Farraj stood in the highest chamber of the tallest tower of his secluded castle-palace. The robed sorcerer moved to the large arched window at the north side of the tower. Partly to look for the return of his servants, partly to get a breath of fresh air, the chamber was still stifling with the heavy smoke of the incense and rare herbs he’d burned as part of the ritual to summon them.

 Overhead, a brilliant starscape glittered in the heavens while below, the blasted rocks and sands of the wilderness all around was hidden in shadow. The sharp-faced man’s intense dark eyes scanned the horizon. He was to concede that his scheme...his latest scheme, had met some disaster but no, off in the distance, still some miles away a shadow crossed over the field of stars briefly obscuring each in turn as it passed.

 A few minutes later, a pair of figures flew up to the open window, Farraj having stepped back inside and entered the chamber. The figures were humanoid, at least mostly. One had the shape of a broad shouldered male, the other the slender curves of a female. Robes and face-concealing turbans shrouded most of the figures from sight. From the narrow slit of the latter, golden eyes glowed in the gloom of the chamber. From the bottom of the latter, a thin plum of smoke trailed out behind them as they dropped down and floated a few feet above the complex mosaic of mystic runes and sigils covering the floor of the chamber.

 The figures had, between them, a long rolled up carpet, of a rich and brightly colored design. A careful observer might note how the carpet wriggled and shook ever so slightly or pick up the faint, distressed murmurings coming from within its rolls.

 “Lay it out here.” Farraj said in a peremptory tone.

 “We obey your command, master.” The male Djinn said in a high, whispering voice from somewhere deep in the turban. With its partner, they stooped low, set the carpet down and unrolled it. The muffled whimpers from inside became more excited until the final roll flopped open and a young woman tumbled out onto the floor of the chamber.

 She was a tall, slender maid, with dark skin and raven black hair tied in a long brain. She was completely naked, revealing her lithe, attractive figure. Bands of rich colorful silks, undoubtedly her clothes once upon a time, lashed the girl’s wrists and ankles and covered her mouth, muffling her imploring questions. Above the gag, a pair of dark, flashing eyes peered around the room with an expression of fright.

 Scant hours before, the Princess Yesmine had been in her private chambers in the palace of her father, the Sultan, preparing for bed with her handmaidens. They had all been taken completely by surprise when the Djinn had burst in through the windows, a veritable whirlwind blowing through the chamber. Before any could act, all of the women found themselves stripped of their clothes, trussed and gagged with the torn remnants of the same. Leaving the rest of squirm and struggle, the Djinn had rolled the Princess up in one of her carpets and brought her here, to this strange, dark chamber and its sinister occupant.

 Farraj stood, stroking his long, pointed beard and grinning as he beheld his prize. At last, he thought with some satisfaction. For a brief moment, he turned his attention to the Djinn, floating above and on either side of their captive. A few sibilant words hissed in an ancient tongue sent the spirits back into their imprisoning bottles and he was alone with the beautiful maid.

 “Good evening, Princess.” He said, with an evil chuckle. “I’m sure you don’t remember me. It’s been years since the Sultan denied me your hand in marriage.” And a wise decision on his part, since Farraj’s next step would have been to arrange the untimely death of his hapless father-in-law and so ascend to the throne himself, but that didn’t stop the sorcerer from nursing a grudge.

 “I’m not accustomed to being denied, my dear, and I knew I would have you sooner or later.” He stretched out a hand, speaking a few more words of power. Tendrils of reddish-black smoke stretched our and seized the terrified maiden. She struggled helpless in the spell’s grasp as she was picked up and set on her trembling, tightly bound legs.

 “Alas, I’m afraid you will pay the price for your father’s denial.” Farraj continued, tauntingly. “Had he seen reason and consented you would have been my wife and queen...now you will only be my slave!” He spoke another spell. The cloth strips binding the princess glowed brightly. An instant later, they were replaced by cuffs of gleaming gold, joined by short chains. Her gag has transformed as well, a golden orb held between her teeth by a web of crimson leather straps encircling her head.

 Farraj conjured up another dark smoke cloud. It flew from his hand, leaving a faint trail behind it and enveloped the Princess’ neck. As the cloth bands had before, the smoke flared brightly for an instant and became a gold collar locked around her slender neck. The trail became a chain of fine gold links, running from the collar back to the sorcerer’s outstretched hand.

 “Come my dear.” Farraj said, giving the chain a sudden, sharp tug. The princess was taken off guard and she stumbled forward, the chains shackling her jingling merrily as she stepped hurriedly to keep from falling over. “I shall instruct you on your new duties…” He turned and strode from the chamber. Behind him, Yesmine, Princess no more now the slave of Farraj, shuffled after, her sobs echoing away...