Sometimes, Mr. Drake had told Xenia that she had a tendency towards becoming too overobsessed with things that mattered to her. Then, she would ignore the outer world and concentrate only on her main goal. Perhaps, this was the explanation why she had started playing around with Zenobia when she knew that there were some villains around and that it would have been better to leave together with their captives instead of having her way with her. Anyway, now she was paying the bill for that.
Curt had seen that his canoe would not carry all five damsels and so, since the mansion was only some half a mile away, he had decided that they all should walk. He had simply, but efficiently bound Xenia by tying her wrists and elbows and had gagged her with a rag stuffed into her mouth and a bandana tied between her lips. Then, he had tied her booted ankles in a way that allowed her to walk, but not to run. The blonde stared daggers at him, but sometimes, she looked longingly at the water, waiting for her men to approach.
Next, Curt had loosened Zenobia`s arms from Andrea`s legs and freed her neck, only to tie her wrists and elbows, too. Then, he simply tied Andrea`s legs like Xenia`s before he released Zenobia`s splayed legs and did the same to her. After that, he also secured the ankles of Virginia and Caroline whom he had separated from the rope holding them together.
Though they now were all bound, gagged and in the clutches of the tall man, Zenobia felt the most humiliated. Not only was she stark naked, but the elbow tie also forced her to thrust her breasts out. Andrea was in the nude, too, but with her hands tied to her sides, her position was a little bit less embarrassing. The two girls at least still had their knickers whilst Xenia still was fully dressed. However, when they were ordered to start their trip, that seemed rather unimportant.
Drawing by hugues66
After some 15 minutes, they had reached the little island the mansion was built upon and Curt led them through a ford in which the water did not reach higher than their knees. Then, they stumbled inside the living room.
A chorus of muffled cries escaped from their gagged mouths, answered by some frantic mewing and sighing from the nine naked, bound and gagged women already there. In a star formation, six women were lying on the floor, each with her arms behind her back in a way that forced her to arch her back. Each woman had a tight leather strap tied around her waist from which an even tighter strap disappeared between her legs. At least, the new arrived guessed so, since they could only see three of these women properly.
Atop of three of the captives, another woman was tied the other way round, meaning that her head rested on the other`s lap whilst her crotch was close to the face of the woman lying down. These three girls still were wearing their knickers, but Zenobia realized with horror that the other`s head was trapped within these, too. The position looked very uncomfortable and even more humiliating.
Each of the women was gagged, the six lying on their backs sporting the same collar and gag mask Andrea was wearing, the others with cloth strips tied between their lips. From the way their cheeks bulged, Zenobia could tell that their mouths were stuffed, too. She recognized Alinda, Winona and Paloma but could not say or wave hello. Besides, her joy of seeing the three again was clearly limited.
„Curt, the next time I send you out you will come back with a whole dozen of new guests. We will have to built a guest house soon!“
Laura could not hide her joy at all. 14 victims! For such a sacrifice, Asmodeus would grant her some 100 years of not ageing! But now, she had to take care of the newly arrived, since they would have to wait another 34 hours before the ritual would begin.
„Ladies, tomorrow at midnight you will all be allowed to participate in something that has never been done before! And so, we will take care that you all will be in the best condition possible! That means, we will now release you and allow you to bathe before you may eat and drink.“
Those who had already been Laura`s captives couldn`t believe their ears. Would she really once more take the risk that one of them would try an escape? However, it turned out that the raven haired woman wasn`t that careless.
When the mansion had been built, some groundwork had to be made before, since the ground was muddy and not very stable. The workers had brought heavy stones and sacks of sand or pebbles to do so – and a load of cannon balls Curt had bought for little money. These cannon balls had been used for a blockade chain during the war and so, each had an eyelet welded to it. Curt fetched some of these balls. Each weighted exactly 18 lbs and together with those Xenia had used to tie Paloma, Winona and Alinda, they had more than enough handcuffs. So, Curt took a pair of handcuffs and threaded one of the cuffs through the cannon ball`s eyelet before locking it again. Then, he tied the other cuff around one of Zenobia`s ankles. It looked like the balls the prisoners in some jails had tied to their feet and when she was ordered to walk a few steps, it was clear to anybody that Zenobia would not be able to run with the heavy weight chained to her ankle, let alone swimming away.
Curt now released her from all her other restraints and even removed her gag, giving the sodden knickers to Nathalie who draped them over one of the chairs. However, Nathalie, wearing a riding crop now, told her not to say a word.
Next, it was Andrea`s turn. Once she had a ball chained to her ankle, Curt removed her belt and released her wrists. Next, he removed her gag mask. Zenobia felt pity for her as she saw that the mask consisted also of a pear shaped plug that had been in her mouth, in addition to a dense wad of packing that turned out to be Zenobia`s knickers. Andrea panted for a while and licked her lips. Since Nathalie hadn`t forbidden that, they quickly exchanged a kiss and Zenobia firmly held Andrea`s hand.
Before Virginia and Caroline were next to get a ball chained to their ankles, Curt peeled down their knickers. The two girls blushed from the additional humiliation, but did not dare to resist. Once they were free except for the chain, they embraced each other and anxiously watched what would happen next.
This next event was not the worst Zenobia had seen in the last 24 hours. Laura ordered Xenia to be freed from her bonds and gag and then told her to strip. The blonde stared daggers at her, then, she began to unbutton her white silk blouse, revealing an equally white lacy camisole.
„Dear, slow down a bit. Give us a real good show!“
Xenia gulped, but a look at Curt`s gun and Nathalie`s riding crop made her obey. She slowly pulled the ends of her blouse from her trousers and let it slide to the floor. Then, she removed her kneelength boots, followed by her socks she slowly rolled down her lower legs. She tried to remain calm, but Zenobia could see her former Mistress`s embarrassment and she smiled involuntarily.
Xenia saw that and blushed violently. Obviously, being forced to strip nude in front of her former slave was worse for her than whatever this woman had in mind for them.
However, there was no chance for an escape. Xenia gulped, then, she opened her belt and dropped her trousers. She even reflexively stroked her hip-long blonde hair from her face before slowly removing her camisole. Zenobia had to admit that, though she still hated her, her former Mistress had a trim and slender body. Showing great self control, Xenia peeled down her knickers, tossed them on the pile on the chair and waited for Curt to cuff a cannon ball to her ankle with her hands on her hips, not caring to hide her charms.
Now, it as the turn of Winona, Alinda and Paloma to be released. Each had their knickers removed, too. The two agents just stepped aside, her arms crossed in front of their boobs, but Paloma threw herself into Zenobia`s arms and started to sob. Zenobia embraced the young Mexican and after a while, Andrea slung her arms around her, too.
When she turned her attention away from Paloma, Zenobia recognized that one of the women still lying on the floor was Fiona, her face deep red and her nude body covered with sweat. Now, these six women were released, too. They staggered when they had to stand on their weak legs and none of them even tried to scream when their gags were removed, although some of their faces showed an expression of sheer horror, whilst others looked beyond any emotin. They all sighed with relief when the agonizing crotch straps were pulled from between their legs and they could shake off their arms for the first time in many hours. Niamh and Clarissa looked at their nieces with uneasiness. They still suffered from the close skin contact they had been forced to endure.
„Well, Ladies, please go outside now. Some of you already know where the bathing area is. But I hope that this time none of you will try her luck in swimming away.“
Once outside, some of the women went to the adjacent bushes and soon, some sighs of relief could be heard. Nathalie and Laura laughed and even Curt now smiled, causing the returning captives to blush and to lower their heads.
At the shore, They were handed bars of soap and some brushes and Laura told them to get clean and take care of their hair, too. Holding rifles in their hands, Curt and Nathalie watched the bathing beauties whilst Laura sat in an armchair and closely looked at the 14 naked captives, too.
With the heavy balls tied to their ankles, none of the women dared to get into the deeper water, but most of them enjoyed the opportunity of washing the sweat from their bodies, which was not only their own in some cases.
Zenobia looked around for an opportunity to run away, but with the ball, this would have been a fruitless task. So, she and Andrea brushed each other`s hair and whispered some love confessions into each other`s ears, unheard by their guards who interrupted any conversation immediately.
When they all were ready with cleaning and combing themselves, the women were ordered to lie down in the grass and to allow the sun to dry them whilst Nathalie offered them some water and fresh fruits. For a while, at least when she closed her eyes, This seemed like a holiday to Zenobia. She was lying in the grass, holding Andrea`s hand and enjoying the warm ray of the afternoon sun on her body. Soon, she even dozed off.
This break from their ordeal lasted until it was becoming dark. Then, Laura decided that it was time for them to go to bed. she had decided to be lenient, but also to humiliate her captives a bit.
„All right, since you all have behaved quite well this afternoon, you will be allowed to sleep in light restraint. Now, everyone has to search for a partner for the night!“
Of course, not all of the women equally liked that last order. Of course, Zenobia and Andrea immediately took each other`s hands, as did Virginia and Caroline. But the others seemed a bit undecided what to do. When the smile began to disappear from Laura`s face, Joanna and Scarlett quickly built the third pair, followed by Niamh and Clarissa but the others still hadn`t moved. Now, Laura smiled again, but there was considerable glee in her eyes.
„Allow me to help you with that, Ladies!“
She let her eyes wander over the six women left. Xenia tried to keep as much dignity as her naked predicament allowed her, Rose looked nervous and trembled slightly, just like Paloma. The two agents did their best to remain calm and Fiona looked as if she was still waiting to wake from a strange and terrible nightmare.
Long, very long, Laura watched the six naked women before she took Paloma`s hand and put it into Xenia`s. The Mexican gasped with horror whilst the blonde let out an annoyed sigh. Next, Fiona was grouped together with Alinda and Rose with Winona. Rose remained silent, but Fiona, who would have complained about any bed partner, began to cry until Alinda hissed that she should shut up and pull herself together.
First, Zenobia and Andrea were led inside and brought into the room with the three beds Andrea had already spent a night at. Their ankles were released and once they were lying face to face at one of the beds, they had to embrace each other before their hands were cuffed behind the other`s back. Now, their breasts were pressed against each other and none of them could say that this was an unpleasant position.
Now, Laura brought two broad leather bands. Like the gag masks, they had a big plug attached to the centre and they had ends that looked like little belts. Also, they had a little eyelet at the other side of the plug. Nathalie took one of these gags, shoved the plug into Zenobia`s mouth and buckled the ends tight in the back of her neck, securing that with a little padlock. Now, the broad leather band covered Zenobia`s face from nose to chin and the eyelet now was where the centre of her mouth would have been.
When Andrea had been gagged with the other device, Nathalie took a third of the little padlocks and connected the two eyelets, forcing the two women to keep their heads close together. They still could move their heads quite a bit and still, the position wasn`t very straining.
Now, both Nathalie and Curt pushed the two girls until Zenobia`s back touched the wall the bed was standing at. Then, she cuffed one of each women`s ankles to the lower side of the bed.
„As you can see, we only have three guest beds, so, it will be a bit cuddly for all of you. But I thinl that at least you two won`t mind that.“
They left to fetch the next couple and so, only Zenobia could see that Andreas was blushing. She pulled her closer to herself, trying to assure her that as long as they would be together, things could be worse.
Actually, it became a bit worse when it turned ou that their bed partners would be Xenia and Paloma. Not only did Zenobia hate the fact that whenever she caressed or groped Andrea`s butt, the backs of her hands rubbed over Xenia`s buttocks, but she also felt pity for Paloma who looked at her with her eyes as big as saucers and did not dare to move an inch, since her naked front was in close contact to the equally nude Xenia whom she still feared.
At, least, they had not been chosen to be those who would have to share a bed to six. This dubious honour had Niamh, Clarissa and Winona and Rose, who had Alinda and the squirming and moaning Fiona wedged between them, who fought her bonds and gag with all her might until exhaustion stopped her.
When Scarlett, Joanna, Virginia and Caroline had been cuffed to the last bed, their captors left for the night. And soon, although the close presence of another nude woman was a new and thrilling experience for some of the damsels – an experience only Zenobia and Andrea enjoyed, whilst all but Virginia and Caroline, who at least were good friends, more or less found it humiliating and indecent, tiredness took it`s toll and after some more squirming, rubbing, moaning and sighing, the 14 naked, bound and gagged women had fallen asleep.
***
Some hours later, a light signal appeared at the top of one of the higher trees around. It could not be seen from the mansion, but those wo were meant to see it were somewhere out in the swamps anyway.
Indeed, a little later Curt could hear a knocking sound. Every flashing of his lamp was answered with a hollow throb. And after some more minutes, he could see three men approaching the foot of the tree he was sitting upon. Slowly, Curt climbed down and greeted his friends.
When the mansion had been built, Curt had spent quite some time exploring the ways through the labyrinth of water straits and hidden paths that went through the swampland. On one of these occasions, he had met three Seminoles who to his surprise had introduced themselves as Tom, Dick and Harry. Since Curt could offer them things like liquor, tobacco or ammunition in exchange for some help in learning to find his way through the jungle, they had befriended after a while. Except for him, the three Indians were the only one who knew the way from the mansion to New Hope. Of course, Laura and Nathalie had done the trip, too, but it had turned out that both lacked a good sense of orientation. Besides, they had only done the trip twice: Once to examine the chosen place and then to move over to their newly built home. The months in between, the two had spent at New Orleans or Tampa.
„Sorry we couldn`t send you light signals. We had a little fight and could only save our lives – and our weapons, at least.“
The three gratefully took the Whiskey Curt offered to them and soon, they had told him what they knew. There had been several groups of white men – and women – around, obviously chasing each other. Some of the women had ended up bound and gagged, but now, they had all gone and the men had withdrawn from the swamps, too.
Curt was quite sure that at least some of the men had been members of a search posse from New Hope. So, with a little bit of luck, they would not come back to this part of the Everglades when they continued their search tomorrow. And though he knew only too well about the whereabouts of all the women, he didn`t tell the three brothers. But then, Dick suddenly cursed:
„Damn, a fortune in gold lost!“
Curt raised his eyebrow and offered the Indian another sip of Whiskey. And indeed, Dick told him that they had sold quite a lot of furs and other hunting trophies until they had enough money to pay off a man called Wilson who had promised to get them wifes. This Wilson had unfortunately brought only two girls with him and during their last day`s encounters, these had escaped, too.
From the descriptions, Curt was quite sure that these two girls were Virginia and Caroline. He took a long sip from the now nearly empty bottle before he began to talk:
„Maybe, I can help you with that problem. And maybe, I can help each of you finding a decent wife. But before, you will have to help me.“
The three brothers responsively leaned forward and so, Curt began to unfold his plan to them. After some hour, they all shook hands and Tom, Dick and Harry disappeared into the forest whilst Curt sneaked back to his sleeping room.
***
The next day passed in an almost unreal atmosphere. Laura, Nathalie and Curt treated the captives with kindness, but all felt that something would happen. In the morning, all had been led to the outhouse and then quickly fed one by one, then, they had again been placed in their beds. Again and again, the women had heard steps over their heads. The mansion had a flat roof and obviously, the two women were preparing something there.
They had only made cryptic intimations about „something great“ that would happen at midnight. Zenobia felt a mixture of fear and curiosity. First, she had thought that they had been kidnapped by a slavery ring and somehow, the thought that she and her former Mistress would be taxed and sold together had caused her to laugh once again. But now, it seemed that something less business-like was going on.
However, they had to wait until afternoon before their captors once again paid attention to them. Nathalie had a clipboard on which she had listed the captives alphabetically. Once again, this reminded Zenobia of a slave auction. She got a glimpse of the list and could see that only their names were written on it. However, there were some lines on it, connecting two names. Some had been erased or crossed out and it was impossible to say what this was all about.
Now, Nathalie freed Alinda from the bed, only to tie her hands behind her back with the cuffs and, leaving her gagged, led her outside. Zenobia thought that they would be fed or allowed to use the toilet once again, but Alinda didn`t come back. Instead, about half an hour later, they fetched Andrea who was second on the list. Zenobia moaned and squirmed in her bonds and Andrea tried to resist, too, but Curt just carried her out and so, she had no chance of seeing what happened to her beloved. However, she was almost sure that those brought outside the room were put to the roof, for she could again hear steps above her head. Paloma and her exchanged fearful glances. They were sure that their captors would not kill them in such a laborious way, but this all was more than strange and frightening.
One by one, the captive girls were led outside and some minutes later, steps could be heard on the roof. Some of the bound and gagged women screamed through their gags or tried to break their bonds, but to no avail. Finally, it was Paloma`s turn to be carried away and now, only Xenia and Zenobia were lying side by side on the bed.
The room now was rather quiet, since beside them, only four more women were left, Rose, Scarlett, Virginia and Winona. All of these were either too frightened to do anything or had simply giving up fighting their bonds. Zenobia looked at Xenia who was lying beside her. Though they had spent quite some time together during the last 18 months, there had never been a point where both had been forced to lie side by side and had been gagged at the same time. On the pirate ship, Xenia had been treated better than her and since then, they had never again been captives of the same people at the same time.
„Why couldn`t she just have stayed at Cuba, together with Mr. Drake? There was no reason to come here and to break into my and Andrea`s life once again, except for her desire to get her former slave into her clutches. If she hadn`t been, we could perhaps now be free and in New Hope!“
The blonde answered her view without much reaction and Zenobia at least had to admire Xenia`s self control. She hadn`t squirmed or moaned much since she had been tied close to her. Only when Paloma had panicked, she had let out an annoyed grunt and tried to keep her from too much struggling. But now, she just waited for the things to come.
„Had she used her strength for anything but seeking revenge on me, she could have been a rich and influential Lady at Cuba. But now, here she is, naked, bound and gagged, just like me.“
„Mph!“
Xenia seemed to have read her thoughts, for she glanced at her with anger and then turned her back towards Zenobia. Like that, they waited as the hours passed and their number decreased until it was Xenia`s turn to be led outside and Zenobia was left alone.
„Maybe, I can pick the lock and get free! I hate leaving Andrea, but if I can reach the town, I might fetch help!“
However, it was to no avail. The bed, though made of wood, was too solid to break free and without anything like a hair needle or a pin, she could not work on the handcuffs either. Her gag was secured by a padlock and besides, screaming for help would only have drawn her captor`s attention. Angrily, Zenobia bit down on the leather plug stuffing her mouth. She was once again covered with sweat, but she had not achieved anything and so, she had to wait for her captors to come for her.
Finally, it was her turn, a little after she had once again heard people walking over the roof. Nathalie released her cuffed ankle from the bedpost, only to tie the cuff around her other ankle. Tied hand and foot, Zenobia had to follow Nathalie and Curt outside. Laura could not be seen anywhere. Seeing no point in being defiant, Zenobia, who could only take small steps, followed the two others outside.
There, to her surprise, an area of a few squareyards had been spread with sand that looked as if something had been spilled over it. Beside, a long clothline was stretched between the roof edge and a tree. On it, a single pair of pink knickers was hanging.
„These look like Virginia`s“, Zenobia thought and gulped when she guessed what had happened to all the other knickers that Nathalie had piled up yesterday. She could also see a table with some bottles and other things on it, but before she could examine these closer, she was pushed inside the outhouse and was given five minutes after Curt had cuffed her hands in front of her belly.
Then, she was ordered to stand in the sand. Nathalie took a band and braided Zenobia`s hair. Then, she went to the table and took a bottle and a ladle. After pouring some odorous oil all over her body, the girl began to rub this oil all over Zenobia`s body. The Black mmphed with uneasiness when Nathalie also massaged her breasts, buttocks and hips, but Nathalie obviously had no sexual harassment in mind, but just wanted all of her skin to be covered with a film of the oil. Finally, Zenobia gleamed like polished ebony and Nathalie cleaned her hands with a cloth.
„Now, throw yourself into the sand and roll around!“
„Mhhmmm?“
„Just do it, that`s an order!“
It was one of the most strange orders Zenobia had ever been given, but she obeyed. Again and again, Nathalie told her to roll around and finally, she was like breaded with sand.
„Good. Now, stand still!“, Nathalie ordered. In her hand, she held a strange bent thing that looked like a small sickle.
„That`s what the ancient Romans call a Strigilis. It`s used for cleaning and massaging the skin. Normally, this was done to the nobles by slaves, so I hope you appreciate the honour.“
Nathalie began to scrape off the mixture of oil and sand from Zenobia`s skin. She was putting up considerable pressure, but the feeling wasn`t unpleasant. In fact, it stimulated her circulation and she had to admit that her skin had never before felt so good and clean.
After that, Nathalie soaped Zenobia`s body and hair with copious amounts of some liquid perfumed soap. Before the girl was ordered to take a quick bath in the water, she had to put her hands on her head and Nathalie quickly, but thoroughly shaved her armpits and legs. Zenobia mmphed with disgust and vigorously shook her head when Nathalie took some of her pubic hair between her fingers and asked her if she wanted her to shave it off, too.
Then, Zenobia had to bathe and to wash her hair. After that, she was toweled dry by Curt who did a thorough job, but did not touch her breasts or private parts with more than professional interest. She had to sit on a stool and Nathalie combed her hair before once again all her body was oiled.
„Now, you really look presentable. Let`s get you ready before we get you up, to join the others. After all, it has become quite late.“
Indeed, it was now some 9 p. m. and the sun was already disappearing at the horizon. Zenobia had still not the slightest idea what was in the sick minds of her captors, but the prospect of joining the others at least meant she would see Andrea again.
Nathalie now took the pink pair of knickers from the clothline whilst Curt removed the padlock of Zenobia`s gag and began to open the buckle. The Black closed her eyes and opened her mouth, preparing herself for once more being gagged with another woman`s used underwear. Soon, she tasted that, although they had been put on the clothline, these knickers had not been washed, but only dried. She could not hel emitting retching sounds as the gag was forced into her mouth, too. The leather plug compressed the silky material and the knickers filled her cheeks and throat to capacity. Curt again buckled the gag tight and secured it with the padlock.
Drawing by hugues66
„Now, you will not be able to disturb the ceremony, even if you might be temptated to do so!“
„Mph!“
Ceremony? What was this crazy woman talking about? Did they intent to sacrifice her to some evil god? Like many Blacks, Zenobia had heard some stories about ghosts and demons. The older slaves had tried to keep some of their African tradition and religion, but during the decades, this had been mixed up with other rites and some fictional stories. Zenobia wasn`t really superstitious, but she also was sure that there was a grain of truth in all these stories and so, the thought of what Nathalie had implied frightened her.
However, she was distracted when the other woman brought a white band of silk. It was more than a foot wide and Nathalie folded it twice before tying it around Zenobia`s waist like a belt, knotting it off at her back. Then, an iron belt with cuffs welded to it`s sides, similar to that Andrea had been wearing, was locked around her waist. So, the silk belt was simply meant for upholstery.
Curt released her from her handcuffs and Nathalie tied silk bands around her wrists before locking the cuffs attached to the belt around them.
„So, that should prevent you from spilling a drop of your precious blood too early.“
This was not suitable for calming Zenobia down and she moaned through her stifling gag and tried to turn away from Nathalie, but Curt now had stepped behind her and held her arms. He also had put one leg between hers and stepped on the short chain between her ankle cuffs, preventing her from kicking at Nathalie who now knotted a rope to the eyelet in her belt directly below her navel. This rope had knots on every inch and it was dripping from some oily liquid it had been soaked with. Despite her wriggling, Nathalie could work the slippery rope quite easily between her labia and buttocks before tying it to the belt behind her back. Now, the knots were massaging her between her legs, rubbed over her clit and irritated her on every move.
Nathalie giggled at Zenobia`s puzzled and strained look. Then, her ankle cuffs were removed and Curt led her to a ladder leading up to the mansion`s roof.
***