Chapter Five

Having just spent a few hours of rest, the quartet continue along their way now in the cool dawn with the sun rising just behind them. Celes keeping a firm hold of Lori's hand as to not allow the shade to wander while Jess hugs hold of her naked form trying to keep the chill in the air from getting to her. The others at least still have some remnants of their slave garb still on. Lori, on the other hand, had the worst of it. Her body was still covered completely with latex blocking out all senses as the collar around her neck kept the mask on tight so that it would eventually bond with the bodysuit making it impossible to remove. Up ahead, Felicity acts as the scout making certain they don't just walk into a slaver party camp on their way to or from the elven hunting grounds. Ahead of them was nothing but empty meadow, but it didn't mean it wasn't dangerous. They were still well within Slutton's reach not to mention that the further from civilization they got the more likely it was that they would encounter a wild beast. Something Celes was well aware of when she first made the call to take the trek through the wilderness rather than go down along the roadway.

“This is stupid.” Jess calls from the back rushing up a little to catch up with Celes. “Why aren't we going back to Jennaton? It's closer, isn't it? I'm sure you can get your friend fixed, get a decent meal, get some clothes...”

“Because Jennaton is as dangerous for us right now as Slutton is. There are spies, some even within the royal family itself, that would sell us back to Slutton. Besides, you're a human who escaped from Slutton custody, I doubt selling you back would be the first thing those spies would do when they catch you.”

Celes retorts back causing Jess to stop for a moment. She looks off in the distance toward the coastal city and sighs before following slowly behind.

“Besides,” Celes continues. “As I recall it was your idea to even go to Slutton in the first place. Granted, I cannot deny the noble intentions, but you're still the one who seemed to forget the plan halfway through and got us into this situation to begin with. So be a good little pet, and keep your mouth shut between now and when we leave the village.”

Celes shakes her head and continues on thankful that Lori couldn't hear a word of it with her ears covered over by the thick latex. Jess remains silent and follows still as Felicity returns back.

“It's all clear up ahead. I don't sense anything in the area.” Felicity takes a sneak peek over her shoulder at Jess before lowering her voice to a whisper. “Was it really necessary to be that harsh upon her?”

“You tell me, you were there in Slutton. You saw what they did to Lori.”

“I did. But I know Jess was there long after the incidents first began. But along with that history there have been the humans who fought against such prejudice. Don't forget that the great heroine Valkyrie was a culmination of the love between an elf and a human.”

“Those heroes are still few and far between. Besides, with such short lifespans humans are known to step on anything and stab anyone in the back to get ahead.”

“All the more reason to treat her as an equal.” Felicity says with a raised brow. “I'm sure she's as confused and frightened about what's been going on lately as you are, but you know that fear can be a driving force for regret. And, if what you say about humans stabbing others in the back is true, I'd hate to see what she might end up regretting.”

Felicity finishes off before hurrying up ahead leaving Celes to sigh and contemplate over what's been told to her. Looking back she sees Jess still with her arms wrapped around herself just trying to follow.

~*~

Slutton

Military Command

Marching her way through the halls with a clipboard in one hand and a riding crop in the other, Commander Jessica Hayes walks with a purpose toward the throne room she was at one time destined to hold control over. It was her coup that attempted to overthrow the previous Queen, but it was Harriet who first moved in to claim what she felt was her birthright. Having to deal with that surprise ending hasn't exactly sat too well with Jessica as she tightens the grip of her crop when she comes up to the doors leaving into the throne room. She pauses to take a breath then pushes open the door entering inside, her polished shoes announcing her presence to the General seated atop her throne looking none too pleased herself. At the General's feet, a small elven child tending to her Mistress' boots until she's harshly threatened away to the corner.

“Report, Commander.” Harriet orders not even acknowledging the salute she's been given by Hayes.

“Yes, ma'am.” Jessica replies trying to overlook the lack of respect given as she looks down to her clipboard pointing down at the page with her crop. “Wall, gate, and tower construction is still heavily underway. Completion upon these tasks will be another three days. At which point, to conceal the makes and prevent further escape, all workers will be put to death. To speed up the process we've created three more shades that-”

“That's not what I mean.” Harriet furrows her brow as she grips tightly to the arm of her throne.

Jessica nods and brings both her crop and clipboard behind her back.

“There are reports of murmuring. Questions asked.”

In response, Harriet pushes herself from her throne and storms toward the slave knocking her down to the floor with a hefty punch to the face. Her eyes begin to bulge as her breath seethes through her teeth. The leather gloves stretch over the tight fists that Harriet makes as Jessica watches with a curious brow raised. But, for the most part, she remains quiet letting the General throw her tantrum.

“Execute them. Execute anyone who questions me!” Harriet orders as Jessica bows her head.

“Yes, ma'am.” Jessica turns and begins to walk off but the call of her superior puts a halt in her step.

“I wasn't finished.”

Jessica turns back around as Harriet gestures the slave out of the room. She obeys rushing out leaving the General to approach a giant map of the continent hanging along the wall. From Slutton, she begins to trace a finger along the way through the meadow, over the mountains, and down around the forest. All under the watchful gaze of her Commander.

“The runaways will be caught, ma'am. Order will be restored and the slaves will have fear for you once again.”

“I don't want just the runaways.” Harriet replies through her scowl.

She continues looking at the map as Jessica looks over piecing the puzzle together in her mind until it hits her. Not enough to draw that empty expression from her face, but certainly enough for her to speak up.

“An invasion of the elven village is unwise both strategically and tactfully.” She begins as she joins the younger officer by the map. “Your mother...the queen,” She corrects upon earning a hardened scowl herself. “Had a theory of control. 'You cannot control the continent until you control both Jennaton and Slutton.'”

“That theory led to her death.”

“By your hand, I witnessed as such. But that doesn't make the theory any less wrong. You know that any advance on the elves will draw Jennaton's forces out. You'll barely have enough troops after the fact to even make it through the mountains.”

“But it'll be worth it.” Harriet replies before turning on her heels and starts toward a few of the larger windows overlooking the city. Off in the distance the wall is still in repair. “Besides, I hold my own theory.”

Intrigued, the Commander takes one last look at the map and joins beside her superior.

“And that would be?”

“People run because they believe they can have it better elsewhere. Terminate the elsewhere, and no one will run. We'll burn the village in front of the elves' very eyes as a confirmation of their utter defeat. Every tenth elf that is brought through those gates, be they man, woman, or child, shall be hung. Their bodies left for the crows to be pecked upon until their bones are left to bleach in the sun. On that day, Commander, I will smile. Because that will be the first day in the rest of my life that no one...shall look upon me as a child again.”

~*~

Illingdoon Mountains

A cloudy day up in the mountains, Celes works carefully to make certain Lori doesn't slip, trip, or fall by guiding her along. Just in case such an instance does take place, Felicity is in behind her with Jess holding up the rear.

“And Miss. Smith is like “The paint brush is for painting canvases only”.” Celes laughs out. “I certainly had the most fun in art class.”

She smiles toward Lori who keeps her attention ahead not even aware of the story being told to her or even where she is. Just that she's being led up a slope.

“Why are you even talking to her?” Jess asks. “It's not like she can hear anything. As far as she knows, you're a guard leading her around the city to be mocked.”

“Deep down I believe she knows what's going on. Right?” She asks toward the unresponsive elf.

“So you're telling her stupid school stories?”

“They're a remembrance of a far better time.”

“Okay, here's a school story then. Hey, remember when that unmarked militia came in and took everyone away? That was funny, wasn't it?”

“Sometimes it's good to deal with the better parts of your life. Even if the end result of them is something horrible.” Felicity says. “Your school life shouldn't be limited to that one incident.”

“Incident?” Jess asks catching up with Felicity. “Trained professionals running around pointing guns in peoples faces isn't something I'd consider an 'incident'. I mean, it's not like you even had to be--!”

Jess cuts herself off when Lori hits a patch of loose rocks and begins to fall backward. Both Felicity and Jess reach out to stop her and keep her up until Celes can straighten her out. Once Jess realizes what she's doing, she quickly pulls her hands away and begins dusting them off her stomach.

“A-anyway, how are we even going to continue getting to the Five Capitals? “

“I was wondering something similar.” Felicity admits as Celes continues on keeping a tighter grip of Lori's hand.

“I've already thought it through. We'll stow aboard a slaver cruiser.”

It sounds easy enough the way Celes puts it, but a little more is needed for Jess who stops and stares at the back of the elf's head.

“Beg your pardon? Slaver cruiser? You know those things don't just open their doors for everyone and the little trick we used for Slutton won't exactly cut it with them.”

“I know. That's why we're going to sneak aboard one.”

“Sneak.” Jess blinks then rushes once more to catch up with Celes walking along in front of her this time. “Maybe all those nights chained to a post have really put a damper on that head of yours.”

“We'll be shot dead before we even reach the Valkyrie Spaceport, I'm not even considering the Abyss, which is something since we'd have a better chance of getting through there than hitching a ride on the Royal Charter. We could take the school charter but there's no reason for that to be running anymore. So if you have a better idea of how to get off this planet, that doesn't include us magically becoming Angels, I'd like to hear it.”

Celes gives Jess some time to think about something. Anything. All private flights are routed through the spaceport, the elves have no means of recorded travel, and Alexandria would be next to impossible for them. So, in the end, she's forced to concede that this is their best chance.

“Just don't get us caught.”

“It wasn't my intention to begin with.” Celes replies before noting Felicity's glance her way. Celes sighs and looks back at Jess. “And...thank you. For helping to keep Lori up.”

“Huh?” Jess blinks before looking away. “Well...she's your responsibility, I just didn't want you getting away with dropping her on us is all.”

Biting her lower lip for a moment, she steps back and turns toward the path and continues on.

“Come on, village is this way, isn't it?”

As Jess continues on, Celes looks back to see the semblance of a smirk on Felicity's face. Celes just shakes her head and continues leading Lori along.

~*~

Slutton

Military Command

A young cat girl screams out as a heart shaped riding crop is brought against her uncovered chest over and over again, swatting her breasts from side to side. Normally, the cat girl would defend herself but given that she's been strapped up against a marble pillar inside of a bedroom, there isn't much choice. The torturer is none other than the commander who brings her crop back close to her lips as she smirks.

“Aw, c'mon.” She coos to the whimpering cat girl. “Purr for me like you were that midnight whore of yours.”

As the cat girl takes the short breather for as much as she can, Jessica runs her tongue along the crops head and begins unbuttoning her uniform until her massive breasts burst out, the nipples already erect as she pushes a finger against them.

“Would it help if she were here? Because she is. Look.” Jessica uses the crop to force the cat girl to turn her head toward a human woman strapped up to another pillar, just as naked only unconscious with her mouth stuffed full of a ball gag and lash marks across her body. “Purr for me now, pretty baby.”

Not seeing much of a choice, the cat girl works out a purr for the commander who moans pressing her whole hand against her breast before leaning in close to the girl.

“There. Now we can have some real fun.” She muses as the door opens.

“Ma'am, urgent memo from the General.” A woman in uniform stands holding out the sheet doing her best to keep her composure in seeing her superior in this sort of state.

Jessica glares at the officer as she approaches her snatching up the sheet before reading it over. It isn't long until her brow begins to furrow even more.

Moments later, she's concealed back in her uniform and storming her way to the throne room where she bursts in catching the young General having some tea by the window overlooking the sea.

“Is this memo you wrote accurate?” She demands as she approaches the table.

“Very much so.” Harriet replies having a short sip. “You were right, Commander, a war against the elves would only prompt Jennaton to react and, quite frankly, we wouldn't dare survive such an encounter. So I've calmed down and given the matter some more--”

“You call this calm? Requesting the aid of Alexandria?”

“You may not see them as allies,”

“Because they aren't.”

Harriet looks up giving Jessica a stern warning about interrupting her. Jessica clicks her tongue and goes back into attention allowing her own superior to continue.

“But we both want the same thing; Jennaton underfoot and elves wearing collars. I've arranged that after our victory the spoils shall be split. The royal family if Jennaton shall become property of Alexandria and the elves and Jennaton itself shall belong to Slutton.”

“That isn't much of a fair trade.”

“We'll divvy it up properly during the negotiations.”

“Negotiations?”

“Didn't I tell you? The Queen of Alexandria is coming.”

Harriet looks out to the sea, her smirk growing as Jessica looks as well but not feeling the same as her General. In the distance Jessica believes she notices the faint image of an approaching fleet. Or perhaps just a mirage created by her own fear and doubt.