And so it begins…
"I would rather be here with you than anywhere else in the world," she said.
"I feel the same." He was about to say more, but when he felt the prick of a metal point at the back of his neck, he froze.
Natalia turned her head slightly to see the tip of a spear only a finger's breadth from her face. Her eyes drifted up the wooden shaft to where strong, green hands gripped the weapon. A massive Orc stood staring down at them while his two companions held the spears. He knelt, bringing his face close to Athgar's.
"He has the grey eyes of the Torkul," the Orc announced in the guttural speech of his race.
"Greetings," said Athgar, using the same language. "I am Athgar, of the Orcs of the Red Hand."
A look of surprise erupted on the Orc's face. "You speak our language! What manner of magic is this?"
"It's not magic," insisted Athgar. "I am a member of the tribe. Move your spears, and I shall prove it."
The Orc looked at one of his companions. "This is most unexpected."
"It is a trick, Urughar," insisted his comrade. "A trap set by the Torkul. Do not trust him."
The Orc turned his attention to Natalia. "And what of this female?" asked Urughar. "She is not of the Torkul."
"Is she his prisoner?"
"No," said Athgar, "she is my bondmate."
Urughar turned his attention back to the Therengian. "You know our culture, I will grant you that, but give me a good reason why I should not kill you both here, right now."
"I know the way of your people," the Human replied. "It is not the Orc custom to kill uninjured prisoners. Take us to your chieftain, and let the tribe decide our fate."
The Orc stood, stretching his back while looking around the pine forest. He glanced at the third Orc, a somewhat rotund fellow. "What think you, Ogda?"
"Let Kirak decide," he replied. "It is not for us to make that decision."
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Flames
The Frozen Flame: Book Three
Paul J Bennett
The World of Eiddenwerthe
Contents
1. Around the Fire
2. Ord-Kurgad
3. The Black Axe
4. Confrontation
5. Hunting Grounds
6. The Passes
7. King of the Therengians
8. Refuge
9. Parley
10. House of Stone
11. An Ill Wind
12. Welcome
13. Reunited
14. The Trap
15. Interim
16. Ebenstadt
17. The Tribes
18. Preparations
19. Judgement
20. The Master
21. Ancestors
22. Bait
23. The Duel
24. Prisoner
25. The Wolf
26. Escape
27. The Reckoning
28. Contact
29. Opening Moves
30. Battle of the Standing Stones
31. Counterattack
32. The Last Stand
33. Home
Epilogue
Servant of the Crown - Prologue
Also by Paul J Bennett
About the Author
Around the Fire
Summer 1104 SR*
(Saints Reckoning)
Athgar stared into the flames, his mind deep in thought.
"A copper for your thoughts?" said Natalia.
He gazed across at her, taking in her black hair and pale features. He had met her less than a year ago, and yet somehow, he felt as though they had known each other their entire lives. He smiled, feeling a warmth at the thought of her embrace.
"Well?" she asked. "Are you going to keep staring, or are you going to come over here and tell me your deepest thoughts?"
"I was thinking of Kargen and Shaluhk," he confessed, "though I will take you up on the offer." He rose, moving closer while she took the blanket from her shoulders, spreading it to encompass them both as he sat beside her on the log.
"They must be well on their way by now," she mused.
"I'm not so sure about that. It's not easy convincing an entire tribe to leave their home."
"They have little choice. You know the Duke of Krieghoff won't take his defeat very well. He'll retaliate. I only hope the Orcs escape in time."
"They will," said Athgar. "The Ancestors watch over them."
"Would that be the same Ancestors who sent us here?" She looked around the forest.
"They work in mysterious ways. We're on our way to Ebenstadt, remember?"
"We spent weeks crossing the mountains. Of course I didn't forget, but why? What do they have in mind for us?"
He shrugged. "I have no idea. Maybe it's better that way? What we don't know can't worry us."
"Do you believe they control us?"
"No, the Orcs are quite clear in their beliefs. The Ancestors guide them, not control them."
"With some exceptions," Natalia added.
"True. I doubt either of us will ever forget the treachery of Khurlig. Her spirit was almost the end of us all."
Natalia nodded her head thoughtfully. It wasn't so long ago that she had, with Shaluhk's help, tried to contact one of the Orc Ancestors with somewhat disastrous results. If it hadn't been for the timely intervention of Uhdrig, they both might have ended up dead, or even worse, trapped in the spirit realm forever.
Athgar saw her shudder and put his arm around her shoulder. "It's all right he soothed. "It's all over now."
She glanced around the small clearing, turning skyward to where the majestic pines gazed down on them. "I've never been one for the outdoors, but you make it quite bearable."
A spark from the fire drew their attention. "It appears the hare is almost done," he said as he reached forward, withdrawing the makeshift spear from the ground and examining its slightly burned offering. "I think I cooked it too long."
Natalia laughed, the sound echoing through the trees. "My hero, the mighty hunter. Did no one ever teach you how to cook?"
He offered her the spear. "You're welcome to give it a try?"
"I'm the city girl, remember? I spent my life at the Volstrum." She smiled, lessening the blow. "Don't worry, I'm sure there's enough unburned meat for us to survive."
He pulled forth a knife
