Chapter 5 - Ambush

Remi didn't last twenty minutes in the library before Rosa, one of the Maids, came in to inform her that her mother would want her to clean up the horses immediately for a trip.

"A trip to where?" Remi asked.

"I'm afraid that does not concern me, Your Grace. " Rosa said, trying hard to walk away faster. Remi didn't push it. No one ever told her anything. Except give orders to Labour her around.

Even the human maids detest me.

She started by grooming Styka, a majestic black mare she adored. However, the pungent aroma of horse dung wafting up from the stall proved overwhelming, triggering a relentless coughing fit that left her struggling to catch her breath.

As she crouched down, wincing in discomfort, to clean out the dung from beneath Styka, a sudden, painful kick sent her tumbling forward, her weakened body collapsing onto the filthy dung.

"Ha! Look at her go down!" a mocking voice jeered, followed by a chorus of raucous laughter from the surrounding crowd.

"She fucking fell!" Another voice shouted, resulting in more laughter.

"Stand up, come on!" Another voice said, but Remi remained crouched on the ground, trying to wipe off the dung from her face with her hand.

She hated them. Styg, Roy, Thornton, and Ken, the stable boys who she never spoke to. They always laughed at her and called her a swine, but she never spoke to them.

"Pull her up." Thorton said to Roy and Ken, who rushed and pulled her up.

"Your shape grows unsightly and irritating every day." Thorton said.

"Tell us," Styg, who seemed to be the leader of the gathering, finally spoke up, his voice commanding attention. "Are you a witch?"

"Are you numb? He asked you a question." Thorton retorted.

"Nobody wants you. You're unwanted, a reject. You can't even transform into a wolf. The moon itself has cursed you." Styg spat.

Remi closed her eyes and winced. His words impaling her.

"You will leave me alone. Now!" She exclaimed weakly, in a way that prompted the boys to look at themselves and laugh.

"Are you even a woman?" Styg asked. Their eyes met, and a sinister understanding passed between them, their faces mirroring the dark thoughts brewing in their minds.

Remi's body began to shake with sobs as she tried to retreat, but it was no use. The boys closed in, forming a menacing circle around her, their faces twisted with cruel intent, trapping her.

"Get away from me!" She screamed in fear.

"Let us see, first." Thorton said.

In a swift and brutal motion, Styg grasped Remi's flimsy dress, and as she struggled to break free.

"No, stop!" She cried.

Thorton seized the opportunity to join in. Together they tore the gown apart, ripping it in two and leaving Remi exposed and vulnerable.

Remi let out a great squeal, as she was forced to use her hands to cover her body.

"Look at her undergarments." Roy snickered, his finger jabbing accusingly as he burst into mocking laughter.

"I can't even touch it. " Ken said.

"Look at her tits. I guess she is a woman."

"I guess she is." Styg agreed, nodding his head and licking his lips. "You may be a worthless and ugly bitch, but I have to admit, your breasts are surprisingly fair to look on."

"Can we touch it? I've never even seen tits before." Roy said. He was the youngest there, and about eighteen.

"Why don't you lie down on your crooked back, Princess? Let's have a little fun, and we will never disturb you again." Styg said, causing Remi to move back until she hit the pan on the floor and fell.

"What is going on here?" A voice coming from the entrance of the tables suddenly prompted the boys to take to their heels immediately, leave Remi exposed and shamefully as she wept.

"Mother...." she called as Nyla slowly walked to her.

"Get up. Get changed." Nyla finally spoke up, her voice breaking the silence after a long, uncomfortable pause, as she gazed down at Remi's crumpled form on the floor, struggling to get up.

"Human men are utterly repulsive. I'm at a loss to understand what it is about this wretched physical form that could possibly make them desire you." Nyla spat. "If I come this way again and see you sprawled on the floor like dead meat, so help me, Mene, I will throw you in a brothel myself."