"And I'd be honored if Cat rode with me and shared my wagon," Claudia offered. Cat forced a smile and nodded agreement.
Then after a few days..." Danica prompted the elder.
"Then if some of our ladies wish to accompany you, you all can be on your way," she said. "Or if you so desire, you can stay with us all the way to Dahlys, or ride off alone."
Bowing respectfully, "Your generosity is overwhelming and honors us, Mother Jeanine. Please accept our thanks, as unworthy as it might be."
Mother Jeanine simply smiled. "The honor is ours, young warrior, all ours."
Chapter 8
To her great disappointment, Danica found that Helene shared her wagon with six other women. All were young, lithe redheads. She also discovered they were members, or Sisters, in the same Amazon Warrior Sorority. The Flame Sorority's members were one and all Vikon, and redheads. Typically Amazon, they grouped themselves into warrior societies, based on appearance instead of social rank and martial ability. What disappointed Danica wasn't the fact they shared a wagon with her and Helene, it was their eagerness to stay up late swamping her with questions. Danica and Helene never had the chance to explore their mutual attraction.
Early the next morning, they were roused by the elders, who ruled the family groups unchallenged. After helping each other dress, they quickly harnessed the wagon's team of twelve black horses. Helene's wagon, like her clothes and armor, was painted black and orange. But where her outfit was black with orange trim and decoration, the opposite was true of her wagon. Considering the color scheme of some of the other wagons, Danica decided it was one of the more sedate ones.
Once the team was secured to the wagon, and her horse saddled, Danica headed to the fire with some of her wagon mates. Breakfast was being served as the sun rose, bathing the eastern sky with hues of red, pink, and purple. Standing quietly in line with the rest, she noticed that, like her wagon mates, most in the family group were redheads. She could see only half a dozen blondes, and only one other brunette besides Cat. And again like Helene, most of the younger redheads wore their hair with a ponytail pulled through a black-lacquered ring atop their head. It was their votary tail. And required by their Sorority.
The Flame Sorority also required a single thin votary braid, hanging from their left temple down to their shoulder. All votarian brotherhoods and sisterhoods required votary braids, or occasionally ponytails. The Amazons had more such societies than most lands. Each braid or ponytail represented a sacred vow the member made before Sankar, the God of Loyalty and Oaths. That vow had to be repeated each time the braid was fashioned or ponytail tied up.
Cat stood near the front of the line with Claudia. Danica grinned when she realized Claudia was chatting away cheerfully, with a sullen Cat casting her dark looks. Though nothing seemed able to dampen the Vikon's mood. Do Cat some good.
Danica was startled by the jingle of bangles and spurs and a flurry of red hair as Helene joined her, slipping in line before her as she neared the servers. Low groans came from some of the women behind them, but Helene ranked high in their Sorority, so she got away with it.
"Thanks for saving me a spot," Helene said, and gave her a light peck on the cheek. Smiling sensuously, "I'm sure I'll find an interesting way to repay you. Tonight perhaps?"
"I can't wait," Danica said, slightly flustered by all the eyes on her.
Shouts cut off any other conversation. All eyes shot to the spot closest the road, and the troop of dragoons riding up. Danica instantly recognized Dame Falen arguing with the Vikon perimeter guards. Riding beside her, Maeve Snapdragon.
Danica could only gawk at Maeve, who angrily argued with Vikon guards. The Vikon all around her also realized they were dealing with a sorceress. The tension level within the encampment rose, everyone casting fearful looks at the sorceress. Danica knew better than the Vikon just how warranted their fear was, since Maeve could never be accused of being a patient or forgiving woman. Now her newfound magical powers made her doubly dangerous. It also seemed that she had joined with Ayesha and was hunting Danica.
Mother Jeanine and most of the elders hurried over, with the rest of the Vikon going about their business and warily keeping an eye on the newcomers. Danica stood staring at her friend, now her enemy. Helene had to physically turn her away to gain her attention. Danica numbly followed Helene as they picked up their breakfast of fresh bread, bacon strips, cheese, and tea in silence. Then they found themselves a spot near the fire to watch and listen.
Mother Jeanine allowed Dame Falen and Maeve to enter. They were led over to the fire and given plates of food. Both ate with gusto, with Maeve casting frequent glances about.
"Dame Falen," Mother Jeanine said once the mercenary captain had taken the edge off her hunger, "Why do you come to search our wagons again? Surely twice is enough to satisfy even the most cynical heart."
"I am not one to take chances, especially with so much as stake," she said. "These criminals absolutely must be caught, and fast."
"Perhaps we can help you," Mother Jeanine said, looking straight at Danica. Danica's eyes went wide. "Our young warriors seem a bit restless of late. Some expressed an interest in searching for the fugitives after your last visit. If there is a reward offered, I'm sure many of our warriors would join in the search."
"Yes," Helene said, drawing Dame Falen's and Maeve's unwanted attention toward Danica. Turning to Danica, she said, "Wouldn't that be fun, Brandi? Want to go hunting criminals?"
"Sure, sounds like great sport," Danica said, dropping her voice an octave and hoping she sounded as excited as Helene. Though she had a hard time gauging her performance with her heart pounding in her ears. "If there is a reward."
Danica watched Maeve out of the corner of her eye. Maeve seemed distracted. Switching to mage sight, Danica could see no sign that Maeve was summoning her powers to cast a spell. Indeed, of all those present, only Maeve's magic seemed calm. The Vikon were all but shimmering with wards in their fear of the sorceress.
Dame Falen turned her gaze back to Mother Jeanine, "My mistress, High Mage Rebecca, would be most pleased if the criminals were returned to her. I'm sure your reward would be as great as her gratitude."
"Great!" Helene cried, leaping to her feet. "Tell us how to recognize them and we'll round them up quick. You'll see."
Dame Falen smiled, looking around at all the eager faces. "They'll be easy to recognize. One is tall and dark-skinned, very dark-skinned, with black hair and eyes. The other is an elfmaid of average height and long golden hair. Both are quite pretty."
Danica saw a surprised look cross Cat's face, while the Vikon all had looks of expectation. Everyone looked eager to start the search. The elders all seemed satisfied, with serene smiles. Dame Falen smiled as well. Maeve just stared glumly into her half-empty plate.
"Then we'll begin sending out search parties during the day on our journey south," Mother Jeanine said, nodding with approval at her little group. "Unless you believe the criminals are heading in a different direction."
Dame Falen scowled, casting a covert look at Maeve.
"That's the problem. We were absolutely positive they would head toward Dahlys. But it seems as if they might have headed back into the mountains. If so, they could be out of the Empire by now."
"Elves are invisible to our human magicks," Maeve said. She looked and sounded as if she wanted someone to confirm it. Danica suspected she was under a lot of pressure to prove herself, and was failing miserably. "And as you know, even sorcery can't locate someone moving."
The Vikon all nodded their understanding, seeming to salve Maeve's pride a bit. Dame Falen frowned and shrugged.
The assembled Vikon were disheartened. The eagerness had left their faces as they settled into eating their morning meal. Low muttering filled the air as everyone's attention seemed to turn away from the criminals. Dame Falen frowned.
"But they are warriors and could have escaped our notice," she said. "They are known to be quite determined in their mi
ssion. The chance for reward is still excellent."
"Good enough for me," Helene said. "Captain, we'll do what we can to catch them for you. How will we get in touch with you if we find them?"
"Just drop them off at any city," she said. "The City Guard will know what to do with them."
Helene, standing with her fists on her hips, beamed her excitement at the mercenary Captain. Dame Falen smiled back, thinking the Vikon would be helping her. All Danica felt was relief. Relief that she and Cat hadn't been turned over to Maeve and the mercenaries. Relief that Dame Falen didn't recognize her. Relief that Maeve hadn't recognized her and relief that Helene hadn't asked her anymore questions. It was all she could do to just smile.
* * * * *
"Well, Cat, how's it going? Where's Claudia?" Danica said amid a clatter of bangles, earrings, and necklaces as she plopped down beside her.
Cat scowled at her, which Danica ignored, caught up in adjusting the mass of bangles on her right arm. She seemed to have twice as many as that morning. Cat didn't even want to know where, or how, she got them.
The brooding bravo was sitting on a log beside a gurgling brook. It was nearly dark, ending a long day in the saddle. Cat was sitting just outside the laager and beside the road, staring at the brook at her feet. Already the Vikon were laughing, singing, and dancing around the fire. Their fast-paced guitar, flute, and drum music filled the air. It was the happiest Danica had been since before being turned into a woman.
"She's fetching our meal, bloody chatterbox," Cat said. "And so...cheerfully."
"Sitting alone in the dark won't help."
Danica grinned. Cat glowered at her, but turned away when it had no effect. Danica then laughed.
"You're hopeless, Cat. We made good our escape, and you're still not happy."
"Nothing to be happy about."
"Didn't you enjoy riding around the countryside searching for ourselves?" Danica said. "I loved it! We really are lucky to have found this family group."
"I don't feel lucky."
Winking at her, "That's because you aren't the lucky one getting into Helene's pants tonight."
Cat gave her a disgusted look. "I don't want to."
"But I do, and she wants me, too," Danica said. "I just overheard her telling our wagon mates to find other lodgings for tonight."
"You're just trying to spoil my dinner, aren't you?" Cat said, lightly pushing her.
Laughing, Danica said, "It's a thought."
"I would have thought the knowledge that Maeve is stalking us would put a damper on your joy," Cat said.
Danica seemed troubled a moment, but then brightened.
"I can't change that. Maybe tomorrow she will hunt us down and kill us. Maybe not." Danica shrugged. "I've been hunted before. And besides, if she was capable of discovering us, we'd be bound and en route to Allaria this moment. Cheer up. I never miss an opportunity to celebrate a victory, since I might die tomorrow."
"Why don't you go 'celebrate' with the Vikon? Show them all those exotic dances you learned from that Silk Slave in the Golden Girl," Cat said with just a hint of a sneer. "That ought to excite your little redheaded minx."
"Good idea," she said, standing. "Want to come watch?"
"Cat?" Claudia's voice called out.
"Over here," Danica said, waving her arms over her head. "She's waiting for you over here." Turning to a groaning Cat, "See how friendly and helpful I am?"
"Go away."
Cat watched Danica walk away, stopping only to flirt with Claudia a moment. Then she disappeared between the wagons. Claudia hurried over with two heaping plates. The broad smile on her face made Cat wince.
"There you are. I've been looking all over for you," Claudia said, handing her a plate. "If this isn't enough, just say so and I'll go get you some more."
"This is fine, thank you," Cat said, taking the offered plate. The food proved to be excellent. She wasn't much of a meat eater, but enjoyed the venison and roast rabbit. The wild tubers, roasted under the fire and smothered in fresh-churned butter, were large and tasty. And the beans and turnip greens were especially appreciated after so long with a vegetable hating Danica. "I've rarely tasted food this good."
"I can't take credit for it. Mother Mabelle is in charge of cooking for the group."
Cat shrugged.
After a while, Claudia spoke up, "I always thought elves were arrogant and aloof, but that friend of yours, Danica, is really a nice girl. Everyone likes her."
"Especially Helene," Cat said. "And the attraction is mutual, it seems."
"Oh? I didn't know elfmaids went for that stuff. I always heard they were fanatical about monogamous relationships between men and women. They mate for life you know, and won't take another mate even if the first dies."
Grinning weakly, "Maybe so, but Helene is all that elfmaid could talk about before you arrived. It seems she's planning to spend the night in the little Vikon tart's arms tonight."
"Oh my. I must warn her," Claudia said, standing.
Cat grabbed her forearm. "Warn her of what? Is she in danger?"
"Well...no. Not exactly," Claudia said, starting to fidget and grow flustered. "It's just that Helene isn't what she seems to be."
"Not the demur beauty, heh?"
"Hardly," Claudia said, a look of disgust crossing her face. "She's one nasty girl. If she wasn't my kinswoman and Sorority Sister, I'd probably have nothing to do with her."
"What is it about her you don't like and feel a need to warn Danica about?"
Biting her lip nervously a second, "Well, she likes that bondage and discipline stuff. In bed, you know?"
Cat looked at her in wide-eyed shock a moment, then broke up laughing at the thought of Danica eagerly succumbing to the Vikon's charms, only to find herself bound, gagged, and spanked! It was all Cat could do to keep from rolling on the ground in laughter.
"Aren't you worried about your friend?" Claudia said.
Cat wiped the tears from her eyes, trying to control her laughter.
"Not in the least. Serves her right, the little wanton slut." Pulling Claudia back onto the log, Cat lowered her voice. "Danica has had lots of experience in handling the likes of Helene. Indeed, she is a notorious carouser, and that has gotten her in a lot more trouble than Helene can conjure up with whips and chains. You might say, carousing with the wrong woman made her what she is today."
"But she's not expecting this from Helene," Claudia said defensively. "I must warn her of Helene's wicked ways." When Cat seemed unconvinced, "Don't you see? Helene isn't above seducing unsuspecting women into her bed, then tying them up for a night of sex, pain, and humiliation."
"Like I said, serves Danica right for jumping into the first bed offered," Cat said, unmoved by the argument. Seeing Claudia still felt a need to warn Danica, Cat threw a friendly arm around her shoulders and said, "Claudia, my friend, I'd really love to hear more about the Vikon and their fascinating ways and especially your interesting life."
Later that night, once most of the Vikon were asleep, Cat crept away from the fire and headed for Helene's wagon. Claudia followed, biting her lip nervously. Chuckling, Cat reassured her as they neared the wagon. The windows still glowed golden.
Climbing up on one of the enormous wheels, Cat looked into a window. The scene she saw brought a broad, wicked smile to her face. Helene was standing on the bed decked out in a skin tight black leather outfit, with a short whip in hand. Danica, nude, lay at her feet. No! She was kissing and licking Helene's booted feet!
Cat flinched as Helene laid the whip across Danica's naked buttocks, leaving a red mark and berating her efforts at licking her boots clean. Apparently she wasn't doing it "prettily" enough. Danica, wrists bound behind her back with a strip of leather and red welts all over her back, renewed her efforts with a seductiveness that surprised Cat. That seemed to satisfy Helene, who watched her with barely controlled lust burning in her emerald eyes. Several times Helene could be seen to shiver with desire. On occasion, she ga
ve Danica further instructions on how best to lick, kiss, and grovel more prettily.
By the time Danica licked her way up to the knee of the second boot, Helene lost interest. She ordered Danica to kneel straight up, then lifted her chin with the coiled whip. She admired Danica's delicate beauty a moment, before looping the whip around her throat and pulling her lips in for a crushing kiss. Her hands began to slowly roam over Danica's body.
After several minutes of heavy kissing and petting, Helene placed her spike-heeled boot on Danica's chest and pushed her slowly to her back. A slow, wicked grin spread across the redhead's beautiful face. Reaching over to a shelf above the bed, Helene set aside her whip and picked up a long piece of polished ivory. Cat watched with interest, and amazement, at what Helene did with that and Danica's reactions.
Heart racing and panting, Cat almost slipped off the wheel. Claudia moved to catch her if she did. Cat looked down at her, wishing with all her heart that the big Vikon was a man. And then cursed her rotten luck that there weren't any men for hundreds of miles.
Climbing down to a worried Claudia, Cat waved her away, "Come along. Those two need their privacy."
"But what about Danica?"
"She's doing better than me," Cat said wistfully. "Yes, she's having the experience of her life. I can't wait to hear all about it in the morning."
"I don't know..."
A scream came from the wagon. Cat caught Claudia's arm when she started for the door. Cat recognized the scream. It wasn't from horror, or fear, or pain.
"That's Danica having an orgasm," Cat said. "So you see, she really wouldn't want us to interfere."
Mollified by that, and another of Danica's gasping screams. "Well...if she's enjoying it."
"She is," Cat said. "She's a notorious womanizer. Carouses in taverns all night." Taking her arm in her own, Cat led Claudia away. "It's late and I'm tired. Let's go to bed."
* * * * *
Not finding Danica inside the laager eating breakfast with the others, Cat began searching for her wayward friend. She eventually found her bathing in the brook. Cat watched her scrubbing her body with vigor from the dark shadows of the forest for several minutes. Smiling with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Into Lands Forbidden (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 2) Page 13