“What did you do to my house?” I sputter.
Laney stops with a broom in one hand and a dustpan in the other. “We cleaned it,” she says cleverly with a note of recrimination in her young voice.
“And organized some things,” Paige says, coming out of the bedroom with a stack of worn clothing in her arms. “I hope you don’t mind, but we wanted to do something useful for you since you took us into your home.”
I look around my hut. Nothing is where I left it before. How am I supposed to find anything now? Yes, it was a little bit dusty in here, but it wasn’t that bad … was it?
I looked into Paige’s crystalline eyes and realized that I could not be angry with her.
“No, this is good. I’m glad for the help. I suppose I’ve rather neglected things around here for some time.”
Paige relaxed, and a smile blossomed on her face. That smile makes my heart leap for joy. Why am I having all of these feelings? It’s troublesome. That’s what it is. Now I have a house where I can’t find anything and, and …
And a woman I believe I have come to care for very much.
“Where have you been all day?” Laney asks.
I gave her a look. “I could ask you the same question. You should have been at school.”
“School?” Laney blinks. “What’s that?”
“Grandpa told me about it. Before the portals opened, kids your age went to a special building where they learned all sorts of things.” Paige puts a hand on Laney’s shoulder. “I think it’s a great idea for you to go, Laney. You’ll make lots of friends.”
“Okay,” Laney shrugged and went back to cleaning. “But Jovak never answered my question.”
“Indeed, I did not. I was out speaking to the families of those who are missing. Not to mention trying to organize more search parties, though we are spread thin already.”
“Did you find out anything?” Paige asks.
I shook my head sadly, and then we prepared a meal. My life is nearly perfect for the next few days, except for the missing orcs. Laney spends all day at the school, which gives Paige and me plenty of alone time. I make love to her at least once a day, if not more. She performs all the functions of a mate, including taking care of the household, while I perform my duties as chieftain.
Neither of us ever mention the big shadow hanging over our heads. Namely, that this is a fake relationship. A staged play performed for the entirety of our tribe, who have no idea they’re watching a production.
While Paige and I lay together in each other’s arms, our sweat mingling as it cools, I tell her the news I’ve been keeping from her.
“I will be joining the search parties soon.”
“You will? But why? No disrespect …” She props herself up on my chest, her cheek resting on my breast. “But what difference is one more orc going to make?”
“I’m not just any orc. I am the Longstrider. No one has traveled these lands more than I have. I know places, dens, valleys, and caverns that might be fruitful in the search. Plus, it will make me feel as if I’m actually doing something to help rather than just waiting for news along with everyone else.”
“Well, just be careful. I don’t want you to go missing too.”
I almost scoff at what she says until I realize how worried she is. I kiss her instead. “I will be careful. I have no intention of joining the ranks of those missing.”
I made love to her again, and it occurred to me that the lines between fakery and reality were starting to blur.
Later, when Laney was to return from school soon, I helped her carry a big pot of water to the wood-burning stove for our dinner porridge.
A shout from outside gave us both pause. I rushed outside and found one of the search parties. Then I noticed a body lying prone on a litter between them and ran over to join them.
“What happened?” I ask.
“We found Moldar,” says Rolar, his jaw set hard. “He lives, but …”
His voice trails off, and I peer down on what we call a litter. I assume Paige would call it a bed on wheels. My mouth flew open in shock at what I beheld.
“By the ancestors, what sorcery is this?”