Date: Fri, 17 May 2002 21:14:16 -0700 (PDT)
From: Femme K <femme_lezzi@yahoo.com>
Subject: XENA & THE REVENGE OF OLIVA (FF)

XENA & THE REVENGE OF OLIVA (FF)
By Femme Lezzi

This is a work of fiction based on the main character in the TV series
Xena-The Warrior Princess. This story features graphic descriptions of
consensual sexual activities between adult females.  If you are below the
age of 18 or reading materials of this nature is illegal or immoral in your
part of the world please stop reading now.

THE FIRST PART OF THIS STORY IS POSTED AS "XENA & THE QUEEN OF APHROPOLIS"
IN THE NIFTY ARCHIVE.

PLEASE READ THE FIRST PART TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE BACKGROUND TO THIS
STORY.

Please send your comments to femme_lezzi@yahoo.com

DISCLAIMER: The characters belong to MCA/Universal and were used without
permission. No copyright infringement was intended and no money was made.




**************************** PROLOGUE ******************************

CHAPTER 1



"Scintilla, is every thing ready for the ceremony?"

"Yes mother everything is in order"

"We can begin the bathing ritual at sundown. Have you rehearsed with Oliva
what each of you is supposed to do?"

"Yes mother"

"Where is Oliva mother?"

"I saw her in the garden some time back"

Scintilla went out in search of her lover and soon to be bride. Tonight
they will become a wedded couple. For the first time ever someone from the
"Order of the Druids" was getting married to a same sex partner. Scintilla
knew that the council of druids would never accept their union. That was
not because such a union was forbidden in the sacred writings, but because
it has never done before. However, Scintilla doubted whether the council
will ever get to know about them. They are far away from Londonium, the
sacred city of the order of the druids. For now, their home is Aphropolis,
where a Sapphic couple will never raise an eyebrow. Aphropolis is the city
of love, lust and decadence. The city is such a haven for rich same sex
couples that in certain areas they out-number the opposite-sex couples.

Scintilla was also surprised the way her mother gave her approval to marry
Oliva.  Scintilla's mother opposed this affair from the day she discovered
them making love one night. She chased Oliva out of home and threatened to
curse her if she returned again. However, Scintilla's perseverance and
Oliva's tolerance won over and today her mother will unite them according
to the customs and traditions of the Druids.

Scintilla found Oliva walking among the flower plants. The tall Viking
princess was a natural beauty with clear blue eyes and golden waist length
hair. She was fifteen years younger than Scintilla. At the age of forty,
Scintilla was proud of having such a young and beautiful lover and enjoyed
attention and the envy of both men and women whenever she went out with
her. It is not that Scintilla wasn't good looking. She had a luscious,
curvy body and didn't look more than thirty. However, Scintilla was
very possessive and always made it a point to kiss Oliva in the public just
to display her ownership of the striking blond, whenever she saw
competition eyeballing her lass.  Oliva for her part was devoted and
faithful. She worshipped Scintilla as a teenager and fell in love with her
on a cold December night. Oliva never doubted or suspected Scintilla, not
even when she went to King Demurius's palace to seduce the old king and
actually slept with him for months. She always believed that Scintilla only
loved her and what ever she did was to get revenge for her brother's death.

Oliva was wearing a loose cotton garment to beat the summer heat. The loose
fitting dress did a good job of hiding her beautiful and plentiful
curves. Scintilla loved Oliva's bouncy breasts and her beautiful ass, not
to mention the love nest that is always moist and ready to accept
her. Scintilla knew that Oliva was not wearing any under garments.  She
tried hard to resist the urge to drag the beautiful blond to the bedroom
and make love to her in the most lustful manner.

"Hello Scin!!!!"

Oliva called out when she noticed that her soul mate was staring at her but
apparently lost in her own thoughts. She grabbed Scintilla's shoulders and
parted her puffy lips to accept a kiss. Scintilla kissed her lover's
forehead instead.

"Sorry Oli" Scintilla said putting her arm around her partner. "Today is
the last day of our celibacy. I don't want to break it now after
waiting patiently for so long."

"What damage would a little kiss would do? You haven't kissed me for a
month" Oliva complained.

"More than you would dare to think. A little kiss now will definitely get
us carried away and we will end up in the bed. It's only a few hours to the
wedding sweetie. So let's relax"

"Is the ceremony a very long one?"

"Yes Oli, it's long but not boring at all. As have I told you, the first
ritual is the bathing ritual where we bathe each other. Actually, the real
custom is for the two partners to be bathed separately by slaves or
servants. Since we have only the three of us here we have to bathe
each-other"

"Mmmmmm I love that part. It's such a long time since we had a bath
together"

"Why honey, we did it just before we started our celibacy period"

"Three lunar months, 56 days, that's a long time Scin"

"Yes I know" Scintilla kissed the girl's cheek, fighting the pent up
passions inside her.

"What's the purpose of this three month celibacy custom Scintilla? It
doesn't make sense."

"Oh yes it does in Druid Tradition. It's to make sure that the girl is not
pregnant before the marriage. It would be a major scandal for a groom's
parents to find out that their bride is pregnant. Celibacy ensures that a
groom is not responsible if the girl appears to be pregnant before the
wedding. "

"So why do we have to follow it? You can't make me pregnant you know" Oliva
asked laughing.

"It's the ritual." You know how mother is when it comes to
traditions. It is unbelievable that she has given her consent to us and
that she is conducting the ceremony. So let's do it her way. She has
suffered a lot and at least she deserves that happiness"

"Yeah that's true Scin. She deserves it. I saw what had become of your
father. I cannot imagine how she lived with a man who ate human flesh and
beat her wife with a club, just for the fun of it."

"It wasn't fun for him. He was insane. He did it because he believed it
was right thing to do"

"You mother is such a powerful sorceress who could breath life to a dead
person. Why didn't she do anything to end her suffering? Why did she
bring him back every time the royal guards killed him?"

"It's the Druid tradition Oli. A woman is not supposed to interfere in
a man's doings.  She is supposed to be faithful and obedient no matter what
he did. That is one reason why she agreed to our union in the end. It's
because as women we are equal, so that I would never have to put up with
such a man"

Oliva leaned on her lover as they walked towards the house thinking what it
would be to be married to an unquestionable man. In a way she was like her
mother-in-law. She never questioned Scintilla and loved her and cared for
her every need. However, unlike Scintilla's father she provided everything
for her. Love, sex, attention, comforts, in short, everything any young
woman would need.


CHAPTER 2

The candle lit room was locked from inside. The fire was crackling lazily
in the fireplace. However, the fire was intense on the two bodies' meshed
together, one on top of the other. Their faces buried on each others
treasures. The desire was intense after three months of celibacy. They were
both approaching climax as they sucked and kissed every nectar laced
crevice of each other. Oliva spread her legs further, increasing the access
for her lover while Scintilla ground her pussy harder and harder on Oliva's
hungry mouth, allowing her to bury her tongue deep.

Oliva was to first to climax. She lifted her legs in to the air and widened
them further giving maximum access to Scintilla. Scintilla too started
bucking her hips grinding it harder and harder on to Oliva. They
simultaneously exploded into massive orgasms, convulsing their bodies as
their lips sucked in the nectar that was flowing in abundance.

They relaxed a few minutes, their bodies still meshed together, recovering
and catching their breath. Then they turned around and faced each other in
the after glow of the beautiful climax, fondling and kissing each other,
licking off love juices from the faces.

"Did you like it Oli?"

"Oh yesss Scin. It was wonderful, the best you have given me"

Scintilla smiled and kissed her soul mate's lips. She felt Oliva's long
fingers exploring her pussy again. Scintilla moved her leg to give her more
access. She started caressing her thick labia and her still-erect
rosebud. Scintilla started kneading and sucking Oliva's large firm breasts,
still red from the attention they received moments before.

"Please don't leave me again Scintilla"

Oliva said mournfully.

"I won't leave you angel. Never, and you know that"

"I mean you going away Scintilla. Please don't go to Zyla's Castle. I
don't want to be a princess in that place. I am always a princess in
your arms Scin"

"I know, but you deserve more than that. We have nothing for us Oli. We are
living on borrowed time. You can't make much money as sorceress. We cannot
reveal too much of our knowledge in black magic because it always made us
targets for witch hunts.  How many sorceresses have died in stake because
they revealed too much of their powers? Besides, Zyla's castle is only a
few leagues away. You can see the watch towers if you go to the front
porch"

"Besides I have to take revenge from Xena as I swore to my mother for what
she did me and my brother. Besides, we will face the wrath of Hera if we
failed in our promises to her."

Oliva stopped the conversation at that point. She knew it was pointless
taking it further.  It's true that she herself wanted to see Xena dead. She
promised that herself to Hera the moment she saw the dismembered body of
Scintilla in the dark mountain temple. It was horrible what they have done
to her. It's also true that they need plenty of money to have a good
life. She didn't have any skill to contribute to the family coffer. She
was always living off them since the day they fished her out of the sea
after the shipwreck almost twenty years ago. Aphropolis is a very expensive
city to live in. But Oliva loved to live in here because this is the only
city that allowed them to behave like a married couple without attracting
unnecessary attention or violence. They didn't have to pretend like
sisters or in-laws. They could tongue kiss in the market square and only an
occasional out-of-towner would stare at them. Anyway, most out-of -towners
were too busy to spend time staring in Aphropolis as almost all were busy
with their own concubines.

Her train of thought derailed when Scintilla took something from under the
pillow and waved at her.

"Are you ready for this honey?"

Scintilla was waving a wooden phallus with straps attached to wear it like
a man's penis. Oliva took it to examine. It was thick, and about ten inches
long, but light and had a sweet fragrance.

"It's made out of white sandalwood." Scintilla explained the fragrance

Oliva kissed its polished surface seductively tracing is expertly carved
curvatures "It would really fill me"

"Yesss it would and I can't wait" Scintilla said putting the base of the
phallus to her public bone. Oliva helped with the straps. Scintilla applied
lubricating ointment to Oliva's swollen pussy while Oliva covered the
smooth shaft with wax. They kissed standing on their knees while Scintilla
brushed the hood of the penis on Oliva's labia building up her
anticipation. Soon Oliva was on her all fours and Scintilla was driving all
ten inches into the younger woman. Their loud moans were heard late into
the night.  No one took any notice of their loud moans as every room, house
and villa had moans of passion coming out of them till late into the night,
in this city dedicated to Aphrodite, the goddess of love.



************************** End of Prologue******************************








CHAPTER I

Caldina looked out of the bedroom window and saw the darkness engulfed
royal courtyard and the military barracks at the northern edge of the
compound. The barracks are a recent construction to provide security to the
palace in the event of a coup attempt or an invasion. Caldina disliked the
barracks because a beautiful wooded area was cleared to erect the
complex. However, its presence gives her peace of mind after the terrible
incidents of the recent past.

The ringing gong calling the soldiers for their evening meal told Caldina
that it's quite late. Xena hasn't come home yet. Caldina used to
grumble a lot about these late arrivals of Xena, but the events that
occurred recently has convinced her of the importance of Xena's job as a
security adviser for the kingdom. Even the king's generals respected and
depended on Xena's expertise to plan-out the kingdoms defenses and ensure
peace and stability.

Suddenly, Caldina remembered that she hasn't taken their "playthings"
inside. The "playthings" are the sexual aids they used in their
lovemaking. Caldina kept them to dry in the sun in small balcony on the top
floor. She rushed to the balcony to take the toys inside before rain or dew
ruined them. She brought the well dried items and arranged them in the
drawer beside their bed. She selected the "double penis" as tonight's play
item. Each night Caldina selected the toy they would use, but some nights
they would use more than one.

Caldina loved playing the role of an obedient, faithful wife. She never
allowed her faithful maid Celia or any other servant to enter their private
living area with their large bedroom, the dining room, bath and the steam
room. Celia & the Salves did the cooking and laundry, but Caldina herself
did the chores in their living area. It was hard work for a princess, but
Caldina loved it because she loved Xena and wanted to be her partner in
life in every way. Another reason was that the chores gave her something to
do during the long hours of Xena's absence. Added to this was the fact that
Xena was a much disorganized messy partner. Every morning Caldina picked up
Xena's personal items from places she dropped them last night. Her sword
and body amour would be by the front door, her boots and dress would be on
the floor of the changing room. Her underwear would be on the bath or
toilet. At first, Caldina was surprised that the warrior with such a
reputation for thoroughness in the battlefield would be so messy at home,
but later she realized that this was due to he nomadic lifestyle Xena was
used to since childhood, never staying in one place a day more than
required. However, Caldina loved her partner's disorganized lifestyle
because it gave her chance to mother Xena. Xena too loved the tender loving
care and attention she received from Caldina after years and years of rough
life. Caldina washed and cleaned Xena's clothes, underwear, and nightwear
using with her own hands. She cleaned and polished her boots and body amour
so much that the king's generals nicknamed her "Shining Xena"

She looked around the room. It looked perfect. The sweet smelling vapor
from incense burner, the steadily burning fireplace, the yellow dim light
of the candles made everything perfect for a long night of love
making. Caldina wanted to make tonight special because tomorrow was
holiday. She loved holidays because Xena didn't rise early and best of
all, she stayed home. Caldina celebrated these holidays in her own special
way

Caldina felt a bit tired than usual and decided to lie down. She wore a
black silk negligee without underwear She know that these lacy, see-through
things made Xena very horny. She wondered why she felt unusually tired and
remembered that her periods are due soon. Caldina's periods were quite
painful usually lasted more than a week. She had headaches, abdominal
cramps and mood swings. On the other hand, Xena's periods gave her no
trouble at all. Luckily, Xena was very supportive and cared a lot for
Caldina during the difficult days. Moreover, they both usually had their
periods during the same week, and that was very comforting to Caldina as
Xena lost her libido during her periods. She could cuddle Xena and fall
asleep with out worrying about sex. Caldina worried a lot about making Xena
happy. That was not because she couldn't satisfy her, but because they
might loose that touch of fire that keeps them wanting each other. Caldina
dread of a day that they might not want to make love or not enjoy sex with
each other.

She took the double penis and lay down and traced the artificial cock with
her fingers and tried to remember how it felt inside her the last time. She
remembered how Xena inserted one side into her and slowly lowered herself
to the other end. She closed her eyes and pictured the way she guided
Xena's love spot into the thick shaft. Caldina closed her eyes and started
rubbing her erect clitoris. She badly wanted the toy inside her, but
withdrew in fear of going too far without her sweetheart. Instead, she
pulled it up and started teasing her already erect nipples with it.

Just then Caldina felt a warm tongue on her navel and opened her eyes. Xena
was smiling at her.  "Do you need any help????" Xena asked tracing her
tongue downwards. Caldina's hands guided Xena's head to just the right
spot.  "MMMMmmmmm OOoooohh Xena!!!!, you are only one who can help
me......" Caldina purred as Xena's tongue danced across her clit.
Xena drove harder at Caldina's soaking slit. She licked up and down the
lips and around the swollen little rose bud that was beginning to blossom
under the attention it was getting. Xena gently rubbed her finger around
that little rosebud.  Caldina cried out, "OOOH! OOOH! OOOH! ......Xena
........That feels so good.  OOOH! Don't stop, MMMMmmmmm."  Xena moved
her other hand up to take those raspberry sized nipples into her fingers
and rolled them between her fingers while gently licking the swollen lips,
tasting the sweet nectar.  Caldina started to buck her hips and press
against Xena's finger as it worked its way into her nether lips.  Xena
started to move her finger in and out slowly twisting it with each stroke.
Shoving her face hard against Caldina's wet pussy Xena took the swollen
clit into her lips and gently pulled it.  Sucking hard and then light.
Caldina arched her hips to Xena's mouth.  Bucking all over the bed.
Xena buried her face into Caldina's pussy and sucked hard, lapping up
all the sweet juices. She shoved her finger deep into Caldina's ass.
Caldina slowly returned to earth as Xena withdrew her face and finger.  She
moved up Caldina's smooth flat stomach licking and kissing.  As she reached
her face she leaned forward and covered Caldina's mouth with her own,
parting the lips and tonguing deep into her mouth.  Caldina responded with
her tongue nipping lightly.



CHAPTER II

Oliva heard a horse driven carriage pull to a stop at her house and look
out of the window to investigate.  It was Madam Juliana, the landlady of
the house she lived and owner of the "Forbidden Castle", the most famous
house of pleasure in Aphropolis.  She knew almost every one that was
worthwhile knowing in the city, including queen Zyla to whom she provided
most beautiful girls. She had a lot of influence in the city and had more
than hundred houses and mansions rented out to many a rich and famous who
wanted to house their secret lovers, mistresses and concubines in this
city. She had a lot of influence even in the castle of King Demurius. No
small achievement for a forty year old woman who started her life as a
teenage whore.

Oliva watched as the slave girls helped Juliana out of the carriage. She
was tall, beautiful and looked no more than thirty years old. Juliana
preferred to call herself a provider of adult entertainment. She often
said, if children can have play grounds, then why not adults. Only
difference is adults loved sex games the same way children liked play
catch-me-if-you-can. Juliana's "Forbidden Castle" was the largest and the
most famous of "adult play grounds".

Juliana wore the traditional dress of a Greek noble-woman. Oliva left the
window to receive Juliana as she and her three slave girls approached the
front porch. She knew why Juliana was here. She came to collect her monthly
rent. For the last two years, her collectors came for the rent. But since
last October, after Scintilla and her mother disappeared without a trace
from the castle of Zyla, Juliana made it a point to visit personally. She
was curious as to why a beautiful Nordic girl lived alone and suddenly
having money problems after two years of stay. Juliana made it a point to
get to know all masters and mistresses who lodged their lovers in her
houses. It was one of her ways of getting to know who's who. With this
practice she developed and array of influential contacts with merchants,
senators, military men, princes and kings. Juliana never got a chance of
getting to know Scintilla who rented the house for Oliva.  Scintilla
pretended to be a wife of a military general who had an illicit affaire
with a girl. She told Juliana that she wanted a safe place for her lover as
her jealous husband might have the girl killed. Scintilla made it a point
to pay the rent on time, ordered repairs and maintenance work when ever
required and stayed out of Juliana's way. It all went wrong when Scintilla
and her mother disappeared. In grief and in confusion Oliva forgot to send
rent on time. When the collectors showed up she didn't have money and
gave a gold bracelet as payment. The collector showed the jewelry to
Juliana which fired her curiosity.

Scintilla was Oliva's only source of livelihood and now that she is gone
Oliva was almost bankrupt. She was so helpless and desperate; she paid her
last month's rent with her wedding necklace, the one that Scintilla put
around her neck when they made their wows. Juliana promised to return the
necklace as soon as Oliva would come up with some money, but Oliva didn't
know how or where to get some money.

Oliva knew that Juliana was interested in employing her in the "Forbidden
Castle", thinking that her lover had abandoned her. These type of things
happened often and many of those women ended up working for Juliana. She
gave an offer to Oliva last month when she handed the necklace as that
month's rent. Juliana was a Sappho sister but Oliva was sure that she
didn't have any personal attraction to her. All she wanted was the
beautiful and helpless girl to please her special clients.

"Hello Juliana"

"Hello Oliva, any news from her?" Juliana asked hugging Oliva

"No" said Oliva with a sigh "It's time to make up your mind Oliva. You
can't live like this much longer. You will go deeper and deeper into
debt. You know that young, beautiful lass like you cannot survive out of
this city all alone"

Oliva didn't answer. But she knew that Juliana was telling the truth. She
will not survive, without money, friends or relatives and she had none of
those. Besides, she didn't know any worthwhile skill to make a living.

"Did you think about my offer?" Juliana asked breaking the silence. "Don't
worry hon, I am not asking you to be a prostitute. You don't have to sleep
with men. I promise you that. I have many wealthy and beautiful women who
could use the company of a charming woman like you. Many of these women
have lovers outside the city who doesn't visit them often. They are kept in
this city by their masters and mistresses to prevent their jealous spouses
from finding out. It's a nice arrangement, but it leaves a lot of beautiful
women lonely and yearning for companionship and sex."

"Rather than betraying their men by inviting other men to their bedrooms,
they prefer the companionship of another woman. That's where my girls come
to help. They offer love, companionship and sex these lonely souls. Since
many women prefer not to visit us, we send our girls to them in covered
carriages when there is a request. Unlike men who hire my girls by the
hour, these women hire them for days weeks and months.  Paid for their men
folk who think they are paying an increased house rent"

"You send girls and bill them to the house rent???????" Oliva asked
surprised

"Of course dear. It's a trick of the trade. How else would a concubine
explain an additional charge for a girl from the "Forbidden Castle" to her
master? So, when a lady wants use our services regularly, I write a letter
to her master explaining the need for us to increase the rent to keep up
with the rising costs. Their wealthy men usually pay up.  They prefer
paying than upsetting their cozy arrangement.

"What happens if a master wants to move his woman to a cheaper house of
another landlord?"

"Well, there is nothing we can do if that happens, but how many women would
agree to that without a fight? Men hate these things. They prefer to pay up
than go through that"

Oliva couldn't help laughing. "Poor bustards. Things they have to do to
keep a concubine. "

Juliana noticed the lighter mood of Oliva and commented.  "That's the first
time I saw you laughing for the last three months." "Come on honey you
can't change what happened. Let's get on with life"

"I am sending a carriage with some slaves to help you move. Please don't
think I am trying using your bad situation to an advantage. I definitely
love to have you working for me. I pay for my girls well and treat them
well. That's why most beautiful women from the surrounding lands end up
with me"

"So, will I see you in the evening?"  Juliana asked holding up Oliva's
chin. Oliva tried to smile through tears and managed a nod. Juliana kissed
her forehead and left.

Oliva watched her depart and sat down to contemplate the past events. It
all started when her stubborn father embarked on an ill fated campaign to
capture the Viking warlord Erikk the Bloodhound, whose sea-faring force
plundered the costal towns of Europe. The Viking king, facing invasion from
neighboring kingdoms, whose cities suffered under Erikk, approached Oliva's
father to help capture Erikk. All her father's friends and relatives
advised against helping the king to fight Erikk not only because Erikk was
a bloodthirsty murderer but also because the king had a bad reputation of
switching alliances and abandoning his own men.

Oliva's father heard none of it and jumped at the chance of getting even
with his old rival. For a short time everything seemed to be going
right. Oliva's father destroyed meny of Erikk's ships in a number of sea
battles and destroyed all villages that served as supply and support bases
for Erikk. He was hot on Erikk's trail and the capture was imminent. It
seemed that Erikk's days were numbered. Then, the unthinkable happened.
Erikk signed peace treaty with the king and offered his services to build
up the king's fledgling armada. The plunderer became the king's admiral
with a license to kill Oliva's father.

Erikk murdered Oliva's father at his own house when he was begging for his
life. Oliva and her brother saw it all. Their mother hid them under a bed
before running to beg for her husband's life. They killed her father and
gang raped her unconscious mother. The only reason why Erikk didn't kill
her mother was because she was a distant relative of the king. Erikk didn't
want to take a chance with his unpredictable king. So he raped her and let
her live.

Oliva's mother left for Rome where her sister was married to a Senator. On
the way, the ship was destroyed when it rammed into an uncharted rock in a
severe storm. Oliva survived for days floating on a wooden beam. She never
saw her mother or brother.  Oliva was rescued by a small boat. She was
unconscious at the time of rescue. When she regained her consciousness she
saw a woman tending her wounds and a beautiful young girl, sponging her
body with warm water. It was Scintilla and her mother. They cared for Oliva
and invited her to live with them after hearing her story. Oliva was seven
and Scintilla was twenty when they met. Oliva was twenty-seven and
Scintilla was forty when they married. That was two years ago.

Oliva grew up in Rome where Scintilla's mother was a prosperous healer and
a soothsayer. Oliva worshipped Scintilla as her protective and possessive
big sister until they became lovers. They made love for the first time when
Oliva was sixteen. After that they were more like a married couple,
Scintilla being the dominant partner.  Scintilla's mother detested and
despised her daughter's unconventional union.  However, their love and
perseverance overcame the mother's opposition. Life was happy and beautiful
until Oliva was twenty five, when trouble started again.

Oliva's mother heard that Princess Xena, together with an alliance of five
regional armies was amassing near Constantinople to fight the evil king
Zoras, also known as "the maggot". Scintilla's brother Hadrian was the
commander of the Zoras's army.  Zoras and Hadrian were famous for their
ruthless conquests and horrible treatment for prisoners and the people they
conquered. Hadrian ran away from home to escape his father's abuses when he
was thirteen. Soon after that Scintilla and her mother too abandoned the
insane man and left for Rome. It was during this journey that they picked
up Oliva from the shipwreck. Hadrian traveled to Constantinople and joined
the army of King Titus. He soon became a good friend of with Zoras, the
third son of Titus. Zoras, a ruthless and power hungry schemer, killed his
father and the two brothers and took the throne with the aid of Hadrian. He
rewarded Hadrian with the post of commander of the army for his
support. Together they started what was known as the endless wars where
they conquered lands and ripped off their wealth and women which they
brought back to their kingdom. The wealth bankrolled the growing army and
financed more wars and women served as slaves. The men were either
slaughtered or forcibly recruited to the army.

When Scintilla's mother heard that princess Xena and her armies have
surrounded Zoras's fort, she predicted the end of Zoras's reign and wanted
to save her son's life from death at the hands of Xena's victorious
army. Xena had been fighting Zoras's tyranny for some time and was eager to
finish him off. Scintilla's mother journeyed to Constantinople to beg for
her son's life from Xena. Apparently, Xena agreed not to kill Hadrian but
had told that he would have to be arrested and charged for murder, rape and
pillage. However, Xena went back on her promise and killed
Hadrian. Scintilla's mother saw the killing from her own eyes and swore
that it was Xena who thrust the sword that killed Hadrian. She swore at the
ancient temple of Hera, the evil goddess that she would kill Xena. When she
came home, she mourned the death of Hadrian for months and made Scintilla
swear in the name of Hera that she would avenge her brother's death by
taking the life of Xena.

The first attempt to avenge Hadrian's death was when Scintilla moved into
King Demurius's palace as a healer and seduced him. She planned to charm
the old king into marrying her. Her plan was to become the queen and try
Xena for killing Hadrian in the royal court. King Demurius was chosen
because Xena had fallen in love with Caldina, the step daughter of
Demurius's and was living in a mansion close by the palace. The plot was
discovered and they had Scintilla killed and her body cut into
pieces. Scintilla's mother, being a powerful sorceress, managed to recover
the parts and resurrected her.

Oliva never forgot the sight of Scintilla's mother bringing the dead body
of Scintilla in a gunny sack to the temple in the dark mountains they were
living at that time. Oliva fainted on seeing the dismembered body of the
woman she loved. That was the second time she saw someone she loved cut in
to pieces. First was her father and now it was the only person she
loved. Oliva helped Scintilla's mother to put together Scintilla's body
parts sewing them into a complete body before the life breathing
ritual. She prayed and wept the seven days that took the sorceress to
breathe life into her dead daughter. Oliva actually didn't believe it could
be done and swore revenge and prayed Hera to help her avenge her death. She
hadn't seen the old sorceress performing this miracle to her husband, the
"Beastman". Scintilla didn't tell Oliva the fact that the beastman was
her father until after her resurrection.

Scintilla's mother moved back to Rome after the royal guards killed
Scintilla's father for the Seventh time and burnt his body so he couldn't
rise again. At that time no one knew that it was his wife that was
resurrecting the killed man. Everyone thought that the man was rising from
the dead.

However, her stay in Rome was short because Xena was leading the charge
against Zoras's fortress. She went to Constantinople to save her son from
imminent death.  When she returned she was burning in anger at Xena's
desecration of the promise she had given her. She got Scintilla to swear in
the name of Hera to avenge her brother's death and the rest was
history.....

Oliva got up from the chair with determination. Scintilla's death has to be
avenged. The woman who took away her soul mate for the second time and
killed her loving mother had to die, what ever the cost is. The only way to
accomplish this is to accept Juliana's offer. All this time Oliva waited
thinking that she would get some message from Scintilla. Last time she saw
her beloved "Scin" was few hours before the ceremony to sacrifice Xena. She
managed to slip out of Zyla's palace to meet her and tell that they had
captured Xena and it will be all over by morning. She wanted her to be
ready to come to Zyla's place when she sent a carriage for her. When Oliva
didn't receive a message and the promised carriage didn't show up at her
house she became alarmed. A message from Demurius's palace revealed that
Xena was safe and sound in the palace.  Oliva thought Scintilla and mother
may have escaped after the plot was bared and waited for a message. Days
became weeks and months and it was three months to date.  Oliva knew that
Scintilla couldn't stay more than a few days without seeing her. She
slipped out of the palace every other day to see her and she never missed
seeing Oliva for longer than three days for the whole of last two
years. Oliva knew that Scintilla lived in a palace full of beautiful, lusty
Sapphic women. She has told her how lustful Zyla is. But it never bothered
Oliva because she knew that Scintilla loved her and that was enough for
her.

"It might take me years and years, but I will avenge the deaths of
Scintilla and mother" Oliva thought. "It is time to end the weeping and
mourning."

Oliva began to ready herself to board the carriage Juliana promised to send
in the evening....



CHAPTER III

Princess Tara ran the palace with the help of her matrons for the three
months during which queen Zyla was indisposed. During this time she didn't
have much time to spend with the queen and Tara entrusted Imara of the task
of caring for the queen at her absence. The young girl did a very good job
of this and often took the role of Zyla's primary sex partner during Tara's
frequent absences. Young Imara's rapid ascension as the queen's new
princess was bitterly resented by other beauties that were waiting in the
wings to take their queen's side. Amonã was the worst affected by
Imara's ascension. She was Zyla's other princess before Scintilla appeared
in the scene and unceremoniously ejected her.

Amonã is a luscious beauty from the court of Pharaoh Aknaton. She was
one the pharaoh's favorite consorts, but was exiled from the kingdom for
attempting to seduce the king's young daughter. Amonã became Zyla's
object of desire after seeing her at Madam Juliana's "Forbidden Castle"
where Amonã ended up working after her exile.  Zyla quickly appointed
the Egyptian beauty as her princess. Amonã had a loving relationship
with princess Tara who was a well groomed princess from Athens. How ever
Amonã was unable to gain the queen's attention after Scintilla's sudden
appearance. Despite fervent appeals, she was shunned by the queen. Even
attempts by Tara to have justice done failed as she too fell into Scintilla
aphrodisiac spell. Scorned and bitter, Amonã was plotting with other
jealous beauties, a scheme to get rid of Scintilla. However, before her
plan could be put into action Amonã fell into a bizarre illness which
left her paralyzed from her waist downwards. Her paralysis failed her
coup. Many of her fellow plotters fell in line with Scintilla and started
treating Scintilla as their Princess in return for her favors. Amonã's
illness faded away as the palace population started discovering that
princess Scintilla has left, leaving behind many unanswered
questions. Unfortunately, just as Amonã tried to get back to the arms of
Zyla, Imara, newly arrived slave girl from her own homeland took away her
opportunity for the second time.



CHAPTER IV

Queen Zyla's favorite chamber in the palace was the venue for uninhibited
lust for Zyla's inner circle. It is the place where they showed off their
lovers and slaves. A place where they exhibited their love making skills or
the skills of their lovers and slaves. It was spacious but cozy and had
just the right atmosphere for a lustful night for Zyla's inner most circle
of associates. The room had a huge bed which covered an entire corner of
the chamber. There were numerous loveseats for the lovers to relax and
enjoy lovemaking. Zyla was relaxing on the sofa after dinner, flanked by
Tara and Imara. Imara, though young and immature, has taken the place of
Scintilla after her demise. She has the blessings of Tara, who loves the
young girl and she earned the favor of Zyla while nursing her during her
recovery after the massacre at Hera's temple.  Fortunately for Tara, Zyla
has only a very vague memory of Scintilla as well as the events that led to
the bloodbath at the temple. This fact deepened Tara's devotion for Zyla as
she realized the extent to which Scintilla had bewitched Zyla to achieve
her own cruel ends.

A young girl lay on the floor with her legs wide spread. Her breasts were
small and firm with her small pink nipples swollen with anticipation. A
closer look showed that her smooth and glistening love nest was ready for a
hungry tongue. She lay on a thick red carpet in front of the queen's
sofa. A beautiful brunette was caressing the young virgin girl and her
expert hands weren't missing a single curve in the young maiden's
body. Already, the young virgin had forgotten her shyness of having to lay
naked in front of her queen. Her desire replaced her fears and her hand was
caressing the older beauty's moist love nest. She was trying to encourage
the older woman to get on top of her and take her to heaven. However, the
black haired beauty had other things on her mind. She was merely putting on
a show to get the attention of the queen. Unable contain herself at the
sight of Imara robbing her of her rightful place as Zyla's princess, she
left the young girl and walked over to Zyla.

She started kissing and licking Zyla's feet knowing that she loved it. Her
past experience as Zyla's princess has taught her the likings of
Zyla. However, the queen was too busy with Imara, kissing, suckling and
fondling the young girl's immature body. To make matters worse, Tara has
taken possessing of Zyla's breasts and was slowly moving towards the
queen's treasure. Together, they weren't giving any time for Zyla to
concentrate on Amonã's administrations. She tried in vain to make the
queen invite her once again to her fold. Failing in her desperate attempts
to gain Zyla's attention, she stormed out of the chamber leaving her
embarrassed maiden abandoned on the chamber floor. Luckily for the young
girl, Lydia, a matron who has been longing for the pleasures of a young
girl came to the rescue. She took the girl's hand and led her out of the
chamber. Relieved to be out of that embarrassment, the girl faithfully
followed the shapely figure that was leading her. Lydia's hungry tongue was
exploring the virgin's labia as Tara led her queen and Imara to the bed
that was waiting for them, signaling the other guests to leave for their
bedrooms.

Amonã, who didn't go far after storming out of the queen's chamber,
was on her way back with a decanter of wine to take away the girl she left
behind. She desperately wanted to vent her bottled up passion and she
intended to use the new girl for that.  However, when Amonã tried to
open the closed doors of the chamber, two gladiator women who were guarding
the entrance, blocked her way. Enraged at this show of disrespect at a
princess, Amonã charged ahead and forced the doors open, but froze on
her tracks after glimpsing the scene that was unfolding on her queen's bed.

Tara was assisting Zyla to wear a wooden and leather penis. The foot long
phallus glistened in the candle light with a thick coat of wax Imara had
applied. Tara was adjusting the straps of the instrument while Imara
eagerly prepared herself applying plenty of scented oil to both her
openings, not knowing which one the queen will enter first. The young woman
stood on her all fours as Tara messaged her cunt lips to prepare them for
her queen. She then gently guided Zyla's hips, plunging the phallus into
the girl's canal. Imara bit her lips and grunted in pleasure as the
artificial organ invaded her. Tara directed her queen's hips in a slow
rocking motion while massaging Imara's erect clitoris.

Amonã, seeing her last chance to be Zyla's princess evaporate in front
of her eyes, lost her self control and tried to storm into the chamber. She
was stopped by the queen's bodyguards who were ordered not to allow anybody
to disturb the queen and her consorts. The two large women dragged the
kicking and screaming Amonã away.  Luckily, the three lovers lost in
their own passionate world were not disturbed by the commotion. Tara heard
a woman's outburst but was unalarmed as she thought it to be a catfight
among jealous lovers. Those were very common in this palace of more than
three hundred beautiful women full of jealousy and lust.



CHAPTER V

Oliva looked out of the window as the spacious carriage stopped to enter
through a pair of huge gates. The gates opened and the carriage entered a
compound separated by another wall and another pair of smaller gates. Oliva
noticed that the gate keepers of the smaller gate were women. "This must be
Juliana's women's hostel." Oliva thought as the horse driven carriage
stopped under a large patio.

Two girls ran to the carriage to help Oliva out.

"Welcome madam Oliva" The girls said bowing simultaneously.

Oliva was pleasantly surprised at the warm welcome. She never expected such
a thing especially because she was coming to work. Oliva took a moment to
look around; trying to familiarize the place she will be calling home for a
long time to come. If she was surprised at the in initial welcome she
received, she was more surprised seeing the beautiful, well manicured
garden with benches and summer-houses. She saw large number of girls
walking around in groups and couples laughing and enjoying the cool
evening. There were couples of young women kissing and fondling each
other. She even saw a few working on their lover's breasts. "Juliana was
right, she really treated these girls well" Oliva thought as she followed
the two slave girls into a spacious reception chamber.

"Hello Oliva! Welcome to Forbidden Castle. I am Sitã, head mistress for
the girl's hostel"

Sitã hugged Oliva and said "I hope the journey wasn't too
uncomfortable."

"Oh no, the journey was a short one and the carriage was very comfortable"

"Please follow me. I will take you our living quarters."

Oliva followed the beautiful woman, studying her. She had a strange name
and though her complexion was dark like many women from Egypt and other
hotter lands, her features were quite different. She was shorter than Oliva
and had long jet black hair arranged in to a neat bun. Her skin was smooth,
breasts large and bouncy and she had prominent buttocks too.  She also
noticed that her eyes were as black as her hair. Her voice was soft and had
a tinge of sadness in it though she spoke quite cheerfully.

"Here we are! This is my quarters and this is where you will be staying
too. I hope you like it."

Oliva noticed that the two beds were placed adjoining each other. Sitã
saw that Oliva noticed it and quickly explained..... "Don't worry
about the bed, I will have them separated at once. You see, Me and the last
girl who was here was much more than friends, she's gone now but I didn't
bother moving the bed..........."

"Why did she leave?" Asked Oliva.

"Well" Sitã began with a sad smile, " she found a rich lover, a mistress
of a senator.  The senator brought her to this city when his wife found out
about his affair and forced him give her up. The poor man didn't come
to see her often since Rome so far away.  So, she hired our girls and Kira
was serving her for a long time. Last year the old man died leaving a large
estate and a mansion for his mistress. The woman asked Kira to join her in
that estate and she did..."

"I will have your bed moved before bedtime" Sitã said, sitting down on
her side of the bed with a gloomy face, remembering her lover.

"NOoo!! Leave it the way it is. You wouldn't bite me would you???" Oliva
joked trying to cheer up the woman.

"Oh no I won't" Sitã smiled cheering up.

"Why don't you change in to something comfortable and we can go to the
steam room.  Steam does wonderful things to your body you know.  That's
the changing room" Sitã pointed to a wooden door. "Since we are going to
the steamer, change into a cotton gown. You will find a fitting one in the
wardrobe."

When Oliva emerged from the room, she saw Sitã changed into a similar
cotton dress.

"Lets go" Sitã took Oliva's hand and led her. They passed dozens of
rooms in three floors.  She could see singles, couples and threesomes
moving in and out of these rooms.

"Are all these rooms living quarters or do you entertain clients in some
rooms?"

"These are only for living. This is the hostel. Clients are forbidden
here."

"But there are so many rooms."

"We have close to two hundred girls living on this side of the hostel. This
side is reserved for girls who entertain lesbian clients."

"So many girls especially for Sapphic women?"

Oh yes Oli, there are more Sapphic sisters out there than you and I can
imagine. These girls here are forbidden to entertain men. The other side of
the hostel is reserved for girls who entertain male clients. Madam Juliana
doesn't want to see the girls of the two sides mixing. So even the gardens
are separated by a high wall."

"Why is that?"

"Madam is with the opinion that Sapphic girls are purer than the girls who
sleep with men. You might be surprised to know that Juliana is a descendant
of a consort of Queen Sappho."

"Here we are" Sitã said opening a heavy wooden door. The girl at the
reception counter stood up and smiled.

"Hello mistress Sitã, I am seeing you after a long time"

"Yes Ria, I couldn't come this way for a long time. Can we have two sets of
towels and some oil please?"

"Here you are"

Sitã picked up the towels and the bottle of oil."Follow me Oliva. This
way for the changing rooms"

They removed their cotton gowns, under garments and wrapped the large
towels around their bodies. Sitã took Oliva by hand and opened the door
to the steam room. It was a dimly lit large hall and was covered in thick
haze of steam. They waited for a moment for their eyes to adjust to the dim
light. Sitã led Oliva to the other end of the room which was almost
empty. They passed rows of wooden benches where couples, threesomes and
foursomes were in unhindered love making. Oliva felt a tingling at her
loins.

"We'll sit here Oli" Sitã said pointing to a bench. There were only two
couples in the vicinity. One couple was kissing passionately. What the
other two were doing sent a shudder through Oliva's body. One girl kneeled
on the bench with her ass high and wide in the air. Her lover was licking
and tonguing lovingly, all the way from her treasure to her tight ass and
back. Oliva was hypnotized by this sight till she felt Sitã's warm
tongue in her ear. Oliva didn't resist encouraging Sitã to work on
the knot that held Oliva's towel. Oliva helped her by getting up and
letting the towel fall. Sitã guided Oliva to sit on her lap. They kissed
each others lips and breasts alternatively. Sitã loved Oliva's pink
color rosebuds and Oliva found Sitã's large black knots very erotic.

Soon they were ready to move on further. Sitã laid Oliva on the bench
and started working her way down. Oliva widened her legs allowing full
access to Sitã. As Sitã's warm tongue entered Oliva it sent a chill
through her spine. For the first time in her life, a woman other than
Scintilla was entering her. There was no stopping now. She closed her eyes
and started stroking Sitã's silky hair encouraging her. To Oliva's
delight, Sitã didn't stop at her labia and went further, just like
the girl on the next bench. Soon Oliva was accepting Sitã's beautiful
dark treasure. She grabbed with both her hands and welcomed it with her
hungry tongue. Soon their moans of climax mixed with other moans echoing
around.

Oliva didn't remember how long had passed. She was on Sitã's with
Sitã lovingly messaging Oliva's breasts. "Time to go for the bath baby"
she whispered.

"Mmmmmm do we have to?" Oliva asked feeling lazy to move.

"Yes we have to, but we can do the same thing over there too" Sitã said
kissing Oliva's forehead.



CHAPTER VI

Amonã lay on the bed, her head propped up by a couple of pillows. The
half empty wine decanter was on the bedside table. She was spread-eagle,
her voluptuous body glistening in sweat. There was a young woman kneeling
beside her on the bed. She wore a blue color precious stone around her neck
which identified her as a mistress in the castle. All women in Zyla's
castle had to wear a stone which identified their status.  The woman
messaged Amonã's large breasts with expert hands, pulling and pinching
her erect nipples. Amonã purred in pleasure with her eyes half closed.

"MMmmmm it feels sooooo good" Amonã moaned

"Like to taste your princess's crack Ria?" Amonã asked with a
mischievous smile.

"Oh Yes it's been a long time since you asked me to do that..." girl
said, helping her princess to turn over. Amonã grabbed a pillow to rest
her head and kneeled on the bed with her legs wide spread, giving the young
woman full access to the nether part of her body. The girl started her
duty, lovingly tracing her tongue along the dark crevice of her Egyptian
princess.  Amonã whimpered, biting the soft pillow as the girl paid due
attention to her tight nether lips. She humped, wiggled and moaned as the
girl bought her to a massive climax.

Amonã slumped down, spent, after the crashing orgasm. She sat on the bed
with her back against the headboard and poured a glass of wine as the girl
licked off the love nectar of her princess. Amonã lovingly stroked the
hard-working girl's hair. Ria was Amonã's first slave girl, the one who
served her every whim and fancy since her days at Pharaoh Aknaton's
court. Ria left with Amonã after her expulsion from the royal
palace. She was very loyal and was the only one who cared for Amonã
during her long illness.

"You are the only one I have Ria; now that Queen has disavowed me again."
Amonã said in a husky voice, looking into her lover's eyes.

"You were wronged for the second time princess. Can't we do something?"  "I
can kill that new slut who has taken your rightful place...If you give me
permission.........." Ria hissed, her face reddish with anger.

"Shhhh are you trying to get us both beheaded????"

"No princess but I saw how they treated you today.....Dragging you away
like a thief"

Amonã sighed "Yes but we have to be cautious"

"But princess how......" Amonã grabbed the girl's face and kissed
her before she could finish her protest.

Ria was a fearless fighter trained by the Pharos's army to protect the
queen and the princesses of the royal court. However, her military career
ended when she fell in love with the luscious beauty, Amonã.

Amonã feared that Ria would do something rash and they could be exiled
from the palace by Zyla. After today's treatment by the gladiator women,
Amonã knew that she had no influence what so ever and was merely guest
in the palace now. Any rash action would ruin everything for them.

"Your mouth is dry. Are you thirsty love?" Amonã asked holding the
girl's chin.

"Some wine would help..." Ria said looking at the decanter.

"I have some thing better than wine..."

Ria looked at Amonã's face and understood what she was referring to
"MMMMmmmmm lets go princess"

Ria took her princesses hand and dragged her to their private bath. She
kneeled down under her princess. Amonã put one leg on the shoulder of
her kneeling lover. She opened up and a stream of the warm liquid splashed
across Ria's face. Ria opened her mouth catching most of the precious
liquid, streaming from the innards of her beautiful princess.



CHAPTER VII

"Rise and shine sweetheart"

Oliva opened her eyes, her head groggy. She squinted her eyes as she looked
at the sunlit window.

"What time is it?"

"Late than you think" Sitã said beaming at her. She was dressed as if
she was going out.

"AAaaahh why didn't you wake me up earlier?" Oliva asked yawning.

"You were sleeping like an angel. I just couldn't bring myself to disturb
you. Besides to day is your rest day" Sitã said, sitting down on the bed
with a steaming cup of coriander leaf brew.

"Thanks" Oliva said kissing her new lover.  "Are you going somewhere?"
Oliva asked looking at Sitã's dress.

"Yes, I have to go to the Palace of King Demurius's to deliver some slave
girls we have trained here"

"Demurius's palace???" Oliva asked, her heart beating fast. That's
where her enemy Xena lives. Oliva was thinking of a plan to go there
herself, and sensing her chance, she acted fast.

"CCan I join you??, I mean if its its ok??" Oliva stuttered.

"Of course you can. I didn't think of asking you 'cos it's a bit of
a long journey along rain washed roads."

"Id love to join you. I need to get some fresh air"

"That's great. I hate these journeys 'cos they are sooo boring. I have
to sit in the carriage and do nothing for hours. Now I can have you for
company"

"What are these slave girls for?? Are they sex slaves?"

"Oh no, if they are sex slaves, they'd be going to Zyla's palace, not
Demurius's palace.  These are tribal girls who were sold to slavery by
their parents. We taught them manners, trained them for cooking, washing
and other chores and our language. Those will be their duties at the
palace."

"Do you visit Zyla's palace often?"

"No, not often. But I do have an invitation next week for a banquet for
Princess Tara's birthday. Zyla is throwing a banquet and has invited
Juliana. Juliana doesn't like to attend Zyla's sex parties, so wanted me to
attend and represent her." "Would you like to join me?"

"I'd love to" Oliva said thanking Hera for these opportunities.

Oliva couldn't believe her luck. Not only she is getting a chance to visit
her enemy's home turf, but also visit the place where her soul mate took
her last breath. Oliva felt tears filling up her eyes and struggled to
fight them back. She wiped her face with the pillow and got up. She was
scared that she would have a difficulty in controlling herself at Zyla's
palace. It would be very difficult not to ask what happened from Zyla &
Tara, with whom Scintilla spend her last moments. Did they help Xena to
kill her lover? If they killed her where is she buried? Within the castle
compound or did they dump the body some where? Oliva knew she had to find
the answers to these difficult questions before chasing Xena.

Journey to Demurius's palace was uneventful. The carriage in which Oliva
and Sitã traveled led while the coach with the girls followed them. They
chatted, kissed and fondled. Oliva learned a lot about Sitã and started
truly liking this beautiful and caring woman. Oliva saw Xena practicing
with her troops in the military courtyard. She was training her new
recruits with hand to hand combat techniques. Oliva watched the tall,
powerfully built warrior princess grabbing tough young men and throwing
them on to the ground with ease.

"How am I going to fight this woman?" "I have to find a way to defeat this
woman without directly confronting her" "I will never be able to try her
for her crimes like Scintilla wanted to do" "The only way is to find a
weakness, a way to rend her helpless." "I will tell her why she has to die,
and give her a chance to explain her actions before killing
her.........." Scintilla was so lost in her thoughts staring at Xena;
she was startled when Sitã called her.

"You look like you have seen a ghost" "You haven't seen Xena before??"

"No, I haven't"

"She lives up to her fame doesn't she?"  "Do you find her attractive?"
Sitã asked.

"Oh no, too aggressive for my tastes"

"I thought you were staring at her because you find her very
attractive........."

"Nooooo, not at all. I don't find masculine women attractive. But I am
amazed at her skills"

"That would be a relief for Caldina. She has a lot of competition. If you
are attracted to Xena that'd be bad news for me too..." Sitã said,
laughing.

Oliva smiled, holding Sitã's hand for support thinking as she got into
the carriage.  "Caldina would become a nervous wreck if she got to know my
plans for her Xena..."



CHAPTER VIII

Oliva looked around her client's bedroom for a blanket to cover the naked
woman.  She'd be sleeping like a baby till morning, thanks to the sleeping
powder Sitã had given. Sitã gave it to Oliva to calm unruly, dominant
clients. "A pinch into wine is enough to put an elephant to sleep" Sitã
told giving it to her as Oliva got ready for her first night-out with a
client. This was her third night with this woman; there were two more days
to go.

Oliva took out a black workers uniform from her bag and dressed up. She
rolled her long hair into a tight bun and covered her head with a large
black scarf. A pair of black worker-boots smuggled into the house completed
her disguise as a sanitary works supervisor. Sanitary workers worked
through the night, cleaning the city and never aroused suspicion when seen
anywhere at anytime in the night. Finding a horse for the journey was
Oliva's biggest problem. She solved it by persuading the woman to hire a
horse saying she loved to ride. The poor woman obliged.

Oliva rode fast passing the residential areas. She had to cross the city
center to reach Zyla's palace. Oliva knew the risk she is taking. If she
was caught trying to enter Zyla's palace or inside the palace, it would
mean certain death.

Oliva tied up the horse in a wooded area close to the palace wall and
scaled the wall with difficulty. She ran to the tree she observed on her
visit last week to the banquet. It was a garden party and that helped Oliva
to map out a plan to enter the castle. Scintilla had described the palace
well to Oliva. Those details with coupled with her own observations helped
her to have a good idea about where she should be going and where to expect
trouble.

Oliva climbed the tree with great difficulty; she hadn't climbed a tree
since childhood and was gasping for breath when she reached the first
branch. She moved further up to a branch that was level with an open
window. A dim candle light was streaming from the window, telling Oliva
that its occupants were still awake. She looked in to the room and saw a
woman in her forties lying on the bed. She was naked and there was a young
girl between her legs, serving the woman.  The girl kneeled between the
woman's wide open legs, snaking her tongue up and down the woman's love
canal, taking time to play with the rosebud. Oliva was so close to the
window, she could clearly see the young girl's well shaved labia and the
puckered nether lips. There was another woman, about the same age as the
woman being serviced, seated on the bed kissing her. Oliva paused
momentarily to enjoy the view, but moved on as time was precious.

She heaved, and pushed her way up to a branch with was level with the roof
and struggled onto the copper sheeted top. Oliva started walking quietly,
on all limbs, towards the eastern end of the castle. She knew the direction
from what Scintilla had told her. If her reckoning was right, she would be
on the roof of Hera's temple in a few moments.  Scintilla had told her that
the temple was built as a single story, though the rest of the palace was
built into two stories. Oliva knew that this meant a very high roof and
climbing down to the temple ground would be dangerous and difficult. Any
slip in climbing down and she would fall to her death. On the other hand if
her bearings were wrong, she could be prying open the roof of a room full
of horny women.

Oliva sat down upon reaching her destination and started loosening a copper
sheet.  Underneath the copper sheet was a wooden ceiling. The wood was
rotten and Oliva could see large cracks. She peered through the cracks for
any signs of life. She couldn't see the ground in the darkness below.

"Oliva...... this is it girl......." She muttered to herself as she
pulled out another copper sheet to make enough room for her to squeeze
through. With little more effort Oliva loosened the rotten wooden planks of
the ceiling and securely tied one end of the long rope she carried with her
to a wooden support beam. Oliva put on a pair of thick gloves made of
buffalo hide. She held the rope tightly and lowered herself gingerly from
the roof. She descended slowly, her heart pounding with the fear of landing
in someone's bedroom instead of the temple. Oliva bit her lip and shut her
eyes tightly when she felt the tip of her boot touching the ground. She
stood motionless trying to gain her bearings. Oliva took a step backwards,
moving away from the rope as her eyes adjusted to the pitch black
surroundings.

Oliva sat down and fished out a small packet containing a piece of cotton
wool, a piece of flint and a piece of metal from her pocket. She placed the
cotton wool on the floor and struck the flint with the metal to produce a
spark. The cotton ignited on her third attempt and Oliva lighted a well
oiled torch she carried from the burning cotton. Her eyes took a little
time to adjust to the bright light. She looked around and saw the
devastated temple, confirming her worst fears.

Oliva saw a number of candles in their holders and lighted them all
illuminating the dark temple with candle light. First thing she noticed was
the sealed doorway which had been walled from outside. There were twelve
ropes hanging down from the roof, just like the one she descended
from. There was evidence of carnage all around. Blood splattered walls told
Oliva that her loved ones died a violent death.  "They were ambushed from
the roof. But who were the ambushers?" Oliva asked herself. However, she
didn't have to search long for answers. Oliva picked up a dagger with
the seal of King Demurius's. Oliva knew that high ranking men of the king's
army carried similar daggers.

"They were Xena's men" Oliva concluded.  "But how did they know?" Oliva
knew Scintilla's plan to the letter. They worked out the details
together. They planned to make sure that no one followed when Xena was
captured brought here. That's why Caldina was to be killed with Xena to
prevent her from raising the alarm. Oliva didn't like killing an
innocent woman, but Scintilla insisted it to erase the possibility of her
raising the alarm. The archer and the snake were used to throw Xena out of
balance and lead her into thinking that there is an assassination
attempt. They both knew the risks of alerting Xena but they weighted the
risks and planned it minutely.

All of the sudden it dawned to Oliva that she had committed a terrible
mistake by letting Scintilla carryout this plan. She could have stopped
it. Scintilla would have listened to her. Their love was so deep that she
always listened and respected Oliva's views.  "All I had to do was to tell
her no. She would have listened to me even at the expense of angering the
mother." "Instead I helped her to plan her own death trap, foolishly
thinking that Scintilla was invincible with her mother's sorcery" Oliva
started sobbing uncontrollably. She slumped on to the ground and wept, her
streaming tears mixing with blood stains of her fallen soul mate.

Oliva wasn't sure how long she wept, but she felt invigorated after
being on the floor which was covered with blood of her sweet woman. This
was the closest she would ever get to Scintilla again. Oliva picked up the
dagger she found earlier and cut her wrist. She let her dripping blood fall
onto the blood stains of her beloved "Scin", mixing them and uniting them
for eternity.

"I will finish what you started my love. I will avenge your death, I will,
I will, I will....."

Oliva tore off a piece of rag and bandaged her wound. She scoured the floor
looking for bits and pieces that belong to the woman she loved. She found
pieces of Scintilla's black pearl necklace, her gold bracelet, and mother's
hair pins and prayer scrolls. Oliva gathered all she could find and put
them into a small pouch she carried around her waist. She looked around for
one last time, the place where her family took their last breath. She
wished she could stay longer, but the time was running out.

Oliva turned to leave, her eyes blurred by the streaming tears. As she
turned, a small copper vessel hit her boot and rolled away noisily. Her
eyes focused on to the vessel and noticed a roll of papyrus jutting out of
its mouth. Oliva picked it up thinking that it is part of the prayer
scrolls. She opened the unbound scroll hoping to see ancient druidian
script in which the prayers were written. Instead, she had in her hand a
hurriedly scribbled note which read;

"Dear Tara

We killed both of them and severed their heads. We will burn them today and
scatter their ashes to the wind in the evening. We worked to your plan and
got out of your palace without detection. The musketeers are loyal and
sworn for secrecy. The rest is up to you. You would be advised to have a
convincing cover story ready to explain Zyla what happened. Good Luck and
Thank you for risking your life to help me and Caldina. You will always
find us your sincere friends from hereafter and we will always be there
when ever you need us. - Xena"

Oliva's head started spinning. "It was Tara!! She's the one who had them
killed by tipping off Xena!!!!!"  "Bitch" Oliva spat, she body wrenching in
anger. Her first thought was to get into the palace and kill Tara, but her
brain ruled over her heart. "No, that will get me killed and Xena will live
happily ever after. The betrayer and the murderer both must die together"
Oliva grabbed the rope and slowly pulled herself up.



CHAPTER IX

Tara sipped a glass of wine watching young Imara rolling up the bedspread
over Queen Zyla. The exhausted queen fell asleep after a long session of
horseplay with a bevy of beauties. Tara hasn't had a single orgasm
yet. Usually, she played the role of matron, helping and guiding others to
pleasure the queen. Once the queen is satisfied and fallen asleep, Tara
usually snuggled up into some young girl's arms for her own satisfaction.

Imara finished her chore and returned. Tara took the slender nymph's hand
and pulled her to her lap. But before they could start anything a slave
girl entered the chamber.

"Why are you here at this hour?"

"There is an urgent message for you princess. The messenger insisted that
you be given this message at once" The slave girl replied as she kneeled
with her head bowed. Imara took the tightly bound scroll from the slave
girl and dismissed her. She gave Tara the scroll and stayed back to give
her princess the privacy to read the message.

"I have to visit someone and must leave immediately"

"Leave immediately princess?" It's very late.

"I know child but I must meet her. She did a great favor for me and our
queen not long ago. Now she needs my help. I must see her at once."

"May I ready you carriage princess?"

"No Imara, not the carriage. Tell them to prepare a small buggy with a
single horse and a driver. The road will be too soggy for a heavy carriage"

There was a steady drizzle and a strong wind so the driver had covered the
small buggy with leather sheeting. Tara told the driver her
destination. She couldn't see where they were going but trusted the
faithful driver to take her there as quickly as possible. The elderly man
was one of the few male workers that lived within the palace compound.

Tara pulled another robe around her as the leather coverings of the buggy
offered little protection from the biting cold wind. Tara wondered why Xena
wanted to meet her in such a hurry, especially at this ungodly hour, in
this terrible weather. The message didn't have much detail. The only thing
it said was "Come to the castle to see me. I need your help and your
presence tonight is extremely important." Xena wasn't a person who asked
for help easily. So this must be a matter of great importance Tara thought

The buggy came to a halt suddenly and Tara felt the driver getting down.

"Princess, there is something on the road. I will have a look."

A few moments later Tara felt the driver climbing in again and the buggy
started moving.

"Daaru what was the problem?" Tara asked. She waited for the reply but none
came.  "May be the old man didn't hear me". Anyway, we are moving again
that's the most important thing at this time, in this weather.



CHAPTER X

Tara felt the buggy turning and stopping. She peeped through the leather
canvas to see weather they have arrived at the palace gate. She couldn't
see the massive gates or the sound of the guards. Tara pulled the canvas
away to get a better look. Some thing was wrong. They weren't at the
castle; they were at some derelict house.

"Daaru, where are we? Why did we stop here?"

The small buggy swayed as the driver got down. But instead of her familiar
hunchbacked Daaru, a tall figure with a black robe covering head to toe
appeared. Tara couldn't see the face due to the hood. A chill ran through
Tara spine as she saw the massive sword.

"Get out" The stranger commanded in a sharp female voice, pointing the
large saber at her.

"Who are you and what do you want form me?" Tara asked, picking up courage.

"Get out and don't try anything" "I have someone I like you to
meet. She isn't here yet, so I'll have to keep you waiting for some
time"

The stranger led Tara from behind into a house which was illuminated by a
few dim candles. She pushed Tara into a room and bound her to a wooden
pillar that held the roof of the old house.

After tying her, the strange woman forced a large ball of cotton in to her
mouth and disappeared. She heard a horse galloping away.


CHAPTER XI

"That was wonderful" Caldina said stroking the sweat covered body of
Xena. She was breathing fast, her hardened breasts moving up and down with
each breath.

"It was great for me too.." Xena said with smile, relaxing in the afterglow
of a beautiful climax. Caldina caressed Xena's breasts, rolling her still
erect nipples between her thumb and forefinger. She snuggled into Xena and
moved her hand further down. She caught the leather and wood penis standing
on Xena's public bone, wet with her own love juice that had flowed for
Xena.

"Remove it honey" Xena said. Caldina got on her knees and started working
the straps.  She freed Xena from the contraption and stroked her smooth
love nest.

" OOoooohh Xena, you're a swamp down here"

"You are responsible for that swamp!!!!" Xena said, playfully hitting
Caldina with a pillow.  "You better cleanup the mess little princess" Xena
commanded, spreading her legs wide for Caldina.

"I thought you'd never ask"

Xena closed her eyes as Caldina started suckling the nectar out of her
flower. Caldina's tongue traversed each and every fold, teasing her erect
womanhood and diving deep into her ravine. Xena lifted her knees and spread
her legs further, hoping Caldina would pay attention to her other entrance
too. She loved what Caldina's fingers did there. Her hopes were realized
when Caldina's slender fingers started probing her nether lips. Just as
Caldina intensified her effort, they heard a sharp knock on their front
door.

"What the ........" Xena cursed trying to get up.

"Relax angel, it's only one knock. Probably a servant leaving a message for
you"

Xena settled down on hearing that. Soon she started bucking and heaving
against Caldina's luscious lips and Caldina was rewarded for her efforts by
the warrior princess.

After resting a while, Caldina got up and wrapped her robe around to get
the message that was left for them.

"It's for you Xena" Caldina came handed over a small papyrus scroll.

Xena opened it. "Well, well, well you will guess who has remembered us."

"Who?" Caldina asked pouring wine to two glasses.

"Princess Tara "

"What is she saying?" Caldina asked handing a glass to Xena

"She wants to meet me tonight"

"Tonight? Why what has happened now?"  "Has Zyla fallen for someone who
wants to kill us?"

"I don't know, but sounds pretty urgent; she wants to meet me at the
palace"

"The palace is too far from here, you can't go there now, and it's too
late; go tomorrow"

"She wants to meet me tonight because Zyla is not in the palace; she wants
to talk to meet in her absence"

"I don't like the way this sounds Xena, please go tomorrow"

"I can't do that Cal, I don't want to be seen entering Zyla's palace in
daylight hours, besides what if Zyla comes back before or after I get
there?" Xena said stroking the worried girl's hair. She saved our lives
remember? I can't ignore her request, can I?"

"I guess not" Caldina said gloomily. At least take some guards with you.

"Guards? For what? I will have to protect them if something happens" Xena
said laughing. Caldina smiled. She knew that it's true. Xena is an
extraordinary woman, capable of fighting and beating a dozen battle
hardened men"

Caldina watched Xena and her stallion blending into the darkness as she
rode out of the massive castle gates. She blew a kiss and murmured a
prayer.



CHAPTER X

Xena had her horse in a steady canter. She didn't want to ride too fast
due to the rain and the mist. The lonely road to Aphropolis was wide and
well maintained by the gold from Zyla's coffer. She passed a large field of
corn and entered the black forest, so called because of its evergreen cedar
trees that appeared blackish from a distance. Xena slowed to a trot as she
entered the forest. The forest covered a mountainous region and due to this
the straight, flat road became narrow and winding.

Halfway through the forest, Xena observed a small fire on the side of the
road and signaled her stallion to slow down. She steadied herself and felt
for her trusty sword, just in case. As she closed in she saw a man fallen
on the road with his face down and there was a torch burning close by. Xena
pulled out her sword without getting down and scanned the area for any
movements. She was well aware of tricks employed by robbers to lure
victims. Though, Xena could easily handle a couple of robbers, she thought
it wasn't worth the trouble, not in this weather. Xena circled the
fallen man once more and got down, her sword ready. She checked the man's
pulse but detected none. She looked at the torch and reckoned that it had
been burning for more than an hour. Xena examined the man closely. He was
old, around sixty. But the most striking feature was that the man was a
hunchback.

"What happened to this man? What is this torch doing here?" she asked
herself.  "May be someone found him and left for help leaving the torch as
a marker" Xena thought. "But how did he get here?" Xena looked around and
saw rain soaked wheel impressions of a two wheeled horse driven cart. She
put her sword on the ground and turned the man over. What she saw made her
recoil. There was a gaping wound in the man's throat and his face was a
pool of blood.

"This is a trap" was Xena's first thought. She turned to get her sword and
felt something falling on to her. Xena's instincts made her dive to the
sword but it was too late. She felt a heavy net trapping her. Xena
struggled to find the opening of the net, but her struggle entrapped her
further. She tried to maneuver the sword to cut it, but her effort was
aborted by a massive pain that erupted from the back of her head. Xena
screamed clutching her head, but still turned around to see the
attacker. She saw a black form watching as her vision blurred.


CHAPTER XI

Tara's stayed bound for an hour till the woman appeared again. She dragged
some one into the room.

"Say hello to your friend" the strange woman growled, holding up the body
to face Tara. What she saw in the room made her gasp.

It was Xena, bleeding from the head and she appeared to be unconscious.

"You know her don't you?" The woman asked sarcastically.

Enraged, Tara struggled to free herself.

"Behave or you would get a nasty wound like that of your friend." The woman
threatened slapping Tara hard. She dragged Xena to the wooden pillar which
was parallel to the one that held Tara and bound her.

The woman removed the cotton ball from Tara's mouth and warned. "If you
shout I will chop your head off"

Tara looked at Xena. She moved her head slowly, the blood flow has dried
out but her clothes were still drenched with blood.  Her eyes slowly opened
when Tara called her name.

"Looks like your friend is coming around. Its about time, I don't have
all night to frolic with the two of you"

"Xena! Xena! Are you ok?" Tara called out to her friend.

Xena turned her head slowly and looked at Tara and her eyes widened with
amazement.

"What are you doing here? I thought you wanted me to see you in the
palace?" Xena demanded to know.

"I thought you wanted me in your castle Xena.."

"What!!!  I wanted you in the castle?????????"

"Yes, that's what your message said"

The strange woman laughed heartily enjoying this spectacle.

"Ladies ladies, please, you don't have to fight over that. Don't
you understand that it was me...."

"Who are you???????" Both Xena and Tara asked in unison.

The woman took a roll of papyrus and started reading out loud.

"Dear Tara,

We killed both of them and severed their heads. We will burn them today and
scatter their ashes to the wind in the evening. We worked to your plan and
got out of your palace without detection. The musketeers are loyal and
sworn for secrecy. The rest is up to you. You would be advised to have a
convincing cover story ready to explain Zyla what happened. Good Luck and
Thank you for risking your life to help me and Caldina. You will always
find us your sincere friends from hereafter and we will always be there
when ever you need us. - Xena"


Xena and Tara looked at each other in horror.  "How did she get hold of
that Tara??"  Xena snapped

"I don't know Xena" Tara wailed

"Ok let me put an end to this controversy." "Who am I? How did I
get hold of the secret message Xena left for Tara the night you murdered
Scintilla? And why am I holding the two of you like this?"

The woman unbuttoned her thick robe quietly. She removed the hood and the
robe and let them fall to the ground and wiped off the black paint that
masked her face.

There stood a tall, beautiful Nordic woman, with crystal blue eyes and long
golden hair.

"What in the name of Apollo is this?" Xena exclaimed, unable to comprehend
the fact that her attacker was a young beautiful woman fit to be a
princess.

"Aren't you Oliva??? You are the one who came to the banquet with
Sitã!!!"

Oliva smiled. "Yes"

"You know her???????" Xena shouted, her eyes stabbing Tara.  "Every
time a woman wants to kill me you happen to know her. Is this another one
of Zyla's misbehaving pets?"

"I don't know her Xena; I only met her once at a banquet. That's
how I remembered her name"

"Calm down Xena let me tell the story. I am Oliva, I have been living with
Scintilla and her family since the day they rescued me from a shipwreck. I
was only eight then. I was in love with Scintilla and we got married just
before Scintilla moved into king Demurias's palace. I knew her plan to
seduce king Demurius. I was in love with her even then. She wanted to marry
the king so that she will be powerful enough to bring you to justice Xena.

"Bring me to justice??? For what?" Xena asked

"For the crime of killing Hadrian, Commander of Zoras's army. You promised
his mother that you would spare his life. But you killed him. Hadrian was
Scintilla's brother. His mother saw you killing him with her own
eyes. Scintilla wanted revenge.  But she didn't want to murder you,
which would have been much easier than being a whore to an old man. Instead
she wanted to try you in court and punish you for the crime."

"I acted in self defense. He pulled out a dagger" Xena shouted

"Self defense???? Hadrian was a defeated young man, surrounded by the
enemy. Do you sincerely believe that a captured man with a dagger can
threaten the warrior princess??" "Can you consider that as a threat enough
to kill him?"

"I know you cannot answer that Xena, because you are guilty. You are a
warrior who can defeat a dozen armed men single-handedly. Hadrian was never
a threat that warranted his killing"

"It was a reaction prompted by self defense instinct" Xena barked back.

"Those theories would have helped you if Scintilla could try you in
court. They are useless now. " "When I saw the dismembered body of woman I
loved, I swore that I would kill you Xena. I didn't have to do that
only because her mother managed to breathe life into her again" "Three
months ago you took her away from me again and this time I will keep my
promise"

The woman turned to Tara and started.

"Tara, Xena's letter proves that you informed Xena and betrayed my
Scintilla to her.  That's why you are here. I was in that temple a few
nights ago and I saw how you had them slaughtered. You have to pay for your
crimes too Tara"

"You both have a right to know why this is happening to you and now I have
told you that"

Xena and Tara listened with bowed heads. Tara started sobbing in fear of
her life. They both knew that this was it. They were beaten. Only question
was how Oliva planned to kill.

"How do you planed to take your revenge" Xena asked breaking the silence,
looking directly into Oliva's eyes.

"Same way my family ended.  In ashes. In case you haven't noticed this
whole house is draped in fabric soaked in oil. It will ignite like a
tinderbox.

Tara started wailing, begging for life

"Let this woman go Oliva, I am the one you want."

"I want both of you" Oliva snapped. I am sick of loosing people I love and
not being able to do anything about those who are responsible"

Oliva lighted the oil soaked rags all around the house and
disappeared. Soon the whole house was in flames, belching smoke that choked
their lungs. The smoke was so thick that Xena couldn't see Tara who was
only a few feet away. She heard her faint coughing. Tara cried and screamed
for help so much that she inhaled more noxious fumes and Xena knew that she
was about to pass out. Xena saw fiery debris falling from the roof and
looked up. The fire had spread to the roof and Xena knew that roof would
cave in soon. She struggled with all her might to free herself. Xena cursed
herself for not listening to Caldina who begged her not to go.

Suddenly the pillar to which Xena was tied jerked and the roof caved
in. Xena was thrown down with the pillar. She looked at the wooden beam and
saw that it had been up rooted. Though Xena's hands were bound her feet
were free to move. Xena quickly pulled herself, sliding her bound hands
along the beam and out of the uprooted end and freed herself. She knew she
had to get out fast, the heat was becoming unbearable and the smoke was
choking her. Xena looked at where Tara was and saw her mangled under a heap
of burning debris. Her body was motionless. Xena knew it was too late for
Tara. Xena struggled to find her way out. She felt her body weakening and
her head spinning. In her desperation to hack a path out, she lifted a
burning table, and crashed it with all her might to the tightly nailed back
door. The door gave way and Xena staggered through. She fell down and
dragged herself as far as possible from the burning house.

Xena heard the sound of people shouting, searching for survivors. She
wanted to call them but didn't have the strength.

"COME HERE!!!! I FOUND ONE AND SHE IS ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Xena saw a young
man's face peering at her...... She smiled weakly knowing that she would
see Caldina again after all......




 *******************************Epilogue*******************************


The ripening corn fluttered in the wind. A tall golden haired woman was
watching the giant red ball setting in the western horizon, her golden hair
dancing in the wind.

It was a picturesque setting. A small cottage, a beautiful garden full of
wild flowers and a ripening corn field. The front door opened and a dark
haired beautiful woman came out of the house looking for her lover.

"Supper is ready honey" The dark haired beauty called out.

The golden haired girl turned around and smiled. "I am sooo hungry, I can
eat a cow."

"That's great because I cooked your favorite dish" said the brunette
walking towards the blond. They embraced, their lips brushing lovingly.

"I can't wait" The blonde said taking her lovers hand.

The couple started walking towards the house hand in hand in the cool
evening breeze.

"I have some more good news for you Oliva." The brunette said breaking the
silence

"What would that be sweet Sitã?" The blonde asked leaning on her mate.

"I thought over what you have told me.""  " I think we should marry Oli. I
mean, exchange wows and rings in front of a priestess, just the way you
want it to happen, and I would love if you call me Scintilla from
hereafter. I know how much it means to you"

"Awww that's sooooo sweet of you. I love you angel..." The luscious
lips of the gorgeous blonde covered the lips of the beautiful
brunette. They were still kissing when the darkness fell around them.



END 05-05-02