Drawing the stiletto from where she had concealed it between her hand and forearm when the soldier had looked her over before giving her the dry clothes, she tucked it behind her so that Brianna would not see it and alert a guard.Drawing the stiletto from where she had concealed it between her hand and forearm when the soldier had looked her over before giving her the dry clothes, she tucked it behind her so that Brianna would not see it and alert a guard. Settling in for what promised to be a rough ride, and pondering the curious coincidence surrounding the Dark Empire going to war with Tavect on the eve of her abduction of the princess, Jessica permitted Brianna some time to wear out her voice as she grumbled about everything from being manhandled and almost drowned to the terrible accommodations and quality of clothing the ship had afforded her--with all of it being ultimately Jessica's fault. It was then that she began to swear at Jess sending the slaver over the edge of her short temper. "Shut your mouth, bitch," Jess snarled. "Or by the Destroyer, I'll shut it for you. And you won't like what I put in before the gag. It's your fault I'm in this mess, and I'm not happy. Do not push me. Go to sleep. Things will be different in the morning." "Ugly witch!" Brianna returned. "You and your partner ensorcelled me. When Royal Poppa finds me, I'll have your other eye gouged out, and your hands cut off and your tongue cut out and...and then I'll have you boiled in oil!" She sneered triumphantly at the slaver at the thought of such action. Jess shrugged. "Bloodthirsty child. I've had more powerful rulers than your `royal poppa' wanting my head; far more powerful. I escaped the wrath of the Tiensor of Ontra. He had resources, scouts and a cruel turn of mind." She raised her hands to touch her missing eye and the scars on her face. "Your father doesn't even have a court torturer. |