Marna stumbled over unseen obstacles as she was led through the gloom of the forest. Her hands were fastened tightly behind her with leather thongs again. Thorns savagely ripped skin and clothing, leaving gaping holes and tiny rivulets of blood all over her body. At last, the scouts returned to report the presence of the Imperial border guards about a half mile ahead. Tollan ordered his band to make camp, but no fire. While they were busy, he dragged the girl into the trees, pushing her against the rough bark of one, running rough hands across her body. "We're going to have such fun, girl."
"B-but," she stammered. I'm s-supposed to have the chance t-to escape!"
"We'll just tell her that we caught you," he said with an evil smile. "We might just keep you for several days." Winding his fingers through her crimson locks, he yanked her head back harshly, reveling in the pain and fear in her eyes.
"NO!" she cried driving her knee up between his thighs. All of the breath whooshed from his lungs as he doubled over in pain. A hard kick knocked him to the ground and she darted for the trees.
Gasping for air, it took him three tries to hoarsely shout, "Go after her, you idiots!"
Marna heard the shout and ran faster. She kept her gaze locked on the forest floor in front of her, knowing if she fell with her hands bound, she would not be able to rise again before being captured. Flickers of firelight shone through the trees, beckoning her to follow to safety. As she drew closer to the firelight, so did her pursuer's draw closer to her. Just as an astonished sentry sighted her, hands flew out of the darkness and she was caught.
"Help me!!" she screamed at the guard. Jolted from his shock by her cries, he raised the alarm and dashed into the forest after her. The Assassins flung the girl to the ground and drew their swords. One guard was no match for them. But as they prepared to fight, dozens of guards boiled from the tents like angry ants and they knew it was hopeless. With a final kick to the bound girl, they vanished into the forest leaving her to her saviors.
The guards surround Marna and the sentry slit the thongs from her wrists. "Are you hurt?" he asked as he helped her sit up. She brushed the hair back from her face and he gasped. "Y-your Highness! Quick, someone get the Commander." He gently lifted the trembling girl in his arms and carried her to the Commander's tent, sitting her on the cot with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. "Your royal mother will be overjoyed at your return, Princess."
The Commander burst into the tent demanding, "What is the meaning of this Lieutenant---" He stopped short upon catching sight of the figure on his bed, mouth gaping, then, with a slight shake of his head, turned to the other man. "Order the men to break camp immediately. We leave within the hour to escort her Highness home."
"ALL of us??"
"I'm not taking any chances"
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Jainad circled her captive, tapping a cane against her calf with each step. Mellindre shivered at the look in her eyes. Once more, the princess tugged hopelessly at the chains binding her spread eagle on an ebony wood frame. The High Assassin had leisurely cut the clothes from her body, occasionally nicking the skin with her deadly dagger. Shame painted her cheeks scarlet whenever the evil woman's gaze focused on her naked body.
"Now, you are my toy," Jainad declared suddenly, startling her. "Your life belongs to me. Your body is mine to do with as I see fit. Take care you don't upset me. I have a tendency to ... break my toys. First lesson, taking orders. I will beat you and you will stay silent as long as you can. If I feel that you are screaming too soon, I will double what I already intend to give you. Clear?"
Mellindre whimpered and nodded, too frightened to speak.
"Good girl," she crooned as she raised the cane for the first blow.
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Marna rode the sturdy chestnut that had been provided for her, clinging wearily to the saddle. Numerous guards surrounded her shivering form, eyes scanning the forest alertly. She was glad the Commander had not pressed her for details of her ordeal, for she did not know how much more her nerves could handle. When she grew too tired to continue, the Lieutenant who had rescued her simply placed her in the saddle in front of him and held her so she could sleep without fear of falling.
Evening was falling once more as the troop clattered into the palace courtyard. The Captain of the guards was waiting for them demanding, "What are you doing back so soon?? Your patrol is for one month, not one week!"
"It was necessary, Sir," the Commander answered.
As he spoke, the troops parted, allowing Marna to come forward, still clutching the blanket around her shoulders. "Your Highness!" Captain Hadan cried before turning to the servants gathered in the doorway. "You there! Take the princess to her chambers and help her. You, Commander, are to guard her with your life! I will take the news to Her Majesty. Now, MOVE!!"
He clapped his hands and they all scattered. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw two chambermaids gently leading the princess inside, the Commander following. Quickly, the Captain returned to the dining hall, entering and kneeling before the Queen. "What was all the commotion, Hadan," Queen Saryella asked.
"I have wonderful news, your Majesty. Your daughter has returned."
The Queen dropped her fork in shock and jumped up from the table, rushing down the corridors to her daughter's door. Bursting through the door, she enveloped the girl in her arms, holding her tightly. "Oh, Mellindre," she cried. "I thought I had lost you too." Marna at last gave in to her fears and crumbled, sobbing piteously in the woman's comforting arms. "My poor darling," Saryella murmured. "You need someone to take care of you. You girl," she said pointing to the nearer chambermaid. "Fetch Della from the pensioner's quarters. There, there love. Your nurse will be here soon."
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"Damn that wench," Tollan muttered as he checked the most important (at least in his mind) part of his anatomy for damage.
"Injured Sir?" one of the band asked with a smirk.
"Shut up," he snapped.
"It's your own fault."
"I just wanted to have a little fun with her before we let her go."
"But Sir, our orders..."
"To hell with our orders. Our illustrious leader would never have known. She trusts me after all." He laughed evilly, failing to notice the gleam in the eyes of the man who had questioned him.
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The opening of the chamber door caught Jainad's attention as she readied for another blow to the shaking figure before her. With one last smack, she lay the wide leather strap next to the cane she had discarded after a few blows, not wanting the Game to end too soon. "It's done then?" she asked as she admired the crisscross of thin and thick red welts on her captive's creamy white skin.
"Yes, High Assassin," the man answered. "But, Tollan must be watched. If the little slave girl had not outsmarted him, she'd likely still be under him, regardless of your orders."
"So, he decided his lusts were more important than my instructions."
"Yes, and is now nursing rather tender portions of his anatomy."
"They will be more tender before I am through with him," she stated flatly, glaring at the floor. "Clean the girl up, then leash her and take her to the Gaming chamber. Make sure to find Tollan on the way and invite him along....Tell him it's his reward. I will meet you there." He nodded and she stalked off to gather her reinforcements.
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Gathering all of the female members of the High Council, she led them to the Gaming chamber, ignoring the looks of disgust crossing their faces. "What is the purpose of this," on of them demanded.
"It is simple, Sister. I need ten of you to stand in judgment with me in the torture of a traitor."
"But why only females?"
"The treasonous creature is Tollan and you know males can't stand to watch one of their own tortured." The other women nodded and she continued. "The charges are as follows: ignoring orders and placing a vital mission in jeopardy, using MY power and name for his own gain, and finally spreading dangerous lies. He claims that I am daughter to the disgraced ex-High Assassin, Shyla, who, as we all know was executed along with her entire family many years ago. Not to mention, how many of you has he tried to bed by force using my name?"
She looked around the room seeing the anger and bloodlust bloom in the eyes of the women and knew they were caught. She chose her ten and the rest took seats in the tiers as witnesses to the proceedings. They were in the palm of her hand, and Tollan would pay for his indiscretions.
Shudders rippled across Mellindre's body as Jainad's spy gazed hungrily at her naked form. "You are tempting, I must admit," Baneth mused. "It's easy to see how your double could bring about Tollan's downfall, but I, unlike that fool, have always felt power to be more rewarding than a moment's pleasure." Mellindre flinched as he casually toweled the sweat from her body, bringing fresh jolts of pain from the angry red welts crisscrossing her slender frame. Throwing the towel down, he walked to the table, coming back with a leather ball attached to a strap with a buckle. "Open wide," he ordered. She shook her head defiantly, teeth tightly clenched. "I see our High Assassin hasn't managed to quite break you yet."
Reaching forward, he grabbed one of her nipples, twisting cruelly until she let out an anguished shriek, quickly muffled by the large gag. Baneth tightened the strap until she whimpered in pain, certain her jaw was going to split in two. "I trust you got that little idiocy out of your system," he stated coolly. "I won't be so lenient the next time." Quickly, he released her arms, pulling them behind her. He wrapped rope around her wrists, cinching them firmly before running the free end between her legs and through the large metal ring of her collar, tying it securely to the frame above her head.
Mellindre was uncomfortably aware of the coarse rope between her nether lips and squirmed. "Now you can follow like a good girl, or I can hobble you and if you can't keep up…" He gave the rope a sharp tug, drawing a sharp gasp of pain from the girl. "So, what will it be? Good girl? Or…" he trailed off as she frantically nodded assurance of her good behavior. Nodding, he picked up another coil of rope and threw it over his shoulder before freeing the girl's ankles and untying the rope from above her head. Using the rope as a leash, he led the girl from the room in search of Tollan.
The "leash" she was wearing grew more uncomfortable with each step. An unfamiliar warmth was spreading through her body and she soon found herself purposely slowing down to increase the tension in the rope. Her growing arousal went unnoticed by Baneth until his periodic tug produced a muffled moan from the captive. Amusement shone in his eyes as he turned. "Something wrong, princess?" he taunted as he tugged on the rope again. Another moan was his only answer as she flushed with embarrassment. With a mocking laugh, he turned once more, walking a little faster, giving the rope a tug every other step. Step, *moan*, step, *moan*… the rhythm delighted him. Finally, Baneth found Tollan and stopped him. "Well, well, what do you have there," Tollan asked with a wicked grin.
"A very needy slut, apparently. Watch this," the other man answered as he tugged on the lead rope, once more causing the poor girl to moan loudly. They both chuckled loudly as her cheeks stained red with humiliation. Mellindre edged away from Tollan's wandering hands as her captor gave him the story of his reward. "She said we were to meet her in the gaming chamber."
"Is that so?" he replied, continuing to grope the helpless girl. "And what about this tempting creature?"
"Oh, she's to go too."
A lusty grin spread across his face as he replied, "Then lead on, Baneth, and make it quick!"
Jainad stood alone in the center of the chamber, her Sisters lining the wall near the door, waiting for their unsuspecting prey. A knock sounded on the only door to the chamber and she nodded to the others to be ready. "Who knocks?" she questioned loudly.
"It's Baneth, with Tollan and the girl."
"Enter, and let my Second enter for his reward."
Baneth pushed open the door and lead the girl inside, closely followed by Tollan. So focused was he on molesting the girl in front of him, that he failed to notice the others in the chamber. "Seize him!" the High Assassin ordered. Her Second's head jerked up and he tried to bolt, but it was too late. Ten pairs of hands easily subdued him and he soon found himself standing stretched and spread eagle in the middle of the room.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
"Why this is your reward," she cooed. "For TREASON!"
"You forget, I know your secret," he hissed.
"What secret is that?" she asked with a bemused smile.
"This woman is the daughter of Shyla! She must be executed..." he trailed off aghast at the shaking heads of the others in the room.
"See how he lies?"
"It's TRUE!!"
"Silence, fool." Jainad snapped her fingers and a leather ball gag was buckled around his head, rendering his arguments unintelligible. "It will have to do, I suppose. What say you, Sisters?"
Tollan frantically shook his head in horrified denial as one by one, they all turned their backs on him, declaring him traitor, his life forfeit to the High Assassin. The Judging Council members took their seats in the tiers as the High Assassin sauntered over to her former second in command. "It really is too bad you couldn't keep your desires leashed," she commented as she leisurely cut the clothes from his body. He caught a flash of silver as she buckled a belt around his waist, but failed to see what caused it. A leather sheath was wrapped around his soft member and a strap fed between his legs attached to a ring at the base of the sheath. The strap was snug, but not too tight and he could feel a slight prickling from the inside of both leather pieces. He wondered about that sensation, but as the strap was not tight enough to crush his testicles against his body, he decided to ignore it.
"The beauty of these devices is that you are the cause of your own torment. How about a demonstration?" she purred as she took the princess's leash and led her to the center of the room in front of Tollan. The girl was shortly secured in the same position as the unfortunate man, facing him with a few feet separating them. Jainad stood behind her, running her hands along the girl's body as she watched his reaction. "Isn't she the one you really lusted for?" she taunted. The pain between his legs increased as the size of his erection grew, but the image of the two women was irresistible. His tormentor noticed his grimace of pain as well as his obvious arousal and smiled.
"These little darlings are sooooo delightful. They are lined with little barbed hooks, which with each tug," she laughed cruelly as she pulled on the ring joining the two leather pieces. "The pain increases for the hooks enter the skin, but can't come back out." He groaned and closed his eyes as she tied a small rope to the ring, pulling it tight and tying it above his head, forcing him to stand on his toes. She then lowered the chains on his wrists a couple of inches so that he could no longer use those bonds to maintain his balance.
"Now, we will see how long you can stay on your toes," she sneered as she picked up a heavy flogger and shook it out. "I can't wait to see how much flesh you will lose when you fall." Time after time, the lash struck, followed by a jerk and a shriek from the poor man. Soon, drops of blood dotted the floor between his legs, and his world had become nothing but a haze of pain. Once final vicious blow, and his legs buckled. Tollan screamed in agonizing pain before mercifully losing consciousness.
"What a pity," Jainad remarked as she hung the flogger on the wall. She stepped outside and beckoned to the two burly male slaves waiting outside. "Take this filth to the slave quarters. Bind him securely, shave his head and brand him a traitor. Clean him up and have him ready for more permanent bonds."
"Yes Mistress Assassin," they chorused as they bundled up the comatose man.
"Do not let him free for a moment. He'll not hesitate to kill you."
As one, they nodded, having no intention of letting him escape and losing a chance for some form of minor revenge for his past cruelty.
Marna sagged in relief as Della left to find her a bowl of rare ice cherries. The old nurse meant well, but the constant strain of pretending to be someone else was beginning to show. Sighing wearily, she filled the tub with steaming water, hoping that the contrived errand would keep the elderly woman away long enough for her to have a proper bath.
With a quick tug, she untied her dressing gown, shrugging out of it to leave it puddled on the floor at her feet. "Ooooohhhh, that feels good," she breathed as she sank beneath the bubbles until the foam touched her chin. She closed her eyes, laying her head back against the edge of the tub. The heat washed over her body, loosening her tense muscles. Her eyes had just begun to close when the door opened and Della returned cradling a crystal bowl full of icy blue fruit.
"You are fortunate, child," she beamed as she lay the bowl on a small table next to the tub. "Your Royal Mother remembered your fondness for this fruit and ordered the kitchen to keep them on hand at all times."
Marna groaned inwardly but murmured her thanks. She opened her mouth to dismiss the other woman, but paused. Instead she said, "Tell me the story of my sister."
"Are you certain, my dear?"
She nodded and listened in amazement, wondering if the story was true. Once the story was finished she asked, "But what do the birthmarks mean, Nurse?"
"Each generation, a child is born that is destined to rule. They are marked from birth by a heart to show that as ruler, they are the heart of our people."
"But, I have only half of a heart."
"Ah, my child, you and your sister were special. You each were born with half of a heart, yours on the left and your sister's on the right. A prophecy was given at your birth.
For the kingdom to survive, the heart must be whole.
For the heart to be whole, the two must be one.
One shall be lost to darkness, the other to follow.
The Lost shall be found, the Truth revealed.
Dark the hour will seem 'fore Truth's light shatters the darkness.
Love's light a beacon in the wilderness, and the two shall be one once more.
"The two must be one," she mused. "I wonder what that means."
"The Seers said that you were to rule at your sister's side, for then the heart would be whole."
The young redhead absently traced her birthmark beneath the water, then ordered Della to leave. She fussed over her charge for a moment longer, laying out a fresh dressing gown, but at last she left, telling the girl to pull the bell cord if she should need anything during the night.
Finally alone, Marna stepped out of the rapidly cooling water to don the midnight blue robe. She crossed the room to curl up on the window seat, staring off into the night. "Could it be?" she mused. "Am I really a missing princess?" Resolutely shaking her head, she told herself it was impossible. "I'm nothing more than what I've always been called...a slave," she whispered, ruthlessly suppressing the tiny voice of doubt.
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Harsh sobs wracked her slender frame as Mellindre fought to ignore the pain inflicted on her by the sadistic woman who held her captive. Jainad stepped back to admire her handiwork. It was almost a work of art, the way the sweat and blood mingled before dripping to the stone floor. "What is your name," she demanded.
"I am Mellindre!" she ground out between clenched teeth.
"WRONG!" the other woman shouted as she slashed the girl once more with the cane. "Your new name is Linni!" And so it went until the screams turned to whispers from a throat too ravaged to speak. Head hanging limply, the princess failed to notice the approach of her tormentor until a voice whispered, "Your name girl."
"L-linni."
"Good girl."
Pain had been her world for so long that she barely felt the gentle hands releasing her and laying her on the soft bed. Wounds were cleansed and numbing ointment soothed the fiery red lines. So great was her relief, that she did not object when the soothing touch turned arousing. The sensual caresses penetrated the haze of fatigue, urging her towards a blinding finish and as she rode the crest of the wave, she heard a voice speak as if to her mind, "You are mine, Linni."