Sword of Bone

Chapter Three

When I woke in the morning I was covered in thick furs. I opened my eyes to see myself alone in the bed and naked. Making me thankful for the Horde King’s absence. When I sat up I felt something gripping my ankle. I threw the furs from behind me and looked down to see a metal cuff around my leg. This is Orc metal. It is unbreakable. I small cry of panic and self pity escaped my lips, and I started looking around frantically. My night dress still on the bed and a chain lay across the floor leading up to the ring it is attached to on the far wall. The savage Horde King chained me, trapping me in this room to an known fate. 

“Roamaka. May I enter?” An unknown voice called from behind the door. I remained silent and hoped he would leave without another word. Instead, he kicked the door in and barreled towards me. I shrunk back onto the bed, pulling the furs tight against my chin. “Roamaka you gave no answer.” 

I continued to stare at this unknown Orc with horror. He too wore a metal helmet, concealing his face. 

“I have brought you food.  Olchei Huhr has left the mountain for hunting. We have two more mouths to feed now and he wanted to provide for his omara himself.” The Orc grunted out. 

“Where is Helen?” I asked in an unsteady whisper. 

“She is with her chati. Where else would she be?” He asked, confused. 

“I want to see her. I need to know she is safe…” 

“No.  Olchei Huhr wants you to stay here until his return.” He replied, setting the tray he carried onto the bed. “Eat Roamka before you waste away.” 

I shook my head no and kicked at the tray, making it fall to the ground. He looked at me with hard eyes and shook his head in annoyance. “Olchei Huhr. Will be displeased with this.” 

He cleaned the mess up and left the room, pulling the door closed as he went. I grabbed my nightdress and pulled it over my head and then pushed myself back against the headboard. 

In my time alone I scanned every inch of the room, looked out of the window, trying to escape. There is no way aside from the door and beyond that I do not know where to go. I spent my day tending to my fire and reading one book I took with me here. Now I am laying down hoping for sleep through the persistent growls of my angry stomach cursing me for wasting the food offered to me earlier that day. Just as I finally relaxed and conquer my stomach, the door flew open, with the Horde King falling close behind. He stood there, his massive body covering the exit. I can see the anger pouring from him. 

“You refused my food roamka!” He growled. 

I sat up straight in the bed and pulled the furs tight against my chest. Fear consuming me, eating me alive from within. He grabbed the door slamming it shut as he stocked towards me. I can see the anger in his eyes behind the metal helmet. 

“I want an answer, roamka! NOW!” he bellowed, making my fear spike. 

I jumped from the bed and went to the corner, pulling my legs up to my chest. He shrunk back for a moment and then turned. I can hear him taking a steady breath, calming his temper. Once he calmed he did something I never thought would happen, he came to stand in front of me and then he sank to the ground, crossing his legs in front of mine. He placed his hands on his thick legs and stared at me, waiting for something. What I do not know. 

“Why did you refuse my food roamka?” He asked in a slightly calmer voice. 

I shook my head and looked at my knees, pulling at my short nightgown. I can feel his eyes on me, his anger bleeding into me. “Look at me roamka.” He growled. My eyes shot up. 

“Please ke miapel tell me what I did for you to reject my offering of food.” He said in a softer tone. 

“I cannot eat without knowing my friend is safe. Without seeing it.” I replied honestly. 

He looked at me for a moment and then stood, leaving me alone again. I let out a sigh of relief and placed my head to my knees, closing my eyes. Only a few moments later the door opened again and the squeal of Helen came into the room. I looked up to see my friend afraid and staring at the Horde King. 

“Here is your friend, roamka. Now you will eat?” He growled. 

I stood up and looked into my friend’s eyes. “Helen…” 

She took her arm from the King and ran to me. We wrapped ourselves around one another and sank to the floor. Taking a moment to connect again. “Come roamka your chati will require your return.” 

I looked at the King and tightened my arms around Helen as I dragged both of us back to the corner. I placed her behind me and pressed my back to her, trying with everything to protect her. I can see the confusion in the Horde King’s eyes. 

“She is to leave now back to her chati, ke miapel.” 

“No.” I nearly growled. “You will not take her from me again. She is mine.” 

He shot back with wide, surprised eyes and then turned, cursing something under his breath as he left the door. I turned to Helen and grabbed her face, making her look at me. “Are you alright?” I asked, worried. 

“I am okay Estella. Grom has been nothing but kind and accommodating. He brings me food, makes me baths and is gentle in his touch. He is a good chati.” She said with honest eyes. 

I sat back on my heels, confused. “What? What is a chati?” 

“Mate. I never thought I would have anything close to a husband, at least not with a man as good as Gorm…” 

Her words ringing through my mind, “Mate…” 

“We are safe here, Estella. Orc men only want to care for their women. To protect her. You can stay here with me, safe from Lord Barren and his cruel hands…” she said. 

Her words made sense, but something deep in me knew it was wrong. I am a married woman… I cannot betray that. Just as I was about to reply the Horde King and the Orc I suspect as Gorm walked into the room. 

“Ke kiyaaun are you well?” Gorm asked with a soft tone. 

“I am.” Helen said. 

“Ke kiyannun I need to know… Are you already claimed? By these women? Or any other?” His voice sounded pained. 

I looked at Helen, her eyes growing sad as she stood up and went to him, placing a hand on either side of his powerful face bare of the helmet. I looked at Gorm; he is not as hideous as I thought he would be and it makes me wonder what the Horde King looks like under him. 

“I am not claimed by any other than you.” She said with a soft smile. 

He released a deep breath and pulled her into his arms, carrying her from the room, leaving me alone with the Horde King who is now looking more confused then before. He pushed the door closed as I pushed myself back into the corner. 

“I thought you claimed her.” 

I looked at him confused, “She is mine. She is my maid.” 

Realization came to his eyes, and a head bobbed in a soft nod. “I thought you claimed her as your omara.” 

“I do not know what that is. But if it is bedding no I do not claim her in that way.” 

“Someone claim though you?” He asked, “Are you not?” 

“I am.” I said in a sad tone, I dislike that, I am claimed. If it was up to me, I would not be claimed by Lord Barret.

“This is displeasing to you, yes?” 

“You already know the answer. If what you said about watching me is true, then you already know.” I said, looking down at my toes. 

“I will take you from him, then. I will make you my ormara and I will pleasure you in ways he could not. I will make you happy, and I will make sure you are well cared for. Yes?” 

I looked at him, shocked and pulled my legs in further. “I cannot be claimed by another not when I already have a husband.” 

He growled and came over to me. He bent down, gripping my shoulders, bringing me to my feet. “You are mine.” 

I pushed at his chest and then took off towards the door, forgetting the chain around my ankle. I snapped back, falling to the stone ground with a pained cry as the metal cuff cut into my flesh. He walked over to me in a hurried pace, his eyes full of something I could not quite figure out. “Are you hurt ke miapel?” He grabbed my ankle, inspecting it. 

I pulled my ankle from him as I hissed in pain. “Do not touch me savage Horde King.” 

He growled, peering at me with anger and pain, “I am going to get you food.” 

“I want nothing from you, Orc!” I yelled as he left the room. 

He only replied with a growl and slamming the door. I sat up a little more and moved the cuff, looking at my wound. It is deep and bleeding, making me whimper. I stood up and went into the washroom to wet a rage to clean it and then I will wrap it. That is all I can do for now. 

Once I finished, I went back to the corner and curled into myself. I closed my eyes, wishing for sleep. Through all the tears, all I wish for is a moment of peace in this stone prison. Just as I did in my former brick prison.

The door opened. A light shuffling sounded behind me, and then it was quiet. I felt a hand land on my hip and then his soft voice said, “Ke miapel, I have brought you food. Come.” 

“Leave me be beast. I want nothing from you.” I spat out. 

He did not like my answer. He clasped my arms, hauling me into the air and then setting me roughly down onto the bed. 

“You will eat roamaka. I will not watch you waste away.” He growled, pointing at the tray next to me. 

“I will eat when I am set free.” I responded, crossing my arms. I am finding courage when normally I haven none. 

“Do not say this roamaka.” He nearly growled. 

“I will say this, and so much more until the day I die or the day I am free of this place. Until I am free of you.” I growled. 

“Why would you want to leave me when I only want what is best for you? I only wish to care for you, show you pleasure and see your belly grow with my sons.” 

That simple word set fear in my heart, making my gut tighten. “I will never carry your sons.” 

No matter how much I truly want children, I cannot break the vows I made to my husband. 

He came over and grabbed my ankle. He pressed something into the cuff and then letting it drop to the ground in a hard thud. He stood up and moved away from the door. “Then leave roamaka, go back to the man who only harms you. I will not stop you.” 

I did not wait for him to change his mind. I stood up and ran out of the room and down tunnels until I saw the light from outside. Pushing myself harder, I burst through into the woods. I didn’t stop there; I kept running until I saw the chimney of my home. Relief spread through me, and I ran harder. When I reached the tree line, I stopped dead in my tracks. My husband, the man I have been nothing but loyal to, is bedding another woman on our dining table for all to see. My heart stopped, and a cry escaped my lips as I backed into the woods. I turned around to see the Horde King standing behind me, taking heavy breaths as he stared through me into the window. I walked past him in another direction with no place to go.