The Orc's Pet

Hannah

A loud, vibrating rumble woke me with a start. Panic surged through me as I scanned my surroundings. I was still in the same old, worn-out spaceship, tied to my seat with a rope that tore into my skin. Wincing at the pain, I looked around. I took a few deep breaths to steady my wildly beating heart. Dim light and stale air – the same as when I had first sat down. Or been forced to sit down. The old reptile-looking creature hadn’t been exactly gentle when he shoved me into his spaceship. But why would he be? I was worth nothing. A slave. Useful, but exchangeable.

However, someone had bought me. Whoever it was, we were close to them. Uneasiness tightened in my chest and crept up my throat. What would they be like? What planet were we landing on? Could I escape?

To my right, the door to the cockpit opened and two pairs of yellow eyes landed on me. ‘Wakey, wakey, human. Ready for your new home?’ the old reptile laughed menacingly. ‘Heard these ones don’t go easy on their pets.’

‘Pet.’ Disgust churned in my stomach. ‘I am not a pet,’ I grumbled through my teeth.

He only laughed and yanked me out of my seat, pulling the rope around my wrists even tighter. I cried out in pain, which made him laugh even more, ‘Frail as a sun mouse!’

Whatever a sun mouse was, I didn’t care, nor did I have the time to ask. He loosened the rope around my wrists, just enough to grip me properly, and dragged me towards the opening loading dock. Stepping out of the vehicle, the first thing I noticed was trees and grass. ‘We’re in a clearing,’ I thought to myself while looking around. To my immense relief, I was able to breathe, and the grass felt soft beneath my bare feet.

‘Seems like we’re early. Gotta tie you up then. No time to waste. Gotta deliver another one of you!’ he said while dragging me towards what seemed like a wooden pole. Spinning me around, he bound my wrists behind it and said, ‘Well then. Good luck!’

He spun on his heels and strode back towards the spaceship. ‘I hope you crash!’ I yelled after him as his ship lifted off the ground.

Panic rose in my throat, making it hard to breathe. ‘I need to get out of here.’ I forced my breathing to slow. I knew forests. I had survived worse. Just breathe and … yes!

A surge of relief crashed through me as the rope gave way. I silently thanked the reptile, who apparently hadn’t paid attention to tying a solid knot. I was free, and I needed to make the most of it.

Scanning my surroundings, I spotted a small path through the trees. Assuming this would be the route the creature who had bought me would take, I decided to go the other way. I ran off into the forest, praying I still had enough time to put some distance between myself and this place before my disappearance was discovered.

Drokahr

The day had finally arrived when I would be honoured and rewarded for being one of the fiercest Orc warriors the Kheelan Clan had ever known. Only a handful of warriors were granted the honour of having their own tent, let alone owning a pet. Now I was one of them.

I was filled with pride, knowing that I was the first son of my family to be given this honour. Born to strong parents, I chose the path of the warrior when I was still a youngling. Warriors of the Kheelan Clan were not allowed to take a mate or have offspring of their own. We were meant for battle, not for family. Given that my brother was a blacksmith with a mate and three sons, I knew that my family line would live on through them.

Thinking back to the days spent in agonising training that had prepared me for brutal battles against rival clans, I realised how much time and experience had led me here. At nearly forty, I had endured more than most warriors ever would, and it all made sense that I, of course, was the one who deserved such a luxury.

Looking around my new home, I saw that it had truly been made for a warrior of my standing. A giant bed piled high with soft furs, a sitting area made of colourful blankets and pillows, an oven nearby for harsh winter nights, and behind a curtain there was even a smaller tent housing my very own bath. I remembered how I used to sleep crammed into a tent with ten other warriors and washed myself in an ice-cold stream next to our camp. A satisfied grin tugged at my lips as I realised those days were now gone.

The only thing missing was my pet.

My gaze drifted to the small bedding on the floor beside the sitting area. A warrior was allowed to decide what species his pet would be. Mor, a female warrior who had also been granted the honour of a tent and a pet, had chosen what she called a human male. Her pet proved to be a useful servant. While he was smaller than us Orcs, he was athletic and strongly built, capable of carrying heavy loads and serving Mor well enough. So I, too, demanded a human.

I had specifically asked for a female. I thought I would enjoy having a woman as my servant, and the idea of sharing my new home with a male did not appeal to me. I was curious about what human females looked like, and today I would finally find out.

As I was thinking about my new pet, I heard Halvar, the camp’s scout, shout, ‘Drokahr! The ship has arrived!’

‘Already? It was supposed to arrive in the evening,’ I said as I exited the tent, joining Halvar outside.

‘Seems like you can enjoy your pet a bit earlier,’ he grinned, and with a wave he disappeared between the camp’s tents.

Excitement swelled in my chest as I imagined parading my new pet through the camp, showing her off to the other Orcs. Having her by my side would solidify my new status, making sure everyone knew I was an accomplished warrior.

I made my way to our chief’s tent. Solkar was an old Orc warrior, covered in battle wounds, yet still one of the strongest and wisest Orcs I knew. When I had been a youngling, it was he who had trained me and taught me how to be a good warrior.

Solkar sat in the chief’s chair at the end of the large tent.‘Well, Drokahr, seems like your gift arrived earlier than planned,’ he grinned.

Solkar had long white hair, braided at the nape of his neck. One of his eyes was missing, lost to an old battle wound.

‘Seems so, Chief,’ I replied.

‘Well then, go on. Don’t make her wait!’

With his blessing, I left the camp, taking the small path that led towards the landing site. Since we Orcs preferred not to have outsiders within our camp, the landing station for spaceships had been placed some distance away.

As I walked through the forest, I imagined what it would be like to have a servant who would cater to my every wish. Nothing had ever been handed to me. I had always had to work for it or take it myself. Never had a bathtub been filled for me, nor my bed made. I grinned from ear to ear.

‘Yes, I will enjoy that,’ I thought, satisfied.

Arriving at the clearing that served as our landing station, I stopped dead in my tracks.

There was no one there.

Stupefied, I looked around. Where were they? Had Halvar been mistaken?

Slowly, I made my way towards the pole. In the grass, I spotted a piece of rope lying on the ground. It was the only indication that someone must have been here. But where were they?

Scanning the clearing, I noticed small footprints leading out of it and into the forest. Footprints far too small for an Orc.

My blood began to boil.

‘How dare that little thing,’ I snarled through clenched teeth.

If I returned to camp without that human, everyone would question where she was. And if they found out that my pet had already run off, I would be humiliated.

‘No. No one will humiliate me,’ I growled as I straightened and followed the footprints out of the clearing and into the forest.

I would find that disobedient pet, and once I had her, I would make sure she knew her place.