Day 87: Death of a Free Woman

She fled for several days on foot, her robes now soiled from the road and the elements. Tired and distraught, she prevailed as if possessed, pursued by unseen hunters.

She was Lady Natalia, a Free Woman born into the Merchant Caste, later elevated to the High Caste of Scribes on the counter-Earth planet of Gor. She rose to become the Chief Scribe City of Tharna, one of the ruling silver masked Free Women of the City.

She was now the last of the silver masks. Her beloved City of Tharna laid in ruins. The City's ruler, the Tatrix, has gone into hiding. All the other silver masks captured or slain. She was alone. The men of Tharna who brought about the revolution closed in upon her from all sides.

She sniffed the air. Sulfur! What is this? She wondered.



She peered over the edge, and saw the boiling lava below. She had heard of such a place. The giant Pomponio Volcano that crosses the the boundaries of four regions of land. She had not been here before, but knew that a Search of Places in the scrolls for "pomponio" would have brought her here. A sign on the ground told of future eruptions of the volcano, along with the obscure inscription, "SLURL: Pomponio (114,221,90)".

In better times, she would have paused to consider its mean, compelled by her scholarly curiosity. Now she only gazed at the molten lava. Will it end here? Consumed by fire?

No, she thought. She could go a little more. Perhaps, things will be different...

She stumbled down the hill towards the southwest. It was dark. The night brought only demons from behind every rock or tree. Every animal, every insect became the eyes of hunters getting closer. She knew she did not have long.



A geyser? Here in the wilderness? How very strange.

She could recall a time in Tharna, when the fountains flowed as richly as her blue robes. Where she lived a life of leisure, sharing teas with other Free Women and attending tournaments of the Warriors. She had enjoyed the chats, making friends, and being helpful where she can.

Though they urged her to take on slaves, she steadfastly refused. She never grew used to their presence, and continued to be uncomfortable about them. Slavery was a harsh reality of Gor, yet she had thought that Tharna would be somehow different. Perhaps it was. For the stories she heard of other Cities made her shudder.

She continued her journey down the ravine, following the path of the stream.



Until she came upon a garden near the cliffs. Mars Japanese Gardens. What an odd name? Perhaps it is a garden done in Japanese tradition. Though she was certain that a Search of Places in the scrolls for "mars" would have gave her directions to this place. Again, the odd inscription on a sign, "SLURL: Albion (158,147,43)".

It was the middle of the night, with no one about. Though she sensed that the garden was not heavily trafficked. Perhaps this is a place for people to find peace or meditate.



She crept along the path until she happened upon a shrine. She knelt by the candles, kept burning for some unknown purpose and said a silent prayer.



A rustle in the bushes. Whats this? The creatures just stood there, as dumbfounded as she. Perhaps they are spirits to see her off.



Alas, even a peaceful garden such as this brought little solace. There was a high price upon her head. The men of Tharna sought her in anger. She was without a homestone. She had no desire to live as a slave herself. She was not brought up to handle weapons of the Panther women. There was no place to go except forward. Forward to the cliffs.



She hesitated for a moment at the ledge and leaped into the darkness below.



In the glow of dawn, a golden tail flashed out of the water briefly, before heading off into distant waters. It is said that the spirit of Lady Natalia of Tharna lives on as a mermaid with a golden tail.


Hee hee :P

OK, theres nothing wrong with me. (Well, theres a lot wrong with me, but not unusually wrong today :P) Im just leaving the role-playing world of Gor and saying goodbye to Lady Natalia. Dont worry, the pretty cloths will continue tomorrow! :)