The journey continues.

Red Sonja scooped up the cursed gemstone from the sand where Khalid had dropped it as she transformed and replaced it in her belt-pouch. She smirked at the naked would-be master without pity. Khalid, or perhaps more appropriately Khalida, was still dumb and frozen with shock at her magically transformed body. The Stygian still whimpered as she cupped her oversized breasts, the weight of the titflesh in her dainty hands proof enough that her new form was no mere illusion.

"Come, Connie," Sonja said. "We have been delayed enough. The price agreed for a camel has been fairly paid in full, and we should be on our way."

"Wait!" Khalida now found her voice, soft and feminine. "Whatever sorcery you have cast on me, you witch, undo it, I beg you. I have gold, jewels, name your price."

"Foolish little girl," Sonja scoffed at the tiny Hyrkanian woman. "I have cast no magics on you. Your own greed and fantasies created your new self. It is not in my power to reverse such enchantment even if I had the inclination to do so."

Sonja turned and headed towards the curtained exit of the tent, with a last glance at Khalida. Conan snatched up the discarded silks and followed the red-haired warrioress. Lying on the sand just outside the pavillion two of Khalid's guards were motionless, red stains spreading from beneath their fallen bodies. Around a dozen men had now gathered, scimitars and spears drawn. Each man eyed his neighbours nervously, unwilling to be the first to test Sonja's blade, though they surely had the numbers to overwhelm her if they summoned the courage to attack.

"Your master is gone," Conan spoke up, judging the men's bravery and loyalty to be meagre. "His treasures are yours for the taking. Inside, you will find a ripe little ****-girl, also yours for the taking. Either step aside and share this wealth among you or try my mistress's skill, and some or all of you will gain nothing but a swift ****."

The men glanced at each other again, the temptation to capture the two beautiful women before them palpable. However, the easy pickings at no risk won over whatever shreds of courage and honour they had. Weapons were sheathed or cast aside as the men rushed around Sonja and Conan and into the pavilion to squabble with one another over Khalid's loot. As Conan redressed herself in the white silks, Sonja gathered up waterskins and pouches of dates and dried meat before saddling the finest and strongest camel. Mounting up, Sonja held down her hand to Conan and easily hoisted up the smaller woman.

As the camel and its two riders trotted from the encampment, shrill and hysterical womanly screams and curses could be heard ringing from Khalid's tent.