Chapter 25
Clover
It’s been a week since President Highton’s speech, but I still haven’t gotten used to the bed beside me being cold every morning when I wake up.
Zrogmul has gone from a haunted, lonely fortress to bustling with activity. Lords and Ladies arrive and depart regularly. A war council has been formed. The East Wing has been opened and some of the orcs even stay the night.
King Lix’tuk doesn’t sleep. He just passes out in his chair or on his throne, resting his eyes until he’s got the energy to move again.
I try not to disturb him, no matter how lonely I get, but I miss him.
I didn’t realize how attached I’d gotten to him until I started waking up beside the shape he left behind instead of his body.
I also don’t like being left in the dark.
I heard President Highton’s speech. He’s turned me into a symbol of his twisted agenda.
That’s why I’m walking down the hallway toward King Lix’tuk’s throne room.
I don’t know if he’ll be happy to see me or too exhausted to care that I’m there, but this is one of the few times he’s alone.
I saw the ships leave earlier, but I’m not sure why.
His throne room is empty when I walk through the doors.
That means he must be in his office. The door is broken, so when I get closer, I can see him.
I guess he doesn’t care enough to repair it, since he’s the only one here most of the time.
His chair is leaned back. His eyes are closed.
There’s a video playing in front of him that looks like a live feed from Concord City.
I gently open the door and step inside his office.
He doesn’t stir, so I watch the feed for a few moments.
It looks like there are protests in Concord City.
People are in the streets. All chanting the same mantra from President Highton’s speech.
No more sons. No more daughters. No more Clovers.
Some of the people even have signs with the slogan painted on them.
“King Lix’tuk?” I ask gently, walking closer to him.
I don’t want to wake him. I’m sure he’s under a lot of pressure. More pressure than he’s been under in a long time. These are supposed to be his final days, but clearly Uzrirgard needs a king more than he realized. Especially now.
I wait a few minutes, but when he doesn’t stir, I turn to the door. I almost get there before his chair creaks.
“I’m awake, Clover,” he murmurs. “I just barely have enough energy to speak.”
“You need rest,” I say apprehensively. “Even the Lords and Ladies sleep when they stay over.”
“I’m just waiting for more updates,” he says, gesturing to the screens in front of him. “People in Concord City are protesting, which is understandable, but I don’t know what the endgame is.”
“Do you think it’s going to reveal itself if you sleep in front of the monitors instead of in your bed?” I ask.
“No, I’m waiting for the war council to return,” he rumbles. “They should have an update from our spies. We haven’t heard from them in two days.”
“What about the women from the ship? What happened to them?” I ask apprehensively. “You didn’t have them whipped, did you?”
“The Lords and Ladies really pushed for it, but no, I didn’t allow it,” he assures me. “They’re no longer quarantined, but we’re keeping them at one of our hotels. I still haven’t figured out what the fuck I’m going to do with them. I don’t think I can just send them back.”
“Why? Wouldn’t that show the people in Concord City you didn’t ask for them in the first place?” I ask.
“No, not after President Highton’s speech. He didn’t declare war on us, but he might as well have,” he says. “If I send them back, it’ll look like weakness. They’re going to stay where they are for now.”
I’m not sure how benevolence could be interpreted as weakness, but this isn’t my world.
Politics. War. I don’t know enough about either of them to offer much input.
But at least King Lix’tuk is being merciful.
He hasn’t hurt the humans who were sent to Uzrirgard.
I’d like to believe I’m partially responsible for that act of mercy.
King Lix’tuk sits up and sighs. “I just got a notification. The war council is returning.”
“Do you want coffee? Grog?” I offer.
I know they don’t need my help. I’ve seen orcs stomping into the enormous kitchen to get food and drink. They always ignore me, so I stay out of their way. All I do is clean up the mess they leave after they’re gone.
“We’re using one of the rooms in the East Wing as a war room,” he growls, standing up. “You can bring me some blackroot coffee. I probably need a gallon of it at this point.”
“I’ll make you a double just to be safe,” I say, turning back to the door.
I hurry to the kitchen and fill the biggest cup in the cabinet with blackroot coffee. It almost takes three bags to finish it. I dump the remainder into another cup and make it the way I like it. I still can’t drink much without getting a heavy buzz that leaves me with a headache.
When I get to the East Wing, some of the Lords and Ladies have already arrived.
Lord Frax’mo is on the war council, but there’s no sign of his wife.
From what I’ve learned, those who obtain their title through marriage aren’t actually part of the government.
Lady Frax’mo’s meddling suggests they have a bigger role than they’re supposed to.
“Here you go,” I whisper, putting the cup of coffee down beside King Lix’tuk and trying to remain invisible.
“Thank you,” he rumbles, then he pulls the chair beside him closer. “Have a seat.”
For a second, I just stare at the chair. I’ve been displayed, bought, mocked, and hidden away, but I’ve never been invited to sit at a table where decisions are made.
“What?! Really?” I exclaim, my eyes and mouth no doubt both open wide.
Lord Frax’mo doesn’t seem to like it. He glares at me, then at King Lix’tuk. “You really think it’s wise allowing a human to attend a war council meeting?”
“I didn’t ask your opinion,” King Lix’tuk barks. “Her people have turned her into the face of whatever the fuck this is. She has no loyalty to them.”
“I don’t,” I offer, looking down. “I’m starting to dislike humans as much as orcs do.”
There’s silence for a moment, then all of the orcs except for King Lix’tuk begin laughing.
They clearly find humor in what I said. King Lix’tuk pats the seat beside him, so I sit down.
I feel a little odd about being included, but I’m definitely interested, even if I have no real input.
I certainly didn’t ask to become a symbol of anything.
“Okay, what are the latest updates?” King Lix’tuk asks, leaning forward.
The war council consists of Lord Frax’mo, Lord Bruz, Lady Sharog, and Lady Ushug.
All of them are in armor now, which makes the room feel less like politics and more like the breath before violence.
Prior to President Highton’s speech, most of the orcs who visited Zrogmul were wearing formal civilian attire.
Lord Bruz is the first to speak. “Your Majesty, our spies are reporting that the situation in Concord City is dire. The people are calling for blood. Orc blood.”
“They should be calling for their president’s blood,” King Lix’tuk rumbles. “He’s the one behind this, not us.”
“The people don’t see that. They just see an old enemy they’ve feared their entire lives,” Lord Bruz says.
“Have we heard any news from the wolf shifters or the demons?” King Lix’tuk asks.
“Same as before, Your Majesty,” Lady Sharog replies. “The wolf shifters are our allies, but unless the humans attack Uzrirgard, they won’t take action. The demons… well, they’re as useless as they’ve been since the rift closed.”
“I still think a preemptive strike is our best bet,” Lord Frax’mo growls. “We can burn Concord City to the ground before they even know what hit them.”
My heart skips a beat. My family is in Concord City. Rose could still be there, if she was bought by a wealthy man.
“We believe we can,” Lady Ushug interjects. “If the humans have been able to keep the food a secret, then they could have weapons or defenses we’re not prepared for.”
“We’re supposed to be keeping closer tabs on them than that,” King Lix’tuk says, glaring at Lord Frax’mo. “Or have all my Lords and Ladies been too busy worrying about what goes on in my bedchamber to worry about real problems?”
“Our intel is not as precise as we hoped,” Lord Frax’mo answers. “I take full responsibility for that.”
“As you should,” King Lix’tuk reprimands. “As much as I’d love to watch that eyesore burn, I don’t think that’s the answer. Too many casualties for no reason.”
“Then our other option is to go after their food,” Lady Ushug says.
“That’s what my team has been working on.
We don’t know the exact location of the facility, but it has to be big, based on what we saw during the speech.
I’ve narrowed it down to four locations that seem like they would make the most sense logistically.
They need to be able to transport the food to the entire country. ”
“I don’t like that either. I already told you that,” King Lix’tuk retorts, drinking some of his blackroot coffee.
“I still regret The Salting. If humans are able to produce their own food, I don’t want to starve them again.
Their government has done that enough, and it will just make them hate us more than they already do. ”
“If that’s even possible,” Lady Sharog sighs. “They’ve turned us into villains. Turned your human pet into a martyr.”
My jaw tightens at the word pet, and to my surprise, King Lix’tuk’s does too. He glances at me, his dark gaze softer than ever, despite what is going on. Or maybe he’s just really tired.
“What about my plan?” King Lix’tuk growls. “We can hack into their television feed. If I can talk to the humans and tell them their president is lying, then maybe I can get through to them. Most of them know my name.”