Session 11: Where our heroines rescue fair princess Radegund from clutches of evil worshippers of false idols…
Emilia and Julia look at the temple –once a safe harbour but now monstrosity of evil from the safety of the forest. Emilia knows that so they will mount up a search party –perhaps with dogs like her father would hunt down runaway slaves and criminals. Thus they must come out with a plan. Julia has given up all about Radegund –she might be as good as dead. Her plan is to get out of the forest as soon as they can -Emilia also. As far as the priest is concerned? He knows well his head would adorn the city wall if something would happen to Princess. Then Dexitheus would probably raise him up with Stygian magic from the dead so he could kill him again and again and again. Thus to the rescue they must go!
All three start to walk, guided with Emilia’s perfect sense of direction, towards the nearby castle where they met a poor knight –someone whom Julia had completely forgotten. It all goes well as Emilia tells how they are following the path but then they can hear a howl, wolves. All three look at each other and start to walk faster looking at some tall tree, preferably a pine or fir where they’ll be safe. As they see a gray silhouette of a wolf it is up to tree they go.
For a good long time all three sit on a good strong branch and look downwards where a wolf sniffs their tracks and looks up them hungrily. Wolves cannot climb trees, certainly not as well as humans, and hail of fir cones keeps the beast at bay. Wolf does not normally care of such things but dead accurate throwing from Emilia and Julia constantly annoys the hungry wolf that just cannot climb as high as its prey is. Ultimately the beast gets bored and goes to search for something easier to kill.
Then it is again time to run for the castle as none of three wishes to stay outdoors with wolves around. Actually Emilia points out that they are no trouble if they’d make fire but two others will hear none of it.
To make things worse, Julia falls down and starts to weep as they are going through particularly deep and treacherous chasm. This small ditch is enough to take all power out of Julia who sits in mud. On the other hand, priest is ahead as if he was followed by pack of hungry wolves. Emilia ponders on eternal friendship and eternal love. No contest. Eternal love! However, much to her surprise the priest turns and returns to help sobbing Julia. What devout and genuine fiancé! Julia on the other hand, starts to see Emilia on a new light and a dark shadow is cast over her face…
Despite seeing a wolf once more they reach for the dark grim forest castle at the last dying sun rays.
Meanwhile Agrippina is huddling under the bed. She hasn’t dared to move an inch but she ponders harder and harder what they have been seeing here. The temple was strange when she thinks about it now. Temples are ordinarily plain and white but had frescoes that were explained as being remains of ancient art. Those symbols were elements of fire and water with sun and moon above. Suddenly Agrippina recognizes the enemy; they are Asuran cultists! Those evil doers eat innocent babies in their secretive cult meetings and strive to undermine Mitra with their superstitious nonsense! Agrippina feels the righteous wrath growing inside her. How can they claim that evil is within everyone? Mitra is no evil. He is pure! There is right and wrong and right must prevail! Then she hears steps of someone walking past the room and all her courage flees her. Agrippina closes her eyes and curls even smaller praying Mitra and wondering what happened to her friends…
Inside the shoddy wooden castle three youngsters tell their tale to knight residing over this wretched land. Normally he’d give thought to claims of so young but when they are nobles and ladies in waiting of Princess it is altogether a different thing. A seemingly rational priest offers a tale that matches girl’s story and decisions are made. A messenger is sent for more aid –Black Dragon killers from Usurper’s castle. However, there is no time waste as Radegund’s life is in danger. Their best friend, Livia, is also missing.
Knight musters his army: a trusted sergeant, half a dozen men who double as foresters and general levy of every able bodied man who can raise a spear. Meanwhile women folk will be left behind to defend the wretched wooden fortress best way they can –and to guide Black Dragons to their aid. Despite exhortation of girls the knight decides to wait until morning. It is impossible to move his army at night, especially with all the weapons of war they need to lay siege on temple.
Feverish preparations continue through the night and a cart with oxen is prepared for a campaign. All the arrows and tools needed are carried. Knight knows his army has a chance. Despite everything the girls have talked, the women of temple are no warriors. Few tall women with spears -perhaps few bows and arrows- and a sword or two is enough to keep wolves at bay and perhaps scare off a thief but even his ragtag army is more than match to them –if only they can get past the palisade.
At night Agrippina has finally collected enough courage to leave her hiding place. She crawls to the door and looks around from the room. The corridor is empty. Agrippina listens carefully and can hear sobbing and crying from close by. She can hear now that their servants are in another room. However, getting close would require her to get to corridor and out of the empty room and safety of hiding under the bed. Radegund is nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she has been eaten? By those monsters she didn’t see? Idea makes her shiver and she returns to safety of her hiding place.
Next time Agrippina is scared out of her wits is when she notices two women walking to room. She is petrified with terror as they start to make the beds. However, Mitra is with her that morning and they do not notice her. However, she also hears that not just servants but knights too have been captured. Asurans have not dared to go into underground room but have bolted the iron door tightly. Agrippina knows that she should seek safety beyond the iron door –surely the knights would protect her. However, the noise keeps her still curled up and hiding. She might be cold, wet and hungry but she is still alive.
During the afternoon the army of a knight, sergeant and a few dozen men finally arrives to temple walls. They notice that temple gate is tightly closed and there is no movement. However, the knight is a knight and thus knows well warfare. He immediately orders a battering ram to be constructed while bows and arrows as well as tools are picked up from the cart. Few women accompanying start to make dinner for men. They are preparing for a siege. There is not much to do for Julia and Emilia. Thus they mostly just sit quietly and sulk in the makeshift camp. Emilia is more daring and occasionally she goes to look at the menacing fortress the knight strives to overcome.
Approach of an army causes huge ruckus in the temple. The Mistress barks orders in her high and powerful voice and women start to run back and fourth. Agrippina bolts into action as she hears the alarm. Worried that the devilish Asurans are on her back she bolts from her hiding place and runs to corridor hoping to get out before they can find her. As an adult woman armed to teeth with a sword just pushes the frozen Agrippina aside barking her to run faster she realizes they are actually not looking for her. No. There is something else. Perhaps a rescue has arrived to slaughter these monsters? Actually the raven mask she wears hides her face so well. Everyone is preparing to defend the temple and has thus no time to yet another young temple maiden running about scared and confused about.
Agrippina runs to the black iron door that was their doom the last time. She prays that the knights would be there. At the door she opens the bolts. They are thick and heavy –and thus take all her strength to push aside. As soon as the bolts are on their way she tries to open the door when she is certain that no one is watching. She does not know what happens she is flying to darkness pulled by a strong hand.
The knights beyond the door are still there, sweaty, naked, bloody and very much alive. They have killed everything in the darkness before and now are ready to get out through the door. When door was opened they took this chance. They pull in their enemy –a treacherous woman of the temple- and go for a kill.
Fair headed knight raises his hand to cut throat of robed young lady but stops just before the strike. He knows that high pitched whining all too well from tournament. Pulling his strong hand from her throat he peels the Sister Agrippina from her robes to his arms. Her explanation of what is happening is fragmentary but enough to tell him what is going on. The Mistress of the temple has betrayed them and holds Radegund as hostage. She is simply too important to be killed outright. There is also help on its way –temple is under siege –and that gives them a chance. But it demands them all to wait for now. Agrippina huddles next to this strong knight –not daring to touch him but curling to sit close to him.
As the afternoon turns into evening the battering ram is finally ready and guards posted. The bane of all soldiers –boredom- sets in. They are running a siege for real now.
However, the knight leading the campaign knows he has to talk with the enemy –until now a friendly neighbour of virtuous ladies of this temple. There is a practical reason too. His rag tag army cannot storm the palisade –his motley peasant levy could never scale those walls without ladders. Making ladders would take most of the night and probably tomorrow morning. By that time or a few days later the Black Dragons will be there. He has to see if Radegund is safe so he can at least report it to Black Dragon company commander sure to be in foul mood. Thus he goes to wall and makes it clear that he wants to see Radegund –immediately. He also makes sure that if Princess dies everyone inside will be skinned alive and he’ll burn down the temple and everyone inside.
Meanwhile Mistress decides to play time. She knows the dreaded Black Dragons will come -and cruel Priests of Mitra on their heels. Yet she holds the greatest treasure of entire Aquilonia –perhaps enough to talk her and Asurans a safe passage. However, the knight seems to hear no sensible trade or her pleas. He just wants Radegund –what a wretched little nuisance! She also knows that battering ram is ready and knows her virtuous maidens are no match to men with weapons. Knight might be poor but he has foresters –real soldiers. Thus she orders her hostage to be taken into scene. Perhaps then she can talk her worshippers a safe passage out of this mess?
The iron door looks to be bolted tight but three knights inside –all naked, cold and shivering- wait for their moment. At first they want to storm enemy defences from behind –hopefully when attackers storm the palisade but loud screams from Mistress and knight make them change their plans. Now they can see Radegund and take initiative.
Fair headed knight is quite young in age –about the same age as Agrippina’s furious older brother. However, he has killed a huge Pict warrior with a sword and axe before. The other men are also killer elite. Their plot is simple and ruthless. They send Livia –or whatever is her name- out to Radegund and stop her. Then they will strike. It is a bold plan. But fortune favours the bold. First they need bait…
Livia trembles in fear but knights plead is an order to her. She runs –trusting to blue eyed fair headed knight limitlessly. As Mitra’s true servant runs to Radegund she knows no plan but to hug her and make her fall. Radegund’s two escorts –grown women with swords- turn to wrestle her off the Princess and then it is too late. Three men run with naked swords and murder in their eyes. Two women are hacked down in an instinct.
Knights split in general confusion. Fair headed grabs Radegund to his left arm –while Agrippina hangs unto him in a death grip. Weight of two girls is nothing to a seasoned knight. He pulls back to defend her charge and there are preciously few temple maidens armed with staffs who dare to challenge a man waving his sword screaming murder.
The two other knights run through surprised group of Asurans to gate and hack open the simple ropes holding the gate closed. It seals the fate of temple. When attackers see the gate opened –the knight leading attackers screams orders and they all simply run to the breach in defences. Most confused melee begins immediately at the gate.
Julia hopes she is somewhere very far away but as soon as Emilia and her fiancé run amidst general confusion and struggle she follows –and stays well behind the fight. Emilia has no qualms getting in –like a warrior princess she always wanted to be. As the melee ebbs and flows Emilia picks up a dagger from one of the wounded. Then it is time to do her share! Meanwhile Julia shakes her head in safety of gate –and crouching behind priest.
But Emilia must do great deeds to win heart of her true love –and cook to him too! But first thing first! Emilia strives to see a suitable target and sees a scared woman standing still. She bravely attacks her from behind and hits her target squarely on her back. As Asuran falls down on her knees Emilia dances around with the dagger high in her hand. She shows her tongue to completely humiliated enemy. Nyah nyah nyah! I am so good.
However, all this gives her opponent time for one last desperate push and she rises to punch her young –but equally sized- opponent. Emilia expertly wields her dagger –and misses. They both try to fight but soon it boils down to what true primeval killing machines do it –by pulling hair out until other one quits. It is in this trial of strength that Emilia feels herself most woman ever! Her hidden warrior instinct unleashed! At that point a peasant man from levy hits her opponent to head and Emilia rules alone the battlefield –as a true victor!
Julia has kept her eyes on Emilia during the whole battle. Why couldn’t she die!
Finally, when the struggle is over Princess Radegund takes over the situation. No matter how skilled the knights might be –she is still the royalty. As her first decision she’ll order the Atlantean sword given to her and then the evil temple sacked –a prize that brings smile to poor knight. Meanwhile the dead and dying are simply thrown to ground cellar used to store potatoes until now. This is Radegund’s first trial and as such she wants to make sure she dispenses her justice fairly.
Mistress explains that Asura is not a wicked God but merciful as Mitra but Agrippina is astounded of such evil lies. Even more absurdly she explains that the evil beasts in cellar were actually men who were hidden as refugees of oppression. Radegund knows the truth and will hear no more of her lies. She notices that Mistress obviously has a secretive mockery in her mind –but Sister Radegund is a true servant of Mitra. Radegund herself thinks that it would be best to kill the wicked immediately. However, she is merciful to ask for advice from her best friends first.
Young priest thinks that death is too punishment for the worshippers of false idols. Emilia listens to her fiancé and naturally agrees to his lead. He must be right. Sister Agrippina agrees that they are wicked altogether and as such should be burned immediately. Julia thinks that burning is just fine but they should send the leaders to Tarantia so Queen Zenobia could kill few evildoers too –and they could arrange trial of some kind. Radegund ultimately agrees to Julia’s concerns. All noblewomen should be given a fair trial and agonizing torture at Tarantia while the rest should be punished immediately. They all grinningly explain knight what they want and knights get on with their grim task. Meanwhile girls sit on cart to get as good view as possible.
Thus a giant fire is started in barn cellar. Asurans love the flames –so they shall perish in flames! Screaming prisoners are hurled amidst heart breaking begging for mercy to their deaths -no matter their age. All knights and lesser men see through the murderous spree. They also start chanting Glory to Mitra to swallow with faith the insolent screams of weeping Asurans. One by one the Asurans are thrown to fire while Sister Agrippina talks to them the eternal Mercy of Mitra!
Yet Radegund is a great lady of her word. She saves lives of Mistress and few older maidens –for a fair trial and agonizing torture- in King’s court. Now the knights also look at Radegund with new eyes –and a silent approval. She has truly proven herself to be a true queen –both wise and merciful- no matter how young she is. She is obviously a true Aquilonian lady of true faith and fervour. Glory to Mitra! Glory to Mitra! Glory to Mitra!
All things end in good time and so does the trial and punishment as well. As they mount up and the journey back to King’s castle starts Sister Agrippina nods virtuously and looks forwards to her future. She immediately blushes the most Livia-like thoughts she suddenly thinks on her own. Certainly she made an impression that that tall fair headed knight –the man, no, a hero, who saved them all. He had also time to look at the fairy tale princesses he so valiantly rescued from clutches of these evil doers. Livia smiles to herself. He definitely got a good look of her too. She blushes on thought. He saw how tall and willowy she is; her flowery grace and knows her most impeccably virtuous reputation. And she is a heroine too!
Meanwhile the fair headed knight spats blood and sweat to ground coughing from smoke of pyre. He takes a one last look over his charges. There is that skinny little twig -a temple maiden. She is still soaked in her own pee and who is -as he saw her explain in detail in court- a complete strumpet boasting her “riding skills”. But enough of that, he has a job to do, to escort Princess Radegund, another hellion, back to her home…
So Ladies in Waiting finished off their perilous adventure. Many more adventures would be ahead of them. These stories would also be told to young maidens of Aquilonia so that they would learn to become good and decent wives…
Emilia and Julia look at the temple –once a safe harbour but now monstrosity of evil from the safety of the forest. Emilia knows that so they will mount up a search party –perhaps with dogs like her father would hunt down runaway slaves and criminals. Thus they must come out with a plan. Julia has given up all about Radegund –she might be as good as dead. Her plan is to get out of the forest as soon as they can -Emilia also. As far as the priest is concerned? He knows well his head would adorn the city wall if something would happen to Princess. Then Dexitheus would probably raise him up with Stygian magic from the dead so he could kill him again and again and again. Thus to the rescue they must go!
All three start to walk, guided with Emilia’s perfect sense of direction, towards the nearby castle where they met a poor knight –someone whom Julia had completely forgotten. It all goes well as Emilia tells how they are following the path but then they can hear a howl, wolves. All three look at each other and start to walk faster looking at some tall tree, preferably a pine or fir where they’ll be safe. As they see a gray silhouette of a wolf it is up to tree they go.
For a good long time all three sit on a good strong branch and look downwards where a wolf sniffs their tracks and looks up them hungrily. Wolves cannot climb trees, certainly not as well as humans, and hail of fir cones keeps the beast at bay. Wolf does not normally care of such things but dead accurate throwing from Emilia and Julia constantly annoys the hungry wolf that just cannot climb as high as its prey is. Ultimately the beast gets bored and goes to search for something easier to kill.
Then it is again time to run for the castle as none of three wishes to stay outdoors with wolves around. Actually Emilia points out that they are no trouble if they’d make fire but two others will hear none of it.
To make things worse, Julia falls down and starts to weep as they are going through particularly deep and treacherous chasm. This small ditch is enough to take all power out of Julia who sits in mud. On the other hand, priest is ahead as if he was followed by pack of hungry wolves. Emilia ponders on eternal friendship and eternal love. No contest. Eternal love! However, much to her surprise the priest turns and returns to help sobbing Julia. What devout and genuine fiancé! Julia on the other hand, starts to see Emilia on a new light and a dark shadow is cast over her face…
Despite seeing a wolf once more they reach for the dark grim forest castle at the last dying sun rays.
Meanwhile Agrippina is huddling under the bed. She hasn’t dared to move an inch but she ponders harder and harder what they have been seeing here. The temple was strange when she thinks about it now. Temples are ordinarily plain and white but had frescoes that were explained as being remains of ancient art. Those symbols were elements of fire and water with sun and moon above. Suddenly Agrippina recognizes the enemy; they are Asuran cultists! Those evil doers eat innocent babies in their secretive cult meetings and strive to undermine Mitra with their superstitious nonsense! Agrippina feels the righteous wrath growing inside her. How can they claim that evil is within everyone? Mitra is no evil. He is pure! There is right and wrong and right must prevail! Then she hears steps of someone walking past the room and all her courage flees her. Agrippina closes her eyes and curls even smaller praying Mitra and wondering what happened to her friends…
Inside the shoddy wooden castle three youngsters tell their tale to knight residing over this wretched land. Normally he’d give thought to claims of so young but when they are nobles and ladies in waiting of Princess it is altogether a different thing. A seemingly rational priest offers a tale that matches girl’s story and decisions are made. A messenger is sent for more aid –Black Dragon killers from Usurper’s castle. However, there is no time waste as Radegund’s life is in danger. Their best friend, Livia, is also missing.
Knight musters his army: a trusted sergeant, half a dozen men who double as foresters and general levy of every able bodied man who can raise a spear. Meanwhile women folk will be left behind to defend the wretched wooden fortress best way they can –and to guide Black Dragons to their aid. Despite exhortation of girls the knight decides to wait until morning. It is impossible to move his army at night, especially with all the weapons of war they need to lay siege on temple.
Feverish preparations continue through the night and a cart with oxen is prepared for a campaign. All the arrows and tools needed are carried. Knight knows his army has a chance. Despite everything the girls have talked, the women of temple are no warriors. Few tall women with spears -perhaps few bows and arrows- and a sword or two is enough to keep wolves at bay and perhaps scare off a thief but even his ragtag army is more than match to them –if only they can get past the palisade.
At night Agrippina has finally collected enough courage to leave her hiding place. She crawls to the door and looks around from the room. The corridor is empty. Agrippina listens carefully and can hear sobbing and crying from close by. She can hear now that their servants are in another room. However, getting close would require her to get to corridor and out of the empty room and safety of hiding under the bed. Radegund is nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she has been eaten? By those monsters she didn’t see? Idea makes her shiver and she returns to safety of her hiding place.
Next time Agrippina is scared out of her wits is when she notices two women walking to room. She is petrified with terror as they start to make the beds. However, Mitra is with her that morning and they do not notice her. However, she also hears that not just servants but knights too have been captured. Asurans have not dared to go into underground room but have bolted the iron door tightly. Agrippina knows that she should seek safety beyond the iron door –surely the knights would protect her. However, the noise keeps her still curled up and hiding. She might be cold, wet and hungry but she is still alive.
During the afternoon the army of a knight, sergeant and a few dozen men finally arrives to temple walls. They notice that temple gate is tightly closed and there is no movement. However, the knight is a knight and thus knows well warfare. He immediately orders a battering ram to be constructed while bows and arrows as well as tools are picked up from the cart. Few women accompanying start to make dinner for men. They are preparing for a siege. There is not much to do for Julia and Emilia. Thus they mostly just sit quietly and sulk in the makeshift camp. Emilia is more daring and occasionally she goes to look at the menacing fortress the knight strives to overcome.
Approach of an army causes huge ruckus in the temple. The Mistress barks orders in her high and powerful voice and women start to run back and fourth. Agrippina bolts into action as she hears the alarm. Worried that the devilish Asurans are on her back she bolts from her hiding place and runs to corridor hoping to get out before they can find her. As an adult woman armed to teeth with a sword just pushes the frozen Agrippina aside barking her to run faster she realizes they are actually not looking for her. No. There is something else. Perhaps a rescue has arrived to slaughter these monsters? Actually the raven mask she wears hides her face so well. Everyone is preparing to defend the temple and has thus no time to yet another young temple maiden running about scared and confused about.
Agrippina runs to the black iron door that was their doom the last time. She prays that the knights would be there. At the door she opens the bolts. They are thick and heavy –and thus take all her strength to push aside. As soon as the bolts are on their way she tries to open the door when she is certain that no one is watching. She does not know what happens she is flying to darkness pulled by a strong hand.
The knights beyond the door are still there, sweaty, naked, bloody and very much alive. They have killed everything in the darkness before and now are ready to get out through the door. When door was opened they took this chance. They pull in their enemy –a treacherous woman of the temple- and go for a kill.
Fair headed knight raises his hand to cut throat of robed young lady but stops just before the strike. He knows that high pitched whining all too well from tournament. Pulling his strong hand from her throat he peels the Sister Agrippina from her robes to his arms. Her explanation of what is happening is fragmentary but enough to tell him what is going on. The Mistress of the temple has betrayed them and holds Radegund as hostage. She is simply too important to be killed outright. There is also help on its way –temple is under siege –and that gives them a chance. But it demands them all to wait for now. Agrippina huddles next to this strong knight –not daring to touch him but curling to sit close to him.
As the afternoon turns into evening the battering ram is finally ready and guards posted. The bane of all soldiers –boredom- sets in. They are running a siege for real now.
However, the knight leading the campaign knows he has to talk with the enemy –until now a friendly neighbour of virtuous ladies of this temple. There is a practical reason too. His rag tag army cannot storm the palisade –his motley peasant levy could never scale those walls without ladders. Making ladders would take most of the night and probably tomorrow morning. By that time or a few days later the Black Dragons will be there. He has to see if Radegund is safe so he can at least report it to Black Dragon company commander sure to be in foul mood. Thus he goes to wall and makes it clear that he wants to see Radegund –immediately. He also makes sure that if Princess dies everyone inside will be skinned alive and he’ll burn down the temple and everyone inside.
Meanwhile Mistress decides to play time. She knows the dreaded Black Dragons will come -and cruel Priests of Mitra on their heels. Yet she holds the greatest treasure of entire Aquilonia –perhaps enough to talk her and Asurans a safe passage. However, the knight seems to hear no sensible trade or her pleas. He just wants Radegund –what a wretched little nuisance! She also knows that battering ram is ready and knows her virtuous maidens are no match to men with weapons. Knight might be poor but he has foresters –real soldiers. Thus she orders her hostage to be taken into scene. Perhaps then she can talk her worshippers a safe passage out of this mess?
The iron door looks to be bolted tight but three knights inside –all naked, cold and shivering- wait for their moment. At first they want to storm enemy defences from behind –hopefully when attackers storm the palisade but loud screams from Mistress and knight make them change their plans. Now they can see Radegund and take initiative.
Fair headed knight is quite young in age –about the same age as Agrippina’s furious older brother. However, he has killed a huge Pict warrior with a sword and axe before. The other men are also killer elite. Their plot is simple and ruthless. They send Livia –or whatever is her name- out to Radegund and stop her. Then they will strike. It is a bold plan. But fortune favours the bold. First they need bait…
Livia trembles in fear but knights plead is an order to her. She runs –trusting to blue eyed fair headed knight limitlessly. As Mitra’s true servant runs to Radegund she knows no plan but to hug her and make her fall. Radegund’s two escorts –grown women with swords- turn to wrestle her off the Princess and then it is too late. Three men run with naked swords and murder in their eyes. Two women are hacked down in an instinct.
Knights split in general confusion. Fair headed grabs Radegund to his left arm –while Agrippina hangs unto him in a death grip. Weight of two girls is nothing to a seasoned knight. He pulls back to defend her charge and there are preciously few temple maidens armed with staffs who dare to challenge a man waving his sword screaming murder.
The two other knights run through surprised group of Asurans to gate and hack open the simple ropes holding the gate closed. It seals the fate of temple. When attackers see the gate opened –the knight leading attackers screams orders and they all simply run to the breach in defences. Most confused melee begins immediately at the gate.
Julia hopes she is somewhere very far away but as soon as Emilia and her fiancé run amidst general confusion and struggle she follows –and stays well behind the fight. Emilia has no qualms getting in –like a warrior princess she always wanted to be. As the melee ebbs and flows Emilia picks up a dagger from one of the wounded. Then it is time to do her share! Meanwhile Julia shakes her head in safety of gate –and crouching behind priest.
But Emilia must do great deeds to win heart of her true love –and cook to him too! But first thing first! Emilia strives to see a suitable target and sees a scared woman standing still. She bravely attacks her from behind and hits her target squarely on her back. As Asuran falls down on her knees Emilia dances around with the dagger high in her hand. She shows her tongue to completely humiliated enemy. Nyah nyah nyah! I am so good.
However, all this gives her opponent time for one last desperate push and she rises to punch her young –but equally sized- opponent. Emilia expertly wields her dagger –and misses. They both try to fight but soon it boils down to what true primeval killing machines do it –by pulling hair out until other one quits. It is in this trial of strength that Emilia feels herself most woman ever! Her hidden warrior instinct unleashed! At that point a peasant man from levy hits her opponent to head and Emilia rules alone the battlefield –as a true victor!
Julia has kept her eyes on Emilia during the whole battle. Why couldn’t she die!
Finally, when the struggle is over Princess Radegund takes over the situation. No matter how skilled the knights might be –she is still the royalty. As her first decision she’ll order the Atlantean sword given to her and then the evil temple sacked –a prize that brings smile to poor knight. Meanwhile the dead and dying are simply thrown to ground cellar used to store potatoes until now. This is Radegund’s first trial and as such she wants to make sure she dispenses her justice fairly.
Mistress explains that Asura is not a wicked God but merciful as Mitra but Agrippina is astounded of such evil lies. Even more absurdly she explains that the evil beasts in cellar were actually men who were hidden as refugees of oppression. Radegund knows the truth and will hear no more of her lies. She notices that Mistress obviously has a secretive mockery in her mind –but Sister Radegund is a true servant of Mitra. Radegund herself thinks that it would be best to kill the wicked immediately. However, she is merciful to ask for advice from her best friends first.
Young priest thinks that death is too punishment for the worshippers of false idols. Emilia listens to her fiancé and naturally agrees to his lead. He must be right. Sister Agrippina agrees that they are wicked altogether and as such should be burned immediately. Julia thinks that burning is just fine but they should send the leaders to Tarantia so Queen Zenobia could kill few evildoers too –and they could arrange trial of some kind. Radegund ultimately agrees to Julia’s concerns. All noblewomen should be given a fair trial and agonizing torture at Tarantia while the rest should be punished immediately. They all grinningly explain knight what they want and knights get on with their grim task. Meanwhile girls sit on cart to get as good view as possible.
Thus a giant fire is started in barn cellar. Asurans love the flames –so they shall perish in flames! Screaming prisoners are hurled amidst heart breaking begging for mercy to their deaths -no matter their age. All knights and lesser men see through the murderous spree. They also start chanting Glory to Mitra to swallow with faith the insolent screams of weeping Asurans. One by one the Asurans are thrown to fire while Sister Agrippina talks to them the eternal Mercy of Mitra!
Yet Radegund is a great lady of her word. She saves lives of Mistress and few older maidens –for a fair trial and agonizing torture- in King’s court. Now the knights also look at Radegund with new eyes –and a silent approval. She has truly proven herself to be a true queen –both wise and merciful- no matter how young she is. She is obviously a true Aquilonian lady of true faith and fervour. Glory to Mitra! Glory to Mitra! Glory to Mitra!
All things end in good time and so does the trial and punishment as well. As they mount up and the journey back to King’s castle starts Sister Agrippina nods virtuously and looks forwards to her future. She immediately blushes the most Livia-like thoughts she suddenly thinks on her own. Certainly she made an impression that that tall fair headed knight –the man, no, a hero, who saved them all. He had also time to look at the fairy tale princesses he so valiantly rescued from clutches of these evil doers. Livia smiles to herself. He definitely got a good look of her too. She blushes on thought. He saw how tall and willowy she is; her flowery grace and knows her most impeccably virtuous reputation. And she is a heroine too!
Meanwhile the fair headed knight spats blood and sweat to ground coughing from smoke of pyre. He takes a one last look over his charges. There is that skinny little twig -a temple maiden. She is still soaked in her own pee and who is -as he saw her explain in detail in court- a complete strumpet boasting her “riding skills”. But enough of that, he has a job to do, to escort Princess Radegund, another hellion, back to her home…
So Ladies in Waiting finished off their perilous adventure. Many more adventures would be ahead of them. These stories would also be told to young maidens of Aquilonia so that they would learn to become good and decent wives…
