At the height of his strength, Zende could have lifted the tiny female with very little effort, but now he was weak as a babe so reluctantly he allowed Swallow’s sensual administrations as his vigor and enthusiasm improved.
* * *
“Are you awake?” whispered a man’s voice in the slimy darkness. Only a distant candle offered slight illumination.
Makhulu slowly regained some of her senses but she was very weak and seemed incapable of even the slightest magics to free herself. She struggled vainly against the taut leather straps that bound her.
“What has happened to me?” she croaked. The jail was filthy and sewer water dripped down the fungus stained walls.
“You were poisoned.”
“Why am I so weak, powerless?”
“The Demon in the Wall stole your special abilities as you fell unconscious from a powerful narcotic. It sought to steal your power to free itself and its hordes. We stopped that from happening.”
“So, the legends are true?”
“There are ancient deities from the dim past that seek to reclaim the earth and rebirth giant reptiles to rule. Men will perish like worms beneath their feet.”
“My grandson?”
“He is dangerously near death. But my daughter Swallow will do her best to save him. Can you dance?”
“Dance?”
“When we emerge in the palace you will be disguised as a dancing slave girl. In fact, I will have to buy you to make good your escape.”
“What is your name?”
“Fabu, a humble merchant at your service, my lady.”
“Why do you help me?”
“Your companion, the dark-skinned gladiator rescued my only daughter from the human mercenaries of the Demon in the Wall. I humbly seek to repay the debt.” Fabu stepped out of the shadows, wearing the generous regalia of a successful merchant prince. He gasped as she saw Makhulu’s tightly muscled body and firm breasts. He said sincerely, “You truly are beautiful. Forgive me for staring.”
“Cut me loose.”
“Yes, yes, of course, Please pardon an old fool.” He produced a sharp blade and sliced the leather bindings with ease.
“Give me the knife.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Makhulu snatched the blade and pressed it tightly against Fabu’s neck. He didn’t seem distraught. “My lady, have I offended you?”
“Who stuck me with the poison dart?”
“My daughter, Swallow, of course. The girl in the sand. It was our ploy to save you. The demon knew you were coming.”
Makhulu’s eye’s narrowed as she pressed the knife deeper into Fabu’s flabby flesh. “Why?” Her thoughts were still spinning from the effects of the drug.
“You are a very powerful weaver of Afrikan magic. The Demon in the Wall fears you greatly. That makes you a very valuable ally for anyone opposing the demon. We had to make it appear that you were eliminated at least temporarily. The drug simulates death. The Demon will not sense you. In a few hours, your full powers will return.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“The Demon has your family imprisoned in a block of amber. I know where it is hidden.”
She released him and returned the knife. “I will be watching you closely. Obviously, other than being a rather gaudy, perfumed and large man, there may be some depth to you.”
Fabu smiled hungrily and replied, “Fabulous! Strong, willful, beautiful. You are a most exquisite woman. I wilt in your holy presence. Pardon, my manners, I brought clothing appropriate for our deception, my lady. I can also provide food and drink in my private quarters; to give you strength before the dancing competition begins.”
Makhulu welcomed the elegant but sparse clothing, however she complained, “I really need a bath.”
Fabu’s spontaneous grin nearly split his face. “Of course!”
“You have a harem, I suppose,” she said as she squeezed into the tight jeweled bodice and narrow skirt.
“A man in my position is expected to have a harem giddy with females and pre-adolescent boys. But mine consists mostly of deserving orphaned girls that I rescued from poverty. These young ladies are properly instructed and can serve you well as your handmaidens for our limited time together. Quite frankly, I lack a Queen to help manage my rather substantial empire and rule by my side. My table is large enough for two.”
“You are a smooth talker and a rather massive man. Are you noble or scoundrel?”
“I am nimble and gentle and generous at times.”
Makhulu approached and allowed Fabu to hold her hand and escort her out of the foul dungeon. She smiled, “There is considerable strength and grace in your movements. You displayed no fear even with a knife at your throat.”
He preened proudly and revealed, “In the far east, men of my bulk, muscle, and agility were honored as prized entertainers for the emperors. As a youth, I financed my merchant empire by crushing the life out of more trim and handsome men who underestimated my raw power and speed. Never bet against fast fat.”
Makhulu paused to place her hand on his massive chest and said simply, “Thank you for rescuing me. I pray I will not regret this. Forgive me, I still must be giddy from the poison.” She planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “Now, I need a gilded tub overflowing with warm, scented water, and I am famished. I hope you have a large feast prepared, perhaps some honey-soaked biscuits and raspberry tea. We can eat and talk while I bath. I have a family to save.”
Fabu almost reversed his intricate schemes in that moment to pursue another long-lost dream. Unfortunately, mechanisms had been initiated that at the moment even he dared not deviate from.
* * *
Zende flexed his arms. He appeared supremely confident as he twirled both his wax axes like feather weight circus batons. His legs had regained their vigor and he had no
