Orc Girlfriend: Lyneth (special preview)

I’ll admit it, working for the Polar royal family is intimidating. Working in the Polar is intimidating, period. Everyone here is so big, so prepared to face the harsh and bitter climate. As a halfling, I really don’t belong here, and sometimes I am reminded of that daily. Even the royal children are starting to grow taller than me now, and I have known them since they were newborns.

Czarina Katrina adores my work though and has appointed me as one of her artists in residence for the palace. I have made several statues for the gardens and halls, as well as some statues for the cathedral where Katrina grew up. I am proud to be able to freely create and produce my art here. I enjoy the Polar even if I am the only halfling in it.

Katrina has done wonders for education and the arts in the Polar. Whereas before it seemed everything was poured into military prowess, she has created an education reform that is remarkable. Her insistence on reinvigorating the dying arts of the Polar has her bringing in local artisans often. She provides them funding in order to get supplies to teach and spread the craft. Her ideals for strengthening the Polar are not just in physical might, but in everything the Polar has to offer.

“The more Polar culture is introduced to the world, the more we seep in, the more others are made aware. We become great through practice, we seize attention with how much better we can be.” Katrina said this often. It sounded vain at first, but I can now see what she means by this.

I teach sculpting at the cathedral, just one of the many classes that are held through it. But most of my work is done at the palace. I am often watched, which does not bother me as much as it used to. If one of the royal family is not watching, mostly Gregori’s grandmother, then there are guests of the family who watch. Lots of times it’s other artisans that she calls in.

“Emmon, dearest,” Grandmother said to me one day. “I think you will be falling in love soon.”

Grandmother was always spouting wild things. Gregori and Katrina believed she had a gift of future sight. I think she was just as batty as the day was long. “What makes you say that, Dowager mother?” I do try to play along for she is scary if you laugh.

“I say it because it is true. You will meet the future owner of your heart soon enough. Although I would be wary if I were you.”

I sat my tools aside and wipe my brow. Looking up at the statue I was working on, I still wasn’t sure what to do with her. I had the basic body chiseled out, but facial features and other things I still couldn’t see in my mind yet. “Why should I be wary?”

Grandmother chuckled in that sinister yet jovial way of hers. “You’ll see. I do not always give away the surprise.”

“I’ll be surprised?” I stand up and move towards her. “Why don’t I walk you back to your room. It’s getting close to tea time.”

“Feh,” she scoffed. She took my hand though and rose from her chair. For someone so old, she moved quite well. “You young folk don’t know how to listen. Wait until you’re grown.”

“I keep telling you, dowager mother, I am grown. I’m in my fifties, young for my people still, but grown.” I know halfling ages can be confusing for some, but Grandmother seems almost willing to forget.

“Young! You won’t be grown until you’re almost ready to die, like me. I was young a few years ago. You think you’re grown because of a number. Children, the lot of you! You don’t get to be grown until the cogs in here become greased.” She knocks her overly ring laden fingers against the side of my head. “That usually doesn’t happen until you get to be like me.”

“Even your grandson?”

“A baby! That wife of his is grown though, she matured fast. That’s why I like her.” Grandmother snorted then spit in the hallway. I’d been told she did this to destroy curses she saw. I really didn’t want to question.

I took Grandmother to the parlor where the royal family had tea together. Already Katrina was there along with a couple of guests. “Oh perfect,” Katrina extended her hand out. “Emmon, come and join us. I want to introduce you to the new artisans I’ve brought in.”

Grandmother cackled cryptically as she went to join her great-grandchildren. I strode forward, bowing to Katrina then turning to see the two guests. Both were orcs, one male and one female. They had mottled green skin with touches of pale brown mixed in. Their hair was pure white and tied back into a single thick braid.