Author's Notes:
This story is erotic fantasy, set in a world of magic. I reserve the right to be listed as the author of this work, wherever it is posted. If found posted anywhere except Literotica.com with this note attached, this story is posted without my permission. © Darkniciad 2000-2007
The sexual situations in this story will be far ranging, and may prove disturbing to some readers. Please be warned that the villains of the story are really evil, and the things they do are not glossed over, or toned down.
I make use of modern weights and measures quite often in my work, because those are the weights and measures of my fantasy world. I know many fantasy readers prefer more archaic terms, and I hope those readers can overlook my use of miles, feet, and other such measures.
The culture depicted in this chapter is not meant to be Ancient Egypt, although the influence is obvious and intentional. The culture differs in some ways, because the old ways have been maintained for many more years than they persisted in our world. This nation on my world would have risen to power at the same time as Egypt, but has persisted with the old ways intact into what would be late medieval times in our world. I just thought I'd mention this to avoid corrections to things I know are "wrong" =)
You really need to read the previous parts of the story to know the characters and the storyline. This tale follows Danica in her day-to-day adventures, with the greater plot emerging slowly at first. Think of it more as a serial than a novel, and you'll be in the right mindset.
This is an edited version of this tale, making use of what I've learned since starting to post at Literotica, and the services of my tireless editor, Roust Writer.
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After Danica spent an hour sitting on the hard bed reading, Unas returned and apologized for the delay. One of his goats had escaped, forcing him to track it down and round it up. He took Danica to a smaller mud brick building behind his dwelling, bringing out a saddlebag and a purse that Danica immediately recognized as magical. He also handed her a small box containing earrings. Inside the box Danica found a note explaining that the earrings would work as a tongues spell, allowing her to understand and speak the native language of this land when worn.
"I was being told by the Great Master, blessings upon his name, to give these to you. I am now to be guiding you to Beniopolis and pointing out the Great One's palace and a place you may be staying in the great city."
"Thank you, Unas. Is this Beniopolis far?" Danica asked, removing the magical locking enchantments on the bags to examine their contents.
"Oh no, it is being only a short walk, Mistress Danica."
"Just Danica – we can forget the
mistress
part. I feel old enough as it is, and that makes me feel ancient for some reason." Danica found one bag was filled with spices wrapped in neat bundles. The spices were common, but assumed that they must be rare here. The purse contained bits of precious metals, as well as precious and semi-precious stones.
Unas bowed. "My most humble apologies. We can be leaving whenever you are ready."
Danica showed the contents of the purse to Unas, who blew out a long whistling breath. Danica then asked, "Is this what you use for trade here?"
Unas nodded, his eyes still locked in wonderment upon the contents of the purse. "Gems and gold are being used to trade for goods in the city. Seek you to buy the whole city?"
Danica laughed. "I take it I have a lot to trade with then? Tell me which are more valued, and give me a quick lesson about how trading is conducted in the city."
Danica listened as Unas explained that the local economy traditionally operated through barter. However, enough people of influence now traded in metals and gems for the items to have value anywhere within the nation. Unas’ explanation gave Danica the impression that everything possessed about the same value her as in her homeland. Only a couple of stones considered semi-precious in her world commanded higher value in this land. Haggling was considered the polite means to conduct business. Tradition deemed refusal to argue over price a great offense that sometimes even resulted in deadly confrontations.
As Danica contemplated the contents of the purse, she understood Unas' initial remark. Within the pouch Danica had a vast fortune. She knew she wouldn’t hurt for money any time soon.
Unas produced a cart for Danica to place her bags on, which he pulled for her, and then set out on a trail parallel to the river. Unas' description of the distance proved accurate, and Danica saw the outline of the city emerging through the haze of heat and humidity rising off the river soon after leaving his dwelling.
Just outside the city, dwellings constructed from a wide range of materials appeared. Danica saw buildings made of mud brick like Unas', small stone structures, and even a few homes constructed from bundles of reeds dotting the side of the trail. Once inside the city proper, the reed houses disappeared. The size and quality of the structures also increased. Danica could easily tell where the high and mighty resided, as the large structures stood out easily. The Palace was, of course, the largest and most magnificent building in the entire city. Unas pointed it out, but Danica had already guessed before he did so.
The city was crowded, the people all dusky-skinned and lightly dressed, similar to Unas. The coloration of the people widely varied, however. After some time, Danica noticed a few people that she could easily mistake for people from her own lands. She even saw a few residents as dark as Tonda's people. The darkest skinned people behaved as though enslaved, which bothered Danica a lot. The lightest skinned people carried themselves with an arrogance that bespoke power.
Even though they did not draw near it, Danica could still hear the loud calls of sellers in the market, barking out the merits of their wares. Danica smiled a crooked smile when she noticed men and women revealing a lot of attractive skin. Many people curiously stared at Danica's clothing, strange to the locals and obviously too hot to wear in the climate. Danica certainly noticed the heat, and planned to acquire native dress as soon as possible.
Unas led her to an area that appeared to straddle the border between the higher quality structures of the nobility and the common area at the edges of the city. They reached a building that likewise bordered between opulence and common, and Unas led Danica toward the door of the structure.
The building appeared constructed of mud brick plastered over to give it a smooth surface. Pictures and the odd writing of the land was etched into the plaster trimming the corners of the building, doors, and windows.
Danica put on her earrings as she approached the building, guessing she would probably need them. The indecipherable background noise of people speaking their native language was beginning to annoy her anyway.
"This is being a place where you will be staying."
Danica chuckled. "You can speak your language. I can understand it now, and it will probably be easier than translating your common."
Unas laughed. "Very well, it is much easier for me as well. I was told to seek out the owners of this house and offer them spices in exchange for allowing you to stay here. The owners only come here during times of great crowding in the capitol, where they normally live. They do not expect to return here for some time. You have free use of the home and the servants."
"You must have been paid well, considering how highly you speak of Zoraster."
Unas smiled. "Rare spices and the magic that makes my home comfortable are treasures beyond my wildest dreams."
Danica reached into her purse and pulled out a pair of gems. "I offer you these for one more simple task. Once I've put my things in the house, walk me through how to bargain in the marketplace. I need clothes more suitable to the climate before I bake in this heat, and I don't want to offend anyone, or pay too much."
Unas' eyes widened at the sight of the gems. "Of course, blessed mistress. It will be my pleasure."
Danica waved her finger at him. "Just Danica – remember? None of this mistress nonsense."
Unas bowed his head in response and then helped Danica take her things into the house. A male servant approached as Danica entered and asked if she required anything. Danica told him she needed nothing at the moment, but that she would like to speak to all the servants once she returned. The man offered a deep bow and formally backed away from her as he took his leave.
Unas led Danica through the maze of the market and the press of people, bargaining for things she wished to purchase, giving Danica examples of how to conduct trade in the market. The exercise also gave her insight into the culture of the region in general. Danica ended up with enough local clothing to last her for a few days, and several pieces of local jewelry. Danica found the designs unique and colorful, and made a mental note to study the pieces to discover how they were made.
Unas pulled her purchases behind him in the cart, and helped her take them inside to the room she had chosen near the front door. He then took his leave and Danica went in search of the servant she had spoken with earlier.
She spoke with the servants once they gathered, and Danica was disturbed to discover that most of the servants were slaves. Only the man to whom she had first spoken and a pair of other paid servants were freemen. Danica told the servants that she could take care of herself, and that they should concentrate on their duties as if the house were empty.
The first servant Danica had met, Rekhmire, piqued Danica’s interest when she noticed a rather sizeable bulge in the front of his kilt. One of the slave women, Hathortari, was stunningly beautiful and made Danica quiver as well. Rekhmire said he knew who to contact about permission to build in the city, and would take Danica there whenever she wished.
Danica decided to settle in and go tomorrow. Hathortari's duties included washing clothing and bathing, so Danica asked about a tub. Even with suitable native clothing, Danica knew she was soon going to miss her tub. Hathortari said she might be able to provide a way for Danica to have at least the semblance of a bath. Danica thanked her, and then told the servants to take their leisure or go to their duties, as they saw fit.
Danica went to the room she had chosen, and almost immediately cast a cooling comfort spell. She felt much better, but knew she would not feel
good
without a bath. She was determined to find some way to bathe here – and soon. Danica put her things away and set up a study area so she would have something to do while she was here.
As the sun set outside, Danica dismissed her cooling comfort spell. She knew the temperature extremes of the desert, and knew it would grow cold soon. Danica sat down in her work area to read a text she had brought with her. The book had seemed innocuous to Danica at first, but as she thumbed through it in the library, she discovered dozens of little spells scattered through it. The incantations were all useful everyday spells of little power, but great convenience. The spells were simple, and Danica felt her blood warm to indicate she had learned the first spell only a few minutes after choosing a spell.
The spell created fog from the fingertip that the caster could direct, even into cracks in walls and behind objects. The mist was deadly to many of the common insect pests.
The next spell in the book was similar. The second spell created a sound that the human ear could not hear, which proved such an irritant to rodents that the vermin could not bear it. After a few minutes of studying the spell, Danica found she couldn't concentrate on it. She had removed the cooling comfort spell too late, not letting enough of the day's warmth seep into the walls. As a result, her room was rapidly growing cold.
Danica wished she had taken time to learn the reverse of the cooling comfort spell, to bring a little heat into the room. She decided to make that her next line of study. First, she needed to warm the room so she could concentrate.
