Note: It took me so long to write it! Hope my inspiration won't be gone and I'll be able to update my other stories.

Chapter 4. A little hint of what awaits us

"So, what do we have here?" Low raspy voice asked, yanking on my hair harder. "A bunch of prissy elves?"

I almost flinched feeling nauseating from the strong stink of alcohol that came from him. Why do humans have this awful habit of drinking that disgusting stuff? Suddenly a sharp pain stabbed through my side making me gasp. That brought sadistic laughter from the man holding me and the other one, who was standing behind the tree and obviously was the one who've kicked me. With the corner of my eye I saw other elves were tensed now, their eyes burning with rage. But they remained silent, knowing far too well that any word or move would probably cause another burst of violence from our captors.

"This bastards killed the third part of our men!" The second human told angrily, kicking me once more. "They deserve to pay!"

I greeted my teeth against the pain. I'd be damned if I let them see my pain! I'm a daughter of a stubborn and noble warrior after all! Finally the man let go of my hair, smacking my head against the tree trunk in the process. He went to stand in front of the other two captives, looking them over with an evaluating gaze.

"You know we can't." He finally said, glaring at his companion. "We'll get a good payment for them. Grayme would like to have new fighters for his little show."

"Yea, I know. I would like to see this ones die myself though." The other replied spitting angrily.

"I know. But why to spoil the goods?" The first one reasoned. "Speaking of which, let's go and see if Henny's keeping himself away from those maidens."

With a dirty chuckles they turned to walk back to the camp, leaving the three of us alone.

"Are you alright, my lady... I mean Ithildae..." The warrior asked when the humans were far enough not to hear us.

"Yes." I said quietly, trying my best not to flinch as the pounding in my head was steadily increasing. My breathing was still labored, coming in a wheezy gasps, and i was sore all over.

Yet, my thoughts were occupied with other things.

"They are to sell us?" I asked in a low voice, looking at the warrior near me. The other one had lost consciousness once more.

For a few long minutes I thought he wasn't going to answer. His eyes were filled with grief and pain. He wished he could spare me this experience. Not because I was his princess, but because I was another living being thrown into the hell on earth. But finally he sighed in defeat.

"We were hearing the rumors about the self proclaimed realm. It was settled by former landlords. They used mercenaries to ensure their power. And they are slavers."

I realized my eyes were going wide. Slavers? So near our kingdom? Why had I never heard about it? Oh, right, I forgot that I'm just a little princess, being isolated from the outside world... I felt the anger and frustration raising inside of me. But this wasn't exactly a good time for complaining over my life. I needed to find a way out of the whole mass I was stuck in.

"So, what are they planing for us?" I asked , my voice surprisingly strong and steady.

I didn't miss the other elf's long studying look, the mixture of surprise and curiosity in it. He was finally seeing my true self, not the bright elegant picture, painted by my family.

"They are using slaves for different reasons. But from what they have mentioned, I can conclude that they are going to make us fight to entertain them. Or probably use us to train their warriors."

I nodded weakly, thinking this over. Suddenly a thought hit me. I raised my head, staring at the other elf in shock.

"They mistook me for a male, didn't they?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

The warrior nodded, smiling grimly.

"No offence, Ithildae, but for a moment i had the same thought."

I felt my cheeks burning slightly. To hear it from the experienced soldier was the best complement for me. I completely forgot that inside the human society it was very unusual for a female to become a warrior. Besides, unlike the other maidens, that were travelling with us, I was wearing plane hunting clothes. But that didn't completely explained the human's lack of observation. Anyway, I felt I must be grateful for this fact for I could only imaging what horrible destiny awaited for the two captured maidens. At least I would have a chance to fight for my life, wouldn't I?

...TBC