The feast begins.

For the Akkadian the time before the feast was due to begin sped by rapidly. The Sorceress, of course required to be washed and pampered before she made her appearance. In the panther's camp there was no sunken baths or an army of unseen servants to heat and fetch water. Honey and the assassin were allowed to use a cookfire and a huge iron pot to heat water and then had to carry it jug by jug to the Sorceress. Despite the Sorceress claiming that the collar around his neck was only a pretence of slavery, after hauling half a dozen heavy earthenware jugs across the camp full of steaming water it certainly felt to the Akkadian like slavery. For a change the Akkadian was not the focus of sexual desire from the warriors. Certainly he and Honey both attracted lustful looks and comments, but it was Barbra Rosa's men that bore the brunt of the bawdy comments and avaricious stares.

"I don't like the way these sluts keep staring at me and whispering to one another." One pirate was complaining to his comrades by the fire during one of the Akkadian's trips for hot water. "T'aint natural the way they act."

"Aye, I reckon the same." Another pirate agreed. "Staring at my crotch they are, like they're trying to figure how much I got down there."

The Akkadian was **** to stifle a laugh with feigned coughing, both the men had been amongst the group that had tried to **** themselves upon him on the ship. The men huddled protectively together as the warrior women circled around them as if they were livestock on display, pointing out to one another the best features and attributes of the goods on show.

"You have to admit though that there's some fine looking sluts in this band." One pirate commented.

"Aye, them panthers are comely wenches." Admitted the first speaker. "But I prefer my women with a collar around the neck and a fearful look in their eyes."

As it grew to dusk, felled branches and logs were heaped upon the central firepit to build the fire up. The flames and sparks gave of an orange light and a fierce heat as more furs and blankets were placed around the periphery. Panthers began to gather around the firepit, laying or stitting on the furs drinking and talking amongst themselves. The Sorceress waited until all the band was gathered before making a fashionably late arrival. As the guest of honour the witch was seated next to Daina, the leader of the band. On the panther's other side was Barbra Rosa. The Akkadian and Honey sat behind their mistress, whilst Barbra Rosa's crewmen were ranged behind her.

When all were assembled Daina rose to her feet. Unlike the other warrior's, who simply lounged on the furs and blankets the leader of the Kar'Sa'Hesa had a stool, as did the Sorceress and the pirate captain. The dark skinned tribal leader clapped her hands and her warriors chattering fell away to silence.

"Tonight we feast." Daina cried out and the announcement was met by cheering and the slapping of thighs in the warriors manner by her panthers. "And we renew our alliance with the great sorceress from beyond the forests. She has brought many fine gifts. Steel knives, arrowheads and spearpoints, and axeblades too. We shall be better armed to defend our territory and hunt."

The panthers clearly liked this announcement, slapping their toned thighs enthusiastically to show their approval. The women seemed excited and more than a little intoxicated from the drinking that had started for them an hour or more earlier. The Akkadian thought they must be simple folk indeed if a few cheap weapons could buy their loyalty.

"Bring out the food." Daina commanded. "And ale and wine for our guests."

For the first time the Akkadian saw men other than the pirates in the panther camp. Those that now carried great wooden platters of freshly cooked meats and jugs of ale and wine to the warriors and the guests were all male. Every man was naked except for a stiff leather slavecollar around the neck. As one of the male slaves came to serve the Akkadian, who was seated on the furs the assassin found his eye on a level with the bouncing semi erect cock of the collared man. The Akkadian averted his eyes as a platter of meat and a wooden cup was set before him, but his fellow handmaiden found the situation to be be funny and her laughter rang out.

"I did not know you panthers kept men as slaves." Barbra Rosa was heard to ask Daina. "We saw none about in the camp until now."

"They were occupied cooking and preparing the feast as is their task." Daina explained. "Most of them come from slaver crews and mercenaries that come to the forest to hunt panthers. We keep the youngest and fittest for pleasure as well as menial labour. When they are no longer pleasing or too old we sell them to the Stygian traders to dig in their mines. If you wish to make use of them for pleasure please feel free, what is ours is yours this night."

The Akkadian's cup was filled by the **** with a heady aromatic red wine. He was about to take a drink of it when the Sorceress laid her hand upon his arm. Looking to her the witch shook her head.

"The drinks of the panthers is very strong Minaja and it's spices would not be to your taste I fear." The Sorceress told the assassin. "Drink if you wish, but I would advise against it."

"Pahhh!" Barbra Rosa heard the words and snorted derisively. "If these sluts can quaff this swill then so can I. This form you blessed me with can handle strong drink nearly as well as my old one."

The redheaded pirate tipped back her head and drained her mug in one go, turning the empty vessal upside down to demonstrate her claim. Her crew cheered and set to drinking with a fervour. The Akkadian for a moment considered doing the same, just to prove a point to the Sorceress. Something about her warning seemed sincere though and he suspected some treachery was afoot. He did not voice his misgivings to Barbra and her men, but set his mug aside untouched.