Battle

Sadarth was placed, still bound hand and foot to the damnable cart, on a hill overlooking a broad plain. It was a relief not to be facing backwards, at least. She could see the Oloani army forming ranks and preparing to fight. She knew that her army must have been spotted. Indeed, far in the distance, so far that only her elven eyes could see, her army was also gathering. It was vastly smaller than the Oloani army was, but that was not a surprise. She knew that, and had planned against it. What did come as a surprise was her army's banners. She quickly saw her army's banners were mostly black, with some white and a bit of red. They should have consulted her on that. She would have made it red and black and gold. As she looked closer, however, she discovered the truth.

The field was black, but the device on the field was Sadarth herself, in her full nude glory, holding up a flame. Sadarth could not decided if she was furious or proud. I will be proud if they win and furious if they loose, she determined.

Countess Asidia, mounted on a well-bred white horse, suddenly approached Sadarth. "We've found your traitor, witch. She and all her followers will be dead soon. I know you want blood, and I'll happily oblige. I've ordered you hear so you can watch your pitiful army be destroyed."

Countess Asidia left her again, surrounded by vainglory. Sadarth did not have a traitor in the Oloani ranks, of course, so Asidia was going to go after some poor innocent fool. She is my traitor now, Sadarth thought with a smile. Naked and humiliated, Sadarth was still winning.

It was only a shame she could not watch the situation to deteriorate more closely. She heard a great deal of very angry yelling from the Oloani ranks before they turned on each other. Sadarth's plan was working perfectly. Every man and woman saw a traitor or deserted and did not hesitate to kill. Her own army soon arrived, under the standard of the Nude Empress, to sweep away the remains.

Sadarth had won. Now she just had to get out of bondage.