It's a happy ending... for Nyssa

Nyssa pulled on the familiar layers. Sara's outfit wasn't quite as familiar as hers, hers had more uniqueness to it as she was the Heir, but after so long being exposed to the air it was a welcome change. She strapped the quiver to her back, pulled the hood up, and gladly started off across the plain, keeping herself company with the memory of how Sara had looked naked and tied to the rock.

As far as she was concerned, that was the end of it. The League had traditions when it came to punishments. She was Sara's mentor, if Sara comitted some slight, she was allowed to use her judgement to decide a fitting punishment. Then when the punishment was done, that was the end of it. It was a poor punishment that didn't serve to teach the lesson.

Nanda Parbat was quite some way away. Still, by the time the side of the mountain was in view, and she could make out a few details, Nyssa felt confident enough that Sara was probably free by then. Maybe even dressed.

Sara wriggled. She knew how to get out of restraints like this, the problem was always time. Still, she had enough give to get around the rock, and then she had just to loosen the knot enough to slip out. She shimmied sideways, half-inch by half-inch, and had made it about a quarter of the way around the rock when she heard a voice, and looked up from the rope to see one of the campsite assassins rather shocked to have stumbled onto her.

"Um," Sara said. "Help?"

Nyssa walked out from teaching her latest lesson, and looked out from one of the windows. Night was starting to fall. The memory of her embarrassing ordeal was, thankfully, beginning to fade, or at least she'd been distracting herself from it. She definitely wouldn't be skinny dipping any time soon. Exhausted, she walked back to her chambers, pausing curiously as she went in. Sara wasn't there. That was strange, Sara usually got in first and waited on the double bed. Nyssa looked around, peering behind curtains as if Sara was going to pull a last surprise prank.

Maybe Sara was more bitter than she'd expected after the punishment. She should be back by now though, long since. Nyssa sighed, and made a mental note to talk to her later.

A campfire had been set up not too far from Sara, the flickering firelight illuminating her bare form. The camp of assassins had decided to move. They'd also decided to add a couple of ropes to Sara's bindings to make it far harder to escape than Nyssa's minor obstacle had. "Think she's the one we saw earlier?" one said.

"No way, too pale."

"You can't think there are two naked women running around can you?"

"I'm just amazed there's one."

Sara blushed. She wriggled against the rope still, unable to get her hands free, though even if she did, she wasn't sure if she wanted to use them to cover up or work on the knot.

"Is it just me, or does she look like the Heir's... you know?"

"Now you mention it... Huh, do you think that means the one earlier could have been..."

"No way."

"Nope. Though... wow, if it was."

Sara reddened. She kept wriggling as the assassins made casual fireside conversation with their new favorite campsite decoration.

"Hey!" a voice carried over. "Found an outfit under a rock over here! Think it's hers?"

"Bring it over!"

Sara's eyes widened. She had hidden Nyssa's clothes not too far, for later, maybe they were going to...

"Hey!" Sara said. "Can I have those?"

One assassin looked at her.

"Add them to the fire," they said. Sara's eyes widened.

"No, wait!"

"Have you seen Ta-er al-Sahfer?" Nyssa said curiously, to one of the League's sentries.

The sentry shrugged. It had been a couple of days. Nyssa wasn't worried especially, Sara could take care of herself, it was just... strange.

Oh well, couldn't be too bad.