Part Fifty-One
Kato saw the raft approaching and waved. Lenaduiniel happened to sight him first and waved in return. Kato ran back to the hole and called into the cave, to tell Duma to come greet the others. Duma put down his tools and climbed to his feet quickly. He was on the river bank with Kato when Beryl tossed a line to them.
The ones who had been prisoners did not look well to the others. They had been set on getting away from Ebbettsfield as soon as possible, and after seeing that their confiscated belongings were returned, they walked south along the main road and out of town. Every one of them wanted rest, a decent meal, wash water and a change of clothing.
As they came up from the water, Kato greeted each of them merrily, and apologized for his poor hospitality, as Beryl had not been able to say what day he would return with them. Kato said he expected the Elves would not want to stay in the home he had discovered, but he welcomed any of the party to stay within the cave if they so desired. He promised he would start on luncheon immediately and send Duma to fetch and heat water. "I must apologize for selling some of our things. I really thought, at the time, it was the only way to get close to plan your rescue. I sorted what remains quite neatly, though your garments may smell of smoke. Perhaps we can set a line out here, now everyone is here, and with weapons."
"Beryl, take this, I must fetch water. I just completed it, your payment." Duma passed the silver and emerald brooch to Beryl as he finished with straightening his clothes.
Beryl held the brooch up to the sky, looking through the stone. "It is most excellent work, Duma."
Duma halted and looked back to Beryl, as he had been rushing to find a bucket. "My Thanks."
Dale then called to Duma also. "It is most advantageous that you have survived," Dale said to him.
For a moment Duma seemed frozen, like startled prey, but then he bowed to Dale, before running off to fetch water.
There were a few more pleasantries exchanged, but overall it seemed more important to arrange a camp and partake of baths and a meal. The three ladies made a chamber for washing within the cave. The Elves did not enjoy being within subterranean chambers, but it was slightly warmer than without. Duma helped them to find a suitable space, as he had explored further caverns than Ugarit or Kato, and had even discovered other holes that let in fresh air and light, besides the one Kato had dug.
Dale, Tsuki, Gwindor and Fei washed themselves near the river, or by swimming in it. The water moved swiftly, but not so rapidly that it was a danger to a full-grown Man or Elf.
While the others freshened themselves after their captivity, Kato built a small fire outside the cave to cook over, as well as to provide warmth for those damp from their baths. Kato brought the best of his food stores to the fire for their luncheon, while Duma made himself busy with other chores within the camp, such as hanging garments to air, erecting a shelter of staves and tarp, and checking the horses' feed bags; they had obtained these in trade, along with suitable grain, in Ebbettsfield, and found them useful in this rougher terrain, and especially as the season grew colder and vegetation withered. Beryl strayed from the camp a while, to forage.
When Gwindor and Fei had finished washing and dressed, they joined Kato near the fire. Fei had already pulled his hair into a neat braid, and helped Kato to prepare the meal, while Gwindor sat combing his hair. Tsuki and Dale did not join them, but moved a polite distance from the camp, when they had finished washing in the river, spread blankets beneath a tree, and lay together there.
Later, Lenaduiniel, Laurel, and Galadhiel came up from the cave. They also joined those near the fire. They all had their hair combed and styled and clean, well-mended garments on, including their cloaks, as the days were cool. In warmer climate, they might have only donned the cloaks to travel, against the wind that came of riding or running and the elements, or if need be, for camouflage. Galadhiel was dressed in male attire, but she had given up all attempts to disguise her figure and had they been in court or Elven settlement, she might have cause scandal.
They had just seen Ugarit within the cave and described their meeting to the males around the fire. They complained that she aimed a spear at them, made rude figures upon the cave walls with muddy hands, wore strange garments that were immodest, even by Elven standards, and left bones littering the floor of the cave. "Is that how Orcs live?" Lenaduiniel asked.
"Pardon, I agree the girl-Orc appeared scantly clad, but why do you say 'Elven standards'?" Laurel asked.
Lenaduiniel laughed gaily as her brother groaned. "Dear Laurel, you have only seen me in Mannish traveling gowns. If you were to see Elves when they are among fellow Elves..."
"Which Elves do not often allow those of other races," Galadhiel added.
"You would see that our garments are tailored more fittingly and our fabrics just as sturdy but much more thin and fine than Mannish equivalents. An Elf does not disguise their shape from other Elves, though we certainly hide or disguise ourselves where enemies or foreigners are concerned."
"That Ugarit's garment was much more flimsy and revealing then," Laurel said.
"And the bones!" Galadhiel said.
"Must you sound so horrified?" Duma asked the ladies. "I imagine the paintings must seem simple and crude in subject to cultured Elf-Ladies, or even to a Witch perhaps, but such painting is quite practical to Orcs in marking their frequented shelters and in educating the newly-spawned. Surely you have some means of teaching the young and recording your history."
"I was not quite so shocked by the paintings," Laurel said, "And I have worked sky-clad."
"Sky-clad?" Lenaduiniel asked.
"The Lowland Witches are known to celebrate certain occasions with naked ceremonial dance," Fei explained. He had studied them at length during his service.
"It was just the entire vision of her," Laurel said, "She seemed to young to play the mad crone in a cave."
"I did find the bones offensive," Galadhiel said, "but then I also find Orc heads upon pikes offensive, as much as I have dislike for Orcs."
Duma shrugged. Galdhiel was not his favorite within the party, but he did respect that she was often willing to speak in a straightforward manner. Apart from her strange attire, she disguised very little. "I suppose in a thousand years you have encountered many terrible Orcs; I shall not be offended for that. I do not expect all Elves or Men to appeal to me."
"But he likes all Halfling and Dwarves," Kato laughed.
Duma smiled, almost laughed. "I do find Dwarves interesting, and thus far, find Halflings agreeable, though sometimes meddlesome and unfamiliar with the concept of privacy." Duma addressed the ladies, "It was Kato who gave Ugarit those fabrics to wear."
"As charming as the image of a girl in a plaid skirt is, I felt she could use some new clothes. She bathes, but does not seem to grasp laundering or sweeping the floor."
Duma huffed. "The bones are place apurpose! To mark the boundary of her territory. I do not think you would feel anything less than defensive if in an Orc camp."
"If in the camp of any Orcs that have not already shared my hospitality, I think I should be in the stewpot and not in guest quarters."
"Most definitely," Duma agreed, "though we would toss away your lungs."
Kato laughed nervously. "I think it is a good time for a smoke."
"Before eating, Kato?" Beryl asked.
His sudden reappearance at Kato's back gave the Halfling a start, which made the others laugh.
"Beryl," Duma called up to him, "does the water in the Old Forest make you young?"
Beryl laughed. "The waters there are quite good, as many minerals are suspended in the waters, but they are not magic, not really. It is only hair coloring and Elven nature you see."
"But Kato's eyes turned green..."
"The effects of those waters is more like Art than magic. They can cause change, but no water can make one younger. I think it is more correct to say that the opposite may be true, that the water has a way of making the young grow toward their prime. Men seem to think that drinking mineral-water has queer effect, and so they warn others against it."
"Then, why does Duma look more like an Elf?"
Beryl sighed, "Because Orcs were once Elves twisted by sorcery, and so the more healthy and perfect form of an Orc is an Elf."
"Tsuki seems younger," Duma said.
"He had grey hairs."
"Truly? Tsuki appears younger? I did not notice, but then they all looked so weary when in prison."
The matter was forgotten as Kato announced lunch was prepared.
They were enjoying their spicy fish stew, flat bread, and tea when Duma asked if they should not call to Dale. The expressions on the faces of the others said they thought not. "I am sure I know what he is up to, but did you have good food in prison?"
Those who had been prisoners agreed that the food had improved during their stay, but had barely been enjoyable in that environment.
"Why not call your friend to eat with us?" Lenaduiniel asked.
"I would not say that friend is the most correct word," Duma said, but he did think Ugarit would be hungry, and likely shy of coming out to see so many Elves. Duma took one of the many dried gourd bowls from the pack near the fire and spooned stew into it. He took a piece of the bread as well, and then went down to the cave, bringing his own portion as well.
Ugarit was sitting in her chamber, in the dark, feeding Tashmetum cow's milk from a pierced bladder. A woman in Ebbettsfield had told her they nursed calves or children in this manner when no other substitute or wet nurse could be found. Duma could see them in the dimness that resulted from sunlight shining into the hole two chambers away, as well as they could see him.
"I brought you food, but I see you have some."
Ugarit had some worms in a bowl at her side. "What food do you have?"
"Bread and stew. May I have a worm?"
"Only if you share your food."
Duma sat down and pushed a bowl topped by a piece of bread toward Ugarit. He then snatched a worm from the second, clay bowl and slurped it into his mouth. The fare was slimy, yet satisfying, he thought.
"Do not eat them all. They make good bate for hook and line fishing. That requires less movement of the legs."
"Do you have hooks?"
"We took some from the hut."
"I could have made you one, if not."
"I do not need you to help."
"You will leave soon?"
"Green-cloak was correct. And Kato. I think the bone is injured. I cannot run until it heals." Ugarit inhaled deeply. "I will survive," she said, "You will follow Death-Shadow on his journey and you must. You must learn if you can truly trust him, or if he betrays the Orcs. If he does, then you must kill him and take his whip."
"I know," Duma said irritably.
"I was spawned somewhat to the west, but I know this country. I am not afraid to remain. It will be difficult in winter, but I can fish now, and hunt if I bait prey rather than chase. I can dry enough to keep. Tashmetum will be bigger and stronger every day."
"You cannot mean to stay in this cave, all alone!"
"Only for a while. If I do not kill Men, then they will not search here. We will be safe. I only need to wait until my leg is strong, then we can leave. Tashmetum and I will surely find other Orcs."
"But the longer you stay, the more difficult it will be to track Marduk, or me. You may have to join another Clan..."
"I will be strong then, Duma. They will not make a pet of me. I will not be so needy as to join a Clan that has no other use for me. And I will not be taken by any stupid Orc. Even if I cannot find Marduk, I know he sent Lucky to the Wizard's Vale to hide there with the rest of the Clan. If they are not there, then they will have gone north, past the mines, to find some other safe place to make a stronghold. They will be breeding and spawn strong males and females. If Sarpanit survives, she will make certain Marduk returns to be their Chieftain, because she will have more power for it. She wants Tashmetum for her son, so she will be motivated to seek me and treat me well, now Tashmetum is mine."
"I know you will be safe, because you are smart, it is just, I thought you would be there. It thought there might come a confrontation between Dale and Marduk. I thought I would have to choose or report on one of them. You were going to be there."
"You think so, because Marduk said he would give me to you."
"He did say it."
"I might still be his Orc."
She might not, they both thought. Marduk had ordered the Clan to leave all who could not run, and abandonment like that came with a sort of dishonor among Orcs. Ugarit should have run, or fallen in the attempt, but Duma had kept her from it. He had kept her safe, arranged for the shelter she had and some share of the food she ate. She might just be Duma's Orc.
"If you were my Orc, I do not know what I would do with you," Duma said.
Ugarit's gaze strayed toward the cave paintings.
"I will go outside now. You can come outside if you want, if it is not too much on that leg. They will not hurt you."
It was much later in the evening, when Ugarit ventured out of the cave. She saw Tsuki and Dale sitting within the camp, looking like Orcs lusting for some play as they oiled their swords. It was truly not so much lust as memory of recently shared acts, that caused the slyness of expression. Fei and Laurel could not be seen, but their feet protruded from the open end of the sailcloth shelter, and as they studied together inside, their feet playfully touched those of the other. Gwindor and Galadhiel were sitting in a tree, and were almost unnoticed by Ugarit, until she scented the unseasonable floral fragrance of Gwindor's hair. Kato was sitting near the fire, sipping from a teacup that wobbled in his hand. Beside him, Beryl sat, lips similarly pursed over a flute. Ugarit thought the sound eerie and very Elven. When Ugarit saw Duma, she first thought him to be fighting, but Lenaduiniel was also holding back her strength. They merely trained.
Lenaduiniel laughed happily as Duma drew his knives back, just short of an actual killing blow. "That was excellent!" she said to him, "You remind me so much of my younger brother now."
"It is only because we have the same teacher."
"I miss him so. I wish that we might see him. I fear he may depart and I will never have looked into his eyes again."
Ugarit saw the way Duma sheathed his swords and leaned in to touch the Elf's face. She did not like what she saw.
"What do you think of those two?" Dale asked.
Tsuki raised his eyes. "I think he regards her as a sister of sorts."
"I meant the girl-Orc."
"As did I. Duma does not seem aware of her in the way we have seen him with women. Ugarit however seems she may harbor some desire for Duma, though she likely dislikes this about herself, as he is halfelven."
Dale laughed coldly. "And Lena?"
"Thinks of Duma only a pupil or younger brother, and I think that Duma regards her even more highly, as a substitute mother even."
"He is very respectful of females for an Orc. I worry someone will find a way to use that against him."
"A complaint?"
Dale shrugged. "Would it not be better to be equally respectful and wary of people of all genders?"
Tsuki gave a nod. "I suppose it may, but then we should say the same for race, and that is difficult for some, as it is difficult for others to view the genders equally. We are, to some extent, the sum of our experiences. Some have more negative or positive experiences with a particular type of person, and this shapes their view."
Ugarit turned and crawled back into the cave. Breeding rituals of Elves and Men were so strange, she thought.
It was decided they would move on the next morning. They did not set watches as usual, instead, Dale volunteered to stay awake and watch through the night, and promised to wake another only if he grew too tired. Dale sat up in a tree over the river and watched the nearby camp. Only Kato and Duma returned to the cave to rest.
Kato went to sleep immediately, already accustomed to sleeping with Orcs about. He kept his dagger beside him, but he did that even when he had others to watch. Duma sat awake working on Dale's mail. His sight was keen, but Duma had long enjoyed having fire and light, so he kept his lantern lit, as well as a bed of coals on the cave floor to heat the tools and metal rings.
It was a shadow on a far uneven surface he noticed first, and then Duma looked up from his work and saw Ugarit approaching. She did make the foreign garments seem Orcish. Duma looked back to his work.
The chamber Duma had claimed had many rock formations that seemed to drip from above, and grow from below; it seemed as if the room was full of fangs set to devour him, as he sat in the glow of coals and strange little lantern. It was the dried rind of a gourd carved out in places to let light shine through and set with a candle inside, so that a fanged, goblin face glowed when the candle was lit. It cast eerie shadows through the chamber as the flame flickered. The light gave the rock color, here a milky streak and there a stain like old Elf blood.
It seemed to Ugarit that the cave had its own painting, made by nature. She had lived in many caves, as well as old mines and tunnels so old they seemed natural, but she had never looked at them as anything more than shelter. It had never seemed interesting or enjoyable to look upon such caverns, but it seemed so now. It was a curious feeling, to see things such as she had never seen them.
"The Men, the Riders, keep a more beautiful cave behind their great fortress, but they do not think it pretty, only a place to store fodder or shelter women and children in time of siege. This room is pretty, inside it feels like one is held by the earth's fingers, though, your chamber will seem most attractive to any future visitors, as you have painted it."
"Attractive?"
"The others did not understand the purpose of your paintings. They did not like them," Duma said sadly. "Many Orc strongholds have such painting, but it does not make the chambers beautiful. I like your figures. They are primitive, but they have a sort of grace. The battle is your better work, I think, though there are a few particularly lovely figures in your breed-guide."
"I did not make them to be pretty."
Duma sighed. "I know. It is not normal for Orcs to make things that have no function. Even ornaments on pets serve some function. They do not make things just because they may, or because they wish to enjoy the sight of them." Duma lifted his hand and made a flourish; his ring sparkled. Duma smiled.
Ugarit walked around the coals and then crouched beside Duma. "If you take me, I would not fight you."
Duma snorted. "What makes you think I want to take anyone?"
Ugarit growled, not really understanding.
"Do you know in how many ways your statement is wrong?"
Ugarit grunted disapproval.
"Why not one give, instead of one take? Why assume there would be fighting? Why make the offer to me when you really wish to remain in Marduk's Clan? Why make the offer now at all, when you are barely old enough for breeding and already nurse a fractured thigh bone? Why pose submission to a male when all your other actions say you wish to be independent of them?"
Ugarit sucked in a breath and then responded argumentively, wagging a clawed finger at Duma all the while, "It seems not right to claim to give what is not considered my own by all. Fighting is normal for Orcs, so that we know the male is strong enough to keep us! Are you complaining that I make the offer to you? Injured or not, if it is my choice to offer, it must be now, as you will be gone when I am healed. And just because I wish not to be controlled by a male, that does not mean I see no value in them! I happen to find some male Orcs very attractive!" Ugarit huffed and sat upon the floor.
Duma turned his head and looked at Ugarit. "You know what you say? You mean to give yourself to me, without Marduk's agreement and spoil yourself as a gift to any other Orc?"
Ugarit glared and said nothing. Of course she had considered her actions before even coming into Duma's chamber.
"You really know what you are doing? I know what it is like to wish another to stop acting out their affection or lust upon me. I know. I also know that it is difficult to be the one to stop, once you realize your lust. Go now if you wish. Go. Stay and I shall not be the fool to pass up one who is willing, unspoiled and pretty for her breed."
"Why can you not be like an Orc and just take me?"
Duma growled; his fists clenched so that his filed down claws made imprints in his palm. "I am an Orc, Ugarit, but you clearly have no idea what a lucky girl you are that I am unlike others." Duma whispered the words, as if in threat, "You have no idea!"
Ugarit reached behind her neck and untied the knot that kept the sheer, embroidered length of fabric from falling away from her body. She was naked as she lowered her hands. "How can you do it with women and not me?"
"I want to," Duma said. He reached toward Ugarit, but then drew his hand back. To one of his gender and breed the shape of her ears, the sharpness of her fangs, her lithe, yet softly-rounded figure, and her dappled pigmentation were entirely desirable. "Not like this," he panted, "No. I can tell you do not understand. Do you not realize how I want to hurt you for saying such things?"
"Do not speak to me like I am newly-spawned! And do not insult me by rejecting what others would consider a prize."
"Stop! I do not want to hurt you."
"Do not cry like an Elf now!"
Duma reached out, grabbed Ugarit by her clumped hair, and pulled her face within a close distance of his. "You are not Ugarit," he whispered. "You are a scared Orc mad with the breeding instinct. You fear being without other Orcs so much that you run to the closest thing to a male of your race that you can find. Who should be insulted?"
Ugarit only whimpered.
Duma pulled on her hair. "Who should be insulted?"
"Duma. You. Duma."
"And who is lucky I am not the sort of Orc to be so weak-minded and easily seduced and break her other thigh as I take her, like some normal Orc?"
"Me," Ugarit rasped. "I am lucky to be spared."
"You think you would rather I lay you than some woman? I raped one, paid another for the pleasure of pleasuring her, and was raped by the third. You really want me to treat a Precious Thing so?"
"No. No, Duma."
"I lust for you."
"Yes?"
"An animal can lust. An animal can mount some female and hold her in his claws as she tries to flee and rush to spill his seed. It is breeding, but it is only breeding. It is enough to please Dark Lords and Wizards, enough to make more strong Orcs to fight. It is nothing more. Men and Elves do not only breed. They have helpmates and lovers. Do Orcs deserve less than Men or Elves?"
"Orcs should have what other races have. Orcs have no Masters anymore!"
Duma nodded. "Now you get out of my chamber and you think about whether it is weak and Elvish to cry!" Duma hissed.
Ugarit was already crying as Duma released her. She covered her eyes with her hands and did not move to leave.
"Go, Ugarit. It is well enough to cry. I hope it is better to hurt you this way than the other, but do not assume I am holding back so easily. You hurt me as well. Go, before I hurt you some more!" Duma lifted her garment and threw it at her.
Ugarit limped, sobbing, from the chamber.
Duma waited until she was within her own chamber, then he took up his
knives and went outside the cave.