The people of the island of Fuerza would seem somewhat uncivilized at first glance. They gave off a barbaric vibe. However, their village was much more sophisticated than Elena had imagined it would be. They lived in tents but they were quite large in size depending on the importance of the resident or purpose of the facility. Their roofs were camouflaged with the trees and bushes which would explain why they hadn't noticed the city sized village when they flew overhead. The village was organized well with a marketplace, settings for community gatherings and they all seemed to function systematically.

When they rode up into what Elena would have referred to as the town center, Gabe was taken away, accompanied by the beast and Elena was guided in another direction. They both silently and somberly turned to meet the other's stare. As they walked away from one another, they let their eyes linger as long as they could, neither knowing what would happen next or when they would be together again.

When Elena entered the tent that would be her own private residence, she was surprised at just how vibrant everything was. It was certainly fit for a queen. Drapery hung throughout and jewel embellished pillows spread around gave the space a luxurious and cozy feel. The bed was very large with tall carved posts. It was trimmed in fine sheets and topped with more jeweled pillows. There was a separate area for dressing that contained a large mirror and vanity along with a collection of exquisite dresses, mostly made with very rich materials. Elena sat on the bed and took it all in. Later she would be shown around the village and join the Fuerza leaders for dinner. The next day, she would give herself away to King Galtero.

"You look beautiful" Paola, Elena's personal servant, told her as they had finished preparing Elena for the wedding ceremony.

Elena stared at herself in the mirror. If it had been different circumstances she too would have to admit that she looked beautiful. Her hair was whimsically twisted and braided to the side and hung over her left shoulder. Fresh white flowers and jewels added a regal and bridal touch to it. Red rouge had been brushed on her lips and her cheeks were lightly powdered. She wore a diamond white gown made of pure silk. The straps were thin, exposing her shoulders and arms and led to a v neck bodice that draped over but hugged her curves. It then emanated into a long flowing skirt.

Elena could only frown at her appearance. She was getting all done up for a man who was ready to rape and kill her the day was not how she ever imagined her wedding day. She was doing what she had to do though. In order to save her friends she had no choice but to accept King Galtero's offer. Sacrificing her body, her beliefs, and any chance in marrying for love was worth it to Elena. At least she, Gabe and the jaquins were all alive. She'd have a chance to figure it all out after she was crowned queen of the the people of Fuerza.

She nodded in thanks to Paola. Paola was sweet enough to Elena. She had greeted them upon their arrival in the village and was the one to escort Elena to her tent. Paola was a very beautiful woman herself. She had a light brown complexion and high cheekbones that complimented her short pixie cut hair that was nearly black in color. She was very thin with few curves, appearing weak and delicate. When she spoke however, her voice was strong and confident.

"Where are you from?" Elena asked Paola, noticing her appearance was much different from the tall and broad shaped people of the island. Paola smiled at Elena's observation.

"I'm from Cariza" She answered. "I escaped the kingdom a year ago after Shuriki's army tried to turn my family's loyalty and my loyalty away from the royal family. They killed my parents and my sisters. I ended up here and well, it didn't turn out much better. King Galtero hasn't let me leave"

"I'm surprised he didn't kill you" Elena responded, recalling the events of the day before and how Galtero had made no hesitation in deciding to kill her and her companions.

"I believe he had planned to" Paola explained. "But, He was going to have his way with me and I knew that I had to do something to keep him interested. So I did what I could to please him. And it worked. Now he likes to keep me close by."

Elena scrunched up her nose, giving a look of disapproval at Paola's actions.

"Don't judge me." Paola told the princess sternly "I did what I had to do to survive. It's no different than what you're about to do"

Elena knew Paola was right. She was about to do the same thing. Although she couldn't care less about actually pleasing him.

"Is King Galtero as terrible as he seems?" Elena asked, changing her tone towards Paola, now somewhat relating to the woman who shared a bed with her soon to be husband.

"Yes" Paola stated very matter of fact. Elena's eyes widened with fear as Paola revealed cuts and bruises in various places on her body. " When he's angry, he takes it out on me. He's often angry..." She revealed before turning back to Elena and offering her some comforting thoughts "You don't have as much to fear as I do though"

"What do you mean?" Elena asked

"I mean you will be the Queen of Fuerza. If he harms you, he will have to answer to the will consider it an act of betrayal. They will kill him." Paola paused a moment before confiding anymore in Elena. She wasn't sure why but she liked and trusted the princess. Perhaps it was their common sacrifice. She continued. "I live in fear that he may grow tired of me any given day, at any given time and when he does, he will kill me and nobody will even notice I'm gone. You will never know that fear. He can not kill you."

Elena pondered over this new information and the idea that she would be protected by the tribe intrigued her. She needed to gain their trust if she was going to use them to take back Avalor. The fact that she couldn't be harmed would work in her favor.

Paola noticed the sly smirk that Elena was trying to hide.

"Don't get too excited" She told Elena who instantly returned to a straight face. "He will still have his way with you and he will not be gentle about it. And if you deny him or try to fight him, the tribe will accuse you of betrayal. It goes both ways"

Elena nodded with complete understanding of her situation. She then turned silent as she got lost in imagining the nightmare that awaited her that evening. Paola let Elena sit and come to terms with her sacrifice. She understood what she was going through. She placed a comforting hand on Elena's shoulder and Elena looked up at her maid who was quickly becoming a potential friend. Elena smiled at Paola through her downhearted expression.

"What will happen after the ceremony? To my friends I mean?" Elena questioned, her thoughts returning to those who she sacrificed for. "Will the King keep his word? Will he let them live?"

"He'll let your jaquins live" Paola replied.

"And my guard?" Elena asked with growing concern, afraid she already knew the answer. "We made a deal that Gabe would remain my guard and live as part of the community"

"He didn't explain to you how one becomes part of the community though did he?" Paola countered. Elena's look of confusion gave Paola her answer. "When someone joins the community they don't simply just live among us. They must prove themselves. In order to be your guard, he must prove that he is strong enough and worthy enough to stand by the rest of the warriors." Paola paused again before breaking the news to Elena. "He will be placed in a one on one battle with one of the Fuerza warriors. He will be given a dull sword and no shield. His opponent will have a newly sharpened blade and full armor. The fight ends when the challenger lands a blow to the warriors heart, head or throat. A blow that would kill him if he lacked protection. Otherwise... the fight ends when the challenger is killed."

Elena gasped. "What?!" She shouted through sudden short breaths. "But... that's not... that's not what we agreed on!" She argued.

Paola looked at Elena with the utmost sympathy. "It is. He agreed to allow him to be part of the community. He's following through with how someone becomes part of our community."

"But you... He took you in as part of the community without..." Elena babbled, trying to make sense of her new people.

"No." Paola interrupted. "I am not part of the community. I am a slave"

"Oh" Elena responded but her mind was still racing with the idea of Gabe dying in a battle to the death that she had unknowingly set up. "Who judges the fight? Who determines whether or not the challenger makes a fatal hit?"

"King Galtero" Paola answered with an apologetic tone and Elena's heart sank. She knew that this wasn't going to be a fair battle. The king was not going to let Gabe live.

"And what if the king does not stop the fight when he should? Can anyone speak up? Can no one else stop the fight?" Elena inquired. Desperately seeking a way to save her guard.

"Anyone can call out the king if he fails to make the correct call but no one will" Paola said strongly, trying to convince Elena not to get her hopes up. "They will not question him."

"Will he hurt them if they do?" Elena wondered

"He'll kill them" Paola responded quickly.

"I can do it" Elena said, intensity growing within her. "I can stop the fight"

"Are you crazy?!" Paola asked, shocked. "King Galtero will be furious!"

"But he can't kill me. You said it yourself. I'm not afraid to stand up to him" Elena explained bravely. "If I do this... if I question the king... will he end the fight? Will he let Gabe live?"

Paola stared at Elena with admiration. It had been a long time since she'd met another woman with such nerve. She thought about how the king would react and she thought about how the tribe would react. Elena had found a flaw in the King's game of death. "I don't see how he'd have any other choice" She finally replied, nearly grinning. Elena did the same.

"Now all Gabe has to do is win" Elena said to herself, worry setting back in.