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“That would be Captain Grung.”
Leaf had to stifle an eye roll when no more information came. He smiled tightly. “And where would I find Captain Grung?”
The soldiers conversed in hushed, hasty whispers. Leaf heard every word. Imbeciles. It appeared they would be commencing a hunt soon. It sounded like gratuitous entertainment.
“I don’t give a flying kuturi’s ass about a hunt,” Leaf snapped impatiently. “Just take me to the Captain so I can feed my horse, rest, and then be on my way. I have work to do.”
His authoritative tone was enough to spring them into action. One beckoned for Leaf to follow him into the forest. He urged his steed onward, pleased that the fear of Guardians still garnered him a modicum of respect despite the taint. He supposed even though he couldn’t draw on mana without repercussions, he could still use a magic-cutting weapon without losing his access to the Well.
They could not.
So whatever nonsense magic they tossed his way,Reckoningcould likely weaken it, and then he’d drive the sword into their soft bodies, preventing them from healing.
Tents and campfires sprinkled the clearing beyond the first line of trees. Small gatherings of soldiers stopped their conversations to watch him pass. Another cluster sparred amongst themselves. The odd corpse hung from trees—likely prisoners from the raid—all rotting and a few days old except for a tree with four skinned and gutted animals. They were likely the next meal.
Interestingly, a large empty cage sat off to the side. The wooden bars had been reinforced by elven glyphs, which made them strong enough to hold a mana-warped monster. He wondered which beast they’d hunt.
Food and a few hours of rest would give Leaf’s horse enough energy to move onward. Perhaps he would remain awake to avoid any attempts at cutting his throat. A commotion near a large bonfire drew Leaf’s gaze to three females jostled into a line. From their reluctance to move, they were likely prisoners… or the hunted.
His hands tightened on the reins. Not his problem. He shifted his attention to the soldier leading him and stopped upon instruction outside an enormous yurt. A giant orc in pants and a bone necklace emerged from a flap in the front.
“Guardian.” His voice was deep. “I am Captain Grung.”
Grung had recently bathed, which was even more unusual to see than the soldiers. Leaf dismounted but held the reins, keeping his horse close. Orcs were highly territorial. If Leaf remained above Grung’s eye level, he’d likely see Leaf as a threat.
“Captain,” he greeted. “I’m here for food—for myself and the horse. Perhaps a few hours’ rest, and then I’ll be out of your hair.”
The orc folded his muscled arms and stared down at Leaf. “You are not Unseelie Army. We do not have to give you food, Guardian.”
“No, you don’t. But if you’d like me to move on swiftly and not inspect the camp, I suggest you take the easiest option.”
The orc blinked.
“The food,” Leaf prompted. For Crimson’s sake. How did this over-muscled creature gain the captaincy?
Grung reluctantly grunted. “You will wait. Cooks are busy.”
Leaf’s gaze narrowed at the panicked females. Perhaps they were the cooks. “Can I not simply take my own food?”
“Soldiers must not raid food supplies. They must wait for mealtimes,” Grung recited.
“I’m not one of your soldiers.”
“Same rules for all.”
“You’re making me wait?” This was preposterous. He didn’t have time to wait. Something about Clarke’s information made him antsy. “For how long?”
“However long the hunt takes. Then—” Grung stroked his jaw, deep in thought. “Then, depending on who wins, you must wait for them to mate.”
“Mate?”
“Yes.” Grung pointed at the females. “Is a mate hunt.”
Leaf closed his eyes.Count to three. One. Two. Three.Then he opened them. “When does this hunt begin?”
“Soon. Hunt will take less than one turn of the hourglass because females are weak. Then the mating. Then food for the next meal will be prepared.”
Resting and feeding the horse was a priority. Leaf could leave and take his chances trying to find another village, but if Clarke’s information was misleading, and he had to circle back to the site of his original lead, finding food would be difficult. And hunting wild game would take as much time from his schedule as waiting for this idiotic hunt to finish.
