Babala, golden-haired with eyes in which a man could drown, is trained to please by the Task Master of the kingdom of Ellipsis. Destined for the prince's use she is stolen by the mistress of the harem, the Lady Fazath. Four guards are sent to find them in the deep forest, and unable to resist Babala, nor Fazath's protestations, the men use the two females for their pleasure. Then stricken with fear the men take their captives over the border, where they are sold at auction. Babala is bought by a rich merchant who lives in a castle at the pinnacle of a crag. Here she is worked in the kitchens and put to tricks for the entertainment of guests. Meanwhile Fazath is disciplined to enjoy a man rather than the sensual beauty of a woman, which has always been her pleasure. Babala yearns for the safety of the harem, and Fazath bemoans her fate as she and her owner search high and low for the prince's favourite.
