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macgyverbooks · 1 year ago

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Chapter Thirteen - Bala Makes A Run For It

Summary: When Bala flees her home after a terrible attack she never thought she'd find help among the elusive Orc Clans hidden deep in the mountains.

Word Count: 3000

Warnings: Descriptions of blood and violence

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Previous Chapter here

Next Chapter here

Master list here

A deep baritone laugh from behind Sorsha made me tense as Kogan stepped foreword barging past the warrior at Sorsha’s side.

“So the little elf shows her true colours at last.” He smiled wide, “spitting on our hospitality after all we’ve done for her.”

To my right I spied movement only to turn too late as Dannik appeared from nowhere seizing my walking stick like it was a child’s play thing and ripping it from my hands, the force so great my fingers numbed from the shock. I stumbled almost going to the floor only for a massive hand to grip my hair and haul me back up. I screamed and hissed, clawing at Danniks hand but he didn’t seem to even notice.

“Dannik!” Sorsha barked only for kogan to interrupt her

“This is actually most fortuitous,” there was a pause as the tension built, the tribe looking at each other in agitation. “The council,” kogan continued grandly, “have voted to move the tribe to our winter hold for rest of the season.”

I don’t know what Kogan had expected but the silence was probably not it. Vanda stepped foreword, his eyes bouncing fiercely between Dannik and Kogan.

“When was this decided?”

“Last night, at our Thrallka’s return. We have decided it’s simply too dangerous for us to be so close to the valley.”

“Why weren’t we included in this decision?” Ada barked, groaning to her feet and pointing a crooked finger at Kogan. “The tribe had the right to vote on this before it was decided!”

“Dire times, my dear,” Kogan tutted though not apologetically. “We needed a swift and immediate decision to deal with the present danger. Wouldn’t you agree Karn Sorsha?”

Sorsha’s face was stoney, her eyes fixed on Kogan like a bobcat spotting a hare. After only a brief pause Sorsha clapped her hands.

“Thank you Kogan.”

“I have more-,” Kogan began, stepping foreword

“Thank you. Kogan.” There was a shift in Sorsha’s voice, an unspoken threat. Kogan stepped back, albeit slowly.

“It’s true,” Sorsha began. “The council voted last night. We apologise we didn’t bring this to you good people before but there simply wasn’t time. We leave for our winter hold in two days from now. Gather your things, pack warmly and with any luck we will be safe in our hold before winter solstice.”

“What of the Elf?” Dannik shouted, his grip on my scalp tightening a fraction making me gasp.

“The Elf is a guest-,”

“No!” Dannik shook me like a disobedient pet then raised my staff and slammed it into the ground. “The Elf threatened us, breaking hospitality. She is no longer a guest.”

With little more than a flick of his wrist Dannik threw me onto the pile of gold. I bleated a pathetic cry as the sharp edges of the Issilahs gold feet bit into me palms leaving bloody smears across the it’s shined surface.

“The Elf is spoils.” Dannik turned to the crowd, “and I demand my right!”

The crowd exploded. Surging foreword men and women screamed and shouted, some demanding their own right while others demanded I be set free. I stared hazily at their faces, seeing only angry barbarians that spat and snarled at each other. I wasn’t safe here, not anymore. I had no clue what Dannik had meant by his right but I knew in my gut it would mean moving further from my family not closer. I couldn’t go to this hold in the mountains. My time had come to leave, my leg and Dejah be damned. Dejah. I would be sad to leave him I realised with shock. But my mind was made up, it was time to go.

Bowing my head I worked to get my shaky legs to cooperate only to feel a warm hand on my shoulder. Glancing up into Dejahs face I sighed in relief. Maybe I could say goodbye before I slipped away. The tribe had only grown louder, the council yelling back as accusations flew meanwhile Sorsha sat in the eye of the storm, a small halo of silence in the clamour. Nobody would notice as I gathered Merry and disappeared. I knew where I had to go, following the trails down the mountain then on to the mouth of the valley and the mining town beyond. It had to be now.

“Help me?” I stared up fiercely into Dejahs eyes.

Something flickered through his eyes, his mouth setting into a grim line as he nodded short and sharp. Standing he hauled me up easily, lifting me off the pile and wrapped an arm supportively around my shoulders. Lifting an arm toward the stables I opened my mouth to whisper to him when Dejah hailed the crowd.

“I claim my right!” He hollered. Heads spun in our direction, the many eyes going wide in shock. My heart plummeted.

“What are you doing?” I hissed, angry heat filling my head as shock turned to rage.

“Helping.”

Oh my god. I’m going to kill him.

My hands fisted as my breathing hitched, the rage becoming too much as the whole crowds attention focused on us. Dannik spun and stormed towards us, his eyes skipping between us apparently decided which one of us he was going to smash first.

“What did you say, Imekari?”

“I claim my right!” Dejah roared in Danniks face, his arm bring me in closer. “As Karn I demand my right to spoils be recognised.”

“Dejah Vaas, you loathsome pig swill!” Kogan snarled from the top step. “You have no right!”

“Dejah,” Sorsha said, “what are you doing?”

Dejah remained silent, his jaw set, his grip on me tighter than ever, his eyes never leaving Kogans as they glared at each other.

“Dannik!” Snapped Kogan. “Remove the elf, the spoils cannot be marred.”

Faster than I could blink Dannik moved, striking his arm out like a coiled snake he lunged toward me. I hissed, squeezing my eyes shut bracing for the impact but none came.

Blinking I looked about confused only to see Dejahs massive hand wrapped around Danniks wrist like a vice.

“Don’t touch her.” Dejah snarled, his voice barely above a whisper.

Dannik grinned and lunged with his other fist towards Dejahs face, the movement kicking up a wind that tussled my hair. Fast as a whip, Dejah whipped the arm that protected me up, catching Danniks fist, the impact making Dejahs whole body shiver.

Dannik roared, locked with Dejah like horned stags. I scrambled away, stumbling on my injured leg. I wouldn’t survive this encounter for sure, one careless back hand from these people would end me.

The tribe surged foreword surrounding Dejah and Dannik like drunks at a bar fight, screaming in their guttural language.

“Take him Dannik!” Kogan commanded. “Bring him to his knees!”

No one was looking. No one was paying attention. Slowly I backed away, feeling with my hands the pillars that surrounded the great hall. Keeping my eye on the swarming crowd I slipped between the pillars letting the shadows envelope me and hobbled away, taking the long route to the stables.

Emotion clawed at my throat. Gods I didn’t know what I felt. Dejah had helped me then demanded me? Like some meat at a butchers shop he had declared his right over me. The audacity! The sheer nerve to treat me like chattel! Maybe it was by design, a more hopeful part of me thought, maybe he had wanted this so I could slip away? Oh gods I should’ve helped him! Guilt hit me like a hammer. Abandoning him to his people felt cowardly after all he had done for me. What would they do to him? Would they hurt him? Surely they wouldn’t hurt one of there own, not their Karn? I shook my head and bit my lip hard. Enough worrying, I had to get out of here. Leave this village far behind and help my family. Dejah was not my problem.

Stepping quietly through the empty village I dodged between houses, keeping as low as my leg would allow. Coming round the corner of one hut I spotted a cooking fire gently smouldering away and next to it a set of butchering knives. I snatched one on instinct, a small blade about as long as my middle finger with a smooth wood handle. I wasn’t even sure I could use it if I needed too but having it hidden in the folds of my tunic was soothing enough I refused to put it down.

The stables finally came into view. Limping as fast as I could I shot into the small building to find Merry hitched to the wall looking all together fat and content among the sheep, her water trough full and her feed bucket half empty of oats.

I smiled as I petted her side, strangely overcome by how well she had been cared for. Her fur clean and brushed, her mane and tail neatly combed. I have no choice, I thought to myself. My family need me more than I owe these brutal strangers.

“Come on girl,” I whispered to Merry. “Our times up.”

Merry chuffed and eyed me sleepily but allowed herself to be led toward toward the stable door only for a looming shadow to fill it. Jerking back my hand flew to my tunic where the knife lay only for Dejah, breathing heavily with blood trickling from a cut on his brow, to jerk to a stop his eyes travelling between me and Merry.

“What are you doing?” He gasped.

“I’m leaving.”

“No.”

“No?” I snarled, my hand tightening on the blade.

“You can’t, if you go now you’ll-“

“I have to go now! I won’t have another chance.”

I nudged Merry foreword, clucking my tongue in encouragement. Dejah widened his stance filling the doorway with his bulk.

“No, Bala. I won’t let you.” He said, his voice calm.

“Move Dejah.” I snapped

“No.”

“Please I can’t stay here, my family, I have to help them! Move Dejah, please!” I hated how my voice rose into pleading but I couldn’t help it as tears clawed at my eyes and rage boiled in my belly.

“No.”

He kept saying it. Over and over in that same god damned belligerent tone, his massive body like a wall. A wall between me and freedom, between me and my family. I pulled the knife, aiming the blade at his stomach.

“It wasn’t meant to happen this way,” I said, my voice going hard. Dejahs eyes flashed but he didn’t cower.

“Bala,” his tone was careful, like he was talking to a wild animal. “Put the knife down.”

“Move out the way.”

“I can’t do that. Just put the knife down and I’ll explain.”

My ears pricked as sounds filtered in through the door. Of shouts and voices calling my name. They where looking for me, and Dejah had found me first. My hands began to shake and I pulled Merry foreword. The ceiling was too low to mount her like I’d hoped, my only option was through Dejah.

“Please just put the knife down and we’ll talk.”

“No! No more talking. Move or I’ll make you.” I snarled brandishing the blade.

Dejah smiled. The bastard actually smiled like he was dealing with a petulant child. Like I wouldn’t hurt him if I wanted to, like I couldn’t hurt him. Me, the little injured she elf, helpless and weak. He didn’t know me, Dejah had no clue what I was capable of. None of them did. Power stuttered to my fingers as static fizzled down the metal blade. I stood taller, my shoulders squared.

“Last chance, Imekari.” I growled out the foreign word.

Dejah stepped back like I’d slapped him, his face a picture of hurt that turned to anger. He darted forward, his hands going for my wrists but I was faster.

With a shriek I lunged, dodging his outstretched arms and plunged the blade into his chest. Dejah stumbled back clutching the handle of the blade as I stared in shock, the vibration of metal sliding through skin and hitting bone echoing in my palm. I couldn’t move, watching with massive eyes as his back connected with the wall and he sagged against it.

“You stabbed me.” He said.

His dark hair fell into his eyes, the little bead I’d tied into his hair only hours before swinging by his ear. Without a word I pulled at Merry’s harness, urging her to move through the stable door and into the weak light of the afternoon sun.

“Bala wait.” Dejah panted, “just wait.”

I couldn’t look at him. My whole body shook as I walked past him. Blinking into the light I grabbed Merrys mane and hauled myself onto her back. Soon as I settled I heard Vanda shout

“I’ve found her!”

“Bala,” Dejah called one last time. “If you go now you’ll never find your family”

I spun, a snarl in my throat only to see Dejah, blood pouring from his chest and knife in hand, staring at me with such an open, earnest expression I couldn’t help but pause. More shouts went up and thunderous feet approached from all directions.

“How can I trust you?” I demanded, my growing panic making Merry dance and snort. Dejah smiled crookedly

“You know me, Bala. You know me.”

“Hardly.” I laughed, my nerves getting best of me

“Bala!” Vanda cried, his bulk emerging from behind a hut. “Don’t go! This will only end badly!”

I barked another laugh, the image of my blade in Dejahs chest replaying in visceral detail.

“Look out!” Dejah screamed as Merry lurched to the side like she had been hit, the horse screaming bloody murder as she collapsed to the side flinging me to the ground.

Dannik stood over Merry who scrabbled to her hooves and cantered away throwing her head in pain. I lay in a crumpled heap on the ground, tears pouring down my face.

“So close.” I whispered. Hands seize my clothes and dragged me across the ground back toward the great hall.

“Put her down!” Dejah roared from behind me followed by the sound of bodies colliding. The hands dropped me with a jerk. I stared up from the ground, the earth rumbling as Dejah and Dannik wrestled like goliaths from myth.

I couldn’t move, I hurt too much, my leg screaming. In my periphery I saw Vanda settle at my side

“Come on Bala, let’s get you up.” He said so gently as he gathered me up into his arms. At Vanda’s gentle words something cracked in my chest and tears burst from my eyes, great sobs wracking my body.

“It’s ok.” Vanda said, “it’s ok, you’ll be fine. We’ll handle it, just stay near me.”

Dejah and Dannik continued their struggle. For moment they where evenly matched, Danniks terrifying strength only just bested by Dejahs speed who bowed and weaved like willow around Danniks punishing hits. To my utter surprise Dejah remained in total control, not even a spark igniting at his fingertips. With a hard spin Dejah dodged another strike to his ribs and wrapped an arm around the back of Danniks neck, forcing him off balance. With a show of almighty strength Dejah forced Dannik to the ground and seemed to whisper something to Dannik that made him shriek with rage and struggle futilely under Dejahs grip.

“Enough!” Came an almighty roar as Sorsha swept into the paddock that surrounded the stables.

Evhren was hot on her heels and in one swift movement used her spear to smack Dejahs hand that held Dannik. They rolled apart only to be forced to their knees by Evhren who placed them before Sorsha.

Sorsha looked pale with rage, her hair wild and her eyes menacing like some ancient storm spirit had descended upon us. She glared down at the pair then to me, then to gathering crowd like she didn’t know where to strike her wrath first.

“Never,” she began quietly, “in all my years have I seen such a display as today. You should be ashamed.”

Dannik flinched, lowering his head, but Dejah remained unchanged his gaze fixed in the middle distance as blood continued to dribble down his chest. Sorsha started to pace slowly.

“Punishment is needed for these transgressions, punishments and shame brought upon you names!”

Danniks flinched again. Sorsha continued in Orcish, growling out the hard consonants and spitting the vowels as a more people gathered. It wasn’t until Sorsha reached Dejah that she stopped her tirade and stared down at Dejah with a growing look of horror on her face. Stepping back Sorsha pointed to Dejah and nodded to Evhren who jumped Dejah like a wild cat and smashed his face into the dirt.

Dejah let out a strangled cry but his hands where already being bound as Sorsha stood over him with a pulled knife. I watched in terror as Sorsha bent with the blade making a cut by Dejahs ear and presented the tiny braid I’d made for him, the little bead at the tip swaying in the breeze.

“Dejah Vaas, you dare decorate your hair of our tribe?”

The people gathered gasped and spat on the ground, hissing and snarling harsh words under their breath. Dejah stayed silent but stopped struggling instead looking around till his eyes met mine.

“You are banished Dejah,” Sorsha continued. “You know what this means?”

Not breaking eye contact with me, Dejah nodded. With a sigh that seemed to deflate her Sorsha nodded to Evhren who wrenched Dejah up by the hair. Sorsha whisper something to Dejah and he shook his head in reply. Looking even more defeated Sorsha raised her head.

“I decree that Dejah Vaas, Karn of our tribe, be punished for breaking our sacred rights of banishment not once, but twice. Because he will be tied to a post and whipped. May the gods be merciful.”

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