when I could help?” she asked.
Nargol took in the bow still clutched in her hands. A slow smile stretched her lips. She leaned down and kissed her hard. Orlena leaned into her, returning the kiss with the same fury that burned inside Nargol.
Someone cleared their throat loudly.
Nargol pulled back with a grin and turned to see her father and sister staring at her and Orlena.
She had thought their introductions would come at a later time once she was back home, but it would appear it was happening now.
She was proud to introduce her mate to her family.
She knew her family would accept Orlena without a doubt.
They would never question fate when it came to mates. She drew Orlena forward.
“This is Orlena Blackwell,” she announced. She glanced down at Orlena, her smile widening. “My mate.”
Orlena smiled shyly. She dipped down in a formal curtsy to Tulak.
“It is an honor to meet you, sir.” When she stood to her full height, her smile slowly disappeared as something in the distance gained her attention. She lifted a hand and pointed over Tulak’s shoulder. “Is that Rujin?”
Every head turned in the direction she pointed. On the distant ridge, miles away, beyond the village stood four massive trolls mounted on hulking beasts.
There was no telling how long they had been there.
They turned around and rode away.
“After them!” Tulak shouted.
The chieftain barked orders as warriors raced to their mounts. They climbed into their saddles and gave chase.
Tulak faced Nargol. “It is time for you to go home. Your mission is done. I expect a complete report once I join you.”
“Ranhos, I want to continue here—”
Tulak stepped closer. His eyes narrowed on her. Even at her height, she had to tilt her head back to meet his hard gaze.
“Get your mate home. I will handle Rujin. That is an order from your chieftain.” His voice hardened. He rested a large hand on her shoulder. “And from your father.”
Nargol held his gaze. He gave her a tight squeeze then released her. She nodded and stepped back. He swung around and strode away with Magoza at his side. As much as she yearned to be with them, she knew what she had to do. She turned to Orlena and brushed her hair from her face.
“Come. Let us go home,” she said softly.
“Home? Where is that?” Orlena blinked.
Nargol smiled at her. Even though they were in a battlefield with bodies strewn everywhere and surrounded by warriors who stayed behind to ensure order had been established, they might as well have been alone underneath the twin suns beaming down on them.
All Nargol saw was her mate.
“Udenia.” Nargol took her hand in hers and brought it up to her lips. “It is time for you to leave this place.”
She had made her a promise.
She would free her and take her anywhere she wanted.
Starting with Udenia.
Their home.