Chapter 26 Generous Gesture

We rode for a few hours, the forest growing darker and more menacing with each passing moment. My heart pounded in my chest as we neared the spot where Kaka and I had found the rush apple tree. The orc and his riders slowed their pace, the hounds sniffing the air and growling low in their throats.

"Well, runt?" the orc barked, his eyes narrowing as he glared down at me.

 "Where's this tree you spoke of? You better not be running us in circle buying time!"

With shaking hands, I pointed to a clearing up ahead.

 "Oh no! Master, I would not dare! We close! Yes, we are! We are! It's there," I yelped in fright, "Just beyond those bushes."

The orc motioned for his riders to dismount, and they approached the clearing cautiously, their weapons drawn. My heart raced as they pushed through the underbrush and emerged into the clearing, their eyes widening at the sight before them.

There, standing tall and proud in the center of the clearing, was the rush apple tree. Its branches were heavy with the golden, glistening fruit that the master goblin so desired. The orc's face split into a satisfied grin.

The orc and his goblins in command gathered around the rush apple tree, inspecting the golden fruits hanging from its branches. The orc reached up and plucked one, examining it closely before taking a brutal chomp. After a few bites, he scowled and spat out a piece of the unripe fruit.

"These are rush apples, alright. Shity runt told the truth," he grumbled.

 "Disgusting while not ripe, but no mistake, they are rush apples. Soon to be good to eat."

He turned his attention to me, his eyes narrowing with disdain.

 "Shitty slave! Looks like with this haul, your precious Kaka will get maybe a week of rest and maybe some food. The master goblin will be pleased. But don't forget your place, slave. You'll be toiling until you drop and then some. You'll be working for two until your sorry excuse of a caretaker recovers. You will wish you didn't ask for it."

I nodded frantically, my heart still pounding in my chest. The orc released me with a grunt, and I stumbled back, my legs shaking from the adrenaline and fear.

With that said, he plucked a few more apples as proof for the master goblin and placed them into his pouch. The goblin hound riders mounted their beasts once more, and we began the journey back to the farm. My mind raced with thoughts of Kaka and the promise of a few days of rest and food. I could only hope that the master goblin would keep his word and that Kaka would have a chance to heal.

As we approached the gates of the breeding farm, the orc riders slowed their pace, and the master goblin stood waiting, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The orc dismounted and handed him a sack of rush apples, and the master goblin's face lit up with a twisted smile.

"Boss, we found the apple tree. Not too far from our farm but a well-hidden place. It pains me to say this but if not this shity slave and his runt we might have not found it. As for the tree itself, It is plentiful and in good condition. Soon, we will be able to harvest."

"Good work," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

 "It seems the runt was telling the truth after all. I was starting to doubt him."

He turned to me, his expression softening ever so slightly. 

"Listen now, you shity runt. Your caretaker will have his rest and food, as promised. But don't think for a second that this means you're safe. Rest and food I promised for your sorry excuse for a goblin, not you, and you'll do well to remember that."

With a flick of his hand, the master goblin signaled for the guards to take me inside. As I was led through the gates, my heart swelled with a mixture of fear and anxiety. I had bought us a few days of respite, but I knew that our suffering was far from over.

The guards dragged me through the muddy pathways of the farm, their hands rough and unforgiving. We passed rows of shanty huts and makeshift sheds, each one filled with the pitiful forms of other goblin slaves, their eyes hollow and devoid of hope. I felt their stares boring into me as I was pulled along, their silent pleas for help echoing in my ears.

The breeding farm was a grim sight. Goblins of all shapes and sizes scurried about, their faces etched with fear and despair. The air was thick with the stench of unwashed bodies and the acrid scent of burning torches. Makeshift huts lined the walls, and in the center, a large pit where the goblins were forced to fight hounds for the amusement of the masters.

Finally, we reached a small, run-down shed at the edge of the farm. The door creaked open, and I was unceremoniously shoved inside. The stench of decay and rot hit me like a wave. 

 The guard who had dragged me in turned to me with a sneer.

“You and your shity caretaker will stay here for now. Don’t cause any trouble, or you’ll end up in the pit.”

I nodded quickly, not daring to speak. As the guards moved away I forced myself to stay focused. I had to find Kaka.

In the dim light, I saw him lying on a pile of dirty straw bed, his body barely moving. His wounds were crudely bandaged, and his breathing was shallow and labored. My heart ached at the sight of him, but I knew that I had to stay strong.

I knelt beside him, gently cradling his head in my arms. My heart ached at the sight of his ravaged body. His breathing was shallow, each breath a painful rasp.

I gently touched his shoulder, whispering, “We’re inside now, Kaka. We’re safe for the moment.”

“Safe... for now...” he murmured.

“But we must be careful, Hermit. This place... it’s just another kind of hell.”

“I’ll take care of you, Kaka. I promise.” I whispered, tears streaming down my face. 

"I got the master to promise us a few days of rest and food. You'll have time to heal, but I have to work hard to make sure we can stay here. Please, just hold on a little longer."

Kaka's eyes fluttered open, and he managed a weak smile.

 "Thank you," he rasped, his voice barely audible.

 "I knew you would find a way." 

I pressed my forehead against him, feeling the weight of our struggle bearing down on me. 

"Rest now, Kaka. I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

As Kaka drifted back into a fitful sleep, I sat by his side, my mind racing with thoughts of the days ahead. I would have to endure the brutal labor, the constant abuse, and the ever-present threat of violence. But I would do it for Kaka. He was all I had, and I would not let him down.

But my resolve and brave words shattered like glass when I heard all too familiar laughter coming from behind me. I turned around and saw Slasher looking down at me, I staggered back and fell on my butt. His eyes glinted with malice, and a cruel smile played on his lips.

"Well, well," he sneered. 

"Look who's back. Ain't it a shity runt!? Guess that idiot boss let you in after all. How's your precious Kaka doing? Still alive, I hope? I'm looking forward to making him squeal like never before. Braghagahaaga!"

Slasher grabbed my arm, his grip like a vice, and delivered a brutal backhand across my face. He slapped me again and again, and again until I slumped to the ground, limp and barely conscious, blood dripping from my swollen face.

"Don't think for a second that you're safe, runt," he hissed as he beat me.

 "The master may have promised you a few days, but that doesn't mean you're untouchable. I'll be coming every day and bless you with sweet, sweet torture. I'll be here to make sure you pay for your insolence, every single day. Maybe a few times a day, who knows."

After Slasher was done beating me up, leaving me bruised and bloodied on the ground, he scampered toward Kaka's already broken body, which lay motionless on the filthy straw bed, with a sickeningly cheerful whistle. His eyes glinted with sadistic delight as he approached, and a cruel smile stretched across his face.

"Just like old times, eh? Let's have some fun, Kaka. It has been some time since I had fun with you. Let me hear your squeals! They are just right." he sneered, his voice dripping with malice.

Kaka's body, already broken and mutilated, twitched slightly at the sound of Slasher's voice. His breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps, each one a struggle against the relentless pain.

"Look at you," Slasher taunted. 

"Still clinging to life like the pathetic little rat you are. Broken and mangled like some squshed fruit. Your disgusting, broken, stinking filth!"

I lay on the ground, my vision blurred with tears, my body beaten and broken. Through swollen eyes, I watched helplessly as Slasher bent down beside Kaka, who was barely clinging to life. Slasher's fingers danced over Kaka's wounds, tracing the jagged edges with a sick fascination.

"Remember the good old times? Hmmm?! All the beatings? All the torture? Fun times with a stick up your stinky hole? Hmmm?" Slasher murmured, his voice a mockery of gentleness. 

"Let's make some new memories."

With that, he grabbed a sharp rock from the ground and pressed it into one of Kaka's deeper wounds, twisting it slowly. Kaka's body convulsed with pain, a choked scream escaping his lips. Slasher's face lit up with twisted glee, his eyes sparkling with the joy of inflicting suffering.

"That's the sound I missed! Music to my ears! The squeals are just right," he said, his voice a cruel sing-song. 

I tried to move, to do something, anything to stop him, but my body refused to obey. Every attempt to rise sent waves of agony through me and I cursed my helplessness. I could only watch as Slasher continued his brutal torture, each act more vicious than the last. He punched, kicked, and twisted Kaka's mangled limbs, laughing with each new cry of pain.

"Look at you," Slasher taunted, his voice dripping with hate. 

"Nothing but a pathetic, broken toy. Just like old times, huh?"

Kaka's eyes rolled back in his head, his body trembling with the sheer agony of it all. Blood pooled beneath him, staining the dirt, and his breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps.

With a final, brutal stomp to Kaka's face, Slasher stood up. He glanced down at me, a sneer curling his lips.

"And you," he said, his voice dripping with scorn. 

"Don't think I've forgotten about you."

He turned to leave but not before delivering a vicious kick to my ribs. Pain exploded in my side, a searing agony that left me gasping for breath. I could feel my ribs crack under the force of the blow, and I curled into a ball, trying to shield myself from further harm.

"Enjoy your rest, runt," Slasher sneered.

 "You've got a lot more work ahead of you."

And with that he turned away, whistling cheerfully as he walked away.