Another visitor to the stables arrives...

Before Djuba can respond, the door opens again, and this time you see Miss Sasha, the older of the master's two pretty blonde daughters. Unlike most of the fine ladies of the city Sasha often foregoes the bulky robes and veils that hides the woman's body from head to foot. Today, she is wearing a loose tunic of quilted material that covers her upper body and arms, but the tunic cinched tightly around her tiny waist ends above her knees, and you can see the snug riding breeches and boots over her slender legs. Her long blonde hair is in a thick braid in the style of her father's people and once again this proud young woman has decided not to bother covering her face.

"Milos has left, then?" she asks, hands on her hips, then continues without awaiting the reply. "Well, I don't care what he says, I'm old enough and well enough trained to help defend this city from the invaders." She strides forward and begins issuing orders. "Prepare my palfrey; and get dressed. I will need you slaves to help me get to Rider Linus and my drake." Of all the things you expected to happen today, this might be the very last on your list.

"I can Ride well enough to defend myself and Star-fire is old and strong and eager for battle," Sasha boasts unnecessarily - every member of the household knew she had been taken on as a Rider trainee, Djuba and you shared more than a few crude jokes about what kind of 'Riding' lessons this sexy woman might be receiving from her trainer. "and though I am still a novice," Sasha hasn't seemed to notice your thoughts wandering, "I'd rather fight and even die in the skies than be captured here in my father's mansion. My friends may be taken and chained as prizes to be sold in the **** markets," she pauses with an involuntary shudder, "I will never serve some foreign hoplite as his toy."

There is no doubt in your mind that this lovely woman, like her shy younger sister, will both be highly valued prizes when the walls of the Athenapolis do finally fall, and the swarms of mercenaries flood into the nearly defenseless estates. With their lithe, pale bodies and unusual blonde hair these two would both be highly prized by the gold-robed slavers and their damned auctions. Perhaps Sasha is right to gamble her future on a half-trained drake.

She is now standing in front of you, her grey eyes looking up at you impatiently (you are more than a foot taller than her). "Well, what are you waiting for, Lippy?"

Djuba looks over at you, wondering if you will obey her orders, or issue some of your own. It would be so easy to take this arrogant cunt right here in the stables and show her what a real man would do with a woman like her, but it is a little premature to start trouble. You also consider that helping her may give you access to a coveted drake...