“What’s your plan?” Korik asked, unconvinced.
“We sneak around to the far side of the camp where there’s no guard,” Varen replied. “You see what you can do about the mage, while I free and arm the elves who can fight. We dispatch the guard, hopefully without arousing suspicion, then take out as many orcs as we can while they sleep, so we can flee without fear of being followed again.”
This time Korik managed to stop himself from flinching. He had no connection to any of the orcs at the camp, yet hearing Varen speak of killing them so easily, as if it were of no consequence... He didn’t like the way it made his stomach churn. But what else could be done?
“I see,” he finally replied.
“Any thoughts?” Varen prompted. He hadn’t looked away from Korik this whole time.
Korik considered the question. Varen probably did want his input on the plan, but he could also tell the elf was probing for his reaction, as if trying to see whether Korik would outright say he had reservations about killing other orcs.
He didn’t want to kill the orcs—he didn’t want to killanyone. His whole life had been spent doing the opposite: training to heal, to preserve and prolong life, not to take it. He didn’t want to give Varen any reason to distrust him, but couldn’t bring himself to meekly acquiesce to his plan, either.
“I...” he started, not knowing what to say, then looked away. He didn’t know how the elf was going to react, but so far, Varen had been unsympathetic; he was sure that wouldn’t change now, so he braced himself for the inevitable derision. “I’ve never... killed someone before. I don’t know if I... how helpful I will be.”
For an uncomfortable moment, Varen didn’t respond. Korik couldn’t bring himself to look at the elf’s face, unsure of how he would react. Finally, though, he heard Varen sigh.
“I understand,” he said quietly. “It’s nasty business, no matter how you frame it. I’m sorry you’ve been put in this position. But I need to trust that you can defend yourself, and all of us, if it comes down to it. Do you think you can at least do that?”
It was a kinder reaction than Korik had expected. Varen could have just as easily dismissed Korik as useless, or even berated him for his apparent weakness. Instead, his empathy was a welcome surprise, though it only made Korik more painfully aware of how dire their situation was.
“Yes,” Korik replied, glancing over at the elf as he nodded. “I can do that, at least.”
“Good,” Varen said curtly, his tone all business again. “Get some rest. I’ll be fine to keep watch. I’ll wake you when it’s time.”
Korik nodded, though the thought of sleeping right now felt absurd. His nerves were far too tightly wound with worry for him to rest; but maybe he could trick himself into a nap if he closed his eyes and stayed still for long enough. Without protest, he shuffled over to his bedroll and laid down, looking up at the pale lavender sky above, the first hints of the stars appearing in the twilight.
A small, warm hand on his shoulder pulled Korik into wakefulness. His eyes snapped open, body tensing. Everything was dark, but then his eyes landed on Varen kneeling beside him, the light of the moon just enough to make out the shape of his raven hair and hazel eyes blinking in surprise.
“You sleep lighter than I thought,” the elf said quietly, pulling his hand away from Korik. “It’s time. Let’s pack up.”
Korik could feel the lingering handprint on his shoulder, faintly buzzing where Varen had made contact with his skin, as if the limb had fallen asleep. When was the last time he had been touched so casually by anyone?
“Right,” he mumbled sleepily, rubbing his shoulder to dispel the sensation. But Varen was already standing up, going to attend to his own things. Korik took a long drink of water from his waterskin, then started packing his bedroll back up.
Within minutes, they were walking with Varen a few steps ahead of Korik; but after a moment, he slowed his pace so they could walk side by side.
“I still think our best option is for you to do whatever you can to get this mage up and functional,” he said quietly. “But maybe first—I saw the little walls you were making out of stone. Depending on where the guard is, and how much he’s paying attention, maybe you could provide us some cover in the dark? That way, if he happens to take a look, he won’t immediately see what we’re doing.”
“I can try,” Korik replied uncertainly. “It will depend on the positioning, as you said.”
“Hmm,” came Varen’s noncommittal sound in response.
They walked in silence again until the faint glow of the low campfires became visible in the distance. Varen had led them further north than the route Korik had traveled, so that they would approach the elves directly. But this also meant they wouldn’t have a good view of the guard if he were on the other side of the large tree where the captives were being kept. Korik could always try to spy again through another creature, but at this late hour, he was hesitant to try it unless absolutely necessary.
Eventually, Varen motioned for him to stop. They both crouched down in the grass, peering beyond where the surrounding trees began to clear.
“We’re almost there,” Varen whispered. “I’m going to go see where the guard is. Don’t move.”
Korik’s heart stuttered with alarm. “You want me to stay here?”
“Yes. No offense, but I can move much more quietly,” Varen replied, not even looking back at him. Korik bit his lip—he couldn’t exactly argue with that, but it was still difficult to tamp down his anxiety at being left alone in the dark, so close to the orc camp. With nothing else to do, Korik crouched further down in the grass and strained his eyes to see through the darkness, to little avail.
He didn’t have to wait long, to his relief. After a few minutes, he saw Varen creeping back toward him, darting between the cover of the trees.
“All clear,” he said softly, just above a whisper. “We’re lucky. We got the lazy guard tonight. He may as well be asleep. Just be as quiet as you can, alright? Follow me.”
Korik nodded and followed. He stepped carefully through the grass, trying to follow Varen’s steps exactly to make sure he didn’t accidentally step on any twigs or rocks that might betray their location. Within moments, he could see the dim glow of the distant campfire, and before it, the large tree where the elves were being held. Most of them were sitting up against the broad tree trunk or clustered around it; some appeared to sleep, but Enriel must have been keeping watch for them. She was huddled against the trunk behind her, but Korik could see her eyes moving in the dark, constantly searching the woods.
