The Orc's Rose: Chapter Two (special preview)

Chapter Two:

Meggie was right: The reaping eve was truly very busy. I had not seen so many people gathered in one place. It felt like something of a hazard. The bar was so crowded I must have bumped into every soul twice. I was kept far too busy to feel anxious, and so far, all fights had been taken outside so the tavern had not seen any yet.

“Oy! Rose!”

I looked up through the crowd to see Ozren waving me down. I hadn’t even seen him come in, let alone heard his bawdy laugh over the roar of the crowd. He was with the same young orcs as the night before who were facing away as I approached.

“I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” I told him.

Ozren placed two gold coins in my hand again. “Same deal as last night, Rose.” He tugged me close, keeping hold of my hand. His lips came close to my ear and a tingling sensation ran down my spine.

“I don’t plan on drinking too much tonight. So if you could sneak me water every once in a while this old fool would appreciate it.”

I blinked in confusion. I wasn’t sure why he would want to hide that, but I gave him a nod. With what he was paying me, I was more than happy to do whatever he asked. “No problem Mr…Ozren. No problem, Ozren.”

He grinned at me, rubbing his thumb along my hand before he let go. “That’s my Rose. If you see me tapping my stein with my lucky finger here, that means I’d like some water.” He whispered, wagging his wooden finger so it clanged against the stein.

I tapped my fingers to my lips. “Our little secret.”

After a couple of drinks, I saw him flash me the sign and I filled his cup with water. He drank what alcohol he got slowly, which was odd for anyone in the tavern that night. Curiosity was getting the best of me. He always drank to keep up with his friends. He would celebrate any little occurrence. Why was he drinking less tonight of all nights?

I saw him flash the sign again, and I could no longer hold my tongue on the matter. As I traded his stein out I leaned in close to whisper to him.

“Do you have plans tomorrow?”

Ozren’s body stiffened when I asked. He looked at me with raised brows before it clicked with him what I was asking. He laughed, leaning in towards me as I filled other steins on the table.

Ozren nodded his head towards his friends. “I will probably be working alone tomorrow, so I want to keep my wits about me. Lots of my workers will be blissful with their reaping selections.”

“Ah! I see. That makes sense.” I lifted my tray to go back towards the bar to refill my pitcher. “I almost thought you were planning on participating tomorrow.”

Ozren smiled at me. “Aside from you, who would I have a chance with?”

I thought I misheard him over the roar of the crowd. “What did you say?”

“I said, there’s no one who I would have a chance with.” He said it loud and close to my ear so I could hear him right.

“Nonsense!” I placed my hand upon his arm. “I think you’d have a chance with anyone you met.” I left him, going back towards the bar.

Mr. Bodkin began yelling at a fight that was taking place. I hurried on my way, trying to get behind the bar for an easy escape. Mr. Bodkin hopped off his perch, and I knew it was going to be a big brawl. The commotion turned loud and to my right someone was shoved and they slammed right into me. I was pushed and I stumbled backward. My tray and everything on it flew from my hands. I hit the ground, feeling the side of my head collide with the floor. My hip struck as well and it somehow hurt worse than my head.

I heard Mr. Bodkin yelling as the odd Strawberry boomed. The fight was ringing out through the bar, and I was stuck on the floor, unable to move. I covered my head, balling myself up. I wanted to get up, but I found myself unable to. I feared I would get trampled, but I was lifted from the ground. I kept myself balled up with my head down and my hands covering my ears so I couldn’t hear the yelling. I could feel myself wanting to cry but I was locked up and somehow unable.

“Look at me, hey, look at me.” A large hand gently pulled at one of my own. “Look at me, my Rose, come now.” The voice was familiar, but so much softer than I’d heard before. The hands were rough and calloused, but they were warm and gentle as they touched me.

Stomping feet sounded around the corner. “Where is she?” Meggie gasped as she ran into the room.

I blinked open my eyes and saw Ozren hunched before me and Meggie’s wall of hair at my side. I looked up at Ozren and took a breath that shuddered through my body and unlocked me.

“Are you okay? Does anything hurt?” Meggie was inspecting me for any sort of visible injury. Her hands felt so warm on my arm.

Ozren looked terrified as he waited for me to respond. Our eyes were locked and I focused on him because he felt like the only safe thing in the world. Safe, sturdy and there.

“I’m okay,” I managed to choke out. Tears rolled down my cheeks and I sniffled. “I got scared. I’m fine-” I lost my voice as I started to cry. Fat, wet tears fell down my cheeks splattering on my apron.

Meggie pulled me into her arms and stroked my back as I tried to calm down. “Thank you for getting her out of that.”

Ozren shook his head. “It was nothing. I would have done it even had she stubbed her toe.”