2 comments/ 9119 views/ 9 favorites Twins of Trallis: Sandstorm By: xelliebabex Authors Note: This is a continuation of the Trallis: Summer storm dancer story. ~ellie Twins of Trallis: Dancer in the sand Nyx had been born into a cruel and harsh world. Her mother lay dying as she took her first breath and as the illegitimate daughter of the Lord of their realm hers was to be a life of slavery and humiliation. Janus, the physician who had attended her birth had been the only one present and paying attention to the dying woman when the second child was born. The first born of the twin girls and having been branded as an illegitimate heir, she was condemned to a life of drudgery and taken away by a kine as soon as the brand had been applied. The second child's arrival had in contrast been silent and secretive. Janus's heart broke as the woman looked down upon her babe while he held it close to her, and she closed her eyes as the last of her life's blood ebbed away. He closed the eyes of sweet natured and beautiful young woman who had been stolen from her family and forced to endure the harsh treatment of Lord Gerahn as a mistress. The physician had attended her often over time, healing the damage inflicted upon her small body. She neither complained nor sought relief. He had been so taken with the brave young woman who had taken the name Nyx, meaning nothing that he had begged to know her real name. He had attended her throughout her pregnancy, thankful that Gerahn had lessened in his mistreatment of her for the term of nine months and slowly she had opened up to Janus about who she was and where she had come from. "I am so sorry, Dana, you deserved much better than this," he whispered his eyes misting as he wrapped the silent child within a blood covered sheet with the placenta. No one would question his taking of the placenta to examine it for skullduggery and he hurried out of the room willing the silent babe to remain so. In his mind he promised Dana to make a better life for at least one of her children. Better than the life that awaited the first borne of the twins should she survive the branding and be cared for by the kine. Wanting to save a small part of Dana from the horror she had endured, he fled the castle. He had hurried back to his rooms where he examined the child and sent a special messenger bird winging its way eastward to the small village where a young physician resided who could care for the child in safety, his wife having just lost a child of her own to the sleeping sickness. He then sat and planned how he would feed and care for the child without being discovered until the arrival of his friend. ***** Twenty years later: Nyx's story. Nyx's long strawberry blonde hair had endeared her to the favored slave of the trader who had bought her as a child to the hot sands of the desert people. In this good fortune, rather than a life of drudgery which most slaves endured, she had been taught to dance. Nyx did not look like the other dancers and this in itself gave her a certain exotic appeal to the people of the oasis where she had lived for the past decade. From the time she had been shown the first steps of a simple dance she worked at learning all of the dances of the desert people. She attended lessons and practiced under the gentle hands of Neema, the woman who had protected her since her arrival so long ago and whom she thought of as a mother. As a dancer Nyx enjoyed a life of certain privileges that other slaves did not and knowing this she worked hard at perfecting the craft. She did not have an overabundance of breast or the wide hips of the other girls, so she put more into the story of her dances, using her differences to her advantage. She was pale and slight with wide green eyes in stark contrast to the olive skinned, fuller figured, brown eyed girls of the desert people. She had learned to use foul smelling mixtures to increase the natural fair streakiness of her hair as she grew older. The effect of the procedure on her hair making it almost seem like a wave of soft cognac hues glinting red and brown within a golden wave of silky tresses. Nyx had grown into a delicate young woman when she finally fell under the eye of a visiting chieftan, who, after haggling, paid an exorbitant price to the slave trader for her. Packing her small dancers chest and with many tears and shrieking from her slave mother, she was taken away to the tent city oasis of the chieftan, Mahan. "You belong to me now tiny dancer," he had stated as she was brought in trembling to kneel before him. "Dance your submission to me and I will give you a collar and brand that will keep you safe from all else who desire you. If I do not see your submission in your dance I will give you to my captain." Nyx looked around and saw the captain eye her eagerly. "May I have a moment to gather some silk to dance with, please Master?" The chief nodded and she turned quickly to the small dancer's chest that had accompanied her to this place. Adorned in white silk with bells on her ankles she stood and looked up at the man who now owned her. He nodded again watching her intently. Moving away from the chest to the pole in the centre of his tent, she let the bells ring out a measured rhythm as she prepared. Nyx shook her head so her silken tresses cascaded over the white ribbons of silk that clung to her shoulders and small frame. With small painted toes pointing the way she delicately stepped, her hips swaying to the beat of the bells, her feet sliding along cool tiles. This was a man that was unknown to her, yet she wanted to please him, her eyes the colour of new palm leaves lighting on him briefly. Her shoulders trembled in fear as she swayed before him to the soft beat of the bells, her delicate fingers holding the white silk that marked her as new to his world, virgin like in this dance of the new slave. Her body quivered beneath the silk then suddenly her arms flung wide, as if tugged by unseen bindings; she appeared to struggle in her dance, to pull the silk back around her as if shamed at her naïve nakedness. The tempo of the bells became faster with her feet and she gasped straining against the unseen forces as the white silk ribbon was seemingly torn from her and fell from her undulating body now covered only by the plain collar of a homeless slave girl with a single white ribbon tied to it. Nyx sank to her knees, crawling with feline grace back to the central pole of this tent, thoughts flooding of Neema and the home she had lost, sounds of her heart pounding its rhythm setting her pace as her hair flowed in a puddle about her face, she appeared to be seeking escape. She rose to tiptoed feet, petite frame bare, with leaf green eyes lowered to the ground, aware of the cold pole pressing against back she slid like a quivering leaf back to the ground. Knowing she was but a slave, she let the joy of dancing fill her heart once more. Springing up to lithe legs pulling a ribbon of emerald green silk with her, a small smile crossed her pink lips and she twisted and swayed her form wrapping the new silks softness around her. Nyx twirled round the room, silk flying behind, she looked into the eyes of her new owner feeling his judgment upon her as she flew through the air landing with the utmost grace just inches from his feet, stopping with the last beat of her bells. Nyx melted at his feet, as if giving up the struggle and handing over her mind, body and soul to him. Fire still in her heart, her skin shining with sweet perspiration in the torchlight, her long hair bouncing down her straight back, she looked up at him then lowered her head. Her hair fell and veiled her while her face touched the ground at his feet to show him the submission he asked for. She raised her arms outstretched and crossed in offering, a single white ribbon dangling between her fingers and the plain slave collar she wore. She dared not look up as he took the ribbon from her fingers and tugged on it raising her chin. Keeping her eyes downcast she saw the metal cutters as they glided along her throat to bite into the simple ring surrounding it. Taking her chin he lifted it, and she reluctantly looked up at him, "Raise your head and be proud tiny dancer you have earned a great collar this day." With that he let go of her chin and forcing the simple ring apart and away from her throat he replaced it with a wider band of silver intricately carved with symbols and hung with four rings that spun around it circumference as he locked it in place. One of the rings held a shining silver disc, "This," he said proudly holding the disc, "is my mark you bare it as my property. You now belong to me." "You will call me Mahan, and you shall keep your name, Nyx, my tiny dancer, it suits you." The captain lamented what was almost his and congratulated the chief on a fine purchase. "Leave us, and heat the iron" the chief growled and the captain and his two men who had watched her dance left the tent. As they left, the chief bent forward and picked Nyx up throwing her over his shoulder. "Let's see what else you have to offer your new Master." The girl squirmed. While not a virgin she had been largely left alone thanks to her protective slave mother and she bit at her lip in anxiety at what awaited her. He lowered her surprisingly gently to the bed and discarding his clothes quickly he lay beside her. "Show me your submission tiny dancer, pleasure me." Placing her hands on his chest she leaned in to kiss his cheek and jaw purring into his ear, "As you wish, Mahan." He rolled to his back and she kissed down his neck and over his chest with light feathery touches, her mind whirling to remember all she had been taught. Her hands trailed long painted fingernails along his rib cage as she lowered her mouth to his hardening manhood. Her lips encircled him and she heard him groan, his hips thrusting forward. Her tongue danced around the head as she sucked him into her mouth. Nyx's head bobbed as she took more of him into her mouth sucking and rolling her tongue around his cock. She liked the feel of the hard flesh in her mouth and she wriggled in pleasure as she sucked, her hands reaching up to wrap around the remaining shaft and heavy sac that hung below it. Mahan groaned again and pulled her up to him. She squirmed against his body. He made her straddle his thighs and eventually sit up upon him. "Dance for me, show me how gracefully you can move," he smacked her ass and she rose and fell on him slowly at first, increasing her tempo at his urgings. She was panting as she ground down into him, rubbing her tender hooded clit against him. His hands grasped her hips forcing her to pound down into him in increasing tempo. He groaned loudly and she felt him swell within her, rolling her hips she ground down further onto him until he stilled her movements. His pulsing manhood caused her to arch back and rub her clit into him seeking her own release, she cried out with him and slumped forward onto him quivering in pleasure. Surprisingly softly he cradled her in his arms and rolled with her to his side staying within her. They lay like that for a few moments, his hands softly petting her before he stood and pulled on his pants. Picking her up, he carried her out to the courtyard before his tent. Tying her hands and feet and binding her tightly to a large tree he placed a folded wad of cloth between her teeth. "This will hurt but it must be done now, so none can take you from me," his voice was soft in her ear but his words created terror in her mind. She knew what was to come but she was unprepared for the pain of being branded. She screamed around the wadded cloth and her eyes rolled in her head as she went into shock. Mahan cut her from the tree and took her back to his bed caring for the wound himself. Her thigh throbbed for days as he tended the wound. He was gentle with her and while he still used her body it was gentle and sweet always careful of the new brand. As time wore on a stylized geometric shape of a falcon appeared on her thigh. ......................... The following months with Mahan had been happy ones. He was hard and uncaring when his men were present but when alone he was a considerate and gentle lover. Nyx dwelt for the most part within her new owner's private tent not seeing much of the life in the oasis city. She danced mainly for an audience of one and was showered with gifts of beads and silks to add to her dancer's chest. Jealously proprietorial Mahan covered her entirely in swathes of dark materials when she went out in public the only clue to her identity was in green eyes that peeked demurely between scarves that covered her head and face. Nyx was largely unknown to any but her owner and his captains in the town she had been taken to and because of this rumors began to surface about the small woman who lived in the chief's private tent. Blissfully unaware of the rumors and attention that she had attracted as the favored hidden slave of a chieftain, Nyx had been startled when Mahan had entered the apartments his eyes blazing and called her to him. "Tell me how you became a slave in our lands," his tone was hard and abrupt. Nyx trembled; she had not seen him act this way before and in an effort to placate him she went and knelt before him in the act of submission before she started her story. The memory was dim now, and she barely remembered the faces or names that went with the sketchy outline she gave him. Her father had died suddenly leaving her and her mother no option but to try to seek out safety with her own family and they had travelled to that end. Slavers had picked them up along her route and she had been sold into slavery to the desert people as a child. The memories were dim and unhelpful she remembered the mountains and grasslands vaguely but all else was lost to her. "I had hoped the rumors were false like all of the others of your origins," he patted her hair softly. "Pack your chest we must travel to the Sand Lord's Palace. Dress carefully. Show no skin and veil your eyes." Nyx did not question him. Raising on the graceful legs of a dancer she quickly did as she was bid while Mahan issued orders to his captains sending them away. Turning back into the room Mahan walked behind her and picked her up around her waist and carried her to the bed. His hands travelled over her body massaging and stroking until she purred in heat. Rolling her to her belly he kicked off his pants as he raised her hips and entered her roughly. He reached forward his hands grasping her breasts as he pounded into her savagely needing to possess her. She cried out for him, begging for more with her body as she bucked back into his thrusts. He groaned and abruptly pulled out of her, throwing her to her back he stared down into her pretty face as he spurted ropy strands of cum over her body. Taking her hand he guided her to rub it into her soft flesh as he murmured darkly. "You belong to me tiny dancer, you must not forget." "Never Mahan," she whispered breathlessly. He dressed watching her rub the sticky fluid into her body and abruptly turned to leave. She waited a few moments and got up, dressing carefully and packing her chest. Within an hour a caravan had been assembled and Nyx sat within a wagon of similarly dressed women confused and withdrawn as the caravan left the safety of their oasis. The gentle considerate lover she had known in their own private sanctuary seemed to be gone, and she found herself ignored during the daylight hours of travel. In the evenings she would be summoned to his tent where he would bathe her and take her with a savage passion before holding her close and letting her sleep. As dawns early light woke them he would fuck her hard and coat her body in jets of cum watching her rub it into her flesh and reminding her that it was he that owned her. Four days of hard travel later, the caravan entered a large oasis of white marbled beauty. Forgetting to veil her eyes, Nyx looked around in wonder at all the colour and sound before a loudly barked command made her jump and cover her eyes once more. Though the veil muted the colours of the lamps hanging over the streets, she was still overawed by the spectacle of the only stone city in the realm of the sand dwellers. The caravan came to a halt before an impressive building and Nyx was taken from the wagon. "This is so you stay close," Mahan murmured as he tied a wide leather thong to her collar wrapping the other end tightly about his fist. "Come." Nyx followed stepping quickly to keep up with his large strides as Mahan led her into the building. They entered a small room decorated with brightly coloured rugs and cushions, where a man with a white streaked beard and very bright eyes sat cross legged at a low table. Glancing up, the man beckoned them forward. "Your captain arrived yesterday and told me of your theories regarding the rumors floating about our realm. The question is why men from other realms are hunting this girl?" Nyx barely stifled a gasp as she knelt behind Mahan. "They often squabble over the lordship of realms; succession can be a messy business for mountain or stone especially," Mahan seemed to weigh his words, "she says she does not remember much except that her father was a good man that died an untimely death which lead up to her family's demise and slavery." "Ah the intrigue of politics, and we hold something very valuable that others search for," a sly grin crossed the Lords face. "She will be safe here while we decide what the next course of action shall be. Go choose two eunuch's to guard her. I will send Lillas to show you to your rooms," the Lord waved his hand dismissing them, "Come back when you're done, we have more to discuss even at this late hour." After walking through endless hallways for what seemed like hours Nyx finally found herself in a small room with a eunuch smiling at her and speaking in gentle feminine tones, "Lillas said your Master has been called back to meet with the Lord again, his apartments are next door and he has instructed you to bathe there." "Oh yes, please," Nyx nodded enthusiastically. "I must smell dreadful." The eunuch wrinkled his nose in distaste, "Well now that you mention it," his lips split into a grin, "I think we will need some strongly perfumed water to cleanse you of your master's scent." "I think that was sort of his idea," she blushed deeply, "to mark his property. He does not let me mingle with others much." "Won't matter here lovely, the Lord will take what he wants and the chiefs give him certain privileges with their property," the eunuch led her from the room chattering on as they walked. "The girls say the Lord is a great lover with the stamina of a much younger man, you will probably enjoy the experience if he decides to fuck you." Nyx gasped and blushed. "I don't think Mahan will be happy about that," her voice trailed off as the eunuch laughed at her. "Don't act so shocked lovely, you smell like a whore, given the right circumstances you can act like one too, I am sure. Your master will be much favored if you perform well for the Lord, that should motivate you, it's obvious you care about your master a great deal and he for you." The straight talking eunuch continued to make her blush as he spoke about the types of things the girls told him about the Lords bedding habits while she stripped and stepped into the pond sized bath that had been sunk into the floor of the main room in her masters apartment. "You are a pretty young thing," he said as he poured perfumed oil into the water, "such pale skin and golden hair below as well. How did a girl like you end up a slave to an oasis chieftain?" Nyx decided to keep it short and without detail, "I grew up with the slave woman of a trader who taught me to dance. My master saw me dance once and he bought me. I have been with him ever since." Twins of Trallis: Sandstorm "Oh! A dancer," the eunuch dreamily twirled around the room chattering on as she ducked under the water washing the grime of travel from her hair. The eunuch seemed barely to pause for breath as he prattled on about life in the Lords palace and as her skin began to prune she realized she would have to emerge from the luxurious bath. The door to the room banged open and Mahan stomped in. He had a thunderous expression and the eunuch quickly excused himself and went to join his cohort at the doorway. Without a word her master stripped his clothes and sunk into the bath with her. Picking up a loofah Nyx closed the distance between them and began to scrub his back slowly starting at his shoulders and working her way down. Mahan slowly relaxed under her gentle touch and the warm water. He turned to her and embraced her gently, "We will be going to the council of nine and the great fair with Lord Iken," Mahan looked down at Nyx sadly, "I fear it will be a dangerous journey for you, my tiny dancer." Nyx felt herself lifted and her legs wrapped round his hips. She gasped as he entered her and pressed against him. Mahan's hands travelled over her back as she slowly rose and fell on him using her arms and thighs to move her body making waves in the water around them. He took her tenderly and after the last week of savage passion she looked into his eyes sensing sadness there. Nyx leaned in to kiss him as she maneuvered easily against him in the water. The kiss became deep and passionate eliciting a groan from Mahan. He pushed her back against the side of the bath and began to thrust up into her with force. Nyx clung to him as the water splashed around them. Her lips pressed against his neck as she whimpered in pleasure. He held her tightly as he erupted inside her groaning deeply, his knees buckling momentarily, dipping them beneath the water. Nyx came up spluttering making him smile and smooth her hair from her face. Climbing out of the tub Mahan placed her on her feet and wrapped a towel around her. "Tomorrow," Mahan began, "I will officially present you to Lord Iken." He watched her and as she looked up at him she could tell he was reticent to continue. Pulling the towel from her body she closed the distance between them and began to dry his muscled chest and torso. He growled and pulled her close again wrapping his arms about her. "The Lord will ask you to dance for him, you must be at your best, your most available, show all of your heat and feminine need," he let his words sink in, "You need to make him want you for all to see. Make him wish to own you, make me proud and honored to be your owner." "You want him to take me from you?" She tried to stop the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears as she looked up at him. "NO!" Mahan roared, "I MUST let him take you so you can be safe until we can discover who hunts you and why." Nyx let a tear roll down her cheek, "As you wish, Mahan." Sadness seized her heart and she dropped her head looking at his feet as she let her tears fall. "You must make me proud my tiny dancer, show the Lord I own the most valuable slave in the entire realm," Mahan forced a smile to his face. "But tonight you still belong to me," he picked her up and carried her to his bed. ...................................... Nyx trembled as she waited to dance for the Lord her nakedness was something she had lived with since early childhood and she had long ago gotten over dancing for large groups of men but the dance she was about to perform was meant for an audience of one, her Mahan, not a large gathering in the Lords banquet room. The one thought in her mind that stilled her nervousness over the lewdness of the dance was that she needed to make Mahan proud, she was a slave and slaves did what they were commanded to do. Nyx heard the gong that preempted her entrance and padded softly the dance pit, toes curling as they were covered in fine soft grains of sand. Kneeling at the base of the slender pole she unwound the leather tether attached to the ring there. With deliberate grace she flowed up on lithe limbs and swayed wantonly to the edge of the pit closest to Lord. Nyx sunk into a wide kneel her body quivering with arousal at the feel of the leather tether in her hands, her leash, her bond and she lifted her face to look up at the Lord. "May it please you to attach this tether to my collar please Lord Iken." Feeling his fingers around her neck and the collar pulled to tie the tether, Nyx closed her eyes briefly imagining Mahan there rather than the Lord before her. "Thank you, my Lord," her voice was a nervous whisper. Nyx crawled back to the centre of the pit, sensuously stretching her limbs like a leashed wild cat. Nyx tilted her head up to the Lord, fire within shining in her eyes as she regarded him, her lips glistening and parting as her tongue snaked out over them painting her smile. She shimmied down into the sand, her lithe limbs stretching; a soft purr escaping as she rolled to her back the steady beat of the musicians drum adding rhythm to her movements. Nyx delicately trailed her fingertips softly up over her pale thighs. She arched her back slightly off the sand as fingers brushed across her belly following the line of the tethering strap to gently caress the rising and falling swell of her chest. Her hands continued to lift up to her collar and the end of the tether fixed there. Pulling at the tether that enslaved her, she growled softly. Nyx rolled to her tummy, her hips pressing to the floor as she rose on her hands, arms straightening; head lowered, the tether pulled taut. Soft pink tipped breasts swayed between her arms as she moved sensuously to the beat. She had not danced on the sand of a true dance pit for so long and she felt the added energy it gave her as the fine grains seemed to ebb and flow as a tide would with her movements and coat her body in a sparkling golden glow making the dance entrance the watchers further. Nyx lowered back to the sand her arms stretched out over her head. Stretching to her full length her feet gliding together making her peach cheeked ass quiver. She rolled wrapping the tether strap about her before arching her back, her hair falling softly on her shoulders she pressed her hands into the sand and stretched up on straight arms. The curve of her back lifted her hips from the floor as they began to roll softly, her desire to please feeding the gentle movement. The sand pooled and moulded about her as if caressing her perfect curves. Nyx flexed the wiry muscles, the lines of her body glowing with golden sand, delicately reflected in the firelight of the torches. She arched her head back; her long amber tresses curling around her shoulders and back, the tether tightening again. Green eyes, like those of a captive beast, shone with heat and a small growl issued from her red lips. She pulled her shoulders back to display the pale breasts topped with swelling buds, and the mesmerized men, in particular the Lord who was the focus of her dance, felt every illuminated curve of the delicate creature invite their touch. Falling back and rolling the tether caressed and ensnared her further dulling the golden glow of the sand coated skin. Nyx trailed her fingernails lightly from her thighs across the smooth belly of her undulating body as the music increased its tempo slightly causing her back to arch. Her breasts rose and fell as she panted her heat softly, rolling to her belly and drawing her arms and legs below her, she drew her tongue across sharp white teeth growling, her hips rolling. Nyx crawled forward the tether pulling a line between her swaying creamy breasts and over her moistened sex. She felt the leather tighten the tangles about her body halting her progress. Nyx lifted her head as she pressed her hands into the sand her body achingly bound and fully opened to pleasure, the tether sliding between her thighs and teasing her. She softly collapsed to the sand, lifting her head to gaze unrelentingly at the Sand Lord, her tawny mane clinging softly to her glistening skin, the music stopped and she collapsed to the sand panting softly. Lord Iken stood abruptly at the end of the dance and stalked toward Nyx drawing a curved knife from his belt, she trembled as she watched wide eyed thinking she had offended him somehow. Swiftly he cut the leather strap that held her to the pole in a quick swipe and picked her up in surprisingly strong arms carrying her from the room. Wasting no time he threw her onto a pile of cushions, lifting her hips he entered her from behind and fucked her hard and unrelentingly. She cried out in pleasure as much as the pain of losing her Mahan, she was glad she did not have to look at the Lord as he took her as his own, rutting with her like a dog in heat until he came explosively. Sitting back on the cushion he indicated she should kneel before him and he called for a servant, issuing hasty orders she barely heard. "I understand why Mahan was reluctant to share you, very seductive dance and such a tight fuck hole," the old man leered at her. "I will enjoy using you more when time permits." The servant returned with a chest leaving it on the floor beside the lord. Lord Iken seemed to consider the contents of the chest before asking, "Are you happy with Mahan?" Nyx's eyes brightened and a small smile touch her lips as she nodded, "Yes, Lord." Not wanting to alienate one of his most loyal and influential chieftain's Lord Iken smiled in return, "I will not take you completely from him then, but to show I share your ownership now," he plucked a gold disc from the chest and fixed to one of the rings on her collar. "This is my mark. It will ensure your protection from those that hunt and wish to take you." "You will attend me whenever you are summoned. Do you understand?" Lord Iken looked at her with a serious expression. "In return I will let you stay with Mahan unless I have need of you." Nyx nodded her understanding, "When we go back you will kneel beside my seat, thighs wide to show the proofs of my vigor. Tonight you will stay with me. I will talk to Mahan about arrangements for you. Come," he stood and strode back to the feasting hall expecting her to follow. .............................. Nyx had spent the last week serving two masters; Lord Iken summoned her often to ask of her past and use her body but it was her private time with Mahan she craved. Surprisingly Lord Iken seemed to be aware of the bond between Nyx and Mahan and tended to send him out of the palace on business when he summoned her to him. Preparing for travel again she packed her dancers' chest the only thing she truly had of her own. She wore the bejeweled underwear and diaphanous loose leggings of a slave girl which were always in ample supply regardless of where she was in any oasis, but her chest held her prized possessions. She loved to dance and had found a thrill like no other of innate sensuality when dancing for the Master she truly desired, Mahan. Dancing in the sand seemed to give her a newly found awareness of the lines of her body. It was as if the sand itself knew her and played with her as she danced. Mahan had a dislike of sand indoors and she had always danced on tile for him but as she went through her daily routines and exercises within the dance pits of the palace, it was as if her hands glowed and the sand danced with her. For his part the more heated and passionate her dancing was the more Mahan praised her and gifted her bells, beads and ribbons of silk to add to her chest, eventually supplying her with a bigger chest as she gathered more than she could keep. She was; she admitted to herself, in love with Mahan. His harsh gruff public side as well as the softer caring lover she new in private. His expectations filled her world and she was quietly thankful that Lord Iken had not interfered with that. She was honest with Mahan about when and how the Lord commanded her presence to the point where his moodiness relaxed and he took the less than urgent errands he was sent on with a grain of salt not punishing her as harshly for being desirable to his lord. In truth he would have punished her more had she not tantalized him as she did, but he hated to share and half wished Iken had taken her as his own so he could brood with reason. ............................... The nine realms of Trallis co-existed under a tentative pact that saw a council of nine come together on a central wooded ridge each year during the harvest season. Over time the council meeting had become a wondrous festival that spanned the waxing and waning of a harvest moon. All items could be traded at the fair, richly crafted materials, exotic foods and wines, and although frowned upon by some of the realms, a small slave trade flourished on the outskirts of the fair each year. Within the tent of the Nine, tensions were high as two men, both leaders in their own realms glared at each other across the dark polish wood of the table. The hostility between the southern men of the mountains and the horse lords of the plains was legendary and incursions into each other's territory often sparked small wars between the two peoples. "The trade routes need to remain neutral territory, regardless of whose realms they pass through!" Lord Arimus shouted. "Then you should open your borders as well, and allow passage through the mountains to the cold waste beyond," The hawk nosed Lord Haef responded, "many young warriors wish to test their skill against the great white beasts that dwell there." The quietly spoken Lord Ekeynui of the rainforests raised his hand and spoke quietly, "It is true that the trade routes are neutral but Haef also has a point, we all have opened our borders for trade except you Arimus, why is that?" Arimus stood to accuse the horse warriors once again of being thieves, but was stopped by the hulking Lord Gabriel of the cities of Stone who roared, "Enough! Must we argue this same point every year?" He looked at the two men then turned to the other members of the council, "I say let them declare war and have at it. I am tired of their petty squabbles." Lord Nadra banged the table, "Here, here. Now can we go find some of the wines I know Lady Fia has brought with her from the fens?" He leered at her as he went on, "I would invade your beautiful lands and take you into bondage lovely Lady but all my men would be roaring drunk before the first two villages fell." Fia smiled at him, "Charming as ever Lord Nadra, but slave chains just wouldn't suit my delicate disposition." The swampy wastelands that bordered the northern seas were an inhospitable place, especially for women who were seen for the most part as beasts of burden and traded as such. While the slave traded existed in most of the realms in a wholly clandestine way, political prisoners and unwanted bastard children were often sold to the wastelands and the desert people where a slave class was part of the accepted population and fed the seedier side of the annual fair of the council of nine. Lord Iken spoke softly in his lilting accent, "Let's adjourn to my tent, I have brought some new promising dancers with me and I happen to have a nice large stock of Fennish Red thanks to the lovely Lady Fia." He smiled; each of the council members was expected to entertain the others with a lavish party at least once during the fair and he had been preparing this night to appeal to each of the council member's particular tastes as well as to draw out the shadowy figure who hunted a slave girl. .............................. The huge canvas feasting tent of the of the sand people was lit with flickering torches radiating soft golden light over the richly coloured silks of the cushions and ornate chairs randomly placed throughout. Men and women stood easily around in the edges of the cavernous marquee in small groups as serving girls dressed in diaphanous multi hued materials walked among them with jugs and platters of delicacies from their homeland. Nyx sat with the eunuchs she had been assigned that first night in the sand palace. They filled her head with all the information she would need as each of the lords and ladies of the nine realms entered and took up positions with their retinues. Nyx mapped out her dance in her mind. It had to be just right for her Mahan to view reactions to her unveiling. She had been allowed to practice with the Lord's musicians for tonight's dance but her stomach tied in knots as she attempted to remember her story and the dance that went with it. Mahan appeared beside her and spoke sharply to the eunuchs, "Her eyes must be covered as well. Should any ill fate befall this girl you shall share in it trust me." Stalking off without waiting for a reply the eunuchs helped her lower the gauze to conceal her eyes limiting her vision somewhat. "Well, he seems even grouchier tonight, if that's at all possible," one of them whispered to her. Nyx giggled with him but her stomach knotted tighter, she knew her Mahan well enough to know that he was anxious more than angry. His moods always seemed dour and full of concealed rage when in public. He was a man to be feared, the Sand Lord's right hand man and chief of his own vast oasis. The night wore on as the guests were plied with rich food, drink and the entertainments of the dancing girls of the sand people. The slow sensuous beat of the drum seemed constant to the changing melodies of the pipes. Lord Nadra was well on his way to drunkenness or so it seemed when he bellowed, "These are the same dancers you brought last year. Where is this new entertainment you have for us?" "Ah," said the Sand Lord, "I have a dancer so exquisitely beautiful in her dance I am loathe to share her with you all, for fear you will fall in love and offer me money I cannot refuse for her ownership." He put on a shrewd face and took another drink of cup, "Perhaps though for the recipe for the Koumiss from the Southern Mountains." "Bah there is no such girl who could pry that recipe from Arimus," Nadra shook his head, "we have tried many times over the years." "We shall see. A small wager perhaps, ten crowns say she holds everyone enthrall for the entirety of her dance," Iken held out his hand to the drunken Nadra. Nadra slapped his palm, "Done!" Iken winked and grinned, clapping his hands loudly to gain attention. "Nadra and I have somewhat of a bet on the next dancer, which Lord is honest enough to hold the wager for us." "What wager is this?" Lord Gabriel stepped forward. "If I told you, it may influence the outcome, my dear fellow," Nadra drawled, "Hold the coin there's a good man." Nadra threw his ten crowns into a makeshift pouch formed from a piece of dancing silk left behind and tossed it to Gabriel. Iken held out his hand and Mahan placed a small pouch within it. Not bothering to count he too threw the money to Gabriel and settled back onto some cushions for the dance, grinning at Nadra. Turning his head to Mahan, he murmured, "Show time." Mahan nodded to the eunuchs, who brought the shrouded girl forward before removing the heavy dark outer swathes of fabric. Gliding with elegant grace, Nyx was a rainbow of fluttering silks that whispered with each dainty step that drew her to the middle of the pit of ivory sand. Slowly she turned full circle to acknowledge her audience, every inch of ivory flesh hidden. Small hands lifted up to the heavens crossing at tiny wrists as she awaited the erotic call of the flutes to begin. Nyx peered through a translucent veil that barely masked the purity of her face, her hidden emerald eyes misted with sweet pleasure, oh how she loved to dance. Soft music filled the late hour taunting her sleek curves into swaying sensuality, narrow hips gently undulating becoming one with the sweet melody of the flute. A soft white veil of concealment marking her virtue mingled with tawny silken tresses. Twins of Trallis: Sandstorm Crying out softly as a sudden gust of her own warm breath tugged the silky white veil away to reveal the enchanted pixie like quality of her face in the dancing flames of the torches. She snatched the veil from the air; her thundering heart quickened as the beat of a drum wove it's spell. Tiny feet pivoted in a maddening dance across the sands. The muted ringing of the hidden bells were in counterpoint to the drumming as she released her innocent disguise to flutter as if lost in the wind, only to land delicately at the feet of Lady Caprice. The Lady lifted the silk and smiled, folding it over the arm of her chair as she continued to watch the small girl dance away, wondering of her heritage. Nyx slid dainty hands up from the base of her neck gathering strands of her silken hair upwards. Her emerald eyes clouded with despair momentarily as they drifted to the heavens in a silent prayer. A sheer veil of blue encircled her slender lender legs and ankles holding her captive in a realm of sadness. Her dance showed her heart ached to soar for one who can Master her heart and soul. Her bare feet twisted and turned a frantic spin trying to unlock the thread of silk muting the delicate bells about her ankles. The blue veil drifted to the ivory sand as the battle was won. Silver bells rang brightly to release the burden of loneliness within and transform her into a creature of wanton sensuality. Swept up in a delicate hand, Nyx swayed and leapt in joy at her freedom laying the blue silk within the hands of Lady Fia, who unlike Lady Caprice blushed and giggled a "Thank you." Dancing and spinning as she let go of the second blue silk, Lord Toka grinned as he leaned back letting it float into his lap a wide smile beaming from his broad friendly face. Lord Arimus and Lord Gabriel sat together. Falling to the sand she crawled to their feet in sinuous movement her fire and passion for men of power showing in her eyes, floating up to her feet smoothly she swayed before them, plucking at the green silks that hid her arm bands from the world. As the ribbon of green silk won free she trailed it over her breasts arching delicately backward as the pink pointed mounds rose and fell with her heated breath. The undulating hips teased at the yellow silk riding low on her hips giving teasing glimpses of supple thighs. She plucked the second green silk free and with a flourish from the flutes she threw the silks up into the air to catch them once more and gently lay them over each lord's left shoulder. Approaching Lord Nadra, Nyx arched her delicate ankles making her shapely legs flex as she spun in an intricate dance around him. Waves of tawny silken strands wrapped about her lithe frame. Flared hips swayed offering a taunting invitation to his gaze ever so provocatively. Nyx parted her sultry lips with a low gasp as delicate fingers grazed the rosy swells of her breasts while they journeyed to tease the rich purple veil tied about her slender neck. Nyx flicked her fingertips to toss the purple veil aside revealing a slender neck wrapped in steel that marked her as a possession. Flames ignited within her shown in the heat of her movements and the fire of her eyes shone with furious intensity. Her breathlessness sung from softly parted lips as she sank beneath his heated gaze to invitingly parted knees, offering up the dropped purple silk in her hands to him. Taking the silk he stroked her cheek, a small smile tugging her lips as she unfurled from her kneel to dance away again in a series of leaps and twists. Trailing a long nailed hand over the chest of Lord Ekeynui Nyx danced behind him before offering the end of a pink silk ribbon to him and twirling away letting it unbind and free her breasts to full view. Pulling the silk into a ball Ekeynui caressed it not tearing his eyes from the nearly nude girl. Gliding back to the centre as if walking on air, wispy yellow silk swayed low on her flared hips with each erotic step that carried her closer to the warrior of the Horse Lords. His hazel eyes burned deep into her sending waves of sensual heat through delicate veins fuelled by the beat of the drums and the pipes sensual melody. Her slender arms wove heavenward as freedom screamed its final melody her eyes flaming with feverish desire locked with those of the Horse Lord. The intensity was broken a moment later by the call of cymbals, urging her into motion again. Tiny hips swayed side to side, golden veil fluttering to expose her slender thighs. Nyx's fingertips teased her sensuous curves as they trailed down her body to pluck the veil free. With a giggle and a flick of her supple wrist, the silk drifted into the air to teasingly flutter onto Lord Haef's lap. Haef looked to Iken and nodded approvingly before turning his attention back to the girl in the dance pit. She was close to her Mahan now; he stood behind Lord Iken watching carefully as she moaned softly and sank to her knees before them. Willowy arms snaked along each side of her golden head her emerald eyes aflame with passion she looked at her Masters. Her back arched perfectly, bowing her body sensually before them revealing the crimson silk hiding her heated flesh that throbbed for her Masters touch. "Please Master, tear the last veil away," she begged breathlessly. Nyx gasped as her heated flesh was assaulted with the kiss of cool air. The brush of his fingers in passing caused her hips to writhe in time to the melody. Fingertips from one hand traced wantonly across her taut belly leaving marks barely felt as the magic of the moment and the sand that glowed on her body flowed within her. Falling back to the sand she lifted her emerald eyes to him hoping he found her pleasing. A sea of emotions flooded Nyx as her Master smiled at her and joy showed on her lovely face. Her crimson lips quivered as she slithered to her knees to display her elfin beauty. Her toned, heart-shaped ass rested upon the delicate heels of her small feet. Squirming in uncontained need, her satin thighs widened and Nyx took a deep breath and bowed forward letting her hair tumble to the floor in a wave. She offered up her crossed wrists in helpless surrender to the Master, a symbol of her servitude. There was a brief lull of silence as the drums ceased before Nadra laughed, "Fuck it, take my money. It was worth it to see the stoic Horse Lord get a hard on over something that didn't have four feet and a saddle," roaring with laughter Nadra held up his cup for more wine. Haef glowered at the drunk Lord of the North but let it go silently. The eunuchs approached with the dark swathes of material once more covering the naked girl, as she remained kneeling at Iken's feet. It was Mahan though who picked her up and carried her from the room. "Get the eunuch's to take her back to my tent Mahan it seems I have a wager to collect," Iken smirked at Nadra not wanting Mahan to leave the gathering. Nadra laughed all the more as Gabriel approached and tossed the pouches to Iken, "Now about this offer for her you would have trouble refusing; it might be nice to have a little entertainment up north like that one." Still chuckling Nadra walked over to Arimus, "So old boy, who do I need to bribe to get the recipe for your Koumiss?" Iken was in his element. He loved intrigue, and he planned to make the most of the remaining time of the fair. More jugs were called for. Each region had their own specialty and procuring them all had cost him dearly, particularly the Koumis of the southern regions, no matter how hard the goat milk brewers of his own realm tried they could not match its smoothness or piquancy. Iken had had men watching each party carefully during Nyx's dance and as the evening concluded the men gathered with their Lord to discuss what they had seen and heard during the dance. Iken's eyes danced wickedly through each of the reports. It would seem each of the lord's and ladies had reacted in some way but the report that intrigued him the most was not about any of the leaders but that of a green robed man in Arimus's party of men. Green meant he was a physician and Iken would make a point to seek him out the following day. ***** The following day, during breakfast Iken had been interrupted by the Lord Haef and his second. Inviting them in to share his breakfast he asked no questions rather waiting to find out why they had come. It was not Haef though that spoke, rather his second that took the lead his bright green eyes serious as he weighed his words. "Can you tell me of the final dancing girl's origins?" The handsome man spoke. Iken gauged him as being in his middle years and a man holding a fierce temper in check. "What do I care of a slaves origins," Iken shrugged negligently. "It is enough that I own her is it not?" The man bristled and Iken could see the green eyes flare behind the mask of calm. "The girl seems familiar to me and it has come to my attention in recent years that a woman of my clan may have been sold into slavery, I wonder if your dancing girl is perhaps her daughter. Could I speak with the girl?" "It could be arranged," Iken said shrewdly, "But the girl is not for sale, beyond the briefest of words you may have with her, you would have no claim to her collar. She is a very valuable piece of slave flesh and I have been offered kingdoms for her after last night's display." Iken sent one of his men in search of Mahan and the girl. Moments later a second visitor was shown into the tent of the Sand lord to the surprise of those already gathered. Lord Arimus followed by his second and the physician entered and stood stiffly looking at the Horse Lords. "I am quite the popular Lord this morning," Iken chuckled, "And what brings you here this fine morning gentlemen? Did my dancer also appeal to you?" "The physician feels he may have knowledge of the dancers parentage," Lord Arimus said stiffly, "I am here to see that his suspicions are put to rest one way or the other." Iken was thrilled with the turn of events, especially when Lord Toka arrived with his nephew, and demanded to test the girl for storm-dancer power as she seemed familiar to a girl dancer who was presumed dead and recent information had lead them to believe her abducted instead. The four powerful Lords all eyed each other with a mixture of hostility and interest when Mahan arrived with Nyx. Dressed in the diaphanous garb of a harem girl, she went first to kneel before Iken and asked sweetly, "How may I serve you, my Lord?" "You make me so proud little one," Iken smiled down on Nyx. "Each of these men believes they know of your heritage and wondered what you knew of your origins. It will not matter, as you belong to me, but to settle curiosities tell us what you remember of your childhood." Nyx turned her head to look at the assembled group and swallowed nervously before looking up at Mahan who nodded in her direction. "It was long ago and the memory is dim now," she started softly looking at Iken and speaking directly to him. Her father, she thought he was a healer of some sort, had died suddenly leaving her and her mother no option but to try to seek out safety with her own family and they had travelled to that end. They travelled from their small village in the mountains down through the grasslands before slavers picked them up along their route and she had been sold into slavery to the desert people as a child. The memories were dim and unhelpful. She remembered the mountains and grasslands vaguely but all else was lost to her. The questions she was asked by each of the men in the tent did nothing to jog her memories or offer further information. Rhys who had stood behind Lord Haef and his brother, Badon, stepped forward and unable to help himself blurted, "She even sounds like Dana as well as looking much as she did when we lost her." Iken swung his head toward the green robed physician in time to see him recoil from the name, Dana, as if slapped and the second of Lord Toka nodded, "She is just as Kerys was when I first met her." He pulled a small light sphere from his pocket and held it out to the girl, "Take this, please." Nyx looked up at Iken for permission but he shook his head. "I think that is a test for another time when it can be judged more accurately." His gaze went back to the green robed man. Janus was aghast at the revelations. He, of course, knew Dana's story and he looked at the men in the tent realizing these must be the brothers of the storm-dancer legends and the man with Lord Toka must be the husband of Kerys. How had they found out about Dana he wondered and was on the verge of asking, when another man entered the tent of Lord Iken unannounced. "It would seem," the bleary eyed Lord Nadra announced, "That the council meeting has been moved to your tent today." He looked around at the group. "I am most put out that you didn't think to invite me Iken, my friend, when I was trying so hard to wrestle that recipe you wanted from Arimus all night. Might I suggest you bring the matters at hand to the council tent I am sure we would all like a say in a matter that involves four of the nine realms. The leaders murmured assent and began to withdraw, but Iken was still focused on the physician, who still looked at the girl kneeling between them. "Lord Arimus," he called, "The man with you is a physician you said? The reputation of the physicians of Stolle precedes them. Perhaps after the meeting he could prescribe me some balm to ease my old bones, in the dry desert heat." Arimus grunted in a non-committal way but Iken saw the look of interest flash over the doctor's face before they left the tent and reassembled in the council hall. Janus was mulling over what he had seen and he heard. If he admitted that he knew that Dana was the mother of Nyx he endangered her from his own countrymenas well as any others. Arimus's supporters did not like to leave the children of deposed Lord's alive to claim title to the throne. He also realized that while, somehow information had got out that Dana had, in fact, been abducted rather than having died as originally thought on the night of her sister's wedding feast, and that there was a child, they did not seem to know that she was a twin. How could they, he smiled to himself, even those who had been in the room that day, twenty years ago. had only seen the birth of the first of Dana's daughters. He could admit to Dana having a child by Gerahn and discount the girl as being her as she bore no brand but then the search would continue and he thought of the girl he knew as Allora and would not wish to put her in any more danger than she already would be now that the men of Stolle had seen her mirror image here at the Council of Nine. He decided to stay silent, no one had any proof, no one could for any certainty claim they knew the girls origins. If he stayed silent life as they knew it could go on for the two girls. He knew that was wishful thinking though, in his mind he had already decided he would need entreat his lord to send Allora and Clio high into the mountains lest she was recognized within the palace grounds. If he spoke up here at council deliberations he would be condemning the dancer to a bitter struggle within the clans for her return and at worst assassination attempts from Arimus's loyal followers, whether the accusations decreed true or not. It was better to say nothing; he had convinced himself. The girl looked happy and well cared for despite her slavery, and he knew all too well there could be worse fates. Mahan turned to Iken after their departure and demanded, "What is it you plan to do?" "Absolutely nothing!" Iken had chuckled. "They have rumor and innuendo that is all, not one shred of proof that I could see but..." and he tapped the side of his nose, "I think the green robe knows the truth, he looked positively ill when he heard what the others had to say." "Haef's men are the brothers of the storm-dance legend. They will be hard to dissuade," Mahan murmured preparing in his mind for a fight to hold onto the tiny dancer he loved. "Let us see what the council deliberations bring us this morning before we choose a path." Iken could see the tension in his chieftain, "You and Nyx will accompany us to save the time it would take to fetch her once the accusations begin." He knew well Mahan's misgivings and shared some of them but his love of intrigue and politics made him look upon coming proceedings with a sense of excitement. The delegates from each realm had assembled again to form the council of nine and the tensions between the men of Stolle and the horse lords of Cavalia were palpable. The absence of the physician, Janus, was noted and Arimus stepped forward to speak on his behalf claiming that the girl was daughter to a physician that trained with Janus, he had died an untimely death and his family had fled before Janus could make the journey to offer them shelter in the palace grounds. It was Rhys who stepped forward saying that a freed slave woman had journeyed to the clan of the Horse Lord to tell them of a great wrong doing. A horsewoman named Dana had lived when all else thought her dead. She had taken the name Nyx and lived an unhappy existence. Weak and unwell she had died in childbirth. The child had been raised by the slave woman and her husband until his early death and he had tasked his wife with finding a healer in the grasslands named Hohepa. As they travelled to the grasslands to seek out the child's mother's clan, they had been captured and sold into slavery. The woman had loved the child and once free again she sought out the healer and told him her tale. Keharn concurred with the horse lord's story adding that his wife, the sister of Dana never initially believed that she had passed over into the great unknown. It was sometime later that she said she had dreamt that Dana was free and happy and finally let the search for her sister die. After allowing the petitions to come forth, Iken stood and looked around at the gathering of lords and Ladies, "They are all wonderful tales and I feel for each of you in what you say, but there is no proof that this girl is anything more than a slave and dancer. She has lived with the people of my realm for the last decade, where were you all then? I put it to you that the desire to own one such as she has created these entreaties for her release from servitude." Three of the men rose to their feet, shouting their sincerity. Iken waved his hands at them, "I know you brothers of legend and you Sealord in waiting. Do not think to intimidate me with your status amongst this council, for whatever reason, the girl was sold into slavery, she belongs rightfully to me, and I will not hand over such a valuable commodity on supposition and say so." "At least let her hold the orb of the storm-dancers," the softly spoken Lady Camille said. "It cannot hurt to see if it glows, and then we can talk of proof." Once again Keharn took an orb from his pocket and approached Nyx with a kind smile, "Will you come with me to the center of the tent? No harm will come to you; I promise." Nyx looked to Mahan fear in her eyes, then to Iken who nodded but frowned and she floated up from her kneel to her feet and took the hand offered to her. Keharn handed the orb to Mahan who chose to follow them, "Inspect the orb if you will. I would not like my position as a storm-dancer called into question here." He stepped back from the girl and Mahan rolled the dimly lit sphere in his hands several times before handing it to Nyx. The orb seemed like all others of its kind. A white glow emanated from it and its contents swirled like bright white clouds. Looking unsure he waited until Keharn had stepped back before handing the orb to Nyx. The orb pulsed and changed rather than glowing brightly white. Its throbbing with her heartbeat as it would have had she been a storm dancer, but it instead pulsed deeply and changed from white to a deep golden glow. It was as if the clouds of white energy trapped within the sphere had turned to clouds of sand. Nyx was mesmerized by the transformation and totally oblivious to the gasps and incredulous cries from the watchers inside the tent. Twins of Trallis: Sandstorm Iken watched wide-eyed, it was not often he was shocked, sandstorm dancers were a myth of the past, perpetuated by Sand Lords wanting to become as powerful as the Lords of the Sea, he had not believed until now that such a thing was possible but as he waved her forward to him, he could not doubt what she held in her hands. "Give the orb back to its owner, Nyx," Iken said softly his mind whirling in thought not realizing what he had done. Keharn faltered in his step toward the girl as he whispered, "Your name is Nyx?" "Yes," she said softly, "Named for my mother." She looked up at Mahan with sadness in her eyes knowing that she had just betrayed him with the admission. "It means nothing," Iken jumped to his feet, "It is a common slave name we all know that." The orb once in Keharn hands turned back into the pulsing white light, the energy clouds chasing each other around the glass sphere. "It should be obvious to all who saw it that the girl is a sandstorm dancer." "We all have legends from our own realms, I must admit that was an interesting example but I am not convinced, show me a stone walker or a water sprite from the fens and I may believe that the stuff of myth has returned but that was a trick, I am not sure how Iken but I think you have bamboozled us again," Lord Gabriel rumbled into the hushed voices as the Lords and Ladies of the nine realms talked quietly amongst their own kind. "In any case," he continued, "It is no proof of anything, take your girl Iken, let the others find proof of this Dana and if it was she that gave birth to the girl, someone who knew her that could say for sure." He measured each of the three men who seemed about to protest with a level gaze. "Should I come to your clan and tell you that your mistress was the daughter of my long dead sister would you just hand her to me?" The three men spluttered to form a reply, "The code here is very clear, come next council with proof and we will reconsider your requests. Do you agree Ladies and Lords? Or shall we put it to a formal vote?" Gabriel eyed everyone seriously looking for nods of assent. "Now that that mess is done with how about that little dancer entertains us while we have some lunch," Nadra had already called for a tankard of ale. "She has performed enough for one day," Mahan growled and picked up the small girl marching from the tent. He heard the cries of disappointment but he didn't care, Iken had pushed Nyx into a dangerous encounter and he was ready to leave and ride home suffering the consequences of his actions when they came, but "Enough is enough" he grumbled under his breath as he walked past Iken who realized he had pushed his most loyal chieftain into that display of rudeness. "As you can see she is well cared for and protected by the men of my realm you have nothing to fear gentlemen," Iken looked to the Horse Lords, "Should you find your proof send an emissary and we shall bring the girl with us to the next council. Now about that lunch," Iken looked at Nadra who extended the hospitality of his tent to the council members. Iken went to his own tents on the way to the lunch feast; he found Mahan pacing uncertainly before the room of the dancers. "I do not blame you for your actions. The council deliberations were not what was expected. Take an afternoon with your dancer, let her relax you then come find me and we will talk about the newest developments. I still have my suspicions that all is not as it seems." Mahan grunted and nodded. "I have grown to care for her too, Mahan," Iken reassured him, "I will not put her in any further danger and if anything she is safer now as each of the councils will be watching each other." Mahan watched Iken leave then walked into the dancer's room and took hold of Nyx, pulling her from the room to his own tent alongside this one by an internal door. Tearing the scant clothing from her he threw her to his cushioned sleeping roll and took her hard. He thrust into her without any concern for her readiness or needs, wanting only to possess her in the most intimate of ways. Nyx wrapped her limbs around his body as he fucked her powerfully. He growled into her ear as he watched her face light up and heard her gasping squeals of pleasure. All to soon he pumped his cum into her. He collapsed on top of her. He held her tightly to him, smothering her smaller form. He rolled to his back taking her with him his semi hard cock still embedded in her tight cunt he sat up upon him straddling his hips, "Dance for me tiny dancer, dance only for me," he whispered hoarsely. Nyx smiled softly down into his worried eyes and whispered back, "I only ever dance for you, in here." She put a hand to her chest and began to roll her hips stroking her fingers over his muscular chest while softly humming a melody she knew he took pleasure in. His hand stroked over the brand on her thigh lightly tracing it with his fingertips, "You belong to me tiny dancer." "Yes, my Mahan." Nyx said with love in her eyes.