Chapter four

It was long after midnight when Vanessa finally returned to her room. Tina had been waiting for her for some time and had used the break to put on one of her friend`s dresses. When Vanessa entered, she saw that she was alone and said:

„Wow, what took you so long?“

Vanessa gasped and seemed surprised to see Tina was still there. Then, she stammered:

„S-Sorry, we – drank quite a lot!“

„Well, okay, but what are Sarina`s plans? Why have they bought Caris and Ella and how did Ella die?“

Vanessa still seemed puzzled.

„Tina?“

„What? Have you lost your tongue? Shall I put your head under cold water? Concentrate, Vanni, we have a mission to accomplish!“

Now, Vaneesa rose her hand and pointed at the door. Tina fell silent. She hadn`t heard anything, but Vanessa sneaked outside. After a while, Tina considered whether to turn invisible and look for her friend, when the door sprung open. Her eyes fell on Vanessa, held by a guard in a vice grip whilst another had placed a sword to her neck. Beside her, Sarina and the blonde Tina had seen in the torture chamber were standing.

„Ah, the Rebel Queen, I presume! Well, you know the drill! Give up or your friend dies!“

„Please, do what they say!“, Vanessa pleaded and Tina frowned. Usually, Vanessa showed some bravery, but now, there was an expression of sheer fear in her eyes. The blonde now said:

„And don`t even think of using a spell! Before you finished it, your friend would be dead!“

„Tina, please!“

Vanessa now literally shrieked and Tina could not help feeling pity for her. So, she nodded and raised her hands. Immediately, the guards jumped forward and grabbed her arms. Vanessa, now free, slung her arms around her.

„Oh Tina, I am so sorry“

Before Tina could answer, Vanessa suddenly kissed her. Tina mewed with surprise when her friend not only kissed her lips, but passionately thrust her tongue into her mouth. Only when Tina violently shook her head, Vanessa withdrew. She had a strange glance in her eyes and now, she was smiling.

„Somehow, I have been a Rebel Queen myself – earlier in my life!“

Before Tina could say something, the blonde, who had stepped behind her, had stuffed a veil into her mouth and knotted it at her nape. Tina moaned and stared at Vanessa with disbelief. Now, she reached for her neck and took off a medallion.

„Mmhhmmph!“

Once the amulett was gone, she turned back into Zirelda. A Zirelda who was wearing Vanessa`s clothes.

„Last time we saw you managed to escape me. But believe me, I have had enough time to take care that this will never happen again.“

It was Sarina who had stepped in front of Tina who considered kicking her, but decided against it. Zirelda told her men:

„Get her to the prison! I am sure that Veena will not mind playing with you and your friend a bit before the Countess and I will take care of your real punishment in the morning!“

The look in the blonde`s eyes told Tina that the hours in Veena`s custody would not be a holiday, but with two strong men holding her tight and the gag preventing her from intelligible speech, she had little choice but to follow Veena towards the small hut in which she had left Caris.

Onve there, Veena lit several candles. Tina could see that Caris still was tied to the torture rack, just as she had left her hours ago. However, there was no sign of Vanessa.

Veena quickly untied Caris from the rack and ordered the men to tie Tina on it, making her lie on her belly.

„Stretch her good!“, she ordered. The men obeyed and Tina bit down on the cloth between her teeth to oppress a squeal of pain. Caris, unable to see with the hood still in place, stumbled around. Then, she crouched and relieved herself in a corner. Veena and the guards laughed and Tina could see a pink rash on Caris`s neck and cleavage, indicating she was blushing all over.

However, Tina was roughly distracted from her pity when the guards had finished tying her wrists and ankles and were now turning the spindle until her limbs were stretched wide, causing her to moan with pain and to helplessly flex her fingers. When she tried to squirm, she felt the rough material of the rack through the thin silk of her dress.

Veena now told the men to grab Caris and to tie her into a pillory. It was a common model, with a board that could be opened and that had holes for the neck and the wrists and forced the delinquent to stand with her hands left and right to her neck, bent forward. It was a humiliating position for a naked woman and Veena increased the discomfort by adjusting the board on the two posts it was fixed to, until Caris`s head was not more than two feet above the floor, forcing her to bend her back painfully and to thrust her butt into the air, though she wend down on her knees. The men now pushed the pillory close to Tina`s bound feet, until she could feel the girl`s fingers touch her bare soles. Involuntarily, Tina twitched.

„So, you are ticklish, Rebel Queen! That`s good, for usually, my prisoners don`t have much to laugh about!“

Tina looked at her with an expression of sheer contempt, but helpless as she was, this was a small act of defiance. Veena now had a small leather sack in her hand. The guards, obviously regular guests in the prison, knew what to do and one held Tina`s head whilst the other loosened her gag. The very moment he pulled away the cloth, Veena forced the sack into Tina`s mouth. She moaned and when she moved her tongue, she felt that the sack contained something hard. When Veena began to turn a little screw on the end, she understood what it was: it was a choke pear she had seen in museums, a device with four iron wings that expanded like an umbrella when the screw was turned. In this case, the leather upholstered the iron a bit, but her jaw was forced wide open and her cheeks bulged when Veena screwed it wider and wider.

„If it`s fully expanded, it can break your jaw“, Veena purred as if she explained a toy to a child. However, she didn`t prove that and stopped when Tina`s mouth was forced painfully open, but when the pear would not cause lasting damage. Tina made small gurgling sounds, unable to stop herself doing so. when she felt some drool dripping from her lips, she slightly blushed. Veena saw that and grabbed her hair, forcing Tina to look at her.

„If you are feeling embarrassed now, I can assure you that it will become worse! I will destroy all Royal dignity you still may have inside you!“

Tina could see that Veena`s nipples had grown hard and that her cheeks were slightly red, too. Obviously, she was anticipating the next hours. Veena now took a leather band from the wall and hit Tina`s butt.

„Mph!“

Though she was dressed, it was painful and Tina squirmed in her bonds when she felt the flames stray from her buttocks. To her surprise, Veena stopped after this single strike and reached under the skirt of Tina`s dress instead, caressing her still tingling buttocks through the silk of her loincloth.

„Of course, I could just whip you now, but that would be a bit boring. After all, you are a Queen and deserve special treatment!“

She withdrew and even adjusted Tina`s skirt. Then, she stepped behind Caris and hit her naked exposed butt with the band.

„Mmhrrmmm!“

Caris bucked in her pillory and even her gag only partially stifled her cry. Tina once more twitched when Caris`s fingers touched her soles.

„So, here`s the game: Caris will tickle your soles now. If she refuses, I will whip her again. Whenever she stops tickling you, she will pay. You, Rebel Queen, will try to squirm, but you can`t escape. You will rub over the rack until your nipples are sore, you will pull on your ties and you will feel as if you choke if you try to laugh through that monster gag in your mouth. But the game won`t be over until you have wet yourself – in front of me and these two men! Let`s call this an exorcism, Rebel Queen! I will cast out all demons of pride from you, until only pure, humble devotion is left!“

Tina could see that the two men were taking seat in front of her. Veena had stepped out of sight, but she could hear a loud smack, followed by a muffled cry and then, she felt the girl`s fingers reach for her sensitive soles again...

***

Malik`s plan had not been bad – he still was convinced of that. It had been to send in Vanessa as a feigned ambassador of the Sultan, accompanied by the invislible Tina who could try to search for Caris and Ella unseen. Meanwhile, he and some of Brahim`s men wanted to get through the swamps to start a rescue attempt if necessary.

So far, so good, but only he had made it more than some 200 yards through the swamps. Not because it was so difficult to keep the right direction – after all, they were looking for a city, not a needle! But there were literally hundreds of small muddy lakes and brooks and except for Malik, nobody could swim and so, Brahim`s men had decided to stay behind. So, he had to go alone and by dusk, he had reached a place with a large tree where he could climb up and sleep without risking detection.

He woke up when he heard some muffled talking. It were female voices and Malik wondered who that could be. Little later, he spotted a canoe. It was hard to see details, since both the boat and the people in it were not differing much from the colour of the muddy water, but since the canoe passed only a few yards beside him, he could finally count six persons, obviously women, sitting in it. All had their faces painted dark, but it seemed that they were feeling safe, for they were talking to each other. Malik pondered whether to follow them, but the canoe was faster than he could be in the dark, at least if he tried not to be heard. So, when the boat had disappeared, he went into the direction where it came from instead.

After a while, water blocked his way. In the pale moonlight, Malik could see a small island some 20 yards away from him, lying in the centre of a small lake. Carefully, he slid into the water and swam towards the island when he spotted something white right between him and the shore where he could now see a few little huts. It was a large swan.

Malik had heard of geese who alarmed their owners by loud noise if someone approached their property. Geese were better than watch dogs, Malik knew from experience, and he was not sure whether swans could do the same. So far, the bird hadn`t moved.

He felt the water pull him down. This was no real swamp, but he had already found out that swimming in these waters was far more difficult than usual. Having no other possibility, Malik swam closer to the shore.

„Good swan, nice swan, no need to get angry“, he whispered in what he thought was sounding friendly and not threatening. Now, the swan slightly moved and Malik could hear a faint chortling.

„Now, that`s strange“, he thought. The swan was moving a bit, but it`s head and neck did not change their position. It was as if it was dead – or made of wood.

„Who on earth brings such toys to a place as remote as this?“

He swam closer and now, he could see that the swan was indeed made of wood. Well, at least, he could use it as a buoy and rest a few minutes. From here, he could watch the little island quite well.

„Uuuhhmm!“

When he reached for the wooden bird, Malik could hear a faint sound and the same time, his feet touched something soft. He oppressed a gasp and carefully, he reached under the bird. He was not sure if these swamps housed any dangerous water animals, but now, he was close to it anyway and would be attacked if this was a giant swamp Piranha or something worse.

He expected to touch fur or scales, but instead, he felt something soft. Something soft and warm and Malik could not believe his senses. He groped harder and now, he could hear another moan and the figure under the swan began to move. It really was a female breast.

Malik quickly examined the rest of the body and felt that this woman had been bound tightly. But why was she wearing a wooden swan as a head?

Since the little camp seemed abandoned, Malik paddled the few yards towards the shore and pulled the bound woman to the land. When he pulled the swan from her head, he felt some resistance, but then, it suddenly came. Malik landed on his backside and when he looked at the bird in his hands, he saw that it indeed was hollow, but had a wooden ball tied inside.

„H-help!“, the woman croaked and Malik bent to her. She looked all wet and muddy, but when he washed sone dirt from her face, he recognized her.

„Ella!“

Now, the redhead sobbed and Malik hugged her and waited until she had calmed down before he began untying her arms and legs. When he looked at the swan again, he understood the perfidy of the arrangement: whoever had left the girl in the water, had stuffed the ball into her mouth. Had she tried to spit it out, she would have drowned. So, her only chance to survive had been to bite down on her gag.

When Ella was free, Malik rummaged the camp and found some water in a bottle. When she had drank and he had put a blanket over her, the girl was able to tell him what had happened. Malik nodded.

„So, Lana has escaped and found a new ally in these swamp women – who are also the henchwomen of the former Queen. Well, if Sarina is planning to form an alliance with Zirelda, she won`t be too happy about her maid`s new friends!“

„Lana told these women that the Countess would support them!“, Ella said, but Malik could not believe in that.

„The Countess has some 100 men with her. that`s not enough to take this realm by force, even if she`s inside the palace! I am quite sure that Lana plans something different! Well, there`s only one way to find out! We have to get to the city!“

„But-“, Ella started. Malik grabbed her shoulder.

„Don`t be afraid, I won`t let you fall into the water. I just want to see what`s going on with my own eyes!“

„Yes, but I – I am naked!“

Despite the dim light and her still dirty face, he could see Ella blush and he smiled:
„I know – and it suits you perfectly!“

Now, Ella wryly smiled, too, and suddenly, she bent forward and kissed him. Malik kissed her back, then, he gently pushed her away from him.

„Vanni will kill me for this! And then, she will kill you, slowly and painfully!“

„I know!“, Ella breathed and a moment later, they kissed again. Malik knew that this was not only fraudulent, but also very stupid in their current situation, but the same time, his hand found Ella`s breast and when he gently squeezed it, the girl moaned and arched her body against him.

And so, Malik decided that, since he was risking his life in the swamps whilst Vanessa was sleeping under silk sheets, this was okay.

***

Sarina had gone to bed shortly after Tina had been brought to the prison. Of course, she would have loved to see how the blonde rebel Queen was tortured, but first of all, she had to do what was best for her Queen. And so, she had to think about how to give Zirelda a reward for her help that would not be more expensive than the expected gain.

Queen Zirelda had offered her one of her own maids after Lana`s disappearance, but the Countess had decided to sleep alone. She did not fully trust Zirelda and besides, she could think more easily if there was no one around. Now, she was looking at the near swamps, cursing her idea to send Lana on a mission alone. She was sure that those who supported that fake ambassador had grabbed her. Perhaps, Lana was now on her way to the slave markets of the Sultanate.

„Uik! Uik! Uik! Uik! Uik!“

Sarina frowned. The sound had been that of a marsh Rail – but these birds never made their characteristic sound more than four times in a row. She was sure that she had miscounted, but then, the sound was repeated. Again, it was five times: the secret signal she and Lana had agreed upon.
She took a green veil and waved it in front of her candle, signalling that she had understood. Then, she sneaked outside her room.

During her time at Zirelda`s palace, she had detected a small door that was at a blind spot between two posts on the walls. It was locked and made of solid iron, but a small lid could be opened and if it was really Lana who was outside, she could at least talk to her.

And indeed, when she carefully opened the lid, she heard a whispering voice:

„The moon looks brighter than yesterday!“

„Maybe, we will get a warm summer!“

It was their code and now, she could see Lana, her face painted dark and dressed in some black leather. From the distance, Sarina heard some music and laughter. The guards who were off duty and her own men were drinking together and so, she could talk to her maid and hear what had happened to her.

„So, this rebel Queen really came all the way to free these two girls! Well, she will be happy to hear that the redhead isn`t dead. But now, tell me more about this Tigrana!“

Quickly, Lana told her about the former Queen, living as a renegade in the swamps, together with a few followers. Sarina smiled enigmatically, but in the dark, Lana couldn`t see it anyway.

„Are you sure that these women are brave and determined?“

Lana nodded and Sarina whispered:

„Our only chance is if we work quick! Tell them to wait here for me! I`ll be back within half an hour!“

Without waiting for Lana`s answer, the Countess rushed back to the palace. It was a daring plan, but if she acted quickly, it could work. At least, Zirelda`s sleeping room was not far from her own and she was sure that she could reach it unseen if she climbed from balcony to balcony.

***

When Veena took her hands from her, Tina needed all her strength not to cry. Of course, what had happened was all too natural. And besides, she had been forced to pee in front of others before, even in front of bigger audiences, like when she had been in the hands of the Brotherhood. But this time, it had been different. All the time, Veena had told her that a veritable Queen should be strong enough to persist – whilst she had writhed in her tight bonds, helplessly trying to avoid getting tickled more by Caris, who definitely tried her best not to get beaten again. She had tried to bite down on her gag, but with the pear screwed to such an extent, her jaws were immobile and she had just sent throaty groans and helpless explosions of laughter through her gag, drooling over the rack.

She had persisted until Veena had joined the game and started to tickle her sides, too. She had cramped from her own reflexes and then, she had felt a warm, wet and humiliating feeling between her legs. Tina had lost the first round of Veena`s game to break her.

The guards, who had been busy laughing and making lewd comments, had untied Tina and then quickly stripped her before chaining her to the wall by her wrists, ankles and neck, forcing Tina to stand with her legs spread and her hands beside her head, as if she was surrendering to a gun. Then, they freed Caris from the pillory and gave her a bucket of water and a bar of soap, but no towel or sponge. With her bare hands, the hooded and therefore clumsy girl had to wash Tina all over.

„Now, let`s get one step further, Rebel Queen!“, Veena said after the men had taken the hood from Caris`s head, but left her gagged. Caris looked at Tina, begging for an excuse with her eyes. Tina turned her head. She was not angry about what Caris had done, but she had regained a bit of her strength and wanted to proove Veena that she would never bow to her.

Veena now went to her men and whispered something into their ears that made them grin. Then, she once again stepped behind Caris and asked Tina:

„If I ungag you, will you enjoy my two guards here with your mouth?“

„Nngg!“

Tina slowly and ostentatively shook her head. She wondered what would follow now when Veena suddenly moved her arm. She had been hiding the leather belt behind her back and now, she hit Caris`s butt.

„Uuhhmmmm!“

Caris tried to jump, but the pillory forced her to remain bent forward. She whimpered and Veena smiled at Tina:

„Or would you take the beatings instead of that girl, Rebel Queen?“

Once again, she hit Caris, this time aiming at the sole of her foot. Again, her muffled cry cut deep into Tina`s heart and when Veena once more raised her arm, she nodded.

„Mmhhmmph!“

Caris had tears in her eyes, but she shook her head and looked at Tina with widened eyes. The girl did not want her Queen to do that for her. Veena slowly stepped closer to Tina who tried to steel herself for what would come.

WHIP! WHIP!

She managed to only let out a small groan when Veena hit her naked breasts with two quick slaps. It hurt, but Tina realized that the blonde hadn`t used her full strength. Her breasts did not hurt more than her cheeks would after a slap on the face.

Suddenly, Veena jumped over to Caris and once again hit her butt. This time, she had used her full strength and Caris yelped with pain and surprise. Veena now hit the footsole she had spared the last time, then, she turned to Tina again.

„I know, you agreed upon taking the beating for her. But – your will doesn`t count. You are nothing, you can do nothing, not even protect this girl! And if you would say that you`d please my men, it would get you nowhere! You have nothing more to offer, Rebel Queen!“

The next minute, in which Veena emphasized her saying by hitting Caris a few more times, were the longest 60 seconds in Tina`s life. Veena now panted and there was some sweat on her forehead when she turned to Tina again. She said nothing, letting Tina hear Caris`s sobbing.

„Sooner or later, she will turn away from her Queen that can not protect her from whatever I will do to her – or what I will allow the men to do with her.“

Veena stepped to a bulky iron thing in a corner that looked like an Iron Maiden. Tina gasped when the door flew open. Inside was Vanessa, stark naked and tied to the back of the Iron Maiden with so many leather thongs she could barely move a muscle. Even her head was held by a string tied to her hair and then fixed to the box`s top. Her lower face was covered by a large leather pad that was held over her mouth by several tight straps. Tina could see her bulging cheeks and since Vanessa was obviously trying to say something, but could barely utter a sound, she could guess that her mouth had been thoroghly stuffed.

Then, Tina saw another cruelty of the Iron Maiden: the front side was spicked with long nails that were exactly so long that they only slightly poked Vanessa and did not hurt her – unless she did things like moving or breathing to heavy.

„You sure would wish you could help her, Rebel Queen!“

Though she knew what Veena intended, Tina nodded. At least, she wanted to show Vanessa that she still cared about her, though she could not help her. Veena shrugged and took two clothpins she placed on Vanessa`s nipples, causing her to tremble and to groan.

„You want me to take this off?“

Again, Tina nodded. Veena closed the door of the Iron Maiden and laughed.

„Too bad your will doesn`t count, Rebel Queen! My my, of the three women you brought into trouble, one now is dead and the other two will wish they were dead before next evening! You really are not one to be followed, Rebel Queen!“

As on keyword, Caris now sobbed and Tina felt a tear run down her cheek, too.

***

„If she won`t come now, we will have to go!“

Tigrana felt more than uneasy so close to her former palace and her henchwomen were nervous, too. They were ready to run for their canoe as soon as one of the guards on the wall would leave his post to look at this remote part of the wall.

Then, they heard a faint metallic sound and the little door swung open. Out stepped a woman, or rather, she stumbled and landed on the ground. She was wearing nothing but a thin tunic and her hands and elbows were tied behind her back. When she rose her head, one could see the thick cloth that covered her mouth from nose to chin.

„Mmmph!“

The bound and gagged woman was followed by Sarina who was holding a sword in her hand. She stepped close to Zirelda that tried to crawl away and held the blade to her neck.

„What a lovely sight!“

A shadow now emerged from the dark, followed by similar clad women. They gathered around the tied Queen that had now come to her knees. Sarina said:

„Welcome back to your palace, Queen Tigrana!“

The tallish woman had stepped close to Zirelda and rose her hand. Zirelda moaned and tried to get away, but the sword under her chin forced her to stay where she was. Sarina looked at the other women and her eyes found Lana.

„These few women are all that are still loyal to their rightful Queen?“

„Yes, these are all that are left! I am afraid that I will be very careful to reinstall power and to ensure that all who still love my sister may follow her into slavery!“

Sarina slightly bowed and held the sword`s handle towards Tigrana. The other woman wanted to take it when Sarina suddenly jumped back and threw the sword away.

„Now!“

From the bushes, now fast steps could be heard and through the still open door, some guards emerged. Tigrana and her henchwomen tried to run away, but before they had made a few steps, each had been wrestled down by three or four guards. Sarina took a knife and quickly freed Zirelda`s arms. Whilst the Queen undid her gag, she said:

„I hope you forgive me the rough treatment, Your Highness, but it had to be convincing!“

The Queen panted and licked her lips before she answered. She had been more than surprised when suddenly a hand had been pressed over her mouth whilst she had been sleeping in her bed. It had been Sarina who had told her that her sister and her group of rebels were waiting in front of the walls. Hastily, they had prepared the little sharade. Zirelda sighed. Now, her sister was finally back in her hands – and this time, she would be less careless in restraining her.

„Hey, this is my maid!“

Sarina made the two men that held Lana let the redhead go. The other women had their arms now tied behind their backs and none of them was wearing her breast cloth any longer. Since their breasts were not covered with mud, they seemed even more naked. Smiling, Zirelda wondered whether the girls had become topless in the brawl or if the guards had just removed them.

„What a lovely sight!“, Zirelda now mockingly repeated what Tigrana had said two minutes previously. Her sister tried to spit at her, but the guards forced her to her knees and Zirelda said:

„It`s even nicer to see you since it will be the last time in our lifes, sister!“

***