Giving in wasn't an option, but there was little else she could do.

"Ok, ok," she told the young galant with the sharp blade, "take whatever you want. Just don't hurt me."

The rascal had a look in his eye so sharp it could cut glass. "What I want, my lady," he said, drawing the space out between words to give them import, "is you."

The young woman's eyes widened, her ruby lips opened, but words failed her.

Reaching down, he made himself ready for his reward; then laid his hands upon-

her chastity belt.

Freed of the constraints of his armor, he also lacked its protection as she kicked him in the areas ladies never mentioned. He doubled over, groaning in pain.

Smiling prettily, the woman stepped over the prostrate form and grabbed the valuables from the knight's saddle bag. Sometimes things weren't what they appeared to be, and for once it worked in her favor.

With the jewels she now held, she could escape her feudal Lord, pay a blacksmith to free her from her tin girdle, and make a new life for herself as a lady in parts unknown.

She would make better use of his family jewels than the knight intended, and so much the better.