**
Dana awoke from heavy mmppffing sounds nearby. Her head hurt. She kept her eyes closed, as mylady had taught her to do, until she felt fully awake. She was bound, tightly, hand and foot, and around the torso. No sack over her hands. That was good.  A gag, standard three part gag, but of cloth, not latexa. Good too. No blindfold. She was still fully clothed.
The enemies were no professional slave hunters.
From the mmpphhing sounds, she deducted there were three other packages with her. No signs of a guard, no sounds, no smell of that.
Slowly she opened her eyes. Venjaned was to her left, bound too and gagged with her black latexa hair band. Dana felt totally cool. She even smiled under her gag about the latexa band of the priestress. The two other captives were crewwomen, the night sentries she assumed. No attacker in the vicinity. The captives leaned with their backs against the reeling.
Dana tried to relax, which she accomplished surprisingly easily. Now was the moment to use what she had learned during the last few evenings. Today, she had managed to get out of Tashmals bind in 30 minutes.
It proved to be far easier than that. The attackers bondarat skills were decidedly inferior to myladys.
Dana was free after a mere 5 minutes. She removed her gag and bent down to the Zoralada, as she heard someone approaching. Quickly she fastened the brown scarf over her mouth again and sat down against the reeling as if still bound.
It was a young woman in brown leather wear, her blonde hair in plaits wound around her head.
She obviously came to check on the captives. She had a latexa club and a sword and dagger, all three weapons hanging from her belt, not drawn.
"Plaits", as Dana thought of her, reached them and bent down to check the first crewwomans ropes.
The ex maid was upon her in an instant. Plaits didnt scream, obviously she didnt want to alert the ship. Instead, she tried to fight. But she was surprised and seemed clumsy.  Dana pressed her down to the deck. She was taller and stronger than Plaits, and had pinned her arms at the sides. She shoved her own wet gag packing into the enemies mouth.
Plaits mmpphed and struggled. Dana applied the gag strap, pressing the packing inward and fastening it in Plaits mouth. She tied it off in front, which was easier, she had learned. Plaits starred up at her. She had big blue eyes. She looked afraid.
Dana turned her about and tied her elbows together. She continued to tie Plaits up until she was a helpless package. Then she removed the scarf from her lower face and sealed Plaits gag with it.
She womanhandled her captive to her own former place and placed her between Venjaned and a crewwoman. She had decided she would not free the others now. They would alarm the ship, and a fight would ensue, and people would get injured and killed. She wanted to avoid that.
She whispered to the priestress:
"Stay cool. I will be back."
Venjaned nodded.
Dana turned to Plaits a last time. Out of an impulse, she opened her captives plaits and let her hair fall free about her shoulders. It was long and very beautiful. She smiled at her captive. The woman starred back at her, still afraid.
She knew what to do next. Alert the mylady and Zusha or free them if they had been overpowered. But she didnt thought that likely. These amateurs would have had severe difficulties in surprising and defeating mylady and the rondakian warrior.
Most naturally, Dana had taken Plaits weaponbelt into her possession, so she was now armed with club, sword and dagger. And she wore Plaits hipbag, full of rope, cloth waddings and scarfs.
She reached  the entrance to the inner ship. She thought about taking off her boots, as they made "clac-clac" with every double step. But vanity triumphed over prudence in this case. She shrugged it off. "No risk, no fun", an elderly warrior, guest at her old inn, had once said to her. She hadnt understood that remark then, but did now.
She listened for problems downstairs. She heard nothing, all was quiet. Dana wished for a Kaskago, but that couldnt be helped. The enemies had surely smoked them before their assault. It hadnt helped Plaits, so maybe it was not that important a factor after all.
The blonde  entered the staircase, called a ladder on a ship, a crewwoman had told her. In the corridor, she listened again. To the right were the crew compartments. She could hear mmpphing from there. They had taken out the crew already. She didnt know how long she had been unconscious. Anyway, as Tashmal used to say.
Suddenly, she heard clac- clac of boots. Someone else was vain too. She quickly opened the next door and slid into the cabin. It was some kind of storage room. She left the door slightly ajar.
The steps approached, it were three of them, two wearing boots. As if bidden by her they stopped just before her cabin, partly in her field of vision through the small opening. Dana could make out a slender woman with very short blonde hair in black boots and gloves, a white blouse and a black corsett. She wore sword and dagger. She knew the second one. It was one of the passengers, a small person in her Mid Twenties with shoulder length dark hair in a short red dress and black boots and gloves like the other woman.
Dana had talked to her briefly yesterday at breakfast. She had said that she was a scribe visiting her mothers in her home town. She had left the ship this morning.
She is the scout, Dana thought.
"Where is Tanjee? She should be back by now."
The third woman, out of Danas view, said:
"Probably having a smoke. Tanjee is a heavy smoker."
"Just wonderful. Well, it runs smoothly up to now."
The scout asked:
"What about the children, mylady? There are about 15 on board. We could sell them too, there is a market for them, and the prices are high."
"Absolutely not. It is bad enough we had to secure them too. And that they all will lose their mothers.  But I will not sell them into slavery, possibly even on a market for child molesters."
"But mylady, the money..."
"Dont speak of that ever again to me, or I will slit your throat, Frigani."
"Uuh, yes mylady. Forgive me."
"Stay here and be out of our way. We have still much work to do. There are far more passengers than I expected - or dared to hope for. When the operation is a success, we will be saved."
With that, she and the third woman turned and headed back deeper into the ship.
The scout - Frigani - looked after them. When they were gone, she produced a pack of Shalimo and mouthed a stick, started to search for her matches.
The perfect moment, Dana thought with a smile. She rushed into the corridor, pressed a gloved hand over Friganis mouth, breaking the cigarette in half in the process,  and put the dagger to her throat.
"No sound, or your throat will be slit after all."
Frigani nodded, didnt move, apart from shaking slightly. Dana directed her into the storage compartment. She removed her hand from Friganis mouth, but not the dagger from her throat.
"Open wide."
Frigani obeyed and opened her mouth - which was instantly stuffed with a gag packing. Dana gripped her neck, sheeted the dagger and started to tie the brunette up.
When finished, she applied gag strap and band over the packing. Finally, she put the woman on her stomach and tied her wrists to her ankles in a severe hogtie.
The captive was sweating and started to mmpph into the gag.
"This is because you are willing to sell children into slavery and worse. You have now time to think about what the goddesses will decide when you reach their realm. It may be hell for you."
"MMPPPH!"
Dana left the compartment. She headed for their cabin. From most cabins she passed she heard weak mmpphing sounds. The attackers had been quite busy.
She reached her destination and listened. There were mmmpphing sounds too. Tashmal and Zusha overpowered? Dana opened the door.
The sounds came from three naked women, expertly tied and wearing latexa gags. To one side a small hill of brown leather wear and some underwear rose up. Dana smiled. Her friends were already on the hunt too.
She thought for a moment. What now? Dana decided to search the ship. She would either find more enemies or her friends.
So she left the cabin, closed the door and headed aft.
In the ships stable she found three more attackers, helplessly packaged and naked. She briefly looked after their horses, then she left.
Her steps led her to the captains quarters. She listened, then entered. The captain and her companion struggled packaged on their beds, while a large and strong woman in brown leather with a brown plait was tying up the 20 year old daughter of the pair, which was already gagged.
The mylady with the short blonde hair was standing to the side and watched.
They turned, as Dana entered.
Dana said nothing, drew her sword. She felt no fear. Everything was crystal clear. Time seemed to move slower. Strange, she thought, I havent smoked a Kaskago since morning, thats about 16 hours ago.
The leadress of the attackers drew her weapon too.
"Surrender, young lady. I am a sword mistress of the order of the white eagle. You cant win. I dont want to kill you."
Dana said nothing. The large woman reached for her sword too.
"No, Weibel, I will handle that myself. Finish servicing this girl."
"As you order, mylady."
"So you wish to die. A pity. You are such a beauty."
With that, the woman attacked, and she was quick, very quick. Blades were crossed eight times. After the ninth clash, a sword fell to the ground.
Dana put her blade at the womans throat. The blonde mylady was holding her sword arm, which Danas weapon had hit with the plain side.
The womans face was white as if painted so.
"Who are you? Who the fuck are you?"
"Manners!" Dana said evenly.
The door opened, Tashmal and Zusha entered, both with swords in their hands. They stopped dead in their tracks.
The Weibel, a military rank like sergeant, dropped her weapon belt and rose her hands.
Dana asked the  blonde mylady:
"Do you surrender?"
The woman stared at her.
"Yes, I surrender."

***
"I wish you farewell, my heroine."
"Good luck at your post, mother Venjaned."
"Thank you. And remember what I said about your companion."
Dana nodded. The Zoralada kissed her briefly, then turned and headed to the gangway.
"She is under your spell," the Achaian said, approaching Dana from the right. Zusha was with her, now manacled again. The friends wore long woolen cloaks now too, and Zusha had woolen gloves and stockings sheeting her limbs.
It was very cold, and raining again. Dana watched Venjaned leave the ship. Other departing passengers came over to the three, all thanking them, even the Rondaka, a mere slave, and a dirty Redskin to boot.
The attackers had been Lady Taraved Burginster and her soldiers, oldest daughter of Knightress  Ludkavee Burginster. The family had large debts, and had seen no other way than to break the law and enter the slave trade. The plan had been to attack a river ship, package everyone on board, and sell them into slavery. A deal had been made with an liganorian slave trader, whose ship waited in Maulburg ( it would have been impossible to sell the captives in the empire).
Taraved hated what she did, but she loved her  birth mother and was absolutely loyal to her.
Frigani was really a scribe - that of the family, and the idea to the whole thing had been hers.
The kinghtresses daughter had told them all that without the need for an interrogation. She seemed relieved that the plan had failed.
She, her soldiers and the scribe, had been taken into custody by soldiers of the archduchess this morning.
And that was that. All people on board were free again, and no one had been seriously injured.
Captain, crew and passengers were very grateful to Tashmal, Dana and their slave. The cloaks and Zushas gloves and stocking were gifts of a passenger, a merchant in clothes.
There had been more gifts, and while Dana was embarrassed, Tashmal seemed angry about it.
Finally, the ship was under way again.
"Can we go downstairs now, blonde heroine? I hate rain. Even more than carpet rats."
"I will stay here for a while, Tashmal, I love rain."
Suddenly, Tashmal put her arms around Dana and kissed her, hard and hot.
Totally taken by surprise, the blonde starred down on her after they had parted again.
"What was that for?"
"You called me Tashmal!" the Achaian beamed.
"OOHH."
"No, no, no, silly one. Dont make this "OOHH", you always sound like a dumb cow then."
"I will try not to say it again, Tashmal. May I ask a favor?"
"Everything, sweet maid."
"Call me Dana, not maid something."
"You are right, blonde maid... ups, sorry, Dana."
Both smiled at each other. Dana heard a chuckle. She turned her head and saw Zusha was trying hard not to laugh. It was the first time she saw the Rondaka laugh at all. This was a very good morning.
"I am in our cabin. Zusha?"
"Zusha will stay with mistress, Lady Tashmal."
"Very well."
The Achaian left. The rain was getting stronger. Danas mane was heavy from it already. Apart from the crew on duty, Dana and Zusha were alone on deck.
The rain was too heavy to smoke, but altough Dana wished for a cigarette, the wish to stay in the beautiful rain was stronger. They stood there in silence for a while.
"Zusha knew why they hunt you mistress. And why Tashmal wants to bring you to Lashayette."
"What? What do you say?"
Dana turned to the Rondaka, staring at her in disbelief.
"You are a Krosa. That is a word in my language meaning "natural born warrior". This are women whose magical powers are very strong and are all related to warrior virtues. Like the effects of smoking Kaskago, only much stronger. Such Krosas are very seldom born. "
"How do you know? Because I defeated the knightress?"
"No. I knew it when I first saw you.  Krosas can recognize each other, once they have learned how its done."
"But, that means you are a Krosa too!"
Zusha nodded.
"Tashmal need not know any of that, mistress. I dont trust her."
The Zoraladas words came to Danas mind: "She is under the strong spell of a dark aspect."
And the day had started so well. Dana sighed, looked down on her feet.
Then she straigthened up, rose her head and threw back her wet hair.
"Very well,  I wont tell Tashmal anything of that. Lets go inside, I need a smoke or two."
***
Tashmal smiled at them, as they entered the cabin. She was eating candies - one of the gifts, and was reading in a book with two kissing girls on the cover - another gift.
"I had a wonderful idea. New lessons await. And for you too, Zusha."
Dana tried to smile back at the Achaian. She seemed so happy. Could she really be evil? She sighed. Tashmal, this time not the keen observer as usual, seemed not to notice.
"You cant go to Lashayette without understanding a single word, Achaian. So, I will teach you my language. The ideal lessons for rainy weather. Let us start right away."
Dont think about it now, Dana commanded herself. She lit a Laxago and sat down beside the petite brunette.
"We will start with my name. Tashmal means "the sweet one"."
Despite her mood, Dana had to smile at that. To her surprise, she managed to forget about the "evilness" issue for now.  She was really eager to learn a new language.
Zusha knelt down near the door. Dana suddenly realized she hadnt taken of the "slaves" manacles.
Angry with herself, she rose and did it now. Tashmal seemingly hadnt noticed that too.
"Kiss is "laju". Love tube is "Flushinajamelle". Breasts is" tanjeux". What is love tube, Dana?"
"Flushinajamelle. What does" Klish" mean?"
"Uuuh..." Tashmals milkwhite face suddenly reddened.  It looked cute.
"What does it mean? Tashmal?"
"Its a bad word for Flushinajamelle. Like "cunt" in doranian, only worse, I must admit."
"I see. You use it quite often."
"Well, I am an evil achaian whore."
"What is the word for whore?"
"There are several."
"The worst one."
"Ahh, well, Klishainja."
"I understand. I had already assumed something along those lines."
"Mistress already sounds like Lady Tashmal." Zusha said, not looking at her, but onto a candy in her hand. She popped it into her mouth.
The blonde turned her attention back to her teacher.
"Okay, I already knew that "filmu" is filter, and is used for cigarette too."
"Right. It is often used for "gag" too. The other way around is the "correct" word for gag "gnumo" and a "gnumomi" is a small gag. And this "gnumomi" is now used for "cigarette" too."
"A cigarette is a small gag? Uuuh, when I think about it. Put between ones lips it impedes speech a bit, so it makes sense in a way. I find that  hot in a small way. Is -mi always used for small things?"
"Yes, correct. "Tanjeuxmi" are small breasts for example."
"And big breasts?" That was Zusha, starring right at Danas bossom, opening her mouth and pretending to drool. The other two laughed.
"Thats  "ze", and at the beginning of the word. "Zetanjeux"."
Dana smiled. That was fun. She killed her Laxago and reached for a candy too.
"What does boots mean?"
"Buutsal. One boot is "buutsa". Over knee boots are "Amrabuutsal", translating exactly to "leg boots"."
"So "amra" is leg? And is "legs" - "amral""
"Yes, yes, thats it."
"What about "gift of the goddesses"?"
Tashmal laughed.
"Dont get overconfident. Thats nothing for the first lesson."