Following behind Dura, I shivered slightly as I walked away from the rest of the gladiators.
Dranka gave me a concerned look, but I managed to put on a confident smile as I just shook my head at her, letting her know that I was going to be fine.
Even though I was unsure of everything.
Leading me away from the inner chamber, Dura walked in silence, her large, hulking frame moving surprisingly quiet through the halls, until she pushed open a large door and gestured for me to go inside.
Gritting my teeth, I stamped down on my nerves and entered, even as my heart dropped more due to the presence of another Orc inside.
Unlike Dura, this Orc was neither tall nor muscular, and she wasn't even green; her beautifully soft pink skin and piggish ears were signs of her being a truly female Orc, whereas Dura was a futanari.
"War Chief! Is this the one?"
The pink Orc's voice was bubbly and warm, and she smiled gently at me as she approached.
She was a gorgeous woman for sure, and she had a sinful body as well.
Large breasts that were barely contained by her simple white short dress, the Orc woman let her two extra heads almost spill from her top, while her dress ended just shy of her ass, letting you get a good glimpse of the round cheeks that lie underneath.
Dura strode inside and grabbed that ass, pulling the Orc into her embrace and kissing her deeply.
I stood there awkwardly as I watched Dura grope the pink Orc, who was moaning as Dura started to finger her.
Separating, Dura grinned at me as she sat down, the pink Orc sitting on her lap instantly.
"Sit, Elf. And yes, Bula, this is the one. Didn't I tell you that I had a good feeling about this trip? Trust me more, slut."
Bula shivered on Dura's lap, before moaning softly as Dura started to finger her again.
Sitting opposite them, I gulped as Dura leaned forwards, her fingers still churning Bula's pussy even as she stared directly at me.
"Gwyneth of the Oak... Never thought I'd get to meet you in the flesh. Let alone somewhere besides a battlefield."
She grinned as my eyes widened, and I moved to get up and flee, only to choke as a heavy, bloody aura filled the room.
"I said sit."
Her voice was flat and commanding, and I found my body moving before I could even comprehend what was happening.
"Good girl. Nice trick with the eyes, Gwyneth, but your level of strength, your aura, and your disposition ratted you out... and the reports of my spies and contacts. Seems like you're more of a slut then my personal toilet here. Slept with quite a few of the humans that work for me. Had to kill a few to get the information though; seems that you were just that good to them~!"
Bula moaned loudly as she came on Dura's lap, but the War Chief didn't seem to care as she continued on, even as my heart seemed to palpate even more.
"See, ever since that Crown Princess took you off the board, the Verdant Forest hasn't been the same. You were the first in a long line of... retirings, accidents, and 'traitors' amongst the Generals and Captains of the army. Those positions were filled with less competent people, just so the Crown Princess could gain control of the army and usurp the Queen.
Of course, the Queen is a strong individual, as are those Sages of yours, but... against the entire army? Sadly enough, they aren't that strong. Sadly enough for you people, that is. For me? Oh, it's fucking great! So, I made some moves... began to plan..."
Looking down at Bula, Dura growled "Enough slut! Go to the bedroom and prepare yourself for me. Can't you see I'm in an important discussion?!"
Bula just nodded, even as Dura hooked her fingers deep into the woman's pussy, making it hard for her to leave.
Panting, she eventually managed to get herself free, and I watched as she dragged herself towards another room, her thighs slick with her juices.
Turning back to me, Dura grinned as she continued on once Bula was out of earshot.
"She's both a beautiful thing and an annoyance; a political marriage between her clan and mine, and on top of that she's a spy for my Mom. Good thing she's a desperate little cockslut for me, or else I'd be having issues. Now, listen closely, Gwyneth. I'm giving you some choices."
Leaning forwards, the War Chief's expression turned serious, and I shuddered as she spoke.
"I can kill you here and now, removing a thorn from my side for good if you decide to decline my offer. I'd rather not, but... I can deal with my Mom on my own.
Next, you can take the offer I give you and try and warn your people about their imminent fall, where you will also die after trying to valiantly - and vainly - stop the Horde from marching into the Verdant Forest and taking it for ourselves.
Finally, and this is the one I think you should take; become mine. Not a slave; I have more than enough slaves. No, I want you to become my right hand inside the Horde. My War Maiden. In exchange, I'm offering you the tools necessary for you to kill the Crown Princess and those Judges. Hate it or not, the Crown Princess is the offspring of the strongest swordswoman the Verdant Forest had ever seen - the Queen - and one fo the strongest aura wielders ever - your Second Sage. Then there's the fact that the Judges are protected by extremely powerful aura swordsmen, which are currently above you in terms of strength as well, albeit it by a tiny amount.
Those are my offers to you, Gwyneth of the Oak. Choose wisely now."
I gnawed on my lip as I stared at her, my heart in turmoil as I weighed the choices before me.
She wouldn't need a weapon to kill me; her aura let me know that instantly.
I wouldn't be able to escape, and if she had such an extensive network, running was impossible.
However, she was still trying to get me to join her in attacking my home!
"Why... Why should I join you? Why should I help you raze the Verdant Forest?!"
Smirking, Dura lounged in her chair and said "Let me put it this way, Gwyneth. Those people that you so desperately fought for? Did any of them try and help you when you were captured and detained? Did any of them fight against the corruption plaguing your homeland these last few months?
No, no they didn't. People just watched as one of their beloved Generals was put away on false charges. Your comrades did nothing as more and more followed behind you. The people of the Verdant Forest have grown lazy with the peace that you provided them. Even now, when the Crown Princess ruins them from the inside out, many still shout their praises about her to the sky, uncaring of the obvious corruption taking place. Is it really still your home? Is it the same place that you grew up in?
Besides, do you actually know - or care - about those people? You were a recluse compared to most; focused more on your bladework and aura mastery instead of socializing. You never actually conversed with the common people outside of when you had to. And I certainly don't plan on razing the Verdant Forest. No, I instead plan on occupying it, absorbing it into the Horde and taking what I need from it.
In exchange, you get the things that you most desire. That bitch pleading for her life at your feet, those old bastards without an ounce of backbone in them cowering below you... Vengeance for the misdeeds levied against you, Gwyneth. That's what I offer."
Biting my lip, I stared at her before asking "How do I know that you won't renege on your offer? Or that you won't actually enslave me? How do you know that I won't try to kill you? Kill the Overlord? Slaughter the rest of the Horde?"
Letting out a roar of laughter, Dura grinned at me as she said "Simple, little Elf. People work better when the work is done willingly. As for you trying to kill me? HA! Please, do try. Just know that when you do, I'll snap you in half like a damn twig. And for Mom, the Overlord? Trust me, not even your Queen was capable of killing her, and you think you can do what she failed to do? Hilarious; as it stands, you're not even worthy of licking the sweat off her balls, let alone trying to stand against her in a fight! You're amusing~!"
Dura's aura leaked out a little more, and I shuddered again as that ocean of bloodlust enveloped me, my heart pounding in my chest.
"F-Fine... For now... I'll trust you to help me get what I want. Now... what is it that-"
We continued to discuss the terms of our agreement, much to her amusement, and eventually...
I did what I once thought impossible.
I found myself working with an Orc.
My hate and prejudice took a back seat for the moment as my hate for the Crown Princess reignited once more, and I decided that I would take the offer.
She had desecrated everything that I held dear, so she would pay.
Was my thinking rational?
No, not at all.
Did I care?
No, not at all.
Kilkreatha would be pleading at my feet, begging me to let her live, begging for my forgiveness as she apologized for what she did...
That was worth the price of betraying my past self's ideals.