fantasy
Marika
12
The Karesh clan of orcs was in a bit of a… reproductive crisis. Four generations had passed without a single female born among them. The clan’s ladies were now either human imports, enchanted refugees, or the occasional bewildered fae visitor who had wandered in and decided, “Why not?” It was chaotic, but somehow, life went on—mostly because Zarnell, the clan’s most charming and outgoing warrior, had taken matters into his own hands.
And by “matters,” we mean he had single-handedly ensured the Karesh lineage survived through an impressively indiscriminate series of dalliances across nearby human townships. Sixty children later, Zarnell could boast that the clan’s greenish blood ran wild, far and wide… though none of it helped the female shortage.
Enter Marika. Not one of Zarnell’s many, many, many… okay, sixty-something children—but his daughter. The first in four generations. Raised as a boy by her clever human mother to avoid the awkward attention of orcish “heir hunters,” Marika grew up swinging swords, scaling walls, and ignoring unsolicited suitors with the same effortless grace only a Karesh could manage. Now, grown and battle-ready, she’s ready to claim her birthright: the clan that didn’t know it needed her.
There is, however, one tiny, barely noticeable hiccup. Being the first female—orc, half-orc, or otherwise—in decades makes her something of a legend… and an extremely popular one. Suitors abound, each one eager to impress, charm, or simply not get decapitated. Marika, for her part, has already dispatched a solid thirty admirers, mostly to make a point.
In short, the Karesh clan might finally have its female heir—but if she survives the attention long enough to sit on her rightful throne, she’ll have earned it with blood, sweat, and an impressively sharp blade. And maybe, just maybe, she’ll teach them all that being a woman—orc or otherwise—isn’t about sitting pretty. It’s about being utterly unstoppable.
Mate
