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Princess T

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I spit and struggle, my limbs aching from the tight bonds, made tighter by the cruel slavers. They repaid my escape attempts and struggles with a vicious beating, leaving me tender and weak. The narrow confines below deck are cramped, and I can hear the creaking of wood and the calls of sailors. I know I am far from the beloved mountains and forests of my home.

"Quit yer fighting, whore. You are bound to a noble's bed, and our pockets will be heavy with silver!" The slavers cackle, evil breath from behind rotten teeth. I know I could thrash any two or three of them, but an entire press gang waylaid me, and a bash to the back of my skull put me down. My mother would be ashamed of her daughter, a proud mountain woman, to be caught so easily, but I had fallen to the vile wine of the lowlands and was weak.

I strain and flex my muscles, testing the bonds and the resilience of the sailors again. Since I stand just shy of six feet with muscles made iron by years of hunting and playing in the wilds, I almost break free but before I could do so a hard pain envelops my skull. The thick mane of golden locks cushions the blow, but I am still dazed as my bare feet are dragging along the rough planks.

I am tossed into a dark cell, the porthole letting in just a single shaft of light and quickly chained to a crossbeam. I turn back to the door filled with rage and begin pounding on the thick oak. "Free me, you bastards! I will kill you all! I will kneel nor open to no man!" Their only response is cruel laughter, and I collapse on my knees. As I try to remain prideful, I force myself to choke back my tears and remain the strong mountain woman I was raised to be but soon, I am filled with fear when I hear a calm, yet commanding voice emerging from the shadows.

"You will kneel to no man.