Saellina Darkwood's Story

The belly was soft and inviting. Blood ran down his lips as he tore at the fresh meat. The rat squealed as he bit into it, struggling frantically in his hands. His belly rumbled and he swallowed. By the third bite the rat had ceased its actions, and he was feeling almost content.
Suddenly the sound of footsteps echoed into the alley. He froze, fearing even to chew or swallow, his face covered in blood and hair. He listened in terror, still like a statue. Click clack. The scuffing of approaching boots, they were a little light in sound, probably not a guard; as such the hungry elf remained in his feeding corner. The footsteps passed by his hiding spot and he saw a petite young girl with long red hair and some simple attire. She smelled like pastry and pies. Oh she smelled tasty. His indecision clearly showed; attacking her could be a major risk in his current state. But he was very hungry, almost famished. Need and hunger overpowered the desire for safety, and the elf launched himself on the red haired girl.
His clammy body pushed her face first to the floor, making her utter a small shriek of fear, while his hands frantically searched for food or anything worthwhile. “You smell like pies, where are ya pies?!” Desperation and greed dictated the elf’s facial expressions, which stirred even greater fear in his young victim.
“I don’t have anything on me, please let me go” she said while tears spilled over her face.
“You lie, I smell it. Give it to me! Give it!” The elf’s hands had only found some small change but his desperation made him believe that there was food hidden somewhere. He started petting her down between her legs and found a small knife tied to her thigh. The petite girl started sobbing while the elf looked fascinated at the finger long shiv, its grip plainly decorated with little pieces of fabric and metal that was clearly homemade.
Slowly recovering herself while the elf was distracted she noticed how slim the elf was, his bones were clearly visible. With a soft hesitant voice she spoke to the elf. ‘I-I-I work for a pastry s-shop w-which is why I carry the scent. I-If you want, I could get you some?’
The soft voice drew the elf out of his thoughts. He appeared skeptical, a sure hint of mistrust on his face.
“You can keep my knife till I got you some, then we c-could trade?” Her face painted by tears, with an elf sitting on top of her and still she somehow managed to appear honest and more confident.
The elf seemed to be swayed with the promise of food, yet he still looked hesitant.
“Maybe I could give you some leftovers now and then in the future as well? You look hungry, think it would be good for you.” With more confidence, she almost sounded motherly.
The elf’s eyes turned anxious and slightly sad like he suddenly started to feel guilty over his actions. “Really? You would do that for the likes of me?”
“Of course I would, it’s not your fault. What is your name?” She slowly crawled herself up, the elf gave little resistance.
“Marthill, m-my name is Marthill.”
The pastry girl was now in a sitting position with the elf sitting across of her, noticing he still was holding her shiv. “My name is Saellina, nice to meet you Marthill.” She reached out her right hand forcing him to put away the shiv before shaking it.
“N-nice to meet you too.” After a short pause he continued. “You ain’t lying are ya? You giving me food?”
She smiled kindly. “Of course I will give you some food, look at you, you need it.” She started brushing off dust of his shoulders like a mother hen.
Marthill looked at his feet in embarrassment. “Been livin’ on the streets for sometime ma’am. Damn bloody anti-nonhuman guidelines. Nothin’ more than scraps and rats to eat now. None will take me coin.”
Saellina looked at the famished elf thoroughly, guessing he wasn’t much older than her sixteen summers. Could have even been considered handsome if he wasn’t so famished and dirty. “Well you just wait here, the pastry shop isn’t far. I’ll be back in a few.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll be hidin’ meself somewhere tho.” the elf sounded enthusiastic due the promise of food before he went crawling back into the shadows, finding some corner to hide him. The girl send a comforting smile and ran to her pastry shop, where she knew leftovers would be thrown away since the shop closed up about right now.
Using a large handkerchief she enveloped the leftovers which she carried with her back to the alley where she had been assaulted. She ran, fast, she had to return to her quarters by sundown else she wouldn’t be let inside. Saellina took a sharp corner and entered the alley, searching it while her eyes adjusted to the shadows. The elf was easily found, for he lay in the middle of the alley. A pool of dark blood surrounding him while his once suspicious eyes now stared empty into the sky. The shiv he had taken from her was stained with blood, but it was clear his opponent must have had a bigger sword, for the wounds and slashes were large.
The petite girl gasped, while renewed tears fell for this poor desperate soul. “No, no no no. You promised to hide...” She leaned next to the cold body and closed his eyelids with a gentle motion. Crossing his arms and laying her shiv underneath them, she prayed in silence for his soul. May it lead to fields of green and skies bound blue.
Loud footsteps interrupted the private ceremony, clear scruffs of heavy feet. “What do we have here? An elf lover perhaps?” said a deep voice from behind her, quickly followed by the laughter of several men.
Saellina turned her head towards the insulter and saw an armed group of guards. The one grinning was clearly the origin of the comment, blood dripping off his blade and armor. “I didn’t know him, but every soul deserves a prayer.” she said defiantly before rising up. Her stance had no effect on the guards, who towered a few heads above her tiny stature. “Sympathizers are just as bad as those dirty creatures themselves, see no reason to let you out and about.” The guard grabbed a handful of her hair and a sadistic smile split his face. “Heard somewhere that children of red hair were witches’ offspring. So might be best that you are coming with us to the mines.”

Her candle had died out among a puddle of wax, but the dawn was blazing through the shutters of her window. She had fallen asleep over her studies again. Books and maps covered her table, tall stacks of them. Ink and pens, some parchments soiled due to her carelessness. She had collected them herself, after wasting half the night in dusty vaults searching. The steward had been right; the book vaults needed to be sorted and listed. Shamefully there were none who could read or write currently in service, or at least none she could spare for the task. So she would be forced to spend half her tactical preparations searching in dark unlit vaults till it had been sorted out.
Pushing aside her heavy red hair, binding it in a ponytail for comfort, she searched for the jug she had been drinking water from all night. Her fingers wandered blindly to the spot she left it last and grasped its glass neck only to discover it was empty. A deep sigh emanated from her throat as she forced herself to stand and walk to the balcony, taking a break to stare at the extraordinary view. Before her lay an army; soldiers, tents, horses, and everything else that came along such an campaign. Just imagining this was all hers to command, it filled her with pride but also with a mountain of worries. Suddenly her view faded and a hard pain snapping at her pulled Saellina out of her dream state.
“Waking up again ey? Saw you were out of it there for a while. Dreaming ‘bout a better place? Maybe with your little elfboy perhaps?”
Saellina was chained at her neck like cattle and was dragged along by some burly guards, her captors, and the guard who spoke to her liked to hold his face close to hers while tugging her chain. ‘Monstrosities’ she would have thought if she had not feared that they might hear or know. A hard tug on her chain made her fall over. No, no, no, I can’t fall. He’ll punish me again. No, can’t fall, must stand. Somehow she managed the balance herself.
“Talk to me sweetling. Tell me your name.”
My name. A scream caught in her throat. They had taught her the name; burnt it into her memory with brutal atrocities that brought tears to her eyes with mere recollection, even if the shards she could remember were few in number. If I say it wrong, he’ll hurt me again, hit me again, or worse, he’ll... he’ll... She should not recall it; she would not think about that, she could not think about it. “Please,” she squeaked, her voice thin and weak. Frail like a brittle foster wife. “Please, I won’t do anything bad, don’t hurt me....”
“Shaggi.” said one of the larger guards “Your name is Shaggi, remember?” He was one with the crossbow, and on his left walked the one with the lazy eye; Dagger and Hitch they were called.
Shaggi? Tears ran down her cheeks. “I remember, I do.” Her mouth opened and closed. “Shaggi is my name, for I am filthy and like my clothes ripped.” In her dreams and blackouts she had no need of a name, so it was easily forgotten. Shaggi, they called her.

(co-written by Causa Mortis and Wraith)

The fresh ocean breeze clashed hard with the smell of filth that got dragged out of the boat; new mine workers of all kinds, murderers, rapists, mages, but the bulk of the cargo consisted out of non-human races. Most had spent the trip across sea cramped together in small cells while the guards entertained themselves with whomever they pleased, courtesy of Lady Delilah. She had traveled on the same boat above deck and had partaken sporadically in the desecration herself. It was clear who’s pocket Saellina’s captor served. The Captain, named Garren, had namely regularly tried to impress Delilah with the tricks he had taught his new toy Shaggi. ‘Don’t speak when not spoken to’ was the easiest, while ‘presenting’ herself was the hardest; an intricate way of standing leaned forward with an arched back and spread legs. Captain Garren was a rough and harsh teacher. Every slight mistake had been punished swiftly with a slaver’s whip, and when she completely messed up by dislocating her shoulder and popping it back in several times. Two weeks on sea was a long time in the hands of such a man, yet Saellina had survived, even if she was barely aware of her own existence by the end. Her mind was blank and warped, while her body’s appearance said thousands of words. Her hair was thick with filth and entangled, blocking out most of her eyesight. Red scars decorated her back and bruises her front, yet she had not resisted. Shaggi was a good girl. Saellina’s feet shuffled over the dock while her captors held her chain leash. It was all she could muster for there was little strength left in her frail body. The loud voice of Captain Garren was easily heard amongst the shouting of sailors climbing the masts.
“Get the dirty fuckers as quick as possible to the mines. Lady Delilah will want to see the sorry lot with the others.” The guard being addressed nodded and started shouting orders while the mass of prisoners started to move toward their new home. “We’ll station our camp near the entrance while the nobles go browsing their fucking wares.” shouted Garren at his crew.
Once the small camp had been set up Saellina was bound to a pole where at its foot her broken and tired body quickly fell asleep in a dreamless state. Pain was everywhere, as was fear; it had become an ever existing state of mind which she could not free herself from. I am weak, I am worse then pitiful. I am only Shaggi, I am only a toy. I am... I am... nothing. I’m his, his, his... Her voice repeated the last thoughts out loud repeatedly while she sobbed in her sleep.
"Stop. Fucking. Whining. Bitch." If the girl had been sleeping, even tormented by nightmares, she was not for much longer once the rough, oversized fist twisted into her matted hair and dragged her to her feet. "You know how fuckin' hard it is to find some peace and quiet in the gods damned badlands Shaggi?" It was snarled while he unhitched whatever pitiful excuse for restraint they had bothered to leash her with that day. The temperatures could rise high enough to make it uncomfortable without cover, which the girl would not have had at her pole.
Saellina had bit back a scream at the rough awakening, having learned that it only brought more suffering. “I-I’m sorry. I’m sorry, m-master. I’m sorry...” she cried.
He turned his back on her and took steps farther away from the center of the encampment, toward another stake driven into the sandy soil on its perimeter, his grip on her head undeterred. It was as if she were some form of rag doll to be moved about at his whim. "It's gettin' so it’s not even worth it, keepin' you out here much longer Shaggi bitch.." he said over his shoulder conversationally. "Maybe the wild dogs will make some use of your elf lovin' ass..or the trolls. Hear they're fond of the human bitches down here." The captain shoved her toward the ground, dropping into his own crouch as he looped the ends of rope to the stake. "Either'll be better than what's waitin' for you at the mines Shaggi." He shook his head in a cruel sort of empathy. "Bad place for a human bitch...with all those animals. Think they'll give a fuck you're an elf lover Shaggi?" He bared his teeth at her in the facade of a grin. "Don't think so Shaggi. So you better be fucking appreciative that I'm keeping you out here." He pushed to his feet again, towering over her form. "And that would include letting a man get a fucking few minutes of peace and quiet while he's workin'."
“Yes, master. I’m sorry master,” was all she could utter before he lift his boot for good measure; its toe offered a glancing blow across her temple. It was a casual enough blow that it might not knock her out completely, but it would leave its mark, and the teen with a spinning head. Without a backward look Saellina's way he was making his way back toward the entrance of his tent again.

Warm candle light decorated the hall, casting lively shadows on the walls. The hall smelt of men, beer, and semi-decent meals like any good mess hall should. Loud laughter sounded from the throats of the soldiers spending their past time here, while the lute player sang out his most unsavoury songs; a performer was never wrong playing those among soldiers.
The song ended and the performer made a short bow. “Thank you, thank you, but now for the main attraction...” The young handsome lute player bowed towards one of the table close to the stage; a few officers and a female soldier seemed to occupy it. “Ma’am, would you be so kind and share the stage with me?” A sly smile decorated the performer’s face while he looked at the young female general.
Loud cheering erupted from among the soldiers. Some called ‘Crimson, Crimson’, others ‘Sae, Sae’.
The addressed red-haired woman was clearly affected by the cheering and all she could do is stand up with a smile before yelling, “Of course I’ll sing for you raunchy lot!” The hall shook by the joined cheer of men while she climbed the stage and whispered something in the performer’s ear. The handsome performer pulled out his lute and started playing a familiar tune. The red-haired soldier starting singing a common sailor song about a lord and his lusty maid; the crowd cheered and quickly joined in for the couplet. It took several minutes before the hall quiet down after the song had ended; the female soldier still remained on stage however, urging them to listen.
“Now my loving boys, some quiet for those we lost on the battlefields this last year. Some quiet for those we will miss and carry in our hearts forever.” The crowd grew still quickly and some soft mumbled prayers could be heard for those who had died. The silence grew cold and painful until a clear loving voice broke it with a warming, bittersweet song.
“Alone and far behind,
are my wife and bed.
Fire and steel, lies ahead
and so many shadows, in the night to tread.
Run strong, run true,
bring back those hidden in the shade.
for I miss my brothers and memories fade,
my ill demise and memories fade.
oh ho oh,
oh, memories fade.”

Saellina was pulled awake from her dream by a boot prodding her shoulder.
“Get up ya lil vermin, boss want ya helpin’ him bathe. Go get, don’t forget hot wat-er.” She had learned not to wait to be told twice and quickly rose to her feet running. The camp existed of several tents now, with those of the other nobles were close by and you could see their tent masts. It was lively with several fires burning, some for cooking food others surrounded by soldiers entertaining themselves with a cup of dice. Saellina hurried up to the fire specifically made for heating water, it stood near the border of the camp; there were quite some baths to fill with all the nobles here, so a separate fire had to be kept up. She slung a stick on her back so she could balance a bucket of hot water on each end. Dragging the weight while shuffling to Captain Garren’s tent she barely looked further ahead then her own feet.
To her own demise she did not see Delilah storming into the camp, nor did she respond quick enough to avoid a collision with the fair lady. Hot water splashing everywhere Saellina fell on her behind struggling to see who she clashed with. When she brushed her wet red hair to aside to see, fear gripped her heart when she saw it was Lady Delilah. No, no, no, I had been doing so well... Tears flowed freely down her face while she grovelled on her knees in front of Lady Delilah.
“I’m so sorry, so, so, sorry ma’am.” Despair was making her stutter uncontrollably “I-I-I d-didn’t see, I-I-I swear ma’am. S-s-so sorry M-Ma’am.”

(Co-written by Causa Mortis and Wraith)

The sting of hot water against sensitive skin was what first drew Delilah out of the haze of frustration in which she stormed, and it was with an almost feral pinning of her irises that jade fire fell on the woman who was groveling in front of her. There was hardly a beat that passed before she reacted, not with words, but with a cold-blooded reach down for the bucket that had fallen off its support pole. A violent swing of the solid container knocked squarely into the side of Saellina’s head, hard enough that teeth might be dislodged, and its metal rivets tore a gash into her skin from which blood splattered onto Delilah’s damp gown, before flowing in a steady rivulet down the girl’s face.
“That was my favorite, fucking, dress Shaggi. Look what you’ve done.” Her voice was dread. “How are you going to pay for that Shaggi? You can’t..can you? You elf loving bitch! You can’t fucking pay for any of it!” Delilah reached down to grab a handful of her hair to yank her head back. “Who let you off your leash anyway? Where the fuck is Garren? This is what fucking happens when you let the animals out..” Venom dripped from her lips. “We’ll make sure you remember to watch where you’re going next time, won’t we Shaggi? Yes, we will.” And she was screaming for the captain again dragging the bleeding red head behind her as she walked, a blood stained soaked mess.

Captain Garren jumped out of his tent half undressed lured by the angry screaming which only could be Lady Delilah's. She looked like she just fell in a pond of water and was dragging a bleeding and crying red head with her. He just knew this didn't bode well.
"My dear lady Delilah, what did the dumb creature do to you?" he spoke tentatively which contrasted with the stare of disgust aimed at Saellina. He turned to one of his aids "Get Lady Delilah some of her clothes, quickly. If you take too fucking long you'll be sharing that whore's punishment."

"Don't ask asinine questions Garren," the woman snapped at the captain. "I'd think it was pretty damned obvious what she's done. More to the point, what the hell is she doing wandering about to make the mess in the first place?" Delilah was livid, and the captain would not be spared a dose of her ire. "If you can't remember how to be competent captain, you can be relieved easily enough. Do not make the mistake of thinking yourself irreplaceable." If he was close enough he would find himself suddenly in the grip of her free hand, fingers closed around his throat and just close enough to his jaw that a blood smeared thumb could drift sensually over his bottom lip. She withdrew her hand, only to return a stinging slap to his cheek. "Now get me a fucking brand..if you can be that useful..I'm going to teach this bitch a lesson she won't soon forget.."

Garren was extremely agitated himself but knew how to suppress it, attending to his obedience first. "Yes, ma'am. Of course ma'am." He turned to one of his soldiers. "Get the horse brand and be quick about it." Her grip on his neck had left an impression; the playfulness she had with pain and sensuality excited him, just as the fury staring out of her eyes did. Priorities, priorities, he thought, trying to focus himself on the danger at hand. He should make sure to recover his station with Lady Delilah if he could, but her orders took priority.
The girl was still in the grip of Delilah and was shaking with fear; seeing her master almost grovel to this Lady's orders said enough about the situation for her. Maybe if I apologize.... no, no, better not speak. You are Shaggi, master will punish properly for her misdeeds. He is a reasonable man, sure he is, yes, yes. Saellina's mind was truly warped by despair.
"Sir." The aid had just brought in the fresh clothes for Lady Delilah.
"Bring them to my tent." Garren then addressed Lady Delilah "Whenever you want you can change in my tent. I'll bring in some beverage as well, while we wait till my men finish heating the brand properly." He indicated towards his tent, opening the entrance for her.

Delilah was almost lost to blood lust, and ironically, the very cause of her current anger and desire to inflict suffering had almost been forgotten. Vague awareness of how she must appear filtered into her mind, and the claw hold she had on the red head was released suddenly enough to send that girl crumpling to the ground if she had not been holding herself up. A faint touch of fingertips to her own face and dress, and the aristocrat was turning a half look over her shoulder to the mess that was her slave. "Make sure she doesn't get away.." Jade ice sparked. "And make sure the brand is as hot as it can get." She touched her tongue to suddenly dry lips. Maybe she could use a drink, after all, and It wouldn't do to be seen out and about looking anything less than perfect. As she crossed into the tent, the woman was peeling out of her dress, shamelessly naked in front of the captain, used to tormenting the man, like any other, with what he could only dream of possessing if she permitted.It was empowering, her use of sex to tame the world, and she would be sure to put on a show for him as she stepped into his newly provided garments. Only when she was clean, dry and newly dressed, did she turn toward the captain in search of that refreshment that he had offered.

Her undressing had quite the desired effect, for he felt that his guard breeches had suddenly tightened up quite a bit. Garren's aid quickly took the wet garments away for drying while other aids placed two chairs and a table for the Captain and Lady Delilah; refreshing wine was brought to the table and poured into two glasses. Garren pulled out one of the chairs and gestured Delilah to sit down.
"Ma'am, I mistakenly thought the little whore was making progress. It seems I still have much to learn. You are always so capable in handling these filthy creatures, I must have been too eager." Garren truly admired Delilah's capabilities and feared that outside of her influence he'd never be able to explore his sadistic desires. Yet he couldn't pretend it was only that he'd fear missing out on; her sensuality aroused him immensely. The easy way she could toy with him, even while he was aware of being manipulated, excited him to no end.

Delilah scarcely bothered to pay attention to his words, her attention wandering just beyond the tent opening to what she could see of Shaggi tied to a stake just beyond the entrance. The glass was raised and drained in two hard swallows, and she was licking the sweetness of the liquid off her lips. The anticipation was palpable, and arousing, knowing what was about to happen, what she'd be able to feel rushing through her blood. The captain would be the recipient now, of that temporary shift in mood. "It's good to be eager sometimes, captain.." Jade was half shuttered by a sweep of dark lashes, and she leaned across the table to lay hold of his throat again. This time she hooked her thumb between his lips to rest on his teeth, and dragged his jaw apart. "There is nothing quite so satisfying as getting what you want. No?" She leaned in, closing the distance between them until her mouth was hovering just over his. The promise of the kiss was a torment, but the lips only twisted in that cold, wicked smile that was uniquely hers before she murmured. "Let's burn the bitch.." And pushed abruptly to her feet. Without a backward look she was heading for the entrance.

Garren's thoughts of worry had been swallowed by her words and the hints of desire he had been dreaming of many the night. For some reason she had always known where his boundary of self-control lied, consistently withdrawing just before he'd lose all sense and take up on his desires by force. Due to the excitement and his sexual frustrations, he really desired for an outlet; suddenly he was very pleased that Shaggi had provided a perfect excuse for doing so. He followed Delilah in pursuit, only stating "My pleasure, ma'am."
The soldier he had sent returned with a burning hot brand in his hand. "Captain, as you desired." He bowed, intending to hand out the brand to his captain, but Delilah snapped it out of his fingers. Slightly confused, he stepped back when he saw the captain nod, approving Delilah's action.
Saellina was barely aware of her situation with her mind still warped in fear. It was when she saw Delilah grabbing the brand that she realized that her punishment might be worse then she could have imagined. Her facet green eyes stood wide of horror. She had seen cows being branded on the cattle market after being sold, but there were no cows here nor was there a sale taking place.

Delilah was in her element. The fear she could see sparking in the slave's eyes was like an endorphin rush, pushing her to higher levels of pleasure and want, and her fingers curled around the cool shaft of the red hot metal brand. The over-sized, sweeping, almost feminine lines of script that were the initials D and L seemed to pulsate with the fire of their own anticipation and greed for Saellina's flesh.
"Do you know what this is Shaggi?" she purred as she stepped closer to the bound girl."Of course you do..You're not nearly as stupid as your treachery with the elf would seem to indicate." Her lips twisted in the facade of a smile. "Garren found you most amenable to instruction. Did you not captain?" Her attention didn't turn away from her victim even as she spoke to the soldier on her flank. "Perhaps you will be more mindful of how you walk in my territory, Shaggi, if you can remember that you are mine as well.." Delilah's voice was cold now, emotionless an there was to be no more waiting. "Strip her." The biting command came, given to no one in particular, but the noble expected her victim naked before her, and without much more of a wait or someone else might get a taste of the brand too.

The Captain was enthralled by the excitement of what was to come, and as such quickly responded to Delilah's command, slapping Saellina square across her face before tearing off the little ragtag of a garment she was wearing. The little dirty pieces of cloth were thrown aside while Garren took an eyeful of the teenager's slender naked appearance. If it weren't for the dirt, bruises, blood, and tears she would have looked appealing he thought while musing with self-indulgence over the work he had done. "All yours ma'am." was all he said when stepping back to Delilah's flank.
Her body was cold, she was still partly wet due the accident before but the water had cooled in the fresh air. Yet it wasn't the cold that had Saellina shivering, it was the unending angst for what her master and the noble had planned for her. Her eyes teared and her voice creaked miserably in an apologetic tone while her master ripped of her clothes. The strain on her mind was close to its limit; whatever Delilah had in mind it would break her.

Delilah had pain in mind, and suffering, and that was what Saellina would endure. In the condition that the teenager was in, it wouldn't take much for the sole of Delilah's shoe to press her to the ground on her back, and the weight of the aristocrat would be brought to bear on the slave's thin shoulders, pinning her there. Looking up, Saellina would have the picture burned into her memory as surely as it would be into her flesh, of the beautiful, evil face of the aristocrat as the searing metal drew close. "You can count yourself lucky, Shaggi..that my brands are too grand to fit on your cheek, but make no mistake about it, the world will not fail to recognize whose you are.." she hissed. And Shaggi would never forget it, either. There would be no further delay then, before the press of fire and metal to the flesh just across her breastbone came, sinking too, into the edges of what paltry weight of her breasts remained present.The meat of her body sizzled, and the distinct odor of burning clung to the air. If there was screaming, it would be mingled with the sound of almost maniacal laughter on Delilah's part, and the noble held metal to flesh for as long as instinct told her the girl's body could take before shock might steal her life altogether. A dead toy, was no toy at all. Saellina's suffering, every agonizing moment of it would be absorbed as if the aristocrat fed on her outcries, and it was only when she finally dropped the brand with her own breasts heaving on caught breaths, that she looked around, becoming aware of the eyes and ears that were cast her way, some with horror in their depths. It seemed that only Garren had enjoyed this torture as much as she did. His own breath heaving like he had been running for miles.

There was no light, everything was dark. She could not see, she could not feel. Everywhere she turned was darkness; some kind of blackness, though it felt more like something else, like the absence of light itself. She had no idea where she had ended up, or how she had gotten here in the first place.
“I brought you here.” whispered a woman’s voice, shrewd in tone. The voice seemed to come from no particular direction.
“W-who, who are you? Where are you?” the little girl said with a squeaky voice full of fear, she had become afraid of the dark.
“Poor, poor, Shaggi. Don’t you know?” A devilish laughter split the air as a shadow stepped out of the darkness, slowly taking form in front of Shaggi’s eyes. Its final form resembled that of a girl. Its body gradually filled with color, the shadow’s hair blazed with red like it was on fire as it fell on her shoulders.
“I am you.” In seconds the shadow had finished its transformation into Shaggi’s mirror image, but on closer inspection it appeared slightly older and taller. “Well...” the dark shadow copy lifted Shaggi’s chin, staring her into her green eyes with so similar as to her own. “I am what you could be.” The shadow had a crooked grin unlike any Shaggi had seen before.
“H-how? W-what are you?” The girl was clearly petrified because of the shadow creature before her.
“I’m your protector, your only hope, your savior....” Still staring down on little Shaggi a small shimmer played through its eyes. The shadow seemed amused.
“I-I don’t n-need protection.” stuttered the little girl.
The looming shadow laughed filling the dark space around her with a seemingly long echo. “Really? I guess I should send you back then. To... them.” The pause was so ominous and fitting to the sudden appearance of Lady Delilah and Captain Garren, who both stared at Shaggi with delicious sadism in their greedy smiles.
“Lucky Shaggi, you loved my branding didn’t you filthy cow?”
Shaggi screamed and fell immediately into a wave of memories on the torture she had just undergone under Delilah’s hands. “No, no, no, please no, not again!” Tears flowed freely over her cheeks , turning to the shadow. “Send them away, please, I’ll do anything!”
The shadow simply nodded and drew a sword out of the air and felled both Delilah and the Captain in single blow. Hereafter it turned back to Shaggi. “Sweet, good Shaggi. You are such a good girl.” The shadow copy leaned over and petted Shaggi over her head. “Tell me you’ll serve me till death and I’ll protect you till mine.”
“Yes ma’am, yes, yes, I’ll serve you. Shaggi is a loyal girl, Shaggi knows her place; till I die, till I die.” The little girl pleaded with all her heart. Hope filling her while she clutched on the shadow’s dress.
While petting her head the shadow whispered, “Good girl. You did well.”
Suddenly the darkness surrounding them started shifting in great amount of forms, shadows springing from them like leaves of a tree. Shaggi screamed while dozens of shadows crawled inside her mouth, stretching her jaws till all of them had crawled their way in. Devilish laughter echoed everywhere.

Saellina calmly and elegantly stepped into the tent, appearing to Captain Garren as if the mutilation she had received only a day before had actually revitalized her; swaying her hips while walking towards him; it was like an exact copy of how Delilah walked. Garren felt a sense of confusion and pride; he was unsure how he had done it, but he truly believed she had finally molded to his design. “Good Shaggie. I need you to help me bathe.” The captain pointed to the recently filled bath.
“Yes, Master.” Was all Saellina said in an obedient tone. She followed him to the bathtub and helped him in and he lowered his bulky body into the warm water till it reached collarbones. Saellina proceeded soaping him in her hands caressing his broad muscled chest with a sensual touch, slowly playing with him while her fingers slowly progressed down. Garren was completely lost in the teasing touch while he leaned back with his eyes closed; his mind had completely forgotten any sense and he felt like he was in the hands of his beloved Lady.
“Does this please you Master?” a soft whisper said in his ear.
“Yes.” Was all the captain could stumble while his body desired for lust and his arousal showed through the clear soapy water. The girl had one hand touch his excitement briefly before going back up, teasing him close to his lost for urges. Saellina proceeded stroking his strong jaw while her other hand brushed shaving foam on it. One hand kept toying with him while her other prepared him for a close shave. With a short flick the shaving knife snapped open in the girl’s hand which startled the captain out of his euphoria for a short time, before she slowly let the knife shave his stubbles leaving a patch of soft skin open. Saellina hummed an old lullaby she remembered from a dream, while the knife shaved him step by step.
By the last step Garren had already lost himself underneath the touch of the girl he had abused and tortured for the last few weeks without end. Which is why it surprised him that there was blood drifting in his bathwater. The girl must have shaved to close, messed up shaving; he was about to chastise the girl but he was unable to speak. It was then when he saw a crooked grin on the sweet little girl’s face, a grin he would not have expected to see on Saellina’s face.
“I rather would have given you a slow painful death master, but I have somewhere to go.” The devilish grin said before his vision blurred to the endless darkness. The girl left her torturer bleeding out in the bath when she proceeded out of the tent, where she addressed the guards outside. “Master wishes to rest after his bath, no one should disturb him.” Her voice carried the same submissive tone Shaggie would have used and the guards only nodded in understanding before she left the premises of the camp. Her petit figure disappearing among the shadows of the woods close by.