The sun rose early and she rose first. She often did to keep Nukbrik from harassing her in her sleep. Except today was different. For the first time in fourteen years, she didn't wake up with no escape, she didn't wake up with sealed doors or chains on her. She rose with the sun alive, untouched, and free.
For the first time in her life, it was a good morning.
Confidence poured through her, a strange exuberance and she wanted to move, to stretch her legs. She didn't have to wait for someone to open the door to her locked room in the barn. She could get up and go. So she did, she crawled out of the tent they'd pitched last night, gifted to her by Lohke, and under the barely lit sky.
The soothing melody of a stream flowing nearby was simply a part of the morning's music, adding it's own beat as the birds began to chirp and fly through the breeze. A few crickets dallied their own tunes and she was free to listen to it all, to walk through the woods, to run and move.
As she stood outside of the tent, she looked around her. The dire wolves the orcs rode were all huddled in a pile like giant, happy lap dogs and she walked softly across the encampment so she wouldn't wake them. They were content to let her pass without even cracking open an eye. Either she was sneakier than she thought, or they viewed her as no threat.
She passed easily between the smattering of tents the orcs had constructed for their selves for the night. Small stretches of canvas leaned up against trees to support them, blocking their sleeping forms from sight. She couldn't say if anyone was awake as she left it behind and made her way to the stream.
As she finally reached it, she could feel the music of the forest fold around her. There was an open field on the other side, a few small birds fluttering from the trees and into the grass, then back again. From here she would be able to see the sun come up. She had the time, the choice, the ability to stand and watch it rather than marching to the field for a day's work. She hadn't had this kind of luxury ever. She'd been loved as a child, she remembered delicate, treasured memories of her parents, but she'd been so young. To truly have freedom, to be under no one's rule. This was new, this was different. Once she made it to human territory, the possibilities would be endless.
"Not wise to run while we're still on orc grounds." Erinne flinched at the deep voice and wheeled, fists swinging, but Cold Hammer shifted so her fist shot right past him. He arched an eyebrow and she stared up at him. She hadn't even heard him coming. How he'd moved so quietly she couldn't guess, but now her heart was in her throat, nerves on edge. His words did nothing to ease her sudden alarm either.
"I'm not running."
He snorted, "Then what are you doing?"
"I don't have to explain myself to you." That kind of terse response earned her lashes with Nukbrik on a bad day. Extra work on a good one.
His eyes narrowed and he stepped closer. It seemed with him it would earn her anger. "No, you don't, but don't take that tone with me, Human. I am not Lohke, I'll put you down."
"I dare you to try-" His hand curled around towards her quick and she barely ducked it or the blow would've knocked her sideways. He looked surprised that she'd so effectively avoided being hit, and even more surprised when she attacked back. She didn't get the chance to ponder her reaction, it probably wasn't the wisest move, but after so many times in an orc fight ring, she was extremely reactive to anyone coming at her with closed fists. She dove into the fight without hesitation.
Orcs were a lot bigger than humans, and she being a woman made him easily twice her size, but she knew how to land a blow. Orc's were sensitive just under their nose and above their lip, but you had to land the hit between their tusks, if you hit their tusks you were going to break your hand. Her hit was true, it wasn't the first time she'd attacked an orc.
He leaned back, the shock rippling across his face before he swung again. He moved for the next hit and swatted her, knocking her straight to the leaves, but she rolled. As she came to her feet, she realized it was a good thing because he'd been reaching for her, prepared to snatch her up to her feet and probably beat her to death.
As he came near her she grabbed the biggest stick she could find that might be a useful weapon and was about to spring at him when a twig snapped behind her. She whirled, brandishing her stick in a quick arc to hit whatever was behind her and pulled up short before she hit Lohke in the face.
She had just barely curbed her swing, but the stick was still up, and before she could take her next breath, Lohke's direwolf launched itself at her. White fur and teeth blurred together as Erinne threw up the stick in front of her face to protect herself. Two massive paws landed on her chest, knocking her straight to the ground. The weight itself was enough to pin her in place, not to mention there was nowhere to run except straight into those teeth that were now locking around the stick.
Erinne pushed back on the stick as the wolf ground her teeth on it until splintered wood was all that remained and she lunged for her throat. She gasped and shoved half of the stick in the wolf's mouth while kicking her feet up into it's gut. It gagged and choked, snarling as it's paws slid off her and she scrambled away.
She was vaguely aware of Lohke yelling, but she didn't stop to focus on his words as his wolf came charging after her, fur up in a ridge along her back, growling as she came. She didn't get the chance to reach Erinne as Lohke marched forward and grabbed the animal by the scruff and shouted at her until she cowered back. She shrank away, tail tucked, ears back and laid down in the leaves while Erinne heaved for breath several feet away, back against a tree.
She stared at the animal, but she couldn't say she blamed her for the attack. Erinne had almost hit Lohke in the face with a branch. To the wolf, it would've looked like a full blown attack and she was trained to protect her master.
"Hey!" She flinched when Lohke snapped at her and she glanced his way. "Quit staring at her like that, it's a challenge. And put those sticks down." She averted her gaze from the wolf immediately and glanced down at the sticks. She bit her lip and deposited the shattered bits of wood in the forest floor as Lohke continued, glaring at them both before he focused on Cold Hammer, "What is going on here?"
"I didn't like the wench's tone."
Lohke frowned and met her gaze and she stared back. He seemed to be searching her for something. She wasn't quite sure what he wanted, but Cold Hammer had, more or less, told the truth of it. She was still huffing for breath as she agreed, "I didn't like that he didn't like my tone." She stated and both eyebrows lifted so she elaborated. "I challenged him."
Cold Hammer lifted his head higher, "I took her challenge."
Lohke made a noise that sounded an awful lot like a growl. "I expect more from you."
Cold Hammer sneered back at him, "Orcs know not to mess with me. Let me finish the challenge and she'll know."
"No."
"You might be surprised," She countered, glaring at him.
"I said no. That goes for both of you." He stepped closer to her. "I expect you to appreciate my hospitality in taking you to your homeland." He faced Cold Hammer and said to him, "I expect you not to harm those I put under my protection, as she is. I didn't go through the trouble of saving her so you or my wolf could devour her."
Cold Hammer laughed, "Should have let the wolf eat her."
"Stop it." He glanced at her again. "And stop challenging creatures larger than you before you do get eaten." He started to turn away until he heard her snort and frowned, turning back. He couldn't have possibly been more surprised if she'd actually attacked him.
Cold Hammer stepped closer. "One word, Chieftain, and I will slay her where she stands."
Lohke shook his head, "No. She has the heart of an orc, and the skills of a warrior. Leave her be. Come. We go back to camp and prepare to continue our journey." He turned and led the way and she paused, staring at him as he went. He motioned to his dire wolf as he passed her and she rose to walk at his side while Erinne and Cold Hammer held back.
When she finally turned her gaze to him, he was staring at her with a harsh glint in his eyes. Yeah, she didn't like him either. After a moment he rolled his shoulders as if to show off how muscular they were, how much more powerful he was than her, and walked on. Yeah, she was also fully aware that he could crush her with one hand if he managed to grab hold of her. She still wouldn't back down from a challenge.
***Author's Note: Thanks so much for reading! There will be a new chapter posted every Monday! Stay tuned for more Rise of the Warrior of Everfen***