IA: Gabby Lands - More Pony Girls?

I instead came turned around to see if the fighting girl needed my assistance. I saw that the girl had toppled the pony girl. Both the pony girl and her rider were now on ground trying to get up. The girl held the rod pointing at the Goblin's head with a foot resting on the prone pony girl's breast. She was whispering something to the Goblin and I was kind of out of range. Because of the issues I was facing with my sound implants, my universal translator was able to pick up only a few words. The Goblin was dazed and he was just nodding his head - I think he was trying to placate the girl.

The adrenaline rush in my body must have subsided as for some inexplicable reason I was tingling down below again. When it happened earlier that night I had attributed it to the dry spell I had for last month or so. Now though, it was back with a vengeance. I was getting so wet and I did not know if it was due to the naked pony girls or something else. If this continued, I knew I would be having a hard time focusing on my mission. So I clamped down on this incessant throbbing. I needed distractions.

Probably realizing that the Goblin and his pony were not going anywhere anytime soon, the girl took a moment to look at me. I don't think she noticed my condition and not wanting to give her any indication of my predicament, lowering the stick in my hand, I walked towards her. I smiled at her, hoping my universal translator won't betray me, I said "Seems like you got it under control". She smiled by wryly, nodding she said "thank you. It would have been difficult for me to get both of them on my own". I heard whimpering grunts from the pony girl and I bent down to find what the issue was. I saw that her nipple was stretched as the reins attached to the ring were tangled in the Goblin's leg when she fell. I gently moved the Goblin's leg from the tangle.

Turning to the girl I said "I am Gabby, what is your name?". She replied "I am Anj. You do not seem to be from this region. Where are you from?". I was surprised that she had guessed that I was an outsider but I shouldn't have. I must have looked foreign to her just like she looked different to me. "You are right, I am not from here" I replied, continuing "let's get this mess sorted out and then we can talk" indicating to the two prone figures at our feet.

Anj pulled out the rope in the bag attached to the pony girl's thigh and used it to create a noose around the Goblin's neck. In the meanwhile, I cut the ropes that held the saddle and removed the bit from the pony girl's mouth. To my surprise, the pony girl did not say anything. Perhaps I was expecting too much. I then proceeded to remove the bridle from the poor girls head. I also cut the ropes that had bound her hands behind her back. With the saddle lose, Anj pulled on the rope and the Goblin staggered to his feet. Anj deftly tied another rope around the goblin's chest tying his hands behind his back.

Now that she had her hands back, the pony girl got up to her feet. She wiped the spittle from her chin and lips. She looked scared as if she did not know what to do without someone to command her. I felt sorry for her. I reached up - remember she was at least 6 ft tall - and raising my hand, patted on her shoulder asking her "what is your name?". She shook her head but did not answer. Anj answered instead - "She won't talk to us without permission from this creature". So saying she kicked the Goblin. The Goblin must have had a concussion of sorts. He mumbled to the pony girl "you can talk Duchess" in the same language Anj was using - which I later learnt was called Common as both humans and Goblins of this world could understand it.

I was confused as to why he was calling her duchess. Before I could ask, the pony girl spoke in a soft stuttering voice, one who is not used to speaking "My.. name is... er.. was Isa..bella Harr...ington... but the Goblins... named me Duc..hess as I was a duch..ess of New Wales... before my capture... and tam..ing.". The Goblin snickered hearing Isabella speak.

Anj dutifully kicked him again "what's your problem Gobby?" she asked him derisively. I stopped Anj from kicking the Goblin again. I turned to him and asked him - "Do you have a name?". The Goblin still wincing in pain, raised his head high as he replied "I'm Gorsk the Slaver little human".

I was taken aback by how nonchalantly the goblin gave his name... as if being a slaver was something to be proud of. I couldn't help but let that disgust show in my voice when I responded "Slaver," I said with scorn. "As in you enslave people for a living?" I demanded, my voice dripping with contempt.

Seeing how shaken and traumatized Isabella was by our encounter with Gorsk I put my hand on her shoulder and spoke in a calming voice

"We have some spare clothes" I said, my voice gentle and reassuring. "Let's go." With that, we set off to my hiding place.

Anj held the leash in her hand and dragged Gorsk behind her. He did not seem to fight much, with his hands tied I did not think he would be much problem. He limped behind us - he must have hurt his foot during the brief fight. After reaching the top of the hillock, I pulled a spare dress and offered it to Isabella. She looked at me and then at the Goblin as if awaiting his permission.

"You don't need his permission" I said gently, keeping my voice calm and reassuring. "You can decide for yourself." I held out the dress again but she won't take it from me. Anj was watching this and said "Gabby, she is thoroughly tamed by the Goblins. It will take some time before she realizes she no longer has a owner." Anj then gave a small kick to the Gorsk "Hey Gobby, are you that stupid. Give that poor girl your permission".

As I saw Isabella hesitating, I realized that Anj was right. It was going to take time for her to realize that she no longer belonged to the Gorsk, and that she didn't need his approval to make her own choices. Anj's reminder about the reality of Isabella's situation was heartbreaking.

For his part Gorsk did not seem to find it odd, he grudgingly nodded to Isabella "duchess, do what this little human says". Isabella hesitantly took the clothes from my hands. Anj kicked the Gorsk again "Gobby, you are so smug. The 'little human' is called Gabby and I'm Anj. You are our captive now and you better behave or I won't hesitate to kill you".

Hearing Gorsk's command, I felt anger rising within me once more. I didn't want to risk making things worse for Isabella... but the audacity of this goblin, continuing to call her "duchess"... it just rubbed me the wrong way. Anj's threat towards Gorsk was certainly welcome though. I permitted myself to smile a bit.

Gorsk winced at first, then chuckled, looking at me he said "Gabby.. uh. I would name you Red or Strawberry once I tame you". This earned another kick from Anj. "Aren't you full of yourself Gobby" Anj asked. Instead of cowering, though his face conveyed the pain he was in, he grinned at Anj telling her "and you... I will be naming you Vixen - you are a feisty one". I stepped in and stopped Anj before she could kick him again.

I was taken aback by Gorsk's continued audacity, as he thought he could claim me, or anyone for that matter, as his property... and his choice of nicknames for me or Anj only highlight his arrogance. It was disgusting, and I felt my blood boil at his callousness and arrogance but I controlled my rage. "Anj, hold on. He is trying to bait us into killing him. I want to see if he has any information that could help us."

I stepped towards Gorsk, and I stared down at him with an intimidating look.

"I am not some fruit that you can tame" I told him firmly, my voice dripping with disdain. "So what is the deal Gorsk? I don't want to kill you but I will if I have to." with that I pushed him to a kneeling position and stepped on his toe with my boot - pressing it into him. I could see that he was trying to resist crying out in pain. I kept up the squeeze till he squealed in pain - "please stop!".

Seeing Gorsk's discomfort, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He was the one who brought this on himself with his arrogance and cruelty, and I was just giving him a taste of his own medicine. Still, I didn't want him to suffer needlessly... so I let him go. I wanted him to know that I was serious... but I was also willing to offer him some mercy if he cooperated.

Isabella was wearing the cloth I had given her. Anj asked her in a caring tone "You hungry Isabella?". She nodded miserably. I said "let's eat then. I have some fruits I gathered yesterday. They are really nice". I offered one to each woman. Anj shook her head and took out some bread and meat from the pouch she was carrying. "Thank you Gabby but we will have this instead of the fruit." she said. I shrugged and nibbled at the juicy fruit myself. This was my third one and it was so delicious. Little did I know then that the fruit has specific effects on humans - especially human females - but I won't ruin the surprise by telling you about the effects just yet.

We had not offered any food or water to the Goblin. As we were eating, he said the most unexpected thing. He told us that his God would strike us down with one swift lightening bolt from the sky. Hearing Gorsk's outlandish threats about being struck down by his "god", I couldn't help but roll my eyes. He kept on babbling about the magic the Goblin Shamans wielded. I was going to ignore him, but then what he said made me stop in my tracks. He was describing his God and a "magical crystal" that gave his "God" the powers over lesser beings. The description was a bit vague but I was sure he was describing the dilithium crystal. I was not sure how his "God" was able to wield it as a weapon but I was not going to question my good fortune. On the very first night, I had potentially found some clues for where I could find the dilithium crystals.

My mind was in overdrive. I was trying to come up with a plan so that Gorsk could take me to his so called "God" and the crystal. I was wondering how I could persuade him to take me there without giving him any details about why I was so interested. Also, I did not know what to do with Anj and Isabella.

While I was thinking, Anj was sitting next to me and was looking at Isabella carefully as though she knew her from somewhere. She finally exclaimed "Isabella - I thought I recognized that name and face. Aren't you originally from Lexington before your marriage?". Isabella seemed to have calmed a bit as she nibbled on the fruits I had given her. She nodded her head vigorously still throwing nervous glances at Gorsk. Anj continued "I am Rup's daughter - your niece". So saying she hugged the astonished Isabella who was still fidgeting nervously, playing with hem of her dress. This brought a smile on Isabella's face and I could tell some family resemblance in the two girls. Isabella said with a stutter "oh.. my.. you have.. gr..own.. so fast.. the la..st time.. I met y..ou, were..n't you like 10 yea..rs old?". She was caressing Anj cheeks, ruffling her hairs. Anj had tears rolling on her cheeks. "Aunt Bella, I am so glad I found you" Anj said between her sobs "These bastards raided our village, killed my dad and took away mom and sis. I was away otherwise... I'm now looking for my mom". Isabella was trying to console her niece with tear filled eyes.

I watched with compassion and pity as Anj and Isabella recounted the horrors that they had endured... but I had a job to do, and that job required me to be ruthless and unfeeling. So, as my soul cried out in sympathy for their plight, I had to silence it, harden my heart, and focus on the task at hand. How do I get Gorsk to lead us back to his god, and without letting on the reason for my interest in it?

I saw Gorsk was watching the interaction between the two sobbing women with interest as he laid was sitting awkwardly with his hands tied. I sat next to him drawing his attention. His creepy gaze fell on me going from my head to toe. He grinned pointing at the girls who were a few feet away from us and whispered "what a sad story!" his voice dripping in sarcasm. Then, in a commanding tone he said "Red, release me this instance and I would be lenient in your upcoming punishments".

I feigned ignorance and looked around as if searching for "Red". "Who is Red?" I asked him with mock innocence.

He grinned at me, his eyes glinting with amusement, clearly taking pleasure in getting under my skin.

"Why, you off course, my little filly. Such lavish red hair and temperamental too!" he chuckled to himself, making no effort to hide the amusement in his voice.

Despite feeling like I could explode at any moment, I kept my composure. In a calm tone I responded "Gorsk, your God seems to have failed you. You are tied here as my captive and you are talking about my hair and temperament? I thought Goblins were more intelligent than that. Or are you the all brawn no brains kind?"

He glared at me with hatred, his eyes ablaze with rage. He didn't seem to appreciate the taunt as his face contorted into a snarl. He spit some gibberish at me in his language, still fuming. My universal translator picked up what he was saying. Since he was thinking that I could not understand his Goblin tongue, I did not respond to his crass description of how he would break me eventually and how I would be a grovelling mess begging him for everything and at his mercy. The paces he would put me through during my training. I had decided to let him think that I did not understand what he was saying. As you would notice later, that was a very wise decision on my part.

He regained his composure and threw another barb at me that hit closer to home than I had anticipated. "What is up with you human females. You are in heat! I can smell it." he exclaimed.