Inside a cave near the village, in the morning.
Rohan sought solitude inside a cave after the recent court he held. He was devastated after the execution of Erik and heavily burdened with sorrow. He never ate, slept, or drank water after what happened. He curled himself up and wept alone. He knew his bond with the faithful was a tremendous cost, but to take it in so soon after his emergence into the world was something he never expected. As it was the nature of the moon’s servants. They were upholders of the pact and ambassadors of Manat. They act by her commands and commit to her promises. But in the end, they were merely mortals with faint hearts.
One of the people who came to Rohan was Andrea. She pestered V constantly to let her see Rohan and tried to sneak into the cave multiple times, but ultimately, she could never get past V’s sharp senses. V never allowed anyone inside, as Rohan forbade them to visit until he was ready.
One day, Andrea returned in the afternoon. She brought plenty of food and water and pleaded with V to let her inside. V, as usual, refused. This time, Andrea threatened V with violence and angrily told him that Rohan could die, and the orcs would not accept having a servant perish in their lands as it would bring them shame that would haunt them for generations. Alas, V conceded.
Andrea rushed into the cave and found Rohan at its path’s end. Rohan was resting on his side, and his sight never strayed from the floor. He had lost weight, his eyes were puffy, and his cheeks whitened from the tears. The scene of Rohan’s misery saddened her and almost made her cry, but she couldn’t. She swore to uplift him as he did to her; weeping wouldn’t help the sad servant. She placed the basket before him, squatted, smirked at Rohan, and said softly, “It kills me to see a man I respect become broken.”
Rohan sighed and said, “Am I worthy of your respect? The first month as a servant, and I drove people out of their homes and brought death to a great man.”
Andrea crossed her arms and said softly, “That kingdom was no longer a home for us. In the eyes of those humans who ruled us, we were nothing more than cattle.”
Rohan stroked the dusty, rough floor and said, “I can hear the villagers' voices; they’re scared. The sudden change from a city to a village upsets them.”
Andrea tilted her head and said, “I feel the same way too. I missed being lazy on my sofa and pouring my drinks from a machine. Now, I must collect water from a well and live in a tent until Anders finishes our homes.” She giggled.
Rohan smirked weakly.
Andrea smiled at him and said, “Yet, I’m happy with how things turned out. All of us who still struggle with adapting to rural life feel a spark of excitement we have never felt before. Our actions and efforts contribute to our society. Our smiles were out of contentment and joy for the first time.” She pointed at Rohan and said, “Even though Anders works us like mules, the pain and fatigue give us hope for a bright future, one where we carve out our paths.”
Rohan chuckled.
Andrea became shy and said, “I talked too much, didn’t I?”
Rohan sat up, looked at her, and said, “Don’t worry about it; I loved it.”
Andrea got flustered, cleared her throat, stood, and said, “Don’t forget to eat, Rohan. We don’t want you to die.” She left hurriedly.
Rohan watched her leave, then picked up the bottle of water and drank it, slowly eating to regain his strength.
Manat emerged from the shadows. Her form changed dramatically from her previous childish one. She was about two and a half meters tall. She wore a tight-fit, dark blue dress that displayed her full figure. She had long, curly black hair that almost looked like coils and dangled as she walked. Her face became that of a mature, flawless woman, and her eyes were still the same, if not more alluring. She stood near Rohan, looked at Andrea as she walked away, and said, “Andrea is so adorable.”
Rohan looked at Manat, smirked, and said, “Hello, goddess.”
Manat sat beside Rohan shoulder to shoulder, looked at him, and said, “You shouldn’t starve yourself, Rohan. You’re a mess and barely awake.”
Rohan looked at the floor and said, “I know, but it hurts. I felt a piece of me went missing after that day.”
Manat wrapped her arm around him and asked, “Do you know why a servant feels that way?”
Rohan shook his head.
“Love is stronger than greed or hate. If you didn’t love those who worship me, how can you be their link to the moon?” Manat said.
Rohan rested his head on her chest and said, “I’m sorry. I’ll return to them and fulfill my duty.”
Manat sighed and said softly, “How when you can barely stand?” She touched his forehead and put him to sleep. He passed out immediately, and his body rested against her, and his head sank on her chest.
She sucked her index finger, drenched it in her saliva, and pulled it out as it dripped. She inserted her finger into Rohan’s mouth, and his complexion and body regained vigor.
V walked in on them as his senses picked up a strong presence, and he was stunned to see it was none other than his creator. Manat smiled at him and gestured to him not to disturb Rohan’s slumber. V smiled at her and left quietly.
Manat held Rohan close and let him sleep in her arms.
The next day, in the morning.
Rohan woke up alone. He looked at where the food was and found a note saying, “I ate it all, V.”
Rohan giggled and left the cave. He found V waiting for him at the entrance.
V approached him and said, “Are you going to tell the faithful about your plan? They deserve to hear good news after you made them worry about you.”
Rohan smiled at him and said, “I will, and I think Anders will be glad to hear why I refused to give him the proof he demanded.”
They hurried to the village and saw the villagers cheering for Rohan’s return. They barged into Ander’s hall, where the remaining clan leaders, Anders, and Limuru, anxiously awaited Rohan’s return.
Rohan approached them and said, “I’m sorry for worrying everyone.” It was safe to say the community leaders almost cried out of joy if not for the fear of looking weak.
Rohan looked at them and said, “I have an announcement. Please listen to me.”
They looked at him attentively.
“Some of you may know that servants hold a unique place to the goddess; all of us had wishes she would grant. I came here to let you all know about my wish,” Rohan said.
“What is it?” The clan leaders eagerly asked.
“I wished for a kingdom where its people love me as much as I love them. One that’s greater than anything in the land or history, a marvel of its era and a miracle for those who would come after us. All I ask of the orcs is to allow me to build this great kingdom in their territory, so may glory be to the goddess and the orcs for holding the first holy kingdom in their land,” Rohan said.
The orcs gasped in awe. Rohan didn’t realize this announcement was a long-awaited wish for the orcs. Over the centuries, servants wished for personal gains or favors for their race, and the servants who happened to be Orcs all wished for prosperous lands or blessings upon their descendants.
“Where will you build that great kingdom, Servant Rohan?” A clan leader asked.
“Near the previous kingdom that brought the orc’s downfall,” Rohan replied.
The clan leaders chatted loudly, and Anders stood and said, “The orcs will back you, and you have our full permission to build the kingdom in our lands!”
One of the clan leaders cried out of joy and muttered, “If only my father were alive to witness this great day!”
Rohan raised his hand and said, “That’s not all I wanted to say.”
The clan leaders looked at him in shock.
Rohan pointed at Anders and said, “Your proof, the one that’s been passed down as a custom within your culture. It’s about blessing the womb of your strongest woman, am I correct?”
Anders nodded eagerly and said, “Yes, so a champion can be born.”
Rohan smiled at him and said, “I refused it because my intention was not to bless a womb. I want to make the queen of my kingdom, a wife of mine, an orc woman.”
Anders passed out.
V leaned closer to Rohan and said, “I think you gave the old man a heart attack.”
What everyone hadn’t realized yet was that Anders died on the spot from overwhelming joy.
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The End
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