“The enchantment will only last for a few hours. As I said, she is very strong.”
“Ah, my pleasures are so fleeting.
“What about the powerful, young male who accompanies her?”
“Do as you please. Occupy his time until I am finished. Maybe, we should make it a foursome!”
“I need a few moments to bait the trap.” She quickly stripped off her clothing until she was wearing only a loose, open front vest and short loin cloth around her waist that left very little to the imagination. “As soon as I get to the top of the dune, send a few expendable men to ravish me.”
“Ohhhh, I truly, truly love this!” Fabu squirmed in anticipation. “If all goes well, I may free your commitment to me after only a single tryst with you.”
* * *
“Grandmother, there is a large gathering of soldiers over the next rise in the valley.”
“We must avoid them for now. We can hide in this maze of dunes. I have allies at the monastery. It is due east. Send our comrades back to our people, to protect them.”
“But—”
“There is very powerful magic afoot. We are facing more than an ordinary, cast-out demon. I want the remnants of our family beyond the range of this evil rampage. The demon has influence, guile, and vile humans in its employ. As we approach the center of its power, I can only guarantee a marginal safety for you and me.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
“Grandson.”
“Yes, Grandmother.”
“We make a good team; everything will be alright.”
“My heart is hurting for our missing family,” confessed Zende.
“My heart hurts too,” said Makhulu. “And I will not lose you.” They embraced tightly.
#
Swallow ran barefoot up the sand hill and paused for a moment to allow Fabu’s selected men to see her. Lustily, they gave chase as they were told she was the prize if they could subdue her. She screamed!
“Grandmother, that girl is in trouble.” Zende charged up the hill.
“Grandson, wait!” But he easily outdistanced her on foot as he swung his battle ax in a rapid circle over his head. She had no doubt he could handle himself well against mortal men but there were magic forces building up. A tangible thickness in the air that slowed her movements. She stopped to focus her own energies in defense just as Zende clashed into the first wave of attackers. Abandoning her magics for the moment, she considered it more prudent to use traditional methods, as she shook herself free of the lethargy and charged into the fray. Makhulu only spared a moment to glance behind her grandson at the young woman who appeared collapsed from her run on the sand. Six of the enemy fighters were down permanently; several others were grievously wounded beyond the ability to cause mischief but now the entire camp seemed to have been alerted. Zende was grinning like a manic hyena. He held a war ax in each hand and was a truly fearsome sight to behold. However, soon, hundreds of soldiers would be swarming up the dune. She and Zende would have to escape, now. They could lose themselves among the many sand dunes. But as she sought to relay this tactic to him, she felt a sting, burning deep into the back of her neck. Almost immediately, her vision blurred. “Grandson, trickery!”
Zende had frightened his adversaries such that they all retreated back to wait for reinforcements. He swirled around. “Grandmother!” He caught her in his arms.
“Grandson, beware.” Her eyes glowed brightly for a moment as she said, “Remember this.” She touched his forehead.
Suddenly, Zende felt the sting of several poisoned darts on the back of his neck. Rapidly, he slipped into the grasp of black unconsciousness.
* * *
“Are you awake?”
Zende tried to stand but his body wouldn’t obey his wishes. He strained mightily to force his muscles to respond. A lesser man would have fainted from the exertions.
“Are you awake?” the voice queried again.
“Grandmother?”
“The Demon in the Wall took her away. You saved me.”
“Demon?” asked Zende as once again he strained to sit-up.
“Don’t hurt yourself. You were poisoned. But the effects should wear off soon. Let me help you.” The woman embraced Zende and helped him to sit up. “Drink this.”
He slurped noisily a sour smelling liquid but immediately he felt more control over his muscles.
“My name is Swallow. I was betrayed. The Demon in the Wall is a foul, lying dog! He will rot in the hell, soon. My father will see to that. There was a fierce battle when my father’s loyal guards arrived just in time but we were unable to retrieve your princess from the Demon’s mercenary forces.”
“She is my grandmother. I must go to her.”
“Rest. I owe you my life. My father also is very grateful. He will help you vanquish this evil and rescue your grandmother.”
Indeed, Zende was still very weak. “Water.”
Swallow poured a generous goblet of cool water. She held it to his lips, allowing him to drink. “Slowly, my hero.” She smiled as her translucent silk robes cling to her small but shapely body. Her perfumed hair filled the room with the scent of lotus blossoms. She openly admired Zende and said, “You are a very strong and quite handsome man. You must have many women.”
“No.”
“Are you a male virgin?”
“NO! I need my weapons,” the closeness of the yellow skinned girl was tantalizing to Zende, but he had more urgent matters to attend.
“Everything is here.”
“Where are we?”
“In my father’s palace near the Monastery.”
“Where is my Grandmother?”
“Nearby. My father has gone to repay his debt to you by rescuing her from a dungeon.” Swallow pushed gently on his chest. “You still are too
