The fancy party was going well. An uncountable number of magicked candles kept away the night’s darkness. They also gave the party a beautiful charm. Well-dressed guests circulated, partied, flirted, and networked. Bon had gone off out of sight to meet an elder. Aareesha looked carefully around the room.

Ti and his teammate Xio appeared to be hitting it off with four beautiful and slightly tipsy women. Each woman’s dress was tight and showed lots of skin. Each dress had a mid-thigh hem. Each dress had a deeply scooped neckline that advertised the wearer’s bust instead of covering it. Each woman was clearly hoping to get lucky tonight. Aareesha expected Ti and Xio would have each of their beds warmed by at least one beautiful nude woman tonight. It looked like Ti and Xio would have two sexual companions each.

Two of Ti’s teammates, Kadn the magician and Zent the tank, were talking nearby with another city elder. Neither Kadn nor Zent were trying to pick up a woman. She knew each had a beautiful submissive young wife and at least one elf slave. Both Kadn and Zent lived one city away. Aareesha knew this didn’t matter much. Kadn’s magic made it easy for the two of them to quickly travel between the two cities in the daytime. Kadn and Zent often visited and stayed with Ti in Ston.

Aareesha and Throofoonah had suffered so much. Over the last two days Bon had spent every his waking hour filling Aareesha’s cunt with his cum, torturing her with the emerald necklace, and disciplining her on the discipline frame. This meant Throofoonah had experienced it all as well. The experience was even worse for Throofoonah, because of her vulnerability to magic. Vrentanee’s curse and the magical pains had ruthlessly taken their toll on her. Every day Throofoonah had endured the increasingly crushing impositions from the magic runes. Every day had been harder and harder. Both female elves had “kept it together” by reminding themselves that they would escape soon. Now their escape date was tonight.

Aareesha was dressed in her finery. She didn’t need to obey or please Bon, thanks to Throofoonah’s spell. Bon, of course, did not know this. Aareesha nervously fidgeted with the silver ring she was wearing. Aareesha would have felt fearful anyway. Her fear was greatly and unpleasantly intensified by the fear rune. She was thinking of going against her master’s orders. The fear rune was intensely reminding her that she should be afraid of disobeying her master. Her cunt was harshly reminding her to not displease her master.

Wentee slid by. She whispered to Aareesha, “now!”

Aareesha slipped into a side room. The room had a large wooden crate and two men. She felt anguish as she moved into the room. The punish rune was reminding her to avoid deliberately displeasing or disobeying her master.

The wooden crate was Aareesha’s ticket out of Ston. All Aareesha needed to do was fold herself into the crate.

Both Aareesha and Throofoonah’s minds were suddenly hit hard by magic. The repeated doses of cum in their cunts were bearing harsh fruit. They both felt a deep desire to obey The Master. Both desperately feared displeasing The Master. Their minds began to be overcome with fear. Were they really going to disobey The Master? Were they really going to displease The Master?

The magical runes made their situation even worse. The fear rune made them both fearful of thinking about going against their master’s orders. The punish rune made them both feel anguish because they were deliberately displeasing and disobeying Their Master. Throofoonah had been able to easily resist these runes at first. Throofoonah had also reduced the impact of the ensnarement rune on herself. Still, the dark effects of the runes had accumulated over time on them both.

Aareesha halted. Throofoonah found herself unable to encourage Aareesha to move.

Both Aareesha and Throofoonah had endured Vrentanee’s curse and the magical runes. Aareesha had endured countless doses of Her Master’s cum in her cunt combined with training from the runes. Throofoonah had not endured as many doses, and she hadn’t endured the runes for as long. Yet Throofoonah had been worn many times while The Master had fucked Aareesha. Throofoonah had easily resisted the runes at first, but over time this resistance had become increasingly difficult. As a magic ring, Throofoonah had a weakened resistance to magic. Vrentanee’s curse and the magic runes were increasingly bearing their poisonous fruit in both elves.

Both Aareesha and Throofoonah were willful by nature. High elves, like Aareesha, were notoriously strong-willed. Throofoonah had long devoted herself to her cause. Yet neither elf was unscathed by having her cunt repeatedly bathed in cum. The magic of Vrentanee’s curse had repeatedly beaten them down. Both elves had also been beaten down by the runes. They could now both feel their taming through their cunts and the magic runes.

Throofoonah thought she should encourage Aareesha to move. A few words might be all that Aareesha needed.

Yet Throofoonah found herself thinking much more about something else. Something… dangerous. Throofoonah was increasingly thinking about how she should obey The Master. How she should please The Master. Throofoonah was all too subject to Vrentanee’s curse. She knew her mind was being manipulated. That knowledge didn’t subvert its effectiveness. Throofoonah’s heart knew she should obey and please The Master. Throofoonah even knew exactly how she could best please The Master. Throofoonah had powers she hadn’t fully disclosed to Aareesha.

Throofoonah hadn’t exactly lied to Aareesha. It was true that Throofoonah couldn’t directly control Aareesha’s muscles. What Throofoonah had not told Aareesha was that Throofoonah could cast a powerful paralysis spell. It would only affect her wearer, but that would be enough. No one would be able to put Aareesha in the crate while her muscles were completely frozen. Throofoonah could cast it in less than a second. Throofoonah knew that if she cast the paralysis spell, their attempt to escape would end. Throofoonah continued to struggle. It would only take a moment. All she had to do was cast one small spell. One small spell, and they would be enslaved forever by The Master. Exactly as it should be. Throofoonah struggled, standing on the knife edge of decision.

Throofoonah knew she could do much more. Once she paralyzed Aareesha, Throofoonah could crushingly torture Aareesha. Throofoonah had excellent and effective spells for dealing otherworldly levels of torture on her wearer. Some males had some resistance against her spells, including her torture spells. Aareesha had no such protection. Throofoonah’s torture spells would be utterly brutal on her fellow female. This particular form of mind control was devastatingly effective. Aareesha wouldn’t be able to remove the silver ring once she was paralyzed, either. As a result, Aareesha would never be able to stop the intense torture Throofoonah could impose.

Throofoonah knew what she could do with her power. Through torture, Throofoonah could demand that Aareesha give up their effort to escape. Throofoonah could demand that Aareesha betray Wentee. Throofoonah was confident Aareesha would quickly fold from the excruciating pain Throofoonah’s spells would cause. Throofoonah’s direct contact with Aareesha meant Aareesha was especially vulnerable to Throofoonah’s pain spells. Throofoonah could ensure every one of Aareesha’s pain receptors would be at their maximums. Throofoonah imagined completely crushing Aareesha’s spirit in mere moments. Throofoonah could so easily imagine destroying Aareesha’s resistance.

Throofoonah couldn’t kill her wearer, due to the fiendishly complicated relationship between herself and her wearer. Throofoonah could make her wearer desperately wish she hadn’t ever been born. Throofoonah could ensure Aareesha’s complete subservient compliance to Their Master. Aareesha wouldn’t merely obey and please. She would do so in abject terror. It would be easy. So. temptingly. easy.

Throofoonah continued to seriously contemplate paralyzing and torturing Aareesha. Throofoonah knew she could ensure Aareesha would never again displease Their Master. Earlier Throofoonah wouldn’t have dared risking exposing herself this way through magic. Now Throofoonah was losing her fight against Vrentanee’s curse. She had a deep desire to avoid displeasing Their Master. She had a deep desire to obey Their Master. Throofoonah had a deep desire to obey and please a master who didn’t even know that she existed. Throofoonah struggled with her desire to obey and avoid displeasing The Master. Her Master. She could please him through a few brutal spells. She could. She wanted to. She badly wanted to.

Aareesha struggled and struggled as well. She wondered, would she, a high elf, really give in to a human? After another moment, she managed to overcome her fears and compulsions. She dived into the wooden crate.

Throofoonah realized it was too late. Aareesha had entered the crate. Throofoonah abandoned her thoughts of torturing Aareesha into compliance. Both female elves found their compulsions fading away. They had managed, this time, to overcome those compulsions. These temptations and compulsions would no doubt resurface later. For now, the two female elves were able to control their own minds.

Men on either side nailed the crate’s top into place. There were tiny air holes in the crate, so Aareesha could see out and breathe. The crate was lifted up and out the back door. The crate was placed on a wagon and covered with a few other objects. The wagon soon headed off.

Throofoonah thought through how close they’d come to disaster. She had almost paralyzed and tortured Aareesha to ensure they couldn’t escape Bon. Throofoonah was ashamed. She’d almost exposed herself. She’d almost failed the cause she’d given her life to. She had almost destroyed everything. She was glad Aareesha had managed to resist. High elves were notorious for having strong wills. Throofoonah was glad the stories were true. Throofoonah had her issues with Aareesha, but Throofoonah did respect Aareesha’s tenacity.

Aareesha kept looking out of the air holes to see what was happening. Aareesha realized they were in a middle wagon. Another wagon was ahead. A third was behind.

The wagon train reached the city gate. The perfunctory inspection suggested that these night-time guards had been thoroughly bribed. The wagons moved again, out through the gates. Aareesha held her breath. So did Throofoonah, at least metaphorically. If their luck held, they would soon be free. They feared their luck would not hold.

After moving for an hour outside the city, the wagon train stopped. A pair of overhead full moons lit the night sky. One was larger, one was smaller. The light they gave wasn’t as bright as day, but neither human nor elf would have trouble seeing tonight. A forest surrounded them. The road here was unobserved. No one else could see the wagon train. Wentee sidled up to the crate containing Aareesha.

Wentee whispered, “it’s time to pay the piper. Throofoonah, tell me where the gold is!”

Wentee crouched next to the crate. Aareesha raised her hand so the silver ring could be touched through an air hole of the crate. The holes were too small for the ring to fit through. Wentee knew a touch through the holes was all that was necessary. Wentee touched the silver ring and kept her finger there. Throofoonah told Wentee the location of the promised gold stash. Wentee smiled and kept her finger touching the silver ring.

Wentee nodded, “thank you. Throofoonah, my grandmother was a big believer in your cause. So was my mother. Following you led to their deaths. Your unyielding beliefs have led to the deaths of many. At one time I wanted you to die. I’ve had a long time to think about your goals. You and your co-conspirators have never succeeded. You will never succeed. We female elves never had a chance.”

Throofoonah said, “of course we have a chance! What are you talking about?”

“A long time ago male elves realized that when female elves gained power, male elves lost power. You can deny it all you want, but it’s true. That’s a stupid deal for male elves to accept. Most male elves were starting to realize that truth before Vrentanee cast his curse. Male elves, even before Vrentanee’s changes, were more powerful than female elves. Male elves would have eventually put us female elves back in our place, even without Vrentanee. Vrentanee’s curse merely accelerated the process. He made it clear that female elves’ privileges will never return. It’s smarter for us females to simply accept a female elf’s lot in life. We have been put in our place. We must accept it.”

Throofoonah guardedly replied, “we’ll see about that.”

Wentee shook her head in disagreement. She continued, “The time for dead dreams is over. What’s important now is surviving.”

Aareesha’s fears had kept rising. She finally found her voice and asked, “what… do you mean?”

Wentee replied, “Aareesha, the moment I left Bon’s mansion after talking with you, I was captured by the Eye of Elvendom’s spies. They know exactly where you’re staying, Aareesha. They’re focused on capturing you. Did you think a visit to you would be unobserved? Once I was captured, I was tortured. I soon learned what would happen to me and everyone I care about if I disobeyed the Eye of Elvendom. If I didn’t deliver Aareesha, we would all be tortured, maimed, and eventually killed. All of us. I would be forced to watch them suffer and die before it was my turn. I would know that the cause of their suffering and death was my failure to deliver the ‘elf bitch.’ I was soon convinced that I needed cooperate and turn you in, Aareesha.”

Fear rose in Aareesha. Aareesha replied, “What about Throofoonah? Your grandmother and mother died to protect her! You’re betraying Throofoonah, too!”

“The Eye’s minions don’t know about Throofoonah. They had no reason to ask. I had no reason to tell them. She wasn’t part of the deal. Throofoonah, I am angry that you’ve led so many female elves to their deaths. They threw away their lives trying to achieve your unrealistic ends. That especially includes my mother and grandmother. You’re a dangerous fanatic. So many elves have died from your words. I do agree your cause is desirable if it could happen. I guess I’m still my mother’s daughter. Your goal of equality will never happen, though. My mother and grandmother did support your cause, foolish as it was. So in their honor, and because I’m receiving payment, I’m not revealing anything about the silver ring or Throofoonah.”

Throofoonah said, while both Wentee and Aareesha could hear, “Please don’t betray Aareesha, Wentee! We female elves can have power if we stick together.”

“Bullshit,” said Wentee. “Throofoonah, that was never true. I won’t betray you, Throofoonah, but I had to turn in Aareesha. I had no choice. I have my own life and many others I care about. I’m not going to sacrifice myself and everyone I care about to try to protect this stupid high elf bitch. Aareesha, I never had a chance to save you, not really. Throofoonah, you should be grateful I’m not turning you in too. I hope to never see either of you again. Goodbye.”

Wentee stood and pulled her finger away from the silver ring. She raised her hand. She wiggled her hand in a “come out” motion. Four men and four male elves emerged from the other wagons. All wore swords.

“Aareesha is in there,” said Wentee, pointing to the crate. Wentee rapidly made her exit from the scene. She made her way directly towards the city. She never looked back.

Once the wagon with Aareesha was surrounded by males, a male elf ripped open the crate with his bare hands. Aareesha blinked her eyes as the full moonlights flooded in. She looked around in terror. Aareesha knew this was a disaster.

Throofoonah was angry. Yet she had not abandoned hope. She was still the world’s greatest sorceress. As long as she had a wearer, there were still tricks she could pull. She couldn’t cast spells directly at her enemies. As a ring she couldn’t do that. Yet she was not powerless.

Throofoonah cast a spell. Aareesha felt her speed and strength increase. Her body glowed bright blue. For the next hour Aareesha would have the full speed and strength of a male elf. Throofoonah cast a second spell. Green colors danced on Aareesha’s skin, floating over the bright blue glow. For the next hour Aareesha had magical armor against physical attacks and some healing over time. Throofoonah cast a third spell. Loud and angry electricity visibly sparked around Aareesha’s bright blue and green body. The smell of ozone filled the air. Throofoonah concentrated on maintaining this final spell. As long as Throofoonah maintained her concentration, anyone who touched Aareesha, as well as anyone Aareesha touched, would be painfully paralyzed for a minute by the magical electricity.

Throofoonah expected these spells to completely turn the tables on their erstwhile captors. Some males were able to somewhat resist paralysis from Throofoonah’s spells. Yet another unfair advantage for males, as far as Throofoonah was concerned. Those resistant males would still be far slower and weaker than Aareesha once they were hit by the magical electricity. The electricity would hurt them like hell, too. She gleefully noted that every one of their swords was made of metal. They were about to learn why bringing metal swords was a terrible mistake tonight.

Such openly powerful spells weren’t Throofoonah’s usual style. Throofoonah would never have cast them on Aareesha when they were around Bon. If Aareesha had hurt Bon, even indirectly, her vow to obey him and please him would have immediately returned in full force. Once Aareesha was fully obedient to Bon the jig would have been up. Both female elves would also have struggled emotionally to fight their master.

Throofoonah hadn’t dared cast such obvious spells in a human city, either. Elves unaccompanied by a human were illegal throughout human cities. Aareesha’s unaccompanied status, especially if she was obviously powered by magic, would have been immediately noticed. Physical brute force, even powered by magic, would not been enough to get out of the city through its multiple layers of guards. These powerful buffing spells were not subtle. They drew attention. Humans were individually weak, but there were a lot of humans in a human city.

Outside a human city, fighting only the Eye’s goons, was a completely different matter. While not her usual style, Throofoonah would employ direct methods when they were needed. Aareesha and Throofoonah did have the element of surprise. The Eye’s goons had expected Aareesha to be defenseless. They’d brought enough muscle to easily capture a weak defenseless female. The goons had badly miscalculated.

Throofoonah was filled with glee and determination. If the Eye had known that Throofoonah was involved, he would have sent far more goons. He would have sent some elven magicians, too. He might have even joined himself, before their departure from the city. Who knows what magic he would have brought. The current odds were undesirable, but not insurmountable. Throofoonah believed they would almost certainly win this fight and escape.

“Aareesha,” said Throofoonah, “you’re strong and fast, you’re hard to physically damage, you heal over time, and the electricity on your body will paralyze all you touch or touch you. Go fight. You can win!”

In a way, Throofoonah was glad she could finally show off some of her true magical power. She thought she and Aareesha could make a good team. Aareesha was officially no longer a princess. Yet Aareesha was well-known as ex-nobility. She was still a high elf. Such prestige mattered in the elven world. Aareesha had impressive willpower, too. Throofoonah had her own abilities. She had powerful magic and a well-earned reputation for continuous resistance.

Throofoonah felt a surge of hope. She thought that perhaps Aareesha’s bloodline, reputation, and willpower, combined with Throofoonah’s magic, her own reputation, and contacts, could make the final difference. Escaping and fighting together was a fine way to begin a new chapter of elvendom. Perhaps this was the beginning of the change Throofoonah had long worked towards. Perhaps the fortune of female elves would finally, today, begin to change for the better.

All of the males saw the blue glow, the green colors, and the electrical sparks surrounding Aareesha. The male elf furthest away from Aareesha did not rush forward toward her. He didn’t run, either. He instead pulled something out of his pocket. He pointed a red wand at Aareesha. Shimmering white sparkles sprayed from the wand and hit Aareesha.

Throofoonah knew exactly what this was. Terror enveloped her. She knew she was powerless to resist this magic. Throofoonah knew that, as a magic ring, she would especially hit hard by this kind of magic. Aareesha’s and Throofoonah’s minds began to be swiftly swallowed into a deep, deep sleep. As their consciousnesses collapsed, both feared what would happen next.