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While normally I can conceal my emotions, my emotions have been raging lately. And Igor’s absence hasn’t helped.
“Look, just take it easy with her, okay? She’ll come around.” Mulan says low enough for me to hear as we walk to the communal kitchen and dining hall.
“Okay.”
I don’t know what else to say. But it has me thinking a little. Is that why they are so close? Because she cleans after her. Is that what she wants from me? For me to be her servant girl. I frown at the thought.
My inner war vanishes when we walk in the busy kitchen to find the ladies finished with today’s meat cutting, already packing the portions in containers and cooling units. I recently learned that this wasn’t always the practice of this tribe. Before, each male orc would hunt for his own family, and everything was separate. But the great famine changed everything. They stuck to it.
“Aria, Mulan!” Sami greets us with a wide grin, baring all her tusks.
“Sami, hello.” I greet, and we greet everyone else. The females in the kitchen have really gotten acquainted with me and they turned out to be friendly. Well, that is when Azula isn’t here.
Most of them are maidens waiting to be picked, some going past their prime and they assist in the tribe kitchen, while some are some kind of concubines for the few high-ranking members of this tribe. Sami, in particular, is Todo’s concubine.
I was shocked when I first found out. I mean, Sami is a beautiful female, and to find out that she was the female who was originally supposed to be Todo’s mate shocked me. But not just that, Todo changed his mind when he was supposed to pick.
By then he had taken Sami’s virginity and she had to cling to him so as to not shame her family. Her parents – not her – begged for Todo to take her as one of his official concubines. That had been the day I saw this tribe with new eyes, and I missed Igor to talk and gossip with properly.
And once more I was glad Igor was a one-woman orc. I don’t know how I would have been able to handle competing with another female for his heart.
We get our containers filled expeditiously then take the left to Owa’s residence. Jani opens after a few moments, with a worried expression etched on his face. That sends alarm through me. He skims over me then his gaze lands on Mulan.
“Is everything fine?” I ask.
He forces a painful smile when he looks my way. “My mate is having an off day is all, but everything is under control.” He says coolly, but he wasn’t fooling me.
“May we come in so we can see her?” I ask.
“Uh, I don’t think so, Qu— Aria. But check on her later, I’m sure she’d love to see you.” He says cryptically.
“Sorry to disturb your peace, old one. We will leave.” Mulan says and I turn to her.
I am not going.
“Um, I was supposed to make dinner, remember? I can come on my own, so it won’t be too much with two of us.” I suggest.
Like I guessed, his face softens a little at that suggestion. But I do feel a little bad for Mulan.
“Okay, we will see you tomorrow, Mulan. Say hi to Hani.” He has a forced smile.
Mulan nods and she goes, though reluctantly. It’s like she can feel she is being left out, but she says nothing. I walk in after Jani, and I follow him.
“What’s wrong, old one?” I ask.
He sighs. “The spirits are not giving her rest.” He says like it is something that is normal.
“Is she alright?” I ask, worried because I haven’t encountered the old orc in that state and I’m afraid a little. I respect spiritual people, but I never know what to do in their presence, as anything could be offensive to the spirits they channel.
“She will be. You can come to the incense dwelling.” He says.
“Okay, let me place this in the cooling unit and I’ll be there shortly.” I say.
I place the meat in the cooling unit. Then I make my way to the room where Owa burns a lot of her incense. It is a holy place for her, she has had me join only a handful of times where she invited the Goddesses protection and divine favor for me.
I find her balled in the corner. Incense burning in its usual place. She is laying on fur, rocking slowly.
Jani takes a seat next to her head where there is a basin with water and a cloth.
