Kara was startled awake by a noise outside the monastery. She marvelled at the Wand of Istari in her possession and the powerful magic she had performed with its aid. Her quest was complete; she could return to the Temple and restore its glory.
Kara quietly put her clothes back on and gently tucked the relic in her knapsack. She pulled out her knife and hid in a corner, ready for whatever had awoken her. Footsteps crunched on the dead earth outside, and she heard the distinctive guttural accent of the Western Barbarians. It would be wise to let them pass. Her magic could take out only one of them, if that.
So, she sat and waited until the group of barbarians passed. Once she heard no more voices or footsteps, she peered outside. The coast was clear. Kara released her pent-up breath and walked outside the abandoned monastery. She headed east towards the town she had most recently stayed at. Hopefully she could make it there before nightfall.
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her stomach from behind and Kara felt the prick of a blade at her throat. Kara yelled in surprise, but this far out from civilization she knew no one could hear her.
"Looks like I found a little prize in the ruins for us," the man holding her said.
"Let's take her back to the camp. See what the Chief wants to do with her," another person behind her, a woman, replied.
Kara's wrists and ankles were tied, and the man slung her over his shoulder. Kara could tell they were Western Barbarians from their accents. Rear scouts, most likely. They wore lightly padded armor and matching face paint. They walked a short distance to a group of horses. Kara was roughly tossed and tied to a horse as if she were luggage.
They sped through the countryside, unfamiliar to Kara but the Barbarians clearly knew where they were going. She tried to remember landmarks for if she ever escaped. There were trees, grassland, and the occasional lake. Kara gave up on the plain landscape after an hour; she only knew they were going south.
The sun was setting, bathing the terrain in a dark orange light. They were slowing down. Kara turned her head and saw what must be hundreds of tents. She was shocked. The Western Barbarians were nomadic, but she had never read anything about them gathering in such large numbers before.
The woman spoke. "Take the prisoner to our tent and meet me at the Chief's tent."
The man grunted in affirmation as the woman cantered off on her horse. The man tied his horse and the horse Kara was on to a nearby pole before picking up Kara a few yards to a small tent. Once inside, the man gagged Kara and tossed her bag inside as well. He made sure her wrists and ankles were still securely tied, and he walked off in the same direction as the woman.
Kara looked around. The tent was rather plain. There were a few open bags of provisions and two small cots. Maybe if she could get to her bag, she could try to escape. There weren't many options for her at this point. Kara started squirming her way towards the bag; she needed to reach it before the man, woman, and potentially the Chief came back.
Kara opened her knapsack and grabbed the first thing she could feel. It was the Wand of Istari. She hid it in her sleeve as the tent flaps parted and the Barbarian woman walked inside.
"Come with us. The Chief wants to see you for himself."
After much shorter, but still unpleasant trip that involved half dragging Kara along, the woman and her captive arrived at the central tent. It was far larger than any other tent, and it had distinctive red slashes painted on. The woman roughly shoved Kara inside before following behind. Inside, a tall muscular man in leather armor with the same distinctive red slashes painted on stood in the middle of the tent while the Barbarian man who captured her knelt on one knee. Inside, the tent had a cot and a large woven rug.
The Chief spoke. "Thank you. Leave us."
"Yes, my lord," the woman replied. She and the man bowed their heads and exited the tent.
Alone with the Chief, Kara felt naked as he gazed at her wordlessly. Kara was kneeling, her rear end resting on her calves. Her wrists and ankles were still bound, so she had no chance of escape. Her best bet was to bide her time and hopefully she could make use of the Wand. Unbidden, the Wand began to hum in her hand, and its familiar cool energy washed over her.
"Who are you, and what are you doing on Barbarian lands?" the Chief asked.
"My name is Kara," she responded. "I am an acolyte from the Temple of Luna. I had no idea I was trespassing on your territory. Please, let me go and I promise it won't happen again. As a devoted follower of the Moon Goddess I am granted safe passage."
The Chief nodded absently, then shook his head as if to clear it. He approached Kara, knelt in front of her, and held her chin with a calloused hand. Kara felt some of the Wand's energy inside her pass to him at the point of contact.
"Fortunately for me, I am choosing to ignore the safe passage laws. You see, Istaria is no longer a neutral nation," he said. "Its enemies are powerful, and I have been promised much of your land." His hand moved down and groped her breasts. "Since I'm ignoring your laws," he continued, "you are mine to do with as I wish."
Kara gulped, but she was speechless from his words. It sounded like Istaria was in danger from Barbarians and whatever mysterious allies they had.
