Aruna. The Queen of the Orcs

Chapter 4

- Well, well, well! - a voice came from behind and I turned around, barely able to hold back a surprised gasp.

There were three big guys standing behind me. They were still young, judging by their smooth faces and general appearance.

- Who let you hunt krulls? We can't touch them until it gets cold. You should know that very well, - the young orc stretched his lips in a wide grin, showing me a wide gap between his teeth.

Meanwhile, resting my head on my shoulder, I listened carefully to his voice. It was the same bastard who'd pushed Aruna's head, which was already mine, into the stinking mud. A flower of hate flared in my chest, but I clenched my fists tighter and shrugged as carelessly as I could:

- There's no sign that says I can't hunt in this place, - the guy obviously didn't expect my answer, because his smile faded a bit.

- Have you really lost your memory? Ha! - His joy was boundless, and I immediately realized that it was at his suggestion that the girl had been pushed to the brink, although it was probably society itself that treated the weak and defenseless in this way.

And he was a product of that very environment. My lips curled into a thin line and my eyes narrowed, the guy chuckled, remembering that he needed to scare me more. - Yet you dare to doubt my word? - Aunt Vita said not to touch you, but she's not here. So, we'll have some fun without witnesses, and you won't tell anyone. You wouldn't dare. Got it?

- Yeah, right! - I nodded, calmly twisting the knife in my hand. Having noticed the weapon in my hand, the boys looked at each other quickly.

- That blow to the head must have knocked the last bit of brains out of you, you stinky! - He growled, and two of his mates grinned in support of their leader. - What are you going to do to me with your toothpick? Huh? - he laughed.

What an emotionally unbalanced guy, though.

I grew up in a family where no one ever cared about me. And then I was sent to an orphanage where I had to survive every second. I had to fight to the death for every morsel of bread. What am I to those spoilt brats?

I approached the orc silently. He was caught off guard, thinking I had fled. However, I did not.

His broad face showed shock, which eased my resentment. I swung feebly and slipped under his right arm, leaving a small, flesh wound on the hateful bully's bicep.

He howled loudly, but his henchmen quickly attacked me for insulting their boss. Without making a sound, I grabbed the gang leader by the scruff of his neck and pushed him towards his friends.

BANG!

One of them grabbed the bridge of his nose, and scarlet blood spurted out. The guy turned greener than usual.

- Aaah! - using a strong language, the second of them hit his back against a tree trunk and slowly slid down to the ground.

The boss flew away to the side as well and sprawled not far from me.

I shrugged my shoulders and picked up the bird's carcass. Then, whistling softly and walked away from the scene. Foul language and threats followed me, and it seemed like I didn't have long to live. I hummed quietly and sped up, hurrying to get out of the woods and reach my hut. I felt pretty woozy, my legs buckled, and my ears buzzed. Anyway, I managed not to fall. My new body has not fully recovered yet, and here I am making sudden movements. Hm, what a mess! I need to strengthen Aruna's body, which is now mine. When will I stop separating it from my mind? I need to get used to it. Otherwise, I may experience issues such as split personality or other psychological problems. I don't want that for nothing. No thanks, I don't need that for nothing. Trying to distract myself from the pain in my ribs and the buzzing in my head, I thought about what to do with the bird I had just killed. I should pour boiling water over the carcass, pull out the feathers and cut off the head. I shook my head, but I was still sure it was the right thing to do. I cringed at the thought of having to do it all.

I have never done anything like this before, somehow life in a big city doesn't have to do with all the things I have to do now. But I had no choice, and I won't wait for Rayla, I will manage it on my own. Upon arriving at my ugly hut, I looked around the area and concealed my catch behind the wigwam. I then obscured it with a basket of similar size. Taking the kettle in my hands, I went to the river, which ran in another part of the settlement. It's a long way to go. I chose to walk along the road that divided the wigwams into two even rows because I needed to be in sight. The road provided a clear path for me to follow. I would like to be seen. Still, this trio could catch up and fight back. I'm not ready to fight them yet. And I was sure they wouldn't complain, because it was a real shame to be beaten by the weakest girl in the tribe.

They'd rather bite their tongues than admit such a thing. I walked and thought about what a steep turns my life had taken. The changes were more outward, but in essence everything remained almost the same: the struggle to survive, to improve the conditions for a comfortable life. It was the same on Earth. Leaving the settlement, I walked among the amulets towards the glistening river. The river was not wide, but rather narrow and deep, and it helped all orcs to survive. Life in the villages of the Greenskins would have been much harder without the water. Walking down the gentle slope to the rocky bank, I crouched down and drew a cauldron full of water.

Lowering it to the ground, I bent down to stare at my own reflection. Overall, it is not too bad. Will have to do. I studied my new face on the smooth surface of the water in the cauldron. I ran my fingers over thick but even eyebrows, rounded nose and my plump, slightly parted lips. I touched the small fangs and noticed the stiff brown hair. It was gathered into an incomprehensible bundle that would take days to untangle. I sighed, realizing that I had to get cleaned up. I rose from my knees and hurried to leave before someone came. I didn't want to meet anyone, let alone talk to them.

Taking the cauldron by the handle and I walked up the slope. The non-human workers, mostly women, were busy at the farm. Some scraped hides, others stirred the brew in cauldrons hanging over the fire, and some sat in the shade of capacious wigwams, darning clothes. A few sat idly on broad stools, chatting amongst themselves. There were few children around, either helping their mothers or playing close to their watchful parents. Few people paid attention to me, as if Aruna was not part of their society. I wondered why three grown-ups were in the woods near the clearing with the fat birds. I think they're called Krulls. I suspected they had been following me from the start.

I wondered why the boys weren't out hunting with their fathers. Perhaps they were slacking off? I should ask Rayla.

As I approached the hut, I scanned the area for any troublemakers. It was peaceful, with only the sound of the tribeswomen's voices in the distance.

I walked around the neighboring huts and strolled towards my own, anticipating anything out of the ordinary, except for finding a large orc sitting right in front of the entrance.

- Aruna, you would better keep your prey from being exposed and pluck it in the shade of the forest, - he said to me without turning around.

My curiosity overcame all caution. I approached and hung the cauldron over the fire, then looked back at the stranger.

The guest immediately caught my attention with his height. He was over two meters tall and had broad shoulders that I couldn't wrap my arms around. However, he was much thinner than the mighty orc hunters of the tribe and appeared sickly. His face was tired and wrinkled, with compressed lips and chipped fangs that did not add to his charm. His clothes were so worn out that the wind could easily blow them off, revealing his bony frame.

Remarkable about the man's appearance was his missing left leg below the knee. Next to him, there were a pair of old, roughly hewn crutches.

- Uncle Ansgar, - I guessed, staring at him wide-eyed. How old is he? Hardly more than forty, I guessed, trying not to stare at him too much.

- That's right, - the man chuckled, - so how are you,Aruna? Go ahead, tell me. But first feed me, because my stomach is stuck to myspine and it's about to eat it, - he smiled tiredly and looked at me with dark,piercing eyes.