Those Who Dream of Orcs

Ouhgan and Clover Chapter 1

        The sky was overcast with dark gray clouds. There was a chill in the air, and Clover could see her breath riding the wind as she stared wide-eyed at the orcs trekking through the wet muddy ground towards her lord's manor.

This was only the cinnamon-colored, brown-eyed, black-haired half elf's second time seeing orcs in person, and she could never get used to how big they were. They didn't seem menacing, but their size made them appear threatening.

"Orcs are such barbaric disgusting beasts," Opal said. " I don't even  know why  my lord would even insist on doing business with them."

Opal was Lord Delancy's favorite, to look at the breathtaking beautiful dark-haired elf no one would ever think she was a slave. Well dressed in the finest clothes and jewelry, running the day to day of her lord's manor.

"Well, whatever the reason, I'm sure it's important. Don't you think so, Clover?"

But Clover didn't hear a word Opal said. She was mesmerized, completely captivated by the approaching orcs.

Her heart was pounding against her chest, and her breathing was accelerated and eager. She licked her lips and swayed back and forth. This did not go unnoticed to Opal as she wondered which orc Clover was staring at.
There was only one way to find out.

          Clover felt a hand on her back, then a hard shove. She stumbled and tried to catch herself. But fell in a small puddle that splashed muddy water on the trousers of one of the orcs.

Clover was horrified. Of course, it had to be the biggest orc in the group. She looked up and locked eyes with the orc, who looked down at his trousers, then back to her.

The hulky gray-skinned bald orc's deep gold eyes shined down on Clover like the sun.  He rubbed his short, well-kept silver wiry beard as he towered over the tiny half-breed who cowered in his shadow.

His face was touched by time that gave him a more distinguished look than an elderly one. He was covered with more scars than wrinkles, every last one earned in the heat of battle and every last one worn with pride that shined as bright as his golden eyes.

          Clover rose to her feet, keeping her head lowered and her eyes on the ground, she could feel the orc glaring at her and a low growl in his throat caused her to instinctively back away from him.

"Begging your pardon, my lords," her voice quivered.

Clover prayed to herself that Lord Delancy didn't see what just happened. But that man has eyes and ears everywhere, and she should have known better.

When she felt a hard pull of her jet black hair, "you will know your place slave," Lord Delancy hissed.

A swift kick on her backside sent Clover crashing to the orc's feet once more.

"I am terribly sorry Ouhgan," Lord Delancy said, stepping on Clover's head and shoving it into the mud. "You know good help is so hard to find these days,"

Ouhgan glanced down at the elf who remained unmoving under her master's foot.

"If you would like, I could kill-"

"That won't be necessary," Ouhgan replied. "It accomplishes nothing and is not the reason why I am here."

"Very well," Lord Delancy laughed.

After some time that seemed like forever to Clover. He took his foot off her head, she was finally able to get in a well-needed breath but knew not to move.

"Since you are the one who has been wronged in this offense. I'll let you decide her punishment."

"Just leave her be," Ouhgan hissed. "It was just an accident."