Mercenaries of Gor coc-21 Page 16

  "She is vital," I observed.

  "Yes," agreed the officer.

  "Perhaps the Polemarkos would not be pleased to observe how you have her leaping under your touch."

  "Perhaps not," he said. "But he would presumably understand I mean no insult by it. She is, after all, only a slave."

  "True," I said.

  "Please, do not stop," she said. "Please do not stop!"

  "Do you move like this under the touch of the Polemarkos?" he asked her. "No," she said. "No, never. I did not know it could be like this!" The officer stepped back. Her eyes opened. They were wild. There were tears in them. "Please," she said. "Please!" She thrust her body forward, toward him, piteously begging the continuation of his attentions.

  "How is that you would have had her stolen, not for her own beauty, for she is prize collar meat, which I would think would have been a sufficient reason for doing so, nor as an insult to the Polemarkos, but merely to interrogate?" I asked.

  "What do you mean?" he asked.

  "Yes, yes!" she cried, gratefully. "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" "She is only a slave," I said.

  "Now, she is only a slave," he said.

  «Yes, she whimpered. "Oh, yes!"

  "But before," he continued, "she was also the confidante of the Polemarkos. By means of her wiles and beauty she had ingratiated herself with him and there were few secrets of state to which she, in one way or another, was not privy. She even attended certain meetings of war, though concealed in her silks behind a modesty screen. Her presence there, as you might imagine, even concealed behind the screen, considerably discomfited several officers. It was partly as a result of their resentful, guarded comments, overheard by certain spies, that I came to realize her importance." He paused for a moment. "Are you important now, my dear?" he asked.

  "No, Master!" she said.

  "What are you now?" he asked.

  "A slave, only a slave, your slave!" she said.

  He then renewed his attentions to her body.

  "Yes, yes, yes!" she said.

  "What was your name?" he said.

  "Lucilina!" she gasped.

  "You are not responding like a Lucilina," he said. She moaned, and squirmed. "You are responding more like a Luchita," he said.

  "Yes, Master," she said. "Yes, Master!"

  "You are Luchita," he said.

  "Yes, Master," she said, named. I thought this a good name for her. It was a good name for a hot helpless, dominated slave. "Are you a high slave, Luchita?" he asked.

  "I do not know," she said.

  "No," he said. "You are not. You are now among the lowest of low slaves." "Yes, Master," she said.

  "And I will give you, accordingly," he said, "to one of my lowest soldiers, to a rude and common fellow, one of the lowest rank."

  "Yes, Master," she said.

  "You will serve him well," he said.

  "Yes, Master," she said.

  "You will be treated as the slave you are."

  "Yes, Master," she said.

  "But have no fear," he said. "You will receive, I assure you, in this sort of bondage, low and common, and absolutely uncompromising, your complete fulfillment, both as a female and a slave."

  "Yes, Master," she said.

  She then licked and kissed his hands, cleaning them. He then wiped his hands on her sweat-dampened hair. He then left the room. I following him. I glanced back. The slave on the perch was looking after him, her dark, wet hair much before her chained body, her eyes were filled with awe. She was pretty I thought, the slave, Luchita.

  "What did you learn from her?" I asked, once the door was closed."

  "You may kneel, Lady Cara," he said.

  The woman from Venna, with a movement of chains, rose from her belly to kneel beside his desk. She knelt in the position of the pleasure slave, back on her heels, back straight, head up, knees spread, palms of her hands on her thighs. "We learned a great deal, in a sense," he said, "but most of it we already knew, or suspected, from various other sources. Two things, however, came as a surprise to us."

  "May I inquire?" I asked.

  "Of course," he said. "Otherwise I would not have brought you here in the first place. It is because of these things I had you brought here."

  "Speak, please," I encouraged him. "Should I be fetched from the room, Master?" asked Lady Cara. Because of the nature of her ankle chaining, it would have been difficult for her to walk.

  Suddenly cuffed, she fell to her side, blood at her mouth. "Did you ask permission to speak? he asked. In a situation of this sort it was common, though not always required, that a slave request permission to speak. Apparently this officer, in this sort of situation, did require his women to request such permission. Lady Cara, after this, would be in no doubt about this.

  "No, Master," she said. "Forgive me Master."

  He snapped his fingers. Immediately she resumed her former position.

  "The main forces of Cos are here," he said, "in the vicinity of Torcadino, now, at the moment, investing it."

  "I am sure that is common knowledge," I said.

  "One would think so," he said, "but two things which disturb and puzzle me we have learned recently, only this morning, from our little informant in the other room. First, a movement of Cosian troops, originating in Brundisium, apparently several regiments, are moving eastward, parallel to the Vosk."

  "Toward Ar's Station?" I speculated. This was Ar's stronghold on the Vosk. It was situated on the southern bank, east of Jort's Ferry and west of Forest Port, both on the northern bank.

  "Presumably so," he said.

  "It must be a diversion," I said.

  "Presumably Ar's Station, if subjected to attack, could be relieved by a small force," he said, "and a countermarch to the coast could cut off the Cosians from their base in Brundisium."

  "I would think so," I said.

  "Why then, according to our information, and this is the second item of interest here, is Ar preparing, if this is correct, to launch its main forces northward toward Ar's Station?"

  "That would be madness," I said.

  "That is the information which the spies of Cos in Ar have transmitted to the Polemarkos," he said. "They must be must be mistaken," I said.

  "Perhaps," said the officer, moodily.

  "The main forces of Cos are here, by Torcadino," I said. "If the main might of Ar is sent northward there would be a free road from the trenches about Torcadino almost to the gates of Ar themselves. The land between here and Ar, and the city itself, would be in effect without defense."

  "I think there can be only one plausible explanation for this," said the officer, "a€”That the councils of Ar do not know that the main force of Cos is here."

  "That seems incredible," I said.

  "What other explanation could there be?" he asked.

  "That the spies of the Polemarkos are simply mistaken," I said.

  "Perhaps," he said.

  "There is, of course, another," I said.

  "What is that?" he asked.

  "Treachery in Ar," I said.

  "Of this enormity?" he asked.

  I shrugged.

  "Unthinkable," he said.

  "Surely you have thought it," I said.

  "Yes," he said, "I have considered it."

  "Why did you ask me about the delta of the Vosk?" I asked.

  "Because I think the move toward Ar's Station is a diversion," he said. "And because the Cosians could be too easily cut off from Brundisium."

  "You think they will withdraw into the delta?" I asked.

  "I would," he said.

  "So, too, would I," I said.

  "And the main forces of Ar may be marching toward Ar's Station," he said, grimly.

  The hair on the back of my neck rose.

  "They could not be lured into that area," I said.

  "I would think not," he said.

  "No sane commander in such a situation could issue orders to enter the delta in force," I said, "certainly n
ot without obtaining guides, accumulating transportation, organizing supplies and support, treating with the natives of the area, and so on."

  "In such a place an army might disappear" he said.

  "Never will Ar march northward in force," I said, "not with Cos entrenched outside Torcadino."

  "Why has Ar not yet moved?" he asked.

  "I do not know," I said.

  "I can hold Cos here for the winter," said the officer. "That is probably all." "What would you like of me?" I asked.

  "Gnieus Lelius," said he, "high councilor, first minister to Ar, is regent in the absence of Marlenus. I have here letters to be delivered to him. They outline the dispositions of the main forces of Cos and the situation in Torcadino. Too, I have letters here for Seremides, high general of Ar. They bear the seal of the silver tarn. I do not think you will have difficulty obtaining an audience with him" I had once known a Seremides in Ar. To be sure, such names are common.

  "I understand," I said.

  "With these letters, of course," he said, "I shall include letters of safety." "How shall we pass through the forces of Cos?" I asked. "Such letters may have their weight with those of Ar but would scarcely seem designed to impress Cosians."

  "You and your party will seem to be ejected from the city with other civilians," he said, "some thousand or so who will held until tomorrow. I do not think you will attract much attention. Indeed, Cos encourages the dispersion of these refugees, as it has little inclination to care for them."

  "I see," I said.

  "You were intending to Ar anyway, were you not?" he asked.

  "Yes," I admitted.

  "You will, of course, be well paid for your trouble," he said. He threw a weighty purse upon the table.

  I looked at it.

  "It is mostly silver," he said, "and some copper. Gold would provoke suspicion." "I would suppose I am not the first you have entrusted with such a mission," I said.

  "No," he said. "You are the fifth. I have sent others with such letters, warnings, and such, as long ago as Tarnburg, and as recently as the banks of the Issus."

  "Your messages then must have been already received," I said.

  "Apparently not," he said. "I have, at any rate, as yet, received no responses." "This could be dangerous," I speculated.

  "I think that is quite possible," he said. "I would exercise great caution, if I were you."

  "What if I do not wish to do this?" I asked.

  "You need not do it, of course," he said. "Beyond that, for your trouble, and with no hard feelings, I shall give you letters of safety which will conduct you and your party safely through my men."

  "That is very generous," I said.

  "I place you under no pressure whatsoever," he said.

  "I shall do it," I said.

  "I knew you would," he said.

  "And that is why you place me under no pressure?" I asked.

  "Of course," he said.

  "I share your general view on these matters," I said.

  "I gathered that," he said.

  "Do you wish me to take an oath, to pledge my sword?" I asked.

  "No," he said, "that will not be necessary."

  "I see," I said.

  "If you succeed in this matter, of course, I will be grateful," he said. "Of course," I said.

  "Whereas I have a reputation of being merciless to enemies, at least when it suits my purpose," he said, "I, too, have a reputation of being generous to my friends."

  "I have heard such," I said.

  "Some expression of my gratitude would be in order," he said. "Perhaps a bag of gold, perhaps a hundred prize Cosian women?"

  "No," I said. "I shall do this labor of my own will, and for my own purposes." "Warrior," said he.

  "Warrior," I, in turn saluted him.

  I eyed the papers on the desk.

  "Sleep this night in the Semnium," he said.

  "Why?" I asked.

  "It will be safer," he said.

  "My weapons, and goods," I asked, "and those of my party?"

  "Give the receipts, yours and those of your friends, to the officer outside," he said. "They will be delivered in the morning."

  "Why will it be safer to sleep in the Semnium?" I asked.

  "Who knows whom one can trust?" he asked.

  He sat behind the desk. He began to sign various documents. The signature was forward-slanting, ascendant and bold.

  "Shall I wait for the letters?" I asked.

  "No, Captain," he said.

  "Captain?" I asked.

  "Surely you have served, in some capacity or another, in one place or another, with that rank or one at least equivalent to it," he said.

  "How did you know?" I asked.

  "You carry yourself like a captain," he said.

  There was no reason for me to receive the letters, of course, until I was ready to leave. I now sensed, however, more than before, the security in which he wished to hold them, and how important they might be. To be sure, developments might occur during the night, events to which pertinent references might be judiciously included.

  "It has been my experience," he said, looking up, "that a judgment too hastily entered upon is sometimes, in the light of cooler reflection, regretted." "Sir?" I asked.

  "Consider carefully, tonight," he said, "in repose, and at length, whether or not you wish, truly to carry these letters." "I have agreed to do so," I said. I felt sweat about the back of my neck, and on my back, and in my palms. There was apparently more danger in being the bearer of these messages than I had hitherto realized.

  "I shall wait upon your considered decision in the morning," he said.

  "And if I then do not choose to carry them?" I asked.

  "You may keep the coins," he said. "Too, you and your party will still receive letters of safety."

  "You are incredibly generous," I said.

  "Not really," he said. "What is the cost, really, of some scraps of parchment and a few drops of ink?"

  "The coins," I said.

  "A contribution from the treasury of Torcadino," he said.

  "If I do not accept the commission," I said, "I shall return them to you." "As you wish," he smiled.

  I thrust the coins in my wallet.

  They were more than enough, I had gathered, to get myself, and the others, too, if they wished to accompany me, to Ar.

  He finished signing the papers before him, and stood up.

  He regarded me. "Captain?" he asked.

  I found myself reluctant to leave the presence of this man. I stood in awe of him.

  "Captain?" he asked.

  "Nothing," I said.

  He looked down at the free woman, Lady Cara, of Venna, kneeling beside the desk. "I need contentment," he said.

  She straightened herself, with a tiny sound of chain.

  "You may leave, Captain," he said.

  "Sir," I said.

  "Yes?" he said.

  "Recently; on the Genesian Road, north of Torcadino, there was an attack on a portion of the Cosian supply trains, a massacre. Were your men responsible for that?"

  "No," he said.

  "Do you know what party, or parties, were?" I asked.

  "No," he said. "But it was done by mercenaries," I said.

  "Doubtless," he said.

  I then turned about and went toward the door. "Oh!" said Lady Cara. I heard the sounds of her chains. At the door, turning, I saw her on her feet, naked, in her chains, being held closely against him, looking up into his eyes. Then he threw her on her belly on the desk, on the papers, and the various documents of state. I then took my leave.

  16 A Night in the Semnium

  I turned in the blankets, brought by soldiers, on the tiles of the vestibule of the Semnium. There were perhaps two hundred people, many of them civilians, being housed there this night. Near me, a free female, one of those to be counted among the spoils of Torcadino, was chained on one of the client's marble benches, one of several serving on such benches, women who, one after
the other, in turn, were replaced by others.

  I was troubled. I wished to go to Ar, but I had my own business there. I did not think I needed a mercenary's coins to buy my way there. Too, as an unknown fellow, it seemed I might be able to enter her gates without great difficulty. Letters of safety, aside from the difficulties they might involve me with Cosian sentries or outposts, which might be considerable, would presumably not be needed by everyone entering Ar. To be sure, if I wished to enter the presence of the first minister, or the high general, they might be of some use, but the letters for them, sealed with the sign of the silver tarn, might do as well. Besides, if I chose not to deliver these letters, who would know the difference. Others may have defaulted, for some reason or another, in this, or a similar mission. The officer, at any rate, seemed not, as yet, at least, to have received replies to such missives.

  The woman on the bench, groaning and ravished, on her belly on it, clutching it, her legs chained on either side of it, was now alone. She lay on the cool marble, clutching it. "Master, Master!" she had wept. Nearby, to her right, and my right, only feet way, almost at our elbows, some sitting, some lying down, crowded together, chained, huddled, in the half darkness, illuminated by a tiny lamp on the wall, against one wall of the Semnium, was a large group of choice free women, probably gathered here as the cream of Torcadino's free flesh loot, doubtless to be distributed as gifts in the near future. Most would doubtless go to high officers and agents. Some on the other hand, I supposed, perhaps lesser beauties, might receive a different disposition, being bestowed perhaps on local civilian supporters or given as good-will emoluments to suppliers and contractors.

  Nearby, Hurtha and Boabissia were asleep. Mincon, apparently a trusted agent of his captain, had quarters, or business, elsewhere. His Tula he had taken with him. Feiqa was now far to the left, against the far wall, chained there by the ankle with a number of other slaves. They did not wish to mix the slaves and the free females. From her collar there was suspended a small rectangle of cardboard. This was attached to the collar by a small, closed-looped string. This is first put through a hole in the cardboard and drawn through itself, fastening it to the cardboard; it is then passed under or over the collar, the cardboard thrust through it, and then pulled down, snugly, about the collar, the cardboard now dangling from it. On the cardboard there was a number, matching a number on a similar piece of cardboard now in my wallet. By means of this tag I would claim her in the morning.