A Glimpse Beyond the Mists

Solomon Kane left the confines of the bath walking at the side of Neerininshia. She moved gracefully and smelled wonderful. The grim swordsman was pleased that his own drab clothes and lean body were clean and well groomed. He allowed himself a wisp of vain pride as he walked with the beautiful queen of this strange underground world. He could only surmise as to their intentions but truly he had been treated very well. And, should they have some future transgression in the works......he was armed and at the ready. What else could a fighting man ask for save a fighting chance? Still, he scarcely felt threatened at all, and no man was more instinctively inclined to sense evil than Solomon Kane.

More than once Kane stole a fleeting glance at his companion. Apparently Neerininshia did likewise because their curious eyes met a number of times. These darting appraisals needed little explanation other than the woman was entirely lovely and the puritan was a pallid but strapping example of masculinity. Their walk might be best described as something of a tour conducted by an obviously proud regent. Kane found himself mesmerized by the great number of oddities and antiquities that he beheld at this time. They strolled through what was obviously a large and quite old underground compound, laboriously hewed by hand out of solid rock. The rooms they visited were spacious and ornate with a variety of multi-colored tapestries and large, expertly painted frescos. Kane was surprised to find most of these paintings featured scenes from the world above. There were renditions of sea bound boats, large birds and animals, snow capped mountains, and even a dense green jungle. Certainly this art indicated Neerininshia's people had not dwelt in the bowels of the earth forever. However, the lively frescos might have been much older than the puritan first supposed. In one palatial section of the underground palace artisans were busy retouching a beautiful scene featuring fabulous mermaids leaping about in some unknown sea.

They passed many large columns, also carved directly from the hard bedrock. The majority of these were etched with smaller carving of noble looking faces and indecipherable hieroglyphics. They continued past no less than three spectacular indoor fountains, lighted like everything else by the mysterious green globes, including some that were larger than a man could reach around. There were hundreds if not thousands of these glowing devices. Naturally these objects could not provide near the illumination that the sun could, but they served as more than adequate to defeat the unlivable state of cavern blackness.

Neerininshia stopped momentarily beside one especially attractive fountain. She and Kane stared into the cascading waters that sparkled wonderfully, reflecting the odd green light in a most mesmerizing fashion. The girl placed her hand underneath the spray and grinned childishly. "Ah princess," Kane offered, despite realizing she had no hope of comprehending, "I'm thinking this one is your favorite." Their eyes met and something was understood. She smiled and the puritan felt his heartbeat increase more than a little. He sensed there was some force at work here, something more powerful than a man could easily resist...if at all. Still, he returned the warm smile and found it an easy thing to do. He almost regretted this action, he could virtually hear Satan laughing in hell at the pious Englishman's foolishness in the presence of this nude, albeit splendid savage.

Eventually the little procession exited altogether the large palace and proceeded out onto a large pavilion. It was a change that proved very pleasing to the puritan's hard eyes. The pavilion had been paved with large flat stones all colored a luminescent shade of blue and seemingly polished with wax. The outermost edge of this colorful area was ringed with posts supporting more green orbs. To compliment this array was another of vigilant soldiers. Each man wore a metal helmet painted bright green. Besides the now familiar long knives these proud looking troops were equipped with well crafted, lethal javelins.

Kane realized the palace also served as a cleverly designed fortress. The pavilion was raised a good twenty feet off the floor of the massive cavern that these mysterious folk called home.

It was difficult for him to see beyond the palace grounds but Kane's keen eyes glimpsed slinking shadowy figures moving out near the murky edges at the far reaches of the artificial green light. Obviously these were the sub-human wretches that had initially found the puritan. He wondered as to the nature of the relationship between Neerininshia's more advanced race and the malformed fiends that shared at least some parts of this odd underground world. The puritan doubted that the two parties were on good terms......it seemed impossible.

The Pavilion contained a scattering of sculpted figures. One was very impressive in size and workmanship, a large stone hippopotamus with gleaming eyes made from well polished bronze. Kane studied this figure that he estimated as weighing in at twenty tons or more. "Seth," Neerininshia said before she and her retainers bowed deeply before the idol.

Solomon Kane was startled with curiosity. Seth was the name of an ancient Egyptian God.....was it possible that these people were descended from some lost cult of that race? He did not know and without knowledge of their tongue his questions would have to remain unanswered. The Englishman's naturally inquiring intellect was stimulated by the possibilities hinted at by this revelation. He had stumbled upon something utterly fascinating and undoubtedly significant from a historical perspective.

Kane's contemplation was interrupted by a retainer offering another cup of the sweet wine. As he accepted the drink the puritan was reminded of the fact that he was not only thirsty but quite hungry. He hadn't as yet had a proper meal. He wondered as to the diet of his hosts and whether and Englishman like himself would find it palatable or repulsive. Neerininshia seemed to sense Kane's thoughts and cut the tour short. All proceeded back inside the palace proper.

After several twists and turns they entered a largish, highly ornate room. The entire extent of the walls in these quarters were covered with intricately weaved tapestries. A plush and beautifully decorated rug lay upon the floor accompanied by an abundance of thick perfumed cushions. A very pleasing and refreshing incense also entered the puritan's nostrils. He quickly took note of a small but well stocked wine cabinet set into an enclave near one corner of the room. The bottles contained therein were made of glass made into a variety of shapes, including one formed in the shape of a hippopotamus in apparent reference to their deity.

Seated quietly near the door were three musicians. One held a flute, another an odd stringed instrument, and the third a pair of small drums. At a signal from Neerininshia the little orchestra began to play. The music was strange to Kane's ears but also very melodic and he felt himself relaxing to the sound. He was also surprised that only two guards entered the room with Kane and the queen. They took positions just inside the door and stared stoically at nothing. The Englishman could only take the light guard as a sign he was trusted by Neerininshia, and that she desired her time with the gaunt white man to be as private as possible.

Neerininshia motioned for her guest to be seated before she reclined onto a soft cushion. She stretched her magnificent naked body and smiled unashamed when she caught Kane observing her well toned legs with obvious interest. The pair were separated by only a small dais which held a plentiful supply of wine and a treat that the famished man devoured ravenously upon discovering it was a spicy and very delicious cake. He naturally yearned for meat but had no means of knowing whether his hosts had access to animals they could slaughter or hunt for food.

The pair listened to the delightful music and partook of a very significant amount of the strong wine. Due to the language barrier the couple sat in silence, communicating with gestures and their eyes. Then Neerininshia a bit unsteadily to her feet, stretched her lithe body again, and casually kicked away her sandals. She also removed he single item of clothing...the white cloak that had been draped over her slender and beautifully sculpted shoulders.

Then, to Solomon Kane's amazement, the luscious woman began to dance. The Englishman's eyes narrowed into slits and he dared no blink less he miss one instant of the woman's astonishing performance. As he observed her thusly, his strong heart began to pound and his breathing grew shallow if not labored.

The young girl Neerininshia was exceedingly graceful and athletic. She moved in rhythm to the music as if it were her body producing the pretty notes and not the instruments of the musicians. She undulated her stomach, gyrated her hips, and flexed her agile youthful limbs in well practiced bewitching motions. Her arms and hands glided flawlessly back and forth. The generous swell of her pliant breasts bobbled and quivered in hypnotizing patterns. The girl's taunt and quite powerful bronze thighs and buttocks lifted, swayed, and spun about fluidly. Neerininshia's huge deep and dark eyes rarely left Kane, and he could sense that she was well pleased by the effect produced by her efforts. The Englishman's powerful chest heaved and dropped in fitful stops and starts. He could not help but wonder if the girl was not in fact a sorceress drawing him into a mysterious spell that might soon be utterly inescapable. Kane too another long drink of the sweet wine. It was impossible to lie to himself. Whatever Neerininshia was doing....he did not want to escape her magic.

The music paused and Neerininshia ceased weaving her sorcery. She went to Kane and collapsed beside him panting breathlessly and perspiring slightly. Now they were not separated by the dais. She took another sip of wine before laughing and suddenly laying her head against the muscular chest of the startled puritan.

He made no effort to push her away. Instead he glanced upwards for a fleeting moment. "Forgive me for my moments of weakness," Kane said before placing his arm around the girl's slim shoulders and gently massaging the incredibly tender flesh on Neerininshia's back. In turn, her little soft hands stroked the powerful thigh of the amazed swordsman.

At this point Kane entertained more than a passing thought of placing a kiss upon the girl's perfectly formed lips when a man appeared in the doorway and made a brief announcement before quickly taking his leave. Neerininshia seemed delighted at this new development. She squeezed on her guest's great hands and made an eating motion. "Ah," Kane said. "At last dinner is served."