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

Chapter One:

I had just enough money to get to the village of Obresh, and then I had to stop.  Obresh wasn’t what I planned, it was still better than where I was. I could start over with a clean slate and no one else dictating my every action.

For the time being, I rented a room at a boarding house called The Little Gem House. The place is constantly filled with people, but they all seem to pretty much keep to themselves. The Little Gem is run by a woman who insists everyone calls her Mama, and she takes the role quite seriously.

I counted my money before leaving for work. Each dollar saved was a blessing, but I wasn’t sure how much I would need to keep going. I put it all away into a small satchel that I then tucked under the mattress.

I had clothes given to me by some of the people I had met.The girls I worked with were especially giving. Some items may not have fit right, but I knew how to sew and mend things to wear. Some tight sleeves or waistline wasn’t an issue.

Once I was dressed, I left my room and came across Mama in the hallway.

“Are you leaving already, Rue?” Mama called out to me one evening as I was heading out. I hadn’t noticed her kneeling down behind a chair nearby, and I let out a small yelp.

“Oh now sweetheart, don’t be so jumpy.” She laughed and came up to me, holding a soiled rag in her gnarled hand. “Is the Odd Strawberry where you’re heading?”

“Yes, Mama,” I said with a breathless cadence. “There’ll be big crowds at the taverns for the next few days, and Mr. Bodkin said it would be worth the extra money.”

“Surprised that a jumpy thing like you works at such a busy tavern.” Mama nodded, her eyes darted around as if trying to find something to do.

“It’s not so bad,” I murmured. “The girls I work with are very nice. And Meggie looks out for me.”

“That’s good!” mama huffed, looking around with a strange glint in her eye. “Meggie was the right friend to make.”

I held a small smile. “She is. Most of us will be working tonight anyways, so I’m not too worried about much, even if it’s supposed to be busy.”

“I guess all these crowds would be on account of the Reaping.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. Reaping? Was it a harvest thing? Or worse?

I leaned forward a bit. “I’m sorry Mama, but what would that be?”

Mama picked up the chair like it was nothing, moved it aside and looked over the spot where it had been sitting. Had anyone asked me what she was doing I wouldn’t be too sure how to answer them.

“Mama!” I tried to say as sternly as I could. I even waved my little hand at her. “Mama!”

She perked up slightly. “Yes dear?”

“What’s this reaping you’re talking about?”

“The reaping, sweetheart.” She said like I should know. “It’s an old tradition for our orcs. But you wouldn't know, that’s right! It's a right of passage for the orcs. Nothing to worry about, dear. But do be careful of how you interact with them." She stood and walked down the long hallway.

What did that mean?

I scurried after her, still unsatisfied with that answer. “But…what do they do?”

Mama glanced back at me, still worried with whatever she was doing. “They go out hunting for a mate.”

A sense of doom fell on my shoulders. “A mate? Where?”

Mama leaned against the wall and tried to peer in between the cracks. “In town. On the streets.”

My insides seized up tightly and turned as frozen as winter. Anyone? They took just anyone? Is that why the tavern got so busy? No. No, it's okay. It's fine. This probably has nothing to do with me.

“You’re trying to tease me, Mama!” I wanted to go along with her playing, but a part of me believed it.

“I wouldn’t tease about the Reaping. If I wasn’t married to Papa well—” She knelt down again and felt along the floor.