[Queen of Orcs 02] - Clan Daughter by Morgan Howell Read Free Book Online

empty, Dar quickly dressed, took the dagger, and slipped out of the bed. After insuring that no one would see her, she rushed into the barn. She took the bell from its hiding place, then stuffed Theena’s spare clothes beneath her own. They made a bulge. I’ll have to hide everything in the woods . Smoothing her skirt as best she could, she hurried to work.
    As Dar neared the field, Theena hurried over to her. “Where were you? Hunda’s looking for you.”
    Before Dar could answer, her anxious look made Theena suspicious. “What’s that under your skirt?”
    “Nothing.”
    Theena grabbed at Dar’s skirt. Dar jumped out of her reach, but as she did, the stolen garments fell to the ground. Dar picked them up immediately.
    “That’s mine!” said Theena, sounding both angry and hurt.
    “Theena, please understand. I didn’t want to take them, but…”
    “Thief!” shouted Theena. “Dar’s stolen again!”
    Dar saw the other field hands staring. Then two dashed toward her.
    Dar bolted for the woods. As she sped across the wide field, she could hear Theena right behind her. She assumed others were also giving chase. Dar reached the trees and crashed through the undergrowth. A dozen paces into the woods, she halted to lift her skirt and draw her dagger. She turned and brandished it at Theena, who froze at the sight of the weapon. “I’m sorry, Theena,” said Dar. Then, seeking to win her sympathy, she added, “I don’t want to hurt you, but I escaped with other girls. Young ones who need my care. I have to think of them.”
    Theena continued to stare at the blade, too frightened to move or make a sound. Dar darted off. She had taken only a few strides when Theena began to call for help.
    Escape was Dar’s only concern, and she ran heedlessly. When her breath came in ragged gasps, she slowed down and heard the sounds of pursuit. Of all the ways to flee, this is the worst. They’re already chasing me and Kovok-mah won’t look for me until evening. Dar’s only recourse was to keep moving and hope the orcs found her before her pursuers did.
    The woods were far more extensive than Dar had imagined, and it wasn’t long before she was thoroughly lost. She continued wandering, afraid to call to the orcs for help. Toward late afternoon, the trees finally thinned. Dar headed toward the light and spied fields. They belonged to Garlsholding. Men carrying pitchforks seemed on patrol. They were headed in her direction. I’ve walked in a circle! Dar hastily retreated.
    Night fell, and a cloudy sky made it especially dark. Dar could see little more than tree trunks. Still, she kept walking until, at last, she spied a pair of yellow eyes in the gloom. “Shashav Muth la! Mer davagitav tha!” she said. Thank Muth la! I have found you!
    Silence.
    Dar felt puzzled and a bit frightened. “Asa nak fa?” Who is there?
    No reply. The only sounds were quiet footsteps and that of a sword being drawn. “Zna-yat?”
    The eyes moved closer.
    Dar heard the distant noise of someone running through the woods. The yellow eyes looked away. Dar heard the sword slide into its sheath, then Zna-yat’s voice. “Is that Dargu?” he asked in Orcish.
    “Hai.”
    “There were washavokis in woods,” said Zna-yat. “I thought you were one of them.” He called out. “Kovok-mah! I’ve found her.”
    Dar saw green eyes approach, and she moved in their direction. Soon, large hands gently grasped her shoulders. “Dargu, you’ve returned.”
    “Hai. I said I would,” said Dar, feeling such relief that it nearly eclipsed her shock at having caught an orc in a lie.

 
    Seven

    The remainder of the night was a haze of exhaustion. At first, Dar staggered behind Kovok-mah, relying on him to find a way in the dark. When she kept tripping, he lifted her to carry like a child. Dar was too tired to protest. They traveled that way until they left the trees and Kovok-mah set her down. “Which way should we go?” he asked.
    Dar could see little in