Bound to the Orc Brute

Chapter 1

Ur

The meeting room is, according to my calculations, ten seconds away from dissolving into a massive brawl. I’m inclined to allow it. Anything would be more entertaining than listening to Orok, an obnoxious elder, seethe with rage as he focuses in at the commander.

The problem is, I actually agree with the ungrateful wretch. 

“Ever since his woman,” Inzo jabs a thick finger towards Yrish, who growls in response, “has come, you want to change generations of traditions. Why? He’s mad. Of course he would mate with a human. And I say let him! We’re lucky he hasn’t taken up with his hoqin.”

“I will tear open your throat where you stand.”

Camille, the human who has somehow tamed Yrish’s wild temper, squeezes his arm and murmurs in his ear. He glowers at Orok, but forces himself to take a deep breath. “I will slice your throat open where you stand if you do not apologize.”

“Camille.” 

Orok's smile is greasy and insincere, but his ire isn’t focused on Yrish or her, or even humans in general. I suspect if Loki opposed humans that Orok would find a caravan of them to bring into our clan. “I apologize. I apologize to Yrish’s hoqin, as well. I would apologize to Yrish, but he’s killed enough of us during his bouts of madness that I think we’re about even.”

“Enough.” I speak before Loki can, which would be a dire error for any other orcish clan. I grimace at him in apology, but I could not allow Orok's vile words towards Yrish to continue. Yrish is a good orc and my friend. If mating with this human woman has managed to calm his madness, then I cannot fault him for it.

That doesn’t mean what’s good for him is good for the entire clan, though the chieftain and his cousin seem inclined otherwise.

Loki regards me with a resigned sigh. “Have you counsel for me, then, Ur?”

“If  you wish to hear it.”

His eyes soften a bit. We have been friends for a long time, and comrades in battle for even longer. “I always wish to hear it.”

This I doubt, but I present my case all the same. “If I may ask Yrish’s companion a question?”

Yrish opens his mouth, but it is Camille who replies. “You may.”

“Thank you. Where, exactly, is your clan?”

“I don’t have a clan,” she says. “Some humans might. I lived in a bunker with my sister.”

“And no other humans claim you?” Her eyes flash with a pain I don’t expect, and I almost regret my words. “That’s not a slight on you,” I assure her. “You have been an invaluable addition to our clan. But that’s my point. Humans, in general, are individualistic. They value only themselves. How did they treat you in your bunker, Camille? Well?”

She shakes her head.

“Exactly.” Loki’s eyes begin to tense in frustration, but I push ahead. “Humans blame so many of their problems on orcs, but their history books are filled with conflict amongst themselves. How many prisons did we uncover, meant to hold members of their own clans? They are simply not meant for collective society. It’s not in their nature, even if a few humans here and there have managed to do so.”

“Much more than a few, my friend.” Vhala adjusts the ridiculous human spectacles further up his nose.

I snarl at Vhala. I am not his friend.

“I would even argue that their prison system, while crude, was an attempt to build a harmonious society. Their history books, as well as ours, are filled with war, yes, but…”

“It isn’t the wars that bother me,” I snap. “The wars, if anything, are the only aspect I admire. It is the coups, the revolutions.”

“Right.” Vhala’s voice is dry. He shoots a pointed glance at Inzo and Loki. “It’s only humans who are known for conflict within clans.”

“I meant…”

Loki holds up his left hand, and I silence myself.

“Let Vhala speak.”

I let him speak.

I would like to push the glass he wears into his eyes so I don’t have to look at them any longer, but I let him speak. I am an orc, and I respect order.

“As I was saying. Yes, Ur, humans are more individualistic than we are. They also have vast knowledge of medicine, science, art and literature that our kind can never match on our own.”

I do not like how Loki is nodding along. I'm almost surprised to see Inzo doing the same, his behavior so different, especially toward his cousin, with a mate at his side.

Vhala folds his arms across his chest. “Orcs and humans alike are changing. Evolving. I don’t need to explain to you how both of our birth rates have plummeted. I believe that the only way forward in this changing world is together, and I’m not the only one. Other clans are also seeing this. Would you like for us to be last? A clan with no sons, no modern medicine, clinging to a magic that has faded into obscurity?”

All of the important members of our clan are present. I can sense that Vhala has swayed Loki. A murmur of agreement rumbles through the room, echoing across the marble walls, and Orok sneers.

Is it because he hates humans, or because he has once again failed to sway the council to his side?

“I say that ten of their hybrids are worth one of our full-blooded orcs.” Orok's voice sets my teeth on edge.

“That would depend on the orc.”

Orok's battered ego is as eager for a fight as ever, and Vhala, surprisingly, seems willing to match him. The latter steps towards him, unafraid.

It’s rare to conclude a meeting without some sort of brawl or challenge, but Orok flays my nerves and Vhala has dominated the entire meeting with historical facts about humankind that I would have gladly spent my life not knowing. I slam Orok into the floor before he takes another step, and he grunts in pain when his arm cracks against the polished stone.

I shove Vhala because I can.

“My decision is made.” Loki is a good leader with a strong voice. The clan, eager for a fight, settles as he speaks. “Humans with valuable skills will be allowed to integrate into our society.”

Vhala is torn between applauding his chief and fighting me. To my regret, he settles on applause. He is a bit thinner than most orcs, but I have seen him fight. He would be a worthy opponent, and my temper is poorly leashed. It would be a relief to let it free.

Orok squirms beneath me, and I rest the entirety of my weight upon him before I stand. He curses me but is also not in the mood for a fight. I suppose he has started to become obsolete in his outdated opinions and is already reserving his limited strength for his next challenge.

“Our meeting is concluded.”

I remain by Loki’s side until even Orok has limped away, and then I move to leave as well. Loki does not often reject my counsel, and the fact that he has chosen to embrace Vhala’s absurd humanistic views sting my pride.

“Wait.”

If I were a human, I suppose I could snarl and snap and be on my way. But I am an orc, with a sense of duty and honor, so I turn on my heel and bury my sigh.

“Yes, my chief?”

His lips twitch. “I know you are irritated with me.”

“You have always been wise.”

“I pledge that you will see in time that what I say is true.” Loki clamps his hand on my shoulder and squeezes.

“Are you sure you aren’t looking for Vhala?” The barb is one that would not stand in public, but we are alone and Loki does not stand on ceremony. “He seemed to be telling you all the things you wanted to hear.”

“And you were telling me the things I didn’t. I trust your counsel, Ur, especially when I disagree.” It is true, and I know it is so. Loki is a good chief and a good orc. “That is why we have more to discuss.”