The Sultan`s Concubine 5

Tabea, who had now freed Mira`s wrists, spun around, her shoulder still hurting slightly from the other´s bite, though not in an unpleasant way.

»You – you bit me!«

She tried to sound angry, but when the tops of her breasts touched Mira`s, she felt an almost painful shudder and she knew that her voice wasn`t as steady as she wished it to be. Her right hand still was holding Mira`s left hand and when she felt soft fingers on her cheek, caressing her gently, she held still.

»You want me to stop?«

Tabea had to clear her throat before she croaked:

»Yes!«

Now, a finger brushed over her full lips and Mira whispered:

»The Turks say, lips can lie«, she bent forward and placed a kiss on Tabea`s right eye whilst her hand was pressing Tabea`s, »the eyes can lie-«

»But the heart can`t lie!«, Tabea breathed, remembering that saying from Hakan, and arched back as Mira`s hand slowly wandered down her throat and cupped her left breast. A part of her still knew she had to stop this, but when Mira tightened her grip and placed her thumb on her nipple, she let out a fluttering breath.

»The heart can`t lie!«, Mira repeated and her hand shifted a bit to the middle, feeling for her heartbeat, »But what does your heart say, Tabea?«

»It says ›stop immediately‹!«, Tabea wanted to answer, but she just panted and offered no resistance as Mira now lead her right hand to her own breast.

»You feel my heart? You understand what it says?«

»It says – we – should stop!«

Mira`s hand moved quick and she pinched Tabea`s nipple, making her gasp. When she opened her mouth, Mira kissed her, stifling her moan. Then, she whispered:

»Wrong answer, try again!«

She had slung one leg over Tabea`s and when Mira´s calf brushed over the back of her knee, it sent shivers through her lower body. Tabea now began to massage the other`s breast, felt for her hard nipple and when Mira let out a small sigh, she answered:

»You heart says – you are ugly!«

For two or three seconds, Mira did not move or make a sound. Then, she again pinched Tabea`s nipple, this time kneading her, too. The following kiss lasted longer, as Tabea responded to it and when Mira withdrew, she panted:

»And your heart says – you can`t kiss!«

»Wrong!«

Again, their lips and tongues met and this time, none of them thought of withdrawing. Instead, their hands began to explore each other.  Tabea felt sweaty skin, firm buttocks and soaked in Mira´s fragrance as she also sensed hands everywhere, hands that found a way between her legs and-

BZZZZZZZ!

The shock wasn`t especially painful, but it made both girls twitch and let each other go. Tabea was still perplexed by the sudden electric wave in her loins when Mira gasped:

»Ouch! You burnt my fingers!«

She sounded more surprised than as if she was really hurt, but it seemed to have cooled down her ecstasy for the moment. After a few moments of silence, she said:

»Too bad! If we don`t have the key, we can`t do anything!«

Though she had realized that before, hearing the effect of the magic belt was almost physically hurting her aroused and swollen womanhood. Then, she more and more regained control over her senses and she remembered that this wasn`t their most urgent problem.

»What now?«

Though no longer bound and gagged, they were still locked inside the box. Of course, one possibility was to wait for the trip to end and attack their captors by surprise when they opened the box. However, then, they would perhaps be able to run away – still naked –, but Jelena would still be in these men`s clutches.

Tabea examined the planks of the box and brought her eyes closer to one of the gaps that let in a little light. At that moment, the cart seemed to have hit a bump, as she was thrown around and hit her forehead. Tabea cursed and felt if she had hurt herself, but at the same moment, she realized something else:

The box they were trapped inside had been placed inside the cart`s frame and was held in place by four wooden stoppers. And one of these now seemed to have slid from its hole, causing the box to sway in the tact of the cart`s movements.

More and more, Tabea understood the construction: this was a smuggler`s cart and therefore, it was good to have easy access to the hidden cargo, even if the cart`s load was filled with fake goods. But if they could remove the other stoppers, too-

Since they were kept in place by the weight of the box and its content, they would not be able to remove them all, but it would not be completely impossible to remove one more. With a lot of gestures, she explained her plan to Mira and then, both girls began to push against the stopper, whenever the cart swayed to the other side and took some pressure from it. Millimeter for millimeter, it moved. Tabea and Mira had to pause from exhaustion from time to time, but finally, it popped out. She withdrew her fingers and a moment later, the top end of the box slipped and landed on the ground.

The cart had travelled at a speed of just some 5 mph and the gap between the box and the ground was hardly one yard. So, the impact wasn`t that hard, but since they had just been passing an uneven road, it worked as if someone had pulled the break on full speed.

The cart literally hopped and then, it began to heel to one side. With a curse, the driver tried to hold against it, but unluckily, he and his comrade had been busy with Jelena.

The driver`s bench offered room for three people and since their accomplice had taken the spare horse and ridden forward to check out their next hideout, they had placed Jelena between them. The girl was bound and gagged and hidden under her dress, but this did not hinder them to grope her. The one to her left had pushed his hand into her dress, kneading her breast. When she had moaned and tried to shake him off, the other one, envious about his comrade having all the fun, had started to molest her from the other side, controlling the reigns with one hand.

Now, as the cart heeled over, they all lost balance and landed on the ground. Jelena moaned, as she could not do anything to stop falling, but she landed on one of the men and so didn`t get hurt.

Cursing, they got back to their feet and looked at the cart that now was lying on its side, the upper wheel still turning. One of them staggered towards it, concerned about the other captives. As he looked around the cart, a fist hit his face, breaking his nose.

Tabea had recovered quickly from the accident and then started to kick against the already splintered planks of the box. Seconds before the man had approached, she had managed to get out and attacked immediately.

The criminal landed on his back, holding his nose and groaning. Tabea kicked him in the belly en passant. Then, she stormed over to the other one who was still kneeling beside Jelena. Before he had realized what was going on, Tabea jumped forward and kicked him at the chest, sending him to the ground again.

She spun around. Mira was right behind her and three yards away, the other man, still pressing one hand to his bleeding nose, got up and reached for his dagger. His comrade was still lying on his back, aching. She looked around for number three, but could not see him anywhere.

»Mmhhmmph!«

Jelena, still bound and gagged, squirmed, trying to get up. Now, they had to move quickly. With a furious cry, Tabea whirled around and attacked the man who now had almost drawn his dagger with a kick. He ducked, but this made him stagger and he landed in the dust again. From behind, Tabea heard a curse and she saw Mira throwing stones at the other man. She had no time for aiming and most of these were just pebbles, but it caused him to cover his face and to remain where he was.

Tabea kicked at the ground, so some sand and dust was thrown into the second man`s eyes, blinding him for the moment. Then, she jumped for Jelena and lifted the bound and gagged girl over her shoulder.

»Mira, quick!«

She ran for the road`s embankment and reached the top. Here, she staggered from the weight of Jelena, but now, Mira had reached her, helping her. Together, they headed for the bushy hills.

Without shoes and having a head start of just some 20 yards, this would have been a short race, but they still had some luck left for them. As Tabea looked over her shoulder, she could see that the men had just reached the top of the embankment. Suddenly, one of them staggered, waving his arms. Then, with a curse, he fell backwards. His impact was followed by a series of curses and yells; obviously, he had broken or sprained his ankle or something like that. His comrade`s eyes wandered from his friend to the vanishing girls, uneasy what to do.

They took the chance and ran, walking zigzag through the rocky terrain until they finally collapsed behind a group of pine trees, panting and covered with sweat.

»Do you – do you think – we did it?«, Tabea gasped, her lungs aching from the effort. Mira just looked back, but could not make out a sign of any follower.

»Uuuhhmm! Mmhhmmph!«

»Oh, come on, all you had to do was to chill around whilst we were doing all the work!«, Tabea said towards Jelena with a forced grin. Then, they worked together to free her from her bonds and gags. They all hugged and when another careful look told them they had indeed shaken off their kidnappers, they sat in the shadow of the trees and decided what to do next.

They were free now, but this was no reason to frolic too much. Jelena still had the dress, but Tabea and Mira were naked except for the panties respectively the chastity belt. When Tabea looked at the now dusty triangle of silk between Mira`s legs, still damp, her cheeks burnt from the memory of what had happened previously. Covertly, she reached for her shoulder where Mira had bitten her.

The blonde now took Jelena`s discarded headscarf and tied it over her breasts. The other remnants of their bonds and gags, however, were too ragged or too small to be used as a covering. All they could do was wrap their feet to have a little protection for their feet.

»We should wait for the dark! Then, at least you will be invisible, Tabea!«, Mira said jokingly.

»As long as she doesn`t smile!«, Jelena added with a giggle.

»Ha ha, very funny, Crackers!«, Tabea replied. Then, she became serious and looked at the blonde.

»Mira – who are you? And please, don`t tell me you are just a girl from Belgrade!«

For a few seconds, Mira just looked at them, obviously considering whether she could trust her new companions. Then, with a sigh, she said:

»Well, I am a girl from Belgrade – but since I was five, I lived in Istanbul – at the Topkapi palace.«

She told them that she had been sold as a slave and had been raised inside the palace, having to serve in the harem. Since it had turned out she was intelligent, Mira had been taught literature and also was fluent in Turkish, Serbian and Greek. She also was one of the favorite slaves of Hürrem, the Sultan`s beloved concubine.

»He will marry her next year, make her his official wife. Of course, not everybody likes that!«

In fact, Hürrem was sure that Mahidevran, the Sultan`s previous favorite, was plotting against her, together with Grand Vizier Ibrahim Pasha. Tabea and Jelena exchanged a look: so far, Hürrem was perfectly right!

Since she could not leave the Topkapi, Hürrem had managed to smuggle out Mira and sent her to Belgrade. She knew that the Grand Vizier was currently residing there and in addition, Mira could pass as a native. However, though neither dumb nor cowardly, Mira had spent the last 14 years inside the palace, too, and so, she had fallen into the clutches of some slave traders after just two days.

»And now, you saved me, Tabea, woman of my dreams.«

The look Mira now showed made Tabea cover her breasts with her arm and she cleared her throat. However, Mira just continued speaking:

»When I came to the palace, I was nothing but a frightened girl that seemed to do everything wrong. Everybody was scolding me – except for Hassan!«

Hassan had been an elderly black eunuch. Despite the fact he had been robbed the opportunity to ever have a family, Hassan loved children and had acted as a friendly grandfather figure to the many children in the palace. For years, he had been Mira`s only friend and so, she had developed an idea about all black people being good and kind.

»As I grew older, I of course learned this was just childish thinking. But when I turned into a young woman, I found out that I love women more than men. Of course, I had to keep this a secret – except for my dreams. Dreams of a black woman.«

Her voice had become hoarse and again, she looked at Tabea in a way that made her shiver. Again, she cleared her throat and then, she said, cursing herself for her stammer:

»Well, p-perhaps, we sh-should better stay a-a-awake!«

Helpfully, Jelena stepped in and she and Tabea now added what they knew about the plans of Ibrahim Pasha. It was little enough, since they just knew that he was indeed in contact with Mahidevran and that he had planned to install the two girls inside the Topkapi. Mira now looked at the sun and said just one word:

»Smederevo!«

»Sme-what?«

»Smederevo, a town at the Danube, some 30 miles down the river from Belgrade. The commander of the local garrison is loyal to Hürrem and he helped me when I had left the palace. Since our abductors had planned to get us to Istanbul, we can`t be too far from Smederevo.«

Mira even climbed up one of the pine trees and indeed could make out the blue band of the Danube in the distance. Since getting closer to Smederevo was the only chance they had, they walked on, always in fear of the slavers and suffering from thirst. However, at late afternoon, they had reached a hill from which they had a good look at the Danube below. The road was quite crowded and some mile away, they spotted the walls and towers of a city.

»That`s Smederevo. You know what that means, Jelena.«

With a sigh, and looking around carefully, Jelena took off the dress and handed it to Mira. They only had that one dress and only Mira would be able to get some help. Neither Tabea nor Jelena was glad with the idea of having to wait outside in the nude, but they had little other choice.

They looked after Mira as she went down for the road. Then, Jelena suddenly asked:

»So, you and that girl, eh?«

Tabea spun around, looking at Jelena who showed a smirk. She fumed:

»There was nothing! We are just – well, allies!«

Jelena nodded slowly.

»Just allies, I see.«

Then, with a grin, she added:

»Is that a bite mark on your shoulder?«

Tabea hid the treacherous mark with her hand and glanced at Jelena, feeling her cheeks burn. The other girl sighed and meant:

»No offense, Tabby, the last days really were quite a challenge for – for our orientation.«

Now, Jelena was blushing all over, too. Obviously, she was remembering all too well how she and Tabea had been tied together, naked and their breasts and loins pressed together. How they had been forced to kiss or fondle each other. Tabea gulped and said with a hysteric giggle:

»Nelly, please – I couldn`t stand another admission of love!«

Jelena now took her hand into hers and looked at her. For a terrible moment, Tabea was sure the other would indeed make a proposal, but she just said:

»Tabby, I am as confused as you are. But I can say that the events of the last days would have been much worse without you!«

Now, Tabea felt the urge to hug Jelena, but this would have meant that their naked boobs would have touched again – and a part of her wasn`t sure what that would lead into. So, she just responded to the handshake and then turned away, looking at the road. Now, with dusk approaching, there were only few travellers left.

»I hope that Mira has made it and that they will send someone soon. I don`t want to spend the entire night here!«

»Yeah, the nights are still quite cold – and the only source of warmth are our bodies!«

»Nelly! You are outrageous!«

However, she had to laugh as well as she looked at Jelena`s overdone passionate look and soon, her friend was giggling, too.

»Our book would become a bestseller, Tabby! An inside report from the past, written by a lesbian couple that consists of a Black and a Gypsy!«

»Yeah, we really could milk the minority bonus! However, I always thought you`d prefer the term ›Romani‹?«

Now, Jelena became more serious:

»I do. But where we are now, being called a Gypsy is one of my least problems!«

Tabea nodded. Even if Mira would send help, they were still stranded in the past, with only a vague chance to ever get back to the year 2020. However, before any of them could lose confidence, they spotted a group of three riders coming from Smederevo. That alone wouldn`t be uncommon, but they stopped close to where they were hiding. Now, they could see the three men were wearing uniforms. One of them dismounted and began to climb up the hill, carrying a bundle under his arm and his sword still in its sheath. He looked at the bushes and rocks and when he had come closer, he asked in a low voice:

»Tabea? Jelena? Mira sends me!«

They gave him a sign, but refused to leave their cover. The man looked at the two heads and then said in broken Turkish:

»Clothes for you!«

He placed the bundle on the floor and stood beside it. Tabea grinned:

»You know we should alter the past as little as possible. And the sight of a naked Ebony beauty could seriously confuse this poor fellow. He sure has seen girls like you before!«

Jelena only needed one finger to answer to that. Then, shielding her boobs with one arm and pressing a hand on her pubic region, she stepped towards the bundle. The soldier gazed at her, but did not move as she tried to grab the package without showing too much of herself. As she walked back to the hideout, Jelena almost felt his eyes on her butt.

»Next time, you go!«, she hissed as she slammed the bundle to the ground. It turned out that Mira had managed to find clothes that fit them quite good. Soon, they were dressed in plain dresses, together with full slips, and were wearing shoes, too. Mira also had sent them a bottle with water and so, they could quench the worst thirst before stepping out of the cover and following the soldier to his comrades.

All three men stared at Tabea and after a while, the leader handed her a cloth and with a gesture, told her to cover her head with it. Then, they were placed on two of the horses, right in front of the rider, and the little group rode towards the city.

At the door, the guard just exchanged a few words with the leader whilst Tabea kept her head low to hide her dark complexion. They headed for a building that looked massive and had a wall topped with pinnacles. Behind the open door, guarded by another soldier, they could see a large sandy yard. Obviously, that was the city garrison.

The men led them inside and then, they were brought to a small door at one side. Behind it was a room that looked like a soldiers` sleeping room. Inside it, Mira was waiting, still wearing her shabby dress. She hugged the two of them and then showed them the table where some bread, water and cheese were waiting.

Whilst the two were eating and drinking, Mira told them she had told everything to Kerim Bey, the commander of the garrison who had already helped her when she had reached the city a few days ago. He had been surprised to hear about Hakan being involved, but had immediately sent men to bring Tabea and Jelena to the garrison.

»He knew who Hakan is?«, Tabea asked with surprise. She had thought that he had just been a henchman of Ibrahim Pasha, someone hardly known to anybody outside his household. Mira hadn`t thought about that, but before they could get deeper into that, they heard approaching steps.

»Holy shit, has the whole garrison come to bid us welcome?«

Jelena looked through the door where indeed some 20 soldiers were marching and taking position close to the room they were in. Tabea looked for the window, but it was barred and too small to allow an escape.

The men now gave way for a man in a decorated uniform with a large turban. He went for the door alone and entered.

»Kerim Bey, I presume«, Tabea said and when Jelena did so, she also dropped a curtsey. The man looked at them and something made Tabea think she had seen him before. Kerim Bey seemed to be a man of some 50, sporting a huge grey mustache under an aquiline nose and looking at them with sharp eyes surrounded by wrinkles. He slightly bowed and his gesture seemed to allow them to get up again. Then, he said:

»So, this part of this girl`s story`s true!«

His voice did not show whether he had really doubted Mira`s words. Then, he continued, looking at them with stern eyes:

»Will you swear that the rest of the story is true as well – everything about Ibrahim Pasha, Mahidevran and Hakan?«

For a moment, Tabea hesitated. Perhaps, this would alter the past. Then, however, she answered:

»Yes, Kerim Bey, every word of it!«

He looked at them and both girls held his view, nodding slightly. Kerim Bey brushed over his mustache and then, he also nodded:

»I see. Well, this leaves me with a small problem!«

He reached behind and opened the door. The soldiers now approached, storming inside and throwing themselves upon the three girls. Before they had fully recognized what was happening, each of them had been grabbed by to men. Mira screamed and Tabea tried to break free, but none of them stood a chance against so many. All three were gagged with rags stuffed deep into their mouths and secured by other cloths tied between their lips. Then, the three struggling and moaning captives were carried outside and brought to the main building.

Led by Kerim Bey, they were brought down some steps, to the cellar. Tabea could see it was some kind of torture chamber and she again tried to free herself, but only got grabbed even tighter.

At one wall, there were two rows of iron rings, one close to the floor, the other some five feet higher. The men started with Tabea and leaned her against the wall. Then, a ring was closed around her neck, followed by four more around her wrists and ankles. She now had to stand with her legs slightly apart and her hands to the left and the right of her head. It was not especially painful, but quite immobilizing and she also realized that she could not reach for her gag.

The others were tied similarly and a look at Jelena told Tabea that she was suffering more. These shackles had been designed for male prisoners and whilst she and Mira were tallish, 5`3`` Jelena had to stretch her neck and stand on tiptoes to be still able to breathe. Now, the soldiers withdrew, leaving them alone with Kerim Bey.

»You must excuse. I am loyal to my Padishah, the Sultan and I would rather die than endanger him! So, I will tell his Grand Vizier what you told me and hope that he will not continue with his evil plans!«

He was answered by some moans, both angry and questioningly. If he was on their side, why was Kerim Bey treating them like he did? The man now let his eyes wander over them and continued:

»I am sure that Ibrahim Pasha will understand his plan was wrong. Tomorrow, I will take a fast horse, ride to Belgrade and talk to him. Once I am sure he thinks like me, I will come back and take further care of you. After all, you are precious witnesses. If I won`t come back – well, you won`t be able to cheer about that for too long.«

The three captives fell silent. In the best case, they would be kept prisoners for days on end – in the worst case, they would be killed. Sure Kerim Bey was planning both to blackmail the Grand Vizier and also to get a reward from the Sultan. Tabea then noticed that another man was approaching from behind. He was wearing a black cloak and had pulled the hood deep into his face. Kerim Bey noticed him, smiled and put a hand on the man`s shoulder.

»Whilst I am away, someone will take care of you. Someone who by accident came here that very morning and also told me a few things. Someone who knows two of you already. My beloved eldest son!«

The other man slowly removed his cloak. Jelena let out a mew and Tabea just stared at him with widened eyes. The man had indeed a strong resemblance towards Kerim Bey, though he was half his age and did not have a mustache. His handsome face was a bit disfigured by a black eye and a bruise on his left side – wounds he had received from Tabea`s own hands or rather feet.

»So we see each other again, little Tabea and sweet Jelena!«

Hakan showed a wolfish grin, but despite her horror, Tabea noticed with some satisfaction that he walked a bit stiffly; obviously, his balls still hurt from her kick. Kerim Bey bent forward and whispered something into his son`s ear and then, he left him alone with the captives. Hakan now slowly took off the cloak and draped it over something that looked like a Spanish Horse. Then, he pulled a dagger with a curved blade and tested its sharpness with his thumb.

»You are remarkable women. Not only did you manage to escape me, but also those slave traders. And whilst doing so, you even thwarted Ibrahim Pasha`s plans! Really, I am impressed!«

He placed the tip of the dagger at Tabea`s throat. She didn`t dare to gulp as she felt the soft, yet vicious touch, but she also did not utter a sound. Slowly, Hakan let it slide down her front. He did not scratch her skin, but the blade was so sharp it sliced through her dress. He cut it open from her neck to the bottom, followed by her slip. The garment fell open, revealing her ample boobs and her pubic area, caged inside the chastity belt. When Hakan tapped against it with the dagger, a metallic sound could be heard.

»This sure helped you when you were in the hands of these slavers. However, there`s a key to every lock!«

He had the key on a string around his neck, but now, he also brushed over his manhood, leaving it ambiguous about which lock and key he was talking. Tabea shuddered and Hakan smiled, this time with a slightly sad expression.

»Unfortunately, I did not have any protection when you attacked me. Really, I am very angry and vengeful, little Tabea!«

She tried to answer his look as calm as she could, but he could tell from her heaving bust that she was quite fearful. Hakan now turned over to Jelena.

»At least, you did not hurt me physically, but of course, you also deserve some punishment, sweet Jelena!«

He cut open her clothes, too, causing Jelena to whimper with fear. Then, he stepped over to Mira.

»You, my dear, have actually done nothing to upset me, except for serving Hürrem. However, I am a generous man and I think I have enough anger for the three of you!«

When he had cut open Mira`s dress, he left her the silk panties and put his dagger away. Then, he clapped his hands and from the dark corners of the room, four more hooded figures slowly approached. They looked quite small and when they removed their hoods, Tabea recognized Hakan`s maids.

»My father gave order that you have to be well and alive when he comes back in two days! If he doesn`t come back, his men will fulfill his last orders according you. And if he`s back, he will decide what use you have for him. But until then, you are mine!«

He laughed in a way that would have sounded cartoonish under other circumstances. His maids now smiled at the three captives, but the look in their eyes showed whom they were loyal to. Hakan padded the head of the maid closest to him and said:

»Or, perhaps, I should better say: you are ours!«

***