Red Sonja: The Price of Deception http://literfull12.deviantart.com/art/Red-Sonja-The-Price-of-Deception-4777132 37 The night refused to be kind to her. The terrain was harsh and unforgiving and almost impossible to navigate. A maze like forest that stretched for miles with no local wildlife. Her finely toned stomach remained empty and discontent. Most importantly, this was the Third night Red Sonja had gone without companionship, and, most importantly in her mind, ale The flame haired warrior began to build a fire as she planned to make camp in this awful forest, once more. Her one regret was not dressing more appropriately for the weather. The nights in the forest become surprisingly chilly, and she only wore a scale mail brasier and scale mail that covered her womanhood and rear. She also had a cloak draped over her shoulders, but it was too thin to offer any real warmth. Even with her gloves and boots and cloak and flame, she could feel the chill hit her bone. It was almost unnatural. But the nature of this place did not concern her. What concerned her was making her way out. Having climbed a tree before the sun went down, Sonja estimated that she had another twenty mile trek through the woods, before she'd be out of them. Just one more day. Just one more day and you can have food, the companionship of any man or woman, and ale. Just think of the ale! Sonja shut her eyes tight, and curled up into a ball, her body covered by the brown cloak. She would be able to stomach one more night. It was a simple matter. When she woke, she was greeted by a finely forged sabre pointed at her groggy blue eyes. It was held by a rather lean woman with short golden hair. She wore tight brown breeches, black boots that covered her shins, and a tight white tunic. A satchel was hung across her chest. "On your feet, Intruder!" The woman barked at Sonja. Sonja slowly rose to her feet, the cloak falling off her, her flawless skin making contact with the warm morning air. The woman's face went red at the sight of Sonja. Well, if it worked on men, it was bound to work on women eventually. Not that I mind. "Referring to me as an 'intruder' implies that there is something to intrude upon, and I see no such thing in these woods," Sonja smirked. The woman attempted to raise the word to Sonja's face, only for her wrist to be locked in Sonja's powerful grip. "I can snap it, or you can drop the sword. Your choice." The woman complied, immediately relinquishing her blade. "Good. Now tell me, what is there to intrude upon?" Sonja asked, kicking the woman's blade to the side and picking up her own. "Start with your name and go from there." The woman was hesitant. She wasn't meant to patrol the maze, she only wished to venture out of it to procure supplies. Sonja knelt down as the woman sat on a log near the extinguished fire. "How old are you? Eighteen?" "Twenty," the woman sheepishly replied. "Twenty. A good age. Not much younger than me. Now, what's your name?" "Devanna." "Devanna. I mean you no harm. I don't mean anyone any harm. I'm just a weary traveler, hungry, parched, and unfulfilled. If there is a place not too far from here where I can rest, please, tell me," Sonja pleaded. Devanna's lips pursed, and her eyes looked to the ground. To tell Sonja could have sever consequences. Unsure of what the woman said was true, she chose to tell her. "I come from a large town only a few miles from this very spot. It is called Coldpine." "A village? Here? I've been in these woods for days, and there didn't seem to be any signs that there were even animals, let alone people here," Sonja questioned the validity of the woman's words. "We were able to purchase the assistance of a mage, and he cast a spell over the town, and we herded some animals into the village, while the rest fled the forest, frightened by the spells presence," Devanna further explained. Sonja's mind was filled with thoughts of food and ale, and actually having a proper rest. Devanna still looked conflicted. "I assume you weren't supposed to tell me of this town's existence. Why?" "Coldpine is a town comprised entirely of women," she stated. "We believe man has a corrupting influence and so we distanced ourselves from them. We must never tell outsiders. Even if they themselves are women. The punishment for my mistake may be death." Sonja felt a twinge of responsibility pull at her heart. She didn't mean to make this young woman break whatever vows this village made her swear to. She was only focused on her own comfort and well being. Devanna looked as if she was about to cry. Sonja could not bear to see her beautiful face in such agony. "Alright, so I'm an intruder, and you are a heroic, noble, beautiful young woman who caught me," Sonja sighed. Oh, if there was a God or two looking out for me, you wouldn't know it. Damn my luck. "What?" Devanna wondered, her face doleful and surprised. Sonja's fingers pinched the ridge of her nose and her eyes winced in disbelief. She couldn't believe she was doing this. "You wouldn't happen to have rope in that Satchel, would you?" "I- Yes, but why?" "Wonderful. You're going to tie me up, then." Sonja instructed Devanna carefully. Sonja crossed her wrists behind her back, and told her to bind them tightly. She even had her redo it twice, to ensure her hands were properly pinned. Next came the rope wrapped below her chest, trapping her arms to her sides and preventing her from simply bring her hands around. "Is this really necessary?" Devanna asked as she cinched the rope. "Do you want to return home having mistakenly captured an innocent traveler, or face death for betraying a vow of secrecy?" Sonja inquired, as Devanna remained silent. She didn't have any other ideas. "Now, my cloak. Rip a long, wide strip, and one short one. You'll have to gag me." "And what purpose does that serve?" "You don't want your captive screaming her head off, alerting others to your secret town," Sonja replied. Devanna complied, tearing off pieces from Sonja's cloak. "Why do you know so much about this?" "I've been captured before...and maybe sometimes I've allowed myself to be bound for other reasons entirely." "Oh." "Yes. Oh," Sonja felt a wry smile form on her face. "If this works out, maybe I can show you." Devanna's face went flush again. The woman couldn't help but stare at her beautiful captive. The warrior woman was powerful and gorgeous. "I, uh, would like that. I think?" Before Sonja could say another word, to further this sudden flirtation, Devanna quickly shoved the short cloth she tore from the cloak into Sonja's mouth. She quickly tightened the other strip over her lips. Devanna needed her silent if she were to remain focused. *********************** Being led at swordpoint through a mystically concealed town while restrained was not ideal. The citizens ceased their daily routine to stare and gawk at Devanna's scantily dressed captive. Sonja remained composed, sure that her plan would succeed, and Devanna's honor would remain intact. The streets were made with stone, as were the buildings. Sonja noticed that most women sported blades and arrows, meaning that the town was mostly comprised of a warrior class. "Hmmph," Sonja scoffed through her gag. She was not a creature to be eyed and marched around like this. This was not her place. "Just relax," Devanna whispered in her ear. "I know where to take you. Our leader is inspecting the armory today. That's where we'll go." Sonja nodded slightly in agreement. It still displeased her immensely to be forced into this situation. It wasn't her place to pry into the affairs of this town. She should've walked away, out of the surrounding forest. Sonja was lead to wear a fair skinned woman was polishing an Axe. She leaned against a stone wall, presumably just outside the armory. Her eyes never left the axe. It was if it was her whole world. The woman had long silver hair and, like Devanna, a toned lean body. She wore a revealing high cut armor, that was deep black in color. It was thing looking, almost as if she was wearing plain leather just with bits of armor over it. Sonja noticed the metallic sheen, and concluded that it was all metal. Perhaps more sorcery...to create a seemingly flexible armor is something I've never heard of. "Mistress Nathara," Devanna stuttered, now gripping Sonja by the arm. Sonja could feel the poor woman tremble at the sight. The woman's Black eyes never left the axe. "What has my dearest Devanna have for me today, hmm?" Nathara spoke, her voice cold and uninterested. The worry in Devanna became more pronounced. Sweat ran down her face and her breathing increased. Sonja had but one option. She quickly swung her foot back into Devanna's shin, knocking her off balance. She'd get this woman's attention through violence, in a split second, Nathara had her axe to Sonja's throat, the breath from her nostrils hitting the steel. The woman remained cold and expressionless, until she could no longer. Her eyes went wide with admiration and respect. "Devanna, you should've told me you captured Red Sonja!" "I don't know who that is," she muttered picking herself off the ground. "Hnmph," Sonja huffed through her gag. "Why only the finest warrior. The She-Devil, how could you capture such a person?" Pulling her gag off, Sonja was quickly able to explain the necessary version of events. The lie that would aid Devanna and hopefully ensure Sonja herself would not be harmed. She told Nathara how she was weary, lost, and hungry, how Devanna had found her resting close to the town and how she handily restrained the exhausted warrior. "And there is no deception here, yes? We have strict laws about that. Only the truth. Is this the truth, Sonja? Devanna?" Nathara warned. Sonja answered immediately, claiming it was the truth. Devanna almost hesitated to answer. She knew what punishment awaited her if she was caught for what she has done. "Yes, Mistress Nathara, it is true." Sonja had her bonds removed, and was embraced by Nathara. "Such a legend! I can't believe you stumbled upon our town!" Sonja like she was going to collapse. Her body had spent all it could. She could barely speak. "Don't worry, She-Devil, there's a place where you can have your fill of hot food and drink only a few streets over! They even have a room where you can rest! Come along! And Devanna, you must head to the Guards for a debriefing. You must tell them what you've done exactly since you've been gone!" Devanna nodded meekly, unsure of her next course of action. All Sonja could do was give her a confident smile and a reassuring wink. Not that it would help her stand up to the Guards. ***************************** Sonja drank and are to her hearts content. She drank and ate more than she ever had before. The food was hot, the ale bitter, and the women of the town indulged her rowdy demeanor. They reveled in it. Joined her. "You're to drunk to do that, She-Devil!" Someone shouted, as Sonja aimed a knife with her hand. An Apple rested on a beautiful redhead's head, as she leaned against a wall, waiting anxiously for something to happen. Sonja was not nearly drunk enough. Her tolerance was as legendary as her combat prowess. She never felt more confident in her skill, than now. She risked maiming a woman, but in her heart she knew she could not fail. The blade left her hand, and cut through the air. The results were as she expected. An Apple cleaved in two, the pieces landing on the wooden floor of the ale house, and the blade wedged into the wall. The woman releases a sharp breath, relieved the blade didn't strike her. "IT TAKES MORE THAN ALCOHOL TO DULL MY SKILLS!" Sonja loudly boasted, pleased with herself. She promptly fell into a chair at the nearest table, perhaps a little tipsy, but nowhere near her limit. She spent so much time starving and thirsty, she would continue to indulge until her body told her to stop. But it was more than that. She was waiting for Devanna to return, to indulge in this merriment, as well. Sonja had not seen her for hours. She had multiple women try to stir up a flirtation with a reluctant Sonja, who held out for one particular woman. "You wait for that frail little woman Devanna, don't you?" The rancid breath of the woman hit Sonja's cheek. The woman was well built, her muscles large and imposing. Sonja could size her up with a glance. She was powerful, but lacked strength. "It is not your business, is it?" Sonja snapped. "Aye, it is not. But she is weak willed, naive, how she captured the She-Devil is a mystery to me..." this woman wondered. Sonja had only wished to further her flirtation with Devanna. That was all. This large woman attempting to pry into Sonja's motivations and the story of her "capture", caused her blood to boil. Her body reacted immediately, a tightly locked fist striking the woman directly in the nose. It merely caused her to stagger back, and the crowd in the bar to cheer. They wanted a brawl. Sonja roared and pressed the attack. She could blame the alcohol for her rash behavior. She could blame any number of things. Sonja knew, though, that sometimes she couldn't help but crave battle. The woman tried to strike Sonja, but she was too slow. A lumbering fool sent to aggravate the She-Devil. Sonja delivered a swift kick to her knee, followed by an elbow across her head. The brawl made its way outside, Sonja carrying the woman out the door, and taking the fight to the stone covered street. She would have continued the fight, if it were not for Nathara and her guard standing over them. "It seems we've caught you at a bad time," Nathara sneered, gripping an axe. "Make my life easy and surrender." Sonja raised and eyebrow, her eyes locked on Nathara. Her fist casually struck the large woman one more time, rendering her unconscious. "May I ask why? Surely a brawl that I instigated, sort of, doesn't carry such steep consequences that you require an armed batch of warriors," Sonja pointed out the stern women surrounding her, each holding blades. "This will not be added to your charges. You have been charged with deceiving the town Coldpine." "I did no such--" "You have forced one of our own to carry a corrosive lie, that threatened the town. Lying does not carry a death sentence, you do not have that to fear," Nathara feigned a reassuring demeanor. "Where is Devanna?" Sonja asked, her rage hitting her head like a hangover. She was so angry it hurt. Nathara only smiled a toothy grin in response. "Her punishment has been administered." Sonja rocketed towards the woman, a swing of her battle axe barely missing her. She quickly circled around the woman, attacking one of the women that accompanied her. Sonja quickly relieved this woman of her senses and her blade, leaving her unconscious. The blade was required to ward off their strikes. Out numbered, but numbers never seemed to matter. These women are competent, but they faced a devil. The steel work of the blade was shoddy. It cracked and shook with each strike. Only Nathara's axe was well forged, capable of severing head from spine if it connected. It was large, and she moved surprisingly quick wielding the weapon. These were only tiny complications, though. Sonja had them beaten where it counted, skill, cunning, strength, and guile. The fighting came to a point where it was only Sonja and Nathara remained standing. "You fight well, but you've lost your only advantage-- I've reduced your numbers to nothing." Nathara panted and her chest heaved. She was lucky Sonja had not landed a single blow on her. But it took all she had to keep up with the woman. But Sonja was wrong. She still had numbers. "You're too confident, Sonja. You think the guard are the only protectors of our town's virtue. Every woman who resides in Coldpine would die to defend it." Sonja failed to notice that she had been surrounded by the citizens of the town. They were silent observers of the scuffle. Sonja had chalked it up to the scared and interested watching Sonja fell oppressive law enforcement. She was wrong. Damn. The only thing I can do now is make my way through them. Run. Find Devanna, and run. Sonja tried to move quickly, to weave in between the people before the could strike. She was met with a resistant wall of flesh. "Hold her, sisters!" Nathara barked. They quickly circled and swarmed the She-Devil, wrestling the blade from her hand, and forcing her to the ground. "Oof!" Sonja exhaled. "Let me go! Get the Hell off me!" Sonja barked and cursed. "She's certainly a mouthy one, sisters. With a liars tongue. She needs to be silenced and trapped. Trapped with her lying accomplice." Sonja felt incredibly strong cords lash around her wrists and ankles. They bit into her skin, as the women saw fit to removed her boots and gloves. They pressed her elbows together, and further restrained her. The ropes above and below her knees, above and below her breasts, and under her arm pits and over her shoulders linking to her elbows. The women were efficient and quick, not allowing the She-Devil an inch of slack or an ounce of resistance. She had legs pressed backward, and tightly fastened, her heels right under her rear. "AAGH!" Sonja grunted from the strain. Sonja's jaw was pried open, allowing the women to insert cloth after cloth into her mouth, her cheeks well past bulging. Several lengths of cloth then tied over her mouth, nestling under her chin, and knotted several times, tightly. When they were done, Sonja was bound in a tight, compact package. "RRRGMPH! MMMMPHMMMPH!" Sonja tried to threaten through the horrible thick gag. She could barely she shifted left and right, discovering that was all her bonds would allow for. "Thank you, kind citizens," Nathara expressed her gratitude. "Now, please, help me see her to her cell, her permanent living quarters." ************************************ Devanna felt grateful she didn't pose as much of a threat as Sonja. She was fastened to a chair, her wrists and ankles fastened to the chair. They didn't feel the need to gag her, either. But, she saw the sight of a horribly bound Sonja, and her heart sank. She thought she'd rescue her or negotiate her release, this woman she only met in the morning. Devanna would be permitted some luxuries. Some freedom. She wouldn't be bound all the time. She would have her dignity. Red Sonja was a different matter. She wouldn't be allowed privacy or freedom of movement. She'd remain bound and escorted if she could not find a means to escape. Devanna shared a cell with the woman now, but she could not aid her. Not only because she herself was current bound, but because the consequences would be harsh. Sonja squirmed and stirred and screamed. She was a warrior and always intended to die a warriors death. Not live a life in a cell and have her freedom stripped away. "FRRMM MM!" Sonja demands were garbled by the cruel gag. There'd be no removing it without a pair of free hands. Sonja could feel the ache and her muscles screamed. She saw Devanna sit quietly, unable to look at her, in the corner of her eye. She saw that the woman she constructed a lie for, refused to acknowledge her. Sonja could do nothing. She was thoroughly pinned and trapped and alone. The night refused to show her kindness. The people refused to show her kindness. But Red Sonja didn't NEED kindness. She only needed a blade. ******************************* She waited until morning, or at least what she thought was morning. The guards were going to take Devanna to be fed and bathed and whatever else she needed to do before she was constrained to the chair. Subterfuge was a cowards tactic. Red Sonja had refused to use it before. She was direct and made her intentions well known. So when she faked choking to death, it made her sick to her stomach. At first the female guards and Devanna didn't know what to think. They watched as she forced out stifled coughs and her face turned red. How many awful, shameful noises must I make before they check on me? When Sonja went quiet, when her eyes slowly closed, was when they acted. Cutting her legs free, laying her on her back on the cold floor of her cell, Sonja continued to feign death. They slowly removed her gag, each pass allowing her jaw some slack. When they pulled the lengths of cloth from her mouth out of her mouth, the excessive packing that silenced her, was when the She-Devil acted. Her head slammed into one of the guards head, with such force, it rendered her immediately unconscious. The next guard drew her blade, only to have her legs swept out from underneath her, by Sonja's bound, but still mighty legs. Her heels slammed into the woman's head, and she too, was unconscious. "Well, this was all well and good," Sonja coughed out, her mouth dry and throat horse. "But perhaps we should get going, Devanna." ****************************** "I can never go back," Devanna lamented. "My whole life, and I have to leave it behind because of one little lie..." Sneaking out was a simple matter. Stripping the armor off the guards, tying them down and gagging them...It was child's play for Sonja. The emotional fallout was what she wasn't prepared for. "I suppose you can't. I'm sorry I lead you astray. That my actions set you against the ways of your people," Sonja apologized. She had gone for weak to strong to exhausted all in the matter of a day. The stress weighs on her more than it should. "They were...my sisters. My people. What do I do?" Sonja had no answers. She was a warrior first. She did not dwell in the aftermath. She never dwells in the aftermath. If she ever glanced at the horror left behind....She never looked back. "I only know we have a twenty mile trek out the woods. If you care to follow, I know some who can provide you with food, coin, and purpose." Devanna had no better options. It was that, or face certain death. She knew Sonja would face worse. Nathara's wrath knows no limits. It will only be quenched by the blood of the She-Devil. "Lead away, Red Sonja."