Ozren Novella: Special Preview

Obresh hadn’t been my planned destination at all. I had just enough money to get there, and then I had to stop. For years I saved to be able to run away from home. Even if this wasn’t what I planned, it was still better than where I had been. I could start over with a clean slate and no one else’s words dictating my every action.

For the time being, I rent 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.

“Are you leaving already, Rue?” Mama called out to me one evening. I hadn’t seen her knelt down behind a chair so she startled me.

“Oh now sweetheart, don’t be jumpy.” She laughed and came up to me, carrying a soiled rag. “Is it the Odd Strawberry where you’re heading?”

“Yes, Mama,” I said with a breathless cadence. “Supposedly there will 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 even works at such a busy tavern.” Mama nodded, her eyes darting around as if trying to find something to do. “I guess all these crowds would be on account of the reaping.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. “The what?”

Mama picked up the chair like it was nothing, moving it aside and looking 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.

“The reaping, sweetheart.” She glanced back up at me. “It’s what the orcs of Obresh do. Old tradition.” She then gasped and started. “Oh right, you wouldn’t know about it would you! Well now, you best keep a look out of any orc you deal with. During the reaping the orcs come into Obresh and take whoever they desire as a mate.”

My insides seized up tightly and turned to cold ice. “You’re trying to tease me, Mama!” I was trying 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 I would have let some strapping orc carry me off on their broad shoulders by now.” She knelt down again, feeling along the floor.

I should have been heading off to the Odd Strawberry, but my attention was captured. “So they can just pick up anyone? And then that person has to be their mate?”

Mama was still searching on the floor, wiping that rag back and forth across the baseboards. “There’s rules to it. And they just can’t pick up anyone. Back in the day sure, when Obresh was failing and everyone was close to either the whore house or the poor house. The orcs saved Obresh, so it’s our silly little way of paying them back. It’s quite fun.”

I failed to see how being picked up off the street and carted away by an orc could be seen as fun. I escaped one arranged marriage, I wasn’t eager to walk into another while trying to walk home.

“Mama, what are you doing?” I asked.

Mama looked up from the floor. “I’m bored,” was all she said before kneeling back down.

I sighed and went on to work. If I didn’t need to try and save my money, I don’t think I would be working at the Odd Strawberry. Not that there's anything wrong with it, it’s just not my sort of place.

I’ve made some friends though. Lots of the girls I work with are really sweet and have helped me by giving me some of their hand-me-downs. Meggie has been my biggest support, we have near similar builds so the clothes she’s given me have fit like a dream. She trained me and has been like the big sister I always wanted.

The owner, Mr. Bodkin, is rough but he’s protective of us, which I appreciate greatly. He knows everyone in town so he knows which of his staff to send to which table. It’s taken me a while to understand his gruffness is just a thin layer over his kindness.

Then there are the regulars, customers I know by name and even have gotten friendly with. Obresh is a port town and I have seen all sorts of people. More than I ever did back back home. Being able to see familiar faces in a totally unfamiliar setting helps to ease my nerves.

“Good evening, Mr. Bodkin,” I said as I came into the tavern. Already the tavern had quite a few patrons filling the seats.

Mr. Bodkin was a gnarled old dwarf who retired from mining. He built a special ledge behind the bar just for himself so he could tend the bar. “There she is. Glad to see you, Rue. Hop to it, we’re going to be busy tonight.”

I bowed my head and went into the back to hang up my cloak and fetch my apron. I grabbed one of the serving trays as I left and walked out into the bar. Before I even stepped into the bright light A voice boomed over the crowd.

“There’s my rose!”

Ozren Kogan was the owner of the lumber mill and a good friend to Mr. Bodkin. He had come into the bar every so often when I first started, but now he was there almost every other night. As an orc he had a certain presence I wasn’t used to, but he had become one of those familiar faces I didn’t mind seeing. He was also a handsome tipper, which I hated to admit I needed.

Ozren was grinning as he walked into the tavern, waving you down as he took a seat at a table. “Come over here and let me see that face a bit. Atta girl.” The way one of his tusks was smaller than the other made his smile look crooked when it wasn’t.

I chewed on the side of my cheek as I approached him. “Same as always, Mr. Kogan?”

“Look at ‘er, trying to rush me. I like a woman that can make up me mind.” He had a sort of laugh you could hear from down the street. He would get this laughing fits and guffaw so hard it would make his belly jiggle. Jovial, I suppose, would be a good word for him.

“I’m not making up your mind at all. You always order the same drink,” I said with a smile. “I think you are a man of habits, Mr. Kogan.”

Those golden eyes of his watched me as a smile grew upon his face. Years of cutting lumber and receiving various cuts and wounds had given him a roughened look. He had a wooden finger on his right hand and scars covering his arms. His hand looked calloused and his nails were always broken, scuffed, or sometimes even cracked. It made my skin crawl just thinking how badly that must hurt.

“I suppose I can admit to that,” he chuckled. “I know what I like. And when I like something I tend to keep it around.”

I smiled shyly, unsure why his eyes were on me like that. “Then I will go and fetch your usual.” I turned and quickly hopped over to the bar where Mr. Bodkin was already pouring the drink.

“Keep near Ozren tonight,” he told me.

I frowned as I looked up at him. “How come?”

Mr. Bodkin’s brow arched. “Because he’ll tip you better the more that you’re around, and he’ll keep some of the rougher customers at bay. He likes you.”

My cheeks grew warm. “Good advice I suppose.” I took the huge cup of mead for Ozren back to his table and already he was trying to arm wrestle someone. He had pushed up his sleeve, revealing his large, veiny bicep. He waggled his fingers, purposefully flexing the wooden one.

“Here you are, Mr. Kogan.” I set his drink down and he turned to me with a grin.

“Ah, rose, right on time.” He picked up his drink and guzzled down a good portion of it. He slammed it back down upon the table and turned his attention back onto his targeted opponent. “Who do you think would win between us, rose?”

The young orc sitting across from him had a smug expression upon his face. He appeared strong and well toned, but Ozren looked like a beast in comparison. His massive thicket of curly hair made him look like a wild animal who just came from the forest.

I swallowed and placed my hand upon his arm. “Mr. Kogan, are you really going to try and pick fights so early in the evening?”

He moved with my touch, letting my fingers settle upon him and pull his protruded arm back. He looked at me with bright eyes and then he burst out into his usual laugh.

“Yer right, rose. What am I thinkin’?” He placed a coin between my palms and held them together. “I’ll save my strength for the real competition that’s to come!”

I pulled my hand back, clutching the coin tightly. “Or perhaps you take it easy?” I was already trying to plan for a peaceful night, which I knew was far fetched. “After all, with the reaping coming up, you may want to stay fresh.”

Ozren sighed and rubbed his stubble covered chin. Then licked his tongue up his shorter tusk. “Ah! That’s right. Another reaping, another period of nesting.” He held his chin in his hand and his smile returned. “Never done one of those personally.cNever found a reason to. No right person, you understand.” He gave me a wink. “But I do dream of the day I find the right one to throw over my shoulder and bring home. Someone who will warm my heart more than just my bed,” he laughed.

That did sound sweet, I thought. “If you want such a thing Mr. Kogan, then why not look for them?”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I don’t know, rose. Perhaps I’m a bit of a coward. But I am happy living my days and working me ass off.

“Then why have you still got it?” I teased lightly.

His grin grew and he leaned towards me. I opened my mouth to apologize for what I said when he slapped his hand upon my back and placed two more coins in my hand. He laughed bawdily and rubbed my shoulder.

“Have I finally worn away that tough outer shell, rose?”

My cheeks warmed again and I forced out an anxious smile. “A little, perhaps. Would you like anything to eat now?”

Ozren set his hand around his drink and raised it. “Taking care of old Ozren. But no, bring us as much mead as you can carry. All on me. Some of these assholes in here have plans for that reaping, and we’re going to celebrate!” He spoke this as loudly as possibly so everyone could hear. His offering was cheered and applauded, bu tMr. Bodkin just rolled his eyes in exasperation.

Ozren turned to me before I walked away. “Do hurry, my rose. As much as I enjoy watching you walk away, I prefer to see your lovely face.”

I bit down on my cheek again as I walked away. I have to take a few breaths to myself. The other girls come to fetch cup after cup to deliver while I stand aside. I’m uncertain if Ozren is poking fun at me. But how could he not be? I had left home for similar reasons. My existence had become the butt of my family’s jokes. I was teased since I was small for my appearance, my chubby cheeks, my soft belly, and the round shape of my rear and hips.

Once my parents decided to marry me off I thought I would be fine. But the man they chose said, right to my face, that ‘a fat bride was good for children but not much else’. That was when I finally had the courage to run. It was dangerous and I risked more than my life in the process. But really, it would be the same if I stayed and married that man.

“Rue, are you alright?” Meggie snapped me from my thoughts and I looked up at her in alarm. “Rue?” She asked again.

I nodded and gathered a full tray. “Sorry, I thought I smelled something.” I placed a smile on my face for her. “I’m fine Meggie.”

Meggie sighed and went along with it. “Alright, best be on your toes tonight. Things tend to get chaotic the closer the reaping approaches.”

“Why are people so excited about this reaping? It sounds so scary!”

Meggie shrugged. “It’s fun. And it’s not like it used to be. Back in the old days it was a bit more set in stone. Nowadays couples make a day out of it. Not to say there aren’t still those surprises that happen. But if you’ll excuse me. I see a table that looks perfect for me.” She lifted up her tray and walked off.

I gathered up my courage as I returned to Ozren’s table. Along with the drinks I set out a bowl full of dried, crusty bread tossed in herbs and spices. “Will that be all for now?” I mustered a chipper tone as I spoke.

“For now, my rose,” Ozren said with a smile. “Thank you for all your hard work.”

Surely he wasn’t being cruel like my family had been. But I had heard so much of it that doubt always seeped into my mind no matter what.

I nodded and gently patted his shoulder. “I’ll check in with you in a bit. Enjoy.”

Ozren took hold of my hand as I turned away. I held my breath as he spoke. “Wait a second. You forgot something.”

As I looked back he opened up my hand and placed two pieces of gold in my palm. “I don’t care who orders. You keep our mugs full, and I’ll see you get two more before I go.”

I stared in bewilderment at the gold coins. “I knew you were daft, but not this much. I haven't made this much in a month!”

Ozren grinned from ear to ear, getting a look like an excited child. “I told ya, we gots reasons to celebrate tonight, we do!” He squeezed my hand so my fingers closed over the gold coins. “I don’t like to ask for any sort of special treatment, my rose. But tonight is a different one. Make me special, won’t ya?”

My guts squirmed, but hell, money is money and I needed all I could get. I bob my head to him. “Of course I will.”

“I could eat you up, I could,” Ozren laughed and he kept hold of your hand. At last, he let go. “But roses ain’t for eating, are they?”

“The thorns would hurt if you did, Mr. Kogan.” I murmured.

Ozren pinched my chin. “You call me Ozren tonight. None of his mister crap. Remember? Special!”

“Yes, Mr…Ozren.” I chuckled as it felt strange. “Ozren.”

There was a glint to his eyes as he looked at me then. I couldn’t help but feel flattered under that gaze. “Aye, but it’s prettier when you say it.”

I glanced down as my face grew warmer. “Yes, well, I’ll come back and check on you later.”

I went on about my job, filling steins and fetching food from the kitchen. Between these trips I heard customers talking about the reaping that was happening that day after tomorrow. Some of the orcs were bragging loudly about their intentions. Others whispered quietly and cast their eyes upon someone they were hopeful would take them. It all was crazy to me. I didn’t want my marriage to be arranged, I for sure didn’t want to be carted off to another.

As closing time approached Mr. Bodkin rang the bell to signal the final hour. Me and the other wait staff traded off between cleaning and customer upkeep. Meggie and I were the only two left on the floor, dealing with stranglers who were either too drunk to hear the bell or had no intention of leaving until Mr. Bodkin made them.

“Tomorrow will be worse,” Meggie told me.

I almost hated her for saying that. “How much worse can it get?”

Meggie smiled as if she were proud to explain this. “Because the next day is the reaping, so everyone is gonna be coming to get that final shot of liquid courage. Also, lots of times, some orcs find out they’re going after the same person, so they tend to fight about it.”

She must have seen the look upon my face because she put her hand upon my cheek. “Not to worry. If I notice anything I’ll be with you. And I’m sure Ozren will be near you as well.”

I pouted. “I don’t know why that is.”

“You don’t?” Meggie frowned at me.

“Mr. Kogan is nice, but surely he has better things to do as a business owner.” I clean off a table as Meggie continues to give me that puzzled look.

“Well-” Meggie scratched the back of her ear, parting her thick, red curls to get to it. “I suppose it’s none of my business.”

We finished bussing the tables as Mr. Bodkin was getting rid of the remaining stragglers. After getting paid for the evening, Meggie walked me to the Little Gem as it was on her way home.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Rue. Be prepared for reaping eve.” She waved as she walked away.

My guts churned. I didn’t really want to see how the next evening played out at all. But I knew it would be good money, so I tried to tell myself it would all be okay.