“I wish to see the prisoner,” she heard him say.

She exited the tent only too catch a glimpse of him entering the prison tent where Mailee languished.

Mailee looked up from her cot to see a large man hovering over her. He was tall and stocky with long dark hair tied back in a ponytail. She noticed a scare upon his face, she wondered if he had received it in battle or if it was simply a birth defect. Most likely it was the first. Although her hands were tied once again she managed to stand. Even though she seemed the size of a child compared to him she looked him straight in the eye. He circled around her. Mailee never lost sight of his eyes. He seemed to be hiding some great pain, but didn’t everyone.

He stopped circling her. “Do you think you’re brave, young woman?” he asked her.

“Not really, just determined. You are the General Kame’ spoke of.”

“Yes,” he grumbled. He turned away from her.

“I want to thank you,” she said. “Thank you for taking care of my sister.”

He turned towards her again, the sadness in his eyes now turning to rage. “How dare you call her that.” He grabbed her by the throat. “She is my daughter. Don’t even think about turning her against me.” Still she showed no fear. He let go of her which made her stumble backwards but she did not fall. “What are you?”

“What do you think I am? You’re enemy, no. That is only your perception. Octavians and Oyani don’t have to be enemies. You proved that when you saved her.”

“And now you want her back. Don’t worry, witch, you won’t live long enough.”

“So, you’re going to kill me. It won’t be that easy. Do you really want to do that to Kame’? Don’t you see we are connected? Kame’ and I are twins, and that is a special bond. Hurt me and you hurt her.”

“No, I wish to free her of you, witch.”

“You think by killing me you can purge that bond? She may stay here with you, but she will resent you. Let me go and she may not.”

“I will hear no more of your lies. You will die this day and the memory of you purged, you and your kind.”

“What do you mean?” she said, fear enveloping her.

“We know of your camp. You and your kind are an abomination.”

“Please, don’t hurt my people. Do with me what you will but leave them alone. Don’t you see, this violence has to stop. Our two races don’t have to be divided. We could live in peace, but if you do this you will start a war. There’s other tribes out there they will join forces to destroy you. Don’t let that happen.”

“It is too late for talk. You invaded our camp, and you and your people will pay the price. There only one punishment fit for a witch like you, burning.”

With that he left her still standing there with her hands tied behind her back. For the first time in her life she was terrified, not for herself but for her people.