“How has she behaved?” Tashmal asked the other dark blade, an older woman with an ugly scar on her right brow and cheek, which she, for whatever reason never had have erased by magic.
“Not really well. After some days, we released her from the bondage and the latexa, and even immediately had her hair regrown magically. She got a decent cell high up, with sunlight, a good bed, first class meals, a toilet, the best treatment, as you had ordered, mistress Rakaros. Nonetheless, she insulted as constantly, demanded her freedom, bitched about this and that – we were seriously considering repackaging her just to quieten her.”
“Well, I didnt expect less from her, she is a lofty bitch.”
“Naturally, she is bored as hell. We offered her books, but reading doesnt seem to her liking. In the end, we provided a magical dreamer for her and some dreams popular in Tallavor. You know, Mistress Evelnos shop has magic dreams from all over Arankalor. The artefact and the dreams were expensive, mistress. I take it you will pay them privately?”
“Rest assured, the treasure of the guild will not lost a single zarinelle because of the slut.”
Dana, Tashmal and Ugumbe, the Mambakian slave accompanying them for the shopping tour planned for later in the day, followed the scarred dark blade through the house up a large staircase.
“I have a question bothering me already last time here in Lashayette,” Dana said.
“Yes, sugarmouth?”
“You reside here quite openly, have even the status of a guild. But is... aaahh... murder not a crime? Illegal somehow?”
Tashmal and the other Blade laughed.
“Yes and no, my love. There is a law in Achaia that if a murder mystery hasnt been solved after eight days, and later it is found the guild was behind it, the actual assassin or assassins are pardoned automatically. Wild murders are still a capital crime though. Apprehended dark blades on the other hand usually get relatively mild sentences, like some years in the colonies on plantations.”
“But how...”
“Its about the corruption of those in power. We are very expensive, so only the rich and powerful can afford us. The law, accordingly, gives pardon not only to the actual assassins, but to their employers too.”
“But thats totally evil!”
“Sure it is. I already told you once that Achaia is no paradise.”
Dana thought of Sirfs remark about corruption and power. It seemed to be correct, but she didnt grasp how it came about. And Sirf thought she would get corrupt, meaning evil, if she got power too?
That would be horrible. She was deeply disturbed, had even stopped dead in her tracks.
The others had continued on their way, Ugumbe looking back confused at Dana. The blonde hastened to follow again.
They arrived at a door in a corridor a short while later. Two young Blades were sitting at a small table beside the door, playing a game of Line up four, where you place your stones alternately, aiming to build a straight line of four.
The girls rose, then went on one knee.
“Nothing to report, Mistresses.”
The scarred Blade nodded and ordered them to open the door after taking a look through a hole in it.
Lucreza Jalatti was lying on the bed, clothed in a silken gown, her feet in silken stockings. Her regrown dark hair fell openly on the cushions. The Alice band of the magical dreamer was on her head, her eyes closed, and the artefact on the ground busily humming away.
The Tallavora noticed them entering though and opened her dark eyes, putting the band of hardlatexa aside. Her eyes blazed, her expression darkened immediately, she sat up on the bed.
“Greetings, Lady Jalatti,” Dana said, trying to be amiable.
“Have you finally decided what to do with me, blonde slut? Selling me to Mambaka as a plantation slave or just cutting my throat and feeding my body to the sewer rats of this place?”
“We wont do anything of that, Donna.”
“So you have thought about my request to write to my companion, in order for her and our daughters to know about my fate?”
Dana was surprised the woman had a companion and children. It made her somehow less... what? Less evil, Dana? She chided herself for the thought.
“You will soon see them all again, as we will release you shortly.”
The Southerner was visually perplexed. Her eyes wide, mouth open, she starred from Dana to Tashmal.
Tashmal couldnt hold back:
“Yes, its true, dear Lucreza. Lady Danadeva has decided to set you free, so that you may hunt her again, pursuing your quest for yet more money. Or is it pride now? Revenge? I am sure you will try again, whatever the reason in the end.”
Donna Jalatti composed herself, becoming her cool bitchy self again. She reached for a  tan pack of Pagimos on a sideboard, mouthed one and quickly lit up.
Blewing out smoke, she mustered Tashmal, but remained quiet.
Dana said:
“Maybe you will reconsider, Donna, after you heard about the real nature of your employers. We found out, and we are mainly the witches of Albor, that an invasion of Males from another world will happen in about two years from now. Somehow my person is deeply involved in stopping this horrible thing. Therefor we assume that its ultimately the Males who want to have me abducted. You probably work for them.
So, do you want to do Males work? They will enslave each and every female of Matria, you, your companion and your daughters including. If you dont believe me, we can take you with us into dreamworld and show it to you.”
Lucreza Jalatti showed no visible reaction. After a pause, she said:
“I will think about what you said. When will you release me?”
“In two days from now, when my friends and I have left the city again. Lest we give you ideas for a hasty action. Will you promise to stop hunting me?”
“I take it that is a precondition for my release?”
“No, Donna, you need not promise anyything. After set free, do as you please.”
Dana felt how every word rolled of the Donna Bonda like water from hard latexa. She shrugged. Should the bitch try again to abduct her, she didnt fear her.
But her lover was not yet through with the Tallavora:
“You dont want to give a promise, dear Lucreza. But I will give one to you. If you try to abduct Dana again, or harm any of her friends in any way, I will kill you. And I wont leave it at that. I will seek out those you love, and kill them too. Understood?”
This got the womans attention, her face turning ashen.
“You wont dare to...”
“I will, rest assured.”
Altough Dana objected to Tashmals threat, she decided it could be an advantage if the Donna Bonda believed in Danas consent, so the blonde remained silent.
“Did you know, blonde slut, that your Dark blade here worships Agazut, daughtergoddess of murder? That a worshiper of this aspect has to kill a living person once every month? Obviously not. I am asking myself, if someone staying to Benit, goddess of love and peace, so much like you can really love such an evil girl like the Achaian here.”
The Jalatti smiled sweetly.
Dana had paled, her gaze going from the Donna Bonda to Tashmal. The Achaian said nothing, starred full of hatred at the Southerner on the bed.
“We leave now, Tashmal,” Dana managed to say.
Without another look at the captive, she left the luxurious cell, followed by her lover.
Outside, and with the door closed, she couldnt hold back any longer:
“Is this the truth, Tashmal? Do you kill every month? Have you killed someone for your Agazut since we met?”
Tashmal seemed very afraid, which Dana, who felt anger and pain, didnt understand.
The assassins eyes were moist, her lips quivered. She said, taking Danas hands:
“Please, calm down, its not as you think. There are ways with this worshiping you see. Agazuth demands a killed being, but it need not be a human. Basically, every being, even an ant or bug will suffice.”
“It cant be this easy.”
“Okay, you are right, the being must have a certain size, a certain amount of life energy. Since we met, the first sacrifice was the giant spider I helped to kill in the battle with the beasts in Medusas head. The second one was a few days ago one of the Wer rats. You see, I didnt kill a human being. Please, believe me.”
Dana felt herself relaxing slowly. Yes, that would be a way for Tashmal, an at least tolerable way. And she believed her because Dana wanted to believe her.
She fingered a Laxago out of her pack, mouthed it. Tashmal took a stick too. Both lit up, smoked, visibly shaken. The scarred Blade and the two young ones had retreated as the argument had started. Ugumbe knelt to one side, keeping her head down.
“I havent killed humans outside of a fight for a long time. Dana? Do you believe me?”
It sounded as if Tashmal begged the Blonde to believe her. And, Dana told herself, she wanted to do just that.
“I believe you, my cute whore.”
She took the Achaian in her arms and kissed her. The cigarettes forgotten, they kissed and hugged each other for a long time.
I believe you, my love, Dana thought, but suddenly the words of the Zoralada back on the rivership some months ago came to her mind: “She is under the strong spell of a dark aspect.”
Dana felt like crying.
++


“Intriguing move, young Danadeva. You have me wondering what you are up to there. You learned a new style of playing, am I right?”
Mareshes Gyptok, the old general and player, looked down at the Kerkor board. It was already the 38th turn, but the game was as of yet undecided.
“You are right, Madamelle. I played with a Mayutan lady from Xishaikalor.”
“Ahh, I knew it. Those eastern schemes are quite confusing for the unwary, but in my opinion too complicated webs. Much too often, one is caught oneself in them. I think it has to do with the language.”
“Beg your pardon?”
“Well, xishaikan languages tend to be very complicated, difficult to learn for foreigners. I think these languages influence their minds, make them think too complicated. This reflects on their way of playing the game too.”
The old madamelle, now knowing about Danas strategy, went onto the offensive. The blonde was busy defending, time in her sand clock running out quickly.
“You see, instead of worrying about your schemes and traps and hidden plans, I just ignore them and press home my assault. You should try that next time you play with this Mayuta.”
“I will do that, Madamelle Mareshes.”
Dana toppled her queen in turn 51. Setting up the pieces for another game, she asked, trying to sound only mildly curious:
“Madamelle, what can you tell me about the worshiping of Agazuth, the aspect of murder?”
“Well, there is a festival day for her, here in Achaia. Everyone sacrifices a poor ant or fly or bug to the aspect. But I take it you dont have THAT in mind.”
Ready with the pieces, Dana busied herself with a fresh cigarette. She felt the womans eyes on her and finally met her gaze. She sighed.
“You are right, its Tashmal Rakaros, the Dark Blade, my lover. I must know if she is killing humans for her Agazuth every month.”
“Have you asked her directly?”
“Yes, and she said that every living being suffices, provided it has a certain amount of life energy. She claimed she sacrificed the monsters we slay on our adventures for the purpose.”
“But you dont believe her.”
“I dont know!” the ex maid exclaimed, throwing up her arms. Others looked over to their table in “Kerkors beauty”, surprised by the sudden outburst.
“Steady, beautiful young lady. It is possible to worship Agazuth this way, especially because Agazuth, like every aspect of deity, is just a made up concept of womankind and not a really existing entity. So your Tashmal could sacrifice a flower from the garden, or a cockroach or even a pint of ale, it would make no difference. I doubt that Lady Rakaros believes in any deity, Agazuth including. Its just expected of her as a Dark Blade to follow the rules. As to her conscience and ethics, I dont know her personally. I cant tell you if she would lie to you and if she would sacrifice humans for a non existing deity.
If you love her, you should be much better suited to answer this question. It seems you do not trust her.”
The madamelle made her first move, right centers battle maga spearwoman to D7.
Dana looked down on the board, her sand running, lost in thought she was. The Madamelle was right, she didnt trust Tashmal. But why? The words of the priestress, Zushas distrust. But why at all did she trust Zusha  more than Tashmal?
Oh no, now she was beginning to question Zushas loyalty too!
The old madamelle stopped Danas sandclock and said:
“Lets begin anew later. You are young, at the beginning of love and war. You are starting to learn that both are not as easy and clear cut as you thought before. Sides are blurred. There is no blue and red like in a Kerkor game. Or black and white like with the deities. People, in love and war, are gray. Your Tashmal might lie to you, she might do evil things, but I am sure you wouldnt feel love for her if there werent good aspects in her too.
You probably should not accept a murderer sacrificing humans, but basically you have to accept people as they are. If you want my opinion in this specific case, I think your Dark Blade tells you the truth.”
“You gave me much to ponder, Madamelle.”
“You came back here to learn, didnt you?”
“But I must not like everything I learn.”
“That surely is every ones right. Do you want me to bubble some more seemingly wise but perhaps only silly things or should we play again?”
“Lets play again.”
Why DID she trust Zusha after all?
++


“Welcome on board of the INDOMITABLE, Lady Danadeva. And welcome to your friends.”
“Thank you very much, Captain witch Noy-dill-Whave.”
Dana and the redhaired witch shook hands. The captain of the INDOMITABLE looked like about thirty, but Dana knew she had to be about two decades older. The witch introduced the group to her helmswoman and several officers, some of them witches too, while Dana introduced her friends.
Megan and Trish had decided that the blonde should do the introductions instead of themselves, to emphasize her leadership.
“Well, Lady Danadeva. We are ready to sail as you order.”
“Good, than lets not waste any time.”
“Uhh, there is just one little issue...”
“Yes, Captain witch?”
“Where to do we sail?”
“OOOH! You have not been told? Beg your pardon, obviously not. We will go to Vega Adrega at the zillagollan coast.”
“I see. We will immediately weigh anchor. Shall a petty officer show you your cabines?”
“Later, thank you. We will stay on deck for the departure.”
The Captain witch nodded and started to give commands to her officers, who relayed them with loud harsh voices to the crew. Dana turned to the others, and together they headed to the reeling.
She liked the smell of the sea, and the cries of the seagulls above. The ship was very huge in her eyes, far more so than the river ship she had travelled on with Tashmal and Zusha. It had three masts and countless sails. Very impressive to her. Her mood, not the best during the last days, rose considerably. Out of an impulse, she opened her tied up hair and let the mane flutter in the strong breeze.
Looking over the port of Cokteaux, full of more huge ships, some of them even larger, she felt a hand searching hers. It was Tashmal. The Achaian was acting strangely since the issue with Agazuth. Her behavior reminded Dana of that of a dog trying to get its mistress favor again. Dana decidedly disliked it, it hurt her to see her cool whore so submissive, so much like an abject beggar. But she didnt know what to do.
“Maybe you should scream at her how silly she behaves. She is proud, in the end she will scream back. Maybe you will get at each other with nails and teeth, that would clear the atmosphere.”
It was Sirf, naturally. Why hadnt Dana thought of him sooner?
“Sirf, you can read my thoughts. Can you read Tashmals thoughts too? Can you tell me if...”
“The answer is no, Dana. Although I CAN read her thoughts, and know her inner secrets, its basically very bad manners if not even evil to do so. I assure you her secrets are no danger for you or our mission.”
“But I must know if she sacrifices...”
“No, you must not. She told you she didnt. You should believe your lover on such fundamental a thing. And I wont tell you. It would not be of any consequence for Matria if she kills humans every day. And to save Matria is our mission.”
“Didnt you say I should forget more often about Matria and think of happier things?”
“First, there are times to think of Matria and times when not. Second, is this a happier thing? I wont tell you, and dont ask again. Period.”
“But I need help with her, Sirf. And Zusha... Sirf? Are you still there?”
She looked out for the tomcat. It had met with the ships cat, a female animal of gray color. Both were obviously very much interested in each other. Dana sighed. While the ship left port, she thought about Sirfs words. He was right, to read someones thoughts was evil, at least in these circumstances. And something had to be done about Tashmal. Now.
She loosened her hand out of the Achaians grip, turned to her and said:
“Woman, if you dont stop immediately to behave like a kicked dog, I will vomit on the spot in disgust. Are you a Dark Blade, an achaian whore, or a broken slave?”
She spoke loudly, all her friends could hear it. Tashmals face turned red like a tomato, then gray like the clouds above.
The Achaian hissed:
“Go fuck yourself, maid.”
With this she turned and left the group.
Wonderful, Dana thought. Not quite working out as planned. Thank you, Sirf, for this ingenious idea.
Megan headed after Tashmal. Well, that was getting better and better. The others avoided Danas gaze, apart from Zusha, whose eyes were unreadable as most of the time.
Dana turned to the sea again, watching the port of Cokteaux getting smaller and smaller. She lit a cigarette, or tried too, the wind being too strong. Zusha came over and lend her hands as a shield.
They stood side by side, the others leaving the reeling.
“Do you still think I cant trust her?”
“Yes, Dana.”
“Can I trust YOU, Tra-Ka-Dar?”
“You should trust no one, Dana.”
“How reassuring, Zusha.” She managed a defiant smile.
The Rondaka didnt smile back.

Later, Tashmal took a cabin together with Megan and Rowenn. Dana felt despair, but as she tried to talk with Tashmal again, the Achaian just ignored her and pretended that she was not even there.
Marule and Zusha invited the Blonde to join their cabin instead. What could Dana do, so she accepted.
It was now late in the night. They had dined with the Captain witch and her officers, but the break up of Danas and Tashmals relationship hung like a dark cloud over the friends mood, only Megan seemingly happy, conversing avidly with the Captain witch.
Dana had asked Zusha and Marule for some help to forget her grief for a while. She stood, clad in black latexa stockings and gloves, in the center of the cabin. Zusha threw the three parts of a white latexa gag across and snapped:
“Gag yourself, horny slave.”
Dana shuddered and did so, one part after the other.
“UMMPPHH! GGMMSCH! MMPPHH!”
“You like that, slave, you are already dripping. I heard you want to know how it is to wear a latexa corsage. Ready for it?”
“UMMFF!” Dana nodded.
“Grip the edges of the table.”
The blonde did so. Zusha put the black latexa corsage around her waist. Dana screamed into the tight huge gag as the lustcreamed material touched her soft skin at belly and back. How hot this felt! Could she stand it, the latexa there on her? She was not sure. Screaming in the gag, she shuddered as Zusha laced the corsage shut. Then the Rondaka made it tighter still.
Dana threw her blonde mane about, looking back over her shoulder at Zusha, her eyes wide and moist.
“Too much for you, blonde slut? Too late. You will now be bound. We will make it tight on you.”
Danas arms were forced back, her elbows tied together, then her wrists. Zusha and Marule then bound her arms  to her torso, above and below the breasts. More rope around her waist followed. Zusha took a loose end and pulled.
The blondes eyes bulged even further, she groaned deeply into the gag. A fat wad of love juice left her pussy and hit the ground. She had seen this happen with other packages, and it aroused her further that her body reacted likewise.
By now, she had forgotten about her grief and pain, was completely in the grip of her hotness, tighter than the grip of ropes and gag.
The other girls guided her to the bed, she knelt down on the silken bed linen. Both Zusha and Marule donned a dildo belt, inserted the inner stick into their vaginas, groaning in heat. The outer dildos protruded from their hips.  Zusha laid down, gripping Danas leg.
“Come slave, impale yourself now.”
The blonde needed some help from Zusha. Sitting over her, the tip of the latexa sheeted dildo touched Danas soft love lips. She quivered in anticipation. Shortly she thought about going down slowly, but out of an impulse she suddenly went down with force, her thighs hitting Zushas hips, completely impaling herself on the dildo.
“UMMMMPPP!”
She immediately started to ride the artefact. Marule meanwhile climbed behind her.
“Lean forward, hot slave”, the bard commanded.
Dana did so, busy on the dildo. Butt  cream was applied to Danas anus, she whimpered.
Marule hesitated, taking aim, before inserting the dildo into Danas back orifice.
And so, Dana was double fucked for the first time in her life in this night. Aroused beyond all ability to clear thoughts, she succumbed to her sensations, quickly cuming for the first time this night. It would not be the last instant...
++

“Look! Over there, Dana! A seadragon! What a giant!” Marule exclaimed.
The blonde, standing at the reeling, looked over. By Gedarid, goddess of nature, what an astonishing creature! It seemed even larger than the big airdragons used for transport and travel. And there were more out there.
“Its a whole family of them,” Marule observed.
“Are they dangerous?”
“No, they eat only plankton. But humans are dangerous for them. They are hunted for their flesh and other things.”
“What is plankton?”
“Poor thing, I always forget you had no proper education. Plankton are tiny water plants, drifting in the sea in huge masses like giant carpets. The sea dragons and many fish feast on it.”
“Did you go to school in Zeebanna?”
“I had a private education. My mothers are rich merchants and ship owners. I was destined to enter the family trade, but the call of the arts was stronger in me. Luckily for family peace, my mothers were very understanding. And my younger sister only too happy to take my place. She is a bitch.”
“How many sisters do you have?”
“Three, one younger, two older.”
“I have five, one older, four younger. Had to leave them behind without saying farewell, they and my mothers.”
Dana realized she had hardly thought at all about her family since the adventure – if it was that at all – had started. She felt a bit ashamed. She now could read and write. A letter to her parents was the least thing she could and should do. A priestress in the village could read it to her mothers aloud.
The blonde decided she would write one this evening. It could be sent to Moravan after they returned from the current mission.
She was having a break from the lessons with Niyi, who taught here and some of the others the basic elements of the “Deathly Edge”, the unarmed combat technique she was mistress in.
As usual Dana learned very quickly and very well. At the moment, Niyi was showing Tashmal some moves, and Dana had strolled over to the reeling, as she and the Achaian avoided each other as much as this was possible in the confinements of a ship.
It was the third day of their journey. Tonight they would reach the zillagollan coast and board a boat bound for the beach. Dana and Trish had visited the area in dreamworld already. The coast at their planned entry point was uninhabited, and the beach usually deserted, apart from the odd pair of peasant lovers having a romantic walk in the evening.
As Sirf had said, the way to the seal was hilly country with meadows, pastures and fields, sprinkled with farms and a large country house here and there. These locations usually had large stocks of horses and surrounding plantations, and the foremost vegetable grown here were indeed tomatoes.
The seal itself could not be seen in dreamworld, but its location was under the ground, in a labyrinth of caves at a small lake. There was a village at the southern tip of that lake, and boats roamed the water during the day, but the area around the caves seemed deserted.
It would take them two nights to reach the location on foot. In their dream scouting, Dana and the white blonde witch had already looked for a place where the group could spent the day in between these nights unseen. The ruin of a large farm presented itself for this purpose, conveniently halfway between coast and seal.
The group had made the planning this morning, Dana and Rowenn leading the discussion, with Tashmal sitting away from the blonde near Megan and not saying a single word.
Dana remembered it, feeling sharp pain. Her love – broken forever? This wonderful moments, feeling, gone? She felt empty. With difficulty, she held back tears, not for the first time these days.
She threw back her hair and steeled herself. The mission, Dana. Nothing else really counts. What is your broken love compared to the destiny of all matrian women? Nothing, you selfish child.
Turning away from the reeling and back to the others, she told herself once more: Forget about those petty things, be hard and strong. Nonetheless, she felt as if deadly wounded.
Tashmal bowed before Niyi and retreated, joining Megan in the background. They kissed...