Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire
Vikki has slept in uncomfortable positions before. Growing up living under a high-ranking military officer she knew obedience and the appreciation of having the most basic of needs. A Bed was a high honor to sleep on when usually soldiers had cots or even nothing but mats or even just the ground to lay on and the only comfort they could make for themselves was blocking out every distraction to get some sleep. Any amount of rest to recuperate themselves to be ready for the fight ahead.
But when the night had come, and her captors were all falling asleep around her, and she was stuck in the lap of the one who was tasked with guarding her she had been laid upon his bare chest. His steady breathing allowed her to feel almost comforted but the smell radiating off the Sub-Human was so horrid that her nostrils felt aflame by the stench.
Her legs and arms were bound and if she made any movement she could stir him awake. Her mouth was still gagged with a cloth but even if she could speak clearly calling out would be for nothing. No one could help her. Last she saw was her only friend in the prehistoric world be knocked over a cliff. Many times, she thought she would have lost a loved one in the midst of battle, but he had come out on top and managed to win the day. She did not want to accept that, Bathsheba was gone that easily but right now she was trapped within the hardened grip of the Sub-Human that had taken its task to a great delight.
With all the groping it had done to her before he finally went to sleep she was surprised he didn't take it further as many of cohorts looked at him with envy. Out of them all he got to have the green-haired prisoner to himself. But the leader made it clear that nothing more was to be done. If she wasn't going to be used by them then clearly bigger plans were in store for her and that frightened, Vikki.
Sleeping on the Sub-Human was challenging enough. By the time it felt she finally was getting some rest was she stirred awake by a slap to her hip. She woke with a start only find that the one guarding her was awake along with the others. All rising to their feet and stretching out their limbs. The Rest they had was plentiful and they had no predators come near them as the rays of the sun were starting to come out from the sky in the horizon.
Vikki moaned in her gag rolling her eyes unhappily. She wished this whole thing was just a nightmare that she could simply wake up from. She had plenty of nightmares since her exile in the prehistoric world, but this was a recurring nightmare. She now was in the hands of the enemies of this world, and she did not even know what fate lay before her.
The Leader of the group came up to the one holding, Vikki. The Guard holding her giving her a teasing look licking his disgusting lips at her again. He wanted to have his lips across her skin. Anywhere he already held her or stroked already but to his frustration the leader barked an order and, Vikki was immediately stood up forcefully.
The Sub human guarding her held her arms while the Leader stood in front of her looking her over. Vikki shot him a glare but that did nothing to him as he inspected to make sure she still was in decent shape and that nothing was done to her overnight. Too often had many of his kind suffered a severe consequence that always meant the end of their lives should they disappoint the mistress by not following her order or failing in a task set to them by her.
Vikki wanted to saw so many things to the Sub-Humans around her. It could have meant she would be harmed but she wanted them to know how disgustingly hateful she was to them for all that they did. If only her mouth was not gagged but then to her surprise the Leader took the gag and ripped it off with a hard tug.
The Sudden free use of her mouth allowed she quickly wiggled her jaw about and took steady breaths through it to regain the feeling lost in it overnight. "You monsters!" Spat Vikki. "You're going to pay for all of this! You hear me!?"
The Leader then was about to slap Vikki across the face. No one dares to speak to any of them in such a manner. Vikki braced for it, but it did not come. The Leader regained control over himself. Should he go against his, Mistress's order he would suffer the same fate as his predecessor.
Calling out to some of the others two of them stepped forward one of them holding a bowl what looked to be bread in it stale and to, Vikki's disgust full of maggots creeping all over the food that made the, Sub-Humans their traveling rations should they not take time to hunt or gather anything from the land around them.
The Bowl of maggoty food was handed to the leader and then, Vikki realized what was happening when he was bringing the food up to her and took a chunk of bread from it crawling with the larva from flies all over it.
"Eww! Get that away from me!" Shouted Vikki trying to struggle out of the grip of the guard behind her, but he was much stronger than she was, and she could only wiggle in the slightest. The Leader presented the bread to her lips, but she closed her mouth tightly as the bread brushed against them and just the briefness of them made her lips wince, but she kept them shut.
Angered by the prisoners defiance the Leader grunted to one of the Sub-Humans that only just returned from the jungle after a quick relief. Their Mistress expects her prize to be presented soon and she had to have something in her stomach beforehand.
The Sub-Human hurried to Vikki's side and harshly grabbed her chin and squeezed it so hard that her mouth opened up partially. Her head was forced forward and the Leader quickly inserted the maggot-filled bread into her mouth. Instinctively, Vikki tried to spit it out, but the Leader put a hand over her mouth and, Vikki had no choice but to chew.
She gagged within her mouth quickly chewing the bread trying desperately to ignore the gooey bits that she knew were not the bread which tasted very stale. When it appeared, her chewing was being far too slow her nose was then shut by the Leader.
The Sudden cease of air in her caused, Vikki to chew faster and wiggle harder. She tried to get the Leader to release but the hands grasping her firmly disallowed her from doing anything other than what was expected of her. She swallowed the bread and the horrid contents it was filled with once it was gone was her nose released and her mouth was free again.
Vikki coughed and gagged both from trying to regain air she had desperately needed again and the after taste of the bread that was completely down rotten. It was the worst thing she ever had tasted in her life. How could these cretins even eat that themselves? Not even a dog would think of eating such a discrepancy.
"You damn freaks! You're going to pay for this! I swear I will kill you all for that!" Screamed Vikki trying so hard to get out of the grip of the Guard, and she took an opportunity when she noticed his left foot was right next to her. With great strength she jumped up and brought both her feet down hard upon his own and with a cry of agony the Sub-Human released her and fell to the ground whimpering from his now sore foot that was partially crushed by both of, Vikki's feet. Vikki then was grabbed by the Leader and tossed to the ground landing with a hard thud. She rolled over but then was met with a foot to her stomach knocking the wind out of her.
"Ah!" She coughed as the impact nearly made her puke with having been made to eat the maggot filled bread just before. The Leader hated that he had to hurt the woman, but he could not allow her transgression to go unanswered as his companion was still wallowing in pain from, Vikki's attack. Even bound she is still dangerous. It was not him or any one of them to question their, Mistress's order. She wanted Vikki and unspoiled. Hopefully that the hit to her stomach would not leave any mark.
Pulling Vikki back to her feet he grunted out another order and a knife was presented. Vikki for a moment though that she would be stabbed to death for what she did but the ropes to her feet were cut free. She wanted to start kicking out but that was a poor move by now. Surrounded by the Sub-Humans who could easily capture her if she tried to take off. Bound still with her hands tied around her back and with no weapon she had no chance. She had to obey for now, but she was satisfied in the least she had gotten something back on the one that guarded her overnight.
The Leader then took a waterskin and put it up to, Vikki's mouth. She wanted to protest but after having been made to eat a disgusting piece of bread she was dire need of something to wash down the aftertaste. And when the waterskin was presented to her she was thankful that it was just water. She gulped down as much as she could before it was taken away. She wouldn't thank them for it. Obviously they wanted her clear and alert for the journey ahead. And again, her neck was tied with a rope and a long leash was made from it.
The Leader was about to gag her again, but Vikki looked away and gave him a pleading look. She hated the gag. Unable to move her mouth and the uncomfortable tightening over it. "Please." She wheezed.
The Sub-Human thought for a moment. With his orders clear it would be a terrible ordeal should the prisoners lips be in any state of marking from tight gagging. But he gave Vikki a warning glare. She was not to speak a word or there would be more consequences.
Vikki nodded reluctantly she had to cooperate if she was at least going to have a chance to figure something out. The Leader rallied his force and pointed southwest through the jungle. They had to make haste as their, Mistress's patience only lasted for so long.
The Leash to the rope collar was given to another Sub-Human as the one that guarded, Vikki was walking with a limp giving the woman a nasty look. If only he could repay the debt by killing her for her actions but even he would not test the, Mistress. Too many of his brethren suffered the consequences for failure and disobeying orders. None of them wanted to share that same fate and marching on through the jungle, Vikki stepped lively and kept up, not wanting to struggle at all. It was pointless. She was a prisoner once again and where they were taking her she did not know at all but if her past had taught her anything if it was a stronghold of any kind and if the tyrant had any form of ego she may be able to figure out a plan of escape there as she done before. She could only hope that something will present itself when they arrive at their destination.
Bathsheba was on the trail of the Sub-Humans following their scent through the jungle. Taking cautious steps as her ankle still was in bad condition. She was fortunate enough to even walk. Her Ankle by the blessing of the spirits was not broken but its soreness remained. Her movement was very slow. If only she could run she would have caught up with them by now. She sensed that, Vikki was with them too. And that worried her.
Sub-Humans normally only slaughter anyone they come across. It is their nature bestowed on by that Witch who made them. Should they take any prisoner that meant there was a worst fate in store for them.
Seething in frustration as Bathsheba continued to step along with the assistance of a long branch bracing her as she walked along carrying, Vikki's bow and quiver across her back. She had lost her spear in the fight before but that can easily be remade but for now she had to continue trekking through the jungle. She had to stay on the trail or be at risk losing, Vikki. She could not allow another one to fall under, Roleil.
"Hold on, Love. I am coming." Bathsheba said aloud under a form of belief that, Vikki could hear her voice. She had proven to be a good friend. She refused to lose another one that became dear to her. Roleil had taken too much from her already.
She continued to push on taking step after step with the support of the long branch. The Sprain in her ankle was severe but she would not stop. Already she had lost a day because of it. She would not stop until she has some sign that, Vikki is close and will help her before the worst could happen. The Group that took her was far ahead and she had no time to waste continuing to press on despite the use of only one good leg. If anything, she had Vikki's bow to use should something dangerous come close. She may not have preferred to shoot a bow, but she had plenty of practice in her time to know its uses.
Hours had passed since the Sub-Humans continued their journey southward with, Vikki in tow. The Jungle around them was thick but in the distance many mountains were all over. Vikki could notice in the great distance past the canopy she saw the clouds above were darkened and it was not due to rain. Perhaps that could be the very place that she and, Bathsheba were going towards. Fire Keep. But why would her captors be taking her in the direction of the one place that, Bathsheba claimed that would not be able to be sieged upon?
But after awhile the Sub-Humans turned west fold through the jungle. They were going through a plain that stretched out in the distance. It allowed Vikki to see many of the landmasses all over the area including the mountain ranges into the south where she now could clearly see more dark clouds that showed ash. That had to be where Fire Keep was but with so much ash in the sky it was a wonder why anyone could make a fortress or a castle there. She did not even know much of Fire Keep other than what, Bathsheba had told her about.
A few pterodactyls flew across the sky, and she worried that they may attack the group. Though it would have been a good opportunity for her to run off should the group come under any siege but by now they were so far into the plains with only a few trees in various places with a heavy marsh in some locations there was no where to take cover. Only the mountains or the jungle they left long behind them had any place to hide in but that would require her to run miles and she would not get far alone without a weapon. Namely her bow would be the best option as a spear or club would not be an ideal weapon to engage anything in close quarters in a place that offered nothing to provide an advantage.
The Group carried on ahead and Vikki never faltered. She remained quiet without a complaint as it was fortunate enough that she was not gagged but her thoughts constantly dwelled on her friend. She worried that maybe she did perish and holding onto a false hope. But if she was alive how would she find her? By now they were so far away from where they were ambushed it would be a miracle if she could be found.
But ahead of them Vikki saw what had to be a wall made of stone surrounding a village but behind the walls that stood taller than a brachiosaurus looked to be a temple of some sort. She took notice there were many figures all over the structure with tools and materials. It looked to be under construction. When the group came upon the walls there were more sub-humans around the top of the walls acting as sentry's.
Already it was looking bleak for Vikki. It seemed this place was a fortress of some kind. Walls with sentries on them. Nearly no different the ones she was once imprisoned in before. Least here she would now be able to see what she would be facing.
The Door to the gates in front of them opened up and, Vikki was pulled inside. Once within the doors shut behind them and, Vikki looked around to the see area within the walls were filled with great huts and tents with dozens of sub-humans all around. Most of them were busy preparing weaponry. Seeing to duties of upkeeping the structures and some in small groups were in practice with sparing lessons and weaponry duels.
At the center of it all stood the Temple that Vikki could see out from the walls. It stood so high off the ground with a grand staircase leading to the very top. It was made from marble with even more sub-humans working all around it. Trimming and hammering away building the grand structure that oversaw the land outside the walls. It seemed to be that was meant to be a tower that could see out and allow those that stood upon the top of the spire to gaze out in every direction. It was a tempting thing if Vikki was free to roam but she was pulled on through the little village made of the Sub-Humans.
The Dreaded noises they all made hurt her ears. The grunting and howling almost like dogs and monkeys they made showed the woman how savage and primitive they all had become. From what her friend had told her it was all due to the witch that made them.
Vikki was pulled towards a great tent that stood bigger than all the other tents and huts. It was lathered with décor from skulls of dinosaurs and even human skulls dangling from ropes and stretched across the poles and beams that held up the structure. It seemed its occupant took a delight in having trophies of kills displayed out. The Human skulls were the most frightening of all. Were they only of men or was there women too? The One responsible for them certainly did not care about the gender of those whose lives she brought to ruin and displayed their remains.
The Entry into the tent was opened up and, Vikki was finally stopped and the rope around her neck was finally released. But before she could do anything a long-haired Sub-Human took hold of her arms and shoved her forward. Vikki knew resisting now was pointless and went along with it. Inside the great tent there were rugs made from all sorts of animal skins across the floors but straight ahead of them was a throne where its occupant currently had puffed up a delightful smoke from a hookah on its right as the leaf that burned inside the golden crafted hookah puffed out smoke from its top.
"My, my what a surprise this is!" Snickered a red-haired woman wearing an outfit that showed her chest vastly connected to a silver collar around her neck with her mid-section partially showing with legs completely exposed with blood red eyes sitting at the throne taking another puff from the mouth piece at the end of the hose attached to the hookah. "Bring her forward!"
The Sub-Human pushed Vikki ahead taking her towards the woman sitting at the chair and she quickly made out another woman was there next to her. She wore a small bikini with a veil over her shoulders stretching down to her mid-section with two veils that covered only the front and back of her bottoms that barely concealed anything. That bikini so small Vikki already pitied the poor woman that looked younger than she was. Seemed she had to be at least the age of being an adult just past eighteen years of age.
She had long black hair with a gold collar on her neck with a chain that stretched down to the chair where the red-haired woman sat. She had a tray of fruit in her hand and when her eyes met with, Vikki's she saw despair in them and horror. Yet again her captor has caught another poor soul. But seeing Vikki made her curious. She never saw a woman with green hair before and her own outfit was unlike of any animal ever encountered in the land. Who was this mysterious foreigner? But her pity was still showing as she was in for a terrible fate like she was.
"What a delectable little catch. So, you're the one who has been causing my forces some trouble in the outer lands, hmm?" Snickered the woman on the chair taking a moment to look over, Vikki. Already she was vastly different among the women she had known from her time under the King and to those she had led to slaughter in many of the villages. But none of them showed such skill before. No female other than the Felidae had warriors. All human women were just cowards and only good for screaming in terror before the inevitable happens.
"Well do speak up, dear. You are my guest after all." Said the Red-haired woman giving, Vikki a dark smile. Vikki didn't know what to say but something told her this woman had to be, Roleil. The one who had caused, Bathsheba, so much despair and caused all the destruction across the lands and led to the deaths of many innocent people.
"Don't be shy, darling. Speak your mind. I am sure you have much to say after a long journey. I do hope my servants were not too rude with you?" Smiled the woman on the throne. "But before you say I am, Roleil. Welcome to my humble abode. Can I offer you something?" Snapping her fingers, the woman in a chain walked over to, Vikki and raised the plate of fruit and took a pear from it and allowed, Vikki to take a bite. It was juicy and ripe. Certainly, far better than what was given to her hours before but then the woman returned to where she stood before.
"Well?" Roleil tapped the arm rest on her throne impatiently. The Green haired woman certainly showed a lot of pride. Rare to see in this land. Something about her was different and that made her very curious.
"What's there to say? Other than you're a witch! I heard everything about you! How can you be this way?" Spat Vikki but the sub-human behind her was about to slap her in the back for speaking out in such a tone but, Roleil put up a hand stopping him from doing so.
"Only seeing to it that my dominion takes hold on the land, darling. In life one must see to it that become something more. All that I done is take my rightful place above the sniffling little vermin that scurry around like rats. I uplift them and give them new life." Answered Roleil with a dark grin and the woman next to her was utterly frightened by her words. For awhile now she had been under, Roleil since her capture and all she had known was fear and cruel instruction. She hardly knew rest and once before she never was in any position like this. Roleil had taken control over her since her capture and was worried for, Vikki's sake. She may not know her but to see her brought her meant the witch had plans for her too.
"New life?" Vikki gestured to the one holding her. "You call that living!? They are not alive! Their just animals in men's bodies!"
"Correct, dear. I have stripped them of free will and thought. They only know to serve only me. Don't believe for a moment they did not have a choice in the matter. I gave a chance to serve me and keep themselves as they once were." Explained Roleil setting her mouth piece down tapping her fingers together with a wicked smile on her face. "They chose defiance. Adhere to their pettiness to protect their pitiful villages and obscene loved ones. They choose their fate. As you have seen, what they lack in mind they make up for their ferocity. Their savagery. Their singular purpose and fearlessness in the face of battle makes them strong warriors and capable work men. I take it you noticed my temple outside?"
"I did. Its as big as your ego!" Scoffed Vikki but this time, Roleil stood up from her chair walked over to, Vikki more of her outfit showing two parts of it were connected to her wrists letting two piece it drape down and waved as she walked up to her and slapped her across the face making the slave girl by the throne shudder as much as, Vikki when she ears rung from the hit.
"Silence girl! You will now speak when spoken to!" Ordered Roleil. "My Temple will show across this land of who rules it from this moment on. Fire Keep will be foot note in history and you and I will be very well acquainted. I do desire to learn more from you." Roleil reached out and caressed the side of, Vikki's face letting her long nails almost dig into her skin.
"So different among the masses. Quite a pretty little thing. I have seen one such as you. Capable and brave. Clever but not enough to avoid my men. Tell me, dear. What is your name? And don't respite on that. I will know if your name is truthful." Demanded Roleil gasping Vikki's chin hard enough that her nails began to dig into it.
"Vikki. My name is Vikki." The Prisoner answered with pride. It was her name and she hated that she had to give it to someone who did not deserve to know it.
"Vikki." Hummed Roleil licking her lips in delight. "Quite a name. How peculiar. And where do you come from?" Roleil brushed Vikki's face with the back of her hand this time making her shudder from her cold touch. "Is it a village in the outer lands? Do you reside from the great sea? What is your people like? I want to know."
"And why should I tell you that?" Retorted Vikki. Even though she was not of the world and her own people are far more than safe from, Roleil she did deserve to know them for what she was.
"I will soon be all knowing and powerful, darling. No one in this world will dare stand against me. Fire Keep will know who rules all and eventually the world entire. I believe I made it clear when I took the, Kings daughter and brought her to where those like her belong." Roleil gestured to the girl by the throne who only gave, Vikki a melancholy look staying silent.
"Teegra why don't you finish that pear for our guest and prepare my bed chambers!" Ordered Roleil and Teegra set the tray down on the arm rest and unhooked the chain from her neck and took the pear and graciously ate at it and hurried out of the tent not before giving, Vikki one last look.
"Once one knows their place then my generosity is clear. Don't you see?" Asked Roleil giving Vikki playing grin.
"Its nothing but an illusion!" Said Vikki but then was met by another slap from, Roleil on the other side of her face her ears ringing, and her face felt aflame.
"You will soon understand it. We will have plenty of time to get to know one another. Make our guest comfortable. She has plenty to tell us later." Ordered Roleil and the sub-human dragged Vikki to the side of the tent where two hanging chains hung from above attached to two metal rods that held up the tent. Vikki was quickly locked in place with her two wrists bound in the shackles standing near the edge of the tent.
Once she was set in place the Sub-Human left her along with Roleil giving Vikki one last devious smile before leaving the tent. Vikki tried to move but the chains already were so short they already stretched out as far as they could go, and her arms were already starting to feel unpleasant from the position. Once again she has found herself trapped by a tyrant who knew nothing but cruelty and malice. Her only desire is to take over the world and worse of all her army was not one of loyalists or people that believed in her goals they were mindless savages bent on serving her in a way she only sees fit.
That made Roleil even more of a monster than that of those Vikki once knew, even the one responsible for exiling her. Least it seemed she had those that followed her willingly due to greed and admiration over her but, Roleil was a tyrant unlike, Vikki ever known before. This was a serious situation as she stood chained to the enemies main tent and surrounded by her army within a fortress. This was very bad and, Vikki could only stand there and think of how was it she got herself in this mess and wondered more about that poor girl that was, Roleil's slave. "The Kings daughter" Roleil had said before. How was she able to capture her if she came from Fire Keep that was supposed to be an impenetrable fortress? So many questions but now was not the time for those. What Vikki had to do now was think of a way to see more of the fortress and figure out a way to escape not just for herself now but for the prisoner that had been there a lot longer than she has.