Chapter 4B: Gabby Loses Her Freedom?

Gorsk’s village is raided. Gabby at ponygirl auction. NonConsent/Reluctance

Recap:

Gabby is recounting her journey from being an agent of GC to becoming a pony girl for the Goblins on this planet. Gabby makes a deal with Gorsk’s village chief. Goblins have nefarious plans for Gabby. Gabby returns Isabella’s babby to her. The pony fruit is still overwhelming Gabby as she continues her mission to find the dillithium crystals.

With a modest smile, I accepted the praise, a touch embarrassed by the acknowledgment for what seemed like a simple act of kindness anyone would do. I took a deep breath before continuing.

Everyone gathered around Isabella, and Anj, overwhelmed with gratitude, took my hand, and kissed it. “Thank you so much, oh chosen one. You delivered on your promise. I knew you would. Did the Gobby give you any trouble?” she asked throwing a dirty glance at Gorsk.

Ava and Jen were also brimming with emotion, though they didn’t express it verbally. The relief on their faces was palpable, and they looked at me with admiration.

Anj couldn’t help but share her triumph with them, exclaiming, “I told you, Gabby is our savior. You had your doubts. You thought Gorsk would enslave her. But look, not only is she back, but she got my aunt’s baby back as promised.”

Ava and Jen nodded sheepishly. Jen admitted, “You were right, Anj. We weren’t sure if she could pull it off.”

“She is something!” Ava added, their voices tinged with awe.

Gir strolled towards us. In his sagacious Goblin voice, he said, “Well done, Gabby!” and I couldn’t help but brim with pride.

He then went to Gorsk, and they started conversing in Goblin tongue. I asked my neural array to record their conversation for later review.

A mix of joy and accomplishment swirled within me as I witnessed the emotional reunion between Isabella and her baby. I wanted to focus on the joyous reunion, although it was marred by the sight of five naked human females being watered by Goren. Despite having witnessed it earlier, observing the pony girls being treated like animals never failed to incite a simmering anger within me.

Amid the whole commotion, I had completely forgotten about Shadow. I walked towards Gorsk and Gir, and they immediately stopped talking, as if they were afraid I would overhear their private conversation.

“Where’s Shadow?” I inquired.

“He’s in the pens with the other livestock” Gorsk responded.

I nodded, seeking more information, “Will he be okay with the other wargs? Will they give him trouble? He’s not accustomed to captivity.”

Gir, stepping in for Gorsk, answered, “He’ll be fine. Depending on his strength, he’ll either establish himself as the pack leader or find one. A warg without a pack can’t survive for long, Gabby.”

Gorsk muttered, “Just like human females cannot survive without their Goblin owners,” and sniggered to himself.

Gir did not seem to share Gorsk’s opinion. He shook his head to indicate as much. I decided to ignore Gorsk.

I returned to the humans who were playing with Isabella’s baby. As they noticed me approaching, they respectfully made way for me.

Isabella, with gratitude in her eyes, addressed me, “Oh chosen one, how can I ever repay you for what you have given me?”

I struggled to find words. I wasn’t used to receiving such heartfelt thanks, and it made me uncomfortable. My cheeks turned red with embarrassment as I was praised.

In the beginning, I intended to guide the group to Gorsk’s village for the night. Yet, after catching wind of the Chief’s instructions to Gorsk, I concluded that it would be wiser to avoid the responsibility of safeguarding these four females. It seemed defending myself would be more manageable without the added concern for their safety.

Addressing the group, I remarked, “No need for praise. I did what was right. Nothing special about it.”

Turning to Anj and Isabella, I continued, “Now that Isabella has her baby back, I think it’s best for you to return to your town. I don’t believe it’s safe for you here. Given what I’ve learned, I’d rather not expose you to any unnecessary danger.”

Turning my attention to Ava and Jen, I continued, “From what Anj told me, her town is on your way right? Could I ask you for a favor?” Without waiting for a response, I pressed on, “Could you please ensure their safe journey to their town?” They both nodded enthusiastically.

“Of course, Gabby. That is the least we could do, and rest assured they will be safe with us,” Ava offered.

Anj seemed a bit put off by the exchange. With a frown on her face, she said petulantly, “I can take care of myself.” Then, looking at me, she added in a mellow tone “But if the chosen one thinks this is the right way, I will follow her edict.”

With my task done here, I called out to Gorsk, my voice carrying a mix of determination and concern, “Gorsk, change of plan. Let’s head back to the village. They are not coming with us.”

Gorsk grumbled audibly, voicing his frustration at the change in plans and the logistical challenge it presented with the two carts. After a brief complaint, he reluctantly complied.

Turning to the four females, I embraced each one in a heartfelt goodbye. There was a genuine warmth in the parting words, a blend of hope and concern for their safety.

Turning to Gir, I said “Take care, Gir. I hope our paths cross again”.

He nodded with a smile and replied, “Indeed, Gabby. You are unique. I hope to meet you again too.” Enigmatically he added, “Hopefully, under more favorable circumstances.”

I couldn’t quite decipher the meaning behind his words. “Favorable for whom?” I thought to myself.

As Gorsk directed the pony girls back towards the village, the trot of boots marked the departure, leaving behind a moment of farewells and a shift in the unfolding journey. I soon drifted into a doze, lulled by the rhythmic click-clack of the pony boots and the turning cart wheels.

The night was uneventful, though I had a fitful sleep with nightmares.

Dreams in which I am chased by Goblin hordes. I do manage to kill many of them but there just too many for me to kill them all. I ran and ran but eventually those bastards capture me. I am stripped of my clothes and turned in to a pony girl. I resist at first but oddly enough my body loves it. I am constantly in heat and begging the Goblins to give me release. I am hitched to a pony cart and Goblins are whipping me, urging me to go faster.

I woke up in the middle of one such nightmare. My heart was racing as I tried to steady myself, slow down my ragged breathing. I was soaking wet down there and my body was on fire with desire. With considerable effort, I resisted the temptation to touch myself.

I felt tired. My entire body felt heavy, fatigued. I hadn’t slept well and the lingering effects were bothering me. Add to that, a dull headache that pulsed at my temples.

I made an effort to open my eyes. The village before sunrise was bustling with noise and activity. The air smelled of damp earth from the pre-morning’s dew. In the distance, goblins were getting ready for the day. I could hear a mix of sounds their tools and conversation created. The soft light of dawn revealed the quaint beauty of Goblin life. Far away, the chirping of waking birds mixed with occasional warg howls and the rhythmic beats of pony girl boots.

“Good, so you finally decided to wake up,” Gorsk said as he walked in with Goren trailing behind. It appeared they had already begun their day.

Wrinkling his nose he chided me “Are you in heat? Again?”

My face tinged with pink, yet I chose to disregard him.

Goren was carrying a pail, filled with something. I asked Goren what was in the pail.

“Fresh milk,” he replied.

I hadn’t observed any cows in the village, so I was perplexed, but then it dawned on me - must be human milk. A sense of unease settled in my stomach, casting a shadow over the day that had just begun.

Noticing the unease on my face, Gorsk shook his head. “RED, this is our way. If you let every minor concern disturb you, you can never survive here.”

Before I had the opportunity to reprimand him for calling me ‘RED’ again, a young Goblin boy rushed toward us, urgently exclaiming, ‘Mom needs you, granny fell down ... come ... now!’ He began tugging at Gorsk, leading us to the spot where his grandmother lay. Reacting swiftly, I followed the trio.

As we reached a small opening near the back of the stables, where the pony girls were housed, I saw the boy’s granny sprawled on the floor, barely breathing. Gorsk hurried to her side.

Drawing nearer, I noticed a female Goblin - presumably Gorsk’s wife - weeping inconsolably and speaking rapidly in Goblin tongue. Gorsk quickly instructed Goren to fetch the village shaman.

Turning to me with pleading eyes, he asked, ‘Is there anything you could do to help?’ The weight of desperation hung heavy in his gaze.

In that moment, I knew I had to act quickly. Unobtrusively activating my nanobots, I directed them towards the fallen Goblin, assessing the severity of her injuries. The nanobots began their work with precision. They mended the fractures and helped the body’s natural healing process. It was chaotic and don’t think anyone noticed the subtle glow emanating from the nanobots.

Gorsk was engrossed in his concern for his kin. He remained unaware of my use of nanobots. As the seconds passed, the fallen Goblin’s labored breathing began to stabilize, and color returned to her pallid face. The once inconsolable weeping of Gorsk’s wife transformed into gasps of relief. I saw genuine gratitude in Gorsk’s eyes as he looked at me.

Gorsk’s demeanor underwent a palpable change. I think this was the moment when Gork’s views evolved. Previously, our encounters were defined by calculated decisions and a focus on profit. Now, amid the chaos and uncertainty, he offered a different form of respect.

With a candor not seen before, he admitted, “You’re not like the others. I’ve dealt with humans, but they were always pony girls or potential ones. You ... you’re different. Going forward I’m going to be honest with you. I’ll help you any way I can. You saved my mother! Remember though, for me, our clan will always come first. However, I will help you!”

This acknowledgment hinted at a more genuine connection. I was unsure how to react.

Given the situation I was not sure if I should question him but chose to proceed anyway. “So, when you mentioned helping me find the magical crystals earlier, were you being truthful?” I asked.

Looking somewhat remorseful, he said “No, Gabby. I mean, there truly is a person in the city who knows about magic crystals, and what I shared about our God is accurate. However, the intention was to assess your potential as pony girl in the village when we visited the city. You realize that a free human woman roaming around our village won’t be allowed. You would be considered a stray.”

I nodded in understanding. It made sense, however depraved the situation was, there was logic to that statement. I also noticed how he had reverted back to ‘Gabby’ instead of ‘RED’.

He greeted me with a tentative smile and gestured towards the three other Goblins accompanying him. “Allow me to introduce my family. This is my mother, Gorski, whose life you saved. Here is my wife, Gormina, and this lively one is my son, Gorskan,” he said with a gentle ruffle of Gorskan’s hair.

All three acknowledged my presence with nods, although I detected a subtle grimace from Gorski. I was not sure of their customs. SO I opted for a polite smile and nod in return.

The young one approached me, studying me from head to toe before directing his questions to his mother. “Why is she wearing clothes, Mom?”.

With a glance at Gorski, he continued “Granny said our ponies are gifts from God. You even scolded me when I talked to Raven last time. Why is Dad talking to her? Why isn’t she in the stable? Is she a stray? Can I harness her and take her to the stables? You said I am a big boy now. Please please let me take her to the stables.”

I was flabbergasted. I was sure Gorskan’s innocent questions were a result of his upbringing. But it created an a moment of awkward silence. Gorsk, his father, wore a mix of surprise and amusement on his face. He was clearly taken aback by the unexpected line of inquiry from his curious son.

Gorski, Gorsk’s mother, exchanged a glance with her daughter-in-law Gormina, and they both seemed unsure how to respond.

Gorsk recovered first, letting out a hearty laugh. “Not now, Gorskan! You’re right, humans are considered a gift from our god. And yes, they belong in our stables. However, Gabby is an exception. She’s our guest. We will treat her with respect and kindness.”

Gorski’s expression softened, and she patted Gorskan’s head while explaining, “Your father is correct, dear. Humans are traditionally treated as beasts of burden, but Gabby is different. She saved my life, and we owe her our gratitude. She’s under our protection, and we will treat her kindly. I had my doubts when your father first informed me about her abilities, but now we have witnessed them firsthand.”

As they spoke, I noticed a subtle shift in their attitudes. I was sure that initially, I was been viewed as nothing more than a potential pony girl. It looked like my heroic actions in saving Gorski’s life had garnered me a newfound respect with the family.

Gormina, Gorsk’s wife, gazed at him with worry etched in her eyes. “Gorsk, the villagers, they will not agree with you. They won’t like her roaming around freely. They will consider her a stray.” she said, emphasizing the word ‘will’.

Gorsk waved off her concerns. “I will deal with them, my dear. Many have seen her with me visit the Chief.”

I, however, wasn’t as confident in Gorsk’s ability to sway the villagers’ opinion. Nevertheless, I decided to wait it out.

I smiled at Gorskan, beckoning him toward me with the crook of my index finger. He approached hesitantly. With a playful grin, I scooped him up, tossing him into the air with a small laugh. As the others skipped a heartbeat, unsure of what I was up to, Gorskan giggled joyfully.

Setting him down on the ground, I spoke to him in a gentle, endearing voice, saying, “Things are not always as they seem. You are a brave boy. You saved your granny.”

He tugged at my hand, pleading, “Again ... again.” I obliged, much to the chagrin of the other adults around us.

As I enjoyed a relatively pleasant time with Gorskan, the blaring sound of bugles suddenly cut through the air.

The village which had been thus far, bustling with the hum of daily life, was suddenly engulfed in chaos. The shrill notes signaled the imminent threat of an attack. The villagers swiftly transformed from their routine activities to a state of alertness.

From the outskirts, hordes from another Goblin clan descended upon the village. By my estimation, there were more than a five hundred little monsters coming. The attackers were armed, ready and approached with an aggressive determination. It sent shivers through the villagers.

Gorsk’s villagers formed a makeshift line of defense after hastily arming themselves with whatever weapons they could find. Fear and determination mingled on their faces as they prepared to confront the impending onslaught.

When I glanced to my left, I noticed, their Chief. He stood at the forefront, rallying his people, and directing their efforts to fortify their defenses.

Amidst the chaotic turmoil, Gorsk approached me. I noticed the urgency etched on his face. He explained the dire situation and implored me to lend my help to the defense of the village - he said he was using up his third condition to save his village.

Aware of my own limitations, I hesitated momentarily. My nanobots were depleted, resting at a mere 30% capacity. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on me.

I took a deep breath and then confronted the daunting decision. I was fully aware that it would likely come back to haunt me.

I turned to Gorsk, questioning whether he had any of the damned “pony fruit” on hand. Despite his evident surprise, he didn’t object. He promptly retrieved one and handed it over to me.

The fruit had been the root cause of my past predicaments. I had made a solemn vow never to resort to it again. However, confronted with the harsh reality, I had no choice. I was sure that without its aid, we were all headed for an inevitable doom.

After I consumed the fruit, a surge of energy coursed through me. It revitalized my nanobots and bestowing upon me the strength needed to join the villagers in their fight for survival.

I sprinted towards the unfolding battle. A bizarre sight caught my eye. The invaders were mounted on imposing and armored pony girls. They were expertly controlling their massive steeds and ruthlessly attacking the villagers.

Surveying the scene, I discerned the tactical disadvantage the villagers faced. The invaders, perched atop their pony girls, enjoyed height and mobility advantages. Their steeds covered ground at an astonishing speed, outpacing the village Goblins significantly. The Gorsk villagers hadn’t yet deployed their own pony girls into the fight.

Our side was losing the battle. In a hurried moment, I pulled Gorsk aside and urgently instructed him to have his villagers summon their mounts. I told him that would attempt to hold off the advancing horde while he did that.

As Gorsk hurried back to convey my suggestion to the villagers, I advanced towards the enemy with the sword that he had handed me. I tried my best not to harm the hapless human females transformed into pony girls, who were innocent in this unfortunate situation. Instead, I focused my efforts on ensuring that their Goblin riders became the target of my righteous anger.

I navigated the battlefield with a strategic approach, amidst the chaos of clashing swords and the thundering hooves of the armored pony girls. My nanobots were my constant concern, and I monitored their power levels closely. The fruit had given me a temporary boost, but I needed to ration my energy to last through the entire battle. I would worry about the cost of my actions later.

My training at the GC in hand-to-hand combat served me well, as I swiftly engaged with the invading Goblins. Their initial confusion at seeing a human female fighting independently, without a Goblin rider guiding her, worked to my advantage. Their hesitation provided me with crucial moments to exploit. I was striking with precision and agility.

As the battle unfolded, I noticed the invaders adjusting their tactics. They must have realized that I was not targeting their steeds. Unfortunately they caught on to my plan soon. They began to use their armored pony girls as both shields and weapons.

It became clear that they were adapting to the unexpected challenge I posed. The clash intensified, and the air resonated with the clash of steel, the roars of armored pony girls, and the shouts of combatants.

I maintained my focus, determined to defend the villagers and their home against the relentless onslaught.

The clash erupted in a frenzy of violence, with Gorsk’s villagers joining the melee atop their pony girls.

The air became thick with the metallic scent of blood. The battlefield echoed with the clash of weapons and the screams of the wounded. The arrival of the mounted villagers added a new dynamic to the fight. It created a chaotic yet coordinated effort to repel the invaders.

I seamlessly blended with the villagers and their pony girls, as I navigated the tumultuous battle field.

In a pivotal moment, just as one Goblin invader aimed a strike at me, I witnessed Shadow, leap to my defense. Despite the situation, I smiled.

He sank his teeth into the Goblin’s hand, bringing him down. He had saved my life. I will thank him later.

United in unwavering determination, we clashed against the invading hordes, pushing them back. The combined efforts of Gorsk’s villagers and myself formed a resilient front. We stood firm against the meticulously controlled armored pony girls and their Goblin riders onslaught.

Just when I thought we were gaining ground, the invaders received more reinforcements. Warning signals flashed in my neural array as I observed the villagers valiantly defending their home against overwhelming odds. Despite their courage, it was evident that they were outnumbered. It was now or never.

An unwelcome surge of unwanted urges threatened to surface within me, no doubt the side effect of the pony fruit. I grappled with the internal struggle. I knew that succumbing to those urges now would jeopardize our chances of defeating the invaders. I steeled myself against the wanton need coursing through my privates.

My clothes lay in tatters. Even as the nanobot power levels dipped perilously low, I pressed on with unwavering determination. The clash of weapons, the cries of the wounded, and the overall chaos of battle heightened.