A beautiful caged Sorceress

Chapter 12: The caged witch.

The woman stared at me after uttering those words, her expression calm and resolute, as if she had just stated something as ordinary as the weather. Yet, there was no mistaking the weight behind them—she meant every word.
Now that I could see her up close, the details of her appearance became clear. Her olive-toned skin gleamed faintly under the dim light, her Persian accent sharp and deliberate, a stark contrast to the rough, guttural tones of the slaver leader. Unlike the other prisoners, who appeared frail and defeated, she carried herself with an air of quiet dignity. Despite being locked in a cage, she exuded a grace that bordered on regal—her beauty subtle but striking, almost ethereal, like something only Aphrodite herself could rival.
Her dark, raven-colored hair fell loosely over her shoulders, framing a face adorned with intricate tattoos. They weren’t the crude marks of desperation but rather finely crafted designs, etched with precision. There was something enigmatic about her, a dark allure that made her both mesmerizing and slightly unsettling. Though her poise and presence spoke of wisdom beyond her years, she couldn’t have been older than twenty, twenty-one at most.
“Did you just call me by name?” I asked, my voice tinged with confusion and unease.
The woman didn’t answer, but her silence spoke volumes. She held my gaze, her dark eyes brimming with knowledge she shouldn’t have.
“How does she know your name?” Ikaro asked, his tone edged with suspicion. “Is she some kind of telepath?”
“Careful,” Iris warned, her sharp eyes narrowing. “She’s not like the others.”
Her words rang true. Compared to the other slaves, this woman looked remarkably well—too well. There wasn’t a hint of malnutrition or weakness in her posture, and her piercing stare suggested she wasn’t someone to underestimate.
“I guess you must be Iris,” the woman said suddenly, her voice laced with a teasing smile as her gaze shifted to my companion.
Iris frowned, her distrust plain as day.
“And you must be Ikaro,” the woman continued, her smirk deepening as she turned to him. Then, her attention returned to me. “Figures. They’re practically glued to you,” she said, her tone playful but with an edge that sent a shiver down my spine. Her eyes flicked back to Iris, lingering just long enough to hint at something unspoken, something she had no right to know.
“You know our names, but we don’t know yours,” I said, my voice firm despite the unease bubbling inside me. “Care to explain?”
Iris stood rigid beside me, her eyes practically daggers as she glared at the woman. Ikaro, in stark contrast, seemed intrigued, tilting his head as if he were trying to puzzle her out.
The woman smirked, then made a mocking gesture of reverence before speaking. “Of course, where are my manners?” she said, her Persian accent rolling smoothly off her tongue. “My name is Noor.”
Ikaro shot me a bewildered look. “Should we... know you?”
“No, you shouldn’t,” Noor replied smoothly. “Unless, of course, you can see the future.” She chuckled, her tone teasing but deliberate. “But I know you—more importantly, I know what you’re doing.” Her eyes locked onto mine, the weight of her stare unsettling in its intensity.
“And how exactly do we know you’re not just bullshitting us?” Iris snapped, her tone sharp with distrust. “Maybe you overheard our names during the fight and are just trying to con your way out of here.”
“Oh, so the others deserve freedom, but poor little me doesn’t?” Noor retorted, her voice dripping with mock sadness as she feigned a pout. “How cruel of you, Iris.”
The two women locked eyes, their exchange quickly escalating into a verbal sparring match. Noor’s sharp tongue easily matched Iris’s cutting remarks, and for a moment, it was almost as if they had forgotten about the situation entirely. Ikaro, meanwhile, tried in vain to mediate, his pleas for peace lost in the storm of insults.
“She’s telling the truth,” I said suddenly, cutting through the noise.
Both women froze, turning to stare at me. Noor’s smirk returned, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.
“What?” Iris’s voice rose in disbelief. “You believe her? Just like that?”
“I... I don’t know how to explain it,” I admitted, my gaze fixed on Noor. “But somehow, I can feel it. She’s telling the truth.”
“If you don’t believe me, Iris,” Noor said nonchalantly, “perhaps Kayn should ask Athena.”
Her words hung in the air, sending a jolt of shock through me. My heart raced as I tried to process what she had just said. How did she know about Athena?
My eyes widened in shock at her words. “How do you know that?” I stepped closer to the cage, my tone sharp as I interrogated her. “Explain. Now.”
Noor blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sudden shift in my demeanor, but her confidence quickly returned. Her expression softened into a sly smile as she responded.
“My goddess told me,” she said calmly.
“Your goddess?” Ikaro repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief. “You’re not Greek. How could the gods contact you?”
Noor tilted her head slightly, her smirk growing as her gaze shifted between us. “You think your gods are the only ones who exist in this world?” she asked, her tone mocking yet firm. She turned her eyes back to me, her voice steady as she continued. “My goddess is Ardvi Sura Anahita, the deity of fertility, health, water, wisdom, and war.” Her confidence radiated as she straightened her posture. “I am her chosen in this realm.”
“You don’t seriously believe her, do you?” Iris interjected, her tone dripping with skepticism.
“Why can’t it be true?” Ikaro countered, his expression thoughtful. “Kayn is chosen by the gods, and Athena is his guardian. It’s not that far-fetched.”
I hesitated, a strange feeling stirring within me. The idea of another “Chosen” was... unsettling. “Why are you in a cage, then?” I asked, my voice softer, though still wary.
“That’s a...” Noor paused, her eyes briefly darting away as she searched for an answer. “... long story.”
“Well, you’re not exactly pressed for time,” Iris said dryly, motioning to the bars surrounding her.
“It’s not a matter of time,” Noor replied smoothly, her Persian accent making her words sound almost melodic. “It’s a matter of trust. I need to know I can trust you before I share everything.”
“You can trust me,” I said gently, trying to convey sincerity. “At least tell us something—enough to believe you.”
Noor studied me for a long moment, as if weighing her options. Finally, she nodded. “Very well. I’ll tell you the basics.” She gestured toward the lifeless bodies of the slavers. “Those lanti cepha—those bastards—were my jailers. You see, my goddess is not exactly on the best of terms with Ahura Mazda or his chosen ruler, Xerxes. Being Ardvi’s chosen made me a threat to him. So, he sent his Immortals to capture me.” Her voice hardened, anger seeping through her words.
“If you knew our names, then how didn’t you see Xerxes coming for you?” I asked, my suspicion still lingering.
A smirk played on Noor’s lips. “I did know. That’s why I fled to Greece. But even the best-laid plans can fail. The Golden Company managed to track me down after I made one wrong move.”
“That still doesn’t explain how you know who we are,” I pressed.
Her smirk deepened, as though she had been waiting for that question. “As clever and sharp as the goddess said you would be,” she remarked, almost to herself. “But yes, that’s not the full story. The Golden Company knew my magic was too powerful, so they locked me in this enchanted cage. As you’ve likely noticed, it’s quite different from the others.” She gestured toward the intricate patterns etched into the bars, faintly glowing with an eerie light. “With my magic sealed, there was no way to escape. I was destined for execution if they managed to deliver me to Pylos, where I would be shipped off to Xerxes.” Her tone grew somber. “In my darkest moment, when fear and despair threatened to overwhelm me, Ardvi contacted me. She told me about you three and how our destinies would soon intertwine.”
“How much do you know?” Iris asked sharply, cutting through Noor’s explanation.
Noor turned her gaze to Iris and winked. “Only the good parts, I promise.”
I pondered her words, trying to make sense of it all. “What do you mean, ‘our destinies will be connected’?” I asked, my voice quieter now, though still probing.
Noor’s playful demeanor faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of sadness. “That’s something even I don’t fully understand,” she admitted. “Ardvi didn’t tell me how or why, only that I could trust you.” She looked at Iris, her tone softening. “All three of you.” Then her eyes returned to mine. “So, for now, it’s the blind leading the blind.”
Iris crossed her arms, her skepticism unwavering. “And you expect us to free you and trust you, just like that?”
“If you’re worried about me stabbing you in the back,” Noor replied with a mischievous smile, “I promise I have no interest in bathing my daggers in your blood. I need you as much as you’ll need me.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with both challenge and promise.

“And how exactly will you help us?” I asked, my tone cautious yet curious.
“I can aid you in recovering your memories, Kayn,” Noor replied smoothly, her voice like silk as she leaned forward slightly. “Not directly, but as you’ve likely noticed, I am a sorceress. When you regain more of your memories, your powers will undoubtedly grow. Wild energy such as yours can be... unpredictable. You’ll need someone to help you wield it.” Her Persian accent lingered on each word, lending an air of regal authority to her statement.
“Oh, wonderful,” Iris said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “A witch, too. Should we hand her a wand and let her light the fire tonight?”
Noor’s dark eyes sharpened, and her tone turned icy. “I am a sorceress, not a witch,” she snapped. “Do not confuse me with some withered old hag who dabbles in parlor tricks out in the wild.”
“Right,” Ikaro chimed in, attempting to lighten the mood. “Just like I’m not a Spartan, even though I fight like one.”
Noor chuckled softly, as if amused by his attempt at humor, though Iris let out a frustrated groan, rubbing her forehead in exasperation.
Noor turned her gaze back to me. “Come now, Kayn. You know you need me. I can feel the conflict within you.”
I hesitated, her words striking a chord. “Maybe, but I’m not the only one here. This is a group decision.”
The three of us stepped a short distance away to discuss our options in private. “Thoughts?” I asked, glancing between the siblings.
“We leave her there,” Iris said without hesitation. “Let her rot. Good riddance.”
Ikaro raised his hands in a placating gesture. “Let’s not be too hasty. I don’t trust her either... but I don’t think she’s lying.”
“She’s a bitch,” Iris snapped, her disdain evident. “I can’t believe you two are seriously considering freeing her—let alone letting her come with us!”
“Iris,” I said carefully, trying to put my feelings into words. “It’s hard to explain, but I can sense her magic. It’s... different. When I fought the assassin, his energy was dark and oppressive. Hers is more like a wildfire—not out to harm us unless provoked.”
“She’s also really pretty,” Ikaro added with a smirk.
Iris and I turned to him, incredulously. The look on our faces said it all: Seriously?
“What?” he asked innocently. “I’m just stating a fact. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed, Kayn.”
Heat rose to my face. Of course, I had noticed Noor was undeniably beautiful. “That’s not the point,” I said quickly, trying to steer the conversation back on track.
Iris let out an exasperated sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Please, I’m begging you two to stop thinking with your cocks.” She shook her head, glaring at us both. “We need to decide. I don’t trust her, and I don’t want her traveling with us. But...” She hesitated, her voice softening ever so slightly. “We can’t just leave her there. As much as I hate to admit it, we’d be no better than the bastards who caged her.”
Ikaro raised a finger before Iris could protest further. “And I’m not thinking with my member, thank you very much. But I think she should come with us. If what she says about helping Kayn with his abilities is true, then it’s a risk worth taking.”
Iris crossed her arms and turned to me. “Okay, Kayn. You’re the one who matters most in this decision. What do you think?”
I took a deep breath, weighing the pros and cons carefully. “I... I think we should let her join us,” I said finally. “I don’t trust her completely, but I don’t believe she’ll stab us in the back either.” I turned to Iris, seeing the doubt still etched on her face. “Next time I see Athena, I’ll ask her opinion on this whole situation. If that helps ease your mind.”
Iris studied me for a long moment, then sighed. “Fine. But this is on you, Kayn. Don’t expect me to be happy about it.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I replied with a faint smile, relieved that we’d reached a decision—for now.

We returned to Noor, who stood waiting in her cage, her arms resting on the bars as she flashed a mischievous smile. “So, what will it be?”
“I think you already know the answer,” I replied, drawing Dawn from its sheath. With a swift strike, the blade shattered the magic lock binding her cage.
The door creaked open, and Noor stepped out gracefully. A peaceful smile spread across her face as she stretched her arms and arched her back. “Gods, you have no idea how terrible a cage is for posture. Absolute nightmare.”
“I hope you’re happy,” Iris said, her arms crossed tightly as she watched Noor like a hawk.
“Oh, I am,” Noor said with a teasing smirk. “Though, I could be better.” Her eyes scanned the camp before landing on something near the edge of the slavers’ supplies. “Jackpot.”
She strode toward a small black wooden chest, her stride confident. “Ugh, do they have to make everything a hassle?” With a sharp kick, she snapped the chest lock open, the lid creaking back to reveal its contents.
“What’s in there?” I asked, stepping closer to peer over her shoulder.
Noor straightened, holding up two ornately decorated daggers, their blades gleaming in the sunlight. “These beauties,” she said, twirling them expertly in her hands before posing dramatically. The intricate designs on the hilts suggested they weren’t mere weapons—they were ceremonial, or perhaps gifts from Ardvi herself. Finally, she reached back into the chest and retrieved a small, locked book.
“Like what you see?” she teased, flashing a playful smile as she spun the daggers again for effect.
“Are we seriously letting her have weapons?” Iris asked sharply, her tone laced with suspicion.
Noor turned to Iris, her smirk widening. “Don’t worry, I don’t bite. Well, only if I find my prey… interesting.” She cast a flirtatious glance in my direction, finishing it with a wink.
Heat rose to my cheeks at her teasing, while Iris’s scowl deepened. It wasn’t hard to tell that Noor’s charm was another reason Iris disliked her.
“Alright, can we move this along?” Ikaro said, breaking the tension. He walked toward the horses and started preparing them for the ride. “If we push now, we can reach Corinthos tomorrow, but we shouldn’t waste any more daylight.”
Noor’s gaze flicked to the three horses and then back to us, her arms crossing. “We might have a small problem here,” she said dryly.
“Right,” I said, realizing the issue. “We don’t have a spare horse.”
“Maybe Noor should ride with Iris,” Ikaro said, grinning mischievously at his sister.
“Or maybe Ikaro should walk,” Iris retorted, shooting him a sharp look. “A little exercise might improve that ‘neuronal monkey’ of his.”
I chuckled under my breath before offering Noor my hand. “You can ride with me until we reach Delphi. We’ll find a horse for you there.”
Noor raised an eyebrow at the gesture, her lips curling into that familiar wicked smile as she placed her hand in mine. “And here I thought gentlemen were extinct,” she said, pulling herself up to sit behind me.
As she settled in, Noor leaned closer and whispered playfully, “Don’t worry—I’ll try not to distract you too much.”
Iris groaned audibly, rolling her eyes as she mounted her own horse. “This is going to be a long ride.”
With the horses ready and the group set, we began the journey. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the rugged terrain ahead. Noor’s presence added a new dynamic to the group—one that promised both tension and intrigue in equal measure.