Thankfully, I was being returned to the stone hut shortly after the pixie massacre... the tiny creatures' screams and the crunching sound of their bones would no doubt haunt my dreams tonight. If I could sleep at all...

Just thinking about it rattled my nerves and churned my stomach. Saliva rolling from Rancor's mouth, sparkling from the pixie dust... I puked tasting bitter bile since I hadn't eaten anything in a while. Runt pulled at my wrists offering not even a chance for me to wipe at my mouth.

I vaguely noted the ogres did not seem to be settling down for the night. In fact, they seemed even more lively, bustling about performing different tasks. My wretched heart sunk.

I must escape and the sooner the better. I needed help but I had no allies and certainly no friends.

If only I had not sent Tallis away. He would know what to do. But then again, if he had come through the menhir with us.... the ogres may have killed him on sight. At this point, I'm not sure I had any more tears left to cry.

A few female gnomes including the one who tended to my injuries entered the hovel. They carried an assortment of items that I was able to deduce was meant to clean me up. They all approached me cautiously. I reached out and took the basket of water out of one of their hands needing to relieve myself of the horrible taste in my mouth. She nearly dropped it in fright. Perhaps their fellow gnome had told them how I had hurt her when she was just trying to feed me.

They removed my ruined dress by cutting it off my body with a little potato peeling knife. When they tried to cut away the undergarments too, I threw myself about. I could not let them discover the dagger hidden under just one layer of skirt now. I could not trust them not to confiscate it. They didn't press the issue; instead, they went to work scrubbing the crusted muck off my exposed skin then washed my hair.

A new dress was thrown over my head. The dress was made from animal hide and was nowhere near as comfortable as my own clothes. The eggshell white material fringed along the sleeves and over my chest. A blue sash was wrapped around my small waist. They placed my boots back on my feet after giving me new woolen stockings. The thicker garments worked better to conceal and hold my dagger in place, so I didn't have to rely on the weakening garter.

They braided my hair back out of my face and stuck long feathers in it. I found that quite weird. They shuffled out after offering me parting glances filled with sympathy. Though my situation was still just as hopeless, my mood lifted a bit now that I was cleaner.

My mood dipped back down when a familiar face darkened the doorway.

"Zeph? What are you doing here? Actually, come closer so I can throttle you, you horrible little creature!"

He didn't move any closer. He kept out of arm's reach all the while holding a small pouch. He looked pitifully sad, but I had no pity for the liar.

"How could you?" I growled. "I came here to help your people!"

"Aye. Lying was the only way I could bring back a Princess of Alderias. I needed you follow me back willingly. It is nothing personal, Princess, I swear! I had to protect my kinfolk. My brother was our leader, and he was killed outright when he tried to resist."

"The curse, the darkness, the prophecy about me.... was everything you said a lie?"

"Yes"-- I ripped the talisman off my neck and tried my best to throw it at him, but he dodged it. ---"Bringing you back here was indeed my people's only salvation! The ogres will leave our home tomorrow now that we've done as they ordered."

"You lying, traitorous coward! How can you be sure they were not lying to you?" I scoffed, though I am not one to judge taking another creature's words at face value.

"Gnomes can detect lies. When Rancor said he would kill my wife and son if I didn't bring you back, I had no choice but to believe. When he said they will leave us and our home alone after he had you, he spoke true. I am terribly sorry."

My heart softened as an ounce of pity touched it. I stubbornly clung to my anger. "And what about Tallis? You were going to let them kill him? Why did you save him back in Blackvine Woods from those warring Boars if that's the case?"

"Yes, they would've killed him. I told you to come alone. But I had no choice to let him come along seeing how protective you were of him. Saving him was just an impulse... I would do it again, too. You would've been too emotional to continue the journey if he died."

He saved Tallis... because he has good in him. Right?

"If you are terribly sorry and if you truly wish to make amend then teleport me out of here. You and your clan can return to Highveine with me. We can get there before Rancor's army. We can rally my kingdom to face them!"

He was shaking his head before I finished my proposal. "It is not so simple."

"Why not?" I demanded.

"They have our young kept in cages. Even if we were to make an escape attempt, we wouldn't get far. Only a handful of us can use Aislei's power. Out of those of us who do, do not have the greatest magical reserves. They will hunt us down and kill us. Don't you see? You are our only chance of surviving this."

"What about the menhir?"

"The menhir is a one-way portal, always leading back to the village. It is not an escape. EgdirBėhThtėaneb was always hidden away from outsiders. It was our escape from the cruelty of the world but now our beloved home is our prison." He placed the pouch on the ground in front of me. It was filled with black berries. "I know I have no right to your forgiveness, and I am afraid this is the only kindness I can bestow on you.... I suggest you take this wedding gift."

I examined the berries and realized they were not all the same. Some were bigger than others. The smaller ones would have seeds. The bigger ones would not. The only other difference between them was the fact the seedless berries were very poisonous, simply named graveberries. I remember pointing them out on our journey to the cave. It was hard to distinguish the graveberries from the harmless darkberries unless they were side by side.

"I don't understand," I said staring at the berries.

"Rancor will not kill you, Princess. He believes that the ogres have not been successful in defeating the humans because of the promise of the First King. He believes if he marries a princess with the blood of the First King, victory will be his. Even more so if he can impregnate that princess as fast as possible. It is an old belief that the bright moon makes all creatures the most fertile."

"It's happening tonight?"

"They are preparing your bright moon wedding as we speak. According to ogre customs, you will be wed on the highest level of ground. Our nearest cliff is a short trek from here. It overlooks YromėmFoRėvir. Princess Sienna, you will survive a mating with the chief to give him the son he wants but I am afraid there's little solace in surviving such an ordeal. You will wish for death...."

I started shaking and I struggled to get my words out. "S-so your gift to me is..." My gaze lowered to the deceitful berries.

"Death." He finished my sentence while scooping the pouch back up. "I can place this pouch in your pack. It is being kept in Rancor's tent. You should have a moment or two alone after the ceremony... I'm sorry I can't let you take it right now."

"I understand..." His clan is not safe until the wedding takes place. My anger was no more than a fading ember now. I cannot blame him for putting his family before me. I can't say I wouldn't have done the same.

I am about to get married. The first of my sisters to be married...

I didn't know whether I wanted to laugh or cry. I couldn't feel my emotions anymore. I was afraid to, afraid to succumb to an endless sorrow. The numbness was easier to bare. The walk up the cliff made the residual pain in my injured leg flare up. I always felt like I may have to be tied up and dragged down the wedding aisle, but maybe not quite so literally.

The bright moon lit up the night almost as bright as daylight itself. I saw iridescent night flowers blooming throughout the woods. It was a beautiful night... As if the Divinities themselves had consorted together to give me a beautiful last sight, or to laugh at my misfortune. It is hard to tell their intentions.

Down below, YromėmFoRėvir was no longer a little stream. It had evolved into a raging river, glowing with primordial magic. It stretched on for miles cutting through the land with a vengeance. Zeph had said if you entered its waters, you would drown in your own mind.

Perhaps it would be a more peaceful death than eating poisonous berries. I entertained the thought of throwing myself over the cliff. Runt yanked on my wrists as if he read my thoughts.

I focused my gaze forward, not really seeing anything. Through the ceremony, I was in my thoughts where I felt most safe. I did not understand a word that was said anyway. It didn't sound like they asked me to say, "I do". I wondered if females were given a choice in their culture at all or if it was specifically omitted for my sake.

There was only one part of the ceremony I was required to participate. I was completely spaced out when a whip was placed in my palms.

Huh?

I looked up at the chief confused. Then he took it out of my hands and slashed at Runt with it. Runt fell on his knees in front of us, shaking and holding his one good arm up, a vain attempt to block the next strike. Rancor handed the whip back to me. The ogres seemed to be yelling at me to hit Runt.

I thought of my raw wrists. It was his fault for half dragging me.

"No, I won't," I said, dropping the whip on the ground with a thud. The ogres growled dissatisfied.

Rancor hit me square in the back causing me to fall to the ground on my own hands and knees. The beasts surrounding us laughed and grunted. Rancor's voice was in my ear. "Pick it up. Strike weak one. Be Chieftess."

"Or what? You'll kill me?" I challenged, still looking at the ground.

He buried his thick knuckles in my hair pulling my neck back to look up at him. "Human disrespect Rancor--- Rancor make Princess hurt bad when Rancor put seed in belly."

I swallowed hard. "Do I have to whip him specifically?"

"Chief and Chieftess hit ogre who sight offends them. This one weak and offends us all."

An idea came to mind.

"Someone else offends Chieftess more."

His eyes narrowed and he growled, "Who offends?"

I glanced around the best I could with the chief still pulling my braid then raised my bound hands to point to Jaw.

Rancor threw his head back and laughed. Jaw began shouting but two ogres grabbed him by the arms and brought him to his knees in front of us. Chief Rancor pulled me up, handing me the whip whilst saying, "Anchorg d'neffo y'm Chieftess! Chieftess d'named dool'b!"

"Anchorg tel on rengierof pih'w mih!" Jaw roared, spit flying from his rotten teeth. He struggled to get up but could not.

"Efiw on regnol regngierof. Won Chieftess. Noos Queen. Yap ruoy y't'laef!" Rancor said then nodded to me. The ogres banged on their shields and heads in a frenzy.

Jaw growled; his beady eyes killed me a thousand times in his head. I'd rather whip him than the crippled ogre, no doubt. Payback for my leg. But the whip still felt heavy in my hands. I didn't want to whip anyone.

You don't have a choice, I told myself, let's just get this over with.

I held the whip up above my head hesitantly. It came down across Jaw's cheek leaving a faint pink mark. I looked to Rancor. Am I done?

"Draw blood," he demanded.

Oh great...

I whip the same place this time with more force. Jaw growled but I still did not make him bleed. Again, and again, harder and harder, until I finally drew blood. Bits of raw flesh stuck out in a sickening pattern on his face. Blood dripped like paint off the whip. I panted from the effort and dropped the horrible instrument.

Rancor gave a battle cry and the ogres followed suit.

Runt brought me to my new husband's tent. He was careful not to pull me this time. It was the same tent the War Council had convened in earlier. All the mounts were gone. There was just thick furry blankets layering the ground. I noticed Rancor was preoccupied becoming perfectly inebriated for the remainder of the night.

Who knows how long I have before he comes here to....

I did not even know. I did not want to, and I wasn't going to either. I didn't plan to stick around.

Runt was about to drive the stupid post in the ground..

"Eh! No!" I stopped him. He looked up at me with his droopy face. I was expecting him to growl or grunt but he stayed completely motionless.

He is waiting for my orders....

I studied him for a moment. I pitied the beast. There was not an inch of his skin not married by scars. He always wears a coat of shame for being born disfigured and weak. Weakness is akin to sin to ogres, it would seem. No... even sin can be forgiven.

"Untie my ropes," I ordered holding out my wrists. He blinked so I repeated myself, raising my voice and stumbling a bit with their language to make him understand. "Untie my ropes right now! Rengierof is no longer. Me Chieftess now. Rancor say so. Yes? Remember?"

He broke my bondage with just a snap. I rubbed my wrists and nodded towards him. "Th-thank you. Now leave."

Runt left obediently after bowing his head. "Chieftess..."

I glanced out the tent flap after his departure. Three ogres stood by drinking and watching the entrance. I retreated into the tent and immediately looked around for my pack. Zeph did as he said he would. The berries were there.

So, this was my adventure. This was how my story ends. I held a graveberry between my fingers, staining them. One or two should do the trick.

I rolled the berry on my poised lips gathering courage to open them.

You are an incredibly clever girl, Enna. It is not a matter of whether you have the intelligence. It's how and when you apply it that counts. Father's words came to me so inconveniently.

But I am not smart! I argued with him in my head.

I can't think of how to get myself out of this. When faced with a problem, all I know how to do is run away... This time I do not have to run too far. Just eat the berries and fall asleep. I would be safe again.

But then how long before Rancor gets another princess of Alderias? My sisters would not be safe. Not while he breathes.

I put the berry back in the pouch and wiped the juices from my lips with the back of my hand.

No, I can't run away from this. I must fight. And if I die, I am taking Rancor with me.

With a glance around the room, I saw a jug of wine. I moved fast as a plan unraveled in my mind.

I took my dagger, unsheathed it and hid it beneath the fur blankets committing to memory exactly where it was. Then I separated the berries between the poisonous and nonpoisonous. I first sweetened the wine with the darkberries and poured myself a cup then I smashed the remaining graveberries, adding them to the jug.

As Rancor entered the tent, it looked as though I was just pouring the wine in my cup. I hoped he didn't notice my thumb actually blocked the flow. Then I filled his own larger cup.

"Wife not in rope," he growled.

"No. No rope. Rope not needed. Princess not run," I said assuredly.

He narrowed his eyes at the wine.

"It is Alderiasi tradition for a husband and wife to share a glass of wine on the wedding night. This jug was just sitting here... I hope you don't mind." I bent my head low showing that I was behaving.

"Lay down," he said.

My heart stopped. He didn't wait for me to follow his command. He gripped my shoulder and pushed me down roughly onto my stomach. I scrambled for something to stall him. "It's bad luck not to share the wine! It pays homage to the Mother Divinity. She will not bless our bed with children if we do not!"

He paused, and I took my cue to drive the point home sitting up. "Rancor's seed will fall on barren soil if Rancor and Chieftess not drink wine."

He growled and sat himself down picking up his cup. "Sesruc! Kciuq neht, woman!"

"To our marriage," I nervously toasted.

He grunted about to take his drink but then paused. I thought my heart may very well beat out of my chest. Does he suspect something? Am I being too compliant?

"We march at sunup to Highveine," he said in a low rumble almost to himself.

"So soon?" I asked nonchalantly. I didn't know what else to say, just thankful my teeth weren't chattering yet.

"Not soon 'nough," he laughed cruelly. "My father was weak minded to sign for peace... Now Rancor chief, Rancor won't be weak. Rancor killed old chief and will kill King. Princess can watch."

I glared at him, but he only laughed amused at my hate. He then tossed back the drink in large gulps without pause. I sipped mine slowly watching him. For a second, I panicked and wondered how long it will be before the poison would show its deadly intent.

Rancor rose to his feet and started messing with his pants.

Maybe eight berries wasn't enough for a monster of his size ....

Suddenly he started coughing. I scooted myself back on the blanket slowly, reaching into the folds for the dagger. He couldn't seem to clear his throat. The idiot took the whole jug and chugged it down to absolve his suffering, unwittingly hastening his own demise. He clawed violently at his throat drawing his own blood. His breath came out in wheezes, not able to make a sound. I brought a hand to my mouth to keep an unexpected bubbly laugh from escaping.

He faced me and his gaze narrowed in on my hand. I realized with horror my fingers were stained from crushing the berries. He let out a strangled sound that was meant to be a roar and was on top of me sending the air out of my lungs. My hand that was hidden in the blankets tried to grab the dagger, but my fingers sent it away.

No!

I twisted and turned trying to break free but Rancor held me down whilst trying to lift my dress and undo his pants, his movements sluggish from the poison.

Suddenly a rope was drawn around the ogre's neck pulling. Rancor grunted and a black foam started spilling from his mouth.

"Sienna, run." Tallis's voice was strained as he pulled both ends of the rope.

The confusion, relief and absolute, irrefutable joy that rapidly coursed through me at the sight of Tallis was replaced by the more pressing panic seeing that the rope was quickly fraying, the weaved strands breaking under such strain. With Rancor preoccupied, I was able to reach the displaced dagger. I drove it into the side of his neck, but his skin was too thick for it to get in deep. He immediately backhanded me like I was a bloodthief bug.

A loud buzzing filled my ears and I fought the fog.

Tasting my own blood, I rose back up to find the ogre had managed to get on his feet and moved backwards to ram Tallis into a wooden beam. Tallis grunted but held on tight. "Zeph! Now!"

Zeph who I just realized was also in the tent staring wide-eyed at Tallis made a break for me. Realizing his intent, I kicked him in the gut before he could make it to me. I'm not leaving Tallis here.

I ran to the broadsword as I heard the rope snap. Planting my feet, I tried to lift it but it was too heavy. Panicked I looked for something else to help me.

"Uoy elt'til plew. Rancor lliw raet tuo ruoy e'nips. Neh't Ekam uoy hc'taw sa Rancor skcuf reh sa human deelb tuo," Rancor spoke in a hoarse, wheezing voice barely above a whisper as he grabbed Tallis by the neck raising him up. Tallis raised up his arm, reaching for Rancor's face. I raced over, giving up my search for a weapon. Just as I made it over, a metal blade suddenly protruded from Tallis's armband with a flick of his wrist stabbing Rancor in the eyes. He gurgled, sinking down onto his knees and holding a fist to his bleeding eye.

Tallis sunk to the ground as well gasping for air. I pushed all my weight into the dagger that was still wedged in the ogre's neck, burying it deeper til the blade was not visible. I jumped back avoiding Rancor's backhand this time. He struggled between his injured eye, his neck wound, and succumbing to the poison. I looked around for something to put him out of his misery.

Tallis then stood up and stomped down on the dagger, effectively opening the wound to allow Rancor to bleed out. The dark blood puddled under the chief's corpse.

The silence in the tent was deafening but I listened in for any telltale signs the ogres were going to come check in on their chief. They did not despite the grunting and banging noise.

I threw my arms around Tallis whilst he was still trying to catch his breath. Soaking his shirt in my tears, I sniffled. "I'm sorry for ordering you to leave. I am so-- how did you--"

"Shh... keep it down, Sienna," Tallis whispered severely, but his arms came around me. "We're not out of this yet. Zeph, teleport us away from here now."

Tallis's voice held a hateful command. Zeph shuffled around the dead ogre with a disheartened expression, his eyes filled with unshed tears. Not for the fallen ogre, though.

"Wait! Tallis, we can't leave Zeph's clan like this," I pleaded. "They will kill his family."

"Sienna, you owe him and his clan nothing."

"Please, Tallis. What he did was horrible, but he does need our help. I will take them back to Highveine. Father will help them. I know he will. But first we need to help them escape. You can come up with a plan, can't you, Tallis?"

A moment of silence elapsed. Zeph looked away. I knew he would not plead for his people, not after what's happened. He took a great risk teleporting Tallis here though.

Tallis sighed, "Curse you and your bleeding heart. Fine. I have a plan, but we need to act fast."

I hope you all enjoyed!