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Chapter sixteen
You Never Stop
Igor
Igetoffmykarajiand the soros and I walk through the gates of the camp after the three days of travel. I can already feel my skin itch.
There are many of ours I see here but I also see a lot of Bonos too. I hope they know what they are doing. One of ours that I don’t recognize leads us to the big structure built here that goes up a few levels.
I don’t miss the hateful glares from the Bonos and even many from my own tribe. Maybe they think I’m here to disrupt them. I don’t see that as a negative.
I would have to see what they are working with and see how much work we need to do and the strategies they are using. I was told in the last two attacks, the Sokos have taken at least 3 orcs with them. They never see when they take them until they are escaping or head counting after the dust settles.
I just hope to the Gods I won’t be working with incompetent soldiers. I am here to work and see how we can eradicate this Soko problem as quickly as I can manage. I have a wife and children to get back to.
I like the word mate, but I am finding I like the human term of wife also. Though they mean much of the same, but here in my realm orcs are allowed to make their pickings of female orcs and take more than one. In the human realm, it is one man and one woman, and therefore the two enter in a covenant where they promise to only be with one another forever.
I prefer that than Aria having to have another female as her second. I will never give or borrow to another what belongs to her, just like she is mine alone. In this life or the next, in all realms.
The large solid double door opens before we get to the tower and a stacked green orc that I recognize much too well makes himself known.
“Igor the coward.” He says when he stops, and he straightens himself so he’s standing to his full length. Bono soldiers on each side of him. I stand approximately 10 feet from him. It would take two strides to get to him.
“Hettar the weak.” I don’t bother moving my gaze from his. The whole energy darkens as we stand there. No doubt both of us remembering our last encounter.
Last time he saw me I had my dagger deep in the guts of the orc who killed my father, his useless uncle. I spared Hettar because he begged for his life, and I found it pitiful. It would have been a mercy to kill him, but I wanted him to live with that moment and remember how he begged.
“You seem to think this is still the same realm you left. You are in for a realm of shock.” He says. “Soldiers, retreat.” He calls and all the soros I just came with leave my side. They go stand on each side of him and I am left alone.
What the hell?I look around and harden my face.
“I am your captain.” I remind them. They say nothing but many look anywhere but at me. Fracken cowards.
“Address the traveler, Bara.” He orders one of my soros.
“Leader Hettar is supreme authority in camp.” He says without looking at me. He fears my reaction. I look around at all of them, they all do.
I stuff my anger down.Remember you are here for your family, Igor. You have to return to your family. It’s just for a little while then you will remind them all why they bowed to you.
“Alright,leader, I am reporting to camp with the soros. What is your instruction?” I say evenly.
I see it not just in Hettar’s face, but they are all surprised. Hettar looks at me for a second only before he says. “Soros, find your peers and your dwellings. Training starts at first light. Igor, come with me.” Then he turns and walks back in the tower. I follow after him and walk through the open door.
I find a round table that has about 30 chairs and halfway filled. Half of my kin and half Bonos.
Faces fall, and some twist in disgust, as some in delight and amusement, but none say anything.
“Brothers in arms, welcome Igor of Zad. The captain of the soros who will be trained for the north, near the overflow,” Hettar says.
I see their faces relax with pleasant reaction.That can’t be good.
“Finally out of purgatory, Imp.” Cello, the hunched-in orc who was once my mentee says with a mock. He was once one of my most trusted soldiers.
“I had to. I heard you are being humiliated by tiny orcs.” I say. Although I want to show my amusement, I keep my expression neutral. This is not friendly ground.
I take a seat.
“I am going to enjoy watching you against those slippery devils,captain.” He responds.
