The room flashed over white and Shaelee’s head snapped to one side as she staggered from the orc’s blow.  A copperish taste filled her mouth, as sharp as broken glass or the thorns of the red roses that filled the citadel’s gardens.  Blood trickled from the corner of her lips as bright red as the loveliest of those roses, or as bright as the hateful eyes that watched her as her head swam and she collapsed to her knees.  Dazed, Shaelee could not move, could only look up in fear as the orc growled at her.<br/><br/>That was not Doshvin!  She was sure of it now.  For a moment she had seen the woman clearly, saw her eyes clear and brighten… she saw Makretia.<br/><br/>Around her the orcs laughed and she finally moved, her eyes like blue fire as she looked upon them with hatred.  Her head felt loose, like it might fall off any moment, but her face didn’t hurt at all.  In fact, it felt numb.  She didn’t know if she was injured and suddenly she didn’t care.  Ignoring the pain in her head, she struggled to her feet once more, swaying slightly.  They might beat her, rape her or even kill her, but she wouldn’t let them break her.  Her eyes fell to the once proud elf before rising again.  She couldn’t let them do that to her.<br/><br/>Still, she could not look up and meet the eyes of the one that had hit her.  She flinched involuntarily has his hand came up to point a finger at her.  She hated herself for it but she kept her head bowed, face hidden, her previous defiance gone as he barked something in his harsh tongue.  A moment later there was pandemonium, the shrill screams of her sister healers feeling like a blade through Shaelee’s head.  Bile rose in her throat as the priestesses were grabbed, stripped, beaten.<br/><br/>Her own situation was no better.  Suddenly aware of the huge orc’s nearness, she backed away quickly, bumping into the broad back of another orc.  A hand slammed into her shoulder, shoving her to the side as a braying laugh erupted over the screams.  Dizziness and nausea washed through her as she caught herself from falling and glanced up at the advancing orc.<br/><br/>Her heart thundered in her chest, fluttering like a bird that beat its wings furiously to escape its cage.  Bright blue eyes wide in terror, she squealed in fear and frustration as her back touched the bare stone wall.  “Don’t...”  Her protest of his touch sounded more like a plea than the demand it was supposed to be.  Her words ended with that touch, stopping even before his she felt the pressure his large hand could bring.  Both of her hands rose to pull at his as he forced her chin up again.<br/><br/>Blue eyes filled with tears that spilled over and ran down her cheeks in scalding lines as she stared at him.  She saw nothing in those eyes save pain, degradation, defilement and death.  Around her elven screams filled the hall, echoing and joining with the laughter and calls of encouragement from the orcs… and the grunts of those that took their rough pleasure in the unwilling bodies of her kinswomen.<br/><br/>Unable to bear the sanguine stare a moment longer, Shaelee closed her eyes, praying to the goddess for a quick death… and lashed out at the orc that held her, kicking at him, her nails clawing at the hand around her throat.