Korik was the only companion he had now, and he certainly had less patience for Varen’s character flaws than his sister did. And so, much as he hated having to do it, he knew an apology was in order.
“Korik,” he said, turning to the orc beside him. Korik tilted his head down to look at him—yellow eyes flickering first to meet his gaze, then dropping slightly to look at his nose, then his lips, then his nose again. He had tracked the movement so often on the other man’s face that it was becoming a rather endearing quirk. “I’ve been thinking it over, and... I think I owe you an apology.”
Korik’s eyes blinked once slowly, his expression unchanging. “Why?”
He stifled a laugh, shaking his head. “Well, I realized I’ve been a bit of an ass to you. I know I’m not always the easiest to get along with, and I was... worse than usual when we were working together. I was rude to you when you were trying to help. And just... generally being difficult. It’s no excuse, but I was so worried about Enriel it was hard to think of anything else, and I took that worry out on you. So, I’m sorry.”
Varen had to look away, back down at his horse, thinking of how out of his mind with fear he had been when Enriel had been taken. He had never felt a panic like that before, and for so long—that whole first day was a blur in his memory. All he could remember was how desperately he needed to find her, how everything else felt so distant, even his own hunger, exhaustion, or pain. He had shouted at Korik, had beenfuriousat him; yet the orc had still done his best to help, to reassure him, and to calm him down.
He hated to think of what might have happened if Enriel had been taken, and Korik was not there to help him. They very well might have both died then, and the child with her. He had been so dismissive of Enriel’s wish to have a healer with them as they traveled, thinking it frivolous—now he was thankful beyond words Enriel had insisted, and Korik had agreed.
Korik had been silent for a long moment; but when Varen looked back up at him, he had a rather pensive expression on his face. When Varen had first come to Drol Kuggradh, he had found it difficult to read the expressions of the orcs he interacted with—unsure how to interpret the way their tusks made their lips pull at the edges.
He had a better sense of it now, and he was understanding Korik more in particular. Now, he could tell the other man was confused—he supposed that his admission did come out of nowhere—but reflective.
“I understand,” Korik finally replied. “I was worried for her, too. It’s understandable.”
“Yes, but it was still wrong of me,” Varen said. “I’m sorry I treated you that way. We need to be able to trust each other if we’re going to succeed in our mission, and I fear I may have sabotaged that already. I’ll do my best to be nicer from now on.”
To his surprise, Korik let out a small snort of a laugh.
“Nice?” he chuckled, but Varen could tell from the smirk curling around his tusks that the remark was in jest. Varen laughed—he could, at least, laugh at his own bad behavior. That had to count for something, didn’t it? Enriel would be proud of him.
“As unbelievable as it might seem, Iwilltry,” he chuckled. When he looked over at Korik again, the orc’s expression had softened, but he glanced away quickly when Varen met his eyes, making Varen’s stomach flip-flop with mirth. Who would have thought he’d ever meet ashyorc?
They continued in silence for a moment, only the sound of the grass and dirt beneath their horses’ hooves between them. Finally, Varen added,
“I suppose you have been more forthcoming about your own abilities than I have about mine, too, which I am also sorry for. Enriel tells me that I often come across as, well, an arrogant bastard. I will admit I have perhaps had a lot of confidence in myself without much chance to prove to you what exactly I can do. So if you have any questions, ask away.”
Korik didn’t respond for a long moment, long enough that the warm amusement in Varen’s chest cooled into something more like worry—had he overstepped somehow? Was he just talking about himself again? He hadn’t meant to, but...
“The king vouched for you,” Korik finally said. “And I saw how silently you moved. When we were tracking the camp, and even before, when you jumped into the tree. And fighting the orcs when we were chased. But King Ruven said you were among the best rangers of the elven army, and that alone would be enough to prove your skill, I think.”
Varen grinned. “Well, I’m glad we’re in agreement.”
Korik rolled his eyes, but still looked amused. “Did you really track a dragon?”
“Yes!” Varen insisted, laughing. “No one ever believed me, but I swear it really happened. I didn’t try tofightit, of course.”
Korik shook his head in disbelief, but didn’t press him any further. Part of Varen wanted Korik to ask more questions, so that he could brag about his skill; but he supposed Korik had said his piece and had no further thoughts on the matter. And he reallywastrying to come off as less of a pompous ass, so he kept his mouth shut.
Luckily, they arrived at the abandoned campsite before much longer. Varen recognized the tall tree in the distance and pulled his horse to a slower pace.
“Let’s tie off the horses here,” he said, turning to Korik. “Then we’ll approach slowly, checking the perimeter of the camp before going in. Sounds good?”
Korik hesitated. “Do you want me to check first?”
Varen considered it. Korik’s abilities were extremely useful, of course; but like all magic, it was tiring to use repeatedly. His own magical ability was average, and he could tell Korik’s well of magic was significantly deeper than his own; but all the same, he didn’t want to deplete it.
“I think we’re alright for now,” Varen finally replied. “Save it, in case something happens.”
Korik nodded, dismounting his horse. They tied them to a nearby tree with plenty of room to graze, then Varen led the way closer to the camp.
As he channeled his magic into silencing his footsteps, he paused, looking back at Korik.
“Do you know how to do this?” he asked, casting the spell. Korik’s eyes watched carefully; then he felt a tendril of magic cautiously reach out, as if studying the way it created a soft bubble around his feet, capturing all sound within.
“Like this?” Korik asked, repeating the motion. Varen gestured for him to test it, and Korik took a few steps. They were silent; he hesitated, then stomped on the ground. Still silent.
