Read Online [Queen of Orcs 02] - Clan Daughter by Morgan Howell - Free Book Online

biting another. It seemed drastic, and she hesitated.
    Zna-yat didn’t move. “Please, Mother, leave your mark.”
    Dar remained uncertain. “What does bite mean?”
    “My life will become yours.”
    “That would be great gift,” said Dar. “Why would I deserve it?”
    “I was caught because hate made me careless. I had only one thought—to slay you. I planned to hide your body and say nothing. You saw evil in my chest and repaid it with courage.”
    “Why did you hate me so?” asked Dar.
    “I thought washavoki had no place with urkzimmuthi. I didn’t understand.”
    “Understand what?”
    “When I threw you into river, washavoki died. Your life was Muth la’s gift. Now you serve her. Please, Dargu, allow me to undo my evil. Your bite would bless me.”
    Dar overcame feelings of awkwardness to kneel down and bite Zna-yat’s neck hard enough to leave a mark. As she did so, he sighed as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. Zna-yat rose, and Dar had never witnessed such a dramatic transformation. His blood-covered face bore the reverent and peaceful look of one absolved. “Shashav, Dargu,” he said. “Shashav, Muth la.”
     
    Kovok-mah was visibly upset when Zna-yat returned carrying Dar. “Both of you are wounded!” he cried. “What has happened?”
    “We have fought washavokis and their dogs,” said Dar. “All of them are dead. We will be safe awhile.”
    “Are you badly hurt?” asked Kovok-mah.
    “Dargu’s ankle was bitten,” replied Zna-yat.
    “It hurts, but bone isn’t broken,” said Dar. “Zna-yat’s wounds are greater.”
    “Thwa,” said Zna-yat. “They are small.”
    Kovok-mah examined Dar’s ankle. It was still bleeding and had begun to swell. “Zna-yat was wise to carry you,” he said. He scrutinized his cousin’s face. “Something else has happened.”
    “Hai,” replied Zna-yat. “Dargu has bitten my neck.”
    Kovok-mah appeared dumbfounded, and Dar couldn’t tell at first whether he was pleased or dismayed. She glanced at the others. They looked equally astonished. Witnessing the orcs’ reactions made Dar appreciate the momentousness of Zna-yat’s announcement.
    As surprise slowly faded from Kovok-mah’s face, his lips curled into a broad smile. “I’m much amazed.”
    Zna-yat grinned back. “No less than I.”
    Dar broke the silence that followed. “Kovok-mah, do you have magic for Zna-yat’s wounds?”
    “I’ll need to find proper herbs,” he replied.
    “You should do it quickly,” said Dar. “We must be far from here by morning.”
    While Kovok-mah left to find the plants he needed, the other orcs washed the blood from Dar’s and Zna-yat’s wounds. As they worked, Dar gave an account of the brush with the hunters, but she didn’t speak of what transpired between her and Zna-yat. When she finished, Zna-yat added, “I was captured because I tried to slay Dargu.”
    His frankness surprised Dar, but not the orcs. “I’ve smelled your anger for long time,” said Duth-tok. “I’m glad you’re free of it at last.”
    “Hai,” said Lama-tok. “Now there’ll be harmony.”
    “Even sons can see this is Muth la’s work,” said Varz-hak. “You were wise to bare your neck. Dargu will make good use of it.”
    “I know this now,” said Zna-yat, bowing his head toward Dar.
    As Dar listened to this talk, she realized how isolated she had been. No one had spoken to her about Zna-yat’s hatred, not even Kovok-mah. She still didn’t fully understand the consequences of biting Zna-yat’s neck. I lead them, but we seldom speak. I know nothing about their lives, except that Kovok-mah is fond of goats. She resolved to change that.
    Kovok-mah returned, carrying several different plants. “Muth la has provided. I’ve found what I need.”
    “Tend Zna-yat first,” said Dar. “He has more wounds.”
    “Thwa,” said Zna-yat.
    “I’ll decide,” said Kovok-mah. “Even mothers obey healers.” He counted out five small green berries