Princess of the Sands

Trials

    "Let the trials begin!" Prince Hijiki exclaimed. Smirking happily until he looked upon us more closely. "What the hell are you wearing?" he gestured towards me.

    I looked down at myself and confidently said  "this is what was provided for me, I believed this would be something of your choosing if you had picked us to become a part of your harem." I then looked up to stare directly into his eyes.

    He froze as our eyes made contact. He seemed disturbed. I wasn't sure what to make of it, and if it wasn't weird already it was about to be. "Strip" he demanded "Those clothes are not fit for anyone, especially in my harem." I dared not move a muscle to do as he said.

    "Are you deaf? Strip yourself of such ill-mannered clothing!" He stood and began to stalk toward me in an effort to have his demands met. I simply side stepped him, leaving my foot behind for him to trip and fall flat on his face. The room went dead quiet only to hear me speak "If I am so ill-mannered perhaps you wish to send me back to my home?"

    He was already on his feet before I had turned back to look at him. He seemed like a mountain up close, and I had to fight the urge to cower beneath his deadly gaze. "I will do no such thing, if you insist on wearing this then you shall be reduced to the maids quarters. I will have no concubine within my harem to appear as such filth."

    His words which spewed so much venom were like music to my ears. However, I became careless and did not notice the small smile that had crept onto my face, but he certainly did. Pulling my chin up with his strong fingers he held a smirk. A smirk which made me realize my mistake.

    "I will allow you to rest for the next 3 days, then I will have a special set of trials for you." His eyes looked like those of a ferocious lion that just caught hold of his prey. I jerked my face away only to lower my head once more in defeat.

    "As for you my pink blossom I shall have you entertain me with your trials now. Now pray tell what is your name flower?" He smiled more wicked than the devil as his eyes seemed to devour the very essence of Myra. Bowing her head low she replied, "I am Myra, Sire, I am 16 at the beginning of the month, eldest daughter of my merchant family, and humble low ranked concubine of the eldest Prince of Negev."

    She was graceful, eloquent, and so docile; all things that would appeal to the prince and gain his favor. Taking a seat back upon his throne he propped his chin upon the palm of his hand before he spoke again "I am bored sweet Myra entertain me and you shall pass my first trial."

    Bowing her head again she moved forward to stand centered to his highness. Myra spoke softly "Your highness, if I may be so bold, may I request a thin leaf?" Amused as he seemed, he motioned for someone to bring what was requested. A maid came forward with a bright green leaf and handed it to the prince.

    "Before I hand this to you, indulge me on what you are trying to accomplish with this mere leaf?" he spoke calmly, the slightest hint of amusement in his voice. Myra seemed shaken bowing down further if it was even possible, without kneeling on the floor, she stated in a breath barely above a whisper "I wish to perform a song, Sire"

    He chuckled lightly placing the leaf before her "then play for me" she reluctantly took the leaf from him, moistened her lips and began to play a simple towns song. A song that brought back so many memories for myself of my father and the village. The beautiful melody held so many of her emotions, sadness, loneliness, fear, all in tune with each other in hopes of pleasing the prince.

    As Myra finished her melody the prince stood before her and proceeded to slap her across the face. She fell to the floor clasping her cheek. "I told you to entertain me, not lull me to sleep. For failing me on your first trial you shall be punished with 15 lashings." He declared and began to walk away.

    I rushed up to Myra to ensure she was ok. Once I had checked her over briefly, I stood to face the prince. "I will take her lashings. Someone of her beauty should not be scarred." He stopped walking, gazing upon me from over his shoulder "If this is some attempt at being a hero your efforts are futile."

    I held my ground "I will take her lashings" I was confident that I would be fine as I have suffered more before. He was silent, his gaze still lingering over me "Very well. Follow me and you shall receive her lashings with 10 more for speaking out of turn and going against my wishes." with that he continued walking.

    I hurried to catch up to him. Myra looked terrified of what just happened, but I had no more time to comfort her. I will not allow someone else to suffer in front of me, so I will sacrifice myself to save her.

    We walked into a dark corridor that seemed to stretch for miles into the abyss. I was so focused on what was around me that I neglected to watch what was in front of me. With a loud oomph I walked right into the back of the prince.

    He laughed out "I guess you are anticipating this torture much more than your wish to lead on." with that he opened a door to a room that held nothing but a wooden chair, a small table with some torture tools, and a set of silver chains hanging from the ceiling in the very center of the room. I was pushed inside by the prince and walked over to the chains.

    "I will not run if that is what you wish to use the chains." I was confident, not allowing a single bit of fear or dread slip from my tongue. "You amuse me" he stated as he leaned down closing the distance between us. His face was so close to mine I could smell the rich blueberry wine on his breath.

    "If you are so confident then let's play a game. Consider this a test of your strength, you will lower this gown to expose the flesh of your back. You will stand for the entirety of your 25 lashings, if you succeed in standing the entire time, I will grant you a request. If you fail, you will go without food for the next 3 days. Do we have a deal?" He was so keen on watching me squirm.

    I would not give him such satisfaction "I agree to your terms, if I am successful then Myra will have no more trials. Myra will be accepted with open arms to the harem." apparent shock was written on his face. "Why would you request something that is not for your own gain?"

    "For my own relief." I stated back simply. I backed away from his highness and lowered my dress to expose the flesh of my back. I awaited the gasps I would hear, but when there was nothing I was amused. Amused until I felt a cold finger run along one of the scars already present on my back. I shivered at the strange sensation and tried to look back to see the face of the Prince.

    "So this is not your first time to be punished. No wonder you accepted this game so willingly" he walked toward the table and picked up a whip "Had I known that I would be up against someone with experience I would have wagered more. Never the less..." there was a long pause.

    "You are receiving 25 lashes, 15 lashes taken from the punishment of the low ranked concubine Myra, and 10 more for your misconduct. You will be required to count out each lashing loud enough for me to hear, miss one count and I will add another to your total. As per our game, we shall see who wins"

    With that I felt the first lashing beat down on my back, I refused to scream, I refused to cry, I would not give him the satisfaction of showing him the pains of my body and soul. So, let the game begin "One..."