WARNING: This is a violent story. Please do not read any further if bad language, rape, torture, and nasty characters upset you. Be 18 or be gone.

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THE RIDDED

by Phair

Part 11

Reuben pushed his horse to the limit of the beast’s endurance. He was eager to locate the insurgents disrupting the village. Once they were contained and his mission was completed, Reuben planned to request time away. A brief break from the trauma of Waur’s battles. He could travel home to Greece or east to his father’s family home. Anywhere off the peninsula would be a suitable respite.

Arrows crossed his path in a rush of wind no more than a dozen paces forward of his position. Reuben and his team drew their mounts to a halt. They watched as the arrows landed in the village square. Villagers screamed as they scrambled for safety. Several breaths later another round of arrows passed overhead.

Reuben saw them coming this time. He was able to trace their journey back to a thick cluster of trees. A heavy veil of green covered a nearby hill. He was certain it also hid the sniper’s nest. Swinging down from his mount, Reuben signaled his party to continue to ride into the village. He took off in a dead run toward the trees. Reuben decided to circle around behind the insurgents’ lair to bring an end to the siege himself.

"And, all done without the need to set foot in that nasty village again," Reuben thought to himself with a smirk. "The whole place is filled with classless drunks and bullies."

Another rush of air told him another round of arrows had been fired. He doubled his pace hoping he could prevent a fourth round of volleys. His men were now in the line of fire. If harm came to even one of them, Reuben would not allow himself to spare the insurgents even the smallest of mercies.

A rough thinning of trees gave way to a small clearing. Reuben saw a lone fighter manning a chest high wooden structure. He heard the singing of the bow string as the hunched figure drew it back.

"Damn those arrows," he cursed to himself.

Reuben hurried his effort to tackle the insurgent before the bow was released. The advantage of surprise was lost with a twig snap. Although, Reuben was never really certain what gave his position away. The hunched figure drew up to full height and turned in one fluid movement. She leveled a flat, wooden bow like devise with a viscously sharp stone tipped arrow loaded into it, directly at his heart.

Reuben fell back on his tracks and cried out his shock at the person standing before him, "DAYNE?"

She nodded slowly. Reuben took what he believed to be the last few moments left to his life to consider the woman standing before him prepared to kill him. She had lost weight since he last saw her. Dayne’s sunken cheeks and haunted eyes somehow made her appear more menacing than the strange weapon in her hand and the one behind her. Her clothes and body were filthy. She was covered with dirt and animal blood. The horrid stench of skunk lingered in the air and brought tears to Reuben’s eyes. He would always wonder if the tears weren’t really due to his fear.

Slowly, she lowered the weapon. Dayne shot the arrow into the ground at her feet. Then she dropped the wooden launcher next to it. She raised her hands above her head and kicked the weapon away from her.

"I’ve been waiting for you, Reuben. What took you so long?" She gave him a half smile but there was no humor in it.

"Wha, what, what are you talking about?" Reuben climbed to his feet but kept his distance from the woman.

Dayne dropped to her knees. In part, it was to surrender but it was also from complete exhaustion.

"I want an end to this miserable existence but there are few who’d give me a dignified death. Reuben, as a soldier of Waur, please honor me with an Elosian death," Dayne quietly requested.

Reuben was mute. He struggled with his emotions. He wanted to help the woman kneeling before him. A woman who looked so much like his own kin that he could briefly forget how far he was from home. But, he was a soldier and there were orders to be followed without question. Reuben approached Dayne and pulled her hands in front of her. He bound them with one of many leather thongs hanging from his belt.

"On your feet. I’ve been ordered to bring you before General Felix. Perhaps, he will give you the death you seek," Reuben spoke without listening to the words.

"You could do it here and now. Why wait? Why not get it over with?" she pleaded.

"And, why not do it yourself? If it’s death you want then take the matter into your own hands? Why risk capture? Why risk prison? Why invite a torturous end?" Reuben was beside himself as he dragged her back down the path he had raced up only moments before.

"I’ve lived my whole life as a shame to my mother. I won’t seek the further indignity of suicide. Is it too much to want my death to have meaning; to be honorable?" Dayne asked in desperation.

"Yes," Reuben acknowledged as he whistled for his soldiers to return, "it’s too much to ask." He wished he could plunge his short blade deep into Dayne’s heart but her fate waited at the end of General Felix’s sword.

* * *

General Felix followed the houseman into the greeting room of the villa. It was his first visit to his own home. The General stopped along the way to examine archways above the doors and marble inlays in the floors.

"Mistress Pia, the Master has returned home," the short, fair skinned houseman announced.

"If the truth be told, Abel, the Master has arrived, not returned," Pia corrected the slave as she crossed the room to greet her husband. "My Lord, welcome. I hope you are pleased with the villa."

Pia dropped to her knees and bowed her head. She waited for the General to permit her to stand. Long moments passed. She began to worry he was displeased with the home she created for him.

"Not exactly as I planned but a fair effort, I suppose. Get up, woman. I didn’t come all this way to stare at the top of your head." He snorted back a laugh, "In fact, I don’t want to see the top of your head unless your mouth is full of me."

Pia stood but kept her eyes down, a trace of a smile crossed her thin lips. A slight blush colored her cheeks. She gave a subtle hand gesture which sent the houseman scurrying out of the room.

"My Lord, I’ve arranged a feast for you. Won’t you come and enjoy the baths so that you might dine at your leisure?"

"Baths? Did you think of that feature? I don’t remember drawing them up in the plans," the General stepped closer to his wife and chains rattled behind him.

"You requested the addition after your trip to Rome last season. You sent a designer here. Lorenzo. I believe his name was Lorenzo, my Lord," Pia answered quickly to avoid angering Felix.

"Yes, oh yes, that’s right," the General laughed. "I remember now. Hope he did a good job. The one’s he designed in Rome were spectacular. That’s very good, then. I’ll head to the bath’s while you see to my dinner and this little package."

General Felix stepped to the right. The rattle of chains followed each foot step as somebody behind him tried to stay behind him.

"NO!" He shouted and shoved the girl away from him and in front of Pia, "Stand still so your Mistress can see you."

Pia raised her eyebrows at the arrival of a slave girl. The shivering blond was dressed in a ripped and torn robe that once belonged to the General. She was chained from neck to wrists to ankle as if she were some violent prisoner. Her hair was a mess and she kept her face turned to the ground. Still, Pia could see enough to understand the girl was bruised, bloody, and broken.

"What is this?" Pia asked as she casually strolled around the girl. "A gift for me, perhaps?" Pia chuckled.

"Ah, in a way. She’s a slave from one of the villages. I thought she could warm my bed on chilly nights but the idiot just lays there under me completely motionless. No joy, no tears, no thrill. I want you to do something with her. You know, try to make some use of her," he shrugged. "If you can’t then kill her and be done with it."

Pia’s chuckle grew to a full laugh, "See darling, this is why you usually leave the purchases to me."

"Come here," Felix grabbed his wife and pulled her into a fierce embrace. "I’ve missed you. You better be ready to entertain me when my meal is done. No substitutes tonight," his cheeks flushed with a growing passion. "Your husband is home, woman."

"And, you best be ready for me. I’ll not be satisfied with your usual one time, one position ‘til morning. You’ll fulfill you’re duties soldier or there’ll be Waur to pay," Pia hushed in Felix’s ear.

"Ah, yes," the General was painfully aroused, "where’s that houseman? Abel, Abel, get back here and show me to the baths?"

The Master of the villa released his hold on his wife with a wink. He hurried to find some privacy, leaving the two women alone in the cold marble room.

"Well, let me see about you. Do you have a name?" Pia sighed as she circled the slave again.

The only response was trembling.

"Are you hurt?"

Nothing but shaking.

"Can’t you talk? Here, let me have a closer look at you," Pia grabbed the girl’s chin and forced her head up.

Bruises and cuts covered cheeks and lips. A hard metal collar tore at the pale skin of the girl’s throat rubbing it raw and opening wounds in some places. Even with her head tilted back, the girl kept her eyes averted. Pia frowned. The slave seemed too terrified to be of much good.

"LOOK AT ME!" Pia all but screamed.

The slave immediately obeyed.

"YOUR NAME! SAY YOUR NAME!"

"Becca," the reply was weak but understandable.

Pia smiled and began to pet the frightened girl, "Shh, there, see how nice I can be when you obey. It’s good to be afraid but you mustn’t let your fear keep you from obeying your masters’ commands. Do you understand?"

Becca nodded first and then spoke, "Yes."

The unexpected slap was powerful. It knocked Becca down to her hands and knees. She swallowed back a cry of pain only to taste blood. Her stomach threaten to empty itself. She closed her eyes in an effort to will herself not to be sick.

"GET UP!" Pia shrieked.

Becca obeyed.

"LOOK AT ME!"

Becca obeyed.

"MISTRESS! I’m your MISTRESS and don’t ever forget that. Can your simple mind grasp that tiny concept?"

Becca was beginning to understand the woman’s game, "Yes, yes. I understand, yes, I understand you. I’m sorry, Mistress. I won’t forget again, Mistress."

"Excellent!" Pia cooed as she gently stroked Becca’s reddened cheek. "Your life will be much better when I’m not angry with you. It’s better already. Isn’t this better?"

"Yes, Mistress," Becca endured Pia’s attention.

Pia loosened Becca’s robe. She pulled it off one shoulder and then the other before letting it drop to the floor at their feet. Slowly, she circled the girl again inspecting the damage and assessing the potential. She made certain to keep soft physical contact the entire time; a caress to the shoulder, a squeeze of an ass cheek, gentle finger tips tracing the sensitive skin around her nipple, and ending with a light kiss on Becca’s swollen lips.

"Your body tells all your secrets. You’ve been quite the handful. Whipped, beaten, raped, and I’ll bet you were given very little food and water," Pia’s voice was filled with compassion. "Tell me, did you fight him off? Did you give your Master trouble? Tell me so we can start over; a fresh new beginning for you."

Becca wanted to say no. She wanted to deny any wrong on her part. She had been taken from her home and lover and sold to the invading army. The General made sure to steal every last piece of dignity she had. She was the victim.

But, Becca understood Pia’s question had a right and wrong answer which had nothing to do with the truth, "Yes, Mistress. I was willful. I troubled my Master. I’m sorry, Mistress. Please forgive."

Becca dropped to her knees at Pia’s feet, "You’re a fast learner, girl. I’ll give you that much. It’s a good thing too because I would have gutted you if you said no. So, let’s get Abel to take you to the river and clean you up. You’ll serve at the Master’s dinner tonight. Who knows? I might even want you to entertain me after Felix falls asleep."

Pia walked away leaving a silently sobbing Becca on the floor.

TBC

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