The Search 1

Preface:

We are still in the year 1525, starting where we have left our two time travellers, Tabea and Jelena – once again kidnapped by some thugs. This time, however, there will be a change in storytelling: whilst the last two adventures have been told from Tabea`s perspective only, this time, there will be other POVs, too.

»At least, I still have my clothes!«

It wasn`t much, but in her current situation, Tabea had to take every positive aspect of her predicament. When she had awoken from her unconsciousness – she remembered how she had been knocked out from behind –, she had found once again bound and gagged. Her arms were tied behind her back and more rope fixed them to her upper body whilst her legs had been bound at knees and ankles. A large cloth stuffed her mouth and another one had been tied tightly between her lips. Tabea also had been stuffed into a burlap sack that was tied at her lower legs and more ropes secured her to the horse or donkey she was lying upon.

Unable to see or speak, she had little to no idea where she was or where she was going. There were noises, both of animals and men. Once or twice, Tabea thought she had heard a muffled moan, telling her that, perhaps, Jelena was close, bound and gagged like her. However, all she could tell for sure was that they were constantly travelling through some mountains or hills.

»I am not sure whether the Sultan`s concubine has betrayed us or if someone else has his fingers in this abduction!«

Tabea had tried to listen to the men, but they were talking Serbian or Croatian and so, she could only get a few words that did not help the matter. In addition, she had tried to work on her wrist ties, though the girl knew that even if she had managed to undo them, it would not have gotten her very far. At least, she would have to wait for the first halt.

With no other possibility than to think of her situation, Tabea tried to conclude the little about her abductors she could find out. They seemed to be not the poorest, for from what she could sense, she had her horse exclusively for herself. Ordinary brigands sure would not have so many riding animals that they could afford two just for transporting kidnapped girls.

Besides, the men seemed to feel quite save, for their talking sounded careless and she heard more than one laugh.

»Maybe, they are just planning what to do to us once we have stopped!«, Tabea thought with a shudder when suddenly, her horse reared up with a shrill neigh.

»Mhhmmph!«

Tabea was raised from her doze, having to breathe the stale air under her hood for hours, when the horse began to gallop, bouncing its human load in the progress. The girl was secured so well she was not thrown from the animal`s back, but instead had to follow every move of the crazed horse. As a keen rider, Tabea guessed it had panicked, perhaps from a snake. She knew that there was little a rider could do to soothe a panicking horse – even less if the rider was bound, gagged and stuffed into a sack!

The horse ran on and every second, Tabea feared it would break its leg and stagger, killing her in the progress. Frantically, she pulled on her bonds, but to no avail.

»Ho! Ho!«

The yells were loud, but sounded calm and indeed, the horse now slowed down. Tabea felt its muscles tremble and even through her hood, could smell the animal`s sweat as it finally stopped whilst someone talked to it in a calm, friendly way. Then, she heard the padding sound as the man obviously caressed the horse`s neck.

»Mhhmmm! Uuhhmm!«

Tabea squirmed and moaned through her gag, demanding some care after the unpleasant trip, too. However, the man only hissed one word. Then, he made the horse come with him whilst another sound was getting louder – that of approaching riders.

Now, Tabea fell silent and listened carefully. It seemed that whoever had stopped the horse was not one of her kidnappers! Indeed, she heard him whisper to the horse, trying to prevent it from making noise. Little later, other riders could be heard, and voices Tabea recognized as that of two of her captors. To her surprise, a woman was answering them and then, she heard cursing and after a few seconds, the men rode away. When the hoof clatter had died down, the woman said something and now, four hands were working on the ropes fixing Tabea to the horse.

The sack was pulled from her and Tabea blinked, looking at her rescuers. It was a tall, muscular man with black hair and a mustache and a woman whose features were partially hidden by her headscarf. They stared at her and the man now asked something in a language Tabea could not understand.

»Mph!«

Now, the man laughed and clapped his forehead before pulling the cloth from between her teeth. Then, he helped her to spit out her gag. Tabea panted and licked her lips before she croaked:

»Thank you!«

She repeated the words in Hungarian and Turkish, hoping the two would understand her. Indeed, their faces lightened and for the first time, the woman now spoke:

»So, you speak Turkish?«

She had a strong accent, but whilst the man was freeing Tabea`s arms and legs, she had already introduced themselves as Predrag and Bahira, two showmen on their way to the coast. Tabea now could see that Bahira was actually young and quite pretty. She also seemed friendly and held a water hose to Tabea`s mouth, allowing her to drink whilst Predrag freed her completely.

»Now, who – or what – are you?«

Though the question sounded a little offensive, the expression in the man`s face was just curiosity and Tabea had to remind herself that she perhaps was the first black woman Predrag and Bahira had ever seen in their lives. In addition, the fact she had been transported on horseback, bound and gagged, was something that sure interested her rescuers.

So, Tabea told them a short version of her past, leaving out the time travel and just telling them that she and Jelena had obviously raised the anger of someone close to the Sultan who currently was at Smederevo near Belgrade. Suddenly, Tabea stopped her story:

»Jelena! She – she`s still in the hands of these thugs! We must help her!«

She got to her feet and looked around, seeing they were somewhere in the hills with no house around. She now also noticed the small cart of Bahira and Predrag, painted in bright colors and drawn by a mule. However, she could see no clue of where the kidnappers had gone. Besides, they were several armed men and something like a police would not be invented for centuries. Bahira stepped beside her and put a hand on her shoulder.

»You know the men who kidnapped you and your friend?«

Tabea shook her head, fighting back tears of frustration. Bahira smiled enigmatically and said:

»Well, maybe, I have an idea!«

She then told that when the two men had talked to her, she had noticed that they were Croatians, like Predrag and her. She even had recognized the strong dialect of the one who had done most of the talking.

»I am sure that these men are from Split! And luckily, that`s where Predrag and I are heading to!«

Split! Tabea knew it was on the Dalmatian coast, some 400 miles from here. This was hardly a hint to follow! However, she then remembered she was in the year 1525.

»Doesn`t Split belong to the Venetian territory?«

»Of course!«, Bahira answered, raising an eyebrow on the question that sounded a bit silly to her ears. Tabea, however, remembered that about a second before she and Jelena had been knocked out, she had recognized the Italian she had previously met at the mansion of Ibrahim Pasha.

From her research, she knew that Venice had been the only Italian power that had had greater influence in the area. So, it was quite likely that the Italian was from Venice. And perhaps, he had intended to get her and Jelena to a city held by Venice. A city like Split.

It was a more than vague trace, but the alternative would have been to stumble through the hills, alone and with no idea where to go. So, she turned towards her rescuers, forced herself to smile and said:

»Well, if you don`t mind, I would like to come with you!«

Predrag looked at her and Tabea could see how his eyes stopped at her breasts.

»Now, he will tell me that his help will cost me a little!«, she thought and gulped. These people had rescued her life and she needed their help, but she also did not want that man have his way with her. Predrag now smiled and said to Bahira something in Croatian. The girl smiled and translated:

»My dear brother thinks that you are pretty, Tabea. And he also thinks that you might work for us, as a payment for our help!«

***

»Now, what shall we tell the Italian?«

The question was argued by the improvised council held near a small lake in the hills. They had not been able to find the eloped horse or the girl tied upon its back. Now, the five men had to consider what to do next.

Andrea Gritti, the son of the Venetian Doge and close friend of Ibrahim Pasha, had ordered them to keep the two girls out of sight, since he might perhaps once need them. Both had been pawns in the Grand Vizier`s attempt to weaken the position of Roxelane, the Sultan`s favorite concubine. The plan had failed and so, Gritti had decided it could become useful to have the witnesses in his hands. However, now, one of these women had disappeared.

»Luckily, it`s the black whom we lost. If she`s not dead, she will have to show off sooner or later. And then, people will notice her. All we have to do is offer some ransom!«

The confident look on the man`s face vanished as the leader, a man called Goran, looked at him angrily.

»Offer a ransom? Is that your idea of keeping things a secret? Once the Italian hears we have lost the girl, he will not be amused!«

Goran was not afraid of Gritti, but the Venetian had always paid well. He hated the idea of losing a wealthy client.

»I say, we get the other one«, he pointed at the trussed up bundle hanging over the back of the other packing horse, »to Split. Sinisha and Sanjin, you two will stay behind and keep your eyes open. We others will join you once the girl is under custody. As you said, the Black will have to show off sooner or later. And then, we will be there!«

Goran stepped towards the packing horse and slapped Jelena`s butt, causing the girl to moan and to squirm weakly.

»But now, we will have to take care of you, my dear!«

***

At the garrison of Smederevo, neither Sultan Süleyman nor his concubine Roxelane, who also was his favorite political advisor, were happy to hear what had happened: the man they had ordered to help Tabea and Jelena to get away from the town safely had been duped and instead, some unknowns had kidnapped the two girls. They had no idea who was behind all this or where the two could be.

However, since Süleyman had come to Belgrade to plan his campaign against Hungary, he soon came to the conclusion that the loss of the two girls was unpleasant, but no major problem. Roxelane thought similar, but none of the two had noticed that their conversation had been overheard by Mira, one of Roxelane`s maids. The blonde girl had been involved in the events around the intrigue of Ibrahim Pasha, too – and she had developed more than just friendly feelings towards Tabea. And now, Tabea was in danger!

So, when the night came, a figure dressed in black sneaked out of a side door and vanished into the darkness. Mira also had no idea where Tabea and Jelena could be, but she was more than determined to find out!

***

Jelena still tried to figure out whether her captors were just friendly or if they were just playing games with her. They had freed her from the sack and untied and ungagged her, securing her only by a leash around her neck. Then, she was allowed to relieve herself behind a rock and given some water. Her questions about Tabea`s whereabouts remained unanswered, though. The man who was the leader of the posse, Goran, just shrugged and pointed somewhere into the hills. Then, he let his eyes wander over Jelena.

»You look – expensive!«

»Well – thank you«, Jelena replied, not sure what Goran meant with that strange compliment. Was he referring to her good clothes, albeit a bit disheveled from being tied up and carried by a horse for hours? Or did he want to express she would make a good price on a slave market?

»But are you still able to do what a woman should do?«

Jelena`s eyes widened. Instinctively, she crossed her arms in front of her ample breasts. Goran burst out laughing.

»Nice idea, but I just meant if you are able to cook! We are starving!«

His men joined the laughter and Jelena could not help blushing all over. Then, however, she went for the packing horse and searched for the provision. Jelena was quite a good cook and so, even though the goods she had were limited, she was able to prepare some delicious stew. The men now sat in a circle, obviously expecting her to serve them, too. However, when each of them had his bowl filled, none of them complained when Jelena took a portion for herself and sat close to them.

»Perhaps, I should retire and settle down, founding a family«, Goran said, looking at Jelena whilst taking up some sauce with a piece of bread. Jelena smiled a bit forced. This time, she was sure it was meant as a real compliment, but though her situation clearly had improved, she had no intentions of becoming the wife of some Croatian brigand. In addition, she was not sure whether flirting with Goran would do her any good as long as his men were around, too.

As if to give Jelena a glimpse of what being his wife meant, Goran ordered her to do the dishes and slapped her butt as she was close to him. She swallowed any remark and took the bowls to the pond to wash them. As long as they considered her a kitchen servant, they would perhaps not try to get her into their beds.

Some half a mile away, a man was crouching behind a rock, holding a strange device in his hands. From the side, it looked like a simple pipe made of leather that was some one and a half feet long. Had one looked inside, he would have seen a lens in it. In fact, the pipe contained two lenses and they could be moved, allowing the man to see distant things as if they were close. The only thing he had to do was to take care the lens did not reflect the sunlight.

He put away the device and carefully wrapped it in a cloth. The lenses had cost more than his mule. Then, he once again looked at the small camp by the pond. He still could not be completely sure, but he would have betted his ass that the girl he had seen was Jelena. There was, however, no sign of Tabea, the one he was mainly looking for.

»Well, at least, I now have a clue!«, he thought as he slowly went back to where he had left his mule.

***

»Ah, there he is!«

Bahira rose from her place by the small campfire and Tabea also came to her feet. Predrag had thought it would be best to get to the next bigger village to sell the horse Tabea had been tied to. To get there and back, he had also taken the only other horse they had, leaving the girls behind with the cart.

Tabea had told Bahira a more or less plausible backstory of hers, feeling relieved that the »payment« Predrag expected from her for helping her didn`t have anything to do with his sleeping bunk. Instead, he wanted Tabea to become a part of their group of actors.

»They will pay twice as much as usual if they see someone like you dance!«

Usually, Tabea hated if people considered her as »exotic«, but in her current situation, she couldn`t be too picky. Of course, it would draw attention if she presented herself on market places, but on the other hand, people would notice her anyway if she did not cover her whole face and body whenever she met someone.

»Well, black maybe`s beautiful, but sometimes, a bit inconvenient!«, Tabea had thought and agreed upon becoming the little group`s latest attraction.

At least, neither Predrag nor Bahira seemed to have any further prejudices, for as they enjoyed their meal – Predrag had gotten some money for the horse and as an artist, he lived for the moment and had bought meat and wine –, they talked to her as if she had always been a member of the group. Their good mood was only dampened by Tabea`s worries about Jelena.

***

Some fifteen miles outside Smederevo was a small hostel. It did offer neither good food nor very convenient beds, but any traveller could get there at any time of the day or night and get some food or a place to sleep. The Ottomans had established their effective courier system at that part of their Empire, too and so, there were many of such small inns where a messenger could change horses. This one had been established so close to a city for it was on a junction; Smederevo and Belgrade were on the East, but one could also get to the West from here.

 Mira had left Smederevo with no particular goal, but she had followed the road until she had finally felt she could not get any further without a rest. So, she had decided to stop at the hostel, hoping that the inn keeper would not ask too many questions about her travelling alone in the dark. Her cover story was that she had escaped a robbery, but if the man insisted on calling the soldiers, Mira would have a problem.

To her relief, the man was only interested in her money and she gave him the three silver coins he demanded. He then showed her the way to the stable where she could sleep in the hay – not knowing how long she would have to live from her money, Mira had chosen the cheapest place to sleep. Before he left her alone, Mira asked him:

»Have you – have there been other women around recently? One of them was tallish and, well, black!«

The man scratched his head and Mira thought that he pretended to have forgotten to get more money from her, but then, he said:

»Well, that`s strange: you are the third person asking me that during the last few hours!«

Mira`s fatigue was like washed away. She stormed the man to tell her more and even offered him another silver coin before he even asked for it. He smiled and told her that in the late afternoon, a rider on a mule had asked him if he had seen any black women recently.

»He sure was a foreigner, though he didn`t look Turkish. Anyway, he just had a mug of wine and then left, since I couldn`t help him. Then, later that evening, two other riders asked me about a black woman, too! And if you have another coin, I could tell you where to find these men!«

Quickly, Mira paid and the inn keeper just pointed at the stable with his thumb.

»Just don`t tell them I made you wake them up! However, I am sure they won`t mind!«

He chuckled, looking at the pretty blonde, but Mira just rushed inside the stable. Inside, it was dark, but a single oil lamp hung on the ladder to the upper floor. Obviously, the inn keeper didn`t want any guest to break his neck if he had to get up in the night.

Mira could hear a faint snore and so, she climbed up the ladder and looked if she could see the two men. Indeed, there were two persons sleeping in the hay. She was about to wake them up, but then, she thought twice: why had these two asked about Tabea`s whereabouts? Perhaps, she had escaped and they were some of her kidnappers? She remembered that neither these two nor the other man had asked for Jelena, too.

»Maybe, I should follow them! However, they are mounted. What can I do?«

In that very moment, one of the men began to move. Quickly, Mira hid in a corner. The man grunted and stumbled towards the ladder. He climbed downwards, but before Mira could try to get to the ladder, too, his comrade woke up, too. He rolled up their blankets and Mira ducked deeper into the hay, since as she noticed just yet, the first light of the day began to enlighten the stable`s interior.

After some minute, the other man returned, having a water hose and some bread with him. The two men had breakfast and suddenly, one of them said something. Luckily for Mira, they spoke Croatian which she spoke and understood well.

»I tell you she isn`t on the way to Smederevo! After all, she wanted to leave when we stepped in!«

The other one nodded and Mira was electrified. They were talking about Tabea! And according to what the man had said, they were some of her kidnappers!

»On the other hand, she will need some help if she wants her friend back! And whomever she asks, he will remember her!«

Mira felt a mixture of relief and fear. Obviously, Tabea was on the run, but she had not the slightest idea where to look for her either. She held her breath as the two men finished their meal and then went for the ladder. Instinctively, she ducked even deeper.

So, it happened that a stray of hay tickled her nose, causing her to sneeze.

***

Jelena was sitting by the remnants of the fire with her arms slung around her body, shivering from the cold. When it had become dark, the men had taken some simple, yet effective precautions to keep her from running away in the dark: they had forced her to take off her shoes and clothes, except for her silk sleeveless underdress that was flimsy and almost transparent. In addition, one of the men always kept watch close to the horses.

Jelena had faced worse during the last weeks and months, but whilst she would survive the attack on her modesty, the silk slip did little to protect her from the cold and the men had left her with only two choices: either stay alone and freeze – or to share the blanket with one of them!

So far, Jelena had preferred to stay close to the campfire, but now, it did not offer any warmth and she was freezing. A few minutes ago, Goran had changed the watch with his comrade and she knew that he was still awake, watching her gleefully.

Jelena had been raised in a Romani family, where the modesty of an unmarried woman was held very high. Of course, when she had grown up, she had done some not so modest things – and since their unwilling time travel, she had done some very immodest things! But still, she was a bit prudish. Yet now, she was also more than a bit freezing.

Slowly, with cluttering teeth, she sneaked closer to Goran. As she had expected, the brigand was well awake.

»So, you changed your mind, Sweetie?«

»Fuck you!«

»Not when you are so close to me!«

This made her nearly change her mind, but before she could react, Goran had risen from his sleeping place and grabbed her arm. Firmly, but not brutal, he pulled her down to him and put the blanket over both of them.

»Phew, how can so little feet be so cold?«

He had placed his feet around hers and at the same time, pulled Jelena close to himself, cuddling the trembling girl. Jelena shifted slightly, but the overwhelming warmth felt too good to resist the man`s touches. After a while, she stopped shivering and even relaxed a bit, as Goran had so far not taken further advantages. Then, however, she felt his right hand wander over her side, close to her left breast.

»You know what they say about girls with cold hands?«, Goran asked, taking Jelena`s right into his left, feeling for her still slightly cold fingers. His other hand, however, still was irritatingly close to her breast.

»Th-that their h-heart`s warm!«, she stammered hoarsely. Jelena knew the saying about cold hands and warm hearts for many years, had even heard it sometimes from men holding her hands. But now, this was different.

»So, do you have a warm heart, sweet Jelena?«, Goran asked, slowly covering her left breast with his hand. Jelena let out a small sound and stiffened, but did not try to fight him. Goran slightly squeezed her breast and smiled at her.

»At least, you have a fast heart! It`s bumping from joy!«

»No! I am just scared!«, Jelena snapped, but she still did not hinder him as he continued his gentle massage. When he squeezed her nipple between two of his fingers, she moaned slightly and Goran chuckled.

»So, this was a cry of fear?«

When Jelena opened her mouth to say something, he kissed her lips. Only when Goran withdrew, she realized she had responded to his kiss.

»After all, it`s me who should be scared! My men sure don`t mind me having some fun with you, but if I don`t get you to Dubrovnik, we lose quite a sum!«

He chuckled and kissed her once more before he added:

»That`s what the philosophers call a delimma!«

»A dilemma!«, Jelena corrected him automatically. Goran looked at her and this time, his smile was less mockingly.

»Obviously, you are more than just a pretty face and a pair of nice boobs. However, my men trust me because I am loyal to them. It`s really a dilemma!«

For a while, he just held her in his arms, listening for his men. But the one sleeping nearby was snoring and the one keeping watch at the horses was too far away to understand their whispered conversation. Jelena was just about to wind from his arms and spend the night alone, despite the cold air, when he suddenly spoke again:

»I can`t decide this at once, sweet Jelena! However, until I have made my decision, it has to look to my men as if you mean nothing to me. So, the more I will treat you badly, the more it shows you I really care!«

***

Looking carefully around and trying to make as less noise as possible, Sinisha led the horses towards the court`s door. It was not illegal to leave by first daylight, but now, he and Sanjin were no longer alone.

Once they had recognized the girl that had overheard their conversation, they had thrown themselves upon her and quickly tied her up and gagged her before she could alert anyone. Then, they had thought what to do with her.

»Look at her clothes! She`s not a peasant girl! But who is she then? And why has she been in the stable, alone?«

He looked at Mira who could not have answered even if she had wanted to. Her mouth was stuffed to the bursting with some cloth and another rag had been tied tightly between her teeth. She had her hands tied behind her back and more rope secured her arms to her upper body. Her legs were free so far, but Mira knew that she could not climb down the ladder with her arms tied.

To her horror, the men decided to take her with them. Of course, it was better than being murdered or to be raped and left behind, but she was trembling with fear as they now brought her to the ladder. There, one of them loaded her over his shoulder and climbed down the stairs.

Before Mira could even think of trying to run for the court, she was wrapped into a blanket and ropes were tied around her ankles. Then, she felt herself heaved over the back of one of the horses. A moment later, the man mounted his horse and now, Mira found herself wedged between his body and the pommel. She squirmed and moaned, but the rider just slapped her butt and hissed:

»You better be nice and quiet! Otherwise, we would have to kill you!«

He emphasized his saying by pushing his dagger to her side. He didn`t even cut through the blanket, but Mira felt the presence of the steel and stopped moving and squealing. In silent horror, she felt the horse slowly walk. Then, after some 100 yards, the men spurned their horses and rode off fast. Mira, bouncing around helplessly, could hear them laugh. Obviously, her kidnappers were in high spirits.

»Sanjin, what do you say? Could the Black have reached Valjevo?«

After a few seconds of silence, Sanjin responded:

»Well, we could at least get there and have a look! And if we are there anyway, we could visit Milan, what do you think?«

»That`s exactly what I am thinking! Milan has become quite expensive, but now, we can offer something in exchange for his services!«

Again, a hand landed on Mira`s butt and she screamed through her gag. She knew Valjevo, a small town halfway between Belgrade and Sarajevo. The town was some 80 miles from where they were now. Mira had no idea who this Milan was, but the way the two men sounded made clear that they had something in mind for her that made being bound and gagged and wrapped inside a blanket look convenient in comparison!

***