No one friendly

“Quick, before he wakes up.”

A loud clang rang in my ears. I growled and raised my head. Ashes blinded me, but I felt the rusty iron chafe my neck. Chains pulled at me from every side, which I tried to grab, but my hands were chained as well. I stood up, blinking against the sun and burned shit in my eyes.

“Easy now,” a voice said. “We want you to stay in good health, keep up the value.”

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Just call me Master,” the voice answered, and my vision cleared a bit, showing a scrawny dark elf.

“How about I call you a cunt, and punch your teeth out?”

“No,” the dark elf said. “No, that just won’t do. Punish him.”

Suddenly, I was hit with lightning from my chains. It felt like getting punched in the throat repeatedly, from the inside. As it ended, I groaned.

“How about now, orc? Still so tough?”

“I’ll show you—“

“Again!”

This time they pushed further, forcing me fall to my knees. I’m not a weakling, but I’m also not an idiot, and I realized this elf wasn’t going to stop. I’d have to buy my time.

“Do you understand now?” the elf asked afterwards.

“Yes.”

“Yes what?”

“Yes, master, ” I growled, and internally I ripped his smug smirk off his face and fed it to him.

“Good,” he said, and turned to the men who I now saw held my chains, four of them. “Chain him to my carriage. He can walk.”

For the next few days I was **** to hike through a mountain pass, only allowed to stop to eat, piss, shit and sleep on the frozen floor. When we had finally crossed the mountains the air got warmer again. It had been a week since Helgen when we crossed the river Treva, in the loop of which our destination was located. It was a drab stone shithole of a castle, yet easily defendable for those who like to hide behind walls.

During the journey I’d learned that most of what I’d expected of my so-called master was correct. He was a cowardly wretch, choosing to make others do his fighting. He always preferred to settle things with gold our deceit. He was utterly untrustworthy, lying to get his way, then denying the emptiness of his words. Frankly, I thought he’d gotten too used to not getting punched in the face for his bullshit.

“Master,” his guard said — He made all of us call him Master, even his closest associates, and punished every perceived sign of disrespect — “We’re nearing Treva’s Watch. Shall I ride forward to announce your arrival?”

“No,” the wretch said. “I prefer to surprise them.”

The guards on the walls saw us coming anyway, and started running around to receive their master. I assumed that was exactly what he wanted, people scurrying for his favor. When the cart rode through the gate a large crowd of people had gathered, neatly posed in a rehearsed tableau. To the center of the courtyard female dark elf was waiting for us. She was dressed like one of those fancy palace-types, which made her stand out amongst the others.

“My love,” the wretch called out to her, hanging out of the carriage. “I come bearing gifts.”

He jumped out and gave her a kiss on the cheek, which seemed like something you do to your mother, not your lover.

“Gifts?” The woman squeaked, “For me?”

“Yes, my dearest. Silks from Hammerfell, Cyrodiilic brandy and…” he gestured to his guards, who unlocked my chains from the carriage, and led me to the woman. “Your own gladiator.”

I was kicked in the back of my knee, forcing me to buckle. She grabbed my chin and inspected my face. Her eyes were strikingly purple, and they were a hunter’s eyes, though I doubt the wretch had noticed that.

“He looks strong,” she said.

“Must be,” the wretch said. “He survived getting a burning house dropped on him, and being dragged through the pass to Helgen. By the look of him, he must’ve fought plenty of times before— or if he hasn’t, he’s sure experienced what it is to take a beating.”

That was true, like any true orc should. The woman studied me like I was her prey, and it made me curious about her.

“Thank you, Master,” she purred at the wretch, and I saw how he weak he was in her grasp. “Clean him and bring him to my chambers. I must inspect him further.”