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DEDICATION This bookis dedicated to Kaylee, Emily, Taylor, Jordon, Melanie, Jamie, Jennifer, Hannah, Donna and the whole “Project Protheka”family.Thanksforbelievingintheworld.
BOOKSINTHEWORLDOFPROTHEKA OrcWarriorsofProthekaSeries MatesoftheBurningSunClanSeries DarkElvesofProthekaSeries Thoruk’sPrize:AMonsterRomance Naga’sofProthekaSeries Minotaur’sofProthekaSeries Demon’sofProthekaSeries VampiresofProtheka GargoylesofProtheka
THEWORLDOFPROTHEKA JOSEN “T heKingwillseeyou,”aguardsaysasIswingopenmydoor,andIknowit’sasummons.
His Royal MajestyKingRyfonhas beenrather upsetandIdoubttodaywill be anydifferent Ofcourse,he's been upsetformonthsnow.Withallthat'shappened,Ican'tsayIblamethefrownierfrownandslumpierslump.
So far this year, we've had two darkelf-and-humanmarriages, plus a rebellion. These are troublingacts bythemselves. However,I'msuretheweightontheKing'sshoulderswouldbemuchlighterifthesemerelyinvolvedthelowerclasses
Alas,allofthesesituationsinvolvedthekhuzuth.Andtheactofanobleisafargreaterblightorblessingontheworldthan theactofazagfer
KingRyfononcetoldmehowsuchadestructivesituationcouldunfold.Thankstomymindbeingmuchlikeanirontrap,I rememberexactlywhathesaid
"First,"hesaid."Everyonewillseethenoblesperformingthesenefariousactions.Second,becausethecommonerslookup tothenobles,theywill startperformingthenefarious actions themselves.Third,iftoomanycommoners andnobles perform thesenefariousactions,theentirekingdomwillfall"
Perhapssomethingsimilartothisiswhyhehascalledmeintohisofficetoday.Perhapsthecapuchoshavestartedflinging theirshitaround Andheneedsmetoeitherflingitbackor,ifnecessary,murdersomecapuchos
The guards have escorted me frommybedroomto KingRyfon's office. Ah, how oftenI have stepped into this room! I believeIknowitlikethebackofmyhand
KingRyfon'sornatedeskandchairsitinthecenteroftheroomandarerightontopofanornaterugdepictingthesouthern seas.Allaroundhimaretree-highshelvesfullofrandombooksandpaper.
Withinthemare pieces ofknowledge thatnotevensome dukes know Ionlyknow this because Ihave managed to read severalofthesebooksmyself.
Assoonastheguardsleave,IbowbeforetheKing "Rise,"theKingcommandsme. Idoit.Anditisveryeasyformetodoit. IwoulddoanythingformyKing.TheKingcouldaskmetocutoffmyhandorjumpoutthewindowbehindhim.Iwoulddo it.
ThereismuchthatIowetomyKing It'sadebtthatIcan'tevendreamofrepayinginmylifetime Hepreventedmefrom dyingliketheorphaninthestreetIwas.
DoingallthisdirtyworkisthebestIcandotorepayhim That'sprettymuchallthatIamgoodfor Andbesides,there'sno betterplaceinOrthanithanonebesidetheKing.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," Isayinmyusual slytone. "Or is itstill good evening? Inever know whatIshould say whenit'spastmidnightbutthestarsarestillout."
"Areyoucomplainingaboutbeingwokenupsoearly?"theKingasks.
"No,sir!Inactuality,Iwas havinga nightmare aboutgettingwokenupearly Ican'tcomplainaboutwakingupwhenthe dreamandtherealityarethesame."
"Whyareyoustillinyournightgown?I'vetoldyouthatyouneedtobecompletelypreparedwhenIwakeyou Imayneed toimmediatelysendyouonatask."
"Truthbetold,YourMajesty,yourmendidn'tgivememuchtimetochange.Besides,itdoesn'tmatteranyway.Icanmove justaswellinmynightgownasIcaninmyeverydayclothes Askaround!Therearequiteafewgirlswhowillvouchforme"
TheKingsighsandshakeshishead.I'msurethatthewayIbluntlyandcreativelyspeakannoyshim.Yethehasn'taskedme tostopit
Truthbetold,Ibelievethathesecretlyenjoysit.Therefore,I'vedonemybesttospeakinthisvoiceconstantly.
"Imean,"Isay."Ifyouwantmetochangewhileyou'rebeingstabbedtodeath,Icould..." "Nevermind,nevermind,"theKingsays,wavingahand."Ihaveanimportantmissionforyou."
"Asmymissionsalwaysare AmIgoingtokillthosetwodukesyouhate?Youknow,theonesthatmarriedthosehumans?" "No,no,doingthatwouldmakethingsfarworse.Thisismoretodowiththerebellion."
"Ah,thetinysparkwestompedintoashesafewmonthsago,correct?"
"WhatotherrebellioncouldIpossiblybetalkingabout?"
"Well,therehavebeenplentyofsmallerrebellionsthroughouthistory”
TheKinglooksatmeasthoughhewantsmyheadtospontaneouslycombust.Itmakesmewanttoshrinkrightbackintothe shadows.Though,Iprobablycan'thidetherelikeIusuallydonow.
"I'mjustsaying,YourMajesty ”
TheKingsighs."Yes,thisisabouttherebellionfromafewmonthsago.Wehaven'tcompletelyquenchedit.Mymenreport thattherearestilltracesofitinthelowtown"
"Traceslikewhat?Didsomeonetakethepenusedtomarkthebuildingmapasasouvenir?"
"Imeantraces likedarkelves whoarestill tryingtoplotthesamerebellion Andperhaps therearealsosomemessages andotheritemsthatneeddestroying."
"Alright,soyouwantmetofindtheseguysandalltheirstuff?Thenwhatdoyouwantmetodo?"
"Dowhatyoualwaysdotoyourtargets"
Ismirk."Iwilldothis,YourMajesty.Andwheredidyourmensaythattheyfoundthesetraitors?"
"InSolenhold,nearthecenterofthelowtown Theyheardsomerumorsfromtheguardsstationedthere Itwouldbebestto talktothemfirst."
"Whatiftheguardsthemselvesarecompromised?Aretheyfairgame,too?Iknowthatgoodsoldiersareashardtofindas diamondsthesedays."
"Ofcourse!Anyonethatisapartoftherebellionmustbeimmediatelydispatched."
"Whataboutalikarorabatlaz?"
MyoddquestionmakestheKingpauseamoment.Thisisweird.Heshouldbeusedtomyquestionsbynow.
" Youknowyoudon'tneedmypermissiontokillanimals,"hesays "Butyes,anyanimalthat'sloyaltoarebelshouldbe dispatched."
"Understood!Iwillstartpreparationsimmediately."
Iturnandbegintowalktowardthedoor.ItouchthehandlejustastheKingordersmetostop.
"Iforgot,"hesays."Keepaneyeonthehumansintheareaaswell."
"For what reason, sir?" I ask "Do you want another plaything? I suppose there could be plenty of untapped beauties waitingforyououtthere."
"No,no I'mconcernedaboutwhattheymightdonow"
"What?Areyouafraidthey'llbecomelazierthantheyalreadyare?"
"No,quitetheopposite."
"Whatdoyoumean,YourMajesty?
"Twohumanshavemarriedhigh-rankingdarkelves.Ibelievethatotherhumanscouldstartgettingsomeideas." "Doyouthinkthey'llstartseducingus?Neverfear,mylife!I'msuremostdarkelveshavefarbettertastesthanthat" "No,I'mspeakingofresistance."
"Humansarefartoolazytoeventhinkofanythinglikethat Haveyouevenseenthemoutthere?Imean,Iknowyoudon't getoutmuch,but…"
"Idon'tcarewhatyouthinkofhumans,Josen.Ifyouseeanysignsofhumanresistanceoutthere,killthem!Thenreportthe mattertome!"
HisMajesty'stoneshocksme.Evenifheisgrumpyandold,hestilltendstohaveaneventemper.Thismattermustbevery importanttohim
Iturnbackaround."Iassureyou,IwilldoeverythingthatIcan.Youknowyoucancountonme."
"Onewouldhopeso,"theKingsays "Buttherearealotofreasonsformetodoubtyou Goodluck,Josen!"
Thesewordshitmeinthechestlikeadagger.Still,Iknowthatshowingthatemotiononmyfacewillcausehimtodoubt meevenmore.Ibow,turnback,openthedoor,andwalkoutoftheroom.
Theguardsescortmebacktomymansionafewblocksaway Thereareafewdarkelvesandhumansabout Theyseeme inmynightgownandgiggle.
Idon'tmind Themoretheyassociatemyfacewithmynightgown,thelessthey'llassociateitwithanythingelse Wearriveatmymansion,andIenterthedoorsalone.Itismodestbutnottoomodest.TheKingknowswellthattheloyalest manistherichest.
Still,Idon'tbelieveIcouldeverturnontheKingformore.Evenafterwhathejustsaid. Imean,heisprobablyjusthavingabadday,right?HeknowsI'mthebestofthebest.
"Whywouldhethrowawayallofthatraisingandtraining?"Isaytomyself."Thatwouldbeliketearingone'scastledown. AndIhavealwaysbeenloyal.No,Ihavetoputthisoutofmymind."
Afterall,adeadmindisadistractedmind It'sdeadasaflowerinthesnow Andadead,deadflowermakesnopollen Iwalkupthestairsandtomycloset.EverythingthatIneedforthemissionisinthere.Icollectknives,darts,arrows,and alloftheusualessentials
Nowit'stimetochoosetheclothes.ClothingchoicesforeveryclassinOrthanihangonthesewalls.Perhapsalowlyzagfer isthebestlookifIwanttochumaroundwiththemiou
Ofcourse,Ishouldprobablygetsomethingthatmatchesmycomplexion.Ilookinthemirroratmydeepbrowneyes,short blackhair,anddarkcomplexion.Yes,itisbesttogetsomethingmoreaptforthechill.
Iexpertlypickouttherightgarments
Now forthename.Let'sgowiththealways-classicEsani.It'sthenameofthatfiddlingdfamwhodrownedintherivera fewyearsago
Afterputtingontheclothes,Isalutethemirror."Icarryonyourspirit,Esani,"Isay.
VERINA howasitthatsaidmoneycan'tbuyhappiness?IfIeverlearnwhoitwas,Iwillpunchthemintheface. Whatwasthatphrasefor?Wasitsupposedtomakepoorfolklikemefeelbetter?Becauseithasn't It'sonlybecomeatoolfortherich.Theyuseitwheneverwecomplain.
"We'renotsodifferent,youandI,"onesays."Weprettymuchhavethesamelevelofhappinessasyou."
Ohsure!I'msurenothavingenoughfoodtoeatdoesn'taffectmyhappinessatall I'mtotallynotblowingupatmymother orfathereverysingledaybecausemystomach'semptyatall.
No,sir,everything'sa-okayhere!Youdarkelvescanjustkeepallthefoodanddrinkthatyouhave Wedon'tneeditsince you’veassuredusitisn’tthesourceofhappiness,afterall.
"Thankyou,Ver-nuh!"Thevoiceofayoungchildbreaksmeoutofmythoughts Ilookdown.Asmall,dirtyfacewithtwobrightblueeyeslooksbackupatme.Hehastakenasmallbiscuitfrommybasket andbittenintoit.
Afterheswallows,hebeginstocough Iraisethebasketabovemyhead "Careful,kid,"Isay."Youdon'twannakillyourfriends,doyou?"
"I'msowwy,"hesays "I'llgoawaynow"
Hedisappearsaroundthecornerwithhisbiscuit,coughingwitheverystep.Yeah,heisn'tgoingtomakeit.Butthat'slife,I guess
That's life, I guess is the real phrase thatgets me throughthe day.Itmeans,"Acceptrealityas itis,anddon'tbe a bitch aboutit."That'sthefirststeptosolvinganyproblem.
Ofcourse,knowinghowtogetthroughthedayisn'tenoughonitsown Youalsoneedareasonforfacingtheday IfIdidn't havethat,Iprobablywouldn'twakeupinthemorning.
Doingstufflikethisismyreasonforwakingup IfIdon'twakeuponemorning,someoneelsemaynotwakeupthenext ThosedarkelvesprobablythinkI'mnomoreimportantthanananimal.Thatisn'tthecasehere.Thisishow Iprovethem wrong,eveniftheyneverseemework.
"Givemebackmybiscuit!"avoiceyellsjustinfrontofme.
I lookup to see two humankids fightingwitheachother. One is muchlarger thanthe other. The bigger one is the one holdingthebiscuit
Heholdsthebiscuithighabovethesmallerkid'shead.Alltheotheronecandoiskickhimintheshins.
"Well,I'mhungry,"thebiggerkidsays "AndI'mbiggerthanyou" "Hey,kid,"Isay."Don'tbeadick!Itwon'tkillyatobeniceonceinawhile." "Yes,itwill."
"No,itwon't."
"I'lldieifIdon'teat,ma'am!"
Well,thatshutsmeupforamoment Thekid'sright "Okay,fine,"Isay."Iguessyou'reright."
"Butwhudda‘boutme?"thesmallerkidsays "Comehere.I'llgetyouanotherone."
Thekidtoddlesoverandholdsouthishand.Ireachintothebasketforanotherbiscuit.Myhandonlytouchesthebasket's wovensurface
Icurseundermybreath.That'sright!Thesickkidgotthelastone.
"What'swrong?"thekidasks
Itakeanotherlookatthekid.Hehasbrightredhairandadorablefreckles.He'salsososcrawnyhecouldfitdownadamn
drainpipe.
"Idon'thaveanotherone,kid,"Isay. "What?"
"I'msosorry.You'llhavetocomebacktomorrow.Mymothercanmakesomemoreovernight,okay?" "O-okay,"thekidsays Heturnsandwalksaway.Icanhearhimsoftlysobbing.
"Yeah,right,"Isay "Thatkidtotallyhasanotherday" Igetup,grabmybasket,andstartwalkinginthedirectionofmyhouse.Theexperienceoftheoh-so-lovelylowtownsisall aroundme.
Drunkmenarelyinginthestreet Thesmellsofunwashedbodies,blood,andfeceshangintheair Thebuildingsareheld togetherwithwhateverjunkpeoplecanlaytheirhandson.
Homesweethome!
The wayto myfamily's house runs pastthe clinic. Iconsider stoppinginwhenIgetthere to sayhi to mydad. Itis also closetoclosingtime,somaybewecouldwalkbacktogether
Yet,asIgetwithinamileorsooftheplace,myfathercallsouttomeinstead,alreadyoutoftheclinic.Hehasabagonhis back,soIassumehehasbeenpickingupsomemoresupplies.
Iwaitforhimtocatchuptome Whenhedoes,Ihughimandkisshimonthecheek "Hi,Dad.”
ThenIlookhimintheface Iseecreasesonhisforeheadandalargefrownonhisface "What'swrong?"Iask.
"Cometotheclinicwithme,"hesays."There'ssomethingIneedtodiscusswithyou." We startwalkingtogether toward the clinic. The feelingthatIgetfrommyfather makes me wantto tryand brightenthe mood.
"Ifedsomemorekidstoday,"Isay "Andjustwheredidthebreadcomefrom?" "Mothermadeit"
"I'llhavetotalkwithher."
Hisreactionshocksme.MyfatherisoneofthemostgenerouspeoplethatIknow.He'll oftenwaivefeesformanyofhis lessfortunatepatients.
Thisgenerositywasalsowhatinspiredmetobecomeagenerouspersonaswell.Something’swrong. "Hey,Dad,frownalittleharder,willya?"Isay,gentlyelbowinghiminthearm Hegrabsmyelbowandpushesitaway."Thisisn'tthetimeforjokes,Verina." Wewalkalittlefartheruntilwereachthedooroftheclinic Mydadgetsouthiskeysandputstheminthedoor "Look,canyoujusttellmewhat'swrong?"Iplead. Helooksrightatme."We'renotgoingtohaveenoughtomakeitthroughthewinter." "What?” "Youheardme."
Heopensthedoorandwalksintotheclinic Irushforwardafterhim "Youcan'tbe serious,"Isay. "Justa monthago, our storeroomwas nearlyburstingatthe seams. So manyhave givenus donationsforourhelp"
"Andwe'vebeendonatingitbacktothoselessfortunate,"myfathersays."Iguesswe'vepushedthelimitstoofar." "ButIwasn'tkeepingtrackofthestoreroom.That'syourjob!"
Myfatherlooksoverhisshoulderatme "Iknow Thiswasmymistake" "Howcouldyou?"
"Ididn'tdothisonpurpose Mygenerosityjustgotthebetterofme" "Whatarewegoingtodo,Father?"
"Shh,patientsarerestinginthenextroom Comeintomyoffice"
Heholdsopenthedoortohisofficeformetostepinside. There isn'tmuchtosee there.The onlyfurniture inthere is a few ricketychairs anda mostlyemptybookshelf.Also,the wallpaperisfailingandtheceilinghasafewleaks
Itakemyseat,andmyfathertakeshis.Hereachesoutandgraspsmyhand.
"Wemayneedtoleave,"hesays "Ihavejustenoughtobribeaboatsmanandtakeuselsewhere Thereshouldbeenough foodforustosurvivethejourney."
"Oh,sofuckeveryoneelsehere,right?"Isay.
"Wecan'tbeofmuchhelpifwe'restarving,sweetheart,"myfathersays.
"There'sstillplentyofmedicine,right?Wecanjusttradethattothelocalpeopleforfood."
"Wedon'thavealotofmedicine,either."
"Maybethelocalpeoplewillhelpus.We'vehelpedthem,ofcourse.Surelythey'dbewillingtohelpusinreturn."
"Well,asI'vejustlearned,peoplecanonlyhelpsomuch Andwiththeharvestbeingasbadasitwas,peoplewillhavea lotlesstogive.Somemightevenbecomedesperatetostealfromeachother."
Mythoughtsreturntothefreckledchild Therecouldbesomanystealingfromtheweakthiswinter Andthosewhoresist whencommandedtogiveuptheirfoodcouldbeinjuredorkilled.
Andwewouldn'tbetheretohelpthemheal
"Perhapswecouldtrytohunt,"Isay.
"I'madoctor,sweetie,"myfathersays."HowgooddoyouthinkI'llbeathunting?"
"Youcouldlearn Icouldlearn,too"
"Doyouthinkwecanlearnfastenough?Really?"
"I'mnotgoingtojustleaveeveryonebehind!Idon'tcareifIdie TheguiltI'llfeelwilldestroyme!" "Butwhataboutyourfamily?"
"Ican'tbelievethatyou'redoingthis!It'snotlikeyou!I Ineedsometimetobealone" "Fine!Thinkitoverabit.Don'trushtosuchrashdecisions." Istandupandwalkoutoftheoffice.AsI'mheadingtowardthefrontdoor,amanrushesinthroughit. "Doctor,doctor!"
Myfatherwalksupandstandstomyleft."What?” "There'sagroupofdarkelvescomingthisway!"
"Dotheyseemhostile?"
"Ican'ttell,sir!"
"Theycouldn'tbecomingforus,couldthey?"Isay.
"Iftheyfindwe'reholdingawantedmanorwoman,theycouldbe.Andknowingthem,theyprobablywon'tleaveourfood storesalone,either Orevenyou"
"Whatarewegoingtodoiftheycomehere,Dad?"
"Idon'tknow,dear It'sprobablybestforyoutostayinsidefornow Let'sjusthopethatthey'rehereforsomethingelse" "Okay,Iwill."
JOSEN Ah,thelowtowns!Theyhaven'tchangedabitsinceI'veseenthemlast.They'restillasshitasbefore.
Askanydarkelfaroundandtheywouldprobablysaythe same They're as close toGlacies as anyone,darkelfor human,canget.
"I'dsoonerspendaweekintheGlaciesthanspendadayinthelowtowns,"mydearfriendKyroboncetoldme.
"Many friends of mine have walked into the lowtowns and never come back out," some randomdark elf on the street whisperedtoanother.
Why,justafewmomentsago,Inoticedtheywereshittyasalways
Andthosearefar,farfromtheonlyquotesthatIcanpulloutfrommyhead.AsI'vetoldyou,I'vequitethememory.
ButIthinkI'vesaidenoughbadthingsaboutthelowtowns Ifeelnicetoday Whydon'tItellyouaboutsomeofthegood thingsonecansayaboutthelowtowns?
Forexample,manydarkelvesconsiderthelowtownstobeahavenforhumans.Ithinkthisplaceisonlyasmuchofahaven asaprostituteisafinelady ButIsupposeitalsoisaplacewheretheycanstayoutofthedarkelves'way,andperhapsthat’s whattheyreallymeantosay.
"Atleastpurposelesshumansdon'thavetoliveoutinthewoodssomewhere,"KingRyfononcetoldme
Also, there are buildings. They're quite beautiful ones, too, ifthey're to your taste. After all, artcollectors regularlybuy pilesofrandomjunkanddisplaythemintheircollections
Though, Idon't thinkthose buildings are verysturdy. Shovingrandomitems into holes is great for sex, but not building construction.
It'sratherashame
Lastly,I'vefoundthatthelowtownsaregreatsourcesofentertainment.No,no,notintermsofwhatonewouldwatchinthe theater Imeanthekindsofcrazinessthatonecanseeoutinthestreet
AsIenterthetown,thefirstthingIseeisadrunkman.Now,drunkmenarealreadyentertaining.There'snotellingthekind oftomfoolerytheycangetuptowhentheirsensesaredulled.
However,thisdrunkenmanhassomehowmanagedtoclimbupastreetlamp.Heisnowhangingbyhispantsandgivingus afullviewofhisundergarments.
Ilaughheartilyatthedisplay There'ssomethingyoucan'tfindinatheater
Afewfeetfartherdown,there'sanotherdrunkman.Atfirst,heseemstobearguingwithsomeoneinawindow.AsIpass behindhim,Iseehe'sarguingwithamuralofawoman
"Oh,givingmethesilenttreatment,eh?"heasksthemuralwoman."Youthinkthatyou'retoogoodforme,eh?Well,we'll justseehowgoodyouarewhenIputoutoneofthoseprettyblues."
Hetakesoutafistandslamsitrightintothefaceofthewoman.Ihearthebonesonhishandcrunch.Heletsoutaroarand hopsaroundashetriestosoothehishand.
Idoubleoverinlaughteratthisdisplay Unfortunately,themanhearsme Hestompsovertomeandshovesmeweakly "Oh,youthinkthat'sfunny,doyou?”
Ilookhimstraightintheeyes "Yes,Ido"
Eveninhisdrunkenstate,themanisshockedbytheboldness."Wherethehelldidyougetsuchballs?Doyouthinkyoucan getawaywithitjustbecauseyou'readarkelf?"
Ismirk "No,IthinkIcangetawaywithitbecauseyou,sir,areastarvingherbivoreinaforest Thereareleavesallaround you,butyourefusetomoveamuscle.Becauseyouaresolazy."
Themangivesmealookofconfusion "What?"
"Okay,theycan'tallbewinners,"Iadmit.
Ithentakeaknifefrommypocketandslicehisthroatopen.Hethengrabshisthroat,fallsover,andbeginsconvulsing.Ina fewminutes,hestops.
Good,nowhewon'teverbeabletotellanyonehowbadlyImessedupthatline WhatImeantto implywas thathumans aren'tinherentlybad, justlazy. I've read enoughto know thathumans aren'tthat physicallydifferentfromdarkelves Welookdifferent,butwecanbothperformmostofthesametasks Besidesusingmagic, ofcourse.
Perhapsifhumansjustpulledthemselvesupbythebootstraps,they'dbeonequalfootingwiththedarkelves Anyonecan getsomewherewithjustabitofhardwork.
Consider myself, for instance. Icould've easilybecome thatstreetlamp underwear manover there. Butthroughmyhard workandnothingelse,IbecamewhatIamtoday
Isometimesimaginewhatself-actualizedhumanscouldaddtoour world.Theycouldinventnew recipestotantalizeour senses Ormaybetheycouldcreateinventions
Yes, they could also write songs about farts, masturbation, and all that low-brow junk. But still, it's better to have somethinginplaceofnothing
Still,everytimeIcomebackhere,myfantasiesseemfartheraway.Iwalkthroughthetownandmostlyseeandhearthings thataren'tsoentertaining.
"Whatdoyoumeanyoulostthemoney?"amanyellsashebeatsawomaninfullviewofthestreet
"Please,goodman,apennyforthepoor,"abeggarsaysinragsashereachesoutforme.
Andtherearesomanymoremenandwomenjustwanderingabout,playinggamblinggames,andbeingdrunk It'sonlyten o'clockinthemorning.
Thereshouldatleastberolesinthisareatheycanfill.Whyaren'ttheyemployingthemselvesinthose?Howarethosewho don'thavejobssurviving?
Thisslummakesnosensetome.Iwanttospit,buttheselowlifesaren'tevenworthmyspit. What'sworseisthatI'llstillhavetotalktothemforinformation
As Iwander downthe road, Istudyfaces and bodylanguage. Atleasta few ofthe castoffs here usuallyhave something intelligibletosay
"MakewayfortheKing'ssoldiers!MakewayfortheKing'ssoldiers!"
Thevoicecomesfrombehindme.Iturntoseeasmallarmyofsoldiersmarchingdowntheroad.Mostofthetownsfolkare rushingoutoftheirway.
Oh,whatluck!JustthekindofinformantsthattheKingaskedmetofind.Andthey'remarchinginanunevennumber. Iwalkupandfindmyplaceontherightsideofthefirstsoldier Ibeginmarchingjustastheyare "Hey,whatareyoudoing?"thesoldiernexttomesays.
"SorryI'mlate,"Iapologize "Thenwhereisyouruniform?"
"Mybatlazateit."
"Areyoukiddingmewiththatexcuse?"
"Okay,itsproutedwingsandflewoutthewindowthismorning.Isthatbetter?" "No,thatisn'tanybetter!"
"Hey,goeasyonme.I'mnotaprofessionalexcuse-maker,I'masoldier."
"Maybeyou'rebetteroffbeinganexcuse-makerthanasoldier,"asoldiersaysbehindme "Arealsoldierwouldn'tforget hisuniformandshowuplate."
"Abadsoldiercanstillbeasoldier."IturnmynecksoIcanlookthesoldierintheeyes."Imean,justlookatyou!" The soldier immediately tries to punch me I catch his fist and push his hand backward The soldier lets out an earshatteringscreamandtriestopunchmewithhisotherhand.
Igrabthatfist,too,andhithiminthenosewithmyforehead "Halt!"
Thesoldierscometoastandstill Ihearsomefootstepscomeupbehindme Ahandlandsonmyshoulderandsqueezesit "Youhavesomenervecominguphereandharassingmysoldiers,"themansays. Iturn.Myaccuseristhemanwhohasbeenleadingthesoldiersintheirmarch.
"Well,"Isay "Youhavesomenervehavingsoldiersthatcannotbeatthelikesofme" "LethimgoorI'llmakesurethejudgegivesyounomercy,"hethreatens.
"Tobefair,hewastheonewhowentformefirst,butalright!"
Iletthesoldiergo.Thedumbassimmediatelytakesanotherswingatme.Ispinoutoftheway,windupbehindtheman,and stickaknifetohisthroat.
Theleader'sfacegoespale.Ismirk.Heknowsalltoowellthatonlyafewknowthismove. "Mylord,"hesays."Mysincerestapologies!Ididn'tknowitwasyou."
"It'sfine,"Isay."JustletmetagalongandIwon'tletHisMajestyknowaboutyourlittleslip-up."
"Verywell.Moveout,soldiers!"
Everyone gets back into position and continues marching down the road The soothing rhythmof the march makes me sleepy.Iyawn.
Suddenly, somethingflies pastmyear Iwake up and lookahead Asmall humanboyis standinginthe road witha few rocksinhisarms.
"Goaway!"theboyscreamsashethrowsanotherrockatus
Howdisrespectful!Well,Iknowjustthethingthatwillputthisboyinhisplace.
Ireachintomybagandpulloutawhip.Iunfurlitandslowlyapproachtheboy.
VERINA Mymindisspinningasmyfather’swordsechoinmyhead.Iwasworriedaboutourstoresforwinter,butit’salotworse thanIthought ThepeopleofthelowtownsrelyonmyfatherandItokeepthemhealthy Ifwe’renotabletodoso,this placewillbecomeevenmoremiserablethanitalreadyis.
Ipace backand forthinthe clinic, wonderingaboutthe soldiers the manmentioned. Iftheycome to take the restofour stores,we’rescrewed
“Fuckthis,”Imutter.Ipushthroughthedoor,ignoringthesoundsofthepatientsasIleavetheclinic.
Thefallsunshinesweaklyoverthestreetsandhodge-podgebuildings,barelyofferinganywarmth Eveninthedepthsof summer,thisplacehasachilltoit.
Ilookatthemakeshifthouses aroundmeanddespair fills me Somanyhumans will starveor freezetodeathinthenext season,andthedarkelveshavenosympathytowardsus.Wearesofarundertheirthumbsthatevensunshinerefusestocomfort us.
IwalktowardsthecentralsquareofSolenhold,mypacebrisk I’musedtododgingthedrunkardsandthechildrenrunning wild.ThecrowdthickensandIfrown,pushingthroughtoseewhat’shappening.Itmustbethesoldierscausinghavoc.
MyheartstopswhenIseeTrentonPierce,theneighbor’sson He’sshoutingandthrowingstonesatthesoldiers
Every sense of self-preservation deserts me as I run to him, hoping to diffuse the situation before he is punished. Punishmentinthesepartsisnojokeandcouldleadtodismembermentordeath OldMr Piercewouldnotsurvivelosinghis onlychild.
I’mwithinreachofTrentonwhenIhear a ‘whoosh’cutthroughtheair.Ibarelyhave time tofigure outwhatitis before debilitatingpainhitsmeacrosstheback They’vewhippedme!
Irefuse to reactand pull mylips betweenmyteethto hold inmyscream. Itfeels like myskinhas beenflayed fromthe bone,butIknowtherewillbarelybeamarkonmyskin
I’veseenthesoldiersusethisenchantedwhipbefore.It’sdesignedtoinflictmaximumpainwhilebarelybreakingtheskin. Itallowsthemtoinflictmorepainwithouttheirtargetbleedingtodeathbeforethey’vebeen‘suitably’punished.
Ican’tbelievetheyintendedtousethisonTrenton,achild.
The shocked silence of the crowd is broken by another crack of the whip, and this time I can’t hold back my scream. Insteadofflesh,thistimeitfeelslikemysoulisbeingflayedfrommybones Icrumpletomyhandsandkneesawkwardly My screamechoes throughthe square, myvoice goinghoarse as it rips throughmythroat. I canbarelybreathe, the painis so intense
Mybodyis onfire, butithas nothingonthe fire burninginmysoul. Iamso angryatour lot. All mylife, myfather has worked himself to the bone to help others in the lowtowns, something that I fully planned to take over when he couldn’t anymoreorifhedecidedtoleave.Thepeoplelookuptous,andIcan’tdesertthem.
Thelaughterofthesoldiersbreaksthroughtheringinginmyears,andIgritmyteeth.Ihatethatthey’veseenmegivein. I’msupposedtosetanexampleformykind,andyetIcan’tstopwrithinginpain
IhearasobtomyrightandblindlyreachouttoTrenton.Ican’tmovemyarm,though,andallIachieveisfallingface-first ontothesharpcobblestones Anotherwaveofpainhitsme,makingmeconvulseandvomit Throughmyblurryeyes,Icansee theredsplashespaintingthecobblestones.
I’mbarelyconsciouswhenIhearthewhippullback,butthehitnevercomes.
Blinkingawaymytears, Ilookup at the darkelfholdingthe whip His armis beingheld firmlybyanother darkelf, a soldierfromthelooksofhim.Hiseyesareonmeevenashewhisperssomethingtothesoldier,anditfeelsliketheyflayme deeperthaneventhewhiphad
Hisblackhairiscutshort.Deepbrowneyesmeetmine,andImustbedeliriouswithpainbecauseIfeelasenseofhome
withinthem.
Hislefteyebrowisslightlyraised,Ithinkinamusement,andthatsenseofcomfortdisappearsinawaveofrage.Thefact thathestoppedthewhipisnotnecessarilyagoodthing Iwonderwhathisintentionsare
Thezagferlowershisarm–thankthegoddess–andhelaughsloudlyasheeyesmeupanddown.Mypridesmarts.Ican onlyimaginewhathesees Ahelplesshuman,nogoodtoanyoneoranythingintheirworld
Thereisaglintofsomethingdangerousinhiseyes,asenseofinterest,andIfindmyselfalmosthopinghe’llliftthewhip again Forwomen,therearefarmoredangerousthingsinthedarkelfworldthanbeingbeatentodeath Ifearformyfate Another convulsionhits me,andIwatchthe blurryshape ofthe soldier come closer.Roughfingers gripmychin,andhe yanksmyheadup.Agrowlleavesmythroatatthepainitincitesthroughmybody.
“Hm I think you’re right,” the zagfer announces The soldier stands casually with his arms crossed as he watches our interaction.He’ssostill,Icanbarelyseehimbreathing.Howdoesaservanthavesomuchinfluence?
Thezagfertwistsmyfaceleftandrightandaddressesme
“Notbad,littlerat.You’llcleanupwell,”hedeclares,hisvoicealmostgleeful. Myskingoesicecoldasmyworstfearcomestolight Despitetherecentmarriagesofdukestohumanwomen,mostofus arestilljustseenaspets.I’vehelpedmyfathertreatwomenwhowereusedinthisway,andthedeadlookintheireyesstill hauntsme.Thebruisesandcutsontheirbodieshealwellenough,butthedamagetotheirsoulsisn’taseasytofix.
Notforthefirsttime,Iwonderaboutthehumanswhohavemarriedthedarkelves Havetheycompletelyabandonedtheir race?Oraretheysecretlyworkingtofixthingsforus?ThoughIhopeforthelatter,Ican’thelpbutthinkthey’vebeenbought bytheluxuryandstatusthey’vemarriedinto
Anothersoldierstepscloser.Irecognizehimfromhispatrolsinthearea.IbelievehisnameisOragon.
“Esani,thisisthedaughteroftheirproclaimed‘leader,’thedoctor.I’veseenherhelpwithtreatingsickhumans.” Theonewhowhippedme,Esani,grinsashelooksatme.
“Isthistrue,littlerat?”heasks.
Usingallmystrength,Ijerkmychinfromhisgripandnodonce Hestandsandstepsbackslightly Iknowtheydon’tcare forhumans,butmaybethey’llsparemeiftheyknowwhomyfatheris.
Myhopeisshort-lived,though Menacefillshisface,andhecallsoutformyfather Myshouldersdroopwhenthecrowd partsandmyfatherstepsout.Hisgreeneyes,exactlylikemine,arewidewithfear.
Twisteddelightfillsthefaceofeachsoldier,andIsuddenlyknowthey’vebeenlookingforareasontopunishmyfather. “Sir,havemercyonmydaughter.Thepeopleneedher.Please,”myfather begs.HemustseesomethinginOragon’sgaze because his face pales. He falls to the ground, restinghis forehead onthe dirt and cobblestones. Seeingmystrong, willful fatherlikethismakesmyinsidesburn
Oragonlaughsagain,andhissoldiersfollowhislead.Theirboisterouslaughtercutsintomybrain.
“Fine Iwon’tpunishheranylonger,”hesays Mybodysagswithrelief Myfatherhurriesovertomeandholdsmeinhis arms,brushingmyshorthairback.Iburymyfaceinhischest.I’mrelieved,butI’malsoso,soangry.Howisitfairthatthey treatuslikethis?
IfeelmyfathertenseandturntoseeOragonstandingrightinfrontofus Hebendsdown,lookingmeintheeyes “Youdidn’tletmefinish.Wewon’tpunishheranylonger…withthewhip.Butshewillserveustonight!” “No,please–!”myfatherargues,butthesoldierinterruptshim “Cleanherupandmakehertakethis,soshecanserveuswell.”
Something lands on the ground in front of me, and I immediately recognize the light pink liquid in the vial The contraceptionmixtureiskeptoutofourreachexceptforthosewhoarechosentobecome‘pets’forthedarkelves. Ican’tholdbackanymore.Iscream.Iwanttocurseatthem,callthemmonsters,andtellthemhow muchIhatethem,but beforeIcangetmorethantwowordsout,myfathercoversmymouth
Thebetrayalhitsmehard.Iglanceathimandonlyseeresignation,anditshocksmeintosilence.I know wecan’tstandup tothem Weallknowthis Butsendingyouronlydaughteroffasanoffering?Howcanheletthishappen? I’mpulledoutofmyfather’sarmsbytwosoldiers.Theynodtomyfathertoleadthewaytoourhouse.Icanbarelygetmy legsundermeintime,andtheyenduphalf-draggingmealong
AllIcandoastheytakemehome,possiblyforthelasttime,isstareatthevialinmyfather’shand,dumbstruck.Thiscan’t bereal.
JOSEN Iwatchastheydragherawaytoherhome.AsmuchasIdon’tlikethewaythehumansinlowtownoperate,notallarebad, andthisoneseemsdifferent Icansenseherpainfromthewhipping,butshestillcontinuestoresistthefatebestowedupon her. Intriguing.
The other dark elves pave the walk with boastful laughter over such an unnecessary and empty victory. “Come! Let’s explorewhatthistownhastooffer!”Oragonsqueezesmyshoulder,nudgingmeforward Iletoutawhisperedsighandfollow thesoldierelvestolowtownsquare.
"Oragon, don't youthinkwe should staythe course and finishwhat we were ordered to do?" I sayto remind himhow uselesstheseanticsare.
"Ah,Esani,relax!Whatfunisitifwecannotindulgeinthesimplepleasuresalongtheway?"Hecallsthispleasure?More likeawasteoftime.
The lowtown square is the busiest section in town. It is a marketplace of merchants who try to sell what they can to survive Itholdseverytypeofmarketfromweaponry,tojewelry,tovariousdelicaciesoffood
“Ah!Lookatthisknife!”oneofthedarkelfsoldierssays.
“Iforgeditmyself,sir”
Ilookover toseeayoungmalehumanproudlyboastingabouthisworks.Iglanceover thesoldier’sshoulder.“Notbad, kid It’slightbutsharpenoughforaswiftkill”Iamimpressed Hehaseveryrighttoboast
Thesoldierinspectstheknifeandthenplacesitinhisbag,“Thanks,kid!” “But...but...Whataboutpayment?”
“Weletyoulive That’syourpayment!”
Thesoldiersholdnoregardandgrabwhattheywant.Thisissounnecessary.Theyarefoolish!Whytakewhatlittlethey havehereinlowtown?
Aswewalkfurtherintothesquare,severalwomencirclethedoorwayofthesquarehall,beckoningforustocomeinside. Oragonsmirks.“Shallwe?”
“Yes!Time to have some fun!” The soldiers practicallyknockeachother over to getthroughthe doorway. The females greetus,motioningforustotakeaseat.
Oragontakestheheadseatattheroundtablenearthemiddleofthehallwhiletherestofthedarkelvesfollowbehind The femalehumanswastenotimeinbringingpitchersofaletothetable.
Oneofthefemalesstopstohandmeamugofale “Hereyougo,love Quenchyourthirstforamoment Ifyouwantmore, justaskforHolly.”Shewinksatmeasshesauntersofftothetable.
Iliftthe mugtomymouth,pretendingtotake a sip.Truthis,Idon'tdrinkatall.Itimpairs the senses,andIneedtostay sharpforthismission.
The female humans crowd the table, striking up conversations with the soldiers. The females are wearing the tightest clothingifanythingatall
OnefemalebendsovertowhisperinOragon'sear.Hershirtissotightherbreastsarereadytopopout.Shepressesher bodyfurtheragainstthetabletogiveOragonaperfectviewofthem Ichuckletomyself Sheknowsexactlywhatsheisdoing, andtheyareeatingitallup.
One of the females begins to swayher hips as she takes center stage, dancingseductively. Some of the darkelves are mesmerized byher movements Two ofthe girls sitonOragon’s lap, whisperingsweetlies and runningtheir hands all over him.Thesenaivedarkelvesareenchantedbythesefemales'charm.Theycallusthemagicalones?Eh,howironic.
Judgingbythewaythesefemalesareacting,Iwouldsaythesearethewhoresoflowtown Theyareskilledatthisforsure Ismirktomyself.
Sadly,myfellowdarkelvesarefallingfortheircharm.Theyleavethemselvesopentosurprise.Howdisappointingtosee! TheyshouldbefocusedontheirroyaldutiestotheKingandnotonwhores.
Istand againstthe corner ofthe small hall where Icangainscope ofthe whole room Some ofthe females near the bar attempttostrikeupaconversationwithme.Imakesmalltalkwiththem,simpleandtothepoint.
Theyare persistentcreatures!One womankeeps runningher hands upanddownmyarm,inspectingeverygroove ofmy muscles.It’sliketheyhaveneverseendarkelvesbefore.
Shetriestopullmetothetable,butIdon’tmove "C'mon,honey,youlooktense Whydon'tyouloosenupabit?Comesit withmeandrelax.”
"I'mgoodrighthere,thankyou."Ineedtobeonguardbecausethesesoldiershaveforgottentheirpurpose.
Therestofthedarkelvesarehuddledaroundthetablewiththesewomen Idon’thavetimeforthis IputdownthealeI’ve beenpretendingtodrinkandbegintowalktowardsthedoor.IshootOragonaglareasanothersoldierleansinandwhispersin hisear
“Hey,Esani!You’releavingsosoon?Thepartyisjustgettingstarted!”
That’swhenshestumblesin,thewomantheywhippedearliertoday Sheattemptstoturnandrunbutiscaughtbyoneofthe soldiers.Shetriestothrowapunch,butherfistisinstantlycaught.
“Careful,littlehuman.Youdon’twantthistypeoffight!”
Istand still inmyplace as Iwatchthis little creature continue to struggle inthe grasp ofthe soldiers Myeyes scanher bodyfromthetoptothebottom.
Theybarelyclothedher Thedresstheychosefor her islow cutinthefront,barelycoveringher breasts Thedressfalls downto her mid-thighbutthe more she resists, the higher the dress hikes up. Italso doesn’thelp thather bodyis curved at everyanglefromherfullbreastsdowntoherhipsandthatplumpassofhers.
“Letgoofme!Youcan’tholdmehere!”Shetriestoclawatthesoldier,whojustlaughsatherattempts.
Ican'thelpbutchuckle.
Shewhipsherheadbacktogivemethecoldestglare Thelookonherfaceispurerage Hergreeneyesarelituplikethe emeraldfiresthedarkelvescanconjure.
Iletoutaslowsighandcrossmyarmsacrossmychest Shecontinuestoglareatme Ican’tlookaway It'salmostcalming Oragonwhisperstothetwowomenonhislap.Hegivesthemanodastheygetupandwalkovertothisfierycreature.
“Come this way.” One womangentlygrabs her armwhile the other motions the way. The fierycreature hesitantlywalks closertowardOragon,calculatingeachstep.ThedisdainfullooksheholdstowardOragonhasmeintrigued.
“Suchfire!”Iwhispertomyself.Ihavetostaytoseehowthisplaysout.
“Thankyouforjoiningusthisevening”
“Yeah,likeIhadachoice.”
“Smart and beautiful Hmmm” Oragon eyes her up and down “We all have choices to make It's about accepting responsibilityfortheconsequencesofmakingthatchoice."Hesmirksasifhe’sintimidatingherwithhiswordsofwisdom.
Hereyeslightupwithanger.IwatchasthoseeyescuttoOragon’sside.Shegrabstheswordfromhisbag,wieldingitwith muchskill,andstrikesthedarkelf’sarm “Youcutme!”
Ican’tbelieveIamwatchingthisweakhumanresistherdoomedfate Iamactuallyimpressedbythislittlecreature Her swordsmanskillsarenotbadforafemalehuman.Icouldteachherafewthings.Thatis,ifshesurvivesthisordeal.
Sheturnstorunandbumpsrightintomychest Withmyarmsstillfolded,Idonothingbutstareather
Hereyeslockwithmineandtimestandsstill.Strange,it’sasifsheistryingtoreadmyemotionswithhereyes.Icanread intohers.She'sconfusedbythisjustasmuchasIam.Thoseeyesinvitemein,andIdon'twanttolookaway.
The moment of escape is lost inthat moment as Oragongrabs her bythe throat “Would yourather choose death?" He chucklestohimself.Hetightenshisgriponherthroat.
MybodyreactstohergargledscreamasIshiftinplace Myeyesdonotleaveher Oragonwatchesusbothintenselyand smirks.Mygods,sheisstillclawingathim.Thefiresheholdsexcitesme.
“Hmmm”Oragonlookstousboththendropshertotheground “Yousee?Youjustmadeachoice Granted,abadone,but achoicenoless."Hebendsdownandleansclosertoherface."Now,youmustowntheresponsibilityforthechoiceyoujust made."
IlookdownatherandthenatOragon Shemanagestocatchherbreathasthesoldierslifthertoherfeet “Tell me, whatis your name, fierce one?” Oragonlifts her chinwithhis finger, butshe slaps itaway. She looks athim defiantly “Verina.”
OragonlooksupatmeasIshiftagaininposition.
Webothchuckleateachother.“Ve-rina.Eh,itsuitsyouwell.Afiestycreaturelikeyouwithanamelikethat.Aquickdeath isnotforyou.However,Ihaveabetteroption.”Oragonbeckonsmetocomeoverwithhishand.
Ireluctantlywalkovertothebothofthem,wishingIcouldjuststayoutofthis. “Esani,youarealoyal soldier.Faithful toyour duties!Youshouldberewardedfor suchdedication!”Hiseyesfall upon Verina Shelooksbetweenthetwoofusinfear “Mygifttoyou,thefieryVerina!”
VERINA Ican't believe this is happening! We reachour house as the soldiers push me through the front door. Myfather walks in behindthem,stillholdingthepinkvial Myeyesmeethiswithsuchdisappointment Hedidn’tevenputupafight Iwishhe atleasttriedto.
“Showmeyourroom.”
Ishiverinfearofwhatwill happennext Ishegoingtoforcehimselfonme?Iamstill soweakfromthewhippingthatI wouldn’tbeabletofightback.AsifIwouldevenwin.Darkelvesaremuchstrongerthanhumans,butIwouldstillhatetogo downwithoutafight
“StartmovingorIwillmakeyoumove!”Hestaresatmewithsuchintent,asifhewantsmetomakethewrongmovesohe canpunishme Istaydefiant,matchinghisstareasIbegintomovetowardthestairsanduptomyroom
Oncewegettothedoor,thesoldieropensitandpushesmethrough.Hescansmyroomandwalksovertomycloset.
"Whatareyoudoingwithmythings?"Ican’tbelieveheisnowlookingthroughmyclothes!Iwanttojumponhimbutthe painfrommybackisexcruciating Thecoldwallhasbecomemyonlycomfort Thesoldierpullsoutadress,ifyoucancallit that.Ihaven’twornthatdresssinceIwasateenagerandweighedlessthanIdonow.
"Here Putthison"
"Areyoukiddingme?Ican'tfitintothisthing."
"Don'tworry,youwon'tbeinitforlong"
"Hey!Don'ttouchme!"
Hewinksatmeasheturnsmearoundandpushesmeupagainstthewall.Thesoldier pinsmyhandstogether againstthe wallwithonehand ItrytousemylegsastheonlyweaponIhaveleft Kickingasmyleftresort,hestepstothesidetoavoid thekickbeforelockingmylegswithinhis.
"Getoffofme!"
Heleansclosertomyear,chuckling."Relax,human.You'renotmytype."
Heripstheremainsofmybloodstainedshirt.Itiltmyheadbacktowatchhimgrabasmalltincanfromhisbagandtwistit open.Tosatisfymycuriosity,hebringsthecanclosersoIcanseeanorangegelpracticallyshimmeringinfrontofmyeyes.
Hescoopsahandfulandappliesittothewoundsonmyback.IwishIcouldsayitwassoothing.Onthecontrary,itfeels likeafireburningmyskin Ican'thelpbutscream Thisburningsensationisunbearable "Ah!Itburns!Stop!"
Heignoresmyscreamandcontinuestoapplythegelontomyback Thankfully,itdoesn'tlastlong Afterafewminutes,he stopstouchingmyback.
Itakeadeepbreathbeforerealizingthepainisgone.Eventhepainfromthewhippinghasdisappeared.Myfingerstrace downmyskinto feel a smoothback. He healed me? Igrab the shreds ofmyshirtto cover mybreasts as Iturnaround with confusedeyes.
"Don'treadintoit,human Damagedpetsdonotservewell"
Thisreminderhasmeenraged.Isthatallwearetothesedarkelves?Howdarehelookdownatus? "Here,getdressed"Hethrowsthedressatmeashereachesforthedoor "Don'teventhinkaboutdoinganythingfoolish" Thedoorslamsshut,butIcanseehisshadowunderthecrackbeneaththedoor.He’sstandingoutfront,obviouslykeeping guard.
Irummagethroughmytopdrawer Ithastobeheresomewhere Ah,hereitis!Ipulloutmyoldgarterbeltandslideitup my thigh. With no time to waste, I reach again in the top drawer to pull out the pocketknife the local farmer gave me for protectionduringmylatenightsattheclinic
Theknifeslidesunderthegarterbelt,whichistightenoughagainstmythightoholditinplace.Itugonthedress,tryingto
pullitdowntocoverasmuchofmythighsandthebeltaspossible.Iwearapairofflatcomfortableshoes,justincaseIhave torun.Besides,noonewillbepayingattentiontomyfeet.
Thedoorswingsopen,slammingagainstthewall Thebrutecouldn'tevenknockfirst Hestandsinthedoorway,looking meover.Hislipscurveintoanevilsmirk.
"Youwillmakeagreatpet" "Iamnoone'spet!"
"Come”
"Letgoofme!"Isnatchmyarminresistance,butit'suseless.Hegrabsmyarmtighter,pullingmetohisside."Nowwalk, human!"
Ihesitantlywalkbesidehimdownthestairs Myfatheriswaitingforusatthebottom,stillholdingthatpinkvial Theother twosoldiersstandfirmbehindhim.
Myfatherlowershiseyesashehandsmethevial "Youhavetodrinkthis,honey" Mymouthshootsopentoagasp.ThemanIlookeduptoeversinceIwasalittlegirlisnowstandinghere,silentlypleading withmetothrowmylifeawayquietly HewantsmetodrinkthiscontraceptivepotionsoIcanbesomeone’spet Igrabthevialfromhishand,staringathimwithaccusingeyesasIswallowthepotionwhole.
“Goodgirl.Nowlet’sgo.”Thesoldiergrabsmebythebackoftheneckandpushesmeforward.Ifollowmyfather’seyes asIwalkoutthedoor,disappointed,hurt,andangrybyhisbetrayal
Ifeel sohumiliated.The doctor’s daughter,soontobe a doctor myself,andnow Iamsomeone’s pet.Iwouldrather die first!ButnotbeforeItakeatleastoneofthesedarkelvesout Myangerincreasesaswegetclosertothehall.Westopatthedoorway. “DoIhavetoremindyoutobehave,littlehuman?” “Ofcourseyoudo.”
HenarrowshiseyesatmeasIsmirkathim.Istruckanerve.Good. Thesoldierpushesmethroughthedoorway,forcingmetostumble Itrytothrowapunch,butthesoldierinstantlycatches myfist.
“Careful,littlehuman Youdon’twantthistypeoffight!” Itrytostrugglefromhisgrasp.Thiscan’tbemyfate,Imustfight.Itrytoclawandpunchmywayout,butitisnouse. “Letgoofme!Youcan’tholdmehere!”
Ihearlaughterallaroundme,butthesoundofoneinparticular,ringsinmyear.Iwhipmyheadaroundtoseeoneofthe darkelves,theonewhowhippedme,standingofftotheside.
Igivehimadeathstare Hedoesn’tevenmoveandstandsthere,armscrossedstaringback Foramoment,timestandsstill asIgazeintohiseyes.Thewayhestands,unbotheredbyanythingoranyone.Hiseyesseemtobelockedwithmineashelets outasigh Ishiver,feelingnakedasitfeelsasiflookingtomysoul
IimmediatelyshakethisfeelingoffasIamusheredbytwowomentothesourceofmyrage.It’sthatdarkelf!Oragon.Heis theonetopayforthishumiliation!Ipretendtopullmydressdownbutamreallyreachingformyknife,makingsureitisstill thereandreadyformetouse
Icarefullyassess the roomaround me, calculatinghow manysoldier elves are near me, checkingfor the nearestexits. I knowImustmovequicklyoncethishappensifIhaveanychanceofescaping
“Thankyouforjoiningusthisevening.”
“Yeah,likeIhadachoice”
“Smartandbeautiful.Hmmm.”Oragoneyesmeupanddown.Iwrapmyhandsaroundmyselftocoveranyexposedareas. “Weallhavechoicestomake.It'saboutacceptingresponsibilityfortheconsequencesofmakingthatchoice."
Hesmirksasifhe’sintimidatingmewiththosewordsofwisdom Hisarroganceisrepulsive Icannottakeitanymore As heturnstolaughwithhisbrethren,Inoticethesoldiernextmeholdingabagwithasmallswordstickingoutofit.Ihastilygrab thesword,wieldingitjustlikemyfathertaughtme
Oragontriestoreachforme,butIstrikethesworddownonhim.
“Youcutme!”
Desperatelylookingforawayout,Iswingtheswordtowardsthedarkelvessotheywillbackawayenoughformetofind thenearestexitoutofhere.Onceanopenspaceopensup,Imakearunforit.Ididn’tevennoticehimstandinginfrontofme beforebouncingoffhischestandtotheground
Shaking my head to stop the ringing in my ears, I look up and lock eyes with him. He is a lowlife zagfer, but there’s somethingabouthim Hisstanceandpoisesuggestsaregalnaturebuthowcanthatbe?Ifeellikeheissearchingmysoulbut cannotunderstandwhy.ThemomentisinterruptedbyOragon’ssuddengrasparoundmythroat.
“Wouldyouratherchoosedeath?"Hechucklestohimself.Iletoutagargledscreamashetightenshisgrip.Idon’tknow whybutIlooktothedarkelfasifhewouldhelpme.Itwasthefirsttimesincebeinginthehallthathe’smoved.Hiseyesstay lockedonmine.
Ifeelasuddenfirelightinsidemeandtrytofightmywayoutofhisgrasp.IstartclawingatOragon’sgrip.Inoticedthe moreIfightback,themoreintenthe’slooking..
IhearOragonmakeasoundbeforereleasinghisgrasp Ifalltothegroundgaspingforair Itakeinadeepbreath “Yousee?Youjustmadeachoice.Granted,abadone,butachoicenoless."
Oragonbendsdownandleansclosertome
"Now,youmustowntheresponsibilityforthechoiceyoujustmade."
Thesoldiersgrabeachofmyarmsandliftmetomyfeet Itrytorubthesorenessoutofmyneck Ilookuptoseethedark elf,now abitcloser,observingthebruisingonmyneck.I’mirritatedbythisfact.How dareheshow anyounceofsympathy towardsmewhenhe’stheonewhocausedthis?
Oraganliftsmychinuptowardshimwithhisfinger “Tellme,whatisyourname,fieryone?”
Islaphishandaway
“Verina,”Isaywithdefiance.IownwhoIam.
Oraganandthezagfer,Esani,chuckleateachother Ilookbetweenbothofthem “Ve-rina.Eh,itsuitsyouwell.Afierycreaturelikeyouwithanamelikethat.Aquickdeathisnotforyou.However,Ihave abetteroption.”
Oragonbeckons the darkelfover to where we are standing As Iwatchhimreluctantlywalkover, he moves withsuch stealth.It’slikealionstalkinghisprey,socarefulinthewayhemoves.
“Esani,youarealoyalsoldier Faithfultoyourduties!Youshouldberewardedforsuchdedication!”Hiseyesfalltomeas Ilookatthembothinfear.
“Mygifttoyou,thefieryVerina!”
Myhead is spinningrightnow. NotonlyamIa petto serve a darkelfbutthe lowestlevel ofdarkelves, a zagfer. It’s interestingthough,OragontalkstothisEsanithoughlikeheisofhigherstatus?Somethingdoesn’taddup.Regardless,it’stime tothinksmarter Insteadoffightingauselessbattle,Icantakeanotherapproach GetasclosetotakingoutasmanyofthemasI can.
Thesoundofthesoldierscheeringwakesmeoutofmydaze TheystarttoteasehimwhenEsanigrinsatmeandbeckons metocome.Igripmyskirtassuringmyselftheknifeisstillthere.NowayamIgoingtohim.
Oragongrabsmyfacewithsuchforce,withmurderinhiseyes.
“Donotkeepyourmasterwaiting.”
Ireluctantlyobey, takingina deep breathas Istartto walkover to Esani. Inotice myselfbreathingheavilyand shaking witheverystep IstarttofidgetwiththehemofmydressasEsanigrabsachairandtakesaseatatthetable
BeforeIcanblink,Esanipicksmeupandplacesmeonhislap.Iamsoangrybythisembarrassment!Isquirmaroundinhis lapuncomfortablebythispositionwearein Ishiverinangerasheleansintomyneck Icanfeelhislipsgrazethenapeofmy neck.
I’mfurious!Now heisjustshowingoffinfrontofhisbuddies!Itrytopushhimawaybuthegrabsmetighterashislips brushupagainstmyneckagain Ican’thelpbutnoticehow goodhesmells It’slikeamistofvanillainthemiddleofa pine forest.Sweetandspicy.Ifeelaslightpleasuretinglingthroughoutmybody.Ihavetostopthis.
Ipushmyselfawayfromhisembrace HiseyeslockwithmineagainandIamentranced Itfeelslikeheispenetratingmy soul. I can’t look away. Without thinking, I lean in closer to him. Suddenly, he tilts his head slightly before smirking and openinghismouth Istopmovinginconfusion I’mflusteredatthismoment,wasIabouttokisshim?
“Whatdoyouwant?”
Hegrinswhilepointingtotheplateoffoodoneofthemaidensjustplaceddownonthetable.Ilookdownattheplate,then backuptohisfacethatstillhasanopenmouth
“Youwantmetoserveyou?”
JOSEN Sheshovesapieceofroastedchickenintomymouthforcefully,almostputtingherwholehandwithit.
“Here, mylord” Her words are drippingwithsarcasm, but I don’t care I make a bigshow of chewingthe meat, lettingbitsofittumbleoutofmymouth.
OnceI’mfinishedwiththatbite,Iopenmymouthagain.She’sreadythistimewithaplumpsausagedrippingwithfatand grease
Theironyisnotlostonmeassheshovesnearlythewholethingintomymouth.Igagslightly,andshenotices.Awrysmirk pullsatthecornerofhermouth Thisiswhatshewants
Ibitedownhard,andthejuicessprayout,hittingherarmandpartofherbreast.Thegreasedribblesdownmychin,butI makenomotiontowipeitoff Thisisallpartoftheshow Decadenceandwantonlust–justwhatthepeoplewant
Before Icanfinishthis bite, she shoves another piece ofchickeninto mymouth. IfIdidn’tknow better, she is tryingto chokeme.Ipullonherelbow,stoppinghershort.Shestaresatmewithcontemptbutdoesn’tfightmygrasp.
AsIgorgeonthesausage,Ilookoutoverthecrowd Manyofthewomenhavepulledtheirtopsdown,showingofftheir amplebreasts.Theywritheanddancefor thesoldiers,whoseraw passionis obvious,evenfromthis distance.Thesmell of sexandsweatfillstheair
Althoughmostoftheirattentionisdrawnawayfromme,Ican’tletup.Anyeyesthatarewatchingmustseewhattheywant tosee–alustfulelfhavinghiswaywithhisnewprize That’sthewaythingsare,andthat’swhatisexpected
Shetriestoshoveanothersausageinmymouth,butIrefuse.Imotionforhertoputitdown.Sheobligesandstaresintomy eyes.Icantellthatshe’stryingtoreadme,tryingtofigureoutwhatkindofelfIam.
Iplaytothecrowd “WhataprizeIhavehere!Suchsupplecurvesandampleflesh!”Ilaughasmyhandsdancearoundher torso.
Shetriestopushmyhandsaway,butI’mtoostrong Asthesoundsofmoansfilltheair,I’movertakenbytherawlustinthe room.IgropeherbuttocksandpullthecheeksapartasfarasIcan.
She’sthrownoffbythisandlooksshocked.Icantellthatnoonehastouchedherlikethatbefore.Shelooksaround,trying toseewhoispayingattention,butthatonlymakesmewanttodomore.
Myhandsraceuphertorsoandgrabherbreasts.They’refullandheavy,andtheyfeeldeliciouslysucculentinmyfingers. Sheagaintriestopullmeoffbuttonoavail
“Whyareyoudoingthis?”sheasks.
“BecauseIcan,”Ireply Withouthesitation,myrighthandmovesaroundherneck,lightlychokingher Mylefthandmoves backtoherbuttocks,whereIcaressthecurvesasifpettingaloyalbatlaz.
Icantell thatthecombinationturnsheron,butshe’sfightinghardagainstherlustful side.Itdoesn’thelpthattheroomis becomingevenmoreorgasmic,withthesoundsofsexoverwhelmingeverythingelse. Igazeoverthecrowdagain.Before,Icouldspotindividualsoldiersandtheirfemalecompanions.Now,italllookslikea blurredmeshofskinandhair It’snearlyimpossibletotellwhereonebodyendsandthenextonebegins
Womenhavetheirheadsinsoldier’slapsandviceversa.Someofthemhavebrokenoffintogroups,rammingeachother frombehindlikeanimalsinamatingorgy
Despitetherawintensityofthesescenes,theydisgustme.Ican’thelpbutthinkofleavingtheroomrightnow.
Butnotyet.Theshowmustgoon,atleastuntileveryoneisconvincedthatI’mjustasdepravedandpervertedastheyare. Notthatmanyofthemarestillpayingattentionanymore
“Tellme,sweetthing,wherehaveyouneverbeentouchedbefore?”Ismileasthewordsdanceoutofmymouth.“OrshallI investigateanddiscoverformyself?”
Shesneersatme.“Iwouldn’ttellyou,evenifyouweren’tahorriddarkelf!”Itlookslikeshe’sabouttospitonmyface,
butIdon’tlether.
Ipinmyfacetoherneck,holdingherbodyasclosetomeaspossible.Foramoment,wearejoinedastwobeings.Nolight penetratesbetweenusasourfleshpracticallybondsintooneentity
Shestruggles,butIcantellthatpartofherwantstobetreatedthisway.Underdifferentcircumstances,shemightevenplay alongandstartdoinglewdactsherself
Shesmellsofsweatandhoney.Notexactlyadelightful combination,butit’sfarmorepreferabletothestenchofsexand decadencefillingtheroom Somanypeople,somanyorifices,andonlysomanyfullybathedandwashed I press my face tighter against her neck. Being this close to her is almost intoxicating. I can see tiny beads of sweat delicatelyfallingonherskin.Theminusculehairsdiverttheirpathseversoslightly.
Icanalsohearherheartbeatingfasterandfaster Ican’ttellifit’snervesorpassion,butIhaveasneakingsuspicionit’s both.Shepushesherhandsagainstmetopullaway,butnotwithallherstrength.
Ifshewastrulydisgustedbyme,shewouldfightlikehelltobreakfreefrommygrasp I’veexperiencedwhatit’sliketo haveapanickedanimalclawandbiteitswaytofreedom,butsherelents.
Istartlickingherneck,andittastesexactlyasshesmells Irevelinthesaltysweetnessofherskin Sheshiversslightlyas theticklingsensationrunsthroughherbody.Icanfeelhershiversallthewaydowntoherthighsrestinguponmine.
Suddenly, there’s a sharp paininmyshoulder. Withoutlooking, Icantell she’s diggingher nails into myskin. She can’t pierceit,butIcandefinitelyfeeltheirpresence Shedigsharderasiftryingtoripachunkofmeoffwithherbarehands “That’snotgoingtowork.”Ipullmyfacefromherneckasifcomingupforair.
“What’s notgoingto work?” she asks, bewildered Ican’ttell ifshe’s more surprised bymycommentor thatIstopped licking.
“Youcan’thurtmelikethat.Yournailsarefartoodulltopiercemythickskin.Butifyouwanttoscratchmyback,there’sa littleitchthatIcan’tseemtoget,”Ireply.Igrinlikeanidiotasshestaresdaggersintomyeyes.
“Iwouldn’tgiveyouthesatisfaction,”shesays,her lipsnarlingas shespeaks.Thelevel ofcontemptshe’s displayingis almostanact Could she be playing her own part?
Igrabhertorsoforcefullyandliftherintotheair.She’sstunnedbyhoweasyitisformetocarryher.She’slikearagdoll inmyhands,andIwanthertoknowthat
Someofthesoldierscheerassherisesabovemyhead.Ipullherbackdownandliftherupagain.Morecheers.Theylove thatI’mtreatingheraslittlemorethanatoy.Aplaythingformyownamusement.
Iputherbackinmylap,andshe’sgaspingforbreath.“Whatwasthat?”sheasks.
“Justademonstration.Incaseyouwerewonderingifyoucouldgetoutofhere,”Ireply.Inoticehereyesdartingaroundthe room
“You’rejustasbadastherestofthem.”Shescoffs.
Inasinglemove,Ipullherwaistnexttominesoherlegswraparoundme Then,Idipherdownbetweenmylegssoher headnearlytouchesthefloor.Herhairflopsdown,andherdressshifts,revealingherbarebreaststothecrowd.
Thismoveelicitsmorecheersandrevelryfromthesoldiers.Icantell she’sbothembarrassedandenragedatthis.Ipull herbackup
“Stoptoyingwithme!”sheyells.
Ismile “Orwhat?”Igrabherhandsandputthemaroundmywaist Sheresistsbutcan’thelpbutdowhatIwant Ipullhercloserandclosersoourfacesarepracticallytouching.Icanfeelherquickbreathsagainstmyface.Hermouthis agapeasifwonderingwhatI’mgoingtodonext Butshedoesn’tlookworried,onlycurious Ireachbehindherheadandpullherhair,snappingherneckbacksoshefacestheceiling.Shedigshernailsintomyback–Icantellthatthismovemakeshernervous.
Tocalmhernerves,Iresumelickingherneck There’smoresweatonitnow,andIlapitup,hungryformore “Whatareyoudoing?”Shegasps.Ifeelherthroatmoveasmytonguedancesacrossit.
“Markingwhat’smine,”Ireply Igentlybitetheskin,causinghertorecoilinsurprise Feelinghertenseuplikethatmakes memorearousedthanIthoughtitwould.Ibiteagain,butshedoesn’treact.
Finally,Ireleasemygriponherhair,andshestraightensup,staringintomyeyesagain
