*See chapter 00. Intro and chapter descriptions*
As Zyre picked me up and carried me amidst the chaos of what I later learned were orcs of his own band come to free us, I slipped in and out of consciousness, my head throbbing in excruciating pain, my mind only replaying the events leading up to what happened in the arena.
We were traveling across open land, only a small band of us. Myself, Melee, Zyre, two other elf envoys, and four of Zyres' orc band. A peace mission on our way from the central elf kingdom, to complete a treaty of peace and cooperation, to be finalized by the aged orc hegemon, Zyres' father who was at the abandoned human city, where the arena was.
We set up camp near a rocky outcrop, travelling thru foot hills, with a small copse near by, and a running stream not far off, when from nowhere, a band of goblins set upon us; where they came from we knew not. We were far from their normal territory, and they do not usually attack armed warriors. The goblins themselves presented no real threat, being only small in number, twenty or so, with a few hobgoblins.. goblins with wings, and with my fae power and trained soldiers, they were quickly dealt with... it's what happened next that was the real danger.
We heard the howling first, echoing across and thru the hills, re-arming quickly we stood at the ready, and soon were surrounded by a large band of demon orcs joined by a roving band of true blood orcs with no allegiance to the hegemon.
We put up a fight, but they knew who they were contending with, and Zyre, tho greatly feared by all, was set upon by many while their leader, Syrte, set upon me with several others. We were greatly out numbered and fighting in such close proximity I could not use my power without killing my companions. It was a brief encounter when Syrte took advantage of a distracted moment and bashed the iron pummel of his iron blade into my head dropping me to the ground. I was near unconscious in a moment, and Zyres' rage was great, I remember watching him fighting his way to me when Syrte grabbed my long silver hair hard, jerking me to my knees with a cry of pain and putting his blade to my throat.
After that things are dark, only flashes of gloating, Zyre letting himself be put in chains, Syrte rambling to me, something about charmed chains to tame the fae in me until he would break and tame me and my companion Melee in the arena, and I remember hearing him gloat to Zyre about the betrayal and death of his father; the rest you know.
I regained consciousness when I felt something soft and damp press against my mouth, dripping something sweet between my slightly parted lips. My eyes opened to see Zyre above me pressing a wine soaked sponge to my eager tongue. He gave a satisfying grunt and moved from the bed to a large chair near by.
I looked around me to get my bearings and figure out where I was. I was laying in a large bed made up of skins and furs, warm and comfortable. It appeared I was in a large round tent that orcs often used when not traveling. It was comfortable. A large fire in the center to keep it warm on cold nights. Large enough to roast a boar over. Orcs have a voracious appetite. There was some furniture. A chair, a high stump from an oak about waist high, probably used for eating and this make-shift bed of a huge pile of furs and skins. There were weapons of various sort scattered about, including my own. I was grateful he recovered them.
As my head cleared the longer I was awake I realized he was watching me take stock of my situation. It was only a moment before I realized I was naked under these skins.
"You awake, princess."
"I have told you before Zyre, I am no princess. A simple envoy of the king. He would never acknowledge his half breed offspring."
He knew this already. This was simply his idea of a joke. He did it to annoy me, and it worked. I was annoyed. I had no idea how long I was unconscious for and I was frustrated and embarrassed. A simple envoy, yes; but also a trained warrior. What happened at the arena was humiliating.
Wanting to drive these thoughts from my mind I took a cup of wine and some bread and cheese from a platter Zyre had placed at the bedside. I rose to a sitting position, pulling a covering up over my ample chest, watching him watch me. He was, in my eyes, a beautiful being. Over 7 ft, muscular and well proportioned. A strong square jaw, dark and deep brown eyes. Black coarse hair braided in the orc fashion from the crown of his head and pale green skin. He wore simple leather breeches that did nothing to hide his extremely large manhood. His chest was bare and his muscled body rippled with every move, no matter how slight. His hands were huge and calloused with leather studded bands upon his wrists. Gazing at him made desire rise in me and I could feel my eyes go yellow with want.
He watched me with intensity burning in his eyes, turning a dull fire orange. I knew desire was taking hold of him as he watched me eat and drink. I had to break this tension between us, not that I wanted to.
"How is Melee? Is she recovering well?"
My companion and servant. But more than that, my friend and the only being who has ever had me. This question amused Zyre who laughed in his orcish way, grunting and with a sharp quick laugh.
" Ha! Recovering? She's been recovered for days now. It is my band who needs recovering from her. Her appetites are great, and she seems to be more than they can handle."
He said this with great amusement on his face. It is good to see him gentle and at ease. From the moment I met him he's been mostly serious.
"So Melee is more than your men can handle?" Narrowing my eyes staring at him intently.
"During the day she beats them senseless sparring, during the night she empties whatever strength they have left, leaving them drained by dawn. A more fitting name there is not. Ha!" He roared in laughter with that.
I pushed myself up to a higher sitting position and lifted my arms above my head to stretch them, letting the fur covering me fall into my lap, exposing my breasts as I arched my back pushing my chest forward. His eyes lit to a brighter flame.
"And what of their leader? Is Melee more than a match for him as well?"
I stared intently at him waiting for his response, reading his every move. I knew my eyes were burning yellow and amber. Lust and rage. I needed to know. I did not want to be jealous of, or compete with Melee.
More laughter, gentler now, and a knowing grin, yet still his eyes on my heaving chest.
"I have other business to tend to Analea. Such amusements are a distraction now. Besides, poor fellow, I believe she has the attention of Gilead."
Gilead. Like Melee a half orc half human, and Zyre's number 1 captain, always at his side. Poor Gilead indeed I thought amused. It isn't Melee's nature to mate with a single man. And a relief for me. His attention was, as far as I knew, on me alone.
"And our other companions? Do they live?"
"Yes they live, but keep their own company. They are itching to return home. I forbade it yet, until things are sorted out here. Two of my companions fell and have already been released to their ancestors, as has my father."
"I am sorry I missed it, Zyre. I knew your father, his deeds in life brought him honor, and they shall bring him honor among your ancestors."
