Rise of the Warrior of Everfen

Chapter 22: A Feast

Erinne watched with a half-smile on her face as a couple of human warriors were showing a dance to a couple of orcs. They'd had to shed their armor and she thought it might've been the first time they'd truly started to let down their guard as the orcs attempted to mimic the steps of the dance.

There were three large fires blazing nearby and somehow they'd closed the gap that had stood between the two races. It made her heart sing, especially as another group of orcs walked through, in arms with humans, passing the strange ale the humans drank amongst each other.

When Cold Hammer said the camp was coming, he'd literally meant the entire camp. The terabu's shrill screech had sent everyone scrambling, especially when they heard shouts from a human and orc. Worried their comrades were under threat, they'd all come, finding her and Cold Hammer standing proudly over their kill while Bukoo tore off an antler for himself and walked away to chew it in peace.

For the first time, humans and orcs had been prepared to fight together and as everyone realized there was no more danger, they'd started speaking, marveling at their kill as they described the terabu's attack and how they'd ended the beast by working together. By the time they'd finished their tale, both races were grouped together and talking about it, discussing who got to eat it.

"We'll all eat it." Erinne had declared and looked towards Lohke and Wren. "My lord king, Great Chieftain, I ask that we celebrate by sharing this meal amongst all of us. Terabu bucks have plenty of meat, this one could feed all of us."

Both had glanced at each other before Wren concurred, "We will share this terabu's life."

"King Wren, if I may suggest we put aside negotiations today to prepare this meal."

"We'll have a feast." Wren countered, "My men will bring extra food, fruits and vegetables and sweet bread."

"We'll build the fires." Another chief had spoken up.

"And prepare the meat."

"And drag the terabu to Weeping Woman's Rock where we can all eat."

Now they were pulling meat off of the animal's bones, filling their bellies with it while they shared hunting stories all around. The one's in front of her were now laughing as the humans tried to teach them their dances and someone's drink had ended up in front of her. She snitched it from the ground and sniffed it before tipping it back, letting the warm orcish wine wash down her throat.

"This was a good idea." She set the drink down and looked over to see Lohke sitting down next to her.

She grinned at him, "It wasn't really so much an idea as a 'well this happened' sort of moment."

He chuckled and then looked out at the fires, at the people dancing and sharing drinks. "They needed this. Perhaps that terabu was sent by the ancestors."

"Funny, someone said that earlier and Cold Hammer almost throat punched him."

"He was let down by the ancestors. He doesn't trust their rhymes or reasons."

"The humans believe in gods."

"We all believe in something." Lohke countered and picked up the drink she'd replaced on the ground. He took a swig and made a face, "You're drinking Lvendela?"

"I don't know what it is, someone left it there."

"Who?"

She motioned to the dancers. "Someone." Several more had joined them but now the orcs were showing them a tribal dance that honored one of their legendary warriors. Lohke laughed as one of the humans took several missteps and cursed the sky before trying again. "Maybe you should show them."

He laughed harder, "Not a chance, Sheobulf."

"What? Great Chieftains can't dance?"

He snorted, "You're goading me."

She stood up, setting her bowl of terabu meat and the vegetables the humans had brought aside and offered her hand to Lohke. "Come on." He narrowed his eyes. "Come on!" She snatched his hand and pulled and he labored to his feet with a huff. "Show me the dance!" She encouraged and they headed for the others.

Several of the orcs moved out of the way, cheering for their chief, while the humans stared with wide eyes. When Lohke began showing her the steps, she followed suit and soon the humans joined back in. As the dance went on, they somehow switched to another human dance. She knew neither, she'd never danced before, and a young soldier grabbed her and Lohke's hand, dancing them in a circle. Perhaps he was too drunk to know he was laughing and spinning with the Great Chieftain.

When he was too out of breath to continue, he released her, waving her off and she rolled her eyes, continuing to dance. "I think I like this!" She told some of the humans.

"Dancing is my favorite!" A female orc yelled to her.

"I've never tried it!" Nukbrik had never given her enough freedom to try.

"May I dance with you?" She asked and she nodded and she took her hand. "Watch my feet and follow the steps, don't release my hand." She began, "Traditionally this is performed with your lover or a close friend."

"What dance is it?"

"The dance of the moon!" She beamed and several humans joined in, all in a line holding hands until Erinne couldn't keep up anymore. She was pouring sweat as she broke away. Lohke was sitting where they had been earlier and Cold Hammer was beside him. Surprisingly, King Wren was with them.

"My king," she curtsied and he dipped his head.

"You dance beautifully, milady."

She blushed, "I doubt that, this was my first try."

"Your first try?" He gaped and she shrugged, unwilling to dive into her personal tragedies. "When the treaties are set and we go back to Thunderfall together, we can show you all the courtly dances. You can learn them all."

"When you go to Thunderfall together?" Cold Hammer abruptly spoke up. His words were clipped, tone dry.

Erinne blinked at him with surprise and King Wren glanced at him before he said, "She's human, where else would she go?"

"If there's peace between all of us she can go wherever she wants."

Erinne frowned at Cold Hammer's words. She'd never considered that she wouldn't have to leave, but she'd never planned to stay. Not until Lohke saved her and showed her there was more to life than being under an orc's thumb, that she could have a familiarity with these people and call them friend. Not until Cold Hammer kissed her.

She studied him as he glared at Wren as if daring him to oppose those words. Why had he kissed her? This noble orc warrior who hated humans who had slowly come to accept her. Every morning they spent together she grew a little closer to him, and she was beginning to see him in a different light. She wasn't sure when it'd started, but part of her believed it had begun long before that fight that ended with laughter, but that fight had been the turning point. Their wrestling had become a game that night, a game she'd felt reach all the way to her heart with a strange sense of glee.

"She belongs with us. She's a lady of a noble household and a name that means something amongst humans."

"She has a name that means something to us. Orcs know her now, when they hear the name Sheobulf they know her."

"She-"

"Enough." Erinne cut in, heart in turmoil. "I'll go wherever I want to." She snapped. They both stared at her and she snorted with annoyance before she glanced to Lohke. He gave her a slight nod and she dipped her head in return before she turned and walked away before Cold Hammer or Wren could argue with her on the issue.