That was odd. She thought he would be busy doing all manner of duties for the orc army and that she would not see him until much later in the day. She was expecting to go to breakfast as she usually did. She was not expecting to be summoned by him.
She was mostly dressed now, so she went and opened the door.
It was the orc who’d walked in on them. He’d seen everything, but then everyone had also watched her with Dathor on her wedding day. True, Dathor had not uncovered her breasts that day, and his body had blocked her from view. No one had truly seen her that day. But this orc had gotten quite an eyeful.
She felt her face heat up, and the orc could not meet her gaze either.
“Well,” said the orc. “I imagine you know the way. You will not need me to escort you.”
“No, I will not,” she said. “Am I to go to him now?”
“Yes, of course.”
So, she went through the hallways of the keep until she came down to the main hallway, where Dathor was standing, hands folded behind his back, gazing out one of the windows into the distance, over the wildflowers on the hills.
She approached.
He did not see her.
She cleared her throat.
He turned to her.
And then another orc was striding down the hallway. “You sent for me, sir?” he called.
“Yes, ashreg,” said Dathor. “Thank you for coming so promptly.” He nodded for her to stand behind him.
She did so. She was very confused. Why was she here?
Dathor addressed the other orc. “Lashrud, I have had a letter from the High Chieftain.”
“Yes, sir. I was aware that it had come. I am the one who insisted that you be interrupted.” The other orc looked up at Aerhril pointedly. “I knew you would wish it.”
Dathor’s expression sharpened, part amusement, part something nearly lethal.
So, Aerhril could see there was a bit of enmity here. Dathor was the commander, but this man did not entirely respect him nor approve of her.
Dathor glanced at her. “Yes, I’m sure that Lady Aerhril was quite pleased to be spared my further attentions. Seeing as she is ever so unwilling.”
She blinked at him, unsure of what to say to that.
“You won’t like this either, my lady, but I am bringing you with me south.”
She could not stifle a noise of surprise. What?
“The High Chieftain has summoned you, then,” said Lashrud, his tone even, not entirely pleased.
“He desires my advice,” said Dathor.
“Yes, you have somehow gotten his ear.”
“Well,” said Dathor with his sharp smile, “the good news is that you’ll be in charge here in my absence, and you and the rest of the brigade here will no longer be commanded by a half-elf upstart who has somehow been promoted beyond what he should deserve, given his experience.”
Lashrud looked up at Dathor. “Sir, that is not what I meant to imply.”
“Oh, we both know it is,” said Dathor. “If you damage this place in any way, I will kill you.” Dathor was still smiling.
Lathor furrowed his brow.
