Karina sat in her cage feeling like her fur was on fire. She had been sitting in that blasted cage for hours now. The Sun baked her like a roast over an open flame. The metal bars became hot to the touch within minutes she was forced into the cage. She had not moved an inch since she sat down with her knees up and her arms around her belly as it still hurt from when she was struck there by, Beretta.
As hot as she was, Karina ignored her own suffering and though of, Mowgli. She wished she were still with him instead of being punished like she was. But she was glad he was not suffering like she was, a small portion of gratitude she had there. But nothing compared to what she was feeling more than the pain in her stomach. Failure.
Karina had failed in her attempt to escape with, Mowgli. They were so close that she could taste that jungle. Being out in the swamp outside the walls where the stench was heavy and the ground sank beneath ones feet was far better than being trapped in the ancient ruins surrounded by some of the worst beings that ever plagued the jungle so long ago.
She though of the Wolf Kingdom and started to wonder how long its been since she and, Mowgli were kidnapped? Being trapped there it felt like an eternity. A Lifetime was passing when only days have passed. She did not know how she was going to keep on going like this. When she was enslaved so many years ago it was only herself that was suffering but now someone, she grew to care about so much is suffering the same fate as her and that was hurting her more than anything.
What would the royal family think of her? How she failed in her endeavor to get, Mowgli to safety? Possibly the only chance they had was gone. If only she was faster and thinking back at the attempt, she should have put more thought into it. It was in the middle of the day. The Sun was out and most of the guards were around. She felt so foolish. She should've waited and learned more about the ruins and for a better time to escape but now it was all for nothing and she was paying for it and prayed to the spirits that, Mowgli would not suffer the same fate as he was innocent. She was the one who took him out. And she prayed again that if someone is coming for them then let it be in haste for the situation was growing grimmer by the moment.
A Stick slammed in front of the cage making, Karina yelp in surprise as a group of Primate Guards stood in front of the cage. "Their Royal Majesties have heard what you did, girl!" One of them snickered.
"Seems, Beretta is going to have some fun with you!" Another laughed.
"Stand up and come out calmly!" The last one ordered unlocking the cage while the others pointed their spears at the wolf girl to make sure she did not try anything that she would regret. Hesitantly, Karina rose to her feet wheezing as her legs were cramped from being in a crouched position for so long. She needed to assist herself to stand up grabbing onto the hot metal bars that were burning hot from the suns rays as she gritted her teeth as her hands burned slightly.
The Second she stood up three pairs of hands grabbed her arms and pulled her out. "Come. Let us get you all prepared for your little get together with the right hand of our king and queen." The Primate chortled darkly as he shoved her from behind as the others held her arms taking her to the rotunda where the way to the dungeon was under it. Karina knew this was bad. If she was being taken to, Beretta then she was going to be in for something terrible.
She was frightened by the thought but kept firm as she was pulled along taking one more glance where she and, Mowgli were working at with a heavy frown on her face as she was pulled up to the rotunda and the entrance to the dungeon was directly ahead and they headed down into it with, Karina in tow.
Far outside of the swamp and out of the edge of the jungle was, King Rama's scouting party consisting of the five wolfs that were chosen by, Prince Exon for the important task they were given. They had been following the nearly dissipated trail of the wagon for some time now. Their King was wise to send them as the rest of their fellow soldiers scoured the swamp.
Their followed the trail by their senses more than their eyes. The Tracks were about gone and only had some of tracks left as it led out into the outer plains were there were not many tree's, but open lands filled with rivers, tall grass. A lot of the ground was without grass or anything growing upon it other than a few bushes.
"Seems we have trekked into the outer lands." The Head wolf of the group declared wiping some sweat from his brow as their mission was long and exhausting, but they could not stop as their King needed answers.
"It would appear so, Sabre." The Wolf behind the one called, Sabre replied. "We've been following the trail by our senses their sight by now. Where could these primates be taking the prisoners?"
Sabre shook his head. "I don't know, Flint. But our King suspects something and we must continue to make haste." They continued to follow the very light smell of the wagon as it had been riddled in the fowl stench of the Primates. Though it was light in the air the smell remained and being away from the swamp nothing could damper their senses.
Sabre had the other four wolfs spread out as they were coming upon a river. Their noses were picking up something in the air. This was the final place where the wagon was. But they could not see anything. There was nothing around them but the a few tree's and some swim swishing grass areas moving about in the light breeze.
The Wolfs were growing concerned. Surely there had to be evidence as the trail had gone cold. It was not possible to hide the wagon as the jungle was nearby and even if it were hidden within, they would fight it, but the trail led into the outskirts.
"See anything?" Sabre called out to his fellows but, Flint and two others all shook their heads. However, the last wolf that did not respond walked up to the river. He picked up the scent and it was coming from the river. He looked across the way and saw no signs of crossing as the river was well expanded and it would take a good swim to get across but that was never a good idea as rivers in the outskirts were known to have crocodiles in them. He was about to tun away till he saw something in the water.
The Wolf looked closer and under the surface he made out something. It looked like a wreak but he could not tell without getting a closer look. "Over here! I found something in the water!" He called as the other wolfs came up to him and he pointed to what he was looking at.
All the wolfs saw what their fellow soldier was pointing at. Whatever it was had to be pulled out to get a better look. "We need to haul that out." Sabre stated. "Tie a line onto the wreak and we shall pull it out."
Flint nodded as he had some rope on him in a pack that he had brought. Every soldier that went out with the King and the Prince brought provisions and equipment that may come in use for scouring the jungle in search of their old enemies and missing subjects.
"I'll tie the rope onto the wreak." Flint volunteered putting down his weapon and took off his armor leaving in him with only his shorts on.
Sabre put a hand on his shoulder. "We'll keep watch but be careful." He cautioned. Flint nodded as the other wolfs ran next to the river and kept a look out for crocodiles as, Sabre picked a spot closest to where the wreak was spotted.
Once everyone was in lookout, Flint ran with one end of the rope in hand and dived into the water. He swam up to where the wreak was under him. The Water was quite refreshing after searching for so long, but he could not enjoy it as he had a task to do and the longer, he was in the water the more danger he could be in.
Flint dived under the surface and found out that the wreak he spotted was the very thing they were looking for to his surprise. However, what he was looking at was a terrifying sight. But he quickly found a spot to tie the rope on and made haste as he could only hold his breath for so long. Once he made sure the rope was knotted in good and tight, he swam up to the surface taking in a deep breath.
"I think we may have found what we are searching for. But it appears we could be too late!" Flint called to the others regrettably as they were confused by what he had said when he swam back to the bank with, Sabre helping him out of the water.
"What do you mean, Flint?" Sabre asked.
Flint shook the water from his fur. "Let's pull this out and you will see, my friend." Sabre nodded gesturing to the others join them as they all grabbed hold of what was left of the rope and began to pull. What they were pulling onto was difficult as it was well sunk into the ground below the water but with combining efforts and a few hard tugs from the group they managed to finally make what they had a hold onto budge in the water then they began to pull back taking careful steps not to step on anyone's foot as they hauled their quarry to the surface.
When they managed to pull the rope back enough, they were met with a dreadful sight. What they were pulling on were remnants of a wagon. It looked horribly mangled as some of the wheels were missing. The Structure was riddled with crunched wood and many bit marks. It appeared the wagon had a cage upon it but most of it was missing. The Wolves pulled the destroyed far away from the river's edge before stopping.
"Oh, no!" Sabre gasped lightly running over to the destroyed wagon. The other wolves ran over and inspected the damage. The Wagon was a derelict as it looked ravaged.
"Afraid say but it seems crocodiles got to this." Flint sighed fearfully as he pried a broken tooth from a piece of the wagon. It was pointed and sharp.
"I do agree." Sabre agreed as his heart began to ack. "The Primates must have thrown the wagon into the river. Anything inside would not have had a chance when the crocs came around. "But there should be a sign here about who was in this wagon."
"What do you mean, Sabre? It was no doubt the Prince and the missing wolf girl." Flint asked as picked off more crocodile teeth from the wagon.
"That is true. But this wagon though being submerged in the water for so long I am not sensing wolf nor man upon it. Think about it once we cleared the swamplands, we followed the scent of the Primates but did any of his smell anything else other than what were pursuing?" Sabre inquired not willing to think that those they were seeking were dead.
Flint put some thought into that question along with the others. "Come to think of it, you maybe right! But the crocs still destroyed this wagon. All the missing teeth shows they were trying to get at something within it. If it wasn't our missing persons, then what?"
Sabre now was deep in thought at that question as he continued to inspect the wagon. He found a couple more crocodile teeth lodged in the exterior but what was on them was intriguing. He found fur upon the light bloody teeth.
"Look at this! What do you make of it?" He handed the teeth with the fur over to, Flint. Flint took the fur and inspected it. The Fur was wet, but he made out something peculiar.
"This fur does not belong to either wolf or the hair of, Prince Mowgli." He stated.
"Yes." Sabre concurred. "This means that either the Primates tried to cross river and failed and paid the price for it or they had a body to be rid of. I think our, King was right. These primates are meaning to throw us off the real trail they have left. I believe our, King will want to hear this!"
"I agree. Allow me to gather my belongings." Flint immediately went to put his armor back on and gathered his weapon and pack and joined up with his fellow soldiers.
"We must make it back to, his Majesty! We cannot stop the sooner he knows this the better!" Sabre told the others who all nodded in agreement. "Good. Let's go!" Sabre took off running back up into the jungle with the other wolves following needing to tell, King Rama of their discovery.
Mowgli was trying his best to stay on task. With Karina placed into the cage outside he was put back in the room filled with the dirty trinkets. Now without anyone to help him he alone had to clean what was left.
He tried to work at a pace, but his mind was not on task. All he could think about was, Karina the past few hours. He knew that something bad was happening to her. He could feel it in his heart. As much as he tried to continue to work his thoughts dwelled on his best friend.
"What are they doing with her?" He asked himself as he cleaned a tiny pot not noticing the door to the room opened.
"She will be taught a very valuable lesson, mancub." A feminine voice stated getting, Mowgli's attention turning his head to see it was, Queen Abra with a grin on her face and her arms crossed on her chest.
The Queen noticed the big pile of cleaned items. A good portion of the room had been taken care of. "Very well done, mancub. I see even with the lack of a certain wolf has not put a damper on your cleaning efforts." She complimented walking inside the room with the doors shutting behind.
Mowgli did not know what to think being alone with the Queen. She was not Beretta, but the royals certainly had unpredictable traits. Could she be furious and come to punish him? Will she do something terrible to him for being part of the escape attempt?
Queen Abra walked up next to, Mowgli sitting down near him as he tried to stay on task and dared not say anything to her as he cleaned up the tiny pot in his lap. She was happy to see that the mancub wanted to work but he needed to listen. She reached over and took the pot off his lap and the rag from his hand gently setting them down.
What happened next nearly made, Mowgli lose himself as he was suddenly picked up by, Queen Abra and settled him on her lap with a hand on his shoulder.
"As much as I would like to see everything in his room spit shine before dinner. I do require your attention so listen well, Mowgli." Queen Abra insisted. Mowgli didn't move an inch though he shook fearfully rubbing his hands together nervously.
Queen Abra smirked at, Mowgli's uneasiness. "There there, Mowgli I am not here to punish you. I am here to make sure you are smart enough to realize now more than ever that leaving these ruins is not an option for you or your little wolf friend."
Mowgli looked down as he still feared for both his safety and for, Karina's. Queen Abra rubbed his shoulder assuringly. "But due to actions of your friend whom I was told is the one who tried to get both you and herself out she will be re-mannered you can say."
"What…what do you mean? Please don't hurt her!" Mowgli begged.
"I am afraid your begging cannot help dear, Karina. Since her misbehavior has caused some grief to my King and I after we have been gracious enough to reward you the other night, she needs to learn that her place is here." Queen Abra said with some irritation in her voice as this incident has made her and, King Louie rather upset.
"Please…we just want to go home! I swear to you that we both will keep this all a secret!" Mowgli begged though he would not keep such a promise as his parents had to know about this all. "Just let us go!"
Queen Abra tsked wagging a finger in front of, Mowgli's eyes. "I told you, Mowgli! Begging will not help, and our decision had been made as we had stated the moment you were brought to is! Either you will accept that fact or should I have you join with the wolf girl and share in discipline she is going to receive?" She warned as, Mowgli immediately went silent though now he was really worried for, Karina. What kind of discipline would she be going through?
The Queen smiled glad to see the mancub was seeing things as they should. "Good, boy. Now why don't we eat and celebrate our renewed agreement?" She snapped her fingers loudly and a Primate entered with a tray of food.
"I'm sure you're hungry after doing all this work?" She inquired as the Primate stood next to his queen. She grabbed an apple off the tray and pressed it against, Mowgli's mouth. Mowgli instinctively bit down on the apple, but he was not hungry at all but ate the tiny bite anyway.
Queen Abra then brought the apple up to her lips and bit down on it smacking loudly causing some of the apple bits to fall out of her mouth onto, Mowgli who disgustingly wiped it off himself. Once, Queen Abra was finished she then hugged, Mowgli tightly pressing him hard into her chest that surprisingly was soft and warm but the sudden action made him frantic as he tried to get out of her tight grip as she laughed until finally releasing him after a few more seconds.
"Ill leave this tray here for you, mancub. Later tonight when we return you to your cell where you friend will be hanging in..." She let out a chuckle at her bad joke. "We will have another tray of food and something to drink for you both. I am most certain; Karina will require some assistance to eat and drink after her punishment is through."
"Assistance?" Mowgli didn't like the sound of it as, Queen Abra took him off her lap settling him back down to where he was sitting before standing up and grabbed a banana from the tray for herself as the Primate set the tray on the floor and left the room.
"Keep up the good work, Mowgli perhaps you may yet please us enough to earn another night in our special spring room." She waved him goodbye as she ate the banana as the doors were closed behind her when she left.
Mowgli was very worried for, Karina and only could imagine what she was going to go through and hoped to the heavens she would be okay when he would see her later that night. Immediately he went back to work not bothering to have anything else to eat from the tray that was left for him.
Karina grunted as she tried to pull her hands free. She had been brought back into the cell of the dungeon where her hands were tied tight over her head and was pulled up to where she was standing on the tip of her feet. It was greatly uncomfortable as she tried to wiggle her hands free, but the knots were done, and the rope was tied around her hands tightly. She was not going to get out of the rope unless someone unbound her.
She panted as her body began to ack being in such an uncomfortable position then her spine grew a chill when an all too familiar female primate appeared in front of the cell bars holding onto a short stick.
"How is it hanging in there?" She mocked as she drew the stick along the cell bars making them tap each one making, Karina grew more worried as, Beretta made her way into the cell.
"Look at you!" Beretta chuckled as she hit stick upon her hands making a loud clap upon her palms that sounded like it would have hurt but she didn't even flinch as, Karina looked upon, Beretta with growing fear in her eyes knowing what she was in there with the thin stick in her hand. "So helpless. Like a worm on a hook!" The Primate snickered enjoying the sight of the helpless girl.
"Have any regrets? Or any requests before we begin?" Beretta asked. Karina understood that in that moment she would not get anything out of it. No matter what the request it would not be received. Any regrets? She had some but nothing to regret on trying to escape. She may have failed but it was a chance. There would have to be another chance if the spirits were willing as, Karina remained silent.
"Good!" Beretta slammed the stick hard down at, Karina's side sending a searing wave of pain through her as, Karina screamed. Beretta struck the girl again on the opposite side making her scream in agony again.
"Are your feet sensitive?" Beretta asked slamming the stick down hard on the toes of, Karina making her scream loudly. "Oh, yes they are! Again then!" She slapped the stick on her feet causing, Karina to jump in her bounds as her painful cries filled the dungeon.
Beretta started to slap and slam the stick in her hand up, Karina's legs not taking one second to let the wolf girl catch her breath. Karina howled and cried as the pain was unimaginable. She could not even breath as more of her body began to writhe in agony.
"Such a lovely looking stomach! Is it still sore?" Beretta chuckled rubbing her hand upon, Karina's stomach before making a fist then slammed it hard into, Karina's stomach knocking the wind out of the wolf girl.
Karina coughed and whimpered as this was too much for her. Her body writhed in agony like she was ablaze. Beretta cooed as, Karina's head dropped as fresh tears filled her eyes.
"Giving up already? Such a shame as we only just got started. Let us continue." She said making, Karina's eyes widen as she watched the stick in, Beretta's hand raise then came down onto her chest striking it twice with, Karina screaming from both hits as more tears filled her eyes. Beretta struck, Karina under arms with stick and after having to suffer more of her agonizing screams, Beretta grabbed the Wolf Girl and turned her around.
"Let's see how the backside fairs!" Beretta suggested started to hit, Karina's back with her stick causing, Karina even more pain as her screams became so loud that it started to reach outside of dungeon making some birds that perched at the entry way fly off.
Beretta took a moment to rub, Karina's sore back almost soothing it. "I really have to thank you. I haven't had so much fun since the day I caught you and the mancub." She thanked slapping the palm of her hand on, Karina's back making her wince from the hit. Beretta placed the side of the stick on, Karina's back making her jolt forward continuing to whimper from all the pain she was as, Beretta moved the stick down to, Karina's rear end.
"Per the request of, my King and Queen since you behaved like a spoiled little child. You shall be disciplined like one!" Beretta laughed giving, Karina's rear a couple light taps with the stick before bringing it back.
Karina was at her breaking point now. "No, no no…" She begged only to be met with a stinging sensation that began to repeat blow by blow. No matter how loud or much she screamed the strikes would not stop. She believed in that moment she would have been beaten all the way till she could not breath no more. What felt like an hour was only minute before, Beretta finally decided that she made a clear point across to her.
Putting the stick down she turned, Karina back around as wallowed as her body shook in extreme pain. She was whimpering so badly that her eyes were watering already starting muck up the dirt beneath her feet. Beretta admired her work. It was a rare sight to see one that believed that was on top above all creatures in such a broken state.
"If it were up to me, girl I would see to it id gut you like the hanging fish that you are!" Beretta explained grabbing harshly on, Karina's chin making her look at her in the eyes. "Unfortunately, my King and Queen still have a use for you. Let this be a warning for next time you act out I will be begging for my royals let me put you down like the dog you are. So please just give me the excuse!" She seethed before slapping the girl across the face making her yelp and whimper more. Beretta gathered her stick looking over the hung wolf like a hunting trophy. She smiled widely at the scene truly having enjoyed every moment of it.
"Good night, wolfy the mancub will soon join with you soon. Be sure to let him get good look to let know that my work is quite efficient and if he should misbehave I will enjoy making him see the light of his actions as much as I have done with you." Beretta laughed as she left the cell loudly with pride letting her voice echo past the howling whimpers of, Karina as she was for the moment broken and helpless and all she could do was wallow in agony as the ropes on her hands continued to hang her high as she tried to cope with all that she had endured in any way she could but it was impossible as she continued to cry while in excruciating pain.