The Witch of Aggodar Ch. 07

"You were a slave trainer?" Maeve snapped as soon as they were alone in their cabin once again and Shay had removed her gag.

"I've lived a long life, Maeve," Shay replied cooly. "I have been many things."

Maeve scowled at her. "So what am I then?" she asked. "Am I just another project for you to amuse yourself with until you get bored and move on to someone else?"

The witch looked tired as she sat on the edge of the bed and rubbed her temples. Maeve glared at her, all too aware of the plug that still rested in her ass and the ropes that bound her arms and chest. She didn't know why the revelation that Shay had once trained slaves had outraged her as much as it had. Perhaps it was knowing that she had trained them for other peoples' use or perhaps it was just because, in her own naive way, Maeve had thought that what they shared was more unique than it now seemed.

"You don't understand, Maeve," Shay said carefully.

"Don't I?" Shay growled, more venomously than she had meant it. "Because it seems pretty clear to me."

"No, you don't!" the witch said bluntly. "Arridia is not like Everdale. Slavery does not mean the same thing here as it does at home."

Maeve snorted. "So what? They were there by choice?"

"Essentially, yes," Shay replied. "It is a great honour to be selected to become a Sheik's concubine. It was my job to ensure that Sheik Junda was attended to by only the best that the Golden CIty had to offer."

"What if they didn't want that?" Maeve snapped.

"Everyone who I trained was there because they wanted to be," Shay replied firmly. "Those that failed the tests were sent back home."

"How do you know that?"

"Because I made sure of it," Shay snapped. She looked at Maeve, her pink eyes sparkling with a mixture of anger and disappointment. "Do you really think I would have done it if it were any different?"

Maeve licked her lips uncertainly. The expression on the witch's face made her heart ache and she suddenly found it difficult to meet her gaze. She wasn't a monster. Maeve knew she should have known better.

"Sex is viewed differently here," Shay said, her tone softening slightly. "It is less to do with who you love and more to do with what you want. Concubines are well paid and well looked after. People sell themselves into this 'slavery' all the time. Think of Tilly. Think of the people serving us dinner tonight. Did any of them seem like they didn't want to be where they were?"

Maeve knew that Tilly had chosen to become Abraham's slave and she couldn't think of a time that evening when Sheik Junda's servants had expressed any discontent with their position. In fact, the only time the servants had appeared unhappy was when they had stared jealously at her as the Sheik fed her scraps from his meal like a dog.

"I guess not," she said slowly.

"Exactly," Shay replied, an edge of bitterness in her voice. "Maybe you should have thought about that before jumping to conclusions about me."

Maeve looked down at her feet. "I'm sorry," she said ashamedly. "I just... I thought this might have been something more."

The witch frowned before understanding dawned on her face. "Maeve," she said gently. "Of course this means more to me. What we have... It hasn't always been easy, but it means more to me than you could possibly know."

"It does?"

"Of course! When we first met you were trying to kill me. To be honest, I never expected you to come as far as you have, but here you are still. I couldn't have asked for anyone better to help me on this journey. You're brave and strong, but most importantly you have become my friend."

Maeve smiled broadly, tears of happiness welling in her eyes. She hadn't needed Shay to tell her that she loved her or anything so grand. She had just needed to know that their companionship meant as much to the witch as it did to her, and now she did. She felt instantly lighter and more relaxed, though she also felt stupid for ruining what until just then had been a thrilling evening.

"I'm not going anywhere," she said softly as she sat down on the bed beside Shay and rested her head on the witch's shoulder.

"Good," Shay replied. "Because the next few days are going to be tough."

"What do you mean?"

"You heard the Sheik," Shay said. "He wants to show us both off."

"He said something about competitions?" Maeve replied slowly.

The witch nodded. "Concubine games," she said. "They are designed to test your discipline and endurance against other slaves."

"Do you think I could win?" Maeve asked.

"You could," she said. "But you don't have to do anything that you don't want to do."

"I want to," Maeve said quickly.

Shay hesitated. "Maeve... Some of these games will involve more than just standing naked in front of a crowd of strangers. There will be other people involved."

Maeve chewed her tongue and nodded. "I know," she said. "But I trust you, Shay. And if Junda says you are the best, then we have to win."

The witch looked down at her and smiled. "You never stop amazing me," she said, putting her arm around Maeve's waist.

"I mean it," Maeve said firmly. "I don't want you to hold anything back."

Shay met her gaze cautiously. "Are you sure about that?" she asked.

Maeve bit her lip as she looked into the witch's pink eyes. Shay had encouraged her to explore her desires more than anyone had ever done before. She had never thought of herself as a submissive before meeting the witch, but now she loved being bound and gagged and the idea of being exhibited in front of a crowd sent a shiver of excitement down her spine. Shay had unlocked all of that within her and Maeve was hungry to find out what other pleasures she had in store for her.

"I am," she said determinedly. "I want you to train me."

The corner of Shay's lips twitched and Maeve could practically hear her mind whirring. "Get on your knees then," she said firmly.

Maeve slid from the edge of the bed onto the wooden floor of the cabin, positioning herself so that she was kneeling in front of Shay. The witch looked down at her, her pink eyes sparkling with intent as they roamed slowly over Maeve's soft skin before lingering a moment on the mounds of her breasts.

"You will refer to me as 'Mistress' from now on," she said. "If I give you an order, you will follow it immediately. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Maeve whispered.

Shay slapped her. It was not a hard slap but it made her gasp all the same.

"Yes, what?" the witch hissed.

"Yes, Mistress," Maeve replied quickly, her cheek stinging in a way that wasn't completely unpleasant.

The witch glared at her silently for several minutes before slowly reaching out to stroke the spot where she had slapped her. "You did well tonight," she said eventually. "But you still have a lot to learn."

She stood up and crossed to the dressing table, leaving Maeve kneeling beside the bed as she removed her earrings and slipped off her sparkly purple dress. Maeve watched her undress, captivated by the shimmer of her pale skin, the curves of her breasts and ass and the way her long black and purple streaked hair cascaded down her back. She was the most terrifyingly beautiful woman that Maeve had ever set eyes upon and in that brief moment, she thought she would do anything that the witch asked of her, if only for the chance of earning her approval.

Shay placed her dress on the stool in front of the dressing table and turned to face Maeve again. She was naked apart from her glossy black heels that clunked loudly against the wooden floorboards as she walked to the foot of the bed. She looked at Maeve and snapped her fingers and the ropes that bound her arms and body suddenly vanished.

"Come here," she said.

Maeve went to stand but Shay hissed at her and she realised she was supposed to crawl. She shuffled around to the foot of the bed on her hands and knees, coming to a stop at the witch's feet as she looked down at her.

"Do you like having your ass plugged, slave?" Shay asked.

Maeve felt her cheeks turn pink as she nodded tentatively. "Yes, Mistress," she whispered.

"What happens when I do this?"

Shay raised one of her fingers, wisps of purple-pink magic appearing around her hand as as she drew a small circle in the air. Maeve gasped, clenching her fists and gritting her teeth as the plug in her ass began to rotate in time with Shay's fingertip.

"Did you like that?" Shay asked when she lowered her hand.

Maeve exhaled slowly and nodded. "Yes, Mistress," she replied obediently.

Shay smirked. "Discipline is an important trait for a slave to possess," she said. "You must learn to control your urges if you are going to impress the Sheik and the other trainers."

Maeve bit her lip as Shay leant back against the footboard of the bed and spread her legs. The soft sheen of her pussy told her that the witch was enjoying this just as much as she was.

"We are going to make each other cum," Shay said bluntly. "But you are not allowed to do so until I let you. Do you understand?

Maeve nodded, her toes curling and her body tingling with desire. "Yes, Mistress," she whispered.

"Then come here."

Maeve crawled in between Shay's legs, the scent of her perfume, laced with the witch's own arousal, a heady concoction that she could have got drunk on. She looked tot he witch for guidance, but Shay seemed content to allow her freedom to pleasure her in her own way. She placed a hand tentatively on the witch's thigh, running her fingers up the inside of her left leg as she brushed her lips against her right knee, moving slowly up her thigh towards the prize that was her pussy.

"Remember," Shay said softly. "Control yourself."

She extended her hand and Maeve inhaled sharply as she felt the plug begin to rotate in her ass once again. She gripped Shay's thigh and gritted her teeth, feeling the plug stretch her hole as it turned inside of her. The feeling was new and different, but it was already driving her wild.

"Did I say you could stop?" Shay growled.

Maeve purred softly as she refocused her attention on Shay's thighs, kissing and stroking her pale flesh as she climbed towards her pussy. She ran her fingers lightly over her already wet slit and kissed her opening, feeling Shay tremble with desire as she placed her hand on Maeve's head and pressed her mouth against her pussy. Maeve sighed as she breathed in Shay's scent and dutifully began to massage her clit with her tongue. Shay growled and ground her hips against Maeve's lips. She felt the plug in her ass begin to rotate faster, the sensation coupled with the taste of Shay's juices threatening to drive her over the edge until she remembered that she was supposed to be exercising her control. She pressed her eyes tightly together, focusing on Shay's movements and the tiny gasps that escaped her lips whenever she pushed her tongue deeper into her slit. She heard the witch moan and felt her hand tighten within her own hair and then Shay's whole body suddenly shook as a wave of pleasure overwhelmed her and she finally came.

The witch leant back against the bed, breathing deeply as she ran a hand through her tousled hair. The plug in Maeve's ass slowed but did not stop rotating all together. She looked down at Maeve and smiled thinly.

"Do you want to cum?" she asked.

Maeve nodded slowly, remembering how pathetic she had once felt the first time Shay had asked her that very same question.

"Have a said you can cum?"

She shook her head, frustration and desire causing her cheeks to glow red.

Shay smirked. "That's right. We're just getting started."

She held out her hand and Maeve felt something slide up her leg. At first she through it was the rope that the witch was so adept at conjuring but as she looked around she saw what appeared to be tendrils of magic working their way up her legs. She looked up at Shay nervously, but before she could ask a question the witch seized the back of her head and pushed her mouth back into her pussy.

Maeve groaned as her tongue went to work again, but she could feel the tendrils of magic working their way slowly up her legs. Two tendrils slid up her back before coming around her sides to encircle her breasts and squeeze her nipples. The other tendril slid between her legs, grazing her soaking pussy before penetrating her. She cried out, gripping Shay's legs tightly in her hands as the magic thrust deep inside of her whilst the plug in her ass began to rotate faster. Her eyes rolled back in her head which had started to spin. She pushed against Shay's legs, overwhelmed by the sensations that she was feeling. The magic pulsed within her pussy, its rhythm feeling strangely familiar to the beat of Shay's heart, and it took every ounce of her will power not to let it drive her over the edge.

"Do you want to cum?" Shay asked.

"Yes," Maeve cried, tears of pleasure stinging her eyes.

Shay tugged sharply on her hair. "Yes, what?" she growled.

"Yes, Mistress," Maeve whimpered. "Please let me cum!"

"I think you can wait a little longer," Shay said with a cruel smile.

Maeve wanted to sob as she shook her head. She was on fire. Her pussy ached and she knew she couldn't hold it in any longer. The magic inside her was too much to bear. Her body shook and she squealed as her orgasm tore itself free of her throat and she convulsed on the floor at Shay's feet.

Silence filled the cabin as Maeve struggled to catch her breath. The magic was gone as if she had only imagined it and the plug in her ass had fallen still. She blinked the tears from her eyes as she pushed a few strands of stray hair from her face and looked shamefully up at Shay.

The witch met her gaze and shook her head. Her expression was one of disappointment, but Maeve saw the sparkle of something else in her eyes and realised this was a challenge that she had always been destined to fail.

"How disappointing," Shay said softly. "Well," she continued. "At least now you get to see what happens when you disobey me..."

****

Maeve awoke in a kind of stupor the following morning. She was still kneeling at the foot of the bed. Her wrists were bound to the bedposts either side of her and her thighs and ankles were tied together. A skintight mask enveloped her head, blocking her sight and disorienting her. She was gagged, her ass was still plugged and a pair of clamps dangled from her scarlet nipples.

She knew Shay had been awake for sometime. She had heard someone bring the witch breakfast and had heard her bathe and dress. Whether being ignored was part of her punishment or not, Maeve no longer cared. She had barely slept, her knees were on fire and her ass and tits had been punished to their limits. The worst thing about it all though, was that at some point in the night she had realised that she wanted more, that she had deserved all of it for disobeying Shay's orders.

The witch's footsteps sounded impossiblly loud in her depraved mind as she approached. She felt her tug at her mask and squinted in the blinding daylight that stung her eyes.

"Good morning," Shay said with a smile.

She was dressed in baggy trousers of purple silk and a matching crop top that was trimmed in gold. Golden circlets studded with amethysts were round around her arms whilst a small golden circle rested upon her brow beneath the brim of her black witch's hat. Had Maeve been in a more lucid state she might have commented on how beautiful she looked.

"How are you feeling?"

Maeve groaned, a line of drool oozing from behind her gag to splash on the floorboards beneath her.

Shay tutted as she lifted her head from under her chin with her thumb and forefinger. "Did we learn our lesson?" she asked.

Maeve nodded weakly.

"Good," Shay said, her gaze lingering a moment on Maeve's face. "We are approaching the Golden City. I thought you might like to come and see it."

Maeve didn't think she could have cared less at that point, wanting nothing more than to curl up in Shay's arms and sleep, but she nodded all the same. The witch waved her hand and the ropes that bound her vanished. She slumped forwards, her balance forsaking her, but Shay caught her and held her in her arms. Maeve shivered, closing her eyes as she breathed in the witch's perfume.

"This is going to sting," Shay whispered as she reached down and unclamped her tits.

Maeve was glad that she was still gagged because the sensation of the blood rushing back to her sensitive nipples made her yelp in pain. Shay held her tightly, rocking her in her arms as she removed the plug from her ass and then the gag from her mouth. Maeve closed her eyes and sank into the witch's embrace, wondering if she had been as gentle with the other slaves that she had trained in the past. Shay helped her to her feet and then bathed her and fed her some pastries that she had saved from her own breakfast. She then dressed her in a sheer crop top and a belt of gold rings with strips of sheer cotton that partially covered her ass and pussy. She clipped a gold chain to Maeve's collar before pausing and looking deep into her amber eyes.

"Are you ok?" Shay asked.

Maeve nodded. She felt sleepy and weak but also strangely comfortable. Her tits and ass still ached but they were pleasant reminders of the night she had spent as Shay's perfectly displayed toy at the foot of her bed.

"I'm fine... Mistress," she replied with a small smile.

Shay's eyes sparkled and her smile was one of pure joy. She leaned forwards and kissed her tenderly on the forehead before standing up and giving the chain a playful tug.

"Come on then," she said.

The deck of the Lily was bustling with activity as its sailors scurried about their positions, singing a shanty that Maeve did not understand but could at least enjoy the rhythm of. Maeve led her to a shaded spot near the front of the ship and she smiled inwardly at the many open-mouthed stares that followed her as she strutted across the deck.

"You should see the city any moment now," Shay said as they leant against the forward railing.

Maeve stared across the desert, the dunes in the distance reduced to shimmering mirages in the high, late morning sun. She could see other vessels nearby, all flying the same serpentine banners as Junda's massive warship. Some were headed in the same direction that the Lily was, whilst others were skipping across the sand on their way out to plunder the desert for more resources. Maeve wondered how the cities of Arridia could survive in such a hostile environment, but then she remembered the maps that Shay had shown her and how big the desert was. Clearly there was more to Arridia than the scholars of Everdale had ever known.

After a few minutes Shay raised her hand and pointed to something in the distance. Maeve shielded her eyes and squinted as the skyline of a sprawling city emerged through the heat haze. White buildings rose from the desert sands and she could see that many of the taller structures were capped with golden domes shaped like onions that glinted in the sunlight like orbs of fire. Palm trees, some of them five or six stories high, dotted the skyline and she could make out the beginnings of a canal of sorts, its waters sparkling like diamonds in the otherwise arid world.

The Lily began to slow and veered to the east of the city. Here Maeve could see more structures built of the same white washed stone as well as large wooden docks that jutted out into the sand. Signal towers stood in advance of the port and she spied men waving different coloured flags that she presumed directed the helmsman to where to dock the ship.

Bosuns began barking orders at their crew and she watched as the Lily's great, embroidered sails were furled and the turbines that drove the great ship through the soft sands fell silent. The Lily began to slow, its forward momentum providing precisely the energy that it required to swing about to starboard and glide effortlessly into the port with a cheer from its sailors.

"How do they make this all work?" she asked, realising how tightly she had been gripping the railings.

Shay smiled. "Some would tell you its science, others claim that it's magic," Shay replied. "In reality, it's a bit of both."

Maeve stared in wonder at the dock. She could see camels grazing beside watering holes, cranes loading and unloading the other ships at port and a comprehensive series of warehouses and storerooms that were watched over by a garrison of soldiers in turquoise, white and gold uniforms. At the far side of the dock were a bank of turbines similar to those that powered the Lily. Each one was spinning lazily, providing a cooling breeze for the men and women that laboured in the port.

Someone behind them cleared their throat and they turned to see the Sheik standing with his arms tucked into the sleeves of his turquoise robe. He smiled and bowed his head.

"Welcome to the Golden City!" he proclaimed. "Please, I have carriages awaiting us."

Shay smiled graciously. "Lead on, your Excellency," she replied.

Maeve fell into step behind Shay as they followed the Sheik down the Lily's long boarding ramp to the docks where four open topped carriages, each one fasted to a pair of beautiful, snow white horses, awaited them.

"Lady Shay," the Sheik said. "You shall ride with me. Your slave may ride with Fazah in the carriage behind us."

Maeve felt her mouth turn dry as she looked at the Sheik's sullen lieutenant. She looked at Shay, hoping that the witch might come up with a reason for them not to be parted.

"Of course," Shay said politely, not looking at Maeve. "It would a be pleasure to see the city with you again."

The Sheik waved a hand nonchalantly and turned to discuss something with one of his advisors. Shay squeezed Maeve's arm and led her to the side.

"This is a test," she whispered. "He wants me to himself."

Maeve frowned. "You don't mean..."

"God, no!" Shay scoffed. "No, he wants to see if I am still the same person that he remembers."

"Will you be alright?"

"Of course I will," Shay grunted. She glanced at Fazah before meeting Maeve's gaze. "Remember, you are a slave here," she said. "Speak only when spoken to. Fazah is a good man. He wont hurt you. I doubt he will even talk to you."

Maeve nodded, watching the Sheik's lieutenant as he milled about beside the carriages.

"Come on," Shay whispered as the footmen opened the doors to the carriages. "I'll see you soon."

She deposited Maeve beside Fazah before continuing on to the Sheik's carriage. Maeve watched as Sheik Junda helped the witch up into their shared carriage before turning to look at Fazah. He was a tall man with skin the colour of rich caramel and a neatly trimmed beard. His eyes were dark and brooding, his chest broad and his arms thick with muscle. He looked down at Maeve briefly before climbing up into the carriage without uttering a word to her. She swallowed uncertainly as she stepped up to the carriage and climbed in behind him. The Lieutenant took up most of the carriage's twin bench seat and didn't even look at her as she squeezed herself in beside him.

The driver climbed up into their seat at the front of the carriage and with a crack of his whip, the two white horses began to make their way towards the city walls at a steady trot. Despite herself, Maeve couldn't help but turn and cast one last glance at the Lily as they rode away. The ship's turquoise and gold hull gleamed behind them, her crew looking like ants as they swarmed over her deck and began the laborious process of cleaning the giant turbines that had powered her on her voyage. Maeve wondered if she would ever see anything as marvellous as the great warship again and vowed that one day she would return to Arridia and sail its deserts one more time.

The road from the port to the city was straight and unremarkable. They passed through farmlands where herds of camels, llamas and sheep grazed on long, wispy grasses and men and women in flowing white robes stopped and bowed to the Sheik as his convoy rode past. The walls of the city loomed ahead of them, the whitewashed stone gleaming so brightly in the sun that it was almost painful to look at. The gates were open and a platoon of soldiers stood waiting for their arrival, each of them clashing their leaf bladed spears against their moon shaped shields as a show of respect as they entered the city.

Maeve stared in wonder as the royal convoy made its way through the city. It was mind boggling in its complexity. Houses were piled on top of each other, some only a few rooms big, others sprawling like villas over several blocks. Canals crisscrossed the city streets, the water made to appear golden by the tiles that lined the water ways. Maeve had never seen so much colour in one place. Whilst the buildings were all white, the people of the city wore sashes and robes of every colour under the sun. Mosaics decorated the street floors and buildings, depicting everything from great battles to scenic vistas. Shops displayed bolts of vibrant fabrics and intricately woven rugs with geometric designs whilst street vendors offered passers buy exotic smelling kebabs and wheat wraps stuffed with meat and fish. There were people of every shape size and colour and even though the city was crowded and haphazardly laid out it all somehow managed to make sense.

Fazah shifted beside her, his eyes focused on Junda's carriage as it turned a corner ahead of them. She chewed her tongue, Shay's warning that she should speak only when spoken to echoing in her mind.

"May I ask you something?" she said nervously, her curiosity getting the better of her..

He glanced sideways at her, his lip curling in annoyance. "What?" he grunted.

There were a million things that she wanted to ask but the most pressing question on her mind was the one that she eventually asked. "Where does the water from the canals come from?"

"We mine for it," he said bluntly.

Maeve remembered SHay telling her that Arridia's desert had once been an ocean before the water was incinerated by a mage of terrifying power. She supposed it made sense that pockets of water might still exist deep beneath the sands.

"This city is beautiful," she said. "Were you born here?"

He looked down at her and scowled.

"I'm sorry," she said quickly, fearful that she had overstepped herself. "I should not be talking to you."

"No," he grunted. "You should not." The silence between them extended for several long, agonising minutes before he turned to her and said, "I was born in the desert to one of the nomad tribes. Sheik Junda saved me after my family were slain by a rival city."

"I'm sorry," Maeve said quietly.

"Don't be," Fazah grunted. "Sheik Junda is my family now. That is all that matters."

"You don't like it here, do you?" Maeve whispered.

Fazah's lip curled again. "The city is too loud for me," he muttered. "I prefer open skies with the deck of a ship beneath my feet."

Maeve smiled. "The Lily is a beautiful ship."

"You were given a great honour," Fazah muttered. "Most slaves would give anything to have been in your position."

Maeve chewed her tongue as she looked at the lieutenant's handsome face. "I saw you," she heard herself say. "Everyone was staring at me that night except for you."

"Are you so desperate for the attention?" he sneered.

"Hardly," Maeve shot back. "I am simply curious why even now you will not look at me?"

His eyes darted to her face before returning to Junda's carriage. "You flatter yourself, elf," he grunted. "You are the witch's whore. I would be a fool to lay a finger on you."

Maeve smiled coyly, enjoying the small look of panic in Fazah's dark eyes. "But you do want to?" she teased.

"I want nothing to do with you, slave," he snapped. "Now be silent before I find something to gag you with!"

Maeve sat back and smirked. She knew it was a foolish thing to have done but Fazah genuinely intrigued her. Out of everyone in Junda's circle, he had been the only one that hadn't stared at her all night long. He seemed different to the rest of Junda's men and if Maeve had gleaned anything from what Shay had told her about the Sheik's court, it was that they needed as many allies as they could find. Goading Fazah might have been the wrong play, but he had opened up slightly to her and as they settled back into the silence of the carriage ride, she thought she felt him relax slightly beside her.

The carriages eventually turned into a wide plaza lined with massive palm tress and expensive looking shops and cafes. They rode through crowds of well to do civilians who bowed politely as they passed before entering the grounds of a vast park filled with brightly coloured desert flowers, peaceful oases and sculptures carved from gold and jade. Couples strolled in the shade of the palms, or picnicked beside pools of clear water and the air was a buzz with brightly coloured birds whose wings thrummed as they zipped through the air.

The Sheik's palace lay in the centre of the park. The compound was surrounded by low, stout curtain walls manned by soldiers in the customary white and turquoise uniform, but who also wore sashes of scarlet to mark them as Royal Guards. Their convoy passed through the open gates into yet more beautiful gardens over looked by a long, low palace, the central structure of which was crowned by an enormous, onion shaped gold dome. The walls of the palace were white and decorated with intricate carvings of beasts and flowers whilst large terracotta tiles and colourful mosaics covered the floors. A long, peacock coloured carpet led down from the main doors of the palace to the sweeping driveway, where a group of soldiers, aides and beautiful servants in silk skirts and shorts stood awaiting the arrival of their lord.

The carriages pulled up before the palace one by one and disgorged their passengers. Maeve slipped silently away from Fazah as he strode off to speak with the guard captain and hurried to take up a position next to Shay.

"Are you alright?" the witch whispered.

Maeve nodded. "This is place is stunning," she replied.

"It is," Shay agreed. "Just remember that everyone here wants something from you though."

Maeve pursed her lips and nodded in understanding. She had so many questions that she wanted to ask, but she knew that now was not the time.

Sheik Junda waved his servants away and turned to face the two woman. Maeve didn't think she had ever seen the Sheik without a smile on his face, and now that he was home he was positively beaming from ear to ear.

"I have instructed the servants to prepare your old quarters," Junda said excitedly to Shay. "No doubt the palace will be just as you remember it."

Shay bowed her head. "Time certainly has not dimmed the beauty of your city, old friend," she said.

He clapped his hands appreciatively. "Feel free to make use of any of our facilities. The palace and the city are yours to explore at your leisure. Though, I dare say you must be looking forward to a warm bath and a good nights sleep after your journey."

"Who could resist such an offer?" the witch said with a smile.

Junda bowed before glancing at Maeve. "Allow my people to tend to your slave," he said. "We shall clean her up and make sure she is fit to appear in court by your side."

Shay turned to Maeve, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "A generous offer," she said. "Would you like that, Maeve?"

A dozen replied came to Maeve's mind but she was smart enough to bite her tongue, smile sweetly and instead reply, "Yes, Mistress. That sounds wonderful."

"Excellent," the Sheik declared before snapping his fingers at a willowy woman who stood amongst his aides. "Mhati," he said. "This delightful creature is Madam Shay's pride a joy. See to it that she is well looked after."

The woman smiled at Maeve as she glided over and bowed gracefully before the Sheik. Maeve thought she was in her late forties judging by the streaks of silver in her otherwise black hair. Smile lines creased the dark skin around her mouth and hazel coloured eyes which sparkled warmly as she looked Maeve up and down. She was tall and slender, dressed in a long pink skirt and a loose fitting top trimmed with disks of gold and turquoise, and moved with an elegance that made it appear as though she was floating.

"An elf?" she said curiously. "It has been a long time since I have seen one of your kind in the Golden City."

"I want your finest work, Mhati," Junda said firmly. "Madam Shay is our most honoured guest after all."

"Of course, Your Excellency," Mhati replied, reaching out and taking Maeve's hand with a coy smile. "Come, my dear," she said. "Let us escape this den of politics and posturing."

Maeve glanced at Shay who nodded reassuringly and allowed Mhati to lead her away from the carriages towards the palace. They climbed the carpeted steps and passed beneath the gold trimmed doors into a vast atrium tiled in blue and white squares with turquoise coloured walls, white columns and a ceiling covered in gold leaf.

Mhati smiled at the look on Maeve's face. "Impressive, isn't it?" she said.

Maeve nodded, gaping like a fool as they turned down a wide hallway lined with gorgeous sculptures, vases painted in vibrants hues of blue and green and great tapestries that hung from the walls in golden frames.

"I've never seen so much gold," she breathed.

Mhati laughed, leading her deeper into the palace past rooms filled with more art, books and strange musical instruments that she had not seen before. In some rooms she heard people debating philosophy whilst in others men and women lounged about sipping wine and smoking from tall pipes fitted to glass pots filled with water. In some rooms she even saw other slaves like herself, some kneeling patiently at their master's feet, others engaged in full on orgies.

"Where are you from, dear?" Mhati asked as she dragged Maeve away from a room where a handsome male slave was being ridden by his mistress whilst another man thrust his cock down his throat.

"Everdale," Maeve said quietly.

"Ah," Mhati said, as if that explained everything. "No wonder things here seem so different to you."

"Is it that obvious?" Maeve asked nervously.

The older woman laughed and squeezed her hand. "Do not worry," she said. "Your secret is safe with me."

Maeve swallowed nervously. She did not know precisely what secret Mhati was referring to but she suddenly had the distinct impression that the older woman saw right through her act.

They entered a quieter part of the palace and Mhati led her to into a large room with an open veranda that overlooked a small courtyard with a simple fountain in its centre. Gold columns stood in the corners of the room whilst the walls were painted with frescos depicting a great celebration seen from different points around the city. There was a circular platform in the middle of the room, whilst off to one side a bath had been sunk into the floor with a turquoise painted recess in the wall. Dressing tables, mirrors, racks of clothes and occasional chairs were dotted about the room whilst Maeve saw half a dozen men and women, their heads shaved and their bodies painted gold from head to toe, milling about the room in linen thongs and bras.

Mhati snapped her fingers as she led Maeve into the centre of the room and the gold painted assistants hurried forwards to await her instructions.

"This is Maeve," she said, looking carefully around the room. "She is new to Arridia and the Sheik has asked us to make her feel welcome. When we are finished with her, she will be the most beautiful concubine in all of Arridia. Do you all understand?"

The assistants bowed their heads before hurrying off to gather the equipment that they would need. Mhati took Maeve's hand and led her to the bath.

"Who are they?" Maeve asked.

Mhati tutted. "Poor things," she said quietly. "Each of them displeased the Sheik by speaking ill of him in one way or another. As punishment he took their tongues. We call them Mutes."

Maeve grimaced, unable to correlate the beaming image that she had of Junda with a despot capable of such unnecessary violence. She remembered Maeve's waring and realised just how important it was that she played her part whilst they were under Junda's gaze.

"Take off your clothes," Mhati said as she turned on the copper taps to fill the vast bathtub.

Maeve did as she was asked, feeling no shame in exposing herself to Mhati. The older woman walked slowly around her, her gaze traveling over her breasts to her hips and ass before returning to her face.

"You are very beautiful, Maeve," she said with a kind smile. "Lady Shay is a luck woman."

"Thank you," Maeve said, her cheeks colouring slightly.

Two of the Mutes approached with a basket of salts and soaps. Mhati nodded to them and they helped Maeve climb down into the warm bathwater. They moved silently around her, scrubbing her arms and back, washing and combing her hair and digging the dirt out from beneath her nails. They were exceptionally gentle with her, particularly when it came to her more sensitive areas and she made no attempts to resist them.

After she had been thoroughly cleaned, the Mutes helped her out of the bath and led her back to the middle of the room where Mhati was waiting beside the circular platform. The older woman smiled as she took Maeve's hand and led her up onto the platform where the other Mutes were waiting.

"Just relax," Mhati said. "Let us do our work."

Maeve didn't know why she felt so calm, but at that moment she genuinely felt like she could have drifted off to sleep. She watched the Mutes climb up onto the platform and felt them start to apply oils to her body. Their hands were soft as they massaged her skin and she purred softly as a blue eyed woman bent down in front of her and worked the oils into the soft, sensitive flesh around her pussy. The Mutes then applied gold glitter to her chest, arms and thighs and, under Mhati's direction painted her nails and lips a deep purple and brushed shadow over her eyelids. Her hair peppermint hair was pulled back into its usual bun, though Mhati herself bound it within bands of gold, and her silver circlet was polished until it shone.

The Mhati then turned her attention to what Maeve would wear. She fitted her with large gold hoop earrings with twin links of chain that clipped to the points of her ears. A harness consisting of thin gold chains was draped over her breasts and another thin chain with two wisps of sheer fabric to cover her ass and pussy was hung around her waist. Mhati then presented her with two pairs of broad golden cuffs which she secured to her wrists and ankles with small padlocks one at a time. The cuffs were heavier than the ropes that Maeve was used to but felt just as comfortable she thought.

Mhati smiled as she stepped back from Maeve and nodded her approval. "I dare say you will be the talk of the court," she said.

Maeve blushed. "Thank you," she said.

The older woman embraced her, holding her tightly against her own body. "Listen to Shay," she whispered. "She must believe in you if you are here."

Maeve frowned as they parted just as the door to the room opened and Fazah walked in.

"Is she ready yet?" he boomed.

Mhati rolled her eyes. "Is Lady Shay really so impatient?" she quipped.

Fazah's eyes briefly settled on Maeve's golden form and for the briefest moment she thought she saw a smile begin to appear on his face. "She is her slave," he growled.

"And she may have her back," Mhati said, leading Maeve down from the platform towards the imposing guard.

Fazah grunted as he jerked his chin towards the door before nodding at Mhati and striding out into the corridor.

"Thank you, Mhati," Maeve called before Fazah jabbed her in the back.

"Keep moving," he growled. "I don't have all day."

"Where are we going?"

"Where do you think? The witch wants you back."

"Is everything alright?"

"How should I know? She probably just wants to fuck you again."

Maeve scowled, following Fazah to a staircase that led to the upper floor of the palace. They walked down another corridor in silence before coming to a halt as they heard raised voices coming from the room ahead of them.

"What's wrong?" Maeve asked.

"Silence!" Fazah hissed.

She strained to listen to what was being said. It seemed that there were maybe three or four different people arguing with one another in the next room, and she thought that one of the voices sounded familiar to her.

"Sedition?" the more familiar voice snarled. "You must be mistaken!"

"It is true, uncle," hissed another voice. "Or have you become too blind to see it?"

"Watch your tongue, Girl! Do not forget who is in charge here."

"For how long though? You have spent too long in the desert of late, uncle. You do not see what we see."

"All I see are two ungrateful brats who have forgotten their places! I will not have the two of you ruin the games over your delusions of power!"

"Power will come to us one day uncle. You are old. Would anyone truly be surprised if you were to slip away quietly in your sleep?"

"And you two have plenty of enemies, both inside the city and out. Would anyone be surprised to find you floating in the canals, I wonder?"

"You're a fool and old man!"

"I am your Sheik and I still rule this city. Now get out before by good will vanished and I string you from the city walls!"

Fazah reached out blindly and pushed Maeve back against the wall, positioning himself so that his massive frame hid her entirely as the door to the room flew off its hinges. She held her breath, listening as two sets of footsteps stormed from the room off in the opposite direction to the way they had come.

They waited silently before Fazah pulled her along behind him. As they passed the still open door Maeve stole a glance inside and caught a brief glimpse of Sheik Junda leaning over a desk, his normally jovial face contorted in an expression of pure rage.

"What was that?" she whispered once they had got far enough away.

"Nothing," Fazah said bluntly. "You didn't see or hear anything."

"But..."

He wheeled around and for the first time his eye met hers and she saw a mixture of fear and anger in his gaze. "You didn't see anything," he said firmly. "Do you understand?"

Maeve swallowed nervously and nodded. "Yes. I didn't see anything," she replied.

He glared at her for several long moments before marching her the rest of the way to Shay's quarters. He knocked on the door and when it opened he practically threw Maeve through the opening before wheeling on his heel and stalking off.

Maeve and Shay looked at each other and then at once they both said, "I have to tell you something..."