Orc Dominion: Triumph Ch. 07

After a moment they both collapsed to the ground, chests heaving as they recovered from their shared climaxes. Drauken draped his arm around Melora and cupped her breast while holding her close to his body. "That was amazing my dear, and long overdue."

"Yes, Master. It was perfect; everything I'd hoped it would be."

"I feel like things are finally falling into place. We'll free the Princess, while securing Ruar and Zentara, allowing us to find a fair, equitable peace for everyone." He took a deep breath, and then exhaled it in a long sigh. "But first we have to convince Henry. I would love to lie here all night with you, but time is off the essence. You had better get going my dear, we have a war to end!"

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The stinking bear pelt weighed heavily on Jasmara's shoulders. For all the welcome warmth it provided her in her cage, it was a reminder of how weak she had grown in captivity. Not so long ago she wouldn't even have felt the weight of the cloak on her back. Still, she welcomed the way it captured the heat of her body. It is still a better companion then the humans, she thought. Jasmara knew that she would be reminded of that soon enough. They would reach Altengraf Castle tomorrow, and once again she would be abused, degraded, and humiliated to try and force the castle to do something rash.

The Princess closed her eyes as guilt over the fall of Dromstadt washed over her again. Her brother's castle, his capital, and all those people lost because of her. I should have died fighting, not allowed myself to be captured. Then none of this would be happening. It would have crushed her mother, she knew, but now she believed that a single harsh blow to her mother would be better than the prolonged agony of knowing her daughter was captured and tortured.

The only thing that kept her going was the message from the strange elf, who told her that help was coming. She dreamed of escape every night, a welcome respite from the pain she felt every day. Still, some part gnawed away at her. What would an elf be doing in Henry's camp, and why would she want to help her?

She couldn't be certain that this wasn't another trick, some further way Daniels concocted to humiliate and break her. Each passing day reinforced that suspicion. The fortnight the elf had promised passed a week ago, and still no rescue had come. She didn't want to lose hope though, it was all she had left.

Suddenly she tensed as she felt a presence coming behind her. She couldn't hear it, but her warrior instincts felt it. She tried to turn around, but the confines of the cage prevented her from moving even that much.

A shadowy figure stepped around to the ground, visible only because his head became crowned with the waxing moon. "Princess Jasmara, it is time. We've come for you."

As the man bent down to begin picking the cage's lock, Jasmara recoiled to see his human face. Has it all been a trick after all? "Who are you?"

"My name is Horace, Your Highness." More shapes slithered from the shadow as Horace got the cage open to help her rise to her feet. "We're friends of Dorian."

"My mother casts a long shadow." Jasmara replied in wonder. Her heart began to beat faster as the fading embers of hope ignited. Free!

"Indeed. Be quiet now please, while the Thestans have traveled in low light to avoid detection, they can still hear." They carried her to the nearest line of trees, where she had to step over the body of a Thestan sentry. "We'll have to move quickly now and get back over the Warne river to your brother's camp. But first, here." Horace gave her a leather breastplate and breeches, as well as a pair of stout boots.

"Thank you, Horace. I feel like a warrior again. Do you have a sword for me?" She asked eagerly, thoughts of beheading Daniels already dancing through her mind.

"Better, Your Highness."

"Better?"

"Yes, Princess" he replied as he placed a long pole wrapped in cloth to her hands.

She unwrapped the gift to find a strong oak spear with a wicked looking steel tip. The shaft was reinforced with banded metal hilts, to provide a stronger grip and to protect her hands. "This spear, I've seen it before..."

"The Queen gave it to King Turogg as a guest gift, Your Highness, on the second day they met. It is a royal weapon, that has long bathed in the blood of Zentara's enemies."

A violent smile spread across her lips as the tip of the spear glinted in the moonlight. Oh yes, she thought, I can make use of this.