Brenna's POV

It had been almost three weeks since Chief Bloodborne had spoken to me. I couldn't hold it against him. I understood that all his people looked to him to lead, so I couldn't expect him to put things aside to see me.

From my understanding, he wasn't in the mountains at all right now. I didn't know much; most of what I did know was what I'd overheard from the servants. He was out leading his army of Orcs. They were at war, but I didn't know with who or why.

I was afraid for him. He'd been so kind to me, and I wanted to see him again soon. I didn't know why they were at war or with who, but I was afraid about the outcome. I tried to keep everything off my mind by going to the spot he showed me before he left. I went there almost every day and sometimes brought a book from the library.

I wanted to learn more about his people. The more I read about their history, the more I realized how deceived I was. That was another reason I couldn't wait to see him again. I had so many questions. I especially wanted to know how the Orcs came to be. Most of the literature didn't elaborate on it; the only written text I could find read the Orcs originated from Elves who had fallen from the light. Whatever that meant.

I decided I'd spend my day going to his spot again since I couldn't get him off my mind today. I pulled my dress up to my knees. It was now the early summer, so the weather was pretty warm. I waded around a bit, looking at the small fish and natural stones.

I got out and sat near the edge of the water. I opened a book and began to read. I read for quite some time. I knew it was starting to get late in the day because the sun was getting lower, and it wasn't so hot. I planned to go back soon.

I just wanted to finish reading this chapter. Suddenly, I could hear twigs snapping. I looked around and saw two squirrels running around the trunk of a nearby tree and assumed it came from them. I looked back down at the book in my hands.

Before I could continue reading, I felt a sharp pain that wrapped around my head. Then everything went black.

I slowly came to; I was groggy and could barely open my eyes. My vision was blurry, and my head throbbed. I heard the familiar crackle of a fire and felt its warmth. I forced my eyes up even though it hurt. I felt like I was going to puke.

I was on the ground in a wooded area. The dampness from the forest floor had seeped through my clothes. I tried to reach up to the back of my head but realized my hands were bound.

Two Orc men were sitting nearby. They didn't look like warriors; they were much older. They were talking to each other in hushed voices. It was so dim outside, so I couldn't tell if it was the early morning or late. Was it the same day? How much time had passed?

One of them realized I was awake and alerted the other before getting up and walking to me. I squirmed in fear, struggling to sit up. I shrieked when the orc grabbed me and jerked me up.

"Shut your fucking mouth bitch." He put a hand over my nose and mouth.

He jerked me closer to his face and stared me in the eye.

"When I move my hand, you better keep your mouth shut. Open it again, and I'll make sure to knock you out permanently. It's nothing personal; we must save more lives."

The other added, "Bloodborne's losing his touch already. I'm not sure why he wouldn't already hand you over to stop this war."

"I... I don't understand what you are talking about; What do I have to do with this war?" I was confused.

"What did I just tell you, woman." He growled. He ripped a piece of cloth from my dress and gagged me with it. He then picked me up and slung me over his shoulder.

I started hyperventilating and struggled against him, but it was pointless. He was triple my size. He placed me on the back of a warg and strapped me down like cargo. I recognized the area from my trip to the mountains with Sten; we were heading toward Blackwater Hold.

What does Blackwater have to do with this? I was in the dark.

Jasper's POV

A unit of my men and I trudged back toward home. We had been on the front line against Blackwater and their alliances for about two weeks. My body and mind were utterly exhausted, but I had to remain strong for my men.

We were carrying back our wounded and our dead. I felt it was only right to inform their families personally of their demise. Otherwise, I'd have stayed in battle with the rest of my men. We aren't losing by any means, but every death is a tragedy to us.

Unlike the human rulers, I don't view my men as expendable. They are my brothers, and I will do right by them. However, I fear that some of the elders in the village who have not seen it firsthand are against my choice not to return his daughter.

It wasn't that simple; Corvus could care less about her. He had other motives. She could leave if she wanted to. However, I still haven't figured out how to explain this war to her. I don't know her enough to tell how'd she'd take it.

We couldn't be more than an hour away from home. It was early morning. I knew we would need to stop to tend to our wounded, so I figured it would take until around 10 a.m. to get there. Judging by the sun, it was about 8:30.

We were just about to stop next to a stream when we heard something crashing through the trees. Whatever it was headed right toward us. I got in front of my men and readied my weapon. There were only five of us, not counting the injured and dead.

In a blur, someone crashed through the trees. I nearly swung my hammer but stopped just in time. It was one of my warriors. His name is Halvard. I had requested him and another Orc, Torsten, to keep an eye on Brenna. Of course, others were guarding our walls, but I trusted these two with my life.

He hunched over, trying to catch his breath. "Chief... Chief Bloodborne," he panted.

"Halvard, what are you doing out here? What's wrong?"

"It's lady Brenna Sir..." He said, still huffing.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I felt a pang of sickness creep into my gut. "What's happened, Halvard!" I growled. "Speak!"

"She's gone, sir. Someone's taken her." He uttered. "She was out at the water yesterday evening. When I came to check on her, she was gone."

I tried to remain calm. "Do you think Brenna left on her own?" I pleaded, hoping that was the case because I couldn't fathom the alternative.

Halvard's expression darkened. "No sir, her things were left about the edge of the water and," he paused. "There was blood on the ground where she had been sitting. I've sent a group of men and wargs trying to track her. We've also questioned everyone. No one knows anything. We've spread out and are moving south to find her." He said.

"I thought I told you to keep an eye on her," I growled out of anger. I knew Halvard wasn't at fault, but I was angry and didn't know how to react. He didn't respond. He just waited for directions.

My blood ran cold. I could feel the rage building up inside me. Someone had deliberately gone against my orders. I looked over to my men almost to tell them without saying that I had to go.

"I will kill whoever's a part of this." I got on one of the wargs and took off.

There was only one way they would get through to Blackwater without getting too close to our warriors. I just hoped they hadn't beat me there. Whoever it was, had to be attempting to take her to Corvus.