Chapter 72: Chapter 72: The Hideout

“There they are,” whispered Zenais. “Their hideout. The stomping grounds of the King’s Band. Formidable, isn’t it?”

Praxis and Zenais had spent most of the day traveling south, entering the foreboding mountains where the Band made their home. It hadn’t been an easy trip by any stretch of the imagination, mostly because Zenais was every bit as stubborn as he was.

Twice during their journey, they’d started yelling at each other, disagreeing about which path to take. By late afternoon, Praxis was already starting to regret his decision to let her help him.

At least she managed to bring him to the hideout. And their position on a ledge above the hideout gave them a bird’s eye view of what was beneath.

“See? There’s no way you could have taken them on your own,” said Zenais. “There’s just too many of them and they are in a great defensive position. You would’ve died minutes into the fight.”

Praxis shot her a brief glare, but even he couldn’t deny it was a great position. The hideout of the Band was located on a small plateau that was hooked into the side of the mountain. Only one path led to the plateau and it was extremely narrow, only large enough for two people to walk through it at once. All the other sides of the plateau were steep enough to prevent any surprise attacks so all the Band had to do was guard the path and they would be safe.

And in terms of numbers, Zenais had been accurate with what she told him. There were approximately thirty of the Band down below, and most of them appeared to be serious fighters.

The worst thing about the entire reconnaissance was that he located Lysandra quite easily. Her hands and feet had been bound together to restrict her movement, but that was hardly needed at this time. She didn’t even look conscious from this vantage point.

“We’re going to have to get very creative if we’re going to get her out there,” said Praxis. “There are so few weak points so we have little room for error. Horn of Hades, this is going to be tough.”

Zenais elbowed him in the side gently. “See that man with the beard? All the way on the far side of the ledge? Near where Lysandra is?”

Praxis saw him all right. The man was close to forty judging by his appearance and he moved like someone that was used to fighting and doing it often. If he had to take a guess, the man was probably the best fighter in the entire Band.

“That’s the king of the Band,” replied Zenais. “I’ve seen him before, even closer than we are now. It’s because of him that the Band is as deadly as it is. He’s expanded it to this current size and they’re the terror of this corner of Arcadia.”

“What’s his name?” asked Praxis. “Anything special that I should know about him?”

“He goes by the name King Archimedes. And yes, he is quite a warrior. You have to be, to be the king of the entire Band. The only way they get promoted is by the death of the man above them. The leaders of all the bands are the oldest members, only answerable to the king. The only way they can take the kingship is with his death, no matter how that’s caused.”

“So if I had to take a guess, he can die in battle or by their own hand,” replied Praxis. “Either way, that’s how someone would get promoted to the kingship?”

Zenais nodded. “Quite a few stories about able band leaders turning on their kings in order to take their place. From what I’ve heard Archimedes did the same to the previous king. It’s just their way of life. They are savage people.”

“Savage they might be, but they still have Lysandra,” replied Praxis. “We need to figure out the best way to rescue her. I say we wait until they’re all sleeping. We come down off the mountain, snatch Lysandra and sneak out before they even know what’s happening.”

To his surprise, Zenais started snickering.

“What is the damn problem?” he growled.

Zenais shook her head. “That’s a stupid idea. We so much as step on someone down there and he’ll raise the alarm with the entire Band. Then we’ll be trapped with nowhere to go. No, the best course of action is to wait until the individual bands go out every morning. Most of these thirty will depart to do their raiding, leaving only the king and a chosen group. Our odds will be much better at that point.”

“Yeah, leaving only the best fighters in broad daylight,” quipped Praxis, looking at her funny. “That seems like such a better plan.”

“I thought you’d see it my way.”

“That was a joke, Zenais. That plan sounds terrible.”

She planted her hands on her hips indignantly. “It’s a much better plan than yours, thank you very much.”

“Not as good as waiting until nightfall,” replied Praxis.

They both continued to bicker for the better part of ten minutes before Praxis had finally had enough.

“We’re not getting anywhere with all this fighting! Let’s at least find a place to set up camp for the night and we can discuss this more.

Zenais scoffed. “Fine by me.”

They moved away from the hideout but stayed on the same mountain. Praxis found a small spot on the north side that offered good cover and wouldn’t be easily found by anyone else. It was here that they settled down for the evening, both of them looking at the other like they were the reason Lysandra hadn’t been rescued yet.

Conversation was nearly nonexistent until the moon came out, at which point Praxis decided something had to give.

“Listen, I’m willing to do it your way,” he said quietly, which seemed to shock her. “But we need to work together, Zenais. Despite the fact that we agreed not to squabble this morning, we’ve done nothing but squabble. This isn’t helping Lysandra at all.”

Zenais looked like she was going to challenge that statement but she caught herself and let out a deep breath.

“You’re right,” she said grudgingly. “I’m . . . sorry. We can try a night raid if you really feel strongly about it.”

“No, you have a point,” said Praxis, gesturing to the moon. “It’s barely visible tonight. There wouldn’t be enough light to guide us through the dark. We should do your plan instead. It isn’t as risky.”

Zenais actually smiled at him. “Well, thank you. Look, we don’t need to be at each other’s throats. It might help if we try to learn a little about each other. Maybe some common ground will help us not want to fight so much.”

“Common ground,” replied Praxis, thinking aloud. “Okay, I guess. First question, have you always been a lesbian? Or was it just your experience with men that caused it to be that way?”

“Mostly, that’s the case,” replied Zenais stiffly. “I’ve always found the softness of women to be appealing, even before what happened to me with that man. There’s something about a great pair of tits that just mesmerizes me.”

“Well, at least we have that in common,” joked Praxis which caused her to laugh.

In the process, her laughing caused her own tits to bounce, something that Praxis watched out of the corner of his eye.

“I suppose we do,” replied Zenais. “I just find that most women let me be in charge. Or they’re willing to let me take control. Men don’t do that. They all think I’m just some virgin waiting to be conquered. They think I’m some kind of dainty flower.”

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Praxis gestured to her all of her armor and weaponry. “I don’t know how anyone would make that mistake.”

“You did it,” accused Zenais. “When we first met. I saw your eyes on me. After you saw me the first time, you looked all over my body. You were thinking it too.”

“I think I was more surprised that someone like you stole my dinner,” replied Praxis.

Zenais frowned. “What do you mean someone like me?”

“I just mean someone who looks like you,” he answered, struggling for words. “You’re not an ugly girl, Zenais.”

She gave him an annoyed look. “I’m not an ugly girl? That’s the worst compliment I think I’ve ever heard.”

“Okay, fine. You’re quite attractive. Beautiful even. Satisfied?”

Zenais smiled again. “Very much so. And for what it’s worth, you’re not ugly either.”

“Gee, thanks,” replied Praxis.

“I mean it. You’re good-looking enough. You know, for a man,” she added, almost as an afterthought. Zenais looked away for a moment.

“Well, at least we can agree that Lysandra is beautiful,” replied Praxis after that moment of silence.

Zenais closed her eyes as she smiled. “That she is. Is she as good in bed as she looks? I’ve heard wild stories about redheads.”

“Even better,” replied Praxis. “But it helps when there are feelings there. The sex becomes better when she’s someone you care for, not just a one night stand.”

Zenais stiffened a little. “I wouldn’t know too much about that. Most of my encounters are only for a single night. I’ve been a little short on long-term lovers.”

“Why is that? I would think a woman like you wouldn’t have a lack of potential lovers.”

Zenais pursed her lips. “It’s my lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t have a problem finding women. That’s always been the easy part. It’s the fact that I move around constantly that they don’t like. As soon as they see that I’m not about to settle down and spend forever with them, they’re gone.”

“Is it the forever part that does you in?” asked Praxis. “Are you hesitant to commit?”

Zenais thought about the question for several moments before she finally replied.

“I don’t know. Committing to one person is probably something I’ve avoided most of my life. I don’t like being that vulnerable. I also like having a little variety with my partners. Being with just one of them would get old if you ask me.”

“You might look like a woman but you think like a man does,” teased Praxis. “Fighting, chasing women, not wanting to commit—are you sure you don’t have a penis down there?”

Zenais gave him a look that was an equal mix of offense and amusement. “I’ll have you know that I’m all woman, Praxis! And if you were a woman, I’d invite you to feel for yourself to prove my point.”

That was certainly tempting, and Praxis’ eyes darted between her legs for a split second. Part of him wondered what it would be like to have Zenais undressed. No doubt the rest of her was as beautiful as what he could see right now.

“You’re doing it again,” said Zenais, arching her eyebrow.

“Doing what?”

“Checking me out,” she replied with a grin. “Was it the comment about what’s between my legs? That’s where your eyes were.”

“Sorry,” admitted Praxis. “I’m still a man so I can’t help myself.”

Zenais made a clicking sound with her tongue. “Too bad for you. If Lysandra were here, I might let you watch. But watch only.”

“I’m telling you, you’re barking up the wrong tree,” said Praxis. “Lysandra doesn’t like women like that. I’m not just saying that because she’s mine. She’s never shown me any inclination that she would take up your offer.”

Zenais shrugged. “Most women wouldn’t even consider it until it’s offered to them. But maybe there’s a way we can both get what we want. You give me a night or two with Lysandra and then she’s yours again. I go on my happy way and you get her forever. Everyone wins.”

“I still don’t think she’s going to go for that,” said Praxis, chuckling. “But thanks for the visual. That was the best part of the offer.”

Zenais actually smiled. “Well, it’s good to know we can get along about something.”

“That something you’re referring to is stealing my woman?”

“Precisely,” replied Zenais as she giggled. “We might even manage to be friends one day.”

“I’m not going to hold my breath for that,” said Praxis. “And let’s not make any future plans until after we’ve rescued Lysandra.”

“I’m good with that,” said Zenais as she stretched out and laid down. “In the morning then. We’ll wait until they’ve left the hideout and then we’ll try it my way. Agreed?”

“Agreed,” replied Praxis, laying down as well. He doused their small fire and got into a comfortable position for sleeping.

“Zenais?” he called out after a minute. “Thanks for sharing with me tonight. I hope there’s a way we can both get what we want.”

“I hope so too. Goodnight, Praxis.”

“Goodnight, Zenais.”

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