In her bedchamber.

The Akkadian followed the handmaidens through the Sorceress's apartments to her bedchamber. A knock upon the door from Cassie elicited an imperious command for them to enter. Inside the sumptuously furnished boudoir of the witch the mistress herself was seated in an armchair beside the her canopied bed. The Sorceress was nude apart from silk slippers and jewellery such as a necklace and bejewelled rings. Cassie and Honey hurried to the witch and knelt by her feet. The Akkadian, after a pause, copied their actions and went onto his knees before the Sorceress.

"I see you are refreshed from your journey and properly attired Minaja." The Sorceress observed.

"Yes Mistress." The Akkadian replied, remembering the instructions from the handmaids. The witch evidently did not see it fitting to share his true identity with her servants. Thios was a relief to the assassin, who resolved to keep up his pretence of being an Al Areth whore in their presence.

"Though not yet fully attired as one of my handmaidens." The Sorceress stated, with a smile quirking her full lips.

"Mistress?" The Akkadian said, framing the single word as a question.

"Your neck is still bare my dear." The Sorceress pointed out. "I make it a custom to allow those outside my circle to believe the women that serve me are mere slaves. This protects them somewhat and enhances my reputation among the more unsavoury elements I am **** to associate with."

"Yes Mistress, I see." The Akkadian said simply.

The Sorceress had Cassie stand up. She touched her finger to the metal collar around her neck and whispered a single word too softly fot the assassin to catch. The collar slipped from around the Shemite's slim neck, though still clearly steel it appeared as flexible as cloth.

"Rise Minaja." The Sorceress ordered the Akkadian.

The assassin rose and the Sorceress looped the metal band around the Akkadian's neck. Again the witch whispered a word and although the Akkadian had been straining to hear he still failed to discern the word spoken. He felt the collar stiffen and solidify around his womanly neck, rejoining magically to form a ring once more. His fingers reached for the steel band, tugging and turning the collar and finding it impossible to remove.

"Sorcery!" The Akkadian exclaimed, and then after a moment remembering to add. "Mistress."

"Yes indeed Minaja." The witch confirmed. "Though only a minor sorcery compared to other demonstrations you have seen me perform. The band immovable unless you know it's trigger command. It's most interesting ability is the link that it provides me with it's wearer. Allow me to demonstrate."

"How do you like your new necklace Akkadian?"

The Akkadian visibly jumped. The words had not been uttered from the Sorceress's lips, but instead seemed to form inside his mind. A glance at Honey confirmed that the girl had not heard him addressed as Akkadian although she wore a collar of her own.

"These words are yours alone Akkadian." The Sorceress's voice told him."Honey can hear nothing unless I wish to include her in our conversation. Simply picture me in your mind and imagine yourself saying the words and I will receive your reply."

"Can you hear me witch?" The Akkadian thought, an image of the Sorceress in his mind.

Rich laughter greeted the Akkadian's inquiry. "I see in private your tongue is sharper than when we have an audience Akkadian."

"I will serve you loyally witch, and be as respectful as you wish before witnesses." The Akkadian thought."Between ourselves you know exactly how I chafe at the way you have **** my service."