The nubile young body of the Pasha’s newest concubine quivered on the brink of orgasm as the last of her seven veils flitted between her thighs, the nipples of her large luscious breasts plainly hard and distended. Her audience sat spellbound by the fiery beauty as she bent and tossed her sleek body in a wanton display of sensual passion.

As the licentious dance neared its end, the Odalisque’s face subtly registered the disgust she felt at the gross display being put on by her son’s most recent acquisition. Although concubines are expected to be skilled at these things, such performances are meant to be held in the privacy of the boudoir, not flaunted in front of the Pasha’s guests and relatives. On the island of Myrina, with its strict Moslem culture, it would be scandalous if it were commonly known that such things went on behind the Palace walls.

"I’ll give you 20,000 denari for this girl!" gushed the merchant Kalemi, his hard little eyes gleaming with lust, not even attempting to conceal his excitement as he reclined on the Pasha’s plush gold embroidered pillows. Kalemi’s gaze remained locked on the girl’s exquisitely curved form as he spoke. "This is truly the most glorious creature I’ve ever seen!"

The young Pasha had every reason to want to please his distinguished guest. Kalemi was one of the most successful sea merchants in all the Mediterranean. The island of Myrina had always been an impoverished kingdom, but it did have a good supply of iron ore. This was the island’s only significant source of income.

And Kalemi was buying.

The Pasha did his best to mollify the merchant. "Sasha is indeed very beautiful, but she is one of my personal favorites, and I am afraid she is not for sale. However - I will be delighted to have the honor of offering her for just this one night." Kalemi was more than satisfied with this generous proposal. The Pasha dismissed Sasha with instructions for her to await Kalemi in his guest room.

As the party broke up, the Odalisque headed to her bedchamber with gleeful anticipation. In spite of her disapproval, the Odalisque had become extremely aroused by Sasha’s carnal display and was anxious to keep her rendezvous with her secret lover. The Odalisque stopped to give orders to the hallway guard that she was not to be disturbed and then entered her bedchamber. She proceeded to give herself a fragrant sponge bath from a small onyx fountain. Basking in the sensual pleasure of the cool fresh water against her skin, she became more and more excited at the thought of her lover’s eminent arrival. Standing before a large ornate looking glass, the Odalisque admired her luscious naked form, adorning it with fine jewelry, and proceeded to comb out her long luxurious raven hair.

The Odalisque indeed had a wonderful body, with her gleaming black hair that fell about her shoulders in waves, soft pale skin, magnificent bosom, and tight lean waist. She had used this body to keep her departed husband, the former Pasha, in perpetual thrall, for if truth be known, Myrina was not a kingdom ruled by its Pasha, but by the Odalisque, and it had been so for many years. The current Pasha was a frivolous irresponsible man just as his father had been, and as long as the Odalisque made sure he was provided with a fresh supply of nubile young flesh and a fresh supply of good wine, the Pasha was far too preoccupied with sensual pleasures to concern himself with affairs of state. The Odalisque, with her keen mind and decisive will, was always the person officials depended on to make important decisions. It was a role she enjoyed, and she intended to keep it.

Aided by the reflection in the mirror, the Odalisque noticed a stirring of the large oriental rug hanging on the wall behind her. She drew the rug aside. Struggling against a heavy marble block, she pivoted the stone around to reveal a hidden passage. At once the half naked form of Tanuja emerged, clad only in a tight orange brassiere and orange veil that hung strategically from her waist front.

Tanuja was one of the Odalisque’s own favorites of the Pasha’s concubines. She was a blonde Caucasian, imported from the north when she was a baby, and raised from infancy to be a sex slave. Although this predilection of the Odalisque was not officially approved of, the Odalisque was very discreet about her personal liaisons, and in return the other palace residents turned a blind eye.

The Odalisque took only a moment to admire Tanuja’s scanty outfit. Her top was wrapped tightly about her ample bosom, her nipples easily visible through the fine fabric. "You look wonderful in that outfit, Tanuja. Now remove it at once."

Shortly the bodies of the two women were entangled among the silk sheets and satin pillows, breasts and bellies pressed against one another, each feasting on one another’s flesh in a mutual celebration of lust. The guard outside took little notice as he faintly heard the sounds of deep passionate moans escaping through the heavy wooden door, sounds that he was very much used to hearing.

Finally sated, the two women disentangled themselves.

"May I pour you a draught of wine?" offered Tanuja to her mistress.

"Certainly." As Tanuja poured, the Odalisque spoke, "That Sasha is getting to be a real nuisance. Not only does she insist on grabbing all attention for herself, she constantly asks questions about important matters that shouldn’t concern her, and freely offers her own ill informed opinions about matters of state. She’s not like the other concubines. She talks to men without first being addressed and involves herself in things she has no business with - but we’ve seen the like of her before, haven’t we, Tanuja?"

"Would you like me to make her…disappear?" Tanuja asked with a mischievous smile. "The way I made the others disappear?"

"Yes, that would be wonderful. And as soon as possible."

"She does cause a lot of trouble," Tanuja continued. "Did you know she has killed other concubines in fencing duels on at least two separate occasions? Apparently she is very accomplished with the rapier."

"How very fascinating! What was that all about?" the Odalisque asked, taking a sip of wine.

"Well, I can tell you about one altercation. One of the concubines, Ramani, I believe, prided herself greatly on what she thought was a wonderful singing voice. Sasha, in a moment of indiscretion, compared the sound to that of a dying camel."

The Odalisque broke out in a fit of astonished laughter. However, the laughter then turned to gasps and coughs as the Odalisque dropped her wine goblet, clutching at her throat, unable to breathe. "The…wine! you…poisoned…" the Odalisque managed to rasp out. Tanuja simply stood watching the dying woman with a look of gleeful fascination. The Odalisque managed to walk to her crumpled robe and withdraw a gleaming jewel encrusted dagger. She staggered a few steps toward the giggling Tanuja before collapsing to the floor, her soft warm bosom smacking against the smooth cold white marble.

Tanuja calmly approached the gleaming wall of the bedchamber and struggling against the heavy marble, reopened the passage from which she had emerged. "Sasha?" she tentatively called into the darkness. Tanuja withdrew from the passage as the figure of Sasha emerged from the opening clad in a bright green silk robe. Sasha approached the prone form of the Odalisque inspecting it for signs of life. Sasha’s gaze was returned by an icy cold unblinking stare. Sasha prodded the woman’s belly with her toe.

"Excellent work, my sweetheart. Marvelous job. With this bitch out of the way, the heart and soul of the Pasha will be mine!" Sasha bent down and lifted the gleaming dagger from the Odalisque’s limp grasp. Holding it up to catch the light, she admired the bright emeralds and rubies embedded in the hilt. "Hmmm…very nice!"

"So how was your session with Kalemi?" asked Tanuja, with a jealous tone that she couldn’t keep from creeping into her voice.

"He was a magnificent lover! Well endowed. Excellent endurance. Very passionate, but very controlled, and very thorough. But then again, he had a lot to inspire him," bragged Sasha, glancing down at her own luscious bosom.

Tanuja thrust her own succulent breasts out at Sasha. "Make love to me, Sasha!" the girl pleaded. "Now! Killing such a beautiful woman. It always makes me feel so…you know!"

Sasha peeled off her robe, revealing her own generous jiggling bosom. Sasha approached the beautiful blonde tart, clasping the girl’s belly against her own and pulling her down onto the sheets and pillows. And so the two began making love, in full view of the Odalisque’s cold stare. Sasha showered Tanuja’s neck with kisses while expertly massaging Tanuja’s belly and crotch with knowing fingers. Tanuja’s throat began to softly rumble with moans that came from deep within. Sasha removed her hand to grasp the sparkling dagger that lay in the sheets. "Don’t stop," groaned Tanuja. "Not now!" The long razor sharp blade easily slid between Tanuja’s ribs.

"OHHHHHHHH!" Sasha removed the blade and repeated the maneuver a few inches further down. "NOOOOOOO!" Tanuja gasped. Then Sasha stood up.

"You’ve killed me!" accused Tanuja through heavy lidded eyes, panting for breath, her bosom heaving.

"I didn’t kill you - she did!" answered Sasha, gesturing towards the luscious corpse. "A clear case of self defense. It wouldn’t do, would it, for the entire kingdom to be searching for the Odalisque’s assassin, when one can so neatly be provided?" Tanuja’s soft blue eyes had slipped shut, her head lolling to the side, before Sasha was able to finish her explanation.

Sasha approached the Odalisque’s corpse and playfully ran her toe along the curve of the Odalisque’s smooth firm buttocks. "I’ll be lucky to look half as good at her age," Sasha mused to herself. She then nudged her toe underneath the firm belly, rolling the exotic beauty closer to her Aryan assailant. She dropped the bloody dagger a few inches from the body’s outstretched hand. Sasha then picked up her robe, and retreated through the secret passage, carefully sealing the opening behind her.

That night, unheralded as it was, would mark the dawning of a new era for the heretofore inconsequential island of Myrina. There would now be a new Odalisque in the kingdom. Myrina would become a power to be reckoned with, and the Odalisque of Myrina would be a personage that the entire Mediterranean world would come to know and fear.

Chapter 1 - A Bad Night at the Scurvy Seadog

The voice of the pirate girl sitting at the nearby table sounded deliberately loud and obnoxious. "They say that Calico Red’s girls first stun their opponents with their beauty, then finish them off with their sword. However, now having seen a sampling up close, the truth of the matter seems to be - they frighten their opponents to death by wearing too much make-up!"

Calico Red and several crew members were making merry at the Scurvy Seadog, one of their favorite Port Royal watering holes. The Scurvy Seadog had for several years done a healthy business by catering to the female pirate bands that had multiplied through the Caribbean, following Calico Red’s infamous example. Red and four of her crew were sitting at their table peacefully getting drunk, while a table of nearby rivals couldn’t seem to be able to leave them in peace.

Tanya, a slender pirate girl of Iroquois descent, was extremely agitated. "We can’t let those discourteous bitches get away with this. For such impolite conduct retribution must be exacted."

"Restrain your temper," Red calmly countered, "It’s just some good natured ribbing."

"They say Calico Red has acquired many dangerous enemies through the course of her career. Luckily for the ancient crone, most of them have died of old age." The ensuing laughter was as grating as it was predictable.

Tanya couldn’t stand it anymore. "You venomous beef-witted strumpet!" she exclaimed, rising to her feet, her dark Indian eyes flashing fire.

The girl cut a very striking figure in her scanty pirate uniform. This included a snug white cotton halter top, custom fit to accent her cleavage and show off her lean bare midriff. The costume was completed by a short black skirt that hung low on the waist, scabbard, and shiny black boots.

"I’ll force an apology out of you at the point of my sword!" Tanya yanked out her rapier, but no sooner had the tip cleared the scabbard than a dagger flying at lightning speed buried itself deep in her cleavage. "Bitch!" was all she could manage to gasp out. Balancing precariously for a moment, her dark eyes rolled upwards before she dropped her sword, flopped forward onto the table, arms splayed, her gorgeous rump provocatively thrust up.

"Tanya, you swaggering loggerhead, now you’ve sent us all to hell!" Red exclaimed, whirling around in her chair, neatly nailing the source of the fatal missile with a pistol shot through her bare belly. The girl, eyes looking stunned and vacant, tottered backwards over her chair, her long shapely legs flailing upwards.

The other group of pirate girls, looking both beautiful and deadly, were now rising with rapiers drawn. They wore standard uniforms, as did Red’s girls, but of their own design. This consisted of an embroidered purple vest secured about a white peasant blouse, fastened tightly enough to generate an eye catching display of cleavage. The vest and blouse were cut off below the bosom, leaving their lean torsos bare. The blouse was off the shoulder, but had long flowing sleeves. The outfit was completed by a pair of snug lavender briefs rounded about by thin ladylike ruffles.

"I’m afraid we’re outnumbered!" Red called out to her surviving comrades, Thomasina, Andrea, and Michelle. Red counted eight of the other pirate girls, not counting the one that had just fallen. "Stay close, and guard one another’s backs," ordered Red. One of the lavender clad pirate girls attempted to circle around to Red’s rear. Red pretended not to notice for a moment, then suddenly launching herself over a chair, skewered the girl through the belly.

"Try to be more alert, wench! You’re making this too easy."

"Mammering harpy!" the girl spat back, clutching at her belly. She staggered backwards knocking over a table full of wooden ale goblets, and fell to the floor amid a shower of ale and foam.

Two of the rival pirate girls took advantage of Red’s short absence to gang up on Andrea, forcing her to the wall. Red kicked aside a table, and lunged at one of them, impaling her through the back. The other was distracted by the attack on her comrade, giving Andrea just the opportunity to drive her dagger under her sternum, the long tip finding its way to her heart. "Farewell, impertinent hedge-pigs," was Andrea’s parting barb.

Out of the corner of her eye, Red spied one of the fallen rogues raise her flint-lock at Michelle's back. "Watch your back, Michelle," Red called out. Michelle spun around just in time to catch a slug through her bare torso. Michelle rocked on her heels for a few seconds, the light of her blue eyes darkening. Then the big bosomed blonde collapsed directly on top of her assailant, the scantily clad bodies joining one another in a death embrace.

Red forced one of her foes back against the rough hewn bar, while calling out to Thomasina, "Toni, I really like this puffy sleeve they have going! Do you think you can design something like this for us, assuming we escape with all our organs intact?"

"I agree!" Thomasina called back, busy defending herself against two assailants. "In fact I had something like that already in mind for the new outfits I’m working on."

"You talk too much, stupid whore!" cried the woman that Red had pressed against the bar, their rapiers solidly locked together.

"And you die too much!" responded Red, using her free left hand to thrust her long thin dagger blade through her comely opponent’s side. "Ohhhhhhhh!" the fetching wench sighed mournfully as she slowly slid to the ground.

Just then a dagger sailed solidly into Andrea’s hard flat belly, firmly buried to its hilt. Andrea gazed perplexedly at the mayhem surrounding her, unable to tell where the thing had come from. One of the lavender clad beauties easily sunk a rapier through her side. Andrea fell backwards, splayed across a table, the dagger hilt sticking upwards.

"And you die too much?" called out Thomasina, still fending off her assailants. "That doesn’t even make sense!"

"I couldn’t think of any more good insults!" cried Red, kicking a scantily clad beauty across a rough wooden table with the heel of her boot.

"How about ‘Take that, you craven crook-pated canker-blossom!’"

"I like that! Take that, you craven crook-pated canker-blossom!" Red repeated as she impaled an unfortunate female rogue. "Damn, that's hard to say!"

Red made her way towards Thomasina, who was defending herself against what seemed to be the last of the rival pirate band. However, quietly rising behind Red, dagger held high, loomed one of the lavender clad beauties who had apparently mustered enough strength to make one final stand.

Just as the gleaming blade was about to come down in Red’s back, a shot suddenly rang out. The pirate girl flinched, her firm thin waist pierced through with a pistol slug.

Thomasina’s opponent, startled by the sound, paused just long enough for Thomasina to thrust her rapier between her pert perfect breasts. As the last of the beauteous pirate band slowly slumped to the ground, Red and Thomasina looked towards the back of the saloon where the shot had originated. Gracefully descending a spiral wooden staircase from the floor above, smoking flint-lock in hand, was a beautiful aristocratic looking woman with long straight dark hair. She wore a low cut white ruffled blouse and a pair of snug fitting riding pants that set off an exquisite hourglass figure.

"To what do we owe the privilege?" panted Red, thoroughly out of breath, gazing curiously at the woman.

Eyeing the scantily clad form of the red haired amazon, the woman spoke, "You are Calico Red I presume. I am the Lady Anchinini of Naples, and I have a proposition for you."

Chapter 2 - An Immodest Proposal

Before joining the Lady Anchinini, Red sought out the saloon keeper, whom she was not surprised to discover cowering in a cubby hole underneath the bar. "Please come out my good man." The saloon keeper rose to his feet, his face overlaid by a look of confusion and grave apprehension. The saloon keeper was a mustached powerfully built man with a gentle pudgy looking face.

"You have nothing to fear, and much to be thankful for. These girls had all just been paid very generously, and should be carrying much more than enough cash to pay for a good coffin. Whatever you can find on them, please use it to arrange for a local undertaker and to make repairs to your tavern. Anything above and beyond that is yours for the keeping. A very healthy profit for a single night’s work!"

The man’s expression turned from one of apprehension to delight as the truth of his good fortune dawned on him. He immediately set about stripping and searching the warm soft bodies for coin purses, rings, jewelry, and any other valuables he might be able to scavenge. As he finished with each body, he drug it to the corner of the bar, arranging them in a neat pile to await the undertaker’s arrival. While he busied himself, the trio of gorgeous ladies retired upstairs.

"In truth I’m an agent of Prince Ruggero of Naples, here to seek you out, Captain. The Prince is in dire need of your assistance." Lady Anchinini poured herself a goblet of wine. Out of caution, Red and Thomasina supplied their own goblets and wine, having brought them up from the bar below, and now here they sat upstairs in the saloon’s guest suite, conversing with the Lady Anchinini.

Calico Red struggled to concentrate on what Lady Anchinini was saying. The sight of so many scantily clad beauties so enthusiastically skewering one another had gotten Red extremely excited. And from what Red could make of this woman’s figure through her snug riding outfit, she had a body to die for. Red couldn’t help but imagine how pleasant it would be to satisfy her urgent desire by embracing the luscious naked flesh of her new acquaintance.

Lady Anchinini continued. "The shipping industry in Naples has been utterly paralyzed for the past several months. We have been absolutely terrorized by a fleet of bloodthirsty female Corsairs, she-demons from hell, emissaries of none other than that murderous witch, the Odalisque of Myrina. Other less courageous nobles have been content to cooperate with this scoundrel, paying her what politely is called tribute but is more accurately described as extortion. In return, she leaves their shipping lanes alone. This leaves her free to focus on Naples, with the result that our shipping industry is ruined, our economy is choking and our people are starving.

"However, the Prince has decided to take action. One month from now, the Prince plans to invade Myrina, razing it to the ground. But in order for this campaign to be successful, we must maintain complete secrecy. Unfortunately, that secrecy is in jeopardy. Several months ago, the beautiful Lady Fabiana Guiliana allowed herself to be captured by the Odalisque’s forces and forced into servitude as a royal concubine, hoping to seduce and infiltrate the royal hierarchy.

"However, we have reason to believe the secret of the Lady Fabiana’s true mission has been betrayed. There is a female courtesan and spy, Baroness Natasha of the Province of Georgia. This woman has no genuine loyalties, doing whatever is necessary to maintain her luxurious lifestyle. Natasha is a former lover of Prince Ruggero, but has presently fallen in with the Odalisque of Myrina. Natasha knows of the Lady Fabiana’s mission, and Fabiana is thoroughly familiar with the Prince’s invasion plans."

"This is where the Prince needs your assistance. The Lady Fabiana must be either rescued or silenced before she reveals the plans for the eminent invasion."

"So what exactly is your proposal?" asked Red.

"Our thinking is that you bear a close resemblance to this Baroness Natasha. She is a tall voluptuous red head with features that very much resemble your own. Quite beautiful, actually. If you could temporarily assume her identity, you would be able to gain entrance to the Odalisque’s palace, at least long enough to locate Lady Fabiana."

Lady Anchinini walked to a small bureau and extracted an impressive looking document covered with script. Placed before Red, the document contained the name and seal of the Prince of Naples displayed conspicuously at the bottom.

"The Prince would like to advance you 5,000 pounds which should more than cover your expenses. Another 15,000 will be paid upon the delivery of the Lady Fabiana."

"You want her alive, then?"

"The important thing is that she be returned. We would prefer her alive, but if she expires during the course of her rescue, then so be it."

"This sounds like a very dangerous and awkward mission. I’m tempted to respectfully pass. I’m doing very well confining myself to my local territory."

"Before you make up your mind, consider that you may want to pursue Natasha and the Odalisque before you become the one pursued."

"What do you mean?"

"The ones you so skillfully dispatched below, they are members of the Odalisque’s entourage."

"Corsairs? What the hell are Corsairs doing in Port Royal?"

"They have been so successful in the Mediterranean that they have been forced to expand into the Caribbean in search of new prey."

Red pondered this for a few seconds. "So this incident is likely to have repercussions," Red concluded.

"I would think so," agreed Lady Anchinini.

"All right then. I find your offer very agreeable. I will accept it."

Red took hold of the Prince’s contract and rose to her feet. "Thomasina and I must be getting back to our ship."

The lady Anchinini remained seated. "Please wait, Captain. My ship doesn’t leave until late tomorrow morning. Watching you two beautiful and valiant ladies so skillfully dispatching those evil rogues…well…it’s left me feeling quite…agitated." As she spoke, her fingers gently loosened the top button of her low cut blouse, further enhancing her already impressive cleavage. "I would be greatly honored if the two of you could join me in my bedchamber for some earnest…relaxation."

Thomasina shot a disapproving glance towards Red, who was smiling mischievously. Thomasina spoke up "I’m afraid that…"

"We’d be delighted join you!" Red decisively interrupted. Thomasina shrugged her shoulders resignedly.

Shortly the three gorgeous vixens were cavorting on the Lady’s large canopy bed, giving themselves completely over to their lustful passions. They made a for a very colorful looking trio, bouncing around on the Lady’s bed with their long fluid manes of blonde, red, and dark brunette. Lady Anchinini’s naked form was every bit as alluring as Red had imagined it to be. The Lady had pale smooth perfectly complected skin covering a curvaceous hourglass figure that she displayed quite proudly. Red was pleased that the Lady gave Thomasina special attention given her initial reluctance to join in.

"Thomasina, you are so incredibly beautiful," gushed the Lady Anchinini as she kneaded the voluptuous blonde’s plump breasts and showered her luminous skin with soft kisses. Thomasina responded powerfully to the combination of flattery and physical stimulation, her body shuddering with ecstasy. "OHHHHHH! My Lady, that feels so incredible," she gushed.

"Yes, Thomasina and I have a very special relationship," interjected Red, playfully caressing the Lady’s deliciously rounded rump.

"Then you are a very lucky woman!" responded the Lady.

Under the Lady’s magical guidance, Thomasina came again and again, her body writhing with orgasmic convulsions. Red observed that Thomasina seemed to be reacting more intensely to the Lady’s ministrations than she ever had during their own lovemaking.

"Well, Thomasina, you don’t have to enjoy yourself quite that much!" Red petulantly remarked. After several moments, during which Thomasina seemed to be monopolizing the Lady’s attention, Red decided she had had enough. Taking firm hold of the aristocrat’s smooth tight waist, Red pulled the Lady over on to her back and mounted her, resting her crotch against the Lady’s soft flat belly and pinning her arms back over her head.

"It’s my turn, okay?" Red declared softly and intensely, but with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

In response, the Lady languorously arched her back, pressing her glorious bosom up towards Red. "I assure you, Captain, there is plenty of me to go around," purred the voluptuous vixen.

Eventually, the trio managed to get themselves clothed, and made their way downstairs, the Lady Anchinini leading the way.

As the Lady descended the spiral staircase a shot rang out from the floor below. The Lady Anchinini clutched at her bosom and toppled head over heel down the narrow staircase. Thomasina leapt over the railing, and approached the source of the report. One of the Odalisque's girls still had enough life to squeeze off one final shot. The girl gave a sharp gasp as Thomasina pushed her rapier tip down through her soft bosom. Thomasina carefully checked the bodies of the other girls and all were cold.

Red cradled the head of the dying Lady in her lap. "Take care, Captain. Please take care." Her eyes fluttered shut and her jaw went slack.

"Yes, you take care as well, my Lady." Red gently lowered her head to the floor.

As Red and Thomasina made their way out, Thomasina asked "Does this mean we’re no longer going to Myrina?"

"On the contrary. I still have this," Red answered, displaying the Prince’s contract, "and this is all that really matters."

Carefully sidestepping the bodies of her fallen compatriots, Red noted sardonically, "It appears we will need to advertise for some new recruits."

Chapter 3 - A Dubious Alliance

The street vendors, beggars, and peasants took little note of the picturesque trio as they made their way through the noisy hot crowded dusty streets of Myrina. Red had been very careful to dress the part of a rich Arab noblewoman, with her head and face veiled and body cloaked with a long embroidered robe. Red had selected two statuesque black crew members to play the part of her Nubian attendants, and they rode behind Red, similarly robed and veiled, but with fabric and dye of a lesser quality.

The three were each seated on a magnificent dapple gray Arabian thoroughbred. Quite an expense, but one which Red considered well worth it for their present venture. The horses obediently and calmly made their way through the crowded streets.

Shortly, they came to the house of the Baroness Natasha, situated a short distance from the royal palace. A tall black female guard answered the door. The girl was wearing a short dark green vest tightly laced in front to lend support to her ample bosom. Tied around her hips was a matching dark green sash with a stiletto dagger tucked underneath, attractively offsetting her thin muscular waist. Puffy yellow green trousers flowed down from the sash.

"Please come in. The Baroness has been waiting for you." Inside the house’s antechamber was standing a second guard, dressed exactly as the first. Natasha’s guards carefully eyed Red’s girls, sizing them up. Red's attendants remained in the house's antechamber, to be served wine and refreshments, while Red was ushered into the Baroness's private chamber.

The Baroness was stretched languorously across her pillows, wine goblet in hand. She was a beautiful shapely redhead, just as the Lady Anchinini had described. Though Russian, she was dressed with casual elegance in the native style. She wore a pink brassiere, a bright red sash tied low around her hips and sheer pink puffy harem pants. She wore a twinkling red ruby in her navel, accentuating her thin firm waist. This was accessorized by shiny rings, wrist bracelets, and ankle bracelets. All in all, the Baroness seemed more attired for pleasure than for business.

And that suited Red just fine.

"I am so honored," the noblewoman gushed. "The famous Calico Red deigns to bless me with her presence! I've been dying of suspense wondering why in the world you would want to meet with me.

"I'll get right to the point, Baroness. I've come on behalf of the Prince of Naples to buy your cooperation. We know full well that you have been working as a spy for the Odalisque of Myrina. For the right price, perhaps it is possible for you to work for the Prince of Naples as well."

"You ask me to betray my mistress. Not something to be done lightly," the Baroness asserted with a skeptical smile.

"Not lightly, of course not. But since your arrival in Myrina, you've doubtless divulged all you can about the Prince's plans. The Odalisque is not likely to put you up in such luxurious accommodations indefinitely, now that your usefulness has expired. The Prince is very well aware that you are a lady with expensive tastes, and he is willing to pay up to 20,000 denari for any information that may help him in his campaign against the Odalisque. He knows that you need the money."

"He's very certain of himself, isn't he, making a fine lady such as myself such an impertinent, presumptuous offer," the Baroness smugly sniffed.

"Myrina is bound to be invaded sooner or later, if not by the Prince, then by some other noble. If you cooperate, it could mean accolades versus the gallows in such an eventuality."

"So what information could I offer you? A map of Myrina, details about the Odalisque's forces?"

"Those things would be very nice, but what I'm really interested in right now would be a map showing the layout of the Royal Palace - showing the exact location of the Lady Fabiana!"

"I can do that for you - for 25,000 denari. But let me see it first."

Red emptied a pouch of gold coins on the wooden table in front of her.

"Very nice," the Baroness exclaimed, impressed by the polished, sparkling coins.

The Baroness rose and removed a key from a small gold pendant that dangled provocatively between her breasts. Unlocking a bureau that appeared to be full of personal effects, she spent a moment rifling through the contents. "Here we are." The Baroness laid out a diagram on the table in front of Red. The Baroness's soft shapely bosom pressed against Red's back as she leaned in over the pirate woman's shoulder. "The Lady Fabiana is being held in the palace under house arrest. Her private chamber is right here," she stated, pointing out the Lady's room.

"Wonderful! This is exactly what I was hoping you could provide. Now if you can excuse me I must..."

"No, please, Captain." the Baroness replied with a mischievous smile. "I would really like you to stay!"

"I don't wish to take advantage of your generous hospitality!"

The Baroness leaned languorously back, uncinching her brassiere, unleashing a pair of the most bountiful, beautifully sculpted breasts that Red had ever seen. "Captain...I insist!!"

"You are an incredibly attractive woman, Baroness. That was exactly what I was hoping you would say!" Red lost no time in uncinching her own halter and joining the Baroness on her fine bedding.

The two voluptuous redheads were soon entwined among the sheets and pillows as they lost themselves in their lustful passion, lips against lips, breasts against breasts, and belly against belly. The resulting moans and sighs were heard only by Red's two black crew members, the Baroness's attendants having already been rendered unconscious by a narcotic artfully slipped into their wine.

Red slipped her hand down to undo the knot on Natasha’s sash. Natasha gently pushed herself away. "What’s wrong?" Red queried. Then with panther like grace, the Baroness swiftly rolled over to Red's crumpled pile of clothing and grasped Red's flint-lock pistol and aimed it squarely at the captain's bountiful bosom.

"I hope you realize what a sacrifice I'm making here, Captain. Seldom have I met anyone who could bring me such excruciating pleasure, and I can't help but feel this is a terrible waste, but the sad fact is, there is no way I could trust an infamous pirate captain so well known for her ruthlessness and treachery. Even so, I must admit the thought of perforating that lovely bosom of yours with a hot pistol slug is rather exciting!"

"I am sincerely disappointed, Baroness. This seemed like the start of such a glorious friendship. But now it is quite apparent that I'm going to have to kill you." Red grasped both her dagger and a small pouch from out of her robe. She calmly reached over to the Baroness's wine goblet and poured in the contents of the pouch, some sort of fine white powder.

The Baroness began to breath rapidly, obviously very confused. Red lifted the goblet, swirling the contents to see that it was well dissolved. "You're going to kill me?" the Baroness queried. She pulled the trigger, resulting in a quick flash of exploding powder and nothing more. "It’s not loaded!"

"Loaded with powder only. I made sure of that just before coming here. I left the pistol in plain view, as a test of your sincerity. Sad to say, but you failed miserably. So I'm offering you a choice. This potion here is made from a powerful drug, something I appropriated from a frigate sailing in from the far east. You can choose a very pleasant painless death - or a very messy painful death," Red said, gently waving the gleaming blade. "The choice is yours."

"I'll scream for my attendants!"

"I don’t believe that will do any good." Red opened the door leading out to the antechamber and peeked through. Naked, slumped together sitting against the wall, heads lolling against one another, were Natasha’s two attendants. Beside them their clothes and weapons were stacked in a heap. Red caught the eye of one of her girls who was standing watch.

"Is everything all right out there, Venus?" Red called out.

"Yes, Captain, everything is just fine." Venus answered with a smug smirk.

Red snapped her fingers and pointed to the heap of clothing, motioning Venus to bring it to her.

"Thanks, Venus." Red took the bundle and closed the door.

"Your attendants have been rendered unconscious, stripped of clothing and weapons." Red lifted an empty green vest to display to Natasha.

The Baroness's expression grew pensive as she attempted to digest the situation. "Very well," she said resignedly, "I will drink your poisonous potion."

"A very wise decision!"

The Baroness downed several gulps, then paused.

"All of it," Red said firmly.

The Baroness drained the goblet, then set it down heavily, her face set in an expression of sullen defiance. However, as Red carefully watched, the Baroness's countenance gradually softened, her dark eyes overtaken by a sultry dreamy look.

She lazily stretched her luscious half-naked form out over the large plush pillows, arching her neck and back. "Captain, I can't tell you how incredibly excited it makes me feel, to die at the hand of a woman so beautiful and ruthless." The Baroness began to tweak the nipple of one of her shapely breasts with one hand, gently undoing her sash with the other, her body overcome with passion brought on by the mysterious mind altering drug. "Come here and kiss me, my wicked, wicked pirate captain."

Red wasted no time in discarding what remained of her skimpy pirate outfit, and overcome with excitement at the woman's wanton display, laid down and pressed herself against the Baroness, giving her a long lingering kiss. Red then lowered her head, licking and nibbling gently on the Baroness's delicious pink nipples, assuming the task of massaging the lady's delicious pink privates.

Within a moment or so, the Baroness released a hearty moan, her body shuddering with a thundering climax. The two voluptuous redheads continued to delight one another for several minutes. The Baroness, after undergoing a number of violent climaxes under Red's masterful guidance, finally began to tire. "My God, Captain!" she exclaimed, panting. "That was incredible! Never in my life has man nor woman ever brought me to such heights of ecstasy!" Then the fire in Natasha’s eyes began to grow dim. "I only regret that we did not meet long ago… under more favorable circumstances."

The Baroness expired as sweetly and elegantly as she made love. Red watched as within a few seconds the Baroness's eyelids grew heavy and finally fluttered shut, her back draped over a plump pillow, arms splayed, her delicious pink nipples pointed skyward.

"I suppose this means you are willing to forego the sum we agreed on?" Red asked the now comatose Baroness as she scooped the 25,000 denari back into its leather pouch.

Red removed the small key from the pendant that dangled between Natasha’s chunky breasts and searched through the Baroness's bureau, confiscating some identification papers, and a few other documents of interest. She then carefully removed the Baroness’ bracelets from her wrists and ankles, dropping these into the same leather pouch. "I must say, Baroness, you have excellent taste in jewelry!"

Red then knelt by the Baroness, playfully stroking the lady's belly and breasts as she waited for her pulse to stop. After a few moments, Red checked one more time and felt nothing. Red made as though to leave, but paused at the door.

Red returned to the limp form and stooped to extract the glittering red ruby embedded in the woman's navel. "Baroness, I must protest that this is far too expensive a parting gift," Red stated in mock earnesty. "You're just too generous!" Red then spread her lips over the slack open mouth of the Baroness, giving her a lingering parting kiss.

Chapter 4 – Reluctantly Rescued

Red and Venus left the other black girl, Serena, behind to keep Natasha’s house secure, look after the horses and to answer the door so as to give an appearance of normalcy. Serena dressed herself in the green vest and trousers of one of the unconscious attendants, while Red and Venus again donned the hooded robes and veils that they had arrived in.

Red and Venus made their way to the Royal Palace riding double on one of the Arabian steeds. There were two female guards at the entrance. This was consistent with what Red had heard of Myrina, that the Odalisque, feeling women to be more responsible and dependable than men, had replaced all the guards with females, relegating the males to mere servant positions.

The girls were dressed quite skimpily for palace guards. What little armor they had seemed more symbolic than functional. This also agreed with what Red had heard, that the Odalisque loved to surround herself with beautiful, scantily clad women. The girls each wore a bright red silk brassiere with a shiny brass cup fixed over each breast. Around their hips they wore a matching red sash and scabbard, with strategically placed strips of silk hung front and back. Leather sandals. And that was it!

Red and Venus dismounted and Red matter of factly announced herself as Baroness Natasha. "I need to see Lady Fabiana Guiliana," Red addressed the woman who seemed to be in charge. "I am here to interrogate her about some very urgent matters."

"The Odalisque must approve of anyone entering the Palace. Do you have an appointment?"

"Of course I have an appointment. Someone was supposed to leave word of my arrival so that you would be expecting me."

The guard didn’t seem at all suspicious of the apparent oversight. "Very well then. Julietta, would you escort them to the Lady Fabiana’s room?" she said, addressing the other guard.

The very fashionably dressed guard led Red and Venus through several long hallways lined with white quartz and marble. The inside of the Palace was brilliantly lit with the reflection from the white walls and a few strategically placed skylights. The guard knocked on a wooden door.

The woman who opened the door had short dark hair and wore a simple sleeveless white dress with a short skirt. She held a formidable looking whip in her right hand.

"Baroness Natasha to see the Lady Fabiana," the guard announced.

"I’ve heard of you, Baroness, but never met you. Please come in."

Red and Venus entered the room, still robed and veiled, along with the guard who continued to escort them. Upon entering, they could see a second woman with fair skin and long wavy blonde hair who stood chained and naked, facing the white quartz wall, her wrists and ankles splayed and shackled, arms suspended above her head. This particular posture the girl was trapped in served to highlight a firm lean waist and exquisitely rounded arse. Red couldn’t help but think that for a prisoner, the woman looked incredibly clean and healthy.

In fact, radiantly so!

Apart from the chains installed in the wall, the chamber was tastefully decorated like a normal palace guest room, with clean pillows and bedding, and a few pieces of furniture. Very comfortable accommodations.

The dark haired woman spoke, "I’m Varla, an advisor to the Odalisque, and I’ve been entrusted with the very pleasant task of interrogating this very beautiful but very uncooperative prisoner."

"Choke on your vomit and die, bitch!" the shackled young woman cried out.

"Shut up, scum!" Varla retorted, interrupting her exchange with Red long enough to deliver a long sound lash to the girl’s lovely buttocks. The girl replied with a low moan that to Red’s ears at least, smacked more of pleasure than of pain.

Red noticed that the whip didn’t leave a mark.

Red was getting a bad feeling about this. The ends of the whip were frayed, with no glass or metal shards embedded, no nothing. The whip might be capable of delivering a good sound sting, but not much else.

"Would you like to see a demonstration of how we deal with uncooperative prisoners?" Varla asked with an evil smile.

"Why don’t you let me have a turn with her?" asked Red.

"Well I don’t know…" answered Varla, looking rather hesitant.

"But I insist!" Red chose that moment to remove a loaded crossbow from beneath her robe, and unerringly loosed the deadly bolt squarely into Varla’s soft torso. At such close range, the shaft disappeared into Varla’s body, simply leaving a small red stain on her dress.

The guard moved forward to intervene. Venus moved in behind, tossing a garrote over the guard’s head. Falling backwards with arms flailing, the guard took only a few seconds to pass from wild panic to unconsciousness and a quick death.

Varla tottered for a moment, looking bewildered. "What the hell was that for?" Varla then sank to the floor with a deep sigh, and then lay still and silent.

"That was for being at the wrong place at the wrong time." Red answered, yanking a set of keys from Varla’s thin black sash.

As Red unlocked the shocked looking Lady Fabiana’s shackles, she addressed the radiant blonde. "I’m not Baroness Natasha, but Calico Red, sent by Prince Ruggero of Naples. I mean to get you out of here. We must act quickly."

A freed Fabiana stepped back from Red, rubbing her wrists. "You stupid idiot," she snarled, "I hope never to see that jerk Ruggero again. If he had the slightest feeling for me, he would never have sent me hundreds of miles on this dangerous mission. The fact is, I’ve been far happier and much better treated here in Myrina than I ever was in Naples. Varla is…was… my lover. We were just play acting!" Fabiana crossed her arms over her lovely breasts, feet firmly set apart. "Ruggero can rot in hell! I do not intend to leave!"

"It’s all right," Red answered soothingly. "I respect your decision…" With that, Red knocked the Lady Fabiana out cold with a wickedly sudden right cross. Red caught the lady under arms before she could fall and bruise herself on the hard marble floor.

"…but I shan’t abide by it."

"What do we do now?" asked a confused Venus.

"Basically, we continue as planned. Help me get this girl into Natasha’s robe."

A few minutes later, Venus sauntered out the Palace entrance, an unconscious Fabiana slung over her shoulder, wrapped in Natasha’s robe and veil.

Venus addressed the guard, "The prisoner got loose and smacked the Baroness in the head, rendering her unconscious. I must get her home, so I can tend to her. Can you please help me hoist her up on this horse?"

"Of course!" the guard answered, a very concerned look on her face.

Within a moment, Venus was slowly riding away from the palace with the unconscious Fabiana bobbing up and down, draped over the magnificent steed’s rump.

Chapter 5 – And an Assassination Thrown in for Free

Red stayed behind in Lady Fabiana’s room, quickly stripping the guard and changing into the guard’s uniform. She piled together the dead bodies of Varla and the naked guard, carefully covering them with bedding and pillows. Satisfied that all looked fairly normal, she left.

Walking quickly and confidently, using her knowledge of Natasha’s map which she had completely committed to memory, Red made her way through the long white corridors to where she knew the Odalisque kept her luxurious living quarters. Upon entering the corridor which housed the Odalisque’s personal suite, Red faintly heard what she recognized as the sound of rapiers clashing.

Peeking through a partly open door, Red was surprised to see a beautiful dark haired woman dressed in a white brassiere and sheer white harem pants, apparently the Odalisque, engaged in what seemed to be fencing practice with one of her guards. Red surmised it was a guard because the girl was dressed in the same skimpy colorful breast plates and sash as the others. Off to the side stood an attractive young attendant, dressed only in a white brassiere and white sash around her hips, the ends draped forward and back. Surmised from the sight of a couple of scantily clad bodies heaped in a corner that this was a fight to the death. However, this seemed to be just business as usual to the Odalisque. Her sleek form seemed to glow from the excitement of the combat.

The guard defended herself furiously, but was not quite a match for the Odalisque, who had been an expert fencer for most of her life. After toying with the guard for several minutes, the Odalisque backed the young woman against the smooth white wall, and with a powerful vicious stroke, knocked the girl’s rapier from out of her hand. The Odalisque instantly plunged her blade through the girl’s bare unprotected belly as her victim let out a sharp cry. The girl slowly slid down the wall gently moaning.

"Don’t worry! You’ll be out of your misery soon enough!" The Odalisque placed her rapier tip just below the girl’s brass breastplates and slowly pushed the hard thin blade through the girl’s heart as the girl let out a mournful cry.

"They must learn to train these girls better!" the Odalisque addressed the lone attendant who was busily dragging the body into a corner to join the two other scantily dressed fencing partners who had not measured up to the Odalisque’s high standards. "This one barely gave me much of a workout." The Odalisque looked around the room and addressed the empty air mockingly, "So is there anyone else today ready to die?" The attendant looked as though trying to make herself invisible.

Red stepped into the room. "I am!" she cheerfully announced.

"Ah, a luscious morsel indeed!" the Odalisque exclaimed, admiring Red’s extremely fit looking hourglass figure. "And who might you be, my pretty one?"

"Death Incarnate!" Red coolly responded, raising her rapier.

"Ah! A wench with spirit!" The Odalisque lunged at Red who easily swatted the blade aside. The Odalisque fought furiously but wherever she thrust her blade, Red was there. So unerring was Red’s anticipation of her every move that it seemed to the Odalisque as though she were fighting her reflection in a looking glass. None of the royal guards had ever come anywhere near this level of accomplishment.

"Who are you…really?" the Odalisque asked curiously, continuing to fight.

"I’m Captain Calico Red, sent by Prince Ruggero of Naples to rescue Lady Fabiana Guiliana. I figure killing you would just be nice little bonus. And besides, your Corsairs have been encroaching on my territory."

"Your reputation is that you always defeat your enemies through treachery and deceit," the Odalisque asserted as she continued to aggressively thrust. "Why is it that now you engage in a fair fight?"

"Because I know I’m better than you are! I saw you dueling with your lackey. You’re just not that good."

The Odalisque laughed. "You talk an impressive fight. Making good on it is another matter."

"I’m just about to skewer you through that adorable belly button of yours, and there’s absolutely nothing you can do about it."

Red feinted with her sword several times at lightning swift speed, forcing the Odalisque to distraction. Then just as she said, Red ran her long thin blade through the Odalisque’s gorgeous unprotected belly button, its tip jutting out the Odalisque’s lovely back.

"Arrogant bitch!" the Odalisque snarled as she slowly sank to the cold marble floor.

Red then turned her gaze to the Odalisque’s comely attendant, whose eyes had become wide with fear. The girl made a run for the door. Red’s dagger flew, and landed with a solid "thunk", buried deep in the center of the girl’s back. She fell forward, skidded a couple of feet, and then lay still.

Red inspected the luscious scantily clad body of the dead Odalisque, and to her great delight, found it tastefully decorated with jewelry that held a number of small precious gems, diamonds, sapphires and the like. And the items were still small enough to inconspicuously fit into her leather pouch! But the biggest prize of all, the Odalisque’s ring, her personal seal, just the thing Red needed to prove her victory. Red carefully worked it off the finger and dropped it in her pouch.

Red lingered a moment to admire the beauty of this woman who had managed to hold an entire nation in her thrall. Long wavy mane of shiny black hair, full red pouty lips slack and open, large dark eyes now closed forever. Red gave the Odalisque’s luscious rump a playful parting slap. "It wasn’t such a bad fight, your grace, you just need a little more practice."

Before leaving, Red had to nudge the body of the beautiful young attendant out of the way of the door. Red noted that the small items of jewelry worn by the attendant amounted to no more than trinkets, not really worth the bother.

Red confidently walked out into the corridor, still dressed in her official guard’s uniform, and strode down the long white corridors. She gave a cheerful nod to the guard at the palace entrance as she walked past, heading for her rendezvous with Serena at Natasha’s house.

A couple of weeks later, Thomasina and Red found themselves ensconced in Red’s large comfy bed, in the captain’s quarters of her ship the Siren Spell. They were headed back home from Naples, across the Atlantic Ocean, to more familiar surroundings around the settlement of Bath.

Red lay with her head back against Thomasina’s luxurious bosom gradually falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the ship. They were both drained, having just shared a wild romp in which they drove one another to the most ecstatic heights of pleasure.

Thomasina spoke, "You know you didn’t have to go after the Odalisque. That wasn’t part of the agreement. Why did you take such an unnecessary risk?"

"Since Lady Fabiana had cooperated so enthusiastically with the enemy, I reasoned that her return at that point was rather moot. However, the death of the Odalisque more than made up for the loss of intelligence, as far as Prince Ruggero was concerned. He was more than delighted to receive proof of the death of his nemesis.

"In the chance that I survive long enough to retire from this pirate business, it would be nice to have a place like Naples to retire to, a place willing and able to grant me some asylum.

"I do feel some sympathy for the Lady Fabiana, though. No doubt the Prince will waste no time having her beheaded as a traitor. I can well understand her frustration at being spurned by the Prince. The man is a real tiger in bed!"

Red smiled as she felt Thomasina’s body tense.

"At least, that’s what I’ve heard…"