Arc 3: Chapter 8: The Mercenary
“They betrayed me.” Karog’s voice rumbled like low thunder in the woods. “Discarded me.”
I let those words settle on me a moment. “Why?”
The ogre sniffed once. “They are… unprofessional. They wished to bring me into their fold, to… mark me. A method to ensure my loyalty. I refused. I explained to them that I am loyal to my employer, but they would not accept this. When they pushed the matter, I dissuaded them.”
His burning eyes went to the dead irks. “Now their dogs hound me everywhere I go. I cannot find even a night’s peace. This land is too… loud. Your ghosts run rampant, your woods are alive with elf-kin and illusions. I cannot even find quiet on your mountains.”
His words turned sullen. “I hate this land.”
“Then why not go back west?” I asked him. “Back to Edaea?”
Karog’s eyes narrowed. “I cannot return.”
He didn’t elaborate. I glanced to Cat, who had gone very pale — from lack of air or her vampiric nature surfacing, I couldn’t tell. I pointed my axe at her.
“Let her go.”
Karog let loose an angry snarl. “You have already declared your intent. I should kill you both.”
“Let her go,” I repeated firmly. Then, taking a deep breath I added, “and we’ll talk.”