It's a trap! But the nymphs spot it.

As Assha stepped forward, Niamh grinned and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Stop, sister," she said, pointing at the thin eleven rope mesh concealed in the grass in front of them. "It's a trap!"

Realising that her plan was foiled the elf moved quickly, slipping her hands through the pillory easily. Unfortunately for her, freeing her neck from the pillory took slightly more effort, and the nymphs were quicker and more nimble than she'd anticipated. Niamh darted forward lightly and grabbed the elf's wrists, whilst Assha leapt over the rope mesh and pressed all of her weight onto the pillory bar, making it impossible for the captive elf to lift.

"No!" The elf shouted. "Get off me, you bitches!"

Niamh giggled, although she was breathing quickly and felt slightly light-headed. How close the two nymphs had come to being captured! The world outside Fandorn Forest was crueler and more devious than she remembered.

"What will we do with her?" asked Assha. She looked slightly shaken as well.

"First thing first," Niamh said. "Keep her head still." Then Niamh slowly **** the elf's hands back into the pillory. It was difficult, as the elf was stronger than she looked, but she was also secured in a weak position. Inevitably, after some effort, Niamh had trapped both of her hands back in the pillory - and this time, she ensured that the locks were properly applied.

The two nymphs stepped back, smiling. Job done! The lithe blonde elf was now genuinely trapped in the pillory, bent over helplessly, and from the look on her pale face she knew it.

"Who are you?" Niamh asked, curiously.

"Let me go!"

"Answer out questions and I'll think about it."

A long pause. Then: "My name is Laralassa. I'm a bounty hunter. I don't care about you, I was after the bounty on the enchantress's head from Marquess de Rousseau. I would have let you go."

"Really," said Niamh drily. "I doubt that."

Assha looked back at Eilwy, who was standing at a safe distance. She might make a run for it, but she wouldn't get far. For the moment she just seemed to be watching developments... and appraising.

"We should move on," said Assha. "Leta get to the market before dark!"

"Not yet," said Niamh. "Let's get this bitch's leggings down."

The elf paled. "You wouldn't!"