Chapter Five

As Captain Corden and her band of mismatched cutthroats are riding towards their destination, one of the amazons rides up next to here.
"Can I ask you a question captain?" She asks.

"What is it?"

"Why do you disrespect your body so?"

"Disrespect?"

"The night you took over," explains the amazon, "you took Uruk into your bed. You pleasured him, and he's not even your species."

Corden laughs, "That wasn't disrespect," she says, "that's strategy. All men, whether human or mok, think with only one body part and it's not located on their shoulders. Uruk is a strong fighter, and a good leader. I embarrassed him by defeating him in single combat. By taking him into my bed, I soothed his ego and made him a loyal second in command. The other men, like Ogre and Squeak? Men will go to great lengths to bed a woman. If a man thinks he's going to succeed in bedding a woman, there's nothing he won't risk to achieve that goal. He doesn't even have to succeed in bedding you, just think that he will. An entire army of such men? They would be formidable indeed."

"Interesting," says the amazon, "and clever. You would make a fine amazon if you could breathe underwater."

"Thank you, I'm glad you approve," says Corden, "perhaps when I get myself a new ship, you and your sister amazons will consider joining my crew. I can guarantee you high ranking positions. And the ability to breathe underwater would be most useful as a river pirate."

"I will consider it," says the amazon, "Queen Corden."

Captain Corden laughs at the title of 'queen', but then gives her a thoughtful look. 'Queen Corden' had a nice ring to it.

After several days of riding, the band of brigands comes upon a run down log cabin. There's smoke coming out of the chimney indicating that it is occupied. Uruk growls something to Captain Corden. She nods in agreement.

"Yes," she says, "the men could use a little practice."

Just as she begins to signal to her brigands to surround the cabin there's an explosion of magical energy up above their heads. They turn and see s disheveled figure appear out of nowhere in a puff of green smoke. His clothes are torn and ragged and he looks as though he hasn't shaved for days. His hair looks like a tangled rats nest. His blue skin marks him as being more than human, his hands glowing a mystical green tells that he's likely a wizard. He points directly at Captain Corden.

"You are trespassing in my domain!" He declares, "I am the mighty wizard Artemis! Leave my land now or be utterly destroyed!"

"Mighty wizard?" Corden asks mockingly, "I thought wizards dwelt in powerful fortresses, not log cabins!"

"Do not test my patience wench!" Artemis shouts, "I'm giving you the chance to flee without loss of life! I will not show such mercy a second time!"

One of the pig mutants in the band rides up next to Corden. "I used to work for Artemis," he whispers to Corden, "He was also whupped by that Thundarr feller."

Corden smiles as an idea forms in her mind. "Lord Aretemis!" she calls, "My apologies for my disrespect! I have just been informed that we have a common enemy! We are riding to destroy the barbarian called Thundarr, and anyone who calls him friend! A wizard as mighty as yourself would be a great asset, as one who can counter the magic of that witch Ariel!"

Artemis laughs. "You are a fool, wench!" He replies, "No one can defeat that barbarian devil as long as he wields his Sunsword!"

"That is why we're heading to the stronghold of the wizard Korath!" Corden tells him, "To find weapons that will match his Sunsword and put them into the hands of warriors who can best him with skill!"

"Korath's Tower?" Says Artemis, "But that's been lost for centuries!"

"No longer!" Replies Corden, "I have found a map, and we're headed there now! Join us! Your magic will be very useful in countering the monsters and traps left behind to guard the place!"

"They say that Korath had the most powerful collection of spells of any wizard, before or since!" Says Artemis, "If I could gain such power for myself, I would be invincible!"

"Be warned Artemis!" Cries Captain Corden, "I offer you a partnership as equals! Try to rest command of my men from me and no magic in the world will save you from me cutting your throat while you sleep!"

"A partnership it is then," agrees Artemis, "and perhaps a future alliance once our personal affairs have been settled!"

"Agreed!" Then Corden rides her horse up to Artemis and offers him her hand. He takes it, and they seal their pact with a handshake.

"Wait here," says Artemis, "I will be needing a few supplies."

Captain Corden sits on her horse quite pleased with herself. She has an army with which she can conquer the mok village. She has a mok as her second in command to counter Ookla's strength. And now she has a wizard ally who can counter Princess Ariel's magic. Once she has a weapon that can match Thundarr's Sunsword, her victory will be complete. Soon the band of brigands are once more on their way, this time with the wizard Artemis gliding overhead on a flying carpet. That night they camp next to a natural hot spring. Artemis strips down and wades into the pool. After sitting in the hot water for a while and washing away the dust from the trail, Captain Corden comes over and joins him. She removes her clothes and wades into the water. She carries a cup of lather and a straight edge razor. She takes the foam brush and starts lathering his face. She takes the razor up to his face, and the wizard grabs her wrist.

"Trust me," she says.

"Trust has to be earned," he replies.

"Well if you survive your shave," she says, "then I will have earned your trust."

"That statement doesn't exactly elicit trust," he tells her.

"Then think about this," she says, "if I were to cross you I would wait until after we got into Korath's stronghold, not before."

Artemis releases Corden's wrist, and she carefully shaves away his stubble. When she's done she washes his face, removing the remaining lather.

"There," she says, "much better."

"Why is it so important that I shave?" He asks her.

"Because I prefer it when men are clean shaven when I do this," and she kisses him deeply.

They climb out of the pool together and walk over to Corden's tent. As they enter, Captain Corden touches the arm of one of the amazons standing guard outside the tent. The amazon nods her head and follows them into the tent. Hours later, Artemis is lying in bed with Corden's head resting against one shoulder and the amazon's head resting against the other. The three of them aren't wearing a thing other than contented smiles and the single blanket draped across their bodies.

"Another devoted ally," Corden whispers to herself.