Part I

Miranda wandered the Palace where she was born, her barefoot feet slapping softly on the cool stones. She had climbed up the back wall and through the window where the servants sleep. The room was empty at this time of day, allowing her to secret in unnoticed.

She had slipped silently up the back servants stairs to the second floor and was now making her way towards the throne room. She heard a noise and dove behind one of the thick velvet curtains pulled to the side of the nearest window to her. She held her breath and waited until the footsteps echoed down the dim hallway at the other end to let it out in a long sigh. She looked cautiously around before continuing down the corridor again. She reached the end of the hall and stood in front of the large ornate doors of the throne room. Should she just barge in or come along the back behind the curtains surrounding her father's throne?

Before she could decide, she felt a hand upon her bare shoulder. She jumped and turned around. She expected to see an enemy of her father's or that swine of an advisor. Who she saw instead made her smile. She wrapped her arms around the thick next and hugged hard. The man standing before her would never be considered an enemy. His name was Solaras, and they had been fast friends for a very long time. He was the captain of her father's guard and her personal guard whenever she was traveling. He had a terrible time when she turned seventeen. His duty then was to escort her to Ares' Temple and leave her there forever. Miranda's heart ached when she thought of the tears that had fallen down his stern face as she turned and walked away.

She kissed his cheek and he smiled and kissed her smooth forehead. After she answered his questions of why she was here and he scolded her for sneaking off, he led her away from the throne room and carefully took her to his personal cottage in the castle courtyard. He made sure they had not been seen and then closed and locked the front door. He then walked around the house shutting the windows and locking them as well. Miranda was baffled by his actions, though she expected he must be about to tell her what the blazes was going on. After several attempts to question him before he had finished his task, he spun her quickly around and sent her back towards the living quarters with instructions to "hush up" and a sharp smack on her bottom.

Normally Miranda would have put up quite a fuss about a princess being treated in such a manner. She had tried this several times during her younger years and had been rewarded with a trip across Uncle Solaras' lap. He had made it clear with her father early on that he would treat her as her title dictated but would not tolerate disrespect. Her father had agreed wholeheartedly and had taken to disciplining her himself when she acted up in his presence. This at first caused quite a sensation in royal circles; but soon it was accepted and sometimes practiced in other realms (much to the dismay of the snobbish royal children).

Solaras soon came into the room and explained the situation to Miranda. Apparently, over the last 8 months or so, her father's advisor had been plotting behind his back and convincing the servants and guards that he had lost his mind. He had manipulated some of the most loyal servants by setting up little scenes for each to witness. Solaras had become suspicious of the events around the castle grounds and began investigating. Just as he had suspected, Arlot, the advisor, had been up to no good. They talked for several hours about what they could do about the situation. Many good ideas were tossed around, but none they could bring into being without assistance.

Miranda jumped when she heard a jiggling of the front door lock. Solaras walked quietly towards the door, his sword drawn. Miranda hid around the corner, peeking around the edge. Solaras waved at her with his free hand to get back. She did, but pouted about it. He grabbed the door and opened it. Sarah, the head of the kitchen staff, and his wife of 30 years, walked through the doorway. She shook her head at him and told him to put that thing down before someone got hurt. Miranda giggled softly. She more than likely meant him.

Solaras closed the door and Miranda came out of her hiding spot. Sarah put the tray she way carrying down, and hugged the young priestess hard enough to make her lose her breath. She released Miranda and then went back to the tray she was carrying. She pulled the tea towel off the top. Underneath was a feast fit for a king, or a princess. She had somehow known that Miranda was at the palace. The three of them sat down and ate. Between courses they filled Sarah in on the discussion from earlier. After dinner was done and the dishes washed, they all sat down with a glass of wine. Sarah suggested that Miranda enlist the help of her fellow priestess sisters. Miranda explained that she had snuck away and that Ares had no idea where she was or perhaps if she was gone at all. This caused Sarah to laugh, her round belly shaking and tears springing to her eyes. It was a full five minutes before she could speak again with any clarity. She finally explained that they were both fools if they believed Ares had no idea of her whereabouts. He was a god after all, and Miranda was one of his most prized possessions. She then asked them how they thought she knew that Miranda was in her house. Ares had sent word to her and asked her to watch over her.

Miranda was shaking her head at herself. Her Master always knew where she was at all times. How did she think this would be any different? She couldn't ask for his help though, because he tried not to interfere with mortal affairs unless it amused or benefited him in some manner. She could however ask him for Jazelle and Arcana's help. She hoped he would allow it. She asked Solaras and Sarah if she could use their room to call upon her Master. They agreed, and let her call upon him privately. Sarah went back to her last kitchen duties and Solaras went out to make his final evening rounds. Miranda was locked inside the cottage where she would be safe from Arlot and his men.

Part II

Miranda lit the candles in the room and closed the door. She fell to her knees and began her silent call to her Master. Within moments she felt she was not alone in the room. In her present thinking, she was sure Arlot has found his way in, his guards sneaking to grab her. She turned quickly, ready to defend herself if it was needed.

As it turned out, protecting herself wasn't even an option. Ares stood behind her, a stern look on his face. He reached out and gently caressed her face. She was trembling. Fear of her Master's wrath and the state of her father's affairs had taken it's toll. Ares knelt down beside her and gathered her in his arms. He would never understand his girls' attachment to their families, especially their fathers. He could take or leave most of his kin, and in the case of a few, he would prefer to kill them.

He sat down completely and pulled Miranda into his lap. When she began to try to explain, he silenced her with a glance. She laid her head against his strong shoulder and let him comfort her. No matter what happened, he was her protector, her rock, her Lord. He held her long after her trembling had stopped, cherishing his chance to be soft and caring for a change. When he felt she was able to explain, he slipped his arms beneath her and stood. He carried her to the bed and placed her gently down. He loomed over her, but she felt no fear. She slowly began to tell him exactly what had transpired since she left the temple. After she had finished the tale, Ares handed her a glass of wine. She drank it rather fast, her throat dry from speaking so long. She looked up at him, thanked him softly, and then prepared herself to ask for assistance.As she had anticipated, Ares refused to put his hand in Miranda's mortal matters. He did however agree to let Jazelle and Arcana help her if they could.

Arcana was at her reflection bowl, as he knew she would be at this time of the evening. He sent word through the rippling waters that she and Jazelle were to be ready to be brought to his side. She immediately left to inform Jazelle and to prepare herself. She had no idea what he had in store for them, but she hoped he had found Miranda and that she was safe. Miranda thanked him, kissing his hands and smiling. She knew things would go well with her best friends their to help her.

Ares took the glass from her hand and put it beside the candles. He placed his hands gently on either side of her face, and raised her head. Swiftly his warm lips were on hers, his kisses making her shudder. Instinctively she fell backwards, Ares laying upon her body and exploring it with his hands. Soon all the troubles of the day melted away with his touch. She drifted far away from her father's palace on wings of passion. There was nothing but the moment. She was in her Master's arms and he was making love to her.

She barely noticed as her robes were lifted past her waist, exposing her bare flesh to his lustful desires. She faintly heard the rip of fabric as her garments were torn from her breasts. Each bite, each thrust, made her soar higher away from her troubles. She submitted to his passion, hearing her own moans and begging voice as though she were listening from some secret place. She felt her body pressing up to meet his, but she was helpless to stop it, not that she cared to stop any of it. Soon her body trembled and she was pulled back from her journey. She was overtaken by the scent of his flesh mingled with leather. She realized the room was filled with her cries of release and the moaning of her Master as he unleashed his fluid inside her. He thrust hard and held her hips pressed close to his, his face contorted in sexual satisfaction. Laying in his arms, her clothes a tattered mess, she drifted in and out of sleep.

When she awoke, she was at first unsure of where she had been sleeping. She soon realized that she was in Solaras and Sarah's home and everything came rushing back. She looked up and saw Jazelle and Arcana sitting on a bench against the wall and talking in quiet whispers. The panic she felt when she first awoke, was now becoming a distant memory. When the two women realized she was awake, they came and sat upon the bed beside her. They had many things to discuss.

Part III

Jazelle sat behind Miranda and took up the task of brushing her long hair. It had become quite a mess in her adventures of the day. Arcana, who had hoped to find themselves with Miranda, had packed some of her gowns. She began searching through them to replace her torn garments. She picked a beautiful flowing purple gown and put it on the bed. Jazelle finished with her hair, braiding the sides and pulling them up to form a flower at the top of her head. Miranda carefully changed her clothing and thanks them both for their help.

When everything was settled, Miranda took up the task of informing her fellow priestess sisters of what she had learned that day. They readily agreed to do all they could to help out. They spent the next several hours at the kitchen table with Solaras and Sarah. They discussed many different options, most of them unsuitable or shot down by Solaras as being too dangerous. Finally they struck upon a plan that satisfied everyone. No one at the palace, including her own father, had ever met Arcana or Jazelle. This was greatly to their advantage. Everyone decided to sleep for the remainder of the evening. They could get their ideas into action in the morning.

The next morning, Sarah woke the ladies and fed them a palace breakfast. They finished it quickly and discussed the plan of the day. Arcana and Jazelle were going to pose as priestesses from the temple of Hades. It would take much time and effort to disprove this, as Hades was often hard to locate and his closest temple several days travel north. Besides, they had the advantage of being priestesses. There wasn't much to add to the act. Jazelle and Arcana slipped out of the cozy cottage and outside the gates. It took them half the morning to go around the forest and catch the road from the North. Miranda had nothing to do but sit and wait. After the long walk, Arcana and Jazelle came strolling down the dusty dirt road heading towards the palace. After about a half mile, the road became cobblestone. As the two women stepped upon the stones, Jazelle stopped short. She leaned close to Arcana and whispered in her ear. Arcana glanced casually around, but didn't see what Jazelle was talking about. The women continued walking, but Jazelle's warrior senses were roused. She knew they were being followed.

Suddenly, the two women were blinded by light. They stood and watched as Ares appeared. Jazelle gave Arcana an 'I told you so' look and then turned back towards there liege. Ares took the stern faced Arcana in his arms and kissed her passionately. Her stone gaze melted away as his hand cupped her breast, kissing deeply.

When he released her, she staggered backwards for a moment and then stood there dazed. He then took Jazelle roughly by the arm, pulled her close, and suckled her neck. He bit down, causing her to squeal. She tossed her head back, exposing her neck further to him. He nibbled across the taunt flesh, leaving a dark red mark on her bare shoulder with his teeth. Jazelle tried to compose herself after he let her go, but could not deny the dampness he had caused. As quickly as he appeared, he was gone.

He left the two ladies on unsteady legs as they walked forward again. Finally, the approached the high stone walls of the palace. There were two rugged looking men standing guard at the entrance. Arcana stepped forward and spoke to them, requesting entry. After explaining to them that they had been sent by their Master to see the king. When pressed as to who the served, the two women dutifully said 'Hades' in unison.

That had been a stroke of luck, but a nice touch to their story. The guards were persuaded and allowed them to enter. They were met at the other side of the gates by several guards lead by a rather trollish looking fellow. He was short and balding, with wrinkled skin and ears that almost seemed unhuman. He introduced himself as Arlot, the king's faithful advisor. Jazelle bit her tongue to keep from making a rude comment. Instead, she stepped up and curtsied politely. She asked if they might have court with the king.

Arlot led them inside the Castle, to a beautifully decorated room. He asked them to sit, and dismissed the guards. As he took a seat, he asked them what business they had with his majesty. Arcana explained that they were on a mission from Hades' temple. They had been asked to see the king about building a temple in his realm, so that his subjects might worship Hades more easily. Arlot seemed to be eyeing her critically, and Arcana tried not to fidget under the pressure. Finally, he stood and told them he would grant an audience with the king. As he walked out the door, Arcana and Jazelle breathed a sigh of relief.

Now for the next part of their plan.

to be continued...