Shadow Thief

Chapter 12

The Orc sat casually across from us, the morning light streaming through the golden glass behind him, casting a soft glow on his brown skin. His sharp features were relaxed, his expression unreadable as he observed André and me without a hint of concern.

Ayanna had arranged this meeting, claiming it had been surprisingly easy. Now, as we faced him, I wasn't sure whether that was a good or bad sign.

I cleared my throat. "So..."

"Get on with it," he said, his deep voice carrying a lazy authority.

I bit back my irritation. "Why are we being asked to work? This isn't our responsibility. We should be focused on getting back home."

The Orc let out a chuckle, his smile cold. "We're doing what we can, little human."

André leaned forward slightly. "Couldn't we help in some way, your highness? You mentioned there are other species who might assist. Maybe we could speak with them."

The Orc's gaze shifted to André, his expression hardening. "You think we aren't enough?"

"No, no," André quickly back tracked. "It's just—we want to get back as soon as possible."

I jumped in before things could get worse, offering a practised smile. "We need to return home. As much as we appreciate your world, it's not ours."

André nodded. "Our families are waiting for us back on Earth, your highness."

The Orc sighed, a little too dramatically. "If you're going to keep whining about it, I suppose one of you could go speak to the Fouhg."

The Orc sat casually across from us, morning light streaming through the golden glass behind him, casting a soft glow on his brown skin. His sharp features were relaxed, his expression unreadable as he watched André and me like we were nothing more than an inconvenience.

Ayanna had set up this meeting for us. She'd said it was easy, but as I looked at him now, I wasn't sure whether that was a good sign or not.

I cleared my throat. "So..."

"Get on with it," he said, his voice low and commanding, but with a lazy edge that made it clear he wasn't here to waste time.

I fought back the frustration bubbling up. "Why are we being asked to work? This isn't our responsibility. We should be figuring out how to get back home."

The Orc chuckled, his smile as cold as it was dismissive. "We're doing what we can, little human."

André leaned forward slightly, trying to sound diplomatic. "Couldn't we help in some way, your highness? You mentioned other species might be able to assist. Maybe we could talk to them?"

The Orc's gaze snapped to André, his features hardening. "You think we're not enough?"

"No, no," André stammered, back tracking quickly. "It's just—we want to get back as soon as possible."

I stepped in before the conversation could spiral, forcing a practised smile. "We need to get back home. As much as we appreciate your world, it's not ours."

André nodded along with me. "Our families are waiting for us on Earth, your highness."

The Orc let out an exaggerated sigh, clearly bored by the conversation. "If you're going to keep whining about it, I suppose one of you could go ask the Fouhg."

"Alone?" André asked, and I could hear the unease in his voice.

"Of course not," the Orc replied, a hint of amusement tugging at the corners of his mouth. "We'd send someone with you. But you'd have to complete your training first."