Page 99 of The Savage Vow
“It has been returned safely,” she announced.
On their way back to Udenia, they had gone out of their way to take the document back. Nargol had entered the temple and felt a welcoming the moment she had stepped foot inside. She’d put the parchment where she’d found it, thanked Nogora for her protection in the battle, then left and rode home with her mate.
The council appeared satisfied that such a document was secure in the temple.
“What of the Ogola clan now?” Yagnar asked.
Murmurs went around the tables. Nargol inhaled. Now that Cardu was dead, the village was leaderless. He may have been an orc who was vocal against her father, but she wanted to believe he was passionate about his people.
But after seeing the way humans had been treated under his ruling, there was little left to believe.
They needed new blood. Maybe that would be good for the village. There was much unrest there. Her father had assigned guards to patrol and ensure order was restored. The insurgents who sided with Grat were all arrested and awaited trials.
“The Ogola clan now stands without a leader,” Tulak announced.
“The Ogola elders must name a successor,” Larek of the Babul clan stated. He leaned forward with an intense glare. “Surely there is someone who can lead. What about Cardu’s sons?”
“Cardu’s son’s will not be considered,” Tulak said sharply.
No one appeared to question that decision.
“The elders have been instructed to start nominating a new leader. They appear to be pleased with this notion. This gives the people of the Ogola clan a sense of control. Something they haven’t experienced in a long time.”
The room quieted again.
“What would you suggest?” Sakgu asked.
Magoza stiffened beside Nargol. There was a slight tension between Magoza and Sakgu. Her mate’s father hailed from his clan originally. Because of Amuleta’s father deciding to mate with a human, he was banished from the Dhogan clan. He had chosen love over all else. With his banishment, he’d arrived in Udenia and became a member of the Nidani clan. Had it not been for that banishment, Magoza may have never met Amuleta.
“I propose a trial leadership,” Tula said. “The Ogola elders may choose one of their own to lead them. That leader will serve for a single season.”
“And afterward?” Drigka, from the Kekshi clan, sat back. He was a quiet leader. He was very observant and only spoke when he felt there was a need.
“The council will vote to confirm or remove them,” Tulak said. He settled down into his chair. Even though he was no longer standing, his position was still imposing.
“That would be wise,” Drigka murmured.
“That will help the Ogola clan rebuild trust. This will not happen overnight,” Sakgu said.
“That I’m sure we are all in agreement.” Tulak nodded.
One by one, each of the leaders voiced their support for the matter. The Ogola elders would need to appoint who they would want as their leader for the first trial.
“Do you know who they will possibly choose?” Magoza leaned closer to her.
Nargol shook her head. She hadn’t gotten the chance to dive too deep into the Ogola clan politics when she’d been in Soza. That would have blown her cover, but she was sure the elders of the clan would be careful in choosing who they would want to lead.
Tulak cleared his throat and raised his hand to gain the attention of the room once again. All eyes returned to him. He motioned Dura who had remained quiet beside him. She nodded to her mate and faced the council.
“It was discovered that human females had been captured and were going to be offered to Rujin as part of their welcoming of him to Aghon,” Dura announced.
The silence was deafening. Had the women been given to the trolls, there was no telling what horrors they would have experienced. Nargol thought of how she had found the women, and her anger had swiftly reignited. Those women hadn’t deserved that. She was lucky she had arrived when she had.
“We have rescued the women and have brought them to Udenia. They are under Nidani protection. We have provided them safe quarters within the southern quarter of the town,” Dura said.
Each leader gave her their full attention as if Tulak was speaking. She was the mate of their chieftain and deserved the utmost respect.
“From what I hear coming out of Soza, the treatment of humans is questionable. None of them want to go back to the village.”
