Tell the ogress the truth

Realizing that you would likely be no match for such a powerful creature you lower your sword.

"I am not trying to steal from you," you say, "I am only trying to shelter for the night."

The ogress remains angry, but lowers her club a few inches.

"You human have house to live in, make ogre and other people live in caves. You lying, no doubt about it."

"I did have a house," you answer with confidence. "But it was attacked by the legions of the dead and everyone but me was killed. My house was burned to the ground."

The ogress' expression immediately changes to one of sadness. She kneels down beside you, her face level with yours, and rests a hand on her big club.

"I sorry to hear," Mugda pats you on the shoulder, an act that nearly knocks you from your feet. "I tell you. I very lonely for truth."

She bats her eyelashes at you and seems to blush, although you cannot be sure in the moonlight.

"I try to find man, but human always afraid and ogres so mean and ugly. But...maybe I ugly too."

The ogress' lower lip juts out in a pouting expression.

"Noooo," you answer quickly, "No. Not at all. You're beautiful."

"Really? Okay! You can stay in cave. Come with me!"

You follow the ogress deeper into the winding cave, always careful to keep your distance and keep one hand on your sword. As you travel further and further the cave begins to seem cleaner, even swept. Then you spot candles burning in natural alcoves and can smell the odor of something delicious being cooked. When you round the bend in the tunnel and it opens into Mugda's cave home you are quite surprised.

The chamber has a high, natural ceiling from which hangs a burning candleabra. A bubbling hot spring with clear waters that allow you to see to the bottom fills the room with a pleasant warmth. The cookfire is small and stains the wall with its black smoke. A large soup pot hangs above the fire and sticking out is a wooden spoon big enough for an ogress. There are two crude chairs and a crude table, as well as a massive straw-filled bed.

The ogress seats you in one of the chairs almost like a tot and feeds you a delicious mountain-goat stew. Despite her ogre dialect Mugda is quite the conversationalist, telling you of her many adventures in the Dragon's Spines. You tell her of your own adventure and even show her the shining stone you keep wrapped in an oil cloth. She understands the importance of your quest and wishes you well.

It is a pleasant evening, but for one thing: the unavoidable feeling that Mugda is flirting with you. Her huge hand rests upon yours, her knees bump into yours, and she even wipes a spot of soup delicately from your chin. As you finish your meal her intention finally becomes clear.

"I let you sleep with me you so nice," Mugda offers. "I give you pleasure, human."

Mugda has been kind and gentle throughout the night, and yet she still looks like and is an ogress. Her arms and legs are massive, she stands at least two feet taller than you, and is so thick around the body that you doubt you could get your arms around her. Her wide face and rough features are all nearly twice as large as your own. Your father's tales of ogress "pleasure" fill you with dread.