"Overlords: Do´s and Don´t´s Part 1" by Amy ´the Ames´ Perkins

I will refuse all gifts from the Evil Overlord. They probably contain mind-control devices that would make me giddily happy to marry him. It's demeaning enough to be head-over-heels for the Hero, let alone a creep like the EO. ~ Excerpt from "What to do if you are ever the True Love"

    The day Tara arrived was beautiful. If it had been raining, a sure omen of things to come, she might have been more wary, but not every story can be so predictable. The birds sang and the sky was liquid sapphire as her entourage arrived at the capitol of the Outerlands. At the insistence of both the Alliance of Free Planets and the leader of this world, Tara was making a personal trip to lay down the groundwork for membership. The leader insisted that she come in person for him to pledge his loyalty. A minor council member could have easily performed the job, but the majority of the Alliance wanted this world as a member and they were willing to cater to every whim

    As Tara disembarked she was met by a charming young man. At first she paid him no mind as she supervised the unloading of the ship. He looked as though he had rolled out of bed and come to watch her. A well worn bandanna failed to keep stray strands of blonde hair from whipping in the wind. His clothes were wrinkled and his boots scuffed but his face was bright with amusement as he watched every female body that crossed his gaze, including Tara's.

He noticed her watching him and winked at her, offering her a seductive little smile. She blushed fiercely from the attention.

    The cargo was finally unloaded and her entourage stood on the docks, waiting for Tara to head for the palace. Tara herself was waiting for and escort or palace representative. She did not see anyone other than the man who stood in insufferable silence, grinning like a fool, bandana tied messily in his hair.

    "Well are you going to continue to stand there admiring the view or are you going to tell me how to get to the palace?" The man gave a start as though startled from pleasant speculation and looked Tara in the eye.

    "I could never pass up any offer made by a woman of your, ah, magnificent, exterior! I am Zenithos Bravado, the Rogue Brave! Call me Zeno." He offered a clumsy bow, bending low as to attempt a glance beneath her robes. Tara quickly pulled her skirts tight about her, put off by his behavior. "I am here to escort you to the palace, if of course you are the Lady Tara, from the Alliance of Free Planets. If not, well then," if Zeno's grin could widen, it did at this point, "then my rooms are at the palace as well and I will escort you there anyway."

    "Excuse me? I am the Lady Tara and I hardly think that your rooms are the most appropriate destination."

    "Eric did mention that line might not be good to say." Zeno grinned, "But I've always wanted to use it anyway!"

    "Sir Zeno, please proceed to the palace, I do not wish to keep the Lord Eric waiting. You are his man, correct?"

    "Ha! I'm no knight. And I'm definitely not one of Eric's men. I got lost, ended up here, got in a bit of bar trouble and now I'm paying off a debt to the Dark Lord of the city."

    "Dark lords. How interesting."

    "Yeah, well, the only reason I agreed to come was because he promised there'd be beautiful women. Oh, I almost forgot!" Zeno reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. "I'm supposed to say something like, uh, take this," he peeked in the box, "lovely pendant as a sign of Lord Eric's favor towards the leader and High Seat of the Council."

    With a flourish he opened the box to reveal a golden necklace studded with jewels. Tara lifted it out, impressed with the gift.

    "Will you put it on for me, Zeno?" He appeared stricken at the question.

    "Um, no. I'm better at taking things off of people than putting them on. I don't have the fingers for it." He grinned sheepishly, wiggling his fingers in the air at her, but didn't relax until Tara had clasped the necklace around her own neck.

    "Well then, wearing it should please Lord Eric, don't you think?"

    "Absolutely."

    "Welcome, welcome!" Eric stood and bowed deeply, "My Lady Tara, I trust you have met my associate Zeno. A very capricious young fellow I must say. He comes highly recommended by my friend and Zeno's Lord. Now sit, sit!" Eric motioned for Tara to sit. She was grateful for the polite manner with which Lord Eric was conducting himself. It spoke of a splendid future relationship to come.

    "Thank you very much, Zeno has proven to be an interesting companion." Tara smiled at Zeno, who, under all the attention, unconsciously began to preen. His ever-present grin widened.

    Eric carefully studied Tara. The necklace she wore was the key to his plans. "Lady Tara please make yourself at home. My servants will prepare anything you request of them but now I must speak with Zeno." Tara smiled and moved to the far side of the room where a servant stood silently waiting for orders.

    "So you like her Eric? Nice figure that one, a little lacking in bosom for my taste but I think she'd make up for it with bed skills."

    "Zeno, you know those are not my intentions." Eric interrupted, but didn't get far.

    "That's right, I forgot. You delight in those wonderful male prisoners in the dungeon. Never understood the taste myself. Not that I've tried."

    "You push too far, Zeno." Eric hissed, irritated. "Did she accept the necklace? I need her to be wearing that!"

    "Calm down. Yeah, she's wearing it now." Zeno turned his attention to his hands and began scraping dirt from his fingernails using his dagger, dismissing Eric. A little upset from Zeno's treatment, Eric gave up on the conversation and instead pulled a sheaf of parchment from his desk.

    "Tara, please come here, I have a question for you." Tara obediently walked over, drink in hand.

    "Yes m'lord?" Eric smiled, the necklace was already beginning to take effect. To have one so powerful so easily controlled gave him a shiver of pleasure and excitement. Her power was almost his. It was so close he could almost taste it.

    "My stunning Lady Tara," flattery was important here, "will you consent to marry me? I fear that I won't be able to continue without you as my wife." Every word was true, making the necklace's charm all the more powerful in its influence over Tara's mind. It of course would not matter if he omitted certain details such as: it would be impossible to continue my conquest of this world without you as my wife. Such a trivial detail, he mused.

    "My Lord Eric you honor me! I don't know what to say. This is all so very sudden..." At this point Tara's necklace began to faintly glow. "But it is so wonderful! I accept of course."

    "Wonderful!" Eric smiled. He couldn't understand why so many of his peers resorted to violent persuasion when this subterfuge was much less stressful for all parties involved. "All I need now, my bride, is for you to sign this marriage contract which will of course become binding as soon as the ceremony is completed."

    "Of course, where do I sign?" Tara's face was a picture of giddy contentedness, though Eric could see the beginnings of confusion in her eyes. Was the amulet not working properly? Then the benign look faded from her demeanor. Tara paused as she finished her signature, a look of horror on her face. A crashed resounded through the room as her drink shattered on the floor.

    "What have I done?" She whispered, unable to tear her gaze away from her signature as the ink flared. Eric felt the charm in his hands heat briefly, indicating that the binding had settled in her mind. He smiled, pleased with himself.

    "I shouldn't be this nice but you may keep this contract and read the terms and conditions you now must accept. My colleagues would not be so considerate. Consider yourself fortunate that I am now you Lord and not some other sop who would have just killed you for the pleasure of it. I will rule this universe with you at my side."

    Tara snatched the papers and began skimming the small words, her hands shaking in stunned disbelief. Meanwhile, Zeno had moved over to the window, where he was attempting to attract the notice of the women in the courtyard below. After several failed attempts, his attention was pulled by an ornate vase on a nearby table, which he began to toss. By the time he had picked up two vases and was about to start juggling, Eric finally noticed him.

    "You fool!" he hissed furiously, "These are priceless artifacts! The civilizations that created these has long been decimated! "

    "Are you sure?" Zeno scratched his head and the vase, incapable of flight, crashed to the floor.

"Oh oops. I'm sorry," he said in a voice that implied he wasn't sorry at all.

Eric's face reddened as he snatched the remaining vase from Zeno's hands.

"You fool!"

    "You say that a lot, you know." Zeno brushed him off, already distracted by the hunched form of Tara, as she studied the contract. Eric's already red face turned a slight shade of purple.

    "Look at that slender neck. What I wouldn't give to have a pretty thing like that in bed with me. You know Eric," he waggled his finger in the Overlord's general direction, "with someone this beautiful you could have at least allowed her to fight first. I love a good fight with my opponents."

    "She's more powerful than you think Zeno. This is the only way. She's wily, deceitful and a trickster. I am an honorable man, it would not a fair fight, to be sure." Eric's voice was strangely quiet, though there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. Zeno looked up at the other man with an innocent look.

    "Since when do I fight fair? I'm so much better then everyone else that it can never be a fair fight. She sounds like quite a conquest..." His gaze focused in the distance, imagining the possibilities.

    "You are not to touch her Zeno."

    "I don't get it; I thought you weren't into women."

    "Must this always be about women? Tara is mine to do with and if I say do not touch her, then I mean, do not touch her." Eric growled, his face dark and furious.

    "What else is there? Oh, well, besides fighting and eating of course. And you can't forget drinking. And fighting. Did I mention that already?" Zeno ignored the menacing look he was receiving from the Overlord and instead peered over Tara's shoulder to read the contract. She ignored him. He whistled.

    "Damn, those are some nasty restriction you've got there. I'd hate to be in your shoes. I will not leave the palace grounds except by permission of the Overlord of Outerlands.'" He put his hand on Tara's shoulder. "You know the castle can get pretty monotonous. If you ever want to relieve the boredom just come find me." He grinned.

    Tara stood up suddenly, turning to glare at him. "Remove your hands." Zeno looked at his hand and realized it had migrated slightly below her collarbone. He gave an experimental squeeze.

    "Very nice. I like that." Zeno grinned at Eric and saw a flash of movement in the corner of his eye and suddenly he was on the ground with a ringing sound in his ears. Tara was leaning over him, face to face.

    "If you touch me again," she whispered to him, "I'll kill you. There's nothing in this contract preventing that." Tara moved off to the side, clutching the contract in her hands. Zeno stood, with a stunned expression on his face.

    "Zeno, escort my bride, the Lady Tara, to her room please. I'm done here." Eric dismissed them. He could hear Zeno muttering as he escorted Tara from the room.

    "A girl. I was punched by a girl. I've never been punched by a girl. A girl!"

    Tara felt frustrated as she was led out of the room by Zeno. She was confused enough that she began thinking aloud.

    "How did I allow myself to be tricked like that?" Zeno mirrored her thoughts as he muttered "How could I allow myself to be hit like that?"

No matter how attractive the captured heroine is or how seductively she bats her eyes, she really does not want to sleep with you. Do not unlock the cell door. ~Excerpt from "What to do if you are the Evil Henchman"

    Tara grudgingly allowed herself to be led to her room. Her bags had already been brought up so she contented herself with putting away the items she had packed. Zeno stood next to the door, watching her. In the silence Tara could hear his foot as it tapped on the floor.

    "You can leave. Now." She informed him, straightening from a now empty trunk.

    "No I can't."

    "Yes Zeno, you can."

    "Darling, you don't get it. I'm your personal bodyguard. I'm here to make sure Eric's plan doesn't get messed up by you wringing that pretty little neck of yours. So, I stay."

    "Then stop tapping your foot." The tapping grew louder. Tara glared at Zeno. He, in turn, leaned back and treated her with a smile that normally made women melt under his gaze. It wasn't effective. Their eyes locked, hers with grim intent, his with smug satisfaction. Zeno's tapping foot echoed ever louder. Without a sound Tara launched herself at Zeno, one fist held as if to punch him. His right arm shot up to easily grasp her left forearm, rendering it immobile. Expecting this Tara swung with her right, only to find Zeno grasping that arm as well. She twisted and snapped at him as he pushed her back and onto the bed, where he pinned her down, arms above her head.

    Zeno leaned in closely and whispered in her ear, "I don't like to get hit by girls."

    "And I prefer to be on top," she replied with an evil grin. Zeno paused and drew back so he could read her expression. Tara grinned a deathwish and brought up her knee.

    "That could work for me toooaaauuugghhhh!" Pain exploded in his groin as Tara's knee made contact. He began to wheeze and gasp for air, rolling onto his side and doubled over in pain. Tara easily moved out from under him and used bonds of air to secure him to the bed. Satisfied with the invisible bonds, she continued to unpack, Zeno's groans the only thing filling the silence now.

    The pain that clouded his mind finally cleared and Zeno was able to test the bonds that held him so securely. After giving a couple tugs and lifting his head enough to see that there were no visible bonds, he let his head fall back with a silent curse. Rope bonds he could deal with, and get out of, but magic? He lifted his head again to let his gaze follow Tara as she moved around the room.

    "You know," he called to her, "if you weren't such a snobby pain in the ass I might find you attractive."

    "And if you weren't such an annoying brat I might think you were cute." She shot back, glaring at him over her shoulder.

    "My insult was better," he teased.

    "I know," she replied. He frowned at her unwillingness to debate. The silence continued until Tara, hurt by his jibe, spoke. "You think I'm a snob?"

    She moved over to the bed and sat next to Zeno in a slump.

    "You think I'm cute?" Zeno asked with a grin. "I knew it!" Tara sighed in frustration and leaned back against the headboard of the bed.

    "Zeno, why does Eric want to marry me? What can I offer him that he could not take by force?"

    "I don't really know. Could you let me go?"

    "I mean, I still don't understand how he controlled me so well?" As she spoke, Tara began to unconsciously twist the chain of the necklace around her finger. Zeno eyed it nervously, now worried she would remove the piece of jewelry. Eric wouldn't be happy, and then he'd never get his katana back.

    "Gee what a mystery. Please let me go?" Her hand suddenly gripped the charm.

    "You do know, don't you?" Zeno went dead still. Tara sat up and looked at him. "Look into my eyes and tell me you don't know." She locked her gaze with Zeno's, searching his expression for any clue or slip. He blinked rapidly, nervous, and tugged at the bonds, careful not to look at her neck. When his hand slipped free, he nearly let his face betray his surprise.

    "Well?"

    "Well what?" Zeno contemplated what to do with his new found free hand. He could easily gain the upper hand, he mused.

    "Oh forget it." Tara dismissed her question. She moved back, no longer facing Zeno, and continued to think. Tara knew that the ceremony would finalize the peculiar bond, and thus had to be delayed until a loophole could be found. Ever the strategist, she began to plot her next move and put it into action.

    Just as Zeno was about to make his move to reverse the situation, Tara moved off the bed and stood facing away from him. The rest of the bonds disappeared and Zeno cautiously sat up, stretching out his muscles. He warily eyed Tara, whose demeanor had changed yet again.

    "I hope you'll excuse me, Zeno, I feel the need to change into something more comfortable." Tara slowly lifted her shirt, exposing her bare back to Zeno. He sat very still, transfixed by the sight. She removed her shirt completely and looked over her shoulder, baring all yet exposing nothing, gazing directly into Zeno's eyes.

    "How loyal are you to the Lord Eric, Zeno? How did you come into his service?"

    "Well, you see there was this bar fight and a horse race and needless to say this particular world has some strange customs about owing debts. Apparently, when in debt, you are debted to the High Lord and can pay it off by working for the High Lord. That and gambling is illegal. Why'd you ask?"

    "I want to be free of him more than anything else. Will you do something for me Zeno?" She slowly lifted her arms to release her hair and allow it to hang free. Zeno caught the slight curve of her breast before her arms lowered. He felt his mouth go dry. "If you do this favor for me, you can have anything from me that you wish."

    "Anything?" Zeno whispered, knowing this was seduction, but unwilling to care as desire shot through his very core. This torture had nothing to do with pain. He watched as she slowly drew a thin silk gown from the wardrobe and let it settle over her body. He barely noticed her stepping out of her previous outfit while she turned since the silk was nearly sheer.

    "Anything at all, Zeno. But you must do as I ask." Her voice was low and soft. Zeno stood up and moved to stand in front of her. He let his hand trace the line of her collarbone to her shoulder and she shivered at his touch.

    "To have you, I would do anything. Anything at all." He leaned in to breathe in her scent and ultimately to steal a kiss but she twisted her head at the last minute and his kiss landed only on her cheek.

    "You do what I want first." Her hand pressed on his chest, holding him at a distance. "Talk to Eric, tell him that if he wants this marriage to be official, there are conditions my people require to be met."

    Zeno looked into her deep blue eyes, and wanted nothing more than to be lost within them with blissful pleasure. He inwardly groaned, wanting release, yet being held back. Growling now, "What are these requirements of yours? Tell me. Or I'll take my prize sooner."

    She pulled away with a teasing smile. "Ever the joker. Why should I tell you Zeno? How much do you want to know?" Tara paused, and with a serious look, "How much can I trust you?"

    His eyes narrowed. "What do you have planned, Tara?"

    "Answer my question first." She stared into his eyes and her brow furrowed. Zeno felt a peculiar pressure behind his eyes and he began involuntarily viewing memories from his past. His eyes widened in sudden revelation and he reached forward to grab Tara and flip her around, breaking the eye contact. Pinning her arms to her sides so she couldn't fight, he hissed into her ear.

    "There will be limits to how much you can control me. Never, ever, do what you just did again or our deal is off. If I answer you it will be because I choose to answer. My past is mine to keep."

    Tara twisted to look at him, shock in her eyes. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again." She did not fight him.

    "If I tell you I'll do something, I'll do it. Don't ever doubt that. Now I hold no particular allegiance to Eric so..."

    "You'll help any cause that increases your own gains. In this case, your freedom." Tara interrupted. His grip loosened and she turned around to face him.

    "Yeah. That describes it pretty well. Plus I get to have a taste of you at the end." Zeno grinned, his boyish demeanor back in place, the serious moment gone as if it had never happened, but his hand kept drifting to the leather collar around his neck, tugging at it.

If one of my dungeon guards begins expressing concern over the conditions in the beautiful princess' cell, I will immediately transfer him to a less people-oriented position. ~ Excerpt from "What to do if you are ever the Evil Overlord"

    Eric looked up as the door to his office opened. Zeno entered, whistling, and flounced to the padded chair.

    "Look, this Tara chick, she needs some stuff. In fact, she needs to meet with you regarding this whole marriage thing. I'd tell you more but I don't really go for that whole exclusive relationship thing you seem to favor." He lazily leaned across the chair and picked up a leather book from Eric's desk and began flipping through the pages.

    Eric sat back in his armchair, studying Zeno. The man frustrated him to no end and it would please him if he would just go away. He made a note. Find an assassin to take care of Zeno. Ridding the Outerlands of this man would more than compensate for the debt Zeno owed.

    "Is there anything else Zeno? If not, tell Tara she can come to my office anytime and I will see her."

    "Oh, yeah, when can I get my weapons back? I'm naked here!"

    "You may have your sword..."

    "Katana."

    "Whatever it is. You may have them back when I judge you will not be a danger to my people. You caused too much damage at that horse race and must learn restraint. Gambling does not enforce good morals in man."

    "How was I supposed to know the dealer was a plant? I'm a stranger, enough of this indentured servitude." He sighed with what appeared to be deep remorse but his eyes betrayed his fierce analysis of Eric's reaction.

    "You will not fool me with your trickery, rogue. Now you will either serve this sentence with restraint or hang!"

    "Oh come on. I'm showing restraint now. I'm not killing you for making me pay off this idiotic debt. I don't feel right without my katana," he whined.

    Eric's face became darker and red with anger as he listened to Zeno.

    "That's enough! Get out!" He moved toward Zeno hand raised as though to strike him. Zeno darted forward and grabbed both arms, foreseeing danger, but could not stop Eric from shouting.

    "Guards!"

    Two burly men appeared from the crevices of the room and flanked Zeno, easily lifting him off the ground where his legs whipped and kicked.

    Eric straightened up, massaging his arms where Zeno had gripped him. He walked forward to stare Zeno in the face. "You can forget about seeing those weapons for a good long while. Take him to the Lady Tara's quarters where he is to remain, as her guard. If he comes near me again he will be held as he is right now. Is that clear?" The question was clearly meant for Zeno's benefit. Zeno refused to give him the satisfaction of an answer and for once chose to remain silent.

    The two bodyguards hoisted him up, not minding the distance between them as they carried him to the other wing of the palace and dumped him outside Tara's room. He sat on the floor and rubbed his arms, grimacing and called after them.

    "I'll get you for that! Just wait and see!"

    One of the body guards turned and looked at Zeno and laughed. He playfully punched his partner.

    "Oi, Keher, you hear the little man? He's gonna ‘get' us!"

"Yea Rostin, I heard. I'm so scared!" Keher said in a high pitched voice. The two men erupted in guffaws that echoed in the hallway.

    "When I get my katana back..." Zeno began, cracking his knuckles. "Well, I'm going to quit once you're a head, if you take my meaning." The men just laughed harder and walked away. Zeno glowered and jumped to his feet and stalked into Tara's room.

If the Evil Overlord tries to force me into marriage, I will insist on a ceremony so expensive it will debilitate his industrial capacity. I will be picky about the tiniest of details and change my mind frequently so that the resulting delay will give the Hero more time to rescue me. ~ Excerpt from "What to do if you are ever the True Love"

    Tara nervously smoothed the front of her dress as she stood outside Eric's door. The two men guarding the door watched her impassively. She took a deep breath and nodded.

    The man with black hair winked at her and opened the door to the study.

    "The Lady Tara is here to see you my Lord."

    Eric turned from where he was standing by the fireplace, hands in his pockets, fingering an object. "Send her in. And please remain there in case that insufferable man returns."

    "Of course m'lord."

    The door closed, leaving Tara alone with Eric. She was hoping that white lies were within her abilities, so close to this man. She was still confused as to how Eric so easily controlled her actions and behavior.

    "My lord, we must discuss the marriage." There, she relaxed slightly, that phrase was easily said.

    "Of course my bride, what is it you wish to discuss?"

    "My people, the Anicham Xesued, we have requirements for marriage. There are ceremonies and items that are needed or this marriage will never be considered official." Tara's confidence was bolstered. A string of white lies, while accurate alone, could be said as an untruth together.

    "You have but to name what is required and I will retrieve it for you."

    Tara found herself simpering at the bold statement Eric had made on her behalf and she mentally slapped herself. No! He is holding me against my will, he wants to hurt me! The litany restored order to her mind and she smiled.

    "Oh no, my lord. I could not let you get hurt on this journey." Because I want you perfect when I destroy you. "The quest is ... dangerous. Send someone expendable." Someone I might be able to trust.

    "What are these items? Perhaps I already have them."

    Tara smiled again at him. "I require a crown crafted from a dragon scale, tempered in the blood of the same dragon. I doubt you have both items, let alone one."

    It was Eric's turn to laugh. "Dragons do not exist, my Lady Tara."

    For a moment, only a moment, Tara believed him. Dragons don't exist. But Teacher exists, Eric is wrong. She shook her head in an attempt to clear it. The statement made her fuzzy, and slightly dizzy, like swimming at top speed through a vat of molasses. The feeling passed.

    "Are you alright, Tara?" Eric frowned at her and she quickly composed herself. "I know the perfect man for the job. Will Zeno do?"

"Zenithos Bravado will be acceptable, my lord. He seems well suited for the task. If you will excuse me, there are several preparations that I must make in order to send him on the journey. It will take but a week. Good day, my lord." The joyful smile and small kiss she blew to him as she curtsied and left was genuine. Eric only smiled back.

Alone in his study once more, Eric returned to his desk where several papers lay, detailing services of several less than reputable men in the city. He put them away into a small hidden drawer of his desk, this new opportunity was too good to pass up.

"Keher and Rostin, please come here." The door opened and his two bodyguards looked in expectantly. "I need to discuss some items with you regarding our first houseguest, Zeno."

The two men nodded silently, wide grins on their faces. Eric knew he could trust them implicitly with any job.

"Zeno will be going on a trip shortly to retrieve some items for the Lady Tara. I would hope that he acquires these items; we wouldn't want to disappoint my bride and ruin the wedding. But it would be such an awful turn of events if he were to not survive the trip."

Keher and Rostin looked at each other and their grins split their faces in half. Keher got to his feet, slicking back his black hair, the smell of grease and sweat permeating his clothes. "M'lord, we will certainly make sure that the items the Lady Tara requires are brought back to her safe and sound."

Rostin and Keher stood, and bowed to Eric, speaking in unison, "By your leave, m'lord."

Eric chuckled to himself as the two men returned to their post outside his door. Life was looking quite excellent indeed.

When the beautiful captured spy offers me sexual favors, they are only a trick to kill me and escape; I will decline. ~ Excerpt from "What to do if you are ever the Sidekick"

    "He will leave tomorrow for these items, Tara." Eric stared at her over his steepled fingers. He was growing a beard and whenever Tara was around him she couldn't help but think how handsome it made him. Two weeks she had delayed and there was no progress, no clue as to what controlled her. She needed more time!

    "Yes of course, my lord." Damn the man! It was a struggle to even mentally curse Eric. Whatever charm she was under was making a good attempt at taking complete control of her mind. Thankfully, the mystery object he held in his possession that controlled her did not extend its reach very far, in at least a physical sense. Her mouth formed the words she did not want to speak. "I will have him leave later today."

    "Very good, my dear," Eric smiled and the pleasant satisfaction Tara felt at the praise revolted her.

    "You may leave me."

    Tara's feet carried her screaming mind out of the room where she finally forced herself to stop for the mere sake of defying his orders. Sobbing with frustration she sank to the ground, hugging her knees and rocked back and forth. It had to end.

    Zeno was sitting with several of the laundry women, trading stories when Tara found him. He looked up in surprise as she burst into the room. Zeno was in the middle of demonstrating how he had once been forced to wear a dress as there had been no other clothing around, much to the laundry maids' amusement.

    "Eric wants you to leave today to retrieve the items we spoke about," she was dry washing her hands and trying to hide her anxiety. "I have some final advice to give you before you go."

    Zeno nodded but she didn't appear satisfied.

    "Now, Zeno."

    "Fine," he tipped an imaginary hat to the maids, who giggled in a most delightful manner, and moved to hold the door for Tara. Anything to impress them.

    Tara moved into the hallway and paused, critically examining him. "Are you ready to go?"

    "I'm always ready." He began walking down the hallway, but the strange looks of the people passing him in the hall made him pause. He looked back at Tara who had not moved.

    "Is there something wrong?"

    "You plan on wearing that to retrieve my items?" One eyebrow was lifted questioningly and her arms were crossed.

    "What's wrong with my clothes? It's not like I'm na...," Zeno glanced down and his mouth opened in a surprised 'oh!' and then he grinned shamelessly, "I thought it was a bit drafty in here."

    Zeno skipped back to the laundry maids to retrieve his clothing and return the dress, curtsying to every female in the hallway and earning shy giggles. Once changed, he joined Tara in the hallway.

    "Honestly Zeno, do you have any dignity?"

    "Honestly Tara, I don't know the meaning of the word."

    Zeno stood in the courtyard as Tara prepared to send him on the silly task to retrieve the bogus items she needed to make a crown. At the moment she seemed really worried about repeating the instructions.

    "I hear you! A dragon scale from a dragon and a vial of his blood. I can handle a dragon."

    "But Zeno, remember it must be freely given. You must remember that!"

    "Okay, okay. Just tell me where I need to go." All this work for one night in bed, he thought...was he getting desperate?

    Tara was staring at him unhappily. "The dragon lives in an alternate version of this world. You will find him exactly where this castle stands. He has a cave on the cliff face."

    Zeno took the proffered vial and watched as Tara instructed the people in the courtyard to clear the area. She suddenly stiffened and looked into the castle, hands clenched.

    Eric appeared, his two bodyguards flanking him. The two brawny men stared Zeno down, challenging him with their smirking grins. Oh, how he wanted to make them pay for their insults. And he would, when the time was right. As soon as the portal closed.

    "Ah, Tara. I had hoped you hadn't sent Zeno on his way just yet. Keher and Rostin will accompany him."

    "Yes, whatever you wish, my lord." Tara's voice was subservient to the obvious command but as Zeno watched her, he thought he saw her trembling. Was she mad that he would have travel companions? He nearly giggled to himself as he imagined the wonderful opportunities for payback.

    Tara turned to open the portal and Zeno nearly thought he saw tears glinting in her eyes as she wordlessly obeyed Eric's command. Eric appeared not to notice.

    "Stand clear!" Tara's voice was full of authority once back in command of the operation. Her eyes appeared to glaze as she stared inward. The air began to shimmer above the marked area for the portal. Reality twisted and spun before a soft puff of air expanded and suddenly Zeno was looking through to a new world. There was a sharp change where the two realities merged. According to Tara, touching this merging would cut better than the best blade ever made.

    Zeno stepped through without hesitation and breathed in the clean air of this new world, the sewage smells of the city left behind. He grinned as Eric's two bodyguards hesitantly stepped through. They would finally get what was coming. Revenge for the humiliation, revenge that had been delayed too long.

    As the portal began to close Zeno finally realized Tara had forgotten to tell him one thing.

    "Wait! How will I get back?" He yelled through the nearly closed portal. Tara's voice sang faintly in his mind.

    The way will show itself to you.

Zeno introduces himself (formally) as "Zenithos Bravado" then adds "call me Zeno" afterwards.

Customs? What sort of customs? Zeno would be used to people threatening to break his legs if he didn't pay up.

Zeno would also be most amused that she was obviously planning something. Being mischievous, he'd want to be let in on the plan almost as much as he wants to get laid.

Weaponry consists of a single katana, numerous knives, and his nagamaki (think spear with sword-blade). Xan is the one who dual wields light swords, but when he's serious he uses one katana, same as Zeno