MATRIA RELOADED (41)

Part 41

They descended the stairs, leaving Lina Lir behind with the horses. Better to guard them, lest predators prowled the vicinity.
The ancient place was much like the others they had already visited, lit by this light from nowhere, walls, floor and ceiling untouched by time. What purpose it had served thousands of years ago was difficult to tell. Here and there, they approached doors, which slid aside without ado to let them pass. The corridors and rooms were empty. No debris on the ground, nothing on the walls, even not the strange blind windows which could show moving stories and people. Many rooms were quite large, but these were empty too.
“A strange place,” observed Rowenn.
In Danas head, Sirf said:
“It was probably for storage of goods. The seals were positioned due to their location on a global map, having to do with magical power lines. You see, the places they were built at had no connection to their purpose.”
“Sometimes I suspect you know much more about the seals than you tell the witches, or me,” Dana thought.
“I have told you everything important. Do you start to distrust me?” came the indignated reply.
“No, even a male must have secrets. Altough I don’t have any before you, you reading my mind and such.”
Meanwhile, the group had reached another staircase, leading down to the next level. They all had weapons and magical staffs drawn, except for Veema, the Shalaxashian and Marule, the bard, who had never learned the art of war or magic. Niyi, here in the wilderness free again of her disguising bondage among the enemies of her people, and Rowenn went first, ready for any attack, followed by Megan. Zoet and Dana guarded the rear, while Tashmal, Trish, Zusha and Marule and Veema were in the centre. They had kept this order since the had entered the place.
The next level had smaller rooms to the sides of seemingly endless corridors. At a crossing of corridors, they heard suddenly a humming sound, approaching fast. They looked about, fully alerted. Round the corner at the crossing an object appeared in the air, a small metal device with a blinking red light, to which a big role of shiny white latexa tape was attached. In reflex, Rowenn slashed out with her sword at the thing, obviously another living machine of the ancients. The stroke never hit home, as with a surprised gasp, Rowen opened her hand, and the weapon fell to the ground, just as her dagger. The light on the little flying thing turned to yellow.
More humming sounds approached fast. The machine, very quickly, flew around Rowenn, who just stood there, her arms no hanging down, sweat on her face, she trying to move. The tape started to roll around her body, extremely quickly, layer for layer.
The others were shocked. Sirf said urgently in Danas mind:
“A womancatcher, and more on the way. Quick, into a room.”
Nine more machines flew around the corner, their lights red. Dana overcame her surprise, grabbed Zoet at an arm and jumped, dragging Zoet with her, into the next room, screaming:
“Into a room, quick.”
It was too late for the others. All let go of their weapons, didn’t move and let their arms hang down. The tapes started rolling, the machines humming about. Dana hit the button beside the door and it closed, just as two machines approached the opening. She heard them colliding with the door. Afterwards, only the humming, squeaking of latexa tape and soon typical mmmphing sounds of gagged girls were audible.
“Sirf, what is going on?”
“The girls are mummified and tape gagged, wriggling on the floor. Only you and Zoet escaped. Osh is caught too, at Megans bossom und the tape. I hope he will not suffocate. Osh, are you okay?”
“Oh, yes, yes, I can wriggle free under the tape to a place with some air. What a surprise to find those woman catchers here, still functioning…” the little snake said in Danas mind.
Dana explained things to Zoet. The girls looked at each other.
“What are we to do, Dana?”
“Perhaps The con-fy-deths now what to do, Mistress.”
“Osh?” Sirf asked.
“Well, oh, there must be a station which gives the catchers energy. Just turning a switch there should be enough.”
“Could a cat do it?”
“Probably. “
“Where to find the station?”
“It must be on this level.”
“There is another problem, oh, wise con-fy-deths.” Dana intersected.
“What might that be?” Sirf inquired.
“How do you pass the doors? A cat cant reach the buttons on the wall to open and close them.”
Osh mumbled in Danas head:
“I knew there was something a had forgotten…”
Nothing from Sirf.
“Sirf?”
“Hmmph.”
“What? Are you gagged?”
“Very funny.  You have found an interesting detail, which, I must confess, escaped my attention till recently.”
While Dana conversed with the males, Zoet had examined the room.
“There is another door here.”
Dana turned to her.
“You are right. As long as our wise males have no other solution, we will go and search this station ourselves.”
Sirf sounded concerned:
“Listen for humming sounds before opening the door. There is no defence against the catchers for a woman.”
They approached the other door and listened intently. No sounds from the other side. On a nod of Zoet, Dana opened the door, and they went through. Another empty room, larger than the first. There was another door too.
The same game again, listening, then opening the door, and into what was another corridor. All was quiet. Sirf appeared around the next corner. Zoet took the cat briefly in her arms and hugged it. Letting the male down, she asked.
“What now?”
“We will start searching. When we hear a humming sound, we enter a room and close the door. Any objections, Sirf?”
“No, slave of valor.”
“What?”
“Nothing, lets proceed.”
Altough they would avail them nothing, the two girls held their weapons at the ready. There might be other dangers here.
The next hours were quite interesting for the two and Sirf. While their eight friends wriggled mummified and gagged on the floor not far away, they were hunted by the catchers, which seemed eager to add them to the collection. Several times catchers approached them, but they were warned by the humming sounds and managed to enter a room every time.
They found the place with the big mirror, which only Dana could pass, behind which were the seal. But they weren’t interested in that now. The most dangerous part was going down to the third level, as on the staircase there was no room nearby. But the machines had no intelligence, mindlessly patrolling the corridors. So they could pass this staircase without danger.
In the third level the rooms were finally not empty. Many boards with buttons and switches before blind windows at the walls were to be found here. All windows and lights were out. They searched for a room were that wasn’t the case. No catcher hunted them here, it seemed they were only on the level above.
After what seemed hours, but were only a few minutes, they found what they were looking for.
A room with windows showing other rooms and corridors, and a big machine humming loudly in a corner.
“That is it.” This was Osh.
Dana thought:
“Tell me what to do.”
“There are the others,” Zoet exclaimed, pointing to a window.
There they were, wriggling about. They looked funny that way. Naturally, Dana was a bit aroused by the sight.
Osh guided her about. She had only to turn a single switch, as he had said earlier, and the humming machine in the corner turned silent. Their friends had the machines which had taped them sitting beneath their bossoms on their bellies, but the two for Dana and Zoet were still before the door in the air. These now fell to the ground, their red lights going dark. Dana noticed the other machines on the mummies now showed a green light.
“Fine, fine,” Sirf said, “ so much for this entertaining episode. I propose you go and free the others. They have had fun enough, don’t you think?”
Dana laughed and thought:
“Yes, Master.”
“A thought ouccured to me. If I am a master, I can order you to stop calling me so. I order you hereby to call me Sirf.”
“You have tricked me… ah, Sirf. I will obey.”
“Out of practise I am…”
“And what does THAT mean?”
“Nothing, really nothing. Lets be on our way.”
Dana looked at the cat, curious.”
Sirf turned a ran out of the room. Dana shook her head and followed him with Zoet.

Not much later, and some elaborate work with their daggers to cut the tape free, all their friends were free again. Free of her gag, Tashmal had exclaimed:
“Why did that take so long?”
“Forgive me, Tashmal, but…”
“That was a joke, Dana. Your slave attitudes really unnerve me,” the Achaian growled.
Dana had sighed while freeing Zusha of her gag too. The Rondaka had said nothing, but had eyed Dana menacingly.
Now they stood all before the large mirror leading to seal, having reached it without further problems.
Most of them saw the episode in retrospect already as funny. Only Zusha was in a very fool mood.
Tashmal eyed the mirror, turned to Dana and said:
“Kiss me before you enter, will you, little slave?”
The kiss was long and intimate. As they parted, Tashmal smiled up at the blonde.
“Maybe I will start to like your slavery, being able to order you to kiss me when I am in the mood and such…”
Dana smiled back. Perhaps everything would be alright with Tashmal and herself. Were there not the thoughts that Tashmal, as all her other friends with her, should be slaves too, as Dana had started to think.
She put the thought aside and turned again, entering the mirror. It let her pass as before at the other seals.
The quivering black mass in the pool, in the halls centre, was the same too. No one was here. Good. Lets get done with it, Dana thought.
Guided by Osh, Dana worked with the buttons of the “keyboard” of the “computer”, as Osh called the things.
Soon she and Osh were done. She watched the seal again. This was number three. Still four to go. And when a male invasion and enslavement was the best for the women of all Matria?
Despite being warned by Osh, she HAD to discuss the matter with Tashmal. But when they were alone, back in civilization.
With this thought, she again put the matter from her mind and left the seal.

++++++
“Tell us about Shalaxasia, Veema.”
“What do you want to now?”
“As much as possible,” said Megan, the witch.
They were on horseback, on the ride back to Mu Hising, where they would take a dragon to the south, towards Shalaxashia. It was the day after the third seal.
It was raining, if only slightly, and all had put on oiled capes with hoods. Dana loved the rain, frequently raising her face to it, to feel it. Everything was feeling more real, now that she was a slave.
Others were less enthusiastic about the weather. For example her mistress, the Achaian little whore named Tashmal.
Veema started:
“It is a big country, ruled by the Maharani in Jodhya. Mountains in the north, plains in the centre, jungle in the south. It’s a rich country, but there are many poor. The aristocracy and the merchants have all power and wealth. This has often troubled me, and my business provided food and water and cigarettes for the poor in my city. I think this is an obligation for the rich and mighty, to care for the poor. Most ladies don’t think so.”
“So you were a merchant?”
“Yes, my mothers traded in spices and I continued her work after they died of old age. I am the oldest daughter. I took over the house, but expanded its activity to other merchandise, like cigarettes, wines, sea food and such. And I traded at the stock exchange in Jodhya, making considerable money. Before enslaved, I was very rich.”
“Why where you abducted?”
“I met this evil maga in the palace of the Maharani and rejected her as she wanted to mate with me. I didn’t like her. A mistake, it seems.”
“You are now free again, and can reclaim your business.”
“My sisters have probably taken over, and the law in Shalaxashia says once a slave, always a slave. My indention was removed, but I was slave, pronounced myself so by lighting that cigarette in my gag. I will never regain my business. I can be free there too, but nothing more.”
“Are you not angry to have lost everything?”
“It had started to bore me anyway. And… Well, be it as it may, I cant return to my former life.”
Tashmal suggested:
“You can accompany us. In Achaia, my home country, laws are different. You could start another business or do whatever else you would like. As long as we are on this mission, you may stay with us.”
“That is generous of you. But your mission is dangerous. I do not fear that, but of what use should I be for your group? I cant fight, have no magic abilities… so…”
“For starters, you will be of much use in Shalaxashia. We will traverse it by dragon, but must stay three or four nights in cities. And later, well, Marule is of no use too, so to speak, but we don’t want to miss her. I am sure you will be a nice partner in the sheets, and you are an amiable girl.”
Megan nodded:
“Yes, stay with us if you like. You know what we are doing, and how important it is.”
Veema shook her long hair and shuddered:
“Yes, males invading our world. There can be no business more important or pressing as yours. Very well, I will stay with you. To say the truth, I have nothing else to do.”
“That will come again, with time,” said Tashmal, gently.
“Now tell us more of your country.”
“It is rain season now, there is heavy rain day and night. Travelling on the ground is impossible. The dragon lines fly, as there a no storms, just heavy rain. The land is largely flooded, all mud. In the cities most women will stay inside. Its much like deep winter in your white realm or Rondakalor.”
Tashmal grunted and looked up to the rain clouds above. Dana had to smile. Her cute pampered whore.
“In contrast to Kai Ti here, the country is unified and at peace, internally. Externally there is peace too, we have a strong army, which our neighbours fear, and good trade relations with all of them.
The journey should be uneventful. White, red and yellow people are seldom seen there, but not unkown, and we have no problems with other races. There are slave hunters, out there to catch strange women, but from the stories you told me, you are well versed to deal with them.”
“Don’t trust in it. I mean, an uneventful journey. Dana attracts bondage like honey the bees. And we are with her, and have to experience it again and again too,” Megan said, laughing.
Dana giggled. Tashmal and Zusha both cast her a dark look. She giggled more. Veema seemed uneasy.
“I don’t know if I can stand another bondage adventure.”
Trish asked, riding behind them:
“You fear you will feel as a slave?”
Veema nodded. She fumbled with her bag, producing cigarettes. She lit up, despite being on horseback, and smoked avidly.
Trish said:
“You will master your feelings. We all do. Except Dana.”
Tashmal grumbled:
“Dana is a bit mad. But she is pretty. That should account for something.”
“In a slave market,” Marule grinned.
All laughed, except Zusha, who had a face as if the rain were thrice as heavy and she without hood.
“Continue, Veema,” Megan said.
“The only bad part will be the way from the dragon ports to the inns. We best take coaches, but they will have difficulty on the roads. In the rain, the stones of the streets came loose regularly, so it will slow and rough rides. Sometimes, entire parts of the street will be washed away. In this case, wood lodges are placed in the gap. Anyway, we will live through that, I suppose.”
“What of the food?” That was naturally Tashmal.
“It is richly spiced, probably too much for your tastes. You have to drink much to stand it.”
“I like it,” Tashmal said to Danas astonishment.
“In Lashayette, there are several Shalaxashian restaurants. I dinned there often, and I like the food. Spice is good. And they ate no spider legs or such.”
“So you can stand the spice?” Veema asked, seemingly a bit surprised.
Tashmal nodded and grinned, her mood having lightened.
“What about this lighting up custom?” Marule asked.
“Ah this, well, in a group, when smoking, all ladies mouth a cigarette, but don’t light it. The youngest, or lowest of the women then lights all cigarettes, her own last. It is an ancient custom, unique to our country.”
“I imagine it can be quite hard in a large group to have an unlit stick at the lips, waiting to get a light, while the others start to smoke one after the other.” Said Rowenn.
“It will be very hard on Dana, as she will be the one to perform the lighting, she being last.” Tashmal grinned broader.
“What do you think slave?”
“It will undoubtedly arouse your slave, Tashmal. I like to be aroused,” Dana smiled.
“And who does not,” Marule laughed.
“Zusha for example,” Zoet said from the end of their group.
Zusha didn’t reacted, her face stayed dark, she starring ahead.
Probaly contemplating her slave feelings, Dana thought. She cast Tashmal a glance. The Achaian had noticed Zushas mood too, but in her expression was one of sorrow, sorrow for the Rondakian warrioress.
Dana didn’t understand that. Did Tashmal know something she didn’t? She had to ask her about it.
Veema continued her lessons about her country and people, and Dana tried to ignore Zushas mood.
What was it with her?

+++++++


“Tashmal?”
“Yes, my little slave?”
“I wish to talk about the freedom versus slavery issue again. I know we have already discussed that…”
“But you have changed your mind in the matter. What if order you to be silent about it?”
“I would obey. Do you order that?”
They lay on their backs, on a large bed in a guest chamber of the palace of the governor, back in Mu Hising. They had had wonderful sex, without bondage, and were no indulging in smoking.
“No, lets hear what you have to say,” Tashmal seemed sad about it.
Dana couldn’t hold back:
“I feel so fulfilled, so right as slave. And I think all women feel secretly the same. They would be much happier if slave.”
“Slaves of males?”
“Yes. It must be males as masters.”
“You don’t know any males, nor do I. What if they are cruel beasts, like the old legends suggest? And could a male sexually attract you? I don’t like it. It would be much like loving an Orc.”
“I don’t know, but I am willing to learn about that. And I know Sirf and Osh, they are males.”
“A cat and snake, male humans ages ago. They are educated, nice fellows. Do you really think all male humans will be like that?”
“I don’t want to convince you that you too want to be a slave, as you would deny it anyway. There is another matter more pressing to me.”
“The invasion? Or mission? You want the invasion to succeed so that all women can be happy slaves?”
“Sirf said the war would be devastating, but even so, there are many wars even now on Matria, between women states.”
Tashmal sighed:
“I feared as much. Dana, if the males come to enslave all women on the world it will be become a war of unprecedented scale, a world war, a new global gender war. Do you think all women would surrender? Or even a single one? Or a single state? It would be terrible, the worst disaster Matria has seen since the time of the ancients. Do you really want that?”
Dana was silent for a moment. She had not really thought that through. Then she said:
“Fogive me, Tashmal, you are right. I was stupid, and selfish.”
“Nothing to forgive, little maid. You are so full of your bondage that you cant think clearly. This is natural in a slave at heart. If I could convince you that not all women are born slaves, you will overcome your zeal to turn all women into helpless packages, ready for the cigarette cag.”
“A thrilling thought. But… forgive me again, I cant help myself. You are right, we must prevent that war. Only I can reach the seals. It is my responsibility to see the mission through. Besides, there is an easy way to convince me of the mission, to ensure that I dot betray you and Matria.”
“What might be that?” Tashmal made big eyes and looked curiously at her slave.
“Just order me to do it. As a slave, I must and will obey, to the death if need be.”
Tashmal seemed puzzled. After a pause, she dragged at her Malego and said, blowing smoke to the ceiling:
“I hadn’t thought of that. But you are right.”
“Isnt that reassuring to my mistress?”
“Very much so. So, to make things easier for us both, I hereby order you to save Matria by adjusting the seals as only you can do.”
“Yes, mistress Tashmal, your command is everything to me.”
“With that settled, do you wish to discuss the slave issue further?”
“No, Tashmal, not now. There is something else which bothers me.”
“And that is, silly maid?”
“Zusha. What ails her? It seems you know more of this than I.”
“You have no idea, my blonde?”
“I thought it had to do with slave feelings, but you seem to think otherwise.”
“Love is a battlefield.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I think you should find out for yourself what is with Zusha. Enough of that, what about another round in the sheets?”
“As you say. Will you tie me up this time?”
“Sure, fetch the ropes and a three-part-gag, slave.”
Dana hurried to obey. But what with Zusha? Soon the blonde was bound a gagged and put through her paces by her mistress. Zusha retreated in the background. But her thoughts would return in the following days. Love is a battlefield? What had Tashmal meant by that cryptic remark?