Chapter 25 #2
The curse had been a blessing once. Maybe the magic behind it still remembered. Maybe it was trying to restore itself. And maybe Thea was the key to letting it.
Or you’re losing your mind from exhaustion and fear.
The path wound upwards around the mountain, following contours invisible from below.
And there—far beneath them—the Fanged Gate and the massed armies. All of it visible from above. All of it bypassed.
“The dream was real.” Her voice was filled with wonder.
“How?”
“I don’t know. But we can worry about the metaphysics later. Right now, let’s just cross over into Norhaven.”
As practical as always.
He mounted, and pulled her up in front of him, then put his arms around her so he could keep his hands on Courage’s reins. The path was stable but narrow. One wrong step and they’d plummet.
But Courage continued her steady climb, sure-footed despite the treacherous terrain, and he focused on guiding her and keeping them safe. Trying not to think about what came next.
Because getting past the armies was only the first step. The hardest part was approaching Ulric, King of Norhaven, and praying that the other male saw him as something more than the orc who had kidnapped his queen.
Because if he doesn’t, he’ll kill me. Slowly if he’s feeling merciful. Painfully if he’s not.
But at least Thea would be safe, and the scrolls would have reached someone who could use them. The curse might still be broken.
And maybe the scrolls and the knowledge Thea had uncovered would be enough to convince Ulric to help them. He’d find out soon enough.
The path crested and leveled out onto a high plateau. And in the distance, the second defensive perimeter of Norhaven’s forces, lanterns glowing against the encroaching dusk. They’d made it past Lasseran’s army and past the Fanged Gate.
Now came the hard part.
Please, if any gods are listening, let this work. Let Ulric hear us out before he kills me.
His Beast growled uneasily. It didn’t like approaching other orcs from a position of weakness. Didn’t like the vulnerability of asking for help instead of taking what they needed by force. Too bad. They were doing this the civilized way because that’s what Thea needed.
His Beast reluctantly subsided, trusting that he knew what was best for their mate, even when every instinct screamed otherwise.
He guided Courage slowly towards the encampment, trying to look non-threatening despite the weapons he carried and the human woman riding with him.
She tensed against him as she spotted the guards approaching. “Khorrek.”
“I know.”
“What do we do?”
“We keep going. Slowly. Hands visible. Making it clear we’re not a threat.”
“And then?”
“Then we hope they listen before they attack.”
Not reassuring, but honest.
He could feel her fear, but also her trust. Her absolute conviction that he’d keep her safe.
I’ll try. I’ll die trying if necessary.
They continued forward, Courage’s hooves loud against the stone, until a challenge rang out.
“State your business!”
He reined Courage to a halt and raised one hand, palm out in the universal gesture of peace.
“I seek King Ulric.” His voice came out steady, betraying none of the terror churning in his gut. “I bring information about Lasseran’s plans.”
Four guards emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing faintly in the darkness.
Beast vision. They could see him perfectly.
One of the guards stepped forward, massive even by orc standards, authority evident in every movement.
“What clan are you from?”
He forced himself to meet the other male’s eyes. “I have no clan.”
He saw the disgust wash across the guard’s face even as his hand dropped to his sword.
“You belong to Lasseran.”
“I did. Not anymore.”
“Why should we believe you?”
“Because I betrayed Lasseran to bring this information to Ulric. Because I’m risking my life approaching you instead of hiding. Because—”
“Because he’s with me.”
Thea slid off the horse before he could stop her and stepped forward with her chin raised defiantly. His tiny, fragile human mate was trying to protect him from armed warriors who could snap her in half without effort. Only the knowledge that they wouldn’t hurt her kept him in place.
I’m going to strangle her. If we survive this.
“And who are you?” The guard’s tone was marginally less hostile.
“Dr. Thea Monroe. I’m a linguistic specialist who was brought to Velmora against my will to decode texts about the Beast Curse. I’ve uncovered Lasseran’s plans and proof that the Curse is a corrupted blessing. We need to see King Ulric. Immediately.”
The guard stared at her, then at Khorrek, and then back at her.
“You’re human.”
“Obviously.”
“And you’re traveling with one of Lasseran’s orcs.”
“He defected. We have information vital to stopping Lasseran’s next move.”
“And we should trust you because…?”
“Because I have literally nothing to gain by lying. Lasseran wants me dead. My only chance of survival is convincing King Ulric to help us.” She pushed her glasses up her nose and looked the guard straight in the eye.
“So are you going to let us through, or do I need to explain to your king why his guards prevented him from learning about an imminent threat?”
Magnificent.
The guard looked taken aback, clearly not used to a tiny human woman lecturing him.
“The king is at the forward camp near the gate.”
“Then take us there.”
“We can’t just—”
“You can and you will. Because if you don’t, and something terrible happens, it’ll be on your head.” Her voice softened fractionally. “Please. We’ve been traveling for days. We’re exhausted. We just need to speak with King Ulric. After that, he can decide what to do with us.”
The guard hesitated, clearly torn between duty and curiosity, then he sighed. “Fine. But if you try anything, we’ll kill you both. Understood?”
“Perfectly.”
She turned and walked back to him with her head held high. He lifted her back onto the horse and she settled against him like she hadn’t just confronted an armed orc warrior with nothing but words and attitude.
He stared down at her. Amazed. Terrified. Desperately in love.
“You’re insane,” he whispered.
“I’m effective. There’s a difference.”
“Come on then.” The guard gestured. “Before I change my mind.”
Surrounded by the other guards, they followed him, Courage calm despite the presence of so many orcs.
He kept one arm around Thea, acutely aware that they were walking into what might be an execution.
The forward camp appeared through the darkness, larger than he expected and well-organized. Ulric’s forces were no ragtag rebellion. They were a proper army, disciplined and prepared.
The guards led them towards the center of camp, to a large tent bearing Norhaven’s sigil. Ulric’s command tent.
His hands tightened on the reins.
Please let this work. Let him listen.
The tent flap opened and light spilled out. King Ulric stood framed in the opening, massive, imposing, and every inch the warrior king as his eyes locked on Khorrek.
He forced himself to dismount and to meet the king’s gaze without flinching.
“Khorrek,” Ulric said calmly, his face unreadable, and he winced. They hadn’t met under the best circumstances. “Did Lasseran send you?”
“No, but I’ve brought information about his plans.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s close to succeeding with his plans, and we have to stop him. I’m willing to face whatever judgment you deem appropriate, but please—hear us out first. What we have to say could save your people.”
There was a heavy silence before Ulric jerked his head towards the tent. “Come inside. Both of you. We need to talk.”