Eye of the Goddess

by Cat Wilder

Tara forced the unwary woman’s head under water. She pushed down hard and then climbed onto her shoulders. Standing on Ciara’s shoulders, she easily climbed up onto the street running along the canal opposite the House of Padraig.

  She grinned at her friend when she came splashing and gasping up.

  "Well, wasn't that fun!"

  Chapter 20

  The side of the canals were all stone masonry. They were perfectly plumb so ships could moor anywhere along their length. The waterline was about two feet below the street at that location.

  Tara settled down on the edge of the canal with her feet hanging over the side. As her friend clung to the stone embankment gasping for breath, Tara calmly pulled off her left boot and poured the water on the elfmaid’s head. She tossed the boot over her shoulder and started pulling the other off.

  While Tara struggled with her boot, Ciara scrambled up beside her. She glared at the Takaran a moment, not looking at all pleased with what just happened. Then after emptying her boot, Tara gave her a totally wicked smile and wink, and they both broke up giggling.

  "Are you going to empty those boots?" Tara asked, pulling her own back on. "Or are you planning to swim back to the ship?"

  "I’m too tired to do either."

  "No problem," Tara said and pushed the elfmaid to her back.

  "Oh baby, right here?" Ciara asked and giggled. "You’re such a wanton slut."

  "I must be," she replied. "I hang out with you."

  She grabbed Ciara’s right ankle and pushed the leg straight up. The water came rushing out. Then after the other boot was likewise drained, she swatted Ciara’s buttocks.

  "Oh yes, baby, treat me rough," Ciara laughed. "I have to yield because you just can’t seem to keep your hands off my hiney."

  "Go yield to someone who wants you."

  "Your lips say no, but your hands say yes."

  "You’re sick."

  "And you’re beau... Shit, shit, shit!"

  "What?"

  "Look. They’re coming," Ciara said, pointing down the canal.

  Tara could barely make out the bridge in the dark. But a large group of men were rushing across to their side. Bared steel glinted in the dim starlight. There was no doubt in either of their minds that the dark figures were coming for them.

  "They’re really starting to get on my nerves," Tara said, frowning.

  Standing, she helped Ciara up, before picking up her sword and the sack of jewels. She tied the jewels to her belt. Tara then led the way down an alley. As they ran, they had to keep a close look out for bodies lying about. They had to jump over several only a dozen steps into the alley. There was no way to tell if they were sleeping derelicts or the victims of some violent act.

  "Do you know where you’re going?" Ciara asked as they left one alley and then ducked into another.

  "No."

  "I didn’t think so."

  Halfway down the alley they came across a game of dice by a small fire. There was a large group of men and by their appearance, Tara didn’t believe many had much to be gambling with. The gamblers reached for their weapons as the women came upon them. None had more than a rusty knife.

  "Watch out," Tara shouted. "Muggers chasing us."

  She figured the turmoil of the gamblers would slow the guards down. They seemed to be gaining. The men were just as likely to confront the guards chasing them as run themselves, but it was worth a chance. Derelicts weren’t the bravest men in the world.

  Ciara pointed to their right when they exited the alley. "This way."

  "No, this way," and Tara pulled her left and toward another alley.

  They entered the alley as their pursuers burst out. They were spotted and could hear the shouts of the men. Tara didn’t like the sound of the shouts. They sounded entirely too happy and confident. She soon learned why. The men knew something she didn’t, the alley was a dead end.

  "Shit, bastard," Ciara cursed as they came to a stop. She could hear the joyfully shouting men approaching. "Any more bright ideas?"

  Tara ignored the remark and studied the surrounding structures. She saw an open second floor window. There was golden light coming out and she could hear faint music and laughter.

  She gave the approaching men one more look. They were nothing but dark shapes, now moving slowly. She heard them poking through the piles of trash. Apparently, they weren’t taking any chances this time.

  "Here," Tara said, moving under the window. "Give me a hand up."

  Ciara cupped her hands and Tara stepped into them. She found herself just a few inches short of the window sill. So she stepped up onto the elfmaid’s shoulders.

  "Gods, woman," Ciara cried. "Watch where you’re stepping."

  "Stop whining," Tara countered and grabbed the sill.

  Pulling herself up, Tara found herself looking into a well-appointed sitting room. It sounded like a party was going on in the next room. She crawled through the window and then jerked the burgundy drapes down. They were of some rich, thick cloth. Then lowering the drapes, she anchored herself while Ciara pulled herself up.

  "Where are we?" Ciara asked.

  "The gods only know," Tara said.

  "Knowing our luck it’s the city jail."

  Tara laughed and closed the window. As she was locking it, a rock shattered the glass. She jumped back with a yelp. Then she stuck her head out to taunt the frustrated guards. But before she could say a word, she heard a shout down the alley. Soon a squad of City Guardsmen came down to trap the men.

  "Who’s the officer in charge?" Tara called down.

  "I am, Lady. Sergeant Ismaul."

  He thinks I'm a noblewoman? she thought, and shrugged.

  So Tara took on superior airs when she addressed the City Guardsmen.

  "Sergeant, please remove these ruffians," Tara asked. "We ejected them from the premises earlier and now they’ve returned to harass us. I dare say, if our king knew how these baseborns were harassing one of his nobles...well, let’s not go into that."

  "Fear not, Lady," Sergeant Ismaul promised. "We’ll run these curs into the station for questioning. And if they bother you again, just let me know."

  "Thank you so much, Sergeant."

  The guards immediately began protesting furiously. The Guardsmen were in no mood to argue. Tara watched Baart charge the City Guardsmen. The Guardsmen were trained to disarm men more dangerous than the drunken orc. Baart quickly found himself beaten to the ground and disarmed. He screamed in rage as he was dragged away. The others surrendered peacefully.

  Tara and Ciara watched them taken away.

  "Gods, I love it," Ciara squealed in delight. "To think, they are being taken to jail."

  "What can I say? The gods love us."

  "An hour ago I might have argued the point, but now..." Ciara shrugged.

  "An hour ago I might not have said it."

  The women began to look over the small room now that the threat of capture was gone. The floors were covered by a thick, rich burgundy rug. The only furniture was a beautiful antique couch and two matching chairs. The walls were paneled in a dark-stained oak. And portraits of several beautiful women adorned those walls. All in all, it conveyed a sense of both comfort and wealth.

  "Nice," Ciara said, clearly impressed.

  Tara went to the door and opened it a crack. It opened up into a larger room. This other room was well lit and just as richly appointed as the sitting room. There were quite a few men and women sitting around in pairs and small groups. The men all seemed to be wealthy and dressed in their finest clothes. But the women tended to be rather scantily clad, young, and beautiful.

  Pushing past her, Ciara took a look. Her face immediately brightened.

  "The Enchanted Night," she said, delighted.

  "The brothel?"

  "Yes, it’s the finest and most exclusive brothel in the city. I was a bouncer here for a month while Reaper was being repaired," Ciara said.

  "Spare me the details."

  Ciara laughed.

/>   "Let’s get out of here," Tara said as she stepped out.

  Ciara took the lead since she had been there before and knew the layout of the brothel. Everyone they passed looked at them in disgust, including the slave girl prostitutes. Both women looked terrible, with stringy wet hair plastered to their necks and backs. Their clothes were soaked and they were still filthy from their trip down the chimney. Despite themselves, they were offended by the reaction of the others.

  "Excuse me, but can I help you?" an elderly, but still quite attractive, woman asked.

  "Who are you?" Tara asked.

  "I am Lady Endora," she said haughtily. "I own this establishment. Whom, pray tell, are you?"

  Tara looked the brothel owner over slowly. She had heard she was the noblewoman, but still found it hard to believe any woman of noble birth would stoop so low by choice. Then again, Amana wasn't your normal city. Pirates, brigands, and rogue mages prowled the streets, and were welcomed by the rulers.

  Lady Endora was a strikingly attractive human. She had long red hair and deep blue eyes. Her gown was silk and of the same blue as her eyes. Only the tiny lines around her eyes showed her age, while her body was still firm and slim. She wore very little jewelry, but what she did wear was only the finest. Tara was impressed.

  "I’m Captain Tara and this filthy flower of womanhood is my third mate, Ciara. Now could you please tell us how to get out of here?"

  Endora narrowed her eyes at Ciara, and then relaxed.

  "You worked for us once," she said.

  "Yes, and a fine employer you were, too," Ciara said.

  The madam nodded and turned bright eyes to Tara. She looked extraordinarily pleased.

  "I saw you once, Tara. Cleaned up, you are without a doubt the most beautiful creature I have ever seen." Then sliding up closer and lowering her voice, "If you ever decide to give up that brutal life and try something more...suitable for a woman of your grace, breeding, and legendary talents, please let me know. I can guarantee you a place here with me."

  Tara gawked at her. That caught her off-guard.

  "Thank you," Tara said. "I think."

  She knew what ‘legendary talents’ the brothel owner was referring to. It was said that her talents in bed at least equaled her martial talents. She normally took great pride in both reputations.

  "You’ll have to forgive her," Ciara said to Endora. "She’s had a rough night. She’s usually a lot more fun."

  Tara just pushed her on. She was tired and wanted to get back to the ship. But Ciara spotted a table loaded down with food and drinks along a wall. She went over and started stuffing fruit in her mouth. Ciara loved sweets. Tara, on the other hand, went straight for the wine.

  "Here," she said and handed a cup of wine to Ciara. "Don’t say I never gave you anything."

  "Red? You know I prefer white," Ciara complained with a laugh.

  "Beggars can’t be choosers," Tara said and drained her cup.

  They then departed, each with a jug of Endora’s finest red wine in hand. The sun was coming up and people could be seen scurrying about. They walked through the streets arm in arm singing, joking, and laughing. Whenever they spotted anyone, they would make them the butt of their jokes or made crude remarks that only their drunken minds could understand. As a result, everyone gave them a wide berth and curious glances.

  The Reaper was quiet when they arrived. They lifted their jugs in drunken salute to the pirates standing watch. Then they handed over their jugs, letting the watch enjoy a morning drink.

  With her hands on her hips, Tara surveyed the deck of her ship. Men were scattered about, rolled up in their cloaks or blankets. They looked too peaceful to be the most feared pirates on the river. She looked over at Ciara and the two women smiled at each other wickedly.

  They began kicking everyone they could find and demanding they get up. Lujak charged off the stern deck, shirtless and armed. He let out a sigh and turned away when he realized it was just them returning from their drunken binge.

  "Hold, dog!" Tara ordered. "We have something to show you arrogant piss hogs."

  "Is there such thing as a piss hog?" Ciara asked.

  "Shut up."

  Tara lifted up the sack of jewels. Then she opened it and poured some of its contents into one hand for everyone to see. The men gathered around to look at the brilliant jewels glittering in the early morning light. Many of the men began asking how they had come by such wealth. Both women were pleased.

  "We took those from Padraig last night," Ciara said. "And we did it without any help from you men."

  "That’s right. Don’t ever doubt us, or else," Tara said, eyeing Lujak and Caruso. "Now we have been up all night and need some rest. Don’t anyone bother us for any reason, hear?"

  Tara took Ciara’s hand and led her onto the stern deck. Lujak tried to follow, but she pushed him back out. When he protested she just laughed.

  "You boys had all night to sleep," Tara said. "Get to work."

  Ciara gave her a drunken smile, "We showed them, didn’t we?"

  "Yes, we did," she said,. She went over to Lujak's still warm bedroll and sat down heavily. "Ouch, that hurts."

  "What hurts?"

  "My hiney. Didn’t I tell you?"

  "Tell me what?"

  "Some baseborn dog stabbed me in my...pride, as I jumped out the window," she said, rubbing the wound.

  "Is it bad?"

  "No, barely broke the skin."

  "Want me to kiss it and make it better," Ciara asked in a baby voice.

  "In your dreams!" Tara said, laughing.

  "I’m too tired to dream," Ciara said. "Maybe tomorrow night."

  Ciara stood up and started to unbutton her shirt. As she was pulling it off, she lost her balance and fell back onto her rear end.

  "You’re drunk," Tara said and laughed. Tossing her a blanket, "Go to sleep."

  "I’m your guest. Shouldn’t you at least offer to share the bedroll?" Ciara said.

  "If you weren’t a baseborn foreign dog, I might consider it," she said haughtily, before giggling.

  Tara laid back and gave Ciara a self-satisfied smile. Sitting up, she tried to remove her boots. Falling back, she laughed at her own inability to even undress herself.

  Holding her right foot up, "Help me take these off."

  Ciara stood on shaky legs and pulled on the boot. The wet boot didn’t seem to want to come off. She then straddled Tara’s leg and started pulling and twisting. It began to slip off slowly, so Tara put her other foot on Ciara’s butt and pushed. The boot came off and the elfmaid fell flat on her face, laughing. Ciara tried to rise, but fell back and passed out.

  After holding up her other leg for a moment, Tara looked down to see her friend passed out on the floor. She called to her several times and even nudged her a couple of times with her foot. Tara fell back laughing.

  "Elfmaids just can’t hold their drink," she cried. She heard laughter from the crew. Tara sat up again and started nudging the elfmaid’s rear end playfully with her foot, "Ciara. Wake up, you lazy elf." Then, "Elfmaids shouldn’t be trusted with strong drink."

  She then tried to remove her other boot herself. The strain was too much for her and she fell back, exhausted. Before she could try again, Tara passed out, too.

  Epilogue

  One week after the news of the daring robbery of the Pirate Padraig’s house hit the streets, a tall figure was seen in the House of Manital’s mausoleum. She, they were sure it was a woman, was wearing a long dark cloak with the hood over her head. Her face couldn’t be seen.

  The figure entered the mausoleum and knelt before the vase holding the ashes of the young nobleman whose ashes had just been placed there two days before. It was said that Yarus had died fighting heroically against the pirate Tara the Terrible. She had struck him down in his prime.

  She placed a dozen red roses at the base of the vase and bowed her head to pray. It is said that on that day the dread pirate, Captain Tara, paid her last respects to a fallen foe.
Others disagreed.

  THE END

  * * * * *

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  Please consider leaving a review on the site you purchased this story.

  You can contact the author at:

  catwilder@live.com

  Check out these other books by Cat:

  Cat Wilder (Author)

  Space Sluts: Tentacle Strip Search

  Space Sluts: Pleasure-bot Trouble

  Vampire Slayer Fangbang

  Vampire Slayer Werewolf Gangbang

  Vampire Slayer Gangbang

  Vampire Slayer Vamp Candy

  Getting Witchy

  The Dragon's Virgin Bride

  The Dragon's Stolen Bride

  Wild Impulse (Paranormal Erotic Stories - Fantasy Collection)

  Ms Virtue's Super Heroine Setback

  Ms Virtue's Gangsta Setback

  Virtue Girl's Sidekick Surprise

  Ms Virtue and Sad Santa

  Taken by the Wild Pack

  Dragon's Surprise

  Dragon's Beautiful Treasure

  Magic Carpet Ride

  Taken by the Dragon

  Ms Virtue Super Heroine Girls' Night

  Elfmaids Just Want to Have Fun

  Midsummer Night

  Goblins Galore

  Taking the Elfmaid

  Goldenlocks and the Three Orcs

  Misadventures of Aryn Goldenlocks Collection

  Gamer Girl Caught in the Game

  Gamer Girl in the Orc King's Harem

  Gamer Girl Grinding the Dragon's Lair

  Battle for Glory

  Grinding it Hard

  Dagger of the Assassins

  Sacrifice to a Demon God

  Eye of the Goddess

  Back to Table of Contents

  About the Author:

  Cat Wilder has been writing SF and Fantasy under another pen name for years. For all of those years she wanted to really let it rip and tell some truly wild and wicked stories. The e-book revolution has given her the opportunity to tell her sexy stories. Cat is married with way too many furbabies.