The Lost Valley Of Ishtar free porn video

The Lost Vale of Ishtar By: Lyrissa The wind howled across the jagged rocks of the mountain cleft as a lone figure cautiously descended the winding mountain path towards the edge of the cliffs. The pass appeared to be a natural formation created when some ancient cataclysm violently tore the mountains apart to form a long, winding canyon which allowed for passage through this inhospitable region of the Kezankian mountains. They sky overcast by ominous slate- grey clouds and somewhere in the distance a lone wolf began howling, perhaps sensing the presence of prey. And still, despite the biting chill of the wind and the dark, forbidding silhouette of the surrounding mountain peaks, a lone figure made his way through the cleft. A giant of a man, with dark brown hair fluttering in the wind and a surly expression on his craggy face, the man descended the rocky path. As he reached the end of the chasm, the man narrowed his dark eyes and studied the vast oblong valley stretching out below him. "Crom and Mitra, no wonder they call it the lost valley," Cael grunted. The Cimmerian had journeyed on foot for days ever since his hurried flight from a force of Turanian soldiers who had arrived in the small border town where Cael was resting. Still not recovered from the battle where his band of roving mercenaries where slain almost to a man, the barbarian had chosen to slip away after cleaving a few skulls and escaped into the nearby foothills. As he traveled into the gloomy mountains with the intent of crossing into Brythunia to get some much- needed rest, Cael had suddenly remembered the story of the lost valley that an old tribesman had told him some time ago, and as he was already traveling through that area of the mountain range the Cimmerian had decided that it was worth the risk of a detour to see what truth there might be to the story. "The valley is at least real enough," he grunted and started down the rocky path towards the opening of the vale itself. Suddenly his progress was halted by something he could not see. "Crom's eye, what is this sorcery?" Cael said with a surprised intake of breath. As much as he strained his bronzed muscles the barbarian could not move forward. It was as if the air itself resisted him, forming a barrier which he could not see yet which remained utterly impenetrable. Taking a step back, the Cimmerian lunged towards the airy nothing which blocked his path, and found himself colliding with the barrier as if he had slammed into a stone wall. Regaining his balance, Cael probed the obstruction with his hands, going first to the left and then to the right in the hopes of finding the edge of the strange phenomenon which would allow him to slip past and into the valley. But at each side the invisible barrier appeared to simply continue on, skirting the edge of the valley below without breaks or openings. "A pox on this sorcery," Cael exclaimed, as he was certain that this was some form of magic designed to deny him his prize. Cael tried to remember what the aged villager had said about the legend of the lost valley. Something about a wealthy priestess traveling through the mountains with her entourage when she was ambushed by bandits who slaughtered everyone except the woman herself. She escaped with her priceless treasures and by accident found the lost valley where she hid. Supposedly she had never returned to civilization and her treasure remained there, but none who had gone looking for it had found anything. And some of the treasure seekers had not returned at all. This strange phenomenon did have one positive aspect, however. Cael was now convinced that he had indeed found the valley described in the legend. Why else would a sorcerous wall of invisible force block entry to it? Once more he pushed against the invisible boundary with all his might, and yet he could not move even an inch forward. "Your great strength will help you not," said a croaky, hoarse voice from behind the barbarian. Cael whirled around, his hand instinctively on the hilt of his sword. An ancient, bent crone stood shivering on the path behind him, swaddled in dirty rags and leaning on a long wooden staff which was as gnarled as the old woman's hands. Long wispy grey hair fluttered in the cold breeze as the surprisingly vital eyes of the woman bored into Cael. "Greetings grandmother," Cael said. "What are you doing in a place like this?" The Cimmerian was wary of the old woman for it seemed very unnatural that such an ancient, frail elder would be traveling alone in this desolate wilderness. More likely she was a witch of some kind, or maybe even a demon in disguise. Still, Cael saw no reason not to be respectful of the woman for the time being as she had yet to do anything threatening towards him. She hobbled closer to him and looked up at his broad chest and the bulging muscles beneath his clothes, and a sly grin spread over her wrinkled face. "I live here, dearie. I have been watching the entrance to the lost vale for a long time now and it does get rather lonely out here. It has been many years since anyone survived the bandits and wild beasts to find their way here, oh yes. But you aren't like the cowardly, greedy tribesmen who live in these dark mountains, are you?" "I am Cael, a Cimmerian, late of Turan." "A Cimmerian?" the old woman said with a wheezing gasp. "Yes, I see it now. My eyes still work well, young one. I do believe you have been sent here by the gods as a blessing on an old woman. Not like the others at all, no. Come. I offer you rest, warmth and food in my home." "I was sent by nobody," Cael said stoically, but the crone simply smiled and studied him as if he were a curious exotic animal. Without waiting for a reply, the crone turned and started hobbling down a small side path that ran along the mountainside bordering the valley and the invisible barrier. Cael hesitated for a moment, still not convinced of the old woman's sincerity, but then shrugged. Whatever treachery the old creature could be planning he was confident he could survive it, and the thought of a warm fire was very tempting. With one final glare at the tantalizing valley beyond the invisible wall, the Cimmerian turned to follow the old woman down the side path. Soon she stopped at what looked like a sheer rock face, but the sharp eyes of the barbarian quickly saw an almost invisible edge indicating a concealed opening, and sure enough the hag reached out to tug aside a thick drape of sewn-together hides which had been dyed grey and covered with dust. A gust of warm, pleasant air struck Cael as the woman vanished into the opening, and he quickly followed. Inside Cael found the cave to be surprisingly welcoming. Thick furs covered the cold rock floor and the large fire pit set in a depression in the far wall offered plenty of heat and light. There was a crude sleeping cot along one wall where the crone likely spent her nights and the woman's belonings were strewn across the floor and set into natural gashes in the rock walls. There were old tattered sacks, batches of dried herbs, cracked glass bottles containing unidentifiable liquids and even a decomposing wooden chest with its lid askew. The old woman shuffled over to stir a blackened pot set over the fire and cackled with approval as the faint scent of stew spread across the single room. As Cael sat down crosslegged she scrambled around to find some wooden bowls to offer her guest of her food, and soon the two of them sat there eating as Cael let his tense muscles relax in the warmth. "What brings a Cimmerian so far east then?" the old woman asked inquisitively as she slurped down her stew. "I was a soldier of fortune in Turan until the rulers decided I and my men had become dangerous. Now I am a fugitive with a price on my head," Cael said bluntly. "Ahhhh yes, that would do," the crone said with a delighted cackle. "But then you went a-treasure hunting instead, did you now?" Cael nodded. "And now you've run up against a surprising obstacle," she continued. "Oh yes dearie, how unfortunate. I guess the stories you heard about the lost valley didn't tell you everything, hmm?" "Do you know more?" Cael prompted, finishing his meal. While he appreciated the woman's hospitality, Cael knew that he was running out of time. If he couldn't find his way into the lost valley then it would be vital for him to make a break west towards Brythunia or south towards Zamora as fast as possible, before the soldiers of Turan blocked off the mountain passes in search of him. "I know all of it. But it is getting late, and I don't think I should burden your tired head with it now. Please stay and rest. Regain your strength. Worry not, I mean you no harm, lad," she said soothingly. "Besides, my cave is safer than sleeping out there with the howlers." The barbarian watched the old woman thoughtfully as he finished his meal, his insides now pleasantly warmed by the hot stew. The offer to spend the night somewhere warm and sheltered was too enticing to pass up. He nodded. "I thank you, grandmother. But in the morning you must tell me about the lost vale and what strange force keeps me from entering." "Don't worry lad, you will know soon enough. Yes, soon enough," the crone said with a cackling laughter as she pulled some spare furs out of an alcove to arrange a temporary bed for her guest. Cael did not undress before lying down on the warm furs, but he did slip off his Hyrkanian steel breastplate and helmet. Keeping his broadsword close to him, the massive barbarian laid back and studied the playful dance of shadows on the rock ceiling of the cave as the welcoming fire illuminated the crone's hovel with its soft light. Stretching out, he felt his mighty thews relax after the straining flight through the mountains. What he did not notice was that before she shuffled over to crawl into her own crude bed, his hostess quickly and covertly dropped a handful of glittering grey dust into the fire pit. She grinned to herself before curling up under her own pile of blankets and furs and soon a strange, subtle scent spread through the cave. Thin wisps of smoke formed ephemeral fingers which mixed with the dancing shadows, and the Cimmerian found himself suddenly drowsy and light-headed. He quickly drifted off to sleep. Cael dreamed. The barbarian adventurer was not without imagination, though he never let flights of fancy overrule simple pragmatism. But he sometimes had very vivid dreams which stayed with him well after waking, and this night was no different. As the tendrils of scented smoke from the fire slipped into his nostrils, his mind was suddenly awash with strange imagery. Colors and shapes danced in mad cacaphony until they finally swirled into images which Cael's mind could interpret. He saw himself rush the walls of Venarium as a young lad, screaming with battle fury. He saw himself slipping into a window high up in a tower with walls as slick as glass. He saw himself stalk through the shadowed corridors of a lost city, sword in hand, waiting for the horror he knew lurked in the darkness. He saw himself sit on an ornate throne, crown set firmly on his troubled brow. He saw himself sailing on ships of many sizes and shapes both as an explorer and as a pirate. And then the barbarian's mighty form vanished from his mind's eye and another set of images coalesced from the haze of his sleeping mind. A beautiful woman with tresses the color of midnight rode in an opulent wagon through dark mountains while armored men on horseback guarded her passage. Suddenly the lead rider was struck out of his saddle and tumbled to the ground, his neck twisted unnaturally. The screams of the people in the dream were muffled and unintelligible to Cael as the guards tried to form ranks and defend the valuable wagon from the raiders who suddenly poured out from the dark rocks like ghosts. The attackers were tall and gaunt with skin almost as pale as alabaster and some wore concealing masks and robes and wielded strange batons instead of regular weapons. Even in the dream Cael recognized knew these silent horrors for what they were. Hyperboreans, that ancient, malevolent people of sorcerers and devil- worshippers whose bleak land bordered Brythunia to the north. The caravan was quickly overwhelmed, the strength and sorcery of the Hyperboreans proving more than a match for the beleaguered guards. Unseen by anyone, the bodyguard inside the coach itself slipped the beautiful woman he was guarding out through the side door before rushing out to taunt the attackers on the other side. Even as he fell lifeless to the sharp rocks below the woman ran madly into the dark surrounding mountains. Her beautiful dress was not in any way suited for flight through the wilderness, and despite the fact that she soon outdistanced the battle she was now lost and alone. She ran like a graceful mountain goat until she seemed utterly exhausted. Following a winding trail down towards a yawning valley, her panting, quivering form collapsed on the edge. In her eyes there was a wild panic and she tried to get back onto her feet but failed. The woman then spoke a desperate prayer to her goddess and although Cael could not make out the words he understood the meaning by the expression on her face. She prayed from deliverance from these strange northern devils who would drag her off as a sacrifice to their nameless gods. She prayed for salvation, for sanctuary. And then, amazingly, her prayer was answered. A soft light appeared on the trail ahead of her and she rose unsteadily to her feet. As the light led her down the path into the valley beyond, the dream began to dissolve. The final image burned into Cael's sleeping mind was the faint image of a stern female face imposed against the dark sky of the dreamscape. Suddenly he knew. Cael awoke to find the pale light of early dawn trickle in through a thin seam in the concealed door. He usually awoke to perfect clarity and alertness, but not this day. The faint image of the female face, one he was certain was beyond this crude material world was imprinted on his vision far after her sat up on his cot. He found the old woman already up, stirring a bowl over the fire. "Did you sleep well, lad?" she said with a gap-toothed grin. "The valley... I know what happened. The priestess who fled there prayed to her goddess and somehow that created the invisible barrier," Cael blurted as he tried to blink the intruding dream images from his mind. The old woman nodded. "Strange that you should know, but yes you are right, dearie. Not often do the gods listen to the prayers of a single mortal, but in this case they did." She handed the barbarian a bowl of steaming broth and a small plate with nuts, berries and cheese which he consumed gratefully, still unnerved by the vivid nature of his dream. "Then entry into the valley is impossible," he concluded. "The magic keeps everyone else out." "Not necessarily," the old woman mumbled and her expression suddenly changed and became dark. "You see, the priestess prayed for salvation from the evil men who pursued her, and that is the protection she got. The valley is warded off from all men who seek to enter... but not to women." Cael considered this quietly as he finished his simple but nurturing breakfast. "So her goddess chose to be literal? Crom, but these civilized gods are strange in their ways." The old woman shrugged and got to her feet with joints creaking as she went about cleaning the small cave. "Who indeed understands the will of gods?" she muttered. "Still, the priestess was saved from her pursuers, if not from other things. Sealed up down there in the valley, too frightened to go outside and knowing that no rescuers could get in lest they all be women as well? That was probably not the fate she'd have chosen." "Would ending up on a Hyperborean altar have been preferable?" Cael said while shrugging his mighty shoulders. "Cimmerians do not pray lest we anger Crom. The priestess was very lucky." "Perhaps, perhaps," the old woman mumbled. "Gone for many years now she's been. It was left to me to keep an eye on the valley and the treasure the priestess carried with her. Long and lonely years out here, not daring to go inside the valley lest I become too afraid to go outside again." It seemed almost like the ancient woman was talking to herself and had totally forgotten about Cael until he cleared his throat loudly. He was already in the process of strapping on his breast plate when she turned around to take notice of him again. "Perhaps that watch is not worth it, grandmother. Leave this foreboding place. Let the treasure mind itself. You deserve to rest and relax in a warmer clime where there's better beds." "If only, if only," she said with a hoarse laugh. "But what of you, lad? Are you giving up on your quest already?" Cael gave her a confused look. "Grandmother, you said it yourself. The valley is barred for all men. Since I cannot enter, I need to make way to the pass northwest of here and try to slip through before a Turanian patrol catches me. I cannot waste time on a hopeless errand." The crone watched the barbarian with her strangely vital eyes, her gaze slowly traveling up and down his bronzed, muscular body. She seemed to be wrestling with some internal decision, and finally she raised a knotty finger to halt the Cimmerian from leaving. "There is a way for you to enter the valley, and I can share it with you. But you must do something for me in return." Cael looked at his hostess curiously. "What strange talk is that, grandmother? You said that only a woman cou- " "Yes, yes I did. And there is a way that you, my lad, can become a woman for just long enough to slip in, nab the treasure and clear out," the old woman said impatiently. "I have learned a trick or two during my long life, and this happens to be one of them. But you must make a promise to perform an important task for me in return. I know you will not break such a promise due to your barbarian code of honor." Cael grumbled, now certain the crone was making fun of him. "Turn me into a woman? That is madness, and even were it possible I would not want you to." "Why is that, dearie?" she said with amusement. "Are you afraid? Do you think women are weak and soft and good only to be your playthings?" "No, that is not true," Cael said with a huff. "In my land a woman may wield a weapon as well as any man. It is only the pampered females of the civilized lands who are weak and spoiled, much like many of their men are." "Then why not take my offer? You can enter the valley and find what you've been looking for instead of doubling back for a risky escape through unforgiving lands. Did you know there's a southern pass at the other end of the valley which you could reach much faster if you were only able to pass through it? Yes, it's true. The road to escape was right there in front of the nose of the priestess all along." Cael regarded this seemingly mad offer, but something was looming in his mind. "You mentioned only sharing this... secret... with me in return for a favor. What is it?" The crone once again burst into a cackling laughter. "Always direct and to the point, aren't you? Very well then. In return for my help you must take the treasure that the priestess was guarding and carry it with you as you leave. However... instead of selling it you must return it to the temple of Ishtar. It doesn't matter which temple, be it in Brythunia, Zamora or Aquilonia, but it must be returned. You may keep any other treasure you find, but that object alone is what the priestess was guarding, and if it is return then her sacrifice was not in vain." "What is this treasure that is so precious that men and women throw away their lives for it?" Cael asked. "You will know when you find it, barbarian," the old woman said, seeming almost weary. "The choice is simple, and yours. Turn back and flee now, or take my offer and find what you came here seeking. You have my solemn vow once again that I mean you no harm. I simply need someone stronger than myself to finish this whole business so that I can give up my lonely vigil and the barrier around the valley can be lifted." Cael was about to reject this mad offer when he found a spark of adventure-lust rush through him. The crone claimed she could turn him into a woman so he could rescue some temple relic from the lost valley? It was not much stranger than some of the other adventures Cael had experienced, and the thought of actually descending that tantalizing path into the forbidden valley was very enticing. Even the promise to surrender what was probably the most precious treasure of the lost valley seemed like a minor issue at best. Finally, Cael threw caution to the wind. "Very well grandmother. I will aid you in return for your secret. I will enter the vale, retrieve the treasure of the priestess and take it with me back to civilized lands where I will return it to the priesthood." The old woman's face broke into a warm smile. She quickly scurried over to the rickety chest and descended upon like like a huge raggedy magpie, digging through the contents. "Good, good! Yes very good! Oh how many years I waited for someone who would make that promise honest and true. Maybe you were sent by the gods as well, dearie. Yes, yes." Cael simply shrugged and sat back down onto the furs, crossing his legs. He watched the old woman dig through the rags and baubles of the chest, wondering if she was truly mad and this was simply a delusion of her addled mind. But then she gave a yelp of excitement and tugged something large out of the chest, holding it up in front of her while cackling with joy. She turned to Cael and he startled in surprise at the object dangling from the crone's claw-like fingers. She held the empty skin of a young woman with long golden hair in her hands, the eyes and mouth empty and sagging. "Crom and Mitra!" Cael exclaimed, reaching for his sword. "Calm! Calm!" the woman yelped. "It isn't a real skin, dearie! Simply a disguise!" Cael stopped himself from striking his hostess, but didn't relax the grip on his weapon. "What madness is this?" he said sharply. "The means by which a strapping lad such as yourself may enter the lost vale," she said plainly. "I learned the secret of making these skins from a master alchemist long, long ago. It is a simple process, really, involving some special chemicals, sap from the purple lotus, some fungi which grown in-" "Are you suggesting that thing can disguise someone, grandmother?" Cael said incredulously. "It's nothing but an empty husk!" "Of course it can! One simply slips inside the seam on the back and closes up and let the suit do the rest. Why, it can even convert a barbarian into a maiden!" the old woman said slyly. "I've kept this for all these years knowing that I might not find a woman willing and able to do the favor I ask. But I believe you will do it, and thus I am willing to share my greatest secret with you, Cimmerian." Cael barely knew what to make of this. He hated sorcery of all kinds, but he was also practical enough to know that it had its uses. The woman seemed to be sincere enough, and Cael had a feeling that if she had wished him harm then there would be much better lies to tell. He didn't really want to try the strange "disguise", but he also still felt the overwhelming urge to see what lay beyond the invisible barrier. The thought of a much easier route to escape these blasted mountains was also a perk. And really, the Cimmerian thought, what difference would there be from using this skin to disguise himself and wearing a simple mundane disguise? He definitely felt uncomfortable about being changed into a woman, if the crone's mad plan actually worked, but he was willing to endure it to make sure he could perform his task. And, he reasoned, the moment he was out of the valley on the other side he could quickly doff the disguise to continue south. "What do I have to do?" he finally asked, sheathing his sword. The crone relaxed visibly and laid the empty skin of the woman out on the furs in front of Cael. "Strip down and slip into it from the back. When it's properly aligned, close the seam and wait." Cael nodded and began undressing. Unlike the mean of the south he felt no discomfort or shame being naked. His naked form was like a perfect bronze statue come to life, and standing up to his full height the scalp of his skull almost scraped the roof of the cave. The old woman couldn't contain an appreciating grin as her eyes traveled up and down his chiseled body, resting on his large manhood before inspecting his mighty chest. "You northerners are a healthy breed, aren't you?" she said with a grin as she handed the barbarian the empty skin. Cael did not respond except with a slight shrug. He took the soft, silky objects from the claw-like hands of the woman and studied it closer. It was perfect in its portrayal of a beautiful young woman, with the blonde locks apparently firmly fixed inside the empty scalp of the skin. It stretched without any hint of tearing and Cael realized this was no natural material. The softness and slight warmth of the skin's surface reminded him of the many women whom he had loved and who had loved him, and the husk even carried a faint scent of feminine musk despite having been packed away in the junk-filled chest for who knew how long. Turning it over, the Cimmerian indeed found the seam the old woman had mentioned, running from the nape of the skin's neck down to the empty buttcheeks. Running a finger inside he found it just as warm and soft on the inside. He grunted, still not comfortable with the obvious sorcery involved in the creation of such an item. "I promise it is safe. It won't suck your soul out or any such deviltry," the crone said, sitting down on her lumpy cot to watch what her guest did next. The Cimmerian probingly stuck his powerful leg into the open seam of the suit, pushing it downwards into the corresponding empty leg of the girl's skin. His limb was obviously much too large and muscular to fit well inside, but the skin stretched out obligingly and slid pleasantly across his own. He wiggled his toes to align them into the dainty ones of the suit and then regarded his work. It looked as ridiculous as he had suspected with his own leg deforming and stretching the empty one of the disguise. Nonetheless, the old woman had instructed him to put the whole thing on first, so he may as well continue, if only to disprove her mad idea. He repeated the process with the other leg, standing inside the suit with his large manhood straining at the inside. There was something about the soft embrace of the weird fabric which made the Cimmerian feel relaxed and aroused, and suddenly he was genuinely curious to see what happened if he donned more of the suit. Tugging the hips of the disguise up over his own he pinned his member firmly against his toned abs, forming a very unseemly bulge beneath the false skin. Undaunted, he pulled the slender waist of the skin up and began donning the arms of the suit as if they were long gloves. He struggled to push his thick, callused hands into the slender ones of the husk, but when it was done it was almost as if he wasn't wearing anything at all. Pulling the empty chest of the skin all the way up, he was surprised to see how far and easily it stretched despite his much taller stature. He slid the smooth shoulders of the suit up over his own and began spreading the seam on the back of the mask. Giving the old woman a glance he saw he nodding approvingly, then plunged his head into the empty form of the mask. Aligning the eye holes and mouth proved difficult, his craggy features much too wide and strong for the disguise, but he finally managed and was soon staring out at the crude dwelling from behind the mask. Slipping the mane of hair of the suit over one shoulder, he probingly tugged at the seam and began tugging it upwards along his back, finding it closed smoothly. The soft skin of the suit joined up and hid his bronzed hide from view as his disguised fingers kept running up his back until he finally tugged the seam into place just below the hair line of the suit. Suddenly there was a tight, pressing feeling and Cael thought for one panicky instant that he was being smothered to death. He gasped for breath but the feeling was gone almost as quickly as it came, and the dizziness cleared from his mind. He was aware that he was staring at the cave wall again, but also that something was oddly wrong. He was looking at the crone just as he had a moment before but she seemed a lot taller all of a sudden, and the cave itself felt larger. Cael cleared his throat and heard a sensuous gasp and then was aware that he no longer felt like he was staring out through a poorly fitting mask. His hands rushed up to his face and he felt only soft skin beneath his slender fingers. "Worked like a charm!" the old woman said cheerfully. "Now let's get you dressed!" The barbarian ran his hands across his body as he turned around. He was much smaller now, but not so skinny as to be fragile. His disguised body had the wide hips and slender waist indicated by the empty skin and the empty breasts had inflated to become a soft and sensitive bosom. There was no trace of a thick Cimmerian manhood on the flat female belly and between his legs there was only a tight, hairless slit. He stared in amazement at how dainty his hands were and was suddenly aware of how pleasant the warm air of the crone's hovel felt against the skin of the disguise, which now felt like it was Cael's own skin. "Now then dearie, let's get you started on your way so you're not late for the border," the old woman said as she hobbled over carrying a bundle of cloth. "Thank you grandmother," Cael said and almost choked as he realized the soft, feminine voice which spoke was his own. The old woman seemed rather amused as she handed the disguised barbarian the bundle of clothes, and then watched him get dressed. Soon, instead of the towering, mighty-thewed Cimmerian a beautiful young blonde-haired woman stood admiring herself in the cavern. She was dressed in a simple, ratty dress which might have been worn by some local villager once, a crude traveler's cloak and a pair of simple, worn leather shoes. Turning around she was astonished at how slender and graceful she now was and how different her body felt. She cupped her breasts through the coarse fabric of the dress and gasped in pleasure as her hostess packed a leather satchel. The old woman put in some simple rations, flint and tinder, a few torches and a blanket as well as some other tools useful for surviving a journey through the mountains, then studied her visitor as she struggled with the Cimmerian's oversized breastplate and sword. "You better leave those here, dearie. They are too big and cumbersome for your disguised form." "Crom and Mitra, you expect me to travel down there and beyond without arms and armor?" Cael said with exasperation after finding her sword much too heavy for her new form. "I have a better chance with the Turanians." "I can see your soul, Cimmerian, and it is brave and pure. You will discover things about yourself you never knew if you just use those sharp wits you have. Relax and trust yourself and you will be in no danger. Embrace your disguise as if she were real and she will reward you." The disguised Cael nodded. She was still not used to the strange sensations of her disguised form, or thinking of herself in feminine terms, but for now that was what she was. Cael was not fond of sneaking around, but he had been a thief and a pirate and a mercenary and he knew that sometimes the subtle approach was the best. With a final nod, the girl hitched the satchel up over her shoulder and gave a longing look to the armor and sword lying on top of the furs of the cavern. "You can buy replacements and more if you succeed with this," the old woman said soothingly. "Now remember to not reveal your true self until you are safe. You are merely a young Brythunian lass on her way south to Zamora, yes?" The woman who was Cael nodded. "Then good luck on your journey," the crone said. The blonde woman nodded and turned to leave the small cave. Outside the mountains were bathed in pale morning light from a sun that barely managed to peek through the grey clouds. Cael narrowed her now blue eyes (a change unknown to herself) and then adjusted her unfamiliar clothing. She began walking down the path towards the entrance of the valley, fully expecting to hit the invisible barrier at any moment. However her steps remained unimpeded as she began walking down the meandering rocky trail down into the lost valley. The invisible barrier that had been so unyielding to Cael did not exist for the Cimmerian's new form, and she felt the excitement bubble up inside her. The old woman hadn't lied after all! The lost valley was now hers to plunder! She quickened her pace down the mountain road as the old crone watched her from the entrance to her crude dwelling. "Good luck lass," the old woman muttered. *** After the initial excitement over penetrating the valley's supernatural defenses died down, the disguised barbarian found herself somewhat underwhelmed by what she actually saw as she descended into it. The vale was a vast oblong cleft in the mountains surrounded by the tall Kezankian mountains on either side. In the sheltered valley the temperature was surprisingly pleasant, and soon the girl spotted the first trees. A thick, primeval forest filled the bottom of the valley as far as the eye could see, and soon the blonde woman was descending into it, staying to the path where the sun high above provided ample illumination. After some time she began spotting the first signs of ruins, ancient piles of rubble overgrown by vegetation and eroded by the weather. The style of what small part of the buildings still stood reminded the disguised barbarian of other ancient cities she had seen, and there was an air of great age hovering over the destroyed settlement. Perhaps it had once been a prosperous town or city in some now long-forgotten age until whatever disaster created the vale had shattered it like overthrowing a children's toy. Cael strayed from the path to kneel down and brush the vines covering an ancient square stone aside. It was probably once a waystone or marker, for it was roughly rectangular (though now badly eroded) and covered in fading hieroglyphic script. The action made the disguised barbarian once again aware of how thorough her transformation was as her slender, sensitive fingers brushed across the coarse surface of the stone and the soft moss covering it. She forced the thoughts of how alien her body felt away and focused on the here and now, but the lingering doubts still remained. How could such a thin covering of false flesh create such a perfect illusion of a lovely young lass from a burly Cimmerian? She reached up to gently cup her soft breasts through the fabric of her dress, and a soft, warm feeling spread through her body. How could her bosom have that kind of exquisite sensitivity to it if it were just a disguise? What would happen if she were to remove the husk and become her true self again while inside the valley? This magic was vexing her mind, and distracting her. "Focus," she said to herself, rising back up and surveying the ruins ahead. Most of the buildings were little more than piles of overgrown rubble, but a bit further down the road there seemed to be more intact ones, or at least ones that were still standing. Dismissing thoughts of her disguise from her mind, she purposefully started walking that way, reasoning that the priestess had surely taken refuge in the most intact building she could find for protection. She wished that the odd dream- vision she had experienced had showed her exactly where the lost treasure lay, but no such revelation sprang to mind. Brushing a lock of golden hair from her face, she continued onwards. The valley had ceased to slope gently downwards, and she was now in the relatively level bowel-shaped bottom of it. The pale sun shone far above, peeking down between the boughs of the ancient gnarled forest as the girl who was Cael continued her search. She arrived at a large circular area paved with cracked flagstones and overgrown by a plethora of moss and shrubs. The buildings surrounding the circle seemed to have been larger and more impressive in their day, with several dilapidated stories now crouching against the intruding trees. In the middle of the opening was the remains of what had probably once been a public fountain, its decorative frescoes so worn and damaged that the humans and creatures depicted seemed to take on a demonic mien. Cael spotted a large building sprawling on the left side of the area which seemed like it had once been beautiful, with broken and cracked spires and statues reduced to rubble lining the front. It seemed like a temple of some kind, and that was probably a good place to start looking for the treasure. As she crossed the open area, she saw something pale and jagged littering the ground near the front of the temple and froze, her muscles tensing. A pile of bleached human bones lay near the base of a now-vanished statue. Cael had wondered if any animals made the valley their home. After all, nothing about the legend she had heard or the dream-vision in the witch- woman's hut had indicated that the priestess had received any kind of protection from wild beasts. Surely they could pass freely through the invisible barrier? Perhaps this had then been the ultimate fate of the frightened priestess. Too afraid to leave the valley which protected her from human predators and thus falling prey to non-human ones. Cael poked at the pile of bones and noted prominent teeth marks, far beyond what scavengers would leave on their meals. Suddenly she felt deeply vulnerable again. She wished she had a sword, or even a dagger. Her eyes darted around in desperation until she found a simple solution to her lack of weapons. Picking out a decently sized fallen branch she at least had an improvised club to defend herself. It wasn't much, but it might be enough against a lone animal. She wondered if the old woman had sent her here to die after all, the victim of a cruel joke. Retreating back whence she came would take as long as continuing on, however, and Cael wasn't about to succumb to primitive fears now. Hefting the branch up she began climbing the stairs up into the ancient temple. Beyond a narrow vestibule was a huge circular room which had once been covered by a huge stone dome. This structure had caved in and cracked a long time ago, and daylight trickled down onto the broken altar at the far end of the prayer chamber while small animals scurried over what had once been holy murals. Before exploring further, Cael felt her stomach rumble and had a quick meal in the vestibule. She had almost feared that her transformation would leave her weak, but her body still seemed hardy if not as massively strong as her real one. With a full stomach and her thirst sated she began searching the desecrated temple. Her trained eyes quickly found some old torches wedged into cracks in the walls in the main chamber which were decidedly the product of a latter age than the temple. Someone had been here and put up light sources to ward off the dark at least within the last century. Unfortunately this led to a less pleasant discovery in the form of another bone pile, this one composed of both animal and human bones which were piled up at the ancient altar. Cael grunted in discomfort as she noted that these skeletal remains all bore the same teeth marks as those outside. Dark passages veered off to the sides, and Cael knew she would need light to continue her search. For a moment she felt a strange tickle run down her arm, but she dismissed it as just a sign of tension as she dug out the flint and steel from her pack and made a makeshift torch. Before lightning it, she knelt down to study the dust and debris covering the floor at each exit from the main room. She found that the floor near the western door appeared to have been disturbed a lot more recently, her experienced Cimmerian eyes picking out a faint path made through the dust and veering towards the entrance. Someone or something had been going back and forth between this doorway and the front door repeatedly, but whether it was a human priestess or a bestial predator Cael could not say. There was no strong animal scent coming from the dark doorway, so Cael ignited her torch and started inside, holding her makeshift club at the ready to fend off any sudden attack. The walls of the temple still displayed ancient carvings of monumental scenes. Battles, feasts, sacrifices and other scenes from the memories of some long-forgotten race surrounded the girl as she made her way through the temple. At each scene was a beautiful priestess dressed in a scant metal garment, performing prayers and rites. Beyond was a long corridor stretching down the side wing of the temple, but what caught Cael's eyes was a spiral staircase wrought of beautiful white stone which led up towards the second floor. There was a torch wedged into the wall just at the base of the stairway, and Cael reasoned that most people would instinctually seek higher ground if they felt endangered. Carefully she began scaling the stairs, watching out for cracks and missing steps. There was a strange prickling at the back of her skull, as if something was poking and prodding her along or some half-forgotten memory was stirring there. She peeked out over the edge of the second floor and saw only more rubble and dust, and quickly darted up to inspect the room further. Another charred torch led into a second-floor corridor and the girl continued on, stepping over a single pale bone as she stayed close to the wall. There was a faint clattering somewhere beyond the wall where Cael was, and she resolved to finish this search as fast as possible. If she could find no trace of the lost priestess soon she would leave and escape the valley, rather than be lured into an extended search which could prove fatal. Quickly inspecting each room in turn, soon she came upon a circular chamber, and her eyes narrowed as she spied an enticing outline in the flickering shadows of her torch. The room had clearly been inhabited sometime long after falling into ruins as there was a moldy sleeping blanket by one wall and the charred remains of a fire in the center of the room. What caught Cael's eye first, however, was the thin ray of sunlight pooling down from a rift in the ceiling which illuminated a beautiful golden statue of a woman or goddess which stood proudly in the center of the room. Cael slipped into the room and examined the statue. The female's form was perfectly sculptured, even if there were dents and damages to the surface of the metal due to the ravages of time. Her hands were raised towards the heavens and she wore only the skimpy ornate garments which the disguised barbarian had seen on the carved scenes on the walls. While perhaps not solid gold, the coating seemed genuine, and the disguised barbarian's mind raced with the thought of how much the statue would be worth. Unfortunately she also knew that moving it alone would be impossible, much less transporting it back to civilization to be melted down or sold. She wondered how many more of these ancient relics were still in the temple, undiscovered by plunderers. Forcefully tearing her eyes from the precious object, she quickly spotted a couple of rocks placed in an odd formation in one of the small alcoves lining the chamber. With her heart racing, she rushed over to examine the pile and quickly pulled a moldering satchel out from behind the rocks. It was falling apart from decay and as Cael lifted it it split open and spilled a torrent of glimmering objects across the floor. "Mother of Mitra, she wasn't lying!" the disguised Cimmerian said with a gasp as her eyes took in her find. A mess of golden and silver coins, pieces of jewelry and gemstones cluttered the floor. Some of the precious objects appeared to be very old while others were of newer make, probably the result of whoever had lived her having searched the ruins. However Cael's eyes were quickly attracted to the large, heavy object which had fallen out first, stills swaddled in threadbare cloth strips. Sticking the torch inside a crack in the stone floor, she knelt down and quickly unwrapped the thing, then gave a pleased gasp. She was holding a beautiful statuette of a dancing woman, wrought from solid silver with gems for eyes. Cael recognized the icons imprinted onto the base of the object and knew it was an icon of Ishtar, the great mother-goddess who was worshiped under many names through Hyborian lands. Appearing much newer than the great gold statue dominating the room, surely this was the treasure that the old woman had spoken of, the one Cael was to retrieve. The object would bring a fortune if sold, but the disguised barbarian also remembered her solemn oath to the old woman and knew she could never willingly break such a promise. The rest of the loot, however, was fair game as far as Cael was concerned. Quickly she began gathering up the treasure and putting it into the smaller bags she carried inside her satchel. There was enough here to live like a prince even after returning the statuette to its temple, and Cael grinned to herself as she worked. As she worked, she put aside some of the larger pieces of treasure which took up more space than it was worth and focused on getting as many of the precious gems and coins into her pack as possible. Finally she wrapped up the idol of Ishtar again and hid it at the bottom of her pack, then retrieved her torch and prepared to leave. She had what she came for, and it would be foolish to loiter behind in the dangerous ruins. But as she was about to heft the satchel filled with treasure over her shoulder and leave, a mad thought occured to Cael as her eyes flickered over the discarded pieces of loot on the floor. "I shouldn't, but..." she mumbled, kneeling down again and studying some of the objects. At first she had dismissed some of the larger pieces as mere jewelry, but as her eyes had darted across the ancient frescoes adorning the walls here (and back at the main temple chamber) Cael realized that some of them were probably ceremonial outfits worn by the ancient priestesses of the temple. She didn't know what god or goddess or spirit had been worshipped here, but surely they wouldn't mind who appropriated the dress of their priesthood at this point. She debated the idea mentally for a few moments. Then she began undressing quickly, not wanting to be caught unawares by any creature lurking in the ruins. The golden-haired girl doffed the simple dress and underwear the old woman had provided her and slipped into the golden, tight-fitting priestess outfit. The bottom closed snugly over her tight slit and the top cupped her breasts pleasingly as she dressed in the skimpy ritual garments. She slid the ornamented bracers over her lower arms and donned the various pieces of jewelry that accompanied the outfit on. She tossed the soft shoes she had been given to the side and slipped a pair of beautifully crafted greaves onto her thick calves. Finally she had some trouble arranging her mane of golden hair into the tiara which completed the outfit, finally settling for putting most of her hair into a ponytail which draped down her back. Just as she had finished getting dressed, she heard the faint sound of something moving in the corridor outside. Cael acted without thinking. Scooping up the satchel packed with loot, the torch and the club she left the rest of the treasure and her old clothes behind as she snuck back into the corridor, weapon at the ready. For an instant she thought that perhaps she had only heard the noise of a small creature scurrying across the ancient stone, but then she heard the distinctive clack of a talon striking the floor, and it was coming from further down the corridor. She began making her way back towards the stairwell, thankful that the creature had not blocked her off from her escape route. Then something glittered in the flickering light of her torch, and she saw a pair of emerald eyes stare at her from the darkness like a pair of polished emeralds. A thin snout covered in scales emerged from the shadows and there was a faint hissing noise as the reptilian creature moved towards the Cimmerian. Cael had no idea what the creature was, but it was roughly man-sized and covered in scales, with large claws clacking against the floor of the temple, and there was no doubt in the disguised barbarian's mind that this beast was responsible for the bone piles scattered across the ruins. The creature hissed loudly and bared a mouth filled with small, razor- sharp teeth. Before it could lunge, Cael struck it clean across the nose with the torch, the flames raking the creature's sensitive nostrils and eyes. It screeched in pain and retreated, and not wasting any time to see whether it was wounded or not, Cael fled down the corridor. Rushing down the stone steps she was suddenly thankful for adopting the skimpy priestess garb before leaving, as she was used to running barefoot and found each step as surely as a mountain goat. From above came more screeching, and as an unpleasant surprise another set of similar calls came from down the first floor corridor when Cael reached the bottom of the stairs. Not willing to fight several of the creatures unless she had to, she fled back into the main chamber of the temple, the sounds of claws striking stone now growing louder behind her. As she ran out the main door, Cael noticed to her dismay that she had spent far more time exploring the valley than she had intended. The sun was already going down across the mountain range far above, and the shadows in the ruins were growing longer by the moment. Cursing at herself for being distracted by the treasure, she located the winding road which led out of the ruined city on the opposite side of the large round plaza and began running that way. Unless the crone had tricked her, that path should lead back up and out of the valley and towards the southern mountain pass and safety. Running gracefully despite the weight of the pack on her back and the torch and club she carried, the golden- haired girl was almost across the open area when a quick glance behind her confirmed several of the greenish-brown reptilian monsters had emerged from the ruined temple and other buildings and were now in pursuit. Then, by some fickle whim of cruel fate, Cael almost stumbled and dropped the sputtering torch from her hand. As it struck the dusty ground, the light source was snuffed out, leaving the girl in the deepening shadows of the setting sun. She continued running, but knew that without something that the beasts truly feared, they would probably overtake her and kill her before she could reach safety. Even in her true form as the hulking barbarian, she would not be a match for so many of the creatures, and suddenly Cael was aware that her long life of adventures might end right here, another victim of the cursed valley. The sounds of pursuit grew louder and she could hear the low hisses of the reptilian monsters as they closed in. Gripping the club tight, she prepared to take as many of the creatures with her as she could. As she could hear them get close enough to pounce, she spun and swung the club threateningly. The almost animal instincts of the Cimmerian rushed through the girl, but were mixed with an unfamiliar sensation. The odd prickling in her arms was back, and suddenly something exploded in her mind, as if something had been unleashed from a prison she didn't even know existed. She snarled and let the odd sensation flow through her, blanketing her mind with red. A jet of flame jumped from the crude club to strike the dirt path right in front of the charging monsters, causing them to screech in terror and scatter. Cael was barely aware of what happened and it took her several moments to realize the fire on the ground was real and not just a mirage. She tried to capture the flickering flames dancing across her battle-crazed mind again and another gout of fire leapt towards the beasts, which now leaped back and turned to flee back down towards the ruined city. Cael stared at the club in her hand, and then at the fire, unable to grasp what was going on. "Mannanan and Lir... magic? Was that... magic?" she gasped. Whatever had happened, she was not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Be it divine miracle or some mysterious transmutation of her own self, she had conjured flames from nothing. The monsters may not be dissuaded for long by this prodigous event, however, and Cael turned to flee along the path once more. Her mind raced as she tried to understand what was going on, and she remembered what the old woman had said: "You will discover things about yourself you never knew." The golden-tressed woman fled up the meandering ancient road through more dark forest, sparing few glances to either side. It would be dark soon, and she did not want to set up camp until she was well away from the cursed valley. Soon she saw the edge of the tree line ahead in the gathering dusk, and then she was clear, emerging at a high point where she could clearly see straight across the valley once more. In the rays of the setting sun the forest covering the bottom of the vale seemed menacing and Cael had no desire to go back down into those ancient ruins again. She now simply intended to find a safe spot where she could quickly change out of this disguise the old crone had given her and return to her true form, then make her way towards the pass. Panting after her hurried flight, she slipped into a shadowy crevice and began undressing, putting the satchel down as she shed her skimpy outfit. She reached up to brush her long golden mane of hair aside, and her slender fingers felt for the small nub at the base of her skull which indicated the hidden seam that had sealed her inside this form. Finding it she began tugging down and suddenly felt vertigo as the true form of the Cimmerian emerged from the luscious body of the girl. Her skin split neatly open and Cael's bronzed, muscled form was soon stretching in the cool evening air. Cael's manhood flopped out from where it had been concealed behind the girl's soft tummy and he was already sporting a massive erection. He wasn't quite sure why, but being inside the false female form had left him quite aroused and it only grew more intense when he looked down at the feminine husk dangling from his hips. Until moments ago this empty form had been his own, a living breathing female. He had felt through her skin, seen through her eyes, smelled through her nose. He could still feel the soft rustle of golden locks on his back, and the jiggle of soft breasts on his chest. The clashing sensations were too much for the barbarian to take, and he knew he needed release. Grabbing his manhood he began pumping back and forth, the tip of his member already leaking drops of clear precum. Not caring how exposed to danger or discovery he was, Cael grunted as waves of red- hot pleasure swept through him. With each stroke came another memory of what he had done in the female disguise, and each memory brought another spark of arousal. She was beautiful, the exact type of female Cael had fallen for many times in his travels in civilized lands, and yet the unspoken, forbidden thought bubbled up from his subconscious that part of his arousal came from the fact that he had BEEN her, not just been with her. Cael roared at the thought, confused by his own emotions. Surely the suit was simply a disguise, one he would now discard forever. He cried out as he lost control, and thick spurts of ropy, steaming cum plastered the dark rock wall in front of him, and dribbled down his legs which were stills swaddled in female skin. Cael panted as he recovered and tried to order his chaotic thoughts. He wiped his hands off as well as he could, his member slackening between his legs. He needed to get out of this female disguise and head for the border now. He needed to forget this oddly enticing skin had ever been wrapped around his virile male form. He needed to simply be Cael again, and drown the seductive memories of female flesh in a tide of bloodshed, drink and women. And yet... The sound of footsteps broke him out of his stupor. They were the steps of a boot-wearing man, not some creature from nightmare, and they were approaching the cleft where Cael was. He quickly weighed his options. He could slip deeper into the shadows and hope he wasn't discovered. He could try to scale the rough side of the cliff into the deepening shadows above. Or he could use his wiles and the disguise he still had at hand. But that was madness. He hated the female form he had been forced to wear to enter the valley! He had no wish to go back to it, none at all! And yet his eyes trailed down to the empty mask of the blonde girl, hanging like the shed skin from his waist. He remembered the softness, the pleasurable feelings of being inside her, of being her. He could easily slip away with the treasure here and now, but then what? Cael began telling himself that surely it would be much more practical to appear as a beautiful female traveler lost in the wilds than as a surly, dark-eyed barbarian far from his native north? Surely whoever was approaching would not be as suspicious of the golden-haired woman? Cael began shimmying back into the empty skin of the girl, wiping the thick, seething cum off the suit as well as he could. He felt the soft, welcoming touch of the disguise wrap around him again as he prepared to seal it up, and wondered if he had gone mad. His manhood was pressed against his stomach, still leaking hot juices which trickled down between his body and the skin. With an almost hungry panic he pulled the seam shut once more. And then he was again she, and she quickly got dressed in her revealing garments before hitching the pack once more over her shoulder and stepping out onto the path, leaving the semen- stained rocks behind as the only proof that Cael had ever been there. "Mitra, what are you doing out here, woman?" said a male voice. Cael saw a tall, brown-haired man dressed in well-crafted armor walk towards her up the road, and was suddenly aware of how exposed she was in her female disguise and skimpy garments. Definitely not a hillman, the newcomer was definitely from the south, but he had an open, honest demeanor to him. "I'm... lost," Cael finally said, her mind racing for a suitable lie. "Bandits attacked my company and they tried to drag me off to slavery... or worse. I fear my men were all either run down or fled. " Even in female form, Cael refused to adopt any kind of sobbing damsel persona. She still felt the prickles of the unexpected sorcery at the back of her mind, and knew she was far from defenseless even while still in this disguise. "You're lucky to have gotten away!" the man said, striding forward. "I am Valthus, captain of a small group of soldiers on our way to Zamora. If you so wish, milady, we will escort you out of these accursed hills and back to civilization." Cael studied the clean-shaven southerner closer, finding no traces of deceit on his face. One part of her screamed at her to get away, find some excuse to sneak off and remove this skin which had changed her into a female. It was the sane thing to do, and the rational thing to do. And yet there was a part of her which told her to simply relax and accept the help of the handsome soldier. Surely it would be much easier to travel in the company of him and his men as she made her way to a city with a temple of Ishtar? She didn't have that much in the way of supplies either, and the prospect of hot meals and others to keep watch at nights was enticing. "I can't believe I'm doing this," Cael muttered under her breath before changing her expression into an honest, happy smile. "I would be honored, captain. " Valthus smiled and nodded, and gestured to show the golden-haired woman the way back towards his camp. Cael discovered that she had emerged back onto a side road leading down towards the main road which cut through the mountain pass into Zamora. The winding path leading to the lost valley was little more than a trail from this side, and Valthus seemingly hadn't even noticed it. Accompanying the soldier, Cael found herself studying his features as the moon rose to illuminate them on their way. "Oh, may I ask your name, milady?" Valthus asked as he lit a torch from his pack. Cael's mind raced. "I am Flavia of Brythunia. I... am a sorceress," she finally said. "A sorceress? Now I understand! Who else would wander these lonely mountains alone and undisturbed wearing such an exotic outfit?" Valthus gave a small chuckle, and the disguised barbarian frowned before breaking into a chuckle of her own. "I suppose that is true. Tell me captain, will your travels by any chance take you towards Yezud?" "I'm afraid not," Valthus said, shaking his head. "We are bound south for Shadizar, but we can help you find passage to Yezud when we reach the Zamoran border." Cael weighed the options in her mind. Traveling alone would allow her to quickly shed her disguise and become Cael again, and then quickly deliver the idol to its rightful owners in one of the temples of Ishtar in Brythunia. But then there was part of her which was now insanely curious to accompany captain Valthus and his men on their travels. After all, Shadizar had a temple of Ishtar too, and Cael admitted to feeling a curiosity about the powers she had discovered while wearing the disguise. Furthermore, she felt a relaxed sensation while in the disguise now, as if she had grown to appreciate the false female form. Was it perhaps that in this buxom form she could relinquish the need to be the surly Cael at every moment and experience life from a different perspective? Was she perhaps even enjoying the soft rustling of breasts on her chest and the lack of a thick manhood between her legs? Such thoughts would have been utterly alien to Cael only a few days ago, but after her journey through the valley in this form her perspectives were rapidly changing. "If it is acceptable to you, captain, I think we can help each other. You see, I need to reach the temple of Ishtar in Shadizar, and if you let me accompany you there I will lend my abilities to your cause." Valthus scratched his clean-shaven chin. "The aid and company of a lovely sorceress on the dangerous journey south to wicked Shadizar, you say? Lady Flavia, it would be my honor. Mayhap you can even demonstrate some of your powers for me and the men!" Cael realized that she was now committed. For good or ill she would be playing the part of Flavia of Brythunia for longer than she had ever suspected. And she suddenly knew that this was exactly what she wanted. "Of course, captain," Flavia said with a pleasant laugh. "Beware, though. I am much more than I appear." "I'm sure you are, lady Flavia," Valthus said with a grin. As the moon rose above them, Flavia accompanied Valthus down to his camp, now thoroughly excited to see where this new path would lead. She had lived all her life up until now as Cael, and she told herself she would return to that life soon enough. But for now, she was eager to see life through Flavia's eyes, find out more about the powers the odd skin gave her, and maybe... just maybe... get to know young captain Valthus a bit better. Maybe this was even a new legend in the making. Epilogue The old crone broke into a relieved cackle as she broke free of her drug-induced trance. She tore her eyes from the roaring fire as the faint images there faded back into the mundane flames and the lotus fumes b