ØWPC™ [º‘–\S*½’Ø-Lõb$õÜ,3D„(ßðìøkWç 5~ÓfƒµÔšü’íuíFµ7Ĺ곳µ —­'î[øÑå¼O”è 8ByÚ·Xü‰Ö8¡J¥[8Úý–›»ªIÿ©À˜Ø ø|`'-½y¤ã(ó¼@G­æ„›[ YÇd´m)Shu|o]F½E£Ð¼ßÚu{iÝ–Äô,ó¸õö% rùFn¢Cà˜_M3m!Z§Fó®~¼U}—˜õ75¢^&Åu¿âKÏøŒp4Ĩ¦hÕÎþÏ%v¶í‹¥Q åÎ`¥Í{ ’Ò$šä_ôܯöJz¿ó4*.Vy&míŸõRNí«=é‹G¦ ˜iêõ¬­!aƒÎžŠbþÒ8”øßHõvJÒmÇæ6ßrµ“¾Ð1³  ]fü7sÐÉÏÔlÂœH€„Ú¡±›À–ƒSZ‰¼öÊ'óhŽøέ_8ªæ-éÀùÇÙ2}Áy;ˆMf™;ÊlâV¢î$ä:DÈ$PÈ|èµ=qjÔTUNd %Ó 0(ü4ˆ#|xÌ(…Ì9 Z Ñ6Times New Roman RegularX($ÁÁEi!p™` Ø  °!     ––í––~Subject:¥THE¥HORSEWOMEN¥pt¥1¥(BDSM¥fantasy¥story)í~From:¥an438434@anon.penet.fi¥(Umbra)í~Date:¥Fri,¥24¥Nov¥1995¥21:21:49¥UTCí~Newsgroups:¥alt.sex.bondage,alt.sex.femdomíííNOTE:¥this¥story¥is¥for¥adults¥only.¥As¥will¥be¥evident,¥allícharacters¥and¥settings¥and¥all¥action¥are¥entirelyífictitious.í============================================ííTHE¥HORSEWOMENía¥Love¥Storyíby¥Jeanne¥de¥SteinííNine¥parts¥posted¥separately.¥This¥is¥#¥1íParts¥posted¥one¥every¥weekend¥to¥this¥group.íí1.¥THE¥CAPTUREíí¥¥¥¥¥He¥ran,¥without¥knowing¥why.¥He¥knew¥that¥he¥was¥lost.¥They¥––í––were¥mounted,¥he¥was¥on¥foot.ìThey¥could¥have¥taken¥him¥anytime,¥but¥they¥were¥probably¥playing¥him,¥the¥way¥you¥––í––play¥a¥fishìon¥a¥hook.í¥¥¥¥Why,¥by¥the¥Nether¥Gods,¥had¥he¥been¥dumb¥enough¥to¥try¥– –í– –to¥cross¥the¥Grasslands?¥Especiallyìon¥foot?¥Out¥here,¥he¥was¥helpless.¥He¥should¥have¥found¥a¥way¥through¥the¥forest¥––í––instead.¥Itìmight¥have¥taken¥him¥two¥weeks,¥three¥weeks,¥but¥––í––so¥what?¥He¥would¥have¥made¥it.¥But¥now¥...ìhe¥tried¥not¥to¥––í––think¥of¥what¥lay¥in¥store¥for¥him.í¥¥¥¥Instead,¥he¥ran.¥Not¥that¥it¥would¥change¥the¥outcome;¥––í––but¥there¥are¥times¥when¥reason¥is¥notìapplicable.¥His¥breath¥seared¥his¥throat,¥his¥lungs¥fought¥for¥air¥and¥his¥––í––legs¥were¥growing¥everìheavier.¥Still,¥he¥ran,¥while¥the¥horizon¥rocked¥slowly¥in¥front¥of¥him¥and¥the¥ochre¥grass¥––í––grewìfuzzy.í¥¥¥¥The¥Coastlands¥and¥the¥Marches¥were¥alive¥with¥the¥–!–í–!–rumours¥of¥what¥the¥Horsewomen¥did¥toìthe¥males¥that¥fell¥into¥their¥hands.¥If¥you¥were¥lucky,¥they¥knifed¥you¥before¥–%–í–%–cutting¥off¥yourìmember¥for¥a¥trophy,¥but¥you¥could¥just¥as¥–'–í–'–well¥be¥out¥of¥luck.¥Those¥who¥screamed¥wereìsometimes¥silenced¥by¥having¥their¥testicles¥thrust¥down¥their¥–+–í–+–throats.¥If¥you¥were¥really¥out¥ofìluck,¥you¥would¥be¥spared¥for¥the¥moment,¥only¥to¥be¥slowly¥tortured¥to¥death¥–/–í–/–later,¥for¥theìamusement¥of¥the¥sisterhood.¥These¥women¥were¥–1–í–1–said¥to¥delight¥in¥torturing¥males.¥Even¥stayingìwith¥the¥Lord¥En-Tor¥and¥accepting¥your¥punishment¥for¥–5–í–5–insubordination¥would¥have¥been¥better.ìAt¥least,¥he¥would¥–7–í–7–have¥stayed¥alive---presumably.í¥¥¥¥They¥were¥close¥now.¥He¥could¥hear¥the¥sound¥of¥hooves,¥–:–í–:–hear¥the¥pursuers¥yelling¥in¥theirìharsh¥voices,¥like¥birds¥of¥prey¥on¥the¥wing.¥There¥were¥other¥stories¥of¥course,¥–>–í–>–about¥howìcaptive¥males¥were¥used,¥yarns¥that¥had¥been¥spun¥–@–í–@–with¥delight¥mixed¥with¥horror.¥It¥was¥knownìthat¥the¥horsewomen¥kept¥male¥slaves,¥too.¥But¥just¥now¥these¥stories¥–D–í–D–lacked¥credibility.ìTherefore¥he¥kept¥running¥in¥a¥gathering¥–F–í–F–red¥mist.í¥¥¥¥The¥ground¥was¥rising¥in¥front¥of¥him,¥and¥the¥horizon¥–I–Ü @-Æ(, Ü–I–closed¥in.¥He¥felt¥his¥legs¥wobble.¥NearÜ @-Æ(, Üthe¥top¥of¥the¥little¥rise---it¥was¥not¥six¥feet¥high---they¥folded¥under¥–M–í–M–him¥and¥that¥was¥the¥end¥ofìit.¥The¥ground¥reeled¥under¥him.¥The¥grass¥was¥dry¥and¥coarse¥and¥tasted¥of¥dust,¥a¥bitter¥–Q–í–Q–mineralìtaste.¥He¥heard¥the¥rumble¥of¥thunder¥coming¥up¥–S–í–S–close;¥or¥was¥it¥the¥hoofs?í¥¥¥¥He¥stayed¥face¥down,¥desperately¥clutching¥at¥the¥grass¥–V–í–V–that¥stung¥his¥skin,¥waiting¥for¥the¥coldìsteel¥between¥his¥shoulderblades.¥He¥would¥have¥preferred¥to¥meet¥them¥–Z–í–Z–standing,¥but¥his¥bodyìdeserted¥him.¥Now¥he¥felt¥a¥knee¥in¥the¥small¥of¥his¥back;¥he¥froze¥but¥caught¥a¥glimpse¥of¥a–]–ìleather¥boot,¥and¥further¥away¥the¥other¥horsewoman,¥–`–í–`–mounted,¥black¥against¥the¥sun¥and¥with¥aìlance¥pointing¥in¥his¥direction.¥He¥fought¥desperately¥for¥air.¥The¥woman¥–d–í–d–behind¥his¥back¥yelped¥aìcommand¥and¥gripped¥him¥above¥both¥–f–í–f–elbows.¥He¥felt¥her¥strap¥his¥arms¥together¥behind¥his¥back,ívery¥hard,¥very¥close¥to¥each¥other,¥and¥his¥face¥was¥again¥–h–í–h–ground¥into¥the¥warm,¥bitter¥dust.¥Hisìbrain¥seemed¥to¥have¥ceased¥to¥function;¥his¥wits¥had¥deserted¥him¥completely.¥–l–í–l––m–í¥¥¥¥¥She¥rose¥and¥nudged¥him¥between¥his¥ribs¥with¥the¥toe¥of¥her¥boot.¥Again¥she¥yelped;–p–ìgroaning,¥he¥rolled¥over¥and¥saw¥–s–í–s–her¥as¥a¥shadow¥above¥him.¥Her¥foot¥against¥his¥shoulder,íshe¥pushed¥him¥down¥and¥tore¥off¥his¥loincloth.¥The¥mounted¥–u–í–u–woman¥barked¥and¥they¥laughed,ìboth¥of¥them.¥A¥knife¥flashed.¥His¥belly¥muscles¥contracted,¥but¥the¥dismounted¥–y–í–y–woman¥put¥theìblade¥between¥her¥teeth,¥and¥in¥her¥hands¥she¥–{–í–{–held¥a¥long¥lariat-strap¥of¥rawhide.¥Then¥the¥kneeìagain,¥and¥roughly,¥roughly¥the¥strap¥was¥tied¥around¥his¥testicle¥––í––bag.¥Her¥hands¥were¥hard¥andìpurposeful¥and¥awakened¥no¥response¥in¥him.¥She¥jerked¥the¥lariat---no¥misunderstanding¥–°–í–°–on¥hisìpart¥was¥possible--¥and¥she¥rose,¥standing¥over¥him¥–·–í–·–with¥her¥hands¥on¥her¥hips,¥dark¥against¥theìdark¥blue¥–½–í–½–dry-season¥sky.í¥¥¥¥So¥they¥would¥not¥kill¥him¥at¥once.¥The¥only¥thing¥he¥–É–í–É–could¥do¥was¥to¥obey¥them¥and¥bide¥hisìtime.¥Perhaps¥an¥opportunity¥to¥escape¥would¥offer¥itself,¥if¥only¥the¥two¥–Ú–í–Ú–horsewomen¥wouldìgrow¥careless.¥His¥eyes¥were¥working¥better¥–Æ–í–Æ–now,¥though¥his¥throat¥was¥still¥hurting¥and¥his¥heartíthumped;¥he¥could¥discern¥the¥women¥clearly.¥He¥had¥never¥–â–í–â–seen¥horsewomen¥before.¥They¥wereìnaked¥like¥thrall-women---well,¥nearly---but¥they¥had¥no¥masters,¥that¥–ö–í–ö–he¥knew.¥The¥mounted¥one,ìwith¥the¥feathered¥lance¥that¥was¥still¥pointing¥at¥him,¥was¥older¥than¥the¥woman¥who¥had–ú–ìcaptured¥him.¥The¥young¥one¥had¥a¥quiver¥on¥her¥back,¥the¥–þ–í–þ–strap¥tight¥between¥her¥breasts,¥theìolder¥one¥a¥rawhidelariat¥with¥a¥eye¥made¥of¥bone,¥looped¥across¥her¥–Ê–í–Ê–shoulders.¥The¥older¥horseìwitch¥wore¥her¥straight,¥raven-black¥hair¥in¥a¥topknot¥slightly¥to¥the¥side¥of¥her¥–Û–í–Û–head,¥the¥youngìone¥had¥gathered¥it¥in¥the¥same¥place¥but¥in¥–Ï–í–Ï–a¥waving¥plume.¥Both¥wore¥necklaces¥of¥animal¥fangsìon¥strings.Their¥only¥real¥article¥of¥clothing¥was¥a¥crotch¥–»–í–»–clout.¥From¥their¥broad¥belts,¥decoratedìwith¥cowrie¥shells,¥hung¥pouches,¥ivory¥cases,¥knives¥with¥fringed¥sheaths¥and¥–¨–í–¨–carved¥boneìhandles¥and¥the¥straps¥that¥held¥the¥–¡–í–¡–crotch-length¥soft¥boots,¥also¥embellished¥with¥fringes¥andílines¥of¥cowries.í¥¥¥¥But¥the¥most¥striking¥thing¥was¥not¥their¥nakedness¥or¥–Ò–í–Ò–their¥strange¥outfits¥but¥their¥tattoos.ìThe¥dark¥blue¥patterns¥began¥at¥the¥hairline,¥changed¥their¥faces¥into¥–á–í–á–cruel¥tiger¥masks,¥coveredìtheir¥arms¥and¥bodies¥and¥continued¥into¥the¥tops¥of¥their¥boots.¥Even¥the¥nipples¥of¥–È–í–È–the¥youngìone¥were¥tattooed.¥The¥right¥breast¥was¥completely¥–¸–í–¸–covered¥by¥a¥whirling¥pattern,¥on¥the¥left¥oneìthe¥skin¥shone¥untouched¥between¥the¥starry¥rosette¥of¥the¥aureole¥–ç–í–ç–and¥the¥ornaments¥of¥herìchest,¥where¥birds¥and¥beasts¥seemed¥to¥be¥tearing¥each¥other¥to¥pieces¥among¥swirling¥––í––lines¥andìtatters¥of¥blue-black¥ornament.¥The¥older¥one¥was¥–‚–í–‚–so¥dark¥of¥skin¥that¥her¥patterns¥were¥difficultìto¥discern.–é–¥–é–í¥¥¥¥¥The¥impression¥of¥unbridled¥savagery¥was¥overwhelming.¥If¥–è–í–è–the¥rumours¥were¥only¥half¥true,ìthe¥impression¥would¥be¥correct.í¥¥¥¥Their¥horses¥were¥shaggy,¥with¥long¥manes¥and¥tails.¥The¥–Ü–Ü @-Æ(, Ü–Ü–women¥rode¥with¥wooden¥stirrupsÜ @-Æ(, Üand¥with¥furs¥over¥their¥saddles;¥when¥the¥hand-horse¥walked¥past¥he¥could¥see¥the¥–ï–í–ï–bow¥in¥its¥caseìby¥the¥saddle.¥They¥seemed¥to¥use¥no¥other¥–…–í–…–rein¥than¥a¥strap¥around¥the¥lower¥jaw¥of¥the¥horse.í¥¥¥¥The¥young¥one¥was¥jerking¥at¥the¥lariat¥again,¥pulling¥–ô–í–ô–him¥to¥his¥knees.¥The¥horizon¥was¥stillìunsteady,¥and¥he¥was¥not¥getting¥enough¥air.¥An¥inner¥voice¥told¥him¥though,¥very¥– –í– –insistently,¥thatìhe¥must¥not¥make¥these¥strange¥women¥–§–í–§–impatient.¥Submissively,¥he¥tried¥to¥rise,¥but¥got¥only¥toíhis¥knees,¥reeling.¥Now¥the¥woman¥was¥holding¥a¥leather¥–‡–í–‡–flask.¥With¥her¥other¥hand¥she¥graspedìhis¥hair,¥with¥her¥teeth¥she¥pulled¥the¥plug¥and¥then¥she¥stuck¥the¥neck¥of¥the¥–Œ–í–Œ–bottle¥into¥hisìmouth.¥It¥was¥water.¥It¥had¥a¥stale¥leathery¥––í––taste,¥but¥it¥was¥life.¥He¥shook¥his¥head¥and¥heìregained¥his¥feet,¥reeling.¥More¥water?¥He¥shook¥his¥head¥again,¥but¥–‘–í–‘–gratefully,¥hoping¥that¥hisìemotion¥was¥showing.¥What¥more¥–’–í–’–did¥he¥need?¥Freedom?¥Just¥keeping¥alive,¥perhaps.í¥¥¥¥The¥young¥one¥mounted¥her¥horse.¥She¥paid¥out¥enough¥–Ý–í–Ý–lariat¥so¥that¥he¥could¥march¥behindìher¥horse,¥and¥started¥out¥in¥an¥easterly¥direction¥at¥a¥walk.¥The¥older¥one¥–™–í–™–brought¥up¥the¥rearìwith¥her¥lance¥nonchalantly¥balanced¥–š–í–š–across¥the¥withers¥of¥the¥horse.¥What¥could¥a¥prisoner¥do,íon¥foot,¥his¥hands¥tied¥behind¥his¥back¥and¥towed¥by¥his¥–¿–í–¿–balls?¥They¥rode¥slowly,¥fortunately.í¥¥¥¥He¥felt¥dejected,¥as¥if¥walls¥had¥suddenly¥closed¥around¥–ž–í–ž–him.¥He¥hadbriefly¥tasted¥freedom,¥andìnow¥it¥was¥gone.¥The¥sunlight¥and¥the¥sky¥had¥lost¥their¥sparkle.¥His¥limbs¥felt¥–Ø–í–Ø–heavy,¥and¥thereìwas¥a¥metallic¥taste¥in¥his¥mouth.¥Was¥it¥––í––real,¥or¥was¥it¥the¥taste¥of¥captivity?¥The¥water¥hadíhelped,¥however.¥He¥felt¥stronger,¥and¥soon¥he¥no¥longer¥––í––experienced¥that¥stinging¥sensation¥inìhis¥back¥when¥he¥was¥thinking¥of¥the¥lance¥point.¥The¥woman¥in¥front¥kept¥the¥––í––strap¥taut,ìhowever.¥He¥trotted¥along,¥his¥eyes¥fixed¥on¥– –í– –her.¥They¥followed¥the¥back¥of¥her¥head¥with¥theìtightly¥gathered¥hair,¥the¥slender¥but¥strong¥neck,¥where¥the¥– –í– –pattern¥lines¥of¥her¥tattoos¥ran¥fromìher¥cheeks¥down¥to¥the¥muscular¥back;¥her¥shoulders,¥broad¥for¥a¥woman,¥her¥narrow¥––í––waist¥andìcurving¥hips.¥Her¥buttocks¥rested¥in¥the¥––í––saddle-fur¥but¥her¥thighs¥were¥hidden¥by¥the¥boots.ìWithout¥noticing¥the¥change,¥he¥was¥starting¥to¥see¥her¥as¥a¥woman,¥––í––not¥only¥as¥a¥mountedìshe-savage.¥She¥would¥have¥been¥comely¥––í––without¥her¥strange¥body¥decoration¥and¥in¥properìdress---or¥––í––completely¥naked,¥for¥that¥matter.í¥¥¥¥What¥sort¥of¥woman¥would¥she¥be,¥this¥being¥out¥of¥a¥tale¥––í––only¥half¥believed,¥a¥story¥out¥of¥theìplains¥that¥had¥given¥birth¥to¥so¥many¥legends?¥Was¥she¥a¥merciless¥killer,¥or¥an¥–"–í–"–equally¥mercilessìuser¥of¥male¥flesh,¥as¥some¥would¥have¥–$–í–$–it---or¥was¥there¥some¥trace¥in¥her¥of¥humanity¥(whateveríthat¥might¥mean),¥or¥even¥of¥womanhood¥as¥he¥had¥known¥and¥–&–í–&–appreciated¥it?¥She¥would¥not¥beìsoft¥and¥submissive,¥of¥course.¥Mastering¥her¥would¥be¥like¥taming¥a¥wild¥animal.¥¥–.–S–.–till,¥in¥spite¥ofìher¥fierceness,¥she¥would¥be¥good¥to¥touch,¥good¥to¥bed.í¥¥¥¥It¥was¥perhaps¥idle¥thoughts¥like¥these;¥perhaps¥it¥was¥the¥sight¥of¥her¥shameless¥nakedness---–2–ìhe¥was¥used¥to¥seeing¥civilized¥women,¥well¥protected¥from¥unchaste¥eyes¥--or¥the¥–6–í–6–constant¥pullìof¥the¥strap¥around¥his¥testicles,¥but¥after¥–8–í–8–about¥one¥hour's¥march¥he¥had¥a¥respectable¥hard-on.ìWhen¥he¥became¥aware¥of¥it,¥he¥was¥terrified:¥would¥his¥guards¥–<–í–<–discover¥it¥and¥be¥offended?¥Onìno¥account¥did¥he¥want¥to¥arouse¥their¥ire,¥now¥that¥he¥was¥completely¥in¥their¥power.¥¥¥¥–C–í¥¥¥¥–C–He¥did¥not¥escape¥his¥fate¥however.¥The¥young¥one¥looked¥behind¥herself,¥saw¥his¥impudentìerection¥and¥reined¥in¥her¥horse.¥His¥heartbeat¥came¥to¥a¥dead¥stop.¥But¥a¥grin¥cleaved¥–G–í–G–herìgrotesque¥mask,¥and¥she¥called¥to¥her¥companion,¥who¥–I–í–I–came¥up¥alongside¥them,¥thrust¥her¥lanceìinto¥the¥turf,¥jumped¥off¥her¥horse¥and¥stood¥close¥to¥him;¥the¥corners¥of¥–M–í–M–her¥eyes¥wrinkledìmerrily.¥Unceremoniously,¥she¥gripped¥his¥–O–í–O–shoulder¥with¥one¥hand¥and¥his¥member¥with¥the¥other,ìwhile¥she¥exchanged¥comments¥with¥her¥companion.¥¥To¥his¥–S–í–S–amazement,¥he¥felt¥himself¥growìeven¥stiffer.¥How¥could¥this¥horse-witch¥make¥him¥horny,¥in¥spite¥of¥the¥fear¥that¥he¥–W–í–W–felt¥of¥her¥(heìadmitted¥this¥to¥himself:–\–¥–\–¥when¥she¥laid¥her¥hand¥upon¥him,¥only¥his¥stiffness¥had¥saved¥him¥fromÜ @-Æ(, Üpissing¥out¥of¥sheer¥terror).¥The¥young¥horsewoman¥put¥a¥question¥to¥–^–í–^–the¥old¥one;¥the¥witchìlaughed¥and¥shook¥her¥head.¥She¥–`–í–`–mounted¥her¥pony¥again¥and¥the¥caravan¥moved¥on.¥But¥for¥aílong¥time,¥the¥two¥women¥continued¥to¥crack¥jokes¥about¥him¥–b–í–b–and¥laugh¥loudly¥and¥withoutìrestraint,¥and¥he¥could¥only¥–d–í–d–guess¥at¥what¥they¥were¥saying.í¥¥¥¥They¥travelled¥slowly¥and¥with¥many¥pauses¥while¥the¥sun¥–g–í–g–drifted¥west.¥Near¥the¥evening,¥whenìthe¥shadows¥were¥long¥and¥the¥sunlight¥was¥an¥orange¥glow¥suffusing¥the¥world,¥–k–í–k–carrying¥only¥aìmemory¥of¥the¥searing¥heat¥of¥the¥day,¥the¥–m–í–m–ground¥began¥to¥sink¥ahead¥of¥them¥and¥look¥greener.ìBushes¥were¥growing¥in¥denser¥clumps¥now,¥and¥a¥little¥later,¥they¥–q–í–q–became¥sparse¥trees;¥theìsteppe¥had¥changed¥into¥park-like¥–s–í–s–savanna.¥They¥were¥now¥following¥a¥clearly¥visible¥track,írunning¥alongside¥a¥skittish¥little¥brook¥bordered¥by¥green¥–u–í–u–foliage.¥The¥track¥rounded¥a¥rockyìknoll¥where¥the¥boulders¥seemed¥to¥have¥been¥shattered¥like¥skulls¥by¥a¥giant's¥axe¥–y–í–y–in¥ages¥past.ìBehind¥it,¥the¥brook¥tumbled¥noisily¥into¥a¥–{–í–{–little¥pond¥edged¥by¥gravel¥and¥small¥stones,¥and¥thereìwere¥sheltering¥walls¥of¥stone¥and¥a¥hut¥or¥rather¥a¥windbreak,¥––í––open¥to¥the¥south,¥of¥loosely¥piledìrock¥and¥with¥a¥simple¥ridged¥grass¥roof¥held¥down¥by¥more¥stones.¥Here¥they¥–°–í–°–halted.í¥¥¥¥The¥women¥did¥not¥take¥the¥trouble¥to¥tether¥him.¥He¥–º–í–º–could¥not¥hope¥to¥escape¥anyway,¥withìhis¥arms¥immobilised¥and¥without¥a¥horse.¥They¥busied¥themselves¥with¥the¥horses,¥–É–í–É–which¥wereìhobbled¥with¥straps¥around¥their¥front¥legs,¥and¥–Ô–í–Ô–then¥put¥out¥to¥graze¥on¥their¥own.¥Theìwater-skins¥were¥filled.¥The¥older¥woman¥made¥a¥fire¥and¥fetched¥water¥in¥a¥–Æ–í–Æ–leather¥pail.¥A¥bronzeìkettle¥was¥lifted¥from¥its¥hook¥under¥–â–í–â–the¥ridgepole¥and¥put¥on¥the¥fire.í¥¥¥¥Now¥he¥could¥have¥a¥closer¥look¥at¥them.¥The¥young¥one¥–ð–í–ð–might¥be¥twenty¥or¥a¥little¥more---itìwas¥not¥easy¥to¥judge¥the¥age¥of¥a¥woman¥of¥such¥strange¥aspect.¥Her¥skin¥under¥–ú–í–ú–the¥tattoos¥wasìolive¥brown,¥smooth¥over¥firm¥muscles;¥she¥–ý–í–ý–was¥very¥erect¥and¥walked¥with¥a¥nonchalant¥swaggerìthat¥he¥had¥hitherto¥seen¥only¥in¥men---and¥only¥in¥the¥strongest¥–Ä–í–Ä–and¥most¥self-assured¥amongìthem.¥The¥older¥one¥was¥even¥more¥difficult¥to¥assess,¥but¥she¥had¥a¥few¥grey¥hairs¥in¥–£–í–£–among¥theìblack.¥None¥of¥them¥had¥an¥ounce¥of¥superfluous¥–´–í–´–fat¥on¥their¥bodies,¥but¥while¥the¥young¥witchìwas¥made¥up¥entirely¥of¥muscle,¥the¥older¥one¥seemed¥to¥have¥been¥–©–í–©–braided,¥knotted¥and¥twistedìout¥of¥bundles¥of¥rawhide.¥Both¥had¥small,¥pointed¥breasts,¥the¥young¥one's¥firmer,¥but¥the¥–Жí–Жolderìwoman's¥were¥still¥springy.í¥¥¥¥¥What¥did¥their¥faces¥look¥like¥behind¥their¥bestial¥–¡–í–¡–masks?¥His¥first¥impression¥was¥that¥theyìwere¥outlandishly¥ugly.¥They¥had¥slightly¥sloping¥foreheads,¥long¥prominent¥–«–í–«–noses¥(the¥older¥one'sìboldly¥hooked),¥high¥cheekbones,¥–¦–í–¦–broad¥mouths¥and¥receding¥chins.¥In¥the¥face¥of¥the¥olderíwoman,wind¥and¥sun¥had¥wrinkled¥the¥skin¥around¥her¥eyes,¥–ü–í–ü–and¥decisiveness¥and¥cruelty¥wereìwritten¥around¥the¥corners¥of¥her¥mouth.¥Both¥of¥them¥had¥peculiarly¥light¥brown,¥–¹–í–¹–nearly¥yellowìeyes,¥like¥animals.¥But¥boldness¥and¥power¥–²–í–²–shone¥like¥an¥aura¥around¥them.¥They¥moved¥likeìlionesses,¥and¥suddenly¥he¥saw¥that,¥though¥abominable,¥they¥were¥–å–í–å–beautiful.í¥¥¥¥¥The¥young¥witch¥rested¥her¥quiver¥against¥the¥saddle,¥by¥––í––the¥wall,¥and¥without¥embarrassmentìshe¥took¥off¥what¥little¥she¥had¥on.¥He¥tried¥not¥to¥show¥that¥he¥was¥stealing¥a¥–ƒ–í–ƒ–look.¥With¥the¥aidìof¥her¥teeth¥she¥untied¥the¥left¥arm's¥–è–í–è–leather¥bowstring¥guard,¥unhooked¥the¥bronze¥buckle¥of¥heríbelt¥and¥stepped¥out¥of¥her¥boots.¥Her¥tattoos¥continued¥–ê–í–ê–down¥to¥her¥toes.¥Then¥the¥crotch-clout,ìand¥she¥was¥naked,¥apart¥from¥the¥necklace.¥Without¥condescending¥to¥give¥the¥–„–í–„–captive¥a¥look,ìshe¥walked¥into¥the¥water-hole¥up¥to¥her¥–î–í–î–hips¥and¥washed¥with¥visible¥pleasure.¥When¥sheìemerged¥from¥the¥water,¥she¥shook¥herself¥like¥a¥wet¥dog,¥shedding¥water¥–×–í–×–in¥all¥directions¥whileìshe¥passed¥close¥by¥her¥captive.¥Now¥–ô–í–ô–she¥stopped¥and¥looked¥at¥him,¥covered¥with¥sweat¥and¥dustías¥he¥was.¥Then¥she¥smiled---inscrutably,¥but¥still¥a¥–ó–í–ó–smile---picked¥up¥the¥strap¥and¥led¥him¥intoìthe¥water.–†–¥–†–Ü @-Æ(, Ü¥¥¥¥¥It¥was¥cool¥and¥refreshing;¥the¥bottom¥of¥gravel¥and¥–§–í–§–stone¥was¥firm.¥She¥was¥quiteìconsiderate:¥she¥made¥him¥sit¥–‡–í–‡–down¥and¥she¥washed¥his¥face¥and¥shoulders;¥she¥stood¥him¥upíand¥rubbed¥him¥clean¥with¥her¥hands.¥Now¥they¥had¥the¥older¥–‹–í–‹–witch¥for¥company,¥just¥as¥naked¥asìthey¥were,¥and¥she¥scrubbed¥his¥back¥and¥behind¥while¥the¥young¥one¥washed¥his¥––í––member¥andballsìcarefully.¥She¥was¥very¥close¥now;¥while¥her¥–Ž–í–Ž–companion¥washed,¥she¥grasped¥his¥shoulders¥andìrubbed¥herself¥against¥him.¥Though¥he¥was¥tired–”–¥–”–and¥cold,¥her¥touch¥lit¥a¥spark¥of¥lust¥inside¥him.ìHer¥face¥was¥very¥close¥to¥his,¥but¥he¥could¥not¥bring¥himself¥to¥look¥into¥her¥–˜–í–˜–eyes---perhaps¥heìshould¥avoid¥doing¥that¥and¥try¥to¥look¥–™–í–™–completely¥subdued.¥Instead¥he¥looked¥past¥her¥and¥sawìthe¥older¥horsewoman,¥her¥arms¥raised¥while¥she¥gathered¥her¥wet¥–¿–í–¿–hair;¥and¥to¥his¥amazement,¥sheìtoo¥fanned¥that¥spark.¥What¥–œ–í–œ–could¥make¥him¥lust¥for¥women¥such¥as¥these?í¥¥¥¥Back¥on¥dry¥ground,¥the¥red¥sun¥was¥still¥giving¥off¥a¥–à–í–à–feeble¥warmth,¥but¥he¥started¥to¥shake.ìHe¥felt¥desperately¥tired.¥They¥rubbed¥him¥dry¥with¥a¥bundle¥of¥hay,¥as¥if¥he¥––í––had¥been¥a¥horse,¥andìput¥a¥coarsely¥woven¥riding¥cloak¥––í––around¥him.¥When¥his¥shaking¥had¥ceased,¥they¥stood¥quietlyíwatching¥him.¥The¥young¥one¥caught¥his¥eye,¥laid¥her¥hand¥––í––between¥her¥breasts¥and¥said:ì--Sarissa.¥Then¥she¥indicated¥––í––her¥companion¥and¥gave¥her¥a¥name¥too:¥--Atossa.í¥––¥––¥¥¥It¥was¥an¥introduction.¥Of¥all¥the¥things¥that¥had¥happened¥to¥him¥since¥his¥capture,¥nothingìhad¥reassured¥him¥more¥than¥this¥simple¥act¥of¥communication.¥You¥do¥not¥formally¥introduceìyourself¥to¥somebody¥you¥intend¥to¥torture¥to¥death.¥He¥told¥his¥own¥name¥but¥got¥shakes¥ofíheads¥and¥two¥indulgent¥laughs¥for¥an¥answer.¥Ha¥ha!¥Androu!¥Androu!¥Were¥males¥not¥allowedìnames¥in¥their¥world?í¥¥¥¥They¥rested¥around¥the¥fire.¥He¥was¥beginning¥to¥feel¥––í––warm¥again,¥and¥more¥at¥ease.¥Slowly,ìstrength¥was¥returning¥to¥him.¥The¥women,¥who¥had¥dressed¥again¥(if¥one¥may¥call¥it¥––í––that)¥gaveìhim¥to¥drink¥and¥fed¥him¥strips¥of¥dried¥meat,¥––í––boiled¥with¥herbs.¥His¥arms¥were¥still¥tied¥veryíuncomfortably¥together¥and¥they¥had¥not¥taken¥the¥trouble¥to¥––í––remove¥the¥bag-strap¥either,¥but¥theìfire¥gave¥comfort,¥the¥sight¥of¥female¥bodies¥was¥somehow¥comforting¥too,¥and¥the¥–#–í–#–behaviour¥ofìthe¥two¥women¥was¥not¥in¥the¥least¥alarming.¥¥–%–í–%–Sarissa¥and¥Atossa¥talked¥softly¥between¥them;ìnow¥and¥then¥they¥glanced¥at¥him¥with¥a¥mischievous¥look¥in¥their¥faces.¥–*–¥–*–By¥and¥by,¥they¥grewìexhilarated.¥They¥laughed¥between¥them,¥–,–í–,–sat¥down¥on¥both¥sides¥of¥him¥and¥pushed¥him¥over,¥feltìand¥–.–í–.–squeezed¥him.í¥¥¥¥¥Soon,¥they¥were¥caressing¥him.¥He¥was¥resting¥in¥an¥–1–í–1–uncomfortable¥position,¥his¥back¥archedìand¥his¥hips¥high¥as¥his¥arms¥were¥tied¥under¥him.¥Still,¥he¥felt¥it¥prudent¥to¥–5–í–5–accept¥this.¥The¥twoìwomen¥set¥to¥work¥in¥earnest.¥They¥were¥–7–í–7–good,¥even¥the¥young¥Sarissa¥seemed¥to¥know¥exactlyìhow¥to¥make¥a¥male¥randy.¥An¥unreasonable¥but¥uncontrollable¥fear¥–;–í–;–of¥what¥their¥hands¥would¥doìto¥him,¥when¥they¥got¥down¥to¥business,¥possessed¥him¥at¥first.¥When¥finally¥this¥fear¥had¥–?–í–?–abated,ìhis¥real¥excitement¥began.¥He¥banished¥all¥thought¥–A–í–A–of¥what¥would¥become¥of¥him¥and¥thought¥ofìthe¥present¥only.¥¥He¥groaned¥with¥pleasure¥while¥Sarissa¥pulled¥the¥skin¥of¥–E–í–E–his¥member¥up¥andìdown.¥Atossa¥tickled,¥pulled,¥wrenched,¥–G–í–G–pinched¥and¥bit¥his¥nipples.¥She¥hurt¥him,¥but¥curiouslyíenough,¥the¥pain¥increased¥his¥randiness¥instead¥of¥–I–í–I–quenching¥it.¥They¥both¥observed¥himìcarefully:¥obviously,¥–K–í–K–they¥did¥not¥want¥to¥lose¥control¥of¥him.í¥¥¥¥¥Atossa¥departed¥but¥returned¥with¥an¥oblong¥object¥made¥–N–í–N–out¥of¥horn,¥in¥the¥shape¥of¥a¥thickìmale¥organ.¥He¥looked¥at¥it¥in¥dumb¥horror.¥He¥had¥begun¥to¥expect¥a¥pleasant¥–R–í–R–night;¥had¥heìmisjudged¥the¥situation¥completely?¥Gesturing¥–T–í–T–at¥their¥knifes,¥the¥women¥had¥him¥lie¥face¥downìacross¥Atossa's¥saddle.¥He¥knew¥better¥than¥trying¥to¥resist;¥after¥–X–í–X–all,¥torture¥and¥death¥were¥notìquite¥the¥same¥thing.¥¥¥Torture¥could¥be¥worse¥than¥death¥itself:¥he¥had¥seen¥this¥–]–í–]–himself,¥and¥thisìfact¥was¥the¥very¥foundation¥of¥Lord¥–_–Ü @-Æ(, Ü–_–En-Tor's¥rule.¥But¥it¥could¥also¥be¥a¥temporary¥horror,Ü @-Æ(, Üpossible¥to¥survive.¥Atossa¥gave¥him¥a¥last¥shove,¥and¥then¥–a–í–a–she¥put¥the¥tip¥of¥the¥unspeakableìinstrument¥to¥his¥anus.¥¥Then,¥slowly¥but¥inexorably¥she¥pushed¥the¥rod¥into¥him,¥–e–í–e–impaling¥him.¥Itìhurt¥him,¥but¥he¥would¥not¥reward¥them¥with¥–g–í–g–more¥than¥a¥groan,¥in¥spite¥of¥his¥fear.¥This¥seemedìto¥be¥all¥that¥they¥required,¥however.¥Atossa¥pushed¥and¥turned¥–k–í–k–the¥tool;¥when¥he¥felt¥it¥movingìinside¥him,¥a¥warm¥sensation¥spread¥across¥his¥crotch¥and¥reach–p–ed–p–¥his¥sex¥in¥spite¥of¥the¥pain.ìAgain,¥his¥member¥stiffened.í¥¥¥¥¥But¥his¥suspicion¥was¥aroused¥again¥when¥Sarissa¥hammered¥–s–í–s–down¥four¥tethering¥stakes¥intoìthe¥floor¥of¥the¥hut¥with¥a¥stone¥maul.¥Now¥they¥released¥his¥arms,¥but¥Atossa¥stood¥–w–í–w–erect¥withìher¥hand¥on¥the¥knife:¥no,¥he¥was¥not¥going¥to¥–y–í–y–provoke¥her.¥Moving¥clumsily¥because¥of¥the¥rod,ìhe¥suffered¥Sarissa¥to¥turn¥him¥on¥his¥back¥and¥tie¥his¥wrists¥to¥two¥of¥–}–í–}–the¥stakes,¥then¥his¥anklesìto¥the¥other¥two.¥The¥straps¥were¥pulled¥taut,¥and¥he¥was¥utterly¥helpless.¥He¥was¥–ª–í–ª–telling¥himselfìagain¥and¥again¥that¥nothing¥in¥their¥–°–í–°–behaviour¥threatened¥actual¥death¥or¥mutilation¥...¥at¥leastíhe¥tried¥to¥convince¥himself¥that¥it¥was¥so.¥Fear¥and¥–·–í–·–excitement¥were¥struggling¥for¥his¥attention;ìexcitement¥won.¥Then¥the¥two¥¥witches¥started¥their¥game¥anew.¥They¥threw¥off¥their¥crotch-–É–ìclouts¥and¥were¥naked¥again,¥except¥–Ô–í–Ô–for¥their¥belts¥and¥boots.¥They¥met,¥kissed¥avidly,¥suckedíeach¥other's¥breasts¥and¥stuck¥their¥hands¥into¥each¥other's¥–Ú–í–Ú–sex¥in¥a¥rising¥fury.¥Panting,¥theyìrubbed¥their¥bodies¥against¥each¥other.¥Nothing¥had¥prepared¥him¥to¥believe¥that¥–â–í–â–these¥womenìwould¥actually¥make¥love¥to¥each¥other.¥With¥the¥usual¥smugness¥of¥the¥male,¥he¥had¥believed---–ð–ìand¥nothing¥in¥the¥tales¥of¥the¥plains¥had¥suggested¥otherwise---that¥the¥–ú–í–ú–horsewomen¥had¥to¥relyìon¥males¥exclusively¥for¥their¥sexual¥–ý–í–ý–pleasure.¥That¥this¥was¥not¥so¥was¥a¥deeply¥disturbingíthought,¥but¥at¥least,¥they¥did¥seem¥interested¥in¥him¥in¥–ÿ–í–ÿ–his¥capacity¥as¥a¥male.¥He¥was¥soìfascinated¥with¥the¥spectacle¥of¥the¥two¥furies¥in¥front¥of¥him¥that¥the¥thought¥–Á–í–Á–never¥occurred¥toìhim¥that¥his¥virility¥might¥desert¥him.¥–£–í–£––Û–í¥¥¥¥¥Finally,¥Atossa¥disengaged;¥she¥crawled¥all¥over¥her¥–Ï–í–Ï–prisoner,¥straddled¥him¥and¥rubbed¥himìwith¥her¥wet¥vulva.¥¥Soon¥she¥was¥sitting¥on¥his¥face,¥and¥his¥mouth¥and¥nose¥–Ç–í–Ç–were¥enclosed¥byìher¥labia.¥She¥had¥a¥wild¥smell¥in¥spite¥of¥–Жí–Жher¥bath.¥He¥saw¥her¥body¥in¥a¥grotesque¥but¥excitingíperspective,¥the¥demon-like¥face¥looking¥down¥on¥him¥between¥–ø–í–ø–the¥jutting¥breasts,¥and¥then¥sheìchanged¥her¥position¥so¥that¥she¥was¥facing¥down¥his¥body.¥She¥pulled¥roughly¥at¥his¥–Ò–í–Ò–nipples,¥and,ìhalf¥suffocated,¥he¥felt¥Sarissa¥sitting¥–µ–í–µ–astride¥himself,¥burying¥her¥nails¥in¥his¥scrotum¥andímember.¥He¥whimpered.¥His¥signs¥of¥pain¥seemed¥to¥increase¥–á–í–á–their¥excitement.¥Atossa¥rose,¥andìhe¥saw¥Sarissa's¥dancing¥body¥and¥narrow,¥slanting¥eyes¥in¥the¥flickering¥light¥of¥–È–í–È–the¥fire.í¥¥¥¥Atossa¥returned¥a¥second¥time.¥Horrified,¥he¥saw¥the¥two¥–²–í–²–long,¥coarse¥skewers¥in¥her¥hand.¥Heìscarcely¥noticed¥that¥Sarissa¥raised¥herself¥and¥guided¥the¥tip¥of¥his¥member¥into¥–å–í–å–her¥body.¥Again,ìAtossa's¥sex¥was¥all¥over¥him.¥They¥rode¥–€–í–€–him¥unmercifully,¥and¥now¥he¥was¥aware¥that¥he¥wasìinside¥Sarissa¥and¥pleasure¥was¥rising¥like¥pain¥inside¥him.¥But¥–é–í–é–there¥was¥real¥pain,¥too:¥she¥wasìcoming¥down¥hard¥on¥his¥balls¥every¥time¥she¥rode¥down¥on¥him.¥He¥was¥close,¥and¥–í–í–í–they¥noticedìit.¥This¥was¥when¥Atossa¥grasped¥his¥right¥–ë–í–ë–nipple,¥pulled¥it¥savagely¥and¥thrust¥one¥of¥the¥skewersíthrough¥the¥aureole.¥The¥pain¥was¥a¥shock¥that¥ran¥through¥–Ü–í–Ü–his¥entire¥body.¥He¥screamed¥withoutìrestraint¥¥into¥her¥sex.¥The¥witches¥exulted¥and¥Sarissa¥took¥the¥gallop.¥Atossa¥–ï–í–ï–pierced¥the¥otherìnipple¥while¥her¥dripping¥wet¥vulva¥–…–í–…–suffocated¥his¥screaming¥and¥he¥came,¥unable¥to¥sort¥out¥theípleasure¥from¥the¥pain;¥Sarissa¥gave¥a¥cry.¥They¥collapsed¥–¯–í–¯–on¥top¥of¥him¥while¥the¥jerking¥of¥hisìbody¥slowly¥died¥–ò–í–ò–away.í¥¥¥¥¥They¥were¥strangely¥gentle¥afterwards.¥Atossa¥was¥lying¥– –í– –with¥her¥arm¥around¥him,¥panting,ìSarissa¥was¥rubbing¥her¥face¥against¥his.¥But¥they¥would¥not¥set¥him¥free:¥that¥–‡–í–‡–night,¥he¥had¥toìsleep¥with¥his¥arms¥still¥tied¥to¥the¥–‹–Ü @-Æ(, Ü–‹–stakes,¥and¥with¥both¥the¥rod¥and¥the¥skewers¥in¥place.¥HisÜ @-Æ(, Ülast¥thought,¥before¥his¥soul¥began¥its¥night-walk,¥was¥that¥–Œ–í–Œ–a¥repetition¥of¥this¥evening'sìexperiences¥was¥an¥idea¥too¥horrible¥to¥contemplate;¥but¥at¥the¥same¥time,¥he¥knew¥that¥–Ž–í–Ž–heìdesired¥these¥two¥women¥so¥much¥that¥he¥would¥soon¥be¥willing¥to¥face¥the¥music¥again,¥just¥inìorder¥to¥earn¥their¥attentions.¥–Ý–í¥¥¥¥¥–Ý–Next¥morning,¥they¥continued¥their¥march,¥now¥with¥Atossa¥leading;¥she¥rode¥leaning¥back¥andìswaying¥in¥the¥saddle;¥occasionally,¥both¥of¥them¥sang.¥His¥arms¥were¥–™–í–™–still¥tied¥behind¥his¥backìand¥Atossa¥was¥holding¥the¥lariat,¥but¥they¥had¥at¥least¥pulled¥the¥rod¥out¥of¥his¥–¿–í–¿–ass-hole¥(and¥heìhad¥been¥made¥to¥wash¥it,¥of¥course,¥his¥–œ–í–œ–anus¥still¥searing¥with¥the¥memory¥of¥it).¥Sarissa¥rodeìnext¥to¥him¥when¥the¥ground¥permitted¥it,¥and¥once¥or¥twice¥she¥–ß–í–ß–looked¥down¥and¥smiled¥at¥him.ìBut¥the¥two¥skewers¥remained¥––í––where¥Atossa¥had¥pierced¥him,¥and¥they¥were¥spreading¥a¥dullípain¥which¥changed¥into¥a¥sting¥whenever¥he¥moved¥his¥––í––shoulders.¥He¥was¥still¥afraid¥of¥the¥twoìhorsewomen,¥but¥for¥a¥different¥reason:¥now¥he¥feared¥their¥caresses,¥not¥––í––their¥knives.í¥¥¥¥At¥noon,¥Sarissa¥reined¥in¥her¥horse,¥gazed¥at¥the¥– –í– –horizon¥and¥exchanged¥a¥few¥words¥withìAtossa,¥who¥nodded¥and¥urged¥her¥prisoner¥on¥again.¥But¥Sarissa¥trotted¥north¥– –í– –and¥disappeared.ìAtossa¥walked¥him¥toward¥a¥shady¥––í––umbrella-tree¥nearby,¥one¥that¥he¥had¥already¥cast¥longingíeyes¥at¥for¥a¥while.¥Here¥they¥paused.¥The¥witch¥spread¥her¥––í––cloak¥on¥the¥ground¥and¥he¥wasìallowed¥to¥lie¥down.¥The¥horse¥was¥free¥to¥graze,¥but¥soon¥it¥too¥withdrew¥into¥the¥––í––shade.ìAround¥them,¥the¥grasslands¥quivered¥and¥danced¥with¥––í––the¥heat.¥Atossa's¥mind¥seemed¥to¥haveìmellowed;¥she¥gave¥the¥prisoner¥water¥and¥felt¥his¥arms¥which¥were¥swollen¥––í––around¥the¥straps.ìShe¥thought¥for¥a¥moment.¥Then¥she¥tied¥––í––his¥ankles¥together,¥freed¥his¥arms¥and¥pulled¥them¥upìabove¥his¥head.¥At¥first¥he¥thought¥that¥she¥would¥fetter¥him¥the¥–!–í–!–same¥way¥as¥the¥previousìevening,¥and¥to¥the¥same¥purpose,¥–#–í–#–and¥for¥a¥moment,¥he¥was¥simultaneously¥scared¥andíexpectant;¥but¥she¥tied¥his¥wrists¥around¥the¥trunk¥of¥a¥–%–í–%–sapling¥that¥grew¥close¥to¥the¥large¥tree,ìand¥then¥she¥untied¥the¥strap¥around¥his¥ankles¥again.¥Relieved,¥he¥–)–í–)–understood¥her¥intention:¥sheìwanted¥to¥keep¥him¥under¥total¥control¥while¥she¥rested,¥but¥at¥the¥same¥time,¥she¥would¥–-–í–-–give¥himìa¥chance¥to¥recuperate.¥The¥new¥position¥was¥a¥–/–í–/–relief¥to¥his¥aching¥shoulders.¥She¥went¥as¥far¥asíunknotting¥the¥strap¥around¥his¥scrotum¥that¥he¥had¥worn¥for¥–1–í–1–a¥day¥and¥a¥night¥now¥withoutìrespite.¥He¥felt¥a¥sting¥of¥lust,¥together¥with¥the¥crawling¥sensation¥of¥the¥blood¥that¥–5–í–5–circulatedìfreely¥again,¥but¥Atossa¥was¥businesslike¥and¥–7–í–7–quick¥and¥it¥was¥soon¥over.í¥¥¥¥¥Now¥she¥bent¥over¥him¥and¥examined¥his¥nipples,¥still¥–:–í–:–pierced¥by¥the¥two¥skewers.¥She¥gruntedìand¥fetched¥a¥box¥that¥contained¥a¥salve¥with¥a¥strong¥smell¥of¥herbs;¥she¥put¥–>–í–>–on¥a¥little¥of¥it¥withìher¥finger¥on¥each¥nipple.¥It¥hurt,¥but¥he¥kept¥a¥straight¥face.¥She¥clearly¥wanted¥to¥help¥and¥–B–í–B–healìhim,¥not¥torture¥him.¥And¥strangely¥enough,¥her¥touch¥–D–í–D–awakened¥a¥vivid¥memory¥of¥the¥pastìnight,¥and¥not¥only¥of¥the¥pain¥and¥the¥terror¥but¥also¥of¥the¥lust¥and¥the¥–H–í–H–pleasure,¥which¥nowìseemed¥to¥him¥the¥greater¥and¥more¥–J–í–J–important¥memory.í¥¥¥¥Involuntarily,¥he¥sighed.¥Atossa¥pricked¥up¥her¥ears.¥She¥–M–í–M–regarded¥him¥for¥a¥while¥and¥this¥timeìhe¥returned¥her¥gaze,¥looking¥straight¥into¥her¥yellow¥eyes.¥Not¥a¥muscle¥moved¥in¥–Q–í–Q–her¥face.¥Thenìshe¥laid¥herself¥down¥by¥his¥side¥and¥grasped¥–S–í–S–his¥member.¥Gradually,¥it¥stiffened¥under¥her¥fingers.ìShe¥squeezed,¥and¥then¥she¥began¥to¥caress¥him¥slowly.¥She¥took¥–W–í–W–her¥time,¥lots¥of¥time.¥But¥when,ìafter¥what¥seemed¥an¥eternity,¥his¥breath¥grew¥irregular,¥she¥pressed¥her¥nails¥–[–í–[–into¥his¥rod¥andìslapped¥it¥with¥her¥palm.¥She¥saw¥him¥–]–í–]–grimace¥and¥she¥smiled¥a¥she-wolf¥smile,¥but¥her¥eyes¥wereímore¥amused¥than¥cruel.¥She¥gripped¥his¥testicles¥and¥–_–í–_–squeezed¥them,¥but¥now¥he¥had¥gatheredìhis¥wits¥and¥he¥did¥not¥show¥any¥fear.¥Atossa¥looked¥searchingly¥at¥him;¥then¥–c–í–c–she¥rested¥again,ìstill¥with¥his¥bag¥in¥a¥firm¥grip.¥He¥–e–í–e–wished¥she¥would¥caress¥him¥again,¥but¥she¥did¥not.¥After¥aíwhile,¥his¥excitement¥and¥his¥erection¥receded.¥Still,¥they¥–g–Ü @-Æ(, Ü–g–were¥resting¥quietly,¥looking¥into¥eachÜ @-Æ(, Üother's¥eyes¥when¥Sarissa¥returned¥much¥later¥with¥a¥little¥grass¥antelope¥–k–í–k–slung¥in¥front¥of¥herìsaddle.í¥¥¥¥Again,¥the¥two¥women¥made¥a¥fire¥with¥a¥stone¥and¥a¥piece¥–n–í–n–of¥steel¥out¥of¥Atossa's¥belt¥pouch.ìThe¥meat¥was¥grilled¥and¥eaten,¥and¥the¥captive¥too¥was¥fed.¥When¥the¥sun¥moved¥–r–í–r–west,¥theyìcontinued¥through¥the¥heat¥and¥the¥blinding¥–t–í–t–light.¥Atossa¥was¥her¥harsh¥self¥again,¥but¥the¥memoryìof¥her¥unexpected¥charity¥remained.¥She¥was¥human¥after¥all.¥–y–¥–y–She¥could¥even¥be¥tender.¥His¥armsìwere¥tied¥behind¥his¥back¥again,¥but¥by¥his¥wrists¥now,¥and¥he¥was¥better¥able¥to¥move¥–}–í–}–hisìshoulders.¥But¥he¥was¥still¥treated¥very¥––í––unceremoniously.¥After¥a¥while,¥his¥bladder¥began¥toìtrouble¥him,¥but¥he¥dared¥not¥try¥to¥make¥the¥women¥halt.¥When¥the¥–°–í–°–urge¥grew¥so¥strong¥that¥heìcould¥not¥restrain¥himself¥but¥–·–í–·–began¥to¥urinate,¥writhing¥inwardly¥with¥shame,¥he¥had¥toícontinue¥to¥do¥so¥while¥walking.¥But¥when¥the¥women¥–½–í–½–understood¥that¥he¥had¥to¥ease¥himselfìmore,¥they¥stopped¥–Å–í–Å–and¥had¥him¥squat¥in¥the¥high¥grass.í¥¥¥¥That¥night¥they¥slept¥in¥the¥open,¥under¥another¥–Ô–í–Ô–umbrella-tree,¥warmed¥by¥a¥dying¥fire¥and¥byìeach¥other.¥¥Atossa¥shared¥her¥cloak¥with¥him.¥She¥seemed¥interested¥in¥–Ζí–Ζhis¥welfare,¥evenìprotective.¥He¥had¥wondered,¥half¥scared¥–ã–í–ã–and¥half¥expectant,¥if¥they¥would¥amuse¥themselves¥byíplaying¥with¥him¥again,¥but¥they¥seemed¥to¥be¥completely¥–ð–í–ð–sated.¥He¥rested¥for¥a¥while,¥listening¥toìthe¥deafening¥night¥concert¥of¥the¥grass¥and¥tree¥creatures¥and¥the¥sound¥–ú–í–ú–of¥the¥wind¥in¥the¥highìcrown¥of¥the¥tree,¥but¥at¥last¥he¥–ý–í–ý–slept.¥What¥his¥spirit¥did¥that¥night,¥he¥did¥not¥know.í¥¥¥¥He¥woke¥up¥with¥a¥hard-on,¥and¥again,¥he¥felt¥Atossa's¥–õ–í–õ–hand¥around¥his¥member¥while¥heìdisentangled¥himself¥from¥his¥night¥thoughts.¥But¥that¥was¥all,¥and¥after¥a¥quick¥and¥–¢–í–¢–frugalìbreakfast,¥they¥continued¥their¥way.¥They¥marched¥for¥–Û–í–Û–most¥of¥the¥morning,¥rested¥without¥eating,ìbut¥also¥without¥tying¥him¥up,¥and¥continued.¥The¥ache¥and¥the¥swelling¥–¬–í–¬–around¥the¥skewers¥wereìsubsiding,¥but¥he¥wondered¥how¥long¥–»–í–»–the¥march¥would¥be,¥and¥how¥many¥days¥he¥would¥spendìwalking¥––í––on¥a¥leash.í¥¥¥¥Still,¥it¥was¥with¥some¥trepidation¥that¥he¥saw¥Sarissa¥–ø–í–ø–halt¥on¥the¥crest¥of¥a¥ridge¥andìunderstood¥that¥this¥was¥the¥end¥of¥the¥voyage.¥Below,¥a¥watercourse¥zigzagged¥–Ò–í–Ò–through¥a¥nearlyìdry¥bed---months¥had¥passed¥since¥the¥great¥–µ–í–µ–rains.¥Beyond¥it¥was¥a¥cluster¥of¥brown¥tents.¥Smokeìrose,¥dogs¥barked,¥horsed¥moved¥on¥the¥slope¥beyond¥the¥camp.í¥¥¥¥Atossa¥rose¥in¥her¥stirrups¥and¥gave¥a¥call¥that¥seemed¥to¥–È–í–È–turn¥somersaults¥in¥her¥throat.¥Humanìfigures¥stood¥up¥and¥emerged¥from¥the¥tents,¥and¥the¥call¥came¥back,¥faint¥–À–í–À–because¥of¥theìdistance.¥They¥continued¥down¥the¥slope,¥–ç–í–ç–crossed¥the¥brook¥where¥the¥water¥felt¥tepid¥around¥hisíankles,¥and¥the¥march¥was¥over.í–å–í–å–(To¥be¥continued¥with¥part¥2)í–Ì–íííí–Ì–