Myrna stood before the town council, hands tied behind her back. A throng had gathered in the market square to watch the trial.
"Myrna Skitts," said Mayor Brundle, "you stand accused of panty theft." His mouth twisted in disgust. Murmurs of disapproval rippled through the crowd. "Do you deny the charge?"
Myrna shrugged. "I guess not." She wore a blouse that had once been white but now was beige, and a patched brown skirt with a frayed hem.
Mayor Brundle turned to his fellow councillors, seated either side of him at the long wooden table. They seemed contemptuous of this barefoot, dirty-faced woman with long, unkempt hair. Some gave him a doubtful look.
"Miss Skitts, this is not the first time you've appeared before us. In the past we have dealt leniently with you. Not so today." He rose and addressed the crowd. "What would you have me do with this... this lesbian panty thief?"
"Burn her at the stake!" shouted one man, and the crowd took up the chant: "Burn her! Burn her!"
The mayor raised his hands, hushing the crowd. "Well, Miss Skitts, you hear what the masses want. Ordinarily I would be inclined to indulge them. But we live in dark times." He resumed his seat. "Hiphthasa the Enchantress grows in power, oppressing every kingdom west of the Gorlush Desert. Just last month we received word that our own Queen has relinquished her throne to the witch. Have you heard of the Panties of Dominion?"
She shook her head.
"The Panties were woven on Hiphthasa's magic loom. Whenever she wears them, she has power over the bodily functions of every woman in sight, to contain their urine or faeces or to expel it against their will. She uses the Panties to threaten and humiliate and manipulate the rulers of the world. Many a queen has brought low by public loss of continence. And they have a strange power over men too. For all she has to do is flash her Panties at a man and in his arousal his penis will become so engorged with blood that it will burst open and he will bleed to death.
"Clearly the Panties must be taken from Hiphthasa. And so we come to your plight, Miss Skitts. We would like to offer you an alternative. You are a panty thief. We want you to steal the Panties from Hiphthasa—and destroy them; don't keep them for yourself, you pervert. Do this and you will keep your life." He paused. "Will you accept this mission?"
"Well, I guess so. What choice do I have?" Pausing, she asked, "But where will I find her?"
"Word is that she lives far to the south, but she travels a lot, for she must be within sight of her intended victim for the Panties to work. That is all I can tell you. You will have to find her yourself."
She nodded thoughtfully.
The mayor's face became grave. "Myrna Skitts, I hereby banish you from Holston until such time as you have completed your mission to steal the Panties of Dominion from Hiphthasa the Enchantress. Iggart! Brolst!" Two toughs came forward from the crowd. "Set this woman outside the South Gate and send her on her way."
Grabbing an arm each, they dragged Myrna through town. When they reached the South Gate, Iggart cut her bonds and gave her a shove. "Go on! Off you go!"
And so Myrna began her journey, taking to the dirt road before her. Iggart and Bolst watched until she had disappeared beyond the horizon. The sky was clear on this midwinter morning. The cold ground numbed Myrna's bare feet. She had the road to herself. Holston was behind her, and to her left and to her right and ahead was nothing but farmland.
Naturally Myrna was worried about how she would survive. She had no food, no money, no idea where she was going. Her feet were already beginning to bleed. But she could only go on. Going back meant death.
The sun continued its ascent. The ground warmed and sensation returned to her feet, bringing pain, slowing her down. Myrna was hungry and thirsty and the tiredest she had ever been in her life.
Suddenly she heard someone calling. She turned round and saw a figure running up the road towards her. As the figure drew nearer, she could see that it was a woman, holding her skirt up so that she wouldn't trip.
"Wait!" the woman cried. "Wait up!"
Myrna took a seat on a boulder by the roadside so that the stranger could catch up. She was glad of the rest.
When the stranger reached her, she stopped abruptly and doubled over, hands on her knees. Taking a few deep, steadying breaths, she asked, "Are Myrna? Myrna Skitts?"
"Yes, I'm Myrna."
"You don't know me," she said, forcing herself to stand upright. "But I stood trial before the Holston Council this morning just after you." She gasped for air. "I had to answer for peeping. The mayor wanted to put out my eyes, but one of the councillors persuaded him that I should join you, be your eyes, since I was so good at spying. Will you have me?"
"What's your name?"
"Elsteen."
"Elsteen. What a pretty name. I would be glad to have your company."
Elsteen smiled. She was about the same age as as Myrna, with bright blue eyes, milky white skin and raven hair.
"Your poor feet!" said Elsteen. "Here. Wear my shoes for a while. We can take turns wearing them."
Myrna tried them on. They fit perfectly. "Thanks."
"The first thing we must do," said Elsteen, "is find water. We won't last long without it."
"Where will we find water?"
"There are cattle grazing in the field behind you." Myrna turned round. "Livestock must drink. There must be a water source somewhere in that field."
That sounded logical to Myrna. The two young women climbed over the low wooden fence and took to the field. The grass was soft beneath their feet. The only challenge they faced was avoiding stepping in cow dung.
"So," said Myrna, "you were charged with peeping?
"I was caught spying on my neighbour while she was taking a piss in her chamber pot."
"Oh." Myrna cast a sideways glance at her companion. She did have a nice plump rump and perky bosom. Myrna tried to imagine what kind of panties she might be wearing. Perhaps high-cut cotton briefs with floral print on a white background.
"Are you all right?" Elsteen asked.
Blushing, Myrna looked away. "Sorry! I didn't realize I was staring."
They soon crested a rise. On the other side was a dam ringed by drinking cattle.
"Well, that was easy," said Elsteen.
The cattle ran away as the women approached. Getting on their knees in the mud, they drank their fill of the murky water.
They returned to the road and set out again refreshed.
"So," said Elsteen, "what's your plan?"
"I don't really have one. I was told Hiphthasa lives to the south, and this road seems to be taking us in that direction. But apparently she travels around a lot, so she could be anywhere. But I guess if we keep following this road, we'll eventually come to a town where we can ask for directions."
"I hope you don't mind my asking, but are you married?"
"No. Still a maiden."
"And how old are you?"
"Twenty-six."
