Chapter three

The canoe had made it`s way through the swamps for what seemed an eternity when it finally stopped. Moments later, the still blindfolded, gagged and bound Ella was carried a few yards, then dropped to a sandy ground. Then, her blindfold was removed.

Ella blinked and looked at a group of women standing in front of her. First, she thought that they weren`t fully human, for the color of their skin was like that of mud, almost olive. Then, Ella realized that it indeed was mud, for the women had it smeared all over their bodies that were only covered by a short leather skirt and another broad leather band covering their breasts. Only the woman in the middle looked cleaner, for she had obviously washed her face. Ella could see that she was a black haired woman that showed a strong resemblance towards Queen Zirelda.

„I am Tigrana!“

Obviously, she expected a reaction from Ella, but the redhead only looked at her with a puzzled expression. She raised an eyebrow and then, she explained:

„I am Zireldas sister. Her older sister, to be precisely. However, when our father died, we were meant to share the throne. However, this was not what my sister wanted and she decided to kill me. But I managed to run away and hide in the swamps and during the last three years, I could gather a few loyal former maids around me. We may be few in number, but we are a pain in the ass of my royal sister!“

„Mph!“

Ella still had no idea why they had kidnapped her after they had saved her life. Did they want her to join their group or did they expect her to give them some inside information. Ella shivered, for she could not tell them more than that she had been brought here. Tigrana made a move and one of her henchwomen removed her gag.

„I – I am Ella! I have been kidnapped and sold in Marhim and then, I have been brought here by a dragon! Actually, it was me and Caris! She – she`s still in the palace!“

Ella began to sob, but Tigrana told her to shut up. One of the women said:

„I could see the dragon leave early this morning and come back a few hours later. Maybe, she`s telling the truth!“

They asked Ella more questions and after a while, they seemed satisfied. Tigrana ordered the others to free her and they even handed her the skimpy uniform they all were wearing: a loicloth, a leather mini skirt and a band to cover the breasts. But after having been naked for weeks, even this felt marvellous to Ella.

„So – what will you do with me?“

She had lost some of her fear, for obviously, they no longer intended to kill her. Tigrana smiled:

„Well, if Sarina is here, it sure isn`t just a courtesy visit! We have of course seen the group of armed men enter the city, but we couldn`t get close enough for details. I am sure that my beloved sister is planning something! Something that might cost her head if she fails!“

Now, Ella had a feeling that it had perhaps not been a blessing that these women had rescued her. It was clear that Tigrana planned something against Zirelda – and they were just six women, if one counted her in, too!

***

In the camp of Sheikh Karim, there was a lot to be done to make Malik`s plan work. A dozen men were polishing their armours and putting on their best clothes to make them look like members of an escort of the Sultanate. The women were busy brushing the camels whilst three of them were helping Vanessa with her hair and wardrobe.

Vanessa had been bathed and creamed and now, she had been given the finest silk clothes. She had chose a knee-length ivory-coloured tunic that was held over her left shoulder by a silver brooch, together with a matching silver belt and sandals made of gold and finest leather. Since this would have been a bit too liberal, Vanessa had chosen a nearly transparent stola to wear over her dress. Her hair was arranged in an elaborate way and held in place by silver pins with pearls on it. When she had put on some expensive jewelry, too, she definitely liked what she saw in the mirror one of her helpers held for her.

„And you are sure that the Countess won`t recognize me?“

After all, she and Malik had left Sarina bound and gagged to be found by her guards when they had freed Tina. But Malik was sure that she would remember him, but not her.

„At that time in her dungeon, you were covered with mud! But now, you look like a Pricess! Even I can hardly recognize you!“

„Bastard!“, Vanessa hissed, but responded to Malik`s kiss. Tina cleared her throat to remind the two they were not alone.

„At least, you look way better than me! And I am your superior!“

Tina had taken a real bath, too, but still was dressed just in a silk bathrobe. Of course, she could have ordered to be dressed at least as fine as Vanessa, but unfortunately, she was the „secret weapon“.

„We can`t risk that anyone will see you! So, you have to be invisible from the very beginning!“

Tina felt a bit uneasy about that, since being invisible meant getting stark naked before. Of course, nobody would see that and besides, it was quite warm even in the nights, but it was a bit embarrassing. But Vanessa had told her that the spell would also make her invisible to any magic detection device Queen Zirelda might have.

„You can look through the whole palace and overhear her secret talks! We will always be one step ahead of her!“

It sounded convincing and so, Tina had agreed. At least, she was better off than Lana who was kept in a little remote tent, tied to the central post, stark naked and still thoroughly gagged. She would remain here with Karim and the rest of his men whilst Malik and one guide would try to explore the area outside the city.

The swamps were a labyrinth of treacherous mud, small channels and little bushy islands, but around the city, most of the area had been drained to get more land for growing coconut palms. After all, the small realm depended on the money that was paid for it`s coconut liquor.

„The palace is one of the few places where you still can get close to the walls by boat, but of course, they have guards there, day and night!“

Still, they didn`t have a real plan what to do once inside, but Malik was sure that sooner or later, they would get a chance to free Caris and Ella.

***

Three hours later, it was just before dusk, the guards reported a group of riders approaching the city. According to them, it were some of the Sultan`s soldiers, escorting a camel with a sedan chair on it. One of the soldiers had told them that the woman inside was the Sultan`s grand niece, Princess Suleika.

„What does that mean? Usually, he only sends his ambassador once a year and this has been three months ago! Unfortunately, you can`t just hide in your room!“

Of course, this would have been possible, but not for her entourage of more than 100 men. The Sultan`s men would see at once that there was an important visitor from the North. Sarina smiled:

„Well, it`s not illegal to visit you, Your Highness! We should only let this woman disappear!“

She pointed at Caris who was still tied up in her cage, currently squirming for one of the guards was teasing her with a feather. Zirelda clasped and ordered two of the men to get Caris into Veena`s room where her right hand could have her way with her. The look in the blonde`s eyes told Caris that her fate had not changed to the better by that decision.

Half an hour later, Queen Zirelda and Countess Sarina were waiting for the Sultan`s ambassador, who was escorted by four of her men. The brunette woman, dressed in a fine tunic and stola, immediately started to complain:

„My dear Cousin“, she gasped and Zirelda raised an eyebrow. „Cousin“ implied that this woman considered herself to be at almost the same rank as her, „Your realm is in a terrible condition! When we were some miles away of the swamps, a group of robbers attacked us! My brave soldiers fought their way out to get me here, but my whole caravan fell into the hands of those thieves!“

She continued to describe the attackers and Zirelda frowned. The description fit Sheikh Karim and his tribe, but now, it seemed that he had some 200 men under his command. Sure, her soldiers were better trained, but this was a serious threat to her Southern border.

„Well – Princess Suleika!“ Zirelda did not call the woman „Cousin“, „I must apologize, but this Sheikh has always considered himself an underling of the Sultan rather than me!“

„What do you want to express by that?“, Vanessa/Suleika exploded. She had to play the role of the typical aristocratic brat and though she loved shouting at a veritable Queen, she was also a bit nervous. She wondered where Tina was, but her friend had turned invisible once they had left the camp and for obvious reasons, they hadn`t talked since Zirelda`s men had escorted them to the city.

„All Her Highness wants to say is that she has difficulties in having an eye on both the Northern and the Southern border at the same time! But now, I would be glad to offer her my men, too, to get rid of these bandits one and for all!“

Sarina had quickly decided to help Zirelda. If this Princess Suleika would be pleased that tomorrow by dawn 200 men of their combined forces would lead an attack against these tribesmen, she would perhaps not wonder why she was here at all. And indeed, she calmed down and even smiled:

„Well, I haven`t come that long way to doubt your hospitality! Unfortunately, I come here empty-handed, for my treasures were robbed, too! Well, except for that little box!“

She ordered one of her men to hand Zirelda a small wooden box ornated with silver. It contained all jewelry that was left after she had completed dressing. However, it seemed that Zirelda was impressed by the gesture, for she gave order to prepare a room for Princess Suleika and to send a few of her maids to assist her.

„In about an hour, I would be glad to invite you for dinner!“

***

Tina was glad when they had reached the palace where she could walk on marble instead of gravel or sand. Now, she ducked behind a huge vase and overheard the conversation of Vanessa and the Queen. She hoped that her friend, who was a simple thief, would not do something stupid at the table, like eating with her fingers. On the other hand, she only had a vague idea of the etiquette of this world so far.

When Vanessa was led to her room, she decided to search for Caris and Ella. Tina had no real idea where the dungeon was, but since the whole city was built within the swamps, there sure were no cellars and so, she decided to look in one of the side buildings. And indeed, there was a small hut, built of solid wood and with barred windows. At the door, a guard was standing. Tina walked close to him and saw that the door was closed, but not locked. She could slip inside, but sure, the man would wonder why the door would open without anyone around.

„First, I should check if they are there, anyway!“

Tina sneaked to one of the two windows. Inside, the hut was not divided by inner walls, but she saw it had all kind of equipment that a torture cellar would offer. And besides, there were two persons inside. One was a petite woman with very fair hair and wearing an expensive silk robe with arcane symbols on it. The other was naked and tied to a torture rack. A black leather hood was covering her entire head, but Tina guessed from the shape of her body that it was Caris – though she could see that the tied up woman had her pubic hair completely shaved off.

The blonde was busy holding a burning candle over Caris`s body, letting some hot wax drip on her. The girl squirmed each time the wax hit her and from the faint muffled noises she made Tina could say that she was thoroughly gagged under the hood.

„Too bad your friend has drowned, for now, I have only you to play with! But sooner or later, I will have another plaything! The Countess has promised me to have a few days with the Pretender Queen before she will take her with her to Ruan!“

Tina oppressed a gasp. This woman was talking about her! So, Sarina was indeed her because she still wanted to get her into her clutches!

„Well, I am closer than you think, bitch!“, Tina thought. The only problem was that she could do little more than watch the blonde having her way with Caris. Of course, she could cause some trouble and then hide, using her invisibility, but then, they would know that she was here and that would also endanger Vanessa.

The blonde now seemed to have lost interest in torturing the girl, for she went for the door. Quickly, Tina rushed there, too, and managed to slip inside the prison.

„Nobody is allowed to enter except me!“, the blonde ordered before she went for the palace. Tina then heard that the door was locked from the outside. She was locked!

„Uuuhhmmm!“

A faint whimper from Caris made Tina walk closer to the bound and gagged girl. She could see that the wax had not caused any real damage. There was a ring of keys hanging on the wall, but Tina resisted the urge to free Caris. Instead, she crouched beside her and whispered:

„Caris? Caris, it`s me, your Queen!“

„Uuhhmm!“

Luckily, the hood did not seem to be one that also blocked the ears, for Caris rose on her torture rack and mmphed, but calmed down when she felt Tina`s hand on her shoulder.

„We will rescue you as soon as possible, but now, we have to leave you like you are! Do you understand?“

With a faint moan, Caris nodded. If she was frustrated that she would have to remain naked, bound and gagged, she didn`t show it. Tina padded her shoulder, then, she went for the door. Through a small window, she could see the back of the guard`s head. And when she saw his earring, formed like a raven`s feather, Tina had an idea.

When talking about magic spells, Vanessa had told her that there was also one that allowed to change the appearance. However, there was nothing as powerful that would have allowed her to change all of Karim`s men into flying dragons and then attack the city of Queen Zirelda. This spell had been lost during the centuries and Vanessa had guessed that the Queen`s men had some magic artifacts that allowed them to turn into ravens.

The spell that Vanessa knew was less strong, but also quite efficient. It would allow Tina three different men or animals to chose from. Once she changed into one of them, the spell was „activated“. Tina had decided to spare one option for her great opponent, the actual Queen of Light. It could be quite useful to change into her if she wanted to claim her throne. But of course, becoming an animal was also quite tempting.

She looked at the window`s bars and decided that a small bird would be a good idea. It would not be as impressive as a dragon, but as a sparrow, she could get everywhere unrecognized and no cell could hold her.

„I only have to be careful about cats“, she giggled, then, she went to the opposite wall and said:

„Viunah Matun!“

Of course, nothing had prepared Tina for such a metamorphosis and so, she was just overwhelmed when suddenly, the small prison seemed like a huge hall. An iron ball with a chain on it suddenly looked three times her height and when Tina gasped, only a small chirp came out.

„So, I am not able to use my human voice! Maybe, a parrot would have been a better choice!“

However, it turned out that Tina had also gotten some of the sparrow`s instincts and so, after a few rounds, flying felt as natural to her as walking. She slipped through the window bars and quickly flew over to the palace.

Since she could examina all rooms through the windows, she found Vanessa`s room quickly and landed on the window board. Her friend was bossing around two maids who were doing her hair and helping her to put on an expensive dress. Luckily, the two servants left and Tina landed on Vanessa`s hand.

„Hey, what do you want here, little one? I don`t have any grains for you, I`m afraid!“

Then, she put some milk in a cup to offer it to the sparrow, but now, Tina turned into her human shape. Vanessa nearly dropped the cup.

„Thank you, but I prefer red wine!“

„Tina! Have you found them?“

Vanessa had quickly recovered from her astonishment and she heard what Tina had to say about Ella`s death and Caris being tied up in the prison, aware of their rescue mission, but currently still helpless.

„And Countess Sarina`s here, too! So, she`s planning to convince Queen Zirelda to change sides and become an ally of the Queen of Light – the pretender Queen, sorry, Tina! - instead of the Sultan!“

„Well, having an ally here would not be the worst thing once I am Queen!“, Tina pondered. In her old life, she had been the leader of a company and so, leadership wasn`t unknown to her. If she could turn Zirelda into her ally, she would have a base for fighting for the Throne of Light!

A knocking at the door interrupted her thoughts and Tina quickly turned invisible again when the servants fetched Vanessa for her dinner with the Queen. Tina suddenly felt tired. So, she decided to wait here for Vanessa instead of secretly following her to the great hall. After a while, she dozed off.

***

Lana could not believe that her guards could have been so stupid. Now, she was short from getting her wrist from her tie and then, the rest would be easy.

They had left her bound and gagged for almost all the day, only leading her outside the tent to let her relieve herself. After that, she had been bound to the post once more and then, they had decided to wash her. Of course, the men`s intention had not been to clean her, but to touch her nude body everywhere and it had been more than embarrassing. But as a side effect, they had left her completely trenched – including her wrist ties that were made of leather strings and so, Lana had been able to get them loose by constantly pulling on them.

When her hands came free, she needed another few minutes to massage her wrists before she could untie the cloths tied over her mouth and nose and then spit out her gag. She had been gagged for some two days now, except for very short meal or interrogation breaks and so, the girl gasped before she crawled towards the tent`s entrance. There, only two yards away, four or five men were sitting by the fire. Lana would have to leave by cutting a hole into the other side of the tent.
She had found a knife, but no clothes and so, she had only been able to use the cloths that had gagged her to cover her breasts and her pubic area. Like that, she would not get very far, but if she managed to escape unseen, she could be at the road to the city within two hours and then, if she kept on the main road, it would only take her another two hours to the palace where she could warn Sarina about Tina`s plans.

She cut a hole into the tent, then sneaked through and once she had brought some hundred yards between the camp and herself, Lana started to walk faster. The moon was almost full and so, it was quite easy to find the way. From time to time, she stepped on a pebble, but after a while, she had indeed reached the beginning of the swamps.

„The road must be some half a mile to the West!“, she thought and started to walk on, but suddenly, she heard a rustling behind her. Before she could turn around, some hands grabbed her arms and a hand was clamped over her mouth before she was dragged into the bushes.

***

Vanessa was quite amazed that she was not honoured by an official banquet but a rather intimate dinner. Except for the servants, only her, Countess Sarina, the Queen and her blonde counselor named Veena. It seemed that Veena was also some kind of court magician. Vanessa was alarmed. If it would come to a fight, then Tina would have to face another sorceress.

The conversation of course went about the relation between the Kingdom of Light and the Sultanate and Vanessa had to improvise quite a lot to make her background story sound plausible. Karim and his men had told her all they knew about the latest developments – including the fact that Zirelda had become Queen only a few years ago, when her predecessor, Queen Tigrana had disappeared.

Suddenly, the Queen changed the sujet and told her about Veena`s magical skills.

„Her specialty are magic artifacts! You wouldn`t believe, but she can make an amulett that allows you to change your shape! She only needs a stray of your hair!“

Vanessa felt a bit uneasy about that, but she could not refuse to allow Veena to cut a few of her hairs. The blonde then put these inside a medaillon and then began reciting a few spells whilst holding the golden amulett over a cauldron from which pink clouds were rising up. It looked a bit like a magician on the market doing a show for money, but after a while, Veena presented the amulett that looked exactly as it had looked before.

„It doesn`t look like much, but you will be amazed!“

Zirelda put the amulett around her neck and immediately, she changed into what made Vanessa think that she was looking into a mirror. The Queen now was a spit image of her, except for her clothes and jewelry. The Queen`s robe looked a bit loose, for she was taller than Vanessa. Zirelda laughed and when she spoke, Vanessa realized that her voice had changed into hers, too.

„If I want to play you, I will need some of your clothes, Princess Suleika – if that`s your real name!“

Before Vanessa could react, she felt something cold on her throat. Sarina had stepped behind her and was now holding a dagger to her neck.

„Whoever has prepared you for the role you are playing obviously didn`t know that I have visited the Sultan on a secret mission a year ago! Veena`s magic helped me to get ther incognito! And so, I could easily ask you some questions you would have answered correctly if you were really the Sultan`s ambassador!“

„What brings us to the interesting question: who are you?“, Sarina added. Vanessa, who was looking for an escape, felt a slight relief. At least, the Countess didn`t recognize her as the one who had helped in freeing Tina. But before she could say something, the Queen once again spoke:

„Tomorrow, I, disguised as you, will order your men to join mine in a mission against the tribe of Karim! Then, they may fight this treacherous Sheikh! However, if you have just invented having been assaulted by his men and if you are related to him, this won`t be a problem either! Then, your men will at least be not here to help you! And since my men will outnumber yours, they won`t win any fight – unless Karim really now has some 200 warriors! But I definitely doubt that!“

„Please, Your Highness, I am Princess Suleika! You must believe me!“

Vanessa pleaded, but the Queen raised her hand and the same moment, Vanessa felt that Sarina was tightening her grip.

„I am Princess Suleika – at least for your men! And you are nothing!“

Sarina forced Vanessa to stand up. She squirmed and when the Queen came close and touched her silk dress, she twitched back and said:

„Please, Your Highness, you are right, I am not a Princess! But this woman“, she pointed over her shoulder, „is just an intriguer! She only wants you to become a pawn in her dirty game!“

Now, Zirelda laughed. It felt strange to Vanessa to hear her own laughter from that person that looked exactly like her and it sent shivers down her spine.

„I know that this is a plan to get the rebel Queen into the hands of the Queen of Light! However, I would prefer to be called a partner in crime rather than a pawn!“

„The pawn, my dear, is you!“, Veena, who had stepped close, now added. „I am sure that the rebel Queen, who as made up this sharade to free two simple peasant girls will increase her efforts to free you! But before, we will have some fun together!“

Now, Vanessa trembled and once again pleaded, but now, the Queen once again let her fingers run over Vanessa`s dress.

„To be you, I will have to dress like you, I`m afraid. But don`t worry: where you are going, you won`t need any clothes!“

***

Ella had been sitting together with Tigrana and Alina, one of her followers, when the others, Marla, Gina and Niamh, were coming back with the canoe. In it, Ella could see a fourth woman, having a sack over her head and with her arms bound behind her back. This woman was dressed, if one could call it so, rather unusual, for she had a coloured cloth tied over her breasts and another tied around her hips. Through this, a third cloth had been pulled and acted as a loincloth.

„We found her coming from the desert!“, Niamh said. Ella, however, was sure she had seen the figure of that woman before. When she was made to step out of the canoe and Marla pulled the sack from her head, Ella gasped:

„Lana!“

It was indeed the maid of the Countess of Ruan, a woman she had no got memories of. Now, she had a cloth tied between her teeth, holding in a large wad. Her eyes widened when she recognized Ella.

„This woman is the right hand of Sarina, Countess of Ruan! I know her!“

Tigrana slowly stepped close to Lana and pulled the cloth from her mouth. Lana spat out the gag and after some panting, she said:

„That`s true! Get me to the palace and you will be rewarded!“

Tigrana laughed:

„Unfortunately, that palace – which used to be mine – is now occupied by my treacherous sister! My sister whose friends are my enemies, too!“

Lana blinked, then, she said:

„I have heard about you, Queen Tigrana! Well, the interests of my mistress are to have a close ally in whoever has got the throne. We don`t have a problem with you. Even more, once we have a foot in the door here, we might even think of having another ruler here – a ruler that has always shown more loyal to us than Zirelda did!“

She continued to talk and Ella saw with disbelief that Tigrana ordered her hands to be freed. Then, the two women withdrew into Tigrana`s hut.

„This Lana`s a snake!“, Ella said to the others, but they didn`t seem interested in her concerns. Here, there was an offer to perhaps get Zirelda from the throne whilst Ella was just a fugitive slave girl. Not that she felt any sympathy for Zirelda, but such actions could sure endanger the life of Caris.

When Tigrana and Lana left the hut, the latter had changed into the skimpy uniform of Tigrana`s henchwomen. She looked at Ella with a smile that made the girl shiver with fear. Tigrana pointed at her and ordered:

„Get her!“

Niamh and Gina quickly grabbed Ella`s arms and Tigrana came closer to the squirming girl. She smiled at her, but this smile didn`t reach her eyes.

„It seems that the Countess of Ruan and the Queen of the Silent Swamps have just become allies! Now, we are still few in number and those who have captured Lana before are now in the city, together with the Rebel Queen, as Lana has said. Now, since this Tina is the enemy of my new ally, she`s also my enemy! You, however, have told me that you are a loyal underling of said Rebel Queen! Well, it seems that we have to take care of you before we think of getting into contact with Countess Sarina!“

***