The Search 5

Androsch could hear steps and he concluded that Milan was fetching something. So, he decided he could risk another look down on the naked, bound and gagged girl. She was staring upwards, but he was sure she couldn`t see him in the dark.

Some of the runes and symbols painted on her body, Androsch recognized as the usual necromantic mumbo-jumbo any fake magician on a market place would have painted on his tent. He wondered, for he had always considered Milan as a man of science – with one notable exception: when it had come to him and the scholar investigating the scheming of Bela, Milan had seemed to believe that the young man really had magic powers, at least when it came to time travelling. Androsch had laughed at the very idea, but then, he had met Tabea.

Being a spy, Androsch had sensed that Tabea`s backup story, though plausible on first sight, somehow didn`t match. He could not put his finger on it, but it had seemed as if there was more about her than her just being a black woman far away from Africa. It was as if she had come from somewhere far away, but not geographically. As if she had been a visitor from – another time?

Now, he could hear a scratch and a slightly panting Milan was positioning a bookrest close to the table the girl was tied to. On it, there was an open book and since it only had the size of a man`s palm, Androsch could only see it had a painting on the page open to him.

Carefully, he took his spyglass and tried to get a closer look when Milan went for something else. This time, the girl definitely saw him, for she was intensifying her squirming and moaning, but obviously, Milan took it as an expression of fear when he came back with his reading glasses.

Androsch, who had withdrawn from the window again, forced himself to remain calm. The painting, actually a drawing, had shown a pretty young woman – a woman he knew only too well. It was Ilona, the daughter of the General Hunyadi whose treacherous deeds he had investigated some months ago. Ilona who had been kidnapped by said Bela, but who had miraculously reappeared – together with Tabea and Jelena, her Gypsy friend. Later, the General had switched sides and fled for the Turks, taking Ilona with him. Ilona and also Tabea and Jelena.

Bela was on the run, but Androsch was sure that this book belonged to him and that now, Milan was experimenting with some of Bela`s magic. Obviously, he was trying to send the blonde girl through time. A ridiculous thought, had there not been what he had heard from his superior, the Inquisitor of Pécs, about how Tabea, Jelena and Ilona had been found: naked, on a clearing, inside a burning pentagram. As if they had come from nowhere – or from another time?

The moon now had reached the roof and the silver light caused Androsch to duck deeper. In a few minutes, it would shine on the girl and then? What would happen? Had someone asked Androsch an hour before, he would have guessed that soon, a very disappointed Milan would have looked down on a slightly relieved girl, but considering what he knew – or believed to know – about Bela and Tabea, Androsch could not be so sure about that. He had to do something!

Now, Milan had started to read from the book and Androsch was wondering about two things: first, it was written in Hungarian, not Latin, and second, it was rather a diary than a book of magic, though it contained some spells and rituals. However, Bela just described how he had become obsessed by the pretty Ilona and finally decided to let her vanish, as if to make sure that if he could not get her, no one should. The book ended with his description of how suddenly the girl had disappeared. To be precisely, Bela wrote that suddenly, a black woman had materialized and grabbed Ilona`s arm, taking her with her.

»Well, if that`s true, and if the future isn`t inhabited by black girls only, I have an idea who this must have been!«

Now, Androsch knew he had to get this book into his hands! Then, he had to finally find Tabea. However, there was still the girl who just now let out a terrible whimper. He was quite sure that Milan would not kill her if he just interrupted the ritual and stole the book – quite sure, but not absolutely sure. Besides, the blonde could perhaps tell him some things he didn`t know yet.

Quickly, he considered his possibilities: he could call for the authorities, but if some real magic was involved, this could be too late. If he just jumped down and knocked out the scholar, he would risk getting attacked by Milan`s henchmen once he opened the door of the room.

Looking up at the moon, he concluded that he had about one minute left. So, Androsch took his grabbling hook, pierced one end into the framing and looked down on Milan who at the same second looked up. Then, Androsch jumped.

Before Milan even realized what was going on, he had landed beside him and landed a hard punch on his chin. With a grunt, the old man landed on the floor. The girl`s eyes widened and she stared at him, screaming through the ball in her mouth. Androsch grinned at her and quickly grabbed the book, shoving it under his shirt. Then, he approached the helpless girl.

»Mhhmmph! Uuuhhmmm!«

»Believe me, I would have preferred otherwise!«, Androsch said in Hungarian, causing the girl to look at him questioningly. Then, he quickly knocked at her carotid arteries with the edges of his hands, knocking the girl unconscious.

***

»Mhhmmph!«

Tabea let out a muffled cry as she staggered once again. Though being a strong woman, she could not help it: she was exhausted. For some one or two hours, she and Bahira had been running through the dark narrow corridors of the cave. Finally, it seemed that their two kidnappers had lost track of them, as they could not hear their steps and shouts anymore. In addition, Tabea had even been able to sense some cold draught, leading the two girls towards an exit.

Their luck had continued, as this exit had turned out to be a gap just wide enough for the two of them to slip through. Once outside the rock, they had loaded some stones over the opening and then, led by the moonlight, had tried to find some shelter. But now, Tabea was on her limits. She still was thoroughly gagged and having to walk in the cold clad only in her panties and the cloth tied over her breasts didn`t help the matter. Bahira, who also was barefoot, but at least was still wearing her clothes and could breathe freely, seemed only driven by fear, too. With a sigh, the two girls sank behind a rock and Bahira suddenly began rummaging through the pebbles around them.

»Allow me!«

»Mph?«

First, Tabea thought the other wanted to hug and kiss her. And a part of her even anticipated that. But soon, she realized that Bahira was using the sharp edge of a stone to cut through the tight leather band tied over her mouth. Since Bahira didn`t want to cut her, progress was slow and for the second time that night, their breasts touched each other. Tabea bit down on her gag to oppress a sigh when she felt the tingling warmth in her chest. Instead, she tried to hold still so Bahira could cut the dreadful gag.

Finally, the leather was cut and whilst Bahira looked if the two men were approaching, Tabea loosened the knots of her cleave gag. Having removed that, she pulled the dense, sopping wet rag from her mouth, panting and licking her lips before she could breathe a »Thank you!«

»I have to thank you! Without you, we still would be inside this cave, bound and gagged!«

Though they both were free now, their situation still wasn`t great. Neither had any idea where they were, though Bahira was sure that she would be able to find the way back to where they had been assaulted. Then, struck by the memory of her brother being shot, she suddenly started to cry.

»My, my!«

Tabea had never been very good in consoling people and so, she just took Bahira in her arms. The girl cuddled against her, buried her face on Tabea`s shoulders and let her tears run whilst Tabea tried to say something that would make her feel a little better: that they had not seen Predrag dead, that, perhaps, surely, some peasants had found him. Then, she just caressed Bahira until she stopped sobbing and calmed down a bit. With a hoarse voice, Bahira whispered:

»I am glad we met!«

She shifted her position and again, Tabea felt the other`s breasts touch her own. In the pale moonlight, she saw the glistering tears in Bahira`s eyes and she bent forward to kiss her cheek. However, Bahira moved the very moment and so, their lips touched. For some second, they kissed each other; then, Bahira withdrew, looking rather puzzled than disgusted.

»D-did we just kiss?«

Tabea croaked and had to clear her throat before she could answer:

»Well, I`d rather say we were about to start kissing!«

When Bahira made a strange sound, Tabea thought she would start crying again. Indeed, she sobbed when she spoke, but at the same time, she was giggling:

»Predrag – he could be quite protective. Though we earned money by me dancing in front of men, he always took care that I stayed – untouched. And so, a kiss like we just had was all I got from a man so far.«

It was hardly the time for such girlie confessions, but Tabea suddenly could feel for the 18 or 19 years old girl (Bahira had told her she didn`t know her exact birthday). Just an occasional kiss wasn`t much, compared to what Tabea had done at that age.

»So – do you want to know how a real kiss is like?«

Bahira stared at her.

»B-But we are – both w-women!«

Tabea oppressed a laugh, remembering that for a 16th century girl, this was a real problem, not just some bigotry or homophobia. Instead, she took Bahira`s head into her hands, looking her straight in the eyes.

»Yes, we are both women and actually, I am into men. But the last weeks have been quite – confusing. I am here against my will and I don`t know if I will ever get home again.«

She did not go into details, allowing Bahira to conclude that she had been kidnapped into slavery and was dreaming of Africa instead of the 21st century.

»Anyway, we are both stranded here and we only have each other. So, the least we can do is to be – friendly to each other.«

»And by ›friendly‹, you mean kiss like a man and a woman would do?«

Bahira still sounded reluctant, but her hands had found Tabea`s and she was still leaning against her. Despite the upholstery of her own ample breasts and Bahira`s also quite big boobs, Tabea could feel the other`s heartbeat. She bent forward and kissed Bahira`s lips. The girl responded, but twitched back when Tabea pushed forward the tip of her tongue.

»You don`t like it?«

Bahira panted and tried to say something, but then, with a sigh, she now kissed Tabea with a ferocity that made her moan. Then, she closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy this rather free definition of »being friendly«

***

Jelena anxiously watched Mensud and Amar talk, but there was little she could do. After she had lost the next game of Tavli, Amar had accompanied them, lingering over her nude body and even kneading her thrust out boobs before whispering something into Mensud`s ear. The man had laughed and nodded; then, he had packed the game together whilst Amar had tied Jelena`s ankles to her thighs, forcing her to sit in a kneeling position with her legs open. Then, he had produced a wooden ring that was some two inches in diameter and had two straps dangling from it. This, he had forced between the girl`s jaws and tied the straps off at her nape. Jelena soon found out that the ring prevented her from closing her mouth. She still could produce sounds, but no longer speak clearly and in addition, the ring gag made her drool. Then, Mensud approached. He grabbed her hair and pushed two fingers of his other hand into her mouth, playing with her tongue and triggering her gag reflex. With a shudder, Jelena realized that they could not only push fingers into her mouth now.

»Goran said  no touching you. Goran would see if we touch you here«. Mensud reached between her legs and cupped her pubic mound, »or here«, he reached for her buttocks and Jelena felt a finger poke between them. Amar now stepped closer and now, he pushed two fingers into her mouth.

»But here, he won`t see. And if you talk-«

Amar snapped Jelena`s tongue and squeezed it between his fingers, causing her to squeal and retch. Then, he roughly pushed her backwards, causing her to land on her bound arms. The two men now stood in front of her and Mensud said:

»Now you decide who of us first, who second!«

He and Amar each stepped back ten steps from the girl, leaving a gap of a few yards between each other. Then, they sat down, their legs invitingly open. Jelena knew what they wanted: she should crawl over to one of them and serve him orally before turning to his companion. Slowly, she shook her head. Amar laughed.

»If you not come to one of us, we come to you. Then, it will hurt!«

He didn`t further explain what they would do to her, but Jelena knew that it would be something terrible, even in comparison what she should do anyway. Mensud now showed her a little hourglass and turned it around. The message was clear: she would be given the few minutes the sand needed to pass. Then, she would either start crawling – or suffer the consequences!

Jelena gulped, unable to hinder some drool to run down her chin. She looked around, but despite the bright moonlight, she couldn`t see anything but the two thugs, lit by the campfire. She was left alone with three terrible choices: either get over to Mensud and serve him first, risking the anger of Amar, or vice versa – or staying where she was, refusing to join the horrifying game and risking even worse treatment.

Unable to move, she watched the hourglass until the last sand had run through it. With wide eyes, she could see the two men rise and then, they seemed to play some »rock-paper-scissors« before approaching her. As Jelena let out a cry of sheer panic, it mixed with the men`s laughter and when she saw Amar open his belt, her eyes twisted and she passed out.

***

Androsch`s swift attack had sent Milan to the ground, but also toppled two of the candelabras and so, after he had knocked Mira unconscious, he saw that an edge of the carpet already was burning.

»Damned!«

His plan had been to interrogate Milan, but now, he had to act differently. Quickly, he searched the man for the key to Mira`s chains and freed her, wrapping her into one of the curtains before loading her over his shoulder. Then, he hesitated. He was sure that he could climb to the roof again, even with the girl, but then, Milan would burn to death. However, he could not take both of them with him.

Androsch jumped for the door and, finding it locked, kicked it open.

»Fire! Fire!«, he yelled in Serbian until he could hear the servants on the corridor.

»Fire!«, he repeated when two men approached. He pointed at Milan and they entered the burning room to save their master, too perplexed to wonder why a stranger with a large bundle over his shoulder was standing there.

Now, Androsch headed for the ground floor and oh his way, yelled orders to some more servants. They all seemed too overwhelmed by the dangers of the fire to ask him who he was or what he was carrying. However, when he was about to leave the house, his eyes fell on the room where he had spoken to Milan earlier.

There was still Predrag, the man whose life they had saved. Androsch was quite sure that the servants would be able to fight the fire before it reached the ground floor, but what would Milan do once he had recovered? Had he seen who had attacked him? And what would he do to the wounded man?

Androsch cursed. He could not take Predrag with him, too. So, he decided to take the risk of leaving him behind, hoping that Milan would not consider to see an accomplice of him in his patient. Quickly, he slipped through the door and headed for the stable where he had left his mule.

***

When Jelena regained her consciousness, she needed some time to find she still was naked and gagged and still had the ring gag jammed between her jaws. She still was lying on the ground, but obviously, neither of the man was abusing her. Instead, she could hear some metallic sounds, accompanied by grunts and yells.

She raised her head and now, she could see the reason for the noise: Amar and Predrag were fighting someone.

»Gooaaahhh!«

Her ring gag prevented Jelena from spelling Goran`s name correctly, but it was him who was crossing sabers with his comrades. Jelena could see that Amar`s right arm was bleeding and that he held his sabre in his left; obviously, Goran had attacked them by surprise. However, though she could see no wound on his body, two enemies would be a hard challenge.

The relief and the joy that Goran seemed to have decided to save her from his men was washed away by fear for his life, but then, Goran suddenly withdrew. Jelena moaned as Mensud attacked, but Goran stepped aside and kicked his legs away. Mensud staggered and now, Goran hit his head with the knob of his sabre. The man landed on the ground and with a grin, Goran turned towards the already wounded Amar.

Obviously, he saw no chance in fighting the more skilled and unwounded opponent, for with a curse, he dropped his weapon and ran away. Goran looked at the still unconscious Mensud and then approached Jelena. He let his eyes wander over her nude body and though he licked his lips, Jelena could see that he was also relieved she had not been harmed yet.

»Now, it`s really a delimma!«

»Gihemma!«, Jelena croaked, tears running down her cheeks whilst at the same time, she had to chuckle. Without further ado, Goran carried her to his horse and placed her in the saddle in a way she was facing him. Then, he spurned his horse and they rode into the night.

»They will not follow us before they have taken care of their wounds!«

Goran didn`t say more and she still was tied up like she had been. Her arms were tightly bound at wrists and elbows and so, her bare boobs were pressing against the rough linen of Goran`s shirt. The pommel pressed between her buttocks and with her legs bent, only Goran`s arms prevented her from falling from the saddle. The gag forced her mouth open and she knew that she was drooling all over her savior. And yet, Jelena now felt good and save.

Goran slowed down the horse`s speed a bit and with his left, he grabbed her scalp, bending her head back and forcing Jelena to look at him. The girl slightly blushed and clumsily tried to lick the drool from her lips. With a smile, Goran opened the buckle of her gag strap and took the ring from Jelena`s mouth. Then, whilst the girl panted and moved her jaw, he once again looked at her.

Jelena knew that he felt her heartbeat through the cloth of his shirt and a warm tingle told her that her nipples were growing hard. Involuntarily, she bent back her head, her mouth slightly open. With closed eyes and letting out a fluttering breath, she expected his kiss.

The touch on her lips was a bit strange, but only when it was too late, Jelena realized that Goran gently, but firmly stuffed a wad of cloth into her mouth.

»Uuuhmmph?«

»Don`t want my men to hear you!«

»Mhhrrrmm!«

Jelena glanced at him, trying to express her disappointment, but Goran just tied a rag between her lips.

»Don`t look so angry, Nelly!«

He blindfolded her with a third rag, but before, he gently kissed her forehead. And when he continued his ride through the night, she could feel his hand on her back, not only holding her tight, but also caressing her.

»So, this is what my version of being rescued by a brave knight looks like!«, Jelena thought. In fact, she couldn`t even be sure if Goran was rescuing her – or if he still was heading for his ominous employer. She shifted in the saddle and moaned through her gag, but Goran just slapped her buttock.

»Hold still!«

»Mph!«

Her butt tingled, but she indeed held still and when he continued letting his fingers wander over her back, she even relaxed a bit. For now, she was helpless – and being helpless in Goran`s hands wasn`t the worst she could imagine.

***

The staple where Androsch kept his mule also had an upper floor where hay could be stowed and here, hidden behind some hay piles, he had brought the girl. He had intended to show her that he wasn`t a merciless brute, but in charge nevertheless. So, he had made an upholstery for her before tying her to a post, but firmly tied her wrists behind it and also tied another piece of rope around her neck; loose enough to allow her breathing, but forcing her head and shoulders against the post. He had left her Milan`s robe as a protection against the cold, but left it open, so she could not hide her breasts or her shaved middle from his views. When he tied her ankles to another post, the girl woke up.

»Uuhhmm?«

He had left the ball tied into her mouth. Androsch finished tying her ankles and then turned towards her. The blonde looked at him, more perplexed than actually fearful. He smiled and produced a bottle.

»You promise to behave if I give you some water?«, he asked in Serbian. The girl nodded and Androsch loosened her gag. As promised, she remained calm and when he had given her some water, she even thanked him, telling him that she was indeed a Serbian.

»Now, as you may have guessed, I am not the Prince who came to your rescue. However, I have a few questions and if you have the answers for me, I will have no reason to hurt you.«

Again, the blonde nodded and then, she whispered:

»W-what do y-you want to know?«

Androsch sat down beside her, trying to look as unthreatening as possible.

»Just start by who you are and what you have to do with Milan?«

The story Mira told him did not help Androsch very much: the girl told him that two men had abducted her and brought her to Milan who had tied her to the table, preparing some strange ritual that had something to do with travelling through time.

»Did he mention a certain Bela?«

»Yes, but I have no idea who this is! Please, let me go, I-«

Androsch raised his hand, telling her to fall silent. Then, he looked at her and asked:

»Have you ever met a black girl? I mean, a-«

»Tabea!«, Mira blurted and Androsch could not hide his surprise completely. Quickly, he made her tell the whole story about how she had been involved in an intrigue and then met Tabea and Jelena. Though the three girls had been brought to the torture chamber of one of the conspirators against the Sultan`s concubine, they had managed to warn the Sultan and to thwart the conspiracy. Later, however, Tabea and Jelena had disappeared.

»I then went on to look for them – but as you know, I didn`t get very far! What have you got to do with Tabea? Do you want to – hurt her?«

The concern in her eyes told Androsch that obviously, Mira felt more than just friendship for the Black. Well, she wasn`t the only one in this stable, he thought by himself.

»I am trying to rescue her – and I have a trace to follow. However-«

He reached for the ball gag and shoved it back into Mira`s mouth, buckling it tightly at her nape. Then, he reinforced her gag by a cloth he tied over the lower half of her face, knotting it off behind the post.

»Don`t be afraid, Mira, I will take you with me. But before, I have some things to prepare and I don`t want you to wander through the city and get into trouble again.«

***

Tabea looked down on Bahira who still was sleeping, cuddling against her. They had both been exhausted and knew that they needed the rest and in addition had to be alert if any of their kidnappers would show up. But at the same time-

They had exchanged a few kisses and Tabea had been fascinated by the other`s curiosity and hunger. Bahira was a true virgin, but of course, she had sometimes explored her own body and soon, her hands had begun to wander over Tabea`s forms. Tabea had not wanted it to happen – partially. She knew that they had to be alert, but when Bahira`s hand had cupped her breast, feeling the firmness and even making a whispered remark about its size, she had just let out a deep breath and sighed when Bahira had squeezed it more firmly.

»Oh –did I hurt you?«

»Well, decide for yourself«, Tabea had answered and touched Bahira`s breast. She had played with the other`s nipple a bit whilst Bahira had begun to loosen Tabea`s breast cloth. With a last effort, Tabea had pulled Bahira closer and whispered that they had to rest. The girl had cuddled to her and indeed, they had stopped making out and had dozed off, though Bahira had kept her hand cupping Tabea`s now bare breast – and Tabea had left it there more than willingly. After all, it felt good and would not hinder her sleep.

Now, having recreated a bit, Tabea thought of what they could do once the sun had risen when she heard the sound of hooves coming closer.

»Damned!«

She pressed her hand over Bahira`s mouth, waking up the girl that moaned, but quickly calmed down. Then, Tabea ducked behind the rock they had been resting behind and carefully looked for the lone rider.

»I-is it one of them?«, Bahira hissed, cowering beside her. Tabea could not tell, as the rider had stopped some 100 yards away and seemed to be preparing a camp. But she had seen him heave something from his saddle – obviously the body of a bound naked woman.

»What the-«

Just as the man was draping a blanket over the ground, the moon came up from behind a cloud and lit the scene: now, Tabea could see that the woman was indeed tied with her arms behind her back and obviously, her ankles were tied to her thighs. There were cloths tied over her eyes and mouth, too, but Tabea could see the black curls and the ample breasts she had seen so many times – occasionally, she had even touched them.

»Jelena!«, she whispered and rose a bit, trying to see what was going on.

Until Bahira and Predrag had freed her, Tabea had been blindfolded all the time since the unknown attackers had kidnapped her and Jelena and so, she wasn`t sure if this man was one of them. All she could say it was none of the men that had abducted Bahira and her, but there he was and he had Jelena in his clutches.

Tabea reached for a stone, though she knew that an attack would be silly. The man now placed Jelena on the blanket and then, after lying down next to her, he pulled another blanket over the two of them. As on keyword, the moon now disappeared behind the clouds again.

»That`s Jelena, my friend! Wait here!«

However, Bahira refused to stay behind and so, the two girls slowly sneaked closer to the two, each armed with a stone. As they approached, Tabea could hear a muffled moan.

»I-is he h-hurting her?«, Bahira hissed. Tabea stopped and listened. She knew what a man could do to a helplessly bound and gagged woman and it made her shiver that it was done to her best friend. But then, another sigh could be heard – a gasp that was everything but neither filled with pain nor fear.

Now, having reduced the distance to some 50 yards, she could also see that the two were indeed moving under the blanket – but it did not seem that Jelena was squirming and trying to fight the man off. Her moves were more slowly and though she obviously was still bound, she seemed to enjoy her predicament.

Tabea hesitated. She was sure that the man wasn`t aware of her or Bahira`s presence – otherwise, he would not have continued whatever he was doing to Jelena under that blanket. But despite they would have the element of surprise, this was a man who knew how to fight and sure had a weapon with him. Bahira would not be of much use in a fight and Tabea also just had the stone and her martial arts skills.

»We have to wait until he`s asleep!«, she whispered. In the moonlight, she could see how Bahira`s eyes widened.

»Y-you mean – wait until he`s – finished?«

At that very moment, Jelena let out another moan and this time, there was no doubt whether she was enjoying this or not. Tabea also could see the back of the man`s head close to the girl`s neck, obviously kissing her there.

Suddenly, something touched Tabea`s hand. It was Bahira who obviously sought some aid against this new impression, but Tabea involuntarily let out a sharp breath when she oppressed a scream. This, however, frightened Bahira who dropped her stone.

It hadn`t been a loud noise, but now, they could see that the man had jumped from the blanket. In his hand, he held a curved sword. He looked around and since there was no covering and the moonlight still was bright, he soon had spotted the two girls.

***