Swapped Fate

36: A Tender Gesture.

The law of Adania Nation condemned many things. One of them was murder, and another was the consumption of human flesh.

Ogres were carnivorous beings with a palate for humans. It was said they had their own territory in the Wispy mountains north of Adania, neighbouring the Orc territory and Forest of Despair. Because of their man-eating nature, they were confined to the forests and banned from the city.

And so to witness one leisurely strolling about this place shook me to the bone.

Why was he here? How did he get into the city? Why was nobody batting an eye?

The mountain before me grinned, showing off crooked yellow teeth. "Delicious little thing you are. It would be a waste not to take you back with me."

"You can't do that," I stated, although my voice came out just a little bit wobbly. "By the law of the land-"

His barrel belly shook with a loud boisterous laugh that made my heart sink.

"The law doesn't exist down here, little girl!" he howled and leaned forward.

I stepped back, but met his menacing one-eye stare with a glare I hoped was just as menacing. Deep inside of me, however, I knew I was in a rather tight spot. I had nothing to defend myself with. He was four times my size, with height to boot. The giant could easily fling me over his wide shoulder, and no amount of fist-pounding from me could deter him.

Blast, if only I had some kind of weapon!

"I will not go with you!" I shouted, ensuring my voice carried above the noise. Perhaps there was a being nearby who could come to my aid. Maybe Rowe could hear my valiant screams and stop this vile creature from progressing with his plans.

His great eye peered down at me. "That is not for you to decide."

I breathed in deep until my lungs could take no more, and prepared to scream my throat out.

Suddenly, a hand was on my wrist, tugging me back. The air was knocked out of my lungs in a useless huff, and a figure of a man stepped in front of me.

My heart skipped a beat as I recognised him. "Tristan!"

"She's with me," Tristan declared, holding my wrist tightly.

The ogre leaned back. "You're one of the fighters."

My eyes widened. He was what?

"The law of the nation might not apply down here, but this arena still has rules." Tristan's voice was like gravel. "No fighting outside the ring. You raise so much as a finger against me, and you're cast out."

"Then get out of the way."

Tristan chuckled. There was no humour in it-only a languid wickedness. "You'll have to make me. You hit me, you're cast out. I blind you, I still get to fight in the ring as long as you made the first move. And believe me, there's nothing more I'd enjoy than gouge out that hideous eye. Now, who's got more to lose?"

The ogre sneered, his wide nostrils wrinkling as he snorted deeply. He then spat to the side-a wad of saliva so thick and green I was sure it contained more mucus than spit.

Yuck.

He then turned and walked away.

I was still grimacing and fighting nausea when Tristan turned to me, only to instantly go off.

"Mavis, what in bloody bollocks are you doing-!"

And ceased, his eyes darting over my form. His voice was softer when he next spoke. "What happened to you?"