Judgement

Chapter Ten

Judgement

by Trystl

Loreena looked out at the group of hostile faces�she knew most of them; had counted many of them as her friends�even more her sisters. Yet now they looked at her with such hatred.

Had it really been three weeks since she had brought Mikki back to Leskral? It seemed like a hundred. Not even the long wait at Lospodas, planning her escape, had prepared her for the misery of these past many days: the open hatred and taunting, the subtle and not so subtle digs. Now they were preparing to take a vote on whether she should be allowed to live...Loreena had expected that, and she was ready to die�she had spent much of the last few weeks telling Mikki a few of the most important things that she knew about Lospodas. It wasn�t a hundredth of everything she knew, but it might be enough to be useful in some small way.

What bothered Loreena was that the sisterhood also planned to vote on whether to allow Mikki back into the movement. Loreena hadn�t expected the Colonel to publish that story about their escape in the papers, and she shuttered to think that after all that had happened, Mikki might be cast out of the movement. There was nowhere Mikki could go where she wouldn�t be vulnerable to recapture by Lospodas.

�...Regardless of Loreena�s crime, it has always been our way to give the accused�and any others who would do so�one last chance to speak before we pass judgment. Do you wish to speak for yourself, Loreena?� Loreena looked up at the mention of her name and meet the cold eyes of Lershowna, the woman who had replaced Sondra as the movement�s new leader. She paused but a moment then stood. There was deadly silence as the Lershowna took her seat, and Loreena walk the short distance to the podium.

She looked out at the angry accusing faces; then she took a deep breath and began.

�This is harder than I thought,� she said. Her voice was haggard and weak, but her face was still calm, if a little pale. �I am a traitor!� She looked down and said nothing more for a long moment. �I chose my sister above the movement. You may have seen videos or magazines, and if not you�ve heard... so you know some of the things that I have done. But, I wasn�t a traitor when I left the movement. I went hoping only to give Mikki, my blood-sister, the mercy of death, but Lospodas anticipated that and stopped me. I was a devout sister of the movement, just as I�m sure all of you are. But I let my love for my blood-sister outweigh my responsibility to the movement. Lospodas took advantage of this�as they do of every situation.

�Take this warning to heart, then, and my death will have some meaning! Believe me, if I had it all to do again�knowing what has passed, even knowing what they did to my sister and what more they would have done�I would gladly leave her to their slow tortures... But being there, watching them...I couldn�t have done things any different than I did. I had to make a difficult choice between two terrible evils; and at the time I thought I was making the right choice. But that choice didn�t end the first time I made it. The more I sided with Lospodas, the more they asked of me. And each time the consequences were worse.� She paused for another long moment. �But now, you have an important choice to make. Not concerning me, but about Mikki. Not once during the whole time we were captives did Mikki, in any way, side with Lospodas. The acts of treason were mine alone.

�Now, most of you are aware of a story that ran in a number of publications shortly after our escape. And I can understand if you are a little reluctant to trust Mikki. It�s right that you should mistrust anything that comes from Lospodas. But if you reject her, you will be, in effect condemning her to death. That is not the spirit on which the sisterhood was founded. I would ask that you consider that when you vote on whether to accept her or not.�

Loreena walked quickly from the podium and sat down, holding her head high, but closing her eyes against the threat of tears.

Slowly Lershowna got to her feet, and walked to the podium. She stood looking out at the faces of her sisters for a long moment, studying each face.

Mikki watched her, and struggled with a decision.

Loreena and her had discussed this moment. �You must vote for my death,� Loreena had insisted. �There is no other way to regain the trust of the movement; and in the end it won�t make any difference.�

Mikki had agreed, yet now Mikki found herself resisting the idea. She keep remembering the other conversation they had had on their way home; and the fact that Loreena had saved her despite, knowing that this moment would come.

�The punishment for treason is death,� Lershowna said, but before she could finish the sentence that would end discussion Mikki stood. A startled mummer ran through the crowd. Standing was the way a sister requested to be heard, either in defense or accusation of a prisoner; but Mikki had no real right to request such a hearing since she had not been reaccepted into the sisterhood yet. Mikki took a step towards the podium, then paused waiting for Lershowna to recognize her.

Lershowna hesitated for a long unbearable moment; then she nodded her head. �Mikki will be heard.�

She walked to the podium and stood, waiting for silence to settle over the gathering. �My sister has chosen to use her voice to speak for me instead of herself,� Mikki said softly. �She has asked me� no, begged me, not to speak on her behalf either. In fact, she felt it would be best, if given a chance, that I vote in favor of her death. And I agreed with her!� Another soft murmur ran through the crowd. Those were not the words they had been expecting. �However!� Mikki said. �There is something else to consider here besides a desire for revenge or for simple justice, however much that is deserved.

�This movement cannot afford to throw away any opportunity; and that...,� she pointed to her sister. �Is what Loreena is right now: an opportunity. She knows more about the Lospodas mansion than any other person in this room. She knows where the sensitive papers are kept, where the video monitors are. She knows things that we may never have another chance to learn. If she dies without giving us this information then Leskral has gained nothing but an object lesson from her death.

�You don�t throw away the bruised apples until you�ve cut out the parts that can still be eaten; and it seems to me that the same logic should be applied when you decide Loreena�s fate. She has too much knowledge inside her head... If you ignore it and kill her now, it is very unlikely you will never have another chance to learn what she can tell you. Therefore, I believe that it is in the best interest of the movement to put aside your anger and your justified passion for revenge, long enough that we might see if there isn�t still some portion of Loreena�s fruit that can be eaten.�

Abruptly Mikki turned and walked back to her seat.

A chorus of Murmurs arose from the crowd, and grew louder as various sisters voiced agreement or dissent. At last Lershowna stood and walked to the podium, waiting a few moments until everyone was listening. �Although her procedures were unorthodox, Mikki Manorin has given us something to think about. It is possible Loreena has valuable knowledge that we would be foolish to destroy.� She sighed, looking thoughtfully at Mikki who was sitting calmly in her seat, her face an expressionless mask. �I will therefore suspended this court for a period of three weeks. During that time we will see if Loreena has anything to offer; then we will meet, again, to reevaluate the situation and take a final vote.�

Loreena set her pencil aside and lay down on her cot, looking up at the ceiling of the room that was her cell.

Mikki tapped the stop button on the tape recorder. �You�re not tired already, are you?�

�What do you want from me?� Loreena asked. She looked over at her sister, who was sitting on a cot. Mikki had convinced Lershowna to let her requisition what she needed from Leskral�s limited supplies, and she had asked for a chair, a folding table, and the tape player, as well as pencils, notebooks, graph paper and numerous other supplies�then she had set up a working desk beside Loreena; and gone to work diligently picking her sister�s brain for more and more information. They�d been at it since the sentencing had been suspended the day before.

�I was ready to die, you know.�

Mikki laughed. �And now, when your time comes, it might not be as easy?�

�No, damn you, it won�t! It�ll be hard waiting for it too.�

�I�m sorry,� Mikki said. �But I didn�t request this for your benefit. I meant what I said: you have useful information that Leskral needs.�

Loreena turned to look at her sister. �You really didn�t do it for me?�

Mikki shrugged noncommittally.

Loreena sighed and leaned more firmly back onto the cot.

�Now tell me about the records room,� Mikki said.

�Why?� Loreena asked. �You can answer me first, you�ve been picking my brain ever since the hearing. If it isn�t for me... then why?�

For a long moment Mikki didn�t answer. She looked intently at her sister, and Loreena returned her gaze without flinching. �Do you really want to know,� Mikki said at last�and something in her voice said that Loreena wouldn�t like what she heard.

�Probably not,� she said; but she sat up, waiting.

Mikki took a deep breath. �I�m going to learn everything you have to teach me about Lospodas,� she said. �And while I�m learned all there is to know about that, I�m going to train myself in other skills�until I�ve become something that Leskral has never had: a deadly weapon to use against Lospodas. I still have the tasp in my head, and we both know how effective a teacher that can be.�

�That�s the craziest thing I�ve ever heard!� Loreena said.

�It�s a crazy world we live in,� Mikki answered.

�It�s to dangerous to do it yourself. You could become a vegetable, sitting in a corner somewhere giving yourself repeated jolts. Besides, where are you going to find a transmitter anyway?�

�Those are weak arguments,� Mikki said. �You still have the transmitter you used on me when we escaped.�

�And what about getting someone to train you? Have you thought about how much you would have to learn�about how difficult it would be? Do you think any of our sisters would have the slightest idea how to do it right? Think again! It took me a long time to learn the subtle nuances of the art, and I had some pretty good teachers.�

�That�s why I want you to be the one to do it,� Mikki said. �Unfortunately you probably don�t have that long to live.�

�No I don�t,� Loreena said bitterly.

�Unless perhaps you can prove that you have more than three weeks worth of information to teach someone. Or perhaps if you could prove that you have other ways of being useful to Leskral.�

Loreena sat up. �Saving my life. That�s what this is all about, isn�t it?�

�No,� Mikki said. �Don�t ever think that!�

Looking at Mikki, Loreena was mesmerized by the sudden intensity in her eyes. She couldn�t doubt Mikki�s sincerity; and knowing Mikki the way she did, she knew emotional arguments would be useless in dissuading her, if her mind was truly made up.

Loreena sighed and looked away. �What have I done,� she muttered sadly. �That things should turn out this way.�

�I�m going to do this with or without you,� Mikki said. �All I�m asking is if you want to come along.�

Suddenly Loreena laughed at the irony of it all. �It�s hopeless, you know,� she said. �But considering my options, I suppose it doesn�t sound like such a bad idea. What exactly did you have in mind?�

Mikki smiled broadly. �Well, I�ve already got a decent start on my physical conditioning but I intend to push it to the extreme, which means I�ll have to start eating better again�healthier foods and more of them. Then I�ll need to find someone who can train me to fight. I expect I should study human physiology; some basic espionage techniques: like explosives, electronic circuitry, lock picking... there are probably a dozen other things we�ll think of as we go along...�

Loreena was nodding. �Some sort of memory training will be useful,� she said. �And you�ll need to develop some efficient black market contacts for buying weapons and technological equipment. That�s likely to be your most difficult task. There aren�t many merchants who will deal with us. They�re all afraid of a reprisal from Lospodas.�

�I think I can handle that,� Mikki said. �But it won�t come cheap, and I have no idea how to convince the leader�s council to give me the money. After that shit in the papers, I don�t blame the leaders of the movement if they feel a little hostile towards us, and even if they weren�t, it�s always a battle to convince the Amorian side of the council that we have to use the Undercaves to finance a project. I suspect they�ll be even more reluctant than usual to do it for the likes of us.�

�Have you been to see BOOTZ NOar since we�ve returned?�

�No,� Mikki said, uncomfortable with the subject of her old friend. �With everything going on, I haven�t had time.�

�If memory serves me she was Slarn,� Loreena said. �Maybe you should make the time? The longer you wait the more awkward it�s going to get.�

�You think I can use her as a way of influencing the Slarn leadership?�

Loreena sighed sadly. �You�re not going to be very good at this sort of thing if you have trouble using a friend. It�s not even that unpleasant a way to use her... as far as using goes.�

�I guess you�d know about that, wouldn�t you?�

�Yes,� Loreena said without looking away. �I would.�

�I�m sorry,� Mikki said. She was angry with herself for trying to wound Loreena with her words. �It�s not that anyway. She�s only a beta; and the Slarn treat their betas little better than second-class citizens. They�re hardly more than servants.�

�But I think Slarn mother�s may still love their Beta children. And while BOOTZ�s alph-mother isn�t the Slarn faction�s leader, she is high in the Slarn leadership. She may be willing to listen to an old friend of her beta-daughter. And if you can gain the full support of the Slarn faction, you�ll have dissolved the strongest opposition to using the treasures of the Undercaves to finance your project.

�It won�t be easy.�

�No,� Loreena agreed. �It won�t be easy. But we have one definite advantage on our side. Although the Slarn are the strongest opposition to selling the treasures of the Undercaves, they are also the strongest advocates of using more aggression against the Zanadian government, and against Lospodas in particular. They have, in the past, been willing to vote in favor of raiding the Undercaves when they could be convinced that it would result in a substantial act of aggression.

�The real problem,� Loreena continued, �has always been finding a safe and reliable supplier who is willing to brave the wrath of Lospodas by selling to Leskral, and yet will still deal fairly with us.�

�So why should we tell them that they�re selling to women?� Mikki said. �I�ll bet I can disguise myself as a man and make the purchase elsewhere...�

�I�ll have to see that to believe it,� Loreena said. �But lets suppose you pull it off, how would you get such supplies back here without being seen along the road and attacked by Zanadian soldiers or bandits?�

�I�m not sure.�

�I�ve got it,� Loreena said in sudden excitement. �We could build a supply wagon with a compartment hidden beneath the visible bed. That�s more or less how I snuck the Lospodas guards in when I helped them capture Sondra Conse.�

�It might work,� Mikki agreed. �But I don�t think we have time to build a wagon before the vote... and I�m not sure we could convince Lershowna to do it anyway.�

�It doesn�t have to be a large supply the first time,� Loreena said. �All you have to do is prove that it can be done. For that, you can devise a way to strap the supplies securely under the wagon. After you make the real purchase, you go into town and buy the standard types of supplies. There shouldn�t be any problem, if you have the standard escort to accompany you back home. You�ll still have to find a source though.�

�Geot may be my best lead for that,� Mikki said.

�And I may have a few other more tenuous leads as well.�

Mikki nodded, as she thought about Geot. �I wonder if he�ll be happy to see me again,� she said.

A few hours later, Mikki was walking slowly down the great hall. She was strangely reluctant to meet BOOTZ NOar again, but she�d made the decision and she was unwilling to let herself back out of it now.

Being in no particular hurry, however, she took time to look at her surroundings as she walked down the great hall. For what seemed the first time in her life, she really saw the intricate stone carvings that were always nearly hidden by shadows; the delicate beauty of the stone architecture was all around her. She passed one of the massive arches, glanced out at the sun drenched gardens, and saw a small group of Amorian and human youths playing together... the way she and BOOTZ used to play.

Seeing them made Mikki�s heart ache.

It was such a familiar sight, but now everything was different. She no longer belonged. She was an outsider, an intruder. Even though she was only a few years older than the oldest in the group, Mikki didn�t think she could be comfortable with them. Too much had happened; too many of them would know who she was, and look at her with that familiar mixture of disgust, pity and hatred.

�Mikki?�

She turned away from the window and faced the familiar voice. �Mother ZAHmit!� She said, taking in the disturbingly masculine face and figure of the Slarn Amorian. Mikki couldn�t remember ever giving this masculine quality among the alph gender of the Slarn much thought when she was younger, but her experiences at Lospodas had given her a different perspective on men in general, and it was a little disconcerting to find this intrusively male looking creature within the walls of Leskral. It didn�t matter that Mikki knew aNEE ZAHmit had both male and female genitals; or that all Amorians, except the drones, were referred to by the feminine pronoun, regardless of what they looked like at a casual glance.

Quickly, Mikki quelled her mixed emotions at seeing BOOTZ NOar�s alph-mother so unexpectedly, and bowed in the formal Slarn greeting for equals. �I�ve come to see BOOTZ NOar.�

�I know,� aNEE ZAHmit, said in her thick Slarn accent. �I wondered how long it would take you to come?�

�I wasn�t sure if she�d want to see me.�

�She did, but I wouldn�t let her,� aNEE ZAHmit said. �Not until after your human sisters voted to accept your return.�

Mikki understood. There wasn�t any point in BOOTZ and her renewing their friendship unless it was decided she could stay at Leskral. Still, aNEE ZAHmit�s directness took her by surprise. She had forgotten how frank the Slarn could sometimes be.

�How would you vote?� Mikki asked.

aNEE ZAHmit smiled, her expression not giving even the slightest hint what her answer would be. �Fortunately, neither of us will ever have to know,� she said. �However, I don�t think you helped yourself any when you spoke on your sister�s behalf.�

�Did you listen to my arguments?�

�I heard rumors.�

�And? You do favor taking more aggressive action than we have in the past, don�t you?�

�Of course,� aNEE ZAHmit said. �But I�m not sure that requires us to spare the life of your sister. I think that perhaps it is your loyalty to your sister that is speaking and not your loyalty to the movement. It is understandable, but it won�t sway many people.�

�That�s why we�ve been given the time to try and prove our case... unfortunately we may need a little help from those of a like mind, if we are to demonstrate fully the kind of difference we can make.�

�I see,� aNEE ZAHmit said. �So it wasn�t BOOTZ that you came to see after all.�

Mikki smiled. �You�re right, in a way. I�ve been pretty busy�as you can imagine�so I probably wouldn�t have come to see BOOTZ until after my human sisters voted... if it hadn�t been for the fact that I also wanted to see you.�

aNEE ZAHmit nodded. �Well then,� she said. �Maybe you and I had better find somewhere private where we can talk.�

Lershowna looked up from where she lay on the massage table and gave Marila the best greeting she could from her position. It irritated her that the young woman had barged in during one of the few times that she could really relax, but she couldn�t very well send her away. �What is it Marila?�

�Have you seen what they�re doing?� She demanded.

�What who�s doing?�

�Loreena and her sister. They�ve been requisitioning all sorts of stuff ever since you...� She paused, forcing herself not to say what she had obviously wanted to; and went on. �They�ve been taking enough food for six, as well as an outlandish amount of other supplies. And they�ve been asking for books on subjects that they can�t possibly need; and insisting on materials to build questionable projects. �

�Like what?�

�Like requesting that a secret compartment be built into the bed of a wagon, for example. What reason could they possibly have for something like that, unless they have some further treasonous acts in mind.�

�I don�t know, Marila. But you can be sure I�ll find out.�

�We should have killed them both the moment they returned.�

�Was there anything else, Marila.�

�No,� she said reluctantly.

�Good. Then I will look into this matter as soon as Brineen is finished with me here. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.�

�Very well,� Marila said petulantly; then reluctantly she turned and left.

Lershowna sighed as the door closed. �Are you about done, Brineen?�

�Of course,� she said; and within moments Lershowna was alone in the room. A few minutes later she was being ushered into Loreena�s cell by the door guard.

She was a little alarmed and confused when she saw Mikki laying on the floor as if in exhaustion and Loreena standing above and beside her; but Mikki slowly began to sit up, and Loreena casually looked over her shoulder to see who it was that had entered. �Hello, Lershowna. I�m glad you�ve come. It saves me a trip, since I planned to come see you a little later today.�

Lershowna looked around the room, confused by what she saw, and what Mikki was saying. �What�s going on?� She asked, looking towards Mikki for an answer. The girl was leaning against the wall breathing heavily as sweat ran down her face.

�Mikki�s exercising,� Loreena answered simply.

�Exercising?� Lershowna looked at her as if she�d never heard the word before.

�Loreena,� Mikki said getting to her feet. �Shut up and sit down.� Her voice was gentle enough to remove most of the sting from her words, but it was definitely a command that she fully expected to be obeyed. Lershowna was more surprised when Loreena simply nodded, and went to lay down on her cot.

�Should we step outside to discuss this?�

�If you wish,� Lershowna nodded, leading the way. When she turned around again Mikki was holding a notebook in her hand.

�What�s that?� Lershowna asked.

�I�ll show it to you in a moment,� Mikki said. �Let�s talk a little first.�

�You have a topic in mind?�

�I assume you�ve come to discuss what Loreena and I have been doing since the vote.�

�I have heard some disturbing rumors,� Lershowna admitted. �And then I find you doing��

�Do you think Loreena should be killed?� Mikki interrupted.

The question surprised Lershowna so much that she didn�t even think to be offended; and she wasn�t quite sure how to answer. After all, this was Loreena�s sister. But Mikki didn�t give her much time to consider. �I expect our escape was quite a blow for Lospodas,� she said. �They�ve been making her out to be quite a little hero for their cause. They�ve written her up in newspapers and magazines, and introduced her to important political men. That�s why they�ve made up these stories about how we managed to escape. Escape from Lospodas is supposed to be impossible, if you ask them. And if you kill her, it will look all the more plausible. Sure they slipped up, but not by letting us escape�only by allowing their so-called plan to become discovered. On the other hand, if you let her live, and it comes to light that the story was a lie, it�s going to make them look pretty bad. I don�t know about you, but I think that�s a good thing. Personally I hope they have all kinds of trouble explaining why their perfect little slave-girl suddenly had a change of heart and betrayed them. There might even be a few underground publications that would be interested in buying her story�the truth about how she came to be there, why she kidnapped Sondra Conse, why she said and did the things she did, what it was like for the two of us while we were there, and how she managed to break us out.�

�It�s not going to change anyone�s mind,� Lershowna said.

�I�m not worried about the vote,� Mikki said. �And I�m not trying to change the minds of our Leskral sisters. I�m thinking more about our non-Leskral sisters. How many new sisters have joined the movement since Sondra Conse was kidnapped?�

�There�ve been quite a few.�

�As many as there were before she was taken?�

�The number have dropped a little,� Lershowna admitted.

�And you don�t think they�d go up if Loreena�s story was widely publicized?�

�I suppose they might.�

�And what do you think will happen if Loreena is killed; and those newspapers that Lospodas controls report that Loreena, who recently left the Lospodas mansion for a brief excursion was captured and murdered by those she used to call her own.�

�Lospodas can always twist any event to fit their own design. They always have.�

�I think it�s time Leskral began twisting a few events for their own benefit,� Mikki said. �Using the same types of tactics that Lospodas uses.� She held out the notebook she�d been carrying. �Take a look, it�s one of the things we�ve been working on since the vote was delayed.�

Lershowna opened the notebook and examined the first page, which showed an incomplete and sketchily drawn map. She turned to the next page and noted a couple of enlarged maps showing various aspects of a single room. It was shown from various angles, and titled the �South Wing Records Room�. It showed the placement of the furniture in the room; it showed the heating ducts, the location of electrical switches and outlets; it showed a closet, and two exits and even the placement of hidden video cameras and microphones. On the next few pages were several detailed paragraphs describing the room in even more detail: noting the color and design of the walls and floor; describing the design of the furniture including the location of the locks on the desk and files, and that the keys to the files could be found in the top left drawer of the desk. A paragraph explained what the room was typically used for in addition to simply storing records; how often it was in use, and when the workers who took turns manning the desk usually left for lunch or to go home for the evening.

The list of information about this one room went on and on; and it was much more than Lershowna had ever expected, even in her wildest flights of fancy. She closed the notebook and looked up at Mikki. �Are you sure this is accurate? How could she possibly remember all this?�

�It was accurate when we left,� Mikki said. �But that�s not really important. Unless we do something with it, what good is having a whole book of this stuff?�

Lershowna frowned.

�None,� Mikki answered herself.

�If you believe that then...�

�I didn�t say it couldn�t be useful! But information doesn�t get up and start doing things all by itself. It needs someone to make use of it. That�s where I�m going to come in. I intend to learn everything Loreena knows, and then train myself to take advantage of it.�

�Is that what you were doing when I came in? Training yourself?�

Mikki nodded, �Lospodas put something into my head that they call a tasp.�

�I�ve heard of them,� Lershowna said wrinkling her nose.

�Then you have an idea what they can be used for?�

�It�s a Zanadian perversion. You�ll have it taken out?�

�No,� Mikki said. �I�m going to use mine to help push me in my training. I intend to become a weapon for Leskral to use against Lospodas. A master thief, an assassin, a shadow capable of breaking into their stronghold undetected and hurting them as easily as they�ve been able to hurt us.�

Lershowna glanced at the notebook. �You think this information can be used to do that?�

�Not just that,� Mikki said. �Loreena learned a great deal about training with a tasp while she was at Lospodas. Even you might be surprised at what a natural gift she has for it.�

�That�s the real reason you wanted Loreena to be spared�to train you? Not for this,� Lershowna held out the notebook with the sketches of Lospodas.

�That�s real enough,� Mikki said taking the notebook from Lershowna. �But you�re right in a sense. The more important reason to spare Loreena is for her skills in tasp training�and because she will be willing to do what has to be done, no matter how distasteful.�

�I suppose she�s proven that she can do that.� Lershowna frowned. �How long did you think you could get away with this,� she gave a broad wave of her hand, �before someone became suspicious?�

�Obviously Loreena has much more information than she can record in three weeks�even in three months�I had hoped we could have enough by then to convince others of her usefulness. After the first vote, in addition to the rough drafts, there will be the work of compiling all the information into a final book. I figure that will take at least several months, maybe as long as a year or two... And by that time there will be no doubt how valuable she is or how effective her training.�

�The sisters might vote to kill her anyway,� Lershowna said.

�The vote is only a formality. The final decision rests with you. Hopefully it won�t come to that, but you have the power to supersede their decision.�

�If enough sisters don�t like it they can vote to have me removed, then cast the vote again with the new leader.�

�That requires a two thirds majority,� Mikki said. �Not very likely if you can give sound reasons for your decision.�

�You know your law,� Lershowna said. �But I have to think about other things as well. If I force the vote against the majority, there will be sisters who feel betrayed.

�It�s not as if Loreena will be living in luxury,� Mikki said, her face and voice hard. �I�ll keep her in shackles and won�t allow her to wear any clothes in public. That should help pacify the complainers. I may even hold an occasional lottery and give Loreena to the winner�to do with as she pleases for a day or two. There are plenty of ways, both symbolic and real; to make sure our sisters have a satisfying measure of revenge�as long as you put Loreena under your protection. I don�t want anyone thinking they can take justice into her own hands and kill her without suffering dire consequences.�

Lershowna looked at Mikki with growing disgust. �You speak so casually of doing all that to your own blood-sister?�

�What matters is the movement,� Mikki said. �Not my sister, and not what you think of me as a person.�

�But it�s more than the movement for you,� Lershowna accused.

Mikki shrugged, but there was a fierce, almost frightening intensity in her eyes. �I�m going to do this Lershowna�with or without my sister�s help; with or without yours... I�m going to do this�but I�ll have a lot better chance of being successful, and useful to Leskral, if I have the support I need to make it work.�

Lershowna frowned. �What kind of support,� she asked suspiciously.

Mikki smiled. �I�ve been having some trouble getting my sisters at the commissary to cooperate with my requests for such things as supplies. Most recently, and most importantly, Marila has refused to modify a wagon to my specifications. That was, in fact, what I wanted to see you about.�

�And why I came to see you, now that you mention it. So, why do you need a wagon with a secret compartment?�

�Guns,� Mikki said.

�Breath out,� Mikki said as she cinched the wide leather belt tighter around Loreena�s waist.

�For mercy�s sake,� Loreena gasped, her thighs pressing against wood as her sister�s efforts forced her to teeter precariously over a high table covered with extra lengths of rope, and leather. �Ease up a little,� she said. �I can hardly breath as it is.�

�Shut up,� Mikki growled. �This isn�t for a damned costume party.� Mikki yanked sharply on the end of the belt, pulling Loreena back from the table. The belt cinched even tighter around her waist, forcing a startled gasp from her lips. Then Mikki was pushing her forward across the table again as she secured the two prongs of the buckle.

With the waist belt pulled so tightly, the ropes around Loreena�s chest and arms forced her to take small panting breaths, and made it difficult to right herself. She tried to expand her chest, flexing her arm muscles against the bonds. She teetered precariously for a moment on the long spiked heels Mikki had forced her to wear; then Mikki caught her by the elbow, spinning her around to fast.

Mikki reached down, pressing her cool fingers between Loreena�s legs, caressing her hairless mound and probing insistently between her swollen lips. Loreena closed her eyes and shivered under Mikki�s touch, rocking her hips forward as the delightful fingers of sensation thrust deeper.

�You�re always ready, aren�t you,� Mikki whispered as she leaned forward and sucked a nipple into her mouth. Catching it between her teeth, she chewed gently. She removed her hand from between Loreena�s legs; then replaced it a moment later with something hard and cold. Loreena gasped and opened her eyes as the slick wedge of smoothness slid easily inside her: plunging deeper and deeper until she could feel the small leather harness on the base and the warmth of Mikki�s fingers caressing her again.

�You�re really enjoying this, aren�t you?�

�That�s it. Open your mouth again,� Mikki said, as she reached for something on the table; and held up a head harness with a rubber ball gag.

Loreena�s lips were already parted, but Mikki opened them a little wider, forcing the large ball into her mouth, and tightening the leather straps around her head.

�That�s much better,� Mikki said, as she reached for a long length of rope sitting on the table. She tied it to the metal ring on the front of Loreena�s belt; then threaded it through the leather snaps on the fat metal dildo. She pulled the rope tight, forcing the dildo to sink a little deeper. Then she attached the crotch rope to the ropes around Loreena�s chest. When she tugged it tight, Loreena was forced to arch her back.

�Now.� Mikki said, and she smacked Loreena�s ass with her hand, causing her to jump�putting even more pressure against the ropes. �A hobble around those knees and I think we�re just about ready to go.�

The knock at the door was almost timid.

Marila, with her face in Brindel�s lap, didn�t even hear it. She was too busy licking the soft folds of flesh and sucking on the sweet juice that poured from them. Her long, curved tongue flicked lightly over her friend�s swollen clit, stopped to trace quick little circles then flicked again.

Brindel�s legs tightened around Marila�s head in a spasm of joy as the knock came again. It was louder this time. Loud enough that Marila looked up from her efforts.

�Damn,� Brindel gasped in frustration. �You don�t think it�s Purilla do you?�

�Why would she come here?� Marila asked. �She doesn�t even know we�ve been seeing each other.�

Marila stood and began searching for her clothes, but they had been thrown off in a hurry; and she couldn�t find her pants. She settled for Brindel�s short, Amorian style robe, wrapped it around her shoulders just as another knock came.

�Just a minute,� she called.

When she opened the door Marila was surprised to see Mikki standing in the hall.

�Hello Marila,� Mikki said.

�Mikki.�

�I�ve come to ask you a favor.�

Marila almost laughed in disbelief. �What makes you think I�d do you a favor?�

Mikki smiled easily. �I think it�s a favor you�ll enjoy,� she said. �Come, take a look.� She stepped back, gesturing for Marila to come out into the hall.

For a moment Marila hesitated, then she followed.

Loreena was standing along the wall, naked but for the straps of leather and rope. Her arms were tied behind her back and ample lengths of rope were wrapped around her chest. Her mouth was stuffed with a large ball gag, secured by a full head harness; and she wore a wide belt that cinched her waist uncomfortably thin and served as an anchor for a crotch rope that ran from front to back, connecting to her upper torso, so that she was forced to arch her back in order to relieve the pressure between her legs. Just below the knees she wore leg cuff connected by a very short length of chain.

�What is this?� Marila asked.

�As you know,� Mikki said. �I�ve been assigned as Loreena�s guardian. However, I�ll be leaving the compound for a while and since she is my responsibility, I need someone to keep an eye on her while I am gone.�

�I�d rather kill her.�

Mikki smiled and her eyes became so cold and hard that Marila couldn�t help taking an involuntary step back.

�If you did that,� Mikki said. �I can assure you that I would take my right of revenge. And, as you know, I�ve spent a considerable length of time at the hands of Lospodas; I know what it takes to cause the kind of pain you can�t even imagine. So, no matter how terrible a death you think you could give my sister, your death would not be anywhere near as pleasant. Loreena is still my charge and she is under Lershowna�s protection.�

�Relax, � Marila said, with an uneasily shrug. �It wasn�t a threat.�

�Of course not,� Mikki said, her smile turning friendly again. �I just didn�t want there to be any misunderstanding between friends, because I mean exactly what I�ve said.�

Marila nodded her understanding. �I believe you,� she said.

Mikki gave a slight nod back; then turned back towards Loreena, grabbing hold of the crotch rope to pull her sister closer. Loreena nearly stumbled, her eyes wide with understanding as she tried to shy away from Marila, but Mikki held her fast. �I can understand your reluctance,� Mikki said, turning back to Marila. �Just as I can understand my sister�s. You have a justifiable grievance against her. Shaila is, after all, your sister by blood... but, think about this: As Loreena�s guardian I have the right to determine when discipline is needed and how to administer it.� Mikki yanked a little harder on the crotch rope, bringing a small gasp from Loreena�s throat. �As my proxy in this matter, that responsibility would be transferred to you, even if it is only on a temporary basis, you would have those same rights until such a time as I return to claim her.�

�You intend to give me total authority over her?�

�Limited authority,� Mikki said. �You would have the same limited authority over her that I have. Lershowna has placed Loreena�s life and physical safety under her protection, so even I couldn�t intentionally kill or maim her, but you still have considerable latitude when it comes to determining the types of punishments to administer, or what offenses to punish her for.� Mikki released the crotch rope and slapped Loreena�s ass with the flat of her palm; and Loreena jumped forward with a squeal of protest, her body quivering under the pressure of her tight bonds. Mikki smiled. �There are many ways to administer allowable punishments�punishments that will leave no permanent mark�If you are creative.�

�Why would you do this to your sister?� Marila asked in disbelief. �What�s the catch?�

�No catch, and no strings.� Mikki said. �All you have to do is decide if you want to watch her; and, of course, what you wish to do to her, while I�m gone. I could be away for as long as three or four days... although more likely I�ll be back in a few hours or a day.�

�I don�t trust you,� Marila said. �You�re almost inviting me to...� She frowned, unable to pin down what it was that was making her so uneasy. �Why are you giving her to me like this?�

�That�s my concern,� Mikki said. �If you don�t want her, I�ll find someone else. No obligations if you take her. No hard feelings if you don�t. I�m sure there are quite a few others who will jump at the opportunity when I offer it to them.�

�Alright then,� Marila said. �I�ll watch her.�

�Good. See that she eats something by this evening at the latest. I�ve been withholding food from her for the last couple of days; going without for any longer could endanger her health, if you take my meaning. And wouldn�t leave her trussed up like this for too long, a few hours at most before you change her position and release the more constricting bonds. Much longer than that and it might cause structural damage to her spine. But if you�re going to take her outside of your room she has to be bound.� Mikki smiled. �You can experiment and find your own uncomfortable poses.�

Marila smiled back. �Don�t worry,� she said. �We�ll be sure to take real good care of her.�

Marila watched as Mikki walked away down the hall; then she turned to Loreena, still unable to believe what Mikki had done. Surely there was a reason for what she was doing, but right now Marila couldn�t imagine what it might be.

Loreena seemed just as bewildered. She stood, bound and defenseless, watching as her sister left her in the clutches of one of her worst enemies.

�She must really hate you,� Marila said.

Loreena turned, and her eyes became transfixed on Marila: as if she were a cornered animal, watching the hunter approach. For a moment it looked as if she might try to run. She edged away as Marila approached�until her back was pressed against the stone wall behind her.

�Come along then,� Marila said, following Mikki�s example and grabbing the crotch rope. She pulled on it a lot harder than she needed to as she lead Loreena into her room.

Brindel was waiting just inside the door. �What�s this?� she said, tracing her fingers along the inside of Loreena�s leg in an intimate way that Marila didn�t like. She had no illusions about the Amorian�s fidelity, neither of them had ever claimed an exclusive relationship�still it bothered her to see Loreena closing her eyes in barely controlled pleasure as Brindel�s fingers played over her hips

�She�s a present from her sister,� Marila said.

�How thoughtful.� Brindel pressed her naked body against Loreena from behind, one hand snaking around her waist to cup a breast. Loreena flinched just slightly as Brindel�s fingers touched her ribs.

So Loreena was ticklish. That could prove interesting.

�It�s an interesting package,� Brindel said. Her other hand had searched out the waist-belt and was pulling in gentle, rhythmic tugs that made Loreena gasp with helpless moans of pleasure. �Why don�t you bring her back to the bed, Marila?� Her eyes widened mischievously. �We can have some real fun.�

�You want to take HER to bed?� Marila couldn�t hide her disgust. �Don�t you know who she is, Brindel?�

�Of course I know.� Brindel pinched one of Loreena�s nipples. �But what does that have to do with anything? What, you don�t find her attractive?�

Marila looked at her critically for a moment, then shrugged. �I can see how you would think so,� she admitted. �But that doesn�t mean I want to have sex with her.�

�Then don�t! But look at her, she�s still got the willowy body of a young girl; and she�s been given to us, gift wrapped in this... delightful way. By the Mother! Let�s take advantage and have some fun with her.�

Marila frowned. �All right,� she said. �But we do it my way. The leather stays on. Clear?�

�Fine with me.� Brindel said, her hands busy caressing the ropes around Loreena�s breasts. �I kind of like her this way.�

Marila growled her displeasure and tugged on the crotch rope, hard enough to make Loreena jump. As they walked into the bedroom, Marila became increasingly aware of just how awkward Loreena�s bindings were making her. No wonder she hadn�t run. She was having some difficult just keeping her balance and walking. How would she ever manage to get onto the bed by herself? Marila was amused by the very idea.

Brindel was still clinging to Loreena when they reached the bed; and she was eager to help Loreena�but Marila held her back. �I want Loreena to get onto the center of the bed by herself.�

Loreena turned and looked at her in disbelief.

�I want you to get up on the bed, all by yourself, � Marila told her.

Loreena rolled her eyes in frustration, and turned back towards the bed, studying it.

�Go on,� Marila said, and she slapped Loreena on the ass so hard that her hand burned.

Loreena jumped, shivering with a muffled squeal of protest, and just barely keep herself from tumbling forward, a bright, red handprint was outlined in her pale skin.

�Hurry up,� Marila said. �We haven�t got all day.�

Now Loreena tried to cooperate, but Marila could see that the clever way her crotch rope was tied was holding her body in a rigid position. Instead of being tied to the back of the waist-belt, the crotch rope was tied to the ropes around her chest. If she tried to lean forward, it put increased pressure between her legs. Simple acts�even walking in her high, spiked heels�became very awkward.

Even balancing on one foot was difficult, and with her knees hobbled as they were, she couldn�t even raise her leg high enough to climb up on the bed. Loreena solved the problem by leaned forward enough to rest one knee against the edge of the bed to keep her balance, then placing her other knee up on the bed and slowly inching forward.

Marila wasn�t going to let her off the hook that easy.

�Not like that,� Marila said, yanking on the crotch rope hard enough to drag Loreena back off the bed. �Turn around and sit down,� she snapped.

Loreena had to keep her upper body balanced above her legs. She couldn�t lean forward to use the shifting weight of her body for keeping her balance as she sat. It forced her to move carefully and made her look as if she were awkwardly trying to do a deep knee bend, which was even more awkward with her knees held together.

�Hurry up,� Marila said, and she gave Loreena�s shoulder a gentle nudge.

For a moment Loreena swayed above the bed, fighting to catch her balance, then she toppled like a tree. She bounced onto the bed with a loud moan of pain and was thrown back up into the air.

�That�s better,� Marila said, delighted with the way things had turned out. �Now, slide yourself up onto the center of the bed.�

Loreena�s eyes widened again with fear and disbelief.

Marila knew that what she was asking was probably impossible; but then, that was the idea.

Stooping down, Marila retrieved her slacks from under the bed, and began to remove her belt. Then she went to the bed and leaned over Loreena, presenting the thin, black piece of leather for her inspection.

The look on Loreena�s face was priceless.

�I think you�d better get moving,� Brindel said.

Loreena took the advice; but her arms were trapped under her back like wings. There was no way she could roll over. When she�d bounced, the bed had thrown her forward so that most of her legs were hanging over the edge. This increased the tension on her crotch rope. When she tried to push herself up the tension was increased even more and the spring in the mattress made it rise with her body, making Loreena�s efforts meaningless. It was impossible to lift her body above the mattress. Her feet keep slipping over the carpet; and she couldn�t inch her way back by arching and then straightening her back, the way she normally would.

She tried to sit up or roll over, grunting with the effort; but the most she could manage was to raise her feet a few inches off the floor. Between the waist-belt and the crotch rope Loreena�s stomach had no strength at all.

After a moment Loreena gave up and lay still.

Marila swung the belt. It struck with a loud crack, high on the inside of the thigh; and Loreena jerked in a spasm of pain.

�You�d better figure it out,� Marila said, with a grin. �Or you could be in for a very unpleasant afternoon.� She struck again, leaving a red mark, like a bright blaze of fire on Loreena�s breast.

Loreena tried desperately to lift her legs, but it didn�t help. This time Marila struck low, across the back of the thighs; and Loreena brought her legs down so fast that she bounced a little off of the bed.

�That�s it,� Brindel said. �Try bouncing.�

Loreena looked up at her as if she was crazy, but when the belt struck her on the stomach, she began to give it a try. It was obviously painful, since each bounce forced the crotch rope to saw between her legs, but starting small and using the spring of the mattress to create bigger and bigger bounces, she managed finally, with one thrust, to push herself far enough onto the bed so she could hook the edge of the bed with her toes. From there she finally managed to squirm and inch her way to the center of the bed.

�Now?� Brindel asked.

When Marila nodded Brindel practically leaped onto the bed. Scooping Loreena into her arms, she sucked a nipple into her mouth, while her hand found the crotch rope and began the gentle tugging motions again.

Marila sighed and went over to the dinning table to get a chair. She set it up beside the bed, and sat down.

Brindel paused to look over her shoulder. �Aren�t you going to join us?� she asked.

�No I�ll just sit here and watch.� Marila held up her belt. �Maybe I�ll use this again, if she acts up.�

Brindel raised to her knees and wagged her ass invitingly. �We�re ready, any time,� she said.

Marila fixed her with an angry glare, but it obviously wasn�t very impressive because she couldn�t keep the smile of her face.

A length of chain had been attached to Loreena�s crotch rope, and it was heavy enough that when Marila gave a flip with her wrist it gave Loreena a jolt, like a sliver of fire between her legs. She tried not to give Marila many excuses to use it, but it was difficult keeping up in her seven inch heels; and Brindel�s distracting attention didn�t help. The mischievous Amorian had found a large, fluffy feather; and she was taking an abnormal delight in dusting Loreena�s body as they walked.

Loreena had never realized that she could be so ticklish; but then Brindel had been working on her continually for what had to be several hours. The persistent, if gentle, stimulation was beginning to exaggerate her normal sensitivity. Even parts of her body that weren�t normally ticklish had become terribly sensitive.

Brindel seemed particularly fond of dipping the feather between her legs�a spot which she had quickly discovered was one of Loreena�s most sensitive; and one where the motion of walking helped exaggerate the effects even more. Brindel also liked to swipe the feather across her face, especially when they came to a corner, where Loreena needed to be able to see to avoid getting a yank on the chain. It tickled Loreena�s nose, and she was afraid that she would have to sneeze, but somehow she managed not to do that.

Marila had released Loreena�s bindings for a few minutes before they left her room, just as Mikki had advised, but when she�d retied Loreena she�d kept the same arrangement with the crotch rope. Loreena wondered if it wouldn�t have been better not to have been untied at all, because the exposure to the air seemed to have sensitized the raw flesh between her leg, or maybe it was due to better circulation, for when Marila retired the ropes she hadn�t pulled them quite as tight. It was perhaps a measure of how tight Mikki had made them the first time that someone who hated Loreena as much as Marila couldn�t do her one better�but then, perhaps the looseness of the ropes was intentional. It allowed the three of them to walk much faster, and each step Loreena took forced the rope to grate back and forth across her already raw feeling flesh.

They�d been walking the halls for several minutes before Loreena realized that they weren�t actually going anywhere. Marila�s purpose seemed to be to seek out all her friends, letting them gawk at Loreena and inviting them to take a turn yanking her chain.

Suddenly Marila saw someone else she knew.

�Hello, Deelia,� she called out, waving her friend over. As the young woman walked over, Marila asked. �How do you like my new toy?�

�What are you doing with her?� Deelia said, gawking the same way that everyone else had.

�Mikki placed her into my care.�

�I don�t believe it,� Deelia said.

�Go ahead and touch her if you want,� Brindel said. She gently took Deelia�s hand and guided it towards Loreena�s breast. When Deelia no longer needed any encouragement, Brindel took a nipple between her fingertips, pinching it viciously.

�Why don�t you come by my room after dinner,� Marila said. �I intend to have a little party. Maybe we can see just how much she learned at Lospodas.�

�I�ll be there,� Deelia said.

�Good. Now, if you�ll excuse us, we�re on our way to the cafeteria.�

Loreena knew what Marila was doing.

She was showing her off... So it didn�t surprise her that there was a larger than usual crowd waiting in the cafeteria when they arrived.

The women of Leskral were unused to seeing anyone trussed up the way Loreena was; so every eye was on her as she was lead by the crotch rope down the food line and then to a table. Loreena had gotten used to wearing skimpy clothes and publicly performing decadent acts while at Lospodas, but this was different. For one thing, she had rarely been the one bound at Lospodas; and for another, here she was alone�which made the experience intensely humiliating. Everyone knew why she was bound. And she could not, in her heart, believe that she did not deserve their scorn.

Several of the women they had meet in the halls came over as Marila and Brindel set their trays down on the table. Loreena felt their hands caressing her, heard their voices cooing over her as they pinched her nipples or tried to work their fingers under the crotch rope. She didn�t struggle, but rather watched the others passively as they set their trays down across the table her.

The hands forced her to take a seat between her guardians, then Marila removed her gag. �Hungry,� she asked.

�I�m thirsty,� Loreena said.

Brindel smiled, and held a glass of cold juice to her lips, tipping it back faster than she could drink so that it spilled down the sides of her mouth. It ran down her chin and neck.

�Such a messy girl,� Brindel said, setting the glass down and leaning forward to lick the rivulets of juice from her skin. Some of the other women joined in the licking, their hands still roaming free.

Marila let the women, who wanted to, take turns feeding Loreena. At first they were civil, waiting politely; but with such a tight waist belt, Loreena was quickly feeling full.

�I�ve had enough,� she said, turning her head to avoid the spoon that was being offered to her.

�Nonsense,� Marila replied. �I will decide when you�ve had enough. Now open your mouth.�

After a few more bites Loreena shook her head, keeping her mouth tightly shut.

�I will not tolerate disobedience,� Marila said, reaching into her pocket as she stood. She grabbed Loreena�s head tightly in one arm, and clamped her nostrils together with her fingers. Then, without letting go of her head, Marila reached down, scooping a handful of food from her plate and clamped her other hand over Loreena�s mouth, smashing the food into her face and down her throat.

With Marila holding, the other women began feeding Loreena by hand too. Soon it become a contest, with all of them trying to see who could force the most food into her mouth. Marila wouldn�t let her breath until she began to swallow, so to keep from suffocating she had to chew the food and swallow it down as quickly as she could. Her stomach was becoming painfully bloated. Her insides shifted under the tight belt, and the food seemed to be pressing back up, making her feel as if she would throw up at any moment. And that, she knew, even if it didn�t kill her by choking to death, would be an intensely painful experience with her crotch rope. Swallowing was more and more difficult. She was finding less and less time for the occasional breath; and she was growing light headed.

�Enough,� Marila said. �I think I�m full. However, if any of you want to come back to my room, you�re all invited to a little party.

Geot was surprised when the cool hands covered his eyes. A female body pressed against his shoulders and the back of his chair.

�Guess who,� a rough but feminine sounding voice whispered in his ear. He felt a warm breath, and the slickness of painted lips touching his ear.

Quite literally, he didn�t have a clue. He couldn�t imagine any of the women from Leskral sneaking into his tent this way. Most of them seemed to like other women more than men, and even if they trusted him enough to trade with him, they didn�t trust enough to let him sleep inside their compound.

�I don�t know,� he said, cursing his voice for quivering. He was wondering how she had gotten past his guards, whoever she was. And what did she want from him to risk trying?

Her hand snaked around and cupped the crotch of his pants, and the voice sounded disappointed. �Shame on you Geot! And after all that we�ve meant to each other?�

�Mikki?� He said, not daring to believe it as he twisted around in his chair to face her. �By the gods it is you!� He stood and took her in his arms. �Colonel Baisurd told me you were dead. That bastard!�

She smiled up at him: an inviting grin. �You must not read the papers much,� she said, slowly pushing him towards the bed.

They made love, without bondage.

Mikki took control in a way she had never done while at Lospodas�dictating the pace and tone, which was gloriously frantic.

Afterwards, as they lay in Geot�s bed holding each other and feeling warm, Mikki wondered if he would be willing to take her away with him; and if he was, would she be willing to give up her plans and risk going with him. No, she knew it would never work.

�What is it, Mikki?� Geot asked. �You seem so distant. What are you thinking about?�

�I�m a fugitive.� She didn�t say anything more for a long time, then she said: �You always told me that you didn�t have any fondness for Lospodas; that you�re only concern with them was for trading?�

�That�s true,� he said hesitantly.

�My sister�s, in the movement, aren�t sure if I should be allowed back into the fold. It doesn�t help that my blood sister, Loreena, helped me escape. Most of them would like to execute her as a traitor. If they decide to kill her, I�m likely to be forced out of the movement as well. I�ve been exposed to the corruption of Lospodas, and having seen how they can manipulate a person first hand, sometimes I�m not sure I don�t agree with them that it would be the wisest choice.�

�Then come with me,� he said. �I�ll make you my first wife. I have a second home In Risland, just the other side of the Habnashan River.�

�I don�t want to go with you!� Mikki said sharply. Then she saw the hurt look on Geot�s face and her voice softened. �I�m sorry, Geot. I didn�t mean it like that. But you can�t really expect me to leave everything and come live with you now. Not without at least trying to make a go of it. I still think of Leskral of my home. I have friends and family and responsibilities here. You wouldn�t give up your life to come live with me at Leskral, would you? Even if you could? It�s the same thing, don�t you see?�

He nodded, but he was still not completely mollified.

�Besides, if Lospodas found out they could refuse to deal with you again. It would be a significant blow to your income.�

�I could live with that,� Geot said. �I only include them on my route because of the� opportunities the stop provides.�

�But they could accuse you of holding stolen property: me. Loosing Lospodas might not be such a terrible loss, but they could revoke your merchant�s liscence all together. And even if they didn�t they could charge you exorbitant fines, and even send you to prison. And if that wasn�t enough to force you to send me back, they could send soldiers to take everything you own�including me. My picture has already been widely posted, and there�s a significant reward for my recapture. And with the lies they�ve written about me, I�d be half inclined to turn myself in if I didn�t know the truth. Someone would do it eventually.�

�I suppose you�re right. It wouldn�t work,� he admitted.

�And to be honest, Geot, I don�t really want to leave the sisterhood. I want to show my sisters that I can be of value. And I want to try to save Loreena�s life. She needs me, and the women�s movement needs me� Not to mention that I have my own personal score to settle with Lospodas.�

Geot raised an eyebrow. �Why do I get the feeling that you want me to get mixed up in this somehow?�

Mikki chuckled. �Because you�re right, I suppose,� she said. �I want you to help me. For starters, Leskral needs to find a better supply of guns. More gun. Better guns. And if possible, a way to get them for less money.�

�You�re not asking for much, are you?�

�Relax, Geot. I don�t expect you to do all that.�

�Good. Because I�ve told you, Mikki, I don�t deal in weapons.�

She nodded. �You�ve been wise not to, considering your dealings with the sisterhood. Lospodas takes a very dim view on those they catch running any kind of weapons our way, but especially guns. That�s why I don�t want to deal directly with you and chance that they might find out�but you must know other traders who deal in guns... All I want is a contact. I know a man who would be willing to meet them and take the risk of bringing the guns back to the Leskral reservation. They would never be connected with us; and even if they were, you would never be connected to them.�

�I might know someone,� Geot nodded. �But I suspect you would have to come up with a lot of money. I mean a lot of money! Even if you�ve got a man to purchase the guns for you, selling them in Zanadian territory is still carefully controlled, and the penalties are quite harsh. Unless you can produce forged documents, it will cost you.�

�Forged papers might be questioned; and that could lead a trail back to Leskral. Probably better to pay the extra,� she said. �That way there�s no paperwork. No names of people to question for descriptions and such. After all, Leskral has direct access to the magic of the Undercaves. That�s why you can charge us such outrageous prices for your half assed merchandise.�

�My merchandise is better than most of the merchants who come here.�

�That�s not saying much,� Mikki said, smiling to take some of the sting out of her words. �You�re one of the few who are willing to come here at all.�

He frowned. �Do we have to talk about this any more?�

He tried to pull her to him for a kiss, but she pulled back. �Just a little longer,� she said, running her fingernails through the hairs on his chest. �I�m curious about a few other things too.�

�Like what?�

�Lots of things,� she said. �But lets start with reliable tasp surgeon who�d be willing to perform tasp operations for Leskral, for one thing. That�s a low priority, of course. The most important thing right now is the guns. I also want to find someone reliable to train me in hand to hand combat.�

�Those two jobs might make getting guns look easy by comparison,� Geot said with a grin.

�I trust you to find the best teacher you can find, at any price. Just make sure that they�re reliable. That means they have to have a well known dislike for all things having to do with Lospodas�or as close to that as you can get. If I have to I�ll kidnap the bastard and hold him during the training period.�

�How long will that be?�

�Probably until one of us dies, or I get caught. Do you have a problem with that? Let me know now, and I�ll try to do it on my own.�

�I�ll try to find someone who�s deserving, if I can�t find anyone trustworthy.�

Mikki smiled. �I�ll let you know when I need other things.�

�Then you do plan to see me again?�

�Of course,� Mikki said.

�When?�

�No... Don�t expect me. I�ll find you when I can.�

�And will you always have another request,� he said. �Will you keep pulling me in deeper and deeper�the way Lospodas did you and your sister.�

She smiled and leaped on top of him, guiding him inside her as her weight settled around his member. �I�ll pull you in as deep as you�re willing to go,� she said, pressing her pubic bone firmly against his, then leaning forward to kiss his trembling lips.

The door was open, so Mikki entered Marila�s room and stood watching for a few moments. Loreena was laying on the bed, still bound as she had been when Mikki left her. Brindel was sitting on her face, grinding her crotch back and forth. Numerous others were crowded around, pinching and slapping Loreena�s body�with their hands, with paddles, with whips. Her skin was red from the abuse and covered with welts. Her flesh trembled as she waited for the next blow.

Mikki watched as a paddle struck Loreena�s leg. She tensed as Loreena jumped, remembering times at Lospodas when she too had been helpless and forced to suffer a merciless beating.

�I see you�ve been doing your best to keep my sister entertained,� Mikki said in a loud booming voice.

�As we agreed,� Marila said, gently caressing the bright red hand print she had just left on Loreena�s leg.

Brindel turned around to look at Mikki, but she didn�t get up from where she sat on Loreena�s face, nor did her hips stop moving.

�And I�ve come to take her back, as I said I would.�

Suddenly Brindel�s body tensed; and she shivered in a familiar way that suggested she was beginning to void her bladder into Loreena�s mouth. She sighed with pleasure, forcing all her weight down on top of Loreena so that she would have no choice but to swallow. Except Loreena didn�t swallow. Instead Brindel screamed, leaping away from her, a stream of piss and blood trailing behind her as she flew through the air. She hit the floor, and curled into a tight ball. �She bit me,� she moaned. �She bit me.�

Mikki chuckled, and moved closer to her sister to protect her from anyone who might have thoughts of getting revenge for what she had just done.

�I�m bleeding,� Brindel wailed.

�I�m sorry to hear that,� Mikki said as she stood over Loreena. �But if Loreena is to be punished for this, I will do it.�

When no one said or did anything in protest, Mikki pulled Loreena up from the bed, and shoved her towards the door.

�I�d get your friend to a healer,� Mikki said, as she opened the door. �If there�s any permanent damage, aside from a little pain, you can make your claim to the high council. However, since she was under your care, Marila, it might be hard to establish which of us is really responsible for paying restitution.�

�May I speak with you, Lershowna?�

She looked up from her desk. �Of course. Come in Lowela.�

She set her pen down. �What can I do for you?�

�It�s about Loreena.�

Lershowna frowned. �What about her,� she asked.

�Have you seen the way Mikki is treating her?�

Lershowna nodded. Unfortunately she had. �I�ve given Loreena over to Mikki�s care,� she said.

�I know,� Lowela said. �But I don�t like seeing any woman being treated that way. It�s as bad as what Lospodas does!�

Privately Lershowna agreed.

The girl had convinced Lershowna to make her guardian over Loreena. Reluctantly, she had agreed. Now the girl was proving to be just as cruel as she had promised she would be, and it made Lershowna sick. Loreena was never allowed to wear any clothing in public and her arms and legs were always restrained. Lershowna had even seen Mikki publicly punishing and humiliating Loreena for the smallest infractions. Worst of all was the way she gave Loreena into the care of others who had ample cause to hate her. It frightened Lershowna to see how quickly some of the women of Leskral could begin to act just like the men of Lospodas. But Lershowna also knew Mikki�s reasons, and she had agreed to them. She wouldn�t change her mind now.

�You knew Loreena before she left, didn�t you Lowela?�

�Yes,� she admitted. �But that has nothing to do with the way I feel�I condone killing her, but this is different. It isn�t right.�

�I�m sorry,� Lershowna said. �I�ve made my decision. For now Mikki�s guardianship over Loreena will stand.�

Geot didn�t like coming to this part of town, but he was sure it was where he would find Indel, the person he was looking for. He couldn�t remember his old friend�s address. It had been a very long time since the two of them had seen one another, but at one time they had been very close�working as guards for the same consortium, protecting their caravans from bandits or guarding their warehouses. But Indel had lost the use of his leg in a fight that would have taken his life, if Geot hadn�t been around. And a few years later, Geot had saved up enough money to go out on his own, working for himself for a change, just the way he�d always wanted. The two of them kept in touch for a few years, but Geot was so busy with his new endeavor, he didn�t have a lot of time to spare. He was barely getting by with what he made on his deals, but he was learning quickly and his business was growing. Meanwhile, Indel barely had enough money to live on himself, and without his leg he didn�t have any useful skills to hire out. If he had, Geot might have taken him on as a partner, and they might not have drifted so far apart. Instead, the years had crept by, and after awhile Geot began to feel more and more guilty about not doing more to help or coming around more often, and so he did the only thing he could at the time: he stopped coming around all together.

Geot couldn�t even remember how many years it had been. At least half a dozen, but definitely less than a full one�probably eight years, since the last time they�d talked. Part of him was happy that Mikki had given him this excuse to look up his old friend; part of him was a little frightened. How would Indel react when he saw Geot again, dressed in clothes that while they were not extravagant in Geot�s world, would no doubt be very fine in the world that Indel lived.

Geot took a deep breath and decided that he�d delayed long enough. Reaching out, he turned the handle and pulled open the tavern door. The same innkeeper that he remembered was standing behind the bar, looking much the same as he had more than a decade ago, when Geot had meet him for the first time, except for a touch of gray around the temples.

�Hello Dreedan,� Geot said. �Have you seen Indel around lately? I was hoping maybe you could tell me where I might find him.�

Dreedan looked him over with a suspicious frown. He obviously didn�t remember Geot, but there might have been a faint glimmer of recognition. �What business have you with the likes of Indel?�

�Just looking up an old friend,� Geot said as he glanced around the almost empty room. He noticed that the serving girl wore a collar and set of leg manacles, but it was so slow that she was sitting at one of the tables resting her head, and Dreedan wasn�t saying a thing. �I knew him back before he lost his leg. We used to come in here at least a couple times a week. Used to be a fine young woman who waited on the tables. Your daughter, I think.�

�Jenna,� Dreedan said, still a bit wary but warming to Geot just a bit. �She hasn�t worked her in almost four years.�

Geot wondered idly if she�d sold her as a slave or in marriage�or if perhaps something even more unfortunate had happened, but he had enough sense not to risk the asking. �Well,� Geot said, slapping down enough money to buy twenty pitchers of beer. �Any information you might be able to tell me would be appreciated. Where he lives, if possible, or if not perhaps the name of someone who knows him a little better, or a place where he hangs out. Anything that might help me track him down.�

Dreedan gave him one more appraisal, then he shrugged. �You might try over at the Golden Grub. I think I remember him saying how he was working there a couple nights a week.�

�What works he do with only one leg?�

Dreedan shrugged. �He�s got himself one of them peg legs now. So I guess there�s a few jobs he could do. If it�s even true. I�m not really sure, since he was only saying that so I�d give him another beer without paying for it. But it was obvious he had enough money to get off the streets for the night, so maybe it was true�still hasn�t paid his tab, though, even if it is.�

�How much does he owe you,� Geot asked.

Dreedan grunted, as if to imply that he wasn�t a complete fool, to let Indel run up a large bill. �This should cover it,� he said, picking up the money that Geot had placed on the counter. �But if I find that any harm�s come to that bum, I�ll be reporting this conversation and a pretty fair description of you to a magistrate.�

Geot smiled. �You�re a good man,� he said, nodding as he slid off his stool and headed for the door.

The Golden Grub was a small diner, no more than a few blocks away. The walk only took a few minutes, but this time Geot decided to go around back and see if he could find Indel by himself. He slipped into the darkness of the narrow alley and made his way to the rear. The back door was exactly open, but it was slightly ajar, so Geot walked in and looked around the kitchen.

Indel was sitting on a chair beside the sink, washing a large stack of dishes. Leaning against the wall beside him was a wooden cane. Geot stood there, watching his old friend, and not quite certain.

�Who are you?� Asked a woman�s voice.

Geot turned and looked at one of the cooks, an older woman, with graying hair. She had gained considerably more weight than most Zanadian women did, even when they got older. Probably from eating most of what she cooked, Geot thought.

�I�m here to see Indel,� Geot said.

Indel had turned around at the sound of the cook�s voice, and now he was reaching for his cane. �Bless my stars,� Indel said as he rose from his seat and hobbled over.

�It�s been far too long,� Geot said, offering his hand.

�Is that any way to greet an old friend?� Indel said, taking Geot into a friendly bear hug, much the way he used to when they were younger.

�It�s good to see you, too!� Geot was genuinely touched, and it made him feel even more guilty about having let their friendship wither for so long, but he still couldn�t help chuckling a little at his friend�s enthusiasm. �Perhaps I can buy you something to eat while we talk, or should I make it another time, when you�re not working?�

Indel looked over at the dishes and shrugged. �It�s a slow night,� he said with a smug little smirk. �Besides, I suspect Trysh would have me roasting over a fire is she caught me turning down someone offering to pay good money for her food.�

Geot looked over at the huge mound of glasses, china and silverware and felt certain that Indel was lying about it being a slow night. He couldn�t imagine how the sink could get any more backed up than it was and still provide enough room for washing, but he eased his guilty conscience with the knowledge that if things worked out, his visit would probably get Indel out of the kitchen for good. Indel hung his cane from a peg on the wall, then began taking off the leather apron he was wearing. He shrugged Geot off in an independent, but not hostile way when he tried to help, and when he was done, he took back his cane from the peg and replaced it with the apron.

�Hey Trysh,� Indel shouted across the room. �I�m taking my dinner break. Why don�t you cook me and my friend up some of that prime steak, with a baked potato and a glass of your finest wine.� He looked at Geot and raised his eyebrows to ask if that was all right. His expression made it clear that Geot would be paying, and if he couldn�t afford what Indel had ordered there wouldn�t be any hard feelings if he had to reorder.

Geot smiled and nodded. The friend he remembered wouldn�t have been daring enough to place such an extravagant order for the two of them, like that. But he would have sulked when Geot didn�t do it himself. Geot like this new attitude a lot better. It managed to be assertive, and yet at the same time, completely unassuming. It reminded him of the way his friend used to be.

�How long has it been?� Indel said, waving his hand towards an empty booth.

�Too long,� Geot replied. �I�m sorry, I should have made more of an effort to keep in touch.�

�Yes, you should have,� Indel said, but the tone of his voice was completely without recrimination. �And so should I.�

�Yes, you should have.�

They both laughed for a few moments, then Indel�s mood sobered and he caught Geot�s eyes with his own. �You have nothing to feel guilty about between us,� he said. �I was an emotional sink hole back then. If you�d been me I wouldn�t have come to see you either. believe me, I know enough to know that!�

Geot smiled. �You do seem a lot more at peace with yourself now.�

�You can blame that on Trysh,� Indel said with a look of adoration that said he obviously had strong feelings for the woman.

�She seems like a nice woman.�

�Not sure what she sees in me. Except with the death of her father, she needed to find a new fieflord to shelter her legal assets. She�s got a lot more than you might guess. Her father was wealthy and he didn�t adopt an heir, even though she was his only child. I think he was a closet rebel. In any case, she needed someone, and I guess she figured I�d be easier to keep under control than most. I�m not an educated man, you see. I don�t understand all the intricacies of the law. Besides, I�d have to be a lot more devious and clever than I am to steal more from her than she gives me, and I�m just not that ambitious anymore.�

�I�m glad for you,� Geot said honestly. He had decided not to ask Indel to get involved after all. The man deserved a little peace an happiness in his life, and Geot didn�t want to reveal his plans to any more people than he absolutely had to.

The conversation turned to other things then. After a few more minutes the food arrived, and while they ate they took turns talking about what was happening in their lives.

Finally Indel cleared his throat and said. �Don�t get me wrong, Geot, I�m really glad you came here tonight. But I get the feeling that you had another reason for coming than just catching up on old times. But now, for some reason you don�t seem to want to tell me.�

Geot laughed. �It�s nothing,� he said. �Really!�

�But I am right?�

�I suppose so,� Geot admitted. �I had a job offer, of sorts. But I�m not sure it�s such a good idea any more. Things in your life are settled. You deserve to take it easy for a change.�

�In other words, I don�t seem to need the money as much as you thought I would. And it�s dangerous, or you wouldn�t have changed your mind�because, if anything,� he rapped lightly on his wooden peg leg. �I�m more capable than I was before. Must be some kind of information you�re looking for, eh?�

�You always were the clever one.�

�So why don�t you want to tell me about it anymore?�

�Like you said, it�s dangerous. It could be very dangerous.� Geot shrugged. �It could also be very profitable. I figured it would be more than enough to get you back on your feet, and tide you for a good little while, as long as you didn�t piss it away drinking beer and buying women. But you don�t really need that any more, do you?�

Indel was quiet for a long time.

�I really do care for Trysh, you know. I tell her so all the time, still I don�t think she believes me. I think she suspects I�m just using her because of her money, kind of the way she�s using me for a legal shelter. A thing of convenience, you see. Although, in her case, she could have picked from dozens of men. Not many woman would have picked me. So even though I might not really need the money at the moment, it would be nice to have enough money that I didn�t really need her any more, because then she�d know that I was staying with her because I wanted to. You see?�

�I need someone to poke their nose around, find out what they can about some things. You only get paid if you succeed and things go down the way they�re supposed to.�

�So why don�t you do it yourself?�

�Two reasons. First, because I�m a businessman, with established trade routes that have to run on a schedule. They can�t be interrupted very easily. Not for very long. If I took the time I needed to seek out this information, my business would suffer�considerably. Not to mention the fact that it would be more likely to attract the attention of people who I don�t want to know what I�m doing, than it would if�� Geot trailed off, not quite certain how to finish his thought tactfully.

��If someone like myself were to do the asking.�

�Right,� Geot said with an embarrassed smile.

�And the second reason?�

�Because even though I want to help out a friend by doing this, I�m really not keen on taking the necessary risks to get it done. I figured you might be willing, given a high enough payoff, and I trust you not to rat me out if you get caught.�

Indel was silent for a moment.

�I�ll find someone else,� Geot said. �I�ll take a little more risk, but I�ll keep some of the money for myself as well.�

�Maybe I�m ready to take a little risk with my life again,� Indel said. �Just how much danger are we talking about.�

�You�re serious about this? Alright,� Geot said when Indel nodded. He quickly looked around the room to make sure that no one was close enough to over hear them. �I need two things. The first and most important thing for right now is to find someone who has a large quality guns and is willing to make a little extra money by selling them under the table�my buyer doesn�t want to deal with tariffs or permits. But he understands he�s going to have to pay top dollar. Secondly, and this is a much lower priority, but I need to find a doctor who can perform tasp-surgery, and is willing to operate on a woman.�

�A woman who isn�t in the employ of Lospodas?�

�Not only that, but one who I suspect is on Lospodas� most wanted list,� Geot said. �And one who is extremely paranoid, so it�s going to have to be either a doctor who has an extreme reason for prejudice against the Lospodas organization, or one who can be kidnapped. Either way, it�s unlikely that the operation would take place in territory.�

�By the long hair of the stars,� Indel said. �So that�s why you came to me? You remembered my dislike for Lospodas?�

Geot gave a gesture that was half way between a shrug and a nod.

�Who�s paying you, then, the woman or her fieflord?�

�I�m not completely sure,� Geot said, which was true enough. He wasn�t really sure where Mikki planned to come up with the kind of money she would need, but he suspected that it would involve some kind of banditry. �My friend is a woman, but I�m not really sure where she�s getting the money.�

�So? What exactly are you suggesting? Is this a one time deal, or a long-term partnership?�

�Probably long-term,� Geot said. �I�m kind of playing it by ear. You�ll have to as well. Like I said, my friend is kind of paranoid.�

�With good reason,� Indel said. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. �All right. Suppose I find out the information. What then?�

�That depends,� Geot said. �I was planning on saddle you with almost everything: most of the risk�and all the financial gain, as well. But I�m not sure...�

�We�re talking that kind of money and you don�t want anything for yourself?�

�I�m not doing it for the money,� Geot said. �I told you. For me, this is just a favor for a friend. I don�t feel comfortable getting into stuff like this. Talking to you is about as much risk as I want to take. So yes, if you took the risk I�d be willing to give you the money.�

�Alright,� Indel said. �I�ll do it.�

�You�re sure?�

�Yeah, I�m sure. So, what�s our next step?�

�See what you can find out. I�ll stop by again in about three or four days. I�ve got a deadline, so I�ll need to know something by then or I�ll have to try other avenues. Once you�ve confirm that you have the information, I�ll set up a meeting between you and my friend. Do you ever take Trysh on a picnic?�

Indel�s face was a blank.

�It would make a good excuse to go for a long drive through the countryside�and you could go off into the bushes to relieve yourself.�

�Wouldn�t it be easier if you just told me your friend�s name and we meet in a bar somewhere?�

�I doubt you�ll ever be on an actually name basis,� Geot said with a laugh. �Like I said, she tends to be very, very careful.

Loreena sat in the judgment chair.

Like the first Council of Sisters, three weeks earlier, she sat at the same table with Lershowna and the other women�s leaders on the stage; but unlike then she was naked except for the leather and chains that hobbled her legs and pinned her arms behind her back.

Mikki was at the podium. Her presentation had gone well. Even those who cried out for Loreena�s death seemed to be impressed with what the two sisters had produced so far. Mikki closed the book and tucked it away on the shelf of the podium.

�Are there any questions or comments?� she asked.

Marila stood, and spoke loudly. �None of this will do us any good, Mikki. It�s just an excuse to keep your sister alive.�

Lershowna noticed Mikki�s smile, and suddenly had an even greater appreciation for the young girl�s shrewdness. Her harsh treatment of Loreena prevented Marila�s accusation from having much force.

�It already has done some good,� Mikki retorted even louder. �Using a contact that Loreena told me about, I have managed to procure a shipment of twenty hi-caliber rifles�and the source said there was more where that came from.�

A murmur of disbelief rose up from the crowd.

Mikki had asked Lershowna to keep news of the shipment quiet; and only the two sisters, and Lershowna knew about it.

�It�s true,� Lershowna said loudly. She stood so there would be no question that she was supporting Mikki. �We received a shipment of twenty guns three days ago.�

This time the murmur was even louder.

�Now,� Lershowna said. �If there are no more questions or comments, I think it�s time for the vote.�

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