Thread: What the Desert Lord Wants (w/ Chaos)

When the door opened, Eliana stepped backwards, startled by the entrance of the many strangely clad women. She nearly tripped over her skirts trying to avoid them. But they pressed in towards her, chattering in a mixture of languages and fussing over her, their colorful garments fluttering about her. A moment, please, she said as the women ushered her to a stool in the room. I demand an explanation for this... Oh! A little startled cry escaped her lips as the women began to strip her of her travel clothes. They were dusty and sticky with sweat and Eliana was glad to be rid of them, but being stripped by a throng of strangers was a little unsettling. She was a princess and was used to being dressed and tended by servants, but they were modestly dressed matrons or shy, gentle maids. Being caressed and groomed by these exotic, half naked women was another matter. It felt positively vulgar. She began to object, but a woman took her by the hand and hushed her. Be still. All will be known in good time, said the woman in a thick accent Eliana did not recognize. Be still. They peeled away the many layers of clothing, revealing her smooth, pale skin underneath. The women ran their fingers over it in fascination, making the princess blush crimson. Her skin had seen much sun and darkened since her time visiting the ocean side, but it would still seem pale as porcelain compared to the tones of most of the desert people. Others examined her thick, rough clothing, shaking their heads in disapproval before tossing them aside with distaste. Deft fingers began to undo the plaits in her hair and comb out the tangles and sand, letting her long hair tumble to her waist. When she was fully nude and before she could catch a chill, she was escorted to a wide marble room with a heated pool. They maids clutched soft cloths and began to lather her body with soap. The covered every inch of her, gently scrubbing away the grime and stink of desert travel. It felt good and Eliana began to relax a little. Perhaps things were not as bad as she had thought. Then she felt a little pinch on her breast and cried out in surprise. Giggles erupted from the throng of women. One of the women had a nipple captured between her fingers and seemed to be weighing the attached breast and nodding with approval. Excuse me? Elaina said, flushed a more than a little indignant, trying to pull away. Please pardon, One of them said, but from the smile in her eyes Eliana didn't think she was the least bit sorry. They were able to finish their cleaning without more objection from Eliana. The hot water felt good, but it was not like any bathing she'd had before. There was no more pinching, but the touches from the maids seemed just a little too gentle, a little too exploratory. One even slid her fingers between her nether lips, sending a strange feeling up her spine. She blushed a deep red and shuddered. The women cooed with approval at this and whispered amongst themselves. After she was clean, the women helped her from the bath and she felt herself enveloped in a warm white towel. She wrapped herself in it tightly, shielding her naked body. Too soon it was torn away as another servant began to rub her over with warm, sweet scented oil. Our Lord's favorite, she informed Eliana, and gave her a sly nod. It took a while for Eliana to fully grasp what was happening, but as the maids fussed over which outfit she should wear, it became startlingly clear. She must have been taken captive for the Desert Lord's own perverse desires. Her stomach quailed at what certain peril she must be in. This was unacceptable. She was a princess of a noble lineage. For her whole life she had kept herself in order to make a profitable marriage for her kingdom, not as an amusement for this barbarian king. Fury and fear boiled up inside of her and it was all she could do not to burst into a tantrum like a child. There has been a mistake... she spoke sternly, trying to keep her voice from quavering. I cannot be here. She must have looked sickly as she spoke, for one handmaiden stroked her head soothingly and another brought her a tea and urged her to drink. Taking the beverage, she eyed it suspiciously. Poison seemed ridiculous though. Why go to so much trouble to care for her if they wished her ill? She drank the sweet liquid and it seemed to warm and unwind every muscle in her body all the way down to her toes. Her worries soon seemed far away. As her eyes grew heavy and sleep overtook her, the only thought she could muster was that she did not want to wear the pink dress. She had always despised pink...