A very good offer

Slurtis grinned.

"My deal is much simpler than Sylla's," he said. "The Marquess has the key to your gag in her room. I'll go and get it and free you, and then you can wreak havoc. How does that sound?"

Eilwy's eyes narrowed. It sounded very good.

Slurtis nodded. "Thought so. Do whatever you want, smash this place if you will. Burn it. I'll use the mayhem to complete my objective, and you leave me alone. Deal?"

Eilwy nodded immediately. It was the best deal she'd ever heard, frankly.

Slurtis grinned. "I'll be back within the hour."

Then he slipped from the cell, and padded slowly down the corridor. He couldn't help but peek in at Sylla one more time. She was bound, naked, over a table. Her bare ass, lifted helplessly in the air behind her, was covered with sharp red marks from the caning she'd clearly received.

Slurtis locked his lips. When the night was done, he fully planned to have some time alone with Sylla! But not right now. He **** himself to concentrate and crept through the castle to the Marquess's chambers.

The door was locked, but it was not a complex lock and Slurtis had no problem in picking it. He slipped into the Marquess's chambers. The room was quiet. He stood still for a moment, until he was sure that the Marquess was not present. Then he slowly started working through her drawers.

He found clothing made of fine silks and cotton, books covered in strange writing, and trinkets and mementos from strange lands. But he could not find the key! He knew it must be there. He wondered how long he'd been there for - it felt too long, already.

Finally, there! A small compartment in the bottom drawer in which lay a small silver key. He recognised it immediately and snatched it up.

He'd taken too long though. He heard the door creaking open with a sinking heart - to be caught by the Marquess now...! He gripped his mace and turned.

It was not the Marquess. It was her two young maids, Sara and Elyn, wearing their short black and white uniforms. Their eyes narrowed when they saw him, but he relaxed slightly. Just two little girls, he thought, relieved. They were barely twenty, and looked young and cute in their uniforms.

"If you get out of here now, I'll pretend I didn't see you," he said.

But they didn't leave. They were grinning, and starting to circle him.

"I don't think so," said Sara, crouched and moving slowly wide. Her eyes gleamed.

"The Marquess will reward us well for this," Elyn said. As she moved, she quickly tied her blonde hair back.

Slurtis realised he'd underestimated them when they darted forward quickly, poison coated needles in their hands, with the speed and agility of trained assassins. Of course they weren't just maids! Celia had had them trained to be her last defence, should it be needed.

Slurtis quickly uttered a curse that sent the girls stumbling back, but not before Sara had managed to prick him with her needle. "Got him!" she shouted triumphantly. Slurtis felt his energy giving out immediately and he started to slump to the floor.

With his last breath he tried to utter the blessing that would let him resist the poison.