The Orc's Rose: The Prologue (deluxe preview)

Prologue:

I am not sure why, but ever since I was little I had kept a secret savings. I was just hiding extra coins given to me by some of my father’s associates, business partners and friends. I never thought much about it. As I grew older though, my intent to save all change and allowances was much more purposeful. Whatever I didn’t need to spend, it was all tucked away.

I heard my father from down the hall. He was speaking in a pompous manner, which alerted me to company. “Rue’s not much to look at mind you, but she comes from good stock. Her mother’s side of the family is well known for their long bloodlines.”

I quickly hid my savings away, tucking the box behind an old doll on the shelf. I prepared myself, smoothing down my skirt and making sure my hair was still all pushed up on the top of my head. I then sat posed at my desk, pretending to write something, but really it was all for show. Like my father said, I was to be seen and not heard.

“That’s wonderful news,” the man said. “I have always wanted a large family. I was an only child mind you. So was my father, and his father. We’ve gone to a trickle, I'm afraid.”

“No worries there!” My father exclaimed with a touch too much excitement. “My Rue is surely up to the task of giving you the sons you want.” My father was bragging about me. But not in the way a father should brag about his child. No. he was talking about me like I was some prize horse or cow. I was merely there as a bargaining chip. I’d been called lots of names in my family, but a brood sow cut deep, especially thinking about my mother.

My bedroom door opened without a knock and I sucked in my breath and held my stomach taut. I turned from my desk, looking up as my father as his guest entered my room. I put on that fake, saccharine smile that hurt my cheeks, but pleased my father greatly.

“Rue, stand up girl, this is the young chap I was telling you about.” My father proudly smacked the back of the man before me. The fellow looked more egg than man, all round and pale with a mop of hair on top that looked held on by hope, or maybe something tacky.

I rose from my desk, keeping my belly sucked in even as I bowed. “It's so nice to finally meet you.”

The egg-man looked me up and down without. “Yes. I’m sure.”

I swallowed my breath, I would have swallowed my tongue if I could. “How was your trip here? I know Sothen’s rocky roads can be hard on some.”

My father gave me a warning look, shaking his head while the egg-man was turned. I shut my mouth and remained still, letting myself be looked over like I was up for auction.

“Not bad,” the egg-man said. “The more plump ones are always best for child rearing. Not really much else, but then again I'm not looking for much else,” he chortled like he had done something. They both talked as if I wasn’t standing before them.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and my stomach instantly turned to nausea. I felt sick and I had to let go of my breath in order to keep from heaving.

My father laughed along with the egg-man. “Like I said, she’s just like her mother, perfect for giving sons.” He took the egg-man by his shoulder and led him to the door. “Let me show you the shop. We’re working on some of the pieces your mother ordered right now!” He turned and looked back at me over the egg-man’s shoulder. “Why don’t you make yourself useful, Rue, and go set up tea for us when we get back?”

I nodded as sweat crept up my brow. “Yes father.”

Once my door closed again I quickly went and leaned against something. I took deep breaths, feeling the nausea rip through my body like an angry storm. I gulped down air as tears came into my eyes, joining the sweat that ran down my face. I couldn’t wait long though, I needed to get the tea from the kitchen and have it set up before my father and the egg-man showed up.

I braced against the wall as I walked. The waves of nausea made me flaming hot and then turn icy cold.

“Where’s dad at?”

My eldest brother stood before me, looking down at me with the same look our father gave me before he left.

I stiffened my posture, rounding my shoulders and folding my hands before me on my skirt. “He’s in the shop giving a tour to our guest.”

He scoffed and rolled his eyes.. “That’ll give me a few minutes.” He hesitated, giving me a stern look. “What are you doing?”

I took in a breath and held it. “Fetching tea. Father asked to have it ready once he’s done giving the tour.”

He nodded and his eyes darted towards the opposite end of the hall. “Looks like you won’t be here much longer. I don’t think dad wants to look anymore for someone to take you on.” He kept looking down the hallway. “You’re quite lucky.”

I knew his wife and kids were in the main wing of the house, as they were recovering from a long journey. Whoever he was looking for, I’m sure it wasn’t one of them. He brushed passed by me without another word, nearly pushing me into the wall even though he had all the room in the world to use.

I made it to the kitchen and was a bit relieved, but I was still feeling waves of nausea, so I wasn’t exactly my chipper self.

“There she is, we haven’t seen you all day, Rue,” Chef Lily replied.

A bit of relief came over me as I stood in the kitchen. “I was busy getting ready. Father had someone he wanted me to meet today.” I went to the cupboards, taking out my father’s favorite tea set.

“That’s why you look so lovely,” another of the staff giggled.

I just shook my head at that. “I need to get a tea tray ready.”

“We’ll help with that.” Chef Lily whistled and members of the kitchen took over to set the tray. I took a seat, placing my hand over my belly as I felt close to puking.

Chef Lily came over, feeling my forehead then cupping her hand around my cheek. “Goodness, you don’t feel well.” She snapped her fingers. “Go get the tray set up for the master. Tell them Ms. Rue is ill.”

A rush of cold crashed through me. I grabbed her hand and shook my head. “Oh, no, don’t do that. He’ll be upset if I don’t do it.”

Chef Lily gave me a look. “Nonsense! No one wants green gills around their tea.” She waved for another remember of staff. “Take her up to her room and get her settled.”

“I’m not sick,” I argued. “I’m just…I’m nervous.”

Her eyes weren't letting anything go. She could see how pale I was, the sweat on my brow, the redness of my eyes. “Nervous? For what?” Chef Lily held my chin in her hand. “Talk to me, Ms. Rue. What’s got you so bothered?”

“The man who is here…my father intends to marry me off to him.” I said. “I guess I’m just worried about that.”

Chef Lily wasn’t taking it. She had known me too long for that. “No, love. You can tell me what’s wrong.”

I looked into her eyes and I broke down crying. I told her everything, and while most of it she knew, she had no clue the things my father was saying, nor the money I had been hiding away. “Somedays, I just want to run away!” I cried. “I want to leave this place and never look back. I don’t care what becomes of me, at least it can’t be worse than what will happen to me if I stay here!”

Chef Lily shook her head. “Your mother died bringing you into this world, Ms. Rue. Birthing one child after the next, her body never got much rest. I believe your father loved her, but he didn’t see what he was doing to her.” She went over to the larder and from the open doorway I saw her loading a sack with bread cheese, and a few cured meats. She came back and opened drawers, placing silverware inside as well.

“What are you doing?” I stood up fast and made myself dizzy.

Chef Lily placed the sack in my hands. “I can’t tell you what to do, Ms. Rue. This is your decision. But if you have been wanting an escape, now is your chance.”

I stared at her in disbelief. “I don’t think I can.”

She cupped her warm hand around my cheek and firmly grasped my shoulder. “If you’ve been thinking about it this long, you can.”

I was taken back to my room along with the sack filled with silverware and food. I laid in bed for a long while, thinking to myself about what I should do. I heard laughter from somewhere in the house, and for some reason, it made me angry.

I put together a small bag of my things, I couldn’t carry much, but that didn’t bother me. I tossed my things out the window and waited to make sure no one heard anything. I climbed down on the trellis, landing on the soft ground below. As I picked up my things, I looked towards the glowing windows ahead of me. Inside was my family, my father, my brothers, and their families.

I felt a gnawing in my gut, wondering if running was the right thing to do. I went over to the windows, looking inside to see everyone. They were all happy, laughing. No one seemed worried for me, even though they were told I was ill. My father was chatting up the egg-man, showing off his collections of rare books in the same manner he showed off me.

I took a deep breath. “Good bye,” I whispered. Not that they would miss me. They were happy now, they didn’t need me. I left that night, walking the roads of Sothen until I came upon a travelers inn. I spent the night there, then left with one of the caravans in the morning heading west. With any luck, I could make it to the port of Obresh and cross the Cobra Strait. They would never find me then. I would be free.