[Queen of Orcs 01] - King's Property by Morgan Howell

healing magic. Others smelled it, too.”
    “I gave Weasel this magic.”
    “I thought so.”
    “I saw wisdom in it,” said Kovok-mah.
    “Most do not,” said Zna-yat. “You’re losing respect.”
    “If that’s so, then it’s so.”
    “That’s selfish answer. When time for killing comes, you must lead. Don’t let someone lesser do it.”
    “They would choose another?” asked Kovok-mah.
    “Sons won’t follow someone they can’t understand. They think you’re acting foolish.”
    “And you, also?”
    “I can’t understand why you teach our speech to Weasel, or why you gave it healing magic.”
    “I don’t fully understand, myself,” said Kovok-mah. “Perhaps it’s because she’s different.”
    “ She? You call it she now?”
    “You think that strange?”
    “Of course!” said Zna-yat. “I’ve never heard such talk. To call one animal ‘she.’ It’s reckless.”
    “How?”
    “It will destroy your authority. We need your leadership. For Muth la’s sake, avoid this Weasel. Washavokis don’t care for us; it’s foolish to care for them.”
    “She’s like favorite goat, nothing more.”
    “If your comrades were starving, would you spare that goat?”
    “Thwa,” said Kovok-mah.
    “You must think of your own kind first. Washavokis aren’t like us. They’re dangerous and unpredictable.”
    Kovok-mah thought of Weasel’s anger coming so quickly after he had healed her. “I see wisdom in what you say.”
    “Will you cease your strange behavior?” asked Zna-yat.
    “Hai.”
    Zna-yat smiled. “You’ve always put others before yourself, that is why you’re strong in their chests. I’m proud to be your kin.”
    “Such words warm my chest,” said Kovok-mah. “I’m glad you spoke to me.”

 
    Thirteen

    The following morning, Taren examined Dar’s back. She was amazed to find that the lashes had scabbed over and the skin surrounding them was no longer swollen. “This is Karm’s grace,” she said. “Many a girl’s died from flogging. You’ll have scars, though.”
    “Murdant Kol won’t mind,” said Neena. “They won’t even show when she’s on her back.”
    Dar shot Neena an annoyed look. Neena smiled back.
    The rain had ended and the soldiers broke camp early. As Dar headed to the muddy road, she saw the peasants returning to discover what remained of their food stores. They faced a hard summer and a harder winter. Yet, because they hadn’t resisted, their other possessions remained untouched. Thus, Neena and Kari had only sausages to show for their favors.
    Dar walked with Loral. Though their friendship was renewed, Dar often found conversation difficult. Too many topics stirred up heartache. Dar refrained from asking about Loral’s home and family, for they were lost forever. The upcoming birth seemed an ominous—not a blessed—event. The high points in both their current lives were food and rest, and they had little of either. Yet the bond between them could be expressed silently, and that’s what Dar mostly did.
    By noon, the march had taken its toll on Loral. When her friend became oblivious of everything except the necessity to keep walking, Dar lagged behind to speak with Kovok-mah. She regretted her last words to him and wanted to thank him for healing her lashes. This time, he marched toward the front of the column, and Dar was surrounded by orcs when she said, “Shashav, Kovok-mah.” Thanks, Kovok-mah .
    “Speak to me like washavoki, not in speech of mothers.”
    “Dargu nak muth.” Weasel is mother .
    “Do not say that!”
    “Kam?” Why?
    “You are different thing. You are washavoki.”
    “Why are you saying this?”
    “Because it is so. I was foolish to talk to you, foolish to give you magic. I am finished speaking. Go away.”
    Dar stared at Kovok-mah in disbelief, while he resolutely ignored her. When she saw he wouldn’t speak to her, she rejoined the women. Only then did Kovok-mah sigh softly to himself.
     
    The march continued into late