Storiesonline.net ------- Danica by Darkniciad Copyright© 2007 by Darkniciad ------- Description: A magic-user of little renown, Danica seeks a little excitement in her mundane life. When she is ensnared in the web of the Archmage Zoraster Arias, Danica gets far more than she bargained for. She discovers hidden power and hidden desires, long repressed, as Zoraster indoctrinates her to his service through pain, humiliation, and temptation. She forms bonds of friendship and love with others caught in Zoraster's web along the way, but can they escape and make him pay? Codes: MF FF MM Mult cons non-con reluc mag fant BD sad group 1st oral anal mastrb pett fist toys squirt ws creampie exhib voy size BBr menses public slow ------- ------- Author's Notes: This is a long story set in my fantasy world. Most of my stories (except the Laresa tales) are set in this world, and offer history preceding this tale. This is more of a serial than a novel, so keep that in mind as you read, and you'll be in the proper mindset. Because this story involves so many sexual situations and other themes, adding all the codes would fill half the screen. Suffice to say, the villains in this story are truly evil, and their actions prove it. Some situations may prove disturbing to readers, as the story explores numerous fetishes and dark ambition. There are no detailed sexual scenes involving participants under the age of sixteen, bestiality, or necrophilia in this story. Mentions of the these three things may appear within the story, but are not detailed in any way, and are there to offer insight into the characters of the story. Otherwise, you are likely to encounter nearly anything within these pages. Proceed with caution, and I hope you enjoy this tale. ------- Prelude Danica hurried to close her mageware shop, shutting all the display cases and enabling their magical wards. She locked the coin box and activated its mystical protection as well, placing it in her magically sealed vault. Reaching into the neckline of her robe, Danica pulled out a rune stone hanging around her neck. Placing it in the blank spot at the center of the vault's sigil covered door, the runes sealed the vault against intrusion and detection. Her money — and the items she stored there for herself and others — would be safe from all but the most powerful magic now. Sometimes it paid to have an older sister who was strong in the Art. Danica looked around, scowling at the dust and other assorted debris that had blown into the shop that day. It had been hot in the morning, but the breeze from the open door and windows had made the shop comfortable. That gentle breeze had unfortunately transformed into strong gusts later in the day, blowing half the outdoors into her shop before she could shut the doors and windows. She waved a hand in a dismissive gesture and sighed, deciding that the sweeping could wait until tomorrow. Seeing someone walking toward the shop that she recognized, Danica quickly locked the door and turned the sign to read Closed. She let out a sigh of relief as old man Sorrel turned and walked back the way he had come upon seeing the sign. He always took forever to make his purchases, which were always things of minimal profit to Danica. Normally, she would have stayed open for him anyway, but tonight she was meeting someone and needed time to get ready. A quick spoken word activated the wards and alarms on the door, and Danica turned to head for her private chambers at the back of the shop. She sighed again as she passed her lab, knowing there was a lot of work awaiting her in that room as well. She guessed that she would open up quite late tomorrow, considering all the work she had to do before she could start the business day. With a little luck, she hoped that maybe she would have a good reason to sleep in after tonight as well. Danica had been seeing Robert for a few weeks now, although they had only had the opportunity to step out together two or three times during those weeks. She liked him, and it had been a bit too long since she had been with a man for her tastes. She was starting to get itchy and touching herself, which always bothered her. She had wanted him from the moment she had met him, and the need was growing more than a little difficult to ignore. It had been six months or more since she'd had sex when she met Robert. Somewhere between too little time and the wrong men, it had just happened. Danica was just afraid of jumping into bed with him and finding out he was an ass afterward — it had happened before. After going out a few times, and spending quite a bit of time talking in the shop during the weeks they had known each other, Danica didn't think that was the case with Robert. He was charming, considerate, handsome, strong, and shared her interests. He worked as a healer, and that is how they had met. Danica was about the only source of many healing herbs in the area, and she either gathered or grew them herself to ensure they were fresh. Danica also had ample opportunities to notice the bulge in his trousers while they talked. She smiled and licked her lips while thinking about it, as she opened the door to her private room in the back of the shop. She could see him in her mind's eye as she daydreamed for a few moments in the doorway. His wavy brown hair always seemed just a bit mussed, and a smile always decorated his clean-shaven face. His face had an almost boyish quality, but his deep, brown eyes shined with an intelligence and compassion that changed his whole look when she looked into them. He was lean and well muscled, which was obvious even in the modest clothing he commonly wore. That modest clothing could also do little to hide that bulge between his legs. Every time her eyes wandered there, the sight made Danica long to see — among other things — what was beneath that thin layer of cloth. Danica felt a tingle between her legs as she thought about Robert, and shook her head to clear it. If she kept thinking like that, she knew she would end up having to touch herself or go crazy. Her sexual needs were not her only concern in seeing Robert. Lately, she had felt the grip of depression tightening around her. Her life was a continuous cycle of mediocrity, and she knew she needed a change if she didn't want to become one of those bitter old spinsters. She needed a shock to turn her life around, and she hoped Robert might be the person to provide that spark. More than anything, Danica wanted to feel excited about life again. She had put the kettles on to boil a while before closing up, and all four were whistling now from the next room. Danica stepped into the small room, a combination of kitchen and bathhouse that had once been her Master's room in the shop. Only one wall of his room connected to the rest of the building, and so the heat from the stove didn't cause the whole shop to feel oppressive in the summer. This had also allowed Danica to run a drainpipe, giving her the opportunity to have more than a simple washtub. She was able to have daily baths in relative comfort, thanks to her permanent bathtub with its drain. It had cost Danica a ridiculous amount of money, but to her it was worth it. Stepping out the back door, Danica made several trips to the water barrel with buckets, filling her tub with water. Once it was full, she poured in three kettles of water to bring it to what she knew from experience was the perfect temperature. Untying her robe, Danica let it fall to the floor and forgot about it. She would have time to deal with that later as well. Pulling off her undershirt, Danica winced at the smell. The heat had caused her to sweat ever since she opened, and washing with a cloth — even often — could only do so much. She cupped her large breasts in her hands, lifting them and letting air circulate under them for a few moments. Her thoughts about Robert had caused her nipples to harden and stick out to their full length — about as long as the tip of her pinky and just as big around. Turning toward the mirror, she looked under the globes to make sure the heat and sweating hadn't caused any red lines. There was nothing to see, which was a good thing, because any imperfection would have kept her from considering taking her clothes off in front of Robert. Reaching up, she removed the pins and ties from her hair and shook out her auburn tresses. They fell perfectly straight down to her shoulders, just resting upon them. It was longer than she usually chose to wear her hair, but when Robert had mentioned he liked it, she had put off trimming it back to her more accustomed style. Danica's face broke into a crooked smile as she posed in front of the mirror. She pushed her hips out slightly to the side, raising her arms up over her head and crossing her hands. She blew a kiss to the mirror, then laughed and dropped the pose. She knew she could not compare to her sister Devan's lithe dancer's figure and perfect, firm boobs, but she had her own assets. Danica's breasts were much larger than her sister's, and she had just the right amount of curve in her waist and hips to balance them. Her fair skin and freckles set her apart from her sister, and people had told her more than once that her face had the ability to mesmerize a person with its expressiveness. Slipping off her panties as she chased away her musing, Danica frowned at the long stubble on her legs, mound, and labia. This was an imperfection that required attention, if there was any chance of anything happening with Robert tonight. Shaving her legs and sex was something she had done daily for years, but business had proven brisk lately. She had stayed open well after dark many days, and had simply felt too tired to care about more than a quick bath before bed. Danica sank into the tub with a contented sigh. She grabbed her razor from next to the tub, and lifted one leg to where she could reach it. She wanted to get her shaving out of the way so she could relax for a few minutes in the warm water, letting it soak away some of the ache from being on her feet all day. She shaved her legs with all the speed and skill of someone who has done it daily for so long that it required little thought. Rising up to her knees in the water, she turned her razor upon the stubble on her mound. Within a minute or two, she was shaven completely bare with only a thin strip on her mound. Danica had always thought of it as an arrow pointing at her clit, showing a denser man where he was supposed to be licking her. A few quick snips with a pair of dainty scissors trimmed her arrow of hair down to a length she liked. Pulling her knees up, Danica dunked her head under the water. She grabbed a cake of lavender scented soap, which she made herself, and started to wash. Once she finished washing, Danica relaxed back into the tub for a time. She got up at one point and walked over to the stove for the last kettle of hot water. It allowed her a few more minutes of soaking before the water grew too chilly to feel comfortable. Danica stood up, feeling her nipples painfully stiffen, and goose bumps popping up all over her skin. The air felt chilly in the room, despite the season and the stove still burning. Danica experienced the oddest sensation that she was being watched. Crossing her arms over her breasts, she looked around. There was naturally nothing to see, so Danica shook her head, pulled the plug, and stepped from the tub. Danica patted her body dry with a towel and went back to her bedroom. She pulled on a clean pair of panties, frilly things made with a fine weave of cotton. The thin strip of hair she left on her mound, and the outline of her labia, were plainly visible through the cloth. She smiled a little wondering what Robert might think of them, and then opened a cedar chest at the foot of her bed. Danica pulled out a black dress and carefully smoothed it out. Fortunately, the material didn't let wrinkles set very easily, and a few quick rubs of her hands soon had the material hanging properly. Pulling on the dress, Danica looked down at her body with a smile. Anybody who knew her would know something special was happening tonight. This was her best dress, and it only came out of the cedar chest on special occasions. The dress hugged her curves, and the cut of the material lifted her breasts slightly. The plunge of the neckline showed a hint of cleavage, just enough to draw the eyes without appearing overly wanton. Danica walked over to her dressing table and brushed her hair, knowing she only had a little while left before she was supposed to meet Robert, and that she was going to need every moment. ------- The Inn where Robert took her to dine was the finest in the entire town. It was a new place, opened as the trade route took notice of the town, and enough wealthy patrons passed through to support it. The food was wonderful, and the wine was some of the best Danica had ever tasted. Danica had plenty of room to judge the wine, because she drank a lot of it. She was still a little nervous, despite how badly she wanted this night to turn out with her sharing Robert's bed. She was more than a little tipsy when they moved to a table in a shadowed corner of the Inn to sip wine after eating. After a few kisses, Danica felt desire and arousal boiling up within her. Robert was a perfect gentleman, and despite his wanting her too, he had remained polite enough not to offer even a hint without seeing signals from her that she was thinking about it too. Danica sent those signals now, and they grew stronger by the minute. Kisses turned into heavy petting, and Danica heard the rude comments from a couple of men sitting a short distance away at the same time Robert did. Danica blushed a deep red in embarrassment, but the color in Robert's cheeks was something else entirely. He stared hard at the table from which the rude comments had erupted for a moment and then asked, "Shall we go take a walk?" Danica smiled and nodded her agreement — her eyes going wide when she stood and felt her head swim. "I think I may need to walk a bit to clear some of this wine out of my head," she said with a laugh. "I'm feeling it too. I was a little nervous about tonight, and I think I drank a little too much." "At least we're having fun," Danica responded, and kissed him. "Let's go walk down by the temple gardens. It's beautiful in the moonlight, and cooler there. It's not far from my house if we want to stop and rest for a while." Danica let a crooked, knowing grin creep over her face when he said the last. It seemed he just might be thinking the same thing she was after all. He was just too much of a gentleman to hint at it any more than that. They walked to the temple district, and the air was indeed cooler there. It was generally assumed that the concentration of the magic from the closely spaced temples kept the area cool or warm — as the weather dictated. Though the local temples were small, they had magnificent gardens. Each temple tried to outdo the one next to it by importing greater numbers of exotic flowers, or building pools and stocking them with colorful fish. The gardens had actually attracted attention from many nearby areas, and those visitors had begun the flow of traffic that now slowly swelled the town. As they walked hand in hand, Danica noticed they were approaching the temple of Erotine. Danica felt a little tingle in her nipples and between her legs, thinking about the one time she had visited there — and about Robert walking beside her. Those who entered an Erotine temple were required to remove their clothing. She had been drinking — a great deal more than she had this night — with a lover when the suggestion they go there had come up. Drunk and aroused, she had agreed. She had sobered slightly when she had to disrobe at the temple entrance, and her head cleared even more once they entered to find four couples having sex in plain sight. The priestesses stared at her shamelessly, obvious desire evident in their eyes. Those looks were more disconcerting to Danica than everything else. Her lover had distracted her from her worries shortly thereafter, however. It had been one of the few times Danica had let a man come inside her. She was barren according to the healers and clerics, so that was not the problem. The problem was that she doubted she would ever find any sort of lasting relationship if she revealed her inability to have children. Those who would not have minded her barrenness probably had no intentions of staying with her, so Danica always had her partner pull from her before he reached his peak. Danica loved the feeling of a man flooding her depths with his hot cream, however, and she wanted it every time. It was not as if she could get pregnant, so the temptation was always there — long-term happiness be damned. No woman had ever become pregnant in an Erotine temple, and such was well known. Thus, Danica had felt nothing prevented her from feeling her lover explode inside her within those walls. She was half-tempted to try to steer Robert into the temple, as the memories brought intense arousal with them. "Are you alright Danica?" Danica snapped back to reality, and immediately blushed in embarrassment. She could feel the wetness between her legs, and knew the look she had on her face must have betrayed what she was thinking. "I'm okay. I must just be tired, or hot, or something." "We could sit down on one of the benches for a while," Robert suggested, gesturing toward one nearby. "Why don't we just go to your house," Danica countered, a hint of desire creeping into her voice — even though she had really intended to hide it. Danica saw the faint shudder that Robert did his best to control. "Of course," he replied with a smile. They reached the house a few minutes later. It was modest, but was at least as big as Danica's shop, and only a tiny part of that comprised her living quarters. They went inside to have another cup of wine, and soon they were kissing again. Things progressed quickly, Robert putting more passion into his touches and kisses with each passing moment. Danica matched him, her arousal and need for release increasing every second. At last, she could resist no longer, and lay her hand over the bulge in his trousers. She moaned quietly into their kiss as she felt his hard manhood throb beneath her hand. They broke the kiss and breathlessly stared at each other for a moment. Robert then stood up and held out his hand to Danica. She took it, and he led her to the bedroom. When they entered, Danica smiled and started to unbutton her dress. Robert pulled off his shirt at the same time, his eyes going wide when he saw Danica's full breasts revealed to him. Danica finished unbuttoning the dress and let it pool to the floor at her feet. She stepped forward and kissed him, letting her breasts press up against his naked chest. She felt him quiver, and a tingle ran up and down her spine at the same time. Reaching down, Danica pulled his trousers down as far as she could reach, and wrapped her hand around his cock. Her moan this time was much louder — and much more intense — as she felt his hard, naked flesh throbbing in her hand. Her fingertips just touched around the girth of his member. She knew she could have wrapped both hands around it and the tip still would have poked out the top. He traced kisses down her neck, on down her shoulder, and then kissed across her chest, moving toward her breast. Danica breathed heavily from the combination of her anticipation and arousal, as he slowly neared her breasts. The fist kiss on the swell of her breast brought a moan of pleasure from her — the second caused her to suck in a sharp breath of air. When his lips closed over her nipple, Danica threw her head back and gasped. Her hands found the back of his head of their own volition, and she caressed his head as he suckled her breasts. Robert was far from ready to end his loving attention when Danica gently pushed him away. She was growing wetter by the moment, and knew she would soak the panties she still wore if she didn't remove them. She pulled them down and hastily stepped out of them, sitting down on the foot of the bed and sliding backward toward the head. When she reached the head of the bed, Danica lay back and parted her legs. Robert stared with aroused fascination at her glistening sex, and Danica slightly inclined her head indicating she wanted him in the bed with her — now. Robert smiled and moved forward, climbing onto the bed on his knees. Danica's breathing quickened again as he moved toward her. He leaned over her, kissing her deeply, and Danica moaned into the kiss as she felt his hard cock just brush her nether lips. When his lips left hers, he began to kiss his way down her body again. He lingered once again for a few moments at her breasts, briefly suckling each nipple before resuming his kissing journey down her body. A kiss on her mound, just above where she wanted it, set off a shiver that ran up from her sex and then rapidly back down to curl her toes. Her toes stayed curled as he kissed her moist lips and slipped his tongue between them. Danica's back arched slightly and she groaned in contented release as he lapped for her abundant juices. Danica was over sensitized, intensely aroused, and had been denied for too long. She felt pressure building inside her quickly, and knew it was not going to take very much of his tongue on her to bring her to a peak. Lightly pinching her nipples and rolling them between her fingers, she moved her breasts out of the way to watch between them as he licked her aching pussy. Her body responded exactly as she had anticipated only a few moments later, when the pressure of her approaching climax swelled within her. For just a moment, she hung in a limbo where she could feel nothing, hear nothing, and see nothing — and then the world crashed back in on her as her body contracted in orgasm. Danica let out a quiet scream as her back arched, and her head lolled back. Her hands went behind Robert's head, holding him tight against her quivering sex, with her legs tightly wrapped around him. He continued to lap up the trickling streams of her juices as she gasped her way through a climax too long denied. When Danica relaxed enough to release him from her tight grip, he pulled away from her and wiped his fingers across his face. He put the fingers, coated in her juices, into his mouth and smiled at her as she continued to shiver through the aftershocks of her release. As soon as Danica recovered enough to move, she rose up on her knees and pushed Robert down on his back on the bed. She didn't waste any time grasping his cock in her hand and engulfing it in her mouth. Robert ran his fingers through her hair as she sucked up and down his shaft, pumping her hand slowly over his hard flesh at the base. After a few moments, she removed her stroking hand and instead cupped his balls, gently rolling them as she continued to stroke his cock in her mouth. He was no less sensitive and overly stimulated than Danica. The sounds he made, the twitches of his manhood in her mouth, and the contraction of his jewels in her hand all told Danica that he would explode in her mouth soon. Danica moaned around his shaft, anticipating the taste of his cream. If she couldn't have him fill her pussy full, this was the next best thing. Danica knew he was hovering on the edge when he started pushing her away. She released him from her mouth, flipped her hair out of her eyes to look at him, and asked, "What's wrong?" "It will take me a while to get hard again if I come." Danica smiled. "You could hold me, and we could talk while we wait. I want to feel you explode in my mouth. I want to taste it, swallow it, and feel your hot cream in my belly, Baby." Robert twitched and gasped, and a little ooze of cum flowed slowly down his glans. "I don't think I can hold it back now anyhow," he said with a strained tone. "Then don't, Baby," Danica responded, and wrapped her lips around him again. Danica had only managed to suck down his shaft once and back up to the tip when he grunted, gasped, and shot hot spurts of thick cum into her mouth. She let out a high-pitched moan of delight as he flooded her mouth. She swallowed the first spurt, and felt a second instantly replacing it. She sucked on the head of his cock, while pumping her hand at the base until he started to twitch violently with every movement she made. She released him from the warm confines of her mouth, letting his purple head slide from between her lips in the form of a kiss over it. His hips hunched upward as she released him, and he lay breathing heavily. Danica licked her lips. "Mmm, it tasted so good. Thank you, Baby." "No, thank you," Robert said with a laugh. Danica moved down to lie beside him, and he wrapped his arms around her. She leaned her head into his chest, listening to the sound of his fast heartbeat and quickened breathing. She moaned in contentment, and nestled up tighter against him. After he had recovered for a few minutes, Robert told Danica how beautiful she was, how sexy she was — an endless stream of compliments that both made Danica blush, and made her wet at the same time. It took Robert a few minutes to realize he was rambling, and he blushed when it dawned on him. Danica laughed, "Don't worry about it — I like it." She ached to feel him filling her now, and moved to huskily whisper in his ear about how badly she wanted him inside her. While she whispered to him, she softly rubbed his flaccid member, pleased to feel just the slightest twitches of life in it already. After a few minutes of talking dirty to him and kissing over his face, she said, "Make that gorgeous cock hard for me, Baby. I want it deep inside me," and slid downward to lap his cock. It only took a few touches of her tongue to start him swelling again. Danica moaned and encouraged him with more dirty talk, then pulled his slowly stiffening cock between her lips to suck him to full erection. As soon as he was fully hard, Danica moved up next to him again and whispered, "Put that big, hard cock inside me, Baby. I need it so much." His reactions to her sexy talk encouraged her to keep it up, and indeed push even more. He turned his head and kissed her, wasting no time in moving above her and aiming his erection at her wet heat. He pushed between her lips with a contented sigh as soon as he was aligned with her, drawing a loud moan from Danica as he slid inside her. She thought he was going to split her in half at first. Her muscles tightly contracted as he tried to penetrate her. Danica let out a few gasping breaths, relaxed, and felt him hit bottom. Her muscles contracted again when he was fully engulfed in her warm depths, and they both shuddered from the feeling. Robert slowly stroked his hard member into Danica, letting her feel every inch of it as it pushed against her walls with hot friction. Danica reached down and pulled her knees up higher, holding her legs behind the knees with her hands. She gasped when his throbbing rod reached even deeper inside her with the next thrust. Danica was still hypersensitive, while he was somewhat desensitized from having already ejaculated only a short time ago. Robert continued to slowly stroke her, pushing deeper into her with each thrust. He would slam his cock home, slowly withdraw it all the way to the tip and then push back into her depths again. It was stoking Danica's internal fires quickly, and she knew she was going to come again soon — and hard. As he saw Danica's breathing quicken and felt her muscles rhythmically contracting tighter around him, Robert knew she was close to her peak. He abandoned the slow torturous pull from her depths for a quick retraction, now simply taking her hard as she drew ever closer to climax. "Oh yes, give it to me Baby. I'm going to come — come so hard. I'm coming!" Danica screamed as she exploded into orgasm. He continued to stroke his cock into her depths, her flowing juices squirting out around him. Danica felt her orgasm slightly ebb, and then suddenly surge back into full force. She clenched her teeth, growled, and then screamed again as this second wave of release hit her. A few moments later, the tension in her body lessened for a few moments, only to spike again as he continued to stroke her. Danica's scream turned loud and warbling as he continued to pound her quivering pussy. Dancia gasped for air as Robert slowed down, eventually pulling from her completely. When he withdrew, she let out a yelp and curled up into a ball, trembling from the intense aftershocks of her orgasm. Robert stroked her back, a little confused and worried. He had never seen a woman react this way before, and had no idea what was going on. Somewhere in the back of Danica's clouded mind, she knew what had happened. She had experienced a multiple orgasm — climaxes coming back to back in rapid succession — before. It had only happened to her once, and she half thought she had imagined it, until Robert had done it to her again a few moments ago. When Danica managed to uncurl her body, Robert asked, with concern in his voice, "Are you okay?" Danica weakly laughed, still having trouble catching her breath. "I'm wonderful." "You had me worried; I thought I had hurt you." Danica laughed again, and then moaned. "Exactly the opposite. Gods that was... Oh my. I can't describe it, but it felt so good, Baby — so good!" The aftershocks finally died down, and Danica looked up to see Robert's cock, slick and glistening with her juices, twitching as if it was anxious to return to her warm confines again. "Mmm, more," Danica said with a playful note of command in her voice. She had no more than spread her legs before Robert once again mounted her and penetrated her. Danica took up the exact same position she had before, wanting to feel that same intense sensation — holding onto her and refusing to let her go again. This time, as Danica felt the heat rising within her, she saw the strain in Robert's face that told her he was close as well. She knew it was going to be a near thing, and she prayed he would be able to hold out long enough to make her come again. He did, and Danica's walls squeezed him tight as she climaxed once more. Robert growled as he continued to thrust into her depths, obviously fighting off his own release with every ounce of his will. Once again, Danica's orgasm ebbed and surged. This time, she had no chance to reach a second ebb, because Robert pulled from her with a loud grunt to stroke his cock over her tummy. Danica had no idea what caused her to do it — there was the vague notion that if she couldn't have his hot cum in her belly one way, she would get it another. She quickly spun around on the bed and engulfed his pussy-slick cock in her mouth. She didn't care that she tasted her own creamy juices on his cock — she only knew that she wanted his cum in her mouth. Somewhere in the back of her head, she noted the somewhat spicy, sweet taste of her wetness on his shaft as he spasmed and squirted his seed against the back of her throat. Danica sucked for every drop he had to offer, and he was forced to push her away. He collapsed to the bed, his trembling knees betraying him. A powerful aftershock, so strong it blurred the line between such and an orgasm, rocked Danica's body, and she collapsed next to him. They lay recovering for quite some time, and then Robert looked over at Danica, and their eyes met. The couple stared into each other's eyes for long moments, until Robert said, "I think I might be falling in love with you." Danica smiled and blushed, "Me too." They wrapped their arms around each other and both soon fell asleep. ------- Danica whistled as she swept up the debris from the previous day from the shop. It was the last thing she had to do before she opened up for the day — extremely late. Danica normally opened her door for business early in the morning, but it was well after high sun now and her sign still read closed. She and Robert had made love again in the morning — the time already well after Danica would normally have opened her shop. She had returned home to bathe when Robert finally tore himself away from her and went to his own work. Danica had wanted to feel him come inside her so badly that she had almost held him inside her and forced it this last time. Only the fear of him finding out she was barren and losing interest had stopped her. It had done nothing to dampen the warm glow of her mood, however. She was physically sated, for the first time in a long time, and feeling the first giddy twinges of love in her heart. Maybe she had finally found the right man after all this time. Maybe he wouldn't lose interest and run off with some other woman or disappear when he found out she couldn't bear him children. Danica finished the sweeping, having already done all her herb work in the lab, and opened all the cases for the day's business. When she peeked out the window, she noticed a few people milling around outside. She smiled, thinking she might have to open late more often if it was going to draw in this kind of business. She turned her sign and opened her door, letting in all the people waiting outside. It took the better part of an hour to clear out the initial rush, and people just kept coming. It was already late afternoon before the lines of people thinned out, giving Danica a chance to run back to her lab to restock some items in her herb jars that were running low. Danica heard the bell ring, announcing someone had entered the shop. It rang either physically by the door striking it, or magically when someone was in the room. Another present from her older sister Devan, it let her feel safe to run back to her lab or vault while she was open — if no customers were in the shop — without locking all the cases. She hurried back out to her counter, and saw a man in dark robes standing near the door. He looked impatient to Danica, from what little she could see of his face behind the deep cowl he wore. In his hand, he held a staff that was obviously magical, clutching it in a tight grip. Danica slipped into the second sight, and marveled at the strength of the enchantments on the item. The magic the item held produced a glow that almost hurt her eyes to behold. She'd never seen such power within a single item, and that told her it was valuable indeed. Upon seeing her emerge from the back, the dark-robed customer asked, "You are the proprietor of this establishment?" Danica smiled, noticing the fine cut and cloth of his robe, combined with the powerful staff, and knew that she had a man of means in her shop. "Yes — what can I do for you sir?" "I am told you have a vault," he responded. "Yes sir, one guarded by thick walls, thick doors, strong wards, and runes," Danica explained. "I fear I must stay in this rude hamlet for the evening, and I refuse to entrust my staff to the questionable security of the local innkeepers, even if it is by my side. I was warned of previous thefts in this area prior to my journey here. What would be the cost to store an item of such power in your vault?" Danica felt a flash of irritation, due to the man's rude manner, but kept up appearances. A person didn't survive long in her business without a thick skin. Danica knew all about the previous thefts, as her sister had prevented one of them. Whoever the thief was, he or she had been able to penetrate great defenses to attain the magical items. The Art thief who stalked this area provided Danica's vault with brisk business, despite nothing having vanished in years. An established vault could always protect better than any temporary wards, and visiting wizards took advantage of it when they discovered she had one. Danica explained the daily cost, which was common regardless of what was stored there. Examining his fingernails, never bothering to look at Danica, the cowled man said, "I would see your vault, before I entrust my precious staff to your care." "Of course, one moment while I secure the rest of the shop and I will be glad to show you." Danica closed the cases, and put her coin box away. The entire time, the wizard tapped his foot impatiently. "Right this way sir," Danica said, and gestured for him to follow her behind the counter. When they reached the vault, the mage examined the runes and wards on the door, then cast a few spells to test its security. "Very well, it seems adequate. I shall return in the morning to acquire my staff. I trust you will be here — unlike this morning." "Of course, Sir. Today was quite unusual. I am always open promptly in the morning," Danica said as she sealed the staff in the vault. "Very well," he said and laid his coins on the counter. Without another word, he turned and left, nearly jostling another robed figure coming in the door. Recognizing the newcomer, Danica beamed, and sang out, "Ashtar, welcome! It has been too long. How are your studies going?" The dusky skinned wizard tugged at his goatee and laughed, "They are being most well, Danica. I journey this day to meet with his Excellency, Duke Blackhawk, and have found I am being most egregiously low on bat guano. One is never knowing when one must be hurling fireballs at vicious beasts, and it was a good reason to be seeing you." "It's good to see you too, Ashtar. You're traveling overland to Fightershaven? Why not just..." Danica wiggled her fingers in a pantomime of spell casting. Ashtar waved a hand before him in a dismissive gesture, "I have been being cloistered in my studies too long. The road calls and I have answered." Danica laughed and then held her breath while she opened a jar of bat guano and spooned some out into a piece of oiled parchment. She sealed the packet of parchment when she finished and handed it to Ashtar. "That should be enough to hurl fireballs at every beast between here and Fightershaven." "I am being thanking you, Danica. Had they known I would be stopping, I am being sure Devan and Master Darkniciad would send their greetings." Ashtar pulled out his coin purse, and Danica started to wave off payment at the same time. The look Ashtar gave her when she did this caused her to laugh, and she let him pay her just like any other customer. Once Danica put away the coins, Ashtar asked, "What did Master Arrant seek from your wares, Danica?" "Arrant — is that who that was?" Now that Danica realized who the wizard was, it all snapped into focus. His demeanor matched his reputation exactly. He was reputed to be rude, arrogant, and powerful. Ashtar nodded, "Yes, I thought you would be knowing it was him." "Now that you've said his name, it makes sense, but he never offered it. He was storing a staff he carried in my vault," Danica explained. "Much trade could he be bringing to your humble store, if impressed he is with your services," Ashtar said, and nodded several times. Danica thought about it, and realized it was true. Arrant was quite influential in many circles, and if he put in a good word for her shop, it could mean a lot of coin in her pocket, "I'll have to take extra special care of him then." "This would be most wise, I am thinking," Ashtar said with a wink. "I must to be going, it was being most good to see you, Danica." "You too, Ashtar. Don't be a stranger — and tell my sister it's alright to drop in more than once a year." Once Ashtar left, only a pair of other customers came in that day. Danica used the time to catch up on a few things, and study a spell that had been confounding her for a week now. At last, she slammed the book shut and pushed it away — disgusted. She simply was not half the wizard her sister was — and never would be. Devan had learned this spell at sixteen, and Danica still could not master it. No customers had entered for some time when Danica's normal closing time approached. She went ahead and turned the sign after a quick look up and down the street for last-minute customers. Once again, she hurried to close up shop — content in the amount of coin she had made today, and that she was on her way back to Robert's tonight. She smiled thinking about that as she finished locking up. A quick bath and a change of clothes later, and she was on her way to Robert's. ------- It was hard for Danica to leave Robert that morning without making love to him again, but she had promised to be open on time, and was determined to live up to that promise. Danica took a few extra minutes to primp before opening, thinking every little bit of good impression couldn't hurt. She wore tighter robes than usual to show off her breasts, and left her hair down instead of putting it up as she usually did. She placed Arrant's staff near the door of the vault so she could retrieve it almost instantly when he arrived, and arranged a few unique magic items she possessed on the counter, hoping to pique his interest in them. The items were powerful, and beyond the means of most who entered her shop. They were either gifts from her sister or the result of skillful trades. When she was ready, she opened up the shop and saw the dark figure of Arrant already approaching from down the street. Danica went behind the counter and practiced a few smiles, trying to find just the right one to brighten his day when he entered. Arrant swept into the shop like an ill wind, muttering under his breath. Danica said, "One moment sir and I will retrieve your staff. Feel free to look around." She thought the trust she showed in leaving him alone in the shop for even a few moments might impress him, indicating that she knew him — and his reputation. She quickly retrieved the staff and brought it out to him. Immediately upon grasping the staff, the wizard's eyes went wide, and he tossed back his cowl, "What have you done?" Taken aback, Danica stammered, "I'm sorry sir, what do you mean?" Running his fingers over the staff in a trembling caress, Arrant growled, "My wonderful staff, its power has been sapped!" "You must be mistaken sir; that cannot have happened," Danica disagreed. She slipped into the second sight and suppressed a gasp. The glow from the staff still showed great power, but it had undoubtedly dimmed. "Lies! Think you I know not the vast powers of my own possessions! The coin that will be required to restore this to its former glory is more than you will earn in a lifetime! I demand satisfaction!" Danica panicked now. She had hoped to impress the influential wizard and better herself, now she faced possible ruin. If he spread word of this to others, she would be destitute in no time. "Sir, I do not understand how this could have happened, but I assure you I will compensate you for your loss. I have some unique items here..." she said gesturing at the magic items that she had set out earlier. "Trinkets!" He screamed and swept them off the counter. Danica started from the sudden violent motion, and quickly added to her offer, "They would be only a part, it will take time, but I can make payments in coin and other..." "Silence! It would take a lifetime for you to possibly compensate me for the coin alone! How will you compensate me for the time the staff's restoration will require? What can you offer that will give me satisfaction for the terrible inconvenience you have lain upon me?" Arrant's eyes bulged wide with anger, burning into Danica. Danica had only one real weapon left at her disposal — one she had used sparingly over the years, but one that had never failed her when she resorted to it. She hated doing it, because it made her feel cheap — even when she was attracted to the person she hoped to manipulate. Stepping around the counter, she let her hips sway as he scowled at her. Once out from behind the counter, Danica loosened the ties on her robe nonchalantly. "Perhaps there is something I have here that you haven't seen, which might interest you," she said in a sultry tone, and let her robe fall open to reveal hints of her breasts. For just an instant, amusement crossed the wizard's features. Then he snorted, and pushed her away when she tried to move in closer to him. "Foolish woman, such things do not interest me." Danica pulled her robe closed and lowered her head, "I don't know what I can do, I don't understand how this has happened and I have nothing else to offer." The man raised one hand to his chin and said, "Perhaps there is a way you can compensate me for this travesty." "Please, let me know what it is sir, I would do anything to assure you this is not the way I do business and compensate you for your loss." A smile crept across his lips, "There are a few spells I have never been able to acquire, hoarded away and kept from my grasp — no matter what I offered. I know where some of these spells can be found. If you were to acquire them for me, from the library where they are hidden just beyond my grasp, perhaps I might be willing to forget about this whole sordid affair." Confusion crossed Danica's features. "If they are beyond your reach, how am I to attain them?" "They are beyond my reach because I consider the risk to my reputation greater than my desire — great as that desire is. You, however, seem to have little to lose at this point." Danica hung her head. If Arrant spread the word of this, her business with visiting wizards would trickle off to nothing. She would have to lean on her family to get by, and she couldn't bear the thought of proving she was a failure again. "I have no real choice. I will do it." "If you succeed, I will forget this entire incident occurred. Fetch a pen and paper, and do cover yourself before someone wanders in." Danica tied her robe and brought the requested items. Arrant wrote for a few minutes, and then pushed the paper across the counter to Danica. "The books I wish to acquire are in the library of Zoraster Arias. These are the titles, instructions of how to reach his stronghold and the library, and even the location of the books within the library. With a little planning and stealth, you should be able to acquire them. You might even be able to conceal your involvement and return to your life if you are careful." "I understand," Danica responded, while trying to fight back a sob. Arrant pulled back up his cowl, and passed something else across the counter to Danica, it was some sort of small charm, the letter A within a circle, crafted in silver. "Hold this in your hand and speak my name when you have acquired the books. It will vanish to let you know the magic has worked." Danica nodded, and with that, Arrant left her shop. She quickly locked the door and spun the sign, arming the wards there and upon the vault. With that done, she collapsed on her bed and wept for many hours. ------- When at last Danica mastered her emotions, she went back out and fully closed down her shop, though it was only midday. She gathered every single coin she had, dropped them in a purse, and then began packing. Once she packed everything she thought she would need and could possibly carry, Danica locked the door to her home with a sigh of regret. It would be quite some time before she was able to return even if she was successful, because Montbank was far away in lands she had never traveled. Passage on a ship would be quicker, but was beyond her means if she wanted to have any coin left once she got there. She absolutely refused to ask for help from her sister; though she had little doubt it would have been gladly given if she asked. Danica was determined to get out of this mess on her own, just as she had somehow gotten into it without help. She realized she might have no choice but to ask for help when she returned, because it would take coin she wouldn't have to reopen the shop — if she was ever able to do so again. This is what I get for wishing to have some change, and excitement in my life, Danica thought bitterly. Danica made her way to Robert's house, and found he was not there. Checking at the herbalist's shop he used as a base to ply his trade, she found he was away at a farmhouse outside the city. She knew she would never leave if she didn't go before her nerve left her. Danica penned a note saying she had to go on a journey, and would be gone some time. She signed it, I love you — Danica, and handed it to the herbalist to deliver to Robert. With that, Danica walked back out into the street and tried to figure out how to begin her long, frightening journey. ------- "I have ensnared another, Master Zoraster." "Excellent, Arrant, I hope this one proves more useful than the others. Most have been little more than sacrificial lambs. While I need such, I also require some more useful pawns." "This one seems somewhat resourceful, and willing to employ everything at her disposal when necessary. She offered her body to me without a second thought." Zoraster laughed, "That sounds promising — was the offer worth accepting?" "I would say so, and in fact I considered it. I came to the conclusion it would be better to refuse her and make her more desperate." "A wise decision, and the sort of decision I expected you to make when I gave you this task." "One I am happy to undertake, Master Zoraster." "Seek others — I need many pawns to fulfill my designs." "It shall be done." Zoraster banished the image in his scrying mirror. "What have we caught in our web this time? Another gnat, or have we perhaps captured a butterfly this time?" An image in another mirror caught Zoraster's eye, and he turned toward it. Within the mirror, he saw a woman with dirty blonde hair, on her knees, a man's cock engulfed in her mouth. Zoraster sighed as he watched, seeing the fear and disgust in the woman's features. "Such a simple task, and yet you betray yourself. It is a pity you are yet another gnat — another lamb to the slaughter. It is no matter. You have served your purpose." He pulled a small globe from a pocket in his robe and spoke into it, "Kill the woman as well, she has outlived her usefulness." A voice arose from the orb, "Can I have a bit of fun with her first?" "You may do with her as you please, but she must never be seen again. If she dies now, it appears to be connected to the fool's death, and is easily explained. If she — or her corpse — turns up later, there will be questions. Ensure that does not happen, or your suffering shall be great." "I get it." "Return for your payment when he is dead and you are done with her." Zoraster put away the orb, laughing as he concentrated on the talisman Arrant had given to the woman most recently ensnared. Soon enough, Zoraster would know all he needed to know about her. ------- Part 1A Those passing through the entrance hall all gave knowing looks to the young apprentice as he entered and walked toward the corridor where his chambers were. On his arm was an auburn haired woman in a nightblue dress that did little to hide her attributes — and in truth accentuated them. The sensual, aroused smile on her face sent blood surging rapidly to the nether regions of the men who saw it, though she reserved that smile — and the mesmerizing gaze of her deep brown eyes — for her companion alone. The upper globes of her large breasts, supported by the cut of the dress, were well displayed to the eyes of all in the room. Her nipples were plainly visible pressing against the dark blue material. Men's eyes fell upon her full, firm bottom as the couple passed them, watching the play of her buttocks as she walked away. The knowing looks on the faces of the men changed to surprise almost immediately after they tore their eyes from her backside. Several considered that the apprentice with the woman had only recently arrived here, and it was astounding for him to have already mastered what all within the halls called the Nymph Dweomer. The subtle mental spell caused those viewing the caster to be incredibly attracted to him — while at the same time lessening the inhibitions of the target — was something quickly discovered in these halls. When the watching wizards glanced again with their second sight, there was no telltale glow of the Dweomer about this woman. She was with the young apprentice wholly of her own will. Astounded, and many quite jealous, they went about their business with a shrug. If the young apprentice had not used the Dweomer — he had not yet learned it. Thus, he was not a threat to them, or their positions — yet. The young apprentice led his companion into his chambers, opening the door and smiling charmingly — showing just a hint of lusty desire. She entered, and he followed, closing the door behind him. Turning around, he admired the woman who had come here with him yet again, as she toyed with her shoulder-length hair. Damn, look at those tits! Her nipples have to be as big as my pinky, and that ass is just begging to be spanked. She turned back to him after a brief survey of the room, and he felt his cock swelling beneath his robes. A single step brought her to him. Her arms closed around him and her lips pressed against his. She kissed him hungrily, need and desire evident in the strength of the kiss, her tongue running over his lips and gums. Her breasts pressed hard into him, and she gently rocked her hips against him as they kissed. Pulling away from the kiss, she reached back and unbuttoned her dress, peeling it slowly down off her body. He gasped slightly when he saw her breasts fully revealed. They were everything he had imagined — the nipples obviously pebble hard and pointing at him, begging his lips to close around them. He shed his robes as he watched her slowly pull down the panties that were the only thing she wore under the dress, revealing the object of his desire. She had shaved the hair from around her sex, leaving only a small patch of short curls on her mound, fully revealing her folds to his staring eyes. Her inner lips were large, sticking out from between the outer, and glistening with the moisture of her desire. He shed the rest of his clothing and she gasped with aroused approval as his manhood was revealed to her. He gathered her up in his arms, pulling her to the bed in the corner of the room, kissing her with the full strength of his burning desire. Reveling in the feeling of her hot flesh beneath him, submitting to his every desire, he let her feel his need as well. Her hand reached down to caress his manhood as they kissed, squeezing slightly when his lips left hers and closed around her right nipple, sucking like a babe at her breast. She moaned softly in pleasure as his lips caressed first one bud, then the other, and his hands massaged the firm globes of her breasts. Her hand closed fully around his throbbing shaft, stroking it as he labored over her breasts. One last, strong suck pulled her nipple out hard, causing her breast to jiggle when he released it. He rose to his knees in front of her, revealing his desire without a word. She spun around slowly on the bed, looking up into his eyes, licking her lips, and then circled her tongue over the head of his cock. With a quiet moan, she sucked it between her lips. She continued to moan as she sucked on just the head for a moment, and then took him deep into the warm confines of her mouth. He gasped from the instant intensity with which she engulfed him in her mouth, stroking his shaft with one hand, while the fingers of the other danced in a feather-light caress over his balls. He groaned contentedly as her knowing mouth made his whole body quiver. His head swam from the feeling of her lips wrapped around him, sucking him so deeply into her, her tongue waggling back and forth around the shaft as she took him in. His vision blurred as she laid him down, continuing to suck greedily for her reward. ------- Danica felt him go soft in her mouth, and she knew he was almost under. A few moments later, she released his nearly flaccid cock from her mouth and looked up at his closed eyes. A quick pinch revealed he was completely out, when he didn't react in the slightest to the pain. She rose quickly and washed the sleep drug from her nipples, changing into the comfortable, nondescript clothing she had brought in preparation for her work this night. Glancing with a sigh at the man lying on the bed, Danica almost wished she had waited to drug him until later. The wetness between her legs and the desire in her kisses while waiting for the drug to take effect had been very real. It had been a while since she had been with a man — especially one so well endowed — and the last time before she had come here had awakened a long suppressed need within her. For a moment, she felt a twinge of regret. Her arousal now was a betrayal to Robert, the man back home she believed she loved. Danica shook away the thoughts, knowing she had to do what was necessary to complete her task here. She had to live in the moment — and knew she might never be able to return to her old life anyway. As much as she hated it, she had to take a cue from her sister and use her body as a weapon to accomplish her goals. After months of looking for another way, Danica's coin was running out — as were her options. Meeting the young apprentice, Danica had, at last, overcame her aversion to using her charms to gain entrance to this place. She left the panties, wet with her juices, lying beside the bed, picked her dress up and stuffed it in her bag. Danica knew from the information she had gathered so carefully that she had little time to complete the work she had come here for. The halls were empty, as she expected. Anyone of importance would be gathered for supper, and the following meeting with Zoraster. Everyone else was encouraged to remain in his or her chambers, or in study during this period of time, when the Master of this place called a meeting. Danica hurried through the halls to the library, entering it quickly, and finding copies of the texts containing new spells with the practiced skill she had obtained running her mageware shop. She had just removed the first book from its place in the shelf and started to speak the words of magic that would copy the spells within, when she heard a quiet, deep voice behind her. "Ah, foolish little Danica, did you not realize I know all that transpires within these halls?" Danica spun around and readied her magical defenses, but blackness overcame her before she had even come to face whoever had spoken to — and spellbound her. ------- Danica came back to consciousness slowly. It was quite some time before she realized she was bound. She was held by magical bonds of pure energy, pulled almost to the point of pain from both arms and both legs, spread out as if on a tanner's rack, in the center of the room. It was dark, save the faint light that came from the glowing bonds. "Danica Ardane, Sister of Devan Ardane," said a voice from the darkness — the same voice that was the last thing Danica remembered. The shadows appeared to gain substance as Zoraster walked forward slowly into the glow of her bonds. His robe was black as night, with no visible ornamentation. It was obviously made of silk from the way it flowed around his body, which was hidden from view completely beneath the voluminous cloth. His hair was as dark as his robe, and he had a look of proud confidence in his eyes. He smiled at her, but there was nothing of warmth in the smile, giving his face an even greater cast of arrogance. Danica said nothing, and simply stared defiantly at him. "You have nothing to say? You who had the audacity to drug an apprentice and dared to try to steal from me — here in my inner sanctum? I must say, my little rose, you have a great deal of courage — or a great lack of wit." Danica's face flared red and her lip curled at that remark, but she bit back her words. Zoraster Arias simply laughed. "I am judge, jury, and executioner in this place. I have judged you and determined your penance, little rose." "Damn you! Just kill me and get it over with you psycho." Again Zoraster laughed — a hint of the insanity that she had just alluded to evident in the loud, mocking sound, "Kill you? What a waste, little rose. No, I think I shall play with you for at least a little while." Danica felt fear welling up inside her then. She did not fear death — she knew she risked that when she came here to steal the dark spells within the library. Now she knew that a fate much worse than death awaited her. "We can't have you hanging around like a painting now, so we shall have to remove your thorns, little rose." Zoraster gestured absently with one hand. Instantly the tight top Danica wore turned to ashes and fell gently to the floor. Zoraster walked forward and ran a hand over her breasts, "Yes, very nice — very nice indeed. They are larger than your sister's — the nipples so large, erect even in your fear and anger. Very nice." His hands flashed in another gesture, and the remainder of Danica's clothing turned to ash as well. A wide, frightening smile spread across Zoraster's face as he admired her completely revealed body. "Mmm, you have stripped your garden of its thorns already I see. I find this quite pleasing. It gives you the illusion of innocence — of virginity — of the girl who has just become a woman and needs a man to bring her to full womanhood." He ran his hand over the crease of her thigh, over her folds, and then lifted her hood to reveal her clitoris, "My, my — the little rose has quite a large bud." Danica felt nausea gripping her. She had never been helpless before, never thought it was a possibility. She had given herself willingly to her fair share of men, but she had never been taken, and thought she could never be taken. It was obvious to her that Zoraster was about to do just that, and there was nothing she could possibly do about it. Zoraster laughed as he looked into her eyes, "Yes, that's it — feel the fear, the anticipation." He laughed again and produced something from a pocket in his robes. He lifted the necklace before Danica's eyes and unhooked its clasp. Sliding his hands around her neck, he closed the clasp once again. It was cold as ice against her naked skin — colder than ice — almost stinging. Then it did sting, as he let the charm — a rose barely in bloom — fall into her cleavage. The cold burned into her, spread through her. Fear and desperation swelled within Danica as she felt her Art — the magic that was her life — being sucked from her. "You understand, I see. You will not use Art to defy me — and that is but the first of many things I shall deny you with my power — to teach you respect." Danica cried at the loss of her magic, despite her best efforts to remain strong and defiant, in the face of the mad Archmage before her. Zoraster's mocking smile tore into her soul even deeper, and the laugh that followed pierced the core of her being. Unable to endure the fear, she lost consciousness. Zoraster did not allow her the respite of senselessness for very long. He awakened her with a word of magic moments later. More arcane words spilled from his lips as he touched the charm between her breasts. She felt his magic invade her mind the moment his fingers pressed the icy metal against her. "Part of you shall remain awake, but helpless, so that you might remember your penance. The rest of you now belongs to me and will obey my every command, even as you scream in your mind for mercy — for death's sweet release." The bonds holding Danica dissolved, and she fell in a heap to the floor. "Arise and follow me," Zoraster commanded. Danica wanted to spit a curse at him, but found the words never left her lips. Instead, she rose and followed the madman out of the room into a dark passageway beyond. When they reached the end of the hall, he flung open a door and the light outside blinded her. Danica walked behind Zoraster, matching his quick pace, despite her overwhelming desire to run the other way. She walked across the brightly lit room — naked as the day she was born — under the stares of dozens of men seated at tables around the room. "I apologize for not being here for the conclave this evening. I had matters to attend to. I'm quite sure any issues may be resolved at a later time. For now, I have some entertainment for all of you — a gift for your diligent obedience in recent days past. Clear a spot on the table and lie down, my little rose." Danica quickly and efficiently cleared off the table in the center of the bowl shaped room and lie down on it — the center of attention for the entire room. "Now, pleasure yourself for the entertainment of my students and allies. I shall return when I have completed some pressing matters," Zoraster said, laughing long and loud as he turned to leave the room. The part of Danica's mind that was awake and able to control her body swelled with desire and need. All the while, the part of her that was buried screamed in defiance. She spread her legs wide, offering the entire room the best possible view of her sex, already showing glints of wetness from her unwanted arousal. Bringing a finger to her lips, she ran her tongue over it, and then slid it back down to rub gently over her protruding inner lips. The action sent a shiver down her spine — even as the lost part of her screamed. Her finger slid between her lips, parting them slightly, her juices flowing more and more by the moment. Her fingertip caressed the length of her parted lips, and then slowly slid deeper inside her. A second finger quickly followed it, and she began to stroke them in and out. Danica could hear approving chuckles from those gathered, and could see the looks of lust in every eye that fell on her. The part of her that was controlled by Zoraster's dark Art burned with stronger desire from every lewd smile, and from every excited comment. Her fingers worked faster, the digits now completely coated in the glistening juices that were flowing from her. Lifting her hood with a finger of her other hand, Danica stroked her clit in small circles, a moan bubbling up from deep within her. Faster and faster, her finger rubbed over her clit, causing it to become even more erect and throbbing with each touch. Two fingers of her other hand slid deep inside her — then three. She thrust them into her depths more rapidly with each passing moment. Danica built toward release, her body writhing on the table as the pleasure overcame her. Finally, she came — her back arching off the table, supported by her head and feet — and she screamed her pleasure to the roof above. Her ass pounded on the table as the waves of her orgasm swept over her. At long last, she could take no more, and collapsed to the table, gasping for breath. Many of those gathered had moved closer so that they might see more clearly, and were now close enough to smell the scent of her arousal. After a few minutes, the lust and desire overcame her again. Once more her fingers went to work — bringing her to yet another orgasm... ------- Danica had no idea how long she had been there. She was sore and sitting in a puddle of her own juices. All around her were bananas, cucumbers, spoons — anything that was remotely phallic in shape. The gathered wizards had offered them to her, and she had stroked them deep inside her with passionate abandon. She remembered the need and desire she had felt as she masturbated in every way imaginable for the onlookers. It had made her desire burn even hotter to know that the gathering watched her as she pleasured herself. At the same time, she remembered that small piece of her mind that was awake, but powerless to control her, screaming in sorrow and revulsion. Zoraster entered the room, a wicked smile on his face, "Those gathered at the conclave found this evenings entertainment most enjoyable — most enjoyable." He laughed again as he came to stand in front of her. Danica turned her head so she could not see the Archmage. No words, no actions — nothing entered her mind that made any sense at this moment. She simply wanted it all to go away. "Do not look away from me," Zoraster said with just a hint of anger and warning in his voice. Danica turned to face him before she could even form the thought to do so. Her body and mind were nothing more than toys for him to play with as he chose. Zoraster reached his hand down between her slightly parted legs, but did not touch her. Instead, he swirled his finger in the puddle of her juices on the table and brought it to his lips. The taste of her sent an obvious shiver through his body. "Rest assured, I watched every moment, and indeed saved every moment in a magic mirror. It was most invigorating." With that, he turned toward the door. An old woman entered just as he turned and nodded her head to him. "Take her to the chambers prepared for her and cleanse her. Ensure that she is rested and recovered as quickly as possible," Zoraster ordered. The old woman nodded again, and Zoraster walked past her out of the room. "Get on up now dearie," the old woman said and then cackled. "Ye'll not be wanting to lollygag. If'n ye think Zoraster's an evil bastard, ye've no desire ta see me riled 'cause ye're keepin' me from my bed." Danica tried to rise, and immediately collapsed back onto the table. She was exhausted, and every muscle in her body burned with pain. She could not rise. "Oh, bother!" the old woman exclaimed. She then gestured, spoke words of magic, and they were gone — to reappear in a hallway next to a door. A large guard, probably used to people appearing from thin air, but obviously not used to them being naked, stared at Danica and the old woman when they materialized. "Take her into the room, an' mind yer hands or Zoraster'll be not appreciatin' it much," the old woman ordered. The guard reached down to pick up Danica in his arms, being very careful to touch nothing he really wanted to touch, and walked into the door when the old woman opened it. "Hold onto her a min' there, she's a right mess an' I'm not for wantin' to change the whole bleedin' bed once I've got her cleaned up," the woman instructed, and then retrieved a blanket from a closet nearby, spreading it over the bed. "Now put her down an' get on outta here." The guard obeyed, though he did take his time shutting the door when he left, his eyes locked on Danica's nude form. The old woman produced a vial from somewhere, "Here, ye should be drinkin' this." Danica stared, wondering what it was, not about to drink anything that was obviously a potion of some sort. "Oh come on now dearie, are ye thinkin' I'd be poisonin' ye? Zoraster's not gonna let a lil' thief like yerself get off that easy I'm thinkin'. Tis a healing draught that will ease some of yer pain, an' help ye ta get movin' around so's I don't have ta be pullin' ye around like a damn puppet." The old woman brought the vial toward Danica's lips, and with reservations, she parted them enough to drink. Danica immediately felt some of the pain and burning in her muscles — and her overworked pussy — begin to dull. After a few moments, the old woman said, "There, now do ye think ye can be gettin' up on yer own, an' get yerself o'er there to the tub?" Not wanting to do anything she was asked to in this place, but certainly wanting the sticky mess drying all over her lower body washed off, Danica tried and found she could indeed get up on her own now. She crossed the room to the curious tub. It was perfect glass — no bubbles, or milky opacity. Such perfect glass had been created either by magic, or by a craftsman of the highest order. The old woman reached behind the tub and pulled on something. There were odd platform-like pieces on the front side of it, and another that almost appeared to be a seat rising in a gentle arch above it. "Get ye up on the seat," the old woman said. Danica mounted the steps on the side of the tub and climbed up onto the seat over it. The old woman pulled over a table attached to a high stool and scooted it up next to the tub. When she climbed up on the stool, her arms were level with the seat over the tub. "Now be puttin' yer feet in the stirrups there," the old woman instructed, pointing at the platforms on the front of the tub. Danica obeyed, putting her in a position with her legs spread wide open, right in front of the woman's face. The old woman rummaged through a bag on the table next to her, pulled out some sort of skin, and then turned back to Danica. She reached out and parted Danica's nether lips with no warning. Danica winced as a sting of pain washed over her. "Aye, ye'll still be stingin' a bit, that pain draught was a quick fix, not a cure all. We'll be takin' care of that more permanent like here in a bit. Rubbed yerself pretty raw ye did," the old woman said as she clinically examined Danica's folds with her fingers. "But sure'n ye've got a pretty lil' puss lass. I'm fer wishin' mine still looked like that!" A cackle of laughter punctuated that statement. Danica flushed bright red from the treatment and the old woman's words. The crone then brought up the skin and manipulated some sort of stem attached to it. "Now relax an' we'll get ye cleaned up from the inside out here, Dearie." The old woman then parted Danica's lips again, wider this time, bringing tears to Danica's eyes from the pain. The stem of the skin slipped into Danica, and the strange woman squeezed it gently. Warm fluid rushed from the skin. It felt good on Danica's abused flesh as it rinsed her out and then ran down her legs. Danica noticed the seat and stirrups had been designed so that the water ran down into the drain of the tub and did not pool under her bottom or feet. The old woman put the skin back in the bag, nodded with a grunt of approval, and then turned knobs on some pipes that led up to the ceiling of the room. Steaming warm water rushed to fill the tub from the pipes. It took only moments for the tub to fill to nearly the top, and the old woman shut off the water. "Now get in there an' get yerself cleaned up. Mind ye've got no time for lollygaggin' around. Jus' get yerself cleaned up an' get on outta there." Danica eased down into the steaming water, and then started to wash. The water felt wonderful on her still aching muscles, and she would have stayed for hours if she thought she could have. When the crone started mumbling and tapping her fingers on the table next to her, Danica hurried to finish washing. The old woman gestured for Danica to get out of the tub. She then pulled the table and chair out of the way while Danica climbed out. The old woman handed her a towel, and Danica blotted her body dry. "Now get yerself over here on the bed," the crone said, and removed the blanket she had spread over the bed earlier. Danica sat down on the bed as ordered, her taskmaster giving the next instruction almost as soon as Danica's bare bottom hit the bedclothes, "Lay yerself down an' spread them legs out, an' we'll see if'n we can't do somethin' a little more for that poor little puss of yours, Dearie." Danica blushed with anger and embarrassment, wondering what had she been thinking when she came here. She had been desperate and too sure of her abilities — for once in her life. The thought of just how long she might have to regret her mistake caused her to bite her lip and choke back a sob. The crone pulled a glass jar from a bedside table and removed the lid. She then sat down on the bed next to Danica, gathered some of the salve within the jar onto her fingers, and spread the unguent over Danica's nether lips. The stinging of Danica's flesh vanished wherever the woman's fingers touched as the salve performed its healing work. Danica felt her body responding to the old woman's gentle rubbing, and clenched her teeth in anger. She was becoming aroused from an old crone putting ointment on her pussy. It horrified her, and made her angrier than she had ever been in her life. Finally, the strange elderly woman put the lid back on the jar and returned it to the bedside table. She then pulled another vial from somewhere in her robes. "Now be drinkin' this. Tis a stronger an' slower workin' healer, an' will put ye to sleep so's it can do its work." Danica knew she had no choice, and took the vial from the woman when it was held out to her. She drank the potion in one draught and handed the vial back. "Pleasant dreams," the old woman said sarcastically, and cackled as she took the vial. Immediately, Danica felt her head swim and knew nothing more. ------- Danica awoke to the old woman patting her face, "Get yerself up dearie." Danica slowly roused and sat up in the bed. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and looked around to try to determine how long she had slept. There were no windows, and thus no real way of knowing the time. Time may as well have not existed in this room — her prison. "Ye awake now? Turn yerself with that pretty round bottom facin' me, an' get on yer hands an' knees. Me bottom useta be round an' firm like that. Still round, but now it hangs down somewhere behind me knees," the crone cackled. Danica obeyed, because she knew she had no choice. Zoraster's damned spell would just compel her if she refused. She looked back over her shoulder, seeing the old woman produce the skin with a stem again. The crone spread some sort of cream over the stem, and then turned back to Danica. "Ease yerself over here, right to the edge of the bed. I'm not for wantin' to stretch." Danica did so, and wondered why the old woman was going to soak the bed with the water when she could have gone to the tub to do it. She found out why when it was her buttocks, not her labia, which the old woman parted. The stem slid into Danica's puckered opening and the warm rush of fluid spread inside her. Danica clenched her muscles as she felt the urgent need to relieve herself come over her. The old woman emptied the skin and pulled the stem free. "Ye'd best be gettin' yerself over to the potty, I'm for thinkin'!" Danica hurried over to the chamber pot at which the old woman had pointed. She was embarrassed to tears, but could do nothing to halt the urgency of her need as the liquid exploded from her in a rush, into the pot. "There's a rag to clean yerself up there. Mind you do a good job," the old woman said from near the bed as she rummaged in the bedside table. Danica cleaned up and saw her taskmaster sitting in a chair near the tub, gesturing impatiently for Danica to come to her. When Danica reached the tub, she was handed a razor — her razor from her own tub at home. She glanced with surprise at the old woman. "Ye're gettin' a little stubbly — so take care of that an' be quick about it," the crone ordered, and then went to go sit on the bed. Danica shaved her legs and sex, leaving them once again bare and baby smooth. She rinsed off, and then dried off with a towel. When the other woman beckoned, Danica walked over near the bed. The old woman got up and handed her a vial, "Drink this." Danica obeyed without protest and drank down the almost sickeningly sweet contents of the vial. The old woman was walking toward the door as she did so. Zoraster entered at the same time the woman was leaving. An evil smile spread across his face as he beheld Danica, "All cleaned up I see, my little rose? Good, because I have a surprise for you my dear." He opened the door wide, and ten men entered. They all glanced with surprise and lust at Danica's nude form as they entered, before forming into ranks before Zoraster. "You all have served me very well this day. You dispatched a foe that had become a danger to me, with not a single loss of your forces, and returned to me with magic that pleases me very much. You are to be rewarded, and my little rose here is your reward. Be civilized men and don't fight over who goes first. You'll all have your turn — as many turns as you wish. My little rose is quite willing and able to please," Zoraster advised, gesturing toward Danica. The gathered men all turned to look at Danica with wide grins as Zoraster walked toward the door. "Enjoy yourself Danica, and service them all well," the Archmage said with a laugh as he left the room. The men wasted no time, quickly tossing off their clothes and crossing the room to the bed where Danica sat. Danica burned with anger, even as she began to burn with desire at the sight of all the revealed muscular flesh coming toward her. A dark-haired man grabbed hold of her and bent her down to her hands and knees on the corner of the bed. He stabbed his shaft deep inside her, pounding her furiously, his hands pinching hard into her hips as he took her. A blonde man walked up in front of her and pressed the head of his cock against her lips. Danica felt her desire flare. She had never been with more than one man at a time before, and she was becoming unbelievably aroused despite her anger and revulsion. More of Zoraster's damned magic, the tiny part of her thought. Her lips parted eagerly, and the stiff rod slid into her mouth. Now both her pussy and mouth were being fucked by grunting men, while the rest stood around and watched, cheering them on. Only the largest of the group sat apart. Danica noticed him sitting alone in the corner — still dressed — for just a moment, before her lust-filled attentions returned to the cocks stretching both sets of her lips. A screaming grunt sounded behind her, and Danica felt hot spurts of cum shooting into her depths. Within seconds, the man fucking her mouth exploded as well and flooded her mouth. Danica sucked him greedily for every drop he had to offer. So feverish was her assault that the man put a hand on her forehead and pulled out of her mouth with a wet pop, when his sensitive flesh could take no more. Almost immediately, Danica's pussy was penetrated yet again. The man taking her was smaller than the last and he was stroking her slowly. Danica's body automatically begged for more, and she pushed against the stroking shaft. The man grabbed her hips and held her still with a painful grip. He then took one last long, slow stroke and pulled out of her. He had no more than pulled free from her, when Danica felt him press against the tight iris of her ass and then push inside. Danica yelped as he stretched her ass. Within a couple of strokes, she could feel him sliding in to the hilt, his balls pressing up against her folds. He picked up the pace — fucking her ass harder and faster — once he had penetrated her completely the first time. Danica could feel an unnatural slickness in her bottom and assumed the flush of fluid earlier must have also contained some sort of lubricant — likely magical. A man grabbed Danica under her arms and lifted her upward. Her tongue flickered toward his hard member — tantalizingly close to her mouth — as another man slid underneath her. The man beneath her angled his cock into her slit and slid it home as the other man lowered her back down. Danica moaned deep in her throat as her pussy and ass were both filled — and stroked furiously. "Oh yes give it to me!" Danica cried — surprised by her own words. The man beneath her sucked one of her nipples into his mouth hard, pulling her breast down toward him as he bucked his hips, sliding his cock in and out of her. The man who had lifted her up pressed his erection to her lips, and she engulfed it greedily. Danica whimpered, moaned, and squealed around the cock in her mouth as her pussy and ass were both assaulted. She felt her body building toward orgasm and sucked the cock in her mouth with even more gusto. A few grunts and gasps preceded the warm rush of cum filling her ass. Danica was getting close to her own orgasm, and she moaned in protest when she felt the rapidly shrinking cock slide out of her ass. She need not have protested, because it was replaced immediately. The man who took her ass now was much bigger than the last. A yelp escaped her stuffed mouth as her ass was stretched wide. Tears came to her eyes as the large cock hit bottom. The momentary flash of pain delayed her impending orgasm, but only for a moment or two. The shaft buried in her depths, and the one in her ass were driving her mad with pleasure. The man in front of her grabbed hold of her head and thrust into her mouth. It was only moments before he grunted and sent hot spurts of cream down the back of her throat. Just as he pulled free of her mouth, Danica's orgasm took hold of her, "Fuck yes, I'm going to come! Fuck me hard!" she screamed. The two men taking her complied, and she cried out as her orgasm hit its peak. She could feel the warm rush of her juices soaking the man below her as she screamed and bucked against the probing shafts inside her. Her canals both squeezed tight and set the two men off within seconds of one another. "Oh yes — give it to me," she moaned as spurts of hot cum filled her pussy and ass, semen starting to run down her leg in sticky little streams. Both men pulled free and Danica's head fell to the bed. She could hear the taunts and sneers of the men. "Now this is a lil' slut after my own heart," one said with a laugh. Danica panted and tried to catch her breath as her orgasm slowly let her go. It had not quite subsided completely when hands grabbed her hips and another cock — the biggest so far — slid into her dripping sex, with a single hard thrust. She yelped as he repeatedly slammed his shaft into her sensitive flesh. Her next yelp was cut off as another cock filled her mouth. ------- Danica had no idea how many times she had reached her peak. She couldn't begin to guess how much cum was saturating her pussy, her ass, running down her legs, on her face, in her hair, and sitting warmly in her stomach. All she knew was that she was coming again, rubbing her own clit as a man pounded her ass. The cock swelled and filled her ass yet again as she screamed and quivered in orgasm. Danica collapsed, gasping, to the soaked sheets below her as the cock left her ass. She didn't even have the strength to roll out of the wet spot on the bed, and simply lay there panting. Every part of her body throbbed with a perverse mixture of pleasure and pain. After a few moments, she felt uncommonly strong hands lifting her up and moving her. Danica looked up and saw it was the huge man who had sat alone while the others were taking her who now moved her. Only one other man was still in the room, and he was getting dressed. It was most likely the one who had just filled her ass moments before, she mused absently. He left the room with a last glance back at her naked form. The man who had moved her began to undress. Despite the throbbing and burning of her body, she felt desire, need, and lust swell up inside her again. Her eyes went huge, and she let out a gasp that was almost a yelp as he revealed his manhood. He had to be almost as long as her forearm, and as big around as her wrist. Danica had never seen — or even imagined — a cock so big. He pulled a jar from his trouser pockets before he tossed them to the floor, and generously spread large gobs of some sort of salve all over his enormous member. He then picked Danica up effortlessly and spun her around so her sex was facing him. He put her hands on her knees and spread her legs wide before him. "I reckon you might be opened up and slicked up enough to take me now, but ye better start petting that pretty pussy now, 'cause ain't no woman who weren't gettin' off been able to stay awake until I fill 'er up," the big man instructed. Danica slowly stroked her throbbing, stinging bud, watching with fearful fascination as the man pulled her lips apart with his fingers and pressed that huge cock against her. She screamed as he slid inside her. Tears came to her eyes, and she closed them involuntarily. When she was able to open them again, she saw that barely any of the massive thing was inside her. He pulled back and pushed in again, about a quarter of his pussy-splitting cock this time. Danica clenched her teeth and relaxed her muscles as much as possible. The wave of pain hit her again, but not as bad as before. Her fingers rolled and rubbed her clit furiously, the pain was not quite so bad this time. Her desire burned within her. She wanted this huge cock — all of it. She needed it. The big man could obviously see it in her face as he pushed back inside her again, just a little farther than before. With a wide smile, he said, "You want it don't you? Don't worry, little missy, I'll give you all you can handle, and only what you can handle. Ain't no fun sporting with a lass that's asleep." After a few more strokes, the pleasure she was feeling from being filled so completely for the first time was beginning to overshadow the pain. Her screams were now alternating with long deep moans as she opened up, willing her canal to take every inch of him she could get. "That's it girlie, lemme in. You've got half of me now. Ye can take it, that's a good girl," he encouraged her as he pushed in a little deeper. Danica felt her body building toward an earth-shattering climax. Her fingers worked on her clit with one hand while she swirled a finger of the other in the iris of her ass, teasing it with the steady stream of juices running into it from her pussy, whenever he pulled back to thrust in again. When next she opened her eyes to look, she had a little more of the enormous cock buried inside her. Her eyes didn't stay open long, because she was nearly to the top of her mountain. She moaned long, and then growled, "Faster!" The man increased the speed of his thrusts, and after about two of the quicker pumps, Danica's body exploded. She writhed on the bed, and the man pressed her hips down hard to keep them from moving as she screamed in ecstasy until she was nearly out of breath. Over and over again she came. She was taking a little more than half of that huge cock at full speed now, being fucked harder than she ever imagined she could be. "Oh yeah, that's it, Missy. I got a present for you!" He grunted and shoved his massive cock in her as far as it would penetrate. Another wave of orgasm slammed into her. A long scream of half pain and half pleasure escaped her as she felt him come. Powerful squirts of semen shot from the massive cock that was deep inside her. It felt like it was hitting in her chest, and she could feel it dribbling out around him, so much did he come, and so hard. With a final growled grunt, he pulled from her, and Danica knew no more. The blackness washed over her. ------- Part 1B Zoraster paused in his writing when he sensed Celes' arrival. He looked up at the old woman with a mocking smile, "Ah, Celes, are you enjoying your current task?" Celes' lip twitched, "I'm doin' what ye're tellin' me to. The lil' thief'll be kept clean an' ready fer whatever yer punishin' 'er with that day." "Danica is quite beautiful, is she not? You have quite a good view in your work, I'm sure." Celes' eyes hardened, "I'm not for carin' about that. I'm doin' as ye ask." Zoraster laughed, "I'm sure you took no notice of her splendid body. I had no idea my net would pull in such a fine prize when I cast it out." Though Celes tried to keep her face passive, some hint of her curiosity at the last statement must have shown through. Perhaps the Archmage had used magic to divine her thoughts, or perhaps she was just predictable. Regardless of how he knew, Zoraster's next statement confirmed that he knew her thoughts. "Ah yes, you assumed she was a simple thief intent upon robbing me for her own gain did you not? That is true, after a fashion. The full truth is she was captured in a blackmail net I have been casting for some time, to gather expendable resources. The gain was to protect her reputation and her livelihood." Celes winced inwardly at her cruel treatment of the other woman. Theft of Art was what had brought Celes here, and she hated those who did it above all else. Now that she knew Danica was a pawn, and one Zoraster planned to sacrifice when he was done playing with her, she regretted her every word to the red-haired woman. Again Zoraster laughed, "Ah yes, the sweet taste of regret. You offer it to me so often Celes, and such a fine vintage it is. Be prepared to take my little rose to the healer when she is done entertaining my men, she may be in need of it. Remember always my admonition to you about her." "I understand," Celes said with measured control obvious in her voice. Zoraster's laugh this time echoed off the walls, like a choir of the damned, from every angle, "Go — wait outside her door. I'm quite sure you will know when to go to her." ------- Danica awakened in a different room. She was lying on a slanted table, her legs spread wide and her feet in stirrups. The old woman and an old man in dark robes, trimmed with gold, sat in front of her. The man gingerly probed her, while the old woman looked on, as if to ensure he was doing only what he was supposed to be doing and nothing more. Danica looked and saw that she was split badly, bleeding more than a little. She had been washed from the waist to her knees, though drying cum still coated her everywhere else. Some sort of salve was spread over her sex and the area surrounding it. The salve must have been to numb her, because she could not feel the touch of the old man's fingers. The woman looked up, "Awake are ye? Split ye open bad he did, an' did a right number on yer innards with that pole too. Yer bein' lucky we got ye on potions and salves or ye'd not be wakin' up for long for the pain. He's gonna pray to his god ta heal ye, soon as he knows for sure what all he needs ta be healin'. Relax yerself an' don't be fussin' around." The healer shook his head, "I've seen men torn up less after a war. It is good for you I am strong with Tarchanak, or you might well have lost this one. The bleeding outside is a pittance to the bleeding inside — a slow trickle that would have taken days to finish her — and it would have been far too late by the time you'd have realized it." "Save yer lectures an' do yer work," the old woman said. The cleric shook his head again, and laid his hands over Danica's loins, and her tummy — just above her mound. "Tarchanak, I beg of thee the power to mend the wounds of this one who has serviced those who serve you, that she may continue to service their needs." This was followed by more words in a language that Danica didn't understand. Danica had been healed before, but never by a cleric of a dark god. The warmth she expected to feel flooding through her was an icy, biting cold instead. It spread through her tummy, her sex, her bottom — every part of her. It caused her to close her eyes and darkness to creep upon her. Then, as suddenly as it had started, it ended. "It is done," the old man said weakly and sat back. The crone nodded and moved him aside. She examined Danica carefully, and then, apparently satisfied that the healing was indeed complete, spoke words of magic. They vanished from the room in a flash of light. ------- The old woman opened the familiar door and led Danica into her prison. Danica's eyes widened when she saw the bed, soaked in cum and blood. "Get ye over here and help me. Suren' yer not wantin' to lay down in this mess now that the fun's over," Celes said with a cackle. The statement brought a rush of anger, coupled with a shudder of ecstasy that frightened and angered her more, as Danica remembered the constant stream of cocks that had been inside her — everywhere. At the forefront of her memories was the final monster, which had made her come harder than she had ever imagined, and nearly killed her. The old woman pulled the covers from the bed and made a tsk tsk sound when she saw the mattress was soaked through as well. "Put these over in the basket yonder," she said and pointed. She then walked over to the door and opened it. "Get ye somebody ta get me a new mattress, an' haul this one out. It's done for, fer sure," she said to someone outside, and then closed the door. Danica tossed the covers down hard in the basket and stared angrily at the old woman. "Ye can just stop yer scowlin' at me, lil' missy. I'm not the one what's punishin' ye, ye can be sure enough of that," Celes said with a veiled hint of anger and bitterness. As much as she wanted to apologize for the way she'd treated Danica, she couldn't bring herself to do so. Every word made her wince, but she was afraid to break out of character now. A knock sounded on the door, and Celes opened it. Two men entered carrying a mattress. The crone gestured impatiently, and the men removed the soiled mattress, replacing it in short order. They then immediately left the room, at the woman's insistence. Celes pulled new covers from a bedside table, tossing them on the bed. She then pulled a bundle from another drawer and handed it to Danica. "Put them there on," she instructed, and started putting the coverings on the bed. Danica unfolded the bundle, finding a soft, silk pair of panties and a silken shift. She slid on the panties and then pulled the shift over her head. The shift was short, barely covering the panties, and she knew if she bent in the slightest, or an errant breeze caught her, it wouldn't even do that. It was also extremely tight up top and had a low cut neckline, showing off her breasts to good effect. Danica rarely wore clothing when she was home alone. She hated the feeling of being constricted. After being naked and on display for so long, though, it felt good to be covered, and the silk felt incredible against her skin. Danica just barely caught the old woman looking at her, while finishing dressing the bed. The crone had looked back down almost immediately upon seeing Danica turn toward her. "Who are you?" Danica asked angrily as she sat down on the bed at the woman's urging, "What part are you supposed to be playing in Zoraster's little game. What do you want?" "What I want? That's a long story an' one yer not likely wantin' to be hearin'!" The cackle the old woman let out after the last had a note of longing and sadness in it, which Danica just barely noticed. "The part I play is an unwilling one and a willing one at the same time." Danica noticed the old woman had lost her strange accent completely when she said the last part. "What are you talking about?" Danica asked. Celes sighed, "What's it matter. It will probably only add to your torment and mine to tell the story, and that will amuse Zoraster to no ends." The crone sat down on the bed, "First off, this is not my body. Well it is, but it's not as it should be. Zoraster used his magic to age me. I'm probably about the same age as you. I'm telling you that now so you don't ask questions once I start telling you my story. Just be quiet and listen." Danica nodded, trying to look past the grey hairs, stooped shoulders, and wrinkles to see the woman behind the old flesh in front of her. Celes began, "I am adept in the Art. I have devoted my life to it, and have developed many original spells. Zoraster learned of me and of some of my original Art, and desired it for himself. He first offered ever-increasing prices to buy them, but I was unwilling to sell. He then decided to take them from me." Danica nodded and listened intently, anything she learned from this story could be useful. "I was lying spent with my partner, when he came in the night. It was not his entrance that awakened me, but her warm blood spurting on me as he slit her throat." Danica gasped at the horrible image the words of the aged woman conjured up. Then her eyes widened, as the combination of the words lover, and her, snapped into focus in her mind. Celes snorted, "I can see it in your eyes. Yes, I lie with women — I always have. I was not even yet a woman when I discovered that was what I was. A girlfriend and I were sleeping over at her house, and I could not sleep. She told me there was something she did which helped her to sleep when that happened. She demonstrated and guided my hand as I masturbated for the first time. It wasn't long after when we discovered there were many other ways two girls could do it better — but enough of that." Danica tried to hide her surprise. She had never met a woman who only lay with other women. Her sister Devan lay with both men and women, but she had never met one who had never had a man — or desired one. Thanks to the magic cast on her, she felt her body quiver and her pussy moisten at the thought. "I immediately rolled from the bed and arose shielded in my Art — ready to strike out and destroy the man who had taken my love away. I fell into the magic and sent forth my spell — which should have turned him to ashes. The spell dissolved and ran away from him like drops of water. He told me he was protected by a charm from Zoraster, and my magic could not harm him. He would have what he was sent after, but he was going to have some sport with me first." "He stripped off the dark clothing he wore and stalked toward me, knife and pole both pointing at me, with an evil grin on his face. He pushed me to the bed and pinned my legs up hard by my chest, then stuck the tip of the knife against my breast. When he looked down to try and push that thing inside me, I struck. I pulled a knife from under my pillow and cut his manhood from him in one clean stroke as he watched." Danica gasped at the thought, the woman had surely had her revenge — in whatever few moments the man who had killed her lover had to contemplate, before he bled to death. "Immediately after the local watch removed his body — and that of my dear love — I began to gather what I could and prepared to vanish. I knew Zoraster would never cease after that, until he had my Art and my life. I was nearly prepared when he came — personally — and took me. All my Art was like an errant breeze, as much as it affected him." Danica contemplated her own foolishness in attempting to steal the spell books. It was rumored that Zoraster was powerful, but to hear one accomplished in the Art — for the teleportation spell the old woman used with barely a thought was a very advanced spell — tell of his true power... "I awoke here, in this very room. He used the same Art on me he has on you. His men came to me and probed me, but I lay limp as a rag doll. They had their way with me, but none came back for a second round. Zoraster's Art wasn't strong enough to defy the truth of my heart, and there is no place for hairy men and their poles in my heart." Celes continued, "Zoraster was angry to the point of insensibility. They say he is mad, and indeed he is. He was frothing at the mouth when he came to punish me. 'I have your art already, bitch, but I'll have more from you, ' he said. 'If one torture doesn't work, another surely will!' Then he cast the spell that aged me." "He told me that men still saw me as I should be — young, beautiful, large firm breasts — but women would see me as I was, an old crone who has to blow the cobwebs off her pussy to masturbate. He can remove the illusion with a thought, but he most often leaves me to suffer it, unless it would be inconvenient. He also made sure that my female parts kept making the magic that makes me desire. He didn't let that fade with everything else when he aged me. Then he used his magic to prevent me from leaving this place except by his word, and set me free to wander it — to be cajoled by the men and teased by the women I would never be with." Danica reached out her hand and laid it on the old woman's — as a tear came to Celes' old eyes. Danica had thought this woman one of her torturers, and now knew she was actually a prisoner as well. "You are also part of my torture — a new twist that delights Zoraster to no ends. I have to see your gorgeous body every day and know I can't have you." Danica started a bit at the old woman's confession of desire for her. She also felt her body stir from the words, and caught herself again looking to try to see the young woman who should be sitting here, instead of a crone. Celes raised an eyebrow, and then slapped the bed, "Enough of that. Ye wanted answers and ye got 'em. Now be forgettin' it an' let me get back ta forgettin' it as well! I'm sorry fer the way I treated ye, I took ye fer naught but a damn thief no bettern' the madman. I dinna know til later ye were lured here by desperation. Get yerself into bed an' to sleep. I wish I could help ye dearie, but I can't. I fear for yer mind, 'cause I know he'll keep yer body healed." With that, the old woman left Danica to contemplate what she had heard. One thing stuck out, the old woman had said she was lured here. Danica wondered about that as she drifted off into slumber. ------- Danica awoke to her stomach rumbling, and her mouth as dry as a desert. It occurred to her she didn't know how long it had been since she had put anything in her stomach, except cum. A glance to the bedside table revealed a large platter of food, two pitchers of water, and a glass. The platter was steaming as if it had been left there only moments before. Danica devoured the food and finished half a pitcher of water before she lay back to let it settle. She dozed for a short while and then poured two more glasses of water. The need to urinate came over her, and she rose to go to the chamber pot. The door opened at that exact moment, and Zoraster strode in wearing the wicked, mad smile that always seemed to decorate his face. "Go to the tub and mount the seat," he commanded. Fear knotted in the pit of Danica's stomach. This madman was already torturing her — what worse fates would he devise, if she defied him? She hurriedly mounted the seat, clenching tightly against her straining bladder. Zoraster walked up before her, "Why do you strain to hold back nature, my little rose? Surely, it must be quite uncomfortable. Do relieve the pressure." The last had a hint of command in it, veiled, but there. Danica bit her lip, wondering what the madman was doing now. The fear gripped her tighter as he reached out and slit the silken panties she wore with a small knife he produced. "Part your lips and release, little rose," he said, and stared intently at her sex. The fear inside of Danica, coupled with the intense need to do exactly what he asked, caused her to obey without question or hesitation. Danica parted her lips with the fingers of one hand and released the pressure in her bladder. Her golden stream arched out, beating a tattoo against the side of the tub. A shudder ran through Zoraster as he watched, and he reached out his hand into the stream — shuddering again. He then leaned forward, flickering his tongue through the stream, until — with a final trickle — she was empty. Danica felt her body responding to this strange intimacy, the sharing of something so private, even though the sharing was with someone she reviled. He leaned farther and lapped up the last few trickling drops from her labia as she trembled with desire, despite herself. Zoraster chuckled, "Now lie down in the tub," as he leaned back to stand straight again. Danica obeyed, lying down in the tub — slick with her own pee. Zoraster shed his robes before her. Danica felt desire flare within her. Zoraster's body had always been hidden beneath his robes, but now she could see he was well-toned, perfectly proportioned, and had a large, gorgeous cock. He took his manhood in his hand as he stepped forward to hang it over the edge of the tub. The stream arching from him first hit her nether lips, then edged upward directly onto her clit, causing her to shudder. It then slid up to her breasts — one, then the other — splashing into her face. With no conscious direction, her tongue swirled out to taste. The golden liquid was bitter, yet also had a strangely sweet tang she had not anticipated. She got a better taste moments later as the stream went directly to her mouth. Danica closed her eyes, fascinated by the sound of the liquid filling her mouth — the taste strangely arousing. She was almost disappointed when it trickled to a halt. He moaned in approval as he saw her lapping at her face when he finished, and then loudly laughed when he saw her open her eyes wide — the brown orbs filled with surprised anger. "You quite enjoyed it didn't you, little rose?" he said and laughed. "I could see it in your eyes. My power works well, does it not? I enjoyed it very much as well." He then dressed and left the room without another word. Danica's face burned with shame, and she fell into the bed to cry. At last, she mastered her emotions somewhat and went over to the tub — where she ran bath water. She bathed and tried to forget, to drift away to another place. It worked to some extent as she dozed off. ------- Zoraster smiled as the door opened and Alyssa stepped out. The woman was smiling widely as well, making no effort to close her light, silken robe, which would have done nothing to hide her body had it been closed. Her small nipples were obviously hard, and trails of wetness ran down her thighs. When she reached Zoraster, she shivered slightly and her eyes rolled up in her head in ecstatic pleasure. Zoraster asked, "It is done?" "Mmm, yes. I have never experienced such intense pleasure from the rite, but it has never been performed with one who is not of our order before. I am pleased to have been chosen by my mistress to perform it, and pleased that you requested it." The woman moved in closer to Zoraster, arousal and need shining brightly in her eyes. Zoraster reached out and touched the woman's pale breasts, holding her back, though the touch brought a smile to her lips. "Not today, Alyssa. I have pressing matters," Zoraster informed her. The woman pouted — a look she had obviously perfected. She then pointed at a guard nearby and asked, "Can I borrow that one then?" Zoraster laughed, "Very well." He turned to the guard and said, "You are relieved of duty for the remainder of this day and the next. I fear you will be of little use tomorrow, after a day with Alyssa. You might wish to contact your next of kin — considering the state she is in at the moment." "Least I'd die happy, Sir," the guard said with a smile. "Indeed," Zoraster chuckled in response. The pale-skinned woman walked over and pulled on the front of the guard's trousers, with absolutely no hesitation. "Oh yes, you will do," she said with a smile, and then used the easy handle she had acquired to lead the guard off, down the hall. Zoraster looked back at the door from which Alyssa had emerged. "This should prove most intriguing." ------- For two days, no one came. Not Zoraster, not the old woman — no one... Only servants would bring her food, drink, and fresh clothing. All the clothing was made of silk, and all very revealing. No matter how hard she tried to resist it, Danica masturbated often. It seemed her body starved for satisfaction, and if she didn't get it, it nearly drove her mad. On this second day, she could not have been awake more than six hours, yet she had stroked her sex until she had reached a dozen climaxes. She lay on the bed now, about half an hour after the last time she had made herself come, and cursed Zoraster's magic for doing this to her. She felt wetness gathering between her legs, and the ache for relief building within her again. Danica hadn't even realized she'd touched herself, when the door opened. She started and snatched her hand away from her throbbing clit. A large man carrying a leather bag entered. He said not a word, but simply shut the door, crossing the room with long strides, and sat the bag down. Danica didn't even have time to offer even the slightest query before the man grasped her by the hair and pulled her upright with one hand. Tears came to her eyes and a scream passed her lips as the man roughly jerked her upright. Danica's arms were pulled around behind her, where they were quickly and efficiently manacled. She was then spun around and slammed down, face first on the bed. She attempted to wriggle and get up, screaming at the silent man, "No! What do you want?" The only response she received was to feel her legs pulled roughly together and rope slipping around her ankles. She struggled harder, but ceased quickly as she was once again jerked up by her hair off the bed. A slid around her neck and pulled uncomfortably tight. Danica struggled again, and her eyes went wide as she felt the rope around her neck tighten. If she moved her legs more than a fraction of an inch from where they were, the rope began to cut off her breath. She scrunched up until she could breathe freely again, leaving her lying face down on the bed, her ass high in the air. Danica turned her head to the side so she was not face down in the coverings, and saw the man digging in the bag. She screamed, "What are you doing?" "I have been instructed to teach you your place and remind you of your folly." The man smiled and reached into his bag. He pulled forth a leather strap, and left the range of her vision. There wasn't even time for Danica to offer another word of protest before the strap came down. With a loud crack, it connected with the soft, tender flesh of Danica's bottom. She let out a yelp born of surprise and pain — and then another as the strap hit again on her other cheek. Again and again, the strap fell. Danica's ass burned and throbbed from the abuse, feeling as if it was on fire, every stroke of the leather feeling like a knife cutting into her flesh. She heard the man emitting satisfied grunts each time the lash fell on her. Even as her ass burned, so did her desire, she could feel the silken panties beginning to cling to her as her pussy lubricated. In the split second between two strikes, she flared again with anger at Zoraster's hated magic. She couldn't have counted the number of times the lash fell on her stinging ass. She didn't even notice when it ceased to fall for few moments. When she realized it, she opened her tear-filled eyes and saw her torturer rummaging through his bag again, the leather strap lying on the bedside table. A knife came out, and Danica gasped. With a swift and efficient movement, the man slit the rope connecting her neck and ankles. The noose around her neck loosened and slid down to rest on the bed below her. He then cut the ropes from her ankles and tossed them aside. Danica tried to move, but a stab of pain from her ass caused her to scream and bury her face in the covers. Danica felt hands tightly grip her arm, and then she was flipped over onto her back. Her eyes widened as she spun over and caught a glimpse of her ass in a mirror across the room. Her bottom was as bright red as an apple, and criss-crossed with welts from the lash. Tears came to her eyes as her abused rear slammed down onto the bed. The man leaned over her, the gleaming knife in hand. A single pull of the knife slit the silken shift she was wearing, from hem to neck. A quick brush of his hands caused it to fall off to either side, revealing her breasts. Another absent pull of the blade slit her panties, and a brush of his strong hands cast these aside too. Danica tried to lurch away as the man grabbed a length of rope from the bag. He then grabbed one of her knees and pulled it out wide toward the edge of the bed. His hand shot out and backhanded her hard across the face, snapping her head to the side. "Do not try that again, or I shall cause you much pain," the man said in a low, deep, ominous voice. Cause me pain! Danica thought, What does he think he's doing now? What worse could he do? That thought sent a wave of fear through her as she considered what worse pain this horrible man might have waiting for her in his twisted mind. Danica quivered as one, and then the other knee was pulled wide and bound with rope to something at the base of the bed. There wasn't the slightest slack in the ropes, and the muscles of her thighs burned from being stretched so taut. Her tormentor reached over and took up the leather strap again. His crotch was level with Danica's eyes, and she could see a substantial bulge in his trousers. There was a look of rapture on his face as the lash came down. It connected with a crack on Danica's left breast, right on top of her erect nipple. She yelped in pain, and the man grunted in pleasure as he raised the lash again. The strap fell on her right breast, in the same spot. Then it went back to the left again. The lash rose and fell in a measured pattern, drawing the gasps, yelps, and screams the man obviously desired — for he shuddered each time one escaped her. Danica stared with morbid curiosity — through tear-filled eyes — at her breasts. They were as red as her ass now, and crossed with welts as well. Her nipples still stood tall and erect, seemingly begging for more, and her loins ached with desire. She could feel the first few drops of wetness running down her buttocks, physical manifestation of how aroused she was. A few more strokes fell — left, right, left, right — and then, without warning, the next stroke changed angles. It came down with a loud smack, directly on her nether lips. The loudest scream yet escaped Danica as her labia and clitoris throbbed from the pain. It was echoed equally loud when the strap fell on her yet again. Each stroke perfectly aligned with her, catching every single inch of her sex with the wide leather strap. Now, the measured strokes alternated between her pussy and breasts. Danica could barely scream from gasping for breath, partially from pain, and partially from desire burning in her caused by Zoraster's damnable magic. The strokes stopped falling. Danica's tormenter pulled her head up, and a glass of water was pressed against her lips. Apparently, her screams were growing too hoarse for the twisted man. Despite the desire to defy him, she greedily drank down every drop of the water. The man put the glass back on the table, and again reached into the bag. She saw the lash lying on the bedside table. It was glistening on its looped end with her wetness, from when it had struck her soaked sex. The man pulled a large candle from the bag and lit it. He watched it burn for a few moments with a wide smile on his face, and then brought it to hover over Danica. He tilted it, ever so slightly, and Danica watched, as time seemed to grind to a halt. She saw the drop of wax slide slowly over the lip of the candle, down about half its length, and then fall into open air. It appeared to fall with agonizing slowness toward her, and then time resumed its march as the drop hit and splattered directly over her right nipple. Danica wailed in pain as a second drop struck near to the first. Another drop fell in her cleavage, next to Zoraster's charm, as the candle crossed to her other breast. A drop fell on the swell of her left breast as he positioned the candle again, to drip thrice, directly on her nipple. The burning drops continued to fall. The sting of each drop caused Danica to writhe on the bed — as much as she was able, considering her bonds. Her head lashed back and forth, and all the while, her pussy dripped onto the bed below. Soon, her breasts were nearly covered in cooled wax. The candle went into a holder, and the man painfully peeled the cooled wax from her breasts. Danica gasped and sobbed, fighting to bring enough air into her lungs. When the man picked up the candle, Danica knew what was coming before he had even moved, and she trembled in fearful anticipation. He positioned the candle to hover between her legs. The first drop fell and splattered on her mound, directly on the little patch of hair she left unshaven. A dozen stinging drops fell there before the candle moved over one, then the other of her sensitive thighs. Again, the barrage of painful drops stabbed into her, for what seemed to be eternity. Each time they edged closer to her sex — building the anticipation, the pain, the fear — and the desire inside her. The first drop spattered on her outer lips. A scream, the loudest she could muster from her dry, hoarse throat, echoed through the room. Another fell on the other side, then another. Then the candle edged back to the left again. The fifth drop connected with her protruding inner lips. Danica's croaking cry of pain drew a moan of pleasure from the man with the candle. Then he leaned in close, drawing the candle near her, leaving it fully upright. Danica could see the melted wax pooling around the burning wick as the man lifted her hood with his fingers. The candle tilted, and a small stream of molten wax washed over Danica's clit. She screamed a staccato series of yelps as the hot wax burned into that most sensitive of flesh, seeming to cool with agonizing slowness — hardening around her bud. Blackness swam at the edge of her vision. The man moaned low in his throat and blew out the candle. He stepped out of his trousers with the same efficiency he had shown throughout the entire time he had been in the room. He scraped the cooled wax from her and mounted her. So aroused was Danica, that she came despite the pain, the second time his cock slid into her. Her screams of mixed pleasure and pain were barely croaks, so hoarse was she from screaming all this time. The man pounded her mercilessly. His hands reached up and grabbed her nipples, pinching them tightly, pulling them toward him as he thrust hard and fast inside of her. Each stroke caused her head to bang painfully against the headboard, yet she just kept coming. He then pulled from her and stroked his cock. A spurt of cum shot into her face and hair, one of her eyes, and over her lips. She licked greedily at the sticky stream where her tongue could reach it. The next spurt was on her breasts, then another on her tummy. The last few oozing drops dripped down onto her throbbing pussy, sending her into a final wave of climax. The man wiped himself off with the corner of a cover from the bed and pulled on his trousers. He then gathered up his torture tools, picked up the bag, and left without another word. Danica lay, gasping hoarsely. She drifted on the edge of consciousness — burning lash marks and wax burns covering her, soaked in her cum and his, barely aware of anything going on in the room. ------- Part 1C Danica only knew she'd lost consciousness when the old woman awakened her. "Get yerself up. We're off ta the healers again. Garthak worked ye over good." Danica didn't protest, because the moment she fully awakened, she was painfully aware of the burning and stinging in all her most sensitive parts. Danica stood and followed the old woman out the door. She hesitated when she realized she was still stark naked and spattered with dried cum. "There ain't no time to be fiddlin' with that. Jus' c'mon, dear," Celes said as she opened the door. When they passed outside, the old woman spoke words of magic, whisking them both away from the leering eyes of the guard in the hall. They appeared in the healer's quarters and he started, nearly falling from his chair. As he stood, he exclaimed, "Damn you woman! Can you not walk like a civilized person?" "Quit yer bellyachin' an' do yer job," Celes said while motioning for Danica to lie on the slanted table again. "Hmmph, you could at least clean her up and dress her before you bring her here," the old man admonished as he sat down in front of Danica. "Why? There weren't no time to be hosin' her down, an' ye just gotta take 'er clothes off ta see what needs healin' anyhow. Seein' her in the all-together remind ye too much that yer old pole don't stand up no more?" Celes let out an amused cackle. "My order takes a vow of chastity from the moment they choose this path in life," the old healer said with a snort. "Somebody should tell that to the pages yer order has runnin' about the temple. Might save 'em a right lot of fondlin'," the old woman shot back. The healer turned around and glared, but then returned to his examination. He entreated his god for power, and once again, the stinging cold spread through Danica's body. The welts smoothed and the redness faded from her skin as the healing magic did its work. The old woman teleported the both of them back to the hallway outside Danica's prison. She opened the door and said, "Get yerself on in," turning to leave as she spoke. "Aren't you coming in?" Danica asked. The magically aged woman was the closest thing she had to a friend in this place, and she felt the need for one now. "No," the old woman replied, the cackling accent gone, as she walked away down the hallway. Danica walked into the room and found it was not empty. "Welcome, Danica. I'm Camilla," said a woman seated on the bed. Danica looked the woman over as she shut the door. The unexpected visitor was dressed in a tight fitting gown, cut low in the neck and slit high from the hem — showing off her curves as she lounged on the bed. Her hair was black as night, and hung down a few inches below her shoulders. Her breasts, straining against the fabric, were not as large as Danica's, but still quite substantial. Her eyes were dark, and she had full, sensual lips — painted a bright red. "Quite a frightful mess aren't you?" Camilla said and rose from the bed. "I've changed the bed and drawn a bath. Why don't you get cleaned up?" Danica walked past the woman and ascended the steps to the tub. She eased down into the water with a sigh, wondering what the woman's game was. The newcomer walked over in front of the tub and peeled off the dress she wore. Danica felt her loins stir as Camilla undressed, and color rose to her cheeks because of it. The woman's breasts were indeed just slightly smaller than Danica's, with nipples that were not so big around, but much longer. Her mound was adorned with a dark tangle of shortly trimmed hair. Camilla ascended the steps on the side of the tub and eased down into the water with a sigh that echoed the one Danica had emitted earlier. She then reached over for a cloth and leaned toward Danica. She handed a cloth to Danica, and then ran her own over Danica's body. Danica tingled with each touch. The cloth running softly over her neck, back, and tummy was deeply sensual and arousing. Camilla then brought the cloth to Danica's breasts — lingering on her nipples — taking far longer than was necessary to clean her, looking at Danica intently as she did so. When Danica made no move, Camilla reached down and guided the hand with the cloth up to her own breast. Danica started to wash her fellow bather, finding her thoughts — and hands — lingering on the woman's breasts. They washed each other sensually, the raven-haired beauty even moaning slightly as they labored over each other's bodies. They washed each other's hair, and then Camilla patted the seat above the tub. "You're getting stubbly," she said with a note of teasing in her voice. Danica's face turned bright red, but she climbed up on the seat. The other woman rose up from the tub between Danica's outspread legs and reached over to pick up the razor. Danica's legs were smooth again in no time. Camilla then put her free hand on Danica's thigh and went to work between Danica's legs. She lingered much longer in this, pulling Danica's labia aside to make sure she got each and every tiny bit of stubble with the razor. She finished by carefully shaving around the tiny elongated triangle of hair Danica left on her mound, and trimming it just a bit with clippers. Danica felt gathering moisture between her legs as the woman touched her. Camilla ran her fingers over Danica's nether lips, as if to evaluate her work. "There — all nice and smooth again. Not bad for my first time," she said with a smile. She then grasped Danica's hand and led her back down into the tub. As soon as Danica was back in the tub, the woman climbed up on the seat herself. "Do it for me," she said, her tone a mixture of request and command. Danica rose up out of the water between the woman's legs. The legs were smooth, so Danica assumed the woman wanted her sex shaven. She began with the clippers, trimming down all the hair as short as she possibly could. She then went to work with the razor, all the practiced speed of one who has done this task daily for years evident in her work. As she did so, however, she lingered as she touched the woman in front of her. Danica was getting wetter by the moment, and the water she stood in had nothing to do with it. Danica ran her fingers over Camilla's smooth skin when she finished, feeling a shudder run through her. Camilla did the same, and let out a pleasure-filled moan. "I like it," she said with a smile, then put her hand behind Danica's head, and twined her fingers through the auburn curls. Gentle pressure then pulled Danica's head toward the woman's freshly shaven nether lips. Danica resisted, and the pressure increased, the fingers twined in her hair tightening to pull at the follicles painfully. Danica couldn't resist the woman's strength, nor could she resist the need inside her that was growing by the moment. Her face slid in between Camilla's thighs, and she was quickly right up against the other woman's pussy, which was glistening with wetness that had nothing to do with the bath either. "You know what makes you feel good — do it to me, now," Camilla said with an authoritative note in her voice, and pulled Danica's face hard against her. Danica's tongue snaked out, surprising her because she had thought to resist. She had never even considered licking another woman, yet here she was almost hungering for it. Her tongue slid along the length of the parting of the woman's lips, and then between them. Her pulse raced from the feeling of soft resistance from Camilla's labia as her tongue slid between them. An approving moan sounded from the dark-haired woman. Danica wiggled her tongue, probing deeper, and got her first real taste of a woman. The bittersweet taste and the heady scent of arousal made Danica's head swim. She lapped at Camilla's walls, then back out to the labia. Taking them between her own lips, Danica marveled at the texture of them. The woman's lips felt so different in her mouth than they did beneath her fingertips. "Mmmm, that's it, little one, make it feel good," Camilla moaned. Danica reached up and parted the woman's folds with her fingers. She stabbed her tongue deep inside, seeking the gathered wetness, and got another moan in response. She pulled back and flicked her tongue over the soft labia, and then sucked them one after another between her lips, still lost in the fascinating texture of them. Danica couldn't resist probing back in with her tongue to gather up the fresh wetness seeping there. The woman she was licking with such need began to breathe harder and moan more passionately. Danica hadn't even realized her other hand had snaked around behind her to tame her own needs. Lifting Camilla's hood, Danica swirled her tongue over the erect bud beneath. This drew a long groan from the woman and caused her to pull Danica's face tighter against her. Danica lapped, sucked, and probed — suddenly needing to feel this woman come on her tongue. She was rubbing her own folds quickly with her other hand. Camilla grabbed the arm Danica was pleasuring herself with and pulled it away from her pussy. Danica moaned in protest, but the woman admonished, "Concentrate on what you're doing. There's time enough for that later." Danica found she had little trouble ignoring the need of her own body, so entranced was she by her first taste of a woman. Her tongue darted all over the folds in front of her, slid down to swirl around the iris of Camilla's ass, and even probed slightly inside it. Danica felt the hands on the side of her head grip tighter, and she was pulled hard up against the pussy she was hungrily devouring, centering her lips over the swollen clit, which was well revealed by Camilla lifting her hood out of the way. Danica sucked the throbbing bud between her lips, and kept sucking while she flicked her tongue all over it rapidly. The raven-haired woman's moans were becoming staccato now, and she ground her pussy into Danica's face, rubbing her labia over Danica's chin. Suddenly the hands gripping Danica's head twined painfully in her hair. Danica heard a loud scream of ecstasy and felt an amazing release, the likes of which she had never dreamed of. The pussy she was lapping was gushing. It was not oozing — not flowing — but gushing into her open mouth. Bittersweet juices squirted out in a torrent to splash all over Danica's face, hair, and breasts, absolutely soaking her as she rode the bucking woman who held her tight. Another pair of quick spurts followed the initial flood, and then the hands holding her relaxed slightly. Danica moved back with wide eyes, amazed at what she had just witnessed, awe struck by how much it had aroused her. Camilla panted and shuddered through the aftershocks of her incredible orgasm, and then looked down at Danica's soaked face with a smile. She rubbed her hands over Danica's face, gathering up the wetness, and brought it to her own lips with a purr. The dark-haired beauty moaned long and deep, then said, "Incredible wasn't it? As amazing as it is to see, feel, and cause, it's even more amazing to experience." Camilla sat up and stepped from the chair with a final shudder, and then climbed down the steps from the tub, "I'm going to teach you to feel it, to make that sweet pussy squirt a flood onto your lover's face. Get out of the tub." Danica climbed out as the woman toweled first herself, then Danica dry. She then led Danica over to the bed and pointed to direct her to lie down. Danica was perplexed to find she didn't have the slightest objection to this woman preparing to put her mouth on her, and to find she needed it so badly that she ached. Was Zoraster's magic overwhelming her completely? Was she to be a wanton sex slave that desired anything remotely sexual with a hunger that could not be sated? Camilla instructed, "Go to the chamber pot and relieve yourself — then return." Danica moaned slightly in protest of the delay, but obeyed. She did not really feel the need, but found that when she squatted over the chamber pot that she indeed did have a slight need to go. She returned to the bed when she had finished. Camilla directed Danica to lie down, and she did so, spreading her legs wide and causing a knowing smile to creep over the face of the woman now leaning down onto the bed. "You will not touch yourself in any way. I am in control," the woman instructed, "You will reach your peak when I decide to let you. When you do, I want you to push like you are trying to pee. Push hard. Your bladder is empty, so that's not what's going to happen. What should happen is that you should gush, at least a little. If you do not, I'm going to be very cross with you. Biting arouses me a great deal, and I know any damage I do will be healed quickly because of Zoraster's interest in you. If you fail to gush at all, I will indulge that little fantasy to its fullest. Do you understand?" Danica's eyes widened, and she nodded in the affirmative. Camilla smiled and slid her face down between Danica's legs. The first feather light touch of another woman's tongue on her sex caused Danica to shiver uncontrollably for a moment, though it seemed it was never going to end to her. When at last the quake finished with her, she felt in earnest what it was like to be loved by a woman. She watched intently as Camilla lapped and sucked her, always looking up into her eyes with a sultry stare, which only turned Danica on even more. Danica was building toward an orgasm quickly as the woman's tongue and lips probed and sucked her at a feverish pace. She was nearly to her peak and ready to topple over when Camilla pulled away. "Not yet," Camilla said with a wicked smile as she avoided Danica's hands and legs trying to pull her face back in to finish the job. Instead, she climbed over and pressed her lips against Danica's in a kiss. Danica returned the kiss passionately, and lapped her own juices from the woman's face when their lips parted. Camilla smiled darkly — erotically — and then moved downward to suck one of Danica's large nipples into her mouth. She suckled it for a few moments, and then bit down. It was enough to be painful, but not enough to draw blood. She then repeated the action on the other nipple. The temptress then shuddered in ecstasy and moved back down between Danica's thighs. Danica ground her pussy into the woman's face. The fire that had been building inside her had cooled somewhat, but was growing to a white-hot flame quickly under the woman's expert tongue. Again, just as Danica was about to explode, Camilla pulled away. Just before she denied Danica, she bit her clit. The bite was not as hard as the one to her nipple, but it was enough to make Danica's head swim. A few moments later, the evil tongue was back inside her again. Again and again, Danica was drawn to the heights of ecstasy, only to be left teetering and sliding back down at the last crucial moment. Danica was almost sobbing, begging the woman to make her come. The raven-haired beauty only smiled wickedly as she looked up into Danica's tortured eyes. Again, Danica was brought to her heights — and again she was denied. Dozens of times she was brought so close only to be left to cool. Finally, Camilla said, "I'm going to give you your release now. You're built up and ready. Remember — push when you come. You know what will happen if you fail me." With that, Camilla slid a finger into Danica's depths. When she pulled it free, it was completely coated in Danica's juices. The dark-haired woman slid it slowly into the iris of Danica's ass, bringing a gasp from her. Two fingers of Camilla's other hand pressed inside Danica and up behind her mound. Danica knew what the woman was doing, as she had discovered that magical spot while masturbating at an early age. The deep throbbing she expected built inside her as the woman stroked with her two fingers while spinning the other in her ass. Camilla's lips then closed over Danica's clit, sucking hard, with her tongue dancing over it at a speed that seemed almost impossible. Danica writhed and squealed, grinding her hips upward into the woman's face. She humped against the fingers inside her, trying to get more. Danica was so lost in the deep pulsing feeling of her orgasm building inside her, that it nearly took her unaware when it burst into being. At the last moment, Danica remembered to push. She contracted her muscles hard — at least as hard as she could muster — as the orgasm rushed over her. She felt the warm flood erupting from her, and caught a glimpse of her woman cum erupting into Camilla's face. She felt it spurting with each wave of the multiple orgasms she was experiencing, though only the first managed to truly squirt out from between her lips. Camilla pulled away and licked her lips, leaving Danica to writhe and bounce on the bed as the final waves of orgasm — and the following aftershocks — took complete control of her body. When at last Danica came down enough to open her eyes for more than a few seconds, she saw the dark-haired woman was dressed and preparing to leave. "I'm impressed," Camilla said with a smile. "I've never had a first timer open up with a geyser like that. You'll only get better at it with practice. You'll be filling buckets before long," she finished with a laugh. Danica lay panting for breath on the soaked bed, wondering what the woman was talking about, but truly not caring very much in the wake of the incredible orgasm she had just experienced. ------- The old woman came in the next morning to help Danica redress the bed and bathe. When Danica stepped out of the bath she asked, "How long have you been here?" Celes said, "Nigh unto eleven months that I know of, dearie. Who knows how long I was here, bein' tortured, before that. Don't be thinkin' that ye're gonna be gettin' away any time soon." Danica had been hoping for something indicating her torture might be nearly over. What more could the psycho who imprisoned her here do? "Another buncha men just returned with the spoils o' victory. I'm for fearin' ye're short ta get a workout and mess these sheets again," the crone informed Danica gravely. She handed Danica some sort of tube with a skinny stem, and said, "Ye'll want to be puttin' that in yer bottom, I'm fer thinkin'." Danica felt her sex start to ache at the thought. "What has he done to me?" she sobbed. "I want it — need it. Damn his magic!" The old woman glanced away. "Aye, damn his magic. I wouldn't be wastin' time dressin' yerself. They'll likely be here 'fore the hours out." With that, the old woman left. Danica squeezed the lubrication into her ass, shuddering from the warm feeling it spread through her. The salve had to be magical, to stay slippery like it did for hours on end. It was barely ten minutes before Zoraster arrived with five men in tow. They did not appear to be the burly type who would be soldiers except for one, and Zoraster's speech to the men as he offered her as part of their compensation, indicated they were more or less thieves. The ten minutes waiting on what she knew was to come had been torture to Danica. Her body had begged for them to come, now. Danica was soaked and dripping when they arrived. As soon as Zoraster left the room, she jumped up and helped yank down the trousers of the first man she came across. He laughed and said, "Eager little beaver." He then picked her up and carried her to the bed. He threw her down and wasted no time mounting her. He was average-sized at best, and Danica was humping back at him trying to get more inside her aching depths. "Not enough for ya huh?" the man laughed. "Cyric, come here an' lend me some help." The man mounting her then moved forward and angled his cock downward inside her. Another man, about the same size, slid his cock inside Danica below the first man's manhood. Danica gasped as she was filled with two cocks at the same time. The two men had obviously done this before, because they moved in perfect synchronization. They were stroking in and out at exactly the same time. Danica started to soar toward her heights, and moaned in protest when she felt both men release their cream into her depths. Both men pulled free, but she was immediately filled with a much larger cock. The man pounded her, and it took only a few short moments for Danica to soar upward and reach her peak. She screamed loud as she reached her zenith and prepared to tumble over into orgasm, "Harder! Faster! Now! More!" The man complied, slamming into her even harder. Danica came, writhing on the bed, grinding against the cock inside her. Her walls contracting around the man set him off, and Danica felt the hot jets of his cum spurting inside her. One of the other men laughed at him and said, "Now we know why they call you Brandon the Quick!" "Just you all wait, ye'll see what she gets the next time around," the man retorted as he pulled free. Another man walked over and flipped her over on her knees. He pushed inside her and stroked a few times, then pulled free and roughly shoved his cock in Danica's ass. Danica gasped and rubbed her clit as the man fucked her ass hard. Another cock pressed against her lips, and she gobbled it up greedily, sucking for her reward. Danica came again, and the tightening of her ass set off the man buried there. She felt the warm rush of his cum in her ass and felt it dripping down into her pussy as he pulled free. She turned her attention to the cock in her mouth, and he was spastically ejaculating only a few sucks later. The men gathered around the bed and one said, "Why don't you take care of yourself for a few minutes while we recover?" Danica rolled over on her back, rubbing and probing her wet heat, to the delight of the watching men. After a few minutes of her softly rubbing her folds and begging to be filled again, one of the first two men stroked his cock to hardness. He climbed over her and slid her breasts together, stroking his manhood between them and into her eagerly sucking mouth as her fingers continued to tease between her legs. Danica came, screaming around the cock in her mouth. The man pulled away from her for a moment, and another lifted her up and slid under her. He thrust his cock into her soaked pussy, stroked it a couple of times to get it slick, and then lifted her again and sat her down with his cock aimed straight in her ass. She gasped as the intruder buried to the hilt inside her. The man who had been fucking her tits slid back into place and she started sucking him again. She had just sucked the tip of the rod between her breasts back into her mouth when she felt another man part her labia and stretch her walls with his cock. Moments later, the man atop her exploded, spraying her face with cum. He continued to stroke his cock between her breasts as she tried to get her mouth in line to catch the spurts, and then to lap at her face and gather up any she could reach that she had missed. Danica was nearing another climax. The man who had just covered her face moved aside and another replaced him. In the few moments she had a clear view, she saw it was 'Brandon the Quick' who was pounding her pussy so well. Danica felt the man taking her ass slam home hard as he reached orgasm, and it set her off as well. She quaked under the weight of the men holding her down, her body trying to buck its way through the powerful throes. The man below her managed to pull out and slide free. Danica lifted her head, trying to get more of the cock between her breasts into her mouth. The man obliged her by letting go of her breasts and simply thrusting into her mouth. After a moment of surprised choking, Danica gasped and moaned around his cock as her pussy was still being pounded — hard, fast, and relentlessly. The man fucking her mouth pulled free and sent another shower of cum into her wide-open mouth, and all over her. He hadn't even had time to climb off her when her upper body was pulled over toward the edge of the bed and another erection pressed against her lips. The furious assault her pussy was getting was now being augmented by a finger slid deep into her ass, and two more — her own — rolling her clit beneath its hood. Danica exploded into a powerful series of multiple orgasms as the man continued his seemingly unstoppable assault on her depths. The man fucking her mouth exploded, sending hot spurts against the back of Danica's throat. She swallowed greedily for every drop until the man pulled from her mouth with a wet pop. Most of the men were haltingly getting dressed. One stepped into the place where the other had just left, stroking his cock. He laid it over her mouth and Danica sucked it between her lips, trying to massage it back to hardness. All the while, 'Brandon the Quick' was showing another reason he might have gotten his nickname, as he thrust into her at the same incredible pace. The cock in her mouth grew hard, and then slid from her lips. "Oy Brandon, roll her over and let me have a go at that tight lil' ass." Brandon pulled free for a moment and rolled Danica over onto her knees. He let the other man climb over her and dip his cock into her slick depths for a few strokes, and then bury it in her ass. Brandon then pushed slowly back inside her, and resumed his relentless stroking of Danica's depths. Danica came again — free to scream without muffling this time. It felt good to vocalize her pleasure, and she did so loudly. The double assault, with Brandon pounding her so furiously, triggered a series of orgasms that Danica thought would never end. Once more, Danica felt a hot rush of semen fill her ass. The man pulled free and climbed off of her. Brandon then grabbed her hips and added some extra strength to his fast thrusts. "Oh yes, give it to me!" Danica found she was screaming, feeling the pressure of another orgasm swelling within her almost immediately, "Give it to me hard! Fill me up!" Brandon smiled wide and released his mental controls, "Make that sweet lil' pussy come for me one more time, and then I'll fill yer mouth up." Danica stroked her clit furiously. It was starting to ache a bit from being rubbed so much, but that only seemed to add to Danica's arousal. He slid one finger, and then another into her ass, stroking them in and out as he pounded her. Danica drew near to the edge, and at the last moment, she pushed. This time, she gushed in a torrent rivaling Camilla's earlier. It squirted out around the cock pounding her with every stroke as she collapsed face first into the bed screaming. "Damn me, but that's coming!" Brandon grunted and pulled free. A long stream of juices shot from Danica just as he withdrew from her, drawing a chuckle from him as it soaked him. He moved quickly off the bed and up to Danica. She gasped for breath as she rolled over and opened her mouth wide. Reaching around behind him to grip his muscular buttocks, she pulled Brandon closer. He pushed her hand aside and put the head of his cock right next to her lips. Danica kept her mouth wide open and tickled the head with the tip of her tongue as he stroked his erection. A moment later, he came a few spurts into her mouth. He then oozed a large amount of thick cream, which she gathered up with her tongue. Danica surged forward and engulfed his cock, absolutely covered in her own juices, into her mouth. This drew a last hard squirt to the back of her throat. She kept sucking him deep into her throat until he pulled free. Brandon knelt down beside her and turned her face upward. He kissed her passionately, his tongue wrangling with hers. "Damn me but that was incredible," he said as he stood back up. "Guess I showed them didn't I?" he said with a grin. "Mmm, Oh yes," Danica agreed and licked her lips. He laughed, got dressed, and left. Danica lay on the bed until she could catch her breath and gather her strength. She then drank down enough water to relieve her considerable thirst and went to bathe. She changed the covers after her bath and fell asleep on the warm bed. ------- Danica was left alone for the rest of the day and night, and fell into routine. She attended to the needs of her body — the most frequent her need to come — and tried to ignore the oppressive gloom of boredom she felt. Her emotions ran the gambit constantly — first angry, then crying, then aroused, then bored, and then angry again. The next day, the horrible man with his bag of tricks opened the door to her room with a grin. Danica's temper was flaring when he arrived and she screamed, "Fuck you bastard!" when he came in. "Soon enough," he replied, sat his bag down on the bedside table, and pulled out several long lengths of rope. When he walked over to Danica, she slapped and clawed at him, hurling curses the whole time. She was only able to get off a couple of hits before a strong hand grabbed her wrist and pulled it around behind her back painfully, dropping her to her knees. "Such a feisty kitten," he said with a smile, as she fought the tears the pain in her wrist was causing. The man lifted her arm out to the side and pushed her roughly back down to the floor as Danica tried to rise, smacking her hard across the face and bloodying her lip. Danica spat more curses at the man. He ignored her outbursts with an evil smile and tightened the knot around her wrist. He then grabbed her other arm and did the same. He stepped over to pull a chair near, and again slapped Danica hard when she tried to rise. He pulled the chair over and stood up on it, grabbing both ropes. Danica tried to rise again, but his foot pressed against her shoulders and held her down. She tried to roll away, and the man jumped down from the chair. He pulled her face up into view by using the easy handle of her hair, and slapped her twice hard across the mouth. He then walked over and got something from the bag as Danica tried to rise — with little success — against the dizziness his strikes had caused her. He clamped some sort of clip on a chain onto her left nipple, and then repeated the process with the clip on the other end of the chain to her right breast. He then pushed her down and clamped a third clip to her hood. He snorted with satisfaction and climbed back up on the chair. Danica tried to rise again, but she had barely moved when the clips started to do their work. Her breasts and hood felt the bite of the metal teeth as she tried to straighten, bringing tears to her eyes and immediately forcing her to her knees again. He gathered up the ropes again and pulled Danica's hands up over her head. It pulled the clips slightly when he did so, and Danica fought back tears as she whimpered in pain. He put the ropes through two rings in the ceiling, which Danica had never noticed being there before, and pulled. Danica rose up off the ground with a scream as the clips bit in hard. She scrunched up to try to keep the chains from pulling taut. She felt her muscles burning as she held herself there, while the man tied the two ropes off, leaving her suspended in the air. Garthak removed the clip from her hood, and Danica let her legs fall heavily to swing a few inches from the floor. He then tightened ropes around each of her ankles and tied them off, one to the bottom of the bed, the other to something just inside the closet. Only then did he remove the clips from her nipples. He stepped back to inspect his work with a smile. Danica was suspended, spread eagle, in front of him. She was pulled taut, and her muscles ached already. Garthak pulled a thin, narrow piece of wood about two feet long from his horrible bag, and walked around behind Danica. She closed her eyes and steeled herself, though it did nothing to lessen the sting as the strike connected with her skin. She cursed him with every swift stroke to her ass. He smacked her quickly, over and over again, the wood biting into her flesh. Her curses became half screams of pain. She ceased her cursing and resorted to simply screaming after a while, as she didn't have the presence of mind left to form the words. All the while, she felt wetness gathering between her legs. Anger swelled up inside her, because her body was responding with arousal. He walked back in front of her and didn't waste a moment, bringing the slender piece of wood down hard on her left nipple. Danica yelped and swayed on the ropes, spitting at him on instinct. She missed, and only drew a smile as the wood fell on her other nipple. Danica watched with terrified fascination as the wood beat a tattoo against her breasts and they turned bright red under the assault. Incessantly the sharp crack sounded, followed by Danica's equally sharp yelp of pain. As had happened the last time Garthak had come to torture her, the angle suddenly changed. The wood resounded with a more muffled crack as it hit Danica's folds. She emitted a long, high-pitched scream as he smiled and held the wood tight against her sex for a moment. He then pulled back for another stroke. He took a few more painful strokes at her pussy and then slowly circled her. The wood fell on her ass, her back, her breasts, and her pussy until Danica didn't even have the strength to scream any longer. She only emitted high-pitched sobbing gasps as the torture continued. Finally, he stopped and returned to the bag. Danica panted, trying to catch her breath, swaying on the ropes as she winced from the stinging pain coming from her whole body. She glanced up and saw herself in the mirror. Most of her skin, notably her most sensitive parts, glowed bright red and showed the welts where she had been struck. Garthak returned with a rod of some sort. It was a light purple in color and about a foot long. He spoke a word of command and Danica heard a faint hum coming from it. He reached out slowly with the rod and brought it into contact with her right breast. Danica yelped hoarsely as an electric jolt shot through her, making her muscles contract, and again as her left breast was submitted to the shocking wand. He next went around behind her and touched it to each buttock. Danica nearly blacked out each time the wand touched her flesh. Garthak walked back in front of her and brought the wand toward her with agonizing slowness. He pressed it against her mound and it discharged. Danica hadn't even realized she had the need, but the moment the wand touched her, a hard stream of pee erupted from her. It soaked the man's trousers as he pulled the wand away, and then trickled and dripped down to the floor in a steady stream. Garthak smiled and brought the wand up again. He first pointed it at her mound, and then slowly moved it downward. Danica knew what was coming and it was confirmed when he lifted her hood with the fingers of his other hand. Danica shook her head weakly, gasping, "No, no, no — please!" as the wand moved slowly toward her. The jolt ran through her clit, through her lips where it also touched, and seemed to shoot deep up inside her. She knew no more then as blackness overcame her. Danica came to a few moments later, Garthak holding some sort of strong herbs beneath her nose. She coughed as her vision came back into focus. Garthak then knelt down and lapped at her swollen lips. Danica felt her arousal building, and knew she was already soaking wet. She was angry, in pain, and determined she was not going to come for this bastard. Garthak continued to lap at her, sucking her clit, and probing with his fingers into her sex and the puckered iris of her ass for a few minutes. He then rose and removed his trousers. He put a stiff cushion on the floor and stood up on it, bringing his erection in line to penetrate her easily. He pushed inside her, pulling down on her hips and making her arms burn with pain as he did so. He fucked her hard and fast, causing her breasts to swing painfully. Danica snarled in agonized anger and fought back the fires building inside her. Garthak was holding back his own orgasm well. He pounded her sore and stinging pussy relentlessly, staring into her eyes and grinning evilly. Danica was fighting the urge to come hard, but knew she was rapidly losing the battle against her arousal and the hot friction of his cock swiftly stroking her depths. Suddenly Garthak's eyes closed and she felt him come hard up inside her. She felt it running down her legs as he pulled from her with a growl, and she managed a faint smile of victory because she had not climaxed — she had resisted. Garthak slapped her hard across her smiling lips, obvious disappointment in his face, and then sliced both ropes holding her arms with a single stroke. Danica fell hard to the floor and crumpled. When she was at last able to rise, he was gone. ------- Danica was able to recover enough after some time to rise and remove all the bindings from her. Though she had resisted the orgasm while Garthak was there, the need was still inside her. She crawled up onto the bed and used her fingers to relieve the pressure, despite the stinging pain in her body. She then crawled into the tub and bathed. As soon as she had finished blotting dry, the old woman entered. Off to the healer they went, to remove the welts on her flesh, and then they returned to the room. Danica was snappish the whole time. "There's no need ta be takin' yer frustrations out on me girlie!" Celes admonished. Danica realized what she had been doing and apologized. "I'm sorry..." she paused for a moment and then said, "I don't even know your name." The old woman said quietly, "Celes." "Celes," Danica repeated, "That's beautiful." "Aye, once I enjoyed it, now it seems a mockery. Most women call me crone and that's what I've gone by. The things the men call me I don't care to repeat." Danica laid a hand on the old woman's shoulder and said, "If it's alright, I would like to call you Celes." Celes winced slightly, but then smiled and responded, "Aye, ye can if ye wish." Danica smiled back, and the old woman went to the drawer to gather up one of the silken outfits for Danica to put on. As Celes turned, she said, "Well, now I'm fer knowin' why ye been such a crab. Looks like yer friend has come ta visit." Danica looked down and noticed a trickle of ruddy liquid running down her leg. "Guess we'll be waitin' on the silkies. Get yerself over by the tub, an' I'll be right back. Camilla, bitch that she is, come up with somethin' a right lot more convenient than the traditional method o' wearin' a diaper ta keep from soilin' everything ye sit on or walk over." The door opened and Zoraster entered. "Do go on, Celes," Zoraster said with a laugh, "But wait outside until I have left first." The old woman left, and Zoraster crossed the room to Danica. He said not a word, but instead pulled her roughly toward the bed. He pushed her down, and then shrugged off his robes. "Do nothing — nothing — to resist or impede me. If you do, there will be pain. The healer can undo any damage you force me to inflict upon you — he waits outside at the ready." Danica paled at the warning, horrified by the thoughts of what the madman might have in store for her if she dared defy him, and just as frightened by thoughts of what he planned to do to her in the first place. The madman roughly parted Danica's legs, a shudder running through his body as he saw the trickling evidence of her period on her parted lips. He dropped down between her legs and ran his tongue up the small stream on her leg. Another shudder shook his body. Danica felt her body responding, despite her fear and revulsion. Damn this bastard and his magic! she thought. Danica had never — ever — had anyone touch her at this time of the month. Zoraster's tongue seemed a living thing as it explored her, probing deeper than she thought was possible. He seemed to know each and every sensitive spot of her body — and exactly how to tease and tantalize them with his lips and tongue. Danica writhed and moaned, completely lost in the feeling. Her body was on fire, tingling like electricity was running through it. She was soon teetering on the edge of orgasm for what seemed like hours. It was only a few minutes in reality, but longer than she had ever stayed in that perfect state of ultimate arousal. Her mouth was opened wide as she screamed silently to the ceiling above. At last, she toppled over the edge in a rush. She pushed without thinking, and gushed forth a shower of crimson wetness all over Zoraster. He didn't release her, but instead kept up his furious assault. Danica shuddered, bucked, and screamed her way through at least a dozen back-to-back miniature orgasms before she finally felt his mouth leave her. She gasped for air, still writhing from the aftershocks rocking her. Glimpses through her half-opened eyes showed her Zoraster's face, soaked with her flood of cum and blood. She saw him climb up onto the bed. Just as another aftershock hit her, Zoraster rolled her over roughly and stabbed deep inside her. She had known he was well endowed from seeing him flaccid earlier, but to feel him buried deep inside her and rock hard was to know the truth. He stroked her with agonizing slowness. She was feeling every inch of him as he pressed into her depths. Danica pushed back — trying to get more — and drew a violent smack on her ass, along with a snarl from him. He continued his torturous slow stroking. Danica kept pushing back involuntarily, wanting and needing more. Each time she was spanked or pinched hard enough to make her back off. Danica felt a slow burning fire building deep inside her. She was surprised to hear herself growling as the big cock slid in and out at the agonizingly slow pace. Her knees were aching from being in one position for so long before he steadily increased his pace, so slowly it was almost impossible to detect. She only realized after it had already happened that he had begun stroking her faster, and then felt it again. Ever so slowly, he built up to speed as the fires inside her increased to a white-hot intensity. He suddenly thrust deep inside her, grabbing her hip with one hand and digging his fingers into her flesh. His other hand grabbed her hair and pulled it upward violently as he assaulted her sex. Danica emitted a series of warbling, gasping yelps as he took her. Then she growled low in her throat as she felt her orgasm bubbling up inside her. She finally reached her peak with a loud, high-pitched scream that turned into an animal-like growl, which she couldn't believe had come from her throat. He continued to yank her hair, pinch her flesh, and fuck her mercilessly as she gasped and yelped through her orgasm. She felt him pull free, and immediately she was yanked up by the hair. He stuck his cock, soaked in her wetness and blood, against her lips. She had just enough time to try to keep her mouth shut before he slapped her hard across the face. As soon as her mouth opened to gasp, he shoved his cock in her mouth. Zoraster pulled her hair hard as he fucked her face, gagging her as he hit the back of her throat. She fought down her rebelling stomach, having little choice, as he took a few more strokes and exploded in her mouth with a hissing gasp. He held her by the hair tight against him as he shot hot cum directly down her throat. He then released her, pushed her back to the bed, and stood up. Danica didn't see him leave the room. She was too busy choking and gagging, even as the aftershocks of her orgasms shook her. ------- Celes came in as soon as Zoraster had left, helping Danica to the chamber pot, where she emptied her stomach. The old woman then helped Danica clean up and bathe — instructing her to sit on the seat above the tub afterward. Celes pulled something from a pocket of her robes. "This is going to be right uncomfortable going in, an' likely ain't gonna be easy the first time — but it suren' plugs ye up an' keeps ye from soilin' yer frillies. Damn it for bein' made up by a bitch." The old woman showed Danica how to slide the smooth wooden tube inside her, and helped her get the angle right. She then pressed slowly on a plunger on the end and Danica felt something soft slide inside her. Celes pulled the tube free, and Danica saw a string hanging from between her labia. The woman explained it was used to retrieve the tightly rolled cotton when it had absorbed all it could handle, to change it. Danica nodded to indicate her understanding. "Ye need not worry about it comin' out. It'll keep yer flow inside, so ye need not worry about yer clothes, or the bed, or anything else. It's surely better'n the diapers ye prolly been wearin' that time o' the month." "Thank you, Celes," Danica said a little distantly. "Don't be thankin' me! But don't be thankin' that bitch that created 'em either! Just be thankful that ye got 'em!" the old woman said with a cackle. Danica smiled and laughed the first real, heartfelt laugh she could remember the whole time she had been in this horrible prison. "Ye suren' made ol' Garthak mad when ye dinna come up for him," Celes noted, "I heard him a bitchin' ta ol' Zoraster an' talkin' 'bout brandin' and peircin' an' fire an' all sorts a terrible things. Yer fer bein' lucky that he laughed it off an' dismissed ol' Garthak. Tol' him ta get over it an' try harder next time." Danica shuddered at the things Celes had mentioned, How twisted is this Garthak? She wondered. The old woman then seemed to have something come over her, "I'm for goin'", she said in clipped tones, and rose from the bed. "Did I say something — do something wrong?" Danica asked, not wanting to lose the only real company she had in this place. Celes sighed and simply said, "No," then left. Danica was left perplexed and lonely. ------- For the remainder of Danica's period, she was left alone. Not even Celes came, though the cotton plugs were left for her on regular intervals while she slept. On the first morning she awoke to find the plug unspotted, they came again. Groups of men, Camilla, other women, more men who tied her up and spanked her, women who did the same — they all came. Danica did too, over and over again. Her next period came, and with it, Zoraster. Once again, the exact same series of events, followed by her being left utterly alone until she had ceased bleeding. Then the whole process would start all over again. Another month passed. Again, Zoraster came to lap up her red flow and fuck her mercilessly — making her come so hard — and then feeding her his blood and cum soaked cock afterward. Danica expected the days of loneliness to follow, but old Celes came into the room the next day. "I'm not for knowin' what's goin' on lassie, but he's told me ta be here," she explained. There was a quiver of fear, and strangely enough of longing in her voice. Only moments later, Zoraster entered the room — alone. He smiled and laughed wickedly, licking his lips and glaring at Danica, causing her to flush bright red with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "I'm starting to grow bored," Zoraster said matter-of-factly. He sat down in a chair across from the foot of the bed, "So I have decided it is time to add a new layer of delicious torture to both your lives." Celes' shoulders slumped, and Zoraster laughed long and loud. "Ah yes, you thought your loyal service had perhaps earned you the reward of your youth didn't you, sweet Celes?" He laughed again. "The magic I used on you was no simple Art — it was a wish. Part of that wish was that no Art, not even mine, could break the curse upon you," he informed her with a false grin. Celes gasped a horrified, "No!" and then slumped to the bed unconscious. "As for you, my little rose," Zoraster said and rose to walk over to the bed. "My spell has made you quite the wanton little toy, has it not?" "Damn your magic you bastard," Danica spat at him, venting all her anger for herself, and for Celes after the revelation he had just made. "Yes, damn my magic," he said with a laugh. "Take off the pendant. I assure you nothing will happen to you." Danica was confused. The pendant sapped her magic and cast the horrible spell over her. Why is he ordering me to remove it? She wondered. She reached gingerly for the pendant, and lifted it from her breast slightly. For just an instant, she felt a stab of the cold fire that had burned through her when it had been forced upon her — then nothing. Danica slowly pulled the pendant up over her head and off. Danica felt her Art returning to her in a rush. She was once again able to control the magic that burned inside her. She looked at the pendant, cast it aside, and then glanced up at Zoraster with a mixture of confusion and anger evident in her face. "Yes, your Art is returned to you. Why not strike me down with it?" Zoraster said and laughed, again. His mocking laughter was really beginning to grate on Danica's nerves. Danica felt the power building inside her. She knew she could not defeat this bastard, but she hoped at least she could hurt him and force him to destroy her and end her torture. She slipped into the second sight and realized why he did not fear her. The room was dispelled. Though magical items would work here, no wizard could cast a spell that would work within this room. Zoraster laughed again, "Yes, little rose. No spells can be cast in this room. No spell cast on you will function once you step within its boundaries. Look again at the pendant with your second sight. Discern the dweomers about it." Danica did so and found the spell sapping dweomer — and nothing else. Zoraster laughed long and hard, then pulled a short black rod from his robe and spoke a word of command. Danica felt the oppressive gloom of the dispell leave the room. "The pendant had no dweomer to control anything but your magic. I did indeed cast a spell upon you that controlled your body that first day, but it dissolved the moment you entered this room. You received potions to relieve you of some of your inhibitions afterward. After that, every emotion, every orgasm, every ounce of arousal has been your own. No magic of mine caused it," Zoraster informed Danica, punctuating it with yet another laugh. Danica started to hurl the word lies into Zoraster's face, and then she realized it was the truth. Celes never teleporting her directly to or from the room... Only magical items and never a single spell cast within it... The single dweomer about the pendant... It wasn't lies — it was the truth. Every act she had committed, and been aroused by — every orgasm had come from within her. The last thing she heard as blackness overcame her was the sound of Zoraster's mad, mocking laughter echoing throughout the room. ------- Part 2A Danica awoke and tried to come to grips with the truth. Celes was gone when she regained consciousness, as was Zoraster. Danica felt her Art burning inside her. She shuddered as she cast a spell for the first time in so long, a simple telekinesis cantrip that brought a glass of water from the bedside table to her hand. She drank down the water and filled her cup a second time. All the while, her mind raced as it tried to wrap around the knowledge that every ounce of lust and need she had experienced while here was her own, and not some dark spell of Zoraster's controlling her. She felt dirty — body and mind — so she drew a bath, settling into it with a content moan. More memories of what she had done came to her as she bathed. No matter how hard she tried to press them away into the back of her mind, the memories just kept coming. With those thoughts came arousal — and need. Danica's fingers were gently teasing between her legs before she even realized it. She caressed herself in the warm water to a soft, shivering orgasm, knowing that there was no way to deny her body what it wanted. Her need was not sated, and when the aftershocks started to die down, she slid two fingers deep inside her. She stroked her fingers in and out quickly while she rubbed her clit in fast circles with the other hand. She came again — a much deeper orgasm this time. It caused her to gasp in pleasure, and she arched her back as it hit her, splashing water from the tub. For the moment, the heat within cooled somewhat, but still she needed more. She needed to be penetrated, or at the least have warm lips and a tongue on her before she was truly going to feel satisfied. Danica toweled her body dry, put in a plug to stop her flow, and then dressed. She lay on the bed, continuing to fight back the confusing whirl of thoughts and desires. She was aching for satisfaction, bored to tears, tormented by her thoughts and memories, and could not sit or lie still. Trying to release the nervous energy inside her, Danica paced the room, finally walking over to the door. Danica laid a hand on the knob and turned it slightly. To her surprise, it opened. Cracking the door open, she peeked outside the room. The only thing to see was a guard standing just to the left of the door. He looked at her and asked, "What're you about girlie?" The man looked somewhat confused as to what he should do. The guard was muscular and attractive. He had wavy brown hair and incredible eyes. Danica found her eyes leaving his and centering on his trousers, trying to see beneath them. Her need surged within her. Too aroused to care, and praying it would take her mind off other more disturbing things she had done, she approached the guard with a sly, sexy smile. Danica strutted to him, using the flimsy silken shift to good advantage. She rubbed the man's muscular arm as she spoke, "Isn't it about time for you to take a break or something? Why not come in and keep me company?" The guard's eyes widened and then he seemed to think with the head on his shoulders for a moment by some great surge of will. "I'm on duty," he said in perfect military tone. "Pshaw! There's nobody around at all. Nobody will notice if you're not at your post for ten minutes — or twenty maybe," she said with a grin and a wink. The hand that had been on his arm slid lower, to his trousers. The guard shuddered and seemed to be wrestling with his thoughts. "I'm on duty," he said again, but it did not sound anywhere near as convincing this time. Danica was growing frustrated with this military mindlessness. She needed more than her fingers inside her, and she needed it now. She slipped her hand downward even more and wrapped it around his rapidly swelling cock. "You're certainly standing at attention," she said, looking up into his eyes. The guard glanced back and forth down the hall. The war within him was growing more violent. The side of common sense was slowly losing ground. Danica pulled the front of his trousers down to rub his bare, and now fully hard cock. "Please," she pleaded as she looked into his eyes with an expression of longing need. He still did not make a move to take her into the room, so Danica dropped to her knees, licked her lips, and slipped the head of his cock between them. Two sucks from her warm mouth, and common sense lost the war. The guard pulled her up to her feet and hurried her into the room. He tossed off his clothes quickly, obviously wanting to take care of the throbbing between his legs and be back out into the hall before anyone noticed he was gone. Danica peeled off the silken shift she wore and let the panties pool to the floor. When the man bent down to watch what he was doing as he kicked all his clothing into one easy to locate pile, she pulled the string and popped out the plug, tossing it into a waste bin by the bed. She slid onto the bed and said, "Take me," rubbing one hand over her breasts and the other over her sex, parting the labia to give him a good view. He didn't waste a moment. He climbed up on the bed and mounted her, sliding deep inside her in one push. He was fucking her well, but hurriedly, and she knew he wasn't going to last long. Danica rubbed her bud in rapid circles, hoping she could keep up with him and come before he filled her up, and went soft. Her moans intertwined with his as he stroked her depths. She could see the signs he was getting close in his eyes and in his movements. Rubbing her clit harder, Danica tried to keep up with him. It wasn't enough. With a grunt, the guard buried his stiff rod inside her and filled her. Danica growled and wrapped her legs around his back, holding him against her. She rocked her hips against him while she continued to rub her clit with ever-increasing speed and pressure. She toppled over the edge and came hard — her back arched and her legs tightened around the guard, trying to pull him even deeper inside her. He was gasping as her walls clenched tight around his over-sensitive cock and she bucked beneath him. Finally, she released him and he jerked back. He was growing flaccid by the moment, and only then noticed the red stain on him, on her labia, and on the sheets. He shook his head and grunted, and then wiped his member clean with the edge of the sheet on the bed. Once he was cleaned up, he smiled, bent down, and kissed her. She kissed him back passionately, while another aftershock shook her body. He emitted a little growling chuckle and said, "That was fun lass, mayhaps we can do it again sometime." "Mayhaps," Danica responded with a grin, followed by the shuddering of another aftershock. He grinned and quickly got dressed, peeked out the door, and let out a sigh of relief. Shutting the door behind him, he left Danica to float in her afterglow, mercifully lost in the warm feeling of her orgasm. For now, her mind was quiet. ------- A short while later, Danica rose and got another cotton plug because she was making even more of a mess on the bed. She went to the tub to clean up before inserting it, and then returned to the bed to change the bedclothes. Danica had just finished pulling on her silken shift when she heard muffled voices from outside. The thick door and walls made normal speaking sound like the hints of inarticulate whispers, and what she determined had to be shouts barely audible. The only thing she heard plainly was a shouted, "No!" Immediately thereafter, she saw a bright flash of light, even through the tightly sealed door. It was followed by a faint thud against the wall, and then silence. Part of Danica wanted to get up and go look outside to see what had happened. The other half of her was afraid to do so. She sat trying to decide, but the decision was taken from her as the door opened. Zoraster stepped inside, sweeping the hem of his robe with a flourish. Danica could see a haze of smoke hanging in the air outside the door behind him. A sickly-sweet smell, mixed with the scent of ozone, reached Danica shortly after he closed the door. "Quite entertaining, little rose," Zoraster said with a smile, "Quite entertaining, indeed." He paused and walked toward the foot of the bed, where he sat down in a nearby chair, which faced Danica. Danica sat down on the bed, her posture straight and rigid, doing her best to face the madman with poise. She crossed her legs in a well-mannered fashion and laid her hands in her lap. Danica looked at him with what she hoped was an absent look that conveyed she was barely interested. Zoraster laughed, "Had the fool resisted, I likely would have given him leave when his shift had ended. As it is, he has..." Zoraster paused, staring into Danica's brown eyes intently, "... left my employ on a quite permanent basis." Zoraster punctuated the statement with a laugh that gave Danica the impression he was enjoying his own wit. Danica knew then what the mixture of scents was — the smell of lightning and burnt flesh. She paled, knowing the guard she had lain with such a short time ago was now dead, burned and twisted outside in the hall. "Please do refrain from distracting those about their business in the future, little rose. There are plenty about who are at leisure at any given moment. I have decided not to punish you this time. The next time I shall not be so lenient. Do you understand?" Danica swallowed and said, "Yes," understanding very well that the madman meant every word he said. "Good, good — now, on to business at hand. My little experiment and ruse is now at an end, though your servitude to me is not. You are still mine, little rose, to do with as I please. However, I have come to make you an offer that will earn you freedoms. Would you like to hear my offer?" Danica didn't want anything from the bastard, but the thought of continuing this repetitious existence caused her to say, "Yes." Zoraster nodded, "I shall have tasks for you of quite varied sorts. You will undertake them without argument, save when you feel you have a better way to achieve the same goals. In return, freedoms shall be granted to you. Do you accept this new servitude?" Danica tried to sort out the whirlwind of thoughts in her head for a moment, and then realized that the other options were worse — indeed non-existent. Her conscience won out, however, and she decided to accept her fate rather than do anything for her torturer. Zoraster must have seen it in her face. "You are a strong one, little rose. You are willing to accept any manner of horrors I might visit upon you rather than serve me. I wonder how willing you are to risk your family..." Danica curled her lip and snorted, "I don't care how powerful you are — my sister is strong in her Art, and surrounded by those who are even stronger. You're just making empty threats." Zoraster laughed, "Ah, you think because I know your sister I would be thinking of her. No, little rose, not Devan. While I am quite sure I could penetrate her defenses, it would be an unnecessary effort when your mother, father, and brother are so delightfully defenseless." Danica gasped and hung her head. She was trapped. This madman could certainly visit his horrors upon her family, and likely cover it up so her sister would never know of his involvement. She knew she had only one choice now, and so she answered, "I'll do it." "Excellent, little rose!" Zoraster smiled and clapped, rising from his chair, "You have earned your first freedoms. First, you shall keep your Art. Know that you would be quite foolish to use it against me and mine in any way. Second, you shall have attire more to your liking. Trunks will be brought shortly for you to choose. All will fit you, as I know all your sizes quite well." His smile transformed into a sly grin as he mentioned her sizes. "Third, you are no longer confined to this room, though I still forbid you to leave this building. In time, perhaps you may earn freedom to move about the entire compound and grounds, but for now, you shall remain here. Finally, you may seek — entertainment — wherever you choose within this building — remembering the instructions I gave you earlier as to such. Do you understand?" Danica felt heat in her face caused by his insinuations, and the color in her cheeks deepened even more when she realized that she was looking forward to partaking of the last freedom he had mentioned. She nodded and said, "I do." He pulled a pendant on a chain from his robes and said, "You will wear this at all times. There are numerous spells cast over it. It will provide healing if you are in dire need, and will teleport you here to this room if you are in mortal danger. It will modify your appearance according to my wishes when you are about a task, and will be both invisible and intangible to most people. Finally, it will ensure I am able to keep watch over you. Do not remove it for any reason, at any time." He slid the pendant over Danica's neck and she felt the icy bite of magic as it touched the skin above her breasts. "I shall return when I have a task for you. Good day, little rose," he finished, and trailed laughter as he left the room. "Bastard," Danica whispered when the door closed. ------- The clothing Zoraster had promised arrived shortly thereafter. Danica decided she had no need to choose, as she could find use for everything that was brought. She told the men who had brought the trunks just to leave them all, and started putting away the clothes. When she finished, she chose a simple, comfortable outfit and put it on. It was nowhere near as revealing as those she had been wearing, and it felt good to be covered by soft cloth again. Fed up with being cooped up in the room, she opened the door and looked outside. No guard stood outside her door this time, the hallway was empty. Danica walked out and started to explore the building. The place was huge. Danica knew the complex was large from her observations before entering that fateful night, but being inside it revealed the truth of the place. There were many closed doors along the long, winding hallway she walked, and she could only assume they were private chambers. The hallway opened into a room that must be some sort of gathering area. Couches and chairs lined the room, as well as tables and desks. Large windows gave a good view of the outside world. Danica saw the sun for the first time since she had been here. She could see the various buildings and towers on the grounds, and some small parts of the surrounding wall, but nothing outside the complex. The high walls and large size of the grounds that comprised Zoraster's abode blocked her from seeing farther. A few people lounged about the common room. Danica could tell that most of them were users of the Art, because one magic user could sense another when they were close. Some were servants without magic, however. Few paid much attention to Danica, though some of the men, and not a small number of the women, looked her body over carefully. Danica passed through the room without a word. A few men in the room sat back down as she swept out of the room, having stood, thinking to talk to her. Another long twisting hallway greeted her once she left the common area. This one was spaced with open doorways that led to banquet rooms, meeting rooms, and other assorted community rooms. Danica believed that she recognized this hallway as she walked down it. Her memory was confirmed when she passed the library. Danica entered the room that had begun her downfall with slow, measured steps. She had not come here to steal the books for herself, but now she could browse them at her leisure. A sigh escaped her as she walked slowly around the room. The experience was a sharp contrast to her last, rushed visit. She thumbed through a few books here and there, but her heart was not in study at the moment. She left the library and continued down the hall, which turned and passed additional private chambers. She knew this hallway as well, and when she glanced to the left, she saw where it led to the large entrance hall with its double doors — the doors of her prison. Danica turned away from the doors, which only served to remind her of the straits she was in, and then and made her way back to the only intersection she had encountered in the twisted hallways of the building thus far. Walking down the hallway, she glanced at the door that opened into the room of the apprentice whom she had used that day to gain entrance to this place. To her surprise, the door opened. The young man's eyes went wide when he saw her, "It's you! What happened? I don't remember anything, and when I woke up, you were gone." Danica felt her body stirring. She remembered the man's body and that she had wished she could have had the time to be with him then. She had that time now. "You must have had too much wine, you passed out," Danica said with a coy pout. "We could pick up where we left off," she added, offering him a suggestive smile. The young man's smile was wide and his eyes flashed with lusty desire. "Oh certainly," he responded and opened the door wide for Danica to enter. Danica shed her clothes as she walked toward the bed. She was completely nude by the time she sat down to wait for him. The young apprentice only realized he had been standing still, drinking in the sight of her body, when she sat down. He crossed the room with quick steps and started to disrobe. When he tossed the last of his clothing to the floor, Danica rolled over on her tummy with her head over the edge of the bed. She reached out and guided his cock to her mouth, licking it up and down a few times and looking up into his eyes lustily. Still looking up into his eyes, she gave his glans a final tickle with the tip of her tongue and said, "Fuck my mouth and fill it up." The man smiled wide and slipped his manhood between her now parted lips. Danica sucked and teased his cock with her tongue as he fucked her face. She moaned around him, the anticipation of his cum flooding her mouth causing her mouth and pussy both to water. The intensity of Danica's knowing mouth was quickly doing its work. The young apprentice was rapidly approaching his peak. He twined his fingers in her hair and started to pump her mouth faster, hitting her throat. Danica moaned louder and more passionately as she kept him just beyond the point of gagging her, curling a pair of fingers around the base of his shaft. With a last shove and a gasp, he spurted his juices down Danica's throat. Danica reached around behind him and held him, and then started to suck rapidly on his shaft. He spasmed and gasped as she stroked him with her mouth, making sure she got every last drop of his creamy offering. She let him free, and he immediately fell forward, catching himself on his arms. He leaned over the bed, panting for breath, his elbows wobbling. Danica rolled over and slid to the head of the bed, spreading her legs wide and teasing her aching need with her fingertip. "Come taste me. I need your lips on me. I need to feel your tongue inside me." The apprentice caught his breath and crawled onto the bed toward her. He slipped his head between Danica's legs and snaked his tongue out as soon as he reached her. Danica moaned long and loud as his tongue touched her. He showed some skill as he lapped and teased her, drawing more moans and exclamations of pleasure from her. Danica looked down at him, licking her lips and smiling when he looked up into her eyes to see the building ecstasy there. Danica was getting close now and gasped out, "Do it. Lick me. Suck me. Make me come! Do it!" The young man increased his efforts, licking her faster, spending more time on her sensitive, swollen clit. He slid two fingers inside her and started to pump them in and out as his tongue danced over her. Danica felt her building pleasure draw ever closer to the edge. Just as she was about to teeter over, she tightened her legs around him and twined her fingers in his hair, holding his face tight against her sex. She pushed when her orgasm hit her and flooded his face with a geyser of her woman cum. She continued to hold him tight against her as she bucked through her orgasm — only relaxing a little as she started to come down. When he was able to move his head, he looked up at her and exclaimed, "That was incredible." Danica shuddered through an aftershock, and then pushed down on his face, sensually growling, "More," with a lusty playfulness. He complied readily, although his tongue was a little slower this time from the extended use. He brought her to another squirting orgasm only moments later, and it was followed by a series of multiples that finally bucked his mouth away from her as her body quaked and contorted in pleasure. When at last she came back to earth, Danica laid him down. "I want that cock hard. I need it inside me," she teased, and started lapping at his flaccid cock. Sucking it into her mouth after a few moments of teasing licks — she ran her fingers in a feather-light caress over his balls. When he started to get hard, she stroked him with her hand while she sucked him. She then slid down and rimmed the iris of his ass while she continued to stroke his shaft. He swelled rapidly in her hand as he gasped his pleasure. As soon as he was fully hard, Danica rose above him and impaled herself on his throbbing erection. She rode him hard, slamming her ass down against him and crying out in ecstasy. She alternated slamming up and down on his cock with grinding her pussy on him in relentless fashion. When she reached the point of no return, Danica slammed down on him one last time and came hard — squeezing his cock tightly inside of her. She fell forward, gasping for breath when the shockwaves passed, then kissed him passionately as she continued to let loose gasps and moans. He drew a nipple into his mouth and sucked it for a few moments, until Danica straightened and started riding him again. She fucked herself to another powerful orgasm on his stiff member, letting him slip free from her rhythmically clenching depths afterward to shudder from the aftershocks. When she had recovered enough to force her body to move, she got on her hands and knees in front of him. "Take me and fill me up!" The young man got up and mounted her, gripping her hips tight as he pressed inside her. He slammed into her hard and fast, venting his anxious desire. She could feel and hear his balls slapping against her with every stroke. Danica moaned and gasped encouragement to him as he stroked her pussy so well. Her fingers danced over her clit, building the fires within her even hotter. They both reached their peaks together, exploding in a rocking orgasm that nearly took them both off the bed. They collapsed, still joined, to the bed and gasped for breath while their shared pleasure continued to assail them. Sweat glistened all over both their bodies from the intensity of their lovemaking. Finally, the young apprentice pulled from her with a gasp and fell heavily to the bed. He was sound asleep only moments later. Danica rose after a short while when the young man began to snore loudly. She noticed the red tinge on the covers and on the now flaccid cock next to her, and realized she was not quite as done with her period as she had thought. She cleaned up with a cloth dipped in the washbasin, slid a cotton plug inside her, and then dressed. Stepping outside once more, Danica continued to explore the place, although her knees were a little wobbly for a while after she left the snoring apprentice. She passed what were obviously common baths at about the time her legs started to feel as though they could support her without wavering again. Though there were open portals leading into the rooms, there appeared to be two baths, one for men and one for women. She passed a guard barracks shortly thereafter. Danica thought she caught a glimpse of at least one man she recognized, and it was obvious from some of the lewd comments she heard coming from the barracks that she had certainly been recognized. She was sated for now, and passed the barracks by. As she continued walking, she saw laboratories, a smaller library, private chambers, another common hall, and then finally arrived back in the hallway that led to her room. Danica realized it was nearly mealtime when her stomach started growling, and so she returned to her room. As she expected, food was waiting for her. She ate, and then bathed. Once she had dried her body after the bath, she lay down on the bed and started to read a book she had taken from the smaller library. Night fell as she read, and she soon fell asleep. ------- Danica awoke the next morning to find her latest cotton plug was barely spotted, and what was there was obviously from shortly after her bath. She decided to risk going without, avoiding the uncomfortable process of inserting it within her. She took a pair with her as she left the room, however. Danica returned the book she had taken the night before to its place, and then made her way to the larger library. She had been intrigued by the text, a volume on magical item creation, and hoped to find a more extensive volume mentioned often in the book she had just read. Danica smiled when she quickly located the text, thanks to the library's well-organized shelves. She sat down at a desk and began to read. It was the most detailed and easy to understand text on magical item creation she had ever imagined. It explained the creation of many common magic items systematically, listing common errors and their sometimes-disastrous results. It then went farther to detail steps that would aid a mage in the creation of original magic items. Danica was so absorbed in the book that she barely noticed the men who sat down at the table and tried to strike up conversations with her. She said a few curt words to a couple of the more persistent ones, but little more. She didn't even really notice what any of them looked like, though at least two had been strikingly handsome and charming. Danica turned the last page of the large book and sat back to rub her eyes. It was only when she went back out into the hall that she realized how long she had been reading. She could see through the windows that it was well into the night. The thought suddenly occurred to Danica that she had not felt the lust come over her that day. She hadn't even masturbated when she awoke that morning. It brought a smile to her face and made her feel proud of herself for resisting the strange new urges within her. Apparently, the study of the Art was a stronger need than the baser need of her body. Danica was passing the baths, and she came to a sudden halt when she caught just the faintest hint of a moan coming from the female bath. Danica went through the open portal and peeked around the corner. Her eyes opened wide as she saw a young woman in the baths who was just barely to full, ripe womanhood. Blonde hair floated in a halo around her, and her large, firm breasts stuck up from the water like two islands. One hand supported her by holding onto the edge of the pool in the shallow area where she lay, and Danica could see the stirring of the water where the other hand moved rapidly between the young woman's legs beneath the steaming waters. Danica shuddered with the gorgeous girl as she reached her peak, letting out a quiet gasp that was more of a long, slow exhale. Danica's eyes were locked on the blonde vision as she floated in the water quivering and running her hands over her breasts. Danica was moving before she had even decided to do so. The woman in the water pulled her hands away from her breasts as Danica entered. Danica did her best to look as if she had seen nothing. Danica smiled brightly, "I see I am not the only one who thought to take a late bath without so much jostling. How is the water, if you don't mind me joining you?" she asked. "It's perfect," the blonde replied with a smile, apparently warming to Danica's friendly advance. "Please, do come in. I was about to leave, but I think I will stay for a while and chat." Danica smiled even wider and disrobed. The young woman pretended to be relaxing in the water, but Danica caught the blonde sneaking peeks of her body as she shed her clothing and eased down into the pool of water. As she drew near, Danica swore the water felt warmer the closer she got to the blonde woman — almost too hot. After a few moments, the sensation of heat seemed to melt away, and Danica didn't pay it much mind. They chatted about little things. Things only two women would understand. All the while Danica caught the blonde girl eyeing her body whenever she thought Danica's eyes were elsewhere. Danica carefully steered the subject to sex. She also slowly slid closer to this beautiful girl, just barely a woman, who was building a bonfire of desire within Danica. "Nonsense," Danica protested as a familiar subject in such womanly conversation came up. "You don't need to starve yourself. You have a beautiful body, Andrea. I think I have a rather unfettered view, Dear," she said with a laugh, which Andrea echoed. Danica continued, "Your ass, which you think is so huge, is perfectly proportioned with your breasts." She then slapped her hand against the girl's taut, shapely bottom beneath the water and explained, "You would look ridiculous with such big boobs and no ass, Dear." "Maybe you're right," Andrea responded with a smile. "I know I'm right," Danica laughed. She then stood up and showed off her dripping body. "Look at me, I'm in the same boat — and have been for years. I'm proud of my body, and I've not had a complaint about it yet." Andrea was indeed looking at her body, and she was not doing such a good job of hiding the curiosity — mixed with lust — that was in her eyes any longer. Danica sat back down in the water, moved closer to the blonde woman and asked, "Have you ever been with another woman?" Andrea's face instantly turned bright red and she replied, "No." The tone of her voice plainly revealed it was not a situation that had never entered her mind. Danica reached out and ran her hand over Andrea's arm, "A woman can make another woman feel so good. She knows her body and she knows her partner's." Danica was surprised by her own words as she spoke so knowledgably about an act she had only engaged in for the first time not so long ago. She was even more surprised that she was doing her best to seduce Andrea into her first liaison with another woman. Danica continued to caress the blonde's arm as she spoke, "It is something I cannot imagine having never done, now that I have experienced it." Andrea shuddered from Danica's touch as she listened, her eyes locked into Danica's. On impulse, Danica leaned in close and kissed the blonde's full lips. The action seemed to break a dam within Andrea, who returned the kiss passionately, her hands caressing Danica's back. As they broke from the kiss, Danica looked deep into Andrea's beautiful blue eyes. Danica moved her hands downward and slid her fingertips across the blonde's tummy, and then along her ribs to her back. Andrea's mouth opened in a silent gasp of pleasure, her hands sliding farther up Danica's back to trace the line of her neck. Danica shuddered and stroked her hands slowly down the other woman's back, her fingertips just brushing Andrea's shapely bottom in their journey to the other woman's hips. Andrea's hands moved of their own violation back down Danica's neck, and along the older woman's caressing arms. As Andrea's hands reached Danica's wrists, Danica dropped her hands to Andrea's rear and squeezed slightly with a moan. Andrea echoed her moan and laid her head back for a moment as she shivered from Danica's hands on her. The slight arching of Andrea's back brought the two women's breasts into contact, their nipples just rubbing against each other. Both women gasped and Andrea's head snapped back up to look into Danica's eyes once again. Danica guided Andrea backward onto the long steps beneath the water until the blonde was lying back with only her legs in the warm water. Andrea's face held a mixture of embarrassment, fear, curiosity, and need. Danica settled to her knees in front of Andrea, still looking into her eyes, and traced the other woman's hips with her fingertips. Danica's hands continued their journey down the other woman's thighs until they reached her knees. Once there, Danica's hands curled and went between Andrea's knees. Danica applied gentle pressure to part Andrea's legs, causing the young woman to gasp. Danica lowered down between the girl's legs, her hands moving in a light caress over Andrea's inner thighs. When Danica's hands reached the soft crease where Andrea's thighs met her hips, she saw Andrea's nether lips contract and quiver. Andrea's inner lips only barely showed between the outer, the hair around them very short, almost invisible — and soft as down. Andrea's lips were a perfect pink color and barely concealed her opening. Danica looked up into Andrea's eyes, and then lowered her head to the blonde's beautiful, perfect pussy. Danica's tongue reached out and ran in a slow swipe up the length of Andrea's parted lips. Andrea gasped quietly, and then moaned as Danica's tongue pressed between her folds, teasing once again up and down them, slowly working deeper past gently yielding labia. Danica's head was reeling from Andrea's incredibly sweet taste. Granted, she had not tasted that many women, but the sweetness of this girl's juices was making her head swim. She probed deep, seeking the pools of wetness deep within, moaning with Andrea as she did so. "It feels so good," Andrea cooed and caressed Danica's shoulders. Danica responded with a satisfied moan and then whispered, "You taste so sweet — so sweet. I want you to come for me. I want to taste it when you come." Andrea gasped upon hearing the words — and then gasped louder as Danica's tongue flicked upward and teased her clit with just the tip. Danica circled the tip of her tongue around Andrea's clit and hood several times, and then dived deep inside the blonde's canal again for another taste of the gathering wetness. Danica then sucked at Andrea's labia, pulling them outward between her lips for a moment before pushing her tongue deep inside again to lap all over Andrea's walls. Andrea responded to Danica's probing tongue. The blonde's breathing got faster, and she rocked her hips as Danica lapped her. Andrea was still being very quiet, but her moans were coming much quicker. Danica suckled the young woman's hood between her lips, slid out her tongue between them, and then shook her head back and forth. She started slowly, and then increased the pace slightly. All the while, Andrea stared down with aroused fascination at Danica's mouth on her, looking into her eyes and connecting with the older woman on a deep, emotional level. Danica lifted Andrea's hood and attacked her clit with gusto. The tip of her tongue flickered over it rapidly, drawing a choked-off yelp from Andrea. As she kept up the quick brushes of her tongue, Andrea began to breathe hard, each exhale a blast — each inhale a gasp. Danica sucked Andrea's throbbing bud between her lips. Her tongue continued to flick over it as she massaged it with her lips, keeping on the strong suction. She felt Andrea's hands rest on the back of her head, and the blonde thrust her hips upward — grinding her sex into Danica's eager mouth. Danica knew the young woman was close and increased her efforts, needing to taste the sweet flow of Andrea's juices as she came. With a gasped yelp, Andrea came. Her hands pulled Danica's face tight against her — her hips lifting at the same time. Her legs tightened around Danica's body. Danica kept lapping and probing as she rode the bucking girl's hips through a series of powerful ecstatic spikes. At last, she slowed her assault and let the girl slowly settle to earth. With a final gentle kiss on her hood, Danica pulled her head up from between Andrea's legs and moved up beside her. Once again, Danica swore that the water — even the air around them — was warmer. She dismissed it, deciding it was a symptom of her excitement about what she hoped was to come next. "Now, do it for me. Put your mouth on me and make me come like I did for you, please," Danica pleaded. "I don't know how," Andrea responded quietly. Danica leaned over and pressed her lips against Andrea's, and then whispered huskily to her, "You know what makes your sweet pussy feel good when you play with it. I saw you doing it before I came in. Just use your lips and tongue, and make me feel good. Make me come." She then kissed the blonde again. Andrea moved between Danica's legs as soon as they broke from the kiss. She just barely touched Danica with the tip of her tongue at first, and Danica shuddered as this gorgeous girl touched another woman with her mouth for the first time. Andrea was a little awkward at first, but she eventually slipped her tongue between Danica's folds, and into her depths. A surprised and satisfied moan came from her as she got her first taste of Danica's nectar. Danica let out a loud gasp and shuddered as the blonde woman's lips and tongue explored her. As Andrea got a good taste, it awakened her desire and pushed back her fears and embarrassment. She hungrily lapped at Danica's walls, and then pulled back to suck Danica's labia as Danica had done for her. Danica's thick, full labia filled Andrea's mouth, and on impulse, Andrea wiggled her tongue over them as she sucked. Danica let out a surprised little yelping moan, which deepened into a purr after a moment. Andrea followed the lead Danica had set, exploring Danica with her lips and tongue, and then started to improvise. She stabbed her tongue in low and deep, and then straight up. She was trying to hit that special spot within Danica that she had discovered within her own self while masturbating, and though her tongue wasn't long enough, she certainly gave it a good try. She sucked on Danica's throbbing clit, and flicked her tongue over it. Two of her fingers slid into Danica's depths. After a few strokes, she bent them upwards and started rubbing the spot she had been trying to get to with her tongue earlier. Danica climbed toward release, and her hands twined in the girl's blonde hair. Andrea was sucking her clit hard and rolling it with her tongue at the same time, all the while she rubbed hard and quick on the little bundle of nerves behind Danica's mound. Danica rose to a fever pitch. The girl was either a quick learner or a natural, because Danica was about to explode. Explode she did, tightening her hands and legs about Andrea as she hunched her hips forward, grinding her quivering sex into the woman's face. She erupted in a geyser, and then another as she came hard, bucking her hips on the tiles under her ass. Finally, Danica spiraled down to earth. Andrea's eyes were bright with wonder, "How did you do that?" she asked, running her fingers through the girl cum soaking her face and hair. "Let's wash up and get dressed. Show me where your chambers are, and next time, I'll try to teach you to come like that. You won't believe how incredible it feels," Danica proposed. They both rinsed off and shared a towel. Once dry, they dressed, and Andrea led Danica a short distance down the hall to her chambers. The room was sparsely furnished, and only a few decorations here and there showed hints of Andrea's taste. "What is it you do here?" Danica asked. "I'm a servant. I run errands and bring food, get books from the library, many things like that. I have a place to live, some money to spend, and good company here," she said, smiling at Danica. "What do you do?" Andrea asked. "I am a student," Danica lied. The ironic truth of it struck Danica even as she said it. She was learning much about herself, and the depth of Zoraster's twisted mind every moment. "I wish I could work magic," Andrea sighed. "I'd be a student too instead of a servant. Ever since my mom and dad died four years ago, I've been taking care of myself. This is the best place I've found myself." Danica smiled and said, "I hope I can brighten the days — and nights — for both of us, now that we know each other." Andrea giggled and blushed. Danica walked over and put her arms about the blonde woman, pulling her close and kissing her. Danica shivered at the feeling of their breasts pressed against each other. "I should return to my chambers and rest. I will see you soon," Danica said as their lips parted. Andrea nodded, and Danica smiled at her as she left the room to return to her chambers. She slept peacefully that night, steamy dreams of Andrea's young body with her through the night. ------- Part 2B Danica awoke and ate the breakfast that was waiting for her on the bedside table. The food was hot, the juice cold, and Danica wondered — not for the first time — how whoever brought it knew so well when she would awaken. Danica pulled off the soft silk chemise she slept in and dressed in the robes of a magic user for the first time since her arrival here. Her reading the last two days had sparked her interest, and she was determined to learn more. She had never before had any desire to craft magic items, but the information she had read on creating personal items was deeply intriguing. To have her own little bits of magic she could summon with a word or thought, things she had created specifically for herself, truly sparked her interest. She made her way to the main library, and after looking for a few moments, found another text on magic item creation that seemed to branch out into different areas than those she had already read. Danica had been reading for quite a while when someone sat down opposite her at the table. She glanced up and noticed it was a middle-aged man, dressed in robes. Danica assumed he was probably one of the higher-standing mages. She nodded in acknowledgment of his presence, but returned to her reading. "Interested in crafting your own little trinkets of Art?" the man inquired. "I suppose, yes," Danica replied, slightly irritated at the interruption. "You have chosen a good reference. That particular volume details the process very well, from the standpoint of a newcomer, onward to one who is well on the way to mastering the creation process. I use the knowledge there daily," the wizard confided. That got Danica's attention. "You craft magical items often?" "I do little else," he responded with a laugh. "I only venture out of my laboratory to eat, and rest my old eyes. The constant squinting requires me to venture forth and focus my eyes on objects a little farther from my face on occasion." "Was it difficult to begin?" Danica asked, sitting the book down for a moment. "I fumbled around quite badly in the beginning, until I had the good sense to find someone who had been at the task for a while and learned by example. It proved to be much easier then," he explained. Danica nodded to indicate his words made sense to her. "I guess so. My name is Danica," she offered, wondering if she might glean some aid in her own quest from this man. "I am Damian Silverstone," he informed her with a smile. Danica smiled back, and then something about his name struck her. She realized what it was almost immediately, and flipped back to the first page of the book to see the man's name listed as the author. Damian laughed, "You'll have to pardon me tooting my own horn and lauding the merits of my own book. I'm not exactly the most social of people, and I have to find ways to start conversations somehow. I find the lack of people to talk to the only real drawback to my self imposed seclusion." Danica laughed with him, "I must agree though. From what I have read, this book does seem to be exactly what you say." "Thank you," Damian acknowledged. "I would be willing to give you that opportunity to learn by example. I was about to return to my laboratory, as I have been out and about the entire day. My mind and hands burn to craft." Danica considered for a moment, and then said, "I would be honored to observe one so knowledgeable at his work." Damian laughed, "If I got that kind of respect every time I stepped out into the outside world, I imagine I might do it more often! Please, come with me then." He rose, and Danica followed him. She found that his quarters were not so far from hers. He opened the door, and she followed him inside. Damian had a three-room suite. The main room was a living quarters, with a fully stocked pantry, a stove for cooking, places to sit and eat, and sections for leisure. She saw a door that led to a bedroom. It was small, but still large enough to have room to move about while housing a king-size bed and other furnishings. The third room was the man's laboratory, where he walked to now. It was larger than the main room, and every inch of the place was filled with shelves of books, apparatus, strange devices, cabinets filled with various materials, tables covered with works in progress, and glass front cases filled with completed items. Danica absorbed everything as she looked around the room. Having a place such as this was a dream of hers. Her own small lab back home, where she prepared her spell components and studied, seemed a pitiful thing indeed, compared to this marvelous room. "I have completed my studies, comparisons, and examination of existing spells and items for the item I want to work on today. I'm sure you know the mundane and long beginnings of the process from your reading," Damien commented. Danica nodded and said, "Yes, I think that part may be my downfall in the whole venture." He laughed dismissively, "Nonsense! You were so absorbed in your studies when I arrived in the library that you barely noticed me, though I had been observing you there for quite a few minutes. You have more than enough patience and center of purpose for the craft. Now where was I... ? Ah — yes — I have completed all the tedious processes, and I am ready to craft. I intend to create a simple, but unique piece of art today." Danica felt her blood stirring as she thought about what she would soon see. To be here to witness the crafting of a one-of-a-kind magic item — even a minor one — was thrilling to her. "What will you be making?" she asked. "I intend to create a stand to hold a book upright for easy viewing, one which can turn pages forward and back on command, as well as close and hold tight the book, in case I should wish to hide from prying eyes what is within." Danica nodded, finding it not surprising that the man would be creating a magical item he was likely to use as a tool in creating other items later. He was rather singularly devoted to his chosen path in the Art. Danica sat down in a chair next to Damian when he gestured for her to do so. She listened and watched carefully as he began to mold the stand from clay, in the shape of a pair of hands joined on a base. He explained the careful attention to detail necessary in the crafting of the item that would hold the magic. All the while, his fingers worked quickly and carefully to mold the clay. He went on to explain the magical components that must be added as the item was crafted, and the spells that needed to be cast over it during the process. Danica found it easy to understand as she heard his words, backed up by her reading, and watched him perform the very actions of which he spoke. At last, Damian sat back with a great sigh. The stand was completed, in the shape of two very realistic hands spread apart and turned just slightly inward. "Now, we'll have to wait a bit to begin the final enchantments. When I craft in clay, I always fire and glaze my items. It is not necessary from what I have seen, nor does it provide any benefits that I know of for sure. I simply do not like to leave the artistic part of the process half finished," Damian explained. "It is beautiful," Danica remarked. "It will be even more so when it is finished," Damian responded with a grin. "Now, it is quite late. It will be hours before I rest, but I can see you are growing weary. Why not go rest while I fire and glaze this? You can always learn those skills at any time from a potter who likely has more skill than I do. Return tomorrow afternoon, and we shall begin the final enchantment process — to see if all this work has been worth it!" "Thank you Damian," Danica responded. "This will help me a lot when I decide to begin crafting my own items someday." "You are quite welcome. I find it most pleasing to have the company of one who enjoys to learn, and doesn't waste their breath yapping or asking questions that would be answered shortly, if they would just be patient!" He then added with a smile and a wink, "Especially when that person is a very attractive young woman." Danica laughed and bid him good night, then returned to her chambers and went to bed. ------- Danica spent the morning in the library, continuing to read Damian's text on item creation, and then went to his chambers in the afternoon. He opened the door almost before she had a chance to knock on it. Apparently, he had been anticipating her. She followed him to his lab and saw the item sitting on the main table. He had carefully glazed the hands in soft tones. They looked like real, if a bit pale, hands. He had carefully outlined the contours of the hands to give the illusion they were almost alive. "As I said, I know of no actual benefit to taking this extra time. However, I have had much greater success in creating original magical items, and more powerful ones, than many I know of. So who is to say my extra care does not pay off?" "You're right, they are even more beautiful," Danica observed. Damian smiled wide, "Thank you! Now, to the real business at hand. Let us begin the casting of spells over them and see if we can bring them to life." Danica watched and listened carefully as the learned man cast his spells and enchantments over the item. He took great care to explain each and every step in detail as he did it. Danica assisted him by keeping spell components at the ready, so that the process might be quickly completed. At last, Damian cast the final enchantment. The hands glowed with a bright blue aura, which swirled around and about them, seeming to be absorbed by them. When the aura slowly faded, Damian sat down heavily in his chair. He was breathing hard, and sweat stood out on his forehead. "It is done," He gasped. "I had not thought to complete it this evening, but your assistance proved quite valuable. I fear I pushed myself a little harder than I should have to finish it today. I do not believe I rushed too much, however. Let us see if we have succeeded." Damian went across the room, picked up a book, and then stood it on the stand. The stand was perfectly crafted to hold the book at the ideal angle for someone sitting at the table beside it to read without eyestrain or moving to view the book. Damian smiled, "Well, at the very least, I have a well-crafted book holder. Let us see if the magic is about it as I had intended." He then spoke a magical word of command. The hands took on a softer appearance. The glazed look of the hands faded slightly, appearing more like real flesh. Damian spoke the next command, Turn, and the hands efficiently turned the page of the book. Back, was the next command, and the hands returned to the previous page. Close, Open, and Seal followed. The hands closed the book, then opened it, and then snapped it quickly closed on the last. "Try to open it," Damian requested. Danica tried to open the book, and then attempted to remove it from the hands, to no avail. She picked the stand up, turning it upside down, and had no better results. Nothing caused the hands to release the book. Damian smiled and clapped, "Excellent! Nothing short of strong dispelling magic should make those hands let go without my voice commanding them!" "It's marvelous," Danica remarked. "Thank you!" Damian exclaimed. "Now I fear I have gotten all sweaty. I would not offend so beautiful a lady, so I shall go wash a little. Feel free to look around the Lab," he said with a smile and walked toward the bedroom. Danica walked around the room, examining everything. She saw rings, amulets, wands, staves — magical items of every kind, in various stages of completion. All the notes and careful research for each piece was nearby the item in question. She reached the back corner of the room and saw something sitting on a table under a soft white cloth. Danica pulled the cloth away and her eyes widened at what she saw. Beneath the cloth was a life-sized, remarkably crafted and hand painted pussy. The object was rounded and appeared to be essentially a woman's pelvis sitting on the table. Incredible attention to detail had been paid to it, and it looked even more realistic than the hands had. Damian returned and blushed when he saw what Danica was looking at. "One of my failures," he sighed. "Failures?" Danica asked. "It was commissioned by a man of great wealth, though not of his own making. He had married his money, though his bride was not appealing to him. She is extremely jealous and watches him closely. He finds little satisfaction in engaging her sexually, and does so rarely. He explained that he has found no way to sneak away to another woman due to her vigilance and thus commissioned this, a substitute that he could keep successfully hidden. Sadly, I was not able to fulfill his directives, and will not be paid until I have. The amount he has offered would ensure me at least a year of worry free work on any project I choose." "The enchantments failed?" Danica asked, absently running her fingers along the lips of the ceramic pussy as she spoke. "Uhmm, no — they succeeded," Damian replied, shaking his head and trying not to look at what Danica's fingers were doing. "Observe," he said, and then commanded the item with a soft voice, "Hide." The item shrank quickly to the size of a coin, and then promptly changed its appearance to look exactly like a coin. "Reveal," Damian said, and the item quickly grew back to the size it had been, "Perfectly as he had asked. It even feels like a coin if you don't know what you're looking for. One who knows it for what it is can detect the difference between it and a real coin, but anyone else would be fooled utterly without inspecting it magically." "Live," Damian softly commanded, and Danica's eyes widened. Had she not known it was not real, she could have never guessed so. Danica reached out and touched the mound above the parted lips. The hair was soft and moved beneath her fingers. She touched the labia and they quivered slightly, just as her own might have. She slipped her fingers inside and felt wetness there. "Had it not been for Zoraster, I could have never completed this as it is now. My own experiences with women are in the far flung past, back before written history," he said with a laugh. "I had only my faint memories until Zoraster provided me with a scrying crystal which gave me a quite close up view any time I wished to observe the real object I was trying to duplicate. But — alas — I still failed." "What is wrong?" Danica asked, amazed by how realistic it was, and how much the pussy on the table was making her own grow damper by the moment. "The merchant's factor said it didn't taste right, and that it failed to squeeze properly," Damian explained and threw up his hands. "I have revised the enchantments a dozen times, all for naught. Each time he still details what is wrong, I try and correct it, only to have him tell me something is still wrong," he finished with a sigh. "It seems what you need is a working example," Danica said. As soon as the thought popped into her head, she became immediately, intensely aroused. The man was handsome and had aged well. Damian laughed, "I fear there is little chance of that. I'm older than dirt. What woman would want to plop herself down and be my test subject? Likely none that would provide what the man who commissioned this wants." "Perhaps there is a much greater chance than you think," Danica responded and stepped slowly toward him. The look in Damian's eyes was like that of a caged animal, his eyes darting this way and that, looking for escape. Danica had her prey dead to rights, and there was no escape for him. "Learn from me what a woman tastes and feels like," she sensually whispered. With that, she kissed him deeply, running her hands over him. She was pleased to note that his manhood was rock hard and of a nice size. Their lips parted, and then Danica walked from the room, shedding her clothing as she went. She was nude by the time she reached the door to the main room. Damian was still standing in the corner, watching her with an open-mouthed stare. Danica leaned against the doorjamb, and then beckoned him with her finger. He seemed to snap from a trance and walked toward the door. When he was nearly there, Danica turned and walked to the bedroom, still beckoning him to follow. When he stepped into the bedroom, Danica pressed her naked body against him and kissed him lustily, then undressed him as she kissed him. She kissed her way down his body as she removed his clothing. He gasped at the feeling of a beautiful woman's lips on his body, which had indeed weathered the years very well, for the first time in many years. Danica finished undressing him and purred when revealing his manhood confirmed it was all her touch through his clothing had surmised. There was already a drop of pre-cum forming on the tip. She slid her tongue out and gingerly licked it from him, drawing a shudder and a gasp from the man. She backed toward the bed, pulling him along by the arm, and lay down when she reached it. She spread her legs wide and said, "Now taste me. Put your mouth on me and make me come. Get a good taste, and you'll know exactly what your client wants." He climbed onto the bed, finding that his faint memories served him very well. He slid his tongue inside her and lapped at her sex with gusto. Danica moaned as he became surer of himself and made her feel really good. She rocked and ground her wet heat up to his lips, telling him how good he was making her feel, begging him to make her come for him. He was hungrily devouring her, and she soon reached her peak, coming hard and pressing her quivering folds into his eager face. He pulled away, her sticky juices smeared all over his face. Danica slowly came down from her heights and asked him, "Do you think you might be able to duplicate that in your crafting?" "I shall go to my grave with your sweet taste and your scent tantalizing me," he replied with a sigh. "Yes, I am quite sure I can fashion enchantments now that will make my client more than happy with his purchase." "Now for the rest," Danica said with a smile. "Will you allow me to cast one of my own small magics upon you? You have said it has been some time since you have been with a woman, and you will probably be sensitive. I want you to get a good feeling of me. My spell will make you less sensitive so that you can hold out for quite some time." He smiled back and replied, "Please do. I feel near ready to release just looking at your body and anticipating." Danica slowly spoke the few quiet words of her spell and touched his cock gently. She then lay back on the bed and said, "Take me. Feel again what it is like to be buried deep inside a woman who wants you desperately. Feel me come while I'm wrapped tight around you." Damian moved up to her on his knees and then reached down between her legs to guide his cock inside her. He pushed inside her to the hilt with a sigh of satisfaction much like that of a teenager doing so for the very first time. However, he was not a teenager, and again his memories served him well. He stroked Danica from varying angles, at different speeds. He caressed her clit beneath her hood with his fingers. All the while, Danica spoke to him huskily, spurring him on to greater efforts. She came once, and then again wrapped around his cock, squeezing him extra tight to give him a good feel. As she built toward her third orgasm, Danica said, "I'm going to release my enchantment on you when I'm close. I want to feel you explode inside me. I want you to come with me. Make me come and fill me up." He took her hard and fast. Sweat was glistening on both their bodies as Danica built to an earth-shattering orgasm. She released the enchantment upon Damian with a gasped command and saw him rapidly climbing to his own peak. At last, he pushed deep inside her with a loud gasp. As soon as his hot fountain of cum hit her deeps, Danica exploded with him. They shuddered through their climaxes, and then collapsed, drenched in sweat, to the bed, their bodies still joined. After some time, they both managed to rise and share a bath. They then dressed, and Danica smiled as she asked, "Do you think you have enough research, or should we go over it again to make sure?" Damian smiled wide and said in his instructors tone, "Careful research is the key to succeeding in any creation." Danica laughed and purred, "Tomorrow morning," then kissed him. "We both need some rest." Damian kissed her back, and then bid her goodnight, collapsing onto the bed as she left his rooms to return to her own. ------- Danica returned first thing in the morning. She was so early that she had to awaken him when she arrived. She did this by sliding nude into bed next to him, and under the covers to engulf his cock in her mouth. After they had both reached their peak, they rested for a bit and then bathed. They ate, then sat and talked of the creation process for a while, finally going to the lab. Danica assisted again, this time even casting some of the spells that modified the enchantments upon the item. When they finished, they returned to the bedroom and joined once more, collapsing in spent slumber afterward. When they awakened the next morning, they tested the item. When Damian spoke the words to make the item awaken, Danica leaned down and slipped her tongue inside the warm, wet pussy. She got a good taste of her own sweet juices, and then told Damian to do the same. They both smiled as he proclaimed their success. "Now to test it in other things. I want to watch," Danica huskily said, and then carried the item to the bedroom. Danica rubbed herself to a shuddering orgasm as she watched Damian fuck the magical pussy on the bed. They came together, and then hugged each other when Damian confirmed it was every bit as wonderful as being inside her, at least in the way it felt. Damian placed the item back in the lab and they coupled yet again before Danica left for her own chambers. When Danica awoke the next morning, a servant entered and delivered a note to her from Damian. It said he would be gone for a few days to deliver the item to the place the client had requested, a hunting lodge not far from the man's house. The merchant's factor had been quite pleased and paid up front, more than he had originally offered. Danica smiled wide and lay back on the bed. She remembered Andrea then, and thought that perhaps she would pay the girl a long visit today. She licked her lips as she thought about it. Her musings were cut short by the door opening and Zoraster entering. He had a wide, wicked smile on his lips. "You prove to be much more interesting and useful with your freedoms than you were without them," he said and laughed. Danica sat up. "I am so glad I can entertain you," she said with obvious sarcasm. "You don't have to like me, you just have to serve me," Zoraster snapped. "Such is why I am here. I have two tasks for you. The first shall be quite simple, and well within your capabilities. The second may prove more difficult, but is also well within your capabilities, I should imagine. In return, I shall grant you a freedom in line with that which has occupied your time since last we spoke. I shall grant unto you a laboratory of your own to experiment in, adjoined to your room here, as well as another small freedom." Danica's eyes opened wide. She wanted nothing from this bastard — but to have her own lab, stocked with all she needed to do her own research — that was too tempting an offer to consider refusing. It was not as if she had a real choice in the matter anyway. "What are the tasks?" she asked. "For your first task, I shall shortly bring to you one who has served me well. He has been following your — exploits — quite closely, and the only boon he has asked of me, beyond the expenses of his duties, is to have you for his own for the next two days. You will serve his every whim like a good little girl." Zoraster laughed, and then continued, "In return; I shall grant you a first small freedom. You shall be escorted down to the city and provided with funds to furnish your chambers as you wish, purchase clothing, and anything else you might desire — within limits." Danica nodded her understanding, finding this freedom much to her liking as well. Zoraster continued, "The second task, I shall reveal to you in five days. You shall have the three days between to yourself. Good day, little rose." Zoraster left then without another word, so Danica ate the food that awaited her and changed out of her nightclothes. Shortly thereafter, Celes came to her room. "Celes, where have you been? I sought after you, but nobody would tell me where you were." "None knew, dearie. I've been out an' about," Celes replied. "The man who's comin' to ye is peculiar. I'm to let ye know in advance what he wishes of ye, so ye can play yer role proper. Sit yerself down an' listen." Danica frowned at Celes' curt tone. She wondered where her friend was, the only one she had in this place. She decided that if Celes was going to be cold, she could too. "The man who's comin' here wants ye to behave like a girl. He wants a girl's mind in a woman's body. Ye should be actin' all scared an' curious like, resistin' him a bit without pushin' him too hard. He's wantin' ye ta be all fascinated with his pole an' ta slowly come around to wantin' it. That's what he wants an' that's what ye best be givin' him." Danica nodded and replied, "Fine." Celes rose to leave. "He'll be here shortly." She opened the door and retrieved a bag from someone outside. "Dress in these an' put yer hair up in tails. Ye'll be livin' outta this here bag for the next two days, so put the stuff ye're not wearin' in the drawers an' put the rest in the closet." With that, she left. Danica looked inside the bag and saw clothes such as that a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl might wear, but sized for her woman's body. She dressed in a short, frilly dress, as well as lacy ankle high socks. She put her hair up in tails; something she hadn't done since she was thirteen, and then looked in the mirror. Danica giggled at the image of her in the mirror. She thought she looked silly, but at the same time, she felt arousal from the play-acting. She pouted for the mirror and twirled her tails as she had when she was a little girl. The door opened as she was practicing her pout yet again, and the man whom she was to serve for the next two days entered. He was very handsome, powerfully built, and clean-shaven. His posture and stern expression both served to give him an aura that bespoke authority. "I'm home, Danica," he said and opened his arms. Danica knew instinctively what was expected of her. She smiled genuinely, as the play-acting made her both aroused and giddy. "You're home!" she exclaimed with a girlish giggle and ran into his arms. He hugged her close against him — very close against him. Danica felt her breasts being pressed hard against his chest. "Have you been a good girl while I have been away?" "Yes, did you bring me a present?" she asked. Danica felt wetness gathering between her legs. She was becoming very aroused by what she was doing, and where she was almost positive it was going to lead. "I have a present, but you'll have to wait a little while. You've grown up into such a big girl while I've been away." Danica pouted convincingly as he mentioned waiting for the present, and then beamed brightly upon his noticing how much she had 'grown'. "Let me see what you're wearing," he instructed her. Danica spun around, the short hem of the dress twirling up to reveal the lacy white panties beneath. The man smiled, "Such a pretty girl, in such pretty clothes. You'll soon be outgrowing them." Danica giggled, her cheeks filling with color. "You're outgrowing your pants, they're too tight," she said, pointing directly at the bulge where his obviously hard cock was straining at the trousers he wore. The man showed a flash of embarrassment for only a fraction of a second, and then said, "Yes, I shall have to buy some new ones I suppose. I have one little present for you now." He then produced some chocolates from a pocket. "Thank you!" Danica exclaimed and started eating them. She was enjoying this quite a lot, and purposely smeared a great deal of chocolate over her face and hands as she ate them. "Oh dear, little Danica, look at the mess you've made. We'll have to get you in the bath straightaway," he said and led her toward the tub. When they reached the tub, he undressed her with great care, drinking in the sight of her nude body with his eyes. He then lifted her easily up and into the tub, which he had started filling before undressing her. Danica splashed a little and giggled as the man reached for a cloth and leaned over the tub. "I will wash you to make sure you are nice and clean," he told her. He ran the cloth over every inch of her body, washing her with great care — everywhere. Danica giggled and turned when instructed as he ran the cloth over her. He had saved her most intimate areas for last. First, he slowly ran the cloth over her breasts. Danica's nipples were so hard that they were aching. He instructed her to bend over with her bottom facing him in the tub. Danica did so and he scrubbed her bottom carefully, spreading the cheeks slightly and running the cloth between them, lingering for just a couple of moments over the puckered iris of her ass. He then brought the cloth lower, running it over Danica's folds. Danica looked back at him and pouted. "That makes me feel funny," she said "Your pee-pee needs to be cleaned well Danica, or you'll get sick," he reprimanded her, and ran the cloth over her again. "But it feels funny. I don't like it," Danica protested in a defiant tone and pulled away from him slightly. She saw his arm raise and felt the smack of his hand on her ass, five times in rapid succession. She yelped and summoned up a look of tears on her face. "That will be enough of your back talk. You are a big girl now, and if you back talk me again, I will get my belt," he warned. Danica pouted convincingly, her lip quivering, and did not move as he washed her sex with the cloth, probing inside with a finger and running it between her labia to finish. He had her step from the tub and toweled her dry with the same careful strokes he had used in washing her. He went to the drawers and said, "Oh dear, all your clothes are dirty. We shall have to wait until they have been washed. I guess it's naked time. You like naked time, don't you, Danica?" Danica giggled and spun her nude form around. She saw him shuddering as she did so. "I will join you for naked time," he said and disrobed. Danica feigned ignorance and walked over to him saying, "Your pee-pee doesn't look like mine." "No dear, I'm a boy and mine is different from a girl's, see?" He pulled her hand to wrap around his manhood as he finished. "Why is it so stiff?" she asked, offering him a very convincing look of confusion. "It does that when I am happy. I'm happy to be here with a beautiful girl, and seeing her all so grown up. Now, I want a favor, will you do me a favor?" "Yes," Danica replied with a smile. "I need to wash up too, but I don't have time to get in the bath. Will you help me wash up?" Danica nodded, and he went over to the bed, where he lay down, "Now come here and wash my pee-pee." When she turned to get a washcloth he said, "No, no, dear — come here. I will show you how." Danica walked over and sat down on the bed. She could see a drop of pre-cum glistening on the slit at the head of his cock. "You know how doggies and kitties clean themselves with their tongues? You can do that for me. That way I won't have to get in the bath or use a cloth." Danica made a face, "That's icky." "Danica, I know best. It is not icky. If it were icky, I wouldn't ask you to do it. Now come clean me up," he reiterated. "No, it's icky," Danica repeated and stood up. His hand snapped out and grabbed her arm before Danica could react. He then sat up on the edge of the bed and brought her down over his knees, with her ass in the air. He grabbed his belt from where he had laid it nearby and proceeded to give Danica fifteen hard strokes with the stiff leather. All the while, Danica cried and apologized. He then stood her up and lay back down. "If you are truly sorry and want to make me happy, do as I tell you, dear." Danica leaned down closer to his erection. She feigned hesitance, pouted, and looked scared as she looked at his throbbing manhood inches from her face. "Do I need to get my belt again, Danica?" he warned. Danica shook her head in the negative and then edged closer. She feigned ignorance of something she had done many times, lapping up and down his rock-hard shaft with her tongue. "That's a good girl," he said. "Now make sure you get the tip very clean." Danica concentrated on his cock head, swirling her tongue over it, drawing a smile and a moan from him. "Put it in your mouth like a lolly," he instructed. "Suck on it like a lolly, and that will make sure it gets nice and clean." Danica followed his directions, doing her best to play the part of a young, naive, scared girl who has never had a cock in her mouth before. She slowly built up pressure and speed as she suckled his glans. "That's a good girl," he moaned. "Get it nice and clean. Try to get more in your mouth dear — the cleaner the better." Danica sucked more of his thick member into her mouth, still steadily increasing the pressure and speed, adding teasing movements of her tongue as she did so. The increased stimulation was rapidly building his pleasure. Danica could see it in his face, feel it in his breathing, and in the throbbing of his cock in her mouth. "I have another sweet present for you," he grunted, then put his hands on the back of her head and exploded into her mouth with a grunt that was nearly a snarl. Danica drank up his cum greedily, sucking for every last drop, and then pulled away, feigning a cough. "Why did you go pee in my mouth?" she exclaimed with a perfect pout. "I didn't, dear. That just meant you did a good job cleaning. You cleaned me up so well on the inside and out," he objected. He sat up and glanced down at Danica's pussy. She was sopping wet and dripping, "Now, look you've went and gotten all sticky somehow. I'll have to clean you up," he said in a mock-disappointed tone. He instructed her to lie down, then slid her legs apart and moved between them. "Now, I'll clean you up really well, like you did for me." "But it makes me feel funny," she said with a pout as his lips touched her and his tongue snaked out. "No backtalk," was his muffled reply. "It only feels funny now because you haven't been cleaned like this before. It feels really good if you stop being scared and let it. Big girls aren't scared are they?" He pushed his tongue inside her, ran it over her folds, and then stabbed it deep inside to run all over her walls, gathering up the considerable moisture there. "Now, it doesn't feel funny anymore does it?" he questioned, before returning his mouth to her sex. "It feels tingly all over, up into my belly and here," Danica revealed, touching her clit, "And here," she continued, touching her rock hard nipples. He looked up at her and smiled, saying, "It doesn't feel bad though does it? Relax and let me make you feel good because you're getting so clean." The little game was arousing Danica beyond what she ever thought it would. She was positively flowing as he lapped her and felt her body's fires surge into a white-hot flame within her. He felt her body responding and doubled his efforts, paying a lot of special attention to her engorged clitoris. Danica teetered on the edge, and then toppled over into orgasm. He rode her bucking hips, lapping for every drop of her sweet flow as she shook through the orgasmic throes that gripped her. At last, he released her saying, "I couldn't quite reach everything. I know another way to reach and make sure you're good and clean." He then rose to his knees in front of her. He pushed about half of his cock inside her and Danica feigned a look of pained surprise as she clenched all her muscles tight around him, "It hurts — it's too big." "Relax dear, it will only hurt for a minute, then it will feel good. You trust me don't you?" he said as he pulled back and stroked inside her again. He continued to thrust, but never got more than half inside her, because she kept her muscles clenched tight around him, "It's too big — too big," she sobbed. He pushed her legs wider apart, then parted her lips with his fingers and pushed more of his erection inside her past the resistance of her clenching walls. Danica took care to make her yelps and moans of pleasure sound more like pain and fright than what they actually were. All the while, he continued to stroke her, pushing more of his cock inside her each time. Finally, he hit bottom. On the third stroke, he said, "Now see, it doesn't hurt anymore does it dear?" Danica feigned being indecisive about that, shaking her head in the negative, but in a way that didn't seem too convincing. "See, I told you," he said and stroked her faster. Danica stopped acting not long after. She was too turned on, and his big cock buried inside her felt incredible. She let him know how good it felt with her sounds of pleasure as he took her harder and faster. At last, she exploded in orgasm. As soon as she clenched tight about him, she felt him erupt inside her too. She clenched her legs tight around him and they both rode out their climaxes. After the initial shockwaves passed, they both collapsed onto the bed. After her orgasm died down and she had relaxed for a few moments, Danica started to feel uncomfortable. She had been turned on — certainly — and the role-play had been fun. Now that the intensity of the moment was over, she wondered if the man would actually do this to a little girl. Danica felt her stomach tighten as she thought of a truly innocent young girl being violated by this man. It must have showed on her face, because he rolled over and said, "I know what you're thinking. I will break character for a few moments to let you know this, so that you will not be uncomfortable and will continue to play my game. I would never do this with a real girl. I have had the thoughts, but I have always resisted them. Liaisons like this allow me to control those urges, and not allow them to control me. Before, it has always been with prostitutes, for a few hours at most. It is very pleasing to me to be able to act on my fantasy for a longer time." He sounded very sincere, and the revelation that he sought out women to fulfill his fantasy seemed to verify it. Danica relaxed, "I will continue to play my part. Thank you for telling me this." "It is an adult's job to protect the little girls and give them comfort when they are uncomfortable, Danica." Danica smiled and felt wetness gathering between her legs again, "Thank you for being so good to me." ------- Part 2C The play continued much the same for the remainder of the two days. She served like a perfect little girl, and he took advantage of her innocence often. Danica found that she often offered enough resistance to get the belt — once even enough to get a violent fucking of her mouth, followed by a hard fucking of her tight ass. Danica woke up sopping wet, and went to bed filled with cum. "It is time for me to go again," he said as he gathered up his things the second afternoon. "Come give me a kiss goodbye." Danica walked up and kissed him, pouting as if she was sad he was leaving. Indeed, she was in a way, though she felt the need for something different after two days of the little game. He lost the authoritative Daddy voice when he spoke his last words to her. "You have been a marvel — the best I have ever been with. You play the game like none other. I only wish I might have the opportunity again," he praised her, and then left. Danica put away the little girl clothes in the closet, had a bath and a meal, and then went to the library to read for a while. It was late when she left, and she had wandered to Andrea's room before she even realized what she was doing. She knocked, and Andrea let her inside a moment later. They spoke for a short while and then their desire overcame them. Danica told Andrea to go pee, explaining that she was going to try to teach the young woman to experience the squirting orgasm, which so fascinated her when Danica did it. She explained the sensation was much like urination, and that knowing your bladder was empty seemed to help. Danica wondered what had been awakened in her as she felt her juices begin to flow, listening to the sound of Andrea's golden stream falling in the chamber pot. It only happened every so often, but sometimes this ultimately private act aroused her to great heights. The very thought of her desires would have once repulsed her, but now she accepted them. She tried to shake the thoughts from her head as Andrea returned, but she slipped between the young woman's legs as quickly as possible to lap up the tangy, bitter remnants of urine on Andrea's nether lips. Danica explained to Andrea what she would need to do in order to experience the gushing climax. She instructed her how to contract her muscles to make it possible between laps of the young woman's folds. Once again, she was fascinated by the taunt resistance and soft stiffness of the young woman's perfect, pink lips. Danica slowly worked the young woman toward her release, hoping to build pressure that would erupt in a torrent. When she sensed Andrea was getting close to tumbling over the edge, she would pause a little. She never went to the torturous lengths Camilla had with her, but she did try to build up a lot of pressure in Andrea. When Danica decided it was time, she quickly rubbed the blonde's clit, whispering, "Don't forget to push." When Andrea tumbled over the edge, she managed to leak a little trickle with just the faintest hint of a squirt. The young woman nearly hyperventilated from the intensity of the orgasm. Danica had to pull away to let Andrea catch her breath. Andrea realized then that she had a task to perform soon and needed to go. Danica longed for Andrea's mouth on her, but she understood, and returned to her chambers. She stopped along the way and brought an off duty guard with her. He was unimaginative and came too quickly, but he managed to fulfill Danica enough so that she didn't feel like seeking another. ------- Danica returned to the library the next day, but she was distracted by thoughts of Andrea and could not concentrate. She went to Andrea's chambers early, and the young blonde managed to squirt twice while Danica was there. When she came this way, she squirted in streams, much as a man's cock when he ejaculated. Danica found it fascinating and enticing, realizing it was probably her own large lips and stronger pressure that caused her streams to diffuse. If she could concentrate enough to pull her lips apart while coming, she thought she could probably soak the ceiling. She thought to return to the library when she left, but she was burning with the need to be filled once again. Finding she was near the chambers of the apprentice who she had come here with that first night, she turned toward his door. When she entered the room, he was instructing a novitiate in the ways of schooling here. The lessons were quickly suspended, because Danica was in no mood to wait. She didn't even offer a word — she simply shed her clothing as soon as the door closed. The apprentice knew the joys he was about to experience. The novitiate could certainly guess. Danica walked over to them both and pulled at their robes to indicate they should get undressed. They were both nude in less than a minute, looking a little uncomfortable standing next to each other naked, but that feeling was overshadowed by their desire for Danica's nude body. Danica took the novitiate first, explaining to the other that he had already had a turn and should be willing to go second. Danica lay down and parted her legs, the novitiate wasting no time getting between them. He fumbled about for a moment or two, until Danica reached down and guided his cock inside her. He was inexperienced, that was obvious, and just as obviously over stimulated. Danica tried to guide him with her hands and legs. He seemed to be picking up her cues for a few moments, but then youthful anticipation took over. Danica knew he wasn't going to hold out and completely released him to his instincts. "Do it. Come inside me," she gasped. After all, she had two cocks here, and between them both, she knew she would come soon enough. Danica reached over and pulled the apprentice toward her, stroking and sucking his cock while the novitiate alternated between furiously pounding her and fumbling to get back inside her when his enthusiasm caused him to slip free. Finally, Danica released the apprentice's cock with a kiss on the head, and then wrapped her legs around the novitiate taking her, to keep him confined inside her. Moments later, she saw his face tighten and felt his cum bursting forth inside her. It took a minute or two to stop the novitiate from apologizing. Danica told him that he'd do better in a short while when he tried again, now that he had let off some pressure. The young man looked delighted to know that he was going to have another opportunity. He pulled free from her, and Danica went to the chamber pot to let the considerable flow of cum inside her drip free. She then returned to the bed and used the convenient handle of the older apprentice's cock to pull him to the bed. The apprentice took her from behind, and she was delighted to discover that in this position, the curve of his cock perfectly rubbed her special spot. Danica came twice before he exploded inside her. Once again, she cleaned up, a slight smile crossing her lips when she noted that the novitiate was already hard again, and more than ready. He did give a better accounting of himself this time, making her come just as he reached his own peak. Once more, she went to the chamber pot, chuckling when she saw the novitiate sitting in a chair dozing off — still stark naked. Danica had the apprentice take her from behind again, explaining how much better it had felt, and how hard he had made her come this way. She continued to talk to him in sultry moans and purrs as he fucked her, and it seemed to drive him over the edge. He pounded her hard and fast, and Danica had just reached her own orgasm when he slammed his member home, emptying his seed inside her. A short while later, she left them both passed out where they had collapsed, and returned to her chambers. ------- The next day, she was able to concentrate, and spent most of the day in the library reading and studying. She walked past the guard chambers as she returned to her rooms, and this time she turned inside when she heard the whistles, catcalls, and rude comments. Danica immediately noticed a guard whom she had never seen before. "Are you new?" she asked. "Yeah, but not too new. I've heard some stories," the guard replied. "Would you care to see if those stories are true?" Danica inquired with raised eyebrows. He crossed the room toward her with a nod, and she led him to her chambers. Danica moaned in approval when she saw him naked. While his cock was not terribly long, it was quite thick. It was almost as thick as the huge man who had nearly split her in half when she had first arrived here. Danica sat on the edge of the bed and propped some pillows behind her back to help support her. She then guided the guard between her legs and watched with excited fascination as his thick cock stretched her lips wide while sliding between them. Not only did his thick cock fill her well, but he also had remarkable control. He kept up a steady, powerful thrusting motion for what must have been a full half hour. Danica was yelping through a fifth orgasm before she realized how long they had been going. "Do... You... Ever... Come?" she asked, every word proceeded by a sharp gasp for air. He smiled, showing off his perfect teeth. "I just wanted to give it to you good before I pulled out. Every time I got close, you would go crazy and I would have to stop before I got there." "Pull out? Why would you do that?" Danica hinted with a satisfied smile and a shudder. "Well, I don't want to get one on you," he replied. Danica shook her head. "That can't happen. I want your cum inside me." His face lit up, and Danica knew. "You've never come inside a woman have you? Mmm, I'll be your first. Give it to me now. Hold me down until you fill me up if you have to. I want it," she exclaimed. He pulled the pillows from behind her and lay her down with one of them under her bottom this time. Danica found that this position hit new, sensitive spots inside her as he thrust his wide shaft inside her again. Danica gasped to him to fill her while he stroked his thick rod inside her. He picked up the pace involuntarily, and Danica could tell from that and the look on his face that he was close. Danica teetered on the edge as well. Soon, she felt her body twitching, and then she came. The young guard pressed down on her hips hard and continued to pound her with steadily increasing speed. Danica gasped and moaned as he kept her coming. Whenever she could summon up the breath, she begged him to fill her. It worked, because he shortly slammed his cock home and coated her walls with thick cream. He had to leave soon after, and it was only after he had left that Danica tried to get up. She looked down — with a yelp of pain — at her pussy when she did. His thick cock had split her lips, and the splits were burning like wildfire. Danica then felt a cold numbness from the amulet around her neck. Almost instantly, the same cold shot into the spits and they closed. Danica gasped from the biting cold, and then ran her fingers over the healed spots. Zoraster had apparently told the truth about the amulet. Danica bathed and then went to bed. She knew Zoraster would return the next day to tell her of her second task. ------- Zoraster banished the image in his scrying mirror as Danica walked toward the tub. "Ah yes, my little rose, you acclimate yourself well to your new desires." The light in the room dimmed and Zoraster crossed toward the source of the dimming light, a globe of pure crystal, suspended over what appeared to be coffins below. The light of the crystal globe faded completely, returning the room to its normal, dim illumination. Zoraster laughed and reached out a hand to caress one of the coffins. "Soon, my pets — perhaps even this night. Now, we must see if Danica will prove as useful as she is entertaining. She grows stronger, doesn't she? It seems as if awakening her desires has awakened her mind as well. Perhaps she will be a more powerful tool than I had originally thought. She shows promise in the art of crafting magical items. Will she show such promise in other studies? What do you think my little one?" There was the faint sound of rustling within the coffin. Zoraster smiled wide as he heard the rustling, and then laughed. "Oh, but I know what you think don't I? Exactly what I want you to — no more, and no less. Yes, yes — perhaps tonight indeed." With that, Zoraster swept his robe in a flourish and raised his hand to his brow, as a gentleman might to a passing lady in the street. With a final laugh, he left the room, and the dim light went dark as the door closed behind him. Faint rustling continued to echo through the room from the coffins, growing more frequent as the hours passed. ------- Danica was up, bathed, fed and dressed in her most comfortable robes when Zoraster arrived quite early in the morning. "You have done well — so well in fact — that the young man who was your company for two days went immediately about another task for me without asking for compensation," Zoraster said with a laugh that conveyed full well that he thought the man a fool. "Thus, you have earned a freedom. But first, I will reveal to you your second task." Danica sat on the bed listening, waiting for her instructions, and showing no emotion. Zoraster laughed as he sat down in the chair at the foot of the bed. "You will be provided with proper attire, as well as the tools of your mission when you leave in the morning. Now, here is what you shall do. There is a certain woman in the city whose household I wish to keep a close eye on." He pulled a small globe from a pocket in his robes. "You shall be provided with these — many of them." He then spoke a word of command, and the globe shrank to half the size of a marble. "You will place these throughout this woman's household by whatever means necessary. I have devised the means to gain you entrance to her home. It is up to you to concoct a means to stay there long enough to complete your task. When your task is completed, you will leave the house, where you will be met by someone who will escort you back here. In exchange, you shall receive the freedom I spoke of before. Is this understood?" Danica responded, "Yes. I understand." "Excellent," he said and laughed. "Now, an escort will be here shortly to take you into town — to purchase furnishings and whatnot for your chambers here. You will also be shown the household where your task is to be. I suggest you begin to formulate your ideas once you have seen it. You will be leaving for there quite early in the morning. Good day, little rose," he finished and left. Celes arrived shortly thereafter, apparently her escort into the city. They did not walk through the complex, but instead teleported directly from Danica's room into a house within the city, which Zoraster apparently owned. "Come," Celes said, and walked out the door. "There is where ye will be at yer next task for Zoraster," she instructed while pointing at a large, well-appointed complex of buildings across the street. "Get yerself a good look, then let's be about yer shoppin'. Tell me what ye're lookin' for, an' I'll get ye ta the right shops." Danica stopped in the street, and Celes took several steps before she realized she was walking alone. "What are ye on about?" Celes asked, and beckoned, "C'mon, let's be goin'." "Why are you acting like this?" Danica demanded. "What have I done to deserve this?" Celes' brow furrowed and her eyes darkened. She drew in a breath and looked as though she was about to deliver a stinging tongue-lashing to Danica, but then her eyes softened and her lip quivered. She said, "I'm sorry, dearie. Ye've done nothing." "Then WHY!" Danica shouted, walking up to the old woman. "Zoraster stole my hope that day, when he stole yer believed innocence. Aye, I knew all along there was no spell about ye. I have no hope — no reason to live fer meself. I'm sorry ta be takin' it out on ye," Celes sighed. "Never give up hope," Danica said, raising Celes' face up so she could look into the old woman's eyes. "I have not given up hope. I will escape Zoraster's clutches one day, and I will make him pay. Whatever he said, there is nothing done with Art that cannot be undone — even a wish. The curse cast over you can be ended. If you let your spirit die, he has won." Danica's words and her strength appeared to penetrate the fog of hopelessness in Celes' eyes. The old woman's eyes brightened. "Aye, yer for bein' right, dearie. The madman's probably laughin' his fool head off right now, but damn him to the hells, I won't let him win," she exclaimed, and then hugged Danica. Danica hugged the old woman back and felt tears in her eyes. Her words were strong and full of conviction, but she wasn't sure how strongly she felt them herself. "Let's be on about our shoppin' dearie. Turn that room inta yer own, an' get ye some clothes ye'll be likin'," Celes declared with a clap. Danica selected several pieces of small furniture from a pair of craftsman's shops. She instructed the craftsman about some other things she wanted built as well. The small items were delivered by porters to the house they had teleported to here in the city. The others would be delivered there when completed. Danica was especially pleased to find a well-crafted chamber pot seat, which would allow her to sit comfortably instead of squatting. They browsed the shops, carts, and booths for most of the day. Danica selected clothing, jewelry, toiletries, and numerous other items. Each time, Celes' paid on the spot with a seemingly endless supply of coin. At last, they exhausted the shops and returned to the house. Celes teleported both of them back to Danica's chambers with all the items that had been delivered that day. In Danica's room, they spoke as friends about the shopping trip while they put everything in its new place within the room. It had been dark for a couple of hours when they parted. Danica bathed and slipped beneath the new, thin, soft coverings she had selected with a sigh, and fell asleep. ------- Danica had barely gotten up, dressed, and had her breakfast when Zoraster came in the room. He tossed a bundle onto the bed. "There is your attire for your mission," he informed her. Danica unrolled the bundle, finding a simple homespun shift — and nothing else. The material looked rough and quite uncomfortable. "You shall be playing the indentured servant of a wealthy master," Zoraster explained as he sat in his customary place. "You will deliver a message from your Master, asking to pay court to the lady of the house. She is quite used to such messages, and accepts the messengers with amusement — because she has no interest in men whatsoever. Change your clothes. There will not be time to do so when I have finished." Danica pulled off her clothes as Zoraster continued, "You will use whatever means seem appropriate to stay within her household long enough to compete your task." He tossed a small, homespun bag to her. "Here are the globes. The bag is magical, and only the trinkets within will be noticed by anyone else. There are fifty globes inside. Place them all within the household. Cover every room — every room. There are but twelve rooms within the main house. Place the globes liberally in each." Danica finished undressing and pulled the homespun shift over her. It was just as scratchy as it looked. It barely covered her below, and her breasts pressed hard against the material up top. "I should imagine you will be received with a little more than mere amusement," Zoraster said with a laugh. Danica knew what Zoraster expected of her. She was to use her womanly charms to entice the woman to keep her there. Zoraster clapped, and the door opened. Celes and Brandon The Quick entered the room. "Here is your escort — and Celes shall transport you both to the city. You leave immediately." Zoraster nodded to Celes and Brandon when he finished, and then left the room. Brandon smiled knowingly at Danica and winked. "I'll take good care of you," he said suggestively. Danica and Celes both rolled their eyes at that statement. Celes grasped both their hands and spoke the words of her spell. The magic then whisked them away to their destination. Danica and Celes both sat down in chairs with simultaneous sighs when they reappeared within the house in the city. Brandon was busy wiping his mouth after becoming violently sick on the floor. "Damn me, but I hate magic," he mumbled. "Are ye quite done?" Celes asked impatiently. "Zoraster will not be amused if'n ye miss yer appointment." "Aye, I'm ready," Brandon responded while rattling his sword belt around into a more comfortable place. "Get ye goin' then, Danica," Celes said. Danica nodded and left the house, Brandon walking at the ready by her side, looking dangerous and prepared for anything. They walked up to the gates of the complex across the street, and there they were greeted by guards who stood behind a large iron gate. "Who goes there," one of them said. Danica and Brandon both realized that the voice belonged to a woman. The powerful forms of both the women, their breastplates designed to give little doubt of such, with pronounced bosoms molded into the metal, hardly showed any frailty. These women were both well-muscled soldiers. "Your master was told of our coming. My master sends us with a message, and a request," Brandon answered formally. "We saw you come out of the house. You are expected. Enter and remove your weapons," the first woman ordered and opened the gate. Brandon reluctantly gave up his sword and daggers, and they were led to the front door of the main house. Danica patted the pouch at her side to assure it was still there. One of the warrior women knocked loudly on the door. A striking woman — dressed in a long, translucent gown of white — answered the door. "The messenger," one of the soldiers announced gruffly. "You are her escort?" The woman who had answered the door asked Brandon in a musical voice. "I am," he said, puffing up his chest and trying to catch glimpses of her flesh beneath the teasing gown. "You may go wait in the guard chambers near the gate," the woman instructed, and then took Danica's hand to lead her inside. Brandon started to protest, but the door slammed in his face and the two guards took up places on either side of him. They obviously intended for him to walk between them back to the guard chambers. He fumed and grumbled the whole way back to the gate, and continued to do so as they entered the Guardhouse. He ceased grumbling shortly thereafter when he discovered that all the guards were female — and they were all quite hungry for some male attention. Brandon soon forgot his anger as he coupled with the strong women. ------- Danica was led to a room filled with large couches set around a fountain inside the house. There were enormous windows above the room letting bright sunlight bathe the room in a warm glow. "Milady," the woman escorting Danica said, "The messenger has arrived." "Very good," Danica heard a sultry voice say from a couch in front of her — though its back faced her and she could not see the speaker. "You are dismissed, Serena," the unseen woman continued. The girl escorting Danica bowed to the back of the couch and turned to leave. The woman on the couch then sat up from where she had been lounging and beckoned Danica to come around in front of her. Danica felt her passion stir while looking at the woman. The gown she wore left nothing to the imagination. Every line — every curve of her body — was perfectly visible beneath the thin, white cloth. Danica could plainly see the woman's nipples, bare-shaven sex, and even a small ring pierced through the woman's navel. Danica realized she was staring and snapped her gaze away from the woman's body back to her face. The brown-haired woman made no such attempt to hide her actions as she admired Danica's body. She even licked her lips slightly before she raised her eyes back to Danica's face. "I know why you are here — and the answer is no. I will not allow your master to pay court to me." Danica's heart lurched, and she wondered if she was going to be dismissed this quickly. She had to think fast — come up with some way to remain and complete her task. "I would guess by how you are dressed that you are not the best treated servant in your master's household?" the woman asked, plucking at the hem of Danica's shift. "I am treated fairly," Danica replied. It was the first thing that came into her mind as it raced trying to figure out a way to stay here. "Bah! You are treated like an animal. I can see it in your eyes. It is well known that I never deliver an answer to a suitor until at least the next morning. You will remain here and see what it is like to serve a master who appreciates what you do for them until then. Your escort will find himself occupied. I have denied the guard access to men for a week now. They made a complete mess of their latest drill. It was such a small thing to ask — that they do it unclad. They are supposed to be soldiers, ready at any time, yet they fumbled their drills like rank amateurs in their nakedness. I'm quite sure your escort is being entertained — probably beyond his endurance," she said with a laugh. Danica thought it might be the women who were being exhausted, considering Brandon's remarkable control over his need to climax. She blushed as she thought about it, catching the woman eyeing her at the same time. "Please come with me, my dear. Let us get you bathed and into some more comfortable clothing. You may call me Mistress Jenna," the woman said, and rose from the couch offering Danica her hand. The scantily clad brunette led Danica to a large private chamber — likely the Master Suite, considering the vast size of the room — then into an enormous, steaming bathing pool. Danica looked about in wonderment at the beautiful furnishings of the room, dominated by an enormous circular bed with a canopy and curtains. It had to be wide enough in diameter for two people to lay head to toe across it without hanging over the edges. Jenna stepped to the edge of the pool and released the loose ties of her gown at the shoulders. It fell with a gentle sound to the tile below. Danica caught herself staring and her mouth watering as she watched the woman's shapely bottom slide sexily back and forth. "Do get off that sack and come," Jenna said when she immersed herself to the bottom of her breasts in the water. Danica thankfully pulled off the scratchy shift and eased into the water. As soon as Danica reached her, Jenna pulled Danica's head gently to her breast. Danica's desire flared within her. She sucked Jenna's small nipples, flicking them with her tongue. She massaged the firm globes with her hands and felt the woman's hands on her own breasts. She licked and sucked with obvious need on the first breast for quite a while. Then she moved across the woman's body and engulfed the other in her mouth — moaning in pleasure as she did so — and hearing her moans echoed from the other woman. Danica felt a hand rubbing her folds as she sucked on the woman's hard nipples, and her body being pushed slowly back into shallower water. Jenna leaned over and laid Danica down when they reached the edge of the pool where the water was only a few fingers deep. She moved between Danica's legs and slid her tongue out to Danica's swollen clit. Danica gasped from the touch, a shiver running all through her body. Camilla had made her feel better than any man ever had before with her expert tongue, but this woman was a master compared to her. Danica's breath came in short gasps as Jenna drove her to the heights of ecstasy and held her there. Danica gasped and moaned, thrusting her hips toward the woman's face while being lapped ever faster. She was hovering in a fog of seemingly unending ecstasy, and her climax took her by surprise. She hadn't even thought to push, but she did, and erupted in a strong flood of girl cum into Jenna's face. This caused the mouth on her to tease her even harder. Danica came, her insides tightly contracted and inarticulate sounds erupting from her for what felt like an eternity. She quite nearly lost consciousness from the intensity of her orgasm before the woman licking her so well finally let her come back to earth. Jenna moved up next to Danica and gently suckled the redhead's large nipples while Danica quivered through the sporadic spikes of ecstasy that still rocked her. When Danica at last caught her breath and was able to focus her eyes, Jenna released the pebble hard nipple between her lips, rolled over onto her back, and spread her legs wide. Danica moved between Jenna's thighs with no further prompting. The woman had a gorgeous pussy, which almost begged Danica to taste it. Jenna's inner lips were large and puffy, and Danica found that she had to apply considerable pressure to slip her tongue between them and inside to the wetness within. Jenna moaned approvingly and caressed Danica's face as Danica lapped and sucked with hot desire. The woman was absolutely oozing sweet wetness in a steady flow over Danica's lips and tongue. Danica lapped for every drop, swallowing when her mouth became full of the nectar and her saliva, feeling the warm fluid slide down her throat to settle like liquor in her tummy. She moaned around the woman's full labia as she drowned in the intoxicating taste and scent. Danica had just noticed that her lips, tongue, and jaw were hurting from lapping so long when Jenna erupted in a geyser that rivaled Danica's. A second fountain, nearly as strong as the first, spurted out on its heels. This was followed by two or three short squirts much like Andrea's as the woman parted her lips with her fingers. Danica let the woman come down, collapsing next to her while Jenna shuddered through her aftershocks as Danica had earlier. The brunette rolled over and kissed Danica passionately. Their breasts touched, sending more tingles through Danica's body. Jenna then stood and reached out for Danica's hand. Danica took the offered hand and she was led to the bed. They were both still dripping from the bathing pool, but neither paid the slightest bit of attention to it. Jenna lay Danica down on the bed, spreading the redhead's legs out wide. She then climbed over Danica and parted both of their labia with her fingers, pressing their folds together. Danica quivered and groaned as the women ground their smooth-shaven pussies together. Their lips — slick with wetness — and their buds — hard and erect — rubbed together with heated friction. Danica felt a fire building deep inside her. Danica pressed her hips forward harder, and the two alternately sucked each other's nipples and kissed as they rubbed their sex against one another. Danica came in a rush. The woman atop her climaxed immediately after, before Danica had even finished screaming from the beginnings of the first in a string of overwhelming multiple orgasms. They both cried out in ecstasy, face to face, as their orgasms rocked them. Jenna then rolled off Danica, gasping to catch her breath. "Mmm, see, I told you I'd show you what it was like to be truly appreciated," Jenna said, and then closed her eyes to float in the warm afterglow. Danica closed her own eyes, and nearly drifted into a doze. Just before she succumbed to sleep, she remembered her task here. Danica snapped alert, quickly casting a sleep spell over the woman — ensuring that she would not awaken — and then cast a spell of invisibility over herself. She rose quickly and grabbed the small cloth bag, removing the first of several globes. Danica placed the globes generously about the large room — close to the bed, the bath, the chamber pot, and spaced across each wall of the room. Each one vanished from sight when she put it in place. Danica then proceeded to hastily place globes in each of the other rooms in the house, being careful not to brush up against anyone as she moved through the building cloaked in invisibility. At last, she had exhausted the bag of its contents. She went back to the master suite and lay back down on the bed. Danica soon fell asleep from the combined exhaustion of her orgasms and the run about the house. ------- When Danica awoke, Jenna was already up and dressed. "Here — put these on for the duration of your stay here and follow me," Jenna instructed. Danica put on the translucent gown, which was quite similar to the one the woman with the musical voice had worn. She followed Jenna outside the room when beckoned. For the remainder of the day, she was occasionally given typical servant tasks. The rest of the time, she was free to lounge wherever she chose. That night, she was ushered to the servant's quarters. She was far from ready to awaken the next morning when she was ordered up by one of the women and given her scratchy shift. One of the other women gave Danica a letter to be delivered to her imaginary master, denying the request to pay suit, and then she was taken to the gate where Brandon awaited. He looked no better rested than she did, and walked with obvious discomfort. The women of the guard had obviously given him quite a workout as well. They returned to the house, and Celes teleported them back to Zoraster's complex. ------- The next day, Zoraster came to her room. "Excellent, my little rose — excellent. You have done well," he said as he sat down. "As promised, you shall have your freedom, but first..." He rose, removed a pendant from his neck, and walked over to Danica. He touched his pendant to the one around her neck. There was a momentary swirl of magical lights around both pendants, and then Zoraster put his back around his neck. He then walked over to a spot on the wall. It was on the opposite wall from the closet, about halfway between the bed and the tub. He spoke a word of magic, and the wall opened. On the other side was Danica's promised laboratory, apparently outfitted to begin work immediately from all she could see about the room. "I trust you shall find all you need within. Should you require anything, pass word to Celes, and it shall be delivered to you — within reason. Farewell, little rose, until I have another task for you." Danica walked through the open door when Zoraster left and marveled at the equipment, books, and components that were hers to use. She didn't know where to begin. She found a book on the shelves that she had not yet read, and sat down in a comfortable chair at one of the tables to peruse it. When she finished the book, Danica went back into her room and bathed. She felt the needs of her body grow as she bathed, and she quickly rubbed herself to an orgasm in the tub. She needed more — an aching desire to be filled swelling within her. An idea came to her as she rose and got dressed. Her decision made, she left her rooms to find a hard cock to fill the aching void within her. ------- Danica began her research the next day. She first went to Damian. After they had coupled and taken time to relax, he took her to his lab. There he showed her, in great detail, what he knew of the art of firing and glazing clay for use in magical creation. It was three days before Danica felt competent enough to try it on her own. She crafted a simple and beautiful swan — smiling brightly when it was removed from the kiln for the last time, and Damian expressed his delight at her wonderful work. She then returned to her own lab. She delved into the notes she had copied from Damian's lab, her own tomes of spells, and the books on the shelves. She devoured the knowledge within and applied it to the idea she had formulating in her mind — her first unique magic item. It was another two weeks before Danica felt prepared to begin constructing the item. She believed she had the proper spells and incantations, the proper components, and all the knowledge she needed to begin her crafting. Sitting down at one of the tables, she kneaded the air from the large lump of clay in front of her. Danica shaped the object from the image in her mind's eye. She worked slowly, carefully, paying great attention to each detail as she labored over the first step of her creation. She worked in the components and cast all the necessary spells over the clay as she worked. The second day, the form emerged. The clay formed the shape of a idealistic cock, about the length of two hands touching fingertips, and about three fingers wide. When she finished, it looked quite realistic, and she breathed a sigh of satisfaction. Danica then added special touches that she had devised. On the top of the shaft, just a little above the base that was a form-fitted handle, she attached a thin strip of clay. It was attached on the end toward the handle, loose at the top. It was just thick enough to support itself above the shaft without touching it, except where it was joined. She then added a nub on the bottom of the shaft. It was about the length of her pinky, and about as big around as one of her thumbs. The nub was set closer to the handle than the thin piece she had attached to the top. It was in the shape of a small, smooth cock. Danica sat back with a sigh, beads of sweat glistening on her body. After a moment of recovery, she carefully examined the item. Satisfied it was perfect in every detail to her vision, she took it to the kiln to fire. She spoke the words of command that ensured the kiln kept exactly the right temperature and stayed on for exactly the right amount of time, and then went to her bed, collapsing into an exhausted slumber. ------- Danica ate, quickly bathed when she awoke, and then went to her lab — going immediately to the kiln. The item had fired perfectly. The firing had caused no cracks, air bubbles, or other imperfections. It was exactly as she had made it, but now solid and able to be handled more readily. Danica stretched and sat the piece down on the table. Working with tiny brushes, she began the task of glazing it. Another three days passed before she finished. Already the object before her looked almost alive. It looked even more so when the firing was done, and it emerged from the kiln with the colors brought to vibrant life. Danica smiled wide, pleased with her creation. She then centered her mind, meditating into a deep sense of calm purpose, and began the spell casting — the final enchantments that would bring her magical item to life. She completed her spell casting in the wee hours of the morning, watching with anxious anticipation as the magical glow settled around the disembodied cock and was absorbed by it. Danica immediately felt her strength drain completely from her. She staggered — her vision going black — to the bed and collapsed upon it. ------- Danica awoke late in the afternoon. She was aching, and her robes stank of sweat from her difficult castings and sleeping in them. She stripped them off and got into the tub. As she bathed, the stiffness and aches left her in the warm, steaming water. While she washed, she felt desire burning within her body again — a need for satisfaction that her passion for creation had supplanted for so long now. Danica finished bathing, barely resisting the urge to pleasure herself. She dried her body with a towel and walked nude to the laboratory. She gently picked up her crafting, carried it back into her room, and lay down on the bed. Now was the moment of truth. In moments, she would know if she had succeeded or failed. Danica spoke the word of command with confidence — with power. She felt the cock grow softer in her hand, and felt it take on the texture of flesh. The toy grew warm and throbbed just like a real cock. Danica shuddered in a mixture of joy and desire as she realized she had succeeded. She spread her legs, slipping the head of the cock between them, and then spoke another word of command. The tip of the toy started to slowly rotate between her labia. Danica could see the thin strip on top of the shaft fluttering as the wings of a humming bird did. She felt the shaft hum in her hands — a gentle vibration that sent waves of pleasure shooting through her like electricity. Danica took a deep breath, and then slowly slid the magical cock into her depths. When the toy was fully buried within her, the fluttering tongue atop the shaft slid over her hood and set her clit on fire with pleasure. The nub on bottom of the shaft slid slightly into the iris of her ass, vibrating and making her gasp. She twisted the shaft to pump it in and out of her, moaning in the ecstasy of her success and the intense sensations her unique toy was giving her. She thrust it in and out more rapidly as the fires built inside her. The tongue atop the toy beat a rapid tattoo on her clit every time the shaft drove home. The phallic nub on the bottom was now sliding its full two inches into her ass when the cock was buried inside her as well. The whole thing hummed with vibrations and rotated inside her, teasing the bundle of nerves behind her mound with each revolution. Her body suddenly exploded in a rush of release as she came hard. The magical cock throbbed intensely as Danica came, and she felt it shoot hot, sticky cum deep inside her. She gasped out the words that caused it to cease vibrating and the tongue to stop flickering. The sensations were too intense in her current state of sensitivity. She continued to stroke the toy inside her as she settled back down to earth, and then let it slip from her to lie throbbing on the bed beside her. "Sleep," she commanded the item, and it returned to its hard-fired clay form. "Hide," she ordered next, and it shrank down to be barely a finger's length. Danica smiled, as she now knew that every tiny bit of her enchantments had held perfectly. She put the item over on the bedside table and drifted in the warm afterglow of her orgasm. ------- Danica already knew what her next creation would be. Her first success gave her the confidence to undertake a second project — a present for Celes. She was not ready to begin her research today, though. She needed some time to relax. Zoraster walked in, and Danica scowled inwardly at the interruption that probably signaled some new task for her. She sat down heavily in a chair, composing herself and looked at him with indifference. "Follow me, Danica. I have something to show you. I think you will find it most..." He paused and let out a mocking chuckle. "Interesting." The Archmage then walked to the door and held it open for Danica. Danica followed, wondering what the madman wanted to show her. He walked through the halls with a quick, confident stride, and Danica found she had to walk very quickly to keep up with him. He reached a door along one of the halls of private chambers and opened it, beckoning Danica inside. There was a large bed against the wall in the corner. A gauzy curtain hung around it. Danica could hear moaning and gasps of pleasure coming from the bed, and could see the intertwined forms of several people — at least two of them women — through the gauze. Zoraster laughed and said, "They take care of each other's needs when left alone." He then clapped his hands twice in quick succession. The sounds from behind the curtain immediately ceased. "Danira — come, my little rose," Zoraster ordered. The curtain parted on the side, and Danica stared, her mouth agape. Walking across the room, she saw herself. The woman was identical to her in every way, but naked with wetness glistening on her labia. The duplicate's hips swayed sexily, just as Danica's did when she put her mind to it. "I have watched your experiments with great interest — and watched your success with much pleasure. I have been performing my own experiments as well. My field of choice is cloning, and Danira here is one of the fruits of that research. Quite naturally, she is a clone of you, little rose — her body perfect in every detail. Her mind is perfect as well. The amulet you wear absorbs any intense emotions and feelings you have, and records them. When I touched my amulet to yours, what was stored was transferred to mine. I then carefully picked out what I wanted, and eliminated the rest. The result is Danira here," Zoraster said, and ran one finger down the clone's body, drawing a shudder from it. "She understands and obeys commands quite well. Desire burns within her like a wildfire. The distilled and undiluted desire you have at your peak is hers at all times. Her mind is quite limited, otherwise. She is able to feed and clean herself, and knows a few useful words like: more, harder, faster..." Zoraster explained and then laughed in an explosive blast. "You... You sick bastard," Danica muttered — horrified by the nearly mindless copy of her which was nothing more than a sex toy. "Pee, my dear," Zoraster commanded. Danira closed her eyes, loosing her golden stream to splash onto the floor. Zoraster reached out his hand, and tasted her essence with a shudder. "As I said, she obeys quite well. Sit," he ordered and pointed to a chair across the room. Danira walked over and sat down, her hand slipping between her legs to caress her folds as she sat. Danica tore her eyes away from the twisted clone of her when Zoraster spoke again. "Danila, come here, my little rose." Yet another clone of Danica stepped from the curtains. This one appeared to be an exact duplicate of the other at first glance, and then Danica noticed the differences. Danila's breasts were larger, looking heavy and swollen. As the copy moved closer, Danica noticed milk seeping slowly from the clone's nipples. "You might be interested to know that your barrenness is not a curse that is yours due to your parentage. It has been caused by something, or is at the least, not absolute," Zoraster declared as the clone that he had named Danila approached to stand before them. "I was curious as to how much pleasure the female body could endure. I had sweet Danila here walk into the main Festhall of a great barbarian tribes gathering in a faraway land. She was quite nude, and hopped up on the table presenting herself to the Chief of Chieftains as his dessert. He — and all his warriors — were most happy to partake," Zoraster said with a laugh. "At least one hundred-fifty men took her that day, not to mention the number who filled her mouth and ass. She took them all with pleasure, though she yelped a bit in pain through the last score or so. When I realized my little toy was with child, I was anxious to see the results of a created being giving birth. Unfortunately, it was stillborn premature, perhaps a result of my using magic to accelerate its development. I attempted to stimulate her to produce milk by having a lamb suckle her several times daily. That experiment was a complete success. She is a veritable fountain of sweet mother's milk now," Zoraster said and leaned forward. He squeezed Danila's areole, pressing his fingers into the clone's breast and shot streams of her milk into his mouth. The Archmage smiled as he rolled the liquid about in his mouth. "Sit," Zoraster ordered the copy, and it went to join the clone named Danira at the side of the room. "Damika, come, my dear," Zoraster said, and the curtains parted again. The woman who strode toward them this time appeared much the same as the others. She wore an amulet around her neck, but otherwise looked little different. "Damika was a bit of a challenge. I took rather careful pains with her as I was aging her to fruitful womanhood. It took very careful spell casting to keep her spread wide open as she matured. You see — Damika is the toy of the man who quite nearly split you in half and killed you when you first arrived. I fear most men would be hard pressed to hit more than one of her walls at once." Zoraster chuckled before continuing, "The amulet around her neck pours healing energy through her body whenever she is aroused. It prevents his enormous member from doing any permanent damage. The man's strength will now serve me until the end of his days, without complaint, as I have provided him a woman to sport with that he doesn't have to worry about accidentally splitting in half every time he takes her." Zoraster loosed yet another sadistic laugh and ordered Damika to sit. Danica could see one more form behind the curtain on the bed, and wondered how many copies of her the twisted madman had made. She felt her stomach roiling with sickness at the debauchery of the man's whims. "Danielle, my dear, come here," Zoraster cooed. Danica's eyes filled with tears as the final clone stepped forth from the curtains. It was Danica as she had been while straddling the line between girl and woman. Fine, downy hair covered her mound, and her breasts were not quite in Danica's full flower of womanhood. She smiled, and skipped toward Danica and Zoraster with a wide smile on her face. "Danielle is quite popular," Zoraster said with an evil grin, "She is the combination of your grown woman's lust and an inexperienced young woman's timidity, curiosity, and untouched body. The ring she wears restores her maidenhead an hour or so after it is broken. Little Danielle here loses her virginity several times daily." Danica's mind shut down. The horror of seeing the last of Zoraster's twisted creations caused blackness to overcome her, and she knew no more. ------- Part 3A When Danica awoke, she was back in her own chambers. The first thing she saw was Celes leaning over her, looking worried. "Are ye alright, Dearie? Am I needin' ta get ye to the healer?" she asked, when she noticed Danica starting to come around. "No, I'll be fine," Danica replied groggily. "Physically at least," she added, remembering what had caused her to pass out. "Zoraster sent for me, an' told me ta get ye back to yer chambers, but he dinna say what was wrong with ye, an' why ye was out," Celes explained. "Did you see them?" Danica asked. "See who?" Celes replied, raising her eyebrows. Danica sat up slowly and told Celes about the depraved creations Zoraster had shown her. Celes was just as angry and horrified as Danica, becoming more so every moment as Danica spoke. Celes ground her teeth hard as Danica took a drink of water and spoke of the young clone Zoraster had named Danielle. "Ach, but he's a sick, twisted bastard," Celes growled. "There's little that can be done about it. We can't stand against him. It makes me ill to know those mindless things are being used that way," Danica sighed, and then looked around the room. She noticed that the furnishings she had comissioned had been delivered and placed in the room. She remembered telling Celes where she planned to put them, and apparently the old woman had taken care of it. "I was worried plain sickly," Celes said when she noticed Danica looking around the room. "Ye slept through the whole bleedin' thing, while the porters grunted an' stomped around here, movin' alla this stuff." "My mind was overwhelmed — it just shut down," Danica explained. "I think I'll throw myself into my studies. My desire to learn and create seems to suppress my thoughts of the horrors here, and the desires I have, which still frighten me." "I noticed ye've not been out an' about much this last lil' bit," Celes observed. "What have ye been studyin' that so wrapped ye up?" "Enchantment of magical items mostly," Danica said and picked up her new toy, still in its miniature form, from the end table right where she had left it. Danica spoke the words of command and demonstrated the item's enchantments for Celes. The old woman laughed as she felt the thing vibrating and writhing in her hand. "Ach, Dearie — Ye've certainly outdone yerself for a first project. Suren' this thing must drive ye clean outta yer mind," she said with another cackle as she handed the toy back to Danica. Taking the toy back and deactivating it, Danica remarked, "I had a good example of the sort of enchantments I wanted to use, and I was there when Damian cast the spells that did it. It made it much easier to determine the differences I wanted, rather than starting from scratch." "Ach, but so many precise enchantments on the thing — for your first creation? Dearie, ye belittle yerself. Ye have more'n a small affinity fer creatin', or ye'd have failed in this fer sure," Celes exclaimed. Danica blushed, and smiled. "You really think so?" "Aye, Dearie, I wouldna lie to ye," Celes replied, and then added quietly, "Ye get enough o' that around here." Danica caught a glimpse of something around Celes' neck, and felt her stomach knot when she saw the chain that she could tell was exactly the same as the one around her neck. "Celes, does that charm... Is it like mine?" "Aye, Zoraster uses it ta keep tabs on us, an' quite a few others. I've seen these things a poppin' up all o'er the place lately." Danica put her hands in her face for a moment, shaking her head. "Celes, he uses these to absorb intense emotions and feelings. He used mine to give the copies of me what little minds they have. He could be creating hundreds of mindless slaves to do his bidding, using us all as brood mares to clone from." "Nay, I'm not for thinkin' so," Celes objected. "Rightly enough, I'm likin' this damn thing even less now, knowin' that, but ye don't know much about the clonin' spell do ye? The madman musta used up a decade's worth of resources ta make the four copies of you. The expenses are incredible, even more so to gather the rare spell components used. Nay, he'll not be creatin' any armies. Likely he's just for usin' anything we feel to augment the ones he has somehow — sick bastard." This revelation really didn't make Danica feel any better, but she let the subject drop. She asked, "What have you been doing?" "I've not been so lucky ta have time to meself as ye," Celes sighed. "The madman has had me out an' about, near ta constantly. I've brought more Art to this sick place than I care to think on, but I have lil' choice in the matter. I try to content meself with the fact it gets me outta this damnable place, at least for a time." Danica nodded, understanding that Zoraster probably had some sort of additional hold on Celes, just as he did her. "I already have an idea of what I'll create next," she said, smiling as she thought about the gift she planned to make for Celes. "I'm going to try to occupy my mind with study as much as possible. Maybe I can find some way to free us from this horrible curse we live under." Celes smiled faintly. "Aye, Dearie, keep that hope alive. Ye're about the only thing that keeps mine alive. If yer work keeps yer mind away from this horrible place, I'm for thinkin' that the best place for ye is with yer nose buried in a book an' yer butt planted firmly in a chair." "I fear that shall have to wait a short while," a voice said from the door. The women turned to see Zoraster standing before the closed door, though neither had heard it open or close again. "I have tasks for you both," he added and went to sit down. "It is good to see you awake and well, Danica. I love what you've done with the place," he said, looked around the room and letting out a loud, sarcastic laugh. "Just give me my orders and get out, you sick fuck," Danica retorted. Zoraster rose and crossed the room so quickly that Danica didn't have time to react. His hand drew back and snapped out, slapping Danica backhand to the bed, "Sick fuck? You would know, little rose. You have engaged in quite a few sick things along those lines." He then seemed to compose himself, and returned to the chair. Danica slowly sat up, her head ringing. She couldn't remember when she had ever been struck so hard. She had hit a nerve somehow, and she made sure to keep that in her mind as a warning, and possibly as an advantage at some point. "Now, Celes, a scrying globe has been left in your chambers. It is attuned to the location where your task is to take place. It is in a small village, and there is a wizard of some small renown there. He possesses an item of vast magical power, though he knows not the truth of it. He uses it for pitiable little things to serve the sheep of the community — for no reward, as if the first was not nauseating enough. You will bring this item to me by whatever means necessary. You shall be granted freedom from your nightly duty at the baths in exchange." Celes nodded, a look of relief crossing her face. "Little rose, your task is much the same. There is a merchant who possesses a ring of great power, which he also does not understand. The ring is on his person at all times. He never removes it. You shall relieve him of this ring by any means necessary. Celes will be busy, so Camilla shall undertake the duty of your transport to and from here. Be prepared to be out of doors, for the merchant is in route, and is in the wilderness. In exchange, you shall be granted freedom to the entire grounds. You will not pass beyond the outer wall, but you may roam freely otherwise, should you succeed." Danica nodded her understanding. "Very good. Celes, you shall leave whenever you are prepared. Make haste, for my patience is thin, but be prepared before you go for any necessary eventualities. Little rose, you shall leave on the morrow. Camilla will come at high sun. Be ready when she arrives, Damika. Terribly sorry — Danica — I have such a time keeping you and your sisters straight," Zoraster said with a loud laugh, and left the room. "Fucking sick son of a bitch," Danica muttered. "Aye, an' I'm for fearin' we might not know the half o' the truth of it," Celes agreed. "What is this freedom he was talking about?" Danica asked. "Every night, I'm forced to go to the baths, and bring towels to the men and women. The men leer at me, seeing me as I should be. The women ignore me, and wince at the sight of my old body. I spend four hours each night being assaulted by the eyes, and rude comments of the men — and tortured by the sight of women I desire, and can never be with." Celes' accent vanished as she spoke of this torture. "Why would he grant you freedom from something that must be pure torture to you? I'm sure it delights the madman to no end. Why — for such a simple task?" "Likely the task is not so simple," Celes said with a sigh. "I fear I may once again be forced into a situation where I may have to kill to fulfill my task. I have avoided it by narrow margins thus far, but with each task, it becomes more difficult to avoid." Danica laid her hand on Celes' folded hands, looking into her eyes trying to indicate that she understood and wished she could do something to help. "There's little ta do, but ta be ready fer anythin', an' try an' get the damnable thing — without havin' ta be doin' the worst ta do it," Celes said, her accent returning. Danica nodded in agreement. "I should take time to get ready too. My own task may be more difficult than Zoraster let on too. I don't like the thought of taking a life any more than you do." "Be to it then, Dearie — as shall I. Be well." Celes said, and then left. Danica thought carefully, and then prepared spells and items she thought she might need. The latter she received after sending a servant to request them of Zoraster. The servant returned promptly and delivered the items without comment. As prepared as she thought she could possibly be, Danica lay down and tried to sleep. The aching of her desires came over her, and she used her toy to appease them, finally slipping into a deep slumber. ------- Danica went to the library when she awoke early the next morning and found several volumes dealing with the art of illusion. She thumbed through each, until she found one that seemed more precise and detailed than the others. It was a newer work, and what caught her eye were several references to her sister Devan. Danica's sister spent much study time delving into this facet of the Art, and she was quite good at it. Danica returned to her room with the book to study. Danica read until nearly high sun. She wished she had spent more time speaking with her sister of things arcane — wished she'd spent more time speaking with her sister, period. Danica had always frowned upon Devan's wanton nature, and thus she avoided her most of the time. Devan had never hidden the reality that she lay with women, and brought the subject up often. It had always made Danica uncomfortable. She realized now that her reaction was a response to a very deep part of her — which she suppressed — that desired it as well. Danica placed the book on a shelf in her study, gathered up the magic items she had asked for, and changed her clothes. Danica dressed in a riding outfit, the tight leather showing off her body to good effect. She pulled her hair up in a tight bun atop her head, with a trailing ponytail falling from its center to just below the back of her neck. She picked up a riding crop and found herself staring at it. Danica imagined a strong man wielding it, bringing it down with sharp cracks on her ass as he rode her from behind — riding her like a mare and spurring her on to greater efforts with the crop. Danica shook her head, trying to clear the vision. She could feel the wetness gathering between her legs, and her hand was caressing her buttocks where she could almost feel the stinging redness the crop had raised in her daydream. She looked in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction. Zoraster had said the man was in route to somewhere, and the outfit was part of the plan formulating in her head. She managed to shake the titillating thoughts about the crop from her head and glanced at the clock she had purchased with one of her first freedoms. It was nearly high sun, and Camilla would arrive soon. Flipping open a compartment in a large ring she wore, Danica filled the void with cream from a jar, which she retrieved from a cabinet in her lab. She snapped the ring shut and put the jar of cream back in its place. She then sat down on the bed and awaited Camilla — who should be arriving any moment. Camilla sauntered into the room nearly an hour later. Danica was pacing angrily about the room when the woman arrived. Danica turned to stare hard at the other woman when she entered. Camilla just smiled and ran her hands down her body. "I'm sorry, Danica dear, I was engaged with teaching a lovely young woman some obedience. She proved to be quite difficult, and it took longer than anticipated." Danica just snorted and grabbed the crop from where she had hurled it in anger to the bed a short while earlier. "Shouldn't we be going?" she asked curtly. "Oh, I suppose," Camilla responded, and eyed Danica's costume. "Mmm, quite enticing," she moaned, eyeing Danica hungrily. She walked over close to Danica and reached out a hand toward her. Danica swatted it away with the crop, scowling at Camilla. "Ooo, Feisty little kitten, aren't we," Camilla cooed. "Now — you know I have to touch you to use the spell of teleportation, so enough of your swatting." Danica scowled, and then tensed as the woman reached out. Camilla reached as if she was going to touch Danica's breasts, held tight by the leather of her riding outfit, and then laughed, reaching down to take Danica's hand. The magic swirled about them, and they were somewhere else. Danica saw that they were atop a hill surrounded by large trees. The trees of the forest were spaced fairly wide, and Danica could see a caravan pulled off the side of the road, a meal obviously being prepared. Danica smiled, as the first plan she had devised would work perfectly well in this situation. She would not need to resort to the other — less carefully planned — situations she had considered later. "Well, there is your prey, my little tigress," Camilla observed. "Go to your task. When you have completed it, take this and say my name. I will return to wherever you are." She handed Danica a small charm. "It will grow warm when I have returned close by. It will grow warmer and begin to throb as you draw nearer to me. I'll be watching, little tigress," she finished with a crooked smile, and then vanished from sight as she teleported. Danica kicked aside some pine needles to reveal the earth below, and then rolled around in the spot. She made sure she got a nice amount of dirt and pine needles all over her in the process. When she arose, needles were entangled in her hair, which was now sticking out every which way. She looked as though she had taken some sort of a tumble. Danica stumbled down toward the caravan, and saw guards snap to alertness around the wagons as they heard her approaching. They stayed at the ready when she lurched out from the trees and crossed the road toward them. "Halt right there!" one of them called out. "Oh please, can you help me?" Danica asked, and stumbled to her knees in the middle of the road. "What's going on here?" a man's voice said, and someone stepped out from behind one of the larger wagons. He was a roguishly handsome man, and built powerfully. Danica guessed the muscle came from exercise and not from hard labor, considering the fine clothes and jewels he was wearing. "A woman, Sir. She appears to have had some sort of accident," one of the guards said. All the guardsmen still stood with their weapons drawn, eyeing Danica suspiciously. "Stand down, for gods' sake," the man ordered. "Can you not see this poor woman is distraught — likely hurt?" He pushed down the sword point of the nearest guard toward the ground and walked past him toward Danica. "Here, take my arm," he said and offered it. "Come sit down, and let us see if we might aid you." Danica said, "Thank you, kind sir," and then took his arm. She looked — but did not see a ring on the fingers of either of his hands. As he led her the rest of the way across the road to the caravan, Danica's mind whirled. Zoraster had said the man never took the ring off, and yet there was no ring on his finger. Was it invisible? The only way to discover that would be to find the time and opportunity to concentrate — slipping into her second sight to look for dweomers about his fingers. The man led her to a comfortable seat near the wagons, and then said, "My name is Adrian, and I am the Master of this caravan. Now, tell me what has happened to you." "I was on a long ride and my horse threw me. He is normally an obedient animal, but he just seemed to go mad. He bucked me off and ran like mad, off that way," Danica said, pointing off in the direction the caravan appeared to be heading. "Hmm — perhaps stung by one of the large wasps hereabouts. You know of the Croakus Wasp?" he inquired. "Yes, those large wasps that kill frogs and small lizards. They do not attack people or larger animals though," Danica said, remembering the insects because there had been a few in the area where she had grown up. "It is their mating season. The males grow extremely aggressive during this time. It is quite possible your horse stepped too close to where one lay, and it stung him in response. The sting of the Croakus Wasp is quite painful. It burns like acid through your blood. It has even been known to kill children. That could have certainly caused your horse to react the way it did." Danica covered her mouth and gasped, "Oh my. What shall I do now?" Well, first relax here and refresh yourself. Then, you may join us for our meal and share our fire here. We intend to go no further this day, as we near the darker heart of the forest. We will leave early in the morning to ensure we cross the dark heart of the woods entirely during daylight hours. I shall send scouts out to see if they can find your horse for you. We will go from there. Will you be my guest?" he asked with a charming smile. "Thank you, kind sir," Danica replied, smiling brightly. "I shall take you up on that offer. I fear I will have a long walk home if I do not find my horse. I rode far before he bucked me." "It shall not come to that. We will reach the town of Dundalis once we pass through the forest tomorrow. If we have not found your horse, you may accompany us there and make arrangements to be returned to your home." "Thank you, Sir — you are too kind." "Nonsense!" Adrian said with a laugh. "Perhaps my men will act like civilized beings for once, in the presence of a beautiful woman. They usually become unwashed beasts whenever we are on the road!" He laughed again, and several of the men around joined in. Danica laughed with them. Adrian ordered a tent erected, and had a large washbasin and mirror set up inside it. In the meantime, he offered Danica some of their meal. It was a simple, but quite tasty stew, brimming with fresh vegetables and succulent meats. Danica ate, listening to the men talk — and joke about her quietly. When she finished, she went into the tent and pulled off her outfit — shaking the pine needles from it. She washed and fixed her hair again, leaving it flowing down this time. When she emerged, she saw many of the men staring at her in open-mouthed awe. Adrian was amongst those who eyed her with fascination now that she was clean with her hair down. Danica blushed prettily as the men shook their heads and averted their eyes. Adrian walked over to her and said, "My dear, you were beautiful before — you are radiant now." Danica's blush deepened, as she was genuinely embarrassed by the compliment. "Thank you, kind sir." "Please, call me Adrian. Now, come sit around the fire and relax. My scouts already seek your horse. You should take your ease while we wait for them to return. I hope we will not bore you too much as we need to discuss the business of our trip before we sleep so we may be prepared when we enter the city tomorrow evening." Danica smiled and said, "Thank you for all you have done si..." She paused, and corrected herself, "Adrian." He smiled back, took her hand, and led her to a comfortable camp chair around the fire. Danica was bored silly listening to the men talk of buying and selling. Every once in a while, one would tell an amusing story of one of the merchants they had met as they talked, but otherwise, it was all business — and all tedious. It did provide Danica with the opportunity to slip into the second sight. She frowned, as she saw no dweomers about the man's fingers. There was no invisible ring there, and she wondered if Zoraster could have been wrong. It occurred to her that one did not necessarily wear rings only on the fingers. She had several rings that she wore on her toes when she wore open-toed shoes. Perhaps this man wore his ring there as well. Now, she only needed to find a way to get his boots off and find out. It was obvious what the most likely way to see him with his boots off was. Danica wondered if every task she would be given would center on her using her body to complete it. Somehow, she thought it likely. He was attractive — so it would hardly be unpleasant. She ate with them at the evening meal, even drinking a fair amount of the wine that the men produced. She was feeling quite giddy when the travelers turned in. Adrian walked up to her and said, "You may sleep here in this wagon. I'm quite sure you are not used to sleeping on the ground. This is not much better, but it is the best I have to offer, I'm afraid." "Sir... Adrian, might I not stay in your wagon?" Danica asked quietly. "I-I fear to be left alone amongst so many men and so far from home — a-and you make me feel safe." She then reached out to touch his hand. The man looked at her curiously, and Danica looked back at him — allowing just a little of the genuine desire she felt to show behind her eyes. "Of course. While I trust all my men to be honorable, I would not have you to endure an uncomfortable night of worry. Come with me," he instructed. He led her to his wagon, and they stepped up inside. It was quite spacious as wagons go, but was barely large enough to contain the full-sized bed and a few shelves — despite its large size. He shut the door and turned back to Danica. "There is but the one bed, but I assure you — on my honor — I shall make no unwanted advances upon your person, Milady." He seemed to realize something and said, "I neglected to ask your name, dear lady." Danica hadn't even thought of this. She thought that she shouldn't use her real name. Her mind raced, and she said the first thing that popped into her head, "My name is Danielle." She winced when she realized she had chosen the name of the young copy of her that Zoraster's twisted mind had created. Adrian smiled and said, "Danielle — a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Now, let us rest, to be fresh for the journey on the morrow." He pulled his boots off, and Danica did the same. She watched him carefully, while trying to hide that she was doing so. Frustration welled up inside her when she saw no ring on his toes. She closed her eyes, calming herself, and then slipped into the second sight. No dweomers there either. Zoraster must have been wrong. He had taken the ring off — or didn't possess it at all. She knew she had to discover the truth, and she knew she had exactly the right tools to glean any information she wanted — from any man. Danica allowed her desires to flare up inside her, and slowly allowed them to become visible to the man in the wagon with her. Her eyes drank in his strong body and she let him notice she was doing it as he sat both their boots near the door of the wagon. Her breathing quickened. He was noticing, and she could see he was hardly adverse to her silent advances. When he finished removing his boots and things from his pockets, he turned back to Danica and came very close to her. His face was inches away from hers. She gasped slightly, let her lips part, and then she leaned forward to kiss him. He responded and kissed her back — moaning quietly when he felt her hand slide between his legs to caress him. She unbuttoned his trousers and he broke from the kiss to pull her top from her body. He sighed with pleasure upon seeing her breasts — the nipples hard and pointing at him. He guided her up to her knees and pulled down her tight leather riding pants. He sighed again as her panties were revealed. Danica lay back, kicking her pants the rest of the way off, and then quickly slid her panties down as well. He licked his lips as she revealed her sex, glistening with wetness, to him. He pulled off his own clothing even as Danica did. Danica grew more aroused as she saw his powerful, completely naked chest. Either no hair grew there — or he shaved it off — and the look inflamed Danica's passions. He lay down and pulled off his trousers, causing Danica to gasp for two different reasons. The first, he had a large cock which was completely shaven bare of hair. The second, there was a golden ring around the base of his shaft. Zoraster had not been wrong after all. Danica sat up and leaned forward — engulfing his erection in her mouth. She sucked him deep into her throat with each slow stroke, growing more aroused every moment by the feeling of his clean-shaven cock. She slid her tongue under the ring just once, and found that it moved slightly when she did so. Danica noted it, and then let it slip from her mind as she sucked him. Adrian was being very quiet as she caressed him in her warm mouth, obviously taking great pains not to let out any sounds of pleasure. Danica took the cue and remained silent as well. After sucking him for a while, she released him and teased him with her tongue to rest her jaw for a short time. Wiggling her tongue slowly down his shaft, she explored his smooth balls when she reached them, suckling them between her lips. At last, she stroked him quickly with her hand as she sucked him hard while swirling her tongue over his glans. He exhaled long and hard as his cock exploded in her mouth. It was the only sound he made as he filled her mouth with his cream. When he ceased to pulse, she pulled back. She dropped her head down again after a moment to lap up a last oozing drop as it emerged from the slit in his cock. Adrian leaned forward and laid her back. He then parted her legs and pressed his face in between them. Danica bit her lip as his experienced tongue teased her. The urge to moan and growl was overwhelming. Danica had to fight hard to keep her mouth closed. She was breathing heavily, trying to keep even that quiet as his lips and tongue lapped and probed her. She felt her orgasm building deep inside her, causing the urge to cry out to become even more difficult to resist. Grabbing a pillow, she stuffed it into her mouth, biting hard on it. The urge to scream built to near unbearable levels as her muscles clenched in preparation for release. Somehow, she managed to maintain control and only emitted a long, slow, quiet groan of pleasure that was muffled almost completely by the pillow as she came hard on his tongue. He didn't relent, but continued to lap and suck at her sensitive folds. Danica gasped, keeping the pillow tight over her mouth to muffle the sounds of her explosive exhales. He dragged her rapidly back up her mountain of pleasure with his mouth. Danica rose to her peak of pleasure in only a couple of minutes, tumbling into another powerful orgasm that rocked her body. She bit off yelps into the pillow as she came and he continued to tantalize her with his tongue. Only his strong arms holding her down kept her from writhing away from his mouth. Twice more, he drove her to strong orgasms, forcing her to chew on the pillow hard the whole time. The second time, even the muffling of the pillow and her self-control was not enough to prevent what was actually a faint scream from escaping. He pulled away from her then and let her slowly come back to earth. She kept the pillow over her face as she shivered and bucked her hips through the series of aftershocks which rolled through her body in rapid waves. At last, she was able to let the pillow fall. She still breathed heavily, but she felt she would no longer be making noises audible outside the wagon. Adrian slid up beside her. There were just the slightest twitches running through his smooth-shaven manhood — the first sign that he would soon be able to swell into hardness again. Danica muffled her sounds of pleasure with something much more pleasurable than the pillow, sucking his limp organ between her lips. After only a short while, he grew hard as steel again. Danica gave him one last slow suck and then released him — lying back on the bed and parting her legs. Adrian positioned himself between her parted legs and pressed the head of his cock against her slick lips — running it up and down them a few times, before pushing deep inside her. Danica's mouth opened wide in a silent scream of pleasure as he filled her. Her eyes were closed, but he could see them twitching as they rolled up behind her eyelids from the intensity of her pleasure. He slowly stroked in and out of her, Danica gritting her teeth against the screams and moans that begged for release from her. She watched his smooth cock as it slid in and out of her, her lips clinging to him as if trying to hold him deep within her. His shaft glistened brightly with her wetness in the faint light from the window. He increased his pace, and Danica grabbed the pillow again when a choked off yelp became a croak that was almost too loud. Danica gnawed at the pillow hard as he continued to increase the speed and power of his thrusts. She writhed on the bed from the almost unbearable strain of restraining her cries of ecstasy. At last, he buried himself to the hilt inside her and coated her walls with his seed. His ejaculation set Danica off, and he held her hips down as she bit down on the pillow — growling her way through the multiple orgasms that rocked her. Adrian pulled free from her, continuing to hold her down as she bucked and spasmed through her continuing orgasm and the following aftershocks. He released her only when her gyrations decreased in strength and frequency. As soon as he released her, he collapsed to the bed. He was soaked in sweat and his breathing was as labored as Danica's. In time, they both caught their breath and lay exhausted on the bed. When Danica felt she had the strength, she opened her eyes. Adrian was sound asleep. She moved, and saw she had gnawed a hole into the pillow during her final climax. Feathers littered the bed. Danica cursed silently, because she had meant to use the sleep drug concealed in her ring to lull him into unconsciousness. In her desire for his gorgeous, shaven body, she had completely forgotten. Popping open the compartment of the ring, she smeared some of the drug over her fingertips. She then placed the digits against Adrian's lips and rubbed gently. His lips parted, and he murmured slightly — kissing her fingers and running his tongue over them. Danica rubbed her fingers against his tongue as he did so, trying to get more of the sleep drug in him. It was apparently enough, because he quickly lapsed into the senseless sleep of the drug. Danica immediately moved him into the slightly brighter spot of moonlight filtering through the single window. She pulled at the ring and found it was quite tight. The ring had apparently swelled and contracted with his hardness as necessary. It wasn't budging more than slightly and Danica knew she had to do something to reduce the friction against his skin. She was still dripping both of their juices from her, and so she slid her fingers inside her to gather up the slick cream. Danica smeared her fingers over his shaft, trying to get up under the ring as best as she could, and then put her fingernails in a circle around the ring — pulling slowly. It was beginning to work, and the ring slid slowly up his shaft. Danica labored — sweat once again beading up on her brow as she pulled slowly on the ring. She bent down and ran her tongue rapidly over his shaft for a moment, trying to get it slicker. Her eyes opened wide when he stirred slightly and his cock twitched. He's resistant to the sleep drug! Danica thought with horror. She placed her fingers carefully around the ring, relaxing for a moment in preparation, and then quickly slid the ring past the last little bit of resistance into her hand. He stirred again, and Danica sat very, very still until he slipped back fully into the stupor. She gripped the ring tight, and then sent a thought to a ring around her own finger, fading from view a moment later under the cloak of the invisibility spell. Danica moved to pick up her clothing, but more stirring from Adrian caused her to abandon the idea. She instead moved to the door of the wagon and peeked outside through the window. Danica knew there would be night watch about, but she could see no one through the window. She steeled her nerve, and then opened the door to exit the wagon as quickly as possible, closing the door behind her. One of the watchmen walked around the corner of the wagon, mere inches from Danica, and looked right through her in her invisible state as he searched for the source of the sound he had heard. A few moments later he shrugged, apparently assuming the sound was either non-threatening or a figment of his imagination. He walked back to his chosen watch point, away from the wagon. Danica crept as carefully as she could from the camp, and then across the road. She slowly made her way up the hill, her nude body being accosted by limbs, weeds and thorns the whole way. When she reached the top of the hill, Danica deemed she was far enough away and grasped the charm that was the only other possession she had picked up when she escaped. She whispered Camilla's name to it as she had been instructed. Nothing happened. Danica waited a few minutes, and then tried again. Still nothing. Her invisibility faded away, leaving her sitting naked atop the hill. She whispered the name again, with more urgency this time. A commotion arose from the camp. Fires flared to brilliant life, and she could hear shouting. She whispered the name to the charm again, fear and anger in her voice. This time the charm grew warm. She walked in a crouch to her left, feeling nothing from the charm. Turning the opposite direction caused the charm to vibrate slightly in her hand. When Danica passed behind some thick vegetation, she rose up to her full height and quickly walked in the direction the charm was leading her. At last, she saw Camilla lounging in the moonlight atop a large rock. "Sorry I'm late," Camilla yawned, "I was busy again, I'm afraid. Dear, what has happened to you?" she asked with a mocking grin, making no effort to be quiet. "Oy, I heard somethin' on top of the hill!" a voice shouted from below. Danica's heart lurched as she heard several people scrambling up the hill. "Get us out of here dammit!" Danica urged in a growled whisper. Camilla snorted and said, "Oh, all right, there's no need to be snappy." A few chanted words later, Danica felt the magic pull her away. When they emerged from the magical journey, Danica found she was not on solid ground. She yelped as she fell, splashing into water on top of someone. Danica rose gasping and coughing, and heard Camilla say, "Oh dear, this isn't your room at all. My mistake." Danica pulled her hair from her eyes and found she was facing a grossly fat man. She was in the men's bathing pool, standing with her breasts scant inches from the man's leering eyes. He reached out his hand toward her breasts just as Danica was pulled away by the magic once again. They reappeared in Danica's room. Streams of water ran down her body to the floor, darkened by the filth that had coated her in her mad dash from the camp. Camilla was standing right next to her saying, "I don't know what could have gone wrong with my spell. That man seemed to like you though," punctuating the statement with a laugh. "You BITCH!" Danica screamed, and backhanded the woman with all her strength. The blow snapped Camilla's head to the side, and the ring of invisibility Danica wore on that hand drew blood on Camilla's cheek. "You'll pay for that whore!" Camilla screamed, and leapt at Danica with her fingers curled into claws. Danica jumped, and barely managed to twist away from the woman's grasping hands. When Camilla turned to leap at her again, Danica doubled up her fist and punched the woman hard, directly in the mouth. Camilla screamed and put her face in her hands. Danica backed away and looked for something to defend herself. She hurriedly snatched up the heavy metal water pitcher and raised it — ready to strike. Camilla pulled her hands from her face. Her lip was now bloodied to match her cheek. She loosed a feral growl, and Danica felt the hair on her arms stand on end. The woman was summoning up her magical powers. Danica quickly gasped out a defensive spell, and the shield wrapped around her just barely in time to deflect the magic missiles the other woman hurled at her. Danica was torn. She had spells to defend herself, but she had been warned not to attack any of Zoraster's people. She was at a loss what to do. She didn't have to make the choice, because Celes suddenly appeared in the room in a bright flash of light. An aura of crackling power swirled around Celes, and she warned in a loud voice, "That'll be enough of this!" "Out of the way, old bitch. She'll pay!" Camilla snarled. "Not without goin' through me ye won't," Celes said, with an even stronger note of warning. "Do ye really want to match yer Art ta mine? An' ye best be rememberin' that ye're not the madman's favorite any more. That position has been filled by someone else," Celes taunted, and nodded back at Danica. Camilla loosed an animalistic scream, and then snarled, "You'll pay for this, old bitch! You'll both pay for this!" The furious woman then cast a spell and vanished into the corridors of magic. The aura around Celes flickered away and she turned to Danica. "Ye got the ring?" she asked. Danica nodded and opened her hand. Celes took the ring and the charm from Danica. The first, she slipped into a pocket of her robe. The second, she hurled to the floor and viciously stomped, a flash of light emerging from it as it shattered. "Get yerself inta the tub — ye're a frightful mess. I'll be right back ta help ye," Celes said and walked to the door. She spoke to someone outside, and then handed over the ring from the pocket in her robes, closing the door immediately thereafter. Danica walked to the tub and slumped against it, exhausted now that her surge of adrenaline had drained away. The heat of the moment now over, she felt the sting of the cuts and scratches on her skin demanding attention. Celes walked briskly toward her, and Danica gasped as she felt cold seeping from the amulet around her neck, spreading through her body. The cuts closed, the scratches vanished, the pain in her knuckles where she had punched Camilla faded away, and then the coldness seemed to be absorbed into the amulet. Danica examined herself, and then admitted, "It appears Zoraster at least partially told the truth about this." She flicked the amulet with her finger before continuing, "It did heal my wounds." "Aye, an if'n ye'd have been anywhere but here, ye'd have found yerself whisked here by Art as well — for suren' ye were in mortal danger the moment that bitch called up her magic. She coulda fried ye ta a cinder 'fore ye had a chance to react — if'n she hadn't been in such a tizzy," Celes advised. "She's that powerful?" Danica asked. "She's strong," Celes replied, "But not as strong as the old crone! She knew I'd have burnt her hair off, an' blistered that body she's so proud of, if she'd dared to match 'er Art against me." "Thank you Celes," Danica said, and then climbed into the tub as Celes impatiently gestured. "Ye're welcome, dearie. I knew Camilla was comin' close to bein' about somethin'. I been at the ready e'er since ye left. Now, if'n ye want to thank me, get yerself washed. You're a frightful mess — an' ye smell like sweat, dirt, an' tree sap!" Danica laughed as she slipped into the bath and told the story of her latest task. They talked about it for quite some time before Celes returned to her own chambers and Danica collapsed into a deep sleep. ------- Part 3B Zoraster granted Danica her new freedom the next day. She spent the day exploring the other buildings and the grounds. She discovered — to her surprise and delight — that there was an even larger library on the grounds. There she selected a pair of thick volumes on illusion and took them back to her room before continuing her tour. There were dorms for servants, barracks for soldiers, individual private residences for some of the master wizards, and a temple to the dark gods — all on the grounds. It was nearly a city unto itself, though there were no shops. Danica roamed about, and then stood staring with wonder at something she found on the extreme Southwest corner of the grounds. A stream cascaded down the natural wall as a small waterfall, forming a large crystal clear pool at its base. Danica was stunned that there could be something of such beauty in such a horrible place. She sat on the edge of the pool for some time, then removed her shoes and hitched up her robe to dangle her feet in the water. Danica looked around. It was quite late, and there were hardly any lights showing anywhere within the complex. No guards had accosted her as she walked about — they all seemed to be centered at the gates and did not roam much. After a few minutes, seeing nobody around, she stripped off her robes. The beautiful pool was calling to her, and she decided to answer it. She floated through the warm water, feeling the slight breeze blowing against her breasts where they floated above the water. Kicking her legs, she moved under the waterfall, shivering from the delightful feeling of the water splashing over her body. The water fell with quite some force for such a small falls, and she felt the swirling waters teasing her body. Danica quietly moaned as the swirling waters aroused her. She moved slightly and parted her labia, lifting her hood, getting in just the right position for the swirling and falling water to really stimulate her. She turned slightly sideways and the cascade caused her breasts to tingle with wonderful sensations as well. She quietly moaned in pleasure, but when she opened her eyes she saw someone. He was crouched behind a bush nearby, obviously thinking he was hidden, but quite plainly visible to Danica in the moonlight. Danica could tell he was young, but he was dressed as an apprentice and not a novitiate. He was either a little older than he looked or extremely gifted. She knew he had to have reached his majority to study here at all — even Zoraster wouldn't fly in the face of that tradition. Danica could even see his hand had strayed to his crotch as he watched her with wide-eyed wonder through the clear water. Danica felt her body stirring and becoming more aroused by having someone watching her. The swirling, cascading water was sending even stronger waves of pleasure through her now. She moaned slightly louder for her audience. She watched him through half-opened eyes as the bubbling waters slowly built her up, and then released her in a soft, shivering orgasm. Danica floated in the luxurious water, enjoying the afterglow of her peak. She kept an eye on the young man at the same time, while not letting on that she knew he was there. Suddenly, an impulse came over her, and she raised her arm to cast a spell. Telekinetic fingers grasped the young man and pulled him, yelping in surprise, from the bushes. He tumbled head over heels to land at the edge of the pool. Danica was standing above him when he sat up, her naked body dripping water onto his face when he looked up. "What do you think you're doing?" she scolded. "Please, Mistress, don't kill me! I'm sorry! I was just walking! I didn't mean to see! Please, please, please don't kill me!" he stammered, not daring to look into her eyes. She bent down, lifted his chin to look at her face and said, "Don't be silly. I was teasing. You would think you had never seen a woman naked before." The look in his eyes and the quick aborted glance from her face to her body, so close to him, betrayed the truth. "You haven't, have you?" she said and let go of his chin. Must be a city boy, for his parents to have successfully kept him from exploring his sexuality for so many years, Danica thought. Aloud, she said, "Such a strapping young man, and you've never even seen a woman naked?" She turned slightly — arching her back and making her breasts jut out. "I... uhm... No," he stammered. "Stand up," Danica said with a note of playful authority, feeling her desire swelling within her. He hesitated for a moment, and then obeyed. "Well, get a good look. I'm right here," Danica said and put one hand on her hip. Again, he hesitated, but desire overcame fear as he drank in the sight of her dripping, naked body in front of him. She could see the bulge in his trousers that outlined the hardness of his cock. "You would like to touch me, wouldn't you?" Danica teased as she ran her hands down her sides. He nodded his head slightly to indicate he would. "What?" Danica inquired. He replied, "Yes!" "Then touch me," Danica purred and reached out to pull his hand upward, very near to her breasts. He inched his hand slowly forward. Fear, desire, and curiosity were all at war in his eyes. Fear evaporated as his hand touched her breast. Danica moaned slightly and observed, "You have soft hands." He reached over and touched her other breast, rubbing the nipple with his finger. "Put your mouth on them," she suggested and pulled gently at the back of his head. There was wonderment in his eyes as he looked up into hers. He obviously could not believe that a woman wanted him to touch her and put his mouth on her. He closed his lips around her nipple and shuddered. "Use your tongue," Danica purred. His tongue swirled around the pebbled flesh, and he instinctively suckled her nipple as well. Danica moaned, and then pulled him over to her other breast. As he sucked her nipple, she slid a hand down to close around his hardness through his trousers. She moaned even louder, though not loud enough to carry far. She pulled him free of her nipple and saw disappointment — along with a slight edge of returning fear — in his eyes. Those eyes went wide as she pulled at the tie of his trousers to undo the knot. She stared hard into his eyes as she slid the trousers down and wrapped her fingers around his naked manhood. His eyes rolled back in his head, which lolled backward as she ran her fingers over his throbbing flesh. She felt a drop of pre-cum on the head when her fingertip slid over it, and she swirled it around, massaging it into his skin. She then pushed him back slightly and dropped to her knees on the earth. Leaning forward, Danica wrapped her tongue around his glans. He let out a choked gasp as her tongue swirled around him. Another drop of pre-cum oozed from him, and Danica lapped it up with a satisfied moan. She then licked her lips and sucked him into her mouth. His hands went to the back of her head as someone sucked his cock for the first time. He shuddered and moaned, reveling in the feeling of her mouth caressing his flesh. Danica could tell he wasn't going to last long, but she didn't really expect him to. Danica felt him swell, and then explode in her mouth. She sucked for every drop, while making delighted sounds around his twitching erection. She pulled back and flicked her tongue over him once more when he ceased to spurt — and then stood. "Get on your knees for me," Danica instructed, stroking his cheek. He dropped heavily to his knees, almost an involuntary action, since his wobbling legs could barely support him anyway. Danica edged forward, laid her hands on the back of his head, and pulled his mouth to her sex. He snaked his tongue out without prompting and slipped it between her lips. She heard — and felt — his gasp of wonder as he got his first taste of a woman, probing even deeper inside her. He was overwhelmed with her scent and taste, and he devoured her like a starving man. Danica used her hips and the hands on the back of his head to guide his mouth over her. She gasped, "That's it. Make me come." He continued to lap and suck at her with the intensity that only one who has never done it before could muster. Danica continued to guide his mouth to give her the stimulation she wanted, at last pulling his lips over her throbbing clit. "Mmm you're learning quickly," she admitted as he sucked her clit between his lips to tease it with his tongue. "Now do it. I'm almost there." He flicked his tongue faster and sucked her harder. She rubbed her folds into his face, coating him with her sticky juices. Her orgasm took control of her body in a rush, and she pulled him hard against her — slamming her hips forward and covering him in a gushing explosion. Her fountain of juices soaked his face, his hair, his chest, and ran down to drip onto his cock. He was mumbling into her folds as she continued to grind against his face while she came. She released him, and he touched his face where her flood had soaked it, staring straight at her dripping sex with a glazed look of awe. "Lie down," Danica moaned as she gently pushed down on his head. He lay down on the grass, staring up at her body as she turned around and knelt down, putting her knees on either side of his face. He needed no prompting to start tonguing her when her nether lips came within reach. Danica ran her tongue over his flaccid manhood and moaned with pleasure when his cock swelled almost immediately. She licked up and down him a few moments, and then slurped him into her mouth. She sucked his slowly swelling cock to hardness, running her fingers in a light caress over his balls while he continued to hungrily lap her. She moaned in bliss as his efforts built her toward orgasm again. When he reached full erection, she let him slide from her lips and lifted away from his. He snaked his tongue out to full extension to get one last taste of her as she rose and spun around. Danica turned, positioning her body over his hips, and then reached down to point his hard cock up at her wet heat. She slowly lowered her hips until her labia touched the tip of his member. She smiled at him as he stared at his cock about to slide inside a real, live, warm woman for the first time. Danica flipped her head to get her hair out of her face and caught something out of the corner of her eye as she did so. She moaned and chuckled, noticing the spot the young man had occupied in the bushes was once again filled. Two more young men were there watching what was happening on the edge of the pool. Danica slowly let her body sink downward, engulfing him inside her. He let out a long gasping moan as she surrounded him — squeezing him tight. She rode him hard, bouncing up and down on his cock. His eyes were wide open at first, staring at his pussy-slick shaft vanishing inside her, but the feeling of being buried in a woman's depths soon caused his eyes to close as he moaned and groaned. Danica bucked and gyrated her hips, stirring her depths with his hard member. She was rising rapidly due to her sensitivity from the previous orgasm, his tongue having already started the work, and knowing that she was being watched by two more young men. I wonder if they're as inexperienced as him, Danica thought, with a little mental chuckle. You'll have some bragging rights after tonight, her thoughts continued as she looked into the young man's pleasure-filled features. Danica was getting close, and she slammed down hard on him, her head whipping back and forth as she growled in pleasure. She exploded at last, sending a warm flood of her cum to soak his cock, engulfed to the hilt in her tightly clenched depths. Danica shuddered her way through the orgasm and aftershocks, her head still lolling forward and back, and from side to side. One hand rubbed her breasts, while the other massaged his chest as she slowly came back to earth. She got up and pulled free of him, and then lay down, spreading her legs wide. "Take me now. Fill me up," she moaned. He got up and scrambled to his knees in front of her. Danica felt his cock poking at her as he tried to find the angle to enter her, and she reached down to guide him inside her, moaning low in her throat as he penetrated her. He pounded her, the energy and vigor of his youthful lust — released for the first time — fueling his thrusts. Danica hissed, "Oh yes — give it to me! Give it to me!" The intensity of his stroking was getting her there quickly, and she helped it along by rubbing her bud beneath its hood. Danica was about to come again, and she could tell from the look on his face that he was nearly there too. She came hard, clenching around his cock, milking it, and set him off as well. She moaned, "Yes — oh yes," as she felt his hot cum filling her. He collapsed atop her, gasping for breath. They both lay there joined for a few moments as the aftershocks rocked them both. Danica then pushed him off her. He pulled from her with a shudder and an explosive gasp — and then rose to his knees. She leaned up close, kissed him, and then whispered in his ear, "Your time is done. You made me feel so good, but it's someone else's turn now. Get dressed and go." He got up and pulled on his trousers. When he had them on, she gestured for him to go. She noticed him looking over toward the bushes as he left. When he walked away, she gestured and sent her telekinesis grabbing for the two onlookers, with a crooked grin. ------- Danica relieved both of the other young men of their virginity that night as well. It was perhaps an hour later when the last young man grunted and filled her full. She told him to get dressed and leave, and then swam out into the pool to wash before dressing to return to her chambers. Danica reflected on the night as she dressed for bed. Now that she was sated — well sated — she considered what she had done. The men were young, and it was obvious she had been their first. They were men in the eyes of the law, but in many ways, they were still just boys. Her desires had simply overwhelmed her when she discovered them there. It disturbed Danica more than the other times she had surrendered to her newly awakened desires. She thought about Andrea as well, who likely was no older than the young men were. Pangs of guilt ran through her mind as she considered the psychological damage she might have done to all of them. Her thoughts of Andrea reminded her of the first time they had been together. Danica remembered how intimate their touches had been — how they had lovingly caressed each other before ever roaming to their most sensitive spots. Danica shuddered and smiled at the memories, realizing there was much more to the time she spent with Andrea than dalliance. There was more there, and she meant to explore it further. The young men were here, and it was inevitable they would be corrupted by this place. Danica had taken the demeanor of a teacher without thinking about it, and perhaps that would stem some of the rougher instruction they would receive from older students here. They could certainly use some information that involved the woman's needs, which they wouldn't likely get from fellow male students. It still troubled her, and she vowed that she would be more careful when her desires called out like this again. ------- Danica awoke the next morning and felt her other need burning inside her. She went to her laboratory and opened one of the large volumes, which she had taken from the central library the day before. She turned directly to the part of the book that covered the Phantasmal Force spell. It was an advanced illusion spell, which combined illusion with telekinetic force to make the illusion more difficult to disbelieve — because it could physically affect objects in the real world. This was critical to her research, because she needed an illusion that was strong enough to stay realistic — to someone who knew it was an illusion. Danica absorbed the text over the course of the next two days, learning the advanced spell — to her delight. She created an image of Camilla lying on the ground with her face covered in bruises and blood, both of her eyes blacked, the lids closed in unconsciousness. Danica reached out to touch it, and for just an instant, felt it beneath her fingers — then her knowledge that it was just an illusion caused her to disbelieve the image. It lost substance and started to look hazy and unrealistic in her eyes. She sighed. It was not enough for what she wished to do. The spell could still prove quite useful to her in other situations, but not for the item she wanted to craft. She delved into the other book and found nearly half of its pages covered the Phantasmal Force spell. It also included a more advanced version of the spell, which strengthened the telekinetic component — adding sound and scent to the illusion as well. It took Danica two full days to master the difficult spell. When at last she felt the words burning in her mind, signaling she had mastered it, she was too exhausted to try casting it. She went to her bed and fell in a deep slumber. When she awoke, she ate and bathed as normal, and then went to the bed — still nude — to lie down. She centered her mind and cast the spell. The illusion appeared on the foot of the bed. It was Andrea — nude as well — and slowly crawling toward Danica. Danica sighed, as she could hear the woman's breathing, smell her perfume, and feel the weight of another body on the bed. She caused the illusion to crawl over her and between her parted legs. She could actually feel the girl's hair brushing against her thighs. When Andrea leaned down, she could feel the lips and tongue touching her. The sensation was there — but not completely realistic. Danica knew it for an illusion, and she was controlling it with her thoughts. Still, knowing this, it did not fade into haziness, nor did she cease to feel, smell, and hear it — though these were dulled. Danica banished the illusion. It was not perfect — the phantasmal force couldn't have possibly been able to provide enough stimulation to have brought her to climax, for example — but she believed it was strong enough for her purposes in the item she wished to create. She was just about to go to her lab when the door opened and Zoraster walked in. Danica turned from her path to the lab and took a seat in one of the chairs she had purchased, near the vanity mirror in the room. "I have another task for you, little rose. It is two-fold, and will take some time to complete. You will be transported to a nearby castle. The first part of your task is to gain entrance by whatever means necessary. Once there, you will make your way to the chambers of the Princess. You shall place seeing globes generously about her suite, and place an amulet around her neck. You will then exit the castle and be transported back to here. In one month's time, you shall return to the Princess' chambers and perform another task, which shall be detailed to you when the time comes. Complete this two-fold task, and you will be granted the freedom to utilize the portal of scrying." Danica raised an eyebrow, not knowing exactly what the portal Zoraster spoke of was. Zoraster caught the look and explained, "The portal of scrying is a room so enchanted that it will enable you to view things which go on in the outside world. You think of a place you know well, and it can show you this place. With effort and practice, you can force the portal to shift its view away from the known place to places nearby — whether you have been there or not. With it, you may have a glimpse of the world outside these walls. Any attempt to scry a place that might cause detection will fail." Danica nodded her understanding, offering nothing more to the madman. Zoraster's eyes burned for a moment at Danica's small silent defiance of him in not speaking. "Very well, little rose, you shall leave in approximately one week's time. Such depends upon Celes' return." A crooked smile curled his lips as he added, "I must await Celes, because I fear either Camilla or yourself would be dead, should I place the two of you in close proximity again." He finished with a loud laugh. He continued to laugh as he left the room. Danica glared at him as he walked away. She then stood and went to her lab to begin the careful study and consideration she needed to undertake to create her next magical item. ------- Danica studied and made notes until about mid-afternoon, and then decided she needed to take a rest. She rose stiffly from the chair and went to soak in the bath first. She left her chambers, unsure where she was going. She only knew she felt the need to be gone from her rooms and moving about. She had not gone far when she came to Damian's door. It opened just before she reached it. "Oh, Danica dear, I was just leaving on a journey to acquire some very rare spell components. Please come inside for a moment — for that is all I have. I wish to give you something," he said and gestured for her to come inside his rooms. Danica smiled and entered his chambers. He hurried to his bedchambers, and then returned carrying a magnificent gown. It was long, with a slit up the side to show off her legs. The entire gown was beaded and shimmered in the faint light of the room. Danica covered her mouth in astonishment. The dress was stunning. "I wish I had time to see you try it on, but I shall have to wait for that, I'm afraid. I saw it on my last journey, and I knew it should be yours. Will you accept it?" Damian asked. Danica smiled brightly, hugged him, and then kissed him deeply. "Oh, yes! It is wonderful!" she exclaimed. "Not half as wonderful as it shall surely be with you wearing it," he said, and smiled at her. "Now, I fear I must go. A coach awaits me, and I fear the driver is an old friend who grows intolerable when delayed." He kissed her again when they reached the door, and then closed it to hurry away with a wave toward the exit of the house. Danica looked once more at the gown, and then returned to her chambers. She quickly stripped off her clothing and slipped into the gown. It felt like silk, clinging to her everywhere. It showed every sensual curve of her body, the bodice dipping low enough to give a fine view of her cleavage. She spun around in front of the mirror and smiled with delight at how the shimmering dress flowed about her while still hugging her curves so tightly. "Thank you, Damian," she whispered as she looked at her image in the mirror. She pulled the gown off, hanging it in her closet with great care. She then dressed in her more common clothing once more and returned to her wanderings. In the common room, she passed by a young man she recognized. It was the first she had made a man that night beside the pool on the grounds. She smiled and winked at him, letting her hips sway just a bit more as she passed through the room. She heard quick footsteps coming up behind her when she left the room and entered the hallway leading from it. She stopped and turned to see the young man hurrying to catch up with her. "Dear, I told you, you have had your time. I enjoyed it — enjoyed being with you — but it was that night, and that night only. I hope you learned something, and that you'll use that knowledge to please a woman your own age when you find yourself alone with her." Danica explained with a smile as she looked into his eyes. "I know, Mistress. I understand, and I thank you," he said with a blush. "It's not me. There are others — my friends — they uhm..." he stammered and looked down toward the ground. Danica smiled and said, "Tell them that I might return to the pool again some night. There is no certainty that I will — but I might. Make sure they know that I'm not looking for a mate or a puppy to follow me around. I might be willing to teach them how to make a woman feel good, but that is all. Well — that and enjoy them practicing." She concluded with a laugh. The young man — still blushing — responded, "I understand. Thank you, it was amazing!" Danica said, "You're welcome," with a laugh and continued down the hall. She felt a little better about what she had done, now that she had spoken to one of the young men. She continued her wanderings, passing from the building out into the grounds. She went to the library but did not stay long. Her mind was not in the right place for study right now. She did not know for sure what was drawing her along. She passed by a long workshop, seeing men and women inside through the windows working on various projects. There were some working with wood, others with silver. Some crafted candles, others eating utensils. She passed by, but noted the place, as it was possible she could utilize the knowledge of these artisans at some point. She came to another workshop soon after. All those within were fashioning clothing of various sorts. She stopped when she saw an older woman putting the finishing touches on a corset. An inspiration came to Danica, and she entered the workshop walking up to the woman. "Excuse me; I wonder if I could ask you something?" "Go right ahead, Dearie," the woman said looking up from her work at Danica. "I don't know why you'd be fiddling with a corset maker, though. Your waist is trim enough." Danica smiled. "Thank you. I have this vision in my head, and I wonder if such a thing might be possible. It's quite similar to a corset in ways — lacing up much the same way — though not as tightly. The top should not cover my breasts, but still support them from below — perhaps in cotton — with panties to match, though they should reveal more here..." She rubbed her buttocks to demonstrate before continuing, "And here," she said touching her thighs. "Would that be possible?" The old woman's brow furrowed, as she contemplated what Danica had described, and tried to envision it herself. At last, she nodded her head and said, "Aye, I could do it. A little something to make a man's eyes pop out of his head?" she mused with a wink. Danica laughed, "I think that would do it." "Aye, I think so too." the woman agreed and laughed as well. Danica sighed, "I don't have the money to commission your skills, however." "You hardly look the servant. That must mean you are a student or someone else who guests with the Master. We here in the tradesman's lodges craft for the students and such. It is our duty, which we are paid for. Now, I normally don't do anything special, but I'd like to try my hands at what you're describing. It will be a good test for my old eyes and hands — to see if I still have any skill left in them!" The seamstress explained. Danica beamed, "Thank you. I'll find some way to repay you for your extra effort some time." "It's no trouble. I only wish I could make something like that and it would bring my husband's manhood back to life. He's not gotten the wrinkles out of it in years," the seamstress confided and blew a raspberry. Danica smiled wide as she realized she knew a way to help the old woman with exactly that. "Is there an herbalist nearby?" she asked. "Yes, in the round building at the end of the path. Why?" Danica smiled with a conspiratorial air. "I know an herbal potion, which will do exactly what you're talking about. I'll give you the recipe as thanks for your work." The old woman smiled wide and laughed. "Well, by stars, I'll give it a try. Though, if it does work, I'm half afraid one or both of us won't remember what to do with it once it does stand up!" "It's one of those things you never forget how to do, I'm sure," Danica laughed. "Now, Dear, you're going to have to get out of those robes so I can get your sizes. Come over here behind the screen," the woman instructed and grabbed a strand of slender rope with marks all over it at small regularly spaced intervals. The old woman took down her sizes, and then Danica wrote down the combination of herbs necessary for the potion, explaining how to prepare them as she did so. The seamstress told her it would likely take a while, as she would have to work on it when she had time, but to come by on occasion and see how it was progressing. Danica left the workshop, imagining how the clothes would look on her. Certainly, Damian and Andrea would both appreciate the attire. She wandered toward the edge of the grounds, opposite where the pool lay, backed against the same hill. She found an equally beautiful garden here, and a tall hedge maze. Danica walked through the garden and into the hedge maze. She wandered past fountains surrounded by stone benches and tables in large open areas of the maze. She saw two such sets as she walked about enjoying the beauty of the flowers and plants within the garden. She was making her way out when she passed through one of the open areas a second time, and realized she had been turned around. She was lost. Danica chuckled, shaking her head at the lack of attention that had brought her to these straights. She decided to try to find her way out, though she could easily levitate out if she grew frustrated. Danica knew her attempts were not succeeding when she entered an area of the maze she knew she had not passed through before. There were no flowers here, only the endless green of the hedges. She was just about to levitate out of the maze, having decided she was hopelessly lost, when she heard the faint sound of moaning. It was growing dark, and Danica started when hovering globes of light winked into existence above the garden at regular intervals. The soft glow of the globes illuminated everything around her quite well. Danica tried to trace down the sounds she was hearing. The sounds grew louder, and Danica knew she was getting closer. Soon, they sounded as if they were almost on top of her. Danica turned in the direction the sounds were coming from and quietly whispered a spell of clairvoyance. Danica could see what lay on the other side of the hedge now. A large, circular, open area contained a fountain and benches, much as the others had. What was different was that there were people there, and they were both nude. A handsome, muscular man — with wavy brown hair and a mustache — had his face between the legs of a woman with tightly curled auburn hair. The source of the moans was the woman expressing her pleasure as the man licked her. Danica felt wetness gathering between her legs as she watched. The man flickered his tongue over the woman more rapidly, and then engulfed her clit in his lips, if what Danica saw — combined with the sounds the woman was making — were any indication. Moments later, the woman emitted a quiet, but high-pitched, combination of a gasp and a yelp, followed by an equally high-pitched moan as she obviously came on his tongue. The man pulled away and looked intently into his partner's face as the woman shuddered through her orgasms. The woman at last opened her eyes and nodded to her lover. He put his hand to his mouth, sucking and licking at his fingers. He folded his hand with the index finger and pinkie nearly touching — the thumb pulled up and between his folded fingers. He edged in closer to the woman and moved his hand toward her nether lips. Danica's eyes went wide as the man slowly slid his hand inside. Fully half his hand vanished, up to the first knuckle of his thumb. The woman's eyes opened wide, and she half gasped, half snarled as he penetrated her. He pulled back, and then pushed inside her to about the same place again, fucking her with his hand. The woman gasped and growled quietly like an animal as he did it. "More!" she snarled after he had stroked her several times. Danica's hand had found its way into her robes to softly rub her bud through her panties as she watched. The man pushed more of his hand inside his lover with the next thrust, her labia coming to touch the second knuckle of his thumb this time. The growl that escaped the woman was slightly louder, and feral sounding. The stronger gasps and growls continued as the man stroked her with his hand to this depth. He did so for several minutes — and all the while — the woman thrashed her head from side to side, continuing to make animal-like noises. The woman emitted a warbling yelp as the man pushed his hand inside her — a scant inch of his folded hand above the wrist visible outside her stretched folds. The woman furiously rubbed her clit as the man slowly stroked his hand in and out of her — to the incredible depth. Suddenly, the woman's back arched high. There was a full foot between her back and the ground as she squealed slightly and then screamed silently in ecstasy with her mouth wide open to the stars above. Danica clenched her teeth and shuddered as she came as well. She was forced to drop to her knees, her legs unable to support her, as the man rolled over the still quivering woman and buried his cock inside her. He didn't leave it in her pussy for long, but instead thrust it powerfully into the tight ring of her ass. The woman growled again in animalistic pleasure as he pounded her ass hard. Danica came again when the man exploded in the woman's ass only moments after his lover had climaxed again. Danica gritted her teeth, breathing hard and fast through her nose — exactly as the man and woman were doing — trying to stay quiet. The couple rose and dressed after a while, and Danica got up from her sore knees to leave as well. She winced when she felt the cold night air blow across the wet spot that covered the entire crotch of her panties. She waited a few more minutes, and then levitated out of the maze, discovering the circular clearing was at its center. She quickly went the opposite direction from the one the couple was taking to get out of the range of their vision, and dropped to the ground outside the maze. Danica tried to imagine how it must have felt to the woman. The man sticking his hand in her like that looked to be intense, according to the woman's reactions. Danica found she desperately wanted to try it, but she was also scared to do so. Andrea suddenly came into her mind. The girl had small, dainty hands. A good compromise, Danica thought and hurried to the young blonde's chambers. Danica and Andrea again softly caressed and kissed each other's bodies all over for more than an hour before Andrea slipped her tongue between Danica's moist folds. Both of them came several times under each other's knowing mouths, and then Danica explained to the young woman what she wanted to try. She showed Andrea how to fold her hand, and then sucked and licked on the woman's fingers to get them nice and wet. Andrea slipped her hand inside Danica as deep as she could get it. Danica found she was emitting the same sort of animalistic sounds as the woman she had seen in the maze, and her eyes rolled up in her head behind her closed eyelids. Danica slowly encouraged Andrea, who seemed just as fascinated and intrigued as Danica had been. Andrea watched her hand disappear inside Danica's depths, continuing to push more and more of her hand inside. It was even more intense than when she had been penetrated by very thick cocks. Danica's labia stretched, and every inch of her walls was being pushed forcefully as well. Every time her muscles clenched, it sent off a delightful sensation inside her — like nothing she had ever felt before. Danica briskly rubbed her clit when Andrea's hand got past the resistance to stroke Danica at that deep depth — just above the wrist. When Danica came, her head lashed violently back and forth as she writhed on the bed. She heard the animalistic growls and yelps escaping her lips as she rocked under the waves of orgasm. Her muscles contracting squirted Andrea's hand from her and that sent an electric wave of pleasure through Danica's body. She let out a loud, growling scream as her upper body lifted off the bed, held there by her tightly clenched muscles. When she finally spiraled to earth, Andrea asked her to do it as well. Danica wet her fingers, moaning when she saw the wetness seeping from Andrea already. The pressure on her fingers amazed Danica as she slid them inside the young blonde woman. Andrea was tight, and Danica found she couldn't get any more than her four fingers inside — no matter what she did. It didn't matter, because it was more than enough to give Andrea the same sensations Danica had experienced. Danica gasped as the beautiful young woman's face showed a level of arousal that obviously tiptoed on the cliff's edge of pain. Danica shuddered when Andrea let out a feral growl, sounding somewhat like an angry cat. The look on the young woman's face was starting to worry Danica, and she was about to ease off in fear she was hurting Andrea. Her fears were dispelled moments later, when Andrea growled, "FASTER!" The tip of Danica's thumb just slid inside Andrea at a fast pace a few moments later when Andrea let out another feral scream, louder than all the rest. Her mouth and eyes were both wide open, but her eyes were unfocused — and obviously unseeing. Danica felt her hand being forced out of Andrea's tight, saturated depths. When it slid free, Danica knew the same incredible jolt of pleasure must have gone through Andrea as well, because her back arched high off the bed and she emitted a squeal that was almost painful in its pitch and volume. As soon as her shapely bottom hit the bed again, Andrea curled up in a ball, gasping for breath. It lasted only a moment, and then an aftershock rolled through her body snapping her out flat again. Danica reached down to gently stroke the young woman's hair. She was rewarded with an incredible smile and a sensual moan — followed by a musical laugh. They lay in the afterglow and talked for a while. During their conversation, Danica discovered Andrea had never been with a man. She promised the girl she would remedy that situation very soon, and returned to her chambers to sleep. Damian had given her a gift, and now she wanted to give one to both him and Andrea. ------- Part 3C Danica spent most of the remainder of the week in her lab. She delved into her library, testing spells she knew, learning new ones from various volumes, and carefully comparing their effects. Her every thought turned toward determining what magic would best suit the item she wished to create. The research for this item followed a very similar path to the last one, so she was able to use much of what she had done previously to her advantage. She felt prepared to begin at the end of the week. Danica did not give her task much thought as she considered getting into a castle to be a rather simple task. In her mind, she assumed it would require little preparation and planning beyond that which she had already done for previous tasks. Celes came in the afternoon on the day Zoraster had specified. "Are ye ready, Dearie?" she asked Danica. Danica smiled, thinking, Yes, I'm ready to make your present — just as soon as I'm finished with Zoraster's stupid task, but said aloud, "I'm prepared." She picked up a small bag that she had packed a few hours earlier. Celes raised an eyebrow at Danica's smile, but quickly forgot about it. She examined Danica's clothing — a simple, sturdy gown, much like what a peasant or servant might wear. "Well, let's be off then dearie." Celes spoke words of magic and whisked them away. They appeared in a house very similar to the one in the city where Danica had begun her previous task. It was yet another small base of operations for Zoraster's schemes. "Ye should have no trouble findin' the castle. The thing's as tall as all blazes. One o' the tallest in the world, if'n ye listen to the boastings of the townsfolk here 'bouts. I'll be waitin' here when ye're done ta get us back ta the bastard's twisted house," Celes explained. Danica hugged Celes, drawing a smile from the old woman. "I shouldn't be long," Danica predicted. She had little trouble finding the castle. It was indeed a very visible landmark, with immensely tall towers. Danica walked toward the castle, determined to be done with her task here and back to her lab to craft as quickly as possible. She reached the castle and approached the gate. She let her hips sway sensually as she neared the portal, and smiled brightly at the pair of guards she saw standing on either side of the large double doors. "What's your business?" One of the guards demanded as she approached. "I bring gifts from my Master. He has been provided with favors by your Master, and wishes to provide a humble token of his thanks for your Master's kindness." "What is his name — and yours?" the guard asked. "The merchant, Adrian Strongbow, is my Master. My name is Andrea," Danica answered with the names she had prepared earlier. The guard reached into a small alcove and thumbed through a book he retrieved. He then turned back to Danica. "I'm sorry. I find neither name within the registry. You'll have to make an appointment with one of the Chancellor's men over there," the guard explained, and pointed toward a small guardhouse a short distance from the right side of the gate. "Oh, I was not aware of this. I thank you, Sir. I shall do so," Danica said and curtsied. She then walked toward the indicated door, grumbling at the senseless delay. She entered the guardhouse with the look of frustration wiped from her face — replaced by a bright, beaming smile once more. "I need to make an appointment to see the Master of the castle, kind Sir," she said to a balding man sitting behind a desk, which was the only feature of the small building. "What is your name, and any other relevant names that should be mentioned? What business does this meeting pertain to?" The man's tone screamed boredom, as he took up a quill pen. "My name is Andrea, and I serve the merchant Adrian Strongbow. The Master of this place has done a kindness for my Master, and he wishes to offer gifts to provide some small thanks for this kindness," Danica explained again. The man wrote in strong, careful strokes as Danica spoke. He finished writing a moment or two after Danica had finished speaking. "What is the gift you have been sent to bring?" He asked, glancing up to her. Danica blushed prettily and answered, "It is a unique gift, which should please the lady of the castle a great deal. It is something to make her time of the month less of a trial." Danica's blush deepened as she finished. "The lady of this castle died some years ago. I can only assume you mean the Princess. Show me this gift," the man instructed in the same dry, monotone voice. Danica pulled one of the cotton plugs from her bag, as well as a small vial. She handed over the items. "This stops the flow from within, and the potions lessen many of the painful, and irritating symptoms," Danica explained. The official eyed the cotton plug curiously, and then sat it aside to swirl the potion in front of his eyes. He removed the stopper, sniffed, and then turned the bottle upside down with his finger covering the mouth. Righting it quickly, he pressed the tip of his tongue against his finger to taste, and then spat. He next pulled something from a drawer of his desk and held it near the vial, closely watching both. He finished his examination with a grunt of approval and said, "I shall accept the gifts for the King and deliver them unto the Princess. He shall be informed of your Master's kindness, and I shall convey his thanks in advance." He then held out his hand to accept the bag Danica carried. "But I was to deliver these unto the Master of this place personally. I have been made to remember a long speech of thanks, which I am to deliver. My Master will not be pleased if I do not do so," Danica argued, thinking quickly. "The King is a busy man and can not be troubled with every peasant that stumbles up to his gates." Danica gathered up the cotton plug and vial. "I must speak with my Master. I cannot make such a decision without his consent." The man shrugged and put down his pen. Danica turned and left the small guardhouse. Once again, she muttered and cursed. Fine, she thought, I'll use my magic then! Danica went into the city and found a secluded place within a small park. There she activated her rings of invisibility and silence. She then hurried through the streets and back to the castle. Quite a few people glanced around in confusion, trying to discover what had touched them as Danica's clothing brushed against them while she dashed through the city. She arrived at the castle and walked slowly toward the gate. Something made her pause — a silent warning of her intuition — when she drew near the gate. Slipping into the second sight, Danica saw the telltale glow of several dweomers. Danica backed away and cursed. The entrance foyer was lined with murder holes, and spells were cast over it, which ensured that no spell or magical item would maintain its effect once inside the hallway. Circling carefully around the castle, Danica found that the spells were cast over every doorway, and every other possible entrance to the castle. She couldn't get in without losing her spells and risking detection. Danica levitated upwards to one of the higher windows. It took only a moment to see that the dispells were on these portals as well, and that they also were protected by traps — both magical and mundane. Danica drifted back to the ground again, frowning and searching her mind for other options. She knew her invisibility would soon wear off, so she renewed it with a soft word of command and left the grounds of the castle for the city again. She returned to the secluded spot where she had activated the magic of her rings, and here she spoke a word of command, which returned her to visibility. Frustrated, Danica walked back out of her hiding place. From there she headed toward a garden she had noticed, which overlooked the main castle gate but was shielded by thick vegetation. She doubted anyone would notice her at all — let alone recognize her. Danica watched, hoping something would give her an idea of another way in. She couldn't sneak in on a wagon of supplies, because the guards checked them all extensively and prodded with their weapons. That would deactivate her invisibility spell and leave her revealed to them. As the afternoon wore on toward evening, Danica was at her wits end. She could come up with nothing that seemed to be a way through the accursed, magic-stealing doors. She was about to give in to desperation and go break in through a back window when she heard several female voices coming near. The sun had set by this time, so it took some time for her to see the source of the voices. A large troupe of around twenty women moved along the paths at the edge of the garden toward the castle. All were dressed in provocative, revealing clothing, and their faces were painted. "Harlots," Danica thought, and watched them as they continued toward the castle. The guards at the gates barely glanced at the group of women. They simply stood aside and let the ladies of the evening pass. Town watchmen were beginning to move about, and Danica did not want to be questioned about why she was sitting alone in a garden at night. She looked around carefully and moved to a spot where vegetation obscured her from nearly all angles. There she activated her rings again. She crept up closer to the castle and found a comfortable place to sit. Here she waited, and waited... At last, the women filed back out. Their previously well-groomed hair was disheveled — wildly so in some cases. Their clothing looked to have been hastily put back on. They laughed and talked as they exited from the castle gate and moved toward Danica. She fell into line behind them as they walked — a silent, invisible shadow. "If we're to do this — night after night — I wish some of these boys would loosen up. They mount us and ride us. It's like it's another one of their military drills," one woman exclaimed. "Gods yes," another women agreed with amused irritation. "At least at the house we get one who has some imagination about them occasionally. Those in the castle are such a bore." "That really big man — the one with the wild beard — he actually got me there tonight," yet another woman admitted, and laughed. The first woman who had spoken laughed and shot back, "You're the only one then. You must have been wanting it awful bad and trying awful hard." The rest of the prostitutes joined in the laughter. Danica continued to follow them as the walked through the town. They approached a large house not far from the castle, and they were met at the front door there by a stocky woman. "Get yourselves in here and get cleaned up. We've got a line forming around the block. Hop to it. Hop to it." The madam clapped her hands, gesturing impatiently to the approaching women. As the prostitutes increased their pace, moving into the house, Danica decided she had found her way into the castle. With a new plan in mind, she returned to the house where Celes awaited. "Are ye done then?" Celes asked when Danica entered. "No," Danica replied and frowned. "I've been searching for a way in all day without success, but I think I've found the answer now. I need to rest though. I'll go tomorrow and see if my idea will work." Celes nodded and showed Danica to a room where she could rest. Danica fell sound asleep nearly as soon as her head hit the pillow. ------- Zoraster sat in a room filled with mirrors, each of them apparently a window to a different place. He watched the lesbian woman — who had been the object of Danica's first test — with slightly more attention and interest than the other scenes playing out around him. Within the mirror, the woman coupled with one of her servants. Zoraster smiled wickedly as he watched the woman climax from the servant's probing fingers. He turned his gaze from the mirror as the woman dismissed her servant, and lay back on the circular bed to bask in her afterglow. He directed his attention to another mirror where a man crept through shadows. The magical enhancement of the mirror plainly revealed a spider tattooed upon the skulking subject of Zoraster's scrying. Zoraster smiled wide as he recognized the man. An observer could have almost seen plans formulating in the Archmage's eyes as he continued to watch. Something caught Zoraster's eye from the edge of his vision. He turned back to the first mirror where Mistress Jenna now reached into a bedside table. When she removed a small golden box, Zoraster turned to watch the mirror closely. A dark smile crept onto his face as he watched the woman sniff powder from within the box. "So, there is the chink in your armor, my dear. We shall have to discover where you get that." ------- The next morning, Danica coaxed Celes into going into the town to get something to eat, and do a little shopping. They purchased a few things, more or less passing the time, until Danica reached a milestone she had in her mind. At last, she determined the time was right. Celes returned to the house with their purchases, and Danica made her way to the house of ill repute. As she approached, Danica saw a man walk up to the door and walk directly inside without knocking. Shrugging her shoulders, Danica did the same when she reached the house. The entrance of the house was a large room with balconies overlooking it from the second story. Men and women in various states of undress lounged on numerous couches and chairs throughout the room. Danica saw the heavy-set woman who had met the harlots upon their return the day before, and walked toward what must be the Madame of the house. "Judging from your dress, I'd say you're not here to spend any money dear," the woman said with a smile. "Perhaps you've come to earn some?" She eyed Danica critically, but with just the right hint of friendliness to keep it from being disturbing. "Yes, I have found myself here with no money. I'm tired of being hungry and sleeping outside. Someone told me I could work here and make money," Danica said, trying to sound just a bit naive. The woman nodded. "Hmm — I'd say you could make a great deal of money if you have the right set of mind to go with those curves. You do know what this house is — don't you? What sort of work we do here?" Danica nodded her understanding. "Well then, we'll give you a shot." The Madame stood up, and walked out from behind the desk. "First off, let's get something in your tummy. I could hear it growling behind the desk. Then we'll get you some new clothes, get your hair and face fixed up, and get you a room. Once that's done we'll put you to work. If you work out, you never need fear being hungry or without a roof over your head again, and you'll have some coin to pamper yourself too. Madame Marlene takes good care of her girls." "Thank you," Danica responded. The Madame led her off to the kitchen, where she ate a filling, if somewhat plain meal. She was given a revealing gown of green to put on, and a couple of the girls helped her fix her hair. After that, the two women painted Danica's face. Danica smiled throughout, though she thought she looked ridiculous and cheap in the mirror. The Madame then led Danica up the stairs and showed her to a room. "This is your room. None should be in here except you and those you bring in here. Likewise, you should keep yourself out of the other girl's rooms unless you're asked. The customers pay me and I keep your cut on account. The amount you receive is based on how popular you are. Top girl gets to keep everything she brings in. I'll never cheat you, so you'll always have whatever your cut of the profits are available at any time you want to spend it. Everything you're wearing right now is yours to keep, but anything else you'll have to pay for. I have women making clothes all the time, and they keep the prices reasonable. Come see me if you want something new, or something special. I'll see it gets done and let you know what it's going to cost. If you want your hair colored, we can do that too, for a price." The woman pointed and continued, "There's a basin over there, and a pitcher of water. Make sure you clean up after every customer. There's probably more, but I need to get back to my desk. If you have any questions, just ask me or one of the other girls. Now go down into the parlor and see if you can't scare up a customer." Danica left the room and sauntered down the stairs slowly, letting her hips sway sensually as she walked. She noticed eyes turning toward her immediately. Several men were at the foot of the stairs waiting when she reached the parlor floor. Danica let her face show a sensual, knowing smile as she reached the bottom of the stairs. Two of the men were unattractive, scruffy sorts, and the third was well-dressed, but not terribly attractive. The last was a young man who was also well-dressed, and much more appealing than the others were. One of the scruffy men said, "Heh — You'z all will have to wait. I'ze here first." The others went to sit back down and the man grabbed Danica by the arm. "Let's get us up to the room. Yer a right purty one, an' I'm ready to sport!" The man was as repulsive in action as he was in appearance. He also smelled — a lot. Danica held her breath often as the man mounted her and rode her. Danica pretended to be excited and enjoying the coupling, for the few minutes the man humped her before he climaxed. He rolled off her and dressed, offering up a rude, "Thanks," as he left. Danica's forced smile dropped from her face immediately. She went to the chamber pot, and then to the basin to wash — thoroughly. Danica was pleased to see the other scruffy man had apparently chosen other entertainment when she walked back down the stairs. The other two men were still there waiting, however. They were the only people in the parlor, save for the Madame. They both turned when Danica's footsteps sounded on the stairs, and the older of the two men stood up. He started up the stairs, and Danica leaned against the stairs on impulse. She beckoned the man with her finger — much to his delight, if his wide smile was any indication. He was just as unimaginative as the first, though he did thankfully smell better. He mounted her, rode her, spurted his juices on her, and left. He placed a coin on the bed before he left, apparently as a tip. Danica washed again and went back out into the parlor area of the house. She passed another woman coming up the stairs as she went down. The man on the other woman's arm turned to glance at Danica as they passed on the stairs, staring at her bottom. Danica saw another pair ascending the stairs on the other side of the room. She also saw that the young man was still there awaiting her return — despite three other girls lounged about on the couches, cooing in his direction. He noticed Danica and stood up, smiling. The other women in the room stared hard at Danica for a moment before turning away to talk to each other in whispers. He walked up to Danica and she said sultrily, "Mmm, do you want to play?" "Indeed I do," the young man replied. Danica entwined her arm in his, and led him up the stairs to her room. The young man apparently had more than a quick ride on his mind, because he took his time getting them both undressed and into the bed. He had Danica suck him to orgasm first, and then slid his head between her legs, bringing her to a peak as well. She pushed and gushed when she came, prompting the man to talk excitedly about it for several minutes with her, once Danica found her breath to speak. As they were talking, Danica caressed his cock with her fingers. He seemed to consider for a moment and then asked, "Do you allow men to cum inside you?" "Of course," she replied, and licked her lips as she continued to stroke her fingers over his slowly hardening flesh. He smiled wide. "I have never been with one who would let me before. That's why I have come here. I wish to be able to reach my peak without pulling free of your warm depths." Danica moaned and said, "Then let's get you hard so you can fill me up." She then bent down to suck him to full erection. He mounted her from behind, taking her hard — and very well. He obviously knew how to please a woman. Danica came twice before he said he was nearly there. Danica begged him to fill her up, and moments later he exploded deep inside her. Danica moaned in satisfaction as she felt him filling her up. He pulled from her and collapsed on the bed. They both lay panting for breath for a few moments, and then the man looked over at her. "I fear I have already spent a small fortune, but I don't care," he said with a laugh. "Can you erupt again as you did the first time for me, while I watch?" "Oh, yes," Danica moaned, and parted her legs. The young man watched with fascinated concentration as Danica slowly caressed her sex. Every so often, she slid her fingers inside her and stroked them, but mostly she rubbed at her labia and clit, to give him the best view of what she was doing. Danica rose toward her heights and increased the speed of her rubbing fingers. As she built to a fever pitch, she parted her folds with one hand while she continued to rub her bud furiously with the other. With her lips parted, she squirted in hard streams. She just barely registered the sound of it beating a tattoo against the young man's chest through her cries of pleasure. After the first long, intense stream, several weaker spurts erupted from her. She actually saw one of them arch into the fascinated young man's face before her eyes closed again from the power of the ecstatic energy running through her. As soon as Danica regained her composure, she wrapped her lips around his half-hard cock and brought him back to a full, throbbing erection in just a few moments. She pulled her legs back by her ears and he mounted her. When he filled her again and managed to catch his breath, he got up to dress. "Will you accompany me downstairs? Though it will mean even more coin, it will be worth it," he said with a smile. "I have to wash first," Danica replied, and went to the basin. He waited patiently while she washed and dressed, and then took her arm. They walked down the stairs together to the Madame's desk. He counted out considerable amounts of coin, informing the Madame, "I shall certainly be back. Likely soon." He continued to count out coins as the Madame counted with him. At last, the Madame nodded, and he said with a laugh, "Well, as soon as possible." "Thank you, my dear, it was incredible," he said to Danica, and then bowed slightly to her before finding his way to the door. When he had left the Madame exclaimed, "Damn Dear!" She laughed, and continued, "You certainly kept that one coming back for more. You've been up there with him nigh unto three hours. I was about to send one of the bouncers, for he was getting close to the color of his coin, I thought." Danica suppressed a chuckle at the unusual phrase, which meant the Madame believed that he was pushing the limits of what she thought he was worth. "Do you think I'll work out then?" Danica asked. "Yes — if the other girls staring daggers at you don't kill you," The Madame replied with a smile and a laugh. "I'd take a rest, if I were you. It's a slow part of the day, and we have a special duty at the castle each night. You'll need to be fixed up your prettiest before we leave. We are always to be at the castle three hours before midnight, so be ready. I'll close up here shortly, and re-open after you've all returned from the castle. The soldiers aren't choosy, so just lie there and let whichever ones get in front of you on, and give him a show." Danica went to the kitchen first and ate. She then discovered the baths, and gladly settled into one of the tubs. The other women who were there got up and left when she entered. They did their best not to look at her, and whispered as they left. Danica rolled her eyes and said, "Jealous bitches," under her breath with a chuckle. She returned to her room after her bath, fixed her hair, and painted her face. Both of these she did in a far less gaudy fashion than the other girls had done to her before. Finally, she changed the bedclothes with one of the numerous replacements she found in the closet, and lay down to rest. She judged it must nearly be time to go to the castle a while later, and the sound of the women heading down the stairs confirmed it. Danica gathered up the bag containing Zoraster's magical devices, and headed downstairs. They proceeded to the castle, where they were admitted inside without a glance. The girls knew where they were going, and continued unescorted toward the guard chambers once inside. They didn't notice — or hoped she would be tossed in the dungeon for being away from the group — when Danica fell behind. When the group turned a corner a short distance ahead of her, Danica looked around quickly and activated her rings. The magic made her invisible and surrounded her with a globe of silence, which eliminated every sound she made. Now to figure out where this Princess is, Danica thought. She reasoned the high and mighty would reside in the high places, and worked on finding her way through the castle. It took Danica nearly an hour to make her way upstairs. She was constantly forced to stop to avoid rushing servants once she got to the ground floor. Finally, she found the upper floor, where the opulence of the decorations and the presence of carpet let her know she was in the right place. She quickly determined that the first set of large double doors was the chambers of the King, because the royal seal on the door had the crown and all the standard trappings upon it. She passed the room quickly, knowing she was running out of time, and continued farther down the carpeted hall. She found another set of double doors, and assumed that they must be the Princess' chambers because it was the only other door on this floor. Danica had just begun to try to puzzle out a way to enter without being detected when she heard low voices coming down the hall. Danica flattened against the wall just past the doors, and listened as the two men spoke. One was old, perhaps pushing sixty. The other was younger, likely in his twenties. They were whispering, and Danica could only hear them clearly when they were almost upon her. The younger man handed the older one a bag. "Master, I say again — I have a bad feeling about this. I fear for you. The Princess is a manipulative one, and I fear she uses you for some purpose, and will toss you aside when her goal is achieved." "Nonsense," the old man said quietly, taking the bag. "She is simply bored with her life and wishes to learn the Apothecary. She wishes to learn, and I come to teach her because she is a bright pupil. Now — away," he retorted. The younger man turned and walked down the hall, while the older opened the door — cursing when it tried to slam on him as he hobbled inside. Danica moved forward and looked inside through the open doorway. She could see no one except the old man in the parlor beyond the door. Danica heard the younger man mumble, "You come because she lets you ride her, Master. And one day, she will exact a price." The old man turned, and Danica flattened against the wall as the aged man scowled in the direction of the younger. He then snorted and pushed the door open wide, before hobbling away from it as quickly as possible. Danica slipped through the door and winced when it slammed against her breasts hard when she edged around it to get into the room beyond. The old man turned to look back at the door with a raised eyebrow, and Danica held her breath, even though he knew there was no way the old man could see or hear her. The old man snorted, "Accursed door," and crossed the parlor. Danica let out her breath and placed the first of her globes in the parlor. She moved to an adjoining room, in the opposite direction the man had gone. It was a smaller sitting room, with several immense windows giving a fine view of the city and the surrounding countryside. She placed the globes here as well, and then did the same in a bath room. This room had two doors. One lead into the parlor, and the other opened into the bedroom where the old man had gone. The old man was going over the making of an herbal potion with the Princess. She appeared to be just under twenty to Danica. The Princess was petite and beautiful, but there was a severity to her face, which detracted from her beauty despite the smile she wore. Danica crept into the room and placed more globes. This was the last room, so she planted the remainder of them here. She then tried to figure out how to get the amulet around the girl's neck — quickly. Ticking off the time in her mind, Danica went back into the parlor to whisper the words that renewed the magic of her rings. Returning to the bedroom, she saw that the old man was putting away his things into the bag — except for a small vial filled with red liquid. This he swished around while smiling at the Princess. She smiled back and unbuttoned her gown. The old man downed the potion, and then stripped off his clothes to reveal his naked, bony, and wrinkled body. One thing was not wrinkled. His manhood — though small — stood hard and at attention. The Princess smiled wantonly and beckoned him to her. Danica cursed as she continued to search for some way to get the amulet around the girl's neck. She stood next to the bed with the charm at the ready, just in case an opportunity presented itself. The Princess moaned and writhed as he mounted her and took her. The potion may have gotten his old cock hard, but it did little else. He pulled free of her and spurted a small amount of semen on her tummy and small, taut breasts only moments later. She rubbed it in and moaned lustily as the old man caught his breath and stood up. He pulled on his robes as she swirled her fingers through his cum, and sucked it from them. "Tomorrow evening, my dear," she said as he finished pulling on his robes. "Tomorrow," he echoed, and turned to leave. The Princess lay in apparent afterglow until he had passed from sight, and then irritation crossed her face. She spat off the side of the bed, quickly grabbed a cloth, and wiped his seed off her body. This she followed by drinking from a glass and filling it again, swishing the water in her mouth. "One day, old man, you'll teach me enough to find a way to poison that ass of a father of mine. Then I'll be rid of the both of you. In the meantime..." the Princess muttered, and pulled a vial from a drawer next to the bed. Danica contemplated leaving and returning downstairs. She knew she couldn't have much time left before the harlots would be leaving the castle. Thinking there was little choice; Danica decided she would simply have to place the amulet some other way, at another time. The Princess drank the contents of the vial, and then arched her back while rubbing her hands all over her body and moaning loudly. Danica stared as the young woman ran her fingers over her body and writhed on the bed for several minutes. The Princess then gasped and sat up to drink down the remaining water in the glass. She then pulled a rope next to the bed and filled the glass again. Danica heard the door to the hallway open. A young man entered. His eyes opened wide when he saw the Princess, and he averted them as he asked, "How may I serve?" "Come here," the Princess ordered, and beckoned him to the side of the bed. The young man walked over to the place she indicated, and the Princess grabbed him by the hair when he arrived. Shoving his face between her legs, she snarled, "Lick it!" The woman held the servant's face between her legs, as she ground her sex against him until she stiffened in orgasm. She kept him held there as she drank another glass of water, and then rubbed against him again. Danica saw an opportunity, and quickly spread some of her sleeping drug on the rim of the glass. She was just in time, because the Princess came again and shoved the young man hard to the floor. She drained the glass of water and said, "Now get out. Say nothing to anyone about this, or I'll have you thrown in the dungeon with the rats and murderers." "Y-y-yes, Your Highness," the servant stammered with wide eyes — her juices coating his face. He then turned, and quickly left. The woman filled her glass again, but nearly dropped it. The sleeping drug was taking effect. She lay her head down on the pillow with a perplexed look on her face, and quickly fell asleep. Danica lifted the woman's head and slipped the amulet on. It promptly vanished from sight. She then let the Princess' head drop to the pillow and opened the drawer, curious as to the nature of the potion the woman had taken. There were several different potions, and Danica grabbed one of each color. She then hurried to the door, renewed her spells from the rings, and cast a clairvoyance spell to see out into the hall. Seeing no one visible, she hastily opened the door and dashed out into the hall. She hurried back along the path she had taken upstairs, avoiding all the wrong turns this time. Her heart lodged in her throat when she reached the front gates and saw the exiting prostitutes go through them. She was trapped — her way out had just left without her. Danica panicked. She couldn't pass through any door to the outside without her spells becoming inactive. She was trapped in here, and she had no idea how this place dealt with trespassers. She managed to calm down, only realizing then that she should have just become visible somewhere out of sight, and walked quickly to the doors once she had seen the women leaving. She could have said that she had become separated from the group somehow. She would have likely have been let out without a second glance. Danica cursed herself for losing control, turned around, and went back into the castle. She had to find somewhere to hide. She could not remain invisible forever; the ring had a finite amount of power, which needed to be recharged after a certain number of uses. She moved through the castle, staying well on the opposite side of the hall on the few times she passed people moving about. Danica thought about — and rejected — several potential hiding places as she hurried through the huge place. Everywhere she looked seemed to be too frequented for her to hide. She found empty guest chambers, but these were so clean that she had to assume that they were tended to daily. She might have to hide until the next night when the women came again. She cursed and continued to wander, finally arriving near a door where she caught the faint odor that indicated a stable was nearby. Walking into the open doorway and looking around, she saw the exit to the walled stable grounds, and then cursed when she saw it was filled with the aura of the dispelling magic. She also saw an old guard sitting in a chair outside, humming. He looked to be getting drowsy, and Danica found some hope again. She could see guards walking the high walls of the stable, but they were all facing outward. Danica knew she had to renew the magic of her rings soon. She could not be using their powers when she did so, so she searched for a place to hide for the few minutes it would take to cast the spells that would renew the magic. She passed a pair of young men who were talking quietly in what must have been the stable-hands quarters. Two more slept nearby. Moving past the area quickly, she found a storage room filled with bales of hay, and barrels of oats. She hurried inside and wormed her way to the back, eventually finding a spot in the corner, which was far from the door and well concealed. Danica breathed a sigh of relief, and let the magic of the rings fade away. She worked quickly, whispering the spells of renewal and turning her magic to the task. In a few moments, the magic of the rings was renewed fully. She spoke the words of command, activating their magic, and then rose to go see if the old guard had dozed off yet. Danica froze when she saw the door open. The two young men who had been talking earlier walked into the storage room. One of them looked out the door for a few moments, and then closed it. The two men smiled at each other and started to weave through the bales and barrels. They were heading right toward Danica, and she quickly climbed atop a short stack of two bales when they were behind a higher stack. The two young men reached the spot where Danica had hidden, and suddenly embraced in a kiss. Danica's eyes went wide. She felt wetness gathering between her legs. She was glad the globe of silence surrounded her, because she moaned involuntarily at the sight of the two handsome young men kissing in the faint light. Danica looked behind her and saw there was no way down on the opposite side from the men — at least none that would provide her with an exit from the room. The two men broke from the kiss, and one bent down to pull a blanket from concealment behind a bale of hay. He sat it atop a bale, and climbed up on it. He untied his trousers and let his cock free. The second young man dropped to his knees, and wrapped his lips around the seated man's hard cock. Danica gasped. She had heard of such things happening in prisons, where men had not had a woman in years, but she had never heard of men doing it by mutual consent. Her fingers slid down between her legs and rubbed, as she watched the young man suck his companion. He sucked slowly, looking up into the other man's eyes. Danica rubbed her aching sex through her panties more quickly. She could feel her panties were already soaking wet, and she didn't care in the slightest. Her eyes were locked on the scene in front of her. For long minutes, the man continued the slow stroking of the other's cock. Then, he increased his speed, using his hand to stroke the shaft while he sucked on about two inches of the tip. His other hand gently kneaded his companion's balls as he sucked ever faster. Then the seated man let out a quiet gasp. The other quietly moaned in satisfaction around the cock, as his companion filled his mouth. Danica came with them, the sounds of her quivering on the hay masked — even from her own ears — by the sound of the other man's similar movements. The sounds of her gasps and moans were absorbed by the magic of her ring, preventing the two men from hearing her pleasure. Danica did her best to hold still as she shuddered through her aftershocks. She moaned when she saw the men switch positions, and knew she was going to be treated to the incredible show once again. The other man sucked his companion's cock with the same slow strokes, taking a long time to increase his tempo and receive an explosion in his mouth. Danica came with them again, aroused beyond anything she had ever contemplated. The two young men pulled on their trousers, stashed the blanket once more, and with a last kiss, left the room. Danica lay back on the hay bale, gasping. Her pussy ached from being rubbed nearly raw. She had stroked it furiously the entire time as she watched the two young men suck each other. She sat back up and noticed that not only were her panties sopping wet, so was her dress. Even the hay beneath her dress was damp. She slid down from the hay and caught her breath, still shivering from the memories of what she had just witnessed. She crept slowly to the door of the storeroom, where she used a clairvoyance spell and discovered no one in the hall outside. With the way clear, Danica slipped out into the stable again. She walked past the stable-hands room, where she saw the two young men, who were sitting and talking again. This time, wide smiles decorated their faces. A grin brightened Danica's features as well. She walked over to the exit to the outside, and it took little more than a glance to know the guard was asleep. His snores could have rattled the walls. Danica steeled her nerves, counted to five, and stepped through the portal. Instantly, the magic of her rings ceased, and she was visible again. The two steps through that portal were the longest she had ever taken in her life. The moment she was through, she spoke the words of command and the magic of the rings wrapped around her again. Danica held her breath as she heard the man behind her snort. She saw one of the guards on the wall turn to face inward, observing the stable. Apparently, it was just the loudness of the old guard's snort that had drawn the attention of the guard on the wall. He turned back to look beyond the wall, and the old guard's snoring returned to its steady rhythm again. Danica blew out a choked sigh of relief, which was nearly a sob, and dropped to her knees. She stayed there until she calmed her nerves, and then went over to the wall as far away from any of the guards as she could manage. She levitated up, over the wall, and then hurried back to the house where Celes waited. She didn't release the magic of her rings until she was safely within the house and in the bed where she had slept the night before. Danica collapsed onto the bed, and slept — completely exhausted physically, emotionally, and mentally. ------- Zoraster laughed as he watched the Princess consuming a vial from her bedside table. "Well, it seems I shall have to endeavor to control the drug trade. Many interesting individuals seem to have acquired the vice." Turning to another mirror, he watched the man with the spider tattoo, who spoke with someone in a shadowed corner. "How coincidental that you should come to my notice at just such an opportune time. How coincidental — and advantageous. I wonder where lies the hole in your defenses, my shadowy friend? Between your legs, perhaps?" Zoraster stared into the mirror, and laughed heartily. ------- Part 4A Danica awoke that morning to Celes shaking her. She came to very slowly, the exhaustion, which had drained her completely, reluctant to release her. Seeing Danica rousing, Celes asked, "Are ye alright dearie? I've been tryin' ta wake ye fer hours now. Ye've been sleepin' like the dead." "I'm alright," Danica replied, moving to sit up. She made a face, feeling her panties and dress sticking to her skin. "Let's get them off ye dearie," Celes urged, and helped Danica out of the soiled clothing. She then fetched a washbasin, which Danica used to clean up, and then waited while Danica got dressed again. Celes brought Danica something to eat, while the redhead dressed, and then started to question her again. "What happened to ye, Dearie? Did ye complete yer task?" Danica explained to the frustration of the first day to Celes. She detailed how she finally managed to gain entrance with the ladies of the night, and the subsequent night of fear she had experienced trying to get back out again. Danica sighed deeply, and then finished with, "And I have to get back in there in a month. How will I find a way inside again?" She covered her face with her hands and groaned. "There's a way," Celes said. "I'll have to be askin' the madman if'n I can teach ye the spell that'll let ye through their magic, without losin' yer own. If'n they've got them wards about all the doors, they suren' have ways o' preventin' teleportin', so that won't be workin'." Danica knew of only one spell that would do what Celes was suggesting. "Armor of Dispelling?" she asked. "Aye, ye know the spell?" Celes responded. "My sister used it all the time to sneak up on me when I was in the storage room of my shop. How does Zoraster know it? It's one of Darkni's original spells, and he doesn't give it out to just anyone. Devan wouldn't even teach it to me," Danica said. Celes frowned and said, "The bastard has his ways. If'n he'll let me teach ye the spell, that should make it a right lot easier ta get yerself back in there." Celes kicked at the dress and panties, lying on the floor next to the bed. "That don't explain this, Dearie. How'd ye get yerself in that mess?" Danica shuddered, remembering the incredible scene that had played itself out before her eyes — the two men sucking each other only a few feet away from her. She lived out every moment in her words, in extensive detail — forgetting for whom she was reliving it. "Turned ye on did it?" Celes asked with a wink and a laugh. "I reckon it did, from the sight yer clothes are. I never heared of such either 'cept in rare rumors, but suren' I of all people shoulda considered it." "Have you ever been with a man?" Danica asked. Celes scowled, "I had my fill of 'em right early." "I'm sorry," Danica apologized, seeing pain and anger in the woman's eyes. "Nay, it's alright, Dearie. It's a long time ago, an' suren' I've been through worse since. When I was a wee lass, I was playin' at bein' a woman — flirtin' with the boys around the fountain in me town in the evening. I went off into the woods with a young man to steal kisses and pretend — only he wasn't pretendin'. He pounded me but good, near ta tore me in half, an' blacked me eye, an' bloodied me lip, 'cause I was fightin' him so hard, an' wouldn't shut up. He stuffed me underskirt in me mouth ta keep me quiet while he had his way with me. I had me fill o' men right then and there." After a deep breath and a hint of a smile, Celes continued, "I had a friend, who was the only one I felt safe fer tellin'. She let me cry on her shoulder an' get it outta my system. We got closer, an' one day it just sorta happened. She's t' one what taught me ta play with meself. Then we was in the bath t'gether, an' washin', an' we just started touchin' each other. Once it happened, I realized I had no need o' beasty men an' their poles, when 'nother woman could make me feel that good." "Not all men are like that," Danica attested. "They may as well be, fer all I care. Like I said — I've had me fill of the hairy brutes," Celes declared and blew a raspberry. The look on Celes face, combined with the sound, caused Danica to laugh, and Celes laughed with her. "Alright, Dearie, let's get ourselves back. Yer task is done for now, an' I'm for thinkin' ye should get back about yer studies," Celes suggested when she stopped laughing. Danica nodded, and they gathered up the things that they had purchased while in the city. A quick spell from Celes teleported both of them back to Zoraster's abode. ------- Danica spent the first day after her return in her lab, refreshing her memory of her notes and her purpose. Everything snapped into focus quickly. She was ready to craft — to make her gift for Celes. She went that evening to Damian's chambers where she stayed and watched with careful attention as he finished the last of two days worth of spell casting — the enchantment of a Staff of Power. The spell casting, which filled the item with its considerable powers, exhausted Damian. Danica helped him to his bed, and told him to leave his next evening free. When asked, she would not tell him why. He stopped asking when Danica swallowed first his cock, and then his cream when he exploded in her mouth. He was asleep shortly thereafter, and Danica returned to her chambers. She grabbed up her toy and drove herself to several orgasms thinking about the next night. Celes came the next day and informed Danica that Zoraster had deemed it acceptable for her to learn the Armor of Dispelling. She helped Danica to copy down the words, instructions for the inflections, and descriptions of the hand movements required to cast the spell. Danica was close — but not quite there — by the time evening drew near. Celes told her it was remarkable for anyone to pick up the difficult spell so quickly. She also said she would return in the morning to work on the spell more. Once Celes left, Danica went to Andrea's chambers and bid the young woman to follow — telling the blonde she had a gift for her. Andrea guessed from Danica's earlier promise what the gift would be, and followed Danica to Damian's room with breathless anticipation. Damian's eyes went wide for a moment when he opened the door and saw both of the beautiful women standing outside his room. Regaining his composure, he ushered them into the parlor with a beaming smile. "Damian, this is Andrea," Danica said, and Damian bowed to the blonde. Danica continued, "She has never been with a man. For sharing her friendship and her body with me, I would give her the gift of having your gorgeous cock inside her." Turning to the blonde at her side, Danica said, "Andrea, this is Damian. For sharing his knowledge, friendship, and body with me — and as thanks for the beautiful gown he gave me — I would gift him with the pleasure of being your first." She kissed first Damian, then Andrea, and then led them both to Damian's bedchambers. She stood Andrea and Damian face to face, and then undressed them. They examined each other's bodies with anticipation as Danica revealed them to each other. When they were both nude, Danica leaned forward, pulling Damian's head with her, and they both sucked one of Andrea's nipples into their mouth. Danica pulled Damian's hand down to Andrea's already glistening folds, and he gently probed her with his fingers as he and Danica continued to suckle Andrea's breasts. The blonde moaned and laid her hands on the back of both her lover's heads. Danica released Andrea's nipple with a final hard suck and looked up into the blonde's eyes, smiling wantonly. She then tugged on Damian's arm, and he released Andrea's other nipple. Danica pulled him backwards to lay him down on the bed while towing Andrea along by the arm. Danica got Andrea onto the bed, up on her hands and knees with her face inches from where his legs hung off the bed — and his cock throbbed in front of her face. Danica took his cock in her hand, stroking it once, and then said, "Now use your tongue and your mouth to make him feel good. Lick him, suck him, and make him come." Andrea moved closer and slid out her tongue. She licked up and down his shaft, to the moaning encouragement of both Danica and Damian. "Now suck the head between your lips," Danica instructed. Andrea licked her lips and did as Danica suggested. Damian gasped as her lips closed around him, and sucked up and down over a quarter of his cock. "Mmm, that's it, Darling. Try to get more — but don't choke yourself," Danica persuaded. "Uh huh," Danica moaned, as Andrea followed the directions. "Now, just keep licking and sucking that gorgeous cock, Darling. Mmm — Damian, let her know when you're almost there. Andrea..." Danica paused, looking into the blonde girl's eyes and putting her hand on her cheek before continuing, "When he tells you, pull back to just the head and stroke him with your hand." Andrea moaned her understanding around the hard organ in her mouth, and then closed her eyes — concentrating on what she was doing. Danica pulled on Andrea's hips, positioning the young woman with her knees on either side of Damian's head, and then lowered Andrea's sex to his lips. He slid his tongue inside her without prompting, causing the blonde girl to moan loudly around his manhood. Danica slid off the bed and between Damian's legs. She parted them, bending his knees upward, and then washed her tongue over his balls — suckling them on every few strokes of her tongue. He moaned loudly into Andrea's wet folds. Danica looked up and saw that Andrea needed no further instruction. She was sucking nearly all of Damian's manhood into her mouth — faster and faster. The blonde released him every so often to lick all over his shaft, as a means to rest her mouth and catch her breath. Danica lifted Damian's knees a little higher. She leaned forward and flicked her tongue over his ass. Damian moaned and groaned into Andrea's folds as the two women licked and sucked him. Danica made her tongue hard and pressed it into his ass, causing him to gasp louder than ever. Danica kept tantalizing him with her tongue. She could tell he was getting close from the rapidness of his breathing and the other signs of his body. He gasped, "I'm close." Danica looked up again to see Andrea wrap her hand around his shaft, pulling back to suck on the tip with quick strokes. She moaned excitedly around him as she feverishly sucked him. Danica returned to tonguing his dangling orbs until she heard his breath explode from him. Andrea moaned loudly — in a combination of surprise and pleasure — as his cum flooded her mouth. Danica got up, using her finger to continue to probe Damian's ass. "Don't be stingy," Danica admonished playfully. "Save some for me." Andrea let his cock pop free of her mouth and parted her lips, licking them to show his cream pooled in her mouth. Danica leaned forward, kissing Andrea deeply and sucking Damian's cum from the young woman's tongue. They both leaned over him together — lapping up the last dribbles of his seed with the tips of their tongues, and then took turns sucking him until he started to go soft. Danica twirled a lock of Andrea's blonde hair, while whispering, "Get on your hands and knees, lengthwise on the bed." When the young woman complied, her expression and rapid breathing attesting to her excitement, Danica turned to Damian. "Slide down under her, Damian." He did so, looking up into Andrea's wet heat above him, and breathing as rapidly as Andrea. "Now make her come," Danica breathed, pressing down on Andrea's hips, bringing her sex against his lips. Damian lapped and probed Andrea with hungry purpose while the young woman gasped and moaned in delight as his knowledgeable tongue tantalized her. Danica moved around behind Andrea, straddling Damian's body, and then parted Andrea's cheeks, adding her tongue to the stimulation. Andrea screamed loudly in surprised pleasure as Damian and Danica lapped her from both ends. It didn't take her long to come to a trembling, squirting orgasm, covering Damian's face and chest with her streams of juices. Damian wiped his brow as Andrea rolled away from him, covering her sex. "It seems quite warm in here," Damian remarked. Danica laughed and gave Andrea a chance to recover her breath. When the young blonde appeared to be recovered, Danica said, "My turn," and assumed the position Andrea had been in. She guided Andrea to get beneath her, and Damian to get behind her. They needed no other instructions. Damian's tongue in her ass and Andrea's lips wrapped around her clit soon sent Danica soaring. She flooded Andrea's face and breasts, as well as Damian's chin, with an eruption of spurting juices. They moved about until they were all laying together on the bed, side by side — the two women on either side of Damian. They relaxed, caressed, and kissed each other for a short while. Then Danica sat up and bent over to lick Damian's flaccid member. Andrea joined her without prompting, and the two women soon had him erect and throbbing once more. Danica guided Andrea down on her back, propping her bottom up on a pillow. Danica then cast a spell, one of the first her sister had ever taught her. The magic delved into a woman's body to reveal whether she was within a fertile part of her cycle. The spell showed that Andrea was not even close by its cool blue glow. Danica smiled and pulled Andrea's knees apart, gesturing for Damian to move into position in front of the blonde. Danica stroked Damian's cock, only a scant few inches from Andrea's nether lips, and said, "Now take her. Be gentle, because you will be the first real man inside her. Make her a woman. Make her come. Mmm — fill her up. It's safe right now." Turning to look into Andrea's eyes, Danica admonished, "Remember, I used my magic to make sure it is safe for him to come inside you right now. I hoped it would be, so you could feel that your first time too. You have to be careful though, because an unexpected pregnancy can turn your life upside down — forever." Andrea nodded her understanding. She stared over her body with obvious anticipation and impatience at the throbbing cock — so close to where she wanted it. Danica guided him to her, putting the flared tip against Andrea's folds. She then ran it up and down, coating Damian's glans in Andrea's wetness. Damian and Andrea both gasped when she did so. Danica then pulled forward on his cock slightly, and he slid inside her. Andrea's eyes opened wide, and she let out a moan of mixed pleasure and surprise as a man's cock filled her for the first time. Damian was only about half way in, but could sense this was enough for now, and slowly stroked that length of his manhood in and out of Andrea. Danica scooted up on the bed to flicker her tongue over the blonde's nipple, joining Andrea in watching Damian's cock stretching the blonde's nether lips. "So... Big... So... Full..." Andrea gasped out between strokes of Damian's shaft into her depths. Damian pushed just a little harder on his next thrust, and a little more of his cock penetrated her. Andrea's back arched high, and she let out a gasp that ended in a growl. Bucked off Andrea's nipple when the girl contorted in pleasure, Danica moved lower and slid her head between the girl's legs, pulling the near one down flat against the bed. As soon as she could reach it, Danica rolled Andrea's clit with her tongue, sneaking little licks of Damian's glistening shaft as well. Damian and Andrea started to breathe hard, Damian now gasping for air just as much as Andrea. Her tight young pussy squeezed him, milking his cock well. Damian took a few more strokes as Danica's tongue washed over them both, and then slowly pushed the entire length of his manhood into Andrea's depths. Danica's body held Andrea's down, but the blonde's head lashed back, and she trembled as she felt her canal filled with Damian's full length. Damian paused, buried to the hilt inside her as Andrea's muscles contracted tight around him. He reveled in the feeling of her tight, wet warmth wrapped all around him, not wanting it to end. His needs took over, and he started stroking the whole length of his cock into her, just a little faster than he had been before. Danica's flickering tongue and Damian's cock filling her so well, drove Andrea rapidly toward climax. "Faster! Oh, yes! Faster!" Andrea moaned. Danica and Damian both responded. Danica's tongue darted all the quicker and harder over Andrea's clit, while Damian increased the speed and power of his thrusts. It took only a few seconds of this to set off Andrea's climax. "Oh, yes! Yes, yes, yes, YES!" A loud, warbling scream of ecstasy burst from Andrea as her orgasm fully got hold of her. The scream turned into a moan, then a growl, and finally a series of yelps as Andrea's climax rocked her body. "Take her. Fill her up," Danica encouraged Damian, and then returned to lapping Andrea's throbbing bud. "Oh, yes — take me. Come for me," Andrea gasped. Damian grunted from exertion and pleasure as he relaxed his self-control. It took only a few more thrusts to topple him over the edge. With a loud, inarticulate exclamation, he buried himself hard inside her, coating her walls in his semen. "Oh mmm," Andrea moaned. "I can feel it, so deep inside me. So warm — mmm." She rubbed her tummy and mound as she said it. Danica moved just in time, as Damian collapsed atop Andrea. He gasped for breath, his whole body glistening with sweat. "That... Was... Incredible," he managed to say between breaths. "You could make a girl jealous," Danica teased. Damian turned toward her, a look of apology in his eyes, and she said, "No, silly — I was teasing. It turned me on just as much as you." Danica knew that neither Damian nor Andrea was going to be doing anything any time soon. She reached down and retrieved her toy, which she had brought with her. She brought it to life with a word and slid it into her depths. As they caught their breath, Andrea and Damian pulled apart, turning to watch Danica as they lay with their arms wrapped around each other. They both moaned with her as Danica reached her peak. She pulled her toy from her in a quick motion — just as she started coming — parting her lips at the same time. She pressed the humming shaft against her clitoris as her orgasm shook her body. Her streams shot all the way across the room, three times, to trickle down the wall, and then soak the bed with a pair of weaker squirts. Danica and Andrea managed to get Damian hard one more time that night, much to his fascination and amazement, and Danica cast her spell on him so he could last long enough for them both to ride him to several sweet crescendos. Danica then encouraged Damian to take Andrea from behind and fill her up once more. They collapsed into a deep sleep, their naked bodies entwined on the bed. ------- Andrea awoke with the sun the next morning, cleaned up, and hurried off to her duties. Damian and Danica lingered longer, but it was still quite early in the morning when Danica arose and returned to her chambers. Danica remembered the vials she had taken from the Princess' bedside table. She decided to take them to the apothecary, as well as check on how the seamstress was coming along with the crafting of her special corset. The old woman showed Danica the partially completed corset, and Danica smiled wide, because she could see it was going to fulfill her vision perfectly. The woman had already completed the panties, and Danica tried them on. She licked her lips when she looked in the mirror. The front just covered her private places, revealing her legs almost to the hip. She turned and looked at her bottom, the rounded cheeks well displayed by the skimpy cotton covering. Danica thanked the seamstress, and discovered that the potion had worked — very well. Both women shared a laugh, and then Danica headed toward the apothecary. She presented the man there with the vials and waited patiently while he sniffed, tasted, and tested them all. "They are all quite potent drugs, all from the jungle, and all forbidden in this country," the man explained. "The first — the red — stimulates the heart and breathing somewhat. Its main purpose is to send vastly increased blood flow to unmentionable areas. It also induces a state of euphoria and causes the scents the body releases naturally, which attract the opposite sex, to be much increased. It is dangerous, because it can damage the heart when used in excess, or on someone with an already weak heart. It also causes you to crave it, and you eventually need ever more to get the same strength of effect. The amount in this vial would be enough to drive a half a dozen people into this euphoric state, if they had never used it before — or not very often. I must caution against using this." "I just want to know what they are. I'm not planning to use them. Simple curiosity," Danica responded. The old man carefully looked into her face and appeared to see truth there. He snorted, nodded his approval, and then raised the next vial. "The blue increases the heart rate and breathing much more. The entire body is affected in the same way. Like the other, what is in this vial would keep a half dozen people awake for a day or more. This one is even more dangerous. There are those who have had their hearts explode when abusing this. Taken sparingly, and rarely, this can be used to maintain alertness when it is necessary. I would still caution against its use, except in the direst of circumstances. No more than a drop every four hours or so should be sufficient for that task." Danica nodded, thinking she should keep this drug on hand, just in case the need for it ever did arise. "The last is the most devilish. It induces illusions in the mind. The person using this will see, hear, taste, smell, and feel things that aren't there. I've seen a few under this drug's effect and heard their ramblings. The illusions must be vivid beyond belief. This drug causes you to need more of it as well, and even if you somehow force yourself to stop taking it, the effects may creep up on you years later without warning. I knew one man who joined a monastery, and had not touched the drug in a decade. He found himself drawn into a world of illusion one night during a thunderstorm, one which was exactly like those he had experienced while using the drug. The illusions are not always benign, either. They can be horrifying. There are those who have died of fright from the horrors conjured by their own minds." Danica shivered, thinking about the young Princess using these strong, dangerous drugs — and in such large amounts. The girl would likely not live long if she continued to do so. Danica requested the herbs and processes necessary to produce the drugs, and the man promised to write them out for her, after repeating his warnings and watching her carefully as he did so. Apparently satisfied with her response, he wrote down everything as he had promised. Now, with untended business completed, Danica felt free of burdens. She returned to her lab, sat down, retrieved a block of clay, and went to work. When Danica felt exhaustion begin to overcome her that evening, she sat her work aside. She had fashioned a curved, slightly bowl-shaped object with ends that drew up to rounded points. She had begun to build up something from the center of the bowl, but its form was as yet unrecognizable. Danica sat the object on a well-damped towel, placed a bowl over top of it, and went to bed. Danica hurried through her meal and bath the next morning, eager to return to her crafting. The sun had been set for several hours when Danica at last sat back heavily in her chair with a gasped sigh of exhaustion. The form she had begun building up in the center revealed itself to be the shape of a very full set of lips. The lips were parted, and a tongue lolled out over the bottom lip, hanging down about a half inch below it. The tongue humped up on the inside of the mouth, and was much longer than anything natural. It would extend out more than twice a normal tongue's length past the lips if not bent. Along the edges of the item were squared loops, similar to those used to fasten straps onto armor. Danica took the item, placed it in the kiln to fire, and then dragged her feet all the way to the bed. She barely found the energy to change into her sleeping gown before collapsing into an exhausted slumber. Danica slept late that day and into the early afternoon. She checked the object, and found it had fired perfectly. She removed it from the kiln and set it on her worktable, covering it with a soft cloth. Her hands and eyes still ached, and she had no desire to try to begin the detailed painting and glazing in that condition. There were other things that Danica needed to attend to, so she set about completing those tasks today. She gathered up her notes and carefully measured sketches, and then set out for the craftsmen in the workshops. She found a muscular man who was making leather armor, and deemed his work to be of the sort she needed. She waited quietly nearby while he finished putting the last few, obviously decorative, touches onto a set of strong leather straps. When he finished, she approached with her sketches. "I need something made. If you don't mind, please take a look at these," Danica requested, and held out the sketches. The man eyed her for a moment, and then seemed to determine that she was someone of significance and not just another servant or craftsman. He then took the sketches and leafed through them. "You've noted the buckles should be in silver. I'd suggest Amphros who works at the other end of this workshop. He does this kind of fine, detail work in silver. He's obsessed with his craft, and he'll etch even those tiny lil' things with scrollwork," the leather worker recommended as he continued to look over the sketches. "I'll take your suggestion on the buckles. Can you make the straps?" Danica asked. "Aye, I can make 'em. My fingers will probably be sore for a week from trying to work on such dainty pieces with these meat hooks," he replied, while holding out his hands and smiling. "But — aye — I can do it. Cripes — but this is a strange looking weave. I know better than to ask, because I might not want to know the answer," he finished with a laugh. Danica chuckled, "True. A wise man." He handed her back the page showing only the detailed sketch of the buckle. "Take that on over to Amphros. He'll probably be happy to take on such a challenge immediately. As for me, considering how well these sketches show me what you want, I can possibly have this done before the day is out." "Thank you," Danica said. "Please try to make them as supple as possible. They should not be too stiff or too hard. I wouldn't want them to cut into skin." "Not a problem, Lass. Go see Amphros, and come back by here after a bit, and I should have your goods ready." Danica nodded and moved deeper into the workshop. On the far end, she found what she was seeking — a man working on a silver candelabrum. He had his mouth covered with a cloth soaked in something, and he was etching designs into the candelabra with a tiny steel tool. He dipped the implement in some sort of solution as Danica approached, and then brought it back to the candelabra. Danica noticed a small, wispy trail of vapor leaving the end of the man's etching tool. She determined that the solution must be some sort of acid. The man finished the swirl he was working on, sat back, and pulled the cloth from his face. "May I help you?" He asked. "You can, if you are Amphros," Danica replied. "I am," he responded. "I was told I should bring this to you to be made," Danica said, and handed over her sketch. Amphros eyed the page, and grunted. "I can do this quite easily. Your design is very practical, but I can make the buckle slightly different without altering the design or size much. My changes would make the buckle more secure and easier to use." Danica nodded. "Please do so — I bow to your superior knowledge. I need three identical buckles." "I can have these done by mid-day tomorrow. It will take me until late tonight to complete this piece. I will begin work on yours on the morrow." Amphros then pulled the cloth back over his face. Danica took that as the signal that their transaction was complete for the day, and made her way back through the workshop. She took note of the crafts the tradesman worked at, and the quality of their work as she passed through. Since she had this resource at her disposal, she decided to make use of it. The leather worker looked up and nodded as Danica returned to his work area. He beckoned her to approach when he saw her, closing the lid of a trunk he had been rummaging through as she approached. Danica walked back to his workbench and he said, "I've got a few prepared that I can work the way you want, but I know I can make a set more supple, as well as prepare the leather specifically for you. It'll take some time, though — a couple of days. Do you need to have this done quickly?" Danica pondered for a moment. She knew it would likely take her quite some time to paint and glaze the piece she was working on. She doubted she would get to that today — or even tomorrow. "No, if you can do better with more time, please do. This is a gift, and I want it to be perfect." The man smiled wide. "Now that's what I like to see — someone who appreciates quality work. I get little enough chance to show my skills around here," he exclaimed with a clap. "Stop by in a couple of days and I'll let you know how I'm doing." He opened a large cabinet and picked up the trunk to put it back inside. Something caught Danica's eye, and she let out a little exclamation of amazement. The man paused in closing the cabinet. "Something you want to see?" He asked. Danica walked back behind his workbench to the cabinet, to get a closer look. Inside the cabinet was a dark jerkin — the leather shining brightly in the light of the room. It was more than dark, in truth — it was pitch black in color. Danica reached out and touched the leather. The garment was supple, but still a little stiff and shaped. "I have never seen the like," Danica mused. The leather worker grinned. "One of my specialties. It hardly would protect you from more than small briars, but it's sure good for looking. I accidentally discovered the process when I was working too tired one night, and slowly perfected it." Another vision filled Danica's head, and she immediately gave it voice. "I wonder if you might make something else for me after you finish the harness?" She continued to stroke the leather between her fingers as she spoke. "What do you have in mind?" He asked. "The leather dark, and shiny — like this. I think it should be just a little more supple than this, but still holding its shape. Open in the back, laced with crossed strips. The front should just cover and support my breasts. The bottoms should be open here," Danica ran her hands over her hips and the front of her legs to demonstrate, "and here," she finished, placing her hands on her buttocks. The man rubbed his neck, tilting his head to the side as he considered Danica's suggestions. He shuddered as an image of what she wanted congealed in his mind. "The thought of that is a vision to behold!" he exclaimed and erupted in a booming laugh. "Aye, I can do it — gladly! Though, I'll need to get your sizes..." He paused a bit, trying to give her the indication that he would have to measure her personally to get it right. "Of course," Danica responded, still staring at the jerkin, and reached for the tie on her robes. "Whoa, Lass! Not here!" The big man admonished, much to the dismay of several craftsmen in the area who had ceased their work to watch the show. "Come with me to my real workplace where I tan the leather. The work stinks — and that's the polite word for it. They keep me stuck way off in the corner of the grounds. At least then, half the world won't see what you have to reveal. No more than necessary, I assure you." Danica nodded and laughed. "I was so anxious; I didn't even think." "I'll be done here in an hour or so. Come back, and I'll take you there and get your sizes. Then I can get to work on both projects for you." "Thank you, I'll be back soon," Danica responded, and took the man's hand when he stretched it out for her to shake. Danica left the workshop and went to the library. She browsed for a while, making note of several sections that detailed magic she had some interest in, but little knowledge of. She took no books with her this time, because she still had a lot of work to do on her current project and did not want to be distracted. As Danica was about to leave the library, she remembered she was supposed to meet with Celes that morning to work on the Armor of Dispelling spell. Danica slapped her forehead and muttered, "Stupid!" She immediately hurried back to the main building. Danica asked a few women about Celes, because few in the place seemed to know Celes by name, and she could not describe how Celes looked to the men — who still saw her as young and vital. Nobody seemed to know where Celes was, so Danica returned to her chambers, thinking she could write a note and leave it there. At least she could offer some explanation to Celes until she could find her. She was nearly to her chambers when she saw Celes walking toward her from the opposite direction. "I'm so sorry Celes. I completely forgot. I was so wrapped up in what I was doing." Danica apologized when the two met in front of her door. Celes cackled, "No need for apologizin', Dearie. I'ze just on me way here to apologize to ye, 'cause I missed our study this mornin'. I got meself called away, an' only just now made it back." Danica wiped her brow, "Whew, I'm glad. I still have things to do. In the morning?" "I've only got a few minutes meself, 'fore I've got to be back about a task as well. In the mornin', Aye," Celes agreed. Danica smiled at the old woman and said, "I should be going. I fear I'm already behind." "Take care, Dearie, an' keep yer wits about ye. An' don't miss me on the morrow this time!" Celes finished her statement with a wink and a laugh. Danica hurried back to the workshop, where she found the leather-worker waiting patiently for her return outside of the building. He smiled wide and beckoned her to follow. They reached the extreme edge of the grounds a couple of minutes later. Here were the tanneries, charcoal burners, and every other odiferous occupation. A magical breeze blowing across the area and over the wall kept the smells confined. The man walked her over to his small abode, Danica in tow. He pointed to one door and explained, "That's the entrance to the tannery where I prepare the leather. I'll not take you in there, because the smell would be likely to knock you down." He laughed, and then led her to the other side of the building. "We'll get your sizes in my quarters, away from prying eyes," he said, and opened the door. The room was small, simple, and functional. The man slept here, ate here, and that was about all. He went to a drawer and pulled out a measuring cord. Danica let her robes drop to the floor, chuckling when the muscular man's eyes went wide. He shook his head upon seeing her curves unobstructed by her robes. He took her sizes, doing his best not to stare or touch her when not necessary, though he was obviously having some difficulty with that. "There, all done," he said and stepped back. His strong hands on her body, limited though the contact had been, ensured that Danica was not done, however. Danica let him see the fires burning in her eyes and reached out to lay her hand on his trousers. Seeing that she shared his suppressed desires, he pulled her into a kiss and picked her up as he did so. He carried her to the bed and laid her down before he broke the kiss. He pulled off his shirt, revealing his strong chest — the muscles rippling as he moved. He dropped his trousers in a quick motion, and Danica moaned upon seeing his large, uncut cock, swollen to full, throbbing erection. Danica sat up, leaned over the bed, and pulled his foreskin back with her hand to stroke it over his erection. After a few strokes of her hand, she wrapped her lips around the revealed purple helmet. He groaned, caressing her hair as she sucked him and stroked his foreskin over the shaft below. After a few minutes, he pushed her head gently away from him and laid her down. When he grabbed her panties and pulled them down, Danica kicked them off and spread her legs wide. He moved forward and buried himself inside her in one quick push. He wasted no time, and immediately started taking her hard and fast. "Oh! Yes! Yes! Oh yes, take me," Danica gasped as her body rocked under the power of his thrusts. With every stroke of his cock, Danica's breasts bounced up and down even more violently than the rest of her body. She gasped and grabbed hold of them, pinching her nipples as she continued to yelp and moan under his assault. Danica's felt as though she was slowly filling with pure energy. The incredible pressure became almost painful, and then the energy suddenly spilled from her as she climaxed. She screamed loud, and her ass lifted off the bed as her back arched. His hands went under Danica's bottom, and he held her off the bed as he continued to pound her. Danica gasped and cried out as he fucked her trembling body. He let out a growled scream, and she felt him fill her with his cream — lots of it. She moaned in deep satisfaction as she felt the warmth flood through her depths and spread throughout her body. After a few moments of holding himself deep inside her, he started stroking again. He moved slowly at first, but built up speed with every few thrusts. Danica gasped, realizing he wasn't going soft. After only a few moments, her breasts once again started to bounce violently from the pounding he was giving her. Danica could feel slight twinges of pain as he continued to take her so hard and fast. It wasn't enough to dull her intense arousal, and actually seemed to increase it. She moaned and growled like an animal, her upper body writhing on the bed as he held her up and fucked her furiously. Danica came again, and again, and again... It felt to her like she had been coming for an hour solid when he let out another inarticulate scream and filled her a second time. He let her drop to the bed then and pulled from her, his huge cock finally starting to soften as he gasped and twitched from the aftershocks. Danica lay writhing on the bed as jolts of ecstasy continued to shoot through her. Danica's sex throbbed in a mixture of pain and pleasure. She could feel a steady stream of their mingled cum running from her to pool on the bed below. He leaned over her, gasping for breath, and both their bodies were dripping with sweat. When she could catch her breath, Danica said, "That was incredible. I thought you were going to split me in half and shake my boobs off that first time. The second..." Danica paused and shivered. "Mmm, oh, dear gods," she exclaimed, and then stiffened as another aftershock hit her. Her muscular lover looked into her eyes, smiled wide, and then stood up. "There ain't many women give me that good of a ride, let alone twice. You are an amazing lass," he groaned, and started to pull on his trousers. "Mmm, thank you. I've never had an uncut man before, and never had a man fill me twice without going soft. That was unbelievable," Danica confessed, sitting up and moving out of the sticky, wet spot on the bed. "I'll complete your work, quick," he promised. "Surely I want to see you in what I'm making for you — if you don't mind — and then out of it again." "Mmm, absolutely," Danica agreed and accepted a cloth he gave her to clean up. Danica pulled on her panties, and then stood up to kiss him, pressing her still bare breasts against his chest. She was amazed to feel his cock growing hard again, beneath his trousers. "Enough of that, lass," he said, with a laugh. "If you keep that up, I'll never get any work done." "How many times can you go?" Danica asked, looking down at the bulge in his trousers. He shrugged and replied, "Dunno, I've got it up, and squirted it five times with two women over a couple of hours before. I was going for six, but neither of them could handle any more." Danica shuddered at the thought. "I should be going. I have to be up early in the morning." They both pulled on the rest of their clothes, and he walked out with her, heading toward the business part of his home. Danica noticed a handsome, strong, young man waiting at the locked door, sitting on the ground. He looked to have been there a while, and talked animatedly to the leather worker as he approached. Danica saw him slap his hand on the young man's back and beckon him inside as she made her way back across the grounds. The younger man took a long look at Danica's swaying hips before entering. Danica winked at him before turning and continuing on her way. Danica chuckled a bit and then returned to the main building. When she reached her rooms, she went directly to the bath, and then to bed. ------- Part 4B Celes came the next morning to work with Danica. By mid-afternoon, Danica had mastered the spell. Celes cast a dispell over the room once Danica cast the Armor of Dispelling around her. Danica smiled wide when she found that her rings worked perfectly and that she could cast spells upon herself without them fizzling in the magic-eating enchantment cast upon the room. Celes concentrated and released the dispelling magic. Danica then relaxed the shield of her spell as well. "There — now ye should have no trouble with them doorways, Dearie," Celes declared. Danica let out a sigh of relief. "Thank the gods. I don't want to have to go through the nightmare I went through last time when I have to return in a few weeks. Celes nodded in agreement. "Ye have a plan on how to touch them two amulets together, don't ye? Yer gonna have a right hard time doin' that invisible, ye know?" "The girl uses drugs," Danica revealed, and produced the vials she'd taken from the Princess' room to show Celes. "I'll have little trouble substituting a sleeping potion for one of these, and she seems to take them often." "Sad. She's likely ta lose her mind an' her life both soon, usin' these vile things," Celes said, apparently recognizing the drugs. "What're ye about t'day? I see ye've been working." She nodded toward the lab and asked, "Will ye be back to craftin'?" Danica smiled and answered, "Not today. My heart isn't in it." Pointed her finger in a warning gesture, she admonished, "No peeking. It's a present for you." The old woman's eyes widened. "Fer me? Ye silly lass. I'm not for deservin' no presents." "Oh, don't be silly. You'll take your present, and you'll like it Celes," Danica exclaimed, waggling her finger. Celes cackled, "Fine, fine — but ye're wastin' yer talents on an old, dried up crone. Don't say I dinna warn ye. There are more deservin' people o' yer talents — not the least o' whom is yerself. Craft fer yerself an' make yer life easier an' more enjoyable." "I will, but not until I've finished your present," Danica responded. "Well, if'n ye're not busy, I could be usin' yer help," Celes admitted. "I'm for needin' ta get a special piece o' Art made, an' Damian's the best there is. I was hopin' ye could go with me an' persuade him ta craft it fer me, bein' as ye know him so well." Danica blushed when Celes gave her a sly wink upon saying the last. "Word gets around, Dearie," Celes continued, and laid a hand on Danica's shoulder, winking again. "Will ye do it fer me?" "Of course, we'll go right now," Danica replied and led Celes to Damian's room. Damian agreed to make the item, saying, "I'll get right to that," once Celes had described the item — an amulet that allowed the wearer to pass through walls on command. "I've not worked with the Passwall enchantments. It will be a fresh challenge." "I'm fer thankin' ye," Celes said gratefully. "Think nothing of it. The challenge alone is worth the work," Damian responded with a laugh. The two women then left and returned to Danica's chambers. Celes expressed interest in watching Danica work on her crafting some time, as she had never undertaken the task herself. Danica agreed to work with her when time allowed them both to be together long enough. Celes excused herself then, saying she had business she had to attend to for the crazy bastard, and left the room. Danica decided to go to the corset maker and see how her garments were coming along. She was surprised to find them finished. She put the outfit on and grinned in delight. It was beautiful and cinched her waist without being uncomfortable. It held her bare breasts up high and close together. The other women in the workshop cooed, saying it would surely drive men mad. Such seemed to be confirmed when a man walked past the doorway of the shop and glanced inside at just at the right angle to see Danica where she stood some distance inside. He tripped and fell with a loud exclamation right in front of the door. The women all laughed, and the man scurried — red-faced — away from the doorway. Danica changed out of the clothes and back into her robes. She returned to her chambers and put the new outfit carefully away in the closet. Danica looked toward the lab, but decided she was not yet ready to begin the intricate task of painting and glazing her present for Celes. She thought of the library, but her mind was not on study either. She decided to wander, and let her intuition lead her. Danica walked past the workshops, the garden with its hedge maze, and past the pool opposite it. She chuckled when she thought she saw someone concealed in the bushes near the pool. She eventually arrived near the main gate, which led to the outside world. What exactly is keeping me here? Zoraster's admonition not to leave? Danica walked slowly toward the gate. Two guards there conferred for a moment before walking to stand interposed between Danica and the gate. Danica continued forward as if the men meant nothing, and then made a show of picking a particularly pretty flower from a spot along the trail, very near the gate. Her subterfuge complete, she wandered off away from the gate. She sat down on a stone bench nearby and watched as several people entered and left the complex. Sometimes the guards conferred, and sometimes they didn't. Each time, the guards allowed the people to pass without a fuss. Apparently, there was more than Zoraster's warning to prevent her from leaving here. The guards had certainly shown intentions of stopping her. She got up and followed the wall, looking up and noticing that no guards paced there. The wall was high, but far from beyond the reach of a levitation spell. Danica looked around. She was far from any structures, and somewhat shielded by a small stand of trees. Falling into her magic, Danica levitated upward. She held her hand over a ring of feather-falling, prepared to release its fall-slowing enchantment should something force her to break the levitation spell, or stripped it from her by other magic. Danica reached the top of the wall without incident. No alarms sounded, no spells flared to life, and no guards ran toward her. Nothing happened. Danica leaned over the wall to look outward toward the town. When she passed over the line of the wall, she felt a faint humming from the amulet around her neck. She quickly jerked her head back, and the humming died. She leaned forward just a bit and felt the humming return. The hum from the amulet grew stronger the farther she leaned out over the wall. "What are you doing, woman?" Danica heard a man's voice behind her say. Danica whirled and found a man with an aura of magical power shining about him standing on the wall in a spot that was empty only a moment before. "Surely you do not seek to raise the ire of your host?" He was about Danica's age, though he was thin and wan — almost corpselike — behind the dark hood of his robe. "Any guest of quality would not leave without paying a visit to the host of their stay first," the wizard warned in a haughty tone of voice. "I was just looking over the wall," Danica snorted and turned her back on the man, walking along the wall in the opposite direction of where he stood. Danica noticed he did not follow, but instead allowed her to go on her way. He had delivered his warning, and Danica's question had been answered beyond doubt. She was a prisoner here, and someone would prevent her from leaving in any fashion without permission. She found a stairway plunging downward into the wall after a while, and curiously descended. She discovered a hallway and several rooms hidden within the wall. From time to time, she passed guards on patrol and the occasional servant, but none seemed to pay her any heed. She found more descending stairs, and discovered there was a catacomb beneath the wall — and the entire complex within the walls as well. There were numerous doors, all very obviously locked tight and trapped, leading to unknown rooms. She saw ladders leading upward to what appeared to be trap doors, and stairs leading up to other doorways. Tunnels branched out toward the city as well, lit by magical globes. Danica could not believe that this labyrinth was here. She wandered past one room and found several men lounging on comfortable pallets while drinking and staring up at the ceiling. When she looked upward, Danica discovered why. The bottom of the women's bathing pool was an illusion. The men here sat gawking at the women above as they swam and bathed. More twisted entertainment for Zoraster's twisted servants, Danica thought with disgust. The men never even noticed Danica, so intent were they upon the show above. She left the room — feeling disgusted — and continued her wanderings. She passed a dungeon, the purpose of the place betrayed by the bars and the sad state of the tunnels there. She heard moans of dismay and the occasional scream of pain as she drew near, and then passed by the area. She did not enter, or even look through the barred double gate as she passed it by. Danica saw several men and women in black robes not long after, passing into and out of an open doorway. She knew immediately what the series of rooms was the moment she looked inside, though she had never seen one before. The stench of blood and death wafted from the room. Skeletons and zombies ambled slowly amongst the wizards as they performed their foul experiments. Danica heard the endings of a dark, horrible chant, and saw a nude female rise up from a blood-caked stone slab. The woman's eyes had the blank stare of a zombie, and her head lolled to the side to reveal where something had slashed her throat from ear to ear. Danica hurried down the hallway, covering her mouth and trying to keep her stomach under control. Between the scene and the stench, she found it difficult, indeed. This place is as complex and insane, as the man himself, Danica thought, amazed that this had been beneath her feet all this time. She couldn't even imagine what she might find if she started opening the dozens of locked doors she'd seen in the corridors here and above. Danica made her way out of the labyrinth, back into a main subterranean hall, and soon found her way back to the walls. She located a secret door, hidden from the outside, and exited back onto the grounds once more. Danica walked aimlessly around the grounds a bit more, not really paying much attention to where she was going. She thought about what she had learned about this place today, and about her own entrapment in it. Night was falling when she finally looked around to see where she was. She was near the pool on the grounds, very close to the wall. She looked toward the bushes where the young men had hidden that night and heard voices. Danica crept closer, until she could hear the voices clearly and partially see through the bushes. Three of the speakers she recognized. They were the three she had made men that night on the very spot where they now stood talking. The fourth, whom she didn't recognize, was the next to speak. "You're all lying. You made this whole thing up because you can't manage to get a real woman. This fire-haired wench who plays with herself in the pool is a figment of your collective imaginations." "We are not," one of the young men spoke up. "She was here and she let us all fuck her. She told Jonathon that if any of our friends wanted to fuck her, to come here at night and the might get lucky." One of the others added, "Besides, oh high and mighty apprentice wizard, I don't see any notches in your bedpost. Though, I bet your right arm has more muscles than the rest of your body." He made an exaggerated masturbation sign with his hand when he finished speaking. "Bah," the fourth young man scoffed and then whispered words of magic. An image of Danica appeared to stand near the boys batting its eyes, and swaying its hips seductively. "That's more real than any woman you've had, on this spot or any other." The other three's mouths dropped open, and their eyes went wide. They then exclaimed in near perfect unison, "That's her." Danica covered her mouth and stifled a chuckle from their comedic response to the appearance of the illusion. "Liars," the young apprentice accused. "That's that fire-haired lap-licker who wanders the halls, ignoring any man who tries to speak to her. You're all making it up, just like that Aaron in my study group who says he had her too." Danica smiled, absently remembering that Aaron was the name of the young man she had found studying with the apprentice whom she had originally come here with so long ago. She was apparently becoming a legend amongst the younger male population within the walls. Her brow furrowed a bit when she considered the young man's tone — especially when he said lap-licker. She thought this one probably needed to be taught a lesson. An idea formed in her head, and she shuddered as she licked her lips thinking about it. They argued a bit more and then the doubting apprentice said, "You may as well give up — all of you. It's utterly inconceivable that this woman would let any of you even touch her — let alone fuck her. You're all a bunch of pussies, but she wouldn't touch you unless you actually had one." Danica smiled wickedly, noticing that the illusion of her was directly between her and the assembled students. She fought down a laugh and said, "Part of weaving magic is making the inconceivable reality, young man." All four turned and stared at the illusion, which was still going through its programmed motions and fading from view. The apprentice's mouth was open wider than the others, because he knew the illusion hadn't — couldn't — have spoken. Danica sauntered out from behind the bushes. Three young men smiled, and one maintained his open-mouthed stare as she walked through the last faint traces of the illusion of her to stand before them. She walked up to each of the three young men in turn, kissing them and caressing their manhoods with her hand through their trousers — moaning as she did so. "I told you all that you'd had your turn, but your doubtful and rude friend here has changed my mind. Maybe he might get a turn, if he's patient." She turned to look at the still wide-eyed apprentice when she finished speaking. Danica looked back at the three young men and locked eyes with one of them. "You were the last before, weren't you?" she asked. When he nodded in the affirmative, she informed him, "Well then, you get to be first this time." With that, she opened her robe and let it drop to the ground. Danica moved in close to the young man, four sets of eyes locked on her body. She slid her panties down and kicked them away as she reached him. "Now, let's see if you paid attention during your last lesson. Consider this a surprise test. I hope you don't disappoint me." Danica kissed him and slowly dropped down to her knees. She tugged at the waist of his trousers, and continued downward to lie back on the grass. The young man quickly pulled off his clothing, and then dropped down to his knees in front of Danica. He leaned forward onto his hands and lowered himself down. Danica moaned and parted her legs wide. "You're doing very well, so far," she said, and punctuated it with a moan as his tongue slipped between her labia. "Mmm, yes — you certainly seem to have understood your lesson," Danica moaned playfully as he stoked her inner fires with his tongue. Danica was pleased that she had little need to guide him. His memory, and improvisation, served him quite well. Danica looked over at the other two young men with whom she'd lain with the same night. "Why don't you get undressed? It will save some time and I want to see your cocks. It will give me something more to look forward to." They undressed immediately. Danica let her lip curl into a crooked smile when she saw the rude older apprentice standing off to the side and looking uncomfortable. Danica gave the young man a few suggestions between moans, which he quickly followed. She soon dangled over her precipice, then tumbled over the edge with a loud cry. The young man rose smiling from between her legs as she continued to quiver from aftershocks. "Did I pass the test?" Danica chuckled, "You certainly did. Now, let's see if you know how to use that hard young cock of yours." He mounted her and Danica purred as he pushed inside her — with no fumbling about. "Mmm, get me there before you fill me up and you've passed the last test." Danica reached behind her legs and pulled her knees up toward her chest. It had exactly the effect she wanted, allowing him to penetrate her deeper and more quickly. His fast, youthful thrusts were quickly stoking her internal fires. Danica could see the strain in his face and knew it would be a close thing, though. The young man passed his final test as he spurted inside Danica, simultaneous with her own shuddering orgasm. Danica gave him a few moments to gasp for breath, as she needed the time as well. She then slapped him playfully on the ass, and followed it with a gentle nudge indicating he should get off her. They both gasped when he pulled free from her, trembling from the intense shock of pleasure that shot through them as he did. Danica sat up and kissed him as he knelt on trembling legs in front of her. "You did very well. You obviously paid attention last time. If you do that for a woman who likes you, she'll keep coming back for more. Stay away from the Nymph Dweomer — it's cheating. Only a woman who really wants you can make you feel that good, and enjoy it too." The young man nodded with a silly smile on his face. Danica kissed him one more time and said, "Now get dressed and go." While he dressed, Danica glided past the other two young men toward the pool. She touched both of their erections and licked her lips before continuing to the water to wash up. Danica tested both of the other young men, and they proved they had learned their lessons well. The last exploded inside her just as Danica was nearing her peak, but he had the determination to overcome his sensitivity and continued stroking Danica's depths until she climaxed as well. Danica whispered in his ear, which was easy to do since he had collapsed atop her almost as soon as she had started coming, "Don't worry — you pass the test too. I'm not that particular about the rules when I come that hard." Her spent lover smiled weakly in response. Danica told him to get dressed and be on his way as well. She went to the pool for the third time to clean up, and then strutted toward the final apprentice. There was an obvious note of challenge in her bearing as she approached, her hips swaying seductively and water from the pool running down her nude body. Danica studied the apprentice as she approached. He was really quite handsome, but something in his expression gave him an arrogant air that detracted from his appearance. His long, dark brown hair had a subtle curl to it, and he appeared to have a strong, youthful body beneath his robes. "You judge people too quickly, and you are rude. How many women have shared your bed?" Danica asked when she stopped a couple of feet from the uncomfortable looking apprentice. "Plenty," he replied with the sort of arrogance Danica had expected from him. "Mmm hmm — and how many succumbed to your rude advances without you using magic to sway them?" Danica asked, putting her hands on her hips and cocking them at a seductive angle. When he didn't answer, Danica said, "That's what I thought. I bet you've never even seen a woman reach her heights before now, have you?" "Lots of times," he retorted. Danica knew she had hit a nerve. She let out a derisive snort and said, "Perhaps under someone else's touch. You look like the sort that just ruts like an animal and is asleep a minute after he starts." The apprentice blushed in an obvious combination of embarrassment and anger. "What do you know?" "I know I'm standing here naked, and the only wetness between my legs right now came from the pool," Danica lied. The whole situation actually turned her on a great deal. "You couldn't handle me," the apprentice snorted and crossed his hands over his chest. Danica mimed a yawn. "Big words — have you anything to back them up?" He grunted and jerked down the front of his trousers. His being angry and embarrassed obviously had no power to overcome the arousal caused by the sight of Danica's body. Danica raised her eyebrows slightly. "Well, it appears to work. I suppose that's a first step. Now, why don't you go find a nice knothole in a fence and take care of it?" "Frigid bitch," the young man growled. Danica had originally meant to play hard to get, expecting that as any normal young man's would, the apprentice's desires would take control of him and calm his demeanor. She was really aroused, and had actually planned to try to teach him something by letting him take her — once he dropped his smug attitude. Now she knew he really was nothing more than a smug, arrogant, rude ass. The arousal she had felt drained out of her in an instant. "Smug and rude to a fault," Danica said, moving in closer to him. "Can't resist a real man, can you?" He taunted Danica, while pointing his cock at her with his hand. Danica crinkled her nose. "On second thought, I wouldn't wish your clumsy advances on a knothole." With that, Danica gathered up her clothing and started to get dressed. Danica heard the apprentice softly chanting the words of the Nymph Dweomer. She chuckled inwardly, knowing the simple spell would have absolutely no effect on her. The young man was supremely arrogant to believe it would have the same effect on her that it might on a barmaid or a female novitiate. Danica had just finished pulling on her panties when he finished the spell. Danica felt its power move against her, and then felt it dissipate like smoke in the wind in the face of her will. Danica let a crooked smile grace her face for a moment, and then turned back toward the apprentice. His smug look became even more so, seeing her walking back toward him. "Now, why don't you take those panties back off," he said as he dropped his trousers around his ankles. He had just raised his eyes back up after glancing down to unbutton his trousers when Danica reached him and said, "You dropped something." She then brought her knee up hard, directly into his crotch. The young man dropped breathless to the ground after a long, pained moan. Danica chuckled at him, and then noticed laughter coming from the bushes. She looked over and saw that the three young men had either not left, or had come back. "There's the much bragged about prowess of Colin the Master Wizard," Danica heard one of them whisper, and then the stifled laughter grew more pronounced. Danica laughed as well. "Please be sure to let everyone know about his prowess. Hopefully, the word getting around will protect girls he tries to use the Nymph Dweomer on." Danica turned back to the groaning apprentice. "I said the Nymph Dweomer was cheating. Now you see what happens to cheaters — especially when they are rude asses who smell like the same." Danica walked back over to where he was, and then knelt down next to him to add, "They're all three better lovers than you'll ever be. I've probably had more women than you have, and I can guarantee I satisfied more of them than you. You've got a lot to learn about being a man." Danica rose then and got dressed — waving toward the bushes as she walked away, back toward the main building and her rooms. ------- Danica awoke the next day with the desire to get back to work in her lab burning within her. She went down to the workshops early, retrieving her harness and silver buckles from the two craftsmen. The leather worker attached the buckles for her, and then instructed her how to attach the free ends to whatever it was she was going to use them on. He also told her he would have the clothes from her vision ready in about a week. Danica told him she would come to his quarters to pick them up, model them for him, and thank him in a week. She kissed him when she finished whispering in his ear, and he smiled wide as she exited the workshop to return to her chambers. Danica spent the remaining part of the day painting and glazing her present for Celes. When she finished, she smiled at her work, which already looked almost real as it sat on the table before her. She carried her crafting to the kiln, setting it to cure the glaze. That done, she went to her bed to sleep, weary from being bent over the table and staring at one spot for so long the whole day through. She removed the item from the kiln the next morning and smiled again. The firing had brought the colors to life and made her work look even more realistic. She spent the better part of an hour carefully attaching the leather harness to the device on the squared loops she had fashioned. When she finished, she stood, hiked up her robes, and slipped the harness around her hips. She centered the device over the front of her panties and then adjusted the straps, buckling them when she had the device secured in place. After bouncing around a bit to test it, she felt satisfied that the design would be adjustable and secure enough. Loosening the straps, she laid it on the table and went to take her morning bath. Danica soaked in the tub, centering her mind and preparing for the task of casting the enchantments over the item. When she felt ready, Danica left the bath, dressed, and then returned to her lab. She spent the remainder of the day — and well into the night — casting the spells over her present for Celes. At last, she could concentrate no more. She collapsed into her bed, still clothed in her robes that were drenched in sweat, and slept. Danica stripped off the stiff robes when she awoke the next morning and bathed thoroughly. When she returned to the lab this time, she wore only a light shift. Darkness had settled over the land by the time Danica spoke the last words of the final enchantment. She watched with her heart pounding in her chest and her breath coming in gasps as the item absorbed the glow of her magic. Standing up, Danica felt her legs wobbling beneath her. She had expended much of her energy in the casting of the powerful spells. She stumbled haltingly from the lab into the main room, and then to the bath. She was determined that her own smell would not awaken her tomorrow as it had today. Danica coughed and sputtered a short while later as she awoke where she had fallen asleep in the bath — slipping beneath the water. She climbed out of the tub and managed to towel dry. Finally, she stumbled to the bed and collapsed into exhausted slumber. Danica awoke and walked slowly to the lab, still nude, the next morning. She picked up her crafting and carried it back to her bed, where she sat down on the edge of the mattress. She held her breath for a moment, and then spoke a word of command. It was not one that someone would normally use on the item, but one she had instilled in it so she could test its various enchantments individually. The item warmed in her hand — even the leather straps and silver buckles — reaching body temperature almost immediately. The entire item became soft, like skin, and the lips parted a bit more. The tongue between the lips quivered just a bit, and when Danica touched the tongue, she felt it was wet. She spoke another word of command, and the item cooled in her hand. She lay down on the bed and slipped the harness around her, buckling it into place. She then spoke the word of command that activated the item fully. It warmed instantly, and the phantasmal force sprang into being around it. Danica could no longer see the device at all — only the image of Andrea it conjured up. She could feel the woman's warm breath on her sex, the hair sweeping against her thighs, and the nipples brushing against her legs. A moment later, she felt the tongue slide inside her. The sensations of the device's real caressing of her folds — combined with the powerful phantasmal force image — worked perfectly. She knew the item's powers, and even she found it hard to believe it was not the real Andrea who lapped her so hungrily. There was one difference, but one that made little impact on the feeling of the illusion by the time Danica noticed it. The tongue on the item was far longer than any natural one, and it delved into Danica deeper, hitting spots that no tongue could ever reach. It drove Danica nearly mad with pleasure. She writhed on the bed, feeling the weight of the other woman's body pressing down against her — trying to hold her into place. Danica came with an explosive lurch, which nearly sent her tumbling off the bed. The force of her writhing and rolling dispelled the illusion, but did nothing to stop the toy's lapping tongue and sucking lips from continuing to drive her to new heights of pleasure. At last, she could take no more and gasped out the command that caused the item to cease its relentless assault. Danica released the buckles and let her wondrous magical crafting slide to the bed. She continued to writhe as the aftershocks surged through her body. When she managed to get up, she cleaned the item gingerly with a damp cloth and sat it on the bedside table. She then went to clean up, as her sticky juices covered her. Danica picked up the toy and placed it in a box. She included a note informing Celes of the command words to activate the item, and instructions about how to put it on. Danica smiled, knowing that she had found a way to, at least somewhat, circumnavigate the curse Zoraster had cast on Celes. She would once again know the pleasure of having a beautiful woman go down on her and make her come hard. She tracked down a servant in the halls and finally managed to find someone to deliver the item to Celes. She then ventured out onto the grounds and to the library, where she spent the remainder of the day. ------- Over the next few days, Danica spent her time in the large library. She pored over texts on illusion, charm, combat magic, and protective magic — everything she could find. She took copies of some of the spells back to her chambers, learned a few of the simpler and more useful ones, leaving the rest for later. She spent her nights with Damian or Andrea — or with both of them. One night she returned to the pool on the grounds to make a man of another youth who waited there, hoping she might return. He had absolutely been there for instruction as much as fun. Danica found him very attentive, and a quick study. Danica knew that whoever decided to be his lover was going to enjoy it. All the while, she wondered after Celes, whom she had not seen or heard from in days. Damian told her Celes had picked up the item he had crafted for her on the day Danica had tested her present, but he had not seen her since. The stated time had passed, so Danica went to the workshops and inquired about her new leather outfit. The large man smiled wide, told her it was ready, and then led her to his quarters. Danica beamed when she saw the garments. She quickly stripped off her clothes and tried the outfit on. The feeling of the leather against her skin made her feel wicked and wanton. She smiled lustily at the man who had made them for her, and glided toward him. The big man shuddered and said, "Damn me but you look... There are no words." He sighed then, adding, "An' damn Zoraster." Danica leaned back and looked at him, confused. "I have to get back. I have half a dozen leather mails to finish, and only two more days to do it. The thanking me part will have to wait until another time," he explained with another sigh. Danica's lip curled into a pout, and she sighed heavily as she backed away from him a step. "I'm sorry lass..." He shuddered again and continued, "So sorry. There's no helping it, I'm afraid. I must get back." He stared longingly at Danica as she pulled off the sexy leather outfit. Danica sighed in frustration as she tied up her robe and walked out of the small room with him. She noticed the young man standing next to the tannery part of the building again when the big man at her side glanced in that direction. "Oy lad — there'll be no lessons today. I'm on short time. Take yer leisure for a couple of days," he called to his apprentice. Danica eyed the handsome young man, finding an outlet for her built up desire. "Perhaps there are other lessons he might learn today," she suggestively said. The big man laughed, "Ha, Lass. Well, be careful an' don't break him. He's the first damn apprentice I had that hasn't been a complete waste." Glancing at his apprentice, he chuckled, and then hurried back to the workshop. Danica walked over to the young man. She could see desire, hope, and doubt mingled in his eyes as she approached him. "Your master has no time to teach today. Would you like to learn from me how to pleasure a woman instead?" She reached out to touch his chest with her hand as she came to stand in front of him. "Oh, Aye," he replied with a smile. "I'm sure there's plenty you can teach me." Danica twitched her eyebrows and turned to walk back toward the leather worker's living quarters. The young man stepped ahead of her to get the door. Danica smiled approvingly. "Well, you're courteous. That's a very good start," she said as she walked in the door. He followed her in and she turned to say, "My name is Danica. What is yours?" "I'm Arutha," he replied. Danica stood smiling, waiting for him to make a move. Arutha hesitated, and finally he muttered, "Uhmm..." "We'll skip the rest of the getting to know each other part," Danica said with a crooked grin. "Come kiss me, silly man." He closed the space between them and leaned down to her as she turned her face up toward him. He kissed her hard, his desire plainly evident. When he broke the kiss, Danica said, "Slow down dear. Start off gentle. Lead up to that passion, unless your partner is throwing her clothes off as you walk in the door. Now, come try it again." He wrapped his arms around her this time, one sliding up her back to caress it as he softly kissed her lips, finishing with three soft pecks, which she returned. "Mmm," Danica moaned as she shivered. "Much better. Do continue." He brought his lips to hers once more. Their tongues explored each other, and their hands roamed over each other as the intensity of their kisses slowly built. His lips left hers and moved to her neck, kissing softly down to her shoulder and then moving toward the center. She lifted her chin as he kissed her throat, bringing a slight gasp to her lips. He kissed her neck on the other side once, and then moved to kiss her on the lips with the same urgent passion as his first kiss. It felt very appropriate to Danica now. Danica reached down to unfasten his trousers. She kicked off her shoes as he continued to kiss her face, neck, shoulders, eyelids... Each touch of his lips drew small sounds of pleasure from Danica. She used her hands — and her now bare feet — to get his trousers all the way down, and then off when he lifted his feet to assist her. She tugged at his shirt hem, and he pulled his lips from her skin just long enough for her to slide it from his body. He leaned back in to kiss her again, and fumbled for the tie of her robe. Danica broke the kiss for a second and instructed, "Let her — unless you start to feel her getting impatient. Let the woman do it unless you sense she wants you to do it for her." She then pressed her lips back to his. Danica moved to kiss his neck, and then lower to his chest. Her kisses over his nipples were slow, and her tongue swirled over each. She untied her robes as she returned her lips to his, and pulled the garment open. He put his hands into the parting of the cloth and helped her slide it from her body. The sight of her bare breasts, the nipples hard and erect, called to him. His head dipped downward and his lips gently wrapped around her right nipple. His hands cupped the globes, caressing them as he suckled her. Danica moaned softly and offered no resistance whatsoever as he guided her down to the bed with gentle pressure. He continued to caress her breasts and suck on the erect tips, running his fingertip over whichever nipple wasn't in his mouth at any given moment. Danica's moans increased in both volume and pitch, evidence of her deepening need. Danica's hand reached out, and she just managed to make contact with his cock with her fingertips. She rubbed them over it whenever she could make contact, as he continued to tease her with his mouth. His increasing passion translated into harder sucks, and his tongue swirled over the pebbled flesh as the tempo of his breathing picked up. Danica pulled down on her panties and managed to wriggle out of them with some assistance from Arutha. She guided one of his hands down to feel her wetness, and he moaned deeply around her nipple. She pulled his face up to hers, and then guided him with her hands and legs until his throbbing manhood made contact with her nether lips. She moaned deeply into the hungry kiss they shared as his cock twitched against her sex. Danica pushed against his chest and forced him upward until he was standing once more next to the bed. She spun around, rolled over, and slid forward to grasp his erect organ when she reached the edge of the bed. He moaned from deep in his throat and put his thumbs on her temples. His other fingers caressed the back of her head as she swirled her tongue over him. She lapped over his hard flesh until the whole shaft glistened, and then wrapped her lips around the tip. He emitted a broken gasp as she engulfed almost his whole cock in one quick suck, and then let him slip free of her mouth, back to the tip, before swallowing him again. She looked up at him with a smile in her eyes, and then pulled back enough to wrap her hand around the base. Her hand moved in short, pumping strokes while her lips moved in the opposite direction, sucking him hard. She looked up lustily into his eyes when she could, and echoed his sounds of pleasure around him the whole time. She pulled back, running her tongue over his glans one last time, and then breathlessly said, "Fuck my mouth and come for me." She wrapped her lips back around him and curled three fingers around the root to keep him from gagging her. He needed no further encouragement, and thrust into her mouth — his hands twining in her hair. Danica moaned around his shaft as he slowly built up speed, sliding more of his cock into her mouth every few strokes. He fed her nearly all of him at a fast pace shortly thereafter. She could tell he was getting close by the sound of his grunts. "Mmm hmm," she moaned around his thrusting cock as she felt him lose his rhythm, and she knew he was there. "Yes," he half grunted, half growled, as he filled her mouth with the warm reward she sought. The pitch of Danica's moans shot up as his cream flooded her mouth. She grasped his buttocks, keeping him from escaping her, and sucking for every drop he could give her. When she let him go, he fell forward to catch himself with his hands, gasping brokenly for air. Danica wiggled her tongue over his slowly softening shaft, causing him to twitch and cry out. Moving out from beneath him where he bent over her on the bed, she licked her lips and asked, "Feel good?" "Incredible," he answered in a deep, sexy tone and reached out to caress her cheek. Danica slid back on the bed and rolled over on her back. She parted her nether lips and ran her fingers over her damp folds. "Come taste me. Make me feel good. Make me come." He took one last long, quavering breath and then climbed onto the bed with a shudder. He slid forward and lowered his eager mouth to her wet heat. She could tell instantly that he was not inexperienced. He'd obviously been with a woman more than once. She could also tell that he'd not spent too much time with his mouth on a woman. "You're not painting a fence, Dear," she chuckled. "The lips are sensitive. Tease them with the tip of your tongue a little. Suck on them." Arutha followed her guidance, using the tip of his tongue rather than broad strokes. "Mmm, that's it — up and down. There you go. Now, suck them," Danica moaned. He sucked her labia between his lips, and Danica groaned in delight when he used his tongue to tantalize them at the same time. He might be inexperienced, but he's a fast learner, Danica thought. "Now slide your tongue inside me. Get it in nice and deep." He let her slip from between his suckling lips and followed her instructions perfectly. "Mmm hmm," she moaned. "Now swirl it over my walls. Get a good taste." Danica's hips rocked up toward his mouth involuntarily now as he tongued her briskly. "Mmm hmm, so good," she encouraged him, the words long and drawn out. He pulled back, teasing her with the tip of his tongue a little more, and then stabbed back deep inside again. Then he pulled back and sucked her folds yet again. Danica moaned loud and long as he improvised on what she had told him and her juices really started flowing. She reached down and pulled up on her hood to expose her clit, which was hard and throbbing — begging for attention. "Right here," she told him. "It's more sensitive than anything else." She let out a warbling yelp when he sucked her bud between his lips, flicking his tongue over it. She sucked in a deep breath and then cried out, "Oh, yes! That's it. Do it! Mmm, yes." She ground her sex into his face, her arousal spiking. His tongue darted all over her, tantalizing every single inch of her in a quick, ever-changing assault. He went back to her clit just often enough that Danica felt the pressure within her building fast. Just as she reached the point of no return, she gripped his head tight, centering his lips over her clit. He sucked it in without a word of instruction and massaged it with his lips. At the same time, he alternated between flicking it quickly with his tongue and slowly rolling it with harder pressure. Danica exploded into orgasm, drenching his face in her fountain. She held him tight against her, her bottom slamming up and down on the bed and her head lashing back and forth, as ecstasy rolled through her in strong waves. When her grip on his head weakened, he leaned back to watch her continue to writhe on the bed. He ran his fingers through her juices, which soaked his face. When she at last eased down into minor tremors of pleasure, she beckoned him near and kissed him, while lapping her juices from his face. "That was amazing," he exclaimed when they broke from a kiss. "You're a fast learner. Remember what you just did and any woman you are with will surely be coming back for more." Danica moaned and shuddered, as an aftershock hit her. He rose up to his knees — doing everything he could to draw attention to his once-again hard manhood. Danica moaned, "Give it to me," and spread her legs wide. He slid inside her to the hilt on the first thrust. She was soaked, and he met little resistance as he penetrated her. That changed when he pulled back. Danica clenched her muscles, squeezing him tight as he pulled back to thrust inside her again. "Feels so good," Danica moaned. "Move it around. Let me feel you — everywhere." He leaned a little to the side and received a gasp from her as he slid against the right side of her walls with his next several thrusts. "That's it, Baby. Give it to me," Danica growled through clenched teeth. He moved back to center and then raised his hips up a little, pushing downward into her depths as he stroked her. This drew a sharp gasp followed by a hiss of pleasure from Danica. Seeing how she reacted to the subtle changes in how he penetrated her, he kept changing the angle just a bit every so often. He spent a lot of time taking her from the high angle when he saw how strongly she reacted to his cock sliding against her clit in that position. Danica edged toward climax. "Fuck me. Harder. Faster. Now!" Arutha centered his hips, spread his knees a bit wider apart, grabbed hold of her hips, and slammed his cock inside her with all his strength. "Yes!" Danica gasped repeatedly, and then the last transformed into a long, high-pitched squeal as her orgasm took hold of her. She heard him grunt and felt him flood her depths with warm cum through her fog of pleasure. She cried out even louder as the feeling of his cream spurting inside her pushed her to new heights of ecstasy. Danica's head fell heavily to the pillow a few moments later, and Arutha collapsed on top of her. They were both out of breath, drenched in sweat, and neither of them could summon up the energy to move an inch. It took them both quite some time to move, even enough to let his limp member slide from inside her. It took longer still to leave the bed to clean up. Danica stripped off the bedclothes, but couldn't find any to replace them. She and Arutha dressed, kissed once more, and walked out the door, going their separate ways. Danica spent the rest of the day in the library, though she couldn't remember a single thing she read when she returned to her chambers that night and hung her new leather garments in the closet. ------- Part 4C Danica heard a knock on her door not long after she had risen from her bed the next morning. She answered it and saw it was Celes. She opened the door wide and let the woman in. Danica grabbed her up in a hug once the door closed. "I was worried. I haven't heard from you in so long." "I'm fine dearie," Celes said, breaking the hug after a few moments. "I was jus' about business an' away." "I'm so glad you're back," Danica said with a smile. "I want to show you something," she declared, thinking about her two new outfits and the dress Damian had given her, which Celes had not seen. "Dearie, I... Yer... Danica..." Celes sputtered, trying to get something out. When she said Danica's name, the cackling accent vanished from her voice. Her eyes misted over and she covered her mouth — sobs shaking her body. Danica wrapped her arms around Celes again, "Celes, what's wrong? What happened to you?" The old woman choked off her sobs and stepped back. She held up her hand and took a minute to catch her breath before she spoke. "Danica, your gift... I... It's been so long... I never thought — ever again... I-I don't know how to thank you," Celes finally managed to force out, with none of her customary accent. Danica's eyes welled up. They fell into each other's arms and both cried for a few minutes. "You like it?" Danica asked and sniffled. "Dear gods, Danica," Celes said with a little shiver running through her. "I've seen that girl Andrea at the baths so many times when Zoraster was torturing me with it. I wanted her so bad. I almost left your present in the box. I was afraid it wouldn't be... I don't know. But, I broke down and put it on. I spoke the command word and she was there. Dear gods — I had half a dozen people with rooms near mine scowling at me as I was walking here. I can't imagine how much noise I must have been making." Celes' face turned bright red as she finished. Danica laughed, and then gathered the old woman up in her arms again. They were both still sniffling. Celes pulled away and said, "Now enough of this silly bawlin'," her accent coming back, in full force. "What were ye goin' on about showin' me, Dearie?" Danica sniffled one more time and went to the closet, retrieving her new clothes to show to Celes. Danica showed off the clothes, but didn't put them on. She feared that doing so would be too much of a tease for the tormented woman. They then sat down and spoke of the task Zoraster had ordered Celes to undertake. The door opening interrupted them. Zoraster walked in and approached Celes. He pulled out his amulet and touched it to hers while she scowled at him. He then said, "Return to your quarters. I have a task for you. You will await my instructions." Celes left, glancing back inside with a look of worry on her face as she shut the door. Zoraster's hand curled about the amulet — his eyes closed in concentration. His eyes opened after a few moments and he moved in to touch the amulet to the one around Danica's neck. He didn't slip into the pseudo-trance this time, but instead sat down heavily in his accustomed chair and scowled at Danica. "I would suggest you do not ever — ever — seek to circumnavigate my torments again," Zoraster spat. He then composed himself somewhat and relaxed in his chair more. "I can still feel her torment," he said, tapping the amulet. "So, I shall not punish you. Perhaps the little false moments of release she receives from your toy will make her a little less bitchy. I will allow her to keep it. Remember my warning, little rose." "Gods, you are an arrogant fuck," Danica muttered beneath her breath. Zoraster crossed the room and the back of his hand connected with Danica, before she even had time to react. The force of the blow sent her spinning off the bed to the floor. She felt — and tasted — blood in her mouth. "You little bitch, I..." Zoraster bit off whatever he was about to say and Danica heard his footsteps crossing the room, followed by him sitting down hard in the chair. Danica groggily managed to get up to her knees. She glanced over and saw Zoraster gesturing impatiently for her to get up. Danica slowly climbed back up on the bed. Once she was seated, she felt the amulet around her neck grow cold, quickly followed by the chill permeating her lip where it was busted. The wound closed. "Though it is nearly time for you to return to the Castle to complete your task there, I have another for you," Zoraster said — his normal, calm, somewhat amused demeanor returning. "You shall go down into the city and seek out this man, known only as Telanor." He gestured and an illusion of a man appeared near Danica. She looked carefully at the image. He was short, wiry, and had a cunning look on his face. He was neither handsome, nor ugly. She noticed he had a dark tattoo of a spider on his right forearm — a black widow. "Remember him well — especially the spider on his arm. That if nothing else will guarantee you have found the correct man. Bring him here. I care not how. Then keep him here until I come for him. You shall receive the freedom to go into the city, but only with permission granted beforehand. Leave whenever you are ready, but do so quickly. I want this man within these walls before the sun rises tomorrow morning." Danica nodded her understanding. "Very well. Good day, little rose, and good hunting," he said with a laugh. He tossed a purse to her, which jingled heavily when it hit the bed next to her. Zoraster was already reaching for the door when the purse landed. Danica remembered the first time he had struck her with such violence, as she watched the door shut. I take it that you don't like being called a 'fuck', Danica thought. The man had weaknesses after all. ------- Danica considered how to go about her task. She slid on all her magical rings and then pulled a gown from the closet that showed off her curves. It was not too fancy to be wandering around town in, but not plain garb. The dress was in earthy tones, so it would be her and not the gown that would stand out. Her hand brushed against her new corset and panties as she put the hanger from the gown back in. On impulse — really just wanting to wear them — she pulled them from the closet as well. She changed her clothes, and found that the way the corset cinched her waist and lifted her breasts made the dress look even more alluring on her. She smiled and spun, letting the hem of the gown twirl around her. Danica decided she was as prepared as she could be on such short notice. She knew she could return here for anything she might decide she needed, and so set off for the city. She left the main building and crossed the grounds, striding confidently toward the main gate. The guards glanced at her, but made no move to impede her. She passed through the gates and stepped onto the road that led down the hill to the city. Danica smiled and breathed deeply. Somehow, the air seemed fresher here outside the walls of her prison. She was a prisoner still — but for the moment, she allowed herself to feel free as she walked away from the complex. Danica started looking for the man as soon as she stepped onto the city streets. She wandered around the town, stopping at various shops to browse their wares. She purchased a few small items to avoid arousing suspicion about why she was wandering around alone. Late afternoon crept up on Danica, and she still had not seen the man she sought. How am I supposed to find one man in a city this size in one day? Danica thought to herself in frustration, adding a little mental curse. She thought about the man's appearance, and decided that he might not be in the better part of the city. Acting on that thought, Danica made her way into the poorer quarter of town. She was more out of place here the way she was dressed, but apparently not enough to arouse too much suspicion. The shady shopkeepers here appeared quite glad to see her, and she played the naive girl in order to reinforce their notion. She paid far more than she should have for the few trinkets she purchased here and there. Acting on another flash of inspiration, she visited the taverns in the poor quarter. In each, she purchased wine and sat down just long enough to scan the entire room. She drank only a little of the poor wine each time she ordered, carefully disposing of the rest when nobody was looking. Still, she was becoming a little tipsy by the time she stepped outside of one tavern into the last light of the setting sun. She cursed silently, This is impossible. She was nearly ready to give up when she noticed a large crowd lining up and waiting to enter the largest tavern in the area. It bordered on the better part of the city, and was one of the largest taverns she had ever seen. Danica could hear an incredible amount of noise in the place, and the people just kept coming. Thinking that a large crowd might draw the sort of man she was looking for, Danica joined the queue in front of the establishment. She noticed that every man tossed a gold coin into a glass bowl as he entered. The men at the door greeted women warmly, asking for no coin. They admitted Danica with a warm smile and an animated greeting. She heard one of the men at the doors say, "I hope she'll be tryin' for the gold this evening." The common room was huge. There were a lot of tables within, and even more sat on balconies above the main floor. Elegant staircases led up to the balconies. The bar was a square in the center of the common room, and it was busy. Waitresses in tight blouses, unbuttoned low, swept through the crowds delivering drinks and food. Danica noticed there were not very many women inside. The ratio was approximately twenty to one by her best guess. Some women sat alone in groups, while others sat with large groups of men who were busy ogling the women. Danica felt eyes on her as well. She ascended one of the staircases to get a better view of the whole room. When she reached the top, she leaned against the rail and looked over the crowd. Her eyes went wide with surprise and delight when she saw a man who looked like the one she sought sitting in a corner of the tavern. Danica quickly descended the opposite stairs and managed to find a seat nearby. She talked briefly with the two men and the woman who sat at the table. When it became obvious that Danica wasn't much interested in talking, the men turned their full attention back to the flirty blonde woman. Glancing over at her potential target, Danica noticed the spider on the man's arm and knew she had the right one. She ordered a glass of wine, and she was pleasantly surprised to find it very good. She drank her wine, glancing in the man's direction flirtatiously, hoping to catch his attention. He was looking right at her, but he seemed to be looking through her, lost in thought. Danica pouted, thinking she was going to have to get up and go join him at the table to get the man to notice her. A loud cheer erupted, shaking Danica out of her thoughts. Following the eyes of the other patrons, Danica saw a big man with a long mustache standing up on the bar. "Hoy men — and ladies!" he shouted, winking when he said ladies. "It's time to start this evening's show!" Another loud cheer erupted from the crowd. Danica noticed the man with the tattoo turn toward the bar, and that he was watching with interest now. The man picked up the large glass bowl used to collect the coins at the door and poured half of its contents into another bowl. This he sat on top of a barrel in the dead center of the bar's square. "A fine prize tonight — who wants to try for it? C'mon now, don't be shy, ladies!" the big man shouted, beckoning to the room with sweeping gestures of his hands. Danica guessed that there had to be a hundred gold coins in the bowl. A fine prize indeed, Danica thought. It was likely more money than anyone in this room saw in a month or more. Large, muscled men cleared out the patrons nearest the bar. A few reached into their pockets, handing over coin, and they kept their seats. Others approached from around the common room and paid coin to sit in the few seats that were vacant there. The big men — twenty or more — then surrounded the bar as the crowd pushed in closer. "What Ho!" Danica heard the big man on the bar shout. "We have our first! Our own little Dainsey wants to try her luck tonight! She's hoping to turn the trick Gabrielle did last month, and get herself out of my employ I guess," he said with a mighty laugh. Another cheer went up from the crowd as the man clapped and called for music. Music sprang up from the minstrels who now stood near the bar. It was a light, flighty tune — likely a drinking song — and Danica saw one of the waitresses climb up on the bar. A roaring cheer accompanied her ascension. The woman danced atop the bar, moving around it as she danced. Another loud cheer erupted from the crowd when she unbuttoned her blouse the rest of the way and bared her breasts. She tossed the blouse behind the bar and hopped down to the floor to spin and twirl around the men seated at the bar. No man there made any move to touch her, instead clapping and staring as she danced her way around them with her bared breasts only inches away from the onlookers. After she completed a circuit of the bar, she whirled in a tight circle and whipped off her skirt. Remarkably, the cheer from the crowd was even louder than those that preceded it. She took a few more twirling steps and then hopped gracefully up onto the bar. She spun down to a seated position facing a well-dressed man. The dancer pulled her panties down, and then pulled her legs up high to remove the undergarment. A quick snap of her leg sent her panties sailing back behind the bar, and she then stood to dance again. She made one more circuit of the bar completely nude. Then as the music came to an end, she slid down the bar on her side with one leg kicked up high. Again, she was directly in front of the well-dressed man — her sex scant inches from him. The big man hopped atop the bar again to shout over the crowd. "Ho Ho! What a start for a fine evening! Now, get back to work Dainsey — you're not rich yet!" He let out another booming laugh and gestured to the room, calling, "Who will be the next?" The blonde woman who sat at Danica's table got up and made her way toward the bar. Danica noticed the man with the tattoo watching with rapt attention. The blonde woman had large breasts, which she revealed immediately upon hopping up on the bar by ripping open her blouse. Her dance was similar to the first dancer's, although she actually allowed her breasts to brush the patrons. The woman completed her dance and returned to the table breathing hard. The next to accept the challenge was a dark-haired woman with small breasts. She was very graceful and flexible, which she took great advantage of as she danced. Danica watched as two more women hopped up on the bar to dance. She saw the eyes of the man with the tattoo never strayed from the bar. The next time the big man called for another dancer, Danica stood and headed toward the bar. "What Ho," the big man laughed when he saw Danica walking between two of the bouncers who kept the crowd at bay. Gesturing to welcome Danica up onto the bar, he shouted, "A fresh face!" Danica whispered into the man's ear, telling him she wished to speak with the minstrels before she danced. He nodded his approval with a wide smile, and gestured grandly toward the musicians. Danica spoke with the minstrels and found they knew the songs she wished them to play. She told them what cues they should use to switch between the songs, and then climbed back up on the bar. The apparent master of the show offered Danica his hand as she ascended the steps up to the bar. He then jumped down when Danica stepped onto the polished wood. The music Danica had requested was a slow, gentle tune, such as might accompany a couple's dance. Danica spun about slowly, gliding around the bar. She ran her hands along her waist and hips, and then to her breasts as she danced. When her hands reached her breasts, the minstrels increased the tempo of the music slightly. Danica's hands went around behind her to unbutton her gown with quick, deft movements of her fingers. She popped off one of the buttons, but ignored it without missing a beat. The tempo of the music picked up again when she reached the middle button of her dress. Her feet moved more quickly now, and cheers from the crowd grew louder as flashes of Danica's skin were revealed by her spins. When she reached the last button, the minstrels took their cue and transitioned perfectly from the first song into another — a faster paced dancer's song. Danica's feet moved faster in response to the music. When a lilting trill of the flute sounded, Danica spun rapidly. The hem of her gown rose up and went out high, revealing her legs very well and drawing whistles from the crowd. She pulled at the sleeves of her gown one after the other when she finished the fast spin. She pulled her arms from the short sleeves of the dress, holding it up with her arms and then releasing it. A shout of approval erupted from the crowd when she shrugged the gown off her upper body, revealing the corset and her bare breasts. Danica slid the gown past her hips and let it pool on the bar. The volume of the shouting rose again as she revealed more of her body. From the people closest to the bar, Danica could hear comments about her barely-there panties. The experience proved very arousing to Danica, and she knew there would soon be a wet spot on those panties. Danica spun down to a seated position on the bar, and then slid off it. She whirled and twirled her way through the crowd, leaning over the men who had paid for their seats to put her breasts right into their faces. She brushed her panties against their arms and legs with devilish purpose. The breathless look of arousal on her face as she danced was quite real. She made a circuit of the bar, and then — taking a cue from the previous dancers — she paid special attention to the well dressed man who sat in a place of prominence. When she leaned over him in her dance, she let her nipples brush his shirt. When she stood back up to whirl her way around him, she let the crotch of her panties slide over his leg in a long sensual stroke. Danica let her hands caress him lightly as she moved around him, and then turned away to sway her hips back and forth in front of him. Bending over the bar, Danica pulled her upper body up on it, looking back at the man as she did so. He was smiling wide, looking directly at the wet spot that had indeed formed on her panties. He smiled wider when she pulled them down right in front of his face and let them fall at his feet. The crowd erupted in a roar as she popped up to her knees back atop the bar, and then rose to her feet. She spun quickly, causing her pendulous breasts to swing and bounce hypnotically. Sweat glistened over her skin, now covered only by the corset, as she continued to dance with wild abandon. She dropped down low, and then bent over backwards. She threw her legs upward one after the other and flipped over. When both her feet came back down, she leaned low and moved her body in a wave over the bar. The crowd went wild. Danica arched her back, jutting out her breasts as she rose from her knees, and then to her feet. She ran a finger between her labia, brought it to her lips, and sucked it as she continued to undulate and dance across the bar. The music built to a crescendo and Danica whirled with it, spinning down to her knees, and then her back. She arched her back, opened her mouth wide, and snapped her legs wide apart when the music came to a sudden halt. The crowd screamed and whistled at deafening volume as she got up. Beads of sweat traced down her flushed skin as she strutted with swaying hips across the bar toward the well-dressed man, and eased down off the bar. "Excuse me," she said with a smile as she squatted down in front of him. She let her breasts slide along his leg as she retrieved her panties and stepped into them. The man got a good look at the glistening wetness on her folds as she slowly pulled her panties up. "Ho HO!" exclaimed the master of ceremonies as he hopped back atop the bar. "Now here's a lass who came dressed to dance! This gown certainly hid quite a surprise," he shouted as he picked it up and held it out to Danica. She smiled and licked her lips as she retrieved her dress. "Ha! Now there's a lass after my own heart," he commented with a wink to her, and then laughed loudly. "Now, who's next? Don't be shy ladies!" Danica pulled on her gown and walked back toward her table as another woman ascended the bar to dance. As Danica walked, she noticed the man with the tattoo had his eyes on her. Instead of returning to her table, she walked over to his. "You dance very well," he said as she approached him, smiling and raising his eyebrows. "Thank you. Perhaps I might take the prize," Danica said and sat down. "I was beginning to think I looked terrible. I've been trying to draw your attention for quite some time, before the dancing began." He raised his eyebrows in surprise. "I'm sorry. I have a lot on my mind. Surely I would not have ignored one so beautiful as you." Danica turned to look at the woman dancing on the bar, seeing she was already nude and drawing loud cheers from the crowd. "She's pretty, and dances very well," Danica said to see how her target would respond. Telanor glanced toward the bar for only a moment, responded, "Oh yes," and then looked back immediately at Danica. Danica smiled when she saw this, but continued to look as if she was paying attention to the dancer, though she was paying much more attention to the man seated at the table with her. The dancer finished, and the big man climbed back atop the bar to try to entice another dancer to come up. "I think you will win," Telanor declared. Danica smiled and blushed prettily. "Do you really think so?" "Oh yes. The crowd was quite enthusiastic — those at the bar most of all. I believe their vote will weigh heavily in the decision. The barkeep was also most enamored of you," he said looking into her eyes. "We can only wait," Danica responded, letting her eyelids slip over her eyes in a demure gesture. "No more takers?" The big man on the bar shouted. "Very well! We shall have those here at the bar who could see best cast their votes, and determine our lucky lass!" "It appears we will not have to wait long," Telanor remarked. The barkeep went from person to person, receiving their votes. He then stood up and scanned the crowd from atop the bar as he spoke. "A decision has been reached. It was a close thing, but we have a winner!" His eyes fell on Danica and he said, "Come on up here, Lass, and claim your prize — for you are tonight's winner!" He waved both arms over his head in an exaggerated gesture for Danica to approach. Danica made a little, 'Me?' gesture, which prompted the man atop the bar to laugh, nod his head, and gesture for her to come again. She stood up and made her way to the bar through the crowd, which parted for her to pass. The showmaster dumped the gold coins from the bowl into a leather pouch as Danica approached, and then handed the pouch to her amidst loud cheers. He indicated for her to follow him to the gate of the bar. He spoke quietly to her as the bouncers moved, allowing the patrons to move freely to the bar once more. "Lass, this is a lot of coin. It will surely make a target of you for some of the more seedy people about. I can keep the coin here for you to be picked up in daylight. You can rest assured that I will not cheat you. Or, I can send a couple of my men to escort you if you would like?" Danica glanced back at her table and answered, "I believe I have an escort home, and I will be quite safe." He laughed, "Very well!" "Oh, and lass — I lied to the crowd. It wasn't close. It was near unanimous. I have never seen the like in five years of monthly dances on this bar." Danica smiled, leaned forward, and kissed the big man. "Thank you." "Ho Ho! You're welcome, Lass. Now, you can dance again any time you want, but you can only win once every six months. Thank you for the fine show and the money it brought me." He loosed a final laugh, and then turned back to his work. Danica returned to her table and sat down. "I think I should probably be on my way home with this coin before many who know I have it leave ahead of me. Will you come with me and protect me from the prowlers in the night?" The man broke into a smile, which appeared knowing, and at the same time seemed to hold the laughter of a private joke. "Of course, Lass. Let us go before foul brigands begin to filter outside to await you." He stood up, offering his hand to help her rise. "I'm more worried about the other women, quite frankly," Danica said with a laugh, and rose as well. They wove through the crowd out of the tavern and out into the street. "Where do you live?" Telanor asked. "Atop the hill at the school," Danica answered. A slight look of worry crossed his face when he heard her answer, but he continued to walk with her. They chatted and learned each other's names. Of course, Danica already knew his, but he confirmed it in offering her his name. As they talked, they crossed town and soon reached the path leading away from the city up to Zoraster's complex. Telanor continued to look more and more nervous as they approached the complex. Danica moved closer to him, letting her body brush against him as they walked. When she felt hesitation in his steps, she stopped for a moment. "Thank you for coming with me." She paused, color rising in her cheeks. "I-I knew I wanted you from the moment I saw you," Danica blurted out as if the admission was difficult for her, and leaned forward to kiss him passionately. She pressed her breasts tightly against him and moved her hips to rub against him as well as she kissed him hard. His previous hesitation vanished immediately. He walked quickly with her for the remainder of the journey up the hill. His concerned expression reappeared for a moment as they passed through the gates and past the guards. When the guards barely paid any attention to them, his pace quickened again. 'Keep him here, ' he said, Danica thought as she entered her room with Telanor in tow. She knew a sure way to do that. She concentrated and prepared to cast a sleep spell. Unfortunately, the shimmer of a dweomer around a ring Telanor wore lit up brightly in her second sight. Spell turning, her mind screamed, and she ceased her whispered chant. The ring would block and sometimes reflect spells cast against its wearer. Well, it's the other, then, she thought. Danica was pulling off her clothes almost as soon as she formed the thought. Telanor quickly followed her example and joined her in the bed. They made love hurriedly the first time. He held out just long enough for Danica to reach her peak. Danica waited a short while to give him time to recover, kissing him and keeping her body well within his vision. After a while, she moved over him and lowered her sex to his face while she used her mouth to coax blood into his manhood. All the while, she wondered what was keeping Zoraster. She assumed that he must know that she had returned, and that she had the man in tow. She came on his face twice, gushing the second time, much to his delight. When she could manage to move, Danica sat down on his erection and rode him to another pair of orgasms. By this point, she had ceased to wonder what was keeping Zoraster. It was still in the back of her mind, but her arousal and need overshadowed all else. She moved off him and dropped to her hands and knees. He needed no other encouragement, and buried his cock inside her almost before she had settled. Danica felt his hot cum filling her shortly thereafter, and it set off her own orgasm. They both collapsed to the bed, exhausted. Danica looked over through half closed eyes and saw that he was sound asleep. She fought hard to keep her eyes open, as she was exhausted from the long day in town, her dance, and their lovemaking. She could not hold back the darkness and sleep overtook her. Something caused Danica to wake up. When she opened her eyes, she saw Telanor fully dressed, lifting her pouch of prize coin from the dresser where she had placed it. "What are you doing," she asked and bolted upright. Telanor didn't even start. He turned slowly and slipped the pouch into a pocket. "It was a fine ride, Danica, but now I must be away. You just keep yourself right there and be nice and quiet." He pulled a knife from somewhere and continued, "I'll just take this little trinket to remember you by and be on my way." With that, he edged toward the door. What Danica did next did startle the man. She leapt up and grabbed the wrist of the hand in which he held the knife — the same hand where the Ring of Spell Turning was. She tried desperately to keep his weapon at bay and remove the ring so she could work her magic against him. He proved to be too strong, and quickly shoved her backward away from him. Moving with catlike speed, he caught her arm, twisting it around painfully behind her and jerking her back toward him. He placed the tip of his knife against her breast, drawing a bead of blood and causing her to wince. "Bitch, do exactly as I say or I'll cut your tits clean off," he warned, and then shoved her hard to the bed on her face. "Don't move. Don't make a sound. Or I'll ruin your face and body with my blade." Danica heard a curse, and then a thud from somewhere across the room. Telanor's weight lifted off her at the same time, and she quickly took the opportunity to roll over. Telanor grasped his shoulder and winced in pain. A dagger still quivered where it had lodged itself in the closet door. "Walking the dodgy path in my city without consulting with me first? A very unwise decision." Danica turned toward the door. She had heard no one enter, yet a man stood there. He was somewhere around his mid twenties, handsome, well-dressed, and yet still had the look of a reckless teenager lurking in his eyes. Telanor went on the defensive, his blade held ready and his feet planted. He stood like a coiled spring, ready to leap into action at the slightest opportunity. "What do you mean — your city?" Danica could see that the sleeve of Telanor's shirt was torn, and a thin line of blood soaked the cloth as well. "I watch over those who walk the dodgy path in this city. It is mine, from the lowest alleys to the highest rooftops. You have stepped within my city without paying call to my guild. You do know the responsibilities of a visiting thief, do you not?" "There's no damn guild here. Never has been," Telanor disputed. "There is now, and it is mine," the handsome newcomer countered while leaning absently against the wall near the door. "What the hell are you doing in this den of magic users then?" Telanor snarled. The door opened, and as Zoraster entered he answered, "Because, he is not foolish enough to operate in this city without my blessing." "Fucking wizards. Your magic is useless against me," Telanor declared, displaying his magical ring. The handsome thief moved so quickly that he almost seemed not to move. Another dagger thudded into the wall, having drawn blood on the side of Telanor's neck in its flight. "His magic will not be needed," the handsome thief taunted and crossed the room toward Telanor. "You have violated the code of the dodgy path. Your life is thus forfeit. I choose to waive your penalty in exchange for certain services." Telanor kept his body coiled, ready for action, silently debating what course to take. He soon realized he had only two courses of action — submit or die. "Put your knife away and give me the ring," the guild leader instructed. Telanor hesitated for a moment, and then sighed, slipping his knife back into hiding. He pulled off the ring and handed it to the other thief. Zoraster smiled wickedly the whole time. Handing the ring to Zoraster, the master of thieves said, "Now, I believe you have something which belongs to the lady, do you not?" Telanor sighed again and produced the pouch. He walked over and dumped it on the bed next to Danica. Danica lashed out with her foot and caught him square between the legs. Zoraster and his minion both laughed loudly as Telanor dropped to his knees and moaned in pain. The guild leader pulled Telanor to his feet. The pained thief hobbled after him out the door, still gasping his throbbing balls. Zoraster chuckled once more as the door shut. "Quite a show, little rose. I shall have to have you dance for me sometime. You have earned your freedom to enter the city. That fool is one of the most talented thieves of this age, and he is now mine — thanks to the charms of a woman. Good day, little rose." Zoraster left the room laughing loudly. Danica fumed for a few minutes and then put the pouch of gold away. She drew a bath and it relaxed her enough to return to her bed and sleep. ------- Danica spent her time in study. Even though she had freedom to enter the city, she did not feel like journeying there right now. Instead, she turned her efforts to increasing her magical knowledge. She ached to craft, but lacked any real inspiration. She didn't want to make an item without having a real passion for it. She spent a lot of time just visiting with Andrea, though their passions did overcome them often as evenings wore on. Danica researched powerful spells, many of which she previously thought would be well above her ability to learn. She at last centered on a vastly powerful spell of fire. Called Vesper's Inferno, it had several variations, all of different power levels and difficulty — all varying only slightly in their casting. Her decision made, Danica set her mind to the task of mastering the powerful spell. It took her many days, but — at long last — she felt the magic burning in her blood and knew she had mastered the weakest form of the spell. It would be enough to engulf an area about twenty feet in diameter around her in a roaring flame, while protecting her from its effects. Danica knew the time was nearly upon her when she must return to the castle to complete the task Zoraster had given her. Celes confirmed this the next morning when she came to transport Danica to the city near the castle. Danica and Celes wandered about the city for the day. Danica paid for their purchases with the coin from her winnings — and what Zoraster had given her for her task to find the thief. When night fell, she was ready. Danica cast the Armor of Dispelling over her and then activated her rings. She left the house — invisible and utterly silent. She reached the stable wall adjoining the castle, levitated over at the midpoint between two of the guards, and walked toward the barely-awake guard near the entrance of the stable-hand's quarters. Danica trusted the Armor of Dispelling, but she still held her breath as she passed through the portal. All her magic stayed in place, and she breathed a sigh of relief as she made her way into the castle. She moved quickly through the path, which she remembered well. Danica heard the ladies of the night when she reached the stairs, and knew they were making their nightly trip to the guard chambers. Danica quickly ascended the staircase and saw the old alchemist leaving his chambers as she continued upward. She knew she would have little trouble staying ahead of the old man. Danica reached the door to the Princess' chambers far ahead of the old man. She cast a spell of clairvoyance and found the room beyond empty, as she expected it to be. Opened the door, she was glad for its well-oiled hinges as it swung open silently. She held back against its strong force, in order to close it without the door banging against the jamb. Danica planned to get her sleep drug into the woman's system, touch the two amulets, and be quickly on her way. When Danica reached the Princess' bedroom, she knew that such was not to be. The Princess was nude, lying on the bed, and soaked in sweat. Her mouth and eyes were both wide open in an expression of starkest terror. She writhed on the bed and batted at the air, pumping her legs as if she were running. Danica cursed. There was no way she could get near the writhing woman without a blow from the Princess negating her invisibility. Pausing at the doorway, she tried to figure out a way to get near the woman and somehow drop a dollop of the sleeping drug into the woman's open mouth. She drew near the bed and watched for an opportunity. She cursed again when the first dollop missed the woman's mouth and bounced off her cheek onto the bed. The woman was writhing so wildly that it was going to be impossible to hit her mouth. Danica heard the door open and knew the old alchemist had arrived. His eyes went wide when he saw the Princess' state. "What is wrong, Milady?" He asked sharply. She did not respond. He quickly pulled a vial from his pocket and moved over to the woman. He held down one of her arms with great effort, pouring the contents of the vial into her open mouth — and over her face when she thrashed away from the stream. Apparently, enough reached her mouth, because her writhing ceased. She soon slipped into what was obviously a troubled slumber. The old alchemist rummaged around the area. When he opened the drawer on the bedside table, he said, "Dear gods — what have I done? What have you done?" He quickly gathered up the vials from the drawer and put them in his bag. He then took one last glance at the woman on the bed and hurried out of the room with the look of a hunted animal on his face. Danica took the opportunity that the situation presented and pressed the amulets together. When the humming of the amulet in her hand ceased, she quickly left the room and moved back through the castle. When Danica reached the stables, she felt a pull toward the chambers of the stable hands by her memory of what she had seen here before. She saw the two young men speaking quietly and looking at each other with lusty, needy glances. One of them looked carefully at the other two sleeping stable hands and nodded. The other got up and walked past where Danica stood toward the portal outside. Danica flared with desire. She hurried to the storage room, weaving her way through it. She reached the back corner and quickly found a place to sit down. The location was just to the right and in front of the hay bale where the young men had been before. The floor here was clear of debris, and Danica settled down on her knees to wait. She did not have to wait long. The two men soon arrived and embraced in a passionate kiss. Danica opened her robes as one man pulled down his trousers. She edged over closer and sat down. When the other man dropped to his knees, Danica pulled the crotch of her panties over and out of the way, exposing her already soaked sex. Danica was barely two feet away from the two young men as the one sucked his companion's cock with the same slow, torturous stroking Danica had witnessed before. She could hear every near-silent moan the one man let out as the other sucked his cock so well. She could hear every muffled moan from the other as well. Danica's fingers rubbed and stroked inside her as she watched. Danica built rapidly, but she slowed down — the touch of her circling fingers softening — because she wanted to be with the young man when he filled his companion's mouth with a flood of warm cum. After long minutes, the kneeling man increased the speed of his bobbing head. The other's breathing quickened and blasted from his partially open mouth. Danica's fingers moved faster in time with the scene before her. Danica held back, fighting her overwhelming need to go over the edge. At last, the one young man twined his fingers in the other's hair and groaned. Danica came hard the moment she heard the one man groan in release and the other moan from the explosion of cream filling his mouth. Danica gasped and yelped as her orgasm rocked through her body, and fought to keep her eyes open. She could see the semen on the man's shaft as his companion continued to suck him. She could see it on his lips as well. Her orgasm had nearly played itself out when the one man let his companion's cock free of his mouth and licked his lips. Danica tried to catch her breath as the two young men switched positions. The second was apparently impatient this night, because he sucked with much quicker strokes right from the start when he got to his knees and engulfed the cock in front of him. Danica followed his pace and stroked her clit fast, probing the fingers of her other hand deep into her. She rubbed at her walls and the sensitive spot behind her mound, her body quaking in ecstasy. Danica gasped in surprise when she noticed that the young man with the mouth full of cock was already growing hard again as he sucked. The young man's mouth moved up and down his companion's shaft, his cheeks caved in from the pressure of his sucking. He took it all the way to the hilt so that his chin touched the other man's balls with every sweet stroke. Danica buried her fingers inside her and rubbed her clit furiously when the one man's hands went to his companion's head. She exploded just as the man shoved his hips forward and shot his seed into the other's throat. Danica moaned long and loud as waves of orgasm rolled through her body while she watched the man's cum-slick cock slide in and out of the other's mouth. After giving the one young man a few moments to recover from his orgasm, the one who had just so furiously sucked his friend slid his again-hard cock into a warm mouth. After a few strokes, a thick layer of saliva coated his cock. He pulled free and bent his companion over the bale. He dribbled his saliva into the man's ass, slipping his tongue deep inside to probe and slather saliva within. He then got up and aimed the head of his cock. Danica gasped, rubbing her nether lips hard and fast again as she watched that big, hard cock sliding slowly into his companion's tight ass. Danica rubbed furiously, thrusting four fingers in and out of her rapidly as she watched the young man increase the speed and power of his thrusts. The other looked back, gritting his teeth and gasping as hard, throbbing cock filled his ass. Danica came — her eyes going shut regardless of how hard she tried to keep them open. She fought hard to open them as her orgasm shook her body, trying to keep the amazing sight before her. Danica's fingers went back to work even before her aftershocks played themselves out. The young man was up to speed now, his cock sliding hard and fast into his companion's ass, his balls slapping against the other's as he fucked him. Danica came again as the man buried his erection in his companion's ass and hissed softly in release. He started to haltingly stroke again, and Danica yelped as another particularly strong wave of ecstasy washed over her. She could see the cum on the one man's shaft, and see it slowly leaking around the softening cock as the young man took a few last strokes. Danica's body continued to shiver and quake as rode out her orgasm and the following aftershocks. Danica heard the sound at the same time as the two men — the muffled sound of hoof beats. The two young men quickly got up, dressed, and then hurried from the storage room. Danica struggled to get up after her intense orgasms. She was a bit disappointed that she wouldn't get to see more, but slowly managed to recover, straighten her clothes, and stand. She renewed her Armor of Dispelling and the magic of her rings before leaving the storage room. She smiled wide and shuddered as she saw the two young men rubbing down a horse in the stable yard. A few seconds later, she levitated over the wall and returned to the house in the city. Celes teleported both of them back to their prison, the memory still fresh in Danica's mind and her panties still damp. Danica was in desperate need of someone to help her with the continuing needs of her body, so she hurried to Andrea's chambers. The woman let her in with a smile, and they were soon undressed. Danica's need must have been obvious in her eyes, and Andrea was more than willing. When Andrea pulled off her top, Danica gasped and fought to keep tears from her eyes. She managed to keep it from showing in her face, but inwardly Danica sobbed when she saw the amulet around Andrea's neck. It matched the ones she and Celes wore. ------- Zoraster stared hard at the thief before him. "Do not seek to deceive me, Telanor. I am well aware of your connections to the drug trade. I want to contact those connections, as I have need of them." "You can find that shit anywhere. What do you need me for?" "I want direct contact with the smugglers who acquire the substances from their source. You are in my power and will do as I ask — have no doubt about that. Know also that I handsomely reward those who serve me, whether they choose to or not. If you serve me willingly, the rewards are beyond measure." "I still don't get it. What's a high and mighty wizard's concern with dope?" "That is not your concern. Suffice to say I have uses for its users." Zoraster toyed with the Ring of Spell Turning taken from the thief. "I can provide you with far greater protection against magic, you know? Charms that will allow you to defeat magical defenses — not simply protect you as you flee from wielders of Art." The thief kept his composure, but Zoraster saw the slight changes in the man's posture and demeanor, which betrayed his interest. Telanor revealed that interest completely when he spoke. "And why would you give me protection against your magic as well as that of others?" "Because it would be meaningless for you to use such trinkets as I will grant you against me. They will give you great power over others, but against me, they would serve only to bring about your slow and painful death. With them, you may enter many places beyond you now. I know your history. I know your infatuation with women and the hunt. I can provide you with all your desires. In exchange — all I ask is that you occasionally take something, or someone, on my behalf. The rest of your time is your own, as are your gains. I can also provide you with far better prices for your attained property, and I'm sure Danica is a fine example of how I might fulfill your carnal desires." "I don't really have any choice, do I?" "No, I'm afraid not. You will serve me. It is simply a matter of whether you wish to be rewarded — and rewarded well — for doing so." Telanor shrugged. "Well — looks like I'm working for you then." Zoraster smiled and tossed the ring to the thief. "You serve yourself. That is your strength, and why I sought to ensnare you. You simply have a few goals of mine to achieve in the process. Now, let us provide you with the means to enhance your already legendary reputation." Telanor smiled as Zoraster opened a case filled with magic items to begin describing their use. ------- Part 5A Danica managed to compose herself after seeing the amulet around Andrea's neck. She even managed to forget about it for a short while as their lips and tongues roved over each other's bodies. When she awoke the next morning, she sought out Celes and asked her to come to her chambers to tell her of what she had learned. "Well, Dearie, I'm for fearin' that any lass ye lay with inside these walls is more'n likely gonna end up wit' one of them things 'round 'er neck. Ye arouse intense emotions, an' I'm for thinkin' that's what Zoraster's after." Danica sighed and covered her face in her hands. "What is she going to suffer because of me?" "I'm not for knowin', Dearie," Celes said. "Ye couldna' 'ave known. There's little ye can do about it now." Danica squared her shoulders. "I will find a way to do something," she said with anger flashing in her eyes. "Just ye be careful. Zoraster is not one to be toyin' with," Celes warned. "I'm for needin' to get about business. T' madman has me about a task this day. Be strong, Dearie." Celes cupped Danica's chin in her hand and smiled at her before turning to leave. Danica sat for a few moments in contemplation, and then decided to lose herself in study. She felt the desire to learn surge within her as she walked toward the lab, where she fell deeply into her studies. By the end of that day, she had mastered the second version of the Inferno spell. It was much more powerful, and much more dangerous than the second. Another day brought the burning of her blood that told her she had mastered the third level of the spell. When she awakened the fourth day, she resolved to try to learn the fourth level of the spell. The final version of the spell was tantamount to suicide. It engulfed a vast area in the roaring flames of the spell. It also drained the caster with its immense power — leaving them little strength or presence of mind to avoid being caught up in the hell that the magic conjured. Danica had originally thought to leave the last version of the spell, but she was now determined to learn it because it presented a challenge with its difficulty. It took her two days, but she felt her blood burn and thus knew that she had mastered the powerful and deadly magic. Even the learning exhausted her, and she collapsed into a chair for hours before she managed to stand up and go to her bed. The next day, Danica decided to go down into the city. She left her rooms and tracked down a wizard who appeared to be of some renown. Danica knew he oversaw the guardianship of some of the complex's magical components and items. She knew she must have permission to go down into the city, but did not know from who she was to ask it. The man sent a servant to fetch someone, bid Danica to sit, and then returned to his books, completely ignoring her. A few moments later, another wizard entered. He appeared to be in his early thirties, and had perhaps once been attractive. Now, he looked starved. He was pale, with sunken cheeks, and it was something Danica had seen before. His was the face of a man who let magic burn so brightly in his blood that he allowed it to consume him. "Come with me," the wizard instructed, and Danica did so. They made their way through the building toward the entrance. Near the entrance foyer, the wizard who led her opened a door and walked inside. The room was his private chambers, and his office. He sat down and said, "If you wish permission to go to the city, you will come here. The door is always unlocked, for I fear none who walks these halls. If I am busy, you will wait. If I am not here, you will wait. You may only obtain permission from me, or from Master Zoraster himself. Do not attempt to leave these grounds without acquiring permission. Permission is granted this day. You must return by nightfall tomorrow, or you shall be sought out and punished." When he finished, he looked down to make entries in a ledger on his desk. Danica sensed he had said all he was going to say, and turned to leave. She returned to her room, picked up her pouch of coin, and made her way down into the city. She stopped and enjoyed a well-prepared meal — and several glasses of wine — at one of the finer taverns. She then wandered about the city, making small purchases. She found several pieces of jewelry, some scarves, and a beautiful water clock that caught her eye. She knew she had paid too much for the clock, but could not haggle the seller down any lower. She had desired the clock enough to pay the man, however. When she sat down to have her evening meal at another tavern, she noticed a pair of women seated deep in the shadows of a corner. The one was blonde, and looked to be in her early twenties. The other appeared to be about thirty or so, and had brown hair so dark it was almost black. Tiny snippets of almost-heard conversation intrigued Danica. She considered for a moment, and then cast a clairaudience spell so she could hear the conversation. "If you desire my husband, you must appease me," said the brunette woman. The blonde woman's quietly stammered reply was, "But I've never... Not even thought... Another woman..." "The idea does not repulse you — or you would not be here. You knew when you came to me what the price was. The road to my husband is through me." Danica could almost hear the woman blushing when next she spoke, "I want to, but I am afraid." The dark-haired woman laid a hand on the other's cheek. "Just submit to me. Give yourself to me. Cast away the dusty old taboos, which are meaningless, and feel. Let your body guide you to new heights of pleasure. Just say yes." Danica heard the blonde's hushed whisper, "Yes." The older woman smiled and purred. She then turned slightly in her chair and locked eyes with Danica. Danica quickly cast her eyes downward. She hadn't even realized that she had been staring at the two women as she listened with her spell. Because Danica's concentration was broken, her spell fizzled out. She lifted a bite of food to her mouth and found it had nearly grown cold as she listened. She didn't need her spell to hear what the brunette said next, because the woman was standing across from Danica on the opposite side of the table. "Eavesdropping is quite rude," the woman said, startling Danica, who dropped her fork as she looked up. "I wasn't," Danica argued. "I was just lost in thought." The words rang false even in Danica's ears, and she winced inwardly. The woman grinned and rolled her eyes slightly. "Now, tell me the truth. You were eavesdropping — perhaps because you seek the road to my husband?" Danica felt arousal surging within her. The woman's strong, dominant posture — combined with the mysterious man who could make women do things they would have never even considered — sparked Danica's interest. She made her decision without hesitation. "Yes," Danica replied softly, but confidently. The brunette shuddered. "I like the way you said that. Come to the table with us. There is a final test to see if you want it bad enough. If so, then we will go, and the road to my husband will open to you." She reached out her hand to Danica when she finished. Taking the woman's hand, Danica stood and followed her to the table where the blonde sat looking nervous and anxious. The brunette pulled out Danica's seat for her, opposite the blonde, with the older woman's chair between them. Once Danica sat down, the three women were sitting on one side of the table with their chairs nearly touching. The brunette glanced at each of them in turn, and then instructed, "There is a final test of your desire. If you satisfy me, we will leave immediately. If you fail to satisfy me, do not seek me again. There are no second chances. Watch the minstrels and keep up the appearance that you are absorbed in their playing. Utter no sound and look attentive to the music." Danica watched the brunette's hands go beneath the table, and felt the long tablecloth shudder as well. She also noticed the blonde girl stiffen for just a moment. Listening to the music, Danica realized the minstrels were actually quite good. She watched out of the corner of her eye to see that the blonde woman appeared to be struggling to keep her eyes and ears attuned. It was barely noticeable, but enough for Danica to detect because she was so close. The blonde woman's breathing quickened. Danica wanted to turn and watch to try to determine what was making the woman react so. She could see the other woman glancing at them both occasionally, though the brunette maintained the appearance of listening to the musicians as well. The dark-haired woman was breathing more quickly too — the only sign she was not completely attuned to the music. Danica felt the tablecloth shift, saw the blonde woman shudder slightly, and heard her sigh very quietly. The dark-haired woman brought her finger to her lips. Danica noticed that the digit glistened with wetness as the brunette sucked it once with a quiet, satisfied sound. Danica's juices flowed in what felt like a flood to her. The dominating woman's hand then went back below the table. Danica felt the hand on her leg almost instantly. Deft, skilled fingers bunched up the hem of Danica's gown with practiced precision. Gentle pressure on Danica's knee instructed her to part her legs, and she did. Another quick movement of the brunette's hand slid Danica panties aside, off her already glistening lips. A finger slid inside Danica, moving in a tight circle. Danica's legs shivered beneath the table, but she managed to maintain appearances above the tablecloth where people could see her. The finger slid up high, massaging the bundle of nerves behind Danica's mound. Danica could feel her body responding quickly to this strong woman's practiced touch. The finger slid out from between Danica's labia then to rub her swollen clit — slowly at first, but then increasing in speed. Danica had to fight hard to keep silent. The woman's fingers rubbed her quickly, and then stopped. Danica felt her clit pinched hard between two fingers, and then rolled between the digits. Danica's toes curled, but she maintained her visible composure. Danica felt the fingers rubbing her in faster circles, and her pleasure mounted higher from the intensity and skill of the woman's fingers. The sense of danger brought on by another woman masturbating her in public excited Danica as well. The music built to a crescendo, and Danica came. Only the loud clapping of the crowd covered the stifled, choked off moan she emitted as her orgasm took control of her. Danica's eyes rolled up in her head and she closed them. She clapped sporadically as her toes curled tightly in her shoes — her orgasm stiffening every muscle in her body. Danica let out a single long exhale, and she quivered as the woman's hand left her saturated sex. Danica watched as the woman brought her hand — glistening nearly to the wrist — to her mouth and sucked it clean with a moan of quiet, but intense satisfaction. "Come, both of you," the woman said and stood up. Danica smoothed down the hem of her dress and stood as the blonde woman did the same. They followed the other woman out of the tavern and down the road a short distance. They approached a fair sized dwelling, probably a five or six room house, and walked inside. The woman led them both to the center of the room. "Rose will come first..." Pausing, she turned to Danica with a questioning look. "Danica," she said without thinking, and wondered too late if she should have used another name. The woman repeated the name, and then continued. "Danica — since she arrived first. My name is Francine. Please be seated and wait here for me to call you." With that, she led Rose to another room. Danica sat down and looked around the room. Well furnished, it was the sort of place that a wealthy merchant might own. She started slightly when she heard a strange sound followed by a quiet whimper. The sounds kept coming in a regular rhythm. Danica strained to identify the sound she heard before each whimper, but could not place it. After a few minutes, the sounds ceased. It was only a few moments later that she heard Francine's strong voice, though she could not make out the words. When Danica heard the brunette speak again, the sound was distinctly one of pleasure. Danica's juices started flowing again. Danica listened, licking her lips as she heard Francine's authoritative voice every so often. More often, the woman's voice raised her voice in sounds of pleasure. Danica's hand crept downward to rub her aching need lightly through her dress as she listened. Danica heard the woman gasp and exclaim — and knew she was coming. Danica shuddered and rubbed a little harder on her clit. Next, she heard Rose making small sounds of pleasure. The noises sounded hesitant at first, but it wasn't long before the timidity left Rose's moans and they rose in true pleasure. Danica found her breathing increasing in pace rapidly. Her fingers pressed hard against her gown as pressure built in her loins, edging toward climax. A yelp of pleasure escaped Danica and her head whipped back as her orgasm exploded into being. It rolled through her entire body, causing her to stiffen and arch her back. Danica's head snapped forward and she bent double when another wave of orgasm came over her, causing her to snap her legs shut. She slumped on the couch, still gasping for air and quivering as aftershocks took control of her body. It was only when Danica was finally able to open her eyes that she noticed Francine standing over her. The brunette was nude, and had small — but very perky breasts. The hair on her mound was neatly trimmed and short around the lips, which were puffy and full. She was trim, somewhat muscular, and stood in such a way that spoke of authority. "Rose has satisfied me well. She is now enjoying her reward with my husband. I am already quite pleased with you," Francine said and sat down on the couch. "No woman has ever climaxed for me during the test before you. Your sweet taste has made me hungry for more. Finding you writhing in the aftermath of an orgasm when I came to get you has only excited me more. Now, follow." Danica stood on wobbly legs and followed the woman into the other room. As soon as Francine closed the door, she guided Danica toward the bed with a firm push. "Now disrobe and lie down on the bed on your hands and knees." Danica knew the sound a person's voice — whether a man or woman — made when they expected obedience. She undressed quickly and hurried to the bed to assume the position Francine had demanded. Once on her hands and knees, Danica looked back over her shoulder at the sexy, dominant woman behind her. Francine took up a long flail — a wooden handle with dozens of thin leather straps attached to it. She strode with a powerful and sensual strut toward the bed, stroking the flail as she approached. She rubbed her hand over Danica's bottom, exploring downward and dipping her finger into Danica's soaked sex. Bringing her hand to her lips, Francine sucked the finger clean. She then raised the flail and brought it down with a stout stroke on Danica's ass. "Tell me you want it," Francine demanded and brought the flail down again. "Mmm, spank my ass. Make it red," Danica exclaimed breathlessly, deeply aroused by the just-tolerable sting of the leather on her bottom. The flail came down again. "Tell me how bad you want it." "Oh please spank me. Spank my ass. Oh please — harder," Danica gasped as the flail rose and fell in carefully measured strokes. The next strike was indeed harder. "You little tramp — trying to get in my husband's pants. I should flail you alive," Francine sneered as she brought the flail down several more times. She grabbed Danica's knee and flipped her over. Danica rolled over hard, landing flat on her back and bouncing on the bed. She could hear loud screams of pleasure coming from the next room as her bottom settled on the mattress. "You want him to touch your big tits don't you?" Francine asked and brought the flail down hard on Danica's breasts. "Yes," Danica screamed as she stiffened from the stroke. "You want him to squeeze them and suck them, and make your little tramp pussy wet don't you?" The lash fell twice more on Danica's breasts as Francine sneered. "Oh yes. Oh yes," Danica screamed, half answering the question, and half in pleasure. The sting of the lash sent waves of quivering pleasure through Danica's body. The flail changed angles and came down hard on Danica's thighs and nether lips. "You want him to put his mouth on your dirty little pussy and make it cum don't you? To suck on your little tramp clitty?" The lash smacked into Danica's sex in a quick rhythm. "You want him to put his cock inside you and fuck you, don't you, little whore? Fuck you until you can't come anymore? To shove his cock — all covered in your whore's juices — in your mouth and fuck your face until he comes down the back of your throat?" "Yes," Danica screamed, "I want his cock. I want his cum." "Little whore," Francine growled and brought the flail down one last time — the hardest stroke yet. It squarely hit Danica's clit and caused her to half sit up from the sting. Danica's head never made it back to the bed, because Francine's hand snapped out and caught her by the hair. Danica yelped in pain and propped her hands behind her to support her weight. "I'll give you something to put in your mouth, you little whore," Francine growled, and jerked Danica's hair, dragging her face into the neatly trimmed pussy in front of her. "Lick it, little bitch," Francine sneered and ground her folds into Danica's face. Danica wriggled her tongue between the woman's puffy lips the moment she made contact with them. The brunette reached down with one hand and parted her labia. "That's it little tramp. Lick my pussy." She then raised her arm and brought the flail down on Danica's back and buttocks. Danica whimpered into Francine's folds when the flail hit. She suckled the woman's labia between her lips while flicking her tongue over them. Down came the flail again. "That's it; suck my pussy with your little whore mouth." Another stroke of the flail stung Danica's tender skin, and Francine continued, "You want cum? You'll taste mine, little trollop." Little muffled yelps escaped Danica every time the flail fell in its regular rhythm. She slid her tongue upward to roll Francine's small clit and heard the woman gasp. Danica felt the flail strike her once more, and then Francine pulled away the bittersweet treat Danica lapped. Francine forcefully pushed Danica backwards while climbing up on the bed at the same time. She swung her leg over Danica and squatted over the redhead's face — facing Danica's feet. Danica reached up and parted the woman's labia as Francine lowered her sex to Danica's waiting mouth. Danica stabbed her tongue in deep and felt wetness dripping onto her face. "That's it, little whore. Fuck my pussy with your tongue. I want you to get all my come in your pretty little whore's face." Francine brought the flail down on Danica's mound when she finished speaking. Danica parted her legs after the first stroke and wriggled her tongue over the length of Francine's folds, pausing occasionally to suck on them. The flail fell in measured strokes — sometimes on Danica's nether lips, and sometimes on her breasts. The brunette's breaths exploded from her in gasps, and she wiggled her hips to rub her wetness into Danica's face. "Suck my clit like a little cock. Make me come all over your face, you little bitch." Danica parted Francine's puffy outer lips, exposing her hood. She then used her tongue to worm up under the sheathe, and managed to lock her lips around the tiny swollen bud beneath. Francine's gasps mixed with growls as Danica sucked her clit hard. Danica alternated between flicking Francine's button with her tongue and rolling it back and forth. The brunette yelped under the ministrations of Danica's tongue, and the flail snapped down more rapidly by the moment. Danica kept sucking. Her arms, fingers, and neck were aching from the uncomfortable position, but she kept suckling the woman's throbbing bud. Suddenly, the lash fell limp against Danica's body, and she felt fingers grab her nipples to pinch and pull them. Francine pressed her sex hard against Danica's mouth and erupted in a high-pitched moan. Squealing from the pain of her pulled nipples around the woman's clit, Danica felt a warm gush of wetness running over her face. She unlocked her lips from Francine's clit and lapped up the flow of juices. The brunette had not actually squirted, but a steady flow of warm, sweet cum ran from her to fill Danica's mouth. Danica had to swallow at one point when her mouth filled up so much that it threatened to choke her. Francine continued to grind her sex into Danica's face until her orgasm played out. She then pulled away from Danica's face and climbed off the bed. Danica moaned in delight and used her fingers to pull the woman's juices into her mouth. She could see the warm, rosy glow of her breasts — especially her nipples — and similar evidence of the flail's strikes between her legs. Walking to the foot of the bed, the tawny-haired mistress stroked the handle of her flail, and Danica found her eyes drawn to it. It was made of smooth wood — shining with shellac — and shaped as several balls joined end to end. The wooden handle was about as long as Danica's forearm, and around two fingers thick. Francine smacked the handle against her palm and sneered, "You want your pussy fucked, little whore? I'll fuck your pussy for you, you tramp." She then stepped forward and forced the handle into Danica's depths. The balls of the handle pulled Danica's labia inward as they slid inside her. The sensation made Danica's quiver, and she let out a little warbling yelp as it penetrated her. Danica felt the leather at the other end of the handle touch her lips, and then it slid outward again. Each little ball tugged at her labia as the wooden shaft slipped from her. Francine stroked the handle of the whip in and out of Danica rapidly. Danica could hear Rose coming again — she'd dimly noticed it several times as she lapped Francine's folds. Danica gasped and looked into the brunette's eyes as Francine leaned down to flick her tongue over Danica's wet heat while she continued to stroke the flail handle deep into Danica's canal. The popping sensation of her labia from the wooden handle, combined with its rapid stroking of her depths, and the other woman's tongue teasing her clit stoked Danica's fires to a white-hot intensity. She came with a loud scream a few moments later, writhing and bucking as Francine continued her relentless assault. Danica's climax grabbed hold of her and twisted her wherever it chose. Danica's wild movements eventually bucked the other woman away from her. Danica felt the flail handle slide from inside her, which set off another wave of orgasmic energy. Danica snapped her legs together and curled up into a ball to quiver through the shocks of ecstasy. The dominant woman slid into the bed beside Danica, kissing her face as she shuddered from the aftershocks of her orgasm. At last, Danica was able to uncurl her body to lie back gasping on the bed. Once again, Danica heard Rose coming in the next room. The blonde's scream was loud and quavering, hinting at discomfort mixed with intense pleasure. "Come — let us go to my husband," Francine said and sat up, offering her hand to Danica. Danica accepted it and slipped out of the bed. Her legs wobbled for a moment, and she had to lean against the other woman. The weakness subsided quickly, and Danica followed Francine into the other room. There was another bed here, and Rose was lying on it. The woman's hands were both covering her sex as she writhed on the bed, gasping. A very handsome, muscular man knelt on the foot of the bed in front of Rose. The only hair on his body was on his head, everything else appeared shaved baby-smooth. He watched the twitching woman on the bed with a wide smile. His long, thick cock was coated in milky wetness — and quite hard. Rose at last stilled and opened her eyes. Though she still gasped for breath, she was beginning to recover from her latest climax. The man on the bed smiled wider and asked, "More?" He grasped his manhood in his hand and pointed it toward Rose. Rose's hands clamped tight over her loins. "No more. Dear gods, I feel like I've been split in half. My insides are so knotted up and contracted, I wonder if they'll ever relax," she gasped. The big man frowned a bit. "Okay," he said sadly and climbed down from the bed. He noticed his wife when he turned. He walked over and kissed her deeply. "Rose felt very good. I made her feel really good too. She don't want no more right now, though. This pretty lady come to lay with me too?" He asked with a hopeful smile. "Yes, Dear, Danica wants to lay with you too. Then I want to lay with you. But we must get Rose to the bath first." "Okay," the big man responded. "I go get myself a drink and food," he remarked and left the room. "My husband is not the smartest man in the world, but he's handsome, strong, affectionate, thoughtful, and a hard worker. There's no way I could ever keep him satisfied myself, so I share him with lucky women. The tests satisfy some of my own fetishes as well." "Some?" Danica asked with a smile. The woman smiled back just as mischievously. "Well, all — but there are too many to get around to in a single day. Let's help Rose." Turning to the blonde, Francine said, "Rose, Dear, let us help you to a bath." Rose sat up, uncaring that she was naked and being helped up by two equally nude women. "How long can he go? I can't even count the number of times, and still he is hard and wanting more. Dear gods..." "I've never seen him lose control," Francine answered as she and Danica helped the blonde rise. "He goes as long as he wants, until I tell him to let go. He loves to pleasure women, and hates for it to end by him coming. It takes hours for him to get hard again afterwards." "Dear gods," Rose gasped again as she made it to her feet. The dark-haired mistress helped Rose walk toward a door. The blonde woman's legs wobbled beneath her and her juices ran down her legs as she walked. Looking over her shoulder, Francine suggested, "Danica, you'll want to change the bedclothes. There are fresh ones beneath the bed. I'll get Rose into the bath." Danica looked at the enormous wet spot on the bed and agreed with the suggestion. She then knelt down and retrieved a bundle of identical bedclothes neatly tied with a piece of twine — one of several beneath the bed. Danica stripped the blankets and a thick, quilted pad from the bed. Both were soaked, but the bed had escaped being wet, apparently due to the thickness of the quilted pad. Danica untied and unrolled the bundle, replacing the pad and blankets. Francine returned to the room as Danica picked up the old bedclothes, and looked around for a place to put them. "Just toss them over there," Francine said, pointing toward a corner. Danica tossed the soaked bedclothes into the corner and then sat down on the bed. "Do you mind if I watch as my husband pleasures you?" Francine asked. "Mmm, of course not," Danica moaned in reply, with a wide smile on her face. Francine smiled back and licked her lips. "Thank you. Many do not feel comfortable, and I enjoy watching him make another woman feel so good." Francine's husband returned to the room just then. "Lay with pretty Danica now and make her feel good?" he asked with a wide grin — his still rock-hard cock twitching in anticipation. "Yes, dear husband. Come make her feel good." Francine replied and moved to lounge in a chair next to the bed. Danica lay down, and the big man walked over to the bed. He climbed up on the mattress on his knees while his eyes roved over Danica's body. "You have very pretty red hair. I like your big tits and your pretty pussy," he said with a grin. "You have a gorgeous cock," Danica purred and licked her lips. "Make me feel good with it." "Okay. I like," he chuckled and edged forward to mount her. Danica moaned — long and deep — as he slid inside her. His cock felt wonderful, and filled her so well. She moaned and gasped as the big man stroked his cock in and out of her with a steady, quick rhythm. Danica looked up at the man as he thrust inside her. His eyes roved over her, and his smile broadened when she ran her hands over her body — writhing from the pleasure of his cock buried inside her. "Faster. Mmm — please faster," Danica moaned. She was already building rapidly toward climax. The big man stroked her faster, smiling even wider when Danica yelped in ecstasy from the quicker thrusts. Danica moaned and writhed, pushing her hips back at the cock stroking her depths with hot friction. The big man increased the speed and power of his thrusts, seeing that Danica liked it. Danica felt her head tapping the headboard every time his swollen cock head buried in her depths, though she had been a foot away from it only moments before. Her head was hitting a little harder only moments later, but she didn't notice because she was nearly to her peak. Danica exploded into orgasm around the man's big cock. He left himself buried in her as the initial waves coursed through her, and then stroked her slowly to send even more waves of intense pleasure running through her. When he noticed her having trouble catching her breath, he pulled out about half way to let her relax. "You come good," he chuckled. "I like a lot. More?" "Mmm yes. More. More," Danica sensually moaned. He laughed and buried his manhood inside her, kicking right back up to the same fast, hard pounding he had been giving her when she came. "Yes. Yes. Fuck me. Fuck me. Fuck me," Danica yelped — trailing off into a loud scream of pleasure as he slammed into her depths, rocking her body. Danica came three more times, telling the big man she wanted more each time he asked. Her labia were starting to burn slightly from the friction, and her legs were aching a bit from having them spread apart for so long, but she just kept taking him. Like Rose, Danica was amazed that he could keep from ejaculating for so long while taking her so hard and fast. Danica was in the midst of yet another multiple orgasm when she bucked him off. She rolled around on the bed gasping and screaming as her body pulsed from the strength of her orgasm. Danica at last regained control of body to stare with wonder at his still throbbing erection. "More?" He asked again. Danica wasn't sure whether she could survive through it, but she wanted him inside her badly, nonetheless. "One more. I want you to fill me up. Make it come and fill me up," she replied. "Do it, dear husband," Francine moaned. She had been rubbing her clit and stroking the flail handle inside her the whole time her husband was taking Danica. "You'll still get to lay with me later. Fill her up like she asks, but make her come again first." "Okay," the big man responded — his voice carrying a mixture of anticipation and disappointment. He hated to stop making Danica climax, but he looked forward to coming inside her. He slid inside her once again to the hilt. A yelp interrupted Danica's resulting moan as her sensitive sex quivered and contracted around his cock. "Slow. Easy," Danica pleaded to him in explosive gasps. The big man complied, and Danica could feel every single inch of his big cock as it slid out to the point where his glans were visible beyond her lips. He pushed back inside her with the same slow motion. Danica watched his pussy-slick manhood slide in and out of her with rapt attention. It looked so good, and the slow stroking stoked her fires again without causing her discomfort. For at least ten minutes, Danica milked his cock by contracting her intimate muscles around him as he kept stroking her with carefully controlled slowness. Danica's pleasure built higher and higher, until her body was begging for release in an inferno of orgasm. Danica let out a long growling moan as he pushed back inside her yet again, and then growled, "Take me. Fuck me hard. Make me come. Fill me up." He grabbed her beneath her bottom and lifted her easily in his strong arms off the bed. Danica hooked her ankles over his shoulders as he pounded her with all his strength. Danica's upper body thrashed about as his cock assaulted her depths. Her orgasm erupted without warning, lifting her entirely off the bed as she came. He held her up as she screamed at the top of her lungs and gushed a geyser of her juices all over them both. The big man took a few more strokes and then let out a quavering groan. Danica felt the first spurt of his cum fire into her depths. The force was so strong and the spurt so long that it almost felt more as though he was peeing than coming. Another eruption followed, just as strong as the first, shooting deep inside her. Twice more, hard spurts caused Danica to quiver before he spent the last of his passion. Danica thrashed and screamed as her climax kept hold of her. At last, he put her down on the bed and pulled free of her with a sharp gasp. Milky-white cream coated his cock, and Danica could feel it pouring out of her from the moment he pulled free. She continued to writhe from her aftershocks, his semen oozing from her all the while. She also felt the burning sting in her sex from being fucked so hard — so many times. The big man collapsed next to her, breathing in explosive gasps. Either Danica drifted off in the fog of pleasure tinged with pain, or she dozed off, because she started when Francine took her hand to help her up onto legs that trembled like those of a newborn fawn. Francine's husband had to help carry Danica to the tub. Danica soaked in the bath until she felt her strength returning, and then washed well. She returned to the first room after her bath, put on her clothes, and then returned to the common room at the entrance of the house. She kissed them both, telling them she would try to come see them again, when Francine asked her if she would. Danica moved slowly and gingerly, leaving the house to return to the complex of buildings atop the hill. ------- Zoraster turned away from the mirror. He had observed Danica experiencing so many orgasms now that it had become almost commonplace. The encounter with the woman had held his interest somewhat, but Danica's coupling with the man was failing to stimulate him in any way. Placing his hand on his chin, he spun the ring he held in his other hand before his eyes. "Such a common little ring you are. Who would suspect your true power?" Zoraster stood. "I know your power, and I know from whence it comes. You'll have company soon, my little trinket." As he slipped the ring into a pocket of his robe, he straightened and cocked his head to the side as if listening to something. A smile crossed his face, and he turned to walk from the room full of mirrors. It took only a few swift steps for the Archmage to reach another door and enter. He settled into a chair behind a large desk, waving a hand over a crystal on the desktop. In the center of the room, a vertical disk of light appeared and Zoraster said, "Enter." The portal shimmered slightly and a man in brown robes stepped from its glowing disk to bow low before Zoraster. Tenting his fingers before him on the desk, Zoraster asked, "What have you learned?" "It is much the same as with the other woman — Celes — Master Zoraster." "So you believe she has witch blood as well?" "It is possible, but that is not what I sense in Danica. There is no way to be sure in either woman's case unless they directly exhibit abilities to confirm my conclusions. Any number of circumstances could result in their minds being closed to magical intrusion. Witch blood, psionic powers, and numerous other circumstances can allow a subject to resist mind magic." "What is your conclusion concerning my little rose?" "I believe she is what is known as an Iron Mind amongst psionics." Zoraster's lip curled into a sneer and he growled, "You believe she has the power of the mind?" "Not necessarily, my Master. In fact, I do not believe such to be the case. There are many examples of people exhibiting the Iron Mind ability who have no other psionic abilities whatsoever. It is actually quite common." "Should this not have prevented my magic from influencing and controlling her as well?" "It very well could, were it not for the drugs she is administered. The combination of drugs and working through her unconscious mind should allow such spells to be effective. Those who are unpracticed in directing any mental powers they possess rarely defend the unconscious mind. Suggestions administered through hypnosis and implanted as she sleeps should be quite effective at circumventing her natural resistance." "So I can pull her strings to make her dance when necessary, but her mind shall remain closed to me?" "It is possible that her thoughts and memories may be gleaned during the same unconscious state with stronger doses of the drug, but I cannot assure success." Zoraster waved a hand before him. "It is of no matter, I suppose. I can glean nothing from Celes, and she is easy enough to control through magic and coercion. Danica has proven to be similar in that regard. The amulets they wear ensure I can track them and see much of what they see." "I shall continue to study and experiment upon both of them, Master." The Archmage leaned back in his chair and brought two fingers to his lips. "I believe I may have a rather specific course I wish you to follow. I will summon you when I have determined the course I wish you to take in full." "I shall await your command Master." The wizard then stepped back through the portal and vanished. Zoraster smiled. "Yes, perhaps there are more ways to utilize my toys. All of my toys." ------- Part 5B Danica awoke sore the next morning. The muscles in her legs, chest, and tummy all burned with a dull ache. Occasionally, a stab of pain would shoot up from her loins to spread through her chest. Those stabs even made her breasts ache for a few minutes when they hit her. "Never again," Danica muttered as she rose from her bed; though she revised the statement in her mind, Never again so many times with a cock that big, she thought. Thinking about the night before caused her body to respond, and another stab of pain shot through her. She growled and pushed all thoughts of sex from her mind. She mixed and drank a pain deadening draught, and then tried to decide what to do this day. She mused for a moment, and then remembered the freedom she had earned from the Castle. She had yet to use the Scrying Pool. She went to the man who granted her permission to go into the city, not knowing whom else to ask. He seemed to be a correct choice, because he instructed her how to find the Pool and gave her a ring, which he said was the key. He informed her that wearing the ring was enough. She only needed to push on the door and it would open while she wore the ring, though the portal would bar any other. She was never to let the ring leave her possession, and to report immediately if she lost it. Danica examined the ring. It was actually quite beautiful — a simple golden band in the shape of ivy leaves. It was not a whole circle, but instead the ends ran parallel to each other where they met. She considered for a moment, then removed her soft shoes and slid the ring over the toe next to her smallest on her right foot. She liked the way it looked there and slipped back on her shoe after admiring it. Danica made her way to the room, following the directions given to her. She entered without mishap and found the Pool. It was a circle of rune-covered stones, filled with water that shimmered with every color of the rainbow. It occurred to Danica when she sat in the chair before the pool that she did not know how to activate its magic. She thought of her mageware shop back home, and saw the waters of the pool swirl as if they had noticed her thoughts. She concentrated, and the waters of the pool formed into the image of her shop. There was dust everywhere, and more than a few cobwebs in the corners. She could see the locks and magical traps on the door were still in place. The door to the vault likewise appeared tightly sealed. She roamed her vision around the room and saw a piece of paper on the main counter. After a few moments of concentration, she managed to move the scrying in close enough to read the note, which was from her sister Devan. Danica, I came to tell you our mother has died. The long illness has finally taken her. Please contact me as soon as possible. Devan Danica sighed. The news saddened her, but she had already cried out all her tears. Her mother had been ill and near to death for months. Danica could not even know when her mother had died, because the note had no date. She concentrated on her sister, trying to turn the Pool to find her. The image of her shop vanished, and then the Pool swirled for a few moments, but it ceased its motion and went still again. Zoraster had told her it would not allow her to scry anywhere that detection was possible. She realized it would never allow viewing of her sister, who wielded such strong Art. Danica thought of her childhood home, and the pool began to swirl again. The image of the kitchen came into being. She wasn't sure why she had thought of it, of all the rooms in the house. She saw her brother standing up from the table and gathering up a pair of flowers. They were tulips, her mother's favorite, and hers as well. The flowers were a deep, blushing shade of pink in color. She followed her brother as he left the house and went out back. Her mother's headstone stood beside her favorite shade tree. Her brother placed the flowers on their mother's grave, and stood in quiet thought for a few moments. "I'm sure Danica will come to say goodbye soon Mom. Devan said she had not been back to the shop. She must be away and doesn't know yet," he said quietly, and then returned to the house. Danica turned her mind from the scene and the pool stilled. Danica's eyes welled up, but she did not cry. She wiped them on her sleeve, sighed, and left the room. As she walked back to her rooms, Danica's mind wandered. She was trying to keep from thinking about her mother's death, but it was bringing up even more disturbing thoughts. Her heightened desire still bothered her somewhat, but she grew more accustomed to it by the day. Indeed, she was actually coming to enjoy it. That was almost more disturbing than the hot passion that always seemed to boil in her blood. She was also growing almost complacent in her imprisonment. When Zoraster was not visiting tortures upon her or sending her on his tasks, she almost seemed to forget that she was a prisoner here. When she was deep into her magical studies, she was happy. Her freedom to visit the town brought ample opportunity to find new friends and lovers, and this gave her joy as well. Danica reached her rooms and thought, Does this place visit Zoraster's madness upon you — turn your soul as black as his? Opening the door and entering, Danica felt a chill pass through her as she considered it. She hugged her arms around her, waiting for the chill to pass. As it faded, Danica shook her head to clear it, Maybe that is the real trap he sets, forcing you to give up hope in every way. Without hope, your spirit dies and what is left is an empty vessel just waiting to be filled with his madness. Danica shook her head again. It was all so confusing. It felt as if the entire world had turned upside down since Zoraster enslaved her, and nothing made any sense any longer. She sighed and went to her lab, hoping that her studies would help her master her fear and confusion. She would just have to hope for an opportunity to get away — for some way to make Zoraster pay for what he had done to her, and Celes, and countless others. ------- Zoraster watched Danica at the Scrying Pool through his own scrying mirror. He again stood in the coffin room where Danica's 'sisters' had been created. Two of the crèches had their lids closed, and Zoraster absently stroked one as he watched. "Yes, you grow stronger in your Art, my little rose. Perhaps the time has come to test your mastery of the Art in my service. What do you think little one?" he said to the coffin beneath his hand. A faint rustling caused him to smile, "Yes, I agree. It would be prudent to determine her ability in the Art. I shall have to devise a test for her that will test her abilities, without being too dangerous. I am enjoying my new toy too much to risk her untested. I'm quite sure something will present itself." Another faint rustling echoed through the room from the coffin. "Ah, my dear, your birth grows near. I'm sure Danica will be so pleased to see you." Laughter echoed through the room. ------- Danica let her studies absorb her for the next several days. Her success with the Inferno Spell had prompted her to research other powerful magic that had once been beyond her. She had learned the Lightning Bolt spell before she had first come here, but with much difficulty. She turned her attention to the much more powerful Chain Lightning spell. The spell she knew could stun even large monsters into unconsciousness. Once they awakened it would leave them wishing they were dead for a much longer time. The Chain Lightning spell could kill, and arched from target to target if they were nearby, continuing to wreak destruction. It took Danica only half a day to feel the burning of her blood that let her know the Chain Lightning Spell was hers. She was now acquiring power such as that she had always envied in her sister. Her next conquest was yet another more powerful version of the Fireball spell she already knew. It took her only another day to master the devastating power of the Meteor Swarm spell. Next, she turned to a spell she had always thought would never be within her reach. The Wall of Force was an incredibly powerful spell of protection. It could turn aside missiles, swords, spells, and even dragon breath to some degree. The spell had several variations. One protected a single person, one was a globe that protected an area around the caster, and the final one was a true wall. The last would protect a wall from one side, preventing anyone from even touching it. Over the course of the next several days, Danica felt her blood boil once, twice, and finally a third time as she mastered the powerful spells. The night she learned the last of the three spells, the needs of her body overwhelmed the needs of her mind. She hurried to Andrea's room, bringing her toy with her on impulse. The pair usually visited and softly touched each other for some time before their desires overcame them. This time Danica was between the young woman's legs lapping greedily at her sweet juices only a few minutes after she entered the room. Danica sat up from between Andrea's legs, licked her lips, and then brought out her toy. Andrea giggled as she felt the toy writhing and humming in her hand. She gasped loudly when Danica slipped the toy between her glistening lips and stroked it inside her. The feeling of stroking the young woman's depths was incredibly arousing to Danica. She thrust the toy hard and fast into the blonde repeatedly, drawing a pair of orgasms from the beautiful young woman. They lay together kissing softly, until Andrea had recovered enough to think coherently again. Then Andrea took the toy with a smile, and slipped it into Danica's wet heat. She apparently found it just as intensely arousing as Danica had, because she stroked it into Danica just as hard and relentlessly as Danica had done for her. Danica had to cover up and writhe away exactly as Andrea had, when she could no longer handle the overwhelming sensation. They lay together in the afterglow again, and Danica found the image of her next magical crafting forming in her mind. She dressed, kissed Andrea long and deep, and then returned to her chambers. Danica awoke, having dreamed something in the night. Her subconscious had latched on to something she had read previously, which she had overlooked, and it had come out in her dream. She left her rooms for the main library. There, she located a copy of the book in which she had researched the Phantasmal Force spell. She re-read the section of the text that had come to her in the dream that night. The wizard who had created the spell had been obsessed with illusion's power. The part that jumped out at her now related that he had originally forced his mind with a mildly hallucinogenic drug to believe more strongly in an illusion he had created. It took the drug and his intense desire to make the illusion realistic to him. He had quite nearly attained his goal, being able to touch and scent the illusion as if it were real, but it was not quite enough. The illusion would lose it's realism after some time if he touched it too much. Thus, he had begun research and created the Phantasmal Force spell. Danica leafed through the library's catalog of notes made by previous students, discovering a cross-referenced text. She located it and discovered the reason behind the wizard's obsession. One of the wizard's apprentices had written the text, and it was not flattering to the man. He was apparently a very ugly man, and he was desperate to find a way to satisfy the needs of his body with a willing and enthusiastic woman. He felt the only way he could achieve this would be to make her himself. The notes explained much, and more importantly, they noted the drug the man had used. Danica wrote down the name of the drug and left the library for her chambers. She started when she opened the door and found Zoraster there. "Greetings, little rose," he said as she entered. "I have another task for you." Danica set her face into the impassive mask she wore whenever the man was near, causing him to smile and chuckle as she sat on the bed. "A band of goblins has moved into a cave in the hills nearby. They waylay travelers and raid the small villages and farms in the area. Several girls and young women have also gone missing from the area. None of this truly concerns me, and I would have ignored the smelly beasts. Unfortunately, they have taken one in whom I have interest. Upon scrying the area, I found evidence of magic far beyond that wielded by even the strongest goblin shaman. I have watched you increase your power, and now I shall give you a chance to test it." Zoraster paced slowly in front of the bed. "Run these goblins from the area, destroying as many as possible so they fear to return. There are perhaps half a dozen goblins, three warrior goblins, and at least one shaman. You shall free any captives and bring them here. You will also seek out any bodies, removing all their jewelry and returning it here as well. Search them well for any jewelry. Likewise, search the lair and any goblins you kill for jewelry. You will receive the freedom to acquire coin from my treasury, within reason, as well as access to a place where you may test even devastating magic here without fear of causing destruction. The man who manages my treasury makes his quarters at the bend of the hall leading from the entrance. Danica's tormentor then ceased his pacing. "Take all the time you need for preparation, and do try not to get yourself killed, little rose. If the alternative is being held captive by the creatures, however — I would advise you to seek death instead." He said the last with a laugh, tossing a map onto the bed next to Danica, and then left the room. The task was one that Danica would gladly undertake. She detested goblins, as a pair had attacked her home when she was about five. They had grabbed her mother and tried to drag her away. Fortunately, her father was a powerful man and brave at heart. Her father had slammed his body into one of the creatures and allowed his wife to struggle free. He had then raised the sickle he carried and dispatched both the creatures in a blind rage. Danica hated the filthy, stinking creatures, and she was more than willing to destroy a nest of them now that she had the power to do so. Danica prepared all her magical items. To her normal arsenal, she added a bag of holding filled with healing draughts, a few blankets, and some of the silken shifts from her closet. She doubted any female captives — those who survived — would have any serviceable clothing when she found them. Goblins took great delight in raping human women. Danica dressed in pants and a blouse that did not constrict her movement. She put on a belt and dagger as a last resort, and felt she was ready. She studied the map again and determined it would likely take her the rest of the day to reach the creature's lair. She would arrive after nightfall, which suited her fine. She went to visit Celes as she was on the way out. Celes begged her to take a ring of spell turning, and Danica accepted it gratefully. She then left the complex, ignored by the guards at the gate, and turned onto the road into the hills. ------- The journey through the countryside was uneventful. She passed no one once night drew near. Apparently, the band of goblins had caused people to avoid the roads at night. When her path left the road and turned onto a trail up higher into the hills, Danica enveloped herself in silence and invisibility with her rings. She quickly discovered a cave, and looked closely for signs of habitation. She approached and crouched to pass through the low opening after a few minutes of observation. The cave was unoccupied — a single chamber at the end of a narrow path. The chamber had a small pool of spring water that came from a tunnel too small for anyone to enter. Danica left the cave when she determined it was not the correct one, or a guard outpost for the monsters. She could detect no evidence of even goblin footprints in the area. It was entirely possible they didn't even know the cave was there, as she had only seen it by pure chance. It would have been impossible to see from any direction except below. She quickly moved farther up the path, and knew she had found the correct cave when she smelled the distinctive stench of goblins. She wrinkled her nose and tried to put the smell of sweat, poorly tanned hides, rot, and offal out of her mind. Danica settled nearby and watched the entrance of the cave. She could see a big warrior goblin lounging just inside the entrance, keeping an absent watch outside. She had only been there for a few moments when she saw the goblin rise, and other goblins come outside into the bright moonlight. The three warrior goblins were there, and Danica cursed when she saw Zoraster had been wrong. There were two Shamans. There was another of the smaller, more common goblins as well. It was about the size of a teenage boy, but she knew it was far stronger than it looked, and as vicious as a cornered wolverine. She watched as the creatures conversed quietly in the language of goblins. She could not make out any of the words because of the distance, despite knowing the language. The three warrior goblins and the two shamans then left the cave and skulked down another trail out of the hills. The smaller goblin sat just outside the entrance and watched carefully. Danica cast a spell of sleep over the creature after giving the other goblins time to move a good distance away. The creature fought the spell with the typical tenacity and magic resistance inherent to the race, hissing and shaking its head. It lost the battle against Danica's magic, and slumped forward asleep. Danica hurried forward, casting a spell of telekinesis to lift the creature up and levitate it to an area she had passed on the way up the mountain. It took little effort to hold the creature suspended over the deep ravine. Danica held her breath against the stench of the creature, and then slashed out with her dagger to slit the thing's throat. She let the creature fall with a thud to the ravine floor far below. It nearly vanished between two large rocks. Danica wiped as much of the creature's stinking blood off her as she could, and then returned to the cave entrance. When she was near the cave mouth, she reactivated the magic of her rings, which her attack on the goblin sentry had negated. She carefully snuck inside the entrance and around a corner. Faintly glowing globes of magic lit the cave. She knew that no mere goblin shaman could have crafted this magic. Something was definitely wrong here. She paused as the tunnel in the hill opened into a larger chamber. Two of the goblins were here, seated at a table drinking stolen spirits and snarling in their guttural language. Danica could hear the sound of muffled screams coming from somewhere deeper in the cave. Danica weighed her options. One goblin was dead, and two more were here. That would leave only three if Zoraster had been correct. She did not know how much time she might have before the more dangerous group that had left would return, so she decided to take speed over stealth. Her hands moved in the gestures of the sleep spell again, and the two goblins slumped quickly, their heads thudding to the table. Danica walked into the chamber, and a third goblin emerged from a passage at the other end at the same time. The creature spotted her and hissed, leaping toward her. She unleashed her magic, and a barrage of magic missiles leapt from her fingers to thud into the goblin. It twitched and turned as the missiles penetrated it, emitted a gurgling cry, and then slumped to the floor. Danica held her breath and checked the creature. It was dead. She then lifted the heads of the two sleeping goblins and slit their throats. With the monsters now no longer a threat, Danica followed the tunnel the third goblin had appeared from, finding six pallets in another open area. She passed farther into the cave and soon discovered three large, simple beds in another area — the warrior goblins' quarters. The sounds of muffled screaming grew louder, and Danica continued on. She soon drew near a side passage and could tell she was very close to the source of the screams. She reactivated her rings and started down the passage. As she neared a more brightly lit area, she heard hisses and snarls coming from ahead. She entered the room just in time to see two goblins pulling out of a pair of women who were bound spread out on tables in the middle of the room. Both women were young and blonde, and one began sobbing when the creature lifted its hand off her mouth. The other woman lay very still. One of the goblins looked over and said, "Idiot, you stole her breath," in the guttural language of goblins, and slapped the other. "It bit me!" The creature protested, and shoved the other one. Danica screamed in rage, though the globe of silence around her kept the creatures from hearing it. The goblins started when she suddenly appeared in their peripheral vision as she cast her spell. They spun toward her and hissed, but the one who had suffocated the woman didn't even make it halfway around before her magical missiles thudded into it. It twitched and fell atop its victim, and then thudded to the floor. The second creature growled and jumped toward Danica. She didn't have time to cast another spell, and only barely drew her dagger in time. The creature sank its claws into Danica's arms, but also sank her dagger into its chest. It hissed and gurgled as blood welled into its lungs. Its strength quickly drained, and Danica kicked it away to drown in its own blood. Danica quickly went to the tables and sighed when she confirmed that the one woman was indeed dead. The other woman was sobbing hysterically. Danica sliced through the ropes holding the woman, and she immediately curled up into a fetal position. Danica asked, "Are there others?" The woman continued to sob and did not answer, so Danica slapped her to try to shock her out of her hysterics. "Do you want to live? Get up now. I can get you free, but you have to control yourself. Are there others?" Danica asked. The woman choked back a sob, caught her breath, and then nodded her head to indicate there were. "Take me there, quickly. We have to get you all free of here before the rest return," Danica instructed. The knowledge that there were still goblins alive spurred the young woman into action. She hurried out of the room with Danica hot on her heels. The woman followed the tunnel a short distance and turned into another open chamber. Danica entered behind the other woman and saw three more women — bound and gagged — in the room. Danica rushed over to them and cut their bonds, releasing them. "Quickly. We have to get away now. The others will be returning." The women, who were all nude, stood up wearily and tried to stamp circulation into their arms and legs. "Come — follow me quickly. Make no sound. The others are still around, and I don't know how close." Danica then led the women back to the tunnel entrance. The women gasped collectively when they saw the five dead goblins in their rush from the cave. One asked quietly after the other blonde woman, and the one who Danica had freed first shook her head sadly. Danica turned and put her finger to her lips, then held up her hand to indicate they should stop. She cast a clairaudience and clairvoyance spell to examine the area around the cave mouth. Her magic indicated that there was no danger outside the cave. "Now, quickly, I know a safe place. Be quiet and mind your step. Try not to slide as we make our way down the trail. We will walk, not run, and you will do your best not to disturb anything as we do. Stay on the path where your footprints will not be noticed. Now come." Danica ordered, and exited the cave. The women followed as Danica lead them quickly back down the path to the cave she had discovered earlier. There were no mishaps, and Danica felt confident the women would be safe there for a while. "Inside," she whispered and pointed at the cave mouth. The women crawled inside, and Danica followed. She quickly intoned a lasting light spell over a small gem she pulled from her pocket. The women huddled together close to the entrance. Danica went to them and whispered, "Stay quiet. Quench your thirst and then wash, it will help you relax." She pulled the shifts from her bag of holding, and suggested, "Put these on when you're finished. If I haven't returned for you by daybreak, run for a village or house below. You should see houses at the bottom of the hill. Stay on the trail and stay together unless you are pursued. If you are chased, split up and keep running. Do you understand?" The women all nodded. Danica said, "I'm going back to ambush the rest of the filthy creatures when they return. My magic is strong, so have faith that I'll be back for you quickly, and unharmed." Danica then crawled back outside the cave. Danica cast an illusion over the cave mouth to make it appear to be part of the hill. If the goblins knew about the cave, it would do little good. If they didn't, the illusion would hide it better for several hours. She couldn't risk putting up a wall of force, for fear it could trap the women inside. The powerful protective spell didn't always lapse because its caster was unconscious — or dead. She paused for a moment outside the cave and drained two potion bottles. The first was an antitoxin. The second was a painkiller and healer. Goblin claws could sometimes poison the blood when they broke skin, and the claw marks on her arms stung badly. Danica hurried back up the hill, reactivating the magic of her rings once more. She approached cautiously, but saw no signs that the other goblins had returned. She settled on a small outcropping of stone next to the cave entrance and waited. At least two hours passed before Danica heard the clumsy goblins approaching. She stood up and strained her eyes to see them, eventually making them out in the moonlight. Two of the warrior goblins carried pigs. The other held several chickens by their feet. Danica breathed a sigh of relief because they did not have a prisoner, which would have made her task much more difficult. Danica let the creatures approach closer. She wanted to leave very little chance for error when she unleashed her magic. The stinking creatures reached the small clearing that led to the cave, and Danica intoned her spell. The goblins quickly dropped the booty of their raid and scrambled for their weapons when she suddenly appeared. The two shamans called upon their powers, but Danica was the quicker. Danica quivered as the lightning leapt from her fingers. She could feel the magic burning and tingling throughout her body as the bolt lit up the entire area and streaked into the creatures midst. The creatures all fell to the ground as the bolt arched back and forth between them, except one of the two shaman. That creature covered his eyes, apparently blinded by the flash of light. A faint nimbus of light surrounded him, and Danica assumed he had managed to get a shield of some sort up before her bolt had struck. Danica cursed when the stubborn, resilient creatures started to rise, and spoke the words of another spell. One of the warrior goblins found its feet, and moved toward Danica as she neared the completion of her spell chant. The shaman that had been struggling to rise suddenly screamed and scrambled away on its hands and knees. Though not very intelligent, the creature was smart enough to recognize some of the words of Danica's spell. It knew what was coming, and desperately didn't want to be in the area when it happened. Danica finished the casting of the Meteor Swarm spell before the creature managed to escape more than a few feet away. Six fireballs streaked into the creatures' midst and exploded into an inferno around them. She heard their screams, as they burned alive in the intense heat. Danica shielded her eyes against the bright bursts, opening them as soon as the flashes ceased. The flames had blackened the area, and small fires were burning everywhere. The warrior goblins and one of the shamans lay twisted and blackened from her magic on the earth. The other shaman stared at her with a twisted look of rage, and suddenly screamed in a very human voice. The illusion around the false shaman faded, and a man in black robes stood in its place. "You stupid cow! Do you realize how much you have delayed my plans? I will make sure you live a very long time under the tender mercies of the next group of goblins I find." He then began to chant in a deep, horrible voice. Danica quickly worked to activate her own defenses, chanting quickly and moving her hands in the required gestures. She was too late, and the man released his spell with a scream of rage. The Ring of Spell Turning on Danica's finger glowed for a split second and the wizard screamed in rage again. It was then that Danica noticed that the man appeared frozen in place. He was moving his head slightly, but otherwise appeared to be unable to move. "You stupid whore," he spat, "Do you have any idea how long it took me to find a shaman and coerce him here? How long it will take to do it again? My own spell will not last long against me, bitch. I will make you pay!" He screamed. Danica noticed the wizard's fingers were already starting to twitch. She quickly cast a spell of her own. The Crimson Bands spell surrounded the man in four ruby circles of force, which contracted and snapped his arms to his sides, and pulled his feet together. "My magic will last much longer," Danica taunted as she approached the bound magic user. She saw a bloodstone around his neck as she drew near, and knew him for what he was. Necromancer, she thought with disgust. "You have not won, bitch," the bone wizard snarled, and closed his eyes in concentration. Danica spun when she heard a rustling behind her. Her eyes went wide when she saw a nude woman shambling out of the entrance of the cave. The woman's skin was pale with the pallor of death, and her body lurched as if unfamiliar with the act of walking. Behind it came four more, all moaning and reaching their hands toward Danica as they approached. Danica screamed in surprised terror and hastily cast a fireball spell. It leapt from her hands and exploded in the midst of the zombies. Their desiccated flesh caught fire quickly, and the fireball blew apart the creature it struck directly. The others — their hair burned away and flames dancing over their flesh — mindlessly continued to shamble forward. Three fell over and tried to crawl a few feet, but collapsed when their burning flesh could no longer support the animation of the wizard's necromantic spell. The last zombie continued to stumble slowly toward Danica, moaning horribly and burning — one side of its body a blackened waste. She spoke the words of another spell, and fell to her knees when the lightning bolt leapt from her hand and blasted the final zombie apart. Danica heard the man behind her screaming in frustration as she tried to gather up enough strength to rise. "Damn you, whore," the necromancer screamed, and struggled against the magical bonds surrounding him. Danica felt the force against her spell. The use of her magic weakened her, and she felt the strength of the bands breaking. Danica turned all her will to holding the bands in place, but still felt them failing. Danica fell to her back with a weak scream when the man broke free. He charged toward her and jumped on her, blasting the air from her lungs. His hands wrapped around her throat, and he tried to choke the life from her. Danica struggled and managed to free one arm. She grasped her dagger hilt, and pulled it free to slice into the man's leg. He screamed and grasped the wound. Danica kicked the wizard off her and gasped for air. He growled and lunged toward her again. He landed atop her — directly on the dagger Danica had interposed between them. The hilt bit painfully into Danica's breast as his weight shoved it down. The wizard gasped and his eyes went wide. Blood trickled from his mouth and dripped onto Danica's face. Unable to resist it, a scream of revulsion burst from Danica's lips. The necromancer's eyes rolled up into his head and he collapsed in a lifeless heap atop her. Danica struggled out from underneath his body and gasped for air, her bloody dagger in her hand. When she caught her breath and mastered her panic, she rolled the man over. He stared at nothing and did not breathe. Danica let out a sigh that was half a sob, and slowly got to her feet. She noticed the blood soaking her blouse, and between that and the stench of burned goblin, she lost control. Turning away, she fell back to her knees and emptied her stomach onto the grass. When she stopped gagging, Danica crawled weakly away from the carnage and drank another healing draught. She managed to keep it down, and lay on the grass waiting for it to do its work. Finally finding the strength to rise, she wearily made her way back down the trail to the other cave. She stumbled to her knees too many times to count, once falling to her face and finding she nearly could not regain her feet. Somehow, she made it to the cave. The women screamed when Danica half crawled, half lurched into the cave. When they realized it was Danica, they scrambled over to her. "All... All dead. S-safe now," Danica gasped, and then she lost consciousness. ------- When Danica awoke, she found blankets wrapped around her, and all the women staring at her with concern. She could see the faint signs of daylight filtering through the small entrance of the cave. "Are you alright?" A brunette woman asked her. Danica nodded weakly and tried to sit up. She pulled the blankets back over her when she realized she was nude. "Your clothes were covered in blood. You were so cold we were afraid you were injured. When we found no serious wounds, we washed the cuts and wrapped you in the blankets. Here," the woman explained, and handed Danica one of the silken shifts. Danica stood and pulled on the shift, finding her strength was returning. "Are you all alright?" "Yes. Thank you for freeing us," the brunette responded. "You can return with me, and I'll get you back to your homes," Danica offered. The women all smiled. Danica went to her bag of holding and retrieved some bread from within. She passed it out to the women and they all ate, restoring more of their strength. When the sun fully cleared the horizon, Danica led the women down the trail. When the emerged at the bottom onto the road, they were met by a wagon. The merchant atop it stared wide-eyed as the five barely dressed women emerged onto the road. He agreed to take them to the city, since that was his destination anyway. He talked animatedly, staring at the women lecherously, until they reached the city. Danica thanked him, gave him a coin, and then led the women up the small hill to Zoraster's abode. Celes and Zoraster met them at the gates. A guard led the group into a guardhouse nearby, and Zoraster waited outside as Celes produced clothing for all the women, who immediately dressed. "Are ye alright, Dearie?" Celes asked Danica. "Yes. I'm fine," Danica sighed. When the women were all dressed, Celes led them outside. A coach had pulled up near the gates while the women were inside the guardhouse. "My coach will deliver you all back to your homes," Zoraster said, gesturing grandly to the carriage. "Thank you, kind sir — and you, lady," the brunette who had apparently become spokesman for the group said to Zoraster and Danica. Zoraster's lip twisted into a crooked smile. "You're quite welcome." Soldiers helped the women into the carriage and the driver set it into motion. Once it had rolled out from the gates, Zoraster turned with an impatient look on his face. "Let us be off before the scavengers drag away everything. You were supposed to take care of this before returning, little rose." Zoraster scolded. "The women were frightened," Danica offered as an excuse. "Bah," Zoraster snorted. "Come." A group of soldiers emerged from the gatehouse, led by Brandon. They all formed into tight ranks and Brandon saluted. "We go to survey the area where the goblins had made their den. Gather near," Zoraster ordered, and raised his staff over his head. The group of soldiers moved forward, as did Danica and Celes. Danica could not believe the man thought to transport himself, the two women, and a dozen guards such a distance, to a place he had never physically been. Danica heard him speak a word of command and felt the magic grab hold of her. She recognized that they were just outside the clearing near the cave a moment later. Many of the guards fell to their knees to retch. Brandon managed to keep his gorge down, but still looked green. "Damn but I hate magic," he grumbled. "Not so bad the second time though." Danica and Celes both rolled their eyes. "Ye gods an' demons lass — ye sure made a right mess," Celes observed. Danica surveyed the scene in daylight. Twisted and blackened goblins and pieces of the zombies littered the clearing. The necromancer lay in a puddle of blood at its center. Flies swarmed all over the area, and the stench was horrible. "Bloody hell," Brandon exclaimed from behind Danica. "Remind me to never get on your bad side." Danica glanced back with a perturbed look, and Brandon backed away holding up his hands defensively. "If you are all quite through?" Zoraster said impatiently. "Gather the bodies — or what's left of them — over there." He pointed to the spot where he wished the men to place the bodies. "Bring everything else from inside the cave and place it where I stand now. Danica, Celes — come with me." The soldiers nodded and moved to obey. Zoraster led the women to the Necromancer in the center of the clearing. He swatted at the air once, and then spoke a word of magic. Every single fly in the area suddenly dropped to the ground — instantly dead. Strip him and find everything he has on him," Zoraster commanded the two women. Celes and Danica tried to hold their breath, and managed to fight the robes off the man's stiff body. They gathered pouches of spell components, a few pieces of jewelry, and other assorted belongings from the robes and off his body. "Give me that ring," Zoraster ordered when Danica removed a silver band set with a sapphire from one of the man's fingers. Danica handed over the ring and Zoraster examined it closely. He then snarled and kicked the corpse at his feet. "Stupid bastard," he snarled. "I had use for this woman." The Archmage kicked the corpse again as he finished speaking. The soldiers dragged out the first of the bodies and items from the cave. Zoraster ignored the bodies of the goblins, but paid close attention to the two human female corpses that emerged. When the soldiers ceased to bring bodies, Zoraster inquired and learned there were no more bodies inside. "Bah — the meddler must have turned her into one of the walking dead that you blasted into unrecognizable chunks." Zoraster kicked the Necromancer's body again to vent his frustration. He then pulled out his amulet and touched it to the one around Danica's neck. He concentrated for a moment and then pulled away. "Yes, curse the fool, she was the last to fall. Tenacious even in death it seems." That mystery solved, Zoraster went to the pile of objects that was still emerging from the cave to examine them. Brandon dragged the goblin corpses from the clearing over to where the other bodies lay, and then scratched his head, looking at the bits of the blasted zombies. "Leave them," Zoraster ordered as the last of the soldiers emerged from the cave and deposited a gilded wooden box in the pile. "Is this all?" He asked of the soldier. "All except the furniture and a few clay mugs, Sir," the man answered. Zoraster grunted and deposited all the items into a bag of holding. He rose and walked back to the bodies. "My necromancers will learn what they can from these. Come, we are returning." The soldiers moved near. Danica said, "The women should be returned to their families." Only after speaking, did she consider that it was perhaps unwise to disagree with Zoraster. "Oh, do feel free to gather up the bits and pieces of their blackened corpses and deliver them to their families, little rose. I'm sure they'll be overjoyed," Zoraster said sweeping his hand in an encompassing gesture of the clearing. Danica flushed with embarrassment. "At least these two," she clarified, pointing at the blonde woman the goblin had suffocated and another dark-haired girl who could not have been more than sixteen. "Bah, very well. I would likely learn little from their corpses save what it is like to be repeatedly raped by goblins." Zoraster said and closed his eyes in concentration. A moment later, another wizard appeared in the clearing. "Take these two women's bodies to the towns where women have disappeared. Find whom they belong to and unload them. Let the people know the foul goblins responsible are dead." Zoraster said the last with a haughty false air of nobility. The wizard nodded and ordered the two bodies dragged aside. He then teleported away, once the corpses were in position. "If there is nothing further, little rose?" Zoraster asked mockingly. Danica lowered her head and stepped forward. Zoraster transported them back to the complex. ------- Part 5C Celes was in the room when Danica awoke early the next morning, "Ye've grown strong in yer art dearie," Celes said. "Not strong enough. It was a near thing many times," Danica said, and then told Celes the story of what had happened. Celes let out an explosive breath when Danica finished her tale, "Whoo — so many powerful spells so quickly. Dearie, yer lucky. Drawin' on that much power coulda left ye unable ta defend yerself in the slightest." "I was overconfident," Danica admitted. "With the new spells I've learned, I felt that a few goblins would be no match for me." "Even the easy battle can turn against ye, Dearie. Remember ye that, next time." Danica nodded. She then remembered something she had thought about while reading the texts on illusion. She knew that men saw Celes as she should be, not as she was. Danica wanted to know what Celes really looked like before Zoraster cursed her with his dark wish. She slipped into the second sight, concentrating intently on Celes. She saw the faint edges of the dweomer, and concentrated harder on it. For just a split second, she saw the image of a young woman with dark hair, though she could make out little detail. Fingers snapped in front of her face. "Danica, where did ye go lass?" Celes asked when Danica's eyes focused on the real world again. "I'm sorry, Celes. I'm still a little weary I suppose. I sort of got lost in a daze I guess," Danica replied. "Lemme get ye some water," Celes offered, and stood up to go fill a glass. Danica slipped into the second sight again. She found it was somewhat easier and quicker this time. She saw the image of a shapely woman bent over filling the glass. She caught just a glimpse of a very young, beautiful face — almost teen like — when Celes turned back toward her. Danica slipped out of the second sight and smiled, accepting the water from Celes. "Ye should rest some more, Dearie. Yer actin' right strange," Celes observed. "I'm needin' to be goin'. I've things I must do t'day. Get ye some rest, Dearie." "I will Celes," Danica promised. The old woman nodded and left the room. Danica gasped in wonder at the image she had seen while forcing herself to see the illusion. Celes was beautiful beyond anything she had ever imagined. She felt her eyes grow moist when she thought about how hellish it must be for Celes to be trapped in an old sagging body. Danica sighed and stood up. She thought about the drug mentioned by the apprentice in the text, and decided to go see what she could discover about it. She went first to the apothecary on the grounds. She waited patiently while the old man ground up some herbs with a mortar and pestle, and then inquired about the drug. "Aye, I know of it," the herbalist said. "I even used it a wee bit when I was a lad. It's not so dangerous, as long as it's used in small quantities and not so often. It opens up the mind and heightens your senses. I used it when I was seeking a lady's company, because I was a shy lad. Whenever I did manage to find one to tryst with, it was incredible. The drug awakens all your senses. I fear I probably enjoyed it much more than the lasses I was with though." He chuckled a bit before continuing, "I've not the herbs to make any though. You might try in the city, he's better stocked than I am." Danica thanked the man, and passed him a coin in addition. His eyes widened, and he thanked her for her generosity. Danica smiled and left the apothecary to go obtain permission to go to the city. The wizard approved her request, and Danica found the apothecary in the city a short while later. It was a beautiful building with expensive stained glass windows. Danica entered and heard a bell tinkle as she opened the door. "Ah — welcome. Welcome," the man behind the counter greeted her. Danica's breath caught in her throat. The shopkeeper was stunningly handsome. He was perhaps thirty, though his face looked younger. He had long dark hair, pulled back into a tail on his head. She could see the well-toned muscles of his arms as he clapped and stepped out from behind the counter. "What can I do for the beautiful lady," he said and brought her hand to his lips to kiss it. Danica blushed. I have some ideas about what you can do for me. Enough of that Danica, you're here on business. "I wonder if you might know of a drug called Poplium?" "Of course. Of course," the shopkeeper revealed. "Seeking some enlightenment are you? Have you used this drug before?" He walked behind the counter and reached beneath it as he asked the questions. "No, I read something about it and was curious," Danica replied. "It is truly a wonderful experience," he said and produced a small case of glass vials from beneath the counter. "You should never use very much, or use it very often. It can be dangerous when used overmuch." Danica nodded and said, "So I've been told." "It is also known to cause strange reactions in some. Some people seem to be allergic to the compounds in the potion. That can be dangerous as well. I need to make sure you are aware of the possible dangers." "Maybe I should have someone observe me when I use it the first time," Danica mused. "Indeed — it would be wise to do so. I also have a potion here which counteracts the effects of the drug, if it seems to be harming you. If you are to purchase any of the drug, you should buy one of these as well. This provides some security until you are sure you will be unharmed in taking the drug." "Yes, I'm interested. I don't know who I'll have watch me though," Danica said as she considered possibilities. Celes is out of the question. She'd cajole me until I went deaf. Andrea is too young and impressionable. She could end up using far more dangerous things if she sees me experimenting with this. "I would be happy to observe you and be prepared to administer the antidote, if you wish," the shopkeeper offered. Danica smiled and batted her eyes at the strikingly handsome man. "I wonder if I'm safe taking this and leaving myself at your mercy," she said with obvious put-upon worry. He laughed, "You tease me." Clearing his throat, he continued, "You have nothing to fear. I am the model of the gentleman." He then bowed, looking up and smiling at her throughout the elegant motion. Danica laughed as well. "I accept your offer," she said and pulled out her coin purse. The merchant waved his hand and pulled one of the vials from the case. "Let us wait until you have tested the drug before you spend any of your coin. If it does not work for you, or works badly, I will not charge you." He then handed the vial to Danica. "How kind of you, Sir," she said and examined the vial. The liquid was translucent amber in color. She unstoppered the vial and sniffed. The potion had a sweet, fruity odor. It looked more or less harmless, so Danica tipped up the vial and drank the contents. "It will take a few minutes to begin affecting you. Please, sit here," the man suggested, and gestured to a comfortable looking chair. Danica sat down and waited. She thought at first the drug was going to have no effect on her, and then she felt its effects. Her senses came to life. Colors were more vivid. Sounds from the street outside were clear and loud. She could smell the myriad of scents from the herbs and potions in the shop as if they were directly beneath her nose. She looked up at the handsome shopkeeper, and felt her desire flare to brilliant life within her. She gasped as she felt wetness gather between her legs and her breathing speed up. Impulse took over. Danica stood up from the chair and walked to him, kissing him passionately. She held her body pressed close against him as she kissed. "It would seem you are having no bad reaction to the drug," the shopkeeper observed with a smile, when Danica released him from the kiss. Danica smiled back, with desire in her eyes, and licked her lips. The man gently pushed her away and held up a finger to indicate she should wait for him a moment. He went to the door of the shop and locked it. His eyes went wide when he turned back to see Danica dropping her blouse to the floor and bringing her hands up to caress her breasts. Something in his peripheral vision caused the shopkeeper to turn, and he saw a young man looking in the window. The hapless passerby stared at Danica with his mouth wide open, as she ran her hands down her body and pulled on the waist of the long skirt she wore. The merchant hurried across the room and managed to get Danica safely into a back room just as she stepped out of her skirt. He glanced back and saw the young man still standing there with his eyes and mouth wide open. With a shrug and a smile, the shopkeeper closed his back room door. When he turned back to Danica, she kicked her panties off one foot, completing her hurried disrobing. She glided toward him, running her hands along her body. "Oh my," he said as he drank in the sight of her nude body. Danica reached him and ran her hands over his chest. She then gripped his shirt and pulled hard, ripping it open. Buttons went flying everywhere and Danica leaned in to kiss his chest with rapid pecks. He moaned and reached around her to squeeze her buttocks. Danica could smell the scent of the sweet oil he used in his hair. The sound of his quickening breath echoed in her ears. Her sex screamed for attention, so wet now it was close to dripping. She jerked his trousers down, gasping as his cock popped out. It was rock hard and of a very nice length. Dropping to her knees, she ran her tongue over his well-defined body as she slid downward, pulling his trousers down to his ankles along the way. When she reached her knees, she grasped his manhood, and then engulfed it in her mouth. He moaned and stroked her cheek softly. Danica greedily sucked him, feeling every throb of the shaft in her mouth. The sweet taste of a drop of pre-cum flooded Danica's mouth with intense sensations as her head bobbed over his manhood. Danica's senses screamed in ecstasy as she continued to suck him at a furious pace. Her hand stroked him so fast it was a blur. Her mouth slipped over his turgid flesh almost as quickly. She heard him gasp and grunt, and squealed around his cock as he flooded her mouth with sweet cum. Danica shivered from the intensity of the taste, the feeling of his seed sliding down her throat, and the sounds of his quick gasps. She thought she was going to come without being touched. He pulled away from her suctioning mouth with a loud gasp. Danica licked her lips and panted for breath for a moment, and then lay back on the floor. She pulled on his legs to guide him downward. He knelt, and Danica dragged his mouth to her aching sex. His tongue only touched her lightly for a few moments before she exploded into the most intense orgasm she had ever experienced. She gushed a fountain of her juices into his face, screaming shrilly as her orgasm exploded from every inch of her body. She held his face tightly against her, and his tongue continued to wash over her. Danica's whole body was on fire, and teetered right on the edge of ultimate ecstasy. Then she tumbled over, coming with ferocious intensity once again. It felt to Danica as if she were in the grip of a never-ending orgasm. Each wave rolled over her without warning and exploded throughout her entire body. Her vision swam as orgasm after orgasm made her writhe and scream. She felt his face pull away from her. She growled in disappointment at first, and then growled in pleasure as his cock filled her. Danica could see nothing by the time she first climaxed on his cock. Her vision had gone so blurred that nothing was visible. Sounds echoed faintly in her ears. She continuously quivered and quaked, only to have another orgasm pull her body taut every few minutes. Danica heard him scream and felt his cum flooding her depths. She screamed with him, as the most intense orgasm yet grabbed hold of her body. Her back arched high, until only her feet and head were touching the floor. Her bottom slammed down as the first wave released her, and then she was bucking her hips to stroke his cock inside her. Danica's vision swam again as another wave of her orgasm passed through her body. Then her world went dark. She awoke a few moments later, still gasping for air. He had collapsed atop her, and they were both dripping with sweat. It took them long moments to pull apart, and it was nearly half an hour before they managed to rise from the wet and sticky floor. "Gods above, I was not expecting that," the shopkeeper admitted and followed it with an explosive exhale. "I-I don't think I reacted badly to the drug," Danica gasped and smiled. "You most certainly didn't," he agreed and smiled back. They eventually recovered, managed to dress, and left the back room to return to the shopfront. The merchant breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't see the young man still there with his face still pressed against the glass. The shopkeeper gave Danica four vials of the drug without charging her, admonishing her again to not use very much or use it very often, and telling her to come back any time. Danica made her way to a tavern across the street and purchased something to eat. The food in her stomach lessened the still intense effects of the drug enough that she felt confident in her ability to make the walk back to Zoraster's abode. Her toy hummed inside her for an hour before she was satisfied. ------- Danica turned her mind toward the crafting of a new magic item, the one she had been inspired to create while stroking her toy in Andrea. She considered the construction of the item first. It did not take her long to discard the idea of working in clay. It would be too heavy, and she doubted she could make the item in such a way that firing would not deform it. She thought of the flail handle Francine had pushed into her depths, and decided it would be possible to craft the item in wood. Danica went to the tradesman's workshops on the grounds first, but she felt uncomfortable speaking to the men who worked in wood there. From what she could see, they worked with bulkier pieces than she had in mind anyway. Obtaining permission to do so first, Danica walked down the hill into the city. She soon discovered a shop where a middle-aged woman and her daughter crafted fine pieces such as toys and musical instruments. The latter in particular fit well with the ideas Danica had in mind on how to craft the item. She spoke to the older woman, vaguely describing the type of work she wanted done. The woman considered for a minute, eyeing Danica with a look that spoke of sensing something unsaid. "Something is striking me as odd — but yes, I do that kind of work. It's very similar to a flute, but bigger," the woodcarver explained. A man walked in as the woman finished speaking, nodded to Danica, and beckoned the woodcarver aside. The woman apologized and went to speak with the man outside the shop. She stomped back in a minute or so later. "My fool of a husband has gotten drunk, and tossed in jail for brawling again. I'll have to make my way there and get him free. My apologies, Miss. My daughter is just as capable in the craft as I, so you may do your business with her. Daughter, your fool of a father is locked up again. I'm off to fetch him. I'll likely be gone a week. Take care of the lady here and try and keep up with the work as best you can. Take no new work unless you know you can handle it yourself. I'll already be on the road when you leave tonight." The pretty dark-haired girl sighed and walked over to kiss her mother. "I will do my best mother. Go bring the old fool home." "I'll drive the drunkard home with a switch," the woman snapped in exasperation, and then stomped out of the shop. The daughter smiled and said, "I'm sorry I did not hear what you wanted made. I was busy and paying no attention as you spoke. Please, tell me what you want." Danica again described in vague terms what she wanted made. She saw the young woman blushing as she spoke and her eyebrows twitched upward when she noticed, but she continued on with her description. "It sounds very similar to work I've done before. I'm sure I can do it, but I'll need a better description to know for sure. Please come with me. You can look at some of the pieces I've completed and that I'm working on. It might give you a better idea to describe what you want for me." Danica followed the woman to her workbench. She explained that the flute the woman was working on followed many of the properties she needed. It needed to be hollow, but closed on one end, and much bigger around than the flute. Another customer came in, and Danica waited at the girl's workbench while she went to speak with the customer. Danica looked around the area at various completed pieces, and the hem of her robes caught an ink jar, spilling it. Danica looked around quickly and found a rag, wiping up the ink before it ran onto anything other than the bench. The she noticed what the rag had been covering. It was a very realistically carved cock. About six inches long, it even had detail of veins in it. Danica picked it up and felt the finely sanded surface, very similar to Francine's flail handle. A fine layer of shellac covered about half of the carving, making it feel even smoother. The young woman returned and blushed when she saw Danica handling the wooden cock. "This is beautiful," Danica said. The woman's blush deepened. "It's... I..." Danica held up her hand and smiled. "It's alright, Dear. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Every woman pleasures herself. You've simply decided there's a better way than your fingers, and used your skills to obtain it." The young woman still blushed as she responded, "You do it?" Danica chuckled, "Of course, quite often." She smiled and continued, "Sometimes you need release, and there's no man around to help. Sometimes you need to be filled, but don't want the trouble of the man attached to the cock. I would wager — considering how detailed this is — that you have little trouble finding the real thing." Danica offered a sly smile and a wink when she finished. Danica's accepting and somewhat conspiratorial demeanor set the woman more at ease. "You want something like this, don't you?" She asked. "It's very close, though I think we won't need to spend quite so much time on the details as you have here. What I intend to do will require my magic, and it would be much easier if I could craft the item myself. If you could teach me the basic skills I need, I can use my magic to make your toy something incredible," Danica offered. The young woman smiled. "I'll try. Have you done anything like this before? Are your hands steady and your eyes sharp?" Danica nodded. "I'm pretty good working with clay. I have made pieces just as detailed as what you have here. I'm sure that with the basic knowledge; I can learn to work in wood too." "Well then, let's try and teach you what you need to know. My name is Carolyn," the young woman said with a smile. "Thank you, Carolyn. My name is Danica. Finish your toy first. Explain to me what you use to coat it, and how it's done as you finish. It's sort of starting at the end, but I want you to have the physical item done so that I can use my magic on it tomorrow. I'll do it because you're going to try to teach me. Even if I'm a poor student, you'll still have your payment." The young woman smiled and sat down to finish her work shellacking the toy. Danica listened intently, making notes about the resins and other things used to make the shellac. In only an hour or so, Carolyn finished. "It should be fully cured by tomorrow afternoon," Carolyn explained as she placed the toy on a rack that hung from a small stove at the back of the shop. "Good, that should give me enough time to study your craft, work my magic, and have your payment ready by nightfall." Danica twitched her eyebrows and winked. The young woman blushed and giggled. "Well, I have a flute to work on. Since you wish to make hollow..." She paused — searching for a word — and then appeared to give up. "Since you need something similar, that's a good place to start that will let me keep up with the work I already have." The young woman put a partially hollowed dowel of wood on the table, and then reached into one of the numerous drawers in the workbench to retrieve the tools she needed. Danica watched and listened carefully as the young woman described what tools were necessary and how to use them. After a few minutes, Danica took a larger tool of the same kind and began to work on a dowel of wood similar in size to what she intended to work with later. It took her some time to figure out how to hold the tools, but she found the proper technique to hollow out her dowel with some skill by the time Carolyn finished her work on the flute. Carolyn sat back with a sigh and wiped her brow. She blushed when her belly rumbled loudly enough that someone on the other side of the room could have heard it. Danica laughed and noticed the latest of the hour. She hadn't realized how long they had been working, "Let's go get something to eat," she suggested with another laugh. Danica picked out a fine tavern nearby, and she paid for the meal. Carolyn had never eaten anywhere except her own home before, and she enjoyed the experience a lot. She also had never drunk undiluted wine before, and she was quite giddy by the time they finished eating. Danica had caught sight of a messenger boy when she and Carolyn first sat down, and had given him a coin to take a message back to Zoraster's abode requesting to stay in the city longer. The boy returned just as they finished their meal, sweating and winded from the long run between the city and the complex on the hill. Danica gave him another coin, which he thanked her outrageously for, and then read the reply. She was surprised to find permission granted for three days and nights, with only the stipulation that she must return on the fourth day before high sun. "He was a bit too thankful to be believable," Danica said with a laugh when she finished reading. "He should practice a bit more and tone it down a bit." "I imagine the thanks were genuine," Carolyn disagreed. "The first coin you gave him is what he could expect to earn for two deliveries. The second made it enough to likely rival the most he's ever made in a day." "I had no idea. The city is fairly large, and this area is affluent. I assumed I was close to the normal payment," Danica admitted with a shrug. "That's true. You just don't know how stingy the people here are with their coin," Carolyn clarified with a laugh. Danica laughed with her. "I guess I should find a room. This seems as good a place as any." "Oh please, come stay with me. It's lonely in the house by myself. That way we can leave together in the morning and you won't have to worry about oversleeping or waiting on me to arrive at the shop." Danica smiled and responded, "Thank you — I will," while working hard not to stare at the young woman overmuch, which was difficult because of Carolyn's beauty and inherent sensuality. They left the tavern and Carolyn led Danica past the shop a short way down the street. Carolyn pointed to the house when they neared it. She then paused for a moment and whispered, "Oh my..." "What is it?" Danica asked and looked in the direction where Carolyn was trying hard not to stare. "Kyle. Ooo, he makes me so wet," Carolyn said, and then pursed her lips as her face turned bright red. Danica laughed quietly, noticing that handsome young Kyle was trying just as hard not to stare in their direction as Carolyn was trying not to stare at him. "He likes you too." "Really?" Carolyn said and broke into a wide smile. She frowned a bit after a moment and asked, "How do you know?" Danica wiggled her fingers. "Magic, silly," she answered and winked. "Go talk to him. Trust me. I'll just go to the house." "You can sleep in my mother's room. It's the first door." Carolyn smiled and walked over toward Kyle. Danica couldn't help but smile too as she watched the young woman doing her best to imitate the gliding, swaying walk of an experienced woman on the prowl. Carolyn's house was small, but fine. It contained a common room, two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a bathhouse. The bathhouse alone revealed that the family was fairly well off. The fine furnishings confirmed it. Danica peeked out the window and saw Carolyn and Kyle sitting down to talk. Danica put on water to boil, and enjoyed a short bath once the water finished heating. When she looked back out the window again, she saw the couple had moved into the shadows. They were kissing, and the kissing was rapidly progressing toward heavy petting. Danica laughed and went into the bedroom. Both the bedrooms had a common wall, and shared a wall with the common room as well. She pulled off her robes and relaxed in the bed, finding it very comfortable. She soon dozed off. On the edge between sleep and waking, Danica heard the door open, and two quiet voices. One voice belonged to Carolyn, and the other voice was male. Danica smiled knowingly as she heard the door to the other bedroom open. Wetness built up between Danica's legs as she thought about what she was sure was going on in the next room. She toyed with an idea for a moment, and then cast a clairvoyance and clairaudience spell on the impulse. The young couple kissed deeply, their hands roaming over each other. Clothing fell to the floor and Danica licked her lips at the sight of Carolyn's fresh young body. Her breasts were small, but perfectly shaped and firm. The nipples were also small, just little raised bumps surrounded by the darker circle of her areoles. Carolyn trimmed the hair on her mound short, and Danica could see just a hint of the brunette's labia. The young man's body was no less arousing — tight and muscular in the manner of someone who works, but does not need to lift heavy loads all day. He had sandy blonde hair that was somewhat stiff, and Danica doubted it would muss easily. He also trimmed his body hair, so his cock looked clean and smooth. Danica thought it would feel incredible in her mouth. She reached for her robes and the toy that was in one of the pockets. Danica stroked the toy slowly into her as she watched the young couple pleasuring each other. She came several times, the last when the young man pulled from Carolyn — who had just came again as well — and shot his cream all over her belly and firm breasts. Danica licked her lips as Carolyn brought his sweet cum to her lips with her fingers. She wished she were in the room to help clean up the woman's beautiful young body. The young man got dressed and left after a final kiss. Danica banished her spells and lay back on the bed, her toy lying next to her covered in her juices. She didn't have the energy to pick it up and speak the word of command to shrink and clean it. She barely found the breath to deactivate its magic at all. Danica started slightly when she heard the door to the bedroom open. Carolyn peeked in and blushed. Danica still lay nude on the bed, her wetness glistening on her lips and her toy. Danica noticed that Carolyn appeared to have some difficulty tearing her gaze away from the sight in front of her. "I'm sorry, I... We didn't disturb you much did we?" She asked with her eyes averted — though not by much. "Mmm," Danica moaned. "Not at all," she said and laughed a little. "It sounded like you enjoyed yourself." Danica pulled covers over her nude body as she spoke. Carolyn blushed and giggled. "It was incredible. It was the first time I've done it in a bed. I've always had to sneak away somewhere before and worry about being quiet." "Well don't worry about being quiet around me, please," Danica said and smiled coyly. Danica again caught the girl's eyes falling on the upper globes of her breasts exposed above the covers. Well now, I wonder... Danica thought as the young woman opened the door again to leave. "I just wanted to apologize if we disturbed you. I'm going to bed now. I'll see you in the morning." "Good night, and sleep well." Danica found she was shuddering and licking her lips as she thought about lying with the gorgeous young woman. She thought for a few moments about how young Carolyn was — about the same age as Andrea. The more she thought about it, the more she considered that the woman obviously understood sex. She also knew there was more than coincidence in some of the glances the lovely brunette woman had given her. As she drifted off to sleep, Danica's thoughts turned toward ideas that would carefully steer conversations and situations around the subject to see how Carolyn would react. ------- Danica awoke quite early, before the sun rose. She went to heat water to have a bath, since Carolyn was not yet awake. She heard Carolyn shuffling around as she relaxed in the shallow tub. It was long enough she could lay out full length in it, but shallow enough that it didn't take much water to fill it. The three barrels in the room held enough water to fill the tub a dozen times. A knock on the door preceded Carolyn saying, "Danica?" "I'm in here," Danica answered. The door opened and Carolyn started a bit. "Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were out." Danica laughed. "It's all right, and I'm getting out now. I'll put on some more water if you want to bathe too," she said as she rose from the tub. As she stood up dripping from the tub, Danica again saw more than casual interest in Carolyn's glance. The brunette's eyes continued to dart over Danica as she toweled dry. Stepping away from the tub, Danica said, "Go ahead and get in, the water is still warm. I'll put on some more to boil. It should be done long before the water cools." Danica wrapped a towel around her and went to put on another kettle of water. Carolyn hesitated for only a moment, and then undressed. She settled into the tub with a content sigh. Danica talked with the young woman while heating the water, glancing at Carolyn's body on occasion. She allowed Carolyn to notice the looks, but attempted to give the impression that the glances were covert. When the steaming kettle started to whistle, Danica brought it over to the tub. She reached down and gently moved Carolyn's legs aside, turning her on her side slightly and exposing her bottom beneath the water. "Be careful now, I don't want to burn you." Danica poured in the water slowly, moving her hand in the bathwater to circulate the warmer water around. She kept her face casual as she swirled little whirlpools of water against the young woman's sex. Danica had a hard time keeping up the act when she noticed the young woman's breathing pick up in response to the subtle tease. Danica then backed off from her carefully coordinated little tests to talk about woodworking as Carolyn finished her bath and dried. They both dressed again, took some bread and cheese from the kitchen to break their fast, and made their way to the shop. Danica continued to work on hollowing her dowel as the young woman put together some toys that needed to be finished that day. By the time the woman who had commissioned the toys arrived just before high sun, Danica had hollowed out her dowel nearly to the other end. She felt she was adept enough at this that she could manage what she needed to do for her magical crafting. Carolyn then demonstrated the finer and more difficult work of carving shapes from the wood for Danica next. She was working on a frame for a painting, and it was to have a very specific rounded shape, as well as carved patterns in its surface. They stopped a couple of hours later and went to get something to eat from the tavern. Danica also stopped by an apothecary to acquire several components she did not carry with her, which she would need to enchant Carolyn's toy. They then returned to the shop. "Is it ready, do you think?" Danica asked. Carolyn nodded. "Yes, it should be well cured by now." "If you don't mind, I'll take it back to the house to work my enchantments. I'll need solitude to work my spells correctly. I should be done by the time you normally go home. Take this and bring us food and drink when you return. I'll probably need to eat when I'm done, and a little wine never hurts." She handed Carolyn some coins to pay for the purchases. Carolyn nodded and smiled while and Danica carefully wrapped the wooden cock in a cloth. The young woman went back to work, and Danica took the toy back to the house. She sat it on a table and arranged the components she would need for her spells of enchantment. If she attempted to place strong enchantments or too many of them on the toy, the magic would fail. She would have needed to be present and casting spells over the item during its entire crafting to have done that. As it was, the enchantments she would cast were simple. She had already researched them while crafting her own toy and should have little trouble with them. Danica cast the preparatory spells almost immediately. The castings went quickly and without problem, so Danica completed them within the hour. She sat back and relaxed for a few minutes, then prepared the components for the next series of enchantments. She thought carefully about which ones she would use on the toy. The enchantment she had used on her own to shrink it required preparatory enchantments during the crafting of the item. Carolyn would simply have to hide her toy by mundane means. The enchantment that caused Danica's toy to 'come' inside her depended heavily on knowing how her own body reacted during orgasm, because that was the trigger for that magic. She didn't know enough about Carolyn to enact that enchantment either. Danica knew she could make the warm up, take on the feel of flesh, and throb. She could also cause it to vibrate and hum slightly, though the stronger vibrations of her toy and the way the tip of the shaft rotated would be beyond the enchantments she could place on this item. Having decided what she could and could not accomplish, Danica was ready. She wove her magic over the item and smiled in satisfaction as the nimbus of magic from the final spell surrounded the wooden cock. Danica relaxed for a few seconds, but found that the spells had taken little from her. They were relatively simple compared to the enchantments she had used on her own toys. She picked up the wooden cock, took a deep breath, and spoke the word of command that would activate its magic. Danica purred when she felt the cock grow softer, warm to body temperature, and throb in her hand. The vibrations were quite intense, revealing that she had exceeded her expectations of how much magic the toy could hold. She spoke the word that caused the item's magic to cease, and then took it into Carolyn's room, where she placed it on the bed. She then returned to the common room and glanced outside, noticing it was nearing dusk. Carolyn would return soon. Carolyn returned to the house within a quarter hour. She had a wide smile on her face and a look of anticipation. She carried two meat pies and a small sack that contained fresh peaches and a bottle of wine. They ate and spoke of Carolyn's work that day. Danica drank two glasses of wine, but Carolyn consumed much more, despite Danica's admonition she should probably slow down. The bottle was nearly empty by the time they finished their meal. They sat back from the table and Carolyn asked, "Is it... Is it done?" She then blushed and giggled. Danica nodded. "Yes, my enchantments are done." She then stood and said, "Come, let me show you." Danica led the girl to her room and told her to pick up the item. She then whispered the word of command to Carolyn. Carolyn said the word and gasped as the enchantments brought her toy to life. She stroked it with her hand and shivered as it throbbed under her touch. Danica smiled, and her desire for this young woman took over, "I should make sure the enchantments have taken hold properly and don't become dangerous. I could test it myself, or I could watch you play with your new toy." The color in Carolyn's face deepened, but Danica noticed a catch in Carolyn's breath and a faint shiver that urged her to press on. "I'm sure you're anxious to play with your new toy. We've seen each other's bodies. I've heard you with a man. There's nothing to be embarrassed or afraid of. All you have to do is make yourself feel good." Danica guided the young woman to sit on the bed. "Just lie back, and let your pretty toy make you feel good." Carolyn lay back slowly on the bed, bringing the throbbing toy down low. She shuddered when it came to rest on her skirt over her mound. Danica lifted Carolyn's skirt, looking into the young woman's eyes as she did so. She saw fear, embarrassment, and curiosity in Carolyn's eyes. She pulled down the brunette's panties, and Carolyn let out a slow sigh as the cloth slid down her legs. Carolyn helped Danica pull them off, and then parted her legs. Her labia already glistened with wetness. Danica helped the young woman guide her new toy between her legs. "Now make yourself feel good." Carolyn shuddered as the throbbing tip of her toy touched her lips, and then gasped as she slid it inside her. She slowly stroked the throbbing cock inside her, gasping and rolling her head back and forth as she did so. After watching Carolyn stroke herself for a short while, Danica laid her hand over Carolyn's and said in a low, sultry voice, "It feels so good doesn't it?" "Mmm — oh yes, it's wonderful," Carolyn moaned. Danica pushed on the young woman's hands, urging her to stroke the toy faster. She then wrapped her hand around the base of the shaft on impulse, to thrust a little faster and deeper with the toy. "Oh gods yes," Carolyn moaned and pulled her hands off the toy. Danica pumped it to the hilt, her hand brushing the young woman's folds with every stroke. She could feel her own panties growing damp from her arousal. Carolyn pulled her blouse up, and caressed her breasts while Danica gave her pleasure with the wooden cock. Desire overcame Danica, and she leaned down to run her tongue over the brunette's clit as she thrust the toy in and out. Carolyn started at first when she felt Danica's tongue on her, but she was too aroused to consider stopping now. The orgasm building within her felt too good to worry about anything else. Danica's tongue flicked rapidly over the young woman's throbbing bud. She stroked the toy hard and fast into Carolyn's depths. Danica ground her sex against the mattress to ease her own aching need. Carolyn gasped with each breath, moaning loudly on occasion. Suddenly she screamed, "Oh yes. Oh yes. Oh gods, YES!" Her body stiffened as she came, raising her back up from the bed. She squeezed so tightly when her orgasm came over her that she pushed the toy out of her depths. Danica slipped it back in and continued to stroke it while lapping up Carolyn's sweet juices. Danica pulled the throbbing toy from Carolyn's clinging depths when the young woman's breathing grew labored. She licked the glistening wetness from the toy, shuddering as she did so. While Carolyn moaned and writhed on the bed in the grip of her aftershocks, Danica stripped off her clothes. She climbed onto the bed and slid the throbbing toy into her own aching pussy. "Oh yes," Danica sharply gasped when Carolyn spun around on the bed and grasped the toy, bending down to flicker her tongue over Danica. "Oh yes — so good. Use your tongue on me. Taste me. Fuck me. Make me come," Danica gasped. The brunette responded by sucking harder on Danica's swollen, throbbing clit, and thrusting faster with the toy. Danica came with a scream shortly thereafter. Carolyn loudly moaned and pulled the toy free, replacing it with her tongue. She lapped for Danica's sweet cum while making excited little sounds of delight. They both managed to lie down lengthwise on the bed again when Danica came down from her heights, and they shared a deep kiss. Carolyn blushed and said, "I can't believe I just did that. You're just so beautiful — so sensual. When you put your tongue on me, I knew I had to do it too." Danica kissed her again. "I could sense your curiosity. I knew a part of you wanted it, but you were afraid because the world tells you it's wrong. Don't listen to closed-minded people. Nothing that feels this good — is shared so intimately between two friends — can be wrong." "I don't know what I'm going to do when you leave," Carolyn said looking into Danica's eyes. "Play with your toy that is crafted with our love and skill. Find handsome young men to fill you and taste you, and keep your eyes open. You'll find that many women have a hidden desire to be with another, even if they don't know it themselves. I'm sure you'll find another woman to play with your pretty pussy and let you taste her." Carolyn smiled and shuddered. Danica spoke the word of command to make the toy's magic cease, then cleaned it carefully — first with her mouth and then with water. They lay together for a short while before desire overcame them both again. They lay entwined as they fell asleep, spent from their sweet orgasms on each other's lips. ------- They awoke the next morning, sharing each other's bodies once more before they crawled out of bed. They bathed together, dressed, and then returned to the workshop. They concentrated on their work there, though they both looked and smiled at each other quite often as they did. Danica studied the young woman carefully as she demonstrated the shaping of wood, and a variety of ways to attach pieces together. Danica made sketches and practiced on her own blocks of wood, beginning to get the feel of the tools and acquiring a degree of confidence. They returned to the house that night burning with desire for each other. The food they had purchased on the way home went cold, as they found their need for each other to be stronger than their need for sustenance. The next morning, they returned to the shop and Danica practiced her carving for an hour or so. She already showed a lot of skill in shaping the wood with the delicate tools, and the block of wood she worked on looked very much like Carolyn's folds when she put it aside. Danica marveled at this artistic talent she had within her that she had never before thought to explore. She asked Carolyn to tell her the place where she and her mother acquired their tools, as well as from where they purchased the wood they used. The wood they used for their projects was extremely fine, regardless of what variety it was, and Danica wanted that same quality for her own work. The day slipped away quickly, and Danica knew she had to return to her prison before high sun. She bid Carolyn goodbye with a sigh, promising to return and learn more from her — and to share intimate moments as well. She also promised to bring other gifts, thinking the young woman would be very happy to have some of the cotton plugs for that time of the month, and thinking it likely she could find someone in the city who could make them as well. She also gave her some coin to pay for whatever fictional work Carolyn told her mother she had done for Danica. She made her way back to the complex atop the hill and to her quarters just before high sun. Zoraster entered the room only moments after she had entered herself. "You had quite an interesting visit to the city. You seem to have developed a taste for young flesh, Danica. Most of your playmates of late have been all but children," he said and laughed. "Fuck you," Danica spat out in a combination of anger and embarrassment. "Oh, no thank you," he said as he sat down, "Danielle took care of those needs for me only a few hours ago." A wicked laugh burst from him after he spoke. Danica felt her heart gripped in ice as he thought about Zoraster violating the young, mindless copy of her. "Now to business. The materials and tools you enquired about on your last little adventure would exhaust your allowance of coin from my treasury for some time. Therefore, your freedom for the task I am about to give you will be to have that coin set aside for you in addition to that already provided. You will be transported to a town where a merchant possesses an item I wish to acquire. Though he is a merchant, he will never part with it for any amount of coin. You will acquire this item and return it to me." "When do I leave?" Danica asked curtly. "Whenever you feel you are prepared," he said and then clapped. "Angelica..." The door opened and a person in a voluminous hooded robe entered. Danica could tell it was a woman only by the way she walked, and the name Zoraster called her by. The stranger handed Zoraster a sheaf of papers, which he then tossed to the bed near Danica. "This will show you how to reach the merchant's abode from my house in the town. It also details the layout of his home and warehouses to aid you. Celes will transport you, but she may not leave the house in this town. When you are prepared, seek out Celes and she will transport you. Take as much time as you need," Zoraster said and then walked toward the door with the woman in the robe following. When they reached the door Zoraster said, "Don't be rude, Angelica. Say goodbye to my little rose." The woman turned and pulled off the deep hood she wore. Danica gasped when she saw Andrea's face, knowing full well it was not Andrea but another of Zoraster's copies. Zoraster laughed wickedly, pushed the woman's hood back up, and then pulled the clone out into the hall. Danica sobbed in horror for quite some time once the door closed behind the exiting pair. ------- Part 6A When Danica finally had no tears left to cry, she stood and shuffled into her lab, hoping to stifle the memories in study. She spent the remainder of the day delving into several spell books, finding many powerful spells of defense and attack she decided she would try to learn upon her return. She might never be a match for the madman Zoraster, but she was determined to try. She sent for Celes to come to her chambers the next morning. Celes arrived a few minutes later, dressed for travel and carrying a bag. "Ye're ready ta leave then?" Celes asked. "No, I wanted to talk. The madman has made another of his sick copies. Andrea..." Danica couldn't go on, she swallowed hard and her lip quivered. "Och, I was afeared he would. Danica dear, ye have to remember these things are not real people. They have no minds other than what the madman gives 'em. I'm fer doubtin' lil' Andrea knows the thing is about, an' it's not doin' her no harm then. Try ta put it from yer mind, as there's not a lick ye can be doin' about it." "It's still wrong — the sick fucking bastard," Danica spat. "Aye, it is. He'll pay one day. One of the dark gods is sure to have his soul when somebody manages ta snuff out his magic and his life. Ye'll have ta content yerself with that dearie." I'll content myself with nothing short of seeing him dead myself, Danica thought, and then said, "He said you couldn't leave the house in this town. Have you been there before?" Celes nodded. "Aye. I was foolish enough ta be spotted leavin' a place I'd stolen somethin' the bastard wanted. I was in a rush, overconfident, an' dinna take proper precautions. I was chased by the watch an' had to zap them all with a Static Aura spell ta get away. They don't take kindly ta that, an' apparently at least a few got a good look at me. There's a reward on me 'ead there an' a jail sentence awaitin' me if'n I'm ever found. I got me freedom fer the task, but that's when he punished me wit' the baths fer bein' spotted in the process." "Do you know this merchant Zoraster wants me to steal from?" "Aye, I fear I was the one he got the information about the item from. I'ze skulkin' about gatherin' information about the merchant I was to be robbin', an' discovered this one was a friend. I went ta him ta find out what I could from the fella an' found out about the item. T' madman plucked the knowledge from me damn amulet when I returned, even though I didn't mention it. He'd not have known otherwise, 'cause the man lives in a house with walls filled all up with lead mesh. None can scry through the mesh inta his house. Dearie, I'm afeared this task is gonna be hard on ye," Celes said and softly touched Danica's cheek. "Why?" "Takin' this thing from this man is the same thing as murderin' his wife. Its power is all what keeps her alive," Celes explained with a sigh. "Oh dear gods..." Danica covered her face with her hands. Celes sighed, "I should na have been tellin' ye. Ye know how twisted the man is, if ye fail..." Celes trailed off. Danica let her hands come down. "Perhaps I can find a way. If not, I'll have to accept my punishment. I will not kill for this bastard's whims." Celes pulled her into a hug. "I've faced the same thing meself in the tasks the madman has sent me on. It's been a near thing many times. I've always managed to avoid takin' a life needlessly from one who dinna deserve it. I coulda roasted the lot o' them watchmen that night, an' then none who had seen me woulda been around ta put t' bounty on me 'ead. I chose to accept the punishment I'ze sure I'd receive." "As will I if it comes to that," Danica declared. "Aye, keep yer spirit an' keep yer convictions. There are some things the madman canna take from ye, ye have to give 'em away." They hugged again, and Danica said, "I should get ready. Do you know anything about the merchant that might help?" "I dinna know how much it will help, but 'es in dire straits. Apparently 'is wife was the brains of the business, an' they used the magical item's powers to cut better deals in their tradin'. They was makin' quite a fortune until she fell ill. In the two years since, the man has made a hash of t' business without her knowledge an' the item's magic." "It's more than I knew before. Let me put together a few things and I'll be ready to go shortly." Danica gathered up her magical items and several changes of clothing. Since she would be dealing with a merchant grieving over a sick wife, she took mostly unobtrusive clothing, though a few revealing items went in the bag as well. She picked up a few more things from her lab, and then went back out into the room where Celes awaited. Celes sat turning the carving of Carolyn's nether lips in her hand when Danica entered. Danica blushed when Celes asked, "Takin' up woodcarvin' are ye? Or is this a present from an admirer?" "Don't be sassy," Danica said, glad that her embarrassment and Celes' coy tone had lightened her mood slightly. "I have another magical crafting in mind, and I think it would be better to make it from wood than from clay. I went and found someone to teach me the basics." Celes put the wooden block down. "Have ye ever made things before? Like this I mean, 'fore ye came here?" Danica shook her head. "No, I'd always considered myself to have no real talent — not even in magic. I always thought I'd be rather mediocre at anything." "Ye're hardly that. This is good, an' I'm assumin' ye've not been workin' at it long at all. Ye'll be as good workin' in wood as clay 'fore long, I'm for thinkin'," Celes said. Danica blushed again. "Thank you. I suppose I'm as ready as I can be. Let's go and hope I can find a way around my dilemma." Celes fell into her spell casting, and they vanished from the room. ------- Danica spent the first day in the town — Gottside — wandering around learning the layout. It was essentially a boomtown, grown over the last five years or so from a rude village by the opening of a road up into nearby mountains cutting a journey between two prosperous cities in half. The town was somewhere near the midpoint between the two and served as a waypoint between them for travelers. Several temples were under construction, and they were of a style unfamiliar to Danica. Made mostly of granite and marble, they would obviously sport many columns. The mode of dress the people of the region seemed to favor involved robes or togas. The style was prevalent enough that Danica felt somewhat out of place, but quite a few people who were obviously foreigners wandered about town in styles more like hers. She stood out because of how she dressed, but her style wasn't unique enough to be a curiosity. It didn't really help Danica feel any less self-conscious, however. The people also spoke the common tongue with a heavy accent. They spoke in their native tongue when talking amongst themselves. The people seemed to switch back and forth between both languages with little trouble. Danica learned that what Celes had told her about the merchant held true. He was barely making enough to keep himself in business. His name was Corydon Wayreth, and he had apparently recently admitted he needed someone with real skill to keep his books. The pay he offered had not enticed any applicants, however. Danica had her way into the man's confidence. She was quite sure she could pose as a bookkeeper. Actually, she could likely accomplish exactly what the man needed. She had kept the books of accounts for her mageware shop, and doubted she would have any difficulty organizing the bills and credits. She returned to the house Celes had teleported them to. It was identical in almost every way to every other house Zoraster used as an outpost, and Danica wondered how many of these dens he had scattered throughout the world. She told Celes of her plan and then lay down to sleep, planning to seek the man out in the morning. Danica made her way to the man's offices attached to his home the next morning. She found him bent over the books with a confused and frustrated look on his face. He appeared to be in his thirties — not terribly attractive, but not ugly either. A short beard hid his weak chin somewhat, but did little to distract from his hawk-like nose. He looked as if he had slept very little in quite some time. His brown eyes were bloodshot, and his hair of the same hue looked hastily groomed. "Excuse me sir," Danica said when he didn't even notice her come in. "My name is Andrea, and I hear you are in need of a bookkeeper." The man started when she first spoke, and then sighed as he responded, "Yes, terribly." He pushed the books away before continuing, "Though I'm afraid I can offer very little pay. Two gold per week plus room and board, until I get things back on track." He sat back heavily in his chair with another great sigh. "I'm without support or lodging in a strange place. I left my home when I was assaulted by my employer and nobody would believe my word over his. I've used up my meager savings and have no means. I'll take the job if you'll have me." The merchant's face lit up with obvious relief. "Oh, oh, excellent," he exclaimed, clapping his hands. "I hope you can make sense of this. I fear I have only made it worse," he explained, gesturing at the books. "Please, let me take a look at them," Danica said and took the chair when he vacated it. She looked over the books that were on the desk, finding a jumbled mess of scribbled notes about the accounts, mathematical errors, and numerous ink spots. This is going to be more difficult than I thought. "Can you do anything with it?" The man asked hopefully. Danica slowly acquired a sense of the man's scribbling as she examined the pages. "I believe so, but it will take time." She turned and looked at the shelves behind her as she continued, "Are those the rest of the accounts?" "Oh, yes, all the books from the first day I went into business are there." "Do you have any blank account books? I'll have to do a lot of rewriting to straighten this all out I'm afraid." "Oh, yes, there are some in that trunk over there. If you can straighten this mess out, you will have more if you need them." "I'll get to work then. Should I take this elsewhere so you can have your office?" Corydon put his hands before him in an exaggerated gesture of warding, "This is no longer my office. It is a prison with bars of parchment and numbers. Please, stay here and work. My wife always said she could work on the books nowhere else, because the clutter I had elsewhere was too much to bear." Danica looked around and understood what Corydon said perfectly. The room was a shambles, and the first thing she needed to do was organize it into something that didn't resemble the aftermath of a whirlwind. "You've been pardoned then," Danica said with a smile. "Go tend to other business and I'll do what I can here." Unburdened by his books any longer, the merchant laughed. "Oh praise the gods. If you go through that door there, you will find a room you can have as your own. It is the first door on the left. I've had to dismiss all my servants, and I have plenty of room. There is a bath at the corner of the hall, and the common room and kitchen are at the end of the hall. Please make yourself at home." "Thank you," she replied with a smile, making a shooing motion with her hand. "Now let me see if I can make sense of all this for you." He smiled and bid her good day, quickly — and happily — leaving the small room. Danica leafed through the volumes on the first three shelves, once she had picked up the room and organized it back into a workable state. The volumes contained the first three year's accounts, penned in a flowing and very legible script. The accounting was correct, and very detailed. Notes written beside some of the accounts stressed the need to pressure the debtors to pay up. There were only four books on the last shelf. Apparently, those and the two on the table were all that existed from the last two years. The first two pages of one volume on the shelf held the same careful script, and then there was a two-month lapse. After that, chaos reigned. Danica started there, re-copying the careful records on the first two pages and then delving into the chicken scratches that followed. Danica developed a regular routine starting that day. She worked on the books from sunrise to sunset, pausing only to take a quick meal at noontime. Danica prepared the meals for herself and Corydon, as he had cooked the first day and Danica did not want to experience that again. He was no more adept in the kitchen than he was with the books. They chatted as they ate and sipped wine afterwards. The wine was very good, and Danica was surprised to learn it was a common local vintage, considered to be quite poor by those who lived in the region. She would take the dishes to wash them immediately after the meal, and Corydon would go into a room just off the common room where they ate. He would come out just about the time Danica finished the dishes, wish her goodnight, and go farther down the hall to what Danica assumed to be his bedroom. Danica had tried the door once, but found it locked. She discovered that the lead screened walls prevented her from using her clairvoyance spell to see what was on the other side as well. Testing numerous spells for unlocking doors also proved to be a fruitless gesture. Danica was pleased to find the home had a tub that drained through pipes in the floor. A stove specifically for heating the water for bathing stood nearby in an alcove, which helped prevent it from overheating the room. Access to water was also just outside of the bath room as well. She spent the time she was drawing and soaking in the bath thinking of and discarding numerous ways to get in the room. Having explored the rest of the house, she knew the item had to be in that room — as well as the man's missing wife. It took Danica a month, but she penned a final entry and finished the work. She had managed to turn the man's chicken scratches back into legible accounts once more. During the process, she had discovered that there were many accounts left unpaid — most for quite some time — and the total of these accounts was a small fortune. She had to piece Corydon's unpaid accounts together from letters requesting payment because they weren't in the books. If all his debtors paid him, paying his debts would still leave the merchant with a small surplus. Danica finished the books quite early in the morning, and so she used several sheets of paper to copy down the debts and the debtors, creating a summary of the accounts to show Corydon after supper. As usual, Danica prepared the meal and washed the dishes when they finished eating. When Corydon came out of the room, Danica awaited him. "Sir, I believe I have everything in order now. If you will, please come look at this," Danica said and handed him the sheets of paper. Danica went through the entries and explained everything to him as he leafed through the papers. When she finished, Corydon exclaimed, "I have been living like a pauper, putting off those I owe with promises, and all this has been here all along. I do business daily with almost all these men. They surely knew of these accounts, but simply did not mention them when I didn't. How deplorable." "Collecting on these accounts and paying those you owe should put you in a position to begin building your business again. You'll have some coin to work with, and having your accounts paid will cause people to have faith in you repaying them, so they will extend you credit." Corydon sighed. "My wife would surely have tongue-lashed me for days for letting things get so bad. Might you pen the letters requesting payment? I fear that is something else I have always had poor skill at." "Of course — first thing in the morning. I'll deliver those that are in town myself, and try to get payment immediately. We can use that coin to begin paying off some of your debts, and perhaps set some things right while we wait for payment from the debtors farther away. I hope I'm not pressing too much, but did your wife leave you?" Corydon smiled weakly, letting out another sigh. "After a fashion. Please, come with me," he said and rose wearily from his chair. Danica followed, and he unlocked the room he always entered after supper. Danica saw a woman lying on a bed. She was nude and surrounded by a nimbus of magic. "My wife took ill without warning. In the morning, she was fine — recording accounts in the books. By mid-afternoon, she was burning with fever. The clerics and herbalists and alchemists all said there was nothing they could do. I could not bear to lose her, so I used the power of this magic necklace to put her in this state. She will not die, will never age, and her pain is ended. I come and talk to her each night — though I know she cannot hear." Danica looked closer at the woman as Corydon spoke. Though well-shaped, the woman was not particularly remarkable in any way, and a bit heavy in the hips. Likewise, she had an attractive face, but was not particularly beautiful. Her hair was done up in a severe style atop her head. The image she conjured up in Danica's mind was one of a crotchety school marm. The woman's body glistened with beads of sweat frozen in time, and her skin appeared flushed. Something struck Danica as familiar. She thought she saw red spots on the woman's lips and inside her ears. "What symptoms did she show other than the fever when she took ill?" Danica asked. "Her tongue swelled up, she could take no water, and could not speak. She thrashed around and her eyes were all red..." Corydon explained, reliving the painful memories. "What about here?" Danica asked, moving her hand over her loins. The merchant flushed and opened his eyes wide. "I was hardly thinking about anything like that." "I'm sorry; I do not mean to be crude. I think I know this sickness. Small bumps like blisters appear there in women who have it. My mother and sister both got the disease when I was about fourteen" "It must have been hard to lose them so young," he said looking at her with sympathy. "I didn't lose them. Fortunately, the midwife who served as the only healer in the village had learned her lessons well from her mother, who had dealt with the sickness before. She knew of potions that cooled the fever for a time, as well as one which diluted the poison in the blood that causes most of the other symptoms. With the immediate danger of the fever constantly lessened by the potions, she was able to fight the poison and eventually break the sickness. My mother and sister both recovered with no sign of the sickness in time. I know the potions she used, because I helped to make them each day. If I'm right, I think I can save your wife. If you can get clerics to come, it will be quicker. I can tell them about the sickness so they can direct their prayers correctly and hasten her recovery." "I-I never dared to hope. Are you sure? None can touch her while she is under the necklace's spell, and once I remove it she will be in great pain. I fear death will come to take her quickly." "I can't be sure until I have looked here," she said covering her loins once more, "but I'm almost certain. Can you reactivate the magic if I'm wrong?" "Yes, though it takes some time — I fear too long. The clerics were preparing to offer final rites to her when I finished it last time. They said she had but hours to live, and it took nearly an hour to speak the necessary words." "It will only take me a few seconds to examine her and see if I'm right. Before we go farther, I must tell you something. I'm not what I have told you. I was sent here to take that very necklace from you. I think I can save your wife, but I must have the necklace if my suspicions are correct and she has the sickness I told you about." "If you have lied to me, how am I to trust you in this?" "I'm here against my will. I have no choice. I have to get the necklace or be punished in ways you wouldn't want to think about. I had no idea how I was going to get it without sentencing your wife to death. Now I have the means. Let me save your wife and take the necklace so that I can avoid the terrible punishment that I will receive if I fail in this task. If I'm wrong, and the disease is not the one I know, you can reactivate the magic and I will take my punishment rather than cost your wife her life." "Your words ring true. Very well, what do we need to do? Let us help each other." "Is there anything you need to enact the ritual of the magic if I am wrong, other than the necklace?" "No, it is simply a series of complicated phrases which must be read." "Let me copy down the list of things I need to make the potions." Danica pulled out her purse of coin. "Use this to persuade the herbalist to leave his home at such a late hour. Bring a cleric if you can. We will need to have a tepid bath drawn, and we will need strong hands to hold her down until the potions take effect, and to carry her to the tub." Danica finished penning the ingredients she needed as she spoke. She handed it to Corydon and said, "Take this and show it to the herbalist, but bring me the book with the ritual first. If necessary, I will perform it. I'm skilled in magic and may be able to complete the ritual more quickly, making it less dangerous for your wife if I'm wrong. Bring some of your workers when you return. Four strong men, because she will be writhing in pain and delirium the moment we break the necklace's enchantment. Now go bring me the book and fetch what we need." Corydon crossed the room, opened a drawer, and withdrew a book. He brought the volume to Danica, and then ran out of the room to follow her instructions after a final nod. Danica looked over the book, finding the marked page recording the ritual. She understood why it had taken the man an hour to enact the ritual as soon as she saw the words. Written in the language of magic, it would have been very difficult for someone not schooled to read it. She was confident she could perform the ritual in a quarter of that time. She hurried to the bath to heat water, and then went to the kitchen to do the same for the potions. While in the kitchen, she gathered up several glasses and took them to the sickroom. From there, she returned to the bathhouse to fill the tub and put on more water to boil, so they could keep the bath at the proper temperature. Picking up a whistling kettle of hot water, Danica returned to the room where the woman lay. She heard the front door bang open, and heard many hurried footsteps approaching. Corydon entered the room followed by four of his workers, a sleepy looking but handsome man in the hastily donned robes of a cleric, and a thin, mousey man carrying a large bag. "I have them, and he has the things you requested," Corydon breathlessly said, pointing to the man with the bag. "If you know the means to break this sickness, I want to see it. I have seen and heard of far too many dying from it," the herbalist said while handing over the bag. Danica quickly inventoried the contents of the bag, discovering enough of each of the herbs to make dozens of doses of the potions. "Pay close attention then," she said and went to arrange the herbs for the potions, measuring them carefully into the glasses. The man not only paid attention, he took up pen and paper to take careful notes as Danica worked. Danica finished measuring the herbs, and then poured the hot water into the glasses. She explained to the herbalist, "The first must be given to lessen the swelling of the tongue so that the second potion may be drunk. It takes a few moments for the first to take effect, and she will have to be held down," Danica said while looking at the four men, who nodded their understanding. "The second will cool her fever for a while. It does enough to end the immediate danger, giving us time to fight the sickness. It will need to be administered every half an hour, which is why I made so many of this one." Danica dragged a finger across the tops of the glasses for the second potion. "The third combats the poison in her blood, which is the real source of the sickness. It is the reason why even clerical spells fail many times to save the victims of this sickness. The poison is strong and increases rapidly in the blood every moment the fever is burning. This one works very quickly, and lasts for some time. It will only need to be administered every four or five hours. Once it has begun its work, we can get her into a tepid bath to lessen the fever more and you can work your prayers over her to aid in her recovery." She glanced at the cleric as she finished. "Had I known of this when first Corydon called me to her sick bed, I would have begun with prayers to leech the poison from her blood. I will do so this time when called upon," the cleric said. Danica nodded to him by way of agreement, and then continued with her instructions, "All of this may be for nothing if I'm wrong. When the spell over her is broken, you must hold her down while I examine her. If I'm wrong, you need to keep her held down while I enact the ritual that restores the magic. When I begin repeating this phrase — Alumetara Nosticeadal — you need to release her and have no part of you crossing the edge of the bed. If you are caught in the magic, there will be dire consequences to you, and perhaps to her. Her writhing should be lessened by the magic already by then. Now, I'm ready. If you four will come and be ready to grab her limbs, we can begin." Danica handed the book to Corydon as the four men arranged themselves about the bed. "Whenever you're ready," Danica said while moving to stand at the foot of the bed. Corydon took a deep breath and offered a quick prayer, drawing a nod of approval and a religious sign from the cleric. He then looked down at the book. "Entari Rizzt Menzoundarken!" He intoned in a loud voice. The nimbus of magic around the woman vanished, and she immediately started to writhe and moan. The four men grabbed her arms and legs to keep her still. "Get her legs apart," Danica hastily ordered. The men pulled and Danica leaned forward to part the woman's labia. She saw what she expected to see. She quickly turned and grabbed the first potion, hurrying past the struggling men toward the head of the bed. "Keep her head still." One of the men holding an arm leaned over the woman's body to hold her chin in one hand and the top of her head in the other. Danica poured a splash of the potion into the woman's open mouth. Danica turned and reached out behind her. "The second potion," she told the herbalist, and he handed it to her. The woman's moans turned to screams as the swelling of her tongue lessened. Danica forced the woman to drink, while being careful not to choke her. After the first few drops hit and Danica forced the woman to swallow, the patient managed to drink a mouthful on her own before Danica had to force more. Eventually, Danica sat down the empty glass. The woman's struggles decreased. She screamed less often, though she gasped in obvious pain. "The third potion," Danica requested to the herbalist, and took it from him when he held it out to her. She brought the glass to the woman's lips, and found she did not need to force the woman to swallow. The second potion was taking effect. "Get her to the bathhouse. You help me carry some of the doses of the second potion," she told the herbalist. Danica gathered up two of the glasses and hurried to the bathhouse as the men lifted the woman from the bed. The herbalist followed behind with two more glasses, while the cleric and Corydon brought up the rear. Danica checked the water, and then poured a small amount of the boiling water from the kettle while circulating it with her hand. When she felt the temperature was correct, she nodded to the men to indicate they should put the now limp woman into the bath. Danica checked the woman's pulse in her neck. Corydon said, "She is so still — is everything all right?" "She's fine. She's weak from struggling. Her heartbeat is strong. Your prayers please, good cleric," Danica requested. They worked through the night, keeping the water from growing too cool and administering the potions when necessary. The four men kept the water boiling in the bathhouse and the kitchen, and brought food and water to everyone as they labored over Corydon's wife. Through the morning and the afternoon, they fought the sickness. The cleric exhausted himself with his prayers, and one of the men had to catch him and take him to a bed. Everyone else fought exhaustion as hard as they battled the illness, and offered their prayers as well. Danica smiled wide when she saw the woman's eyelids flutter and open for just a second. She felt the woman's forehead and sighed in relief. "Her fever has broken. The danger is past," she said with a smile. The men in the room shook hands and slapped each other on the back upon hearing the news. Corydon wept unashamedly, reaching down and taking his wife's hand in his own. Danica rubbed her weary eyes and shook her head to try to clear it. "Let's get her out of the bath. Someone go strip the bedding and replace it. We'll need to keep giving her the blood purifying potion." "I'll go get my wife, we are all exhausted," the herbalist declared and made his way out of the room. One of the four workers went to change the bedding at the same time. "The cleric's prayers have done much. I never expected the fever to break so quickly. I have a potion that should aid in his recovery as well. Get her dressed and into bed," Danica said, and then swooned as exhaustion threatened to overtake her. One of the four workers steadied her as she wobbled on her feet. He had his hands on her breasts when he did so. He moved his hands quickly and muttered, "Uhmm — sorry." Danica laughed weakly. "It's alright. Thank you for the assistance, but I think I'm okay now." The man smiled wide and remained nearby as Danica started walking, but relaxed when he saw she was doing fine. Danica went to her room to get the potion for the cleric. She chuckled when she neared the room where he rested, because she could already hear him snoring at an incredible volume. Danica got the potion from her things, and then made her way back to the cleric's room. She winced when she opened the door and felt as though she had wandered into a dragon's den from the volume of the snoring. Walking up beside the bed, she gently tried to shake the man awake. He stopped snoring with a violent snort and sat bolt upright, his face coming to rest directly between Danica's breasts. "I knew it, I've died of exhaustion and gone to heaven," he said in a muffled voice from between her breasts. Danica rolled her eyes and gently pushed him away from her. "You haven't died, and I'm hardly an angel — trust me." "You could have fooled me," he said with a wink. It was only then that she noticed the cleric's medallion around his neck and remembered the name he had called out to in his prayers — Heraklan. The priests and priestesses of Heraklan made the opposite of a vow of chastity when they entered service. Temples of Heraklan celebrated high holy days with enormous quantities of wine followed by an orgy. "Ahem, I have a potion here that should help restore your strength. Your prayers were very helpful. Her fever has broken and she should fully recover in a while." "Praise be unto Heraklan!" The cleric declared, and clapped. Danica handed him the potion and he drank it down. He made a face when he did. "You know — if you mix these with a little wine they go down much easier." Danica chuckled, and then felt her vision swimming. Once again, she wobbled on her feet and had to put her hands on the bed to keep from falling. The Heraklan said, "You are exhausted. You should get out of those clothes and get some sleep." He moved over to the edge of the bed to offer her a place and patted the spot near her he had vacated. Danica rolled her eyes again. "We need to get the lady of the house to her bed and make sure that someone will be administering the detoxifying potions. Then I will rest — in my own bed." "Ah well, if you change your mind..." He suggested with a wink. "If I change my mind, you'll be the first to know. Thank you again for your prayers. Fighting this sickness is always a near thing, and surely the power of your god has had much to do with our success," she said and kissed him on the cheek. He smiled broadly and puffed out his chest. "You're quite welcome," he said as she turned to leave the room. Danica returned to the room where the woman had lain for so long. She rested in the bed once more, but this time her chest rose with regular, steady breaths and her skin had returned to its natural color. Danica felt the woman's forehead and her pulse, smiling in satisfaction. "She's going to be fine," Danica informed Corydon. "It will take a couple of days for her to recover enough to regain full consciousness. She'll need the antitoxin for some time afterward for safety's sake, and the ingredients for the fever-breaking potion should be on hand at all times. The fever sometimes will return, but if it is headed off quickly with the potion it will not reach the point where it becomes dangerous." Corydon laid a hand on Danica's shoulder and smiled. "Thank you so much, Andrea. I cannot begin to express my thanks to you for bringing my wife back to me." "That too was a lie. My name is Danica." "Danica..." Corydon repeated. Danica's vision went double and she caught herself on the bed as she had before, but found she could not keep her balance. She felt strong arms wrap around her, and then she knew no more. ------- When Danica awoke, she lay in the bed that had been hers as long as she had been here. It was dark outside, but other than that, she had no idea of the time. Danica got up and slowly walked to the room where Corydon's wife lay. An older woman and the herbalist met her in the hall. He nodded to her and revealed, "This is my wife. I only recently awakened myself. My wife has been tending to her while we slept. Corydon awakened a short while ago, and he said he can handle his wife's care from here." The herbalist's wife added, "I managed to get the Heraklan back off to his temple. He came in just as I did, not long after you passed out. One of the men had kept you from falling, and the cleric said you were simply exhausted and not ill. He offered many times to take you to your bed, change your clothes, and make you comfortable. I know the Heraklans, so I had the worker carry you to the bed and sent the priest back off to his house of sin." Danica laughed as the woman finished. "Thank you. I know them as well. He wouldn't have done anything while I was unconscious, but I'm sure his changing my clothes would have been a very slow process." "The lady recovers quickly. She has opened her eyes a few times, and we've managed to get some broth in her. She spoke her husband's name once. She should come fully awake again either tomorrow or the next day, though she'll be weak for some time afterward," the herbalist's wife said. The herbalist stepped forward then. "I'll pass the knowledge of this sickness I have learned from you to all who might use the knowledge. I have many friends in my trade, scattered over a wide area. I'll pass these secrets on to them, and they will likewise pass the secrets to others. Hopefully, in time, this sickness will no longer be the death warrant it has always been — through my efforts and the chance which brought you here to teach me." Danica's smile revealed how much she liked hearing this news. "I'm glad she'll be well, and that my knowledge will help others. Thank you for your help." "Here," the merchant said, handing the pouch of coin Danica had given to Corydon back to her. "He would not take it back. This knowledge is worth far more than any coin. We are for home. We must re-open the shop tomorrow, and I fear I shall have a very long day." Danica nodded and bid them good day as the couple made their way out of the house. She then continued to the woman's sickroom. Corydon sat next to his wife's bed. She had regained more of her natural color and she breathed easy. Corydon smiled wide when Danica entered. "They say she will recover soon. She spoke to me shortly after I awakened. I do not know how to thank you, Danica." Danica smiled. "You're welcome. The thanks don't all belong to me. The herbalist and the cleric did much, and their motives were pure." The man waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Your motives were pure as well. Though you sought this," he said holding up the necklace, "you did a grand deed to acquire it instead of taking it by force. I know from the way you spoke the few words of the ritual that you know magic. Surely, you could have simply broken in here and taken it. Please, take it with all my gratitude." He handed her the necklace without even the slightest hesitation. Danica took the necklace and placed it in a pocket. Her task complete, she could return to her prison — though she was truly loathe to do so. "I'll have to leave. You should send men to settle accounts tomorrow. It will be a fine present for your wife when she awakens if the business is back on track when she goes to look at the accounts. Record any payments received and made on scrap paper. Let your wife record them in the books. She'll thank you for that as well, I think." Corydon laughed heartily, the sound of it more pure than Danica had heard from him in the entire time she had been here. "I shall. I did make quite a mess of the books, didn't I?" Danica nodded and laughed with him. "I fear that there might even be more coin owed you that I could not find. You at least had all your debts in one pile, the debtors were scattered everywhere. I must go." "Go then, with my blessing and my thanks. You will be missed," Corydon said with a smile. Danica nodded and took the man's hand, shaking it. She then went to her room and gathered her things. She took with her half a dozen fine pens. The man's wife had lain in a stock of them large enough to last for a decade, and they were of a much higher quality than Danica was accustomed to finding. She left the house with a sigh and made her way to Zoraster's outpost in the town. Celes was sound asleep when Danica arrived, and Danica decided to let her sleep. Celes walked into the common room where Danica sat reading the next morning. "Och, Lass — the madman was about to send me ta check up on ye despite the danger. His agents had skulked about and found ye were still in the merchant's house, but the madman was growin' impatient. Ye haven't checked in with me fer a week. Did ye complete yer task?" Danica pulled out the necklace with a smile. The smile was enough to tell Celes that Danica had completed her task without the need to take a life. The old woman smiled wide and hugged Danica. They decided a little spite toward Zoraster in celebration was in order, and Danica spent the day in the town. She tried the spicy local food and bought some clothing in the local fashion. Celes requested that Danica purchase a few odds and ends for her as well. It was a welcome break and diversion from the truth of their imprisonment by Zoraster. Celes transported them back to Zoraster's abode and took the necklace to someone who would deliver it to the Archmage. Danica took some of the drug that increased alertness, trying to remain active until the normal time she went to bed so that she could return to a normal sleeping schedule. She noticed it was earlier here than when she and Celes had left, which revealed that Gottside was far to the East. How far do the madman's designs reach? Danica wondered. Danica had been yawning when she returned to her chambers. When she felt the sleepiness conquered by the drug, she gathered some things and visited the pale man in the complex to receive permission to go into the city until the next afternoon. She just did reach the craftsman Carolyn had told her about before he closed up shop for the evening. She used most of the remainder of her coin to pay the advance he requested to make her woodworking tools. The rest she would pay when they were finished and she picked them up. He told her it would take two weeks to fashion a full set of the woodworking tools. Danica then made her way to Carolyn's shop, catching Carolyn and her mother leaving for the day. "Danica," Carolyn called out with a wide smile as she saw the redhead approaching. "Hello, Carolyn. I was about to go get something to eat. Would you like to go with me?" Carolyn glanced over at her mother, silently asking for permission. The woman eyed Danica for a moment, and then snorted once before replying, "Don't be too late, and don't drink too much. If you come home staggering again, I'll throttle you good. You hear me?" "Yes, Mother," Carolyn answered, and then followed Danica to the tavern. "Your toy still holds its enchantment?" Danica asked with a wink as they ate. "Mmm hmm," Carolyn replied and smiled. "Though, it doesn't get used all that often. I've been sneaking off with Kyle a lot." She blushed as she spoke and giggled when she finished. Danica smiled and moaned slightly. "There's much to be said for the real thing," she said with a laugh. They continued to talk and finished their meal, as Danica felt her desire flaring up inside her. She had not been with a man or a woman in a very long time. She had even felt wetness gathering between her legs when the Heraklan and the worker had touched her breasts on her last task. "Would you like to get a room for a few hours?" Danica asked quietly and ran her foot along the young woman's leg. Carolyn shuddered and shook her head in the affirmative, a broad smile brightening her face. Danica approached the keeper and used the last of her coin to secure a room. The two women then went upstairs. Danica pulled one of the cotton plugs from a small bag she carried, explaining to Carolyn what they were for, and then demonstrated how to insert them. She then helped Carolyn insert one as well. When she pulled it back out, she replaced it with her tongue. Carolyn moaned in contentment as Danica's tongue ran up and down her folds, and between them to caress her walls. Danica slid a finger in between Carolyn's labia, moistening it in the brunette's wetness, and then slipped the tip slowly into the girl's ass, drawing a gasp of air followed by a moan from the young woman. She rotated her finger slowly in the beautiful brunette's bottom while flicking her tongue between Carolyn's labia. Every so often, she let her tongue wrap around Carolyn's clit as she tasted her. Danica's tongue slid deep inside to lap at the pool of Carolyn's wetness. She pushed her finger a little deeper, pumping it in the brunette's ass. The strokes of Danica's tongue strengthened as she sucked the woman's nether lips. She moaned into Carolyn's sex, completely absorbed in the bittersweet taste and scent of the young woman's arousal. As Carolyn's pleasure mounted, Danica's tongue went more often to the younger woman's throbbing bud, wrapping around it and rolling it with firm pressure. She could hear Carolyn's breathing steadily becoming more rapid, as well as the increase in intensity of the young woman's moans, and knew it wouldn't be long. Danica wrapped her lips around Carolyn's hood and clit. She sucked hard and slid her tongue as deep as she could, moving it back and forth and pressing upward to make contact with the bottom of the young woman's clit. Carolyn's hands came to rest on the back of Danica's head. With a whimper of release, Carolyn shuddered in orgasm. Danica explored Carolyn's wet heat with her tongue, lapping up the creamy juices as the young woman quivered through her orgasm. When Carolyn's rapid breathing subsided, Danica slid up the brunette's still quivering body and kissed her. Carolyn sucked on Danica's tongue, and then ran her tongue over Danica's face to taste her own juices. Carolyn tugged on Danica's upper body, and Danica slid forward in response. Carolyn wrapped her lips around one of Danica's nipples and sucked gently. Danica moaned, "Mmm hmm — oh yes," as the young woman suckled her erect bud. Carolyn released her lips and flicked her tongue over the nipple. Her hands moved to massage Danica's breasts as she sucked the nipple back in. Danica moaned and rubbed her sex on the young woman's leg as Carolyn sucked her so well. Carolyn switched nipples and one of her hands slid downward to caress Danica's folds. Danica slid forward when she could wait no longer. She lowered her aching need to Carolyn's face and the other woman lapped her hungrily. Danica rocked her hips slightly against the young woman's face, rising straight up and squeezing her nipples hard as Carolyn sent her soaring toward climax. Danica's hips rocked harder as she drew closer to release. Carolyn responded by increasing the pressure of her tongue, and moving it more quickly. Danica could feel the swelling of her orgasm near the breaking point. She pinched her nipples hard, pulling them outward and gasping as she reached the point of no return. Carolyn kept her in that sweet state for a moment, and then Danica spiraled over the edge with a growled moan of pleasure. She came hard, and Carolyn drank her sweet juices while moaning into Danica's quivering folds. They relaxed for a while afterward, held in each other's arms enjoying the afterglow, their bodies touching one another. Carolyn reluctantly got up and returned home after a while, because her mother would be looking for her soon. Danica pulled the covers up over her and fell asleep. ------- Part 6B Danica awoke the next morning and returned to her chambers in the complex atop the hill. She had dreamed about a beautiful woman, created in her mind from the glimpses of what Celes really looked like. The dream image of Celes had slid her whole hand nearly to the wrist inside Danica, stretching her and making her come hard. Danica had used her toy to let off the pressure before she got up to leave, too aroused to think straight until she climaxed. The dream sparked a memory in Danica as she walked through the complex back to her rooms. She stopped at the library on the way, and found the volume she sought. When she returned to her rooms she sat down to study the spells within. The spells created forms of magical force that resembled hands. The Interposing Hand created an enormous disembodied hand between the caster and anything coming toward them. It could hold back the strongest of men, and even give pause to a giant. The Forceful Hand added an ability to the hand enabling it to push objects away from the caster, though the size of the magical hand was smaller. The Crushing Fist spell could strike targets with tremendous strength or grab them and crush them in a tight grip. Over the course of the next five days, Danica mastered the powerful spells. She tested them on the grounds, pushing a large boulder near the bathing pond with great ease. Another casting let her squeeze it until cracks formed a web over its surface. Finally, she shattered it with the Crushing Fist. The spells were powerful ones, and they would serve Danica well if she ever faced creatures that relied upon physical forces to attack. They also made Danica think of several less powerful, but no less useful ways to utilize the type of force the hands generated. She had never before created an original spell, and she still had the vision of her next magic item burning in her mind. To that end, she decided to go to the man who managed Zoraster's coin. She withdrew what Zoraster had promised her for the purchase of her tools and materials as a reward for completing her last task. Danica made her way to the room where Zoraster had instructed her to go. She knocked on the door and it opened for her. When Danica walked inside, she felt the oppressing gloom of a dispell on the place. She knew no magic would function within this room. The only thing to see was a solidly built bald man with very prominent eyebrows, seated behind a large desk counting coin. The man carefully recorded something in a ledger before him and then looked up, "You would be Danica. I assume you are here to withdraw coin held on account for you?" Danica said, "Yes, a large amount to purchase..." He closed his eyes and his face showed concentration. He opened his eyes and held up a hand. "I know what you seek. One moment while I make some calculations, and I will get your coin." He then pulled out a piece of parchment paper and took up a pen to record something on it. Danica felt her body stiffen suddenly, and she tried with all her might to move. Panic set in when she realized that she couldn't move a muscle. Danica, Do not panic, she heard the man's voice say, though his lips did not move and he did not look up from his calculations. A psionic, Danica thought with horror. Wizards of the Art feared Psionics. Those with the gift were rare, and their powers sprang directly from their minds. There were very few spells that could combat such powers, and thus they were a subject of fear and loathing amongst those who practiced magic. Yes, I am a psionic, Danica heard him say in her mind, I am going to release control of your body now. Do not be afraid. Speak with your mind — I will hear. Do not speak aloud, and keep your demeanor passive. Do not give any outward appearance I am speaking to you thus. Can you do this? Danica thought, Yes, and felt her body relax. She leaned back in the chair and tried to look as if nothing untoward had happened. You are unaware, but you have the power of the mind as well, she heard his voice say. Zoraster would disapprove most vehemently to me telling you this, but my loyalty to those who share the gift is much stronger than any loyalty I have to others in this world. If you open your mind, you will find you can hear other's thoughts. Danica listened to the man's mind-speech, amazed that he could continue to scrawl figures while speaking to her this way. He continued, From the order of your mind, I sense you could manipulate physical objects with your mind to a great degree through telekinesis. You may have even noticed that spells utilizing telekinesis have a much stronger effect when you cast them, for they are reinforced by the powers of your mind. You should be able to speak into other's minds, and perhaps even more. It appears your primary skills are in telekinesis, however. You even have some small amount of pyrokinetic ability, the ability to start fires with the power of your mind, though this is extremely limited. As he continued, Danica realized he had guessed correctly. The one thing at which she had always excelled was using telekinetic magic. It was a small thing, however, and had done little to convince her she was anything but mediocre, as she had considered herself all her life. You should open your mind and develop your powers, but do so in secret. To reveal them to the world is to invite scorn and hatred. To reveal them to Zoraster would mean death. Speak not of what I have told you, and reveal me not — else I will be forced to rend your mind asunder. I cannot risk anyone learning I have the power. Do you understand? Yes — and no, Danica thought. I understand your confusion. Simply open your mind and feel your powers, they will come in time, he mentally replied. "I have calculated the amount. One moment while I acquire the coin," he then said aloud. Danica started a bit at his spoken voice, but it would have hardly seemed unusual considering she had been sitting, looking to be lost in thought for some time. The man brought her a sack that jingled heavily when he lay it down on the counter. "This is the special amount set aside. You still retain a set amount reserved for you that will renew each month. It will compound if you do not use it within a given month." "I understand," Danica said aloud, and then thought, I thank you. I'll try to do what you said. The man nodded, and the look in his eyes told her without hearing his thoughts that he was acknowledging both her spoken and mental statements. Danica stood and next went to obtain permission to enter the city for a short jaunt. She wanted to pay the cost of her tools in full and arrange for delivery of them to her lab. Danica went first to the smith crafting her tools. He nodded approvingly when she counted out the remainder of the coin to settle her account. He expressed that he had some nagging doubts about her ability to pay at first, but would hasten his work now. When she spoke of the possibility of purchasing a drying stove in the future, he made some inquiries and she told him about her kiln. He told her to save the coin for the stove and offered to construct racks to attach to the kiln, which would serve the same purpose. Danica promised to send a messenger with measurements, and counted out a few more coins. She then made her way to a man Carolyn had mentioned, in order to inquire about the wood she would need. He was a middle-aged man, not terribly attractive, and he acted quite shy around Danica as she spoke to him. Danica batted her eyelashes at him and smiled wide as she negotiated, and it paid off. She acquired what she needed at a discount, and he promised to deliver it at no cost. She counted out the coin and blew the man a kiss as she left. Danica felt the weight of the coins still in her purse and smiled. She had managed to get everything she needed and still keep a fair supply of coin. As she left town and approached the path that led up the hill, Danica passed a couple engaged in an almost shameful public display of affection. They were rubbing up against each other and kissing passionately on a bench just off one of the main roads, barely inside a small park area. The sight awakened Danica's desire, and she hurried back to the complex. Danica thought first of Andrea and made her way toward the young woman's quarters. She heard sounds of passion coming from within when she neared the door. She cast a spell of clairvoyance and saw that Andrea was on her knees on the bed with a young apprentice mounted behind her. Danica knew he was stroking her quickly toward an orgasm, because she knew the signs of the young woman's body well. She slipped into the second sight and noticed no sign of the Nymph Dweomer affecting Andrea. She let her clairvoyance fade away once she determined Andrea was sporting with the young man of her own free will. Danica followed the winding halls toward Damian's quarters and nearly collided with a disheveled young servant leaving his room when she arrived. The woman had the bright glow of one who has just climaxed — and climaxed well — about her. Danica sighed for herself, but she was happy for Damian. Frustration dulled her previous state of arousal somewhat, and she wandered to one of the common rooms where people lounged and passed through on their way through the building. She sat down in a comfortable chair near a window and tried to decide what to do about the still glowing embers of need inside her. She thought about what the Psionic had revealed to her, and settled back into the chair. Danica tried to relax — to clear her mind. She searched within for the untapped power the Psi had said she possessed. She reached a state of calm that felt almost unnatural, and turned to look at a twenty-something student speaking with one of the many women employed as a servant in the building. The man was laying the charm on thick — too thick by Danica's standards — and it seemed quite false to her. She turned so that she was not looking directly at the man, but kept him in her peripheral vision. She tried to look as if she was lost in thought, staring at a painting on the wall. Danica opened her mind and tried to look past the man into his thoughts. She felt a strange disembodied sensation for a moment, and then she could hear what he was thinking. The mental voice drowned out the words he spoke aloud. ... warming up. I might not have to go hunt for a wench to use the Nymph Dweomer on tonight after all. Damn look at those tits! That's it, bite baby, let's get back to my room, and show me those tits out of that damn blouse. Come on, Come on... Danica heard him thinking, as he spoke aloud about the serving woman's striking beauty. Danica turned slightly toward the woman, and found it was easier now that she had a sense of what she needed to do. She heard the woman's thoughts after only a moment of concentration. Gods he is so full of it. If this cretin wasn't such a friend of the master, I'd tell him what a pathetic jerk he is. Gods how I want to run. Just a bit longer girl, keep him occupied. Think, Think, has to be some way to get away without offending him, the woman thought as she smiled and pretended to enjoy his compliments to her. Danica laughed silently, and then let her gaze roam over the room. She saw an older man seated alone, looking quite uncomfortable. She concentrated a moment and listened to his thoughts. Why did I eat that damnable soup? I know what it does to me; I can feel it churning already. I'll run myself out of my own room. I'll be on the chamber pot all night. I'm such a fool, I know better. Why oh why... Danica pulled her thoughts away, not wanting to hear anymore of that. She saw a servant girl hurrying through the room and concentrated on her. Hurry now, hurry now — Wizards. Look like you're on an important task. Get through here quick. Get back to your room before one of them starts trying to get under your skirt or sends you on some stupid errand. Hurry, hurry Steph, the woman thought. Danica stood and walked into the hall. She reached out with her thoughts to those she passed and found she could slip in and hear them with ease. She heard lecherous thoughts about what men would do to her if they had the chance. A women whom Danica had never seen before acidly thought the word bitch, based upon nothing except Danica's appearance. Mundane thoughts of where people were going and what they planned all came to Danica easily. Danica had to fight down nausea as she caught the thoughts of a Necromancer making his way to his lab to begin work on a fresh, attractive female corpse. He had plans for her that involved nothing magical. Danica broke the contact with him almost immediately and sat down, having reached another of the common rooms. She saw an attractive man walking toward an equally attractive woman, carrying two steaming cups of tea. The man had sandy hair and a strong build. He was clean-shaven, and Danica could not help but notice his intense green eyes. The woman was tall and shapely from what Danica could see. Her hair was a dark blonde, almost brown, and shoulder length. Her hair had an almost kinky curl to it. Her eyes were green just like the man's, and were even more mesmerizing than his were. Danica was surprised to hear both their thoughts echoing in her head despite having made no conscious effort to connect to them. The man thought, Who is that? That red hair, that body — she would be amazing. Stop that Grant, you have Heather right here. You should be damn happy to be so lucky. Oh My, Danica heard the woman think at the same time. She looks so delicious. Gods how I'd love to share Grant with her — to share myself with her. The woman moaned silently in her mind, and then punctuated it with a silent sigh. She'd probably slap me, and Grant would probably leave me forever if he found out I thought about other women that way. Danica shivered as Grant sat down and handed Heather her tea. She felt her previous state of arousal return and spike even higher. She stood up and walked toward the couple before she even really considered what she was doing. "Excuse me. I'm sorry to intrude, but I saw the tea and I suddenly have a taste for it. Can I ask where you got it?" Danica asked when she reached the couple. "There is a kettle over there," Heather said, pointing toward a corner of the room near the window. "Grant, why don't you go get her a cup, Dear? Please, sit down and join us..." She paused, obviously fishing for a name. "Danica." "Danica," Heather repeated with a smile. "My name is Heather." Again, Danica could hear both of their thoughts. Grant was getting up to go get the tea and she heard him thinking, What did I do to deserve such terrible temptation? I'm already getting hard. Down — down. Get the tea. Don't look at her. Heather, on the other hand, did not share his worry. I can see it in his eyes. He thinks she's attractive. Look at those nipples — so big and pressing against that blouse. I can almost feel them in my mouth. It's been so long. Gods I wish I could find some way to get her into our bed and know Grant wouldn't hate me, she thought. "Your husband?" Danica whispered to the blonde. "No, we've never really discussed it. We're just — together," Heather replied. "You're lucky. He's very handsome. I bet he's incredible in bed too," Danica said and laughed quietly. Heather giggled and blushed. "Thank you. And yes, he is." Grant returned and Danica accepted the tea from him. Once Grant sat down and Danica had a sip of her tea, she asked them what they did here. Grant explained he was a glass blower, and that Heather was an assistant to a potion maker. Both had come here about a year ago upon hearing of the fine pay for tradesmen at the complex. They had met as a result of their complimentary trades and started seeing each other. Danica told them she was a student of magic, and the subject turned toward her trying to learn the artistic skills necessary to create magic items. She expressed interest in working in glass. Grant appeared to settle down when the conversation turned to comfortable subjects. During the conversation, Danica discovered that Heather had taken up etching glass as a hobby. She said that she had a collection of beautiful potion bottles etched with nature scenes in their small home on the grounds. "They sound wonderful," Danica said. "I would love to have some to store my spell components. The shelf looks so dull with the plain bottles that I keep them in now." Danica noticed Heather glancing at her curves numerous times during the conversation. Danica let her glance slide over Heather's body every so often as well. She could hear Heather thinking, Is she looking at me? Does she? Would she? That proved that Heather had noticed the looks. They finished their tea, and Grant took the cups to return them to the table near the kettle. Danica decided to play her hand at that moment. "If I offend you, please tell me and I will leave immediately. I can't resist any longer. You are so sensual, so beautiful — I can't help myself. Have you ever thought about being with another woman?" Heather shuddered. "Oh gods," she whispered. "I was thinking the same thing about you. I'm afraid of what Grant will think. He doesn't know I feel that way about women." "It is a very rare man who would be offended by being pleasured by two women and watching them with each other," Danica suggested and licked her lips. Heather shuddered again, glancing toward where Grant stood placing the cups and saucers on the table. "I can imagine how incredible it would be, just looking at you makes me so wet. I can imagine tasting you while Grant takes you. I would probably come without being touched," Heather whispered in response. Grant turned to return to where the two women sat then. Danica hurriedly whispered, "Just follow my lead. We'll hint in that direction and see how he reacts. If he doesn't turn tail, we'll see where it might lead." Heather nodded, and the two looked up as Grant approached. "What are you two whispering about?" He asked. "Women things," Danica answered with a smile. "You wouldn't understand," she added and stuck her tongue out at him. Heather and Grant both laughed. "Quite likely very true," he said. "I wish I could see your work," Danica said to Heather, looking at her in a way that just slightly hinted at the desire that burned inside her. "I have a great passion for beauty and I might want to commission some of your work." "You could come see them; we were on our way home soon anyway. Don't you think Grant?" "I suppose so. It would be good to have something you enjoy doing better our lives," Grant replied. "It is always wonderful to take something that gives you great pleasure and share it with others who share your passion," Danica interjected. Her voice hinted slightly at something between the lines she had spoken as she looked at the both of them. Danica heard Grant's thoughts, Is she hinting at something? The way she's looking at Heather, and at me... Heather has been looking at her too. To have them both? Give it up Grant, you're daydreaming. You... No man could be that lucky. "Well, let's go then, before it gets dark," Heather said and stood. Danica stood up as well, smiling wide and placing her hand on Heather's hip. Grant took a moment to stand up, and when he did, he hurried to Heather's side to try to hide his obvious erection. They exited the building and walked out onto the grounds toward the end guarded by the steep hill instead of a wall. They approached the couple's one-room dwelling, one of many in the area not far from the workshops. Danica leaned over and whispered to Heather, "Do you see how hard he is? He's seen us looking at each other. He's not offended — he's aroused. He wants us — wants us both. Now, giggle a little." Danica leaned away and giggled. Heather followed the cue and did the same, blushing bright red as she did so. "More women things?" Grant asked as he walked in the door of the dwelling. "Of course," Danica replied. She then touched her breast lightly, reaching out and touching one of Heather's breasts at the same time. "Grow some boobs and we might let you in on the secrets," Danica said with a coy smile, and then laughed. Heather laughed too, and Grant did as well once he managed to pull his jaw up from where it had dropped. Seeing Danica touch Heather's breast and his love's shuddered from the touch absolutely stunned the young man. He held the door open and Heather led Danica to a small square table inside. "Please sit down. Grant, bring a few of the bottles," Heather said and sat down opposite Danica at the table. Grant went across the room toward the bed, picking up a pair of bottles from the shelves there, which were very high near the ceiling. A cat jumped up on the table and meowed. "We have to keep them up high, otherwise this naughty little girl might knock them down and break them," Heather said and stroked the cat. The cat looked carefully at Danica, and then walked over to sniff her while purring loudly. Danica reached out and petted the cat. "Such a pretty pussy. I bet you like to be stroked don't you?" Danica looked past the cat at Heather as she spoke. Heather parted her lips in a slight silent gasp in response, and Danica noticed that Grant had seen his lover's reaction. He reached down and adjusted himself, trying to hide it as he turned and brought two of the bottles back to the table. Danica picked up one of them and examined it. This had all been primarily a ruse to get to a private place with the couple and try to get into bed with them, but looking at the beautiful etching on the translucent amber bottle, she thought that she absolutely would commission the young woman to make some for her. Danica held the bottle up, pretending to look at it, but actually looking past it at Heather. She kicked off one of her shoes while slowly turning the bottle. "So beautiful," she said softly, looking past the bottle in a more obvious fashion. She ran her foot up Heather's shin, making sure her leg brushed against Grant as she did so. Heather let out another silent gasp when Danica's foot slid sensually along her leg, trying to hide it with a quick, "Thank you." It didn't fool Grant. Danica heard his thoughts, She's rubbing Heather's leg. Oh gods, I'm going to bust the seams of these trousers. Danica picked up the other bottle and looked at it. It was just as beautiful, and a translucent jade in color. "So stunning," she said, continuing to caress Heather's leg with her foot. "Can I see more?" Danica asked then, her voice again hinting at more than she said. "Grant, bring the rose and the aquamarine," Heather said a bit breathlessly. He shook off his surprise and arousal to nod in response before rising and turning quickly to try to hide the obvious bulge between his legs. He glanced back at the two women at the table when he reached the shelves. He swallowed when he saw Danica looking at Heather with nearly unconcealed lust, her foot still stroking Heather's leg. Heather's eyes were on Danica as well. He picked up the two bottles Heather had mentioned, returning to the table with them. Danica smiled and turned toward him as he walked back, staring hard at his erection. His face was bright red when he arrived at the table and set the bottles down. Danica looked at the rose-colored bottle, etched with a beautiful rose, just barely opened. The aquamarine depicted a nude water nymph cavorting in the spray of a waterfall. Danica said, "Oh my," when she looked at that one, glancing up at Heather with a coy smile. She then looked over at Grant with that same smile and said, "You didn't have to put the third in your trousers; you could have made another trip." Grant flushed bright red, prompting Heather to cover her mouth with one hand and laugh. Danica's hands went under the table and she reached over to palm his throbbing cock. His eyes went wide and he gasped when she touched him. "Why, it's not another bottle at all," Danica said in mock surprise. She reached under the table and pulled one of Heather's hands over to hers. "See, Heather," she said and licked her lips. Heather gasped and shuddered as Danica used her hand to guide the blonde woman's over the bulge in Grant's trousers. His eyes remained wide as both women looked at him — and each other — with hungry need. Danica stood up and leaned down to kiss Grant. He was stiff with obvious fear when she did it, but relaxed enough to respond just as she broke the kiss. She walked around behind him then and leaned down to kiss Heather. Heather was far from hesitant, and returned the kiss with passion. Danica grasped both of their hands and pulled upward. Heather stood straight up, while Grant took a moment longer, looking at both women with stunned amazement. Danica unbuttoned the top button on her blouse and walked toward the bed, gesturing with her head for the couple to follow. She continued to unbutton her blouse as she walked, fully baring her breasts when she reached the bed. She turned around and slid onto the bed, running her hands over her bare breasts as she did so. Heather led a still stunned-looking Grant toward the redhead. Danica grasped both their hands when they reached the bed, and pulled downward as she lay down on her back. Heather followed eagerly, and leaned over Danica to suck a rock-hard nipple between her lips. Grant's mouth worked, but no sound escaped him as he watched his woman sucking another woman's nipple. Danica tugged on his hand to snap him out of his trance. "Mmm, come help her, Grant. Help her make me feel good." Grant leaned over and swirled his tongue over the erect bud on Danica's other breast. Heather looked directly into his eyes and moaned around Danica's nipple when he did it. He then sucked Danica's nipple into his mouth with a moan of his own. Danica sighed and caressed the couple's backs as they suckled her. She worked on the buttons of Heather's dress and managed to get a couple of them undone before Heather stood up to hurriedly pop them all open. Danica moaned as she got all the buttons undone and pulled her arms from the sleeves. Danica licked her lips when Heather revealed her large breasts. She had perfectly round, small dark nipples, and a taut tummy. Danica tugged on Grant's shirt, pulling it up to his arms. He released her nipple reluctantly and raised enough for Danica to pull the garment off. Heather stepped out of her dress at the same time, and then pulled down her panties. Danica moaned low and lustily as the young woman revealed her sex, surrounded by a closely cropped and well-groomed covering of hair. Danica turned her attention to Grant's trousers. "Take them off," she ordered in a husky whisper. He sat up and pulled the pants down as Heather slid back onto the bed. Heather pulled Danica's skirt down off the redhead's hips. She then pulled off Danica's panties and licked her lips when she saw Danica's glistening folds. Danica sat up and slid over on the bed toward where Grant stood, looking at Heather and saying, "Suck your man's gorgeous cock." Heather gasped and moved over on the bed in front of her lover. She reached out and pulled him toward her by his convenient handle, wrapping her lips around it as soon as she could reach him. He gasped and put his hands on her head as she sucked his cock, moaning around him. Danica slid down to the floor and in behind Grant. She pushed on his knees and got him to part them. She then flicked her tongue over his balls from behind. He loudly gasped, "Oh Yeah," as she touched him. Heather sucked her man hard and fast. Danica could hear the sounds of the blonde's mouth sliding over his hard flesh and see her hair whipping around his muscled legs. Danica continued to flicker her tongue over his balls and the sensitive cord between them and his ass. "Oh, I can't believe it," Grant groaned, and then let out a gasping growl followed by, "I'm there." Heather squealed around his cock and Danica rolled his balls in her palm, swirling her tongue over them at the same time. He exploded into his woman's mouth with a loud grunt, and Heather moaned with delight around him. Danica said, "Share with me," and moved around in front of Grant. He gasped and balanced his wobbling legs by holding onto Heather's head. Heather let him slip free from her mouth and turned to Danica, showing her his cream filling her mouth. Danica knelt and kissed Heather, moaning as she ran her tongue through the creamy semen in Heather's mouth, sucking on the blonde's tongue. She broke the kiss with a gasp, and slid up onto the bed to spread her legs wide. "Mmm come taste me, Heather. Please — I need your mouth on me," she said lustily. Heather turned and immediately moved between Danica's legs. "Oh yes. Oh yes," Danica exclaimed as Heather's tongue touched her. Grant sat down on the bed and watched in amazement as his woman lapped and sucked another right in front of his eyes. "Ohh, she's licking me so good. She's going to make me come so hard," Danica gasped, looking right at Grant. He shuddered and leaned down where he could get a better look. Heather felt around blindly as she continued to lap Danica's folds, managing to find one of Grant's hands. She pulled it over and slid two of his fingers into Danica's depths as she locked her lips around the redhead's clit to suck and roll it with her tongue. A sharp gasp burst from Danica, followed by a long moan as Grant stroked his fingers in and out of her. Heather sucked Danica's clit hard, her tongue dancing over it in quick strokes. "Oh yes. Oh, lick me. I'm going to come. Do it. Faster. Oh yes. I'm... I-I'm coming!" Danica screamed as she climaxed. Danica writhed as her orgasm took hold of her body, drawing screams and moans from her as it rolled in waves through her body. Heather released Danica's bud from her lips, then put her hand on Grant's cheek and turned his face toward her. She kissed him deeply, and when they broke from the kiss, he slid his tongue over his lover's face, tasting Danica's juices. Danica reached down and grasped Grant's wrist, pulling the fingers that still stroked her wet heat to her lips to suck her juices from them with a moan. She rolled onto her side and said to Heather, "I want to taste you — feel you come on my tongue." Heather lay back on the bed, and Danica moved between the blonde's legs. Danica reached over to where Grant sat and ran her hand over his cock, which was twitching with signs of life again. She sucked Heather's labia between her lips and pulled her head back. When she let the blonde's folds slip from between her lips, Danica said, "Suck his cock while I make you come. Get him hard. I want him inside me." Heather moaned as Danica's tongue stabbed back into her depths. The blonde reached out her hand to Grant, and he moved over to the side of the bed near her head. She moved to where she could easily reach his cock with her hands and mouth. Danica lapped and sucked hungrily at Heather's sex, moaning from the heady taste of the other woman's juices. When Danica looked up at Heather, she saw the blonde looking down into her eyes while sucking Grant's slowly hardening cock. Danica continued to flick her tongue over Heather's nether lips, slipping deep between them to lap up the gathered wetness within. She sucked the blonde's labia and rolled Heather's clit with her tongue. Heather released Grant's now hard cock from her lips to gasp in pleasure as Danica's mouth brought her closer to the edge. Danica slipped a finger in and up behind Heather's mound, rubbing the sensitive spot there with quick pressure. Heather gasped and her eyes went wide. "Oh my gods yes," Danica squealed. "Yes — do it. Make me come," she moaned breathlessly. Danica rubbed the finger deeper inside Heather harder, sucking the blonde's swollen clitoris hard while rolling it quickly with her tongue. Heather's hands went to the back of Danica's head and she thrust her hips upward toward Danica's tongue as she built toward her orgasm. Heather's hands twined tight in Danica's hair and pulled the redhead hard against her as she climaxed. Danica squealed with delight as she felt just the slightest squirt from Heather as she came. Danica continued to lap Heather as she writhed in orgasm. As Heather slipped down from her peak, she released the pressure holding Danica down. Danica gave Heather one last long lap of her tongue and a final kiss on the clit, and then sat up, sliding over to Grant. She kissed him and asked in a breathless, sultry whisper, "Did you like watching us play — making each other feel so good?" She kissed him again without waiting for an answer. "Oh yes," he gasped when their lips parted. "Mmm," Danica moaned, "Now put that big cock inside me and fuck me while Heather licks us both. Make me come and fill me up. I want to feel you come inside me." With those words, she leaned back onto her hands. Grant looked at Heather as Danica lay back on the bed, spreading her legs wide. Heather urged, "Do it, my love." Grant rose to his knees on the bed and aimed his hard cock at Danica's wet heat, sliding into her depths with a slow push. "Ohh yes," Danica moaned as he penetrated her. Heather bent over them both to wash her tongue over Danica's clit and his pumping shaft. "Oh yes, fuck me. You both feel so good," Danica gasped as Grant increased the speed and power of his thrusts. Heather moaned in delight, pulled up Danica's hood, and wrapped her lips around the exposed bud, continuing to flick it with her tongue. "Oh yes. Oh, take me. I'm going to come," Danica screamed as her orgasm crept up on her. She tumbled over the edge with a wild scream, her back arching and her hands moving to squeeze her breasts hard. She heard Grant loudly grunting as he continued to stroke her tightly clenched depths. She knew he was nearly to his own peak. "Oh yes — fill me up," Danica growled, and then screamed as another wave of orgasm tore through her body. Grant let out a growling scream of pleasure and flooded Danica's depths on the next thrust. Danica squealed as she felt him buried to the hilt inside her, coating her walls with his semen. Danica's walls squeezing him as she shuddered through the final waves of her orgasm proved too much for Grant to endure, and he pulled from her with a loud gasp. Danica caressed Heather's hair and pleaded, "Lick all his hot cum out of my pussy. Make me come again." Heather didn't require any more encouragement, and stabbed her tongue deep inside Danica to lap up her man's cream. Her flashing tongue brought Danica to another explosion shortly thereafter. They lay together for a time, and then the two women managed to coax another erection from Grant with their mouths. Heather knelt on all fours, and Grant mounted her without delay. Soon Heather screamed in release again, Grant's cock stroking her hard and fast while Danica teased the blonde's puckered ass with her finger. Grant pulled free of his love and spurted what little cum he had left on her rounded bottom, and into Danica's waiting mouth. Danica lapped it all up, and then they all collapsed into an exhausted slumber. When they awoke in the morning, Danica counted out coins, telling the couple she was truly interested in having them make some bottles for her spell components. She described the size she wanted, and Grant told her that they would send word when they completed them. Heather suggested she might stop by on occasion and check on the progress with a coy grin. Danica returned to her quarters, stopping at Damian's along the way and teasing him about the servant girl she had seen leaving his room the day before. She laughed when he blushed furiously and admitted the young woman was coming to spend time with him again that night. Danica requested copies of his notes from the crafting of the bookstand, telling him she had an idea for a spell she wished to create. He sent for a scribe immediately and told her he would have the copies delivered to her as soon as they were finished. He also expressed delight that she thought to expand her knowledge by attempting the creation of an original magical spell. Danica kissed him and rubbed his cock, telling him that as much as she would love to play, she didn't want to take anything away from his newfound lover. He blushed and laughed in response, and Danica winked as she continued on her way to the smaller of the two libraries in the building. There she picked up several volumes dealing with the Hand spells she had learned earlier, and returned to her rooms. She spent the remainder of the day studying the books and Damian's notes, which arrived in the late afternoon. She paused only long enough to send a messenger with the dimensions of the kiln to the craftsman in the city. Danica awoke the next morning burning with desire to learn and create. She ate and bathed hurriedly, and then dressed in a light robe. She had just finished dressing when the door slammed wide open. A scowling Zoraster strode into the room quickly, and then backhanded Danica to the bed with a snarling scream. "You stupid woman, you revived the merchant's bitch of a wife. I had nearly attained total control of the trade in that town, and now I have competent and ruthless competition. Damn your conscience and your morals," he screamed. Danica sat up groggy from the blow of his hand. "You got the necklace. You gave me no instructions other than to return it to you," she said spitefully. Zoraster screamed in rage and grabbed her by the chin, jerking her upward. He took a moment to regain his composure somewhat, and then said, "It matters not what I said. You have thwarted my work in that area, and now you must be punished." Danica felt blackness overwhelm her as his magic took effect. ------- Part 6C Danica came back to consciousness slowly, her vision swimming. She had no idea where she was. She started awake when she realized she couldn't move. She glanced around and noticed she was strapped — nude, and spread eagle — onto some sort of strange angled table. It supported her down to her buttocks on a hard board and held her legs wide open on two stirrups attached to wooden supports angling down from the rest of the table. Shackles held her hands above her head, and a belt around her tummy held her tight to the board. Another leather strap encircled her neck. She struggled slightly and found the bonds so tight that she had almost no range of movement. The table had a rail about a hand high around it, which extended from just beyond where the table ended at her ass, to about her neck. It was spaced evenly with dozens of metal rings. Danica looked around the room to see virtually no other furnishings. Six large cabinets were the only other things in the room. Danica could hear voices coming from somewhere behind her. The voices were so muffled she could not identify much, but she thought that at least one was male and another female. She lay on the table for what felt like an eternity, bathed in the light of a magical globe hanging from the ceiling above her. She heard a door open, and then heard footsteps coming toward her. Camilla's face suddenly filled her vision, as the woman leaned over her. "Oh, how fine — you're awake," Camilla said with a wicked smile. She walked around beside the table and looked down at Danica. "Zoraster said you've been a naughty little tramp, and so we get to play with you a while," she sneered, and then backhanded Danica hard. Danica felt her cheek open when a ring the woman wore dug into her flesh. She screamed and snarled at her tormentor, who only laughed in response and slapped her again. Three more blows fell before a voice from behind her said, "Enough. You are being so primitive. Let us be more sophisticated." Danica gasped as she recognized the voice — it was Garthak. Her stomach knotted in fear as she realized she was at the mercy of two people who had expressed desire to cause her much pain. He moved to the side of the table and said, "You mocked me little bitch, and now I have been given opportunity to repay you that insult." An evil grin spread across Garthak's face and he laughed. Turning to Camilla, he asked, "How shall we begin?" Camilla purred and crossed the room toward one of the cabinets along the wall. She reached inside and produced the wand of electricity Garthak had used on Danica before. Camilla activated it as she walked back toward the table. The twisted woman touched Danica's breasts with it and shuddered as the magic coursed through Danica's body. Camilla moaned and then laughed as Danica's body twitched from the shock. She then handed the wand to Garthak. He spoke words of command to the wand, and then brought it to Danica's right breast. Danica screamed as her body pulled taut, the jolt shooting through her breast and her body. She screamed again, when it touched her other breast. "I should imagine it is quite uncomfortable to have all your muscles contract when you are unable to move," Garthak taunted with a smile and a wicked laugh. He then bent over and kissed each of Danica's nipples. He raised the wand over her breasts once more, holding it very close without touching her. She could feel the tingle of the wand's power running through her and her muscles contracted slightly, causing her breasts to jiggle. He passed the wand back and forth over her breasts several times, enjoying the show of her breasts quivering and Danica biting her lip against the uncomfortable sensation. He pulled the wand down her body, still holding it at just the right distance to keep the uncomfortable tingling running through her. He reached her mound, moving the wand in slow circles over her. His smile widened as her nether lips twitched from the stimulation of her muscles. He brought the wand down suddenly, and Danica screamed again as the full force of the wand surged through her. She felt her bladder contract and a short, hard spurt of urine sprayed out from between her lips. Another jolt caused her to scream again and spray her golden stream. Camilla moaned and gestured for the wand. Garthak handed it to her. Camilla brought the wand down to Danica's mound, and again she gasped, her throat too constricted to let more escape it. Almost immediately, Camilla brought the wand lower in a quick movement and touched it to Danica's damp, dripping lips. Danica's erupted in a choked scream as her muscles tightened up even harder. Another jolt tore through her sensitive flesh a moment later. She trickled with every touch. The next time the wand touched her, it was on her hood and her clit. Danica screamed and banged her head hard on the board beneath her as the jolt tried to knot her whole body up into a tight ball. The woman put the wand back on Danica's mound and held it there. Danica's bladder contracted tight and emptied in a gush. Garthak grabbed Camilla's hand and pulled the wand away. "You'll stop her heart, foolish woman," he said as he took the wand from her. He turned to Danica and said, "You seem to wear very little jewelry. A beautiful woman should have adornment." He gave her another twisted smile and made his way to a cabinet. He returned bearing a small wooden box. This he handed to Camilla. She held it and Garthak walked over to the side of the table on Danica's left. Camilla held up the box and Garthak opened it. He pulled a shining ring from the box. It was a simple rounded band, with a hinged clasp where the edges of the band joined. He popped open the latch as Danica watched, laying the ring down in a small tray on the side of the torture table. He then pulled a large needle from the box and turned back toward Danica. Danica's eyes widened and her stomach knotted in fear as he leaned over her and put the sharp tip of the needle against the base of her nipple. Danica half screamed and half sobbed as he slowly pushed the needle completely through her nipple. He held it there for a moment, and then withdrew it. He picked up the ring from the tray and roughly slipped it through the newly pierced nipple. He then locked the clasp and stood back up. Danica gasped for air, wincing as she felt cold burning into her chest from the amulet, followed by cold spreading down to her breast as it healed the wound around the ring. Garthak walked to the other side of the table, repeating the process to pierce Danica's other nipple as well. Danica whispered, "Oh gods — no," as Garthak and Camilla moved to the foot of the table. Out came another ring and the needle. Danica screamed again as the needle pierced her hood. Another ring, another stab of the needle, and Garthak pierced Danica's right nether lip. He then pierced her other lip as well. Danica blacked out from the pain when the needle touched her the last time. Danica roused just in time to see Garthak clamping something onto the last ring through her labia. The amulet had healed her wounds, and she felt no pain as he worked. Danica's nipples each had a clamp and a chain attached to them, the chains hanging down next to her body. Another chain also dangled between her breasts, hanging like a suspension bridge between them. She could see a much larger link in the dead center of the chain spanning between her nipples. Chains likewise adorned the rings pierced through her labia. Garthak moved back to the side of the table, letting the chain attached to her right breast slide between his fingers until he reached the end of it. Attached to the other end of the chain was another clamp, and the chain ran through what looked like a clockwork gear. Garthak pulled the chain, and Danica winced as it pulled her nipple with strong pressure. He attached the clamp to one of the eyelets on the rail, and then repeated the process with her other breast. The chain between them now stretched straight between her breasts. He moved to the foot of the table and repeated the process with the rings through her lips. Danica whimpered in pain as he pulled the chains up and attached them. Finally, he picked up the chain connected to her hood and clamped it to the one running between her breasts. Danica bit down hard and tried to steel her will against the pain. The chains gaped her wide open, and pulled her breasts taut. Garthak stood up straight, admiring the web of chains adorning Danica's body. He then smiled wickedly at Danica, and to Camilla. He spoke a word of command, and Danica let out a high-pitched wail of agony as each of the clockwork gears clicked once, pulling the chains tighter. He spoke the word again before Danica's scream faded, causing her to break out into a fit of choked coughing as the gears clicked again. Danica's eyes watered so badly tat she could barely see her torturers, her vision clouded with pain and tears. She blinked to clear them, almost leaving her eyes closed. Garthak pulled something else from the box. It looked similar to a silver bobby pin with a crossbar at the tips. He looked at Camilla, and she leaned down to swirl her tongue over Danica's exposed clit. Despite her pain, the direct stimulation caused Danica's clit to harden and become erect. Camilla raised her head, and immediately Garthak's hands moved to where the sick woman's mouth had been a moment earlier. Danica growled as he slipped the pin over her clit and turned a wheel to tighten it on her bud with strong pressure. Danica's breath exploded from her in pained gasps. She closed her eyes because she could not keep them open against the pain. Garthak was removing something from a pocket when Danica blinked her eyes clear of tears and opened them again. It was a very thin piece of wood, about as long as his forearm. Garthak knelt in front of Danica, rubbing the thin strip of wood against her widespread lips. He then held it tightly at the bottom, pulled back on the top, and let it smack against Danica's nether lips. Danica screamed from the horrible pain, her eyes closing again, not to open for a long time. Repeatedly, the wood smacked against her folds. Garthak then turned his attentions to Danica's fully exposed clit, held throbbing between the prongs of the clip. Danica lapsed into a near unconscious state of pain and anguish. Time seemed to stop as the two pressed torture after torture upon her body and mind. She passed out at times, but always awakened in the same situation. Sometimes her tormenters left her for hours, but always they returned. She knew that once they had shared a bullwhip, bringing huge welts to her flesh, breaking the skin and drawing blood. The electric wand had returned, and Camilla had violated Danica's ass with a massive phallus crafted from Danica's enchantment notes. The pair forced her to watch as Garthak deflowered the clone Danielle while Camilla lapped her. As horrific as that experience was, Garthak ordered Danielle to slip between Danica's legs and lick her as well. Danica eventually reached a point where the pain and images jumbled into an indecipherable mass in her mind, as what must have been days passed. ------- Danica regained consciousness. For quite some time, her mind remained shut away. Her consciousness hid deep where it had retreated from the pair's horrific tortures. Slowly she realized it was not the hard wood of the torture table beneath her, but the softness of a mattress. Her mind cautiously crept back toward reality. She was indeed on a bed — her own bed. She was back in her room. For long minutes, she lay still, afraid to move, and then slowly sat up as she regained her senses. It was then she noticed Celes asleep in a chair next to the bed. Danica pulled the covers off and realized she was dressed in a sleeping shift. She swung her legs slowly off the edge of the bed, and Celes awakened with a slight start. "Danica, you're awake. Are you all right?" Celes asked and stood up, offering her a hand. Danica shook her head. "I do not know if I'll ever be alright again." "Ye were brought here yesterday mornin'. Ye were unconscious, but unmarked other than the rings ye've got stuck through ye. I dressed ye, for ye was naked as the day ye were born, and put ye to bed. Ye screamed horribly and thrashed in yer sleep for the whole day. I could na' wake ye, though yer eyes were open at times. Ye weren't there though. What happened?" Danica brought her hand to her mouth and choked back a sob as the jumbled images of torture returned to her. She shook her head violently, refusing to think about it, let alone speak of it. "It's alright dearie, keep it locked away," Celes said and moved to hug her. Danica felt dirty, and she headed for the tub when they broke from the hug. Celes stepped ahead of her to draw the bath for the exhausted redhead. Danica pulled off her shift and saw the rings piercing her flesh. She flushed in anger, and unhooked the clasp of the one in her right nipple. She tried to pull it out, but gasped in pain. The healing magic of the amulet had sealed the ring in her flesh as if it were a part of her. "Wait dearie. If'n ye're wantin' 'em out, lemme get somethin'," Celes suggested. "Go ahead an' get yerself in the tub. I'll have ta get back ta me chambers an' fetch it." Danica nodded, and Celes left. Danica slid into the tub and soaked, letting the steaming water caress her and take her mind into a dreamlike state. She started when Celes returned, finished washing, and then stood up to get up out of the tub. "Just stay in there dearie. Ye'll have to wash this off, it smells horribly," Celes said, pulling out a small jar from her pocket. Danica nodded and leaned over the edge of the tub when Celes instructed her to do so. Celes slathered a generous amount of the strong smelling unguent over Danica's nipples, and then waited a moment or two before pulling on the first ring. Danica's nipples were completely numb, and felt cold. Celes slid first one ring, then the other free from the redhead's breasts. She then instructed Danica to wash off the unguent. Danica didn't need much encouragement to do so, as it did smell just as badly as Celes had warned. Celes then told her to sit up on the chair above the tub. Celes slathered the stuff over the three rings piercing Danica's sex. She then removed the two rings piercing Danica's labia. Danica watched Celes work, and found she actually liked the way the ring piercing her hood looked. She flipped it with her finger as Celes put down the second ring from her lips. Celes reached for the hood ring and Danica said, "Wait," flipping the ring again with her finger. "Ye want to keep that one?" Celes asked. "It is pretty, though 'twould look better if'n it had a stone. Ye want to keep it?" Danica thought for a moment. It was indeed pretty, and it would serve as a reminder to her — a reminder of the revenge she owed Zoraster and the pair who had tortured her. "Yes, I think I'll keep it," she answered. "Well, lemme loosen it up in yer skin then. That way ye can remove it if'n ye wish sometime," Celes said and tugged the ring. She rotated it back and forth a few times to ensure it was loose from where it had fused to the skin, and then told Danica to wash. Danica stood up and dressed, Celes telling a story of a man she had encountered on a task while Danica was away. The man was once a powerful wizard, though his mind had slipped away from age of late. The people of the city loved the old man, because he used his magic for much good, and had done so for as long as most of them could remember. The old man still used his magic to aid the local people when he was coherent, but more often used his Art to play harmless and amusing little pranks. He made the sound of gas expelling pop into being when people sat down, caused flowers he wore to squirt water, scared the stray dogs in the area with images of huge cats chasing them, and other little tricks. Danica laughed and the mood lightened as Celes told her the story of the man's antics. He also spent a great deal of time flirting with every woman in the town. He was lighthearted, funny, and even Celes admitted that she had warmed up to the old man. She had found reasons to spend a lot of time with him when she could. Celes then told Danica that some things had arrived for her. Danica brightened and followed Celes to her lab to examine everything. The woodworking tools were in three plain wooden cases. Danica had asked for every type of tool the man had ever made, in three different sizes. The rack for the kiln was there, and Danica was pleased to find it connected perfectly. The wood she had requested was in neatly wrapped cords, the smaller pieces wrapped in cloth. Celes told Danica she would leave her to her work, because she could see Danica's fingers ached to craft. She left and went to her own chambers. Danica selected a piece of wood about eight inches long, about three inches wide, and about the same thickness. She fastened it to the table with one of the clamps from her new tools. Danica then experimented with the adze, quickly finding a feel for the tool and shaving the block down into a roughly cylindrical shape. Danica fell into her work completely. ------- It was mid afternoon two days later when Danica finally sat back with a sigh of weariness to examine what she had made. After a few false starts, and tossing aside several half-done pieces, she managed to combine what she knew with what she discovered as she worked with the tools. She cast the proper spells during her work on the latest piece, because she could feel almost immediately that this attempt was going to succeed. She had shaped a gorgeous and realistic cock, about six inches long and an inch or so around, curving upward and slightly to the right. It had veins just like the real thing, Danica having taken great pains to work the wood with the tiniest tools and draw out a lot of detail. She had sanded it with fine grain to perfect smoothness. The wood she had purchased proved well selected, and the surface of the toy was as smooth as glass. The wooden cock was hollow on the butt end and throughout the shaft, right up to the tip. At the end of the shaft, it swelled out larger and was somewhat cupped, the upper part reaching farther than the lower. On the inside, there was a ridge just past the cup, broken in two places by small slots. At the top of the cup, there was a raised knob that had a small tapered slot in it. On the outside, small holes perforated two more ridges about a quarter of an inch apart. Danica was satisfied with what she had made. It was beautiful, and she was certain it would serve her purposes perfectly. She wanted badly to continue on, crafting the other pieces that she would need, but her eyes and fingers ached from the detailed work. Combining that with the stress of spell casting left Danica exhausted. The rest would have to wait. She was thirsty, but not yet ready to get up from her chair. She turned and gestured toward the water pitcher, casting a spell of telekinesis. The pitcher and glass hovered across the main room and into her lab to sit gently on the table. Danica poured the water and drank, then thought about the spell she had cast. The Psi had told her she had a strong affinity for telekinesis. On a whim, she concentrated her magic on the water, and caused a stream to rise up out of the pitcher to fill her glass again. Danica longed to try to enact the effect without magic, but she knew Zoraster observed her every move. There was nowhere she could go to test her powers that Zoraster wouldn't notice she had not cast the proper spells before utilizing the telekinetic force. She could let her control over the spell lapse and try to use her mind powers, but that was dangerous too. The thought of testing the hidden powers of her mind also reminded her of another freedom Zoraster had granted her, which she had not yet utilized. Zoraster had granted her permission to use a place here that would allow her to practice and hone powerful spells without causing destruction. She decided to learn more about this as something to pass the time and give her mind a break from her work. Danica made her way to the man who granted her permission to enter the city. He nodded when Danica inquired, and gave her directions to the room where she could test her Art. He informed her that the ring that granted passage to the Scrying Pool would also allow her access to the Spell Engine, now that Zoraster had granted her the freedom. She followed the directions to the room and went inside. She found an elderly man seated there, quite obviously a wizard from his dress and demeanor. The room was small, barely leaving room to pass in front of the desk where the man sat. The only other feature of the room was a door covered in many runes, directly across from where she entered. "You have come to test your magic in the safety of the Spell Engine?" the old man asked. She nodded, and the man acknowledged her nod with a grunt. "Know this — once inside, any art will be absorbed by the Engine. It works quickly, but you must still use caution when casting particularly powerful spells. The final discipline of the Inferno spell would still have time to consume you before the Spell Engine could devour its power. Once I shut the door behind you, it cannot be opened from the outside for an hour, for safety's sake. You will be left to your own devices once inside, because none will know if you require assistance unless you open the door. You should stay no more than an hour. A bell will ring when the hour has passed. If you wish to leave earlier, simply open the door and come out. Do you understand?" Danica nodded her understanding and the man said, "Whenever you are ready, you may enter the Spell Engine." She opened the door and went inside. Inside steep stairs descended into a large room, much longer than it was wide. The walls were completely unadorned and appeared to be made of almost unworked stone. At the other end of the room, she could see an aura of magic that looked much like a spinning water wheel, the type mills used to power large grinding stones. Danica cleared her mind and cast a lightning bolt at the spinning nimbus of magic across the room. The bolt leapt from her outstretched hand with a crackle, and the wheel sucked it up like a sponge. The strange magical wheel glowed brighter as it consumed the power of the spell. Next, she turned and cast another bolt, this one toward the wall on the side instead of directly at the Spell Engine. The bolt turned toward the faintly glowing wheel of magic almost as soon as it left her fingertips. Danica relaxed again and prepared to cast one of the few spells she had mastered, but never tested. The Inferno spells were simply too dangerous to cast for testing purposes, due to the vast area they engulfed. The keeper outside had used the final form of the spell as an example of a spell not to cast; but Danica felt safe casting the weakest, though still powerful, version of the spell. It protected the caster from its fury anyway, and the Spell Engine should absorb its power. Danica fell into the casting and felt the tremendous power of the spell surge from her as flames engulfed the room. The Spell Engine consumed the flames and the magical shield the spell generated almost immediately, but Danica stood in awe of the tremendous intensity of the spell's flames. This was the weakest of the Inferno spells, and it was a conflagration the likes of which Danica had never imagined. She was surprised to notice that the spell only left her feeling slightly weak. She had cast two lightning bolts, one of which used to make her feel weak in the knees when she cast it, and followed it with the powerful Inferno spell. Her powers were growing stronger. She still did not feel confident enough to attempt the second, more powerful version of the Inferno spell, however. Another day, she thought. Danica thought of something, and concentrated to activate the magic of the ring of invisibility on her finger. She felt the tickling fingers of the magic running over her, but she didn't vanish from sight. The surge in the glow of the Spell Engine let her know it absorbed the magic of items as well. Danica thought for a moment, and then pulled her knife from its hidden sheath beneath her clothes. She winced as she pricked her fingertip with the knife, and then put it away. She waited, but did not feel the cold of the amulet spring into being to heal the wound. The Spell Engine absorbed the magic of Zoraster's vile device as well. The Spell Engine's power was absolute. No Art or magical item would work in this room without its power surging into the Spell Engine. This aroused Danica's curiosity, and she tried to think of other things to test. The runes on the outside of the door gave Danica an idea. Danica was far from adept at Rune Magic. It was an ancient art, and rarely used in the modern world. It was no less powerful than the common form of magic, most of the knowledge of it had been simply lost to the ages when the quicker form of modern spell casting emerged. Danica's sister had learned the Rune Magic under the tutelage of the great Wizard Darkniciad, who had spent much time researching and re-discovering it. Devan had proved to be as adept a student at the Rune Magic as in the Art. Danica's found she had little skill with the runes, as she expected when comparing herself to her sister. She had only mastered one Rune, one of light, abandoning the difficult study after that. She had chosen to devote her studies to the Art rather than splitting her attention between multiple disciplines of Magic. Danica carefully traced the one rune she had learned in the air with her finger and spoke its name. The rune came to life and glowed with radiance equivalent to that a torch would generate. The Spell Engine didn't absorb the rune. Danica directed and manipulated it normally, even going so far as to direct the rune to hover right next to the Engine. Danica dismissed the rune, confident it was unaffected by the power of the Engine. She then slipped into the second sight to experiment with something else, yet another discipline of magic her sister had learned under Darkniciad's tutelage. Spell Weaving was a relatively new form of magic. An associate of Darkniciad's had only recently discovered it. The technique directly manipulated the weave of magic always present throughout the world. It could bring magic into being, and could manipulate the effects of spells already cast. Danica concentrated on the motes of magic she could barely detect even in her intense concentration. She managed to manipulate them and bring into being a globe of light from the raw power of magic. The small ball flared into brilliance for only a fraction of a second, and then the Spell Engine sucked it up. Danica could see the weave of magic comprising the Spell Engine when she concentrated on the aspect of the second sight that the Spell Weaving discipline was based on. She let her concentration lapse and wiped the sweat from her brow. The Spell Engine could absorb the power of spells formed through Spell Weaving, but had no effect on the manipulations preceding the release of the spell's power. Danica decided there was little chance Zoraster could spy on her here. The room would absorbed any sort of scrying magic easily. The amulet she wore could not absorb her feelings here either. This was her opportunity to test the more visible aspects of the mental disciplines the Psi claimed she possessed. Danica pulled one of her non-magical rings from her finger. She then sat down on the floor and placed the ring in front of her. Danica closed her eyes and centered her mind as she had learned to do when experimenting with hearing people's thoughts. After a few minutes, Danica entered the state of calm mental clarity she had experienced before. When she felt the feeling sweep through her, she opened her eyes and looked at the ring. She concentrated on it intently, concentrating her will and trying to move it. Sweat beaded up on Danica's forehead as she concentrated on the ring. She felt something inside her mind open, and heard a dull roar from within her mind, sounding somewhat like a strong wind blowing against a building. Then her eyes opened wide and her concentration broke as the ring quivered. Danica wiped her brow and looked away for a moment to rest her eyes before looking back down at the ring. She could almost immediately hear the dull roar as she concentrated. The ring quivered, and Danica willed the force to manipulate the object as she would with a spell of telekinesis. The ring rolled up onto its side. Danica concentrated again and made the ring spin on its edge. She found that with each manipulation, the process was easier. She needed only to concentrate for a moment and turn her will to what she wanted to do. She heard the roar for a moment in her mind, and then the ring would spin, hop, rise up, and hover — whatever she wished. Danica concentrated hard, willing the ring to bend. The roar inside her mind grew louder and the ring slowly warped, bending nearly double under the pressure of her mind. Danica caused the ring to hover in front of her. She found it took little thought to maintain the object in this position, even easier than when she used the telekinetic magic she had used for years. She concentrated her will on the ring, listening to the dull roar in her mind as she built her will on the ring. She could see it quivering as she concentrated. Danica then released her gathered will in a rush. The sound in her head grew to a deafening burst, and the ring sailed across the room at great speed to ping off the wall and roll to the floor. Walking over to where the ring lay, she saw a mark on the wall where the ring had struck. She had propelled the light silver ring with enough force to scar stone. Danica used her newfound powers to make the ring rise up to her and return to its natural shape. A bell sounded just as she put the ring back on her finger. Danica walked back to the door and exited. The old man nodded to her as she passed, but said not a word. Danica returned to her chambers with a wide smile as she contemplated her newfound powers. ------- Danica began the work of carving the next piece of her new magical creation the next day. She finished shaving the piece down to size and hollowing it out by mid afternoon. She decided to take a break from her work and made her way to the Spell Engine again. She had brought along some objects to test her mental powers, and worked to hone her telekinetic skills to even greater potency. She found it easier to manipulate objects with these powers every time she tried. She even managed to start a candle burning with the power of her mind, though this took great effort and made her weak in the knees when she finally succeeded. Danica returned to her rooms to find Celes waiting. She was distraught, having just returned from a task for Zoraster, and in need of comfort and distraction. Celes explained Zoraster had sent her to disrupt the business of a mageware shop that was counteracting some plan of his in the area. She had managed to arouse suspicion amongst many customers through careful work, convincing them the man sold defective and deceptive items. She had crept in under cover of darkness to switch jars of spell components, magic items, and other things for ineffective or different items. While on one of these nighttime forays, she encountered the master of the shop. He had deduced what was going on and lay in wait for her. The man had attacked, and Celes had no choice but to put up a defense. She had escaped, but not without cost. Her physical injuries easily healed, but the emotional pain remained. "I burned him badly I fear," Celes said with a sigh. "I thought only to use the Flame Flail spell to give me time to escape, but he must have been exhausted from our battle. The Flail slipped through his defenses like a knife through butter and sent him screaming to the street where our fight had taken us." Danica hugged the woman. She knew Celes was extremely distraught because the woman had abandoned her put-upon accent and spoke normally. Danica held her for a long time, as Celes fought to keep from crying. Danica tried to take Celes' mind off things, taking her into the lab and showing her the progress on the new magical toy. The conversation turned to Celes' idea about something she wanted to create. As Celes explained, Danica concentrated with her second sight, trying to see the illusion of how Celes really looked before Zoraster had cast his accursed wish upon her. While she listened, she caught glimpses, and then longer looks at the image of the beautiful, sensual, sexy young woman that Celes truly was. As she concentrated, she found it easier to hold onto the illusion in her second sight. Danica felt wetness building between her legs as she watched the image of the lithe, sexy woman. Danica excused herself once, supposedly to go to the chamber pot, but in reality to take a small dose of the hallucinogenic drug that enhanced the senses. She was disappointed to discover that it actually made it more difficult for her to see the illusion. It did however, open wide her mind and her mental powers. ... she's staring right through me, Celes thought, with a mental sigh. How I wish you could look on me as I truly am, to look and find yourself as hungry for me as I am for you. To share our touch, to taste each other, and rise to our heights under gentle caress... Danica had to concentrate her will to break the contact with Celes' mind. Celes noticed the strange look on Danica's face and asked, "Are you okay?" "I'm just suddenly not feeling very well," Danica responded. "Do you need anything?" Danica told her, "I'll likely be fine if I lay down for a while." Celes excused herself with a sympathetic pat on Danica's shoulder, and went back to her room. Danica did lie down, right after taking a dose of the antidote to the drug. It counteracted the drug for the most part, but she still felt the burning needs of her body intensely. She pulled out her toy and used it to reach a thundering orgasm, fantasizing about being with Celes as she should be. When she had come back to Earth, Danica found she wasn't sated. She needed more, and her toy wasn't going to be enough to satisfy her hunger. Danica made her way to Andrea's room, and found the young woman there, having just returned from the baths. The bright desire in Danica's eyes made Andrea gasp, and sparked arousal within her as well. Danica pulled off her own clothes, and then Andrea's in a rush. She slid her face between Andrea's smooth thighs and suckled the blonde's sex with a hunger like she had never known before. Andrea gasped and moaned emphatically under Danica's assault. She came once, then again, squirting her stream of girl cum into Danica's waiting mouth. Danica didn't relent, but continued to lap and suck the young woman's folds. They both started when the door opened and closed quickly. They turned to find the young man Andrea was sporting with of late, standing at the door and staring in wide-eyed wonder. Andrea motioned him near, and he broke from his trance to come forward. Andrea huskily asked him to join them. Danica returned to lapping Andrea's sex, and the young man slid deep inside Danica from behind with Andrea's urging. He took her hard and fast, staring hard at Danica's tongue dancing over his young lover. When Andrea came again with a loud scream, the young man's cock brought Danica to her heights as well. She screamed her pleasure around Andrea's quivering lips. Moments later, Danica felt him pull free, to stroke his member. "Fill me up," Danica half growled. He slid back inside her and thrust a few more times. Danica loudly moaned as she felt his hot cum filling her and spreading warmth through her body. Danica spun around on the bed to straddle Andrea's face. She lowered her dripping sex to the young woman and felt Andrea's tongue sliding inside her the moment the blonde could reach. Danica motioned the young man near, and ran her tongue over his flaccid manhood when he reached her. All the while, she quivered from Andrea's lips and tongue caressing every inch of her private places so well. Danica sat bolt upright and threw her head back to gasp her way through an explosive orgasm on Andrea's face, as blood swelled the young man's manhood once more. Andrea lapped with moans of pleasure for Danica's flow of juices running into her mouth. Danica came back to earth and feverishly sucked Andrea's lover's now quickly hardening cock. He throbbed at full erection in her mouth shortly thereafter. Danica let him slide from between her lips with one last long, slow suck, and then turned back to Andrea. Danica cast her spell and discovered Andrea was in no danger of getting pregnant right now. She moaned deep in her throat and guided the young man's hard cock into Andrea with a sigh of pleasure. Danica slid down and stroked her tongue over Andrea's clit and the man's stroking shaft as he fucked her hard. Andrea leaned up to watch as her lover penetrated her and Danica's tongue danced over her. "Oh — mmm, yes," she moaned. It didn't take Andrea long to reach her peak under the dual assault, and she came with a loud series of whimpers and gasps as the man's hard cock continued to pound her. Danica could tell he was getting close as she felt Andrea's body showing the signs of teetering on the verge of another orgasm. "Fill her up. Let her feel it inside her," Danica said huskily before redoubling her efforts on the young woman's swollen clit. "Oh yes, I'm going to cum again," Andrea squealed and toppled over the edge into orgasm. The young man buried his cock inside her, grunting and gasping as he filled her with a warm flood of semen. Danica kept lapping them both until he pulled free because he was too sensitive. She then slipped her tongue between Andrea's labia to lap up the mingled juices. Andrea came again on Danica's tongue, holding the redhead's face tight against her as she bucked and writhed through the intense orgasm. All three relaxed for a time and let their bodies recover. Danica sensually strutted over to get them all some water about a half an hour later, showing off her body and smiling when she saw the young man's cock twitch with life again. Danica poured them each a glass of water in turn, and then leaned down to whisper in Andrea's ear, "He's not too big. Would you like him to put it in your ass while I tease that sweet pussy with my toy?" Andrea shuddered and whispered back to Danica, "I've never done it before. I-I don't know." "Don't worry, he won't hurt you. I'll make him take it nice and slow until you're ready for more. If you can't handle it, I'll have him take me so he doesn't get all worked up for nothing," Danica purred and kissed her. "Now, let's go get cleaned up." Danica leaned over the young man, her breasts sliding along his chest. "You wait right here and think about us," Danica purred, kissing his chest, "We'll be right back." She kissed him again when he nodded. Danica and Andrea dressed, and then went to Danica's chambers. Danica brought out the skin and slipped it gently into Andrea's puckered ass. She shuddered from the sensual feeling as she flooded Andrea's ass with warm water. She could see that Andrea felt the same sort of intimate connection. Danica sat on the bed when Andrea hurried to the chamber pot. She then cleaned the spout of the skin thoroughly when Andrea returned, and got down on all fours with her ass high in the air. Danica shuddered again as Andrea filled her bottom with warm water. The two women got dressed when Danica returned from the chamber pot. Danica grabbed a jar from her dresser just before they left. The two then returned to Andrea's chambers, where they immediately undressed. The young man had obviously been thinking about them as Danica had suggested. He was about half hard and stroking his cock when they entered. The two women slid into the bed with him, and replaced his hand with theirs. As they stroked his cock, they leaned against him and let their hard nipples press against him. Danica kissed him, and Andrea followed her example. The two then shared a long sensual kiss over the top of the widely smiling young man. Danica looked down into his eyes and said, "Now, let's get that gorgeous cock hard again. I want you to fuck Andrea's ass. It's so tight there. It will feel so good, and I'm going to play with her with my magical little toy to make sure she comes nice and hard before you fill her ass up. Be gentle, she's never had a man there. It's her first time." The young man nodded and Danica smiled. She then motioned to Andrea with a slight nod of her head, and the two women slid down to stroke, lick, and suck his half-hard cock. When he swelled to full erection again, Danica pulled out her toy and spoke the word of command to make it come to life. "Make that sweet pussy come," Danica said. She continued to slowly lap and suck on the young man's throbbing cock as she pushed her toy into Andrea's depths. He gasped in amazement as he watched Danica stroke Andrea's pussy, the blonde writhing from the powerful sensations of Danica's toy. Danica was no less enthralled and aroused than he was. A few minutes later, Andrea came so hard she squirted the toy out of her. She writhed and gasped her way through the orgasm. Danica let Andrea come back to earth a bit, and then bent down to her hands and knees. Danica reached into her robe pocket and removed the jar she had picked up in her chambers. Danica coated the young man's cock well in the slippery ointment. She then rubbed a generous amount over Andrea's puckered ass, pushing her finger past the resistance and slathering more inside. She told the young man to get behind Andrea, and then guided the tip of his erection against the iris of Andrea's ass. "Just relax, Andrea. Let him in. Let him fill you up while I make you quiver with my toy," she said and slowly slipped the toy into Andrea. Andrea gasped and shuddered as the humming, throbbing toy slid inside her. She motioned to her lover, and he pressed his cock against her tight ass. Danica pulled on Andrea's cheeks, looking at the young man and gesturing with her head toward her hands. He understood the hint and reached down to spread Andrea's cheeks wide. Danica ran her fingers over the young woman's ass, and she relaxed just a little. Andrea nodded to her lover and said, "More." He pushed forward in response. Andrea let out a whimpering gasp as the head of his cock slipped inside her. Danica stroked the toy slowly, pulling on the young man's buttocks until he caught on and pressed forward every time he felt the resistance of Andrea's tight ass lessen enough for him to do so. Andrea gasped as he slowly opened her up and slid inside her. Once about half of his shaft was inside her, Danica said, "Now take her — slowly. Don't give her more until she's ready. You'll feel her begging for more when she's ready to take it." The young man stroked slowly in and out of Andrea's ass. Both gasped as she squeezed tight around his throbbing cock. Danica stroked the toy a little faster. She kept the angle of the toy just right to keep the little probe that would normally be right against the iris of the ass just a little lower, so that it made Andrea's ass throb with gentle vibrations. Andrea responded to the sensations of Danica's wonderful toy. Her muscles relaxed a bit more, and the young man slipped more of his shaft inside her with the next thrust. Andrea gasped again from the deeper penetration. About three quarters of his shaft now stroked her ass. "Oh, more," she growled, and made a conscious effort to relax her muscles as Danica's toy fanned the flames inside her to a white-hot intensity. Andrea's resistance lessened, and her young lover at last buried his erection deep inside her, drawing gasps of pleasure from them both. Danica stroked the toy faster, causing Andrea to arch her back and pinch her nipples. The throbbing of the toy and the hard cock filling her ass sent her quickly to the edge of orgasm. Danica guided the young man to increase the speed of his thrusts. Andrea neared orgasm and her muscles relaxed in response, "Oh yes, fuck my ass," she gasped. The young man needed no further prompting, and increased the speed of his thrusts again. Andrea moaned and whimpered with every stroke now. She breathed hard, her eyes rolling up when he bottomed out in her ass. Andrea came moments later, clenching tight on the toy and the cock in her ass. She gasped, shuddered, and ground her face into the mattress — screaming her pleasure while the jolts of orgasmic energy rolled through her. "Take her. Fill her up," Danica breathlessly urged. After only a few more strokes, he slammed his cock hard into Andrea's ass and flooded it with the last of his seed. The feeling of his warm spurts set Andrea off again. The three again rested for a while, and then got up to wash. When Danica left, she immediately returned to her lab, more eager than ever to complete her new magical creation. ------- Danica returned to her work the next day with a new sense of purpose — almost a sense of urgency. She wanted desperately to complete her new toy now. She finished the second piece before the end of the day. It was similar to the first, though the shaft was smooth and without detail except for the flare of the head on the wooden cock. The wooden phallus was also smaller than the first in diameter. At the base of the piece were two raised knobs. Danica lined these up with the notches in the first piece she had carved, and let the new piece slide inside the larger. The tip of the second toy fit in just below the rim of the first. Danica took two small dovetailed pieces and fit them into the notches of the first, more detailed shaft. She then turned it upside down and smiled as the smaller shaft slid down easily to stop against the ridge. Danica turned her work to the next piece the following day. It took her two more days to do the fine hollowing of this small piece. When she finished it, she looked it over carefully. It was perhaps as big around as her pinky finger, and about as long as her middle finger. It was ribbed, similar to the handle of the flail Francine had stroked into her depths. Danica shuddered as she thought about it slipping into her ass once she completed the toy. Danica then went to work on the last piece she needed to carve. It was similar to the present she had made for Celes — a set of parted lips and a tongue. The shaping of this took her almost a week, due to the intricate detail and small working space between the wooden lips. At last, she completed it. Many small holes pierced the slightly larger oval of wood around the lips, each about as big around as the quill of a goose feather. Danica sat back with a sigh as she put down the last piece next to the rest. All that remained now was to get the leatherwork done and enchant her new toy. Only then would she know if it was everything she hoped it would be. She gathered up the pieces in a small sack, along with several sketches and notes she had made. She had just bathed in preparation to go down to the tradesmen's workshops when Zoraster entered the room. "I see you have been availing yourself of your freedoms. Now I would offer you another in exchange for your next task. A student here has fallen into disfavor, and his disfavor is your fortune. His chambers lie adjacent to your own, joined by the wall behind your bath and lab. Your freedom will be to have his chambers adjoined to yours, so that you may have more space for your fascinating work — and play." He smiled as he said the final words, and laughed when he finished. Danica had just been thinking that her lab felt a bit crowded with the new tools and supplies she had purchased to work in wood. "What is the task?" She asked in as much of a dismissive voice as she could. "Still playing that game are we?" Zoraster laughed. "Celes grew bored with that melodrama some time ago, little rose. Follow me, and I will show you in the Scrying Pool the object of your next task," he said, beckoning her to follow. Zoraster led her to Scrying Pool and concentrated as he directed its magic. Danica watched as the waters swirled and slowly formed an image. She flushed in anger when she realized Zoraster had directed the Pool to show the room where her copies were. The clone he called Danielle being fucked by a large guard dominated the scene. Danielle screamed in a mixture of pleasure and pain, the blood on the sheets a testament to her ever-renewed virginity, stolen time and time again. The rest of her copies and the one of Andrea were in a knot of naked bodies on the bed, licking and sucking each other. "Oh, I must have been distracted. That wasn't what I meant to show you at all, little rose," he said with a laugh and dismissed the image. Danica growled as Zoraster continued to laugh while redirecting the Pool to a new scene. This time it showed a sinister looking bald man. "This is the object of your Task. His name is Omark, called The Dark. He is a slaver who deals exclusively in women, most especially in virgins. He is well established and he is meddling with my plans in the area, though he knows it not." Zoraster then caused the Pool to pull outward and show more of the scene. The man stood before a line of half a dozen women. They ranged from a thirty-something dark haired woman, to a blonde girl who could have been no more than thirteen. All had a blank, staring look on their faces. Omark went down the line, examining each of their nude bodies carefully. He pinched their buttocks, felt of the weight and firmness of their breasts, ran his fingers through their hair, checked their teeth — looking much like a man examining horses he was thinking of purchasing. He made notes on a slate as he examined each woman. When he reached the end of the line, he ordered some men to lay the last, the young blonde, down on a table. He then leaned down and parted her legs, examining her and making another mark on his slate. The rest of the women followed in turn, offering little resistance. "I want you to discover what you can of his operation. You need not worry about disrupting it, because I fear your being female would preclude your success in this," Zoraster said and sent the image in the pool away from Omark toward a nearby building. The pool's magic took them through the door and into the building. It moved through the halls. Zoraster instructed, "Pay attention," as it moved. Danica noted the turns, doorways, and rooms she saw on the sides as the magical image moved along. It finally reached a door marked with runes. "There are two rooms in this place I cannot scry. This is the first. It would seem to be some sort of office, because he goes to it quite often with his slates and parchments. I want you to find what you can there. Now, to the second." The scene again followed the halls of the building a short distance and stopped before a large set of double doors. "These are Omark's private quarters, but directly across the hall is the other room you must examine," Zoraster said and directed the pool to show the door in question. It was rune-marked like the door to the slaver's private room. "The man has magic about him, though he hides it well. I wish you to discover all you can about these two rooms by whatever means possible. Return to me with this knowledge, using this to record your discoveries," Zoraster ordered, handing Danica a curious gem-studded platinum tube set with glass lenses in both ends. "The command word is Mortali, which activates and deactivates the magic. Hold it to your eye and look through it once activated. It will hold your words as well, so you may speak and offer your own thoughts about what you see if the situation allows. It will hear even the quietest of whispers." The Archmage dismissed the image in the pool and turned to Danica to ask, "You understand your task, little rose?" Danica nodded, keeping her face impassive — as always. "Very well. Celes will transport you to a nearby village. She will give you directions to his slave house and you will make your way there." Zoraster leaned in close to Danica, twining his fingers in her hair. "Know this, little rose — this is of vital importance to me. Fail me in this, and your little adventure with Garthak and Camilla will seem as a pleasant dream compared to your punishment for failure this time." He released her hair and continued, "Take all the time you need to prepare. Leave when you are ready. Good day, little rose." He turned to the pool by way of dismissal. Danica returned to her rooms to contemplate her task and to try to master her anger at the scene of the copies locked in an orgy he had shown her beforehand. ------- Part 7A Danica spent the remainder of the day relaxing, trying to forget her anger at Zoraster for his deliberate taunting of her. She worked in her lab studying some notes from her spell research. She felt nearly ready to try to create her first original spell. The next day, she spent a great deal of time at the scrying pool observing and exploring Omark's slave house. Open doorways and corridors dominated the building, and she saw no evidence of magical protections in most places. Only his private chambers and the two rooms Zoraster wanted her to learn about appeared to have any sort of protection at all. Danica discovered only four men other than Omark who didn't appear to be slaves. Besides the female slaves in their cells, the servants of the place appeared to be enslaved as well. Danica could tell by the way the people she observed acted that the area was extremely hot. Few moved around during the day, and the corridors were quite often empty. Danica determined it would take little effort for her to sneak into nearly any part of the building under cloaking power of her magical rings. Danica turned her study to the runes on the two doors. They were not true runes, but instead runes of warding in the language of magic. They had power, no doubt, but were not the stronger runes that Danica feared her ability to decipher would fall short of decoding. The runes warded against magical scrying of any kind. They also protected the door against physical force, and the skills of a thief. They had no protection against magical passage at all. Danica decided that the best course of action she could devise, based upon what she had learned, was to use the Passwall spell to enter the rooms. It was another difficult spell Danica had never thought to master, but now she felt it was possible. She made her way to the library, and quickly found a copy of the spell. Returning to her chambers, she studied the spell. Mid-afternoon the next day, Danica felt her body surge with magic as she mastered the spell. She immediately went to the door of her chambers, cast the spell, and took a step directly through the door. The sensation was unnerving, but not terribly uncomfortable. A second casting brought her back into her room. Danica spent the remainder of the day ensuring her rings were fully charged. An idea came to her the next day, and she went to speak with Damian about it. She wanted to have a ring of spell storing enchanted for Andrea and charged with the fertility detection spell. That way, Andrea would know when it was safe for her lover to fill her up without Danica being there. Another inspiration struck her as she spoke about the item for Andrea, and she asked Damian if he could enchant an item with both spell storing and spell turning. Damian said such was possible, and that he had actually done so before. Danica smiled a wicked little smile, and then untied her robes. She showed Damian her hood ring and explained that was the form she wanted for the item. He laughed and fetched a caliper to measure the ring, remarking how pretty it looked as he did so. He finished by saying that he was quite sure he could make something even prettier for her, and much more useful. Neither of them could have resisted the urge to couple if they had wanted to. Damian's position on his knees, so close to Danica's folds as he measured the ring made it impossible. Danica returned to her chambers satisfied both intellectually and sexually, having obtained Damian's notes on the spell storing and spell turning enchantments, as well as his promise to craft the items Danica had requested for her. The next morning, Danica prepared to leave. She dressed in a light colored, long sleeve blouse. The cut was loose, allowing plenty of air to flow through the fabric. She chose a pair of pants that were similarly light and loose. From her observances, she knew that the place where she was going would be hot, and the sun oppressive. She needed to be covered to protect her fair skin from burning, but wearing clothing that did not trap in the heat of her body. She stuffed similar clothing and several mundane objects she thought could prove useful in an emergency into a bag of holding. She picked up her coin purse and took it as well. Finally, she put on all her magical rings and decided she was ready. She was about to seek out Celes, but it appeared Zoraster had already dispatched her. Celes knocked even as Danica reached the door to go seek her. Celes picked up her own bag, joined hands with Danica, and in an instant, they were gone — riding the wings of magic. ------- When they arrived at their destination, Danica knew her choice of clothing was wise. The heat slammed into her like a sledgehammer from the moment they materialized in Zoraster's outpost. This house was much smaller than the rest of Zoraster's outposts. It consisted of only a common room, two bedrooms, and servant's quarters. The cooking was done in the common room, and the house's servants had prepared a meal when they arrived. Celes was quite uncomfortable in her robes, and scandalized the servants of the house when she changed into her light sleeping shift. "Bah, it's hot as the hells, an' I'm not for bakin' in them damn robes. Ye'll get over it," she said when the eldest of the servants told her it was unseemly, while trying to avoid looking at her. Danica concentrated in the second sight for a few seconds while saying goodbye to Celes, and knew instantly why the old man was so uncomfortable. He obviously saw Celes as she should be, and in the light sleeping shift, she was so arousing it made Danica ache. Danica slipped out of the second sight, used her ring to become invisible, and walked out into the village. She explored the cluster of small buildings, situated around a small pool, fed by a spring. The land around the village was not quite a desert, but it was certainly arid and barren. The people here were of the Eastern desert race, Danica could tell as much from their dusky color. They had apparently given up the wilds of the desert for a slightly more stable existence in the small village. They traded goods with both the desert nomads and city dwellers, serving as a sort of intermediary between the two cultures that were so alien to each other. Danica walked a short distance outside the city, out of sight. She then walked into the village and into Zoraster's outpost, not wanting to rely on invisibility to enter and leave the dwelling. The village was small enough that she considered it likely she would have aroused tongue wagging if no one had seen her enter the village, only to see her emerging from the house. She left the house again a short while later, and finally persuaded a woman to part with some native clothing for gold, which was an uncommon thing in the small village. Danica changed into the clothes, finding that they were more comfortable in the heat and provided extra protection against the blowing dust and sand. Celes gave her directions to the slave house, and Danica determined it would likely take an hour or so to get there. She decided to wait until closer to nightfall, and observe the house tonight. Danica lay down and dozed, then rose as evening drew near. She cloaked herself in invisibility and started down the road toward the slave house. She saw more people out and about as the sun set and the air grew cooler. She soon reached the slave house and settled down near the front door when she saw a group of men going inside. The new arrivals were Eastern city people, all finely dressed and wearing a lot of jewelry. Danica followed them inside, a short distance behind the men. They arrived at the open courtyard where Danica had first observed Omark examining the slaves. The women, with the exception of the young blonde girl, were all here again. The men examined the women, who no longer had the blank expressions Danica had seen at first. They all now showed the signs of fear and longing for freedom she would expect to see in the faces of recently captured slaves. Several cried openly as the men poked and prodded them under the watchful eye of the Omark and the other four slavers. Negotiations ensued, and Danica maintained her composure as best she could. She wanted nothing more than to drop a fireball on the lot of the disgusting men, but knew such would invite dire punishment. Agreements were reached, and all the women were dressed in their slave shifts before the slavers led them away. The house was busy with slaves moving around on tasks, so Danica went back outside for fear of someone jostling her and causing her to lose her invisibility. She decided her best opportunity to enter the building and explore would be during the day, when fewer servants were around. That would allow her to find a place to wait for an opportune moment, and then learn what Zoraster wanted to know. ------- Danica returned the next day, and found it quite easy to move through the slave house while cloaked in invisibility. A new group of slaves arrived and the slavers ushered them immediately to the slave cells after examining the women. The slaves all had the same blank look when brought in and examined, but seemed to wake up when placed in the cell. The slave cells were clean and dry. Simple pallets lined the floor for the women to sleep on, and there were chamber pots at one edge of the room. Apparently, you take pains to see that your merchandise is well cared for and in fine condition, Danica thought with anger. She continued to explore, finding nothing more to see than what her observations in the scrying pool had revealed. The place was simply a warehouse for slaves, and living quarters for the slave masters. Omark went into one of the rooms Zoraster wanted Danica to investigate upon examining the women. Danica waited in the courtyard directly across from the room. She thought to wait until he left, assuming that he would not likely return to the room for a while after leaving it. Omark left the room a short while later and walked in the direction of his private quarters. Danica crossed to the rune marked door and paused a moment. She took several slow, steady breaths, watching and listening intently for any sound or movement. She would become visible for an instant as she cast her Passwall spell, and she didn't want anyone to see her. Danica fell into her spell casting. She completed the spell and the magic of her rings faded. She quickly took a step forward into the room. Danica found nothing more than a desk and several chests in the room. Danica took out the magic item Zoraster had given her and examined the mostly bare room. The desk held a neat stack of parchment, and the slate Omark wrote on when he examined the women. There were detailed descriptions of each of the women, taking special note of which ones were virgins. Notes of acceptable prices appeared below each woman's description, save one. A page detailing a very young red haired girl had no price. It was otherwise no different from the others, though she was the only virgin amongst the group brought in this day. Danica went to one of the chests and opened it. Inside she found sacks filled with coin. The other two chests were the same. Omark's accounting room, Danica thought. Danica carefully examined the room, but determined there was nothing else to find here. She returned to the door, noticing this side covered with runes as it was on the other. Danica studied the runes and found a group amongst them that allowed one on the inside of the room to see outside. Danica pressed her fingers against the runes, joining them and activating the magic. Danica could see the hallway outside; even the walls of the room seemed to be transparent. She could see no sign of people in the hall. There were no runes preventing normal opening of the door from this side, so Danica activated her rings and stepped quickly back out the door. Danica followed the hall in the direction Omark had gone. She found him standing near the door to his chambers, speaking with one of the other male slavers. "These are an acceptable lot. Tell the men to pay closer attention as they seek those they would capture. Virgins are our goal and we have but one out of fifteen this day. Once they have been fed, take number thirteen to the solitary cell. I shall retire to my chambers for a time. You may otherwise take your leisure," Omark said to the other slaver. The man nodded and turned to return to the slave cells. Danica pressed tightly against the wall as the man passed to avoid him brushing into her. Thankfully, the hall was wide, and he came nowhere near her. Omark went into his chambers, and Danica waited a few moments, listening carefully at his door. She heard little from inside, but decided it was likely the man was resting. Danica looked at the rune-covered door across the hall. It was identical to the other in every detail. Once again, Danica stood very still and listened carefully for any signs of movement. She cast her spell and entered the room. She knew it for what it was immediately — a wizard's lab and library. Danica pulled out the magical device and looked over the things in the room. Preserved animals and body parts held a prominent place amongst the more common spell components. The room had a faint cloying scent of death to it as well. Danica pulled out and examined books on the shelves at random, placing them on one of the tables and quickly flipping through them. She found many interesting volumes, and large numbers of necromantic texts. She then turned her attention to the tables in the room, looking through the notes and books there. The man was researching flesh golems, those horrible creatures pieced together from body parts and given a mockery of life. His notes indicated he was working on some sort of process that made the creatures appear less horrific, and more lifelike. His notes made it quite obvious that he was near to a breakthrough, and that his whole line of research aimed at creating slaves. These slaves would be remarkably strong — and utterly subservient. Something struck Danica as odd as she examined everything. There was a lot of dust gathered on things in the room. Dates on the notes were several months past — nearly a year. It appeared as if little research had happened here in some time. There was one place where no dust gathered. A large stone table stood at the back of the room, surrounded by candelabras, with a large brazier at the head. Faint bloodstains darkened the stone near the foot of the table. There were manacles attached to the head of the table, and about three quarters of the way down as well. Both sets were very small, and seemed too close together to Danica. Danica examined the runes carved into the table, and into the stone of the floor. They were unlike anything she had seen before. Danica started to move closer, but something about the pattern of the runes on the floor made her skin crawl. She stayed outside the pattern of runes and continued to look around. There was little else in the area to see, save for boxes of candles for the candelabras and fuel for the brazier. Danica determined that she had learned as much as she could, and so went to the door to leave. The door had identical runes to those in the previous room, but also had additional runes. Those structures would dampen any sounds coming from the room to such a point that they would be nearly inaudible outside. Danica activated the runes that let her see outside the room, and she was frustrated to find there were servants moving about. They carried various bundles, and were moving in both directions. Danica waited, becoming worried when the bustle of servants showed no signs of waning. The servants were obviously moving some sort of supplies from outside to a storage room of the slave house, and apparently, there were a lot of supplies. She waited for nearly an hour before she saw the door across the hall open. Danica activated her ring of invisibility the moment she saw the door move. She reached out and touched the runes to deactivate them, and then moved to a corner of the room out of the way. After a few minutes, she returned to the door. She activated the runes once more and found the parade of servants still passing by. At last, she started to see servants make their trip and not return. She prepared to leave the room, waiting for the last two to make their way back through the hall and safely out of sight. She saw the two servants returning together from the end of the hall, but they stopped and turned around with a look of fear. Danica looked to the other end of the hall and saw Omark coming down the hall leading the red haired girl, the youngest of those brought in this day. The girl had the same blank look she had worn when brought in. Omark's eyes fixated on the door, and he was obviously leading the girl toward it. Danica cursed, refreshed the magic of her rings, deactivated the runes, and moved once again to the out of the way corner. This time the door opened, and Omark entered leading the girl. He took her directly toward the stone table at the back of the room. Danica clenched her teeth. She wanted nothing more than to fall into her magic and bring it to bear on the disgusting slaver. She knew to do so could invite disaster, however. She had seen the man's research, and that told her that he must be well versed in powerful spells to consider pursuing it. It was unlikely that even the element of surprise would guarantee her being able to stop him, and the possibility the little girl dying in the process was much more likely. She waged her mental fight over whether to act or not, trying to figure out a way to stop the man without harming the girl or getting herself killed. As she did, Omark guided the girl to lie down on the table and put the manacles on her. The shackles held the girl's hands high above her head, and pulled her knees wide toward the edges of the table. Anger and sadness welled up in Danica. There was nothing she could do. She could think of no way to bring her power to bear on the man without harming the girl. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about what was going to come, wishing now that the globe of silence around her prevented her from hearing sounds, as well as preventing others from hearing hers. Danica opened her eyes a moment later, determined she could not bear to witness what was to come. She steeled her will and made plans to distract the man, to lead him out of the room. She would lose the element of surprise, but she had to try to stop him from raping the little girl. He placed the candles in the candelabra, lighting them and the brazier as Danica crept carefully around the shelves and tables toward the door. Danica turned away from the door when she reached it, watching as Omark shed his slavers robes. Danica was just about to release her invisibility and shout when she realized the man was not mounting the table, but instead chanting and gesturing. She waited a moment, trying to determine what spell he was casting. His attention appeared focused not on the girl on the table, but on the brazier behind her head. Danica could make no sense of the spell, but decided whatever it was could not bode well for the little girl. She had already drawn in her breath to scream when the brazier flared to sudden brightness, and then became a flame of darkness. An overwhelming sense of evil filled the room. Danica found she was paralyzed, unable to make even the slightest move. Her fingers were scant inches from her rings, as she was preparing to deactivate their magic, but she could not move them closer. The unknown presence in the darkness seemed to know she was there, and it seemed amused by her. Danica could feel waves of evil and dark amusement coming from the black flame above the brazier. She could almost hear something laughing at her. At the same moment the brazier's flames turned to darkness, the little girl on the table lost her blank stare and started to sob. She struggled against the manacles to no avail, sobbing in fear. Then Omark mounted the table, as Danica had feared he would. She was powerless to do anything but watch and listen because of the magical paralysis. Danica understood the faint bloodstains now, the mark of Omark violating numerous young girls on that table. She screamed silently in anger and despair, but could not force her body to do the same. Forced to watch the horrific act unfold, even the evil paralysis could not prevent tears from welling up in her eyes. Omark dismounted the table, and then began to chant once more. He drew designs on the sobbing girl's flesh with her own blood, continuing to chant as Danica watched powerlessly. As he chanted, the sense of evil in the room grew even more strong and chilling. Danica found her breath caught in her throat as Omark moved toward the head of the table, tracing two symbols on the girl's chest. The girl's sobbing ceased as he finished the last two sigils, and she once again assumed the blank stare of one who is ensorcelled. Omark bent over the girl, smoothing her curly hair away from her neck. He then bent closer still, and pressed his lips against her neck. The girl stiffened and her eyes popped wide open. Her mouth opened in a silent scream, one that Danica matched as Omark pierced the girl's flesh and drank her blood. Danica sobbed inwardly as she watched light and life leave the young girl's eyes, her stiffened body relaxing and going limp as Omark consumed her life. He rose, and Danica could see the punctures in the girl's now pale neck, as well as the blood running down Omark's chin. He chanted again to the dark flame in the brazier. The dark blaze flared even higher, and a black nimbus of energy surrounded Omark. He threw back his head and arms, gasping with his eyes rolled back in ecstasy, as waves of dark energy pulsed through him. Omark's body slowly relaxed, and the dark flame evaporated into a low burning natural flame once more. As soon as the ebon flame ceased to be, Danica regained control of her body and her fingers touched her rings, deactivating the magic. At the same time, the scream of horror and anger that had built up inside her erupted from her throat. Omark spun, and moved toward her. Danica reacted instinctively, and burst out into the hall with Omark in pursuit. She ran toward the exit of the building, directly into one of the slavers coming the opposite way to see what the commotion was. He tried to grab her, but she spun away clawing at his arms. He managed to grab hold of her thin blouse, and it tore from her body as she escaped to continue her run for the door. Danica burst past a pair of startled servants as she ran through the door. They scattered when they saw Omark and the slavers running after her. Danica heard Omark chanting in a loud voice. She stopped and spun, hearing the words of his spell. She just managed to erect a shield to protect her from the bolts of darkness that streaked toward her. Then the slavers charged with their whips pulled from their belts. Danica chanted an incantation, screaming the last words as she sent lightning streaking toward the advancing slavers. Three dropped to the ground, while the fourth fell only to his knees. He tried to rise again almost immediately, although groggily. The bolt shimmered against Omark's defensive shield and fizzled out. Danica staggered slightly when his answering bolt of electricity slammed into her shield. The attack gave the fourth slaver time to stand and advance quickly toward her. Her hands moved through the gestures to cast another bolt at the slaver, but he closed quickly and snapped out his whip. It wrapped around her leg with painful pressure and he jerked, pulling her from her feet. Danica scrambled to try to get upright, but the man leapt atop her. Danica could see Omark approaching as she struggled. She managed to get her hands free and gestured, chanting the words of a magic missile spell. The bolts of energy slammed into the slaver's chest and he fell backwards. Danica rolled away, and the slaver's grasping hand caught hold of her pants, tearing one of the legs almost completely free as she sprang to her feet. A fireball leapt from Omark's stretched hand. Danica's shield protected her, but the slaver caught in the explosion was not so lucky. He fell to the ground, twitching and burning from the power of the spell. Danica quickly chanted the words of the Crushing Fist, sending it streaking toward Omark. He brought his own spell, the Interposing Hand, to bear. His magic stopped Danica's attack cold. Danica ceased concentrating on the hand and quickly cast another lightning bolt. The bolt tore through Omark's disembodied hand and rent it asunder, but dissolved into nothingness against the man's shield. Omark's next spell caused Danica's eyes to go wide. It hit her shield and dissolved it in a cluster of rainbow colored motes. Danica hurriedly chanted the words of the spell to restore her shield, but found her voice stolen by a silence spell before she could complete the chant. Danica inwardly cursed her decision not to put on the ring of Spell Turning, because it chafed her finger. Omark stalked toward her, anger evident in his face. "Bitch, I know not why you are here, but you will not have long to regret your actions. Pity you have magic, as you have a fine body and would bring a good price. As it is, I will use your beautiful corpse to continue my neglected studies," he said as he bent and retrieved a knife from the belt of one of the dead slavers. Danica backed away, and the man quickly cast another spell, paralyzing her. "No running now, little bitch. I unfortunately have no time to trifle with you, so I shall simply slit your throat and set about replacing these four," he revealed as he stalked toward her, the light of the sun glinting off the knife he carried. Danica nearly panicked, but fell into the only defense she had. She concentrated on the last slaver's whip, lying barely within her limited range of vision. She brought the powers of her mind to bear on it, and it quickly snaked across the ground to entangle Omark's legs. He fell with an exclamation of surprise, the knife skittering across the ground when the force of his landing caused him to drop it. It also broke his concentration, causing the spells holding and silencing Danica to fade away. Danica quickly chanted and the force of her stunning spell slammed into the man, knocking him down to the ground on his back. He twitched and tried to rise, but Danica quickly followed by casting the Crimson Bands spell to immobilize him. Danica dropped to her knees, concentrating all her will on the spell to hold the man. She was exhausted, and finding the battle difficult. A flash of light caught Danica's eye. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Celes. Celes cast a spell of her own, and Omark stiffened as the paralyzing spell did its work. "Dearie, are ye alright?" Danica fell down on her hands as she released her spell, gasping for breath. "I-I'm okay." "The madman sent me, seein' what was happenin'. He's for comin' hisself." Another flash of light signaled Zoraster's arrival with three wizards and a pair of soldiers. "Have I mentioned I hate teleporting," Brandon said quietly. He then smiled and winked as he stared at Danica clad in only half a pair of pants and her bag of holding. Celes stepped between the two and knelt to retrieve some clothing for Danica from the bag while Zoraster issued orders. "Enter the rooms and secure them immediately," Zoraster commanded the wizards, who nodded and entered the slave house. "Clear everyone out," he ordered Brandon and the other soldier, who moved quickly to obey. Zoraster turned toward the kneeling Danica. "Well, little rose, how did we come to this conclusion? I know nothing until the moment you burst from the room and this chaos ensued. Why did you not simply wait for him to leave, and return as you were instructed? Your survival was a near thing, and not yet ensured when I dispatched Celes." Having recovered some of her strength, Danica was in the process of trying to dress. She shook her head and explained, "Horrible... Some terrible presence..." She shook her head again, her wits still not fully recovered. Zoraster made a dismissive face. "Ah well — later, when your mind is more ordered. I am satisfied with the results, despite the way you brought them about. I am pleased, little rose. You have done well." He then turned away toward the stiff form of Omark behind him. Zoraster waved his hand, and Omark's body relaxed. The man quickly rolled into a crouch. Zoraster let out a wicked chuckle and said, "Do try, if you are feeling suicidal. It might prove amusing." Omark screamed and his features changed, becoming angular — almost animalistic. His canine teeth elongated into fangs, and he leapt toward Zoraster. Zoraster gestured, and Omark slammed back to the ground with great force before he could reach the Archmage. The transformed wizard struggled against the force pinning him down, hissing and snarling. "Ah — that offers some explanation. Fool — you have no idea the forces you were trifling with. Had you proven unworthy, you would have been trapped in an eternity of torture and damnation. Such a great risk to have the power of a vampire while being able to resist their normal weaknesses. This explains much." He gestured and Omark collapsed, limp and unconscious. "I'll deal with delving into your mind later," he said to the unconscious man. "Celes, return Danica to her quarters to recover. As I said, little rose, you have pleased me. Your freedom is granted. You will already find doors adjoining your new rooms to the old." Celes teleported the pair back to Zoraster's abode. ------- Celes put Danica to bed, bringing restorative potions to help the redhead recover. After a while, Danica regained enough of her strength to tell Celes what had happened. "The madman was havin' the right o' it. Omark was toyin' with creatures o' the Negative Material Plane. T' rite he performed is near unto lost ta the ages. It gives a man t' powers of a vampire. He'll be strong, able ta charm people wit' 'is gaze, an' gains strength from the drinkin' o' blood. He's not immune ta the sun nor other weaknesses o' the vampire, but he can resist it strong. If'n he's killed, he becomes a vampire in whole. It's the rite what brought the blood drinkin' abominations into the world in ages gone past," Celes explained. Danica paled upon hearing the last thing Celes said. "Then that little girl..." Celes shook her head. "Nay, she'll not become one of the undead. The livin' vampires dinna cause their victims ta rise from their graves. Ye were lucky, lass. The man's a powerful Necromancer ta be able ta perform the rite. If'n he'd not been lackin' his full thinkin' from the ecstasy o' takin' the life o' the wee lass, ye'd have likely been killed fer sure. Ye're surely growin' strong in the Art. Give ye a bit more time at yer studies, an' I'm not for sure I'd be wantin' ta stand against ye." Danica blushed. "You're teasing me." "What would I be doin' that for, Dearie? An old woman has no time for games," she said with a wink. "Ye have an affinity for Art ye suppressed for some reason. Since ye've been here, ye've broken those barriers an' started to come inta yer true potential." Danica thought about it and realized it was true. She was learning magic now that she had thought would always be beyond her. She had awakened to all sorts of realizations since becoming Zoraster's prisoner here. As she thought, she remembered the freedom she had gained for completing her task. Danica started to rise and Celes helped her. "He said the new rooms..." Danica began. "Aye, there's doors — I seen 'em when I brought ye in. Ye want to see 'em? Come along then, Dearie," Celes said. They went to the door behind Danica's bath and entered the first room. It was empty, save for a large sunken tub in the floor. Danica gasped in delight when she saw it. Two people could comfortably stretch out to their full length in the tub, and it had the same sort of pipes to feed water into it from above as Danica's old tub. "Och, but that woulda cost a pretty penny. Whoever had these rooms afore ye was high in the madman's favor." "Zoraster said he had fallen into disfavor," Danica said absently, still enraptured with the sight of the tub. "Likely he's dead then, and bettin' it's a happy thing for the world. Any who's bein' that high in the madman's favor is likely a bastard better gone from the world." Danica opened a door near the tub and found a room apparently set aside specifically for the chamber pot. Little more than a closet, the room had a vent that Danica could feel a gentle breeze of fresh air coming through. Danica decided to move her chamber pot here as soon as possible. Adjoining the room with the bath was a common room. The exit to the hall from the original owner's suite was in this room. Danica now had two exits to her suite. She exited and looked around, happy to discover that she now had a quicker path to the exit of the building. Danica again smiled when she found the kitchen attached to the common room. She enjoyed cooking, and the space provided plenty of storage and countertops for organization. Finding a pantry, Danica and Celes both gasped in delight when they found a curious cabinet. When opened, they found that the interior of the cabinet had a magical cooling enchantment. They left the kitchen and went back through the common room to the door on the opposite side. This opened into a lab and library, which connected to Danica's by a door. There were numerous shelves on the wall, but the room was otherwise bare. Danica found a door covered in runes to absorb heat, and when she opened it, she found a smelting furnace inside. Danica had never considered working in metal, but if she chose to, she now had a furnace to melt metals. She thought she would have her kiln moved to this room, where the heat dissipating enchantments would make the whole of her lab more comfortable when firing the kiln. "Och, but ye've got a set up now dearie. I'm likely ta be spendin' more time with ye," Celes said with a cackle. "You're always welcome. If you want to use my lab to experiment, feel free. I have more than enough space now, though it will likely take me some time to furnish the new rooms." Danica yawned as she spoke. "It's gettin' on into evening, Dearie, an' ye've had a tryin' day. Get yerself to bed an' think on that in the mornin'," Celes said and then led Danica back to her bed. Celes tucked her in, and Danica was soon sound asleep. ------- Part 7B Upon awakening, Danica began to rearrange things in her new rooms. She tracked down a large servant and asked him to move the larger items such as her kiln, chamber pot, and one of the tables from her lab. He seemed rather stunned and pleased when Danica gave him a few coins for his trouble. He quickly agreed to find a craftsman to hook up the vent pipe for her kiln, and returned shortly thereafter with someone. She gave him a few coins as well when he completed his work. Danica then moved her woodworking tools and supplies to the new lab. These took up more room than her work in clay, and it made sense to move them into the larger space. She then tackled her crowded closet, transferring most of the garments to the walk-in closet of her new rooms. She finished and sighed at the bareness of the new rooms. It would take her a very long time to begin to fill them out — or so she was thinking when Zoraster entered. "I see you are taking advantage of your new freedom. That is good, little rose. I am very pleased with the results of your last task, despite the fact that they were the result of breaking from that which I sent you to do. Pure luck has it that the sudden modification of your task kept the entirety of the man's research and considerable coinage intact, as well as the slave house itself. This is a most welcome result, as my Necromancers may pick up his studies without loss of ground. I have the fool himself — alive — to learn of the vampiric rite he undertook, and a pair of his captured slaves even reaped rewards for me when they were returned to their homes. The building itself will be easily modified into a storage house for my interests in the area, as well as serving as a much more suitable outpost than the rude hut I utilized there. I am very pleased indeed, little rose." "You're welcome," Danica said with only the faintest hint of the sarcasm she felt. Zoraster laughed long and loud. "Remember, little rose, breaking from your assigned task and failing to reap greater rewards will result in severe punishment, but when your wits serve my interests, you shall be rewarded. Thus, I have set aside a significant amount of the coin recovered for your use. It should be more than sufficient to furnish your new rooms and give you a rather sizeable cushion of coin for other purchases. I will surely have another task for you soon, little rose. You quickly vie for most favored of my pawns with Celes." He said the last with a sly, evil smile. "Good day, little rose." Danica obtained permission to go into the city shortly thereafter, taking her new magical crafting and a large stock of coin with her in her bag of holding. She stopped first at the shop of a furniture maker. Judging from the pieces on display, Danica decided that the man must have extraordinarily gifts, and his apprentices seemed to be likewise talented. She commissioned a dining table and chairs large enough for six, a new bed, and several cushioned chairs and couches for her new common room. She also requested a second bed for the other bedroom, in a canopied and curtained design. Three new tables and a new desk to fill out her lab completed her order — two common tables and one specifically designed for her woodworking. Danica's ability to sketch what she wanted, in addition to describing the pieces impressed the man. When Danica paid up front without haggling, in full, he promised to make her work a priority and deliver it free of charge. He also offered to contract with the finest craftsmen to acquire the cushions, bedclothes, and clamps for the woodworking table, though he typically left this up to the customer. He gave her an estimate of the cost for these and Danica advanced him that coin as well. He promised that he would have each item delivered as soon as it was completed, and that everything should arrive within the month. It was already mid afternoon when Danica made her next stop at a tinker. She proceeded to select an extensive collection of cooking, serving, and cutlery items from his wares. She also commissioned several pieces that he did not already have in his shop. She inquired about tools for clay work, and discovered to her delight that the man had extensive knowledge of the trade's tools. She requested an assortment of every type he crafted, in silver. The man appeared dubious until she produced the coin. With payment in hand, he immediately changed his attitude. He promised to have all that she had selected delivered this day, despite the late hour, and that he would make her requested items a priority and deliver them when finished as well. Danica caught a general store owner closing up for the day, and managed to persuade him with a jingle of her coins and a little flirting to stay open for a short while longer. She purchased large stocks of staples such as flour and sugar, as well as many preserved fruits, vegetables, and meat. He carried many common spices such as salt and herbs, which she purchased as well. She offered a fine gratuity to have the things delivered the next morning. When she finished at the general store, it was quite late, so she went to one of the finer inns to enjoy a meal and some wine. She thought about calling on Carolyn as she walked toward the inn, shivering as she thought about being with the beautiful young woman again. Danica found that the inn was serving steak that evening for those who could afford it. The moment she saw a busty serving girl delivering one to a patron, she knew what she wanted. She requested the steak, as well as a fresh salad when she discovered it was available, and a fine red wine. Danica couldn't help but lick her lips and stare at the busty serving girl — who had breasts even larger than her own — when the woman delivered her meal. Danica thought she did a good job of hiding her glances and smiles, but another in the room had noticed the reaction. Danica savored her meal, realizing about halfway through that it would be too late to call upon Carolyn when she finished. She enjoyed the meal enough to make it worth skipping 'desert'. When she finished, she sipped her wine, trying to decide whether to stay in the city or return to her chambers. The amount of shopping she still planned to do facilitated her decision to stay in the city. She continued to sip her wine, listening to the music of the troupe of minstrels performing for the crowd. She started from her slightly inebriated trance when a woman walked up to the table and asked, "Might I speak with you a moment?" Danica replied, "Certainly — please, sit down," while looking the woman over. She had auburn hair, reaching just barely below her shoulders, and angular features that Danica thought looked aristocratic. The fine clothing draped over her tall, petite form marked her as a woman of some wealth. "Am I correct in assuming that you are versed in the magical arts?" The woman asked. "Your robes would seem to bespeak it." "I'm a student of magic — yes," Danica answered, feeling that something wasn't quite right. She centered her mind to open it and listen to the woman's thoughts out of caution. She found it was somewhat more difficult to do while still trying to listen to the conversation and respond normally. "I find I am in need of counsel on things magical. Might I persuade you to come to my home and examine something for me? I assure you that you will be well compensated." Danica managed to look into the woman's mind and what she saw was a rapid rush of images fantasizing about how she would look naked, and of the two of them sharing their bodies. Danica's breathing quickened, and she could feel her juices flowing immediately. "I imagine I could be persuaded. My name is Danica." "I am Katherine, of the House of Bourne. If you will please come with me." Katherine's eyes and smile hinted that she knew Danica was aware that this trip was not entirely — if indeed at all — business. Katherine summoned her coach, and they rode through the streets to the richest part of the city. Katherine made little attempt to hide her lusty glances at Danica as they rode. Danica hid little herself. They arrived at the woman's house and the coachman helped them down. Servants opened every door for them before they reached it. The last door opened into a grand bedroom. It closed behind Danica, and Katherine turned to face her. "My reasons for bringing you here were subterfuge, as I am sure you have guessed. I observed the way you gazed at that serving girl, and I believe we are of a kindred spirit," Katherine said while walking slowly toward Danica with a sensual strut. "If I am incorrect in my assumptions, you may leave immediately. My coachman will convey you wherever you might wish to go, and you shall be provided compensation for your time." Katherine reached out one hand to touch Danica's left breast. Shuddering, Danica opened her mouth in a silent gasp. "Undress me," Katherine said with an authoritative tone in her voice. The sound was not really one of command, just a tone that suggested she was accustomed to people obeying her wishes without question. Danica slowly unbuttoned the woman's fine gown, feeling her own breathing quicken as she revealed Katherine's petite body. When the gown at last pooled to the floor, Danica licked her lips and gasped as she looked upon the woman's nude body. Katherine was lithe and sensual, appearing almost sculpted and unreal in a way. Her breasts were small, upturned, and perky. Her nipples were long and erect, and almost perfectly circular. She shaved around her nether lips, but left her mound adorned by a carefully manicured patch of hair slightly darker than that on her head. Katherine then moved to undress Danica, running her fingers over the other woman's body as she did so. She moaned as she revealed Danica's breasts, and then again, when she saw Danica's clean-shaven sex. Katherine drew Danica toward the bed, lying down upon reaching it. She pulled Danica toward her with some force, and then directed the other redhead's mouth toward her breast. Danica's lips closed around the woman's right nipple, drawing a gasp that was almost a hiss from Katherine. One of the petite woman's hands went to the back of Danica's head, while the other caressed her naked back and tugged at her, urging Danica to slide onto the bed. Danica suckled Katherine's pebble hard nipple, running her tongue over it in slow circles. The woman gasped and moaned from Danica's attentions. Danica kissed Katherine's nipple one last time, then kissed the swell of her breast, between them, and finally kissed the other nipple before drawing it between her lips. She lay astride one of Katherine's legs, and slowly rubbed her folds against the warm skin below. Katherine continued to moan softly, urging Danica to her knees. When Danica pulled her knees under her — her lips still suckling the woman's nipple — Katherine gave Danica a smart spank on her bottom. Danica moaned around the woman's nipple, shuddering from the sensual dominance the woman exerted over her. Katherine continued to spank Danica, bringing a rosy glow to her upraised bottom. Katherine's hands moved up to Danica's shoulders, pushing her with firm pressure downward on the bed. Danica kissed her way down the woman's taut tummy, over her mound, and finally on her moist folds. Katherine parted her legs and pulled Danica to her sex. She moaned and arched her back when Danica slipped her tongue between the pink petals. "Slowly. Gently," Katherine instructed, while running her hands over Danica's head and neck. Danica slid her tongue up and down the woman's lips, teasing and tantalizing every inch of them, drawing moans of pleasure from Katherine. She ran her tongue in slow circles over Katherine's clit, and gently sucked the little bud. Katherine's breathing quickened as Danica performed her labor of love on the soft folds in front of her. The pressure on the back of Danica's head increased slightly as the waves of arousal running through Katherine's body grew stronger with each passing moment. For long minutes, Danica continued to lap and gently suck, lost in the taste and scent of the woman. At last, Katherine gasped softly and tensed, pressing Danica's head against her with strong pressure. Danica lapped deep inside Katherine to gather up the warm rush of her juices as the woman shuddered and came. Danica slowly ran the tip of her tongue over Katherine as the woman settled down from her orgasm. Katherine gasped and demanded, "More," pushing down on Danica's head. Danica probed deeper and sucked harder. Deeply aroused, she reached back to touch her aching sex as she lapped and sucked Katherine. "No — wait," Katherine instructed, and pulled Danica's arm down. Danica moaned pitifully in frustration, but the woman's surprisingly strong arm held her own down against the bed. Danica eventually ceased resisting, and Katherine's hands returned to their previous position, caressing Danica's hair. Katherine released quiet gasps and moans, all with a growling quality to them, as she slowly rubbed her sex against Danica's face. Danica sucked more hungrily, but Katherine pulled away slightly, prompting Danica to return to her previous intensity. Danica's jaw and neck ached from being in the same position for so long, but she scarcely noticed it over the sweet taste and building intensity of the woman she lapped so enthusiastically. The strong — almost painful — aching need of her own body for release distracted her from the other discomfort as well. It was several more minutes before Katherine suddenly gasped out an almost feral growl and pulled Danica's face hard against her. Danica sucked the woman's clit hard between her lips and rolled her tongue over the erect bud with strong pressure. Katherine exploded in a gushing orgasm that nearly choked Danica when it soaked her face, causing her to relent for a moment to catch her breath. Katherine held Danica tight between her legs while her back arched high and she screamed her pleasure to the heavens. When the woman's bottom again came to rest on the bed, it didn't remain there long. She continued to thrust her hips upward as wave after wave of release rolled through her body. Danica kept teasing with her tongue as Katherine's orgasm slowly — so slowly — released her. Katherine at last pushed Danica from her and covered her soaked sex with her hand. Even that pressure set off another overwhelming aftershock, and Katherine arched her back high once more, gasping in pleasure and shuddering. Danica gently rubbed between her own legs while Katherine was distracted. A single drop of wetness trickled slowly down her leg, a testament to her wetness. Katherine opened her eyes and noticed Danica's action, and sat up to pull Danica's hand away. "Lie down," she instructed. Danica reclined with a gasp of anticipation, and Katherine immediately lowered her mouth to Danica's folds. The woman lapped and sucked Danica with wild abandon, causing her to gasp loudly and squeal from the intensity of the woman's mouth on her. All the while, Katherine stared up into Danica's eyes with a look of ecstatic hunger. Danica rapidly approached orgasm. Katherine's incredible hunger and the built up need caused by the woman's dominating control of their lovemaking brought Danica almost to the edge only moments after Katherine's lips touched her. Just seconds before the moment of no return, Katherine pulled her face from between Danica's thighs. She slapped away one of Danica's hands that moved between her legs, trying to release the build up of pressure. She grabbed Danica's hands and pushed them up over her head. She then lowered her mouth to Danica's nipple and sucked it. Danica moaned and whimpered, trying to rub her sex against anything to gain the release she needed so badly. Her fires slowly banked as the woman sucked her nipples. Then, without warning, Katherine slid back down to devour Danica's pussy. Danica twined her fingers in Katherine's hair and rocked her hips up against the woman's face. Her passions had only cooled slightly, and knew she would be on the edge of climax again in moments. Again, Katherine pulled free at the last moment. She easily broke free of Danica's attempt to hold the petite woman against her needy sex. This time, she kissed Danica hungrily as she held her hands above her head, letting the fires in Danica's depths die down slightly once more. Katherine repeated this torturous denial several times. Danica whimpered and begged for release. When — at least a quarter of an hour later — Katherine allowed Danica to topple over the edge, she exploded in a way unlike anything she had ever felt before. Danica's girl cum erupted as a powerful fountain into Katherine's mouth and over her face. Beyond that, Danica knew nothing, as she was lost in the thrashing, mind-numbing power of her orgasm. Katherine didn't relent in her assault, and Danica thought she was going to black out from the never-ending series of unbelievable orgasms that followed on each other's heels. They relaxed for a time when Danica managed to catch her breath, and then Katherine left the bed to dress. "You may stay here this night. It has been a long time since I have been with a woman with such delightful intensity and such a wonderful body. You would be interested to know that the serving girl you were looking at does indeed lie with women. Her breasts are every bit as wonderful as you imagine, and she tastes as sweet as sugar. I make it a point never to enjoy a woman more than once, because I form too deep of attachments that make my husband uncomfortable. As much as I would enjoy your company, I fear this shall be our only meeting. Your lovers, be they man or woman, are lucky to partake of your wonderful body. Good night Danica," she said and left the room. That left Danica to ponder the strange woman for a short while before exhaustion caused her to drop off to sleep without even realizing it. ------- When Danica awoke and dressed the next morning, a servant met her and quickly ushered her to a coach, which took her back to the inn where the two women had met. He gave her a package upon arriving at the inn, which contained a stunning gown that would accentuate her flowing curves and her red hair perfectly. The dress was made of the finest materials, ornamented with jewels and pearls, and surely must have cost a small fortune. Danica shook her head in confusion about Katherine's strange ways, and then shuddered slightly remembering the passion they had shared. She tucked the gown away in her bag of holding and returned to her shopping. Breakfast at the inn started Danica's day, followed by visits to the various carts and stalls along the main market district. She selected and purchased a fine selection of fruits, vegetables, and meats, as well as every spice she could find. Generous amounts of coin ensured that all the items would be delivered to Danica's quarters. Estimating that her purchases would eventually fill her pantry and furnish her rooms, Danica sought out an apothecary and a mageware shop to stock anything she could imagine needing for her lab or spell casting. She had more than enough coin left in her ample purse for the supplies. Danica chuckled, thinking about the mood of whatever poor clerk in Zoraster's employ dealt with visitors to the complex over the next few weeks. She wondered if he would pull his hair out before all of her purchases arrived. Finding crab among the dishes available at another inn about mid afternoon sent Danica's heart racing. Bringing seafood this far inland was an expensive proposition, and the owner obviously had some fine connections to have acquired such fresh stock. After leaving the inn, Danica noticed smoke coming from the smelt house of a gold and silversmith's shop. She asked if she could watch the process to satisfy her curiosity about it. She finally persuaded the shop owner by purchasing a fine silver candelabrum at a price she would never have paid for the item alone — even with the vast amounts of coin she carried. She spent the remainder of the day staying out of the way, observing as the men melted the silver and cast it in rough molds. Skilled hands then finished the pieces once they cooled. She asked a few questions when the men sat down for a break, and tried to ignore their blatant, hungry stares as they answered her. Despite their lack of tact, they were knowledgeable in their trade and answered her questions in simple, common language. Danica felt she had a good start toward learning to work with the softer metals when she left. Sunset was fast approaching when she left the place. Danica returned to the inn where she had dined the night before. The fare of the evening did not disappoint — succulent venison with perfectly steamed vegetables. Danica tipped the busty serving girl outrageously, observing that the woman had taken interest in a handsome young man seated at the bar. He had long, dark hair tied into a ponytail. Danica continued to order wine throughout the evening, sipping it slowly as she watched the woman and listened to the music. As the crowd thinned, she managed to engage the woman in a bit of conversation and found Elaine to be a witty and friendly woman. The young man with the ponytail watched Elaine as she worked as well. Late in the evening, the crowd thinned out to a pair of regulars gossiping with the bartender, the pony-tailed man, Danica, and half a dozen or so men passed out in various places around the common room. Danica waved Elaine over to the table, engaged her in conversation for a moment, and then said, "I was with Katherine last night." Elaine blushed bright red, but quickly recovered. "She's a strange woman, but all rich people are strange. You enjoyed yourself?" She asked with a grin and a twitch of her eyebrows. "Mmm very much. I'd very much like to spend some time getting to know you as well," Danica revealed, and touched the woman's hand. Elaine shuddered and said, "I... The man at the bar — the one with the ponytail — told him I wanted him to escort me home tonight." Danica licked her lips and responded, "Well, wouldn't it be a pleasant surprise for him to find himself in the company of two beautiful women instead of one?" Elaine's face sprouted a wide smile. "I've never done that before — with two women or two men, I mean." "What do you think?" Danica asked, running her fingertips over the woman's arm and sensually staring into her eyes. "Oh my," Elaine exclaimed and laughed. "Let me see if that slave driver Baran will let me out of here." The bartender nodded when Elaine approached the bar. She put down her tray and took off her apron as soon as he gave her permission to leave for the night. She walked over to the man at the bar and offered him a warm smile as he took her arm to lead her toward the door. He raised his eyebrows slightly when Elaine tugged him toward Danica's table and said with a purr, "You wouldn't mind if Danica accompanies us would you?" The man looked stunned for a moment, but then arousal and anticipation flowed into his face as he replied, "Not at all. Please, do join us," and offered his arm to Danica. Elaine's home was a simple one room building attached to the back of the Inn. She took all her meals at the Inn. It didn't take the three long to get undressed and into bed once they shut the door behind them. Elaine embodied full-figured — all soft, sensual curves. Her hair was somewhere between a strawberry blonde and auburn. Her breasts were about the same size as Danica's, just slightly larger. Her nipples were smaller and somewhat flatter, though they stood out quite prettily when teased by the tongues of Danica and the young man with the ponytail. Her bare-shaven sex made Danica's mouth water. The young man, whose name Danica learned was Martin, had a well-defined, athletic body. He moved with a strong grace that made Danica almost weak in the knees. He was clean-shaven, with somewhat deep-set brown eyes. His tanned, somewhat weathered face gave Danica the impression he was a woodsman, or otherwise spent much time outdoors. While his cock was not very long, it was unusually thick — and very hard from the moment the two women's hands revealed it. They teased, touched, and tantalized each other for a while, and then the two women took turns sucking his thick cock until he came in Danica's mouth. Danica shared his sweet cum with Elaine in a long, sensual kiss. Danica lay Elaine down on her back to suck her nipples while watching Martin slip between the blonde's legs to taste her. Elaine came in a loud explosion, and as soon as she had come down to earth, Danica guided her up onto her hands and knees. She instructed Martin to slide below Elaine to taste her once more, and then straddled him to probe her tongue into the blonde's depths. Elaine came again, and Danica lay down on the bed, opening her legs wide for Martin's eager mouth. She came as he sucked her clit and probed her depths with two fingers, while Elaine hungrily sucked on the redhead's rock hard nipples. Elaine slid down to join Martin, and the two of them brought Danica to another quivering orgasm with their lips and tongues touching every inch of her. When Martin rose up to his knees after reluctantly pulling his lips from Danica's folds, he was rock hard again. Elaine moved down on the bed next to Danica, who still quivered through the last wave of her orgasm. "I want that cock in me. Give it to me. Oh please — give it to me," the barmaid pleaded, gently rubbing her moist lips. Martin was only too happy to oblige, and Danica managed to slide down close to get a good view as he put the head of his thick cock against Elaine's nether lips. Elaine moaned loudly as his member spread her lips wide and slid into her depths. "Ah, so big," she moaned as he filled her so well. Her back arched up off the bed and she pinched her nipples. Martin moaned in delight as he slowly stroked his cock in and out of Elaine's wet heat. "I love the way your tits jiggle with every stroke," he groaned. "I can't wait to see when I'm taking you hard." "Oh yes," Elaine gasped. "So full. Take me. Make me come." Danica rubbed Elaine's clit in slow circles as Martin stroked his thick cock faster. Elaine watched his manhood as it pushed and pulled her labia with every stroke. The blonde's pendulous breasts jiggled harder by the moment as he continued to build up speed. Danica increased her efforts on the woman's swollen clit, even as Martin's hips moved with more strength and speed. "Ooo — I'm going to come. Harder. Give it to me hard," Elaine gasped. Martin grabbed hold of Elaine's legs, spread his knees a little farther apart, and pounded into her with powerful thrusts. Elaine gasped and squealed as his big cock stretched her walls, and Danica's fast moving fingers rubbed her clit. She came with a loud warbling scream as Martin continued to pound her, straining to hold off his own orgasm. With a growling gasp, he pulled free of her and shot hot streams of semen over her mound, belly, and breasts. Danica leaned over Elaine and lapped up Martin's cum from her skin, moaning in delight from the taste. She shared with Elaine again, with long kisses and by pooling Martin's cream on her fingers. Danica slid down between Elaine's legs to suck the blonde's folds. She rubbed between her own legs to relieve some of her needs as she sucked and lapped the woman to another orgasm. Elaine quickly switched positions with Danica to lick and suck her to another pair of orgasms as well. The two women then turned their attention to Martin, using their hands, mouths, and breasts to coax another erection from him. Danica's body begged for Martin's cock inside her, and she bent over on her hands and knees on the bed. "Mmm — fill me up with that thick cock. I want your hot cum inside me," she gasped. Danica's eyes widened, and then closed tight as he slid inside her. She hadn't been this filled in a while. He stroked her slowly, and Danica pushed her hips back at him hard with each thrust. "Fuck me hard. Do it," she half gasped. Martin increased the strength of his thrusts, and Danica let out a long, broken scream as he stretched her lips and walls with his wide shaft. She continued to slam her ass back against him as she rubbed her clit with two fingers. Elaine moved beneath Danica and held her breasts, which were swinging violently and painfully from Martin's thrusts. The blonde then sucked one of Danica's nipples into her mouth while Martin pounded his cock home hard and fast. "Do it. Fuck me," Danica gasped. "I'm going to come. Oh yes — YES!" Danica screamed, the last word trailing off into a high-pitched squeal as her orgasm grabbed hold of her and snapped her body taut. Martin slowed down, keeping Danica coming for many long moments. He then slowed even more, though Danica continued to arch her back and stiffen with each aftershock. When the jolts of ecstasy died down, she said, "Fuck me. Fill me up. I need your cum deep inside me." Martin pushed inside her again, taking her at a median pace and growling in pleasure. Danica knew he wasn't far from the point of no return. "Oh yes. Ooo, give it to me. Oh, give it to me," she cooed, looking back over her shoulder at him. Martin let out a loud, grunting scream as he buried himself in Danica with a final powerful thrust that slid her forward on the bed. His hot cum filled her and spread warmth through her body. "Oh yes, so hot. So good — mmm", Danica moaned as he gasped and spasmed. Martin got up and dressed a short while later, and then left. It was fortunate he had the energy, because there was barely enough room in Elaine's small bed for the two women to fall asleep, cuddled in each other's arms. ------- They awakened and cleaned up, Danica longing for her tub when she felt the evidence of the previous night's passion on her. After dressing, they returned to the inn for the morning meal. Danica bid Elaine farewell with a quick kiss and returned to her rooms in the complex atop the hill. She saw many of the things that she had purchased in the city had arrived. She couldn't help but be delighted that most of the larger items were exactly where she wanted them. The food was in the pantry, and the fresh items were in the magical cool cabinet. Everything else that had arrived was stacked neatly near where it would be easy to put away. Danica guessed that Celes had likely seen to the placement of everything as it arrived. She made a mental note to go thank Celes after a nice long bath. Danica stretched out in her new tub and soaked for over an hour. Afterward, she dressed in lightweight, comfortable robes, and walked to the tradesman's workshops on the grounds. She went directly to Olaf's leatherworking area, remembering with embarrassment that she had never even asked his name. She had discovered it from his young apprentice. She showed Olaf the wooden parts of her latest design, explaining to him the type of harness she wanted. He appeared to grasp how she wanted the pieces attached to the body of the toy. He listened attentively, looking a bit embarrassed while handling the wooden cocks. "I'm assuming you want the same sort of work as the last?" "Yes, please — and let me pay you for your work this time," Danica answered. "If you want — I'd be happy just to get you back to my shack again," he said with a wink. Danica thought, I'd like to get back to that shack with you too. "How long do you think it will take?" "Two days, at the most. I'll send word when it's done." "I'll need to be present when you're crafting it. There are spells that must be cast as you're doing it." "Well, I've never had a wizard workin' beside me before, so it'll be interesting, I'm sure. It will certainly be a pleasure when the wizard is such a fine, beautiful lady." He offered yet another wink. She leaned in close and said, "I'm quite sure we could find some time to relax after we're done for the day," in a sultry whisper. Olaf laughed nervously. "You've got a mean streak lass. I... I made something for you," he revealed, looking a little embarrassed. "Oh? Well let me see," Danica said with surprise. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a leather dress made from the same shiny, supple leather from which he had made her undergarments. Danica squealed with delight when she saw it. "It's beautiful! You'll be the first to see me wearing it." "Ha, that alone will be worth its making! Well then, meet me here tomorrow and we'll get to work then." "I'll need a quiet place to cast my spells. Why don't we work at your home?" He thought for a moment and answered, "Aye, the lad is well enough along to mind the shop and do the little things for a couple of days. He's been pestering me to let him do exactly that as a matter of fact. Very well, I'll see you there tomorrow morning then." "Tomorrow morning," Danica agreed, and then left with a wave. ------- Danica went to Olaf's home the next day, and they began their work. She learned a great deal about his craft as they labored over the harness for her new toy. After Danica finished her spells at each stage of the creation, Olaf asked questions. He was curious — considering where he worked — if he could do anything to expedite the process for a wizard who planned to enchant something he made. He devised some ideas as they talked, and promised Danica he would let her know once he had time to consider them. When night fell, they adjourned to his bedroom. Danica put on the new dress, delighting in the way it looked and felt on her. The dress didn't stay on long, however, as they soon fell into the bed together. Danica sucked him to climax, and then encouraged him to fill her twice before they drifted off to sleep. When they awoke the next morning, they returned to work. Danica learned more about his craft as she assisted him in his work, and Olaf took notes as Danica worked her magic. By the time the sun set, they were finished. Danica stripped down and slipped on the harness. She adjusted it and smiled when the wooden lips lined up perfectly with her clit. The tip of the small lower probe slipped just inside the iris of her ass. She leaned back slightly and felt the smaller shaft inside the large one slide out to contact her labia at the perfect angle to penetrate her. While taking off the harness, Danica could see a question in Olaf's eyes, "What is it?" she asked, not bothering to dress. "You lie with other women don't you?" Olaf asked. "I hope I'm not offending you, but this..." He paused and pointed at the toy that awaited only a few final enchantments to come to life. "It just sort of..." "Yes. I enjoy the feel and touch and taste of a woman as much as that of a man. I don't think I could go without either for very long," Danica explained. Olaf shuddered, "I've never seen two women at play. I can only imagine." Danica strutted toward him and laid her hand over the bulge in his trousers. "Perhaps you will get the chance," she purred and kissed him, which quickly resulted in their clothing falling to the floor once more. After she swallowed his first hot spurts of seed, Danica managed to take him three times deep inside her before she had to relent this night. Olaf returned to the workshop the next morning and Danica returned to her quarters. She did not walk very quickly, as she was still sore from the night before. That mind numbing orgasm the third time he filled me full of cum was more than worth the discomfort, she thought with a smile. She put her new toy into her lab, and then relaxed in the tub. She heard the door open and looked up to see Celes had walked in. "I'm in the bath," Danica called out, not wanting the poor, tormented woman to be caught unaware by her nudity. Celes walked in anyway. "This just arrived whilst ye was out yesterday. The lass who brought it dinna know how to find ye, an' they directed her to me wit' it." Danica climbed out of the tub as Celes spoke. She started drying off and asked, "What did she look like?" "Honey blonde hair — very curly. A hefty bosom..." "Oh," Danica exclaimed in realization as she wrapped a towel around her. "It must be from Heather. She must have finished one of my spell component jars," Danica explained and took the note when Celes handed it to her. Danica smiled when the note confirmed her assumption. Heather had signed the end of the note with, Come and see us, followed by a drawing of a little winking, smiling face and her name. "Did you arrange all the things I bought in the city when they arrived?" "Aye, I wasn't for lettin' them fool porters or the madman's lackwit servants do it. I was nigh bored unto to tears anyhow an' it gived me somethin' to do. Word came that yer new bed will be a comin' on the morrow as well," Celes replied. "Thank you," Danica said with a smile. "I was at a loss how I was going to sort it all out when I thought about how much I had bought." "Well, ye could be tellin' me the spells ta recharge me present by way o' thanks," Celes said and blushed slightly, following it with a laugh. Danica covered her mouth and laughed with the woman. She had used her own toy quite often, and its enchantments were not weakening in the slightest. Celes was obviously enjoying her present — and often. "I'm should have thought of that. I'm so silly. I'll write them down for you. I'm sure you know them all. If not, you can find copies in the library or from Damian. How does your research go?" "I'm learnin', though I fear I'm nowhere near as quick a study as ye were. I've been spendin' time wit' Damian learnin' the tricks. Ah — that reminds me," she said as she reached into a pocket of her robe. "He's out an' about, but he wanted me ta give ye this," Celes said, and then handed a small wooden box to Danica. Danica opened the box and found three rings inside, as well as a note from Damian. The first was the ring of spell storing she intended to give to Andrea. Damian had done a beautiful job, crafting the ring in dainty silver bands interwoven like vines. It was set with ruby chips in such a way as to resemble a flower, and was absolutely beautiful. It was also stronger than the common rings, able to store more powerful spells. Next to Andrea's ring was Danica's hood ring, enchanted with spell turning and spell storing magic. Danica smiled wide when she read how to pop out the small ball that joined the silver ring to insert it. The tiny silver ball was set with a small sapphire that glittered with remarkable clarity in the light of the room. The stronger spell storing enchantment graced her ring as well, and the spell turning enchantment was likewise strengthened. The third was four delicate gold bands, interwoven like the first. They were set on the top with tiny gems: a ruby, a sapphire, an emerald, and a diamond. The note explained the ring would protect against elemental spells and their corresponding natural effects as well. "That's what he was about when I was watchin' him learnin' the art o' craftin'. The man has far more talent 'an 'e gives hisself credit fer. They're beautiful, an' the design o' the one is original. I'ze never seen its like." Danica removed her hood ring and replaced it with the new one after a few false starts, trying to learn how to manipulate it. She smiled when she looked at it decorating the protective sheath over her bud. Damian had told her that he could make her something prettier, and he certainly had. "It's even more beautiful on you," Celes said as she stared, her accent lost since she wasn't even remotely thinking about it as she spoke. She snapped out of the trance quickly, though Danica had easily caught the slip. Danica had in fact caught snippets of Celes' longing thoughts, so strong that they leapt into Danica's mind without her trying to hear them. "What are ye about t'day then? Back out an' about?" Celes asked, trying to cover her loss of control. "I'm ready to begin the final enchantments on my latest crafting. I could use your help, if you have the time. The enchantments are numerous and keeping the components organized is going to be taxing for me alone. It will take me a week to do it all by myself." "Oh, Aye — I'll help ye lass. I've nothing else ta do an' I'm suren' likely ta be learnin' from ye as we work." Celes' eyebrows twitched up in surprise when she saw what Danica was working on. Danica almost tried to hear Celes' thoughts to see what she was thinking, but stopped short and did not intrude. Danica showed Celes her notes detailing what enchantments remained to complete the item's magic, and Celes gathered the necessary components for the first. They worked throughout the day, Celes' assistance with the spell components making the whole process run quickly and smoothly. Danica managed to lay the enchantments she thought would have taken her two days to complete on the item that day. She was utterly exhausted when she stat back heavily in her chair that evening, however. She wrote down the enchantments needed to recharge Celes' toy, and then the two women went to their own beds. Danica thought about going to Heather's home to retrieve her new spell component jar, but she was still sore from the three days of Martin and Olaf's cocks relentlessly pounding her. The porters with Danica's new bed arrived at the same time as Celes the next day. They waited until the porters assembled the bed and dressed it before returning to the lab. Once again, they worked throughout the day. Only one final enchantment remained when the sun set, but Danica was too exhausted to attempt any more magic. Danica wearily trudged to her bed, and Celes went to the new bed instead of returning to her own chambers. Danica smiled when she heard faint sounds from the other room and knew Celes was using her newly recharged toy as she drifted off to sleep. Danica went to the kitchen the next morning and made them a large breakfast. Celes remarked that Danica was a wonderful cook, adding that the skill was one that she lacked. They ate so much that it was mid afternoon before either of them felt like doing anything. They sat and discussed the creation process until they felt their lethargy wane, and then returned to their work. A few hours later, Danica held her breath as the nimbus of magic around her toy shimmered and sank into her creation. When Danica caught her breath after the exhausting final spell, she picked up her new toy and spoke a word of command. It was a command that she had placed on the item to test some of its enchantments that would not normally be used. The shafts all grew pliable and warm, while the lips and tongue became soft and wet. The finger thin probe hummed with vibrations. Danica wrapped her hand around the shaft of the item and stroked slowly toward the base. The shaft inside of it slid outward at the same speed from the back of the harness as she did so. It likewise retreated when Danica stroked back toward the tip. Danica was sure that if these, the most delicate enchantments, had worked, then the rest were going to work perfectly. She smiled with delight and deactivated the item, feeling wetness lubricating her sex as she thought about playing with her new toy. Celes ran her fingers over the item. "A cock without a man attached to it — that's somethin' what I kin understand," Celes said while looking at the toy with a faint hint of curiosity in her eyes. "So many enchantments, Dearie. This thing has as much Art in it as a wand of lightning. The dweomers about it shine like the sun. Och, but ye have a talent for creation, Dearie." Danica caught flashes of the woman's thoughts as she spoke. She was indeed very curious, and somewhat aroused by the thought of another woman wearing the toy and fucking her with it. She was even more curious about wearing it herself. Danica smiled and said, "Thank you. I'm sure you will find your path and be at least as talented as me, considering how powerful your magic is." "Maybe in t' magic, but surely not in t' crafting. Ye have true talent there, lass. Ye've become as good as a master craftsman in both wood an' clay now, an' I'm for thinkin' ye get better wit' every attempt." "I'm thinking of starting to work in silver and gold now," Danica revealed. "It seems a pity to waste the smelting furnace in the new lab." Celes laughed, "Dearie, Damian will soon be coming to you if'n ye keep makin' such advances so quickly." Danica blushed and scoffed, "Don't be silly." "I'm only exaggeratin' a bit. I'm fer thinkin' there has rare been anyone with yer affinity for creatin'. Ye're a true talent," Celes argued, and then suddenly stiffened. Celes sighed and said, "The madman is callin' for me. It seems I'm off on another one o' his damn tasks." Danica hugged the woman. "Take care of yourself Celes. Oh — take this with you, I have my own now," she said handing the ring of spell turning Celes had given her back. Celes nodded her thanks and went on her way, leaving Danica to wonder when Zoraster would next call her to servitude. ------- Part 7C Danica cast the fertility detecting spells into the ring, planning to give the ring to Andrea as soon as possible. She found that casting even those relatively simple enchantments exhausted her. I've been working too hard. I need to take a break. More of Danica's purchases arrived late that afternoon. She wearily put away the kitchen utensils and clay working tools just in time for her new desk to arrive. A few coins persuaded the porter to take the desk to where Danica wanted it. A few other assorted items arrived shortly thereafter. The clerk who watched the door arrived with the last of the porters, and he threw up his hands in exasperation when Danica informed him how many more purchases would eventually arrive. Danica chuckled as she directed the porters to put away their burdens. She relaxed in the tub for a long while afterwards, the water actually growing cold before she reluctantly climbed out. She ached for sexual release, but faint twinges of dull pain reminded her that she'd indulged in that a bit too enthusiastically of late. She sighed in frustration, putting the thoughts out of her mind by making a roasted chicken and steamed vegetables in her new kitchen. The activity did the job of distracting her quite well. After cleaning up from her meal, Danica located a book on silver and gold smithing in the library. She read until she felt tired enough to go to sleep that evening. The book proved informative, and gave her a few more insights that she hadn't picked up from her previous observations. Danica awoke the next day from a sensual dream about Celes — not in her magically aged body, but as she should be. She bathed, retrieved her new toy, and then headed toward Andrea's room. Finding the young woman was busy with her duties, Danica decided to go to Heather's to retrieve her new spell component jar. Danica went to the couple's small home and knocked on the door. Heather opened the door with a bright smile and said, "Come in. I've just finished another for you, so this is perfect timing." Heather led Danica inside and showed her a jar sitting on the table in the middle of the room. It looked as though Heather had finished her work only moments before. Danica sat down to examine it. The jar was the color of new leaves — about four and a half inches high and etched with very realistic maple leaves. Examining the top, Danica found it likewise etched with the same amazing detail. Removing the snug fitting stopper, Danica thought that it would surely keep out air. Danica smiled and exclaimed, "It's beautiful. This will be perfect." Heather climbed up on a stool to retrieve a second piece, and Danica cooed with delight upon seeing it. Smaller than the first, the jar revealed both Grant and Heather's skills. The shape and etching conjured up the image of a living rose bloom turned to translucent glass in Danica's mind. "They're so amazing," Danica remarked, patting her robes to locate her coin purse. The blonde's eyes widened as Danica counted out coins. "How many do you want?" Heather asked. "As many as you're willing to make," Danica replied, "But this is for just these two." "It's so much. They're only jars," Heather said in stunned surprise. "They're works of art. I'm paying what they're truly worth," Danica countered. Heather blushed bright red. "Thank you. It's just a hobby. I never really thought it would amount to anything, except something to pass the time." "You should try to get to a fair sized city with a stock of completed works on hand, and turn it into a full-time job. I think you could live comfortably on pieces with half this detail," Danica remarked, turning the glass rose in her hands. "Someday," Heather sighed. "Make it as much of a short time goal as you can," Danica suggested, thinking about how she hated to see Grant and Heather here in the madman's inner sanctum, "If nothing else, you could do this work in your spare time while continuing your normal trades. Sell a few, and eventually you might be able to afford to ease away from your regular work, to concentrate on your art. By the way, I would like some pieces in opaque glass. Not all of my spell components are particularly enjoyable to look at. Having a unique jar for them would allow me to find them without having to see them." "I can certainly do that," Heather said with a smile. Danica responded with a coy smile of her own and asked, "Where's Grant?" Heather giggled, knowing what Danica was hinting at, "He's unfortunately stuck in the workshop. He's swamped with work and barely has time to come home and sleep for a few hours." Danica reached out and stroked Heather's golden hair. "Maybe I could help take care of you in at least one way while he's busy." Heather shuddered, nodding her head yes. Danica leaned forward and the two women kissed each other passionately. They went to the bed and pulled off their clothes, in no mood to wait. Heather took the initiative this time and kissed Danica as they sat down on the bed. The two women explored each other with soft kisses and touches for quite some time. Danica almost always shared similar intimate moments with Andrea, and it was no less intense as she caressed Heather's body. Heather lay atop Danica, gently rubbing her folds against Danica as they continued to kiss. She then slid down and ran her tongue in slow circles over Danica's right nipple while looking up into her eyes. For long minutes, Danica ran her hands over Heather's back as the blonde gently sucked and teased Danica's nipples with her tongue. Both women moaned as their arousal increased by the moment. Heather slid upward again, putting her breasts and her own small nipples within reach of Danica's mouth. She rubbed her sex against Danica's tummy as Danica suckled her slowly and softly. Danica could feel the wetness of Heather's lips against her skin. Heather pulled away, but only to kiss Danica with heated passion. The two women kissed and intertwined their bodies for long moments, both of them lost in the intimacy. With a sly smile, Heather moved to trace kisses all the way down Danica's chest, her tummy, and finally her mound. Heather kissed Danica's thighs — first one, then the other. Heather's last kiss on each side fell upon the crease of Danica's leg, tantalizingly close to the redhead's need. Heather kissed Danica one last time, on the mound just above her clit. With a soft moan, she changed her attention to Danica's folds and kissed her there. Danica shuddered as the woman's lips touched her. She moved her hands to run through the ringlets of Heather's hair as the blonde kissed and teased Danica's folds with her tongue. After a few minutes of warming Danica up, Heather closed her fingers around Danica's hood ring and said, "Mmm, so pretty — and so convenient." Heather pulled upward on the ring and held it against Danica with one finger, fully exposing Danica's clit. She then rapidly flicked her tongue over it, just barely touching the throbbing bud with the tip of her tongue. Danica gasped and pulled down on Heather's head. Every flick of the woman's tongue sent tingling sensations throughout Danica's body. Heather wouldn't let Danica pull her any closer. She stayed at tongue-tip length from Danica's sex, drinking in the scent of the redhead's arousal. Danica shuddered and gasped as Heather quickened her tongue to a dizzying pace. Danica could feel an explosion building deep inside her, and she knew it was going to happen soon. The intensity of Heather's tongue held Danica on the brink for long moments, delightfully poised on the edge of orgasm for what seemed like an eternity. Then finally, Danica arched her back and screamed as she came. Heather sucked Danica's clit between her lips and continued to wash her tongue over it, slowing down as Danica writhed, screamed, and gasped her way through a series of strong orgasms. Heather at last slid up on the bed, and the two women kissed again, Danica tasting her own juices on Heather's face and tongue as they kissed. Their bodies intertwined, their breasts pressed together, and their hands roaming all over each other's bodies. Heather slid off Danica and onto her back at the foot of the bed, parting her legs wide and rubbing her folds while she stared lustily into Danica's eyes. Danica sat up and leaned over, lowering her face between Heather's thighs. She brought Heather to the first of many orgasms only a few moments later. The two women lay together, kissing and pleasuring each other for nearly two straight hours. At last, neither of them could take any more. They relaxed in each other's arms until they could get up. They cleaned up and changed the bedclothes, sharing smiles and laughs. Once they finished dressing the bed, Danica gathered up her new jars and kissed Heather goodbye as she headed back to her chambers. ------- Danica awoke the next morning in a cold sweat. She had dreamed about the battle with Omark. Danica made some breakfast after her bath; the soak and the meal helping to dull the memory of the dream. She decided she needed to expand her spell arsenal. The battle with another user of the Art had highlighted the limitations of the spells she knew. Danica went to her lab and focused on less powerful, but more varied types of magic. Over the course of the next week, she learned several spells she thought could be quite useful in combat. She learned the Glassteel Spell, which could make metal objects extremely brittle. A sword affected by the spell would shatter against even leather. Kaleidoscopic Strike sucked magical energy from its target, and Mindfog made the target more vulnerable to mental attacks and intrusions. Danica thought the last could prove highly valuable considering her mental powers. She learned the Mirror Image Spell, which could bring into being numerous illusions that mimicked every move of the caster. Finally, she learned the Globe of Invulnerability spell — a far stronger and more resilient spell than the Mystic Shield spell that Omark had so easily defeated. Danica tested her new spells and practiced the ones she already knew each evening in the Spell Engine. She also continued to hone her mental powers, until her telekinesis was second nature. She proved capable of making small fires surge stronger with her pyrokinetic powers, though she didn't spend much time on that weak aspect of her powers. Her practice enabled her to look into the mind of the old man who watched the Spell Engine's portal, even through the shielded walls where she could not see him. Danica was returning to her rooms after leaving the Spell Engine one evening when she saw the young apprentice Andrea was spending intimate moments with of late. He spent a few seconds stammering and blushing, but eventually Danica found out he would be busy all night. More importantly, Andrea had no duties this evening. Danica returned to her room, intending to take her new toy and finally give it a full testing of its measure with the beautiful blonde woman. Unfortunately, Zoraster awaited her in her room when she entered. He turned Danica's new toy over in his hands, examining it. "I cannot wait to see you test this remarkable little device. I'm quite sure it will be most invigorating," he said with a wicked smile as he put it down. Zoraster continued, "It so happens that your next task will be made easier by the rapidly expanding skills in enchantment you are cultivating. There is a mage who is seeking a knowledgeable assistant to aid him in the crafting of an ambitious piece of magic. He has grown quite skilled and seeks to now craft a staff of great power — one distinctive to him that will be his measure amongst his peers. You know well how such is a mark of power amongst the ridiculous conclaves. He also seeks a mundane assistant who is knowledgeable in spell components to make purchases and make preparations for his castings. Celes shall transport you to the place and serve in this role well." Zoraster stood from his chair before he continued, "He has in his possession an artifact of vast power. He has unlocked only a margin of its enchantments. It is a wand of platinum, tipped with a blue diamond of extraordinary clarity and value. I wish you to bring this wand to me. You shall be granted the freedom of access to the deeper recesses of the great library on the grounds in exchange for your success in this task. The volumes within this hidden part of the library hold the secrets of great power, as well as even greater insights into the Art by wizards of great renown, past and present. You understand your task little rose?" "I understand," Danica acknowledged in clipped tones. "Very well. Your studies proceed remarkably, little rose. Had I known your potential, I would have sought you out long ago. Perhaps you would have found yourself here as an apprentice instead of a prisoner. If you continue to show such aptitude, you may soon rival your sister Devan — perhaps even surpass her. I shall be quite pleased to have such a tool at my disposal." "A man who isn't careful with his tools may find himself cut by them," Danica responded to the taunt thinly disguised as a compliment. Zoraster smiled wide and laughed. "I am very careful with my tools, little rose — and my toys." He laughed again and said, "Good day, little rose," as he left the room. Danica took a few moments to master her anger, and then rose to retrieve her toy from where Zoraster had laid it down. The thought that Zoraster was waiting for her to use the toy almost prompted Danica to put it away and go to bed. Then she thought about how desperately she wanted to play with Andrea with her new toy. Spending time with Andrea would also delay her preparations for her next task. As she thought about it, her mind drifted toward what it would be like and the tingling of wetness between her legs caused Danica to shiver. Her decision made, Danica spoke the word of command that shrank the toy and headed toward Andrea's room. The two women slipped into bed together not long after. Touching each other and kissing, Andrea told Danica about her experiences with the young apprentice when Danica insisted in sultry whispers. Danica looked up into Andrea's eyes as the blonde finished speaking about her last encounter with the young man. "Remember when I used my toy on you? You liked that, and liked using it on me didn't you?" "Mmm — oh yes." Andrea answered and leaned in to kiss Danica. Danica's voice filled with husky desire, and she let her hot breath tickle the blonde's neck as she spoke, "I have a new toy. Would you like to play with it?" Andrea shuddered and replied, "Oh, yes," with a wide smile. Danica slid off the edge of the bed and retrieved her toy. She then spoke the word of command and caused it to return to its normal size. Andrea moaned when she saw it and ran her hands over her thighs. Danica slipped into the harness and adjusted it. She then spoke the command word, "Live," and the device came to life. Danica shuddered as the shafts turned pliable and warm against her body. The harness itself vanished into magical invisibility, as did the lower part of the main shaft. This allowed Andrea to see Danica's sex even while the redhead wore the toy. Danica stepped over to Andrea, near the head of the bed. She moved up against the bed and Andrea leaned over near her. Andrea moaned in pleasure as she wrapped her hands around the cock, discovering it was warm and throbbed realistically. On impulse, she wrapped her lips around it and sucked it. The inner shaft slid into Danica's depths as Andrea sucked on the outer. Danica shuddered and moaned as the shaft penetrated her, the little probe tickling the iris of her ass, and the lips over her clit sucking gently. Andrea opened her eyes and moaned as she watched the inner shaft penetrating Danica. The sight prompted Andrea to suck the cock between her lips at a feverish pace in playful amusement. Danica pushed Andrea back to lay her down on the bed. She then climbed up onto the bed and knee-walked between Andrea's widely parted legs. She put the head of the cock against Andrea's wet lips and slid inside her. Danica and Andrea both arched their backs as the toy penetrated them. Danica slowly rocked her hips, looking down and watching as the throbbing shafts slid in and out of them both. Danica gripped onto Andrea's legs hard as the throbbing probe in her ass hummed and the lips on her clit sucked and tickled her with their tongue tip. She finally found her stance after a few changes of position, allowing her to thrust the toy faster. As Danica increased the speed of her thrusts, the lips sucked harder, the tongue flickered faster, and the little probe against her ass vibrated harder. She knew the shaft buried inside Andrea was throbbing harder and vibrating faster near the base, where it would make perfect contact with the girl's clit every time the toy penetrated to the hilt. Both women loudly gasped, moaning in pleasure as Danica fucked Andrea and her toy fucked her. Danica pumped her hips faster, crying out now as the toy drove her to incredible heights of ecstasy. Andrea bucked and let out a shrill scream as she came. The shaft slid out of Andrea's saturated sex when she arched in orgasm, and Danica quickly worked to get it back inside her. Danica maintained her quick pace, keeping Andrea writhing and lashing her head back and forth as her body pulsed with orgasmic energy. Danica felt her own climax approaching. She had trouble continuing to thrust as her body started to shudder. She buried the toy in Andrea with a final, hard thrust — the shaft inside her doing the same — and exploded into orgasm. Danica screamed and her body quaked as she came hard. The toy sucked up her sweet flood of juices as they flowed from her and ejaculated them into Andrea's depths. Danica's hot juices shooting inside her sent Andrea soaring into another wave of orgasm. Every time Danica tensed and screamed while her orgasm rolled through her, her toy shot another hot burst of her cum deep inside Andrea. The feeling overwhelmed them both, and Danica had to pull the toy out. She collapsed on the bed, gasping for breath next to Andrea. When they both found their breath and passed through the greatest part of their aftershocks, Danica slipped out of the toy's harness. "Did you like that?" she asked with a wicked grin, and kissed Andrea before the blonde could answer. "Oh my gods — yes," Andrea gasped when they broke from the kiss. "Would you like to fuck me?" Andrea nodded enthusiastically. Danica helped Andrea into the harness and adjusted it for her. When Danica closed the last buckle, Andrea stroked the cock with her hand and moaned as the shaft slid inside her. She laid Danica back with a sensual little growl and quickly mounted her. Andrea soon found her stance and pace. Within moments, she thrust into Danica just as hard as most men would have. Both women screamed their pleasure as Andrea stroked both of their depths with the toy. Andrea came a few moments later. Danica screamed in delight as the young woman's creamy juices shot into her depths. She reached up and urged the woman to continue, thrusting her own hips against the shaft. Andrea continued to come, spastically thrusting the shaft in and out of Danica. Danica relented when it was obvious Andrea could not concentrate beyond her own orgasm, reluctantly sliding back off the toy. Danica rolled over onto her hands and knees, watching Andrea shudder and gasp as she came down from her orgasm. She then reached back and parted her lips from below saying, "Fuck me. Spank my ass and make me come." Andrea moved over to Danica and grasped her hips, crying out as the toy penetrated both of them once more. Andrea slowly built up to speed, both women tensing and thrashing their heads as the toy fucked them so well. Andrea found an even greater speed and power in this position, driving both of them toward their heights of pleasure rapidly. They came almost simultaneously, Andrea's sweet cum shooting from the shaft buried inside Danica. Andrea collapsed atop Danica as they both writhed from the incredible power of their orgasms. They both lay for a long time with the toy's shafts buried inside them before they could manage to rise from the bed. ------- Not long after Danica awoke the next morning, Celes came to her rooms. Danica made them both breakfast, and while they ate, they discussed what they thought they might need to take with them on their task. They decided there was little they could do in the way of special preparations. Celes already had everything she intended to take prepared. She helped Danica pack up her magic items and several changes of clothes. They decided to wait until after noon before departing. Danica made them lunch, and after cleaning the dishes, they rode the wings of magic to their destination. Once again, Danica contemplated the familiar surroundings. This wasn't anywhere she knew, but Zoraster's outposts were all nearly identical on the inside. They appeared in a small room with a curious pattern on the floor. Each of Zoraster's outposts had such a pattern, and seeing it reminded Danica to ask Celes, "What is this room for? Does it have something to do with the pattern on the floor?" "It's a teleport room. T' pattern is unique ta each o' Zoraster's houses scattered all about. If'n ye memorize t' pattern carefully, ye can use its image in yer mind ta teleport yerself to a place ye've not been before. It's the only reason I was able ta take us here, as I'ze never been to this city meself." "That explains one small mystery," Danica remarked. They went out into the house and immediately noticed something — a tang in the air Danica recognized as the scent of the sea. A fire burning in the fireplace of the house reminded Danica that autumn wasn't far away. Soon it would be winter, and Danica wondered how difficult it would be to get down into the city from Zoraster's abode. She knew the climate should be similar to what she was accustomed to, but winters could be worse there, as it was some distance from her home. Celes snapped Danica out of her thoughts when she spoke, "We should be gettin' ourselves down ta the wizard's place an' presentin' ourselves. He's young, but he's havin' a fair amount o' inherited coin. It might be that his coin could be persuadin' some ta take the positions as his assistants what normally wouldn't with one so young. That'd suren make it a might more difficult fer us ta get what we came for an' get home." "How will we find him?" "Zoraster said most knew o' the man. We should be able ta ask about an' find him easy enough. Are ye ready then?" Danica nodded and the two women went out into the streets of the city. They were in a port city, at the farthest edge of the city from the docks. This wasn't surprising to Danica, as the closer one got to the docks in such a city, the seedier the homes and businesses were. Such was simply not Zoraster's style. They only had to ask two street venders before they received directions to the wizard's abode. The two made their way to the home, finding it to be a fair sized, fine dwelling. The place bespoke wealth without a doubt. Set atop a small rise, the property offered a view of the sea uncluttered by the other buildings of the city. They went up to the door and knocked, a servant answering the door a moment or two later. When they told him the reason for their visit, he led them to a sitting room that afforded a fine view of the sea through the large, expensive windows along one wall. The servant who had answered the door turned out to be a cheerful older man who loved to talk. His name was Alfrin, a second-generation servant to the wizard's respected family. Celes asked what his employer was like, and the man was glad to offer his opinion. Celes dropped her put upon accent the moment they entered the place, piquing Danica's curiosity. The servant revealed that the wizard's name was Darius, and described him as an outstanding citizen from a respected line. He paid his servants well, and did not overwork them. The servant expressed concern that his Master's studies consumed him, and that he took little time to seek the company of ladies. This revealed Alfrin's concern for the continuation of the family line, and an obvious belief that Danica or Celes would make a fine addition to that family. Celes whispered at one point that Zoraster had left the illusion around her on this task, everyone but Danica saw her as young and vital. The conversation had turned to the city when Darius came into the room. He bowed respectfully to the two women upon noticing them. "Sir, these two beautiful women are Andrea and Celes," The servant revealed, pointing them out with sweeps of his hand. "They have come wishing to accept your offer for assistants." Danica looked the man over as Alfrin introduced them. She guessed he was in his early thirties — indeed young to have been accepted to one of conclaves. He was a handsome — if not strikingly so — and clean-shaven, with bright blue eyes that matched the smile on his face. "Splendid," Darius remarked, "You are both versed in magic, I trust?" "Yes," Celes answered. "I am long studied in the Art, having come to it at a young age. Danica has a remarkable ability in magical item creation. She is also a fine worker in wood, and I believe we both could be of invaluable assistance to you." "Splendid. Splendid," Darius said with a clap. "Well, let us get down to business then. I offer your room and board, as well as a weekly salary, which we may negotiate later. It is good that the two of you know each other and have worked together before. I believe it will make our work all the easier. Now, let us adjourn to my workroom and see what knowledge the two of you have." They followed Darius to his workshop and went over the man's rough outline of the enchantments he wished his staff to have. Danica pointed out the enchantments that would have to be cast over the staff during its creation, and Celes named the components necessary for the spells. Celes searched the well-labeled jars of spell components stored in a finely crafted cabinet, and noted what he was lacking as they went along. Halfway through the list of spells, Darius interjected, "Splendid. I had not hoped to find one assistant with half your knowledge — let alone two. If you are willing, I would be honored to work with the both of you." Danica and Celes looked at each other and nodded. Then Danica said, "We will be glad to assist you in this grand task. I think we should take a much deeper look at what you wish to do first. We should have a finely detailed set of notes before we proceed with anything more." They spent the remainder of the day building their outline of what they were going to do. They started from the root enchantments that would be the heart of the staff's magic, and slowly detailed their way outward. When evening closed upon them, Darius showed them to a pair of adjacent rooms that they could use as their own. He unlocked a door that joined them so the two women could go between the rooms without needing to enter the hall. Both women were delighted that each room had a tub and a stove to heat water for it, as well as a fireplace and a small closet-like room for the chamber pot. Darius bid them good night, saying he was quite anxious to return to their work in the morning. He told them that they had the run of the house, and that they could do whatever they wished for their comfort while here. Celes looked around the rooms. "No dweomers of any kind," she said quietly. "He doesn't spy on his guests. We should wander about and learn what we can, to discover if there are any sort of protections or alarms, so we can search more extensively under cover of our magic later." Danica nodded, "Why did you lose your accent?" "It just seemed appropriate. You didn't really think I talked that way normally did you?" Celes answered with a smile. "Suren' I kin be puttin' on the tongue twistin' fer ye when we're alone if'n ye're wantin' me too," she added with her accent in full outrageous effect. Danica laughed, "No, It will be an interesting change." "Well, let's explore then," Celes said, and they both went out into the house. Danica went right down the hall toward the workshop. Celes went left toward the entrance. Danica passed some servant's quarters after the workshop, and nodded to them when they did so as she passed. She found another sitting room, and several storage rooms. She then came upon what she knew must be Darius' private quarters. It was the only room with double doors, the wood intricately carved with a family crest where the doors joined. The hall ended here. Danica slipped into the second sight. Protective magic swirled around the door. The spells were many and varied, interwoven with alarms and contingency spells. It would be difficult — nearly impossible — to enter the room without someone discovering the intrusion. Danica turned and walked back down the hall, closely looking at everything she passed with her second sight. She found no dweomers of any kind anywhere except Darius' private chambers, and the now locked workshop. Danica went back into her room, and Celes entered shortly thereafter. Danica explained what she had learned, "Darius' private chambers are at the end of the hall. They are very well warded, as is the workshop. Other than that, I saw nothing. There's another sitting room, a storage room, and servant's quarters down that way." Celes nodded. "I found the dining hall. It's elaborate and likely doubles as a ballroom considering its size, though it seems little used. The kitchen, some servant's quarters, the servant's baths, and an exit to the back of the house. I saw no dweomers at all. We should have little trouble exploring the house under cloak of magic." "I doubt we'll find anything. The wand is likely in the lab, or more likely in Darius' private chambers." "I agree, but we should search the house and the grounds thoroughly as well. I can search the lab while making a pretense of cataloging what the man has to see if we need to make any purchases," Celes suggested. "Why do you use that outrageous accent?" Danica interrupted, her curiosity getting the better of her. "I hate how my voice sounds coming from this old throat. With that accent, it doesn't sound like me at all and doesn't disturb me so badly. Even when the illusion is around me, I still see and hear myself as I am now," Celes explained with a sigh. Danica felt a sense of mixed emotions from Celes, and opened her mind, reaching out to the woman as she spoke. "I hate this old body — hate that I have it before my time, and hate that I know even without Zoraster's curse I would have come to this later in life. I fear I'm a bit vain, I suppose. I was proud of my body, my voice..." In her mind, Danica saw Celes as she saw herself — young, vibrant, firm, and gorgeous. The mental picture didn't have any of the exaggerated flaws that a woman normally imagines in her body, because Celes longed to have her youth back again. Celes was lost in thought, concentrating on the image of her after she stopped talking. Danica slipped into the second sight and found the illusion jumped immediately into perfect clarity. She could see exactly what men saw when they looked upon Celes — how she was supposed to be. The combination of her concentration and the image she saw in Celes' mind brought the illusion to life. Danica marveled at the woman's beauty as Celes continued to stare off at nothing, twirling a strand of hair and lost in thought. Arousal flooded through Danica, caused by the image of Celes as she should be — so young, beautiful, and sexy. Celes suddenly snapped back to reality. Danica found she had to concentrate very hard to keep the illusion intact to her eyes. She relaxed her concentration as Celes spoke. "Anyway, it's just a way to sort of forget." Danica nodded and hugged the woman. "We should get to bed. I'm actually quite interested in the work we will be doing." Celes laughed. "I am too. At least this task will be a welcome diversion instead of a nightmare. Good night." "Good night," Danica responded with a smile. Thinking about being with Celes as she should be, Danica brought herself to several quiet orgasms with her toy before she went to sleep. As she lay in the warm afterglow, Danica wondered if Celes was doing the same, having reaching her peak with the present Danica had made for her. ------- Zoraster turned from his observance of Danica and Celes when Telanor entered. "You have good news, I trust?" "I've tracked down the ones that get the drugs to the royal bitch and the lap licker. They're dealing in that nasty stuff from the jungles. I'm not one for laws, but I can see why they outlaw that poison." "I forbid the use of the drugs myself. Arrange a meeting with both. Leave at least a few hours between them, but you need not concern yourself overmuch, as my servant will be able to travel the corridors of magic between the two places in little time." "I can get what you're up to with the Princess, but what's up with the twat licker?" Zoraster laughed. "Not that it is your concern, but I'm sure you noticed she has money and influence. She does not work. She does not trade. Yet, she is affluent. The reason is quite simple. She has a hold over one who holds power in a place that interests me. I wish to use that hold to my own advantage. Something in her prevents any form of charm magic from affecting her — even mine. I believe I have discovered the means to take her advantage as my own, and repay her for her interference in my affairs here. She is one of the few people of influence in this city who is not mine to command." Telanor shrugged. "Makes sense I guess." He pulled a curious metal device from his pocket and asked, "This thing get me back to the castle again?" "Yes, in fact it should give you transport there or any other location that you are familiar with for a dozen times or more. Continue to please me and I will ensure it remains charged with power, in addition to your normal compensation in coin." Telanor laughed. "You know, I always prided myself on being independent, but I'm starting to like this. I've been casing a couple of joints near the castle with protections I wouldn't have messed with before. I'm thinking about giving them a go with your little magical thingamabobs." "Don't get caught or killed. You're proving to be an asset I would not wish to lose. Also remember that you are to bring all of your purloined goods here for disposal, and keep your eyes open for the unusual. No matter how mundane it may appear to you, many things can be of great use to a wielder of the Art." "Not a problem. You pay better'n any fence in an alley." "Once your task and your amusements are complete, do return. I have another task that I believe might amuse you. I wish to send a message to the city guard of Tiapine, who seem to be rebelling against the Governor I have so carefully emplaced there. The Captain of the guard is quite wealthy, with a very beautiful wife and daughter. I believe tying him up and raping them both before his eyes would send the appropriate message. There would be compensation for the work aside from the price of anything you attain from the home." "I know Tiapine, and I know that guard Captain. You got any problem with me screwing him up a little before I have my fun with the girls and rob them blind?" "Not so long as he lives, and he is conscious to watch the evening's entertainment," Zoraster replied with a laugh. "Think I'll wait on those joints I've been casing. This sounds like a lot more fun. I'd almost forgotten about the mark I owed that son-of-a-bitch in Tiapine." "Excellent. Please discreetly emplace one of my scrying globes in each room of the home before you begin the evening's entertainment. I wish to watch, and savor the effects once someone discovers the crime." "You're about the most twisted bastard I've ever met — it's a pleasure doing business with you," Telanor said, echoing Zoraster's laughter. ------- Part 8A Over the next several days, Danica, Celes, and Darius carefully detailed the path their work would take. All the while, Celes thoroughly searched the lab, confirming that the wand was not in the room. At night, they explored the house. Each covered the ground the other had the night before, just to ensure they didn't miss anything. They found nothing of any magical interest within the house. It appeared that anything related to the Art was relegated to the workshop and Darius' private chambers. Danica reached into Celes' mind each night as they talked, and eventually succeeded in finding the beautiful self-image inside Celes again. After the first time, Danica found it easier to do again. The image was so perfect, so real, and so beautiful to Danica. Danica took on the task of exploring the grounds. Celes could likely have done it just as easily under cover of magic, but she found it uncomfortable for women to see her as young and beautiful, knowing that even if they were attracted they could never touch her without knowing the truth. A woman lived in the garden house, serving as an assistant to the gardener, and that was enough to make Celes uncomfortable. The woman's name was Gabrielle. Danica discovered it when she snuck into the garden house at night to find the woman on her knees, sucking the gardener's cock. He was moaning her name as she sucked him. Danica could not help but look at the woman's body. She had dark brown hair, and slightly angular eyes that hinted at some Eastern blood in her ancestry. Her breasts were small, the nipples tiny, though she had large areoles. The hair surrounding her sex was as neatly trimmed as the hedges she worked in the gardens, cut so short as to be near invisible around her lips. Danica wondered what the woman saw in the man, who was unattractive, rail thin, and not well endowed. Danica only realized how long she had been standing and staring when the gardener came with a grunt into Gabrielle's mouth. Danica saw a hint of something in the woman's eyes as Gabrielle swallowed his cum. The mixture of anger and longing from Gabrielle slammed into Danica like a physical force. Danica had to brace herself against the wall as the feelings assaulted her. The gardener pulled up his trousers and returned to his own room. Gabrielle climbed up onto her bed and lay down hard on it. Danica still felt the rush of anger from the woman, but it slowly dulled. Gabrielle softly touched herself, and her anger fled completely. Danica could hear the woman's thoughts, angry that the man forced her to suck him, angrier still that she got no reciprocate pleasuring from him. She cursed her foolishness in letting her employer discover she lay with women as well as men, necessitating her several times daily ritual to keep him quiet. She feared that if he revealed it that she would lose her work here. Her thoughts slowly drifted as her fingers worked more quickly. Danica shuddered as she watched the woman come to a soft, quiet orgasm from her touch, feeling the woman's pleasure through the link to her. The mental link to the woman's arousal had fanned Danica's desire until she almost came without being touched. Danica at last mastered her need and managed to leave, but she shared Gabrielle's anger at the gardener when she left to make her way back to her room. She let Celes know what she had discovered on the grounds, which was little more than Gabrielle's situation. Celes quietly summarized what they'd both learned. "Well then, we know almost without a doubt that the wand is in the man's private chambers then. The web of protective magic around that door is a labyrinth of traps, and disarming them will be nearly impossible without being detected by the magic. It would be doubly difficult because you have to be visible to work the magic." Danica shook her head. "We could never do it, even if we put the entire household into a magical slumber. The man is a master of warding spells, quite obviously." "Trying is likely to lead to a battle. It's not something I want to do, and I don't believe it's a course Zoraster wishes for us to take, from the way he outlined this task to us." "He never opens the door or deactivates the magic except when he enters and leaves the room. I'm going to have to get him to take me there," Danica said. "Seduce him? He doesn't seem all that interested in such, though I'd be willing to wager that if any could change his mind, it would be you," Celes said with a smile that was breathtaking to Danica as she looked at the woman through the eyes of magic, seeing her young and beautiful as she should be. "It seems that is the course then," Celes continued. "I suppose I can concentrate on learning while you concentrate on piquing the man's interest." Danica thought, It's not like it will be such an onerous task. Darius is attractive, well-spoken, mannerly, and quite charming. I wonder what wonderful secrets he's hiding beneath his robes? The two women went to their rooms and their beds. Danica pulled out her toy, sating the needs of her body while thinking about Celes, as she did nightly now. ------- The next day, they completed the first stage of their work. With the item fully outlined, they knew exactly the course they must take if they were to have any hope of succeeding in the ambitious enchanting of the staff. Danica considered the materials as she looked over the notes. "It will certainly have to be crafted of a living branch, taken from the tree and not deadfall. I honestly don't believe that anything short of Elven Silver Maple could possibly hold this much power." "I was coming to that conclusion as well," Darius replied. "If you were willing to forego a few things — the Ball Lightning, and Cone of Cold enchantments in particular — I think we could use Vallenwood as the medium." Danica suggested, speaking of the immense trees that grew so large that full-sized homes could be built in their branches. Darius shook his head. "Those are the greatest of the item's offensive magics, and it does not have so many to begin with." Celes offered, "Elven Silver Maple isn't easily obtained — even deadfall. The elves let none enter their woods uninvited, and they certainly don't allow anyone to cut branches from the living trees." "I know, I have heard such from those who have ventured near the elven wood, but there must be some way," Darius said with a slightly frustrated sigh. Danica sat up straighter and looked over to Darius. "There are elven woods nearby? I'm not familiar with this area." Darius nodded. "Yes, perhaps a league — maybe two — to the North. Elves even occasionally come into the city to trade and take passage to other lands." Danica caressed her chin in thought for a moment and then said, "I think I should go into the city to see what I can learn about the temperament of the local elves. Are there certain places they tend to go when they come to the city?" "Yes, they trade almost exclusively with only a few merchants and only one sea captain." "That's where I should ask then." "We could make a day of it," Darius suggested with a smile. "I could show you both around the city as Andrea does her research." Celes shook her head and held up a hand. "Not me. I'm not feeling up to traipsing about in the city. The sea air doesn't agree with me, I'm afraid." "I have a rather extensive collection of remedies both magical and mundane that could ease any discomfort you are experiencing Celes. You need but to ask." "No, it's all right. I don't have any problems while I'm indoors, but the moment I try to walk out that door, it's like the wetness of the air steals my breath. I'll remain here and study. The two of you go and enjoy yourselves, and learn what you can." Darius nodded in deference to Celes' wish. "Very well. Though if you change your mind, seek out one of my servants and they can convey you to me. They all seem to know how to find me in the city no matter where I go. I would be doubly pleased to have the company of two beautiful and intelligent women for a day of leisure." Celes actually blushed. "Go on now," she said and waved them out the door. They left Celes to her studies in the lab and went out into the hall, "I believe I shall change into something a little less comfortable. My family would collectively faint if anyone were to see me leaving the house dressed as a ragamuffin," Darius said with a laugh. "I'll find something more appropriate than my robes for wandering around town in as well. I'll meet you outside if I'm dressed first. Unlike Celes, I'm ready to be out of the house for a while." "Very well, for the moment, then..." he said, bowing before making his way toward his chambers. Danica changed, and then walked to the entrance when she did not see Darius. Stepping outside, she took in a deep breath of the sea air, truly pleased to be outside the house. She was surprised when, after several minutes, Darius had still not exited the house. One of the servants noticed her and informed her that the man took a notoriously long time to prepare before going out into the city. Danica thanked the man for the information, content to enjoy the sight of the sea while she waited. Gabrielle came to the front of the house to trim the hedges that lined the path leading to the house. The gardener moved to work on the other side of the path. Danica walked up to the woman as Gabrielle carefully trimmed the hedges with small shears. "You do beautiful work." "Thank you, Milady," the gardener pridefully responded. "I was speaking to Gabrielle," Danica said somewhat snappishly without looking at the man. She then smiled at Gabrielle and asked, "That is your name isn't it? I heard it from someone in the house." "Yes, it is," Gabrielle replied, matching Danica's smile. "Thank you for the compliment, Milady." Danica waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Enough of this Milady nonsense — please call me Andrea." They talked for short while, Danica pointedly ignoring the man on the other side of the path. He eventually stomped off in a huff. Gabrielle quietly giggled as the man left, covering her face with her hand. "You're not very fond of him, are you? I don't care much for him either, and I've only just met him." Gabrielle stifled another laugh. "Not really. I enjoy the work, though. It is not he who pays me, so I endure him." They talked for a while longer, until the gardener returned to announce, "Gabrielle, you have work to be done in the garden house." A faint flash of anger crossed Gabrielle's face and Danica could guess what work Gabrielle's supervisor had in mind. "It has been pleasant to talk with you, Andrea," Gabrielle said, and then nodded by way of a farewell as she followed the gardener back around the back of the house. Danica almost growled aloud. In that moment, she determined that she was going to do something about Gabrielle's situation before she left this place — one way, or another. Darius stepped out of the front door. He was dressed in fine clothing and wore a bright smile as well. Danica fell into step with him, and they followed the hedge-lined path side-by-side out into the city. Darius suggested they try the docks first. They discovered the captain that the elves usually dealt with was in port and sought him out. Danica asked him about the temperament and customs of the elves in the area. "Aye, they're typical elves — haughty, secretive, and not terribly welcoming to anyone who's not elven. I have special spacious cabins on my ship, it's the only reason the elves will travel with me. They can stay below and away from the crew for the entire voyage," the captain informed her. Danica nodded. "I expected as much. Thank you for your time, good captain." "Indeed, you have our thanks, Sir. Please take this for your time," Darius said and handed the man a few coins. The captain raised his eyebrows, seeing the amount of coin Darius offered for something so simple. "I'll let you in on something for the color of this coin. There's something bad brewing in the elven wood, and you'd best be extra careful around any elves you see. They're more snappish and suspicious than ever right now." "Thank you again, Captain," Danica responded. Then she and Darius turned to move out of the docks area and onward into the city. Darius showed her around the city, stopping at all the places reputed to trade with elves. In each, they received the same sort of information — and the same warning. "It doesn't look good," Danica mused as they walked toward the edge of the merchant district. "There is one more place to check. Don't give up hope until all hope is lost, Andrea," Darius admonished with a smile. "Perhaps we shall find something useful at our next stop that can bring us closer to the Silver..." Darius trailed off, sniffing the air. He immediately changed the subject. "Ah, the old healer will have to wait." Darius pointed toward an inn off the side of the road and continued, "My favorite inn, and I smell the distinctive scent of beef. I am so weary of seafood. Let us go dine before we continue on." Danica's stomach rumbled from the mention of food and the scent, which was indeed quite appetizing. "That sounds fine," she said with a smile. Danica took the opportunity to begin her campaign to attract the man's attentions. She did her best to make the meal feel like a date among lovers. Danica shyly smiled when she caught a few glances from Darius that were not exactly studious. They continued to chat and learn about each other throughout the meal and the walk to their next destination. Danica took his hand in hers as they made their way from the inn to the healer's dwelling, which doubled as an apothecary and herbalist shop. When they entered, they found the woman who owned the shop speaking with another woman in a voluminous cloak. Only the woman's stance revealed her as female to Danica, because the cloak hid any other evidence. "We've seen it as well — a few farmsteads between here and the wood. We know no more than you, and have had less success in treating it," the healer said to the shrouded woman. The shoulders of the woman in the cloak slumped. "I had hoped — prayed — that an answer might be here. My people burn up and pass away while I chase ghosts," the woman said. Her voice was musical, almost alien. Danica knew the quality well and knew the woman was an elf. "I'll be with you in a moment — if it's not an emergency?" the healer asked, noticing the new arrivals in her shop. The woman in the cloak turned, and her face confirmed her elven ancestry. Her expression revealed that she was not at all amused by the presence of the humans. "It's no emergency. We simply wish to speak with you," Danica replied, nudging Darius when he looked as though he was about to speak. The old woman nodded and turned back to her elven customer. "I had hoped perhaps you might have an answer when you came in as well. I have seen too many already — fine one moment, burning up with fever the next, and dead before the week ends." The description of the sickness hit Danica like a bolt of force. "The women afflicted with the sickness — do they have reddish sores, like blisters, here?" Danica asked and put her hand down between her legs. Both women turned upon hearing Danica's description. The old healer said, "Yes. Is someone you know afflicted?" "No, I've known those who have been. I also know the means by which most of them may be saved," Danica said, approaching the pair with Darius following behind her. The old healer asked, "Are you sure? The last thing we need now is false hope." Danica nodded. "This sickness seems to be slowly spreading everywhere. It was rarely seen for a long time, but reappeared when I was a small girl. My sister and mother both contracted the illness. An old midwife in the village knew the cure, it having been passed down faithfully despite decades of the sickness never surfacing. They both recovered." The old woman quickly gathered up pen and parchment. "Out with it then. There is no time to lose. This sickness snuffs out lives like candles in a whirlwind. I have seen too many homes quarantined and burned once its occupants succumbed already." The elven woman pulled back the hood of her cloak, listening intently as Danica described the potions, their ingredients, how to administer the medicine, and the other details of treating the illness. When Danica finished, the healer quickly scribbled a few more notes, and then scrambled around her shop, screaming two names all the while. Two young women answered that call and quickly following their mother's hasty orders. "If this works, I'll praise your name until the day I die, and I'll haunt these two daughters of mine until the day they die if they don't do the same. Quickly, Ariella, get those herbs into a bag," the woman said as she and her daughters continued to gather up the ingredients for the potions. The elven woman said, "Know that my people shall also be eternally grateful should your cure stave off this black sickness. Our queen shows the first signs, and may have already succumbed to the fever while I flew here in desperation." With those words, the shrouded elf hurried out the door. Darius followed on her heels. He stopped a farmer with a horse drawn wagon and tried to commandeer the vehicle to convey the women wherever they were going. When the farmer argued, Darius reached into his pocket and shoved a purse of coins into the man's hand. He then proceeded to shove the previous owner of the wagon out of the driver's seat. The farmer screamed in protest, but then noticed the gold coins that had spilled from the pouch when he had landed on the ground. His eyes widened, and he gathered up the coins to scamper quickly away with a wide smile. Danica and the healer, along with the two daughters, came out a few moments later, all burdened with bags. Danica and Darius helped them get the sacks in the wagon, and then the healer and her daughters climbed up onto the seat board. "You two just stay here. I know we don't catch the sickness, but there's no way of knowing for sure you don't. I'll seek out Darius if there is any news or any need," the old woman said, and then snapped the reins with a loud "Hyah!" The wagon moved with steadily increasing speed down the street, toward the edge of the city. A small crowd had gathered to see what the commotion was about, and a city guardsman pushed his way through, dragging a protesting farmer. "I caught him, Goodman Darius. He'll not be running away with your coin this day." "I didn't steal it! He bought my wagon!" the farmer screamed in protest. "Please, let the man go. He tells the truth," Darius informed the guard. The guardsman looked perplexed for a moment, and then released the farmer. "Sorry," he said with little apology in his tone. The farmer hid the pouch of gold in his trousers with a snort and ran off again. Darius turned to Danica and said, "I suppose we should return home." Danica nodded and they turned back toward the house. Danica took his hand in hers about halfway there. They told Celes what had happened, and she said, "If it works, and the Queen is saved, you may have just found your source for the Silver Maple. The Queens of the elves are beloved of their people, and are their high priestesses as well. Elves do not take lightly repayment for favors to their people. It's a custom from ages long past to never let a good deed unasked for go unrewarded. Saving the life of their Queen would demand they offer nearly anything you might wish that is theirs to give." "We'll know before long then. The sickness progresses quickly," Danica said ominously. ------- The next day, Darius and the two women continued their work. They gathered up what they would need for the working and enchantment of the staff, purchasing anything that they did not have on hand. Danica managed to locate a small set of woodworking tools. It was nothing compared to her own set at home, but would suffice. On the following day, Darius suggested a way they might see how they were going to work together on the project. They proceeded to assist Darius in enchanting all the woodworking tools with a modification of the vorpal enchantment, something Darius said he cast upon the kitchen knives. The result of the enchantment ensured that the tools would forever maintain their edge, never needing sharpening. The combination of the three's skills proved a perfect match, and they completed the enchantment that day. Danica was determined to cast the same enchantment over her own woodworking tools when she and Celes returned from their task, as well as her razors. That evening Danica chanced to see the gardener and Gabrielle walking back toward the garden house after the day's labor. Danica flushed in anger knowing what the gardener would subject Gabrielle to in only a short while. She decided she could no longer abide the knowledge of what the gardener was doing to the beautiful woman. She caught Darius just as he was about to enter his private chambers for the evening. "Darius, there is something happening I think you should know about." "What is it, Andrea?" he asked, looking somewhat nervous and glancing into his open door. Danica could see a finely appointed sitting room lay beyond the portal. "I believe the gardener is doing something quite inappropriate with young Gabrielle." Darius blushed. "It is none of my business what those who serve me do in their own time. They are free to pursue their own lives." "It's more than that. Please, come with me and let me prove to you that he is abusing her." Darius considered for a moment, and then nodded his head as he shut the door. He spoke the word of command that reset the wards on the door and followed Danica. They walked out to the garden house — Darius looking thoroughly scandalized the whole time. Danica reached out with her mind and easily found the mixture of anger and need in Gabrielle. That confirmed that the gardener was exacting the payment for his silence. Danica led Darius around the side of the building to the location of Gabrielle's room. She quietly cast a spell of Clairvoyance and the scene appeared before them. Gabrielle knelt, nude, sucking the gardener's cock. "Andrea," Darius whispered harshly, "This is most inappropriate." The gardener exploded in the girl's mouth before Darius finished the last word, pulled up his trousers, and left the room. "What woman would do this willingly and not be pleasured in return? Look at the anger on her face. She doesn't do this of her own will. The man is using her," Danica said as they watched Gabrielle flop down on the bed to stare at the ceiling with an obvious look of anger and resentment. Darius' look of embarrassment slowly faded to anger as he considered Danica's words. "Let us go speak with Gabrielle and determine the truth of this." Danica dismissed the clairvoyance spell and the two entered the garden house. Darius then knocked on Gabrielle's door. "Who is it?" Gabrielle asked in a startled voice. "It's Andrea and Darius. May we come in, Gabrielle?" "Just a moment," they heard and waited while Gabrielle pulled on her clothing. The gardener opened the door to his room and asked, "Is something wrong sir?" He blanched when he saw the anger on Darius face. "That shall be determined in due course," Darius answered in clipped tones, staring hard at the man. The gardener nodded and offered a short bow. Gabrielle opened her door then, gesturing for Darius and Danica to enter. The gardener started to follow, but a stern look from Danica kept him out in the hall. Danica shut the door in his face and turned back to Gabrielle, who looked afraid and confused. Darius looked at Danica, apparently considering his words, and then turned back to Gabrielle. "Is there anything..." He paused a moment before continuing, "inappropriate going on between you and Eriond?" "No, Sir," Gabrielle answered, casting her eyes downward and blushing furiously. "Gabrielle, Darius is a good man. He will not judge you unfairly, not for anything. If something is being done to you, don't be afraid to tell him." Danica walked over and lifted the girl's chin up so she could look into her eyes. "Please trust me, Gabrielle. Do not let him do this to you any longer," she said gently stroking Gabrielle's face with her fingertips. Gabrielle's lip quivered. Words tumbled from her mouth amidst sobs as she explained her situation. Darius' face grew harder with every word she spoke. When she finished, Darius looked at a ring on his finger. "You tell the truth," he said from between clenched teeth. He then turned and flung open the door, finding Eriond standing right outside. "Get your things and get out!" Darius angrily exclaimed. "You are hereby terminated. I would suggest you leave the city, because I shall forthwith inform everyone I know of what you have done here, and you shall not work in this city again." "Sir, whatever the woman has..." Eriond began. "SILENCE!" Darius shouted, startling everyone. Danica had never heard the man's voice raised so, and the power of the command stunned her. "Have you forgotten I am Magi? I know the woman's words for truth. I have changed my mind. I will have your things dumped into the street. I want you out of my sight and off my grounds this instant. Get OUT!" Eriond paused for a moment in an open-mouthed stare, and then hurriedly left when Darius took a step toward him. Gabrielle still sobbed quietly with Danica holding her to try to comfort her. Darius turned toward them and said, "It is over Gabrielle. I am sorry it ever happened at all. I must thank you, Andrea, for bringing to light this abominable situation. Know that I would never — ever — judge you for such things, Gabrielle. You shall henceforth be my lead gardener. The pay Eriond received shall be yours, as well as your pick of the rooms here in the garden house. I shall begin petitioning for assistants for you, and you may be the one who chooses which one shall enter my employ." Gabrielle smiled as she finally managed to choke back her sobs. "Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Andrea. I don't know how to repay you." Darius smiled and said, "Continue to do your work well — that is all the repayment I need. I long ago noted that you are a far better gardener than Eriond ever pretended to be. I was at a loss for what to do, as he has been with me for so long and his work was more than adequate. You are simply an artist in the work. I felt it inappropriate to demote or terminate him because his assistant proved to be more gifted than he." Gabrielle blushed. "Thank you for the compliment, Sir. I will do my best to be worthy of it." "I'll stay with Gabrielle. She'll need the company of a woman for a while." "I understand. Thank you again, Andrea. It is most fortunate that you were able to discover this atrocity. Every day, I find I am more blessed that it was you who answered my call for assistants. Good night, ladies." Danica continued to comfort the woman, eventually turning to lighter subjects and bringing out a smile from Gabrielle. Danica's arousal increased by the moment as she sat so close to the woman, touching her at every available opportunity. Their eyes met each other with barely veiled interest quite often. On impulse, Danica put her hand on the woman's cheek, and then leaned down to kiss her. Gabrielle gasped as Danica said, "For far too long you have been forced to give of yourself and received nothing but grief in return. Let me give to you the pleasure you have been denied." Gabrielle gasped again, then smiled meekly and blushed. Danica pulled the brunette closer and kissed her once more — far more passionately. This time, Gabrielle responded. They slowly undressed each other, Danica kissing and caressing Gabrielle all the while. Danica's touches were feather-light on the Gabrielle's skin, drawing shivers from her. Her hands slid slowly over Gabrielle's body eliciting quiet moans from the brunette. Danica swirled her tongue over one of the woman's small nipples, looking up into her eyes. Gabrielle shuddered and gasped, her eyelids fluttering when Danica sucked the nipple between her soft, warm lips. Danica continued to suckle the stiff point, her hands roaming over Gabrielle's body. Gabrielle quietly moaned in long denied pleasure and caressed Danica as well. Danica released Gabrielle's nipple after a while to trace kisses down the gardener's tummy. Gabrielle gasped and watched as Danica progressed toward the object of her desire. At last, Danica's lips touched Gabrielle's sex in a soft kiss, and the young woman's body tensed, as she moaned long and low. Danica gently lapped and sucked Gabrielle's folds, using her tongue, lips, and fingers to stimulate every inch of the woman's sensitive flesh. Every passing moment increased the musky scent of Gabrielle's arousal and the bittersweet flow of wetness over Danica's tongue. Finally, Gabrielle arched her back with a quiet, but high-pitched squeal, which trailed off into a long moan as she came on Danica's tongue. Danica continued to run her tongue over the young woman's quivering nether lips until Gabrielle's orgasm ran its course. She then slid upward to kiss Gabrielle, the brunette tasting her own juices from Danica's face. Gabrielle's fingers crept between Danica's legs, prompting her to lay back and part her legs to give the dark-haired beauty unfettered access. Gabrielle continued to rub and probe her fingers into Danica's moist heat, sucking the redhead's pebble hard nipples as she did so. Danica moaned as soft fingers tantalized her. "Suck them harder," Danica pleaded, and then she sharply gasped when Gabrielle responded passionately. "Oh please — taste me. Make me come," Danica moaned quietly. Gabrielle released Danica's nipple and slid down between Danica's legs. Gabrielle slowly — so slowly — lapped Danica's damp folds. She used broad strokes of her tongue to stimulate Danica's nether lips, and then pushed her tongue deep inside to lap up the gathered wetness there. She sucked on Danica's labia and flicked her tongue all over Danica's sex. Gabrielle ever so slowly paid more attention to Danica's clit as she tasted another woman for the first time in so long. Danica teetered on the threshold of ultimate pleasure for quite some time from the woman's slow licking, and when she tumbled over into orgasm, it was powerful. She stiffened and emitted a staccato squeal as her juices welled up and bubbled forth from her — not really a squirt, but rather a gentle flood. Gabrielle continued to softly lap Danica until her orgasm subsided. The two women lay together entwined for a few moments before Danica's passion rekindled, prompting her to kiss Gabrielle again. They brought each other to uncountable numbers of sweet orgasms that night, and Danica did not return to her room until quite late. She found it difficult to walk on her wobbling legs back across the lawn to the house. Danica snuggled under her blankets very happy for the young woman, and very sexually satisfied. ------- The three wizards returned to the workshop the next morning to complete the last of their preparations. The work took little time, and they were soon ready to proceed — save having no medium to work in. For another two days, they struggled with worry and anticipation. Each found some little project to fill their time while waiting for word from the healer about the battle against the sickness. Darius grudgingly sent out requests for Vallenwood, still hoping for the chance to acquire the Silver Maple instead. Darius stood to answer a knock on the workshop door, opening it to find the man who served as his butler there. "Sir, the old healer from the town seeks audience with you. She has with her four people who are heavily cloaked, and two of them bear arms they will not relinquish." "Go and let them in. We have nothing to fear. We shall go with you and greet our strange guests." Danica and Celes followed Darius and the butler to the common room where they waited for the visitors to arrive. When they entered, the old healer walked in front with beaming smile on her face. She walked directly to Danica upon entering. "Lady, you have done a service beyond measure in revealing this cure to us. We haven't lost a soul since we began mixing the potions. I've been spreading the word to every temple, apothecary, and herbalist since the first woman's fever broke under my care with the potions. At least twenty other people came up with the sickness since last we met. Most are already fully recovered, thanks to catching the sickness before it could progress very far. This city and the whole region owe you a great debt of thanks." One of the cloaked figures pulled back her hood, revealing the face of the elf maiden from the healer's little shop. "The humans of the region are not the only one who owes you thanks, and our debt is greater than theirs. I present to you Alannamori, Queen of my people." The central figure pulled back her hood and revealed an elven face of stunning alien beauty. She nodded to those assembled, and all bowed before the woman courteously. "Your potions saved me from the brink of death, allowing our healers to restore me to full vitality with their prayers. Great friends and many of my subjects also now live only because of your timely intervention. We often look down upon humans because of your violent and impatient ways, but it gives me great joy to discover a fine flower amongst the many weeds of your people. We owe you a debt beyond any ability to repay in kind," the Queen said in a musical, yet authoritative voice. Danica bowed once again, saying, "There is no debt, your Majesty. What I did I chose to do to combat a foul sickness that I have seen take too many before their time. Knowing I have saved lives is all the repayment I need. There are, however, some things that would aid us greatly in our work here, which only the elves may give. We had given up hope of obtaining them, and were prepared to continue on with substitutes." "Please, tell me what it is you require. If it is within my ability to grant, it shall be yours." "We need living branches of the Elven Silver Maple. We need a section the size of a walking staff, and perhaps four pieces of shorter length, but greater thickness. Some clay and various spell components nurtured in the magic of elven lands would also be of great assistance," Danica explained. "What would these things be used to craft?" the Queen asked. "We do not lightly offer up the living branches, even for a great debt. I cannot in good conscience give them up if they shall be used for dark purposes." "One moment — I shall show you," Darius responded, and hurried off to the workroom. The elven Queen noticed Celes, who had done her best to inconspicuously back out of the room, and said, "Oh, you poor dear creature." The Queen closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them with a sigh. "The curse upon you is most foul, and I fear beyond my ability to break. I can offer this by way of hope, however. There is a condition upon the curse that I cannot divine. Should this condition be met, the spell will be broken and you shall be as you were before your cursing. The condition is woven within the curse. Think upon what has been done to you, for I cannot know it in whole, and you may discover that which shall free you from this horrible spell." Celes stood — mouth agape — her eyes wide with surprise as the Queen spoke. "Thank you, your Majesty. I'll think about it," she said in a quiet voice when the Queen finished. The Queen nodded and Darius returned at the same moment. Celes left the room and went down the hall as he entered. "This is the enchantment we seek to undertake. If none of your company can read our comparatively crude language, I can explain our notes to you," Darius said, handing the stack of notes to the Queen. "I read and speak your tongue fluently. The script is indeed somewhat crude compared to that of my people, but it too has its beauty when considered." The Queen then looked through the parchments quickly. When she finished, she looked up and said, "Your ambitious undertaking is quite commendable — a staff of vast defensive powers, with few offensive enchantments. I find this to be a fine thing to be crafted of our beloved trees. You shall be granted all that for which you have asked." Danica and Darius both broke out in wide smiles, and Danica inwardly shouted with glee. "We thank you, Your Majesty. It is so much more than we had hoped for." "The thanks still belong to you. I must return to my people. I wished to thank you personally for your actions, but now must return to my duties. That which you have requested shall be brought to you before this day is done." With that, the Queen pulled up her hood and turned to leave. The other elves followed suit. The old healer turned to Danica and said, "If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know. I must be back to my home to continue mixing potions. My daughters are running from dawn to dusk purchasing and gathering the necessary ingredients." Darius said, "I shall have coin sent to you to lessen the financial burden upon you. I am quite sure not all those afflicted have available coin to repay your healing." The old healer bowed. "You are most kind, Goodman Darius. Word of your kind sponsorship of this good deed will be known far and wide, along with milady's. Perhaps this will shame the temples into opening their coffers and offering help as well," the woman said with a wink. Darius laughed. "That alone will be well worth the coin spent." The old woman smiled and nodded to them again, then made her way out the door and back to her own home. Danica let her decorum break when they were again alone, and shouted with glee. She fell into Darius' arms and hugged him. He held her back and laughed as well. When they broke the embrace, their eyes locked for long moments with their hands still clasped. Darius blushed and released Danica's hands. "We should prepare the work room for our true work — for tomorrow, we begin." ------- Everything promised arrived only a few hours later. The sections of Silver Maple were enclosed in shimmering auras of magic. Until a spoken word released the elven spell, the Silver Maple would remain exactly as it was the moment the tree had relinquished it in response to the request of the elves. Danica was surprised to see the elves had sent half a dozen saddlebag-sized bags containing the clay she had requested. The bags were enchanted to keep the clay supple and properly moist as long as it was inside the bags. Another four bags held numerous amber vials. These contained a vast diversity of spell components, all in quite large quantities. Within a sack of finely tooled leather, they found a gown of Elven Silk, the finest cloth known. The dress was perfectly sized for Danica, and accentuated with gold and silver decorations so dainty Danica was half-afraid she would dislodge them all the moment she tried to put the gown on. They took everything to the workroom and carefully arranged it so as to all be readily at hand as they worked. Darius split up the spell components into thirds and gave Danica and Celes each a third. The third he kept was more than he could find uses for in a year's time. When they finished, night was upon them. They dined and went to their beds, all ready to be up with the sun, at last able to begin the work they had so carefully prepared for. ------- They worked in perfect concert for two weeks — Danica carving delicate scrollwork and runes of power into the staff, Darius casting the necessary spells as they worked, and Celes assisting them both without even having to be told to do anything specific. Darius used the elven spell components, knowing they would impart greater magic than the otherwise identical ones from outside elven lands. When Danica at last sat back, exhausted from her detailed work, she revealed a staff of unsurpassed beauty. The pale wood shimmered like silver, and Danica's finely detailed scrollwork made the runes nearly invisible at a casual glance. The runes appeared to be nothing more than part of the fine carving unless one knew what they were looking for. Darius praised Danica's remarkable work so eloquently that Danica blushed the whole time he was speaking. They went to their beds and rested for the next stage of the work, which mostly fell on Darius' shoulders. Over the course of the next week, Danica cast the preparatory spells, followed immediately by Darius casting the final enchantments. Celes had the necessary components ready for the two at each stage. She also had water and cool, damp cloths ready for them every time they completed a series of enchantments. On the last day, they began the final series of enchantments. When Danica finished casting the preparatory spells, they joined hands and Celes cast a spell of Art Sharing upon them. When Darius cast the final enchantment, Danica and Celes offered up their own magical energies to give greater power to his spell. The nimbus of magic surrounding the staff when Darius completed the spell was so bright that none of them could look upon it. In time, the light vanished into the staff and faded. Darius reached out slowly — tentatively — and took up the staff from where it rested on the table. As soon as his hand closed around it, he smiled wide and shuddered. "I can feel the power flowing through it. We have succeeded." They were all exhausted and went to their rooms, though it was only mid-afternoon. They all slept through the day and night, even late into the next morning. They went that day on Darius' boat to an island a short distance offshore. The isle was little more than a wind and wave blasted patch of rock and sand. Here, Darius stood with the staff in hand while Danica and Celes cast every spell they could muster against him. Every spell slid off the shielding of his staff. Danica and Celes then took up magical wands he had provided and again blasted him with magic. The power of the staff withstood it all. Darius then spoke a word of command and took up the staff, cracking it sharply against a nearby rock. The contact echoed with a loud report, and the rock shattered as if made of glass. He used the staff's Cone of Cold enchantment to freeze a tidal pool solid, and then spoke another word of power, blasting a large boulder with the Ball Lightning enchantment. The staff was everything — and more — that Darius had envisioned. They returned to Darius' manor and enjoyed a fine celebratory feast in the little-used dining hall with all of the servants and a few other select guests. When all the guests bid their host farewell, and the servants went to their beds or set about cleaning up from the feast, Celes excused herself to her room as well. This left Danica and Darius alone in the large dining room. Danica pulled her chair close to his and they spoke softly of what they had accomplished. Danica rested her hand on Darius' as they spoke, and something slowly built between them. Darius looked deep into Danica's eyes as they spoke, and continued to do so when they stopped talking. Without realizing it, they sat simply holding hands and looking into each other's eyes. At last, Darius put his hand on Danica's cheek and kissed her softly, sending shivers running throughout her body. They stood in unspoken agreement and left the dining hall, heading toward Darius' chambers. They kissed softly at first, and then more passionately as they held each other once the door to Darius' chambers closed behind them. They stumbled blindly to the bed without breaking from their embrace, where they slowly and sensually undressed each other. Danica drank in Darius' body, even as he did hers. His muscles were quite well defined for someone who spent most of their time in study. Danica absently thought that he either had good luck in his parentage, or somehow found the time to keep his body in shape, as well as study. He had sparse body hair, and what he did have was either shaven or otherwise short and immaculately groomed. The large expanses of smooth skin aroused Danica intently, though it was but one more drop in a bucket, as she was overheated with passion for him already. When he revealed his manhood, Danica shivered in delight. His cock looked like an anatomical drawing, perfectly straight and smooth. It would take both of Danica's hands to cover his length, and her hands could not close around the breadth of his member to conceal it completely. They lay down together and explored each other's bodies with their hands as they continued to kiss. Darius looked into Danica's eyes — revealing longing and need mixed with a deeper attraction within his liquid blue pools, and then slid down to put his gorgeous, hard cock in line between her legs. Danica gasped as he slowly pushed inside her. He thrust his hips forward at a slow, unhurried pace, leaning over her body to kiss her lips, neck, and breasts as he stroked his throbbing erection within her. A warm glow expanded throughout Danica's body, pleasure mixed with something else she had not experienced with a man in a long time — the first little tingles of love. It was a bittersweet sensation, something she had only experienced fleeting moments of with Andrea and Carolyn since her imprisonment in Zoraster's twisted home. That glowing feeling grew warmer as her pleasure mounted, but never reached the hot flames of pure carnal need she most often experienced of late. It instead left her feeling as though she was floating, hovering above the bed, tethered to the earth only by Darius' cock inside her. Danica moaned in quiet pleasure as his cock filled her and stroked her so well. She came to a soft, shuddering orgasm, kissing him passionately as the slow rolling waves of pleasure rippled through her body. Darius continued to make love to her, and Danica could feel the pressure of another orgasm building deep inside her. Darius' pace increased slightly as he slipped into pleasure of his own building passion. He at last pulled from her and spurted his seed over her tummy and breasts. The feeling of his hot cum pooling on her belly sent Danica tumbling over the edge into orgasm as well. Darius sank to the bed beside her, and Danica swirled her finger through the pools of semen on her body, bringing the salty-sweet nectar to her lips. They lay for many long minutes looking into each other's eyes, wrapped in each other's arms, basking in the sweet afterglow of their climax. Darius drifted off to sleep, shaking Danica from the sweet, drifting feeling of her wonderful afterglow when she remembered her task. She sighed when she realized she might never have an opportunity such as this again — it must be now. Danica slipped carefully from the bed and dressed, reluctantly opening the hidden compartment of the ring she carried in her pocket and coating Darius' lips with the sleeping drug. She checked him a few moments later and knew the drug had taken effect. She leaned down and kissed his forehead gently with another sigh, and then went to her devious work. It took but a glance to guess where she would find the wand she sought — a rune marked door on one side of the room. Danica had seen its like many times. Many wizards kept an armory of sorts where they stored their most potent magical items. Danica had little trouble defeating the simple protections on the door. Darius obviously counted on the wards protecting the entire suite of his rooms, and had spent little time putting special defenses upon this simple room. Danica found the wand resting on a stand in a place of prominence near the center of the small closet-like space. With it were Darius' notes detailing what he had discovered about the artifact. Danica picked them up and resealed the door. With a final wistful glance at Darius, she left his chambers. She went directly to Celes' room. Celes looked up and saw that Danica had the wand. She immediately nodded and gathered up her things from the room. Danica did the same in her room, wishing with all her heart that she could just remain here, but knowing it was impossible. When they finished packing, Danica and Celes reluctantly rode the wings of magic back to Zoraster's abode, their prison. ------- Turning the wand before his eyes, Zoraster smiled. "Yet another to add to my collection. Soon, I'll have enough of you, my pretty little trinkets." Zoraster glanced down at the report a servant handed him. He smiled and lay it down beside him. All was going as planned. The princess and the one arrogant woman here in his city who defied now consumed his special blend of their favored drugs. It would not be long before they served his purpose, rather than opposing it. The report was one of many that had pleased him greatly of late. Everywhere his designs proceeded apace toward fulfillment. The waiting and anticipation was almost painful, but Zoraster knew that the rewards would be well worth the wait. The day would come when none would stand to oppose him. Glancing back up, Zoraster watched as Telanor violently assaulted a bound young woman. Beside them, the young woman's barely conscious mother wept with her little remaining strength after her own brutal rape. The severely beaten husband and father was tied to a chair at the foot of the bed, his tears of rage and pain mingled with his blood as he was forced to watch the thief violate his daughter. Beside the table on which the two women lay bound sat a large bag filled with plunder Telanor had gathered while he recovered his stamina after raping the first woman. Zoraster smiled and eased back in his chair with a sigh of contentment. Reaching over to his side, he picked up a cube of cheese and popped it in his mouth, savoring it for a moment before taking a sip of blood red wine as he watched. Everything proceeded as planned. ------- Part 8B Still in a studious mindset when she returned, Danica immediately took advantage of the freedom that the successful completion of her task granted her. The volume of powerful works in the inner recesses of the library stunned her. There were spells here long thought lost to the ages, spells that were exclusive creations of great wizards, and dozens of original spells created within these very walls — many of them by Zoraster himself. The discovery of an entire volume dedicated to spells either discovered or created by Darkniciad surprised Danica. She knew they were such, because she had spoken with her sister Devan about many of them. Most of these were of such a power that Darkniciad only taught them to the brightest and most trusted of his apprentices and allies. A shudder of foreboding gripped Danica as she considered Zoraster having access to them. One spell immediately leapt to the forefront of Danica's thoughts, and she perused the book to see if it was there. She found the spell, Gunthar's Multiplicity, and looked it over carefully. The spell was a complicated one. A mage could cast the first part of the spell up to a day before its ultimate release, longer if the spell caster was particularly powerful. After completing the first part of the spell, the spell caster could then concentrate on several spells they knew, which were of a similar nature. The Multiplicity spell would bind to these spells. The caster then needed only to complete the casting of the second part of the Multiplicity spell, and the energies of the spells bound to it would release all at once. The result could send a barrage of various missile spells at a target, summon several types of elemental shielding spells, or enact other similar magics. The spell could prove extraordinarily useful and powerful when combined with other strong spells. Danica copied the difficult spell, determined to attempt to learn it. Something else stolen from Darkniciad aroused Danica's interest as well, his work on reviving the lost Counter Triggering enchantment. The enchantment, when placed on an item, linked to other magics on the item. The linked enchantments would then activate when select conditions occurred. For instance, the condition of fire used as a weapon against the person with the item would cause the Counter Triggering enchantment to activate a Fire Shield without any intervention from the person with the item. It was a vastly useful enchantment, even though Darkniciad had only managed to piece together a weaker form of it than what once existed in ages gone by. Items still turned up occasionally with the ancient, stronger version of the enchantment, and they were astounding pieces of magic. Danica copied all the notes on this enchantment as well, and then made her way back to her chambers. Celes was there when she arrived. "'Ello Dearie," Celes said and cackled. She then dropped the accent since she was alone with Danica. "I've been thinking, and I've finally decided the type of thing I want to test my ability with as a first magical creation." "That's wonderful. I'm beginning to have several inspirations myself, as well as other things I had already thought of but just haven't gotten around to. What is it you wish to make?" Danica asked. "Well, as to the medium — that I'm not sure of. The enchantment I want to lay on it, that I'm certain of. I've come to the conclusion that most males are tactless oafs ruled by a tiny creature that lives between their legs. I'm growing quite weary of their stares and comments and I'm thinking of taking a little revenge," Celes explained with a wicked smile. "Oh dear," Danica laughed. "What did you have in mind?" "Well, I'm not going to try for anything of any great power for my first attempt. I know for certain I don't have your aptitude for the process." When she saw Danica scowling at her self-depreciation, Celes added, "At least yet. I thought perhaps something that caused them to itch rather violently down there where their brain lives might be a sufficient riposte to their callousness." Danica broke out in laughter. "Well, it should be something passive then. You wouldn't want to have to point a wand or something at them to activate the enchantment. Jewelry would be a good idea. I would lean toward earrings or something similar. I find myself with far more rings than I have fingers and toes most of the time. It would mean working in metal, and I'm not confident doing that yet." "Hmm, me either. I think I might know a way around that. Damian could craft the item, that's for sure, but I've become rather well acquainted with Amphros, the silversmith who works on the grounds. I think I could persuade him to come here to your lab and work the item while we both watched and learned about his craft. I could cast the necessary spells in a familiar environment while he worked on it." "That sounds like a good idea. What do you think? Earrings?" Danica asked. "Sounds as good as anything, I've only got one other pair besides these I wear. I could always use more I suppose. That way I could have another enchantment on the other ear as well. Like you said, you only have so many fingers." They sat down to outline what spells and enchantments would need to be cast on the item, as well as doing a rough sketch of what they thought the earrings should look like. Celes said she would speak with Amphros the next day, as she wanted to purchase some things from the city and get a good night's sleep before beginning. Danica sat down to study the difficult Multiplicity spell. It was well after nightfall when she raised her eyes from her copy of the spell and went to bed. Danica had thought Amphros rather hard and unfriendly when she had encountered him, but he was a completely different person when he arrived with Celes the next day. He surveyed what they had, saying the smelting furnace was a fine one and he was surprised to find it with none of the other tools of a silversmith. He returned to his workshop and gathered up what he would need to work. He explained each step as he performed it, going into more detail and growing animated when he saw how much attention the women paid to him — and the interest and intelligence they showed in the questions they asked. When he paused to let Celes cast the first of her preparatory spells, he said he would return to his workshop and gather up some pieces he was working on to keep his hands busy while Celes went about her craft. Danica could easily guess why he wanted to have something to do. Celes was taking a very long time, all her preparations and casting extremely meticulous. Danica smiled and continued to study the Multiplicity spell while Celes cast and Amphros worked. It took Amphros four days, with the waits for Celes to work her magic, to complete the pair of earrings. He did a wonderful job taking the rough sketch Danica and Celes had made and turning it into something remarkable. The earrings were in the shape of a crescent moon, with a dainty chain attached leading to an equally dainty silver star. Amphros had designed the stars with a setting and put small chips of translucent sapphire in each. The resulting effect made the earrings twinkle almost like a real star. Danica felt she had a solid working knowledge of the craft now. She felt nowhere near as confident as she had before she first turned her hand to working in wood or clay, but she believed she could fashion some objects of the softer metals now. She doubted she could make any pieces as dainty as the earrings any time soon, however. Amphros provided the women with a list of tools they would need to work in silver and gold, as well as providing the name of a man in the city who produced the best of such tools. He also gave them the name of a goldsmith in the city who had worked with wizards before, as the process for working in gold was slightly different from that of silver. Once Amphros left, Celes smiled and said she had an idea what she wanted to enchant her other earring with now. She wanted to try to outline it on her own — now that Danica had educated her while working on the first enchantment. Danica agreed and left her rooms. She first went outside, but the chill in the air reminded her of the approaching winter, so she changed her mind and went to the inner sanctum of the great library. She would have near complete solitude there, as few had access to that area of the library. Danica continued to study the Multiplicity spell until nearly evening. She had mastered a few of the first difficult words and inflections, which made the rest easier due to the similarity of the words to the beginning part. She returned to her rooms to find Celes putting the finishing touches on her outline. "I make and burn scented candles. I can light them with a spell or a cantrip, but I thought it would be more convenient to be able to do so with a thought and an enchanted earring," Celes said and showed Danica her outline. Danica looked over the document and determined that the enchantments would work fine with the preparatory magics cast over the earring during its creation. Celes had worked on the outline with the same meticulousness she had shown in her casting. The spell listings were absolutely perfect in every detail. With such careful notes, she could finish both earrings tomorrow — though Danica smiled and thought it would likely take two days the way Celes worked. Danica continued to study her spell the next day while Celes worked on her enchantments in the other room of the lab. At nightfall, Danica felt her blood burn and knew she had mastered the spell. "Oh yes," she delightfully exclaimed. Celes walked into the room shortly thereafter wearing her new earrings and a wide smile. "I take it from that shout earlier that you've had some success?" Celes tilted her head to let the light catch her earrings as she spoke. Danica smiled and revealed, "I learned Gunthar's Multiplicity." Celes blew out a whistle. "Dearie — that thing's a tongue twister and a half. I nearly sprained my tongue trying to learn it. I'll have to watch you cast it the first time." Moving one of the dangling stars on her earrings with the tip of her finger, Celes said, "I finished them." "Well, let's see them work," Danica said and clapped her hands while standing. Celes pulled a candle from her pocket. Danica made a sound of delighted surprise when she saw it. The candle was a corkscrew of wax in subtly different, light shades of green. "It's beautiful. You make them yourself?" "It was my mother's trade. I'm good, but this is crude compared to some of the ones my mother made. She was an artist. Wizards and rich folk for miles around mourned her loss when she passed on." Taking a deep breath, Celes sat the candle on the table and concentrated for a moment. The wick lit with a little pop and burned cheerily. "It works!" Celes laughed. The light scent of the candle, reminding Danica of the scent of the air after a spring shower in a field of flowers, slowly filled the room. "It smells delightful. You have to make me some. You should consider working on some enchantments having to do with them. It would seem a natural extension of skills you already have." "I hadn't even considered it, but you're right. Now I just need to test the other one," Celes said with a sly grin. "I think I have the perfect test subject," Danica revealed with a wicked grin of her own. She went out and found a servant to fetch Brandon. He arrived shortly thereafter, and he had a look of curiosity on his face when Danica let him in. He twitched his eyebrows and broke out in a wide smile when he saw Celes in the room as well. "What can I do for ya?" he asked. "I'm still on duty, so if you're looking' for some private time it'll have to wait an hour or so." He winked and a laughed to punctuate the suggestive statement. Danica and Celes both rolled their eyes, Celes smiling wickedly. Brandon started to squirm quite suddenly, and then scratched his crotch. He tried to be inconspicuous at first, but as the intensity increased, he threw decorum to the wind and dug under his clothing. "Bloody hell," he growled as he scratched. Danica and Celes both laughed, and Celes dismissed the enchantment of her earring. They both laughed as Brandon sighed in relief and stopped scratching. "That's a right nasty thing to do to a fella. It felt like the fleas of a thousand dogs had set up camp down there," Brandon grumbled with a scowl. "Well, maybe it will remind you to think before you speak that way to a woman next time," Danica said with a condescending smile. A look of regret crossed Brandon's face. "I'm sorry," he said with a sincerity that caused both women to raise their eyebrows in surprise. "I've been a squire, then a soldier all my life. I guess I never really learned how to behave around women, at least not... Well... You know... Women aside of ladies of the night." "Och, I'm sorry ta have played such a nasty trickin' on ye," Celes apologized, using her accent since they weren't alone. "If'n I'd knowed ye had some decency hidin' in ye I'd have never done it." "You are certainly full of surprises Brandon." Danica's eyebrows rose in curiosity as she spoke. "Dunno about that. I'm not bright enough to hide too many surprises." "Well, we're sorry anyway. There's a hundred men around here who deserved more to have Celes' new little magic tested on them than you." Brandon smiled a wide, wicked smile. "Well, keep it a secret and I'll be able to enjoy a private laugh when I see someone in the barracks scratching' at hisself for all he's worth." Celes and Danica couldn't help but laugh. "Why don't we go down into the city and have something to eat?" Danica asked. Celes nodded her agreement, and Danica added, "Why don't you come with us Brandon?" "I don't get paid that well," he said with a laugh. "Any place I could afford to eat I wouldn't want to." "I'll pay. It's an apology to you for the prank we pulled," Danica offered. "Well, I'll try not to embarrass the both of you as a way of apologizing myself. I'll get cleaned up as soon as I'm off duty." He scratched for a moment and said, "Have I ever mentioned that I hate magic?" Both women laughed in response, and he smiled as he went out the door. Danica obtained permission to go into the city and the women waited until Brandon returned. He cleaned up surprisingly well. Danica and Celes were both surprised to find that Brandon had a sort of rough, earthy charm when his guard was down. They also discovered he had a very healthy appetite for both food and ale. They both enjoyed the evening and his company — and they told him so. He made them promise not to spread it around or it would ruin his reputation. When they reached the complex on top of the hill, both women kissed him on the cheek at the gate. He blushed and looked thoroughly scandalized until he noticed the open-mouthed stares of the guards at the gate. He then puffed out his chest and smiled broadly as he walked back into the complex. Celes and Danica laughed over the incident as they returned to their own rooms. ------- Zoraster called Celes to a task the next day, leaving Danica alone. Originally, Danica had thought to study the Counter Triggering enchantment next, but Celes' branching out into new areas of study prompted Danica to do so as well. Danica had wanted to try to create a new original spell of her own for a while now. She didn't feel as confident in this as she had in magic item creation, so she decided to start slow, much as Celes had with the creation of her earrings. The spell Danica settled on was similar to the Hand spells, though not on such a grand and powerful scale. She had thought of two actually, but knew which one she wanted to attempt first. She first extensively studied the words of the Hands spells, and then moved on to some cantrips that had somewhat similar effects to what she wanted to do. The pinch cantrip, tickle cantrip, poke cantrip, and several others all received intense scrutiny from her. Danica felt the need to relax and clear her mind each night. She tried to go to sleep the first day and get back to work in the morning, but found her work the next day was slow and difficult. She decided to spend each evening in leisure to offset this. She went to Andrea's room the first night, again bringing her toy that pleasured them both when worn. She received a note saying another spell component jar was ready the next day, so she spent the next evening with Grant and Heather. She took Brandon down into the city again another night, and found he could be quite a gentle lover when given reason, after she rented them a room at the inn where they had dined. For just less than a month, she studied by day, and satisfied her sexual needs by night with those closest to her. She had denied the needs of her body for the needs of her mind for too long, she thought. Danica now felt that she possessed an extensive knowledge of all the similar spells. She knew how they worked, and how the words and gestures brought their power into being. Danica knew from her reading that spell components related to the effects would be necessary for the creation of the spell. All spells had components, though it was not always necessary to use them in the casting once a mage truly mastered the spell. She thought carefully, and decided that a silk glove would be the perfect physical component for her spell. She went and commissioned twenty pairs from a silk maker in the city, receiving strange looks when she requested fingers about a quarter again longer than they should be. Payment up front assured that the gloves would arrive within the week. She also decided to stop by the shop Amphros had suggested to commission the tools she would need to work in soft metal. Danica's once considerable purse was growing quite light when she left the last shop. She knew she still had coin held on account, but also knew that the more she studied and created, the more she was going to need to spend. It was quite possible she would soon either have to find a way to acquire more coin, or suspend her studies for a time. Celes had returned a day or so before, and Danica asked her friend for several of the scented candles. She needed to be in a deep state of meditation while considering each of the spells she had studied to try to combine and modify them into the type of spell she wished to create. Danica found the candles did exactly what she wanted them to do. She soaked in her tub, the candles burning for long hours as she considered and pieced together the beginnings of the spell. Whether in the bath, lying on her bed, or anywhere else, the candles always burned. Danica made several false starts upon trying to write the words of her new spell a week later. She tossed over a dozen starts aside, as she could feel they weren't right. Each attempt felt closer than the last, however. The fifteenth time she tried, the words flowed from her pen. She wrote in an even, careful script, considering each word and each letter as they arose in her mind, though she knew in her heart that they were perfect. She could feel her blood warming, building toward the burning that would signal success. That evening, she felt intense warmth spread throughout her body as she finished the last accent mark of her writing. It was far stronger than anything she had ever experienced in learning an existing spell, and she knew she had succeeded in finding the correct wording of her spell. Danica took one of the silken gloves with the long fingers from her lab and walked into her bedroom. She disrobed and lay down on the bed, holding the soft glove against her breast and clearing her mind to cast the spell she had created for the first time, to see if it truly worked as intended. Danica spoke the words of the spell quickly and perfectly. It was easy considering how long she had spent considering and writing them. She lightly tossed the silken glove into the air upon completion of the spell. The glove shimmered with light and transformed into a disembodied hand similar to those created by the Hands spells. Human sized, the hand had elongated fingers just like the gloves that served as the component of the spell. Danica found it took little concentration to manipulate the hand. She shuddered from its impossibly soft touch as the fingers ran slowly up her tummy from her belly button under her mental urging. She gasped when the fingers slid up the globe of her breast to tease her nipple. Danica directed the hand with absent thoughts, sending it roaming all over her body before bringing it down between her parted legs. The impossibly soft fingers rubbed her, probing deeper inside her than any real fingers ever could. The fingers curved upward inside her to rub the bundle of nerves behind her mound with pinpoint directness she had never before experienced. It pinched and rolled her clit between the finger and thumb, driving Danica into a shuddering, gasping state of ecstasy. Danica built quickly to an orgasm under the touch of her spell. She used her hands, free because of the spell, to caress her breasts and pinch her nipples as the hand of her spell pleasured her so well. Danica came with a gasping scream, shuddering on the bed. The hand continued to obey the last command Danica had given it — rubbing her clit at a furious pace — as Danica's orgasm clouded her mind too much to direct the spell. Danica just recovered enough to send her thoughts to the spell to slow down on her oversensitive clit when she felt the mental connection wink out. The hand vanished as the spell expired. Danica gently rubbed her folds with her own hand as she slowly came down. The spell hadn't lasted as long as she had thought it would. Without the long exploration of her body she had first used it for, however, the duration would be long enough to make her come many times. Danica decided to name the spell Danica's Pleasuring Hand. It felt a bit vain and gloating, but she decided that her very first original spell should bear her name. She made a copy of the spell and sent it to Celes' quarters with a wicked smile. She then yawned and realized how late it was. Lying down on her bed, Danica drifted off to sleep, content in both body and mind. ------- Danica decided to take a break from her studies the next day, content with having created her first original spell for now. She was lounging in her sunken tub when she heard the door open. Zoraster strode into the room with a wide smile, admiring Danica's body beneath the water. "Don't bother getting dressed. I'm quite enjoying the view, as usual," he said with a laugh. "Congratulations on your success in creating an original spell. Considering the way you thrashed about and squealed, it would seem to have come out perfectly." Danica rose up from the bath unashamedly, ignoring Zoraster's jibes. He watched the rivulets of water running down her nude body with intent interest. She dried off and wrapped a towel about her, standing next to the tub with her arms crossed, waiting for him to reveal why he was here. Zoraster chuckled. "Very well then, little rose — I have a new task for you. I note you have exhausted much of your supply of coin, and your freedom for completion of this task shall be a replenishing of those coin reserves, and the freedom to pass into the city without needing to stop and obtain permission. There is a certain government official I need distracted sufficiently in order to bribe numerous members of his underlings without him becoming aware of such. You may go about this however you choose, but I will tell you he has an extremely jealous and vindictive wife. Letting her catch the two of you in a compromising position would most certainly accomplish my goals. He is singularly unattractive and somewhat overweight, but I'm quite sure if you deprive yourself of other satisfactions long enough you could surely summon up enough wetness for him to penetrate you." "How long does he need to be distracted?" Danica asked, thinking she could find another way to accomplish the goal. "For perhaps a month. It will likely take that long to contact everyone my agents need to reach and negotiate their terms. Celes has just left on a task of her own, and since you have some differences..." Zoraster paused and laughed. "... with Camilla, I shall have another transport you to the city. Send word to the man who gives you permission to enter the city when you are ready to leave, but please do make haste. This situation is quite sensitive and the opportunity will soon pass by. Such will not amuse me. Good day, little rose." Danica mused that she may as well try to continue her studies if she found the time while on her task. She considered carefully and realized that the odds favored forgetting something she would need in her studies if she tried to pick and choose. That meant she needed a way to carry nearly all of her research materials. She knew of one way, and knew Damian might know where to find it. She went to his rooms and inquired about a magic item called a Satchel of Hasty Departure. Command words linked possessions to the bag, the items shrinking and packing themselves in the magical satchel within moments. Darkniciad had created the versatile and useful magic item, freely distributing the details of the process amongst wizards at conclaves over the last decade or so. Only the long and exhaustive process necessary to create them kept the magical creation from being commonplace in every mageware shop in the world now. Danica had one in her shop, a gift from her sister. She could pack her whole shop and most of her home in instants with it. Damian had one as well, linked to everything he owned. Having recently finished one he planned to offer for sale to fund his research, he gave it to Danica instead. She thanked him with a long kiss, and told him she wished she had time to thank him properly. Danica returned to her rooms and began the long process of linking the Satchel to things she might want when traveling. She created several command words for different groups of things. She could pack all of her clothes, or just some of them. She could pack up her woodworking tools and research, but not the clay. It took her the entire day to link everything she thought she might need. She made a meal in the kitchen, something she had not done in a while, and then sent for a bottle of wine and drank it slowly as she considered her task. The next morning Danica finished determining what she would take with her, and spoke the necessary command words that caused the things she had selected to magically leap into the bag and pack themselves. She then sent word that she was prepared to leave. The wizard who arrived to transport her was a man in his late thirties, bearded and somewhat attractive. He said nothing more than was necessary and transported Danica where she needed to go. "I will return when you have completed or failed in your task," he said and vanished. Danica snorted in aggravation at the callous man, and then sat down to examine a packet of papers he had handed her when they arrived moments before. Reading through the documents, Danica learned what she needed to know about her target and the city. Danica sighed after she had finished looking over the papers. The man was a low ranking official, apparently very dedicated in his work. He watched his subordinates carefully and immediately replaced them if they showed any signs of corruption. This was apparently the quality in him Zoraster wished to see distracted. The man was in charge of overseeing the prices and taxes on crops sold within the city. He was an administrator and rarely left his desk, letting his subordinates take care of the physical part of the job. There was little chance that causing commotions amongst the farmers and merchants would cause him any significant distraction any time soon — or for very long. Danica had mulled over the situation carefully, and she could think of no other course. Zoraster's suggestion was the only one that seemed to have any chance of accomplishing her goal. She went through her clothes and selected a plain dress made of common cloth, cut low enough to display her breasts to good advantage. She put on her corset to accentuate the display even more. Danica concocted a story to use to get her into the man's office, and then made her way there. There was a merchant waiting when she arrived, though the man who arranged appointments in the place told her that it would be a very slow day. The merchant walked down the hall and into the office shortly thereafter when called. Danica noticed several other officials leaving the building, apparently taking advantage of the slow day to leave their desks early. By the time the merchant emerged, few remained. "You may go in now. The man you will need to see is at the very end of the hall. When you have finished, simply come back this way," the man behind the desk in the waiting area told Danica. Danica walked down the hall toward the indicated room, noting that the place was indeed nearly empty. She entered the office and found the official talking with a young man. Danica found Zoraster's description of the man a bit exaggerated. He was indeed somewhat overweight and unattractive, but not grossly overweight or ugly. "He has gone as well, Sir," the young man said to the official when Danica entered the room. The man behind the desk sighed and said, "How am I to get any work done when everyone is abandoning their duties and going home early?" He sighed again and said, "You may as well go home. I'll do the same as soon as I've finished here." The young man nodded and turned to leave the room. He nodded to Danica, his eyes drinking in her well-revealed bosom as he left. The official motioned for Danica to approach. "Please take a seat." When she sat down, he asked, "Now, how may I help you?" "My husband and I grow produce. We had some very bad luck last year, and our crops were all devastated by insects. We have had better luck this year, but we are still near to ruin. We will be bringing our produce into the city within a few days, in hopes of making enough coin to get us through the winter and to continue on next year. We hope to make a profit the year after and end the misery of last year's disaster." Danica averted her eyes slightly before she spoke again, "I-I was wondering if there was any way we could perhaps be held exempt from taxes on our goods this year to help us in our recovery." The man sighed. "I am sorry to hear of your misfortune, but I fear I cannot make special exceptions to the laws. I surely would like to help you, but I'm afraid it's out of my hands." Danica let her lip quiver a bit. She then leaned over the desk, displaying her breasts to the official. "Isn't there any way I could — persuade you?" Danica asked with a sultry note in her voice. His eyes went wide with surprise at what Danica suggested. "Good woman," he said and blushed, "I am sorry, but attempting to exchange favors will not change my mind." Danica had rubbed her folds slowly while she spoke to the man, thinking sexual thoughts. The stimulation succeeded, leaving her quite wet. She climbed up on the desk without warning. The official's eyes widened even more, and his head turned back and forth as if he sought an escape. Danica sat down on the desk, hiked up the hem of her dress, and pulled her panties aside. "I don't care. The moment I walked in the room, I knew I wanted you. Look how wet I am. My husband doesn't satisfy me. I know you can. Please, make me feel good. It's been so long." She parted her nether lips to show the wetness between them. The trapped look remained on the official's face for a few moments, but his eyes locked on Danica's glistening folds. His will broke. "Lock door," he said absently and stood up. Danica pulled off her panties while the man went to slide a bolt to lock the door. It closed soundlessly, and opened the same way when Danica used her telekinetic powers to slide it back as he returned to the desk. He gasped at the sight of her naked sex, her dress hiked up and her fingers rubbing slowly on her folds. "Taste me. Take me. Make me come," she said in a quiet voice. Danica gasped as his mouth touched her. She closed her eyes and simply felt. The man was not terribly attractive, but he certainly knew how to tantalize a woman with his mouth. Danica kept her eyes closed, moaning from the incredible feeling. Danica's moans grew louder, and he pulled away from her for a moment to shush her. Danica saw the worried look in his eyes and concentrated on remaining quiet. He lost his hesitation shortly thereafter when Danica kept her mouth tightly closed as he continued to lap at her. Gods, that feels so good, she thought. The man had a truly talented tongue. Danica built quickly toward climax. Danica drew near to the edge. Her hands rested on the back of his head as his tongue danced over her clit, sending her soaring into orgasm. Danica clenched her teeth tight as her body stiffened and quaked. She managed to keep quiet except for a heavily stifled moaning squeal that erupted from her throat despite her best efforts to contain it. Rarely had a man tongued her so well, and certainly not recently. He continued to run his tongue over her as she shivered through her orgasm. She felt his tongue leave her and heard his trousers sliding down. She gasped quietly when he slid his cock inside her. He was very long, and very thick. Danica rocked her hips against him and breathed hard as he filled and stroked her depths with practiced skill. He knew how to use his manhood just as well as he did his tongue. It was all Danica could do to keep from screaming her pleasure as he slowly stroked his cock in and out of her soaked canal. It didn't take Danica long to come, growling between her clenched teeth as he continued to take her at a steady pace. She thrashed back and forth, gasping as he continued to stroke her, the speed of his thrusts steadily increasing. She could feel her body building quickly toward another explosion even before the aftershocks of the first died down. He pulled her closer to the edge of the desk, taking her hard and fast now, grunting quietly from the effort. His balls slapped against her ass as he pounded his throbbing member deep inside her. Danica was nearly to her peak, and she could tell from his grunts that he would come soon as well. He slammed his big cock deep inside her one last time, and with a loud grunt, flooded her depths with his cream. The warmth of his cum filling her set Danica off, and she yelped despite her efforts to keep quiet as she exploded into orgasm with him. They were both still gasping for air when the door opened. ------- Part 8C The official started and quickly pulled from Danica with a groan, the friction causing Danica to loudly gasp and arch her back when he did. He quickly sat down in his chair, and Danica could see the look of embarrassment and worry in his eyes as she heard the door close once more. He covered his eyes with his hands and said, "Please go now." Danica got up, and found her legs were weak and wobbling beneath her. She could see the mingled puddles of their cum on the desk and on the floor below. He pulled up his trousers at the same time Danica slipped on her panties. He then put his face back in his hands and ignored her. Danica walked out of the room and found the young man seated in the waiting area near the entrance of the building. A wide smile decorated his face as he stood, and nodded to Danica. As Danica walked out the door, he walked back toward the offices, chuckling as he went. Danica wondered what was going on and stopped, pulling her ring from her pocket, summoning up its power to shroud her in invisibility. She returned to the door of the office and listened. The young man was laughing. "So, you finally made the mistake I've been waiting for old man." "Get out," the official quietly responded. "In a few moments, your esteemed superior will arrive. He is on his way here right now. I had hoped the woman would still be here when he arrived, but I believe the mess in here should attest to your improper action, quite obviously a bribe." "Who are you to talk about bribes, you bastard?" Danica went back toward the entrance and dismissed her invisibility. She saw an old man in official looking clothes enter the building just moments after she left. Still a bit weak in the knees from the strength of her orgasms, Danica went across the street to where an enterprising man had set up tables around his vending cart. He served meat pies, which Danica found to be quite good as she ate and tried to regain her composure. Danica sighed as she ate, sorry to have caused the man the trouble she knew he was in for, both officially and from his wife as well. She tried to rationalize that if he had cheated on his wife with so little prodding, the woman was likely better off anyhow, but it wasn't working very well. The young man walked out of the building across the street just as Danica stood up after her meal. He still wore a wide smile on his face and whistled as he walked. He noticed Danica and smiled even wider. He approached her, moving to intersect her path as she headed back to Zoraster's outpost. "Hello," he said cheerfully, "There will very soon be a change in power, and I am in line to be the next appointed to the office. Would you perhaps care to come discuss with me whatever it was you were discussing with my predecessor? I'm quite sure you will find me to be most open minded." Danica didn't know what position the man held, or what might happen if he discovered that her act was a ruse. She knew that she would have to continue to play along. The man was at least handsome, and it had indeed been too long since she'd really satisfied her sexual needs. "My husband and I..." she began. He waved a hand in front of her. "No, no — I do not discuss business in the street. Come — let us go somewhere where we may engage in our negotiations in a private setting." He smiled and offered his arm to her. Danica took his arm and he led her to a nearby inn. He took a room, and then led her upstairs to it. "Now, what is it you require? There is no need for the sob story, just tell me what you want," he said once he closed the door behind them. "I wish the taxes on the produce my husband and I will soon be bringing to the city to be waived." "Easily done. Now, you must do something for me in exchange," he said with a lusty grin. "Remove your clothes." Danica stripped down, and the man watched with careful attention. "Now, go wash," he instructed and walked over to where the basin of water rested, to watch her as she cleaned thoroughly with a cloth. "Kneel," he ordered when she hung the cloth back over the edge of the basin. Danica knelt down on the floor and he immediately dropped his trousers. Danica's mouth watered, and wetness gathered between her legs. His cock was every bit as long and thick as the official who had fucked her so well earlier. He took a step forward, his cock within a scant inch of her lips. Danica reached out and grasped it, licking up and down his throbbing shaft to moisten it. She knew his size would strain her jaw anyway, and she wanted him well wetted before she tried to wrap her lips around him. Danica sucked the head of his cock between her lips, stroking just the head in and out between her lips. She pumped her hand on his shaft, her fingers unable to touch her thumb around the girth of his cock. She slowly took more of him, sucking him in earnest. He moaned under her attentions, and his fingers twined in her hair, pulling just hard enough to stimulate without causing her any real pain. Danica kept sucking, trying to get more of his shaft into her mouth. She picked up speed, sucking with abandon, wanting his hot cum in her mouth. He responded to her talented mouth quickly. She could feel it in his throbbing member between her lips, see it in his eyes, and hear it in his moans. He would come soon. Danica sucked even faster, stroking her hand over him at a rapid pace. He suddenly let out a grunting growl, and pulled her hand away from his shaft. He twined his fingers in her hair on the side of her head, tightly holding her head in place, and thrust into her mouth. Danica had to fight to keep from gagging as he fucked her face. She could feel him touching her throat with every stroke into her mouth. She didn't have to resist long, because with a grunted scream of satisfaction, he shoved all of his cock he could into her mouth one last time and spurted his semen directly down her throat. Danica coughed around his shaft and finally managed to swallow, feeling his seed settle in her tummy and spread warmth throughout her body. Danica continued to suck him when he released her head, and he eventually pushed her away when he could no longer endure the sensation. "On the bed," he gasped, pulling her upward. Danica rose from her knees and climbed onto the bed. He guided her onto her back and slid up onto the bed right behind her. He bent her knees up high and wide toward her ears, and then closed his lips over her nether lips. Danica gasped, shuddered, and screamed as he tantalized her with his mouth. He was every bit as talented and well practiced as the other official. He teased every single inch of her, his tongue and lips never seeming to touch the same place the same way twice. Danica continued to scream and gasp her pleasure, her hands lying on his head. She looked at his gorgeous face and into his sparkling eyes as he devoured her aching pussy. He curled a finger up inside her to rub her special spot, drawing another gasp and a long scream of pleasure from Danica. He then slid two fingers of his other hand into her depths and swirled them around against her walls. All the while, his lips remained locked around her throbbing clit with his tongue darting all over it, the pressure and speed constantly varying. Danica teetered on the edge, and when she toppled over with a loud scream, he locked his lips over her folds to drink her nectar as she gushed into his mouth. Still somewhere between the final waves of her orgasm and aftershocks, Danica felt his lips leave her sex. A moment later, his once again hard cock replaced them. Danica gasped and let out a long warbling moan as he slid into her in one powerful thrust. He then took her with skill she had rarely felt, especially twice in one day. The angle at which he thrust inside her changed without warning; the speed at which he was taking her varied between a series of slow deep thrusts and a rabbit quick pounding. Danica came again within a few moments of him penetrating her. He continued to fuck her, holding her legs bent back, giving him perfect access to assault her straight on from above, from below, and from the sides, driving her to another pair of orgasms. At last, he grabbed her hips hard and pounded his hard member home with a few last slamming thrusts. Danica moaned long and loud as she felt his seed flooding her depths. She rubbed her clit furiously and came only moments later. When they were able to summon the strength to pull apart, he went to the basin and washed. He then pulled back on his trousers. "Come to my office when you arrive with the produce. The taxes will be waived." With those words, he left the room. Danica cleaned up a short while later and left the room as well. She went by the home where the first official lived, and did not see him with her clairvoyance spell. She did see a woman pacing back and forth in the common room, however. Danica's walk back to Zoraster's outpost revealed why the men had both proved such amazing lovers. Venissa, the goddess of love and fertility, was the dominant form of worship in the area. Venissan practices called for males to learn to please a woman in as many ways as possible. Priestesses of the temple — essentially unpaid prostitutes, but hardly as jaded — visited young men as soon as they came of age. Danica doubted any man reached fourteen with his virginity intact in the area. Priestesses would have visited them nightly for a month or more teaching them how to pleasure women under their careful tutelage. The women likely lost their maidenhead just as early, and were probably frequently pregnant. She also saw temples dedicated to Heraklan, also known for the priesthood's reputation of sexual inhibition. Danica noticed a few other places of worship in the city, but Venissa and Heraklan dominated. Danica felt a sting of discomfort caused by two big cocks taking her so hard in such a small amount of time. She returned to Zoraster's outpost and decided she may as well rest. She knew that she would have to see where things stood the next day to decide what to do next. She found that she could hardly keep her eyes open as she lay in bed reading about the Counter Triggering enchantment. She fell asleep quite early. Danica barely had time to get dressed and eat the next day before the wizard who had transported her to the city walked out of the portal room and startled her. "Your task is complete. Let us return." A puzzled expression crossed Danica's face. "Complete? One official is being removed from office and another is being put in place. Don't I need to keep this one distracted as well?" "The man who will operate this office now is quite corrupt, and already well bribed. Fortunate circumstances have allowed you to complete your task in a single day. Now come," the wizard said with the same monotone, disinterested voice Danica expected from him. Danica had dreamed of the well-practiced men — and perhaps the women — of this city pleasuring her. She sighed, and gathered up her things. The rude wizard teleported her back to Zoraster's complex as soon as she finished packing. ------- A note from Zoraster in Danica's rooms informed her that she could attain the coin at any time from his counting room. It also mentioned his surprise and delight that everything had come to such a perfect and quick conclusion. His bribed man there had worked perfectly in concert with Danica, despite neither knowing about the other. Danica wadded up the note and put her things back where they belonged. The Satchel could pack things up in an instant, but one had to unpack them normally. Danica was glad she had not decided to take more than she had. Danica still felt like taking a break from her studies, so once she finished putting all her things away, she went to the counting room to obtain her coin. "One moment and I will obtain what you have requested," the bald man said aloud. In her mind she heard, I can sense you have begun to discover and develop your powers, this is good. I see now even more potential than I initially guessed. It seems that you had constructed mental blocks, which have been preventing you from developing in many ways. It seems that your being forced to explore your own natural sexual curiosities has taken down many of these barriers and allowed you to begin to come into your full potential. You have a great deal of power, waiting to be awakened. The mental voice continued, Keep well hidden your psionic powers, but develop them always. Beware of your sexual desires, for while they are naturally heightened by their freedom from repression, something feels unnatural in them. He wrote in his ledger for a few more moments after he finished speaking into her mind, and then went to retrieve a large sack of coin, which he passed to Danica. "You still have that which accumulates for you monthly on account. This is but the special coin appropriated to you recently," he said aloud. Danica nodded and left the room. A short walk later, she left the complex to head into the city, casting a spell of warmth around her to fight off the daily increasing cold. The weather turned cold much more rapidly here near the mountains than it did in her home on the plains. She thought that she should learn magic to clear a path through deep snow, as it was likely she would encounter such in the walks from the complex to the city very soon. She also wondered what the psionic meant when he said her desires felt unnatural. She knew that no magic affected her desires, because her growing understanding of magic allowed her to detect even subtle spells now. She assumed that the psionic would have revealed any mental tampering directly, rather than offering a mysterious warning. Danica considered the possibility of drugs. Zoraster had even admitted that he'd done so to her in the beginning of her incarceration. Thinking about it, she realized that she grew far wetter than she ever remembered before coming here. She decided she would make some discreet inquiries about drugs that could have that effect. She had nearly come to grips with her desires, and now doubt as to whether they were really her own or manufactured by Zoraster once again drove a wedge between her and acceptance. Danica spent a week sampling the fare of the various inns. She quickly decided that she had already found the two most comfortable places, the inn near Carolyn's house and the one where she had met Katherine and Elaine. She was able to spend another night of sweet ecstasy with Elaine, but Carolyn was quite busy entertaining her young man. Danica spent a little coin here and there at various shops, mostly purchasing supplies she needed for her research and her kitchen. The chill in the air prompted her to purchase some cold weather clothes. She found a few things that fit in the shops, and asked the tailors and seamstresses to make many more. She assumed that anyone who worked with cloth in the city knew her sizes by the time the week drew to a close. Most of her robes were quite warm enough, but she hardly felt like wearing them all the time. One thing Danica missed was her bath, and she seriously considering returning to the complex to take advantage of it when she discovered a public bathhouse in the upper class area of the city, near the walled inner city. She spent a long time soaking in the bathing pool, which required a near army of servants to keep constantly heating and pouring warm water into the pool to keep it from growing tepid. It also cost an outrageous amount of coin, which Danica found difficult to part with — regardless of how much she had and how badly she had wanted the bath. She spent far too long soaking in the pool, finding it difficult to keep her eyes — and her hands — off the string of wealthy women who took advantage of the pool. Most of the women seemed to know of the numerous peepholes in the wall that adjoined the women's bath to the men's. Few of them appeared to care about the voyeurs. Many of the women actually teased those on the other side of the wall by posing provocatively as they bathed. Those few who did wish for privacy brought servants along to stand in front of the peepholes while they soaked. After her bath, Danica wandered around town and discovered public baths in the areas farther from the inner city, now that she knew generally what to look for. The one in the section of the city where the city and farm workers dwelled was very plain, a few small tubs with a pair of servants who heated water to fill them. Only a thin dividing wall, riddled with peepholes, separated the tubs for men from those for women. The price was cheap, but Danica searched and found another near the merchant district, opposite the main bazaar from where Carolyn lived. The merchant quarter baths had much larger tubs and reasonable prices. Several young boys and girls waited inside, making a few coins by fetching things for those who bathed. The bathhouse apparently served as a place where much business from the merchant district was conducted, and the businessmen often wished for refreshment as they soaked and dealt. The owners consequently checked carefully for peepholes in the walls. The sensitive discussions the merchants held were not for prying eyes and ears. Danica now had an excuse to stay in the city. She had found an affordable bath, and one as luxurious as her own if she felt the need and could part with the coin. A harvest fair started up in the city that day, and Danica spent the weekend enjoying the festivities amongst the city folk watching the jugglers, troubadours, and magicians who performed in the streets. Danica awoke one morning shivering, her heart pounding in her chest, reluctantly awakening from an intense sexual dream about Carolyn. She went to Carolyn's shop that day, talking to Carolyn as she and her mother worked. Danica picked up some tools and worked on a piece of wood of her own as they talked. The women were making tops that they hoped to sell to the wealthy for the coming midwinter celebration. Both women were fine artisans, and the pieces they made would likely command a good price when offered for sale. When Danica finished hers that evening, it was every bit as beautiful as those Carolyn and her mother made. Carolyn's mother had watched as Danica worked beside the brunette. When she saw what Danica had made she said, "Well now, why did you need us to make you anything when you first came here? It seems to me you're very skilled in woodcraft yourself, from what I see here. This is beautiful," she said while holding up the top. Danica blushed and said, "I was only starting to learn when I came here. Carolyn taught me a lot, and I've had a lot of time to practice and learn on my own." The woman smiled. "It does my old heart good to see my teachings being passed down. Hopefully this little lady will pass on my teachings to her own younguns when she has them, which will likely be soon if she keeps spending so much time with that young man who's caught her fancy." "Mother!" Carolyn exclaimed as her face filled with color. "Oh, you really didn't think I hadn't noticed did you, silly girl? I was a young woman once myself, despite what you might think. He's a fine young man, from a good family. He has a trade, and will make a fine husband. If I'd thought he was no good for you, I'd have drug you back to the house by your ear when I knew you were sneaking out." Danica laughed and Carolyn joined in once she got over her embarrassment. Carolyn's mother then said, "You're the one who gave Carolyn those little cotton thingies aren't you? I found them in her drawers and asked her what in the hells they were. Once she finally managed to explain it to me, I used one when my friend came to call. I hope you don't mind that I showed them to a friend of mine who makes them now. You've made a lot of women's lives a whole lot more comfortable a few days a month..." she paused in search of a name. "Danica," Danica answered her unasked question. "I can tell you how to make some herbal potions that will ease the bloating, cramping, and headaches as well. The herbs should be cheap — cheaper still if you grow or find them yourself. They seem to be quite common in the area." The woman smiled, "You know, something struck me as wrong about you when you first walked in here. I'm glad I hesitated in my first instinct to toss you out on your ear. You're a godsend, Danica. You're a wizard from up on the hill aren't you?" she asked. Danica nodded. "Yes, I'm a student there." "That's likely what gave me the shivers about you," the woman said, then hesitated a moment and asked, "I don't suppose you could put some little magics on these tops could you? We could sell them for much more to the rich if they were enchanted. The house and the shop are both needing some work, and I could afford it if I could make enough off these." Danica had learned the Mass Enchantment spell while working with Darius and thought it would be easy to put some minor enchantments on groups of the tops very quickly. She smiled in response as she spoke, "Certainly, it will be repayment for what your daughter has taught me. It will have to be very small things, as stronger enchantments require spells to be cast over the item while it is being fashioned. Though we might make a few things where I'm able to work with you and place some stronger enchantments upon them." The woman smiled wide, "I can't begin to thank you enough. I've heard so many bad rumors about that place up there. It's nice to see they're just rumors." Danica smiled back. She wanted to say, they're not all rumors, but she didn't want to think about what would happen if she said something like that here at the heart of Zoraster's power base. Someone came in the door then, prompting Carolyn and her mother to both say, "Hello, Alena." Alena was a small young woman. She was short, a few inches shorter than Danica's five foot four, and almost waiflike in figure. She had very light blonde hair — a rarity — and a fair complexion. She also had a pretty, bright smile that immediately caught Danica's eye. Carolyn turned to Danica and said, "This is Alena. We played together for as long as either of us can remember. Her mom is the one who makes the cotton plugs now, and she lives just a little down the street. Alena, this is my friend, Danica." Alena's eyes widened for a moment. It was almost undetectable, but Danica saw it. The blonde regained her composure and said, "I'm pleased to meet you." "I'm going ahead home. You've got two sets of able hands to help you, so why don't you close up. Don't be too late coming home," Carolyn's mother said, and then walked out the door. "Are you going out with Kyle again?" Alena asked Carolyn as they worked on putting away things in the shop. Danica noticed a lot of emphasis on the word Kyle. The purposely humorous tone made it sound like she wasn't too fond of the young man. "Oh, stop. You're just jealous because we don't spend as much time as we used to." Carolyn stuck out her tongue childishly and giggled. "No, he has to get up very early in the morning and go somewhere with his father. He'll be gone a day or so." "Great," Alena exclaimed and raised her hands in an excited gesture. "We can go do something then." The three women continued to chat as they cleaned up the shop. Danica noticed that Alena seemed a bit uncomfortable around her. When they finished cleaning, she looked right at Alena and said, "Okay, this is silly. Why are you walking around on eggshells around me?" Alena blushed, and the rosy glow only made her beautiful young face all the prettier. "I told her a little bit about you, and I loaned her the toy we made," Carolyn answered Danica's question with a laugh. "Carolyn!" Alena gasped, her blush deepening. Danica smiled and put her hand on the young woman's cheek. She noticed a shudder run through Alena when she did it. "Don't be embarrassed — there's nothing shameful about it. We're all women here, and we all do it. There's not always a man around to take care of you when you need release." Alena looked into Danica's eyes as the older woman finished speaking. Danica saw a mixture of curiosity and fear in the blonde's eyes that she knew very well. "Just how much about me did you tell Alena?" Danica asked with a knowing smile. Carolyn giggled. "Well — everything! I had to talk to someone, and I thought Alena was about the only one who wouldn't get all weird on me." Danica smiled and said, "Well, what do you think?" Alena's breathing quickened just a bit, but she hesitated to answer. Danica decided to press on. "Have you ever thought about playing with another woman? A woman knows your body better than any man ever could. She can make you feel things a man could never hope to. It's incredible, and it's natural, despite what anyone might tell you." Carolyn and Alena's breathing quickened. Alena stammered, "I... umm..." Danica held a finger to her lips. "We don't have to talk about this right now. You don't even know me that well. Why don't I treat the both of you to dinner? Maybe then you can become more comfortable being around me, and we'll think about talking about this then." Carolyn beamed, "Wonderful. Is that okay with you, Alena?" Alena nodded, her expression giving the indication of deep thought. Danica picked a dark corner table of the inn for their meal. A fireplace obscured the table from most of the room, offering a good view from only one direction. They ate and chatted, drinking wine with the meal. The wine helped Alena deal with her nerves, her natural, animated personality emerging. "So, what did you think when Carolyn told you about us sharing our bodies with each other?" Danica asked when the moment felt right. Alena blushed, but the wine had loosened her tongue. "I was really surprised and a little out of sorts at first. While Carolyn talked about it, though, I kind of thought about it." "Have the two of you ever touched?" Danica asked. "A little," Carolyn supplied. "I just got too scared. It was so different, and we were at home. I was afraid someone would come in," Alena clarified while glancing about, looking as if she was worried about someone overhearing her. Danica stood up and gestured with her head toward the stairs. "Why don't we go somewhere private, so people can't listen in?" When Carolyn and Alena nodded, Danica paid for a room in the inn and led the women upstairs. They all sat down on the bed, Carolyn and Alena at the head leaning against the simple headboard, Danica in the middle of the bed with her legs dangling off. "You want to go farther with Alena don't you?" Danica asked Carolyn as soon as she sat down. Carolyn bit her lip and looked at Alena. Closing her eyes demurely for a moment, she nodded her head as soon as her eyes opened. Danica let out a purr. "Carolyn is a wonderful lover. She could make you feel so good Alena. Let her make you feel good. Just relax and let her give you pleasure. There's no one here to overhear or to judge you." Danica laid her hand on Alena's leg to caress it as she spoke. Alena shuddered when Danica's hand touched her. When Danica finished speaking the blonde gasped, "I don't know." "Just start slowly. If you feel uncomfortable, we don't have to talk about it any more." Danica slid closer and guided Alena's hand to Carolyn's chest. Alena didn't resist the guidance, and Carolyn let out a little moan when her friend's hand touched her. "Feel how quickly her heart is beating," Danica said in low, sultry tones. She pulled Alena's hand down to the globe of Carolyn's breast. "See how hard she's breathing? She wants to share herself with you. Won't you share yourself with her?" Alena stared at Carolyn, and at her hand on her brunette friend's breast. She breathed hard, her lips parting slightly. Danica slid across the bed and unbuttoned Carolyn's blouse, prompting a shudder from Carolyn. Alena's eyes locked on her friend. She looked as if she wanted to look away, but something kept her eyes locked on Carolyn as Danica slowly revealed the brunette's breasts. "See how pretty her breasts are? They're just begging to have soft lips on them." Danica reached out and lay Alena's hand on Carolyn's bare breast. Carolyn gasped and stroked Alena's arm with her hand when her friend touched her. "Oh please, Alena — I want it so much," she said in a quiet voice, looking into her friend's eyes. "Put your lips on her. Make her feel good," Danica urged, feeling wetness dampening her panties already. Alena's expression offered no hint that she had heard Danica. The blonde rocked her hand back and forth, feeling Carolyn's firm young breast, the hard nipple against her palm. She pulled back to run a finger over Carolyn's nipple, and the brunette let out a languid moan. "Do it. You can make her feel so good," Danica softly directed. Alena leaned forward, hesitantly and haltingly. Soon, her lips were within scant inches of touching Carolyn's breast. Alena gasped with every breath, her attention fixated on Carolyn's hard nipple. At last, she leaned the rest of the way forward to kiss Carolyn's nipple. Carolyn let out a gasp that turned into a moan. Alena ran her tongue over Carolyn's nipple once, then again. With a final sharp gasp, Alena's inhibitions broke down completely. She engulfed Carolyn's nipple between her lips and suckled it energetically. Carolyn moaned deep in her throat and ran her hands over her friend's body. As Alena sucked her nipples with increasing desire, Carolyn reached for the buttons of her friend's blouse. When Carolyn tugged Alena's blouse off, she pulled her friend upwards and kissed her passionately. Alena responded with equal fervor. Carolyn slipped down Alena's pants as they kissed, causing Danica to sigh in delight. Alena's fair complexion caused her body to stand out against Carolyn's. Her breasts were small, just a handful. Her areoles and nipples were a perfect shade of pink, the stiff points a little flattened and larger than Carolyn's perkier buds. The sight of the blonde's puffy, bare-shaven labia encouraged Danica to edge toward the two friends as they broke from their kiss. Carolyn laid Alena back, looking into the blonde's eyes with a breathless look of desire. Alena gasped and licked her lips as Carolyn slid down between her legs. Danica removed her own clothes as she watched Carolyn suck her friend's smooth nether lips. As soon as she bared her body, Danica tugged off Carolyn's pants. Carolyn's mouth never left Alena's soft folds, and their eyes never broke contact. Danica massaged her damp folds as she watched Carolyn make love to her friend. Alena gasped and moaned as another woman pleasured her for the very first time. Carolyn parted Alena's puffy lips and wiggled her tongue inside. She paused every so often to suck the blonde's inner lips, and to rub Alena's clit in quick circles. Carolyn's lips and tongue roamed all over Alena's sex, and Danica could tell from the look on the blonde's face that she would come on her friends tongue soon. Carolyn stiffened her tongue and thrust it into Alena's depths. Alena writhed and cried out as Carolyn stabbed her tongue in and out while working two fingers in tight, fast circles over the blonde's swollen clit. Alena came in a thrashing explosion. Carolyn couldn't stay between the woman's legs as she bucked and contorted in orgasm. Alena's hand shot down to cover her sex, gently probing it with one finger as her climax continued. Danica came while she watched Alena's orgasmic dance, and Carolyn quickly moved to lap up the redhead's bittersweet nectar. Alena surprised them both when — after she caught her breath — she slid underneath Carolyn to flick her tongue over her friend's folds. Carolyn raised her head from between Danica's legs to gasp, as Alena tasted her for the first time. Danica slid quickly to the other side of the bed, watching as Alena learned how to use her tongue to make another woman feel good. She started off timidly — licking up and down the part of Carolyn's lips, but soon grew bolder, and probed deeper for the pool of flavorful wetness within. Danica guided them gently until Carolyn was lying on her back with Alena between her legs. Danica had noticed Alena having some difficulty finding a good angle from below. She had no problem finding every inch of Carolyn's pussy from above, however. Alena devouring her friend, wiggling her head back and forth to stimulate the brunette's sensitive folds even more. It didn't take long for Carolyn to come to an explosive orgasm under the intensity of Alena's first time tasting another woman. Alena didn't stop there. Danica willingly pulled her slick fingers away from her sex to allow Alena to devour her with the same hungry intensity the blonde had exhibited with Carolyn. Alena squealed in glee when Danica came, gushing into the blonde's face. She lapped for every drop of Danica's creamy juices. The three women spent almost two hours in a near constant state of arousal and orgasm. None of them could begin to count the number of times they had reached climax. They only knew that none of them could as much as touch each other any longer without every muscle in their body contracting in protest. The lay intertwined in a half doze for a short while before Alena reluctantly rose on wobbling legs to pull on her clothing. Alena didn't want her mother to worry about her and seek her out. Danica and Carolyn dressed as well. They then kissed each other, each gasping as their oversensitive nether regions tried to lubricate. Their juices simply had not had time to replenish themselves. Danica collapsed onto the bed when the two young women left and fell into a deep slumber. ------- Danica returned to the shop the next day to consider what enchantments she might be able to place on the tops. By mid-afternoon, she felt ready to begin her spell casting. When Danica finished, the fifteen well-crafted tops absorbed the magic of her enchantment as expected. Danica set one of the tops to spinning, and it radiated a magical glow that changed slowly and subtly throughout every color of the rainbow until the top lost its momentum. Carolyn and her mother both clapped and laughed in delight. Danica then took the opportunity to cast preparatory spells over the tops the two women were currently working on. She cast the necessary spells at each stage of the tops' crafting, and then cast a final enchantment over them. These two tops radiated the magical glow, but also hovered slowly upward to drift in a lazy circle as they spun. The magic would keep the tops spinning for quite some time, unless purposely stopped. Danica, Alena, and Carolyn shared each other's bodies again at the Inn that night, once again exhausting their energy. Alena took the initiative this time. She decided who pleasured whom — and how — throughout the night, much to the other women's deep arousal. The next day Danica enchanted a small marionette Carolyn's mother made to dance on its own whenever someone held up its strings. Danica's magic caused the wooden duck and two ducklings Carolyn carved to swim in circles and tip their heads under when placed in water. Kyle returned, prompting Carolyn to seek his company. Alena and Danica were alone that night, though they were no less exhausted by the time they finished pleasuring each other. For two weeks, Danica enchanted toys the two women crafted by day. By night, Alena and Danica explored each other's bodies. Sometimes Carolyn would join them, but most often, she spent her time with Kyle. Carolyn felt torn, and Danica jokingly suggested that the brunette could just bring Kyle into their circle. When Carolyn took the suggestion seriously, Danica questioned the brunette until she discovered that Carolyn simply found the thought of her boyfriend having sex with another woman uncomfortable, even if the other woman was one of her two best friends. Alena and Danica agreed not to encourage Kyle to touch them, and to deny him any opportunity to do so. Carolyn agreed, though she seemed somewhat reluctant. Danica decided that she would call the whole thing off if Carolyn appeared even the slightest bit uncomfortable. Carolyn's reluctance vanished when they all went up into the room of the inn that night. Kyle was perfectly content to keep his cock reserved for Carolyn, and Alena and Danica were perfectly content to leave him to her. Danica cast her spell and determined that Carolyn couldn't become pregnant tonight. The looks on the young couple's faces when Kyle filled Carolyn with his hot cum for the first time was breathtaking for Alena and Danica. The redhead and blonde masturbated each other as they watched Kyle make love to Carolyn, and they both came less than a minute after the couple climaxed. Danica and Alena both lapped Kyle's cream from Carolyn's folds while he watched with fascinated interest. Carolyn surprised them all by asking Kyle to join in as the women pleasured each other. He wore a look of rapture as he lapped all three women and watched them taste each other. Carolyn surprised them yet again when she asked her friends to help her suck her man back to hardness. Three warm, willing mouths had him hard and throbbing in short order. Danica convinced Carolyn and Kyle to try something new once they pulled their mouths from Kyle's erection. Danica lapped Carolyn from below while Kyle slipped his erection into the brunette's ass. Lying beneath Carolyn on the other end, Alena suckled her friend's nipples. Carolyn exploded into a screaming orgasm as Kyle filled her with hot cream. Kyle left first, as the two girls' mothers both knew they were out with Danica. Carolyn encouraged the other two women to kiss Kyle goodbye before she shared a long loving kiss with him and bid him a reluctant good night. Carolyn and Alena were preparing to leave when Carolyn said, "I don't think I'd be all that uncomfortable seeing him fuck you both now. That was so intense." She smiled and let out a little moan, shivering as she remembered the evening. "He didn't try to do anything I didn't encourage him to do. I know he's only willing to do this because I want him to, but it's obvious he's not just doing it because I want him to. He likes it. Maybe we could do this again." "You could always get him to bring his brother," Alena suggested. Carolyn opened her eyes wide and exclaimed, "You want Robert. I knew it. Why haven't you went and talked to him? Kyle says Robert likes you but he's afraid to talk to you." "I was afraid to talk to him," Alena admitted with a sheepish smile. Danica laughed. "It seems like you have some work to do, Alena. It probably wouldn't be a good idea for us to do this again if you're going to be seeing Kyle's brother. We certainly shouldn't go any farther than we did tonight. I'll go with you tomorrow and get you spurred into talking to Robert." "If he really wants me — I know I want him — where are we going to go? I'm not going to go rutting in the bushes like Carolyn and Kyle did," Alena said with a crooked grin. "I'll pay for a room here if nature takes its course. I don't want to sound like your mother, but you have to be careful, Alena. You can get hurt, and you can get pregnant before you're ready once you start having sex. The first boy I was with left me after a while and never spoke to me again. It broke my heart for a long time. I wasn't careful at all either. If I could get pregnant, I'd have probably been in a lot of trouble." "I know — I've done it before. I had a man two years before Carolyn." "Slut," Carolyn said haughtily, and then laughed when she couldn't keep a straight face. "Prude," Alena countered, and then laughed with her friend. "Okay you two," Danica laughed. "I just wanted to make sure you both know what you're getting into. No matter how careful you are, you can get pregnant. I can use my magic to make sure it's safe, but otherwise there's no way to know." "We'll come here too when Alena gets Robert upstairs. We can come up and I can watch Kyle fucking you," Carolyn said while walking sexily toward Danica. She kissed Danica passionately when she reached her, drawing a powerful shudder from the redhead. "If it all goes well, we wouldn't want to make Robert jealous, so you'll have to trade rooms some other time," Alena said to Danica with a sly grin. Danica laughed and shook her head. "I'm not as young as the two of you. Are you trying to kill me?" The three women laughed and talked about their plans for a few minutes more, and then shared deep kisses. Carolyn and Alena walked out arm-in-arm, whispering to each other and giggling. Danica enchanted more toys the next day, and then helped set the previous night's plan into motion. Everything went perfectly. Carolyn came hard on her flashing fingers while watching Kyle fill Danica with his seed. Afterward, they teased him to hardness again and switched positions. After Kyle left — with a dazed look of disbelief on his face — Alena walked in on wobbling legs. She described in intimate detail everything that had happened in the next room. Danica looked forward to joining Alena and her new man as she drifted off to sleep. Unfortunately, her hopes proved unfounded. Danica put in a cotton plug the next morning, finding her panties spotted when she awoke. She had lost track of her cycle with everything going on. Almost immediately thereafter, a servant from Zoraster's abode tracked her down. Zoraster had sent the servant to fetch Danica back to the complex. Danica quickly penned a note of apology to Carolyn and Alena, and then found a messenger boy to deliver it. She returned slowly to the complex, not wanting to do so in the least. Fitful spits of snow swirled around her as she walked through the unseasonably cold air up the hill to the complex. Zoraster awaited Danica in her rooms when she entered. "It seems there is need to remind you of your place. You have the freedom to go into the city, but I said nothing about staying there. I have decided you need a reminder that you are not a student here, free to come and go as you please, but a thief being punished for attempting to steal from me. I have a quite perfect way to refresh your memory," he said with an ominous laugh. Danica felt her stomach twist in a knot of fear. ------- Part 9A "Undress," Zoraster commanded, standing before Danica. Danica pulled off her clothing slowly at first, but hurried up to get it over with when she saw Zoraster enjoyed the slow revelation of her body. A wide smile spread across the Archmage's face when he saw the string dangling between Danica's legs. "It has been too long," he said and pushed her backwards, down onto the bed. He tugged the string and popped the cotton plug from her, causing her to gasp from the rough way he did it. Danica lay limp on the bed with a hard expression. Zoraster smiled and cast a spell. The little ring in Danica's hood flashed, and Zoraster growled when the magic tried to turn back against him. Roughly removing the ring from her hood, the Archmage tossed it across the room and cast his spell again. Danica resisted with every ounce of her will, but felt his magic slam against her resistance — and through it. Arousal welled up within Danica, her body betraying her as Zoraster massaged her folds with his fingers. He hungrily devoured her, his lips smacking. Danica wasn't sure that she could have resisted her spiking arousal even without the spell affecting her. He was licking her so well that she knew she was going to come soon — and hard. She came a few moments later in a flood, and he greedily lapped up her flow of red-tinged juices. He released his spell as he rose from between her thighs, and Danica's face went red in a combination of anger and embarrassment. Zoraster growled in satisfaction, and then laughed. His face covered in her blood and cum made the mocking laugh even more disturbing. He flipped her over with surprising strength, stripping off his robes immediately thereafter. He took her hard and mercilessly, causing Danica to scream in pain — not pleasure — as he pounded her. Zoraster pulled free after a minute or two of the painful assault and jerked Danica around by her hair. He shoved his cock into her mouth and used her hair as a handle to force her to stroke his cock — covered in her juices and menstrual flow — with her mouth. He came hard down her throat after a few strokes, causing her to gag and choke. Zoraster released her and walked to a washbasin to clean the sticky mess from his body. While he dressed, he issued orders to Danica. "Clean yourself, and block your flow once more." When she finished washing, he issued another order. "Change the bedclothes." Danica obeyed as much out of desire to erase any evidence of what had just happened as anything else. Zoraster pulled a bottle from a pocket in his robes and said, "Drink." When Danica hesitated, he grabbed her by the hair and pulled her head back hard. He poured the potion slowly into her mouth and forced her to swallow. Danica felt her tongue, lips, and throat go numb. The potion settled in her stomach with the same cold numbness. Zoraster pushed her down to her knees. "There are many who have pleased me in some small way while you lounged in the city. They shall all be rewarded now by your mouth. I suggest you reward them well, because your punishment will only increase with failure to perform to my satisfaction." The Archmage left immediately after speaking, and as he left, another man entered. His dress marked him as a servant, and he apparently knew exactly why he was here. He walked up to where Danica knelt and pulled out his cock. Danica took him in when he pushed it against her lips. The numbing potion made it easier, and she found she could take him much deeper, for far longer than she normally could. He exploded in her mouth a few moments later, quickly pulling back up his trousers and leaving. The next man walked in as the first left. Cock after cock pressed against Danica's lips, each culminating in the man's semen sliding down her numb throat. By the fifth, her knees and jaw ached terribly, beyond the ability of the numbing potion to cancel. By the eighth, she could no longer suck with any real skill due to the aching soreness in her jaw. The next two men simply grabbed her by the face and fucked her mouth, shooting their seed directly down her throat. Danica could not even stay on her knees when the tenth man released her head, so the eleventh dragged her up on the bed. He sat astride her and stroked his manhood between her breasts, forcing the tip into her mouth with each thrust. Shortly thereafter, pools of semen filled her mouth yet again. The men kept coming. The twentieth man pulled Danica to the edge of the bed and fucked her mouth while he stood. When he exploded in her mouth and left, no more arrived. Danica hurried as best she was able on her throbbing knees to the chamber pot to be sick. She emptied her stomach of the potion and all the cum forced down her throat, and could not rise from the floor of the small room for quite some time. When she did manage to rise, she crawled into her tub and soaked, trying to relax. Celes came in with a look of pity on her face, and gave Danica a healing and pain killing draught to drink. Danica barely managed to choke it down, but felt a little better afterwards. As Danica stood from the tub to dry off, Celes sighed and said, "Dearie, it's not over. You'll need to clean up back here." She patted Danica's bottom with a look of worry and sadness on her face. Danica's eyes widened and her lip quivered. She filled with fearful anticipation of men violating her ass repeatedly, just as her mouth had been. Had she not already emptied her stomach, she surely would have now, as the knowledge of what was to come knotted her stomach. Celes flooded her with warm water, and Danica hurried to the chamber pot afterwards. Celes was gone when Danica came out, but Zoraster awaited her. He dragged her to the other room, shoving her roughly down on the bed. He then grasped one of her cheeks and pulled it wide to the side, inserting something in her ass. She felt numbness spread through her as the small amount of warm, slippery fluid squirted inside her. Zoraster left without a word, and a man entered on the Archmage's heels. Danica screamed as he shoved his considerable cock into her ass. He pounded her for an agonizing minute before spurting his cum in her ass. Another man replaced him almost as soon as he pulled free of her stinging bottom. Then another man rammed his manhood inside her after the second flooded her depths. By the fifth, Danica sobbed in agony. When the sixth slammed his cock — the largest yet — into her ass and filled her with a loud grunt, she lost consciousness. ------- Zoraster snorted in satisfaction as he watched the first of the men pierce Danica's ass with his manhood. He had originally intended her punishment to end with orally pleasuring the various servants he had chosen, but her resistance to him had roused his anger. She should not have been able to resist him, even without the use of his Art. The drugs she was given, the suggestions placed in her subconscious, the effects of the ritual, and the spell upon him that enhanced his natural attractive scents should have overwhelmed her defenses. Having to add his charm spell to the already formidable assaults on Danica's inhibitions not only caused his blood to boil with anger, it was also extremely troubling. Danica was entirely too useful to give up as one of his primary pawns, and maintaining complete control over her was critical to that end. He had allowed her a great deal of freedom, carefully guiding her to accept her imprisonment and serve almost willingly. Danica needed the punishment to remind her of her place, and the Archmage determined that even this might not be enough. The pain and torment she endured now was but a beginning. "Your will has been broken, little rose, and it will not be allowed to mend." ------- When Danica regained consciousness, it was the next day, and Celes was there. "Are you alright, Danica?" As Danica regained her senses, she realized someone had cleaned her up and changed the bedclothes. She still felt a dull ache in her violated ass, but it was not the stabbing shots of pain that had caused her to lose consciousness. "I'm... I'm okay." "Here, drink this," Celes offered, handing Danica another healing and pain killing potion. Danica consumed it and felt its power spreading through her body. Celes sighed and asked, "What were you thinking, staying in the city for so long?" "I don't know, I guess I wasn't. When I bury myself in my studies, or do things I want to do, it helps me forget the truth. Sometimes, I almost feel free. It's odd — I really do feel like I forget I'm enslaved here sometimes, like I did in town," Danica explained as she slowly sat up. "You had best remember to return here every so often in the future. This reminder as Zoraster called it was quite mild actually. You amused him enough to dull his anger slightly with whatever you were doing while in the city." Danica scowled and her face flushed with anger as she thought about Zoraster spying on her, Alena, and Carolyn. "Gods, I hate that bastard." Celes nodded gravely in agreement. "I've got to go. He's sending me into the tunnels beneath this place. There's something happening out there and I'm supposed to find out what I can. Be careful, Dear," she said and laid her hand on Danica's cheek before she stood to leave. "You too," Danica echoed as Celes left the room. Danica slowly rose and sank into a bath. Her stomach rumbled, so she made something to eat in the kitchen immediately after her bath. She went to her lab after eating, knowing her studies were the best way to dull the memories of her punishment. She chose to study the Counter Triggering enchantment, and by the end of the day, she felt she had enough of a grasp of the magic to begin working with it. She remembered her hood ring as she returned to her bed, and found it lying on the floor where Zoraster had hurled it. Starting to put it back in, she stopped, thinking of something, and slipped into the second sight. The preparatory enchantments Damian had placed upon the ring were strong. Danica felt that they would hold the Counter Triggering enchantment. If she succeeded in placing the enchantment on her ring, it would give her numerous automatic defenses that she could change simply by changing the spells stored in the ring. There was some danger of unraveling the ring's present magic in attempting this, but Danica was confident she could succeed. She laid the ring on her bedside table and went to sleep. The next morning she sat down to work. She studied the spell of enchantment one last time, and then cleared her mind, one of Celes' candles burning in the room. Gathering up the necessary spell components, she cast her first spell. When the ring absorbed the glow of her magic several hours later, Danica collapsed into a chair out of exhaustion. The magic heavily taxed both body and mind. She examined the ring in her second sight and smiled. The enchantment maintained its previous enchantments. The power of the ring had not failed or lost any strength. She still felt too weak to test the item, as she would need to cast spells into the ring and link them to the Counter Triggering enchantment. Retrieving a text about the local area, she read it until she dozed off. When she awoke the next morning, she began the task of further empowering her ring. First, she cast elemental protection spells and the globe of invulnerability spell into the spell storing enchantment and linked them. This way if anyone caught her unawares, her protective magic would leap to her defense without her conscious intervention. The linking worked perfectly, and Danica knew she had succeeded. She then cast spells of awakening, slowing poison and disease, reversal of paralysis, and virtually anything else she could think of to defend against unexpected attacks. Finally, she cast the Armor of Dispelling on the ring. The last spell proved a strain to link with her magic, and she knew it would hold no more power. Danica slipped her hood ring back in, smiling as she thought of the hidden power that would protect her now. Few would think to check there even if they thought to strip her of any other jewelry she wore. She had never heard of such a piercing before Garthak had done it to her. Some of her cold weather clothes and a few other odds and ends arrived a short while later. Danica spent the remainder of the evening trying them on and putting things away. ------- Zoraster hurled the heavy wooden chair he had leaned against into the wall as he watched a scene playing out in a magical mirror hovering before him. The cowering messenger who had delivered the message that had prompted Zoraster's scrying stared wide-eyed at the display of strength. The shattered splinters of the chair tumbled around the room as Zoraster snarled in anger. "Get out," Zoraster commanded in a feral snarl. The messenger tripped over his own feet and bloodied his nose trying to escape, but fought through the blinding tears to continue scrambling out of the door, away from the mad Wizard. For a moment more, Zoraster stared into the mirror. Then he screamed words of magic and a fireball erupted against the scrying mirror. The furniture and carpet in the room ignited, the curtains on the window turning instantly to ash. In the center of it all, Zoraster stood screaming in rage, completely protected from the raging flames by his magic. When the conflagration at last died down, Zoraster spun on his heel and stalked out of the room into the hall. The wall across from the door was blackened, and smoke hung heavy in the hall. A frightened servant with a mop and bucket stood with his mouth agape at the destruction a short distance down the hall. "Clean the room and have it refurnished," Zoraster snarled and then turned to walk the other way down the hall. The servant swallowed hard, and then turned his mop to the task of swabbing up the puddle of urine at his feet. ------- Celes returned the next day, saying miners had broken through from the labyrinth of tunnels spreading out from the complex into a series of caverns containing a wealth of gemstones. The gems were particularly fine, and made perfect mediums for enchantment. Unfortunately, the men trying to mine and gather them vanished quite frequently. Celes had explored and discovered a hidden opening at the back of the deepest cavern. There she'd found an ancient Dwarven delving, now occupied by vicious Deep Gnomes. With that information in hand, Celes had returned to report to Zoraster. Celes decided she wanted to work on an enchantment that she could place on her clothes to resist dampness and tearing. Her time in the caverns had left her aggravated to distraction with exactly those two things. If she made her own clothes, it would be simple. Attempting to place the enchantments upon garments already finished was going to require some special considerations. Danica had several things she wished to work on as well, and the two women decided to work together, aiding each other when they could. Danica first helped Celes formulate an outline using the Mass Enchantment spell to make the work quicker. They soon had a good working plan, as the two effects Celes wanted to create were common cantrips that both women knew forwards and backwards. Celes then assisted Danica as she cast the vorpal enchantment on her tools to keep them ever sharp. They finished at around suppertime, so Danica cooked them something to eat in the kitchen. Celes watched Danica as she cooked, trying to learn some of those skills, which she sorely lacked. The next day, Celes' studies completely engrossed her. Danica went about her own studies while Celes worked, ready to create another new spell, similar to the first. This spell would conjure several hands like the first, although not nearly as dexterous as her Pleasuring Hand. The magical hands would be able to perform tasks such as fetching things from shelves, holding on to them, and other simple actions. Danica already knew what to name her spell — Danica's Helping Hands. Celes completed her preparations by midday, and Danica went to Celes' chambers to help her enchant her clothing. Danica realized she had never actually been in Celes' chambers. The woman had a plain, functional taste. Everything was in earthy tones, with no extravagance of any kind. Her living space was arranged to be functional, not pretty. They completed the enchantment of Celes' clothes in a short time. They tested the enchantments in a small room containing Celes' tub and chamber pot. Danica summoned up a thick fog in the room with her magic. Celes smiled when dampness gathered on her skin, but did not touch her clothes. When she wiped her face with her sleeve, it came away dry. She pushed a pointed tool she used in her candle making against the cloth, and found it resisted the point with great strength. They immediately returned to Danica's room and enchanted her clothing as well. Danica decided only to enchant her everyday clothes, leaving the special articles like the corset and the leather dress alone. Celes cooked for them that night, with Danica supervising and letting her know when she made mistakes or made things harder than they should be. In truth, she had to say little to Celes. Danica determined that Celes underestimated her own domestic skills. Zoraster called Celes away on a task the next day. Danica concentrated on her own line of study to keep her mind occupied. The similarity to her previous spell creation made the process easier. In only two days, she felt her blood burn and knew she had mastered the creation of the new spell. She cast the spell, using normal woolen gloves as the spell component this time, and four disembodied hands appeared in the air before her. She directed them to fetch, hold, and put things away with her thoughts. She found that it required little more than an absent thought to send the Helping Hands on their tasks. Danica was very pleased when nearly two hours passed before the magical hands winked out of existence — the spell's power expired. She made a copy of the spell for Celes, but decided to give it to her friend personally when she returned. Danica found it took a great deal of courage to venture out of the complex and down into the city, but she was determined to celebrate with a fine meal that she didn't have to make with her own two hands. Once she reached the road down to the city, her hesitation left her. Naturally, she turned immediately toward Carolyn's shop. She made her apologies personally for having to leave without warning, and promised to talk to Carolyn more when they both had time. Carolyn's mother informed Danica that the toys she had enchanted were selling quickly, and they already had enough coin for all the repairs to the house and shop. Only four of the first tops Danica had enchanted remained, and Carolyn predicted that they would sell soon. Danica was happy that her magic had been so helpful to the women, and that children would be enjoying the toys she had made after the midwinter festival. She went to the nearby inn feeling very good, though she felt a little silly when she ate far too much and couldn't summon up the energy to leave her seat for some time after the meal. Danica went to Carolyn's shop just as they were closing up. Alena was there, and so were the brothers that the two girls were dating. Danica told them to have a good evening, promising she would come some time with more notice so that they could spend some time together. Danica hesitantly returned to the complex on the hill. She didn't want to leave the city and return to her prison, but she felt increasingly edgy as the evening wore on. The last thing she wanted was to prompt one of Zoraster's reminders again. Zoraster was waiting for her when she returned to her rooms. "Good evening, little rose. I have a task for you." Danica sat down on the bed and silently waited. Zoraster laughed, as always. "Will you never tire of this little charade? Ah well, it amuses me. Now — your task. I control a similar complex to this wondrous place, many leagues away. It is devoted to study of the warrior arts, rather than magical ones. It has recently come under attack by a rather significant force of creatures. Goblins, orcs, ogres, and even a pair of hill giants have been seen. This alone would be of little consequence, as there is more than enough manpower and skill in the complex to defend it — and indeed root out the creatures to drive them from the area. There is, however, magic at work. Magic has been used in concert with the monster attacks, far beyond that of the few goblin shamans who show themselves." The mad Archmage paced back and forth in front of Danica as he continued, "I suspect this to be the work of ogre magi — but there is more. The wood is nearly a death trap to those who are untrained in the ways of magic, as the Master of the complex discovered, to his chagrin. I wish you, with Celes, to root out the source of this magic and incapacitate it, allowing the soldiers to cleanse the area of the creatures, which will provide excellent training for them. You shall take with you a small group to aid you in your task. The Master of the complex will assist you in choosing those who should accompany you. You will need to provide magical protections for them, and thus you will spend quite some time in the complex. Adjoining rooms have been provided for you and Celes." Danica kept her face set in an impassive mask, but inwardly she smiled in response to the opportunity to spend time on a task with Celes again. Zoraster continued, "You will share a bath and a laboratory, which has been stocked with what I believe you will need. There is a permanent portal there that can return you here to your own lab, to acquire anything that you may feel you need here. Once this task has been completed, you have another task in the area. I will reveal this to you when it is necessary. Your freedom for completion of both tasks shall be permission to journey freely via the portal between the two complexes, and to avail yourself of the town there as well. You shall leave tomorrow. Choose those who will accompany you during your forays into the woods carefully, as your life may depend upon their skills and your trust of them. Do you understand your task, little rose?" Danica nodded, and a thought occurred to her. "If I'm to trust those I have with me, may I take Brandon as one of those who will accompany me?" Zoraster considered for a moment, rubbing his chin. "I suppose it would be beneficial. He is known to both Celes and yourself, though you know him in ways she has not experienced." His laugh punctuating that statement caused Danica to flush in anger despite her attempts to remain aloof. "He is a skilled warrior, and does not come by his nickname, the quick, lightly. He is also an excellent commander, following and giving orders with equal skill. He would make an excellent choice as leader of your little adventuring company. Your request is granted. He shall be dispatched here in the morning to accompany the two of you." Zoraster then stood and said, "Good evening, little rose," before leaving. She considered her assigned task for a moment, and a thought prompted her to go speak with Damian. Zoraster's instructions indicated a good chance that she would need to enchant some common protection items. She hoped Damian might have the creation processes for the items available. About midway down the hall between her room and Damian's, Danica scowled and clenched her teeth when she saw Camilla sauntering in her direction from the opposite end of the hall. A mixture of amusement and anger mingled in the dark-haired woman's eyes when she spoke, "Well, well — if it isn't the little tigress." Danica moved to the other side of the hall to continue on her way. As she passed the other woman, Camilla's hand shot out and grabbed her shoulder. "I believe I was speaking to you." "And I believe I was ignoring you," Danica shot back. "Get your hand off me." "Someone is having a bad day. Are you bleeding, or is this just your normal bitchiness?" Danica scrunched up her nose and leaned back her head back in angry disbelief, grabbing Camilla's wrist at the same time to remove the hand on her shoulder. "I'm busy," she spat at the other woman. "The old crone isn't here to protect you now," Camilla warned ominously. "And I'm not strapped to a table and helpless now, bitch." A door opened just down the hallway from the two women and a man peeked out, staring hard in their direction. It appeared to Danica that he concentrated his irritated stare on Camilla more than her. Camilla glanced at the man, and quickly turned back to Danica, staring daggers and looking directly into Danica's eyes. "This isn't over." "It is as far as I'm concerned," Danica said and turned away from Camilla to walk down the hall toward Damian's rooms once more. She expected an attack. Her muscles tensed, and adrenaline sent her heart racing. The tension slowly relaxed when she realized Camilla had turned to continue on her way as well. Breathing a sigh of relief, Danica knocked on Damian's door and soon had copies of his notes for numerous common magic items. Danica spent the rest of the evening packing her clothes and a few other things. Zoraster had said she could return here instantly, so she didn't spend too much time worrying what to pack. She packed enough to ensure she wouldn't need to return here for at least a few days. As Danica went through her clothes, she saw those special garments made for her and given to her since her arrival here. Seeing the clothing made her think of Olaf and Katherine. Her thoughts drifted into arousal. Danica lay down on the bed with her toy, slipping it inside her with a shiver. She stroked it hard and fast inside her, the vibrations and throbbing attuned to the highest intensity. Danica came with a loud scream, her body writhing on the bed and her walls tightly clenched around the humming toy deep inside her, until she could take no more. She caught her breath for a few minutes, and then dipped the shaft into her wet heat again. When she climaxed the second time, she barely had the strength to gasp out the command word to end her toy's magic. She soon drifted off to sleep. ------- The next morning, Celes and Brandon arrived at her rooms, packed for the road." Been a while since I've been to the Training Grounds. It's real nice country between here and there. We could walk, or ride," he said hopefully. Danica shook her head no. Brandon sighed, "Gods but I..." "Hate magic," both women said in unison, rolling their eyes and laughing. "Am I that predictable?" Brandon asked with a laugh. "Alright, let's get this over with." Celes cast the spell, and they were away. They arrived in a portal room similar to those in all of Zoraster's outposts. The building was far from similar to Zoraster's outposts, however. "C'mon, I'll take you to the Commander," Brandon said and then led them down the hall. The place was quite obviously a military outpost. It was lain out in straight, orderly lines — plain and utilitarian. Everything and everyone had a specific place and purpose here. They entered a room filled with maps and shelves of books. The walls displayed battered weapons and pieces of armor. A handsome, powerfully build man sat behind a desk examining some papers. "Morning, Sir — it's been a while," Brandon said, saluting the man behind the desk when he looked up. "Brandon? It's good to see you — though I wasn't expecting you. I was told to expect the two wizards, though I hardly anticipated they would be such striking women," the man behind the desk said with a charming smile and a nod of his head as he finished. "Last minute thing, I guess. I was lucky they caught me to tell me when they did. I had no duty for today and I was well on my way to being roaring drunk." "I have a room open near to those assigned to Danica and Celes. That is correct, is it not, ladies?" When the two women answered in the affirmative, the commander of the place continued, "It shall be yours while you are here. I'll have someone show you to the rooms. Relax from your trip, and then come join me here. We'll have a meal before we get to the business of why you're here." "Yes Sir," Brandon said and saluted again. The man shouted an order to two men patrolling the halls, and one of them led the group to the rooms assigned to them. Danica and Celes' rooms were next to each other, as Zoraster had indicated. One door led to the room containing their bath, and another led to the lab prepared for them. The lab was simple, utilitarian, and set up for no specific sort of work. It was well stocked with spell components and other such necessities. The beds were quite comfortable, and each room had a walk-in closet. Each bedroom had enough space for a small common area, and the area contained a simple table and chairs. In the midst of putting her things away, Danica heard a knock on her door leading to the hall. Danica answered it and found Brandon standing outside. He whistled as Danica let him in. "Bloody hell, they sure set the two of you up. There was nothing like this here when I was last here. They must have done it up special for you." Celes came in when she heard Brandon. "Tell us what ye're knowin' about this place. Seems as good a place as any ta start by me figurin'." Brandon took a seat at the table. The two women joined him and he began, "Well, lotsa years ago, this was sort of an unofficial gathering place for mercenaries and would-be mercenaries. There was an old wiley character, don't remember his name, who put out the word that any who wanted to ride with his mercenary company needed to come here after the Day of Spring Dawning. His company was one of the most famous and well paid there ever has been, and he drew quite a crowd. He an' his lieutenants selected the best of the best, and they went with him in search of glory an' riches. "The rest stood a good chance of findin' work with the many others who came seeking warriors, taking advantage of the gathering. That wiley old man got himself killed — and most of his company with him — in some great adventure. The gathering just kept on happening, though." Brandon kicked back in his chair, appearing to enjoy the telling of the tale. "About ten years ago is when the Commander showed up. He had a lot of ideas about turnin' this place into something more. He set about it after the gathering that year, and he caught Zoraster's interest somehow. Zoraster backed him with coin, and he expanded the place over the years until it's what you see here today." "Which is?" Celes asked. "The finest training grounds for any sort of warcraft you can imagine. Those who make it through the entire two years are trained in near any sort of situation where you might be swinging a weapon around. The wiley old man's fortress is still here, and they use it for siege training. They train for woodland warfare, mounted combat, guard work, even for making war on the sea. There's a port a ways off that they send the men out on ships from. "You're given training in virtually every weapon and tactic there is. Men who now stand guard over Kings received their training here. You can stay on, for a price, and continue to hone your skills after the two years. The only thing the training costs you for the first two years is being held ready to go on missions assigned by the Commander. He uses the students as a mercenary company, and the coin he earns from that covers what Zoraster's backing doesn't. The students get pay as well for that work. Lots stay on, so the Commander is a pretty well to do fellow from the coin they pay." "What is Zoraster's interest in all this?" Danica asked. Brandon shrugged. "Hell if I know. All I know is after being here four years, the offer he made me to work for him was the best I'd heard. I don't want for much, and I've got some coin squirreled away for when I'm too old to swing my sword around for a living. Old Black Thunderbolts doesn't really ask all that much for his pay. I spend more time wandering around the grounds on guard duty than I do anything else. There's just enough excitement every once in a while to keep me from getting too bored, otherwise I'm pretty much free to enjoy my life." "What're yer rooms like?" Celes asked. "Rooms?" Brandon chuckled. "Room. I've got a bunk, a chest to keep my stuff in, racks to hang my weapons and armor on, a table and a couple chairs, a chamber pot, and a basin to wash up in. It's fine accommodations for here though. You've got to be paying to live here in the main building. Most are housed in barracks, fifty to a building, or find their own quarters in the city or somewhere. If you pay to stay on, you get your own room here, or a lessening of the fee if the place is full and you have to find other accommodations." Celes chimed in, "I've hear'd o' this place. It's called The Forge, ain't it?" "Yah, and it's a good name for the place — even though the Commander hates the name and thinks it's too fanciful. He calls the place the Training Grounds, and woe to whoever calls it The Forge. You come in here a man like a lump of metal — untrained and undisciplined. If you make it through The Forge, though, you leave here a finely tempered weapon." "Well, that's a start. At least we know a bit o' somethin' about this place," Celes noted. Danica nodded in agreement. "I'm going to finish putting my things away and get out of these robes. I feel a bit out of place here in wizard's robes." "There's war wizards here too," Brandon revealed. "They train specifically to fight along side armed men. There's clerics around too, though they're either in the regular training, or here for other reasons." "It's seemin' this Commander is lookin' at the thing from all sides," Celes said. "He's a genius. I've seen him turn what should have been a disaster into a rout with his tactics. I've seen him stand over a fallen man and defend them both against a half dozen attackers, and never take more than a flesh wound. He's been approached by Kings and men of importance from all over the world, but he chooses to remain here serving in this place as Commander, regardless of the riches he's offered." "You have a lot of respect for him," Danica observed. "It was beat into me at first, but in time it came naturally. Anybody who swings a weapon can't help but respect his skill and dedication." "I'm still going to change. I feel like I have a sign hanging around my neck that says witch." "Need any help?" Brandon asked with a lecherous smile. Danica slapped him playfully and went back to her closet. Brandon turned to Celes, the smile still on his face. "Don't ye even be thinkin' it — let alone speakin' it," Celes warned. Brandon held up his hands in a mock-defensive posture and laughed, "I had to ask." He stood up and said, "I'll come get you when it's time to go dine with the Commander." With a final nod, he left the room. ------- Brandon was spit-shined and polished when Danica opened the door to answer his knock a short while later. Danica and Celes had both chosen simple, unremarkable trousers and blouses to wear. They followed Brandon's lead to the Commander's rooms. The Commander had a small dining room, and his own kitchen. He also employed his own cook. The meal was tasty and filling, but served mess hall style. Joining them were two of the Commander's lieutenants and the master of the War Wizards, Justarius by name. Another soldier who looked extremely uncomfortable also dined with them. Danica and Celes found them all possessed of good manners, sparking interesting conversations to draw in the newcomers as they ate. Brandon even managed to get the nervous soldier to join in after a while. The Commander ordered a stronger wine brought when they finished eating. After drinking a little and talking some more, the Commander put down his glass and sat up straight in his chair. All conversation ceased at this silent signal. "We should get down to business. I know why you three are here." The Commander gestured to the two wizards and Brandon. "But I believe you should be briefed as to the situation we find ourselves in, so that you have a complete understanding of the task you are undertaking." One of the lieutenants spoke up then, "About six weeks ago, a group was sent for their first introduction to siege tactics at the fortress. All was going well, the group performing remarkably well in the first real test of the skills they had practiced and learned. We were unprepared when the creatures began boiling from the nearby forest and attacked." The other lieutenant took over, "The men adapted quickly, and it appeared the creatures would be driven away with minimal losses. Then came the magic. Our men began to fall to vile spells and the weapons of the creatures. The Commander ordered a quick, but disciplined retreat back toward the main complex, where our own War Wizards were preparing, having been alerted to the attack." The Commander then took over the tale, "The creatures well protected the source of their magic, and we know it was more than the few goblin shamans that showed themselves, but we were able to rout them back into the forest. I sent a swift company to pick off stragglers, and to track them while I mobilized the entirety of the forces here to drive them out. The man seated with us is the only one to return from that ill-fated expedition into the woods. He stumbled out just as I was about to launch the attack on the creatures. Tell them what you saw, Caramon." The nervous-looking soldier steadied his nerves with a long deep breath, and then spoke. "We went in after them, keeping them in view and picking off a few now and then with our bows. They kept running deeper into the woods, and we followed. That was our downfall." The man put his head in his hands for a moment, breathing hard and appearing as if he couldn't continue. He suddenly lifted his face with a look of firm resolve and continued. "Horrors sprang from the woods. Our arrows did not faze them, nor did our weapons. Men went down screaming everywhere. Those who fled the demons ran into traps and ambushes. There were horrors, and goblins, and orcs, and giants everywhere. I ran and ran and ran. I narrowly missed more traps than I can remember. I charged through a group of orcs near the edge of the woods at a dead run, before they could react. I cut one down, and the men outside the woods took the rest when they chased me out." His story complete, the man put his head back in his hands and sobbed. One of the lieutenants led the distraught soldier out of the room. Justarius spoke next, "We have since determined that most of the horrors were illusions and phantasmal force. There are some real horrors within the woods, however. Undead stalk its dark recesses, and there are demonkind. There is something far more insidious there than goblin shaman, or the ogre magi I am positive were present during the initial attack. Two other attacks have been launched against us from the woods, and we have won the day both times, though our losses are starting to mount dangerously." One of the lieutenants added, "I was prepared to lead a small band into the woods with stealth, on the Commander's orders, to determine what I could. He countermanded that order on the day I was to leave with my handpicked company, saying that others were being sent to deal with the mission." "Zoraster bade me wait until the two of you could be dispatched to make preparations. Thus, we find ourselves here," The Commander finished. "I am to assist you in preparing a band to enter the woods to root out the source of the magic." Danica looked at Celes and nodded. "We will take time to think about it, and to learn more about those who train here. When we have a better idea of what preparations will need to be made, we'll seek you out for your recommendations." "Very well," The Commander acknowledged. "I would request you remain conscious of the sense of urgency. It will take but a few more such attacks to begin making our ability to repel them uncertain." "We'll be takin' it to heart," Celes said and rose from her chair. "Please do come to the college, so that I might give you more details of what I and my brethren have discovered," Justarius requested. "Suren' we'll be doin' that as well," Celes replied. "Brandon, it does me proud to see you have attained a stature sufficient to warrant being sent on such a delicate mission. You were one of my finest students, and would have been a lieutenant in short order, had you stayed." Brandon saluted. "Thank you, Sir. It's high praise indeed, and I hope to prove myself worthy of it in the coming adventure." "Mission," The Commander corrected with a smile. "Ever were you a bit rough edged." Brandon smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I'm a simple man, with a simple tongue. I do what I can with it." Brandon and the two women then returned to their rooms. Brandon quickly grew bored of the discussions about the magic. "I'm going to leave you two to talk until I understand something you're talking about." Both women laughed. "Okay, Brandon," Danica said. "I'm going to wander around and refresh my memory of the grounds," Brandon added. Danica heard Brandon's thoughts, and knew he was actually going to make use of women who stayed nearby, servicing the soldiers who had coin to pay. When Brandon left, the women agreed there was little they could plan at this point. Celes said, "I want to go to the college to learn what I can there." "I'm going to explore the grounds inside the main complex and learn about the training here. I'll join you in a while, Celes." The women then both went about their decided courses of action. ------- Part 9B Danica wandered onto the grounds, feeling out of place in the midst of the military order of the place. Everyone but her seemed to be heading somewhere, exactly where they were supposed to be going, in a perfectly coordinated march. She paused when she found a group of about twenty engaged in a training exercise. One man, obviously of some rank, observed two men dueling with heavily padded staves atop a pair of stumps well-rooted in the ground. They pummeled each other with the staves, each attempting to dislodge his opponent. The one on the left let his guard slip, and a stunning blow to the head sent him reeling off his stump to the ground. He screamed in pain when he hit. "How many times have I told you? You keep dropping your left, and..." The trainer admonished, finally noticing the man on the ground paying no attention to him, but instead cradling his broken arm and screaming in terrible pain. A woman stepped forward from the back ranks of the twenty. "Sir, allow me." Danica felt her breath catch. The woman was dressed in the same padded armor all the rest wore, but it did little to hide her well-muscled and sensually curved body. She had straight, golden blonde hair, and her beauty quite literally took Danica's breath away. The woman knelt down next to the man and cradled his arm gently in her hands. She then called for a blessing of healing from Heraklan. The man's screams trailed off as her healing power poured into him. "Thank you," the man said, rubbing his arm as the woman helped him to rise. "Thank Heraklan, for it was his power that healed you. I might be willing to let you thank me, if you really think you must," she said with a stunning and incredibly sexy smile. The man's eyes widened and he smiled, but the trainer broke his thoughts quickly by hollering, "Cut that out Cheron, I'll have none of that. You may pay to train here but that doesn't mean you can break the rules. No trysting between the students." "I think you need a bit of trysting to take some of the edge off your sour disposition," Cheron cheerily disagreed as she returned to the ranks, her hips swaying sexily. The trainer sighed and shook his head. He then turned back to the man Cheron had healed. "You're lucky there was a healer on hand, dogbreath. If you'd been on a battlefield, you'd have been sliced from nuts to neck before any healer got to you. I keep telling you — over and over again — trying to pound it into your head through your armor of stupidity..." Danica walked away, but took another look at the stunning blonde cleric as she passed. The quick and complete healing indicated that the woman surely stood in high favor of her god. The severity of the break and the copious loss of blood certainly would have laid the man up for some time without her timely intervention. Danica found it strange that the woman trained here. Wandering around the inner wall of the complex, Danica observed the training exercises and the surroundings absently. In truth, she daydreamed about the beautiful cleric more than anything. Eventually, Danica managed to shake away the daydream long enough to ask for directions to the college. She walked out the Southern gate of the inner wall and past the large stables within the outer wall. She followed the well-trodden road to the college where the War Wizards received their training. Someone quickly led her to Justarius, who sat speaking with Celes. "We're gonna have to be spendin' some time here, Dearie. Justarius an' t' rest here has found ways ta take shortcuts in their castin' w'out losin' t' power o' their spells. The research they're doin' here is groundbreakin'." Justarius smiled, and his plain, unremarkable face suddenly appeared handsome — almost boyish. "Not truly groundbreaking — we are simply reviving a nearly lost art. In times long past, wizards were often employed on the field of battle in this way. Those who work the Art have simply become too vain to let themselves be shackled to sword swingers over the years. The methods and teachings have fallen into disuse and obscurity." "We'll certainly have to learn from you, Justarius," Danica said, thinking that it was sad and ominous that this fascinating research was falling into Zoraster's hands. "As could we do well to learn from you. We have few who are skilled in the art of enchantment. The prowess in that area that Celes attests to you would be a most welcome instruction to us. Now that you are here, however, we should get down to the business at hand." "So what're ye thinkin' we're up against?" Celes asked. "It is my belief — and that of my fellows here — that we face a group of magi. The illusions and phantasmal force creatures are quite powerful spells. Even illusionary dragons have been reported to stalk the woods. To have crafted such grand illusions, the caster must be a master of Illusion. "Likewise, the sheer number of undead would indicate that a powerful Necromancer is within the shelter of the trees. The demons that stalk the darkened paths are minor entities, but there are, by our estimates, no less than twenty. Only a powerful Summoner could hope to control so many foul denizens of the lower planes at once. "The gathering of creatures in the woods is far from natural. No leader could hope to keep such a group of creatures that despise each other so greatly intact by natural means. We thus believe there to be a powerful master of Charm magic as well," Justarius explained. "So ye're thinkin' we're facin' a bunch intent on destroyin' this place — but why?" "It could be many things. Perhaps the presence of this place and its many skilled warriors stand in the way of some grand scheme they have in the area. Zoraster's backing of this place is not a secret, and it could be an enemy he has made seeks to strike here and weaken his influence. We have a Mystic Well here within the college, and it could be that they seek its power." Danica and Celes both opened their eyes wide at the mention of the Mystic Well. Only a few were known to exist, the creation of a great Archmage in the forgotten mists of the past. All such wells were carefully hidden and protected by great magic. A wizard who drank of the waters from a Mystic Well found their powers strengthened. A wizard exhausted of their magical strength could take a flask from the well and find their powers to weave the Art restored again. Doing so presented a danger, however, because such taxed the body beyond its natural limits and could have permanent consequences. "It would probably be a good idea to draw a few flasks from the Well to take with us," Danica pointed out. "And you shall be given such when you prepare for your journey. As I have mentioned, there are goblin shaman among the creatures. We estimate perhaps eight, which would indicate that at least eight tribes of goblins are within the woods. That should mean no less than four hundred of the smelly creatures abide there. We believe the number or orcs to be approximately the same. As I have mentioned, we believe there to be ogre magi amongst the creatures. Our best guess, as we have not seen them, would be that there are at least three. The magical attacks directed against us provide our only clues to their numbers and powers. We have seen at least forty ogres amongst the attacking creatures. We know of a pair of hill giants, and of late, an ettin amongst the monsters. We can confirm the presence of at least six trolls as well." "A formidable force," Danica said with a hint of surprise at the numbers. "Do you know anything of their movements or their encampments?" Justarius pursed his lips and made a dismissive gesture with one long-fingered hand. "Little. There are spells of misdirection about the woods, and it is difficult to scry with any accuracy. The creatures seem to keep to themselves, only interacting with each other when they attack here. We have witnessed skirmishes breaking out between the various races at the edges of their patrols, though these are short lived." "Och — but the madman's sent us inta a nightmare. We're to be walkin' inta a nest of vicious beasties backed by powerful magics." Danica crossed her arms in front of her and pursed her lips into a slight pout. "But, not a cooperative group. It seems there's a bit of trouble keeping the forces in line. Surely, monsters in those numbers could have overwhelmed the place if they continued to press their attacks. Do the demons or undead ever venture from the woods?" "No. We have observed that the undead lumber about only in the extreme Southern recesses of the wood. The demons only roam in the West. The creatures there stay far away from both groups." Danica smiled, looking at Celes. "I believe I may have an idea. We'll talk about it once we figure out who will journey with us, but I believe I may have at least a rough plan." "Yer thinkin' o harryin' the critters an' tryin' to turn 'em against each other — draw out them what controls 'em," Celes said with a crooked knowing smile, guessing Danica's intentions. Danica nodded and matched Celes' smile. "If the undead and demons are so separated, it would stand to reason that the wizards who control the creatures might not be so terribly fond of each other either. Those creatures would stay near their masters to make it easier to keep them under reign." "Such was our own surmising," Justarius agreed. "We were prepared to mount an expedition of the exact sort you plan ourselves, before we were ordered to halt our preparations and await your coming." "I'm fer thinkin' Zoraster thought Danica's skills o' enchantin' could make some trinkets what would protect those wit'out magic from the spells about t' place. Ye said yer havin' few with such skills here, an' I'm thinkin' he's meanin' to test the two of us as well." Celes gave a glance full of warning to Danica when she said the last. "We'll prove equal to the test," Danica said with a scowl. Thinking of the smelly goblins that she so detested in the woods, she was actually looking forward to destroying those creatures, as well as the other foul beasts that stalked the woods. Celes gave Danica a curious look, but her expression indicated that she planned to wait until another time to ask her question. "Is there anythin' more ye can tell us?" Justarius shook his head in the negative and stroked his chin. "Not presently. We continue to divine what we may with our magic. We shall pass along any information we might acquire." "Well, I'm for learnin' about yer teachings here. Ye've sparked me interest most hotly with what ye've told me." "Please, do come and we shall share our knowledge. Such is the purpose of the college, to the benefit of all," Justarius said with a smile. "Danica?" Celes inquired as they rose. "I'll go find Brandon. I'd like to see what he thinks. He seems to have good common sense, and he's a trusted warrior that we can consult about any martial matters." "Good luck findin' 'im. He's been marchin' all straight backed an' proper since t' moment we got here. 'Es likely to be blendin' in so well ye'll not be able to tell him from the rest o' the men here unless ye're right up on 'em." "I believe I may know where to find him," Danica disagreed, remembering his thoughts when he left. "Well, good luck ta ye then," Celes said and followed Justarius from the room. Danica went with them, but separated and left the college instead of proceeding deeper inside. It didn't take Danica long to discover where the women who provided release for the warriors of the place resided. She followed the road to the East of the main complex, to what locals referred to as the House of Women. She found Brandon lounging on a simple bed with a fairly attractive young woman who had long, dark hair — both spent from their lovemaking. Brandon started when he noticed Danica standing over him, a crooked smile on her face. "Danica," he sputtered, pulling his trousers from the floor and covering his body with them. "What are you doing here?" Danica laughed and answered, "Looking for you. I want your ideas as to how we should go about the task we've been assigned." "Ohhh poo — don't you want to play some more?" The woman on the bed purred, stroking Brandon's chest with her hand. Brandon didn't answer, but instead got up to pull on his clothes, his face still red with embarrassment. The woman eyed Danica with a sultry look. "What about you?" The prostitute asked and licked her lips with the tip of her tongue. The thought made Danica shiver. "I have business to attend to," she replied in a way that didn't really sound too dismissive. The woman purred and stretched out on the bed seductively. "Well, I'll be here if either of you want to come play." Brandon finished dressing a minute or so later, and the two walked from the house, assaulted from all directions by the sounds of passion. "Oh, do relax," Danica said and elbowed Brandon. "It's not as if I haven't seen you after lovemaking before." "What do you want to talk about?" "Well, first, how did the House of Women come to be here?" "It's been there as long as I've known of the Training Grounds. Apparently the women have always come, seeking company and coin from the gathering here. The Commander simply put up the building to keep the rain off their heads and those of their..." Brandon paused and shrugged, "Customers." "It's in no way controlled by the Commander?" "Nope. The women come, and the women go. The house is there for their use and maintained by the Grounds. The students have be on leave to go to the house, but other than that there's no other involvement by the Commander." Danica revealed what she had learned at the College as they walked, continuing the narrative as she and Brandon settled into chairs in her room. They spoke for a long time, Brandon agreeing with her estimation of the course they should take. He made some suggestions as to the type of warriors they should take with them. Danica found his counsel just as welcome and insightful as she had hoped while they continued to discuss it through the hours. ------- The Commander invited Brandon to dine that evening, so he bid Danica farewell and went to engage in his spit-shine ritual again. Danica went back out onto the grounds to continue her explorations. She saw the group she had previously observed dueling with staves come in the Southern gate at a double time march. Once again, Danica found it hard to breathe when she saw the striking cleric — sweat glistening on her body despite the chill in the air — running at the head of the group. The group slowed and then stopped nearby. The trainer then shouted, "Dismissed! Freedom for tomorrow — I'll be busy." With that, he turned to leave. The blonde cleric noticed Danica and turned toward her. Danica blushed, realizing she'd been staring, as the cleric approached. "You're staring," the blonde said with a warm and knowing smile. "I'm sorry. I'm just surprised to see a Heraklan training here. I guess I was lost in thought," Danica lied, and she winced inwardly. The weakness of the excuse echoed loudly in her head. The woman's knowing smile twitched even wider for a moment. "When I attained the rank of Thunder Bringer, there was little more that I could learn from my brethren. I heard of this place and hoped I might learn skills which would make me even more effective in battle." Danica's eyes widened. "Thunder Bringer," she quietly repeated in surprise. The rank was the highest one could achieve without entering the few positions of cloistered service within the ranks of the Heraklans. "You must be beloved of your god indeed, to have attained the rank of Thunder Bringer so young." "Heraklan guides me, I am but his tool upon this earth," the cleric responded. "You are one of those who will lead into the forest, are you not?" Danica nodded. "Yes. Celes and I are beginning to make our plans now, and we'll choose those who will accompany us soon." "My God has come to me in a vision. In this vision, I travel into the woods with you and use my skills to aid you in vanquishing the darkness of the wood. I should like to be chosen, but I shall likely follow anyway if I am not. My God has spoken, and I shall heed his call." "Your skills as a healer and fighter would certainly be welcome," Danica admitted. "I'll certainly suggest you be included in our party." "Well then, let us talk of the undertaking, and partake of some wine." The cleric produced a bottle from a small sack hanging at her hip — the sack far too small to have held the large bottle without the aid of magic. Danica's felt the tingling of wetness building between her legs when the cleric put the bottle on her hip and tilted her head, waiting for an answer. The position showed off her curvy, muscled body quite well. Danica nodded her agreement, blushing when she realized she was staring again. "Yes, let's talk." The knowing smile spread wide again. "I should imagine your quarters are much more comfortable and private than mine. The better to discuss our coming adventures away from listening ears." Danica nodded her head, and Cheron fell into step beside her. They returned to the main building, and then to Danica's room. A note there from Celes said that she would likely not return this night, because she planned to stay at the college until very late. The two women sat down and discussed what Danica had learned at the college, drinking Cheron's wine from two large goblets the cleric pulled from the bag, also too large to have ever fit inside it naturally. Cheron scowled when they spoke of the undead and Necromancy. Danica knew the overwhelming hatred the Heraklans shared of those foul things, and she had no doubt that the woman's stated intention to destroy them all utterly was heartfelt. Danica also deemed it likely Cheron didn't overstate her abilities against the foul creatures. They continued to talk and drink, Cheron making some suggestions about the type of warriors they should take with them into the wood. Something slowly emerged in Cheron's eyes and her mannerisms, increasing every moment. The subtle signals held Danica like a fly trapped in amber. When Cheron leaned across the table and kissed her, Danica responded with the needful passion that had blossomed within her the moment she had first noticed the gorgeous cleric. Cheron undressed Danica, caressing her body as she did so. Danica shuddered under the woman's touches and kisses, her nipples stiffening and her sex growing wetter by the moment. Cheron then led Danica to the bed and stood near the edge to undress. Danica's eyes drank in the play of the woman's defined muscles as she stripped off her clothing. Danica's breath came in quick bursts as Cheron revealed her body. Cheron had firm, round breasts, the nipples and areoles both dark. The hair adorning her mound was trimmed short, and somewhat darker than her blonde hair. Her bare-shaven nether lips caused Danica's mouth to water as she looked at the cleric's perfect folds. To Danica's eyes, Cheron's sex appeared almost more like an artist's rendition of perfection than reality. Wetness glistening between Cheron's slightly parted lips. Cheron leaned over the bed and lay atop Danica, kissing her passionately. Danica matched the blonde's passion, their hands roaming over each other's bodies. For long minutes, they kissed and caressed, taking each other's nipples into their mouths and suckling. Cheron then traced kisses down Danica's body and slipped between her now widely parted legs. Danica loudly moaned in pleasure as Cheron lapped with broad strokes of her tongue, looking up with a sensual, hungry expression, as she tasted Danica's bittersweet juices. She slipped her tongue between Danica's labia, waggling it back and forth the length of Danica's wet lips. She then stabbed her tongue deep inside to lap at the redhead's walls, gathering up the abundant wetness within. Danica gasped and moaned in pleasure, her hips gyrating, as Cheron lapped and sucked her. She quickly climbed her mountain of pleasure as Cheron slid a finger inside Danica, to spin it in slow tight circles while the fingers of her other hand rubbed Danica's clit with the same slow circling. All the while, her lips and tongue tantalized every inch of Danica's sex. Danica came in a gushing flood, bringing a wide-eyed expression of surprise and delight to Cheron's face as she drank up Danica's warm flood. Danica writhed and screamed her pleasure as waves of release gripped her body. Cheron slowly eased off the pressure and let Danica settle back down to earth. Once Danica relaxed, Cheron picked up the intensity of her talented lips and tongue once again. As Danica ground her pussy into Cheron's face, nearing another orgasm, Cheron locked her lips around Danica's clit. She sucked and flicked Danica's throbbing bud with her tongue, quickly stroking two fingers in and out of Danica's depths. Danica exploded into another gushing orgasm only a few moments later. Cheron slid up Danica's body, and Danica kissed her hungrily, sucking her juices from Cheron's tongue and lapping them from the blonde's face. Their tongues wrangled as they kissed, their breasts pressed together and their legs entwining. Cheron slid up even farther, and rose up on her knees above Danica. She then lowered her folds to Danica's waiting mouth. Desire overwhelmed Danica. She devoured Cheron's perfect pussy, moaning in delight as she lapped and sucked. Cheron moaned and rocked her hips over Danica's face. Cheron's perfectly pink inner lips resisted Danica's tongue with delightful pressure and stiffness. Danica kept devouring Cheron, and the cleric soon came with a warbling scream of pleasure, flooding Danica's face with her juices. Danica lapped and sucked hungrily for Cheron's nectar, which flowed from her like a river. They came many more times on each other's tongues that evening before Cheron finally left to return to her own quarters. Danica drifted off to sleep, still nude and sticky from their lovemaking, and dreamed all night that she continued to share her body with the stunning blonde cleric. ------- Danica awakened aroused from her dreams, and used her toy to bring on a pair of strong orgasms. She then went and drew a bath, washing away the sticky evidence of her night of passion with Cheron. Celes returned shortly thereafter. "We surely need to spend some time in the College when we can. Their research, and the swiftness with which they cast devastating magic is astounding." Danica nodded and related the events of her day, "Brandon agrees with my plan, and he said he will help us select the people we'll take with us. He knows many who reside here well. I believe I found one who should accompany us, a Heraklan Thunder Bringer. Her prowess and magic would be of great help, especially if we encounter the undead or demons." Celes raised her eyebrows at the connection between Heraklan and she. She thought it went a long way to explain the disarray of Danica's bed. "A cleric of that rank, especially one with the great fighting skills of a Heraklan, would be a welcome addition." A knock sounded on the door then, and Danica opened it to find Brandon outside waiting. She let him in, and he glanced at Danica's disheveled bed with fascination. He shook whatever he was thinking away and said, "There are some people I'd like you to meet. I snooped around a bit and found out there are a lot of fine warriors still here whose skills I stood in awe of while I was training." "Let us get ourselves out an' find 'em then, stout warrior," Celes said with a cackling laugh. They all stood and Brandon led the way out of the main building and onto the training field. Pointing at a woman, Brandon said, "There she is. Janelle is a master of fighting with short sword and dagger combined, and she's even better with a bow." Danica and Celes observed the woman with light blonde hair, which hung down past her shoulders. Her body was lithe and as taut as the string on the thick-limbed bow she held at the ready before her. Danica heard a pair of loud reports, like the sound of two pieces of wood smacking together hard, and the woman suddenly sprang into motion. She lifted her bow and set an arrow in a motion so quick and smooth that Danica could hardly believe her eyes. Janelle drew back the bow and fired, quickly setting another arrow and firing again. The shafts intercepted and shattered two clay balls, which small catapults had hurled skyward. A few seconds later, two more reports echoed, two more arrows fired, and two more clay balls shattered into bits and dust. The woman lowered the bow with a nod of satisfaction. She let out a loud whistle, and two men from a guardhouse at the corner of the inner wall came out and waved. They returned to their patrol of the walls in an orderly march. "Ho — Janelle!" Brandon called out and waved to the woman, who smiled back and waved them over. "Brandon — it's been a while. What are you doing back here?" Janelle cheerily asked as she approached. She then glanced at the two women with him. "Oh, you're with our two mysterious wizards, I take it?" "Yep," Brandon replied. "Going out to do or die, for glory and riches." Janelle rolled her eyes. "Your clichés are as terrible as your bowmanship, as always. My name is Janelle. I'm an instructor here. I teach the bow, crossbow, short sword, and dagger. None of which Brandon was terribly proficient with, though he became at least passable." Brandon snorted and chuckled. "Passable compared to you, sure, but I could outfight and outshoot every dog in my twenty." "True, but as unremarkable as they were, that's not saying much," Janelle retorted with a laugh, drawing another snort from Brandon. Celes spoke up, saying, "T' big oaf here is thinkin' ye'd be a right useful lass ta have with us in the wood, an' judgin' from yer shot wit' a bow, I'm for thinkin' he's right." "I'm honored to be considered, and eager to go. These creatures have harried us too long already. We've lost some fine young men, cut down just when they were starting to reach their potential. I'm getting tired of picking off goblins and orcs that venture close enough to the edge of the woods for me to get a sight on them." "I think it's gone beyond consideration," Danica said, drawing nods of agreement from both Brandon and Celes. "Your skill with that bow would be of great use in the woods I think," Danica finished. "She may as well be a damn elf too. She vanishes the moment there's more than a shrub for her to hide behind. She climbs like a squirrel, and leaves not a trace of her passing. You can chase her into the woods — ten feet behind — and lose her instantly. Next thing you know, she's stickin' an arrow between your feet from the branch of a tree, thirty foot up." "I've been in the wood since the monsters appeared. I didn't go far because there are too many magical traps. Normal traps set by man or monster I don't fear. Traps wrought of magic I can't see, can't disarm, and can't avoid set my teeth on edge," Janelle said with a scowl. "We kin be fixin' it so's ye'll be safe from them as best we're able. Don't ye doubt we'll get ye in there where yer bow can take its toll on the beasties." Celes winked as she finished. A wide smile spread across Janelle's face when she heard that. "Am I the first, or are there others who have been singled out to join you?" "There's only one other thus far," Danica explained, "A cleric of Heraklan." "Cheron," Janelle guessed, receiving a nod from Danica that told her she was right. "I was going to suggest her. Her magic is strong, she's a terror with that mace of hers, and her healing skills are second to none. Heraklan is surely strong in that woman." Janelle then turned to Brandon, "Bear?" she asked and cocked her head. Brandon nodded and smiled. "Bear teaches unarmed combat, rough and tumble fisticuffs and wrestling. He can break a man in half with his bare hands, or bend iron bars over double. He carries a two-handed war hammer that can shatter boulders and take down fair sized trees when he swings it. He can move quietly for a man so big. He would surely be a welcome source of strength," Janelle explained. "Let's go find him," Brandon said. "He'll be working on that spot that was nearly breached in the Southeastern wall," Janelle noted, and motioned for them to follow. They found the man known as Bear hefting huge stones into place for a mason to fit into a weak spot in the wall. He was closer to seven feet than six, with arms as big around as most men's legs. He had almost boyish features that belied his massive form. He smiled wide and pulled his massive war hammer from a harness on his back to slap it across his palms when asked to join them on their task, "Long have I waited to test my hammer against ogres and giants. It seems I might get the chance. Have you talked to Venaru?" Brandon shook his head. "Not yet, but I was planning on getting to him." Janelle described the mentioned man, "Venaru teaches open handed fighting. He's the only man who's ever tracked me when I was trying not to be found, and one of the few who's ever come on me unawares. He could kill half a dozen armed men with well-placed blows if he was dropped in their midst naked, and he's a walking armory. If he were to empty out every one of the weapons he carries at any given time onto a table, it would likely cover it." Bear joined them in their search, and they soon found Venaru. He was of Eastern descent, his skin the telltale olive tone of the Easterners. A man of few words, his body seeming almost like a taut spring, forever poised and perfectly balanced to spring into action immediately. Venaru fell into pace with the expanding group, and they went in search of Brandon's next suggestion, which had drawn approving nods from the group. Griffith Ironmaul was a dwarf, and all too eager to join in attacking the creatures of the woods that were his race's ancient enemies. He was short, stocky, powerfully built, and his long black beard bristled as he smiled wide when asked to join them. A masterfully crafted and perfectly balanced axe, well notched from over a century of use, hung strapped across his back. Griffith was quick to suggest another of his race, and they located Feros Stoneshanks in the main building where the clerics who tended the wounded and injured did their work. He was a powerful fighter, an excellent marksman with a crossbow, and strong in the power of his god, Terrax. Save for his blonde hair and beard, he could have been a physical twin to Griffith — to anyone but another dwarf. Cheron was also there, using her powers of healing to treat the sick and injured. "An' so we are ten then," Celes announced. "The War Wizard Terran 'as already said 'ell come whether we're askin' him or not, an' his spells will prove a fine help I'm thinkin'." "It would seem my suggestions were unnecessary," A voice from behind the group said. They turned to find the Commander standing in the doorway. "I could not have made better suggestions than those choices you have already made. This fine group of men and women is, in fact, exactly who I would have suggested for the mission. There are a few others I might put forth, but for now I believe you have found a rather perfect mesh of talents." "We should discuss our plans," Danica suggested. "The idea Celes, Brandon, and I have been working on will require the aid of your assistance to make it work." "I shall send for Terran then, and we shall adjourn to my war room," the Commander replied. ------- Celes introduced Terran to the group when he arrived. He was Justarius' younger brother, and could very well have passed for the older man's clone. Only his youth and hints of a ruggedly handsome quality set him apart from Justarius. The discussion that followed lasted long into the night. The plan Danica had developed evolved and expanded through the input of those present, becoming a series of stealthy and deceptive strikes meant to lower the morale of the creatures, turning them against one another. The first order of business for the group was to set up in the old fortress, which was near the woods and strong enough to defend if necessary. In order to avoid detection while entering the fortress, Celes and Terran teleported them all there. The living quarters of the castle were well furnished and supplied, as those who stood as 'defenders' during siege training might spend days within. Terran provided a portal that could transport the group back and forth between the fortress and the College if necessary. They each took their own rooms, save the two Dwarves who shared a room by their own request. Terran provided a magical item called a Dark Fire, and placed one in each of the Fortresses fireplaces. The Dark Fire provided heat, but produced no smoke or light. This aided in concealing their presence in the fortress from prying eyes in the woods. The group quickly grew comfortable around each other, learning each other's quirks and mannerisms as they spent time together. They took time to practice acting as a fighting group on the training grounds, their specific group masked by others doing the same while they trained. Over the course of the next month, they set their plan in motion as they learned how to best compliment each other in battle, and in companionship. Danica spent much time in her lab, and amongst the smiths. She needed durable items such as rings and pendants to house her enchantments and she didn't feel comfortable practicing work in metal with such urgency. Thus, the smiths endured her casting spells as they worked on the things she wanted. Danica enchanted rings of Spell Turning for each member of the group. The Dwarves wanted naught to do with magic, but gave in when Danica explained what she planned to proved to protect them, and Feros said he couldn't duplicate all the effects with his clerical spells. She likewise created pendants that dulled the power of illusions, rings of invisibility and silence, and bracelets with the power of greater illusion upon them. Celes and Terran spent most of their time scrying the woods as best they were able. The pair watched for something very specific, the perfect time to make their first strike. The activity in the woods increased as time went on. Celes indicated that another attack — and thus their opportunity — was fast approaching. An exhausted Danica distributed the fruits of her magical labor to the members of the group exactly one month and one day after their initial meeting. The hour was quite late when Danica finished explaining how the items worked to everyone, and each went to their beds soon after. Only Griffith, who was to stand first watch, did not immediately turn to his quarters and his bed. Danica walked through the darkened halls toward her quarters somewhat later than everyone else, having returned to her room in the main building and back to her rooms in Zoraster's complex. She'd decided to pick up some clothing that would grant her a free range of movement, while protecting her from the briars and other hazards of the woods. She was surprised to see Janelle knocking quietly on Cheron's door, dressed in casual clothes — something unusual for the blonde archer. Danica's room was right next to Cheron's, and she paused in the darkness at the end of the hall when she saw Janelle illuminated in the faint moonlight coming from a nearby window. When Janelle entered Cheron's room, Danica continued on to her own. Danica had noticed something odd between the two women, and Cheron's crooked smile when she dodged questions about it confirmed Danica's own observations as more than her imagination. Janelle always seemed just a bit edgy and uncomfortable around Cheron and Danica. She didn't let it show, her control weakening only when one or both of them were alone with Janelle. Danica considered for a moment, and finally decided it would be for the best if she learned what she could. Any sort of tension between members of the group could be dangerous when they went into action together. She cast a spell of clairaudience and clairvoyance, then watched and listened. Janelle sat down her drinking goblet. "The wine is wonderful. I would really like to know why you asked me to come see you tonight though," Janelle said, looking somewhat nervous and uncomfortable. Cheron was dressed — or rather barely dressed — in a light cotton shift that made Danica shudder because of how perfectly it revealed the cleric's body while hiding just enough to tantalize. "To the point, then?" Cheron asked with a slight smile, "You're uncomfortable around Danica and me. I think I know why, and you need to get it out in the open so you can start to interact better with us. It may be critical if we're in battle to know each other so intimately that we know what the other is going to do before they do it. It's coming to all of us as we spend time together, but you're holding back when it comes to Danica and me." "I don't know what you're talking about," Janelle argued, and took another sip of wine. She bobbled her goblet and nearly turned it over as she sat it down. Cheron smiled knowingly. "Things exactly like that. You have steadier hands than any I have ever known, yet here, alone with me, you tremble. You've come directly to the point, and so will I. You have sexual thoughts about women, don't you?" Janelle turned a bright red, and her mouth dropped open. She started to stammer some sort of a reply, to deny it. A look into Cheron's smiling face, just the slightest hints of desire in her eyes, told Janelle it would be a wasted effort. She sighed and asked in a soft voice, "How did you know?" "Those who serve Heraklan can read the signs of desire in a man or woman better than any other." She reached out and touched Janelle's hand as she spoke. The woman flinched slightly, but then relaxed and took a long, deep breath as Cheron continued, looking deep into Janelle's eyes, her desire showing more with every word. Danica quietly gasped. She hadn't even considered that Janelle might have felt that way, though she had surely looked at Janelle's smooth, lithe body and thought such things many times. Danica could feel her sex lubricating as she continued to watch and listen. "Danica and I have spent intimate moments together, giving each other such wonderful release. She loves to make love to a woman — and she's so good at it," Cheron said and licked her lips. "I love to make a woman feel so good, too. Toss away your hesitations, let yourself free, and act on the desires of your heart. Free yourself from the bindings that give you such pain," she finished, her eyes locked on Janelle's. Danica and Janelle both breathed hard, caught up in Cheron's words, her smile, and her sensuality. Cheron slid a hand beneath the table to caress Janelle's leg, and the blonde archer didn't flinch this time. Cheron continued to look into Janelle's eyes for a few more moments after she stopped talking, and then leaned over slowly to kiss Janelle on her slightly parted lips. Janelle gasped and looked back into Cheron's eyes, her hesitation melting away under Cheron's soft touches and her kiss. Cheron stood and pulled off her shift. Danica and Janelle both gasped as Cheron revealed her beautiful body. Danica's fingers caressed her folds through her clothes to assuage the growing needs of her body. Cheron reached out and brought Janelle's hand to her body, guiding Janelle to feel the soft skin of her tummy and hips. She gasped and arched her back when Janelle's hand slid upward to her breast without guidance. They kissed again, and Cheron slowly removed Janelle's clothes. Danica shrugged off her own clothing at the same time, her panties already showing a large wet spot caused by her excitement, and her caressing fingers. Cheron and Janelle continued to kiss and caress until Cheron finished undressing the blonde archer. Danica got her first good look at Janelle's fully nude body when Cheron turned and lay down on the nearby bed. Janelle was as smooth and taut as Danica had imagined — her body all grace and perfect motion. Her breasts were small, but very perky. Her areoles rose in almost a conical shape to her very hard and erect nipples. Janelle stroked her smooth-shaven sex with a shudder as she fell into the bed with Cheron. Janelle slid over Cheron where the cleric lay on the bed, and sucked one of the woman's nipples between her soft lips. All her pent up desires rushed out of her as she sucked hungrily on Cheron's breasts, moaning as she did so and rubbing her aching sex against Cheron's leg. It didn't take long for her desire to take complete control of her, and she slid down between Cheron's legs to lap and suck up the cleric's bittersweet wetness. Cheron let out a purring moan as Janelle lapped her folds with the same hungry intensity the archer had shown while suckling her nipples. Cheron's back arched and she rocked her hips rhythmically up into Janelle's face as the woman continued to suck and lap faster. Janelle's need to feel the beautiful woman come on her tongue showed in her expression. Cheron came with a deeply contented moan, Janelle continuing to lap while moaning in intense arousal as she sucked up the sweet flow of Cheron's juices. Cheron caressed Janelle's face as the woman kept the pressure on. Cheron tumbled into orgasm after orgasm — each on the heels of the last. Janelle sat up when her neck ached to much to continue, her face slick and glistening with Cheron's wetness. Cheron quickly lay the archer down and changed positions with her. Cheron's practiced mouth gave Janelle her first incredible experience with another woman tasting her pussy. Shuddering from a second orgasm caused by her flashing fingers, Danica fumbled for her toy. Danica pushed her toy in deep as Cheron drove Janelle toward climax Janelle's back arched high, her head thrashing back and forth and a long quavering moan of intense satisfaction escaping her as Cheron made her come one last time. Danica collapsed onto the bed, spent by her own orgasm, which occurred simultaneously with Janelle's climax. All three lay trying to catch their breath for a few minutes, Danica fighting to maintain the concentration necessary to keep her spells active. "Mmm," Cheron moaned and then kissed Janelle deeply. "Now, all we need to do is get you into bed with Danica — or both of us — and we'll be getting somewhere." Danica shuddered as she dismissed her magic and put her toy away. She daydreamed about that highly anticipated time as she drifted off to sleep. ------- Celes and Terran warned them to be ready at any moment the next morning. The activity in the woods showed signs of greater organization, and the two wizards were sure that their opportunity would come soon. Everyone was on edge, ready to put their plan into action. One after another, they went to the arrow slits in the walls to watch the woods, waiting to see something — anything — that would let them know the time was upon them. Cheron walked up while Danica took her turn at the arrow slit. "Sleep well last night?" She asked Danica. Danica said, "Yes," with a puzzled tone, and turned to find Cheron regarding her with a knowing and amused smile. "You really didn't think I wouldn't notice a clairvoyance spell did you?" Cheron asked, and then let out a purr while laying her hand on Danica's breast. Danica blushed and responded, "I really just wanted to know why Janelle was acting odd around us, but..." Cheron let out a little purr and cut Danica off. "Don't make excuses. It made it all the more exciting to me to know you were watching and playing with yourself while you watched." Cheron kissed Danica when she finished, her hand caressing Danica's breast. "Mmm Hmm," Danica said when they broke from the kiss, her hand reaching out to touch Cheron's breast as they looked into each other's eyes. "As long as nothing happens today, come to my room tonight after midnight. It's time you were introduced to a new side of Janelle — and she to a side of you she'll enjoy very much," Cheron whispered sultrily. Danica shuddered and moaned as they kissed once more. Cheron then wandered away from the arrow slits down into the living quarters of the fortress. This left Danica to daydream yet again. She ended up having to go back to her room and dull the ache between her legs with her toy before she could think about anything else. She still couldn't push the thoughts out of her mind, however. ------- Part 9C Danica went to Cheron's room that night at the appointed time. Cheron kissed her and whispered, "Playtime," into Danica's ear before leading the redhead to Janelle's room. Cheron knocked softly, and Janelle opened the door to let them inside the room. Cheron didn't waste any time, moving to undress Danica the moment the door closed behind them. Janelle pulled off her own clothes while Cheron undressed Danica. In short order, both women stood naked, their bodies pressed together in a passionate, hungry kiss. Cheron stripped while the two women kissed and touched each other. Once nude as well, she kissed them both in turn, her hands reaching from behind to caress each woman's nether lips during the kiss. She then guided them both to Janelle's bed. Janelle stopped short when Danica slid onto the bed, pushing Danica's knees apart to dip her head between them as soon as the redhead's bottom hit the mattress. She immediately went to work tantalizing Danica's warm, wet lips with her tongue. Cheron slid over the edge of the bed, moving into position to wash her tongue over Danica's clit while Janelle suckled the redhead's lips. A half-growling moan burst from Danica, the sensation of both women tonguing her so well nearly driving Danica mad with pleasure. Cheron slipped a finger into Danica's depths while both women continued to tantalize her with their lips and tongues. The cleric pulled her finger from Danica's depths, the digit now slick with Danica's creamy juices. With a mischievous smile, she pushed the tip into the puckered iris of Danica's ass. Danica arched her back and moaned as Cheron added a finger stroking her ass to the already overwhelming waves of pleasure rocking through her. She felt the itch of imminent climax deep within her, only the intensity of the two blonde's lips and hands keeping her teetering on the edge of orgasm, rather than tumbling over. Danica yelped, the pressure within her growing almost painful. "Oh, please do it. Lick me. Make me come," she gasped, the last word turning into a long moan. Cheron sucked hard on Danica's clit, pulling it upward as she did so. When she parted her lips and let the firm bud snap back, Danica toppled over the edge. She came with a loud, warbling wail of release that trailed off into an equally broken moan. Her juices erupted from her when she came, soaking both women with her girl cum as she thrashed in orgasm. When she managed to regain her breath, Danica immediately joined Cheron in lapping Janelle's saturated sex. She moaned deep in her throat, as she tasted Janelle's nectar for the first time, sliding her tongue in as deep as she could reach, lapping for more. Cheron suckled Janelle's clit just hard as she had Danica's. Danica pressed upward on Janelle's legs, and Cheron helped her bend them back toward the lithe blonde's ears. Janelle groaned and her eyes fluttered closed when Danica's tongue washed over the puckered iris of her ass. Danica slid two fingers inside Janelle's wet heat to move them in circles against the woman's walls. She pushed her tongue harder, the tip barely penetrating, while she stroked her fingers into Janelle's pussy. Cheron moved around on the bed, lowering her sex to Janelle's face, and then locked her lips around Janelle's bud once more. Janelle moaned and gasped into Cheron's folds as she lapped her. Already very close to coming, she gripped the cleric's bottom hard. A few seconds later, her muscles tensed and she came, her cry of pleasure muffled by Cheron's labia tightly held between her lips. Danica moved up to suckle Cheron's nipples while the cleric continued to grind her pussy on Janelle's face. Janelle recovered from the initial shock of her orgasm to licking and sucking Cheron with a hungry passion once again. Danica stroked her nether lips with strong pressure as she sucked Cheron's nipples. Danica came on her fast rubbing fingers at the same time as Cheron came on Janelle's flickering tongue. They leaned against each other over Janelle's body, trembling and gasping, barely noticing when the door opened. When the sound registered, all three women looked toward the door to find Brandon, dressed only in his trousers and carrying his sword. He looked very ready for action, and his jaw nearly hit the floor when he saw the three women entangled on the bed. "Sorry, I thought I heard screams. Damn thick walls muffle everything and I thought some of 'em had got in," he mumbled apologetically, though his eyes didn't leave the three women's nude bodies as he spoke. Cheron fought through her gasps of pleasure to say, "Shut the door, silly, before anyone else comes into the hall." Brandon moved to back out of the room, mumbling, "Sorry." "You're closing the door with yourself on the wrong side of it," Cheron said with a lusty grin as she slid off the bed on wobbling legs. Brandon's eyes — then his smile — widened as Cheron walked over and pulled him inside, shutting the door behind him. She pulled his trousers down and dropped to her knees to suck his hard cock almost as soon as the door shut. Janelle tugged Danica's hand, moving in close to the redhead's ear to whisper, "You aroused me so much. I was always afraid of those feelings and it made me so uncomfortable around you. I can't believe I've let this slip me by for so many years because of some silly taboo." As she finished, she kissed Danica softly, her tongue tickling under Danica's upper lip. Danica gasped as they broke the kiss, and then leaned over the edge of the bed to pat her clothing. She found her newest toy, and strapped it on as Janelle stared in wonder. Cheron slid up off her knees and walked to the bed, bending over it where she had a perfect view as Danica pushed her toy inside Janelle. "Come fuck me hard," she urged Brandon while rubbing her fingers over her sex. The smooth, warm shafts of Danica's toy fucked them both as she thrust the cock hard and deep into Janelle's tightly squeezing canal. All three women moaned, gasped, and screamed their pleasure as they were fucked so hard, so deep, and so well. Cheron was the first to explode in orgasm. Her fingers gripped the bedclothes hard as she cried out in release, Brandon continuing to thrust into her tightly clenched canal as she came. Danica's toy quickly drove her to the edge of orgasm, and she could tell Janelle was nearly there as well. It was Brandon who came next however, pulling his cock free of Cheron and coming with a loud grunt all over the cleric's smooth back as she gasped and begged for it. Danica perched on the razor's edge, pounding the shaft of her toy into Janelle, and thus quickly stroking the other shaft of the toy deep inside her as well. Janelle suddenly arched her back high and cried out as she came. The sight and sound of Janelle writhing in orgasm set Danica off as well. She buried the shafts of her toy inside both of them and screamed, "Gods, yes!" The last word transforming into a squeal of pleasure as her flow of juices shot from the toy deep inside Janelle. The blonde archer let out another squeal as the sensation triggered another spike of ecstasy within her. Cheron put on Danica's toy once they all recovered, fucking Danica and herself to a rocking orgasm while Janelle sucked Brandon's cock back to life. Cheron and Danica came twice on the magical cocks before Janelle let Brandon slip from her lips. She lay back on the bed, pulling him atop her. He slid inside her with a satisfied groan. Danica and Cheron caught their breath and moved to opposite sides of Janelle to flick their tongues over Brandon's pumping shaft and Janelle's throbbing clit while he took her. Janelle came twice on his thrusting cock before she pinched his ass hard in both hands and told him to fill her up. Janelle came again when Brandon's hot cum flooded her depths. He pulled free not long after he came, his oversensitive cock unable to handle the tight squeeze of her walls contracting around him in orgasm. Cheron and Danica both eagerly lapped his hot cream from Janelle as it dripped from her, bringing the archer to another orgasm so intense that she wouldn't let anyone touch her for many minutes afterward. The three women continued to pleasure each other, constantly teasing Brandon's cock in an effort to get him hard again. It took them some time, but they managed to coax steel back into him after a long effort. Danica bent over the bed as Cheron had previously, begging Brandon to take her hard. Janelle devoured Cheron's pussy while Brandon pounded Danica's. They all came too many times to count, Cheron and Janelle eventually lying one atop the other with their heads between the other's legs, keeping each other in a near constant state of ecstasy. Finally, Brandon buried his cock inside Danica with a grunted scream and filled her with what little cum he had left. They all collapsed, glistening with sweat despite the chill in the air, their bodies entwined on the too-small bed until they could manage to move again. It took a very long time for them all to get up and return to their own rooms. ------- The next morning, Celes told them to prepare for battle. A small group of goblins was in perfect position for the first strike of their plan. The creatures were near the Northern edge of the woods, and near the patrol lines of the ogres. Everyone armed and prepared for battle, the eagerness to strike at the creatures in the woods evident on all their faces. The group gathered near the door of the fortress and Danica smiled wickedly as she said, "Let's go destroy the filthy things." They all activated their rings of invisibility and silence, the enchantments upon the rings designed so that they were linked, allowing them to see and hear each other where no one else could. They quickly entered the woods, passing beneath the shadowy boughs on a main trail. Celes and Terran led them toward the area where the goblins lounged in a rude camp. The invisible group easily crept past the sentries to observe the creatures. Danica quickly counted around thirty in the camp. The gathering of monsters consisted of a mixture of warrior goblins, their smaller but no less vicious cousins, and a single goblin shaman. The group crept back past the sentries and into a small overgrown clearing. Danica asked, "Everyone has their illusions ready?" Nods and smiles answered Danica's question, so she said, "Deactivate the rings and weave your illusions around you. Then, we walk toward the camp and get into close range. They should be confused enough that we can get almost upon them before we attack. Let's do it." Everyone released the power of invisibility cloaking them, and then changed their appearance with the illusionary power of Danica's magic items. Danica, Celes, and Terran all took on the form of ogre mages. Bear appeared to be a huge lumbering ogre, his massive hammer looking like a spiked club. Brandon appeared to be a half ogre wielding a rusty broadsword. Venaru's lithe form was cloaked in an illusion of an orc, as was Janelle's. Cheron looked like a violet-skinned half-ogress wielding her own mace. Danica was surprised to find that if she ignored the brutish face, Cheron still looked stunning in her curvy, violet-skinned illusionary body. The two dwarves took on the appearance of very short, stocky orcs — the smiles of anticipation on their faces making them look every bit as vicious as the monsters they were prepared to attack. Moving into the formation they had found best accentuated their individual skills, the group returned to the encampment farther up the trail. Bear and Brandon led, their huge bodies like a wall between the group and anything in their path. Janelle and Venaru vanished into the brush at the side, flanking the group. The three mages stood in the middle, with the two dwarves on either side of them. Cheron's lumbering form brought up the rear. They approached the first two sentries and saw the creatures chattering quietly to each other, confused as to why the creatures they saw were approaching. They didn't have long to consider, or even question the group. An arrow from the left and a crossbow bolt from the right cut the monsters down, the goblins dead before they even hit the ground. The companions quickly passed the dead goblins, the two dwarves smiling at each other and veering in their march to stomp on the bodies as they passed. Near the encampment now, the companions were visible to it. The goblins scrambled about, wary of the approaching group of monsters bearing down on them. In moments, Danica and her allies were well within the small clearing the goblins were camped in, the shaman approaching them with a group of guards at his side. The companions launched their attack before the shaman could reach them. The shaman fell soundlessly, an arrow and bolt embedded in his skull. Cheron, Bear, Brandon, and the two dwarves roared a challenge and leapt forward. The three wizards cast their spells — Terran's magic the first to strike due to his quicker form of spell casting. A massive fireball streaked into the group of guards around the fallen shaman and exploded, sending burning goblins flying every which direction. Celes' Chain Lightning spell felled half a dozen goblins on the left, including two of the larger warrior goblins. Only one of the big goblins tried to get up, and it fell back to the ground quickly, an arrow protruding from its eye. Danica cast a Multiplicity spell she had prepared earlier. She released the spell into a knot of goblins rushing toward the swiftly advancing men and dwarves. Innumerable missiles of magical force, fire, ice, darkness, acid, and electricity streaked from Danica's hands to fell the creatures like a scythe through wheat. Brandon reached the center of the clearing at that point. A pair of vicious goblins advanced, the first holding a spear and the second gripping a rusty sword. The first poked his spear at Brandon with a snarl, and Brandon batted it away to the left with a snapping strike of his sword. Living up to his nickname, Brandon quickly brought his sword around to the right. The second goblin, having just found his overhand strike blocked by Brandon's shield, leapt back with a hiss as Brandon's sword point stabbed into its thigh. Bear charged with a great roar at a huge warrior goblin. He brought down his mighty hammer disguised as a club on the creature's raised shield, jarring the monster backward and off balance. He whipped his hammer back in a low arc and back over his head as he continued to charge. The goblin barely got his shield in line to block the blow in time, saving it from the attack caving in its skull. As it was, the force of the blow drove the goblin down hard on its knees. Brandon spun around and knocked the goblin's spear point up high with his shield. He slashed at the creature, but it jumped backwards quickly enough to avoid having its belly torn open by the flashing steel. It was off balance however, and unprepared for Brandon's advance. The goblin hastily raised its spear to defend itself as Brandon slashed down at it. Brandon's sword cut the spear haft neatly in two. The goblin stupidly stared at the halves of the spear clutched in it's hands for a moment before Brandon's swift sword cut it down, nearly severing the creatures head from it's body. The two dwarves barreled into the fray side-by-side, roaring with battle lust and with huge smiles on their orc disguised faces. A big warrior goblin smiled wickedly and actually beckoned them in, not knowing he was inviting his own hasty doom. The creature brought up its wooden shield as the two dwarves kept thundering across the ground toward it. Griffith fell back slightly as the two dwarves advanced. The big goblin raised its shield and heavy broadsword, preparing to destroy the two measly orcs charging toward him. Feros held his war hammer cocked to strike, and the creature lined up to defend against the overhand blow. The monster was thus totally unprepared when Feros dropped his hammer low at the last moment. Feros lowered his head and the stout helmet atop it to charge headlong toward the hulking warrior goblin. The creature managed to take a weak and hasty swing at the Dwarf, but it merely glanced off Feros' fine armor, not slowing the dwarf in the slightest. Feros hit the creature square in the groin with his hard helmet, the monster doubling over as it screamed in pain. The goblin didn't even see Griffith as he leapt up and buried his wicked axe in the back of the creature's skull. Bear battered the big goblin's shield repeatedly. The creature knelt, trying to keep its shield in line, too stunned by the strength of Bear's blows to think of any better defense, or any angle of attack. A sharp crack sounded when the creature's shield was slightly out of line for one strike, its arm broken by the force of the blow. The next strike drove the goblin's head downward and caved in its skull. Cheron loosed a war cry and let fly her mace at a small goblin turning and obviously prepared to run. The mace crashed into the back of the creatures head with a sickening thud, blasting it face first to the ground — dead before it even started to fall. The mace vanished in a flash of light and reappeared instantly in Cheron's waiting hand. With too few of the creatures left, and all the monsters tightly clustered around the fighters, the mages couldn't risk most spells. Celes managed to get off a volley of magic missiles and stagger a goblin running toward Brandon. Brandon spun after cutting down the sword-wielding goblin he had wounded earlier. His blade flashed toward the goblin Celes had attacked and neatly disarmed the creature — quite literally — cutting off its arm at the elbow. An arrow and a crossbow bolt both felled another creature trying to flee, as did another mighty throw of Cheron's mace. The fighters made quick work of the remaining goblins, the demoralized monsters trying to break away and flee. "Ware!" Feros cried out after bashing a goblin's head one more time with his war hammer to ensure it was quite thoroughly dead. He dropped to one knee and pulled his sturdy Dwarven crossbow into line in one fluid motion. He aimed upward into the trees and fired, and a horrifying shriek sounded from where he had fired. Something came crashing down through the branches to land heavily on the ground. The small demon stood up with a hiss of anger, its wings shredded by the crossbow bolt. An arrow thudded into the creature's forehead, and another into its heart. The demon snarled and snapped off both shafts, advancing toward Bear with its ruined wings twitching in anticipation. Terran's cone of cold hit the hellspawn first, staggering it back and causing it to scream in pain. A creature from a plane of never ending, fiery hell could not long bear the intense cold of the powerful spell. Celes' Icy Orb thudded into the demon next, knocking it to its back when the magic exploded into an intense wave of cold. Danica's Cold Ray spell hit the demon almost as soon as it hit the earth, causing it to scream in pain and rage. Another arrow and another bolt hit the demon as it stubbornly stood, though it was now obviously trying to flee back to its master rather than fight. Danica heard Cheron quietly beseech her god for power, and when she hurled her mace, it glowed with a faint blue aura. The mace thudded into the creature's chest with a flash of light, continuing straight through its body. The creature vanished in a puff of oily smoke, banished to its home plane because its body had sustained too much damage to remain. "More demons!" Venaru shouted as he dropped from a tree into the clearing. Janelle emerged from the other side of the clearing at the same time. "Get yerselves over here," Celes shouted as she joined hands with Terran. She then instructed the others to do the same in quick, clipped words. The companions joined hands in a great circle, and the two wizards transported them back to the Fortress. Two demons swooped into the clearing to find only the decimated goblins. ------- The companions quickly banished their illusions when they reappeared in the keep. Bear and Brandon had to help Celes and Terran to their beds, the effort of teleporting so many with such haste having exhausted them both. Seeing that made Danica determined to learn the spell — and soon — to take some of the burden from the other two magic users. The appearance of the demon had unnerved them all slightly, but they quickly got over it as they laughed and celebrated their victory. Janelle went to tend to Terran, and Danica went to take care of Celes. Both wizards recovered quickly under the power of restorative potions and joined the group's celebration after a short while. Danica noticed that Janelle was spending a lot of time talking with Terran, and Cheron was likewise centering her attentions on Venaru. She had little doubt what that indicated. After a while, Cheron walked up to Danica on her way to refill her wine glass. She paused and said quietly, "I think I'm going to see what mysteries lay beneath Venaru's dark cloak tonight. Looks like Janelle is going to see if Terran can show her some magic tricks as well. Bear fills out his trousers very nicely. Maybe you should get him to join in the celebration with you." She wink and continued on to refill her wine, returning to Venaru immediately afterward. Celes excused herself as the evening wore on, and Danica went to check on her. Celes said she was simply uncomfortable with everyone looking at her. Danica was the only one who saw her as she was. Everyone else saw the powerful wish-created illusion of her young body. Celes said she just wanted to be alone for a while, and that she would see what she could scry in light of their attack. Danica understood Celes' pain, and returned to the celebration after hugging her friend. She knew the best thing for Celes was for the woman to concentrate on something else. Janelle and Terran were gone when Danica returned, and she thought that it looked like Cheron and Venaru would soon follow, if she knew anything about what intensifying lust looked like in two people. The two dwarves had talked excitedly amongst themselves for a while, and they went off to their room still saying something about runes as they went. Danica went over and sat down to talk to Bear, finding him to be a simple and quite charming man as they talked. Brandon, noticing he was turning into the odd man out, looked a bit irritated and crestfallen. Danica walked over to him while going to refill her wine. "We just need to get everyone involved in the fun," she said with a smile and a wink. "You'll get to play again soon enough. If we're all going to be cooped up here for a while together, we may as well enjoy each other's company." Brandon chuckled and said, "I'll never understand women, especially wizard women." Danica handed him a few coins. "There are some women who don't ask for any understanding," she said with a sly grin. "You could always rest your mind of such worries while you rest your head against a warm, soft body." Brandon shook his head and chuckled again. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea at that." He went to the portal shortly afterward and then to the House of Women. Danica and Bear were soon alone, when Cheron and Venaru left. Venaru left first and Cheron soon after. Danica turned up the heat as she talked to Bear, and soon they were walking toward his room. Their clothing fell to the floor almost as soon as they walked into the room. Danica moaned in delight when she saw Bear's cock, which was long, thick, and very hard. Danica knelt down and sucked his big cockhead between her lips. She could barely manage more than half of his huge member in her mouth for more than a few sucks at a time. Bear picked her up with ease after a minute or so and carried her to the bed. He held her up at just the right angle as he slowly slid his thick cock into her, giving Danica a delightful feeling of fullness. Bear stroked her slowly, only using about half of his length when it was apparent Danica couldn't comfortably take more than that at the moment. The slow stroking — filling her so completely — built Danica's fires slowly but surely. She gasped as she watched his large member, slick with her juices, stretching her pussy as he fucked her, steadily picking up the tempo of his thrusts. Danica drifted, lost for long moments in the incredible feeling of his throbbing manhood penetrating her. Then, she felt her passion building faster, her orgasm creeping up on her with almost frightening intensity. "I love that big cock so deep inside me. Make me come," she lustily encouraged Bear. Her words seemed to arouse him even more, so Danica kept up her sensual talk as he fucked her ever faster. He was still not taking her quickly, though she could see that he badly wanted to in his expression. "Oh yes — I'm going to cum. Do it — make me cum," Danica gasped as she teetered on the edge. Another gasp erupted from her as he stroked her a few times, more quickly than before. "Oh gods, yes! I'm coming!" She cried out and arched her back high as her orgasm took hold of her. Bear pushed deeper inside her as she came, until about three quarters of his shaft was buried inside her. The deeper penetration caused Danica's orgasm to spike to a new level of intensity. Her eyes popped wide open as she moaned, growled, and gasped her way through the waves of her ecstasy. When she settled back to earth, Danica spurred him on with her words again, "Oh yes, fuck me. Fill me up. Give it to me. I want you to fill me up." Bear increased the speed and power of his thrusts, releasing his body to its natural inclinations. Danica gasped as he gave her the true strength of his muscled body in his thrusts, giving her more of his thick cock with ever-increasing speed and power. Near to another orgasm, Danica could see through her fluttering eyelids that Bear was nearly to the point of climax as well. Danica reached between her legs to rub her clit in fast circles. "Faster. Harder. Give it all to me. Fill me up," she gasped out as she felt her pleasure reach a crescendo. Bear loudly grunted and buried his member to the hilt inside her with a powerful thrust. Hot jets of his seed spurted hard into Danica's depths. The strength of his orgasm set Danica off as well, and her juices soaked his cock as he continued to release spurts of his hot cream inside her. They collapsed onto the bed, both utterly spent in that one coupling. They woke up just enough after a few minutes for Bear to go back to his own room, and for Danica to change the bedclothes, which were soaked in their mingled cum. Once she finished dressing the bed, Danica drifted back off into a thoroughly contented slumber. ------- The next day, Celes revealed, "It's startin' ta work. T' goblins are startin' ta waggle they tongues at t' ogres when they comes across 'em, an' they'z e'en been a bit o' fistfightin' wit' the orcs. All 'em filthy critters is gettin' a sight nervous an' startin' to put groups on the edge o' they patrols ta keep an eye on t' rest." Danica smiled in satisfaction. "Find us some ogres to take down. A small group — no magi — far enough from others that we can take them down and be gone before any of their kin can come to aid them." Feros said, "I got me an idea that'll give us an edge against them stinkin' demons too. I spoke wit' me god an' he told me how ta put his power on our weapons so we can put them smoky bastards down a bit easier too." "I can put the power of Heraklan into our weapons as well, to turn aside the foul undead should they dare against us." Danica's smile broadened. "That will give us an edge if we're surprised, as we were yesterday. Let's do it. Try to find us some ogres to teach a lesson if you will — Celes, Terran." Celes cackled and clapped her hands. "Glad I will be ta do it. I'm for hatin' them big stinkin' bastards as much as ye're hatin' goblins." "If nobody's claimed 'em, I'll be takin' t' orcs fer hatin' on," Griffith said with a wide smile, drawing a laugh from the group. Celes found a group of ogres that was exactly what they were looking for about midday. The companions soon crept nearby under cloak of invisibility. This trek penetrated deeper into the forest than the previous jaunt, and the companions had to avoid numerous traps as they traveled. Danica's magical charms protected them from springing the magical traps, while the keen eyes and senses of Venaru and Janelle protected them from the mundane ones. They even encountered an illusionary minotaur, but Danica's magic items prevented the magic from fooling anyone. The illusion of the huge, snorting bull man walking right through them still proved disconcerting. When they reached the spot Celes indicated, they found four ogres. Though the group outnumbered the monsters better than two to one, it was still going to be a dangerous fight. Ogres were not something to be taken lightly. The hulking creatures had no scouts, trusting in their brute strength to carry them through if attacked. The group found another secluded area and brought up their illusions — goblins and orcs this time instead of ogres and orcs. Danica smiled when she saw that once again the form Cheron assumed was a stunning example of a warrior goblin female. The illusion more or less looked like her, packing on a few extra pounds of muscle and some height, with a goblin's faintly greenish tinged skin and vicious face. Danica thought about doing something similar with her illusion, but goblin shamans were never female, so she assumed a male form with a sigh. Venaru and Janelle fanned out to the side of the trail as the rest walked toward the ogre encampment. The ogres were apparently in no mood for company, likely having heard the sneers and taunts of the goblins who believed that ogres had slaughtered some of them. The creatures assumed battle postures as soon as they saw the companions approaching. Two of the monsters stared at Cheron and smiling wickedly, making rude gestures. Cheron surprised everyone by stepping quickly ahead of the group with a wide smile. She pulled open her tunic and bared her breasts. Cheron's already large and gorgeous breasts were even bigger in the illusion she wore of a much larger warrior goblin. No human could have grasped the huge globes with two hands and touched their fingers together. The ogres smiled wickedly and beckoned Cheron toward them. "Tired of your puny kin and looking for a real fucking are you?" One of the ogres asked in the goblin tongue. It pulled down its trousers and waggled its immense cock at her. Danica couldn't help but notice that the thing was as long as her forearm and as bit around as her wrist — and it wasn't even hard. "Come and get it," the ogre grunted. Cheron put on a lusty look and walked toward the creatures. Her smile grew wider and wider as she took a few more steps, Danica and the others slowly moving forward as well. Cheron suddenly snapped her mace into a powerful overhand throw with a loud battle cry on her lips, and the enchanted mace blasted directly into the ogre's exposed crotch. The monster dropped to its knees with a loud moan of pain and anger, and then fell over on its side clutching its crotch. The three wizards launched into their spell casting then as an arrow and bolt thudded into two ogre's chests from the trees. The creatures snarled in rage, but otherwise didn't pay any attention to the still quivering shafts. The three standing ogres readied their weapons and prepared for battle. The two dwarves charged forward first, their stout, stubby legs quickly eating up the distance. Cheron's mace flew to the left of them, though the ogre she targeted managed to get his shield between his crotch and the mace. The shield split and the lower half clattered to the ground when the mace hit, however. The three wizards completed their spells about the time that the ogre's shield shattered. If they were to maintain the illusion of being monsters, they could not use the more powerful magic at their disposal. Few — if any — goblin shaman commanded truly powerful magic. The three instead cast web spells at the three standing ogres. The hulking monsters roared in rage as the webs entangled them. Danica and Terran dropped to their knees, forced to use every ounce of their strength and will to keep the spell from shattering and releasing the ogres. Celes stayed on her feet, but her face showed great strain as well. Another arrow and another bolt thudded into the ogres, having as little effect hitting the monsters in the heads as the previous missiles in their chests. The arrows glanced off the ogres incredibly thick skulls and did not penetrate far. The two dwarves reached the ogre that Cheron's throw had dropped in the beginning of the fight. It was struggling to rise, and its eyes widened in surprise when it saw the two dwarves in the shape of orcs barreling down on it. It managed to get its shield in line as they approached, but it did him little good. The impact of Feros' war hammer split the raised shield in two, and then continued through to bounce off the ogre's thick skull, drawing a cry of rage from it. The ogre barely managed to get its huge club up to defend against the vicious slash of Griffith's axe, the strike nearly simultaneous with the blow from Feros' war hammer. Cheron's mace connected with the face of one of the entangled creatures, crossing its eyes and drawing another scream of rage. Brandon moved to help the two dwarves, as the ogre was stubbornly rising and managing to fend off their blows with its club and broken shield. Bear roared and charged toward one of the entangled ogres. One of the ogres, then another, flexed its enormous muscles with cries of rage and shattered Danica and Terran's spells. Celes' held, but she dropped to her knees now as well. The two wizards shrugged off the pain of having their spells broken to cast again. Brandon turned to defend against one of the two ogres that had struggled free. He deftly sidestepped an overhand swing from the ogre, managing to cut the creature's forearm as it pulled its club back. Bear slammed into the other freed ogre at the same time, war hammer leading. His massive hammer caught the creature unprepared and staggered it back when the blow landed on its huge chest. Another crossbow bolt thudded into the one still entrapped ogre, doing some real damage when it embedded in the creature's eye. A long shaft from Janelle's bow caught the creature in the thigh, narrowly missing its groin. Celes was able to rise back to her feet when the ogre's strength drained from the hits. Bear and the ogre he battled were on a near even footing. Bear's war hammer and the ogre's metal reinforced club collided repeatedly as they both sought an opening. Brandon dodged another blow from his ogre, and then dropped low to slash the creature's side. He rolled away quickly, narrowly missing a smash from the huge club as he did so. The ogre was off balance from the strike, however, and Brandon managed to score a painful slash across its buttocks when he popped back to his feet from the roll. The two dwarves bashed and slashed their ogre, but the creature was taking the hits or blocking them, and had now risen to its knees. It managed to hop back to its feet with a howl of rage. The ogre didn't realize it was fighting Dwarves or it would likely have stayed in a kneeling position. Both of the stout little bearded men grinned wide when the ogre stood. Venaru leapt into the clearing, throwing five sharpened diamonds of metal as he appeared. The ogre facing Brandon felt the pricks as the weapons lodged in the back of its neck. The sting distracted the creature enough for Brandon to score a hard stab into the creature's shoulder. Venaru drew a slender curved sword from a sheath on his back and rushed to aid Brandon. Terran's spell released as Venaru appeared, a massive volley of magical arrows popping as they sank into the entrapped ogre's chest, further stealing its strength. Cheron's mace collided with the monster's knee moments later, dropping it to the ground. Danica finished her spell of blinding at the same time, and the ogre Brandon fought cried out in enraged fear when the spell stole its sight. The two Dwarves continued to grin wickedly as they danced about avoiding the swings of the ogre's massive club. The monster had a great deal of difficulty hitting the short, stout warriors now that it was on its feet. It overbalanced with one swing, and the dwarves both let out great howls of delight as they dived in toward the ogre. Janelle rushed into the clearing, leading with a thrown dagger that lodged in the entrapped ogre's throat. The monster's breath gurgled from the blood seeping into its windpipe. Bear managed to get past the ogre's guard and score a hit on its weapon arm, which numbed the arm and caused the creature to drop its club. Bear whipped his weapon back around in an arc and brought it down hard, catching the creature in the opposite shoulder when it tried to dodge the blow. The ogre Danica had blinded flailed around it with its club, roaring. Brandon looked for openings as Venaru approached, the Eastern warrior again leading with more of the metal diamonds. These connected with the creature's face, one of them ruining its left eye. When Venaru bounded into range, he suddenly dropped down to one knee and scored a stab into the creatures left knee. It howled in pain but continued to flail with its club, knocking away both Venaru and Brandon's weapons as they tried to strike again. The two dwarves dived at the ogre's legs, weapons leading. Feros' war hammer struck the creature in its knee with a resounding crack. Griffith's wicked axe sliced across the back of the creature's other leg at nearly the same time. The monster fell with a howl of pain, its knee shattered by the war hammer and hamstrung by the axe. The ogre fighting Bear suddenly roared and surprised Bear by leaping forward to wrap its arms around the big man. They both tumbled to the ground, the ogre regaining its footing first. It kicked Bear hard in the nose, and then quickly ran toward the edge of the clearing. Janelle drew her sword immediately after she threw the dagger. She slashed the now kneeling ogre across the throat as she passed, spinning to avoid its grasping hands. Blood spurted everywhere from the wound, and the monster died a moment later when Cheron's mace thudded directly into the wound and crushed the ogre's windpipe as well. The creature's head lolled eerily backwards as it fell to the ground. Another mighty swing of Feros' war hammer numbed the ogre's arms when it struck square in the creatures back. Griffith ended the fight by severing the creatures head with a mighty overhand strike right on the heels of his fellow dwarf's strike. Venaru and Brandon quickly stabbed the ogre they fought repeatedly, and its struggles soon ceased. Danica and Terran's blasts of magic either missed the fleeing ogre as it gained the edge of the trees and crashed into the undergrowth, or only grazed it. Bear groggily sought his feet, nursing a bleeding nose. Janelle ran toward where the ogre had vanished into the trees, but Danica's cry of, "Let it go!" stopped her short. Celes released her spell when the ogre fell dead, "Let's us be gettin' outta here. That'n'll warn its kin an' we'll have a dozen of t' big brutes up on us afore long." "Are you okay to run?" Danica asked Bear. He nodded, appearing steadier on his feet. Everyone quickly activated their invisibility and releasing their illusions as they ran. When they were a short distance down the trail, the companions slowed to a safer pace to avoid the traps as they made their way out of the woods and back to the fortress. ------- Celes and Terran immediately returned to their scrying upon reaching the fortress. Cheron cast a spell of healing over Bear, who looked quite irritated to have allowed the creature to knock him down, allowing it to escape. Danica placated him somewhat by saying that it would tell its kin that orcs and goblins had attacked it, furthering the plan. Cheron and Feros beseeched their gods, weaving their clerical enchantments upon the weapons of the group. If they encountered demons or undead upon completing the blessings, strikes from the weapons would do much more damage. Danica spoke with Venaru and found that he had an unusually bright glimmer in his eyes. "The ogres were certainly most distracted by Cheron's initial charge," he said with a slight turning of the corner of his mouth. "Though, I can scarcely blame them. I found the display quite distractive as well." Danica raised her eyebrows and broke into a crooked smile. She stifled a laugh when she saw the stoic man blush slightly, then chuckle as he realized what he had said. Danica sized up Venaru and thought that perhaps tonight she might see what sort of pleasures the agile man could offer a willing woman. Several hours passed, the clerics finishing their enchantments while everyone else tended to their equipment. Terran and Celes walked into the room with quick steps. "We found us an orc camp — 'bout sixty of the pigfaced critters. We'll have ta be quick. They looks like they're gettin' ready ta head somewhere," Celes revealed. The group gathered around the two wizards. "Can you teleport us all nearby?" Danica asked. "Yes," Terran replied, "Our growing knowledge of the layout of the woods is enabling us to avoid the misdirection to our scrying by the magic about the wood. I had thought this very thing, and I have found a place nearby where we might safely teleport. I fear Celes and I shall be of no use for some time after the expenditure of magic, however." "Sixty orcs, eight of us, nuffin' more'n a bit of light entertainment," Griffith snorted with a wide, toothy smile. "Let us go before the opportunity escapes us," Bear said with a growl and slapped his war hammer down on his palm. Celes and Terran teleported the companions to a small hillock a short while thereafter. Danica could see little in any direction through the trees when they arrived. The two spent wizards made themselves invisible and quaffed rejuvenate potions as the others set out with their illusions in place. The companions moved quickly toward the camp, Venaru and Janelle taking out the sentries with bowshots before the monsters could raise any alarm. When the group approached the main encampment, Bear suddenly roared a great challenge and ran toward the surprised orcs. The two dwarves whooped in delight and charged in after him. Cheron laughed and took off, hot on heels of the two dwarves. Bear was as a demon unleashed. He bowled into a knot of orcs and swatted two to the ground with the first mighty swing of his hammer. The backswing smashed another's head into a bloody mess and disarmed another by hitting it in the shoulder with such force that it spun and fell to the ground. The two dwarves fanned out to either side, hurling taunts in the goblin tongue at the orcs. The dwarves slashed and smashed with their weapons in perfect precision, destroying every creature that dared to stand against them. Cheron's mace hissed through the air a pair of times, blasting orcs to the ground. One monster trying to flee did a complete somersault when the mace caved in the back of its head. She then waded in and swung her weapon at every orc foolish enough to come into range. Danica, Venaru, and Janelle had to content themselves with picking off the orcs trying to flee the carnage in the center of the camp. The four fighters were moving too quickly and unpredictably for Danica to risk magic, or the two archers to take shots into the main chaos of the fight. Danica saw an orc taking aim with a crude bow up into the trees, pointing the weapon in the direction from which Venaru's shots emerged. She blasted the creature with a bolt of lightning, hoping the monster had missed, because the creature managed to fire before her magic reached it. Brandon found a very specific target. One orc amongst the group screamed orders in a loud snorting voice to the orcs. The orc's commanding shouts were more or less ignored by the monsters, who were almost universally trying to find some way to flee by this point. The monster was finely armed, unlike the others, and surrounded by three large orc bodyguards. The monstrous command group stayed well away from where the four fighters chopped their brethren down, remaining under cover against the arrows and spells of the companions. Brandon charged, letting out a battle cry as he neared the four orcs. Two of the bodyguards looked at each other and fled into the woods. One of them took an arrow in the back of its head for its efforts. The other bodyguard went into a crouch and sprang at Brandon as he approached at a run. The creature scored a slight cut on Brandon's side, but its leap cost it dearly. Brandon spun in a circle and beheaded the creature with a single swift stroke. He quickly turned on the leader drawing its weapon and snorting in anger. "Okay piglet, time to play," Brandon taunted and grinned, the image of a goblin he wore doing the same. The creature let out a shrill scream and drew its fine sword. Brandon had to go on the defensive as the creature desperately attacked him, trying to get him out of the way so it could flee with the few sensible orcs that were still breathing. The monster showed skill with its weapon, but proved no match for Brandon's speed and skill, honed in a hundred battles, bar room brawls, and thousands of hours of training at the Forge. The orc leader fell for a feint, stabbing with a scream of glee at Brandon's heart. Brandon batted the sword high with a quick reverse of his own weapon, and then sliced open the orc's belly. Brandon reached down and picked up the fine sword from where the orc had dropped it to try to keep its insides inside where they belonged. Brandon looked at the weapon for a moment and then smiled evilly at the orc. "Don't think you'll be needing this anymore." He then stabbed the creature directly in its heart with his own sword. Bear smashed the last orc still twitching on the ground near him. Cheron scanned the edge of the clearing looking for a target. The two dwarves clapped each other on the back and stomped back toward Danica at the edge of the blood soaked clearing. When the fighters reached Danica, Venaru and Janelle both emerged as well. Around thirty orcs lay dead in the clearing, a dozen or so more lie twisted near the wood line where arrows and magic had felled them. "Something is coming from the East. One of those that got away must have found reinforcements. They're coming fast. We better get out of here," Janelle warned. "Bah! Let 'em come. We'll chop 'em all up too," Griffith scoffed, brandishing his axe. An orc skidded into the clearing then with wide eyes, and took one of Venaru's bolts directly between the staring orbs. More orcs boiled out of the woods opposite Danica and the others. A fireball and several fired arrows sent them scurrying back into the trees, but it was obvious that they were grouping for an organized attack. The sounds indicated that many of the creatures lurked just beyond the range of vision. "No, we go — now," Danica said, and led the group in a run to the west, retracing their steps to approach the clearing. They crept quietly back up the hillock under cloak of invisibility, watching more than a hundred orcs scouring the woods in large organized groups, looking for them. Terran and Celes had not yet completely recovered, though they said they could keep pace with everyone. The companions set out toward the edge of the woods carefully, hearing the sounds of stirring monsters everywhere as nightfall approached. The companions encountered monsters everywhere as they crept back toward the fortress. Skirmishes broke out amongst the monsters now, and the wood echoed with the sounds of battle. The companions were deep in the woods, and it took them nearly two hours to make their way out. Everyone breathed a great sigh of relief when they broke from the woods and hurried to the fortress. ------- Part 10A Danica and Brandon took Celes and Terran to their rooms upon returning to the safety of the familiar stone walls of the fortress. Both wizards were exhausted beyond thought by the strain of the mass teleport and the subsequent run. Everyone was in high spirits. Cheron and Brandon admired his new sword taken from the orc leader. Brandon remarked that the weapon looked like dwarven work — certainly nothing any orc could make. The two dwarves approached to point out telltale scrollwork on the silvery blade of the weapon. "Aye, that's the work of me people," Griffith agreed, "An' what's more, it's the work of the Ironanvil clan. It's a Masterblade — likely the finest crafting to ever come from a master sword smith's forge." "The power of the Dwarven gods is about the blade," Feros revealed. "It would never serve an orc, but it'll likely serve ye well. If'n the blade ever leaves yer grasp, ye can call it back to yer hand with a thought. It'll never lose its edge, an' it'll serve us all well in the wood. The blade is blessed against the likes of ogres, orcs, goblins, and giants — the ancient enemies o' me people. Not for takin' away from yer prowess, but likely t' blade was crossin' the critter up an' makin' yer killin' it easier. Wield it proudly and well." The dwarves, cleric, and Brandon continued to look over the blade, and Bear walked over to join them. Danica sat and talked to Venaru. Danica thought that the stoic warrior appeared to have something on his mind, but he offered no overt signs. Janelle suddenly broke the celebration with a scowl and angry words. "What were you all thinking — charging into the fray like that? You acted like a bunch of rank amateurs. We are a group. We fight as a group. If you were students, you would have kept running laps around the damn complex all night once we made it back here. You four endangered us all with that charge." The four fighters cringed under Janelle's chastisement. Bear argued, "The day was won. They were only orcs," he argued weakly, his voice trailing off as Janelle's withering stare bored into him. "Only orcs — in a forest full of other monsters!" Janelle's voice steadily rose in volume until she shouted the last word. "What if a giant had suddenly come crashing through the trees while you were in the middle of that morass of orcs?" All of the fighters winced and stammered apologies, realizing their actions were indeed rash and dangerous. "And you," Janelle growled, pointing at Bear. "Come here. I have more words for you." Bear stood up and walked with slumped shoulders, following Janelle's lead. She berated him personally for his obvious attempt to make up for the ogre escaping earlier that day, and charging into the thick of battle like a madman. The group around the sword finally broke up. The dwarves went to their chambers after a quick stop to apologize to Danica and Venaru for not thinking of the possible consequences of their actions during the battle. By this time, Janelle was screaming at the cowering Bear. She actually started throwing punches at the big man's broad chest as she berated him. After one such punch, she collapsed into his arms in tears. He wrapped his arms around her and looked very confused. "Sorry, I should have kept a level head," Cheron said to Danica and Venaru, also turning to offer the apology to Brandon as well. "I know our victory was not the result of luck, but the fact that no other creatures overwhelmed us before we finished the orcs off was." "Well, remember it next time. Last thing I want is to lose one of you lovely ladies to an orc spear," Brandon said with a smile. The four laughed a bit, and then glanced over at Bear and Janelle again. Bear did his best to comfort the softly crying Janelle. Cheron leaned in close to Danica and whispered, "Well, I think I just lost my chance to see what a fine sword Bear holds sheathed in his trousers. There's something more there." Cheron paused for a moment and added, "Though, she might be persuaded to share him if I joined them in their bed." Cheron stood back up and grabbed Brandon by the arm. "Let's go polish your sword," she said with a crooked smile, indicating that the shining weapon he held in his hand was not the sword she wanted to polish. He offered a broad grin and followed her out of the common room. "I wish to thank you for the magic that spoiled the orc's aim. I was too late in noticing the creature, and surely would have been hit — were it not for your magic," Venaru said in a sudden rush of words. "No need for thanks. We're a group and we protect each other, as Janelle said." Danica looked at the handsome man and offered a mischievous smile. "Though, if you would like to thank me, I'm sure we can find a way for you to do it properly," Danica suggested while laying a hand on his leg beneath the table. Bear and Janelle stood up with a nod to Danica and left the common room. Danica looked back into Venaru's eyes afterward and saw the desire growing there. She stood and he followed her example, following the redhead to her room. Shortly thereafter, the nude couple kissed passionately as they fell into Danica's bed. Danica wrapped her lips around his cock, pulling back the foreskin to suck on the purplish head beneath. His cock was straight and smooth, with no curving at all — and a nice length. She sucked him hungrily for a while, taking him deep into her throat and moaning around him. He pulled her away from his throbbing cock, as he was close to climax and not yet ready to come. With firm touches, he bent Danica to her hands and knees on the bed. He knelt down behind her to flick his tongue over her wet heat. Danica moaned in pleasure as his tongue danced over her with delightful pressure. He stabbed his stiff tongue deep inside her and Danica gasped thinking, Gods, it's so long, as he swirled his tongue in her depths. He pulled back to lap her folds and clit with the stiff tip of his tongue, bringing shivers to Danica with every touch. He moved upward and flicked his tongue over the iris of her ass, then pushed his stiff tongue inside her sex once more. Danica loudly moaned and rubbed her clit as he tongue fucked her so well. She came a few moments later with a long groan of bliss. Venaru picked her up by the waist, lifting her easily with his strong, wiry arms. He pulled her wet folds to his mouth and draped her legs over his shoulders, devouring her hungrily. Danica washed her tongue over his cock and stroked it with her hand as he held her up to lap her quivering folds. She gasped, her legs clamping tightly around his head, and tried to maintain enough concentration to keep her hand and tongue working on his cock. Danica came again, pushing this time to erupt in a flood. Her juices ran down their bodies in little streams, and she tasted her dripping juices whenever they came within range of her lips. Venaru lifted her legs from his shoulders and leaned over to lay her down on her back. Danica grasped his legs and pulled her body beneath him. He groaned as she tickled his ass with her tongue while stroking his hard cock in her hand. She rimmed his ass, tonguing the sensitive cord between it and his balls, feeling him getting harder in her stroking hand. Venaru lifted one knee and moved around her to the head of the bed. He rolled Danica over on her side, lifted one of her legs high, and then pushed his stiff organ inside her to the hilt. Danica moaned and gasped as he took her with hard, fast strokes, holding tightly to her upraised leg and pressing down hard on the other. Danica's head swam from the intensity of his cock stroking her so fast. She didn't think any man had ever fucked her so quickly before. Danica's back arched as she came hard on his stroking cock, screaming her pleasure with her eyes tightly closed. He lowered her leg back to the bed, and then pulled her up by her hips to her hands and knees again. Danica still shuddered in orgasm when he slid back inside her again. Venaru exhibited even more power and speed now, mounted behind her. He groaned as Danica's walls clenched tight about him each time a wave of orgasm shot through her. Danica's head was a complete muddle as he pounded her depths relentlessly. She dimly realized his finger had slipped into her ass as he pounded her, adding to the overwhelming sensations coursing through her. Danica's orgasm came upon her without warning, and a loud, shrill scream burst from her as her body exploded, sending a flood of her cum washing over his still pounding cock. He came with a loud exclamation, still stroking her fast as he shot hot spurts of semen into her depths with every thrust. He collapsed on top of her after a few more strokes, loudly gasping as they both collapsed on the bed, shaking and shuddering from their orgasms. Their bodies glistened with sweat, and neither could catch their breath. Quite some time passed before they broke from their coupling. Finally, Venaru returned to his own room, leaving Danica to bask in the afterglow. ------- The next day, Celes and Terran walked in with wide smiles to address everyone. Terran revealed the reason for their amusement. "The creatures are warring amongst themselves. Fights break out everywhere in the wood. The orcs in particular are being decimated. It would seem Brandon's sword felled their leader, the chief of clan chiefs. They are being led by lesser chiefs, and they have virtually no organization amongst the clans. The goblins and ogres are tearing them apart. The few giants are joining in the fun, smashing creatures on all sides." Celes cackled, "Them critters are doin' our work for us, tearin' each other apart. If'n this don't draw them wizards out soon, they ain't gonna 'ave no army left ta send against this place." "There is, however, some less fortunate news. It would seem our estimates of the creature's numbers were either wrong, or there are more creeping into the woods. The orcs, despite their decimation, still number in the hundreds. There are at least twice the number of goblins we had thought, and the ogres number at least one hundred fifty. There are no less than six hill giants as well," Terran said. "Do you really believe your guesses were so far off, or that there are more coming?" Danica asked. Terran answered, "If they continue to recruit more monsters, our efforts may be for nothing." A wicked smile spread across Danica's face. "Well, none of the creatures trust the other. Perhaps we should give them reason not to trust their own kind as well." "You have an idea?" Cheron asked, matching Danica's evil grin. "Yes, and you inspired it. Terran, do you have items with fire shielding?" Danica asked. "Yes, it is a common thing to issue to war wizards in the event they encounter another on the opposing side." "We'll need them," Danica requested. "Celes, find us a goblin encampment. One that is fortified well enough that it won't likely have hostile neighbors attacking it at will. One with a shaman, and several warrior goblins would be perfect." "Lookin' for a right powerful bunch ain't ye, Dearie? Lots o' warriors an' a shaman is no small bunch. Ye're talkin' near unta a hunnerd or more." "What I'm planning should thin their numbers considerably before any real battle starts. Let me explain," Danica requested and motioned for everyone to gather around. Smiles spread across all their faces as Danica explained the details of her inspiration. ------- Celes found an appropriate encampment some time later. The companions hurried under cloak of invisibility to the area soon afterward. They approached and evaluated the camp. The creatures had set up a crude shelter for the shaman, the building well guarded by warrior goblins. Danica estimated that there were over a hundred of the creatures in the area, between the group in the main camp and the numerous sentries. The companions backtracked up the trail a short distance, Venaru and Janelle fanning out to check the surrounding area when Danica chose a place to stop. The pair returned to say that there were few other creatures nearby, and that the closest was only a small, frightened group of orcs with a pair of ogres hunting them. Danica decided it was exactly what they were looking for. The men wove their illusions about them — Bear and Brandon taking on the appearance of warrior goblins, while the dwarves and Venaru appeared as their smaller but no less vicious cousins. All the illusions bore wounds, wearing torn and bloodied clothing. Cheron was the next to assume her illusion, a half-goblin warrioress. Again, her illusion had the facial features and skin tone of the monster, but with her stunning body. Danica and Janelle did the same, imposing a goblin's features, size, and color onto their own bodies. Celes and Terran would remain hidden, though they both assumed the appearance of goblin shaman. Celes and Terran went ahead under cloak of invisibility. The rest gave them time to reach the encampment and settle in. Once Danica decided enough time had passed, the companions broke onto the trail at a dead run. They looked over their shoulders often, acting as if something pursued them. One of the sentries spun from behind a tree as they approached, leveling a spear at them. The group skidded to a halt, looking nervously behind them. "Where you goin'? This our camp," the goblin sneered in its native tongue. "Ogres and giants, smash up clan good. We run fast, but chased. Not seen 'em for a while. Us find kin — too few left," Brandon answered in perfect goblin. "They not follow?" The goblin asked nervously, looking past the newcomers at the trail straining its hearing. "Dunno. Not see for while. We no stop to look. No stop now. Go camp, join kin," Brandon grunted in the crude goblin tongue. The creature signaled to one of its fellows hiding up in a tree above. "Me take 'em to Big Spells. Youz watch an' come runnin' if bigguns come," the first goblin snarled to the other, and then looked back at the companions. "Follow. Big Spells decide if you stay or go back get smashed by bigguns." The creature leered at Cheron as it spoke. The tunic of her illusion appeared badly torn, revealing her breasts through the tear — her left areole even peeking into the light. The goblin loped down the trail at a jog. Several other sentries appeared, but recognized the markings of their clan on the leader and melted back into the trees without delaying the group. Curious glances met the companions when they reached the edge of the encampment. The monsters mostly stared at the women, who were all dressed in tatters. Danica saw no female goblins anywhere as they walked through the camp. The goblin guiding them approached the crude shelter and said, "Big Spells there. Powerful shaman. He decide. You go talk or not, me not care." It then wandered over to one of the warrior goblins guarding the shelter. It spoke as if to one of authority, relaying Brandon's lie. When waved over, the companions moved toward the structure. A lot of tongue waggling met their ears as they walked. The door to the shelter opened as they neared the building. Danica cursed silently when the figures approached. Four goblin alchemists flanked the shaman, dangerous foes that wielded strange alchemical weapons of destruction. The goblins wore their pouches, likely filled with the tools of their trade. Danica could tell from the posture of the rest of the group that they understood the danger as well. The goblin shaman reached them quickly. "What want? You not my kin. Where come from?" it snarled at them. "Bigguns smash clan. We run, find kin. We join you. Strong warriors, kill many before flee." The shaman snorted, and then looked past Brandon at the women behind him. A wide smile filled with pointed yellow teeth crept across its face. "You join clan. Women mine now. Go," the shaman ordered. Brandon howled in a perfect imitation of goblin anger and loss, "No take!" The shaman shrugged. "You stay, give women. Go, we keep women. Women mine. You go or stay." Brandon howled again, looking at the women, and then back at the shaman and his guards. With slumped shoulders, he wandered slowly toward a group of goblins around a fire. The other men followed with the same slump shouldered look of defeat. The men spread out some distance away from the shaman's shelter. "Get in line," the shaman ordered the women. Danica and the others grumbled as they lined up shoulder to shoulder. Goblin females were fierce, independent creatures, and they fought savagely alongside the males. They always deferred immediately — if with some grumbling — to any command from a shaman. The shaman walked up to Cheron, forced to look up at her because he was shorter than her half goblin form. He reached up a clawed hand and tore her tunic more, fully revealing her breasts. He smiled a wide, toothy grin at her revealed flesh. He motioned to the alchemists and they came forward, knives pulled from sheaths at their belts. The shaman and the alchemist cut the clothing from the three women's bodies, drooling as their slices revealed female flesh. Goblins moved closer from all over the camp, eager to get a good look and be nearby in case the shaman wanted to reward any of them with the women. Brandon and the others stayed where they were, now conveniently behind the largest part of the creatures. "Good women, strong mates. Good to ride," the shaman said with a toothy grin. Danica watched the host of goblins carefully. She had perfectly guessed how the shaman would react to the uncommonly sexy bodies of her and her friends. Most goblin women were more muscular and brutish, and Danica had assumed that the rest of the goblins would move in close for a good look at naked female flesh. She waited nervously, trying to let as many goblins come as close as possible. When one of the alchemists reached out and roughly grabbed Janelle's breast, grabbing her arm with the other hand, Danica released the spell stored in a ring on her finger. Hell erupted about them as the Inferno spell sprang to immediate frightful life. Burning goblins screamed in agony all around. The fire shields protected the women, as well as the men now scrambling to attack, but a series of detonations sounded from nearby in the roaring columns of flames. The concussive blast of the alchemists' creations exploding in their pouches knocked all three women onto their backs. Brandon reflexively raised his arms against the wave of heat he knew would come, but his magical fire shielding kept him from even feeling it. Danica had warned everyone about the spell, but the incredible power the woman commanded astounded Brandon far beyond his expectations. Goblins engulfed in flame and singed by the wave of heat screamed in pain all around him. He drew his fine new sword and started to cut down stunned goblins nearby. The moment of surprise passed quickly, and he soon fought ready, armed goblins instead of stunned, gaping ones. The detonations moments later surprised him and the goblins, distracting them all for a moment. He felt the shock waves roll over him hard, and saw mushroom plumes of black smoke rising from where the women stood hidden by the flames. "Bloody hell," Brandon roared as he parried a sword thrust from a goblin that had turned back to him, the immediate threat. Bear was no less stunned than Brandon. He too had leapt upon the goblins as soon as the fire roared to life. The detonations gave him pause as well. He saw that the dwarves and Venaru were also staring at the plumes of smoke until forced to defend themselves again. Venaru recovered from the shock of the detonations quickly. He brought his sword back up to its deadly work, cutting down a still gaping goblin, and slicing another as he followed through with the strike. He batted aside a thrown spear, and then leapt forward with incredible strength and grace, jumping up high when he landed to avoid a kick from the goblin as it drew its own rusty sword. It never finished the motion, but fell gurgling to the ground as Venaru's blade sliced through its throat. Janelle quickly buckled on her sword belt, slung her quiver over her shoulder, and brought her bow up. Goblins fled and panicked all around. Janelle moved out of the flames where she could see clearly to take the monsters down. Her bow sang and a goblin fell heavily to the earth. A second shot took down another. She cursed as the bowstring cut across her bare breast on the second shot. Cheron let out a mighty war cry and let fly her mace the moment she stepped from the still thick smoke of the flame burst. The mace blasted into the head of a goblin running toward her, the monster's momentum carrying it forward as the dead goblin fell over on its face and slid. Her mace back in her hands a moment later, Cheron charged toward a pair of goblins. The sight of a stunningly sexy, nude, widely smiling female charging toward them caused the two goblins to pause and look at each other in confusion. It cost them, because the first went down in a heap as Cheron's thrown mace smashed into its face. The other creature snarled and charged the unarmed woman, only to yelp out in surprise and raise a hasty defense as her mace reappeared in her hand. Danica rose to her feet quickly. She was unharmed except for the slight pains she had suffered in her fall after the explosion. Cheron and Janelle grabbed their weapons beside her, quickly scrambling toward the battle. They appeared unharmed as well. Danica moved backwards, grabbing her pouches from within the protective hovering sphere that concealed them. As the flames of her spell died down, Danica could see twisted, blackened goblins everywhere. Others ran screaming, their hair and clothing aflame. The blasted remnants of the alchemists were scattered everywhere, bits of them splattered on her nude body. Her eyes opened wide when she saw the shaman screaming in rage, protected by a fire shield of its own. Goblin shamans were uncommon, but what Danica saw before her now was something so rare as to be nearly legend. The goblin mage caught sight of her and pointed a finger, casting a spell in its harsh snarling voice. Griffith and Feros were in the thick of those goblins outside the circle of hellish flames. They both only paused for a heartbeat when the detonations sounded, too surrounded to have time to stand around and gape. They fought towards each other, covering the ground quickly and leaving the fallen bodies of goblins all along the trail. Many goblins took to their feet, running from the hellish destruction at the edge of the camp and the furious onslaught of ferocious dwarves. The initial roar of flames had decimated most of the larger warrior goblins, and only a handful remained. The dwarves smiled at each other as they closed the distance between them, knowing the lesser goblins would prove nothing more than good sport to them. Twin flashes of light and a resounding boom of thunder echoed as they reached each other, turning back to back to continue to cut down those goblins that weren't running away as fast as their feet could carry them. Danica instinctively winced as the twin lightning bolts struck the goblin mage's shield spell. It staggered backwards a step and snarled in rage, whatever spell it had been casting ruined by the distraction. Celes and Terran had obviously recognized the danger of their opponent and abandoned the premise of being mere shaman in light of it. Danica fell into her own magic, and as soon as the Crushing Fist materialized, she sent it hurtling at the mage. The creature's shield held, but the tremendous force of the Fist's impact sent the goblin rolling backwards into the burning shelter, collapsing it atop him. A group of nine retreating goblins ran toward where Celes and Terran lie in hiding. When the two wizards recognized the danger of the goblin mage and loosed their lightning, the approaching creatures fell to the earth with cries of alarm, barely ten feet away. The monsters stood up quickly, thinking to charge the spell hurlers and kill them before they could enact another spell. They hadn't counted on Terran's quick form of spell casting, however. The goblins charged right into a wall of fire that he erected in front of them. Five of the goblins fell screaming and burning to the earth. Two monsters kept running — their hair and clothing aflame — right past the two wizards. One skidded to a halt before reaching the wall, and turned tail to run in the opposite direction. The last, a warrior goblin, charged the two wizards with a snarling scream of rage and pain. The flames had singed all its hair away and its clothing smoked, but it was still coming. The two wizards dived away as the creature brought its huge sword down where they had crouched only a moment before. Janelle spun when she heard the lightning bolts. She saw the goblin mage stagger, and then hurtle into the shelter when smashed by Danica's spell. When the wall of fire erupted nearby, Janelle turned and saw the goblin fleeing from the magic, back toward the camp. The monster sprouted an arrow from her bow in its forehead and collapsed to the ground before it could take a dozen steps. She saw Celes and Terran jump away as the warrior goblin slashed down at them. Janelle took aim and fired at the only target available on the bending goblin. The goblin growled in pain as it straightened, the long shaft of Janelle's arrow protruding from its ass. It snapped off the shaft and turned to charge toward Celes on its left. It caught a barrage of magic missiles from Terran in its back before it took a single step. The creature roared in rage again, but kept moving. Celes completed her spell casting just in time, and the creature rebounded off her telekinetic shield to land hard on the stub of the arrow in its ass. It screamed again when it landed, and Celes cried out as well, wincing from the force the goblin's tremendous impact exerted on her shield. More magic missiles thudded into the creature's back, and it rolled back to its feet to turn and hurl a large rock at Terran. The rock connected and knocked the wind from Terran, ruining his next spell. In rising to do so, the goblin exposed itself. An arrow sprouted from its eye with a sickening thud. The goblin took a couple of stumbling steps, and then collapsed face first on the ground with a great crash. The goblins went into full flight, abandoning the encampment and the deadly attacks of the companions wearing goblin forms. The companions converged near Celes and Terran, but turned when the burning remnants of the shelter suddenly exploded outward and the goblin mage emerged with a snarl of rage. The fireball it cast exploded in the midst of the converging group, throwing Celes, Terran, and Griffith to the ground. Feros was stunned as well, but all were otherwise unharmed by the fireball because of their fire shielding. Danica sent her Crushing Fist hurtling at the goblin mage. The goblin snarled and braced itself, turning all it's will into its shield. The Fist vanished into motes of sparkling magic when it slammed into the creature's strengthened shield. One of Janelle's arrows bounced harmlessly off the shield, as did a stream of acidic balls Terran hurled. Celes began casting a spell that would reverse the goblin spell and take down its shield. The creature cast a ray of dark force at Celes, but it dissolved harmlessly against a shielding wall Danica brought into being just in time. Celes completed her spell, and the goblin's shield dissolved. It turned and dived for cover, but not quickly enough. Almost simultaneously, an arrow from Janelle's bow, twin crossbow bolts from Feros and Venaru, and a lightning bolt from Terran slammed into the goblin. It fell to the ground and lay still. The companions caught their breath and looked over the scene. At least seventy goblins lay dead or dying in the camp. One more fell to Janelle's bow when it didn't quite make the tree line in time. More than half of the dead creatures fell to Danica's initial spell. The sound of trees breaking reached the companions as they gathered together. Danica's eyes widened and she screamed, "Giant!" The whole group whirled around to where Danica looked. Somewhere between fifteen and twenty feet tall, the hill giant powered its way through the trees into the clearing. It wielded a club nearly as big as Danica in one hand, and it held a stone twice the size of Bear's head in the other. Two crossbow bolts and an arrow thudded into the creature's bearskin shirt — the shafts apparently even failing to irritate the creature. The giant gained the clearing and hurled its stone. Only Venaru's incredible agility saved him from the deadly missile as he dived and rolled away. "Get outta the clearin' where it can't be tossin' rocks at us," Griffith shouted and turned to make the short dash into the trees. They all turned and ran as one, Venaru setting another bolt as he popped back to his feet, and Janelle knocking an arrow. The giant roared in delight, dragging another rock from a bag slung across its shoulder. Janelle and Venaru fired, Janelle's arrow thudding into the creature's neck, and Venaru's bolt taking it in the left eye. The giant howled in pain and hurled its rock, but missed badly from the pain of the arrow in its eye. The group gained the trees and kept running. Another stone came crashing in after a loud bellow of pain and rage from the giant, but the density of the trees kept the rock from coming close. The group ran on. They hoped the trees would slow the creature down enough for them to get away, and so far, it was working. One of the goblins that had fled the camp suddenly appeared before them, screamed in fear, and dived back off the trail into the underbrush. One of Janelle's arrows sank into the back of the creature's neck. The companions ran on, the sounds of the pursuing giant falling farther behind them as they went. The group cursed as one when they rounded a bend in the trail and ran into a group of about twenty wildly running orcs. The creatures snorted and tried to scatter. Arrows, bolts, and spells brought some of the creatures down. The flailing weapons of the group took down three more as they charged through the dispersing creatures. "They're being chased by ogres! Off the trail!" Janelle screamed, and everyone crashed into the undergrowth. The companions hurried through the woods, heading at a right angle away from the trail. The three women winced in pain as branches and brambles tore into their nude flesh, but they ran on. Luckily, the ogres either didn't track them, or continued on after their original prey, the orcs. The companions slowed, activating their invisibility magic when they were some distance from the trail. Reaching a clearing, everyone collapsed to the ground to try to catch his or her breath. Venaru, the dwarves, and Brandon kept watch while Cheron treated the cuts and scratches the women had picked up. Danica and Janelle wiped the gore from the exploded alchemists from their bodies with a cloth. Celes pulled clothing for the three women from her bag of holding, as well as Janelle and Cheron's leather armor. They stayed for perhaps an hour cleaning up and resting, listening to the sounds of the monsters at war in the wood. Fortunately, none of the sounds were nearby, and the companions had time to recover. The group started off again at a steady pace, and broke into wide smiles when they exited the woods. Upon reaching the fortress, the companions could see smoke rising in a dozen places, the clouds too large for normal campfires — fires set off by battles amongst the creatures. The monsters would be too busy this day fighting the fires to cause any mischief, once they realized the danger. ------- Zoraster scowled. "Bah, the misdirection about that ridiculous wood still blocks my scrying. There may be more here than I initially considered. Celes and the war wizard are able to scry within the wood, so whoever is in there took great pains to block me rather specifically." "You should have sent me instead of the red headed wench and the crone," Camilla said, laying her hands over Zoraster's shoulders and pressing her breasts against him as she spoke. Anger flashed in Camilla's eyes for just a moment as he shrugged her arms off and walked to the mirror, deactivating its magic. "You don't have the cooperative spirit necessary. You would have been repulsed alone. It is obvious from what I can see outside the wood and scrying on Danica that her chosen course seems effective." "Pure luck. She'll probably be dead in a few days." Zoraster laughed mockingly. "Somehow, I doubt that. You underestimate my little rose, Camilla. You will be needed in an hour to transport an agent to Egoria. Meet me at the front gate at that time." The dismissing tone caused Camilla's lip to twitch involuntarily in anger, and she turned to stalk out of the room. Zoraster rolled his eyes and turned as she left. "You begin to bore me Camilla." ------- The faint light of the scrying mirror barely illuminated the features of a man with the iron gray hair and beard staring into it. Despite his attentiveness to the scene in the mirror, his expression spoke of an almost arrogant indifference. He watched Zoraster leave the room, and then directed the mirror to show him others with absent waves of his hand. A wizard in purple robes and a pointed wizard's cap spoke with a red-haired wizardess in revealing black robes. After a few moments of watching, another wave of the man's hand caused the mirror to show a horrible demon of obviously great power slaying a group of elves, toying with them before allowing them to die. For many hours, the man watched various people and places, his expression never changing or showing evidence of weariness. The mirror then showed Danica, seated near Brandon in the fortress. Now, his expression did change. The faintest evidence of intrigue crept into his features. He watched for a few seconds longer, closing his eyes and concentrating for a moment afterwards. When he opened his eyes, a small sound of curiosity escaped him. "The only question now is who she will serve and whether she will survive to make the choice." ------- The companions all rested for a short while, using the time to care for their weapons and equipment. The four women all went to take baths in Danica and Celes' tub in the main building. They convinced the men to do the same after crinkling their noses and pointedly avoiding them for a while. Cheron spent her time talking to Janelle and Bear, who were near inseparable now. Danica guessed the cleric was trying to worm her way into bed with the two, and from the hints she observed, the Heraklan was succeeding. It was a holy day in Venaru's land, and he returned to his room in the main house to make his observances. He promised that should anything happen, all they need do was call, and he would come. His god would understand the need. Celes and Terran returned to their scrying upon waking up from a short nap, hoping to discover the extent of the chaos in the wood. The dwarves left for one of the smithy shops to pound dents out of their armor. Danica sat talking and laughing with Brandon. He told her a story about a battle with goblins that had nearly ended in disaster for him and his company when a shaman with a bent toward irritation cantrips had joined the fray. The creature had made them itch, burn, and ache with small spells. The cumulative effect so distracting that the warriors barely managed to defeat the creatures. They also discovered, to their great discomfort, that the spells lasted for several days. Danica caught glances of the heat rapidly growing between Cheron, Janelle, and Bear, and that turned up her own heat as well. She caressed Brandon's leg beneath the table, and he soon followed her example. When the other three got up and left the common room, so did Danica and Brandon. The couple went to Brandon's room, and Danica could already faintly hear the cries of passion from Janelle's room next door. The sounds only aroused them both that much more, and Brandon stripped Danica below the waist in moments. He did not even bother to remove his own clothes or Danica's top, but slipped his head between her legs to taste her. Danica moaned and gasped in pleasure as he ate her. "Mmm lick me. Make me come," she moaned. She jerked her top open so she could massage her breasts and pinch her nipples while he tantalized her nether lips with his mouth. Brandon growled in arousal, sucking and lapping with greater pressure, rolling her bud with his tongue and sucking it hard. Danica came quickly, flooding his mouth with her juices. Brandon lapped up her nectar as she gasped through the waves of orgasm. "Gods how I love it when you come — so loud, so sexy, and so sweet," he said while licking his lips. Danica gasped one last time and said, "I want your cum in my mouth." She sat up and pulled down his trousers. He helped her remove them, and she soon engulfed his engorged member in her mouth. Brandon squeezed Danica's breasts and pinched her nipples slightly as she sucked his cock. She released him for a moment and asked, "Do you want to fuck my tits and my mouth?" "Oh yeah — let me get my cock between those big tits." Danica lay back and Brandon moved astride her. He lay his cock down between her breasts and squeezed them tightly together. He rocked his hips, stroking his cock between the globes, grunting in pleasure and rolling her nipples with his fingers as he stroked. Danica leaned her head up, pulling a pillow under her head so she could suck on the purple head of his cock as he fucked her tits. She moaned around his glans as she sucked him, moving out of position every once in a while to look up into his eyes to offer sexy words of encouragement. "Fuck my tits. Come in my mouth. I want it." Brandon stroked harder, his gasping breaths letting Danica know he was close to climax. He exploded with a deep cry of release, leaning forward to support his weight on his hands as he filled Danica's mouth. Danica swallowed every drop, moaning blissfully. She grasped her breasts and closed them around his cock again, stroking him with them while she continued to suck on his cockhead. He pulled away after a few minutes, too sensitive to endure her talented mouth any longer. She pulled out her toy and activated its magic, handing it to Brandon. "Fuck me with my toy. Make me come again while we wait for that gorgeous cock to get hard again." Brandon slid the toy into Danica, drawing a high-pitched quavering moan from her as he stroked the vibrating toy into her depths. Brandon enjoyed the experience — thrusting the toy into her with every bit of the same passion he showed when taking her with his cock. Danica came hard, her back arching as he stroked her with the humming toy. He pulled the toy free, and then bent Danica's legs up high and back. He slid his once again hard cock between her nether lips into the warmth beyond. He stroked her slowly, enjoying her tight, wet walls squeezing every inch of his cock. Danica felt the still humming toy — soaked in her cum — press against her ass. She let out a deep moan as he slipped the head of the toy into her ass and increased the tempo of his thrusting manhood. Danica came in a shuddering explosion, her walls clenching tight around his stroking cock and her ass clenching the vibrating toy just as hard. He kept his hand on the toy, leaving it buried halfway in her ass, as he continued to stroke her while she came. "Gods, I love that. You ready for more?" Brandon asked with a lusty smile. "Oh yes — give it to me," Danica gasped, and then squealed when he slammed his hips forward. Danica came again, her legs snapping down to wrap around his body as she writhed and bucked under the power of her orgasm. When she settled somewhat, he pulled free and rolled her over. He easily raised her up to her hands and knees, and then slid back into her depths with a slow push. He pushed the toy deeper, burying it in her tight ass at the same time. Brandon took her still quivering pussy with all the strength and speed he could muster. "Do it again for me. Come for me again before I fill you up," he growled as he pounded her. "Oh yes — do it. Make me come. Fill me up," Danica gasped as she felt her head swimming and her fires building. Brandon's balls loudly slapped against Danica as he fucked her, though she could barely hear it over her sounds of pleasure as she came near to the edge. When she toppled over and came with a loud scream, he grunted, "Yeah, that's it. Here I come," and buried his manhood inside her. His hot spurts flooded Danica's depths as she came. Her orgasm squeezed him tight and squirted the toy out of her ass, to fall to the bed below. He fell forward to support his weight half on his arms, half on her body as they gasped, moaned, and shivered from their orgasms. They rolled apart after a while, and Brandon soon fell sound asleep. Danica chuckled and pulled on her clothing. When she reached the hall, the door to Janelle's room opened and Cheron walked out on wobbling legs. Both women smiled at each other, still glowing and wobbly from their orgasms. "Mmm, that was great fun," Cheron said. "I see — and heard — Brandon gave you a fun time as well." Danica shivered. "Mmm Hmm," she agreed while looking at the gorgeous blonde cleric. They both stood looking into each other's eyes for a few moments, and then their passions rekindled. They walked to Cheron's room without a word and brought each other to several more orgasms with their mouths and tongues. Danica was too weak in the knees to get up when they both spent the last of their passion. She lay with Cheron, their bodies entwined, and slept. ------- Part 10B Danica awakened early, and slipped carefully from Cheron's bed to avoid waking the cleric. The blonde licked her lips and moaned in her sleep, obviously dreaming about something very pleasant. Danica dressed and went to bathe. When she returned, she found Celes alone in the common room having something to eat. "The creatures managed to extinguish the fires. They began fighting amongst themselves almost immediately, but they're being much more careful with fire now. It was a near thing that they prevented the whole woods from becoming engulfed. The one they called Big Spells — the mage — was obviously as important to the goblins as the one Brandon slew was to the orcs. They were in great chaos for most of the night. The individual leaders and shaman have restored order somewhat. The goblins aren't very trusting of each other though, and they refuse to let other goblins anywhere near their individual groups," Celes revealed. Danica let out a little chuckle. "It's working. The wizards controlling this whole mess will have to come out to restore order soon, or their army will dissolve around them." "The demons and undead are starting to stir. They're spreading out through the wood trying to quell the chaos. The monsters fear them greatly, and it seems to be having some effect." "Damn, I didn't think they would be so easily cowed. Maybe the wizards won't emerge at all." Celes shrugged and took a sip of her coffee. "Perhaps not, but it still thins the numbers of the creatures arrayed against us. It certainly does no harm, and it's delayed an attack that was fast approaching. Winter is about to come full on us as well. I actually expect the snows to be coming soon. It's only two days until Midwinter's day." "Do you think it will be a bad storm?" Danica asked. "Not really, but I wager there will be a thick blanket of snow on the ground for the Midwinter celebrations." "I'd completely forgotten about the season approaching, we've just been too busy." "Not as if we have much to celebrate," Celes said with a sigh. "We're away from Zoraster, we're among new friends, and we're doing something worthwhile," Danica countered. "Perhaps, but it's also something Zoraster wants, and that taints it." Danica sighed and rubbed Celes' shoulders. "We should at least try to enjoy the celebrations." "I'm sorry; I'm just in a mood this morning. Speaking of new friends, do you think one of you could possibly keep Terran occupied? When Janelle drew him into your nightly play, he started trying to draw me in as well. It's a rather painful reminder to me," Celes said with yet another sigh. Danica sat down and laid her hand on Celes' trembling fingers. "I'm sorry; I didn't even think about how it must make you feel." Celes waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Enjoy yourself. It only gives you all stronger bonds to each other. It makes us more effective. It could have been dangerous if anyone had started acting overprotective when we were in the wood, but it didn't turn out that way. Just give Terran somewhere to stick his pole besides in my direction and I'll be fine." Celes finished with a laugh. The laugh sounded genuine to Danica, and she laughed with her friend. Celes then changed the subject back to the original topic of discussion. "Terran and I have pinpointed what we believe to be the areas where the wizards hide. The misdirection is strong in those areas, and we can't penetrate the fog. It actually serves to point them out, rather than hide them." "We may have to strike at them directly." Celes shook her head. "Too dangerous. We don't know their capabilities or anything about the area around them. We'll find a way to draw them out, or at least reduce their armies enough that we have only the wizards to contend with." "Where are they?" Danica asked. "One is in the Northeast, near where the undead seem to congregate, another in the West where the demons seem to be most concentrated, as we had guessed. That would be our Necromancer and our Summoner. Another is somewhere in the South, and one is near the center of the wood. That would be Illusion and Charm," Celes explained. "Have we been near any of them?" Danica asked. "We were closer to the fringes of the central one than I like to think about when we attacked the first bunch of goblins," Celes answered. "The goblins would have been the easiest to coerce into something like this. They are ever greedy. Where are the ogres mostly?" Danica asked. "The South — the greatest concentration of them is there." "The ogres would have been the most difficult to persuade. Perhaps Charm makes his place in the South." "Makes sense, and that leaves Illusion in the center. Considering the illusions stalk the whole of the wood, it seems even more logical." "One who has concentrated so much on learning to wield such great illusions would probably not have had time to study a lot of other magic," Danica mused with a smile. Celes smiled back, following Danica's line of thinking. "And one who is protected against illusions would only have to deal with the wizard, and whatever powers he might have besides his command over the false images." "We should concentrate on drawing out Illusion. His power would seem to be the one we would best be capable of overcoming," Danica reasoned. "The creatures of Phantasmal Force must take a great deal of time and power to create and maintain. I would think that destroying a few of those might invoke his wrath," Celes agreed with a crooked grin. Danica laughed and clapped her hands. "I think we have our course. Seek out the Phantasmal creatures, destroy them, and keep causing chaos as best we are able amongst the real monsters in the process." The women nodded and broadly smiled as they considered the idea. The others awakened and filtered in as Danica and Celes spoke. Terran delivered disturbing news that the numbers of undead and demons were increasing. "Many an undead goblin, orc, and ogre now stalk the woods. The dead automatons goad the living monsters away from each other, stopping and preventing fights by standing between the combatants. A shaman has appeared and started whipping the goblins into line — a half a dozen dangerous alchemists with him. A very rare orc shaman has also arisen to bring the orcs into order as well." The companions' carefully created chaos was beginning to unravel. There was little they could do about it, however. The snow started falling that afternoon. The blanket of white would make it difficult to sneak around invisibly in the wood, and illusions could not make footprints in the snow look as monstrous as their illusionary bodies. Danica determined that there was little they could do but wait until the creatures in the wood tramped around enough to hide new tracks. Subsequent snows that night and the next day delayed that even more. Only a light dusting fell on Midwinter's day — just enough to lighten the hearts of the group as they joined in the celebrations. Tradition said that snow on Midwinter's day foretold a lucky blessing upon the coming year. Upon their return to the fortress that evening, the companions' spirits quickly dampened. Terran reported that few skirmishes broke out between the monsters, and that the host appeared as though mobilizing to attack in force. Danica and Celes went to inform the Commander of this the next morning when Celes and Terran observed stronger signs that the creatures were mobilizing. The Commander nodded gravely when informed of the news. "I have other ill tidings, though they come from welcome mouths. Go bring Nara and Mara to us," he said to a nearby soldier. The soldier saluted and hurried to obey. The Commander continued, "I have learned that more creatures enter the wood from the South. The sisters brought me this news only yesterday, greatly dampening my appreciation of the Midwinter festivities." He paused when the soldier returned, leading two women. "I will let Nara and Mara tell you what they have learned." Danica studied the two women. They were obviously twin sisters, though it appeared that the one whom the Commander introduced as Nara had slightly darker skin tone than the other. They were both lithe, curvy, and had long, dark brown hair. Their full lips and exotic features gave them a unique and enticing beauty. Nara wore a silken gown that reached her ankles, while Mara wore a light, faintly translucent outfit reminiscent of the desert people's dress. Danica guessed it likely that they traced their ancestry from the Southern peoples of Draxnog, as their features and skin tone seemed to suggest such. The Commander expanded his introduction of the sisters. "Nara is a seer, and a healer. Mara commands great magic, is one of the finest unarmed fighters I have ever had the pleasure of meeting, and is a dancer of the highest order as well. Both are so well studied that they put rangers to shame in the field, and even the elves nod in respect to their tracking ability." "You boast our skills perhaps overmuch," Nara said. The commander laughed. "I will try to remember that the next time I am lying on the ground with one of you standing smiling over me and a knot on my head. I think the sisters would be of great help to you, whom those here are already starting to call the Companions of the Forge." He rolled his eyes and sighed after saying the fanciful name. "I decided not to argue. Indeed, the appellation seems to be quite appropriate once I adjusted to it." "Suren' we could always be usin' a couple more what knows t' ways o' the wild as well as ye're sayin' they do. The woods is dark an' twisted. Me scryin' can only let us find half o' what we seek," Celes said with her accent in full force. Both women nodded their heads. "We would be pleased to join you as well. We have heard of your forays into the wood, and we are quite impressed. You fight with precision and careful planning. We hope we might serve to join the harmony of your formidable brotherhood," Mara said. "Tell them what you told me when you arrived," the Commander requested. "There are more monsters entering the wood from the North. We have seen two tribes of goblins and three of orcs. There were shamans and alchemists amongst the goblins and a rare orc shaman as well," Nara said in response to the Commander's urging. "That would explain the sudden calming of the creatures. They've replaced the leaders we managed to kill," Danica grumbled. Nara nodded sympathetically. "One of the goblin tribes also whipped along a swarm of woodland trolls. Several groups of ogres with magi among them, and a group of four hill giants and two ettins made their way into the woods just before we came here to report." "Three hunnerd an' more new beasties in t' wood. That's fearful news fer sure," Celes lamented. "There is some good news, however," the Commander interjected, "The sisters made contact with an old friend of mine. He commands the best cavalry units I have ever seen take the field. His men have been slowly making their way here in small groups, hiding amongst the villages and farmsteads. If the creatures attack again, they shall find a hundred and fifty of the finest warriors to ever sit astride a horse striking at their flanks." "The Training Grounds were never designed to be a defensive position. Routing the creatures when they attacked has been a testament to the skill and determination of the students and masters here. It is perfect terrain for cavalry charges, however. The mounted warriors of Lord Daniel will take a heavy toll if the creatures attack here again," Mara said. Celes warned, "Them critters are rilin' up and ready to come fer sure, ye can be bettin' on that — an' soon." "We shall be ready," the Commander declared. Looking at Mara, he said, "Tell them of the raiders." "A band of perhaps forty goblins turned aside before entering the wood. They have been raiding the villages and farmsteads of the area. The people are pleading with the Grounds and the nearby city of Oakhaven for aid. We do not know if they are under the direction of those in the woods or a rogue band, but we believe they should be stopped," Mara explained. "I have sent patrols, but they cannot catch the creatures. They are wiley and scatter at the first sign of aggression against them. We have never been able to track them to wherever it is they hide," the Commander added. Nara gestured to Mara and said, "My sister and I can track them, and we believe you and yours would be best suited to end this particular threat. Your combined skills should enable you to destroy the band with much greater certainty than a patrol of soldiers from the Grounds." "They are taking women as well. Three were taken from a farmstead in the West just last night," the Commander revealed. Danica's eyes hardened at the mention of this. "We will destroy them," she said, carefully controlling the rage in her voice. "We should be introducin' ye ta the rest if'n ye're ta be joinin' us," Celes stood up and suggested. The women nodded and the Commander said, "Please do. It gives me a sense of great comfort to know the sisters are joining your formidable band. When the attack comes from the wood, return here. The fortress is strong, but it would be nearly impossible to defend with such a small number — regardless of your skill. You can join us here and aid in the defense. I will send papers briefing you about the general defensive plan, so that you may find where best to utilize your unique skills. "We'll return when the assault begins. Now, let's go introduce you to everyone else and make plans to destroy the goblin raiders," Danica said with her eyes flashing. ------- Everyone warmly welcomed the sisters, and the twins quickly meshed into the group. They discovered that Mara had instructed Venaru in the openhanded fighting arts, and both he and Janelle in woods lore. Cheron glanced at the two beautiful sisters and licked her lips, winking at Danica when nobody else was watching. Danica chuckled, knowing that Cheron was already making plans to draw the two sisters into the intimate companionship the group shared. Mara danced for them that evening, her dance a sensual and stunning display of agility and flexibility. Her movements entranced them all, and the companions praised her skills when she finished. "If you would like, I shall look into the mists and see what I may of your destiny as it is shaped by your actions. Many questions are often answered for those I read, even those who knew not the questions were there," Nara suggested. Nods and words of agreement met that suggestion, and Nara used her seer's powers to read their destiny, one by one. To Brandon she said, "I see change for you — though not a radical one. I see you going to another place, near somewhere where deep tunnels lead into the earth. You seem quite content with your new surroundings." "That don't sound half bad," Brandon said with a smile. "I was sure she was gonna tell me I was gonna end up married and raising a pack of kids." Nara chuckled and stepped over to Janelle and Bear. "Your destiny is intertwined with that of Bear. I see great happiness for you both, and strong, beautiful children." Bear and Janelle both blushed, Janelle laying her hand on Bear's strong arm and looking into his eyes with a smile. To Celes she said, "Your destiny is quite clouded. I sense a mark upon you — a hated mark — the curse that affects you. I see also a means to end this curse. That which can free you is both a source of great pain and great joy to you. I am sorry I cannot tell you more." Nara laid a hand on Celes' shoulder in a sympathetic gesture as she finished. "'S alright. I'm for dealin' wit' it. Been doin' it fer some time now." She turned to Terran after offering a warm smile and another pat on Celes shoulder. "For you I sense great renown and the praise of your peers. I also sense danger in the source of your renown — the possibility that it might be turned to evil." Terran looked stunned at the revelation. "I shall remember your words." She nodded and went on to Venaru. Her eyes opened wide and she said, "I see an end to your life's quest. I cannot see whether it be for good or ill, but I see it ending not far in the future." Venaru tensed, his bearing revealing anxiety. "What has changed that my destiny shows this now?" "I am not sure. Your destiny and your quest are tied with our purpose here. No more can I tell you," Nara answered. "It is enough," he responded and smiled. To the dwarves she said, "I see for you long years, great battles, the comfort of your kin, strong sons and daughters who bear your names with pride and honor..." She paused and laughed a moment before finishing, "... And a great deal of ale and spirits." The two dwarves glanced at each other with wide grins. "That's fer soundin' like a fine destimitatchy ta me," Griffith said with an explosive laugh. Everyone laughed with them as Nara moved next to Cheron, "I see someone of your order, another who serves Heraklan. This person guides you to another level of spirituality, and sexuality. I see many men and women sharing themselves with you and this other — and great blessing from your god." Cheron smiled and squared her shoulders. "Praises unto Heraklan." Danica noticed something passing between the two women as they looked into each other's eyes. Danica quivered with desire upon seeing the obvious recognition and likeminded thoughts shared in that momentary glance. Nara moved to Danica and said, "I see bonds long firm in you broken. Bonds of your own forging, but without the knowledge you had made them. Those bonds were tempered by someone close to you — though they had no intention of causing them. These bonds have been broken by bonds of another type. These bonds may be broken as well. I see an intertwining of your destiny with that of Celes, but your destiny is clouded, even as is hers. I fear I can tell you little more." The revelations surprised Danica. Nara's voice in her mind surprised her even more. I also sense your powers of the mind. We shall speak of this in the halls of our minds when time permits and we are alone. Danica found her mind whirling through the revelations for the remainder of the evening, as the companions got to know the two new members of their fellowship. Danica spoke with Cheron about keeping Terran occupied, and the cleric proved willing to put off her conquest of the sisters for a night. She had yet to find out what mysteries Terran hid beneath his robes, anyhow. Bear and Janelle naturally went together to their rooms, obviously practicing for those many children Nara had predicted. Brandon's eyes followed Mara from the moment she finished her dance, and the two of them left together after a brief, private conversation. Looks like you'll be getting a private dance tonight, Danica thought with amusement. Venaru went to his quarters alone, obviously still lost in thought about the end of his mysterious quest. Nara came and sat down with Danica, the redhead sitting lost in thought once everyone else left. "There is one other thing I sensed about you when I touched you," Nara whispered, reaching under the table to lay her hand on Danica's thigh. Danica looked up into Nara's eyes and shuddered when she saw the desire there, mirrored by her own now that Nara's touch awakened her to the world around once more. Nara led Danica to her new room in the fortress shortly thereafter. Once there, the seer quickly undressed Danica. She smiled and caressed Danica's body as she revealed it to her eyes, ending by running her fingers over Danica's nether lips. Nara brought her fingers to her lips and tasted Danica's juices with a satisfied moan. Nara then undressed as well. Danica admired the woman's body as Nara slowly revealed it. Nara had large, firm breasts, with small areoles surrounding her stiff nipples. Danica couldn't help thinking that they would be perfect to wrap her lips around and flick with her tongue. Only the narrowest strip of hair adorned Nara's mound, pointing toward her dark and glistening lips below. Nara moved forward and pressed against Danica, kissing her passionately. Danica reveled in the feeling of warmth and their breasts pressed against each other. Nara lay Danica down on the bed and slid between her legs with a sigh of anticipation. She slipped her tongue out of her mouth and softly washed it over Danica's folds. Danica moaned in bliss and watched the beautiful dark-haired woman lick her pussy. Nara used gentle strokes, exploring Danica thoroughly. Her tongue touched Danica everywhere — so softly and gently. Nara maintained her slow pace for many long minutes, but Danica never grew frustrated or anxious. Nara's tongue steadily built Danica's fires ever higher. Danica arched her back and gasped as the slow building fires within her surged white-hot under the seer's gentle tongue caress. When Danica came, she emitted a soft, "Oh," and a long, high-pitched moan. Her back arched gently up off the bed and she could feel the flow of her cum as it oozed from her into Nara's still lapping mouth. Nara's gentle caresses kept Danica coming for minutes rather than seconds, a constant soft glow of ecstasy that caused Danica's eyes to roll back in her head. When Nara lifted her head from Danica's still quivering sex, Danica sat up and kissed the brunette, tasting her juices on the woman's lips and tongue. Nara then lay down and parted her legs, stroking Danica's cheek and pulling her downward at the same time. Danica's head swam from the woman's almost spicy scent of arousal as she slid between Nara's legs. The brunette tasted of a mixture of sweetness and spice as Danica softly lapped, trying to emulate Nara's actions only moments earlier. Nara had other ideas, however, and she reached down to part her lips with one hand while pushing Danica's head down with strong pressure from her other hand. Danica moaned in her throat and hungrily lapped deep inside Nara's canal, gathering up the brunette's juices. Danica felt lightheaded from the taste and scent of the woman. Nara ground her sex into Danica's face, urging her to greater efforts. Danica devoured the seer, sucking her lips and clit, probing deep inside with a stiff tongue, and wiggling her tongue back and forth against the woman's lips and walls. Nara came with a scream of pleasure and a flood of cum gushing into Danica's face. Danica let out a muffled squeal of delight and lapped for the flow of spicy-sweet spicy juices. She kept her head between Nara's legs, bringing the seer to another gushing orgasm a few moments later. Nara then lay Danica down again and devoured the redhead as hungrily as Danica had just done for her. Danica came in a pair of gushing orgasms on Nara's flickering, probing tongue. Nara gasped into Danica's folds as she brought on her own orgasm with her fingers while continuing to lap Danica's sex. The two women collapsed together, trying to catch their breath. They kissed and caressed, feeling each other's hot bodies as they quivered and quaked through their aftershocks. Once the electric pulses died down into a warm afterglow, Danica heard Nara's voice in her mind. You know how to please a woman well. It has been a very long time since I've had the pleasure of another woman's touch, Nara's mental voice said. Danica answered with silent mind-speak as well, I've never had an orgasm like the first. It was so soft, and yet so intense at the same time. Nara smiled and shivered as a soft aftershock coursed through her. The feeling of Nara quivering set off another quake in Danica as well. Nara spoke again into Danica's mind. We can speak now in safety, for none watching would know that we spoke in the halls of our minds. Any observer would think us simply lost in the afterglow of our pleasure. I know that one watches you from your thoughts and memories, and that you fear to reveal your powers to him. Danica mentally asked, What did you mean about the bonds I had forged? I understand the bonds you speak of that bind me now — they are Zoraster's doing. Now that our minds are linked so intimately, I can see more of your past in your memories, which you repress. You always believed your sister to be more beautiful, more sensual, and more powerful than you could ever be. You unconsciously put up barriers in your mind that prevented you from exploring your own sexual desires and magical potential because of this. Zoraster's deception of you caused you to break the first, and in that breaking, your magical potential awakened as well. Likewise, your mental powers were awakened, and seem to grow stronger with each day. Nara's mental explanation stunned Danica. Memories washed over Danica that revealed to her exactly where she had done just what Nara had said. She realized every word of it was true. Devan is no more strong in the Art than you. I sense, in fact, the potential to far outstrip what I see in your mind as her strength of magic. Likewise, your beauty and sensuality is no less than hers. It is different, but her equal as well. It would have been an impossible choice between the two of you — who to taste and be tasted by first — if it were it not for the intriguing strength of your mind. I want to explore those powers more, but I can't reveal them to the madman, Danica thought with a mental sigh. So you should be wary. Though he fears nothing in his madness, he would surely dampen your mind to prevent you from using your powers if he knew of them. The misdirection of scrying around the wood is strong enough to surely foil his scrying on you. I find it highly unlikely that he knows much of what has occurred there except by the telling afterward. There, you might hone the visible aspects of your powers. I feel you may have the strength and aptitude to form the psionic blade. Danica raised her eyebrows, but Nara cut off any questions. I will explain more when we are in the woods, and show you. It is a last defense of considerable strength, and a powerful weapon if you are able to use it as such. Now, let us enjoy each other's company and each other's taste more, she thought to Danica, adding a mental moan that nearly caused Danica to giggle. Danica felt Nara's desire flooding through the mental link they shared, and that served to fan her own desires to a high-burning flame as well. She soon slipped between Nara's legs to lap for another flood of the seer's juices. The link remained between them as Danica tasted the brunette, making the subsequent orgasms they both shared all the more powerful. When they could bear each other's touch no longer, they collapsed into an exhausted slumber. ------- Mara joined Terran and Celes in the scrying the next day. The goblin raiders had attacked a farmstead during the night, and had attacked another with the first light of dawn. Celes and Mara scanned the countryside seeking the raiders, while Terran grimly observed the mounting forces in the woods preparing for battle. Mara found the creatures about mid-afternoon, the monsters creeping up on a large farmstead and observing the farmers going warily about their chores with their eyes on the surrounding countryside. The farmers didn't see the well-concealed goblin raiders. The three wizards emerged and informed everyone else of their discovery. Mara said that the goblins would attack at any moment. The creatures were nearly in a perfect position to launch an overwhelming surprise assault. "Can you get us there before they attack?" Danica asked Celes. "Aye, an' Mara kin add herself to the castin'. We'll none of us be so weak when we pop inta the midst this time," Celes answered. The companions started gathering their equipment the moment the wizards revealed the news. In short order, all the companions were prepared. They joined hands and teleported to the farmstead. The moment of disorientation everyone experienced from traveling magically was luckily matched by stunned expressions on the faces of the goblins when the group appeared in between the charging, howling creatures, and the men taking up hoes and scythes to defend their home. Bows sang out and three of the creatures fell before they could recover their wits. Danica's fireball blackened another two, and singed a half dozen more. The creatures immediately went into a full, scattered flight. The goblins wanted nothing to do with the formidable band that had suddenly appeared to spoil their fun. Brandon managed to block one and cut it down with his flashing sword. Janelle killed another with a long bowshot before it could escape. The rest were running too quickly, and in too many directions for the companions to bring more of them down. Mara suddenly spoke words of magic and transformed into an eagle. She keened and spread her huge wings, leaping into the sky. "My sister will track the creatures to find out where they lair. There, we shall finish their band," Nara said. The farmers with their improvised weapons approached the companions once the goblins all vanished. One man stepped ahead of the others and said, "Thank you for your help. I don't think we could have stopped them." Danica smiled and responded, "With any luck, they will have no chance to trouble you again. We mean to end their raiding permanently." "Yer the Companions of the Forge, aren't you?" A boy on the verge of manhood asked. Danica smiled and answered, "That's what I've heard we're being called." The boy's face brightened for just a moment, and then turned downward into a scowl. "Kill a few of them for me. They ran off with my friend Anri an' her sis an' mom on Midwinter's day." "They will pay for their crimes," Danica promised, a scowl on her own face as she thought about the captured women. "Hopefully, we will find your friend and her family to bring them all back home." One of the farmers shared a look with Danica that echoed her own thoughts. If the women were alive, they might wish they weren't. "C'mon boys. We gotta get these damn smelly things buried or the womenfolk are liable to never come out of the cellar," one of the farmers said. "Burn them," Danica disagreed, thinking of the Necromancer and the monsters he already raised to stalk the wood. The farmer raised his eyebrows, but responded, "Well, it's gonna raise a stink worsen' a turkey barn, but if you say burn 'em, we'll burn 'em. Let's get a pile of brush goin' over the other side of that hill." "What should we do while we wait for Mara?" Bear asked. "See to our weapons and get something to eat. It may take them some time to get back to their lair," Nara answered. One of the farmers spoke up, "Boy, go run to the house an' get the women up and out 'fore supper burns. Tell 'em the Companions of the Forge themselves run the beasties off, an' they're needin' somethin' to fill their bellies." The boy nodded and took off at a run to the house. The older man turned back to Danica and said, "Just head on up to the house. Our womenfolk are the best cooks for miles. When they hear they're makin' supper for the Companions, they'll make a meal fit for a King." "Thank you," Danica gratefully responded. "Least we can do. Ya likely saved us all from their blades — likely worse'n that for the womenfolk," the farmer said and then nodded to the gathered companions. He and the other farmers then went to their work of gathering up the goblins and a brush pile on which to burn the corpses. ------- The women proved as good as reputed by their men, and the companions ate well. They spoke for a time about the raids of the creatures, and then moved on to lighter subjects. Dusk crept over the land when Mara returned. "I have found their lair. They are in a cave just within the edge of the forest. They set no sentries outside, and they cover their tracks well. Smoke from their fires escapes from a natural chimney deeper in the wood. We would have had a great deal of difficulty finding them had they not led me there." "We should try to sneak someone inside the cave under invisibility if possible, to learn the layout," Danica observed. "I did so once the last of the goblins returned to the cave," Mara admitted. "The passages leading into the cave are very narrow. I doubt that Bear or Brandon will be able to enter. There are three chambers deeper within. The captured women are there, well guarded and alive." Mara said the last with an ominous note that echoed Danica's thoughts that the women would have likely preferred to die rather than face capture by the creatures. "We'll need to find some way to coax them out of the cave them. We could wait nearby until they decide to venture out on their own, but I hate leaving those women to them for any longer," Danica said. "There are three that lead them, and it appears they do not leave on the raids, if my understanding of the creature's tongue is not lacking. We may be forced to enter the caves to free the women from those three," Mara explained. "We'll do what we have to. I believe I know a way to draw them out. Let's get going," Danica suggested. The group thanked the farmers for their generosity, and then set out. The journey didn't take long, and they soon stood within sight of the wood's edge, near where Mara said the cave lie. The group stood on a small, rutted road leading to the South around the wood. "The filthy things have a taste for human women, so let's whet their appetite," Danica began, to outline her plan to the group. "We'll all change our appearance slightly with illusions, and all of you..." Danica paused to indicate the men in the group, "... will wait nearby under cloak of invisibility. We'll set an apparent travel camp, and make no secret of our presence. We're near enough that it should entice the goblins. A group of apparently unattended females sleeping should be a welcome sight to the stinking things." None in the group offered any disagreement, so the men went out in a circle around where the now disguised women set up their mock camp. The women all spread out their bedrolls and lay down, though none slept. They left their blankets loose, enabling them to throw the covers aside and spring to their feet instantly. All of the women kept their weapons close at hand, but well hidden. Danica pretended to take the first watch, which would appear to consist of tending the fire in the small camp. She took pains not to appear attentive to the surrounding countryside, though in truth, her spells of warding around the area instantly revealed when anything moved nearby. She could feel every movement of the men and dwarves, and knew where they were at all times. Barely two hours after sunset, Danica felt the first goblin brush against her wards. She raked the coals of the fire, sending sparks into the air — the arranged signal to tell everyone to be ready. Danica felt the tingles of thirty goblins passing into her warded area. The monsters moved closer, approaching with great stealth. She could not yet see or hear them, though she knew they were close. She waited, looking into the light of the fire, as did the rest of the women. They wanted their eyes adjusted to light when the monsters attacked. The goblins paused, and Danica just barely caught the movement of one, or perhaps more, in her peripheral vision. The creatures lay down low to the ground, observing the apparently defenseless women. Danica felt them creeping closer, apparently now satisfied that they had a camp full of sleeping and helpless females to capture. The monsters were all very close now, well within the circle of the men arrayed about them. Danica could feel the others creeping carefully into position. At last, the goblins were all close enough. Danica spoke a word of magic and a globe of light suddenly sprang into being, illuminating a large area with bright light. The women all rolled from their bedrolls and snatched up their weapons. The goblins howled and tried to adjust their night-accustomed eyes to the sudden light. Two of the monsters fell dead before they could even register what was happening. Bolts from Venaru and Feros' crossbows felled them instantly. Magical bolts from Celes, Danica, Terran, and Mara dropped four more. Cheron's devastating mace resounded against another's head, and it fell twitching to the ground as well. The goblins attempted to flee, but ran into the weapons and spells of the men wherever they went. Brandon's invisibility winked out as he struck two goblins that nearly ran right into him. His flashing sword beheaded the first goblin before it even had time to register Brandon's presence. The second monster lost its weapon arm even as it tried to raise its weapon in defense. Another quick swing from Brandon opened the monster's throat and sent it to the ground. Bear smashed a goblin running full tilt toward him with a sidearm swing of his hammer. The creature collapsed to the ground, stone dead, sliding a few inches from it's momentum as it hit. He quickly ran down another goblin nearby and cut it off, smashing it down with mighty swings of his war hammer. Feros killed another with his crossbow, and then drew a throwing hammer to hurl it at a fleeing goblin. The hammer hit the creature in the back of the knees and sent it tumbling. Feros leapt upon the goblin with his war hammer moments later, and the creature soon crumpled into a broken and bloodied heap beneath the dwarf's powerful swings. Griffith cut another nearly in half at the waist with a snarling swing, singing out a challenge to the rest of the monsters and running after one nearby that he thought he could catch. Janelle's sword cut down another monster from the front ranks of the monsters' charge. She quickly pulled her bow and took down another as all the enemies turned to flee. She saw one near the rear of the group leaving the circle of light and fading away into the darkness. The goblin didn't make it far, because her arrow caught it in the back, right between the shoulder blades. Nara swung her chain mace and felled another of the closest goblins as soon as she leapt up from her blankets. She pointed her hand at another creature as it fled, and the goblin stiffened, falling to the earth and gibbering. Her mental blast had completely rendered it senseless. Two more creatures trying to flee slammed into a wall of telekinesis she erected, and Nara finished them quickly with her chain mace. In mere moments, all thirty goblins were down. The companions quickly gathered under the now fading light spell. They paused along the way to finish any goblins that hadn't succumbed to their wounds yet. Danica said, "Let's go get the rest of them," and Mara led the companions across the tract of land between the road and the woods. Mara led the band onto a well-concealed trail, and they soon saw the cave. The mages cast spells of night-seeing upon everyone, and they started inside with Cheron at the lead. The companions moved quickly through the narrow tunnel, and entered the fire-lit chambers at its end. Danica saw the three women, who were nude and huddling at the back of the chamber with the three goblin leaders nearby. One of the goblins leapt up and screamed in broken common, "Stop or kill them!" The monster stood over the huddled and sobbing women with a sword poised near one of the women. The captives were all covered in bruises and claw marks. All of the women had red hair, and two looked like teenagers to Danica, while the third looked about thirty years of age. The sight brought memories of the goblin raid on her home crashing down upon Danica. The three women were close to the ages of Danica's family when the attack had happened. Danica focused her mind with a snarl of rage, and created a shield of telekinetic force around the women. She expanded it with a silent command to bump the goblin leader aside, causing the monster to scream in surprise. Magical bolts thudded into the three goblins, knocking them back. The weapons of the others quickly cut the goblins down before they could manage to raise any real defense. The three women had lost consciousness upon seeing the sword raised above them. Danica sent the men outside, and then moved with her friends to tend to the captive women. Mara cast a spell over them that sent them into a peaceful sleep. Nara and Cheron then healed the women's wounds with their healing magic. Nara frowned after she finished healing the older of the two sisters. "She has conceived," Nara ominously revealed. That revelation gave all the women pause. The baby growing in the woman's womb would be half goblin. More often than not, these children grew up monsters as vicious as the goblins that had raped their mothers. Anger and revulsion knotted all the women's stomachs. "There's a spell, one I thought I'd never be usin'," Celes said, breaking the silence. "I kin end it. The lass'll 'ave enough trouble findin' herself as it is without a monster growin' in her belly." Danica nodded and Celes went to kneel next to the young woman. The rest of the women dragged the three goblins outside, where the men took over disposing of the bodies. Danica went back into the cave and Celes stood to say, "It is done," with a look of sorrow mixed with revulsion on her face. "She hopefully will never know it happened." "Let's get them dressed, and then we'll awaken them and return them to their homes," Danica said. The women panicked upon awakening, but calmed to joyful tears when they saw their rescuers for who they were. The companions brought the women outside the cave before awakening them, because the smell of a goblin lair was nearly overpowering inside the cave. The companions returned the three women to their stunned kin about midnight, the husband of the oldest woman running out toward them as they approached. The women were shaken, the younger of the two girls in particular, but they were alive and back with family. Danica hoped the love and support of that family, combined with the knowledge that the goblins were dead, would be enough to enable the women to recover in time. The horrors of their capture — and uncountable rapes — would probably take some time to dull in their memory. Thus, a somewhat somber group — despite their success — returned to the fortress. Each went to their own rooms that night, for the first time in a long time. ------- Part 10C The next day did nothing to improve the companion's spirits, because the creatures in the wood were now marching north, preparing to strike at the Training Grounds. More monsters than ever approached, despite the numbers killed in previous attacks and during the companion's attacks in the wood. Terran estimated the horde would strike the next day. Danica took word to the Commander, though preparations were well underway and as complete as they could be already. The monsters would pay a dear price for their attack, though the sheer numbers of the creatures greatly worried the Commander. The companions all felt tense, the anxiety and anticipation of the coming battle wearing on one and all. Danica felt strangely aroused by the excitement — and she wasn't the only one. Everyone adjourned quickly to his or her chambers that night. Janelle and Bear shared the night, as always. Both Venaru and Brandon joined Cheron. Mara led a smiling Terran to her chambers. Nara and Danica shared their intense, hungry desire, completely exhausted when they collapsed onto the bed afterward. Danica and Nara mind spoke of Danica's use of the telekinetic shield around the women. The speed with which Danica created the shield impressed Nara, and she expressed even greater surprise at the strength of the telekinetic bubble, easily shoving aside the muscular goblin as if he were no more than a toy. Nara explained the way she stunned the one goblin, thrusting out her powers in a powerful burst of mental energy to scramble its brain. They both drifted off to sleep as they spoke without words, and fell off in mid 'sentence.' Danica and Nara were the last to awaken, though the sun was barely above the horizon. Everyone immediately prepared for battle when they awoke, and none were surprised at all when Terran came into the room and said, "They come. An hour — no more." The companions quickly went to the main complex, Terran sealing the portal after them. Moving to the East wall of the outer complex, the companions awaited the onslaught to come beside the warriors of the Training Grounds. The monsters burst from the wood in a rolling tide of destruction. The giants stayed near the rear of the sea of creatures, hurling rocks at the walls and structures with devastating force. The spells of ogre magi crackled and exploded against those defending the walls. Half of the battle mages quickly went to work hurling their magic at the giants to distract the living catapults. The other half sent their devastation into the charging creatures, adding their fireballs and lightning to the arrows and balls of flaming pitch falling into the advancing creatures. Special details of archers kept up a steady stream of arrows at the area where the spells of the ogre magi originated, pinning the monsters down. War wizards concentrated their magic there as well. The creatures reached the wall, ignoring the other buildings beyond the outer complex save to leave small groups to watch over them in case a few defenders lurked there. Scaling ladders and grapnel hooks appear on the tops of the walls, and the monsters battered the gate with a ram. The defenders quickly worked to dislodge and hurl down the ladders and hooks, while continuing to rain death down on the swarming horde of monsters. The mages did a good job of keeping the giants pinned down with their magic, and the rain of boulders slowed to a near halt. Few spells from the ogre magi assaulted the defenders, as the archers and mages kept the hulking monsters from rising to hurl their magic. When the monsters fully committed to the battle, the cavalry hidden in the mock village used for training in the Southwest suddenly took the field, falling on the creatures from the West. The horsemen hit with devastating force, felling over a hundred of the monsters in their initial surprise attack before wheeling back to set for another charge. Some of the monsters pursued, but couldn't match the speed of the well-trained cavalry. A boulder crashed hard against the wall near where the companions fought on the East wall. Danica sent a swarm of magical meteors hurtling into the hordes below, felling numerous creatures. The monsters behind the front ranks quickly trod upon their fellows, trying to gain the wall. Brandon sliced an orc that nearly gained the top of the wall with his silver sword, and then cut the rope to the grapnel the creature had used to gain the wall, sending many of its fellows crashing to the ground below. Another boulder smashed hard against the wall, showering stones and dust into the courtyard below, killing one of the defenders. "There," Venaru screamed and pointed to the East. A giant suddenly loomed up and hurled another rock, which slammed into the wall. Danica could see a rudely crafted bandage over one of its eyes — it was the giant they had wounded in their escape from the wood. The creature concealed itself behind a small hillock between the main complex and the house of women. It stayed low except to throw, the cover preventing arrows or magic from the defenders on the wall from reaching it. Another rock sailed in, too close for the companions' comfort, and shook the wall. The rocks were doing some serious damage. "We've got to take that giant down. It will breach the wall if it keeps that up, and we'll be swarmed under," Danica screamed over the cacophony of sound. The companions gathered together and Mara said, "It is well behind the hordes. We could teleport and be upon it quickly. A giant is no easy target even when taken by surprise, though." "We don't have any choice, someone has to go down there and finish it," Danica said loudly over the noise of the battle. The companions gathered in a circle, shuddering as another boulder slammed into the wall, and rode the wings of magic. The companions appeared behind the creature, quickly breaking their circle and fanning out to attack. Two bolts and an arrow stung the creature in the back of the neck, alerting the giant to the presence of enemies. The monster spun to attack. By this time, Brandon, the dwarves, Cheron, and Bear were charging across the short distance toward the creature. Danica's Crushing Fist reached the creature first, slamming it hard in the gut and bending it slightly, nearly knocking the wind from the giant. Cheron's mace connected with the top of the creatures head, causing the giant to rise up and bellow in rage. It did so just in time to see Brandon and Bear leaping in to attack. The creature remarkably took Bear's war hammer strike against its arm in stride. The giant snatched up its huge club and brought it in line to block Brandon's flashing silver sword just in time. The dwarves reached it then, whooping and taunting the creature. When the giant swung at one of them in rage, both dwarves ducked inside the monster's guard and went to work slashing and smashing the creature's legs. More arrows and bolts thudded into the creature. The mages cast their magic at it as well. Nara closed her eyes in concentration, but snapped them open suddenly and shook her head. She quickly rushed in toward the battle, bringing out her chain mace. The dwarves used their small stature and the giant's blind side to great advantage, dodging its stomping feet as it used its club to fend off Brandon and Bear — as well as Nara when she joined the fray. The dwarves scored many painful hits on the creature's legs, and it howled in rage and pain. A long arrow from Janelle's bow took the giant's other eye, and the monster let out a long wail. The blinded giant lashed out madly with its club in all directions. Bear, Brandon, and Nara had to back away from the huge weapon. The dwarves were inside the club's effective reach, and they both struck telling blows. Feros' war hammer slammed against the giant's knee with a cracking report, and Griffith's terrible axe sliced through both of the giant's hamstrings in one mighty stroke. A horn blast sounded from somewhere within the walls of the complex at the same time. The creature fell with a pitiful wail of pain, and Brandon and Bear quickly attacked. The dwarves both scrambled up the creatures body to hack away at vulnerable portions of the giant's anatomy. None of the blows caused serious harm because of the giant's thick skull and bearskin armor. When the giant rolled over to try to dislodge the dwarves, it made its final mistake. Brandon's silver blade flashed and opened a gaping wound in the giant's throat. The creature let out a gurgling moan and started thrashing on the ground. The companions scrambled back from the dying giant. Fireballs soared overhead, hurled by Danica and the mages to explode amongst a host of creatures that had turned from the walls to attack the threat behind them. The companions retreated toward the house of women, firing arrows, bolts, and spells into the charging orcs and goblins. The monsters fell screaming to the earth and those who came behind quickly trampled the fallen. Venaru spun, hearing the sounds of hoof beats behind him. The pursuing creatures suddenly skidded to a halt and turned to run the other way. A second company of cavalry from the East quickly rode down the monsters. The cavalry in the West charged at the same time, catching the army of monsters between two unstoppable juggernauts. Three fireballs exploded near the gates as the companions rushed forward to take down those creatures that survived the charge and didn't flee south toward the main host. The gates instantly cleared of living attackers. Moments later, the gates swung wide and warriors advanced upon the ranks of monsters moving toward the gate to replace those immolated by the fireballs. With three groups of fearless warriors charging into the horde, as well as arrows and spells raining down from the walls, groups of the creatures retreated toward the wood. Leaders snarled orders, but the retreating monsters ignored them, having endured more than enough slaughter this day. A loosely knit army at best, the coordinated attack from well-trained men behind stout walls had broken the monsters' resolve. Every time a group of monsters broke from the attack to flee, another would follow the example. The monsters were soon in full rout, retreating from the better trained — if numerically inferior — defenders. The warriors that had charged from the gate pulled back to the walls, while the twin cavalry units continued to harass the retreating creatures all the way to the woodline. The defenders won the day — but at great cost. ------- "The creatures are in chaos. They were intent upon passing through the woods and leaving, but the demons and undead barred the way. Magical barriers also began to spring up, blocking more. Leaders are gathering their kind up wherever they find them. As they move, more of the creatures cease their flight to organize. I think the charm magic must be centered on the leaders. It will take them some time, but they will reorganize the monsters. This must be why the creatures never make subsequent attacks until some time has passed," Terran told those assembled in the Commanders war room. The companions, the Commander, the Knight who led the cavalry, and several of the Commander's lieutenants and confidants were present. "Or, perhaps each attack is nothing more than a test of our skills and our tactics. Surely, not all the creatures you have observed in the wood participated in this attack," the Commander countered. "That is true. The entire host did not commit to this battle. It may indeed be as you suggest, but the creatures were in full rout. Were it not for the wizards bringing them under reign, they would have surely dispersed," Terran noted. "We may not survive the next attack, even against a part of the host of the beasts," the Commander lamented with a growl of frustration. "Our walls were weakened by the giants' boulders, and the gates nearly buckled under the rams. We can repair them, but each attack weakens them more. There is only so much that can be done without replacing them entirely — and we lost too many. Too many..." Beyond the walls of the Commander's war room, the defenders attended to the injured and the dead. Nearly one hundred of the defenders perished in the attack, and fifty more would either never fight again, or would not survive long. Two giants had died in the attack, one killed by the companions and one by the war wizards. One ogre magi had perished, and roughly six hundred of the other creatures died in the assault. The defenders gathered the monsters into piles for immolation. A loss of one hundred was far more significant to the around nine hundred defenders than the six hundred lost to the boundless hordes in the wood, especially if reinforcements continued to bolster the numbers of the monstrous host. Nearly every able-bodied man and woman nearby had joined in the battle this time. The defenders of the Training Grounds had little reason to expect any reinforcements in the near future. "We have to cut the head from the host. We must strike at their leaders — and more importantly — at the mages," Mara declared. "My warriors cannot long last in the wood with the traps and illusions. We cannot possibly acquire enough magical defenses to send more than a paltry attack force into that accursed wood in time," the Commander growled, banging his fist onto the table. Danica spoke up, "I have a plan that may draw out one of our foes. If it works — the illusions in the wood will be no more. Without those illusions, bands of warriors may be able to enter the wood and harass the monsters, maybe even reach the wizards. It's only the illusions confusing the trails and creating creatures that aren't there that really prevents an attack on the wood. While the illusions remain, such an attack would be disastrous. With them gone..." The Commander asked, "Can you do it? Rid the wood of those damned illusions and my men can find the traps, both magical and mundane. Small groups could penetrate and begin cutting the heads from the hosts, in much the same fashion you and your companions have proven effective." Terran stepped forward and nodded his head toward Danica. "I agree with Danica's idea. Destroying the Phantasmal Force spells that supplement the illusions and make it difficult to tell reality from fantasy will draw out the master of Illusion. The power he expends to craft and maintain the phantasmal creatures must be tremendous. He could not overlook a systematic elimination of them." "I will bow to your knowledge of things magical," the Commander said. "If you can do that, we may yet survive this." "We'll begin tomorrow," Danica said and then smiled. "I think Illusion is going to have a very bad day tomorrow — and for many tomorrows to come." Her confident and somewhat jocular tone lightened the mood of the gathering as it drew to a close. Everyone felt more hopeful about their chances of survival when they left, though fear still remained. ------- The next day the Celes, Terran, and Mara joined the companions in the common room of the fortress to speak of what they had discovered while scrying the wood that morning. "The illusions are easy enough to be findin', they put off a lot of magic," Celes explained. "They're all about the wood, but we ne'er see more'n one of the Phantasmal creatures about at a time. They come out from inside the area where we believe Illusion is hidin', roam about scarin' the other critters in the wood, and then return. Another comes a stompin' out right on the first's heels." "Illusion is using something to power the illusions, something beyond his power alone. Some sort of powerful magic device is probably being used. The phantasmal creatures must be brought within range of the artifact for renewal every so often, and it apparently has limits or more of the Phantasmal ones would be running free at a time," Terran surmised. "You can find whichever one is out in the wood now?" Danica asked. "Aye, in a trice. We kin find 'em with spells that detect illusion, an' they'll shine like a torch," Celes answered. "Let's get ready then — and go ruin Illusion's day," Danica said. The wizards explained to the rest of the companions how a Phantasmal Force spell worked, while Celes tracked the illusionary creature that stalked the wood — a Storm Giant. The magical monster would have substance, and weapons would hit it, though the phantasmal creature would not truly take wounds, as would a living creature. Strikes against the creature would weaken its power and eventually destroy it, however. It could also cause real harm, and the companions would have to battle the phantasmal creatures as though they were real beasts. Knowledge that the creatures were illusionary magic would lessen their ability to cause injury, but battling them would still be quite dangerous. To someone unprotected by their magical charms and without their knowledge, such a battle would certainly prove life threatening. The creature moved toward the South edge of the wood, near where the companions had attacked goblins once before. Danica and the others prepared for battle, and then hurried out to intercept the creature. Danica cursed when she found a band of around twenty goblins settling in at the spot she had chosen to intercept the phantasmal creature. Few other places nearby afforded enough space to attack. Danica knew that they would either have to let the opportunity pass, or fight the goblins as well. After a short discussion, the dwarves convinced everyone that the goblins would likely flee the moment an attacking force raised weapons against them. The monsters were without a shaman, counted none of the larger warrior goblins in their number, and half of the creatures bore wounds from the battle at the complex. The goblins would hardly wish to battle a formidable band of over half their number, especially with a Storm Giant stomping toward them. With that decision made, the group organized and set out quickly toward the goblin encampment before the phantasmal giant passed by in a few minutes. Venaru and Janelle split off the trail, moving quickly and silently through the trees on either side. Celes whispered to Danica to prepare, as they would reach the clearing just ahead of the phantasmal creature, in her estimation. The companions entered the clearing and the goblins immediately snatched up weapons. The monsters appeared torn between the urges to flee or fight, all looking to a larger goblin that probably served as a leader. An arrow and a bolt thudded into two of the creatures, while magical missiles peppered three more. The mages had agreed to avoid fireballs and lightning bolts, knowing the sound of those spells would carry over long distances. Danica worried enough about the sounds of the battle drawing more enemies from even a short distance. The goblins quickly scrambled into the undergrowth when five of their number fell within seconds. Janelle took down a sixth with her bow just as the phantasmal giant emerged in the clearing and roared a very convincing challenge. Venaru's crossbow immediately sang out and a bolt hit the creature. The fighters charged, led by Cheron's mace. The illusion winced and acted as if the wounds pained it — all part of the illusion. The wizards sent streams of magical missiles at the thing, knowing that the number of strikes, not the level of destructive force, had more to do with dispelling a phantasmal enemy. The fighters hit the illusionary giant in the same manner they had attacked the hill giant earlier. The dwarves swarmed in under the giant's guard to hack at its legs, while Brandon and Bear harried the thing with quick strikes. The phantasm was nowhere near as effective in battle as a real giant. Its strikes were slow and packed far less strength than would those of a real giant. It could not mimic the magical powers of the storm a real storm giant would have used, but it would have nonetheless been a deadly foe if the companions had not known it for an illusion. The blows quickly took their toll. Danica could see the magic comprising the creature begin to unravel. Bear caught his foot on a protruding root and stumbled slightly as he danced backward to avoid a swing from the illusionary giant's sword. Nara stretched out her hand and pushed him to the side quickly, cushioning him from actually hitting the ground with a bubble of telekinetic force. The swing of the giant's sword passed just over him, and Bear quickly jumped back up to readiness. An arrow from Janelle's bow finished it. The creature continued to swing at the fighters and bellow, but the noises it made sounded quiet and unrealistic. The phantasms blows went right through the weapons set to block it. After a moment, it faded from view completely. Bear looked at Nara and nodded his thanks to her as the creature faded. Venaru and Janelle dropped into the clearing. "That should be raisin' Illusions ire, I'm for thinkin'," Celes said with a cackle. The companions activated their rings of invisibility and quickly returned to the fortress, avoiding the creatures swiftly moving toward the sounds of battle. The friends were all in high spirits upon returning to the fortress. Celes quickly went to scry the wood, hoping to track the next phantasmal creature as it emerged. Bear thanked Nara for her quick thinking, and she spent most of her time talking with Bear and Janelle. Danica ended up talking with Terran, finding him to be a charming and quite handsome man. Once again, Danica curiously wondered about what he had under his robes. Cheron made her first assault on the sisters by quickly drawing Mara aside into conversation. Brandon joined Danica and Terran, interested in the discussion between the pair about research Terran was doing that would combine a wizard's magic and a warrior's strength into a more effective and powerful team. Danica's thoughts were more about having both the men at once, and thus had a difficult time following Terran's conversation through her daydreams. Brandon listened quite intently, however. Celes found another phantasmal creature, a troll this time, and the companions quickly mobilized to attack it. All the phantasmal creatures appeared to follow generally the same path, with only slight variations. Thus, it so happened that the companions struck the troll illusion just southeast of where they had destroyed the giant. The group dispatched the troll phantasm with little trouble, as well a group of fifteen or so goblins that charged into the clearing just as the troll faded from view. Another group of goblins quickly turned around and fled upon seeing their fellows lying dead on the field — and the dangerous band of companions turning their way. Four illusions had assaulted them as the battle with the goblins ended. The illusions could not harm Danica and the others at all thanks to their magical protections, so the companions simply activated their invisibility and returned to the fortress. Danica and Celes shared a wicked laugh, knowing that the attack of the illusions meant their master felt threatened. Danica also knew that a master of illusion could have watched the entire run through the woods afterward, ignoring the invisibility magic, but obviously couldn't do anything to stop them. After spending a short time talking as a group about the attacks on the phantasms, the companions broke apart into the same groups as earlier in the day. Evening was approaching, and Danica felt her passions burning as she talked to Terran and Brandon. Knowing where she wanted the night to lead, Danica left briefly to make preparations. When everyone else retired to their rooms, Danica led both men to hers. Danica's obvious — and very arousing — need when she suggested they both come with her to her room prompted the two men to undress without a moment's hesitation. Danica licked her lips as she looked at the two men while she pulled off her own clothing — particularly at Terran. The sight of his well-defined musculature brought a smile to Danica's lips. His cock was of a nice size, and Danica could already imagine it inside her. She pulled both men close together and knelt down in front of them, alternating between the two men as she moaned around their cocks filling her mouth. With a last flick of her tongue over them both, she looked up into their eyes. She kept her hands wrapped around their cocks, stroking them both slowly. "I want you both — both filling me," she sultrily suggested and then moaned as she stood. She led them to the bed and directed Brandon lie down leaning against the backboard. She slid over top of him, straddling him, and then leaned over to kiss him hungrily as she held onto Terran's hand. She then pulled Terran close and kissed him with the same passion. She whispered huskily to him, "Put that gorgeous cock inside me. Get it nice and slick. I want you in my ass while Brandon fucks my pussy." Knowing that she wanted this, Danica had prepared by flushing her bottom with water during her brief absence earlier in the evening. He climbed up onto the bed on his knees behind her, Danica reaching back to guide his cock with her hand. He pushed into her depths with a long groan of arousal, matched by an equally aroused moan from Danica. He stroked his cock inside her, making Danica moan even more. After about half a minute, she reached back again and guided him to pull free. His slick member glistened with her juices when he withdrew. Danica reached down and grasped Brandon's erection, guiding it into her and sliding down onto it with a moan. He rocked his hips, taking short strokes inside her. She then guided Terran's cock to the puckered iris of her ass and gasped as he slowly pushed inside her. Danica's eyes squinted shut and she let out a quavering gasp, trembling as hard cocks filled her pussy and ass. When she stopped quivering, her muscles relaxed enough to let Terran begin stroking his cock in and out of her tight ass. Danica gasped and moaned as both men stroked her. Terran kept her cheeks pulled wide, kneading them with his hands as his member stretched her ass. Brandon caressed her breasts and rolled her nipples between his fingers as he rocked his hips, thrusting his big cock up inside her soaked depths. She felt so full, and so intensely aroused by both men taking her. Brandon and Terran picked up the tempo and strength of their thrusts as she opened up to them. Danica could feel where their cocks almost seemed to meet inside her through her walls. Danica felt her orgasm welling up inside her. Both men took her hard now, holding her in a perfect position for both their cocks to stroke her hard and fast. She screamed, "Oh gods yes," as she soared up to her peak and tumbled over into orgasm. She let out a series of almost whimpering moans as her orgasm rolled through her. Both men slowed their thrusts as she thrashed, quivered, gasped, and moaned. When she finally caught her breath and regained control of her muscles, Danica let out a little growl and said, "Give it to me. Make me come again and fill me up. I want to feel you both fill me. Come for me." The men started stroking her again, building quickly to the same powerful thrusts that had sent her into the incredible orgasm only a short time before. "Oh yes — so full. Do it. Faster," she gasped as they both fucked her so well. Terran's tight grunts let Danica know he was nearing the limits of his ability to hold back his own climax. Danica quickly climbed her mountain as well, another earth-shaking orgasm welling up inside her, begging for release. She looked back at Terran, his face a mask of arousal and intense concentration at the same time as he tried to hold off his own orgasm until Danica came again. Danica perched on the edge of ecstasy as Terran's growls took on an almost pained sound. She knew he was about to reach the point of no return. "Oh yes, give it to me. Fill my ass up," she half gasped, half screamed. Terran slammed into her, releasing the pent up energy within him. Danica whimpered from the mix of incredible pleasure and little stabs of pain bringing her ever nearer to the edge. When Terran buried his cock in her ass and groaned in release, she could feel his hot cum filling her ass. "Oh, yes! OH YES!" Danica screamed as her orgasm grabbed hold of her. Danica cried out in climax as a flood of her juices washed over her and both men. Waves of overpowering ecstasy made her every muscle contract. The tightening of her walls around Brandon's cock set him off as well. With a loud grunt, he pulled down on her hips hard and buried his cock inside her. Danica squealed as she felt his semen spreading warmth through her depths. They all gasped and shuddered, collapsing atop Brandon as they spasmed from their orgasms. Danica moaned long and loud as she delighted in the feeling of complete fullness — tingles of energy spreading through her whole body from the pools of warmth deep inside her. Neither man could endure the clenching of her muscles around their sensitive cocks long, and they pulled from her. Danica let out a little disappointed moan, but when both men's purple helmets popped free of her, it set off another wave of orgasmic energy within Danica. She quivered and gasped as warm cum dripped from her and her back arched from the pleasure still saturating her every pore. They all relaxed and caught their breath for a few moments, then took the time to clean up. Both men watched as Danica brought on another orgasm with her flashing fingers, incredibly aroused by the sight of her masturbating. First Terran, then Brandon slipped between her thighs, licking and sucking her to several more wonderful orgasms. Both men were hard again when she managed to recover from the last orgasm on Brandon's tongue. Danica directed them take the opposite positions as before. Danica moaned and her eyes shot wide open as Terran's cock stroked her fast — far faster than Brandon had. The angle of Terran's erection also made a lot more contact with her swollen clit than Brandon's had previously. Brandon's bigger cock gaped Danica's ass almost painfully wide. She came three more times before both men flooded her with hot cum once again. Danica had to have help getting to the basin to wash up this time, her knees wobbling too much from the power of her orgasms to support her. None of them realized that they had fallen into an exhausted sleep until they woke up — their bodies all entwined together — several hours before dawn. ------- The next day the companions immediately returned to work on their plan again. Celes used her magic to peer into the wood, and located the next phantasmal creature — a hulking minotaur this time. The capable group made quick work of the illusionary monster, cutting down a pair of ogres that wandered in upon hearing the sounds of battle as well. The companions once again ignored the host of purely illusionary enemies that swarmed them after the battle, and returned to the fortress. Celes returned to her scrying as the others saw to their equipment and shared each other's company. Mara and Terran relieved Celes on occasion, though she did not seem to want to leave the task to anyone else. Celes enjoyed the task of irritating their foe. Terran walked in near dark and said, "I believe our master of illusion has grown wary of sending out the Phantasms. No more seem to be coming to stalk the wood." "Time to strike at the heart then," Danica declared. "Are we sure we're bein' ready fer that? We're not for knowin' fer sure Illusion ain't hidin' some tricks. The others could be comin' to his aid too," Celes cautioned. "I doubt the others will come. The sense I get when I'm in the wood is that there is as little cooperation between the masters as there is between the monsters they have enslaved," Nara countered. Danica declared, "I think we're ready. It seems unlikely that someone who has so thoroughly mastered illusion would have found time to study much else. I doubt we'll face any real surprises." Celes smiled wickedly. "I'm fer thinkin' the same," she said with a cackle. "I was just wantin' to make sure we thought 'bout it." "Let's see if we can't lop one of the heads off this beast then," Brandon said with an evil grin and slapped his hand on his sword hilt. ------- Zoraster paced nervously as he watched the group planning in his scrying mirror. He had observed the previous battle, and the results did not encourage him. The Training Grounds were simply too important to his plans to allow to fall. The Archmage formed a plan to defend the place should the need arise, though he was loathe to tip his hand there any more than he already had. The group was resourceful, and Danica's plan seemed logical to Zoraster. He planned his contingencies with the hope that they would prove unnecessary, validating his faith in Danica and Celes. "Master," Zoraster heard from behind him. "Report," Zoraster said as he turned to face the man. "Master, the Princess is now fully under our control thanks to the drugs provided to her. Already, we have persuaded her through suggestion in her sleep to kill her teacher. She talks to herself of it often and seems to be enthusiastic to bring about his death. It appears our own plans coincide with hers. We have simply accelerated them." Zoraster smiled. "This is most welcome news. Soon, she will sit on the throne and I will finally have full control. We have an agent in place to marry her?" "Yes, Master. He is prepared and she already allows him to pay court to her according to our suggestions." Zoraster laughed, "Excellent. Now, what of the thorn in my side here?" "Jenna succumbs more slowly, due to her less frequent use of the drug, but she succumbs nonetheless. She will be in our power soon." "With those two under my control, I will possess the entirety of this nation's resources before another year passes. You are dismissed. Report back to me when Jenna is mine." "As you command, Master Zoraster." Zoraster turned back to the mirror, "Succeed, my little rose. Things move quickly, and being forced to reveal my hand here will delay my plans. Such will not amuse me." ------- Part 11A The companions worked on the details of their plan until nightfall, and then went to their rooms. Mara joined Bear and Janelle, while Nara followed Brandon and Cheron. Danica shared the night — and her body — with Terran. The next day, everyone sat down to hammer out the final points of their plan. By midday, Danica felt that they were ready. Everyone gathered his or her equipment and prepared to head into their most dangerous confrontation yet. Under cloak of invisibility, the group quickly moved toward the center of the wood. The companions carefully avoided the numerous creatures stalking the wood, the monsters growing more organized by the day. Danica knew they were within Illusion's domain when a maze of illusions sprang up around them. Now within the heart of the area that misdirected scrying magic, only Danica's magical protections prevented the companions from finding themselves hopelessly lost amidst the ever-changing trails created by the illusions. No creatures accosted the companions within the area, the illusions apparently designed to keep them out as well. The group let their invisibility lapse, knowing it was useless against a master of illusion, and continued cautiously penetrating deeper into the area. Illusions and phantasms assaulted the companions as they neared the heart of the wizard's domain. The companions ignored the first, and quickly destroyed the phantasms as they attacked. The first phantasms of an ogre magi and accompanying ogre lasted only seconds, the companions barely pausing to destroy the magical constructs before pressing onward. The group emerged into a clearing, and themselves surrounded by illusions and the remaining phantasms. The illusions proved no distraction, the companions now so used to dealing with the magic that they could completely ignore it. The two remaining phantasms, a wyvern and a small red dragon, proved far more difficult to ignore. Janelle and Venaru both loosed missiles at the wyvern as soon as they broke into the clearing. Janelle put a second arrow in the air while Venaru reloaded his crossbow, and she fired a third when he fired again. Celes sent a barrage of magical missiles into the creature as it swooped down on the companions. Danica, Terran, and Mara led the assault on the more dangerous dragon. Their magical missiles sailed into the phantasm, causing it to roar in rage. The dwarves, Nara, Brandon, Cheron, and Bear charged the dragon, led by Cheron's hurled mace. The three fighting the wyvern dived aside as it swooped at them, and then jumped back up to fire at the illusionary monster once more. Danica had a moment to glance at the cabin-like structure in the center of the clearing before she had to rush away from the lashing tail of the dragon phantasm and hurl another blast of missiles into it. Danica's quick glance revealed that the door was ajar. Both phantasms weakened under the barrage of the companions' assault. Danica thought she heard the sound of a chanting voice coming from somewhere off to her right. Nara suddenly spun, breaking off her attack on the Dragon, and stretched out her hand toward the trees at the edge of the clearing — where Danica had heard the voice. An obviously female scream erupted from the area as Nara's mental attack ruined whatever spell the woman had tried to cast. Danica and Nara both rushed toward the area, the weakening phantasms no longer demanding their attention. The woman was trying to rise as Danica reached her. Danica lashed out with her mind and telekinetically shoved the woman back down to the ground hard. She heard the breath blast from the woman as she hit. Nara arrived then, and she stretched her hand out at the woman. Danica saw the enemy wizard's eyes roll up in her head as the illusionist slumped unconscious to the ground. The phantasms faded into harmless illusions no longer possessing the power to cause harm. The companions ignored the tattering remnants of the phantasms and rushed toward the women at the edge of the woods. Danica waved them away. "We have her. Get into the cabin and take anything you can find. We don't want to leave anything here for the monsters and the other mages." The rest of the companions hurried into the cabin while Danica watched Nara bind the unconscious wizard's hands and put a gag into her mouth. Celes stepped back out of the cabin and warned, "The illusions are breakin'. We found the thing what was givin' them their power. We'll have curious critters breathin' down our necks any minnit now. Let's get ourselves outta here." The companions gathered at the center of the clearing. Bear walked over to help when he saw Danica and Celes struggling to pull the illusionist over to where everyone gathered. He slung the bound woman over his shoulder as if she weighed nothing and carried her back to the others. The companions joined hands and vanished from the clearing a few moments later. ------- "So, our master of illusion is a woman," Terran remarked as the companions looked upon one of the foes that had pulled the army in the wood together. The illusionist lay on a table, the companions taking the time to catch their breath and regain their composure before reporting the capture to the Commander. "And not a bad lookin' one at that," Brandon declared. Danica looked at the woman and agreed with Brandon that the illusionist was indeed striking. She had auburn hair that hung to her shoulders, perfectly framing a face with full sensual lips and long lashes. The illusionist had average size breasts, but they were perfect for her figure. "It would be easiest if we were to learn what she knows here, before reporting to the commander," Nara suggested. "One of you ask her questions, and I can glean the truth from her mind. She may speak falsehoods, but the questions will turn her mind to the truth, and I will know it." "Danica should be doin' the askin'," Celes said. Danica shrugged, thinking that anyone could have asked the questions. "Well, let's get the gag off her and wake her up then. Keep her hands tied." Brandon removed the gag and Nara closed her eyes for a moment before waving her hand slowly over the illusionist's face. The woman's eyes snapped open and she struggled for a moment. Once she realized she was bound and surrounded, she relaxed and stared hard at Danica. "Who are you?" Danica asked. "Why should I tell you?" The illusionist snapped. "Because you have no real choice," Nara revealed. "Her name is Marlena." The woman's mouth gaped open when Nara spoke her name. "Nara will learn the truth from your mind despite anything you might say, so there's no sense in lying. Why are you attacking this place?" Danica asked. Marlena sat tight-lipped for a moment. When Nara took a breath to speak, the illusionist sighed and said, "To weaken Zoraster — why else?" "Why?" Danica asked, though she could think of a hundred reasons she would like to see that come to pass. "Because he is growing in power too quickly, both personally and through those who serve him. He will be an unstoppable force all too soon at this rate," Marlena said, her eyes as hard as agates. "Who are the others — the other mages?" Danica asked. The woman shrugged, and Nara said, "She doesn't know their names either. Our guesses were correct, however. The one is a strong summoner, an old and wasted man. The necromancer is gaunt and obsessed with death. The master of charm is an Archmage of considerable power and charming looks. His ability to charm the leaders of the monsters and cause that charm to effect those they lead comes from an artifact he possesses. He will be an extremely dangerous foe. She hates that she joined with them, even for what she believed to be a just cause." "What are you going to do to me?" Marlena asked. "I can answer that," a voice said from behind the companions. Danica turned to see the Commander step away from the portal. "Zoraster has asked that you be turned over to him. One of his wizards stands ready in my war room this moment." The commander walked over and pulled the illusionist up to a sitting position. He then impatiently motioned for her to stand. Looking at the companions he said, "You have performed remarkably. The illusions are banished from the wood. My men even now prepare to assault the creatures in small bands, as you have." "Tell 'em they best be runnin' like hell if'n they see any o' the hellspawn or the walkin' dead. The illusions weren't the only dangers 'side the monsters in the wood," Celes warned. "My men have been briefed. They shall also stay well away from those areas where Nara reports the mages are most likely to be. Your group will undertake any expeditions into those areas as you see fit. I will speak with you more, but Zoraster bids me to make haste turning this bitch over to him." The commander stared hard at Marlena and growled, "You and your cohorts have cost me far too many good men. So much potential lost. Know that you will be repulsed. This school shall not fall. Now come with me. My sword is ready, and if you attempt anything, I will not hesitate to strike you down." The illusionist stared hard at the Commander, but followed him to the portal. He paused for a moment and said, "I apologize for that. My anger got the best of me. We shall speak more about this great victory soon." The Commander then nodded and roughly pushed Marlena through the portal, following after. Danica heard Nara's voice in her mind, Zoraster took her mentor's life. Apparently, the man proved somehow troublesome. She entered just in time to see Zoraster suck the very life from him with a dark spell. He laughed and ignored her, then teleported away. Danica formed an acknowledging thought to let Nara know she understood. She then had to push her mind away from the thoughts of what Marlena would likely endure in Zoraster's clutches. Danica knew all too well what he was capable of. ------- The men of the Training Grounds made quick assaults into the fringes of the wood that day. The companions watched as the warriors whittled away at the edge of the monstrous forces. The warriors remained extremely cautious, and not one man sustained more than a slight injury. More than a hundred creatures fell to the warrior's blades and spells, however. Danica was surprised when both Nara and Mara left with Venaru that evening, following him to his quarters. Danica couldn't help but wonder just how close the sisters were. Cheron caught up both Brandon and Terran, and they also left for their rooms — or rather for Cheron's room — together. Janelle asked Danica to come play with her and Bear, and Danica enthusiastically joined them. Danica and the couple pulled off their clothes, admiring each other's bodies. The two women shared a deep kiss, and then pressed their bodies against Bear's. They caressed his big cock with their hands as they kissed his neck and chest. Janelle pulled down on Danica until they both knelt in front of Bear. Janelle wrapped her lips around his thick member to suck him with short strokes. Danica leaned over to tongue and suck his balls, as Janelle sucked his cock. Janelle released him with a last, long suck, and then pulled Danica's chin up, pointing Bear's big rod at her lips. Danica engulfed him with a moan of pleasure as Janelle used her lips and tongue to take over where Danica had left off. Both women took turns sucking him, switching positions whenever their jaws started to ache from having Bear's huge cock stretching them. He laid his hands on each of them, groaning and gasping in pleasure as the two women sucked him. Bear's breathing quickened, letting Danica know that he was near to climax. She let out an aroused moan as she tongued the sensitive cord between his balls and ass. Janelle tugged on Danica's arm, until both of them licked and sucked Bear's glans from opposite sides, looking into each other's eyes. Janelle's hand pumped on his shaft while their mouths teased him. Bear's fingers twined in Danica and Janelle's hair, and he came with a loud grunt. His hot cum flooded their mouths and shot out onto their faces. Both women moaned in delight and continued to suck his sensitive cock, taking time to lap drops of his cream from each other's faces when their mouths weren't full of slowly softening cock. When Bear's manhood drooped, he pulled away and stepped back to sit down hard on the bed. He breathed heavily and appeared weak in the knees. "Damn, but that was almost too much," he gasped. Janelle smiled and said, "You just relax for a few minutes. It's been too long since I had a chance to taste Danica." She then pulled Danica into a deep kiss while rubbing her fingers over Danica's folds. Danica moaned into the kiss as Janelle pushed her gently back to the bed. Danica leaned back and quickly parted her legs. Janelle slipped between them without hesitation. Danica moaned loud and long as Janelle's soft tongue lapped her. "Mmm — so good," she moaned. Janelle continued to lick and suck the redhead, and Bear rolled over to tease and suck Danica's nipples as his woman made Danica feel so good. He reached down with one big hand to slide a finger inside Danica, stroking it while Janelle concentrated on Danica's throbbing clit. He continued to suck on Danica's nipples while he probed her walls with his finger. Danica came with a gasping scream, and Bear moved down to join Janelle in lapping up the sweet flow of Danica's juices. Danica was still quivering from the aftershocks when she sat up to pull Janelle into a kiss, lapping her own juices from the blonde's face. Two of Danica's fingers slid inside Janelle as she kissed her. Janelle lay back and parted her legs, Danica sliding her head between them as soon as they were wide enough apart to admit her. She flicked her tongue over Janelle's labia and clit, sliding between the lips to taste the blonde's gathering wetness with moans of bliss. Bear stroked his finger in and out of Janelle as he had for Danica. Janelle pulled her legs up high and back, and then said in a breathless voice, "In my ass." Bear pulled his slick finger out and pushed it slowly into the blonde's ass. Janelle stiffened and arched her back slightly as Bear's finger penetrated her. Danica hungrily lapped Janelle's wet heat, eager to feel the woman come on her tongue and Bear's stroking finger. She teased, probed, and sucked every inch of Janelle's folds with her mouth, moaning with ever greater intensity as Janelle built toward orgasm. Janelle came, pulling Danica's face tight against her, and grinding her sex into the redhead's face. Danica kept lapping for the blonde's nectar as Janelle slowly settled to earth. Bear joined Danica in tasting the creamy flow, as he had with Janelle. Bear's cock was about half hard, and Janelle lay him down as soon as she recovered enough from her aftershocks to get up. She sucked steel back into his manhood as soon as his back hit the bed. Danica maneuvered the couple around until she could get Bear's legs up high enough for her tongue to reach his ass. She rimmed him, pushing her tongue inside ever so slightly as Janelle continued to suck him, sultrily saying, "Get that big cock hard for us again." Janelle released him with a final lick, and then pulled Danica up into a kiss. "I want to suck your clit while he fucks you," she said huskily and then kissed Danica again. Danica lay down and parted her legs. Janelle lay one leg down flat against the bed and lay down on it so she could get her mouth on Danica's clit. Janelle sucked it between her lips as soon as she could reach it. Bear moved in front of Danica on his knees. Janelle paused just long enough to guide Bear's big cock between Danica's glistening lips, moaning just as loud and full of arousal as Danica did as Bear filled the redhead with his thick erection. Janelle lifted Danica's hood ring and pulled the protective sheath out of the way to expose the redhead's throbbing bud. She flicked her tongue over it, sucked it, and rolled it with her tongue. All the while, Bear stroked his shaft slowly and steadily into Danica's depths. His big cock stretched her nether lips wide, the pink folds clinging to it with every slow thrust and withdrawal. Bear slowly picked up the pace, and Janelle doubled her efforts as well. Danica fell into a perfect state of ecstasy. Janelle's soft tongue and Bear's big cock caused a white-hot pressure to build in Danica's loins. She knew she was going to come hard under the dual assault — and soon. When Danica exploded into orgasm, Bear thrust into her hard and fast. Janelle sucked the redhead's clit equally hard between her lips, and rolled it with her tongue. Danica just kept coming. She screamed and gasped as back-to-back waves of orgasm shot through her like jolts of electricity. Only Bear's strong arms and Janelle's weight on her leg kept her in place for them to keep her body locked in climax. When Danica couldn't take any more, she pushed Janelle's head away hard. Bear pulled from her as Janelle withdrew. Danica writhed on the bed, rolling over with her ass high in the air, still coming. Danica gasped her way through the slowly calming storm that shook her body, and then collapsed to the bed on her face, still breathing hard. Janelle gently stroked Danica's back as the redhead tried to regain her senses through the haze of ecstasy clouding her mind. Janelle's other hand stroked Bear's hard cock. When Danica finally found the strength to sit up, Janelle lay down and parted her legs, beckoning Bear to her. Danica pulled down on Janelle's leg and assumed the same position Janelle had, flickering her tongue over Janelle's no less engorged clit as Bear pushed into the blonde's wet heat. Danica moaned with each little contraction of Janelle's muscles that caused the blonde's labia to quiver beneath her tongue. When Janelle cried out in climax, Danica followed Janelle's example once more. She sucked the blonde's clit hard between her lips while Bear pounding his cock home hard. Bear's face showed tight concentration and intense pleasure at the same time as Janelle fell into the grip of the same sort of mind-numbing multiple orgasms that Danica had experienced. Danica didn't relent, attacking Janelle's clit with fervor. She took advantage of Janelle's creamy juices to slide a finger about halfway into the blonde's ass, while continuing to suck the woman's clit to keep her coming. Bear grunted with every thrust, obviously near the point of no return. He suddenly pulled from Janelle with a great gasp and stroked his cock. Danica sucked his erection between her lips just as he pulsed, shooting hot cum down the back of her throat. Danica didn't swallow any more than she had to, keeping a mouthful of his cream to share with Janelle. The two women shared his seed in a long, slow kiss, and then all three sank to the bed to catch their breath. Danica barely found the strength to rise and dress hours later, and then return slowly — on still wobbly legs — to her own room. ------- The companions returned to the woods the next day, ambushing a small group of goblins whipping along some wood trolls. Venaru led the group to the rescue of a hard-pressed group of fighters from the Training Grounds on the way back, destroying the rest of the goblins and a shaman. A pair of demons flew into the area as the fight neared an end. The companions covered the soldiers with their spells and enchanted weapons, allowing the soldiers to finish their foes without interference from the demons. Danica and the others then continued to cover the soldiers the rest of the way out of the wood, following after. The following week continued much the same. The companions encountered and destroyed a group of undead orcs at one point. Nara taught Danica how to use her mental powers to stun creatures, and to form the psychic blade. Danica practiced when she found opportunities, and showed progress in stunning a goblin with her mind before her magic took it down. Danica and Celes both gained understanding of Terran's accelerated method of spell casting as well. Each time they cast a familiar battle spell, they discerned shortcuts that reduced the time required to cast the spell. Danica thought that soon they would hurl lightning bolts, fireballs, and magic missiles just as quickly as Terran. During the night, they pleasured each other. Cheron coaxed Nara, Venaru, and Terran all into her room one night. Danica spent a night with the incredibly limber and inventive Mara, experiencing and giving orgasms in positions she had never even conceived. After their first serious encounter with the undead, the companions found their trips into the woods harassed almost constantly by shambling skeletons and zombies. They destroyed the undead creatures when they could, and retreated when necessary. Speaking with other groups of soldiers revealed that the undead attacks were concentrated almost exclusively on the companions. "We should start destroying the undead," Cheron declared at one point, as they made ready to enter the wood. "I'm for thinkin' she's right," Celes agreed. "With havin' three priests along an' our blessed weapons, we could put the hurt on the Necromancer. Especially if we start ta immolate t' bodies of the critters we kill." "Time to see if we can't draw out another of the mysterious wizards causing this whole thing then?" Danica asked. "Yes," Cheron answered, her eyes hard. "The undead are the ultimate blasphemy. It is time to put a stop to it. I can call upon the power of Heraklan to defend us and bring us victory." "As will I call upon the divine," Nara concurred. "An' meself as well," Feros echoed. Danica nodded her head and folded her hands across her chest. "They seem to be seeking us out anyway. Let's turn the tables on them. We attack toward the heart, then retreat. We'll torment him as we did with Illusion." The friends moved with obvious purpose toward where they believed the Necromancer to lair. They encountered other creatures along the way, but apparently their fame and descriptions were circulating through the wood. Few monsters stood against them, choosing to flee and look for easier prey when the encountered the companions. Those creatures that were foolish enough to try to impede the formidable friends were cut down with practiced efficiency. The Necromancer obviously held the same respect for the companions, because the undead attacked in force long before Danica and her band reached the area of greater misdirection surrounding his lair. Skeletons and Zombies lumbered into view, stalking toward the companions. The zombies moaned and shambled, making slow progress. The skeletons clacked their jaws as they moved at a quicker pace toward the group forming up to defend against the walking dead. The three clerics stretched out their hands and called to their gods. Nearly all the skeletons and zombies toppled to the earth, freed from their mockery of life by the power of the gods flowing through the priests. A dozen more of the undead in the next wave fell as well. The creatures continued to shamble forward, and fewer of them collapsed as they approached. Janelle let her bow sing, as did Venaru. Brandon, Bear, and Griffith charged in, heading left. The wizards concentrated their spells of fire on the zombies to the right. The three clerics ceased their prayers and brought up their weapons. Those walking dead that still moved were too deeply connected to the negative plane to free their trapped spirits with a prayer. The animated bodies would only fall to physical force. Cheron's whistling mace led their charge, blasting a skeleton's skull to bits and powder. The holy power of her mace destroyed the creature's link to the negative plane and sent the rest of the bones tumbling to the earth. The wizards concentrated their spells on the zombies, save Danica who conjured up a Crushing Fist to smash skeletons asunder. Since there was nothing to burn, and little to target with magic on the skeletons, the work of destroying those monsters fell mainly upon the fighters. The undead were no match for the fighting prowess of the companions, and the monsters fell like wheat before a scythe. Bodies and bones littered the ground within a few minutes, and the numbers of walking dead filtering in to the clearing lessened. Something suddenly leapt from the trees toward Bear, hissing. A half dozen more of the creatures followed the first. "Ghouls!" Cheron screamed and blasted one of them to the ground with her hurled mace. The ghoul popped back up and turned back toward Bear. The big warrior barely kept the quick, deadly creatures away from him with swings of his war hammer. Everyone charged and hurled spells at the ghouls, having eliminated all the skeletons and zombies. Celes continued to direct her fire spells at the fallen zombies, ensuring that magic could not animate them again. Bear suddenly stiffened as one of the creatures broke through his guard. The ghoul tore long gashes into Bear's leg at a seam in his armor. He fell and two of the creatures immediately leapt upon him. Janelle screamed in rage and fear, and hurled down her bow. She drew her short sword and charged into the fray, screaming wildly. Brandon and Feros had already reached Bear by the time Janelle started her run. Brandon managed to bat one of the ghouls aside, and defended against another that attacked him at the same time. Nara and Cheron both chanted prayers to their god, bringing faintly shimmering auras into being around each of the companions. The undead loudly hissed and cringed away from the fighters, now surrounded by the positive aura of the prayer spells. The ghouls not attacking Bear felt the sting of Griffith's axe and the wizards' spells. Brandon pressed the one he had swatted away with quick, powerful strikes. The ghoul hissed and gasped when the blade touched its skin on one swing. The power of the Dwarven gods within the blade combined with the clerics' spells made the weapon deadly to the touch for the ghouls. The ghoul that lay atop Bear digging into his flesh with its horrid claws hurtled away when blasted by Feros' war hammer. The strength of the blow and the power of Feros' god exploded the creature's head, and it did not rise when it fell. The ghoul lay twitching on the ground as Feros turned on the other monsters. Janelle's blade whistled as she danced among the ghouls, striking like a cobra any time one of the vicious creatures came within reach. She screamed wildly, hatred and fear burning in her eyes as she whirled and slashed the flesh eaters. The power of the clerics' spells made the small wounds from her sword burn the ghouls, and the horrible mockeries of life weakened. One by one, the ghouls fell to the blades and spells of the companions. When the last monster fell with Janelle's short sword thrust into its face and the tip sticking out the back of its head, she let go of the blade and rushed to Bear. He lay upon the ground — stiff and unmoving. His chest slowly rose and fell, but Janelle's eyes filled with tears upon seeing him covered in many wounds from the ghouls' claws. "We've got ta be gettin' him someplace safe so's the healers kin work on him. To me," Celes screamed. The companions quickly formed up into a circle, Brandon struggling to lift Bear's stiff form and get him into the circle. Celes chanted her spell and the group winked out of the clearing, leaving behind only the widely scattered remains of the undead. ------- The clerics easily healed the paralysis caused by the ghouls' touch. The priests healed and cleansed the wounds, and Bear soon stood — only a little shaken by the experience. Janelle, however, received a berating equal to that which she had given Bear not so long ago. His position on the ground had allowed him to see much of the fight, despite not being able to move his head at all. He knew she had attacked with reckless abandon. Cheron spent the remainder of the day, and much of the night, crafting charms that would protect them all from the paralyzing touch of ghouls. The charms would also help counter the powers of other undead — such as the draining touch of the Wight, the charming gaze of the vampire, and the diseased touch of a mummy. Venaru made his own charm, and Feros made the charms for himself and Griffith. Bear and Janelle went to their room early in the afternoon. The experience had shaken Janelle more than Bear, and he did his best to remind her he was quite fine — in every way imaginable. The Commander called Brandon to his war room, and Terran spent his time with Celes, scanning the wood. This left Danica talking quietly with Nara and Mara. Danica was on edge, trying to think of a more effective way to attack the undead. "You seem so tense. Perhaps you need to relax," Nara said with the promise of pleasure in her eyes, as she laid her hand on Danica's thigh. Nara's softly stroking touch created a passion that burned away Danica's thoughts. Desire flooded Danica's every pore and pushed away all thoughts of the wood. She rose wordlessly when Nara stood, and Mara followed. When they reached Nara's room, Nara said with a sultry smile, "To answer the question in your mind — No, we do not share each other. We are unashamed to share another between us, however." The two women quickly undressed Danica, and Mara led the redhead to the bed. Nara slowly and sensually undressed for Danica, as Mara ran her tongue in a light caress over Danica's body. When Nara stood nude, she helped undress Mara while her sister moved to taste Danica's sweet juices. Danica shuddered under the woman's touch, drinking in the sight of Nara revealing Mara's body. Mara stood up, shrugged off the last of her clothes, and then lay down on the bed on her back with her feet pointed toward the head of the bed. Nara guided Danica into a kneeling position over Mara. Mara levered her head up to suck Danica's folds again. Nara knelt down to slide her stiff tongue deep inside Danica while Mara's tongue flicked over the redhead's nether lips and clit. Mara alternated between teasing with her lips and tongue, and sucking Danica's hard clit. Nara probed and lapped Danica's folds, taking little side trips to rim and probe the redhead's ass. The sisters' touch steadily built Danica's fires. Danica lowered her face to Mara's folds and tasted the sweet spiciness with the tip of her tongue as the two women sent her soaring. She wasn't able to concentrate for long, as the women were driving her mad with pleasure. She soon rose up on her hands again, gasping, moaning, and screaming as the two women's tongues brought her ever closer to orgasm. Danica looked back over her shoulder at both women as they licked her. Danica came hard, soaking both women's faces with her flood of cum. They kept her coming until she was nearly out of breath, and then released her to quiver through the aftermath. Nara went to the head of the bed and parted her legs to rub her nether lips right in front of Danica. Danica bent down and tongued Mara while she watched Nara rub and stroke her sex. Danica felt a familiar sensation wash over her, and suddenly she could feel Nara's pleasure building from her rubbing fingers. Then, Mara was there as well. Nara linked them all, allowing each of them to feel the building pleasure of the other two. Danica lapped Mara's folds with quicker strokes of her tongue, and felt her own arousal spike. Though neither sister touched her, Danica could feel the pressure of a climax surging within her. Nara rubbed her clit in fast circles, writhing back and forth and letting out quavering moans as she neared her peak. Danica tried to maintain her concentration to lap at Mara, but found it difficult. Her lack of concentration didn't seem to matter, because Mara was as wrapped up in the mental link as Danica. The dancer quickly built toward her own orgasm despite Danica's lack of concentration. When they all three came, it was perfectly simultaneous. Danica gushed, soaking the bed. Three smaller spurts escaped her as she continued to come. Danica was almost unaware of it due to the power of the shared three-way orgasm, dulling her senses to the reactions of her own body. Nara and Mara gushed as well. All three women writhed as they came, their nude bodies intertwining as they gasped and screamed their pleasure. The incredible three-way orgasm seemed to go on and on, never releasing them. They awoke several hours later, still entwined and laying on the bed soaked with their woman cum. It took them another hour to manage to rise from the bed. They then shared a bath in Danica's room within the main building, squeezing into the tub that was barely large enough for them all to fit in. Danica simultaneously masturbated both women beneath the water, bringing them to orgasm while they soaked in the warm water. The sisters then returned the favor for her. Danica slept very well, without worries or cares, well into the morning the next day. ------- Zoraster watched the guardswomen leave the grounds, escorting the servants to the temple. None of them understood why their mistress had ordered them all to the temple for devotions, but they knew better than to question her. When the soldiers and servants passed out of sight, Zoraster turned to Telanor and beckoned him with a wicked smile. The two strode directly across the grounds and into the house. They found Jenna lounging in her customary place on the couch in the central room of her home. She was in a daze induced by the specially prepared drugs Zoraster had substituted for her normal vice. The woman barely acknowledged Zoraster's presence when he walked in front of her. She was so deep into the charming stupor that she could barely move. Flickers of fear showed in Jenna's eyes as the two men stopped in front of her. "I brought you here because I wish Jenna here to learn a lesson before I take control of her completely. I will administer an antidote to the drug in a moment, which shall last for only a short time, and I wish you to show her the folly of her ways. She is untouched by man. You will be her first — and probably last." Telanor's wicked smile matched Zoraster's in every way. "It's been a long time since I deflowered a virgin." Zoraster laughed and spoke words of magic. His power pulled Jenna's body into a kneeling position on the couch and held her in faintly glowing magical bonds. He then stuck a needle into the side of her neck. A few moments later, Jenna showed signs of leaving the quiet stupor induced by the drugs. As she fully regained consciousness, Jenna struggled against her magical bonds, watching Telanor strip off his clothing and rub ointment on his manhood. "You have proven a thorn in my side for too long. Your protection against my magic has availed you nothing, as I will control you anyway without your knowledge, Jenna. For now, I allow you your mind one last time, to impress upon you the folly of thwarting me." With that, Telanor moved in behind Jenna and mounted her, pressing his swollen helmet against her nether lips. A moment later Jenna screamed in pain as Telanor shoved his cock through her hymen and into her depths. Zoraster sat back watching and drinking wine, making sure he was in a position where Jenna could easily see him. ------- The companions continued to seek out and destroy undead for the next three days, the warriors of the Forge taking their toll on the monsters as well. Then suddenly, something changed. The demons and undead surged to the edge of the woods. The creatures advanced, merging into cohesive defense fronts. The monsters built barricades and dug trenches, making it nearly impossible for even the formidable companions to enter. The wizards had obviously realized the danger and were now working together to repulse the defenders from attacking in the wood. The enemy also rallied the monsters — all of them — toward attack on the Training Grounds. "It will be soon. We will fight to the last and exact a terrible toll upon them, but despite the skills of those who serve here, I fear we may still be stormed under," the Commander lamented. "Hope is not lost. The wizards must be concentrating all their efforts to push the hordes into this cohesive effort. If we can push back hard enough, it should overwhelm their charms," Terran offered. "I'm not sure we can push back hard enough. The enemy will be ready for the cavalry this time, and it appears the entire host of the bastards will attack. I'll not ask any of you to stand with me in defense. Any who wish to leave now, go with my blessing," the Commander said with a sigh. All in the room said they would stay to the bitter last. Celes and Danica both knew they had no real choice in the matter. Unless Zoraster told them otherwise, they could not leave here. Few left when the Commander made the offer to everyone else that had joined in the battle against the hordes in the woods. Fewer than thirty, all men from the town, left for the safety of their homes. Such safety was questionable, with a horde of evil creatures so close. If the Training Grounds fell, every village and town in the city stood vulnerable. The clerics and wizards engaged in a tireless race to provide as much magical protection for the fighters as they could. The smiths likewise worked night and day to forge and repair weapons, while the fletchers turned out arrows and bolts by the barrel. The companions watched for two weeks as the creatures massed, preparing to attack. The creatures were eager, snarling, and shouting challenges that the defenders could hear from the walled complex. The companions waited in the Fortress, to provide advance warning of the attack with their better-practiced ability to scry through the misdirection into the woods. The companions anxiously awaited the battle. Couples and groups often adjourned to the bedrooms throughout the day to relieve the tension through sexual release. Finally, the buildup came to a head. Terran believed the assault would come that very night. The companions returned to the main complex, sealed the portal, and waited with the defenders on the walls. The attack occurred three hours before dawn: a swarm of monsters, magic, and hurled boulders. The men and women of the Forge had prepared well, and the defenders were able to hold — if only barely. The reinforcement of the walls and gates likewise proved sufficient to keep the monsters at bay. The first hints of dawn found the defenders still holding, but weary. The companions hurried from place to place during the night, using their stronger enchanted weapons to destroy the demons that flew over the walls to attack. More men fell to the handful of demons than to any other attack from the hordes of monsters. The defenders looked with exhaustion upon the attacking hordes as the light of day revealed the swarm. Despite the number of monsters killed, the horde still appeared endless. At least two thousand monsters remained on the field of battle, and the defenders were weakening far quicker than the hosts of evil creatures were. The companions in particular were on the edge of falling over from exhaustion. They had defeated no less than seven of the deadly demons since the beginning of the attack. No demons had attacked for an hour, and Danica prayed that meant that they had destroyed all the hellspawn. The monsters pulled back beyond arrow range, and formed up for a final deadly assault. Tight knots of ogres and warrior goblins surrounded the ogre magi, to protect the spell casters. The tireless undead moved to the head of the forces, ignoring the few arrows that thudded into their dead flesh, though a few went down before the order to cease fire passed amongst the defenders. Danica saw the three wizards exit the woods at the rear of the horde, carried upon shaded pavilions borne by monsters. Everyone summoned up reserves of strength and courage to make a last stand, knowing that there was no way they could possibly repulse the enemy in their exhausted state, especially with the fresh and rested wizards joining the fray. Then, the sound of a horn blast from the East broke the monotony of the eager snarls from the horde of monsters. The defenders' spirits sank, thinking the sound heralded another fresh group of monsters arriving to join in the battle. A spark of hope flared to life within the men and women of the Forge when the monsters reacted as if to a threat, not reinforcements. An army marched at double time down the road toward the Training Grounds. At the head of the forces marched a spearhead of stocky dwarves. Fifty dwarven berserkers formed the tip of the spear formation. The deadly razor edged armor of the dwarves and an incredible ability to ignore both wounds and magic made a single berserker a dangerous opponent for twenty men. The remainder of the stout folk equaled three hundred. The dwarves bore a standard depicting a hammer striking sparks on an anvil. Despite his exhaustion, Griffith whooped a cheer, "Ironanvil! King Geflon has sent his lads to save our hides!" Behind the dwarves followed a loose group of cavalry and infantry. The forces all appeared to be sell swords, having nothing that identified them as any sort of close-knit group. These irregulars numbered around two hundred. The human warriors charged ahead of the Dwarves with wild abandon once the monsters advanced to attack the new threat. The stout dwarves doubled their speed, breaking into a run without losing the spear formation. The monsters charged, thinking to overwhelm the defenders and the newcomers, as one group was exhausted, and the other did not have the protection of the walls. The monstrous army reacted with surprise when the warriors that reached them first broke from their charge to tear at the edges of the horde with spells, arrows, and blades. The irregulars never remained still, never committed to direct combat if possible. The warriors swarming around them distracted the monsters, and thus the creatures were not fully prepared when the dwarven spear formation hit them. The dwarves tore into the host like an arrow. The stout warriors cut directly into the heart of the battle, monsters falling on all sides. The defenders on the walls attacked with renewed hope, finding strength that they didn't have to send spells and arrows over the wall. Many fighters, led by the Commander himself, formed up near the gate and prepared to charge. Everyone knew their only hope lay in not giving the monsters a chance to get over the surprise of the attack. The Commander charged out with his men to join the fray moments later. The dwarves continued to push through the host, leaving a trail of death in their wake. The monsters had no opportunity to attack at the dwarves' backs, because the fighters outside and the defenders rushing from the complex fell upon them. The wizards at the rear of the horde sent their deadly spells into the battle, felling defenders and monsters alike. The wizards commanding the army recognized the danger, and knew they had to take a hand. They concentrated their magic upon the never faltering spear of Dwarves charging straight at them. Their magic rolled off the dwarves like water off a duck's back. Danica knew that the dwarves must have some sort of magical protection in addition to the race's natural resistance to magic and sheer determination in battle. Few fell, and the attack did not falter, continuing to press onward through the chaos toward the wizards. A great cheer went up from the defenders when the dwarves drew near the wizards. Spells exploding and swarms of monsters made it impossible to truly see what was happening despite the high vantage on the wall. The monsters on the field began to lose their determination and retreat toward the woods. The fighters on the ground harried them every step of the way. As suddenly as it had begun, it was over. The defenders collapsed, many falling asleep where they sat. The companions were amongst this group. They fell into an exhausted slumber, but did so with wide smiles on their faces. They knew they had survived, and it was likely the monstrous army was broken by the unexpected aid from the east. ------- Some days later, the companions were asked to come to the war room to meet with the Commander and others. Danica gasped when she entered, because she recognized two of the people there by description, even if she had never met them. A black bearded dwarf with a fierce expression could only be King Geflon Ironanvil himself, an ally of Darkniciad, and thus someone who knew her sister. A broad warrior, half-goblin by the tone of his skin and his pointed ears, could only be Mindblind — also someone who knew her sister. A vision interrupted Danica's surprise and delight, a vision that she assumed only she could see, since nobody else reacted to it. The image of Zoraster warned, "Reveal not yourself to them, or your punishment — and that of others — will be great." Danica felt her hope deflate into resignation. Those gathered all sat down to relate first hand what Danica and the others had heard in bits and pieces as everyone recovered. Geflon spoke first. "Well, I'm sittin' around, goin' through a mess of me duties, when this lad comes in wit' a letter from Griffith. I'ze sick an' tired of dealin' wit' the petty squabbles an' rot, so I tell'z everyone it's somethin' important I need to get to right away. I didn't have no idea I'ze tellin' the truth when I said it. "Griffith was tellin' meself about the blade ye had discovered in the hands of a stinkin' orc. Now me lads ain't been in a good scrap for a bit now, an' they was gettin' soft. Seein' as how these critters kilt somebody who had been given a masterblade, I decides ta gather up me lads an' see what we kin do about payin' 'em back." The dwarf's bearded face broke into a wide smile. Geflon continued, "Long the way, I sent me some lads inta Fightershaven to see if'n Mindblind wanted ta come out and play too. It didn't take 'im long to get a bunch a roughnecks ta come a running on our heels. When we got here, we hit the bastards hard an' just kept a runnin'. We'd seen them damn wizards, knew they was there from Griffith's tellin', an' we knew the damn spell hurlers hadda go. "Now me lads, we got us some clerics, an' they called up t' power o' our gods ta protect us from damn magics when we come a chargin' in. I'm for wishin' ye coulda seen the look on them wizard's faces when we hit 'em. One of 'em got away, used some damn magic ta vanish, but me berserkers chopped the other two up inta lil' bits. Them damn critters took to their feet then. We chased 'em all until there weren't no more to chase. Near as we can tell, they ran straight through that wood an' right on out the other side." The Commander smiled and confirmed, "Indeed, from what my scouts and the war wizards tell me, there are very few creatures in the wood — at least compared to the hordes we faced. They are scattering back to their holes. The threat is nearly ended. It will take some time to send the rest to hell or running, but they'll not be any real threat again. We have the Companions of the Forge to thank in no small way for our surviving long enough for you to arrive." The half-goblin leader of the sell swords spoke up then, "This place has done me a damn fine service over the last several years. Fightershaven is a damn crazy place, but the boys you've trained here are starting to have a positive influence on the rest of the rabble. When you're trying to control a city that's all but a glorified mercenary waypoint, it's a damn pleasure to see a higher class of sell sword around." The Commander approached Mindblind, addressing him by his real name and title, "Duke Cerebus, I have long thought we could discover many mutual benefits were we ever to have the chance to sit down and speak. I would like to do so if you are willing." "I've been thinking about building up something to train my army and my militia. We've got Drax on our border constantly making trouble. I've got good men, but just don't have a setup like you've got here." "We'll work something out. I'm positive we could both benefit by sharing resources. Please convey my thanks to King Thakkorias as well." Mindblind laughed. "He'll get the thanks and the information I took off here at the same time. I just grabbed that lot of rabble and shook some gold at them when Geflon showed up. I had the same itch Geflon did. I just needed to get away from the day-to-day boredom. My wife is watching over the Duchy. She'd have come as well, and left the Chancellor and Arilee to keep things under control, but she's too far along with our next kid to be traipsing across the countryside. She was still pouting though, and I'm going to owe her a vacation from our duties since I ran off to have fun without her." "Your idea of fun is rather unique," the Commander offered with a smile, and then laughed. The Duke joined him in that laughter, as did the rest of those assembled. The Companions all smiled as Mindblind and his group, and Geflon and the two dwarves with him turned to nod an acknowledgment. One of the dwarves stepped forward and walked to where Brandon and Griffith sat side-by-side. The dwarf looked hard at Brandon, especially the sword on Brandon's hip. He then turned to Griffith, "He's weildin' the blade with honor? Doin' me craftin' proud?" Griffith nodded. "Aye, I'm for thinkin' few humans are as deservin' o' that blade as Brandon. He makes out ta be a scalawag, but he don't fool nobody what kin see the true heart of a warrior born." The Dwarf nodded, and then turned to Brandon. "The man what I made that blade for was a rare one. Me teeth grit thinkin' that some buncha filthy orcs swarmed 'im under an' took it — an' his life, for suren' he wouldna have let me finest craftin' fall to 'em if he still drew breath. Wield it well, an' cut down every filthy orc ye see with it, ta avenge one o' the few humans I was ever willin' ta put up with." The dwarf said the last in such a way that one couldn't help but recognize it as a gruff bluff. Danica knew that the previous owner of the blade had surely been a good friend of the dwarf. Brandon said, with unusual sincerity, "I will wield this fine blade with honor. I struck down the one who stole it, but ever are there orcs threatening people of all races. I shall be as a bane to them wherever I may go." The dwarf smiled. "Aye, I'm for thinkin' ye will." They spoke of the battles for a while longer. Mindblind and Geflon would be leading their forces home the next morning. Feros and Griffith revealed to the rest of the companions that they would stay in their camp with the dwarves, and would leave with them. Cheron instantly latched on to Mindblind, and she decided to journey with them as well. She expressed even greater interest when she learned that Mindblind's half-brother was a Heraklan of great renown, Vladamir. Janelle, Bear, and Venaru would return to their teaching, with Terran returning to the college. Nara and Mara were to return to their wanderings looking for warriors to bring to the school. Zoraster contacted Celes to inform her to return within the week as well. Danica knew she had another task here that Zoraster had not yet revealed to her. The Companions of the Forge were going their separate ways. The companions returned one last time to the Fortress. They celebrated and reminisced, enjoying their time together and vowing to try to meet here yearly after the Midwinter celebration. That night, when the dwarves left with their things to go to the dwarven camp, and Celes returned to her room in the complex, the remainder of the Companions shared a final fellowship. Everyone had spent intimate moments together before, but Cheron managed to somehow, between her sultry words and far too much wine, coax them all into disrobing and enjoying each other together. Orgies were not uncommon amongst the Heraklans, but it was a new and incredibly intense thing for the rest. For hours, they shared each other's bodies on the blankets and mattresses piled on the floor. Danica could remember few details once it was over. They all awoke lying together where they had collapsed of exhaustion. It took them many hours to part. ------- Part 11B Danica returned to her room in the main complex of the Forge with a heavy heart. She knew that another task awaited her, this time without companions to stand with her. Celes revealed that she planned to return to Zoraster's complex that day. She had left some things half finished, and wanted to get back to them. She also felt saddened by the breakup of the Companions of the Forge, and knew that staying here would remind her constantly of that loss. When Celes left, Danica sat down to talk with Brandon. "What do you plan to do?" Brandon shrugged and replied, "No idea. Zoraster told me to accompany you, so I'm with you until you leave." His smile revealed that the prospect of remaining with her wasn't an unwelcome prospect. That lightened Danica's spirits a little. Zoraster trampled her hopes when he arrived not long after. He walked into the room without the couple even noticing his arrival. They both started when he spoke. "Brandon, you have served well. Return to the complex through the portal in Danica's lab. Know you have served me well, and shall be well compensated. I imagine I shall find other work for you now that you have revealed the full extent of your abilities." Brandon nodded to Zoraster, offered Danica a last smile, and then walked to the portal as instructed. Zoraster and Danica locked eyes in a staring contest. Zoraster smiled and said, "Know you have served me well also, little rose. It is a pity they managed to marshal their stinking hordes. I was eager to see if you could capture any of the other four who conspired against me. Marlena is proving to be a most interesting young woman." He then laughed and Danica felt a chill run through her. "I had thought I might have to personally intervene here when the final attack commenced. I feared the place lost. This enterprise is too important to my plans to allow to fall. Fortunately, Geflon and his midgets, and Mindblind and his vagabond sell swords prevented the need. I did not wish to so overtly play my hand here, showing the importance of this place to me. Your task is half complete, and well done. Are you ready to embark on the next part of your task?" "Just tell me what I'm supposed to do," Danica snapped. Zoraster laughed. "Ah — there's some fire. Very well, little rose — your task is to glean through those who sell their bodies in the House of Women. You are to find the most skillful and interesting of them, and coax them into my employ. They will be paid by me instead of relying on their own charms to make their living. Any who refuse, you are to send away. I am sending one to oversee them, and she will aid you when necessary. I want at least thirty young, attractive women, and at least two young handsome men working for me in that house before your task is complete. "Find the disadvantaged and offer them hope in the coin I will pay. Bring them here and fill my house. You shall have the freedom to move about the farmsteads and villages of the area to seek them out. You will know if you have traveled beyond the set boundaries, I assure you. When you have filled the house, return and your task shall be complete — your freedom granted to you. Do feel free to sample those you bring into my employ. I rather enjoy watching." "I understand," Danica responded in a dismissive tone. Zoraster laughed again. "Ah — yes, yes — let the fire in your eyes match your fiery hair. Just remember, send that fire against me in more than words and glances and your punishment will be severe. Good day, little rose." With that final warning, the Archmage turned and left. Only a few minutes later, a knock sounded on Danica's door. Danica opened the door to find Zoraster's promised Madam. She and Danica went to the house, and there they sat in the back room to watch the women at work. The Madame knew her trade well, and she quickly pointed out those who should stay and those who should go. They selected twenty women before the day ended, all of whom agreed to Zoraster's new arrangement. The Madam sent the rest of the prostitutes away and told them not to return. Danica then moved into the city of Oakhaven to seek out more. She found two young men the Madame deemed suitable the first day in the city, and enticed five women from the local bawdy houses into Zoraster's employ. With the possibilities in the city exhausted, Danica moved out into the countryside to seek out the hopeless. She filled the last spot in Zoraster's house some two weeks later. Danica took great care to find those who truly had few other options in life and could truly benefit from the offer she had to make. She went about the task with a heavy heart, though. Somehow, she knew that Zoraster had more in store for the House of Women than he revealed. With her task was complete, Danica returned to Zoraster's complex, and her familiar rooms. ------- Zoraster smiled, satisfied to have yet another house of whores under his complete control. Each house of ill repute would prove useful once he winnowed through the chaff to locate those who would serve him in a greater capacity. Every element, every level of society had a place in Zoraster's plan. His agents would be within every nook and cranny of the world before he acted. Sitting back in his chair, Zoraster considered Danica, deciding to hold her back for some time. The encounter with the half-breed and the Dwarf could prove troublesome under the wrong circumstances, and it would be best if she were away from the stage of his great play for a while. The manipulation of the wish-based illusions created by Danica's pendant ensured that Geflon and Mindblind were unlikely to associate her with Devan's sister, but Zoraster could not ignore the danger. A few gestures and words of magic increased the dosage of the drugs that Danica's pendant regularly administered to her. Zoraster smiled wickedly, knowing the drugs would ensure Danica spent most of her time dealing the increased needs of her carnal desires, keeping her out of the public view. With those thoughts came arousal. With a growl of anticipation, the Archmage turned to leave and call upon Danielle. The young clone proved eager for him to deflower her once more. ------- Danica saw that the last of the many things she had commissioned had arrived during her absence. Someone had placed each item in more or less the exact place she wanted them. Danica smiled when she saw notes from Heather saying that many of her spell component jars were ready for her to pick up. Her pulse quickened when she thought of Heather and Grant. Having ignored the needs of her body during the second half of Zoraster's task, her body ached for release now that she allowed the feeling to settle over her. Danica immediately went to acquire the sixteen beautiful jars from Heather, sharing the couple's bed with them long into the night. She didn't sleep when she returned to her rooms, but instead took some of the alertness drug and returned to her studies. Now that she had the time, Danica was determined to learn the spells of teleportation. Her assistance in transporting the Companions would have helped a lot in the time before Mara arrived to join them. She knew the magic would probably come in handy again. Over the course of the next several days, Danica studied the spell. On the fourth day, she felt her blood burn and knew the magic was hers. She walked out onto the grounds, and then teleported from the front door of the main building to the front gates of the complex. Danica laughed when the guards — who should be used to wizards — jumped when she popped into existence right in front of them. She walked back to her rooms, feeling arousal building inside her. While wrapped up in studying the spell, she had ignored those needs, and her body now rebelled against that denial. Danica felt disappointed when she found Andrea and Damian both busy, but in truth, she wanted something different. She wasn't even sure what she wanted, but she knew she wanted it badly — and now. Thinking of her time in Oakhaven, Danica decided to go there. She went to her rooms and used the portal to return to the room permanently set aside for her at the Training Grounds. Everyone smiled and spoke to Danica as she passed through on her way out of the complex and down to the city. She wandered around at a leisurely stroll, taking in the sights rather than just the looks and thoughts of the women she passed this time. She noticed several shops that she planned to revisit soon. She found only one bathhouse, all but deserted in the cold weather. The cold couldn't dissuade Danica, and she enjoyed a long, warm soak. The rumbling of her stomach prompted her to find a good inn and a meal after her bath. Danica passed by one, but found another that spoke of higher quality shortly thereafter. She found the food good, though not nearly as fine as the fare in the inns of Montbank, the city near Zoraster's complex. The entertainment was a different story. She didn't notice until the show started, but few women patronized the inn. The entertainment likely explained why. Nearly nude dancers — a half a dozen at a time — moved around the floor of the inn. The dancers attempted to entice coins from the patrons, placing the tips — or having the patrons place them — in small pouches hanging from the waist of the skimpy bottoms of their dancing costumes. The jingling of the coins added to the music that accompanied their dance. The women were very beautiful and talented. Danica felt ever-increasing arousal spreading through her as she watched the women dance. One in particular, a young dark-haired woman, made Danica quiver every time the dancer looked her way. The women mostly avoided Danica, assuming that a woman sitting alone wasn't a likely prospect to fill their coin purses. The dark-haired girl spun to a table and paused for just a moment. A handsome, but stern looking man at the table put a coin in one of her purses. Danica noticed the patron say something to the dancing girl. The dancer immediately glided toward Danica, smiling and pirouetting around the table until she danced in front of Danica. Danica's mouth, and something else, watered as the woman danced in front of her. Pulling a coin from her pocket, Danica slipped it into one of the woman's coin purses. The girl smiled and spun around, bending her back to look back at Danica as she glided away. The position offered Danica a very good view of the upper globes of the woman's firm breasts. Danica quivered as she watched. The music wound down, and the current dancers left the floor. Six more dancers stepped out of a back room when another tune, faster in tempo, started playing. The women were no less beautiful or talented. Danica enjoyed their dances — a lot. Apparently, someone had noticed Danica putting the coin in the one girl's purse, because the women stopped avoiding her table. Danica tried not to think of how many coins she slipped into purses while feeling the soft skin of the women's hips in the process. The man to whom the dark-haired dancing girl had spoken to glanced in Danica's direction quite often, and something about him made Danica terribly uncomfortable. She didn't really feel like leaving yet, so Danica stood and took her drink with her to find somewhere else to sit, out of range of the man's stares. Danica sat in a corner booth for a while, but even when she couldn't see the man, she felt his eyes boring into her. It didn't take long for Danica to leave. She looked in the direction of the man's table as she left, confirming that he was indeed looking in her direction. A final glance over her shoulder revealed the man finally turning away. Danica decided to assuage her curiosity, going to the House of Women at the Training Grounds. Danica noticed little difference, save the quality of the bedding had improved. As Danica watched the men — and a single woman — coming in to pay for their companionship, she noted that the prices charged varied greatly. The woman was not charged at all, but allowed to choose one of the two handsome men to sport with free of charge. Danica knew Zoraster was using this bawdy house for some sinister purpose, but she simply couldn't fathom what. After a short while, she left the house to return to Oakhaven. Danica walked in the chill air by the light of the full moon. About halfway back to the town, Danica remembered a sheltered glade enclosing a small pond with a hot spring fed pool on one end. She'd found it during her search of the countryside to fill Zoraster's house. Something about that glade had called out to her when she passed it, and she answered that call now. ------- When Danica reached the glade a few minutes later, she walked up to the pool and kicked off one of her shoes. Dipping a toe into the water, she found the temperature just below the point of uncomfortably hot. Danica smiled and disrobed. She'd heard about the relaxing and healing properties of hot mineral springs like this, and couldn't resist experimenting. Danica eased into the water, the biting contrast between the chill air and the hot pool uncomfortable at first. Once fully immersed, she breathed a sigh of content and floated in the steaming waters. Danica noticed that she floated far easier in this water than she would normally, and remembered something in her studies about that being a property of certain mineral springs. Danica relaxed her body and let the pool buoy her up. She floated easily, and her nipples grew pebble hard where they emerged from the pool into the chill air. Danica reached out a finger and ran it over one of her nipples, thinking she could probably cut glass with them right now. The touch also ignited the still pressing need for release inside her. Danica rubbed her folds beneath the steaming water, moaning blissfully as she gave in to her needs. Just as she spiraled upward toward release, faint voices startled her. She heard the voices not with her ears, but with her mind. Danica looked around, but saw nothing. She concentrated, and noticed she could still hear the voices. The only thing she could make out was a she. Danica continued to look around, trying to figure out where the voices were coming from, but she saw nothing. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement. Snapping her eyes to the area, Danica saw nothing at first. After a few moments of staring, she saw what looked like a reflection of a woman in the water of the pond. As Danica watched, the Nymph rose up out of the water and glided toward Danica. At the same time, another Nymph stepped out from behind a tree and also moved toward Danica. Danica didn't know what to do. The Nymphs did not appear threatening, and she knew they weren't evil. Nymphs sometimes caused men to die of exhaustion while coupling with them, because they sought out men for their seed to bring new Nymphs forth from nature when one passed away, but the deaths were rare and occurred purely by accident. Danica looked at the forest spirits as they approached, appearing almost as wary of her as she was of them. The water Nymph, also known as a Naiad, naturally had bluish-tinged skin and very light blue hair. She was very petite and had small breasts with dark nipples and areoles that blended together. A thin strip of hair adorned her mound. The tree Nymph — a Dryad — appeared much the same, except her skin was greenish in color, her nipples and areoles lighter, and her hair much darker. She too had a thin strip of hair on her mound, and Danica wondered how this had incorporated itself into the Nymphs whom she'd always seen depicted and spoken of as having natural, untouched pubic hair in their human forms. The two Nymphs moved close together, and the water Nymph said to the other, "See, I told you it is a She of men." Danica could not help but feel aroused. Nymphs were naturally some of the most beautiful and sexual creatures in existence. Danica suppressed a shudder as she watched them — still wary, but feeling her body strongly responding to the sight of the beautiful nature entities. The two Nymphs both shuddered in unison. The tree Nymph said, "It does not feel like a She of men, or smell like a She of men. It feels like a She sister. The Shes of men do not have the magic as we do to call to the Hes of men like this one." Both of the Nymphs hands strayed to their nether lips to cover them, and Danica noticed just the faintest hints of a scent in the air. It smelled like a spring shower in the forest — warm, inviting, and sweet. Danica felt her arousal spike higher and saw the Nymphs both shudder again. This time both Nymphs slipped a finger between their nether lips. "The Shes of men do not call to us as this one does, but it is not a She sister. It is a She of men, I say," the Naiad asserted. The two Nymphs closed their eyes for a moment, falling into what Danica thought looked like a prayer-like state. When the Nymphs opened their eyes, they both looked at each other and smiled. "How are you called, She of men?" The water Nymph asked. Both of the beautiful sprites moved closer to stand at the edge of the hot spring fed pool. "My name is Danica." "I am Xara", said the Dryad. "I am Xaqua", said the Naiad. "I can leave if I'm intruding. I don't wish to bother you in your home," Danica said. The two Nymphs laughed. "You do not intrude — you interest us. The Mistress likes you, and we like you too," Xaqua said and giggled. "Will you come away from the hot place?" Xara asked. Danica's ever-heightening arousal confused her. She knew this happened to men when they encountered Nymphs, but she had never heard of it affecting a woman. Her hand strayed between her legs, and the Nymphs continued to rub their folds as well. Danica also slowly moved out of the hot pool toward the Nymphs. The air should have chilled her wet skin to the point of making her shiver, but Danica didn't feel the bite of the cold at all, as she exited the steaming waters. As soon as she was within their reach, the two Nymphs each stretched out a hand and touched one of her breasts. The three shuddered in unison, and Danica felt the wetness inside her freely flowing. She knew she would start dripping soon. "We seek a He of men for his seed. Will you join us in our seeking? We are but two and have not seen a sister for many moons," the water nymph said and then both sprites moved their hands from between their legs. They took Danica's hands and placed them over their folds, covering Danica's folds with their own hands. All worry and care evaporated from Danica. Somewhere in the back of her head, she knew she was under the Nymph's spell, but at this moment, she didn't care. Danica caressed the two wood spirit's labia and gently probed her fingers between their lips. The Nymphs likewise did the same for her. The two Nymphs took deep breaths, leaning close to Danica to drink in her scent as the three masturbated each other. Danica noticed the Nymphs shivering after each breath, and she could feel their wetness dripping off the back of her hand as she probed between their nether lips. Danica didn't know how long they stood touching each other this way, but when the two Nymphs guided her down to the ground, she noticed her own scent of arousal seemed just as strong as that of the Nymphs. The three scents mingled as one — strong, sensual, and intoxicating. Once again, Danica noted that she felt no bite from the chill air. As she reached the ground, Danica noticed that the earth felt as warm as a spring day. Danica lay down on her side, and the Naiad moved in front of her. Danica ran her tongue along the parting of the nymph's lips, and moaned in response to the taste. The Nymph's juices tasted like perfect spring water sweetened with fruit juices. The nectar dripped from the Nymph in a steady flow as Danica lapped it up. Out of the corner of her eye, Danica saw the Dryad lie on her side in front of the other Nymph, parting her legs. Xaqua slid her tongue between Xara's wet lips as soon as she could reach. Xara then maneuvered her body so she could get her head between Danica's legs. Danica gasped as she felt the wood Nymph's tongue wash over her. Danica's moans mingled with the musical ones of Xara and Xaqua as they all flicked their tongues over each other. Danica felt that she should go slowly, teasing and tantalizing with her lips and tongue, slowly building the fires in Xaqua, as Xara did the same for her. Time lost meaning as Danica lapped the continuous flow of intoxicating juices from Xaqua. Danica slowly built toward release, but felt somewhat disconnected from the sensation as she washed her tongue over the Nymph's sex. Normally, the level of arousal she had reached would have distracted her from her lapping by now, but she continued to probe Xaqua's folds at the same steady pace as she drew nearer to orgasm. When her orgasm gripped her, Danica quietly emitted a long moan of release as she continued to lick Xaqua. She felt Xaqua's body quivering under her tongue and Xara's head shivering between her legs. From those movements and the moans she heard, Danica assumed that the Nymphs must be coming too. As they slowly settled down from their simultaneous orgasms, the three moved and flipped over. Now Danica lapped Xara while Xaqua's lips closed around Danica's hood and the throbbing bud beneath. When Danica once again reached climax, they switched places again. Danica felt lost in the unending state of ecstasy. All else in the world ceased to exist save her quivering body and that of whichever Nymph she lapped to another peak of pleasure. ------- Danica returned to her senses some time later. She was lying on the warm earth, a pleasant glow of satisfaction flowing through her. Danica slipped a finger between her labia and shuddered from the aftershock the touch sent rolling through her body. When she brought the finger to her mouth, she tasted a man's cum on it. Danica looked over and saw Xara lying beside her lost in afterglow as well. Nearby, Danica saw Xaqua leaned over a rather handsome, nude young man, stroking her tongue over the man's flaccid member. The young man's eyes were rolled up in his head and he appeared oblivious. Danica noticed the intoxicating feeling leaving her. Xara moved over to Xaqua and laid a hand on the water Nymph's back. "Sister, the He is near exhaustion. His seed takes root and we must nurture it now — that our sister may be reborn." Xaqua pouted for a moment, and then moved away from the young man. The two Nymphs then approached Danica. "Come, we must nurture his seed," Xara instructed. Danica felt her knees wobbling as she stood and walked with the Nymphs toward a fair sized oak tree in the glade. The two Nymphs guided Danica until all three stood facing the tree, their bodies pressed against the tree and their hands joined in a circle around it. Danica felt a warm glow spreading through her body from her womb. Instinctively Danica knew it was what it felt like to know you were with child. The feeling was like nothing Danica had ever experienced before, and it brought strength to her trembling knees. An emotional connection flowed from her hands to those of the Nymphs and back. Danica could feel the same warm glow coming from the woodland spirits as well. Xara and Xaqua began a musical chant. Somehow, Danica knew the words and the melody, and joined in the chant. The warmth inside Danica intensified as they chanted, and her mind clouded. ------- Danica once again awakened. She lay on the ground near the tree she had joined hands around with the Nymphs. Danica shivered and realized that the chill of the air was returning to the glade. Danica rose and saw the two Nymphs kneeling together nearby. They spoke in a tongue she didn't recognize to someone in front of them. As the chill in the air continued to grow, Danica noticed the young man shivering from cold exactly where he had lain when Danica last saw him. He was still insensible — and still nude. Danica shook her head to clear it, knowing she had to get dressed and rouse the young man to do the same or they would both be in danger from the cold. Danica picked up her clothes and the young man's garments, and then moved to him. She cast a spell that would provide them both with warmth for a time. Danica felt her body stir as she dressed the young man — with some difficulty due to his unconscious state. She noticed his manhood appeared swollen and very red. Danica surmised that the Nymphs had likely coaxed him to hardness beyond his natural ability. Danica spread a healing salve over his cock before struggling to put on his homespun trousers. The young man did not awaken as she dressed him. When she finished, Danica felt a presence behind her and turned to see Xara and Xaqua standing behind her with a young girl. The little girl had green skin and a bright smile. Xara said, "This is our sister reborn. She shall be known as Xanica." Danica smiled at the little Nymph named for her, and Xanica giggled. Xaqua then said, "We must go now, for it is not our season. We were only awakened by the Mistress because of your presence to bring our sister's spirit to us. You are unique among the Shes of men. The Mistress likes you and we like you too. We did not break the He of men, did we?" Danica looked at the young man, who breathed steadily and appeared as though he would regain consciousness soon. "I believe he will be fine. I have healing potions to help him if he needs them." "It is good that the He is not broken. We try very hard not to break Hes, but we know other sisters have broken Hes." "Why am I special?" Danica asked. "You are," Xara answered and shrugged. "The Mistress likes you." Danica chuckled, doubting that she was going to get much more of an answer than that from the Nymphs. Xanica then walked over and leaned in, kissing Danica on the cheek. With a giggle, she danced across the glade to her oak and vanished. The other two Nymphs did likewise, and then Danica stood alone with the slowly awakening young man. "Where am I?" He mumbled as he awoke. "You have been in the company of Nymphs. I fear you may be a little sore in your private places for a while. I have a healing potion if you think you need it." The young man tried to rise and winced. He pulled at the waist of his trousers and exclaimed, "Damn me," when he looked at his abused manhood. "Do you remember anything?" Danica asked. "Beautiful women. One was green, one was blue, and the other..." he paused and stared at Danica, his eyes popping wide open. "Was me," Danica finished with a laugh. "I was also under the spell of the Nymphs." "I don't remember anything else except a fog of pleasure." "Can you get up?" Danica asked and pulled out a healing potion from her bag of holding. The young man stood slowly. "I believe so, but I doubt anything else is going to be rising for a while," he said with a wince. Danica handed him the potion and he drank it. The brew's effects washed over him quickly. "I have no idea where I am," he mused while looking around. Danica tried to describe the location of the glade, and eventually she hit on landmarks that he recognized. He was not far from his home and could find his way there. "Was I good?" The man asked with a sheepish grin. Danica laughed. "I don't remember much more than you. I'm sure you were wonderful. I know your cum felt good inside me when I awakened," Danica answered. The young man winced. "Enough of that. I don't think I need to be thinking about anything like that for a while." Danica smiled and then realized she had no idea how long she had been here. Panic set in when she realized she might have been away without leave for some time. "I have to go." The young man looked as though he was about to say something, but only nodded and turned to leave the glade. He looked back twice as he walked away. Danica quickly teleported back to Zoraster's complex. She realized that she should have just teleported to the Training Grounds and used the portal there when the long jump drained her, nearly bringing her to her knees in her room. She had only just learned the spell, and it took time to endure longer jumps without problem. Danica sat on the bed for a few minutes until she felt she could rise, and then went out into the halls to find out how long she had been absent. She discovered that two days had passed since she had left for Oakhaven. Danica — still worried about punishment — made the effort to track down Zoraster and enquire if he needed anything of her. The Archmage looked distracted and waved her away absently. Danica shrugged and returned to her rooms. She remembered the shops in Oakhaven she wanted to look through, and since Zoraster didn't seem to care, she decided to return to the city near the Forge. ------- A stop at a cabinetmaker prompted Danica to purchase small jewelry chests from the man. He showed great talent and did beautiful work. Danica stored her non-magical jewelry rather haphazardly, and thought it wouldn't hurt to have separate chests for her magical jewelry as well. The man said he would deliver her purchase to the Training Grounds himself when he finished since she paid up front. The other shop was a dressmaker, and the woman there was making something that intrigued Danica. It was similar to the top of a corset, but simply supported the breasts. Tiny, thin wires woven into the cloth helped to support the breasts when wearing the garment. The woman called it a brassiere, and altered one for Danica's size. The moment Danica put it on and saw how it flattered her figure — as well as feeling the comfortable support it provided — she asked the woman to make her two dozen. Danica happily paid extra in advance. She wore the one the woman had altered under her clothing as she left. Danica noticed that others appreciated the visual effect as well, because she saw a lot of men doing double takes as she passed. Danica made a few more purchases and stopped for something to eat. After her meal, she felt the need for a bath. She found a bath house nearby that she had somehow missed in her previous visit. When she found attendants watching over the place and its patrons, Danica knew it would be a higher-class establishment. There were no other women in the women's bath, so Danica had it all to herself. She stripped off her clothes and sank into the steaming water with a deep sigh of satisfaction. She had finished washing and sat soaking for quite some time when she heard faint voices of two women at the entrance of the baths. One voice Danica recognized as the female attendant. Danica's mouth opened in surprise when she saw the dark-haired dancing girl sensually strut into the bath house. Danica did her best to hide her surprise as she watched the gorgeous, lithe woman disrobe and step into the opposite side of the bath. Danica's mouth watered and her sex tingled as she drank in the woman's body. The woman had average size breasts, but large nipples. She shaved her sex bare except for a strip of hair that led down her mound to just above her nether lips. Her dancer's figure looked all the more graceful and beautiful fully revealed than it had in the skimpy dancer's costume. The woman sank into the water with a sigh, and looked as though she was trying as hard not to look in Danica's direction as Danica was trying not to stare at her. Danica started when the door to the baths opened. The odd man that had made Danica uncomfortable at the inn strode in and closed the door behind him. The young woman nodded to him in a subservient fashion, blushing deeply as she did so. "My apologies. I own the inn and this bath house. If I offend you in any way, please tell me and this shall be immediately at an end. I wish to ask a few things of you, if I may?" His voice was strong and carried a note of authority and confidence. "You may ask," Danica answered, intrigued by the situation — and even more so by the deepening blush on the dark-haired dancer's face. "I saw how you watched the dancers last night. Would I be incorrect in assuming that you find other women to be attractive? Renelle here in particular?" he asked. Danica looked directly at Renelle for the first time, her body tingling with arousal and anticipation. Renelle's blush deepened, and she cast her eyes downward. The action only served to make her look even more sensual. "You are quite right in that," Danica replied without taking her eyes off Renelle. "I am Renelle's Master, Galen," he revealed. When Danica scowled at that revelation, Renelle looked to Galen. He nodded to the brunette, and she turned back to Danica. "I entered into my bondage willingly. I only wished to have my life given direction and meaning by one who knows the world better than I. I am treated better than I could have ever dreamed of, and want for nothing. I am quite happy to have Galen as my Master." Renelle said this quite confidently, but the blush returned to her face quickly after she finished. "I understand," Danica responded, the tingling in her body now driven by both Renelle's gorgeous body and Galen's. He was a handsome, strong man, and the authority that surrounded him like an aura made him all the more powerfully sexy. "Renelle has never lain with another woman. It would please me a great deal if you would be the first." He paused, searching for her name. Danica felt the breath catch in her throat. She wanted Renelle so badly it hurt. "Danica," she supplied, and then answered, "Oh, yes." Galen smiled. "Renelle, come here and offer yourself up for instruction." Renelle climbed up out of the bath as Danica waded across the pool as well. Renelle lay down on her back and parted her legs wide. The look on her face was a mixture of embarrassment, fear, and curiosity. Danica slid up out of the bath and Galen said to her, "Now pleasure her as only another woman truly can." Danica moaned and shivered. The authority — the assumption of obedience in his voice — did as much to make Danica wet as the beautiful pussy waiting to be tasted by her. Danica knelt down in front of the woman, sliding her hands down from Renelle's knees to her thighs. Renelle shuddered under her touch, and let out a little gasp. Danica slid one hand down to caress Renelle's folds. Another gasp burst from Renelle. As Danica's fingers continued to stroke her, the curiosity in Renelle's eyes slowly transformed into arousal. Danica slid downward while looking into Renelle's eyes and kissed the brunette's folds just below the hood. A quiet moan passed Renelle's lips, and the muscles in the brunette's thighs tensed against the sides of Danica's head. Danica let her tongue snake out slowly and ran it the length of Renelle's parted lips. This drew another gasp and gave Danica a slight taste of the gathering wetness. The scent and taste inflamed Danica, and she slid her tongue deep into Renelle's canal to lap for the gathering juices. A long moan of pleasure erupted from Renelle, and the brunette's hands slid down to touch Danica's hair. Danica looked up into Renelle's eyes and found the woman's gaze locked on the sight of Danica softly lapping her, arousal and need burning within the green orbs. Danica continued to probe and caress Renelle with her lips and tongue, slowly building the fires inside the lithe young woman. Danica wanted this to last, because she wanted Renelle's first time with another woman to be something she would never forget. Danica knew the signs of a woman approaching orgasm well, and she turned her attention to the brunette's throbbing clit as Renelle's orgasm crept up on her. Renelle's hands twined in Danica's hair as Danica pushed her toward the edge. "Oh my — ah!" Renelle gasped in a low voice, and then squealed as her orgasm took hold of her body. Her hands tightly gripped Danica's head, and her legs closed in as well. Danica could feel the woman's lips and walls gripping her tongue as Renelle gasped and bucked through her orgasm. Danica kept her coming for quite some time, and then slowly let the brunette settle back to earth. Renelle panted and gasped for breath, shuddered from her orgasm, and dripped wetness in a steady stream. Galen groaned, "Very good." Taking a deep breath, he continued, "You perform well Danica. I am very pleased with you, Renelle my dear. Now for the second half of your instruction. Danica, lie down and give yourself unto her as she did you." Danica found she snapped to obey his forceful voice. She lay down quickly and parted her legs wide. Her lips glistened with wetness and Renelle's tongue snaked out of her mouth ever so slightly to moisten her lips when she got her first good look at another woman's sex — which she knew that she would taste in moments. The brunette did blush furiously and fidget, however. "What is it, Renelle?" Galen asked. "Might I have encouragement, Master?" Renelle asked and cast her eyes downward. "You may. Now, taste of the nectar of womankind for the first time." Renelle moved between Danica's legs, and Galen moved behind Renelle. Renelle bent down and made contact with Danica, causing the redhead to shudder and gasp. Renelle held her bottom up high, and Galen pulled a small flail from his robes as Danica moaned from Renelle's first taste. Galen brought the flail down hard on Renelle's buttocks, and Danica felt the brunette wince as she continued to explore Danica's folds tentatively with her lips and tongue. The flail fell repeatedly as Renelle continued to explore and learn. The sound and sight of the flogger striking Renelle's gorgeous bottom increased Danica's arousal. Renelle also went to work on Danica's pussy in earnest. Hunger appeared in Renelle's eyes now as she stoked Danica's desires hotter by the moment. Danica built quickly toward climax, and she noticed that Galen was watching her closely as he continued to strike Renelle's gorgeous ass. Danica drew close to orgasm — so close... "Hold," Galen loudly ordered, and Renelle immediately pulled away from Danica. Danica moaned pitifully, her sex on fire and her body held only seconds away from exploding in orgasm. Renelle looked very reluctant to leave her position between Danica's thighs as well. "I want Renelle to build you again and again to the edge, and then I shall push you over that edge," Galen said. Danica gasped and said, "Yes, Master. Oh, yes." Galen smiled in welcome surprise. "Now, while your passion banks somewhat, let us bring some color to your cheeks," he said while looking at Danica and moving closer to her. Galen grabbed Danica by the arm and rolled her over. He exerted firm, but not brutal force in the action. Danica presented her ass to him, requiring very little force from him to put her in the proper position. He then let the flail fall hard on her ass. Danica gasped as each hard strike resounded against her skin. She could feel the wetness running down her leg even as the fires of her approaching orgasm slowly receded. After about twenty strokes of the lash, he rolled Danica back over and said, "Begin again, Renelle." Renelle dived hungrily back into Danica's wet heat, devouring her and bringing Danica back to the edge with astounding speed. Again, Galen's voice rang out, "Hold," just before Danica reached the point of no return. Once more Galen's flail fell on Danica's sensitive ass, thirty strokes this time. Then Danica once again experienced Renelle's newfound hunger. Galen repeated the process five times, and Danica felt as if her ass was on fire by the time Renelle's mouth touched her the fifth time. She thought she was going to literally explode as the constantly built up and denied orgasm inside her begged for release under Renelle's lapping tongue. This time, when Galen's voice rang out, he moved quickly as Renelle raised her head from Danica's sex. The flail fell on Danica's nether lips with far less force than it had when Galen had struck her ass with it, but it still stung, and Danica cried out. A second stroke fell, and another scream erupted from Danica. On the third strike, Danica exploded in orgasm. Danica's back arched and her eyes pinched tightly closed. She opened her mouth as if to scream, but no sound emerged. She erupted in a great flood of cum as the flail continued to fall two more strokes. After that, Danica thrashed too much from the uncontrollable contracting of her muscles for Galen to aim. Danica came so hard that her vision went dark at the edges. Galen held Danica down and roughly pulled her legs apart. Renelle locked her lips around Danica's swollen clit and sent Danica into another wave of orgasm. Renelle moaned into Danica's sex, as she tasted a second flood of creamy juices flooding her mouth. Renelle slowly eased off the pressure, and Danica finally ceased to struggle against Galen's strong arms as her orgasm at long last let her go. Danica panted, and beads of sweat glittered all over her skin. She had to fight with all her strength to open her eyes, and even then, the darkness hovered at the edges of her blurred vision. Galen allowed Danica time to regain her composure and her senses. Her body still quivered with aftershocks long after her orgasm faded. She felt light headed and her mind drifted in a fog. "It would please me much to have you enter my service," Galen revealed. Fear, longing, and incredible arousal flooded through Danica upon hearing those words. Then something else crept in and stabbed her heart like an icy knife. She was already subject to another, and she had not entered that service of her own will. Galen sensed it almost as if he had read Danica's mind. "So be it. If there is anything you wish that is within my ability to grant, you need but speak it. If not, the debt remains and may be claimed at any time. None shall enter this bath until you choose to leave. Farewell Danica." With that, he and Renelle left. Danica suppressed a final shudder, washed once more in the warm pool, and then finally dressed to leave the bath. ------- Part 11C Danica stayed in town through most of the next day. She made a large number of purchases, requesting delivery of the items to her quarters at the Training Grounds, and then transporting them through the portal to her quarters in Zoraster's complex. Danica returned to her studies. Her first goal was to learn a dangerous and powerful spell — Disintegration. The spell was an ancient — and for many centuries lost — magic. Darkniciad had rediscovered it some years before, and like all too many of Darkni's secrets, it had found its way into Zoraster's possession. Celes found herself free of duties as well, and they chose to pursue the same study at the same time. Celes believed that the shared understanding would aid them both in mastering the difficult spell. It took nearly a month, but Celes mastered the spell. Danica felt her blood burn only a day later and knew the spell was hers. During their time locked in this study, Danica and Celes were rarely apart. Danica had concentrated on using her second sight to pluck mental images from Celes' mind revealing her natural appearance, rather than the reality of the curse upon her. Over the course of the studies, Danica perfected this process until it was now almost second nature. By the time Danica mastered the spell, she found that she actually had to concentrate to see Celes as she actually was. Danica's tapping of the image in Celes' mind had some welcome side effects, appearing to draw Celes' thoughts away from her curse. This resulted in her appearing more cheerful and animated as they worked. On a few occasions, it had proven painful for Celes, however. Danica felt her body stir every time she looked upon Celes — young, beautiful, and incredibly arousing. She didn't always hide it perfectly. On those occasions, pain would creep into Celes' eyes, and Danica could feel the anguish of Celes' own equal desire quickly crushed by the reality of her aged body. Celes was called away on a task the day after Danica learned the Disintegration spell. Danica acutely felt the needs of her body after the tease of being so close to Celes for so long, seeing her as she should be. Danica's arousal prompted her to seek out Andrea shortly after Celes left. Andrea was happy to see her and they spoke for quite some time. The blonde had found a new playmate, an advanced student of the school — and an even more advanced student of pleasuring a woman. Danica had to recharge the spells in Andrea's ring that let the young woman know when she should avoid letting a man come inside her. After Andrea described a few of her encounters with the young man to Danica, both women's passions flared up. The two women simply touched and caressed each other for more than an hour, never making intimate contact. Kissing often, they shared a closeness that never failed to arouse Danica more than when she was with most other women. Eventually, that arousal needed a release, and they were quick to satisfy that need once neither of them could resist. They spent the remainder of the day entwined together, pleasuring each other with their mouths, their hands, and Danica's toys. When Andrea reached her final peak of their play, Danica assumed that they must have somehow knocked over a candle, because a small fire broke out on Andrea's bedside table. Danica almost didn't notice it, lost in the afterglow of their lovemaking. She lay next to Andrea, both women flushed and sweating in the heat of the room, and glanced over when she smelled smoke. As always, with Andrea, it seemed as if their lovemaking increased the temperature of the room several degrees. They both laughed and extinguished the fire in short order, and then lay together for a while longer before Danica rose to leave. As Danica dressed and prepared to return to her rooms on still wobbling legs, Andrea said, "I would love to share my new boyfriend with you." Danica shivered and responded, "I would love that." The pair then kissed, and Danica returned to her rooms. The next day, a note arrived from Heather revealing that more component jars were ready for Danica to pick up. Danica felt the heat rising in her body and hurried to the couple's small house shortly thereafter. They talked for a while, and then shared a day of pleasure. They were all so spent from their lovemaking that they collapsed into slumber, their nude bodies all three entwined in the bed. Danica and Heather both awoke at almost the same time, and found that Grant had a morning erection when they looked down at him. He received the pleasant wake up call of both women flicking their tongues over his hard cock. Heather came so hard that she nearly hyperventilated right before Danica returned to her chambers. Danica had cast her spell and determined that it was safe for Grant to fill his love with his seed. The rare feeling of her man's cum filling her so full sent Heather to heights almost beyond her endurance. Danica took her component jars and returned to her studies. She found she was somewhat distracted and unable to concentrate very well. She fought to keep her mind on her work, with little success. ------- Two days later, Danica surrendered. She had made little to no progress in her initial studies to craft a new magical toy. Frustrated, she walked down into the city, feeling the need to get out of her lab for a while. She made a few purchases, replenishing supplies and adding some new clothing to her wardrobe, but she simply needed to be out of Zoraster's complex for a while more than anything else. Danica decided about midday to practice her mental powers on a grand scale. She had found it sometimes difficult to pick out individual thoughts from the mental background noise of many people in the same area. She chose a park in the wealthier part of the city, the unseasonably warm day drawing many people out of their homes. Danica sat down on a bench off the main pathway and concentrated on picking out the thoughts of individuals as they passed by. After half a dozen or so attempts, she found some sort of key to it. She was able to easily pick out one person and concentrate on their thoughts alone. She switched from person to person, finding it only grew easier with each attempt. She was so engrossed in her practice that she started when someone right next to her said, "Excuse me, but may I have a word with you?" Danica snapped back into reality, and saw a middle-aged man with a long salt and pepper beard standing right next to her. "I apologize if I have startled you. I wonder if I might ask something of you?" "It's alright — I was simply lost in thought. Feel free to ask," Danica replied. "I am a painter. I paint portraits for those who can afford the service, and I am currently training a pair of apprentices who will carry on when my eyes and hands grow weak. I find you quite striking, and the way you were sitting here so perfectly still caught my eye. Such is essential for a good portrait. I would like you to pose for my apprentices if you would be willing. I can pay you for your time, and you may have the portraits when they have finished them." The way he said the last part about keeping the portraits indicated he considered this an important part of the payment. Indeed, such portraits were costly even when painted by apprentices. Danica smiled and said, "That's quite an attractive offer. I've never considered having a portrait done." The man clapped his hands and smiled. "Excellent. Would it be possible for you to sit today, and perhaps tomorrow?" Danica considered and said, "Unless I'm called away by duties unexpectedly, I could do so." "Splendid," the man exclaimed, "Please, come with me to my studio." He offered his hand to help her stand. He led her a short distance from the park, toward the wall of the old city where the artist maintained his home and studio. Danica followed him inside, and into what appeared to be an office. "I must make a journey to acquire some materials for pigments I use in making my special paints, but I had hoped to leave a task for my apprentices while I was gone. I am quite glad to have discovered you." He reached into his desk and removed a small pouch of coin. "I will pay you now so that you need not return here to receive your payment. I wonder if I might ask something else of you. It is not necessary, though it would aid me greatly in the training of my apprentices." "Please, go ahead," Danica responded. "My apprentices are currently struggling with their work, and I believe that having them work on a nude portrait would allow them to better understand the body and enable them to better capture clothed subjects. Would you be willing to pose nude?" Danica smiled and said, "I'm unashamed of my body. I don't think that's out of the question." The old artist broke out into a wide smile. "You are truly a find of fortune. When you have time, after I have returned, I will paint you myself for your willingness to do this. I do not like to boast, but my work is prized amongst the most influential personages for many miles." "I would be happy to be painted by a master," Danica responded. "Excellent," the old man said. He crossed the room and pulled a long cotton robe from a closet in the office. "You may wear this once you have disrobed. I will go speak with my apprentices to tell them of their task, and then I must be away. I will return for you momentarily." He then left the room, closing the door behind him. Danica slipped out of her clothing, folding it neatly and sitting it on a chair in the office. She then put on the robe, which was quite soft and comfortable. A quiet knock sounded on the door as soon as she tied the belt of the robe. "I'm ready," Danica called out. The door opened and the artist beckoned Danica forward. She followed him down the hall to his studio. When they walked inside, the artist said, "This is your subject. Dear me — in my haste, I have not even thought to ask you your name." "Danica." "Danica," he repeated with a smile. "My name, which I realize I have also not offered, is LaSalle. My apprentices are Fredrick and Antonio." Both men nodded when LaSalle called their names. Danica smiled when she looked at the men. Both were likely in their early twenties — and quite attractive. They both also fought hard to hide their anticipation at seeing her nude. Danica picked up on it, but she guessed that LaSalle was oblivious to his apprentices' reaction. "I must leave immediately. I will leave it up to you to determine what pose you should paint. I expect to see great progress when I return," the artist instructed his apprentices. "Yes, Master," they both responded in unison. The old man nodded and then left the room. Danica took the initiative and untied her robe — letting it fall to the floor the moment LaSalle left the room. She smiled when she saw both men's eyes widen at the sight of her nude body. There was a couch in the center of the room, placed so it was in clear view of two work areas for the apprentices. Danica stepped over and lay down on the couch on her side, her left hand resting on her hip and her right curled under her head like a pillow. "How would you like me to pose?" She asked with a smile. Both men stared for a moment, and then looked at each other. Fredrick said, "I believe that you have found the perfect pose with no prompting." "I must agree," Antonio said quietly. Fredrick went to his work area and Antonio went to his own after a momentary pause. "We will make some sketches first. We will try to work quickly, so that you do not grow tired or uncomfortable. Try to hold the pose as still as possible," Antonio instructed. Danica held the pose, a slightly mischievous smile on her face. Both men took up paper and charcoal pencils, immediately starting to sketch. At times, one or both of the men would stand and move closer to Danica, continuing to make sketches. Danica noted that both men were trying hard to hide the evidence of their erections from her, and failing miserably in the task. After perhaps an hour, both men went to work on their canvas, making sketches and looking carefully at Danica as they did so. The pair of apprentices also shifted from foot to foot quite often, obviously in discomfort from the throbbing between their legs. Danica couldn't help feeling aroused by the sight of the two men enduring the near torture of her naked body so close to them. They were both handsome, obviously well endowed, and she found she hungered for them. About a half an hour later, Danica said, "I need to stretch for a while." Both men nodded and put down their brushes. Their eyes widened when Danica stood up and walked toward them. She could feel wetness gathering between her legs. Her desire was rising to a fever pitch, and it needed release. She glanced at the beginnings of the portraits. The two men had done little beyond sketches and painting the background thus far. Both men appeared to hold their breath as Danica stood nude between them, examining their work. "You both seem somewhat distracted," Danica said with a wry smile, "Is this your first time painting a nude woman?" Both men nodded to indicate she was correct. "Perhaps you need some release of tension to keep your focus," Danica declared, and then reached out to grasp both their cocks through their trousers. "And perhaps you need to study my body from a closer perspective — to touch it." Both men gasped when she touched them, and breathed heavily as she stroked them. Danica grasped one of both men's hands and pulled them over to the couch. She pulled them down to sit on either side of her, and then guided their mouths to her breasts. She stroked their hair for a few moments as both men took one of her nipples between their lips. She then reached down to stroke their cocks. Danica moaned under the men's ministrations. They both understood how to make a woman's body tingle. She tugged at their clothing, and both men did their best not to lose contact with her pebble-hard nipples for any longer than necessary, as they stripped off their clothing. When they were both nude, Danica pulled them from her breasts and kissed them each in turn. She then slid down off the couch and onto her knees. She moaned in anticipation and stroked both men's hard cocks with her hands. She then leaned over Fredrick and wrapped her lips around him. She continued to stroke Antonio as she sucked Fredrick's cock. After a few moments, she moved over and sucked Antonio while stroking Fredrick. Both men moaned and groaned, stroking her body with their hands while she pleasured them. She continued to switch back and forth, moaning around the men's cocks as she steadily increased the pressure of her mouth and the speed of her stroking hand. Both men moved quickly to the edge of orgasm. Fredrick began to breathe heavily and gasp, his hands twining in her hair. Danica sucked him fast, stroking Antonio at the same quick pace. With a sudden gasp, Fredrick exploded in Danica's mouth. Danica moaned around Fredrick's cock as she sucked for every last drop. Antonio grunted and groaned from the touch of her stroking hand. Danica released Fredrick's sensitive and slowly softening cock to engulf Antonio's erection. After only a couple of slow sucks, Antonio exploded in her mouth as well. Danica moaned in delight, now slowly stroking her folds with her free hand as she sucked Antonio dry. She gave them both a few moments to recover, sitting down on the couch and sliding over to the edge. She guided both men to the floor in front of her, and then parted her legs wide. Antonio didn't hesitate for a moment. He lowered his face between Danica's thighs to lap and suck at her labia. Danica moaned, "Oh, yes — that's so good. Feel my body — know it." She reached down and guided Fredrick's hand to her, sliding two of his fingers into her depths while the other apprentice lapped and sucked her clit. Fredrick stroked his fingers inside her, drawing even more sounds of pleasure from deep within Danica. After a short while, she prompted the two men to switch, Antonio's fingers inside of her and Fredrick's mouth on her. Danica built quickly to orgasm, and came in a rushing flood a few moments later. She screamed her pleasure to the heavens as her hips bucked on the couch. She pulled Fredrick tight against her, and he hungrily lapped for more of her sweet juices. After a few minutes, she came hard again. She then pulled Antonio to her nether lips. She had more orgasms than she could count on the two men's tongues. At last, she couldn't take the intensity any longer and pushed them both away as she quivered through the powerful aftershocks of her orgasms. Both men looked quite stunned, and incredibly aroused. Both were also growing hard again. Danica shivered and pulled them both up onto the couch. She kissed them both, tasting her cum on their faces while stroking their cocks back to hardness. "Think about me — I'll be right back," Danica sensually whispered, before exiting the room with her bottom hypnotically swaying. She dug into her bag of holding and retrieved something she always carried for just such occasions now. A few minutes later, her bottom was clean and lubricated for what she wanted next. When Danica returned, she lay Antonio down on the couch and lay down on him with her breasts pressed against his chest. "Put your gorgeous cock inside me," she said while looking over her shoulder at Fredrick. She then turned back to Antonio and kissed him passionately. Fredrick slid deep inside her with a long groan of pleasure. Danica let him get his cock slick with her wetness, and then said, "Mmm, put it in my ass." Fredrick pulled free of her depths and pressed the head of his cock against her puckered, slowly pushing inside a second later. Danica's eyes rolled up in her head and she trembled as his big rod filled her, stretching her tight ass. Danica reached down and guided Antonio's cock up into her pussy. "Now fuck me. Make me come and fill me up," she moaned. Both men stroked her, filling her so full, just the slightest twinges of pain enhancing her arousal. Fredrick slowly eased the resistance of her ass, and soon pumped the full length of his big shaft into her ass. Antonio rocked his hips and fucked her wet heat, both men and Danica moaning and gasping as their pleasure mounted. Both cocks stroked Danica faster, and all three lovers glistened with sweat from their exertions. Danica neared her peak, and she could tell both men were right with her. "Oh yes, oh yes, Oh YES! Do it, make me come. Fill my pussy and ass up. I want your cum deep inside me," she screamed as she edged nearer to the point of no return. Danica exploded into orgasm with a loud scream. Her muscles clamped tight around both men and set them off only seconds later, mere moments apart. Danica moaned from deep in her throat as she felt their semen flooding her from both ends. They all lay there, gasping for breath and soaked in sweat, unable to move for quite some time. At last, both men pulled their over-sensitive and nearly soft cocks from her, and all three collapsed once again back on the couch, leaning against each other. It took them all some time to recover, and then Antonio went to his room to retrieve a washbasin and cloths for them all to clean up. It took some effort to clean the evidence of their lovemaking from the couch, but they eventually succeeded. "Now get dressed, and let's get back to work," Danica said with a smile and kissed both men. The two artists pulled on their clothes and returned to their canvases. Danica resumed her pose, and the two apprentices resumed painting. By the time night fell, both of the men's paintings were well under way. Danica smiled brightly when she rose to look at the paintings. Both men were capturing her well, and they beamed when she told them so. Their smiles grew even wider when she asked them to show her to one of their rooms. Danica came dozens of times as both men licked and sucked her at the same time. The sheets of Fredrick's bed were soaked in her juices by the time Danica pushed the two artists away, unable to handle another orgasm. After a short recovery time, both men moved to kiss and caress her body, building her fires once more. She rose up to her hands and knees and told Fredrick to take her. He moved in behind her and slid his cock deep inside her with a long satisfied groan. Antonio slid beneath her to suck her nipples while Fredrick pounded her pussy hard and fast. Danica came twice under the assault of Fredrick's thrusting cock, set off the second time by the warm flood of his cum filling her. When he pulled free, Danica told Antonio to take her. He needed no persuasion quickly buried his manhood to the hilt in her warm, wet depths. Danica came three times more before Antonio slammed his erection home with a loud cry of pleasure and flooded her once more. Danica moaned in ecstasy as his hot cum spread warmth throughout her shuddering body. They lay together for a time, recovering control of their quivering bodies and rapid breathing. Danica then lay back and masturbated for the men, showing them how a woman pleasured herself when there was no man to do it for her. She talked to them in low, sensual tones as her fingers stroked her nether lips, telling them how good it felt and how badly she wanted their cocks hard and inside her again. By the time Danica came again, both men's members had swollen to hardness once more. It was obvious to Danica from the way they moved that the erections were nearly painful to the men. It was likely they had never reached orgasm so many times in one day before. She took them both at the same time again. This time Antonio stretched her tight ass while Fredrick's cock filled her pussy. Both men felt desensitized from the slight, dull pain, and they both lasted a very long time. Danica couldn't even begin to keep track of the number of orgasms she experienced before the men spastically spurted what little cum they had left inside her. They cleaned up and Danica shared Fredrick's bed that night. The next morning, they returned to the studio and resumed their work. They took one break to satisfy the building needs inside them, and by nightfall, both men completed their works. The finished paintings delighted Danica, and both men were amazed at how much better their work was than any of their previous attempts at full body portraits. They retired that night to Antonio's room and once again all came until they could take no more. Danica shared Antonio's bed for the evening. In the morning, Danica once again begged them to fill her one last time. When they were all spent, Danica found she was too sore to make the walk back up the hill to Zoraster's complex. She found a secluded spot in the park and teleported back to her rooms. There she soaked in her tub and winced at the pain in her every intimate region. She had gone a little too far, and now she was paying the price. She shivered and thought, It was well worth it. ------- Danica used a pain killing draught and some salve to dull the pain to near unnoticeable levels over the course of the next day or so. She then returned to her work in the lab. She knew just how different and intense an orgasm from that special spot inside her could be, and she was determined to craft a toy that could give her those orgasms. The first step was to design the toy itself. The form of the item gave shape to the magic, especially when the function of the item was as specific as the toy Danica wanted to create. The item needed to have a shaft like a lover's fingers, which would curve upward and stimulate that little bundle of nerves behind her mound. Danica hiked up her robes and slid down her panties. She then sat back in her chair and parted her legs, sucking on her fingers to moisten them. She teased her lips and clit for a few seconds to get her juices flowing, images of Celes popping into her mind and quickening the gathering of her wetness. Danica slid two fingers inside her, and then curved them upward to reach the special spot she sought. She then pulled the digits out without straightening them and traced the angle of the curve with a charcoal pen and paper. Danica sucked her fingers clean, and then pulled her panties back up. She redrew the curve in ink on another piece of paper, and then sat back to think. It should be a wide thin shaft, about the same as two fingers. It should widen at the base of the curve, a little more than an inch around, wide enough to have a shaft like my strap on. Danica's juices flowed freely as she thought about what she wanted to create. The fingers needed to gently vibrate, and move back and forth. That's what seems to trigger the deepest, most intense orgasms. The vibration should make it even stronger. She thought she should add a sheath where the shaft would penetrate her, above the handle, ribbed with small nubs. It would stimulate her lips and add to the sensations, especially if it had the same gentle vibration and rotated slowly around the shaft as well. Finally, she added a thin shaft that would slide into her ass to the design, thin enough to stretch her slightly beyond a relaxed position. The magic would make the shaft soft and flexible. A slightly more intense vibration would cause it to stimulate the highly sensitive spots in her bottom. She pointedly avoided any stimulation of her clit, her intention to eliminate any clitoral orgasm from the sensations. She wanted nothing but the deep, body gripping orgasm she had only partially experienced thus far. While she thought, Danica took notes and drew. By the end of the day, she had a complete design for her toy finished. There's the first step out of the way, she thought with satisfaction. Thinking about what the toy would do if it worked made Danica's body cry for release. Despite the still dull ache in her sex, she stroked her folds in the tub before retiring, until she reached her peak. The next day, she took up her woodworking tools and began to fashion the toy. In order to make the design work, she felt she should carve the handle and fingers as a single piece. That meant working with a very large piece of wood and slowly carving it down until she had what she desired. It took three days to finish the first step. As soon as she finished sanding the piece to silky smoothness, she took it to her bed. Thinking about what she hoped to accomplish in the crafting made Danica quite wet even before she lay down and pulled off her panties. Danica slid the toy inside her, guiding its curve upward. She shuddered when she felt the tips of the fingers press with firm, but not uncomfortable, pressure directly where they should. The spot in the handle where the probing shaft would exit scraped against her lips when she inserted the toy, but she would take care of that later. For now, it was enough to know she had succeeded in carving the correct curve for the fingers. As she removed the partially finished toy, Danica strongly felt the needs of her body washing over her. At the same moment, she caught a flittering of thoughts from outside her rooms in the hall. An apprentice was fuming in disappointment because some woman had spurned his advances, and he was passing Danica's room on the way back to his room in the complex. Danica cast a spell of clairvoyance and noticed that the man was unremarkable, but not unattractive. He would pass by her door in mere moments. Danica needed more than her toys and her fingers right now — with emphasis on the now. Her body screamed for release. She quickly pulled off her robe and brassiere, fully revealing her body, and hurried to the door. She opened it when the apprentice was but a pair of steps from reaching it. His eyes opened wide when he saw Danica standing in the doorway, fully revealed and obviously aroused. She simply beckoned him inside with her finger, then turned and walked back to her bed. The man didn't hesitate, but quickly walked inside and shut the door. Danica giggled at the man's thoughts of good fortune, and his intention to take advantage of the opportunity before this fire haired vixen with enormous tits changed her mind. He quickly pulled off his clothing and mounted Danica without a word. He was an unimaginative lover, but his cock was big enough and Danica already aroused enough that he got the job done. He at least had the good manners to dress and leave when he finished, and didn't try to stretch out what was obviously a one time, spur of the moment encounter driven by Danica's immediate need. Danica cleaned up, dressed, and went to bed. ------- Over the course of the next several days, Danica continued the work on her toy. The remainder of the pieces took nowhere near as long to craft as the first, and everything came out exactly as she had envisioned it. Each night when she put away her work, she tracked down the first man who was reasonably attractive and used him to stem the needs of her body. Most were just as unimaginative as the apprentice who had rode her the night she finished the first part of the toy, but the last one proved more interested in pleasing his woman than the others. Danica invited him to return to her room the next night to satisfy her again. As he had the night before, he rose and immediately left after they finished. Danica laid on the bed, drifting in the afterglow of her orgasms, the young man's cum seeping slowly from between her still quivering labia, when Zoraster appeared. His appearance so startled Danica that she cried out. He had not walked in, nor had he used any teleportation spell that Danica knew of. One moment, he was not there. The next, he was. Zoraster laughed when she cried out. "You are such a pleasure to observe, little rose," the Archmage said, and then bent down to slide a finger inside Danica before she had time to react. He brought the finger, coated in the mingled juices of Danica and her lover, to his lips and shuddered as he tasted. Danica felt a rush of anger well up inside her. Not because of Zoraster's actions, but because the sight of him tasting another man's cum and enjoying it aroused her, despite her utter revulsion for the madman. "Come with me, I have a task for you," Zoraster ordered and turned toward the door. Danica started toward the tub to retrieve a cloth, but Zoraster said, "There is no time for that. Come — now." Danica quickly snatched up a robe from beside the bed, receiving an angry glare from Zoraster for even this minuscule delay. Two smiling guardsmen watched from the hall as she pulled the robe on and hurried to reach the door before Zoraster turned around to glare at her again. She followed the madman through the halls of the complex, uncomfortably aware of the cum running down her legs and slowly drying on her body as she walked. Zoraster led her into a small room, one that seemed to serve no purpose. The room was featureless, and had only a pair of chairs facing an otherwise blank wall. Zoraster instructed Danica to sit. Danica sat down and Zoraster spoke words of magic, making the wall transparent. Danica saw Marlena, the master of illusion she and the Companions of the Forge had captured. The transparency of the wall was obviously one-way, because Marlena took no note of the two of them. She sat on a bed in a room hauntingly similar to what Danica remembered seeing when she first beheld her own room in the complex. Marlena wore the same sort of shift Danica had worn, her body barely covered, and the thin, gauzy cloth leaving little to the imagination where it did cover her. Danica felt her body stir while looking at the woman. Marlena was beautiful and very arousing in her near unclad state. The illusionist sat looking frightened and hopeless on the bed, staring at a wall. She was either lost in thought, or simply unconscious to the real world. "Stay and watch. Your task will be revealed to you shortly," Zoraster ordered, and then left the room. Danica discovered that she could hear as well as see all that transpired in the room when Zoraster entered, startling the woman on the bed. "Greetings Marlena," he said with a smile and his familiar, evil laugh. "Now that I have gleaned every tiny amount of knowledge from your mind, it is time for you to begin your penance for daring to oppose me." "Fuck you, madman," Marlena snapped. Zoraster laughed long and hard. The irony was not lost on Danica — she knew what was coming. "Remove the shift," Zoraster commanded. Marlena just stared hard at the man, making no move to do anything. Zoraster's lip twitched, and he raised his hand. His magic burst from him, throwing Marlena back to the bed, and dissolving the silken shift into tatters. She lay stunned and nude on the bed, her eyes wide with fright. Zoraster gestured again, speaking words of magic, and Marlena sat up quickly. It was obvious from the look on her face that her body was acting in defiance of her will. She stood up and moved away from the bed. Zoraster walked around her, a look of clinical appraisal on his face that Danica knew all too well. He then let out that evil laugh and produced an amulet that was also all too familiar to Danica. Marlena gasped and fell back to the bed when the icy touch of the amulet's magic hit her. Zoraster, as always, laughed at her discomfort. He pulled over a chair and sat down close to the edge of the bed. "That amulet will force you to obey my will. If you have any doubts as to its power, allow me to demonstrate. Pleasure yourself for me," he said with an evil grin. Marlena dutifully parted her legs and masturbated. Zoraster observed, looking for the entire world as if he were watching a play or a stage show — interested, but not enraptured. Danica felt wetness gathering between her own legs as she watched Marlena's fingers work over her unshaven sex, the woman's body moving in arousal as she masturbated for a madman she despised. Danica opened her robe and teased her clit with her fingers. She completely forgot about the drying cum on her body as she watched and listened to the beautiful woman in the next room build quickly toward orgasm. Both women came at nearly the same time. Marlena's back arched high and she let out a quiet, high-pitched, staccato scream when her orgasm took hold of her. Danica's cries were far louder as she gushed in orgasm. While Marlena continued to quiver on the bed, Zoraster rose and walked to the door. He opened it and ushered in a group of young men whom Danica assumed could have only just reached the age of adulthood. "As promised, your reward for the service I ask of you." Zoraster said, gesturing at the quivering young woman, "Feel free to stay as long as you wish to watch, and ask questions if you wish. She will be most willing to answer and demonstrate. There is much that can be learned and applied by watching a woman pleasure herself. Remember, you are not to touch her. That reward may be yours if you perform your service in a remarkable fashion. Now, what is it you will do tomorrow in exchange for my generosity?" "We're going to beat the hell out of that merchant's son. None of us really like the stuck up rich boy anyhow," one of the boys said, a wide grin on his face and his eyes locked on Marlena's nude form. The other boys nodded to acknowledge the first's statement, their eyes also locked on Marlena. "Excellent. Be sure not to kill him or permanently injure him, but do be thorough. If you tread that line closely enough, perhaps you may be able to do more than watch little Marlena here when next you come to my halls." Zoraster laughed and turned to leave the room. "Well, play with it for us," one of the leering boys said. Marlena's fingers parted her glistening lips once again while the boys all drew in as close as they could. Zoraster entered the small room where he had left Danica a few seconds later, chuckling as he watched the boys scrambling with each other to get the best view they could. "I should imagine you understand your task. You will serve Marlena in the same manner as Celes served you. Instructions will be left for you, as well as anything you might need. Healing potions and salves have been placed in your rooms. Go there now, wash and dress. Do not tarry, return here and await the end of the show." The Archmage let out a wicked laugh before continuing. "Then go treat her pains. Your freedom for this task shall be a dozen vials of Oil of Enhancement. Judging from how well you enjoyed watching Marlena pleasure herself, I should imagine that alone would be enough to make you undertake this task willingly." With a final laugh, he left. Marlena tumbled over the edge into another orgasm as Zoraster left Danica, the young men in the room with Marlena cheering her on and screaming for more. Danica left the small room and returned to hers, to follow Zoraster's instructions. She knew she would have to aid Marlena to recover from what would likely prove a session of masturbating until she could not possibly do so again. ------- Part 12A Danica saw a tray on her bed when she returned to her rooms. She ignored it, slipping out of her robe and into a bath. She didn't waste any time, she simply washed and then dressed. Once she was dressed, she picked up the two healing draughts and jar of salve on the tray. She put them in pockets of her robe, followed by the skin she would use to flush Marlena's depths, and then picked up the note on the tray. The note read, You of course understand that you shall reveal nothing to Marlena about her situation except that it is hopeless. The first potion will dull immediate pain. Bathe and cleanse her, then use the salve to further ease her hurts. Shave her as well. The final potion will complete her healing and give her rest. I'm quite sure you remember how the process works, little rose. She should awaken by mid afternoon. Everything you shall need then will be left for you in the morning. Ensure she is well cleansed quickly after wakening. When she has completed her next service, I should anticipate it will be quite late, I'm sure you know what to do. You are forbidden intimate contact with her, save that necessary to heal and cleanse her. While she is busy, you shall remain in the viewing room at all times. Bring whatever comforts you require. Danica could almost hear the mocking laughter in the letter's careful, even script. Danica sighed and made her way to the viewing room. Several of the young men had already left by the time Danica returned. She could see the evidence of pain mixed with pleasure in Marlena as the woman continued to pleasure herself. The bed and her body were soaked with her juices. Shortly after Marlena's next orgasm, most of the other young men left. The two that remained asked questions about how to make a woman feel good, and Marlena demonstrated what made her body quiver. After Marlena's next orgasm, the two remaining men left. They laughed and talked as they left the room. Almost as soon as the door closed, Marlena covered her sex with her hand and sobbed in a mixture of pain and despair. Danica rose quickly and went to the door to Marlena's room. The woman started when Danica opened the door, and tried to pull the sticky bedclothes over her naked body. Her look changed to one of anger when she saw it was Danica who had entered the room. "What do you want?" Marlena asked trying to sound defiant, but her voice was hoarse and she was barely able to croak it. Danica produced the first potion vial and offered it to the woman. "Drink this, it will ease the pain." "You're one of his — gods only know what that will do to me. Forget it." "I'm one of his, just as you are one of his. I have no more choice in the matter than you do. It is a healing and pain killing draught. Zoraster uses much more devious means to torture you than simple potions. Please drink it," Danica implored. "You're a prisoner here as well?" Marlena asked, managing to rise into a seated position against the headboard, with obvious pain. "I was caught attempting to steal from the library. I've been here longer than I wish to think, and have endured more than I can even recall," Danica replied. Marlena lowered her head into her hands, and then let out a croaking yelp when another stab of pain shot from her abused sex. Danica offered her the potion again. "Please, drink it. It will begin to help, and you have to get up and get to the tub. You have no choice." Marlena took the vial in her shaking hands and drank the potion. Danica waited a few moments for the potion's effect to take hold, and then said, "We have to get you to the tub. I'm sure you'll feel better once you've cleaned up some, and I have a salve that will dull your pain where it hurts." Marlena hesitated for a moment, and then pulled the covers off her body, swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Danica helped her to rise and led her to the tub across the room, identical to the one Danica had in her own rooms. "Get up on the seat," Danica said, and then looked around, finding the expected stool that would put her at a level with the woman in the seat. Marlena climbed up and sat down, wincing in pain. Danica pulled the stool over and sat down on it. "Put your feet in the stirrups here," Danica instructed, and indicated the curious footrests. A flush of embarrassment crossed Marlena's face, but she complied and parted her legs. Danica could see every inch of the woman's folds were bright red and inflamed. "Try to relax," Danica said and pulled the skin from the pocket in her robe. She filled it with warm water, and then inserted the stem into Marlena's depths. Marlena winced again as the stem entered her. Danica squeezed out the water, cleansing her. She then drew a bath. "Get in; the warmth of the water will ease the pain in your muscles at least. Wash up and I'll use the salve to ease your pain." Danica tried not to look at the beautiful woman as Marlena bathed, but she couldn't help a glance every so often. The woman was like a magnet to Danica. She knew exactly why Zoraster had forbidden her intimate contact with Marlena now — it was yet another torture for her. Once Marlena finished bathing, Danica told her, "Get back into the seat again. I'll use the salve — and I've been told to shave you." Marlena climbed up into the seat, feeling well enough to put a neutral look on her face now. She slipped her feet into the stirrups without being told. Danica picked up a pair of scissors and then a razor, shaving the patch of hair between Marlena's legs as Zoraster had instructed. Danica's mouth watered, and she could feel the gathering wetness between her legs as she revealed Marlena's folds. She knew her panties were soaked by the time she finished. She then spread the salve on Marlena's folds, which only intensified Danica's arousal. "Come to the bed. I have another potion that will heal you completely and put you to sleep," Danica said. Marlena stepped down and crossed the room to the bed. She took the potion without protest and drank it down. "I'm sorry I can't offer you something to put on. I've been exactly where you are, and I know it's forbidden. There's probably nothing here but bedclothes anyway. The potion will put you to sleep soon..." Unable to think of anything else to say to the woman, Danica nodded and then left the room. ------- Danica returned the next day as instructed. She awakened the still dozing Marlena when she determined that her presence in the room was not going to do the trick. "Marlena, you need to get up," Danica said and sighed. Marlena snapped awake at the sound of Danica's voice, and sat up with a start. After a few moments to overcome her disorientation, she asked, "Why?" Danica sighed. "Because I've been told to..." Danica paused, searching for words to explain. She gave up with another sigh and said, "You must endure another of Zoraster's tortures. I'm to make sure you are clean — everywhere." Marlena looked confused, and Danica did not particularly want to explain. "Get on your hands and knees, and move close to the edge of the bed," Danica instructed while pulling the skin from the pocket in her robes. Marlena's face turned a deep red and she hesitated for a moment, before slowly moving to assume the position requested. Danica spread some of the lubricating salve over the stem of the skin and pressed it against the pucker of Marlena's ass. Marlena stiffened. She obviously had the same mistaken impression Danica remembered experiencing the first time Celes did this to her. Danica managed to wiggle the stem deep enough into Marlena's ass to empty it of its contents. Marlena fidgeted as the warm water filled her. Once the skin was empty, Danica gently pulled it free and gestured toward the chamber pot. Danica went to the opposite end of the room, near the door, attempting to give Marlena some slight measure of privacy. When Marlena came back into view, Danica said, "You need to bathe, and you don't want to dally. You need to shave your legs and here," Danica said, placing her hand on her robes over her mound. Danica sat in a chair as Marlena bathed and shaved — her eyes and thoughts wandering to the sexy woman's body despite her best efforts to avoid it. Marlena stepped from the bath, dried her body, and then returned to the bed when Danica gestured. Danica pulled out a potion and offered it to the woman. "Drink this." Danica knew it was the pain killing and numbing draught that would allow Marlena to handle whatever was going to happen next. She also knew it wouldn't be enough. Marlena took the vial and drank the potion down. Danica sighed and walked to the door. When she opened it, Marlena asked, "What now?" Danica could hear the edge of fear in Marlena's voice. Zoraster stepped in front of the door and said, "I will answer that for you my dear." He laughed, and then motioned for Danica to leave. Danica walked past the six men waiting outside without a word or a glance. She went to the viewing room and sat down — listening to the end of Zoraster's speech and watching him leave. The six men immediately disrobed. The first one to remove his trousers positioned Marlena on her hands and knees, and then pushed his cock against Marlena's folds and inside. Marlena gasped as the man forced his cock into her barely lubricated canal. Danica could tell Marlena's sex was lubricating swiftly, because by the time the second man pushed his cock into her mouth, the first was driving his full length home to the hilt in Marlena's warm sheath, slowly increasing the speed and strength of his thrusts. Marlena sucked greedily on the cock in her mouth, moaning around it as the other man drove his erection into her forcefully. The man Marlena sucked suddenly pulled free a few moments later, aiming his cock at Marlena's face and spurting jets of sticky semen into her face and hair. "Oh, yes," Marlena gasped, slipping her tongue out as far as possible and trying to catch the spurts of cum shooting over her. Marlena was still gathering up the cum on her face with her fingers and bringing it to her mouth when another man pressed his cock against her lips. She hungrily engulfed this one as well, though she sucked him for only a few strokes before she exploded into orgasm. The tightening of her intimate muscles clenched around the man taking her, setting him off. With a loud groan, he jerked free and sprayed his semen over her back. Danica had brought her toy with her, knowing how watching was going to affect her. She already felt arousal that defied any attempt to ignore it. She hiked up her robe, pulled down her panties, and slipped her toy deep inside her. Danica came a half a dozen times on her toy before she put it away. She continued to watch as Marlena took loads of cum in her mouth, ass and all over her body. The whole time the ensorcelled redhead begged for more. After a while, all the men reached a point where it would be some time before they could get hard again. It was at that moment that Zoraster led in three of the young men who had watched Marlena masturbate the night before, and instructed them she was theirs to take. Despite her distant vantage point, Danica could see how red Marlena's pussy and ass were by the time the first of the original men got hard again and shoved his cock in her ass. Another fucked her mouth, as her jaw was locking up and she couldn't suck him well enough for his taste. As each of the older men came again, they dressed to leave. The younger men then took another turn. Marlena's sounds of pleasure mixed with yelps of pain as the young men took her tortured pussy and ass. At last, they all came again as well. The last was alone in the room with Marlena, taking her hard from behind. She had just reached a final pain-tinged orgasm when he pulled free and roughly rolled her over. He knelt over Marlena and shot his cum over her face and breasts. After a few moments to recover his balance, he rose and dressed, finally leaving Marlena alone in the room. Marlena curled up in a ball after the door closed, sobbing in pain. Cum covered her from head to toe. The sticky cream dried all over her and the bed. Danica quickly stood up and went into the room. She managed to get a pain-killing potion into Marlena, and eventually helped her into the bath. Around an hour later, Marlena asked, "Why is he using his magic to force me to do this? Why is he forcing me to enjoy being raped over and over again?" Sobs choked Marlena's voice as she spoke. "Because he's a sick bastard, and this is part of what he considers penance for conspiring against him. He's also not above lying to you," Danica replied. She spread the numbing salve over the Marlena's folds and fought hard against the arousal the action caused within her. Marlena's eyes welled up with tears. "How long have you been here?" Danica found she had difficulty tracking the time. "Over a year... To tell you the truth, I can't really grasp how long it has been since I was locked in this nightmare." "How do you endure it?" Marlena sobbed. Danica sighed, "I don't know. You just endure or..." She let the thought go unfinished and stroked Marlena's cheek, trying to soothe her somewhat. The action made Danica's body quiver. She then left — feeling tortured by Zoraster's demand that she not give in to her desire for the beautiful, sensual woman. ------- Danica returned to her rooms, and since she found no instructions awaiting her there, she sought out Andrea. Andrea told her that her lover would arrive soon, but Danica's passions were too high. The two women brought each other to their heights several times, and then Danica returned to her rooms before Andrea's lover arrived. Still finding no instructions, Danica bathed and went to bed. Once again, no instructions awaited Danica when she awoke the next morning, nor did any come for the first hour she was awake. She decided to go to work in her lab until Zoraster forced her to return to the viewing room. Danica had completed the construction of her toy. The way she designed the probe for her ass, she couldn't test whether it was properly aligned until the magic made it soft and pliable. She had to trust that her careful design work would not fail her. She had cast all the necessary preparatory spells over the item as she crafted it, and now all that remained was the task of enchanting the toy. Danica went over her careful notes for around two hours, and then spent another hour gathering the spell components and other things she would need. Danica laid perhaps half of the necessary enchantments on the toy before a strange exhaustion overwhelmed her. Danica left the lab and went to her tub, thinking that she needed to relax for a while before continuing. She started awake, coughing water shortly thereafter. She had fallen asleep in the tub and slipped beneath the water. Once she dried off, Danica drowsily walked — still nude — to the bed. She fell asleep almost the moment she lay down and drew the covers over her. ------- Danica's mind awoke to the sound of screaming and a rush of wetness on her face. She was surprised to discover that one of the two screams she heard was her own, and it was a cry of ecstasy. As her disorientation subsided, Danica realized she was in the final throes of an intense orgasm. She could feel a talented tongue teasing her still quivering folds, and a beautiful shaved pussy filled her vision, still dripping juices into Danica's face. The taste in her mouth and the strain she could feel in the muscles of her neck and tongue confirmed to Danica that she had licked the woman above her, even if her memory didn't. Danica closed her eyes and shuddered through the aftershocks of her orgasm. The woman above her quivered as well, and Danica felt the mouth teasing her cease it's ministrations with a final flicker. Then Danica heard Zoraster. "Exquisite," he exclaimed and clapped. This was followed by the dark, mocking laughter Danica knew all too well. The woman above Danica raised her knee and swung it over Danica's body, finally letting Danica see something besides the pussy in her face. Danica's mouth gaped when she saw the copy of her Zoraster called Danielle at the foot of the bed, her face coated in Danica's juices. The clones Zoraster called Danila and Damika flanked Danielle on either side. The clone named Danira had soaked Danica's face in a flood of woman cum. Danira went to join her sisters at the foot of the bed as Danica scrambled back against the headboard. Again, Danica heard mocking laughter and turned with a burning stare of hatred toward Zoraster. Zoraster answered her stare only with more laughter, then gestured, and spoke words of magic. Danica felt her body stiffen as the paralysis spell took effect. She fought against it, but Zoraster's magic was too strong. Zoraster rose from his chair and gestured again. Danica hovered away from the bed, and as she rose, her body straightened. She floated about halfway between the bed and the high ceiling when Zoraster reached the bed. The Archmage guided Danila onto the bed and ordered her to lie down, and then instructed Damika to begin pleasuring her. The copy of Danica began to devour the other. Zoraster instructed Danira to suckle Danila's milk-filled breasts and the clone matched Damika's hungry passion. Danica had to watch it all, unable to turn her head or even close her eyes. Then Zoraster shrugged off his clothes and ordered Danielle onto the bed. Danica couldn't cry, couldn't sob, and couldn't even protest as she had to watch Zoraster roughly take the younger copy of her. She plainly saw the rush of blood as Zoraster pierced Danielle's maidenhead for another of countless times. The clone's cries were a mixture of pleasure and pain as Zoraster stretched Danielle's ever-virginal pussy with his cock. Danica saw all the copies come repeatedly, until Zoraster finally slammed his cock home in Danielle's depths to fill her with a sigh of pleasure that resembled a hiss. He pulled free of her and laughed, as Danica had to watch Danielle gently stroke her folds, pushing out the mixture of cum and blood from within her. Zoraster ordered the clones to dress in their concealing, hooded robes and ushered them to the door. He opened the door and then turned Danica's head toward him with a gesture. "I trust you have been reminded of your place. You quite nearly broke two instructions with Marlena in a single moment. Had you gone farther, I would have truly punished you. You would do well to keep such in your mind, though I do quite enjoy the reminders. Good day, little rose." He then sent the clones out into the hall and followed. Just before he closed the door, he gestured, and Danica fell heavily to the bed, face first into the sticky mess on her sheets. She cried for a long time before she managed to recover her wits. ------- Once again, Danica found no instructions left for her the next day. She returned to her work, attempting to forget the last nightmare Zoraster had forced her to live. The clones sickened her, and knowing that Zoraster had forced her to have sex with them made her stomach churn. The image of Zoraster violating Danielle particularly disturbed her. It was as if he was going back in time, taking revenge on Danica for her transgressions in the past — stealing her innocence before her very eyes. Danica worked tirelessly, pushing the memories from her mind with the intense concentration necessary to enchant her new toy. She was nearly done when evening drew near, but exhaustion overcame her. She had no choice but to abandon her efforts and collapse in her bed. The next morning, Celes returned. Danica told her friend about her task to serve Marlena in the same capacity as Celes had served her, drawing looks of pity and comforting touches from the woman as she spoke. Then the memories of Zoraster's reminder surged within Danica. She sobbed uncontrollably, but managed to choke out enough of the story for Celes to understand what had happened. "He's a sick bastard," Celes said with a note of anger in her voice. "Dear, he's using it against you. That's how he keeps your soul stifled — weakened so that you can never hope to break free, no matter how strong you become. I'm starting to realize the holds he has on me as well. I had almost nothing but time for contemplation in my own task. I spent most of it simply watching a place, so there was little else to do but think." "It's just so... So... It's like there wasn't enough of me to violate, so he was forced to make more of me to handle the depth of his perversions. He's tainted them, turned them into..." Danica tried to explain. "That's where you're wrong. Danica, you have to remember, they aren't people. They aren't you. They have your body. They have the fragmented pieces of your thoughts and feelings Zoraster wants them to have, but they don't have your soul. They don't have real feelings or thoughts. They're more akin to the magic items you create in your lab than they are to real people." Danica thought about it for a moment, "I know what you're saying. In a way, I know it's the truth. It's so hard — they're so real." "I know, Dearie. You have to force yourself to not give in to his traps. How do you see me?" Celes asked, suddenly changing the subject. The question took Danica off guard. "What do you mean, Celes?" "I mean, how do you see me? I've seen the way you look at me sometimes now. There's something different," Celes explained. "I see the illusion. It's complicated, but I see you as you should be. I've made so much effort to do it that when you are near for any length of time, it's automatic. I have to concentrate to see you as you actually are instead of as you should be most times." Danica explained, blushing a little. Celes sat in stunned silence for a short time. "How? What do I look like?" Celes asked. "There's more to it, but it's simply a facet of the second sight. If you'll let me, I can show you." Celes stiffened for a moment, and then almost imperceptibly nodded her head. Danica closed her eyes and cast a spell, one that allowed the caster to send images from their minds to people they knew. The magic was supposed to send simple messages to others over great distances, when other magical means were insufficient or impossible. As near as the two were, the spell would last a long time and be very clear. The magic was really nothing more than a cover, however. Danica let the magic drain away from her even as she activated it. She kept just enough of her concentration on the spell to keep it working, in case anyone was watching, but used her own, much stronger, mental powers to send the image to Celes. Danica's thoughts revealed to her friend exactly what she saw in real time. "Oh my," Celes gasped when the image appeared in her mind, moving exactly as she moved. Celes reached up, placing her hands where she saw full, firm breasts in her mind. She sighed when she felt the sagging reality. "I'm sorry," Danica said, breaking the mental contact. "It's alright. It's one of the things I have to face, and it explains much." Celes' eyes then grew distant. A very strong and very direct thought from Celes then startled Danica. Celes' voice asked, Danica? Yes, Danica answered silently after a slight, worried hesitation. Gods... Celes thought to Danica. That explains how you went beyond the abilities of that spell you cast. You're Psionic? Danica answered her, Yes, I only discovered it since I've been here. Aloud, Celes said, "It's no matter. It's a pretty picture, but the reality is still there." In her mind, Celes asked, How strong are you? What can you do? "Would you like to join me in the lab? I'm about to finish something I've been working on," Danica said aloud. Celes nodded. They both walked to the lab and sat down. As Danica uncovered her work, she framed images of her using her powers and sent those images to Celes. Gods, dear. Such power — so strong in mental disciplines and in Art. Never — ever — let Zoraster discover these powers. He would surely feeblemind you. He fears Psionics, though he masks it in hate, Celes mind spoke Celes then noticed Danica's toy and her eyebrows rose in genuine curiosity. "Now, what are we working on here?" She asked with a crooked grin. I understand, Danica answered silently. Then she said aloud, "A new toy. If it works, it's made to stimulate those deep, overwhelming orgasms that happen when you leave your bud out of the play." My mother was Psionic. She mind spoke as often as she spoke aloud. I'm quite receptive to mind speech, and better able than most to think back my words to a sensitive. We can talk like this near any time, and it could be something useful, Celes mentally explained. "Well, let's see if we can finish your work," Celes then said aloud. Danica sent back a wordless, acknowledging thought, bringing a smile filled with memories to Celes' face. Danica caught a few of those memories of a beautiful woman — Celes' mother — and the love Celes had for her. They turned to Danica's toy then, and gathered what they would need for the final enchantments. By midday, they were prepared for the final spell. Celes cast the spell of joining, allowing her to cast the spell simultaneously with Danica and pour her magical power into the item as well. They spoke the words of the spell, and the glow of enchantment surrounded Danica's new toy. They held their breath as the powerful aura of magic hovered around the item, then slowly seeped into the toy. When the glow vanished, Danica looked at Celes and smiled as she picked up her new toy. She spoke the word of command to bring the toy to life. It instantly grew warm and pliable in her hands. She flicked the thin probe for her ass with her finger, finding it extremely soft. Another command caused the toy to hum and vibrate. Its fingers moved in a slow circle, vibrating gently. The ribbed sheath on the shaft spun slowly around it, while the thin probe below vibrated. The large shaft stroked in and out of the toy, and as Danica pressed on a pearl set in the handle, all the toy's actions sped up and the vibrations intensified. Danica smiled and spoke a word to turn off the toy's actions, leaving it in its soft form, however. Her body ached to try it. Celes said, "Go on — see if it's the wonder you crafted it to be," and shooed Danica out of the lab with a gesture. Danica stood and walked toward the door. When Celes stood up and followed her, Danica looked at her friend with a mixture of surprise, arousal, and concern on her face. She knew how Celes felt, and knew that watching would be hard for her to endure. "Go on, Dear. It's time I started fighting the bonds Zoraster has on my soul as well," Celes said, and then swallowed hard, smiling and gesturing for Danica to continue on out of the lab. Danica walked through the door and to the bed. She shrugged off her robe, brassiere, and panties. Celes took a seat in a nearby chair, raising her eyebrows in apparent curiosity when she saw Danica's brassiere. Danica lay down and took a deep breath. She saw Celes stiffen slightly when she parted her legs wide and brought the toy down toward her aching need. She slowly slid the finger of the toy inside her, guiding the curve up to her special spot and shuddering when it touched. At the same time, she guided the thin probe into the iris of her ass. It fit exactly as she had designed it to. Danica spoke the word of command and gasped when the toy sprang to life. The soft fingers rubbed against the little bundle of nerves deep inside her, sending vibrations into her that caused her body to quiver. The shaft stroked her wet depths slowly, while the probe in her ass vibrated. The sheath around the shaft rubbed over her labia, gentle vibrations from the other parts of the toy passing through it as well. Danica soon lost track of reality in the pleasure the toy gave her. She changed the angle every so often, causing the shaft to hit higher, then lower, and then to the left. The fingers and probe both stayed where they should. She unconsciously pressed a little harder on the pearl set in the handle, and the toy's power increased. Danica writhed, rocking her hips on the bed as the fires within her slowly built. The orgasm slowly drawing closer inside Danica felt like a coiled spring compressing tighter with each and every moment. It was nearly ten minutes later when Danica reached the point of no return. She pressed hard on the little pearl button, harder than necessary to cause it to offer its full power. The shaft pumping into her depths stroked hard and fast. The fingers deep inside her drew quick circles and vibrated relentlessly. The sheath spun and made her labia tingle. The probe in her ass sent jolts of pleasure up her spine. Then she exploded. A rush of juices erupted from her. It soaked her hands, the toy, and the bed. Then another hard squirt erupted from her, further soaking her. Her finger slipped off the pearl button as she bucked and screamed in orgasm. She rolled over and curled up, another squirt of her cum erupting from her at the same moment. She continued to cry out as the orgasm refused to let go of her. She finally managed to gasp out the word to stop the toy from vibrating, and then continued to writhe through the waves of orgasm shooting through her body. Long seconds passed before Danica recovered enough to slide the toy from her tightly clenched muscles. The friction set off another wave of orgasm and caused her to scream again. The aftershocks eventually died down enough to let Danica roll back over, panting for breath. She found Celes standing next to the bed. "Are you alright dear?" Celes asked. "Oh — d-dear gods," Danica gasped out and shivered as another jolt of orgasmic energy passed through her. Celes laughed, "I'll take that as a yes." Danica nodded her head and moaned, "Mmm hmm." She then picked up the toy and shakily sat up against the headboard of the bed. She looked up into Celes' eyes then, those beautiful haunting eyes she saw as they should be. "Would you like to try it?" She asked. Celes stiffened and didn't answer. Her breath caught in her throat, and she licked her lips with just the tip of her tongue. Danica held out the toy toward Celes. Celes' raised her hand slowly — haltingly — and then she took the toy from Danica's hand. Danica managed to summon the coordination to slide off the opposite side of the bed, pulling Celes toward the bed as she did so. Celes slowly sat down on the bed, staring at the toy, her face an unreadable mask. Danica collapsed into the chair Celes had sat in. Celes' face turned into a mask of resolve. She lay back and hiked up her robes, pulling off her panties. Danica suppressed a gasp, seeing the beautiful woman's sex revealed to her in the illusion Danica saw. Celes slid the toy inside her, closing her eyes as she did so. She then activated the magic and loudly gasped as the toy came to life. Danica traced slow circles on her clit as Celes quivered under the toy's attention. Danica's breathed just as hard from watching Celes as Celes' did from the intense power of the toy's stimulation. Danica loudly gasped when Celes came. Celes cried out, and three short streams of her juices shot from her, mingling with Danica's on the bed. Danica shuddered with her friend as the powerful orgasm rocked Celes' body. As Celes slowly spiraled back to Earth, Danica rose from the chair and walked to the bed. She ached for someone to touch her — now. She climbed up on the bed and swung one leg over Celes. "Dearie? Wha..." Celes gasped, but she never completed the question. Danica lowered her wet heat to the woman's face. Celes stiffened, but only for a moment. Her tongue snaked out and touched Danica's wet lips with just the tip. Danica felt an intense shudder rock the body of the woman beneath her, and then Celes released her repressed desire. Danica squeezed her breasts, pinched her nipples, and moaned as Celes hungrily lapped and sucked her. Her eyelids closed and fluttered as Celes teased every part of her with expert precision. Danica had felt many people — both men and women — lapping her, but they paled in comparison to Celes' skill. Danica came with a loud scream a few moments later. Her whole body stiffened, and then quaked uncontrollably as her orgasm took hold of her. A flood of her cum washed over Celes' face. Celes gasped and tongued for more as Danica continued to come. It took Danica a few seconds to summon up enough coordination to lift her leg and pull away from Celes' face. Celes was crying — her tears mixing with Danica's cum on her face. "Celes... I..." Danica stammered. "It's been so long," Celes said and choked back a sob. She then shuddered and said, "Thank you, Danica," and licked her lips, causing another shudder to rock her body. Celes sat up, still choking back tears, and pulled down the hem of her robe. She stuffed her panties into a pocket and said, "I need to be alone for a while. I'm fine — it's just been so long. I'm sorry I'm so emotional." Danica put her hand on her friend's face and smiled. Touching Celes' wrinkled skin caused the image in Danica's vision to fail. The way she saw Celes was essentially an illusion, and touching reality caused it to fade. Only her tapping of the mental image in Celes' mind allowed her to keep the illusion in her sight at all. Celes left, turning to smile at Danica once more before closing the door behind her. Danica sighed and spoke the words of command to deactivate her new toy. She put it in a drawer of the bedside table and lay on the bed lost in thought for a time, aftershocks from her orgasm still shaking her every so often. ------- Part 12B Zoraster called Danica to her duty the next morning. She went to the viewing room, and saw that Camilla was already in Marlena's room. Anger flooded through Danica so strong that she felt her ears burning hot. Camilla touched Marlena and spoke in a low sultry voice. Danica couldn't quite make out what Camilla was saying, but when Camilla reached down and laid her hand over Marlena's nether lips, Marlena's reply sounded out loud and clear. "Get your hands off of me, you sick bitch!" Marlena screamed and slapped Camilla. Danica smiled, but only for a moment. Zoraster almost immediately entered the room, appearing as if summoned by the sound of the smack. "Ah, little Marlena — you disappoint me. I had hoped your mind was less restricted as to be held back by the taboos the world puts upon you," Zoraster said. Camilla growled and raised her arm to strike Marlena, but the blow never fell. Zoraster gestured and Camilla's hand froze in mid strike. She struggled, but couldn't finish the blow. "Leave, Camilla. Your part here is finished," Zoraster ordered in dismissive tones. Camilla growled, but obeyed when Zoraster released her from his spell binding. She left the room with one last scowl at both Zoraster and the woman on the bed who had spurned her. "Of course, you must realize that you couldn't have broken my spell over you. The truth is there was no spell over you. You were drugged to lessen your inhibitions occasionally as I tested your limits, but every desire, every need, every orgasm has been yours — and yours alone." Danica remembered all too well how she felt when Zoraster revealed the very same thing to her. She could see in Marlena's face that the same feelings were drowning Marlena now. I had hoped you might prove useful to me, as others have," Zoraster said and glanced back at the wall Danica watched through. "I hoped you might serve me in your punishment. I see now you are too set in the conventions of the world, and thus will be useless to me in that capacity. You will, however, still be punished. That should provide amusement for me at the least." Zoraster gestured and Marlena suddenly stiffened straight out, her hands at her sides and her eyes staring at the ceiling. Danica felt her body stir at the sight of Marlena's breasts, the nipples hard, pointing toward the ceiling. Zoraster spoke words of dark magic, and Danica felt her skin crawling as the madman wove his spell over Marlena. Danica knew the Art, and she could recognize from the flow of the words and gestures that the spell Zoraster was casting would affect both the woman's conscious and unconscious mind. It would leave her utterly under Zoraster's control unless she broke free of the spell. Zoraster uttered the last words of the spell and Marlena went limp, her breath blasting from her lips in gasps. "Now, my magic wraps around you in fact, instead of fiction. Your body now obeys me, as shall certain parts of your mind. The rest I leave to you. Such shall be your punishment, and my enjoyment." Zoraster turned toward the wall where Danica watched and summoned her, "Danica." The madman gestured and Danica stood, knowing he meant for her to enter the room. Danica left the viewing room and then entered the room with Zoraster and Marlena. "Usually, little rose, your escapades entertain me. What you did with Celes did not. If it ever happens again, I will visit a curse upon her that will make the curse upon her now seem as if it is nothing. Is that understood?" Zoraster moved his face within an inch of Danica's and scowled as he spoke. The level of Zoraster's anger startled Danica, and she only managed to utter, "I understand." "Good," Zoraster responded, and then turned to Marlena. "You have begun to think of Danica as a possible friend and ally in your imprisonment here, haven't you? Answer." "Yes," Marlena replied and her face betrayed her surprise, revealing that she had answered against her will. Zoraster laughed, the wicked horrible laugh that signaled his most twisted desires were surfacing. "Yes, you see now the depth of my control — or so you think. Now you shall have evidence of the true depth of my control. Danica, undress." Danica disrobed. Still somewhat stunned by the display of anger against her when she entered, she didn't even hesitate or really consider what she was doing. "Danica here is not under my spell. She obeys because she is apparently a great deal more intelligent than you." Zoraster pulled a chair near the bed as he spoke and sat down. When Danica shrugged off her panties, Zoraster smiled and said, "Climb onto the bed Danica. Stand above Marlena's face." Danica complied, climbing onto the bed. She tried to keep her lips from parting to reveal the gleam of wetness there, brought on by the sight of Marlena's nude body so close — and in some strange, twisted fashion by the control in Zoraster's voice. When she stood over Marlena, Zoraster stood and leaned down close to Marlena. "Now, Danica is going to pee for you. You will allow it to fill your mouth. You will desire it. You will beg for more. From this moment forward, any woman who is sent here will be pleasured by you in any fashion they wish. I'm quite sure the part of you that is mine now will learn to pleasure another woman quite well. It is natural for you to know how to do so, though you deny this most natural of things. You will deny it no longer," Zoraster said with a wicked grin. Zoraster reached up and parted Danica's labia with his fingers, "Release," he ordered Danica. Danica tried to find a calm center, and closed her eyes. She hadn't even noticed until this moment, but she suddenly needed to pee badly. She relaxed her muscles and a slight trickle ran down her lips to drip on Marlena's chin. Marlena's tongue slipped quickly out from between her lips, and she did her best to lap up the drops of Danica's essence dripping onto her face. Danica relaxed more and a stream flowed from her. Zoraster pushed Danica backward slightly so that the golden arch went directly into Marlena's mouth. Marlena moaned and tried to catch every drop as Danica emptied her bladder. Danica gasped quietly as well, as she relieved herself. Her body quivered and she felt her fires building as she watched the woman on the bed below her. Marlena continued to lap for the wetness on her face after Danica finished. Zoraster pulled down on Danica's arm, lowering her toward Marlena's face. "Now, cleanse her," Zoraster commanded and pushed Danica down the last few inches, to put her within reach of Marlena's tongue. Danica gasped as Marlena slid the tip of her tongue over the moist labia in front of her. Marlena immediately attacked Danica's folds with hungry desire. What she lacked in skill and experience, she certainly made up for with eagerness. Danica moaned and ground her sex into Marlena's face, which only caused Marlena to moan louder and lap even more hungrily. Danica was so caught up in her desires that she didn't even react when she felt Zoraster's finger slide into her from behind and below. She did react with a gasp when he pulled his slick finger from her wet heat and pushed it past the first knuckle into her ass, however. Zoraster stroked his finger quickly in and out of Danica's ass while Marlena continued to lap her pussy. Marlena quickly grasped what she needed to do. She knew her body, and thus she knew another woman's. Danica knew she was going to come soon. Danica gasped for breath, her whole body on fire. The tightness of her impending orgasm grew stronger every moment, until it was nearly unbearable. She gasped and screamed as Marlena continued to lap her. Danica exploded into orgasm, a flood of her juices soaking Marlena's face. The illusionist gasped and continued to lick Danica's folds. Danica could feel her ass clamp tight around Zoraster's finger, though she soon lost all sense of reality as her orgasm removed everything else in the world from her awareness. When she drifted back to reality, Danica moved to the side and collapsed down onto her hands and knees on the bed, panting for breath. Marlena still moaned in delight, licking the pee and cum from her face with vigor. Danica slowly caught her breath as the aftershocks of her orgasm ran through her. When Danica could at last focus her eyes, she saw that Zoraster had disrobed and was mounting the bed. He roughly pulled Marlena's legs apart, and then slammed his cock into her. Danica could see the glimmer of wetness between Marlena's lips, and knew the illusionist was soaking wet. The sounds Zoraster's cock made as it thrust into Marlena's saturated canal only confirmed it. Zoraster pounded the woman mercilessly. Danica could see slight evidence of pain in Marlena's face, though those hints were overshadowed by intense pleasure. Zoraster's big cock just kept thrusting into Marlena's tight canal, bringing screams of ecstasy from the illusionist. Marlena's back arched high as she came. She loosed a loud, high-pitched wail as her orgasm clamped down on her. Her scream turned warbling as Zoraster continued to assault her. At last, Zoraster jerked his manhood from inside Marlena and spurted his seed over her with a growl. Marlena loudly moaned and swirled the cream on her body with her fingers. Zoraster reached down and pulled Danica upward by the hair, though he didn't use much pressure as Danica quickly complied. She didn't hesitate when Zoraster shoved his cock against her lips. She lapped Marlena's juices and Zoraster's cum off his still hard and throbbing shaft. She then sucked him deep into her throat for a few strokes before he pulled away from her. "Now, taste me from her body, and taste her from her cup," Zoraster demanded with an evil grin as he climbed off the bed to pull his clothes back on. Danica first lapped up the sticky trails of semen on Marlena's body. Then she slid down between Marlena's legs, and snaked out her tongue into the illusionist's still quivering sex. Marlena let out a sharp gasp and then squealed, as Danica tasted the sweet juices she had so long desired. Danica was no novice, and quickly brought Marlena to the edge. Danica's head swam from the blending of bittersweet and salty tastes from both Zoraster and Marlena's cum, as she probed and licked Marlena. Marlena came with a loud scream, but Danica was too lost in the taste and scent. She continued to devour the young woman, bringing her to yet another orgasm less than a minute later. Just as Marlena cried out in climax again, Zoraster cast a spell and opened a pathway into Marlena's mind. The part of Marlena that she still controlled wept in a combination of defeat and disgust, her thoughts projected directly in Danica's mind. Danica pulled away from the woman's still quivering body, slapping a hand over her mouth as the horrible image played in her mind. She could just barely hear the sounds of Marlena continuing to come, and Zoraster laughing. Danica felt tears welling up in her eyes as the mental contact broke. Her tears dried almost immediately in the red-hot fires of her anger at Zoraster for what he had done to them both. Zoraster only continued to laugh, and then gestured while speaking words of magic. Danica felt her body go rigid, and felt the tugs of Zoraster's control as he pulled her back toward the bed. At the same time, he ordered the still shivering Marlena to her hands and knees. Danica had to sit and watch as Zoraster once again disrobed. He slid in behind Marlena and buried his cock to the hilt in her saturated sex. He stroked it a few times, and then withdrew. With a gesture, he ordered Danica's body to tease Marlena's, and released his control over Marlena's outer consciousness. "No, no, no, no, stop," Marlena pitifully moaned. The struggle to move from her position on the bed was obvious, but Zoraster's magic still controlled her body. Zoraster parted Marlena's cheeks with both hands and shoved his cock in her ass. Marlena yelped in pain and emitted staccato sobs as Zoraster mercilessly fucked her ass. Danica had to watch the whole thing from inches away as the rubbed and fingered Marlena. Marlena's cries and sobs turned hoarse as Zoraster continued to violate her tight ass. At last, he shoved his rock hard shaft in to the hilt a final time. Marlena let out a loud croak of pain as Zoraster filled her ass with his seed. Danica remained in the same close position by Zoraster's orders, and tearfully watched as the Archmage pulled his blood and cum covered cock slowly — so slowly — out of Marlena's ass. Danica could feel the tears running down her cheeks. Zoraster cleaned up and dressed, leaving both weeping women in their positions until he finished. "Now, tend to her and return to your rooms, Danica." He then left without another word. Both women collapsed to the bed as the door closed behind Zoraster, his spell over them broken. Danica managed to force her body to move, to reach her clothes lying on the floor. She gathered up the healing potions and salves, and then returned to the bed to tend to the sobbing and shivering Marlena. Marlena pulled away when Danica approached, wincing in pain as she did so. "Get away from me, you sick bitch," she croaked. "I just want to help you — ease the pain," Danica tried to assure the illusionist. "Y-you just want t-to touch me a-again," Marlena stammered while trying to cover her body with her hands and avoid looking at the still nude Danica. Danica grabbed her robe and pulled it on. She then walked over to Marlena and said, "I'm being tortured just as much as you are here. You can't begin to understand what I've been through. Yes, I enjoyed you licking my pussy. Yes, I enjoyed tasting you. I took no pleasure when that bastard showed me your horror at it all happening and your body responding with pleasure to it against your will." "How can you do such an unnatural thing?" Marlena asked and began to sob again. "Unnatural is in the eye of the beholder," Danica said and then sighed. "Please, let me use what I have here to dull the pain. I promise I'll be quick about it, and then I'll leave. It's what I've been ordered to do anyway." After a few false starts where Marlena pulled away from her, Danica managed to get healing salves on Marlena's tortured nether lips and puckered bottom. Zoraster's merciless attention had left the woman split and bleeding in both places. Danica hadn't even noticed the splits while lapping Marlena, which greatly embarrassed her. She managed to get the illusionist to drink a healing potion as well, and then turned to leave the room without a word. She heard the sounds of sobbing as she closed the door. ------- Time passed... Danica's life remained ever the same. Her time tending to Marlena was now over, as Marlena would not show the hidden desires Danica had found within her. Zoraster forced Danica to return to Marlena's room twice, again controlling both their bodies as they coupled. All the while, he let Danica feel the torment in Marlena's mind even as the illusionist screamed in ecstasy. Other than this, Danica didn't know — and truthfully tried not to imagine — what sort of tortures Zoraster visited upon the illusionist. Danica continued to work in her lab, crafting new magic and magic items. She sought new conquests and familiar friends to quell the needs of her body. She absorbed every ounce of magical knowledge she could find within Zoraster's vast library. Danica wore a brassiere almost constantly. Her large breasts always seemed to interfere with anything she did, and the brassiere not only emphasized her figure, it kept the large globes out of Danica's way. All the while, she knew that though her studies gave her pleasure and passed the time of her imprisonment, her knowledge only made her a stronger pawn in Zoraster's game. Of Celes, Danica saw little. Zoraster kept the two apart because of the intimate moment they had shared. Danica felt an empty spot within her, and she knew that only Celes' presence and friendship could fill that void. Danica felt that loss keenly, and she felt the monotony of her existence wash over her and threaten to overwhelm her more often. Andrea helped to fill the void to some extent, and they spent much time together — as both friends and lovers. Zoraster conspired to keep them apart as well, however, and Andrea could never truly fit into Danica's empty space since she didn't know the ways of magic. The seasons turned — another full year. Zoraster sent Danica on a few tasks as time continued to reach out toward infinity. Each task was dangerous and filled with unexpected turns. Danica completed all of the tasks flawlessly — most often easily — thanks to her quick mind, lovely body, and magical powers. The coin she earned for completion of her tasks would be enough for her to live quite comfortably for life. She could pursue her magic without fear of running out of gold. Danica — in some ways — almost felt at home when she stayed in the places Zoraster allowed her to visit. She felt almost free when she was outside Zoraster's complex. She even purchased small apartments in many places and furnished them to her own tastes. Zoraster saw to it that these feelings of freedom were short lived, however. He frequently called her back for no other reason than to deny her a few moments of happiness. She saw little of her mad captor. When sent on tasks, notes or messengers delivered the instructions. Zoraster pressed most of her reminders upon her without his presence, although Danica was somehow sure that he watched. Whenever she grew too complacent — too close to forgetting she was a prisoner and pawn — Zoraster would remind her harshly of reality. He had many means to do so, though Danica found her clones the most horrific, and so the madman used the copies against her often. The Archmage worked to stifle her spirit, and Danica could feel it working. ------- Zoraster sat in his scrying room, contemplating the state of all his schemes and plans. All moved forward, conforming to his vision. His mind turned to Danica. His little rose had shown far too much independence, and thus he had taken great pains to remind her often of that reality over the last year. It was her audacity in seeking sexual satisfaction with Celes that disturbed and angered him the most. That one act was the driving force behind the strength of the reminders he pressed upon her during this time. However, the Archmage also considered the danger of her encounter with Mindblind and Geflon. She needed to be away from any situation that could filter back to those two nobles and cause them to consider that meeting. Danica was too useful to give up, and so Zoraster considered it necessary to keep her stifled and hidden away until the danger lessened. Now, he felt the time was right. He had felt the absence of her skills — forced to use other pawns to accomplish what he would normally have preferred to be one of Danica's tasks. He had used her where possible, but carefully considered her every task to avoid revealing her to those who could prove a danger to him. Now, he felt that threat remote enough to prove of little relevance. ------- At some point, Marlena's will broke. Danica only knew this when Zoraster sent her to quickly retrieve the illusionist in some far away land upon completion of a task. Marlena barely escaped with her life despite Danica's quick arrival, magical shielding, and even quicker departure. The woman would have died had she been conscious, because Zoraster had ordered Danica on the rescue while she soaked in the tub one night. When Danica teleported to the location Zoraster implanted in her mind, she was stark naked and still dripping wet. Zoraster had thrust the teleportation device in Danica's hand without even letting her step from the tub. Danica knew that Marlena would have likely pushed her away, leaving the illusionist in the path of the devastating spell cast by the wizard pursuing her. Danica thought it likely that she could have faced grave danger as well. She felt the power of the spell as it slammed into her shield, and she knew it was considerable. Fortunately, the sight of a naked woman appearing on the field of battle distracted the man, and Danica was able to teleport away before he could recover from the startling vision. Danica spent two weeks caring for the bedridden woman. Though she had completed her task successfully, and would receive her freedom, she had forced Zoraster to send an unexpected rescue. He decided that letting Marlena heal with only potions and tending instead of a priest's healing would suffice as punishment for that partial failure. Forcing Danica to tend to the illusionist, a task that would require Danica to see Marlena nude quite often, made the punishment all the sweeter for Zoraster. It tortured both women, each in their own way. Danica spoke with Marlena and tried to help her pass the time as she lay in her bed wracked with slowly retreating pain. Danica could not help but hear the woman's thoughts as Marlena slowly came to trust — even to like her. It helped to warm the chill of the void within Danica, but could not fill it. Only Celes' could ever do that, and Zoraster still kept the two of them apart as much as possible. The last night of the two weeks, the two women sat up late into the night talking of little things that dulled the ever-present knowledge of their fate. They smiled and laughed, generally coming to accept each other as some sort of friends before going to their beds for the night. Danica awakened that morning panting from a dream about Marlena, her panties soaked with wetness caused by the realism of the dream. She had just shed her clothes and pulled her toy from the nightstand when the door opening startled her. Zoraster led a naked Marlena into Danica's room. "You know what is required of you, if you wish to attain the freedom you desire," Zoraster said with a crooked grin as he sat down in a chair near Danica's bed. Danica lay on the bed, her knees still parted wide in preparation to insert her toy, and watched as Marlena walked over to the bed. When the illusionist reached the bed, she climbed up on it. The illusionist said nothing, but simply lowered her face to Danica's wet and waiting sex, sliding her tongue inside. Danica shuddered and sighed as the woman's tongue touched her. She could not feel the telltale tingling of Zoraster's magic that signaled him linking their minds and taking control of their bodies. Marlena's tongue slid slowly and teasingly over Danica's labia, and then between them. Danica could feel the hesitation in the illusionist — could sense that Marlena had to force her body to act — yet at the same time, Danica sensed something else. Faint impressions — not really thoughts — drifted through Marlena's head as she slowly lapped Danica's pussy. Some small, deeply buried part of Marlena haltingly came to life. Some tiny part of Marlena desired Danica, and wanted to feel her come. Danica shuddered and moaned quietly as Marlena explored more thoroughly with her tongue. The woman was hesitant at first — a mixture of not wanting to do this and feeling lost without Zoraster's magic controlling her. Slowly, she sensed the signals Danica's body sent her and realized what touches brought the most pleasure. Marlena's skills increased by the moment, and Danica could feel her fires rising high as the illusionist lapped her. Danica moaned louder as her pleasure mounted. Her hands slid downward to caress Marlena's hair as the woman picked up the tempo and pressure of her flicking tongue. The suppressed thoughts Danica sensed increased in strength as Marlena pushed Danica closer to orgasm. Marlena's breathing also picked up, and when the illusionist's nipple brushed against Danica's leg, Danica could feel that it was erect. Everything combined to fuel to the fire already burning white-hot inside Danica. She gasped out, "My clit," the only words she could manage to stammer between gasping breaths and moans. Marlena's tongue slid up underneath Danica's hood and touched her clit. Danica yelped as the touch shot up her spine like a lightning bolt. "Oh yes!" Danica screamed as she reached her precipice, teetering on the edge of coming hard. With a loud cry of ecstasy, Danica came. Her juices squirted into Marlena's mouth and over her face. In that moment of orgasm, a mental gasp of pleasure and surprise leapt from Marlena to Danica. The touch intensified Danica's orgasm, and she squirted another fountain of her juices into Marlena's mouth as her orgasm continued to rock her. Marlena pulled away as Danica continued to shudder, gasp, and come. When Danica recovered enough to open her eyes, Marlena swallowed hard and put a hand on Danica's hip. She pushed to indicate that Danica should move over. Danica slid sideways to let Marlena lay down on the bed. Zoraster said, "Now it is your turn to drink from her cup, little rose." Danica shivered as the thought of tasting Marlena sent another aftershock tingling through her body. She moved around to the foot of the bed and Marlena hesitantly parted her legs wide. Danica crawled between Marlena's legs, and could see just the faintest hints of wetness on Marlena's lips. Again, Danica heard a faint mental gasp of hesitant anticipation coming from Marlena just before making contact with her folds. Marlena drew in a sharp breath when Danica kissed her on her hood and snaked her tongue downward. Danica shuddered and moaned from the taste, which revealed that Marlena was indeed already wet. Danica started slowly and gently. She knew that Zoraster would require that Marlena come before he would grant whatever freedom he had promised her — and without the aid of magic. Marlena would have to overcome her aversion to lying with another woman, or put it out of her mind long enough to come on Danica's tongue. Danica could feel how tense Marlena's muscles were while probing the woman with her tongue. She glanced upward and saw that Marlena's eyes were closed. Danica thought it looked as if the woman was trying to let her mind drift — to forget that it was another woman between her legs touching her in all the places a woman wanted to be touched. Slowly, Danica felt the tension leave the beautiful woman. The wetness Danica eagerly swirled her tongue to gather grew more abundant. Marlena's breathing quickened, and she rubbed her fingers over her now pebble hard nipples as Danica increased the pressure of her lips and tongue. Marlena let out a low moan, and Danica sensed that a dam had burst within the illusionist. Marlena's juices surged to a flood from deep within her. Her hips gyrated in small circles as Danica lapped and sucked her. Quiet whimpers and moans passed Danica's lips as the flow of woman nectar drove her to greater efforts. Danica's sex ached as she looked up at Marlena and saw the pleasure evident in her expression. Marlena's eyes were still closed, and Danica guessed that the woman was envisioning someone else making her feel so good. Danica even caught fleeting thoughts of a handsome man drifting from Marlena to confirm it. Marlena's fires surged high under Danica's tongue, and Danica let her careful controls lapse to devour Marlena. Marlena let out a gasping squeal and pushed upward with her hips, pressing her folds into Danica's eager mouth. Marlena drew closer to climax every second, as Danica's tongue swirled over her. Danica knew a woman's body, and she knew Marlena was about to topple over the edge into orgasm. She looked up at the illusionist as she continued her assault, and saw Marlena open her eyes. Marlena looked down to see who really lay between her legs giving her pleasure, instead of the fantasy in her mind. The illusionist gasped — a mixture of surprise and pleasure — and then quietly yelped, "Oh, yes," and exploded into a screaming orgasm. Danica moaned into the woman's folds as Marlena's juices flooded her mouth. Marlena pushed her sex up hard against Danica as her orgasm shot through. She gasped as multiple orgasms shook her. Danica pulled away with one last kiss on Marlena's swollen clit, and let the illusionist come back down to earth. Danica remained poised on her hands and knees over Marlena, drinking in the sight of the illusionist quivering in orgasm. Just as Marlena settled into aftershocks, Danica saw Zoraster rise out of the corner of her eye. "Now for the last," Zoraster declared, and then laughed as he crossed to the bed. He shrugged off his robes and mounted Danica in one fluid motion. She felt his cock slide easily to the hilt in her wet heat, and could not help but gasp in bliss as he hit bottom. Danica despised the madman — but as turned on as she already was and as good as his big cock felt plunging into her depths, she couldn't think of anything else except her rapidly approaching orgasm. Zoraster's hands dug into Danica's hips as he slammed his cock into her repeatedly. Danica gasped and screamed with every thrust, still hovering over Marlena's dripping sex. Danica could see a mixture of aversion, fear, and fascination on Marlena's face just before she came. Danica came with a scream and a flood of juices, her muscles tightly clamping down around Zoraster's cock as he continued to slam in and out of her. The torrent of wetness and tight squeeze of her orgasm set off Zoraster's climax, and Danica felt him fill her with his seed. The hot explosion inside her set off another powerful wave of orgasm in Danica. Danica was still coming — not even close to settling down — when Zoraster pulled from her and Marlena moved from her position on the bed. Danica couldn't help but look as Marlena engulfed Zoraster's cock in her mouth and sucked it clean. By the time Marlena let his shrinking member free from her mouth, Danica felt her muscles relaxing and her breathing returning to normal. Danica could feel the mingled cum inside her seeking an escape route. Zoraster moved back and Marlena moved beneath Danica, catching the first sticky dollop of cum that dripped free of Danica's labia. "Push, little rose," Zoraster commanded. Danica obeyed, and more of the thick cream dripped from her into Marlena's waiting mouth. The thoughts of curiosity and arousal Danica picked up from Marlena were strong enough that the other — more natural to the woman until now — thoughts retreated into the back of Marlena's mind. Marlena desired the taste of the mingled cum, anticipating each drop as it fell toward her waiting lips. She used her fingers and tongue to gather up any cream that sought to escape her mouth. Danica ceased to drip after a while, regardless of how hard she pushed. Zoraster pushed down on Danica's bottom, lowering her toward Marlena's waiting mouth. A great mental gasp of surprise and pleasure to erupted from Marlena as she locked her lips around Danica's nether lips. Marlena lapped deep inside Danica, gathering up every drop of the bittersweet treat she could find. Danica felt pressure rapidly building inside her, and it didn't take long for Marlena's questing tongue to find a new flood of sweetness when Danica came again. The pressure of Zoraster's hand on her buttocks eased, and Danica felt Marlena's mouth leave her folds. Danica couldn't protest, because she was still breathless from coming. "Your freedom is granted, Marlena. Good day, little rose." Zoraster said, and then they were both gone before Danica really realized the pair was gone. Danica rolled over on the bed, quivering in orgasm and somewhat confused. ------- For three weeks, Danica was left alone. She turned her attention to a task she had long delayed for one reason or another, the crafting of a charm to detect and negate the effects of the Nymph Dweomer. The magic item would surely upset a few of the less charming and unattractive mages who used the Dweomer's power to find the gratification they couldn't acquire without magical aid. Danica perfected her plans and produced a dozen of the bracelets with the enchantment on them. The bracelets were extremely dainty, crafted of silver, and Danica had made them herself. Her skill working in silver advanced as rapidly as all of her other skills. The bracelets would grow warm when someone directed the infamous charm at them, as well as totally negating the spell's effects on the wearer. Danica already had a list in her head of people she planned to pass them out to, with the need for at least a dozen more to give one to everyone on her list. Early summer swept across the land — a particularly pleasant summer day. Danica decided it was time to take a stroll through the countryside, as she had long ago gained the freedom to explore several miles surrounding the town of Montbank near Zoraster's complex. She thought to seek out a farmer and obtain some truly fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement her stores. The venders in the town, so close to the farms, still could not compete with freshly picked produce. She felt no need to walk all the way to the fringes of town before beginning her journey, so she teleported to a secluded and abandoned barn she had discovered and memorized months before to facilitate teleportation there. Danica appeared in a flash of light and opened the door to the barn with a smile, drinking in the warm — but not overly hot — summer day. Danica turned toward a wood to the west, knowing that there was a cluster of farmsteads beyond that always had large gardens, and friendly folks tending them. The wood was a beautiful one with well-tended paths, kept up by the passage of the locals through the woodland. Danica neared the center of the wood when she heard odd sounds — metal on metal and the muffled sounds of a struggle. The sounds came from somewhat off the path, and Danica hurried to see what was happening. When Danica reached the scene of the disturbance, she saw a half dozen scruffy-dressed men facing off against a seventh who was far better dressed. The lone warrior was blonde haired, clean-shaven, well built, and quite attractive. One of the scruffy men lay on the ground, moaning in pain and clutching at his stomach. "You cut Cartol, you rich bastard! We'll do you good for that!" One of the ruffians shouted as the bandits rushed to attack. The seventh man did not answer the challenge with words, but with his sword. He struck down the man who had spoken with a thrust to the chest, recovering quickly enough to withdraw and parry a stab from another of his attackers. The odds were still four against one, however, and another of the men stabbed the lone warrior from the back just before he could bring his sword or shield in line to deflect the blow. The warrior crumpled with a groan and one of the other men shouted, "Fucking bastard got Aladar! Make sure he dies slow!" Danica moved into view of the men just as the bandit shouted. One of them noticed her and said, "Ho, ho — looks like we'll have some more fun. Get the girlie, and when we're done cuttin' this bastard up, we'll stab her with something a bit friendlier." The man advanced toward Danica as he spoke, and the others did the same. "I don't think so," Danica said and spoke the words of a spell. A dozen glowing darts of light thudded into the man who had spoken, and he fell heavily to the ground with a scream. "Witch! She's a witch! Kill her if you have to, but try an' just knock her out or we'll lose our sport!" One of the men screamed, prompting the rest to advance at a run. "Sport this," Danica snarled and conjured up the Interposing Hand. The men slammed into the magical hand, two of them falling to the ground. The third attempted to get around the magical barrier, but met by Danica's next spell. He crumpled to the ground with a whimper when her Crushing Fist slammed him square in the crotch. Danica quickly wove web spells around all the attackers, and then moved to check on the lone fallen warrior. He was losing blood and unconscious. Danica pulled a healing patch from a pocket and placed it over the wound. The wound closed, though Danica knew without examining him that there were other dangers to the wound. The men were already struggling against Danica's web spell, and their considerable strength combined strained her. Danica paralyzed the men, and then went to check on the two put down by the warrior's sword thrusts. Both men were pale, lying in puddles of blood. It didn't take a healer to know they were both too far gone for anything less than a cleric's magic to do anything about. One of the men, the second the warrior had stabbed, was unconscious. His breathing was shallow and raspy, and ceased while Danica examined him. She sighed and moved to the other. His eyes fluttered open and he said, "An angel? How n' blazes I get up there? Somebody's book keeping is messed up." The statement took him quite a while to gasp out between fits of coughing up the blood filling his lungs. "I'm not an angel," Danica disagreed, unable to find any other words. Pity filled her for the suffering and dying man, despite his deplorable actions only moments earlier. The man coughed again and his eyes closed. Danica thought he was finished, but he forced his eyes open. "I... I lived by the sword long enough. I know I'm a goner. Take my... My dagger. Kill me clean. I don't wanna drown in my own blood," he gasped. A chill ran down Danica's spine. She looked to the dagger, but realized there was no way she could do it. She spoke the words of a spell and put the man into a deep sleep. He would feel no pain in the last few remaining moments of his life. Danica returned to the warrior, and saw him growing pale. He obviously had internal injuries that were just as likely to finish him as the visible bleeding she had stopped. Danica rummaged through her bag of holding and located a precious healing scroll purchased from a cleric. Danica read the scroll, and its magic wrapped around the man. His breathing steadied, and some color returned to his face. The magic was not strong, but it would be enough to hold him while Danica decided what to do next. Danica uttered another spell and put a shield over the man to protect him from the elements — and anything else that might wander into the area. She then turned to the paralyzed bandits. Danica's magic forced them to drop their weapons. She then closed her eyes and carefully went over the formula of a spell in her mind. She opened her eyes and cast the dangerous spell, Selective Disintegration, at the men. All of their clothing turned to dust and fluttered away on the breeze, leaving them naked and still paralyzed. Danica crinkled her nose in disgust. The men were filthy, looking as if they had not bathed in months. She made a show of rolling her eyes at each of their cocks, and then closed her eyes to delve into their minds. It didn't take Danica long to find their lair — a cave close by — or to discover that the six were the whole band. Danica quickly left and made her way to the lair. She found stores and large amounts of stolen goods. Danica thought that there were enough personal effects for people to recognize things and know that these were the men who had robbed them. Danica gathered up everything into a pile in the middle of the cave floor, and then teleported back to where she had left the men. She then magically commanded the men to come lay down in the middle of the pile, making sure their bodies were touching anywhere possible, leaving them paralyzed. Danica scrawled a quick note. These men are bandits. This is their booty. See that they are punished and the goods returned, if possible. She placed the note on the man closest to the top of the pile. Danica closed her eyes and envisioned a spot in town just outside one of the guardhouses. A beautiful flower garden there drew her to it frequently, and she knew the spot well. She spoke the words of a spell and the men, along with their ill-gained goods, vanished from the clearing to reappear in the spot she had envisioned. Danica teleported back before anyone had a chance to notice her, and pulled forth a scrying mirror to watch as people found the men. Laughing guardsmen hauled the bandits inside the guardhouse. Danica felt her knees go weak, the result of one too many teleports in too short a period of time. The spell was hard on the body, and she was feeling the effects. She sat down on the ground near the injured warrior and tried to catch her breath. Danica drank down a rejuvenating potion, but knew it would take some time to do any real good. The warrior was still unconscious, and Danica knew that he needed stronger healing — and soon — if he was to live. She fumbled with the clasps of his leather armor, and finally managed to remove it. She got a better look at the closed wound then. She could see puffiness around the wound, confirming the warrior was bleeding inside. The jostling of removing his armor must have stirred him, because his eyes opened. "What? Who?" He questioned. "A friend. The bandits are gone. I'll try to help you, but I'm weak from overusing my magic. Do you think you can drink?" Danica asked. The man nodded and replied, "I believe so." Danica pulled out a strong healing potion and put it to the man's lips. As the potion did its work, his color improved. Danica knew the potion was still just a delaying tactic. The man needed a healer. "Thank you," the man said, "My name is Nicholas." "Danica," she supplied with a smile, feeling her strength returning thanks to the potion. "You are beautiful," Nicholas said with a weak smile. "You're delirious," Danica responded with a laugh and a blush. He shook his head and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say that aloud." "It's the potion. It makes the mind drift a bit." "It's true, though." Danica blushed again. "Thank you. You're quite handsome yourself — circumstances considered, especially." The man smiled, and then winced as a wave of pain shot through him. "Dammit, I need to get you to a healer. I'm afraid to try to teleport you. The strain of teleporting is hard even on those used to it and in top condition. That's what's wrong with me right now. I'm weak as a kitten from too many teleports." "You've already done more than your share for a traveler happening upon another in danger," the man said weakly. Danica thought that he looked a little bit groggy. Danica noticed beads of sweat on his forehead and put a hand on it. She cursed under her breath when she felt how hot he was. He was burning with fever. Danica went and picked up one of the swords the bandit's swords and looked at it. She caught a glimpse of something on the blade. "Poison," she spat and quickly returned to where the warrior lay. Danica managed to get Nicholas to drink an antidote before he lost consciousness, but she knew that he needed attention for the fever — now. Danica pulled one of her more recent purchases from her bag of holding, glad she had thought to bring it with her. She lay the item down on the ground a few feet away from where the warrior lay. The magic item was called Martin's Magnificent Tent, and when Danica spoke the words to activate its magic, it lived up to its name. The object quickly expanded into a large, three room tent almost instantly. Danica opened the door and looked inside. She found serviceable furniture, four beds, and even a tub inside the tent. Danica went back outside and tried to lift Nicholas, but her strength failed her. She doubted that even in top condition she could have lifted and dragged the muscular man with any degree of ease. Danica concentrated and managed to cast a spell of levitation. The casting made her vision swim for a moment. She was still nowhere near recovered from her earlier teleports. Once the spell's power awakened, it fortunately required little concentration or strength to work. For the next hour or so, Danica could move Nicholas as if he was weightless. She guided his floating form into the tent and over near the tub. There she stripped the rest of his armor and clothing from him. Despite her concern and weakened state, she couldn't help but feel her body stir at the sight of his muscular body. She let out a little gasp of delight when she pulled down his pants and saw his considerable cock, shaven except for a neatly trimmed patch of short hair. Danica felt her juices flowing, but shook her head and returned to business. Nicholas was burning with fever, and she had to fight that down or he would likely die. She touched the small symbols on the tub and it filled quickly with water. She put her hand in the water and decided it wasn't cold enough. She pulled a thin crystal rod from her bag of holding and dipped it into the water. The little wand was designed to chill wine and water, and cooling the full tub exhausted its power. The magic did the trick, however. Danica dipped her hand in the water and decided the temperature was right. She guided Nicholas over the tub and gently set him down in the water. He shivered and moaned as the cool water touched his hot flesh, but he didn't awaken. Danica turned the man over, careful to keep him in a position where his head wouldn't slip beneath the water, and examined the wound. It was angry red and swollen, more evidence of the poison there. Yet another recent and costly purchase emerged from Danica's bag. She touched a thin, pointed platinum wand to the wound on the man's back. The wand turned black from the tip as its priest-blessed magic sucked the poison from the wound. When the wand turned fully black, Danica tossed it aside and examined the wound again. The swelling was nearly gone, revealing natural color returning to the edges of the wound. Danica moved Nicholas back into a relaxed position. Though he couldn't feel it now, leaving him in such an awkward position for too long would certainly affect him when he awakened. After around half an hour, Danica felt Nicholas' forehead and sighed in relief when she felt how much his fever had cooled. The combination of cold water and magic was working. Danica levitated him from the tub and over to one of the beds. She steeled her will and prepared to cast another spell. When she completed the words and gestures of the Cooling Comfort spell, she had just enough time to see that it had worked before blackness closed in on her vision and she knew no more. ------- Part 12C When Danica regained consciousness, she could see the faint light of dawn filtering through the partially open doorway of the tent. She rose groggily to her hands and knees, her muscles protesting every movement. She managed to rise to her feet, and found that she felt stiff, but well. She touched her face and scowled when she felt the pattern of the stiff canvas floor's weave imprinted in her cheek. After taking a few minutes to wake up and drink down a healing potion, Danica felt much better. She walked to the bed and felt the effect of the Cooling Comfort spell as she passed through the spell's boundary. A desert magician had developed the spell to cool his rooms, and the magic lasted for a long time. Goose bumps rose on Danica's skin when she passed the invisible boundary of the spell's effect. Danica checked Nicholas and smiled when she felt no evidence of fever. His warrior instincts awakened despite his injury, because his eyes snapped open almost immediately from her touch. "Danica," he said with a smile, and then shivered. "Damn me, but it's cold," he exclaimed and wrapped his arms around him. At almost the same moment, he noticed he was stark naked, and quickly jerked some of the bedclothes up over his body. "Sorry — you had a fever. Those bastards had poison on their weapons. I put you in the tub to help break the fever." Danica banished the Cooling Comfort spell, which was anything but comfortable in the cooler morning air. Nicholas pulled the covers higher and looked around. "Where are we?" "About ten feet from where we were when you lost consciousness," Danica replied. "How... Where did all this come from?" Nicholas asked with a look of confusion. Danica made a show of wiggling her fingers like a street magician. "Magic, silly." Nicholas laughed and then winced as pain shot through him. "I do not believe I'm quite fully recovered," he said through clenched teeth. "I still need to get you to a healer — or get one here. All the magic I have at my disposal is only going to delay things. I don't have the power here to heal all your hurts." "I'm alive. That's good enough for me at the moment — a definite improvement over any prospects I would have faced, were it not for the luck of you being nearby when I was attacked. Thank you Danica." Danica smiled and went to fill a pitcher with water. Nicholas gladly drank the water and another healing potion. Danica decided that she felt fit again after moving around for a few minutes. "I'm going to go get you a healer. I'm still afraid to try to teleport you, but I'm sure I can find some stout cleric that will endure well enough. I'll put a shield over the tent to protect you. I shouldn't be long." Nicholas nodded, "Thank you again." "Thank me when you're fit. You're not out of danger yet. I'll be back as quickly as possible, but speak my name while holding this in your left hand and I'll know I need to return immediately." Danica placed a small charm shaped like a rose into Nicholas' hand. Once again, she wondered what had possessed her to craft her charms in the shape of a rose — Zoraster's slave name for her. "I understand," Nicholas responded. Danica nodded and walked outside the tent. Before she left, she gathered up all the men's weapons and directed an intense jet of magical flame at them to burn away all the poison from them, along with most of the swords' temper. She then shooed away the creatures crawling over the bodies of the two dead men and used magic to excavate a shallow grave. After burying the two bandits, Danica called upon her magic and teleported back to the fringes of town. Danica hurried through town to where she knew a large concentration of temples was. Most of the temples were still closed tight, due to the early hour. She didn't feel like waiting to gain entry, so when she saw the doors to a Heraklan Temple standing open and people moving through, Danica made her decision and went inside. Danica scanned the rooms and chambers along the hall, looking for the colors of a cleric strong enough to call upon the power necessary to heal Nicholas completely. Fortunately, Danica knew the vestiges of the Heraklans better than any other sects. She soon found what she was looking for, though the robes were not on the cleric, but instead laying on the floor in front of him. He was well into his cups even at this early hour, with a young nude woman pleasuring him orally. Danica walked into the room just in time to hear the Heraklan groan in pleasure and the young woman moan with delight as his warm cum filled her mouth. Danica waited until the man's eyes opened and the young woman let his cock escape her mouth with a last slow suck. The cleric's eyes opened wide when he saw Danica standing not two feet away. The young woman turned around, and Danica felt a flare of desire run through her when she saw the woman's firm, perky breasts and the Cleric's nice sized cock. The woman licked her lips, cum still coating her tongue, and walked past Danica out of the room with a smile — and a blatant glance at Danica's breasts. "What might I do for you, Daughter?" The cleric asked, his tone revealing what he hoped she wanted. "Are those your robes?" Danica asked, pointing at the robes on the floor. "Yes," he replied. He started to say something more, but Danica cut him off. "Good — get them on. Your healing powers are needed to save a noble man's life." The cleric quickly rose to pull on his robes. Danica shook her head at the dichotomy of Heraklans. Debauched as they seemed; they were to a man — or woman — deeply dedicated to their fellow man. The cleric hopped, trying to pull on his shoes and said, "Lead on. Let us not waste time." "Hold on," Danica countered. "He is far away. We'll ride the wings of magic." The cleric groaned. "Teleporting — I hate teleporting. It's unnatural I tell you." He then sighed and said, "Bah — let's go," and reached out his hand for Danica's. Danica chuckled and thought, For someone who hates teleporting, he certainly knows exactly what he needs to do for me to carry him with me in the spell's power. A few magical words later, she and the cleric vanished from the temple. They appeared in the wood just outside the magical tent, and quickly went inside. The Heraklan called upon his god, restoring Nicholas to full health. Nicholas sat up and stretched a bit, finding the pain of the wound gone — and even the stiffness from lying in the bed. "I thank you, Sir. If I can locate my horse, I will surely come make a donation at your temple," Nicholas said. The Heraklan nodded his head reverently, though his stumble immediately afterward made the action seem a bit comical. It never failed to amuse Danica how Heraklans could be so strong in their magic and effective in battle when they were so drunk that they could barely function, unless called upon for those two things. "I thank you as well, Heraklan. I'll surely be making a donation to the temple too," Danica said. The Heraklan smiled wide and looked at Danica with a mixture of hope and lust. Danica laughed and said, "I don't think that will be involved in my donation." The Heraklan's face fell for a moment, but he laughed immediately afterward and clapped Nicholas on the back, preparing to take his leave. "One moment, and I will return you to your temple," Danica said. The Heraklan waved her off. "I recognize this spot. We are not so far from the city and my temple. It has been too long since I have been out in the world. I will walk home, and take the opportunity to spread word of my god, as I journey back to my temple." Danica laughed, thinking that the man likely intended to find every drop of alcohol and willing woman between here and there. As she thought about it more, she realized that actually was spreading the doctrine of Heraklan. The Heraklan left with a nod and a smile, and Danica turned back to Nicholas. He sniffed the air and crinkled his nose. "Is that me?" He asked with disgust. "You were sweating out a fever. If you'd like to bathe, feel free," Danica suggested. Nicholas blushed. Danica laughed, gestured toward the tub, and then opened the door of the tent and walked outside. A few moments later, Nicholas' head poked out of the tent door. "How does it work?" Nicholas asked — somewhat sheepishly. "The red symbol will cause hot water to flow into the tub. The blue symbol — cold. Just use them both to get the temperature you wish," Danica explained. Nicholas nodded and pulled his head back inside the tent. Danica heard a soft gurgle of water and knew that Jonathon had managed to get the tub started filling. Danica bit her bottom lip gently, and then smiled as she turned toward the tent. She softly spoke the words of a clairvoyance spell. "Oh my," Danica gasped as she watched Jonathon bend over the tub to test the temperature of the water. Another, somewhat louder, gasp burst from Danica when Jonathon swung his leg over the tub to climb in, and she got another good look at his muscular form and his gorgeous cock. Danica shivered and pressed her hand against the fabric of her pants between her legs. She couldn't see much now because of the tub, so she turned to look around the area while Nicholas bathed. She knew his horse would likely be difficult to find. If she could find something — even a hair from the animal — she could use her magic to locate it. She searched around the area and found a small satchel off in the underbrush. Opening it, Danica discovered a horse brush inside. She carefully picked out a hair stuck in its bristles and cast her spell over a forked stick she picked up. When she completed the spell, Danica could feel the end of the stick tugging her toward the opposite edge of the woods from where she had entered. Danica smiled and sat the stick down on a stump near the tent. The end spun around to point toward the horse when she let go of it. A breeze blew in and offered Danica a pointed reminder that she too needed a bath from being out in the summer heat. Danica turned back to the tent. The clairvoyance spell remaining active testified to her ever-increasing magical strength, since she had not concentrated upon the magic for several minutes. Nicholas was climbing from the tub, and Danica watched with great desire as he dried and dressed. She banished the clairvoyance spell as Nicholas drew near the tent door, turning to face her enchanted stick. Nicholas wiggled his finger through the hole in the back of his armor and clothing, a reminder of the sword penetrating through to his flesh. "If I could find my horse, I have more clothing in my saddlebags. The armor, I fear, is a loss." "I believe I can help with the horse," Danica revealed and picked up the satchel. "This is yours, isn't it?" "Yes, I tossed it aside when the bandits attacked so it wouldn't bind up my sword arm," Nicholas replied. "There was a horse brush inside. If the hair in it is from your horse, this stick I've enchanted will lead us to him," Danica said and gave the stick a push where it rested on the stump. The point of the stick spun back to point toward the horse again. "It would be from my horse, as it has been used on no other. It is lucky for me I was rushed when I left on this journey, and ended up putting that brush in my satchel instead of in my saddlebags where it would normally be. Again, I am in your debt," Nicholas said with a wide smile. "You know, I have always generally mistrusted magic and those who use it. I believe I will have to revise that opinion now." Danica laughed. "First — I need a bath too. I can't even stand to be around myself." Nicholas nodded, then walked over and bent down to pick up his sword where it lay in the undergrowth. "I need to clean my sword so it doesn't rust anyway." Danica thought, I'd like to polish your sword for you, and smiled a crooked smile. She then went inside the tent and pulled off her clothes. Danica filled the tub and sank into it with a sigh of relief. As she washed, thoughts of Nicholas' body floated through her head. Not long after, she bit her lip to keep from crying out as she masturbated in the warm water. Danica started to climb out of the tub, but smiled her crooked smile again as a thought occurred to her. She cast another clairvoyance spell, and saw that Nicholas sat cross-legged on the ground facing the tent, carefully examining his sword. Danica banished the clairvoyance spell and cast a different spell. She carefully controlled the effect of the transparency spell so that it worked gradually on the walls of the tent. Once Danica could see Nicholas as a hazy outline through the walls of the tent, she let out a sigh loud enough for him to hear and stood up in the tub. The transparency spell continued its work as Danica wrung water from the ends of her hair. When she looked back, the spell had nearly finished its work. The tent was almost invisible to the eye now, and Nicholas was looking with a wide-eyed stare at Danica's naked and dripping body. Danica laughed and said, "I believe the magic of my tent is fading a bit." Nicholas snapped out of his trance and quickly turned his head away. Danica laughed again, then dried and dressed in clean clothing. Danica stepped outside the tent, closing the door that was only a hazy outline due to her spell and said, "Do you have everything from inside?" Nicholas was blushing still when he replied, "Yes, I have all my things." Danica laughed and spoke the words that transformed the tent back into its small traveling form. "I apologize Danica. I did not mean to be so crass as to stare." Danica waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. "I've seen you. Let's just call it an even trade," she said with a smile and a twitch of her eyebrows. "Now let's go find your horse." ------- It took a couple of hours for the pair to find the horse. The animal had not really wandered far, but the trails through the wood did not all cross each other, and following the lead of Danica's enchanted stick in a straight line through the undergrowth proved impossible. Nicholas expressed relief when he found all his belongings intact. The horse appeared glad to have been found as well. Nicholas pulled clean clothing from his saddlebags, and Danica reluctantly looked away as he changed. "I must thank you again. Though I am running late in my journey, I am still alive and equipped for it, thanks to you." Danica turned around to face him again. "It's what anyone with any sense of right would have done." "I doubt there are very many who could have done half of what you have done. I wish there was a way to repay you — and what's more — I wish I could persuade you to come with me on my mission," he said with a laugh. You could repay me by filling me up with that gorgeous cock — right here in the middle of the trail — right now, Danica thought. "What is your mission?" She asked instead. "Some old friends of my family live a short distance beyond the woods, and something steals their animals in the night. They asked me for assistance in finding out what is happening, and to stop it," Nicholas explained. "I might be able to be persuaded to come with you. I was heading that direction anyway," Danica coyly suggested. "I would welcome the company — especially yours — for as long as you wish to travel with me," Nicholas said with a little bow. "Let's go then." They mounted the horse, Danica sliding in behind Nicholas and enjoying having her arms wrapped around his waist. She wished he were mounting her instead of the horse, but she made the best of the situation by pressing her breasts against his back and letting her hands brush against the object of her desire whenever a jostle provided cover to make the touch appear innocent. In less than a quarter of an hour, they exited the wood. About the same amount of time passed in the ride to the farmstead of Nicholas' family friends. Nicholas told the story of the attack and his rescue by Danica. After the story, Danica said that she would help Nicholas solve the problem of the family's disappearing animals. The man of the house explained that the thefts only happened at night — never more than one animal at a time. If anyone was awake in the house or outside watching, nothing happened. Nothing larger than a sheep had disappeared. Whatever was taking the animals did not want the larger animals like the horses and cows. Other farmsteads had the same problem, but whatever was out there apparently favored their livestock over that of the neighbors. The whole family was exhausted from taking turns patrolling the farm, and whenever one of them fell asleep on watch, another animal would disappear. "It seems we must wait until nightfall and find some way to hide ourselves from the culprit's view," Nicholas said. Danica smiled and said, "I believe I can take care of that." Nicholas and Danica joined in the chores of the farm throughout the day, giving the family some much-needed rest at the end of the day because they completed the chores early. They ate a wonderful home cooked meal as night slowly closed in upon them. "All of you get some rest. Danica and I will take the watch this night. Perhaps, if fortune is with us, it will be the last night it is necessary." Nicholas and Danica then exited the farmhouse walked toward the barns and pens for the animals. Danica retrieved a Ring of Hunters from her bag of holding. The ring's magic made the wearer invisible, and masked their scent as well. The ring also dampened sounds made by the wearer — except for speech. So long as Nicholas kept quiet while he wore the ring, few beings would notice him. Danica planned to cast spells that would duplicate the ring's effects to provide her own cover. "Remember, you're not going to be able to even see yourself while you have the ring on. You won't be able to see me either once I cast my spells. The ring's magic will be broken if you take any action like attacking or trying to grab another creature. Otherwise, you're free to do anything without the magic failing," Danica explained. "I understand," Nicholas said and put on the ring. "This is disconcerting," he muttered once he vanished from view. "You get used to it in time. If you want to deactivate the ring's magic, just think about the ring and think off, stop, quit — or something to that effect. Now, I need to cast my spells so I don't give us away. Then we'll settle in." Danica cast her spells, and immediately slipped into the second sight. Danica had discovered over time that if she concentrated hard enough on the second sight and looked at the outer edges of her vision, she could often detect faint glimmerings of even invisibility spells, which were masked from the second sight as well as normal vision. She easily found Nicholas within arms reach and smiled a crooked smile. She started to pretend to bump into Nicholas, her plan to press her breasts hard against his chest and get a good feel of his cock. At the last second, she realized that doing so intentionally would constitute an attack by the way the spells worked, and would break the magic. Danica sighed and sat down on a mossy spot nearby, finding it fairly comfortable. She spoke to let Nicholas know where she was, and he followed the sound of her voice to sit down near her. "We shouldn't speak any more. Whatever it is out there is pretty observant. Let's just keep quiet and see if we can catch this thing," Danica suggested. Danica could almost hear Nicholas nodding. When she chuckled, he did as well and said, "Okay — you knew I was nodding my head didn't you?" "Yes," Danica answered and chuckled again. They then settled in to wait out the night. The air was cool — perfectly comfortable — though the mossy ground felt less comfortable by the moment. Shifting a bit now and then kept the improvised seat from feeling too intolerable. Danica fought off both a yawn and a sigh near midnight — if her sense of time was correct. They had neither seen nor heard anything since they settled in. Danica lay back quietly on the moss and her mind drifted a bit, conjuring up images of what she wanted to do to Nicholas. Her hand strayed toward her sex, but thoughts about where she was caused her to pause. Then she smiled as she remembered that nobody could see her anyway. She unbuttoned the top button of her pants and slid her hand inside to caress her folds as she continued to daydream. After a few minutes, Danica had to stop. She was growing too aroused, and that wasn't going to help her keep quiet. She mentally growled and sat back up. Just then, she thought she heard a faint sound. A moment later, she heard it again. To Danica, it sounded like something creeping toward them — nearby. Danica quietly stood up and moved closer to the barn housing most of the smaller animals. About ten feet from the barn, Danica saw something illuminated in the moonlight. Something crept around the edge of the barn. Danica nearly cursed when the creature crept out into full view. At first, she thought it was an Imp — a malicious creature from the lower planes. The full moon's light illuminated details that caused Danica to revise her first impression. The creature wasn't an Imp, but something known as an Astral Imp. The creatures were similar, though originating on different planes. Astral Imps were not inherently evil as were the Lower Planar Imps, however. Danica tried to remember what she knew about Astral Imps. The first thing that came to mind was their phenomenal speed. She tried to think of a way to capture the Imp, as it was just trying to feed itself and did not warrant killing if any other solution was available. Nicholas must have noticed the creature then, because Danica saw him burst into view a few feet away from her and charge the Imp. The Imp squealed and jumped to run away at the same time Danica banished the spells hiding her. When her spells vanished, the creature immediately turned to look at her. The Imp's eyes opened wide and its mouth gaped open. The Imp then looked over its shoulder at Nicholas and ran again. "Nicholas, wait! You'll never catch it — trust me!" Danica called out. The creature had already vanished from view across an expanse of field before Danica even finished speaking. "Damn me, but that thing is fast. What kind of devil was that?" Nicholas asked, moving toward where Danica stood. "An Astral Imp. It's not really a devil. They're usually pretty harmless creatures. This one has found itself here somehow without someone supporting it. It's just trying to find food. If you had somehow cornered it... They can be deadly opponents." "How are we to stop it then?" Nicholas asked. Nicholas' question prompted Danica to remember something else about Astral Imps, a memory triggered by the way dropping the spells shielding her from sight and scent had caused the creature to react. "I have the beginnings of a plan. I know these creatures, and they have a weakness we can exploit. We may as well get some sleep tonight. It won't return tonight no matter how hungry it gets. Someone else is likely to find they are missing a chicken or a piglet tonight, but there's nothing we can do about that." "What is the weakness you speak of?" Nicholas asked. Danica smiled and pulled her Magnificent Tent from her bag of holding. "I'll let you know tomorrow night when I've got my whole plan together," she said as she activated the item's magic. ------- The pair slept comfortably that night in Danica's Magical tent. In the morning, Nicholas spoke to the family to give a general explanation of what they had discovered. Danica then suggested that they turn in to nap a little longer into the day. Danica cast a Cooling Comfort spell over them to ward off the heat of the day so that they could sleep comfortably. They awoke to eat the noon meal with the family, and then returned to the tent to relax until dinner. After eating, Nicholas and Danica revealed that they had a plan to capture the creature and remove it from the area so that it would stop causing trouble. Danica refused to reveal anything about her plan, saying it was too difficult to explain to someone who didn't understand the nature of Astral Imps. Night drew near, and Danica told the family to sleep because everything was under control. She and Nicholas then went outside as the sky grew dark. Danica returned the tent to its traveling form, and then she and Nicholas settled in to wait for full darkness. "The creature won't come out before midnight, so we can relax until just before then. Then we'll put my plan in action, and hopefully we'll have the creature trapped in short order," Danica said. "What is the plan anyway? Surely I need to know my part." "You certainly do need to know, but not yet. I'll tell you what you need to do when we start. It's best for you not to dwell on it. Your part will best be played by reacting without mulling it over beforehand." They traded stories of their lives and small talk until Danica judged it was close to midnight. "Okay, we should get ready. I have a way to lure the creature in close. The problem is, Astral Imps have a charming gaze. I may or may not be able to resist it once it comes near. I need you to remain nearby me with this." Danica placed a red, coin-like metal disk into Nicholas' hand. Magical sigils covered every inch of the disk's surface. "When the creature is within reach, slap this against it and get back quickly. If I'm not moving, grab me and drag me away as well. This item should bind it so tightly, and so quickly that it can't bring a claw to bear. It's always better to be safe than sorry, though." "That sounds simple enough," Nicholas said. "What will you use to lure it in?" Danica smiled knowingly — sensually. "This is the part it was best for you not to dwell on through the day. Astral Imps are lightning quick, have magical powers, sharp claws, and other natural abilities that make them very dangerous when cornered and forced to fight. They're almost impossible to hit with spells as well, and only by taking great pains to build the power of spells can you affect them. That magic item should bind the creature long enough for me to take the time I need and force it to sleep. They do have one weakness that can cause them to be less observant of their surroundings, which obsesses them to the point where they can't think clearly." "Well, what is it," Nicholas asked with an exasperated chuckle. "They cannot resist the sight — and especially the scent — of a human woman. If a woman is aroused and nude, the scents she releases are even stronger, and carry farther in the air. That is how I intend to lure the creature in until he is right on top of me, where you can incapacitate him." Nicholas' mouth hung open. He shook his head and mumbled, "I uhm..." He then tousled his hair and blew out a great breath of air. Danica winked and said, "Just put on the ring. Stay nearby and be quiet. Try to enjoy the show until the Imp makes an appearance." Nicholas shivered, unable to control the reaction. He then smiled and said, "Okay." He put on his ring and vanished from sight without another word. Danica shrugged off her clothing and put it into her bag of holding. When she revealed her breasts, she heard Nicholas gasp. "Shh, be quiet silly," Danica admonished and continued to remove her clothing. Once nude, Danica lay down on the mossy ground to softly rub her nether lips. She moaned quietly as she imagined Nicholas' tongue on her, which caused her juices to rapidly flow. As Danica's fingers caressed and probed, her fires built higher by the moment. Occasional glances with the second sight showed that Nicholas was where he was supposed to be, watching and rubbing his aching cock through his trousers. Danica came, biting her lip to avoid crying out. Her body stiffened and arched, and she prayed the creature wouldn't come while she was in the throes of orgasm. She needed full concentration to resist the Imp's magical charm, and right now, she was in no condition. Slowly, Danica's orgasm ebbed. She brought her finger to her mouth and sucked it clean with a quiet moan. She then looked over toward Nicholas and said, "Once we've taken care of the Imp, you can do more than watch if you'd like." With a coy smile, she then reached down to stroke her folds again. The Imp leapt upon Danica before she could begin to react. The creature's mouth was wide open, and drool ran down its chin. Its eyes were wide open as well, staring hard into Danica's — the devious charm magic beating against Danica's will. The creature had lost control of its camouflage abilities in its lust. Instead of the dark blending color from the previous night, the Imp was its natural, pale blue-gray color. Danica clenched her teeth and sent all her strength into building her will and bringing her formidable mental powers to bear. The creature's eyes squinted for a moment when Danica mentally retaliated, and she was able to tear her eyes downward away from the Imp's. The angle afforded her a good view of the creature's pale cock — hard, throbbing, and poised above her in anticipation of the charm taking hold of her. Nicholas returned to visibility as he slapped the small metal disc onto the Imp's back. The monster snarled and tried to let out a scream, but the crimson bands of the magic imbued in the item quickly bound the Imp and covered its mouth. Nicholas gave the creature a powerful kick that sent it rolling some five feet away. It rocked back and forth, but could make no other movement due to the tightly constricting bonds of the spell. Danica let out a sigh of relief and reached for Nicholas' hand, extended to help her rise. She pulled her naked body close against him when she stood, and brought her finger — wet with her juices — to his lips before kissing him and squeezing his rock hard cock through his trousers. "I need to bind the creature in sleep now. Then I'll have time to set up a containment circle and we can send the thing back to where it belongs on the Astral Plane," Danica said and turned toward the creature. "Shouldn't you get dressed?" Nicholas asked. "Why, do you want me to?" Danica asked with a coy smile over her shoulder, running her hands over her bottom as she spoke. "Uhm, well — no," he replied and chuckled. Danica smiled and said, "There's no time. There's no sure way of knowing how long it will be bound by the crimson bands. I need to get it to sleep as well, so it can't fight the other magic as hard — or quickly." Nicholas nodded and Danica concentrated, bending all her will into the spell she was about to cast. When she felt as if she was about to explode from the power built up inside her, Danica released the spell. Instantly, the creature's movements ceased. Danica moved close to observe the Imp, confirming that it was truly fast asleep, and still tightly bound. "I must be better at sigil magic than I thought. Those bonds are twice as strong as I would have expected them to be. I'll have to be careful in the future, because that much strength could crush a normal person." Nicholas was too busy admiring the curves of her backside as she bent over the Imp to pay much attention to the sleeping creature. Danica gave her bottom a sharp smack, and then grabbed her bag of holding to retrieve her clothing. She dressed and started to work on the containment circle. "Can I do anything to help?" Nicholas asked. "Stay back and don't touch anything," Danica laughed. "The slightest mistake could be disastrous. Just watch the thing and let me know if it starts to stir. I'm going to be too busy to pay much attention." Danica first cast a spell to becalm the winds in the general area, and then another to illuminate the immediate area well. The last thing she needed was an errant breeze disrupting the circle or any of the other elements of the Banishment spell. She could have simply used the Lesser Banishment spell and sent the Imp away immediately, but Danica had decided to perform the full ritual to ensure the creature would not be able to return to the Prime Material Plane for at least one hundred years. Danica carefully spread silver dust into the appropriate patterns and runes. It's a good thing I have nearly unlimited coin now, because the amount of precious metals and spell components this spell is going to consume is monstrous. It took Danica twenty minutes to complete the containment circle. She spent another five minutes carefully checking the circle for mistakes, and then stood to cast the spells that would empower it. Danica completed her castings, and then sat down to rest for a moment. She needed to build her strength again to cast the actual Banishment. Sending the Imp back wouldn't prove difficult, but preventing other creatures from using the portal she opened would be. "Danica, it's moving," Nicholas warned and drew his sword. "You can put that away. It's not going anywhere," Danica explained. The creature began to rock back and forth — gently at first — and then violently when it fully awakened. The Imp pushed steadily harder against the bonds that held it. Once able to move enough, the Imp received a rude awakening. The creature touched the boundaries of the containment circle and let out a pitiful, muffled scream of pain as a tiny wisp of smoke curled up from its flesh. The creature pushed harder at its bonds, taking care not to roll around much this time. Danica said, "It can't escape the circle, so the crimson bands are irrelevant now. It's a good thing, because it doesn't look like they're going to hold long." Only moments later, the Imp snapped the bands and sprang to its feet. Almost instantly, the creature's coloring changed to blend in with its surroundings. The imp wailed in anger for a second, and then its eyes opened wide and some of its coloring faded. The creature locked eyes with Danica and took a step toward her, once again touching the outer edge of the circle. The Imp screeched as it burned. "It can still smell the scent of my arousal. It's probably like a torturous fog the thing cannot escape. Its senses for that particular scent are better than any animal's. I should send it away quickly before it destroys itself trying to get to me." Danica stood back up to do just that as soon as she finished speaking. Nicholas spun and drew his sword, hearing the sound of running footsteps before Danica. He lowered the weapon when he saw the man of the farmhouse and his eldest son running toward him with pitchforks in hand. The two men slid to a stop when they reached the light of Danica's spell, staring in wide-eyed amazement at the creature trapped in the circle. "What in the hells is that thing?" The farmer exclaimed. "That's our Astral Imp," Danica answered. "I'm preparing to send it back where it belongs. It won't trouble you or anyone else in this world for one hundred years when I'm done. Please stay back so you don't disrupt the magic." The men nodded and stepped back a step. Danica gathered together the components she would need, and then started her spell casting. While Danica worked her magic, the creature inside the circle alternated between its instinct to fight or flee, and its powerful need to reach Danica to satisfy its hunger for human women. The Imp burned itself a dozen times — once badly — before Danica completed the spell of Banishment. The creature screamed loud and long, the sound fading even as the Imp faded from sight. Danica dropped her hands when the creature fully vanished, and the light of the runes and the circle winked out. Only a scorched shadow of the circle and runes remained on the ground. "It is done," Danica said. The young man let out a whoop, and his father cuffed him playfully on the back. "I don't know how we're going to repay Y'all," the elder man admitted. "Consider it a favor to old friends of the family. I will accept no payment, save a few more fine meals in your home," Nicholas responded with a smile. "As for me, I started my journey simply to acquire some fresh produce for my kitchen. If you can spare a few fruits and vegetables, that will more than suffice as payment for me," Danica added. "Come back up to the house, the younguns and womenfolk are gonna wanna know what happened," said the older of the two men. "In the morning," Danica protested with a weary smile. "I need to rest now from my spell casting. Go let them know it is over, then get your rest for tomorrow's chores." The men nodded and turned back toward the house. Danica pulled her magical tent from its hiding place and activated the magic. Nicholas followed Danica inside a few moments later. Danica stopped just as Nicholas pulled the door of the tent closed. She kissed him hard as soon as he turned around. When their lips parted, Danica lustily said, "It's not rest I need right now," as she dropped slowly to her knees. She unbuttoned Nicholas' trousers as she slid down, moaning in anticipation as she released his already hardening cock. Danica hastened his erection by running her tongue over the hardening shaft, and then sucking it into her mouth. She unhooked the buttons of her blouse and shrugged it away as she continued to suck Nicholas' throbbing member. She didn't let him leave her lips as she slipped out of her brassiere as well. Danica snuggled his cock between her warm, soft breasts, lightly lapping over the tip with her tongue and drawing gasps from him. "I want you to come for me. Fill my mouth, Nicholas," she said before releasing his cock from between her breasts to suck it in earnest. She pumped her hand on his shaft, sucking down hard and fast with her warm mouth. Danica moaned around his throbbing hardness as she sucked him, and his hands moved to rest on the back of her head. Nicholas started to thrust his hips at her, and Danica removed her stroking hand from his shaft to slide both hands in behind him. She pulled against his hips and encouraged him to fuck her mouth. Nicholas slowly stroked his cock in and out of Danica's mouth, steadily increasing the speed as he realized she had no difficulty taking him. He gasped and growled, pumping his cock into Danica's mouth faster by the moment. Danica excitedly moaned around him, knowing he would come soon. Danica's eyes popped wide open when he exploded with a deep, almost growling exclamation into her mouth. Spurts of thick cream filled Danica's mouth — every spurt filling her mouth completely. His seed dripped out around the corners of Danica's mouth, and he just kept coming. Danica swallowed, feeling the warmth spread through her body as his cream settled in her belly. With a last hard squirt that hit the back of Danica's throat, Nicholas spent the last of his passion. He moaned and shivered as Danica softly sucked for the last tiny oozing drops. After a few moments of that, he pushed her away and sat down hard — his legs unwilling to support him any longer. Danica pulled him into a passionate kiss. "Oh my — been saving that for a while?" she asked and licked her lips. "I always seem to come like that," Nicholas said, and then gasped as another aftershock coursed through his body. "Mmm — I can't wait to feel it up inside me then," Danica said as she kissed him again. Nicholas picked Danica up in his strong arms and stood, lifting her up. He carried her to the bed and lay her down. Danica licked her lips with a moan, and then parted her legs wide. Nicholas proved talented with his tongue, and Danica soon gasped sharply as he pleasured her. She built quickly toward an explosion, but not nearly as quickly as Nicholas' cock swelled again. Danica noticed when she brushed her foot against his manhood while writhing in ecstasy under him. Danica erupted into orgasm, flooding Nicholas' face with a flood of juices. He let out a surprised groan and kept her coming hard for what seemed like an eternity to Danica. Completely absorbed in her orgasm, Danica didn't even notice when he pulled away. As soon as she regained enough of her senses to notice, she immediately remedied the situation. Danica sat up and tugged on Nicholas' head, but instead of pulling it back down between her thighs, she pulled him upward on the bed and drew him into a kiss. Meanwhile, she reached down and guided his throbbing cock into her still quivering pussy. ------- Danica couldn't count the number of times she had come, but she could certainly remember both times Nicholas came inside her very well. He exploded the first time with the same geyser-like intensity, and swelled to erection in half the time she expected he would need to recover. The second time proved no different. She and Nicholas both collapsed still coupled, too exhausted to move. Danica noticed just as she drifted off into sleep a few minutes later that despite his being sound asleep atop her, Nicholas' cock buried inside her was once again rock hard. ------- The image in the mirror faded with Danica's casting of the Banishment spell. "Now you see in the extent of her will in resisting the Imp's charm gaze. The strength of her spells and her inventiveness will serve perfectly. The speed, efficiency, and perfection with which she executed the banishment ritual are yet more proof. She is perfect for our mutually beneficial deal," Zoraster asserted as he turned toward the other who watched with him. The man toyed with the stylized rams horns affixed to his hood for a moment, and then stroked his forked beard and stiff mustache. "I agree. She — if anyone — can be the bait and trap we need." "Yes — and No. I have much better means for the trap that will not deprive me of Danica's services, while still providing us with her skills," Zoraster countered. "Allow me to show you," he said and gestured toward a door. The man nodded and the two turned away from the scrying mirror. Darkness returned to the room when the door closed. ------- Part 13A Danica awoke and tried to get her senses to cooperate and function. Her first realization upon conquering the sleep fog was that she was lying in a cold, sticky wet spot — a mixture of her juices and the enormous amounts of cum Nicholas had filled her full of before they fell asleep. Nicholas was still sound asleep. Danica slipped out of the bed, and a thick stream of cum ran down her leg from inside her. She hurried to the chamber pot to avoid making a mess. Danica silently cursed herself. She knew she should have gone straight to the chamber pot and the bath after having that much cum inside her. Lying asleep with it inside her had not been a good idea. Danica emptied her bladder and took a long bath. She was glad to have the mess washed off her, but certainly didn't regret the pleasure that had caused it. Danica didn't think that even Zoraster's gangs in her first days at the complex had ever filled her with so much cum. The memory made Danica quiver. Nicholas stirred as Danica blotted dry with a towel. The first thing he noticed was the same thing Danica had — the mess he lay in. Danica reached for her clothing. "Get in the tub — you're a mess," Danica said with a smile. Nicholas walked over and tried to wrap his arms around her. "Bath first," Danica argued and leaned in to give him a peck on the lips. "And no more fun today. The family will be up already. The last thing I want is to see them stare when we come out because they've heard me wailing like a banshee when you fill me to bursting." Nicholas bathed and dressed, and only then did Danica give him a long, lingering kiss. They gathered up their things and walked toward the door of the tent. Nicholas gestured back at the cum soaked bed and said, "Shouldn't we change the linens?" Danica smiled and said, "Advantages of a magic tent. It will all be like brand new the next time I summon it. We could have shredded every linen in there and it would have all been in one piece the next time I summoned the tent. It takes a lot of damage to break its magic. A whole lot more than we could possibly do accidentally." She punctuated the last with a wink. They left the tent and Danica returned the magic item to its traveling form. The couple then went up to the house and shared the noon meal with the family. After eating, they told the story of what had happened that night — leaving out details best left unsaid, or covering them up with white lies. The women provided Danica with an astounding variety of fruits and vegetables, as much as she thought she could keep fresh for any amount of time. They wanted to give her more, but Danica refused on the grounds it would go to waste. When the family returned to their chores, a little later than usual, Nicholas said to Danica, "What now?" "We'll just help the family with the chores today, have another good meal, and then another night together. After that, I'll have to return home. I've been away too long already," Danica answered and sighed. "Danica, I..." Nicholas stammered. Danica put her fingers to his lips. "No, don't go down that path. Tomorrow, you will get on your horse and ride home. You don't have to forget about me — I'd be quite angry if you did, actually — but don't dwell on me. It cannot be." Nicholas nodded in understanding, though he let out a great sigh much the same as Danica's only a few moments earlier. The two went to help the family with the chores. In the midst of feeding the chickens, Danica felt a sharp cold pain between her breasts — Zoraster's amulet. In her mind, she heard his voice. Return, was all he said. Danica bit her lip and sighed. The coldness faded away, though she could still feel it lingering. She went to find Nicholas, knowing they weren't even going to have that last night together. The news devastated Nicholas, but he kissed her one last time and let her go when Danica explained her need to leave immediately. She stepped outside the barn and teleported back to her chambers at Zoraster's complex with a heavy heart. ------- Having received no instructions other than the order to return, Danica put away her produce and settled in to study, picking up where she had left off prior to the trip. No one interrupted her, and Danica assumed that meant that she wouldn't be sent on a task — at least immediately — else someone would have visited or summoned her by now. Still having received no instructions by that evening, Danica decided to go to bed. She bathed, and then pulled the last of a bottle of Boldheart Red from her cold box, replacing it with another from the wine cellar she had commissioned some months before. The cellar had required permission from Zoraster and a massive amount of restructuring of the nearby tunnels in the labyrinth beneath the complex. Many people had scowled at Danica in the halls for a while because of the disruption, and that Zoraster had approved it for her. Danica settled in to her bed and poured the last of the wine in a glass. She sipped it and let her mind drift to her time with Nicholas. Her hand naturally found its way down to her panties to rub over them as she continued to drink and daydream. She thought the wine tasted a bit off, but decided she must have left it in the cold box uncorked for too long. The glass dropped to the floor when she lost consciousness. ------- Danica awoke groggy and feeling strange. It took her nearly half an hour to summon up the strength and wit to rise from her bed. She sighed when she saw the bright red stain on the floor from the wine. Once she fully regained her wits, Danica examined the stain and determined that she would have to use her magic to remove it, because no normal means would take it out now that it had set for so long. Danica went to her bath, and slowly started to feel better. As soon as she felt normal again, her mind drifted once more to Nicholas and her hand slipped down between her legs. She stroked her folds, and then slid a finger inside her. She furrowed her brow when she felt strong resistance to her finger. She had exercised her vaginal muscles several times daily since her teen years, but the resistance she felt as she slid her finger inside her was something she hadn't felt since the first time she had reached orgasm this way as a girl. She wiggled her finger, pressed harder, and eventually her wetness allowed her finger to slide freely in and out of her. She decided she was imagining things and her mind turned back toward Nicholas once more. Danica came twice, then finished washing, climbed out of the bath to dress and return to her studies. She thought for a moment that it was odd that Zoraster had not summoned her or visited her after calling her back, but she shrugged off the feeling and returned to her books. As evening approached, Danica sat down the old, worn text she was reading. The book was about Cantel Softspake, the grandfather of Darkniciad — whom her sister and Zoraster had both studied under in the past. Cantel had gained vast magical power, and lived far beyond the span of normal mortal years. He had fathered Darkniciad's father, whose name the text did not mention, late in his long life. Danica smiled thinking that the man's virility indicated that his lifespan was not the only thing extended by his command over the Art. Cantel had fallen to the temptation of darkness, and forces in the world had turned against him. When at last he knew he must fall or face capture, Cantel had waited until the leaders of the assault against him entered his fortress and stood before him. Only then did the dark wizard raise his staff — charged with an array of magical powers beyond comprehension — and break it over his knee. The resulting explosion of released magic annihilated Cantel and his enemies, vaporized his fortress, and blasted an enormous hole into the ground all the way to the strange network of caverns beneath the earth known as the Underworld. The site of the destruction was an ancient meteor crater, and the newer, deeper hole was now known as the Great Crater, one of the continent's most famous landmarks. Danica cooked a roast, using the vegetables she had acquired during her last trip, and then sat back to relax with another glass of wine. She was pleased that the strange aftertaste of her last bottle was not present in this one. Sipping the wine, she acutely felt the needs of her body after a short time. She needed more than her fingers — more than her toys — and she hungered for the touch of another woman. Andrea immediately moved to the forefront of her mind. Danica rose from her chair and immediately went to Andrea's room. The young woman was there, and delighted to see Danica. They talked of small things for a few minutes, but it didn't take long for their passions to overcome them. Andrea apparently hungered for the touch of a woman as much as Danica did. Again, Danica noticed that odd teenage tightness in her as she and Andrea played. She thought Andrea even felt a little tighter as well. Danica just shrugged it off, as it wasn't causing her any real discomfort. She felt silly for complaining about something many women would wish for. Danica returned to her room that night, and to her studies the next morning. She still received no summons to reveal the reason for Zoraster's order to return. Two days later, she felt the warming of her blood indicating that she had learned yet another powerful spell. The magic was known as Positive Forcebolt, a dangerous magical attack that drew on energy from the Positive Material Plane to attack creatures from the Negative Material Plane — or creatures with links to that plane, such as the undead. She didn't know why her thoughts had turned to that particular line of study, but she was pleased with herself for mastering the powerful and dangerous magic. She tracked down a new apprentice in the complex that night, feeling the need for a man inside her. He wasn't that big, but Danica thought he was going to split her in half at first. She quickly got over the uneasiness once she came hard, however. ------- The next afternoon, Zoraster finally sought her out. "I have work for you, my little rose," Zoraster said from the doorway of her lab where she worked on enchanting some magic items. Danica turned and rose from her chair. Zoraster also turned and walked over to Danica's bed. The Archmage sat down on the edge of the bed and said, "You will be seeking a spell book. The information I have received says that this man possesses a book of rare ancient spells." Zoraster conjured up an image of a handsome, dark-haired man. "More likely — it is in the possession of the one he serves. The man is quite adept at charm magic, and has developed original spells that allow him to enact powerful charms with almost no gesture, triggered by a series of common words. I desire those spells as well, if at all possible. The man is adept in other forms of the Art, though his charm magic is the most dangerous. I chose you for your remarkable will for this mission, though I have already sent another to lay the groundwork. You will need to convince this man you are under his spell, because he will inevitably attempt to charm you. Then find that which I seek." "I understand. When do I leave?" "Immediately. Study this pattern and teleport to my outpost in the city. The servants there will direct you to the man's place of business and provide you with the other information you will need. Good day, little rose," Zoraster answered and took his leave. Danica gathered up what magical and mundane things she thought she might need, and then sat down to study the pattern. When she had committed the pattern to memory, she summoned up her magic. Danica released the spell and teleported with the image in her mind. Instantly, she appeared in the pattern room of one of Zoraster's near infinite and identical outposts scattered throughout the globe. She walked out into the bedroom that adjoined the room and pulled back the shades to try to ascertain her location. What she saw told her little. She might be a few miles from Zoraster's complex, or on the other side of the world. The people moving around within her view told her no more than the flora and fauna. Danica walked into the common room, where servants already awaited her. She knew that Zoraster would have alerted them to her imminent arrival, and that the announcement bell that chimed in the servants quarters when anyone teleported via the pattern would have revealed her arrival. "I am instructed to give you this." A balding man awaiting Danica in the common room said. He continued, "May I be of any service to you?" "Not at the moment. I need to read this and find out exactly why I'm here. If I need you, I'll ring the servant's bell," Danica answered as she broke the seal on the packet he handed her. "Very good," the man responded with a bow before leaving the room for the servant's quarters. Danica found a letter on top of the papers within the packet. Little rose, The one who has gone before you has already told the man whom I spoke to you of — Nichtar Blackvey — that she knows of one who could fill another position he has open. She already serves as a chamber maid in his home and offices, as she has these last two days. Her only instructions have been carried out. Return her to the complex when your task is complete. You will be taking the role of a keeper in his magic shop. He has already been told that you are studied in accounting, knowledgeable in the field, and have significant merchant skills. You will find information about the location and known details of his home, store, offices, and warehouses. Return that which I seek to me. Rest this night and send a message that you have arrived to Nichtar's shop on the morrow. Watch your neck. Danica raised her eyebrows when she read the last line. The words seemed utterly uncharacteristic of Zoraster. She somehow thought that she heard his mocking laughter in that last line, but shrugged it off as her imagination. She didn't feel like going to bed yet, so Danica decided to go out into the town and see if she could discover more about it. The town was not large, and apparently existed off the beaten path, from what Danica could tell. Danica guessed that perhaps the town sat on an old trade route that had turned another direction in the past. She could see evidence that the town was far more prosperous at one point in its history. She saw a few merchant wagons moving into and out of the town, but the traffic was far from frequent. Danica passed by the place where Zoraster had instructed her to go the next morning. The directions were very clear, and she had no difficulty finding the place. The building appeared similar to any other such business attached to a dwelling — save it looked well kept up. Obviously, the man made a good living from his trade. Danica found a public bath house — something that seemed common anywhere Zoraster spread his influence, though it was not truly that common a practice in general. Bushes surrounded the bath house — shrubs that Danica could tell were once sculpted by careful hands into intricate shapes. Now, they grew wild and obscured the building on three sides. She thought about patronizing the bath, but while looking at the building she decided from its state of upkeep that the baths would probably not be all that comfortable any longer. As she passed by the rear of the building on her way back to Zoraster's outpost, she heard — and saw — a rustling in the bushes. Danica stopped and concentrated for a moment, noticing another disturbance in the shrubs. Danica quietly cast a spell of clairvoyance and smiled when she saw a young man wearing a vest that she recognized as a sign he was apprenticed to a smith's guild. Considering how new the vest looked, he had probably just reached his majority and gained acceptance to the organized smith guild. His clothing didn't hide his musculature, evidence of his years of apprenticeship as a teen in a forge — a requirement to enter the guild. He was looking through a peephole in the side of the bath house and rubbing his crotch as he watched. The young man was rather handsome, and the bulge in his pants looked delicious to Danica. She felt her passions rising. You chose a demanding career. I bet you haven't had much time for girls, Danica thought. She looked around and found the spot where he must have crept through the thick bushes to get next to the building. If Danica's judgment served her, he used the hidden pathway often. With a wicked smile, she turned sideways and slipped between the bushes. Danica felt as though she was making a lot of noise rustling the bushes, but when she reached the fairly large hollow carefully pruned out near the building, the young man was still enraptured by the scene in front of him. He had pulled his cock out at some point, and Danica licked her lips in anticipation. A quick thought activated one of the many enchantments now stored in Danica's hood ring. Once been a magical trinket, the ring was now a repository of vast magic. A globe of silence spread out, preventing any sound from within the hollowed out spot in the bushes from escaping. Danica let a crooked smile cross her face and said, "Enjoying yourself?" The young man started and fell back on his buttocks. He regained his feet and looked as if he was going to bolt, but Danica was standing in front of the only real break in the bushes. "Relax. I'm not going to tell on you," Danica said with a smile and glanced down at his still revealed cock. The young man blushed and hurriedly pulled up his trousers, still looking nervous. Danica made a little disappointed face when he put his cock away. "Now, what are you looking at here?" She asked, and then leaned down to look through the peephole. Danica could see a young woman bathing. The bather had shoulder-length brunette hair and small breasts, with equally small nipples. She was pretty — but hardly stunning — and Danica could see nothing below the woman's small breasts. Turning away from the peephole, Danica saw the young man staring at her breasts straining against the material of her top. She smiled her crooked smile again and said, "You can only see her boobs, and she doesn't even have that much to show." She cupped her breasts in her hands as she said it. The young man's eyes locked on Danica's breasts, the now pebble-hard nipples pressing against the material of her top even through her brassiere. His mouth popped wide open when Danica unbuttoned the top button of her blouse — and then another. Danica pulled the material aside when she opened the last button and pulled her bra up, fully revealing her breasts to him. "Now, aren't mine much more fun to look at? I'm sure you can see them much better, too." The young man nodded his head, looking up into her eyes for a moment when he did so, and then let his gaze drop back down to her breasts. "Touch them," Danica said lustily. He reached out slowly — half expecting her to scream or worse if the snippets of thoughts and emotions Danica picked up were accurate. He then grabbed her breasts, one in each hand — just a little too hard. "Gentle, now. I might want you to play rough with them later, but be gentle for now," Danica instructed. She felt his grip relax and continued, "That's better. Do you like them?" "Yes," He said while nodding his head to emphasize the statement. He also started to rub his fingers over her hard nipples. Danica quietly moaned and said, "Suck them for me." The young man gasped, and so did Danica when he leaned down almost immediately to suck her right nipple between his lips. Danica moaned quietly and stroked his hair as he sucked her like a starving baby. "Don't make the other jealous." He must have figured out what she meant, because he quickly switched nipples, and also caressed the globes of her breasts with his hands. Danica knew she must be dripping wet by now. She could feel the heat in her panties like a bonfire. She put her hand under his chin and gently raised his head up. He reluctantly released her nipple, and Danica pulled him up into a kiss. As soon as Danica broke the kiss, he asked, "Can I see your pussy?" Danica couldn't help but smile seeing the look of excitement and anticipation in his eyes. "Patience," Danica admonished with a sultry grin, and then dropped down to her knees. She slid her hands over his body as she knelt to the ground, and pulled his trousers down. Danica wrapped her hand around his throbbing cock, and then ran her tongue over the tip in a slow circle. He stared down and gasped, putting his hands on the back of her head. Danica ran her lips and tongue over the entire length of his shaft, coating it in her saliva, and then she parted her lips to take him inside her mouth. Another gasp emerged from the young man, and his fingers twined in her hair as she sucked him. He was average sized, and not overly thick, so Danica had little trouble taking him all. She slowly sucked him from tip to root, rotating her head back and forth, and flicking her tongue over the tip every time she reached the purple head of his cock. He started pulling on the back of her head every time she sucked downward, and pushing his hips forward. Danica moaned around his cock, and he took it as encouragement that she liked what he was doing. He then slowly fucked her mouth. When Danica didn't protest — it made her even wetter for him to take control — he thrust harder. Danica knew he wasn't going to last long; she moaned around his cock as he thrust fast, hitting her throat as his cock pumped in and out of her mouth. With a painful twist of his fingers in her hair, he came with his cock buried to the hilt in her mouth. Danica let out a gurgling little moan as she felt his hot cum spurting directly down her throat. Danica swallowed and massaged his balls as he emptied them into her mouth. When his grip relaxed, Danica took over and sucked hard for every little drop he had to offer. After a few sucks, he pushed her away with a gasp, unable to endure the sensation any longer. Danica licked her lips and looked up at him. "Mmm, I liked that. You should let a girl do it how she wants, though. Not every girl likes it when you take control. They may want to do it their own way." He nodded his head to indicate he understood, and then leaned up against the wall of the bath house to support his weak legs. Danica stood up and slid her pants and panties down while he watched in wide-eyed wonder. Danica laydown on the ground and spread her legs wide. "Come taste me. Make me come for you," She sexily begged. He dropped down to his knees, and then lowered his head between Danica's legs. She was absolutely sopping wet in anticipation. The first touch of his tongue sent a pulse up Danica's spine and throughout her body. What he lacked in skill, he certainly made up for with eagerness. He lapped her as though she werethe finest thing he had ever tasted. Danica rubbed his head and shoulders, encouraging him and telling him how good it felt. As she drew closer to climax, Danica pulled his head tightly against her and closed her legs around him. Danica came hard a few moments later, soaking his face in her flood of girl cum, writhing and bucking her hips as he continued to lap her folds. He raised his head up, his face dripping with her juices, and gasped, "That was incredible. Did I really make you feel that good?" Danica moaned, "Mmm hmm. You'll get even better in time. Pay attention to the signals a woman gives you when you're licking her. You'll learn how to draw it out, build her up, and then release her in a sudden burst." He once again nodded that he understood while wiping her juices from his face with his hands. Danica stood on her wobbling legs and pulled his sticky fingers to her mouth, sucking them clean. She then kissed him and lapped her juices from his face with a few low moans. Looking down, Danica saw his cock was already erect again. "I love young cock — always ready." She then put her hands against the wall of the bath house and bent down. "Now, fuck me with that hard young cock." He moved in behind her and tried to penetrate her. He had more than a little trouble, so Danica reached back and guided his anxious member to her. She wiggled the purple head against her lips until it slipped between them, and then sensually breathed, "Now, give it to me," and put her hands back on the wall. He stroked his erection into her, and once again, Danica felt the odd tightness. She had taken him full force in her mouth, yet it felt as if his cock was going to split her in half. His thrusts were somewhat slow and awkward, and Danica determined that he was having trouble getting a good angle to penetrate her. Danica moved her hands lower on the wall, bending over a bit farther, and a loud gasp burst from her when he slid in to the hilt on the next thrust. She moaned and gasped as he fucked her hard. Danica was still tingling from her previous orgasm, and she built quickly toward another. She considered that fortunate, because she could tell from the sounds he made that he wasn't going to last long. His hands tightly gripped her hips as he repeatedly slammed his throbbing manhood home. Danica felt her orgasm well up inside her, and then suddenly explode in a torrent. She let out a gasping scream as her flood of cum erupted and her body quaked. Her release set him off as well, and he pushed deep inside her one last time with a loud exclamation, filling her with hot cream. Danica's head actually bumped against the wall of the bath house from the power of his last thrust as they both gasped through their orgasms. He leaned over her heavily, his breath coming in gasps. His cock, still buried inside her, slowly went soft. Danica could feel their mingled cum running down her leg, but she was still too lost in the quivering of her aftershocks to care. After a few seconds, he pulled away and Danica stood up, bracing her arm against the wall for support. She kissed him and then gathering up her clothes, pulling out a cloth from her bag of holding to wipe off before dressing. A couple of times, the young man looked as though he was about to say something. When he did, Danica put a finger to her lips and shushed him, until she finished dressing. She kissed him one last time and made her way out of the bushes. She was surprised — but relieved — when he didn't follow her. Her needs sated, she returned to the outpost to sleep so she could rise early in the morning. ------- Danica gathered up her things the next morning and once more followed the directions to Nichtar's shop and home. She walked into the shop, and a dark-haired man said to her, "May I help you?" "I believe I'm expected. My name is..." She started. Andrea walked in from a side door and said, "Oh, you're here Danica. I'm so glad you could come. I know you'll be perfect for this job." Danica felt fear knot in the pit of her stomach. The bastard sent Andrea into this to torment me. There really isn't other reason to do it. With a forced smile, she said, "It's good to see you, Andrea." "Well then, Danica, shall we get down to business?" Nichtar asked. They discussed the job for a few minutes, ironing out the details in short order. Danica would operate the shop for the day while Nichtar observed to decide if he wished to keep her on full time. Danica bargained hard, both buying and selling, quite pleased with the deals she made. The thoughts she picked up from the patrons allowed her to bargain for higher prices while still making sales, and had twice tipped her off to bad purchases. As evening drew near, Nichtar closed up the shop. He pulled the shades on the windows and locked the door before turning to Danica. "You did quite well. Why did you offer such a low price on that Wand of Wailing Winds? It is a powerful item and could have been resold for ten times what you offered." Danica smiled, as the wand was one of the bad purchases that a shifty man's thoughts had persuaded her to avoid. "There was a hairline crack below the mounting of the wand's metal tip. It could have failed at any time — even exploded. The price I offered was essentially for the materials of the wand, which could have been used for other things." The man clapped his hands and said, "Excellent. I believe this position in my business has been filled." He walked over to where Danica stepped from behind the counter. "Now, there is something else we should converse upon." His eyes stared hard into Danica's as he spoke those words, and when he said, converse, Danica could feel the power of his charming magic slam into her. Danica steeled her will, resisting the considerable power of his magic. She could see the strain in his eyes as he fought to break her. Danica slowly retreated within herself on instinct, and found that she withdraw into her mind deeper and deeper with concentration. She was aware of what she was doing — still fully in control of her body and mind — but from the outside, she appeared to lose her battle against his magic. The pressure lessened as Nichtar felt the resistance to his magic weakening — not because he was winning, but because he was missing his target. Danica let her mind drift, watching with a sort of dreamy detachment as Nichtar broke his stare. Everything felt somewhat surreal, and Danica wondered what had prompted her to do what she had just done. She realized it was akin to the way she had looked into Celes' mind to find the image of the woman's young self. It was more or less the same process mentally. Nichtar's face broke into a wide smile. "A strong will you have, but not strong enough to best me. Now, disrobe." Danica felt a tug at part of her mind. It was almost as if some part of her was indeed under the man's charm. The control wasn't enough to stop her if she really wanted to resist, she knew that without a doubt. She was supposed to pretend she was enthralled, so Danica obeyed. Her movements were slow and awkward, as she found it difficult to control her body in her current state. She managed to remove her clothing, and then stood back up straight. Nichtar walked up to her and squeezed her breasts, then her nipples. The look on his face bespoke a combination of lust, satisfaction, and power. He walked around behind her and grasped her buttocks, squeezing them as he had her breasts. "Lie down on the counter," Nichtar ordered, and moved to lock the doors leading into the connected buildings from the shop. Danica obeyed in a slow, drifting manner, all the while paying careful attention to everything that happened around her, hoping for clues that would assist her in her task. Nichtar returned and ordered Danica to part her legs. When she did so, he brought a finger to his lips and sucked it, then slipped it between Danica's nether lips. The tight grip on his finger made his smile grow even wider. "A pity the master is always watching. It is so tight, just like your young blonde friend. I would very much enjoy taking you myself," he mused while continuing to stare at Danica's body. "But, no matter — such is impossible. The master would surely put the curse upon me when he returns were I foolish enough to consider it seriously. From this point forward, you will slip into a trance whenever you hear the word converse. You will obey my every command, and when you are released, you will remember nothing." He then stared into her glassy eyes and appeared satisfied that his magic had taken hold. "Now, dress yourself." Danica pulled on her clothing and adjusted it properly with some difficulty caused by the drifting, half-awake state she had assumed. "Now awaken, and remember nothing." Nichtar punctuated the statement with a snap of his fingers. Danica started somewhat at the command, its magic tug pulling on her. She allowed her mind to focus outward once more in response. "I have rooms here if you should wish to stay. I would prefer it in fact, because I open the shop quite early. Such would facilitate your arriving on time, as I would be able to awaken you." "That will be fine. I was still considering my living arrangements anyway," Danica responded. "Very well, you shall start in the morning," Nichtar said with a smile that gave a false impression of warmth, but was, in truth, disquieting. ------- The environment was familiar to Danica, as she owned her own magic shop — or rather had before the mistake that enabled Zoraster to steal her freedom. Her routine was quite simple. She worked in the shop by day, and explored the town in the evening. She spoke with Andrea on a few occasions, and found the young woman acted somewhat odd. Andrea didn't seem to find it strange that Zoraster would send her here, and didn't appear upset by it. Danica was afraid to press much, as she never knew who was listening. A week passed, and Danica found little opportunity to learn what Zoraster wanted to know. Nichtar was very secretive — and beyond that first day — had made no attempt to exercise any control over her with his charming magic. Danica needed to get out and think, and so she decided to go out into the town. She was also felt an aching need for relief that her toys just could not satisfy. She ate at a small inn near the edge of town, finding no enjoyable company despite the number of men who approached her. She decided to move on to a tavern near the other edge of town she had noticed while exploring earlier. As she neared the tavern, Danica noticed a large bonfire just to the north of the tavern. She could see people dancing, and heard music and merriment. The atmosphere pulled Danica toward the festival. Almost immediately upon entering the circle of light from the fires and torches, something caught Danica's interest. She saw a handsome brown-haired man standing near the fringes of the crowd, clapping his hands and watching the townsfolk dance. He appeared particularly interested in the women. What caught Danica's eye was a remarkably well tooled shoulder bag he had hanging at his hip. Danica had never seen its like, and thought it would be perfect to have one like it enchanted into a bag of holding. She had never liked the plain one she carried everywhere, and knew she could perform the enchantment herself now, after careful study of the process. Danica shrugged and decided the best course was just to walk up and ask. She made her way over to the man and tapped him on the shoulder. "Excuse me. Might I ask where you got that shoulder bag? It's remarkable, and I would like to get one like it myself." The man smiled broadly. "Hmm, let's see — where did I get this? My memory comes and goes sometimes. One thing always seems to get it working, though. Would you come dance with me?" Danica laughed and extended her arm. The man entwined his arm with hers and said, "I'm William." "Danica," she said as they walked toward the area where everyone was dancing. The dance was a couple's dance, with a lot of the male spinning his female partner. The dance was very folksy, and brought Danica into close contact with the man quite often. The feeling of his body made Danica's respond, and her arousal must have shown in her demeanor, because she caught snippets of the man's thoughts about exactly that as they danced. When the music died down between songs, Danica's partner led her back to the edge of the festival. "Let's go sit down, and I'll think on where I got this bag," William said. He found an unoccupied table at the edge of the festival, now in a darkened area since the sun had set. There were a few other people nearby, but none too close. The table had a long festive cloth draped over it that reached the ground. "You dance very well," William said. "Thank you. I've never done a dance like that before." "Now, this bag — I know I got it here in town. Where was it again?" "You're teasing. You said dancing always helped you remember," Danica said with a little pout. "I never tease," He countered with a raise of his eyebrows, "And I never said dancing was the thing that refreshed my memory." The last ended with a sly grin. Danica caught what he was inferring, his words and demeanor would have revealed it well enough, but the image in his mind was even more telling. Danica felt the tingle of wetness trickling between her legs as she looked at the handsome, well-built man. Once again, her eyes gave her away and she saw him smile broadly and lustily. "Well then, just what is it that sparks your memory?" Danica asked while sliding her hand up his leg under the table. "Seems you're on the right track," He answered with a grin. Danica moved her hand over his crotch and smiled wide when she felt the considerable bulge there. Her practiced fingers unbutton his trousers in seconds, allowing her to wrap her hand around William's hard cock. Danica moaned quietly and looked into William's eyes. She could feel him shivering as she touched him, and his smile only grew wider. Danica slowly stroked his cock, peeking around to see if anyone was watching. Everyone nearby kept their attention focused on the brightly lit festival, and paid little attention to the darker area where Danica and William sat. After a minute or so, Danica slyly smiled and looked around once again. She then quickly pushed her chair back and slid underneath the table beneath the long tablecloth. "Oh, but you're surely about to jog my memory," William said and chuckled. Danica leaned forward and engulfed his cock in her mouth with one long suck. His hands rested on the back of her head as she sucked him hard and fast. The excitement caused by the possibly of someone catching them and the gorgeous cock filling Danica's mouth, set off a flow of wetness between her legs. She sucked him greedily, feeling the pressure of his hands on her increase even as he stiffened. William tried to maintain his composure, to conceal what was happening beneath the table. Danica moaned quietly around him as she sucked. She doubted even he could hear her quiet sounds, but she knew he could certainly feel it. William's hands pushed a bit harder on her head, and his fingers twirled in her hair. She knew he was close, and he confirmed it a moment later when he pulsed and filled her mouth with his cream. Danica moaned in delight from his taste. Something in his diet literally made his cum sweet. She sucked and savored each spurt that burst into her mouth. Once he ceased to ejaculate, Danica released him and asked, "Is it safe to come up?" William exhaled a great breath and said, "Yep." Danica hurried back up into her seat and found that nobody appeared to have noticed anything. "Damn, but you have a wonderful mouth. I'll tell you right where I got this — I'll even introduce you to the guy that makes them. He's a friend of mine. Liked doing that where there was a possibility of getting caught didn't you?" Danica licked her lips and nodded her head. "I love it. There's nothing better," William said and then glanced around. "Least I can do is return the favor." William took another glance around, and then slid under the table. Danica hiked up the hem of her dress and jerked her panties aside before he even managed to disappear under the table. As soon as she spread her legs, his head moved between them. Danica stroked his head as he teased her with the tip of his tongue. She had to fight hard not to close her eyes, writhe, and moan in bliss as he slid his tongue deep inside her. Danica muttered, "Damn," under her breath when she saw a young man walking toward her with a smile on his face. He was looking right at her, and Danica knew he was coming to talk to her. William just kept lapping her as the man approached, and Danica tensed hard to suppress a violent shudder as William sucked her clit between his lips. "Hello, I'm Andrew," the young man said with a smile. Danica could almost see the wicked smile on William's face as he sucked her clit harder and slid two fingers deep inside her. "I'm sorry to seem rude, but I have a lot on my mind and need some time to myself," Danica responded, unsuccessfully trying to push William's head away for a moment. The young man looked crestfallen and said, "Oh, I'm sorry." He then walked away, dragging his feet. Danica gasped through clenched teeth, luckily after the young man passed out of earshot. William sucked her clit hard, flicking it with his tongue, and stroked his fingers in and out of her fast. Danica was just about to come — and come hard. Danica leaned back, tensed, and choked off a scream of release as she reached her peak. Her body shuddered despite her attempts to suppress it, and she pulled William's head hard against her quivering nether lips. When Danica managed to open her eyes, she glanced around. She gasped for breath, and let out a heavy sigh of relief because no one seemed to have noticed. "Up," was all she could gasp to William to indicate it was safe for him to come out from under the table. William slid out from under the table and back up onto the bench, chuckling at the wetness that covered him and soaked his shirt. He pulled a cloth from his bag and wiped his face, attempting to blot some of the wetness from his clothing as well. "That was fun," he said with a wide grin. Danica shuddered again and put her hand over her quivering sex beneath the table. "Mmm hmm," she moaned and smiled as well. Danica finally managed to regain her composure when the aftershocks died down a few moments later. She leaned over and kissed William, and the minstrels started playing a jaunty tune at the same moment. "Climb up on my lap," William said with a wicked smile. Danica gasped. There is no way we're going to get away with that without being caught — tablecloth or no tablecloth, she though. She was just about to shake her head no when she glanced around and noticed everyone was completely enthralled by the troupe of dancers performing at the center of the festival. She also saw many women sitting on men's laps. Everyone was clapping in time with the beat. Danica bit her lip for a moment, and then slid over onto William's lap. She felt his cock brush her thigh as she sat down, and between the two of them, they managed to slip it between her labia and deep inside her. Danica moaned quietly as he filled her. Once again, she wondered for a moment at how tight she felt. He was not that big, yet it felt like he was stretching her wide enough to split her. She quickly forgot all about that as he slowly rocked his hips upward. Danica made a show of clapping in time with the beat of the song, though in truth her hands rarely touched enough to make a sound. She concentrated on the feeling of William moving his hips slowly from side to side and in circles, stirring his cock deep inside her. His fingers moved in ever quickening circles, rubbing her clit underneath her hood. She built quickly, his fingers giving her just the right range of stimulation to keep her fires surging ever hotter. He had obviously done this before, because he knew exactly how to give Danica incredible amounts of stimulation with the most miniscule of movements. It felt as if his cock was stroking every inch of her as it throbbed within her. She could feel his hot breath on her neck, each breath quicker and harder than the last. He was climbing with her, and she was nearly there. Just before she reached the point of no return, Danica threw caution to the wind to bounce up and down on William's erection — hard and fast. It only took a few bounces to make her explode into orgasm. Danica clenched her teeth and let out a choked-off scream as she came, soaking William and herself with her flood of juices. She ground her clit against his cock, causing waves of release to roll through her. He bumped his hips up at her fast, and Danica quietly gasped, "Inside me." A moment or two later, Danica went into another strong wave of ecstasy as his hot semen erupted deep inside her. They sat joined together for a few minutes, not even noticing that the song had stopped and another, slower one had started. Both of them quivered and gasped as ripples of pleasure flowed through them. At last, Danica summoned the strength to move off him and onto the bench. She felt their mingled juices seeping from her as she moved. Danica pulled a cloth from her bag of holding and cleaned up as best she could. William did the same. They whispered back and forth to each other about how incredible the experience had been while they tried to make themselves presentable. "Well, where and when should I meet you to take you to where I got this?" William asked as he patted his shoulder bag. Danica told him to meet her at the shop shortly after closing. She then kissed him once more and stood, trying to straighten out her skirt. She examined her clothing to make sure there was no terribly obvious evidence of what they had been doing, and then waved as she returned to the shop. Danica reached the shop and went inside. She was surprised to find Nichtar speaking with a woman. As soon as she crossed the threshold, Danica heard Nichtar say, "Converse," with no attempt to hide the magical connotations of the word. Danica felt the tug at her will, and retreated within her mind as she had done before. She listened and tried to learn what she could. The woman speaking with Nichtar turned and looked over her shoulder at Danica for a moment, and then returned to the conversation. "The Master will return in two days. I was sent ahead to ensure all is in readiness." "As I have shown you, I am fulfilling the Master's wishes," Nichtar said with a gesture toward some papers on the shop counter. "Everything will be ready when he arrives. You see one of the other two gifts I have prepared to welcome him home as well," Nichtar said and gestured toward Danica. "Very well," the woman responded, and then turned. Danica felt the sensation of her eyes widening, though she knew her body had not actually performed the action. The woman was young, perhaps in her mid twenties, and the gauzy gown she wore was almost senseless to have on. The cloth was utterly transparent, showing off the woman's body without a hint of obscurement. The woman walked toward Danica, her hips and large breasts swaying hypnotically as she walked. Her hair was long and as black as night. Her eyes were wide and seemed to see more than they should. Her lips were red as a rose. Her nipples were flat — the areoles very large, and a very pale pink. A thin strip of hair adorned her mound and pointed downward at her sex, which was only slightly darker than the rest of the woman's pale skin. The woman walked right up in front of Danica and ran a finger down Danica's neck and down to her breast. She licked her lips and smiled wantonly. Danica could feel her body stirring despite a sense of foreboding the woman emanated and the coldness of her touch. The woman then walked around Danica and out of her sight. "You will forget you have seen this woman. You will forget I was here when you arrived as well. I will leave the room, and in one minute after my departure you will awaken as if none of this has ever been," Nichtar commanded, and then exited the room. Danica waited for what she felt was a minute, and then allowed 'awakened'. She continued to her rooms as she had intended before encountering the two. Thoughts of the woman made Danica's body tingle, and at the same time made her skin crawl. Danica couldn't recall hearing the door open when the woman had left, and wondered how the stranger could have possibly left without causing an enormous scene — considering her state of undress and the busy streets of the town due to the festival. Danica glanced at the shop counter as she passed, and saw a few interesting words in the language of magic written upon the papers on the desk. Nichtar had forgotten to gather them up when he left. Danica went into her room, and almost immediately fell into her magic. She did her best to hide her gestures as she cast a spell and prepared her magical ring. A phantasmal image of Danica crawled into her bed at the same time as the ring's magic made Danica silent and invisible. A touch of another ring allowed her to pass through the door without opening it. Danica hurried back to the shop and looked over the papers on the desk. The documents were excerpts from spells of charming — that much Danica could tell. Hand-written notes detailed where various research references were within Nichtar's private chambers. The hiding places were within extra dimensional rooms accessed through two specific spots in the walls of Nichtar's private quarters. Most importantly, Danica saw a password to disarm magical traps and alarms — lifeblood. Danica quickly backed away from the counter when a door opened, and Nichtar returned. He glanced around while muttering under his breath, and then gathered up the papers. Once the documents were in hand, he turned and quickly left the room. Danica hurried back to her room to mull over what she had learned, and to plan to get what Zoraster wanted so she could return with Andrea. Hearing that she and Andrea were gifts for this Master did not sit well with her. She fully intended to complete her task before this Master returned in two days, if at all possible. ------- Part 13B Danica tried several times to find a way into Nichtar's chambers the next day, but had no luck. The man never seemed to leave his rooms. Once she closed the shop for the day, Danica met William and he showed her to the shop where he had acquired his shoulder bag. Danica requested one to use as the base for a new bag of holding, asking that the leather worker only tool the leather with the scrollwork she wanted, leaving the assembly of the pieces to her. Putting the bag together herself provided Danica with the opportunity to cast the necessary preparatory spells over the item. She still would not be able to seal the bag magically, as that would require her presence to cast spells during the preparation of the leather. Danica wished she had some of Olaf's prepared leather. The big man had figured out a way to prepare leather with the necessary components for preparatory spells included in its tanning. Danica had tested some of the leather, and it proved to work just as well as if she had cast the spells during the tanning. Danica smiled as she thought of Olaf, whom she had not seen in some time, and then shook her head to clear it. Afterwards, William and Danica went to a local inn. The couple quickly found their way upstairs to a room. The owner of the inn looked positively scandalized when the pair returned downstairs only a couple of hours later and turned in their room key. Apparently, he was not used to such business occurring in his inn. Oh well, he'll get over it, Danica thought after she parted with William. She had enjoyed bedding him — coming several times — but the experience paled in comparison to fucking and sucking William in public. Danica tried again that night to sneak into Nichtar's chambers. The man remained within, and Danica's magic showed her that he was not sleeping. She couldn't figure out how to get in, get what she needed, and get away. Danica grew more frustrated and nervous the next day as she worked in the shop. The Master was supposed to return today, and Danica realized that she had not seen Andrea all day. Nichtar hurried around the building all day, obviously in preparation for the return of his Master. Nichtar looked both excited and nervous as he went about whatever tasks he was performing. Danica seriously considered taking great risks, using a bolder approach to get what she needed. She knew that closing time was fast approaching, and Nichtar had a look about him that said the Master would arrive soon. Plans ran through Danica's head in a rush, each rejected for one reason or another, as her last hour behind the counter slowly ticked by. When Danica closed up the shop, she decided she was going to use invisibility magic to enter Nichtar's chambers now. He was in the storeroom doing something, and Danica knew that she would have no better opportunity. Danica quickly returned to her room to gather up her possessions. Her eyes opened wide when she felt magic wrap around her. Danica resisted the magic with all her will, and heard a dull roar in the back of her mind, as she silently screamed, No! When the thought of that word formed in her mind, the roar in her head felt as though it burst outward, and the magic attacking Danica weakened. For an instant, she thought she was going to win the battle. Then, the power of the Art directed against her surged, and she knew no more. ------- Danica awakened with a start and quickly looked around. A look out the window revealed that she could not have slept long, as the fading light of dusk had barely changed from when she had lost consciousness. Feeling confused, Danica sat up to pack her things again — and realized what had happened. Every bit of magic she had brought with her was gone. Her rings were missing from her fingers, her bag of holding was gone, every little bit of Art she had in the room was gone. Even her hood ring with its powerful enchantments was missing. Danica put her head in her hands and half growled, half sobbed, "No — dammit!" She quickly regained her composure and left the room, determined to use her magic if she couldn't use her rings and trinkets to accomplish her goal. She used her magic to look outside the room for Nichtar, whom she assumed must know what she was doing. As she reached for the door handle, Danica changed her goal. Damn the punishment for failure. I'm getting Andrea and getting out of here. Something was making the hairs on the back of Danica's neck stand up. Something was very wrong here. Danica wrapped invisibility around her and left the room, heading toward Andrea's. She passed the door she had sought to enter all this time, and saw Nichtar within, behaving as if nothing untoward was happening. Danica didn't have time to contemplate his odd reaction. She hurried down the hall and into Andrea's room. She passed through the door with her magic and returned to visibility with a gulp of worry. Andrea lay stiff and obviously entranced on the bed. Danica brushed away the tears forming in her eyes and concentrated with the second sight. She knew that she had to quickly determine what spells affected Andrea and break them. It would be nearly impossible to teleport her in her current state, and dangerous for the young woman. The door opened behind Danica. "Ah — excellent. Converse," Nichtar said. Danica felt the tug and resisted it for a moment, on the verge of turning to release her magic on the man. Something inside her told her not to do it — at least yet — and she relaxed to feign falling under Nichtar's spell. Danica's mind whirled as she tried to deduce some way to escape the current situation. An aura of magical power surrounded Nichtar that appeared almost incandescent in Danica's second sight. She knew his magic was strong and likely enhanced by several magic items as well. "Stand and join hands with Danica, Andrea," Nichtar commanded. Andrea immediately stood up and walked over to Danica. Danica clasped hands with the young woman, her mind still racing for a solution. She couldn't complete the teleport spell quickly enough, as the spell was one she had not yet discovered shortcuts for. Nichtar crossed the room and touched the two women's hands with his own. A magic item activated, and Danica felt magic carry her away. Upon reaching Nichtar's destination, Danica looked around at the very dark room. She saw two beds placed close together on the opposite wall of the room. Both beds were plain mattresses with no linens on them — and both were ominously speckled with bloodstains. Danica immediately let her mind surge back into full control, abandoning her feigned trance. Whatever he has planned for us, I'm not going to lie down and meekly accept it. Nichtar's eyes widened when Danica apparently defeated his charm magic. Danica instantly fell into her magic and blasted the man backwards with a powerful gust of wind. Nichtar's magical defenses activated, but the protections proved insufficient to prevent him from flying into the wall with tremendous force. He collapsed to his knees, the wind knocked out of him. Andrea still stood next to Danica, moving normally despite the magic enthralling her. Now that she wasn't stiff and unmoving, Danica felt it would be safe to teleport the two of them away. Danica spoke the words of the teleportation spell before Nichtar could rise. She had barely begun when she felt an ominous chill sweep through the room. The chill was both real and imagined. The temperature did drop, but the dampening of magic in the room chilled Danica to the core. The effect was similar to a dispell, but not absolute. The chilly aura simply weakened magic, rather than stopping it completely. Danica ceased her casting, knowing that the effect on her teleportation spell could prove disastrous. A door opened as Danica tried to stave off panic and find a solution that would free her and Andrea from this nightmare. The odd woman Danica had seen speaking with Nichtar sauntered into the room. Behind her came two more women, both dressed in the same sort of transparent gowns that did nothing to hide their beautiful, pale bodies. Behind the women walked a man. Danica didn't really find him handsome, but he possessed a strange aura of powerful sexuality that somehow made him attractive to her. Despite her panic, Danica felt her body responding to the man. Nichtar coughed and tried to rise when the newcomer shut the door. The strange man said, "It would seem that your hold on this one was not as strong as you thought, Nichtar." The man smiled, and Danica screamed. She saw the fangs protruding from beneath his upper lip and knew him for what he was — a vampire. Danica immediately gasped out the first words of the Positive Forcebolt spell. She knew the magic was the only chance she had. The vampire lord obviously recognized the magic, because he hissed and pointed at Danica. The three gorgeous vampire women leapt at Danica, covering the distance across the room in that single leap. Danica was mere words away from completing her spell when the women fell on her and bore her to the floor. The vampiric women pushed Andrea aside, and the blonde fell hard against a bed. One of the women clamped her hand down hard over Danica's mouth. Another grabbed Danica's hands and roughly pulled them over her head. The woman's nails dug into Danica's flesh, and the supernaturally strong grip caused Danica to scream around the hand covering her mouth. The last woman grabbed Danica's legs with the same unbreakable grip. "Put her on the bed," Danica heard the vampire lord hiss. Danica struggled against her captors, but the women easily lifted her and slammed her down on the bed. Danica heard Andrea scream, and looked over to see the vampire holding the blonde's head in his hands and staring at her with obvious hunger. Danica let out a scream of anger and helplessness, struggling harder against the grip of the female vampires. Andrea's scream died out. Danica glanced over and saw the blonde relax, her eyes glazing over. Danica knew that the reaction meant that Andrea was in the grip of the vampire's charm. The vampire ordered Andrea to lie on the bed, and then turned to Danica as Andrea obeyed his commands. "I am very pleased with these gifts, Nichtar — especially this one," the vampire said as he stepped toward Danica. "Release her," the vampire then ordered the women holding Danica down. Danica immediately tried to summon up her magic again when the women released her and backed away, but the vampire caught her head in his hands with supernatural swiftness. He roughly turned her head and forced her to look into his eyes. Danica could feel his charm slamming into her mind. She silently screamed and brought her will to bear. She knew that if she failed to resist and destroy the creatures, Andrea was going to die for her failure — and Zoraster's twisted amusement. The vampire gripped Danica tighter, and his lip curled into a snarl as he tried to bore his will into her. Danica continued to resist, and knew she was winning the battle. Her fingers again moved in the gestures of the Positive Forcebolt, and she started to mouth the words despite the vampire's powerful gaze. The vampire lord broke his gaze and grabbed Danica's hands with one of his own, while he cuffed her across the face with the other. Danica's involuntary cry of pain broke her partially completed spell. "Never have I had anyone — especially a woman — resist me so completely. It is no matter. It will only give your blood a flavor of fear that is nearly intoxicating, and you have revealed to me in your struggles something that will give more flavor to the sweet essence of your life." Without looking away from Danica, the vampire pointed behind him and said, "Reveal her." The three female blood drinkers tore Andrea's clothing from her body, their fangs now revealed in their hunger. One forced Andrea's right leg up high, revealing her pink folds. "She is yours," the vampire said and jerked Danica's head toward the scene, forcing her to watch. Danica sobbed uncontrollably as she watched the horror unfold. Andrea emitted only a quiet, oh, as the three vampire women sank their fangs into her smooth flesh. Two bit into opposite sides of her neck, while the third sank her fangs into Andrea's thigh. Danica's stomach churned at the sound of them sucking the beautiful young woman's life from her. Danica saw Andrea's nipples harden, even as the light slowly faded from the blonde's eyes. Danica remembered reading that when a vampire drained someone's life, the creature's saliva released substances that caused euphoria in the victim. Andrea's back arched and her mouth opened in a silent gasp as her life slowly seeped from her. Danica didn't even see Andrea's body settle back to the bed and go limp. She couldn't see the final flutter of Andrea's eyelashes as the last sparks of her life faded. Danica's eyes were too filled with tears to see anything. Danica felt her head turned roughly to the side and let out a gurgling gasp of fear and sorrow as she felt the vampire lord's fangs sink into her neck. She felt the strange euphoria spreading through her as it had for Andrea. Danica's nipples stiffened, her juices flowed, and her breathing quickened — for a few moments. Then, her breathing slowed again as consciousness slowly left her. She retained just enough presence of mind to realize that the same sensations were running through her body that she experienced when on the verge of an orgasm. As the last of her senses shut down, Danica felt her soul fleeing her body. ------- Danica awakened with a gasping sob. She was disoriented, and felt as if she had not moved for days. Memories of what had happened to her immediately surged to the surface, and she sobbed again. She assumed that she was awakening in a crypt somewhere — likely with Andrea nearby — and would now have to stalk the night as a bloodsucking vampire. When Danica opened her eyes, something completely different met her gaze. Andrea was indeed nearby, nude and strapped to a wooden table. Zoraster and another man hovered over the both of them with wide, satisfied smiles. "Awake, little rose?" Zoraster asked with a laugh. "I apologize for the deception, but it was necessary to achieve my ends. Fear not — young Andrea will remember none of this when I allow her to awaken. Now sleep, little rose. You have had a trying evening." Once again, Danica succumbed to the blackness. ------- Danica awoke again, still feeling as stiff as a board and knowing that she had bedsores from the burning pain she felt in several places. She managed to force her eyes open and sat up, wincing in pain from the effort. A pitcher of water sat on the bedside table, and Danica drank two glasses to get rid of the dry, pasty taste in her mouth. She haltingly walked to the tub and filled it, finally starting to feel better as the warmth of the tub sank into her body. She had just climbed out of the tub when the door opened and Zoraster entered. "Feeling better, little rose?" Zoraster inquired with a wicked laugh. Danica grabbed her towel and started to dry off. "What kind of psychotic experiment was that supposed to be? What was the purpose of making me imagine all that?" Zoraster chuckled. "Imagine? No, little rose, that was not your imagination. Everything was real. It was simply not your body — or that of Andrea's — which experienced what actually happened. Your minds were there, but your bodies were here within the room where you first awakened." Danica dropped the towel when she realized what had happened. "Clones," she muttered under her breath. "Yes — clones. I made special clones of both you and young Andrea. It took a great deal of work to link your minds to them, even more to make you ignore and forget certain things while inhabiting the bodies. Yes, that is why you continuously ignored the unnatural things like your girlish tightness. The clones were, in fact, both virgins when initially released from the chambers where they were grown. I took great pleasure in correcting that little problem." "Why, you sick bastard?" Danica asked and stomped across the room to find some clothing to put on. She started dressing as Zoraster moved toward her and continued. "For exactly the reasons I told you when I gave you the task. Had you actually completed your task without the measures I had set in place, I would have been remarkably pleased and surprised. As it was, your failure actually resulted in success, which is how I intended the scenario to play out. Your ability to resist his charm tempted the vampire to take you for himself. He normally offers Nichtar's gifts to his harem of female slaves. I have the spells I wished to acquire, and have eliminated a creature that stood in the way of a cooperative venture," Zoraster explained as he leered at Danica while she dressed. Danica refused to comment. Instead, she sat down on the bed when she finished dressing. She stared hard at Zoraster as he continued. "It was quite fascinating to watch what occurred — both here and there. Your exploits are always a joy to watch, and it was a remarkable surprise to see your body here react to the arousal your mind experienced within the clone. My associate was quite flabbergasted when you soaked his robes in a fountain of cum as the young man behind the bathhouse pleasured you." Zoraster paused to laugh. "I took special pains on your clone to achieve my goals, in the likely event that you were unable to complete the task. In fact, it was actually impossible for you to fully complete the task. "When you believed yourself lulled to sleep, you were actually transporting all your magical items back here for safekeeping yourself. It was too late in the gambit for you to possibly acquire what I told you I wanted, so I took steps to ensure that you could not foul up the means I truly intended to use to achieve my goal. "You see, that body was created with a powerful and virtually undetectable enchantment upon it. Should it die, it would disintegrate and do the same to anything touching it at the moment of death. Thus, the vampire sealed its doom by draining your clone of its lifeblood. The moment its heart stopped beating, he was annihilated with it. Nichtar found himself receiving a final rebuke from his Master when the vampire's control over his bloodsucking harem ended. They fell upon him and sucked him dry before he had a chance to even consider escaping." Zoraster chuckled and smiled wickedly. "You are twisted beyond comprehension," Danica muttered in disbelief. "That is in the eye of the beholder," Zoraster responded. "You should feel privileged. How many can say they have experienced the unique sensation of a vampire sucking them dry, without becoming one of the undead themselves? You have earned the freedom to venture into that city as you wish, though you may not leave the city borders. Good day, little rose," he said and walked toward the door. "Go to hell," Danica spat as the Archmage left. Zoraster only laughed and continued out the door. Danica took some healing potions to combat the bedsores caused by lying immobile for several days, and then went to find Andrea. She found Andrea in her room, apparently possessing no memory whatsoever of what had happened to her. Danica assumed that someone must have healed any sores or such physical evidence, because Danica found none as she examined Andrea's body thoroughly while they shared each other. The two women relaxed afterward in that warm glow that always filled the room any time Danica coupled with Andrea. Danica returned to her chambers and her studies once she recovered from the sweet release with Andrea. She found her sleep haunted by dreams of vampires for quite some time to come. ------- A few days later, Danica heard a knock on her door just after completing the enchantment of her new bag of holding. She opened it and was surprised to see Marlena there. "Can I... Can I talk to you for a while?" Marlena asked, looking embarrassed and ill at ease. "Of course, come in," Danica answered, and shut the door behind Marlena when she entered. Danica then said, "Sit down. I just finished some work, and I need a rest, anyhow." "What were you doing?" Marlena asked, appearing relieved to have a subject to talk about. She was obviously delaying the conversation that had originally drawn her here. "I was enchanting a new bag of holding. I found an amazing leather worker who did the most intricate scrollwork I've ever seen. I commissioned the bag from him and enchanted it. Would you like to see it?" Marlena nodded, and followed Danica into her lab. Danica said, "I just completed the enchantments when you knocked. I haven't even had a chance to test it yet. Hopefully, you won't be seeing my first dismal failure," Danica said with a laugh. "It's beautiful," Marlena gasped when Danica handed her the bag. A nature scene depicting nymphs cavorting in a waterfall decorated the magical sack. "Now, let's see if it's more than just a beautiful and all but useless bag, or the magical wonder I need it to be." Danica walked over and grabbed a broom from the closet of the lab. Danica opened the bag and slid the broom inside. The broom vanished completely into the bag. Danica smiled, and then withdrew the broom again. "It works," Danica exclaimed. Marlena sighed. "I sometimes wish I hadn't devoted myself so much to Illusion. I find it almost impossible to learn other magic. I have a hard time creating a magic item, even if it's based on illusion." She leaned her hand on the table as she spoke, but jerked her hand back and blushed deeply when she saw where she had put her hand. Danica let out a little laugh. Marlena had put her hand down on a toy Danica was crafting for Andrea. The blonde had hinted that she wanted one, and Danica had just finished glazing this one in preparation for final enchantment. Marlena now stared in surprise at a very realistic cock "A toy for a friend. I was going to lay the final enchantments on it this evening," Danica explained. "Does Zoraster use his magic to make you think about things?" Marlena asked out of the blue. "He's done any number of sick and twisted things to me," Danica answered and frowned, thinking of his most recent many-leveled torture. "What do you mean specifically?" Marlena blushed a bright red. "I've been feeling... I don't know — aroused all the time, much more so than I ever have before coming here. I've been having dreams as well — dreams about things that make me doubt I'm in control of myself." "What are you dreaming about?" Danica asked and pulled out a chair for Marlena to sit down. Marlena's blush deepened. "I..." She paused for a moment, and then let out a great breath of air. "I've been dreaming about you — doing things with you." "If you'll allow me to cast a spell, I can tell if he's tampering with you by most magical means," Danica said, trying to hide her surprise. Marlena nodded, and Danica used her magic to check for spells on the woman. She slipped deep into the second sight and examined the weave of magic in the room as well. All Danica's tests revealed no enchantments affecting Marlena at all. The charm around the illusionist's neck had the same enchantments upon it as Danica's own, none of them dealing with mind control. "There are no such enchantments on you now. That's not to say he might not be using his magic on you, but he's not right now." "Then it's not his magic, those thoughts are still there in my head trying to come out." Danica noticed that Marlena was staring at her breasts as she said it. "The madman's initiation into punishment and servitude involves forcibly removing your inhibitions, then causing you to break them down on your own. I had never even thought of being with another woman, or multiple men, or both at the same time, before I came here. Now I find I crave all of it, and I know that the desires were always there. I was just suppressing them. There's nothing unnatural or wrong about your feelings. It's up to you whether you act on them, though. I hated myself at first, but I've come to accept and even enjoy my new way of thinking about pleasure. "There are levels of pleasure that only a woman knows how to give another woman, and unbelievable orgasms that can only be brought about by two men filling you at the same time. I wouldn't turn back now, even though I once considered my sister something almost tainted because she acted on those same desires and wasn't afraid to talk about it." As she spoke, Danica noticed Marlena's nipples growing stiff and pressing against the material of her robe. The woman's breathing had quickened as well. "I've been touching myself so often that I rubbed myself raw a couple of days ago. I just feel so out of control," Marlena revealed. "Would you like me to make you a toy? It could help relieve some of the pressure. There's something about being filled that sates your needs for longer than just rubbing yourself or sliding your fingers inside you." Danica's arousal spiked, and just the slightest tinges of her desire crept into her voice. "Do you think it would help me?" "Not as much as giving in and finding a man with a real, hard, throbbing cock to fill you would, but I started crafting these toys for the same reason. I needed more, or all I seemed to do was constantly rub myself to lackluster orgasms. I could easily find a man who would be more than happy to fulfill you as well. I'd be happy to do that for you." "You would share your man with me?" Marlena asked, looking both confused and dumbstruck. Danica laughed. "I don't really have a man the way you talk about it. I know many men, and their abilities as lovers. I'm still coming to grips with my needs, and I don't think I'll be confining myself to one person until I find one that can sate those needs and understand them. I need a woman's touch and taste, and two cocks to fill me sometimes. If a man can't handle that, I can't be beholden to him." "I don't know," Marlena responded dubiously. The illusionist's breaths were quick and shallow, and Danica saw Marlena glance at the unfinished toy on the table more than once. "Would you like to try one of my toys? See what they can do for you?" Danica pulled her original toy from her robe pocket, and spoke the command word to cause it to grow soft and warm in her hand. She then handed it to Marlena. Marlena hesitantly took the toy, and then let out a little, "Oh," of surprise when she felt how realistic it was. She stroked it with her fingers as it throbbed in her hands. "Take it. Go to my bed and use it. Make yourself come and quench the fire burning inside you," Danica said sultrily while tugging on Marlena's hand, urging the illusionist to stand up. Marlena hesitated again, but then stood up while looking at the toy in her hand. "Confront your fears. Confront your dreams. Confront your desires," Danica encouraged, and Marlena nodded. The illusionist walked out of the lab and toward Danica's bed. Marlena turned and looked at Danica when she reached the doorway that joined the lab and the bedroom. Danica could see the hesitation in Marlena's eyes, and knew she was about to say no. "You forget that the madman linked our minds. I know the desire and curiosity was there, even though you fought it and denied it. The only way you'll have peace is to confront them and know for sure one way or the other." Marlena bit her lip and looked as though she was considering Danica's words. She then glanced down at the warm, throbbing toy in her hand and stroked it once with her other hand. She took a deep breath, and then turned to continue toward the bed. Marlena climbed onto the bed and sat down. Danica sat down at the foot of the bed, and gestured with a wave for Marlena to go on. "I'll speak the command word to activate its full magic once it's inside you. You don't know the half of what this little marvel can do. You are going to come so hard that you'll think you're going to pass out." Color filled Marlena's face, and Danica could hear the war going on in Marlena's head. Half of her shivered with desire — the other half with aversion. "Confront your feelings. You know I want you. Make yourself come on my toy while I watch — and one way or another — you'll soon know if the desire is really there." Marlena again hesitated. Danica spoke another word of command, causing the throbbing of the toy in Marlena's hand to intensify. Marlena gasped, and then appeared to come to a decision. She reached down and pulled up the hem of her robes. Danica could feel her panties growing damp as she watched Marlena remove hers. Marlena moved the toy slowly toward her nether lips. "Put it inside you," Danica said softly and lustily. Marlena pushed the throbbing head of the toy against her lips and shivered from the sensation. She then took a deep breath, looked up at Danica, and buried the toy inside her with a slow push. Danica softly said the command word that brought the toy to full life. Marlena loudly gasped and her back arched as the toy hummed and teased every part of her. "Now make yourself come," Danica said. She need not have said anything, because Marlena was already withdrawing the toy to thrust it inside her again. Danica reached under her robes and pulled her panties aside to rub her aching need as she watched Marlena dip the toy into her wet heat. Danica could feel Marlena's pleasure building. She knew Marlena was looking at her every so often, and that the illusionist's arousal was increasing. Marlena's thoughts revealed the source of that building arousal — the excitement of Danica watching her and masturbating as well. Even as Danica's pleasure mounted, so did Marlena's. Danica caught a fleeting thought from deep inside Marlena revealing a desire to see what Danica was doing without the obstruction of her robe. Marlena quickly pushed the thought away, but Danica acted on it. Danica pulled the hem of her robe up below her breasts to hold it with one hand, and then pulled her panties down to her knees with the other. She parted her legs wide to rub her wet folds in full view of Marlena. Marlena moaned and stroked the toy hard and fast inside her. Danica knew the woman was near to climax, and rubbed her clit in fast circles in response. Marlena's back arched high and she screamed in release as her orgasm took hold of her. The sight and sound pushed Danica over the edge as well, and she could feel her juices trickling down her leg in streams as she came. Danica did her best to keep her eyes open and focused on the gasping illusionist. Danica fell forward with her hands on the bed, and then dropped down onto her face when she could no longer maintain the presence of mind to stay upright. Marlena was still caught in the tail end of her orgasm, only now slipping down from her peak of pleasure. Marlena pulled the toy from her with a yelping gasp, and arched her back again as withdrawing the toy sent her into a powerful aftershock. Danica managed to summon up the strength to rise up to her elbows, her face scant inches from Marlena's slick nether lips. As Danica looked up, Marlena looked down. As plain as if spoken audibly, Danica heard Marlena think, Gods, I want her mouth on me. Marlena tried to push the thought away almost as soon as it popped in her head during the burst of orgasmic passion, but the thought and the arousal remained. Danica saw Marlena's labia quiver as the thought of Danica licking her sent another aftershock coursing through Marlena's body. Danica moved nearer, closing half the short distance between her tongue and Marlena's sex. Marlena gasped as the same thought — accompanied this time by a vivid image — surged to the forefront of her mind. Danica moved forward in one smooth motion and slid her tongue into Marlena, to fulfill that vision. Marlena gasped and put her hands on the back of Danica's head. At first, Danica thought that the illusionist was going to push her away, but something within Marlena suddenly broke. The illusionist pulled Danica tight against her instead. "Oh gods — I want it," Marlena softly moaned. Danica moaned and pushed her tongue deeper inside Marlena. The woman sighed and caressed Danica's head in response. Danica's tongue swirled over Marlena's walls, gathering up the bittersweet wetness growing more abundant by the moment. Danica pulled her tongue free of Marlena's clenching walls, and gently sucked the illusionist's nether lips, running her tongue over them. At the same time, she grasped around until she found the still throbbing toy lying on the bed. When her hands closed around the toy, Danica brought it up, sliding the throbbing, vibrating head up to Marlena's ass and pressing it firmly against the puckered opening. She used her tongue to push Marlena's hood out of the way, and wrapped her lips around the woman's clit. Marlena let out a gasp that bordered on a squeal, and pulled Danica harder against her folds, thrusting her hips against Danica. Danica moaned as she sucked Marlena's bud and flicked it with her tongue "Oh, yes — make me come," Marlena groaned. Danica slid two fingers into Marlena's canal and curved them upward. She knew instantly that she had found Marlena's special spot when she felt the illusionist's muscles lock tight around her finger. Danica sucked Marlena's clit harder, rubbed her fingers faster, and pressed harder on the toy, opening Marlena up and nearly slipping the head inside her tight ass. The push of the toy toppled Marlena over the edge. Marlena's legs closed tight around Danica's head, and the fingers that previously caressed Danica now twined painfully in her hair. Danica could hear the loud scream of ecstasy that erupted from Marlena, though muffled by the woman's thighs pressed hard against her ears. A flood of milky juices flowed onto Danica's lapping tongue. Danica kept softly teasing Marlena with her tongue as the illusionist's orgasm slowly subsided. Then, with a final kiss on Marlena's quivering folds, Danica rose up on her elbows and smiled at Marlena while licking her lips. Marlena trembled. "I'm still not sure how I feel about this. I know I wanted it — wanted it desperately — but I still feel shameful about doing it and enjoying it." "I did too the first time — for a few seconds anyway. It may be something for you that's just a rare need. Every so often, you may feel the need to be with a woman. It may not happen often. Years may pass between the feelings bubbling up inside you. It's different for everyone once they admit they have sexual feelings for a person, no matter what sex they are." Marlena smiled. "You're right. I remember feeling ashamed the first time I was with a boy too. It wasn't quite this bad, and it didn't last long, but it was there." Danica grabbed the still throbbing and humming toy lying on the bed. She smiled at Marlena and sat up on her knees. "You can tell me to stop any time you want, and I will. I hope you don't though," Danica said and then lay back, parting her legs. Marlena gasped, watching as Danica slid the toy deep inside her with a shudder. Danica stroked it into her depths with long, slow motions, feeling every inch of her wonderful toy teasing her. After a few strokes, Marlena sat up to watch from a better angle. Danica sultrily said, "You can come as close as you want," and stroked the toy a bit faster. Marlena licked her lips, watching the toy stroke in and out of Danica's wet heat. Danica's lips clung to the toy when she withdrew it, as if trying to keep it inside her. The toy brightly glistened with Danica's juices as she thrust it into her depths. Danica asked, "Do you want to taste me? Do for me what I did for you? Make me come and taste every sweet drop? I want you to. Mmm, please." As she spoke, Danica let her desires take over, stroking the toy inside her as quickly as possible. Desire overwhelmed Marlena, and she quickly lowered her head between Danica's widespread legs. She pulled the toy out and locked her lips over Danica's folds, sucking her labia hard before pushing her tongue deep inside. Danica groaned and stroked Marlena's hair. The illusionist positively devoured her. Marlena's lips sucked while her tongue probed, teased, and lapped every inch of Danica's sex. Danica twined her fingers in the woman's hair and pulled Marlena hard against her before she even knew what she was doing. With a loud scream of release, Danica erupted into orgasm. Her hips acquired a life of their own, gyrating and bumping up and down as her orgasm pulsed all through her body. Danica's fountain of cum soaked Marlena's face, and the illusionist gasped and moaned as she used the tip of her tongue to keep teasing Danica's clit. Danica finally came to her senses, and looked down to see Marlena lapping creamy juices from her lips and fingers with a smile. "That was wonderful," Danica groaned. Marlena's face flooded with color again. "I don't know what came over me. One second I was about to tell you to stop, and the next I had my mouth on you. I guess it's just been so long since I was with anyone that I just needed physical contact so badly. I needed to feel good and make someone else feel good." Danica shuddered as a powerful aftershock rocked her body. "You certainly did that," she said with a little laugh. Danica managed to sit up with some effort. She wanted to kiss the other woman badly, to taste her cum on Marlena's tongue, but she sensed that would take things one step too far. Instead, she tried to recover from her orgasm, and deactivated the magic of the toy. "I do want one," Marlena said. Danica smiled in response. "I'll make you one as soon as I have the time." "As often as the troubling thoughts of you have been coming up, the need for a cock inside me has been twice as bad. I've been undressing every man I encounter with my eyes for weeks now. I'm just afraid to approach anyone here. I don't know who I can trust, if anyone." "Can I cast another spell over you — another divination spell?" Danica asked. Marlena nodded her head yes, and Danica wove her magic. She had to stop and restart once when a strong aftershock interrupted her train of thought. On the second attempt, the spell told Danica what she wanted to know. "You're in no danger of getting pregnant right now. That's what I was using my magic to discover. Have you ever had a man come inside you?" "No, I don't want to become with child." "That can't happen right now. Would you like to feel how incredible it is to have a man filling you full when he comes?" Marlena opened her mouth in a gasp, her hands moving involuntarily to her sex to touch it. "Oh, yes." "Clean up," Danica said with a smile. "I know just the man." Danica pulled on a robe and flagged down a messenger boy to send for Brandon. Danica made them both something to eat and poured two glasses of wine. While sipping their wine, Danica asked Marlena a lot of questions about illusion magic, thinking she could learn a lot about the Art from someone who had devoted so much of her life to it. Marlena was animated and talkative, excited to share her knowledge with someone who really wanted to hear it. They had talked for around an hour when Danica heard a knock on the door. Danica smiled wide and licked her lips. Marlena blushed, and then giggled as Danica went to answer the door, instructing Marlena to sit on the bed first. "You wanted to see me?" Brandon asked with a coy wink and a devilish smile. "Come in," Danica said and moved to let him come inside the room. Brandon noticed Marlena and quickly let the lecherous look fade from his face. He nodded to the other mage and then turned back to Danica when she started speaking. "Brandon, this is Marlena. Marlena, Brandon. Marlena would like you to fuck her nice and hard, make her come a dozen or so times, and then fill her full of your hot cum. Do you think you can find it in your heart to do her that small favor?" Marlena's face turned bright red, but she smiled and raised her eyebrows to Brandon at the same time. "It would be my pleasure — and hers," Brandon replied. Danica grabbed his trousers and yanked them down with a laugh. His cock was already about half hard, and by the time Danica pulled his tunic off, his cock pointed straight up at full erection. Marlena licked her lips and stared at his throbbing manhood with undisguised lust. "Get undressed, silly," Danica teased while swatting Brandon on the ass to send him in Marlena's direction. Marlena pulled off her robes and parted her legs with a breathless look of anticipation. Brandon let a hungry growl pass his lips, and quickly climbed on the bed to aim his cock at Marlena's glistening labia. Marlena loudly gasped, "Oh yes," while parting her lips with her fingers. Brandon slid his cock inside her with a sigh of pleasure, which was echoed by a yelp of surprise from Marlena as his big cock filled her full. Brandon didn't hesitate. He took her at a fast pace, angling his cock to make sure she felt every inch of it as he stroked it in and out of her. Danica stroked her own depths with her toy as she watched Brandon fuck Marlena. Both women moaned and gasped as they drew ever closer to orgasm. Marlena teetered over the edge, coming with a loud scream and arching her back high off the bed. "Yeah, come for me. Squeeze me nice and tight," Brandon grunted as he continued to pump about halfway in and out of her. As soon as Marlena was able to settle her hips on the bed again, Brandon pushed her legs upward toward her breasts. She was obviously very flexile, because he was able to push them back nearly to her chest. He grabbed hold of her legs and thrust inside her to the hilt again. Danica came on her toy as she watched Brandon pound Marlena's pussy, faster and harder this time. She could hear the sound of his cock sliding into Marlena's saturated depths, his balls slapping against her ass with every stroke. Marlena gasped and squealed, urging him on to greater efforts. Marlena came again, and this time Brandon didn't relinquish his assault. Marlena's moans and cries of pleasure turned warbling as he continued to fuck her hard while she came. Only a few moments after the first waves of orgasm waned, Marlena came again. Danica screamed her pleasure as she came at the same time on her toy. Marlena went into strong back-to-back orgasms. Brandon eased off, leaving his manhood half buried. Marlena broke into a short coughing fit while screaming through one of her multiple orgasms, and Brandon paused with just the tip of his cock between her lips until she recovered. "You ready for me to fill you up baby?" Brandon grunted when Marlena caught her breath. Marlena took a deep breath and said, "Oh gods yes. I've never felt it before — I want it." Brandon pulled from her, sending another aftershock through the young woman's body, and then rolled her over, guiding her up onto her knees. Marlena looked back as Brandon mounted her and pushed the full length of his erection inside her with a smooth thrust. Danica put down her toy, and then grabbed her pillow. She slid underneath Brandon's legs and lay her head down on the pillow, putting her in the perfect position to suck Marlena's clit while Brandon fucked her. Marlena gasped and growled in ecstasy with each hard thrust of Brandon's cock, "Fuck... Me... Harder! Faster! Come for me!" She gasped while another strong orgasm built quickly inside her. Marlena let out a long scream of anticipation as she teetered on the edge of orgasm for a half dozen thrusts. The scream transformed into a high-pitched squeal as she tumbled over the edge. The tight squeeze of her clenching walls set Brandon off as well, and he filled her with a deep, growling exclamation. Danica continued to flick her tongue over Marlena's bud as Brandon fired jets of hot cream into Marlena's depths. Marlena pulled away — her face collapsing on the bed — unable to endure any more. Brandon loudly gasped as Danica quickly sat up to engulf his softening cock in her mouth, sucking his cum and Marlena's juices from his shaft. She then moaned hungrily and forced her way under Marlena when she saw Brandon's cum seeping from inside her. Danica sucked and lapped Marlena's folds, drinking the mingled cum lustily as it flowed from Marlena. Marlena came again with a sound that was almost a sob, filling Danica's mouth with even more sweet reward. They relaxed for a short while, trying to recover. Then Danica — feeling the need to be filled as well — sucked Brandon back to hardness. She came three times, and then told him to fill her up. Brandon pounded her hard to another orgasm, filling her with his cum moments later. Brandon cleaned up and dressed first, saying he needed to be at his post shortly. Marlena left not long after, telling Danica she would explore her feelings, and thanking Danica for what she had shown her. Danica, still nude with a towel between her legs, let her eyes close for a short nap. ------- Part 13C Danica laid the final enchantments on Andrea's toy and sent it out to her when she awakened from her nap and cleaned up. She was too tired to deliver it herself, and knew she wouldn't be able to resist falling into bed with the blonde if she did go. She worked for a short while designing a toy for Marlena, until her eyes grew heavy, prompting her to go to bed. "Are ye gonna be sleepin' t' whole day away, dearie?" Danica heard when she awakened the next morning. "Celes," Danica exclaimed and sat up when she awakened enough to realize who was in the room. Celes laughed. "Aye, old Celes managed ta find t' time to come see ye." She then dropped her false accent and continued, "Zoraster has done a fine job of keeping me away and making me pay after what happened the last time we saw each other." "I'm sorry about that," Danica began. Celes smiled and said, "Don't be. It was worth it." Danica shivered remembering how incredible Celes' experienced mouth had felt on her. "For me too." "We probably shouldn't even talk about it any more, though. The madman was more than a little angry about it. It's best we just try and let it drop from his thoughts." Danica nodded. "What brings you here?" "Other than missing your company?" Celes asked with a crooked smile. "I've gotten hold of this book, and its rune locked. I can't make heads or tails of it, because I never studied runes much. I was wondering if you could take a look at it." "Of course, let's take it into the lab," Danica said and stood up to head toward the lab. "Don't you think you should change?" Celes asked with a laugh. Danica looked down and blushed. She was still dressed in nothing but a transparent sleeping shift that did nothing to hide her. "I suppose so." Danica dressed in her robes and the two entered the lab. Celes pulled the book from her bag of holding and lay it down on the desk in front of Danica. "These are True Runes. This isn't going to be easy," Danica revealed. "I had no idea. I thought they were simply locking runes." Danica turned and looked at Celes. "That's what they are, but they are True Runes. Someone has gone to a great deal of trouble to seal this book. Are you sure you want to try and open it?" "I'm even more curious now, but it's up to you. It's your lab, and mostly your danger. I won't ask you to do anything you don't want to." "Let's see what we can find out," Danica said. ------- Danica explained each of the runes she knew as she deciphered them, and how they related to each other. Trying to open the book without the proper key rune would result in a large number of dangerous magical protections triggering — that much Danica could decipher with little trouble. Another hour or so of study revealed general impressions of what protections were on the book, and what type of runes would be necessary as the key to open it. "The key is a naming rune. This is going to be difficult. Everyone's true name translates into a rune structure. Whoever locked this book used their naming rune to lock it. We need to discover the true name of whoever sealed this book to open it. I can tell what bits of it are from the related runes that would connect to the naming rune structure, but that will leave the center of the structure bare. Odds are that guessing would result in nasty consequences." "Looks like we're off to the library then. I know a bit about the book and its origins. We're going to have to do some research and see what we can find out," Celes said. Danica smiled. "It's been a while since I had a good puzzle to work out. I used to do research just like this in my shop to track down the origins of items people sold to me." "Let's be off then." Danica opened the door to find Marlena about to knock on it. The door opening just as she was about to touch it startled the woman. Danica laughed and said, "Sorry about that. We were just headed to the library." Marlena blushed and said, "I was just wondering if you could — umm — tell me how I might find Brandon?" Danica reached into her bag of holding and pulled out a leather bound case. Opening it, she revealed several identical rings. She pulled one out and handed it to Marlena, who looked at her curiously. "Just find any page and tell them that Danica said to have them send Brandon to your quarters. Word will get around quickly among them and you won't have to worry about mentioning me again. You'll be able to call him over any time you please. The ring will duplicate the spell I cast over you to make sure it was safe. Just wear it and concentrate. Bring it by if you need it recharged." Marlena continued to blush, but also beamed a smile. "Thank you, Danica — for everything." "I'm working on your toy too," Danica said with a wink. "Now off with you. Brandon should be off duty in a short while if I haven't gotten my days crossed up." Marlena reached out and touched Danica's hand, by way of farewell, and then nodded nervously to Celes before turning back toward her quarters. Danica and Celes continued toward the library. "The illusionist?" Celes asked. Danica nodded. "The madman finally broke her. She's starting to discover herself, as I did." A coy smile spread across Celes' face. "I'll wager she's discovered quite a lot about you, too — considering the way she looked at you." "She's not entirely comfortable yet, but I think it's been hiding deep inside her all along." "I think it's really hiding deep inside every woman. Sometimes we just need something that no man can possibly give. Most deny it, some entertain it, and some of us choose to live it." "You're probably right," Danica said as they continued to the library. ------- Danica and Celes spent most of the day in the library. The answers they sought were elusive, but they both felt it was possible to discover the information they needed. The completeness of the library amazed Danica. Every single volume she found referenced in her research, she found within the library. By the end of the day, Danica felt that they'd discovered the identity of the man who had sealed the volume. Now, they needed to track down detailed personal information about him. From reading texts by rivals of the man, Danica thought it likely that someone had recorded what they needed. The man had acquired many enemies, which explained why he was so careful with his possessions. Celes suggested that they take a break, as both of their backsides and legs were numb from sitting at the desks delving into the histories and spell books. Celes finally remembered something she had been meaning to ask Danica about — her brassieres. Danica promised she would show Celes to the dressmaker's shop, but Celes suggested trying to find someone local who could make the supportive garments. Danica couldn't argue with the logic, but encouraged Celes to have someone take her sizes so that Danica could commission some bras for her in the meantime. Danica had a flash of inspiration as she returned to her rooms, and lay down on the bed. She reached out with her telekinetic powers, masked by a spell, causing paper and a pen to float to her on the bed. She then cast a spell to do the physical work of actually writing and drawing her ideas while she relaxed. Danica's inspiration pointed toward what type of toy she wanted to make for Marlena. The toy would require complex crafting, in both a physical sense and a magical one. It would strap on to the woman like the toy Danica had made to play with Andrea, but designed only to pleasure the wearer. The shaft would be larger and more detailed than the one in her strap on toy, and would stroke in and out of Marlena by itself. Danica decided it should 'cum' for the woman when she reached orgasm, since Marlena wouldn't always have the luxury of having a man do that for her safely, and she seemed to enjoy it so intensely. For the first time, Danica also put some thought into the balls of the toy. She thought they should swing and make contact with Marlena, as a real man's orbs would. She decided she really needed to do some up close research on how that particular portion of a man's anatomy actually worked when he was stroking his cock into a woman's depths. The toy would also have some of the enhancements Danica imbued in her other toys, so it would cause sensations no real man could. That would cause the toy to bring on even stronger orgasms. She planned probes to stimulate the clit and ass, vibrations and rotating beads to stimulate the labia, plus throbbing and swelling of the shaft far beyond what any real cock could accomplish. Twelve pages of magically created documents later, Danica believed her design complete — with the exception of the research that she felt she needed to do. For that, she needed a man and a woman willing to have sex while she watched closely and touched. Andrea came to mind, as did Heather and Marlena, but Danica felt the need to seek out new pleasures. She decided it was time to test the limits of her mental powers. Danica cast a spell of telepathy to cover the use of her mental powers, then relaxed and closed her eyes. Danica sent her mind wandering, trying to find the thoughts of people in the complex. She felt a strange sensation, as if she was leaving her body as she concentrated. Danica silently gasped when something compelled her to open her eyes, and she saw herself lying on the bed below. Putting her hand in front of her, Danica realized that she had astral projected when she saw the ghostly image of her hand. Her mind was now free to roam in astral form — almost without limits. She hadn't tried to do it, and had actually thought the advanced telepathic skill was beyond her. It took little effort to move her astral body. Danica passed through walls and floors as if they weren't there, and moved with the speed of thought wherever she chose to go. She had moved through the entire complex in moments, finding nothing of interest. A few places blocked her from entering, which really didn't surprise Danica considering Zoraster's magical prowess. Some rooms were shielded against intangible intrusion. Danica found the shields worked quite well — and painfully — against her astral form. Leaving the complex, Danica flew down into the town. She saw Carolyn and others she knew, and touched the thoughts of numerous couples throughout the city. Then, she came to a sudden halt, having picked up a thought that intrigued her. A young couple quietly discussed an incident from the night before. The handsome young man had returned home earlier than expected and had found his wife shuddering from an intense orgasm brought on by another woman's tongue. At first, he had felt unable to comprehend what he had seen. He had simply left the house for a time. He and his wife had not spoken of the incident until he returned an hour or so earlier. He had felt angry and confused at first — as though she had betrayed him. However, those thoughts warred within him against the intense arousal he had experienced upon reflecting about the scene he had witnessed. He felt more comfortable now, his wife having convinced him that she desired no other man, and that she simply needed the touch of a woman on occasion. She had also told him she would love to share him with another woman. That was the thought Danica had first touched, and the one that caused the man's sexual desires to flare so high in his thoughts that Danica could feel the tingling between her legs even in her astral form. "Perhaps tonight," the woman said with a grin upon seeing her husband's reaction to her latest confession. "Maybe we can find a woman to share you with tonight. I wasn't unable to sate my needs for a woman after the interruption. It's still burning inside me. We could go out to the inn and find a woman to join us." Danica quickly returned to her body. The sensation of returning to her physical form was disconcerting — almost like returning to a prison. Danica remembered that the sensation was one of the dangers of astral projection. The feeling of such freedom made it difficult to return to the body, and remaining separated from the body for too long could cause dire consequences. The moment her astral form sank into her body, Danica's desires instantly caused her body to react. She let out a little oh of surprise when her nipples instantly hardened, and her sex lubricated in a torrent. Danica hurriedly stripped off her robes and dressed in casual clothing. She then teleported as close to the location of the couple's home as possible without arriving right in front of someone. She hurried toward the couple's home, gleaning from their thoughts that they were preparing to leave, and discovering the location of the inn where they were going. Danica hurried to their destination, determined to offer herself as the fulfillment of their quest — and quickly. Danica sat down where she could see most of the inn, and saw the couple enter only a few seconds later. The inn was fairly crowded, with quite a few unattached men and women present. Danica took a moment to study the couple while she tried to get the attention of a serving maid. The woman had dark — almost black — hair that reached just below her shoulders. She had a trim, petite figure. Her breasts were small, but appeared perky from what Danica could see. The woman wore a revealing outfit, so Danica had a good view of what lay beneath. The man was handsome, in a rugged sort of way. His hair was just as dark as his wife's, and cut short. He had the look of a laborer about him, although his face had just a touch of boyish charm that made him interesting. Danica managed to get the serving maid's attention and ordered some food. She then activated one of the many enchantments on her hood ring. The magic allowed her to hear the whispers of the couple as if they were whispering to her. "That blonde woman over there has looked this way a couple of times. I can't tell if she's looking at me or you, though. She's obviously interested in something," the woman said with a hint of humor in her voice. "Are you going to go talk to her?" The man asked with a note of both hesitation and anticipation. "I-I can't. I just can't approach a woman like that. I've always been the hunted the few times I've found another woman to play with. Maybe you should go to the bar so I'm sitting her alone." "Okay, I could use a drink anyhow." "Mmm, look over to the left without being too obvious. See that woman with the red hair — the one with the big breasts in that tight white top? She's been looking this way a lot." Danica immediately realized the woman was talking about her. She also realized that she was looking that direction right now, although she wasn't really seeing anything until the woman had mentioned her name. Danica let a shy little smile spread across her face, and then made a show of turning away from the table to look at nothing in particular. "Yeah, I see her," the man said. "What do you think of her?" "Well..." "Silly. We're looking for a woman to come share our bed. You're not going to get in trouble." Danica could sense his amusement in his voice as he replied, "Sorry. She's got great tits. Really pretty." "Mmm hmm. She's looking over here while trying to look like she's not looking every so often. I think I saw her smile at me a minute ago. Would you like to have her in our bed?" Danica shuddered, and imagined he was too. "Oh yeah," he replied to his wife. "Me too. Why don't you go to the bar and get a drink. I'll keep an eye on her and see if I can send out some signals." Danica feigned a circumspect glance at the man leaving the table to go to the bar, and then used the same false stealth to watch the young woman. The pretty dark-haired woman used some of the same sort of actions to try to draw Danica's attention. After a few minutes, Danica looked over and gave the woman another shy smile. This time, she held the gaze and the smile for a few moments. Danica could see need flash into the woman's eyes as she did it. Danica stood up a few seconds later, taking her wine with her, and walked over to the table. "Do I know you?" Danica asked. "I don't believe so. I think I'd remember you," the woman at the table responded. Danica raised her eyebrows with a smile. "My name is Danica." "I'm Layla." Danica glanced toward the bar. "Your husband?" She asked as she slid into a seat at the table. Layla nodded. "How did you know?" "I saw him sitting here, and I see the wedding band on your finger. Judging from the way you smile at him, you must be happy." She smiled. "I am. There are ups and downs, but he makes me happy." "I'd wager him going up and down makes you happy too," Danica said with a wink. Layla's face colored slightly in a blush and she laughed before moaning, "Mmm hmm," in response. "So, you've been looking my way a lot. That's why I came over here. Was there something you wanted?" A rush of thoughts emerged from Layla in a wave of white-hot lust, letting Danica know exactly what Layla wanted. Danica shuddered from the sudden rush of emotion. "I think I know what you want," Danica said and laid a hand on the woman's knee under the table. Layla looked into Danica's eyes with a smile and a slight shudder. "Am I right?" Danica asked. Layla nodded enthusiastically. "Both of you?" Layla's smile grew wider, "Yes." Danica purred a little and slid her hand up higher, to Layla's thighs. "Shall I go fetch him then?" Layla nodded her head yes, and Danica rose to walk to the bar. When she reached Layla's husband Danica tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and smiled when he saw who was behind him. "Your wife would like you to rejoin her. She believes it's time we went home," Danica said with a coy smile. The man's eyes widened. "We?" "Yes — we," Danica answered and licked her lips. He slid off the stool and dropped coins on the bar almost instantaneously — desire obvious in his eyes. "We were somewhat distracted, and I never thought to ask your name," Danica said as they turned to leave the bar. "It's Daniel," he responded while gesturing for her to lead the way. "Daniel, My name is Danica. I'm sure we'll know each other very, very well soon." They both smiled and returned to the table. Layla didn't even wait for them to reach her; she stood up to await their arrival. The couple led Danica back to their home, and walked inside with Danica right behind them. Danica felt it immediately as she crossed the threshold. The numerous bits of magic she wore suddenly winked into darkness in her mind. She also felt the frightening sensation of her magic retreating from her grasp. The house was dispelled — and powerfully so. Danica stood on the threshold for a moment, frightened and feeling very vulnerable. Layla turned back when Danica hesitated. Danica noticed Layla after a moment, the usually oppressive feeling of having her Art taken from her dulling in light of the woman's smile. A moment later, the oppressive feeling vanished completely. Danica could still feel no connection to her magic, but oddly enough, it didn't weigh on her mind. She noticed the look on Layla's face, flashing between concern, desire, and hesitation. One thing the magic of the house could not dull was Danica's desire. Once she overcame the few moments of disorientation, Danica remembered why she was here. The sight of the attractive young couple in front of her and thoughts of what was to come snapped Danica from her reverie. Danica smiled and shut the door behind her. She kicked off her shoes and stripped off her clothing even as she took the few steps that separated her from the young couple. Danica caught sight of the bedroom as she reached them. She had already shed her top to bare her breasts, and when she reached the couple, she slid down her skirt. Danica reached out and took both Layla and Daniel's right hands, placing them on her breasts. She then kissed them both and walked toward the bedroom. She slowly tugged downward on her panties as she walked, her hips swaying seductively. Layla also wore only her panties by the time she reached the bedroom door. She let out a moan of desire as Danica bent over the bed in front of her and pulled her panties off. Danica posed and ran her hands over her buttocks and hips before she stood up straight. Daniel reached the door and struggled — with a few quiet oaths — to get his trousers off. He was trying to remove them too quickly, and bunched up the left leg enough to cause it cling to him with remarkable tenacity. Danica slid onto the bed and then turned to lie on her side at its foot watching the couple. Layla hooked her thumbs under the waist of her dainty panties and slid them down. Danica licked her lips and moaned in appreciation of the woman's body. Her breasts were small and firm — perfectly shaped. Her areoles were dark and small, as were her nipples. Layla's nipples pointed straight out in arousal. A strip of straight hair as dark as night — artfully trimmed — adorned Layla's mound. From the strip radiated gentle arches of dark hair toward her hips and thighs. Below this display, Layla's hair was trimmed even shorter — dark peach fuzz that revealed her nether lips. Danica smiled and moaned again, looking up into the woman's eyes as Layla sensually strutted toward the bed. Danica sat up as Layla leaned down to kiss her. Their hands simultaneously reached between each other's legs as they kissed. Danica moaned again when she noticed how remarkably soft the hair surrounding Layla's sex felt. Layla echoed the moan as her fingers lightly explored Danica's folds. When they broke from the kiss, Danica looked up to see Daniel tossing away his trousers, having finally freed his leg. Danica beckoned to him with a purr when she saw his cock. He was well endowed, if not large, and the hair on his body was as carefully trimmed as Layla's. He was fully hard, and the downward curve of his erection intrigued Danica. Her first thought was that it would probably rub her clit very well if he took her from behind. Danica beckoned him to the bed as Layla sat down on the mattress. Daniel wasted no time in approaching to sit down between the two women. Both reached out to run their hands over him, causing him to shudder. Danica pushed on Layla's back gently, and the woman understood the silent direction, leaning forward to lick her husband's cock. As Layla passionately sucked her husband, Danica moved to caress and examine his balls. When Layla opened her mouth slightly for a moment to rest it, Danica quickly engulfed the cock in front of her in her mouth. She and Layla took turns sucking him until both could sense he was near to the point of no return. Danica then pumped her hand quickly at the base of his shaft and guided Layla to join her in licking and sucking his purple helmet from opposite sides. "Here it comes," he grunted after a few moments of this. Danica quickly pulled Layla in front of Daniel's cock and joined her there. She kept pumping her hand on his shaft while both of them ran their tongues over the swollen head of his cock. He came with a loud, growling gasp, spurting cum over both women's faces, and into their waiting mouths. The last few weak spurts arched downward to land on both women's breasts. Layla engulfed his cock in her mouth again for a few strokes, and then Danica did the same. Daniel pushed her away with a loud gasp after a few sucks. Danica purred, kissed Layla, and then started to lap up the cum on her face. Layla did the same, and it didn't take long for them to gather up his cream from each other's bodies with their tongues. Danica made one last little swirl of her tongue over Layla's right nipple, and then kissed downward while pushing the other woman gently toward the bed. Layla moaned in anticipation and quickly lay back, parting her legs. Danica motioned to Daniel. "Come watch. See how I make her feel good. Get real close and watch her pussy quiver when she comes on my tongue." Daniel did as Danica asked, and she was quick to slide her head between Layla's legs. Layla moaned in delight as Danica lapped her. "It feels so good, baby. Do you like watching her eat my pussy?" "Oh yeah," Daniel gasped, hypnotized by the scene in front of him. "I want to watch you with her too. Would you like that?" "Damn — yeah." Layla laughed. "That was enthusiastic," she said, and then let out a sharp gasp as Danica sucked her clit. "I'm going to come so hard. She's licking me so good." Layla stopped talking then, her building orgasm stealing her ability to think coherently. She gasped and moaned out encouragement to Danica, who increased her efforts in response. Layla came with a loud scream a few minutes later, drawing a deep, satisfied moan from Danica as she continued to lap up the juices flowing onto her tongue. Once the dark-haired woman stopped quivering, Danica lay down and parted her legs. "My turn," she said breathlessly. Layla shivered once more and then moved between Danica's legs. Danica let out a long moan as Layla's tongue touched her. "Come suck my tits while she eats my pussy," Danica gasped to Daniel. He quickly complied. Daniel obviously knew what he was doing, and Danica felt pulses of pleasure running from both her nipples and her sex as they both licked and sucked her. She quickly soared to her heights, and when she neared her peak, she pulled Daniel's mouth from her breast. "I'm going to come any minute. Go pull my hood up so she can suck my clit." Daniel moved to do just that, and Layla immediately sucked Danica's swollen bud between her lips. Danica exploded into orgasm almost from the first touch, a gushing flood of her cum splashing the couple. Daniel and Layla both gasped in surprise, but Layla quickly recovered to put her mouth back on Danica's nether lips. Danica spiraled downward and moaned as she watched the couple kiss over her sex. Layla then looked into her husband's eyes and said in a breathless whisper, "I want to watch you eat her pussy and make her come." Danica gasped, moaned, and said, "Oh, yes — do it." He wasted no time slipping between her legs. Layla proved even better at stimulating Danica's nipples than Daniel, and Danica soon writhed under the attention of both their mouths. Layla kept her eyes on her husband hungrily devouring Danica's pussy. Again, Danica erupted into a gushing climax, writhing and bucking as the waves rolled through her body. The couple had to move back as Danica's orgasm played out. When Danica was once again able to focus, both Layla and Daniel were softly stroking her skin with their hands, broad smiles on their faces. Danica returned their smiles, while shuddering from her aftershocks. A glance at Daniel's cock revealed it was still soft, but Danica notices twitches of life. He would grow hard again before long. "Let's get that cock hard again. I want to watch you take your wife — see you make her come," Danica said seductively as she moved forward to wrap her hands around his manhood. Danica guided him to lie down and pull his knees up. "Lick him and suck him. Get his cock nice and hard so he can fuck you while I watch," Danica said to Layla, and then moved to caress Daniel's balls, feeling them in every possible way she could imagine. Her touch was as much a part of her study as it was any attempt to pleasure him, but it appeared to have results nonetheless. Shortly thereafter, Layla's lips slid over Daniel's full erection. Danica kissed the back of Layla's neck and instructed, "Lie down." Danica placed two pillows under the young woman's ass, raising her up off the bed. She then beckoned Daniel near and kissed him. "Now fuck her and make her come," Danica huskily whispered. Danica guided his hard cock inside Layla, sighing as she watched him penetrate her. She then moved to where she could rub the brunette's clit and still see Daniel's balls while he stroked his cock in Layla's depths. Danica rubbed Layla's clit in slow circles, watching her husband's balls slap with steadily increasing speed and power against the woman's ass. Danica knew how it felt when a man took her, but she needed to study how it looked in order to properly design Marlena's toy. Her earlier examination gave her good knowledge of the orbs at rest. Now, she gained intimate knowledge of how they moved as Daniel thrust his cock deep into his wife's wet depths. Danica noticed Layla building toward orgasm. Feeling that she understood enough about a man's dangling orbs to craft Marlena's toy, Danica concentrated on increasing the speed and pressure of her fingers on the other woman's clit. "Come for him. Come all over his cock," Danica encouraged as Layla drew closer to orgasm. Layla toppled over the edge with a scream. Daniel thrust a few more times, and then slipped free due to Layla's orgasmic writhing. He moved to insert his erection again, but Danica halted him. Daniel reluctantly complied, and Danica caressed the brunette's folds as she quaked through her orgasm. When Layla recovered from her climax, Danica asked, "Do you want him to fill you up? I would love to taste him from your soft lips." Layla shuddered, but then frowned slightly and said, "We're not ready for children yet." "Would you like to watch him fill me then?" The woman shuddered. "Oh, yes. I've rubbed myself thinking about that so many times." Danica kissed Daniel. "We'll let you rest a few moments. You were getting close, and I want you to be able to hold out a little while before you fill me up." She then turned to Layla and said, "In the meantime, I'm going to get a taste of your juices." A few minutes later, Layla screamed again as she came on Danica's tongue. As soon as the woman recovered enough to move out of the way, Danica lay back and parted her legs. She teased her folds and said to Daniel, "Take me. Fuck me. Make me come. Fill me up while your wife watches. Do it." Daniel moved between Danica's legs even before she finished her sultry words of encouragement. Layla guided him inside Danica with a moan of excitement. Danica matched the brunette's moan as Daniel's erection pierced inside her. He stroked her slowly, Danica moaning as she reveled in the feeling of him pressing against her walls deep inside her. Layla didn't hold back, but stroked Danica's clit in quick circles from the moment Daniel's tip slipped into the redhead's wet heat. Every so often, the dark-haired woman would lean down to lick and suck on Danica's bud. All the while, Layla maintained an entranced gaze on her husband's cock slamming into another woman. Danica's fires surged within her. Danica could see the strain in Daniel's face, and knew he was close to the point where he would no longer be able to hold back. Fortunately, she was about to teeter over the edge as well. Danica moaned encouragement to him as she drew ever closer to climax. "Oh — oh, yes. I'm coming," Danica gasped as her orgasm gripped her. The squeezing of her muscles caused Daniel to explode inside her with a loud growl. Danica growled, "Oh, yes," as she felt his cum flooding her depths. He collapsed atop her as they both panted for breath. After a few minutes, Layla's patience ran out and she firmly tugged her husband's arm. He rose on shaking knees and pulled free of Danica. Layla drew a screaming gasp from him when she sucked the mingled cum from his quickly softening cock. She let out a moan and a chuckle as she released him, and then turned to Danica to push her tongue inside Danica. Danica came on Layla's tongue a few minutes later. Layla rose up from between Danica's legs and licked her lips, then pulled the wetness on her face to her lips with her finger. With a smile she asked, "Would anyone care for some wine?" Daniel grunted in the affirmative where he lay drowsing next to Danica. Danica nodded and moaned as she continued to float in the warm afterglow of her most recent orgasm. They talked and sipped wine for a while, cleaning up and dressing in the meantime. Layla changed the bed linens, and everyone retired to the front room. Danica discovered that Daniel was a dockworker and Layla worked for a winemaker. "How do you afford such a wonderful house?" Danica asked. The home was quite large, having three bedrooms and a basement. Danica assumed that only a moderately wealthy person could afford to purchase such a home. The furnishings were of a quainter nature, but the house alone should have been beyond the couple's means. "We were lucky in that. They say the place was once owned by a wizard. It had sat empty for years — none would purchase it. We saw it and fell in love with it. The man who owned it had despaired that he would never be rid of it, and was quite glad to see us. He gave us a price we could scarcely believe. We'll have room for a family when we decide to have one. The neighbors rarely come to visit though," Layla explained with a laugh. "Remember when your cousin came to visit? That pompous ass sure didn't like the place," Daniel said and laughed as well. "Hush now, Daniel — Howan will grow out of it. He's barely sixteen and he said the house sucked away his magic or something." "This house does do that. I have some magic, like these," Danica toyed with the rings on her fingers. "I felt them wink out when I came in. It would certainly make a person uncomfortable." "Are you a wizard?" Daniel asked somewhat suspiciously. "I'm a student of magic. I can tell you this — you have a secure home here thanks to the magical wards on the place. None could enter without your permission; any who do enter cannot use magic, and nobody should be able to spy inside the house with magic." "It seems it was more than pure luck we were spared in that rash of burglaries," Layla mused. Daniel reached for the wine bottle and noticed it was empty. He stood to fetch another, but Danica said, "I'll get another, where are they?" "In the basement. There's a room there that always stays chilly no matter how hot it gets. We never thought about it much, but I guess that must be magic too," Layla revealed. "Likely — I'll be back in a moment." Danica went down the stairs and knew instantly that she was in what once was a wizard's lab. Nothing remained save the shelves on the walls and a large worktable, but the purpose of the room was obvious to one who studied magic. There was only one other door and Danica found the cold room on the other side. Food was stored here, as well as the wine. Danica selected a bottle of wine and turned back toward the stairs. As she passed the worktable, something caught Danica's eye. She stopped and examined the table. It was covered with a cloth, but one corner was bare and Danica could see runes beneath. She pulled the cloth up a bit and recognized not only normal runes, but a few true runes as well. There were several runes on the table that Danica didn't recognize. She knew they were true runes, and pulled the cloth off completely to look over the table. Dozens of true runes Danica had never seen before were carved into the table. A pair she recognized — dealing with learning and memory — appeared near the center of the table. Danica reached out — without knowing why she did so — toward the rune in the very center of the table. Danica assumed it must be a name rune from its position and structure. Danica laid her fingertips on the rune and opened her mouth in a silent gasp. Danica's vision clouded, and she felt a rush in her head like a voice babbling a thousand things at once. The sensation stopped as suddenly as it started, and Danica jerked her hand away from the table. She shook her head to clear it, and then gasped again. She looked at one of the true runes on the table she'd never studied — and she recognized it. It was a rune of protection, and a powerful one. Glancing around the table, Danica realized that she knew each and every one of the runes as if she had studied them all for days. The wine bottle almost slipped from her hand, and that jolted Danica back into reality. She grasped the bottle before it could hit the floor and returned upstairs. "Are you alright?" Layla asked when she saw Danica. "I'm fine. I'm just feeling a little exhausted all of the sudden. I don't know what could have possibly worn me out," Danica said with a sly grin. The couple laughed as Danica sat down the wine bottle on a table. "I really should be going. I'm tired and I have things I have to do. It's been wonderful, and we should do this again." Daniel sighed and Layla pouted, but they both rose and walked Danica to the door. Danica kissed them both and then returned to the complex atop the hill. As she walked, she ran over the true runes she knew. Somehow, she now recognized over a hundred that she knew she'd never studied. She entered the complex, then her rooms with her conscious mind turned inward, her body following the familiar path with little direction. She stood in front of her door before she realized she'd reached it. Danica opened the door, and found Zoraster waiting for her. ------- Part 14A "Little rose, you have gained admittance to a place that interests me. Tell me now how you managed to gain entry," Zoraster said while bringing a finger to his chin and adopting an expression indicating impatience. Danica felt magic swirling around her and wondered how Zoraster had activated it. It didn't really matter though, because she knew it for what it was — a spell of truth detection. "I joined them in their bed, though I imagine you know that much." "Indeed, I believed that to be the case. I simply wished confirmation from the spell that you no doubt feel wrapped around you. Now, describe the nature of the wards." "They're a combination of Art, runes, and spell weaving. The entire house is dispelled, none can enter without invitation, it is protected from the elements and weathering, and no form of scrying can penetrate it." "Curious. I knew the mage who owned that house and I never would have suspected him of delving into broader art. I thought him to be of little consequence. A pity he is already dead. Did you discover any books, scrolls, magic items?" Danica did not want to reveal the secret of the rune table. Her mind worked quickly as she spoke, "I found the laboratory in the basement. The shelves were all empty, and the only other thing there was a worktable. There was a cold room, and its magic was still working. They used it to store food and wine." She hoped glossing over everything would be sufficient. "Nothing of import then. I had suspected as much, although being prevented from examining the home so close to my power base disturbed me. It seems you have performed a service for me unwittingly, and I find this pleasing. You also go about your tasks without complaint, and perform well. Perhaps you might wish to serve me willingly? Our hunger for knowledge and magic seems to be compatible, and you are quite entertaining — to say the least." Danica felt anger boil up inside her. Serve you willingly? NEVER! She thought, while keeping her face impassive. Zoraster laughed. "You hide it well, but I can sense your hatred. No matter, I never expected you to accept. Tomorrow morning I will require your services to transport Marlena. Here is the pattern you will use." He then handed Danica a sheaf of paper depicting some sort of exotic bird against a sunset. "You will transport Marlena, and remain in my outpost, prepared to return her here when her task is complete. Give her one of your charms so that she may summon you when it is needful. The town is a small one, and my agents have little explored it in years. Spend your time there seeing how things have changed in that time. I will not require a report, though you may speak your thoughts to your amulet, which will record them for my examination. Marlena's task is the true purpose of your visit. Be prepared, should there be the need for a hasty retrieval. Good day, little rose." Zoraster left then and Danica packed her Satchel of Hasty Departure. With all the Art she had placed upon her jewelry and clothing, she didn't need to pack much in the way of magical devices to feel well prepared. Danica stepped into her lab then, planning to start some sketches for Marlena's toy based on what she had learned in her encounter with the young couple. However, the true runes swirled through her mind, demanding attention. Danica had never truly gained skill with the runes, and even now, it took her long weeks of research to imprint a new one in her mind. Danica went to her bookshelves, now nearly full of tomes she had magically copied from the library, and selected a book of true runes. Flipping through the book for a while, she decided to try to use another rune. She chose one for fire and studied it. The lines and patterns of the rune snapped into focus in Danica's mind almost immediately. Something in the magic of that table had opened a pathway in her mind. Danica put down the book and tore some scrap parchment, placing it in a brazier. She cleared her mind for a few moments, and then traced the rune for fire while speaking its name. The parchment instantly burst into flame. Danica smiled and traced the rune for light. She found it easy, where before it had always taken a lot of concentration to summon up the power of the run. The rune flared into brilliance as she finished the tracing. On a whim, Danica tried something else she had never attempted before. She traced the glowing rune again, altering it subtly. The glow of the rune changed from a natural white light to one of pale blue. Another alteration and the glow changed to amber. Danica banished the rune with a little laugh, and then turned to a glass of water she had left sitting on one of her worktables. Danica traced the rune for ice and pushed it toward the glass. The water instantly froze — and the glass shattered. "Ooops," Danica muttered. She spoke the words of a telekinetic cantrip, but used her hidden mental powers more than the spell to gather up the shattered glass and ice to deposit the shards in a waste bin across the room. Danica tried several other runes, and to her delight, found that she could command them all with ease. She longed to test more — the runes from the table she had never seen before — but she didn't want to reveal them to Zoraster. She already brought too much power to the madman in her tasks without giving him more. She assumed he was always watching, and refused to reveal the new runes. Not always, Danica thought. She knew that when within in a dispelled area, like Layla and Daniel's house, neither the charm around her neck nor scrying magic could spy on her. The Spell Engine also protected her from Zoraster's prying eyes. Danica smiled and knew how she would test the other runes that now burned in her mind — but not tonight. She pushed thoughts of the runes away for the time being, not wishing to reveal too much to the mad Archmage with her experiments. Instead, she picked up pen and paper to begin work on Marlena's toy, as she had originally planned. She concentrated on the balls of the toy, thinking carefully about what materials she should use. Wood — and even clay — wouldn't provide the texture she wished to attain without a lot of magical enhancement. Considering the problem for a few minutes, she sketched and made notes while mulling over the problem. She first thought of glass marbles, but realized they would be far too heavy. Hollow glass balls would be perfect, she thought. She smiled and thought Grant could help her with that. They could help me in other ways, too. It's been too long since we were together. Danica thought more about the feeling of the orbs while she caressed and explored Daniel. They felt somewhat connected from above, yet able to roll beneath her fingers. Enclosing them in tubes of felt sewed to allow movement would work. She thought that the felt ends should join at the top, leaving the enclosed glass balls dangling like a small boa. That solved the internal feeling. Now, she needed to decide how to simulate the external texture. After a few minutes, she decided that lightly brushing the felt with a pliable resin would work best. Some careful stitching would give it the proper texture and attached feeling. Danica located some felt and a pair of marbles, quickly cobbling together a crude version of her idea. She swung the marbles back and forth, bouncing them off her forearm, and felt that her plan would work. It took only a short time to sketch out the rest of the toy with this part firmly settled in her mind. She sat back with a satisfied grin and looked over the list of people she would need to speak with. She had a few unique ideas she wanted to use to make the whole thing look more attractive in its non-magical form, instead of a hodgepodge of leather, wood, and felt. Feeling the lateness of the hour creeping up on her, Danica yawned and went to her bed. She knew that she needed to get up early to transport Marlena in the morning. ------- A knock on the door startled Danica. She pulled on a robe and went to the door, expecting to find Zoraster standing there scowling at her. She found Marlena waiting outside instead of the Archmage, however. "You're supposed to take me somewhere," Marlena said. Danica yawned. "Yes — I'm sorry. I'm ready — I packed everything last night. Give me a moment to splash some water on my face and get dressed, and we'll be going." "May I look around your lab while you dress?" "Of course, I won't be long." Danica quickly dressed, taking some of the alertness drug for good measure to chase away the sleep fog in her head. She walked into the lab and found Marlena looking over Danica's notes from the previous evening. The illusionist couldn't help but know what the notes represented, because every page plainly indicated what Danica was making. "I wish I understood this. This is the freedom Zoraster will grant me if I'm successful in my task — a small lab and library of my own. I was so dedicated to illusion that I ignored everything else. There is little for me to do here except learn, so I thought I might try to expand my knowledge." "If you ever need any direction or assistance, my door is always open. I would connect all your studies to your study of illusion at first. If you want to craft an item, make it one dealing with illusion. If you wish to create a unique spell, make it one of illusion. Do the same if you plan to brew potions or anything else. It would be a good stepping-stone. I've found that approach makes things easy for me as I transition from one study to another." "Thank you, I'll try that. I might take up that offer for assistance as well. It's all quite daunting. It makes me nervous to even think about it." Danica smiled and pointed at her notes on the table. "Let me finish this for you and you'll have a way to relax." Marlena blushed and covered a giggle with her hand. "I'm anxious for your magical toy, though it embarrasses me. I can't wait to have one of my own." "I'll concentrate on it then," Danica said with a wink. "Shall we go then?" Marlena nodded and took Danica's hand. Danica spoke the words of the teleportation spell with the pattern firmly in her mind, and they walked the corridors of magic. ------- The first thing both women noticed was the oppressive heat. The air was heavy with moisture. Both women gasped at first, and it took them a few moments to adjust to the hot, humid atmosphere. "Gods, it's hot," Danica exclaimed while fanning her hand in front of her face. A woman with long, kinky, curled hair walked into the room and bowed as Danica finished speaking. The woman's skin reminded Danica of coffee with a lot of cream — dark and exotic. She had a nice figure, which was easy to see considering her revealing clothing. The woman wore a top that hung from her shoulders by thin straps and barely reached below her breasts. A sarong tied around her hips left little to the imagination. Both articles had a pattern that looked like flowers and flower petals, dominated by orange. "I was told to expect you, and to tell you there is clothing in the drawers there more suited to the heat. I am at your service here. If you need anything, just call and I will come. You may call me Tonda." Her accent and the way she spoke indicated that she probably wasn't speaking her native tongue. "Thank you, Tonda. We'll call if we need you," Danica responded. The woman bowed and Danica couldn't help but admire the sight of her hips swaying as the woman strutted out of the room. She had a full rounded bottom — not large, just full — and the way it moved when Tonda walked made Danica salivate. Danica went to the drawers to dig through them. She quickly found a sarong and top she believed would fit and flung them on the bed. She started to pull off the stifling clothing she wore and turned to Marlena, gesturing toward the drawers. Marlena went to the drawers to find something that would fit her as well. Danica asked her, "So, what is your task — if you can talk about it?" "I'm to observe a temple in the jungle on this island. I'm supposed to use my magic to explore the temple." "Island, hmm? I wasn't told anything about where I was going. Your task sounds simple enough," Danica said as she shrugged off the last of her clothing and reached for the sarong. Marlena turned back to Danica, having made her selection from the drawer. Her eyes lingered on Danica's nude backside for a moment, and then she asked, "How did you transport us here if you didn't know where you were going?" Danica tied on the sarong and pushed her hip out to the side, looking down her body and liking the way the sarong looked on her, though not particularly enamored with the drab, beige color. She nodded in the direction of the pattern room and answered, "You memorize the patterns. They're unique, and you can teleport with that image in your mind. I asked the same question at one point, before I could use the teleportation spell." Danica pulled on the top as Marlena undressed. Danica tried to avoid looking at the woman, knowing she was nowhere near comfortable with another woman seeing her nude, especially considering that she knew Danica found her arousing. Marlena looked stunning in the clothing, though the color suited her no better than it did Danica. "My task isn't much of a task at all. I'm supposed to observe the town and report back. He didn't give me any more specific instructions than that. I think he's just giving me busy work," Danica revealed. "I should be going. I was told to hasten into the jungle and to the temple immediately upon my arrival, and not to be seen outside the house at all." "Good luck. Be safe," Danica said, and handed over the charm that would summon her if necessary. Marlena had used one before, and knew all she needed to know about it. Marlena smiled and said, "You too," before walking out of the bedroom. By the time Danica put away her own clothing and walked into the main part of the house, Marlena was already invisible. Danica felt a touch of air against her cheek and knew the door had opened and closed. She marveled at the other woman's command of illusion. Danica neither had seen the door open, nor heard it, and she was looking right at it. Danica noticed Tonda seated off to one side, sipping something. "I could use a drink too." "It is fruit juice. I shall fetch you some if you wish," Tonda said, putting her cup down in preparation to stand. Danica waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "It's alright, I'll get it myself. You can relax. I'm used to taking care of myself." "The two of you are much more pleasant than the last. He was a..." Tonda paused and appeared to search for a word for a moment before continuing. "He was most unpleasant and ordered me about like a trained monkey." Danica rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately many men are like that. Zoraster seems to attract the worst of the lot as well." "It would seem the women are of a different sort," Tonda responded with a smile. "Our native dress is most pleasing upon you. Although, the top is a bit tight, I think. The color looks wrong with your hair." "I might have to do something about that. Yours is perfect I think." Tonda's smile grew wider. "I dyed it myself. I could do some for you and the other if you would like. I believe green would suit you both well." Danica noticed how Tonda referred to her and Marlena. "I'm Danica, and the other woman is Marlena. I'm sorry for not offering our names." "I wondered when you would remember. Danica it is, then. Allow me to show you where the fruits are so you may make more to drink, should the pitcher be empty. Then I shall go to work on your clothing. In the bedroom, you will find a box atop the dressing table. It has stones for your needs. My people trade mostly in goods, but gems and stones are used as well, since your people have come. The jade and pearls are most prized." "Thank you," Danica said as Tonda led her to the kitchen to show her how to make the exotic fruit drink. Danica finished her drink and then took some jade beads and pearls from the box in the bedroom. The gems were of high quality, and Danica assumed that they were worth a lot. She assumed that she would quickly discover the value of the gemstones. Danica reached into a satchel she had brought with her, one not enchanted with magic, and selected a small purse on a thin leather belt. The purse, like everything in the satchel, was enchanted with the holding enchantment and would hold much more than physically possible. She emptied the jade and pearls into the purse and then went outside. Though Danica recognized that she was on an island, it was obviously a very large one. She was not far from the sea, but there were none of the foul smells that she associated with the sea in other places. Apparently, the people here didn't toss their garbage and offal into the sea, forgetting that the tide would bring it back to them, as so many did. Stepping away from the house, the warm ocean breeze blew across Danica's skin. The wind offered respite from the hot, humid air despite its warmth. The abundant vegetation was a combination of seaside plants like palms, jungle trees, and planted gardens. Danica saw wide stretches of pure white sand along the water, and the water itself was a clear, vibrant blue. Most of the houses were round, apparently derived from huts. There were a few common structures, such as Zoraster's outpost, but the majority of buildings in the town shared the odd native design. Danica thought it likely that the interiors consisted of a single round room, and didn't think she would like living in one very much. Zoraster's outpost was some distance from the heart of the town, and as she moved toward the center of the clustered building, Danica noticed that she was a rarity. Almost everyone she passed was dark of hair and skin — most much darker than Tonda was. She received only a few odd glances as she walked through town, however. As she reached the area where the houses were most concentrated, Danica noticed something else as a couple passed by her. A strong breeze revealed that the people here wore nothing beneath their sarongs. Danica's eyes widened when she saw the size of the man in front of her before he slapped his sarong down and cursed in a language Danica didn't understand. The curse alerted Danica that she needed to use her magic, or she was likely to understand nothing anyone said to her. Danica stepped into a shadowed corner and quietly cast the spell, not knowing how the people here would react to magic. Danica didn't see any shops, but found an open-air market displaying wares. Danica also noticed a few people, darker even than the rest of the populace, who were completely unclad as they walked toward the market. These people went directly to the market and nowhere else. They appeared somewhat nervous to Danica, and left with whatever they traded for as quickly as they had arrived. All of them came from, and went back toward, a thick jungle not far from the edge of the town. Danica thought that her task here was senseless, as she had suggested to Marlena. There was little of any real interest to see. The town appeared almost artificial in a way, as if someone had moved the primitive here and shown them how to act like townsfolk. Danica really didn't have any reference to determine if this was normal, or if it was as odd as she considered it. She knew Zoraster had influence here, and that alone was enough to make the town suspect. Some of the buildings did appear several years old, however, so if Zoraster's hand guided the town, he was molding some sort of civilization that had already sprung to life on the island. She went to the market and found a floral sarong and top similar to Tonda's, but more red than orange. The woman's eyes lit up when Danica pulled out some beads and pearls, locking on a round, translucent bead of jade. "That is most rare. What would you take in trade for it?" The woman asked her. "Just this," Danica answered, indicating what she had selected. The woman rummaged around at her feet and produced something, a necklace strung with bits of shell and two odd figurines. "No, please, take these too. Protect you they will from darkness and disease." "Thank you," Danica responded as she handed over the bead, accepting the necklace. She slid it around her neck, and liked the way it looked. Danica could sense some sort of magic from the charm, although the sensation was somewhat alien. Danica had felt something similar before while holding blessed artifacts, and assumed the magic was godly in nature. After walking around and purchasing a few more trinkets, Danica decided she had more or less exhausted the possibilities of the small town. There really wasn't much to see. She decided to go down to the beach, where she drank in the sea air and the beauty of the pristine waters. Men fished and dived from boats out beyond the breakers. Men, women, and children swam and played in the surf. Most were nude as they swam. Danica decided it was unlikely anyone would find it odd if she changed into her new clothing here, so she did so. She smiled and winked at a pair of young men, both of whom had healthy lengths of manhood dangling between their legs, when she heard them talking about her huge breasts, white as the sand. Their heads and bodies were both shaved completely bare of hair, and Danica found it quite attractive. She walked down to the water to where it lapped at her knees slightly, and then strolled down the beach. She heard a dull roar after a while, and noticed the sound growing louder. She could see that a sharp cliff rose up above the beach some distance ahead, and the sound seemed to come from that direction. A mist obscured the air there as well. Guessing the source of the sound and mist — and having nothing better to do anyway — Danica moved toward it. Her guess proved correct when she saw a beautiful waterfall cascading from the cliff down into a pool at its base. The water absolutely sparkled, and Danica could see brightly colored fish swimming in the pool, all the way to the bottom. She had left behind any sign of other people some minutes ago. Most people she passed were heading back toward the town. Sunset was approaching, and Danica assumed that was the reason. Danica found she could not resist the pool, and pulled off her clothing and purse. With a graceful dive, she hit the pool. Danica surfaced and flipped her hair out of her face. The water was just cool enough to feel invigorating. She swam toward the falls, the water dropping with strong, but not uncomfortable pressure on her body. Rocks along the surface of the cliff broke the flow of water into many small tumbles, creating a gentle cascade for such a vast quantity of water falling so far. Danica thought she heard voices, and glanced toward the beach. She noticed two young men there, who looked as though they were arguing. One of them shook his head and walked back down the beach. The other one waved with a dismissive gesture in the direction of his companion and continued toward Danica. Danica pretended not to notice him, lying back in the pool and floating with her breasts breaking the water like two islands. The stirring water and the thought of the young man coming her way caused her to tingle. "It is a fine evening for a swim," Danica heard the young man say, and she opened her eyes to look at him. He wore a sarong, but it did little to hide his considerable erection as he looked at her with a smile that gleamed brightly against his dark skin. "Would you care to join me?" Danica asked with a sly grin. The young man's smile broadened, and he reached down to pull off his sarong. He stretched for a moment to display his considerable attributes, both his well-muscled body and his engorged manhood. He then took a step and dived, with grace born from years of practice, into the pool. He hit so perfectly straight that he barely stirred the water. Danica could see him swimming with powerful strokes toward her. He surfaced no more than a foot in front of her, smiling. Danica reached out and ran her hand over his cock, then motioned and turned toward the waterfall. She swam under the falls and sat in a shallow depression behind it. The young man swam in right behind her. As soon as he reached her, Danica turned around and put her hands on the rocks, spreading her legs wide. Her nether lips just barely touched the rolling surface of the water in this posture. She turned and beckoned him with her eyes, swaying her ass back and forth in front of him. "Know a man when you see one," he said and moved in behind her. Danica gasped when his big cock slid inside her. He had to be nearly as long as her forearm, thick, and uncut. He pushed almost all of it inside her in a single thrust. Danica moaned as he immediately took her hard and fast, tightly gripping her hips. Danica felt her body responding with astounding swiftness. He spoke as he thrust, but Danica realized she didn't understand it. Her tongues spell had worn off, but she really didn't care. He soon ceased to speak coherently, gasping and grunting instead as he pounded his manhood home. Danica came a short time later, an orgasm that started from a deep hidden place inside her and spread through her whole body. She quivered and screamed, gasping for breath, as the young man kept assaulting her spastically contracting depths. Danica could barely manage to remain upright and avoid banging her head on the rocks or scraping her breasts on them as he maintained his assault while she came. Her nipples scraped lightly against the slick rocks as they rocked back and forth with his thrusts. Danica hadn't even fully registered her first orgasm slowly melting away before she felt the white-hot fire of another building inside her. She exploded again with a loud quavering scream as he maintained a fast pace, never slowing in the slightest as he thrust his manhood inside her. A look back at him revealed the signs of his impending orgasm to Danica, and then a wave of orgasm caused her to close her eyes again. Danica growled in protest when she felt him pull free from her a moment later. She turned and saw him stroking his cock over her back. She sent a thought to one of her rings to activate the tongues enchantment stored there. She reached back to part her lips and growled, "Inside me." "I like that," he grunted and shoved his cock back inside her with a growl, one that Danica matched as it set off another powerful surge of ecstasy within her. A dozen hard, fast strokes later, she heard him scream and felt his cum flooding her depths. Danica moaned as she felt the warmth spread from her depths throughout her body. His head dropped to rest on her shoulders as his orgasm drained his strength. After a few minutes, Danica reached back to slap him on the ass. He pulled free of her clinging depths with a gasp, which Danica echoed. Danica reached back and rubbed her folds, coating her fingers in the mingled cum, and then stood up to suck it off her fingers. With a wicked grin, she knelt down and engulfed his slowly softening cock in her mouth, to suck him clean as well. He pushed her away a moment later. "Damn woman, you will take my legs out from under me." Danica laughed, and then moaned, "That was good." "I've never had one of you before, and no woman has ever let me loose inside her." "Like it?" Danica asked with a grin. He just smiled in response. Danica noticed how low the sun rode on the horizon. "Time for me to get back. Thank you," she said and patted his now soft cock. He just smiled, puffed out his chest, and then swam back toward the opposite edge of the pool. Danica took a moment to wash the cum out of her, and then swam back to dress as well. The young man waited for her at the edge of the pool. "Go on. It probably wouldn't be a good idea for you to be seen coming back with me." He just nodded and walked back along the beach. Danica waited a short while, watching the sunset, and then started back as well. The sun had vanished by the time she walked back from the beach into the town. Danica thought it odd that she didn't see another soul, even though the sun had just set. She shrugged her shoulders and returned to Zoraster's outpost. The door flew open as Danica reached it and Tonda said, "Quickly — inside. You should not be out when darkness falls." Danica looked at her with raised eyebrows and stepped inside. Tonda quickly locked and barred the door. "What's wrong?" Danica asked. "The striped cat and the snakes hunt at night — and worse things of late," Tonda replied. "I can handle some rowdy local wildlife. I just finished handling one, and he was indeed quite wild." Tonda smiled for just a moment, but then said, "Danica, you must be inside when the sun sets. This will not protect you for long against the Nameless Ones." She pointed at the charm Danica had purchased in the market. "Nameless Ones? What are they?" "Men — dead men that walk," Tonda explained with a shudder. "The undead, especially mere zombies, are no threat to me. I can deal with them. When did this start?" "Months ago. They come only at night, and they will not enter a home. Some foolish people have vanished, though, when they were found outside after dark. Look there," Tonda said, pointing out the window. Danica looked and saw a pair of men walking down the street. They didn't walk with the stiff gait of a zombie, though they moved slowly and their eyes looked glazed over. The men were nude and covered from head to toe in strange sigla painted in crimson. Danica kept watching until the men passed out of view. "Are you sure they're the undead? They appear to be under some sort of spell rather than the walking dead." Tonda looked out the window, and then cracked the door open. Danica could smell the reek of death on the breeze. Tonda quickly shut the door. "What do they do?" Danica asked. "They wander without purpose, unless the find someone outside. I saw one dragging a woman past the house one night. One of our men chased after it and struck it with a spear in the back. The Nameless One ignored it. The man chased it down and tried to shove the spear through it. The creature turned and hit him. He fell and did not rise. When the daylight came, we saw his head was split open as if by a great rock." "What happens to those who are taken?" Danica asked. "They return soon after, to walk with the rest of the dead. That is why we call them the Nameless Ones. We must forget the names of those who are now monsters among us." Danica saw a tear in Tonda's eye. "You've lost someone, haven't you?" "He who was my brother now walks the night. He was one of the first," Tonda revealed with a sob. Danica held the woman as she cried, leading her to her bed in the servant's quarters. Just before she fell asleep, Tonda said, "Marlena — she is out there." Danica shushed Tonda. "Marlena can take care of herself. I doubt even the undead could pierce her illusions to find her." Danica went to bed, troubled despite her assurance to Tonda. ------- Danica rose the next morning and went to check on Tonda. Having awakened early, Danica assumed that the dark-skinned woman would still be asleep. She found Tonda's bed empty, however. Danica heard water sloshing and walked that way, finding Tonda in the bath. She made a show of not looking, but took enough of a glance to see the woman's breasts were every bit as firm and beautiful bare as they appeared clothed. Her nipples and areoles were just slightly darker than the dark globes of her breasts. "Are you alright?" Danica asked. "Yes, I am fine. I don't talk about it often, because it always affects me like that. So long as I do not speak of it, I endure well. I am used to it." "I'm going to contact Marlena and see if she has discovered anything." Danica sniffed then and made a face. "As soon as I've bathed anyhow." Tonda smiled and stood up from the bath. Danica suppressed a shudder as she drank in the sight of the woman's completely clean-shaven body, dripping wet from the bath. "I was awakened by my own smell. I must have sweat a great deal in my fear. The water is still warm, come get in the bath and I will heat more water to keep it at a comfortable temperature." Tonda toweled off her body, and Danica stared as the woman dried her dark hair. The gentle jiggle of Tonda's dark breasts as she dried her hair sent a tingle up and down Danica's spine, and a much stronger tingle between her legs. Danica undressed once Tonda pulled the towel from her head. The light native costume took only seconds to drop to the floor, and Danica stepped gratefully toward the bath, eager to wash away the smell of sweat. Tonda looked at Danica's hood ring as she approached. "I have never seen the like. Is it through..." She stopped and glanced up to lock eyes with Danica. Danica smiled and said, "No, just through the hood. The piercing was painful, but I like how it looks." Danica flicked her hood ring with her finger to punctuate the statement. Danica caught little wisps of thoughts from Tonda, and shivered involuntarily when she realized the sight of her naked body aroused the woman. Danica smiled at Tonda and said, "Your skin tone is beautiful. I imagine you find yourself overwhelmed with male attention." Tonda smiled and blushed. "Yes, though I haven't given in to that temptation very often. I am somewhat unique with my light coloring and these," she said cupping her breasts. "I'm much smaller than most of the women, but they seem to be pleasing to many men." "It's how firm and perfectly shaped they are. Men like them, the bigger the better, but firm beautiful breasts will win over large ones any day." "I should imagine you receive quite a bit of attention with your fair skin — fairer even than most of your people — and your red hair." "I stand out quite a bit." A thought popped into Danica's head that her nipples were standing out quite a bit as well, as she stood next to the beautiful, nude, exotic woman. She wondered if Tonda noticed, and then caught a fleeting thought that confirmed Danica's suspicion. "You stand out even more here among my people," Tonda observed. "I attracted some rather pleasant attention yesterday evening," Danica said with a smile. "Be careful — we here can be quite vicious in protecting our men from the clutches of others," Tonda said with a coy smile. "I will. I have other things to attend to now any way. I may look for some comfort and pleasure elsewhere, later," Danica sent out just the faintest and fleeting thought of desire to Tonda as she said this. A shudder from Tonda revealed that the woman was far from disinclined to the notion. Tonda seemed to realize she was still nude at that point, and laughed. "I will go heat the water." Danica sank into the bath while watching Tonda's shapely ass as the brunette dressed, and then left the room with that hypnotic sway. Danica's fingers found her sex and caressed it as she relaxed in the bath. Danica started when Tonda returned with the hot water. The little flash of embarrassment quickly passed when Tonda smiled upon seeing Danica jerk her hand from between her legs. Tonda carefully poured the water into the tub and Danica then concentrated on actually washing. Danica climbed out of the tub a short while later and dried off. When she pulled the towel from her face after drying her hair, she found Tonda standing before her with a new sarong and top. "I finished these yesterday afternoon." Danica smiled and put them on. The green did set off her hair and skin perfectly, as Tonda had suggested. Danica purred as she looked down at her body. Tonda smiled. "I take it you like it. It looks very good on you." "Thank you. Now, I need to see if I can contact Marlena." "I will make something to eat and drink." "That would be wonderful. I didn't realize how hungry I was until you mentioned it." "I am hungry too," Tonda responded and Danica caught a glance that made her juices flow as the other woman turned to go to the kitchen. Danica returned to the bedroom with visions of the Tonda's dark curls brushing her thighs playing in her mind, and sat down to contact Marlena. The spell was a strong one, and easy when used to contact someone the caster knew well. Danica established contact with Marlena almost as soon as she completed the spell. She sent the gentle nudge that signaled the contact to the person on the other end of the spell, and then thought, Don't speak aloud Marlena. It's Danica. Did you see any of them — the undead? Marlena thought back. Yes. Are you alright? I'm fine. The spells which mask my scent from the wild animals out here seem to do the same for them. One walked within a few feet of me and never took notice. I levitated up into a tree after that, because I knew if one of them happened to look my way, it might not even notice the illusions I have woven around me. None of them have a mark on their bodies. That's something I couldn't tell from the distance I was away. Be careful. I'm going to contact Zoraster. I think he would be irritated if I didn't say something about this immediately, Danica thought to the other woman and then broke the contact without breaking the spell. It took only another moment to contact the mad Archmage, and Danica reeled for a moment at the chaos of his surface thoughts coming through the link. Zoraster, there is something I think I should tell you. The undead — I know. I saw it as I watched Marlena. I suspected as much, but it is now confirmed. This shall either be the fruition of my plans, or a barrier to them. Marlena will find the source. When she does, I will determine how to deal with it. Be prepared, because you will likely be the means through which I choose to proceed, Zoraster thought and then broke the contact of the magic from his end. Danica let the spell lapse and rose from where she sat on the bed. Ever since the vampire, Danica had acquired or made an arsenal of protection and weapons for use against the undead. Many of the protections were within jewelry she already wore, but various wands housed most of the offensive magic, and she had not thought to bring them with her. Danica looked around for a place to cast the Rift spell. She needed two posts standing a short distance apart in order to cast the spell. After a glance around the room, she realized she would have to use the doorway. Nothing else provided the four anchor points she needed for the spell. Digging into her bag of holding, Danica located a small jar containing pine tree sap. Next, she pulled out a long length of cotton string. Moving to the doorway, Danica judged where to put the first anchor point. She poured a dollop of the tree sap from the jar at that point, and quickly put one end of the string into it. A few words summoned up a chill cantrip, which quickly hardened the sap and held the string fast. Danica moved to the next anchor point and repeated the process, until she had a rectangle of string in front of her the width of the doorway, and about three feet high. The square was positioned directly in front of her, so she could see and reach through it easily. Danica then pulled a small silken pouch from her bag of holding. She removed one of the half dozen bits of square shaped silver from within the silk pouch. Danica took a moment to polish one of them with a cloth, also within the bag, and then put the rest away. With the necessary components in hand, Danica cast the spell. The spell was a precursor to the spell that created bags of holding. The magic created an opening in space that could reach across vast distances to other places known by the caster. If the caster prepared the area beforehand, it was much easier to reach, and the caster could visually see what was in front of the other side of the rift. Danica had prepared the other end of her rift, and a large double-sided cabinet appeared before her in the shimmering field enclosed by the strings. The small silver square crumbled to dust as the magic sprang to life. Danica reached through and opened the cabinet, but had to concentrate and move the rift backwards a bit before she could fully open the door. Once it was open, Danica moved the rift in closer again to select what she needed from the shelves. She first picked up a ring charged with numerous protections against the undead. Danica already had all these protections, but she decided to get one for Marlena, just in case. She selected a pair of wands charged with the Positive Forcebolt, and then moved the rift lower. Moving the rift to floor level while still standing and looking at the scene at eye level was more than a little disconcerting. Danica grabbed two more wands charged with the Destroy Undead spell, which she thought would prove sufficient for combating zombies. She had only grabbed the Positive Forcebolt wands in case there were other, stronger undead present. Having what she needed now, Danica closed the rift. The strings instantly transformed into ash, which drifted down to the floor. Danica put the magic items into her little purse and returned to the common room. Tonda smiled as Danica entered, gesturing to the food and drink on the table. They ate and then sat back to talk. Danica asked about the people here and learned that only a few chose to live in the town. Most of the people who lived on the island lived in small villages, with the only large building being a temple in the center of the island. These people lived a primitive life, and avoided the town more or less. A few ventured here on occasion to trade, and Danica correctly surmised that those were the nervous nude people she had seen in her exploration of the town. The influence of white men had prompted the creation of the town. A few of the natives had befriended white visitors, and even bedded them. Tonda had a white ancestor somewhere in her parentage, accounting for her lighter skin. The town had stood here for many years, and was little changed from its humble beginnings. There was another small town, if it could be called that, some distance to the west. It was really more of a camp, inhabited by foreigners who mined for gold in the hills there. Danica asked how to reach it, and Tonda told her of a trail made by the white men's wagons on the western edge of town that led to the miner's camp. Danica knew there was little more to see here, at least during daylight, and decided to go to this town to see what she might find. She found the trail easily, but she only traveled down it a short distance. Once she reached what she considered a safe distance from the town, Danica sought out a clearing in the tree canopy overhead and cast a spell of flight. Danica smiled and reveled in the feeling of soaring upward on the wings of magic. This was yet another one of the spells she had never thought to master, and one that had drawn her to become a wielder of Art in the first place. She didn't go very high above the tree canopy, although her heart sang out to her to dance among the clouds. She flew westward, and soon saw the town. The woman's description proved accurate — it was little more than a rude camp if what Danica could see from the air was any indication. Danica found another clearing in the canopy where she judged she was far enough away to avoid detection, yet close enough that only a short walk would bring her to the camp. She returned to the ground with a sigh of regret, and then started walking. As Danica emerged from the trees into the clearing, she revised her initial evaluation. It was a rude, filthy camp. She could smell excrement and unwashed bodies even here on the edge of the clearing. Danica looked down at the revealing clothing she wore, and decided it was not the best attire for this place. She stepped back into the trees and reached into the bag of holding she had almost left behind. Danica changed into serviceable clothing that showed as little of her figure as her choices allowed. She really didn't have anything that truly tried to hide her body, save her wizard's robes, but what she selected at least covered her and didn't fit snugly to her curves. Once again, she stepped from the trees and walked toward the miner's camp. Wrinkling her nose, she only took a few steps before she cast a spell that enclosed her in a bubble of fresh air to filter out the nauseating odors before they reached her. The men all leered and approached her. Only her hand on the hilt of a dagger that she had prudently strapped on kept them away. It took only a short while to determine that the place was little more than a collection of rude shanties, with a single solid structure in the center of town. That one structure was, of course, the tavern. Danica went inside and silently praised the enchantment wrapped around her. One look at the place told her what she would smell: a mixture of sweat, spilled beer, vomit, and urine. Danica sighed, wishing she'd just stayed where she was and walked the beach. There was nothing to see here as far as she could tell, making this a wasted trip. She walked toward the bar anyway, disheveled women in revealing clothing staring daggers at her all the way. Danica smiled and gave the three women a toss of her hair. Go ahead and think I'm here to steal away your business if you want. I think I can endure the sound of you gnawing your livers in frustration until I leave, she thought. She reached the bar and the barkeep walked over to her. "What'll ya have," he asked. "I'm looking for whoever is in charge around here," Danica responded. "That'd be me," the barkeep answered. "No, I mean the camp, not the tavern." "Like I said, that'd be me. What can I do for you?" "Are you having unusual occurrences after nightfall?" "What, you mean the walking dead? Nope, we don't have no problem with them here. Guess they don't like white meat," He replied with a loud laugh and a slap of the bar. More laughter erupted from nearby patrons, punctuated by a loud belch from one of them. "You know of them, but have never seen them here?" "They only bother the blakkers. Not my problem. Let the zombies eat 'em." Danica only nodded by way of response, and then turned to leave. There was obviously some bad blood between the two peoples, more coming from here than the dark-skinned native people to the east, obviously. Danica took a short walk to where the sweating, filthy men were mining for gold, and determined there was little to see there. She thought it odd that the undead avoided this place, as it seemed as though it would be a prime place to find living victims. Many of the shanties were little more than crude lean-tos. People here would be out in the open all night — easy prey. Danica returned to the trees and changed her clothes again. She wrinkled her nose when a breeze brought her scent to her. The modest clothing had caused her to sweat a lot, and she smelled none too sweet. She decided to visit the waterfall pool again to bathe before returning to the town. A short walk brought her back to the clearing in the canopy, and she took to the air with a smile moments later. The flight to the pool was short, and she soon relaxed in the water. Once she finished bathing, Danica returned to town. She purchased some fruit to eat, and then returned to Zoraster's outpost for a nap. The nap would help her remain alert during the night. Tonight, she planned to get a good look at the shambling dead. ------- "Don't go out there," Tonda begged as Danica prepared to face the undead. "I have to find out what I can, and that means facing them. I'm prepared, and my magic is strong. They're only zombies — I'll be in no danger." "I like you. It is nice to have someone new to talk to. I don't want to lose you to the Nameless Ones." "I like you too," Danica said and let a little of her desire show in her eyes. She could sense from Tonda's thoughts that the woman had noticed the glance. "Don't worry, we'll have time to get to know each other better. I'm in no real danger." Danica smiled, and leaned in to kiss Tonda's cheek on impulse. The shy smile she received in response made Danica tingle all over. Danica carefully checked her bag of holding, her wand belt, and her cleric-blessed dagger. She sent thoughts to her magic jewelry to ensure none of the items' powers were waning in any way. Finally satisfied, she stepped out the door into the fading sunlight. Only a pair of people remained in view when Danica stepped out, and they hurried indoors before Danica five minutes passed. Danica sat down on a chair she had set outside the house for this purpose, and settled in to wait. Around an hour later, the first of the undead slowly moved into view. At first, the creature wandered aimlessly. When it was about fifty feet away, the zombie's glazed eyes turned toward Danica, and the creature moved toward her. Its pace quickened as it approached. Danica fell into her spell casting, and when the creature was about ten feet away, she released the magic. The power of the Destroy Undead spell dropped the creature in its tracks. The zombie pitched over on its face to the earth in mid-step. Danica looked around, but didn't see any more of the living dead. She approached the corpse cautiously, tapping it with her booted foot. When the zombie didn't move, she knelt to examine it. Danica didn't recognize any of the sigla drawn upon the body, but that didn't surprise her a great deal. Runes of the Art varied, and might look quite different when drawn by people far removed from each other. As Marlena had mentioned, Danica found no marks on the body. With considerable effort, she managed to roll it over to ascertain Marlena's observation. Danica also curiously wondered why the corpse did not appear decayed. The stink of death hung heavily around the zombie, but other than that, the thing might as well be alive. Its flesh was still taut and full, not desiccated or visibly rotting. Beneath the runes, Danica saw a fine white powder, which she guessed was ash. Danica cast a tongues spell in an attempt to read the runes on the body. Her vision wavered for a moment, and then the runes appeared as the familiar sigils of the Art. Her forehead wrinkled as she examined them, however. The runes made no sense. There were runes that appeared completely out of place, and some that were not even complete. The sigils could have nothing to do with the magic animating the corpses. Danica cast a spell of divining upon the corpse, working quickly as she saw another zombie enter the range of her vision off to one side. She could see the evidence of the dark magic that had animated the creature. Something felt odd about the magic, as if it was not quite right. While she sensed the normal spell used to animate zombies, something about the magic seemed off. The lingering power of the animation magic suddenly flared before Danica's eyes. She gasped and jumped back as one of the corpse's fingers twitched. "What the?" Danica gasped out. This thing can't possibly be moving. The Destroy Undead spell should have severed its connection to the Negative Plane, releasing the body from its foul animation. However, the zombie was moving, and trying to rise back to its feet. The second zombie Danica had noticed turned its face toward her, and movement in Danica's peripheral vision caused her to turn and see a third approaching from another direction. A fourth stepped from behind a hut as the one in front of Danica regained its feet. Danica snatched one of the Positive Forcebolt wands from her belt and pointed it at the zombie in front of her. She activated her weapon and the zombie fell over backwards. Just the faintest hint of a wispy, man-shaped shimmering appeared over the corpse as it fell. As quickly as the spirit appeared, it vanished. A horrible gurgling moan erupted from all quarters around Danica. She could see now that half a dozen of the zombies were moving purposely toward her. Four more shambled into view while Danica watched, all issuing the gurgling moan that set Danica's teeth on edge. Danica aimed the wand at the closest zombie and discharged the magic item's power. Like the first zombie, the creature fell over to the earth. The moaning of the zombies ceased for a moment, and all the creatures stopped in their tracks. Then the moaning started up again as the creatures stalked toward Danica once more. A quick glance around revealed at least two dozen of the creatures moving toward Danica now. She turned toward Zoraster's outpost and blasted one of the creatures between her and the door. When the undead paused again upon the destruction of the one by Danica's wand, she quickly ran into the house. Tonda slammed the door and bolted it as soon as Danica was inside. Danica cursed in a steady stream under her breath and looked out the window. The zombies, which had all been moving toward her, now started to wander aimlessly through the town again. Danica watched them move about for perhaps an hour, keeping a closer watch on the corpses on the ground. The downed zombies did not rise this time. Danica lay back on a couch, pulling back the curtains so dawn's light would fall on her face when the sun rose, and then she drifted off into a doze. ------- Part 14B Danica awakened when the first rays of light fell upon her face. She found Tonda asleep sitting on the couch next to her. Danica's legs draped over the dark-skinned woman's lap, and Danica smiled when she saw Tonda's hand lying over her mound. Danica tried to get up without awakening Tonda, but this proved impossible. Tonda rose drowsily and followed Danica to the door. Danica opened the door to reveal only the slightest hints of light filtering through the clouds. Must have been a chance beam that woke me up, she thought. Danica could see the three corpses in the steadily increasing light. Danica walked over to the nearest zombie and knelt to examine the corpse. The smell of death seemed stronger, and the flesh of the creature looked loose on its bones. Danica heard a gasp behind her and turned to see Tonda covering her mouth. "M-my... My brother," Tonda gasped out, staring at the corpse. The clouds parted, allowing the sun to shine upon the town while Tonda sobbed. Danica sat back in alarm as the sunlight touched the corpse in front of her. Almost immediately, the flesh appeared to melt. The corpse decayed in mere seconds under the light of the sun. A quick glance at the other three corpses showed the same reaction to dawn's light. Only skeletons and desiccated shells of flesh remained after the briefest exposure to the sun. Tonda continued to sob, and Danica reached out to comfort her. "Shhh, it's alright. He's at rest now. We'll give him a proper burial. He's free." Tonda choked back another sob and nodded. Danica cast a spell and gathered up the three corpses on a glowing disk of magical force. Tonda led Danica to a place out from the edge of town where she said her brother had liked to play as a child. Here Danica excavated a grave with her magic and deposited the three corpses inside. She then laid a comforting hand on Tonda's shoulder and turned to see other people approaching. Each nodded to Danica as they passed, then moved toward Tonda and the grave. All tossed something into the grave as they approached, spoke to Tonda, and then turned to leave with another nod to Danica. As best as Danica could tell, the entire town turned out for the ceremony. Danica sat down on a log and watched as the people filed by. When the last person walked by, Danica stood and prepared to fill the grave. One of five men who remained nearby shook his head. "No, we will give them to the earth. Know you have our thanks for freeing these from a mockery of life." Danica simply nodded and returned to Zoraster's outpost, feeling very out of place in the town as its citizens all grieved for their dead a second time. Danica contacted Marlena, discovering that the zombies in Marlena area engaged in the same unearthly moaning as the ones in the town had. Marlena sounded as though she was on the edge of exhaustion, and when Danica questioned her about it, the illusionist revealed that she was staying awake with drugs and sleeping only short periods of time. She said that Zoraster had instructed her to do so. With the mental mention of Zoraster, his mind intruded on the conversation, Both of your instructions have changed. My necromancers have studied what the two of you have learned. Marlena, return with haste to the town. Take your rest there — you shall have a long night. Danica, ensure she is prepared. You must both be at the temple at midnight, prepared to face the undead and their Master. Danica did not miss the flash of fear from Marlena when she heard those words. Regardless of the assumptions my necromancers have presented, any who practice the necromantic arts knows full well the power of this night and will take advantage of it. The Master of these undead creatures will be distracted by his rites and that should offset the increased power this night will grant him. I am sure you have deduced enough about the creatures to protect yourself from them as you face their Master, little rose. Our mysterious necromancer is interfering with my plans, and he torments the natives. Therefore, you have two reasons to stop him — three if you count the fact that he practices the foulest of black magic for his own gain, which I'm sure calls out to you for justice, little rose. The mocking tone of Zoraster's voice caused Danica to grind her teeth and bite off a retort. Capture him or destroy him, it matters not. I want him stopped and his Art in my possession. The temple is protected against scrying, so you will be on your own. Zoraster's contact faded with his last words, and Danica thought to Marlena, Return quickly. We'll need time to prepare you after you wake up. Marlena thought back, I'll hurry, and Danica broke the contact. Danica went to the kitchen and put on water to boil, filling the tub with water while she waited. She knew it was her imagination, but she still smelled the scent of death clinging to her. Once the water warmed, Danica slipped into the bath and washed, thinking she would nap while she waited for Marlena to return. Danica blotted her body dry and walked nude back to the bedroom, the heat feeling especially oppressing today. She lay down on the bed and cast a cooling comfort spell over it. Relaxing in the cooled air, Danica soon fell asleep. "Danica?" Tonda's word awakened Danica from her doze. The woman was glancing around in confusion as she stood near the foot of the bed. As she awakened, Danica realized that the other woman was within the boundaries of the cooling comfort spell. "It's my magic. I needed rest, and the heat was keeping me from it." Danica sat up and smiled when she noticed that the chilled air caused Tonda's nipples to press attractively against the top she wore. Danica could feel that her own nipples were pebble hard in the chill air as well. "Thank you for what you have done. I feel my brother's spirit at rest for the first time since... Since..." Tonda's lip quivered and Danica could sense the woman was about to sob again. Danica sat up quickly and embraced Tonda. She held her for a few moments, and then her body reacted to the intimate contact. Her hands involuntarily strayed down toward Tonda's bottom as she stroked her back. Danica felt Tonda's sobs soften, and then the dark-skinned beauty stiffened for just a moment. Danica paused in her caress of the woman's back, and noticed that Tonda's breathing had quickened. Danica released Tonda from her arms and sat back. Tonda's eyes roved over Danica's unclad body, the brown orbs filled with longing and need. Danica felt her breath catch, and she reached out a hand to the woman. Tonda hesitated for second, and then took Danica's hand. Danica pulled her down to the bed and slowly caressed Tonda's breast through the cloth covering it. Tonda gasped and looked deep into Danica's eyes. Intense need shined in Tonda's eyes, and Danica's eyes reflected that need with equal strength. Danica pulled up the cloth covering Tonda's breasts. The brunette gasped as Danica leaned down to suckle one of the dark nipples between her lips with a moan. Tonda's hands moved to Danica's breasts as Danica sucked and licked Tonda's stiff nipples. Tonda emitted quiet sounds of pleasure as Danica's mouth worked on her pebble hard buds. Danica could feel the gathering wetness between her legs, and her mouth watered for a taste of more than the gorgeous breasts in her mouth. Danica let the nipple escape her lips, and then moved quickly down to the woman's dark, bare sex. Tonda's legs were already parted, and Danica's fingers parted Tonda's labia as soon as she could reach them, revealing the pink wetness inside. With a moan, Danica lowered her mouth to Tonda's sex. Danica's moan grew louder as she tasted Tonda's juices. Tonda had a spicy scent and taste that reminded Danica of Nara and Mara, but double again the intensity. Danica lapped hungrily as she looked up into Tonda's eyes. The sensation of Danica's mouth on her entranced Tonda. Her hands roamed over her breasts, pinching the nipples every so often as Danica lapped her folds. Tonda's hips rocked beneath Danica, and she knew the woman was climbing her peak of pleasure. Danica lapped faster and concentrated on the woman's clit, drawing a loud, moaning scream from Tonda that only spurred her on to greater efforts. Tonda gasped with every breath now, nearly to her peak. With a loud scream, she tumbled over the edge into orgasm. Danica lapped up the spicy juices with excited moans as Tonda writhed and came. When Danica sat up with a final kiss on the Tonda's hood, she saw Tonda looking down at her with a smile and half-closed eyelids. "I wondered if I was reading the signals correctly, and if you were noticing mine," Danica revealed. Tonda smiled and then shivered as another pulse of pleasure rolled through her body. "I have always thought about it, but I have never done it. There were no women who seemed to desire it as I do, until you came." "Speaking of wanting it and coming..." Danica teased with a sly smile as she lay back, parting her legs. Tonda's face broke into a crooked grin. She wasted no time moving between Danica's legs and slipping her tongue between the redhead's folds. Danica moaned and cooed from the soft touch of Tonda's tongue. Though Tonda's first time doing this, she learned quickly. Danica felt her body shiver involuntarily as the dark-skinned woman lapped her while looking up into her eyes with those big, brown eyes. Danica built quickly, Tonda's tongue darting inside her with soft quick strokes, swirling over her lips and clit. All the while, Tonda looked up into Danica's eyes with an expression of wonder and delight. Danica felt like a great wave was building up behind a dam inside her. She could feel it straining and knew she was close. Her hands twirled into Tonda's curly hair, her eyes closed and her lip quivered as she let out a long gasp. When Tonda's lips closed over Danica's swollen bud, the dam broke. With a loud scream, Danica's flood of cum washed over Tonda's face. Danica's hips rose up off the bed, but Tonda quickly put her hands under Danica's bottom and kept her face pressed to the wet folds she continued to lap with excited moans. Danica's bottom bounced up and down off Tonda's hands as she kept coming. Little inarticulate gasps, growls, and yelps escaped Danica's lips as her orgasm set every part of her body tingling as if from a jolt of electricity. It took Danica quite some time to open her eyes when her bottom settled to the bed with a final spastic bounce. She half opened her eyes and purred at the sight of Tonda's face and breasts soaked in her juices, a bright smile on the woman's lips. The two women relaxed for a while, then dressed and changed the bed linens. Danica heard the door open just as she tucked in the last corner of the bedclothes. She and Tonda walked into the common room to assist a weary and disheveled Marlena into a bed, where she immediately dropped off to sleep. Danica passionately kissed Tonda one last time, looked into the woman's deep brown eyes with a smile, and let out a sensual growl. Tonda moaned and waved before strutting sexily out of the room. Danica lay down with a shudder and fell asleep as well, still drifting in the afterglow of her orgasm. ------- Tonda awakened Danica at dusk. "Marlena is bathing," Tonda said when Danica shook off enough of the fog of sleep to understand. Just the slightest hint of a shy smile decorated Tonda's face, her eyes slightly downcast. Danica smiled as well, knowing what Tonda was thinking about. "It was wonderful." Tonda's smile widened as she continued, "Please be careful. I would like the opportunity to be with you again." Danica moaned and shivered. "I will — and so do I," she said and then sat up straighter to kiss Tonda. Danica climbed out of bed and stretched. "I need to prepare. Marlena will need magic items to defend herself and aid me at the temple." "Can I do anything?" "We could use something to eat and drink. We'll both need our strength tonight." Tonda nodded and went to prepare a meal. Danica cast her spell and retrieved several magic items from her horde, which she thought could prove useful to Marlena. She dismissed the magic just as Marlena walked into the room. Marlena sighed. "I don't know what use I'm going to be. My power of illusion is meaningless against the undead." "I have magic that will protect you and give you the power to fight them. Your natural powers may prove of great use against their Master, if he hasn't fallen to the temptation of undeath as well." "Do you know the Phantasmal Shield spell?" Marlena asked. Danica shook her head. "No, I know of it but I have never taken the time to learn it." "I've learned the Phantasmal Discordance," Marlena revealed. Danica blew out a whistling breath. The Phantasmal Discordance was a lost spell, considered only a rumor by most. Only the most disciplined and powerful of wizards could hope to master the powerful magic, or someone who had dedicated all their efforts to mastering the power of illusion. Danica had found the spell in Zoraster's library, but she had never even considered trying to learn it. As strong as her powers were growing, one look at the spell told Danica that the magic was still beyond her skill. The spell created utter chaos — illusions and phantasms of such realism and ever changing aspect that only the most disciplined of minds could hope to break free of the spell's power. Even for one who could break the power, it took time. Danica had never learned the Phantasmal Shield because her own willpower and protective magic had proved sufficient for combating illusions. Those defenses would prove useless against the Discordance. Even the person casting the spell had to use the protective spell or fall prey to the nightmare created by the Dischordance. "I can't protect us both and use the Discordance. One of the spells would surely fail. Do you have spell storing magic?" Marlena asked. Danica nodded. "Just a moment — I'll have to release one of my stored spells because my ring is at its limits." Danica concentrated on her hood ring and the stored spells within it. It took only a moment to determine that the water breathing spell stored in the ring would be the least useful where they were going. A moment of concentration let the spell slip from the ring. Danica then lifted her sarong. "My hood ring — cast the spell into it." Marlena nodded and fell into her spell casting. The ring absorbed the magic, and Danica could feel its power awaiting her call. Tonda walked into the room just as Danica let her sarong fall back into place. "Please come, the food is prepared." Danica and Marlena ate, and then Danica instructed Marlena in the use of the wands, rings, and charms she would provide for the illusionist to use in the temple. Danica also outlined her plan to deal with most of the undead in a single quick strike. Time quickly passed, and soon it was time to make the dangerous journey to the temple. No dead roamed the town, which did not surprise Danica. The Master would have his undead creations nearby to strengthen their magic on a night such as tonight when the signs were perfect for the use of necromantic magic. The trip to the temple proved quick without the need to dodge the dead. Both women could feel the cold touch of dark power surrounding the temple before they could see the building. Strong magic was in use within the temple this night, and that magic stank of death. No guards — living or dead — stood at the doors of the temple. The two women crept in slowly and quietly, wands at the ready and spells on their lips. Nothing greeted them as they made their way toward the center of the temple. Danica could hear the increasing sounds of chanting as they approached, however. As they approached the central chamber, Danica could see the dead. Approximately a hundred of the corpses stood motionless facing an altar in the center of the chamber. Moving to the doorway Danica could see a pair of motionless corpses laying upon the altar, appearing much the same as their standing counterparts. Before the altar stood the source of the chanting, a man whose nude body was covered in something that gave his skin the rusty brown color of blood. The hour of midnight was near, and the reek of the death magic increased exponentially by the moment. Danica concentrated, sending her thoughts to Marlena, Are you ready? Marlena stiffened, obviously surprised by the mental contact. Is it wise to use any magic before we strike like this? Danica smiled, knowing that her psychic powers were not going to trigger any magical wards. Trust me; this magic isn't going to alert anyone. It's far safer than talking out loud. So are you ready? Marlena nodded and thought, Yes, back to Danica. With the word came impressions of Marlena's feelings. Marlena was indeed prepared, and knew what she needed to do. She was nervous and frightened, however. The illusionist had never really faced true combat before. The closest thing she had ever experienced was when Danica and the Companions of the Forge had captured her. Danica sent her feeling of calm and readiness to Marlena through the link. No need to fear. You are disciplined, well armed, and the Discordance will likely make this almost too easy. The encouragement seemed to help, because the feeling of uneasiness coming from Marlena lessened. It was still there, but noticeably dulled. When I make the first strike, I'll activate my Shield. Use the Discordance to disorient the Master. I'll deal with the undead — your target is their Master. I believe I can deal with all of the walking dead so you can concentrate on feeding power into the Discordance. Danica pulled out a wand fully charged with the Positive Forcebolt spell. Danica had charged this wand to near bursting with the magic. Her skill in crafting magic items grew stronger every time she sat down in her lab, and the items she crafted could hold tremendous power. If she could return to her old life, she could abandon all else to sell her own magical items for vast amounts of coin now. Danica shook the thoughts from her head. No time for daydreaming, this dark power is growing moment by moment. Danica concentrated, feeling comforted by whatever magic in this temple prevented scrying from the outside. Here, away from Zoraster's prying eyes, she could utilize her telekinetic powers without fear. They were much easier to control — and far more powerful — than the similar telekinetic magic. Danica levitated her wand with the power of her mind out through the doorway and into the chamber beyond. It moved swiftly and easily to exactly where Danica wanted it, directly over the group of gathered undead. Danica smiled as she held the wand hovering in place while preparing to unleash her magic. Danica had prepared the spell she would cast beforehand, delaying it through the use of another powerful spell from Zoraster's library. The Waiting Word spell allowed her to perform all the necessary words and gestures of the spell, except the final syllable. Uttering that syllable would release the spell instantaneously. The spell it would release was an original spell created within Zoraster's domain, Kinley's Release. Nearly all strong magic items, like Danica's wand, would release their power in a single burst if broken. The power was raw destructive magic, however. Kinley's Release caused the power to leave the item in the same instantaneous fashion, but focused the specific powers of the item to maintain the original purpose of the magic. Danica quietly spoke the syllable that released her spell, concentrating on the hovering wand. The result was spectacular. A brilliant flash of cold blue light erupted from the wand, not bright enough to be blinding, but certainly dazzling. Three quarters of the undead dropped to the ground instantly, the power of the Positive Forcebolt releasing them from a mockery of life. The chanting of the man before the altar instantly ceased, replaced by a scream of pain and disbelief. The breaking of his control over the de-animated undead caused the pain; the disbelief came from the speed of the zombies' destruction — here in his own sanctuary. Danica activated the magic of the Phantasmal Shield in her hood ring, hearing Marlena finish chanting the words of the spell that would protect her as well. Both women stepped out into the chamber once protected by the shielding spell. The Master of the undead recovered and screamed in anger, gesturing toward the two women. The remaining undead turned to move toward Danica and Marlena. Marlena chanted the words of the Discordance, and Danica discharged one of her other Positive Forcebolt wands. A male zombie closer than the others fell first, and then another dropped to the stone floor of the temple. Danica turned the wand on a female drawing near to Marlena next. Danica's eyes widened when the magic appeared to have no effect. Marlena continued to chant, building to a crescendo. Chanting again rose from the Master of the undead on the floor. Danica quickly erected a shield to protect Marlena from magical assault, blasted another male that moved too close, and then turned the wand back on the quickly approaching female. Danica cursed when the creature again acted as if nothing had happened. Danica raised her hand and focused her mind, shoving the creature back with a powerful burst of her telekinetic powers. The creature flew backward and collided with a column, collapsing to the floor. Danica didn't have time to contemplate, having to turn and blast another pair of males quickly moving toward her. A blast at another female produced no results. Again, Danica cursed and telekinetically slammed the woman. A quick glance around revealed only a dozen females moving toward them, the males all lay inanimate on the floor. The females Danica had shoved were moving, but appeared dazed — something that shouldn't happen to the undead. Just then, Danica grimaced as the power of the Master's blood magic spell slammed into her shield. He was strong, but her shield held without weakening. At the same moment, Marlena finished her spell with a final burst of words amplified by the power of the spell. Instantly the female zombies all fell to the floor screaming, as did the Master of the undead. The mad chaos of the Discordance summoned up all manner of horrific and indescribable illusions and phantasms throughout the chamber. The spell was working, and told Danica that the women were not undead. Danica cursed and sped across the room toward the Master of the undead, who was already fighting the power of the spell and attempting to rise. The women shrieking on the floor would not be so lucky, having no training in magic. Danica had to neutralize the Master quickly so Marlena could release the Discordance before it drove the women mad. Danica mentally went over her options as she approached. Any number of spells might immobilize the man, but he might be able to call powers to bear with only thought. He was also rapidly bringing his mental strength to bear against the power of the Discordance. Killing him was the simple solution, and Danica had any number of deadly spells at her disposal. It was the solution Zoraster certainly would have used, but not one Danica wanted to resort to. Drawing near to the man, another problem emerged. He was surrounded by a powerful circle of protection. It was only the devastating power of the Discordance that had managed to penetrate the shield, but had done little to weaken its protective power against other magic. The circle was also the reason that the necromancer had such success combating the devastating illusion spell. Danica knew the shield wouldn't affect her mental powers, but she also knew the danger of touching the mind of the man while he was in the grip of the Discordance. Rune magic could penetrate the protection with ease, but even with her advancement in those studies, Danica was still unpracticed in using the runes without physically scribing them and she didn't have enough time. Another area of her studies she had concentrated upon regularly could provide her some insight — spell weaving. Slipping into the second sight, Danica saw the brilliant web of the protective magic around the necromancer. Everything seemed remarkably simple to Danica, time appearing to stand still. The pattern of the magic and the key to unraveling it leapt out at Danica in her mind. Danica reached out and grasped the strands of power, tugging precisely upon them to break them down. Almost instantly, the man within dropped back to the ground as more of the Discordance's power seeped through his weakened shield. Danica continued to unravel the circle's power, allowing the Discordance to do its work and keep the man immobilized. Then Danica saw it, the pattern emerging to her second sight in such clarity that she was amazed she hadn't seen it immediately. Releasing the strands of the protective circle, she grasped the strands of power leading into the circle and manipulated them. Danica wove the clear, sparkling strands together, and then tugged them toward her. The air within the protective circle suddenly thinned below breathable levels. The man within gasped and clawed at his throat, and then collapsed. When he lapsed into unconsciousness, his protective magic completely unraveled. "Marlena, break the Discordance!" Danica screamed across the chamber. Danica felt the oppressive press of the spell's power dwindle, and then vanish. The man in the circle gasped for breath but remained unconscious. Danica closed her eyes and attacked with her mental powers. She could feel his consciousness struggling to rise, and she winced at the twisted nature of the mind she invaded. Danica was unprepared for the vast amount of sickening information that flooded into her brain. It took her a moment to master her senses and press forward. With a burst of mental strength, Danica shoved hard against the man's consciousness and slammed it back down again. At first, Danica wondered if she had not pushed too hard and ruined the man's mind. Then the faintest hints of his consciousness appeared to Danica's mental scanning. His mind was whole, but he would not rise for a very long time. Danica opened her eyes and looked at the weeping women scattered throughout the room. She had no way of knowing whether they could still be dangerous. Danica pulled out a wand of telekinesis and quickly sped it with her own telekinetic powers to Marlena who started when the wand came to a halt directly in front of her. Danica shouted, "Gather up all the women — they're still alive! I don't know if they are a danger, but I'd rather have them all in one place if they are!" Marlena immediately used the wand to maneuver the women carefully into one place. Danica lifted the unconscious necromancer from his protective circle with her powers and deposited him on an area of bare stone floor. Reaching into her bag of holding, Danica pulled out a magic item she had only recently crafted. It was something she though might be useful when she came across the enchantment process in the library, and her intuition now proved true. Danica sat the small wooden carving of a cage on the floor near the unconscious man and spoke the word to activate its magic. A cage of magical force appeared where the carving once rested. Danica used her powers to levitate the necromancer into the cage and closed the barred door with a thought. Now she knew he was truly neutralized. Magic was dead within the prison, and the magic on the outside of the bars would not let anyone in or out who didn't know the proper command words. Danica turned to see Marlena moving the last of the women, and noticed that some of the women were starting to stir with just the faintest hints of recovering consciousness. Danica closed her eyes and reached toward the women's minds. They were all very confused, somewhat pained, and they felt violated. They were all in full control of their minds now — the charm over them eliminated. "His magic over them is broken. They won't be a threat when they awaken." Danica pulled blankets out of her bag while the images and thoughts she had touched in the Necromancer swam at the edge of her mind, demanding attention. "Make them comfortable when they awaken, the ring on your pinky has a tongues spell stored in it if you don't know the spell. I need to sort something out." Danica sat down, closed her eyes, and then let those clamoring thoughts come forward so she could examine them. Once again, Danica had to fight down revulsion while examining the man's dark and bloody thoughts. There were two dominating themes to his actions — power and racial hatred. He despised the dark-skinned natives of the island and considered them less than animals. The revulsion he felt toward the males — who only deserved death in his mind — was not there regarding the women of the isle. From these, he took his pleasure sexually — and through inflicting pain. While under the control of his blood magic, the women were little more than the zombies the necromancer made of the males. Once strapped to the tables where he tortured and took them, the women's minds were free to feel revulsion and despair. The man's only goal was elimination and humiliation of the native population. He had first come here to attain gold from the mine, and had found greater treasures among the native population, in his eyes. Danica snarled and wished she'd used killing magic on the man — just for a second. The women were awakening and cowering from Marlena as the illusionist tried to comfort them. Danica cast a tongues spell and walked over to join Marlena. It took some time to calm the women and discover that they were all from smaller primitive villages throughout the jungle center of the island. Some of the dead men were from there as well, and the women said they would take them back to their people. Danica offered them clothing, but they shrugged it away with looks of confusion. Danica pulled out another of her multitude of magical items, a flat disk of platinum. Placing it upon the ground, she activated it, creating a glowing disk of magical force ten feet across. Danica moved the corpses of the men whom the women did not recognize onto the disk while the women cared for their own dead. Two of the women exited the temple, and must have used some form of communication to call to their people, because others arrived to assist in removing the dead. The villagers worked quickly and soon claimed all the corpses from their tribes, each offering a word of thanks and a token of appreciation to Danica and Marlena. Danica ordered the disk to elongate and bend as necessary to carry its burden outside the temple. Zoraster appeared shortly thereafter with a small group of necromancers, who immediately hurried into the temple. Zoraster smiled, gestured toward the temple door, and then followed Danica inside to the central chamber. The necromancers had passed straight through to other parts of the temple, able to sense the trappings of their dark art within. Marlena stood watch over the trapped Master of the undead, who was still unconscious. Zoraster tilted his head back and closed his eyes for a moment. "Well, ladies, it seems you have subdued him well. His mind is chaos and suppressed to the point where I can barely find it. I trust you used the Discordance, Marlena?" Marlena only nodded as her answer. Zoraster smiled. "Yes, you are proving pleasing now that you have been broken, my dear. I believe I shall give you access to your wondrous artifact once more, so that you can use its power in my service as well." Despite an attempt to suppress it, Marlena smiled. Danica could feel a great wave of joy from Marlena upon hearing that Zoraster might reunite her with the artifact that so increased her already great powers of illusion. The feeling was tempered with regret that the artifact would be a tool — as she was — to further the desires of a man Marlena hated. The only alternative was death — or worse — and Marlena didn't have the courage to face that alternative. Danica closed her eyes for a moment and clenched her teeth. She knew those feelings all too well. "And you, my little rose — I can feel the touch of your power here. So strong you have become. This man wields vast powers. I can feel the touch of his lingering magic and he is surely a force, yet you subdued him and tore down his empire around him in no time." Zoraster approached Danica as he spoke, reaching out to place his hand in the air before the amulet around her neck. Danica panicked for a moment, fearing that the amulet might reveal the use of her mental powers or other secrets to Zoraster. It had never before given the mad Archmage such insight, but she knew little about the powers of the amulet in truth. Zoraster opened his eyes. "Hmm — it seems you were busy before your work this night as well, I can feel the sweet distillation of your lust... Desire... Satisfaction. You fill my cup to overflowing always, my little rose. It serves me well even as you do." One of the necromancers emerged into the central chamber and Zoraster walked over to speak with the bone wizard in whispers. When Zoraster leaned back up from the whispered conversation, he laughed aloud. The laugh was a long, wicked, frightening sound of mad power. "Release him from his cage, my little rose," Zoraster ordered while marching toward the unconscious man. Danica hesitated for a moment, and then a scowl from the Archmage made her think better of questioning his orders. She spoke the command word, and the cage of force vanished. "I thought you were disrupting my plans, but it seems you have hastened some of them to conclusion instead, little bone wizard. I sought for these people to revive their ancient dark magic, and it appears you have done it for me." Zoraster concentrated for a moment, and then Camilla appeared in the chamber. She stared with open hatred at Danica, and then strutted sensually up to Zoraster. "What can I do for you, my lord?" Camilla purred. "Take this one to the dungeons of the necromancers," Zoraster ordered and then turned away from Camilla to move back to where Danica stood. Camilla stood stunned for a moment, recognizing the note of dismissal in Zoraster's voice. She then turned her gaze upon Danica, the hatred in her eyes even stronger than before. With a sneer of anger, Camilla activated her magic and transported the necromancer away. Zoraster reached into a pocket of his robes and produced a small sphere, handing it to Marlena. "Use this to transport back to my complex. You have done well, and your freedom is granted." Marlena nodded and vanished a moment or two later as Zoraster turned to Danica. "You have also done well. You have the freedom to visit this island. I imagine the people will be quite grateful to you." He offered a lecherous smile. "I insist you remain, in fact. You will receive instructions soon." Danica nodded, and Zoraster vanished. One of the necromancers stood guard over the passage into the temple, making it obvious that Danica's freedom did not include the temple. Danica took up the burden on her glowing disk and returned to town. She soon stood before Zoraster's outpost, and Tonda opened the door as she approached. "It's over," Danica said and gently set down the bodies on her magical transport. Deactivating the magic, Danica retrieved the item that had summoned the disk. Tonda hugged Danica, a mixture of pleasure from Danica's return tempered by sadness from the sight of the bodies of her neighbors. "Marlena — she is all right?" Danica nodded. "She's fine. She was instructed to return, but I'll be staying for a while." "I know some of these men. Some have been among the Nameless for more than a year." "The light of the sun will corrupt them quickly. Your neighbors should see them and find their own before dawn." "It will be difficult to coax them out. The memory of the Nameless Ones will be long in dying," Tonda responded. "I have an idea," Danica countered and took a few steps back. She concentrated for a moment and cast a spell of brilliant light, nearly as bright as day. Curious murmurs greeted Danica's ears shortly afterward. Tonda went from house to house in the nearby area, starting with a home where she knew the family of one of the deceased lived. When she coaxed them out, others followed. Tonda explained that the terrible nights of the Nameless Ones were over. The people could now lay their loved ones to rest. The people had little trouble deducing who was responsible, and each thanked Danica while collecting their dead for burial. As torches and fires sprang to life, Danica banished her magical light. Danica went in the house to leave the locals to their mourning. Tonda followed closely behind and went to draw a bath, seeming to know without a word how dirty Danica felt. Danica changed from her robes into native dress after her bath. She waited outside, accepting the thanks of the people as they finished burying their dead. Once the people returned to their beds, Danica walked back into the house to do the same. Danica saw Tonda rising from the couch as she entered. Tonda stepped toward her, and Danica nearly staggered from the feeling of desire coming from the other woman. Tonda ran a finger down Danica's body with a bright smile, slowly and sensually entwining her fingers in Danica's sarong. Tonda tugged and led Danica to the bedroom, where she pulled the sarong from Danica's body, and quickly followed it with her own. Both women were nude in seconds, Tonda lying down on the bed and pulling Danica down after her. Danica kissed Tonda's folds, and moaned as she tasted Tonda's spicy wetness with even that brief touch. "Softly. Slowly," Tonda requested while stroking Danica's hair. Danica teased Tonda's sex with her lips and tongue. She kissed and gently suckled the lips, sliding the tip of her tongue between them to wiggle back and forth. Moving upward, she stiffened her tongue and rolled Tonda's clit beneath her hood in slow circles for a moment. Danica then slipped her tongue down and penetrated deep inside Tonda's wet heat. As Danica pulled her tongue from the spicy sweetness of Tonda's depths, she traced Tonda's folds with her tongue and moaned as she felt the woman's engorged clit throb under her tongue tip. A few feather-light flicks of Danica's tongue on the exposed swell of Tonda's clit stiffened the other woman's body. Pulling up Tonda's hood with her fingers, Danica was able to suckle Tonda's throbbing bud between her lips and roll it, teasing with the tip of her tongue again after a few rolls. Danica lapped Tonda, looking up into the other woman's big, beautiful eyes. Danica watched the passion build behind those eyes, and felt the steady increase in Tonda's breathing as she explored the dark-skinned woman's folds with her lips and tongue. Tonda let out a little sound of excitement and surprise as her orgasm bubbled up within her. Danica concentrated on Tonda's clit, causing the dark-haired beauty to breathe heavier, her exhales growing louder by the second. Finally, with successively louder gasps, Tonda climaxed. Danica could almost feel the slowly rolling shockwave that spread out from Tonda's clit, causing her folds to twitch. It then spread to the woman's legs and caused them to quiver. Tonda's back arched slowly up off the bed under Danica's continued gentle lapping. When the wave of ecstasy touched Tonda's breasts, she grasped them with a gasp and rolled her nipples with her fingers. Tonda's body rocked in a gentle wave with the ebb and flow of her orgasm. All the while, Danica moaned in bliss as the steady flood of Tonda's spicy juices washed over her tongue. The bedroom door bursting open startled both women. Danica sat up with the first syllables of a spell already passing her cream coated lips. Tonda, still quivering in orgasm, scrambled up toward the headboard. The words of Danica's spell faded when she saw who had entered, a young man of the village wielding a stout club. The first impression of his emotions slamming into Danica spoke of fear and anticipation. As he realized what was going on in the room, his emotions changed into something far different. Tonda gasped, and her emotions surged into Danica at the same time. Tonda and the young man obviously knew each other, and they shared an attraction that they had never spoken of. A quick thought to her hood ring activated a tongues spell, allowing Danica to understand the native tongue again. "I heard strange sounds, I thought..." The young man began. The club in his hand dropped toward the floor, even as another stout staff pointed skyward beneath his sarong. His eyes never left the two beautiful nude bodies before him. Danica smiled and slid off the bed, walking toward him. She coaxed the club from his hands, and he looked at the weapon with surprise, as though he didn't remember holding it. She then reached down and placed her hand on his cock. "My, you seem to have another weapon hidden here. You were well prepared," she said as she lifted his sarong to reveal his dark, throbbing manhood. Danica could feel the waves of desire coming from the young man for her — and especially for Tonda. She felt the same from Tonda. Danica turned to Tonda, tugging the young man along by his sarong. "I think it would be just terrible to send away this brave young man who came to rescue us unrewarded, don't you think?" Tonda drew in a great breath of air, and then smiled. Danica turned to see the smile matched on the young man's face. Danica turned back to Tonda and said, "Can I cast a divining spell on you to find out something?" Tonda nodded and Danica cast her spell. When the magic revealed its results, Danica shivered and moaned. "You aren't in danger of getting pregnant right now." Tonda shuddered and gasped at Danica's words. The young man smiled very wide. "Mmm, you're going to love it, Tonda. There's nothing that feels as good as a man filling you up," Danica said as she whipped off the young man's sarong. "You want him, don't you? You've thought about it before haven't you?" Danica asked Tonda, receiving a shy smile and a nod in answer. Danica turned to the young man. "You've thought about it too, I know. Would you like to make her come nice and hard, and then fill her up?" "No woman has ever let me come up inside her," the man said, staring hard at both Danica and Tonda's bare bodies. "You'll get your chance now," Danica said and tugged him to the bed. Tonda parted her legs, and Danica guided the thick, throbbing cock in her hand to Tonda's wet folds. A moment later, all three shuddered as his cock slid inside of Tonda. "Does he feel good?" Danica purred and ran her hand over Tonda's smooth shaven mound. "Oh, yes," Tonda gasped as the young man stroked his cock into her warm depths. Danica moaned and looked up into the man's eyes. "How about you? Does she feel good wrapped around you, squeezing that big cock?" "Yes, she is so hot and slick." Danica smiled and let out a little chuckle. "She should be considering how hard she came when I was licking her pussy just before you came in." The young man let out an excited gasp and thrust his hips faster. Tonda let out a gasp of her own as he hit her deeper with the stronger thrusts. She then moaned and arched her back a little as the waves of pleasure within her intensified. "You like that, do you? The thought of me licking her pussy? If you make her come nice and hard with that big cock before you fill her up, I'll let you watch me lick all your hot cum out of her sweet pussy until she comes again." Danica ran her fingers in a caress over his buttocks as she spoke. The young added even more power to his thrusts. He also pushed Tonda's legs a little higher to change the angle at which he penetrated her. Danica moved to rub Tonda's clit in circles beneath her hood, increasing the pressure and speed slowly as Tonda edged toward an explosion. Sweat glistened on all their bodies, the young man pounding away full speed into Tonda as Danica rubbed the other woman's clit ever faster and harder. Danica could see the strain in the young man's eyes as he fought back the urge to climax. She didn't think his stamina would cause a problem, because Tonda was writhing on the bed and letting out little yelping gasps as she drew closer to release. The young man growled with each thrust from the strain of holding back an explosion of his seed into Tonda's womb. Tonda screamed, gripping the bedclothes in ecstasy as she came. The contraction of Tonda's walls as she came broke down the last of her young lover's remaining willpower. With a scream to echo Tonda's, he slammed his hips forward a final time and pulsed within her depths. Tonda gasped out, "Oh, yes. So hot." The last word trailed off into a warbling gasp as she felt his semen flooding her. Danica moaned and shivered, feeling a drop of wetness roll down her leg. She was saturated from watching the two climax together right in front of her. The young man collapsed forward onto his hands, gasping for breath. Tonda wrapped her arms and legs around him and pulled him tight against her. She quivered violently as the movement set her off again, and he let out a gasping scream as well when her walls clamped down on him. Danica softly stroked the young man's back and Tonda's hip as the two of them trembled and gasped through the shared orgasm. When she thought Tonda might be able to talk, Danica asked, "Do you like it — all that hot cum way up in your belly?" "Oh, yes." "I want to lick it all up," Danica begged. Tonda gasped and pulled Danica down into a kiss. "Lick his cum from inside me. Make me come again," she purred. Danica pushed slowly on the young man and he haltingly withdrew from Tonda's clinging grip. Both he and Tonda gasped as he slid free of her. Danica moved quickly to catch the stream of cum running from Tonda's parted lips. Danica moaned as she lapped up the mingled juices. The young man watched intently, but appeared hesitant about what to do. Tonda noticed it when she looked away from Danica lapping her for a moment. She beckoned the young man over with her finger and he slid over to her with a smile. Tonda pulled him close to lick up and down his still softening shaft. He twitched and gasped as she gathered up the sheen of his cum and her own juices from him. After a few moments, Danica's knowing mouth quickly broke Tonda's concentration. Tonda looked down and licked her lips as she watched Danica suck her labia, wiggling her head back and forth. One of Danica's hands slipped between her own legs to caress her aching need. Tonda stroked the young man's leg and said, "Please go help her so she can use that hand on me." He hesitated for a moment. Tonda smiled and said, "I want you to. I would like to watch you pleasure her with your mouth while she does so for me." Tonda planned to say more, but a loud gasping moan welled up from inside her as Danica concentrated on the throbbing clit in front of her. When she caught her breath, Tonda continued, "Then I want to watch you fill her and taste you from inside her as well." The young man did move then, punctuated by an excited moan from Danica into Tonda's folds upon hearing Tonda wanted him to take her too. Tonda watched as he sat down behind Danica and buried his face in her folds. Danica picked up the pace, and Tonda saw little after that, finding it difficult to keep her eyes open as her pleasure mounted. A minute or so later, Tonda screamed as she came and flooded Danica's mouth with her juices. Danica lapped up the creamy flow and kept the dark-skinned woman coming. Danica found her own concentration lapsing from the feeling of the young man's tongue exploring her sex from behind. As Tonda settled into her afterglow, Danica's need overwhelmed her. She needed a cock inside her, now. She pulled away from the young man's tongue and moaned in delight when she saw he was hard again. She lay down on the bed and spread her legs wide. "I need it — now. Fuck me hard and fill me up." He mounted her with a smile and pushed inside her with no hesitation. Danica moaned low in arousal as he pressed hard against her walls, the curve of his erection and the angle perfect to roll her clitoris slightly with each thrust. Danica's breasts bounced hard under his assault, and she grabbed them to hold them in place. She ran her fingers over her hard nipples, pulling the globes of her breasts apart slightly in order to see the young man's shaft penetrating her. Danica was already climbing her mountain on his tongue, and she came quickly from the hot friction of his thrusting manhood. He smiled broadly as he continued his fast stroking of her rhythmically contracting depths. Danica sharply gasped as he assaulted her quivering body. Her orgasm never seemed to stop, but just kept spiking and ebbing as he took her. Danica moaned in delight when she heard him grunt and felt hot jets of his semen erupting into her. He continued to thrust at the same pace for a few strokes, spurting each time he hit bottom. He soon lost control of his movements in orgasm. Danica's climax slowly ebbed, and as soon as the shrinking cock inside her withdrew, it was replaced by Tonda's tongue. Danica came again, and had to push Tonda away almost as soon as she contracted in orgasm. They relaxed for a time, and then the young man rose on wobbling legs to dress. Tonda followed him out of the bedroom, and Danica could hear the two of them speaking as she slowly drifted into a contented slumber. ------- Part 14C Zoraster dismissed the wizard he had chosen to deliver the items Danica would need in her next task, then immediately began to pace. Things were coming to a head quickly. Zoraster had expanded his power base nearly continent wide, agents doing his bidding from one sea to another. Here, in the center of his power, he had near domination. Nothing happened in the entire country that he did not know about and direct to his ends. Elsewhere throughout the world, his agents slowly penetrated the governments, preparing the way for him to seize control there silently through blackmail, murder, and corruption. His archive of stolen magic and pool of conspirators to work it increased daily, with new knowledge of little known magic coming from far-flung cultures worldwide. Within days, Danica would prepare the way for Zoraster's penetration into the northern desert of the faraway continent known as Jachairo. He was sending her to the most powerful nation on the continent. Infiltrating that society would provide Zoraster with vast resources — and likely a storehouse of unique magic from the isolationist nation of death worshippers. As his power grew, so did the chance of discovery before he was prepared to show his hand. Wizards, Priests, and Heads of State suspected his claws extended toward them, but as yet had found no proof. Zoraster knew his old teacher Darkniciad had no trust for him and constantly surveyed his activities. He also knew the doddering old fool could not penetrate the web of deception and magic spun around him. Zoraster also pondered the problem of Devan, Danica's sister. The death of their mother had prompted Devan to seek her sister. Outside the usual bounds of her character, the woman did not grow bored and cease her search as Zoraster had surmised she would. She had even sought out Zoraster for knowledge, something he had never anticipated, since their last parting had found them engaged in a heated argument that had nearly turned into a spell battle. Devan was too close to Darkniciad, who was too close to Thakkorias, and other Kings and rulers. All were too connected to Geflon and Mindblind, who had met Danica briefly at the Training Grounds. It was only Zoraster's careful distraction of the Dwarf and the Half-Goblin — keeping them too busy to spend much time in idle conversation that might filter to Devan — which kept that meeting from becoming an issue. Zoraster contemplated whether his decision to groom Danica when she fell into his web was a mistake. She was a weak link in his secrecy, quite critical at this point in his designs. In contrast, Danica was one of his most valuable assets as well. A combination of luck, skill, and her womanly charms had provided the catalyst that had brought him so far, so quickly. No, he thought, Danica's usefulness outweighs her liability, exactly as I foresaw upon realizing whom I had snared in my web that evening. Now, I must find a way to neutralize her liability — provided Devan does not return to her expected behavior and abandon her search out of boredom. It has not been so long since she began looking, and she only searched when not engaged with her numerous studies and sexual conquests. She might yet give up her pursuit and cease to be a threat. Zoraster knew the insight would come to him, as it always did. His mind worked on levels that most of the pitiful fools on this world could not even envision. He was destined to control this world and reap all of its power, then expand those designs beyond. One world was not enough for the hunger of Zoraster Arias. A chime sounded and Zoraster turned toward it — and the mirror below it — with a smile. He had expected this contact would come soon, and now he suspected the moment of victory was at hand. Waving his hand before the mirror, the image of a cadaverous man in voluminous black robes appeared. The wizard's smile reminded Zoraster of nothing less than a bare skull leering with empty eyes. Zoraster assumed that the smile signaled the promise of good news. "What is your progress?" "We are prepared, this very moment, to attempt our first animation. Of course, we invite you to witness our success," the cadaverous man hissed. Zoraster's face spread into a wide grin. "You are truly confident of your success then — excellent. I shall arrive momentarily." With that, Zoraster waved his hand to dismiss the magic of the mirror and spoke the words of the spell that would transport him to the necromancer's lair. Zoraster stepped from the pattern and crossed the room to the group of assembled necromancers. Lying upon a table before them was the nude body of a woman. She was attractive, but not overly so. She had the timeworn appearance of one aged beyond her years by a difficult life. Zoraster knew it for what it was, the body of a whore — and yet he also knew it was not. Reaching out to touch the corpse, he ran his fingers over its cold, stiff flesh. Squeezes of the muscles and movement of the limbs revealed nothing indicating the body was not exactly as it appeared. "So, it seems the first stage is a perfect success. I am pleased. Now, let us see the true magic." The emaciated leader of the Necromancers laughed; a dry, hoarse sound full of darkness and mockery. The blood mages gathered around the corpse to work their Art. Zoraster watched with rapt attention, recognizing bits of the spell from the original sources. The chant of the death mages rose to a crescendo, repeating a phrase that would have made a normal person's skin crawl with utter terror. The dark connotations behind the words of magic and the aura of dark power gathering swiftly around the Necromancers and the corpse caused Zoraster to smile, however. The building power released moments later, and Zoraster leaned in close with a wide smile as he saw the corpse contort. The necromancers stepped back, a pair even collapsing to the ground in exhaustion. Zoraster's smile grew wider and he laughed as the eyes of the corpse on the table popped open. "Rise," Zoraster commanded the corpse. With smooth, fluid motions, the animated corpse swung its legs off the table and stood straight before Zoraster. The Archmage then stepped forward and grasped the breast of the animated creation before him. He felt soft, supple flesh, warmed by a living being's heat beneath his hand. Opening the creature's mouth, he saw moisture gathering there. The breasts rose and fell as the creature took in breaths. Zoraster reached down between the legs of the creature and felt moisture gathering there as well. Letting his vision shift into the second sight, Zoraster saw the last fading light of the enchantment that had animated the corpse. With concentration, he could see the dweomers around the creature that supported its mockery of life, but he knew what he was seeking and knew it would be improbable that others would discover it by chance. Zoraster laughed and slapped the creature on the buttocks. "Excellent — none could possibly tell she is cobbled together from corpses. Now, to the last, let us truly give life to our creation." The lead Necromancer smiled wickedly and gestured to a pair of dark clothed men across the room. They nodded in response and turned to enter a locked door behind them. Zoraster could hear a woman's screams echoing from behind the door when they entered. A moment later, they emerged hauling a woman who looked exactly like the animated creature standing before Zoraster. Zoraster walked up to the screaming, sobbing woman as she struggled in the strong grip of her captors. Zoraster touched and examined the woman, smiling and staring into her eyes as he did so. Under his gaze, she ceased to struggle and began to sob pitifully. "Release her," Zoraster commanded, and the men dropped the woman. She crumpled to the floor in a heap, then immediately scrambled away from Zoraster and the assembled wizards. Zoraster turned and spoke to the animated creature behind him, "You may feed, my dear." Instantly, the creature sprang into motion. It turned and leapt the table, hurtling directly toward the scrambling woman. She screamed, and the creature hissed, covering the distance to the woman in one impossible leap. The woman stared in mute terror at her twin as it pinned her to the floor, opening its mouth wide. Zoraster watched with a smile of deep satisfaction and triumph as tendrils of energy emerged from the woman's wide-open mouth. His creature absorbed the woman's energy as it seeped from her. The woman quivered violently as the creature stole her very life. When the energy ceased to flow, the creature rose to reveal only a withered, dry husk where the woman had lain beneath her. There was something different in the creature's posture as it rose. It smoothed its hair and smiled when it turned back to the assembled wizards. "What is your name, my dear?" Zoraster asked. "I'm Allana. You looking for a good time?" The creature asked and struck a seductive pose. Zoraster smiled and continued to ask the creature questions, which it answered without hesitation. He ordered it perform common daily tasks, to consume food and drink, and many other mundane actions. "Who do you serve?" Zoraster asked the creature at last. "You, my Master — and anybody you tell me to," the creature replied with a purr and walked toward Zoraster. Zoraster smiled and opened his robes. The creature licked its lips and dropped to its knees before him. Zoraster laughed as he felt the creature's lips wrap around his cock with every ounce of skill — and feigned enjoyment — the whore it had consumed possessed in life. The creature's touch felt like a living woman in every respect. Zoraster pushed the creature away, prompting it to put on a convincing pout, and then wrapped his robes around him once more. The creature's earlier leap demonstrated some of its abilities. Zoraster's commands to the creature revealed others. The creature was impossibly strong, easily lifting the heavy wooden table over its head. Slicing a deep gash into the creature's flesh with a dagger, Zoraster watched it bleed convincingly. A command caused the creature to close its eyes in concentration for a moment, and the wound instantly closed. "Marvelous. How long will it take to replace the rest of the whores in the city with our wonderful little toys?" The leader of the necromancers considered the question, and then answered, "With an ample supply of corpses, perhaps a month. With more sent to aid us, two weeks." "You shall have what you require. Make it so." Zoraster walked over to the husk of the whore his creation had replaced. Giving it a light nudge with his boot, it rocked like a curled leaf. "You understand what to do with this?" The assembled wizards nodded, their leader speaking for them, "It shall be contained, Master Zoraster. We will let you know the results of our tests if your expectations, with which we agree, prove true." The cadaverous necromancer walked up to Zoraster and handed him a book bound in human skin. Zoraster accepted the tome containing the process of creating the creatures, which he decided to name Arians. With a final nod to his necromancers, Zoraster vanished in a flash of light. Back in his private quarters, Zoraster placed the book on a table and laughed, loud and long. Soon, he would have a formidable force of utterly obedient servants scattered around the world, in the places where one would least expect to find them. ------- The next day Danica awakened early, and packed to leave. She chatted with Jaron and Tonda as she waited, wishing she could do more. She almost decided to do just that when the man for whom she was awaiting arrived to transport her to her next task. The three said their goodbyes, and then Danica followed the man to an odd boat. It was obviously seaworthy, but to Danica its design looked better suited to river or lake travel despite its size. The ship had a single sail, and banks of oars stretched out from the deck as well. The bow had a figurehead carved in the shape of a crocodile facing inward toward the deck, while the stern was carved in the form of a flower. Danica thought the contrast between the two carvings was odd. The man she followed had dusky skin and spoke little. He seemed uncomfortable, even nervous in his task. This did not sit particularly well with Danica. The crew of the ship refused to speak to her at all. They avoided standing near her and made some sort of warding sign toward her whenever they thought she wasn't looking. This is not starting off well at all, Danica thought while shaking her head. The weather was fair, and the ship performed well in the gentle seas. Danica was not sure she would have wanted to board the boat in rougher weather. She finally decided that she really knew little about ships, and had no idea whether the boat would hold up in choppier water. A cabin was set aside for her — if one chose to call it that. The room was barely large enough to contain the cot she fitfully slept on, with her things stored below it. The two days and one night she spent on the ship were among some of the more miserable Danica had ever endured. When the boat arrived at her destination, the first thing Danica noticed was the vast expanses of desert she could see. She was at the mouth of a river wider than any she had ever imagined, and fertile land stretched out from it for some distance. Once away from the life-giving water of the river, everything turned to sand and rock. Danica transferred to a smaller boat of similar design with the same flower on back, but depicting some long-necked bird on the bow. The crew pushed the boat into the river almost immediately after she stepped on board, moving steadily up river under the power of the grunting oarsmen. The crew of this ship was even more tight-lipped than those on the seagoing vessel, and seemed to be of the same race as those on the first ship. Danica was bored to tears, and wondered why Zoraster had not simply given her a pattern to teleport to the place. At least the pitching of the ship was less on the river, and she had a slightly larger cabin built on top of the deck of the ship. If nothing else, Danica found the scenery beautiful as they sailed up the river under the power of the rowers and the wind — when it cooperated. Everywhere there were patches of reeds and plants Danica didn't recognize. Danica was determined to examine the local flora and see if she could use anything in magic or potion making. Even the endless sand in the distance had its beauty, the rolling dunes almost looking as though sculpted. Danica knew the artist that had shaped the hills was the wind. The water of the river cleared as they traveled upstream, and Danica noticed large fish swimming below the boat, as well as the occasional crocodile of monstrous size. Fishing boats frequently passed, and from the few nets Danica saw pulled on board the vessels, she guessed that the fishing was good on the river. Likewise, the boat passed people bathing and washing in the river, unashamed in their nudity. After two days on the river, the ship pulled up toward the shore. Danica furled her brow, as saw no dock or sign of civilization. As the boat moved closer, she saw another dusky-skinned man appear on the shore. Danica barely stepped off the vessel before it swung back out into the current to travel back down river. Danica frowned and thought yet again that this task was not starting out well. She then turned to the man walking toward her on the shore. Something about his dress sparked her memory, and she guessed where she must be. There was a small group of people who lived in a desert surrounded by mountain peaks a few hundred miles from where Danica had lived and grown up. They were a very closed society, but she had seen some drawings of their dress and descriptions of how they lived. It was said that the ancestors of the people were blown off course in a storm and somehow managed to survive an unprecedented sea crossing by some miracle. Having no way of returning home, the people searched for a home in the strange new land where they found themselves. In time, they found the desert and settled there. The culture worshipped dead rulers as gods, as well as a host of deities often depicted as part animal. Not much else was known of them, because they avoided contact with outsiders. "My greetings to you, Danica. Please to come with me," the man said in heavily accented common tongue. Danica nodded and felt relieved that he was at least more cordial than the people on the ships. "I am being Unas, and I am being your guide," he continued while leading Danica away from the river. Danica saw a mud brick building and small patches of cultivated land as they walked up from the river level inland. As the only thing visible, Danica assumed the small house was their destination. Upon entering, Danica noticed the inside of the building was much cooler than natural. It took only moments to determine that a version of the cooling comfort spell chased away the sun's heat within the dwelling. The man sighed when they entered, and Danica shared his relief as they left the heat outside. The inside of the building was a single room, divided into a sleeping and cooking area. The man turned with a smile after they entered. "Please to be welcome in my home. Great Master Zoraster, blessings upon his name, will speak to you through the glass soon." Unas gestured to a mirror that looked completely out of place in the structure. Unas then sighed dramatically. "I must to be leaving my blessed sanctuary for the accursed heat once more. My work I must be tending to. Please to call if need of me you have." "Thank you," Danica responded, and Unas bowed his head to her before leaving. Danica looked around and saw there was nowhere to sit except the bed, a wooden affair without a mattress. Danica sighed and felt relieved when she noticed the gathering magic that told her the mirror was activating. Danica watched until the image of Zoraster formed in the mirror. "Your task is in two parts. First, you shall establish an outpost in the nearby city for me. You will need to petition the local government for this right. To these ends, you shall soon be provided with rare spices that surely will pique his interest. Your own appearance will serve you well also, as you will soon doubtless discover. "You will also be provided with the necessary funds to construct the outpost and hire servants to maintain it when needful. You may construct the outpost as you wish, and develop a teleportation pattern of your own design for use inside it. Once this is complete, the next part of your task will be revealed to you. Remain in the city until the outpost is complete." "I understand," Danica responded, and the image in the mirror vanished almost instantly. Danica thought that the Archmage looked distracted and irritated. She smiled a little and said, "Good," when she thought about that prospect. Danica looked around at the bare dwelling and sighed. "At least I'm not out in the heat." ------- Zoraster turned from the mirror and banished its magic as soon as Danica acknowledged her understanding of the task before her. Immediately, he turned to another mirror and watched the scene playing out with a scowl. His lip twitched spastically in a sneer as he watched. In the mirror, a shapely red-haired woman in black robes stood before a dust-covered shop counter, obviously in the midst of spell casting. Zoraster watched as the woman concentrated for a few minutes. When the woman opened her eyes, she swore and stomped her foot. She picked up a dust covered scrap of paper from the counter behind her and looked at it for a moment, and then laid it back down with another stomp of her foot. "Where are you, Danica? Something is very wrong here," the woman said and then vanished in a flash of light. Zoraster cursed and waved his hand before the mirror. The image in the mirror wavered for a moment, and then showed another place. The red-haired woman appeared in the mirror, walking toward a desk occupied by a silver-bearded man in purple robes and a conical hat. "Did you discover anything, Devan?" the silver-haired man asked. Devan shook her head. "She's not dead, or in another plane or dimension. She's somewhere in this world and alive, but I can't locate her." "You believe she is in danger?" "I'm not sure, Master Darkniciad. She's gone on journeys without a word before, but she's never vanished for more than a few months. This time she's been gone for years, with absolutely no word sent to anyone. I don't like it at all. I can't locate her. Nobody in town has seen or heard from her. Zoraster knows nothing. She seems to have vanished off the face of the world." "This is troubling. We should turn all our resources to finding her. Too many wielders of Art have vanished mysteriously of late. You say Zoraster knows nothing — do you trust him?" Devan shrugged. "No more or less than I ever have. I'm just at my wits end and he has people scattered over the entire world." "That troubles me. Something dark awakened in Zoraster as his powers grew. He is powerful and dangerous. For now, I hear only rumors of the same sort that might be spread about you or me amongst a populace that fears powerful wizards, but something about them rings true with him." Devan shrugged again. "He was always strange and secretive. He was a good lover who didn't try to take more than I was offering. We parted on bad terms when he left here, but he's never lied to me that I know of, and often times I have found his information useful." Darkniciad brought his hand up to rub his beard. "I believe anything he offered benefited him as well. Zoraster has ambitions, and I am not convinced they do not include large-scale domination. He is vastly intelligent — his studies here showed that well enough." "I'm worried about my sister right now. Zoraster can wait." Darkniciad nodded. "I agree, for we know nothing with assurance regarding Zoraster, while there is good reason to believe Danica may be in..." The wizard raised his head up and cocked his head as if listening, slowly turning his head to home in on Zoraster's scrying. Zoraster swore and banished the magic of the mirror. He knew Darkniciad and Devan — and their defenses — well enough to evade detection as he spied upon them. Nothing was perfect when dealing with adversaries as powerful as the two wizards, as his near detection now pointedly proved. Zoraster paced back and forth a few steps in front of the mirror, and then stopped, lost in thought. After a few minutes, he raised an eyebrow and smiled slightly. "Perhaps there is a way to turn this to my advantage on both fronts. Perhaps I might stop them from searching for my little rose, and give them reason to turn their attention away from me as well." The Archmage's smile grew wider and darker as he considered his plan. When he finished working out the details, he went to set it in motion. It would take some time, but not so much as to prove a danger. ------- Part 15A After Danica spent an hour sitting on the hard bed reading, Unas returned and apologized for the delay. One of his goats had escaped, forcing him to track it down and round it up. He took Danica to a smaller mud brick building behind his dwelling, bringing out a saddlebag and a purse that Danica immediately recognized as magical. He also handed her a small box containing earrings. Inside the box Danica found a note explaining that the earrings would work as a tongues spell, allowing her to understand and speak the native language of this land when worn. "I was being told by the Great Master, blessings upon his name, to give these to you. I am now to be guiding you to Beniopolis and pointing out the Great One's palace and a place you may be staying in the great city." "Thank you, Unas. Is this Beniopolis far?" Danica asked, removing the magical locking enchantments on the bags to examine their contents. "Oh no, it is being only a short walk, Mistress Danica." "Just Danica — we can forget the mistress part. I feel old enough as it is, and that makes me feel ancient for some reason." Danica found one bag was filled with spices wrapped in neat bundles. The spices were common, but assumed that they must be rare here. The purse contained bits of precious metals, as well as precious and semi-precious stones. Unas bowed. "My most humble apologies. We can be leaving whenever you are ready." Danica showed the contents of the purse to Unas, who blew out a long whistling breath. Danica then asked, "Is this what you use for trade here?" Unas nodded, his eyes still locked in wonderment upon the contents of the purse. "Gems and gold are being used to trade for goods in the city. Seek you to buy the whole city?" Danica laughed. "I take it I have a lot to trade with then? Tell me which are more valued, and give me a quick lesson about how trading is conducted in the city." Danica listened as Unas explained that the local economy traditionally operated through barter. However, enough people of influence now traded in metals and gems for the items to have value anywhere within the nation. Unas' explanation gave Danica the impression that everything possessed about the same value her as in her homeland. Only a couple of stones considered semi-precious in her world commanded higher value in this land. Haggling was considered the polite means to conduct business. Tradition deemed refusal to argue over price a great offense that sometimes even resulted in deadly confrontations. As Danica contemplated the contents of the purse, she understood Unas' initial remark. Within the pouch Danica had a vast fortune. She knew she wouldn't hurt for money any time soon. Unas produced a cart for Danica to place her bags on, which he pulled for her, and then set out on a trail parallel to the river. Unas' description of the distance proved accurate, and Danica saw the outline of the city emerging through the haze of heat and humidity rising off the river soon after leaving his dwelling. Just outside the city, dwellings constructed from a wide range of materials appeared. Danica saw buildings made of mud brick like Unas', small stone structures, and even a few homes constructed from bundles of reeds dotting the side of the trail. Once inside the city proper, the reed houses disappeared. The size and quality of the structures also increased. Danica could easily tell where the high and mighty resided, as the large structures stood out easily. The Palace was, of course, the largest and most magnificent building in the entire city. Unas pointed it out, but Danica had already guessed before he did so. The city was crowded, the people all dusky-skinned and lightly dressed, similar to Unas. The coloration of the people widely varied, however. After some time, Danica noticed a few people that she could easily mistake for people from her own lands. She even saw a few residents as dark as Tonda's people. The darkest skinned people behaved as though enslaved, which bothered Danica a lot. The lightest skinned people carried themselves with an arrogance that bespoke power. Even though they did not draw near it, Danica could still hear the loud calls of sellers in the market, barking out the merits of their wares. Danica smiled a crooked smile when she noticed men and women revealing a lot of attractive skin. Many people curiously stared at Danica's clothing, strange to the locals and obviously too hot to wear in the climate. Danica certainly noticed the heat, and planned to acquire native dress as soon as possible. Unas led her to an area that appeared to straddle the border between the higher quality structures of the nobility and the common area at the edges of the city. They reached a building that likewise bordered between opulence and common, and Unas led Danica toward the door of the structure. The building appeared constructed of mud brick plastered over to give it a smooth surface. Pictures and the odd writing of the land was etched into the plaster trimming the corners of the building, doors, and windows. Danica put on her earrings as she approached the building, guessing she would probably need them. The indecipherable background noise of people speaking their native language was beginning to annoy her anyway. "This is being a place where you will be staying." Danica chuckled. "You can speak your language. I can understand it now, and it will probably be easier than translating your common." Unas laughed. "Very well, it is much easier for me as well. I was told to seek out the owners of this house and offer them spices in exchange for allowing you to stay here. The owners only come here during times of great crowding in the capitol, where they normally live. They do not expect to return here for some time. You have free use of the home and the servants." "You must have been paid well, considering how highly you speak of Zoraster." Unas smiled. "Rare spices and the magic that makes my home comfortable are treasures beyond my wildest dreams." Danica reached into her purse and pulled out a pair of gems. "I offer you these for one more simple task. Once I've put my things in the house, walk me through how to bargain in the marketplace. I need clothes more suitable to the climate before I bake in this heat, and I don't want to offend anyone, or pay too much." Unas' eyes widened at the sight of the gems. "Of course, blessed mistress. It will be my pleasure." Danica waved her finger at him. "Just Danica — remember? None of this mistress nonsense." Unas bowed his head in response and then helped Danica take her things into the house. A male servant approached as Danica entered and asked if she required anything. Danica told him she needed nothing at the moment, but that she would like to speak to all the servants once she returned. The man offered a deep bow and formally backed away from her as he took his leave. Unas led Danica through the maze of the market and the press of people, bargaining for things she wished to purchase, giving Danica examples of how to conduct trade in the market. The exercise also gave her insight into the culture of the region in general. Danica ended up with enough local clothing to last her for a few days, and several pieces of local jewelry. Danica found the designs unique and colorful, and made a mental note to study the pieces to discover how they were made. Unas pulled her purchases behind him in the cart, and helped her take them inside to the room she had chosen near the front door. He then took his leave and Danica went in search of the servant she had spoken with earlier. She spoke with the servants once they gathered, and Danica was disturbed to discover that most of the servants were slaves. Only the man to whom she had first spoken and a pair of other paid servants were freemen. Danica told the servants that she could take care of herself, and that they should concentrate on their duties as if the house were empty. The first servant Danica had met, Rekhmire, piqued Danica's interest when she noticed a rather sizeable bulge in the front of his kilt. One of the slave women, Hathortari, was stunningly beautiful and made Danica quiver as well. Rekhmire said he knew who to contact about permission to build in the city, and would take Danica there whenever she wished. Danica decided to settle in and go tomorrow. Hathortari's duties included washing clothing and bathing, so Danica asked about a tub. Even with suitable native clothing, Danica knew she was soon going to miss her tub. Hathortari said she might be able to provide a way for Danica to have at least the semblance of a bath. Danica thanked her, and then told the servants to take their leisure or go to their duties, as they saw fit. Danica went to the room she had chosen, and almost immediately cast a cooling comfort spell. She felt much better, but knew she would not feel good without a bath. She was determined to find some way to bathe here — and soon. Danica put her things away and set up a study area so she would have something to do while she was here. As the sun set outside, Danica dismissed her cooling comfort spell. She knew the temperature extremes of the desert, and knew it would grow cold soon. Danica sat down in her work area to read a text she had brought with her. The book had seemed innocuous to Danica at first, but as she thumbed through it in the library, she discovered dozens of little spells scattered through it. The incantations were all useful everyday spells of little power, but great convenience. The spells were simple, and Danica felt her blood warm to indicate she had learned the first spell only a few minutes after choosing a spell. The spell created fog from the fingertip that the caster could direct, even into cracks in walls and behind objects. The mist was deadly to many of the common insect pests. The next spell in the book was similar. The second spell created a sound that the human ear could not hear, which proved such an irritant to rodents that the vermin could not bear it. After a few minutes of studying the spell, Danica found she couldn't concentrate on it. She had removed the cooling comfort spell too late, not letting enough of the day's warmth seep into the walls. As a result, her room was rapidly growing cold. Danica wished she had taken time to learn the reverse of the cooling comfort spell, to bring a little heat into the room. She decided to make that her next line of study. First, she needed to warm the room so she could concentrate. Danica decided to practice spell weaving, something she'd meant to focus on before distractions pushed the study from her mind. Slipping into the second sight, Danica looked at the natural lines of power emanating from the world at all times. Seeing a strand of power she knew would produce heat, Danica reached out to grasp it and pull it toward her. Another identical strand snaked at the edge of her vision, and Danica snatched it up as well. She smiled when grasping the strands required little effort. Guiding the strands to encircle the room, Danica opened the pathways of power and felt the air in the room warm. After a few moments, she pulled in another strand, and the room finally reached a comfortable temperature. Something then occurred to Danica, and she grasped more strands of power. First, she anchored the strands to the room, and then pulled in other lines of power, weaving them into the heating strands. When she finished, the heating strands would remain to release their power whenever the room grew cold. Danica still didn't need to use much effort to manipulate the strands, so she decided to try a weave more complex than she had ever attempted. Pulling in strands of cool power, she added them to her web of glowing magic around the room. The threads joined her magical tapestry, and would now cool the room when it grew too warm. She drew in more of the strings of power, the purpose of these to ensure the humidity of the room remained at comfortable levels as well. Danica smiled when she saw her weave remained stable — and looked quite beautiful. She had unconsciously woven the glowing strands into multicolored bands very similar to the native jewelry of this land. She felt no strain from her accomplishment, the most difficult task she had ever attempted with this new discipline of magic. Danica let her vision shift out of the second sight. The strands of power vanished, but Danica could still feel them. She grew more sensitive to the threads of power every time she practiced this new form of magic. Only then did Danica noticed Hathortari standing in the doorway with a perplexed expression, staring in Danica's direction. "I'm sorry, I didn't notice you come in." "I will show you to where I wash the clothing if you wish. It is not a bathing vessel, but it may serve." "Thank you Hathortari," Danica said, struggling with the unfamiliar name. "You may call me Tari, if it pleases you." Danica smiled. "Thank you, Tari. That is much easier. Please show me where you wash the clothes. If nothing else, I can wash a little." Tari bowed her head and led Danica through the house and out a rear door into a small, walled courtyard. Tari then beckoned Danica toward a mud brick structure near the far wall of the courtyard. When they entered, Danica smiled upon seeing where Tari washed the clothing. Within a depression in the stone floor rested an earthenware basin. Though only about four inches deep at its deepest point, and not long enough for her to stretch out in, the basin would allow her to have a decent bath. "Oh, thank you. I'm used to bathing daily, and I was beside myself thinking I wasn't going to be able to. This will be fine. Thank you again." Tari smiled and Danica felt a tingle run through her body. Tari had an exotic beauty, and her eyes were deep, sensual pools of mystery. The woman was lithe, with a good figure, and the smile she offered Danica lit up the entire room. Danica realized she was staring and turned her gaze away, although Tari didn't appear to notice. Danica saw a bed through a doorway behind the work area where she stood. The fine bed, better than most within the main home, seemed out of place in this rude structure. Danica also noticed clothing hanging on a peg near the bed that could only belong to Tari, because it would have fit none of the other servants. "This is where you live, then?" Tari nodded in response. "Your bed looks very comfortable. You must serve well to be given such a comfortable place to sleep," Danica said while looking around for the means to fill her makeshift tub. Danica saw a look of embarrassment on Tari's face. "I'm sorry — did I say something wrong?" Tari shook her head. "No — of course not. The bed was not provided for my pleasure." Danica clenched her teeth and asked, "The Master of the house?" Tari nodded and cast her eyes downward. "I serve as concubine to the Master and any he brings, in addition to the washing and bathing." "I won't judge you, Tari. You are a slave here, and I don't fault you for taking what little pleasure you can." The faintest hints of anger crossed Tari's face and Danica knew then that this was part of the woman's servitude — not an escape from it. "I'm sorry. I didn't intend to make you think about something painful." "There is no need for apologies. You are the Master and I am the slave." Danica walked up to Tari and lay her hand on the woman's cheek. "You're not my slave. While I'm here, anything you do for me, I want you to do because you want to. I'm not your Master. I'm a guest in the house. I hope I can be a friend as well." Tari smiled sheepishly. "I would like that." Danica smiled back. "Now, how do I go about filling this up so I can wash the dust and stink off me?" Danica fanned the air in front of her, pantomiming fanning away a smell. Tari laughed, and then went to an alcove where large earthenware pitchers stood. Danica helped Tari fill the tub, and Danica was glad to notice that the water was still warm from the day's heat. "I will bathe you, if you wish." Danica's breath caught in her throat for a moment. The thought of the beautiful woman touching her as she bathed was very enticing. Knowing that this was one of Tari's slave duties made Danica rethink it. "I can manage, but thank you." Tari bowed her head. "I will bring a cloth for washing and a towel. I will fetch a pitcher for rinsing as well." "Thank you, Tari," Danica said as she stripped off her clothing. Danica had just sat down in the makeshift tub to splash water over her body when Tari returned. Tari's eyes almost immediately locked on Danica's mound, and the slave woman's face pinched into a confused expression. Danica asked, "What's wrong?" "Your hair is gone. Are you a slave?" That question hit entirely too close to the truth for Danica. "No, I shave because I like it this way. I actually need to shave again — I'm getting stubbly." "Your customs are much different than ours. Here, only concubine slaves are shaven bare." The subject made Danica think of something she could do that might make the woman's life at least a little easier. "Can I see your razor?" Tari cocked her head in confusion, but went and fetched her razor, bringing it to Danica. One look told Danica that the blade was crude at best, and must bite terribly when used. Danica reached into her bag and pulled out one of her razors. She could make due with her others until she could replace this one, which was sized to work on about any area of the body. "Here, this will be much better. Be careful, because it's very sharp. It will never need sharpened either. You should find shaving to be much easier and less painful with this." Tari looked over the dwarf crafted razor — also enchanted with the vorpal enchantment that ensured it would never dull. "Thank you, this chore has always been one I have disliked the most. I am given a new razor rarely. I must make due between." "You won't have to worry about that any longer." Tari handed Danica the cloth and pitcher, and Danica started to wash. When she struggled to reach her back, Tari knelt down and washed it for her. Danica could not help shivering under the woman's touch. When she finished bathing and shaving, Danica helped Tari tilt up the basin to drain it into buckets and rinse it out so she could begin the washing. Danica acutely felt the chill of the desert night as she crossed the courtyard toward the house. She was glad to return to the magically warmed confines of her room. Danica learned two more of the spells in the book, and then retired for the evening. Dreams of Tari made her smile in her sleep. ------- Danica joined in the breakfast of fruit with the servants the next morning, and then prepared for her trip to the palace where she needed to make her request to build Zoraster's outpost. When she and Rekhmire stepped out the door, they encountered a man dressed in such a way that told Danica he possessed some authority here. His clothing was made of a finer looking cloth than the commoners wore, with sleeves and seams trimmed with colored threads. The man bowed to Danica when he reached them. "I am Reneb, and it was to me Rekhmire was to lead you. I will take you to the Palace to make your request. If you have any trouble with these, I will have them punished," the man said while nodding toward Rekhmire. Rekhmire bowed and backed away into the house. "I don't anticipate any trouble with the servants," Danica said, barely able to keep from growling and grinding her teeth at the man as she spoke. Reneb led Danica in a roundabout course to avoid the market, and Danica noticed the stonework appeared more ornate as they neared the palace. Beautiful statues were also regular sights as they progressed. The size and detail of both the statuary and columns increased as the palace loomed larger in her vision as well. Danica marveled at how lifelike the statues appeared, considering most were carved from limestone. Danica's eyes widened when she saw a beautiful, nearly nude woman riding on a sedan chair borne by sweating slaves moving away from the palace. The curtains surrounding the sedan chair were diaphanous, nearly to the point of invisibility. The woman lounged and ate fruit as her slaves carried her through the city. Large quantities of gold and electrum trimmed the woman's conveyance. Danica also saw the twinkling of gems encrusting the decorations adorning the sedan chair. "Princess Tiye — on her way to the temple of Inisis," Reneb remarked when he saw Danica watching the sedan chair pass. Danica only nodded in response, not really wanting to talk to the man. The palace was huge compared to most of the other buildings in the city. Only the temples Danica had observed from a distance rivaled the magnificent structure. The seat of government was finished in perfectly smooth white limestone, and shined in the sun. She and Reneb joined a procession of people entering the palace. Upon entering, Danica could hear music playing. Reneb turned to her and said, "The Governor has called for dancers. We will have to wait until he has sated himself before he will allow business to resume for the day. We should go to watch. It is considered improper not to join those in the gallery." Danica nodded her approval and Reneb led her through the maze of a building. Danica assumed he knew exactly where he was going. Danica found that the music almost called out to her. The song was an energetic tune, full of flute trills, booming drums, and the jingle of cymbals. Something else called out to her when she entered the gallery and saw the dancers. They all wore gowns that left little to the imagination. The garments actually left nothing to the imagination at times, as the dancers twirled across the floor. Each woman was stunningly beautiful, and they all looked nearly identical. The dancers were also apparently acrobats, occasionally doing bends and flips that made Danica's muscles ache just to watch. The moves displayed the women's attributes well, however, and that caused Danica to ache in other ways. The dance ended and the crowd stomped or banged objects, which Danica assumed was this culture's version of applause. Not wanting to appear out of place, Danica stomped her soft-soled shoes, despite the action producing little sound. As the applause died down, Danica noticed the Governor pointedly looking in her direction. People in the room noticed his gaze as well, and turned to discover what so intrigued their ruler. Within a few seconds, Danica nervously shifted from foot to foot as most of the room stared at her. Whispers circulated, although Danica could only catch hints of a name she didn't recognize and the word dance. "Please approach," the Governor declared while rising from his throne. The crowd parted, opening a direct pathway between Danica and the throne. Feeling more than a little self conscious, Danica approached the throne and curtsied demurely. The Governor nodded his head almost imperceptibly, and a quiet gasp rolled through the crowd. "Have you been sent by Tayetet?" Danica bowed her head. "No, Lord Governor. I know not of whom you speak. I am from a foreign land." The Governor gestured to the walls of the room. Danica's eyes followed his gesture, and she noticed that the walls were covered in nearly perfect images of her, in the local style of art. The image had Danica's auburn hair, though worn in a braided style. and the only other difference was that the eyes looked more like those of the natives of this land than her own. Both walls showed the same figure in different dance poses. "Tayetet is the goddess of the dance, and you bear a striking resemblance to her. Do you dance?" "I fear I do not have the skill of those who have just danced, but I do enjoy dancing." "Will you gift us with a dance? Though you know her not, I believe you to be blessed of Tayetet. Your dance would be a blessing from the goddess upon us all." Danica knew she was cornered. She was going to have to dance her heart out if she wanted to get permission to build in the city. Danica also thought she might find a way to turn this to her advantage. "Of course I will dance for you, Lord Governor." The Governor sat down as Danica walked over to speak to the musicians. She suggested some general tempo changes and timing that she wanted, but she would have to follow the lead of the musicians since she knew none of the local music. Danica returned to the center of the room and curtsied to the Governor once more. The music started as soon as Danica stood up straight, as she had requested. The minstrels played a slow song, and Danica allowed her body to flow with the music. After a few seconds, the tempo of the music changed with a sharp trill of the flute. Danica whirled faster, clapping in accentuation of the beat when it felt appropriate, as she danced. As the music built to a crescendo, Danica loosened her linen gown, allowing her breasts to intermittently peek from the flowing cloth as she danced. She had decided not to wear her brassiere with the native dress, finding it looked odd. The panties she wore were a pair of her specially commissioned ones that barely covered her private places, leaving much of her skin bare to the eye. Her gown offered tantalizing hints of the frilly undergarments as well. Danica improvised a few leaps in her dance, taking a cue from the previous dancers. She also added a few moves that exploited her flexibility, although she had nothing resembling the ability of the previous dancers in that regard. The musicians signaled that the song would end soon, and Danica danced back toward the center of the room. She caught the cues perfectly, and ended her dance on the clash of a large cymbal — bent over backwards, facing away from the Governor, but looking back at him from her bend. The move fully exposed her breasts to the Governor while she held the pose. Danica stood with a graceful spin and sensually strutted back to her place before the Governor. The room erupted into thunderous, banging applause. Danica tried to catch her breath and wiped sweat out of her eyes as the banging continued for quite some time. At last, the sound died down and the Governor rose. "You — and we — are truly blessed by Tayetet in your dance. How may we reward you for this blessing?" "I seek to build a home and place for business here. I was told I must seek the permission of the government to do it." "Consider it granted. I offer a parcel of land near the Temples of Quadesis and Tayetet for this purpose." Another gasp rose up from the crowd, and Danica could guess why. Land near temples was typically prized. Danica also recognized the name of the goddess Quadesis, who had dominion over sexuality. The name was sometimes mentioned among Erotine writings, the name of the goddess in Danica's lands. Danica curtsied again. "I thank you, my Lord Governor. I wish to ask another boon of you. I have rare spices, and I wonder if I might persuade you to suggest architects and artisans for the construction of my home." Danica pulled out one of the spice pouches as she finished. "Please approach and let us see what you have brought." Danica showed the Governor the spices, and he expressed obvious delight. "I shall order my personal architect and artisans to undertake your construction in trade for these, if such is acceptable." Danica curtsied very low this time. "It is quite acceptable. Thank you, Lord Governor." "I hope I might persuade you to bless us with another dance at a later time." Danica smiled. "Of course, my Lord Governor." The Governor gestured to two people who approached. The governor identified the men as the lead architect and artisan of the Governor's court. He told them to assist Danica in her construction, and Danica provided them with directions to the house where she guested. The men said they would seek her there tomorrow, after examining the land where they were to build. Danica had a skip in her step as she left the Palace. ------- Zoraster looked up from the documents he was perusing when he sensed a presence in the doorway. "Enter." The bald wizard stroked his goatee and smiled, moving forward to the desk. "We believe we have been successful, Master Zoraster." Zoraster raised an eyebrow. "So soon? This is most pleasing, if it is true." "Your request followed closely to the previous spells with the two clones. Upon applying our research to your request, we found things fell into place quickly. We believe the new form of the spell will work under the less controlled circumstances, as well as allow for the necessary level of increased control. We are prepared to work the magic whenever you see fit." "Excellent. Know that you shall be well rewarded if you are indeed successful. I will bring the subject when the time is right." "We will be ready, Master Zoraster." Zoraster smiled. "This may yet be turned to my advantage." ------- Part 15B Danica relaxed upon returning to the home where she was staying. When she entered, she found Rekhmire and an older servant who prepared the food playing a game similar to chess. Danica sat down to watch, although she was almost as interested in watching Rekhmire's lap below the table as in observing the game. She did pick up a few hints about how the game differed from chess as she watched, however. The older servant soundly trounced Rekhmire, and then returned to the kitchen to prepare something for Danica. Danica gestured toward the board and said, "This game is similar to one in my lands — called chess." "I play poorly, but I learn from Khufren when we play. It passes the time." "I'm not very good at chess — and probably will be worse at this — but would you like to teach me?" Danica asked with a sweet smile. Rekhmire smiled and prepared the pieces for a new game. He and Danica discussed the differences in the two games for perhaps half an hour, until Danica had a good idea how to play the game. After studying the board for a moment, Danica made her opening move. Only a few minutes later, Danica realized she was in a hopeless situation. She laughed and said. "I think we can just call this game yours. I can tell I've lost before it happens." Rekhmire smiled. "We could play again. I must admit it is pleasant to win for once." "I'll have to try it for myself and see how pleasant it is," Danica said with a mischievous smile as she set up the pieces. The architect, Sushume, arrived just before Danica was about to lose her second game, although the game had lasted twice as long. Danica went aside with the architect and discussed what she wanted done. Danica assumed Zoraster wanted something similar, likely identical, to his outposts scattered throughout the world. Danica's plan was to follow the design, but to modify it to her taste and the local style. Zoraster had not really given her any specific directions, so she took liberties. "What you speak of sounds possible. I will go and draw up plans that we may then modify tomorrow until they suit your needs." "That will be fine. Do you know anyone who makes bathing vessels?" Danica asked as she led him toward the door to escort him out. "There are two men who craft such. One will be among those who will work with us, and produces the bathing vessels of those with means. His vessels are among the most beautiful ever produced in our land. The Pharaoh's own daughter cleanses herself in one of his bathing vessels. He will likely require a high price for this, however, as it is outside the scope of our assigned task. His is a time-consuming, costly trade." "That shouldn't be a problem. What about the other?" "He produces such vessels quickly, of common earthenware. The cost is far less, and the vessels are plain. It is common for them to need regular replacement, but his work is well done." "That sounds like it will work until I have a longer lasting replacement. Can you tell me where to find him?" Sushume told Danica how to locate the man's workplace, and Rekhmire said he would lead her there if she required. Sushume then took his leave, and Danica asked Rekhmire to take her to see the man immediately. Danica settled on a design and a price shortly thereafter. She paid the man well, and he said he would finish it in no more than two days. Danica found that the more time she spent with Rekhmire, the more she desired him. After days with no sexual release, she felt fit to burst from her repressed desires. Danica asked Rekhmire to lead her to the spot granted for the construction of Zoraster's outpost. When they arrived, Danica was pleased with the spot. The temples were grand and beautiful. She saw few other structures nearby, which afforded some privacy. The land was also on a slight rise. Rekhmire and Danica were just about to leave when a woman walking to the temple of Quadesis paused and turned to approach them. She was dressed in a transparent linen gown, which hardly surprised Danica considering the woman obviously served the goddess of sexuality. Her perfect breasts, with their perfectly circular nipples and areoles, and her neatly trimmed and sculpted patch of pubic hair were plainly visible. Danica was already aroused enough from standing near Rekhmire while he was fully dressed — her juices really started flowing in the presence of the nearly nude woman. As the priestess reached them, the woman's eyes lit up. She nodded her head slightly. "You do indeed resemble Tayetet, Sister. Will you come to the house of Quadesis to receive her blessing upon your new home?" Danica thought that something about the way the priestess said sister seemed a bit more familiar than was appropriate for someone she'd just met. Danica felt the word was far more than a priestess calling a parishioner sister, or two women doing the same. When the priestess said the word, the connotation Danica felt was a truly platonic reference, as if they were indeed sisters. The thoughts rapidly dissolved in Danica's head, however. Danica's desire spiked to unbearable levels. She knew her panties would be absolutely soaked before long if she didn't relieve the building pressure inside her. "Of course I will seek Quadesis' blessing." The priestess nodded again, and turned back to the temple. Danica's heartbeat sped up to match the sway of the priestess' shapely backside as Danica watched her walk into the temple. "Will you come with me and try to keep me from making any offensive mistakes?" Danica asked Rekhmire. A slight flash of embarrassment crossed Rekhmire's face, but he mastered it quickly and said, "I will accompany you." When they reached the entrance of the temple, Danica suspected that she would need no assistance to avoid mistakes. From the moment they entered and a priest asked them to disrobe, Danica assumed that the customs of Quadesis would vary little from those of Erotine. When Rekhmire pulled off his kilt, what Danica saw beneath was every bit as enticing as she had anticipated. He was uncut, thick, and of a nice length. She suspected she would see how big he was when erect before long, as the first twitches of an unavoidable erection already swelled his manhood. Danica could tell he was still fighting embarrassment. The couple passed into the temple proper, confirming Danica's suspicions on two fronts. First, Rekhmire's erect manhood was just as big as Danica had guessed. Second — despite the lack of pools common in Erotine temples — one glance told her that the worship of Quadesis was identical to that of Erotine. A man sat upon a divan couch with three women using their mouths to pleasure him. In another part of the room, a man grunted in climax as he filled a woman bent over an altar designed for exactly that purpose. Two priestesses, marked by their unique golden necklaces, lay upon a pile of cushions at the head of the room near a huge statue of Quadesis, their heads between each other's legs. Danica could hear sounds of passion echoing from everywhere in the temple. Danica reached down, laid her hand on Rekhmire's cock, and licked her lips. "Let's go seek Quadesis' blessing." Danica smiled when she received a brief grin and a powerful throb of Rekhmire's member beneath her hand in response. Danica led him to one of the cushioned alters, placing a pair of semi-precious stones in the offering bowl below the altar. She then bent over the offering bowl and rested her upper body on its cushioned surface. As she bent over, the first drop of the other half of her offering dripped from her labia into the offering bowl. Rekhmire's embarrassment quickly evaporated in the face of Danica's body offered to him. He ascended the short step that raised him to the perfect angle to penetrate her, and slid his hard cock into Danica with a sigh of contentment. Danica moaned as she felt him stretch her walls and hit her deep. She was so wet in anticipation that his cock made slight squishing sounds with each thrust as he took her. Small, sharp moans escaped Danica as his thrusts stoked her fires higher. Danica placed her hands under her and raised her upper body from the altar, emitting a gasp punctuated by loud squeal of bliss. The slight change of angle caused the dusky servant's stroking erection to rub her clit with delightful heat. Danica's heightened need caused her to reach her peak quickly. Only a minute or so after bending over the altar, Danica came. She loosed a loud scream of pleasure, and her flood of juices squirted out around Rekhmire's stroking cock. Her scream first warbled, and then turned to gasps and growls as Rekhmire continued his assault of her spasming body. Danica opened her eyes and gasped for breath when her orgasm gave her a little respite. She saw the pair of Priestesses at the head of the room had turned to watch her, smiling in the afterglow of their own release and gently rubbing each other as they watched. Danica licked her lips, and then let out an explosive gasp as Rekhmire thrust even harder. Danica turned her head and flipped her hair out of her eyes, seeing the signs that Rekhmire was quickly nearing his own peak. Danica reached beneath her body to rub her bud in fast circles, moaning encouragement to the man penetrating her depths. She quickly built toward another crescendo, and from the sounds Rekhmire made, she knew he was close as well. Danica was nearly to her peak when she felt him pull free of her. Danica growled and turned to see him stroking his member over her back. "Inside me," she loudly gasped. He hesitated in confusion for a moment, but finally grasped what Danica was asking as she rhythmically thrust her bottom back at him. He slid back inside her with a gasp and Danica's fingers returned to her clit. Danica's walls tightly squeezed Rekhmire as she drew to the edge of climax, held there on the edge of release. Her dam broke when she heard him let out an explosive sound of release, coupled with a hot geyser of his seed erupting deep inside her. They remained joined and gasping for breath for a few seconds, as their twin climaxes shook their bodies. When Danica opened her eyes, she saw the two women from the head of the room approaching. From off to one side she saw the priestess who had asked her to come to the temple approaching as well. When the priestesses reached the pair, the single priestess placed her hand on Danica's back and buttocks. She offered a prayer chant as she softly stroked Danica's back. The touch caused Danica to gasp and her walls to contract around Rekhmire, who also gasped. The other two servants of Quadesis stroked Rekhmire's skin with their soft hands and chanted as well. After a few moments, the women completed their chants and one pressed against Rekhmire, instructing him to withdraw from Danica's warm depths. Danica and Rekhmire both gasped, as he pulled free of her. He let out an even louder exclamation of surprise as the two women who had chanted over him dropped to their knees to lap the mingled juices from his slowly shrinking member. The priestess who attended Danica chanted again, moving behind her to part Danica's quivering labia. Rekhmire's thick cream dripped from Danica into the offering bowl below, and she pushed to hasten the process. When Danica ceased to drip, the priestess ran a finger between Danica's lips and pulled out a tenacious, clinging dollop, allowing it to drip into the bowl as well. The servants of Quadesis guided the pair to a nearby divan couch, and then one of the two who had attended Rekhmire returned to the altar and took up the offering bowl, retreating to the depths of the temple with it. The other priestess attending to Rekhmire then slowly and sensually dropped to her knees. She chanted and traced invisible sigla upon Rekhmire's thighs and tummy. The priestess in front of Danica also knelt and pulled Danica closer to the edge of the divan. Danica moaned in anticipation just as Rekhmire gasped in surprise. The priestess' spell caused his nearly flaccid manhood to swell with blood again almost instantly. The priestess' warm mouth engulfed him at the same moment that the other priestess closed her lips over Danica's folds. The pair quivered and gasped as the two women dedicated to the religion of sexual release showed them the pleasure that dedication created. Only Celes had ever caused such feelings of hot euphoria in Danica with her mouth as the priestess who was now between her legs did. Danica drifted in a fog of pleasure. Her mind didn't even register the woman causing the pleasure after a few moments, and she had no idea how long she remained in the erotic trance. The feeling evaporated in the face of a long, loud scream — the scream bursting from Danica as she gushed a torrent of juices into the mouth and face of the priestess between her legs. Through the loud sound of Danica's rapid heartbeat in her ears, she registered an equally loud cry of release as Rekhmire filled the mouth of the priestess who engulfed his cock. Again, the two women chanted over them as Rekhmire and Danica recovered from their climaxes. Danica looked over and saw that Rekhmire was gasping for breath, his eyes half closed. The priestess before him looked to the one in front of Danica and received a nod. The priestess in front of Danica offered her hands to help Danica rise, and then the other lay the gasping Rekhmire down on the divan couch. "Will he be alright?" Danica managed to stammer out as she tried to force her wobbly legs to work. The priestess looked at Danica with obvious curiosity. "He will be fine, and will feel the blessing of Quadesis wash over him. Surely you have performed this ritual before?" Danica shook her head in the negative as she sank down onto another divan couch, drawing yet another look of confusion from the priestess. "Do the rituals of Quadesis differ in your land?" The priestess asked. Danica weakly laughed and smiled. "Not as far as I can tell, though I've only been to the temple of Erotine once before. Erotine is the name Quadesis is known by in my lands." The confusion on the priestess' face only increased. "You are not in the service of Quad... Erotine?" The woman struggled to pronounce the unfamiliar name of the goddess Danica had mentioned. Danica shook her head. "No, I'm a student of magic." "But you have been gifted with The Awakening." Now, it was Danica's turn to be confused. "I don't know what you're talking about." "This is most unusual. I have never heard of one not high in the service of the goddess being blessed with the Awakening ritual." "The one time I was in a temple of Erotine, I was simply with a lover. We weren't even approached by the priestess. What is the Awakening anyway?" "It is a ritual that awakens the natural desires of the body and enhances them. It offers greater stamina and enhanced pleasure, as well as causing the natural attractive scents and magics released by the body to increase ten fold. I can feel myself drawn to you like a moth to the flame, as would any who find you desirable." "Is it magic? If so, you must be mistaken because there are no spells — priestly or otherwise — on me. Trust me — I have good reason to have checked carefully." "It is a blessed prayer, much like healing. The magic does not remain inside you — it does its work to alter the body, and then dissipates. Your own body makes the magic now through its natural processes, though much enhanced now that you have been Awakened." "Could this ritual be performed on you without you knowing it?" The priestess had a look of doubt and surprise on her face as she answered, "I imagine such would be possible, but the ritual is never performed outside the temple." Danica's lip curled, the pleasure of her orgasms burned away by anger now that she realized that Zoraster had indeed tampered with her. Her desires were not completely her own after all. "It's been done at least once — to me apparently. How is it undone?" "It is never undone. Only Quadesis or another of the gods could remove the blessing of the Awakening." Danica closed her eyes for a moment to master her emotions, and then rose from the couch. "You will ensure Rekhmire is returned home when he is able?" Danica asked, noticing that the young man was dozing in the lap of the other priestess. The disturbed looking priestess nodded to indicate she would. Danica moved quickly to retrieve her clothing and return to her room. ------- Danica spent an hour or so contemplating what she had discovered once she returned to her room. Zoraster had told the truth when he said it was not his magic that caused her to desire. As Danica considered it, she realized that the ritual did nothing to affect the mind. Every desire was truly hers — the emotions were simply fanned to a white-hot flame by the ritual. She'd suppressed many things that she now desired, and she likely would have never acknowledged those desires before the Awakening was forced upon her. Because she attracted others to her through the magic of the ritual had an effect as well. When someone showed desire for her, it heightened her own. She knew the little natural magics that attracted people to one another only grew stronger once arousal set in. For Danica, once the process started, it was nearly a foregone conclusion that sex would soon follow. Thinking back to the Astral Imp, Danica realized now why it had nearly destroyed itself in the process of trying to reach her. The Imps had difficulty resisting a normal aroused woman. Danica enhanced scent would have created a maddening fog of desire that completely overruled the Imp's reason — and even its desire for self-preservation. The Awakening also explained the strange reaction of the two Nymphs, although it did not explain the interest of their Mistress, who Danica assumed must be some nature goddess. Danica knew that there was little she could do about it. The priestess had said that only the gods could remove the Awakening. Erotine certainly would have no reason to do so. Danica doubted any god she would have any desire to deal with would prove amicable to her now, considering some of the actions she had taken under Zoraster's orders. Danica sighed. She would simply have to remain aware of what she was doing, now that she understood the reason behind her desires. In truth, she enjoyed her new inhibitions, even though they caused her to do things that troubled her at times. Danica thought, Would I ever have been so aroused as to lower my pussy to Celes' lips that time without the Awakening — giving Celes a gift she had been denied for so long and thought she would never receive again? She also considered her Art — vastly increased along with her desires. Perhaps the Awakening had also renewed her passion for magic, long been drowned in feelings of inferiority to her sister. Though she and her power were Zoraster's tools, Danica had used her magic and her wits to do many things that had helped people as well. Danica couldn't even guess when the ritual had happened. Zoraster admitted controlling her with magic and potions at first. As far as she knew, she might have acted purely from her own desires at some point between the potions and the Awakening. There is a reason for everything, Danica remembered her mother always saying. Danica had to believe that there was a reason for everything she was enduring. As she thought about the people she had coupled with, her inner fires stirred. Danica forced the feelings down at first, and then realized she wasn't hurting anyone by giving herself pleasure. It was ridiculous to endure the torture. Danica drifted off to sleep after climaxing twice on one of her toys. ------- Zoraster watched Danica sleep in his scrying mirror. "Interesting — I would have expected her to break into another self-pitying crying fit if she ever learned about the ritual of Awakening. Perhaps your will, which resists my attempts to read your mind so well, now serves to resist your own emotions as well. I shall have to beware of that, little rose, because you will become a dangerous power if you ever learn to master your emotions," he whispered. Behind him, well out of earshot, wizards looked on. Amongst them was the bald wizard with the goatee. Zoraster turned back to them, "Now let us see if your research bears fruit." The wizard nodded his understanding, and then joined the other two workers of Art in preparation for their spell casting. ------- Danica awakened feeling a combination of weariness and warm afterglow. She could plainly remember the vivid, arousing dream about Andrea. As Danica's senses roused from her slumber, she realized that the dream had left her in a nightdress that was damp between her legs. Danica sighed, wishing her tub was finished, and washed at the washbasin she had brought to her room. Danica ate the breakfast of fruit with everyone else as she had the day before. It took only a few minutes of observing Rekhmire to realize he felt uncomfortable. Danica waited until she had an opportunity to pull Rekhmire aside. He looked very embarrassed and unsure of himself as he stood in Danica's room. "What's wrong?" Danica asked him. Rekhmire stood silent for a moment, and then answered, "What we did at the temple — it was improper for me to touch you so." Danica had to fight hard to suppress a laugh. "Silly man — I wanted you. I've been thinking about it ever since I saw you. If anything, I took advantage of you. You're a servant, and you still look upon me as a Master, don't you?" "Yes, I guess I do." Danica walked up and kissed him. "Well — stop. I'm a guest in this house. I hope I can be a friend, and perhaps we could enjoy each other again sometime, like we did in the temple." Rekhmire still looked embarrassed, but Danica could see some of the nervousness draining from his expression. He then asked, "You enjoyed it?" Danica laughed. "Didn't you hear me? Of course I didn't, silly. I didn't cause you to break from your morals, did I?" Danica asked the last with a note of concern, in light of what she had learned in the temple. Rekhmire shook his head. "No. I know a little about the lands beyond our own, and pleasure is not frowned upon in our lands, as it is in yours." Danica smiled and led him out of the room, gesturing toward the game board in the main room. "Care for a game?" Rekhmire smiled and shrugged his shoulders. He then looked toward the door and made a motion with his head for Danica to look in that direction. When she turned, Danica saw the architect Sushume had arrived with his plans. Danica turned to Rekhmire and said, "Later, then." Rekhmire nodded and Danica took Sushume to her room to go over the plans. After looking, Danica decided Sushume had drawn the plans very close to what she had described. Danica made only a few small changes, and approved the design. The plan followed the normal design of Zoraster's outposts, but Danica expanded the size of every room, including those of the servants, and added a room specifically designed for her comfort. Sushume remarked that she had struck a perfect balance between opulence and functionality, perfectly fitting the structure into the class traditions that divided the city according to the location of the building site. As they discussed the cost, Danica was pleased to discover that a supply of building stone was readily available at a discount to her due to a command from the Governor. Sushume had rejected the stone for the construction of the Governor's funerary temple, but it was still fine stone and would serve Danica's needs well. Danica's grand design would require more materials, but the gift would offset the cost. Likewise, there was stone available for artistic pieces, which had been rejected by the artisan, Meresses. The materials were simply not suitable for the final resting place of an important official in a culture where the trappings of burial were so important to the afterlife. Meresses arrived just as Danica was discussing this with Sushume. He joined in the discussion of cost, and Danica realized she was going to need to spend quite a bit of her own coin if she wanted to make her grand design a reality. She decided it was worth it. Danica discussed the tubs and chamber pots with Meresses, something she considered almost as important as any other aspect of the outpost. She was determined that each tub would at least allow a person to stretch out to full length, and that the chamber pots would allow a person to sit instead of squat. She provided sketches and simple designs that the artisans could perfect. Meresses was intrigued with some of her ideas, derivatives of tubs she had commissioned in other places that were entirely new to this land. Danica and Meresses decided the rest of the artistic considerations could wait until the construction was farther along. Such work could not truly begin until the little modifications that always arose between design and actual construction were worked out. Meresses said he would return the next day with refined sketches and plans. Sushume said he would begin the construction the next day. When Danica rose with them as they took their leave, she added more cost to the project in her mind — furniture that wouldn't make her feel crippled if she sat on it too long. Her back and backside both ached from what she now guessed was three or four hours of discussion with the two men. Once again, Danica longed for her tub, to soak away the aches of her body. She had only washed the day before, and decided she would go have a bath in the washing basin, to rinse some of the sweat and grit from her body. Danica was surprised to find Reneb walking through the back door into the house as she approached the door to the courtyard. He asked her if she required anything, or the servants needed any chastisement, to which she quickly rebuffed him and continued on her way. When Danica entered the outbuilding, the first thing that met her eyes was a nude Tari washing cum from her body. Tari started and awkwardly tried to cover her body, relaxing a little when she realized it was Danica who had entered. Anger swelled up in Danica. She understood Reneb's presence now, and it was painfully obvious from the first glance that Tari was not a willing partner in what had occurred. The anger must have shown on Danica's face, because Tari asked, "Have I angered you?" Danica shook her head in the negative and jerked a thumb over her shoulder. "No, but he just found a way to make me dislike him even more. How often does he do this to you?" Tari lowered her head as she spoke, "He is the overseer. I am to be obedient and offer myself to him whenever ordered, so long as the Master is not here." Danica growled, determined she was going to get Tari out of this situation. The other slaves were treated fairly well and provided for. From what Danica knew of the culture, they were probably better off as slaves than as free foreigners without means. Most of the servants actually seemed to enjoy their employment. None liked Reneb, but as near as Danica could tell, their true master was fair and treated them well. Slavery was bad enough, but a woman forced to serve with her body and offered nothing in return really made Danica's blood boil. It reminded Danica far too much of her early days in Zoraster's grip. "Let me help you. That ass splattered his seed in your hair. I can at least see it and try to get it out for you while you wipe away the rest." Tari nodded, and Danica dipped a cloth in water to sop out the sticky mess in the dusky woman's dark hair while Tari continued to wash the semen from her body. Danica found it difficult to combat her urges. Tari's body was every bit as perfect and enticing as the priestess of Quadesis. She had the same firm, round breasts with perfectly round nipples. Her body was just as lithe and curvy as the priestesses, and her shaven mound only made her all the more mouth watering to Danica. Tari had a far prettier and more sensual face than the priestess. Danica daydreamed that Tari would have risen high in the temple if fate had placed her there, instead of in slavery. No matter how hard she tried, Danica's arousal increased by the moment. She tried to concentrate on her task, hoping to quench the fires inside her and prevent her body from calling out to Tari. She wanted the beautiful, dusky woman desperately, but she didn't want her unnaturally strong sexual energy to push Tari over a line the woman didn't want to cross. At last, Danica decided she had done all she could do for Tari's hair. Tari had long ago finished cleaning the cum from her body. "Did you come to bathe?" Tari asked. Danica nodded. "Yes — I'm aching and filthy. I need a bath desperately." Tari smiled and said, "I will start filling the basin for you." Danica had to keep pushing down on her desires, because Tari made no move to dress as she picked up a pitcher to fill the washbasin. Danica did her best not to look as she undressed, finding it nearly impossible to keep her eyes from straying to the beautiful woman. Danica flushed in a combination of irritation and embarrassment when she noticed the small damp spot on her panties. When she pulled them off, she could see the glistening evidence on her nether lips that had caused that damp spot. When Danica looked up, she saw Tari gazing at her glistening lips with a sheepish smile. Tari lowered her head and continued pouring the water, but she didn't stop smiling. When she looked back up after emptying the pitcher, it hit Danica. Danica felt Tari's wave of arousal wash over her, the strong emotion coming to Danica's mind in vivid detail. Ridden and left unsatisfied only moments before, Tari was in a state of need. She found Danica intensely arousing, and believed she now saw the evidence that Danica shared that attraction. Danica could feel the ache for another woman's touch — long denied — rolling from Tari like the irresistible tides. Danica and Tari stared at each other for long seconds, the empty pitcher still poised over the basin in Tari's hands. Tari broke the silence, "You have a beautiful body." Danica sucked in a deep breath and responded, "So do you." Tari shivered and the carefully controlled desire in her eyes suddenly flared to brilliant life. She almost absently put down the pitcher, her eyes never leaving Danica's brown orbs. An unspoken agreement passed between them, and they walked toward each other to embrace in a deep kiss. Danica could feel Tari quivering in her arms, and the woman's hard nipples pressing against her own breasts. Their hands roamed over each other as they continued to kiss passionately. Slowly, they edged over to Tari's bed as they kissed and caressed. The two women lay down on the bed, their bodies immediately intertwining, both of them moaning from the feeling of the other's soft skin touching them. Their hands roved over each other, and soon their lips followed. Danica kissed her way down Tari's neck and throat, and then moved lower to kiss Tari's belly with light brushes of her lips. When Danica leaned down low to place kisses on both of Tari's hips, Tari leaned over Danica, kissing her neck and shoulders. Danica guided Tari to lie down on her back, and then rose up onto her knees. She leaned forward on her hands, letting her nipples just brush Tari's mound. Danica wiggled back and forth, letting the erect buds slide over Tari's skin. She then slowly slid up Tari's body, letting the pebble-hard tips tickle Tari all the way, causing both women to shudder and moan from the sensation. When Danica reached Tari's breasts, she let her nipples rub over Tari's in little circles, prompting Tari to push the firm globes together so that both of their nipples would stay in contact. Tari then took the initiative. She pulled Danica forward for a long, sensual kiss, and then edged her forward to wash her tongue over Danica's nipples. Danica moaned contentedly as Tari's soft tongue swirled and curled over stiff nipples. Tari then suckled one of the buds, moaning along with Danica. Danica remained supported on her hands over Tari, gasping as the dusky skinned woman suckled her breasts and caressed her bottom. The ache between Danica's legs increased to unbearable levels, and she pulled away from Tari's lips with a mixture of hesitation and anticipation. Danica slid downward once more, using her knees to guide Tari's apart. Lowering her body until their mounds touched, Danica pulled Tari's legs up and farther apart so that their glistening folds could make better contact. Danica rocked her hips, causing her labia to rub Tari's with slippery friction. Both women were so aroused — so badly in need of release — that even this unfocused stimulation quickly built the pressure inside them both. The slave girl beneath Danica moaned as the speed of Danica's rocking hips increased. Their folds pulled and flowed over each other, their buds often coming into contact with each other. As Danica drew closer to release, the speed of her hip movement increased as well. Danica looked down with a gasp as she drew near her pinnacle. Tari's head leaned back, her mouth opening and a quiet gasp escaping her as she slowly drew in a breath. When that breath escaped her, it was in the form of a long, low moan accompanied by her whole body quivering as she came. The look of ecstasy on Tari's face was the trigger that pushed Danica over the edge. Danica's quiet squeal mingled with Tari's moan, a gush of Danica's hot fluids bursting forth from her to soak them both. Danica's hips ground their nether lips together, keeping them both climaxing. Danica's body fell forward when her arms began to wobble beneath her, but she kept her hips tightly pressed against Tari. The contractions of their orgasms caused both women to shudder, their twitching labia stimulating each other and causing a chain reaction that lasted for quite some time after they sank down from their heights. Tari pulled Danica down into yet another long, sensual kiss, prompting the two women to once again intertwine their bodies and let their hands roam over each other's soft skin. Danica and Tari were both damp with sweat, the heat of the day and the heat of their passion coating them in a sheen of dampness. Tari's face glowed with a smile of contentment as they broke from a kiss and met each other's eyes. Danica felt Tari's legs beneath her part, and then Tari's hands were on her shoulders, gently pushing downward. Danica licked her lips and allowed Tari to guide her — sliding her hands down Tari's body as she moved toward the other woman's parted legs. Danica never broke eye contact with Tari as she moved downward, and continued to look up and smile as she placed a soft kiss on Tari's hood. Tari let out a quavering sigh and shivered from Danica's first touch. The dusky-skinned woman then followed the sigh with a far longer moan, as Danica snaked out her tongue to wiggle between Tari's dark lips. Danica did look down then, moaning with Tari as her probing tongue revealed the soft, pink sweetness concealed between Tari's nether lips. Danica looked up to watch Tari as her tongue explored the woman. The look on Tari's face and the strong feelings flowing from her both served to increase Danica's arousal. Tari was experiencing a sweet release, one long denied, and the first true pleasure she had felt in many years. At this moment, she was not a pleasure slave — she was free from her cares as Danica softly caressed away the darkness within her. Danica sensed Tari's need for a soft release — she could feel it in the thoughts and emotions that flowed to her as well as in the cues of the woman's body. Danica savored the taste of Tari's spicy cream as she built the pressure within the other woman for long delicious minutes. Tari's body gently rocked beneath Danica as her pleasure mounted, like waves on a lakeshore pushed by a soft summer breeze. Danica increased the pressure of her tongue, now pushing Tari toward the edge just a little quicker. The rocking of Tari's grew quicker and more pronounced, but continued its smooth rocking flow as she drew ever closer to release. Danica pulled the other woman's smooth bud between her lips, gently massaging it with them as she sensed Tari nearing her peak. She let her tongue lightly wash over the throbbing button, looking up into Tari's eyes as the other woman quietly gasped and shivered with the first signs of release. Tari continued to quiver for long seconds, a seemingly unending, high-pitched moan escaping her as she came and came. Danica lapped up the flow of Tari's cream with contented moans. Danica rose from between Tari's legs with a final kiss on her mound, just above the woman's still quivering labia. Danica rose to her knees to roll her nether lips between her fingers, badly in need of release. Tari could feel the need in Danica as intently as Danica had felt her own. She moved off to the side, and Danica quickly moved to lie down and part her legs. Tari slipped between them just as quickly, pulling Danica's thick lips between her own to suck them. Danica caressed Tari's shoulders, moaning encouragement as the swarthy-skinned concubine gave someone pleasure because she wanted to — for the first time in a long time. Tari was fascinated by Danica's full lips, spending much time exploring every crease and fold with her tongue and sucking them between her lips to roll them and tease them. She didn't neglect Danica's engorged clit, however, making sure to give it just enough swipes of her tongue and gentle sucks to stoke the fires within Danica. As Danica drew near her point of no return, Tari sucked Danica's nether lips and hood between her dark lips and began to move her head in slow circles. All the while, she rolled Danica's clit with her tongue. Danica let out a series of gasps, staring down into Tari's eyes as the other woman looked up into hers. Danica's last gasp turned into an almost growling scream of pleasure as her muscles contracted and she gushed her orgasmic eruption into Tari's mouth. Tari continued to give Danica irregular licks and sucks as the redhead beneath her quaked and convulsed in orgasm. She parted Danica's lips wide at one point and gave her clit a few quick strokes with a finger, giving a mirthful moan when Danica squirted a stream of her juices over Tari's shoulder and into the floor beyond. Tari gently stroked Danica's labia with her fingertips as Danica settled into the afterglow of her orgasm. When Danica's shuddering at last calmed, Tari lay down next to her and kissed her once more. Their arms wrapped around each other yet again, and they lay in the warm afterglow of their orgasms for several minutes. Danica looked down at her body, then over at Tari's. They were both soaked in sweat, and both covered in their creamy juices. "I think we both need a bath now." Tari laughed and burrowed her face between Danica's breasts. Danica stroked Tari's hair for a moment and then asked, "Would you like to join me?" Tari smiled and nodded in response, and then both women rose and went to the basin. They sat on opposite sides, facing each other, and sensually washed each other for a long time. When they finished washing, Danica guided Tari to come to her side of the basin. She then wrapped her arms around the darker skinned woman, kissing and caressing her all over while she rubbed Tari's folds beneath the shallow water. Tari came a short while later, quivering in Danica's arms, then settled back into Danica's arms to bask in her afterglow once more. At last, Tari reluctantly left Danica's soft embrace, and the two women rinsed once more before leaving the bath and drying off. They shared one last long kiss, their bodies pressed tightly together. "It has been so long since I have known a woman, or any pleasure I have not given myself," Tari said with a deeply contented smile. "It's unfair for you to be rode like a pony and left unsatisfied. I don't care if you're a slave or not. I wanted to be with you since the first moment I saw you." Tari cast her eyes downward and smiled shyly. "I as well." Danica raised Tari's chin to look into her eyes. "I'm going to be here for a while. I'll make sure you don't want for pleasure for long, as long as I'm here." Tari shuddered and moaned at those words, then turned to gather up Danica's clothing so she could get dressed. Tari went to get her own clothes once she handed Danica hers. ------- Part 15C Danica awakened the next morning from another vivid dream, once again in a damp nightdress. She remembered that for a long time at the beginning of the dream, she had simply teleported around talking with people whom she knew in various places, using a teleportation device. This had gone on for what felt like hours, with no apparent rhyme or reason. The dream had ended with her returning to share another evening of intense, passionate lovemaking with Andrea. Danica dressed and considering going to take a bath in the washing basin. She also thought about doing something more enjoyable with Tari. As Danica left her room, Rekhmire approached her. He told her that her tub was complete, and had arrived. From that point forward, Danica's spirits improved considerably. Danica decided to go exploring a bit since she would be able to bathe when she returned. Heading to the market, Danica purchased some of the local herbs, still curious as to whether they could be useful in magic or in potions. Considering many of them were sold as healing plants, Danica thought it likely. The bustle and shouting of the market quickly grated on Danica's nerves this day, so she moved out into the wider city shortly thereafter. Outside the market, everything was temples and houses. It was an odd change from the cities Danica was used to, and if it hadn't been for the wealth of art displayed on the homes and temples, she would have felt bored silly. As the heat of the day reached its peak, Danica returned to her room and soaked in her tub for an hour or so. Relaxed after her bath, Danica picked up her exploration where she'd left off when the sun reached its height of burning heat. She was near the south edge of the city, and noticed the number of temples increasing. The people here were obviously quite connected to their gods, as there were temples everywhere. It appeared that here was where most of them were, outside the city proper. Some of the temples were even larger than the palace, and often there were multiple temples devoted to the same god. The inscriptions upon the temples noted that the duplicate temples were constructed by various rulers as offerings to those gods. The artwork and statuary of these temples was magnificent, and Danica recognized a few of the gods she knew from the descriptions of their dominion in the artwork. Danica laughed when she realized that Hetmuket was obviously the god Heraklan from her own land. The priests were fine warriors just like those in her land, and just as overly fond of fine spirits and free love. Some things in life are universal. One small temple Danica discovered was dedicated to a god named Sekmamun. The god commanded dominion over knowledge, violent weather and — most interesting to Danica — magic. Danica wandered around the grounds a bit, seeing both runes in the language of magic and true runes mixed in with the pictorial language of the land. Danica smiled as she recognized all the true runes, pleased with the knowledge the strange table had imparted upon her even if she didn't understand it. It didn't take Danica long to realize that while the people here were connected with the gods, they were expected to take direction from a priesthood that restricted access to the actual temples. Danica wanted to enter and find out what she might learn in the temple, but she was afraid of committing some grievous offense. Seeing what looked like a commoner enter a small, columned doorway into the temple, Danica decided it might be safe to follow him in and see what she could see. The man was easily within Danica's view in the small room of the temple, where he made an offering of gemstones and herbs upon the altar at the other end of the room. The man nodded to Danica as he left, but otherwise did not speak. Looking at the altar, Danica thought, despite the fact the features looked more like the local people than her own, that the god looked familiar. She stared and thought for a moment, but just could not place the name of the god she was thinking of. He was depicted as both a man with a crescent moon set in his forehead and a man with a heron head and a crescent moon emblem on a chain at his breast. Danica was so busy studying the altar and other art in the room that she didn't even hear the priest enter the nave from a nearby door. When Danica caught him out of the corner of her eye, she turned to face him with a nod and a smile. "I hope I'm not committing a trespass?" She said as she examined the priest. The man had the typical middling dark skin tone of the people here with his head shaved bald, and wore a light robe dyed blue. He was lean, and Danica found him quite attractive. "You glow with magical creations like the sun himself. You are a student of magic?" The Priest asked her. Danica nodded. "Yes, I am a student of the Art." "You may enter and refresh yourself if you wish. Comforts are provided within for those who study the mystic arts." "Thank you. It would be rude not to accept your invitation, and I must admit I'm curious." The man smiled. "As are we all, else we would never come to the study. Follow me." Danica followed the man through the cloth-draped doorway into the inner part of the temple. She immediately felt the presence of a cooling comfort spell, and the thought occurred to her that perhaps it was one of these people who had created it in the first place. They certainly had motivation in this hot land to create such magic. Down a short hall, Danica saw the other comforts provided. There were tables and chairs for study, papyrus scrolls rested in numerous scroll niches along the walls, fresh fruit and water rested everywhere for the taking, and four tubs filled with slightly steaming water sat in one corner of the room. An older man and a younger woman occupied two of the tubs, both of whom ceased their conversation for a moment to nod respectfully to Danica when she entered. Danica nodded back, curious as to the amount of deference she saw in the bathing pair's eyes. Danica's curiosity must have shown in her eyes, because the priest said, "They show respect for one strong in the Art, for surely someone with such magic on their person is strong in the Art." "It's a little disconcerting. Up until a few years ago, I was a poor student. I know many who are much more powerful than I in my homeland." The priest smiled and raised his eyebrows. "You must have advanced much in recent days then, for it is obvious you are a great worker of Art now. Those who you call your superiors must rival the gods themselves." That thought too was disconcerting — the comparison of Zoraster to a god caused a shiver run down Danica's spine. "You may take your rest, or study as you wish. The temple is always open to you at any time of the day or night. The door beyond the guardian statues of Sekmamun is the inner sanctum of the temple and is reserved for the priesthood. The door there is the inner library, and is warded against intrusion. Sekmamun himself judges who may enter there and who may not. The wards will repel those whom he does not wish to enter." "Only one way to find out, huh?" With a chuckle, the priest responded, "Yes, you must approach and discover for yourself. If you feel the wards acting against you — and you will know — do not attempt to continue. While this has never happened, I am quite sure the results would be unpleasant." Danica turned and walked toward the door, stopping and proceeding at a sedate pace when she was within a few feet. When she didn't feel anything warning her away, she continued on and soon stood in front of the door. She turned back to the priest, who had a look of wonder on his face. He remarked, "I have never seen a foreigner reach that door, let alone one who is not in the service of Sekmamun." "First time for everything," Danica said with a smile and a wink, and then proceeded inside. In only a few moments, the spells and research recorded on the scrolls within the inner library piqued Danica's interest. There were numerous powerful spells related to mummies and other undead, many powerful warding and preservative spells, and magics related to scribing and divining. Most interesting to Danica were several healing spells, which according to their description were on a par with the weaker priestly healing prayers. Healing magic was the dominion of priests, and the healing spells wizards had devised over the years were weak and few. The spells here would prove extremely valuable to any wizard who had access. Danica was still scanning various scrolls with fascination when the priest walked into the library. "Do you see anything which interests you?" "I'm having trouble finding anything that doesn't interest me," Danica said with a laugh. "How has all this remained hidden? Many of these spells are obviously many years old. I would have assumed at least a few of them would have leaked out by now." "It is impossible. Anyone looking upon a copy of these scrolls would see nothing if they were not chosen by Sekmamun to do so. Only those for whom Sekmamun has a purpose can see or utilize the magic herein." Danica smiled mischievously at that. Here was magic she could keep to herself, which Zoraster could not steal from her and turn to his own wicked ends. If they had all been simple cantrips to scratch itches, knowing that Zoraster couldn't steal the magic was reason enough to learn every ounce of the magic she could. "Why would I be chosen?" She asked The priest shrugged his shoulders. "Even those devoted to the gods cannot claim to know their designs. I have seen great priests of Sekmamun who were unable to enter this library, and I have seen those with little to no evident power granted access." "I'll certainly be here often while I'm here in the city. I haven't even asked you your name," Danica remarked when she realized the lapse. "Or offered yours. I am Harkhuf." "Danica. There are so many healing spells. I didn't think it was possible, with all the research done over the centuries that led nowhere." "My people learn much about the body when we prepare our dead for their journey into the hereafter. As we mummify our departed, we see the difference between the aged and diseased, and those who are young and healthy — taken before their prime. What we have learned allowed us to form the magic to heal, as well as heal with skill of hand and herb." "The divining magic is fascinating as well. I see you're making use of one of them now, and it explains how you knew about my magic items so easily." Danica traced a finger below her eye, mimicking the liner around Harkhuf's eye. He smiled. "Yes, it is a useful spell that allows you to see magic without clouding your normal vision. It is not so powerful or detailed as using the inner eye, but useful nonetheless." Danica caught Harkhuf glancing toward her crotch for just a fraction of a second as he explained the spell. Danica's first thought was identical to her body's automatic reaction — arousal. A moment later, she realized what he was looking at in context of their conversation. "You're wondering about this," she said while laying a hand over her mound and laughing. Harkhuf smiled nervously. "I found it rather odd, yes. It is not a location where I would normally expect to see such a powerful radiation of magical power, at least not magic born of the Art." Danica absolutely caught the reference to the other magic that might be in the location they were speaking of, the tone of his voice leaving little doubt, though he moderated the sound in mid sentence. "I have a ring that has many defensive powers there. You think of it as an odd place, and so would most others. That means it might get overlooked and be very handy in dangerous circumstances." The look on Harkhuf's face indicated that he was trying to work out the physics of a ring between Danica's legs, and was having little success in doing so. "It is pierced through my hood," Danica revealed with a laugh. He laughed with just a hint of nervousness. "I was wondering, as it did not make sense." "I hope this conversation isn't straining any vows." Harkhuf laughed heartily at that. "No, certainly not that. My people do not attach such excessive worry to our natural desires as do yours." Danica glanced at the paintings of the gods that lined the room's walls, many of which were nude, the males depicting very substantial erections. "Obviously not." "It is natural to desire, and to act upon those desires," Harkhuf said with just the faintest hints of suggestion. A twitch in his kilt offered a far stronger suggestion. Danica felt her body shiver. "There's a lot about your people I would like to learn," Danica remarked with quite a bit more suggestion in her voice than she had actually intended. Her body was hard at work sending the exotic substances that made her desire coursing through her blood. She thought she was probably far enough away from Harkhuf that the results of the Awakening wouldn't affect him, but as aroused as she felt, she knew the small room would overcome that soon. From the look in his eyes and the change in his stance, it appeared that he was under her spell anyway. "I would be willing to offer my assistance in your studies while you are here, as well as learn what I may as well." Danica's desires overcame her and she moved in close, seeing Harkhuf shiver and stiffen slightly as she approached. "You have been Awakened," he said softly. Danica nodded. "Without my knowledge, yes. Is that a problem?" "Far from it, I would think." Danica leaned in and kissed him then, finding her kiss returned just as hungrily. "I want you," she whispered breathlessly in his ear. "As do I desire you." With those words, Danica felt the momentary disorientation of teleportation jolt her body, and they were somewhere else. Danica had no idea where they were, but there was a bed here and that's all she cared to know at this moment. Danica tugged at Harkhuf's kilt, freeing it from his body in one swift movement. She moaned contentedly when she saw his erection fully revealed. It was long, not overly thick, uncut, and pointed straight out from his body at an almost perfect ninety degree angle. Harkhuf wasted no time in removing Danica's linen gown either, pulling it open with skilled hands and almost instantly reaching up to grasp her breasts with gentle pressure, his thumbs rubbing lightly over her stiff nipples. After a few moments of hefting her heavy breasts, Harkhuf lay Danica down on the bed. Danica parted her legs, and he used one of them to guide her over onto her side. He then pulled her close to the edge of the bed and lifted the leg he was using to guide her up high. As soon as he put her in this position, Harkhuf pressed the tip of his stiff member against her nether lips. Danica sighed contentedly as she watched his shaft disappear inside her in one smooth thrust. The position in which he took her and the unique straight angle of his erection served to hit her deep in places she quickly found were very sensitive. As he stroked her, Danica discovered that he was able to change the angle of his penetration simply by moving her up thrust leg left or right. He did so often, and soon Danica's body was on fire from the continuous change in powerful stimulation. Danica moaned encouragement to him as her pleasure mounted. He continued to penetrate her with full, measured thrusts, and he appeared in complete control from what Danica could see. Danica was nearly to her peak, and he looked ready to send her to several more. Sensing Danica was near climax, Harkhuf tightly grasped her leg hard to increase the speed and power of his thrusts. The effect on Danica was immediate and intense. She cried out with each hard penetration and gasped with each withdrawal. A subtle pull on her leg to the left put his shaft, slick with her juices, into direct contact with Danica's clit on each thrust. It took only a pair of strokes after that for Danica's body to erupt. A long, loud scream burst from Danica as her body contracted in orgasm. Harkhuf continued to pound her hard for a few thrusts, and then slowly eased off until he was barely stroking while Danica's orgasm played out. He let her leg fall into a relaxed position as she recovered, leaving his cock buried about halfway inside her. Once Danica partially recovered her wits, she looked up at Harkhuf and let out a slightly animalistic moan, licking her lips. She then pulled both of her knees up close to her chest and grasped behind them. Harkhuf smiled and pushed inside her once more. Danica's eyes rolled up in her head as his buried shaft set off an aftershock of ecstasy. He left his throbbing erection buried deep inside her for a few moments, and then returned to his previous steady, measured pace. "Oh yes — give it to me," Danica loudly moaned. Once again, the straight angle of his cock hit her deep in places that were new and exciting. Danica quickly built toward climax again, the pressure within her even stronger this time. Danica could also see in Harkhuf's eyes that he was beginning to lose control. At first, Harkhuf altered the angle of his thrusts every few strokes, but now he was simply slamming home and gasping each time his tip reached her depths. Danica drew near an explosion, her head thrashing back and forth as she screamed, "Yes!" Her breasts bounced hard under his assault. Everything except the sound of Danica's rapidly beating heart went silent for just a moment, a reddish light quickly growing in intensity behind her closed eyelids. Then the world snapped back into focus as she screamed and arched her back. Her hot fluids gushed from her, squirting out around Harkhuf's cock, and Danica continued to thrash and scream as her orgasm took complete control of her body. Moments later, Danica felt him pull free of her. Looking down, she saw him stroking his cock over her belly. Danica loudly gasped, "Inside me!" Harkhuf half smiled and slipped deep inside her sheath once more with a loud gasp. He grabbed her thighs and rapidly pounded his cock home, setting off another strong wave of orgasm in Danica. She squirted once again around him, and then felt his cum flooding her depths. They remained joined and quaking from their climaxes for several moments before Harkhuf had to pull free from her, his knees unable to support him. Danica let her legs drop over the edge of the bed as he turned to lie down heavily upon it as well. Danica looked down as she basked in the dreamy afterglow, seeing Harkhuf's slowly softening cock still pointing straight up at the sky, although starting to lean slightly now as he lost his steel. "I've never seen one so straight like that before. You felt wonderful." "As did you," Harkhuf gasped. "You'll likely find that all who have the means amongst my people will be the same. It emulates the gods, and is much desired." "How is it done?" "There is some magic involved, but much of it has to do with the pleasure servants. The angle of a man's member is shaped in his youth, when he pleasures himself frequently. Those with the means provide pleasure servants who service the frequent needs of a young man, carefully guiding his young flesh to emulate the gods. He is held straight in a tight grip while being stimulated with the mouth, most often for as much as an hour, then given release inside the pleasure servant's depths. Again, the servant carefully controls the angle at which he enters her, and after a year or so, the phallus takes on its godly aspect. I have not been given my release inside a woman's warm depths since that time, until you blessed me with that gift a few moments ago." "The pleasure servants come from the temple of Quadesis?" Harkhuf nodded. "Yes, that is how I knew of the Awakening. All of the pleasure servants have been Awakened." "I wonder if I can awaken you to hardness again," Danica remarked with a crooked smile. "I have little doubt that you will be able to do that shortly." They coupled once again not long after, and then returned to the baths in the temple to wash before Danica departed with copies of two healing spells from the inner library. ------- "I believe your sister has returned to her shop Devan. She suddenly reappeared to my questing magic a few moments ago, and appears to be there." "Thank you Zoraster, I appreciate your help," Devan said before teleporting to the familiar environs of her sister's dusty shop. Danica walked out of the sealed vault just as Devan teleported in. "What brings you here Devan?" "My sister missing for years who hasn't even gone to say goodbye to our mother yet," Devan replied. "We said our goodbyes years ago, Devan. We knew this was coming. I only just found out. I'll go pay my respects and see Dad and our little brother soon." "Where in the world have you been? Your shop has been sitting here gathering dust for years." Danica smiled. "I found a man — a teacher and mentor who is actually showing me how to use my powers. I'm not just a dabbler anymore, I can work real magic now. He is also the most wonderful man I've ever met. We're engaged to be married." Devan smiled slightly at that, with just faintest hints of both amusement and bitterness in the grin. "That's nice, but does he keep you locked in a cage when he's not instructing you or bedding you? You could have sent word to someone — let us know." Danica flushed with anger. "My life is my own to lead. I don't have to ask Father's permission to go on a date anymore. I'm a big girl now, Devan." "We were worried, Danica. You just vanished without a word." "How long was it before you even knew I was gone? A year? Perhaps two? It's not like you come to visit that often." Devan stiffened at that remark. "I have my studies, my teaching, and tasks to complete. I come see you whenever I can, and you know how to reach me. You were always welcome to come see me and you know that." "Whatever. I'll go visit mother as soon as I can. In the meantime, you can stop worrying about me. I have the power to take care of myself now." With that, Danica vanished as she teleported away. Devan growled and cast a spell to seek out her sister once more, intending to let Danica have a piece of her mind. She then stomped in anger when Danica once again seemingly vanished from the world. ------- Zoraster watched Danica in his scrying mirror as the wizards behind him ceased their chant. Glancing over, he saw Devan vanish from Danica's shop in another scrying mirror. He laughed and spun on his heels, flipping the hem of his robe with a flourish. "Splendid! Absolutely splendid!" Walking over to a nearby door, he opened it and revealed Danica standing in the darkened room — or rather a clone of her. The copy carried the bag and wore the clothes he had observed Danica wearing only moments before during the heated exchange with Devan. "Such a naughty little girl — so rude to your dear, sweet sister," Zoraster said and slapped the clone hard across the face. The imprint of his hand showed on her face, but the clone didn't flinch. The Archmage laughed. "Now Devan should be discouraged from getting too close to my little rose, and also owes me a favor for finding her." Turning back to the wizards in the other room Zoraster said, "Your spell has served me perfectly. You shall be well rewarded. You are dismissed." The wizards, except for one who was obviously of low rank and not associated with the others, bowed and took their leave. The remaining wizard approached with a sheaf of parchment. "Master Zoraster — word from the Necromancers." "Excellent. You are dismissed." The messenger left, and Zoraster read the document. The report confirmed his theory about the hosts that his Arians drained. The bodies rose as energy and fluid draining undead. Zoraster was also pleased to note that these undead propagated themselves whenever they fed, and were utterly subservient to his Arians — who were utterly subservient to him. He now possessed a scourge that he could unleash upon the world on a whim when the time was right. "I'll have to come up with a name for these new pets," Zoraster mused as he rolled the parchment up and began framing further instructions for the Necromancers in his mind. Walking out of the room and leaving the clone standing motionless in the dark, he scowled when he saw Camilla waiting for him. "You were not summoned." "I am concerned about the amount of trust you place in that red haired bitch. She will betray you, and everything she is doing I could do better." Zoraster rolled his eyes. "She is more capable than you could ever imagine, and she cannot betray me. I hold her family and all she holds dear in the palm of my hand. You, however, are proving very limited. You have become quite stale in your old age, my dear." Camilla stiffened, anger flashing for the briefest of moments in her eyes, but quickly mastered her emotions. "I was simply concerned. I do not doubt your ability or reasoning. I was concerned that you might be overlooking the danger in her as you focused on the larger whole." "I overlook nothing, and you would do well to be concerned with her. I believe she may be your superior in Art now. I would not cross her, if I were you." Again, Camilla stiffened as anger surged within her. "I will keep that in mind," she said in carefully controlled tones. "You are dismissed." Camilla nodded and left Zoraster's private complex in the mountain. As soon as she passed through the portal back into the main complex, Zoraster said, "This could certainly prove interesting. Are you stung enough to face my little rose now, dear Camilla? Either you will learn a valuable lesson about your place that you have long ignored, or you will be eliminated. Either of which will serve me equally." Zoraster's laughter echoed through the halls as he made his way to his study. ------- Danica awoke groggy and more than a little perplexed by the odd dream. She wondered why she'd felt so angry with her sister over nothing, and where her sleeping mind fabricated the ridiculous notion of a betrothed teaching her magic. Danica brushed the thought away and went to her tub to fill it. It was not as if she was the only one who had weird dreams, and indeed, she had experienced even odder ones in the past. As she sank into her tub, she thought she certainly preferred the previous dreams about Andrea to last night's foray into dreamland. Thoughts of Andrea brought thoughts of Tari, who was right here and available. Again, Danica forced the thoughts aside. She planned her day, which began a pattern that would hold in the coming days as she awaited the completion of Zoraster's new outpost. The construction moved along quickly, the Governor's personal workers attacking the project with skill and speed. Danica grew less hesitant with spending her own coin each day as the construction progressed. The artisans worked just as quickly, and Danica was especially delighted with the tubs and chamber pots, most notably the finely carved alabaster tub she had requested for the room she had designed specifically for herself. The outpost was going to be comfortable, functional, and beautiful. While the men worked, Danica spent most of her time in study. She concentrated upon the Spell Weaving, gaining mastery of the process daily. She also practiced the quick battle mage form of spell casting she had learned at the Forge. Danica had already studied and learned to cast most of her usual offensive spells in this manner, but now concentrated on spells that defended and countered attacks. She also spent a great deal of time with Tari and Rekhmire, both socially and sexually. Danica did her best to send Reneb on meaningless tasks any time he arrived at the home. Tari was not completely spared from Reneb using her, but Danica's efforts ensured it rarely happened. Danica was determined to do something to remove Tari from the situation. Danica requested that scribes copy many texts from the inner library at the temple of Sekmamun. There were several people who could enter the library, and although the cost of the scribes was tremendous, Danica felt it was worth it as she studied what was brought to her when completed. She spent several wonderful evenings with Harkhuf as well. During the evenings, Danica also found time to practice something else, her dancing. She had told the Governor that she might dance again, and thought it might be good leverage if she needed it. It certainly couldn't hurt if she could improve her dance. Rekhmire played pipes, and he played local songs for her until she found some that suited her. She knew she could match her dance to the music if she knew the tune intimately. He and Tari also proved a willing audience, offering suggestions and criticism once she encouraged them often enough to do so. By the time the main construction of the outpost was nearly complete, about two months later, Tari and Rekhmire said her dance was amongst the best they had ever seen. Danica also mastered quick-casting most of her common defensive spells. She managed to weave a web of power tendrils that filled, warmed, cooled, and even emptied her tub with a wave of her hand. Danica also mastered a few of the healing spells from the Sekmamun library, as well as one that would prove extremely useful. The spell, Hand of the Stone Scribe, allowed the caster to use their finger to carve runes in stone. Danica decided she was going to ward and conceal the door to her personal room in the outpost with magical and true runes. The new spell would make the process much easier and more accurate than using tools, or having one of the artisans do it. Discussions with Rekhmire also gave Danica an idea of what she wanted to try to connive from the Governor with her dance. The Governor had the power to free slaves, and that is what Danica planned to ask for Tari. She could have Tari take over as one of the servants in the outpost, and that would enable her to survive here in a foreign land, or earn the money to return to her home if she wished. At last, the outpost was complete three months and a few days after her arrival in the hot land. The only thing that remained, which was going to add significantly to the already extensive costs to her own coin she had incurred, was the teleportation pattern. She planned to have the pattern carved in low relief, set with semi-precious stones, and painted with only the finest paints. The design Danica had chosen made her smile and chuckle, several of the local male god aspects in a circle facing each other. Danica had naturally chosen those gods depicted with erect phalluses, and Danica laughed thinking how much it would unnerve many of the male wizards who Zoraster might send here. While the artisans began work on the pattern, Danica worked on her runes and lists of the furniture she wished constructed or purchased for the outpost. Another two weeks saw the completion of Danica's runes, and the acquisition of most of the furniture. Danica's task here was essentially complete, except for staffing the outpost. That was Danica's next move, because she knew exactly whom two of the people she wanted staffing the outpost were. She sent word through an extremely irritable Reneb that she wished to dance for the Governor once more that night, and received an enthusiastic acceptance only a few minutes later. That evening, Danica arrived prepared to dance. There were no supplicants or other extraneous people in the Governor's audience hall that night, only the extended royal family and other various personages of power were present. Many representatives of the temples had come to watch her dance this night, her similarity to the goddess of dance intriguing them. Danica first curtsied to the royals, exchanged the appropriate pleasantries, and then approached the musicians. The Governor had provided a full troupe for her dance, including someone playing every local instrument. Danica informed them of the songs she wished for them to play, and what cues they were to watch for in her dance as they played. Moving back to the center of the hall, Danica curtsied once more, and then opened the linen robe she had worn to the Palace. She smiled when she saw eyes widen as her robe pooled to the floor, because all she wore beneath the robe was fine jewelry, much of it local, adorned with small bells that sounded somewhat like tiny cymbals. Danica raised her hands over her head, signaling the musicians to play, and then began her dance. She concentrated on the complex routine she had practiced — making sure it was absolutely flawless. The dance began slowly, her arms waving and flowing as if suspended in water. Her steps carried her toward the Governor, weaving back and forth before the throne, causing his eyes to follow her, but never forcing him to turn his head. As a deeper horn joined the flute to increase the rich tone of the music, Danica spun back before the Governor. She looked deep into his eyes, undulating like a serpent under the control of the snake charmers that were common near busy areas of the city. Danica meant to charm the Governor, and her dance appeared to work quite well. A deep trill of the flute led into an increase in the power and frequency of the drumbeats, set off by alternating rhythms between the horns and flute. Danica accentuated her movements, and she moved even closer to the Governor, almost touching him. She presented her bottom, breasts, and mound to him tantalizingly close as she continued to dance and lock eyes with him at every opportunity. All the musicians joined for the crescendo of the piece, filling the hall with sound. Danica leaned over the Governor and arched her back, bringing her breasts within inches of his face, and then sank to her knees before the Governor as the music ended with a series of loud drumbeats. Danica rose slowly to a standing position before the Governor, a bright smile on her face. It was impossible not to notice the effect the dance had on the men in the room, because everywhere god-emulating erections strained at kilts and clothing. The banging applause grew to a deafening roar while Danica strutted — her bottom sensually swaying — back to the center of the floor where she curtsied once again and put back on her robe. Rising to his feet, ignoring the awkward hang of his kilt from his erection, the Governor said, "Once again, we are blessed by your dance. This shall be an evening that will be memorialized in stone as well as our memories. My artisans will carve images of your dance upon these walls amongst those of Tayetet — that all who come in the years beyond shall be blessed as we are this night." Danica actually blushed at the thought of her image appearing here to last through the centuries. "I am humbled by your praise, Lord Governor, and wonder if I might ask of you a boon?" "Ask and it shall be yours if it is within my power and proper." "I wish to purchase one of the slaves from the home in which I have guested during my time here. I wish to contact them to bargain for her sale." The governor gestured toward a man, and when he stepped forward, Danica knew he was a wizard. The wizard conferred with Danica a moment, and when he understood where Danica stayed in the city, he said he could contact the owners of the home with his magic. The Governor ordered a great silvered mirror brought from his own chambers to use as a medium for the spell, and the wizard made contact in short order. The man looked startled when his image appeared in the mirror, more so when he noticed the Governor plainly in view in the hovering image before him. Danica curtsied. "I apologize for this intrusion, but I wish to purchase the slave Hathortari from you. The Lord Governor has seen fit to grant me the aid of his wizard to contact you and negotiate for her sale." The man did not look at all pleased with the request, but a woman who appeared in the field of view at that moment most certainly did. The woman asked, "What is your offer?" Danica had done some research into the prices slaves commanded in this land, and the price she offered was one that might be expected for a young virgin pleasure slave. It was certainly an offer that would prove difficult to refuse, although Tari's owner still looked reluctant to surrender her. "I feel I must inform you that your overseer, Reneb, has also been making use of Hathortari's body during your absences. I don't know if this is part of the payment for his services, but I thought you should know about it." Anger flashed across the man's features then, and Danica smiled. She suspected that rude Reneb would need to seek other employment soon. After a moment or two of conferring with the woman the man in the mirror said, "I agree to this price." The Governor said, "I will hold the payment here against your return." The man nodded and Danica said, "I would also like to retain the servant Rekhmire, if at all possible. I have rare spices, as well as magic to cool and heat your bedchambers here to serve as compensation for you in the need to replace him." The woman beamed brightly upon hearing about the magic and nudged her husband, indicating her desires in this matter in no uncertain terms. "I agree to this as well," he said. Danica curtsied. "You are wise and generous, and I thank you." The magical communication ended and Danica turned to the Governor once more. She pulled out her purse and counted out the coin and stones for the payment, handing it to a man the Governor indicated. She then said, "Lord Governor, I wish to ask that Hathortari be freed from her bondage." The Governor smiled. "I suspected such was your intention. You do not seem one to own slaves. Your request is granted, the woman known as Hathortari is a slave no more." "Thank you, Lord Governor. Perhaps I might come dance for you again some time, if you wish." He laughed. "You are welcome at any time. I shall rise from my bed in the dead of night to watch you dance." Murmurs throughout the room confirmed that many agreed with him. Danica blushed again. She had practiced hard, but the praise still overwhelmed her. With a final curtsy, Danica left the palace and returned to the home in which she had guested, to gather up Tari and Rekhmire. Both were stunned by Danica's news — Tari most of all. Tari agreed to stay and serve in the outpost, as her family had all died in the war that had enslaved her, and there was little reason for her to return. When Danica led them into the new outpost, Tari and Rekhmire's eyes went wide in response to the accommodations provided for them. Having their own tubs and finely crafted chamber pots delighted them both. Danica promised to use her magic to make the entire outpost comfortable as well. They would live nearly as well as the highborn within the outpost. Danica also gave them a quite large amount of coin as the first payment for their services. Rekhmire said it was easy enough to find strong young men to labor, but Danica decided the outpost needed at least one more servant with a wide variety of skills. She made some inquiries and heard about a local middle-aged widow who was scraping together a living by doing numerous domestic jobs — very well. It only took Danica a few minutes of talking to the woman to decide she wanted her on staff. The woman was delighted, because the pay would allow her to live comfortably, while still allowing plenty of time to service those who had regularly retained her. The woman proved a marvelous cook, meticulous housekeeper, and highly skilled seamstress. Between the three servants, they could meet most any need or quickly obtain it. It took nearly another month for the artisans to complete the teleportation pattern, but Danica was highly pleased with the results. It perfectly meshed with the paintings throughout the rest of the outpost, and was certainly unique enough to serve as a teleportation pattern. Despite all she had learned here, and how much she enjoyed her time with Rekhmire, Tari, and Harkhuf, Danica was ready to go home. Thinking of Zoraster's complex as home caused Danica to wince. She had remained there far too long under Zoraster's thumb for that word to attach itself to her prison in her mind. This is Zoraster's trap, she thought, Unfortunately, it seems to be working. Danica gathered the house servants, explaining that others would use the house. She warned them that some who came might prove frightening, rude, and generally unpleasant. Danica knew from too many years of experience that Zoraster forbade and severely punished any form of serious abuse against the servants in his outposts, so she wasn't really worried about more than that. Danica went to her new room and cast the spell to contact Zoraster, informing him that the outpost was complete and staffed. Zoraster told her to show him the teleportation pattern, and Danica took the scrying mirror to the pattern, aiming the mirror with a crooked smile. Danica could hear Zoraster laugh, and a few moments later the mirror reflected the hem of his robe as he arrived in person. "I expect I will have difficulty sending males here, although this pattern will likely be quite amusing to any female. Do show me around, little rose." After touring the house, and meeting the servants, they returned to the room Danica had set aside for herself. "Show me the magic from the temple," Zoraster demanded. Danica gathered up the parchments the scribes had copied for her and showed them to Zoraster. He leafed through them for a few moments, then handed them back with a slight scowl. "Bah — it seems the priest spoke the truth, they appear blank to me although I know full well these are the correct parchments. No matter, I will likely find ways to duplicate any spell you learn in time. I am pleased with the outpost, and I may in fact have new ones constructed with more interior comfort from this point forward, as you have done here. You will be reimbursed for your own coin spent, and you may retain this room as yours alone." "I'm so happy it pleases you," Danica said sarcastically. "What is the second part of my task? There are things I want to get back to in my lab." "Celes will accompany you on the next part of your task, and will inform you as to its nature. Another will accompany you as well, and Celes will transport him here. Once she has arrived and informed you, you are free to leave the city if you wish. Your task is not time sensitive, although sooner is better than later and I will not be amused if you dawdle overmuch." Danica nodded her understanding, and Zoraster spoke the words of a spell. Before Danica's eyes, Zoraster's appearance transformed until he looked like a highborn local. "I believe I'll take a look around the city. Celes should be along in the morning." The illusion Zoraster had woven about him disconcerted Danica, because despite knowing it for an illusion, she found it was difficult to penetrate it as she watched him leave the room and the outpost. Danica knew that if she had not seen the transformation, it was a distinct possibility that she wouldn't have recognized the man. It was more than a little disturbing, and Danica vowed to be careful about sharing any of her hidden secrets with anyone she didn't know well. Relaxing on her bed, she eagerly awaited Celes' arrival. ------- Part 16A Danica heard the chime the next morning that signaled someone arriving at the teleportation pattern. Although happy to see Celes, Danica was nowhere near as joyful to see who accompanied her — the thief Telanor. Danica's scowl must have spoken volumes, because Telanor put his hands up defensively in front of him and said, "Hey — I'm here on orders, and you're going to need me." Danica snorted derisively at that, but Celes countered her notion. "He's right by me thinkin', Dearie. T' cutpurse'll be able ta see t' traps we're probably gonna be trippin' over where we're goin'." "We could deal with it with magic," Danica argued. "We'll be havin' our hands full, Dearie. We better be talkin' 'bout this somewhere t' walls ain't got ears." Danica nodded. "I'll introduce you to the servants then, and we'll go to my room. I've spent a lot of time making it private, and that should work." Turning to Telanor she said, "You can stay in here — and for your own good you'd better not harass the servants. If you steal anything, Zoraster will be short a thief." "Like I'd be foolish enough to steal anything from here. I haven't lived this long on the dodgy path by being stupid." "Don't start now then," Danica responded and led Celes out of the main bedroom. Tari, Rehkmire, and the older woman Yensanamun were waiting. As Danica introduced them, she heard the mental gasp from Celes and knew it was directed at Tari, who was wearing a new linen gown that displayed her attributes to a very arousing degree. Danica chuckled silently and then absently named Telanor before leading Celes to her room. Danica touched a rune along the frame of the doorway once she was inside, and then turned back to Celes. "We can talk safely now. It would take strong magic to break through the wards against scrying and the sound dampening magic of the runes." Celes blew out a surprised whistle while looking at the complex rune structures. "You certainly haven't been neglecting your studies. This must have taken forever to carve." Danica smiled. "Not exactly — I'll get into that later." Celes looked around then and Danica could tell she had slipped into the second sight. "Gods, Danica — complex rune structures and a spell weave that looks like a tapestry. The speed you master magic is beyond anything I've ever seen." Danica blushed and smiled. "We can talk about that later, and I can show you more. Let's talk about the task. It's always better to give prying eyes less time to break through the protective magic." "I know that, sassy," Celes said with a smile. "The reason I said we needed to get away from eavesdroppers is because we're supposed to rob a tomb." Danica's eyes went wide. "Here, of all places, he wants us to rob a tomb?" "Not only that, but a tomb that was sealed by the greatest priests of the Necropolis, with as much emphasis on keeping something inside as keeping people out." Danica put her hands over her eyes for a moment. "That explains why you said we'd be too busy to look for mundane traps. I guess we will need Telanor." "He doesn't seem that bad to me. He has more manners than most of Zoraster's flunkies." "He didn't threaten to cut your tits off, either." "I guess I haven't seen his bad side, and I've seen too much of it in Zoraster's other servants," Celes explained with a shrug. "If he's acting civilized, he's probably trying to rob you. Okay, what do we know then?" "I can show you the area where the tomb is buried," Celes said while walking toward Danica's large mirror. Celes cast the spell, and Danica noticed Celes had not neglected her studies either. She used the battle mage technique to cast the spell quickly. Looking at the image in the mirror when it emerged, Danica saw only a natural rock wall and sand. As Celes moved the focus of the mirror, Danica saw a pair of priests sheltered in a nearby cave. The clerics were certainly close enough to see the first location that the mirror had shown — and to get there quickly. "Not much to see. Once they sealed the tomb with magic, they buried the entrance in sand and rubble and set guards on it. It has been guarded constantly for over six hundred years, if our information is correct," Celes said, dismissing the magical image in the mirror. "What exactly are they protecting?" "Themselves, if what Zoraster has learned is correct. The man buried there is supposed to have been a great wizard who was willingly sacrificed and mummified in a forbidden ritual, in order to maintain his power indefinitely. When he rose, the priests who had mummified him were killed and mummified except for the high priest. When they rose, they killed the high priest and the soldiers who guarded the tomb, mummifying them as well. They are likely all the living dead within the tomb still, unless the priests destroyed any before sealing the tomb. Considering how closely they guard the place, I'd say they are trying to keep them in. They're probably still stalking the place," Celes explained. "Doesn't Zoraster have any dark clerics to deal with the undead for him?" Danica grumbled and sighed. "They could deal with the undead, but it's probably going to take all our magic and Telanor's eyes just to get into the place alive and unnoticed." "What are we after? This certainly isn't a normal treasure hunt." "An obsidian obelisk. We'll know it when we find it, because it will throb with dark magic," Celes informed her. "Do we know anything else?" Danica inquired. "Not even the wizard's name. These people obliterate any evidence of offensive people and put them out of their memory. It's supposed to prevent them from reaching their place in the afterlife if they're forgotten." "We can't teleport, because we can't see where we're going. We can't use the passwall spell, because it won't work on the sand," Danica said ticking off ways to enter in her mind. "Odds are we won't be able to use the phasing spell either, because I can't imagine them not warding the place against ghosts and intangible creatures," Celes added. "We're going to have to uncover the entrance then. This is insane. There's no way we can do this without getting caught, and I don't want to think what will happen to us if we're caught breaking into a tomb in this land," Danica said and punctuated it by throwing up her hands and angrily sighing. "We'll have to find a way. The madman may not be concerned with how quick we get this bobble, but he's damn sure determined that we get it. I'm afraid if we don't, we won't be the only ones to suffer for our failure this time. There's something different — something I can't explain — in the way he gave me the orders for this," Celes warned. "Let's go see if you can enter the inner library at the temple of Sekmamun. We might be able to find something there, and it will be a lot easier if we both can get in to look." As soon as Danica finished speaking out loud, she sent her thoughts to Celes, We might be able to talk about other things there too. I don't think Zoraster will be able to watch us there. Celes thought back, Good — there are things I want to talk to you about too. The two women heard someone exclaim, "What the?" from the doorway to the room at that moment. Danica walked over and opened the door. There, in front of the door hung Telanor, suspended in a magical web. Danica laughed and dismissed the ward by touching a rune on the wall. "You know, eavesdropping and sneaking into a lady's room are both very rude," Danica said as Telanor dropped to the floor, landing perfectly balanced on his feet. The thief picked at strands of web that weren't there, still feeling them even though the magic threads were gone. "How the hell did you trap me? Zoraster's charms should have protected me." Danica laughed again. "That will teach you to trust Zoraster's protections too much. You're lucky it wasn't a killing magic I had on this door." Telanor stiffened for a moment. "I know you're mocking me, but you're probably right. I just said I didn't live this long by being stupid, and a few minutes later I do something stupid that could have got me killed." Danica shrugged. "Maybe I shouldn't have offered the advice." "Can't we just let the past be the past? We're on the same side now." Danica scowled. "We're not on the same side. I'm stuck with you — it doesn't mean I have to like it." "One little misunderstanding and you get all bitchy. Oh well, at least I got a poke at you first," Telanor said with a lecherous smile. His smile vanished a moment later, as he started furiously scratching his crotch. Danica looked over at Celes, who touched her earring a second time. "Ye'd best be mindin' yer manners, lil' cutpurse, or I'll make ye scratch yer pole clean off next time." Telanor scowled and turned, muttering, "Damn witches," as he walked off. Danica felt a wave of something come from Celes at that moment. It was a mixture of embarrassment, anger — and something else. It was so confusing that Danica couldn't make sense of it. The sensations dissipated as fast as they hit her, and Celes interrupted her thoughts when she spoke a moment later. "Well, show me to this temple then, and ye can explain things 'long the way." "We should get you something more suitable to wear. My magic is what keeps this place livable, and it will be hotter than a devil's breath as soon as we leave," Danica suggested. "Oh bother — let's just go. It won't kill me, an' I've added a bit o' new magic to me robes. I kin keep meself cool 'nuff, I'm fer thinkin'." Yensanamun approached Danica as she and Celes entered the main room. "I've prepared food and drink for you and your guests, Danica." "Okay, me belly is rumblin'. We'll get a bite 'fore we go. Thank ye, lass." The woman laughed a bit at Celes calling her lass, then nodded and went to fetch what she had prepared. ------- Zoraster reappeared in his inner sanctum, a wide smile of satisfaction adorning his face. He crossed the room toward his scrying mirrors, but sat in the chair before them without bringing their magic to life. Instead, he gestured and a table adorned with a map rose slowly from the floor in front of the chair. Pointing to a spot on the map he said, "Beniopolis," and a red dot appeared on the map where he pointed. "An outpost has been established, and contact with the temples of Quadesis and Set has proven fruitful. First contact with what passes for the thieves' guild has also yielded satisfactory results." Pointing to an island on the opposite side of the same continent Zoraster again recorded his progress to the magical map. "Toshima — outpost established and agents inserted within the upper echelon of the thieves' guild. Expendable pawns within the palace have also been contracted and will facilitate the insertion of agents within the government structure." Zoraster's finger moved yet again to point at the upper peninsula of a large island, "Stentoft — Audun is within my complete control and has seized the throne. The fleets of the barbarian raiders are mine to direct as I see fit." Another gesture caused the table to lower back into the floor and vanish. A hum from one of the mirrors drew Zoraster's gaze to it and he brought its magic to life. The cadaverous Necromancer bowed upon seeing Zoraster through the mirror's magic. "Master Zoraster, we have replaced the first of the whores in the second brothel. It will be some time before we can replace another without more corpses." "I will see that more cadavers become available immediately," Zoraster replied. The Necromancer nodded and Zoraster banished the magic of the mirror. Zoraster sat back in his chair for moment, raised one eyebrow, and smiled. Calling upon the magic of another mirror, an unkempt face appeared within its frame. The man in the image started, and then bowed awkwardly to the image of Zoraster hovering before him. "There is a nunnery near your camp at the southern edge of the forest — a large one — is there not?" Zoraster asked. "Yeah, big place full of orphans and bitches. Nothing worth stealing though, and it's too damn close to the damn city to make it worthwhile," the man replied. "It is worth it to me. I will ensure the men at arms are sufficiently distracted. I want every woman taken. I care not what you do with the old or the brats. Collect any bodies of young women killed as well," Zoraster ordered. The man in the mirror frowned and said, "They'll come hunting us like rats." "Not before tomorrow morning, I assure you. That should be sufficient time to take them and entertain your men with them. I will send someone to collect the bodies and aid you in relocating at first light tomorrow. Have your men suffocate the women when they are done with them and keep the bodies as intact as possible." The filthy bandit smiled, "What do we get other than sport with the bitches? There's nothing to loot." Zoraster smiled and said, "You will be compensated, I assure you. Do hurry — I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on a second turn before my agent arrives for the bodies." "Shouldn't take long to get there," the man mused. "Sufficient portions of the city should be well aflame by then to distract any who might come to the Nunnery's aid." With that, Zoraster dismissed the mirror's magic and activated another to set his distraction in motion. Less than an hour later, a city was in flames and bandits poured into the Nunnery. Zoraster relaxed with a glass of fine wine and enjoyed the chaos of the capture and killing, as well as the delightful music of the Nuns screaming as the bandits repeatedly violated them not long after. ------- Despite Celes' initial push toward haste, she seemed to relax as they ate and talked about where their studies had taken them. They talked for around an hour, and then made their way to the temple of Sekmamun. Harkhuf was there to greet them, and to shake his head in astonishment as Celes was also allowed access to the inner library. Harkhuf sensed that the two women needed privacy, and did not intrude when they entered the library. Celes wandered around marveling at the magic within, just as Danica had. "Gods, Danica — much of this magic is unique, and there are some very powerful spells here." "There's something even better. Zoraster can't steal any of it away from us either. The god protects the knowledge, and anybody he doesn't want getting the magic can't even see it. I'm willing to bet that somebody watching you casting the spell wouldn't give them the necessary words or gestures either." Celes laughed, "Oh, that's wonderful. How did he react?" "He actually didn't seem too concerned. He's been distracted lately, not that I mind that," Danica replied. Celes nodded. "Aye, and that's what I wanted to talk to you about. You think he can't spy on us here?" "I doubt it. Did you feel that odd sensation when you passed through the doorway?" Again, Celes nodded. "It was almost like walking into the range of a dispell, but somewhat different." "I haven't learned the spell yet, but it's a ward against scrying that I doubt can possibly be broken or penetrated from afar. It's one of many I've had the scribes here copy and send to me." "Okay then, let me show you something," Celes said and spread out a map of the world on a nearby table. Running her fingers over the map, Celes said, "You remember most of your first tasks were close to Zoraster's home base. Almost all of them were within the country of Ferrartene. Most of mine were the same in the beginning. I think he was consolidating his power in the area. Did you know that the King died and has been succeeded by his daughter, the princess Zoraster had you spy upon?" Danica shook her head. "No — when did this happen?" "A few weeks ago. I think she killed her father to take the throne, and what's more, I think she did it under Zoraster's influence. She's taken a consort I'm almost positive is an agent of Zoraster's." "If you're right, he now controls the whole of the country, from the Throne room to the rudest hut," Danica reasoned. "Ferrartene is a power. They have more men at arms than most of the nations in the region. The new Queen has ordered new conscripts as well. She's building a conquering army, and I have no doubt it will be at Zoraster's beck and call," Celes added. Danica pointed at the map and moved her finger over an area, "He's also been trying to gain control of trade, in everything, reaching out even farther. He's even taking control of the prostitutes. He had me organize the House of Women at the Forge under his control." "He's got another ready made army at his disposal too. I heard somebody talking, saying that he's gotten control of Norshelt somehow," Celes said, pointing at an island on the map. "That means he has a formidable navy at his command," Danica said, remembering what she knew about that land. Celes nodded gravely and further noted, "And the berserkers, anyone who has faced one of our berserkers knows to fear their battle rage." Danica tilted her head a bit and smiled. "I never knew you were from Norshelt." "I don't like to talk about it," Celes mumbled. Danica lay her hand on Celes' arm and said, "It's okay, I won't pry." Celes nodded and smiled. "Now, he's got you ranging far and wide, opening doorways for him here on this continent. Marlena has been sent frequently to the North and to Agreseus, and he seems to have a lot of influence there too. He's had me skulking about in Egoria and Freeland." Danica blew out a low whistle. "That's why he's distracted. He's venturing into dangerous territory there. He's known in Egoria and Freeland, and not well liked." "That could change. He's got a lot of agents there. Some places are watched, while others appear to still be secret. I think he's using the well known ones to distract from the hidden ones that are doing his real work." Danica remembered something that had seemed meaningless at the time, but now felt ominous in light of their conversation. "I think I've seen people in Draxnog livery in the complex." Celes nodded. "Me too. He's surrounding Freeland and Egoria, and trying to infiltrate from within. He's planning to gain control over the entire continent." Danica tapped the map over the continent of Nipairo where they were now. "The world it seems." "Something is building, and it's not going to be good." Danica sighed, "And we're helping him." "We don't have much choice," Celes observed. "What hold does he have over you? He's threatened to kill my family if I disobey him." Celes' eyes welled up, but she wiped them dry and took a deep breath while she composed herself. "He has my love's soul. The knife his bastard assassin used to kill her trapped it. He can, and has, tortured her and let me hear her screams. If I don't obey, he causes her unspeakable agony." Danica wrapped Celes up in her arms. "That's terrible. I'm so sorry." Celes melted into Danica's arms for a few moments, and Danica could feel the waves of sadness pouring out of her as the woman choked off a sob. When they broke from the hug, Celes said, "My love tells me not to obey him for her sake. She does it every time, even though he just tortures her worse for it. I just can't bring myself to disobey him and cause her more pain." "I swear I'm going to find a way to kill him one day. He's too twisted and evil to live. I've had something happen to me, and I've been able to learn true runes with almost no study ever since. There's also the magic here in the library he can't steal and my psionic abilities. Maybe we can find some way to destroy him he can't counter." Celes looked doubtful. "Maybe, but for now let's concentrate on what we're here for. I'm willing to bet the longer we stay in here the greater the chance bad things are going to happen because we hid from him." Danica nodded and went to areas of the shelves she had never looked at before. Celes went to another part of the room to look as well. Around an hour later, Celes walked back to a table with a scroll. "Danica, come look at this." Danica walked over and looked at the scroll, which detailed a spell called Hellgate. "Have you ever heard of it?" Celes asked. Danica shook her head in the negative. "I've seen people use it, so I know Zoraster has it, but it's not anywhere we can reach it. Only his inner circle seems to have access." "It's some sort of teleportation spell, right?" Danica asked. Celes read through the description of the spell and summarized it, "A very complicated and dangerous one. It opens a portal into a pocket dimension that is on the fringes of the lower planes. You can pass through it like a rift to nearly anywhere you know and leave it open so others can follow you. You can also stop in the pocket dimension and use the window of the portal to scry areas you don't know and emerge there as well. That's the dangerous part. Beings of the lower planes inhabit the pocket dimension, which is unique to every spell caster. They take on forms and obey the caster, but try to tempt them and corrupt them at the same time. It's very subtle, and the longer you remain there the more dangerous it is." Moving her finger down the spell description, Celes continued, "It's also impossible to detect someone scrying from within the spell's dimension, and time seems to move differently there. You could spend years there and emerge from the portal seconds later back into our world." "I can see why Zoraster has kept it away from us," Danica said and chuckled. "Aye — and it's perfect for what we need to do now. We can move the scrying portal from within and find the tomb below the sand without moving all of that windblown grit. It won't drain us as much as teleporting when we have to take Telanor with us either. He can just walk through behind us." Danica looked over the spell formula. "If we can learn it. This is complicated. It's making my head swim." Celes tapped the scroll. "We should try. This spell has too many uses." "I agree, and we might be able to use it against Zoraster too." Celes asked about something Danica had mentioned earlier then, "You said you'd begun learning runes from something that happened to you — what was it?" "A table in the basement of a house in Montbank. It was covered in True Runes, and when I touched it, they just snapped into focus in my head. Ever since then, I've been able to learn others with very little trouble," Danica replied. "Did Zoraster question you about it?" Danica nodded and said, "Yes, and he used a truth spell. I managed to dance around the issue and not reveal anything about the table." "He used the truth spell because he can't read your mind. He can control you to some extent with magic, and I suspect he uses drugs to make even that possible. It's the same with me, although I think your psionic abilities are why he can't sift through your mind." "What about these?" Danica said holding up the amulet around her neck. "They can store what we see and what we feel, but I don't think they can steal our thoughts," Celes guessed. "Another weapon to use against him," Danica said with a crooked smile. Celes pursed her lips and said, "I fear it's not enough, Dearie, but it's still good to know our minds are closed to him. It's a good thing he fears psionics, because I wouldn't trust my defenses against a strong Psi. You're a different story, though." Danica leaned back in her chair and mused, "I don't understand it. I was never really good at much of anything before I came here, and now I'm discovering I have all these abilities — all this power." Celes lay her hand on Danica's, patting it and saying, "I don't understand it either, but my mother always said that there's a reason for everything. You'll find out some day." Danica laughed, "My mom always said that too." "Let's see if we can learn this convoluted spell." Danica nodded and they sat down to study. ------- Zoraster squinted and tried to make out something of the image in the mirror. It was hazy, and he could see no details of the room — only that two figures were there. He could make out sounds of speech, but they sounded like mumbling muffled in a pillow, making it impossible to decipher even one word. Zoraster banished the image in the mirror with a snarl. He was beginning to wonder at the wisdom of sending Danica and Celes to this place, now that they had found that cursed temple. He paced for a moment, and then pushed the thoughts aside. In truth, he held little fear of the pair despite their power and whatever secrets they held. His twisted web of lies within lies and threats kept them in check, and he knew he possessed the power to destroy them if necessary. Any who stood against him would be destroyed, be they man or god. All would be remade, brought to glorious perfection in the crucible of his will and power. Every day his power and influence grew, the threats to his designs growing feebler by comparison. The time was coming, so close he could almost taste it, yet still just out of his reach. Leaving the room, he walked into the hallway beyond and found Camilla walking toward him. She bowed upon reaching him. "Master, Marlena is back. She succeeded in luring most of the soldiers away." Zoraster curled his lip, "Most?" Camilla smiled, "A few saw through her pretty little pictures. They returned and saw your agents at work. Most of them were killed quickly, but at least one appears to have escaped. They said he had been driven mad by a spell, but nobody could find him after he ran." Zoraster growled, "The task was simple, and her power should have been strong enough. Why did she fail?" "It seems she was a bit distracted. A few of the men took liberties with the women of the village while the others went about their work, and it bothered her I guess. Allow me to punish her, Master," Camilla purred. "Garthak will administer her punishment. Find that fool who escaped and kill him." Camilla pouted, "That's work for one of your trained monkeys — send Danica." "I can't afford to waste her skills on this. Do as I command." With that, Zoraster passed by Camilla into the private areas of his Inner Sanctum. Camilla raged, spitting out the words from between clenched teeth, "You will die, bitch. I will burn you," before vanishing with a snarl. ------- Danica sat studying the scroll, trying to get the words and gestures to congeal in her mind properly. She and Celes had both locked their thoughts on the scrolls for several hours, unaware of anything else going on around them. Two priests, including Harkhuf, had wandered in and out of the library without either woman noticing. Danica was starting to feel the rhythm of the spell in her mind, and she thought she might just have it before the day was done. Celes' laughter broke Danica's concentration. Danica turned toward her and Celes said, "I've got it!" "Already?" Danica said with surprise. "I've always had a knack for teleportation spells." "I'm sort of close, but not that close. Only one of us really needs to know the spell, so I can finish studying it later. Let's see if it will do the trick." Celes nodded and moved her hands through the required gestures as she spoke the words of the spell. When she intoned the last words of the spell and spread her hands wide, a shimmering disk of light appeared. The disk was about six feet wide, a perfect circle of opaque light. Danica could see nothing on the other side of the portal. Celes turned and took Danica's hand. "This shouldn't be necessary, but I'd feel better if we were in physical contact the first time we try this." Danica nodded and then pushed gently on Celes' hand, indicating she was ready to go. They then stepped through the portal into another place. Celes looked around, drinking in the sights of the place. The space within the portal appeared as a cavern with a beautiful glade enclosed within it. Soft light shone from between the trees, coming from no visible source. The walls of the place were plainly visible on all sides between the trunks of the trees, and the waterfall that fell into the pool directly in front of them just appeared out of nowhere from above. Danica wasn't paying attention to the scenery at all — she was looking at Celes. Danica's breath caught in her throat and she stood in wonder, still holding on to Celes' hand. Celes turned with a curious smile and saw the stunned look on Danica's face, almost entangled in her turn by Danica's tight grip on her hand. "What's wrong? Are you alright?" Danica released Celes' hand and slowly raised her own toward the other woman's face, a face that appeared as it should be without Zoraster's curse. Within this place, Celes was again young and stunningly beautiful. It was only then that Celes realized what had happened to her. She looked down at her hands, again smooth and young. Reaching up to her head on the side opposite Danica's hand, she pulled a lock of hair before her eyes. No longer was it the iron grey of age, her raven black hair shined with the glow of youth. Reaching down, Celes tore open her robe and saw that her breasts were likewise firm and smooth. She cupped them in her hands and felt Danica's hands rest atop the firm globes as she did so. She looked up at Danica, and saw that the tears welling up in her eyes were matched in Danica's. Danica leaned in to kiss her, and Celes shuddered with an almost violent intensity. Her juices flowed in a torrent, and she reached down to knead Danica's buttocks as they kissed. When they broke the kiss, Danica started to fumble with her linen robe, trying to get out of it while never letting her eyes leave Celes. Celes again shuddered, and then noticed something moving at the edge of her vision. The movement broke her out of the state of bliss she had come under upon realizing that she was young again. "Danica, stop. This isn't right. It's the spell. It's the demons," Celes said, looking in the direction of where she had noticed movement. Danica turned in the direction Celes was facing and they both saw the creature emerge from its hiding place at the same time. It was a beautiful young woman, blonde haired, tight bodied, and completely unclothed. She strutted toward them and they saw others appear at the edge of the place. All were beautiful young women, and all were smiling brightly as they approached. "Don't let us interrupt you. We could bring you soft blankets to lie upon as you make love. We could join you if you would like," the first woman Celes had noticed said as she reached them. Celes growled and pulled her robe closed. "That'll be enough of that, demon. I know your tricks and I'm not falling for them." The blonde creature pouted. "No tricks. We just want you to be happy. You seemed so happy in her arms with your breasts pressed so tightly together, your hands full of her soft flesh." Celes raised her hands and shouted, "Get back, the lot of you!" The creatures cowered and stepped back, away from Danica and Celes. "Is it an illusion then?" Danica asked, still having difficulty tearing her vision away from Celes. Celes shook her head. "No, it's real enough. I can feel the difference now that I'm paying attention. I truly am young again here. I don't feel the pains and weakness, my body is firm and young. I should have thought of this and been prepared for it. It's an obvious temptation." "For me too, and I'm not sure I want to resist it." "Get dressed, Dearie. These things would love it if we lost control and gave in to the temptation. We would be absorbed in each other and the foul magic of this place would seep into our bones. We would be almost devils in our own right by the time we stepped back out of this place — if we ever left at all," Celes said as she cinched her robe up tight. Danica nodded gravely and tore her gaze away from Celes to straighten her linen robe. "You lot can fetch us a couple of bloody chairs is what you can do, and put on some clothes. You can tempt me, but I can hurt you if I wish — I know that." The women cringed and stepped backward, bowing. As they bowed, gossamer wraps of cloth surrounded their bodies. "That's not enough, you stinking scum. Cover up your fake bodies or I'll..." Celes said, raising her hand. Again, the creatures cringed and robes much like Danica's appeared on their bodies. "Good enough. Now get us a couple of chairs." The creatures complied, manifesting the chairs. Danica and Celes sat down in them, facing the pool. "Now get out of my sight," Celes growled to the beautiful demons. Danica laid her hand on Celes'. "I want you so badly." Celes sighed. "I know — I want you too. We need to concentrate on why we're here and get the hell out quickly, before we surrender to the temptation." Celes gestured, and the shimmering disk of light appeared again directly in front of them. Celes moved her right hand in a slow circle, and the light spiraled in response. An image slowly coalesced from the disk of light, and both women gasped. Lying directly in front of them was Andrea, the toy Danica had made for her buried inside her, her back arched as she gasped in pleasure from an orgasm. Celes clenched her fist and screams erupted around her. Celes opened her hand and said, "If you do that again, I'll not relent so quickly." The image vanished and Danica asked, "Another illusion?" Celes shook her head. "No, they just moved the focus of the portal. It was real. They were trying to tempt me again." "Tempt us both." "We've got to be careful using this spell. It's more dangerous than I thought." Danica nodded and gestured toward the portal. Celes smiled and again raised her hand to make the lights in the portal swirl. This time the image of sand and desolation they had seen earlier while scrying came into focus. Celes concentrated and moved the focus of the portal downward to the ground. For a few moments, all was black as the focus fell beneath the sand. Celes concentrated and moved the viewing portal around, searching for the tomb beneath the shifting sands. At last, a faint glimmer of light appeared as the portal found the tomb. Danica and Celes looked around, but could see nothing save faint light coming from magical torches along the walls. As their eyes adjusted, they could just make out the features of the room. "That looks like some sort of offering nave," Danica observed. Celes nodded her agreement and added, "A place for the family and priests to bring offerings for the deceased in the afterlife. It's as good a place as any to enter, and I can find it instantly next time. We can be in within moments and we won't have to stop here next time." "Let's go get prepared," Danica said, rising from her chair. "Aye, we need to get out of here before I bury my head between your legs," Celes said with a note of wistful longing. "That's not a good argument to leave," Danica countered with a crooked smile. Celes sighed. "I know, but we have to do it anyway." Celes stood up and waved her hand before the portal. The image shifted to show the library in the temple of Sekmamun, and she stepped through it with Danica right behind her. Celes looked down and sighed at her old body. Danica put her hand on Celes' cheek and then kissed it as well. "Let's go get what we need and pick up the cutpurse," Danica suggested. ------- Part 16B Danica quickly gathered up the magic items she thought she would need for her and Celes. She had constructed a false window in her room of the new outpost and carved runes on it allowing her to use it as a rift to nearly any location she knew well. This was something she planned to do in her other houses scattered through the world when she found the time. She and Celes then sat on the bed, with Telanor sitting in a chair across the room from them. "Your job is to keep your eyes open for common traps. We'll watch for the magical ones that are sure to be there," Danica said staring at Telanor. "I know what I'm here for. You just keep the fireballs off my ass." Celes said, "An' we're likely ta be facin' a gaggle o' mummies. If'n I'm for bein' right, they'll be hurlin' spells and prayer magic at us too. They'll be hurtin' from some fire, but I'm fer thinkin' t' priests an' t' wizard is gonna be protected from that a bit." "We have no idea how strong they'll be, so we have to be prepared for powerful magic. These things have been down there for hundreds of years, and the people here are afraid of them. We better assume they haven't wasted those years and have been studying." "Ye can be holdin' yer own a bit if'n ya need can't ye?" Celes asked Telanor. "I've got Zoraster's charms to protect me from magic, I'm quick, and I don't think they'll like this much." Telanor unsheathed a dagger and a short sword, both of which burst into magical flame. Danica rolled her eyes. "Okay, let's get this over with so we can get him out of here. I don't want his stink fouling my room." Celes chuckled and cast the Hellgate spell. She turned to Telanor and said, "Yer prolly gonna be a bit shooked up when ye come through. Just be walkin' through, don't be jumpin' or runnin'. Stop soons as yer through ta get yer wits back about ye." With that, Celes stepped through the portal. Danica and Telanor followed right on her heels. The group emerged on the other side of the portal and Celes immediately closed it. Looking around, Danica realized they were indeed inside an offering nave — a place for the family to leave offerings that was not actually connected to the tomb. A false door revealed the location of the actual tomb, however. Danica whispered, "We can passwall through this, but let's see what's on the other side first." She then whispered the words of her clairvoyance spell. The false door shimmered in her vision as the magic revealed what was beyond. Unfortunately, all Danica could see was a long sloping passageway that opened into a room at the bottom. "Did ye feel that?" Celes quietly asked. Danica shivered from the touch of the magical probe that had touched them. "Yes. Something knows we're here. The magic alerted it. Quickly, do you see any traps?" "Nothing magical, no runes," Celes answered. "Nothing that I can see, if your magic is working right," Telanor agreed while drawing his weapons. Danica waved her hand and banished the clairvoyance spell, "Let's go. This narrow passage will funnel anything that comes after us." Celes reached out and the other two took her hand. Concentrating on a ring she wore, she moved all of them through the false door. "Warding runes, at the end of the hall," Danica revealed. "Stay off the diamond shaped stones. There are several near the door I can see now," Telanor warned. Sounds emerged from below. "Get ready, something's coming," Danica said and raised her wand of fire. Celes did the same, but Telanor had already dropped into a crouch with his weapons at the ready. Two forms appeared in the room below, backlit by the magical torches. As the shadowy forms moved forward into the doorway, the torches revealed them as mummified men wielding swords and dressed in hardened leather armor. All three expected the appearance of the mummies, but none of them expected what happened next. The mummies suddenly leapt forward at a run, moving with great agility toward the three intruders with weapons at the ready. Celes and Danica both fired their wands, and the one on Danica's side actually dodged the flaming bolt that erupted from it. The mummy Celes fired at hurtled backwards in the passageway and caught on fire. The creature Danica had missed reached them in moments. Telanor lashed out with his blazing sword at the same moment Danica discharged the wand again. The creature erupted in flame the same as the one Celes had blasted. "What the fuck? I thought the walking dead were supposed to be slow. What in the hells is this bullshit?" Telanor cursed. Danica noticed a faintly shimmering aura appearing above the two mummies, which had ceased their twitching and now lay still. In a few moments, the shades took on a vaguely manlike shape. "Oh no," Danica cried out and immediately cast a spell. A burst of spray erupted from Danica's fingertips and extinguished the burning mummies. "What the hell did you do that for?" Telanor asked. "Don't destroy the bodies. Use the positive forcebolt wand Celes. Telanor, try not to set them on fire. Their Ka spirits were coming to avenge the desecration of the bodies. We aren't ready to deal with intangible enemies at the moment. The Ka is very powerful. We're going to have to give the corpses a proper burial when this is all over." The mummies straightened as the magic animating them seeped away, the corpses taking on the natural shape the mummification should have left them in without the dark magic that animated them. "Great, more complications," Telanor grumbled as Danica and Celes changed wands. Hearing nothing for the moment, the group advanced down the hallway toward the room at its end. "Don't forget the stones," Telanor hissed. The three slowly moved down the corridor, carefully listening for more of the tomb's guardians. When they neared the doorway, Danica and Celes both cast spells to counteract the runes of warding so they could safely pass through the doorway. While the women worked their magic, Telanor spread some sort of paste in the joints between the diamond shaped floor stones and the stones surrounding them. As he finished sealing each stone, he tapped the paste with a tiny wand of bone, causing the paste to harden. Checking his location and that of the women each time, he pressed on each stone, slowly and steadily putting his full weight on it. Each held, proving that the traps were disabled. Only one remained when the two women finished rendering the runes harmless. Celes looked down to see what Telanor was doing and he said, "Little present from the boss. This stuff seals up the trigger stones so they can't set off whatever nasty things would come out of those holes in the walls. You never know when we may have to be running back this way." Suddenly Telanor spit out a curse and brought his weapon in line with the door. Celes only had time to turn and see another mummified warrior as it completed a leap toward them. Danica raised her wand, but not quickly enough. The creature parried Telanor's strike on its curved sword, and the action brought its weapon in too close to Celes for her comfort. She sidestepped and realized her mistake just a fraction of a second too late. As Telanor brought his weapon in line for a strike and Danica aimed her wand, Celes' foot came down on the diamond shaped trigger stone. Telanor's flaming weapon forced the creature to parry, the last action it would take, because Danica's wand discharged and the mummy instantly slumped to the ground. Wooden spears erupted from the holes in the walls and Celes screamed, bringing her hands up in front of her in a defensive gesture. The sound of clattering greeted Celes' ears as the wooden spears dropped harmlessly to the floor somewhere in the room beyond the hall. Celes stood with her arms still raised, looking at her hands as if they had betrayed her. "That was too close. Let's get out into the next room where we have more room to maneuver," Danica suggested. Celes lowered her hands, looking down at them one last time. "We should put up missile shields," she said without her put upon brogue. Danica nodded her agreement and the two women cast the spell. Telanor alternated between looking at the stiffening mummy and Celes with equal curiosity. The three moved out into the room, seeing every inch of the walls covered with paintings and inscriptions. The roof was covered in carved stars from one end to the other. "They're spells and rituals to help the deceased enter the afterlife. Why would they expend the effort when they intended to become walking dead?" Danica said while examining a painting of soldiers standing before a god. "Ain't no assurance 'twas gonna work, or keep ta workin'. Makin' sure they was covered if'n anythin' went wrong." "That accent comes and goes, doesn't it?" Telanor said with a chuckle. Celes turned and stared at Telanor with a look that could have melted stone. Telanor backed up a step and said, "Hey, just an observation. I'm supposed to be keeping my eyes and ears open, remember?" Danica pointed toward a rectangular spot that was a slightly different color from the rest of the Eastern wall. "There are wards on that sealed door over there." "This could be bad. There are ways to hide traps in the plaster of sealed doors like that. They are hard to find, and even harder to disable," Telanor grumbled. "There could be warding charms embedded in the plaster that would be hard to see as well," Celes added. Danica thought for a moment and then said, "I don't think that just shielding ourselves and blasting it is a good idea. I really think we're going to need this tomb as intact as possible when we're done if we don't want to fight the Ka." "Isn't this just a perfect little crawl," Telanor sighed sarcastically. Danica raised her eyebrows and stared hard at the doorway. "Wait a minute, why would it be sealed?" Telanor laughed and said, "Stinking illusion, I see it now. Damn good one though. Tripwire at the bottom of the door." "I'll get the wards. Keep your eyes open for company, Danica. I don't want them sneaking around the corner on me again." Celes cast the spells to remove the wards while Danica cast a spell of clairvoyance to keep an eye out around the corner. "More warrior mummies, but they're just standing there stiff as boards in a room connected to the one beyond the doorway," Danica warned the others. Celes finished disarming the wards. "What about now?" Danica shook her head. "Nothing, they may as well be statues." Telanor bent down and carefully disabled the tripwire trap. "I don't know what this was going to trigger, but I can tell you it was probably nasty. This is the biggest tripwire I've ever seen. Without the illusion it would have been so obvious as to be useless." Celes approached, wand ready in her hand. "Why disable it then?" Telanor rolled his eyes and snorted, "Same reason as the last bunch, just in case we have to run back this way. Never leave a working trap behind you." Celes nodded, understanding the logic. "The warrior mummies must have been animated for nothing except guarding. They probably don't move until you move into the zone they're warding. They may as well be golems." "Turn right when we enter and they're straight ahead. I see two, but there could be more. Let's try to take down the first two before they get a chance to move." Celes raised her wand to indicate she was ready, and both women stepped out into the room beyond. They turned and fired on the two mummies, dropping them before the creatures had a chance to do more than twitch. Telanor entered behind the women, scanning the room. "Now this is more like it." The room was filled with funerary goods. Danica saw the glint of gold and gemstones everywhere she looked. Every stick of furniture was covered in gold leaf. Small statues made of pure gold sat in niches in the wall. Gem encrusted ceremonial staves stood in racks. The room held a king's ransom in gold and precious gems. Danica turned toward Telanor. "I said the tomb needs to remain intact, and that includes all this." "Seems a damn waste to leave all this down here with moldering corpses," Telanor snorted as he continued to drink in the sight with obvious avarice. "Tell Zoraster to send you back to get it then. You can fight the Ka for it," Danica snapped. Telanor snorted and changed the focus of his observations, looking for traps and their triggers. "There are wards all over this stuff. It would take us days to disable them all and get this stuff out if we even wanted to," Celes revealed while scanning the room. Danica looked toward the doorway where the mummies had stood guard. "Wards on the doorway again, with a hallway beyond." "There are physical traps on most of this stuff too, and stay off the square stones near the doorway. They're smoother than the ones around it, but you'll have a hard time seeing them unless you're careful." Danica cast the first of the spells to disable the wards. "This is going to take forever if we have to stop and disable wards on every door." "Especially if we just keep coming to treasure troves. We need to find the actual crypts," Celes agreed and then stiffened. Telanor noticed Celes' reaction, "What's your problem?" "I'm not sure, but stay behind us." Celes cast an elemental shielding spell between the three of them and the door, holding back from finishing the spell until Danica completed her spell casting. As soon as Danica completed her spell, Celes completed hers. Magic immediately assaulted the shield, but it held firm against the onslaught. The mummified priests appeared, seven carefully wrapped corpses in all their holy regalia, continuing to hurl dark spells at Celes' shield. Danica aimed her wand and the mummies started to drop. Celes, finding that she had little trouble maintaining her shield, did the same. Within a minute, all the corpses lay still upon the floor. Danica lowered her wand when no more enemies approached. "Something is seriously wrong here. Why would the priests of the Necropolis waste so many resources to seal this place if this is as dangerous as the mummies are?" "I doubt we've faced the high priest yet, or the wizard for whom they were all sacrificed," Celes noted as she lowered her wand as well. "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth," Telanor grunted as he moved to disarm the traps. Telanor had nearly finished sealing the trapped stones in the floor when the hair on his body stood on end. He rolled away from the door, hearing the two women begin to chant at the same time. A lightning bolt crashed into the shield summoned by Danica and Celes, scattering into tendrils around its protective globe. The high priest, wearing an ornate funerary mask decorated with gold and precious metals and wielding a serpent tipped staff, stepped into their view, beseeching his dark god in a hollow tone once more. Celes aimed her wand, but the serpent staff the mummy held flashed and her spell's ray scattered into motes against its protective magic. Danica raised her wand, but dropped it quickly to chant and bring a globe of invulnerability in place around herself, Telanor, and Celes. The mummy had summoned a poison cloud, and the existing magical protections would have allowed it to seep around the edges to affect those the shields protected. Celes ceased chanting the spell she had begun to cast, her eyes widening with surprise as she considered the speed with which Danica had summoned the powerful globe of invulnerability. "We've got problems. I don't know what kind of magic that staff has on it, but it's protecting him without intervention." "We're also stuck in here until that poison cloud dissipates. We can't even attack through this shield," Danica said and stomped as she tried to study the mummy through the green fog outside the globe. A voice arose in Danica's mind. What about getting that staff away from him with your mind? Danica thought back, I can't see well enough through this mess, and I'm not sure it's a good idea with him here. Her emphasis on the word him carried with it images of Telanor, leaving Celes little room for doubt. I wasn't thinking. You're right. An idea occurred to Danica then. Maybe he can be the solution rather than the problem, though, she thought to Celes. "Have you taken steps to resist poison, Telanor?" Danica asked aloud. "Hazard in my line of work — so yeah, I've built up immunity." "How about magical poison?" Danica continued. "I've got some protection from Zoraster too," Telanor replied. "Think you can get that staff away from our adversary?" Danica asked him. "Probably, if I survive getting there." Celes stepped forward, peering through the poison fog, "I can see the thing well enough to teleport him there, and the wards here shouldn't prevent it." "But you don't have his immunity," Danica said and then stiffened as another lightning bolt slammed into her magical shield. "I don't need to go with him. I can teleport him there alone if I can see where I'm sending him," Celes explained. Danica looked at Celes with obvious surprise. "I didn't know you could do that." Celes shrugged. "I'm good with teleports, just not much use for doing this usually." Danica turned back to Telanor and asked, "Can you handle a teleport right on top of it?" "No problem. Just get me the fuck back here as soon as I get it away. I'm not really keen on testing Zoraster's charms against dusty there for long," Telanor requested. Danica asked him, "Ready then?" Telanor nodded and Celes chanted. Telanor vanished and Danica heard the sounds of metal clashing. Both women peered through the poisonous cloud, trying to see what was going on. They could make out the two combatants, but not much else. Celes heard Telanor scream, "Get me the fuck outta here!" She concentrated on Telanor to teleport him back inside Danica's invulnerability globe as soon as she heard him request it. When Telanor reappeared, he was wearing a wide smile, holding his sword in one hand and the staff in the other. He laughed and said, "Dusty obviously never trained much in weapons. I managed to knock it out of his hand and catch it before it hit the floor." Danica shrugged off a fireball exploding against her protective magic. "Its keeping that poison cloud in place. It realizes it has us pinned down, and its obviously protecting the crypts." Get ready to drop the globe of invulnerability and strengthen the shield spell, I'm going to conjure up a wind wall, Celes thought to Danica. Danica smiled and thought back, It's too bad he doesn't breathe. I'll blast him as soon as I can see him. Celes turned to Telanor, "Get behind me." "Whatever you say," he replied and moved as she had indicated. He examined the serpentine staff as he did so. Danica listened carefully to Celes' chant; ready to drop the globe of invulnerability the moment Celes completed her spell. She also held her wand at the ready. Celes completed her spell, Danica dropped the globe, and the cloud sped away, borne on the gust of wind from Celes' spell. Danica concentrated and poured more power into her shielding spell, just in time to block a ray of energy hurled at it by the mummy. The cloud soon blew away and scattered enough for Danica to see her adversary. Aiming her wand, she discharged it. The mummy collapsed to the ground and stiffened. Telanor moved forward to disarm the traps near the doorway. "If it weren't for all the traps, we could have already been out of here. I think these things' powers are as dried up as their bodies." Danica examined the wards on the door in preparation to remove them. "They're using strong magic, but it hardly seems powerful enough to warrant all the precautions the Necropolis priests have taken." Celes noted, "I'm willing to bet the care is mainly due to the wizard who is responsible for all this, and the thing we've been sent to steal." "Wonderful — we're probably handing a madman another deadly weapon. I hate this," Danica said before beginning the chant to disarm the wards. Telanor looked at Danica curiously. "You don't work for Zoraster?" Celes turned to scowl at him. "Not willingly — not that it's any of your business." Telanor chuckled and finished disarming the last of the traps in the floor. "Sure can't tell from where I'm sitting. That's what happens when you get attached to people, they get used against you." Celes was not amused that Telanor had read them both so well. She scowled at the thief, and he chuckled once more before moving off to a corner of the room to examine the serpentine staff. Danica rendered the wards powerless a moment later, and she entered the hallway beyond with Celes right behind her. Danica saw no more wards here, and knew that this was the crypt they sought. Telanor announced there were no mundane traps on the doors or inside that he could spot. He then went back to fiddling with the serpentine staff. The two women examined the crypts, determining that they were those of the priests and the warrior mummies. A larger crypt was obviously that of the high priest, having its own offering nave and treasure trove. "We've missed something, obviously," Celes noted when they didn't find the wizard or the prize they sought. "Probably another sealed door covered in illusions back in the first room," Danica agreed. Telanor let out an explosive laugh and the women turned to see him holding out the staff proudly. The device had collapsed into a small rod about the length of his forearm. "I knew this damn thing was too unwieldy to drag around like that most of the time." Danica walked back toward the doorway of the crypts. "Let's go back to the first room and find the rest of this tomb so we can get out of here." Telanor slipped the rod into his belt with a wide smile and followed the two women back to the central room. ------- Zoraster paced, somewhat frustrated that he was unable to track the progress of his pawns in the tomb. The magic that sealed the crypt also blocked his ability to scry within. Celes had also learned the Hellgate spell, something he had quite specifically withheld from her and Danica. There were too many probabilities with that spell for him to conscience allowing them to learn it. Now, that decision was taken from him. The obelisk was critical to his plan. He had obtained all else that he needed save the obelisk and the stone. Once they were in his possession, none could stand against him. Turning to another mirror, he activated its magic and peered within. The bearded face of Darkniciad turned almost immediately in his direction, seeking the intrusion he sensed in his inner sanctum. Zoraster banished the magic of the mirror with a thought and a curse. Can I spy on nothing this day? Still cursing, he swept out of the room in search of a way to vent his anger. ------- Celes reached into a bag at her side and pulled out something familiar to Danica, one of the charms she had made during their time at the Forge that enabled them to ignore illusions. Celes winked at Danica and slipped it around her neck. She instantly saw the door directly across the hall from where they had just come. "Right there, directly in front of us." Danica looked, and knowing where the illusion was, she could now easily see it as well. "Time to see if we can see anything without walking into his vision." A few quick gestures summoned up Danica's spell, but she grabbed her head and yelped when something broke the magic almost instantly. "Wards?" Celes asked, coming to steady Danica. Danica shook her head. "No, He broke my spell. I could feel the direct attack on the magic, and feel the malevolence behind it. This wizard has centuries of bottled up hate and he's waiting to take it out on us." "Wonderful," Telanor said with obvious sarcasm. A loud, rattling laugh startled them all, emerging from somewhere beyond the doorway. This was followed by a voice that could have only come from beyond the grave, "Come, thieves, I would speak with you before you die." "Yeah, we'll come in and have a cup of tea and discuss the manner of our dismemberment. Somebody thinks our brains are as dusty and dead as his," Telanor whispered. Again the haunting laugh sounded. "Come now, no harm shall befall you until you cross my seal in the room beyond. I would hear of the world above before your avarice overcomes you. Centuries have passed since last I beheld the sacred sun." Danica signaled for her companions to lean in close and whispered, "It's obvious he knows we're here, and he's ready for us. We may as well prepare and just walk out there. If he is telling the truth, all the better, we'll know more about what we face." "I don't have any better ideas," Celes noted with a shrug. Telanor just shook his head and checked all the rings, charms, and other magical protections on his person. Danica and Celes armed every protection spell they could think of, pouring as much power into them as they could while maintaining the integrity of all the spells. They too checked their magical protection items, and then strode forward together into the room. Danica could see no obvious wards here, just thousands of carved inscriptions on every wall. To the left, she saw their adversary standing just beyond a doorway, surrounded by the glint of gold. The mummy was dressed in a fine robe, trimmed with gold. Only the creature's desiccated hands were visible, everything else hidden by the robe and the cowl. "I do hope you can resist your urge to face me and die — for a time," the mummy said and laughed. "We don't have any urge to die at all," Danica said in an attempt to draw out the conversation and give them time to learn more about the creature if possible. "You will come in time. No mortal can resist the splendor of my treasure. Then shall I slay you and drink your life essence. What of the world above — do the fools of the Necropolis stand guard over my prison still?" "They're there, and it made it quite difficult to get in here," Danica answered. The creature spoke again, "So, you do not come at their behest — such a pity. I have not fed upon the sweet nectar of life since they sealed me here with their accursed powers. They could not destroy me, so they entrapped me." "You must have been much feared," Danica led. "I am power beyond any which has ever walked the world. The gods themselves tremble in awe of my might, thus they have sent their lackeys to seal me here." "Should've spared some power for your buddies, they fell easily enough," Telanor said beneath his breath. The creature apparently heard the thief and turned toward him saying, "You are powerful to have defeated my guardians, but even their great power was but a grain of sand compared to my power." Danica thought to Celes, I get the feeling this may not be as difficult as we thought. Perhaps magic has advanced much in the time he has been sealed here. They obviously feared and could not defeat his servants either, and we had little trouble, really. Just keep him talking, see what more we can learn, Celes thought back. "I imagine you have more than gold amongst your treasure," Celes then said aloud. The mummy's hollow laugh echoed through the tomb once more. "So, it is my great magic you seek, not my gold. A pity your greed already begins to overcome you." "Perhaps something greater even than the trappings of your Art..." Danica led. "You seek the obelisk? Foolish mortals, it will not abide your living touch," the creature informed them. "So that's why you gave up your life, to possess it?" Danica asked. "The Godsbane possessed me! Forced me to become the walking..." the creature stiffened and began to tremble. "Think you hit a tender spot," Telanor mumbled as he moved to further interpose the women's bodies between him and the mummy. The creature began to chant and Danica said, "So much for bargains," as she raised her wand simultaneously with Celes. Both wands and the wizard mummy's spell came to life at the same time. A fireball exploded against Danica and Celes' shields. In the explosion of flame, Danica could not see if they had hit the mummy. When the roar of the flames died down, Danica could again hear chanting. This time, Celes fired before the mummy could complete its spell. When the ray from the wand reached the mummy, it dissolved into motes of energy, runes flaring to angry red life on the arms of the mummy, and from beneath its cowl. "Bloody hell — it has rune tattoos protecting it!" Celes spat as a chain lightning spell crackled around her shield. "Be ready to use the Hellgate. Don't exhaust your power, Celes. We'll have to fight it with offensive magic and try to overcome its defenses. If the Ka comes to attack, we'll have to escape and find the means to combat it. I have a suspicion we won't have to, though." Celes offered a curious look to Danica, but saw her friend was already chanting a spell. Celes then started her own chant as well. Danica's fireball dissolved before the power of the mummy's runes, as did Celes' lightning bolt. The acidic spray and crushing fist spells that followed were no more effective. All the while, the magic of their adversary — fireballs and lightning bolts — crashed against their shield. "He does seem rather limited," Celes observed as she considered what spell to hurl next. "If it wasn't for those damn runes protecting him from magic, I think we could have felled him by now," Danica said as she drew forth a different wand. Danica heard a whistling sound pass by her ear and saw a dagger bounce point first away from the neck of the mummy. "Steel doesn't seem to work either," Telanor noted while putting away a second dagger he was about to hurl. A thought occurred to Danica, "Celes, keep us protected. I have an idea. I need time to construct a window rift." "Hurry, the thing doesn't seem to have much in the way of variety, but it's relentless, that's for sure." Celes turned all her attention to maintaining the shielding spells while Danica hurried back to the doorway. As quickly as possible, Danica pulled forth the items she needed and cast her spell. When the rift opened, Danica directed it to a low shelf in her lab. She reached through and retrieved several vials of Heraklan blessed holy wine. Once she had all four vials situated in a makeshift basket made of one of her robes, she returned to the others. "Telanor, go back into the other room. Keep an eye out, because I think I heard something stirring. We may not have found all the mummies. Yell if you see anything," Danica instructed. Telanor nodded and hurried back into the previous room. Celes turned to Danica and raised an eyebrow. I just don't want him to see this, Danica thought to Celes. She then concentrated and caused all five vials of blessed wine to hover in the air with her mental powers. She stared hard at the attacking mummy, and when it began to chant the words of another spell, she sent the vials hurtling toward the creature. As the vials reached the mummy, Danica sent a burst of power at them and shattered the vials. The blessed liquid within bathed the mummy, and it moaned in rage. Smoke drifted from beneath the creature's robes as it writhed and tore at the cloth. Danica then raised her wand and blasted the creature with its magic. The runes did not flare to life this time, and the mummy toppled to the ground. Danica waited for a moment, and then cautiously crept forward. Both women raised their wands when the mummy twitched, but relaxed when they realized it was only stiffening back into the natural configuration the mummification of its body caused. Celes had guessed what happened and asked, "The holy water broke the rune structure?" Danica nodded. "I was aiming for the chest and head, guessing that would be where the heart of the structure would be." "Things are awful quiet in here," the women heard from behind them. They turned to see Telanor looking into the room. Danica waved Telanor toward them. "It's down. Come make sure you don't see any traps." After a thorough examination, the three found no traps or wards in the area, save upon the treasures stored within the tomb. Celes found the obelisk behind the wizard mummy's sarcophagus. Telanor took one look at the object and backed away. "Hey, this is your deal. That damn thing is making my insides squirm. I'll be out there admiring all the stuff we'll be leaving down here to rot." Celes whispered, "Can you feel it, Danica?" Danica shivered and nodded. "It's sentient in some way, and screaming for blood." Celes warned, "We shouldn't touch it. If Zoraster wants to fight it, fine with me, but I'm not battling for control of my own mind with it." Danica walked toward the doorway to cast her window rift spell again. "I have a lead lined box in my lab that it should fit in. We'll try that." "Not a bad idea. I have a gold lined one if that doesn't work," Celes offered. Danica cast her spell and retrieved the box. She sat it down on the sarcophagus and opened it. Then with Celes watching at the doorway for Telanor, Danica used the power of her mind to place the obelisk in the box and shut the lid. Celes smiled and said, "That did it — I can't feel the thing. It was giving me goose bumps from across the room." Danica slipped the box into her bag of holding. "We should get the mummies into their resting places. The Ka will become more active as it gets close to night, and I'd prefer the bodies were properly laid to rest by then. Even without the bodies being desecrated, they still might attack, and they aren't confined to the tomb like the bodies." "Wouldn't hurt to leave an offering either, I suppose. Give them a reason not to chase us around," Celes suggested and jingled a purse on her belt. Telanor complained the entire time they were depositing the bodies into the crypts, even though Danica and Celes used their magic to make the bodies weightless and all he had to do was guide them in place. Danica used a spell to copy the scrolls of magic and research within the tomb, and then returned the scrolls to their places. Celes left a few coins with each body as an offering, and then cast the Hellgate to return them to the city. The thief almost immediately used his teleportation orb to leave, knowing his presence was not welcome, and not caring at all for the climate of the area. Celes and Danica settled into baths to wash away the grit and sweat on their bodies. ------- Zoraster appeared at Telanor's side almost the moment the thief materialized in his quarters. The Archmage asked, "Did they retrieve the obelisk?" "Yeah, they got the thing. Any chance of getting back in there to loot that place? It's packed from one wall to the other with gold and gems." "For what reason did you not plunder the riches already?" Zoraster inquired. "Something about Ka coming to spook us if we did. All that stuff is protected by traps and magic too," Telanor explained and then shrugged. Zoraster mused, "The Ka could be dangerous foes, but I think it was as much Danica's softhearted nature as anything. Were all the creatures destroyed?" "Knocked down, that's it. Then she insisted we shelve them up in their boxes before we left." Zoraster chuckled. "Ever considerate, my little rose. You can remember a location within the tomb well? Somewhere you can picture with perfect clarity?" "Oh yeah, there's a damn pretty sword that's all gold and gems. I can remember that spot like I was looking at it now." "I will determine whether it is possible to retrieve the treasure and inform you if I believe it is worth the effort." "Oh yeah, I grabbed this up from one of the walking cadavers," Telanor said while handing over the serpentine staff, still in its rod form. Zoraster examined the item and then handed it back to Telanor, "Interesting. I have little use for it, but you should maintain it. It will absorb nearly any hostile magic directed against you, and can release that power to cancel magic as well. You would be wise to utilize its second ability with regularity, because the release of energy prevents its final enchantment from activating. Should the eyes ever glow red, I would suggest you divest yourself of it immediately, preferably in the direction of a foe, and flee by the swiftest means possible." "I'll keep that in mind," Telanor said as he tucked the wand back in his belt. "Now, I believe I have something to retrieve from your unwilling companions." With that, the Archmage vanished from Telanor's quarters. ------- Part 16C Danica heard the chime announcing a visitor immediately upon stepping from her bath. She quickly dried with a towel and pulled on fresh clothing just as Zoraster appeared in her doorway. It took a great deal of self-control not to show evidence of her surprise when the Archmage paused with a look of irritation at the doorway to her room, pulling an ornate wand of ivory from somewhere within his robes before proceeding. "I will have the obelisk now," he said to her. Danica gestured to where the box containing the item rested on a dressing table. "A lead lined box. I trust you found my prize disturbing?" "It's sentient, and none too friendly. We didn't feel like waging a war for our souls with it," Danica explained. "A wise caution," Zoraster admitted as he picked up the box and opened it. "Well, my little trinket, you do seem a bit angry, don't you?" "What now? Shall we go desecrate a temple and tempt our fate further?" Danica asked with a little of her fire rising up within her. "Your freedom is granted, and I have no need for your services at this time. Inform Celes the same applies to her," Zoraster said absently, and then vanished with the box. Danica raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had never seen her tormentor so absorbed with anything before. Celes walked into her room, "Did I hear Zoraster?" "He's gone already. Our freedoms are granted and it seems our time is our own." "As much as it can be," Celes said with a sigh. "Well, now that we're clean and the heat of the day is cooling, let's get something to eat and I'll show you around the city. The artwork and statues here are breathtaking." The two friends ate a light meal, Celes forced to avert her eyes from Hathortari often because of the painful feelings the woman sparked within her. Danica could feel the desire and pain coming from Celes in waves, and quickly led her from the house once they had eaten. Once outside, Danica brought the subject up, "I'm sorry Tari pains you so much. Maybe we should just go, once we take a look around." Celes shook her head. "No, I'll be fine. It just takes time for me to control myself around someone new. I've been able to sit and talk to Andrea for hours of late. We seem to share some similar interests. I've been able to fight past my attraction to her and concentrate on our friendship like I do with you." A bright smile spread across Danica's face. "That's wonderful. We should have her over to my rooms as soon as we return. I've never had the chance to cook for her, and odds are I'll need to recharge her ring if she has been seeing her man as often as she had been last time we talked." "And Marlena — the poor girl needs friends, and we're about all she has. She isn't coping with her new life as well as we are." "I think we cope too well sometimes," Danica said aloud, and then spoke into Celes' mind, I need to tell you something else, but we should go to the temple to speak of it. Celes acknowledged the mind contact with a sort of mental nod that made Danica smile wide and laugh. Danica noticed something just in front of Celes then and cried out, "Look out, scorpion!" Celes was just about to step on the creature when Danica's cry alerted her to it. She yelped in surprise and sidestepped, pushing her hands forward in an instinctive warding gesture toward the creature. Danica's mouth popped wide open when the scorpion vanished and instantly reappeared several feet away. We need to go to the temple — now, Celes thought, the contact filled with a mixture of pain and anger. Danica acknowledged the thought, and the pair immediately proceeded to the temple of Sekmamun. ------- Zoraster sat on a plain wooden chair, before a plain wooden table, in a small, featureless room. On the table before him sat the box he had retrieved only moments earlier from Danica. His heart beat quickly in anticipation, and his mouth watered. Opening the box, he stared at the obelisk and shivered as he felt the waves of malevolent desire rolling from it, enticing him to pick it up and promising to suck his very life from him at the same time. He stared at the object, steeling his will against its intrusions into his mind. Almost instantly, he felt the aura retreat, and he smiled. Continuing to bear down with his will, he ensured he was in complete control of the situation — and of himself. At last, he reached toward the box. "You will be mine, and through you all shall be within my grasp." Zoraster grasped the obelisk and stiffened as the violent mental battle began — practiced and powerful Archmage against ancient evil artifact. ------- Celes sat down heavily in a chair, and Danica sat down opposite her. "How did you do that?" Danica asked. Celes sighed, and then grit her teeth. "I'm a witch. That is my power, I can move things — teleport them with a wave of my hand. I thought I was rid of it forever." Danica's expression betrayed her confusion as she said, "I don't understand. I thought witches needed potions and crystals and such to work magic. And why would you want to be rid of your power?" Celes threw up her hands, and clenched her fists. A second later, a look crossed her face suggesting that she was worried about having made the gesture. "Mother always said I had a special destiny — that our line was destined for some grand task. She was a witch as well, though her powers were mental, like your psionic abilities. She was killed by a demon and I swore I was done with my destiny and being a witch altogether. My grandmother died the same way, and probably every other female member of my family." "So you just stopped using your power?" Celes shook her head and told her, "It wasn't that simple, as you can tell now that it has been forced back on me. The power is tied to my emotions, and anything can set it off. Moving my hands always seems to be part of it. Mother always squinted when she used her powers. My lover was a witch as well, and I convinced her to seal my powers using my mother's grimoire. She didn't like it, and tried to talk me out of it, but I insisted. In the end, she relented, with the condition that my powers would return if they were ever the only means to save my life." "The trap in the tomb?" Danica guessed. "Yes, I should be dead, and instead I'm stuck with these accursed powers again," Celes answered, punctuating it with a sigh. "Maybe your mother was right. Maybe it is your destiny and you can't escape it." "And my fate?" Celes spat out angrily. "As if we aren't already trapped in a nightmare..." Danica mumbled. Celes opened her mouth to speak again, but stopped and thought about what Danica had said. "I suppose you're right. There isn't much a demon could do to me that would be worse than what Zoraster has already done. I don't have much choice anyhow, because without my mother's grimoire and another witch to help, I can't seal my powers again, anyway. Are you alright? What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" "Have you ever heard of the Awakening?" Danica asked her. "Yes, it's an Eroti... Oh, Danica, it has been done to you hasn't it?" Danica nodded to indicate Celes was right and said, "I discovered it while I was here. We probably have no idea what has been done to us. What we do know may only be a tiny part of it." "And yet you cope with the results of a powerful magic put upon you by a god, while I complain about having power I don't want," Celes said and let her chin drop toward her chest. "Can you control your power?" Danica questioned. "I could when I was little. Mother was teaching me before she died, because she said if I didn't control it, I could hurt people with it. She said my powers would grow in time too. I guess I'm going to have to learn to deal with it." "We'll have to hide it from Zoraster, like my mental abilities," Danica reasoned. "I don't think so. I believe he knows what I am. He calls me witch often enough, and this body he gave me is exactly what most people think of a witch as looking like. No, he knows I'm a witch, knows I hate it, and uses it as another weapon against me," Celes disagreed. "Then turn that weapon against him," Danica said with a smile. "Embrace your power and let it grow. I suppose I've done the same thing, because I'm used to my desires now, and I actually enjoy them and the results sometimes." Celes smiled weakly. "I suppose you're right, but don't blame me when demons start falling on our heads coming after me. It seems to be the fate of every woman in my family. If we have a destiny, it seems somebody on the other side doesn't want to see it happen." "And maybe they're not ready for a witch who is also a powerful wizard, with a friend who can use the power of her mind, as well as magic," Danica said, reaching out to touch her friend's arm. Celes' smile broadened and she said, "You should learn the Hellgate. Zoraster kept it from us for a reason, and anything he doesn't want us to have can't be a bad thing." "I'll fetch the scroll," Danica said and turned toward the proper bookshelf. "And I shall fetch you both something to drink and eat while you work." The pair turned to see Harkhuf standing in the doorway of the library. "Fear not, all your secrets are safe within these walls. I shall reveal nothing of which you speak while within these sacred spaces." "Thank you, Harkhuf," Danica said and smiled. He winked and gestured, causing the scroll Danica sought to hover free of its niche in the wall and unroll on the table before her. Once again, Danica turned to the task of learning the difficult, but useful spell. ------- Only the passage of time, had they been conscious of it, would have alerted them it was well into night as they studied in the windowless inner library within the temple. Both women were deeply involved in their studies, paying no attention to the world around them save to nibble on a bit of fruit or sip a drink on occasion. Danica silently pronounced the last word of the Hellgate spell in her mind, and felt an intense burning sensation spread throughout her body. She stiffened, and knew the spell was hers. Celes noticed her reaction, "Did you get it right?" Danica wrapped her arms around her for a moment. "Yes. That was a little disconcerting. It almost felt like it was burning — really burning. I usually get a similar sensation when I master a spell, but this was just..." "The spell has some connection to dark magic. Not enough that I'm all worried about it, but it's there. So long as you control the magic, and don't let it control you, it can be useful," Celes offered as an explanation for the unusual sensation Danica had experienced. "Have you learned spells like this before?" Danica asked with a shiver. "I know a couple of necromantic spells — blood magic, and the like. Nothing too ghastly, but there are some times when you just have to use whatever tools are available," Celes answered. "I don't know if I'm ready to try that," Danica said with a note of trepidation in her voice. "Well, are you ready to try casting the Hellgate?" Celes asked. Danica considered for a moment and said, "Now is as good a time as any, I suppose." Danica stood and began the complicated gestures and accompanying chant, bringing the magical portal of the Hellgate into being. Celes took Danica's hand in hers, "Just like we did before, we go through together. Remember, those things in there are going to feed on your greatest desires and try to corrupt you through them," Celes cautioned her. Danica nodded her understanding and they stepped through the portal. The landscape was a wooded glade at the bottom of a high cliff. A waterfall cascaded into a deep, crystal clear pool of water. Both women caught glimpses of something moving in the underbrush and behind the boles of trees. Danica turned to Celes to find her smiling, appearing young and vibrant as she had when they had last used the Hellgate spell in this way. Celes squeezed Danica's hand. "It means a lot to me that one of your deepest desires is for me to be myself again. Now, what is with you?" Danica looked down at herself and realized there was something different, "I wish I had a mirror." A magnificent full-length mirror, the likes of which might be found in a Queen's dressing chamber, appeared in front of Danica as she spoke. Danica looked around warily, "Did they do that?" Celes shook her head. "Only after a fashion. You control the environment here, and you'll get better at it in time. It's powered by the things, but you control it either consciously or unconsciously. But, you're stalling. Look in the mirror." Danica then looked in the mirror and raised her eyebrow in surprise. She was taller, her legs far longer than they should be. Her waist was trimmer, her hips narrower, and her breasts were slightly smaller — and a great deal perkier. Her hair was more red than auburn, and her facial features were more classically defined. In short, she looked a great deal like her sister, Devan. Celes observed, "Well, we know where you think your flaws are. So what do you think?" Danica looked at the image staring back in the mirror, and with sudden clarity realized that she really didn't like how she always thought she should look. Almost instantly, the image changed back to her normal appearance. Celes chuckled and said, "You see, even dark magic can be used to good ends. That had to be an eye opening experience. I prefer you as you are as well." "I guess you're right. It looks like I just learned the same lesson you did when Zoraster cursed you," Danica reasoned. Celes grinned and patted Danica's arm. "Exactly — be happy with what you have." Celes' beauty entrapped Danica as the other woman smiled at her. "Are you sure that it would be a bad thing for us to..." she said, reaching toward Celes. Celes slapped her playfully on the wrist. "Yes, and quit tempting me. You'd better reign in the natives." Looking around, Danica agreed it was time to reign in the disguised demons that populated her little alternate reality. Stunningly beautiful women and handsome, muscled men approached from their places in hiding. All were nude, and all were endowed in the most interesting places to eye-popping degrees. Staring them down, Danica said, "Put some clothes on and get back in the bushes until I tell you to come out." The creatures hesitated at first, the males posing to show off their muscles and the females sauntering closer while licking their lips. Danica furled her brow, concentrated, and the creatures immediately cringed. All dropped to their knees, instantly clothed, and scurried off into the underbrush. "That will learn them," Celes said and laughed at the scrambling demons. "That wasn't so difficult." "You have an advantage. You already have mental powers, and this is much the same. The process felt like when I've used charming spells." Danica banished the mirror she had manifested with a thought and smiled at the ease with which she controlled this strange little conjured world. "You said time doesn't move the same here as it does outside?" "You pretty much have control over that as well, but like I said, the longer you stay here the more dangerous it becomes. Those things will corrupt you. What do you have in mind?" Danica shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure yet. I just look for anything that might give us an advantage over Zoraster." Celes took in a deep breath of the floral scented air. "It's a damn shame this place is made of pure evil, because it's beautiful. I should probably get back and start trying to deal with my power. I'll probably be cloistered away for a while, because I need to be able to master my emotions if I want to have any hope of succeeding." "If you need anything, just come see me. I'll miss you, and don't forget we have a date to spend time with Marlena and Andrea," Danica said and opened the portal back into the temple of Sekmamun. They both stepped through the portal and Celes sighed, hefting her sagging breasts. "I think I'll use a normal teleport to return." Danica hugged her friend and gave her a kiss on the forehead. "Don't lock yourself away too long." Celes smiled, cast the common spell of teleportation, and vanished. When Danica turned to leave the temple, she found Harkhuf standing in the doorway, looking concerned. "What's wrong, Harkhuf?" "I wished to warn you to tread lightly. Five sons of the great Pharaoh have come to our city." Danica raised her eyebrows and smiled. "Five sons? He must be a very busy man." "They are but the youngest of thirty. Pharaoh remains vigorous despite his age, and has many concubines. These are far removed from the divine throne, but are still Sons of the Living God." "It may be a good time to lock myself up in the house until I'm ready to leave," Danica mused. Harkhuf nodded his agreement. "That may indeed be a wise course of action. I shall have scribes continue to copy the spells within these walls and have them sent to you." "Tari can keep them for me if I'm away and I'll pick them up the next time I pass through." Danica felt a familiar sensation bubbling up within her, the building pressure of her desire, denied for too long. "Maybe I could hide away here for a few hours," she purred and ran a finger along his bare chest. Harkhuf stiffened and closed his eyes for a moment. "Would that I could accommodate you, but I must purify my body and soul for a sacred ceremony." Danica pouted prettily for a moment, but shook it off and said, "Perhaps the next time I'm here then?" "I would be most pleased to share my bed with you again." She blew him a kiss and exited the library then, returning to the outpost and her own room. A sigh escaped her as she realized the sun was near to rising. She lay down in her bed and used her toy to relieve the ache between her legs before drifting off to sleep. ------- The sun had set, risen, and now dropped toward the horizon once more. Zoraster remained in the same position he had assumed upon grasping the obelisk. His eyes were wide open, bloodshot, and saw nothing. Tears streamed down from his eyes to lips set in a snarl over tightly clenched teeth. The tears mingled with rivulets of sweat escaping from every pore of his body, and a constant trembling shook his robed form. The artifact began to tremble and hum in his tightly clenched fist. A nightblue aura of light pulsed around the artifact, growing brighter. The light intensified, and so did the trembling and sweating of the man who clutched it. Just as it seemed their shaking would tear them both apart, the Archmage let out a snarl of rage that changed to a scream of triumph as he raised the obelisk high and its glow vanished. Zoraster laughed weakly in victory, staring at the artifact. "You are mine!" Bracing his body with a hand on the table before him, he rose unsteadily to his feet. A thought brought his staff to him, a staff imbued with so much magic that any common wizard could not have even held in his hand. That symbol of his power now served to aid his steps as he hobbled out of the room where he had defeated the obelisk, clutching it tightly in his hand. Leaning against the doorway, the Archmage pulled forth a small vial and brought it to his lips with a trembling hand. As the rejuvenate potion coursed through his blood, his strength somewhat returned. It would take far more than a simple potion to renew the physical and mental strength lost in the battle he had just won, and he intended to have that now. Concentrating, he activated a power within his staff that he rarely used, preferring to rely upon his own power for such spells. The teleportation magic carried him to his personal dungeon. Moving with more strength now, he passed the cells of unfortunates that had transgressed against him. None would be missed in the world beyond, he was careful to ensure that, and one in particular was of no more use to him whatsoever. Arriving at her cell, he looked in upon her. Once she had been beautiful, but lack of food and rest — coupled with torture — had taken its toll. She was gaunt, bones easily visible beneath her pale skin, and her head was bare from tearing out her own hair. He removed the magical barrier that held her captive and stepped inside. Weakly, the woman tried to move away from the approaching Archmage, but she had little strength and soon collapsed to the floor. "Perhaps you are now willing to tell me what I wish to know?" Zoraster asked, knowing the answer he would receive. He had tried all means of torture and magic to discern the secrets he wished from her, to no avail. The woman would go to her grave with the secrets of psionic defense she possessed. "Never," the woman hoarsely replied. Zoraster smiled. Her body was weak, but her spirit was still strong. Her defiance presented Zoraster with another means to serve him now. Calling upon the powers of his staff, he lifted her body and slammed it against the wall. When she struck, manacles of magic closed around her wrists and ankles, pulling and holding her spread out wide before him. "Take... Body... Still..." The woman weakly attempted to taunt him. He knew what she meant to say, as she had said it each time he had ordered her sexually assaulted, or had done so himself. "You misunderstand, to some extent. I am indeed here for your body, but not in such a manner as you believe." Pulling the obelisk from his robes, he walked in front of her. Concentrating for a moment, he stared at the obelisk. The artifact changed into a serrated dagger of deepest black, surrounded by an aura of darkness. Stepping forward, he moved the tip of the knife toward her breast, just touching the blade to her nipple. The woman moaned in terror as she felt her very life sucked from her. Zoraster, in turn, shuddered as he felt that strength transferred to him. Pulling the dagger away, he pressed it against her other breast, closer to her heart. She did not moan this time. Her head, which had been raised in defiance, dropped limp to her chest. Pulling the dagger away again, he licked his lips and reveled in the feeling of her lifeforce surging through his body, rejuvenating him. He pulled her head upward just enough that she could see what he was doing, making sure her eyes were open. He leaned down and looked into her eyes with a wide smile, drinking in the terror within her bloodshot orbs. He then thrust the dagger between her legs and into her depths to the hilt, violating her one last time even as she died. Her lifeforce surged through the dagger into Zoraster's body, restoring his strength, and even increasing it. The woman's thoughts and memories leeched from her as well, imprisoned within the knife for the Archmage to glean at will. In the end, Zoraster stood straight and confident, tightly gripping the dagger buried in the dry husk of the woman's body. Pulling the dagger free, he smiled at the sound, similar to sheaves of dry parchment tearing. He then concentrated again, and the dagger changed back into its familiar obelisk form. Slipping the obelisk back in his robes, Zoraster clenched his fists and felt the power flowing through him. He reached up to the neck of the withered corpse above him and gripped it. The flesh collapsed against the bone, flakes and dust filtering down to the floor. With a jerk, he pulled the corpse forward and hurled it toward the floor. Sharp cracks sounded as the hands and feet of the corpse snapped off where they were held by the manacles. A cloud of dust arose when the rest of the corpse hit the floor with great force. Bones and bits of leathery flesh scattered everywhere. Slapping his hands together to brush the dust off of them, Zoraster smiled and walked over the dusty remnants of the woman's corpse out of the cell. "Farewell, my dear. We could have had an arrangement, but alas that is now just — dust in the wind." Loud mocking laughter echoed through the corridors as the Archmage walked away. ------- Danica spent the day in study once she had awakened, and thus she started when Tari called to her from the doorway of her room. Danica had not even noticed the woman approaching. "Danica, a messenger has arrived for you from the palace." Tari's discomfort was obvious, and that did not bode well in Danica's mind. She rose immediately and exited her room, telling Tari she could go back to her room if she wanted to. Tari breathed a sigh of relief at this news, and Danica gave her a little kiss on the forehead before sending her on her way. Walking into the common room, Danica found an unfamiliar man waiting for her. It took only a moment of observation to determine he was connected with people of high rank. He had on gold bracelets, gold earrings, and even his fine linen kilt was trimmed with gold. "I'm Danica," she informed him. Bowing his head to her, the messenger said, "Khepri, Son of the Living God, Pharaoh Sheshonq, requests that you dance for him in the palace when the Sun God sleeps." So much for laying low, Danica thought, and then answered, "I would be honored to dance for the Son of Pharaoh. Please tell him that I will come." The messenger bowed again, and Danica showed him to the door. Looking out the door as she let him out, Danica realized she didn't have long to prepare if she wanted to reach the palace in time. She hurried to her bath, asking Tari to prepare something specific — very revealing and easily shed — for her to dance in. Once she finished bathing, Danica put on the clothing Tari had laid out for her. The linen top hung from her shoulders by thin straps and just covered her breasts, leaving her midriff bare. In truth, it did little to cover her since it was so sheer as to appear almost completely transparent. Her pleated skirt was made of the same material, but hid more of her because of the pleats. The way the pleats were fashioned, Danica knew that concealing element would vanish quickly if she spun even slightly as she danced. She put on the bracelets and anklets with the bells that sounded like cymbals, and added a beaded rope belt having more of the same bells attached to it. She slipped on a pair of sandals, but these were simply to protect her feet on the journey to the palace. She would take them — and the linen robe she put on last — off before she danced. Once she was prepared, Danica stepped outside and discovered that at least the trip to the palace would not prove troublesome. The palace had sent a curtained sedan chair for her, borne upon long poles by a dozen strong men. The messenger who had informed her of the Prince's desire to see her dance gestured to the conveyance when Danica emerged from the house. Danica pulled the curtains when she sat down, feeling self-conscious about people carrying her around like royalty. She found the curtains were sheer enough that she could easily see through them. The cushions were soft and comfortable, and the bearers well trained. The ride was swift and pleasant, and she soon recognized the interior of the palace. The bearers only sat the chair down when they had arrived within the audience hall where she had danced before. Danica stepped from inside the curtains to see that only the sons of the King were present in the hall, along with a troupe of musicians. The bearers and the messenger who had delivered her left the room as soon as she exited the conveyance. Danica stepped forward and curtsied, saying, "I am honored that you would seek me out and request that I dance for you." The young man, whom Danica determined must be the oldest since he sat on the throne, flanked by his younger brothers, replied, "These halls echo with praises for your dance, and we would see such wonders ourselves." The men were obviously brothers, and all very close in age. Unless Danica missed her guess, some of them had different mothers, because she doubted from looking at them that there was enough difference in their ages to have allowed one woman to bear them all. All had dark hair, worn long, and skin tone that was dusky but looked more like a tan than the darker skin of the commoners. They were all powerfully built, and quite handsome. Danica felt a tingle run through her breasts and between her legs as she looked on them. Danica smiled and said, "Allow me a moment to speak with the musicians and I will be pleased to dance for you." She did just that, telling the musicians to strike up the same music from her last dance. She planned to do the same routine, only slightly modified for the different audience. Upon informing the musicians of the music and cues, Danica returned to her spot before the throne, removing her sandals and robe. Smiles crept onto the faces of the brothers as she revealed her body to them. Danica lifted her arms above her head, signaling for the music to begin. Her dance was once again flawless, and this time she took pains to make intimate eye contact with each of the brothers, as she had with the governor before. The evidence of the men's arousal was evident shortly after Danica began her dance, kilts rising into tents from their laps. When Danica ended her dance, kneeling at the foot of the throne, she could see the root of the eldest brother's cock beneath the raised hem of his kilt. She licked her lips seeing the thickness of his organ, and the length was obvious from the peak of the kilt. As she rose, she noticed identical peaks from all the brothers. The stamping applause began as soon as she rose to her feet, and Danica had to cut off a moan of arousal as the erections in front of her danced with the stomping feet. She had already started getting damp during her dance, but she was now truly wet thinking about what lay beneath those kilts. The eldest spoke again once the stomping applause ended. "Those who spoke of your dance spoke true. You are truly blessed of Tayatet. Your dance is truly a wonder to behold, as is your body while you do it." Danica let a crooked smile creep onto her face and glanced again at the tent in the lap of the eldest son. "So I see." She then glanced at the brothers as well. "It seems Pharaoh's godly traits breed true in all his noble sons." A pair of the brothers looked slightly embarrassed for a moment, but all smiled at the statement. One brother leaned over to whisper to another, and then sat back up and spoke, "Were you to choose one of us, whose seed would you nurture in your womb as son of the Living God?" Danica licked her lips slowly and sensually before she spoke, "My field lies barren, I'm afraid, but I could not possibly choose from just looking." The eldest looked to all his brothers with a wide knowing smile, and then turned back to Danica. "And what would be necessary to enable you to choose?" Danica stepped closer to the brothers. "If I were to choose, I would need to know who could make me flow like your blessed river. Who could take me to a pinnacle higher than the tallest pyramid. Who could make my body shake as if an earthquake was centered in my womb." The eldest looked at her with unabashed lust. "This sounds like a fine challenge for sons of the Living God." "I could make no promises, but I would certainly consider each of you carefully." "Do your loins burn in anticipation of such a choosing?" One brother said while trying to stare through the concealing cloth. Danica offered him an unobstructed view when she hiked up the skirt and dipped two fingers inside her. She brought them to her mouth and sucked the abundant juices from them with a smile. The eldest spoke again, "It is not often we experience the joy of releasing our seed within. Our position requires that we may only impregnate a woman when the proper signs are in order." Danica stepped forward again, now inches away from the eldest of the brothers. The sight of five hard cocks aching to slip inside her was too much to resist. "I can offer you that joy without fear of offending the gods," she said in a husky voice. The eldest waved to the musicians, "You are dismissed." The musicians filed out quickly, and as soon as the door closed behind them, the man before Danica stood. His hard cock, pointing straight out, was so close to touching her that she likely could not have slipped a sheet of paper between it and her body. Danica reached down and pulled up on his kilt. The cloth only had to move a short distance to reveal his manhood. Danica moaned, noticing that the head of his thick, uncut cock flared wider than any she had seen before. She had seen men as thick as he, but never with such a large head. Reaching down to wrap her hand around it, she shuddered and thought how incredible it would feel pressing against her walls and pulling at her labia as he took her. "Take me and sow your seed deep inside me, noble son," Danica purred while stroking her finger over that huge helmet. Looking up into his eyes, she pulled the straps of her top off her shoulders. He pulled down on the cloth and it slid off her breasts to her waist. Another tug of his hands sent it and her skirt to the floor. Danica stepped around him and bent over, putting her hands on the throne. As soon as she assumed the position, she wondered whether it might be some sort of affront to the throne. She had simply felt too aroused to care. Either there was no breach of etiquette or he didn't care either, because she felt his hands on her hips almost instantly. One hand left her to guide his cock inside her, and Danica felt the big tip press against her lips. She groaned in bliss as the wide flare of his head, and then his thick shaft, easily slid into her wet depths. Her lips were pulled inward as he buried his full length inside her. Danica's body tingled as his girth stretched her. She gasped when the flared head of his cock rubbed against the bundle of nerves behind her mound as he penetrated her, and then moaned when it came to rest against her cervix. A jolt of pleasure shot up her spine as he withdrew, once again rubbing against that special spot inside her. He withdrew almost completely, pulling her lips slightly outward, leaving only the very tip still between her lips. He then thrust back inside her, more quickly than his initial insertion, assuming a quick, steady rhythm of thrusts. Every time his flared glans pushed or pulled her lips, it sent a flash of heat all through her sex. This was immediately punctuated by a sharp jolt like electricity as it rubbed with strong pressure against her special spot. Soon, the heat was a constant glow and the jolts became a current running up and down her spine. Her breasts swinging like pendulums from his thrusts, Danica could do nothing but gasp as her senses were overwhelmed by the unique sensation his cock was giving her. Her muscles tensed and she quivered, her teeth clenched tightly together. Then she felt as if her mind and body both went numb. She dimly noted his thrusting shaft penetrating her a dozen or more times as she continued to quake with her eyes tightly closed. When sensation returned, it was an explosion of chilling electricity erupting from deep within her and quickly filling her entire body. Danica screamed as her climax saturated every inch of her body with energy. Despite the heat that had coated her body in a thin sheen of sweat, she broke out into gooseflesh. Every thrust of his thick member inside her brought on another scream, and her orgasm continued. His grip on her hips tightened, and Danica felt him slam home with great force, jarring her forward and off balance. She quickly edged a hand forward to keep from hitting her head, and at the same moment heard him scream in release. The feeling of his hot cream filling her took the icy bite off her orgasm, and Danica moaned in ecstasy. She reached back with one hand to rub her clit, and after a few strokes, she came again. This time it was with a swelling of heat that spread from the warm pool of his semen inside her. Danica moved her arms together and lay them down on the throne, allowing her head to fall on top of her hands as she continued to quiver. Behind her, the prince gasped and groaned from her muscles squeezing him tight. When he withdrew, it was with a growling scream that Danica echoed. She moaned as her aftershocks then settled into afterglow. She heard something behind her and turned to see one of the other brothers rising up from a kneeling position. Looking down she saw a bowl that was of a type she recognized. It was an offering bowl dedicated to Quadesis. "Will you offer the fruits of your coupling to the goddess?" He asked her. Danica moaned and rose back up on her hands again. She contracted her muscles, slowly pushing his semen from inside her. When she felt the sticky bubble reaching her lips, she reached back and parted them wide, allowing the ropes of mingled cum to drop from her into the bowl below. She looked over and saw that the eldest brother who had just filled her had collapsed into a chair, breathing heavily, his still half-hard cock twitching with every other heartbeat. When she ceased to drip, Danica let her head sink down to the throne again. She felt a hand on her upraised ass and turned back to see one of the other brothers behind her, looking down and requesting permission from her with his eyes. He had removed his kilt and Danica could see that his cock was a twin to that of the eldest brother. Danica moaned, shivered, and then raised back up to support her upper body on her hands again. "Take me," she gasped. Each of the brothers took her in turn, their near identical cocks giving her the same unique sensation and powerful orgasm as had the first. It was not so overwhelming now that she had experienced it once, and that only made her release all the more pleasurable. The brother who was a priest of Quadesis caught the mingled juices in the bowl after each coupling, and he was the last to fill her. The eldest brother ordered cushions brought and piled in the floor at some point, though Danica only vaguely recalled it happening. One of the brothers led her on wobbling knees to the cushions once she ceased to drip the priest's own offering into the bowl. Danica felt little twinges of pain from inside her, and she knew she had overdone it. Five times with such large cocks in such rapid succession was causing her body to protest. The priestly brother recovered quickly, even showing signs of growing hard again as he knelt down next to her. "I will ask the goddess to offer us a blessing of healing and virility," he told her. The priest chanted over the bowl, and Danica could see a faint rosy glow emerge from the bottom of the bowl as he chanted. When he completed his prayer, he dipped his finger into the bowl and drew a sigil on Danica's right breast. He repeated it on her left, and then on her mound. The faintly glowing cum felt extremely warm on Danica's skin. When the last sigil was complete, Danica felt healing energy wash through her. The pain in her depths vanished, and she felt instantly refreshed. She also felt abundant wetness gathering between her legs, the priests spell obviously inflaming her passions once more. He dipped his finger in the bowl again and pooled the cum within on his fingers. It hung in short tendrils from his fingers as he brought it near Danica's lips. Danica pulled his hand downward and sucked his fingers clean. The cream tasted sweet, like wine, and was just as intoxicating. Danica continued to suck on his fingers long after every bit of the sticky semen was gone. He brought the bowl near her, and tipped it toward her slightly. "Drink," he requested. The taste from his fingers gave her good reason to. She sat upright and took the bowl, tipping it and drinking down the contents. It tasted exactly as it had on his fingers, and she pooled what would not drip from the bowl on her fingers to get all she could from the bowl. Her arousal spiked even higher, and she felt as if she had awakened from a restful sleep full of wonderful dreams. She moaned and tilted her head back, closing her eyes and letting the euphoria wash over her for a moment. When she sat the bowl down, the priestly brother pulled her hand to him, wrapping it around his half-hard cock. He shuddered and gasped, and instantly swelled to hardness. He gestured to his brothers, and they approached to stand around her in a circle. The priest guided her to touch each of them in turn, and their cocks swelled in her hand as well. Danica's juices flowed from her in a torrent, far more than was natural she knew. One of the brothers instructed her to lie back, and did so without hesitation. He parted her legs and lapped up the flowing juices. Every part of Danica's folds felt hyper sensitive, and she erupted into orgasm after only a few moments, washing his face in a flood of wetness. He rose from between her thighs as her orgasm died down, saying, "Your nectar will give us strength to continue to pleasure you for many hours." The next brother approached and lapped her to another orgasm just as quickly as the first. Each brother in turn drank up her juices and was revitalized. As Danica recovered from the fifth orgasm, she said, "Take me. Fill me everywhere — my mouth, my ass, my pussy..." The priestly brother was the first to react, dipping his cock into her saturated sex and giving a couple of half strokes before withdrawing. He lifted her and moved beneath her, sliding his cock into her ass. The eldest brother then knelt in front of her and filled her pussy as the priest slowly stroked his thick cock in her ass. Danica moaned and her eyes rolled up in her head for a minute as she felt their cocks seemingly meeting through her walls inside her. Her magically enhanced wetness remained slick in her bottom, allowing the one brother to continue thrusting without any additional lubrication. She looked up at another brother and flicked her tongue toward him. He smiled, and stepped forward to have his cock engulfed in her mouth. Danica came before she had sucked the cock in her mouth twice. She squealed around his shaft as he started to thrust into her mouth. The remaining brothers each moved to one side of her to tease her bouncing nipples with their fingers. Danica discovered that the magic seemed to dull her gag reflex, and she encouraged the brother stroking her mouth on to greater efforts. He was soon hitting her throat with every thrust and loudly groaning in pleasure. Danica moaned around his cock, forced to release it to scream in orgasm once again a few moments later. First her pussy, then her mouth, and finally her ass were filled with cum when she reached a third peak only a couple of minutes later. Her desires had not dulled in the slightest, and she told the men to change positions. None of them had lost their steel either, despite having filled her with cum only seconds before. The oldest brother claimed her tight ass this time, while the two brothers who had teased her nipples filled her pussy and mouth. The other two brothers who had already ejaculated lay down and suckled her nipples. Danica came again only a couple of minutes later. ------- Before she finally left, well into the next afternoon, each of the brothers had emptied his seed into her six more times. Danica had felt as if she were in one unending orgasm throughout the entire time. The magic of the priest ensured she had the energy to do it, and she felt neither pain nor fatigue when she at last rose to return to Zoraster's house in the city. The frenzied coupling had only ceased because the eldest brother admitted with a sigh that they were delaying the day's business by occupying the audience hall. The brothers had all offered her boons, but she had simply whispered in turn to each that she would remember, and ask if she ever needed anything. She also told them that she certainly was not adverse to dancing for them or coupling with them again. One brother naturally asked the question that had sparked the marathon session of lovemaking, "Could you choose between us now?" Danica laughed. "I'll have to think about it. We might just have to try this again before I could really be sure." "I can accept that," he replied, causing Danica to laugh. She kissed each of them goodbye then, put on her clothes and took her leave. Danica practically floated back to the house. She had been offered another ride in the divan couch, but simply had too much energy to remain confined to the chair, choosing to walk instead. She was engulfed in a deep, warm afterglow the likes of which she had never felt before. She was also still aroused, and almost immediately pulled Rehkmire and Tari into her bed upon arriving home. It seemed the magic to grant stamina to those who tasted her remained effective, because both Tari and Rehkmire showed equal passion and endurance to her as they coupled. Danica cast her spell on Tari and determined the woman could not become pregnant at this time. Thus, she was able to experience Rehkmire exploding deep inside her while Danica rubbed her bud. Danica then lapped the woman clean and implored Rehkmire to fill her. He exploded inside them both twice, remarking with wonder that the third had been possible, and completely beside himself that he had achieved the fourth erection. He had just as much semen to offer each time as his first ejaculation within Tari. The energy of the priest's magic at last faded, and the three lovers lay together in the bed a couple of hours later. Danica was startled out of a half doze by Celes' voice. "Danica, can you hear me?" Danica sat up and wiped the sleep out of her eyes, seeing an image of Celes hovering in front of the bed. "Yes — I can hear you, Celes." "Could you please come back here? It's Marlena..." "What's wrong?" Danica asked sleepily. "Just come, please," Celes answered, looking very concerned. "I'll be there as soon as I'm dressed Celes." The magical communication then faded, and Danica hurried to return to Zoraster's complex with a sense of deep foreboding gnawing away at the afterglow that Celes' message had interrupted. ------- Devan sat in a cushioned chair, well into her cups and relaxing in Vladamir's suite. This was one of the few places she had ever found she could truly relax. There was something about the Heraklan that had always put her at ease. He said it was the blessing of his god upon his home, but Devan more or less shrugged that off with a roll of her eyes. She couldn't deny that the calm that washed over her here was almost unnatural, however. She was very worried about Danica. Her sister had still not visited their mother's grave, and the feeling that she was in danger gnawed at Devan's gut. It had subsided somewhat now, but it was still there. Vladamir's boyish face — always decorated with a smile — and his quick laugh had helped to dull her worry. The wine, Boldheart Red, was grown and bottled only a short walk away, and was doing its fair share as well. As Devan grew more inebriated, she also grew aroused. She had coupled with Vladamir once or twice, and knew he could make her come nice and hard. She started to flip her long red hair and bat her eyelashes at him. Devan could read in his bright blue eyes that he was catching those signals. She let them grow more overt as the minutes stretched on, and moved her chair closer to him. Every once in a while, she toyed with his brown hair or touched his muscled arm as she talked and flirted. The effect it was having on him was obvious, as the Heraklan was utterly unashamed of his bulging erection. Devan was just on the verge of sending the final signal to get him between her legs when the door opened and a blonde woman walked in. Aroused as she already was, she instantly noticed how shapely the woman was, and how firm her breasts were as the woman approached. Devan licked her lips and thought that maybe she would have more than Vladamir between her thighs before this was all over. If the woman was a Heraklan, the odds favored her being no stranger to licking pussy. The woman caught Devan's eye just as the redhead licked her lips, and smiled knowingly before turning to Vladamir. "How was your trip, Cheron? Everything alright at the Forge?" Vladamir asked her. "It was a wonderful trip. I'll tell you all about it later." She winked at him after saying that, and then raised an eyebrow, tilting her head toward Devan. "Are you going to introduce me, or do I have to do it myself?" Vladamir laughed. "I'm sorry, Cheron — this is Devan. I've told you about her." "That's right," Cheron said while sitting down in his lap, "Her name always sounded so familiar to me for some reason. Pleased to meet you — I'm Cheron," she said while looking over to Devan. "Pleased to meet you as well. My name is pretty common where I'm from, so you probably know someone from there. Are you a Heraklan?" Again, a knowing smile crept onto Cheron's face as she nodded. Devan let her see an identical smile, showing that they were both following the same path of thought. Vladamir beamed, "She is the finest example of our god's servants. She had attained the rank of Thunder Bringer before she turned twenty. I praise Heraklan every day for bringing her strength in Heraklan and strength of arm to serve from my humble temple." The blonde wiggled her bottom in his lap. "You seem to like some other things too." Vladamir laughed and said, "Indeed, I do. You seem to like something as well," he said, gesturing toward Devan. "So do you, if what I'm sitting on is any indication." Vladamir's booming laughter echoed throughout the room. "Please, Cheron — Devan has already been teasing me mercilessly for quite some time. Don't make me go through it all again. Let's just skip to the good part." Devan and Cheron both moaned, and then looked at each other. A spark of recognition emerged in Cheron's face as she looked at Devan. Cheron continued to look intently at Devan, finally saying, "Come to think of it, you remind me of Danica a little. Something in your eyes, I think." Devan's eyes popped wide open and she gasped out, "Did you say Danica?" ------- Part 17A Danica arrived in her rooms back at Zoraster's complex and immediately left for Marlena's room. She knocked and heard Celes bid her to enter from somewhere inside. Marlena lay on the bed, covered by sheets, and Celes sat next to the bed looking worried. Celes had placed several of her scented candles in the room and lit them, filling the air with a light, relaxing scent. Marlena lay very still, and she looked pale. "What's wrong Celes?" Celes gave Danica a grave look and stood, grasping the sheets and pulling them from Marlena's body. Danica's teeth clenched when she saw the rings pierced through Marlena's flesh. Large silver rings adorned her hood, nipples, and labia. "Garthak and Camilla," Danica growled. "You need to watch out for that woman too. I found her in your rooms when I went to get some pain potions. I looked around, but nothing seemed to be out of place or missing. She just scowled at me, acted like she had every right to be there, and left as soon as I came in." Danica growled, "I'll be warding my rooms as soon as I have the chance. The ones in Beniopolis gave Zoraster pause, so they should stop that bitch." "Poor Marlena's made some sort of mistake and the madman let them have her. Zoraster ordered me here as soon as I got back. It was worse when I got here. She had burns all over her body. She was split and bleeding from between her legs and her bottom." "She hasn't awakened yet?" Celes shook her head. "I got a healer in here and he did what he could. She hasn't even stirred in the slightest. I've tried a few spells, but I can't reach her at all. I can sense her, but it's like she isn't really there." "I can understand why." "There's more," Celes said and pushed to roll Marlena up on her side. On Marlena's right buttock was a brand in the image of a whip, still angry red from the recent press of the hot iron to her smooth flesh. "Dear gods," Danica gasped. Celes gently lowered Marlena back to the bed. "Zoraster told me to bring her around and get her back in shape. He seemed irritated. I think Garthak went too far this time. I thought maybe you could reach her." "I can try." Danica cast a telepathy spell, letting part of her mind concentrate on it while she used her mental powers to reach out to the woman. Marlena's mind seemed to be shrouded in fog. As Celes had said, Danica could tell she was there, but it was so faint as to be almost unnoticeable. Danica felt an urge to push forward, and followed that instinct. After a disconcerting jolt, Danica found herself in Marlena's mind. Looking down, she saw that she appeared much as she had when she had astral projected. Otherwise, all Danica could see was a thick red-tinged fog. Danica reached out with her mind, trying to peer through the fog. It didn't seem to have any effect. Something inside Danica told her she had to take control of the situation, force the environment into another frame of reference, one of her choosing. It was the only way she would have any chance of success. She concentrated, bending her will to force away the fog. The fog vanished, replaced by a maze made of high walls. Danica ignored the walls and flew over them, unbound by the laws of nature here where she was in control. She flew over the maze, now able to sense better where Marlena was hiding within it. As she soared over the maze, she saw little pieces of Marlena walled up inside her. Memories of happy times, fears confined in tight boxes, favorite things sitting in places of prominence — everything that made her who she was, all carefully hidden away in the maze. Marlena was lying in the center of the maze, her astral body nude and curled into a fetal position. She was repeating the words, no and stop in a constant monotone. "Marlena, it's me, Danica." The stream of words continued uninterrupted. Danica bent down and touched the other woman gently. Marlena screamed. Danica's astral body vibrated painfully. Regardless of her changing the environment, this was still Marlena's world, and her scream shook everything in it. "Marlena, listen — it's Danica. Let me help you!" She said through chattering teeth. The scream died down and the stream of words returned, broken by sobs this time, however. Danica softly stroked Marlena's back as she spoke to her, "Marlena, I've been through this too. I know how cruel Garthak and Camilla can be. They whipped me and beat me, violated me, and made me pee with that horrible violet wand. They pierced me too, driving needles into my flesh and laughing at me. I know what you went through. Talk to me, let me help you." Marlena's litany slowed, even as the frequency of her sobs increased. "You can't surrender, Marlena — that means they've beaten you. Garthak... That bitch Camilla... Fucking Zoraster... You have to face their torments and spit in the face of them. Be strong. Remain true to yourself. They'll pay someday. I'm going to make them pay someday." Marlena peeked up at Danica, her eyes wide with fear and streaming tears, "They... They..." Danica could see that Marlena's astral form had the same piercings and brand as her physical body. "It's okay — take your time. Marlena, this is your place. They can't have you here. Make their marks go away. This is your body and they can't hurt you here." "I-I can't," Marlena sobbed. "Let me help you," Danica said and then knelt down close to Marlena, wrapping her arms around the illusionist. She whispered words of comfort to the woman and sent strength flowing through her skin where it contacted Marlena's, lending her will to the illusionist. Danica felt a shift in reality around her. She looked down and saw that the brand was gone from Marlena's buttock. "That's it — make it all go away and put on something that makes you feel pretty." Danica felt cloth under her cheek and rose back up to her knees. Marlena uncurled and sat up, still choking off sobs. "You see — they can't beat you. They can't break you. They may be able to force us to do what they want by threatening those we love, but they can't take away your spirit. You have to give that away." "H-how have you endured this so long?" Danica's brow furrowed. "By thinking about how I'm going to make Zoraster pay for what he's done to me... To you... To Celes... She's here, watching over us both. She's worried about you, and probably starting to get a bit worried about me too. Can you come back to us, Marlena?" Celes voice from the real world drifted in, "Danica, she's stirring a bit." Danica smiled as the maze vanished and Marlena's mental world started to feel less ominous and chaotic. Danica withdrew to give the woman her privacy. It took several minutes, but Marlena eventually regained consciousness. Danica managed to get a little food and water in her, and then a pain killing draught to lessen the pain of her brand. "I can get those damnable rings out of you, if you'd like," Celes said when Marlena started to look like her disorientation had passed. Marlena looked at Celes with confusion obvious in her face. Danica was worried for a moment, and then realized what had caused the reaction. "Celes, she's never heard you talk without your put-upon brogue." Celes shook her head, smiled and said, "I'm sorry, Marlena. I don't usually talk normally except with Danica. I don't like how my voice sounds coming from this old throat." "It's much easier to understand," Marlena replied, still sounding a little monotone. "I took those damnable rings out of Danica when they did this to her. Would you like me to remove them for you?" Marlena scowled where she could see the impression in the sheet of the rings through her nipples. "Yes, please." Celes pulled the jar of salve from her robe pocket and Marlena pushed the sheet down off her body. "You won't feel a thing. Whatever that is, it completely numbs you skin so you don't feel more than a tug," Danica assured Marlena. Marlena looked over to Danica. "Did he pierce your hood?" Danica nodded. "I decided I liked it, but I got a new ring as soon as possible. It's mine now, and I don't associate him with it at all. It's useful, because I have a lot of magic in it. You only have so many fingers and toes." Marlena looked down at the ring and flicked it with her finger, an almost mirror image of the action Danica had taken when she was considering keeping her hood ring. "Thinking of keeping that one too?" Celes asked. Marlena nodded her head, but still appeared indecisive. "If you decide to keep it, I'll have Damian make you one. You'll have hidden magic with you all the time then," Danica offered. "I think I'll keep it," Marlena said with a smile. "Okay — well let me get the rest of them out and loosen that one up so you can remove it," Celes said and spread the salve over Marlena's right nipple. Marlena crinkled up her nose. "That smells terrible." "It works, though. You'll want to get in the bath as soon as I'm done. It will probably make you feel better too," Celes informed her. "You can talk about it if you need to. I know what you went through," Danica offered. Marlena acknowledged the offer, but stiffened, obviously not wanting to remember what had happened to her — let alone relive it. Celes removed all the rings save the one in Marlena's hood, and then loosened that one so the illusionist could remove it. Thinking about the rings reminded Danica that she needed to take the time to recharge hers. Some of the enchantments needed regular attention to ensure that they didn't fade. The most important of those magical powers was the spell turning enchantment. That enchantment failing because she had neglected to restore its power could prove a deadly mistake. It could only turn aside so much magic anyway, and any weakening could allow a spell she was unprepared for to strike her down. Danica drew a bath while Celes worked, and Marlena sank into it with a sigh when Celes finished. As Marlena soaked in the bath, she did open up about what she could remember. Most vivid was Garthak raping a teenage clone of her right before her eyes — and the branding. "Not much we can do for that I'm afraid," Celes said after Marlena finished relating what little she could about the branding. "I bet an Erotine Priestess could get rid of it. Perhaps a Venissan could as well," Danica said as she thought about the possibilities. Marlena cringed a little. "I don't know about the Erotines. They make me feel uncomfortable, and you have to be naked in their temple." "Well, I almost guarantee they can get rid of that ugly thing. They have a temple in the city as well. I could go with you, if you like," Danica offered. "I do want it gone." "That's your best option then. Finding a strong Venissan priestess isn't going to be easy, and they will be harping on you to get pregnant. Sometimes they won't do something like this unless you're with child." Danica smiled when something she saw in the maze of Marlena's mind demanded notice in hers. Marlena's favorite foods were crab legs and strawberry shortcake. A quick inventory of the places she could visit and the seasons told her she could probably acquire everything she needed to make it. "I'm hungry, and I'm sure you are too. Would you like some crab legs and strawberry shortcake?" Danica asked with a knowing smile. Marlena's bright smile was exactly what Danica had aimed for. "Those are my favorite things." "Make enough for three, if you don't mind. I haven't eaten in hours, and that sounds really good. I'll stay here and keep Marlena company." Danica winked and left the room, teleporting to one of Zoraster's outposts near a seaside market almost as soon as she had closed the door behind her. ------- "Was there a man with her — a wizard?" Devan asked Cheron once the Heraklan cleric had finished describing Danica. "There was a man with her and Celes, but he was no wizard. He was trained at the Forge — man by the name of Brandon. Good with a sword, and quick," Cheron replied. "You're sure her hair was blonde? Everything except that sounds exactly like my sister." "Oh, she was blonde alright, above and below," Cheron replied with a shiver and a slight moan. Devan raised an eyebrow, "Above and below?" "I'm positive of that. It was certainly tickling my nose often enough to get a good look," Cheron said and licked her lips. Devan let out a sigh. "Okay, that can't be my sister. She would tense up and do anything in her power to change the subject any time I started talking about another woman. She still has this ridiculous notion of love and propriety." Vladamir reached out and patted Devan's hand when the woman reached for her wine glass again. "You will find her, Devan. I'm sorry that unfortunate circumstances reminded you of exactly what you came here to forget. You shouldn't give up on love. It is the greatest blessing of the gods upon man." "You can keep love — I'll stick with lust. Lust at least does something. Love just equals pain. Where in the hell is Danica?" Cheron slipped off Vladamir's lap and moved over to Devan to stroke her arm. "You came here to relax and forget your troubles for a time? Why don't you let us help you with that? I have lust aplenty to go with my love." Cheron's words and her touch lit a fire in Devan's loins that soon burnt away her worries about her sister — for a time. ------- It took some time, but Marlena steadily recovered from her ordeal. Danica commissioned a hood ring from Damian for her, which she paid for over his protests. He received his preferred method of reimbursement as well, Danica unable to resist having him explode in her mouth and depths. Marlena loved the beautiful ring, crafted of gold and set with an emerald. She was also glad for the numerous spells cast upon it by Celes and Danica. The magic of her ring would now help protect her from danger and offer her magical powers she did not possess herself. Just as with Danica, it became a reminder and a warning, but also something that was truly hers, a source of joy and comfort. The three joined Andrea into their small circle. Andrea was a woman with diverse interests, and it seemed she shared something with each of them. Danica discovered that Andrea had planted flowers near the waterfall and the hedge maze, and was astounded by the woman's skills when she went to see the flowerbeds. Danica thought it was beautiful, but it was a passion for Marlena. The illusionist soon joined Andrea in her care of the flowers, and it did much to help her recovery. Celes and Danica both grew closer to Andrea as well. Danica found that she spent as much time just talking with Andrea as she did coupling with her. Often, they just lay together and enjoyed the contact, talking quietly and gently teasing each other to soft shivering orgasms. Andrea spent the most time with Marlena, because Danica and Celes found to their irritation that they were constantly sent on relatively meaningless little missions that involved no more skill than teleporting to locations. Zoraster himself seemed all but absent. Neither had seen nor heard directly from him since he had ordered Celes to tend to Marlena. The two friends started to feel like pack mules and letter carriers. They tried to meet and push aside the ever-present reminders of their enslavement in pleasant company whenever possible, but they had still not found the time for all four of them to be together at once. Danica and Celes both felt as if someone else was ordering them about. Their orders still came from sources Zoraster had used when he didn't deliver them personally, so they had little choice but to assume the orders came from him. Celes shook her head in amazement as Danica finished the last of the runic wards on her room. "Danica, I think the gods themselves would get burned if they tried to get in here. Even when I had a body that could handle all the magic I know, I couldn't have done this." Danica wiped sweat off her brow. "It's not easy. My whole body aches and my head feels like dwarves are marching on it." "I'd have been that way halfway through. Let me get you a drink." Celes looked toward a glass of water on a table nearby and concentrated, making a little beckoning gesture with her right hand. The glass of water appeared sitting atop her left hand. Celes quickly steadied the glass and then handed to Danica. "You've been practicing, I see," Danica said with a smile and then took a drink. "I have to. I could accidentally hurt you or someone else if I don't get this damn power under control. I'm stuck with it now." "I can understand why you do, but you'll have to get past your resentment of that power. You can't change what you are. It's a part of you." Celes sighed, "I know. My love always told me that I couldn't escape my destiny, and I guess she was right. I wish I had my mother's grimoire, so I would know more about being a witch. I feel a little lost, because all I have is what my mother taught me before she died." "What happened to it?" "Once my powers were sealed, I buried it in my mother's tomb." "It's lost then, I suppose." "Only because I won't show the bastard Zoraster where my mother is buried. I tried to destroy that book in fits of rage several times. I doubt anything can really harm it. It should be sitting right where I left it, on top of my mother's sarcophagus." "You could go..." Danica began. Celes shook her head. "No, I'll not give that bastard and his bone wizards a chance to torture her as well. He'll never know where she rests." Danica nodded, "I understand, and I don't blame you." "I was planning to go see Marlena — she wanted some of my herbal tea. What are you doing today?" Danica smiled. "I went and picked up some more bottles from Heather yesterday. She took my advice and has been making a stockpile of them. I think she has enough to open a shop now. I found a nice house with a storefront near the sea. Heather and Grant have always talked about living by the sea. I was going to go buy it and get everything they need to set up shop." Celes sent her thoughts to Danica, Trying to get them away from Zoraster? Use the Hellgate to get them there. He can't trace that if you don't step through the portal on the other side. It might help hide them from him. She then said aloud, "Let me know when you get home." Good idea. Thank you, Celes. Danica thought back, and then said, "I will. How about you, Andrea, and Marlena come here tomorrow and I'll roast turkey. I found one and had a taste for it. I'll never finish it all before it goes bad." "I'll let them know. Maybe we'll finally all get together for once." "See you tomorrow then." Celes left for Marlena's room and Danica teleported to the seaside town of Suthpaeral in Agreseus. ------- Zoraster sat receiving reports both magical and mundane. He was near to planting the first seeds of his conquest, and there was much to do in preparation. He had remained secreted in his study doing exactly that for several days. Everything demanded his attention, because he trusted no one to do it for him. Currently, the most critical necessity was to ensure that his dupes and agents throughout the world were prepared and knew their role when the time came. As the reports came in, Zoraster was pleased to see that all appeared to be in readiness or proceeding toward such on schedule. This night would see another critical part of his plan set into motion. There were many with similar goals to his who could prove troublesome. Most he had found ways to ally with or neutralize. There was one threat yet remaining, and he planned to deal with that tonight. It had proved difficult and annoying to arrange the meeting with Meckataur the Destroyer. Zoraster would have preferred to simply teleport into the Demon's presence and begin his negotiations, but that would have precipitated a battle that was counter-productive to his plans. It would also have forced the removal of the Demon's wards, which would prevent Darkniciad and others from spying on him. Arranging the meeting allowed him to negotiate under the Demon's magical protections that were already in place and effective. Meckataur could prove to be an irritation if working against him, and a valuable asset working with him. An item he possessed was Zoraster's true goal, however. He had only just learned of the artifact, a welcome addition he had thought denied to him. The demon had no use for it, but it would serve as the final catalyst for a spell that would cause ripples throughout the world. It would also prepare the way for his greatest magic, opening a path to the stone at last. Once the stone was in his possession, those ripples would become a tidal wave that would destroy any who opposed him, be they man or god. ------- Zoraster didn't have an outpost in Suthpaeral; it was on the sea just as the couple wanted, and had many other factors that made it the perfect location for what Danica had in mind. There was a magic school here that catered to the wealthy, the perfect clientele for the couple's wares. There was no glassblower in town, which was fair sized, but not too crowded. Many wealthy merchants had winter homes here, so the population was much more diverse than common in the region. The presence of those merchants had also prompted a local to make a very wise investment, constructing a large meetinghouse that served snacks and coffee around the clock. The place was dispelled, and had lead lined walls that prevented scrying. It had become a hub of merchant negotiations almost immediately upon opening for business. Since nearly all business in the town was conducted there, Danica could make her purchases inside, and Zoraster would be none the wiser. Because she had purchased apartments in so many places, preferring to have a place to call home when she was outside the complex, her meeting would not appear odd. She had actually purchased a small dwelling to aid in covering up her true motive of getting Heather and Grant away from Zoraster's influence. This meeting would look like a follow up to seal that already completed transaction. Danica had already observed the house she planned to buy for the couple inside and out through the Hellgate. She shook her head and chuckled as she considered that she hadn't even thought to send the couple through the Hellgate alone in her effort to hide them, until Celes had suggested it. She had noticed the place was for sale while exploring the town, and had instantly thought of Heather and Grant. Danica went to the meetinghouse and found the man who owned the dwelling after only a few inquiries. He was in negotiations with another for that very building, and Danica had to bargain hard to attain it. She ended up paying a tidy sum of coin for the place, but decided it was well worth it. Upon sealing the deal with a handshake, the merchant asked what sort of business was going to be conducted there. When Danica explained the nature of the couple's trade, he immediately recognized the lucrative opportunity, just as Danica had. He expressed interest in investing in the business, as he had some interests that could prove mutually beneficial with such a shop. Danica promised to bring it up with the couple, thinking it would be a good idea upon hearing what he was offering. His suggestion would open up the potential for more wares in the couple's shop, and provide them with plenty of extra coin to get things going. Another session of negotiations set into motion the construction of the equipment Grant would need to ply his trade. With that done, it was time to visit some of the shops in the region for typical purchases. Danica bought what furnishings and other necessities she needed for her apartment, noting the wares of each shop so that she could point Heather and Grant toward them when it came time for them to furnish their home. Danica planned to cover that cost as well with a large gift of coin that she was not going to let them refuse. She had already spent a large amount of coin purchasing her apartments, the home for the couple, and furnishings for her dwelling. When the cost of furnishing the couple's home that she had reached in her head was taken into account, it was a small fortune. The cost didn't really put a dent in Danica's finances, however. In addition to the coin she had available from Zoraster, Danica had began to make money enchanting common magic items for the wizards of the complex. Her reputation had spread as more of these items circulated. Damian was still the master, but he rarely took common projects, so Danica reaped most of those benefits. The enchantments were simple and well documented, so it took Danica little time to complete the requests, and brought her a lot of coin. Shopping done, she ate at a nearby Inn, and then went to her new apartment to arrange the items that were delivered that day. The rooms were still sparse at the end of the day, but at least they were now livable. Danica lay back on her new bed, one that she would eventually replace with something more to her liking. The bed was comfortable, and because it was ready to be delivered today, Danica purchased it so she would have a place to sleep immediately. Looking around the room, she was thinking about how she would decorate the place. She always tried to decorate in the local style — with her own unique touches — in each of her apartments. She was glad of the times she lived in, because only a decade or so before, it would have been impossible to find places like this. The business had been born of ingenious innkeepers who realized that numerous wandering sellswords and bachelors would like to have a small place to call home. Once the first few buildings filled to capacity, word quickly spread and they were springing up all over the continent. With only one or two rooms, they offered more space and comfort than the room of an inn, but were much cheaper than purchasing or building a home that would have more space than a single person could use. Here, Danica had a kitchen that was fully separated from the common room that also served as a bedroom. The owner of this establishment had also invested in a bathhouse for the tenants, one that rivaled the larger ones in the city for comforts and amenities. Such bathhouses had originated in this region, and the ones here offered unique experiences not yet available elsewhere. Thinking about the baths, the likes of which she had not experienced in quite some time, sparked Danica to rise. Leaving her rooms, Danica walked down the hall toward the back of the building where the bathhouse was attached to the complex by a short covered walkway. The small exercise yard at the other end of the walkway was empty, which gave Danica hope that the baths would not prove crowded. The locals engaged in light exercise before bathing, something that Danica had never fully understood. The whole point of bathing was to get clean, and the locals took time out to cover their bodies in sweat and dust before entering. Walking into the bathhouse itself, the heat of the place hit Danica just before she reached the door. The intensity of the heat stole her breath at first, but Danica knew it was very relaxing once the initial shock passed. She walked toward the loincloth-clad servant who greeted everyone in the baths, accepting a pair of wooden soled sandals and a large towel from the man. She located an empty cubicle in which to place her belongings and removed her clothing. Men and women bathed together here, though a few segregated bathhouses had emerged with the influx of foreign merchants. Nudity and sexuality had almost no stigma attached to them in this land, so the changing room was a wide-open space directly in view of the door, which didn't disturb Danica in the least. She was unashamed of her body, and anyone inside was going to see it soon enough. Wrapping the towel around her, Danica was pleased to note that it at least did cover her completely. On occasion, she had found that the towels in the bath houses were simply not sized for a woman with breasts as large as hers. This caused the towels to feel uncomfortable and constantly threaten to come untucked and fall to the floor. She slipped her feet into the sandals and turned back toward the man who had provided her with them. The servant was there to protect the bather's belongings as well as hand out the sandals and towels, but Danica warded the cubicle in which she placed her clothes anyway. She handed the man a coin from a small purse she carried, as was customary. The gesture also served to avoid offending him by the use of her magic to protect her possessions. Once the man accepted the coin, Danica passed through the doorway behind him. The heat and humidity grew more pronounced as Danica walked down the short hallway toward another doorway. Clouds of steam drifted out of the doorway ahead, a signal of what she would find upon entering. The room was completely filled with a thick cloud of hot steam, which was created both by the pool in the center of the floor and a man ladling water over hot rocks in the corner. This room was smaller than what might be found in a larger bathhouse in the city, so Danica could actually see all the edges. She knew that the steam in these saunas was thick enough to almost completely obscure the opposite side of the room in the larger bathhouses. Danica decided to sit on one of the stone benches along the walls first, allowing her body to adjust to the heat of the place. The man with the ladle was the only other person in the room, again giving Danica hope that she wouldn't be crowded as she bathed today. She was soon coated in droplets of sweat and condensed moisture from the air. After absorbing the heat of the room for a short while, Danica rose and walked toward the shallow pool at the center of the room. The water was obviously hot, steam curling up from its surface. Danica ignored the hooked implements hanging from stone racks surrounding the pool, which the locals used to scrape their skin clean, instead removing a washcloth from her purse. The man pouring water over the hot rocks barely seemed to notice as she unwrapped the towel from her body and hung it over one of the racks. She walked over to the pool and kicked off her sandals, the heat from the floor tiles on her bare feet reminding her pointedly why people wore the sandals in the baths. She hurried to get her feet off the hot floor, walking down the two submerged steps and settling into the pool. The water was hot, just barely below the point of feeling uncomfortably so. Danica felt like all of her pores were opening, allowing trapped dirt and oil to wash away. Laying her head back in the water, she floated and let it soak for a while. When she opened her eyes, she saw the man in the room quickly tear his eyes away from her breasts and focus on the hot stones once more. Danica smiled, amused that a man who saw naked bodies all day would find his eyes drawn to her. She wished for some soap as she washed, but felt as if the hot water was doing a good job of helping lift the oil and grit from her. She doubted the locals who didn't use soaps would be amused if she had brought some. Danica rose up out of the tub and put back on the sandals, feeling clean despite the lack of soap. When she turned and flipped the towel over her shoulder, she saw the man with the ladle pull his eyes away from her again. She walked over and offered him a wink and a grin while depositing a coin in the bowl next to where he labored. He smiled back and took a good look at her as she walked out of the hot room. Danica glanced at the twin pools in the next room, but passed them by. The water would be lukewarm, but would feel frigid after the heat of the previous experience. While Danica knew it would be invigorating, she didn't really feel like enduring the shock today. She continued on into the next room. The air here was cooler by comparison to the previous rooms, though Danica knew it was still very hot in reality. The pool in this room was much larger, and had benches carved into the submerged sides that allowed bathers to sit and soak in the pool. Two men and a woman, all with dirty blonde hair and attractive, lounged in the pool chatting. They were all sipping wine, one man having his glass refilled by a servant who stood nearby. "Welcome, my name is Phileta. Those who share the bath are Bellicus and Silvanus," the woman said, gesturing to the two men in turn. She was speaking in the common trade tongue, having recognized Danica as a foreigner. Danica felt a chill that had nothing to do with the cooler temperature of the air in the room as the three let their eyes roam over her curves without shame. It was obvious in their appraising glances that they were intrigued by what they saw, and Danica's body was responding to that attention with desire. Both men had square jaws and dark green eyes, giving Danica the impression that they might be brothers, so similar was their appearance. Their bodies were free of hair, through either plucking or shaving, and well muscled. She could just barely see their cocks through the ripples in the water, and her desire spiked higher when she noticed they were well endowed. Phileta was fair skinned, blessed with large breasts that sparkled with droplets of water running down the half submerged globes. Her light brown areole culminated in only slightly darker, flattened tips that hovered at the water's surface, occasionally submerging in the ripples and with her breath. Danica could see the deep pink of Phileta's bare sex beneath the waves as well, and the woman aroused her passion as much as did the men. "My name is Danica. May I join you in the bath?" She asked with a smile. "Of course, would you care for some wine?" Bellicus responded. "That would be wonderful. I know how good the wine is here," Danica replied as she sank down into the warm waters of the pool. "You have taken rooms here, have you not?" Silvanus asked, taking a sip of his own wine. Danica nodded to the serving woman, who handed her a cup of wine. "Yes, though I don't know how often I'll be here." Phileta pouted. "That is a pity; I hoped we might get to know each other better." There was an obvious note of suggestion in her voice. Danica grinned, the smile revealing plainly that she had picked up on the suggestion. "We could get to know each other in the time we have." Danica noticed that Phileta's nipples were growing more pronounced, obviously hardening. Her own buds were already swollen to stiff points, and she noticed similar swelling occurring beneath the surface of the water between the two men's legs. Silvanus adjusted himself beneath the water, obviously trying to draw attention to his rising manhood. "We likewise desire to become acquainted with you." Danica dropped all pretenses then and purred, "I'd like to become very closely acquainted with both of you as well." Phileta let out a purring moan and rose from where she sat, moving to Danica and licking her lips. Danica echoed the moan, turned toward the other woman, and then gasped when Phileta locked her lips around the rigid flesh of her nipple. Waves broke against Danica's back as the two men rose. She saw Silvanus walk in front of her as she felt Bellicus press his body up against her, kissing her neck, his erection nestling between her buttocks. Phileta moved to the side, never releasing Danica's nipple as Silvanus came to stand in front of Danica. As Bellicus continued to kiss her neck, Danica reached down beneath the water and pulled Silvanus closer by gripping his erect manhood. She was aching to be filled, and wasted no time pulling the tip of his cock up against her sex. The man laid his hands over her shoulders as Danica guided him inside her. She moaned as he penetrated her and felt Bellicus' hands gripping her hips beneath the water. A moment later, Silvanus was buried to the root and Bellicus was pulling her cheeks apart with one hand to guide his cock between them. Danica gasped as the flared tip of his cock pushed into her ass. Phileta released Danica's nipple after a final tug at the turgid flesh, then ducked under Silvanus' arm and reached down to rub Danica's folds. "Ever impatient are men, but I am content to wait for a taste of you." Danica gasped again as Bellicus pushed deeper inside her from behind and Silvanus started to stroke his shaft inside her. "You can taste Silvanus too when he fills me full." Phileta purred and Silvanus let out a pleased grunt as he heard that Danica would allow him to come inside the hot sheathe of her sex. He thrust faster even as Bellicus began to stroke his cock in Danica's ass. Danica groaned as she was assaulted from both front and back, the power behind the thrusting cocks inside her increasing by the moment. Phileta rubbed both Danica's bud and her own as the grunting men stoked Danica's fires. Between being filled so completely and Phileta's dancing fingers, Danica was building quickly toward release. She gasped and yelped, the hot glow in her loins growing stronger and her skin steadily flushing in a deepening crimson as the heat within her sought escape. Danica's half-closed eyes popped wide open and she screamed as her climax flared to life. The initial burst of release was quickly followed by another warbling scream as the two men's cocks and the woman's fingers continued their actions unabated. Were it not for the buoyancy of the water and the two men's hands on her, Danica would have collapsed when her knees began to quiver beneath her. Silvanus' face twisted into a mask of ecstasy and he pushed down hard on Danica's shoulders, thrusting his cock upward inside her with a loud scream of release. Silvanus' sperm burst forth into her depths and Danica screamed, "Oh yes!" Still coming, Danica's eyes rolled up in her head as Silvanus pulled free from her and Bellicus bent her over slightly to find a better angle of penetration. Once again, Danica's eyes popped wide open and she emitted a loud growl as the cock in her ass penetrated even deeper. When she caught her breath after the initial stab of pain-tinged pleasure, Danica cried out, "Come in my ass," and then yelped as Bellicus stabbed into her with a powerful thrust. Danica looked back, saw the signs of impending release in his eyes, and growled, "Give it to me." With a final thrust, Bellicus gasped and Danica felt hot semen flooding her ass. Danica screamed again as the feeling caused her orgasm to spike once again. The three guided a still wobbly and gasping Danica to the edge of the pool, sitting her on the last submerged step. Tendrils of semen drifted in the water around her half submerged sex, and Phileta lay down in the water with a moan to pull her face between Danica's legs. Danica yelped, her body still quaking from her previous orgasm as Phileta's lips closed around her labia and a tongue penetrated between them. The woman let out an excited moan as she lapped the mingled cream and Danica's body began to shudder with increased strength beneath her. The previous climax Danica had reached never truly subsided as Phileta licked her pussy. It was a throbbing itch deep inside her that shot jolts up her spine regularly even as her clit felt like it was going to swell to bursting from the attention the other woman was giving it. Suddenly, the two sensations merged into a single electric jolt that shot from her depths to her clit, and then raced up her back. Danica sat up with a quavering scream and pushed down on Phileta's head, trembling violently as the current spread from her spine throughout her body. It took what seemed like forever to Danica for her body to settle down from its peak and allow her to breathe normally once more. Even more time passed before she was able to open her eyes and see Phileta massaging and pulling Bellicus' slowly hardening member with her mouth while she rasped her hand over Silvanus' already erect cock. Danica moved to them and cupped the manly orbs beneath Phileta's bobbing head to massage them. She then turned to wash her tongue over Silvanus' smooth sack as well. Bellicus was soon throbbing in the warm embrace of Phileta's mouth, and she released him with a final, slow suck. A gentle tug on the stiff shaft in her hand guided Silvanus to sit. Once he sat down, Phileta turned to face away from him, beckoned to Bellicus while letting out a purr, and knelt down. Phileta lay down on the man behind her and helped guide his cock into the tight confines of her ass. She growled as he penetrated her, while Bellicus knelt down before her. Bellicus pressed the tip of his erection against Phileta's folds and into her warm sheathe as soon as his knees came to rest on the submerged tiles. As both men stroked their cocks in and out of the screaming Phileta, Danica moved to where her tongue could reach the other woman's clitoris. Phileta was soon writhing in the throes of orgasm, and likewise filled from above and below with hot spurts of semen from the two grunting men buried inside her. Danica lapped up the creamy mixture inside Phileta as the woman had done for her, driving the blonde to yet another release. When they all at last recovered enough to move, they returned to the pool to wash the evidence of their passion from them. It was only once she started bathing again that Danica realized the wine servant was still standing in the room, her face rosy and her nipples pressing against the material of the thin shift she wore. ------- Zoraster stood before the gate of the place all knew as Nightmare Castle. The original name of the fortress was long lost to the ages, its builders and inhabitants long dead — or worse. The gates were open, rusty, and hanging at an odd angle. The wall was likewise dilapidated, nearly breached by erosion in many places and crumbling everywhere else. The Archmage could sense more than see the demonic guardians circling overhead. Stepping confidently forward through the portal, Zoraster walked at a brisk, but unhurried pace toward the castle beyond the wall. Eyes glowed in the darkness to the sides, following him or darting toward the castle as he proceeded across the cracked flagstones. Once, the fortress would have looked magnificent. Now, missing stones revealed the winding staircases inside towers and gargoyles lay broken and weathered at the base of the wall. Few windows or doors were intact within the stone framework that should have housed them. The smell of brimstone and death, wafted through the courtyard, growing stronger as Zoraster neared the enormous double doors of the castle. Zoraster chuckled as the doors swung open of their own accord when he reached them, amused by the meaningless parlor trick. Such theatrics might impress the weak and gullible, but he knew them for what they were. When the horrendous creaks and squeaks of the doors opening ended, he continued forward into the castle proper. Hisses and moans echoed through the entrance foyer when he passed through the portal inside, eyes in the darkness again watching him. This display was more than meaningless theatrics, but the demons and undead who created those phenomenon concerned Zoraster no more than the opening of the doors. There was only one thing in this castle that could prove anything more than a minor irritation to him, and that was its master. His boot heels echoed hollowly on the debris strewn stone floor as he walked toward a second set of age ravaged double doors. These opened before he reached them as well, though they were moved by the dead hands of two enormous flesh golems on the inside of the next room and not by magic. Again, Zoraster chuckled. The hideous creatures were pitiful in comparison to his magnificent Arians, which were essentially the same sort of creature created with true power. Torches flared to life, the source of the magic now visible. Flanking the ancient stone throne at the head of the room were Arleen Latel, a wizardess Zoraster had once thought to recruit before she had taken service with her devil master, and Mopario, the Blade of Tarchanak. Although both were powerful in their own right, neither concerned the Archmage in the slightest. Their powers were as pitiful compared to his, as were the golems when compared with his Arians. He continued forward, sweeping a cracked skull lying in the floor out of his path with a gesture of his hand. Mopario stood staring at the Archmage as he approached, a look of smug superiority on his face and his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. Arleen offered him a smile as he approached, sizing him up with her eyes. When Zoraster stopped at the base of the dais on which the throne sat, she addressed him. "Welcome, Zoraster Arias, I must admit I'm surprised to see you here." "And where is your Master?" Zoraster asked, ignoring Arleen's small talk. The sound of leathery creaking erupted from above Zoraster and he smiled as the Devil swept down from the vaulted ceiling. Meckataur's clawed feet hit the ground with a thud, the wind from his enormous bat-like wings buffeting Arleen's hair and robe as the devil landed before the throne. The wind swirling about didn't even cause Zoraster's robes to flutter. At over ten feet tall, with wings double that span spread out behind him and flames licking about his body, Meckataur cut an impressive figure. The devil's armored magenta hide glinted in the torchlight, rippling with muscles. His muzzle opened into a toothy grin as he stared down at Zoraster before him. Meckataur's voice, guttural and thundering, echoed through the chamber as he spoke, "Why should I not devour you now, mage?" Zoraster picked at an imaginary speck on his robes while the devil folded its wings and awaited an answer. "Because such would involve a useless battle that would deplete both our resources. I come with an offer which can benefit us both, and a gift." The devil strode forward down the steps of the dais, pointing at the aloof wizard below. "You underestimate my power, Zoraster." The Archmage simply watched as the hulking demon approached. "On the contrary, I understand the breadth of your power, and such is the reason I seek to strike a bargain with you." The hellish creature took a final step and now loomed directly over Zoraster. "What gift could you possibly offer, and why would I care, mage?" Zoraster gestured and an illusion appeared off to the side. Meckataur tensed for a moment, thinking the gesture the beginning of an attack at first, then noticed the image that had appeared. While the illusion had no power to fool the devil, he could see what it was, a dog-faced, nightblue creature trapped in a cage of force and snarling impotently. The blindingly fast Taxuntna demon was one of the few types of demons from which Meckataur had not absorbed the creature's power, and the image awakened the devil's hunger. "Give it to me!" He bellowed, turning back to Zoraster, clawed hands curled before him and the flames flickering from his hide flaring higher. "I will be glad to, provided we can reach an arrangement," Zoraster responded. "What is your bargain, mage?" Meckataur demanded. "You want the Taxuntna, and I desire an item I know you have acquired. It is a gauntlet, which I'm quite sure would be very painful for you to touch. The thing is useless to you, but critical to me. Our current goals likewise coincide by twists of the fates, and I will offer you aid in any manner you require when you journey to blacken the Elven lands, so long as you are willing to entertain a timeline which will mesh with my own designs," Zoraster explained. The devil snarled, "What makes you think I need anything from you, mage, and why should I hand over to you a thing which can cause me pain?" Zoraster smiled, knowing the demon was intrigued. "As to the first, while you may not require my assistance, I can hasten your preparations and provide both soldiers and wizards for your servants to command. Couple those additions with the forces you already possess, and you will be able to strike at the fey folk without the need to spend time gathering more fools to your dark banner." Meckataur offered a toothy grin, "Go on, wizard." "With respect to the gauntlet, in my possession it will no longer be a beacon for every aspiring Paladin or cleric to seek your gate, and will soon be forever rendered impotent to harm you." "What is your gain?" The devil asked with suspicion evident in his black eyes. "Power. Revenge upon my enemies. The same ends you seek to obtain. Perhaps we might even continue in this mutually beneficial arrangement beyond our immediate concerns," Zoraster replied. "I don't trust you, wizard," Meckataur growled. "I would be quite disappointed if you did, as I harbor no illusion of trust for you," Zoraster retorted. The demon laughed, a great roar that caused the stoic cleric and wizard beside the throne above to startle, no small feat considering the atrocities they had witnessed since joining the service of the hellspawn. "You have a bargain, wizard. Fetch that wretched holy glove, Arleen. Now, Zoraster, give me the Taxuntna." Zoraster spoke a word of command that activated a spell he had already prepared. The energy cage and the nightblue demon within appeared a few feet away. A single step brought the hulking demon to the cage, which was immediately rent asunder by his taloned hand plunging through the magic to grasp the demon within by the skull before it could use the speed, which Meckataur desired, to escape. Zoraster offered a crooked smile as Meckataur devoured the smaller demon. The flames dancing around the devil's form flared as the power of the Taxuntna flowed into Meckataur and became one with him. Arleen appeared in a flash of light, a black box in her hands. The devil was still flexing his muscles and wings, feeling the new power permeate his form. The wizardess stepped forward and handed the box to Zoraster. A sense of victory swept through Zoraster as he slipped the box into his bag of holding, though his expression revealed nothing of the elation he felt. He could almost feel the power in his hands, the culmination of all his work. Soon the vain and arrogant gods would have no means to deny him. Meckataur darted before Zoraster, utilizing his new power, and the action distracted the Archmage from his musings. The demon growled, "When shall I scorch the lands of the Fey?" "Soon, Meckataur — soon. I have a final gift for you which I believe will help you pass the time," Zoraster said and then spoke a word of command to activate another prepared magic. A glowing cage of magic similar to the one that had housed the demon appeared, this one much larger and filled with a dozen women who screamed in terror upon seeing the hellish creature standing before them. "They are all young and strong, demon lord, and their fields are all fertile, awaiting your seed to make them bloom. I have chosen them carefully to provide you with broodmares which might survive to carry your spawn to term," Zoraster explained. Arleen blanched as Meckataur strode toward the cage with purpose, tearing away the blood red mail skirt that girded his loins. While the creature's erection looked tiny on his immense form, the true size of the stiff organ would prove obvious to the women when it violated their tender, pink flesh. Zoraster took his leave as the demon jerked the first woman from the cage. ------- Part 17B The next morning, once she shook away the disorientation of awakening in an unfamiliar place, Danica immediately noticed the dull ache in her bottom as she rose. She clenched her cheeks tight, wincing slightly as she walked to the chamber pot. She squatted to empty her bladder, wishing that she had thought to bring a seat with her to cover the pot. The ache was nothing that would distract her terribly once she was fully awake, and the memory of the pleasure that had caused it made Danica shudder and lick her lips. The two men and Phileta had rooms very close to hers, and all had expressed a great deal of interest in seeing her when she was next in the city. Danica decided to just throw some clothes on and return to Zoraster's complex, bathing there so she wouldn't be distracted in the baths here, as intriguing as that thought was. She was supposed to cook for Celes and the others today, and didn't want to get a late start. A few words of magic carried her back to the familiar environs of her rooms in Zoraster's complex. Knowing how long it would take to cook, Danica went directly to the kitchen to fetch her turkey from the cold box. Once the bird was in the oven cooking, Danica walked to her lab. There would be little to do other than occasionally baste the turkey for the next several hours, so she decided to return to her work on Marlena's toy. Danica had stolen time to work on the toy, and it was nearly complete. The one thing she hadn't accomplished was to change the appearance of the toy when its magic was not active. She hadn't yet located a material that would coat the toy and give it a uniform appearance as she had hoped. A new idea had occurred to Danica once she abandoned her original quest, however. Her idea would make the toy unique to Marlena, because the illusionist would have a hand in its creation. Danica planned to have the woman aid her in creating an even stronger enchantment similar to the one she had put on Celes' toy to create the phantasmal image of Andrea. With the help of Marlena, who had mastered illusion, Danica had no doubt that the toy would be a wonder when it was finished. Danica sat down to begin drawing up the details of her idea so that she would have a list of extensive notes for Marlena to reference as she expanded upon the idea. She walked into the kitchen once to baste the turkey, smiling because she had the temperature just right, and the bird was cooking nicely. Shortly after returning to her notes, Danica heard a knock on the door. She moved to answer it, pausing at the last moment to deactivate the magical defenses woven about the room. She had left the defenses fully armed while she was away, and she had not bothered to take them down since her return. While her own magic would not lash out against her, it certainly might attempt to strike down whoever was outside the door. Marlena smiled when Danica opened the door. Danica smiled back and exclaimed, "Perfect timing." She then gestured for Marlena to enter and started walking toward her lab. "If Celes hasn't told you yet, I'm making a turkey for us to eat later, but I want to show you something first." Danica glanced in front of her to get her bearings as Marlena moved to enter the room, when she glanced back she saw not Marlena closing the door, but Camilla. Danica spun on the woman, a growl rumbling from her unbidden as her face hardened into a scowl. "Get the fuck out!" Camilla looked confused for a moment, but then glanced down at her body and realized her illusion was broken. "I guess you didn't drop all your defenses did you, Danica? They won't do you any good. DIE!" Camilla shouted out the words of a spell and gestured. The spell was a simple one, quickly cast, and should have struck Danica before she could prepare a defense. What she had not counted on was Danica's mastery of the battle mage technique that allowed her to raise a shield, which dissolved the acidic missiles on contact. Danica growled as the missiles shattered on her shield. The spell Camilla had cast was not strong enough to kill. The woman had meant to disfigure her with the acid. Danica knew she had to raise a stronger defense, and knew that she needed to counter attack to keep the other woman off balance. The problem was that one of the first instructions Zoraster had given her was never to use her Art against him or his subordinates. Now she had a powerful wizardess trying to kill her, and she could not combat the woman to the best of her ability. Danica added a layer of elemental protection to her shield as Camilla cast another spell. Danica's best hope at the moment was to defend and hope Zoraster arrived to call the woman off. She winced as a lightning bolt slammed into her shield, providing a pointed reminder of the power her opponent possessed. Reaching out with her thoughts toward Camilla, a wall of searing hatred and jealousy slammed into Danica. She immediately retreated from her mental probe, knowing now that nothing short of disabling the woman or Zoraster's intervention was going to end this battle. The depth of the caustic emotions she had experienced told her without a doubt that even if Zoraster intervened, it would only be a matter of time before Camilla attacked her again. Danica concentrated, raising her hands before her, bending all her will to keeping her magical defenses strong and in place. Her shield shuddered when the ball lightning Camilla hurled next bounced off and scorched the wall. Danica clenched her teeth and kept the shield intact. However, she didn't know how long she could continue to do so when Camilla was free to cast spells at will, due to the lack of answering spells from Danica. The flaming meteors that next bounced off her shield sparked fires on a table and carpet. Danica was glad her shield was between Camilla and her lab, because any number of things inside could prove quite dangerous if they felt the kiss of fire. Danica quickly hurled a quenching spell at the flames to prevent further damage. When her next spell, another lightning strike, dissolved against Danica's shield, Camilla screamed, "Just die, bitch! You're going to die! Stop delaying the inevitable!" "Zoraster is not going to be amused!" Danica shouted back, hoping to distract the woman with the threat of her master intervening. "I don't care! You are going to die, Danica — here and now!" Danica gasped when Camilla's next spell, a fireball, burst against her shield. It shuddered again, but held. The resulting fire flash ignited the covers on her bed, which was fortunately protected by her magic against fire. While they smoldered, it would be some time before they would burst into dangerous flames. Danica knew she had to counter attack. There was no choice if she wanted to survive. She chose a minor spell, magic missile, and hurled the bolts at Camilla to try to distract her from the spell she was already in the process of casting. The missiles dissolved against Camilla's shield and the woman continued her casting without even flinching. Danica cursed and cast a lightning bolt of her own, trying to catch snippets of the spell Camilla was casting to determine what it was, but having little success. Danica completed her spell first, the lightning bolt dissolving against Camilla's defenses with no more effect than the missiles she had previously hurled. Camilla completed her spell with a final shouted word and a sweeping gesture of her hand to point at Danica. A ray of amber energy shot toward Danica from Camilla's outstretched hand, instantly dissolving Danica's defenses. As she tried to restore her magical shield, a gust of wind from a wand Camilla drew and aimed slammed into Danica. The blast of air hurled her back against the wall, nearly knocking the breath out of her. She struggled to rise, her fingers already moving in the gestures to restore her shield as the words quickly tumbled from her lips. Camilla aimed another wand and Danica gasped as the fireball streaked toward her. Invisible beneath her robes, Danica's hood ring flashed. The power of that enchanted item turned the fireball back on Camilla, who was unprepared for the resulting blast. Surprised by her magic reflecting back upon her, she did not maintain enough concentration on her shield and it partially failed, allowing the searing heat of the fireball to reach her. Camilla screamed in pain and rage as her robes and hair ignited. The wizardess quickly cast a spell to douse the flames, but they had already burnt her locks down to a short, ragged shadow of their normal curly length. Her robes smoldered, revealing the flesh beneath in places. Camilla's skin was red, obviously burned in many places. Danica knew the woman was surely in tremendous pain, but appeared to ignore it as she aimed her wand again. Danica spoke the words of a telekinesis cantrip, but actually used her mental powers to wrest the wand from Camilla's grasp and hurl it across the room. Camilla incredulously stared at her hand, knowing that there was no way the cantrip could have pulled the wand from her grip. Speaking the words of a spell as soon as she removed the threat of the wand, Danica enclosed Camilla in crimson bands of energy that pulled her arms tight against her body and caused her to topple over. The woman struggled, but Danica's spell held firm. Danica breathed a sigh of relief and reached into her bag for the magical cage, planning to confine the woman until Zoraster could do something. Danica wondered why he had not yet arrived, as he surely couldn't have missed what was going on. Just as she was wondering about him, the man appeared in a flash of light near the bed. "What have we here?" He chuckled. "She came in here and attacked me. I had to defend myself," Danica spat. "S-she lies, Master. I was..." Camilla began. "Kill her," Zoraster ordered, staring into Danica's eyes. Part of Danica wanted to obey that order without hesitation. The woman had tortured her and taken delight in it. She had tortured Marlena and probably laughed the whole time. Danica could not find any reason in her heart to spare the cruel woman, save that she would not take a life in cold blood. "No," Danica answered, though it lacked conviction, revealing the dark desire within her. Zoraster laughed, and then turned toward Camilla who was struggling to rise and move toward him. Camilla gasped out, "Master, please forgive me. She is a d-danger to you. I only thought to..." Zoraster spoke a single word and Camilla screamed. Danica watched in horror as the woman's flesh melted from her bones, the scream turning first to a gurgle, and then nothing as her face dripped away from the skull beneath. What was left of the woman clattered to the stone floor amidst the dissolved goo of her flesh. Zoraster turned back to Danica, who had torn her eyes away from the spectacle, struggling to keep the contents of her stomach where they belonged. "You should have destroyed her. She certainly would have destroyed you," Zoraster criticized. He then spoke words of magic and gestured. The disgusting mess that remained of Camilla vanished. A few more words and gestures doused the fires burning in the room. Danica rose from where she had fallen to her knees fighting nausea, glancing for a moment at the spot where Camilla had died with a shiver. "You have leave to defend yourself in whatever manner necessary. Your powers grow, and some within these walls will find their jealousy uncontainable. You will not always have the luxury of choosing between a killing stroke and misguided mercy, little rose." He then snapped his fingers and vanished from the room without another word. Danica wrapped her arms around herself and backed up, leaning against the wall. She felt numb. She was no longer sickened, horrified, or afraid. She was simply numb. ------- Zoraster appeared in a room full of coffins. He crossed the room with a purposeful stride toward one of them, pausing to pick up a small bag on the way to his destination. Opening the lid of the coffin he had selected, he looked down and saw Camilla's face. Opening the bag, he pulled out the contents. He stiffened and a scowl came over his face, memories of the last time he had attempted this spell returning to him. He had failed then — they had intervened. Shaking his head and snarling, Zoraster brushed the thoughts away and continued to remove the necessary spell components he required for his magic from the bag. He spoke the words of the spell, the syllables harsh and ominous. His hands manipulated the components of the spell, blood, bone, and other distasteful objects, in the necessary gestures as he brought the dark magic to life. An aura of black congealed around him as his macabre chant reached a crescendo. A similar aura surrounded the clone of Camilla lying in its crèche, settling into the mindless flesh of the woman's copy. Camilla's eyes popped open and she erupted in a horrible blood-curdling cry of sheer terror and pain. She writhed against the restraints as Zoraster closed the lid of her coffin-like enclosure. When the lid sealed, he touched runes upon its surface to attune the magic of the device. It would hold her body stable and release drugs that would calm her until she recovered from being yanked back from whatever afterlife she had been moving toward, the horror of her own death still fresh in her mind. "I trust you have learned a valuable lesson, Camilla," he said to the closed device. "Perhaps it will humble you and force you to push beyond your current limits in your second life." ------- Celes patted Danica's hands, which were folded on the table in front of her, and said, "Danica, it's not your fault — and likely a lucky thing. Camilla was obsessed with you, and I think the world will be a happier place without her." "I know you're right, but it was just so..." Danica paused and shivered as a chill ran through her body. "It was just so horrible, and he acted like he was swatting a fly out of spite." "We know he's mad, powerful, and kills without any remorse, Danica. We've known that from the beginning. We'll likely see worse," Celes responded. "I should have turned my magic on him. Not even Camilla deserved to die like that," Danica growled. "Then you would have shared her fate — or one worse," Celes retorted. Danica sighed. "I know. I've got to do something; get the image out of my mind." Celes sniffed the air and smiled, "You could finish making us dinner like you promised." A weak smile crossed Danica's lips. "That might help. The turkey should almost be done, and there's a lot of other things to prepare." "I'll go see if I can round up Marlena and Andrea, and then we'll all come help you." Celes then hugged Danica, giving her a kiss on the forehead. "I think having friends around right now is a good idea," Danica said, rising from her chair. "And you'll have them. Go check on that bird, we don't want it to burn." ------- With a wide smile, Zoraster removed the black box from his bag. Placing the box on the table before him, he cast a spell of telekinesis and used the magic to open the lid of the box. He could feel the holy magic of the item rejecting him, and knew if he dared touch it that the thing would sear his flesh as surely as it had that of the demon. Again using the telekinesis, he moved the gauntlet through a shimmering wall of blue light. There it hung in place amongst numerous other items already suspended in the magic. Soon, the time will come, and then I will have the power to take back that which is rightfully mine — to remake this broken world, gain dominion, and bring paradise to this land. I will cast aside the fools who have flawed creation. "Soon," he repeated aloud, and laughed, a sound full of confidence, anticipation — and tinged with hints of madness. ------- Finally, the four were able to gather together. While they cooked and chatted, Danica managed to push the dark thoughts of Camilla's death away — somewhat. Tasting the potatoes, Danica made a face. "I suppose this is as close as I'm going to get. I know what they need, but I've ran out of marjoram. Mom always used it, and they just don't taste right to me without it." Andrea smiled and said, "I have marjoram, I grow it in the hedge maze." Danica's eyes lit up and she smiled, but it was Marlena who spoke next, "I have so much trouble finding that. I need it for many of my spells and I never have enough." "I have plenty. My mother used to grow so many different herbs — I just sort of plant them too along with my flowers because it reminds me of her. The herbalist keeps everything for me and winters the plants that need it." Celes stood up. "Well, let's go get your marjoram then. Hold my hand and I'll teleport us there." Andrea's eyes went wide, and the smile that spread across her face was even wider. "You'll take me there with magic?" She asked with obvious excitement. Celes chuckled then brushed a strand of hair that had blown into her eyes out of the way, wondering where the breeze had come from. "I'm going to tell you how the spell ends, so you'll know when the magic is about to work. If you know when it will happen, it's not quite as hard on the tummy." "Okay!" Andrea replied with the same girlish excitement. Celes spoke the last few words of the spell, which were very distinctive, and explained that as soon as the last syllable was complete, the magic would whisk them away. Andrea nodded that she understood and Celes cast the spell. A few moments later, they vanished from the room. Danica turned to Marlena and said, "I want to talk to you about something when we get a chance. I have some ideas for your toy, and I think you'd be the best one to help me get them to work. They're based around illusion and phantasms, and you know a lot more about that than I do." "You want me to help?" Marlena asked, sounding a little surprised. "Of course. I think you'll be able to make it a wonder with what you know about magic. You'll probably learn a lot about creating magic items in the process too. Your toy will have a touch of your magic on it too then," Danica replied. "I'd like that. After we eat?" "The sooner the better," Danica answered with a smile. Celes and Andrea popped back into the room only a minute or so later, Andrea holding a large bag and still smiling from ear to ear. "That was wonderful," the blonde exclaimed. Danica felt a breeze tickle her bangs when the two women reappeared. She was about to ask if it was windy outside when Celes started to speak. Celes shook her head and chuckled, "I'm good at teleports, and the spell turned my tummy upside down the first time I cast it. She just did it twice without even wincing." "Much better than Brandon," Danica hinted with a smile. "Damn me, but I hate magic!" Celes and Danica both said in perfect synchronization, imitating Brandon's favorite phrase every time he had to teleport with them. All four women laughed, and then Andrea handed a small jar to Danica. "This one is for you for cooking." She turned to Marlena and handed her the bag. "And this one is for you for your magic." "Thank you, Andrea. This will last for quite some time," Marlena gushed. "Yes — thank you, Andrea. Let me get this in there so those potatoes will be right," Danica added and turned to do just that, at last starting to feel a little better. Once the meal was prepared, they all sat down and ate — a little more than they should have. Danica blushed as the three women complimented her cooking. They chatted as they cleared the dishes and washed them, and then went to sit and continue their chat over wine. Andrea reluctantly got up after an hour of relaxing with the wine, having duties that demanded her attention. Celes likewise rose at the same time, saying she had some things she needed to do as well. Once they left, Danica turned to Marlena and said, "Come take a look at my notes, and we'll see what you can add to them to make them better." Marlena smiled and followed Danica to the lab. ------- The process of creating the illusions for her toy quickly engrossed Marlena's thoughts, once Danica explained her basic concept. The extent of the illusionist's knowledge astounded Danica, much of it completely beyond her ability to comprehend. Within a few hours, Marlena had detailed exactly what spells to cast upon the item with respect to the illusionary elements. Once they finished outlining the spells to enchant the toy, Danica unveiled the item. The look on Marlena's face told Danica it wasn't exactly what she had expected. A supple leather belt and harness would strap the device over Marlena's loins, putting it in position to penetrate her. The lower part of the harness only left enough room to attach the toy, which would leave as much flesh bare as possible. Sticking out the back of the harness was a sheath that enclosed the carved shaft, and hanging near the end of it were the balls of the toy. These were attached to the base of the shaft, and would travel through a track in the sheath as it moved to slap against her. As Danica explained the general mechanics, hinting at some of the other enchantments but not revealing much so these would surprise Marlena, the illusionist's look changed to one of intrigue. Danica said, "Trust me," and winked, "If it does what I want it to do, it will set you on fire." "I trust you. You're good at making magic items," Marlena responded. Danica laughed. "I've had a lot of experience making pleasure toys too." "Do you want to start on the magic?" Marlena asked with anticipation recognizable in her voice. "I don't think I'm in the right frame of mind right now, and we should really start early in the morning when we do it. Do you want to go to the Erotine temple and have that brand removed?" Danica suggested. Marlena bit her bottom lip, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I don't know. I'm still uncomfortable with the whole idea." "I'll be with you, and if you start feeling too skittish, we'll just come back and see what we can do about finding a Venissan who can do it for you," Danica offered. The illusionist considered for a few moments then said, "I'll try. I do want that horrible thing gone." "Okay, let's go then. We'll get rid of that brand and come back here to rest for the night. Then we'll enchant your toy in the morning." ------- Celes sat cross-legged on her bed, her old knees aching terribly. Scented candles burned throughout the room, releasing their relaxing fragrance while the sounds of a bubbling brook and chirping birds summoned by her magic added to the calming atmosphere. Her eyes opened and she sighed, uncrossing her legs with a wince and a groan of discomfort. She was trying to relax and push away her longing and need, but with little success. Danica, Andrea, and Marlena all called out to her. Danica's call was especially strong because the desire Celes felt was reflected in Danica's eyes. Danica could see her as she should be, unlike the others, and the Awakening ritual that swirled around Danica only intensified the call. Sighing again, Celes arose from her bed. She clenched her teeth in irritation, the wetness she felt between her legs obvious evidence of how little use her attempt at meditation had proven. On top of that, she had to deal with her powers again. As if I don't have enough problems, now this too, Celes silently fumed. One of her candles suddenly shot across the room, sticking to the wall for just a second before falling to the floor. Celes fought hard to push down the emotions, knowing it was her powers that had grabbed the candle and moved it. Her abilities were expanding, just as her mother had told her so long ago. Everything was connected in some way to her original power, and her emotions would trigger them all. Fright or alarm triggered her ability to teleport objects, and it appeared that anger and frustration triggered this newest facet of her powers. She had nearly broken when she first used the Hellgate spell. She knew that there, her body truly was young, as it should be. Danica would not feel old flesh under her hands if she touched her there. There was no illusion to fade, because there her youth was real. Unlike Danica, she couldn't force reality to reassert itself over her form, the desire was simply too strong to overcome. How she had longed for Danica's touch, to feel loving lips upon her again. The memory that thought triggered of Danica lowering her aching sex to Celes' mouth made her body quiver and break out into gooseflesh. There was only one thing that could even slightly help her now, her gift from Danica. Anticipation and longing fought for control of Celes as she opened the drawer to retrieve the magical toy. For a short while, she was lost in the joy of a woman's lips touching her with love and need once more, the fires within her banked, though certainly not quenched. ------- Marlena slowed slightly as the pair approached the temple of Erotine in the city. The look on her face revealed that she was obviously having second thoughts. "I know this is going to be hard for you, but just remember that everyone in there will be naked as well, and I'll be with you. Think about walking out of there with that mark from Garthak gone. Concentrate on that," Danica suggested. Marlena took a deep breath and nodded, resuming her normal pace as they approached the temple. Once inside, Danica had to persuade the other woman yet again before she was able to disrobe. It was nearly a quarter of an hour later when they stepped into the temple proper, Marlena doing her best to cover her body with her arms while Danica walked in front of her to shield her at least slightly. Danica released a quiet sigh of relief when they entered the main hall of the temple. The only people in the room were a priestess and priest in one of the bathing pools sloshing the water as they coupled. The whole situation would prove easier for Marlena with few other people present. Danica walked toward the bell pull that would alert the clergy that someone was requesting their presence, but a priestess emerging from the hall that led deeper into the temple caused her to turn and approach the woman instead. The priestess was blonde, beautiful, and walked with a strut intended to evoke arousal, a typical devotee of Erotine. "Blessings of Erotine upon you, sister," the priestess said with a nod of her head, though with obvious confusion in her eyes. Danica pursed her lips slightly, cocking them off to one side before she spoke, "Yes, I've been Awakened — and no, I'm not in the service of Erotine. I suspect someone here knows how it happened, but that's not why I'm here." Danica gestured to Marlena behind her, "She's been branded, and we ask that the blemish be removed so it does not scar her beauty." The priestess obviously still had questions, but brushed them aside. "I will take you to Thaddeus, who has the greatest blessing of Erotine in this regard amongst us. There will, of course, be a donation required." "I understand," Danica replied somewhat shortly, not really comfortable in the temple either considering Erotine magic had changed her against her will. The woman gestured and walked with swaying hips down the hall from which she had just emerged. Danica and a still nervous Marlena followed. The priestess stopped at the first doorway along the hall on the left. "Thaddeus, your blessings are needed to remove a blemish." The man turned and Danica's eyes widened. While she expected that any man serving Erotine would prove a fine example of the male form, this man was far beyond that. His body looked as though an artist had carved it from his vision of the perfect male musculature, every muscle plainly defined without giving him the appearance of a hulking brute. His body was smooth, free of hair, and only a blind person could fail to notice the healthy length and girth of his manhood dangling between his legs. The man smiled, and his square-jawed face took on a somewhat younger cast. When Danica turned to look at Marlena, she saw the other woman very distracted, her eyes locked on the priest's cock and her mouth opened slightly. "Please come and allow me to ask for the blessing of the goddess, to remove the blemish which mars your beauty," The priest instructed and gestured for the two women to enter. Danica tugged on Marlena's arm and led her into the room, the woman having let her hands fall from where they covered her as she stared. She walked up to the priest and handed over an emerald she had brought as the offering for the healing. The man nodded and sat the gem down on the small altar in the room. Looking around, Danica determined that his chambers obviously served as both temple and living quarters for the man, containing the trappings of worship and his personal possessions. Marlena had finally realized she was staring and now plainly tried to look anywhere but at the priest's cock, which Danica noticed was twitching with signs of life. Danica guided Marlena to turn, revealing the brand, and Thaddeus scowled. "This is a foul mark. I will be pleased to remove such a dark defacement from your beauty. Please, come place your hands on the altar." Danica prodded Marlena along, color having risen to the woman's face as her modesty once again reasserted dominance over fascination with the man's perfect body. The blush in her cheeks deepened as she bent over the altar, presenting her bottom to the priest. Thaddeus moved in behind Marlena, his cock steadily rising, and placed his hands on Marlena's buttocks. He chanted and beseeched the goddess for her blessing upon him to remove the brand, caressing Marlena's buttocks with his hands as he spoke. A pale golden light filtered out from beneath the man's hands as he continued to chant and pray. Danica felt moisture gathering between her legs as she watched the man caressing Marlena, his throbbing erection only inches away from her now as he prayed. She could also see the evidence of Marlena's wetness shimmering between her lips. Marlena's nipples were erect and her breathing was quick as well. Her eyes were closed, her lips slightly parted, each breath carrying with it a quiet gasp. The priest moved both hands over the whip-shaped brand on Marlena's buttock, the volume of his chant increasing. The glow beneath his hands brightened, and Marlena let out a slight whimper. Finally, with a long drawn out syllable, the healer completed his prayer. The golden light shone brightly, casting dancing shadows all around the room. Marlena's legs quivered and she let out a yelp of pleasure as an orgasm gripped her body. Marlena continued to gasp and moan as pleasure rippled through her, the glow beneath Thaddeus' hands slowly dimming. When the light vanished and he removed his hands, the mark was gone. Marlena lowered her body to the altar, gasping for breath and shuddering. Thaddeus took a step back from her, revealing a trickle of pre-cum on his glans. Danica's hand lay on her mound, rocking over her aching sex as she listened to Marlena come down from the orgasm induced by the man's healing. "I-is it gone?" Marlena gasped out, her legs quivering. "The goddess has given you her blessing and taken the mark from your flesh," Thaddeus assured her. "How... How did..." Marlena began, but a spike of lingering pleasure shot up her spine and cut off what she was trying to say when it induced a loud moan. "You were touched by the goddess," The healer explained, "Through her blessing you were freed of the foul defacement that marred your smooth skin, and given pleasure such as only Erotine may bestow. You will likely find that your body hungers for more." Marlena moaned, "It does. I feel like I'm on fire." Danica gasped and slipped the tips of two fingers inside her to try to take the edge off her own arousal. "You're not the only one." "I would be pleased to quench that fire for you," Thaddeus offered to Marlena, stroking her backside with his hand. Marlena moaned, "Oh, please — I can't bear it." Danica moaned and went to lie down on the bed as Thaddeus moved in behind Marlena to rub the helmet of his cock against her slick lips. Marlena pushed her hips back toward him, engulfing the tip of his rod inside her with a moan. Danica parted her legs, wishing for one of her toys, and thrust three fingers into her depths as she watched the priest push deep inside Marlena. Danica's fingers and Thaddeus' hips kept pace with each other, a finger of Danica's other hand moving even faster as it rubbed her clit. The moans of pleasure coming from both women echoed each other in perfect opposition — Danica's ending as Marlena's started. It was Marlena's scream of release that broke the chain, a loud primal cry of ecstasy, quickly followed by a warbling gasp as she tried to suck air back into her lungs. The sound of Marlena's release and watching Thaddeus ramming his cock hard as he drew near the edge as well caused Danica's orgasm to swell within her. Just as Thaddeus slammed his hips forward to clash with Marlena a final time, gasping as he hit bottom and groaning as he coated her walls with his cream, Danica arched her back and screamed in release as well. When Danica was able to open her eyes, she saw Marlena's legs trembling, unable to support her. She started to slide down, lacking the strength to hold on to the altar. Thaddeus caught her up in his arms as if she weighed nothing and carried her toward the bed. Danica moved out of the way so the man could lay the trembling, flushed woman down. Danica pinched her nipples and moaned as a wave of pleasure rolled through her body, glancing at Thaddeus' cock. That glance breathed life into him, because he started to rise again almost as soon as Danica looked at him. Rolling off the edge of the bed, Danica moved around it quickly and dropped to her knees in front of the priest. She sucked his slowly hardening organ into her mouth, moaning around him, as she tasted Marlena's juices and his cum mingled together on the shaft. He swelled quickly in her hot mouth, soon stretching her lips and tickling her throat. Danica released him, a tendril of saliva stretching from her lips to his shaft as she pulled away. She stood up and moved to bend over the altar, reaching below her to part her lips. Thaddeus needed no further invitation, and mounted her only moments after she presented herself to him. He felt wonderful to Danica as he penetrated her, filling her so full with his girth and touching her cervix when his smooth balls pressed up against her. Her nether lips tingled as they slid along his shaft when he withdrew, and her clit throbbed when he thrust once more back into her warm embrace. Danica thrust her hips back at him each time he propelled his shaft into her, causing loud slaps as their bodies met. She built quickly toward release, every thrust of his cock into her depths feeling as though it swelled her loins with pressure. When Danica came, she clenched tight around his buried shaft and felt it swell, then pulse as his sperm exploded into her. She screamed in ecstasy as he filled her, his own groan of pleasure just as loud. Danica felt her strength leaving her just as Marlena's had, and the strong priest gathered her up in his arms to carry her to the bed as well. Danica let her head loll back as the pleasure ripples continued to roll through her body. Marlena half-dozed, having finally come down from her climax as well. It took them both some time to regain the strength necessary to get up from the bed, let alone exit the temple and dress for the long walk back to the complex atop the hill. ------- Staring into the heavens, Zoraster contemplated the night sky. A rare alignment was coming, the stars and planets moving through their cycles into a line of power. Such alignments occurred regularly, but this particular time of power only happened once every few generations. Throughout the world, those who utilized magic of all kinds would draw upon the power of this celestial event to weave great magic. It would be on that night that Zoraster would cast his spell. He spoke a word of command and the rocky ceiling above appeared once more, the spell making the side of the mountain transparent to his eyes ended. A chime sounded, announcing that someone sought entrance to this, the true heart of Zoraster's power. Deep within the mountains beyond his complex, it could only be reached by magic. Most had no idea that they were transported by magic when they passed through the portal in the complex and arrived here. Zoraster spoke the words of a spell and teleported to the entrance hall of his sanctum. Once there, he spoke the word of command that both opened the portal and announced to whoever was waiting on the other side that they were allowed entrance. Few were given the right to open that portal without his intervention. The door opened and a woman in concealing, mouse-brown robes bowed before him. "Master Zoraster, my little toy has returned with that which you seek." A smile spread across Zoraster's face and he held out his hand to accept the amulet she presented to him. "You shall have your reward, my kitten." The woman handed over the amulet with a look of obvious anticipation, twitching her fingers as the Archmage reached into his bag and withdrew a round, striped stone of orange and black. He held it up between two fingers and then handed it to her. She clasped the stone to her breast and let out a moan. "You bless me, Master." "Be careful, my kitten, and good hunting," Zoraster responded. The woman immediately turned and left. Zoraster closed the door, knowing that reports of a striped cat wandering the region late at night would soon emerge. Raising the amulet up before his eyes, he stared at it and said, "Do you hold the key?" He waited as if expecting the amulet to answer him for a moment. "We shall know soon enough." ------- Marlena arrived bright and early to begin working on her toy with Danica. They went to work immediately, starting to lay down the spells that would bind the illusionary spells to the item. Much to their frustration, Marlena was called away to a task shortly after they started weaving the magic. Danica promised that they would pick up where they had left off as soon as she returned. Sitting down after letting Marlena out, Danica looked over one of the spells she had brought back with her from the temple of Sekmamun. Her mind drifted, and she couldn't concentrate. The memory of Camilla's death crept up on her again, causing her stomach to lurch. Not for the first time, she contemplated calling Devan for help. If she were to do it in the temple of Sekmamun, Zoraster wouldn't be able to spy on her and know what she was doing. Her sister could protect their family, eliminating that hold over Danica. She could escape to where Devan could help her too, as her sister was certainly powerful enough. That thought caused Danica to shake her head and push back the memories that always came flooding back every time she thought about how beautiful Devan was, and how strong she was in the Art. She had always been Devan's sister, never just Danica. Tossing the spell scroll in her hands aside, Danica let out a sigh and sat back, thinking, He would just use someone else against me then, and it would be even more horrible because I escaped. The people she had met and come to care about flitted through her mind. Celes, Andrea, Marlena, Tari, Tonda, Carolyn... He would visit horrors on them to punish her, and she couldn't endure that. A thought of Carolyn reminded her that she had not visited since before leaving for the island where she had met Tonda. Pushing all useless thoughts of escape aside, Danica decided a visit to the young woman was in order. The last time she had spoken with Carolyn, she was sure that a marriage proposal was right around the corner. Danica didn't want to miss the wedding, so she needed to go see her and find out if Carolyn was right. After changing out of her robes, convenient for working magic, into clothes that were more comfortable for leisure, Danica walked down into the city. She was surprised to find Carolyn's shop closed, which was something that didn't often happen. The young woman and her mother did brisk business thanks to the quality of their work. Danica turned from the shop and made the short walk to Carolyn's house. A teary-eyed Carolyn answered the door, and immediately fell into Danica's arms sobbing. Danica stroked her hair for a few moments and then asked, "What's wrong Carolyn?" Carolyn sniffled and gasped to catch her breath. "I-it's Mom — they say they can't do anything to help her." Danica felt a chill grip her body. Carolyn's father had died a year or so before, the results of too much drink, and her mother had lost some spring in her step. Now it seemed that Carolyn might lose her mother as well. "Let's go inside." Carolyn wiped her eyes and nodded, walking in with Danica right behind her. Kyle was standing in front of a man in religious regalia, gesturing as he spoke, "What do you mean it's her time? What good are the gods if they don't do anything?" The old priest responded, "We cannot know the ways of the gods, my son. My god tells me it is her time to pass from this world and find her reward in the next. She accepts this, and while you will grieve, you can rest knowing that..." "Save me your sermons, I don't..." Kyle began. "Kyle, don't do this — please," Carolyn interrupted. Kyle turned and let his shoulders slump. "I'm sorry, honey. I just don't understand." He turned back to the priest then and said, "I'm sorry I spoke to you that way." The old cleric patted him on the shoulder. "It is quite understandable, my son. You are enduring a difficult time for those who must remain behind." A weak voice emerged from the bedroom behind the priest, "Carolyn?" "I'm coming, Mom," Carolyn replied. "Is that Danica I hear?" Carolyn's mother asked. Her breathing sounded labored. "Yes, I'm here, Marta," Danica answered. "Please come see me," Marta requested. "Will you show the good father out please, Kyle?" Carolyn asked, and then choked off another sob trying to emerge from her. Kyle nodded and gestured for the priest to follow him to the door as Danica and Carolyn walked into the bedroom. Sadness washed over Danica when she saw the woman lying on the bed within. It was hard to believe that her health could have deteriorated so much in such a short period of time. She was pale and thin, the bones visible beneath her skin as she moved with obvious effort to face toward the door. "Come close, I don't have much wind for shouting nowadays." Danica smiled at the little quip, so typical of the woman, and walked up to the bed with Carolyn. "You're looking a bit pale. I told you that you needed to get out of the shop and into the sun more." Marta chuckled. "Ahhh — you're a breath of fresh air. Everyone is walking on eggshells around me. I'm dying, not turning feebleminded. I don't know how long I've got left, so I'm not going to waste time. Carolyn is going to be married, and I'm not going to be around to see her off. I want you to take my place when I'm gone." Danica reached down and took the old woman's frail hand in her own, "I'll stand in for you at the wedding, but I certainly can't take your place. Nobody could do that." Smiling, Marta added, "Can you get them away from this place once they're hitched? I had a dream — a terrible dream — and I want them both far gone from here. I have family in Egoria. If you could get them there, they will help them get on their feet." "Of course I can do that, if they want to. I can help them get started too. I have plenty of coin," Danica responded. "You're a treasure. You should go with them. This land is under a black curse — I can feel it. You'll go, won't you, my dear? Fulfill an old woman's dying wish?" Carolyn's lip quivered. "I don't want to think about things like that right now, Mom." "You'll go, or I'll haunt you," Marta scolded. "I'll go, Mom," Carolyn responded, laying her hand over Danica's and her mother's. "That's my dear girl. Don't grieve for me. I'm going to be with that scoundrel of a father of yours again. He's had too much time to get into trouble waiting for me," Marta said with a smile. Carolyn couldn't help but smile back at her, though her eyes were filled with tears. "Tell him I love him." "I will. Now, let an old woman get her rest," Marta said, making a weak shooing gesture with her free hand. Danica patted both Carolyn and her mother's hands before laying Marta's down. "I'll take care of them, Marta. You don't need to worry." "Thank you," The woman responded and let out a great sigh of relief, closing her eyes. They walked out and closed the door behind them. Danica immediately wrapped Carolyn, who was again fighting off sobs, in her arms. Carolyn asked, "Will you please stay with me until..." Danica stroked her hair and said, "Of course I will. You will do what your mother asked, won't you? I'll make sure that you can start your new life without troubles." Carolyn nodded. "Kyle already wants to go, and he was happy when Mom suggested Egoria." Kyle walked back in the house then and Danica said, "Come sit with Carolyn while I make us some tea." ------- Marta died peacefully, a smile upon her face, at sunset that night. Danica, Carolyn, and Kyle were all at her side, the last sight her tired eyes beheld before they closed forever. Danica returned to her rooms that night, but arrived back at Carolyn's house with the rising sun to help the young woman through the burial and the visits from friends of the family that followed. She was there to tuck in an exhausted Carolyn at the end of the long day as well. The wedding was to happen in a month, and Danica told the couple to take their time getting things in order for their move. She converted a large sum of coin into gems, easier for the couple to carry than coins, to prepare for the move as well. To secure it, she crafted a purse with the holding enchantment that could be locked to prevent anyone but Carolyn or Kyle from withdrawing the contents. She also planned to send a charm with Carolyn that she could use to call Danica if the couple was in danger, not caring in the slightest what Zoraster might do to her if it was necessary for her to teleport to their side while they were on the road. To make it less likely that anyone would attack them, she planned to send them out with merchants on their way to Egoria, and to hire additional guards that would make attacking the caravan utterly suicidal for anything other than a huge gathering of bandits. Danica collapsed, exhausted, into her bed that night. ------- Marlena returned from her task the next day, and the pair returned to their work on Marlena's toy. Celes joined them, watching to increase her own knowledge of the process and assisting where she could with spell components. Just as the sun set that evening, Celes cast the spell of joining and they all poured their Art into the final enchantment. Once the glow of the spell faded, Danica gestured for Marlena to pick up the toy and said, "See if it worked." Marlena's anticipation was obvious, something that had grown throughout the creation process. She quickly picked the item up and walked from the lab to Danica's bed. Celes remained in the lab, while Danica walked to the doorway. Once she reached the bed, Marlena buckled on the harness and lay down on the bed. Taking a deep breath, Marlena spoke the word of command and the item's magic sprang to life. All evidence of the toy vanished as the phantasm Marlena's magic had placed upon the toy appeared. Danica's face grew a crooked smile when she realized the phantasm was the image of the priest from the temple of Erotine. The image of Thaddeus pushed his hips forward, the shaft of the toy penetrating Marlena at the same time. She moaned as the toy throbbed and hummed inside her, thrusting quickly into her depths as the image of Thaddeus groaned. Marlena could feel his hands on her, the illusion so complete that it didn't fade in the slightest. Concentrating hard, Danica could see through the illusion to the toy beyond. She knew it would prove very difficult to penetrate the illusion without magical intervention with the physical component of the toy adding to the sensation. Danica watched, seeing that the balls of the toy swung just as they should, slapping against Marlena, giving her an additional level of realism and stimulation. Danica walked into the room and patted Marlena's shoulder, reminding her through the fog of pleasure of something they had attempted to allow the item to do. Marlena started to roll over onto her hands and knees, and felt the shaft slide out of her depths. Looking back over her shoulder, she saw and felt the image of Thaddeus assisting her as she rose up on all fours. The toy then penetrated her again, causing Marlena to moan loud and long as the toy filled her. Danica looked over at Celes when she walked back into the lab and noticed the woman shifting from foot to foot. She also noticed where Celes' eyes were focused. Curious, Danica sent a though to Celes, You're looking somewhere I wouldn't be expecting you to look. Celes turned to Danica, wrinkled her nose, and then sent her thoughts out in reply, Don't be sassy. I can be curious just like anyone else — and not having any hair makes him look... She paused. Different. The building sound of Marlena's pleasure distracted them from any additional mental conversation. Celes walked back into the lab with a final glance at the illusion of Thaddeus, and then went on through the door beyond into the common room. Danica waited in case Marlena needed her to speak the command word that would stop the toy's magic. Considering how much difficulty the woman appeared to have catching her breath, Danica thought it just might prove necessary. Marlena came, and the illusion of Thaddeus groaned at the same time, the toy giving Marlena the feeling of his seed spurting inside her. While the illusion of Thaddeus was still panting and unmoving, the vibration of the toy had not stopped. Marlena tried to gasp out the command word. Danica came to the rescue, speaking the word and causing the magic of the toy to deactivate. Marlena shuddered violently, and then thrashed a few times before arching her back high and collapsing back to the bed. "I think it works," Danica said with a grin. The only reply Marlena could offer was, "Mmm hmm." "The illusion is keyed to your fantasies, so I take it you've been having a few about Thaddeus?" Danica asked with a crooked grin. "It is a little hard to push out of my mind," Marlena admitted, although she didn't sound happy with the fact. "Don't worry too much about it, Marlena. It will take you some time to come to grips with the feelings you're having. I'm not sure some days whether I've ever really come to accept mine." Marlena shuddered and then said, "Can you help me get this off? I don't think I can move my arms." Danica laughed and walked into the room to free Marlena from her toy. ------- Zoraster opened the coffin-like crèche where Camilla's spirit had streaked into her new body several days before. The woman's eyes popped open and she screamed, "Don't send me back!" "I wouldn't have been forced to kill you the first time if you had not gone against my will," Zoraster responded. Camilla then thrashed and screamed incoherently, and Zoraster closed the lid with a sigh. "It appears you are having a little difficulty with the transition into your new life. I may be forced to find other uses for you." The Archmage then left the room via a door that looked completely out of place here in his sanctum within the mountain. While the other doors were plain and serviceable, only the warding runes distinguishing them, this one was made of the finest wood, carved with scrollwork and figures. Opening the door, Zoraster stepped into the room beyond and closed it behind him. The room beyond the door was just as inconsistent with the remainder of his abode as the door was. Block walls lined the small room, and it was decorated in a manner that suggested a young noblewoman's taste. Lying on a bed at the head of the room, surrounded in a nimbus of shimmering azure light, was a woman. She was lush of figure, all sensual curves and soft skin, a wealth of dark blonde hair spread out around her like a halo on the pillow. She was dressed in a fine silk nightgown, her hands folded across her stomach. Zoraster stood and stared for long moments, his heart thudding in his chest. He closed his eyes, scowled for a moment, and then forced his face to resume a neutral expression as he walked toward the bed. Removing the amulet he had received from his kitten, Zoraster looked at it for a moment before pushing it through the nimbus of magic and touching it to a similar amulet around the woman's neck within. He spoke words of magic, and bright motes of light swirled around the two amulets. Withdrawing his hand from the magic, Zoraster paused again, staring at the woman within her protective cocoon. Once again, his will overcame trepidation as he spoke the words that released the magic surrounding the bed. The freckle-dappled young woman on the bed yawned, stretching as she opened her eyes. Zoraster could not help but smile as the young woman smiled up at him. "Tharsas, was I sleeping again? I sleep too much." Zoraster's heart missed a beat as he heard Colette's voice speak his name, the true name he had abandoned long ago. The feeling of euphoria he felt drained away and ice gripped his heart as she continued, however. Her voice had a monotone quality to it that was nothing anyone else would have ever noticed, but to Zoraster it was like a metallic screech setting all his nerves on end. Waving his hand above the woman, he watched as the magic surrounded her and she returned to a state of suspended animation. Zoraster stood, his teeth clenched and his breath emerging in short angry blasts as the magic settled into place over her. Screaming in rage and disappointment, Zoraster hurled the amulet in his hand against the stone wall to ricochet back toward him and under the bed. Raising his face to the ceiling he screamed, "You mock me, do you? You laugh on your thrones, manipulating this world for your own amusement, destroying that which you have created with your petty games. Soon you will mock me — you will deny me NO MORE!" Unbidden, his magic swirled around him in his rage, a crimson aura of power crackling with blood red discharges of electricity. The bolts arched from his body, repelled by the magic surrounding the bed but leaving tiny scorch marks on the stone and furnishings everywhere else they touched. The power seeping from him suddenly winked into darkness as he gained mastery over his emotions. The feelings his amulet had drained from the serving wench had restored Colette's smile, but the music in her voice was still lost to time and a dagger's point. Murdered by a man he had thought already dead, his love's blood was on his hands because the strike was meant as revenge upon him. Time and time again, he had attempted to restore her through the clone, but always something was still missing — it was not Colette. Anger bubbled up within him as he remembered his other attempt to raise her to his side once more, to wrest Colette from the grip of the gods as he had done with Camilla. They had denied him, meddling as always for their own amusement. Gods of light, gods of dark, it mattered not — they all spread their evil influence through the world, destroying the perfection of creation. Growling and clenching his fists, Zoraster pushed down his rage and turned his face to the ceiling above once more. "Soon, vain and arrogant ones, you will not have the power to deny me. I shall have my Colette back, and she will reign at my side as I remake this world as it should be, free of your meddling. Free of scheming nobles, free of murderous women, this world shall achieve the perfection that is its true destiny." "Soon," he repeated, a smile crossing his face and laughter echoing loudly off the cold, stone walls. ------- Part 18A Danica awoke with a smile on her face that had been there since she had fallen asleep the night before. The reason for the smile lay nestled up against her. Danica's smile spread even wider as she looked down at the beautiful young woman in the bed with her. Between the horror of Camilla's death and the sadness of Marta's passing, Danica was desperately in need of close companionship, and Andrea had obviously sensed it. For the past three days, she had visited with Danica whenever possible, and shared her bed each night. Stroking the young woman's bare back, Danica slipped out of the bed to go to the chamber pot. After attending to that necessity, she drew a bath to wash the evidence of their lovemaking from her. It had been the same way for them all three nights, falling asleep in the warm afterglow of their orgasms, not caring that they were coated in each other's juices. The sound of the water filling the tub awakened Andrea, who opened her eyes and smiled at Danica as the older woman picked out her clothing for the day. A chill shot up Danica's spine when Andrea stretched; causing her firm breasts to jut out and demand notice. They shared a bath, and then reluctantly parted when Andrea went to her duties for the day. Danica turned her attention to the spells she had acquired in the temple of Sekmamun, deciding to concentrate on the fascinating and rare magic for a while. There were not only healing spells, but also many other spells often considered the domain of clerics and druids. Warding spells also dominated the collection. Danica barely knew where to begin, but chose a difficult looking spell that was different from most she knew. The Prismatic Orb spell would create a magical ball of force that had many random effects, all dangerous for anyone in their path. While the chant and gestures were difficult, they would not require much time to perform once mastered. Because of the random nature of the spell, it was more difficult to defend against than other types of magic. At least two of the possible effects generated by the spell could also be deadly. Danica fell into her studies, learning the Prismatic Orb in only two days despite spending her evenings with all three of her friends, and her nights with Andrea. The annoying tasks Danica and Celes had been sent on had ceased, which made Danica suspicious that they had originated with Camilla. Marlena had likewise not been called away since her last task, disguising a cave with her illusionary magic. Danica checked in daily with Carolyn, and while the young woman was still deep in grief, she was recovering. The couple was busy getting their affairs in order, so she rarely stayed long. Carolyn was completing the work they had already taken for the shop so that there would be no broken promises when they left. If they were not ready to leave the day of the wedding, they would be shortly thereafter. Thus, Danica had plenty of time to study, learning all of the healing magic she had acquired in Beniopolis and several other unique sand-based spells. She also had time to practice her cooking and sample that of the other three women at least once each day, as they spent most of their time together now when they weren't engaged in their studies or duties. They sat one evening, sipping wine and contemplating who was going to cook and what they were going to make when a knock sounded on the door. When Danica answered the door, she found Brandon outside. "Hello, Brandon, what can I do for you?" Danica asked. "Uhmm, do you mind if I come in?" Brandon requested, looking up and down the hallway. Danica raised an eyebrow and opened the door wide, "Come on in." When Danica closed the door, Brandon nodded to the other women and then let out a great sigh. "This is going to sound weird — I know it feels that way. I'm lonely." Gesturing for him to follow, Danica walked back to the couch where she had been sitting. "I don't really understand what you mean." Brandon followed and explained, "Ever since we got back from the Forge, I've just been bored. Everything all my comrades-in-arms talk about is the same thing, over and over again. I've gotten so sick to death with the stories about this barmaid and that brawl that I just sort of sit around by myself." Danica sat down and looked at her companions. "Unless anyone objects, you can sit with us for a while. Better yet, why don't we go down to the city tonight and see if we can wake Brandon up a bit?" Celes and Marlena both shrugged and offered expressions that said they didn't find it to be a bad idea. Andrea spoke up and said, "I don't go down to the city much, especially at night. I'm afraid of the thieves and..." She paused and whispered the next part, "Bad men." Danica reached over and patted her hand, "You won't have to worry. We'll be with you, and our brave knight will defend us if we are accosted by ruffians, won't you Brandon?" Danica joked. Brandon laughed. "I feel better already. That's the first honest laugh I've had in a while." Danica stood up. "I'm paying. We'll cheer Brandon up and show Andrea there are some bright places in the city at night." ------- The five closed down the common room of the inn they had chosen, Celes passing out providing the signal for them to leave. Both she and Marlena had drunk more than their fair share, and Marlena was not far behind Celes when they stumbled out of the inn. "It's not like she's heavy, but this is going to be a long walk," Brandon noted, adjusting the cradle of his arms in which Celes lay. "I don't know if I can walk," Marlena slurred, supported on either side by Andrea and Danica. "I could try to teleport us all back, but I don't know if I'm strong enough to take us all alone. We'd all probably be throwing up between the lurch and the drink," Danica speculated. Marlena made a face and put her hand over her tummy. "Not a good idea." "Let's get back on the road up the hill. It isn't too far, and I can levitate these two once we're out of the city. I'll do it before then if I have to, but I'd rather not use too much magic out here in the open," Danica suggested. Andrea and Brandon both agreed, Marlena only able to nod her head, and even that was not straight up and down. They didn't quite make it out of town before Danica had to summon up a floating disk to lay the two women down. Marlena passed out as well, and Danica determined there was no way she and Andrea could drag the woman any farther. Once the two unconscious women were floating along on the disk, the group hurried out of the city, and then proceeded at a sedate pace up the hill toward the complex. The three that could still walk were tipsy enough that the brisk walk through the city had proven a bit of a challenge. By the time they reached the gates of the complex, the cool night air had sobered them up enough that they were walking more or less straight. They managed to get Celes and Marlena into bed, and then returned to Danica's room so Andrea and Brandon could pick up some things they had left there before going into town. Danica asked Andrea, "Did you have fun?" The young woman smiled and said, "Yes. I've never drank so much before, and you all have such good stories." Danica turned to Brandon and asked, "How about your Brandon, feeling a little better?" "Yeah," he replied, "How could I not have a good time with four beautiful women?" Andrea's thoughts were so clear that the woman may as well have said them aloud to Danica, I'd like you to have more fun with two of them. A tingle ran through Danica's body when she heard Andrea's thoughts, and it started her juices flowing immediately. She was sure Brandon would be happy to oblige her friend in that wish, and the thought of watching Andrea come while he fucked her hard and fast was impossible to resist. Walking over to Brandon, she sat in his lap and echoed Andrea's thoughts, whispering huskily into his ear, "How would you like to have even more fun with two of them?" Andrea gasped and Brandon let out a playful growl before replying, "What do you think?" Danica turned toward Andrea, moving off Brandon's lap and beckoning the young woman near. Andrea rose immediately and walked toward them. Danica stood and pulled her into a kiss when she reached them, Brandon letting out a short, excited grunt as they kissed. "Damn, that's sexy," He muttered as they broke from the kiss. "You're going to love being with Brandon. He's so big, so fast, and he can hold out forever. He's going to make you come until you feel like you're going to pass out," Danica teased as she kissed over the woman's face and neck, slowly unbuttoning her blouse. Andrea started to remove Danica's clothing as well, kissing over her body and licking her nipples as soon as she revealed them. Once they were both nude, Danica turned toward Brandon, Andrea turning with her. He was obviously hard, and enjoying the show. Danica crooked her finger, instructing him to stand. Once he stood, they both kissed him and then removed his clothing as well. Andrea purred when his cock sprang free, wrapping her hand around it and stroking slowly up and down the shaft. A drop of pre-cum welled up from him, and as soon as Danica noticed it, she dropped down to her knees in front of him, pulling Andrea down with her. Danica swirled her tongue over his glans, gathering up the clear droplet, and then shared it with Andrea in a kiss. Danica then cut her eyes toward his cock and smiled at Andrea, licking her lips at the same time. Andrea picked up on the signal and started to lap over his throbbing shaft. Danica leaned down to run her tongue over his jewels, suckling them on occasion as Andrea slurped him between her lips. When the young blonde released him for a moment to rest her mouth, Danica engulfed him in hers. Andrea cradled his balls in her hand, gently rolling them as Danica's head bobbed up and down. Danica released him and moaned, "I want you to come for us. Get us nice and sticky so we can clean each other up." Brandon groaned as Andrea took advantage of Danica talking to wrap her lips around him again, then told her, "No argument from me." Danica leaned down close to Andrea's ear and said, "Get him there Andrea. I want to watch him come all over us." Andrea moaned around his shaft and sucked her cheeks in a little more. Brandon once again groaned. "Gods, you've got a wonderful mouth." Danica stood up and nibbled on Brandon's ear before she said, "Wait until you put that cock inside her." He turned and pulled Danica into a kiss, then grunted, "It ain't gonna be long." Andrea's head bobbed even faster, while Danica kissed her way down his body and dropped back down to her knees. After a few more strokes of Andrea's mouth, Brandon growled, "Almost there." Danica wrapped her hand around Brandon's cock, stroking his hard flesh in her hand while Andrea pulled back to the tip. She leaned forward and ran her tongue over him, Andrea releasing the swollen head with a wet pop while she looked up into his eyes. Both women swirled their tongues over his tip while Danica's hand stroked ever faster. Brandon gasped, a stream of his cream already leaking from him to be lapped up with hungry moans by the two women. Brandon gasped out, "Here it comes!" Sitting back, Danica pulled Andrea with her and leaned in close, pressing their bodies together in front of him. Two more pumps of her hand causing Brandon to cry out and swell in her hand, thick ropes of cum shooting out over the two women. Danica continued to stroke him as his seed burst from him, coating them both in his sticky cream. When he ceased to spurt and began to ooze, Danica leaned forward and sucked the head of his cock between her lips. She released him so Andrea could do the same a moment later, both of them getting a good taste. Brandon pulled away and sat back heavily in the chair. Danica wasted no time, moving to swirl her tongue over Andrea's cum covered breasts. Brandon watched the two women lap up every dollop of his cum from each other's body. They kissed frequently, sharing the taste of him between them, and their hands teased each other's nether lips the whole time. Kissing Andrea one last time, Danica rose to her feet, grabbing Andrea and Brandon's hands. She led them to the bed, guiding Andrea to lie down and part her legs. She ran her hand down Brandon's side saying, "She has such a pretty pussy doesn't she?" "Oh yeah," Brandon replied, getting a good look because Andrea had parted her lips with one hand to tease her clit with the other. "Put your mouth on her — make her come," Danica purred. Brandon bent over and put his hands on the bed, lowering his mouth to her aching sex. Andrea gasped out, "Oh, yes!" Danica alternated between watching Brandon's mouth roam over Andrea's folds, and the building pleasure in the young woman's face. She softly rubbed her own aching need as she watched, seeing Andrea drawing near her peak. Just as Andrea was about to climax, Danica pushed him back and said, "Push, Andrea — soak him," before parting the young woman's lips wide and curling two fingers up behind her mound. Andrea's eyes opened wide as the heat within her was joined by a tickle in her urethra growing ever stronger with every stroke of Danica's fingers, every breath bringing with it a gasp of, "Oh!" After a dozen such exclamations, she squealed, "I'm there!" Danica jerked her fingers from inside Andrea, and she did indeed soak Brandon, but only after the initial spurt shot high over his shoulder and into the floor beyond. The slowly weakening stream traced down his chest, with a following spurt soaking his face and chest as she writhed, Danica's finger circling over her clit. Brandon licked Andrea's juices off of his face, letting out an aroused growl before saying, "I liked that. Feel good, Andrea?" Andrea let out a loud moan and arched her back, "Oh, gods yes!" Danica climbed on to the bed, moving over Andrea and moaning, "I feel like I'm on fire. Lick me, Andrea. Make me come." Lowering her pussy to Andrea's eager mouth, Danica leaned forward to support her weight on her hands as Andrea started lapping. Danica let out loud growl of pleasure when she felt the bed shift, and Brandon's tongue stabbed into her from above while Andrea licked her from below. Danica soon came hard from the dual assault, collapsing down face first on the bed with the bedclothes tightly clenched in her hands. When she recovered and swung her leg over Andrea's body, she looked back and saw what Andrea's eyes were locked on — Brandon's cock, hard and hovering over Andrea's loins. Danica asked, "Do you want him inside you, sweetie?" Andrea gasped out, "Yes." Danica cast her spell and determined that Andrea was safe from getting pregnant, which meant Brandon could explode inside her. Danica let out a playful growl and moved out of the way. Brandon reached down and parted Andrea's legs, pushing them up high toward her chest. He then knee-walked forward to wait, poised at her entrance. Danica grabbed Brandon's stiff rod, rubbing it over Andrea's sex, coating the tip in her abundant wetness. Andrea screamed as his big cock slid inside her. As soon as he withdrew to push back inside her, Danica leaned over Andrea to suck a nipple, teasing the young woman's clit with her fingertip at the same time. Andrea came a little over a minute later on Brandon's fast thrusting erection, screaming her pleasure to the roof. Brandon slowed down a bit while Danica released Andrea's nipple and pulled away her stroking fingers. All three were coated in sweat, and Danica shifted into the second sight to try to discover why her magic wasn't cooling the room. She saw the weave of magic over the room was working — and working hard to try to bring the temperature back down to comfortable levels. Brandon withdrew from Andrea, dragging a loud scream from her as he did so. Danica moaned, "Does she feel good?" Brandon groaned, "Damn, yes," and guided the still quivering Andrea up onto her knees. "Oh, yes — take me," Andrea growled as she moved to her hands and knees. Brandon slipped between her folds into her tight canal a moment later with a half groan, half chuckle. Andrea let out a broken squeal as he stretched her wide. Danica rose up on her knees, nibbled on Brandon's ear, and then whispered, "Fill her up with your hot cream so I can lick it all out." Andrea's breasts swung hard as Brandon pounded her, her head bobbing back and forth from the strength of his thrusts. Her body was flushed with heat, and droplets of sweat flipped from her nipples with each bounce. Danica lay down to watch the ecstasy in Andrea's face, while thrusting three fingers into her own depths at the same time. Both women came twice before Brandon slammed forward with a growl and emptied his heavy balls into Andrea's tightly clenched depths. The strength of the thrust pushed Andrea's hands forward, and she came, screaming with each spurt from his pulsing cock as his seed coated her womb. When Brandon pulled from her, the tight squeeze too much for his oversensitive cock, Andrea yelped and spun on the bed, engulfing him in her mouth to suck off their mingled juices. Brandon pushed her away after a couple of sucks. "Damn, I can't take that right now," he chuckled. Danica stroked Andrea's back and huskily asked, "Can I lick all of his hot cum out of your sweet pussy, Andrea?" Andrea smiled and moaned, "Mmm hmm." Andrea came on Danica's flashing tongue not long after, and then both women coaxed another erection from Brandon so he could fill Danica with cream for Andrea to lap up as well. They all then collapsed into exhausted slumber on Danica's bed, satisfied and spent. Danica's magic finally cooled the room as they slept. ------- Zoraster paced, on occasion glancing at the artifacts suspended in his pulsing magic field. The convergence was still days away, but the anticipation was growing nearly unbearable. The memory that there was still one spell component to obtain caused Zoraster to stop and smile. He knew exactly how, and where, to obtain what he needed. The means would also provide some distraction to his new demonic ally. "Yes, delightful," Zoraster mused, "I can use both sides; turn the weapons of the gods upon each other to my own ends." A wicked smile on his face, Zoraster left the room and went to set his plan in motion. ------- Brandon offered to walk Andrea to her room once they had all bathed and dressed in the morning. They all wanted to pick up where they had left off the night before, but both Brandon and Andrea had to go to their duties soon. Danica kissed them both goodbye, and thought she would go check on Marlena and Celes. She went to her lab and mixed potions that would help them overcome the effects of the hangover both women were surely experiencing right now. She was just about to go take the first potion to Celes when Zoraster walked in the room. "I have a task for you, little rose." Danica sat down the two potions and crossed her arms, waiting for the Archmage to continue. "Your fortune in befriending elves serves me well, because I require a rare spell component from their lands. I wish you to go immediately and obtain the silverthorn," Zoraster explained. Danica snorted and smiled, saying, "One little problem — I doubt I'm welcome there. You made me steal an artifact from Darius — Remember? I'm sure he's not exactly happy with me, and he has a lot of influence there." Zoraster laughed, and then sat down to examine his fingernails as he spoke, "You underestimate the influence you had on the man. He accepted the fact he had been used, but still longs for you. He revealed nothing of the theft to anyone." Danica's lip quivered slightly and she had to fight hard not to show her taskmaster more than that. Darius had touched her heart as well, and it had been very hard to leave his bed that night and vanish. Zoraster continued, "Thus, you should have little difficulty reaching the wood of the elves and gaining admittance. You will not go to the wizard's home under any circumstances. You will remain hidden while in the town so that none recognize you. Obtain what I require, and then return here. Your reward for completion of this task will be a reduction in young Andrea's duties, and I shall grant her a home of her own near the hedge maze." Danica's eyes lit up upon hearing that. A home near the maze would give Andrea a place to winter her plants, store the herbs she grew, and reach her plants more quickly, "I understand," Danica acknowledged. "I thought such would pique your interest. Very well — return quickly, because time is of the essence. Be prepared for any eventuality. Good day, little rose," Zoraster finished as he rose from his chair and left. Realizing she did not remember the pattern to reach the outpost in the town, and wanting to take the potion to Celes anyway, Danica went to the woman's room. Celes was certainly in need of assistance, having a terrible hangover. The potion did the job, much to Celes' relief. "Thank you, Danica. I thought my head was going to explode." "You're welcome. You really let loose last night. I've never seen you like that before," Danica said as she slipped the potion bottle back into a pocket. "I have lots of things on my mind. I guess I was trying to make them go away," Celes mumbled. Danica patted Celes' arm with a comforting smile, and then said, "I need the pattern to reach Arrisport. Zoraster sent me after silverthorn from the elven lands there." "I can't imagine you'll be welcome around there, considering how we left," Celes replied, rising to fetch something from a drawer. Danica sighed, "He told me that I won't have any problems. Darius never told anyone about us stealing the wand." Celes brought over a piece of paper and cast a spell to make an image of the teleportation pattern appear on it for Danica to memorize. "You don't need magic to charm a man, I guess." Danica sighed again. "Neither does he. It was hard to leave, and it will be hard to return — especially since he forbids me to see Darius." Celes nodded. "You should go get it over with. I'll take the other potion to Marlena. Thank you again." "You're welcome, Celes. He's going to give Andrea a place of her own near the hedge maze and reduce her duties when I bring back the silverthorn, and that makes it all worth it. She'll be so happy," Danica explained as she handed over the other potion. "At least he's using someone in a positive way to influence you this time." Danica smiled. "I'm not going to count on it continuing. I should go get what he wants so I can get back and surprise Andrea." Celes waved Danica away. "Go then, I'll go take care of Marlena." Celes sighed as Danica left, staring at the door. The primary thing on her mind the night before, causing her to drown it in drink, was the growing difficulty she had in fighting her need for Danica. Every day it seemed she grew closer to the woman, and desired her more. It was becoming nearly unbearable not to say anything. Apparently, Danica didn't need magic to charm a woman, either. ------- Danica arrived at the teleportation pattern in Arrisport a short while later, dressed for the warm, humid climate. She told the servants that she required nothing, and immediately activated her rings to become invisible and silent. The trip through town to the outskirts was uneventful, and she was soon out of sight of anyone within the town. Danica decided that walking to the woods was going to take entirely too long, and cast a spell to soar upward and fly to her destination. She could see the woods as soon as she ascended, and sped toward them, startling several gulls in the process. When she neared the woods, Danica settled to the ground once more, not wanting to look as if she were trying to enter unbidden. Danica could feel eyes and arrows, trained upon her as she approached the wood. The elves would surely know she was there, and would be watching her. She walked up near the edge of the forest, stopping there and waiting for some sign from those that lived there. It took several minutes for an elven woman to step out of the trees and approach, training a bow upon Danica. "What do you seek here?" "My name is Danica, I helped your Queen once, and I wondered if I might ask a small boon of your people. I need some silverthorn, and it is only from within your lands that I can obtain it." The elvish woman lowered her bow, and a male appeared from behind a tree next to her. They conferred for a moment, and then the newly arrived elven man said, "The name you have offered sparks memory. Wait there; I shall go speak with another." Danica nodded and sat down on the grass, making sure she didn't appear in any way threatening. The elven woman kept an eye on her, and two more elves appeared as well, one male and one female. One of the newcomers approached, surprising Danica by leaving the woods. The elven woman carried no weapon, only a staff with living leaves sprouting from it. She looked at Danica curiously and said, "You possess much magic, and I sense the touch of Nymphs upon you. There is something else as well. Are you a witch?" Danica shook her head. "No, I'm not a witch. My friend Celes is, perhaps you sense something about her." The woman raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps. What of the touch of Nymphs?" Danica blushed slightly. "I was drawn to a pool where two sought to restore their sister, and I guess I helped — although I don't remember much." The elf pursed her lips. "Most curious. I have never heard of one being chosen who was not of the people or a servant of nature." The elven woman took a deep breath then and said, "The scent of the temptress is upon you." "I've been Awakened," Danica explained. The elven woman responded, "Yet you do not serve the goddess. You are a very curious human." Danica shrugged, "I don't know what to say. I mean no harm." The elf smiled. "I sense that as well. I know your name, and know the great service you have done for us in saving our Queen. I will give you the silverthorn, as you have requested." Danica smiled back. "Thank you. If it isn't too much to ask, I could use some clay nurtured in your lands as well. I have used all of it I was given last time." "It shall be so. The trees whisper to me that you are important and I shall heed their call." It was Danica's turn to be curious then. She contemplated what the woman had just said as she stood. Her eyes were drawn to a flash of flame off to the side as soon as she gained her feet. Two arrows were already in the air by the time Danica turned to see what had caused the flame. The missiles bounced off the chest of the enormous being that had appeared. The creature roared and sent forth a blast of flame toward the male elf. He screamed as he burst into flame, dropping to the ground and rolling. Another arrow flew from the elf maiden's bow, having no more effect than the previous two missiles. More arrows sped from the woods, each ricocheting away harmlessly. Danica started chanting, casting the banishment spell. She knew from the size of the creature and its resistance to the arrows that mere cold spells were going to have no effect. Magic designed specifically to combat demons was going to be the only chance of driving the creature away. The elven woman with the staff was surrounded by a shimmering aura of green light, and she chanted as well, pointing her staff toward the demon. Yet another arrow sailed toward the demon's eye, bouncing away as if that dark orb was as armored as his purple hide. The demon roared and summoned up a night-blue ball of energy in his hands, "You will die, pawns of the Fey!" Danica completed her casting as the demon hurled his hellish missile at the elf with the staff. The woman's aura wavered for a moment, but repelled the projectile and caused it to dissipate in a puff of oily smoke. Danica released her banishment spell, and the creature roared in pain. With another roar, the demon pushed his hand toward Danica. She had no chance to react as the creature's power slammed into her, an invisible wall of telekinetic force that knocked the wind out of her and sent her hurtling backwards to the ground. Danica fought for air as the chant of the elven woman built toward a crescendo. The demon turned back toward her and growled. The devil then darted toward the other elven maiden. The creature moved impossibly fast, shimmering in Danica's vision to appear behind the woman who was raising her bow. Danica gained her feet and the other woman completed her chant at the same time — a moment too late. As a beam of spring green energy leapt from the elven woman's staff, the demon and the maiden vanished in a puff of brimstone smoke and a clap of air rushing to fill the void they had just vacated. The beam of energy passed harmlessly through the smoke to dissipate on the other side. Danica screamed, "No!" The elven woman and Danica both moved toward the other elf at the same time. He was still smoldering and moaning in pain on the ground. Danica was reaching for a healing potion, but the elf used magic first, calling upon healing powers to restore the elven warrior. Her magic worked quickly, extinguishing the flames and bringing back a healthy glow to his red, and in some places black, flesh. Danica helped him rise when the magic ceased and he was restored. The elven warrior said something to the woman in their language, which Danica assumed must have been thanks from the tone and her response. His face hardened and he said something else from between clenched teeth. The elven woman sighed in response. Danica asked, "What kind of demon was that? It barely flinched at my banishment spell." "That was Meckataur, the Destroyer. He has become as a bane unto the elven people in recent years. Some of our people thwarted his foul works when he was still coming into his power, and he has vowed to annihilate us all," the elven woman explained. Danica questioned, "How did he resist the banishment?" "He is powerful. He has come into his own power, and has absorbed the abilities of many other demons. Also, he is not of the lower planes. Once he was a man, a good man, captured by a devil and led into temptation. He cannot be banished as can most hellspawn, as his rightful place is here, in this world. My druid magic, calling upon the power of nature, could have done him harm — possibly destroyed him — but I was too late," the elven woman lamented. "What will happen to the other woman? Can we follow him — rescue her?" The druidess shook her head sadly. "Such would be suicide, which serves nothing. She will fall into herself, and his tortures will be lost upon her. She will pass on to her blessing in the next life, and there her pain will be ended." Danica sighed and hung her head. "I'm sorry for your loss, and sorry I could not do more to prevent it." The woman smiled. "It is not your fault, and she will join our ancestors dancing in the gardens of the gods. Death is but a part of life, just another stage in the evolution of the spirit. You did what you could, your spell nearly provided enough time for me to complete my spell. None could have asked more." The elven warrior hung his head, and the druidess whispered something to him in her language. He walked back into the woods, vanishing with the skill only an elf could possess. The woman turned back to Danica then and said, "Come, because you have attempted to aid our people yet again, you may enter our wood and select what you need. Perhaps the blessed calm of our forest will help soothe your soul." Danica nodded and followed the woman into the wood. ------- Meckataur appeared inside Nightmare Castle with a puff of smoke identical to that which had signaled his departure outside the elven wood. He spoke words of dark magic upon arriving, binding the unconscious elf woman in smoky bonds, dropping her to the floor. Turning toward Zoraster, he growled, "Your little pet stung me, Zoraster." Zoraster responded, "The spell was no threat to you, and I do apologize for the intervention of the druidess. I knew it was a possibility, but I considered it unlikely." The devil roared, and then rumbled, "I want the fey bitch. I was only able to burn the other, and he will survive thanks to their magic. I will rend this one's soul." "Patience, Meckataur, you will have all the elves you can devour soon enough. I have need of this one, in order to provide you that opportunity. How do you find my last gift?" A grin spread across the devil's muzzle, "One has died, but my spawn grows within the others." Zoraster clapped, "Excellent! I'm positive that at least a few will bring your spawn to term, and you will then have warriors truly fit to lead your hordes." The Archmage's lip twitched into a half smile when he saw Mopario stiffen from hearing that remark. As a servant of the god of war, he felt it was his place to command the armies of the demon. "She will utilize her abilities to retreat from your torments, Meckataur. You will gain no satisfaction from her. She has already entered the state, and you will not be able to break it. Her soul will be lost to you as well, because she obviously has the blessing of the fey and they will prevent you from taking her. She is of no use to you, and I assure you that she will know pain from my magic." Meckataur growled, "Take her then, make her soul scream." Zoraster smiled, "The manipulating fey gods will know her torment. I have another token of my appreciation to offer you as well." Reaching into a pocket of his robes, Zoraster withdrew an amulet of black steel, engraved with dark symbols, "This will protect you from the sting of banishing magic in the future. I apologize for not completing it earlier." Zoraster caused the amulet to hover toward the demon with a wave of his hand. When the demon closed his claws around it, he smiled again, "I can feel the power." "Use it well. I must return to obtain what I sent my little rose to retrieve," Zoraster said, and then vanished. ------- Danica appeared in her room in a flash of light, half a dozen satchels of clay and other spell components from the elven wood at her feet. In her hand was a pouch containing the silverthorn Zoraster had requested. On her face was a wide smile. The peace and tranquility of the elven woods had indeed made her feel better, although she was still troubled by the power of the demon and her lack of magic to target and defend against the creature. Danica heard a knock on her door almost as soon as she reappeared. Walking over to answer it, she found one of the wizards Zoraster regularly sent when he was too busy to deal with something himself. The man offered no word, simply held out his hand for the silverthorn. Danica handed it over and the man handed her a note from Zoraster, spinning on his heels to leave without another word. "You're welcome," Danica muttered. She read the note, which simply stated that Andrea's duties would be decreased immediately, and described the house that was now Andrea's, very near that of Heather and Grant. Danica smiled, thinking perhaps the couple could help her offer Andrea a fine housewarming before she sprang her surprise in Suthpaeral upon them. Walking into her lab, Danica put away the clay and other things she had obtained, and then decided to go talk to Celes again to see if the woman knew of any magic to better combat demonic entities. When her knock on Celes' door went unanswered, Danica thought she would go check Marlena's room. Celes was going to deliver the potion Danica had made for her, and might have stayed there. Celes was in the room when Marlena opened the door to let Danica in. "Thank you for the potion, Danica. I really overdid it last night." "You're welcome. I've done that on more than one occasion too," Danica replied. Celes smiled when Danica walked in. "I forgot to ask, was Brandon feeling better?" Danica let a crooked smile creep across her lips, "I'd say so." Celes rolled her eyes. "I don't want to know. Did you get what the madman wanted?" "Yes, and some more clay and spell components as well. That's why I was looking for you, actually. A demon popped in and attacked the elves while I was there. It didn't even flinch when I hit it with a banishment spell, and it blasted me with some sort of dark magic that flung me away like a leaf in the wind. I was hoping you might know some magic that would be useful if it ever happens again. I didn't like feeling so powerless, and the thing carried off an elven woman." Celes furrowed her brow. "I know a few spells, but it sounds like that one has gathered a lot of power. If I hadn't abandoned my mother's craft and her book, I could probably offer you some real protection. Mother always said that a witch's purpose in life was to destroy demons and those who serve them. I'm sure she knew potions and charms that could protect you, and destroy them." "Destroy them? I thought you couldn't destroy demons, only send them back to where they came from when they were in this plane," Marlena observed. "Not with the Art," Celes explained, "But witchcraft can truly destroy them. Some elven magic can too." "I wish you'd been with me. You might have been able to save that poor woman," Danica sighed. "I don't think I'd have been much help against a demon that strong. I don't know enough of the craft, or enough about my powers." "One of the elves said it wasn't always a demon, that it had once been a man," Danica added. Celes blew out a whistling breath. "That's bad. Those things are a plague upon the world. They can't be banished because this is their natural place. They can be sent to the lower planes with the magic, but they can return immediately where a normal demon would be stuck there. Did it offer a name?" "The elves did, they called it Meckataur, the Destroyer," Danica responded. "That's really bad — I know that name. Meckataur was a knight, a powerful one, named Guy of Bastrya. His only failings were his self-assurance and his desires. A devil used the first to lure him into a trap, and the second to corrupt him. He's been steadily gaining power ever since, and took over Nightmare Castle, gaining control of the undead there. Few have survived an encounter with him. You were very lucky Danica," Celes remarked. "I probably have a powerful enemy out there then. I need to learn some demon combating magic," Danica mused. "Well, let's get to it then," Celes said with a smile. "First things first, I want to go show Andrea her new home," Danica objected. Marlena asked, "What's this?" Danica turned to Marlena and said, "That's right, you don't know. My reward for fetching silverthorn for Zoraster was that Andrea would have more time to herself and a house near the hedge maze. I want to take her there and surprise her, then go down into town and help her furnish the place. Come with me?" Marlena smiled. "Of course. She will be so happy." Danica turned to her other friend, "Celes?" "Aye, I wouldn't miss this either." ------- The four appeared in a flash of light near the hedge maze, a powerful breeze blowing their hair. Danica said, "Now, keep your eyes closed until I tell you so." Andrea pouted, and then laughed. Danica led the young woman away from the maze toward the house, stopping in front of it and saying, "Okay, you can open your eyes now." Andrea opened her eyes, looking a little confused. Danica hugged her from behind and said, "This is your house now, Andrea. Right here by the hedge maze, so you'll be close to your plants and you can winter them yourself." Andrea's mouth popped wide open and she gasped out a few inarticulate sounds, looking from one to another of her friend's smiling faces, finally saying, "I-I don't know what to say." Danica laughed and said, "Just say thank you and let's go inside. I haven't seen the inside yet either, and we need to get a good look before we go down to town to help you furnish the place. I'll get everything you need to make it truly your own." Andrea gushed, "Oh, thank you so much, Danica! It's beautiful!" "You're welcome — now, let's go inside." ------- The four spent the entire day shopping, Andrea protesting the amount of coin Danica spent to no avail. Her protests grew even louder when Danica branched out into buying the young woman almost an entirely new wardrobe, but she eventually gave up when it was obvious that everyone was having too much fun. She was truly grateful and flattered by the attention, despite her attempts to curtail it. The house was livable at the end of the day, with many things scheduled to be delivered when complete. Danica made sure that the woman had a seat for her chamber pot, and a large tub in which she could stretch out. She also upgraded all her gardening tools, enchanting anything that possessed an edge with the vorpal enchantment to keep them sharp. Celes and Marlena were still slightly off from their overindulgence the night before, and so left before dark. Danica walked out into the hedge maze with Andrea, helping her tend to a few things before the sun set. They walked back to Andrea's new house just as the sun was sinking. As they were passing by Heather and Grant's home, Heather stepped out and waved to Danica. Danica smiled at Andrea and pulled her over toward the home, introducing her, "This is Andrea — she's your new neighbor. Andrea, this is a friend of mine, Heather." "Don't forget me," Grant's voice called from behind them as he walked toward the house. Danica turned and smiled. "And this is Grant. Grant — Andrea." "Pleased to meet you," Grant said, and Danica heard his thoughts, wondering if Andrea might be inclined to share the bed with him and his love. Heather smiled and said, "I've seen you here often, going into the maze. Your flowers are beautiful." Andrea blushed and replied, "Thank you. I enjoy nurturing them." A crooked smile spread across Danica's face, which she quickly hid. "Why don't we all go over to Andrea's new house and I'll make us some dinner. We can start her off right with a good meal and new friends." Danica had not hidden her smile quickly enough. Heather had seen it, and her thoughts revealed that she was of a similar mind. "That sounds like fun, doesn't it, dear?" "Certainly," Grant replied, seeing the smile on his love's lips and wondering if that meant something — hoping that it did. "I'll go get some things to make dinner then. I'll be back in a few moments," Danica said and then teleported back to her room. ------- Zoraster gestured, and the elven woman's clothing turned to dust, even that dissolving into wisps of smoke when it struck the table beneath her. She was strapped to a stone table, her mind still turned inward. Her heart barely beat, her breaths coming long minutes apart. The final defense of an elf when hope was lost, the state prevented them from feeling pain, and would allow them to survive for long periods of time without food or drink. The Archmage then cast a spell, making a spreading motion with his hands. The elf's legs parted, and Zoraster leaned down between them. Spreading her hairless labia, he peered inside and smiled. "The devil's senses were accurate, you are untouched. You will serve me well." Releasing the magic he had enacted, the woman's legs fell back to the table. Walking toward the head of the table, he dragged his finger over her lithe form, and then circled his finger over one tiny nipple. Leaning down, he whispered into her pointed ear, "I shall see you again — soon." ------- Part 18B Relaxing in Andrea's new chairs after their meal, Danica suggested that Grant go bring them some tea from the couple's home. As soon as he left, Danica let the crooked grin that had been trying to cross her face all evening free at last. Heather chuckled slightly and said, "I know that look." Danica moaned, "Mmm, you aren't the only one. Isn't that right, Andrea?" Andrea's face grew flushed with color, and she giggled, nodding her head. Danica leaned toward Heather and said, "So, do you think Grant might like to see if he can endure the loving touch of three women?" "Once we get his jaw off the floor — yes," Heather replied with a laugh. Danica let out an excited purr and turned back to Andrea. "I think this is the perfect way to break in your new house — and your new bed — Andrea. Let me cast my spell on you." Andrea energetically nodded her head, and Danica cast her spell. She repeated it with Heather, both women showing a cool blue glow beneath her hand that indicated they were in no danger of becoming pregnant. The three were leaning together whispering to each other when Grant walked back in with the tea. "What's this — more woman things?" Danica laughed and replied, "Yes. Have you grown breasts yet?" "No — although if Heather and you keep feeding me so well, I might," Grant responded with a laugh. Heather stood up and said, "I'm already too hot to wait much longer." With that, she pulled off her blouse and walked toward the bed. Grant fulfilled Heather's prophecy when he stood staring, mouth wide open, as the other two women rose and followed Heather, their clothing falling to the floor as they walked as well. When they were all three nude, Danica embraced the other two women and kissed them in turn. She then looked at Grant and raised her eyebrows. "Were you going to join us, or should we just take care of ourselves while you make us a nice pot of tea?" Grant shook his head back and forth to unlock his staring eyes, immediately moving toward the bed and sitting down the tea and kettle on the table as he approached. Three sets of hands worked quickly to strip him naked, and then three sets of lips began to kiss his body all over. He shuddered and groaned as the women's hands and lips caressed him, occasionally touching his throbbing erection to both relieve some of the ache and increase it at the same time. When Heather knelt down in front of him and grasped his cock, he gasped in anticipation. Andrea and Danica knelt as well, Danica pushing his knees a bit farther apart. Heather swirled her tongue over the tip of his throbbing member, while Danica and Andrea washed their tongues over his jewels. His hands fell upon Danica and Andrea's heads as he growled in pleasure, his love engulfing him in her warm mouth. Heather sucked him hard, her head quickly bobbing up and down his shaft. Grant was lost in the feeling of three mouths on him, as well as the wealth of blonde and red hair that was sliding across his skin while they teased him. When Heather released him for a moment to rest her mouth, Danica coaxed Andrea to pick up where the other blonde had left off. Andrea moaned in delight around his cock as she sucked him in, Heather moaning right along with her and looking up into Grant's eyes. "Does her mouth feel good, dear?" "Gods, yes," Grant panted. Heather purred and then leaned down to lap at his dangling orbs. The three kept sucking him in turn, each pulling away when their mouths got tired to be replaced by another. Danica was feeling a little mischievous, and so had the three women pull away whenever Grant neared his peak. She did it several times, until Grant was begging them to let him come. It made all three women shiver to hear him beg for release in their mouths. Danica breathed out, "Make him come Heather. Share with us." Heather let loose a playful grown and engulfed her man in her mouth once again. He gasped and groaned with every breath, drawing quickly toward his long denied peak. "Oh, please don't stop this time, I'm almost there." He groaned when Heather let him slip from her lips, but the groan changed to a moan when she started stroking his hard flesh in her hand, guiding the other two women to come join her in lapping and sucking the flared tip of his cock. Grant came a few moments later, the spurts coating all three women's faces and rolling over their lapping tongues as Heather continued to stroke him. When he ceased to ooze any more reward for them, he pulled away with a loud gasp, sitting down hard on the bed. Almost as soon as his rear hit the bed, he fell backward onto his back, panting for breath. "Feel good dear? You taste good," Heather teased. Grant panted a few more times before replying, "I thought I was going to die, but gods, yes." "Move over, dear," Heather said to her love, and then turned to Danica and said, "I hope you don't mind if I have a taste of Andrea." Danica moaned and said, "Of course not, go right ahead." Andrea soon shuddered beneath Heather in orgasm, soaked in sweat and screaming her pleasure. In truth, they were all drenched, although they barely noticed it through their arousal. Danica leaned down and huskily whispered into Andrea's ear, "I want you to fuck me with your hand again." Andrea's eyes lit up and she moaned, another quiver passing through her body. Heather moved from between her legs, and Andrea sat up, gasping and grabbing her nipples, as yet another aftershock jolted her body. Danica moved onto the bed, kneeling and leaning over the watching Grant to kiss him. Andrea moved in behind Danica, pulling up on her hips. Danica released Grant from the kiss and lifted her bottom with a moan of anticipation. Heather grabbed a pillow, laying it beneath Danica's legs, and then slid under her body to tease Danica's clit with the tip of her tongue. At the same moment, Andrea folded her fingers and sucked them into her mouth. She then pushed the digits slowly past Danica's nether lips. Danica growled as Andrea's hand penetrated her and started to stroke. As Danica willed her muscles to relax, the fingers thrusting inside her penetrated deeper. Heather gasped out, "Oh my," watching from below as she tickled Danica's bud with her tongue. Danica growled and gasped, a bonfire building in her loins. Every sound that passed her lips was a little more animalistic than the last, blasting from her wide-open mouth. Her orgasm ripped through her body so suddenly that she had absolutely no warning of its approach. Danica screamed, loud and feral, as her juices exploded out around Andrea's still thrusting hand. Her muscles clenched tight, preventing Andrea from sliding more than the tip of her fingers inside again. The young woman pulled her fingers to her lips, sucking them clean while Heather lapped up the streams of wetness running into her face. Danica collapsed when her body finally relaxed. Heather had difficulty worming her way out from under Danica, who was fighting for breath and still quivering. She gave Danica enough time to recover her wits before turning to Andrea and whispering, "I want it too." Danica moaned and rolled out of the way, Heather almost instantly taking the spot she had vacated and parting her legs wide. Danica leaned over Heather to tongue her bud, while Andrea slid her already slippery fingers into Heather. Heather's growls were just as primal as Danica's when Andrea stroked her hand deeper. Grant had recovered and moved to where he could watch, fascinated with the look of ecstasy on his love's face. Danica glanced over at him and noticed the slightest twitches of life in his cock. Giving Heather's clit a last swirl of her tongue, she moved to wrap her lips around Grant instead. Grant was fully hard and throbbing in Danica's mouth when Heather screamed in release. Danica let him slip from her lips to watch Heather curl up tight and writhe, her body trembling as the powerful orgasm Andrea's hand had caused wracked her body. "Amazing, isn't it," Danica purred when Heather regained her wits. Heather only nodded, still trying to summon up the energy to move. When she glanced over at Grant's erection, she moaned and found the strength to move. "That felt so good, Andrea. Would you like Grant to fuck you?" Andrea was looking at Grant's cock with undisguised desire even as Heather was asking her the question. She smiled and exclaimed, "Oh, yes." Danica guided Andrea to lean over the bed, presenting the blonde's firm bottom and glistening lips to Grant. He wasted no time getting behind her and laying his hands on her hips. Heather moved to where she could see well, moaning and shuddering as she watched Grant's cock slide easily into Andrea's saturated canal. Heather stroked Grant's buttocks, gently pushing each time he thrust into Andrea's depths. She looked up and watched the pleasure in Andrea's face, the woman having turned her head to watch Grant thrust inside her. Andrea's eyes alternated between rolling up in her head from the pleasure and popping wide open when a strong jolt of ecstasy shot through her. Her creamy juices coated Grant's shaft, and Heather leaned down with a moan to run her tongue over both of them. As Andrea drew closer to release, her head snapped back out straight forward. Danica slowly rolled her labia between her fingers, teasing her clit occasionally as she watched Grant thrust into Andrea's tight embrace. He groaned and growled from the feeling of her walls clinging to him, obviously in a fierce battle to avoid reaching his climax before Andrea did. Danica slid under Andrea, taking a stiff nipple between her lips and suckling. Andrea moved ever closer to the edge, now yelping as her orgasm swelled within her. Heather ceased her lapping of Grant's shaft and Andrea's clit for a moment and purred, "Does she feel good, Sweetie?" Grant gasped, "Yes — almost too good." "She's almost there, Sweetie. Make her come and fill her up." Andrea screamed out in broken gasps, "Oh! Gods! Yes! Faster!" Grant fulfilled her request, gripping her hips tighter and adding more strength to his thrusts. Heather returned to her lapping of Andrea's clit, her tongue washing over it at a quicker pace. Danica sucked Andrea's nipple even harder, swirling her tongue over the bud while she rolled the other between her fingers. Andrea came shortly thereafter, Grant's seed bursting forth into her depths even as her walls clenched around him in orgasm. Grant took some time to recover while the three women took turns pleasuring each other and trying to coax steel back into his rod. Their efforts were eventually rewarded, and Heather was able to experience the rare sensation of her man reaching his peak in her depths. Heather and Grant were barely able to hobble the short distance back to their home, and Danica didn't even bother trying to get back to her rooms. She and Andrea stripped the coverings off the bed and drifted off to sleep in each other's arms. ------- Andrea and the couple grew close over the course of the next week, and Danica started to feel guilty about introducing them when she planned to reveal her surprise to Heather and Grant soon. She had just received word that all of the tools Grant would need to set up shop were now in place, and thus they could make the move at any time. Carolyn had also sent word that she had finished all the work in the shop, and they were starting the long process of saying goodbye to everyone and packing. Danica went to Andrea's new home, dreading what she was about to tell the young woman. The bright smile on Andrea's face when she answered the door only made it all the harder. Once Danica was inside, Andrea obviously noticed the damper on Danica's mood and asked, "What's wrong?" Danica sighed and finally found the courage to speak after a few moments. "I don't know how to tell you this, but I've been sneaking around setting up a house and shop for Heather and Grant. Everything is ready now, and I was planning to show them my surprise soon. I feel terrible for introducing you, since now, if they like it, they'll be moving away." Andrea smiled and said, "That's wonderful. I'll be sad to see them go, but it will be wonderful for them to have their own shop to sell Heather's bottles. We could always visit them sometimes, you know." Andrea wiggled her fingers in a pantomime of magic. Danica smiled, though it tore at her heart to know it would be impossible to visit the couple if she was going to avoid revealing their location to Zoraster. "I want to go with you when you tell them," Andrea requested. "No time like the present then," Danica replied. The pair walked to the couple's home, where a mischievously grinning Heather let them inside, obviously thinking that their visit was for another reason. "I've got a surprise for you," Danica told them once she was inside, "That is, if you like it and you're not afraid of a little magic." "A surprise," Grant started, with Heather finishing, "For us?" Andrea laughed, "It's so wonderful how you finish each other's sentences." Danica chuckled as well and said, "If you don't mind following me through a magic portal, I can show you." Grant muttered, "Travel by magic?" Andrea smiled even wider and exclaimed, "You'll love it." Heather closed the front door when a breeze whipped her hair. "It sounds like fun, and I want to see my surprise." "This is different than the spell Celes has used, Andrea. I'm using it partly because of what it can do, and partly because it will be easier on everyone's stomach. Let me go through first, and then I'll tell you all to come inside," Danica instructed. Everyone acknowledged that they understood, and then Danica cast the Hellgate. Once the portal flashed into being, Danica stepped through and addressed the native demons. "If I see even the slightest hints of any of you, I'll make you hurt — badly," she warned and punctuated it by sending a shot of pain through them all. When the creatures stayed hidden, Danica nodded in approval and stuck her head back out through the portal. "Okay, just step through. You won't feel anything." Grant, who was off to the side, unable to see the image of Danica through the portal, shivered a little when her disembodied head poked out of the shimmering disk. "That is really odd." Danica laughed. "Come around to the front where you can see the rest of me, silly." Andrea was quick to hop through the portal, with Heather pulling a slightly hesitant Grant along behind. They marveled at the serene glade the spell created from Danica's desires for a few moments, Danica sending yet another mental warning to the creatures that dwelt there. "That wasn't so bad," Grant said with obvious surprise. "You should try it the other way. Brandon emptied his stomach the first time, and it took several jumps before he stopped looking green. Now, let me show you your surprise," Danica said. Concentrating, Danica summoned up the scrying portal and centered it above the town, showing the seashore. Heather exclaimed, "Oh, what a beautiful place, right on the ocean." "It's a town called Suthpaeral, in Agreseus," Danica explained, moving the image in the portal toward the house she had purchased for the couple. Once the portal drew close to the house, Danica paused and turned to the couple, "What do you think?" Heather moved closer, "Oh, it's such a wonderful house. That's exactly like what we'd like to have someday. Is that a storefront?" Danica nodded and moved the focus of the portal inside. Heather and Grant both remarked about how big and wonderful the house was, Andrea fighting not to blurt out the secret the whole time. Finally, Danica brought the portal to show the glass blowing equipment and turned to Grant with a smile. Grant looked to Heather, catching on now. His love looked at him as well. They turned to Danica and she said, "I bought it, and it's yours if you want it." Heather covered her mouth with her hands, gasping. When she pulled her hands away, her eyes were glistening with tears. Grant mumbled, "I don't know what to... We couldn't possibly..." Danica waggled a finger at him. "No refusing on those grounds. Do you like it?" "Well, of course," Grant replied and Heather nodded her head as well. "Are you willing to move there? I've got coin to help you furnish the place, and I can move everything for you in an instant with my magic," Danica continued. "I don't know what to say," Grant muttered, staring at the glass blowing equipment in the portal before him. Danica glanced over at Andrea and laughed. "That sounds familiar, doesn't it?" She then turned back to Grant and said, "Just say thank you, and tell me that you'll accept it." Heather nodded her head, tears now running down her cheeks. Grant said, "Thank you, Danica. I don't know how to repay you." Danica's eyes now misted over too, and so did Andrea's. Danica pulled the couple into a hug, which Andrea joined, and then told them, "Just be happy, get rich, and have lots of kids." "Two of those are easy. The rich part may be a little more difficult," Grant chuckled, shaking his head. Danica stepped back and disputed that, "There are no glass blowers in town. There's a magic school catering to the wealthy nearby, and they'll be just as enamored of the colors you make and Heather's art as I am. The merchant I bought the place from also wants to set up an arrangement where he can sell some wares in your shop as well, things that complement your bottles. I think you're going to end up with more coin than you've ever dreamed of." Andrea jumped in then and said, "Enough talking. Let's go start getting you packed up." Danica laughed and opened the portal wide enough for them to pass through, shifting it back to the couple's small home in the complex again. ------- The banquet hall of Castle Boldheart, seat of power for the nation of Egoria, was packed with friends too long parted. Together, they had freed this nation from tyranny, bringing peace and justice to a people long enslaved and oppressed. They visited, enjoying the few blessed moments when they could just be friends, not the rulers of the nation. A flash of light caused all eyes to turn toward it, and the two people who had appeared within it. Darkniciad's silver-bearded face was obviously troubled, his purple robes and the matching pointed hat were both rumpled as if he had slept in them. At his side, Devan Ardane looked no less somber, although her revealing black robes were immaculate, as always. "Here we are to spoil the party," Devan announced, going to take a seat at the table. "Unfortunately, she is correct, my friends," Darkniciad concurred, "I wish it were possible to delay this news and simply enjoy your fellowship for a time, but I fear there are black omens on the horizon." A massive warrior, pale of skin and with hints of goblin heritage, turned toward the purple-clad wizard and put down his wine cup. Duke Cerebus of Cratel broke the silence following Darkniciad's announcement, "We knew it wasn't going to last, Darkni. It never does. So what's Drax up to now?" "While I have heard the same rumors of Draxnog organizing as you have, I do not believe he is our primary threat at this time," Darkni disagreed. "That's a change, although from your expression I doubt it is one for the better," observed Thakkorias, King of Egoria. He sat back in his chair with a great sigh, smoothing back his brown hair, dappled with strands of grey at the temples. "I think we've doomed ourselves to eternal war to maintain this peace." Thakkor's wife Alicia, still blonde and trim despite years of ruling at her husband's side, laid her hand over the King's and scolded, "That will be quite enough of that, husband." Vladamir, head of the Heraklan church in the nation, and Cerebus' half-brother, chuckled as his boyish face broke into a grin, "I do believe you are in trouble Thakkor, she has dusted off the dreaded husband." Christi, Duchess of Cratel, cuffed the cleric in the back of the head. He turned toward his sister-in-law and shrugged his shoulders, mouthing, What? The action only served to draw another slap to the back of his head from the blonde cleric Cheron sitting on his other side. Darkniciad smiled and chuckled. "It is only here amongst you that I could find a smile in these times." His smile faded then as he continued, "There is a convergence coming, a very rare and powerful one. All of the seers, and my own magic, confirm that something dark is going to happen during that convergence. We cannot determine the full nature of the threat, only the disturbing darkness that surrounds it." "Wielders of the Art have been vanishing without a trace as well, including my own sister," Devan added, flipping her red locks over her shoulder. Seated next to Christi, the young Baroness of Dalebord, Arilee, spoke next, "I don't like some of the changes in the trade routes. It feels like someone is doing it on purpose. There are a lot of people hurting because of those changes." "I have heard disturbing reports coming from Ferrartene. The death of the King is suspicious, and his daughter does little to maintain ties with Freeland or us. Zoraster makes his home there as well, and I have never trusted him," Saggitariad, Duke of Northreach put forth, tugging at his long, drooping mustache. The dusky-skinned wizard Ashtar spoke next, "Many strange things are being happening, even in my own land." Darkniciad nodded. "We should share all that we know, and plan as best we can to defend against whatever is coming. It will be this nation and Freeland that must stand as the anchor, should chaos erupt. We must hold firm, or the entire world may be consumed in darkness." Assenting grunts and murmurs greeted Darkniciad's words, and then the reports continued, long into the night. ------- Andrea took charge of helping Grant and Heather pack, and Danica felt as if she was in the way more than she was helping. She also could not get the fight with the demon out of her head, or the desire to learn magic to combat the creatures. Thus, Danica spent much of the evening searching for spells in the library to combat hellspawn. She found several spells created with enemies from the lower planes in mind, and in the process discovered an interesting bit of magic that could prove quite useful. The spell created a concentrated wave of sound, which pushed so much air that it hit with physical force as well as the deafening keen that was the signature of the spell. The spell required a spell component, conch shells, and Danica knew where she could find some. Even though the location, the city of Port Varn near the Forge, was to the west where the sun would set later, Danica decided she would rather go in the morning and have plenty of time to locate a large stock of the shells. The shells could be used as components in several different spells and magic items dealing with sound, so she decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to have several on hand. After returning her copy of the spell to her rooms, Danica went to check on how the progress of the packing. She arrived just in time to have a late supper with the couple and Andrea. It was obvious that thoughts of the last time they were all together were stirring up passions within them all. Danica reluctantly left before her passions grew too inflamed because she thought that she should check on Carolyn and see how the young woman was doing. Danica reached Carolyn's house only a couple of minutes after leaving the couple's, on the wings of a teleport spell. Carolyn warmly greeted her, though there were still touches of sadness in the brunette's eyes from her mother's death and because she was moving from the only home that she had ever known. The packing at Carolyn's was proceeding at a good pace as well. She and Kyle would be ready to make their journey soon. That thought caused Danica to sigh, realizing that she would soon lose two nearby friends and lovers. Knowing that she was spiriting them farther from Zoraster's influence helped to dull the ache. Both Carolyn and Kyle were exhausted, having been busy all day visiting with friends and relatives as well as packing. Danica left them both to their rest and returned to the complex atop the hill, deciding to walk rather than use her magic. Danica found Brandon approaching her door at the same time as she was. He smiled sheepishly, causing Danica to laugh, and she invited him inside. They talked for a while, reliving memories, but they soon shared a bath and each other well into the night. ------- Part 18C When Danica awoke the next morning, she took a quick bath and pulled on a comfortable blouse and skirt. Just as she prepared to leave, she looked at the bed with a sigh. Brandon had been in rare form the previous night, in a mood to be gentle. Danica was amazed at just how soft his touch could be, and at the depth of the release that the slow lovemaking had given her. Danica shook the thoughts out of her head, realizing that they were a bad idea. If she started getting even closer to Brandon, he would be in danger, another weapon for Zoraster to use against her when the whim struck him. Arming the wards and defenses of the room, Danica cast her spell and teleported to her room in the Forge. She had only been there for a few minutes when Bear approached her with a wide smile. Danica returned his smile. "Hello, Bear, it's good to see you." "I have good news as well, Janelle is with child," Bear said, pride and anticipation obvious in his expression. Danica immediately wrapped her arms around him in a hug. "That's wonderful. It looks like Nara's prediction is coming true. How long?" "Four months, if we have guessed the time correctly. It feels like an eternity. She is with the Commander now, making arrangements for another to take over her training duties." Danica made a gesture in the general direction of the front door of the building. "I'm going down to the beaches near Port Varn to find some conch shells for my magic. I'll come see you both when I return. Are any of the others here?" Bear shook his head. "Nara and Mara are out there somewhere, Venaru is in his homeland for a holy day, and Terran is away at a conclave of wizardry. We have received word that Griffith and Feros are enjoying their time amongst their own people, and they have promised to visit soon. Cheron visited recently, although she was here before we knew for sure that Janelle was pregnant. You are the only one who knows." Danica offered a mischievous smile and a wink. "You can tell me all about it when I get back. See you then?" "We have a house in the city now. The Commander can tell you where it is," Bear replied. "I should visit with him for a while as well, so that will work out perfectly. I'll see you later today." Danica then waved and made her way out of the building. Although she had visited the city of Port Varn on the coast before, Danica did not have any location she could remember well enough to teleport to, or a pattern there that she could use as a focus for the spell. That left her with two options, walking or flying. It was hardly a choice. Danica soon soared amongst the clouds in the general direction of the city. She planned to avoid the city itself when she got closer, going to one of the nearby beaches instead. The miles flew by quickly, and she saw the city on the horizon in only a few minutes. Not long after, she scanned the shoreline for a wide stretch of beach. Finding what she was looking for, Danica settled to earth not far away, but far enough not to alarm the people nearby who were bathing or fishing. A short walk brought her to the beach, and she found a small conch shell almost immediately. Picking it up, Danica walked down the beach gathering more, discovering a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Danica had picked up dozens of the shells when she heard a scream. Looking in the direction from which the sound had arisen, she saw a woman screaming and pointing out into the surf. Danica looked and saw a frightened young man glancing in all directions at the water around his small fishing boat. He held aloft a small oar in both hands like a club. Danica barely noticed something break through the waves several feet from the boat and cursed. Even though she had never actually seen one, she knew how the creatures known as fishmen stalked their victims, and what they looked like. What she had seen was the finlike crest that adorned the heads of the fishmen. As she watched, she could see several of the crests occasionally peeking above the waves, continuing to maintain their distance from the boat. Danica determined that the creatures were far enough away that she could attack them without risking the teenager in the boat. Danica knew that electrical spells could be devastating against creatures that lived in the water, but also knew that the effects would travel far from something like a lightning bolt, which could harm the boy she was trying to save. Thinking quickly, she pulled a small packet of amber bits tied inside a square of wool from her bag and began to chant. Rubbing the packet between her fingers as she gestured and chanted, Danica completed the spell and hurled the packet toward the fins in the water. The magic hurtled forth, a spell known as sparkstrike, the tiny sparks that left her hand expanding to the size of apples as they approached their target. When the sparks reached the area where the fishmen were lurking beneath the waves, they burst upon contact with the water. The water boiled as the creatures writhed in pain, several of them coming to the surface and flopping about. Two floated to the surface, unmoving, having been either stunned or killed by the electrical current. Danica cast the spell a second time before the water had even calmed. Another creature floated to the surface this time as well, the lack of movement from the two already floating creatures indicating that they were indeed dead and not just stunned. Danica pulled a small crystal from her bag, whispering words of command and bringing it in front of her right eye. Looking to where the creatures had been, she saw them through the magical lens swimming rapidly out to sea. She breathed a sigh of relief and scanned beneath the water's surface around the boat to see if there were more of the creatures in the area. She dropped the crystal when she saw one of the fishmen approaching the boat from behind. It exploded out of the water in a great splash and grabbed the boy by the clothing, jerking him into the water. Danica didn't even consider what she was doing. She simply ran into the water and dived when it began to impede her progress. The boat was not far from the shore, and she soon could see the young man struggling with the creature below the surface. There were few spells she could use with the fishman holding the boy, and so she lashed out with her other weapon, her mind. Heedless of the possibility that Zoraster might be watching, she held her breath, dunked her head beneath the water, and assaulted the fishman's mind with a burst of mental energy. It had the intended result, causing the creature to release the boy and clasp its head. Danica immediately concentrated and pulled the boy toward her with her telekinetic powers. She had to strain due to the strange sensation of using her powers on the young man in water, but managed to pull him to her and the surface. The creature looked toward them again, swimming in their direction. Again, Danica lashed out with her mind. This time the burst was fueled by fear and anger, because the young man was not moving. The creature stiffened and floated to the surface. Danica raised her head from the water, sucking a gulp of air into her burning lungs. The boy in the water next to her floated face down, and he was not moving. Using her telekinetic powers, Danica lifted the teen up out of the water and deposited him in the boat. Speaking a word of command, she used the power in one of her magical rings to rise up above the water as well. She had never tried to move herself with her mental powers, and didn't want to risk experimenting with it now. Settling into the boat, she found the young man was not breathing. Remembering how a friend of hers had been saved from near drowning when she was a child, Danica tried to duplicate what she had seen the man do. Taking a deep breath and pinching the boy's nose, Danica opened his mouth and locked her lips over his. She blew the breath into his lungs, watching his chest rise. When he didn't respond, Danica sucked in another breath and offered it to him. Danica cursed, her eyes filling with tears, when the young man again didn't respond. Danica refused to surrender, taking another deep breath and locking her lips over the boy's again. She was rewarded by the boy coughing up salty water into her mouth. Danica rolled him onto his side as he coughed and vomited up the seawater, stroking his back and trying to comfort him. When he managed to catch his breath, he rolled over and his eyes opened wide. Danica looked at him with concern, wondering what was wrong. After a moment, she realized what it was and looked down. Her blouse was soaked, clinging to her, and the saturated material was utterly transparent. Chuckling, Danica asked, "Are you alright?" The young man's face turned bright red and he tore his eyes away from her breasts. "I guess so. What happened? I just remember being in the boat, and then I woke up and you were kissing me." "It wasn't exactly a kiss, but close enough. A fishman pulled you out of the boat into the water. I've managed to chase them away with my magic and pull you back into the boat." The teen sat up then and glanced with alarm toward the beach, seeing the woman standing there, he breathed a sigh of relief. "I was worried they might have gotten Mom too." "She's fine. It was her screaming that let me know you were in trouble. I have no idea how to work an oar, so I'm going to get us back to shore with my magic. Hold on tight," Danica instructed, and then cast a spell that summoned a gust of wind that pushed them toward shore. The woman on the shore ran toward them and grabbed the boy in her arms with a sob as soon as the boat was close enough for her to reach. Danica sat on the seat of the boat smiling as the woman kissed her son repeatedly despite his protests. The woman turned to Danica and said, "I don't know how to thank you." Danica waved a hand and, still smiling, and said, "I only did what anyone with a heart would have done." Noticing that the boat was starting to drift away from the shore again, Danica swung her legs over the side and pulled it up onto the beach. Mother and son both stepped out of the boat, the young man saying, "Thank you, Ma'am. You saved my life." Danica smiled at him and said, "You're making me feel old, calling me Ma'am." "You're not old," the teen replied, and Danica chuckled when she saw him pull his eyes away from her breasts again. His mother thumped him on top of the head, saying, "Mind your eyes, boy." Danica smiled and said, "It's alright — he's young and it's natural. You should really look at a girl's face when you're talking to her, though. We're not really fond of having a man talking to our boobs." "I think it's high time I had the talk with this one," the woman mused. The young man made a face and exclaimed, "Mom!" "First things first, at least let me make you something to eat as a way of thanking you," the woman said to Danica. "It's not necessary, but I won't be rude and refuse your offer. Besides, I'm hungry." "Mom's a good cook," the young man offered. "Let's be off then," the woman said and gestured for them to follow. ------- The woman was indeed a good cook, and Danica was stuffed when she finally walked out the front door. The young man she had saved followed her out and said, "Thank you again. I don't know how I could repay you." Danica smiled and replied, "Listen to that talk your mom is going to give you, and remember to respect girls, not look at them like something good to eat. That is, until they let you know that that's how they want you to look at them. You'll know." On impulse, Danica leaned forward, putting her hand on the young man's cheek and kissed him full on the lips. He stared at her in wide-eyed wonder when she pulled her lips away from hers. Danica smiled and said, "Now, that was a kiss — a real one. Be careful the next time you're out in a boat, please?" He nodded his head and said, "I will," still looking stunned from the kiss. Danica waved to him and started walking away, looking for a good place to cast her teleportation spell to return to the Forge. Stepping into a narrow alley behind a large building, she decided the location was secluded enough, and rode the wings of magic. Back in her room at the Forge, Danica changed out of her still slightly damp clothing and headed toward the Commander's suite. She was greeted warmly at the doorway and immediately ushered to where he was studying a letter of some sort. He looked up when he sensed her presence in the room and put down what he was reading to greet her. "Welcome, Danica, it has been too long since you visited." "I'm kept pretty busy. No monstrous hordes coming out of the woods recently, I hope?" The Commander scowled slightly. "No, although I wouldn't be surprised. I'm receiving reports from everywhere that foul creatures are boldly attacking in places they have always avoided." Danica pursed her lips for a moment and then commented, "I guess I'll have to add to those reports. I just ran off a large group of fishmen — killing four — down by Port Varn. They were attacking a boy in a fishing boat that was close to the beach." The Commander sighed and shook his head. "Justarius says it has something to do with a convergence of some sort." Danica arched her eyebrows and tried to think of where the stars and planets would be aligned at this time of year. She realized that there would be a convergence soon, a rare one. "I haven't been paying much attention, but he's probably right. The bad omens should vanish after it's over in a couple of weeks." "Justarius is not so sure. He says that his divining magic is revealing something dark on the horizon, and that it is linked to this convergence." "What do you plan to do?" He brought his hand to his chin and rubbed it for a moment. "There is little I can do, other than have all here on an elevated alert status in case something dark does occur." "If you need help, just call. Ring that bell in my room and I'll know you need to talk to me," Danica offered. "I wish I could keep all of you here, all the time," the Commander responded with a smile. "I wish I could stay too. Speaking of all of us, I wanted to go congratulate Janelle, but there is the little problem of them having moved. Bear said you would be able to direct me to their new house." He smiled and picked up a pen. "It is wonderful news. Although her skills will be sorely missed, it does my heart good to see two such fine people bringing a new generation into the world. That child will be a rare one." While he sketched, Danica said, "I just wonder which one he'll take after. They're very different people, except in their hearts." The Commander finished and offered the piece of paper to Danica. "You know of the Boar?" Danica nodded, recognizing the name as that of a tavern in the city. "I know it — I've had a few glasses of wine there. This will work fine, I can find this easily from the Boar." "I'm glad to help. I need to get back to this, and I won't delay you any longer, but do feel free to stop by any time. I would be glad to share my supper table with you this evening." Danica smiled and replied, "I wish I could, but I have too many things going on right now. I'll need to get back as soon as I've visited with Bear and Janelle." "Another time then?" "Of course, thank you," Danica replied, and then offered a salute, which sparked a laugh in the Commander. Danica then waved and exited his suite, heading toward the Boar, and then the house Bear and Janelle now shared. ------- Zoraster opened the lid to Camilla's crèche and smiled. "Feeling better, are we?" Camilla's eyes were still a little wild, and she looked groggy, as she was still returning to full consciousness from her magical stasis. "What happened, Master?" "You allowed your arrogance to stifle your drive, and your jealousy to overshadow your sense. You attacked Danica, and I seized the opportunity to teach you both a valuable lesson." Camilla cringed, pushing aside the memories of her horrific death that tried to assault her again. "I'm sorry, Master." "Do not apologize, learn from your mistakes and serve me well," Zoraster instructed, offering his hand to the woman. As he helped her rise, he continued, "I have provided you with a gift, in anticipation of your continued loyal service. You will find that your new body is free of some of the ravages of age that had begun to touch you, and that it will resist the passage of time as well. You will also heal quickly." Camilla swung her legs over the edge of the coffin-like enclosure, continuing to hold Zoraster's hand as she placed her feet on the floor. Memories of her death vanished as she ran her hands down her body. "Oh, Master — I'm so firm, so young. Thank you." Zoraster smiled and drank in the sight of Camilla fondling her body. "There is one final gift you have been given. Through it, you may offer your gratitude, as well as affirm your desire to serve me. Your new body has never been touched, and thus your maidenhead is intact." Camilla smiled and glided over toward the Archmage. "Virginity is such a burden to bear. Free me from that burden, my Master." Zoraster chuckled as she pressed her nude body against him, caressing his erection beneath his robes. "It will be my pleasure." ------- Danica rubbed Janelle's tummy, and then looked up into her eyes and smiled, saying, "This is one fast growing baby. I don't envy you when it comes time for him to escape." Janelle laughed. "Taking after Bear, it seems. I eat everything that I come across, and I've barely put on any weight other than this," she said, laying a hand on her stomach. "Most any woman who has ever had a child is probably jealous of you. You still have a waist after five months," Danica replied. "It feels like I'm carrying around a full pack on the wrong side, and way too low. Speaking of which, I need to sit down." Bear and Danica both assisted Janelle to sit down on a couch. Janelle then cupped her breasts and added, "Well, two places actually. I'm going to be walking bent forward for the rest of my life." "Try carrying these around," Danica countered, lifting her own heavy breasts. "I'll be glad to help," Bear offered. Both women slapped him playfully. Janelle then said, "That's another thing I seem to have an insatiable appetite for, and it's getting more awkward and difficult by the day. I'm starting to have trouble even getting a hand down there." Danica laughed. "I'm sure you can both figure something out." Janelle laughed with her. "Oh, we do. How are Celes and Brandon, and have you heard from anyone else?" "They're both fine. I haven't caught up with any of the others, and they're all away from here so I won't get the chance today, either. I'll let Brandon know, he might want to come visit. He's feeling a little stifled in the barracks back home, and he could probably use some time with more than just the four of us." Bear grunted and said, "It will be good to see Brandon again, and it has been too long since we sparred. With Janelle feeling slow lately, I would do well to face someone with his speed." "I'll be sure to tell him, and I'll get him here if he can get away to come visit," Danica informed them. She then sighed and added, "I wish I could stay longer, but I have a lot of things going on and I'll have to go back today." "You're welcome any time, of course," Janelle responded, "Busy with your studies?" "Other things actually. I'm helping two couples move, although I plan to do some extensive study on magic to combat demons." Bear and Janelle both looked at each other, and then Bear turned to Danica and said, "You should go to the college. If you have encountered a demon, you may want to know about a vision one of the seers had recently. It concerns demons, and is really troubling. Terran mentioned it just before he left for the conclave." Danica could see the concern in the couple's eyes and replied, "I will. I should probably get going now, in fact. I want to give you something I made a while back." Danica dug into her bag and produced a glazed clay bowl. Janelle remarked, "It's beautiful." Danica winked. "Useful too. If you put a letter into it and touch this rune here," Danica explained, pointing out the rune, "It will send it directly to me. I can use mine to send things to you too. That way, we won't be so out of touch. I'm going to leave one each for you to give to the others as well, including one for the Dwarves and Cheron, if they come this way." "That's a useful bit of magic, indeed," Bear grunted. "There's more," Danica continued, "if it is filled with water, we can actually see and talk to each other when we're both using the bowls. That way, even if I can't get away for a while, I can see the baby. Just send me a letter with a time if you want to talk, and I'll be there." "We'll do that, and we'll be sure that you're one of the first to see the baby," Janelle said with a wide smile. Danica sighed and rose. "I should get to the college and then back. I have so much to do." "It was good to see you, Danica, come again any time," Bear said, rising to walk her to the door. Danica recognized what he was doing and laughed. "I won't be using the door. I'm going to teleport back to my room at the Forge so I don't have to walk so far." "That's cheating," Bear grumbled with a frown. "It's better than walking." Danica then gave Bear a peck on the cheek, and leaned down to do the same for Janelle, kissing her tummy for good measure. A few words and gestures later, she vanished in a flash of light. ------- Celes lay quivering, her hands tightly clasped over her sex, both pulling hard against the two fingers buried in her depths. Her eyes were closed and her back was arched, gasps of pleasure escaping her as her orgasm gripped her, refusing to let her go. When her muscles at last relaxed, Celes collapsed back to the bed and her arms fell heavily to the mattress. She panted for breath, her wetness seeping from her in a stream running from her nether lips to the bed below, which was soaked in her juices. Her head rolled to the side, and a moan escaped her. Her body jerked as a sudden jolt of pleasure moved through her. Her breath was hot, warming the pillow to an almost suffocating temperature where her mouth and nose rested against it. Rolling her head back toward the ceiling again, she sucked in a breath of air and smiled, basking in the afterglow of her pleasure. Her toy lay on the bedside table, unused. For the first time since Zoraster's magic had aged her, Celes had used her own fingers to bring on a peak of pleasure. Danica's toy was wonderful, and gave her orgasms that always left her breathless, but the image summoned by the item was one of Andrea. It was Danica that filled Celes' mind. Celes could not escape the memories of the woman's taste and scent when Danica had lowered her aching sex to her mouth. The thoughts of Danica reaching her peak on Celes' lapping tongue caused another shiver of pleasure to run through her body. The thoughts also caused the warm glow of her pleasure to turn bittersweet. How she wanted to feel Danica do it for her, to feel her friend's lips on her, softly caressing her to the heights of pleasure. Of late, not a moment went by that she didn't think about it. Ever since the time inside the Hellgate, when she had been young and Danica had moved toward her with obvious desire, the thoughts consumed her. She couldn't escape the need to feel Danica between her legs, and it only grew stronger by the day, especially when she was near her friend. Celes sighed, the pain in her back caused by it arching in ecstasy reminding her pointedly of why it could never be. She was cursed into a withered, old body, and regardless of how Danica saw her through some odd combination of magic and mental powers, one touch of her aged flesh would destroy the illusion. A sob choked her as tears filled her eyes. Clenching her teeth, Celes summoned up her will and sucked in several deep breaths. One breath quavered as another sob tried to fight past her resolve, but she triumphed over her emotions and rose from the bed to clean up and change the bedclothes. Immediately thereafter, she poked her nose in a book to try to chase away the thoughts of Danica in study. It worked — for a time. ------- Danica greeted the doorman when she entered the college, and when she mentioned why she was there, she was almost immediately taken to the seer. The blind woman raised her bandaged eyes toward the doorway when Danica entered. "I have been expecting you." "I guess you know why I'm here then," Danica responded as she walked closer. The woman smiled. She was young and shapely, and Danica thought it was a pity that she sat here hidden away in the darkness. "Though I have not mentioned it, I saw you in my vision as well. It is your aura of power that identifies you. I can almost see you, because I can sense where you are and the image of you from my vision replaces the darkness. A great threat arises from the one called Meckataur, and those demons over which he holds thrall. The devil has spawned, implanting his foul seed in mortal women, and I foresee that some of those he has chosen as brood mares will bring his hellish progeny to term." Remembering her conversation with Celes about the demon, Danica asked, "That means that they won't be able to be banished back to the lower planes, because their place is here, doesn't it?" The seer nodded, "Few women can conceive through demon seed, but this one is different because he was once a man. His brood will be more dangerous by far, because they will be able to appear as a mortal, just as Meckataur could if he felt the need. They can walk amongst us, and only the most sensitive will know them for what they are. They will have drive and cunning beyond that of most hellspawn, because they have goals beyond gaining prestige in the hells." Danica shrugged, and then felt foolish because she knew the seer couldn't have observed the gesture. "So what do we do about it? How do we stop them?" The seer smiled. "You follow the correct path already. Find the magics that will combat them, and keep your friends close and dear. Warn those who you can, wherever they are, because the devil's designs know no boundaries." Danica asked, "Why did you see me in your vision?" Danica chuckled quietly when the woman shrugged just as she had done a few moments earlier. Obviously, she had not always been blind to have developed that bit of body language. "I saw your confrontation with Meckataur. There is also something about you, your future is cloudy and tied to many others. Remember my words, and never discount what you may believe are the ravings of a madman. Many who are afflicted with madness have been touched by the gods, and they may reveal secrets that only the gods know." "I'll remember." The seer then picked up a bundle of scrolls at her side. "This will aid you. I have asked that the wizards here provide what knowledge they possessed of combating the evil of demons. What is here should provide you with a foundation that will allow you to defend against them, and cause them pain." Danica stepped forward and accepted the bundle, seeing that there were over a dozen spell scrolls within the tied cloth sling. "Thank you, Seer." "Now, go — time is precious. Learn what is here, and seek always more." Danica started to leave, but on impulse, turned back to the seer and said, "You are beautiful. You shouldn't hide away here in the darkness. Just because you're blind and have visions doesn't mean you shouldn't have a life." The woman laughed. "Does it appear that way? I fear I may play just a little too much into the mysterious seer image. Worry not, I am married and my husband is a good man who understands my visions and makes me happy." "I'm glad. Thank you again, and goodbye." The seer nodded and Danica immediately cast her spell to return to her rooms in Zoraster's complex. ------- Over the next three days, Danica spent most of her time studying the spells given to her at the college. She took the seer's warning and her encounter with the demon to heart, learning all she could to combat the denizens of the hells. The third day, when Danica stopped by their home, she found Andrea helping Grant and Heather finish the last of their packing. They were excited about moving now, and couldn't wait to get to their new home. Andrea said, "I have to work today, and I'm not sure if I can handle a long goodbye anyway." She went up and hugged Heather, and then Grant, her eyes misty with tears. "I'll miss you both, and I hope it won't be too long until we see each other again. I'm going to go now before I start bawling." "We'll miss you too, Andrea," Heather said, here eyes no drier than Andrea's were. Andrea wiped her eyes on her shoulder and left the house. Danica smiled and said, "Ready to go then?" They both nodded, and Danica cast her spell. She told the couple to wait a moment before entering the portal, going in to warn the demons to remain scarce as she had before. She didn't have to reinforce the warning with pain this time, neither seeing nor hearing anything from the creatures. Danica gestured for the couple to enter the portal, and then used her telekinetic powers to lift their things and bring them in after. Danica found it was ridiculously easy to move even the heaviest of the items. All it took was a quick thought, and the couple's belongings lifted from the floor to drift exactly where she wanted them. Once everything was inside, Danica closed the portal and turned to the couple. "I need to tell you some things. Be wary of anyone you recognize from here. Zoraster is evil. Most of the people are here of their own free will, but some are no better than slaves, and I'm one of them. I'm afraid that he might try to use you against me, and that's why I'm trying to get you safely away. If I don't follow you through the portal, he shouldn't be able to find you. I have an apartment in the city, but we won't be able to visit. I don't want him to find us together and locate you." Grant and Heather's eyes both went wide as Danica revealed her secrets to them. Danica sighed and continued, "You can have someone take letters to my apartment, and they will be delivered to me, so at least we can stay in touch. I can return the letters with this spell so it will be safe. Be wary of anyone that takes too close an interest in you, but otherwise, just be happy and have lots of kids when you're ready for them." "We'll be careful," Grant acknowledged. "And we'll work on those children. Now that we'll have a bigger place and more money, I think I'm ready to be a mother," Heather added, her eyes still sparkling with tears. Danica smiled. "Have all the fun you can until the first one arrives. From what I know, you're going to have difficulty finding the time, especially to make the second, once you have that first." Heather laughed and said, "Now that we don't have to worry about what time of my cycle it is, I think we can have a lot of fun." Danica laughed too and walked up to hug them both as Andrea had. She stepped back after the hug and opened the portal into their new home. It was no more difficult to move their things out of the portal than it had been to move them in. As soon as everything was arranged in the general vicinity of where they would need it, one of the advantages of a portal that could be moved from room to room, Danica handed them a bag of gems. "This will let you buy what you need to make it your own. I put a list of shops in there, and suggestions of some things that you should get to make your life easier. I picked this house because it has a place to put a nice big tub that you can drain. Make sure you get one of those and seats for your chamber pots. There's a bed there now for you to use until you get one more to your liking." Grant looked into the bag and said, "This is so much, we can't..." Danica wiggled her finger at him. "I've already told you once that you're not allowed to refuse anything on those grounds." She sniffled then, a single tear running down her cheek, and echoed what Andrea had said earlier, "Now go on, start your new life before I start bawling." Heather walked up and hugged Danica one more time, and then stepped through the portal with Grant. They turned and waved to Danica once they were in the house, and Danica waved back before closing the portal. Another tear ran down Danica's cheek, a mixture of sadness that she would likely never see them again and happiness that they were away from Zoraster's direct influence. One of the creatures crept out from behind a tree and asked, "May we come out now, Mistress?" Danica growled and slammed the thing with her mental powers. It flew up about ten feet into the air and smacked hard against a tree. As soon as it hit the ground again, it scurried back off into the undergrowth and vanished. "I guess that answers your question," Danica replied and opened the portal into her rooms in Zoraster's complex. ------- Zoraster stared into the mirror as the portal opened in Danica's room and she emerged. His attention to necessary details had afforded him little opportunity to spy upon his favorite pet of late. He had added magic to her amulet almost immediately upon her return from Beniopolis that alerted him whenever Danica used the Hellgate spell. When the alert sounded, Zoraster had watched curiously as Danica helped the couple pack up their few belongings and enter the portal. His lip had twitched in anger when the portal closed and he was unable to sense his little rose inside the extra-dimensional pocket created by the spell. Patiently, he waited for her to step out the other side to see what she was doing. She had not left the portal with the couple, however, and had emerged back within her rooms. For a moment, Zoraster's anger spiked and he nearly went to confront her. Numerous times, he had considered forbidding the use of the spell by both her and Celes, but had decided against it. The spell had proved useful in the tomb, and it might aid them again to fulfill his orders. The couple was irrelevant, although they could have proved useful weapons against Danica at some point if necessary. With Celes, Marlena, and the young servant Andrea to use against her, it was truly a meaningless exercise to waste time and effort on others. He already had enough holds upon Danica, should the need arise. "I could punish her for you, Master, if she has angered you," Camilla suggested. Zoraster sighed and turned toward Camilla. "No, I fear you would have a great deal of difficulty avoiding a mistake that would cost you your life, and me your service yet again. Use your hatred of Danica as a focus to increase your power, if you must, but do not act on that hatred. It is fuel to fire you, drive you toward higher pursuits. You had become complacent in your first life, losing the vital burning need to learn that I require from you. Return to your studies and prove to me again why I took you in my service in the first place." Camilla bowed and replied, "As you command, my Master." Zoraster smiled. "Much better." ------- The next day, word arrived from Carolyn that they were ready to leave. They had joined in a marathon packing session with friends and family assisting in order to finish as soon as possible. Only the essentials of daily living remained unpacked, everything else loaded on a wagon and stored out of the weather, ready for departure. The couple eagerly anticipated the move now, but it was growing harder to think about leaving their friends by the day, as the sad goodbyes continued. Danica immediately gathered up coin and grabbed the pouch of gems she had prepared for the couple as soon as she read the letter. She intended to go down into town and set things in motion to get them on their way. Just as with Grant and Heather, it was hard to let them go, but she knew that getting them away from the center of Zoraster's power could only be a good thing. She was just gathering up a few things from her lab, magical toys she had enchanted to help start the couple off right when they opened a new shop, when a knock sounded on the door. Danica closed her eyes and concentrated, her wards telling her it was Celes outside the door. She called out, "It's open. Come in Celes." She heard the door open and finished packing up the toys as Celes walked into the lab. Everything ready, she turned and greeted Celes. "Hello, Celes. I was just getting ready to go down into town. Do you need anything — or would you like to come down with me?" Celes shifted her weight from one foot to the other for a moment, and then replied, "I wondered if I could look over the notes for Marlena's toy." Danica's face broke into a wide smile. "Thinking of making something using those sorts of enchantments? You can use my lab any time you want — and ask for help if you need it. The notes are still over there on that table. I haven't gotten around to packing them up and storing them away yet." Celes nodded her head and said, "Thank you." Danica thought she heard a note of hesitation in the woman's voice, and walked over toward her. Celes looked over the notes, and her hands trembled. Danica laid a hand on the woman's shoulder and asked, "Are you okay?" Celes stiffened and replied, "I'm fine." Danica would have had to be deaf not to recognize the lack of conviction in that statement. What hit her next as Celes turned to look at her nearly knocked Danica down. Celes was afire with desire for her — and something deeper. Danica could feel the need for her touch, for her companionship, for her love. The emotions washed over Danica and awakened her own desires. She hardly ever saw Celes as anything but young and beautiful now, having so carefully trained her senses and her mental powers to make it so. The barely masked longing and sadness in Celes' eyes cut into Danica like a knife, and started her juices flowing. Danica sat down the bag of toys she held on the table, stepping closer to Celes. "Danica, what are you... It won't..." Danica cut her off by kissing her. Celes trembled as their lips touched, and Danica shuddered as well. When their lips parted, Celes let out a gasp that ended in a whimper. "Danica, I couldn't bear the disappointment when the illusion fails. We can't do this." Danica huskily whispered, "The illusion didn't fail when I kissed you." Celes' breath came in quick bursts. This is what she wanted more than anything. It was the reason she wanted the notes, to try to put the enchantments on her toy so that it would be Danica between her legs when she used it. She had told Danica the truth, however, she knew that the illusion in Danica's mind would vanish, and it would tear her heart out when it happened. Celes' eyes filled with tears and she whispered, "I can't. I just can't." She then took a step back, her lip quivering and her heart aching. Danica took a step backward as well, the pain in Celes' eyes cutting through her desire, "I-I understand Celes. I'm sorry." Celes shook her head. "Don't be sorry. I will cherish that kiss for all my days. I should go." Danica didn't know what to say as Celes turned and swiftly walked out the door. She watched in the direction Celes had left even when she could no longer see her, only blinking her eyes and sighing when she heard the door close. Sighing once more, Danica armed her protective wards and picked up the bag of toys. She teleported near the city, and then walked to Carolyn's house. Finding that the two were indeed ready, she went back out into the city to try to find information about a caravan heading into Egoria soon. She was fortunate to find one leaving the very next day. The merchants appeared trustworthy, and the caravan had a good contingent of guards. They didn't protest in the slightest to taking the couple with them, especially when Danica offered to pay for additional guards and offer a gratuity for their hospitality. Once she had handpicked the guards and paid them up front, Danica returned to Carolyn's house to help them finish packing and spend the night there. She shared their bed — and more — one last time, yet another bittersweet goodbye. The next afternoon, she stood next to their wagon as the caravan prepared to move out. Danica concentrated, sending a thought to both of them, Don't be alarmed, and don't respond out loud. Just think anything you want to say, and I'll hear it. It's magic — just trust me. Carolyn and her new husband both sent back confused and hesitant thoughts acknowledging what she had said, and Danica thought back to them, That's fine, I can hear you perfectly. Okay, I want you to be very careful of anyone who comes around you that is from here, especially from Zoraster's complex. Be suspicious of anyone who pays too much attention to you, though. There are dark things going on in the world, and I want you to be careful. Don't let it keep you from living your lives — just be wary. Carolyn's answering thought was a little fearful, We'll be careful. Kyle thought to Danica, I'll protect her, and I'll love her. Danica was surprised to find that the connection she had established to speak to them extended to them hearing each other's thoughts when Carolyn silently answered her husband, You're so sweet, Kyle. Danica then said aloud, "I'm going to miss you both so much." "We'll miss you too. Thanks for the toys to sell to get us started — and everything. I just can't say thanks enough," Carolyn said with tears in her eyes. Danica laughed and said, "I'm starting to feel like a broken record saying this as I watch people I care about move away, but just love each other, be happy, and be safe. That's thanks enough for me." "We will," Grant declared as the sound of wagons starting to creak into motion at the front of the caravan signaled the beginning of the couple's journey. The couple waved as their wagon lurched into motion, and Danica waved back, watching them until they turned a corner and left her sight. Mindless of what anyone thought, she teleported directly to her rooms and stuck her nose in a book. She remained buried in her studies, concentrating on those concerning the evil beings that populated the hells, for many days. ------- Zoraster stood, his hands clenched into fists as the seconds ticked away in his mind. Before him, the elven woman lay on a bier, surrounded by black candles and with a brazier near her head. Above her hovered the blue nimbus of light, which contained the artifacts he had gathered. The items within their cage vibrated, as if they could sense what was about to occur and sought to escape his magic. Looking up, he observed the heavens through the magically transparent roof of the room. The stars and planets all closely aligned as the convergence drew ever closer. The untrained eye would assume the celestial bodies were already perfectly aligned, but to Zoraster's studied eye, he knew that two planets were minutes away from full alignment. At the foot of the bier and off to the right side of the stone platform stood a plain wooden table. Upon it were all the spell components he would need to work his magic, and the obelisk. Glancing to the floor, Zoraster once again checked the runes of his mystical circle, although he knew from all the previous checks that there were no errors or omissions. All was in readiness, the seconds continuing to drag on as if time was slowed. Looking to the heavens again, Zoraster sneered, "Do you feel it? Does fear turn your forms to ice, puppet-masters?" The Archmage laughed, raising his arms above his head and screaming, "I will show you what true power is, conceited manipulators. I will do as I please, your will be damned. Your arrogance shall betray you, and deliver all that I desire into my hands. Do you sit, cowering, knowing that the power of the universe overwhelms you as the time draws near? Do you feel your impotence as your vision is clouded by forces far greater than your own?" The moments continued to pass by, and Zoraster could feel his power building within him. All who worked magic in the world would feel the surge of energy that accompanied the convergence. Within his mind, the final second ticked away, and he reached for the silverthorn, the first of the spell components he needed. Crumbling it into a bowl on the table, he began to chant in a loud, deep voice. The harsh, guttural words of the chant passed his lips with power, resonating throughout the room far louder than was possible for him to produce with his voice alone. The runes at his feet glowed with power, and the quivering of the artifacts in their protective cocoon increased. As he continued to chant and the heavens drew closer to complete convergence, the elven woman snapped awake. She opened her eyes and screamed in terror, feeling the dark magic that surrounded her. Unable to force her body to make the slightest move, she began to sob. Her weeping was broken by screams as jolts of dark power shot through her body, called up by the growing strength of Zoraster's magic. The Archmage dropped the last of the spell components into the bowl, the volume of his chanting voice growing ever louder as the magical power summoned by the spell increased. The nimbus of magic surrounding the artifacts deepened to a nightblue color and the items within ceased to tremble, hovering motionless in the grip of his dark magic. Picking up the bowl and moving to the head of the bier, Zoraster continued to chant and raised the bowl to the heavens. The convergence was only moments away now, and his body burned with power. The elven woman was once again unconscious, this time not of her own will. Her mind had shut down to avoid the pain of the dark sparks assaulting her and the unbearable loudness of his chanting voice. Dumping the bowl into the brazier caused it to flare into a tower of flame that licked the roof. At the same time, the candles flared high as well. When all the flames settled, they burned black, now flickering shadows rather than sources of light. The runes at his feet glowed like the sun, giving an even more sinister cast to the Archmage's features as he continued to chant. His face was a mixture of ecstasy and triumph as the chant neared completion, the celestial bodies above in near perfect alignment. Moving back to the foot of the bier, Zoraster picked up the obelisk and silently ordered it to assume the form of the black-bladed knife as he chanted. Once the dark artifact assumed the form of the weapon, Zoraster crossed to stand at the side of the bier, holding the knife before him and gesturing to the hovering artifacts. The items in their prison moved lower, close to the elven woman's bared breasts. Her skin broke out in gooseflesh as the nightblue aura of magic drew near her, her nipples poking out erect before the unearthly cold of Zoraster's magic. Zoraster moved the knife over the woman on the bier, above the chill trap that held the artifacts above her. He began to repeat the final word of the chant, and on the sixth repetition, he thrust the knife through the magical field and into the woman's heart. The chill of the magic surrounding the artifacts froze his flesh, but the power of the knife in his hands healed the damage as fast as it occurred. The elven woman's life was sucked from her, transferred to the knife and into Zoraster. As the last of her life seeped from her, the magic surrounding the artifacts flashed with a crackling sound and vanished. The artifacts continued to hover, tendrils of magical power flowing from them into the knife. Zoraster screamed as the power filled him to capacity — and beyond. He bit off the scream and clenched his teeth tight, willing his hands to remain closed about the knife sunk into the woman's flesh as it sucked the magic from the artifacts. The heavens and hells shuddered as Zoraster, Danica, Celes, and every other pawn or dupe in the Archmage's dark plan vanished from the sight of the gods. Jerking the knife out of the woman's chest, Zoraster laughed aloud, feeling the power surging within him and knowing that his spell had succeeded. Never again would the gods interfere with his plans. Only one more obstacle lay between him and the stone, and it would soon be blasted to nothingness through his power. Then, the gods would truly know fear for the first time in their immortal existence. ------- Part 19A Gaeaye sat dangling her shapely legs in a pristine brook, her lush body covered only by her dark hair, which would have hung down to her knees if she were standing. The scent of flowers — every flower known in the world — filled the air. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees surrounding the stream. Birds sang in those trees, and a fawn drank a few feet away from Gaeaye, untroubled by her presence. No man or god could have conceived a place more serene and peaceful. Yet her face was troubled. Inclining her head for a moment, the goddess known as the Earth Mother answered a call from Braeland, God of the Hunt, allowing him admittance into her realm. He stood behind her in the sun-dappled meadow a moment later. Dressed in the brown and green of a huntsman with a longbow slung over his shoulder, he seemed an alien presence in this land where the animals held no fear. "Mother, do you feel it?" Smiling for just a moment as a school of fry tickled her feet, Gaeaye replied, "We all feel it, Braeland. Something was taken from us when the stars aligned in the sky." "But what? I feel as if a great darkness grows, and we are blind to the source." "Listen, Braeland, do you not hear them? The heavens and hells are in turmoil. Something beyond us — beyond the mother of us all — has awakened. Something from the time before has been roused from its slumber." Braeland moved to stand next to Gaeaye, concern obvious in his voice, "How is this possible?" "All things are possible, Braeland. When mother's jewels divided the cloak of night, the power of all was strong. A pathway to the time before was opened, and it has awakened its own." "What are we to do? This cannot be. That which was before would rend all creation." Turning toward her visitor, Gaeaye advised, "Only if it is freed." "If it has awakened, it will call to the mortals. They know not the danger and could be deceived." "It is not unopposed. The signs revealed this prophecy to us, though we ignored them. Remember the prophecy. Even in the time before, so alien to us all, there was a balance." Braeland exclaimed, "We must be the balance!" The fawn drinking from the stream raised its head, ears pricked to the wind. Above, the sound of birdsong vanished. A voice emerged from behind the gods, where none should have stood to speak, "You are a part of it." Spinning and pulling his longbow from his shoulder, knocking an arrow in the same fluid motion, Braeland turned upon the source of the voice. Gaeaye vanished from where she sat, appearing beside Braeland and placing a hand upon his arm. "Do no violence in my realm. I sense no threat from this one." Braeland released the draw of his bow slowly, reluctantly obeying the order of Gaeaye in this, her realm. Gaeaye stepped forward. "Welcome, mortal, to my place of peace." The man's voice was sonorous, and his tone respectful, if not reverent. "Thank you for your wise forbearance, Earth Mother." Gaeaye tilted her head, the action revealing the swell of her breast. She then asked, "How is it that I do not know you?" Toying with his iron-grey goatee, hints of a haughty smile crossed the mortal's face. "You do not know me for the same reason you have forgotten Zoraster Arias, as he calls himself now." Braeland asked, "And what shall we call you, intruder?" Smoothing his dark purple robes, the man offered a mocking bow and replied, "How remiss of me not to introduce myself, God of the Hunt. I am Rogan Illiciat. I serve that which opposes Zoraster and the darkness he seeks to free." "I know you," Braeland said, narrowing his eyes. Illiciat pulled the hood of his robe over his bald head, "Through those who serve you, as you may know Zoraster and those who serve him once more if you but concentrate. The eyes of mortals are unaffected by the powers. You are part of the balance, as are all who would see creation remain as it is now." Despite another calming touch of Gaeaye's hand, Braeland retorted, "I cannot see into your heart and mind — how are we to know you do not serve the darkness?" The haughty smile reemerged on Illiciat's face. "Such is irrelevant. I have given you the information you require to play your part in this game." Turning to Gaeaye, he added, "One more thing I will tell you, Earth Mother. You must heal the rift with the Fey." Having spoken those words, Illiciat simply vanished as if he had never been. Braeland turned to the nature goddess and said, "I do not trust this mortal, if he is indeed such." "Once he may have been mortal, but no longer. He wields the power of Sorcery, and indeed the touch of that which was before is upon him. I must think on this, but I find wisdom in his instruction regarding the Fey. Our quarrel with them is selfish, based only upon the fact that they fall outside our sphere of influence. They are the balance to the Hellspawn, who will surely flock to the darkness, and we would do well to heal the rift with them." Braeland furrowed his brow, considering the Earth Mother's words. "Perhaps, at least in that, he may speak truth." "Tell the others of this Zoraster, as will I. If his presence is hidden from our eyes, he bears watching through those who serve us." "As does this Illiciat," Braeland insisted. "As does he," Gaeaye agreed. ------- Danica awoke to the odd sensation that an oppressive fog was hanging over her. Slipping into the second sight, she examined her wards and the magic present in the room, seeing nothing out of the ordinary. When she shook off the last vestiges of sleep, the strange feeling went with it. It did nothing to remove Danica's worries. The convergence had occurred the night before, and Danica's dreams had been troubled. Strange visions of mists, demons and danger had haunted her throughout the night. She had no idea whether the dreams were a product of the foul magic the Seer had said would happen, or her own subconscious concerns about the prophecy. In the process of learning all the new spells from the temple of Sekmamun, and her recent research into demon-countering Art, something had been nagging at the back of Danica's mind. The protective magics she had always depended upon to defend her had proven useless against Meckataur's powers. Rune magic was the thing that kept popping into her mind. Ever since her encounter with the worktable that had opened her mind to the runes, Danica had grown ever more proficient in their use. Now that she had mastered all the magic she felt was within her range for the time being, Danica was considering the possibility of creating some runic defenses. Runes might be able to protect her from the powers of demons, as well as other magics that didn't conform to the norms of the Art. Danica only mused over the thoughts slightly as she bathed and ate, saving that for when she stepped into her lab afterwards. Sitting down at a desk, she retrieved a pen and paper, and then started to consider things in earnest. A few sketches quickly let her know that, while possible, making some sort of amulet or other item and inscribing it with runes had limitations. She could only make details on such an item so small, and that limited the amount of protections such an item could provide. It would certainly have no space to contain offensive magic, although she could have created a wand or staff to house those sorts of powers. Thinking back to her time on the island, and more specifically of the Nameless Ones, an idea occurred to Danica. Sigla had covered the zombies, essentially for show, but it did spark an idea that might work. There was plenty of space on one's body that could provide the canvas on which to draw many powerful rune structures. The idea of defacing her body with runes, and the difficulty of doing so without help, didn't really have a lot of appeal to Danica, however. There was a solution to this as well, involving both a spell she had never really considered worth much effort, and a magical type of ink. The spell, known as Reflection's Servant, allowed the caster to slip into a state of concentration and obtain a viewpoint as if they were outside their body. It was somewhat similar to astral projection, except the spell did not actually cause the caster to vacate their body. The spell also allowed the hazy image of oneself that the spell created as the caster's alternate viewpoint to manipulate objects in the physical world. The notes about the spell listed removing offensive hair from the back as one of the possible uses of the spell. Considering how out of place it seemed with the remainder of the suggested uses, Danica considered it likely that this was the true reason for the spell's creation. Considering the similarities to astral projection and telekinesis, which was very similar to how the spell manipulated physical objects, Danica felt she would be able to command the spell with the high level of mastery necessary to tattoo her body with runes. An incorrectly drawn rune was a dangerous thing, and something as permanent as a tattoo was not the sort of thing you wanted to make a mistake with, even if it were invisible. Invisibility was the property of the ink, created for use in secret documents, only appearing under certain conditions. Otherwise, anything written with the ink vanished until called into visibility by the circumstances dictated during the making of the ink. Danica would have no need for the ink to be visible once the runes were finished, but knew it was likely the tattoos would be visible when the magic activated. The stronger the rune structure, the more likely it was to glow with power when activated. The final problem was finding a way to draw the structures upon her body without Zoraster finding out about it. Danica had no desire to reveal what she knew about runes to Zoraster. While the structures she used in the defenses protecting her rooms bespoke a great deal of skill, they were a far cry from what she truly understood. It felt as if some new property or use of the runes appeared in her mind daily, and to Danica it seemed that understanding of rune magic grew exponentially after she obtained a certain level of mastery. Once you could recognize the patterns of runes and the way they fit together in structures, it became easier every day. Danica discarded the idea of using the inner library at the temple of Sekmamun as a location, because it was not a private spot. She would need to be in various states of undress to draw the runes upon her skin, and the nature of the Reflection's Servant spell would make it difficult for her to quickly banish the spell and cover up if necessary. Danica had no shame about her body, but she wasn't pleasantly disposed toward alarming people who walked in upon her half-naked when they should have no reason to find such. The numerous other places where Zoraster could not spy upon her had similar problems. The Spell Engine was one place that was completely private, but it would suck up her spell the instant it came into being. Consideration of the Spell Engine provided her with the solution, the Hellgate. Danica could force time to move differently inside the pocket of space created by the spell. Inside, she could spend hours laboring over her tattoos, while only moments passed in the real world. She had to consider the demons within the Hellgate's space, but Danica was truly unconcerned about them, as she had been able to control them rather effectively in the two trips with Heather and Grant. Danica still didn't know whether she would go through with the idea, but she certainly found that she leaned toward undertaking the task. For the time being, learning the Reflection's Servant spell was a necessary step, and it could possibly prove useful for other things. The Master of the school where she and her sister had first studied had once told her, Magic is a subtle art, and even the most innocuous spell can prove to be of great value under the correct circumstances. Danica had not given much weight to the statement, even well into her adult life, but had learned the truth of it since she had fallen into Zoraster's trap. Simple telekinesis, which she had always been good at but thought was all but useless, had saved her life more than once on her tasks. Smiling at memories of her teen years struggling to learn magic, Danica made the decision to at least learn the spell, and then decide about the rest later. ------- Celes had taken advantage of the power offered by the convergence, as had Zoraster. The magic Celes utilized was no less important to her, but far less earth shattering. She had used the power of the convergence to alter the enchantments upon her toy. Before, an image of Andrea lapped her when she used the toy, but now Danica's auburn locks brushed against Celes' thighs when the magic was active. The power of the convergence had also strengthened the power of the illusion. When Celes had strapped on the toy to test it following a short recovery period after casting the spell, she found that the illusion was so vivid it was difficult to believe that Danica was not actually between her legs, driving her to unbelievable heights of ecstasy. She had even been able to reach out and stroke those auburn curls, feeling them between her fingers, clenched in orgasm. The toy lay on the nightstand, unwashed, and Celes lay naked in her bed, covered in the sticky evidence of her pleasure. She had barely been able to summon up the energy to remove the toy before collapsing into slumber. Celes' desire flared again as she awakened, remembering the wonderful release, several times over, that the newly enhanced toy had given her the night before. She nearly reached for the toy to slide it over her loins once more, but stopped when she decided that becoming too addicted to the pleasure was unhealthy. Rising with a sigh, Celes went to her bath, taking the toy with her to clean it as well. She had to fight the desire to use it the whole time, the feeling only fading when she put the toy away in the nightstand drawer and got it out of her sight. Celes had gathered, with some trepidation, what little information she could find about witchcraft. There was much that was conjecture and rumor, but Celes remembered just enough of her mother's teachings that she thought she could determine what was true and what was false. Now that she was stuck with her powers and her destiny once more, Celes decided that she should learn as much as she could about her powers. The conversation with Danica about the demon Meckataur had leant strength to this consideration in Celes' mind. Witchcraft was ultimately a weapon to defend against and destroy Hellspawn. At least in the hands of a good witch. A witch that turned to self-gain, or any other number of human fallibilities, became a tool of the very creatures the craft existed to combat. Demons took great delight in encouraging witches to turn, because it not only eliminated a dangerous enemy, it also provided them with tools to further their own desires. Sitting down with one of the books, Celes took the first step in a long journey toward making up for lost time. ------- Zoraster waved his hands, and all the mirrors in his scrying room went dark. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned. Everyone and everything was in place, or would be soon. Stepping out of the room, he found Camilla waiting for him in the hall. "Master, men from Draxnog wish to speak with you." Zoraster rolled his eyes and sighed, "Send them to my sitting room and see that their comfort is provided for. I will await them there." Strolling toward his rarely used sitting room, Zoraster sneered. He knew why the fools were coming — they sought more coin to build their armies. If the idiot Draxnog had not relied so heavily upon the slave labor of the plains barbarians, the nation would not be in the straits it was now. As it was, Zoraster propped up the economy of the entire nation by funding most of the military spending, a necessity if Draxnog was going to be of any use to him when the time came. He needed that nation's forces to contend with Egoria, the nation carved from lands once occupied by Draxnog, by Thakkorias and his intrepid band of do-gooders. Draxnog had his faults, but his strength was in his hatred of the annoying cretins in Egoria that presented one of the two most significant threats to his plans. Zoraster needed those armies on the southern front when the time came to neutralize Egoria. The coin was of no real concern; Zoraster had more sources to obtain that than he could ever hope to spend. Dealing with the annoying southerners, with their ridiculous accents, simply grated on his nerves. Zoraster smiled thinking about the ultimate culmination of his plans, however. Draxnog would be one of the casualties in the war to come. While Zoraster was far from above using atrocity as a tool when necessary, Draxnog and his armies considered it a pleasurable diversion. Slavery, theft, murder, rape — all were weapons in Zoraster's hands, but they were the means to abolish such abominations in the perfect world he intended to rule. Sending a silent thought ensured that the necessary funds would be ready immediately, and the brown-skinned beggars Draxnog had sent would be gone as quickly as possible. Walking in to the sitting room, Zoraster eased into a thickly padded chair and waited for Camilla to lead the smelly southerners in. ------- Meckataur's muzzle split into a wide grin as Arleen presented him with his spawn. The child looked human, large for a newborn, but absolutely human. Only the glint of intelligence and malevolence in the dark eyes of the child revealed his evil parentage. That would end soon enough. The child would grow rapidly, provided the brood mare who had carried it survived long enough to nurse it for the required few days. Arleen took the child to the crèche, which Meckataur soon hoped would hold many more of his spawn, and turned his eyes to Mopario, who prayed over the unconscious and mangled woman who had just delivered the child. Mopario was high in his god's favor, and the wide splits torn in the woman's nether regions during the birth healed. "Awaken her to nurse my spawn as soon as possible," Meckataur rumbled to the cleric of the war-god. "It shall be so, Meckataur," Mopario replied. A horrific scream split the air, filled with pain and anguish beyond imagining. Once more, Meckataur's horrible features twisted into a malevolent smile. It appeared his spawn were eager to escape the prison of their mother's wombs and see the light of the world they would rule. ------- The warm glow that infused Danica only a few hours later let her know the spell was hers. Danica already knew how she was going to test the use of the spell. She had been feeling a bit lazy and had not shaven in a couple of days. The necessary care required for that task would well test her control over the new magic. Danica brought a washbasin and her razor to the bed, and then laid several towels over the coverings to protect them from the water. Stripping off her robes and panties, Danica lay down, clad only in her brassiere, and cleared her mind, preparing to cast the spell. Danica chanted, making the necessary gestures of the spell and holding the small silver square that was the material component of the spell. It would be some time before she was proficient enough with the spell to eliminate the need for the physical focus of the spell. In the meantime, it was going to be expensive. When the spell's power came into being, Danica closed her eyes and relaxed, letting her mind drift. It was indeed very similar to astral projection, and Danica soon viewed her body from an angle that few who were not on their way to the afterlife ever had the opportunity to see. Instead of a ghostly apparition, she looked more like a faint outline. Holding her hand up in front of her face, Danica could see right through it. The image was somewhat distorted, as if she were looking through water, but everything beyond her hand was fully visible. She first practiced controlling her physical body from her new vantage point, silently ordering it to raise one leg up high. Her body obeyed her, and oddly enough, Danica could feel faint hints of the muscles moving in her transparent body. It was a little disconcerting, but Danica got used to it as she continued to move her real body around, getting used to the way the magic worked. Next, she tried the crucial part of the spell, manipulating physical objects with her transparent body. Danica found this no more difficult than manipulating her real body, easily picking up the razor and holding it, even twirling it between her fingers. The method was very similar to her telekinetic powers, except she had the focus of her hands as an additional reference point. After a few minutes of practice, Danica ordered her physical body to bend one knee. She shaved the lower leg, finding that it was no more difficult than shaving someone else. Shortly after she started, Danica was able to relax and complete the task quickly. Even the delicate shaving around her folds proved to be easy. She also noticed, as she grew used to the spell, that she could detect the sensations from her real body. She could feel the razor sliding over her skin, and knew when it was threatening to bite into her. When Danica finished, she put down the razor and ran her fingers over her physical body's smooth mound. A shudder passed through Danica's magical body as she felt her real body respond to the touch. Curious after that sensation, Danica rubbed her fingers over her folds before her. A stronger shock of pleasure from that touch immediately rewarded her. Now very curious and quite aroused, Danica explored her body further. The pleasure she felt grew stronger as she teased her transparent fingers between her real lips. The sensation was strong, and felt incredible, but there was a slight disconnect from the feeling. It was obvious her real body was responding to the touch, but she was able to concentrate on what she was doing. Sliding her fingers deep into the wet sheathe of her own sex, Danica rubbed her swollen bud as well. Absently, she parted her physical legs, discovering that the more she used the spell, the easier it was to manipulate both of her forms simultaneously. Her pleasure mounted, and her clear fingers thrust faster with each passing moment. Danica learned something new about the spell as she built toward release. The limits of the real world meant nothing to her magically assumed form. Her fingers elongated and thickened unconsciously as her real body demanded more. Danica was soon in a fog of pleasure, with just enough of a divorce from the feeling to maintain full control of what she was doing. The spell ended suddenly when Danica came. The shock of her consciousness returning to her body was pale by comparison to the explosion of pleasure that rocked her body. Danica screamed, her juices erupting from her in a torrent. Haltingly, Danica regained control of her body to rub her clit and keep the orgasm going. At last, Danica collapsed to the bed, panting for breath, and let out a little satisfied moan. A smile crossed her face and she chuckled. This little test certainly proved she could use the magic to scribe the runes on her skin, and she had little doubt that it would be easier the next time she tried the spell. For now, however, her body was telling her that it was far from satisfied. Danica rolled over and retrieved one of her toys from the nightstand beside her bed to sate that need. ------- Danica packed a few things in preparation to leave for her apartment in Groenport, a little over one hundred miles to the Southeast on the shore of the Groen Sea. A scowl crossed her face momentarily as she thought about the circumstances surrounding her purchase of that apartment. She had actually wanted to have a place in Dalaria, but Zoraster had intervened and ordered her, in no uncertain terms, to stay out of the city. It lay on the border, and was apparently too close to the town of Destindale — where Danica had lived when her nightmare began — for Zoraster's liking. Danica had not even considered the proximity of Dalaria to the Protectorates of Armand, the land of her birth, when deciding to find an apartment there. She had simply liked the city, the people there, and the wealth of trade items available. Groenport was close enough to the atmosphere she had liked in Dalaria, so long as she stayed away from the water. Nearly every seaside town had a distinctive odor near the docks, brought on by people tossing things in the sea and having them all return with the tides. The people of Groenport apparently were even less mindful of this than most that dwelt near the sea. The smell turned Danica's stomach, and so her apartment was as far from the ocean as possible, but still had a nice view of it from a distance. Her destination was really irrelevant, because it was the stop in the Hellgate that mattered. Danica planned to begin scribing the runes on her skin immediately. She knew how it could be done now, and the amount of magic the runes would provide her, able to be activated with a thought, was a lure too strong to ignore. Danica cast the spell and stepped into the Hellgate. Looking around, she saw none of the demons that inhabited the place, and nodded in satisfaction. It appeared that her chastisement of the creatures was starting to stick. Danica fell into a deep concentration, feeling the flow of the magic and turning to the task of manipulating the flow of time within the extra-dimensional pocket. It proved ridiculously easy. The little pocket of space responded to her whims near instantly. Danica felt a little touch against her consciousness, suggesting that she could turn time backwards as well. The idea of having an eighteen-year-old body again was certainly appealing. Danica shook her head and opened her eyes. That was the creatures that resided here trying to tempt her again, she realized. She had accomplished what she wanted to do, and weeks could now pass for her while outside only moments would tick by. Danica immediately shed her clothing, absently conjuring up a bed on which to lie while she worked. Looking down at her body, she chuckled. The years had been kind to her, in truth. Just over thirty now, she wasn't sagging or growing wrinkly. Her breasts didn't ride quite as high as they had when she was a teen, but considering their size, they had endured the test of time quite well. Danica's heart lurched when she heard a familiar voice behind her, "You look beautiful," it said. Turning, Danica saw Darius and Jonathon standing behind her. They were nude, hard, and stunningly handsome. For a moment, she wanted nothing more than to drag them both into the bed with her, and then she remembered where she was. Seething anger welled up inside Danica. The creatures invading her mind to assume the forms of the two men who had touched her heart enraged her. Danica was startled to find a sword in her hand as her anger built. When the weapon appeared, the landscape flickered momentarily from the beautiful glade, revealing a bleak expanse of sand and rock, devoid of life. The creatures also assumed their true forms. The scenery reverted to the familiar form, but the demons did not. The creatures cringed and shrank away from the blade in Danica's hand, trembling violently. Danica raised the sword up to examine it. It was similar to a longsword, the blade polished to a mirror-like finish. Swirls and whorls decorated the entire blade and hilt, gold trimmed the crosspiece, and a large ruby decorated the pommel. The weapon was weightless in her hand, and in fact felt like an extension of her hand. Instinctively, Danica knew that it was an extension of her. "Please mistress," one of the creatures hissed. Danica brandished the sword toward them, "I don't ever want to see any of you again, unless I summon you. Is that clear?" The creatures both replied, "Yes, Mistress!" The monsters then immediately vanished into the undergrowth. As Danica's anger drained away, the sword faded and vanished as well. Danica nodded her head approvingly, and then turned toward the bed. She had come here for a reason, and it was time to get started. ------- Celes stood outside Danica's door, not even knowing why she was really there. She had determined almost immediately that Danica was not there, and that the wards on the room were active. Celes sighed, glad in a way that Danica was not inside. She felt that whatever excuse she would have offered would have instantly rang untrue in Danica's ears. Celes simply longed to see Danica — longed for more — but she had to see her at least. "Hello, Celes. Is Danica here?" Celes turned to see Andrea walking toward her. "No, she's out and about somewhere. Her wards are up, and that means she's not here." Andrea looked at Celes curiously, concentrating on the old woman's eyes. Andrea's eyes opened wider, a look of realization in her face. The note of longing in Celes' voice had been minor and carefully masked, but Andrea had caught it. Celes furrowed her brow, "What is it, Andrea?" "You're in love with Danica, aren't you?" Celes' shoulders slumped and she bent wearily, "Is it that obvious?" Andrea shook her head, "Not really. I only realized it just now. Now that I understand, I remember hints from before though." "Does Danica know?" Fear and embarrassment tinged Celes' voice, and her old eyes filled with tears as she spoke. "I doubt it. She feels something for you too. I know that. She's talked about it before. I don't know if she's in love with you, but there's something strong there." Celes shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know if what I'm feeling is love either. Danica is the only one who can see me as I should be. I don't know..." Andrea's eyes filled with sadness, but she smiled and said, "You need to talk to her." "I think I need to be alone for a while," Celes muttered. Andrea had just forced her to admit something she had denied for some time. Emotions and thoughts flooded her head, and Celes had trouble thinking through the jumble. Andrea rather firmly retorted, "I don't think so. Come back to my house and talk to me. I think alone is the last thing you need right now." Celes almost argued with her, and then the look of concern and friendship in Andrea's face changed her mind. Mutely, she nodded. Andrea smiled and took Celes' hand in her own, leading the old woman out of the complex toward her humble little cottage near the hedge maze. ------- Danica examined the magical ink she had prepared before entering the Hellgate, seeing the little flecks and motes of swirling power beneath the surface. The pen lying beside it was made of an eagle's feather, the point fine, but rounded so it would not scratch her skin. The feather was likewise enchanted to prevent the ink from drying on its tip, and it would absorb the ink when dipped, allowing Danica to write with it for far longer than common for a quill pen. The vane of the feather glowed with a faint bluish light. With everything now ready, Danica lay down on the bed and cast the Reflection's Servant spell again. After the moment of disorientation, Danica picked up the quill in her transparent hand and dipped it into the ink. The glow of the feather intensified for just a moment as the enchantment upon the feather absorbed the ink from the pot. Taking a moment to prepare, Danica's assumed form hovered over her body. When she felt her control was strong enough, Danica started to draw the first rune, her name rune, over her heart. She took great care not to make the slightest mistake. She could use the vane of the feather to brush away the magical ink if necessary, but she needed to get in the habit of doing it right the first time. The first rune would be easy enough to remove, but a careless stroke of the feather later on could destroy part of another rune, rendering whole structures useless. With a final, careful stroke, Danica completed the rune. It immediately flared to life with a brilliant blue light. Any rune structure connected to the rune would link to her now, beyond the ability of any other that did not know her secret, true name and the rune that represented it to utilize. Danica felt a sensation as if she were breathing a sigh of relief, although her assumed form neither breathed nor made any sound. Her transparent face shimmered with a smile, and Danica dipped the feather again to begin the next rune. ------- Camilla inquired, "Why do you abide those odiferous southerners?" Leading Camilla toward the scrying room, Zoraster explained, "Because they will be useful, Camilla. They already despise Thakkor and his cronies, and they require little encouragement to go against him. Freeland and Egoria must be distracted when I begin my conquest." Waving a hand before one of the mirrors in the room and concentrating, Zoraster activated the magic of the scrying device. The image that appeared in the mirror was of a man who gave the impression that a nervous energy filled him. He was thin, and his eyes constantly darted in all directions, taking in everything around him. A scowl twisted his rat-like face, and a group of Wood Trolls cowered before him, prostrate on the ground and grunting platitudes. "What is this, Master?" Zoraster chuckled, "All that remains of the Lord of Murder." "Blorcasir? Was he not destroyed when his minions were slaughtered?" "A god is not so easy to destroy, though he is greatly weakened," Zoraster replied. Nervously, Camilla asked, "Is it wise to scry upon a god so?" "In truth, he is more dangerous to scry upon than any of the other gods at this time. The gods could sense nothing of me thanks to my magic. Blork, as his simple minions know him now, is so close to mortal that he can sense my magic. His power is so reduced that there is little he can do about it." "His minions - the pitiful Wood Trolls?" Zoraster smiled, "Yes, the Lord of Murder is now reduced to god of Wood Trolls. He seeks one with enough intelligence to construct an altar and lure a human, any human, into worship of him again. With one mortal man to pay obeisance to him, he could begin to regain his former power." Camilla laughed, "I see he has had little success in the centuries since his unmanning." Zoraster scowled, "He is god enough to sense such mockery. Do not do so again. I am not yet ready for his place in my plans." "What use will Blorcasir be, if he has been so reduced in power?" "His current level of power places him in a unique and convenient position to be useful to me. You will see in time, Camilla." Blork was now spinning slowly on his heels, trying to home in on the spy he knew observed him. Zoraster banished the magic of the mirror to frustrate the godling. Zoraster waved his hand before another mirror to activate the magic within it. "I had been concerned that he may have finally located a creature capable of serving his needs, but it appears I will not have to intervene. The Wood Troll has obviously failed to meet the necessary level of intelligence." The mirror's surface now showed the image of a finely dressed man with a haughty expression. Camilla watched the man enter a building, looking down his nose at everyone he passed, and asked, "And who do we watch now." "A merchant by the name of Connand within the city of Cherok's Ford," Zoraster answered. "And what use will he be to you, Master?" Zoraster laughed and replied, "Of great use. He has vast wealth, numerous trading houses, and a personal army of warriors and spies at his disposal. Thus far, he has resisted my offers for an arrangement between us — and in a rude manner. He also possesses magical protection." "It would seem he requires both chastisement and encouragement," Camilla purred. The smile that spread across Zoraster's face was dark and mirthless. "Indeed, he does. Your studies progress well, but I have need of skills that you have already honed to a razor's edge, dear Camilla." Camilla tossed her hair and grinned back at Zoraster. "I believe I can bring him to an understanding, Master." "He has numerous guards in his home, and he is rarely alone. He has been persuaded to send them out of the home, on occasion, in order to fulfill his lust. A woman with the proper methods of persuasion could likely encourage him to do so again." Camilla scowled slightly, "I suppose I will have to lie with him." "Likely, but I am sure you can endure knowing the reward for patience and enduring his touch," Zoraster suggested. "It shall be as you command, my Master." "I expect nothing less. Gaining control over his operations will give me a vital foothold in both Egoria and Freeland. Draxnog shall vex them from without, and our dear Connand shall rot them from within." Camilla bowed her head slightly and asked, "Though I serve you without question, Master, might I ask a small boon for this service, since I shall be forced to endure his rut?" Zoraster placed his hand under Camilla's chin and raised her eyes back to his, "I already know what you seek. It shall be done when you have brought his resources under my control." A smile full of malice tugged at Camilla's lips, "I will go immediately, Master. Thank you." "Go, and earn your reward, Camilla." ------- Andrea asked, "So, can you do it?" Celes sighed, but the sound did not carry the hopeless longing it had at the beginning of the conversation. "I have to. This is going to gnaw at me until I do. I have to tell Danica what I've been feeling, or it is going to drive me mad." Andrea's hand rested gently upon the hand of the old woman, stroking it in a comforting gesture. "I think Danica probably needs to say a few things too. The two of you have shared so much, and yet you hide so much for fear of hurting each other." Celes looked up and cocked her head, "How is it that you're so full of wisdom?" Andrea smiled and shrugged her shoulders, "I'm a simple girl, and I've been on my own for a long time. I've had to learn to read people to get along." "Maybe I need to take my nose out of my books and start paying more attention to what is going on around me," Celes mused. Andrea chuckled, and responded, "You know you've been ignoring things now, on purpose. You'll pay attention now. Do you want me to go with you?" Celes looked as though she were considering the idea for a moment, but then shook her head and replied, "No, I think I need to do this alone." The light of realization appeared in Celes' eyes then and she asked, "Do you... How do you feel about Danica?" "She's one of my dearest friends. She was my first, and I treasure her touch. I'm not in love with her, though. I don't think I've been in love with anyone yet. It doesn't bother you that we..." "No, I understand Danica's desires. I know she isn't ready to commit to anyone, and she'll always have a need for a man, as impossible as that is for me to understand." "They have certain advantages," Andrea said and giggled. "The three of you and Brandon are trying to corrupt me. I was perfectly happy considering all men no better than hairy pigs in rut and you're all forcing me to see there are some good men. Not many, but a few." The slight twitch of Andrea's eyebrows and the tone of her voice insinuated far more than her words, "Have you thought about other things?" Celes actually blushed. "You may have to face that fear some day," Andrea suggested. "Not if I can help it. I'm happy the way I am, I don't need any more complications," Celes said, wrinkling her nose. Andrea yawned and then said, "I'm sorry." Celes chuckled, "It's okay — it's late. Thank you, Andrea." "You're welcome. Are you going to go see her?" Celes nodded, "If she's back." "Be brave — you'll be fine," encouraged Andrea, bringing Celes' hand to her lips and kissing it softly. ------- Danica awoke, disoriented by the unfamiliar environs of her apartment for a moment, and the darkness of the room. She had spent hours tracing the runes on her flesh in the Hellgate, and had completed several protective structures. It had been exhausting work, and she had collapsed into slumber as soon as she emerged from the Hellgate and found her bed. Rising, Danica considered one flaw in her plan. The change in time inside the Hellgate allowed her time to do what she needed to do, but when she emerged in the real world, only moments had passed. She knew it was going to take a while to adjust to that, and waking up in the early hours of the night was one of the problems it was going to cause her. Slipping into a bath, Danica examined her body as she washed. The runes were invisible on her skin, although she could feel them when she concentrated. Otherwise, they would be undetectable unless activated. Even then, they would only flare into magical life when defending against very powerful magic, or upon Danica's command. The problem of the disruption to her schedule was easy enough to fix. She was rested and ready to resume her tedious task now. When she emerged from the Hellgate again, only a few moments would have passed by in the real world. The next time she woke up, it would be daylight, and she would be back in a normal rhythm. She would have to be careful not to spend all her time within Zoraster's ability to spy upon her sleeping. She knew that would be very suspicious. Danica decided she would need to space the sessions out, so as not to arouse suspicion in the mad Archmage. As soon as she finished her bath, Danica packed up her things again, preparing to set out on another fictional journey. This time she planned to go to Beniopolis, and then later to visit Tonda. It would give a logical reason for her to pop about using the spell. Her decision made, and a burning desire to complete the runic defenses consuming her, Danica cast the Hellgate. ------- Celes stood outside Danica's door, scowling. For two days, she had come several times to Danica's rooms, finding the defenses still active, and no sign that Danica had been there. Now that she admitted her feelings, as much as she understood of them, and had decided to reveal them to Danica, she was anxious to do it. Danica often took extended trips, even when not away on a task for the madman, and usually Celes thought little of it. This time it was driving her to distraction. Briefly, Celes considered contacting Danica and asking her to come home, or scrying for her to find out where she was. She dismissed the notion, not wanting to spy on Danica or sound desperate in asking her to return. Pursing her lips, Celes walked the halls toward Marlena's room. She had already bent Andrea's ear a dozen times in the past two days, and she didn't want to wear the poor girl out. Celes thought that perhaps a little discussion of magic with Marlena would provide a welcome distraction from her feelings for Danica and her study of witchcraft. A short while later, Celes was again disappointed. Marlena didn't answer her knock. Thinking of something she had recently discovered in her studies, Celes decided now was as good a time as any to see if she could apply some of the knowledge. She had found the recipe for a potion of calming, and she could certainly use that now. Her course of action determined, Celes went to her room to attempt her first use of the craft that was her birthright. ------- Zoraster watched Celes leave Marlena's door, walking back down the hall toward her own room in his scrying mirror. Dismissing the magic, he turned back to the mirror he had been watching before Celes had intruded upon the show. The merchant was now firmly within his grip. Camilla had done her work well, and in a very short period of time. Deep in the man's subconscious, he would remember the horrible torture Camilla had visited upon him. On the surface, he remembered nothing. Camilla had removed the amulet that protected the man from magic as she coupled with him, allowing Zoraster's compulsion magic to take hold. Camilla's education in the foolishness of defying Zoraster's whim would always be there, buried but faintly influencing the man's thoughts, reinforcing the compulsion. Now Zoraster watched as Camilla received her reward. Marlena, spellbound and weeping, lapped Camilla to a screaming orgasm in the mirror before him. Marlena had defied Camilla before, and the woman had never forgiven the insult. Marlena now paid for angering the wicked woman. Zoraster's magic would ensure that Marlena remembered nothing, much as the merchant, but deep down the horror would remain. It would keep her in line. Of course, at this moment she understood everything that was happening, but could do nothing to stop her body from doing anything Camilla asked of her. The pain of the woman who had plotted to destroy his work at the Forge gave Zoraster a deep feeling of warm satisfaction. Zoraster relaxed back in his chair, eager to see what other unpleasant surprises Camilla had in store for Marlena, as soon as she recovered from her current state of trembling ecstasy. ------- Danica emerged from the Hellgate with a wide smile on her face. She was pleased with the quick progress of her rune scribing, and already she had a number of structures that would spring to defend her without even a thought to activate them. The evening spent lost in pleasure from Tari's tongue and Rehkmire's cock, making her body shudder, helped brighten her day as well. A short walk and a quick knock later, Danica was catching up with Tonda and Jaron. It had been too long since she had seen them, and she was pleased to discover that the people here were recovering well from the horror of the Nameless Ones. It wasn't long before the proximity to the scantily clad couple started to arouse Danica's desires. Jaron and Tonda responded with equal passion, and the three were soon removing their sparse garments to give each other pleasure under the welcome relief of a cooling comfort spell. Danica's spell revealed that Tonda was fertile. Danica offered a mute smile of apology, but saw something pass between the couple when the rosy glow of fertility appeared beneath Danica's hand. Without a word, the couple revealed to each other their readiness to become parents, and then told Danica of their decision. Danica kissed them both, and then said rather impishly, "I think you know how it's done." Tonda and Jaron both laughed, but the laughter was soon drowned in passion as Jaron slid his erection deep into Tonda's tight sheathe. Danica just watched as they coupled, stroking Tonda's leg and Jaron's back. Their lovemaking was exactly that, with no hint of lust or clinical detachment aiming for their goal. They were enjoying the closeness of being together, of being in love, and their mutual desire to start a family. Jaron's pace increased slightly as he drew near his climax, the natural response to his impending orgasm. Still, he maintained a sedate pace, looking into Tonda's eyes as they both moved steadily toward release. Jaron came with a quavering gasp, his love reaching her peak at the exact same moment. Tonda was radiant as she quivered in orgasm, her hand lying on her mound, feeling her man's seed deep within her, perhaps giving them what they desired. Danica lay with them as they quietly talked for a while, sharing the joy of their anticipation. It would be some time before they knew for sure, but they planned to keep trying in the meantime, until she was with child. After a short while, the couple smiled at each other and looked at Danica. Moments later, their hands and mouths were teasing her body, building her toward release. Just as Danica was nearing her peak, they both pulled away, but only long enough for Jaron to slide his dark, thick manhood into Danica and spike her pleasure even higher. Danica quivered and gasped as Jaron's cock plunged into her depths and Tonda's tongue flickered over them both. Danica screamed in release as her orgasm gripped her, her sheathe closing tight around Jaron's buried manhood and her head lashing wildly on the pillows. They gave her a few moments to recover, and then with a smile that bordered on mischievous, Jaron started to thrust again. Danica sharply yelped as his throbbing organ set off a powerful aftershock within her. Tonda watched her man's cock slide in and out of Danica's soaked sex for a few moments, and then started to rub Danica's bud in fast circles, while at the same time sucking on the hard tips of Danica's bouncing breasts. Danica built rapidly from the hot friction of Jaron's cock penetrating her depths and Tonda's expert fingers teasing her clit. A pulsing heat swelled in Danica's womb, and she gasped out sultry words of encouragement between cries of ecstasy. Jaron grunted with each thrust, near to release as well. After a few more strokes, he could no longer control the need. He buried his member in Danica's depths, the thick shaft pulsing and spurting hot cream deep inside her. His hips jerked in an irregular rhythm, fighting against the sensitivity brought on by his climax to try to bring Danica to her peak. Tonda's flashing fingers and Jaron's throbbing cock succeeded in pushing Danica over the edge a moment later. Her first orgasmic contraction forced Jaron to jerk free with a loud grunt. A torrent of Danica's juices followed his retreating member, erupting from between her folds in a geyser. Tonda leaned down to lap Danica's clit as Danica continued to buck and writhe on the bed. Tonda purred, tasting Danica's juices and her man's cum while her flashing tongue keeping Danica coming. Danica pushed Tonda away after a minute, unable to handle the powerful spikes of pleasure that arched her back up off the bed any longer. Tonda licked her lips with a moan, and then lay down to gently stroke Danica's body while the woman spiraled down from her peak. A thought interrupted Danica's post-orgasmic bliss a short while later. Jaron and Tonda were going to have a baby, and they were here in Zoraster's house on the island. Danica frowned as she considered that. She had managed to get Carolyn, Heather, and Grant safely away, but others were in danger as well. The same threat hung over Tari and Rehkmire, if Zoraster's twisted mind encouraged him to do so. Tonda asked, "What is wrong Danica?" The beautiful, dark-skinned woman stroked Danica's cheek as she spoke, and there was concern in her eyes. Danica smiled and lied, "Nothing." She then levered her body up to kiss Tonda, tasting her own juices on Tonda's full lips. Danica pushed the thoughts away for the moment, but she knew she had to do something to protect the others that could become pawns in Zoraster's torture of her — somehow. ------- Part 19B With a final stroke of her magical pen, Danica completed the last rune. The strain of maintaining the Reflection's Servant spell long enough to complete the final few runes was starting to tell on her, and so Danica released the magic to sink back into her real body once more. Stretching to work out the kinks in her muscles, Danica rose up off the bed with a groan. She was weary, but smiling. Two weeks had passed in the real world, but Danica had been working for far longer in the confines of the Hellgate. Danica wanted to test the power of the runes, but for now, she was simply too exhausted to even think straight. It took a great deal of effort to force her personal little realm to manifest a mirror, and all that required was a thought. Danica decided that as soon as she had taken a look at the finished rune structures, it was time for a long rest. Concentrating through the fog in her mind, Danica touched her forehead and willed the runes scribed on her body to reveal themselves. Danica's nude body blazed with magical light, the octagonal rune structures glowing bright blue in the mirror. Danica squinted, touching the rune on her forehead, and concentrated again. The glow of the runes changed to a fainter, powder blue in color. Danica smiled, much more pleased with the color. The image in the mirror was unnatural, and far from attractive, but Danica knew the power those rune patterns could summon. Spinning, she examined the runes scribed over nearly every inch of her flesh. She had done what she could to make the structures flow with her curves and contours, but it did little to reduce the harshness of the glowing runes glaring all over her body. Danica's head swam, and she put her hands out wide to regain her balance. Another touch to her forehead caused the light of the runes to fade, and she once again saw her unmarred image in the mirror. Banishing the mirror with a thought and a wave of her hand, Danica opened the portal of the Hellgate back into her rooms in Zoraster's complex. She opened the portal right next to her bed, picking up the bag of her things and tossing it negligently to the floor on the other side of the portal. Immediately thereafter, she stepped through the portal and fell into her bed, letting the spell lapse. Danica was asleep almost before the light of the Hellgate had faded from her room. ------- The stink of unwashed bodies, rotting food, excrement and death billowed out of the cave. Zoraster scowled and waved a hand before him, wrapping a bubble of fresh air around him. The stench from the cave before him was so thick it was almost visible. The oppressive miasma now blocked by his magic, Zoraster strode forth into the cave. He could hear the scrambling of the creatures within, and assumed one that had watched near the entrance was probably alerting the rest of the pitiful vermin. Raising his hand palm up over his head, Zoraster summoned a bright ball of light to guide his steps. He strode quickly across the uneven cave floor, dodging the protrusions of stone on the walls and ceiling. Sneering, he stepped over the litter of excrement and offal that appeared before him in ever-increasing quantities as he moved deeper into the bowels of the earth. Sighing in disgust, he gave up trying to dodge the foul mess when it became like a carpet upon the stone floor. The passage widened steadily as he moved forward, and ahead he could see the opening to the gallery beyond. Zoraster smiled, knowing that now the signs were in order. Now, he could steal the power necessary to obtain the stone. The whisperings in his head and the prophecies all urged him forward. Stepping out of the passage, he heard screams and hisses as the Wood Trolls within shrank away from the bright light that hovered over Zoraster's head. The disgusting creatures cringed along the walls of the cavern, covering their eyes and gibbering in their guttural tongue. Zoraster surveyed the chamber, finding approximately two score of the filthy creatures inhabited the cave. The most intelligent of their kind, the Wood Trolls actually had crude pallets cobbled together, as well as tables and chairs strewn haphazardly throughout their rude home. Gathered here by their god, they were breeding stock that Blorcasir hoped would produce one that could serve his purpose. As soon as their eyes adjusted to the light, they of course attacked. The creatures were savage, and driven by their god to kill. These were kept tucked away in the cave, not allowed to venture forth by their god, but the instincts of the monsters took over as soon as they realized Zoraster had invaded their domain. A female leapt forth, her disease-ridden claws and yellow teeth bared. Zoraster spoke a word and thrust his hand toward the creature. The Wood Troll exploded in a spray of blood and gore, spattering everything within a wide radius around her. A male with a club raised his weapon to strike, but Zoraster's next spell froze the creature solid in mid-strike. It stood like a statue, enveloped in a sheet of clear ice, as the rest approached. Zoraster gestured and spoke words of magic, sending forth blasts of energy, lightning bolts, and balls of fire into the attacking creatures. Smoke filled the chamber as the creatures died, whimpering and screaming. The young, barely as high as Zoraster's knee, charged toward Zoraster en masse. With a wicked smile on his lips, Zoraster stretched out his hand toward them and sent forth a blazing tongue of flame. The creatures shriveled and died in the searing heat. A loud report sounded from the back of the cavern. Zoraster turned toward the sound and saw a thick cloud of black smoke mixing with the oily haze already hanging in the cave, and Blorcasir stepped forward from within it, screaming in a thunderous voice, "NO!" Zoraster smiled, his fingers lovingly caressing something secreted inside his robes. Stalking forward, his face twisted in a mask of rage, the reduced Lord of Murder's voice filled the chamber with a deafening scream, "YOU WILL DIE MORTAL! I WILL REND YOUR FLESH AND FEAST UPON YOUR SOUL!" The few remaining Wood Trolls fled toward the back of the cave away from the wrath of their god. Zoraster stood, unmoved, his magic protecting him from the ear-splitting sound of Blorcasir's rage. "I'm terribly sorry, Blork, have I inconvenienced you by ridding the world of these vermin?" Zoraster taunted with a smile on his face. A wicked hooked knife, black as night and dripping with blood, appeared in the hand of the god as he approached, "YOUR DEATH WILL BE SLOW! I SHALL SAVOR YOUR SCREAMS!" Zoraster could feel the power of the god coming against him. Reduced as he was, Blorcasir was still a god. His terrible presence beat down upon Zoraster, demanding that he kneel before the Lord of Murder, worshipping him in awe. Zoraster steeled his will, resisting the mental attack of the god, and drew forth his own black blade from within his robes. The obelisk turned knife, Godsbane, hummed in anticipation in his grip, breaking Blorcasir's mental power the moment Zoraster revealed it. Blorcasir paused, his blazing eyes going wide as he felt his power washed away by the blade in Zoraster's hand. The god held his weapon, ready to strike, but a slight trembling in the god's hand now marred that terrible sight. "On the contrary, I believe I shall savor your screams of impotent rage, godling," Zoraster growled, releasing his grip on the knife and causing it to hover before him, pointed at the god. With a negligent gesture from Zoraster, the black knife streaked across the few feet separating the Archmage and the god. A hungry screech erupted from the weapon as it crossed the distance, sinking into the heart of Blorcasir with a sickening crunch. The god screamed — a terrible sound of agony and rage that tore through Zoraster's defenses and forced him to cover his ears. Blood trickled from beneath Zoraster's hands as he haltingly stumbled forward toward the Lord of Murder. The god thrashed and trembled violently, clawing at the blade sunk into his chest. Zoraster let out a scream that was a mixture of pain and triumph, and then lurched forward, grasping the hilt of Godsbane. The power of an immortal flowed from the blade into Zoraster's body the moment he touched the blade, making him whole once more. Now both Archmage and god shook violently, one in the final moments of his life, the other from trying to contain the power of a god in his mortal form. The dark blade transformed the power of the god into healing energy, enabling the Archmage to contain the power flowing into him. Zoraster straightened, smiling in triumph, his form no longer shaken by the tremors of power. Blorcasir only quivered now, the blade sucking his immortal life force and giving it to Zoraster. Zoraster's eyes rolled up in his head as he reveled in the power. He knew only a small part of it was actually being transferred to him, most was being contained within the fell blade he gripped. What he gained would be enough, and through Godsbane, he could tap the rest. The flow of power trickled away, and Zoraster opened his eyes. He now held Godsbane in open air, a few remaining motes of power being sucked into the blade. Zoraster tilted his head to the side with a curious expression, and then tapped his forehead. "How fascinating — you're in there aren't you Blorcasir? I hadn't anticipated that. I only wanted your power to seek the stone, but perhaps I can use you as well." In his head, the god roared with a terrible rage. Zoraster chuckled and concentrated on the Godsbane, forcing Blorcasir's consciousness down. "You're not really in there, of course, just a piece of you is. Even my mind could not contain the mind of a god, but enough of you is in every little spark of your power to be conscious. Fascinating, truly fascinating. I'll learn a lot about your manipulative brethren from you, Lord of Murder. It will make them all easier to usurp. Fear not, pitiful godling, you shall have company soon enough." Then another voice murmured in Zoraster's mind. This voice was familiar, and had been speaking to him for a long time. Zoraster chuckled, "Why, what a splendid idea. Let us test it, shall we?" Turning to one of the cringing Wood Trolls that remained in the cavern, Zoraster concentrated and bent his will to dominating the creature. It was a worshipper of the dead god, parts of whom now resided within him. The creature crept forward and prostrated itself before him. The other two living Wood Trolls did the same. They growled words of praise and begged for forgiveness. Zoraster felt a surge in the power he had stolen from Blorcasir. Concentrating, Zoraster realized he could sense every Wood Troll crawling on the face of the world. "Begone, breed like the vermin you are," Zoraster commanded the filthy creatures and then turned on his heel. Laughing, Zoraster left the cave. The creatures were pitiful, but they were plentiful and savage — and now they were his to command, all of them. ------- Once again, the heavens trembled. The gods — light, dark, and neutral — felt Blorcasir's death deep in their immortal bodies. He was not truly dead, as no immortal could ever die, but his corporeal body no longer existed. Lying upon a pile of softest cushions, dressed in a gossamer gown that artfully concealed her perfect body in just the right places, Erotine frowned. Waving her hand, Erotine dismissed the numerous attendants surrounding her. Many of her angels and the mortals that had earned a place at her side in life pouted when dismissed by the goddess, but they left without question. "This goes too far," Erotine mused. The sultry, contralto tone of her voice gave even those words a sensual overtone. A deep, equally sensual voice interrupted the musing of the goddess, "The balance must be restored." Without looking toward the speaker, Erotine asked, "At what cost, Gormandal?" "At any cost," the god of greed growled, stepping through the beaded curtain that served as a door to Erotine's inner sanctum. "Not that. Not awakening the Godsbane, for nothing else could have rent Blorcasir. Not seeking that which was before, which could destroy all that is," Erotine argued. As she spoke, the goddess rolled languidly to face Gormandal, revealing her flawless body for tantalizing seconds before the folds of her transparent gown hid her treasures once more. "Blorcasir was weak, even the cursed Godsbane will not allow Zoraster to stand against us. He advances our causes. He spreads our worship. Too long have we been forced to seek faithful in the shadows, his efforts allow our servants to step into the light." Stroking her hip with her fingertips, Erotine countered, "He hides from our eyes." "But not those of our servants, who walk with him." Erotine pouted, "I don't like it." The goddess then rolled over in a sudden movement, tossing her mane of golden hair and flexing the muscles in her perfect, heart-shaped bottom. "He is but a mortal. If he becomes troublesome, I will dispose of him," Gormandal responded, walking toward the goddess with his eyes locked upon her body. The evidence of his godly arousal was obvious, tenting the cloth of gold robe wrapped around his body. "I don't like it," Erotine repeated, punctuating the statement with a disdainful snort and refusing to face her paramour. A smile of anticipation decorated her beautiful face, however. Stepping out of his robe, Gormandal inhaled deeply the scent of Erotine's arousal as he knelt on the cushions next to her. "Zoraster is my concern," he growled, evaporating her gossamer gown with a thought. Turning to face him, Erotine asked, "If I do not agree with you?" Though the question was full of defiance, Erotine's hand wrapping around his godly phallus delivered a different message, as did the increase in her womanly scent already hovering over them like a fog. "Then I shall have to convince you." ------- Danica awoke, refreshed and anxious to determine if she had accomplished her goal. She sated her hunger with some bread and cheese, and then took a rushed bath. In a hurry to finish with the task, Danica nicked her legs three times while shaving, something she had not done since she was a teen. Danica waited, but frowned when the amulet that served as a chain to Zoraster did not react to the wounds. Apparently, there had to be a certain amount of wounding for it to react, and the nicks did not meet those criteria. This did provide Danica with the opportunity to test one of the spells she had learned in the temple of Sekmamun, however. Chanting the words of the spell, Danica laid her hand over each of the nicks in turn. A golden light appeared beneath her hand with each touch, and when she removed it, the nicks had closed. Danica smiled, wiped away the little trickles of blood, and then rose up out of the water. A short while later, dressed in a simple blouse and skirt, Danica deactivated the wards over her rooms, planning to go find Celes. A knock sounded on her door almost as soon as the wards dropped. Opening the door, Danica discovered it was Celes who had knocked. "Come in. I was hoping you could do me a favor, Celes." Celes had been about to blurt out her feelings for Danica, but instead asked, "What do you need?" "I'll have to show you, it will be difficult to explain," Danica said aloud. Right on the heels of that, Danica sent a thought to Celes, I don't want to reveal anything to Zoraster. I'll explain in the Hellgate. Celes mentally answered, Okay. Danica restored the defenses on her rooms, and then cast her spell. The Hellgate portal opened, and Danica stepped in with Celes right behind her. Danica closed the opening of the portal as soon as Celes was through. "I want to test something I just finished. It will be easier to show you than explain it, really," Danica said, starting to remove her rings. Celes cocked her head to the side and said, "Alright dearie, you've piqued my curiosity." Danica winked and manifested a table to lay her magical jewelry on. She took out her hood ring last, feeling strangely naked without all her defensive magic in place. Unnoticed, Celes closed her eyes when Danica flipped up the front of her skirt to remove the hood ring. As soon as the skirt fell again, Celes asked, "Where are all the beasties?" Danica scowled and replied, "We have a little understanding now. They don't show their faces, and I won't destroy them. They irritated me. Are you ready? This is going to be a little startling." Celes shrugged, "As ready as I can be, not knowing what in the world you're planning." Danica laughed, and touched the rune on her forehead, causing the runes on her body to blaze into powder blue light. Celes blew out a long whistle, "Dearie, how in the world did you manage this without letting on to anyone?" Looking at the complicated rune structures she could see, Celes knew there was no way, in only the short period of time Danica had been out of touch, to complete them all. Thinking about where they were, Celes speculated, "You manipulated time here in the Hellgate, didn't you?" Danica nodded, "I've been working on this for a little over a month, but only a couple of weeks passed on the outside. The demon gave me the idea, because runes might be able to turn aside demon powers where Art can't. This can't be taken away from me like a ring, either." "I'm guessing you want me to hurl some magic at you and see if it was worth the effort." "Yes, that's why I took off everything. It will only be the runes protecting me. Start with something small, I'm really not in the mood to trust the first test to a lightning bolt or a fireball." Celes laughed, "I don't think you give yourself enough credit, but we'll start with a magic missile." Danica spread her arms wide and said, "Let me have it," with a laugh. Celes cast the spell, and the bolt of light she summoned streaked toward Danica, dissolving into motes of power before it could reach the glowing woman. More spells followed, steadily increasing in power. The runes turned aside each magical attack, regardless of the power. Celes asked, "Do you want to give a lightning bolt a go?" An apprehensive smile crossed Danica's face, "Do you have any healing potions with you, just in case?" Celes waved her hand in a dismissive gesture, "You've obviously done it right, this is just confirmation of what I'm sure you already know. I'm going to put everything I've got into this one." Celes cast the spell, the angry forks of electrical energy seeking Danica's flesh with hungry power. Like all the spells before, the powerful stroke simply dissolved upon encountering Danica's runic defenses. At first, Celes wondered why she wasn't swooning from putting so much power into the lightning bolt. Then she remembered that old flesh did not imprison her here. That turned her mind back to the reason she had originally sought out Danica. Danica laughed, "I guess it works. Now to see if the attack runes work." Distracted once again, mostly because she was afraid to reveal her feelings to Danica, Celes asked, "Attack magic too? Just how extensive are those rune structures?" "I have little comfort magics, and other things too. The runes cover almost every inch of me. Once I got started, I decided there wasn't much sense in halfway measures," Danica replied. "You've come a long way since I first met you," Celes noted with just a little awe in her voice. "I would never have believed this a few years ago. I struggled to learn the fireball and lightning bolt, and now here I am using magic I never even dreamed of." Celes winked, lapsing into the brogue she had used when the two women had first met, "Well, let's be seein' some wanton destruction then, dearie!" Danica laughed and turned toward an unoffending tree. Concentrating, she spread her fingers wide and lightning leapt from them to blacken the bark of the tree. Raising her hand and turning it palm upward, another thought summoned a ball of fire that hovered just over her hand. Hurling it at the tree, it exploded into a burst of flame. More magic leapt forth as Danica tested the runes scribed on her flesh, each working exactly as they should. After freezing the surface of the pool, Danica felt the runes begin to itch and burn every so slightly. Rubbing her arms, Danica said, "I guess there are limits, they're starting to irritate me." "That's a lot of power running through you, Danica. You're not an enchanted staff, you know? I'd say you can handle more than enough to get out of a dangerous situation to fall back on your Art and your mental powers, though." Danica asked, "Do you think it will work against demon powers? What about yours?" Celes furrowed her brow, "Your idea makes sense. True Runes have a lot of power, and they're not as specialized as defenses of the Art. I can't say for sure, but it should work. I couldn't use my powers against you — I remember that much from my mother's teaching. The power will only work against evil creatures, people with evil intentions, and random objects if I don't learn how to control it. That's why I have to be careful. I couldn't use my power on you, but I could accidentally drop something on your head." Danica lifted her chin, looking as if she were listening to something. "I just felt someone brush up against my defenses." Concentrating for a moment, she said, "It's Marlena. I guess that part works too. I linked my room's defenses to the rune structures when I did all this. I can sense them even in here. Let's go back and see what she needs." Celes nodded, a mixture of relief and disappointment running through her. She wanted desperately to remove the burden of her secret, but at the same time, she was afraid to do so. Danica opened the portal and they stepped back into Danica's rooms once more. As soon as they were through the portal, Danica deactivated her warding magic and went to open the door. It took only one look at Marlena for Danica and Celes to know something was wrong — terribly wrong. Marlena's face lacked any expression, and she had her arms wrapped protectively around her. Danica laid a hand on Marlena's shoulder and guided her inside. "What's wrong, Marlena?" Marlena shivered, squeezing her arms more tightly about her. "I don't know. I woke up and I just felt..." Marlena's brow furrowed in thought for a moment before she continued, "Violated. Dirty. I've bathed twice, and the feeling just won't go away. My stomach is in knots, and I can't stop crying." "Sit down, Marlena, I'll get you something for your stomach," Danica offered. Marlena nodded, smiling weakly. Celes sat down across from Marlena, her eyes narrowed. "I don't like this. This stinks of some kind of tampering. Did you have any bad dreams?" Marlena shook her head in the negative, and seemed to relax a little. Letting her hands fall into her lap, she replied, "No, I just woke up this morning ill and feeling disgusted with myself." Danica walked back into the room from her lab with a small vial. "This should settle your stomach." "Thank you," Marlena said, quickly drinking the potion down. "You're better at it than me, could you... ?" Celes nodded toward Marlena. Danica asked Marlena, "Do you want me to look and see if there are any enchantments, or things suppressed in your mind?" "I'll do anything to make this feeling go away," Marlena replied with a sniffle. Danica concentrated, as did Celes. After a few moments, Danica took a deep breath and said, "I don't see any unusual magic working against you." Celes confirmed, "Nor I." "Let me see if there's anything else going on. I heard Celes while I was getting the potion, and this does sound like some sort of tampering." Marlena nodded in response to Danica's words, and then closed her eyes. Danica likewise closed her eyes in concentration, casting the telepathy spell to cover the use of her mental powers. It took only a moment for Danica to appear in Marlena's mind. The whole world inside Marlena's head was trembling, as if shaken by an earthquake. Danica could feel the source of that shaking, and moved quickly toward it. Danica gasped when she saw the source of Marlena's trouble. Oh, Marlena, Danica thought. She then reached out with her mind to try and contact Celes, unsure what to do. Danica and Celes were both startled when a hazy image of Celes, young as she should be, appeared standing next to Danica in Marlena's mental world. Celes looked around for a moment and asked, How did you do that? Danica shrugged and replied, I don't know. I just meant to contact you, but look there. Celes turned to look where Danica was pointing and was just as horrified as Danica had been. The scene played over and over, accelerated so the entire disturbing memory repeated itself dozens of times in seconds. Both women could plainly feel Marlena's despair, hidden beneath a layer of intense, unnatural arousal, as she pleasured and received pleasure from Camilla. Celes asked, Is it a memory? A dream? Danica replied, I don't know. It's so real, and it's obviously the source of Marlena's problem. Marlena doesn't seem to know it's here. Celes said, I can sense that too. This is really disconcerting. Danica suddenly knew exactly what to do. The solution just appeared in her mind, as if it had been hiding somewhere waiting for the proper moment to emerge. I think I know what to do. Do you think you could put me back in my body first? Danica concentrated, and the image of Celes next to her vanished. Danica stood for a moment, wondering how she had pulled Celes in, and wondering how she knew what to do to help Marlena. After a moment, she realized that her mind was constantly reaching out to every corner of Marlena's. Her main consciousness centered on what her eyes could see, but other parts of her mind were working without direction to learn things apparently. Staring hard at the memory, Danica steeled her will. She felt an intense pressure building within her, somewhat similar to when she had used mental blasts to stun foes before. When the pressure grew almost unbearable, Danica released it and destroyed the memory — or whatever it was — before her. The tattered remnants of the terrible scene vanished into misty vapors, and Danica retreated from Marlena's mind at the same time. Danica opened her eyes, and saw Marlena do the same. Marlena then said, "The feeling is gone. Whatever you did must have worked. What was it?" Danica shook her head. "I think you're better off not knowing. It shouldn't bother you any more." Danica heard Celes thinking to her, What did you do? Danica thought back, I destroyed the memory. There was a note of apprehension in Celes mental voice when she asked, How did you pull me in? Danica shrugged, both physically and mentally. I don't know. I just meant to ask you for advice. "We should probably stay with you for a while, Marlena," Celes suggested. "Thank you," Marlena responded. Danica then remembered something, "I didn't even think to ask you what you wanted when you came in Celes." Celes answered, "It was nothing important," but something in her tone gave Danica the impression that it wasn't wholly true. "I'll go make us some tea," Danica said, rising up and heading for the kitchen. ------- Seated at a stone table, a bald, silver-bearded man meditated. Then he opened his eyes, taking a deep breath. The woman seated next to him, beautiful and tawny-haired, reached out to touch the old man's frail shoulder, "Master, is this wise?" The man's careworn face brightened with a smile, "It is necessary." "I don't understand," the woman responded, obvious concern in her voice. Patting her dainty hands, the old man said, "When the time comes, you will understand. For now, you must trust me, child." Bowing her head humbly, the woman replied, "Of course, Master." ------- The scene in the mirror before Zoraster, the transformation of yet another whore into one of his subservient Arians, suddenly lost all meaning. Sitting bolt upright in is chair, Zoraster snarled. Someone was scrying upon him. The person made no effort to hide the probe, and Zoraster's numerous defenses failed to give even a moment's pause to the questing mind seeking him. Growling out the words of a spell, Zoraster traced the magic that now touched him. He saw an island and the entrance to a grotto, but he could penetrate no farther. Something prevented him from pressing onward toward the source of the scrying magic. Reaching into his robes, Zoraster withdrew the Godsbane, now in its obelisk form once more, and drew upon the power of the god within it. Zoraster started when he felt the obelisk recoil. His magic dissolved instantly, slamming Zoraster's consciousness back into the reality of his scrying room once more. Sitting the obelisk upon the table beside him, Zoraster frowned at it. The thing vibrated ever so slightly, and it flatly refused to open up the power trapped within it to him. "Is that you, Lord of Murder, seeking to defy me?" Zoraster demanded. It was not the voice of Blorcasir that answered him, however, but another voice that spoke not in words, but in images and feelings. One eyebrow rose, and then Zoraster's eyes narrowed in anger. Leaving the obelisk on the table, Zoraster swept out of the room, barking a command that activated the magical defenses as he left. ------- A quick inventory of Danica's kitchen and lab let her know that she was low on several herbs for use in both cooking and her magic. Knowing she could obtain fresh stores of some of them from Andrea, Danica immediately made her way to the young woman's house on the grounds. Knocking on the door, Danica heard, Come in, and opened the door. Danica's eyes went wide when she saw Brandon, groaning in release, with Andrea quivering in orgasm beneath him. With a sharp oath, Brandon jerked free of Andrea's warm embrace, slinging strings of sticky cream from his still-erect organ as he turned. Andrea yelped as he pulled free from her, curling up into a quivering ball, her hands pressed tightly over her sex. Danica turned away from the couple and shut the door quickly, "I'm so sorry, I could have sworn I heard you say, come in, Andrea." When she turned back around, Danica could see a bright flush in the quivering woman's cheeks. "I think I said, I'm coming, actually," Andrea moaned and then let out an embarrassed laugh. Brandon leaned up against the wall, breathing heavily, "You scared me half to death," he muttered. "I'm sorry." Danica laughed. "Don't be sorry, come here and clean us up," Andrea purred. After a moment, she broke out into embarrassed laughter again. Danica licked her lips and said, "That was good, but you sort of ruined it with the laugh," while walking toward the bed and pulling off her clothes. "I just can't be wanton, it makes me feel silly," Andrea said, and then leaned up slightly to share a kiss with Danica. Danica finished removing her clothing, and then turned to the still weak-kneed Brandon. "Hello Brandon," she said with a wicked grin, and then sank down to her knees. Brandon groaned and gasped as Danica's mouth teased his oversensitive flesh, and he pushed her away after only a few moments. "Damn, you'll cut my legs out from under me!" Danica grinned and licked her lips, patting his softening cock affectionately with her hand. "You just relax for a while then," she said, rising up and crawling onto the bed. Andrea quivered in anticipation as she parted her legs for Danica to slide between them. Brandon sat down on the edge of the bed, where he had a good view of Danica's tongue roaming over Andrea's nether lips. He knew that in absence of the more prominent appendage he possessed, two women at play must have some tricks they used with their tongues, and he meant to learn them. It was one of the most enjoyable studies he had ever undertaken. ------- Some hours later, all three awakened from the short doze that had claimed them after their lovemaking. They lay together, talking softly, still aglow with pleasure. After a while, completely unrelated to what they had been chatting about, Andrea asked, "Did Celes get to talk to you?" Danica stretched, feeling a little chill run through her body. She was lying with two very arousing, naked people, and it was giving her ideas again, "About what?" Somewhat evasively, Andrea replied, "The two of you need to talk about something." "She's in love with you, you know," Brandon said in an off-hand way. Danica sat up on the bed, surprise in her voice, "What?" "She's in love with you — Celes I mean," Brandon repeated. "What makes you think that? What do you know, Andrea?" Andrea frowned for a moment, and then slapped Brandon's chest, but not with any real strength. Brandon shrugged and asked, "What did I do?" Andrea sighed, "That's not the sort of thing you just blurt out, Brandon. Men!" Brandon sheepishly apologized, "Sorry." "What's done is done. He's right, Danica, Celes thinks she's falling in love with you," Andrea confirmed. It took Danica a moment to digest that information, and to realize that really she knew it already. "I don't know what to do. I'm not sure how I feel, but there's something there too." "You need to talk about it. Both of you walk around each other like you're on eggshells. I told Celes the same thing," Andrea responded. Now it was Danica's turn to sigh, "It's not that easy." "Yes it is," Andrea disagreed firmly, "You both need to get this out in the open. Neither of you is going to know how to deal with it until you do." Danica smiled, "You've grown up." Andrea grinned back, "You helped." Brandon asked, "Am I forgiven?" Andrea and Danica shared a wicked grin and then Danica replied, "We'll think about it." "Oh, dear gods," Brandon groaned as the two women leaned over him to tease him with their tongues. He felt the twitches of life in his cock that signaled he would be hard again shortly, and he knew he was going to be throbbing painfully when it happened. Looking at the two women lustily lapping his slowly hardening cock, a wealth of blonde and auburn hair tickling him, he didn't really care. ------- While the opening of the grotto had prevented Zoraster from penetrating the gloomy depths within, it had not prevented Zoraster from discerning the location of the island. With the stolen power of a god coursing through him, the Archmage was able to fix the location easily in is mind. Rare for the powerful wizard, Zoraster had gathered up objects of power. Rings now adorned his fingers, and wands hung in secret pockets beneath his robes. He had no intention of being unprepared in dealing with what was to come. The impressions from the voice in his mind had been indistinct, but carried an obvious warning note. They also hinted at something Zoraster had never considered, although he knew now that such was logical. Speaking the words of a spell, Zoraster vanished from his sanctum and appeared on the narrow, pebbled beach of the isle. The narrow opening to the grotto was easily visible, and no enchantments appeared to Zoraster's second sight. Walking closer, Zoraster felt an odd compulsion to turn around and return to his domicile. He actually started the gestures of the spell to do so, but noticed that the feeling of disgust that had assaulted him wavered as he did so. Scowling, Zoraster steeled his will and took a few more steps toward the dark opening in the rocks. The sensation returned, stronger this time, but Zoraster continued forward, determined to ignore the attempt to warn him away. Again concentrating in the second sight, Zoraster stared hard at the entrance as he drew closer. As before, no enchantments or wards of any sort were visible. Stopping a dozen steps from the entrance, Zoraster cast a spell and attempted to scry within the cave. As before, something thwarted his efforts. Growling in anger, Zoraster crossed the distance to the cave with quick steps. Standing directly in front of the entrance, he stared into the darkness beyond. Nothing more than weather-beaten rocks met his eyes. Reaching out, Zoraster felt a barrier over the mouth of the cave. Pressing forward, he found that it did not yield to his touch whatsoever. Still no evidence of the warding barrier revealed itself to his magical sight. Stepping back, Zoraster worked his Art on the wall of force that barred his entry into the cave. Spells of divining, opening, and destruction all slid off the invisible barrier as if they were no more than raindrops. Even enhanced by Blorcasir's power, the barrier stood against him. A man slowly moved from the shadows within the cave, approaching the entrance. Zoraster let his hands drop to his side, ceasing to make the gestures of the disintegration spell he planned to attack the barrier with next. Zoraster examined the man as the sunlight from the entrance fell upon him. The man was ancient, thin and bent, his steps aided by an unadorned staff of what appeared to be plain driftwood. A long silver beard decorated the man's face, while only sparse patches of hair in a ring just above his ears adorned his head. The effort of walking toward the entrance of the cave appeared to be difficult for the old man. "You cannot enter. None who have been touched by the Dark may pass this barrier, nor any who covet the stone," wheezed the old man. He now stood just on the other side of the invisible barrier. "We shall see about that, old man," Zoraster growled. A faintly amused smile spread across the old man's face, "If it pleases you to futilely hurl your Art against fate, feel free to do so." "Who are you, bent old relic?" "I am the guardian and caretaker." "You are a fool, to stand in my way," Zoraster retorted. "No, I would be a fool not to stand in your way. Your efforts will avail you not." With that, the old man turned and hobbled back into the darkness. Zoraster again hurled his Art at the barrier, aimed at the bent back of the slowly retreating man. The barrier blocked Zoraster's magic, proving the old man's admonition. "I will have what you hide," Zoraster snarled, "You have revealed the key in your doddering rambling." With those words, Zoraster cast his spell and traveled the corridors of magic once again. ------- Danica was distracted, unable to think about anything except the revelation of Celes' feelings for her. Returning to the main building from Andrea's cottage, her knees still a little wobbly, Danica knew the young woman was right. She and Celes needed to talk — and soon. Danica didn't bother going to her room first; she simply stopped at Celes' door and knocked. When Celes answered the door, Danica felt the wave of emotions hit her. Fear, desire, and a heart-wrenching wave of despair swept over Danica from the woman standing before her. Danica forcefully pulled her mind away from the emotions, saying, "Can you come with me back to my rooms?" "I wanted to talk to you about something anyway," Celes replied. Danica smiled and nodded, and Celes followed her through the twisting halls of Zoraster's seat of power. Danica deactivated her wards and opened the door. As soon as they were both inside, Danica closed the door and gestured toward the couch. "Let's sit down and talk." Such was not to be the case, however. Zoraster appeared in a flash of light within the room. His eyes were wild, his mouth twisted into an angry grimace. Looking at the two women, he growled, "Good, I will not have to hunt you both down. I have a task for you, which is of the utmost importance. You will leave immediately." Zoraster's sudden appearance and the obvious rage, barely contained, startled both women. Danica asked, "Do we need to make any preparations? What are we supposed to be doing?" "You will take what that old man guards, a stone of power. The only preparations you need to make are for never-ending torture if you fail," Zoraster barked, flecks of spittle bursting from his mouth as he spoke. "We have to know where we're going," Danica said cautiously, not wanting to trigger the explosion that obviously was near release in the mad Archmage. Zoraster snorted and closed his eyes. Danica yelped when she felt his mind thrust an image into her head. It was a small island with a pebbled beach, and a cave along the rocky edge — a grotto. Instantly, she knew exactly where it was, and knew she could teleport there with her magic. Celes cried out when Zoraster thrust the image into her mind as well. "Now, go. Take the stone from that decrepit old guardian. If you have not left within the hour, your pain shall begin then." Zoraster then vanished. Shaken, both women looked at each other. They had seen Zoraster angry before, but this was above and beyond anything they had witnessed before. "We should get anything that we might need," Danica suggested. "Quickly," Celes added. ------- Danica and Celes appeared on the beach, warily surveying their surroundings. The small, windswept isle presented no obvious danger, either magical or mundane. It was obvious that the grotto entrance before them was their destination, despite having no real instructions. "I guess that's it," Danica muttered. "We have no idea what we're wandering into here," Celes warned. Both women began to chant, bringing numerous magical defenses into being. Not knowing what they might face inside the grotto, they prepared for anything they could think of. Wrapped in magic, they approached the dark opening. When they were a few feet from the entrance, they paused and checked for magical defenses. Danica looked at Celes and said, "I don't see any wards." Celes shook her head, "Same here." Danica shrugged and nodded toward the dark opening. Still cautious, the women approached the cave. Once again, they paused immediately in front of the dark opening in the rock, peering within. "I still don't see anything, just weathered rock," Celes observed. Danica nodded her agreement. "I guess we should just go in. I'll make some light." A few words and gestures from Danica conjured up a glowing ball of light that hovered just over her head. Upon stepping through the portal, they both felt something. Danica paused just inside the entrance, "What was that?" "It felt like walking into a dispell, but our spells are still working," Celes confirmed. "I can still feel all my magic items too. No, wait..." Celes guessed what Danica had discovered. "Zoraster's damn chains are dead." "I can live with that," Danica chuckled. "Our Art is still working, so let's go on." The short passageway bent not far inside, and when the pair turned that corner, a small cavern opened up. The dancing glow of Danica's light revealed another passageway off to one side, reaching deeper into the island. "This isn't natural," Celes noted. "It all slopes down. It should be full of seawater, and it's dry as a bone," Danica agreed. "It looks like it was shaped by water, but there's no way water did this." "I guess we go on — there's no guardian here." Celes nodded her agreement, and they walked toward the new passageway. As they approached, they could tell the passageway sloped gently deep into the earth. Danica peered down into the passageway, sending her light a short distance down the slope. "We're going to have to walk single file, and that looks like it goes on forever. I don't like it." Celes squinted, looking down the passageway, "We don't have a lot of choice. We'll just have to trust our magic." Danica kept her light in front of them as they descended. The slope was gentle, and the floor smoothed as they progressed. The deeper they went, the more obvious it became that the cavern was unnatural. After they had traveled a little over three hundred paces, Danica could see her light bobbing at the entrance to another cavern. "About all we can do is be ready," Celes whispered, laying her hand on Danica's shoulder. Danica looked back over her shoulder, nodded, and then proceeded down to the cavern. Upon peering through the opening, any lingering doubt as to the nature of this deep grotto vanished. Here, the walls were smooth and square, obviously worked. Carpets lined the floor, and there was a stone table, heavy with food, in the center of the room. A voice issued from a doorway to the right of the table, "Welcome, I've been expecting you." Danica and Celes glanced at each other, a little surprised by the warmth in that greeting, and the knowledge that they were obviously expected. The speaker stepped out from the doorway a moment later, hobbling forward with the aid of a plain walking staff. "You need not trouble yourself with maintaining your formidable shields, no harm will befall you here," the old man declared, smiling as he moved toward the table. Upon reaching it, he said, "Please, come break your fast. I rarely have visitors, so please forgive me if I am a poor host." He then sat down with a relieved sigh in one of the four cushioned chairs surrounding the table. Danica stepped forward into the room. "You knew we were coming?" "I knew someone was coming. I know who ordered you to come, and I know why you are here," the old man replied. Celes slipped into her put-upon accent, "And ye're still askin' us ta be sittin' ta sup with ye?" "I feel there is no need to be rude to any guest who passes through my humble door." Danica concentrated on the old man, brushing up against his mind with her mental powers. After a moment, she thought to Celes, He doesn't have any intention of harming us. He is the guardian, and he genuinely wants us to sit and eat with him. The old man chuckled, broken by a cough, before he replied, "Now that you have confirmed my intentions, will you join me?" Celes began, "How did ye..." The old man tapped his forehead with one finger. "I have my ways. I'm old. I've had a lot of time to learn things, Celes. You may call me Tam." Danica shrugged and let her magical defenses fall. Celes looked at her with alarm for a moment, but then pursed her lips and did the same. They walked to the table and sat down across from the old man called Tam. "If'n ye're knowin' why we're here..." Tam raised a shaking hand before him. "Please, let us eat first. I will show you what you seek once we have eaten." "We may as well eat and talk freely, Celes. Tam here seems to know what we're thinking anyway." "Please, feel free to use your magic and ascertain the food is safe. I assure you it is, but I'm sure it will set you at ease to know without a doubt." "I'll be doin' that fer sure, old one," Celes said, and then cast her spell. Tam smiled and gestured to the table once Celes completed her spell, confirming what he had just told them. He then started to pour wine from an earthenware pitcher, appearing to have some difficulty with the heavy container. Danica rose and said, "Let me help you with that." The old man grinned. "Oh, but you are a dear woman. I fear I'm not as strong as I once was." Celes was still wary, but thus far, the old man had given them no reason to be afraid. She reached out and picked up a small, glazed wing of fowl, tasting it and opening her eyes in surprise. The meat virtually fell off the bone, and the spicy-sweet taste almost made her quiver. Tam chuckled. "I'll be sure to convey your compliments to Vellana, or you may do so yourself when you meet her later." Danica finished pouring the wine, distributed the cups, and then sat back down. The smell from the various dishes was making her mouth water, and she began to fill her plate. After another moment's hesitation, Celes did the same, taking three of the wings before anything else. ------- Zoraster sat, calmly sipping wine, having mastered his anger shortly after ordering Danica and Celes to their task. He watched as the women entered the grotto, and then the mirror went dark. Curling his finger in a chain hanging around his neck, Zoraster withdrew an amulet, very similar to those that hung between the breasts of both Danica and Celes. As he had expected, the connection to the powerful amulets was also broken. He was blind to what transpired within the grotto. Taking another sip of wine, Zoraster banished the magic of the mirror. He would know instantly when the women emerged from the protection of the grotto, and then he would discover if they were successful. In truth, it mattered not. The stone was beyond the control of the common mortal grubs that scurried over the planet, caught up in the great game of the gods, and it certainly would not bend to one of those corrupt divinities. The fact that the stone he sought had a twin, a balancing opposite, was logical, of course. It was only his anger, stemming from the barrier preventing him from entering the grotto that had prompted him to send Danica and Celes to take it. They would likely fail, and he would punish them, though certainly not to the extent he had considered at the point he had dispatched them. The pair could likely use another reminder of their place, regardless. They were both developing streaks of independence that, while it made them more useful, also made them dangerous. If they happened to die, their clones always awaited to house their souls once more, as he had done with Camilla. The guardian of that grotto would simply have unexpected help, should Danica and Celes fail. Zoraster planned to ensure that no person who set foot on that island would survive to enter the cave, until such time as he was prepared to seize the stone. ------- The meal had been beyond compare, and the wine served with it was some of the best Danica had ever tasted. The beverage was easily on a par with Boldheart Red, widely considered the epitome of fine wines. Both Danica and Celes were full and somewhat lethargic when they finished eating. Old Tam allowed them a short time to let the food settle, and then rose from the table. "I expect you would like to see what you were sent here to retrieve." Celes narrowed her eyes. "I'm not fer understandin' why ye're bein' so accomodatin', old 'un. I'm not fer playin' games." The aged guardian smiled and said, "In truth, I do enjoy the company. Second, none who is of dark intent can enter my humble abode, as Zoraster discovered. Despite the fact you have been ordered to take what I guard, you harbor no darkness in your souls. Finally, I do believe that which I guard is beyond your reach." Danica shrugged and stood up. "That's simple enough to understand. Well, let's go see what we were sent here to steal then." Celes' head snapped toward Danica, an irritated scowl on her face. Danica simply smiled. "He knows our names, he knows Zoraster, and he knows why we're here. There's little sense in trying to be sneaky." Celes' expression softened, and she nodded her agreement before rising as well. "Good, once you've had a look, I'll have Vellana show you to your room. It is yours for as long as you are here. If you will follow me," Tam directed, making a beckoning gesture as he turned away from the table. There were numerous doors branching off from the passage down which the guardian led Danica and Celes. The place would have appeared much as a hallway in any stone structure, except there were no fitted blocks, only smooth hewn stone. Torches lit the hall, but the smoke and dark stains usually caused by that most elemental of light sources were nowhere in evidence. At the end of the hallway, Danica could see a set of ornate double doors, twice again the height of a man — ironbound, and carved all over with delicate scrollwork. When the old man reached the doors, he laid his hand on them and bowed his head as if in benediction, and then gently pushed. The massive doors swung smoothly open from nothing more than that feeble push of his shaking hand. From within the room radiated a bright, white glow. Tam stepped into the room, again beckoning the two women to follow. The room was small, no bigger than a bedroom, and the source of light was directly in front of the door at the back of the room. Within a niche carved into the stone was a brightly glowing point of light, about the size of a walnut. The light was brilliant enough that Danica could discern little about the object that exuded the luminescence. Surrounding the stone was a glowing sphere of light, about the size of a man's head. "The stone," Tam said. Danica and Celes had already slipped into the second sight before Tam spoke the words, of course. They sought traps and defenses, but found none. There were no runes carved in the walls, and the glowing sphere, while obviously possessing power, had no discernable source. The stone, as Tam called it, exuded a sense of power, and of peace. There was a musical tinkling in the air, although it did not appear to be a real sound heard with the ears. The elderly guardian explained, "The sphere protects the stone, and is bound to my life. So long as I breathe, neither man nor god can breach that barrier." "What is it?" Danica asked in wonder. The old man smiled. "In time, you may discover that. My words could never do it justice, only knowing it can do that." Tam allowed them to stare at the stone, basking in the peace that flowed from it for a few moments. He knew perfectly well the feeling that came over anyone who saw the stone for the first time. "Master," the tawny-haired Vellana said from the doorway behind them. "Ah, Vellana, please show our guests to their room," Tam said to her. Vellana responded, "Of course, Master." She then turned toward the enraptured women and said, "If you will both follow me." At first, Danica didn't even register the woman's presence in the room. The sensation that washed over her from the stone was overpowering, and the rest of the world felt very distant and surreal. Eventually, the words crept through to her, and she turned toward the voice behind her. Celes turned at the same time. Vellana gestured with a small, fragile hand, inviting them to exit the room before her. Danica and Celes left the room, but not without looking back over their shoulder at the stone once more as they exited the room. The old man had sat down upon the floor in front of the stone, his head again bowed. Vellana then closed the doors, blocking the view. She said, "Follow me," and walked past the two women down the hall. The tone of her voice delivered numerous messages with those two simple words, and the strongest message was one of distrust. Danica and Celes followed the willow-thin woman down the hall a short distance, and then Vellana stopped in front of a door. The door was identical to all the others, a simple, sturdy wooden portal. Vellana opened the door and told them, "This is your room. A bath has been drawn, and you need only pull the bell pull next to the bed to summon me." With that, Vellana turned and walked away. Danica turned toward the retreating woman, pursing her lips and thinking, How rude! "Ain't she just a spot o' sunshine," Celes muttered, and then snorted before walking into the room. Danica followed Celes into the room, and then closed the door behind them. "That feeling from the stone grows weaker the farther you get from it," Celes observed. I was almost unconscious in there with it, but now that we're behind closed doors again, I don't really feel it." Danica asked, "Did you see any runes — any defenses at all?" "No — nothing — but as soon as the old man said that the protection was his life, I could see the tendrils of power leading from him to the sphere. I think he's telling the truth." "There has to be another way, Celes." Celes' shoulders slumped. "I don't know, Danica. That thing and its shield are like nothing I've ever seen before. What about you?" "Me either. It isn't magic, there's absolutely no evidence of that. Now that you've mentioned it, I could see the power flowing from him to the sphere too." "It may be that the only way we can get the thing is for the guardian to die, just like he said." Danica sighed, and then her expression tightened. "I won't do it. I'm not going to kill a defenseless old man for Zoraster." "Maybe we can find another way. The old man is apparently just going to let us do whatever we want," Celes observed. "We'll find another way," Danica responded. "And if there isn't one?" Danica didn't have an answer for that question. ------- Part 20A Meckataur's demonic servants openly watched Zoraster this time as he crossed the weed-choked broken flagstones in the courtyard of Nightmare Castle. The task Zoraster came to offer the demon was something any number of his servants could have performed, but would serve to slake the hellspawn's thirst for elven blood. More important was the opportunity to see the fruit of Meckataur's loins, demons that would serve as nearly unstoppable generals in the devil's building horde. Barely free of their mother's wombs, now was the only opportunity Zoraster would have to probe their minds, discovering how best to use them and subvert them to his cause. Meckataur was too powerful, his mind too well formed, for Zoraster to control him — yet — but his foul offspring were another matter entirely. The theatrics that had greeted the Archmage on his previous visit were absent this time, which only confirmed Zoraster's evaluation of the devil. The hands of the dead opened the doors, rather than magic, and the demons lurking within the walls perched openly — drooling and snarling — throughout the dilapidated castle. Reaching the dais in the throne room, where Meckataur and his human dupes awaited, Zoraster bowed with a flourish, "Greetings, Meckataur." "What do you want, Zoraster," Meckataur rumbled. "I find myself with a bit of a problem, one which I believe you would find solving to be quite satisfying." The devil's muzzle broke into a toothy grin, "Go on, Zoraster." "Allow me to show you," Zoraster suggested, and then cast a spell of scrying. A shimmering disk of light appeared, which then shifted and focused to reveal three elves, obviously rangers by their garb and weapons. "Fey," Meckataur snarled. "These three are proving quite troublesome, hunting men I have in the area who are performing vital reconnaissance and strikes. They are young — as elves count such things — and likely do not have the discipline to turn their minds inward, or release their souls to the Fey deities. I thought perhaps you might enjoy peeling the flesh from their bones — slowly." The demon concentrated for a moment, reaching out one great, clawed hand toward Zoraster's scrying portal. Sensing the location to which the portal was attuned, Meckataur growled out the words of a spell — words in the demon tongue that never would have fit in the mouth of a man. Fire engulfed the demon, and when the flames faded, he was gone. In the scrying portal, flames crackled as Meckataur appeared amongst the elves — driving his clawed hand completely through the chest of the nearest, and slinging the body like a weapon at the other two. One of the elves dived aside — rolling across the forest floor — but the other fell when the demon's strike hit true. The roaring devil was upon him almost before he hit the ground. Zoraster appeared to be watching the scene unfold, but in truth, he utilized a prepared magic to probe the minds of the infant demons. Already the size of toddlers, though only weeks old, they nursed at the breasts of their wan, slack-faced mothers. The creatures numbered five males and one female. The female was the most intriguing, the seeds of seductive power already beginning to take root within her. No doubt, she would be alluring beyond compare when she reached maturity, a powerful weapon against any that could know desire for a human female. Four of the males possessed elemental powers, each keyed to their own specific element. The fifth male, smaller than the rest, would have the touch of death when it matured, and an affinity for the Art burned in its blood as well. All had their sire's ability to absorb the power of other demons as their own. Waiting until the right moment, when Meckataur eviscerated the final elf with the razor sharp edges of his scaly wings, and thus had the full attention of his two human servants, Zoraster concentrated upon a ring on his finger. Darts of faint light emerged from the ring, streaking with impossible speed toward the demonic infants. Arleen jerked her head around to look, obviously having seen the flash in her peripheral vision, but saw nothing unusual. She narrowed her eyes and stared hard at Zoraster, but saw nothing amiss in his posture or expression as the Archmage watched Meckataur roar in triumph through the scrying portal. A few moments later, the devil reappeared in a burst of flame before them, the three mangled corpses held in his enormous arms. Zoraster banished his scrying portal as Meckataur hurled the corpses to the ground before the cleric Mopario. The demon's servant did not need to be instructed what to do. He knelt over the bodies, praying to his dark god. At the same time, Meckataur worked his foul magic over the bodies. In a few moments, the corpses started to lurch violently on the floor, steadily becoming more coordinated in their movement with each passing second. Meckataur loosed a terrible laugh. "They have not escaped me! Their souls are mine to torment!" Indeed, the spirits of the elves were visible, tied to the bodies and desperately trying to flee from the pain and suffering of life. The spells of the dark cleric and the demon held them chained to their mortal forms — the faces of the spirits filled with utter anguish. "It seems we both benefit from this endeavor, Meckataur." The demon roared yet again in triumph, trailing off into that horrific laugh before he spoke, "Bring me more, Zoraster. Deliver the Fey unto my grasp, and I will continue to aid you in your mad schemes." His true task here accomplished, Zoraster bowed and said, "I shall certainly seek elves to entertain you then, Demon Lord," before turning to leave. ------- Danica and Celes sat discussing possible ways to examine the stone again, talking in circles and finding no possible solutions. A knock on the door startled and silenced them, and Danica rose to answer it. Tam stood smiling outside. "I'm quite sure you will want to examine the stone again without prying eyes nearby, and perhaps experiment with a few bits of magic. Do feel free, the doors will open for you and allow you entrance." "I'm not for..." Celes paused and then continued without her exaggerated accent, "I suppose that is a waste of time. I don't understand the game you're playing." The guardian's smile widened. "No game, Celes. You will find no way to take the stone without snuffing out my life, so there is no harm in allowing you to do as you will. I must apologize for Vellana, she does not understand — or approve of — my actions either. She trusts you not, and will, no doubt, treat you with some disdain. One day she will understand, and then she shall be ready to take my place here." Danica watched the man as he spoke, wondering why she had such complete trust in a stranger. An aura of peace and serenity seemed to surround him, and Danica felt as if it were wrapping about her as well. Celes continued to push the old man in irritation, "What if she's right? You keep telling us the only way to get the stone is to kill you. What makes you think we won't do that? Since you seem to know everything else, I guess you know the price of failure we will bear if we return without that damn rock." Tam replied, "It is always a possibility, although I doubt you could find it in your heart to slay me. I am not without my defenses, were you to try." Celes was obviously about to launch into another tirade, but Danica interrupted her, "Let's just go look at the stone, Celes. We have permission, and this is getting us no closer to a solution than we were earlier." Celes pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes for a moment, and then her shoulders fell and she sighed, "You're right. I suppose I just don't like the choice we have to make." "Examine the stone carefully, discern its nature. Perhaps you may find the answers you seek," Tam said, and then nodded before hobbling off down the hallway. Danica could feel Celes' emotions rolling out from her. Irritation caused by the need to choose between murder and torment dominated Celes' thoughts, but mixed in with it was the need to talk — and the fear of doing so. It was all Danica could do to keep her mouth shut, feeling that this was not the right time for them to air their feelings. Walking up to her friend, Danica hugged Celes and said, "We may as well go get started." Celes nodded, sighing again, and followed Danica down the hall toward the room where the stone was enshrined. ------- The hours ticked by as Danica and Celes turned all their knowledge — and magic — toward finding out any information about the stone and its protections. Their magic slid off it like water droplets, and continuing study of the stone revealed nothing new to Danica, who concentrated on just looking at the stone while Celes worked her magic. "This is useless. That thing is like nothing I've ever seen," Celes declared in exasperated tones. Danica didn't even hear Celes speak, her eyes locked on the stone and her expression curious. There was something about the stone; it put off a feeling much like the aura surrounding the old guardian — and something else. She almost felt as though the stone were trying to speak to her. The sensation was very similar to when she unwittingly felt the emotions or heard the thoughts of others. Upon considering that similarity, the feeling grew stronger. Danica concentrated, thinking she was on the verge of some sort of breakthrough. The sensations from the stone grew more coherent, although they continued to tease her, still just beyond her ability to comprehend. Then, in a rush, she felt a wave crash over her from the stone, saturating her with the peaceful serenity that surrounded the object. Danica twitched, a roar of white noise deafening her for a moment. "DANICA!" Danica shook her head and looked at Celes, startled by the woman screaming her name. "I'm sorry, what?" Celes closed one eye to a slit and tilted her head slightly, looking at Danica with a combination of worry and confusion. "I've been talking to you now for a minute or more, and you obviously haven't heard a word I said." "I'm sorry, I was just feeling — something." Celes' eyes brightened. "Anything that can help us get the damn thing out of here without killing the guardian?" Danica shook her head, confusing wisps of thought drifting around like butterflies flittering about just within her peripheral vision. Putting a hand on her forehead, Danica shook her head. "No, it just has this aura. I thought I was getting somewhere, but I guess not." "Are you okay?" The concern in Celes' voice was unmasked, because the look on Danica's face had her very worried. Danica raised her head and smiled. "I'm fine. I just hoped I might have found something. We're going to have to accept our punishment for failure." Celes nodded. "Aye, I was just blustering with the old man. I will not commit murder for Zoraster to save myself from pain." Danica asked, "So, should we just go back then? Get it over with?" "I hoped you might stay the night," Tam's voice said from behind them. They turned and saw the old man smiling at them from the doorway. "I would enjoy the company, and perhaps you may find time to prepare for what you must do — here where your Master cannot spy upon you." Celes surprised Danica by answering, "We'll stay." Danica had thought to persuade Celes to stay, planning to share her feelings with her friend, finally ending the rift that was between them. Celes accepting without any argument left Danica perplexed. Celes shrugged. "Ever since we got here, we've ended up doing everything he's suggested anyway. May as well save the time of fighting it." Danica laughed, and then both women followed the old guardian when he gestured for them to do so. ------- Zoraster stared at the entrance of the grotto, a slight note of irritation on his face. After a moment, he banished the magic of the mirror. The women were resourceful, but it might take some time for them to form a course of action. Unable to follow their progress, he would simply have to wait. Zoraster cursed the anger that had prompted him to send them hastily, without instructions to exit the grotto and report regularly. Glancing at the shelves lining one wall of the scrying room, he singled out the soul stones linked to Danica and Celes. They were dark, and thus the women still lived. Nothing could prevent those stones from revealing if the spirits of the two women had crossed over in death. Activating several other mirrors, he observed the progress of his eventual conquest. Ferrartene's army grew daily, as did that of Draxnog. The wild men of Norshelt constructed their warships at a furious rate, and already the more savage captains struck fear into the hearts of sailors and coastal villages. When the time for mundane war came, those whom he manipulated would be ready to set the world aflame. The more important, and subtle, preparations moved at a swifter pace toward completion. His Arians replaced whores in houses of ill repute across the world. His agents infiltrated governments and businesses, steadily subverting them to his cause or neutralizing their threat. His elite strike forces prepared in their hidden headquarters. These would erode resistance from within, preparing the way for war. All were, of course, nothing more than cover to distract his enemies, and the gods, from his true goal. Only in a world embroiled in chaos could he hope to succeed. Dimming all the mirrors, Zoraster gripped the amulet around his neck, sensing a twin amulet only recently bestowed. Closing his eyes, the Archmage looked through the eyes of the man wearing the other amulet. Large breasts bounced below a beautiful face tightened in ecstasy. The woman's blue eyes popped open wide as a final jolt shook her body, pushing her back into the headboard of the bed. Zoraster savored the release of his servant through the link, the man's seed coating the woman's depths. His first experience with something previously known only through memories not his own, Zoraster's servant found the reality far more satisfying than the memory. A few moments later, Zoraster smiled as his servant acted upon another memory, eager to determine if it would be as gratifying as the last. Muscled arms shot down toward the woman, large, long-fingered hands wrapping around her throat. ------- The meal was just as good as the one provided when they first entered this odd island cavern, though Danica and Celes were a bit too lost in thought to enjoy it. Despite his stated intention of wanting company, Tam made no attempt to draw them into conversation. When Danica or Celes spoke, he responded, but otherwise he did not prod them to speak. Somehow, Danica sensed he was getting the company he had requested. He often nodded or smiled in response to Danica's inner thoughts. Tawny-haired Vellana said nothing, only speaking volumes of distrust with her eyes as she ate. Danica thought the woman was beautiful — lean, but curvy in just the right places to spark interesting thoughts in Danica's mind — but the severity of her expression detracted from it significantly. Even speaking directly to the woman had not broken her silence. "I am sure you feel the need for rest, and have many things to discuss, so I shall thank you for joining us," Tam said with a nod to Danica and Celes. When the guardian had mentioned a discussion, a wave of fear and need from Celes bombarded Danica. In truth, Danica was just as anxious and afraid as her friend was. They both needed to get their thoughts and feelings out into the open, soon. When the women rose to go to the room set aside for them, they could feel Vellana's eyes boring into their backs. When Danica glanced back for a second, just before the table was out of her range of vision, the feeling was confirmed. Shaking her head, Danica followed Celes to their room, where she was determined they were going to talk this out before it drove them both as mad as Zoraster. ------- "Master, they are a danger to you, and the stone that is your charge. They were sent here to take it by one consumed by the dark." Tam smiled, "True, but I think it is not the command of Zoraster that brought them here, but rather destiny." "I do not understand," Vellana sighed, shaking her head in obvious irritation. Rising to place his hand on the young woman's shoulder, Tam said, "Come, commune with the stone. Perhaps you will hear her full song this night. Then you will understand." Vellana's expression softened, the wave of serenity surrounding the old man having just as much power over her as any other. It would have surprised Danica and Celes to see the guardian walk unaided by his staff — and with no hint of weakness in his steps — but Vellana was accustomed to the strength residing in her Master. ------- Celes sat down on the bed when they entered their room, sighing heavily. Danica closed the door and then turned back to the other woman, her breath catching in her throat as she looked at Celes. Celes' expression, masked in the illusion Danica could see after practicing to do so for so long, was sad and longing. Her firm breasts rose and fell in time with quick, shallow breaths, which were barely strong enough to fill the woman's lungs with air. Danica's blood stirred, warmth spreading through her, and she felt the tingle of wetness gathering quickly between her legs. "Celes..." Danica paused for a moment, mastering her emotions because her tone was far huskier than intended, before continuing, "We need to talk." A dam appeared to break within Celes, and her eyes misted with tears. Her lip quivered and she sobbed out, "Oh, Danica, I can't stop thinking about you, wanting to be with you. It's driving me out of my mind." Danica crossed the room to sit next to her friend, "I know. I've felt it. Your thoughts have been hammering into me for a while now, and Andrea told me you'd talked to her after Brandon blurted out what I had refused to see. You know I want you too, but I don't want to hurt you. It's making me a little crazy too." "I don't know if it's love or lust, Danica." Celes took a deep breath and shuddered. "Gods, Danica, I can taste the scent of you in the air. I changed the toy you made me so that it is you it summons when I activate the magic. I need you there so badly that I had to do something." Danica's passions were rising to a fever pitch now, sitting close to Celes and seeing the need in the woman's eyes. "What is stopping us?" Danica breathed huskily. Again, Celes' lip quivered. "Danica, beneath the illusion you see, I'm still old. The moment you touch me, you're going to feel reality, not the illusion. I couldn't bear it if you winced away from me. That would surely send me over the edge into madness and despair." Danica slid her hand behind Celes' head, stroking the woman's dark tresses and looking into her eyes. In a sudden moment of passion, she leaned down and kissed Celes. Celes stiffened at first, and then she melted into the kiss. Danica could feel nothing except the raw emotion pouring out of Celes, joy and wonder at a kiss she never thought to feel. Their lips parted, although Danica remained close. The illusion was not broken, Danica still saw Celes as young, vibrant, and filled with need. Her hand moved to the material of Celes' robe, bunching it up with quick movements of her fingers. Celes trembled, whispering, "Danica... We... I... Please don't tease me. We can't do this." Danica kissed her again, more passionately this time. She pulled at Celes' robes with renewed vigor as well. When they broke from the kiss, Danica said, "I still see you as you should be." Her robes now bunched up above her knees, Celes gasped as Danica tugged the cloth higher. "It will be different if you... Danica, the illusion won't hold. I can't bear it." Danica pulled the cloth up above Celes' panties, and then quickly cupped the woman's sex in her hand. She could feel the heat radiating through the cloth, and Celes' back arched toward her from the touch. The illusion — reinforced by the image of her true self in Celes' mind — held. Looking up into Celes' eyes, she slid two fingers beneath the cotton cloth and pulled it away, pushing Celes gently down to the bed at the same time. Looking down, she saw the woman's perfect folds, and Danica's arousal spiked to levels that she could no longer ignore. "Please, Danica," Celes sobbed, the tone of her voice betraying that she could not decide whether her own statement was meant to ask Danica to stop, or to hurry, as her back came to rest on the bed below. Danica hooked her thumb under the cloth of Celes' panties, and slipped two fingers between the woman's nether lips. Celes loudly moaned, her back arching completely up off the bed. Danica's senses reeled in the face of Celes' scent of arousal, and the moist warmth squeezing tight around her fingers. Danica stroked the digits, drawing a sharp gasp from Celes. The illusion Danica saw did not even waver. The sense of peace she had sensed around Tam flooded through her, but it felt as though it were coming from within instead of without this time. The serenity mingled with her arousal and love, strengthening it. Danica's other hand moved to Celes' thigh, and Celes snapped her legs wide apart the moment she felt the touch. The woman was still sobbing, but she was committed now, she could not have forced Danica away to save her very life at this moment. Even though she still felt this would only come to disaster, it was too late to stop the inevitable. She needed Danica — desperately — and she couldn't bear to wait another moment. Danica leaned down, drowning in the scent of Celes' arousal, enraptured by the sight of the woman's wetness clinging to her fingers. Fueled by the magic of the Awakening and the need flowing out from Celes and echoing in her mind, Danica barely noticed the illusion wavering slightly before her as she drew nearer to Celes' sex. Her tongue snaked out, and the moment it made contact with Celes' flesh, a violent jolt of energy shot through her, hurling her off the bed and into the floor below. Scrambling back to her feet, Danica stared in horror at Celes. The illusion had shattered, revealing the truth of her old body, age spots and wrinkles dominating what had been smooth thighs a moment before. The woman was hovering a foot above the bed, her back arched so that her hair draped over the mattress and her toes grazed it as well. Celes' mouth was open in a silent scream, and her entire body trembled as if shaken by a violent earthquake from within. An angry red glow surrounded her, and her flesh rippled in nauseating waves over her bones. Danica reached out and moved forward, but some force hurled her violently backward again before her hand could touch the obviously pain-wracked woman before her. Rolling back up to her knees, Danica stood and sobbed out Celes' name, again walking toward the bed. She was determined that she was either going to do something, or die trying. ------- A jolt passed through Zoraster, knocking him back in his chair and sending the glass of wine in his hand tumbling to the stones below. Reaching out with his mind, he discovered nothing amiss. His eyes narrowing and his teeth clenched tight, he began gesturing to the mirrors arrayed before him. Zoraster shifted the focus of the devices to hundreds of people and places he watched, attempting to discern the nature of the disturbance that had just assaulted him. ------- Rogan Illiciat's hand twitched, rendering the spell scroll he was scribing useless, although he paid the ruined document absolutely no attention. Reaching out with his mind, much as Zoraster was doing hundreds of miles away, Illiciat smiled and chuckled, finding what he sought where the other found only frustration. Opening his eyes, he whispered, "Well, well — it appears perhaps things are moving more quickly than I thought," and rose from his chair. ------- The stone suddenly sang out with a note of exaltation in Vellana's mind. She opened her eyes and gasped, seeing the stone's glow was now a rosy pink, the light pulsing as if in tune with a fast heartbeat. "Master, what is it?" A wide smile on his face, and tears gathering in his eyes, Tam replied, "Hope." ------- Danica turned her head to the side, the glow surrounding Celes growing brighter by the moment. She quickly spoke the words of a spell, her hands moving through the gestures in a rapid dance before her. The magic came into being, and then almost immediately dissolved. Danica risked a glance back at Celes, and found that she couldn't even see the woman through the nimbus of light now. Indeed, she couldn't even look directly at her, because the light was so bright it stabbed into Danica's brain. She started to cast the spell again, but had to stop and back away when a wave of heat erupted from the burning light in front of her as well. Danica stumbled back, her arms held like a shield in front of her face, screaming Celes' name in choking sobs. Just when she felt her robes were going to burst into flames, the heat blasting against Danica started to ebb. Through her closed eyelids, she could see the light in the room dimming as well. Letting her eyes flutter open to just slits for fractions of a second, Danica opened them fully when they could bear the still diminishing light. The heat was gone now, and Danica let her arms fall. On the bed, the light was still too bright to look directly into, but in the edges of her vision, she could see a faint outline of Celes now, still hovering above the bed and trembling. The light faded, and Danica stared in wide-eyed wonder at her friend on the bed. Celes' eyes were closed, and she appeared unconscious, but the rise and fall of her chest revealed that she was still alive. Running to the bed, tears of joy filling her eyes, Danica cradled Celes' head in her hands and called out her name. Celes stirred slightly, moaning and tightening her closed eyes. When one of Danica's tears fell on her cheek, Celes' eyes fluttered, and then slowly opened. "Danica?" Celes asked wearily, a look of disorientation and weakness evident in her face. Danica let out a little chuckle, broken by a sob of joy, and cried, "Oh, Celes!" "What happened?" Celes asked as Danica helped her sit up on the bed. Her head was clearing now, and the weakness she had felt upon waking was fading rapidly as well. The wide smile on Danica's face was still confusing, as was the joy and wonder reflected in her eyes. Then it hit her. Celes looked down at her hands. Smooth and unlined, the age spots that had plagued them were missing. Pulling over a lock of her hair that was tickling her ear, Celes saw it was raven-dark, rather than iron-grey. Her eyes opening wide, Celes reached up to squeeze her breasts, finding them riding high and firm once more. She looked at Danica, tears now streaming down her face as well. Danica gathered up Celes in her arms, sobbing laughter wracking both their bodies, and she gasped, "Zoraster's curse is broken! You're young again!" ------- Zoraster darkened all the mirrors with a thought and a harsh slash of his hand. He stood and stomped out of the room, irritated by the sensation he could not pin down. It had felt much as if a powerful spell of his casting was broken, something he had not experienced in years, but there was no evidence anywhere of this having happened. The sensation felt muted compared to that which he remembered as well, and rather than the weakness that normally followed, it left a strange void within him. When he stepped out into the hall, a sight greeted him that drained away his irritation. Appearing in a flash of light was his newest servant, returned from experiencing the world for the first time. Zoraster examined the man, pleased with his creation. Standing some six inches taller than most men, he was powerfully muscled. His dirty-blonde hair hung just to his shoulders, and his long fingered, strong hands rhythmically clenched at his side. A wide smile decorated his handsome face, a face dominated by piercing blue eyes, flecked with gold. Zoraster had searched the world over until he found the perfect specimen for his experiment. "I trust you find the world a pleasurable place, Ebonar?" The smile on the man's face grew even wider, and more wicked. "Indeed, I do, Master. Memories fade. In their making, they are experienced in their full glory." "Excellent. You will soon be ready to assume your place in my great game. Go now and take your rest. We shall test your command of the Art on the morrow." Ebonar dipped his head in a shallow bow, and walked down the hall to the room set aside for him here within Zoraster's inner sanctum. He had never been here, yet he moved unerringly through the halls, acting upon memories given to him over the course of a year's nurturing. Zoraster watched the clone with deep satisfaction. Housed within that perfect body were his mind and his memories, carefully altered to keep Ebonar tractable. The one being he could trust implicitly, Ebonar would hold the reins of power here whenever Zoraster had matters more important to attend to elsewhere. Zoraster was now free to move forward with the more intricate portions of his grand design. "I will cleanse this world in fire, and forge it anew," Zoraster chuckled under his breath. ------- Still sniffling, the grin on her face so wide it felt unnatural, Celes asked, "But how?" Danica shrugged, wiping her eyes and nose on her sleeve. "I don't know, and frankly I don't care!" Celes laughed, squeezing her breasts again. "Gods, that feels good," she muttered, drawing another laugh and a slight moan from Danica. A knock sounded on the door, and both women frowned in irritation. "They probably saw the light, or felt the heat, it was tremendous," Danica explained. Celes sighed. "I don't remember anything except a vague sense of pain. Go on, answer it and then get them to go away. I just want to be with you right now." Danica smiled and replied, "Me too," while going to answer the door. Tam smiled wide when Danica opened the door. "So, the curse is broken, as I suspected." "How did you..." Danica stopped and laughed, "I suppose that's a silly question. You seem to know everything, and you probably won't tell me anyway." The old man winked. "Even a wish has its limits, and the power that cursed Celes was great. There would have been conditions placed upon the spell, a means to break it. It would have been something the man who cursed her assumed could never come to pass, but remained within the realm of possibility." Like the touch of another woman, Danica thought. Tam nodded, and Danica blushed, remembering that the old man could apparently read her mind. With a slight chuckle, the guardian patted Danica's cheek fondly. "Please, see me in the morning. There are things I can reveal to you now, but I am sure you wish solitude this night. I simply wished to ensure what I believed had happened here, and I have done that. Blessings upon the both of you." With that, Tam nodded again and turned away from the door to walk down the hall. Danica closed the door and turned back to Celes. "Zoraster never expected another woman to find me arousing again, and thought his condition was perfect," Celes speculated. "That has to be it," Danica agreed, crossing the room. She sat down on the bed, her passions roaring to bonfire intensity once more. "Why don't we pick up where we were so rudely interrupted," Danica suggested in a lusty whisper, and then soundly kissed Celes' full lips. Their arms entangled as Danica and Celes both reached for each other's robes at the same time. Danica laughed into the kiss, and then pulled back from Celes slightly. Reaching out, she traced her fingers over Celes' right breast, drawing a sigh of pleasure from the woman. Letting her fingers slide down, she untied the belt at Celes' waist. Danica then turned her attention to the clasps holding the robe closed, starting at the neckline. As each clasp came undone, Celes breathed deeper, her anticipation growing. Danica reached through the part, pulling the cloth wide when she unhooked the clasp just below Celes' breasts. Danica moaned and glided her hands over the firm globes, circling the puffy, slightly darker areolas with her fingertips when she reached them. She then rubbed Celes' hard nipples with her thumbs while caressing the globes with her fingers. Danica leaned forward, flicking her tongue over the turgid bud of Celes' right breast, bringing Celes' hand to the back of her head. The dark-haired woman stroked Danica's hair and whimpered contentedly as her nipples were suckled in turn. Danica did not even release Celes from her mouth when she continued to open clasps. Celes reached down to tug and unknot the belt around Danica's waist at the same time, immediately followed by unhooking the clasps on Danica's robe. Both women shrugged off their robes, and then fell into each other for a deep, impassioned kiss. Their breasts tightly pressed together, sending shivers up both their spines. There would be time later for gentleness and exploring, for now they both had a deep, urgent need that demanded satiation. Danica leaned forward, pressing Celes down to the bed — their tongues dancing over each other as they kissed. When Celes came to rest on the bedclothes below, Danica gave a last teasing flicker of her tongue over Celes' and rose up above the other woman on her hands. Danica's pendulous breasts swayed slightly, her large nipples grazing over Celes' perfect globes. She leaned down to kiss the valley between them, and then trailed kisses down Celes' body, drawing ever nearer where they both wanted her to be. When she reached the neatly sculpted patch of night-black hair above Celes' sex, Danica traced around it with her tongue. The strokes of Danica's tongue drew tantalizingly close to Celes' aching pussy, causing the other woman to writhe and moan beneath Danica. Moving downward slightly, Danica looked up into Celes' eyes, letting her auburn locks tickle over the smooth-shaven nether lips below. Licking her lips, Danica slowly lowered her head, enraptured once again in the sight and scent of the aroused woman beneath her. This time, the touch of Danica's tongue drew a sharp whimper of pleasure from Celes. "Oh gods, Danica, I've wanted this so badly, for so long." Danica moaned, looking up at Celes, and teased her tongue over Celes clit in quick flickers, smiling mischievously. Celes responded by letting out an impatient — but sensual — growl, laying her hands on Danica's head and tugging the woman's tongue into her folds. Pulled into the fragrant flesh, Danica suckled Celes' labia between her lips, rolling them with her tongue. The bittersweet taste of Celes' juices was intoxicating, and Danica stabbed her tongue as deep as possible into the woman's hot sheathe, seeking more of the steadily increasing wetness. Celes' hips rocked upward in a steady rhythm, chilly pinpricks of pleasure erupting all over her skin, but centered in her nipples and the throbbing bud at the apex of her sex. After long torturous years of dreaming about it, Celes finally experienced Danica's questing tongue driving her toward a thunderous release. Danica quickly turned her attention to Celes' swollen clit, eager to feel the woman quivering in orgasm beneath her. With broad swipes of her tongue, flickers of the tip, and urgent suckling of the erect bud, Danica pushed her friend ever closer to the edge. In a series of sharp gasps, Celes exclaimed, "I'm so close. So good, Danica. Don't stop." Danica had no intention of stopping, and increased the urgency of her lapping, hungry to taste the flow of Celes' cream and hear her explosive screams of orgasm. Those screams came a moment later, Celes pulling Danica hard against her quivering sex, and wrapping her legs tight around Danica's back. The excitedly moaning redhead lapped for the flowing stream of Celes' wetness, filled with wonder from the tight squeeze of Celes' pussy against her tongue with each orgasmic contraction. Danica continued to lap and suck, holding Celes in perfect blissful release for several moments before Celes' arched back fell heavily to the bed once more. Danica slowed down then, for a time, but did not stop lapping the beautiful pussy beneath her. She was soon building Celes toward another explosive release, and drowning in the wonderful sensation. ------- When Danica awoke, she and Celes were facing each other, their bodies intertwined, in exactly the same position as when they had fallen asleep. As Danica roused, Celes stretched and let out a little moan. "So what do you think?" Danica asked. "I think we probably both need a bath," Celes chuckled. Danica swatted her playfully on the bottom. "I meant, how do you feel? Is it love, or lust that's drawing us together?" Celes smiled and replied, "A bit of both, really. I do love you, but I'm not sure I'm in love with you. We've just been so close while Zoraster tormented us, and you were my only distraction from the place for so long." Danica returned her smile and agreed, "I feel pretty much the same. Anyone who wants to get closer to either of us is going to have to accept that we have something special, and we're going to feel the need to act on that once in a while." "More often than that, I think," Celes teased, and moved in to kiss Danica's neck. Danica shivered, moaned, and then gently pushed Celes away. "Stop that. You're right, we both need a bath." "We still have to face Zoraster as well," Celes added with a sigh. Danica's eyes hardened, just for an instant, although Celes didn't see it. "Let's go get in the bath, and then we'll go talk to Tam, like he asked. Celes nodded, and then climbed out of the bed. Danica's breath caught in her throat when the beautiful woman rose and stretched. Seeing the illusion, even though it had been strengthened by the image in Celes' mind, could not compare to seeing the woman young, vibrant, and close enough to touch. Danica rose as well, and the two women fell into a deep kiss. The kiss almost turned serious enough to draw them right back in the bed, but Celes pulled away, offered a crooked grin, and strutted toward the bath, her hips swaying seductively. They were both resigned to a simple washing in cold water at first, as there was no way to heat water within the room given to them, but were surprised to find the water in the tub still as warm as it had been the night before. The tub was just large enough for two, so they shared it. After washing, their hands and lips found each other almost inevitably. They both came, their hands dancing over each other's nether lips, and then rose from the bath to towel dry. Dressed — somewhat reluctantly — in their robes once more, Danica opened the door and Celes followed her down the hall to the first chamber where they had originally met Tam. He sat at the same table with a bowl of cut fruits in front of him. The old man gestured for them to join him, and they took seats across from him. The old guardian gestured to the bowl. "Feel free to break your fast while I talk. I'm sure you'll have questions, but you can eat in the meantime." Danica smiled at Celes, who grinned back. They had both expended a great deal of energy the night before, and certainly needed to replenish it. They each selected a piece of fruit, and Tam continued. "That which I guard has an opposite, and that opposite has wormed its way into Zoraster's heart and soul. It is that which sparks the madness in him, and turns his goals to the dark. On the eve of the convergence, the stone that affects Zoraster awakened. Its influence over him will only grow stronger now, and soon he will seek it out. If he acquires the stone, his already staggering power will grow tenfold." That sobering news drained away the contentment Danica felt. "Will the stone you guard oppose him?" "It already does. She awakened many, many years ago, and has drawn others to her presence ever since. I was the first, but I am far from the strongest. You too, were drawn here by the stone." Celes popped a last bite of apple into her mouth and said, "You call it she. Is it alive?" Tam smiled, "After a fashion. In truth, that is simply an affectation of mine. The stone is like nothing we know in this world, because it comes from a time before anything we know existed. That previous universe had laws so alien that we could never hope to comprehend it." Danica shook her head, trying to absorb what the guardian had just said — and having little success. "You said it drew us here — why?" "As well as I understand it. I cannot know how it chooses those who will act on its behalf. One thing I do know, it senses in both of you great promise." "So, we're pawns in some game?" Celes asked, somewhat peevishly. Tam shook his head. "No, never that. You are always free to make your own decisions. She would never twist you, as does her opposite. It is my belief that those who are chosen are predisposed to her designs." "Unfortunately, we're already pawns to Zoraster," Danica mumbled, her eyes turning hard as agates. "You have already broken one of his chains," Tam suggested, nodding toward Celes. Those words crystallized something inside Danica that had been within her ever since coming here and realizing that she could not kill an old man simply to avoid torture at Zoraster's hands. "I'm breaking all of his chains now," Danica said defiantly, and gripped the amulet around her neck. Celes gasped, and started to reach for Danica's hand — deathly afraid of what might befall her friend if she removed Zoraster's leash. It was Tam's voice that gave Danica pause, however. "Wait." The muscles in her arm bunched to tear the chain from around her neck, Danica trembled for a moment. She relaxed, and let the chain fall back into her robes. "If you wish to remove the amulet, do so in the presence of the stone." Danica nodded and immediately stood. Celes asked, "Are you sure about this, Danica?" Danica relaxed for a moment, letting the defiant cast of her features slip. She smiled and said, "Yes, Celes. I'm done being his toy. He has already threatened us with torture worse than death, what more could he do? Every person I befriend is in danger because of it. I'm going to be free, or I'm going to die trying." Celes stood. "I'll not let you go alone. I have my strength back now, and I have my powers. We may not survive, but we'll surely sting the mad bastard, and he won't use us any more." Tam smiled and stood. "I can aid you. Perhaps your cause is not so hopeless as you may believe. Come — let us break the shackles of the Archmage that encircle your necks." ------- Zoraster sat up abruptly, tossing aside the down filled comforter that covered him. He had not slept in days, utilizing the power of Blorcasir to remain alert while he attended to important matters, and had only been asleep for a few hours when something awakened him. On his finger, an ornate ring throbbed and glowed. Zoraster stared at the ring, his fingers trembling slightly and his face a blank mask. Rising, he quickly pulled on his robes, his movements methodical and stiff. With one more glance at the ring, Zoraster spoke the words of a spell and vanished in a flash of light. He appeared instantly in a room choked with dust and cobwebs. Crudely built shelves lined the wall, a plain table and chair standing in the center of the room. The bed against the wall showed signs of mice, down lying in small piles beneath numerous holes. Looking around, Zoraster's shoulders slumped, and a pained expression pinched his features tight. None had entered this room in over a decade, since the day he had sealed it with his magic. Growling and shaking his head violently, Zoraster pushed away the memories that threatened to overwhelm him. Too many dark memories filled this room, and those not steeped in hate throbbed with pain. Barking the command words, he dissolved the wards on the door and stepped outside, into the halls of his ancestral home. Stunned servants bowed and quickly stepped out of his way as the Archmage moved unerringly through the halls to the servant's quarters. He winced again when he passed the hallway that lead to another sealed door in the castle. Taking a deep breath and pushing down the memories, he continued to his destination, to bid a final farewell to all that remained of his old life. Approaching the room, Zoraster nodded to a man sitting outside the room he sought. Though he could not remember the man's name, Zoraster knew it was old Vargas' selected replacement. The man who would soon be Chancellor of Witharten rose and bowed to his Lord. "Lord Tharsas, Master Vargas still lives, though the priests offer him last rites even as we speak." The man looked nervous, although the obvious grief surrounding him like a cloud overshadowed it. Opening the door, Zoraster saw the priests finishing their blessing. Vargas lay very still, and at first, the Archmage feared he was too late. The old Chancellor took a shallow breath then, and Zoraster quickly stepped to the edge of the bed. Somehow sensing his presence, Vargas opened his eyes and smiled when he saw Zoraster. "Lord Tharsas, I am so pleased to see you one last time before I journey on." The old man's voice was barely a whisper, lacking the strength and polish Zoraster remembered so well. "I have not released you from service, Vargas," Zoraster said, a resonant, noble tone in his voice that had not passed his lips in many years. Smiling, he took the old man's frail hand in his own. "I fear I must — this once — defy you, My Lord." Vargas smiled and chuckled, the chuckle turning into a wheezing cough. "This does not have to be, Vargas. I have the magic to hold you in stasis, create a new body for you. You could be young and vital once more, with all the wisdom of your years intact." Vargas squeezed his Master's hand. "I am as weak in spirit as I am in body, My Lord, it is my time. Would that dear Colette stood at your side to bid me farewell." His eyes misting with tears for the first time in over a decade, Zoraster said, "She would not want you to leave us either." "Perhaps I will see her. It will be wonderful to hear her laugh, to see her smile. I wonder..." The old man's words trailed off then, his lips still moving but no discernable sound passing them. Zoraster held the old man's hand until he felt it go limp, and watched Vargas draw his last breath. Laying the man's hands across his chest, Zoraster stared at the body of the man who had been the only connection remaining between Zoraster Arias and Tharsas Witharten. "Farewell, Vargas, you have served honorably and well." Turning, Zoraster squared his shoulders and strode out of the room. The man waiting outside asked, "It is finished?" Zoraster nodded. "He is to be buried in the family crypt, next to my father. Spare no expense, and there are to be flowers from the garden — near the headstone there — placed in his casket." The man bowed and responded, "It shall be done, My Lord." "I respect Vargas' judgment, and you shall continue in his place, as you no doubt already do. I know his handwriting, and I know that most of the recent letters were not in his hand. You speak with my voice here, remember that." "I shall govern these lands and maintain them as dutifully as did Master Vargas, My Lord. He instructed me well, and I have indeed performed his duties for nearly two years now with his consultation." Zoraster nodded his acknowledgment. "You know to maintain the garden, utilizing the brightest talents you can find?" "My own daughter performs the duty, My Lord. She is truly gifted." "Serve me well — you have a difficult standard to meet." The new Chancellor bowed. "I shall give all that I have for this land, My Lord." "That is all I may ask. Good day." Zoraster walked back toward the room where he had entered, his own room as a youth, where he had lived in self-imposed exile. Reaching the hall to Colette's room once again, he nearly turned toward her door. He knew it would be preserved by the spells protecting the room. Even her scent would still hover in the air. Wrenching his head violently in the opposite direction, Zoraster strode purposely away from Colette's door. Such musings brought no gain. Only when she walked again by his side would he think about those things. Returning to his room, Tharsas died once again — and Zoraster restored the wards upon the door. He then vanished through the power of his magic. ------- The light of the stone shining bright around them, Celes and Danica stood in the room where it was enshrined, with the old man who guarded it. Though they were nervous walking toward the room, the sense of peace surrounding the stone had chased the trepidation away almost as soon as they entered the room. "Simply remove the chains. Here, in the presence of the stone, you need not fear the magic of the dark that empowers them," Tam instructed. Danica once again grabbed the chain to break it, but something caused her to change her mind. Somehow, the violent action seemed wrong now, and so she unhooked the clasp of the chain, removing the pendant from around her neck. Celes did the same, relief obvious in the features of both women as they looked at the shackles that had chained them to Zoraster for so long. Tam explained, "Now that they have been removed, the pendants will have no power over you, unless you should lock them about your neck again. You may study them in safety, and perhaps learn much that can aid you in the years to come. Though the magic that powers them is dark, it may still prove useful to discern the nature of the fell enchantments." Danica looked at Tam and asked, "Is this the only place it is safe to remove them? We're not the only ones bound by these to Zoraster." Tam turned to the stone and held out a hand, tiny orbs congealed from the light surrounding the stone to swirl about the guardian's hand, finally settling in it. He closed his hand, and when he opened it once more, six perfect pearls rested in his palm. "Touch any such amulets with one of these, and the dark power will be neutralized. You will then be able to safely remove it. The stone offered six, so either you need that many for what you requested, or they shall have other uses in the future. You will know when you need them." Producing a white silk bag from a pocket, Tam deposited the pearls inside and handed them to Danica. She could feel the serenity coming from within the bag, exactly like the aura surrounding both Tam and the stone. "We have much to do. I can provide you with knowledge and items that can aid you in escaping your Master's bonds. Danica, I will guide you in the use of your mental powers, for there is something I am sure you will wish to do. It is within your capability, although you have not yet attempted such a powerful exercise." "I don't think you understand Zoraster's power, old one. We have no choice but to kill him. To do otherwise is to face death, or be enslaved again," Celes asserted, "I don't think it's truly possible for us to defeat him." The old guardian smiled. "Both of you have great power, and you have an advantage Zoraster could never hope to counter. You have love, hope, and compassion as your most potent weapons. You stand together, where Zoraster will always stand alone." "I don't know whether it will be enough either, but I'm done being his pawn. I hate to think about the things I've done in his service," Danica remarked. Tam explained, "The enchantments on the amulets are very subtle, and many-layered. They released drugs that suppressed your inhibitions, enhanced your desires, and kept you tractable. You will probably discover many things now stand out as far more disturbing in your memory than they have thus far." "Show us what you know, Tam," Danica requested, "It's time for Zoraster to find out that his weapons have two edges, and they can cut him just as well as anyone else." ------- Devan Ardane paced the floor at the top of her tower in Egoria, irritated by word from the King that Freeland was gathering information, but unwilling to mobilize until a clear threat appeared. She thought, The world is moving toward and explosion, and Leoric is worried about disturbing his neighbors! Freeland has been at peace too long. We're going to end up standing alone against the first assault, whatever it is, and wherever it comes from. Tossing her flaming red tresses, she looked out the window of her tower over the city. In the marshalling yard, raw recruits trained. Farther out, she saw a column marching out of the city toward the border. In the rooms at the base of her tower, wizards trained in preparation to provide magical backup for the warriors. Saggitariad marshaled his knights, and Mindblind his sellswords. Vladamir was converting new warrior-clerics to the service of Heraklan at a furious pace. Redbear's nomadic people grudgingly prepared for war once more. Geflon's Dwarven brethren forged weapons and armor day and night, preparing to defend their newly regained ancestral delving. War was coming; the stink of it hovered in the very air. It might be years before the forces building now were unleashed, but the war would come. At least we'll be ready, or as ready as we can be, Devan mused. Walking away from the window, smoothing out her dark purple robes, Devan decided she needed a distraction. There was little more she could do at this point, and worrying over it was accomplishing nothing. Her lips twitched into a smile as she thought about one of the young apprentices who had started this morning. He was handsome, with a ready grin and a booming laugh. I wonder what he's got hiding under his robes, she thought, licking her lips. Devan froze in mid-step, feeling a touch against her mind. She started to bark out the command words that would activate the many defenses of her tower, but they fell from her lips when a voice sounded in her mind. Devan, don't talk, just think, I'll hear you. Devan complied, angrily thinking back, Danica, you've got a lot of explaining to do little miss! Where have you been and... Please just shut up for a minute, Devan. This isn't as easy as it might seem, and I don't know how long I can keep it up. Bemused, and more than a little pleased by the strong tone of her sister's mental voice, Devan thought back, Okay, Danica, I'm listening. I've been a prisoner all these years. It's my own fault, and I'm going to do something about it. You have to promise me that you'll get Dad and Daniel somewhere safe. They need to be protected from powerful magic. Who is holding you? Where are you? I'll... My head is really starting to hurt, promise me Devan! Once again stunned by Danica standing up to her so firmly — Devan replied, I'll take them to Darkni's island. They'll be as safe there as anywhere in the world. Devan could feel a wave of relief through the mental connection with her sister's next thought. Thank you. I don't think I can keep this up much longer. Watch my shop; I may need your help if we survive this. If I don't see you again, I love you, Devan. Danica, let me come help you, whatever it is you're facing. You're scaring me. I'm scared too, Devan, but Celes and I have to face this alone. Beware of prostitutes, be ready for demons, and prepare for war. Devan started to reply to her sister, but felt the mental connection vanish. Letting out a growling scream, she stomped her foot hard, and then started to curse. After a few minutes of venting, she spoke the words of a spell and vanished from her tower, to keep her promise, and see if Darkni could locate Danica. ------- Part 20B "I still don't see why you didn't tell her everything," Celes said when she saw Danica's eyes open. Wincing and holding her aching head, Danica replied, "If she knew about Zoraster, she'd come. I want her and Darkniciad protecting my family. This is my fight — our fight — Celes. I have to stand on my own for once. I got into this without Devan's help, and I'll get out of it the same way." "Isn't that just a little stubborn and irrational?" Celes asked. Tam answered the question for Danica, "Perhaps, but she is right. The two of you are the key. You must face Zoraster, and defeat him. No other can aid you. They would be in needless danger, and might prevent your chance of success." Celes threw up her hands. "Okay, I give up." Taking Celes' hand in her own, Danica said, "I won't ask you to risk this, Celes. You could stay here. Zoraster can't reach you here." Celes shook her head. "I'm as tired of being his slave as you are." Celes pointed a thumb at Tam as she spoke, "This plan of his might work, and even if it doesn't, we're likely to be dead and beyond the madman's reach. How many will suffer on our behalf if we just disappear?" Danica nodded in agreement. "Are we ready, then? It's been four days already, he's surely on the verge of doing something awful already." "Rest this day, Zoraster will not harm those you love this night," Tam assured them. Danica asked, "How do you know?" "The stones communicate in some way, they know each other. The one which influences Zoraster is only recently awakened, and has not yet acclimated itself well enough to this reality to shield against the stone I guard." "We'll stay. Thank you for everything you've done," Danica said, laying her hand on Tam's shoulder. "Would that I could offer more help, but I believe you can overcome the dangers and succeed," Tam responded with a smile. "Supper should be ready. Let us eat, and then you can spend this evening together." ------- Back in the room given to them after eating, Danica turned to face Celes after closing the door. She started to speak, but Celes cut her off. "Don't talk about it. I just want to be with you tonight. We know we have this night together, and I don't want to waste it." Danica crossed the room, embraced Celes, and moments later, their lips met. The kiss was long, soft, and sweet. While their passions were high, neither woman wanted to give them full vent yet. They parted from the kiss, ending it with several pecks in perfect synchronization, so connected that they knew exactly what the other was going to do instantaneously. Celes slowly untied and unhooked the closures of Danica's robe, letting her fingers glide over the silky cloth, and the soft skin beneath. When the top of her robe was unbound, Danica shrugged it off, reaching up to pull the straps of her brassiere down off her shoulders as well. Celes finished with the hooks of the robe, and glided her hands up Danica's hips. Danica put her hands on Celes', guiding them higher, up her sides and to her breasts. Celes cupped the heavy globes in her hands for a moment, leaning down to kiss the valley between them. "I've waited so long, Danica. It hurt so much," Celes whispered, looking deep into Danica's eyes. "We don't have to wait any more," Danica whispered back. Danica let her robe pool to the floor, pulling Celes into a kiss and working on the closures of the other woman's robe. Celes leaned her head back and moaned in contentment as Danica's hands moved slowly down her body, opening the robe as she went. Celes' breasts were bare beneath the cloth. Her brassiere no longer fit properly, not the right size for her young body. Danica could not resist pausing to run her fingers over the firm orbs before continuing to open Celes' robe. Celes tingled with aching need, but resisted the temptation to simply fall into Danica's arms. She knew now that the release of that tension would come, and she wanted to enjoy the journey. Danica opened Celes' robe, helping the other woman shrug it away from her body. Celes' panties fit no better than her brassieres had, but she apparently had chosen not to go without them. It took only a slide of Danica's hands down Celes' hips to pull them away. A slight parting of Celes' legs let them fall with a whisper to the floor. Danica's eyes rolled up in her head as she breathed in deep the scent of Celes' arousal. Wetness glistened between the woman's nether lips, and Danica licked her lips thinking about slipping her tongue between Celes' warm folds. The time spent with Celes had been no less painful for her, seeing the woman young and vibrant, as she should be. Celes slipped her fingers beneath the cloth of Danica's panties, tugging them down from her hips. She let her hands linger on Danica's bottom as the redhead stepped out of her panties. Once the last bit of concealing cloth fell away, Danica took a step closer and put her hands on Celes' firm buttocks, pressing her body tight against the other woman and kissing her. The kiss lasted for long minutes, their tongues dancing over each other, even as their hands roamed soft flesh. Both women purposely avoided touching each other where they most wanted to be touched, adding fuel to the fires of desire burning deep within them. At last, Celes could wait no longer. She leaned down and curled her tongue around Danica's right nipple, drawing it between her lips and sucking it. Danica gasped, putting her hands on the back of Celes' head and running her fingers through the woman's dark locks. Celes moved her head across Danica's body, suckling the other nipple between her lips for a few moments, teasing it with her tongue. She then traced kisses down Danica's body, toward the auburn triangle of hair above her sex. The scent of Danica's arousal was dizzying, causing Celes' pussy to tingle as it released its own juices in anticipation. Kneeling down, Celes parted Danica's legs slightly, and then curled her hands around Danica's legs, gripping her thighs from behind. As soon as her fingers locked around Danica's soft flesh, she leaned in and slipped her tongue between the folds before her. Danica yelped and parted her legs a little wider, putting her hands on Celes' shoulders to steady her weakened knees. The dark-haired beauty lapped and sucked her folds with unbelievable expertise, the kind that only a lifetime of lying with women alone could teach. Celes let out a high-pitched moan as Danica's juices swirled over her tongue. As intoxicating as the scent of Danica's arousal was, the taste was a hundred times so. Feeling Danica quiver from her touch only increased Celes' desire, and she felt a single drop of wetness running down her thigh. As Danica's breathing became sharper, Celes sucked the woman's large inner lips into her mouth, looking up at Danica and wiggling her head back and forth. Danica's eyes went wide, and Celes moaned around the labia between her lips as she teased them with her tongue. There was no warning when Celes moved to engulf Danica's clit between her lips. Danica let out a scream of pleasure, which trailed off into a groan of ecstasy, and felt her inner fires surge to white-hot intensity. Her muscles stiffened, and she had to pant for breath as her orgasm surged up like a wildfire. Danica screamed, barely able to support her wobbling legs, gushing a flood of her juices over Celes' face. Celes moaned into Danica's sex as the torrent of wetness covered her face and breasts. She continued to lap and suck, holding on tight to Danica's trembling legs, keeping the woman's climax at a peak for long moments. Only when Danica's legs nearly collapsed beneath her did Celes relent, because she was completely enraptured with the bittersweet taste of Danica's fluids, flowing over her tongue in such abundance. When Celes released her legs, Danica stumbled back a step to the bed and collapsed upon it. She let out a long warbling moan, cupping her rhythmically contracting pussy in her hand, pressing hard against her clit with the heel. Danica continued to quiver as Celes climbed into the bed with her, whispering into her ear, "You taste so good, Danica. I love feeling you come on my tongue." Danica gasped and rolled over Celes, grinding her sex against the other woman's leg, kissing her hard. She then started lapping her juices from Celes' face, reaching down at the same time to slide two fingers into Celes' heat. Celes broke away from the kiss, took two quick, sharp breaths, and said, "I need your lips on me Danica, I feel like I'm going to burn up." She then pushed down on Danica's shoulders. Danica needed little encouragement, moving quickly down to stab her tongue into Celes' hot canal. It was several hours later when they slipped into spent slumber, as they had the night before. ------- The next morning, the women armed themselves for battle. Rings adorned every finger, and more than a few toes. Wands were at the ready in belts designed to hold them around their waists. More magic rested in their bags of holding, ready to be unleashed. They intended to do their best to defeat the man who had enslaved them for so long. Tam asked, "You are ready, then?" "As ready as we can be," Celes replied. "We have each other, he has nobody, and we'll have surprise on our side," Danica stated firmly. "I hope it's enough. It's time he paid for what he's done to us, and what he made us do." Tam took up one of each woman's hands, bringing them together and said, "Go, my prayers will be with you. Within the two of you, and others like you, rests the hope of this world. Share your love, and your friendship, for that is your strength. Trust in each other, and you shall prevail." "We will," both women said in unison, and then laughed at that occurrence. "It's time to make that mad fuck pay," Danica declared, her eyes turning hard. "For us, and everyone else he's made into a toy for his amusement," Celes agreed with equal determination in her voice. "I love you, Celes." "I love you too, Danica." "Let's go," Danica said with a nod. Celes chanted the words of the teleportation spell and they vanished from the chamber in a burst of light. "Gods bless them and keep them," Tam muttered when they vanished. He turned and walked with quick steps to the room where the stone rested, there to await the outcome of a battle that might very well determine the fate of the world. ------- Zoraster's mouth hung wide open, and his eyes bulged in anger when he felt Danica and Celes brush up against the magical wards around his complex. He could not feel them through the amulet, and that meant they had found a way to remove the ones that should have been around their necks. Furthermore, he could not sense the power of the stone, and he knew they had failed. A scream of inarticulate rage erupted from him, quickly followed by the snarled words of a spell. Zoraster vanished, leaving a thick cloud of smoke — reeking of brimstone — in his wake. He appeared outside Danica's rooms, where he could sense the women were, and started to tear apart Danica's wards. His anger only increased because he had to concentrate upon the task of penetrating the wards. Zoraster wondered if perhaps he had let Danica grow too powerful. Nevertheless, the wards fell before the might of his magic, and he blasted the door inward with a gesture. Stomping into the room, he found the women waiting for him, armed with all manner of magical paraphernalia. Slamming the door shut behind him, he started to inform them of the pain they would endure for their failure. And then he noticed Celes. His face twisting into a mad mask of mindless hate, he spat out, "So, did you enjoy suckling her withered flesh, Danica?" "As a matter of fact — yes I did, you crazy bastard," Danica retorted and hurled something to the floor. At the same time, she screamed the command words that would reactivate her runic wards. Zoraster would have to take the time to break them in order to escape, or to summon aid. Zoraster felt the oppressive weight of the dispell burst from the shattered crystal sphere Danica had hurled, and chuckled when he felt the Armor of Dispelling contingency spell upon his robe leap into being. "You'll have to do better than that to neutralize my power, woman. You will both suffer now for this, as will all those you care about. You need a stark reminder of your place, and my power." "Oh, shut up!" Celes screamed and made a sweeping gesture with her hand. Zoraster's eyes went wide when the force of Celes' power slammed into him, hurling him back a pair of steps. "So, you've accepted your witch blood, I see," Zoraster snarled, stepping forward again, "Your pitiful abilities will do you no good." "Now," Danica said to Celes. Once again, Celes gestured, and at the same time, Danica lashed out with her telekinetic powers. This time the attack hurled Zoraster back against the wall, and he screamed in a mixture of surprise, rage, and pain when he hit the stones. Both women pulled wands from their belts, discharging the magic missiles at the Archmage. None reached him, but each one weakened the Armor of Dispelling that protected him by a fraction. Sensing the danger, Zoraster extended his arm and cast out his will. A moment later, he closed his fingers around the staff that materialized in the palm of his hand. Instantly, the magical protections of the staff strengthened his defenses, even hurling a few of the missiles back at the women. The magical darts dissolved against shields surrounding both Danica and Celes. "Your moment of surprise is over. Now you shall see true power!" Zoraster thundered, and struck his staff hard against the floor. Danica and Celes both felt their hope drain away with the power of the dispell. They had no idea how they were going to stand up to the Archmage in full possession of his powers. Danica cast her thoughts to Celes, We have to hammer him, keep him off-balance. Save the other orb until we have little choice. Aye, was Celes only answering thought, as she started casting a spell. Still partially connected to the woman's mind, Danica knew Celes was casting Chain Lightning. Zoraster had never anticipated that the women might actually confront him openly, let alone with such a stealthy attack. In addition, a red rage blinded him upon seeing his curse on Celes broken. He snarled out the words of an entrapment spell, thinking to torture them both, and anyone else who might cause them emotional pain, for many days to come. The spell came into being, but the protective items the women wore dissipated it. No matter, I will wear down their defenses as they sought to do to me, He thought, beginning another, simpler spell. Celes completed her spell, the training of the battle mages at the Forge serving her well. She completed the complex casting in a quarter of the time it would take most wielders of the Art. A rush of ecstasy shot through Celes as the angry bolts leapt forth from her fingers. With her youth restored, she now commanded the full might of her powers. Just as was Zoraster, she was an Archmage, born with a strong innate link to magic. The power flowed from her and crackled about Zoraster, still not penetrating his shields, but certainly weakening them. As the conflagration of arching bolts settled down, Zoraster's missiles streaked at both Celes and Danica. They weakened the protections, but neither was in any real danger yet. Celes screamed, "You'll not take us so easy, madman. We'll make you pay." Danica completed her spell a moment later, the Multiplicity linked to every missile spell she knew — nearly every one in existence. Four score bolts of fire, acid, electricity, and all manner of magical energy leapt from her hands and streaked unerringly toward the scowling Archmage. They dissolved into motes upon striking his shields, but the barrage certainly would have done significant damage to many types of magical shielding. Knowing the women's plan, and determining that it could prove effective, Zoraster changed tactics. Celes and Danica were both casting again, and Zoraster aimed his staff at a point directly between them and discharged one of its enchantments. The resulting concussion of the fireball's explosion even staggered him back a step, though he had prepared for it. Danica was pleased to note, as the hellish inferno abated, that the runic defenses she had placed upon her belongings after Camilla's attack were effective. Even the bedclothes remained untouched. She could not say the same for her magical defenses, the power of the spell having greatly weakened them. We have to get that staff away from him, Danica thought to Celes, and then began casting a shielding spell to stave off the deterioration of the defenses offered by her numerous magic items. She caught Celes' thoughts even as she cast, I just tried to vanish it outside with my powers, but I couldn't get a hold on it. I tried to jerk it out of his hand too, and that worked, but he was ready. Danica completed her spell and thought, Put up a shield Celes, we need time. Keep trying to get that staff away from him; I'll keep him off balance. If we get the staff away, we'll use the other orb. Zoraster had obviously noticed Celes still casting her shield spell, and turned his staff on her. Danica quickly cast a spell, putting a reflective barrier between the dark mage and Celes. The battle mage technique served her just as well as Celes, because she got the defense up in time to reflect the lightning bolt harmlessly into the ceiling above. Zoraster screamed in frustration, amazed at how quickly the women were answering his magic. They did not possess his power, but they joined together in a common purpose. Concentrating, he turned his attention to stronger, more deadly magics. Danica recognized the words of the Disintegration spell passing from Zoraster's lips, and quickly cast a lighting bolt, hoping to distract him from completing the spell. Her bolt shattered harmlessly against Zoraster's defenses, and he didn't falter in his chant. Celes too recognized the spell Zoraster was casting, and knew that it would take all her strength to hold her shield against it. If it penetrated, the power of that spell could very well render the magic items protecting her useless. Knowing she had a few seconds, she growled and again tried to teleport away his staff. Once again, her power failed her. Danica jerked a wand from her belt and sprayed flaming meteorites at Zoraster, exhausting the power of the wand in a single burst. It was no more effective than the lightning bolt, and Zoraster completed the spell with a final word, pointing at Celes. Celes screamed as the power roared into her shield. She held it strong, but knew it was faltering. Refusing to surrender, she poured all her will into keeping her defense intact. When it shattered, her consciousness fled with it. Danica cursed, seeing Celes collapse. She knew the spell must have rendered nearly all Celes' protective items useless. The Archmage aimed his staff at Celes, glancing at Danica to see what she was doing. Danica touched her forehead, letting the runes covering her body blaze into brilliant light where her skin was exposed. "Why don't you try coming after me, you crazy fuck," she challenged. Zoraster spun on her with the unnatural, towering fury he had exhibited both previous times that epithet had passed her lips. He strode quickly toward her, thundering in a magically enhanced voice, "DON'T CALL ME THAT!" Danica spoke the name of a rune, summoning up a crackling ball of energy in her palm. She hurled it at the furious Archmage, but he batted it away with his staff. Danica saw the flash in his shields, and knew the runic attack had been effective in eating away at their power. His hand curled into a claw, Zoraster reached her with astonishing speed. There was nothing but madness in his eyes, and Danica lashed out with the one weapon she had not yet exposed. Balling her hand into a fist, she summoned up the psychic knife. When the Archmage reached her, his hand going for her throat, Danica stabbed the weapon of pure psionic force into his head. Zoraster screamed and lurched back, but not before a sparkling nimbus of electricity from a ring on his finger tore through Danica. Her shield shattered instantly, and the magic items on her person went dark in her mind. Danica's clothing burst into flames in a dozen places, and she had to stagger back, tearing them off, while Zoraster held his head and screamed. She even had to shed her undergarments when they succumbed to the electrical onslaught as well. Her runic defenses protected her flesh, but nothing more. Stepping away from her burning garments, Danica seized the moment. Limited though the contact had been, Zoraster had not been prepared for her psionic attack, and his concentration faltered. Concentrating, she forced her consciousness into the mad morass that was the Archmage's mind. Already stunned by the psionic knife, Zoraster's consciousness retreated away from the intrusion, his mind acting naturally to defend itself from a common center. Danica hammered at him, pushing forward and shattering his mental defenses. Danica's senses screamed when she sensed a dark, powerful presence surging forward in Zoraster's mind. The god Blorcasir seized upon the Archmage's incapacitation, hoping the mage would die so that he could escape and reconstitute his physical body. He added his will to Danica's, punching into Zoraster's mental defenses. Danica saw a weakness, and immediately exploited it, breaking through into his consciousness. The tangled web of Zoraster's schemes was near indecipherable. The many layers would take hours to fathom, and Danica tore her mind away from them. Glimpses of his inner sanctum appeared to her, as well as the magic necessary to enter it. Then memories of her, and those that she had encountered, drew her attention like a beacon. Anger welled up inside Danica as she sifted through the memories. Her first encounter with Tonda was there, and Danica knew that memory was a threat to Tonda, her husband, and their unborn child. Instinctively, she lashed out at the memory as she had in Marlena's mind, and it shattered like glass. Another memory, one of Hathortari, exploded into shards next. Danica sifted through the Archmage's reeling mind, destroying every memory she could find, defending those she cared about in the only way that was possible. For every memory she vanquished, another person was safe, even if she and Celes should fail. A wail of anguish erupted within Zoraster's mind, and Danica felt the presence of Blorcasir shoved back. An even darker, even more ominous presence replaced it, and something suddenly thrust Danica out of Zoraster's mind as well. Yelping and grabbing her head, Danica fell hard to the stones. She felt like a knife was stabbing into her brain, and an unnatural chill permeated her flesh. Opening her eyes, she saw Zoraster regaining his senses as well. Scrambling to her feet, Danica glanced over to see Celes still unconscious. Looking back at Zoraster, she saw his eyes focus on her. Those orbs turned hard as stone, and Zoraster spat out, "Mind Witch!" Zoraster leveled his staff at Danica, and she taunted, "Missing something, you arrogant fuck?" Red-hot hatred flared in Zoraster's eyes, and he screamed, raising his staff over his head as he lunged at Danica. Danica jumped out of the way when Zoraster swung the staff down at her, the enchantments upon it shattering the chest of drawers he struck into thousands of splinters. One chunk, several inches long, slashed across Danica's abdomen, drawing an angry line of blood. Danica spoke the name of a rune, cupping her palm over her forearm where the rune was drawn. An image of the rune rose up, burning white hot, and Danica hurled it at Zoraster. The rune magic blasted through the enraged wizard's defenses, setting his robes aflame. He ignored the flame and raised his staff to strike again, but started when he found it suddenly gone from his grasp. Danica glanced over and saw Celes finish her gesture. Fear was the trigger that unleashed her power to teleport, and seeing Danica in mortal danger had sparked that fear. Reaching into her robes, Celes withdrew the crystal sphere and shattered it upon the floor before her. They all felt the gloom settle over them. The second sphere destroyed all magic, not just that summoned with word and gesture, but that contained in items as well. The Art was now utterly useless in this room. Zoraster stabbed his hands into his burning robes, withdrawing the obelisk in his blackened hand. Instantly, the flames winked out and his flesh slowly healed before Danica's eyes. Transforming the obelisk into a dagger with a thought, Zoraster advanced upon Danica. "I can see you are too dangerous to live — a pity," Zoraster croaked, his voice becoming stronger by the moment as the energy of the god trapped within the blade flowed through him. Seeing one of the shattered chunks of wood on the floor, nearly a foot long and shaped like a stake, Danica grabbed it with her telekinetic powers and hurled it at Zoraster. At the same moment, Celes did the same with her inborn power, the one triggered by anger. Zoraster stopped, Godsbane falling from his nerveless hand. Blood fountained from his mouth as he glanced down, a look of stunned surprise crossing his features. One spear of wood pierced his throat, and the other his heart. Zoraster — Master of a vast hidden empire, and one of the most powerful mortals ever to walk the planet — collapsed in a broken, smoldering heap to the floor. Danica watched in horror as his hand clawed for the nearby dagger for a moment. Both Danica and Celes tried to move the blade with their powers, but found it resisted them. Zoraster's hand ceased it's scrambling and collapsed to the floor, still curled tightly into a claw. Celes hurried to Danica's side, the auburn haired woman moving closer to Zoraster to examine him. Through the haze of sickly-sweet smoke, Danica could see he was not breathing. A chuckling sob escaped Danica, "It's over!" ------- Staring into his scrying mirror, Rogan Illiciat felt something he had not felt for a very long time — his own mortality. Only the old Guardian and Zoraster could match his power, and one of those had just fallen. "I suppose I shall have to give more credence to the mad ravings of the prophets. They have come." He vanished in a flash of light. ------- Tam's eyes popped open, and a great smile spread across his face. "They are the ones — they are the hope we have awaited!" Vellana's brow furrowed. "The champions the prophecies speak of?" "Yes, Vellana, the universe has been awaiting this moment since its birth. The presence of the stones in this reality is an aberration, and now they shall contend for dominance through those that they prepared in the beginning, even as they slumbered." "So, it is true," Illiciat said, appearing before the pair at the table. The Guardian nodded, his smile vanishing. "Yes, those two — Danica Ardane and Celes Hartwell — they are the heart and soul of those who will stand against the dark." Illiciat laughed, "I know you don't like me, old man, and I don't like you either. I may not serve completely of my own free will, but I will not see all cast into darkness. I will play my part in this game — fear not. In truth, I find it all quite fascinating, and there are benefits, of course." Now it was Tam's turn to furrow his brow. "I fear I understand you less than Vellana understands my motivations." Pulling down the hood of his deep purple robe, Illiciat shrugged his shoulders. "Then obviously you are not meant to understand my motivations, else the stone would have revealed them to you." Tam sighed. "I trust in her, and thus I shall trust in you." All three then started, listening intently to the song of the stone, coming to them from its resting place deep in the cavern. Snorting in disdain, Illiciat asked, "Bah, what foolishness is this?" The Guardian laughed. "In this I believe I have the advantage over you Rogan. It is necessary, a part of her preparations." Narrowing his eyes, Rogan retorted, "We are not even to inform them — the ones who are supposed to be the hope of the world?" Tam shook his head, a look of compassion in his face. "No, I fear their trials are not yet over, and they must meet them on their own." "Sometimes I believe your brains have been addled by the stone, Tamelauran. I will abide by the order, thought I think it foolish," Illiciat said, and then simply vanished from the room. Tam rose, holding out his hand to Vellana. "Come, you have your part to play as well, my dear. It is time for us to go and commune with the stone once more." "Yes, Master." ------- Danica reached out with her mind, opening the door to her closet and the door of a cabinet in her study at the same time. Concentrating, she used her telekinetic powers to pull a fresh robe from the former, and a wooden box from the latter. She directed the box into Celes' hands, and started pulling on the robe as quickly as possible. "We need to get Andrea and Marlena, and get out of here." Celes nodded. "We may have a fight on our hands." Ignoring the clasps and simply tying the robe closed, Danica closed her eyes and sent her thoughts hurtling out beyond the walls of her room. A moment later, she opened her eyes again and said, "No, there doesn't seem to be any alarm. My rune defenses and the dispell must be blocking anyone from discovering that Zoraster is dead." Zoraster is dead. The words sent giddy disbelief flooding through both women. If it were not for his still smoldering corpse lying on the floor not far away, they likely would not believe it to be true. Danica nodded to the wooden box. "Replacement rings. We probably both don't have enough magic on us right now to deflect a cantrip. Those aren't as strong as our usual items, so we'll have to be extra careful." Celes nodded and opened the box. At that moment, Danica had a flash of inspiration, one that felt quite unnatural. The thought felt like something that she had always known, but only now allowed her to sense it. "Just a second, I'm going to try something." Celes asked, "What, Danica?" Danica was already concentrating, however. Pressing her forearms and palms together, Danica held them before her and summoned up the power of the runes scribed upon her flesh. She spread her arms wide, and then pulled them back together slowly, cupping her hands and turning toward the dead Archmage. Celes felt the dispell leave the room. "Is that a good idea? Gods only know what kind of dangerous magic he might still have on him." "The dispell is still around him," Danica explained. Celes' eyebrows rose. She walked over toward Zoraster, and a few steps away felt the dispell chill her again. Stepping back out of the range of the dead magic zone, she turned to Danica and asked, "How did you do that?" "I just... I knew how. I don't know why, but I did," Danica replied, and then her eyes lit up and she crossed the room toward her lab, holding out her hand. A tooled leather bag leapt from a shelf and sped into Danica's hand. "I'm not leaving anything for his servants," Danica remarked, and opened the bag. Walking to each room in turn, Danica spoke command words, packing up nearly everything in her rooms into the Satchel of Hasty Departure. "I guess we won't have to take down my defenses either. I can teleport us out of here even through them," Danica explained. Celes pulled off one of the rings on her finger and replaced it with one from the box, placing the drained one in her pocket for later recharging. "Let's get ready and get out of here then." A memory flooded into Danica, one she had found while within Zoraster's mind. She knelt down and pulled at Zoraster's charred robes, finding what she sought in a pocket within. Withdrawing the crystal sphere, she handed it to Celes. "Oh, my love," Celes whispered, sensing her lover's spirit trapped within. Danica hugged her and then said, "We'll find a way to free her. We need to get our magic items replaced and escape while we can." The women exchanged their depleted defensive magic items for new ones, and then joined hands, vanishing from the room. They appeared a moment later in Marlena's room, startling the woman. "Quickly, we want to get to Andrea — and Brandon," Danica added his name when it flashed through her mind. Celes nodded. "Good idea, he's too good for this place." "What are..." Danica cut Marlena off with a wink and a smile, taking the other redhead's hand in hers, and then taking Celes' hand. Once again, they vanished on the wings of magic. Brandon was no less surprised than Marlena had been by the women's sudden appearance. They didn't even give him a moment to protest. Celes simply grabbed his hand and winked them all out of the room. Andrea screamed when they appeared in her humble home. Danica shivered when she felt a sudden chill settle over the room. She noticed the others were likewise reacting to the unexplained cold. Andrea laid a hand over her heart and exclaimed, "You scared me half to death!" Brandon asked, "The hell is going on?" Danica answered, "We're leaving. I can't explain right now, but this is not going to be a pleasant place very soon. We want you to come with us, where you'll be safe." Andrea smiled. "I'll go. I couldn't bear losing more friends. Celes, is that you?" Celes responded in her brogue, "Well, who're ye thinkin' 'twould be, lil' missy?" Andrea caught Celes up in her arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, that's so wonderful, Celes!" Celes felt other arms closing around her then as well, Marlena adding her joy at seeing Celes' curse broken to that of Andrea. Pushing them away, Celes said, "There's no time for that now. Will you come too Brandon?" A mischievous smile crossing his lips, Brandon replied, "Four beautiful, sexy women are asking me to come away with them. What kind of idiot do you take me for?" He put his arms up defensively when four simultaneous slaps hit him, the entire group laughing. The door suddenly burst open and a gust of magical wind rushed over them. A robed man stood in the door, his face hidden beneath the hood. His voice was ominous when he said, "Something is amiss here. I am going to detain you until the Master can be consulted." Danica, Celes, and Marlena all fell into their spell casting. At the same time, Brandon drew his sword. Anger burned in Andrea's eyes as she pointed at the intruder and shouted, "Get out of my house!" Brandon jumped back, and the other three women stopped their chants instantly when lightning leapt forth from Andrea's finger, catching the man in the doorway off guard and sending him twitching to the floor. Danica reacted quickly, grasping the man with her telekinetic powers and jerking him inside. Celes gestured as soon as he was clear and slammed the door shut. "What... What was..." Andrea said, staring at her hand and the shallowly breathing man on the floor. Celes slapped her forehead. "I can't believe I didn't think of it before now. The fires whenever you were aroused, the wind whenever you got excited, the cold when we scared you a few minutes ago, and now the lightning when you were mad. Andrea, you're a witch!" Her eyes open wide, Andrea stammered, "I'm a what?" Danica completed her spell casting, trapping the man in magical bonds and adding a slumber spell on top of it. "Later — we need to get out of here. If my sister listened to me, I have help waiting to get us somewhere safe." Danica then turned away from the rest of the group and chanted the Hellgate spell. As soon as it opened, she gestured for the others to follow and stepped inside. They followed her instructions and Danica closed the portal behind her, breathing a sigh of relief. "This is nice," Brandon muttered, looking around at the glade. "Looks can be deceiving," Celes responded, "Andrea, you've been using your natural powers without knowing it for a long time now. How did your parents die again?" "It was a fire. The house was stone. I don't know how it burned." Celes nodded her head knowingly. "It was probably a demon then. You're going to have to learn to control your powers, and use them. We're both targets now. Once the power is unleashed, it is like a beacon to hellspawn, dark warlocks, and evil witches." Danica finished centering the portal, the image of her dusty shop appearing within. "Time to find out if Devan can follow orders from her little sister," Danica said and opened the portal. She stepped through, the others following her. Almost instantly, Devan appeared in the shop next to them. She glanced at the still open portal and said, "Hellgate? Danica, you have a damn lot of explaining to do." "I love you too, Devan," Danica laughed. She then introduced the other four with her. "Charmed, I'm sure," Devan said impatiently. The tone of Devan's voice lit up a memory in Danica's head. She looked at her sister and said, "Devan, do you use any sort of pattern to teleport to Darkni's island?" Devan nodded, "Yes, that's much easier, and you can make longer jumps that way without risking the dangers of the Hellgate." "Think about the pattern, like you were planning to use it," Danica asked. Devan shrugged her shoulders and let out an exasperated sigh, but did as Danica asked. She felt her sister's mind touch hers, and then Danica said, "That's it, I've got it." "How did..." Danica cut her sister off with a thought cast into Devan's head, Like you said, I have a lot of explaining to do. She then said, "Celes, there's something I want to do. Will you come with me, please?" "Of course, but what, Danica?" "I'll explain in the Hellgate." Danica then turned to her sister and asked, "Devan, can you take them back to Darkni's? I'll be there shortly. I know the pattern now, so I can teleport there." Devan countered, "Why don't we all go back to Darkni's, and then I'll go with you wherever it is you're off to." Danica shook her head. "Devan, I'm a big girl; I can take care of myself. I have to do this, and I want to know you're protecting the people I care about." Devan opened her mouth to argue again, but then she saw the look of determination, mixed with a faint hint of pleading, in Danica's eyes. "Okay, Danica. You've grown up. Come back safe, or I'll track you down and spank your ass for you, then take you home so Dad can turn you over his knee too." Andrea and Marlena both walked up to Danica. Andrea said, "Make that three spankings." Marlena added, "Four." Brandon laughed and said, "As long as everybody is joining in the fun..." Devan turned and twitched her eyebrows at the warrior, and then turned back to Danica, "So, who's this then?" Danica wiggled her finger at her sister, "Hands off — and that applies to everybody." Devan threw her head back and laughed, and then told Danica, "We're going to have a very long talk when you get back." Marlena and Andrea hugged Danica and Celes in turn. Brandon then walked up and both women hugged him, kissing him on opposite cheeks. Devan held out her hands, and the others joined the circle. "We'll see you soon. Now, it's your turn to promise," she said to Danica. "Promise," Danica said with a wide smile. Devan nodded and cast the spell. As soon as they were gone, Danica turned to Celes and said, "I was in Zoraster's mind while you were unconscious. There are some things I have to do." Celes hugged her dear friend and lover. "I trust you, and I understand. Let's go, quickly." Danica walked back through the portal, Celes right behind her. ------- "Danica, we just escaped here. Now you want to go back and rescue a bunch of unreal things Zoraster used to torment us?" Danica brought the focus of the portal in on a door in the complex, and then turned to look at Celes. "It feels too much like leaving part of us there. Zoraster wasn't the only sick, twisted, evil bastard there either. Maybe we can prevent someone from stepping into his place and continuing where he left off." Celes nodded. "Okay, you've convinced me, but no dallying. We get in there, do what we can, and get out." Danica hugged her, and then said, "Don't worry; I have too much to live for to take too many risks." They stepped through the portal, and Danica cast her thoughts out through the complex. When she opened her eyes, she told Celes, "There are some uneasy people around, but there is no general alarm yet. We still have time." Danica opened the door before her, and the bald keeper of Zoraster's gold raised his head. "So, you have come into your powers. I suspected you would come, so I have waited to congratulate you. My time watching here is done," the mentalist said with a smile. Danica thought to him, sending the thought to Celes as well so she would not be left out of the conversation, Who are you? He returned the favor, letting Celes hear his thoughts back to Danica, Just one who would nurture great psionics, especially those who may hold the balance of the world in their hands. With that, he turned transparent and streaked upward through the ceiling. As he vanished, the wards upon a door behind him faded into darkness. Celes raised her eyebrows and asked, "How did he do that?" "I don't know. He has powers I can't even begin to comprehend. Let's get as much coin as we can quickly," Danica replied. Celes opened the door, and the two women marveled at the amount of wealth contained in this small room. Opening a pair of small bags, Danica found precious gems. A quick glance told her that the contents would probably be worth hundreds of thousands of gold. She stuffed them into her bag of holding. Celes was likewise filling her bag with sacks of coin and gems. After taking perhaps a half dozen bags, Celes shook her head and said, "We have enough to live like Queens for three lifetimes. How much wealth did Zoraster have?" "I wish we had time to take it all, or destroy it, but we need to hurry." Celes nodded her agreement and dropped a final sack into her bag of holding. Danica went back to the door of the storeroom and shut it. She then made a few gestures and spoke words of command. When she opened the door again, it did not open into the familiar hall beyond, but a more opulent chamber somewhere else. "Zoraster's inner sanctum," Danica whispered. Celes gave Danica a little prod. "Quickly — we won't want to stay here long. Surely someone will raise an alarm with us being in here." Danica strode with purpose, appearing to know exactly where she was going. She drew up short at a door just beyond the lavish entrance hall of Zoraster's under mountain home, another memory from Zoraster's mind popping into her head. "His library, one of many that are exactly the same." She then opened the door and Celes followed. Danica hurried to a shelf, knowing exactly what she was seeking — and the command words that would activate it. There on the shelf was a Satchel of Hasty Departure, one keyed to every book in this room. She spoke the command word, and the books all turned into motes of light and streaked into the bag. Celes laughed. "Let's hope that stymies anyone from learning the darkest of his Art." "There may be information in here that can help us keep others from following in his footsteps as well," Danica added. She then walked back to the door saying, "Let's get the clones and get out of here. I can feel tension in the air." Once again, Danica proceeded unerringly through halls she had never before walked. They passed a study room, a sitting room, and then came to the door Danica sought. She opened it and the sounds of pleasure greeted both women. The clones all writhed like a mass of snakes on the floor, their nude bodies roaming all over each other. Danica turned to Celes and said, "We'll have to put them to sleep until we can break some of the spells over them. Right now, only Zoraster's voice can command them." "I'll do it, I was always good with mass sleep spells," Celes offered and started chanting the spell. While Celes cast her spell, Danica opened the portal again. Once it was open and Celes' spell took hold, Danica levitated an unconscious clone through the portal with her mental powers. In addition to the clones of her and Andrea that she knew about, there were several more of Andrea, Marlena, and Celes in the room. Celes concentrated and managed to lift a clone of Andrea with her powers, guiding it through the portal as well. "At least it's working. I was half afraid I'd have to get mad before it would work, but this isn't easy," Celes mumbled, obvious strain on her face. Danica levitated her third clone through the portal with ease, "Just get as many as you can, I'll take care of the rest." It took only a few minutes to get the clones all through the portal, but it felt like hours to the two women, who sensed that an alarm was imminent. Once the copies were all within Danica's pocket dimension, she peeked her head in and warned the denizens of the place to keep their hands off the sleeping copies. She then shrank the portal down to a tiny sphere that hovered near her shoulder. Walking toward a door beyond, again acting on memory, Danica opened it. Celes walked in behind Danica and saw the room full of coffins. It was here that Zoraster created his clones. Celes was amazed by the number, and in utter disbelief that the Archmage had managed to find the time, money, and spell components to create such a facility for turning out clones. "No more," Danica said — her voice tight with rage. "Danica, what are you... Danica, NO!" Celes' words went unheeded as Danica cast her spell. She was determined that nobody would ever use these facilities again. To that end, she was casting the final discipline of the Inferno spell. Celes recognized it, and thought Danica gone mad, committing suicide to destroy the place. Celes screamed Danica's name again, but the woman didn't even react. She was drawing near the conclusion of the spell, so Celes quickly brought up an additional shield against fire and magic around them, doubting it would be enough. There was no time to do anything else, and she simply prayed that it would hold when the shield sprang into being. Danica completed her spell, and a blue-white sphere of light appeared around them both. It was Danica activating the runes on her skin, protecting against the hellish inferno that engulfed the room. The runes provided them with protection that would have been impossible for any other magic. Celes involuntarily screamed in terror when the white-hot flames engulfed everything in the room, and then stared with awe at Danica, who was pouring her will into the spell. The heat was starting to penetrate the magnificent shield, however. "Danica, you have to let it burn out! The shields are breaking!" Danica's determined expression did not falter, however. Celes screamed the warning again, sweat starting to bead on both their bodies as the heat grew stronger by the moment. Then, as suddenly as it had started, the conflagration died down. There was nothing remaining of the coffin-like crèches, or any of the other apparatus in the room. Even the very stone had melted into glowing pools, only the spot at their feet solid and whole. They both sensed the presence behind them at the same time, and whirled around to face Camilla, standing in the doorway and staring in horror at the scene before her. Danica started, surprised to see someone she knew was dead standing behind her. At first assuming it to be another mindless copy, she reached out with her psionic powers and discovered otherwise. She might have a new body, but it was absolutely Camilla's twisted mind inside it. This was no mere toy of Zoraster's. Camilla snarled, "What have you done?" Danica raised her hand, summoning up a hissing ball of energy through her rune magic. Celes began chanting the words of a spell. Seeing Celes young and in full possession of her powers, and Danica — the woman who had nearly killed her once already — taking up magical arms against her, Camilla fled in terror. Celes ceased her casting, and Danica let the energy ball vanish from her palm. "We need to go, the alarm will spread quickly now," Danica suggested. "I agree. Open the portal and let's get out of here. Your sister isn't the only one who needs to have a long talk with you." ------- A very confused Devan helped Danica and Celes get the clones into beds, ensuring that they would remain asleep until the spells controlling them could be broken. Devan kept pushing for explanations the entire time, but Danica put her off, only willing to say that it was Zoraster who had enslaved her, and that he was dead. Devan was not amused, but she accepted Danica's explanation that it was going to be a very long story, and she wanted to get it all out at once. They returned to the room where Andrea and the rest were waiting, and Danica ran into her father's arms when she saw him and her younger brother there as well. "I'm so glad to see you, Dad," she said, and then kissed his cheek. She reached over and pulled Daniel toward her, kissing him as well, "I've missed you both so much. I love you." "We love you too, Danica. Now, what is this all about?" Her father looked very confused, and more than a bit apprehensive. "I'll explain it in a while, and I'll need to explain in more detail to Devan and Darkniciad later. For now, I want to go say goodbye to Mom." Turning to the rest of those who had escaped Zoraster's clutches with her, she asked, "Will you come? I'd like to have friends with me too." "Of course we will," Celes responded, and the rest nodded their heads in agreement. "Please to be waiting one moment," said a thickly accented voice from the doorway. Danica recognized the accent from her time in the eastern deserts, and the voice from a past that felt like a lifetime ago. Turning, she saw a swarthy-skinned wizard sporting a long black goatee, just touched with a little grey. A wide smile decorated his face, pearly white teeth a sharp contrast to his dark skin. Devan asked, "What is it, Ashtar?" "I am being knowing a spell that I am thinking will be putting your mind at ease for your family to be returning to their home," he responded. Devan smiled and turned to Danica, "I don't know why I didn't think of it. Ashtar is better at this spell than anyone. Not really a big surprise since it's his creation. It will link Dad and Daniel to us, and teleport them to our side if they are in danger." "It will have to be being regularly renewed, but taking this responsibility I will be glad to be doing,"Ashtar added. Danica remembered a few words of the native tongue, and used them to thank the wizard. More or less, the phrase meant, peace be upon you. Ashtar's eyes lit up. "Your accent is being a little off, but very pleasing is my tongue upon your lips. I shall be casting the spell, and you need not to be fearing for those you love to be returning to the life they are knowing." "If it's okay with you, Dad, it will really make me feel better," Danica requested. "Me too," Devan agreed. "I trust you girls, and if it will keep you from worrying and let me get home, then it's fine with me." Danica's little brother smiled and said, "You know I love magic." Ashtar worked his magic, and Danica listened carefully. She was determined she was going to learn that spell, and be just as good at casting it as the man who had created it. "I don't feel any different," Danica's father remarked once the nimbus of magic settled around them. Ashtar explained, "Feeling nothing you will unless activated is the magic. Fearing I am that your stomach it may be turning, but otherwise safe it is." "We should get those chains off Andrea and Marlena," Celes suggested. Andrea looked confused, but Marlena's eyes lit up. The redheaded illusionist asked, "You removed your amulets?" Celes smiled and said, "Yes, and we have the means to safely remove yours as well." "Andrea, we never told you about it, because Zoraster hid it from you — and it would have only scared you — but you have a pendant around your neck that Zoraster put there. We'll explain it later, but for now we need to remove it," Danica explained to the young woman. Andrea nodded, "I trust you too, Danica." Danica removed two of the pearls from the silk bag, touching the pendants around the two women's necks. Andrea gasped when hers became visible to her and she could feel its weight around her neck. Danica smiled and told them, "Just unhook the chains, it's safe now." Both women looked very relieved when they removed Zoraster's leashes from their necks. Danica took them, placing them in her bag of holding for safekeeping — and later study. "I'll want to have a look at one of those later, Danica," Devan requested. "Of course. Are we ready then?" Everyone nodded or murmured that they were. Danica's eyes misted with tears, and her lip quivered as she said, "Let's go home." ------- Epilogue A Danica knelt at her mother's grave, gently stroking the marker stone with one hand. Tears streamed down her face, but only the occasional sob shook her. Her mother's long illness had prepared Danica for this day long ago, as much as anyone could be prepared for the death of a parent. She laid the flowers in front of the headstone, whispering, "I love you, Mom. I'll miss you." Staring at the stone, Danica wondered, What would you think of me, if you could see me now? As if sensing her sister's thoughts, Devan lay a hand on Danica's shoulder and softly said, "She'd be proud of you, Danica. She always was proud of you. You were a good girl with an honest trade, and no mother could ask for more. I think she would be beaming if she could see you now, though. You stood up and did what was right, and you did it on your own." Danica looked up at her sister, "You think so?" Devan nodded and smiled, "I know so." Danica rose to her feet, and Devan hugged her, whispering into her ear, "I'm proud of you too, Danica. It broke my heart to see you hiding in my shadow, like it was your place, and not living up to your potential. I didn't know what to do, so I just tried to encourage you whenever I could." "You were always so beautiful and powerful. I felt like nothing beside you," Danica responded. "Now you know better." Nodding toward the others, gathered a respectful distance away while the sisters shared a private moment, Devan added, "There's your proof. To them, I'm just Danica's sister, and that's the way it should be. I'm so glad to see you taking control of your life." Danica sighed, "Zoraster gave me little choice." "Don't worry about that right now. You can tell me more later." Hugging Danica again, Devan whispered, "I was always jealous of your boobs, you know. I've seen men walk into walls and about knock themselves out staring at them." Danica chuckled and hugged her sister tighter. They both laughed when their stomachs rumbled in perfect unison. "I think we both need something to eat," Devan remarked. "Come on inside, and I'll make us something," Danica's father suggested. Danica looked over at her father and said, "There's a reason Mom never let you near the kitchen, Dad. You can't boil water without burning it — I'm cooking. You and Daniel are going to take Brandon somewhere so you men won't be in our way." Daniel exclaimed, "Thank the gods!" Scowling at his son, Danica's father warned, "I'll remember that, Son. I think I can find your mother's recipe for boiled hay." Daniel held up his hands defensively and backed away, drawing a laugh from everyone. Chuckling, Danica's father admitted, "It will be nice to have some real food in this house for once, though." Danica looked over at Devan and said, "I know you're almost as helpless as Dad, but you don't get off so easy. You'll be running to the root cellar for us." Devan groaned in response to that. Danica asked her father, "Do you have any hands helping out right now?" "We told them to take a few days off, and that we'd send for them, when Devan came to get us." "Okay, it's just us then." Turning to her assembled friends, Danica said, "Let's go find out what we have and get started. I'm starving." ------- Ebonar stood in Danica's strangely bare room, staring at the corpse of his Master. "It appears you underestimated those two," he muttered. "I have my instructions — things will continue as you ordered." "Who are you to take his place?" Ebonar scowled and turned to face Camilla, who was standing in the doorway to Danica's abandoned room. Staring hard at her, his voice tightly controlled, Ebonar replied, "I am in charge here, Camilla. Allow me to demonstrate." Ebonar spoke a word of magic and Camilla collapsed to the floor on her knees, screaming and holding her head. The pain lasted for only moments, but it was more than long enough for Camilla to understand that this man indeed held secrets known only to Zoraster. Turning away from the kneeling woman, Ebonar ordered, "Send servants to clean these rooms in one hour. After that, they are to be sealed, and only opened upon my orders. Spread the word that I am calling council for this evening as well, at the usual time. It is time for everyone to know that things will continue as always, under my direction. Close the door behind you." "Y-yes, Master," Camilla replied, rising to obey the order. When she was gone, Ebonar lifted his foot from a knife-shaped scorch mark on the stone. Staring at it knowingly, he chanted a spell and caused the blemish to vanish. He then knelt to pick up the contorted body of Zoraster Arias. ------- "That was a meal fit for a king," Danica's father sighed contentedly, "I don't know if I'll be able to drag myself out of this chair and into bed tonight." Marlena started to speak, but paused and looked perplexed for a moment. She then said, "It's a bit awkward not knowing your name." "David," Danica's father replied, "I hardly ever hear it, because the hands call me Sir, and the children call me Dad. Even Dora called me Dear most of the time. I haven't heard David with any regularity for forty years or more." Devan chuckled and said, "Our family has a thing for names starting with D." Marlena smiled and said, "I just want to thank you for your hospitality, David." "Thank him in the morning, because we're staying the night," Danica announced. "I think I can get up to bring in some beds if you girls will stay the night. It's been too long since either of you stayed, let alone both of you," David said with a wide smile. "It will be a bit crowded," Devan warned. Daniel piped up and offered, "Brandon can have my bed. I'll bunk with Dad." Andrea said, "We don't want to impose." David gestured to his daughters, "If it keeps both these girls here, and maybe gets me a good breakfast in the morning, I'll consider it a blessing rather than an imposition." Brandon stood with a great sigh. "It ain't gonna get any easier to move. Show me where the bunks are, and where to put them, and I'll start moving them." Daniel stood as well, "I'll show you, and I'll help." Why the sudden urge to stay? Danica heard Devan thinking. Devan obviously meant for Danica to hear the thought, which was the equivalent of a mental shout. You don't have to shout, Devan, I can hear you. I just feel like staying, and I want to talk to you later. There are some things I need to say to you before I start telling the whole story. I knew it, you're psionic, you haven't cast any spells. Later, Danica responded mentally, winking at her sister. She then turned to the other women and asked, "Would you mind helping me with the dishes? We'll cheat a little with our magic, but it will still take a while." "It's been too long since I've done any honest work," Celes responded and stood up. She then blew out a blast of air and said, "It's been a while since I ate so well too. I don't think I'm in any better shape than anyone else." Danica's father stood and said, "Well, let's get started moving those beds. My old back may not be good for lifting, but I can surely hold open doors for you younguns." Brandon laughed, "It's been a while since I was called a youngun. "You're a friend of my daughter, so you're a youngun," David laughed. "Not so young that you can't share a few tankards with Daniel and I, though." Daniel beamed, "If I knew you'd break out your cask, I'd bring my friends over more often." His father snorted, "Your friends aren't so well behaved." Danica laughed and said, "You just don't know Brandon very well yet." Brandon affected a hurt expression, drawing a laugh from Danica and her friends. He joined in after a moment, and then followed Daniel to the door. Danica ushered the women into the kitchen at the same time. ------- Danica yawned, "I feel dead on my feet." She stretched and tossed her bag of holding onto the bed, and then said, "I'm sure Devan and I have nightshirts that will fit everyone." "If mine haven't been eaten up by moths," Devan muttered, digging into her clothes chest. Danica asked, "You don't have any in your bag?" "I keep a few spare robes, and a few pair of panties, but that's about it," Devan answered. "If you can spare a pair of panties, I'd appreciate it. Mine are falling off me," Celes requested. Devan flipped open her bag and felt around for a moment, and then withdrew a pair of lace-trimmed red panties, holding them out to Celes. Celes chuckled and said, "For special occasions?" Twitching her eyebrows, Devan replied, "No, I have naughty ones for that." Danica sent a thought to her friends, I feel like I'm about to pass out, but I really need to talk to Devan tonight. I owe her several apologies, especially for being so judgmental about her being with other women. I feel terrible about it. We'll be fine, go take care of it now. I don't want a repeat of you and Celes. Andrea thought to Danica, her mental voice still a little awkward, as she had not communicated with Danica often this way. "Devan — I need to talk to you before we go to bed. Let's go out to the barn." Devan nodded, and then laughed. "It will be a little odd walking out there together and not being dressed in two layers of clothing." Danica laughed as well, and then explained to the others who didn't understand the jest, "We used to wear conservative clothing over more daring outfits to get past Mom when we went into town. We always stashed them in the barn." Marlena blushed and said, "I suppose we all did that." "We never got caught, though," Devan bragged with a wink. "Mom knew, she told me, but she still made us go through the motions," Danica told her sister. "Well, thanks for destroying my illusions about how clever I was," Devan responded, sticking her tongue out. "Go on, we'll wait for you to get back," Celes said, making a shooing motion. Danica nodded toward the door, and Devan followed her. The walk to the barn was indeed nostalgic, and Danica found she was smiling despite being a little nervous about the talk with her sister. When they reached the barn, Danica opened the door and led Devan to a bale of hay, where they both sat down. "Devan, I owe you some apologies." "Danica, you don't have to..." "No, I do. I was terrible to you about a lot of things, but one of them has been really bothering me. I'm so sorry for treating you the way I have, because you liked being with other women." Devan smiled. "It's okay, Danica. I know it isn't the easiest thing in the world to accept. It bothered me at first too, until I realized it was just as natural as being with a man. Why the change in heart?" Danica blushed, and the reaction told Devan everything she needed to know. She guessed, "Celes?" Danica smiled, nodded, and said, "Andrea and Marlena too, and a lot of others. Zoraster did things to me while he held me, but I know now that all of it was inside me anyway. I just wouldn't let it out. I think I was trying to be different from you in some small way." Devan winked and said, "Well, that will certainly make it easier to talk to you sometimes. They're all beautiful women. I'm a bit jealous. Now, I have a question for you. Have you been magicking your boobs?" Danica laughed and shook her head, and then held up a finger to indicate Devan should wait for a moment while she opened her robe. Devan asked, "Well, what's that now?" "I found a woman who makes them, she calls them brassieres. I don't think I could live without them now." "You're going to have to get me some. I like how they look all pushed up." "They aren't bouncing all over the place either," Danica said as she closed her robe. "I'm sorry for not letting you know what I was doing when I vanished, too. I know I should have, and all of this probably wouldn't have happened if I had." "Just don't let it happen again, but you know, Mom always said that things happen for a reason." "I've been hearing and saying that a lot lately," Danica said with a chuckle. "Anyway, I'm sorry, Devan. I've treated you badly, and it was all for selfish reasons." "I forgive you," Devan responded, and then yawned, "I want to know more about what happened while you were gone, but I'm exhausted. Let's go to bed, we'll have plenty of time to talk about things later. I'm proud of you Danica, and I'm happy to see you confident and using all that ability you've always had." "I would have never gotten through it without my friends. Celes, Brandon, Andrea, Marlena — they all supported me in their own ways, others too. I wish I could introduce you to Carolyn, Grant, Heather, Tari, Tonda — so many people have touched me in all those years." Listening to the love in Danica's voice stung Devan a little. Her relationships were all spurious at best, and she had never really connected with anyone. Hearing the names of so many friends — made under the worst of circumstances — caused Devan to feel more than a little empty inside. Danica laid a hand on her sister's shoulder, "Are you okay?" Devan pushed the dark thoughts away and smiled. "Yes, I'm just tired, let's go to bed." "No need to walk," Danica said and held out her hand to Devan. Devan took it and they teleported back to their room. Devan nodded her head approvingly when they arrived. "Now, how did you cast that spell so fast? I know the spell, but that wasn't all the words, or gestures." "Celes and I can explain it. We picked it up at the Forge." Devan muttered, "So you were there, then. I almost tracked you down, you know. The only thing that made me decide it wasn't you Cheron was talking about was that she said she had been with you. She's rather assertive, isn't she? I liked it." Celes said, "I guess you got things out in the open, then. Good, I was having trouble keeping my eyes off you." "Behave," Danica requested playfully, her face bright red. Devan laughed and winked at Celes. "We're going to get along just fine." Danica turned back to her sister and replied, "Yes, Cheron knows what she wants and goes right after it. Where did you meet her?" "Vladamir's — she's his right hand now." "I'd like to see her again," Danica sighed. "She'll probably be there when Darkni calls everyone to come listen to your story." Danica asked, "Who is everyone?" "Thakkor, Mindblind, Vladamir — everybody. We need to know what you know, so we can counter what Zoraster started. His plans have a life of their own, and they'll cause havoc even without him directing them." "It was going to be hard enough to tell this story to someone as powerful as Darkniciad. I'm going to throw up if I have to talk in front of Kings and Dukes," Danica lamented. Devan waved her hand in a dismissive gesture as she stripped off her robe. "The meeting will be informal — all of them are. It probably won't be any different than sitting around talking to anybody else. I'll get you drunk if you get too nervous." "You'll be fine, Danica. You remember everything, and you speak so well," Marlena asserted. "She's right," Andrea agreed. Devan pulled on her nightshirt and said, "There you go, listen to them. Don't you go back to thinking you're less than you are. I don't think I know half of how much you've grown yet." Danica took off her brassiere, smiling when she saw all three of her friends glance at her breasts, and then put on her nightshirt. "I still think I'm going to throw up." Devan climbed into bed and said, "We'll keep a bucket nearby then." "You're terrible," Danica sighed as she climbed into bed. "No, terrible would be sneaking out and trying to seduce that handsome Brandon you brought with you, while you were sleeping." Danica threw a pillow at her sister and then put out the lamp. Devan's mirth was short lived, and she lay awake for more than an hour, struggling with her inner demons in light of seeing the strong bonds of friendship and love between the women who shared the room with her and Danica. ------- A great deal of whispering and many arrogant stares greeted Ebonar as he strode into the council chamber. Stunned silence replaced the whispers when he sat down in the chair reserved for Zoraster at the head of the chamber. "I'm sure you are all aware that Zoraster is dead. By his orders, all shall move forward without delay, under my direction." "And who are you to sit in the Master's chair and speak with his voice," hissed one of the assembled wizards. "I am his chosen successor, and I suggest you address me with a tone more becoming your station," Ebonar warned. "We have nothing but your word to affirm this succession," another wizard uttered, but this one maintained a respectful tone. "Zoraster ruled because he had power," the first dissenter sneered, "I will not follow some puppet who claims Zoraster's favor. I think it is time for a new order here." Ebonar stood, and a nimbus of crackling energy sprang up around his muscled frame. "Zoraster ruled because he had the foresight and intelligence to do so. True, his power far outstripped that of any in this room — as does mine." With that, Ebonar gestured at the arrogant wizard that had just defied him. The man screamed as he was hurtled over the table behind him by a hissing bolt of crimson power. When the wizard came to rest, he was unconscious — his robes smoking. Ebonar scanned the assembly. "I trust there are no other objections?" The cowed servants of Zoraster immediately tore their eyes from the smoldering wizard, one of the most powerful amongst them, and affirmed their allegiance. "Good," Ebonar chuckled and sat down, "My name is Ebonar, but you shall address me as Master, even as you did my Master before me. Now, deliver your reports." ------- Danica awoke to the smell of coffee wafting through the house. She looked around and saw that Devan was already up, washing before she got dressed. The others were rousing as well. Danica was closest to the door when someone knocked on it, so she went to answer it, opening the door a crack and peeking out to see it was Brandon. "Your Pa may not be able to cook, but he damn sure can brew coffee. You ladies better get up before the first pot is gone. Have a nice sleepover?" He then tried to peek around Danica into the room. Danica rolled her eyes at him and shut the door, saying, "We'll be out in a few minutes." Devan laughed and said, "You should have just thrown the door open." She swatted her bottom with a sharp crack then and said, "He probably would have passed out and then there would be one less person drinking up all the coffee." Danica shook her head. "I'm sure he has the endurance to stay conscious." She twitched her eyebrows and smiled at Devan through the reflection in the mirror. Andrea laughed, and Marlena chuckled, though the redheaded illusionist blushed furiously. Celes just rolled her eyes. Devan looked at the other women with a curious smile and muttered, "My, my..." Between Danica and Devan, they managed to find clean clothing that would fit everyone, and coffee soon had them all awake and moving. Devan offered to take word to the farm hands that they should return the next day, and Danica pressed some coins on her to buy clothing for the other women who had little to nothing of their own. Devan happened to see just how much coin was in the bag Danica pulled the money from and remarked about it, to which Danica mischievously replied that she had found some good fortune over the years. Danica made breakfast, and after they had all eaten, she told her father and brother about what had happened to her over the last several years. She glossed over most of the darker aspects of her enslavement, especially those that were sexual in nature, but even her abbreviated tale impressed the gravity of what she had endured upon her family. "Your mother would be proud of you, Danica. I know I am," her father asserted when Danica finished. Danica hugged her father and said, "Thank you, Dad. I made a dumb mistake, but in the end I did what I had to do — what I thought was right — just like you and Mom taught me." David signaled to his older daughter and son, and they walked over to join in the hug. When he leaned back, David said, "I'm proud of all you kids. You girls need to come see us more often, though." Looking over their shoulders at the others in the room, he said, "You all fell free to drop by anytime, too. Any friend of my younguns' is always welcome in this house." The parting after lunch was tearful, Devan uncharacteristically hugging her father and brother for a very long time. Once they said goodbye, they left on the wings of magic to Darkniciad's island once more. Devan went to inform Darkni of their return, so that he might summon the rulers of Egoria to hear Danica's story. It would take several hours for all the nobles to attend to their business at home and journey by magic to the island, so Devan gave them all a tour of the tropical isle, and the school upon it. "This is a lot like Zoraster's place, at least in the organization. He may have been a mad, evil bastard, but he knew how to establish a place of learning," Celes remarked as they stood in the main library. "This is all so overwhelming," Andrea remarked. Celes turned to the blonde woman and said, "There's no place like this for a witch to study her craft, that's for sure. We're going to have a difficult time with our mothers gone, Andrea." Devan advised, "We have a few witches studying here, actually. They aren't natural practitioners of the craft like the two of you, but they can probably help set you on the right path. There is no manner of magic that we don't welcome and nurture here." "We should go get your mother's book, Celes," Danica suggested. "Aye, we should at that," Celes agreed. "I never even saw my mother's book, if she had one. I'm going to be more lost than you," Andrea said and sighed. "Perhaps we can help with that," said a voice coming from the open air before the assembled group. Devan started and raised her hands to meet any threat with her magic, as did Danica — until she saw Celes trembling and starting to tear up. Motes of light swirled in front of them, coalescing into the transparent image of a beautiful woman with raven-dark hair, and another with pale blonde tresses. "M-mom?" Andrea and Celes both stammered in stunned surprise. "I'm so proud of you, Celes," the dark-haired image of her mother announced. "And I'm so proud of you, Andrea," the other woman agreed. They both looked at each other then, and held out their hands before them, palm up. Thick, leather-bound tomes appeared in the hands of the women. Unlike those who held them, the books were solid and real. In formal tones, Celes' mother said, "Come, Celes, take the book that is the legacy of the Hartwell line of witches. You do us all proud, and you are destined to do great things with your powers." Andrea's mother spoke next, in the same formal tones, "You too have a great destiny before you, Andrea. Take the book that is your birthright as one of the Trueheart witches." The women stepped forward and took the books, and almost immediately tried to take their mother's hands. Both looked disappointed when their hands passed through the intangible hands of the elder witches. Both of the transparent women looked as pained as their daughters did. Andrea's mother said, "I wish I could hug you, dear. We've only been allowed these few moments to set you on your path." Celes' mother spoke next, "My dear daughter, there is a spell in the book that will free your love's soul from her imprisonment. You'll know it when you see it." The elder witches then smiled sadly and Celes' mother said, "We have to go. Know that we all watch over you. I love you, Celes." "I love you too Mother, thank you." "And I love you, Andrea." "I miss you, Mom. I love you." The two women then joined hands, the images of them becoming more transparent by the moment. The lights swirled around them again, and the voice of Andrea's mother drifted back to them as the women vanished. "We'll always be with you, my beloved daughter." Danica and Marlena moved forward immediately to comfort the two crying women, but saw that they both were smiling as they cried. Danica asked them, "Are you okay?" Celes nodded and clutched the tome she held to her breast. "I can feel Mother, and Grandmother, and all the grandmothers before that I never knew. It's like they never left. Their presence is here, in this book. Is it the same for you, Andrea?" Smiling and laughing through her tears, Andrea replied, "Yes, I can feel them all." "Well, that's something you don't see every day," Brandon mused. "Darkni is going to have an apoplexy. He's especially proud of his wards against spirits," Devan said and then laughed. "I want to go look at this right now, there's a spell in here I need to find immediately," Celes declared. Danica nodded, tears filling her eyes as well. "Back to our rooms then." ------- Swelling with pride and love, the two witches held hands and watched over their daughters. Nearby stood a woman with alien features — the oddity only serving to increase her undeniable beauty. Turning to the third woman, Celes' mother asked, "They are chosen ones then?" The third woman nodded. "They will face great trials, but the power within them — and the wisdom of those who came before them — will see them through." Andrea's mother asked, "Who is the third, then?" The strange, beautiful woman smiled and replied, "In time, they will find each other. Soon, I would think. Until then, I think they will find a way to fill the void, where necessary." ------- Celes flipped through her book, as did Andrea. Andrea remarked, "I recognize my mother's handwriting in places. Some of this script is so beautiful, and the dates boggle my mind." Celes grunted, a sound meant to convey agreement. "I think every witch who has ever held this book has added to it. It goes back hundreds of years." She suddenly stopped turning pages and stared at the one before her, "This is it." Everyone gathered to look over Celes' shoulder, seeing flowing script at the top of the page that read, To free a trapped soul. Celes shoulders fell and she said, "It says that the spell has to be chanted in unison by three witches." Devan offered, "You don't have to be born a witch to use witchcraft. You just have to have one of the spirits be agreeable with you. Maybe one of us can read it." Andrea and Celes both looked at each other and then Celes said, "Danica, will you read the spell with us? The spirits that empower witchcraft are nature entities, and I think you're more in tune with them than anyone else. Remember what you told me about the Nymphs?" "They did say that their Mistress liked me," Danica muttered. "Of course, I'll try." Celes left the book open where they all could see it, and then sat the sphere that held her love's soul contained upon the table nearby. Andrea and Danica came to stand on either side of Celes, and they all read through the short chant that should bring the magic into being. Danica took Celes' hand and told her, "I think I have enough of it memorized to keep up." Celes smiled, and then turned to Andrea. The blonde witch nodded, taking Celes' other hand at the same time. Celes said, "I'll squeeze your hands when I'm about to start." She then took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. When her eyes opened, she looked down at the book and squeezed the hands of her friends, beginning the chant. For one who is imprisoned - by arts most dark On life's final journey - not free to embark We ask for the power - we witches three To break these foul bonds - a soul to free The sphere upon the table began to glow with a light the color of new leaves. At the same time, it vibrated slightly for a moment, and then burst. A swirl of lights emerged from the sphere, and coalesced into the image of a dark-haired, lush woman wearing a wide smile. The woman clutched her hands over her heart and said, "Celes, thank you. Know I will always watch over you as well, and I shall always love you. Don't mourn me, and don't save all your love for me. You have more than enough to share." Celes sobbed and said, "I'm so sorry for what he did to you." "I'm free now, my love. I'm going to be with my mother, and all the witches of my line. I'm happy. I'll miss being next to you, but I know you have a great destiny before you, and I'll be so happy watching you fulfill it." "I don't want you to go," Celes sobbed. "I don't want to go either, but I must — they are calling. I should have been there a long time ago, and everyone is impatient to see me." Celes wiped her eyes as the image of her love faded, the now familiar lights swirling about it, "I'll think about you, always." A voice drifted back to Celes as the image vanished, "Just don't scream out my name when you reach your peak with someone else. That's terribly impolite, you know?" Celes laughed, and the others joined in. Wiping the tears from her eyes again, Celes said, "I've missed her teasing so much, she must have known it." "We'll try to fill the void, as long as you remember to scream the right names," Danica said with obvious mischief in her voice. Celes slapped her playfully, and then pulled both Danica and Andrea into a hug. ------- Danica peeked into the door leading to Darkniciad's large common room, and then just as quickly pulled her head back. "I can't do this, Devan. I don't even know how to talk in front of Nobles." Devan rolled her eyes, but she was smiling at the same time. "Do you see any crowns in there, Danica? This is more a gathering of friends than Nobles. We're dressed more formally than anybody else is." "It's a bit daunting, isn't it," said a blonde woman who walked up from behind, laying a hand upon Danica's shoulder. Danica nodded her head nervously to the woman. "Have you ever had to talk in front of a King? I know I'm going to throw up." The woman smiled and let out a little laugh. "Yes, I have as a matter of fact. I probably felt pretty much the same as you do. Christi and Alicia both tried to calm me down, like Devan is doing for you, but it didn't do any good — until I actually started speaking. You'll find that this is a rather special group." Devan was smiling knowingly when she shook Danica's other shoulder. "See, now just get in there. Everyone else is waiting already. Andrea walked right in, as if it were something she did every day. Besides, you've already talked to the Baroness of Dalebord." Danica's eyes squinted in confusion and she said, "I've talked to..." The words trailed off and she turned back to the blonde woman. Smiling, the Baroness said, "Just call me Arilee. You'll find that we like to leave our titles at home, and we're not over fond of them even when we're there. Come in whenever you're ready. I'll walk with you, if you would like me to." Danica chuckled, and then asked, "Are they all like you?" Arilee replied, "If anything, they stand less on ceremony than I do, especially Cerebus and Vladamir. Christi asked me to apologize for not coming, but she's busy with her youngest." "The Duchess of Cratel, Mindblind's wife," Devan explained. "And my dearest friend," Arilee added with a smile. Danica took a deep breath and said, "Okay, I guess I should get this over with. You'll catch me if I pass out, won't you?" Devan laughed and swatted her sister on the behind. "Just go, already." Danica opened the door and quickly stepped into the room, before her nerve failed her. "Welcome, Danica. It is good to meet you after so many years of Devan speaking about you," Darkniciad said, rising from his chair. Danica thought he looked a great deal like the old grey bearded Master of the school where she had first learned magic. "I recognize you from the Forge," said Mindblind, who Danica also recognized from there, "You were blonde, but everything else matches." "It certainly does," purred Cheron, rising from her chair and walking quickly to Danica. "Cheron!" Danica exclaimed, opening her arms wide to hug the woman. They embraced, and Cheron whispered into Danica's ear, "I like you with red hair. I'll have to see how it looks down below soon." Danica's face burned, but she laughed quietly. Turning to the Duke of Cratel, she said, "Thank you, I probably wouldn't be here if you hadn't arrived with your warriors at the Forge when you did." The broad-shouldered man smiled. "Hey, no problem. Like I said then, my boys needed a good scrap — they were gettin' soft." "Come sit down," an older — but still stunningly beautiful — blonde woman said, reaching for a wine decanter. "I'll pour you some wine. I know you're probably nervous." "That's the Queen, Alicia," Devan explained, "See — they're all just like anyone else." She then took her sister's hand and led her to the chair. The Queen handed Danica the wine, and Danica took a sip once she sat down. Her eyes lit up and she asked, "What is this?" Cheron nudged a powerful looking man with a boyish face as she sat down next to him. "That's Vladamir's latest experiment, peach wine. Be careful, it has a kick like a mule, and it sneaks up on you." Danica looked around, knowing that she was surrounded by powerful wizards, the heads of clerical orders, Kings, Dukes, and all manner of important people. They were all dressed in common clothing, however, and wore expressions that indeed hinted at a meeting of friends, rather than a council of war. Andrea and Celes were talking with a handsome man with a drooping mustache, and his dark-haired wife. Marlena chatted with the dusky-skinned wizard, Ashtar. Brandon was laughing at something the man had said that was sitting in the chair next to the Queen, who Danica guessed was King Thakkorias. Seeing all her friends at ease helped dull Danica's nervous edge, and she soon joined in the conversation. When Devan urged that they should probably attend to the business at hand, Danica's fear surged again for a moment. She found that — just as the Baroness Arilee had suggested — it became easier every second. Many hours passed before Danica and the others who had escaped Zoraster finished their tale. "This is all quite remarkable," Darkniciad observed when Danica finished describing their final escape from Zoraster's inner sanctum. "I should like to meet this guardian, and see this odd stone." Celes suddenly raised her head and looked at Danica. "Danica, can you remember where that island is?" Danica opened her mouth to say she did, but then paused when she realized that she couldn't remember either. "No, I don't. I remember being there, but I can't visualize the location. It's like it is in a fog in my mind." Darkniciad nodded. "Hmm, it appears we are not yet ready to meet this odd guardian. It appears he serves the cause of right, so we shall simply have to trust he will continue to do so." "I always knew you had more potential than you ever realized," Devan commented, "But I had no idea the abilities you had hiding within you. I don't know how you managed to keep such power suppressed for all those years." Danica smiled weakly. "Zoraster forced me to look deep inside myself and confront a lot of demons." Darkniciad stroked his beard and said, "You have left much unsaid, and I'm sure the reasons are quite personal, so I shall not press. You have given us much to think on, Danica, and surely struck a blow to the dark designs of Zoraster." Arilee smiled and said, "If you ever need to talk about those other things, my door is always open. My demons were not nearly as frightening as yours, but I fought them none the less." Alicia added, "My door is always open as well, and I'm sure the same holds true for every woman in this room." Danica smiled and said, "Thank you all. I may need to talk some day." Mindblind sat back with a grunt. "Any chance of scaring up some chow, Darkni? I'm starving. Did you bring any beer with you, Vlad?" Vladamir smiled broadly. "Of course, my brother, such vital supplies should never be left behind on a journey." The men in the room grunted their approval, and the women rolled their eyes. Darkniciad chuckled and said, "I shall have something brought immediately. We will put aside our concerns for now, and welcome the newcomers to our council, properly. It has been too long since we spent time in fellowship." ------- Epilogue B As the day progressed, Danica grew more at ease by the moment. Despite being men and women of power, those assembled in the common room proved beyond any doubt that they were not absorbed in the trappings of that power. A stray thought from Marlena caused Danica to cover her mouth and stifle a laugh. The illusionist was speaking with Vladamir and Cheron, and Danica had little doubt that Marlena would be missing from the room they shared this night. Cheron was very persuasive, and it seemed her paramour was no less so. Danica walked up to her sister, noticing that Devan was once again sizing up Brandon from across the room. Tapping her sister on the shoulder, Danica whispered, "He's a little difficult to ignore, isn't he?" Devan actually blushed, something Danica had not seen happen in a very long time. "Sorry, you know how I am. I just can't see a handsome man, or woman, and not wonder." Danica nodded toward Marlena. "I think she's going to be busy tonight." Devan looked over to where Marlena chatted with the two clerics and chuckled. "I don't doubt it." "I think Celes, Andrea, and I might want a little private time tonight. Why don't you distract Brandon for us? I have to warn you, he's enthusiastic." Devan concentrated on her sister's expression and asked, "It wouldn't bother you?" Danica shook her head and replied, "He's a big boy." Then she twitched her eyebrows and added, "A very big boy. He can make up his own mind who he wants to be with. I'm not in competition with you any more, Devan. Just don't try to hog him all for yourself." Devan licked her lips and said, "Well, if you insist." Danica laughed. "I only have so much endurance. I wouldn't want him to be lonely." Turning back to her sister, Devan asked, "So, you aren't looking for love anymore?" Danica shook her head and said — with a bright smile, "No, I've found it." ------- Camilla entered the room of scrying mirrors, finding it disconcerting to see the enigmatic Ebonar seated there instead of Zoraster. She bowed and said, "You summoned me, Master?" Calling the man Master was even more disquieting to Camilla, who had served Zoraster for so long. "Summon artisans, men of skill — but expendable. Send them to the council chamber on the morrow at high sun." Camilla bowed again. "Of course, Master." "Bring our most accomplished earth wizards to my sitting room immediately, and when I have dismissed them to their duties, bring the Master of the thieves to me." "It shall be so, Master," Camilla responded, curiosity obvious in her voice. Ebonar turned to face his servant, smiling broadly. "I hear the question in your voice. The Master would be pleased that you continue to expand your horizons, casting aside the state of stagnant mediocrity in which you lingered during your previous life. I believe it is time for an old wrong to be righted. You will see as things proceed." The man sounded so much like Zoraster that it caught Camilla off guard, although it did inspire confidence in her new Master. "I eagerly await the results of your designs, Master." Ebonar laughed — a booming sound that echoed from the walls of the room. "Few will share your eagerness, once I have resurrected the Guild of Murder." ------- "Your command of magic amazes me. I have some skill, but it is nothing compared to..." Arilee broke off in mid-sentence and let out a little chuckle, looking over Danica's shoulder. Danica turned to see Cheron leading Marlena out of the common room, Vladamir walking at their side. "Vladamir and Cheron have made another conquest, I believe," Ari laughed quietly. "I saw it coming earlier," Danica responded, "I know Cheron, and she's hard to resist." "I've been tempted too, but we've just never found the time." Nodding toward Brandon and Devan, Ari said, "I think those two will be leaving our company soon, as well." Danica chuckled. "They both were just shy of asking my permission to sleep together." Arilee stroked Danica's arm. "They care about you, and they don't want to hurt you." "It was strange coming from them, though, especially Devan." The touch of Arilee's hand sent a tingle up Danica's spine. The Baroness had an innocent beauty that time could never touch, and Danica's body was responding — strongly. Ari shivered and whispered, "Oh my, I'm being tempted again," looking into Danica's eyes. Danica smiled and said, "Sorry, it's the Awakening. There is just a lot of sexual energy in the room. Even the King and Queen look eager to get away to somewhere private. Once I'm even slightly aroused, the Awakening just stokes up everyone else's desires around me." "I don't think it is that alone, you are a very sensual woman. You need to come to my keep or Blackhawk Hall sometime. Christi loves a woman with red hair, and so do I," Arilee whispered huskily, and then covered her mouth and blushed. "Well, perhaps the magic is affecting me. I don't usually talk like that. I do mean it though." "It amazes me how many women feel like we do. I thought I was all alone in the world. I even thought terrible things about my sister until I discovered it was in me too," Danica mused. "We are a unique group, but I think it is a desire all women have — to some small extent. We are, after all, quite a bit prettier than men, and tend to smell better." The two women laughed, and then Danica noticed Celes and Andrea whispering together on a couch across the room. "I'll have to come visit, certainly," Danica said with mischief in her voice, adding a wink to emphasize it. "There's something that has been waiting too long that I need to attend to tonight, though." Arilee glanced at Andrea and Celes, "They've never been together, then?" Danica shook her head. "Celes always desired her, but she was cursed in that old body. As to Andrea, I don't see how anyone could resist Celes." Arilee's face broke out into a crooked grin. "You should bring them when you visit." Danica laughed, and then saw Darkniciad approaching from the doorway. He had left the gathering to examine the clones some time earlier, and he wore a pleased smile now as he approached. "I have broken Zoraster's enchantments upon them. For now, I am leaving them slumbering, because lingering traces of the magic will persist for some days." Darkni sighed then, and looked back over his shoulder, "Would that Zoraster had resisted the temptation of evil. His skill in magic and his mind are nearly without parallel. I am amazed by the advances he made in cloning magic." Danica asked, "Will they be... What will they be like, now?" Darkniciad's brow furrowed. "My guess is that they will be much like children. I would assume that they will learn more quickly than the average child, however. Zoraster's manipulation of their minds and insertion of memories and feelings provide them with a development reference normal children do not possess." "Will they be like us — the people they were copied from, I mean?" "Only to some extent," Darkni replied, "The nature of one's upbringing has as much to do with who we become as what we are born with. I have little doubt that they all will possess some skill in magic, and the clones of you will likely have psionic powers as well. They will all need to be carefully nurtured, because their powers will develop far before their minds. The normal controls nature places upon such abilities has been broken by Zoraster's manipulation, and they could endanger themselves or others unless taught to control their abilities." Danica asked, "Did I do the right thing, bringing them with me?" Before the wizard could answer, Arilee interjected, "You followed your heart. There can never be wrong in doing that." Darkni smiled and said, "I could not have said it any better. I believe there may be means to suppress their abilities until they are prepared to deal with them. It will be fascinating to see how they differ from you as they grow." "I hope they aren't as much trouble as Devan and I were," Danica sighed. "Every parent wishes that," Darkniciad noted with amusement. "I gave up on having children years ago, and now I have a dozen," Danica remarked with equal amusement. "I offer any aid I may provide. Now, I believe I will join my wife, as I can see irritation in her eyes," Darkniciad said, and then nodded before crossing the room toward the now-smiling woman. "I will probably be going soon," Arilee said when Danica turned back to her, "Cerebus looks anxious to return to his wife, and I'm having a little difficulty thinking about anything else myself." Danica asked the Baroness, "How does your husband feel about... You know?" Arilee smiled. "We are not yet married. He has found some difficulty in asking the question. I'm in the process of pushing him gently in that direction now. Men are so silly and stubborn. As to your question, he understands my needs and shares them." She then added, in an amused tone, "Christi did much to persuade him in the benefits of sharing your love." "I guess there is some hope, then." Arilee raised Danica's hand to her lips and kissed it. "True love accepts us for what we are, and does not judge. I think your friends seek your company." Danica turned and saw Andrea gesturing for her to come join them. She also saw Devan leading Brandon out of the room, as well as the King and Queen rising to leave. Arilee asked, "If I thought about the teleportation patterns in my Keep and the Hall, could you see them in my mind?" "Yes, I did that with Devan earlier." Ari closed her eyes and visualized the pattern to her own keep, and when Danica indicated that she had it, the Baroness thought about the one in Blackhawk Hall. As soon as Danica said that she knew that one as well, Arilee opened her eyes and said, "You will try to come visit?" Danica's mental connection to the Baroness was still partially there, and so she felt Arilee's desire acutely when the woman spoke. Shivering slightly from the feeling, Danica replied, "I think it will be hard not to." Arilee smiled and walked to where Ashtar was speaking with Duke Cerebus. Danica went to join Andrea and Celes, feeling the desire from them both washing over her long before she reached them. Danica licked her lips in anticipation, and thought that they would be returning to the privacy of their rooms soon. ------- Ebonar smiled as he watched the Guildmaster of the thieves leave. Within a few days, the most stealthy and deadly of thieves within the country would arrive to take their place in the new Guild of Murder. As they bowed to pledge their allegiance to the altar of Blorcasir that Ebonar had ordered constructed, the dead god's power would grow. Soon, the deity would regain the power lost in the purge of his servants long before. Only now, Godsbane enslaved the power of the god, to serve he who held it. Ebonar's smile grew wider as the servant he had ordered to attend him immediately upon the Guildmaster's exit entered the room. With full pouting lips and a hefty bosom, the woman raised his ardor immediately. Rising, the evidence of his arousal plainly visible, Ebonar instructed, "Close the door. I believe there is a special service you may perform for me, which you should find most pleasurable to undertake." The woman seductively leaned against the door as she pushed it closed, raising her arms above her head to enhance the swell of her breasts. "How may I serve you, Master?" She asked suggestively. Ebonar pulled his shirt off, seeing the woman strutting toward him and licking her lips. She unbuttoned her blouse as she approached, opening the buttons quickly to reveal her breasts. "I believe you have anticipated my needs," Ebonar growled huskily, and then stepped forward to jerk the blouse from the woman's body, popping off the remaining buttons to clatter on the floor at his feet. ------- Danica closed the door, the sexual tension between her, Celes, and Andrea almost palatable in the air. Andrea and Celes turned to look at each other, deep desire in their eyes, and Danica moaned approvingly. "She's so beautiful, isn't she Andrea?" Andrea smiled and softly said, "I can see why you were both so tortured when she was under Zoraster's curse." Danica moved in close and kissed Andrea's neck, whispering into her ear, "There's nothing making you wait, though." "I've wanted to be with you as much as Danica," Celes said breathlessly, and then leaned in to kiss the blonde woman she had admired for so long. Danica moaned again, her back arching slightly and her body tingling as she watched her friends kiss. She reached out and stroked their bottoms while their lips and tongues met in a carefully restrained dance of mutual need. They broke from the kiss, their eyes still locked on each other, and their hands still gently roaming over each other's backs. Danica leaned in closer, and they both turned to kiss her in turn, first Andrea, and then Celes. Danica smiled and said, "We're a little overdressed, aren't we?" Celes pulled her hands from Andrea's back, sliding them slowly around the woman's waist. She then inched her fingertips under Andrea's skirt, pulling up the tail of the blonde's blouse with soft tugs. When the bottom of the blouse hung free, Celes tugged it upward. Andrea raised her arms when the blouse reached the base of her breasts, and Celes sighed in contentment when the cloth slid away from Andrea's firm globes. She quickly pulled the garment away, tossing it negligently to the floor and drinking in the sight of Andrea's bared breasts, flushed rosy with desire. Andrea hooked her thumbs under the material of her skirt and pulled it down off her hips, stepping out of the cloth when it pooled at her ankles. Watching with as much rapt attention as Celes, Danica could see the slightly darker spot of dampness on Andrea's panties. Andrea reached out and grabbed the tie of Celes' robes at her waist, tugging the bowed knot undone with a slow pull. Celes unhooked the closures of her robe from the top, while Andrea worked from the bottom. Celes' robes soon fell to the floor in a whisper of cloth, leaving her nude save for her panties as well. The panties Celes wore had a spot of dampness matching the one between Andrea's legs. Danica clenched her thighs tight, swearing that the heat rising from her loins was about to ignite her clothing. She pulled at the tie of her own robe, quickly pulling the closures undone and shedding the stifling garment as Andrea and Celes moved together to kiss once more. Andrea glanced over when her lips parted from Celes', seeing Danica's robe fall to the floor. She smiled at Celes, and then turned to take a step toward Danica. Reaching around behind the redhead, Andrea unhooked the clasp of Danica's brassiere, freeing the heavy breasts it contained. Celes stepped around Danica, dragging her fingertips over the woman's waist as she moved, and then reached up to pull the straps of the brassiere down off Danica's shoulders. Andrea grasped the straps then, and pulled them down Danica's arms when she extended them forward. Danica leaned her head back, closing her eyes when Celes kissed her neck from behind. She then twitched when Andrea's lips found the soft skin of her neck from the front a moment later. Still shuddering from the touch of their lips, Danica turned sideways and took one of each of her friends' hands, tugging them toward the nearest bed. When they reached it, Celes glided in behind Andrea and tugged the woman's panties down off her hips. As the cloth fell to Andrea's ankles, Celes reached around and brushed her fingers over the downy-soft blonde curls adorning the woman's mound. Andrea leaned back with a whimper of pleasure, feeling the hard tips of Celes' breasts pressing against her back. She turned then and pulled down Celes' panties, immediately pulling the dark-haired beauty close and kissing her. Andrea pushed her hips forward, her blonde curls mingling with Celes' dark triangle of hair and sending little tingles of pleasure through them both. Danica let her panties fall to the floor and stepped out of them. Celes glanced at Danica as she broke from the kiss with Andrea, and then glanced at the blonde's breasts with a smile. Danica took the cue and moved in close, leaning down to swirl her tongue over Andrea's right nipple while Celes suckled the left between her lips. Andrea moaned in contentment and let her hands glide over both women's backs as they tantalized the pebbled flesh with their lips. Danica put her hand on Andrea's thigh, pushing firmly to indicate that Andrea should sit on the bed. When the blonde moved to follow that instruction, Danica and Celes both released her nipples and guided Andrea to lie down on the bed. Andrea sighed and whimpered as both Celes and Danica traced kisses all over her skin. Both came tantalizingly close to her nipples and sex, never quite touching them, building Andrea's flames of desire to a red-hot heat, causing her to writhe beneath their touch. Danica pressed her lips to Andrea's, the younger woman kissing her back hard. Andrea was taking quick, deep breaths, her entire body aflame with need. Danica and Celes were no less impassioned, and the musky, intoxicating scent of their shared arousal hung thick around them. Andrea groaned, "Oh, please, I feel like I'm going to burst!" Danica kissed Andrea once more and whispered, "Celes is going to make you feel so good. She knows every little spot that will make you quiver, and exactly how to tease it until you nearly pass out from the pleasure." She then looked down at Celes, who was kissing the crease where Andrea's legs met her hips, "Taste her, Celes. She wants it so bad, and I know you want to feel her come for you." Danica cupped her hands under Andrea's knees, pulling them up and back, parting the woman's legs to reveal her moist folds. Celes quivered in anticipation, and then slowly lowered her lips to Andrea's labia, looking up into the blonde's eyes the whole time. When her lips were scant inches from Andrea's sex, Celes pulled up Andrea's hood with her finger, and then darted forward to flick it with the tip of her tongue. Andrea sang out in a quavering yelp of bliss, her back arching up off the bed. Danica's thighs clenched tight and she moaned, her pussy tingling with chilly points of pleasure as she watched Celes' expert tongue roam all over Andrea's nether lips. Andrea gasped, "Oh, that... That feels so good!" Celes moaned, her senses overwhelmed by the taste and scent of the quivering woman beneath her. She was so enraptured with tasting Andrea for the first time that her own aching need evaporated before the satisfaction of making the blonde tremble. Danica's need was not so easy to ignore, and she reached down to rub her thick labia in circles, feeling her wetness coating her fingers as she did so. Seeing Andrea rubbing her nipples in her peripheral vision, Danica moved to engulf one of the pale pink tips in her lips, wetting one finger and rubbing it over the other bud. Her other hand immediately returned to her throbbing heat. "You taste so good," Celes breathed huskily, immediately stabbing her tongue back between Andrea's folds to gather up the woman's bittersweet nectar. Releasing Andrea's nipple with a wet pop, Danica said, "Come for her, Andrea," and moved across the woman's body to suckle the other nipple. "I'm s-so close. Oh make me c—" A loud yelp of surprised pleasure cut off Andrea's words as Celes engulfed her engorged clit, and Danica nibbled sensually on her nipple at almost the same instant. The air around them heated to an almost uncomfortable level as Andrea's muscles tightened in preparation for release. Her body trembled, perched on the edge of ecstasy for long moments. Even as her orgasm built toward release, so did her inborn power — the one triggered by the arousal. Understanding the feeling now that she knew about it, Andrea threw one hand off to the side, over the edge of the bed, and flames burst forth from it to flicker toward the ceiling even as she came. The flash of light and heat startled Danica, but Celes was drowning in the taste of Andrea's nectar flowing over her tongue like a river and didn't even appear to notice. She lapped hungrily, keeping Andrea climaxing in rolling waves, the flame erupting from Andrea's hand surging with each spike of pleasure. Andrea screamed in release, her hips bucking upward rhythmically into Celes' lapping mouth. At last, Andrea settled to the bed, the flames summoned by her power flickering one last time and dying out. Celes rose up, her lips and chin coated in Andrea's glistening wetness, just in time to see the fire in Andrea's palm dance for a final second. Danica kissed the trembling woman's nipple and let out a little chuckle. "I've heard of being inflamed with passion, but that was a bit literal." "I didn't... Didn't burn anything did I?" Andrea gasped, and then let out a long, satisfied moan. Danica shook her head in the negative. "No, but you certainly surprised me." "I don't know how I controlled it," Andrea said, and then threw her head back, cupping her sex in her hand as an aftershock surged through her body. "That was incredible, Celes. Thank you so much." Drawing Andrea's wetness to her lips with a finger, Celes smiled and responded, "I loved it. I was lost in you. I didn't even notice the flames until they flickered out." Danica leaned in and kissed Celes, moaning from the taste of Andrea's wetness on the woman's face. Andrea then tugged on Celes' arm and pulled her into a kiss, lapping up her juices from Celes' chin. Danica stroked Celes' rounded bottom, letting her finger trail in the cleft with a feather light touch before she said to Andrea, "You should return the favor. Celes has been waiting for so long to feel you there for real." Andrea quivered, moaned, and sat up. Staring into Celes' eyes with mischievous desire, she licked her lips and moved out of the way so Celes could lie down. Several hours later, all three women drifted off into utterly spent slumber, each having come so many times they couldn't hope to count the number of orgasms they had given each other. ------- Danica awoke with a puzzled expression on her face. She had dreamed of a beautiful valley, surrounded by majestic mountains and a blanket of mist. The image had been so real, and so detailed, she could remember every tiny element as if she had truly walked through the valley, exploring it as she did in her dream. She remembered the babbling brooks, flowing through fields full of flowers, and pools stirred by gentle waterfalls cascading from the rocks above. Feeling a little knotted up — the bed certainly not large enough for three to sleep in comfortably — Danica tried to stretch a little and slide out of the bed. Celes and Andrea stirred as she rose, awakening to smile at each other for a moment before the aches in their own muscles had them stretching out the kinks as well. They all started when the door opened, grabbing for the coverings on the bed. The three-way tug of war only succeeded in partially covering any of them, and they relaxed when they saw it was Marlena. The woman's hair was disheveled, her robes wrinkled and obviously tossed on with haste. Danica laughed and said, "You look like you had a fun night." Marlena's face filled with color, and she grinned. "Look who's talking," she countered, raising her eyebrows at the three nude women partially hidden by a sheet covered in wet spots. Andrea giggled, stuck out her tongue, and then said, "I really need a bath. I had the strangest dream." Celes looked at her and said, "So did I — a valley full of flowers, surrounded in mists." Marlena and Danica both stared at the women in surprise. Danica said, "I had the same dream." "So did I," Marlena revealed. "Okay, this can't be a coincidence. Let's go get in the bath, and we'll compare notes while we get cleaned up," Danica suggested. They all sank into the bath, discussing the dream and discovering that they had all indeed dreamed the exact same thing. After a short while, they heard a call from the other room, "Danica, it's me." "Come in, Devan, we're in the bath." Devan was just as rumpled as Marlena had been when she arrived. The women laughed and Devan smiled, twitching her eyebrows. "Gods, Danica, does that man ever stop? I'm going to be bowlegged for a week after last night, and he was rock hard this morning and looking for more." Untying her robe, the only thing holding it closed, she let it drop to the floor and said, "Make some room, I need a bath too." Danica asked, "Did you have an odd dream last night?" Devan shook her head and sank into the bath with a sigh of relief. "No, I don't even remember passing out. I just remember coming and coming, and then waking up lying on a hard cock. You're going to have to show me where you find your men, Danica." Danica chuckled, "Well, maybe it was just us then." "You know, I almost feel like I know where that place is," Celes said, smoothing water out of her hair. Danica looked at her and agreed, "So do I." Nods and surprised expressions from Andrea and Marlena confirmed that they had experienced the same feeling. "We should try to see if we can find it with the Hellgate later," Danica suggested. "That spell is dangerous, Danica," Devan warned. "The demons are sneaky. They can get to you over time. Celes laughed and countered, "Not Danica's. They cower like kicked dogs every time she's there. They won't even show their faces unless she gives them leave." Devan looked at her sister and said, "You summoned up a Soul Blade, didn't you?" "I had a sword appear in my hand, if that's what you mean," Danica replied. Devan blew out a long whistling breath and said, "That isn't even mentioned most places the spell is written down, because so few people accomplish it. Maybe I need to experiment with that spell more often and see if I can do it. The spell is really useful, despite the dangers it presents." "I was really, really angry with those imps when it happened," Danica explained. "Strong emotions they're not trying to cause are supposed to be what makes it happen, so that makes sense," Devan affirmed, and then dunked her head in the water to wet it. "Darkniciad and Ashtar can do it, and so could Zoraster, but I don't know anybody else offhand that has managed it. There are all sorts of rumors about what you can do once you've summoned the Soul Blade. I know Darkni has been able to expand the size of his personal realm, and even link his realm with others. He and Ashtar have done that. Darkni has summoned it up outside the Hellgate before too. Demons are really afraid of Soul Blades." Upon hearing that, Danica raised her hand up out of the water and willed the blade to appear. Even she was a little startled when the gleaming sword appeared in her hand. Looking at it with a smile, she said, "That's good to know." Devan pursed her lips as she washed her hair. "Okay, that's about enough of showing me up. I need to stop playing around so much and get back to studying regularly. I can't have my little sister outdoing me all the time." "That will probably come in handy when hellspawn start breathing down our necks," Celes noted, nodding toward Andrea. "As long as I'm feeling humbled... I may as well ask if you'd be willing to sit down and talk to me for a while too, Marlena. I consider myself to be a fair expert in illusions, but anybody who can call up the Discordance obviously has me far outstripped." Turning to look at Danica and Celes, Devan added, "And the two of you still owe me some instruction in that fast spell casting technique you learned at the Forge." Marlena rinsed the soap from her face and responded, "Of course I will." "I have some unique spells I've created that you might like, too. Maybe even a few that Zoraster hadn't stolen." She issued the last few words in a low growl. Andrea was struggling to wash her back, and Devan moved over to take the cloth, doing it for her. "Thank you," Andrea said, and then added, "I don't know any wizard magic, so I guess I'll be a little left out." Devan leaned in and purred, "I can think of a few things we could learn together." Andrea blushed a bright red and covered her face, drawing a laugh from the other women in the bath. She splashed water at them, saying, "Oh, stop teasing." Danica looked at her sister with a mock expression of irritation and chided, "You keep trying to seduce all my friends." "We're sisters, we should share," Devan responded with a sweet smile. Danica laughed and said, "Well, we'll all find a nice quiet spot in one of the study rooms and get down to business as soon as we have something to eat. Marlena and I will show Devan what we know. Celes and Andrea have those nice thick books to look through and learn from." "I'll send for one of the less reclusive witches here on the isle and see if they'll be willing to show you two what they know," Devan offered. "I bet they'll be more than willing once they hear about those tomes." "It will be nice to study and know I'm not helping an evil madman by doing it," Marlena said with a smile. Danica and Celes both nodded enthusiastically in agreement, and then they all finished their baths, talking excitedly about their plans as they dressed and moved toward the kitchen. ------- The women all shared their knowledge throughout the day, Devan delighted by the wealth of original spells her sister, Celes, and Marlena had to offer. They were in turn happy to discover Devan had large numbers of unique magics to give them in exchange. They spent more time copying spells than they did studying them. Andrea proved to be a fast learner, amazing the witches who had agreed to meet for study with her and Celes. Andrea's knowledge of the various herbs used in the creation of potions served her well, and she was soon instructing Celes as much as the other, more experienced witches were. It was only their stomachs rumbling that tore them away from their books. When they arrived in the dining hall for the evening meal, Devan introduced them to Christi — Mindblind's wife — and the half-elven wizardess Crystania, who had come to the isle to catch up on what they had missed the previous day. Christi enthusiastically added her invitation to come visit to the one Arilee had offered the day before, the desire in her eyes completely unmasked as she spoke with the newcomers. As they sat sipping wine, Brandon walked up to Danica, looking a bit nervous. Danica gave him a puzzled look and asked, "What's wrong, Brandon?" Brandon cleared his throat and answered, "Well, Mindblind asked me to come to Fightershaven and take a place in his guard. I've heard of the place, and it sounds like a damn lot of fun. I was seriously considering it." A crooked grin crossed Danica's face. "Are you asking me for permission, you silly man?" Brandon chuckled and replied, "Well, I'm just sort of torn. I don't want to leave you ladies, but I'm really out of place here." Danica laughed and told him, "Go, Brandon. We can come visit you — we've already been invited rather enthusiastically — and you'll just be bored to tears here." "You're not upset about..." Brandon began. Danica waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "I told you last night it didn't bother me, didn't I?" Brandon smiled and said, "Yeah, you did. Your sister's a real screamer, I though I was..." Danica mimed covering her ears and said, "Please, Brandon, I really don't want to hear about it," chuckling when she finished. Brandon laughed and admitted, "Yeah, I guess it would be a bit weird, huh? You all will come visit, won't you?" "Whenever we can." "I'm going to go get another beer then. That cleric knows his brew — best I've ever tasted. Mindblind says he's got casks of it at the Hall." "You'll fit right in," Danica observed with a laugh. "I think so," Brandon agreed, and then walked over to the cask where Vladamir enthusiastically refilled his mug. "I keep thinking about that valley," Marlena said, sitting down her glass and looking at Danica. Realizing she had been thinking about it off and on for most of the day, Danica admitted, "Me too. I think we should see if we can find it." "You all have me curious about this valley, and the Hellgate," Devan said, rising from her chair. She walked over to where Darkniciad sat, speaking with him for a moment, and then returned. "Darkni says he's curious too, and that this has the smell of something important. He says we should go give it a try." A breeze blew out of nowhere, causing Devan to look around in confusion. Andrea blushed and said, "Sorry, I guess I still get a little excited about teleporting." Celes quickly suggested, "See if you can direct it, may as well try to get a grip on your powers." Andrea nodded and concentrated, thinking it would be wonderful to fly and growing more excited. She let out a yelp of surprise when her chair rose up off the ground on a great gust of air coming from below. Everyone in the room turned toward her when the chair thumped back to the floor a moment later. Andrea laughed, "Well, I suppose that's not bad for a first try." "You did pretty well with the fire earlier, too," Danica added with a crooked grin. Andrea's blush deepened, and she quietly admonished, "Behave." Danica stood and said, "Well, if we're going to try, we should get to it." Waving her hand in an impatient gesture, Devan said, "Cast away, sister mine." Danica intoned the spell, and the portal appeared. When the women stepped inside, Devan remarked, "Your place is a lot prettier than mine. Mine looks like a big bedroom." Looking around for a few moments more, she added, "I guess you do have the imps cowed, I don't even sense their presence." Danica turned back to the portal and said, "Now, let's see if we can find this place." She concentrated on the image in her mind, and the portal swirled with color for a moment. When the swirling ceased, the women could see the valley they had dreamed of in the portal. "Must be somewhere to the west, the sun is still up," Devan observed. Danica felt a surge of emotion that she could only describe as destiny shoot through her. Looking at Celes, Andrea, and Marlena, she guessed that they were feeling the same thing. Opening the portal to the valley with a thought, she said, "Let's go see if it's really like the dream." The four women nodded and followed Danica through the portal. Danica felt something like a bump — or a knock — in her mind when Devan tried to walk through the portal. Turning, she saw her sister standing on the other side of the portal, looking irritated and confused. Acting on instinct, Danica wished her sister could enter the valley. With a cry of surprise, Devan fell through the portal, the women already on the other side steadying her as she stumbled. "The hell was that," Devan muttered. "I didn't do it, but when I wished you could come in, it just let you through," Danica explained. "Something just feels... Somehow something feels right about this place," Celes mused. Experiencing the same sensation, Danica nodded her head in agreement. Andrea and Marlena were also smiling, drinking in the pristine beauty of nature surrounding them. "It feels like the grass under my feet is irritated at me. I don't think your valley likes me much," Devan grumbled. Danica looked at her friends and said, "I don't really want to, but let's go back for now and think about this." Marlena sighed, staring in wonder at the way the light of the sunset was playing on the thick clouds of mists hovering at the edge of the valley. "I don't want to leave either." A gust of wind whipped Devan's robes, leaving the other women completely undisturbed, even though they were only a couple of feet away. "Well, I'm ready to leave," Devan contradicted. "Oh, stop that, she's our friend," Andrea said to the breeze. The wind stopped and Devan looked at Andrea with a curious expression. "Uhm, thanks. It still feels like something doesn't want me here, but the sensation isn't as strong now." "Danica's right, let's go back for now," Celes suggested. Turning toward the center of the valley, Andrea said, "We'll be back." Danica nodded, "Yes, I think we will — and soon." ------- Sitting in the room they shared some hours later, the four friends came to a decision. Danica proceeded to sum things up for her sister, "We're all in danger because we escaped Zoraster, and we endanger anyone we're around because of it. We could probably be safe here or somewhere in Egoria, but that isn't going to stop the demons that will probably come after Celes and Andrea." "We also know Zoraster's operation from the inside out — as well as anyone not in his inner circle can — and where most of his outposts are. Once we've mastered our powers, and the spells in our mother's books, Andrea and I will be able to fight the demons. All the seers say they are a danger at least as great as Zoraster's schemes," Celes continued. "You could do all that from right here. Demons aren't going to get past Darkniciad's wards," Devan countered. "Maybe not, but your pressing need is countering Zoraster and the demon spawn the seers are talking about. All the attacks from the normal demons are going to distract you from that," Danica argued, "We can concentrate on weakening the hellspawn in general, and keeping an eye on the outposts we know about. Something tells me that any enemies we make will have a hard time finding us in that valley." "And we belong there," Andrea added. "Please tell me you're at least going to show some common sense, Marlena," Devan begged the red-haired illusionist. "I don't know what use I'll be, but I think they're right. We belong there, and we can do more to help from the valley than we could anywhere else." Devan let out an exasperated groan. "Okay, I give up. Honestly, I'm having a hard time arguing with you. That valley didn't want me there. I can just imagine how it would treat a demon or one of Zoraster's black robes. Now, have you figured out how you're going to keep the rain off your heads? I don't think any of you have home builder amongst your list of skills." Danica smiled. "I have an idea about that. I think between Darkniciad and I — with some help from the other wizards here — I can solve our problem of housing. I have some skill with enchanting magic items, and I'm sure they don't call him Darkni the Enchanter for nothing." Devan squinted one eye and tilted her head, looking at her sister. "Now you're really making me wonder. Yes, Darkni has more talent for enchantment than any wizard I've ever heard of. He doesn't come by that title lightly." Danica pulled something out of her bag of holding, showing it to Devan. "This is the spark for my idea." "Martin's Magnificent Tent," Devan said, recognizing the magic item, "You're thinking about an original creation, bigger and permanent once it has been activated, aren't you?" Danica nodded to indicate her sister was correct. Devan thought for a moment, and then advised, "That is going to require an immense amount of power, and money. The gemstones alone required for that type of enchantment are going to cost obscene amounts of coin, unless you want to take up mining." "Remember that bag of coin you were remarking about when I sent you to get clothes in town? I have a couple of sacks the same size full of gemstones." Devan looked at her sister with deep surprise evident in her expression. "I know you said Zoraster had immense amounts of money in his strongboxes, but bags of gems?" "It would have taken us hours to pack it all up. We just grabbed a couple of King's ransoms and got out of there," Celes explained. Devan shook her head in amazed surprise. "Okay, maybe you've got something workable here. I know Darkni will love the challenge. Let's go talk to him and see what he thinks." ------- Darkniciad expressed his deep interest in the idea, and grew more excited by the moment when he realized how much knowledge and talent Danica had in his favorite field of study. They went into a flurry of study and planning, using the enchantment process of the Magnificent Tent as the base from which to build their new item. Within three days, Danica and Darkni managed to hammer out the enchantment process. They knew it was going to require a tremendous amount of power, but both were confident that there were enough accomplished wizards on the island to manage the task through a joining. Darkni determined that the lingering effects of Zoraster's broken enchantments should have dissipated by this time, and so he awakened the clones. His estimation that they would behave much as children was very accurate. All of the copies acted much as a four-year-old girl might — save they had an enormous sex drive that was near insatiable. It was the only entertainment the childlike women had ever known, and until introduced to other amusements, they would continue to combat boredom with sexual play. Everyone took turns introducing the clones to games and learning as the days progressed. Darkniciad stepped back for the next part of the enchantment process, designing the place that would be the home of the four women and the dozen clones for the foreseeable future. Each woman would have a room of their own, with a large private bath, and closets that almost qualified as rooms due to their size. The baths would fill themselves magically, and the chamber pots would empty themselves the same way. The chamber pots would allow the women to sit rather than squat. Danica would have nothing less since she was planning the place from the ground up. The private rooms would open into an enormous common room, with an adjoining library and study room. A door in the study led to a tall tower, which had enough room in the round top for all four women to have their own individual area. A short distance down the hall was a kitchen large and well appointed enough to host a royal banquet, but having smaller stoves and ovens for the day-to-day cooking needs. The stoves, ovens, and kilns would all heat by magic, and the sinks would manifest water of any temperature required by magic as well. Farther down the hall and around the corner was the dining hall, also large enough to host a banquet, but having a smaller partitioned area at the front for normal mealtimes. Past the dining hall was the entrance foyer, with large closets to store coats and boots, and the laundry room — also enhanced by magic to make he women's lives easier. Another common room lay beyond the foyer, before the next corner in the hall. Around the corner, the rooms for the copies were located. Each girl, as Danica now thought of them, would have their own room, but they also had a large common bedroom that they would likely share for some time, until they developed more individuality. They also had a common room and a study, though these would probably both be playrooms for a long time to come. Turning again the final hall in the square led to the baths. Danica had enjoyed her time in the baths of Agreseus, and so she designed the Manor to have the full facilities — powered by magic, of course. The main bathing pool would be large enough for twenty people to stretch out in comfortably. The center of the square provided more than enough room for a garden to grow food, herbs, and flowers. Windows were everywhere in the structure, to provide fantastic views of the enclosed garden and beautiful valley itself. Darkniciad looked over the incredible design, warning that crafting such detail in an item would probably require an object so large that it would not be easily portable. Danica was unconcerned, as she only planned to move it once — from here to where it would reside. Darkni and Danica concentrated their efforts on crafting the item, while everyone else turned to their studies, and teaching of the girls. In the end, it took the two accomplished crafters nearly three weeks to create the detailed model that would house the magic. It was approximately a foot and a half square, with the tower reaching a slightly greater distance above the roof of the manor. Danica took Darkniciad's advice and rested for a week before they attempted the enchantment. The detailed crafting had worn both wizards out, and they needed to be at their best if they wanted to succeed in the tremendous undertaking of the final enchantments. Two more days of exhaustive spell casting prepared the item for the final enchantment that would power it. Again, Darkniciad admonished a few days of rest before continuing, and as weak as Danica felt, she was in no position to argue. When the time came, the most powerful wizards on the island, and the most powerful of his pupils who resided elsewhere in the world, joined together in the common room for the final enchantment. They cleared the furniture away, leaving enough room for the wizards to join in a circle around the item. Wizards of less power, and others on the island, stood ready outside the circle to provide aid if any of those joining in the enchantment should weaken and lose consciousness. On Darkni's signal, he and Danica began the final incantation. All around them, the other wizards waited in silence until the appropriate moment, and then chanted the joining spell in unison. The light surrounding the item when the magic took effect was far too bright to look at, causing the wizards who had all wisely closed their eyes during the casting to squint them even tighter against the burning glow. Many dropped to their knees, and a pair collapsed completely. By the time the light started to settle in upon the model, even Danica and Darkniciad were on their knees. When the light dimmed to tolerable levels, Danica opened her eyes and smiled wide. The model hovered above the table where it had been placed, glowing with power. Darkniciad rose unsteadily to his feet, aided by his wife, and announced, "Truly we have created something incredible this day. Behold, Danica's Magnificent Manor!" Danica accepted Andrea's help to stand, her face flushing with color as Darkni dubbed the item with her name. Darkni continued, "The enchantment will now be available in the library for all to study. I have little doubt this will be a unique item for many years, though, considering the unbelievable cost in coin and power it required." Swaying a little on his feet, Darkni chuckled and said, "Now, I believe we would all do with some rest before Danica takes the item for its final testing. I have little doubt it will be all we have crafted it to be, but we will not know until it has been activated." ------- They waited a week, recovering from the exhaustion of the spell casting, before Danica summoned the Hellgate to emerge near the center of the valley. Andrea, Celes, and Marlena walked at her side, while the others waited on the other side of the portal within the Hellgate, corralling the excited clones. Danica placed the item in the spot she had chosen, near the exact center of the valley, and then they all moved back a great distance to allow the item the necessary room to expand. Danica glanced at her friends with a smile, and then turned to the item and spoke the command word that would activate it. "Home." The four women hugged each other as the manor expanded, looking exactly as they had envisioned it. After a hurried inspection, they determined that every enchantment appeared to be working exactly as they had designed it to. Walking together back out of the front door, they returned to the nearby portal and stepped through into the Hellgate. Danica smiled and gestured to the clones. "Come, girls, let's go home." The copies ran through the portal unimpeded, confirming that they too belonged in this odd, beautiful valley. They frolicked in the flowers and grass, and Danica knew they would be in need of the bathing facilities by the time they grew tired of their play. "Congratulations," offered Darkniciad. "Thank you," Danica replied, and then turned to her sister, hugging her. "I promise I'll come to see you, but this is home — I can feel it. I love you." "You'd better, or I'll risk getting my skirt blown off to come here and paddle your behind for forgetting," Devan warned, and then added, "I love you too." Danica ushered the great wizard and her sister back through the portal to Darkni's isle, refocused the portal on the valley and stepped through to stand next to the other women, watching the girls at play. ------- The stone sang in exaltation once more, and Tam smiled so wide his face ached. At his side, Vellana had an odd look on her face, as if she were hearing something for the first time. "It's so beautiful. I think I understand now," Vellana whispered. The guardian nodded, "Yes, I can feel the stone connecting to you. The bonds between you will only grow now." "They are truly the ones the signs all speak of, aren't they?" Tam laughed and wiped a single tear from his eye. "Yes, Vellana, they are. At long last, the Sisters of the Mists have come, and in them rest the hope of all." ------- The End ------- Posted: 2007-06-11 Last Modified: 2007-07-18 / 11:24:24 pm ------- http://storiesonline.net/ -------