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Explorer
972 Posts |
 Posted - October 14 2006 : 02:43:44 AM
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THIS STORY IS RATED MATURE, and will contain violence, supernatural aspects, sex, possible profanity, and horror. Reading this story attests that you voluntarily did so with foreknowledge that it has adult content, and that you are at least 18 years of age. This is where Finn deals with her archenemy, who would slay all mankind that he might have absolute dominion over a sphere devoid of humans, as he is devoid of humanity, let alone mercy. As you read, keep in mind the events that Zoth will set in motion if he is not stopped in time. Finn lived through the aftermath of his scheme, and if she can, she will kill him to prevent that future from occurring. But, if she does succeed in killing Zoth, and her world is spared, what will the young blonde do? Will she find a way to rejoin her world, or will she stay with Prof. George Challenger, her man in this time, and with the new life that they have created between them before the tale ends?
Reference: View the, "Imposters" and "Finn" episodes from the Third Season of, "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World" as background. However, as in all but one of my Fics, Finn and George Challenger are a couple, which was not a component of the TV show. My Fics are set after the Third Season, ignoring the final Third Season episode, and do not embrace the possible plot lines that MIGHT have been used in the Fourth Season, which never took place. Thus, it is possible that the Treehouse residents would have become three committed couples, as I write them: The Roxtons, the Malones, and the Challengers. I hope that this arrangement won't confuse those who loved the show, or who read Fics by other writers who don't see the romances evolving as I do. Every Fic writer has his/her own view of just who the characters are and exactly how they should be interpreted. None of us owns rights to the characters or to the basic Plateau line, which reside with the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, New Line Cinema, and other interested parties, and no inference is made that this story reflects any script ideas created by those entities or by their employees. This is presented wholly as an original work of Fiction, as seen by one writer. But I hope that it will prove as entertaining as anything that anyone else has written about those intrepid explorers. Enjoy. If nothing else, the price is right...and I hope it proves the adage about the better things in life being free.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - October 14 2006 : 02:58:27 AM
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The Death of Zoth
by
Explorer
In the beginning, there was darkness, and within the darkness, evil spirits stirred, grim in mien and in purpose. Among the grimmest of them was one called Kale, who harbored dreams of chaos, which he esteemed as the normal face of things. And he saw himself as the king of chaos, and the author of doom to the world called Earth and to the intelligent beings who populated that world, and he dreamed dreams of conquest and horror which he wished to impose. That world would be his, and he alone would dictate that which might occur upon it, and his wish was for demons like himself to rule and dwell in disharmony, except insofar as they served him and his wishes. For him, disharmony was harmony, save in his inner circle, where those who most closely served him would derive great joy from their submission to him and to his plan. This core group from the dark places would sustain him and he, them. They would rule and laugh at those whose success and joy was less. And their mightiness would be purchased by the blood and dismay of those creatures called humans, for they were mere mortals, simple beings to sacrifice on the stage of time and drama, to the demon Kale.
Kale knew that the time would soon arrive for his Emergence, his Becoming. He called his few and faithful followers to him, his inner circle of fiends. They were few, but awful. One was once known as Grendel, who had terrorized the Norsemen in the epic, "Beowulf". But before that tale was recorded, he had been the evil creature in Gilgamesh and was other entities who had spread terror among the weak, mortal humans who infested the Earth. Another was called Una, she of the dark hair and dark heart, she who cleaved most unto Kale, and loved him as she admired him and knew that he would be King of the Demons, short of that one called Satan, who was from another dimension to them. Una submitted to Kale that she might rule others, their minions doing their bidding, that their lives might shine triumphant.
Another was Rixel, who had twice before failed Kale, the second time not long before, a scant two years in human terms, and he knew that he must redeem himself, or he would be cast out and be food for the Unclean. Rixel lusted now to prove himself, that he not perish or be returned to the dark place. He wished especially to prove that he was strong against human women, no matter how attractive or sympathetic, for he had before been seduced by the woe and determination of one of these mortal females. He would not fail again, for his sake and for that of the one whom he served.
And there were two more in their company. One was called Sjok. He was a mighty slayer and controlled by his lusts and by greed. But he was strong, and he desired to achieve power unheard of within their own space, where the balance of things kept any one demon from gaining control for long.
And last, there was Salamine, she who craved dominion as much as did Kale. Salamine had a heart as cold and as hard as a diamond, and as empty of sympathy for those whom she could overcome. Salamine had heard of Kale's last foray into the human world, and of how he had failed due to the efforts of one insignificant female, who had destroyed his plans and recovered her friends from the dark place, which had never before been done. This girl was from the future, which they desired to conquer. Salamine thought that she should simply be bypassed, for when Kale wished to Emerge, this girl would be a small child, and of no consequence. But she had angered Kale, and he had sworn to advance his timetable. With the secret knowledge that this girl's male companion possessed and had recorded, all chaos could be set in motion without waiting for others to develop that source of energy and grim biological contamination that would be his instruments of overcoming all opposition. This human was a scientist, and he was said to be brilliant, by his own kind, and by Kale, who had seen his notes and read his thoughts and perverted them to serve his wishes.
They had been summoned by Kale, all of them, and agreed to do his bidding, for all wished power, although Salamine might well attempt to usurp it once domimion had been achieved. For now, though, she would serve Kale.
Kale had consulted the oracles of the demon world and studied the motions of the force and knew that soon, the Time would arrive for his Becoming. He gathered his minions unto him and they waited, for today was the day when they would Emerge again, this time to achieve their ambitions. Now, they huddled ready, watching through the Gate of the Void as a small party of Amazonian Indians approached the tunnel into the Realm of Darkness...
"By what name shall we call you, Master?" asked Una, running her hand down Kale's back, carressing, soothing, ingratiating herself with him. "That girl said that you were Zoth. Will you be Zoth, or are you yet Kale?"
He thought, then answered, "I know now that I would have been Zoth in her time, but that Time that is mine is now at hand and I have yet to use the identity that I would have used then. But it is a good name, and one that will spell dread for the Others. I am Zoth. Know this, all of you, and address me accordingly."
They nodded, and Una kissed him fully on the lips, her hand straying over his head and neck and back as she raised her body to him. "You are Zoth," she acknowledged. "And I obey you as Zoth. Remember me and keep me close to you when your Time has come, Zoth. Mighty Zoth. Great Zoth. Powerful Zoth. I serve you. Use me for whatever pleasures and purposes you envision or desire, Zoth. I am Una, and I am your woman."
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - October 14 2006 : 05:33:58 AM
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Finn lay next to Challenger in bed, her head resting on his shoulder, her body draped half over his, kissing as they breathed hard, the aftermath of their exertions of the past hour, as they had come together in sexual and spiritual union, slaking their lust and their love within and upon one another. They were nearly spent now, but their lips lingered upon one another's, pausing in their kisses to whisper sweet somethings into one another's ears.
"Oh, Genius, that was so hot," murmured Finn, whose real name was Nicole Elizabeth Finnegan, but whose friends called her Finn, the nickname that she had given them when they first met.
"Eh?" queried her man. "I thought that you said the last time we did this that it was 'so cool'. What did I do differently that made me change from 'cool' to 'hot'? You by the way, were neither cool or hot, but simply sublime." He chuckled at his witticism. "At least, you are consistently sublime, Darling. I must be the luckiest man alive to have you in my bed."
"Probably," she agreed, and snickered. "George, 'cool' and 'hot' are words that can mean the same, like I heard that Hawaiians used to use, "Aloha" to mean both hello and goodbye. Maybe not, but that's what I heard somewhere. Anyway, I think it's 'cool' that my man is so 'hot'". And she ground her pelvis against his manhood, rotating her hips lewdly but pleasurably before tucking her head back down into his neck, where her tongue began performing light, erotic motions that made George Challenger wonder if he was really worn out, after all.
He ran his hand down her neck and back, lingering to caress her trim, shapely buttocks, a gesture that he knew she loved and which excited her.
They heard faint sounds from the room through the wooden wall, and Finn asked whether he thought their friends the Roxtons were still awake.
"If so, they are quieter tonight than sometimes, even if one has to listen to know when they are ravishing one another. " And it was true that one had to listen carefully on a still night to hear the other couple when they moved in passion, for the Treehouse where they dwelt was well built, and most sounds stayed within the rooms where they originated.
Finn stretched, extending her limbs luxuriously. She loved the breeze generated by the ceiling fan, its blades turning in perpetual motion as long as they managed to generate enough electricity from the machinery below the tree, the creation of her lover and mentor.
"What's so much fun?" asked Challenger as Finn did a lascivious bump and grind to expose herself to the output of air from the wide blades of the fan. "Are you getting 'cool' because you got so 'hot' tonight?"
She hugged him and laughed. "Pretty good, Genius. We'll soon have you a sense of humor out of all proportion to what you had when I met you, when your head never really left the lab."
"You have taught me that there are things in life that matter as much as my quest for knowledge," he admitted. "Darling, I once told John Roxton that science was my Marguerite. You know how much he thinks of her. And she returns that love, even when they try to hide it and squabble. I'm so glad that they finally conceded that they are in love. It makes life so much easier on all of us. But science is no longer my full Marguerite, and it can never be my Finn. Know that you are first in my esteem, and always will be."
She leaned over and kissed him. "That was so sweet, Lover," she acknowledged. "But what about when we have kids? Now that you gave me permission to go off that pill that you came up with to keep me barren, I may conceive at any time. We even stroked that totem thing that the Zanga gave us, their fertility symbol. I may have a bun in the oven soon. Could you love me as much as the son that I mean to give you?" She teased him, but was somewhat insecure about his answer. How might he feel, given that conflict?
"Oh, bosh!" Challenger exclaimed. "Child or no child, you are my Finn, and I will feel no less love for you because I find some for a new Challenger. The types of love are separate, and I will draw from different wells the affection that I will have for each of you. I should spank you for even wondering whether I would love you less because you provided me with an heir. If anything, I shall probably love you all the more. You are a naughty girl to even speculate on such a silly thing."
"So, you're gonna spank me, Genius?," she purred, and giggled furiously as he sat up and pulled her suddenly over his lap and began paddling her with his hand. She squirmed, her right arm held behind her as he struck her bottom in mock punishment.
A moment later, face flushed, she lay again beside him, kissing tenderly. "That baby stuff wasn't altogether theoretical," she offered. "I'm late with my period this month. We may be in a family way. Would you really not mind?" She looked anxiously into his eyes, trying to find his true reaction there.
"I said that we could have a child if you want, Finn," he reminded, "and I meant it. I had better get started if we really anticipate having any offspring. I want to be young enough to enjoy and lead them as they grow, and I haven't many more years in which to do that. Unlike you, I am long past my teens, and there is no time like the present if we are to become parents."
She saw the truth in his face and reassured, lay her head on his chest and toyed with his arm and stomach, tracing trickles of fire along his flesh with her fingernails. "Good, George. It means a lot to me to have your child, and I will, I bet. I manage most things that I set out to do. And I'm doing this because I love you, Muscles, not to get out of helping Veronica in the garden when I get a few months along." She ran her tongue along the edges of his ear and felt him stir in response.
He laughed. "Get out of helping in the garden, my word! That sounds more like something that Marguerite would try. In fact, if she becomes pregnant, I think we should accuse her of having that motive." He chuckled, and pulled Finn closer and brought his lips against hers and one thing led to another and in time, they were again breathing heavily as they lay in one another's arms. Finally, they turned off the lamps and checked that their pistols were on each side of their bed, ready in case some nameless threat came in the night, for this was a tropical jungle.
The fan cooled them, and Finn snuggled against him, her back and the rear of her legs against his front. They were tired now and she squirmed only a little against his half erection, moving more sentimentally than to achieve another arousal. He threw the sheet over them, a colorful cotton one loomed in the nearby Zanga village. A pale blue quilt made by their hostess Veronica Layton and their friend Marguerite Krux lay ready at the foot of the bed, but wasn't needed this night, especially with the couple sharing their own warmth.
Finn ran her right hand down her partner's leg and moved against him. "I do love you, Genius," she murmured.
"And well that you should, girl. I taught you to read," he pointed out.
She smiled to herself. "Well, there is that," she admitted. "You know, we'll make a comedian of you yet, George."
And, they lay together, close in body and soul, and the moon moved across the star-bright sky, and they drifted off to sleep, each knowing a peace together that they had once thought never to achieve. In our union, thought the scientist, there is bliss. And he slept, a hand on the flank of his woman, the source of his content.
In a tree nearby, an owl hooted, calling to a mate, stirring a rat in the bush below, soon to become a meal for the avian predators. Different creatures have different priorities in the stillness of the jungle night...
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - October 20 2006 : 08:58:24 AM
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"Hark!," spoke Salamine. "The savages come. They are now in the cave of the Void. Give the word, Kale, uh, Zoth, and we shall enter their bodies. Their clothing is rudimentary, but we can compensate by making more when we are in their world."
The Indians entered the cave, a few hunters chasing a brocket deer. They had two women with them, having strayed from their group to hunt and take pleasure, for they were newlyweds, and friends, and they sought privacy from their tribe, which had camped not far away. They were on the fringes of the Zanga lands, and dared not intrude beyond, lest the Zanga kill them for trespass on their hunting grounds.
One hunter saw the deer scrabble at some rocks and leap into the darkness of the tunnel. They lit torches and pursued, for they thought the animal was trapped and would become easy meat.
Not long after all had entered the cavern, the women eager to see their men make the kill, something not often allowed to females, a bright light shone from within the depths of the cave, and they started in alarm. The deer forgotten, the Indians turned to flee. One cast the dart from his atlatl at a shape emerging from the light, then he was swept into it, and was gone. The others saw and one screamed, a sound truncated by her absorption into the high-lumen brightness.
All was still. Then, what appeared at first glance to be the Indians emerged from the tunnel entrance. But the Indians were pale and had Caucasian features. The men wore loincloths and sandals and had headbands with the colors of their tribe. One carried an atlatl and several shafts for it. Another had a bow and conventional arrows, and the rest, spears. The two women wore brief skirts or sarongs that could be easily peeled away from their loincloths, and their upper bodies were covered by cotton bandeaus. One had white cotton clothes with green trim, and the other had several colors incorporated in her outfit. The cotton was hand loomed in their village. The girls also had headbands, but narrower and more colorful than the mens', and their sandals were more dainty, and had laces wound around their legs almost to the knees. The male sandals more resembled moccasins with stouter soles.
"Hau! I breathe again! The air enters my lungs and excites my senses," bellowed the largest of the "Indians".
"Una is taller than the Indian girl whom she has replaced," complained Salamine. "Her skirt is shorter than intended. Rixel, quit staring at her. Your weakness is still with you. If you have to gaze intently on a woman, look at me. Una is Zoth's." Mainly, she was jealous, for like the others, she was susceptible to human emotions, including envy.
"Fear not, Salamine, I will look upon you," said Grendel, the largest of their number. You are cunning and ruthless, but your countenance is fair. I approve of your copper hair. It is the reddish gold of the setting sun in this world. Many human females would be envious of it."
"Enough!," said Zoth. "We will become more human as time passes, but remember your origins and nature. We must be of this place, but remain above it. This clothing is absurd, but it is what these creatures had. We will seek better, or make it. We must find better weapons, too. These will prove frail against those dinosaurs that we encountered before." He looked at the fringed trim on his knees, and untied the decorative devices and tossed them away. "Those irritate my legs, and serve no purpose," he declared. "This spear may prove more valuable." He hefted it, noting the sharp obsidian blade, made of volcanic glass.
They examined their knives, finding them to be of steel, with antler handles. "Hmmm. These people have steel blades. They must trade with metalworking tribes, " muttered Zoth. "We wil need steel for some of our plans."
They set off toward the Treehouse where Finn, Challenger, and their friends lived, Zoth recallng the path all too well. It was along that path that the golden-haired girl with firearms had pursued him before, and he had barely reached the Cavern of the Void in time to save himself from her fury. Now, the time for revenge was at hand, and he wanted to see her face when she again became his captive. If need be, he could menace her to get the brilliant scientist who loved her to yield his secrets, those that Zoth could not remember. But even if the man was away, his notes would enable Zoth to design and construct the implements of devastation with which he would triumph and reign.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - October 20 2006 : 10:14:42 AM
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Hours before, the day was yet to fully dawn when a brunette woman in a short gown of a material similar to satin opened a door on the Treehouse and stepped out to look at the jungle.
Her name was Marguerite Krux, but she was betrothed to Lord John Roxton, who slept in their room, unwakened when his woman slipped softly from bed and came to look at the moon, still visible above the jungle. She jumped as a bat whizzed past, brushing her cheek in passing. She hoped that no spiders were near, for she wore only the brief slip or nightgown, a style yet to appear otherwise in her day, but designed by Finn after those of her time, a hundred years and more in the future. The women made many of their own garments and lingerie, and Marguerite liked the freedom and sensuality of these styles. But they did not cover much, and a spider would be an unpleasant visitor. Some of these arachnids were very dangerous with potent venom. She shivered, and ran one hand down the other arm, feeling goose pimples. Some were caused by the night's chill, but some from fear as she tried to recall what had roused her.
Marguerite was a remarkable woman in most ways, but she was also a reincarnated Druid priestess, and the local Indian shaman called her Sorceress. He knew that she possessed senses beyond those of most mortals. She could read any language, and knew, often, when evil lurked, even when she could not identify the source and proximity.
Now, a feeling of dread had wakened her, and filled her with foreboding. She realized that her right hand had taken the lacy hem of the slip and was wadding it in her hand, a sign of stress and apprehension.
She heard Roxton rise and pad to the door in his bare feet. He wore nothing, and she felt the warmth as he pressed against her from behind. His arms encircled hers, and he felt the goose bumps, and caused a few more to rise as she responded to his presence. He had been able to arouse her physically, even when she had tried to pretend to herself and others that he was a mere man, another in a chain of unrequited suitors, not the one whom she truly desired, so much so that the knowledge frightened her and she fought the weakness that it imposed on her independent spirit. In time, she had grown to respect him and admire him, and to dream that he might even accept her, for Marguerite had many secrets, many unsavory, and being a sorceress was the least damaging of them in her eyes. She felt unworthy of Lord Roxton, but he had made her his, and she felt more self esteem than she had ever felt before, and had learned to love not only him but their other friends and to rejoice more in life itself as it had become so much more to her than a chance to admire herself for cunning and deceit and the money she had made from swindling, jewel theft, and various schemes of which she was now unproud. Her pride in her skills remained, but she now knew hope and love and desire, where once she had let men have her mainly to insinuate herself into their lives to take advantage of them. John Roxton had given her much, and she would die for him, if need be, although she would probably not tell him this, fearing it would make her appear weak or in awe of him. Which she was, but a girl needed her secrets, lest Roxton assume too much control of her.
"What's wrong, Marguerite?", the tall man asked. "Why are you out here communing with the jaguars and the owls? Did Ned's chili get to you?" He chuckled, and ran his thumbs over her nipples, shielded only by the delicate lace of her bodice. They rose to attention, stiffening as he massaged and tweaked at them, sending sparks of desire through her body. She arched her back, leaned to kiss him, and moved her hips against his growing erection. She let him raise her arms and strip her of the single white garment, which he tossed onto a chair just within their room. He turned her, taking her lips with his, running a hand down her spine, sliding his fingertips around gently at the base of her spine, then cupping her buttocks in his powerful hands, pulling her in to him. She gasped, then yielded as he drew her into the room, shutting and fastening the door. He picked her up and carried her to bed.
"John, oh, oh, DO THAT!" she purred as he laid her down and began igniting her with probing, skilled fingers, one, then two, within her nether lips and beyond. And she responded fiercely, passionately, following his lead, until she lay bucking beneath him, moving with all the thrust of her lust, until both were satisfied, and lay in each other's arms, breathing as if they had run a mile.
Roxton held her then, and asked what had roused her. "Other than me, I mean," he added. "You seemed intent on something, and I don't think that I caused all of those goose pimples. Tell me, Marguerite. Did you have a bad dream? I've told you a thousand times: I will hold you and protect you, and you need never fear again. Well, that isn't quite true: you still need to shake out your boots in the morning in case something has crawled in, but as for the dreads of your mind, I'll shield you and protect you and cherish you until you fear no more."
She reached for him and pressed against him, looked into his eyes, and kissed his brow. "Oh, John, that means the world to me. You cannot ever fully know what nightmares I've had and fears of some coming true. I've told you of some, and others will come, as I unburden my soul to you. But tonight isn't something from my past. I just feel uneasy, like something bad is about to happen. The air trembles with evil. I sense it. I don't know what it is, but we had better be alert for a few days, at least. I don't even know if this is me speaking, or Morrighan. But thanks for telling me that you'll be there to help me defeat whatever it is that I fear. Together, we can conquer almost anything, even my fears. Kiss me, and let's try to get another hour of sleep before anyone gets up. But hold me; I won't be able to sleep if you don't. That just makes me feel safe, or at least safe enough to sleep...for now."
"I'm glad that you get these nerve attacks," he teased. "it's one way to get your desirable body in my grasp. Seriously, Marguerite, it's all right. I listened before I reached for you, and there were no unusual noises, for this place, anyway. Just the usual jungle sounds, plus my panting when I saw you silhouetted in that doorway, with the moonlight coming through that slip." He chuckled and fondled her ears and rubbed noses with her.
She looked troubled and replied, apprehensively, "John, thank you for trying, but I KNOW there was something there. It seems to have passed, but I was truly uneasy." She shivered. "I'd better get my slip. We still have time to rest awhile and I slept badly." She started to rise, but he pulled her back into bed.
"Never mind the slip. It isn't going anywhere, and I like you the way you are. I love seeing you, watching you, clothed or unclothed. But especially, unclothed. Your body is a marvel, even in this Treehouse, with all three women well able to turn male heads. You have the body of an angel, and the feel of one. Lie next to me and sleep. I'll protect you. The slip won't keep you very warm, anyway. I'll do that; just let me toss the sheet over us and let's sleep. The others will be up soon, and Veronica or Ned will pound on the door telling us to come to breakfast or make our own."
She shifted in his arms, facing him now, and laughed softly. "If I have to cook for you, I will, Lord Roxton. I'll get Finn or Veronica to watch me, but I'll get you fed. I need to learn how to cook eggs without incinerating them. Love isn't all about sex, not that I'm complaining about that. But I'll broaden my domestic skills yet. You deserve no less for the joy that you have brought this miserable urchin whom you chose over the ladies you deserved. You make me whole, John." And she held him as they drifted off to sleep again, this time more successfully than before.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - October 27 2006 : 3:39:57 PM
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Predictably, an hour or so later, Veronica Layton rapped on their door. "Hey, John! Stop whatever you're doing to that woman and come eat! If you're late, she'll have to cook for you. You're a nice man. Have you ever done anything bad enough to deserve that?" And she laughed at this witticism and reflection on her brunette friend's culinary skills, or lack thereof.
"We'll be right there, " Roxton replied. "Marguerite has drained me of all energy; I need to eat. This woman is insatiable, I promise you!"
"Lord Roxton! Veronica, don't believe him. It's HIS lusts that are insatiable. Why, I barely get any sleep. He thinks beds are just for One Thing, and I get up exhausted. No worries; we'll be right down."
She shook off the sheet, kissed Roxton good morning, and slipped away as he tried to pull her back into bed, and stumbled toward the washroom.
Veronica rolled her eyes, shook her head, and smiled as she went downstairs to the kitchen, where her man Ned was making whole wheat toast in an electric device devised by Challenger. He looked inquiringly at his woman, who told him that the Roxtons would be along as soon as they had finished teasing one another.
"I'm glad that they admit now to being in love," Ned reflected. "Sometimes, they can be a little bawdy with their jibes, but it sure beats them squabbling, pretending that they weren't crazy about one another."
"Yeah," Veronica agreed. "At least, Finn and George weren't coy about it when they got together." She reddened. "I swear, some of what I've seen them doing when they didn't think anyone could see still makes me blush. Uh, Ned? You know the way she sits on his lap, with her arm around his waist or neck? Like I painted them? It is sort of sweet, and well, close. Would you like for me to sit on your lap that way? Not as often, but sometimes, when I feel especially near to you, or just want to bond? It is sort of cute, and I can see why they like it." She blushed, for Veronica had been a near virgin when she first opened her legs to Ned Malone. Yet, she was athletic, and rather unabashed, not having encountered much of the primness of society off of the Plateau. The more she was with Ned, the easier intimacy with him became, and she was thrilled at how she responded to him as they lay together. This couples thing has its points, big time, she thought, and blushed again.
"Yeah, uh, sure. I mean, you wouldn't be heavy or anything. Would you like for me to play with your hair or run my hand down your back or arm like George does to her? It seems so unselfconcious; they just reach out and touch or caress each other. Challenger isn't even embarrassed about it, anymore. Yeah, I think I would like to feel you on my lap, sometimes. Could we try that? I mean, we live in a jungle, among friends who are all but family. It's not like we'd be doing that in Grand Central Station." Ned colored, and Veronica smiled at her lover's shyness. They were still discovering each other, and she liked that he was a little reserved, but tender. He was such a contrast to the more swaggering, sensual, very male John Roxton, or to the Challengers, whose union was so tender and natural. George certainly treated Finn like her man, and she responded as his woman, but there was also a great equalness, and an intellectual union there, as well as a spiritual one. George asked her opinion, and she often saw solutions to problems in the lab, with her different way of looking at things. It intrigued Veronica to observe her best friend looking at her man, Challenger, and sometimes, they seemed to be communicating telepathically. It was a bit weird, and Veronica was a little jealous of it, and was glad to find herself being more in tune with Ned, so that she could often anticipate his thoughts or next move. That felt warm and comforting, and she was glad to be in a relationship with him, having for so long struggled with whether he was more brother, friend, or lover. His new attitude, more confident, more masculine, as he rescued her from the Tecamaya in Xochilenque (See, "The Crystal Skull" at: www.americanbty12.proboards62.com , in Fan Fiction there)impressed on her that Ned was not her "brother" and that she was glad of it! Yet, in some ways, Ned remained shy and a little unsure, and she treasured that, and knew that she made him feel more manly. That was all right, for he had taught her what it meant to be a woman in a man's arms, and in his heart. Still, the Roxtons...Marguerite must feel faint with desire as John took her. There was just something about a man who was...all man. Veronica blushed furiously as the thought struck her, and she recalled a nude Roxton standing before the Emperor Cuauathemoc XIV in his throne room in Xochilenque, when the Indian monarch had ordered his captives stripped. She recalled Roxton, too, in the gladiatorial combat in the arena later, as she watched, like Marguerite, a near nude, bound captive, as Marguerite's man had fought the mighty Xu'ac. THAT was a masculine sight! She took in her breath remembering, and recalled apologizing to Marguerite for staring at John. Marguerite had taken it well, as if she knew that her man would have that effect on any woman. Marguerite could be so smug at times. And, she couldn't even cook...
"Honey?" Ned looked at her with curiosity. "Penny for your thoughts?"
Veronica wasn't about to tell Ned what had brought that flush to her cheeks. She said, tactfully, "I think I will sit on your lap soon, Ned. I think I'd like that. Um, is the bacon done?"
Malone, misinterpreting what had actually been in his mate's mind, checked the stove.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 01 2006 : 09:33:31 AM
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The Roxtons arrived for breakfast, followed shortly by the Challengers. Eggs and bacon from a tapir were served, with ample coffee, loved by all, and genuinely treasured by Marguerite as a balm for all of life's travails, or so she said: "Coffee isn't a luxury; it's a neccesity!" She could even make coffee quite presentably, although most kitchen skills eluded her.
As they ate, the couples discussed what they had planned for the day. Challenger and the Roxtons decided to look for medicinal plants and the Malones wanted to visit the Zanga village and trade with Assai and her friends for some staples and a little jewelry.
Finn, uncharacteristically, complained of feeling slightly queasy and said that she needed to finish some work in the lab and wanted to rest. She wanted to garden a bit, then have a leisurely shower.
Challenger raised a concerned eyebrow, but Finn said to go ahead with the Roxtons, that she was expecting Sa'eera later that day, anyway, and needed to be home to greet her. Her mate reluctantly agreed to go hunt his botannicals and leave Finn to her own devices for the morning, at least.
After they ate, Finn was helping Veronica clean up in the kitchen, and confided to her best female companion, her virtual sister, that she had missed her period. "George took me off The Pill last month, and I think we may be expecting," she admitted. "I don't know what pregnancy feels like in the early stages, but I think I may be headed for mommyhood."
She looked anxious, thought Veronica, but seemed intrigued, too, and a little proud. The girls talked more about her symptoms, and decided that it could go either way. "It's probably just that chili that Ned made for supper last night," teased Veronica, and Finn offered a wan grin.
"How would you feel if this is the real thing, though?" queried the older blonde.
Finn shrugged, drying a plate. "V., I want George's child. We don't have forever to start reproducing, and I guess the best time is now. I try to ignore the age difference, and just see him as George, my guy. Usually, I don't find myself even conciously remembering that he's so much older than me, but his biological clock is ticking faster than mine, I guess, and he wants to be able to play with and teach our kids. So, if I am pregnant, I guess it's fine. It needs to happen pretty soon, and we want two children before we try to quit. That just seems the right number, to give them the attention they need, and we'd like a boy and a girl. So, if my queasiness today is morning sickness, bring it on, I guess. But it will change me, and it will change us some. George and me, I mean. But if we are the first couple here to reproduce, how will you others feel about it? Do you still want us in the Treehouse? We have only one spare room, and the one that John used to have before he moved in with Marguerite."
Veronica set aside her dishtowel and took her friend by the shoulders and turned Finn to face her and looked directly into her eyes, as ever thinking what a lovely shade of blue they were. She had tried hard to reproduce that shade when she had painted Finn's portrait.
"Look, 'Sis'," Veronica said. "You and George are valued members of this group. If you have the first child, you get a spare room. Woe betide John or Marguerite if they break up. He'll just have to find bachelor 'digs', although we'll all help build him something. But they're tighter than ever, he and Marguerite, and Ned and I get along better every day. I could just kick myself for not realizing earlier how much I love him. I can't begin to tell you what it means to wake up with him holding me on a cool morning and how it feels to snuggle next to him and be held and not feel all alone any more. You know?"
Finn nodded, "Sure, V. Don't forget: I was alone a lot, myself, and I know absolutely what you mean. I get a real charge out of screwing, and George and I fool around in other ways, too. Well, you know. I haven't forgotten that time that you saw me on my knees in front of him on the veranda. Thanks for keeping that between us, by the way. Marguerite would have a field day with that if she was in the mood, and George would be SO embarrassed!" And Finn blushed, herself. "But you know what I dig most of all? It's when he lets me rub myself up against him, all along his front, "spooning". And when he holds me when I cry, thinking about my dead family and some of the other stuff that I've had to live through. It is just so nice to lie in his powerful arms at night, just talking, or getting him to hold me when we wake, before we see anyone else. Sometimes, I feel almost as if I'm living in a fairy tale. I feel so loved, so sheltered, so NEEDED! Like, I'm still in awe of this genius who cared so much for me, before I could even READ! I feel so privileged to be his woman...and the least that I can do is to give him the child that he's finally decided to have. He never especially wanted kids until we got involved, and now, he seems really intrigued. Do you know how much it means to me, to have him change his mind on something that important, because he wants to have them with me?" Finn blushed and Veronica decided that her face was actually glowing from within.
She looks so female, so fulfilled, so fertile, or something, mused the Layton lass. And as sexy as can be. I wonder if Challenger sees her like this, and realizes just what he means to her. Probably. She walks around a lot with him and I see the way they look at one another, just on a daily basis, when they think of one another in the midst of whatever they're doing. I was shocked the first time I saw this independent, potentially dangerous, survivor woman buttering George's bread and making goo-goo eyes at him or sitting on his lap, but when those two "got it" with each other, they got it bad. And she is SUCH a wonderful friend and I almost forget that she isn't really the sister that I'd wanted...
"So," spoke Veronica. "I take it that you and George plan to be together for awhile, that you aren't likely to break up soon?" And she laughed out loud.
"Okay, Sis, laugh," Finn retorted. "But it does feel pretty damned good to be George Challenger's bedmate and confidant, and I take the responsibility seriously. And, joyously. It embarrasses me when he sets me on that pedestal in our room, but it also makes me feel so female, so HIS, and just so fullfilled as me, too...Don't worry. We aren't going to break up anytime soon, and I hope, never. The world needs at least one example of what love can be, and we're it. You and Ned and the Roxtons and every other couple can just eat your hearts out wishing that you had it as good as the Genius and I do." She snapped her dishrag at Veronica's butt, popping her solidly, and the girls began laughing, screaming, and wrestling until Ned walked in and asked what was going on.
And so it was, that the others went about their errands that morning, leaving Finn alone in the Treehouse, with none of their crew having the slightest idea that Zoth and his minions were afoot in their world once more.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 03 2006 : 12:04:34 AM
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Zoth and his demons paused at the edge of a clearing just beyond the Treehouse.
"Wait," he commanded. "We must be certain of who is here before we make our next move. Watch for any activity. And remember: that fence is electrified, the work of that scientist whose knowledge I must have. We must find a way to seize the elevator, and be prepared to overpower the occupants. Perhaps if we are watchful, one will come out and we can seize him or her as a hostage. These humans are sentimental. Let us exploit that as we seek to overwhelm them."
"You are wise, Zoth," commented Una. This earned her a scornful glance from Salamine, who saw through her statement as Una's attempt to curry favor with the demon king whose interest she courted. Salamine would willingly use her sex appeal to manipulate men, but saw no reason to feed male egos more than needed. She suspected that Una not only sought Zoth's favor, but genuinely wished to serve him as his female. That seemed much like humans, and was a weakness, to Salamine's thinking. Could Una really LOVE Zoth? she asked herself?!
On reflection, she decided that this was possible for her kind, especially while they asssumed human form. One disadvantage of being on this plane was that they absorbed some of the nature of those whom they replicated. Perhaps Una's staying close to Zoth and carressing him or taking his hand was more than mere duplicity to curry his favor and power. Perhaps, although a demon, Una was feminine enough that she was one of those women who crave a strong man and wish to serve him, finding fufillment in nuturing their lord.
Zoth had an ego that would revel in this, she decided. Perhaps she should also play on this, Salamine concluded. Not enough to make a foe or rival of Una, who might turn on her, but just enough to incline Zoth to see her in a charitable light.
Salamine decided to test her skills as a woman. She knew that Rixel would be the easiest male among them to test, although Grendel appealed more to her, and was the stronger. Perhaps she might play both, deciding on whichever she chose according to how much they might benefit her as circumstances developed...
Salamine sauntered past Rixel, brushing his arm with hers, flashing an apology as his head turned. She remembered to sway her hips as human women did when wishing to emphasize their appeal and see whether they drew a man's eyes. Pretending that she didn't know that Rixel's gaze followed her, Salamine untied the knot fastening her brief sarong in place, took it off, and reshaped it somewhat before refastening it. She could almost feel Rixel's eyes slide over her body, clad for a monent only in the brief bra top and brown loincloth. It thrilled her to know that she could hold his attention so easily, and she drew power from it. Still, these garments were brief, and the tropical night at this altitude could be cold. Salamine hoped that by nightfall, they would have found warmer garb, or coverings such as blankets. But in the meantime, if they had to wait for the humans to do something, it might be amusing to see whether she could also arouse Grendel's interest. Salamine's lips parted and she breathed deeply. This was a new form of power, and it was fun to think of how she might employ it.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 08 2006 : 09:40:08 AM
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"Hark!" said Grendel, who was watching the Treehouse, only casually considering Salamine's vamping. "Get under cover, quickly. Someone has come out onto the balcony of their dwelling."
They crouched in the shadows, and Challenger stood on the veranda, running his eyes over the landscape, viewing with his ten power Zeiss binocular. A slim blonde girl dressed in black shorts and a crop top came out and stood by him, handing him a cup of tea or coffee. He let the binocular hang from his neck on its strap, finished the beverage, and talked to the girl, who was soon joined by another blonde. This one asked something of the man, who replied. A blond man joined them, standing behind the second girl, holding her by the waist with both of his arms, in a familiar manner. She leaned her head back on his shoulder, and the four talked for a moment, then all went in, closing the door.
"Who were these people?" queried Rixel. "I know the first girl from our last trip. She is the evil houri who tricked me, and the older, tall man is the one with her in the past. He is the genius whose plans you need, Zoth. But that other couple, we did not see. And the first girl seems to be the mate of the big man, not his daughter, as we had supposed, or perhaps his protege or plaything."
"I do not know who the others are. The other couple whom we saw was dark haired, and the man was larger than this one. He is not much taller than his female. And his woman dresses more like an Indian than a white person, although she is clearly the latter. She wears little more than our women, dressed as they are in what the girls whom they replaced wore."
"But, no matter," Zoth continued. "Whoever they are, this new couple is human and our foe. We will deal with them. But we must be sure where the other couple is, the brunette one, who dress as civilized people. Judging from the guns he carried before, the dark man is dangerous. We can be slain in this world, and I wish to take no unneccesary chances."
"The tall man with the beard and the girl in black looked around through his far-seeing glass," noted Una. "I think he wanted to see if there were any threats about. That probably means that they will soon come down from their dwelling."
"Excellent, Una," exclaimed Zoth. "You impress me yet again. When I rule this world, you shall be my queen. In this form, I have physical needs, and you shall quench my desire. But you will also give me wise counsel and support my reign."
"Yes, Zoth: I beg this." Una glowed, and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, their arms touching, bare in the attire of the savages whose clothes they wore.
"Why not me, Zoth?" demanded Salamine." I am more of your temperment than Una. She worships you, and feeds your pride. I can plan more like you, and satisfy your lust even better than she can." And Salamine looked condescendingly at Una.
Una opened her mouth to say something strident, but Zoth raised his hand and commanded both women to silence. "Look," he noted, "That elevator contraption is coming down. They are indeed leaving the Treehouse."
The demons hid in the undergrowth and ferns and saw the younger blond man and his woman and another couple step off the elevator. It went back up, and Zoth realized that this second couple was the one that he had seen before. There must be at least three couples in that home, if the girl in black who had tried to kill him was in fact the partner of the big man with the beard, not just his child or student. He had never really determined her relationship to this Challenger man...
The couples stood together, talking, as the elevator came back down and the bearded man and the girl in black stepped off. Then, the three sets of people gestured and spoke, evidently declaring their intentions for the day. All were armed, the new blonde girl with a bow and arrows, the others with firearms. From what he could see at this distance, the girl who hated him wore a revolver instead of her nasty little crossbow. She also carried a rifle. But she didn't have on any gear like the rest: canteen, pack, etc., nor did she wear a hat. Not that the other blonde did either. The dark haired girl and the men all wore hats. He decided that the slouch hat made the brunette woman look rather stylish and a bit sexy, and she carried herself well. Like her man, she wore a light blue shirt and khaki nether clothing, her a skirt and he, trousers. He sensed on some level that they might have selected this clothing to match one another. Silly. But humans were known to be sentimental.
The foursome broke up, the young blond couple going in one direction, the other couple and the big bearded man another. The girl in black stood by the gate in their electric fence and leaned up and kissed the big man goodbye, and they touched, holding hands briefly after he had run his right hand down her arm. So, they were lovers! That might prove to be useful knowledge, if he could capture this girl again. The scientist might give him all he wanted to save his female. It was clear that they were close.
Then, the others left, and the girl in black shut and secured the gate. She walked over to a garden, set her rifle down carefully, and took a large net off of some vegetables. She lifted a can and began watering the plants. She had seemingly been left behind today, while the others were going far enough away to want their packs and canteens. Hmmm. Zoth's mind began to consider his options...
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 10 2006 : 3:15:39 PM
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"There is only the one left," noted Sjok, "and she is a frail female. We can rush her and get through that thin fence before she reacts. She will probably just scream and run, anyway! We can catch her; I run fast."
Zoth gave him an an amused, sour glance. "Sjok, you are deceived. That girl will not run. She will lift that rifle and shoot us! I know her temperament, having encountered her on our last visit here. She tried very hard to kill me, and she knows how to shoot. Probably, she will shoot even better now, for the rifle she has is her own. She used the big dark man's the last time, and his pistol. She is also very athletic, very nimble and strong for her size. Ask Rixel! She can fight, and she is subtle and crafty and determined. She is pleasant to gaze upon, but she is dangerous. Do not be deceived by the tenderness that she showed the bearded scientist this morning. We will see none of her affection, although I wonder how she would be, if interested. I imagine that she would be quite passionate in bed."
"Zoth, you need not think like that," interjected Una." She is probably sexy when she wishes, and the other two women moved well today, too. But they are as nothing, compared to the lust that I have for you, and I have more endurance than human women. Besides, you need her to feed to the Void, that we may get another female of our kind."
"Oh, we can always try her out before feeding her to the Void," mused Grendel. He enjoyed toying with the jealous Una, so obvious in her adoration of Zoth. "Forced, she might perform well, if we pretended to spare her or her friends if she pleased us."
"Enough of this talk. Let us decide what to do. Zoth, what are your orders?" This from Salamine, who didn't like the way the men were talking any more than did Una, but was determined not to let her pique show, lest the males prick her further, to amuse themselves. Men! They could be so chauvinist and adolescent, even when demons.
"I think we will watch a bit longer. Maybe she will work her way around the great tree and be out of sight and we can get closer," said Zoth. "Wait! What is she doing; she is pulling that netting back over the vegetables that she just hoed and watered. Perhaps she is done. If she leaves the fence, we will have her! By the way, Sjok, remember that the fence is electric; it will fry you if you touch it. We must find a big stick and use it to pry open the strands of barbed wire, that we may step through the fence between them."
"My spear should suffice, " said Sjok. He hefted the strong jaguar spear.
"Yes," agreed Zoth. "That will do. But look! She is going to the elevator, not outside the fence. Now, what?"
Finn walked into the elevator and sent it up. In the Treehouse, she set her Mannlicher-Schoenauer rifle in the gun rack in the main living room and went to the refrigerator for a glass of limeade. She sat at the kitchen table to drink and ate the last remaining slice of toast left from breakfast. She wet a towel and mopped her brow and neck, for the work in the garden on this hot morning had left her sweating a little. In fact, she could use a shower, and she knew that the water reservoir was full. She brightened, deciding to shower before she made a cup of coffee and set out some things she wanted to show to her Zanga friend, Sa'eera, when the young queen arrived later this day. Shall I tell Sa'eera that I may be pregnant, and blame it on that fertility totem that she and Assai gave George and me?, she wondered. Her lips curled in a grin. Sure, why not? I'd like to see her face when she hears that. She has yet to have her own first child, which is just as well, considering that she's only 18. But she and Assai and Xma'Klee have been needling us Treehouse women, wondering if we're all cursed, because none of us has a kid yet. That'll fix her. And Finn laughed in delight and pride. I may not only be pregnant, but I'm having the child of a genius, an icon! I feel like I'm mated to Leonardo DaVinci or Einstein, or somebody like that. Well, not Einstein, for sure. George is a hell of a lot better looking than that. But he is lucky to have me to cut his hair and trim that beard, so that he looks younger and spiffy. I don't know why that witch Marguerite didn't cut his hair better before I came. He let it get so gross! Gad, he looked worse than some of those creepy rock stars that I saw photos of when I was in my century! He could have looked in the mirror and used scissors on himself, and done better than he did. If Veronica hadn't cut their hair sometimes, they'd have all looked awful, and now, I have her trained to cut hair and she does Ned's, and the other girls and I all help to groom one another. It's kind of cool and helps us to bond. And I really like seeing Marguerite cut John's hair, even if I have to help her touch it up a little. She's learning, and she's so much nicer than she was. I have it made here. I used to dream of having friends, and now, I have a surrogate family! And when this baby comes, George and I WILL have a REAL family! Oh, I hope that I am preggers. It will be so humongous to see George hold our first child, and look at me. Just thinking about it almost makes me melt. I love that man so much it half scares me when I think about it. And I know that I'll be a great mom. It means so much to me to give my children the love and security that I mostly missed out on.
She rinsed out her glass and went to the shower. Stripping, she set her clothes aside on a small table near the shower room and hung her gunbelt with the Smith & Wesson .38 from a hat tree nearby. Her boots went under a chair and slipping off her panties, she entered the shower cubicle. She had started to move the shower outlet further outward to get the stream of water on her just right, when she saw that the screw holding the shower head onto the pipe was loose. The shower head wouldn't stay put at the right angle. Finn stepped out and got her Swiss Army knife, a Victorinox in the model the maker had called the Camper. She opened the larger screwdriver blade and tightened the shower head, then set the knife just outside the shower cublcle on a small shelf, by her towel. She knew nothing yet of how important this would be to her later...
Finn turned on the water, and squealed in delight as the stream cascaded over her, producing a feeling of indolent luxury. She soaped herself and played with her nipples and other areas that she liked to feel Challenger's fingers toy with. Breathing heavily, with the shower on, she couldn't hear much, but what would there be to hear, on this safe, quiet morning, with her friend due soon?
Below, Zoth led the way to the fence and with a spear holding the wire apart, they stepped one by one through the deadly strands and entered the Treehouse yard. They made their way to the trunk of the giant tree and found the control for the elevator. Una remembered how to work it, and they sighed in relief. They would soon be into the Treehouse.
Sjok boarded the elevator first, for he had a shield to ward off the crossbow bolt if Finn used her old weapon, and maybe deflect a bullet if she used the new. Grendel was next, holding a length of rope from an Indian's hunting pouch, to bind the girl quickly. Maybe she could be taken by surprise, for the elevator ran fairly quietly, and she might not hear it if she was high enough in the Treehouse as it ascended.
Finn finished washing herself and began rinsing, keeping her hair dry, for she wouldn't have to wash it for another day or two, and wanted to look nice when Sa'eera came. She never heard the elevator...
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 12 2006 : 09:07:35 AM
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Sjok stepped quickly off the elevator, followed by Grendel. The hulky demons swarmed into the Treehouse, followed quickly by Zoth, who then sent the elevator back for the others.
"No one here?" whispered Sjok. "Maybe the girl has heard us and is lying in wait with firearms." He looked uneasy, for Zoth and Una had told them of the damage that guns had done to them during their last foray into this world. They eased through the Treehouse, going up a deck to the main living quarters.
"Hark!," said Grendel. "I think I hear a shower running, or some sort of water. Let us follow that sound." And, they did.
As they rounded a corner, the saw the hat tree with Finn's revolver on it and her clothes folded on the table next to it. The men looked at one another, and all broke out in grins, for it was now evident what was happening. With any luck at all, they would only need reach into the shower and drag out the screaming human female they sought.
The water abruptly shut off, and they froze. Then, Sjok went around one way and Grendel and Zoth the other, so that Finn would be intercepted by one or the other if she tried to flee.
She stepped out of the cubicle and dried herself, then tossed the towel on the shelf, over her knife, not thinking at the moment how she usually took pains to keep it from moisture, although the blades were stainless and the handle scales, plastic. As she started forward, she heard a floor board creak behind her, and looked back, startled.
Finn saw Sjok, and turned to run for the .38, only to find her way blocked by Zoth and Grendel. Her eyes widened in shock as she recognized the former, it taking only a second for her to recall his hated features, although he was dressed so differently than on his last visit. Seeing his image on television screens so often as a child had burned his visage into her brain so indelibly that she knew him in an instant.
"You!," she screeched. "Zoth! You BASTARD! You DEMON!" And then, they were on her. As Sjok grabbed her from behind, she sank slightly, then cut hard back with the edge of her left hand, connecting with an intimate and tender portion of the assailant's anatomy. When he screamed and bent over, she drove a hard elbow into his face, sending him over backwards, gasping in further pain.
Grendel reached for her, his powerful arms extended to seize her by the neck. Finn ducked, and aimed a karate kick at his head. Grendel flinched and evaded the full force of the kick, but saw stars and felt buzzing in his head as her foot smashed into his withdrawing jaw. Zoth barely parried a blow from the heel of her right hand that would have smashed under his jaw, snapping his head back with dangerous force. He grabbed her right arm, yelling for assistance.
The others had now entered the Treehouse and had crept forward. On hearing his cry, Rixel swarmed in and got Finn by her left leg and as she slipped on the damp floor, Salamine pulled her right leg out from under her. She swung between the two holding her legs and with Zoth still holding her arm. He was losing his grip, but the three managed to avoid falling over one another and turned Finn to the wall and pushed her against it. Una saw the length of rope that Grendel had dropped on the floor, scooped it up and was binding the young blonde's wrists as soon as Rixel and Zoth forced her arms behind her. Rixel held her to the wall as Zoth and Grendel, the latter shaking his half stunned head, slid Finn down the wall, forcing her to kneel. They crossed her ankles and tied them with a second piece of rope.
Thinking they now had her safely in hand they lifted her to her crossed feet and started to half drag, half march her to the nearest chair. She turned her head and bit Grendel in the ear, hard. He yelled and let go of her, clapping a hand to his head. Rixel stepped in, slapped Finn with the back of his hand and told her to beware, lest she suffer the consequences of angering them. He got her arms from behind, pinning them, and Zoth took her feet. They carried her to a couch in the main living room and knelt her on it, Rixel stepping around behind and wrapping his arm around her throat to hold the furious girl in place. She bucked and struggled, but was helpless in his grasp.
Sjok was helped into the room and into a chair, then Rixel, Salamine, and Zoth lay Finn face down on the couch, and retied her wrists, more carefully and securely than they had been able to before. They retied her ankles, side- by- side now, so that she could stand if she was careful or someone supported her, but not do much else. Una brought in a towel left hanging beside the shower and as Rixel again knelt Finn upright, Una finished drying her, for she was still slightly damp in places.
"Thanks, " Finn said. "I'd hate to feel like I was going to catch cold before you creeps kill me." Her glare was murderous, and Una was glad that the angry girl was now safely bound. Even without weapons, she was clearly dangerous, and Una began to realize just how she might have overcome Rixel on their last trip, when she had disarmed him of Roxton's weapons. At the time, Una had simply felt that Rixel was incompetent, or a male who had been careless because he was dealing with a woman. Now, she had new respect for Finn's capabilities, for she had seen the damage she had done in seconds to much larger men before she had been overpowered.
"Who says that we will kill you?" queried Salamine. "Perhaps, if you are submissive and cooperative, we will only use you as a hostage to compel your lover, the great scientist, to divulge information that we require."
"George Challenger would die before he'd give you his formulas and plans to destroy our world. I'll sacrifice myself before I'd let you use me to coerce him, too. What are our lives against the hope of preventing Zoth from coming to power? That would deprive millions of people of their lives, their loved ones, their hopes and dreams and their world. All of us in this Treehouse know you, Zoth, and what you did to me and my family and our Earth. I HATE you, you bastard! This time, I'll kill you or die trying!"
"That can easily be arranged," spoke Sjok, wheezing as he began to breath enough to speak. "You harmed me, girl. I will gladly slay you in revenge. You have embarrassed me before these others, and I am a proud demon. Say the word, Kale, er, Zoth, and I will happily snap her neck after I make her beg to live."
"I wouldn't beg you for anything if you had water and I was dying of thirst," retorted Finn, glaring daggers at Sjok. "Give me a second chance, and you won't be hurting anyone else again, ever."
Grendel chuckled, a mean, frightening sound. "Girl, you,overestimate yourself. Sjok is a mighty warrior and you were fortunate to have struck him as you did. Had we not wished to be careful with you, you would be dead now. Show some fear and some respect, or I will compel them from you. Zoth, I know how to make her squeal for mercy, and not be harmed enough to alter your plans for her."
"Later, perhaps, if she remains obstinate and uncooperative," murmured the demon leader. "Girl, what is it that you are called? Do I remember Finn as being your name?"
"I don't know what your numbskull brain can remember," snapped Finn, "but that's what my friends call me. My real name is Nicole, but what's that to you? You're just going to use me for your purpose, then throw me into that Void that you came from to get another female demon out here, right?"
"I have yet to decide," lied Zoth. "Perhaps if you are sufficiently humble and helpful, I will let you live, as a slave to serve me or Una. Some humans will be needed for such purposes. Now, will you tell me how you knew me from our last visit? I have become very curious about that. I am quite sure that we had never previously met Yet, you knew me at a glance, and were immediately hateful. Why? When did I do the deeds that you accuse me of?"
Finn thought, then said, "Okay, get me a glass of water and I'll tell you. But I probably won't tell you much more. Get me my panties, too, and have Una put them on me. I don't like seeing Rixel's eyes on me there. I save that view for my man. He deserves it. What Rixel and the rest of you deserve, I'm too much of a lady to say."
Zoth threw back his head and laughed. "Well, that was certainly a ladylike fight that you gave us. And, you have used some unladylike language to me. But I agree: You shall have your undergarment and your water, and Rixel will have to wait a bit to see you in the altogether again. You see, he and the other male demons have pointed out to me that they can have their recreational way with you and we can still offer you to the Void, with no ill effects. I, myself, have no particular ambitions regarding you in that way, preferring Una's attentions when my desire rises, and I am more successful at holding such needs in check than most males of my, or your, kind. But it would amuse me to see your horror if I give you to my companions, so you had better speak with a true and gentler tongue, if you wish to avoid humiliation and punishment. Will you truly tell me what I asked, for the considerations that you requested?"
"Yes, " said Finn, who actually was irritated and embarrassed at being wholly on view for this group of fiends. "Get me the panties and the water, and we'll talk. And what I'm going to tell you will blow your socks off, I think. Not that you're wearing any socks. Who were your victims of the Void tunnel this time, some poor local Indians?"
"Yes, Indians. I don't know or care which tribe. Una, bring her garment. Salamine, find their water source and you and Una bring drink for all of us."
Salamine bristled. "Why must Una and I serve you? Must we be as the females of this time? We, too, are mighty demons, and you need us, Zoth."
Grendel soothed her. "Salamine, it is just that you and Una are so much more graceful than we men in such things, and the whole atmosphere is made more civilized and genteel if the feminine graces are displayed in mixed company., Besides, you need to accustom yourself to thinking like a human woman of this day, if you are to pass as one for awhile until our work is done. Most are trained to nurture their men. Finn, girl, is this not so? Did I not see feminine affection in your parting kiss to your scientist hero this morning? Did you not take him a cup of refreshment on the balcony earlier and stand by him admiringly as the other blonde girl was embraced by her man? "
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 12 2006 : 09:36:00 AM
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"I adore George Challenger, and what I do for him, I do out of love," Finn told him. "Who are you, anyway, Gargoyle Head? You weren't here, before. How long have you been watching us?"
Grendel stiffened. "Girl, I have been best known to your kind in the past in Scandanavian and Old English tales and legends. I was known then as Grendel, a name which I continue to use. Have you heard of me?"
Shaken, Finn stammered that she had. "Zoth, you brought out the big guns this time, didn't you? I've read the books here, and talked with my friends, and this gink Grendel was in some story about a guy named Beowulf. He was a really bad dude. Okay, Grendel, you have my attention. Yeah, women sometimes nurture their men, but whether it'll work universally, I'll let you learn on your own. What do you say, Una? Do you want to nurture and serve Grendel and these other jerks?"
Una and Salamine looked at one another and laughed, delighted. Then, they saw Zoth and the others looking at them, not amused, and hurried to do as they had been told. But Salamine marked down the occasion. Someday, Zoth would learn how to treat her better, or regret it.
They untied Finn's feet, given her oath that she would not take advantage of it, and helped her stand as Una slipped on her black bikini panties with the pretty lace butterfly applique so skillfully incorporated by Marguerite Krux, their best seamstress and garment designer. Then, she sat and extended her ankles to be rebound, before Una offered her a glass of water.
"I will kneel her before you, Zoth, then she will speak, or wish she had," intoned Sjok.
Zoth made a dismissive motion. "Just help her sit upright on the couch at one end, " he ordered. "Una, if she wishes more water, she may have it, if she speaks freely. Now, Finn: what do you know of me, and how?"
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 17 2006 : 11:59:28 PM
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And so Finn spoke to Zoth, telling him how she had been born many years in the future and how she had come to this remote jungle from the year 2033, after having survived the destruction of her society by Zoth and his forces of chaos.
As she spoke, the demons looked at her increduously and some smothered chuckles. Others just looked at her as if they had expected a better story, even if she meant to ridicule them or lie.
As Finn told how Prof. George Challenger and the Roxtons had rescued her and brought her to this time, Salamine tired of what she was sure was a stupid charade and interrupted.
"Zoth, this girl tires me and insults you. Let me skin her feet while Sjok and Grendel hold her down. Perhaps we had better tie her in place, for the pain will test even their strength as she struggles with all her might. The pain will be more than she can conceive, and will give her antics almost superhuman strength. But she will pay for what she has done to us with this stupid tale. Or, let me split her tongue if she is going to utter nonsense with it." She offered some other cosmetic alterations of Finn, which made the young blonde's blood run cold, although she tried to maintain a brave front.
"Zoth," Finn insisted. "I have NOT lied. You demanded that I tell you where I saw you, and I did. I didn't say that you'd believe it. But that is true, I swear."
Zoth considered. "Finn, you swear that this is true? That your man has invented time travel?" He was clearly intrigued.
"Well, yeah," she stammered. "But look: George didn't invent time travel, intentionally. He was really just trying to transport himself and his friends to London. His calculations were off. He doesn't even know where or how. We got back here, but that cave we were in may still be travelling through time. He has no idea how the time travel occurred; he's racked his mind over that. I can't go back. I wouldn't, if I could. My place is here now, with my man and my friends. This has become my world. I think I'm pregnant, too, and I would not want to raise my child in that world that you left."
It struck her that she should have repressed the knowledge that she was perhaps blessed with new life, lest this fiend use that information against her. She blanched at what these creatures might do to her and the embryo, if given free rein by their dark lord.
Zoth saw her face and filed that information for later, if it might be useful in forcing her to do something. For now, he said nothing.
"I will consider what you have said, girl, and you had better not have been trifling with me." Zoth turned to his followers. "You watch Finn, Una. The rest of us will search this place for weapons and for better clothing. We may need to leave soon, and I want to consider our plans. First, we must ready ourselves." And he led the way upstairs to the bedrooms.
Una and Finn warily considered one another. Finally, Una said, "You are not a bad looking human, Finn. And although I feel sure that you have wasted Zoth's time and tested our credulity beyond tolerance, you are plucky, brave to a fault. I see how you bested Rixel on our last visit. I see that your breasts are larger than I would have expected." Her eyes dropped, to where Finn was used to seeing men look at her. "You are not really well endowed, but much better than I'd have thought. Your top must fit more loosely than I'd realized. I suppose this Challenger man is satisfied?"
"Oh, I satisfy George very well, in many ways," Finn smirked.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 18 2006 : 01:35:07 AM
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She continued, trying to brass this out, showing nonchalance to mask her fear.
"George admires me for my mind, too," she razzed. "But he hasn't had any physical complaints, and he says that my boobs are medium, not small. I've had compliments on them from other guys in the past, and a few others who've seen my pair have made snide remarks about how they should be bigger. But I think those geeks judge women mainly by things like that. George sees the whole picture, but he likes what he sees there. Why, Una? You like looking at girls, too? Are you that kind of demoness?" She lifted an ironic eyebrow, wishing that her hands had been free to offer a more explicit gesture, one that would embarrass George if he had seen it. Finn blushed, thinking how this would embarrass her now, too, in that she might fail Challenger in what he'd expect of her. Gad, I have got it bad for that man, she reflected. Some of me is still irreverent enough to want to give this bitch the middle finger salute. But I wouldn't want George to know that I'd done it. He thinks I'm civilized now, and I guess I want to be, for both of our sakes...
Una smiled, amused that she was being taunted by this helpless captive, for whom she felt a grudging respect. She was, after all, another female, and they shared some things.
"Actually, Finn, I was merely observing that you have the physical weapons to enable you to have charmed Rixel, as you did. I suppose that your other men here are also pleased with you?"
Finn looked slightly shocked. "We girls here don't share mates, although we've all seen one another with our clothes off several times. I know the other guys like my bod, and I've seen them look, but they're too nice to say anything other than compliments. But I'm definitly the least endowed chick living here. You need to keep that in mind in choosing clothes upstairs, when Zoth gives you your chance to rummage. My tops fit me slightly loosely, except for a few that I made to show what I've got, when I want it to be noticed. I like to be able to move in my clothes. But my things won't fit you, Una. Wear Marguerite's again. You looked good in them last time. Veronica has a little more for men to stare at where you were looking, so Salamine might try her things. Most aren't much more than what you have on, but she has a few nice dresses she wears for party nights and that sort of thing. I designed them, to look like fashions of my time, mainly before Zoth destroyed most of our world, and sort of put an end to the social season, if you know what I mean. But we girls like parties here, and sometimes dress for that. It won't do Salamine much good, though, because those dresses aren't meant for jungle travel. She may as well wear what she has on, unless she thinks she can pose as Veronica with that auburn hair."
Una shrugged. "I know Salamine well. Marguerite's blouses will fit her more tightly than me, but she will be able to wear them. Look: did you really expect us to believe that absurd time travel story you told? Why not tell a more believable lie?" She seemed genuinely curious.
Finn looked at her without rancor. "Una, I didn't lie. You just made a great point about why I'd tell a better tale if I had. The fact is, I was born in 2011. Theoretically, I'm not even alive yet. You're talking to a broad from the future. Maybe if you creeps find my friends, you'll believe them. Our stories will jive, and we'd have had no reason or chance to rehearse them. Go look at my clothes by the shower. The shorts are the ones I wore in here. The shirt I had made by the local Indians, to copy my old one. Look at the material in the shorts. It doesn't exist yet. Look at my bra, the thing I wear over my boobs to support them. It's my original one, that I don't wear a lot these days, because it's getting past its prime. The elastic is a kind we don't have now, although George is trying to figure how to copy it, and he has come up with some really good stretchy cloth, but not that real Lycra. Most of the bras we've made don't stretch, we just have to fit them carefully and rely on the shape to make them comfortable and stay in place on the sides, especially when we have to run. Hell, women today don't even HAVE bras as I know them. The only ones around are those we made, after the other girls saw mine. My crossbow is in my room. Maybe someone could make one like it now; I don't know. But the materials are probably too advanced, especially the springy tempered metal bow part. I'm not lying; I am from the future. Weird stuff happens on this Plateau. Like you being here, for instance."
Una wondered if this wild account might actually be true. She went to the couch and had Finn lie on her side facing the back of the couch and draw up her legs. "If you move, girl, I will punish you. Do you understand?" And then Una went to the shower and handled the clothes, the garments in question puzzling her. Perhaps there was an outside chance that Finn was telling the truth. Remarkable...
Una returned to the couch and had Finn kneel upright while she bound her hands a second time, running the remaining length of the cord around her waist, tying her wrists to her waist now. She cast about with her eyes, seeing a scarf of Margeurite's on a nearby table. She got it and blindfolded Finn before helping her sit again.
"Scared of me still, Una?" Finn taunted. She thought: Maybe you should tie my knees too, witch. At least, I wouldn't have to worry about them shaking and knocking and showing how frightened I really am.
Una patted Finn's cheek patronizingly. "I just want us both to know that you're helpless for now, sweetie, while I look around a little. If you try to get loose or roll off that couch, I will make certain that you regret it. Understand, prettykins?"
Finn nodded and leaned back, trying to get as comfortable as she could. She heard Una collecting the guns from the rack in the main living area and some other things, probably canteens and packs. She went to the kitchen and fiddled around, probably putting food and other items into the packs. Finn heard running water, and knew that Una must be filling the canteens. So, the demons would probably soon leave the Treehouse, maybe in pursuit of her friends. What would they then do with her? Leave her here, or take her as a hostage? She tried to calm herself by imagining how she might try to exploit either situation. If only they would leave her alone again with Rixel as her guard, Finn might manage to subvert him.
Then, she recalled that her Zanga friend Sa'eera was due soon. Oh, that's all we need! They'd have the youngest wife of the Zanga king as a second hostage. Jacoba would love that! He might never forgive us for letting that happen. That's if Jacoba and any of the rest of us live through this present visitation from these fiends...
Then, she heard the others returning from ransacking the upstairs rooms. Finn remembered her handcuffs, taken from the late Avery Burton and his slavers, and now used occasionally when she role played "slave and master" games with Challenger. They were kept in her lingerie drawer, and would probably now be about to replace the thongs on her wrists. Great, she thought. Like Marguerite says, can this day possibly get any better?
Then, she remembered that she and George had fooled around with the cuffs the night before, and when he took them off her, he had put them under the bed, where they might have been missed. Marguerite had a set, too, but being less open than Finn, she usually hid them somewhere unless she wanted Roxton to use them on her, so they might not have been found. Marguerite was a genius at hiding things, being naturally devious and untrusting.
Then it hit her. She had unwittingly hidden her Swiss Army knife when she'd dropped that towel on it. Maybe Una hadn't found it. If they hadn't found the handcuffs, she would remain tied, and if they left her here, she might somehow reach that knife or get Sa'eera to get it, if she wasn't taken prisoner, too. It was a slim hope, but for now, it was all she could think of to keep her spirits up...
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 18 2006 : 3:09:35 PM
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The others were in the room now, and Zoth walked over and asked Finn where Challenger's notes were. "I've looked everywhere for them, and he has hidden them, hasn't he? Where, girl?"
"You're out of luck there, Zoth," she said, joyfully. "After I got my friends back from the Void the last time, George burned those notes, so that no one could ever again use his knowledge to cause ruin on such a scale as you plan. Professor Challenger is a moral man. It took me weeks just to get him in bed with me, because he's married, back in Britain, even though we were in love by then. He swore that he will never allow his work to be subverted, although I told him that others will eventually invent an atomic bomb, in the mid-1940's."
Grendel snorted. "Are you still trying to sell the idea that you are from the future, Finn? Zoth, let me have her for half an hour and she will beg, plead, to tell the truth."
"No," replied the head demon, thoughtfully. "Finn, I have been looking at your things, and there is just a chance that you are being truthful. Something about you just rings true. You are blunt, if devious, and you would lie to save your world and your loved ones, but something about you makes me think that you are who and what you say. Una, remove her blindfold for awhile. I want her to see some things."
Una removed the scarf, and Finn blinked as they got her up and untied her feet. She was led over to the area where the few photos of Veronica's parents were displayed, and where her paintings of her friends were displayed, well away from the windows, where rain spray might affect them.
Zoth gestured to a portrait of Finn sitting on Challenger's lap, her boots off, her arm draped casually and affectionately around the great scientist's neck, his arm on her waist. Beside it was a painting of John Roxton standing beside a seated Marguerite. And another showed Ned Malone, holding one of his journals, an alert, attentive look on his face. He was looking at the presumed artist, smiling. Another showed him with Veronica, arms on each others' waists.
"Who are these people?" Zoth wanted to know. "The brunette couple I saw on our last visit. Who are they, and the new blond couple?"
Finn saw no particular reason to lie, and she told him who her friends were, her pride in knowing them evident.
"They're dangerous, Zoth," she warned. "Roxton was a big game hunter in Africa and won his country's top medal for gallantry in battle in a great war that was just fought. Veronica has been fighting slavers and savage tribes here for all of her life, and Marguerite has been through some rough times, too. You don't want to mess with them. Leave them alone. They've done nothing to you."
"True, but I have plans for them and for all your kind. As you noted, I want to summon additional minions from the void. I want them alive, for exchange with my sort. If you cooperate, they will not be tortured before they are sent into the void. Where have they gone?"
"I don't know, and Grendel, wipe that look off your face. Even you couldn't make me tell, because I really don't know where they are. George and the Roxtons went to look for medicinal plants, and even they weren't sure where they'd be. The others went for a walk in the jungle, maybe to barter some with the Zanga tribe, but also just to wander on their own for a while and be together."
"Why?" asked Sjok.
Finn grimaced. "Well, they are in love, and want some time to just be themselves. I guess you wouldn't understand. They have several places in mind where it's beautiful, and they can just swim and hang out with each other."
"They cannot simply rut in their room here?" queried Rixel.
Finn shot him a nasty glance, but explained that a different, romantic atmosphere was desirable, although what he had said was true. "But sometimes, we like to be in special places, with just our lovers, and where the day makes everything wonderful, no matter how much we fool around at home, as much fun as that is, too. You have to be human to understand, I guess. Something that you jerks will never be."
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 18 2006 : 4:13:56 PM
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"No", gloated Salamine. "Being human is something that our kind are spared. We do not have your weaknesses. Although I must say, the dark haired man is handsome. I can see why his woman might wish to dally with him. And I suppose the other couple care for one another. But your man loves you. Zoth, if we can seize this Challenger, no matter how moral he is, he will draw again his plans and make his notes, if we threaten his woman. They are weak that way. If he sees a noose on her neck, he will speak, and not let her hang, or die slowly and painfully as he has to watch. You will have your plans. I feel sure of it."
Finn shrank within herself, wondering if this might be true. Her gut feeling was that Challenger would die first, but Salamine had a point. George cared very deeply for her, and the reverse. She had begun to wonder how readily she could kill herself if she had to, to avoid being used as a bargaining tool. Not only would she miss George, but she was probably now becoming a mother, and she had her child to consider. Still, what were the three of them and her friends, against saving all the world? She was unable to prevent tears slipping from her eyes as she thought, knowing that her captors would not give her a chance for suicide, even if she sought that.
Zoth decided. "We will lay an ambush on the trail back from that Zanga village and seize the blonde couple as they return. We will then decide how best to get hold of the others, and I want to kill some Indians, also, and hunt for food. We need to accustom ourselves to this time and place, and let our strength grow. We are not yet stronger than we would be as humans. Two days hence, we shall be almost industructible."
"We shall take the weapons, storing those we cannot carry in a locked room, that Finn cannot reach them, even if she miracuously frees herself. She will remain bound here, with Salamine, who will continue to search for the notes. Challenger has probably just hidden some. In any event, Salamine will study this Treehouse and learn all that we need to know about it. If others return, she can capture them, for she will have Finn's gun."
"I can stay with Finn," offered Rixel.
Zoth smiled and the others openly laughed. "No, Rixel," Zoth proclaimed. "I think we had best leave another woman with her, and I want Una with me. Salamine is stronger than Finn, and Finn will remain bound. Your strength will not be needed, and Finn has shown an ability to cloud mens' thinking. Now, hasten, let us prepare to leave."
Soon, the remaining guns locked away, Finn was taken to a chair set in the center of the main room, and sat in it so that she faced the back. Her neck was tethered to the top of the chair, and her ankles each taken back to the front legs, and tied in place, her wrists remaining bound behind her and fastened to her waist. They had not found the handcuffs, and Finn thought that this was at least nice. Unfortunately, it was all of the good news, and she knew in her heart that her wrists were bound so skillfully that it really made no difference that they weren't closed in steel. In fact, she was more tightly confined than she would have been in the cuffs, which had only one link between the bracelets, an alteration made by Burton's slavers, to more tightly restrain the girls in whom they traded.
"Does she really need a blindfold?," asked Una. "She isn't going to be able to wander around, anyway, and she knows this place intimately. It won't hurt if she and Salamine see one another, and I love this scarf. I want it." She caressed Marguerite's Hermes scarf, aware of how wonderful some of these human womens' things felt to the touch.
"Then, take it, Una. If Salamine wishes Finn's eyes covered, she can doubtless find another blindfold. Later, we will gag her when we take her from this place, too, but that is unneeded now. I think Finn realizes that she is helpless. Although she is very pretty sitting there bound in that chair, wearing almost nothing. That is why we are leaving Salamine, not one of the men. Now, let us depart. Salamine, we shall return in a few hours. Try to find something suitable for the evening meal, if we do not kill any game while we are gone."
Salamine hid her anger at being ordered about in this way, and being left behind like a housewife while her companions explored this new world. In time, she thought, Zoth may find that he has erred in dismissing me so thoughtlessly.
Una sensed Salamine's wrath, and said, "Salamine, look through their clothes again. The women have some really nice things you may want. And the view from here is remarkable. Drink it in: we have found a fine new home." Una now wore a set of Marguerite's clothes, a lavendar blouse and tan jodhpur pants, with tall boots. Her panties were the modern, brief style introduced by Finn, and Una felt sensual in them, but she had no bra, selecting one of Marguerite's silken camisoles as her top undergarment. This Marguerite woman had exquisite taste in clothes and jewelry, and Una was glad to wear her items. She felt very feminine in them, if charged with power, and she came to stand by Zoth, wanting him to feel the touch of her sleeve on his arm. The softness of these garments was not lost on men, although women delighted in the wearing of them...
So, it came to pass that Zoth and the others left Finn alone with Salamine. And, Sa'eera had not yet arrived, and might not be taken by this group, if they missed her on the trail. But how could Finn, stripped to her panties, bound to a chair, warn Sa'era? Would the young queen at least bring bodyguards? She had wanted of late to go to the Treehouse alone, in part so that she and Finn could sneak off and practice with the sling that she was learning to use, against the Zanga tradition of women not bearing arms. Finn had also shown her how to use her crossbow, and they loved to romp in the jungle, feeling free and strong and adventurous, sisters at play in the wild. She was very persuasive, and a favorite among Jacoba's women. What if he chose this occasion, of all times, to allow her out on her own!?
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 21 2006 : 09:24:37 AM
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The demons strode boldly down the jungle path, having decided to follow Ned and Veronica's footprints as far as they could, then continue in the direction that they would have gone. With luck, they would find the young blonde couple and seize them. If not, they would later lie in wait for them to return to the Treehouse.
They especially wished to capture Veronica, for she would know most about the Plateau and where Zoth could find elements that he needed to construct his devices and to make biological poisons. She could also be used as a forced contact to communicate with the Zanga, although it was uncertain whether they would value her enough for her to be of much use as a hostage. Zoth felt sure that the Zanga knew a way off the Plateau and were just keeping it to themselves for reasons of their own. Probably, they didn't want the expedition to leave, lest other whites return to the Plateau in numbers and colonize it, ending Indian autonomy. That is how Zoth's mind worked, so he assumed the same of Jacoba, whose name he had coerced from Finn.
But he had ultimately to get Challenger, to have access to his fount of scientific knowledge and the research he could do, if Finn was used to prod him to service in Zoth's cause.
"He may be bold in resisting, but by tomorrow night, we shall have our full powers, and if I tell Grendel to pull off Finn's arms if he won't help us, I feel sure that he will apply himself to our needs." Zoth chuckled as he said this, and his entourage smiled, Grendel licking his lips at the possibility of revenging himself on the human girl who had defied and embarrassed him and mighty Sjok!
Una was more skeptical of this plan, knowing that both Finn and Challenger would resist more than the others thought, but she also knew the truth was that if Challenger truly thought that Finn was in danger, he would, however grudgingly, protect her if he could. But he would have to be watched, lest he deliberately prolong his calculations or make Zoth's plans backfire. It was well that they had Finn, for Challenger might indeed sacrifice himself if only he mattered. But Una agreed after seeing the portrait of Finn on his lap and the expressions on their faces, and the casual affection that those two showed in the painting, that it was obvious that they were deeply involved, and Finn's probable pregnancy would also weigh heavily on her man's mind and heart.
The brunette couple were of little immediate value, not really being needed to force service from Challenger, or for any other reason that Zoth could see, and the man, at least, was dangerous. He announced that this couple could be exchanged for others of their kind, as soon as the woman had provided carnal entertainment for his men. Making the man watch as his woman was taken by others would give pleasure to Zoth and the demon horde. It would produce pain and misery and vexation among the humans. What could be funnier than to see the wretched looks the humans would have on their faces as they saw what was in store for them! Veronica could also serve to please his men for awhile, but Ned might as well go into the Tunnel of the Void when the Roxtons did. Zoth wanted more of his troop present here soon, and Malone and the dark couple would replace three demons very nicely. And it would be pleasing to hear the wailing of the humans as those sent to the void left the others, who would remain prisoner in this world. Zoth's heart sang, and he knew the joy this action would bring to his companions. Here now only for hours, and his plans were already progressing! He might achieve true chaos within this very year, if Challenger didn't dally in giving up his genius!
As they walked boldly down the trail, the underbrush stirred, and a six-foot high raptor dinosaur that was probably Troodon or something very similar, rushed out at them, evidently intent on killing one of the demons for its lunch. Zoth raised Roxton's .416 Rigby rifle and sent a 400 grain softnosed bullet into its solar plexus. The reptile gave a great cry and fell, then scrabbled around trying to rise. Sjok stepped over to it and fired a bullet from Marguerite's spare rifle, a .275 Rigby, into its brain. This stilled the beast, although it continued to twitch, for reptiles die hard, movements sometimes continuing after the mind has been destroyed.
They studied the fallen killer, making comments about it, then circled the corpse warily, afraid to touch it. They elected to move on, before other raptors came to scavenge it. If the humans had heard the shots, Zoth reasoned, each party would just think that the others had shot an attacker, or that they shot game for food. It was well that Challenger and the older couple and the Malones were not together, or they would know that others with guns were nearby. As it was, Zoth was not particularly concerned. The Malones might even come to him, looking for their friends, to see what they had shot. He smiled. That would shorten the time needed to have them in hand.
Sa'eera slipped down a nearby path, proud that she had talked her regal husband into letting her go alone to the Treehouse. For once, she wasn't accompanied by a multitude of guards, and she felt free to a degree that she seldom could. She looked forward to cavorting in a pool near the Treehouse with Finn and Veronica, swimming, talking about "girl stuff", and being 18 with no worries about her duties in the Zanga royal kraal. In fact, she had news for the other girls about her home, and was eager to see what new foods that V. and Finn had planted and which new clothes they had made. Veronica had promised Sa'eera a new dress to wear at the Treehouse parties, and she wanted to see it. Although Jacoba would probably think it odd, she needn't wear it home. In fact, Jacoba was reluctant for her to have too much contact with the whites, lest their culture rub off overmuch on one of his wives, and have her begin to behave assertively, as did the white women much of the time. This was unseemly, and Jacoba wouldn't welcome white fashions in his village.
But Sa'eera looked forward to trying on clothes like the Treehouse women wore, while in their company, and listening to their music, learning their dances, and sharing their foods. As long as she transported none of this back that Jacoba might find fault with, what harm was there in joining Finn and the others for fun as they knew it? And she knew that she would look fabulous in the styles they wore.
She heard the two shots, and paused. She knew that Ned and Veronica planned to visit her village that day, but they would be beyond this point by now, probably most of the way to her kraal. Perhaps the Roxtons had fired the shots, for Finn would be waiting for her at the Treehouse...
Sa'eera moved ahead carefully, staying under cover, parting reeds and ferns cautiously until she could see down the trail. If there were predators about, she needed to be very wary, for she was unarmed, save for the sling masquerading as a sash on her sarong.
Finally, she saw the whites ahead, and almost rushed to them in glee. But something was odd. Sa'eera shinnied up a tree where she could better study the group before showing herself. As they passed beneath her, she had an excellent view of them from no more than fifteen feet distance.
She saw that the men were nothing like those she knew, although they wore spare clothing of Challenger's and Roxton's, and carried guns that Sa'eera thought she had seen in the Treehouse and in the jungle with her friends. One man was too large for even Challenger's clothes, and remained dressed as an Indian, as when he had arrived. The woman was Marguerite at first glance, but had a different face, and her hair, when she took off her hat and fanned herself, was definitely that of a stranger. Then, it struck Sa'eera that this woman was wearing Finn's gun! Her prized Smith & Wesson .38 was on the gunbelt she knew, with the small Bowie knife made by Roxton for Finn before last Christmas. Sa'eera recognized it, having been shown it with much pleasure by her friend.
Before leaving the Treehouse, Salamine had expressed a preference for Marguerite's spare .38, and she and Una had exchanged handguns. So, Una now wore Finn's gun, neither having any idea that a jungle queen would see this, or know one pistol from another. But Sa'eera had sat with Finn and Roxton and cleaned those guns, and Finn had let her shoot hers a few times on previous visits, when no one saw them. Sa'eera knew that Finn loved that gun and was very unlikely to lend it to a stranger, or indeed to anyone. And she knew that knife that Roxton had made for Finn, too.
These people came from the direction of the Treehouse, but they were strangers, and she got very bad feelings from them. This crew exuded what her best pal Finn called, "bad vibrations", to the amusement of her peers. Sa'eera remained silent, and she was now quite worried.
She wondered if she should run back to the village and get help, but she didn't really know what was happening. And it was too far. If Finn needed help, Sa'eera would have to provide it by herself. Besides, truth be told, Sa'eera had realized that this might be a grand adventure, in which she could become a heroine, if anything actually was wrong. But she really was worried about Finn. She had better get on to the Treehouse, and see what she could determine there.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 21 2006 : 5:57:49 PM
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Something about this nagged at Sa'eera's memory, seeming familiar. Then, it struck her with great force that these might be the demons that her friends had told her about after Zoth's first visit to the Plateau. The largest man had even looked much as a demon in human form might. Sa'eera shuddered as she recalled the frightening face of Sjok. Grendel had also aroused immediate fear when she had seen him. Some people just did that; one sensed that they were both powerful and evil. And the other three seemed much like those in Finn's description of the "creeps" who had menaced her and her friends on that occasion.
Sa'eera's blood ran cold, but she was determined to help Finn, if she still lived. If she found Finn's body, she would know the worst, and hasten to sound the alarm from the drum in the Treehouse. Why these people would have those clothes and guns and not have Finn much concerned her.
At the Treehouse, she paused to listen carefully and gathered several smooth stones for her sling, which she took off her sarong and draped on her left wrist. Seeing and hearing nothing amiss, she found a big stick that would let her part the wires of the fence and slip through. Sa'eera was about Finn's size, and easily negotiated the strands of electrified barbed wire with the aid of the stick.
At the tree, she found the switch to the elevator, and debated whether to ride it up. It would have to first come down, making some noise both ways. But she couldn't climb this huge tree, and she HAD to know Finn's fate. She summoned the elevator.
Once aboard, she loaded her sling, ready to step clear of the car and have room to swing the sling, if need be. Heart in throat, she waited, hoping that all would be well. Finn was the best friend that the half white Indian maiden had ever known, and she was full of dread at what she might discover.
The elevator stopped, and Sa'eera was off and into the room like a flash. She saw nothing, but heard a faint noise from the floor above. Carefully creeping up the stairs, she entered the main living area and soon saw Finn bound in the chair. Finn, in turn, looked to her left, and saw Sa'eera. Upstairs, Salamine was trying on womens' clothes and rummaging through Marguerite's jewelry, and might arrive at any second.
Finn mouthed, "Look out!" at Sa'eera, who nodded. She crept quickly to her friend and Finn warned her that there were demons, and that one female one was still in the Treehouse.
"Go to the shower, and see if my little red-handled Swiss pocketknife is still under the towel on that shelf right outside the stall. If not, we have to think of some other way to get me loose, then we'll fix that bitch. But don't be caught. They'd love to have you as a royal hostage to threaten Jacoba with."
Sa'eera looked, found the Victorinox knife, and was soon cutting Finn's bonds, using the small blade to minimize the chance of an accident. She had freed her neck and the rope from her waist, but Finn's ankles and wrists were still tied when Salamine decided to come down and taunt Finn, wearing nothing but the brief ceremonial Tecamaya loincloth with its six feathers that Marguerite had been forced to don in Xochilenque as the prisoner of Emperor Cuaauhtemoc XIV. (See the Fic, "The Crystal Skull" at: www.americanbty12.proboards62.com ) She wore jewelry that set this off, including a gold bracelet and arm band, and a diadem of gold, with a rearing Egyptian cobra with ruby eyes, made by Marguerite originally to deceive an investor. She had given the mate to this crown to a Zanga girl for a present the previous Christmas.
Sa'eera hastily left Finn's side and loaded her sling, hiding behind the wall where it turned. Finn put her neck down on the chair back, hoping that Salamine might not look closely or come near her.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 23 2006 : 08:55:06 AM
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Alas, Salamine had come down specifically to show Finn her savage finery, and to preen and point out that she was at least as lovely as any of the Treehouse women. Subconciously, she was showing female vanity, demon style, or just becoming more human as she spent time in this dimension.
"Finn, you human cretin, behold me," intoned Salamine. "Am I not more lovely in this revealing outfit than you or Marguerite, or this Veronica girl? When do you wear such attire? I have not seen you in it, but all three of you girls have these skimpy things in your dressers." She paused by the shower to admire herself in the full length mirror that had once belonged to Veronica's parents.
"The other two girls got those outfits when they were captives of an Indian ruler who made them dress that way to display them," Finn told her. "I got Veronica to make me a couple of those things just to wear for George when I want him to totally forget what he's doing in the lab and concentrate on me. Ned insisted that V. keep her little ocelot loincloth and wear it for him in private, and she did. She thinks it's silly, but she sure likes the way Ned looks at her in it. But we just wear these things for our men when we're alone. And Marguerite is going to be thoroughly aggravated when she finds that you've worn hers. Go put it back; I know that you have a smoking bod, lady. You don't have to display it to me. I saw the way you were dressed when you came in. You're beautiful, but you're still a moral monstrosity, and so is Zoth."
Salamine came around the corner, ready to say something cruel, determined to harrass this blonde slip of a girl, jealous of the way that the male demons' eyes had looked on her with unbridled desire.
"Finn," she managed, then it struck her that the human female's neck was unbound and that her waist rope was missing, lying cut on the floor. Salamine recoiled, and turned to run for Marguerite's gun.
She never made it. Sa'eera stepped out and whirled her sling. She let drive at Salamine as the supernatural woman reached the stairs for the next level of the Treehouse, and the big Brazil nut that she used as a projectile smacked Salamine in the head and dropped her on the first landing of the stairs.
"Quick, Sa'eera! Finish cutting me loose. That bitch probably isn't dead, and we're in deep doo-doo if she wakes up and gets Marguerite's gun!" Finn was frantic, for Sa'eera had paused to stare in wide-eyed surprise and glee at how effective her sling had been.
Jarred back to reality by her friend's plea, Sa'eera opened the knife again and soon had Finn's wrists and ankles free. She helped her companion to stand and rub her limbs to fully restore circulation, for the position in which she had been bound had left Finn stiff and it was painful to stand for a few minutes. She twisted her neck, rubbing it, then closed her knife and ran over to her clothes, which she hastily donned, putting her treasured knife in a pocket that Marguerite had sewn onto the shorts for her.
Salamine was beginning to stir as Finn and the Zanga queen reached her, but was still groggy as they walked her to the chair where Finn had sat and tied her wrists behind her and then to the back of the chair. Her crossed ankles were bound to the bar that ran between the front legs of the chair. Finn found a flashlight and studied Salamine's pupils as they began to focus properly, and pronounced her probably just dazed, and likely to make a full recovery.
Finn lifted her enemy's body slightly and had Sa'eera strip her of Marguerite's loincloth, then took it and the golden Egyptian crown upstairs to Marguerite's room. The other jewelry she left on Salamine, having forgotten to take it before tying her. She smiled grimly as she recalled the way in which the demons had looked on her own naked body not so long before, and felt little pity for Salamine, whose pride and arrogance needed some adjustment, anyway. She rather hoped that the Treehouse men would see Salamine unclad, although Finn promised herself not to smirk if they did. George would probably give me a lecture about that if I gloated, she mused. But I'm going to take a certain satisfaction from it, even if I have to try to hide it. Salamine had taunted her, whereas Una had merely looked her over clinically and seemed to concede that Finn was attractive. Between the two, Una evoked some compassion, and some acknowledgement of her love for Zoth. That could be seen as human and loving, if she had chosen a better candidate. Finn even felt some pity for Una, who had honored the wrong man with her devotion. I did that a couple of times myself, before I fell for George Challenger, she admitted to her conscience...
Finn found Marguerite's revolver, a MK. III Webley .38, not the hammerless model that she had with her. She buckled the gun belt on, adjusting it to let the holster ride well back on her right hip. She opened the Webley, checked the ammuniton, closed the gun and holstered it. There were 12 spare cartridges in loops on the belt, but no hunting knife, as Marguerite never carried a knife, other than the switchblade that she had taken from the late Avery Burton, worn in a special pocket sewn into the inside of one boot. Finn winced at this, knowing full well the value of a good knife in jungle survival. Her Swiss Army pocketknife was too small and not rigid enough for the heavy cutting that she might have to do to make a spear, and to chop vines to clear a path or to dress game for food. It was also more a tool than a weapon. She missed the fine silver-mounted Bowie that Roxton had made for her, but it wasn't here, so no use crying. She had seen Una leave wearing her gun belt, and swore to soon have it and her prized Smith & Wesson and hunting knife back into her own hands.
Sa'eera had watched Finn, and asked about the exotic costume that they had taken from Salamine. She examined it, saying that it must certainly take Roxton's mind off of anything else when Marguerite wore that! She had been with the others in Xochilenque when Marguerite and Veronica had been paraded almost nude, bound, trophies of the First Speaker of the Tecamaya, and knew that Marguerite had been embarrassed at the time to appear in this brief garment. She laughed when she realized how much pleasure it must now give Marguerite to wear it for her man, the one she didn't mind seeing her so fully displayed. She said as much and asked if Marguerite or Veronica would make her copies of these costumes. "Jacoba will love me in them, and when he is pleased, he more readily grants favors, " she pointed out with smug vanity.
Finn snorted a brief burst of laughter and shook her head in wonder that her friend was more absorbed with how she would look displaying herself to her king and husband, when there were so much more immediately vital matters to be dealt with. Then, realizing how lovely Sa'eera would appear in such brief garments, she admitted that there was something to be said for them and the effect they had on male eyes, and promised to see that Sa'eera got such things. "First, though, we have to kill some demons"," she pointed out.
"Cool!," exclaimed Sa'eera, who had picked up on some of Finn's 21st Century speech. "This is dangerous and important, I know, Finn, but it's also the greatest adventure that I've ever had, except for the trip to Xochilenque. Husband would freak if he knew what I'm doing now!" And she laughed in delight and excitement.
"'Husband' would have us both whipped if he thought we were enjoying this and exposing his favorite wife to peril on this scale," Finn pointed out. "If anything happens to you, Jacoba will be deeply unhappy, and I bet he'd let us all know about it. Be careful and pay attention. This isn't a lark, Honey. These gremlins mean to ruin our whole world." And she gave Sa'eera a quick synopsis of just how frightful a situation they were facing.
The two blondes went back down to Salamine, who was now alert and glaring at them as they approached her.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 24 2006 : 01:35:02 AM
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"Who is this new slut, Finn?," she demanded. "Just how many of you live in this treehouse, anyway?"
"Demoness, I will tell you myself who I am, and I am not a slut. I am a queen, the favored youngest wife of Jacoba, monarch of all the Zanga!", retorted Sa'eera. "You and your kind have humiliated and threatened Finn, my closest friend, and thus have angered me. I will ask my regal husband to have you all slain slowly and in great agony if you anger me further. Where have your companions gone? Tell me now, or tell my husband, under torture!"
Salamine was taken aback and looked at the young queen more closely. She saw a girl about Finn's size, dressed in a green and yellow print bra and loincloth with a short sarong that Sa'eera now picked up and fastened in place with the belt that she had employed as a sling. She wore native sandals, but seemed white. Salamine asked about that.
"Her father was an American who worked for my friend Veronica's parents," Finn explained. "Sa'era is indeed half white, and Challenger made her blonde hair dye, so she looks European, not Indian. Her mother was a pale skinned Zanga, and the Zanga are mostly not dark-hued Indians, anyway. Most resemble Polynesians, like Hawaiians. Now, you heard her: are you going to tell us how to find Zoth, or do you want to tell the Zanga, under torture, which they do awesomely well, when in the mood?"
Salamine looked puzzled. "Girl, you heard my friends. When they left, they hoped to find your cohabitants of this place. I have no idea where they have gone, unless they have been able to track the rest of you humans. Perhaps, they will ambush them on a trail?"
"I saw the direction in which they went when I passed them, " said Sa'eera. "Finn, we can bypass them until we get help. Should we not instead find our friends and warn them, and get their firepower to help when we discover these fiends?"
Salamine narrowed her eyes and regarded the Zanga beauty more carefully. There was more to this snippet than was at first apparent. She seemed more than the plaything of her chief, no simple Indian woman. But what could Salamine do, bound naked in a chair, at the mercy of the women whom she had offended? She had to play for time, until Zoth returned, or until her own strength grew until she could snap her bonds. We should have stayed under cover until tomorrow night, when we had our full powers, she reflected. But Zoth, in his arrogance, wanted to strike early, and to exact revenge for his last failure...
"Let's use the signal drum and get the word out to our friends and your husband," said Finn and led the way to Veronica's big Zanga drum. But the top and bottom of the drum had been slashed, clearly to prevent it being used! Finn almost cried out in her agony. She must warn George and the others, but how?!
She felt Sa'eera's hand on her bare arm, and saw the look on her friend's face as she offered sympathy and what comfort she could. Clearly, Sa'eera now understood the gravity of their situation in full.
"Let's get after them. I think I may know where George and the Roxtons went for those medicinal plants," Finn muttered. "And I know Veronica's favorite way home from your village."
She led the way into the kitchen and the girls soon had a pack with food and some other likely needs ready, with two canteens.
Finn ran up to her room and got her Zeiss 8X30 binocular (looted from the goods left by dead slavers) and grabbed a sheet off the bed.
She tucked the colorful sheet around Salamine, who was astonished. "Do you need a drink before we leave, witch?" asked Finn.
Salamine nodded and when she had been watered, she asked Finn why she had shown her these kindnesses. "We reveled in your lack of clothing and the embarrassment it caused you. Now, you give me this sheet, and water. Why?"
Finn squirmed, but admitted that she thought it was what Challenger would expect of his woman. "Even our other men would cover you out of gallantry, although they would enjoy what they saw. But even if I and the other women here were not present, our men would treat you with chivalry, as much as they dared. That is the difference between your kind and ours. They might even be stupid enough to tie your hands in front or take chances with you. I know you better. But George would be the most gentlemanly of all three, and he would chide me if I left you bare in that chair to be seen that way, or to catch cold. You truly cannot fathom the innate decency of the great man whose brilliance you came to steal, with my safety as the means to force him to do your will! I hate you, Salamine, make no mistake. In time, I will see you and the others dead. But I will not embarrass my man by behaving badly to you before the time comes to slay you. You have Challenger and my devotion to him to thank for any kindness I show you. Understand?"
Salamine swallowed with fear and nodded. She saw in Finn's eyes that she meant every word she'd said, and was glad that this lethal girl loved her scientist so much that she had felt compelled to behave as he would wish of her. What that must be like! In her world, Salamine could not conceive of giving her heart to a lover to that degree! Yet, this submission to her man made Finn whole and happy! How odd these creatures were!
"Bye, bitch," said Finn. "We'll be back. Don't get too comfortable. Even my kind-hearted friends will see the need to exchange you for those poor Indians that you replaced here. You're going back into the Void, and Zoth is going to stay here, very dead. On my soul and those of my friends and relatives, I swear this to you. Zoth will die, or I will die, and I'm quite the survivor, lady."
Salamine felt the chill of Finn's words in her veins, and for the first time in her life, she knew grave dread.
Finn and Sa'eera went to the elevator and descended, eager to find their friends and fight demons.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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Explorer
972 Posts |
Posted - November 26 2006 : 02:00:18 AM
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Challenger paused as he heard two shots in rapid succession. He turned to the Roxtons and asked if they had heard the same.
"Yes, " said Marguerite. "John, that didn't sound like the .450 that Ned took. Who else would be shooting around here?"
"I certainly can't think of anyone," said a bemused Lord Roxton. "If Finn needed to shoot something, she'd use her 6.5mm Mannlicher or that .44 Winchester, and that didn't sound like either. Oh: the Zanga have those 7mm military Mausers they got from Burton's dead men. That's probably it. They must be hunting. Not that many of them have very good marksmanship."
"One sounded about like that," agreed Marguerite, "but that other was louder, with a different tone. I have an ear for these things, and it seemed to me more like your .416 or something similar. If I didn't know better, I'd say it sounded about like a couple of our spare rifles. John, I'm getting a bad feeling about this..."
He motioned to her to come to him and when she had, put his arms around her and hugged her. "Marguerite, really. Who could it be? Maybe some new expedition, with similar rifles? Our Rigby rifles are popular with those Britons wealthy enough to hunt in Africa or India. The .275 and .416 Rigby cartridges are among the best for lighter, deer-size game and the .416 for big animals. Finn wouldn't let Sa'eera fire my .416, though, if that's what it was. Finn was scared to shoot that rifle much after she nagged me into letting her try it: the recoil is too much for her. She wouldn't let Sa'eera shoot it. And those shots were in quick successsion, as if two people were firing at some object, maybe an animal."
Marguerite agreed. "Of course, officially, Sa'eera isn't shooting anything, althhough we know that she gets Finn to let her do that. It's a real thrill for her, violating the Zanga ban on women handling weapons, lest they jinx them. She loves to visit us, because she can feel more free and talk about more topics than at the village. She and Finn are very close, but I agree that neither would relish firing a rifle that kicks like that .416! This is something more; I sense it. George, I was wakened early this morning, while it was still dark, and there was an aura of evil. I sensed that something bad would happen soon. Roxton here took me back to bed and got my mind off it, but that feeling is back, stronger now. I'm uneasy." And she shuddered, hugging her arms and pressing against Roxton.
"Oh, really now, Marguerite," said Challenger. "There must be an explanation. John, where were those shots from? Not that far from the Treehouse, I think, and the Malones will be most of the way to the Zanga village by now. It can't have been Ned. Most curious."
Roxton looked into Marguerite's eyes and they nodded, each realizing that the other was troubled. "George, " said Roxton, "If there is no good explanation for the shots, we had better investigate. Finn may be in danger. There almost have to be new people with guns for those to have been fired. Lets' finish gathering these plants and get back. This needs looking into."
Challenger thought carefully, holding up a hand to tell them to be quiet as he considered the evidence.
"You're right," he decided. "This flies in the face of logic, and that's troubling. Help me get more of these plants on the left, and we'll go back. I'm worried about Finn, too. Surely, if she heard the shots, she'll take cover and see what's up, but we need to be getting back. She may need us, and Sa'eera shouldn't be out in the jungle alone, as she wanted to come."
All three pitched in and gathered the plants, from which Challenger made a stomach relief potion, and some that he used to provide primitive antibiotics. Then, moving uneasily, looking at each other with concern, the trio retraced their steps toward the Treehouse.
"There is nothing quite so exhilarating as to be shot at without effect." Sir Winston Churchill |
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"The Death of Zoth"
