Darterra Sagas Book III Wilderness of Mirrors Act II

Darterra Sagas

Book III Wilderness of Mirrors

Act II

First Steps

 

Chidorm Chop House

 

          Haven sat in his usual table in the Chop House. While he had a stable of exquisite slaves at his mansion. Some where in fact very excellent in the culinary arts, doing him proud when he hosted official functions and dinner parties. Unless he issued invitations to some of his more senior employees and staff. I sat in the large dining room eating by himself surrounded by the serving slaves. As lovely as the slaves were, fear of displeasing their Master, made them less than meaningful dining companions as most seldom said more than “Yes, Master.”

          The Slaver had just finished reading the latest edition of the Post. The story about a stranger that was found dead in his room at the Carlton House had caught his attention. The crude sketch of the dead man was unmistakably the roughian who had sold him the two prime slaves that he had profited so well from. He found that very interesting given the amount those slaves sold for to two other strangers who had angered Salvadar. The thought of that caused Haven to chuckle. Seeing Salvadar being flustered and humiliated in front of half the town, Haven would have happily paid a gold Crown to see.

          “I want any information that you have on those two men yesterday.” Drisco Salvadar demanded as he walked up to the table.

          “And a good day to you as well, Drisco.” Haven smirked as he looked up.

          “I will not stand to be treated that way by anyone. I intend to make and inquiry with the Cristo Headquarters in York. I will contact New London if I have to!” Salvadar slammed his fat fist on the table.

          “That is rather drastic don’t you think?” chuckled Haven.

          “I think it is not drastic in the least! I will not be treated the way they treated me.”

          “Have you seen the latest edition of the Post?” Haven asked offering the paper to the pompous man before him.

          “Yes I have, there was nothing in there of note to me.”

          “Perhaps you should take another look. I found something of extreme interest.” Haven smiles.

          “What could possibly be of interest to me. That I should look at the paper again.”

          “A man stranger was found dead in his room at the Carlton House. He was found on the floor next to an empty whiskey bottle.” Haven stated matter of factly.

          “So, some strange drifter drank himself to death. Why should that be of importance to me?” Salvadar snorted tossing the paper back on the table.

          “The article goes on to say, that as the man had no local ties or noted importance. His body has been disposed of in the incinerator of the powerplant.” The Slaver went on.

          “You are beginning to try my patience, Haven.”

          “What the paper doesn’t mention, as they likely did not know. And should be of importance to you. Is that this dead stranger is the same man that sold me those two slaves which you wanted so badly.” Haven saw that got the bloated boar’s attention. “The doctor placed the time of death at roughly the same time as the auction. I find it odd that the man I bought the slaves off of. Died from drinking a bottle of whiskey that cost more than what I paid for the slaves. Interesting.” The Slaver paused for effect. “That those two mysterious strangers were so determined to obtain those slaves at more than has ever been paid for a wagon load of slaves has gone for in this town let alone for two slaves.”

          “You don’t think?” Salvadar didn’t finish.

          “I don’t know what to think, Drisco. But if those men were what they seemed to be. Unwanted inquiries might have the reverse effect of what you hoped. The Cristo leadership might not take kindly to unwanted attention to two of their agents.” Haven leaned back the chair and smiled.

          “Yes, yes, you might be correct.” Salvadar said barely audible as his forehead became spotted with droplets of sweat. “Please excuse me need to return to my office. Good day.” Not waiting for a response turning to leave.

          The Slaver watched and laughed to himself. Maybe the two men were what they illuded to be. Or perhaps they were not. It didn’t matter in the slightest to him either way. He had made two gold Crowns off the deal and that was all that he cared about. 

 

McNally Campsite

 

          Rafe chuckled to himself as he caught Kyle’s attention and eyes drifting to the sleek for of Marla who was busy washing clothing in the brook downstream from the camp. He couldn’t help but notice the former Cristo officer was becoming more taken with the former Union officer now owned slave girl. Something about being sold had stirred something in both her and Leta. Leta being aroused and needing attention had not surprised him. She had always been quick to heat up when they had been together in the past. He had attributed to her being a redhead. But she had grown more and more wanton and needy since she had been captured and enslaved going on three months ago.

          So, when they had made camp that first night after leaving Chidorm, Leta was still worked up from her sale on the auction block. So, after dinner was done and cleaned up, instead of taking her to his bedroll, he decided to leave her frustrated by binding her in way so she could not satisfy herself as she lay there bound for the night. Leta had protested till he had ordered her silent. She obeyed knowing that if she didn’t she would be gagged next. What Rafe had not expected was that Marla who had been resistant to her current fate and status. Suddenly was aroused as much as Leta and had to be restrained to keep her from touching and pleasuring herself as well. Her change had not been lost on young Davis either.

          The second night out, Marla had been secured for the night as she usually was. Leta on the other hand was curled in tight to him under his blankets. During the night a whimper woke him up, moving slowly in case he was being watched and not wanting to wake the sleeping slave in his arms if he didn’t need to. Rafe slowly rotated his head to look towards the source of the sound. To his surprise and liking, Rafe saw Marla still on a ankle chain but on all fours as she was being mounted and used hard by Davis. Rafe smiled as it seemed that both of them were equally enjoying the experience.

          Since then, she had been attentive of the young former Lieutenant. And his eyes looked upon her with a hunger that could only be satisfied in one way. After catching Davis going to where she was chained the next night. McNally instructed Marla that till told differently, she was assigned to Davis and to tend to his every wish and need. It was the first time that the girl had not argued about being told to do something since this all started.

          “I was able to talk to a couple of ranchers and farmers in the area I covered. They were sympathetic to what we are doing. But too scared of the Company to do anything.” Tyrell sighed bringing both Rafe and Kyle back to the conversation. “I can’t say that I am surprised. Hell, I likely would have reacted the same if I had not backed into a corner.”

          “We didn’t find much in our area to matter. It wasn’t till we got back and discovered Brannon had deserted with the girls.” Rafe shook his head. “I knew that there was something not right.”

          “I should have known Brannon was never one to volunteer or do anything more than he absolutely had to.” Davis said bitterly, then looking to both men. “But I swear to you that Orbach and Vargas are solid. Orbach enlisted after his family got burned out. His parents were killed in the fire that was suppose have been an accident. He had nothing and basically told that the land was being taken for taxes and that he could enlist with part of his pay going to cover what the land didn’t. So, there is no love for the Cristo Corporation there. Vargas on the other hand was a career soldier. He was a pretty good staff sergeant until he would not back the lies of a Company man and was busted. So again, there is no love there either.”

          “Brannon pulled the wool over all of our eyes. The signs were there but we were to focused on other things to see them.” Tyrell interjected his thoughts. “He shouldn’t have been left alone with those two slaves. But only he was hurt, and we gained valuable information. Chidorm is not someplace that we should go. At the very least we should stay out of the town itself. Or if we do go there it should be myself, Vargas, and Orbach with Piper and Naomi as they have not seen us. Because we are going to need to resupply somewhere. The stores I had at the ranch were low to start with.”

          “If they won’t join us, do you think the people you talked to might trade with us at the very least?” Rafe asked.

          “I honestly don’t know,” Tyrell admitted. “I think they might if they think that there are no Cristo patrols about.”

          “It tax collection time. So, there will be more patrols that usual.” Davis pointed out.

          “Then I would not count on getting much help or supplies from the few smaller farms and ranches.” Tyrell snorted. But Rafe looked like he just remembered something. Then he smiled.

          “Gentlemen, I think that it is time to take a page from the past. Or at the very least and old mythical legend from my home world. In the morning,” pointing to an area on their map, “I want Vargas to take Naomi and Orbach to take Piper and check these two areas that we haven’t gotten to yet. We need to find something more suitable to serve as our basecamp.”

          “Why paired up like that?” Kyle asked.

          “Piper knows this area from traveling with her Master. So, she can help Orbach. As a former NCO I am fairly sure Vargas has been out here before, so he will take Naomi. I am wanting to keep the other two close to camp for now.” Looking at Kyle and grins, “I am sure that news it to your liking.” Tyrell having noted the two laughed while Davis coughed and blushed.

Hollybrook Highlands

 

 

          Nina was starting to question her decision to submit herself to slavery again after Rafe had allowed her to remove the collar and have clothes again. The switch that was yielded by Mistress Druilla bit into her bare left ass cheek. Druilla having been released from the collar at the same time, had made it clear that regardless of the reasons Nina did surrender to slavery of her own choice. Having been born a slave and served most of her life to the one who was now her slave. Druilla had little or no compassion, nor mercy for anyone that gave up her freedom when not forced into giving it up.

          Nina would have been the last slave in the coffle if it were not for Mistress Druilla’s desire to make her former Mistress now her slave, Olaca know something of what she had endured for years. The first slave in the coffle was Mistress Kala’s girl Macon. They had abandoned the wagon given to them by Rafe and Tyrell. Now as they walked on the chain under the watch of Druilla. Kala and Magdella had saddled and rode the two horses that had pulled the wagon.

          “Careful, Dru.” Magdella cautioned.

          “How So?” Druilla asked looking up.

          “Remember that only yesterday, you were wearing a collar and chained with her. And could be again if it pleases us.” Magdella warned.

          “I still do not fully understand why that was necessary.” Dru complained as Kala made a sort of laughing sound.

          “Because pretty Druilla. Unlike Magdella and myself, you look more like a human than we do. From a distance in bad light the difference in the color of your skin like your slaves might go unnoticed. So also, unlike the two of us, you were able to leave the wagon with the other slaves of an evening. Given the circumstances, wasn’t worth being treated like the other slaves and chained with them for the night to escape the wagon for more than a few minutes at night?”

          Dru shrugged and nodding in agreement. She had worn rags and a collar all her life. So, the fact that she had to wear the same skimpy garments and collar like the other slaves for the wagon ride was not too heavy a price for getting out of the wagon at night and stretching and feeling the fresh air. And they had made sure that she was always chained with any girl but Olaca when doing chores or being secured for the night. In the wagon there been no room so there wasn’t a choice.

          “I was the one that freed you, Dru. And we are still unsure how much weight my words will carry with Kala’s people. She sees me as the same as the ones that helped them. But the others may not. If they don’t I am not sure that your skin tone will be enough for them to see you differently that they do human.”

          “Yes, Mags. I see your point. But do you really think that might happen?” Dru asked.

          “Dru, you have to remember that Goddess’ people have not visited us since long before the humans came to this world. There are those amongst my people who think that her people are nothing more than superstition or myths. I was raised in a very religious home, so I accepted her existence on faith. Others might not be so accepting.” Kala explained.

          “How much longer till we reach your people’s territories, Kala?”

          “We are on their lands now and have been since yesterday.” The feline warriors stated matter of factly. Suddenly alert, she sat up straighter in her saddle scanning the horizon, Then relaxing some. “It seems that we will be meeting up with some of my people shortly.” None of the others had seen anything as they looked. But their eyesight was not as keen as the Garbeh warrior.

          Within the hour the group was met by a mixed patrol of male and female Garbeh warriors. Their attitude and manor far more serious than that of Kala. But they were used to her and her ways by now. The group was immediately surrounded by the patrol. The tension in the air was unmistakable. The three chained slaves moved in close and tight together. Given their bonds and muzzles they were completely helpless and at the mercy of this who held their leash.

          “Kala, you were instructed not to come out this far again.” Growled the leader a large male with the appearance of a loin. Then looking directly at Druilla demanded, “Why is this female not secure with the other?”

          “Because they are slaves and I am,” Dru started without thinking but never got to finish as she was struck across the mouth by one of the panther looking females. The blow knocked the Psittaun female to the ground stunned. Dru still holding the leash of the slaves ended up pulling them down with her as well. As she tried to regain her senses, she didn’t notice that she had been relieved of the leash for the slaves.

          “Was that really necessary?” Kala asked. Magdella had chosen to remain silent for the moment letting Kala sort this out with her people. “I know that there is no lost love between us, Magnus. But was it really necessary to treat one of my party as if she were a slave?” Druilla had started to rise but found the blade of a Garbeh sword laid against her throat not allowing her to get up.

          “She should be stripped and chained with the other human slaves.” Magnus snarled.

          “She is not a human, Magnus and she was freed by her former Mistress, Magdella here who is one of the Holy Ones from our writings that helped us so long ago.” Kala attempted to explain.

          “She looks like a human female with green skin. You know the law concerning humans.” Magnus turned to the warrior with the sword on Dru, “Strip and put her with the other human slaves.”

          Kala started to protest further but Mags put a hand on her arm cautioning her to not press the matter right now. Druilla had been a slave most of her life so she did not resist as the feline warriors cut her clothing from her stripping her naked. Then places a muzzle over her mouth and a slave collar on her neck like the others before adding her to the coffle with her hands secured in the small of her back like the others now were.

           “Just remember those slaves belong to me and the Goddess here.” Warned Kala.

          “Goddess?” Magnus and the others laughed. “She is no Goddess. She looks as human as those stripped beasts down there.” Pointing to the four naked slaves.

          “Magnus, don’t be a fool. I know that you were schooling the Sacred Writings the same as I was. As we all were. Magdella is of those people who helped us so long ago. We much escort her back to our people.”

          “You are partially correct, Kala. We are here to escort you back.” Magnus smiled a toothy smile.

          “Now you are making sense.” Snorted Kala.

          “I always did. Kala, by order of the High Council, I am placing you under arrest for Refusal to Comply with a Council Instructions.” Turning to the others not already guarding the slaves, “Seize them both. Strip and secure them with the slaves. We will herd the beasts all back to Haldalion.”  With that Kala and Magdella were pulled from their saddles and to the ground. In seconds they were expertly disarmed and being stripped of their armor and clothing. Muzzles were either forced in or over their mouths Slave collars and chains were locked on their necks and wrists as they too were added to the group of slaves. The chained females all looked at one another. None had foreseen this turn of events nor could see how this would turn out. Soon as everything was collected, using the leather belts taken from the women as whips, the patrol started herding the group back the way the patrol had come.

          “What happens when we get back to Haldalion?” Kala heard one of Magnus’ senior Lieutenants asking.

          “Kala will be taken to the detention cells under the Council chambers. The pointy eared bitch will go with her for the Council to decide what to do with. Then others will go to the stock pens for processing and resale. I doubt Kala will be needing slaves again.” Magnus laughed.

 

Two Kilometers from the McNally wagon camp

 

 

          “Now that is interesting and concerning at the same time.” Rafe laughed as he studied the area before him with a set of field glasses belonging to Davis.

          “What do you see?” Asked Kyle.

          “Cristo patrol, maybe half a kilometer away moving toward our camp.” He answered as if he was working something out in his head.

          “Then we need to get back to the camp or try to delay them” Kyle’s voice rose in concern. But Rafe didn’t move. He continued to scan the patrol with the field glasses.

          “Looks like there are four of them. No officer just looks like a sergeant in command. Looks like they have three, no four slaves with them all female.” This news caused Davis to relax slightly. “Sounds like a tax collecting detail. But shouldn’t we move our camp?”

          “Take a look and see if you know any of them.” Handing the glasses to Kyle. Taking them Kyle lifted them to his eyes.

          “I don’t know the three Troopers, but that is Sgt Foster leading them.” Pausing, “two of the slaves look like they could be the Quincy sisters. Tyrell visited their fathers farm on his patrol.”

          “Interesting.” Rafe smiled.

          “What have you got planned?” Kyle wanted to know seeing that smile.

          “If I am right, their line of march angle they are on will take them North of the wagons towards the ford for the road to Chidorm. Run back to camp and send the girls to go for a swim near the ford. I want you and Tyrell to come back here and we will follow them. I am guessing that it’s still a good distance to Chidorm so they will bivouac at the river tonight. We will take them there.”

 

2 hours later at the ford of the river

 

          “This is better that I could have hoped for.” Smiled Rafe. The sounds of Leta and Marla playing and splashing in the water floated up to where he and the others were well concealed. Three of the four Cristo troops had came to the river with buckets to bring water back to the camp. He had reasoned that they would use the slaves to fetch water under guard of maybe two of the men but more than likely one man. If the slaves were brought then there was the chance they would have gotten in the way or been used as human shields.

          “So, the girls are clean and having fun. You are pleased, and the odds are even at the moment with 3 on 3. Now do you might telling us what you have in mind?” snorted Tyrell.

          “It might have gotten lost or forgotten here. And there are some on Earth that have forgotten it. But there is a legend of a English nobleman, who became disillusioned with the those in charge while the rightful ruler was away. So, he harassed and made things rough for those in charge.” Rafe grinned. “We are going to capture this patrol and take everything they collected from them. Then send them home with their tails between their legs.”

          The sounds of females splashing in the water definitely got the attention of the three Cristo troopers. They watched as the troopers softly sit their buckets down on the ground, slowly creeping up on the sounds coming from the water. Hiding in the reeds and brush as they investigated further, they exchanged smiles and glances finding two naked women swimming and splashing one another. The rays from the sun reflecting off the steel slave collars locked on their necks. As they played carefree, ignorant of their being watched. All Leta and Marla had been told was that they were to go clean themselves in the stream near the ford. That they could play and swim when they were finished bathing until someone came for them. Someone had. The three troopers certain that the slaves were alone and yet still oblivious to the three men approaching from their rear, stepped out from their cover.

          “My aren’t these two beauties.” Laughed the trooper on the left eyes fixed on the breasts of the red head. The two girls cried out in surprise hearing strange male voices from the shore seeing the three Cristo troopers there.

          “Yes they are.” Grinned his companion to far right. “I bet they are a lot better at pleasing a man than those two farm girls we have.”

          “Place your hands in your hair and walk towards us so we can have a closer look at the two of you,” Ordered the Trooper in the center of the three. They were slaves and had been given an order from a free man. Leta and Marla immediately obeyed and placed their hand on their heads, their finger tangled in their wet strands.

          “What was that fool of your Master thinking letting you stay out here alone and without a guard.” Laughed the one on the left again.

          “I don’t know, Master,” Leta smiled as she answer while wading almost to the shore. Then seeing Rafe and the others smiled more, “Why don’t you ask him. He’s right behind you.”

          “You could be beaten for lying, slave.” The trooper in the center said displeased.

          “But she isn’t lying,” Rafe said from behind the troopers. He and the others having their pistols aimed at their backs. The troopers spun about to discovered they were flanked and under the guns of bandits or someone. “unbuckle your belts and drop them with your side arms to the ground. Marla collect their weapons. Leta, you frisks them” Rafe grinned. Tyrell let out a booming laugh while Kyle shook his head in disappointment at how easily the troopers had walked into Rafe’s trap. Now to their further humiliation, a slave girl was feeling them up roughly as she looked for any hidden weapons on their person as she laughed.

 

Tax Patrol’s Camp

          “Hutchenson? Taylor? What in the hell is going on!” Demanded Sgt. Foster as he saw two of his men returning to camp with something in their mouth and their hands atop their heads. Chapman appeared after them the same as his two companions. His hand went instinctively for the pistol on his hip.

          “I would not do that Sergeant.” Came a voice from behind him. At the same time, he saw two armed men and two slaves come into view behind his men.

          “Do you have any idea who we are or how much trouble you are in.” Challenged Sgt. Forster. As the words left his mouth knew how ridicules that false bravo was. Him and his men were truly screwed. But he played it out as a beautiful busty red haired slave walked over and remove is pistol belt and picked up his rifle as well. “Just who do you people think you are?”

          “Well, the rather large fellow over there,” Rafe said with a smiled, stepping around to the front of Foster, “I call Little John. And his youthful companion is Will Scarlet.”

          “You can be foolish enough to think you can get away with this. We are an official patrol of the Cristo Corporation charged with collecting taxes for this sector.” Foster glared.

          “Oh, a tax patrol.” Rafe played with him more, “That would mean that you have something of value then. I see the three slaves that you have staked out over there. They look healthy and well formed, I’ll bet they will bring a nice price at market.” He had no intention of selling the three girls that the patrol had chained. But Foster and his troopers didn’t need to know that.

          “Those slaves and the money we carry are the rightful property of the Cristo Corporation.” Foster started.

          “One of the largest and most dirty and corrupt band of cutthroats and scoundrels the universe has ever seen.” Rafe cut him off. He wondered if saying universe might have been a mistake. It implied that he knew that the reach of Cristo went far beyond this minor planet. While he was talking, Marla and Leta had placed all the patrols weapons in the small wagon they had. The three naked slaves at the stake were released from the stake and tethered to the back of the wagon as they were when on the move. “Now, if you and your men would be so kind as to strip out of those uniforms and give them to that sultry red headed vixen of mine. We can start wrapping this up.”

          “Surely you can’t be serious!” Growled Foster.

          “I am deadly serious. And don’t call me, Shirley.” Chuckled Rafe, not sure where that came from.

          “I supposed that you are going to shoot us next.”

          “No soon as you get those uniforms off, you are free to go.” Rafe said matter of factly. Soon the four troopers stood there wearing only their red long underwear with hands on their heads. It was then that Davis stepped close enough that Foster thought he recognized him.

          “Don’t I know you?” Foster asked.

          “Of coarse you know him. I told you he’s Will Scarlet.” Grinned Rafe, “Now you can have two canteens and three days cold rations. That should get you to a town.”

          “That’s more than generous of you, whoever the hell you are.”

          “I think so, I could have just shot you all and been done with it. But I see no virtue in killing men that are only doing their duty who are not shooting at you.”

          “Then I thank you for that, Mister?”

          “Hood, Robin Hood.” Rafe smiled amused with his whit as the troopers started off into the darkness down the road.