the other kingdom

Estelle - capture part 2

When she woke she was strapped to a tree facing a small clearing in the forest. Beside her strapped by his metal cuffs to a tree was Torin. His short blonde hair hung down over his forehead and his head was drooped but she saw his eyes open. He made eye contact with her then. Estelle broke away first and looked around the clearing. A small pit had been dug and packs were laid by it , but the witches and their dragons were gone.

Then she heard torins throat clear and she turned to him again.

He had not been gagged and so he whispered to her , "they went looking for someone, they just left us here". His voice was trembling. If thats what they did to people in their lands what would they do to her and Torin. Estelle nodded and turned her head to the side. A tear escaped her eye and she squashed it onto her shoulder , he wouldn't see her weakness.

Time passed and Estelle had began to shiver. Her bones ached from not moving. The prince was asleep now. Even if he had his power, he was no match for three witches. He would likely use it all up on one and two would be left waiting to kill him. With that thought in her head she was lulled into a fitful sleep.

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Warmth enveloped her. She opened her eyes to see a witch close to her face , wrapping her in a warm cloak. Then the witch reached round Estelle's head , she tensed , but the witch undid the gag. She stood and walked away then. This gave estelle a view of the camp. Another boy was strapped to a tree to her right. He was bound tightly and though he was gagged he met her eyes and they exchanged a glance. Then her eyes were torn from his when the witch approached her with a steaming bowl.

"We always feed a witchling , half breed or not", the witch spoke.

Estelle saw as the boy to her right made a gasp at that. With the her wild hair pulled tight over her ears he didn't see she was a half breed. Her cheeks flushed.

But then bigger fears arised. The witch crouched next to her. But she was gentle as she lifted Estelle's head away from the tree and lifted the bowl to her lips. It was good she had a hold of her head because the sleeping potion from before was still pulling her eyes shut after however long it had been. She sipped slowly and the witch made coaxing sounds. Estelle savoured the flavour of the broth and the meats that had been cooked inside. Once estelle was done with the warm soupy liquid the witch moved the bowl away. It was the most delicious tasting soup she had ever tasted.

"No food for either the Fae or mountain prince , you're lucky girl. However i don't think they'd like the blood too much", the witch rasped and cackled when she saw Estelle's astonished expression.

Before Estelle realised what the witch had said about two princes , or the blood which she had just gulped down , she felt a dull throb in her head. More sleeping potion. Her head lolled to the right again , and she closed her eyes to the second prince staring right at her.