The Diaries of Ayesha

"Michael, you always write of our travels, or about your dreams and fantasies.", Mistress Minx observed one evening as we shared dinner.

"It is what you want.", I said sipping my coffee.

"But I know you can do more than just report what we do. I'd like to see you write something else. A romance or something.", she insisted.

"I don't know. I'm not very good at writing just off the top of my head. I need something to inspire me, besides yourself of course."

"Flattery will not avail you this time.", Minx said with a laugh.

She looked around the cafe carefully and then pointed out a young woman sitting a few tables away from us.

"I want you to write me a fantasy about her. And not a sexual one either.", she warned.

I started to argue and then conceeded the battle. I studied the young woman, her face, the way she moved, and then started thinking.

And the following is the results

The Princess looked up at her Master and awaited his pleasure. She knew that she had no choice. But she still didn't understand what held her in his clutches.

The people in the village all hissed at her when she went into the square and commented when they thought she couldn't hear about her.

"Some princess," they sneered behind her back. "Can't even resist a wizards spell. He's not even that good a wizard!"

Her heart was unable to be hurt by the words, her feelings controlled,. But by herself, or by his magic, she could never tell.

Of course when the villagers saw the Wizard himself they held their tongues, even when he led the Princess through the streets by her collar.

"I have plans for you Princess.", The Wizard said, in his pleasent, deceptive voice.

"Yes Master.", she said waiting for his command.

"You will serve me tonight at table, and provide me with a good meal. This you will do with your own hands.", he said.

The Princess looked at him in confusion.

"But Master, I have never cooked a meal before. You have always provided the meals yourself.", she said.

"And now you will do so. I grow tired of my own cooking and you will provide a practical service to me this night.", he said a bit less pleasently

She sensed the change in his voice and hid her head from his sight.

"Yes Master", she said softly.

"Go. I shall be in my study. When the meal is ready you will come and kneel at my feet and wait."

He strode away towards his chambers and she heard the heavy oak door shut behind him.

She made her way into the kitchen and looked around. She had never fixed him a meal before. What would he be most pleased by? She took comfort in the fact that he had always been forgiving of her errors. Well most of the time anyway.

She didn't mind the spankings, as he always took his pleasure from her afterwards. In fact she has become desirious of the spankings, but she had found out that to misbehave deliberatly would result not in a spanking, but instead in a long stay in a cage, shut away from him.

She hated to be seperated from her Master.

Oh she had hated him when her Father surrendered her to him many months ago.

"I provided you with the things I promised , Your Highness. And you to this point have provided me with the things I have demanded as payment. The limestone and the iron and the coal. And I have provided you with weapons that are the envy of the other lands.

"But now I require something else. A companion for my home.", the Wizard had said.

Her Father the King had looked at the Wizard with amusement.

"You are powerful. You could always enchant one of the local girls and have her. Why do you come to me?", he asked.

The Wizard shook his head.

"The local women are comly enough, but they lack an essental quality."

"What more is there that you would desire of a woman?"

"Intellegence. Your daughter has been tutored and can even read, at least to a limited degree. I would take her as my companion."

She had stood up and started to run in terror, but was halted by the Wizard's command.

"You will stop and listen to me.", he had said.

She stopped. It wasn't what he said. It was how he said it. He expected her to stop and she had stopped.

"Come back and sit at my feet. Listen to me.", he commanded.

She had come back and sat at his feet to the amazement of her Father.

"As you can see your Highness, she is quite willing to come with me. Aren't you my dear?", he said.

"No. Father, I don't want to go with him.", she said.

"Then why do you obey him?", her Father asked.

"He put a spell on me!", she protested.

"I did nothing. I just ordered you to stop and then sit at my feet. Your Highness, did I make a gesture or incant a spell?", the Wizard laughed.

"No, you simply commanded her to stop."

"Well then your Highness, I could hardly be accused of spell casting in this case.", the Wizard said." But I could remove a spell or two. Perhaps the one that makes your swords unbreakable? Consider that."

The King looked at his daughter and at the Wizard.

"You will go and serve in his house my daughter. You will do as he tells you."

"But Father", she protested.

"I am the King. And for the good of the land, you will make this sacrifice.", he ordered.

She started to protest again and as she looked up the Wizard looked into her eyes. She felt his power for the first time. His eyes were so kind and warm and held nothing but concern for her in them. Where was this powerful man who had appeared one day and become a member of her father's court? This was a different man then the one who had arrived in strange clothes and spoke in an odd manner. He held fire in his hands before her father and the rest of the court and had made a sound so high that the dogs had fled from the room.

"Yes father.", she heard herself say.

"Well then, come along Princess. And to you my King, good day. I shall treat her well."

With that he had bowed to her Father and led her through the village and into the woods where his house was located. It was not an imposing house from the outside, but it seemed so much bigger inside for some reason.

"Now Princess, you will entertain me. You will be truthful and answer all of my questions."

"No.", she had refused.

"Princess, you will do as I ask.", he said, quietly.

"No. I don't want to be here, and I won't answer your questions."

Then she heard the Voice.

"Princess, you will do as I command.", he said. No not said. She felt it as well. She knew she had to answer.

"Yes.", she said softly.

"Yes Master.", he instructed.

"Yes Master.", she repeated. She felt happy as she said it. Why?

"Very good. Princess , are you a virgin?", he asked in the same sort of voice.

She started to lie and then found she couldn't. Not to him. She had to be honest with him.

"No Master.", she said. She wanted to blush or to hide at this confession but could not.

He smiled at her.

"Very good Princess. Do you trust me not to harm you?"

She thought about it.

"I don't know Master.", she said honestly.

He laughed loudly.

"My child, you are truly a wonder. You're right not to trust me completly. You do not know me. Oh you know who I am, but not the what of it. I'm pleased with you, very pleased."

"Thank you Master.", she said, feeling his pleasure.

"You will learn to serve me Princess. I will use you as I please and you will do my bidding. In time you will perhaps come to love me. That I can not order. And if you truly find me objectionable, you may leave without harm."

The Princess turned towards the door and the Wizard sat in his great oak chair and watched her.

She turned back towards him.

"What of my Father?", she asked.

"My word of honor Princess. I would not harm your father or take away the spells. That would be wrong."

She turned away again and took another step, then turned back.

"You are not what I expected at all Wizard.", she said softly.

"Nor are you. I had hoped that your desire for knowledge would be enough to keep you here in my service. But I was wrong.", he said shaking his head.

"I am curious about you and your magik. I do want to know.", she said.

"But you are unwilling to pay the price for the knowledge Princess. I do not give my secrets away. There is always a price for it." , he said." Now stay or go, but I have affairs to attend to."

She walked back towards the Wizard where he sat and knelt at his feet, feeling a sense of contentment she had never felt before, a warmth.

"I wish to learn Wizard. Please teach me. I will pay what you ask."

"My price is high Princess. I will use your body in ways that would give you great pain and greater pleasure."

"I will submit to you ... Master."

And her journey into his world begin.....

She recalled that first night together. He had rested in his great chair for a time just looking at her as she knelt at his feet, and then she saw him smile.

"Well if I am going to have the daughter of a king in my house as my servent, I should get her proper clothing.", he said rising from his rest. "Come with me."

She followed him into his chambers and waited as he took clothing from a chest for her.

"I want you to wear this while you are here.", he said handing the clothing to her.

She took it and looked at him and at it. It was silks and straps and metal rings.

"I've never seen anything like this before Master.", she said looking at it." I don't know how to put it on."

"Strip.", was all he said.

She stood looking at him without a word.

"Princess, I want you to remove your clothing so that I may dress you properly.", he repeated in that Voice that stirred her inside.

She started to speak and he wasted no time in imposing his will upon her by slapping her face.

"Once more Princess. You WILL remove your clothing.", he said with a touch of anger.

She blushed.

"Master, I'm sorry I displeased you, but I have never disrobed before a man like you before.", she said.

He looked at the reddened mark on her face and blushed slightly.

"Forgive me Princess. I had forgotten you were raised somewhat differently. In my land, a woman disrobes without modesty or shame.", he said. " I shall turn my back while you disrobe, and avert my eyes as much as possible as I dress you. Although there will be very little need for that when you are dressed."

He turned away from her and waited. She started to disrobe and then stopped. Slowly she crept towards the door and then found herself restrained by a leather strap around her ankle.

"Princess , I don't think you're taking me seriously.", was all he said as he took her by the arm and started removing her clothing.

She fought him as well as she could but soon stood naked and shivering before him.

"Now, I have been paitent until now, but I think some time alone to think will serve you well", he said.

With that he took her through the house to a locked door. With one hand he held her firmly as he unlocked the door. Her struggles tired her out and affected him not at all.

The door open, he dragged her through and pushed her down onto all fours before a large iron cage.

"In.", he commanded.

She laid on the floor unmoving.

"Very well.", he said.

With a single motion he picked her up and placed her in the cage and locked the door behind her.

"I will let you out when I'm sure you understand your place here."

He walked out locking the door behind him and leaving her in the dark.

She laid there sobbing from his treatment. How could he have such a loving look in his eyes and then treat her like an animal. As her tears dried, she thought about it. She had agreed to do his bidding. "I will pay what you ask.", she had said, and then had attempted to flee. She started weeping again at her dishonor. She was a Princess. Her word was supposed to be law in the future. And how had she shown her worth? With deceit.

She could hear noises in the dark as she lay there and then a squeaking.

Rats!! She was terrified of them. Unseen in the darkness creeping upon her. She screamed and the door was flung open and torchlight illuminated the room.

"Please Master, rats, I'm frightened.", she sobbed.

He stepped into the room and waved the torch around in a circle and spotted a pair of red eyes glaring at him from a corner.

"They will not harm you Princess. Watch.", he directed , pointing towards the animal.

As she watched the animal scurried away with a screeking noise of pain.

"No rat will harm you here. Nor any other animal in my house. I control them as well as you."

She shuddered in her cage as he shut the door again, leaving the torch burning in a holder.

She waited and waited for his return. The torch burned low and then burned out leaving her again in the darkness.

She awoke to find the Wizard looking down upon her with a slight smile.

"Good morning my pet. Would you like to come out now?", he asked.

"Yes.", she said.

He shook his head and turned to leave.

"Yes Master.", she called.

He returned to the cage and unlocked it, and watched as she crawled out on her belly.

He placed a booted foot on her head and waited for a moment and then stepped back.

"Rise up Princess. Join me at table today."

He led her nude from the room and sat her at a table that was piled with food. She started to eat and was stopped by a warning look from the Wizard.

"You will wait until I have served myself, before you take yours. Please remember that.", he said softly.

She nodded and waited as he piled meat and bread upon his plate and then poured a greenish yellow liquid into a goblet. She had never seen anything like that before. It almost glowed and she looked at it with suspicion.

"Would you like some Mi'lady?", he offered, pushing his goblet towards her.

"No Master. It looks so strange that's all.", she said.

He smiled.

"In my land, things that are not colored strangely are regarded with suspicion. No food there has a color that is found in nature."

He seemed amused by this sally of wit and chuckled to her total confusion.

She ate her food slowly, and then timidly asked if she could ask a question.

"You may. I may not answer it though.", he said agreably.

"Where do you come from?", she asked.

"You are aware of the great ocean to the west? I come from beyond it.", he said.

She looked at him in disbelief.

"There is nothing beyond the ocean. You are teasing me Master.", she protested.

"Princess, someday you will learn that I do not lie to my slaves. Nor do I prove things to them.", he said without rancor.

He stood and indicated she should follow him back to his chambers again.

She stood before him head down as he again picked up the odd looking clothing.

"You will wear this in this house.", he said.

"Yes Master.", she said and stood naked before him trembling.

He dressed her, pulling the material tight around her, the straps encircling her breasts and forcing them up in the manner of a bodice, but leaving the nipples exposed.

When he was done he held up a piece of silvered metal and showed her what she wore.

Her body was exposed in ways she had never seen before. Her breasts were exposed as were her private parts. The straps bound her tightly, but without pain. Her hair flowed down over her shoulders and covered her fair skin.

She had never seen herself this way before and the sight of it both pleased and shocked her.

Her Master stood and smiled at her, amused by her reaction.

"I didn't know it would look like this Master. I am sorry I fought you.", she said humbly

"I knew that it would. And it pleases me to see you this way. When you do your cleaning duties, you may wear a cloth over it, but for the rest of the time, you shall remain exposed for me.

She turned away from the mirror and looked towards the main room again at the sound of a knock on the door.

"Come with me.", he said and walked to answer it with the Princess trailing timidly behind him.

The Wizard did not open the door, but instead looked at a small piece of metal next to it. The Princess looked over his shoulder and saw the the whole of the outside was reflected in it. A man stood outside tapping his foot with an annoyed look on his face.

"My dear, I want you to kneel next to my chair and do not move. Do not look up or react at all.", her Master said looking at the image.

She did as she was told and with her head lowered, heard the door opened.

"Wizard!", she heard a man roar," I would speak to you."

"It would seem inevitable. Come in.", she heard her Master say. As she sat waiting head down, she saw his boots pass her and heard the chair groan as he sat.

"Say your piece and get out.", the Wizard said.

"What's this? A piece of girl flesh for you? Let me see her.", she heard the loud voice say.

"No.", she heard her Master say." She's mine. Now state your business or get out. I'm busy."

"You promised rain today and there isn't a cloud in the sky. I paid you for it.", the loud voice demanded.

"Is the day over? It just started. Go away and wait.", the Wizard said.

"I want -", the voice started

"A severe lesson in manners. Do not argue with a wizard. Unless you want that rain to turn into fire as it falls."

The Princess sat mute as the battle of words continued and then abruptly cut off with the slam of the door.

The Wizard sat back down in his chair and ordered her to look up at him.

She did and saw the amusement in his face.

"Would you say that gentleman lacks patience?", he said looking into her concerned eyes.

"I feared he would attack you Master.", she said, realizing she did have a concern for him.

"He's not so foolish as to attack me. I might destroy all of his lands with my dying breath."

She recoiled slightly at his words in fear.

"Oh I wouldn't do that, have no fear. In fact, I'll tell you a secret.", he said in a near whisper.

She leaned towards him to listen.

"You are a very nosy girl.", he said.

She sat back insulted , her face burning in embarrassment.

He leaned back and smiled.

"Not all secrets are pleasent ones."

He rose and took the Princess by the hand and led her back into his chambers and ordered her to kneel before him.

"Now, we have discussed your virginity. Have you ever sucked on a man's cock before?", the Wizard asked.

The Princess blushed at such talk from a man she barely knew and hid her head.

The Wizard smiled at her blush and stroked her head in the manner of a Master with his pet.

"From the blush, I would say you have.", he said softly.

She looked up in shock at those words. Had he been spying on her? How much did he know of her sexual activities. Could he possibly know about her and ....

As if reading her mind he continued speaking.

"It isn't a real secret Princess. Well, it might be to others, but not to me. I want you to worship my cock now. ", he said

She hesitated and then conceded that she must provide the service he desired.

A few minutes later he pushed her head back and readjusted his robes.

She sat head down, with a tear of disappointment sliding down her face.

"I'm sorry Master.", she said softly, waiting for him to express his displeasure with her.

He said nothing but arose from the bed and walked back into the main room and picked up a scroll and unrolled it.

The Princess sat and watched as he frowned at the words and then crawled out to sit at his feet.

He said nothing as she sat and watched him.

"Well," he finally said. "I have work to do in my private chambers. Princess, you may amuse yourself as you wish. Do not disturb me in my private chambers for any reason. Is that understood?"

The Princess nodded her head without speaking as the Wizard rose and strode towards the heavy barred door of his lair.

She watched as he unlocked the door and opened it.

"Oh and by the way Princess. You may have failed at eating me .. but I won't make a meal of you.", he said with a slight smile.

He opened the bolts on the door and she saw just a brief glimpse of the interior of the room before the door shut with a solid thud.

She rose from the floor and looked around the room, free to explore for the first time. She looked through his chambers and looked in his kitchen. She found a strange device next to a basin of water that had a handle that moved.

She moved it and water flowed out of a hole in it into the basin.

What a marvel! She didn't need to go into the snow of winter to get water.

Another door she opened led to a horse trough with two wooden spigots mounted in it through the wall and the strangest privy as well. A basin sat over the privy and a pipe ran into it from above. A chain dangled down with a wooden handle.

She tugged it curiously and jumped back as a torrent of water flowed through the privy with a roar.

She went back into the kitchen closing the door behind her and continued exploring the cabinets in the kitchen.

One cabinet she opened was very cold inside with beads of water inside and there was something that looked like milk in a crock.

She turned around after closing the cabinet to see the Wizard watching her from the doorway.

"Are you learning anything about your Master?", he asked, taking a piece of flat bread from a crock on a shelf.

"Yes Master. I have learned that you have things no one else does. Like that.", she said pointing to the device by the basin.

"Oh that. That is called a pump. Instead of drawing water from the well with a bucket, I use that. I can even take the water directly from the stream if I like." , he said.

"A pump? A strange word.", the Princess said savoring it.

"You have seen children on a seesaw Princess?", He asked." The pump works much like that."

She considered his description of the process and he saw a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.

"And the horse trough and spigots, Master?"

He looked at her and then led her into the room with the trough.

He reached out ant turned on a spigot. Water poured out and as it ran it began to steam. He turned the other spigot and cold water poured out of it.

"I bathe , Princess. Perhaps you should try it.", he said.

The Princess drew back in fear. A bath could kill her. No one took a bath.

Before she could flee, the Wizard grabbed her arm and began stripping her clothing off. When she was naked, he dropped her in the water like an angry cat and held her in. With one hand he grabbed a white block and scrubbed her body with it creating a foam that resembled sea froth.

The more she fought the more he gripped, his greater force eventualy overcoming her resistance and leaving her tired and soaking in hot water for the first time in her life.

The warmth penetrated into her and she relaxed despite herself.

The Wizard sat looking at the Princess as she sat in the bath and considered her.

In his mind he knew what he should do. He should do what had been done before. But his heart still called out to him. This time things would be different.

His thoughts were broken by the rumble of thunder from outside.

"There is the rain I promised our loud friend. If you will excuse me, I have to see that is does what was demanded of it.", he said and walked out.

She laid in the water and listened to the first crack of lightning. It was folllowed by thunder and then his laughter.

She crawled out of the tub and looked out of the small window in the room as she wrapped a long piece of fabric around her body.

He stood in the field looking into the sky with what looked like large jars on a small cart next to him.

He ran away from the cart trailing what looked like a rope and then attached the end to a long pole that stood in the middle on the field.

He ran back towards the house laughing as the rain came down even harder and there was another crack of thunder and a bright flash that blinded her as lightning struck the pole.

When she could see again , she saw the Wizard sitting on the ground, muddy and wet. Two of the jars on the cart were shattered and the cart itself was smoking but her Master didn't seem to notice.

He got up and walked towards the house again as another bolt struck with a mighty roar.

He came into the room and stripped his clothing off and drained the tub by pulling out a stout cork from it's bottom..

"Princess, you will scrub me well clean and then you may go about your business.", he ordered , turning the spigots as the water drained away.

When the tub was again full he climbed into it and waited as she used the block on him.

She scrubbed him in silence as the storm raged outside, the roar of the rain broken by the slam of thunder.

"You do that well Princess.", he said in contentment.

"Master?", she asked timidly.

"Yes Princess?", he asked.

"What were you doing in the field?"

He yawned.

"I was catching lightning in a jar. I'm a wizard. I do that."

She didn't know if her was joking or not, but the casual way he said it carried the weight of truth behind it.

He climbed out of the tub and wrapped himself in a garment hung on a hook and took another one down for her.

"Wrap up in this. I don't wish you to catch a chill.", he said.

She slipped the garment on and clasped it around her while he watched.

He led her from the room and sat her by the fire that burned in a grate. A kettle hung on a hook that steamed gently and he took it from the hearth and went into the kitchen, leaving her to look into the fire.

He returned a few moments later with two cups of a dark black liquid and handed one to her and sipped from his.

The smell was a strange one and her first sip tasted bitter in some ways, then the taste became more muted. She felt more awake than before

He smiled and relaxed staring into the fire himself.

"Master, what is this?", she said raising the cup.

"Well some call it the Black Spell Brew, but I call it the necture of the god, Juan Valdez."

Her first reaction to his words was fear and then amusement.

"You are testing me Master.", she said.

"Yes I am. ", he said looking into her eyes.

"Did I pass your test?"

"Yes. I expected that you would throw the cup when I called it the Black Spell Brew."

She shook her head.

"No Master. I do not understand you, or the things that you do, but I do understand that you would never do me harm.", she said.

"Even if I choose to whip you or beat you?", he asked looking into her eyes.

She considered his words. Would she accept being given pain by this man? In looking into his eyes she could see a secret pain of his own.

"Yes Master. I would."

He set his cup down and took hers and set it aside.

"Let's test that statement.", he said pulling her to him and pulling up the garment to expose her ass.

He held her tight against himself as he spanked one cheek and then the other of her virgin ass.

She moaned as the blows changed intensity and then stopped. She felt a gentle hand stroke the punished flesh as the tears leaked out of her closed eyes.

She felt her heart slow as he carressed her and held her in his arms. A warm feeling filled her , one of caring that made the sting of the spanking seem to fade.away.

"How strange," she thought," that I could feel this way."

"It can feel this way.", he said as if reading her thoughts, and held her closer to him.

The fire had burned down when the Princess awoke on the hearthrug alone. She could still hear the clatter of rain on the roof, but the Wizard was nowhere in sight.

Then she heard him curse in a strange tongue as he shut the door of his private chambers with a resounding boom.

She lept up startled by the force of his words and stood trembling in front of the dead fire.

"Princess, make up a new fire, while I fetch food for us. The game is afoot and time waits for no one.", he said seeing her standing.

He went into the kitchen as she took wood from a box and tried to stir the dying coals into enough life to ignite the damp wood.

He came back to find her still trying to start a fire.

"Excuse me.", he said taking a box down from the mantlepiece and opening it.

He took a strange piece of metal from the box and struck it with the fireplace poker scattering sparks into the wood causing it to roar to life.

"I don't waste energy when a tool will do the same job.", he said, poking the fire.

He returned to the table as she followed and sat at his feet.

"I'm very pleased by that Princess. It shows respect to your Master. But please join me. We eat and then we sleep together for the first time.", he said.

She rose and sat at his right hand and ate quietly while he toyed with his food as if uncertain to eat it or not.

"Is something troubling you Master?", she asked.

"Yes," he said shortly.

There was a long silence unbroken by anything except the snapping of the fire in the grate.

"Can I help?", she asked.

He looked at her for a long moment.

"Your presence here is enough. I grow weary at times of my battle and need the company of a woman."

She looked at him. There was a tiredness that she had not seen before.

"Are you hurt my Master? The lightning almost struck you.", she said reaching out to touch him.

"It is not my fate to be struck by lightning. Have you ever wondered how I came to your father's court?", he said taking a bite of food.

"Yes, many times. Some of the people said you just appeared from nowhere. Others said they heard a rushing sound as if the wind was gathering for a storm."

"What did you think when I entered your father's court?", he asked.

"I was frightened. "

"And now?"

"I still do not understand you. But I am not frightned by you anymore. You are a good man. And I am a poor Princess.", she said ruefully.

"In what way?", he asked.

"Because I didn't keep my word. I agreed to do your bidding. And I agreed to do as my father asked. As a duty to the kingdom. And I failed."

"Yes you did. And you paid for your failure. And then you resumed your duties and resolved not to fail again. As I knew you would."

She just stared at his casual acceptance of her.

"How?"

"Princess, I know more about you than any man living", he said with a tone of pride in his voice.

He rose from the table and took her by the hand.

"We will sleep together now. And in the morning, I have duties for you to carry out in the village.", he said.

He led her into his chambers and she removed her robes and lay in the bed waiting with a slight tremble for her Master to take her. He looked down at her naked body in the light of a single candle and smiled.

"No Princess. I will not despoil you this night. ", he said.

With that he removed his robes and pulled the heavy quilt over her and crawled in alongside. With a sigh he took her in his arms and they were both soon asleep.

The sleep of the Princess was troubled that night. Her dreams were filled with strange images of places unlike any she had ever seen before. Giant castles towering over people, carts moving without horses, noises, music, and then an image of the Wizard standing in a roaring tower of blue smoke and flame that touched him with a radience.

He was dressed in the strange clothing that he wore when he first appeared in her fathers court.

She awoke with a start to discover he was no longer in the bed.

She crept out of the bed and could see the dawn light filtering into the room.

The door to his private chamber was open just a few inches and she crept up to it and peeked inside.

Her Master was not inside but she saw strange metal things, pieces of oddly shaped glass. There was a small glowing object on a table that cast an eerie light that filled the room.

She stared, entranced. A sigh of wonder escaped her lips and as it did, the object glowed brighter and then changed shape.

An image appeared, ghostly at first and resolved itself into the shape of a woman.

"Who are you?", the Princess whispered.

At her words the specter seemed to flinch and disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

The Princess stepped back and started for the front door when it opened and her Master came in carrying a jar like the ones on the cart.

"And where are you going Mi'lady?", he asked setting the jar on the floor with great caution.

"Master, this place is haunted!", she cried.

"Haunted? Nonsense.", he rebuked.

"I saw a specter of a woman but when I spoke, she disappeared."

He gripped her arms tightly.

"Where did you see this?", he said with anger.

She flinched from him

"Your door was open.. I peeked inside."

He pushed her aside and entered the chamber slamming the door behind him with a boom.

The Princess stared after him and then fled to the bed chamber and trembled under the covers for a long while.

It was a long time before her Master reappeared and spoke to her kindly.

"Mi'lady, I beg forgiveness for my anger and my actions towards you. My careless actions exposed you to things that you should not have seen yet."

The Princess peeped from under the covers and looked at him cautiously.

"Master, I fear ghosts and spirits. I can not help it.", she said with a catch in her voice.

"If I show you you have nothing to fear, will you come out.?", he asked softly.

She nodded in agreement as the Wizard removed the glowing object from his robes and set it on the floor.

He waved his hands over it three times and chanted words strange to her.

The object glowed brighter and the woman formed again before the Wizard and bowed deeply.

"What is thy bidding my Master?", it asked.

"Tell the Princess what you are.", he commanded.

"I am a spirit from your land that travels with you to aid your quest."

The Princess watched the image cautiously from under the quilt

"Strike me!", he commanded and the ghostly figure struck with a blow that traveled through his body like it was air.

"You see, the spirit can not harm me or anyone. It is nothing more than a trick of the light. It assists me by telling me things I do not know or things I have forgotten."

The Princess looked more closely at the apparition.

"Does it have a name?", she asked softly.

"Does she have a name.", the Wizard corrected." Yes, her name is Sal. And when the time comes, perhaps I will show you how to call her forth on your own."

The Princess shook her head.

"I would never do that.", she refused.

"Princess, you will if I order it. Do not test my patience!", he said.

The apparition looked at the both of them and the Princess saw a smile form for an instant and then disappear.

She took strength from the smile and agreed. Surely the smiling spirit could mean no harm.

With some muttered words the Wizard made a gesture and with a bow, the image was gone.

The Princess crept from under the covers and looked at the object now sitting on the floor, still softly glowing.

"It is magic.", she said.

"There was a very wise man who once said that magic could also be a machine that you have never seen before.", her Master said picking up the object and returning it to a pocket.

"Like the pump?", the Princess asked slowly.

"Exactly like the pump. In fact, I was saving the pump as a surprise . The kitchen maids would appriciate not having to carry water."

The Princess looked at the Wizard with an expression of confusion.

"You would make the work of the maids easier, rather than impress my father? You are indeed a strange man."

"So I've been told. Now, I want you to get dressed properly and get ready to do some errands for me. You do know how to shop do you not?", he said with amusement.

"Yes Master.", she said with a small blush.

"Good. I will prepare a list and you will get the items. That's another reason I chose you. You can read."

Her Master opened a cabinet and handed her a set of clothes, cut as a man's clothes are cut, but designed to fit a woman.

She pulled up the pantaloons made of a thick blue fabric and used the buttons to close the flap in front. They fit her firmly but not exceedingly tight. A shirt of a light cloth covered her top, completing the outfit.

She examined herself in the silvered metal as the Wizard placed a jeweled collar around her neck and fastened it. A metallic tag hung from a loop on the collar.

The Princess blushed at being collared like a common dog and started to object.

Her objection was met with a hand placed upon her lips and the Wizard staring deep into her eyes.

"You will wear the collar Princess as a sign of your submission to me. You will not feel anything except pride at your service. The remarks and the comments of the people will not affect you. Do you understand me?", he said in the Voice that sent a chill down her spine.

"Yes Master.", she said her mind in a muddle.

"Good."

He stepped back taking a bag out of a box on the table and handing it to her.

"Here is the gold you will need for my items. Go.", he said pointing towards the door.

The Princess took the scroll from the Wizard's hand and started towards the front dorr and then hesitated.

"Is there a problem slave?", he asked.

"Master. These clothes. Where do they come from? I have never seen such material."

He smiled at her.

"A wizard named Levi makes them in my land. They will last many years and retain their fit.", he said."Now, off with you."

The Princess left the house and for the first time realized that it seemed much larger inside than outside. She walked down the road and into the village. Some of the people in the road stared and others made comments on her appearence.

But one small boy ran up to her and gave her a flower, seeing that despite the clothing and the collar, that it was the Princess.

She smiled at him and he walked along with her, saying nothing, just entranced by the strange appearence of her.

The first shop on the Wizard's list was the blacksmith.

"The Wizard sent me for the metal rods he ordered from you.", she said.

The blacksmith, not realizing it was the Princess in the strange clothing, spat on the ground and turned away from her and resumed his work at the forge.

"Excuse me. My Master, the Wizard wants the metal rods you made for him.", she tried again.

He turned back to her and shook his hammer in her face.

"Tell that devil you work for that they aren't ready yet. The King wants the new swords finished first and the Wizard will have to wait."

He turned away again only this time, the Princess tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and pushed her to the floor of the shop.

"I said he will have to wait! Now get out before I beat you!"

The Princess stood up and looked at the angry man and summoned all of her royal dignity.

"My father will be told of this incident. And I hope that when he hears of your actions he sends you to the gallows!", she said with a cold icy voice.

The smithy looked at he in the dim light of the shop and then realized who she was.

He fell to his knees and begged forgivness for his actions, and pleaded for her mercy.

"I will grant it to you. You were concerned with pleasing my father. However I can not speak for the mercy of the Wizard. He may turn you into some sort of loathsome creature for failing him.", she said, taking some pleasure from the thought.

She turned and walked away leaving the blacksmith on his knees and she went to the next place on his list.

The apothacary gave her the items the Wizard requested without comment, and thanked her for the business.

"You are kept by a very good man... Princess. I hope you appriciate him.", he commented.

"I do.", she said,realizing that she did appriciate him. Even when punishing her, he cared about her.

She carried her package past the inn where two men stood swaying drunkenly.

"I see a strange looking dog.", one of them called.

"Yes, a bitch that walks upright.", said the other laughing.

The Princess paid them no heed until one of them blocked her way.

"Tell me dog girl, who has dressed you in a man's clothes, when you should be on all fours?", he said , his beery breath making her flinch.

"Good sir, please let me pass. My Master will be angry if I do not return quickly.", she said, as calmly as she could.

"Your Master will be angry.", he mimicked." If you don't want to make me angry, you'll give me a kiss."

She cringed back from him at the very idea. His friend however had not been idle, and had crept up behind her. He seized her from behind and held her as the other ruffian pressed forward with his demand for a kiss.

The other people in the street stood without making a move to protect her, fearing the swords of the two miscreants.

Before anything more could happen then was a loud cracking noise and a flash.

Behind the man trying to kiss her was the Wizard.

"I don't think you want to do that.", he said with a quiet voice.

The first man turned to the Wizard and started to strike him. The Wizard did nothing except to move aside and touch him with a hand.

The ruffian fell to the ground unmoving which was all the other man needed to convience himself to be elsewhere. He started to run but was stopped by the Princess tripping him into the mud of the street.

The Wizard looked down at the mud soaked drunkard and reached for him. The man scrabbled backwards through the mud trying to escape the touch of the Wizard to no avail.

The Wizard touched him and he moaned and collapsed as his partner had.

"Someone summon the king's guards. I want these two men cast in a dungeon until they learn not to trouble my servant and the daughter of our good king!", he shouted at the crowd that had gathered.

The blacksmith eager to make ammends for his earlier actions picked up the two men and dragged them towards the castle gates.

The townspeople stood looking after him as the Wizard addressed the crowd.

"I am not pleased with you. You have let two common hooligans insult the Princess. She is your Princess and my pet. I assure you that you will pay for this insult!", he roared in anger.

The Princess dropped to her knees in the mud and grasped the Wizard's robe and pleaded with him for mercy.

"Please Master, do not harm them. They were afraid and dressed like this they do not know me. The people have never seen me without my silks and robes."

The words sunk into her as she said them. She did not know these people she would one day rule . She had never visited them or seen them as people before. They were her subjects, not people, just serfs.

She wept at her own foolish notions.

The Wizard looked down at her and then at the crowd that was cowering in fear at his rage. He threw his arms up and green fireballs appeared in his hands causing the women in the to scream.

"Please Master, I will do anything you ask, just spare the people!", the Princess cried.

He looked back down at her and for an instant there was a wink of an eye and then his serious demenor returned.

"I will spare the fools because you have asked me for it. They will be yours to command one day, and I hope they show you more loyality then they have so far."

He cast his hands out and the fireballs shot into the sky and vanished.

The captain of the King's guard pushed his way through the crowd and demanded that the Wizard appear before the King.

The Wizard bowed politely before the captain and followed him, leading the muddy and bedraggled Princess behind him.

The King wasted no time in expressing his anger with the Wizard who stood there without flinching or even seeming to care.

When the King finished his tirade, the Wizard looked at him and bowed.

"Your Majesty. I have done what I have done for the good of the Kingdom and my slave. You presented her to me and ordered her to obey. She has not always done so, but when I gave her the choice of returning to your side, she declined.

"She defended the people from my wrath, knowing that she was risking my anger with her. You have seen my magic. You know I can kill at a touch. But she defended the people.

"I suggest you not question my wisdom your Highness. Your daughter will be a great queen one day. "

The King started to speak again but was silenced by the Wizard raising a hand.

"In my land we have a saying:You do your job pencilneck, and let me do mine."

With that the Wizard bowed to the King, and strode out leaving the King's response unheard.

The Princess remained behind for a moment, shrugged apologiticly to her father, and followed in the Wizard's footsteps.

As they walked silently back towards the Wizard's house she had time to consider what had happened.

The Wizard had forced her to go among the people, to be with them as a person, not as the Princess. And now she understood a little better how they felt.

"Thank you Master.", she said as they trudged along.

"For what slave?", he asked not breaking his stride.

"For not hurting the people.", she said, panting slightly.

He stopped and turned to face her.

"Princess, I will tell you a secret now, because you have earned it with your willingness to suffer for your people. I can't hurt them with my magic. ", he said softly.

She stepped back in surprise.

"But..", she started to say.

"I know. But I took an oath to do no harm with my powers. And I will not break it."

She considered his words as he started walking towards the house again.

"Then you really have no power over the people.", she said as they reached the house.

"I have the power they give me. It is the same as what gives you and your father power. Respect", he said opening the door.

The Wizard spent that night in his private chambers leaving the Princess alone. She had much to think about that night. Why would the Wizard tell her something like that? Why would he lie. Or was he lying? As a Princess she had the ability to order the death of someone. She knew why she didn't use her power. It would be cruel and unfair.

But the Wizard could use his powers anyway he liked, she thought. Why would he take an oath to do no harm.

She lay in his bed thinking and looking up at the roof. The Wizard had placed a window over the bed and she could see the stars through it. Across the sky she could see a faint glow like a cloud lit from behind.

The Wizard came into the room and hung his robe on a peg, then lay in bed next to her without speaking, watching the stars above.

Unbidden she reached out and touched him gently. He responded by moving closer to her and for the first time they kissed. A wave of heat went through her as their lips met and she shuddered.

She had never felt anything like that kiss before. It tingled and she felt it deep inside her. She felt his passion for her and his restraint, his loyalty and his love. All of these things flowed through her and again the strange vision of the world in her dream was rekindled.

They seperated and in the candlelight, she could see the joy in the Wizard's eyes.

"A simple kiss pleases the most powerful Wizard in the land?", she teased softly.

"From the most beautiful princess in the land? ", he replied in a gentle tone.

"Master, why do you treat me the way you do?", she asked timidly.

"You mean with kindness? Would cruelty be more acceptable to you? Would you like me to beat you?", he asked.

"Oh no Master! I just don't understand. I am your slave, your property, and yet you treat me with respect."

He looked into her eyes and she felt the power within him again.

"I respect my property and treat it well. Your father takes good care of his horses and treats them well. Better in some respects than his servants.", he said. "I will teach you that respect."

She thought about his words and again saw the wisdom in them.

"Master, may I tell you of a dream", she said.

"Yes, always."

"I dreamt of a place with huge castles and moving carts. Carts without horses. And you were there in a fire that consumed you but did not burn." , she said.

The Wizard looked deep into her eyes and she could see his lips quirk into a small smile.

"You have seen my land in your dreams. I thought you would. Does it frighten you?"

She considered the question carefully. Was she frightened? No. Curious.

"No Master. I would like to see your land and learn more about your power."

He shook his head in refusal

"You could not travel to my land Princess."

He rolled over and pointed towards the stars.

"Do you see the bright star there, the third star on the right? " he said.

"Yes.", she said leaning toward him to see it.

"If you traveled to it and back, you would not have traveled far enough to reach my land. Even if you traveled straight on till morning."

She laid back and considered that.

The Wizard kissed her again and then curled up to sleep, leaving her staring at the stars and thinking of a land far away.

The days turned into weeks and the weeks into months.

As time went on the Princess learned more and more.

She was now permitted to sit at his feet in his private chambers and had even become comfortable with the apparition named Sal, although she couldn't bring herself to invoke it.

She had been taught even more math and her reading had improved. She could write now and was ordered to keep a diary of her life. The Wizard had taught her some of his

She watched as he bent metal into strange shapes and used the lightning he had captured in the jars to connect pieces together. He called it "arc welding" and when he did it the light was so bright that she had to turn away and even the Wizard used a piece of smoked glass to protect his eyes.

The metal that the blacksmith continued to provide formed a cage like enclosure that grew in size until it filled the inside of the chamber.

Each time there was a storm the Wizard took his cart to the fields and collected lightning.

The kingdom was not a quiet one as the time passed. Rumors of war filled the streets and the Wizard spent more and more time consulting with the general of the king's army.

Then came the night he asked her to cook for him.

The Princess did the best she could for a meal that night. She had watched the Wizard cook a number of times and had made small meals before, but had never permitted or taught her to fix the main meal of the day.

Her efforts were not wasted and she soon had prepared a thick stew for the meal and had warmed the bread from the day before.

She went into the Wizard's chamber and found him speaking to the apparition intently. The voice of Sal seemed changed somehow, almost more demanding of the Wizard.

"You will return this night.", it said with a new ring of command in its voice.

"No. When I have finished I will return.", the Wizard insisted.

"We will return you by force if necessary.", the voice threatened.

"No I think not.", he replied and then touched a piece of chain from the lightning jars to the cage filling the room. There was a smell of burning for an instant and then the metal started humming. The iron tools on the Wizard's table flew through the air and clanged against the metal.

The apparition itself quivered as the hum increased.

"I will not return now. One more night and I will. But not now!", the Wizard repeated.

Sal disappeared without a word, just an angry expression.

The Princess looked at the humming metal.

"I don't understand Master. Why was she speaking that way to you?", she asked.

"Sal is also a servant of other Wizards. They wish me to return to my land, and I do not wish to. This cage deflects their power as long as the lightning flows. But when it goes, I will be returned by force."

"But you would go tommorrow?", she said sadly.

"My quest will be finished this night ", he said," and then I will return. But not before dawn."

The Princess considered the time she had spent with the Wizard and thought sadly that she would miss him.

"But you will return to me?", she asked with a tear.

He shook his head.

"When I leave, I will not return. But all of my works will remain and you can read them now. They will help you in the days to come. But let us eat now. The night grows dark and cold is in my bones."

He ate the food the Princess had prepared and settled into his chair, the Princess kneeling at his side. From a distance away he could hear shouting and sat up to listen.

"What is it?", the Princess asked seeing him stir.

"It is time for me to join your Father. Go into my private chamber and wait for me.", he directed rising from the chair.

She started to protest but seeing the look in his eye, did as she was told.

As the door closed behind her, she heard the bolt slide closed.

"I'm sorry Mi'lady. But if I didn't bolt you in, you would follow me.", she hear him say.

The front door thudded shut and the Princess sat in the humming cage waiting for his return.

The Wizard left his house and made his way through the village to the castle and found the troops massing to defend the castle.

"I must speak with the King!", he called to the general.

"His majesty is in his chambers preparing for battle.", he was told.

The Wizard pushed his way through the troops and made his way to the King's chambers, and found him pale and shaking in his robes.

"Go away Wizard.", he said, waving his hand.

"Your Majesty, you must lead the troops!", the Wizard demanded

"I will not. I have.. I have a fever. It would be my death of cold if I went out.", he said.

"Your Majesty, if you do not go out, you will die here! I have forseen it!", the Wizard advised.

"I have listened to you long enough. You have taken my daughter and turned her against me with your ways, and now you wish me dead!", he replied.

The Wizard shook his fists in frustration.

"Not this time!", he screamed at the sky.

The Princess looked up suddenly. A wave of anger passed through her body and she knew it was her Master enraged.

She lept to her feet and pounded on the door in frustration then turned to where the glowing object held Sal.

She placed it on the floor and considered it. Sal seemed to knew everything. Perhaps she could use the magic to open the door.

She thought about the incantation and summonded her courage before speaking.

"Tellis, Tardis, Temport, Talk" , she chanted.

The apparation appeared and looked at her.

"Where is the Wizard?", Sal asked.

"He has gone and locked me in. I felt his anger. He needs help!", the Princess begged.

"Release the chain from the cage and I can help you escape.", Sal replied.

The Princess considered and started to lift the chain then stopped.

"No. You would take him from here before his quest is done.", she said calmly.

"You can save your Master by releasing me. I can return him to his own land in an instant.", Sal insisted.

"No. If he dies in his quest, then it was meant to be. And if I am to die here, it is ordained."

Sal disappeared leaving the Princess waiting for her Master, knowing that their fates were intertwined.

The sun crept slowly into the windows of the Wizard's house. The buzzing noise of the cage had died away and the Princess slept uneasily.

She awoke upon hearing the bolt draw back from the door. The door opened and the Wizard stood bloodied and filthy in the doorway.

She ran to him as he sank down upon his knees worn from the battles of the night.

"My quest is done Mi'lady. You are alive!", he said and collapsed into her arms.

The object glowed again and Sal appeared, her face blazing with anger.

"You will return to face us now Wizard!", she demanded.

"Yes, I will.", he said tiredly. "Princess, your father is dead. You are now the ruler of this land. Treat your people well and remember what you have learned from me. Now go."

The Princess kissed him one final time and stepped away from his limp form.

There was a sound of wind rushing and a roaring of blue light that filled the room blinding her and then:Nothing.

The room was empty of objects. All of the things the wizard had showed her, the scrolls, the tools, the jars, even the cage was gone, leaving nothing but a memory of their existance.

The Princess silently closed the door of the now empty room and with a look of determination started towards the castle to take her place as Queen.

Dr John Smith sat in his office at the Institute thinking of the board of review that would determine his fate. He had changed history in some ways but had failed in others.

His hand roved to a book laying on his desk, the diary of a long forgotten princess.

There was a sketch of the author and the look in her eyes haunted him. Had he suceeded in saving her life?

He sacrificed his career to try and save the woman who wrote the words in the diary. He knew that when he first read them that he must go to her, across time, to save this woman from an early death at the hands of invaders.

As he stared out of the window towards the green lawn of the quad, he didn't hear the gentle knock at the door.

"Wizard?", a voice said behind him.

He turned startled at the voice and saw a young woman waiting for him. She was fair of skin and smiled at him in a way that seemed familier.

"I'm sorry, I was thinking of something else. May I help you?", he asked.

"Your trip Dr. Smith. Could I ask you something?", the woman asked.

"I'm not allowed to discuss it. I'm sorry.", he said turning away.

"Just one question. Did you lose your wedding ring?"

He swung back to face her.

"No. I left it behind. As a marker of sorts. I loved her, as I loved my wife."

The woman reached into her purse and withdrew a small package and handed it to him.

"Please look inside.", she said.

He opened it cautiously and found a very aged gold band. He examined it and found the initials engraved into the metal.

"Where?", he said with a whisper.

"It has been in my family for many years. The story has been told from generation to generation that a Wizard visited our family and when he vanished the ring was left behind.

"My name is Amanda , Dr. Smith. And I came to tell you that the love you showed was not forgotten by the ages. It has lived across time and has come back to you."

Chapter 20

The Princess and the Wizard