The Forest's Keeper by E. E. Hornburg

Author:E. E. Hornburg
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781648983016
Publisher: City Owl Press

Chapter Twenty-One

ROSE

They stayed at the camp for days, but the only times Rose saw Kartek was when she came in to check on Zorar. The chief typically spent her days hunting, hosting parties, speaking with Arag, but mostly defending her position of power. Ogres were infamous for the turnover of their chiefs, for they all were violent and power hungry. Particularly when drunk, which was most of the time. Almost each day someone challenged Kartek and one by one she took down her opposition, leaving little wonder why Arag was by her side nearly at all times. Not because he was a dear friend, but a bodyguard. Rose witnessed more bloodshed in those days than she ever had in her life. If it wasn’t for how often they fornicated, it was a wonder their species was still alive.

Except for Kartek. While the others enjoyed themselves, she retreated to Zorar’s tent. Zorar no longer screamed randomly through the day and night and took at least a couple of bites a day. But she plateaued and showed no sign of getting better. She remained in her dazed and fatigued state. Yet Kartek was devoted to her visits and whenever she saw Rose, the challenge was the same.

Make her well.

“How many people do you think the Chalice can serve at once?” Rose asked Rafe one afternoon as they walked around the camp during his patrol. Noticing how strong Cal was, and the way Rafe could change forms, Kartek was quick to enlist them in helping guard the camp. They’d quickly agreed, for it gave them more leverage with the chief. They were also slightly terrified of her and didn’t want to see the reaction she’d have if they said no.

It was a comfort to know Kartek trusted them, at least to an extent. They’d had little luck in getting Kartek to loosen her restrictions on Ai and Finley, though. The pair remained tied, and the guards escorted them outside when they needed to relieve themselves. But they could negotiate with them being able to walk around the camp. Still tied up and escorted. Still, it was progress. Not that Rose wanted to give them much more freedom anyway, since she wasn’t sure how much she could trust them. Her hope was Ai and Finley would be of help, though.

“I know as much as you do about the Chalice,” Rafe said, and tossed Rose an apple. Thankfully, some apple trees grew nearby and the three of them had gathered some. It was far better than whatever gruel the ogres made each day. “When you visited the cave, it was the first I’d heard the story.”

“Do you think we’ll be able to use the Chalice to help heal those with this sickness?”

Rafe shrugged. “Perhaps.”

Rose groaned. “You’re a servant of the goddess of sickness. Aren’t you supposed to know these things?”

Rafe tossed away his apple core. “The duties she has me attend to do not include my sitting besides sick beds.”

“What is it she has you do?” To be honest, Rose was dying to know.

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