Welina-Grace and the Forest Uglies

WG - Chapter1 - Servant To The Ogres

Her name is Zinah. Servant to the Ogreʻs who serve the Queen of the Bitterborns also known as the Uglies. Bitterborns were made up of Ogres, Trolls, Ghouls, Goblins, Gnomes, Elves, Witches and a few others that maybe she doesnʻt know about. Take, for instance, Queen Dessa. She has no idea what species she is and there are no others like her. No one even knows how old she is or what she is, though most believe she could be hybrid but of what is anyone’s guess! Her skin is of a pale bluish color, unlike the sick green of the ghouls and goblins. She has long hair, black as night, eyes blue as the deepest ocean, and small horns that protruded from the side of her forehead like a demon. She is quite tall for a woman, at least 6ʻ2” and slim but curvy. In the human world, she could be considered beautiful if not for her bluish skin and horns. But Queen Dessa is horrid and heartless. Sheʻs ruled over the Bitterborns in the Association Peak forest near Seebe, Canada for as long as the Bitterborns could remember and found it amusing to watch different realms fighting not only with each other but among themselves as well. She said it was stimulating to watch a bunch of misfits fight for power theyʻll never accomplish receiving. If word got back to her about any coup or revolution against her, sheʻd released her army of Ghouls on the groups. These Ghouls were a calloused bunch of no-brainer idiots that couldnʻt think for themselves except for Gorak, their leader, and General to the Queen. They did what the Queen told them to do. Nothing more, nothing less. Prisoners in their own minds and prisoners of the Queenʻs. Mostly locked up in cages until they were needed to “Keep the Queenʻs peace” so to speak. Many of the realms were fearful and petrified of the Queenʻs Ghoulʻs. As they should be. Heartless and disgusting creatures trained to go out for blood at the Queenʻs beckoned call. And all they got in return was a special meal after battle to say thank you. For the Ghouls, that was enough. And luckily for them, there was no shortage of realms that would always try to overthrow the Queen. Gorak was known as a traitor to his own kind by the other realms for allowing his fellow Ghouls to be treated like animals and used for the Queenʻs sick games. But Gorak didnʻt care. As long as he was in the Queenʻs graces, he had it made. A place to live, food to eat, and clothing on his back. He was just as ruthless as the Queen he swore his loyalty to.

There was, however, one realm within the forest boundaries that the Queen didnʻt bother with. Bitterborns speculated that they were the only ones that could overtake the Queen and her Ghouls but for the most part, these species kept to their own territory and were seldom, if ever, seen. Because they were soooo reclusive some thought they didnʻt even exist at all. They were hardly ever talked about and one would believe that sooner than later, their kind would be known as just a memory.

Zinahʻs life at the Elder Ogre camp was no bed of roses. Her tyrant master was Junie and that old hag found every excuse to beat Zinah.

“Zinah!! Where is that worthless servant! Zinah!” the old Ogre screamed

“Here I am, Junie. Sorry, I was out picking our Queenʻs favorite berries and I….” Zinah begins to say when sheʻs hit smack across her face making her fly across the room and hit the wall

“How many times have I told you to make sure all your chores are done and foraging completed BEFORE the cooks begin preparing the Queen’s meals!” Junie screamed

“I am sorry, really I am. I know the queen has a soft spot for cloudberries and I found a bunch, see?” Zinah said shakily as she stood and crossed the room to pick up her basket to show the Ogre the bright orange berries. Junie had no idea that Zinah had found a way to cultivate the delectable and rare cloudberries and even found a way to get them to fruit out of season. A secret she kept to herself.

“Well, that does look delicious. Get it to the cooks right away. Maybe they can whip up a good dessert for the Queen before she finishes her main course” Junie says

“Right away, Junie” Zinah says as she sprints the mile from the cottage to the castle’s kitchen, glad to be out of Junieʻs presence

“What have you got there girl?” the old cook says as Zinah comes in

“And what happened to your face! Did that old Ogre hit you again?! Girl, you need to follow rules so you donʻt get hit” the cook says

“I know Duskin, but I found the Queen some beautiful cloudberries but it took longer than expected picking them,” Zinah said

“Lemme see those. Oh well, well, well, these are a bunch of beauties and sure look mighty delicious! Iʻm sure the Queen will love them! Just in time for dessert. Now go make yourself helpful and bring me the cheesecake while I cook up the cloudberry puree sauce and whipped cream for the topping” Duskin says as Zinah takes out the delectable cheesecake and places it on the counter

“You must be a good cook if the Queen keeps you around,” Zinah says nonchalantly

“I must be thankful that I can. It affords me few luxuries others donʻt have” Duskin said eyeing the almost 16-year-old

“Duskin? Do you like the Queen” Zinah asked

“Hush girl! Donʻt let the Queen hear you speaking ill of her or sheʻll release her Ghouls on you” Duskin said

“Well, do you?” Zinah whispered looking around to see if anyone was listening to their conversation

“I will not answer that question. Letʻs just say that the Queen tolerates my presence because I am the royal cook. But I know what my boundaries are and you should keep that in mind as well. She will just as quick kill you than listen to the nonsense of a servant” Duskin said

“Sorry, I was just asking,” Zinah said not really knowing what was so wrong with her question

“I know sweetie, just be careful who you speak to about such things,” Duskin said

Duskin finished up dessert and had it sent out to be served to the Queen. He made a bowl for Zinah as she sat at a small table in the Royal kitchen. She liked being here helping Duskin. He was the only Ogre from their camp that treated her good. The other elders in the camp were mean and outright nasty. Though Zinah was technically Junieʻs servant, she had to also listen to the demands of the other camp Ogres. Duskin was Junieʻs brother. Quite a bit older than Junie but he took Zinah with him to the castle kitchen every chance he got just to get her away from his sister. It irritated Junie til no end, she always complained that Zinah fell behind in her chores because she spent so much time with him. But for the most part, Junie did not fight Duskin on it, due to him being an elder to her. Apparently, Ogres were all about elder respect and sh*t. Who knew?

Duskin was Zinahʻs best friend. He was an Ogre that wore many hats and was well respected in the Elder Camp. He was a cook, a healer, a scholar, a hunter, a historian, and even a tailor among other things. He taught Zinah how to forage and look for medicinal plants he needed for healing as well as edible fruits and vegetables. The forest afforded them with everything they needed but Duskin farmed common fruits and vegetables he used often in his cooking as well.

“Zinah, it is time you head back to camp before Junie comes looking for you,” Duskin said

“Okay, well Iʻll see you when you get home?” Zinah asked

“Maybe, if I donʻt get home too late. I still have to clean and prep for tomorrowʻs meal” Duskin stated and Zinah gave him a hug before turning to leave

“Listen to Junie and donʻt make too much trouble for yourself” Duskin called out to her as she skipped out of the kitchen toward the Ogre camp