Chapter 3

(A/N: YES I'm aware that the Immortals were the personal guard of the Persian king Xerxes at least two thousand years before this story takes place, but I decided to take some artistic liberty on historical facts for dramatic effect.)

Sam walked across the room slowly. Lining the walls were at least a dozen statues of heavily armed warriors, faces hidden by metal masks and wearing black armor. Finally, at 3 feet from the throne, Sam prostrated herself and said, "I'm honored to have been called into your presence, your excellency."

From behind the silken screen, a kindly voice answered, shockingly enough in English, "The pleasure is mine, Samantha Manson."

Sam gasped openly, and asked, "How do you know who I am? And how do you speak English?"

Suddenly, the statues all seemed to come alive and turned to face her, all perfectly synchronized. They were really the Immortals, the royal family's personal guard. Sam, totally unprepared for that, jumped up and shrieked. Empress Ishiyama stuck her finger out of a hole in the screen, a signal for them to stand down. They heeded and were as statues again.

"It's alright," said Ishiyama to Sam, "They will not harm you." Re-prostrating herself, Sam replied, "I apologize for speaking out of turn, your highness." "Think nothing of it," said Ishiyama, laughing, "The Immortals are a little overprotective. So tell me, why are you in my country?"

So Sam spent the next half-hour telling her tale. At the end of it, the Empress called out, "Fenton Daniro."

Hearing, Danny ran into the room and prostrated himself before the throne, saying, "What is thy will, my Empress?" "Sam will be here in Japan for several months, until her country's ship comes to retrieve her. In the meantime, perhaps she could stay in your home?"

Agreeing, Danny spent the rest of the day showing Sam around the village, introducing her to his parents and comrades, and basically getting to know her. Danny usually played things close to the vest, but there was something about this bewitchingly beautiful gaijin woman that inspired trust.

"So tell me, Sam," said Danny as they walked in the forest, "What is your life like back in 'Britain'?"

Sighing slightly, Sam replied, "It's not fun. Because my parents are nobles, so much is expect of me. I have to marry who they want me too, and behave as society wishes. I have no freedom, and I can't even remember the last time I was happy."

"It sounds terrible," said Danny, truly sympathetic. "It is. My parents are probably already picking out a husband for me who is twice my age and will beat me when I disobey his orders. I'll just be a piece of property, and I'll have 6 children and die unhappy and alone!"

Danny looked at her and said, "You could escape that life, you know." "I used to believe that," Sam replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.

Later that night, Sam sat by a small stream, looking up at the crescent moon. Suddenly, a dark form arose from behind a tree and pinned her to the ground, holding a dagger against her throat. In the pale moonlight, she saw that her attacker had blond hair. It was Dashu.

"Filthy gaijin wench," he spat, "How dare you violate my country's soil with your presence?! There is only one way to punish infidels such as you."

With that, he began tearing open the front of her kimono. "It's going to be long, hard, and rough," he rumbled as he kissed her roughly, "You will not enjoy this."

Sam, too frightened to speak, shut her eyes tightly and began to pray that someone would save her.

(A/N: Sorry to leave a cliffhanger, but the mark of a great storyteller is to leave your readers wanting more. Please read and review. Feel free to flame, if you think it necessary.)

TO BE CONTINUED.