After she takes a long swallow from the jug, the ruby red wine drips slightly from the corners of her lips and we both laugh. She places the wine to my lips, filling my mouth as I tilt my head back, then leans me against a high stack of satin pillows and again fills my mouth with the wine. We both laugh again.
I am quickly attaining a very relaxed state, contrary to my many months of hard labor in the mines and nearly six days of confusion since my release. I have also been attempting to affix some scope to my future in this new land. Samanda says, “Relax my new General of Arms, I’m sure you will serve the Queen well as time passes and you deal with the trials and tests set before you over the weeks to come.
For a moment, I want you to close your eyes as I speak. I will share with you a portion of the wisdom you seek.” I am truly at ease now and Samanda’s voice is soft and reassuring. She continues as I rest my eyelids. “Now we must get to the reason you have been summoned here this night. I want you to listen with your heart to what I speak. Layla awaits to enter my chambers. She is without child and our kingdom will not flourish without fertile loins. She is at a time with the moon, ripe for conception. You must be tested before you can accept the stature among our people.”
“Please stop,” I say as I open my eyes and sit forward. Samanda interrupts, “No, I will not stop. Now listen to me carefully. Layla is healthy and without disease. Her time is now.”
It seems I find myself in yet another quandary. I explain to Samanda that I have a woman who waits for my return, that I desire to bring her to this land after I achieve status.
She responds, “This woman, your dove of sorts, as you say. How do you now she is still alive after so much of your village has been ravaged by war? I think not, sir. Certainly she is dead. Here, drink more wine and think about what I say.” I refuse the wine and continue to convey my feelings. Samanda appears to understand my plea and gently pushes me back into the pillows. She tells me to take ease and forgive her for being unkind with her thoughts.
Now, she says, “Rest more, you have had a long journey. Tomorrow awaits you and your return to the Queen’s tower. Finish the wine before you rest. I will burn incense by your side to bring you sweet aromas to further ease your mind.”
I know she is correct, that my path has been long and soon the new sun will light the horizon. I heed her advice, drifting in and out of sleep as the pleasant smoke romances my nostrils.
I dream of peaceful places with green meadows lined with bountiful fig trees. From out of the trees and onto the meadow, my love strides. Her hair, a beautiful auburn, sweeps over her left shoulder. She approaches me, lays me back into the grass, kisses my stomach and chest, then moves her mouth upward to my lips. I lay helpless, not wanting this to end. She caringly caresses me and slowly slides her hands down my waist to my inner thighs where she excites me so that I willingly allow her to remove my leather wrap from around my hips. Now she undresses and is completely naked on top of me with her soft full breasts touching my lips. I put my hands on her upper arms as she guides my manhood into her. Leaning back she places her weight upon me while lamenting our love making coos.
Suddenly I hear something amiss. A wretched screech and the sound of heavy movement of air and erratic wind flow. I open my eyes and in shock, find a beautiful, black-haired maiden in my lady’s place. We are locked together and to the point of excitement that it makes it impossible to withdraw from this act.
The screeching is so loud that my ears ring. On my back with the maiden riding up and down on me, it’s obvious her excitement has turned her deaf. But I’m looking straight up at the canvas ceiling which I see waffle from the wind force outside, when suddenly two huge, webbed feet with fang-like talons tear downward through the tent’s canvas and penetrate the black-haired maiden’s torso.
I lock my hands with hers tightly as she is in utter shock and horror. Gazing up at the beast, I squeeze my fingers tightly into the maiden’s who now screams from pain…………………
