“And they speak true, yet I rode year-round.”
“Then you must find Taiben confining.”
“I do at times. I imagine the women you know lead more adventurous lives.”
“I know no women,” said Kol. “I have sisters, but I haven’t seen them in years. A military man leads an unsettled life.”
“But women served in your regiments.”
“Those branded wretches! Honorable men avoided them.”
“Why?” asked Girta. “Because they were unfortunate?”
“Their misfortune was their own doing. When we levied women, the villages sent their troublemakers. Slatterns, thieves, and worse. Still, I loathed branding them.”
“Then why did you?”
“Our king’s command. Unbranded women fled. Orcs are not gentle masters.”
“Dar said differently.”
“She knew how to please them.”
“And how was that?” asked Girta.
“To say, I must violate your injunction.” “And speak ill of her?”
“Yes, and most indelicately.”
Despite herself, Girta was intrigued. “Say your tale. I’ll hear it.”
“I’m told orc females look not unlike human ones. Though bull orcs think our women ugly, they’re not repelled by them.”
“Are you saying that...that...” Girta shuddered.
“I said it’s an indelicate subject.”
“How unnatural!”
“Unnatural, but not so uncommon. We’ve all heard of shepherds who take solace with their ewes. A woman can’t fight off a lustful orc. But Dar was different. She didn’t resist. Quite the opposite.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“Ask any of your royal guards about the orc wench. They were there. That’s what Dar was named. A title she bore proudly.”
“Are you saying she whored her way to the crown?”
“I don’t believe she did. Whoring may have gained her some advantage, but I think she offered them more than her favors.”
“What?”
“Your realm.”
Girta took a deep swallow of wine. “Can you explain your meaning?”
“Orcs are cruel and savage fighters, but they’re not clever. We humans have always used our wits to best them. That’s why they fight for us rather than against us. But don’t doubt their resentment. I liken them to dogs. We’re the masters, yet if we drop our guard they’ll tear out our throats. I think Dar offered to betray her kind in exchange for the crown. Look how she fooled the Queen’s Man and your husband. And that treaty she had you sign brought orcs inside the palace.”
“How would that treaty benefit her?” asked Girta. “She was dying.”
“If she truly was, it gained her naught. But I’d keep an eye on your orc guards.”
“The same guards you’re teaching the prince not to fear?”
“Fear encourages attack. You should be calm, but wary.”
“I keep a wary eye on everyone. Men are dangerous, too. And as you’ve said, they’re more treacherous than orcs.”
“You’re right about that,” said Kol. “I trust your son can defend himself”
“He has a fencing master.”
“Would he be safe against a cutthroat with a dirk? Assassins don’t abide by fencers’ rules.” “He’s only eight.”
“All the more reason to know a few tricks.”
“Tricks you could teach him?” asked Girta.
“I’ve eluded death more than once. I’d gladly show the prince what I know.”
“When he becomes king, I want him to know more than war.”
“You’re wise to hate it. I’ve seen too much to call war glorious or noble. The prince should fight only to save his life or his kingdom.”
“Then we’re like-minded in this,” said Girta. “It would please me if you spent time with the prince.”
“I’d be honored to instruct him.”
Queen Girta called for Lokung after Tolum Kol departed, and asked him to fetch a guardsman, specifying that he be one who served on the summer campaign. The steward left and returned with a man named Wulfar. Girta sent Lokung outside the room before she spoke. “I’m told you fought for my husband this summer.”
“I did, Yer Majesty.”
“I’m curious about a woman who served in the regiments on that campaign. I’m told she was notorious. They called her the orc wench.”
“Has Sevren complained to Yer Majesty?”
“Why do ask that?”
“I’ve heard he has yer ear.”
“So?”
“He was sweet on her. Still is, I think. So if he’s told tales against me.”
“He hasn’t. I just want to know about the orc wench.”
“Well, she tupped an orc. I know that. And it killed a man for her.”
“I see,” said Girta. “What happened to her?”
“She must have run off with her orc. Leastways, she was gone when the fighting stopped. I thought she was dead until she showed up here.”
“Can you tell me any more about her?”
“Not really, Yer Majesty. The rest of the guard will tell ye much the same.”
“You may leave. And send my steward to me as you depart.”
As much as the queen disliked admitting it, she conceded that Lokung had been right in disparaging Sevren. Even if Sevren isn’t a traitor, his loyalties are divided. Girta could see no reason for Wulfar
to lie to her, and his assertion explained why Sevren had helped Dar. When Lokung entered the chamber, Girta instructed him to bar Sevren from further audiences. The steward bowed and departed, his expression neutral.
When the queen was alone again, she took stock of her situation. She had heard much that compounded her worries. Tolum Kol seemed right; her uneasiness with the orcs was justified. Girta realized that her belief in Dar’s sincerity had convinced her to make a treaty with the orcs and solicit their protection. What if she played me false? Further questions followed. Is Dar still alive? If so, what are her intentions?
Though Girta had no way to check all of Tolum Kol’s claims, her interview with the guardsman had verified a major one. It seemed certain that Dar had taken an orc for a lover. A woman capable of that was capable of anything. Yet despite its worrisome implications, Girta was glad to have confirmed Kol’s story, for it proved his truthfulness. And I sorely need someone I can trust.
Twenty
In the two days following Kovok-mah’s arrival, Dar received seven more candidates for her mintaris in the Great Chamber. The sons from the Hak clan and the Jan clan had been selected by their clan’s matriarchs. Although Dar knew their names, they were strangers to her. Nagtha-yat, whom she knew and had requested, accompanied the Jan clan sons. The Tok clan was also represented. Kak-tok had been recommended by Nir-yat. The other candidate proved a delightful surprise. He was Lama-tok. He grinned broadly as he bowed. “Dargu! One of your wolves has returned.” Then he howled.
Dar laughed. “How good to see you again! How’s Duth-tok?”
“My brother was blessed upon his return and now lives with his muthvashi in Smat clan hall.”
Custom required Dar to bless each son by name, and she interrupted her conversation with her old traveling companion to do that. After the blessings were accomplished, she felt at a loss. The mixture of strange and familiar faces did not suggest a single course of action. The sons gazed at her expectantly. Dar’s mind began to race, and for a moment, she feared she’d have nothing to say. Then the memories of a long line of queens came to her. Each had overcome similar awkwardness. Encouraged by their example, Dar grew calm and words came to her.
Dar gazed into the eyes of each son before she spoke. “I know some of you, and some I’ll come to know. Yet all have been deemed worthy to stand before me, and I’m pleased you’re here. For many generations, your clans have sent sons to serve great mothers. Yet there has never been great mother such as I. I’m not sure why Muth la set me on this throne. I didn’t seek to become queen. I’m still surprised I’m here.
“Because I’ve been reborn, I look strange to you. My spirit is urkzimmuthi, but my body still has its old form. Perhaps that’s part of Muth la’s plan, I don’t know. What I do know is that Fathma unites me with all great mothers. Their spirits have mingled with mine, and my fate is same as theirs—to be muthuri to all urkzimmuthi. When you serve me, it’s our race you truly serve.”