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I walk for a long time, my stupid slave dress getting caught on every bramble and bush I go past. It was probably made to do that, I think angrily, likely conjured to make escape impossible. I wrench the cloth out of another patch of gnarled thorns and pick it up, tying it around my waist. That seems to help, and I’m able to go more quickly.
Soon, though, the terrain gets rougher. The ground becomes uneven, and there are large rocks strewn about. Some stick out of the earth as tall as the buildings were in Alcana, and I have to find ways around them, trying not to fall and break something because then I really will be in trouble.
I notice a small pool of water to my right and gaze at it longingly, but when I see there’s no mark on the rocks nearby, I know I can’t be sure it won’t kill me. In the Dark Realms, you don’t trust the water unless a mage or other conjurer has tested it with magick. If they have, there’ll be a triangle or a circle on a rock or a tree nearby.
I pass it slowly, not looking at it. I can go on. I went longer than this without water when I wasn’t in Varrik’s favor. I pause as it crosses my mind how close I am to where the keep was. A short journey through the Gate in the wrong direction, and I’d end up there if Varrik’s Gate hadn’t been under his control. People could leave, but no one could arrive in the Camp without him wanting them to. I know that since he’s dead, I won’t accidentally find myself there, but I still shiver at the thought. I never want to see that place again, nor any of the fae he’d given skills to.
I start walking again, and by the time the sun is high, I make it up to a high ridge where I can see over the trees. In the far distance, I can make out the edge of the forest, and I make for it with renewed energy, practically running down a hillside in that direction.
I shouldn’t have gone so fast.
The net takes me unawares. I never even saw it, but I’m suddenly dangling in the air, trapped.
I struggle, trying to climb it and get out, but the holes are too small for me to gain purchase. Still, I keep trying until I hear a low laugh.
I freeze, staring out to find an orc. He’s a massive warrior, covered in countless scars that are a few tones darker than his light green-grey hide. He’s shirtless with bars through his nipples and leather breeches and boots. His hair is long and plaited with silver decorations through it.
‘What are you?’ he drawls slowly, his eyes narrowing as he tries to look through the weave of the net.
I can see him, but he can’t quite see me through the leaves and other flotsam that’s caught in the trap with me.
‘Cut it down; let’s see what we’ve got for dinner,’ he orders, and the net drops.
I fall to the ground hard on my front, letting out a cry of pain as I land.
‘What is it?’ a new voice asks.
I’m turned over roughly and find myself staring into the eyes of the orc I saw, plus another slightly smaller one with piercings through his ears and fewer battle scars.
‘A human?’
They glance at each other, and the first one grins. ‘Dinner indeed. She looks like she tastes good.’
My eyes widen because, while the idea of them cooking and eating me is horrifying, I don’t think that’s what he means. I remember what Kallum did to me with his tongue, and my eyes widen further.
I’m pulled to my feet, and they both take in my appearance.
The second one speaks first. ‘Escaped slave,’ he murmurs as his eyes travel over my dress that’s still tied high. I fumble with the knot so the hem falls back to modest levels, trying not to look afraid.
The smaller of them leans in and touches my hair. He takes some of it and brings it to his nose, sniffing it. I shuffle away.
‘Want to mount her here before we have to share her?’
I step back, shaking my head.
The first one regards me. ‘I don’t fancy Orik smelling us on her and knowing we had her before he did. He’ll gut us for that.’
‘You’re no fun,’ the second one whines.
‘No, and it keeps us alive, idiot. Bring her. The sun will be down within the hour.’
The second one grabs me and thrusts me in front of him. I’m made to walk between them. The larger one goes first, and the other trails behind me. I try to come up with a plan. Thankfully, that little voice that would usually tell me just to take whatever I’m given because it’s what I deserve is silent for now. However, in its place is the urge to save myself the only way I know how. It’s enticing. I know how powerful it will make me feel, and how effective.
I push the need to let the darkness out away from me and promise myself that I’ll stay vigilant so that I don’t start letting it make decisions the way I did in Alcana’s dungeons. I don’t want any more deaths on my conscience.
We walk for scarcely half an hour before I’m panting and dizzy. The one in front turns and lets out a huff.
‘Humans,’ he mutters, but he hands me a water skin.
