The day after the ritual to summon the energy pool started off normal enough, and I passed Bob working on something as I left. It looked like some metal rod attached to a metal base. I assumed it was to be the soul anchor.

The compound was busy, and I passed foreign orcs conversing with Huuron clan members and just moving about. It wasn’t until I got to Brooke above ground home that things seemed off. Brook not being there to greet me wasnt a surprise as she was very busy these days, but the orc who did take me down flinched when I mentioned her.

“Is something wrong?”

“No, not exactly. She’s just… busy.”

There was more there, but I didn't push. It was clear he didn't want to talk about it, and I usually always saw Brooke at least once a day, so I’d find out eventually. Until then I went about my usual training routine. Limbering up followed by pains pods then some exercise and finally weapons and martial training. I sparred with plenty of foreign orcs, and held my own against quite a few, even winning some. The matches I won were usually against younger orcs. The older orcs were far more experienced. That was one thing they all had in common. They could all fight.

Honestly, imagining an entire world of orcs was… scary. Especially since it didn't seem to take away from their other skills, at least not for the Huuron. Brooke had once told me the Huuron were unique, and most other orc clans weren’t as diverse. Nylas was similar, but even they leaned far more toward battle, and kept everything else to outside groups or hired workers. It was sad to learn that workers for some clans meant slave, though not in the Prime. DOSA forbid slavery in the Prime, not that there weren’t crime and slave rings, but for the most part, it wasn’t widespread or too large of a problem.

In the same way, DOSA helped warlocks, and other practitioners with bad bonds and deals, they also helped people in situations who were tied in unfortunate ways. Honestly, DOSA did do a lot of good, and for the most part, things went well, stable so to say. Even Bob admitted that but there was also a lot of dirt there, and Bob had only uncovered a little of it for me.

Partway through training, Brooke stormed in, and orcs moved out of the way. As she headed towards me, she spotted Nick, and her eyes grew cold, colder than I had ever seen. She glared malice at the orange orc who seemed to understand and quickly found somewhere else to be.

“Brooke?”

She stopped in front of me and took a moment to meet the eyes of anyone watching. They all turned away. “Did you know?”

“Huh, know what?”

She sighed. “Ok, good.”

I was utterly confused. “Did something happen?”

“You could say that,” she said, looking like she’d bit into something sour. “My mom just told me about a potential marriage partner, and talks which have been going on for months, much to my shock.”

“Oh, that’s… bad.” I didn't really know what to say.

“Oh, it’s bad.” She glanced around, and once again seemed to spare a glare for Nick who looked like he wanted to run. I noticed and frowned. Then it hit me. “Hold on, Nick?”

“Keep your voice down,” she hissed. “Only his clan and mine know. If others knew they might react badly.”

Nick and Brooke? I wanted to laugh. That didn't seem like it was going to happen. Nick seemed interested only in games, and the PPW. While Brooke was not only proactive but constantly striving to improve herself. That relationship would go nowhere because Nick hated training, and such, and Brooke did seem the nerd type. Maybe, if they had feelings for one another they would be willing to try, but it was clear neither did. Then again, who was I to know? I wasn’t exactly an expert in relationships, but it certainly didn't seem like a pair that would work.

Apparently, I hadn’t hidden my amusement well enough, and Brooke’s face darkened. “It’s not funny.”

“I never said it was,” I replied. “But… Nick?”

“I know.” She hung her head. “What are they thinking? I don't want to get married. Not anytime soon, and not to him. No offense, but he just isn't my type.”

“And what is?”

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For some reason, she look away at that, and a faint bit of red crept up her cheek. “That doesn't matter. What does, is that they want me to go on a date with him.”

“And, are you?”

“I don't know,” she said. “I don’t want to get married. Even if i did like him, I still wouldn't. I’m not ready for that. Hell, I don't have time for such a relationship, not with what's going to happen. I just… don't know.” She seemed to shrink into herself, and I found that I didn't like it when she was like this.

“I think you should go-” I held up a hand to forestall her protest. “Just to placate them, and say you tired, but then you should be firm. If you don't want to get married, then tell them you won’t. I mean, I don't know your father too well, but Yollna doesn’t seem the type to force you.”

“They won’t,” she said. “But they do really like the prospect of our clans merging. But, Rick, I don't think Nick’s gonna end up leading his clan. He has siblings, and it's not unheard of for the title to pass on an older child for a younger.”

“Then tell them that,” I said. “Go on the date, come back, and let them know. That’s what I’d do.”

Brooke slowly nodded, then an odd smile crept up her face. “You know, Zara’s really rubbing off on you. You sound like her sometimes.”

“Is that a good thing?”

“Considering how helpful she is, I would say so. Now, don’t let me distract you anymore.” With that, she turned and stumped over to Nick. They exchanged a few words before she left. Nick watched her go, then walked over to me. He looked defeated.

“What’s wrong?”

“I have a date,” he said, groaning. “Ugh, what I am gonna do? What am I gonna say?”

“Just be natural, and see how things turn out,” I said. “If it doesn't go well, then it doesn't go well. Don't try and force it.”

Nick sighed. “I don’t want to marry anyone, especially not… her.” He leaned in and his voice was full of shock. “She doesn't even know what console means. Like, excuse me? Who doesn't know what gaming console means? And she called my switch a video game thingy? She sounds like my parents.” He shuddered at that.

It was hard not to laugh, and I managed to keep it in until he was gone. Then I let it out into my hand, not caring that a few of the orcs shot me questioning looks.

“What’s so funny?” I spun and found Zara watching me.

“Just something to do with Brooke and Nick.”

“Oh, that.” She shook her head. “Not gonna end well, but her parents want to try.”

“You know?”

“Of course, they asked me how I thought things would go. I told them, but I also said that it could work. Sometimes opposites do attract, and things can change and do in a direction no one expected.”

“That's certainly true,” I said, noticing her dress. “You going out?”

She frowned. “I am. With a half-brother.”

My eyes widened. “You met with them?”

“No, he came here, and I told him I’d spend some time with him.” She looked like she regretted that. “It’s only because my mom sent him, and I know she means well.”

“Well, I wish you a good time.”

“Oh, well, that's why I’m here.” Zara took a deep breath and then let it out quickly. “Can you come with me?”

I blinked and took a second to unravel the jumble of words. “You want me to come?”

She nodded, her shoulder slumping. “I don't want to go at all, but it will be better with you, and if you come, the orcs won’t?”

“The orcs.”

“Brooke has people go with me whenever I go out anywhere, and it's nice, but I’d rather have you watching my back.

Damn.

I pulled my phone out and noted the time. Training was soon to end, and I could spare an hour or two. After her words, I couldn't say no. Yes, I knew I had no time to waste, but it was clear this was very important, and I could practice patterns during. It was just an hour or two. “I’ll come.”

Her lips were on mine before I knew it. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. Come on.” She dragged me out of the training room, and I protested. I smelled and wasn't exactly dressed well. She just waved her hand, and in a few seconds, I was clean as were my clothes. “Your clothes look fine. We aren’t going to a five-star restaurant.”