Adored By Her Orc Avenger

Chapter 1

Hurian

         An ice-cold splash of water hits my face, invigorating a wave of alertness over me. I take a deep breath and do it again, not only to clean myself but in an effort to distract my mind from the intruding thoughts that have been internally plaguing me for the past two months.

         Images of destruction, burning houses, and utter chaos ran rampant through my mind. Every night, I can still hear the screams of those unarmed from when the Bloodscar clan launched their full frontal assault, holding women and children at the mercy of their blades. I had a hand in foiling the full effects of the terror they inflicted upon the Burning Sun clan that day, with no innocent blood shed. So why does it haunt me? Why must I continue to suffer, to feel the full capabilities of their wrath on my mind?

         Alas, it’ll take more than cold immersion to block out those thoughts. I see my reflection in the bucket of water, rippled and distorted from the rhythmic motion of the water. I almost laugh out of self-pity, for the face of the orc in the water is unclear, knowing the same is true of my purpose.

         What is there left in my soul, now that I’ve had my revenge? Nothing of ambition I can see in there anymore. Colorless with nothing beyond the surface level, much like this bucket of water.

         I raise my gaze to the stained mirror in front of me, its water marks offering me another warped view of myself. Somehow I feel the world is mocking me, laughing as it takes away from me the chance to be able to see who I am anymore.

         All the mirror allows me to behold is my tired, sunken eyes that have seen enough battles for one lifetime. I’ve let myself go, my once well groomed hair now messy as stray strands swirl down over my forehead.

         No doubt I’m in need of a major clean-up but I cannot, for the life of me, muster the energy right now. This splash of water will have to do as I immerse myself with another handful of its biting sensation.

         I grab the cloth hanging off a hook next to the mirror, its dryness serving as a slight warmth to the chilly sensation that sits on my face. As I hang it back, a silhouetted figure in the background of the mirror’s reflection makes his presence known with two knocks on the wall.

         I turn to acknowledge my visitor, greeting the chieftain of the Burning Sun.

         “Hello Loki.”

         “Hello Hurian. I hope you don’t mind me saying this but you look like total shit,” he says lightheartedly.

         “Thank you for the observation.”

         Loki comes further into my quarters, glancing at a half-packed bag that lays on my bedroll.

         “Are you okay?” he asks.

         “No, far from it,” I reply.

         “What’s with the bag Hurian? Making an excursion?”

`       “I’ve made the decision to leave,” I inform him, wiping up the mess from my wash. “I’ve been thinking about it for some time, and my choice came in light of my realization that there’s nothing left for me here.”

         “Hurian…” mutters Loki in concern. “There’s been an increase in attacks from wild animals outside of our clan’s enclosure.

         “None of that presents a problem for me,” I reply, gesturing to the ax resting beside my bedroll.

         “Hmm, I see. Is any of this to do with the attack from two months back?” he inquires.

         “Look,” I sigh in frustration. “I should have left after the executions took place but the consequences of the Bloodscar’s attacks put a cathartic halt to that.”

         “Are you forgetting who you rooted for in the end? How you had helped in preventing an all-out massacre?” he reminds me.

         “I know but it doesn’t change the fact I was still a part of the Bloodscar’s acts for as long as I can remember… though it’s over now of course, but so is my time here with it,” I declare.

         “I think you’re making too rash of a decision Hurian,” replies Loki. “We stopped the Bloodscar clan on time. There is absolutely no need for you to treat yourself like this.”

         Shamefully, my gaze drops to the ground.

         “Halls destroyed, livelihoods ruined, human lives hurt, food supplies ravaged… Do I need to go on?” I mutter, turning to face my broken reflection.

         “Stop it,” commands Loki. “Enough is enough.”

         “Ignaur’s mate almost died!” I yell, startling Loki as I spin around. “Jane’s life was this close to being taken… I know she’s still alive but I can’t shake the weight of that burden off of my shoulders. The last thing I need for the Burning Sun clan to see is me carrying this disgrace around with me.”

         “You said it yourself Hurian,” replies a calm Loki. “Jane didn’t die and neither did anyone else. The Burning Sun has a place for you in its clan,” he tells me reassuringly.

         “Loki, you need not feel such gratitude toward me for my assistance in bringing down the Bloodscar clan. My reasons were personal, it was nothing to do with you nor anyone else here,” I say defiantly.

         I finalize the packing of all my supplies into my bag, and pick up my ax for a quick inspection.

         “I wanted the Bloodscar clan annihilated and you helped me with that,” I tell him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “I will be forever grateful for what you did but understand that our mutual business is no more, I’m sorry.”

         I empty the bucket of dirty water just outside the entrance to my quarters. I turn to see a disappointed chieftain shaking his head at me.

         “Well, you can’t stop me from holding my gratitude, as well as everyone else in the Burning Sun. Your old clan leader could never have dreamed of being half the orc that you are.”

         “Okay,” I chuckle. “I can accept that.”

         “Is there anything more I can say that would get you to reconsider staying here?” he proposes.

         “I’m afraid not,” I respond. “Like I said, my mind was made up a long time ago.”

         “In that case, let me walk you to the gate,” he offers.

         Hoisting my bag onto my shoulders and fastening the ax to my waist, I take one last look at my quarters I called home for the past while, bidding it a final farewell as I turn my back to it. I walk by Loki’s side as we trot away.

         “May I ask where you’ll be going?” he says.

         “I haven’t thought of anywhere specific. I think I shall just go wherever the road may take me, no matter if I roam the continent and its entirety. Alas, the war-ridden north will never know my presence again, I plan on staying far away from there,” I inform him.

         “Very good,” he approves. “Just know that my offer will always be valid should you need shelter.”

         “Thank you, Loki,” I reply. “Now if you don’t mind, I think I would like to part ways with you here and make the journey through the exit by myself. Give my best to your wife and child.”

         “Of course. I bid you good luck and goodbye Hurian, stay well and safe in your travels.”

         We shake hands and break away from each other in opposite directions. I look all around me, taking in the scenes of the Burning Sun clan for the last time. Orc children chasing each other about, sparring sessions between young, aspiring warriors, the smell of a great feast being prepared for the day’s lunch, the clanging of iron and steel coming from the blacksmith, and of course, the whimsical colors and sounds that came from the hut of Bashag the clan shaman.

         I approach the gate, observing how it opens to a land that stretches on for the gods know how long. Feeling a sudden eagerness to press forward into the shelter of the forest, I am stopped by a last minute hesitation.

         Should I at least go to see my friends I have made during my stay here? To tell them this is it, that this is my final goodbye? Almost by instinct, I turn back around but halt once again.

         What if I am suddenly hit with the compulsion to stay? The options juggle around in my head for a moment before I shake them off, turning back to head out the exit. I nod and wave at the guards patrolling the gate as they bid me farewell on my journey.

         For too long I have lingered here, it is best not to waste another moment. I look ahead to all the possible directions for me to take. With no pressing destination to rush to, I let my body make the decision for me, taking a straight route headed to the deep center of the forest.

         This next journey is only one of two I must make, for it lies in my hands to find purpose for my life again. Forever, my goal was revenge and that drove me through each gruesome, laborious day.

Now that I’ve exacted what I wanted on those who wronged me, I no longer have a reason to live. So where will this road take me? To a greater sense of being and fulfillment? I accept that only time will be able to tell as I take one last look at the Burning Sun clan before venturing deeper into the forest with only my trusty axe for company.