Mermaids are Menacing (Book 2) Complete

9.) Loud

A month. I slept for an entire month. I've been away from my son for a month. No. More than a month I was on that river night and day for a week. The Green mountain was out of sight but was I out of their reach now?

When we returned to the Village I smelled meat but still didn't see it. The smell was Pork? The big round buildings fire had gone out but we didn't go back inside it. Instead we passed it staying outside. A group of Orcs dug in a fire pit. The coals still looked hot but their bare hands didn't shy away from the coals, they brushed them away without flinching.

The smell of meat was comming from inside the hole. A mass of charred intertwined leaves came into view. Steamed platforms of meat covered in long leaves were hauled out of the newly dug pit.

"You bury the food?" I asked looking up at Ortha.

"Mhmm best way to cook." She affirmed.

"Do you eat like this everyday?" I asked her.

"Ehh, once month" Ortha disagreed, leaning on Gorza. "Hunting party, need strength to catch fish."

"So you came to the sea to catch fish and you caught me instead." I thought aloud.

"Caught fish to, Bait brought in good harvest." Gorza said loud enough for the Orcs nearby to hear. "Bait do great this time to."

"This time?" I asked.

"Mhmm, Bait is in Gorzas pod now. help feed the tribe." She explained patting my head.  "Also collect boat things."

"My boat is still there?" I asked, I looked up so quickly that her hand went from patting my head to patting my face.

"Cant carry Bait and fish and boat. Have to bring fish back quickly, not stay good long. " Ortha said as if it was obvious. "This time bring more bags."

My boat was still by the sea.

"How far is it to the sea?" I asked rushed.

"Half night walk." Ortha answered.

"Night hunts not always good. So much meat but hard to catch." Gorza explained. "Fish like Bait blood, spilled only a little and stired em up."

"Caught lots!" Ortha agreed excitedly. "Six fish. Hard even catch one."

"Those fish your talking about those monsters with human arms and the sharp teeth that almost drowned me right?"

"Mhm." Gorza said thinking about the taste. "Delicious."

I suddenly remembered the room I had woken up in. The smell of fish, with row after row of dried dangling pieces hanging from strings.

"Good to have for winter." Ortha agreed. "Keeps long time."

The men lined up each taking a portion of the meat for their own plates before finding a place to sit. Then Gorza stood up.

"Stay here." She said and went to receive her portion. No one crowded to be first or cut in line. It was almost synchronized how they organized themselves. I watched paying close attention. In the mountain, there was a reason for everything, rules for everything. The leader ate first but entered the room last. The way you stand, the place you sit, there was always a purpose for it.

The chief took his portion first. Strong  orc men followed after him with the youngest looking adult males last. Only when each adult male had taken their plate did the women line up. Gorza took her place at the front of the line, there were both older and younger women behind her. Some women carried young children on their hips or back, but no one squabbled in line.