Disclaimer: Sometimes I think these are the best part of my story.

Rating: WTF!

Chapter 23

When we last saw our valiant heroes they had just escaped the evil clutches of the Tentacle Monster! Fortunately with Viper's quick reflexes the boys were able to get through the Forest of Terror with no more than aching legs. The monster was not quite so lucky.

Out on the empty plain Viper felt more uneasy than in the forest. She was constantly turning around and scanning the horizon. Draco did not know what she was looking for nor did he care.

"Are we going to stop and eat any time soon?" Viper swept her eyes over the sky one more time before bringing her attention back to the blonde in front of her.

"Yes." Draco was surprised that she actually said that considering that every other time he had asked that same question in the past hours he had received a cold glare as his answer. Viper scouted out a small rough circle clear of grass and heather.

Harry and Draco plopped down beside the small hearth she was making. Viper stood and brushed off her hands. She squinted at the kindling and it burst into flame.

"How hungry are y..." They would never learn the rest of her question. Viper's eyes glazed over and she fell to her knees. The boys sprang up in surprise. Their expressions turned to ones of horror as Viper fell the rest of the way down exposing a wicked looking arrow sticking straight out of her back.

Draco and Harry clung together each wildly looking around for whoever did that. They did not have to wait long. A man stood from his hiding place. He was dressed in clothing that matched the plains. His skin was a dark brown that could have been mistaken for dirt.

His face was strong and he had two white swirls decorating him, one on each cheek. His hair was decorated with feathers and pieces of grass. The man carried a longbow and a quiver only. No other weapons could be seen on his tall form.

"I have saved you from a terror that has long abused these lands. You should be thankful that you were spared your lives. I know that you will have to live with the experience that you had to endure in her company for the rest of your life. Be grateful that you now have a chance to live that life. Do you know how to get home?" Harry shook his head, unable to speak. Draco on the other hand had no such problem.

"Who the hell are you to think that Viper is evil? She had been nothing but..." He trailed off as he remembered how he got to this planet in the first place.

"I am Daiku, Chieftain of the Modro tribes. I have experienced her wickedness first hand. And I am glad that it was my poison arrow that struck her down." The chief gave a signal and the rest of his men came out of hiding. Each carried a bow exactly like their leader and were equally without visible weapons.

The men ranged in color from dark brown like the chief to Harry's own tanned tint. The men stared at Draco and then at Viper. Though she was paler than them Draco was whiter than even her.

"This boy might be related to the Sadist." The tribesman spoke the name with respect and even fear though the body he was referring to was laid out at his feet.

"I can't be. I come from a different w...." Draco winced as Harry nudged him sharply in the side. "I mean I come from a different family tree." The men nodded in understanding.

"Pick up the carcass we will have a proper ceremony to make sure she does not return." The men tied Viper's body between two long sticks and hefted her to shoulder height.

"Follow us willingly or wander until you die." Daiku turned and lead his corpse bearing men. Harry looked into silver eyes. Draco looked into emerald and saw the contained tears and the strain it was on Harry to not let them slip.

"We have to follow them Draco."

"I know." With heavy hearts the boys parted the tall plants and barely kept the native men in sight. They soon arrived at the hunter's village. It looked like any nomadic tribes home. It was a mix between what people on Earth thought the cave man lived in and the more modern but still far back in history Indians. They had huts that were jointed and could be easily dismantled at a moments notice.

In the middle of the camp a huge pole had been driven into the ground. It was at least eight feet tall and two feet around. Their livestock was well trained; they did not require any gates or ropes to keep them where their owners wanted them.

A group of children came running to the hunters before recoiling sharply at the sight of the body hanging between them. Six of the nine men that were originally there split off to their respective homes leaving the chief, the two who were holding the body and two strangers on the outskirts of the camp.

"Tie her good and tight to the main pole." Daiku held his head proudly as he indicated the wooden pole.

"Why would you have to tie her if she is dead?" Draco snapped at the chief.

"You are impertinent. She was our enemy; I will do anything I can bring shame upon her." Daiku motioned for two women to lead Harry and Draco to the bathhouse.

"You will be given food and clothing until we decide what shall be done with you."

"We have clothing." Harry spat. He was catching some of his Gryffindor courage.

"It is wood folk clothing. They were the most tainted by that thing." Daiku narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the boys. "She must still somehow have you under her control."

"I am under my control." Harry glared at the dark man.

"And yet you willingly stay with her and defend her even when you know of the horrible things she has done. White blonde and raven black heads nodded. "Very well, if you insist you can be disposed of right along with her."

A/N: About time. I figure that the story must be dragging since for the past two chapters I have only gotten two reviews each. I am pushing out a lot of the story line so I can hurry up and end this. Thank you Without Permission and Suzaku West for supporting me in both my stories. The rest of this tale is for you.