Read [Queen of Orcs 02] - Clan Daughter for Free Online

“She has returned to her kind.”
    “I’m not sure of that.”
    “How can it be otherwise?”
    “I think she’s doing this to help us.”
    “How can you be so foolish?” asked Zna-yat. “You seem to forget Dargu is washavoki. You ignore her stink. You touch her. You talk as if she has wisdom.”
    “She does.”
    “Because she speaks of Muth la?”
    “Mother of All sends her visions.”
    “Dargu talks of visions because she knows sons can’t see them,” replied Zna-yat. “Washavokis often speak words that have no meaning.”
    “You don’t understand her.”
    “It’s you who doesn’t understand. I’ve watched her magic over you grow ever stronger. It’s been painful to witness. Yet now she’s gone, and I’m glad.”
    “My chest says you’re wrong,” said Kovok-mah.
    “Let us depart,” said Zna-yat. “Dargu has forsaken us. That was always her plan.”
    “Thwa! I don’t believe it! I’ll wait for her.”
    Zna-yat’s face colored, but his voice was even. “Then I’ll also wait for Dargu.”
     
    After daymeal and a brief rest, Dar returned to work with the other servants. She was conscious of their eyes upon her. I’m an outsider and a thief. Hoping to win acceptance, she hoed diligently. It wasn’t overtaxing work. Dar had tilled the soil since childhood, and the rhythm of hoeing had a soothing familiarity. As Dar gazed upon the abundant fields and felt warm earth beneath her feet, a sense of peace came over her. For the first time since the soldiers arrived at her father’s hut, she was safe. The fear that had been her constant companion was gone. She had food and a place to sleep. All she needed to do was work willingly. Accustomed to toil, Dar thought it was a fair price for serenity.
    Dar worked past sunset and was hoeing one last row when she smelled something burning. She looked about and spotted a large bonfire at the far edge of the field. The shadowed woods behind the fire made its flames seem especially bright. Foul, black smoke drifted by.
    “Ugh!” said Dar. “What are they burning? Animal carcasses?”
    Theena shot Dar a puzzled look. “What are you talking about?”
    Dar pointed to the flames, which had grown until they rose above the treetops. “That fire over there.”
    Theena gazed in the direction Dar pointed. “I see no fire.”
    “Oh, no,” said Dar softly.
    “What? What’s the matter?” said Theena. “You look like you’ve seen a spirit.”
    “I’m just tired,” replied Dar. “I’m seeing things.”
    “We’re almost done,” said Theena. “You’ll rest soon.” She resumed hoeing.
    Dar resumed work also, but the vision didn’t go away. Every time she glanced up, the fire was still burning. Gradually, its flames died down. As they diminished, Dar discerned something within them. There was a blackened post and crumpled against it was a charred form. Dar saw a bent head and torso surrounded by flames. She averted her eyes.
    By the time Dar returned to the compound, her serenity was shattered. Dar had been shown something terrible, but she had no idea toward what purpose. All she knew was there was a power abroad that wouldn’t let her be.
     
    The following morning, Dar awoke to the sound of the bolt being drawn. Theena yawned close by. “Dar, who’s Thwa?”
    “Thwa’s not a name. It means ‘no’ in goblin talk.”
    “Well, you kept repeating it in your sleep. Don’t you remember?”
    “No, but I remember having nightmares.”
    Theena gave Dar a sympathetic look. “You’re safe here. Soon, such dreams will leave you.”
    Will they? wondered Dar, but she replied, “I’m sure they will.”
    Dar helped Theena with firstwork. Afterward, the two women went to the servant hall for porridge. When Dar sat down, an elderly man leaned across the table. “You’re not the only one who’s seen a goblin. I saw one in the woods close to where you hoed yesterday.” He grinned at Dar’s stunned reaction, and waited a long moment before he added,