As the "spell learned" text popped up I glanced back down to the book and saw that the words simply faded and the pages turned blank.

So that’s what happens when a spell book is used by someone.

Usually the book just disappears from your inventory, but I guess since the book is usable to others and I just learned it, the text just disappears for me. That’s pretty handy, but I don’t get what’s stopping people from getting rid of the books like this.

Also, it’s really good to know that I can learn spells with this collar on. So, lucky break. Really lucky break!

I’m on a roll right now which is awesome! I can actually use this spell to escape. But if I multi-cast this then what will the side effect be? Further fatigue? Maybe, I don’t know if I should try. But I might need to

“Hey!” the guard called out to me “Get the fuck outside like the rest shit tits!” he yelled

Oh right right, the prince. Almost forgot.

I hopped up and quickly placed the book back to where I found it and left the library and joined the moving group of prisoners. I felt someone grab my shoulder and turned around to see Naoko who had a worried look on her face.

"Don't be afraid." she simply told me before letting go and joining the moving crowd

Odd.

Soon enough we were all outside. The weather was pleasant for the first time in a while. I glanced around to see many faces looking at the ground. That was odd. Then I felt it.

From around me.

Dread.

People were feeling fear. Even the larger prisoners had this disgruntled look on their faces.

Everyone would hear the creaking of gates suddenly. We all looked over to the two big gates slowly open as a carriage pulled by four horses would slowly enter. Turning away I saw that a new stage of sorts had been built for this probably.

The Gnome Warden was standing on it, he was dressed all snazzy. I guess this Prince was a big deal in the area. This part of the Human world had multiple princes. There was no one "true" king if you get me.

The carriage rolled through the gates slowly and slowed down at the little stage.

Getting a better look at the cart it did have that typical human architecture to it, it had a dark wood coating with patterned glass on the sides. You can never look out of those, so, just decoration they were. The person driving it was an older man in about his seventies which was surprising.

He wore glasses and some of those fancier clothes. By that I mean he had some fur over his shoulders. Developing Human nations in lore have a weird thing for fur. It shows both signature and status. I don’t know the type of fur he has though.

He didn’t get off the carriage either, but before I could question why I heard the clanking of armor from the other end. The gate was still open and from beyond stepped roughly fifty armored spearmen stepped through in unison. That armor looked like refined steel which meant that this particular prince wasn't a poor one..

From the small army out rushed a shorter Human who looked hellishly tired. He rushed up to the door of the carriage and took a quick second to catch his breathe.

He gently opened the door and knelt as fast as he could. Everyone followed in suit. I even felt someone push me down to kneel. I guess no one was going to chance anything bad for now at least.

“Your Highness..” the short servant spoke

The light rumbling in the carriage meant that someone had stood up. Out stepped with a brown fur boot first a young Human man. His eyes blue, his brown hair reaching down to his shoulders, his cloak a size larger compared to his slightly below average frame. He didn’t carry a sword with him, so he wasn’t much of a fighter. I wonder what makes everyone so afraid of him.

“Your Highness!” the Warden’s voice called out in a friendly tone

The smiling prince adjusted his gaze to the Warden’s

“Ah, Warden Tobar, it’s a pleasure to meet you once more. Shall we begin?” he asked

“Of course! Of course, your Majesty! Please, allow me to show you the way. We’ve made a few adjustments per your request.” Warden Tobar said

“Wonderful to hear.” He chuckled with his kind of charming voice “Hoods.” He said, glancing into the carriage “Selections. Now.” He informed them

There was no reply from inside, but out stepped two entirely well, hooded people. One had the frame of a woman and the other of a man. I wonder what they do. And what did he mean by selections?

“Let’s be off then.” The Prince said to the Warden

You know I expected some weird name for the Gnome, but Tobar doesn’t sound too odd though.

The Warden would lead the Prince back through the gates, the small army would split, one half going with the Prince and the Warden, the other half going to these Hoods. A prison guard would step up to the stage and would address all the prisoners

“Men and women separate!” he yelled

The crowds of prisoners would start to separate without hesitation which was again, odd, but also this doesn't seem like the first time it's happened. I followed any nearby women and by the end of this moving the men and women had lined up back to back. The women faced the stage and I saw the two Hoods step off it and move to the start of the line of prisoners.

What are they picking people out for? Slaves?

I’d glance to the front where I saw the female Hood inspect each of the female prisoners closely. She’d pick out one here and there and a guard would begin to escort the women away, but then she got to me.

There’s not much to describe about her really. I couldn’t see an inch of her skin, everything she wore was black, she even had this flap hanging in front of her already covered face, I had no idea how she could see from out of there.

“For the Prince.” She said to me

Oh..wait, wait, wait

Oh shit…

Fuck fuck fuck

One of the armored guards came to me and pretty carefully started leading me away. The female Hood continued her selecting. The guard would lead me towards the gate where I originally came in from I’m guessing.

Passing the open gates I’d come to realization that this prison wasn’t as small as I thought it was. This was like a prison city almost..

That barracks I saw back inside was probably for the inside guards, because right now I saw a multitude of different buildings, but one place stood out.

It’s like it was ripped out of my old world’s history..

There was a round arena, like the Colosseum. It looked both elevated and sunken. Glancing next to it I saw the quarry and mines. So…

They forced prisoners to mine that out and build that thing. Huh..

Without stopping the guard would lead me towards the arena. I’d pass a few wooden and stone buildings which had no signs outside. But, now I see why a lot of people think that escape isn’t worth it. The sheer number of guards there are..

And where the hell is the actual gate? Because I can’t see it.

In my hit of reality moment I felt the sun darken as we entered this arena. The stone of if was..refined stonebrick I think. Some pretty hard to make stuff.

The guard led me to the bottom of some stairs where some older women would be standing with a bowl of water. They were wearing that typical shit brown clothing as well.

These were servants or, well, peasant servants, basically slaves that get shit pay.

So, it wasn’t just one carriage that arrived. Maybe the rest are on the other side of the arena.

One of the servants lifted one of my feet and would start scrubbing it until it was clean and then the other. The guard then motioned to the stairs. I glanced up to see a rug covered stairway.

Huh, I haven’t seen a normal red rug in a while so that was new..

The second my feet dried I started heading upstairs, the guard following me. I glanced back to see his boots, but they were somehow clean. Maybe a light enchantment. Those were easy to get anywhere.

Getting up to the top didn’t take long, but what I was met was something I didn’t expect.

A viewing room is the best way I could describe it. The whole atmosphere was an entire one eighty change from the dull and damp prison I've seen since I came into existence here. It had red velvet and furs hanging everywhere, a large seat in the center over a large rug of bearskin.

I saw bowls filled with fruits, paintings hanging from the walls which I recognized as images from the codex in Highlander. The seat which almost looked like a throne appeared menacingly to me, I could glance a hand tapping its fingers on the armrest. I heard the guard behind me kneel and the tapping of fingers stopped.

The hand raised itself and rubbed its thumb and index finger together.

“Have my Hoods chosen someone that is worthy?” the prince’s voice spoke

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“I am certain, your Highness.” The guard said

From the seat out peaked the blue eyed prince that I saw from a distance before. He looked me in the eyes before leaning back.

“Bring my Hood here.” He ordered the guard

Without answering the guard would stand and would start heading back down the stairs.

“And you.” He then said “Come here.”

I gulped but moved forward slowly. I went around his right side as the left side had a small table next to it with fruit. I don’t want to piss this guy off.

I could fully see his face now. For a prince he seemed a bit young, not in the way of young as in like a ten year old, but he didn’t look twenty. If I were to place him, then I’d say he was nineteen. He had a baby face, his face looked kind of good, not a wrinkle anywhere.

He genuinely looked like an attractive man. And that’s coming from someone who used to be a guy.

He leaned on his hand and looked at me, not saying a word. I didn’t move, nor did I look away. I had a rough idea of the general stereotype for these human princes.

The clanking of armor didn’t take my attention away either, but it seemed that the guard had returned with the same “Hood” that chose me.

“Your Majesty!” the guard announced

The prince raised his hand, the guard went quiet. Light steps came after and the Hood came into view from the other side of the small throne.

“Your Highness.” The Hood bowed deeply

The prince’s gaze went away from me and looked at the Hood.

“This, is not a Human.” He reached out and grabbed the flap that hung in front of the covered face of the Hood “What did I tell you?” he sounded agitated

“To find you a worthy guest.” she replied in a monotone voice

“And you brought me a non-human? I told you that if you were unable to find one, then do not bring any.”

I guess she can see pretty well with that covered face. Also he seems picky.

“Indeed, her beauty stands above everyone else that was present, just like how you stand above the other princes in the land.” The Hood said

Smart move with the flattery.

The prince rubbed his fingers together a few times before letting go of the flap on the Hood.

“Have my servants bring me rags and water and bring the Warden.” He told the Hood

Still bowing the Hood nodded and departed. The prince lifted his finger for the guard to see and spoke.

“Protect me, but turn your gaze.” He said

I heard the shuffling of the guard and then he looked to me. He didn’t meet my eyes instantly, he didn’t even look at my body first. His gaze was on my long ears for a while, but I saw his nostrils flair a few times. His lips didn’t move, but he continued to rub his fingers.

More steps came as two poorly dressed men came up and placed an additional table next to the fruit one and onto it the bowl filled with water, next to it they placed a few fancy rags. After that they knelt in front of the prince and left

As they left another set a steps came. Damn these people weren’t wasting time.

“Your Highness called for me?” the Warden’s voice appeared

The prince rubbed his fingers before he pointed at me.

“Remove the collar and tell me about it.” He said

Ah. He’s calling me it. Classic, classic.

The Warden looked up at me for a second before snapping his fingers, the collar around me unlocking and falling from my neck only to be caught by the Warden. How the hell does he do that? it has to be some type of magic I'm sure of it.

“I know nothing about it, my prince.” He chuckled “But if you mean origin, then I could only guess that this Elf is from the Summer Islands in the far South, far past the archipelago.” He said

Wow, that wasn’t even close to a guess. Summer Elves have freckles and are naturally taller and thicker, literally, male Summer Elves have some serious cake. This dude was a fucking dumbass.

“How long has it been here?” the Prince asked

“Hmm.” The Warden rubbed his chin “Not too long I believe. I'm not too familiar with this one's face.”

“That will be all.” The prince waved off the Warden

The Warden bowed before departing. Then the prince beckoned me to his seat which looked rather large for him now that I look at it. But it did have a lot of fur on it.

I moved to where he motioned and sat. He turned away and dipped his hands in the water and cleaned them with the rags. Turning back to me he reached up and grabbed my face, pulling my entire body slightly closer.

He cupped my jaw with one hand and with the other he opened my mouth and ran his finger across my teeth and lips. My eyes were darting left and right not knowing whether to look at him or not.

He’d remove his hand from my mouth and would grab one of my ears and would run a finger along it to the end which made me make a little sound I’m not proud of.

He’d let go of my jaw and would raise some of my hair to his nose and would take a few whiffs of it before letting go. He’d grab my face again and would pull me closer than before and would inspect my blue eyes closely.

He’d let go of my face again and would move closer to me, pulling my hips so that I’d be sitting in his lap instead of on the side of the throne. He placed a hand on one of my breasts and gently squeezed it which made me make more sounds I’m not proud of. He'd then let go and would look me in the eyes.

“Do you know who I am?” he’d ask me

I’d shake my head to which he’d extend his hand forward and would point. I’d follow it with my eyes to see the inside of this arena.

This viewing area wasn’t the only one, there were about three others, but from here it was hard to make out what was in them. Each pushed forward out of the circular building. Looking down I’d see the arena grounds. I guess this place looked bigger on the outside, but there might have been some underground stuff I didn't know about.

The prince’s finger would move to the side, to one of the other viewing areas. I’d feel him place his other hand on the right side of my hip, he’d spread his hand, but wouldn’t actually grope like before.

“My youngest, embarrassment of a brother sits there. Do you know what he does with his guests? He likes to take the skinny and weak women of this prison and have his way with them. Like a child playing with his food.”

He’d move his finger to the viewing area that was across from this one.

“My other, better brother sits there all by his lonesome. He never accepts guests because he claims loyalty to his fiancée he’s supposed to marry in four years. By word only, I could name every whore he sleeps with on a weekly basis.”

He finally points to last area.

“The second child of my mother, a year younger than myself. Something went wrong with him at one point. Now all he does is torture those he can get his hands on for some reason, but he’s surprisingly pleasant to speak with.”

He’d place his hand on the armrest and would look at me.

“I am, Precious. Prince Precious. You should be honored that I’ve let you here.” He said

Kek. This fucker’s name is precious. Ha! The hell! That’s fucking funny!

“Do you find yourself knowledgeable?” he’d ask

I’d nod. I don't like to brag, but in this particular case I can plenty brag.

“Was Tobar right about your origin?”

I’d shake my head, he wasn’t even close. Precious would chuckle and glance forward.

“Your Majesty.” The guard from behind would speak up

The prince would glance back.

“Your siblings wish to inform you that they are comfortable and would wish to begin.”

“If that is what they wish.” He’d say with a wave of his hand

I’d look at the arena grounds, but the prince would grab my chin and would turn my face to look back at him.

“No.” he’d say “Answer my questions.” He’d command

I’d just nod. Did I luck out with this guy? Not a torturer or a rapist. I mean, so far at least.

“You…Elves..have unique bodies, likewise with Dwarves, Gnomes, Halflings and such. My faith tells me that all of these races derive from Mankind. What does yours dictate?” he asked

Well, this is a hard one since I don’t follow any particular faith, but I know the exact history. I guess Azura is what lines up with the original lore so I can go with that.

“All..races…were…created…at…once…to…be…equal..” I’d say

I would notice that his eyes would widen for a quick second right as I spoke. He probably didn't think that I could speak Common, just understand it. Is he testing me for something?

“Is that so? And do you believe that?”

I’d nod. It was the factual truth after all.

“Are you Elves truly immortal?”

“Some…are..”

“How long will you live for?”

That was a good question actually. Without death I think about…

“Ten…thousand…years..”

“And how old are you know?”

“Sixty..” I told him, having an age slider was a neat thing in Highlander, sixty was the youngest for Elves, think of it like age twenty for Humans

“You’d be an old hag if you were a human.” He’d say

I mean, yeah, no shit Sherlock.

Precious would lift his hand to my face and would gently caress my cheek.

“But your skin is the smoothest I’ve ever felt. How long have you been here?”

“A..few..days..”

“What was your crime?”

“I..don’t…know..” I don’t know if border crossing would be convincing enough to tell him

He’d lower his hand and would place it on one of my thighs. He’d lightly squeeze it, moving his hand to the inner part. He’d move closer to my exposed vagina before stopping. God does it feel so weird to say vagina now, but saying cunt or pussy seems so degrading to myself. I guess I'll get used to it sometime..

“Have you been violated since you came here?”

I’d shake my head, but he’d look at me for a brief second before pulling his hand away and resting it on top of my thigh.

“Do you know why people here fear me?” he asked

Clearly not because of that dumbass name, but I’d shake my head. I was kind of curious to know.

“Considering your surprising intellect I’ll ask you this. Are you familiar with the Centaur race?”

I’d nod to which he’d look at me with slight surprise again.

“After my mother gave birth to me she read me stories about these what were once thought of mythical creatures in far off lands, but they were lies told to me as a child. She wasn’t an honest woman, her lies grew more and more, but the gravest lie was telling me that she’d birth more proper sons. She failed.” He sighed

He looked forward, around at the other viewing areas with a look of annoyance.

“But my youngest brother was her gravest sin. And so, I requested another brother, but my father is old and can barely do anything now that involves giving his seed. I was gifted a stallion as a child, one for breeding strong horses for my own children.” He said

Oh

Oh!

Oh nonononono

“I told my mother I wanted to have a Centaur as a brother. She wasn’t willing to my command and so she was forced to be used by that magnificent stallion. Surprisingly she perished on the spot, after that she was thrown in a ditch. Do you understand now?” he asked

I’d nod at his words. Now I know the kind of prince he is.

“A son willing to force his own mother to be used as a breeder by a horse is a man that isn’t afraid of anything. That is one of the things I’ve done.” He said before running his hand across the top of my thigh “If I do the same thing to you will you survive? Probably not.” He’d say

He’d lean forward, placing his head on my thigh. I guess my boobs weren’t the only things that were soft.

“My faith allows a man of nobility to have a concubine and a wife, but I’ve neither. You’d make a perfect concubine for me, but alas you aren’t like me, a human. Sometimes breaking the laws set by the church seem so reasonable and tempting. Did you know that in some other cultures some rulers have these groups of women called harems?” he asked

I’d nod. So, Precious hasn’t heard about the bigger world, he knows the common races, but I doubt his knowledge extends far.

“A wife and other women, some cultures allow divorce, marriage of those that prefer their own sex. The world of Humans is interesting, but the books it’s told from bore me. Do you know about the history of your people?”

I’d nod again.

“Does your nobility have any of the sorts?”

“Arranged…marriages…two…wife..system…” I’d say

“Oh? Elaborate for me.” he'd request kindly actually

“First wife…represents…the…earthly..being….second….wife….represents…the….spiritual…being..”

“What would you be?”

“I..don’t…know…” I replied, maybe I'd be a spiritual wife depending on a few circumstances

“Is your role predetermined?” he asked me

“No..”

“Have you discovered your role?”

“No…” Not yet at least

“Has your being been disgraced by being put into a prison? Unless Elves in prisons are common.”

“No..”

“To both?” he asked for clarification

“Y-yes..”

He’d lift his head and would lean back on the seat. He’d look forward to the arena. I’d look forward as well.

While we spoke, down below the prisoners were fighting hand to hand in a free for all. Was that it? Just bring out a bunch of men to fight for cheap entertainment? Nowhere near as good as Gladiator fights I should mind you. But, oddly enough, the men down there seemed to be Humans mainly, maybe only Humans...

“What god do your worship?”

“Azura..” let's roll with her for now

“Is she a kind god? A god that cares for her followers?”

“Y-yes..” she's also sexy as hell I should mention, her design is amazing

“My god isn’t kind. He demands order, discipline with great restrictions. He doesn’t allow things an average peasant would consider entertaining. He calls them vices. It can become irritating. But what the Almighty doesn’t see, the Almighty doesn’t need to worry about as I’ve heard a few of my priests say.” He said

The Almighty is basically fantasy God from the Christian faith, but worse.

“Human superiority, racial dominance. My priests would beat and rape you because you’re an Elf. Most men of my faith would do that to you, perhaps some women as well. I question my faith, I question the men that claim they follow my faith day by day.” He says

I never looked at it in that way. I can imagine that questioning something so tied to your entire existence can leave some existential dread on you. Oh, and he’s totally right about the priests, lots of scum in these parts.

“Tell me. Am I supposed to cut off your ears, beat you, kick you as you lay in the dirt and then violate you?” he asked me while looking into my eyes

I didn’t reply, I just anticipated what he’d do next. He pulled me a little closer and laid his head between my breasts.

“For a woman from a lawless land as my priests and elders claim, you are…soft.” He says before leaning back “What is your name?”

“Y-Ynnessa…”

His eyes would shine for a second, he'd rub his fingers again before speaking.

“What would you do with freedom if given to you?” he asked me