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

to do so, because she wanted a closer look at the cursed one. It seemed a perfect disguise for her and the orcs when they resumed their journey. It would permit her to get food without stealing and insure people kept their distance. As Dar hurried to the kitchen, her mind was already awhirl with plans and focused on the road ahead.
     
    For the rest of the day, Dar learned all she could about the surrounding country. She made her inquiries sound casual—the kind of questions any newcomer might ask. Based on her conversations, she decided a northeastward route to the mountains would be best. Though less direct, it avoided villages and was lightly traveled, for it passed near a ruined goblin city.
    Having determined a route, Dar had to obtain rags for disguises, a bell, and her daggers. Doing so required thievery, and getting caught would cost her dearly. The bell came from a harness. Theena’s spare skirt and blouse could provide the rags. Dar planned to take them last. She felt guilty about stealing from one with so little, but cloth was scarce and her need was great. The daggers presented the greatest problem, for stealing them would involve the most risk. Yet Dar was unwilling to travel unarmed or face Zna-yat without self-protection. Before Dar could regain her weapons, she had to find out where they were. She pondered the problem late into the night.
    The next morning, Dar approached Hunda as he was leaving the servant hall. “May I have a word with you?” she asked.
    Hunda halted. “Aye, what is it?”
    “Where I come from, only women without virtue go about without daggers.”
    Hunda looked confused. “What?”
    “It marks them as unwilling to defend their honor.”
    “So? Why tell me this?”
    “I’d like my daggers back. I feel naked without them.”
    Hunda grinned. “You don’t look naked.”
    “Please.”
    “They’re mine now.”
    “You don’t wear them,” said Dar.
    “And neither will you.”
    “But you have no need for them.”
    “I keep them handy,” said Hunda. “Be off, and speak no more of this.”
    Dar left feeling satisfied. As head servant, Hunda slept in a shut bed. It was the only private space within the servant hall, and no servant approached it without his leave. Dar guessed her daggers were there. If I’m right, I’ll take only one. It’ll make the theft less obvious. Even with that precaution, Dar knew she should depart the day of the theft.
    At daymeal, Dar surreptitiously studied Hunda’s bed. Enclosed by carved wooden screens, it looked like a large box. With the exception of the long dining table and its benches, the bed was the only piece of furniture in the hall. Hunda retired to it after the midday meal, while the other servants napped in more humble places. Most dozed on the benches or the tabletop. Dar joined Theena in the barn, where—too anxious to sleep—she waited for a chance to take her dagger.
    Her opportunity came when it was time to resume work. Dar hung back and waited for the servant hall to empty. Then she dashed to the shut bed, and crawled inside, closing the screen behind her. The bed’s interior wasn’t totally dark, for its screens were perforated to admit air. All of Hunda’s possessions were scattered about the enclosed space. Dar tried not to disturb them as she groped about for her daggers. She had just found one of them beneath the mattress when she heard two people enter the hall. Dar peered through the screen and saw that one of them was Hunda.
    Perhaps he wants something from here! thought Dar in a rush of panic. If Hunda opened the screen, Dar knew of only one ploy that might save her. She undressed and lay back, expecting discovery any moment. Dar wondered if she could fake desire. From what she knew of men, she doubted much acting would be necessary. Submission is all they want. She shuddered at the thought of it.
    Through the screen, Dar heard Hunda’s voice. “She’s not here. Let’s check the fields.”
    When the hall was