Jenn wasn't sure if it was her imagination or if there was actually a presence or something that was making it harder for Jenn to breathe. That she was walking into something more dangerous than anything she'd done so far on this expedition.
The thought of the expedition made Jenn wonder briefly when she'd be able to continue her search for the griffin canyon. She wasn't sure if that'd be something she'd be able to get around to anytime soon. Not with how things kept popping up that kept demanding her full attention other than being able to search for that canyon that she was still certain was on this world.
However, she pushed those thoughts out of her mind as she walked through the cavern. Those thoughts weren't going to help her regardless of what the situation before her would reveal. That her own life could be in jeopardy if she handled this situation in the wrong way.
As Jenn walked into the cavern where Derek lived, she couldn't help but see another two ogresses with him. One was the ogress Jenn recognized as the one who had been assigned by Derek to at least observe her people for the Ogres, no matter how Derek described it differently. However, the other ogress looked just as unfamiliar as the ogre who brought Jenn here, though Jenn wasn't sure if that meant anything or not. Although, based on the level of undress of the three, and the fact that they were just lounging around, made Jenn suspect that they'd already finished 'sharing' at this point. Which she was thankful she hadn't walked in on them in the middle of their 'sharing.' Though, she still felt uncomfortable at the fact that all three were still completely naked.
As Jenn approached, the unfamiliar Ogress was the first to see Jenn. Though Jenn didn't hear anything, the other two turned to look at Jenn a moment later, making her suspect that this unfamiliar ogress might be like Derek and able to communicate with magic. Although it was possible that all Ogres could do that, she hadn't seen any evidence of that. Which she hoped wasn't because they were keeping that information from her because they didn't trust her. As that would make it harder to get them to trust her at this point.
–You've returned like I told them you would.– Derek's voice sounded in Jenn's mind.
–I hope that's because you know I'm wanting to find out what happened.– Jenn replied, hoping this wasn't the beginning of the end of the peace between her people and the ogres.
–I'm afraid I don't know that. I only know that a human was killed, one that might be important to you, but that the one being accused of that death is one of my people.– Derek answered. –As far as I know, you're here to persuade me to send her back so she can be executed for that death.–
–While it would be helpful for her to come back, I can't say that it'd be safe for her to do so.– Jenn admitted. –I came because I want to find out what happened and in order to do that, I need to hear what her side of the story was. To find evidence that she did or didn't kill my friend.–
Derek snorted. –I see you've already made up your mind about this. That you've-– Derek stopped talking midsentence and his left head turned to look at the unfamiliar ogress, whom Jenn suspected said something. Something that Jenn hadn't been included in.
Derek sighed after a minute. –No, I'm not placating her. You heard what I was saying. I'm merely letting her know that she isn't going to convince me to send someone of my tribe to her death just to satisfy the need for retribution on someone who isn't guilty of the crime she's accused of.–
Jenn sighed. She could see that Derek wasn't going to be convinced that she was there to try and find out what had really happened, but at the same time, she had a feeling his 'certainty' of what she was there for was due to his paranoia rather than what he really knew about her himself.
–Rather than explaining everything and trying to convince you, how about we share?– Jenn suggested, mostly to keep from wasting more of her time than necessary. She felt like her eyes were ready to close on their own, with how tired she was, and she certainly wasn't in the mood for wasting time trying to convince anyone of something they'd already made their minds up about. She didn't have the patience for that, if nothing else.
Both of Derek's heads blinked as they focused on Jenn again. –Share? You're willing to do that at this point? Don't you realize that I'll be able to see what your true objectives are by you sharing with us?–
Jenn felt stunned. She'd only expected to share with Derek. No one else. However, she looked at the two ogresses, one looking uneasy and the other looking close to being hostile, but just not quite. She wasn't sure who else she'd be sharing with, but she also knew she didn't have many options at the moment. Not if she was going to salvage the peace between her people and the ogres.
While it might not end up leading to war with her people, she was at least confident if she handled this situation poorly, it would create a divide between them. One she wasn't sure would be able to be bridged.
–Speak to the chieftess with me. Convince her to let you share with us and then I'll share with you.– Derek added when Jenn was quiet for a minute.
Jenn felt a little surprised that the unfamiliar ogress was a chieftess, but she wondered if she should be surprised at the fact. If only the chiefs could speak with magic to others, then it would make sense why the ogress would be able to talk with Derek like that as opposed to the other ogress not having shown signs of being able to do that up to this point.
–My name is Jenn. I would like to-– Jenn started to say, but was quickly cut off.
–I care not what a human wants to do. I only had my favorite guard bring you here to see what this chief was consorting with. I'm not impressed. So, now either you leave now or I will show you why your kind shouldn't have come back.– the ogress roared, clearly not interested in anything Jenn might have wanted to say or suggest.
However, Jenn wasn't intimidated by this ogress. Or at least not by her words. The size of her, however, was still a factory Jenn couldn't shake off, no matter how much she'd like to pretend otherwise.
–I'm not leaving until we've heard each other out.– Jenn retorted, trying to sound more confident in herself than she felt. More at ease than she knew this ogress would realize until they 'shared.' –Either we share so we can dispel any misunderstandings we might have with each other or you admit that you're biased.–
Jenn wasn't sure where that last statement came from, but she couldn't help but draw a little satisfaction with how the eyes in both heads of the chieftess bulged at Jenn's response.
–Insolent little human.– the chieftess snarled in Jenn's mind, looking like she was getting ready to stand up. –What makes you think you can make demands? You're nothing but a weakling that I'll crush without even thinking about. I don't know how you learned to talk this way, but I'll not stay here and let you convince any ogre to let you take one of us to be slaughtered.–
Jenn sighed. She suspected the chieftess hadn't heard her mention her intention to 'share' with them, but she had a feeling that the chieftess was too preoccupied with Jenn being there in the first place rather than what she might be trying to propose.
–Look, I just want to share so we can resolve this misunderstanding.– Jenn replied, wondering if she should have added the bit of the chieftess being biased. She wondered if that might have been a bad choice of words for her to have used. –I have no intention of taking anyone to any slaughter if they're innocent of murder.–
The chieftess scoffed. –It's not 'murder' to kill a human. It's self-defense. And what would you know about 'sharing,' human? You're much to small to give me any satisfaction.–
Jenn glanced at Derek, not sure if she should initiate a session to 'share' right then, but she supposed that the chieftess had opened the door with her remark, making it perfectly acceptable for Jenn to 'share' with them in her way, rather than their way.
Derek gave Jenn a nod with his right head, which Jenn took it to mean he understood what she was intending and was giving her his assent to go forward with 'sharing' with all present, assuming the ogress who had remained silent throughout all of this was able to participate in the 'sharing' that Jenn had in mind.
Not that she gave it a second thought. She wanted this to be over with as quickly as possible and didn't care right then so she could at least find a place to sleep if she wasn't going to get back to the settlement after this was over. Though, she couldn't help but wonder who might still be awake when she returned if she did make it back to the settlement before this was over. Which she quickly pushed that thought out of her head. She didn't need any distractions at the moment.
However, given the nature of 'sharing,' it was over a moment later. Though, while it lasted a brief moment in the actual length of time, for Jenn, and those involved in 'sharing,' it felt a lot longer than that as their minds tried to make sense of the sudden influx of information.
The chieftess was gasping for air while Derek looked pensive as a result, and even Jenn herself felt like she might need to sit down soon so she didn't fall over with how off balance she suddenly felt. Though, the ogress that was in the center of the events leading up to this point, didn't seem to have been affected in any way by the 'sharing.' Making Jenn wonder if she'd even be able to 'share' or not. The details about 'sharing' was still a little fuzzy for Jenn.
–So, are you still going to say she isn't as peaceful as I made it clear when we shared before we were interrupted?– Derek asked, a note of smugness clear in his mental voice.
The chieftess sighed, sounding almost annoyed. –Well, it certainly wasn't as fun as the usual manner. I thought she was going to strip so we could share the usual way.–
Jenn couldn't help but feel her face going red from embarrassment. She supposed some of the hostility from the chieftess was from the fact that she was used to 'sharing' in a more physical way and Jenn wasn't showing signs of getting ready to do it in that particular way, which might have made her doubt if Jenn was serious about 'sharing' or not.
–I know, right? Though, as you can also see, she insists on doing it this way. All to remain true, or whatever, to the one she left for her journey.– Derek replied, almost sounding bemused.
–Well, I'm still not convinced that having humans on this world will result in anything good. However, I do see why you're willing to trust this human. She certainly isn't like those we've encountered before.–
Jenn suddenly felt a yawn come on, that belied how tired she was, but if the ogres cared, they didn't show any signs of it as she yawned, getting it out of her system. While the sharing was over, she knew the conversation wasn't. No matter how much she'd prefer to go to sleep right then.
–Um, could we move onto the topic of the ogress returning with me?" Jenn asked, wanting to at least get this over before she had to get some sleep. If only so she wouldn't have to deal with it when she woke up.
–What's there to talk about?– Derek asked, as if the matter had already been decided. –She's not returning just so she can be executed.–
–And you should know from me having just 'shared' with you, that it's not my intention to take her just to kill her.– Jenn replied, wondering if there was some way the ogres would be willing to compromise. –I just want to find out what happened and I feel she needs to be present in order for me to prove what did actually happen.–
Derek looked at Jenn with a piercing glare, one that might have caused Jenn to fall to the ground trembling if she hadn't had experience with knowing just how gentle Derek really was.
–I've already seen through her eyes what happened as well as how angry the others were that someone had made an attempt on your life. Just because you don't want to kill her out of hand doesn't mean your people will share that sentiment.–
Jenn wanted to argue the point, but when she heard that Derek had seen what happened through the ogress' eyes, she felt arguing might be a little more counterproductive if she didn't know the story from the ogress' side. Plus, she had a feeling Derek wasn't used to dealing with issues like this. Where one party couldn't just 'share' and find out what happened so quickly.
–Then explain to me what happened. If you want, 'share' again with me and I'll at least be able to explain why I still need her to prove her innocence. Besides, I'm confident that enough of my people will be willing to follow my lead on this matter that I'll vouch for her life with mine. If I'm wrong and she is killed, then I won't resist when you kill me.– Jenn answered, feeling a trickle of cold sweat going down her back as she said that last sentence. She didn't want to die, and while she was confident that those who already knew that she was the Blue Rose would follow her lead, no matter their personal feelings, she couldn't say for certain it would work out that way. Still, she knew such a gesture would provide the cooperation she was looking for in this matter.
–Are you sure you want to know? How do I know that you aren't just looking for a way to convince your people to go to war with us?– the chieftess asked, sounding almost arrogant, even though Jenn suspected she was starting to get convinced that Jenn was sincere.
–Because I brought my people here so we could escape those who would keep us in chains.– Jenn replied, wondering if this was going to take longer than she'd anticipated. –Because I know we'd lose in a direct confrontation, just as your people would lose. Neither of us would benefit from conflict, but through cooperation, we'd be able to help each other in ways that we can't help ourselves.–
Jenn stopped because she felt she'd made a good point and if she continued much further, she had a feeling she'd probably have to start pulling it out of her ass to keep piling it on. Nor was she confident in her ability to do that without looking like she knew what she was talking about.
–I supposed I can accept your terms for taking-– Derek made a sound Jenn knew she couldn't duplicate and assumed it was the ogress' name. –However, if something happens to her and you flee, we'll smash your settlement and bury that gate in stone so none of your kind will be able to use it again. In addition to killing all humans who remain.–
Jenn nodded, accepting what would happen if she failed to protect the ogress and fled, even if there was a good reason for her to do so. She wasn't sure what the reason could be, but she was confident that there could be one. Though, she wondered if that meant there would be ogres watching them where Jenn and her people wouldn't be able to see. Which also made her wonder if her people were being watched even now by ogres.
–I can accept that.– Jenn replied, doing her best to ignore the feeling of unease she got from that last thought. –After all, if she dies, then I should die just as quickly and without being able to prepare for it, right?–
Jenn felt her mouth go dry as she said that, even though it was through her magic. She didn't like the idea of dying. Though, it at least made her realize that it would prevent Beth from getting killed. She didn't really consider it a valid option, but it would at least be a viable option to keep that from happening. After all, if she died, then she wouldn't be able to be present in that scene for Beth to get killed by the figure that she could only see as a shadow in her memory from the dream.
Derek exchanged a look with the chieftess, whom Jenn suspected were conversing without Jenn being able to hear what they said, but based on the expressions on all of their heads, she had a feeling she'd won the argument. Though, she hoped that she was correct and she wasn't signing her life away needlessly through this arrangement.
–Alright. So, here's what she saw…–Derek said after a minute of being quiet towards Jenn.