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Sister Mika looked delightfully nervous as the High Priest cleared space at one end of the table. What was it that he found so charming in a young woman's fear he wondered as he stacked a lacquered bowl of field greens tossed in dressing, a basket of braided egg rolls and a tray of pickled quail's eggs carelessly onto other dishes nearer the center of the table. He couldn't wait to see her eyes widen as he taught her teasing ass a lesson in respect.

“OK, Sister Mika, lift your skirts and bend over the table here.” Beldan saw a flash of feeling flitter briefly across her face, but the hint of emotion was too brief for him to interpret. “It gives the church no pleasure to discipline our children, but let's put this episode behind us as quickly as possible.” The pretty little thing complied nervously, lifting her robes partway as she stepped closer. Beldan could see her slender calves and ankles; he was a quite an expert on young women's legs and Sister Mika's had the lean athletic look of a ballet dancer. She paused modestly just as her grey robes reached her knees.

“Your Holiness?” The trembling teen asked timidly “Maybe we could do this in a room with more privacy?” Was the teasing little tart disappointed that he hadn't taken her to his private chambers? Well there'd be time enough for that later. He rubbed his thick palms together as he anticipated spreading her open on his great bed. Xelta, he couldn't wait to have her squealing under him as he filled her little cunt. And Sister Mika hadn't even been his first choice this year. If Sister Winlay was as delightful as her roommate this year would more than make up for last year's disappointments! Mother would have to be pleased this time. Beldan adjusted the thick lump that was tenting his robes uneasily, but after a moment, he chuckled and tapped the table top.

“Maybe some other time when you need further chastisement my dear.” The High Priest consoled his eager new toy. Sister Mika nodded submissively and her hands slipped to her robes to lift them fully. Beldan was reaching for the lithe girl eagerly no longer able to restrain his excitement when she turned on him with a look of angry defiance. He was shocked to see the blade in her hand and she stabbed at him aiming for his heart. Where had the knife come from!?

Until that moment, Beldan had never really put any faith the thin undershirt he wore under his robes. He felt the full impact of the assassin's thrust on his ribs, but instead of the blade slipping deep into his ribcage as both he and the girl expected the vicious looking blade stopped as it hit the protective layer. The razor sharp point of the blade easily pierced the golden embroidered robes of office but miraculously was halted abruptly at the layer just above his skin. It hurt worse than anything he could recall, and may have a broken rib, but he was alive! He could see the girl's look of panic as she heard him sound the alarm.

“Assassin!” He called out in spite of the painful bruising in his chest, “Guards, to me!” Beldan spun away from the table with as much haste as he could and hurried to the safety of his personal guard. He sensed the assassin closing behind him, but his guardsman (Wiley or Wiles or something like that) stepped between his holy person and the thrice damned attacker. He would have to promote the man for his bravery, even if he had let her get dangerously close to him with that killer's blade. But all would be forgiven, especially if he took the bitch alive.

Beldan slowed slightly as he moved closer to the safety of the same narrow door he had used the day before to meet with Maria Glendal, he peeked back just in time to see Wilemann (that was his name) collapse in a heap under a thick cloud of grey powder, and the false initiate leap after him again. He scrambled to open the concealed door and squeeze his heavy frame through the tight opening. Out of the corner of his eye Beldan saw Mika leap at him this time swinging her blade at the exposed skin of his neck. Just before he pushed through the door he felt the stinging bite of her blade, not on his jugular as she no doubt intended but slicing deep into the muscles of his shoulder and upper back. There was no armor to protect him there and he could feel his whole left arm going numb.

Before the killer could strike again, the High Priest slammed the door shut between them. He could feel the flow of blood running down his back and he slipped to the floor holding the door shut tightly with his good arm and cursing the pretty blonde assassin and whoever it was that sent her.

Now that he had a chance to think over the whole encounter it was clear to him that the killer had carefully planned this entire attack. That's why she had flirted with him when they first met, tempting him with her girlish body - Thank Xelta he had had the sense not to let her separate him from the guardsmen. This curly haired siren and that Grace girl as well! A loud bang from the room made him flinch, but there was little he could do about it. As he sat in the darkness waiting for his men to give the 'all-clear' he had time again to wonder who it was that had sent the assassin.

The obvious choice was the Cryn Confederacy. Beldan however had several other more personal enemies and even some 'friends' like the Emperor's whore who might well have decided it was time to act. Perhaps the pathetic remnants of the Chevaliers had found out about the capture of the Oracle and were trying desperately to derail his schemes. His eyes closed and he slumped lower against the door. He had to hold it, but he could no longer remember why ... Beldan could hear a commotion in the great hall ... someone was yelling his name, but it was very far away ...

Sister Mika! Beldan's eyes snapped open and he renewed his grip on the door handle. As soon as she was captured he'd find out who it was that sent her, his eyes were once again getting heavy but he contented himself that he would not have to wait much longer. And if not the blonde, there was always Sister Winlay to interrogate. Beldan smiled as his eyes closed once again.