ØWPC™ »|´í’³ú:ô]G«@UŽý’°š áléÈàš$¢æ”oc@¹)4¼i±|´`9P3ϪŒŽ/SL$]"šÂfÙ*0Õ#Þ8 ãËÈÙ5PE‚þÿ‘Éþ„kDzñ³«H·S-†ÑÉý㶗ëæ9ÿZëä°µã‘i9‡ÄÒ@JØž:yP0º6WðÃÉe‹À-æß`é3S…=háâkeìÍwŽ sS^œc+ÏÖÝ“DpR<ÈpÁæ¾3ðÕîy Ž,)ö.Z¡Ó)æ÷*ü4!AETG„Ñ1+8læœuX7`7úíþá»ßÕ– |„Í5}Zº6G g¯´”ã‡_±y|$d¨m&º[ž2Š ¡ )E­}äŒty»æóZVãÃ{ípÒêêHæŦ¹’ÌË,¥P¦U˜-n ŒM'ÉX¢6,¤‰òÊ9 N«)ë;›@VqâtZT 0Ú -‡ H¢š‰oËŠI_ƒªV„c.ýlŒ7} œoó¤uÚ;™•±‡¶x½Ÿ„Š}„øUªÐº&ù^§/Þ¹t§Öœøz¦¦\?±¢Ð‚\A µ˲lÕ6‡¬¬uÕäL­;°”½Þ½BÃ;Ðu`Á³ý{õïfTUNd %Ó 0(ü4ˆ#|xª(éhH  Z Ñ6Times New Roman RegularX($ÁÁBKà   °!     í~Subject:¥HORSEWOMEN¥#¥5í~From:¥an438434@anon.penet.fi¥(Umbra)í~Date:¥Sat,¥23¥Dec¥1995¥13:26:59¥UTCí~Newsgroups:¥alt.sex.bondage,alt.sex.femdom,alt.sex.storiesíííNOTE:¥this¥story¥is¥for¥adults¥only.¥As¥will¥be¥evident,íall¥characters¥and¥settings¥and¥all¥action¥are¥entirelyífictitious.í============================================ííTHE¥HORSEWOMENía¥Love¥Storyíby¥Jeanne¥de¥SteinííNine¥parts¥posted¥separately.¥This¥is¥#¥5íParts¥posted¥one¥¥every¥weekend¥to¥this¥group.íí5.¥RITES¥OF¥PASSAGEíí¥¥¥¥¥They¥continued¥their¥slow¥and¥deliberate¥voyage¥across¥the¥––í––grasslands.¥In¥a¥green¥field¥near¥aìstream,¥flowing¥abundantly¥in¥this¥season,¥they¥camped¥and¥feasted¥with¥––í––women¥of¥several¥otherìsisterhoods,¥women¥with¥names¥that¥– –í– –were¥often¥the¥same¥as¥those¥that¥he¥knew,¥but¥with¥tattoosíand¥hairstyles¥and¥equipment¥that¥were¥all¥subtly¥different.¥¥– –í– –They¥eyed¥him¥coolly¥andìcommented¥on¥his¥advantages,¥sometimes¥complimenting¥Atossa¥on¥her¥pleasant¥slave,¥but¥––í––theyìtoo¥had¥slaves¥of¥course.¥Some¥of¥them¥seemed¥to¥treat¥––í––their¥males¥much¥more¥harshly¥than¥theìwomen¥of¥his¥own¥Sisterhood¥did,¥sometimes¥even¥keeping¥them¥chained¥by¥their¥––í––balls¥or,¥in¥twoìcases,¥by¥rings¥through¥the¥little¥skin¥––í––folds¥beneath¥the¥glands¥of¥their¥penises.¥These¥two¥slavesíwere¥boys¥as¥young¥as¥Mikrou¥or¥even¥younger.¥One¥adult¥male¥––í––had¥a¥ring¥through¥his¥nose.¥Oneìor¥two¥bore¥whipping¥scars.––¥––í¥¥¥¥¥¥Slaves¥were¥traded,¥too.¥One¥sisterhood¥seemed¥to¥have¥a¥––í––surplus¥to¥sell,¥but¥only¥Aryanaìbought¥one,¥an¥attractive¥boy¥with¥an¥open,¥trustful¥face,¥slightly¥younger¥than¥–!–í–!–herself.¥The¥priceìwas¥correspondingly¥high,¥six¥horses.¥One¥–#–í–#–or¥two¥women¥actually¥asked¥Atossa¥the¥price¥of¥herìslave,¥but¥she¥just¥laughed¥the¥offers¥away.¥Her¥slave¥was¥not¥for¥–'–í–'–sale.¥Fallou¥warmed¥to¥her;¥itìwas¥nice¥to¥hear¥that¥you¥–)–í–)–were¥appreciated.í¥¥¥¥¥¥There¥were¥games,¥horse¥races¥and¥foot¥races,¥archery¥–,–í–,–and¥wrestling.¥Sarissa¥won¥the¥archeryìcontest,¥leading¥away¥the¥prize¥horse,¥and¥Atossa¥beat¥all¥comers¥at¥wrestling¥–0–í–0–until¥a¥giantess¥of¥aìwoman,¥nearly¥black¥of¥skin,¥managed¥–2–í–2–to¥subdue¥her¥after¥a¥mighty¥struggle.¥After¥the¥match,ìthey¥both¥went¥down¥to¥the¥brook¥to¥wash¥off¥the¥dust¥and¥sweat,¥–6–í–6–and¥then¥Atossa¥followed¥theìvictor¥to¥her¥tent,¥amid¥much¥–8–í–8–laughter¥and¥jesting.¥Sarissa,¥who¥seemed¥to¥be¥torn¥betweenímerriment¥and¥jealousy,¥explained¥that¥this¥was¥the¥victor's¥–:–í–:–prize:¥to¥possess¥any¥one¥of¥theìwomen¥she¥had¥got¥the¥better¥of,¥and¥this¥time¥Atossa¥had¥been¥chosen.¥For¥a¥–>–í–>–moment¥of¥horror,ìFallou¥thought¥that¥Atossa¥would¥be¥a¥–@–í–@–slave¥herself,¥and¥that¥he¥would¥be¥separated¥from¥her¥foríever,¥but¥Sarissa¥reassured¥him:¥this¥was¥for¥one¥night¥–B–Ü Ý-@), Ü–B–only,¥and¥it¥was¥even¥regarded¥as¥anÜ Ý-@), Ühonour.¥There¥was¥henceforth¥to¥be¥a¥bond¥of¥mutual¥obligation¥between¥these¥–F–í–F–two¥women.¥Butìyes,¥there¥was¥actually¥one¥group,¥the¥Red¥–H–í–H–Sisters,¥that¥took¥and¥kept¥and¥used¥female¥slaves.ìThey¥scorned¥males¥completely.¥But¥these¥women¥were¥enemies,¥foes¥–L–í–L–of¥all¥right¥womanhood,ìand¥he¥should¥not¥wish¥to¥see¥them!í¥¥¥¥¥If¥he¥ever¥did,¥they¥would¥kill¥him,¥and¥then¥they¥would¥eat¥–O–í–O–his¥flesh.í¥¥¥¥There¥was¥much¥talking¥and¥some¥singing¥around¥the–Q–¥–Q–campfires¥that¥evening,¥but¥Atossa¥wasìnot¥there,¥of¥course.¥¥When¥Fallou¥was¥alone¥with¥Ariti¥for¥a¥moment---his¥–U–í–U–attraction¥to¥her¥hadìat¥last¥overcome¥the¥revulsion¥he¥had¥–W–í–W–felt¥for¥some¥time¥after¥that¥scene¥by¥the¥stake---he¥askedíher¥what¥would¥be¥done¥to¥Atossa.¥She¥looked¥pensively¥at¥–Y–í–Y–him,¥hesitated¥but¥told¥him¥at¥last¥thatìshe¥would¥be¥treated¥like¥a¥male.¥But¥it¥would¥not¥be¥proper,¥even¥for¥a¥–]–í–]–Sister,¥to¥ask¥herìafterwards¥what¥had¥been¥done¥to¥her.¥He¥–_–í–_–had¥no¥further¥questions.í¥¥¥¥¥Immediately¥after¥this¥jamboree,¥it¥was¥clear¥that¥Pirritta,¥–c–í–c–the¥un-tattooed¥young¥one,¥was¥toìbe¥singled¥out¥for¥special¥attention.¥She¥was¥repeatedly¥secluded¥in¥a¥tent¥with¥the¥–g–í–g–old¥women.ìShe¥went¥out¥with¥a¥hunting¥party¥one¥day¥and¥–i–í–i–returned¥proudly¥with¥the¥carcass¥of¥a¥bush-catìthat¥still¥had¥her¥short¥hunting-spear¥through¥its¥body.¥The¥teeth¥and¥–m–í–m–claws¥were¥added¥to¥herìnecklace,¥secret¥charms¥and¥–o–í–o–preparations¥were¥made¥from¥other¥parts¥of¥the¥animal.¥Thenísomething¥strange¥was¥done¥to¥the¥girl:¥she¥was¥buried¥–q–í–q–alive,¥tightly¥bound¥in¥a¥pit¥in¥the¥ground,ìlined¥with¥hay¥and¥furs¥but¥completely¥covered¥with¥sods,¥resting¥on¥dry¥–u–í–u–branches.¥Around¥theìcovered¥pit¥sat¥the¥hags,¥chanting¥and¥–w–í–w–chanting¥for¥one¥day¥and¥one¥night,¥until¥at¥sunrise¥on¥theísecond¥day¥the¥girl¥was¥resurrected¥and¥her¥child-name¥was¥–y–í–y–taken¥away¥from¥her.¥After¥aìmerciful¥time¥of¥rest,¥she¥spent¥the¥next¥night¥in¥a¥small¥leather¥tent¥with¥two¥of¥the¥–}–í–}–oldestìwomen,¥one¥of¥them¥being¥Hikati,¥the¥chiefess¥and¥––í––resident¥witch.¥Strange¥herbs¥were¥burnt,¥andìtheir¥smoke¥inhaled,¥and¥Atossa¥explained¥to¥her¥slave¥that¥spirits¥–°–í–°–appeared¥out¥of¥the¥dark¥toìguide¥the¥Nameless¥One¥along¥her¥–·–í–·–passage¥to¥womanhood,¥and¥to¥fortify¥her¥for¥her¥comingíordeal.¥She¥told¥the¥slave,¥in¥a¥forthright¥but¥–½–í–½–compassionate¥manner,¥that¥he¥had¥been¥designatedìto¥play¥a¥part¥in¥this¥ceremony.¥She¥let¥him¥know¥what¥it¥was,¥and¥for¥–Ñ–í–Ñ–a¥moment,¥he¥wasìhorrified.¥They¥were¥sitting,¥cross-legged,¥–Ù–í–Ù–opposite¥each¥other,¥and¥he¥felt¥all¥blood¥leave¥hisìface,¥but¥then¥he¥gathered¥all¥his¥courage¥and¥returned¥Atossa's¥burning¥stare¥and¥spoke¥to¥her.¥–û–¥ì¥¥¥¥¥–û–He¥would¥not¥only¥submit¥willingly¥to¥the¥treatment¥that¥awaited¥him---though¥his¥attitudeìwould¥of¥course¥not¥make¥the¥slightest¥difference---but¥he¥would¥ask¥to¥be¥given¥all¥that¥wasìgiven¥to¥the¥Nameless¥One,¥provided¥only¥that¥it¥would¥be¥given¥to¥him¥by¥Atossa¥herself.í–¢–¥–¢–¥¥¥¥She¥sat¥silent¥for¥a¥while,¥gazing¥inscrutably¥at¥him.¥¥Then¥she¥told¥him¥that¥she¥would¥askìHikati¥for¥this¥favour.¥¥She¥left¥him¥trembling¥with¥fear¥and¥excitement.í¥¥¥¥¥Evening¥came,¥and¥they¥marched¥away¥a¥short¥distance,¥an¥–´–í–´–hour's¥walk¥or¥so,¥and¥came¥to¥theìPassage-place.¥It¥was¥a¥small¥rise¥of¥the¥ground,¥crowned¥with¥four¥great¥upright¥–©–í–©–stones,¥likeìfingers¥against¥the¥dark¥sky,¥groping¥for¥the¥–Ç–í–Ç–moon.¥It¥reeked¥of¥holiness.í¥¥¥¥¥Fires¥were¥made.¥The¥women¥arranged¥themselves¥in¥a¥–¨–í–¨–rough¥circle,¥all¥of¥them¥in¥companyìwith¥their¥lovers¥and¥their¥males.¥Atossa¥however¥left¥Sarissa¥and¥Fallou¥standing¥–Ó–í–Ó–outside¥theìcircle¥and¥joined¥the¥older¥women,¥the¥leaders¥–«–í–«–of¥the¥ceremony.¥Fallou¥saw¥that¥the¥stones¥hadìbeen¥erected¥in¥pairs,¥and¥each¥pair¥was¥joined¥by¥a¥stout¥crosstree,¥–ü–í–ü–making¥two¥great¥gates---andìthen¥he¥recognised¥them¥for¥what¥they¥were,¥two¥gallows.¥He¥felt¥a¥lump¥in¥his¥throat,¥–¹–í–¹–the¥tongueìseemed¥to¥grow¥in¥his¥dry¥mouth¥and¥his¥heart¥–²–í–²–thumped.¥He¥was¥scared.¥His¥decision¥of¥theìprevious¥night¥seemed¥foolish,¥even¥preposterous.¥Why¥ask¥for¥more¥of¥this¥–å–í–å–outrageous¥treatmentìthan¥necessary?¥Would¥his¥courage¥and¥devotion¥be¥appreciated,¥would¥it¥even¥be¥recognised?í¥¥¥¥¥And¥then¥Sarissa¥whispered¥in¥his¥ear,¥and¥he¥knew.Ü Ý-@), Ü¥¥¥¥¥Atossa¥had¥been¥impressed.¥And¥yes,¥she¥had¥secured¥–ƒ–í–ƒ–permission¥to¥be¥his¥executioner.¥Heìwas¥still¥scared,¥but¥now¥he¥felt¥surer¥of¥himself.¥Sarissa¥was¥holding¥him¥in¥a¥–ê–í–ê–tight¥grip,¥and¥theìfeeling¥was¥somehow¥reassuring.í¥¥¥¥¥The¥Nameless¥One,¥who¥had¥also¥been¥kept¥waiting¥outside¥the¥circle,¥was¥now–„–ìceremoniously¥led¥in¥among¥the¥chanting¥–ï–í–ï–women.¥The¥firelight¥that¥flickered¥on¥the¥four¥greatímonoliths¥shone¥bright¥red¥on¥her¥naked¥body;¥she¥seemed¥–…–í–…–half¥dazed¥but¥walked¥erect¥andìwithout¥hesitation.¥She¥joined¥in¥the¥singing.¥Sarissa¥took¥Fallou¥firmly¥by¥his¥arm¥–ò–í–ò–and¥led¥himìforward,¥until¥he¥stood¥between¥two¥of¥the¥–†–í–†–stones,¥under¥the¥ominous¥crosstree.¥He¥saw¥that¥twoìheavy¥–Þ–í–Þ–ropes¥hung¥from¥it,¥and¥he¥knew¥what¥they¥were¥for.í¥¥¥¥¥Sarissa¥called¥out¥softly,¥and¥three¥of¥the¥women¥came¥–‡–í–‡–forward¥to¥help¥her.¥The¥slave's¥wristsìwere¥secured¥to¥the¥ropes¥with¥soft¥leather¥straps;¥the¥helpers¥took¥the¥loose¥–Œ–í–Œ–ends¥and¥pulled¥theìropes¥until¥his¥arms¥were¥raised¥high¥––í––above¥his¥head.¥For¥a¥moment,¥he¥thought¥of¥Mikrou.¥ButíSarissa¥hugged¥him¥briefly¥and¥kissed¥him,¥and¥whispered¥–Ž–í–Ž–again,¥and¥then¥she¥joined¥herìcomrades¥and¥helped¥them¥to¥–‘–í–‘–hoist¥him¥aloft.í¥¥¥¥¥¥It¥did¥not¥hurt---not¥yet.¥His¥arms¥seemed¥to¥be¥pulled¥–”–í–”–halfway¥out¥of¥their¥sockets,¥his¥wristsìwould¥begin¥to¥smart¥by¥and¥by¥(though¥he¥doubted¥that¥he¥would¥notice¥it)¥–˜–í–˜–and¥his¥breathingìwas¥slightly¥strained.¥But¥the¥most¥–™–í–™–immediate¥sensation¥was¥one¥of¥helplessness.¥With¥his¥feetítwelve¥inches¥above¥the¥ground,¥what¥could¥he¥do¥to¥protect¥–š–í–š–himself?¥Lying¥on¥one's¥back,¥tiedìhand¥and¥foot¥in¥preparation¥for¥the¥rape,¥should¥be¥just¥as¥bad.¥It¥was¥not.¥–ž–¥–ž–He¥remembered¥thatìhe¥had¥once¥been¥told¥that¥peoples¥far¥to¥–à–í–à–the¥south¥hanged¥criminals¥and¥sacrificial¥victims¥byìtheir¥arms,¥not¥by¥their¥necks.¥They¥were¥just¥left¥to¥hang¥until¥––í––they¥were¥dead.¥He¥knew¥that¥thisìwould¥not¥happen¥to¥him,¥but¥the¥thought¥was¥still¥unnerving.¥He¥squirmed,¥just¥in¥––í––order¥toìremind¥himself¥that¥he¥was¥still¥alive.¥Sarissa¥––í––looked¥up¥at¥him;¥her¥face¥was¥set¥in¥a¥mask¥ofídetermination¥and¥he¥sensed¥that¥inwardly,¥she¥had¥already¥– –í– –left¥him¥to¥the¥fate¥that¥awaited¥him.ìShe¥had¥given¥him¥what¥encouragement¥she¥could,¥now¥she¥would¥just¥be¥one¥of¥– –í– –the¥severalìparticipators¥in¥the¥rite.¥He¥felt¥his¥heart¥––í––thump¥against¥his¥ribs.í¥¥¥¥¥The¥chanting¥ceased¥abruptly.¥The¥Nameless¥One¥had¥––í––already¥been¥prepared¥for¥her¥ownìsuspension,¥and¥Hikati¥asked¥her¥if¥she¥was¥ready¥for¥the¥ordeal.¥Yes,¥she¥was:¥her¥––í––voice¥wasìquite¥steady.¥How¥many,¥to¥prove¥her¥worth¥as¥a¥––í––horsewoman¥and¥a¥brave?¥Thin¥but¥clear,¥herìvoice¥rang¥out:¥––¥––four¥dozen.í¥¥¥¥¥¥A¥collective¥breath¥was¥drawn.¥Atossa¥had¥of¥course¥told¥––í––Fallou¥about¥the¥ceremony,¥andìwhat¥he¥could¥expect¥for¥himself---exactly¥what¥the¥Nameless¥One¥demanded.¥But¥this¥–"–í–"–was¥moreìthan¥the¥usual¥ration.¥He¥felt¥his¥heart¥sink.¥And¥–$–í–$–then¥the¥women¥could¥hardly¥wait¥to¥see¥theìsubject¥properly¥suspended¥before¥they¥turned¥to¥the¥slave.¥And¥Atossa¥rose¥–(–í–(–and¥came¥forward,ìand¥she¥was¥holding¥a¥whip.¥She¥spoke¥to¥–*–í–*–him.¥He¥understood¥that¥these¥were¥ritual¥words,ìnecessary¥words,¥but¥they¥still¥hurt.¥He¥was¥a¥male,¥and¥by¥definition¥–.–í–.–a¥slave.¥Women¥were¥realìpeople,¥but¥males¥were¥half-human¥only,¥little¥monsters¥that¥existed¥only¥to¥serve¥their–1–ìmistresses.¥Women¥were¥hunters,¥warriors,¥braves.¥Males¥were¥–4–í–4–timid,¥fearing¥for¥their¥skin,ìfearing¥pain.¥The¥whip¥would¥prove¥it;¥his¥screaming¥and¥begging¥for¥mercy¥would¥prove¥–8–í–8–it.í¥¥¥¥¥¥Atossa¥raised¥her¥whip.¥But¥she¥did¥not¥yet¥swing¥it;¥–;–í–;–for¥across¥the¥circle¥stood¥anotherìwoman,¥a¥young¥brave,¥Silini,¥daughter¥of¥Hikati.¥And¥she¥too¥spoke,¥to¥the¥–?–í–?–Nameless¥One¥whoìwas¥now¥also¥suspended¥opposite¥the¥slave,¥–A–í–A–between¥the¥other¥two¥monoliths.í¥¥¥¥¥She¥spoke¥of¥pride¥and¥fortitude,¥the¥marks¥of¥the¥true¥–D–í–D–horsewoman.¥The¥Nameless¥One¥hadìpromised¥that¥she¥would¥take¥four¥dozen¥lashes¥on¥her¥naked¥skin,¥without¥succumbing¥–H–í–H–to¥fear¥orìpain,¥without¥debasing¥herself.¥Her¥courageous¥–J–Ü Ý-@), Ü–J–silence¥would¥prove,¥together¥with¥the¥sacrificialÜ Ý-@), Üslave's¥screams,¥that¥woman¥was¥superior¥to¥man,¥that¥she¥was¥born¥a¥–N–í–N–fighter¥and¥a¥ruler¥and¥he¥aìslave.¥And¥the¥Dark¥Ladies,¥ever¥waiting¥outside¥the¥light¥of¥the¥fires,¥would¥receive¥–R–í–R–and¥acceptìthis¥offering,¥hallowing¥the¥name¥that¥the¥–T–í–T–Nameless¥One¥would¥receive.í¥¥¥¥¥And¥so¥the¥ordeal¥began.¥Atossa¥swung¥her¥whip¥at¥last,¥–W–í–W–and¥it¥made¥a¥dull¥sound,¥unlike¥anyìother,¥when¥the¥lash¥connected¥with¥the¥hide¥of¥the¥slave;¥and¥then¥Silini¥–[–í–[–followed.¥Both¥subjects,ìthe¥male¥and¥the¥female,¥jerked¥violently,¥dancing¥in¥air,¥their¥faces¥contorted¥with¥pain.¥¥–_–í–_–Butìboth¥were¥silent.¥The¥only¥sound,¥apart¥from¥the¥gasps¥–a–í–a–of¥the¥subjects,¥the¥heavy¥breathing¥of¥theìtwo¥executioners¥and¥the¥cracking¥of¥the¥whips,¥came¥from¥the¥onlookers¥who¥–e–í–e–murmured¥in¥aìchorus,¥counting¥the¥lashes:¥one,¥two,¥three–h–¥–h–...í¥¥¥¥¥¥He¥had¥never¥been¥whipped¥before.¥He¥had¥been¥caned¥as¥a¥–k–í–k–boy,¥beaten¥as¥a¥man,¥but¥neverìwhipped.¥He¥had¥seen¥men¥being¥whipped,¥though,¥as¥a¥punishment,¥and¥women,¥both¥for–n–ìinfractions¥of¥the¥arbitrary¥rules¥that¥wives¥and¥daughters¥–q–í–q–and¥slave¥women¥had¥to¥obey,¥and¥forìnothing¥but¥the¥amusement¥and¥the¥cruel¥pleasure¥of¥their¥husbands¥or¥–u–í–u–owners.¥They¥had¥allìscreamed,¥sometimes¥even¥before¥the¥–w–í–w–whipping¥had¥begun,¥always¥before¥it¥had¥progressed¥veryífar.¥But¥he¥had¥always¥understood¥that¥they¥had¥screamed¥–y–í–y–more¥from¥fear¥than¥from¥pain.¥He¥didìfear¥the¥pain,¥but¥he¥did¥not¥fear¥for¥his¥life:¥he¥would¥receive¥no¥more¥than¥the¥–}–í–}–young¥girlìopposite¥him.¥And¥she¥was¥expected¥to¥survive,¥¥––í––and¥hunt,¥and¥fight,¥and¥rule¥men.í¥¥¥¥¥¥The¥pain¥was¥severe,¥however.¥Every¥lash¥burned¥like¥a¥–­–í–­–branding-iron¥laid¥across¥his¥nakedìskin.¥He¥danced¥his¥pain-dance,¥clenched¥his¥fists¥and¥jaws,¥but¥he¥would¥not¥–º–í–º–scream.¥He¥wouldìshow¥them.¥The¥pain¥increased¥as¥that¥of¥–Öí–Öevery¥new¥lash¥was¥added¥to¥that¥from¥the¥previousìones;¥still¥he¥conceded¥the¥women¥only¥gasps,¥no¥scream.¥He¥would¥–Ô–í–Ô–show¥them¥that¥a¥male¥couldìbe¥as¥courageous¥as¥a¥–Ú–í–Ú–horsewoman.í¥¥¥¥¥¥For¥a¥moment¥he¥closed¥his¥eyes,¥but¥he¥opened¥them¥–Ζí–Ζagain¥at¥once:¥his¥only¥comfort¥wasìthat¥it¥was¥Atossa¥who¥was¥doing¥this¥to¥him,¥and¥he¥wanted¥to¥see¥her,¥to¥see¥her¥–ð–í–ð–face¥and¥herìeyes,¥and¥be¥seen¥by¥her.¥His¥love¥of¥her¥was¥–÷–í–÷–as¥important¥as¥his¥pride¥in¥carrying¥him¥throughìthis¥ordeal.¥He¥caught¥a¥glimpse¥of¥the¥girl¥opposite;¥she¥too¥–ý–í–ý–danced¥the¥whip-dance---and¥sheìtoo¥was¥silent.¥But¥their¥condition¥was¥not¥the¥same.¥He¥was¥expected¥to¥scream,¥but¥–Ä–í–Ä–would¥not;ìshe¥was¥expected¥not¥to,¥and¥must¥not.¥Thus,¥her¥–Á–í–Á–ordeal¥was¥greater¥than¥his.í¥¥¥¥¥¥After¥the¥first¥dozen,¥the¥whip-wielders¥changed¥their¥–Û–í–Û–positions¥and¥started¥to¥flog¥the¥backsìof¥their¥subjects.¥¥That¥was¥worse:¥now¥he¥could¥not¥see¥Atossa¥anymore.¥He¥saw¥–¬–í–¬–only¥theìNameless¥One,¥the¥girl¥who¥had¥been¥the¥–»–í–»–fair-skinned¥Pirritta¥and¥who¥was¥now¥just¥a¥body,ìstriped¥by¥whip-marks¥but¥animated¥by¥a¥soul¥that¥had¥to¥prove¥its¥–¨–í–¨–mettle.¥He¥tried¥to¥concentrateìon¥what¥he¥saw.¥He¥had¥often¥looked¥at¥her¥with¥cupidity,¥thinking¥how¥fine¥it¥would¥be¥–Ó–í–Ó–toìpossess¥this¥young¥body,¥and¥always¥immediately¥how¥–«–í–«–desirable¥it¥would¥be¥to¥be¥possessed¥byìthis¥straight¥and¥beautiful¥young¥soul.¥Now¥they¥were¥two¥contestants,¥and¥she¥–ü–í–ü–had¥to¥defeat¥him.ìBut¥he¥would¥show¥them¥...í¥¥¥¥¥After¥the¥second¥dozen,¥the¥third¥began.¥Atossa¥started¥–È–í–È–anew¥with¥his¥shoulders,¥workingìdown¥his¥back¥inch¥by¥inch.¥¥–¸–í–¸–The¥buttocks¥had¥been¥less¥agonizing.¥But¥the¥pain¥was¥notíincreasing¥anymore,¥it¥had¥reached¥a¥plateau,¥a¥maximum.¥He¥–À–í–À–felt¥as¥if¥he¥was¥being¥burnedìalive,¥but¥he¥was¥not¥consumed¥by¥the¥fire.¥The¥pain¥was¥unendurable,¥but¥he¥–Ì–í–Ì–endured¥it---and¥heìwas¥still¥silent.í¥¥¥¥¥Atossa¥finished¥with¥his¥buttocks¥for¥the¥second¥time.¥–‚–¥–‚–There¥was¥a¥new¥pause¥while¥sheìreturned¥to¥her¥original¥position.¥For¥the¥first¥time,¥he¥heard¥that¥the¥women¥were¥–è–í–è–murmuringìexcitedly¥between¥them.¥Fine---he¥was¥showing¥–ê–í–ê–them!¥He¥was¥really¥proving¥that¥a¥male¥couldìbe¥as¥brave¥as¥a¥woman.¥But¥his¥courage¥wavered¥when¥he¥saw¥Atossa¥and¥her¥–„–Ü Ý-@), Ü–„–whip¥again.¥SheÜ Ý-@), Üstared¥at¥him¥as¥in¥a¥trance,¥or¥a¥passion¥–î–í–î–of¥anger;¥and¥she¥raised¥her¥whip¥and¥started¥on¥the¥lastídozen.¥The¥body¥of¥the¥Nameless¥One¥was¥disfigured¥by¥the¥–Í–í–Í–red¥welts¥that¥crisscrossed¥her¥chestìand¥belly.¥How¥terrible¥it¥must¥be,¥in¥spite¥of¥all¥the¥preparation,¥for¥a¥–ô–í–ô–young¥girl,¥a¥child¥really,ìto¥suffer¥thus.–ò–¥–ò–í¥¥¥¥¥¥And¥it¥struck¥him¥like¥lightning¥that¥he¥simply¥had¥to¥– –í– –scream.¥If¥not,¥the¥girl¥would¥have¥toìask¥for¥more,¥and¥more,¥until¥he¥broke¥down,¥or¥she¥broke¥down,¥and¥if¥she¥–‡–í–‡–did,¥then¥she¥wouldìbe¥disgraced.¥And¥if¥she¥did¥not,¥then¥–‹–í–‹–she¥would¥still¥have¥suffered¥unnecessarily,¥because¥of¥hisíwilfulness.¥She¥did¥not¥deserve¥that.¥She¥had¥never¥wronged¥–Œ–í–Œ–him.¥He¥wanted¥to¥be¥her¥friend,¥notìher¥enemy,¥both¥because¥it¥would¥be¥bad¥to¥have¥enemies¥among¥his¥rulers¥and¥because¥–Ž–í–Ž–heìwanted¥her,¥or¥wanted¥to¥be¥desired¥by¥her.¥He¥had¥to¥–‘–í–‘–scream¥before¥the¥four¥dozen¥were¥allìgiven.¥–’–í–’––”–í¥¥¥¥¥¥Only¥half¥conscious,¥he¥counted¥one,¥two.¥These¥hit,¥the¥–Ý–í–Ý–first¥above,¥the¥second¥below¥hisìnipples¥(which¥Atossa¥had¥not¥touched;¥she¥was¥a¥virtuoso¥with¥the¥whip).¥Then¥he¥–™–í–™–released¥hisìgrip¥on¥himself¥and¥did¥what¥he¥should¥have¥–š–í–š–done¥all¥the¥time---screamed,¥howled¥his¥agony¥andìhis¥terror¥and¥despair,¥and¥his¥love¥and¥his¥compassion¥with¥the¥–œ–í–œ–girl¥opposite.¥He¥continued¥evenìwhen¥Atossa¥had¥laid¥the¥last¥cut¥across¥his¥pubic¥bone¥and¥lowered¥her¥right¥arm.¥It¥–ß–í–ß–was¥a¥relief,ìa¥release¥to¥do¥it.¥He¥screamed¥until¥he¥was¥––í––unable¥to¥continue¥for¥lack¥of¥air.í¥¥¥¥¥It¥was¥over.¥Atossa¥stood¥like¥a¥statue¥in¥front¥of¥him,¥––í––but¥with¥stooping¥shoulders¥andìhanging¥head.¥What¥did¥she¥think,¥what¥did¥she¥feel?¥But¥the¥Nameless¥One¥was¥lowered¥––í––to¥theìground,¥and¥released,¥and¥supported,¥and¥cheered¥like¥– –í– –a¥victor¥by¥the¥women.¥She¥was¥led¥to¥theìnearest¥fire,¥and¥they¥gathered¥around¥her,¥touching¥her,¥and¥there¥was¥a¥cry:¥––¥––four¥dozen!¥fourìdozen!¥And¥Hikati¥looked¥on¥while¥Silini¥––í––held¥and¥kissed¥the¥girl¥she¥had¥whipped¥so¥cruelly,¥forìher¥own¥good¥and¥for¥that¥of¥the¥Sisterhood,¥and¥then¥Hikati¥––í––gave¥her¥a¥new¥name,¥Ginesse.¥Andìthe¥women¥cheered,¥because¥––í––she¥had¥vindicated¥them.í¥¥¥¥¥¥But¥not¥for¥long.¥Their¥eyes¥went¥to¥Atossa¥and¥her¥––í––slave,¥and¥Atossa¥was¥still¥shaken¥byìwhat¥had¥happened¥to¥her.¥And¥she¥raised¥her¥head¥and¥straightened¥her¥shoulders¥––í––and¥screamedìout,¥into¥the¥darkness,¥for¥the¥Dark¥Ladies¥to¥––í––hear:¥five!¥five¥dozen!í¥¥¥¥¥¥Her¥sisters¥were¥clearly¥horrified.¥They¥thronged¥around¥–"–í–"–her,¥begging¥her¥to¥retract¥herìpromise.¥But¥she¥would¥not:¥¥three¥dozen¥was¥what¥a¥girl¥asked¥for¥when¥her¥time¥came,¥–'–í–'–and¥thatìwas¥what¥she¥herself¥had¥asked¥for,¥and¥been¥given,¥–)–í–)–when¥she¥made¥her¥Passage.¥Pirritta's¥fourìhad¥been¥a¥–+–í–+–challenge,¥a¥way¥of¥asserting¥herself¥and¥gaining¥esteem.í¥¥¥¥¥Now¥her¥own¥slave¥had¥taken¥three¥dozen---even¥more¥than¥–.–í–.–that---in¥silence.¥Had¥they¥notìcounted¥them?¥Did¥they¥not¥know¥that¥her¥slave¥was¥brave,¥a¥woman's¥equal¥in¥courage?¥–2–í–2–Nowìshe¥would¥have¥to¥prove¥superior¥to¥him,¥for¥a¥woman¥–4–í–4–must¥not¥be¥inferior¥to¥her¥own¥slave.¥Fiveìdozen!¥Would¥–6–í–6–they¥deny¥her¥that?í¥¥¥¥¥They¥would¥not.¥They¥did¥murmur¥and¥mutter,¥and¥indicate¥–9–í–9–that¥they¥found¥Atossa's¥prideìexcessive,¥but¥it¥was¥also¥clear¥that¥they¥admired¥it.¥Or¥rather,¥they¥would¥if¥she¥–=–í–=–could¥take¥it.ìAnd¥so,¥while¥Ginesse¥rested,¥warmed¥by¥a¥–?–í–?–heavy¥cloak¥and¥caressed¥and¥congratulated¥by¥herìfriends,¥Atossa¥took¥her¥place.¥And¥Ariti¥had¥consented¥to¥swing¥the¥–C–í–C–whip.¥Sarissa¥had¥offered¥toìdo¥it,¥but¥Atossa¥would¥not¥hear¥of¥it:¥for¥not¥only¥were¥they¥lovers¥(which¥Silini¥and¥–G–í–G–Ginesseìalso¥were)¥and¥bound¥by¥holy¥oaths,¥it¥would¥also¥–I–í–I–hurt¥her¥soul¥(and¥this¥she¥did¥not¥deny).¥Aritiìwas¥a¥dear¥–K–í–K–friend,¥but¥not¥her¥lover.í¥¥¥¥¥¥The¥slave¥was¥not¥released.¥He¥remained¥suspended,¥his¥–N–í–N–body¥one¥single¥dull¥ache¥that¥hadìspread,¥as¥he¥had¥known¥it¥would¥eventually,¥to¥his¥arms.¥He¥had¥the¥best¥view¥of¥–R–í–R–Atossa'sìcoming¥agony¥of¥any¥one¥present.¥He¥watched¥as¥she¥–T–Ü Ý-@), Ü–T–was¥swung¥from¥the¥crosstree¥and¥as¥Ariti,Ü Ý-@), Üthe¥friendly¥and¥–V–í–V–cruel¥Ariti,¥prepared¥to¥whip¥her.í¥¥¥¥¥¥This¥was¥his¥second¥whipping¥on¥that¥night.¥For¥he¥–Y–í–Y–suffered¥with¥Atossa,¥feeling¥the¥stingìand¥the¥bite,¥the¥searing¥pain¥of¥the¥red¥iron,¥jerking¥and¥shuddering¥as¥each¥–]–í–]–lash¥struck¥hisìmistress.¥And¥Atossa¥danced,¥her¥face¥a¥–_–í–_–rigid¥mask¥of¥pain.¥A¥red¥reflection¥of¥the¥nearest¥fire,¥aíhot¥coal¥in¥her¥dark¥face,¥revealed¥that¥she¥was¥looking¥at¥–a–í–a–him---at¥her¥slave¥who¥had¥unwittinglyìcaused¥this¥horror.í¥¥¥¥¥¥For¥a¥horror¥it¥was,¥and¥it¥seemed¥to¥go¥on¥for¥ever.¥–e–¥–e–First¥the¥usual¥dozen¥in¥front;¥withìexquisite¥skill,¥the¥smith¥spared¥her¥friend's¥breasts.¥And¥then¥one¥dozen¥across¥–i–í–i–her¥back,¥twoìdozen,¥three¥dozen;¥and¥now¥Ariti¥hesitated¥–k–í–k–before¥each¥cut,¥placing¥it¥in¥her¥mind¥before¥she¥putìit¥in¥place¥on¥Atossa's¥back.¥And¥still¥Atossa¥was¥silent.¥Now¥she¥–o–í–o–was¥not¥looking¥at¥her¥slaveìanymore---she¥threw¥her¥head¥back,¥staring¥at¥the¥black¥sky¥and¥only¥the¥sky¥could¥see¥–s–í–s–theìexpression¥on¥her¥face.í¥¥¥¥¥¥Four¥dozen;¥and¥Ariti,¥looking¥pained,¥came¥around¥for¥–v–í–v–the¥last¥twelve.¥These¥were¥dealt¥outìquickly,¥so¥as¥not¥to¥let¥Atossa¥suffer¥too¥long.¥And¥then¥she¥hung¥motionless,¥as¥–z–í–z–if¥dead,¥untilìshe¥could¥be¥lowered¥and¥set¥free.¥Then,¥she¥–|–í–|–walked¥up¥to¥her¥slave,¥pushed¥the¥supporting¥handsìaway¥and¥asked¥for¥the¥whip.¥She¥looked¥up¥at¥him.¥She¥spoke.¥–¥–í–¥––ª–í¥–Æ–¥–Æ–¥¥¥¥Yes,¥she¥was¥proud¥of¥him.¥But¥he¥did¥understand¥what¥he¥had¥unwittingly¥done¥to¥hisìrightful¥owner¥and¥mistress,¥did¥he¥not?¥He¥did¥understand¥why¥she¥had¥to¥do¥what¥she¥hadídone?¥All¥right---then¥he¥would¥also¥understand¥why¥she¥had¥to¥do¥what¥she¥would¥do¥now,¥toìhim.¥He¥nodded¥dumb¥assent,¥and¥she¥seemed¥to¥understand¥him.¥She¥raised¥the¥whip¥andídealt¥him¥three¥mighty¥blows¥across¥his¥chest¥and¥belly,¥and¥he¥screamed¥at¥once.¥A¥great¥sighìwas¥heard¥from¥the¥dark¥throng¥of¥waiting¥horsewomen.í¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥And¥then¥they¥released¥him.¥He¥saw¥that¥Atossa¥was¥–â–í–â–greeted¥by¥Sarissa,¥her¥lover,¥and¥herìkiss¥was¥returned;¥and¥by¥her¥daughter¥Halanna¥who¥came¥rushing¥up¥to¥her,¥–ö–í–ö–looking¥as¥if¥sheìhad¥been¥in¥a¥great¥anguish.¥And¥then¥–ù–í–ù–Ariti¥who¥hugged¥Atossa¥cautiously¥and¥kissed¥her¥andíwhispered¥long¥with¥her,¥and¥what¥they¥told¥each¥other¥he¥–û–í–û–never¥learnt.í¥¥¥¥¥And¥when¥Atossa¥had¥been¥bedded¥down¥by¥the¥fire,¥next¥to¥–ÿ–í–ÿ–Ginesse,¥then¥Sarissa¥and¥Ariti,ìand¥Lykomaki¥and¥Aryana¥and¥even¥little¥Niki¥(who¥was¥too¥excited¥to¥sit¥still¥for¥long,–Ê–ìhowever)¥came¥to¥comfort¥Fallou¥and¥reassure¥him.¥They¥told¥–£–í–£–him¥not¥to¥be¥afraid.¥Atossa¥hadìbeen¥so¥clever¥with¥the¥whip¥that¥his¥skin¥was¥unbroken,¥and¥she¥was¥not¥angry¥with¥–¤–í–¤–him.¥He¥hadìnot¥known¥what¥he¥had¥done,¥being¥ignorant¥of¥–©–í–©–what¥the¥Nameless¥One¥would¥ask¥for,¥and¥of¥theìconsequences¥–Ç–í–Ç–of¥his¥own¥silence.í¥¥¥¥¥¥He¥too¥was¥allowed¥to¥rest.¥His¥closest¥friends¥(yes,¥–¨–í–¨–they¥were¥friends)¥sat¥around¥him,ìtalking¥softly.¥He¥did¥understand¥that¥Atossa¥had¥to¥reassert¥her¥authority¥over¥–Ó–í–Ó–him,¥did¥he¥not?ìAnd¥they¥were¥all¥very¥impressed;¥he¥was¥–«–í–«–certainly¥courageous¥and¥they¥would¥think¥him¥veryìnearly¥the¥equal¥of¥a¥brave.¥But¥he¥was¥still¥their¥slave,¥and¥they¥–ü–í–ü–would¥still¥do¥with¥him¥as¥theyìpleased,¥and¥they¥expected¥him¥to¥obey¥them¥without¥question;¥he¥did¥understand¥that,¥–¹–í–¹–too,¥didìhe¥not?¥Yes,¥he¥did.¥He¥looked¥at¥their¥eager,¥–²–í–²–sincere¥faces,¥and¥felt¥their¥gentle¥hands¥touch¥himìwhere¥the¥whip¥had¥spared¥him---including¥his¥nipples¥and¥his¥–å–í–å–sex---and¥then¥up¥at¥the¥starsìwhich¥had¥come¥out,¥and¥then¥–€–í–€–he¥closed¥his¥eyes¥and¥let¥his¥soul¥drift¥away.í¥¥¥¥¥He¥was¥not¥required¥to¥do¥any¥work¥for¥the¥next¥three¥days.¥¥–ƒ–í–ƒ–Instead¥he¥rested¥in¥the¥tent,¥orìunder¥a¥shady¥tree¥during¥the¥day,¥wrapped¥in¥a¥large¥woollen¥cover¥with¥Atossa.¥She¥–ê–í–ê–would¥notìspeak¥of¥their¥respective¥ordeals.¥She¥had¥made¥–ì–í–ì–herself¥clear¥already,¥had¥she¥not?¥But¥the¥otherìwomen¥were¥right,¥she¥was¥not¥angry¥with¥him.¥On¥the¥contrary,¥her¥–î–í–î–pride¥of¥him¥was¥mingledìwith¥an¥even¥greater¥pride¥of¥herself,¥for¥no¥woman¥of¥this¥Sisterhood¥had¥endured¥five¥–×–Ü Ý-@), Ü–×–dozen¥inÜ Ý-@), Üanybody's¥memory.¥Now¥they¥all¥knew¥her¥for¥what¥–ô–í–ô–she¥was,¥the¥bravest¥of¥the¥brave.¥And¥thisìwas¥all¥because¥of¥his¥silly¥conceitedness!¥She¥kissed¥him,¥and¥then¥she¥– –í– –actually¥took¥his¥sex¥andìmasturbated¥him¥and¥she¥told¥him¥–§–í–§–to¥fondle¥her¥breasts¥and¥play¥with¥her¥nipples.¥He¥wasícapable¥of¥that¥much¥work,¥eh?í¥¥¥¥¥And¥the¥pain,¥his¥pain¥and¥her¥pain,¥would¥go¥away,¥and¥–‰–í–‰–her¥wounds¥would¥heal¥(yes,¥her¥skinìhad¥broken¥under¥the¥whip¥in¥two¥places,¥in¥spite¥of¥Ariti's¥skill)¥but¥the¥pride¥–¾–í–¾–would¥remain,¥andìthe¥esteem¥of¥her¥fellow¥horsewomen.¥When¥––í––she¥was¥rested,¥she¥would¥use¥him¥more¥ruthlesslyìthan¥ever,¥now¥that¥she¥knew¥that¥he¥could¥take¥it.¥He¥would¥not¥forget¥–“–í–“–to¥whom¥he¥belonged,ìwould¥he?¥Stammering,¥he¥tried¥to¥–”–í–”–explain¥that¥he¥was¥more¥than¥ever¥her¥slave,¥and¥she¥restedílistening¥with¥her¥eyes¥nearly¥closed,¥purring¥like¥a¥cat.¥¥–Ý–í–Ý–After¥some¥time,¥she¥asked¥him¥if¥hisìerection¥had¥helped.¥¥At¥first,¥thinking¥of¥the¥hard-on¥he¥was¥presently¥enjoying,¥–›–í–›–he¥did¥notìunderstand¥what¥she¥meant.¥The¥one¥he¥had¥when¥the¥whipping¥began,¥stupid.¥Was¥he¥serious---–œ–ìhad¥he¥not¥noticed¥it?¥She¥laughed¥tolerantly¥at¥him.¥–Ÿ–í–Ÿ––à–í¥¥¥¥¥¥On¥the¥second¥day,¥she¥used¥him¥several¥times,¥mounting¥–Ø–í–Ø–him¥and¥taking¥him¥into¥herself,ìbut¥without¥riding¥him¥to¥the¥finish.¥Instead¥she¥rested¥on¥top¥of¥him,¥motionless¥––í––until¥he¥couldìnot¥hold¥his¥erection¥any¥longer,¥and¥even¥––í––beyond¥that¥stage.¥His¥body¥was¥still¥aching,¥as¥herìbody¥must¥be¥too,¥but¥he¥did¥not¥complain.¥What¥she¥did¥served¥as¥– –í– –proof¥of¥the¥sincerity¥of¥herìwords.¥On¥the¥third¥day,¥she¥– –í– –copulated¥with¥him¥and¥rode¥him¥to¥orgasm,¥and¥this¥time¥sheíused¥the¥ring.í¥¥¥¥¥¥After¥the¥ride,¥she¥talked.¥She¥told¥him¥about¥the¥––í––things¥that¥she¥would¥do¥to¥him¥in¥the¥nearìfuture,¥what¥she¥would¥have¥Ariti¥do¥to¥him.¥He¥would¥be¥treated¥more¥harshly¥––í––than¥any¥otherìslave¥of¥this¥sisterhood,¥more¥cruelly.¥But¥––í––she¥would¥do¥this¥because¥of¥her¥regard¥for¥him,¥andìbecause¥he¥was¥braver¥than¥any¥other¥slave¥she¥had¥ever¥known¥or¥––í––heard¥about,¥and¥clearlyìdemanded¥a¥stern¥regime.¥And¥he¥––í––told¥her,¥as¥he¥had¥done¥on¥that¥evening¥of¥the¥rite¥ofípassage,¥that¥he¥accepted¥whatever¥she¥would¥to¥do,¥and¥that¥––í––it¥would¥not¥diminish¥the¥love¥thatìhe¥felt¥for¥her.¥Not¥until¥then¥did¥he¥remember¥that¥he¥had¥never¥before¥dared¥– –í– –declare¥openly¥hisìfeelings¥toward¥her.¥A¥slave¥should¥keep¥–"–í–"–his¥emotions¥to¥himself,¥except¥when¥he¥was¥punishedìof¥course,¥or¥tortured¥for¥the¥pleasure¥of¥his¥owner,¥who¥would¥–&–í–&–then¥find¥satisfaction¥in¥his¥showìof¥distress.¥But¥Atossa¥was¥not¥displeased.¥Instead¥she¥conceded¥that¥she¥held¥him¥–*–í–*–in¥higherìregard¥than¥was¥common¥with¥mistresses¥and¥slaves.¥–-–¥–-–And¥that,¥he¥presumed,¥was¥the¥nearestìthing¥to¥a¥–/–í–/–declaration¥of¥love¥on¥her¥part.í¥¥¥¥¥On¥the¥fourth¥day,¥he¥got¥up¥and¥worked.¥As¥he¥was¥labouring¥–4–í–4–at¥turning¥the¥hand¥mill,ìgrinding¥cornmeal,¥Silini¥and¥–6–í–6–Ginesse¥walked¥by,¥stopped¥and¥looked¥at¥him.¥Both¥his¥andíGinesse's¥body¥were¥still¥marked¥with¥the¥purplish¥stripes¥–8–í–8–from¥the¥whipping.¥But¥she¥was¥proudìand¥merry,¥and¥she¥and¥Silini¥cocked¥their¥heads¥together¥and¥whispered¥and¥–<–í–<–giggled.¥Theyìbehaved¥like¥lovers.¥They¥were¥of¥course¥–>–í–>–lovers,¥and¥it¥was¥perhaps¥a¥special¥favour¥that¥one¥hadíbeen¥given¥permission¥to¥whip¥the¥other.¥Silini¥spoke¥first¥–@–í–@–to¥him.¥She¥wanted¥to¥borrow¥him.¥Heìindicated¥his¥submission,¥but¥she¥would¥have¥to¥ask¥Atossa's¥permission¥–D–í–D–first.¥She¥departed;ìGinesse¥made¥him¥stand¥in¥front¥of¥her¥–F–í–F–while¥she¥scrutinised¥and¥felt¥his¥welts.¥Silini¥returnedíafter¥a¥while,¥brandishing¥the¥pain-ring¥as¥proof¥of¥–H–í–H–Atossa's¥consent.í¥¥¥¥¥¥In¥the¥tent¥that¥belonged¥to¥Ginesse's¥mother¥Timesse,¥–K–í–K–who¥was¥out¥hunting,¥they¥pushed¥himìover¥and¥played¥with¥him.¥Silini¥gave¥her¥friend¥a¥thorough¥demonstration¥of¥male¥–O–í–O–anatomy¥andìits¥use.¥Ginesse¥was¥made¥to¥toy¥with¥the¥–Q–í–Q–nipple-rings,¥caress¥the¥slave's¥balls¥and¥squeeze¥andìpinch¥his¥erect¥member.¥She¥was¥fascinated,¥but¥hesitant.¥Perhaps¥–U–í–U–she¥should¥leave¥the¥male¥sexìalone¥until¥she¥had¥received¥her¥tattoos?¥All¥right,¥if¥she¥felt¥that¥way¥...¥so¥Silini¥–Y–Ü Ý-@), Ü–Y–used¥himÜ Ý-@), Üinstead,¥tying¥him¥to¥the¥four¥stakes,¥pulling¥his¥–[–í–[–gland¥through¥the¥ring¥and¥then¥mounting¥himìand¥riding¥him¥very¥roughly,¥as¥if¥she¥wanted¥to¥impress¥Ginesse¥with¥her¥–_–í–_–imperiousness¥and¥herìdisregard¥of¥the¥slave's¥comfort.¥She¥–a–í–a–kept¥herself¥firmly¥under¥control,¥and¥as¥he¥was¥still¥tiredíand¥had¥been¥used¥by¥Atossa¥the¥previous¥evening,¥she¥–c–í–c–enjoyed¥a¥long¥ride.¥While¥the¥pain¥of¥theìring¥and¥the¥ache¥in¥his¥member¥rose¥and¥slowly¥drowned¥him¥and¥robbed¥him¥of¥–g–í–g–his¥ownìself-control,¥he¥was¥still¥able¥to¥drink¥the¥sight¥–i–í–i–of¥Silini¥moving¥rhythmically¥above¥him.¥She¥hadìlovely¥breasts,¥small¥and¥conical¥but¥so¥firm¥that¥they¥pointed¥out¥–m–í–m–and¥up¥even¥when¥she¥was¥onìher¥back,¥and¥with¥strange,¥long¥nipples¥that¥reminded¥him¥of¥almonds,¥and¥then¥his¥orgasm–p–ìcame¥and¥he¥was¥no¥longer¥a¥subject¥being¥used¥but¥one¥with¥–s–í–s–his¥rider.í¥¥¥¥¥¥And¥then¥he¥was¥made¥to¥serve¥Ginesse¥too,¥lying¥between¥–v–í–v–her¥thighs,¥kissing¥and¥licking¥herìsex,¥caressing¥her¥breasts¥and¥nipples¥while¥he¥pushed¥his¥tongue¥as¥far¥into¥–z–í–z–her¥vagina¥as¥heìcould.¥She¥was¥very¥pleased¥with¥him.¥Yes,¥–|–í–|–he¥was¥well¥versed¥in¥the¥art¥of¥satisfying¥a¥womanìnow.¥¥––í––Atossa¥had¥been¥a¥good¥teacher.í–¥–í–¥–(To¥be¥continued¥with¥part¥6)í–ª–íííí–ª–