Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Lyanna and the alterations she brings to the storyline plot as time goes on.
The Forgotten Chieftain's Wife Chapter 19
The scouting party set out at dawn. This group consists of Lothar, Garona, Khadgar, Karos, and Varis riding horses.
Despite Garona knowing the location of the Warband she still has a long way to go before she's trusted fully so she's still under heavy guard by these men. Lothar is leading the way, but Garona will give insight when asked. There's a severe level of distrust here that can possibly become troublesome, not rhetorically speaking.
Truthfully the group is making very good time, but Garona warned that approaching the Warband when it's dark could very well be a death sentence if they don't know what to expect. So Lothar reluctantly gave leave to make camp for the night.
Unloading a pack from his horse, Lothar said "Bookworm. Take the first watch."
Kind of irked by Lothar's continued use of offensive nicknames for him, Khadgar corrected "Respectfully, Commander, my name is Khadgar."
Pressing a hand to his chest in a mock horror display, Lothar smirked "My apologies, Khadgar. I thought we bonded when I didn't put you in a prison cell for breaking into the royal barracks. Now take the first watch."
Khadgar is very tempted to permanently change Lothar into a toad. One more snarky remark and that'll actually become a reality.
The five of them settled down for the evening. As Karos and Varis got some shut eye Lothar, Khadgar, and Garona remained awake. The only noise is from the crackling fire and Lothar chowing down on a chicken leg. Garona tried to settle down into slumber, but there's a lot weighing down on her mind. It's extremely difficult for her. So right now she's simply lying there in her bedroll playing with the tusk hanging from a thin cord around her neck.
Every once in a while Khadgar's eyes would occasionally travel rather shyly in Garona's direction. He thought he was being discreet, but turns out he wasn't even close.
Amused yet slightly cynical, Lothar said "Well at least you're not reading."
That's what Khadgar had been doing with his nose stuck in a book doing research during the entire ride up to this point.
Garona's about to make this a whole lot more embarrassing for him.
Scrolling her eyes assessing over Khadgar, Garona announced "He wishes to lie with me."
Khadgar instantly cringed, cheeks flushing exponentially.
Discombobulated, Khadgar stuttered "I-I beg your pardon?"
"You would be injured," said Garona, matter-of-factly, tone of voice critical of his less than impressive physical stature compared to these soldiers and Orcs.
"I don't want to lie with you," said Khadgar, getting flustered.
Lothar was swinging his head back and forth between them muffling laugher and using the chicken leg to smother a grin.
Shrugging, judgmental, Garona said "Good. You would not be an effective mate."
Unable to contain his mirth any longer thanks to this refreshing diversion to their journey Lothar released a snort into his food.
Garona didn't find it so sporting. Turns out she's taking this quite serious.
"Why do you laugh? I cannot see how you can survive such a thing," said Garona, making it Khadgar's turn to snicker. "No muscle to protect you. Brittle bones that break."
"You don't look that different to us. How did you survive," asked Lothar, curious.
Careful, cool, and reminiscent, Garona confessed "Broken bones heal stronger. Mine are very strong."
The implication there hidden in the symbolism lying in the metaphor is undeniable.
Shamefaced, Lothar said "I'm sorry."
"Do not be. My name…Garona…it means 'cursed' in Orc," explained Garona, softly. "My mother was burned alive for giving birth to me."
Fists clenched in anger at such an injustice done to someone who hadn't really done anything justifiable to earn this fate, Lothar said "They kept you alive, though."
"Gul'dan did," admits Garona, rolling the tusk over him her palm so they can see it better in the glittering radiant firelight. "He gave me her tusk. To remember her. Among my kind the tusks of Orcs that have passed on into the next plane are worn by their descendants so the fallen spirits can be with us for guidance and wisdom. A tradition passed on since the beginning of Orc history."
Well since they were all bearing their souls to each other Khadgar might as well join in.
Fiddling absentmindedly with his fingers in discomfort, Khadgar said "My parents gave me to the Kirin Tor when I was six years old. That was the last time I saw them. Or, uh…or any of my brothers and sisters. It brings a family honor to offer a child to the Kirin Tor. To have their son taken up to the floating city of Dalaran and be trained by the most powerful mages in the land. Less so, than to have them run away."
Meaning he brought great dishonor to his family. Even if he now knew where they are there's no way he could go back. The disappointment in their eyes would've been unbearable.
Whatever lingering scorn Lothar has for the kid evaporates after hearing his story.
"Well, that was cheerful," he said, quietly. He's about to pack it in for the night when a thought struck him. "Garona, what you said about bones. How are Lyanna's?"
Expression on her face growing darker, Garona said "Lyanna's…are much stronger."
That's encouraging.
Authors Note:
Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
Authors Note:
I recently put up a new story called Fish Out Of Water. It's a crossover between the movie Shape of Water and the show Siren. So far I have everything figured out except one little thing. A name for my OC. Basically, since my OC character is in fact a mermaid I want the name to be in reference to the oceans or any other body of water similar to lakes or rivers. I'm more than open to suggestions so like I usually do in situations like this I'm turning it into a contest. The reader who gives me the winning name gets a question answered about the plot of the changed storyline in question. So think long and hard guys on the name and the type of question you'd like me to answer. Because you only get the one until the next opportunity arises for the taking. ;D