The Orc's Consort I: Born of Blackwater

Chapter 6 - Rats Nest

Brenna Blackwater

That evening, I lay in the large, fur-lined bed. I pulled the linens tightly around myself to feel safe, but no sleep would come. How could I rest? After everything that had happened today, I was wide awake and in utter shock. My father sent me to live among beasts. I rode atop a creature I did not know existed. Then I was lugged through this place over the shoulder of one of these orcs as if I were a sack of potatoes. Then, after trying to rush the whole place with a fire poker, I was called cute by a second orc, who then cauterized a fucking hole in his chest.

My face felt hot again. "Cute," I muttered. "I'd like to show that orc cute." The scent of burnt flesh still lingered in the room. I thought better of it. The memory of sizzling flesh sounded again in my thoughts. I doubt anything I could muster would affect him. I thought about what he had said about the wound on his chest.

"Gods, what happened to you?"

"This is the work of your father."

"My father? Why would he do-"

"A great question for another time."

What reason did these orcs have to be in Blackwater? What could have gone so badly wrong that my father would inflict harm on one of them? All I knew were from that of whispers. I'm sure my father had a good reason, but how did it come to this? I just felt so trapped and enraged by all these unanswered questions. I always imagined I would be married away to some lord or another, but this was on a whole new tier of absurdity.

As a child, I wanted to be tough. I used to slip out of the castle and pick fights with the servant boys; I tried to anyway. I even managed to scare away several marriage proposals. I could not fathom a man owning me like some pet that could be tamed and traded. At some point, I accepted that it was my duty to be a fragile flower destined to be a pawn in some alliance. I never imagined my fate would lie within the Northern Orruk Horde.

I huffed and tossed in the large bed. I was not sure what to make of all this. Would I ever see my home again? I doubt I would miss it all that much if I were being honest with myself, but it was all I have ever known. I grew accustomed to knowing my fate and duties as a princess. It seemed as though I had finally come to terms with my role, but now I felt as though I was in total darkness for the first time in my life. Finally, I gave up on sleeping and paced around the room in a blind rage. I did this for a while until I sank beside the bed and sobbed. At some point, I fell asleep on the floor.

The Next Morning

I slowly came to. At first, I thought it had all been a bad dream. Maybe I had just imagined it all. Then, I became aware of the cold stone floor beneath my body. I remembered where I was but was unsure of the time. I could not tell because there were no windows in the room. The only light came from the sconces and the fireplace. There must have been passages for fresh air to reach underground because I could feel a slight air current, and the room began to get cold now that the hearth had nearly burned out. Only red embers remained.

I lay there a little while longer, still half asleep. I was a bit stiff from sleeping on the floor and was not ready to move my rigid body. Just then, I heard a creak. Someone had opened the door. I began to panic. Not because I was afraid but because I did not feel put together. Gods only knew how bad I looked after sobbing all night and sleeping on the floor. Then again, I doubt an orc cares about appearances. I felt my face turn red over the idea that I cared what an orc thought of my appearance.

I refused the bath that evening because I did not feel safe. There was no way I was getting naked in this place. Not with all these orc men lumbering around and strange women I had never met. I had no way to lock the door. I thought I would draw a bath myself if it became necessary. However, the servant girl had not left me soap or towels. My hair was probably unkempt, and I felt dirty. Thankfully, I was on the opposite side of the bed. I quickly ducked down.

"Lady Brenna," a husky voice beckoned. The voice was familiar. It was that same orc who came to welcome me last night. I was not ready to see him after being against his bare chest and all. I raked my fingers through my wild hair and slunk further beside the bed. "Are you alright?"

I cleared my throat. "I'm fine," my voice cracked with sleep.

"Did I wake you? I'm sorry if I did," he spoke again before I could reply. "I just wanted to check on you and ask if you'd like to accompany me this morning. I wish to give you a tour of the grounds and then have breakfast in our hall."

I immediately declined his offer, not wanting anyone, especially him, to see me like this. "No," I snapped.

"I told you; you don't need to be afraid. I'd like you to get to know our ways and discuss why you are here".

"I- it's not that- I'm not afraid. I would just- rather stay here".

"Why is that?"

I stayed quite a moment trying to think of an excuse rather than tell him the truth. I was worried about the way that I looked. Then I heard him take a few steps into the room. "No! Wait I. I am not decent," I cried out. His footsteps stop.

"Well, I can give you time to get put together," he replied thoughtfully.

"How do you expect me to do that when you haven't given me soap or lavatory supplies? I haven't even got a change of clothes," I snapped due to embarrassment.

He paused for a moment. "Why didn't you ask your lady's maid or tell me last night when I spoke to you?"

"Because- I was afraid to ask. I thought it'd be rude, and I don't want anything from you," I said reluctantly.

He huffed. "Woman, you confuse me. Your needs will not go unmet. Next time you will tell me when you need something. Do you understand?" I did not answer, shocked at his request. "I don't ask much of those who live within my walls, but I demand obedience. We speak directly. You will tell me the next time you need something," he demanded. I could hear the guilt in the voice.

His walls, I thought. What does that mean? Is he their chief? I quickly remembered that he was waiting for a reply. "Yes, I understand," I whispered.

"Is there anything else you need or wish to have," he asked.

"No," I said reluctantly.

"I will be back with these things," he said. I heard him start to leave.

Before I knew what I was doing, the word "Wait." fell out of my mouth. My curiosity got the best of me. He stopped but said nothing. He just waited for me to finish. "I just wanted to ask... What your name is."

"I'm sorry. I assumed you knew who I was. I am Chief Bloodborne."

I heard him walk away, and the door closed behind him. Then, I exhaled; the intense atmosphere left with him. I could not believe it. I had been outright rude to their chief today and almost stabbed him last night, and now he is going out to get me lavatory supplies. I felt baffled. Was I imagining things? I wanted to hate him and make each step of the way difficult for him because he brought me here. Strangely, I felt guilty now. Not because he was their chief but because, thus far, he had been kind to me even after giving him several reasons to lock me in a dungeon or another.

I jumped up and went over to the vanity against the wall. I looked in the mirror and was not surprised by how I looked. Thank the Gods I hid behind the bed, I thought. My long caramel hair was wild and sticking up on one side. I saw red lines engraved on the right side of my face from sleeping. I quickly rumbled through the drawers to find anything to fix this monstrosity before he came back. I was not planning on taking it any easier on him. Maybe then I could face him and apologize.