Orc Bait - Chapter 3 - Part 1

Chapter 3 - Part 1

-0856, day 29 month 06, Ulrich City

I watched as the angular stone parapets of the keep came into view over the treetops. It was the big keep, in the big castle, in the big city. The appearance of the huge building was a sign that I had been looking out for; a sign that we had reached our destination.

I was sitting on the deck of the cargo boat as it drifted down the river. I had bought passage from the city of Trujilo to the north. Duane and I had parted ways there. I had business in the capital and he was still in exile. He didn't want to risk going to Ulrich, home of the King who exiled him a decade ago.

We had collected the bounties on the orcs we had been hunting to the north-east, around Fangrind Forrest. It was a decent haul, and Duane's magic proved to be quite useful in our hunting trips, as we trapped and ambushed two separate orc patrols.

Duane was heading west, to Kabore's Tower. No doubt he would be enjoying the hospitality of his fellow wizard, who was still grateful for our freeing him and his tower from the mad witch, Aerowyn.

...Aerowyn; I wondered where she was now. If she was smart she would be far away. Her ex-coven sisters were hunting her down, as well as the wizard Kabore. I had a niggling feeling that she would come after me again, after I had subjected her to some rough payback. I often wondered if I had done the right thing letting her live.

Now it was mid-morning, the sturdy wooden river-boat had been travelling down the Urial River all yesterday, and through the night. The captain told me we would reach the coast by mid-morning.

The trees cleared from the river and gave way to plenty of farmland, with neatly ordered fields of crops and vegetables and fruit trees. I had a better view of the castle in the distance, surrounded by high grey stone walls. I sat cross-legged at the front of the deck, watching those walls slowly grow larger as we approached. The walls stretched out a great distance, encircling the entire city.

I breathed slowly and deeply as I sat there, getting into a semi-meditative state and preparing myself. As a ranger, I train to extend my senses, to maintain constant awareness of my surroundings. Out in the wild, it is often necessary for your survival. In a large city such as Ulrich, there is so much constant activity, so much movement, and a steady barrage of sounds and smells, it can be overwhelming for someone like me who is not used to it.

I remember when I first came to Ulrich with my lover, Baden, all those years ago. I grew up as a farm-girl in the western riverlands. Travelling into our local village was an occasion for me. So when Baden had taken me to see the capital for the first time, I was completely blown away. I didn't know that they built walls that high. The huge castle looming over the city had me awe-struck. There were so many people, and so much activity and noise. I was in a daze for most of the short visit. The constant barrage on my senses got to be too much for me and I begged Baden to get me out of there.

I had been back a few times since then, and I know what to expect. I need to be aware of what's going on around me; the city is not without its dangers. But I also need to block out a lot of the activity, there is just too much for me to process. It's tiring, but I can handle it, and I didn't plan on staying too long.

Now the city wall loomed over me. We were heading into the north-east river entrance. The city was split apart by the Urial River, sitting at its mouth in the Bay of Manara. The walls parted for the river and there were two round towers on either side. The babble of sound was emanating beyond the gap and the cluster of strange smells were also drifting out. Gods, I had forgotten how much Ulrich stank.

Soldiers watched from the battlements as we passed through into the city. I could see the huge rusty steel chain hanging loosely from each tower and laying in the water. It could be hauled up to stretch across the full length of the river and bar the river access if needed.

I steadied my breathing as the boat made its way further in. I was now enclosed within the walls, among the buzzing hive of movement, noise and chaos. There were several other boats on the river, ranging in size from small two man ferries to the larger cargo boats like the one I was travelling on. I could see many, many people all along the river banks, going about their business. There were way too many people to observe. I found that a little unnerving.

The boat paddled along the river, taking me deeper into the city. It drifted under the large wooden bridge that stretched across the river. I watched the people and carts and wagons move over it. The boat found its way to the Western docks near the market district. Several other boats were moored at the wooden piers. Our boat found a vacant spot and smoothly settled into its place.

I stood up and took a deep breath. I was working to block out all the stimulus around me. It wasn't too bad, just uncomfortable for me. It wasn't anything I couldn't handle.

"Are you alright Miss Rohme?" came a voice behind me.

I turned to the bearded, middle-aged captain, "Yeah, I'm fine thanks, Halden." I looked over at the towering castle to the north, "That's always an impressive sight."

"Aye, it's an impressive castle. Shame about the useless little turd sitting the throne inside. I provided passage to Ulrich, as per our agreement. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

"No. Thank you captain. It's been a pleasant trip."

"It's been great having you, lass, your stories are amazing. I heard plenty of tales of the demon attack ten years ago--can't believe I have an actual hero who fought them aboard my boat. I will be heading back up the river day the after tomorrow, would you be looking for a trip north again then?"

"Possibly. I'll definitely seek you out if I am."

"You know where to find me. Good luck with your endeavours, Miss Rohme."

"And you, Captain."

I had my bow and quiver and light pack slung around my shoulders as I leapt onto the pier. A few burly dock workers were walking up, looking to unload the boat's cargo, which mainly consisted of drop bear pelts from the north.

One of the big, dark-skinned labourers stared at my full shapely breasts as he got near, with a slight smile on his rough face. I stepped past him and made my way off the pier. I stopped and got my bearings. I was at the western docks and the warehouse district. I just needed to follow the river toward the castle and I'd come to the main road, and the bridge that leads to Eastern Ulrich.

"Hello there, lovely lady." Dammit, someone had approached me without my knowledge, I hate this city. I quickly turned to the person who had spoken, a young man with scruffy long blonde hair. He was fairly short and thin, wearing a simple blue tunic with stained white sleeves and brown pants. "First time in the big city? You need someone to show you around?"

"No and no," I replied. I watched as two more young men approached. Both were bigger and stockier than the blonde man. One had closely cropped dark hair and a wide jaw, the other had scruffy medium length auburn hair and a short beard. I observed that each had daggers tucked into their waistbands. I looked the three of them over, sizing them up. Just a gang of petty street thugs.

The blonde guy looked me over with his shifty blue-grey eyes, "Aint no one who knows this city better than me. The name's Sticky Gabbel. These are my good friends Wilks and Brunad. What's your name pretty lady?"

"Rohme."

"And what brings you to this fine city, Rohme?"

"That's my business."

Sticky gave me a sly smile, "Sure it is. I was just bein' friendly, is all. I can help you out with whatever you need to do. I can tell you which innkeepers water down their grog less, which craftsmen don't overcharge quite as much, which parts of the city a pretty girl might want to avoid. Or if yer looking for a good time, we'd love to help you with that."

I eyed him warily, "You seem like such a helpful fellow, but I told you--I've been here before and I know where I want to go. I appreciate the offer sir..."

"Hey nice bow!" said the dark haired thug, reaching out for it.

I quickly swatted his hand away. "Look, but don't touch!"

He gave me a sleazy smile, "Sorry, you look like the kind of girl that would go for some touching."

"Be polite, Wilks," said Sticky. Then he looked my bow over, "That is a real nice bow. Elven? Worth a fair amount of coin by the look of it."

"It is. It also makes me a fair amount of coin...killing things."

Sticky smiled, "Yeah? What kind of things?"

"I'm not too particular," I said, staring him coldly in the eyes. Were they seriously targeting me? It's not too hard to believe I guess--a woman travelling alone, looking a little out of place. But I was way out of their league. It looked like this small-time crim was too overconfident or stupid to see that.

Sticky paused for a moment and then laughed, "Haha, I like you Rohme, come and hang out with us, we'll have us a good ol' time."

I looked the three men over again. Go with them for a good time, right! I could put them in their place, but a polite brush-off seemed the best option, "I don’t think so. I have better things to do, but it was a pleasure meeting you Sticky Gabbel."

"I'll come with you," said Sticky. "Whatever it is you need to do, I bet I could be of great help."

"No," I said firmly. "I'm sure there are others who need your friendly service more than me. Good day, gentlemen." I sidestepped past Wilks and walked away from them, down the street.

"Yeah, okay then. You take care, lovely lady." I heard Sticky call behind me. He said something to the others, but I didn't catch what it was over all the other noises around me.

I walked on down the cobbled street past other pedestrians and exhaled sharply. Lowlifes. I didn't need jerks like that bothering me. Part of me wanted to go with them and teach them a lesson, but I didn't need that kind of trouble right now. But then, the thought of them leading me down a dark alley and taking turns ravishing me also gave me a pang of excitement, my pussy tingled in my leather pants. Damn it, there goes my dirty mind again. Perhaps I would seek out a comely city man and get laid while I was here.

There was plenty of activity going on around me. I passed a cart parked outside a tavern--The Golden Hurricane, where men were unloading barrels. A couple of small children were playing in dirty puddles. Small groups of men and women were gathered and conversing. Half a dozen soldiers marched past.

I found the main road without any trouble. I could see the large Western gate in the distance, guarded by the Kings soldiers. I walked over the bridge that I had passed under in the boat not long ago, and crossed over to the eastern side of the river. To the south of me, along the riverbank, was the artisan's district. I could hear the clanging of hammers on metal from the blacksmiths among the barrage of noise.

My boots were getting worn, I needed to see a cobbler and get them resoled while I was there. I also needed to see a fletcher to replace my broken and lost arrows. But right then I was still following the main road east. I saw the large cathedral loom up ahead, just off the main road. My destination was close.

It was a two storey building facing an open plaza, opposite the large Felorian temple. The well-crafted hanging wooden sign displayed a quill and parchment and the word "Bookmaker." There was a large advertisement sheet hanging outside the door showing all the scripts the scribe had mastered. I walked past it and entered the shop.

A small copper bell attached to the door chimed as I entered the room and walked up to the sturdy wooden desk. Soon a man appeared from out the back and approached the desk, he was in his middle years, quite pudgy with a dark beard flecked with grey. He was wearing comfortable looking blue and grey robes.

He regarded me, and a look of recognition came over his face. "Ah, Good morning, Miss Walker. Welcome back. I had been expecting you. Have you been in the city long?"

"Good Morning, Master Herneis. No, I just got here."

"Indeed, so you are keen to see your book, I take it?"

"Yes please."

The man went into the rear of the shop and soon returned with a brown leather-bound book and placed it onto the desk in front of me. I picked it up and felt a pang of excitement as I read the title--"The Heroes of Acton." This was it, my own book. I was finally holding it in my hands. I didn't want to think about what I had to go through to get it.

I opened the cover and started turning through the pages. "I'm rather proud of that one," said Herneis. "...Despite the rather basic script you chose, I think it turned out quite well. We have started duplicating it, as you instructed in your message, and there are many shops keen to sell it. Adventure stories are proving to be quite popular at the moment."

I looked at the illustrated map which pointed out the locations of the events in the book, it seemed quite accurate. I flipped further into the book and stopped at a page which was filled with a rather complex illustration. "Sierra was much more beautiful than that! ...and Strafe was bigger." I looked at the strange-looking woman holding a bow taut in front of her, "Ugh! Is that supposed to be me?"

"I will pass your compliments on the illustrations along to Master Nathaniel. So, do you still wish to put all the profits back into duplicating and distributing more copies?"

"Yes, I want as many copies made as possible. I want to get this story out there."

"Then we shall keep producing the book for as long as we are able to sell it, taking our agreed upon cut, of course. I have submitted the manuscript to the crown and we are awaiting approval for distribution, but we should have the book in shops around the city next week."

I was beaming, "Thank you, that's great news."

"Thank you for your patronage, Miss Walker. You can keep that one for yourself."

"Great." I would give the book to Duane when I saw him again, I had promised him a copy. I wrapped the book in cloth and was putting it away in my pack, when I heard the bell on the door chime again. I turned to see several city guards enter the shop. The stern look on their face as they looked me over made me tense up.

The commander stood in front of me, "Are you Rohme Walker?"

"Yes...who are you?"

"You're under arrest. Come with us."

"What? What for?" I immediately thought of Duane. I was the one responsible for him breaking exile. But how could they have known that?

"What's going on here?" asked Herneis.

"You're coming with us too scribe."

"What is this about?" I asked again.

"You can ask the King."

They took my weapons and magic items and marched me and the scribe through the street. I crossed the river again with my escort of six City guards as we moved toward the looming castle. All the while I was wondering what the hell was going on.

We were taken through the cleaner, more affluent area in the north of the city, where the nobles and successful merchants resided. Then we were taken through the barbican and into the castle grounds. I looked up at the huge keep towering overhead. It wasn't the first time I had been there. I remembered looking up at the keep like that around ten years ago. I had Sierra, Strafe and Cordelia by my side then, and I didn't have this feeling of dread deep within me.

We entered the keep through the huge elaborately decorated doors, and were walking down the grand hall, which was lined with guards standing straight and looking very bored. The spacious audience chamber beyond was filled with many people. At the far end of the chamber was the King sitting on his intricate throne.

He hadn't changed much from when I saw him ten years ago--a short, thin, man in his fifth decade, with long dark hair and a neatly trimmed dark beard. A thin weasely face with shifty brown eyes. He wore a coat of blue silk and sleeveless surcoat and mantle of scarlet satin, shoes that looked like high slippers and plenty of jewellery of gold and silver and different coloured gems, topped off with his extravagant gold crown, adorned with jewels.

He was flanked by a couple of large knights in their shiny polished armour. There was also a wizard nearby, sitting in a comfortable chair, he was wearing dark blue mage robes and had long white hair, though he did not appear very old. I noticed the pointed ears, he was an elf, the first one I had seen in this city.

There was a man who looked like a merchant, standing in front of him talking. The King appeared to be bored and taking no notice of him. His eyes flittered around the room and rested on me and he appeared to perk up. He spoke over the merchant, "Well, who do we have here then? Come forward."

The guard nudged me forward and I approached the King. The guard next to me spoke up in a loud, clear voice, "Your Majesty, may I present Miss Rohme Walker, formerly of the Ranger's Guild." Then he turned to me, "You stand before King Farquad, second of his name, rightful ruler of the Kingdom of Acton."

I remembered my courtesies and got down on one knee, bowing my head before my King. I heard him say, "Rise." I stood again, looking at him as his eyes roamed over me. He seemed to have a sour look on his face, "Rohme, is it?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I have had the honour of meeting you before--ten years ago."

"Yes, yes, you were with Sierra the Sorceress. Your little group resolved that ugly demon business. I am sorry to hear about your companions, the kingdom is in need of brave heroes like them, now more than ever."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

He sneered as he looked down at me, "You have written a book about them."

Was that a question? "I have had a book written about them, Your Grace."

There was a tone of anger in his voice now, "A book full of lies and treason, written by a washed-up adventurer in order to glorify herself. And you aim to distribute this rubbish around my kingdom?!"

I was shocked, "No. It's a truthful account of what happened. I had it written to honor my fallen comrades and to let the people of this kingdom know of the sacrifice they had made for them."

"Truthful account, Peh! The truth is that your party went seeking more riches and glory, got in over their heads and wound up dead, like so many adventurers do. The rubbish you spouted about the demonic cult and their artefact of power, their ritual to give them the power to create an undead army and take over the kingdom is all fantasy. Yet you paint it as the truth, and aim to make me look incompetent and feeble."

Shit, this wasn't good, I wished Sierra was there, she would know what to say to him. "It wasn't my aim to make you look bad, Your Grace. Have you even read the book?"

"I don't have time to read books. I have them read for me. I am told that in this book, I refused to do anything about this alleged threat to the kingdom. How did you think that would make me look?"

"Sierra did come to warn you of the threat, and you refused to listen to her."

"Because it wasn't true. If a group was gathering that much power in my kingdom, I would have known about it. It was just a bunch of religious zealots getting together for their kooky rituals. It happens all the time. Lady Sierra completely exaggerated the situation and went off hastily, that's what got your comrades killed."

I gritted my teeth and did my best to hold off my anger, "The threat was real, I saw those unholy creatures with my own eyes. They were strong and fast and very hard to kill. They could turn their enemies into loyal servants with a bite. My party sacrificed themselves to put an end to this threat before they could spread across the land. They deserve to be honored."

Anger flashed in King Farquad's eyes as well, "Enough! We will have no more of your lies. These are dark times, the war against the Idossi to the East is not going well. My treasury is being eroded by this orc bounty and yet the green bastards are still invading my land and terrorising my people. The citizens need to have confidence in their King, now more than ever. I don't need a has-been adventurer trying to plant seeds of perfidiousness and doubt in their ruler in order to stroke her own ego." He looked over at Herneis, who was standing back with the guards, "What do you have to say for yourself scribe?"

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was only doing as I was commissioned. I thought it was just an adventure story, it didn't occur to me that it might be considered in such a way."

"As a work of treason? We shall have all copies of the book destroyed, and I will have the Stationer's Guild see to your punishment. Do not let this happen again, scribe."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Of course, Your Majesty."

He looked back at me with his shifty brown eyes. I was seething, and I was trying to think-- what would Sierra say? "I'm sorry if the book didn't paint you in a positive light, Your Grace. That was not my intention. I never meant you harm or ill-will." Not entirely true, it was his refusal to listen that got my friends killed, and now he refused to even acknowledge the sacrifice they made.

He just looked down at me with contempt, "It is your actions that you are accountable for, ranger, not your intentions. I will take your past heroics into account, but you need to be punished for your treason."

He sat back down on the throne and stroked his beard, "For your attempts to make me look like a fool, I think a little public humiliation is fitting. Take her to the pillory in the market square. We'll see what the people of this city think of one who tries to spread lies about their beloved King."

"How long is she to stay there, Your Grace?" asked the guard next to me.

"Until I say she can go. Now get her out of here, we've wasted too much time on this matter already."

Sent to the pillory? Shit! I felt light headed as I was taken out of the audience chamber. I knew our King was an Asshole, but I didn't see this coming. I had my fleeting moment of joy as I held my book in my hands, now things had turned to shit. Would Sierra have been able to talk her way out of it? I didn't matter now. I was furious.

---

I was being marched through the streets again, toward the market square. I had seen pillories and stocks in just about all town centres, sometimes with people in them. I usually paid them no mind.

I knew the pillory could be either a mild punishment or a severe one, depending on a number of factors--the elements, the public, how much the detainee was tended to. But the most important factor was time. A few hours in the pillory is nothing, but a particularly cruel lord can leave a man in there for days or weeks until he perishes. The King didn't specify how long I would be in there, and that had me worried. Just how mad was the King with me for inadvertently hurting his ego?

The markets were in a large open area in the West of the city. Market stalls were lined up in ordered rows, where merchants were selling a variety of goods. Several shops lined perimeter of the square. Many people were going about their business, mostly humans of various races. I could also see a few dwarven merchants selling their wares.

I was marched through the markets and saw the pillory ahead on a square wooden platform that raised around a foot off the ground. It was actually two pillories side by side, three sturdy wooden posts with the strong wooden boards between them, a large hole in center and two smaller holes on either side.

We stopped at the platform and one of the guards began unlocking the boards. I was drawing plenty of curious glances from the people around us. The pillory wasn't central in the market square, it was around the back, in front of a tanner shop. It was still in a public area though. The guard got it open and lifted up the thick board. "Come on, get up here."

I was pushed forward, up onto the platform. My heart was beating fast and a feeling of dread had settled into the pit of my stomach. I had been in bondage before--when I was captured and gangraped by orcs, and again in Aerowyn's bed, and lying in a summoning circle waiting to be raped by a tentacle demon. Being left helpless and vulnerable always carried the risk of ending very badly.

The holes for my head and hands were in front of me, around the height of my breasts. "Go on, get in it." ordered the guard.

"Uh, how long am I going to be here?" I asked hesitantly.

"For as long as the King says. Now get in there."

There was really no way out of it, and I was scared. I reluctantly stepped forward and put my head and hands into the grooves of the lower board. The guard dropped the top board down over my neck and locked it into place. I was hunched over so that my back was arched and my ass stuck out behind me. It was an uncomfortable position; designed to be that way.

I looked forward and there were many sets of eyes staring at me. Several people gathered around to watch. The guard who locked me in place stuck a piece of parchment on the board over my head and then spoke out to the crowd in a loud, clear voice, "The condemned; Rohme Walker, has been sentenced to the pillory by our lord; King Farquad the second, rightful ruler of the kingdom of Acton, for the crime of libellous treason. Spreading lies about the King."

The crowd stood silent, just watching. Then the group of city guards turned and marched off again, back toward the castle.

Several people moved closer as I stood there hunched over with my head and hands locked in the wooden boards. "Fresh pillory meat," said a dirty-looking young man, smiling. "She's not bad lookin'."

A plump, older lady in a brown dress and felt hat looked into my eyes, "Spreading lies about the King, eh? What did you say...that he's tall and handsome?"

Another man chuckled next to her, "Or maybe you said he's a competent ruler, that he's capable of wiping his own ass."

"I just didn't tell his version of the truth." I said.

"That stupid little royal twat!" said the woman.

"Careful." said an old man nearby.

She just smiled at him and turned and spoke up, "Leave this one alone, she's all right." She turned back to me, "Rohme, is it?"

"Yes, and you are...?"

"Joan Fretta." She reached forward and took hold of my hand. "I have a fruit stall just over there, you let me know if you need anything, dear."

"Thank you Joan, I appreciate that."

"Stay strong, Rohme. You'll be all right." Then she walked back over to her stall. The people around me soon lost interest and walked away too. Well at least I wasn't going to get pelted.

I pushed against the pillory, it was sturdy, and the top board was fastened securely. My hands were unable to slip back through the holes. It was certainly an uncomfortable position, hunched over like that, and I knew the longer I stayed there--the more uncomfortable it would get.

I had spent four days trapped in a small dark space under a huge pile of rubble. I had been captured and abused by a horde of savage orcs. I had been ravaged and defiled by a monstrous tentacle demon summoned from the depths of hell. Discomfort I could handle. It was the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty and the vulnerability that I couldn't stand.

I could turn my head and see either side of me, but I hated that I couldn't see behind. In front of me were several market stalls selling various produce. I could just see the castle looming over the buildings to my left. Some distance ahead of me was a fairly busy road that ran parallel to the river and met up with the bridge road.

It was around midday. The sun was beating down on me, but the gentle breeze coming in from the bay meant I didn't get too hot. My nose itched, and it was driving me mad that I couldn't scratch it.

The marketplace was quite busy, as people came in for lunch. It seemed that everyone was interested in me, and I found it difficult getting used to all the staring. Some people would stand in front of me and read the parchment and make comments, but nobody was hostile toward me. Mostly they were just curious, and I was picking up a lot of negative sentiment toward the King.

I was watching the people as much as they were watching me. I noticed a stocky young dark-haired man walking past the stalls and I recognised his face; one of the thugs that approached me at the docks, the one called Wilks. He looked over and I could tell he recognised me as well. "Hey Sticky, look over here!" I heard him call out. Oh shit!

The short thin blonde thug soon appeared before me. He had a wide grin on his face as he looked me over. "Hey, it's bow girl...Rohme, right? Row-me down the river. This is your better things to do, eh? Been gettin' into a bit of trouble? What did you do?"

I just looked at him coldly.

"Don't worry, I can read." He stepped forward and examined the parchment over my head. "Sss...sp..spree...spread...spreading...lllllll...li...legs?"

Wilks laughed, "Ha, who ya been spreading your legs for that got you in trouble?"

"It's lies." I said angrily.

"Nah, it's written right there," said Sticky.

"It says spreading lies about the King, you knob!"

"Ha, right. You been goin' and upsettin' little King Fuckwit. That aint too bright now, is it?"

"Maybe she wanted to be put in the pillory," said Wilks. "She's a kinky little bitch who's into that sort of thing."

Sticky laughed, "Yeah, probably." He reached forward and stroked my cheek, "So, you wanna hang out with us now baby? We can still have plenty of fun."

"Don't touch me, Asshole!"

"Come on baby, touching can be fun." He smiled as he got closer and reached under the boards and got a firm hold of my breasts with both hands. "Hoo yeah, nice big tits!" Wilks had moved around behind me and I could feel his hands roughly grab my ass through my leather pants. I could do nothing but protest as they groped me.

Suddenly a piece of fruit was hurled into Sticky's back and the juice splattered everywhere, "Aaaah, hey!" cried out the thug, turning around.

"Leave her alone Sticky Gabbel, you depraved scum-bag!" called out Joan.

Sticky scowled at her, "You'll pay for that, you dried-up old hag! Yer just jealous no one would wanna touch you." He got hold of my tits again and continued to lewdly grope them.

"I'm going to get the guard," said the old woman, striding off.

"Stupid fat bitch!" said Wilks as he rubbed his hand up between my legs and over my crotch. His touch sent tingling pulses through me. I tried to kick my legs back but only hit the air. His hands then moved around in front of my pants and started fumbling at the laces. Sticky began roughly squeezing my tits, and it hurt. I grit my teeth in anger as he laughed at me.

People were gathering around and watching the two men molesting me. No one was moving to stop them. I felt Wilks undoing the front of my pants, he dug his fingers into the waistband and yanked them down, along with my panties. "No, you Prick!" I called out as my bare ass was exposed. He left my pants down just below my ass and laughed as he gave it a few hard slaps. He then went back to groping the fleshy cheeks.

"Hey, you there! Stop that!" I heard someone call out.

"Ah, shit, it's a red," said Wilks.

Sticky quickly stepped back and stroked my cheek, "Damn it! We'll see you around, Bitch!"

The two men ran off as the city guard appeared. "You get back here Sticky, there's another pillory right here for you."

Some of the men had moved around behind me to get a view of my naked butt. "Hehe, that's a cute brown ass!" I heard one of them comment. My face was hot and my heart was thumping. It wasn't just anger, my pussy tingled and pulsed and was quite wet. My body had responded to the unwanted attention and was highly aroused. That just made me more embarrassed.

"Get out of here, all of you!" called the guard as he approached me. He got behind me and pulled my pants back up again. "Are you all right?" he asked as he was doing up the laces.

"...yeah." I tried to steady my breathing. My wet pussy still tingled and demanded attention. There were men all around me, looking at me with lust filled eyes. I unwillingly imagined them as big strong naked orcs, with their fat green cocks jutting out in front of them. I tried to shake the dirty thoughts from my mind and regain control of myself.

"That Sticky is a real trouble-maker. I'll make sure he and his lackey pay for this when I get hold of him." He stepped around in front of me. He was wearing the silver armor and red cape of the city guard, and had a longsword sheathed at his hip.

He was a tall man in his fifth decade, with short dark hair under his helmet, brown eyes and a thin dark moustache. He was quite attractive, I could imagine him mounting me and... no, I needed to control myself.

The crowd of people gathered around me soon dispersed. The city guard seemed to watch me with curiosity and read the parchment over my head, "Spreading lies about the King. Looks like you've been upsetting the wrong people."

"So it would seem." I replied.

"What's your name?"

"Rohme. What's yours?"

"Private Ludwich. How long have they put you in there for?"

"I have no idea. Do you get people in the pillory very often?"

"It's not uncommon. I sometimes put petty thieves, vandals, drunks and the like in there for the day. The King sentences people here now and then, usually those caught speaking out against him, or those he suspects of conspiracy."

"How long do they have to stay here?"

"It Varies, usually no more than a few days."

"A few days?! Shit!"

"Do you have anyone to look after you?"

"No."

"I'll keep an eye out for you. It's my duty to protect the people of this city, even those sentenced to the pillory."

"But what about night time? People don't get left in the pillory overnight do they? I'll be taken to a cell or something?"

He looked down at me grimly, "There are guards patrolling the city at night."

"But they won't be watching over me all the time. I'll be fair game, you saw what those guys were doing to me. I can't be left out here like this."

"You were sent to the pillory as punishment."

"And that punishment involves being raped?!"

"The King knows what it involves. "

"I thought you said it was your duty to protect the people of this city."

"Yes, but I get off duty before sunset, then I have a wife to take care of."

"Listen, I have money stored away that I've collected from orc bounties. I'll give you one thousand gold if you stay and guard me through the night."

He looked at me sceptically, "Right, next you will be offering more gold to help you escape, then you would slit my throat because you don't have it. I prefer not to listen to the promises of those in desperate situations."

"I won't ask you to free me, and I will get you the money. I swear it, on my honour as a ranger."

"You're a ranger?"

"I used to be."

"Hmph, I'll make sure nothing happens to you while I'm on duty, Miss Rohme." Then he turned and walked away.

Joan Fretta walked up to me, "Are you okay, dear?"

"Yeah, thank you for your help, Joan."

She held a copper cup up to my lips and I drank the water down, "That Good-for-nothin' Sticky Gabbel. Never done an honest days work in his life. Always looking for an opportunity to take from others. The sooner they lock him away in a dark cell the better, I say."

"Under normal circumstances I would be able to handle that kind of scum, no problem."

"What were you talking to ol' Ardy about?"

"Ardy?"

"Private Ludwich."

"Oh, that I may be left in here for the night. I need protection. He refused."

A look of concern crossed her face, "Oh, I see. Apple?" She took the cup away and held the red apple to my face. I took a bite, the fruit was crisp and fresh and tasted good, yet I hated the humiliation of having to be fed like an animal. "You're right dear, you do need someone to watch your ass. I'd do it myself, but I'm not likely to be much of a deterrent. I'll talk to Ardy. I know his mother and I have known him since he was a little boy. He's a good man, he'll come around, don't worry."

I swallowed down my mouthful of apple, "Thank you Joan. Do you have a husband? Children?"

"My husband was killed fifteen years ago. I have three sons, all of them off fighting in the King's stupid war. My market stall keeps me busy enough to not be worryin' all the time."

"Well I'm lucky that you're here to watch over me."

She smiled down at me as I took another bite of the apple, "You're a good person, Rohme, I can tell. Good people are rare treasures in this world."

I finished off the apple and drank down the water Joan offered, and I got her to scratch my nose, which offered some relief. She went back to her stall nearby and I was left standing there alone again with my head and hands stuck between the two boards.

---

I observed the activity in the marketplace as the hours crawled by. I was still attracting stares and comments from people as they went past. "Lies about the King? Did you say he was tall and handsome?" was getting to be quite a common joke.

I was shifting my weight on my feet and stretching out my legs regularly, but I could still feel the muscles gradually tightening and becoming more sore. My back was hurting and gettin worse, I yearned to be able to stand up straight again. The hunched over position was horrible, and made worse by my large breasts that hung underneath me. I could walk all day, for days on end, but standing still in this awkward position was getting to me. How can people be kept like this for days?

I was facing east toward the river, so the sun was behind me. I noticed the shadows change as the sun slowly drifted down toward the horizon. I remembered what Sierra told me, that the sun wasn't moving at all, our world was moving in relation the sun. Devout Felorans would call such ideas blasphemy, but I believed her. She knew so much about everything.

Night time was when our part of the world turned away from the great ball of fire and we sat in its shadow. I was anxious about what night time would bring.

I watched Private Ludwich come back around, patrolling the market square. He was stopping and talking briefly with various people. I watched and hoped as he stopped and talked with Joan. If she didn't talk him round I didn't know what I could do.

I didn't have any friends in this city, besides Joan. My party had saved this city, and the entire kingdom, yet no one seemed to care. I thought my book could be a means to change that, but it turned out all my efforts were for nothing, and only got me into deep trouble. As a stood there in bondage I pondered that if I had the opportunity to save the kingdom again, would I bother?

The city guard soon approached me again, and I was hopeful. He stood in front of me and held up the copper cup, "From Joan," he said as he put it to my lips. I drank the water down. When I stopped drinking, I looked up at him expectantly, "Your money is good? The thousand gold?" he asked.

"Yes."

"If the King lets you go."

"I didn't do anything wrong."

"That doesn't matter. When I make my report at the end of my shift, I will say that the public have been giving you a hard time. Perhaps the King will be satisfied with that and you'll be taken out. But I wouldn't count on it. So I will return at sunset and guard you for the night." He let out a loud sigh, "My wife won't like it, but if there's a payment of gold involved, that will help smooth things over. Is this acceptable?"

"Yes, acceptable, thank you sir." He reached forward and got hold of my right hand in an impromptu handshake.

"I will be back here at sunset then." He walked away and gave the cup back to Joan. The plump woman smiled at me and I smiled back. That was a weight off my mind. I still hoped I wouldn't be stuck there all night, but at least I would have some protection. A city guard would be enough to deter anyone thinking of taking advantage of me.

The sun sunk below the high city walls behind me and left me in its shadow. The activity in the market square was winding down and the merchants were packing up their wares for the day. Joan had some young boys helping her pack her crates away. She came over and shared some bread and water with me, and we talked briefly.

"Well, I hope you're not here when I return in the morning Rohme. But if you are here all night, at least you will have Ardy watching over you. He can be decent company, just don't get him talking about his wife."

"Thank you for everything Joan. I'll repay your kindness some time."

"That's not necessary, just stay safe dear. Do you want me to stay with you until Ardy shows up?"

"No, that's okay. You should get home." She tenderly brushed her fingers through my hair before walking off, leaving me alone. The marketplace was slowly clearing out as the shadows grew very long around me. Dusk was getting close. If I hadn't been arrested I may have been in a tavern, enjoying some wine and checking out some of the more attractive city men and women.

I watched for Private Ludwich. I also hoped that I would see a group of city guardsmen marching through the square to come and release me, or even take me to a cell. My legs and feet hurt and my back ached, and that was just half a day in the pillory, at that point a small dank cell would be a luxury.

I watched as the sky grew darker. The sun was setting. The marketplace looked quite different, empty and bathed in twilight. People were still walking down the road some distance in front of me. I saw the lamplighter make his way along the street, using the wick on his long pole to light the tall oil lamps. There were no lamps in the market square, I would be left in darkness.

I wondered if Ludwich would bring some source of light with him. He had to come soon. Anxious feelings of doubt entered my mind. He had to show up, he shook my hand, we had an agreement.

Twilight gave way to darkness. I saw the first few stars appear in the sky above me. Ludwich was late, damn him. He had to know how anxious I would be waiting for him. I hated being so reliant on someone I had just met. I had been completely self reliant since my party died. I continued to watch for the guard, he was going to show up any moment.

I had the uneasy feeling I was being watched. I intensely studied the shadows around me but couldn't see anything. Once again, I cursed that I couldn't see behind me. The blanket of noise from the city also made it very difficult to hear anyone approach.

Suddenly there was movement in my peripheral vision and I jumped. It was a dog. The animal walked past the platform. I could only make out its silhouette from the faint light spilling in from the lamps in the street. It looked up, regarding me for a moment and then walked on, sniffing around the market square for food scraps.

Then the boards behind me creaked as someone stepped onto the platform.

"Who's there?" I called out.

There were more steps as the person got behind me. I felt a hand on my ass.

"Don’t!"

I heard some chuckling as he leaned forward, reaching around and getting hold of my breasts with both hands.

"Listen Asshole! There's a city guard on his way here now. He'll be here any moment. if you try anything, he'll catch you in the act."

"Yeah right," scoffed the stranger in a gravelly voice as he fondled my breasts through my leathers.

"I mean it. The guards will catch you." He removed his hands from my breasts and I thought I might have spooked him, but then the hands were around the front of my pants, undoing the laces. I started yelling, "HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!"

Then I could feel cold steel being pressed into the skin above my pants and the stranger growled at me, "Yeah, that's a blade. Be quiet Bitch, or I'll cut you up. No one's coming to help you."

Continued in Chapter 3 - Part 2

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