Chapter Eleven
Silas
We stop right outside of the Orc territory. Ulric is leaning against a tree, picking his teeth with a claw. “So.” He flicks the bit of whatever-the-hells he just ate off his nail. “You can’t go in there.”
I clench my jaw. “Obviously.”
“Because if you do, it’s war.”
“Yes.”
“And yet,” he continues, grinning, “you’re still considering charging in, horns first, to rescue your damsel.”
“She’s not a damsel.”
“No, she’s definitely not,” Ulric agrees, chuckling. “I saw the way she bit that Orc. Vicious little thing. I like her.”
I shoot him a glare and he holds up his hands. “Not like, like. Relax, Bull-boy.” He pushes off the tree and stretches, his tail flicking lazily.
“Point is, you can’t go in. But I can.”
“And how exactly do you plan to get her out of there?”
He flashes me a sharp-toothed smile. “Orcs and wolves? We’ve got an understanding. They’ll assume I’m just passing through, maybe looking to trade.”
“And if they don’t?”
“Then I’ll charm them.”
I snort.
Ulric clutches his chest in mock offense. “You wound me. I’m very charming.”
“You’re insufferable.”
“Also true.” He shrugs. “But, I’m your only shot, so.”
I exhale hard through my nose. He’s right, damn him. If I step foot in that camp, the treaty shatters, I’ve started a war, and either an Orc horde will kill me or Dakar will.
“Fine,” I growl. “But if you try anything—”
“Oh, please.” He rolls his eyes. “If I wanted to betray you, I’d have already.”
I don’t dignify that with a response.
Ulric smirks. “Here’s the plan. I go in, scout the place, figure out where they’re keeping her. Then, I get her out.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.” He winks. “Easy.”
I don’t trust him. Not fully. But right now, I don’t have a choice.
“Bring her back unharmed,” I say, voice low. “Or I will break that treaty.”
Ulric’s grin doesn’t waver. “Relax, big guy. I’ll get your girl.” He turns, then pauses. “Oh, and Silas?”
“What?”
“Try not to pace a hole in the ground while I’m gone.”