Gauntlet

by Ganelon

Chapter 1

James awoke from a strange restless night. The dream he had was a cross between a wet dream and a nightmare. He lifted the robe from his mantel and rapped it around him. Wiping the sweat off his face, he needed to go to the head to see if he was alright. James turned towards the door to find the room darker that normal. The lights outside should illuminate the room better that this. Looking for the door a small blue light was the only thing visible. It hovered just below James's waist and pulsed with white light that seemed to beckon him. I must still be dreaming. How else could I be in my own room and find no way out? Maybe I need this light to get out? James heeded the call of the light and clapped it in his hands. The warmth of the light filled his being and James could feel himself move through the darkness. James sailed through a tunnel a visions and whispers. All kinds of images flashed by ranging of terrifying to the beautiful. What a bizarre dream, I feel like I am awake but I can't be. At least this is better than the last one. James felt a pull towards the wall of images. An image filled his eyes as it came closer. Shielding his face with his hands, James dived into the image as if he jumped through a mirror.

James fell to meet a hard stone floor. Looking around he found himself in a long hallway with lanterns keeping back the darkness. James stood and realized his robe was gone and somehow he was wearing heavy studded leather coat with matching pants. He also found himself armed. A long wicked looking dagger thrust out of his belt. James pulled the heavy dagger from its sheath and stared at the wave pattern of the blade. What the hell is this for? How did I change clothes?

"Hold intruder! I have a bolt pointed at your heart so do not test me to put it through you," a feminine voice called out from behind him.

James raised his hands keeping them steady. "I don't want to hurt anybody," James said dropping the dagger at his feet. Rapid boot steps echoed from behind, it sounded as if more people were heading down the hall.

"Sheila, tell the queen another one of the hagqueen's assassins has been caught and will be delivered to the throne room immediately."

"Yes, Dame Lisbeth," a girlish voice answered.

"I am not...," James swallowed hard as felt a steel point in his back.

"Say another word and you die. Now, move it!" Lisbeth pushed James forward as she marched him through the cold halls. James could see doors cracking open to peer at him. He wondered what their curiosity meant and if this encounter was still a dream. It felt all too real.

Two giant doors opened to a glowing room and looked strangely different from the decor of the dark halls. The throne room was a hundred feet long with glowing chandlers hanging down giving the room a majestic beauty. James was surprise to see the walls lined only with women. Each one more beautiful than the next, they are all from different races and ethnicity. James's fear washed away with the yearning for their touch. He smiled as they whispered to each other and pointed. Walking to a large dais he noticed all the women were buxom and none looked older than thirty-five. James head turned many times until the platform rose in front of him with a white marble throne looming over him.

"Stop here interloper." The bolt drove into his back making James return to the problem at hand. Golden double doors to his right flew open with two beautiful women striding to the platform. The first was a blonde women in regal robes and walked like a person of station. Her short blond locks and the delicate features of her face made her quite attractive. The second was a shorter Asian women with straight black hair and slender build. He noticed their slim figures ameliorated their chests. Although pleased with what he saw, James knew something was wrong. He had never dreamed of anything like this before.

"Your name interloper," the blonde said sitting down on the throne.

"My name is James...your Majesty."

"James? That is a strange name for a woman. And you do not look like a woman I have ever seen." James couldn't believe what he heard. Did she call me a woman?

"I am not a woman. I am a man," James said laughing.

"A man? What kind of woman is that High Priestess?"

The Asian women stepped forward with a large open book in her hands. "I do not know Queen Jasmine. But I do believe the man is referred in the Book of Ages."

"What does is say Priestess Mia?" The queen said licking her lips.

"A man is part of the Tozan's plan to save our Mother Nis. The man is Tozan's blessed one."

The queen looked down at James. "What kind of woman are you? And what is your role save our Mother Nis?"

"I am a woman," James paused to look around the room, "that is not like any other woman you have around here. I am not sure about saving your mother Highness, and I honestly don't know how I got here."

The queen chuckled as did the other women in the room. "We are all daughters of Mother Nis."

"All of you? Where is Mother Nis?"

"You are standing on her, she is all around you. She is your mother to."

James frowned. "You mean this place is Mother Nis?"

Laugher filled the room and James grew angry as they mocked his confusion. At that moment the women from behind James stepped to his right and bowed to her queen. James was shocked to see her tower over him. The amazon's long brown hair cascaded down her impressive chest and made James's mouth dry. Her gold armor barely covered her and seemed to have no function but to titillate James even more.

Dame Lisbeth raised her crossbow to James chest. "It is obvious that this woman is here to kill you Highness. If this man is part of Tozan's plan, wouldn't she know about it? Better to send this murderess back to the hagqueen as an example."

Beads of sweat came down James's face. This can't be a dream. I have never been this sacred and aroused in my life. As he saw Lisbeth's finger move on the trigger, he prayed it would be a quick death. James looked at the queen as she gazed impartially on his execution. James then gazed at the high priestess begging for his life. James was relived to see her touch her queen's shoulder and whisper in her ear.

The queen nodded. "Dame Lisbeth, I know you are protecting me but the high priestess thinks she can prove the woman is not lying."

Lisbeth lowered her crossbow with a chagrin. "I hope you are right High Priestess."

Priestess Mia descended to the floor and took James's hand in hers. She smiled easing James's anxiety. "Come with me Lady James and I will prove you are part of Tozan's plan."

The door shut behind James with a loud thud. The priestess had led James up through the castle to the Tower of Disciples. The top floor was taken up with what looked like the priestess's personal quarters. It was simply furnished with large bookcases filling the room. James turned one of the chairs around and sat down, resting his arms on its back. He waited for Priestess Mia to appear from the stacks for what seemed like hours before she dropped heavy tomes on the table in front of him.

James put his fingers together. "So, how are you going to prove to the queen and her executioner that I am part of this plan?"

Mia rapidly turned the giant pages of the tome. "I must prove you are the man in the holy books. The Book of Ages foretells of your arrival, but that is all. I have spent all my life reading the holy books and wondering when Tozan would send you to save our Mother." Mia eyes glanced up and examined James, "I thought you would look like the rest of us, not so...different."

"Sorry to disappoint."

"I wouldn't say that," Mia smiled.

"Are you flirting me priestess?"

Mia's face flushed red and went back flipping pages. James watched Mia closely as she bent over looking through books. His eyes grew wider when he saw Mia's cleavage exposed through her robe. As her breasts shook when she turned the pages, James fought the urged to touch her olive hued skin. He could tell she found him attractive, but he did not want to show his desire. For all he knew, it could be taboo for a woman to have lustful feelings for another woman.

Mia's voice broke James's stare. "What are you looking at, Lady James?

"Nothing...tell me, how long have you been High Priestess?"

"Since I was born."

"You must have been bored as hell as a kid cooped up with all these books to read."

Mia laughed. I am only four years old, James. It is Mother Nis that gives us our roles to better serve her. After we are born we have no concept of age."

James's jaw dropped open and scratched his head. "You are telling me that your are born looking like that? Why do all the women here look the same, not that a am complaining."

"Our bodies please Tozan and Tozan gave Mother Nis life. It is her gift to our god."

Baffled, James had to hold back the passion building in his belly. He grabbed a tome and cracked it open. The words were made up of strange line formations, similar to cuneiform. Great, I can't even help find the passages she needs. James was about to close the book when the lines on the page started to change. The lines combined to form English words and the continuing metamorphosis raced down the page. James flipped the pages to see all the writing had changed. Did I do that? I could always understand what the women where saying but now that I am reading, it changed to accommodate me. James mulled over the books for hours until he found a reference to the blessed one.

"Here Mia! I found the passage." James gave the book to Mia. Even though James could read the words, he could not fully understand the religious phrasing used in the tomes.

Mia nodded as she read. "It says the man will have a key, or gain a key, I am not sure. Do you have a key with you?"

James rummaged through his coat and trousers but found nothing. Frustrated, James took off his coat and undershirt to search for hidden pockets "I don't think so. I had a dagger but it did not look like...Mia?"

Mia's eyes locked on to James's barrel chest and strong body. James saw the fire in her eyes as she reached out gliding her fingers over his chest hair. James could not hold back any longer. He grabbed Mia's hand and kissed her fingers repeatedly. Mia gasped as his warm lips fueled the fire inside her. As good as it felt, Mia pulled her hand away and stepped back. James's hart fell.

"Mia, please tell me, can a women show love for another here on Nis?"

Mia turned away and rapped her arms around herself. "Yes, but only Tozan decides who will love each other for the ceremonies. It is how we praise Tozan." After a long pause she faced James, "I have heard of women showing physical love for each other without Tozan's approval, but most of us do not have those feelings. But I fear lustful feelings have possessed even me."

"I don't understand your God's need for lesbian ceremonies, but I know Tozan would understand that I am a different kind of woman. I have different needs and if we do not find a way to prove I am not a spy, I am dead tomorrow. Please Mia, grant a dying man his last wish and let me make love to you tonight," James knew he was being melodramatic but if he did not try bed down Mia he would kick himself. If it can't be proven, I could escape before the hangwoman comes for me.

Mia eyes lit up and grabbed the sides of her head. "I can't believe I forgot, of course!"

Mia ran to the nearest bookshelf and threw a tome into James's hands. James was confused. "I was hoping for a different reaction, reading as foreplay does not work for me."

Mia opened the book in his hands and yelled in delight. "I forgot about the Book of Rites. It states that the man will show love differently than any other woman. All we have to do is have physical love and that will prove you are the man!"

James was so aroused he was ready to take Mia on the table. "Thank you Book of Rites!"

"Oh no," Mia gasped

James froze. "Oh no? What do you mean Oh no?"

"It also says that if the man is not the true blessed one and makes love to women, then Tozan will become angry. Tozan will destroy the unblessed with much vengeance and unparalleled fury."

James felt like someone had poured cold water down his pants. He knew he was not supposed to be here and that Tozan must have a certain man in mind for this plan. It must be the god's way of saying hands off to any other men that might show up on Mother Nis. Tozan is starting to piss me off.

Mia scoffed at the passage. "But you must be the man that Tozan spoke of. Mother Nis has never birthed a woman that looked like you before. Take me now, so we can prove you are the man."

Mia's face was elated and grabbed the sides of James's head. She pulled him down to meet her lips and kissed him hard as her tongue searched for his. James was shocked to see the priestess's eagerness for sex matched his own. With a heavy hart he pulled away from Mia.

"Look priestess, I don't know if this is a good idea."

"This is the only way to save you from the queens executioner. You wanted to make love to me a moment ago?"

"But that was before I knew a god could kill me if I did. I can escape from the castle but not a god." Mia's head fell as James spoke, "You don't understand, I am not from Mother Nis and I am sure I don't have Tozan's blessing."

Mia's eyes lit up as if a revelation had come to her. "I must be the blessing. It was Tozan's will that we met first and through me you will gain the blessing."

"You don't know that."

Mia's almond eyes narrowed as the fire blazed in her loins "We will have to take that chance."

James looked shocked. "You mean me."

Mia started to pull off the sashes on her robes. "We don't have time to discuss this James. It will be dawn soon and this is the only way to save your life."

"Mia please don't do...oh God." James stuttered as Mia's robe hit the floor. James stared at Mia's marvelous body. She was wearing a string bikini kind of undergarment that made James melt. James was captivated by her bouncing breasts as she walked to him. James wanted to say something to make her stop but nothing came out. Mia pushed on his chest lightly forcing him to walk backwards. Knocking over chairs and tripping on books, James stopped when his rear bumped into something. His head turned around and saw a large bed with scrolls littering the bed-sheets. James turned to her and smiled.

Maybe Tozan isn't watching. Mia took off her bikini top revealing all of her breasts to him. Her firm tits hung handsomely on her chest that seemed to deify gravity. James licked his lips as his hands cupped Mia's melons and brought them to his face. He suckled her right nipple as fiercely as a newborn. James tongue then made the long journey up the top of her breast and then to her neck. Mia hummed in approval as licked back down to her left nipple. He buried his face in-between her breasts and sucked her tan flash as his hands caressed her chest.

James thrashed between Mia tits as his tongue made long strokes across her chest. Mia moaned loudly as she became more aroused by James warm tongue bath. Her hands slide down James's waist and undid his belt. Sliding her fingers into his trousers, she pulled them down. His pants fell around his feet as she felt a bulging loin-cloth around his waist.

Mia was fascinated with what she felt, she pushed James away from her chest and onto the bed. With James's legs dangling from the front of the bed, he was spread eagle in front of her. Mia hands sank deeply into the loin-cloth searching for what it contained. James eyes rolls back when he felt her fingers rap around his penis. When she saw James's reaction, Mia tore at the loin-cloth as if she was opening a present. Mia eyes widened seeing James's semi-erect penis in her hands.

Mia's heart pounded in her chest. "What is it?"

"It is my penis. You can say it distinguishes me as man."

"It looks similar to icons in our temples. How do I pay homage to it?"

James gritted his teeth as Mia squeezed his throbbing member. "You are doing a good job, keep touching it with your hands."

Mia hands worked up and down James's cock as if she was molding clay. His penis began to stiffen and expand in her loving hands. James's pulse raced as pleasure rocked his body, but he wanted more. At this rate I am not going to last long.

James gasped for air to be able to speak. "How use your tongue and take into your mouth. Suck it as if it where a piece of ice. Please, do it now!"

Mia obeyed placing her tongue on his cock head and traveled down his shaft. She took James testes in her mouth before licking up his long pole. Mia gripped James in her right hand as her full lips descended on his cock head. Mia's warm mouth enveloped him and became suck away on his long tool. Mia's head bobbed up and down, lightly sucking as her cheeks caved in. The fellatio sent waves of pleasure through James's body. The pressure was so intense within his loins he thought he would climax any second. He fought to keep the floodgates closed, he had to make Mia cum or all was lost.

James took Mia's head in his hands and pulled her free from his engorged cock. "That enough baby. Take those bottoms off and come over here," James crawled on his back until his head sunk down into the pillows resting on the bed. Mia gave an inquisitive smile and moved her hands slowly down her body to the bikini bottoms. Hooking them with her thumbs she pulled them off revealing her shaved vagina. As she bent down to remove the bikini her tits touched James's legs, his penis jolted upwards at her touch causing Mia to smile. Mia crawled on all fours moving up the bed. Her heavy breasts glided along his body as she looked like a predator about to fall upon her prey. Their tongues met in mid air, each one battling the other for dominance. Mia won the duel pushing his head back into the pillows with her intensity.

James stopped their fierce kissing. "Turn around and put you're back on my chest."

Mia nestled on his chest, throwing her long hair to the side and rested her head to the right of James. James kissed her neck as his left hand cradled her breasts and the right hooked the inside of her leg. Pulling her legs open he maneuvered his cock to the gates of her pussy. Mia was surprised to feel the hot cock head against her labia.

Mia looked up and gasped. "It's too big. It will never fit."

James grinned at Mia's surprise. He realized that the women here must only use their fingers to explore one another. I must be doing something truly revolutionary.

"Trust me priestess, we'll make it fit. I'm going to show you what my penis is for."

James's cock split her labia with one slow stroke as he entered her. Mia panted as she watched his thick dick disappear inside her. Her head nestled against his as she gave in to the pleasure. His lips returned to her neck when another thrust sent his cock far up her channel. Mia moaned loudly as his dick withdrew and suddenly slammed back home. James's couldn't believe the feeling her tight cunt muscles fighting against him. He had never felt anything like before, the pressure on his penis was unbelievable.

Mia was becoming moist as his member pulse in and out. It made it easier to pound her, so James started to pick up the pace. His crotch banged into hers faster and harder than before. Mia's moans changed into screams as she yelled out various religious expressions. James knew he must has hit her spot and thrust in deeper demanding the orgasm to take her. Mia's voice exploded in his ears as she came and drenched James's dick with her juices. James fought against himself and continued humping hoping for her to cum again. At the height of her climax and loud knocking resonated from the chamber door.

"Priestess Mia! Is everything alright!" a low voice boomed.

Mia scrambled up on her arms, sitting on James's cock. James grunted as she fought to compose her voice. "Yes,... do not come in! I am performing a new prayer to Tozan. You must leave immediately!"

"Yes Priestess, at once."

Mia turned her head and smiled at James reveling in her successful deception. She quickly frowned when she noticed James's halted his humping. Gritting her teeth she slowly started to grind on top of James. James's quickly joined Mia in her lustful screams as her assault on his dick grew more intense. Her need to cum had possessed her and James couldn't believe the change in Mia. From humble priestess, to horny wildcat. Her hair flung of side to side as she pounded his pole as their screams filled the room. She ripped the sheets from her bed, throwing scrolls all around the chamber. Mia's entire body shuttered as a volcanic climax took her. Yelling at the top of her lungs, James felt himself about to cum. His hands grabbed handfuls of her breasts and instinctively thrust as deep as he could into Mia. A mind-blowing orgasm overwhelmed him as he filled her. Coming back down, ecstasy took him again and launched his dick deep into her pussy. James's pelvis bucked as he shot his load deep inside her until he was spent.

Mia dismounted James's stiff dick and collapsed next to him. James could not believe how good he felt. Almost exhausted, he kissed up her arm, to her tits, and finally her face. Both breathing too heavy to talk he pecked at her lips until she could speak.

"One thing is for sure," Mia gasped.

"What's that?"

"You are the man."

James had not slept this good in years. He enjoyed the sweet dreams that came to him in his sleep. Each one bringing a grin to his tranquil face. Even under these bizarre circumstances, he had finally found peace sleeping next to his buxom lover. Suddenly, a white light filled his eyes as if calling him from his unconscious state. His eyelids wearily opened to reveal a white light cascading across the chamber. James stood up in bed, shielding his eyes with his forearm. Scanning the room James was horrified.

The air itself was torn open and light bled from the wound. A humanoid form emerged from the tear stepping onto the floor. As the dark shape entered the room, James darted from the bed. He ran to the door and clasped the door-handle. James's face went white when the door did not budge. Those bitches signed my death warrant locking me in here.

James could feel a presence looming behind him. James shook as he turned to face his certain death. He was shocked to see a short, middle-aged man standing with his hands behind his back. He was wearing a black suit that looked as if it had just been pressed and dry-cleaned. The man adjusted his tie pulling up a chair and sat down. James slowly circled the stranger as the man's hands come forth from his pockets with a cigarette case.

"Are you Tozan?" James spoke.

The man opened the cigarette case and whirled one of his smokes in his fingers. Tapping the end on the silver case, he smiled showing his bright white teeth that made his wrinkled face come alive. "Thankfully for you James, I am not. You my call me Martin."

"Then you are not here to kill me?"

"No, and for God's sakes man put some pants on."

James rushed over to his trousers on the floor and hiked them on. "Who are you?"

Martin flipped his wrist and a brass lighter appeared in his hand. James thought it looked like a magician trick as he doused the end of the fag in flame. "Who I am is not important. Think of me as a watchdog of dimensions. You see James, it is my job to see that dimensions to not collide, but that is exactly what has happened."

"You mean I am in another dimension? I knew this felt real, but I still thought it might be a dream."

Martin took a long drag on his cigarette. James wondered why he could not smell the smoke Martin blew into the air. "Welcome to Nis, the land of big breasted women with no concept of man."

"What kind of dimension has buxom women running around, looking like they're in a fantasy movie?"

Martin blew smoke from his nose and sighed. "What I am about to tell you is hard to grasp, but bear with me." James nodded as he continued, "The human mind is a powerful thing. Within the mind there is no limit to the imagination. What seems like fleeting thoughts to you, may become as real as the reality you live in. Simply put, some people have such vivid imaginations that a dimension is formed by the sheer power of their minds.

"You mean that novelists and moviemakers whom make up fictional places, really exists as another dimensions?"

Martin shook his head. "I said some humans have the ability. The average human uses only ten percent of his or her brain and my job would be a lot harder if they used any more. My collogues and I estimate that only a thousand humans have the ability to create dimensions. Each one serving some kind of unconscious purpose."

James threw up his hands and laughed. "What could be the purpose of this dimension?"

"Haven't you caught on by now? Buxom women, lesbian ceremonies, and the fact there are no men to be found."

It hit James all once. He fell back as if someone had punched him in the gut. "I'm in a sex fantasy?"

Martin winked. "Exactly, this whole world is someone's experiment in carnality." Martin raised his head to get a clearer view of the bed, "I see you have also fallen for Nis's charms."

James rubbed his hand across his chin, thinking of something to say. "You don't understand Martin, it got complicated..."

Martins face turned to scorn. He raised his hand, halting his explanation. "What none of these women know is men have visited Nis before. Tozan created them to watch the men sadistically mutilated in what is called the Witchland. Tozan seems to take great pleasure watching men die in this reality. When Tozan sees you in this fantasy, the god will undoubtedly try to kill you."

James's blood turned to ice as his mind fought to comprehend his plight. I am in heaven and hell at the same time. I can't believe this is happening. Anger began filled him seeing Martin nonchalantly put his cigarette out on the table and ran his hand through his plastered hair. Does he care I am about to die? Or does just want to keep the status quo on his watch.

James clenched his fists. "Damn it, Martin! If you wanted to scare me you did a good job. Now, tell me what to do to get out of here or the next time Tozan fantasizes I am a dead man."

Martin lit another cigarette and filled his lungs with smoke before answering. "Calm down, Tozan can not stuff you out. You where not created by Tozan so you are safe in that regard. But that does not mean the god of this realm will not put obstacles in your way. You have been given the black dot, now it is up to you to survive."

James paced back and forth. "You are not telling me everything, are you? What about the blessed one? The priestess said a man would save Mother Nis."

Martin shook his head and stood up. "I don't have all the answers James. I only watch and I have never gotten involved until now. I assure you I will do my best to get you back to your reality."

Rage boiled in James as Martin stepped towards the portal. James reached out to grab Martin's arm. "We are not through yet!"

James's hand pass through Martin as if he wasn't there. Dumbfounded, James waved his arm back into Martin's body, feeling nothing but cool air. James then heard Mia awaken from her peaceful sleep and scanned the room looking for him. He felt numb thinking about how he was going to explain the sight of another man. Not to mention the rift in the middle of the room.

Mia mumbled in her half-conscious state. "James, come back to bed. It's cold.

Martin spoke when he was halfway through the rift. "Don't worry, only you can see or hear me. Like I said, I only watch."

James was only slightly relieved. "I'll be right there baby." James turned to Martin and stared into is piercing black eyes, "Please, don't leave me alone here. I need your help."

Martin suspended his right hand around James's shoulder. It reminded James of his father about to lecture him. Except this time, he would welcome his father's longwinded advice. "The best shot you have is for me to find out who Tozan is and what this makeshift god as planned. I can't do that here, so you must trust me."

James had to fight back the compulsion to sob. "You sound like my father just now. I want to see him again Martin."

Martin seemed to struggle with human emotions but did his best to act sincere. "I will return, you have my word. And some parting advice, play out the role you have been given. It may be the only chance you have to endure the tests ahead." James nodded in compliance when Martin's face contorted as if he had remembered something he forgot. He pointed his two fingers holding his smoldering cigarette at James's face, "And for God's sake, keep it in your pants. The more you act like a minks in heat, the more Tozan will be driven into a frenzy."

With Martin's parting words the rift began to close. It looked as if a cut wound was healing at a rapid rate. As the portal collapsed on itself James saw Martin's dark form bathed in light before it disappeared from sight. The light vanished leaving only a pinprick of light shining on James's forehead. As the hole in space finally shut, James only had one thought running through his mind. Easier said than done.

Chapter 2

James paced the floor waiting to hear from Mia. It had been hours since she kissed him goodbye and went to deliberate with the queen. Through the window he could se the setting sun being blanketed by rolling clouds. He felt chills when she told him the council was called to witness the priestess's case of him being, what she now called him, the Avataria. Despite his doubts, he had faith in Mia. She was on a mission to save his life and James felt deep admiration for her tenacity. She was so confident that he was the one to save her Mother from mortal danger. How could I tell her that faith was misplaced.

James spent most of his time looking through the holy texts. The strange wording of the passages made them difficult to read and he quickly gave up. He then went through the priestess's chests and shelves. Rummaging into her personal affects he found a deck of cards. Pulling the cards from the box, they were all adored with strange pictures to reflect some kind of esoteric meaning. Placing the deck on a table he began to shuffle and pass the cards to the corners of the table. The nostalgic action made James reminisce about his poker night with the buddies. He laughed as his friends would brag about how much money they would take from him. When he finished giving his nonexistent friends their cards, he slapped the deck in his palm.

Alright guys, lets see my hand. Flipping one a card in front of him, James was surprise to see the card Priestess. Examining the card closer he saw a resemblance to Mia. Brushing the resemblance aside he threw down the next card. Queen appeared. The picture looked like Queen Jasmine, the short straight hair and blue eyes were a dead giveaway. What is going on here? James carefully turned over the next card. Trial loomed as it fell on top of the Queen card. Seeing the giant scales on the Trial card made James feel on edge. He saw a small shape of person under the base of the scales, as if being crushed by them. Is this going to happen to me? Shaken, he let two cards fumble on to the table.

Quest and Tower turned face up and seemed to stare back at him. The Quest card looked to have three figures riding along a winding road into a great forest. Tower was a beautiful piece of art of a stone tower on a red sunlit backdrop. The normalcy of the card comforted James until it began to change. The picture morphed into a twisted dark tower with men impaled on long poles lining the gate. The sight made James penis recede. James wanted to throw the cards across the room, but felt compelled to continue. He flipped the last two cards. His left hand held the card Heroine and the right held Cataclysm.. James was startled as the two cards began to morph and let them fall. Changing in the air, the glorious woman's face on the Heroine card resembled James's face and Cataclysm showed a black-clad gauntlet squeezing a small planetoid in its palm.

James stood frozen wondering if the cards projected doom or hope. What does this have to do with me? Do I overcome the cataclysm, or do I die in it? The lock to the chamber door screeched as the bolt slide free. A guardswoman entered the room holding her halberd tentatively.

A look of scorn filled her face as her eyes fell on James. "The queen and council require your presence. Do not give me any trouble Lady James."

James held is hands up in surrender. "Lead the way."

James wiped the sweat from his forehead as he entered the throne room. The guard wielding the pole-axe was enough cause for worry but facing the council petrified him. The extravagant decor of the royal chamber looked wasted when he saw the room vacant. Following a red carpet to the dais, the carpet changed into a circular pattern in front of the elevated throne. The carpeted circle had a pentagram shape in the center that made James sweat a little more. As soon as he stepped on the center of the pentagram the golden doors swung open that queen emerged from before. The queen was flanked by a cohort of women all wearing outfits resembling a nun's habit. The rich blue robes were beautifully crafted and did not hide their hourglass figures the women were sporting. The queen sat on her throne as the council members formed a horseshoe formation with the queen at the base and James in the center. James had an eerie feeling as the women turned to face him in unison.

The council raised their right arms and chanted. "We the Council of Twelve pledge to Mother Nis to be her judicators and bestow wisdom to her chosen queen."

Queen Jasmine gave a slight wave and the nun-like women took ridged postures as if they were statues. "The Queen calls to question that the woman known as James is the Avataria of Tozan? Let the will of Tozan manifest itself through my council. You may proceed Beatrice."

The furthest women left of James spoke. "We have heard Priestess Mia's testimony to the fact that you are a different kind of woman. She also tells us that by your activities last night you have gained the blessing of our ever loving god," Beatrice weaved her hands together and paused to gather her thoughts, "we grant you, Lady James, that the High Priestess adds credibility to your identity, but we must be careful. Mia also told us of the wrath we would bring if the faith we put in you is false. Granted, some of the council members are convinced of your identity, but some of us have questions."

Beatrice locked her blue eyes on James. He felt as if she was burning a hole in his skull. "I will come to the point. Are you the Avataria, the blessed of Tozan?"

James sighed. I hope you're right Martin. "I am," James announced.

A dark-skinned woman next to Beatrice turned to face James. "Then why did you not tell the queen when you arrived. I find it strange that you made no mention of your identity."

James stood up straight and thrust out his chest displaying an aura of confidence. "I believe I did reveal myself by saying I was a man. By telling you this your High Priestess Mia was given a sign to take me into her confidence and I would receive the blessing."

The black woman nodded. "And the key you are to hold, what of it?"

"I did not arrive with the key but I am sure it is here on Nis. When the time comes the key will be revealed to me, as it is written in the holy books."

"I see," Beatrice tapped her chin, "I accept your answers to Sister Octavia's questions, but why did you have no knowledge of Mother Nis?"

James's clasped his hands behind his back. "I told your High Priestess that I am not from Nis. I am from a higher plane where Tozan rules and watches his venerating subjects. When I was cast down I went through a terrible ordeal. To be separated from our benevolent god caused a great upheaval within me and for a time I was afflicted with amnesia. But that time has passed. I am here to do our god's work," James forced tears to swell in his eyes.

A councilwoman to the right spoke up. "Sister Beatrice, her explanation makes sense logically and spiritually. We agree that when a woman of Nis dies, she is delivered to the loving arms of Tozan. We know this because no one has ever returned from Tozan's paradise. We must assume that leaving such contentment would take a toll on any of us. That includes the Avataria."

All the councilwomen to the right nodded and add the voices in approval. James notices that the blue robed women to the left stayed silent in disagreement. All the councilwomen on the right must be the one's convinced I am the Avararia. With the opposition group on the left. Six against six, I need to sway more of them to pull this off.

Beatrice raised her voice to halt her opposition. "That's enough, Sister Marigold you have made your point. Lady James, now that you have regained your memory, please tell us how you are to save Mother Nis?"

James cleared his throat. "All of the details have not been revealed to me but I am sure they will come in time."

Beatrice gave a doubtful stare. "Tell us what you know, Lady James."

James reached back into his mind to remember the images on the cards in Mia's chamber. Slowly piecing the reflections together he formed a likely story. Confident, James raised his chin to address the council.

"I am to embark on a long journey that will determine the fate of Mother Nis. I am to be accompanied by two others to be my guides. Passed a great forest I will find a black tower which I will find the cancer that grows in heart of Mother Nis."

Octavia gasped. "You mean the Witches Citadel? We have sent armies to raze Hagqueen Hyacinth's stronghold and have been repeatedly repulsed. You would never reach it."

James crossed his arms. "Nothing is impossible for Tozan's emissary."

Beatrice scowled as if offended by James's audacity. "I find it hard to believe that Hagqueen Hyacinth is responsible for all of our mother's ills. Granted, she is a threat to all femelle, but the scope of the crisis is beyond her powers. She could not cause the storms that ravage the land, the floods that have destroyed our settlements, the famines that starves the peasantry, and the plagues eating away at our populous. No, my dear sisters this man is not the Avataria. The true Avataria would vanquish all doubts to her identity!"

James burned with anger. He took a long hard look at the women of the council. Each woman started to steal glances awaiting his reaction. Some of the women opposed to him gave guilty stares but other opponents looked more sympathetic. James realized these women wanted to believe him and that Beatrice must have bullied them into standing with her. I must break the hold she has over them. I will not be crushed by this kangaroo court.

James strode out of the carpeted circle to the shock of queen and council. For the first time the sanctimonious women looked human. Their statue façade broke down as the councilwomen scrambled to understand James's action. Each one turned to the other and whispered franticly to one another; wanting someone to respond to James's defiance to the witenagemot's rules. He paid them no heed as he confronted the women left of him.

Beatrice finally calmed her sisters and pointed at James in contempt. "You are to return to the circle immediately! Or the guards to put you in irons!"

James scoffed at Beatrice's threat. "I have had enough of your browbeating, Beatrice. You do not speak for the entire council and I will address my sisters in any way I choose."

Beatrice screamed a bloodcurdling howl. "Queen Jasmine, call the guards and chain her to the circle!"

The queen gave her a condescending glare. "Know your place councilwoman, you are my sycophant, not the other way around. I will allow this breech of protocol."

"Thank you your Majesty," James slowly stepped toward the habit dressed women, his arms spread out wide as if to hug the congregation," My sisters, I ask for all of you to look upon me."

Some of the opposition turned their heads, but others still kept their faces blank as if looking into a void. James's voice boomed. "I said look upon me!" Startled, all the holdouts eyes met his gaze, with Beatrice the last to give in, "I know what I have said is disjointed and incomplete but you must believe that it is the truth. I can not speak for our all-knowing god, but Tozan works in mysterious ways, and who are we to question our deity's motives. Perhaps in keeping the details of my mission Tozan is protecting me from those who would do me harm. Whatever the reason, I ask not to judge me with the coldness of your minds, but the warmth of your hearts. Search within yourselves and trust the feelings you find. For if I do not undertake this journey, Mother Nis will be lost."

James looked to the beautiful queen parched on her throne. "That is all I have to say, do with me as you will."

Queen Jasmine made rapid nods in compliance. "I call the vote. The council will choose where they stand."

James walked back to the circle awaiting their decision. After what seemed like an entirety a huge weight lifted off his shoulders when, one by one, the opposition took their place next to their sisters on the right. All but Beatrice and Octavia stood to the right of James.

Octavia turned to Beatrice. James could see the conflict on black woman's face as she spoke. "I am sorry," she said as she walked and stood next to Marigold. Beatrice shot daggers at her former proselyte.

Marigold's smile lit up the room. "Your judicators have made their ruling my queen. Lady James is the Avataria, savior of Nis!"

The royal stood and lifted her arms above her head. "Let the promulgation be known to all femelle that our deliverer has come. Soon, peace will return to Mother Nis. The Council of Twelve is adjourned."

Beatrice stormed out of the throne room with a few blue-clad women in tow. The others stayed to watch James triumphantly marched out of the circle. He seemed to have a stalwart aura emanating from him. James gave the council members a reverent bow as Marigold approached him.

"Thanks to you I am head of the Council of Twelve. Beatrice will have to relinquish her position to me after this defeat."

"May you bestow wisdom to your sovereign as you did today."

Marigold grinned. "I must say, it was your words that broke her hold over the others, not mine."

"Indeed she did," the queen stated swaying elegantly as she descended on the dais steps, "congratulations Sister Marigold on your appointment."

"Thank you my queen. May I make my first suggestion that Lady James should leave first thing in the morning. I fear the hagqueen's spies will report the arrival the Avataria before you make the announcement."

"I agree, James must be on her way as soon as possible."

James cleared his throat. "What about the two companions I mentioned?"

Marigold rubbed her chin. "I suggest none other than your champion, Majesty. Dame Lisbeth and her squire would been a perfect combination to protect Tozan's emissary. Lisbeth is unmatched in martial skill and Windi is returning today from the cloister in Ruma. I have heard she has reached the eleventh tier in the magical arts."

The queen smiled at her new head council. "Excellent suggestion. Have them informed immediately, and make arrangements for their journey. Now, I wish to speak to the Avataria alone. Have your sisters retire to their duties."

"Yes, my queen."

Before Marigold could walk away; James caught her hand. Caressing her soft skin he lifted her hand to his lips. Kissing her knuckles he felt Marigold shiver as he released her from his grip.

"I wanted to thank you personally for your faith in me. I know Tozan will reward you well for your devotion."

Marigold narrowed her eyes. "I look forward to accept any reward our god would bestow."

A pang of jealousy washed across Queen Jasmine face. "Do not keep me waiting, Sister."

Marigold looked to have awakened from a forbidden reverie as she bowed to her queen and departed the room. James turned to Queen Jasmine as she removed long hairpins holding up her hair. Thrashing her head side to side, her blonde curls seem to dance as they fell to her shoulders. Her azure eyes brightened as her finger tips lightly touched James's face.

"There is something I wanted to ask you in private, Lady James. It has been a long time since I have been called to the ceremonies. Have I done something to anger Tozan? Am I no longer worthy to please our god?"

James's heart began to beat faster. "I can't imagine that your Highness."

"Each time I am ignored my longing becomes greater. I was born to rule Nis in accordance to Tozan's will, but it grows harder to be the paragon of all femelle. Please, release me. I can't stand the exile from our god's eyes."

James quickly stepped away and turned his back to Jasmine. "I am flattered, but I can not. I am... bound by the infallible guidance of my master. I must abide by the law."

Jasmine embraced the Avataria and pressed her cheek to his chest and rubbed his shoulders. "But you prayed with Mia? And from what I understand the prayers you lifted to Tozan rivaled any ceremony. I want to show my devotion through you."

As Jasmine's hands drained the tension from his body, he fought to keep from falling into in the trap made by his own desires. His hands betrayed his thoughts as he reached back to grope her thighs. Pleased with his advance the queen whirled in front of James and dug her nails into his heaving chest.

The queen voice lowered to a whisper. "Give me my only transgression. I beg you."

Jasmine leaned closer, bringing her mouth to his and closed her eyes. Her hot breath warmed his lips as she waited for his touch. James's pulse pounded in his ears. It sounded like lustful drumbeats beckoning him on. He placed his hands on her hips and glided his fingers up her body. Her breathing quickened as James cupped her breast and caressed her in his arms. He pulled on the sashes that held her kimono like gown closed. The silk gown flew open exposing her left breast to him. James firmly gripped her breast forcing her erect nipple to jut into his mouth. A loud gasp filled the room as he molested her large mammary. Feeling her hot flesh in his mouth, James was lost on a raging sea of lust. Jasmine hiked her leg around his back and pressed against his skin. She acted like a horsewoman goading her steed on. James couldn't wait to hear her scream his name in defiance to the god that created her.

Suddenly, the whole palace shook. The two would-be lovers fell to the floor as loose mortar rained down covering them in a white dust. James managed to stand only to be thrown back down by another violent lurch. I've heard of the earth moving but this is a little more than I expected.

A group of guardswomen stumbled into the throne room. The women struggled to stand when a loud boom rocked the walls sending them to the ground like a house of cards. Half of the queen's guardians crawled their way to their sovereign and surrounded her. Two of them hooked their queen's arm around their heads and propped her up.

Jasmine yelled over the loud echoes ringing down the halls. "Esme! What's happening?"

"A freak storm, Majesty. I saw it gather over the castle in the last hour. It is the worst one yet!"

"Damn, not again. Not now! Evacuate the lower levels before the dungeon floods! Make sure everyone is accounted for."

"What of the prisoners?"

"Leave them, now hurry before the throne room is underwater."

Esme bolted from the room when the ground stopped shaking. James stood with the help of two another guardswomen but shrugged them off when he could stand. James fought to keep his balance as if he was playing a game with the thunderclaps trying to throw him down.

The queen raised her head and gave her subjects a haughty gaze. She spoke when she closed her gown with a new-found modesty. "Come my sisters. We will be safe in the parapets."

The group of women clung to each other as they made their way to a marble staircase in the foyer outside the throne room. James slowly followed up the stairs gripping the oak railing. Half way up the stairs he entered a mass of women pushing and shoving their way to the protected towers. It felt like hours before James made it to the parapet that the queen's entourage took refuge. He saw Lisbeth at the entrance counting the women as they entered the fortified tower. She gave him a hesitant nod as she gave the last count.

Lisbeth approached her queen and bowed. "The lower levels are flooded and the first floor is filled with water. Thankfully, all has been accounted for. It seems the storm is finally losing strength, we have only to wait out the rain."

"Good, the drains will take care of the water after the storm passes. I am glad we did not lose anyone."

James leaned against the wall next to where Jasmine was sitting and crossed his arms. "A shame the prisoners could not be saved."

Jasmine face contorted with angst. "They are enemies of my realm and if fate takes them then so be it."

"I think their fates would have been more fortunate if you would have shown some compassion."

"I will not have my orders questioned. I was born to rule this world and I will make any decision I see fit. Do you understand me, Avataria?"

"Perfectly."

James cringed when the blue eyes of Jasmine he had admired a moment ago turned into pure ice. Color seemed to drain from Jasmine's face leaving her complexion the color of granite. He realized that under her beauty was a heart made of stone. As dead as the prisoners floating in her dungeon.

James pushed off from the wall with his foot and walked to the outside entrance to the castle walls. Opening the door revealed pitch black with sheets of rain only visible by the torchlight. He stepped out into the downpour and felt an intense chill as the water soaked his clothes.

Jasmine jumped from her ornate chair that looked like a secondary throne. "What are you doing? Are you mad? You will catch your death."

James lifted his arms out wide thanking the rain. "I feel dirty, I need a shower."

Jasmine stuttered as she pointed at James in contempt. "I order you to come back inside!"

James walked into the darkness as Lisbeth placed her hand on her queen's arm. "Let her go my queen. Maybe it is a man thing."

The single moon fought to shine its light through the clouds onto the world of Nis. James took some comfort in the familiar site but was disheartened by the angry clouds that shrouded its glow. Using the light from the stuttered windows of the castle, James found a stairway to the top of the parapet. He slowly placed each footstep firmly on the slick stone steps. The wind only barely nipped his face that seemed to be inviting him to proceed to the top.

The rain lightened as he reached the crenellated walls. The darkness that surrounded him was now illuminated by the occasional lighting flash. The rumbling of thunder echoed in the distance but the incredible force still shook James's body. The land of Nis was masked behind the blackness and James wondered what the morning would reveal. Do I really want to see it? It was no coincidence that the thunderclaps were at their worst when I had Jasmine in a rutting. I was about to fuck your lovely ice queen and you could not stand that. Could you, Tozan?

James shouted at the rain. "My name is James! Pleased to meet you Tozan!"

Lighting flashes throughout the sky was James's only response. The force of the thunder that followed felt like slight punches battering against his body. The violent response was followed by more clouds concentrating above him. Lighting arced from cloud to cloud as if the god's thoughts were in confusion. James started to laugh sensing the god's frustration.

The mocking laugher made the bolts arc longer and brighter than before. James looked like a madman laughing at the rain as the dance of lighting intensified above him. Finally, a bolt rocketed down into the moat sending the water skywards in a large explosion. More bolts of lighting followed landing across the countryside with a loud crack. A few impacted the tall towers of the castle blasting stone into rubble. Pieces of rock rained down onto the battlements as James kneeled and cringed next to the wall. With his arms over his head James shook in fear as large stone blocks fell inches away from him.

Another explosion of lighting came down as if an outraged archer fired again after missing his mark. James peered up to see one of the castle's towers sway back and forth fighting to remain stable. A brilliant lighting bolt slammed into the base of the tower ending its fight. The stone structure disintegrated as in fell away from the castle. As the lighting flashed James could see women falling from the tower and heard their faint screams against the thunder's roar.

When the lighting subsided, James slowly grabbed one of the battlements teeth and pulled himself up. His legs shook violently as he gaped in terror at the site of the missing tower. The countryside was littered with fires and James awed at a huge oak tree across the moat that was engulfed in flame. James's teeth clattered together as he stared into the burning tree. A chill ran down his spine seeing a face form in the flames. Gaps in the fire seemed to form the eyes and mouth and the whipping flames at the top of the tree looked like wavy hair. James could swear the mouth moved whispering the words...you will die. This forewarning echoed in James's mind. Tozan is an angry and jealous god.