WARNING THIS CHAPTER IS DARK AND MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOUNGER READERS. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Curses.... I passed out again.

I opened my eyes and this time I collected my bearings rather quickly. I was in the same stone hut that I woke up in last time. My wrists were still bound together and tethered to the post. My leg throbbed. I pulled myself up with a groan to inspect my injury as memory of the sting of the whip came back. My sudden movement caused someone to scurry away into the shadowy corner of the confined space. It was a girl gnome... I think?

Like Zeph, she had the unusually wide mouth and severe downturned eyes. Her hooked nose, though, had a cherry tip. Big, rounded ears stuck out under her bonnet. She wriggled her meaty hands together.

I looked at my leg. It has been bandaged. It throbbed but it wasn't the mind-blowing pain I experienced before I passed out. She must have used medicinals.

"Thank you..." I said.

She stood there silently still fidgeting in place. I realized her chest was heaving. I gestured to my leg then to her then tilted my head in what I hope could be interpreted as a sign of gratitude.

She blinked and spoke in the sideways language so fast. When I just stared back blankly, she said "ah!" Then she shuffled back to my side and pointed to my leg, then to all her little bowls of powders and dried herbs laid out on the ground around me then patted her knees.

"Yes, uh, thank you for healing me." I bowed my head again.

She grinned, showing off some spaced-out teeth. She scurried across the room to mess with some pots...

"Um, can you tell me what is happening? When did the ogres come?" She continued to clang dishes together ignoring my questions. She probably could not understand me. Zeph could speak my language quite well... "Zeph! Do you know where he is at least? I need to speak to him."

She came back to me cradling a bowl and talking fast. I could not understand what she was saying but I heard her say Zeph's name. She does know him! When I opened my mouth to ask her more, she tried to shove something in my mouth. I instinctively spat it out. She tutted, stomping the ground where I had spat out some wet black-green moss-looking plant... except it spasmed. Was it alive? She once again tried to shove more in my mouth. My stomach rumbled but I kept my lips pressed together.

"Tae! Tae!" She was urging.

"No! No tae! That is not tea. Stop! I do not want it!" In my attempt to get her persistent self off me, I ended up kneeing her in the face. She held her face and her eyes watered. "Oh... I'm so sorry... No, wait!" She clumsily scurried out of the hut like a scared ribbet.

Oh well, at least now I am alone.

I pulled up my skirt and almost laughed hysterically with relief to find they had not found the dagger. If I wedge it between my knees, I can cut this rope off and then.... sneak away somehow? I'd hate to know what they would do to me if I got caught trying to escape. Securing the dagger back in its hiding place, I tried to call on the bit of patience I have been learning. I need to cut the ropes only when I see a clear opening to escape. I need a good plan. If I cut the ropes too early, they will just tie me up again and take away the dagger.

From my little tour through the village, I can surmise this hut is centrally located. Not good for me. Best time to sneak away is at night. Do I have guards posted outside this hut? I did not know. I tried to crawl across the floor to peek out through the entrance, but the rope only let me go so far.

I can't make out anything from this angle...

Why am I here?

Think, Sienna. What do I know about ogres?

We fought them. My father did in his youth anyway. But the fighting had finally ceased before I was even born. Father and the Chief had come to peaceful terms. The ogres were given their own land to squabble with one another on.

I remember what Tallis had said. The ogres could be holding me for ransom... perhaps they were going to use me as leverage to get more land from Father. The brutes would go through such lowbrow tactics instead of just sending an ambassador to negotiate a new treaty. But that did not answer the question as to why they are occupying gnome land? Perhaps we are close to the ogre lands and they want this land too.

All this is assuming they have learned of my identity. I don't exactly look the part of a princess right now. But what other reason would they have to keep me alive?

If only I was smarter, I could have this all figured out.

I laid on the ground listening to the grunts and growls and foreign tongue of the creatures surrounding me outside the hut. I didn't know what else I could do. Am I going to remain a prisoner until they get what they want? If they don't know I am the princess, would telling them change my current situation? Where is Zeph? He was pleading for my safety, I think. Has he told them who I am? What about the curse?

I sat up straight and saw I still wore the blue talisman. Its weight had previously been ignored due to my consuming thoughts. Zeph said I need to restore it to the center altar. I'm not sure where that is... perhaps I can negotiate with the Chief to allow me to do such a simple task and get some answers. How do I get an audience with him? Taking a deep breathe, I sent a quick prayer to whatever Divinity is listening.

"Hello?" I hollered out. "Hello? Is anyone going to answer me? I need help!"

No answer.

"What if I have to use the bathroom? Hey! You stupid ogres! Someone answer me!" I began banging a bowl against the wooden post.

Yes, Sienna, let's just beg for death! It wasn't coming fast enough for you!

Okay, time to take it up a notch. Try ignoring this.

I laid back down and unlocked my inner toddler tantrum. I screamed and howled so high-pitched; it began making my own ear drums ring. I scrambled back as Runt practically ran in hitting his head on the low ceiling. He grunted and buried my face in his palm trying to shut me up. The ground shook as other ogres came in and I thought I was about to suffocate. The hand was removed as an ogre, with a metal nose ring connecting his nostrils like an ox, began beating on Runt. Runt just cowered beneath the blows.

Though the monster almost killed me, I rose to my feet yelling, "Stop! Stop hurting him!" The ogre, whom I dubbed Ox, turned back on me and roared. "I-I want to see your Chief. Take me to see your Chief!" I trembled but held my head high, a show of bravado.

Ox huffed through his nose. Jaw came in then with a malicious smile and his broad whip resting on his shoulder. I resisted the urge to hide. There was nowhere to hide anyway. A conversation ensued between Ox and Jaw. They both took turns glaring angrily at me and one another. Ox yelled at Runt then picked up the post himself dragging me out of the hut. He did not attempt to slow his steps. I was practically dragged by my wrists though I held on to the rope to ease the pressure.

The sun was laying down. The veil of night was being unfolded by sky maidens. Tonight would be the bright moon, I noted.

We came to the largest tent and I was pulled by him and shoved from behind causing me to hit the ground with my knees hard. My previous injury burned beneath the bandages. I struggled to get my hair out of my face.

There was a fire in the center bracketed by splintered boards. Its smoke billowed escaping through an open shaft in the center of the tent. Creating a semi-circle on the far side were five mounts. The center one was bigger than the others and that's where the Chief sat. Ox stuck the post in the ground then addressed Chief.

"Rengierof ssecnirp t'naw ot kaeps ot Rancor. Rengierof sah gib h'toum. Mih rof namow sih h'sinup ot Tofur t'naw Rancor?" Ox spat.

"Ereh rengierof eht gnirb ot uoy d'lot oh'wa?" The Chief growled.

As they talked, I noticed tiny pixies enclosed in glass cases by the mounts. They and their light were trapped like flameflies. There was two or three in each case.

Suddenly, the conversation reached a high volume. The chief had risen from his perch and was in Ox's face. Ox did not cower but by his tone, he corrected whatever mistake he just made. Then the chief leaned down and snapped the rope off the post. Tying it around his arm to where I was now tethered to him, he finally looked directly at me and said, "Do not run."

Oh, thank Divinity! He can speak my language.

Before I could say anything, he pulled me back to his mount. He sat down then tried to pull the rope to make me come towards him. I resisted. He pulled again, his eyes darkening promising the next tug will not be gentle. I didn't care. I was not sitting in his lap.

"I am a princess; I will have you know. I require my own seat," I spoke slowly for the brute to understand.

I heard growls from his underlings.

"Rancor knows," Chief grunted. "Gnirb eht rengierof taes. Od t'ahw Rancor yas!"

A pile of blankets was placed next to his mount. I sat down relieved that the Chief could be reasoned with. Once I sat down, the ogres continued to talk amongst themselves as they ate the meals the gnomes served them. They mostly ignored me as they ate with barbaric gusto. One cannot blame ogres for bad table manners but properly addressing a royal guest was something surely even ogres knew to do.

I cleared my throat. "Um... Rancor is your name? Chief Rancor?"

He grunted an affirmative.

"I would like to discuss terms of this ransom or whatever it is you are planning. But first, I traveled here with a gnome, Zeph. I have come to help his clan with a curse. May I be allowed to complete my mission?"

All the conversations stopped short. Then a thunderous cruel laughter split the air. The other ogres laughed with their Chief. I looked around confused then nervously smiled trying to figure out what was so funny.

"Am I the blunt of a joke?" I inquired.

"Gnome lie to human girl." He needn't say anymore. Realization was cold and as cruel as their taunting laughs. This was a trap. And I was too naive and too trusting to put it together myself... The ogres didn't invade while Zeph was away. Zeph was sent by the ogres to bait me.

Tears filled my eyes and I clenched my fists resting on my knees.

"Why?" I asked him, clenching my teeth to keep them from chattering. "Why do you want me here? You want my father to give your people more land? Let me go with an ambassador and I will speak in your favor despite your ill treatment."

The snickers were even more malicious than their merriment at the expense of my naivety. I kept my eyes on Rancor. He took a deep drink out of his chalice, the liquid streamed down his jaw. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and I could not help my look of disgust.

"Rancor not want some of King's land! Rancor want King's head!" He shattered the cup in his hand as all the warriors let out a feral battle cry.

My thoughts froze. I should have put that together. This is an army on the march... towards my home. But my father's forces would be enough to beat back the ogres... but I realized something else looking around at the leaders assembled. Cause that's what they all were. Each ogre in this tent had a different skin tone. They are all from different clans, all united under Rancor. If they marched toward Highveine, they would slaughter all the villages and towns in their way.

They were stuffing their faces and drinking. I became increasingly wary of staying in this tent for much longer. I needed to escape tonight. I need to get back to the castle as fast as possible to warn them. Maybe Father will be back from the summit by then.

But why lure me out here?

"I have no intel on the military strength or defensive strategies of my kingdom... and my father would not surrender his whole kingdom for just one daughter. He has plenty."

I say this but I wonder if it's actually true...
Wait, why did I say any of that? They may kill me if I am of no value... they can't just let me go after all...

"Princess have purpose. Rancor be King. Princess give Rancor son." He narrowed his eyes at me as if giving instruction to a pet.

I had no words except for, "What?"

He stood up addressing his War Generals waving his hands around, "Th'ginot Rancor tup dees ni Princess rednu th'girb noom! Neht emoc gninrom, ew h'cram ot Highveine d'na t'niap rieht steerts der h'tiw blood! Y'reve man, wo-man, d'na deson-tons d'lih'c llahs maercs d'na yarp ot rieht Gods! Aislei llahs gnoleb ot uoy, y'm Srehtorb!"

I think I am going to be sick...

Then I did get sick because at that moment, the ogres all broke the glass cases and tightened their fists around the pixies who attempted to fly away... and ate them...

You were warned. As always thank you for reading. Prayers for Sienna! :(