Optimizing Moving: A More Efficient Fantasy, #6

By N E Riggs

Paka isn't sure who he is, what he is, or where he belongs. So long as he keeps his family safe, he doesn't care about anything else.

A More Efficient Fantasy: Book 6

• Language: English
• Publisher: N E Riggs
• Release date: Oct 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201628901

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Optimizing Moving

A More Efficient Fantasy

Book 6

N E Riggs

Copyright © 2021 N E Riggs

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

N E Riggs

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NERiggs.com

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Illustrator: Rebekah Smelser

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Editor: Leanore Elliott

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In the short time he’d been in Demonia, Paka had been glared at by many orcs. Most of them ignored him, but those that noticed didn’t seem to like him. It was like they knew he knew nothing of them, and maybe he didn’t like them either. He wanted to like them, because they were his kind, because orcs weren’t so bad, and because Fiko would be proud of him. Wanting to like them was easier than actually liking them.

The orcs on duty here wore a fancier version of the standard, Demonian armor, with extra flares and layers, clean and made of a shinier material. As well as swords, they carried spears. When Paka and the others approached the end of the hallway, which was a door carved with an elaborate skull, the orcs held the door open. They bowed to Mika and the king, wrinkled their noses over Yadis, and scowled at Paka. For all the glares he’d received earlier, these glares beat them.

It seemed the demon king loved red and black, because Paka didn’t see any other colors in this room. The windows stood open with the curtains pulled back, so he could at least see some blue. With the help of another demon, the king settled into a plush chair with a high back. A warg pup sat beside his feet, already tall enough to reach the king’s waist.

Mika sat on the couch and motioned for Paka and Yadis to join him. Yadis moved slowly, and it wasn’t just because she was still tired and sore. Paka was so happy for this, because it meant he could dote over her and also move slowly.

As they settled, a demon woman appeared with a tray. Tea cups, cookies, and small sandwiches covered the plate, and she left it on the table. The two other demons and some of the orcs moved to the side of the room but stayed there.

Leave, the king said.

Your Majesty— The demon who had helped him from the throne room wore a pinched expression on his narrow face. These… people are unknowns. They might mean you harm.

Mika bristled at this.

The king slapped a hand on the arm of his chair. You think I can’t protect myself against one human and one orc? This is my family, Javama. Leave!

With quick bows, the Demonians scuttled backwards, the last orc pulling the door shut behind him. Before, Paka would have said he’d be less nervous with only one demon and no orcs around. The one demon was the king, and Paka tried not to even look at him.

As ill-tempered as ever, I see. Mika took one of the tea cups and held it, though he didn’t drink out of it, instead studying the king over the brim. I suppose I shouldn’t have expected anything else.

The king’s eyebrow twitched down, and Paka cringed. And you’re as ungrateful as ever. You could at least try to be kind to your dying grandfather!

Mika huffed. Fine. I’m sorry I had to trouble you while you were still alive. I had planned to avoid Demonia until you died.

That is not kindness, Mikana! You’re as difficult as your mother!

I take that as a compliment, thank you! They glared at one another while Paka and Yadis clung to each other.

They did look alike, Paka thought as the silence stretched. They had the same nose, chin, and eyebrows. He could finally notice more about the king than just his red eyes and obvious age, and he wondered if Mika would look like that when he got old.

He’d known there was something suspicious about Mika, from the very beginning he knew. He let it lie, because Mika was helpful and friendly and because Yadis liked him. Paka had entertained many possible stories for Mika, but this hadn’t been one of them. Maybe he should have thought of it. Mika knew more about Demonians than any human ought to know, and he seemed to like Demonians more than anyone else too.

So when can I expect my first great-grandchild? The king looked at Yadis.

She gaped at him, her mouth moving but nothing coming out.

We only got married a few days ago, Mika said, sounding impatient.

He had never sounded impatient before that Paka could recall. It terrified him that Mika talked to the demon king this way. What if the king decided Mika was too rude and threw them all out – or killed them? How much did being family count for demons? Especially when most of that family wasn’t demon?

So? Get started, boy, I don’t have much time left.

Mika’s lips thinned. I thought you’d be glad I don’t have children yet. It will make it easier for Vekana.

Vekana was the heir; Fiko had repeated the name many times for Paka. If Mika was the king’s grandson, that meant Vekana was his cousin? Or maybe brother? Paka hadn’t paid enough attention.

Bah. Vekana is even slower with women than you are. The king turned his red eyes to Yadis, who hunched in on herself. Couldn’t you find someone prettier? Has she ever combed her hair?

Paka gripped Yadis’s arm while Mika scowled. I think Yadis is lovely, so stop being an ass. And we have spent the last few days traveling. We could have relaxed and washed up, but we had to come here because of your stupid new law.

My laws are not stupid! Humans are nothing but trouble! The king grabbed a cookie from the tray and bit into it, spraying crumbs everywhere. He only had a few teeth left, Paka noticed.

My father was human. My wife is human. I am half-human, and your great-grandchild will be three-quarters human. It’s time to find a new line, Grandfather, because that was old before I was born.

The humans are our enemies! They aren’t as bad as the elves or the dwarfs, but if you think they’d ever let us survive, then you’re the one being foolish! We will take in a handful if they prove docile, but I will not have my kingdom overrun by swarms of filthy, short-lived vermin!

Mika smiled sweetly and put down his tea cup. I love you too, Grandfather. Oh, look at the time. We should find our companions before dark. I hope you die in your sleep. He stood and offered his arm to Yadis.

Paka scrambled to his feet too, wanting nothing more than to get out.

Don’t you dare walk out on me, boy! We aren’t done yet! We’re done when I say we’re done! The king shifted