[Queen of Orcs 03] - Royal Destiny Read Online Free PDF Page A

desire? Power?”
    Without any gesture from the mage, Nuggle and the servant beside him turned to seize each other’s throat. Othar watched the two men strangle each other until both expired. Then he chuckled hoarsely. “Power? I’ve power aplenty. I want the opportunity to use it against those I hate. You’ll help with that. Revenge, bloody and merciless, is my desire.”
     
    The oldest part of the Yat clan hall was such a warren of hanmuthis, small rooms, and connecting passageways, Dar was glad that she had a guide. He halted before an antique doorway and bowed. “This is place, Muth Mauk.”
    Dar entered alone and was met by an elderly mother who looked surprised. After an awkward silence, the mother finally took the initiative and bowed. “Greetings. I’m Metha-yat, Muth Mauk.”
    Unsure how a queen should respond, Dar simply declined her head. “I wish to speak with Meera-yat. Is she here?”
    “Hai. I’ll show you to her chamber. You must speak loudly if she’s to hear you.”
    Metha-yat’s hanmuthi was so old-fashioned that it lacked windows and a chimney. The only daylight entered through the smoke hole above the hearth, and it was fading fast. Small oil lamps provided meager illumination, and in their dim light, Dar couldn’t tell which of the adjoining sleeping chambers were occupied. Metha-yat took a lamp and walked over to one. Its light revealed an ancient mother sitting in the dark.
    “Muthuri,” shouted Metha-yat. “You have visitor.”
    “What?”
    “Visitor. You have visitor.”
    Dar spoke quietly to Metha-yat. “My speech with your muthuri is for her ears only.”
    After Metha-yat bowed and left the hanmuthi, Dar stepped into the small sleeping chamber. Meera-yat had not turned to look at her, and Dar suddenly understood why. Meera-yat’s yellow eyes were filmed over. She was blind.
    “What’s that strange smell?” asked Meera-yat.
    Dar thought she had met every clan member after her rebirth, but she had no recollection of Meera-yat’s distinctive face. I hope she’s heard of me. She addressed the ancient mother in a loud voice. “I’m Zor-yat’s new daughter. One who was reborn.”
    “No one tells me anything,” muttered Meera-yat. She held out her hand. “Let me feel your face.”
    Dar guided the shaking fingers to her chin, so Meera-yat might touch her clan tattoo first. Meera-yat traced the raised lines of the Yat clan markings. “Your chin feels too round,” she said. Her fingers brushed over Dar’s lips, then halted when they reached her nose. Meera-yat’s surprise and puzzlement were communicated by her touch. Her fingers traveled upward like startled spiders. “What’s this? What’s this?” Meera-yat’s exploration ended at Dar’s brow. “You’re washavoki!”
    “Thwa,” shouted Dar. “I’ve been reborn. I’m urkzimmuthi.”
    “Reborn? Why didn’t you say so?” said Meera-yat. “What’s your name?”
    “I was named Dargu. Now…”
    Meera-yat grinned. “Who gives her daughter animal’s name?”
    “Zor-yat,” said Dar loudly.
    Meera-yat grinned again. “Hai, Zor-yat would do that.”
    “Dargu was my old name. Now I’m…”
    Before Dar finished speaking, Meera-yat touched her crown. “What’s this?”
    “You know,” yelled Dar. “Your sister wore it.”
    “Muth Mauk? You’re Muth Mauk? How did this happen?”
    “Same way it happened for Nir-yat.” Dar gently grasped Meera-yat’s hands and placed them on her chest, duplicating the act that had made her queen. “Fathma.”
    Meera-yat’s hands lingered, and it seemed to Dar that a look of wonder settled on her wrinkled face. “My eyes no longer see,” she said quietly, “so Muth la has enhanced other senses. I can feel my sister’s spirit within you. It’s mingled with many others.” Meera-yat bowed as low as her old back would permit. “Forgive me, Muth Mauk, for calling you washavoki.”
    Rather than shout her reply, Dar gently grasped the old orc’s hands.
    “So