[Queen of Orcs 01] - King's Property by Morgan Howell Read Free Book Online Page A

“Vata” and heard the orc hiss.
     
    Dar and Memni were tired and hungry, but they had to change out of their robes, wash them, and scrub the pot. Faus was absent, and dinner for both women consisted of scrapings from the kettle. As they ate, Dar asked Memni, “Do orcs ever speak to you when you serve them?”
    “Never.”
    “One does to me,” said Dar. “Always the same one. He’s tall with greenish eyes.”
    “Does he wear a short cape?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then, he’s sort of like a murdant. The soldiers call him Kovok-something.”
    “Kovok-mah,” said Dar. “So that’s what he said. He told me his name. I wonder why.”
    “I’ve no idea,” said Memni, “but I’d avoid him. He’s the one that killed a man with one blow. All orcs are dangerous and quick to anger. Remember what happened to that soldier tonight.”
    Dar shuddered at the thought. “Let’s not talk about it.”
    “Tell me about Murdant Kol, instead,” said Memni. “How’d you snag him so fast?”
    “I didn’t do anything, I swear by Karm’s holy name.”
    “Didn’t Kol say you were his?”
    “Yes, but…”
    “Then you are. Don’t worry.”
    “I can’t help but worry. I don’t even know the man.”
    “All you need to know is that he’s the high murdant. The Queen’s Man and his officers give the orders, but the murdants run things, and Kol runs the murdants. He can have any girl he chooses.”
    Dar felt a chill in the pit of her stomach. “And I have no say in the matter?”
    Memni gave Dar a puzzled look. “What’s the problem? I’m happy for you.”
    “Loral didn’t seem happy.”
    “Well, that’s to be expected. It’s his baby she’s carrying.”
    “Kol’s baby?” said Dar, her chill deepening.
    “What does that matter? It’s you he wants now.”

 
    Seven

    Dar’s father was sitting on her straw bed in the dark hut, his fingers softly traveling up and down her arm. Then his hand strayed elsewhere. Although they were alone, he spoke in a husky whisper. “Move over, honey. Let me lie beside you.”
    Dar woke with a start, her heart pounding. The dream of her father evoked thoughts of Murdant Kol. Sleeping women surrounded her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that the murdant was near. Dar envisioned him touching her, and dread prevented further sleep. She lay awake until Neffa called the women forth. At the cooking site, Dar made porridge for the soldiers and served it to them. This morning, the men made no crude remarks and kept their hands to themselves. Apparently, they knew she was taken.
    After the morning meal, Dar went to retrieve the pelts and heard orcs in the river. Fearful that they might have dislodged the soaking pelts, she rushed into the water. Dar was relieved to see the orcs were bathing upstream and the pelts were where she had left them. She examined one and found it properly softened, though silt had lodged in the fur. While she rinsed it out, an orc swam closer. He stopped and stood chest-deep in the water a few paces away.
    Dar recognized his green-gold eyes. Though nervous, she thought it prudent to acknowledge him. “Tava, Kovok-mah.”
    The orc curled back his lips. “Tava, Dargu.”
    Dar had an ear for language, and having guessed the orcish word for “name,” she replied, “My theef is Dar.”
    The curl of Kovok-mah’s lips became more pronounced. “Theef nak Dargu.”
    “Dar.”
    “Thwa,” said Kovok-mah. “No.”
    “Yes,” replied Dar. “Hai.”
    “Dargu nak theef turpa ala ga.”
    “You said that before. What does it mean?”
    “Dargu is proper name for you.”
    “Why? What does ‘Dargu’ mean?”
    “Dargu is small animal. It hunts. Fur is brown in summer, white in winter.”
    “A weasel !” said Dar. She pretended to be insulted and made a show of scowling.
    When Kovok-mah saw Dar’s expression, he hissed, then said, “Dargu is small, but fierce.”
    The comment encouraged Dar to quip, “Especially when wet.” The orc hissed again, and it