Back to the Present 2

Jelena still wasn`t sure what to think about Gritti`s maids. Fiamma and Ornella had freed her from the ropes and her gag and given her some water, but on the other hand, they were obviously loyal to the Doge and would not help her to get free. To be honest, it had been Fiamma, whose red curls matched her name, that had given her the information they were at the Doge`s Palace. Ornella, a black haired Venetian girl, had been talkative, too, but both had only given her rather superficial information. When she had asked then about Tabea, they had just shrugged and Fiamma had pointed to the floor.

»She`s downstairs!«

It had been impossible to get more information and so, Jelena had decided to make the best out of her situation.

»So, you will do as I say, as long as I don`t try to leave this room?«

The curtseys of the two girls somehow had made Jelena feel like their Mistress and so, she had asked for a bath and some fresh clothes. To her surprise, Ornella went outside and had a talk with the guards. Little later, a tin tub was brought by two servants, followed by Ornella who was carrying some towels.

When the servants had emptied some buckets of hot water into the tub, the maids had shooed them outside and closed the door. Fiamma had even hung a towel over the doorknob to block the keyhole. Still a bit reluctant, Jelena had undressed. But after three weeks on the road, the idea of a bath felt wonderful and this time, she would not have to share the water with Janika. Jelena shuddered when she remembered the Blonde, but then, she went into the water and sat down with a sigh.

Her first instinct was to tell the maids that she needed no help, but then, she had given in in being treated like a Lady. Ornella had placed a board on the tub and fed her with fresh fruits and some sweet wine whilst Fiamma scrubbed her back and then began to carefully comb her hair. All Jelena had to do was to lean back and enjoy.

»I just hope Tabea will get the same treatment once they have interrogated her!«

***

The interrogation had lasted some hour now and until yet, none of the torture instruments had come to use. Tabea had been placed on a stool and Luigi had removed her gag once Gritti had taken place on an upholstered chair opposite to her. A third man had arrived, a slender man in plain clothes Gritti had addressed as »Lorenzo«. Lorenzo had sat behind a small desk and prepared writing utensils to log her confession.

Tabea still was tightly bound, but Luigi had given her some water and so far kept his fingers from her. The only one talking had been Gritti whose questions had been calm and factual. He obviously already knew some facts from his son and just wanted Tabea to confirm it.

»So, Ibrahim Pasha tried to install you and your friend as spies at the court of the Sultan`s favorite wife, but you managed to escape and he only managed to get off the hook by blaming his underling for the conspiracy.«

»That about sums it up – Signore.«

Tabea had no idea how to address the Doge correctly, but Gritti didn`t seem to mind. Instead, he was interested in another rumor his son had written him about:

»Some people say that Ibrahim Pasha`s wife, the younger sister of the Sultan, has disappeared. Ibrahim denies it and of course, no one is allowed to look after Hatice in his harem, but maybe, you have met her?«

Tabea took a deep breath. She did indeed know what had happened to Hatice: she had been abducted from the Pasha`s palace, either with Ibrahim`s consent or not. It had been the same pirates that had also had brought her, Jelena and Janika into their clutches. However, Hatice had been spared the various humiliations the other three girls had had to endure. Instead, she had been introduced to her future husband: Imre Hunyadi, a treacherous Hungarian General who had switched sides.

She was sure that Gritti would be interested in this, but Tabea decided not to give him that information for free.

»Well, I know what happened to Hatice Sultan – but how much is this information worth to you, Signore?«

For a moment, Tabea feared she had gone too far and Gritti now would order Luigi to hit her, but instead, he smiled.

»I cannot decide that before I know what you can tell me, Tabea. But maybe, I can offer you a little – retaining fee, so to say.«

Tabea forced herself to smile, too.

»These ties are hurting me.«

»Well, my men told me you could beat three grown men in Chioggia. Sorry, but you will remain tied until I decide I can trust you. Do you have any other wish?«

Without being ordered, Luigi held the mug to her lips and Tabea resisted the urge to spit into his face and instead, she drank. Then, she asked Gritti about Androsch and Goran.

To her surprise, Gritti immediately knew whom she was talking about.

»Ah, yes, they arrived here around the time the ship my son had sent came. After all, I was waiting for you two, but the Captain told me that you two had been missing since an incident with a pirate ship. The men you are talking about asked the entire crew about that, but nobody knew something more and so, after some two weeks, they left.«

Tabea gulped. So, Androsch had left. She couldn`t even blame him, for according to what he knew, she was either dead or in the hands of some pirates of unknown origin. Maybe, he was somewhere on the Adriatic, chasing for pirates, or maybe, he had just went home to Hungary. Despite her uncertain feelings for him, Tabea had to oppress a sob.

»So, this man mattered to you?«

It had been Gritti who had asked and his voice sounded friendly and warm. To Tabea`s surprise, he rose from his seat and approached. Then, he caressed her chin with a tenderness she hadn`t expected from this man. She looked up to him and he said:

»According to my informants, he tried everything to find you. Maybe, he still does. Perhaps, the thought will help you: that a brave man is out there, ready to fight for his beautiful Princess.«

Tabea couldn`t hear the slightest mockery in his words. She had to blink away her tears and still, Gritti caressed her chin and cheek. Then, he bent forward and kissed her lips. He had withdrawn before Tabea had fully recognized what he had done. She gazed at Gritti who once again smiled at her and she had to admit she was neither angry nor afraid. Gritti was some 40 years older than her and was fat, but somehow, he also had charisma and in his time, he sure had known how to handle women.

»You may need a little rest now, Tabea. I will get you back to your room and talk to your friend whilst Ornella and Fiamma will help you to refresh. Luigi, please gag her – but be gentle!«

Luigi obeyed, shoving the still damp wad back into her mouth and tying the cleave gag between her lips before binding the third rag over her mouth. This time, instead of heaving her over his shoulder, he cradled her in his arms and though Tabea felt even more helpless like that, it sure was more convenient.

Back at the room, Jelena was sitting on the bed, wearing nothing but a sleeveless silk slip, but looking well and unrestrained. She rose and asked Tabea if she was okay.

»Mhhmm!«

Tabea nodded, trying to signal her friend that Gritti wasn`t a monster and that her interrogation would not be too hard. Luigi quickly tied Jelena`s wrists behind her back and gagged her with the three wads the sailors had used on her. Like that, he also cradled her in his arms, causing Jelena to flail a bit with her unbound legs as she was carried away.

The maids also freed Tabea and soon, a bath was prepared for her, too. Tabea could not help noticing how they stared at her when she undressed.

»Maybe, they have seen black people before, but never that close!«

When she was in the bath and was fed by Ornella, she felt Fiamma quite carefully use the brush on her.

»Don`t be afraid, the color won`t come off!«

She giggled and after some time, the two maids joined in. After her bath, she was also given a silk slip, but nothing else. Since Tabea was taller than average women of that time, it just reached to her knees and also showed quite a lot of her cleavage. But it was clean and felt good and when Jelena had returned, the two girls felt almost relaxed.

»If it gets on like that, I might stand it for some time«, Jelena said when the two maids had left them alone. Tabea nodded. Her only worry now was where Janika and Bela would be.

Quickly, they examined their luxurious prison. The door still was guarded by the two men and the side door now was locked whilst a look from the window told them they were somewhere in the third floor, looking on some roofs of what seemed to be warehouses. Tabea guessed that they could perhaps attract someone`s attention by screaming, but the guards would enter if they heard noises.

Except for the bed, the room offered an empty cupboard and a fold screen behind which the chamber pot was hidden. They had quickly realized that except for their flimsy slips, they had no clothes, for Fiamma and Ornella had taken their old dresses with them.

»So, even if we could get out of this room, we would soon be recognized.«

»Perhaps, we could wrap the curtains around us and say we are Ottomans«, Jelena joked. Tabea, however, was thinking about another plan.

»Maybe, we can overpower the maids, take their clothes and get out of this palace. For the moment, it seems we are not in danger, but we should keep this in mind!«

Jelena had told her that Gritti had asked her about the same questions. She had accepted the fact that Goran had left weeks ago with considerable countenance and Tabea had to think of how Gritti had solaced her. Somehow, this old man who also was her captor had managed that she had felt good by his caress.

Tabea now remembered what she had read about the Doge: Gritti, who, if they hadn`t altered the time already, would live for another 13 years, had been struggling between the powers of France and Turkey to keep Venice well and alive and some of his subjects had considered him a tyrant. He also had been called a Ladies man and there had even been an anecdote about when he had been arrested by the Turks some 20 years ago. It was said that the wives of his friends had cried for they had all fallen in love with him.

»Perhaps, I should try to seduce him.«

After all, he had considered her attractive and he also didn`t seem to mind her skin color. Tabea scoffed and Jelena, who had just relieved herself, asked what she was laughing about.

»I was just thinking about our book!«

Jelena grinned wryly. In the first night after they had reached the 16th century, sitting in the cells of the Inquisition, they had encouraged themselves by the promise to write a book about their encounters.

»What will the title be? ›The naked Truth‹?«

»How about ›Tied up by the Ottomans‹?«

For a few minutes, the two girls joked about their planned book by inventing some titles that indicated what they had went through. Then, the door opened and Gritti entered, accompanied by both Luigi and Lorenzo. Gritti smiled when he saw that his captives were in a good mood.

»Please excuse that I didn`t knock, but usually, this is one of my rooms.«

Tabea and Jelena felt a bit bashful in the thin garments and had no idea how to react properly. Did Gritti expect a curtsey? Then, Tabea noticed that both Luigi and Lorenzo were carrying coiled ropes and some cloths.

»I now have compared your confessions and there are a few open questions. So, we have to continue our previous talk.«

He had left the door open so they could see the two guards who were still there. So, neither Tabea nor Jelena resisted when they were told to put their hands behind their backs. Quickly, the two henchmen tied their wrists, followed by their legs, just above the knee.

»Why can`t we just talk here? We even have some fruits and wine left.«

»I would be delighted, but I have to make one point clear – now, open wide!«

The cloth Luigi now stuffed into her mouth was made of silk, but quite large and Tabea could not help retching as it filled her cheeks and almost touched the back of her throat. When the man tied another cloth over her lips, Tabea felt it was a bit loose – until he secured her gag with a narrow belt he buckled tightly at her nape.

»Mph!«

»Just a necessary precaution – and speaking of that-«

Luigi took a second belt and slung it around Tabea`s elbows. When he pulled her arms together, Gritti watched with interest as Tabea had to arch back her shoulders, thrusting out her 34DD breasts. She felt her cheeks burn under his gaze and she lowered her head. Gritti put his hand under her chin and gently forced her to look at him.

»You really are a lovely sight!«

Again, he managed to sound charming. Tabea noticed that Jelena had been spared the elbow tie. Obviously, she was considered less dangerous. Now, Luigi again cradled her in his arms and the way he looked down on her boobs could not be described as charming. Tabea was all too aware that the slip had slid up her thighs, barely covering her pubic area.

Lorenzo took care of Jelena and again, they were carried along endless corridors before they had reached the torture chamber where they were made to stand by the wall side by side. The stone floor felt cold under Tabea`s feet and she knew that sooner or later, the cold would make her nipples grow hard.

She waited for them to be ungagged so Gritti could start asking questions, but instead, Luigi now made Jelena sit on the stool. Then, he tied a rope around her ankles and pulled her feet under the seat and upwards, tying her wrists and ankles together. Jelena mmphed when she no longer had contact to the ground and was fighting to keep balance and not to topple over. To her horror, Luigi now tied a noose around her neck and fixed it to a ceiling hook. Now, the girl had to sit still, for if she fell, she would strangle herself.

»There are some inconsistencies in your stories. So, maybe, a few hours of light restraint will show you what lying to me means!«

Jelena croaked on what Gritti called »light restraint« and when Luigi came for Tabea, she decided not to go without a fight. She dodged and tried to slam her forehead against his nose, but only hit his shoulder. The unprepared man landed on his backside and Tabea tried to kick him, but with her knees bound, she could not cause damage. So, she watched with horror as the man came back to his feet, now grinning wolfishly.

»Medium restraint for that one – and now, it will be the whole night for both of you!«

Gritti gave the order in a calm voice, but Tabea was more frightened by him than by Luigi who now grabbed her upper arm and pulled her close to Jelena where he forced her down on her knees. Lorenzo had meanwhile loosened the rope that fixed Jelena`s neck to the ceiling hook. Taking care that the girl would not choke, but also could not move much, he brought the dangling ends closer to Tabea`s wrists when Luigi forced the Black`s arms upwards. Tabea groaned when she had to lean forward, her face almost resting on Jelena`s lap. Lorenzo now tied the rope off to her wrists and Tabea knew that if she tried to lower her arms, she would strangle Jelena.

Using yet another belt, Luigi tied her ankles together, so she would not be able to rise without endangering Jelena. Then, he reached around her and fondled her breasts. Tabea moaned and writhed, but Gritti didn`t stop him. Instead, he said:

»My son`s a good friend of Ibrahim Pasha – so, most of the things the Grand Vizier knows, he knows also. And most of this information, my son sends to me. However, you happened to know even more: details about the Sultan`s first wife and his son Mustafa, for example. Of course, this made me curious. I am quite sure you didn`t tell me all you know – and a night like this will give you a glimpse of what will happen if you don`t!«

Without further ado, he left, followed by Lorenzo. Luigi gave Tabea`s nipples a last pinch before he followed his Master, leaving the two girls alone in their predicament.

Tabea shuddered, but not from the strain in her arms or the tingling pain in her nipples. The information she had given Gritti had contained some details she had known from history books – details that had been kept a secret for centuries. Somewhere in her story, she had opened her mouth too wide.

With growing horror, she realized the consequences of that: Gritti could conclude that she didn`t have all this information from being highly intelligent or even from being one of the Sultan`s agents – the only explanation could be supernatural powers! Tabea had no idea whether Gritti believed in witches, but their current plight would sure not be their worst if they didn`t manage to escape!

***

Near dusk, Janika and Bela decided to sleep in an abandoned barn, for they would not be able to do more that day. They had stolen a dress for her and a shirt for Bela from a clothesline in a village and then, when they had reached another village, they had bought two pairs of shoes and also a scarf for Janika to hide her blonde hair, though she wore it like a bandana to not look like an old woman. They had also paid a fisherman to get them to Giudecca, the island close to the Piazza San Marco, the center of Venice. From their hideout, they could see the towers of the Basilica.

»Venice has some 100.000 inhabitants. It will be quite hard to find Tabea and Jelena!«

Janika nodded, but she was more optimistic.

»Their abductors seemed to be employed by someone – someone rich and influential. So, this narrows down the list to some dozen families. Still hard, but somebody must know something!«

Bela tried to focus his magic powers, but it didn`t get him anywhere. The problem was that once he looked at Janika, he immediately was distracted and could only think of her beauty and her skills as a lover. Not that he would have complained, but it made him as useful as just any guy in finding the proverbial needle in the hay heap.

***

It could not have been long since their captors had left, but already, Tabea felt that she would not be able to stand it for much longer. Her arms ached from the straining position and it showed that Luigi had tied her with engineering precision. She could lower her head so it touched Jelena`s thighs, so close she felt her warm skin through the flimsy silk of her slip. But if she wanted to really let her head rest on the other`s legs, it would dislodge her shoulders or at least make the strain unbearable. In addition, every attempt to lower her arms tore on the rope around Jelena`s neck.

»If only I could get up!«

Had she been able to stand, it would have been possible to even get free. However, in her current position and with her legs bound, it would be too risky. She could not lean against Jelena and if she slipped, she would strangle her friend, too.

»Uuuuuuhhmmmmm!«

»Mmhhmmmm!«, Jelena answered. They could have communicated via Morse code, but Tabea saw no chance to develop a plan. All they could do was to wait for the next morning and trying not to die!

She looked down at Jelena`s lap and saw that drops of sweat and drool had landed on the silk. Tabea felt ashamed, but what could she do? Again, she tried to rise, but when she felt she would stagger, she stopped her movement. Then, she heard the sound of the door.

»One hour`s over – one out of twelve!«

Gritti waited for their desperate groans to end before he continued:

»However, I decided that this one hour is enough as a warning! But always remember that this was just a glimpse of what we can do if you are – reluctant.«

Lorenzo and Luigi loosened the rope around Jelena`s neck and freed her from the stool as Tabea collapsed on the floor. They were then carried back to their room where the men threw them upon the bed. Both Tabea and Jelena struggled to turn to their backs, glancing at Gritti. He let his eyes wander over them and obviously enjoyed what he saw: two trussed up girls, covered with sweat and clad in outfits that left little to imagination.

»My men will now release you, so you will have the whole night to think about the alternatives you have. If it turns out that you have lied and made up your story, I will find use for two pretty girls like you. Not here, of course, but somewhere on our Greek islands maybe. If you are having valuable information, you will stay my guests until – until I decide otherwise. Now, for one last thing!«

He fixated Tabea who cringed under his eyes.

»You have tried to escape and also attacked one of my men. So, you have to be punished. However, since I want to show you that I am a generous man, you may choose your punishment!«

Tabea stared at him. He had had her tied up more stringent than Jelena and in her eyes, that had been punishment enough! However, bound and gagged, she had little choice than to listen to Gritti`s offer.

»Either ten strokes by my hand – or 20 from Luigi`s!«

»Mhm?«

It was a ridiculous choice! Sure, getting beaten by any of these two was humiliating, but ten strokes were better than 20. In addition, Luigi looked very muscular whilst Gritti was an old man. He now smiled and said:

»I will now count to ten. If I am finished and you are not presenting your butt to me, Luigi will do the favor!«

When he stopped talking, Tabea could hear the sound of Luigi letting his finger knuckles crack. She panted, but when Gritti began to count, she decided for the lesser of two evils. Squirming, she tuned on her belly and with numb fingers, she gathered her slip, exposing her buttocks.

»Good girl!«

Again, Gritti counted to ten, but this time, on each number, his hand landed on Tabea`s naked buttocks. It didn`t really hurt, except for some tingling, but when he was finished, Tabea had to fight down her tears and her cheeks burnt from sheer embarrassment.

»Tomorrow, I will have an early meeting with the Grand Counsel. So, you may relax until noon. In the morning, Fiamma and Ornella will get you something to eat.«

He left, followed by Lorenzo whilst Luigi quickly untied Jelena`s wrists, leaving it to her to free her and Tabea completely. Before he followed Gritti and Lorenzo, he spanked Tabea`s butt, too, causing her to scream into her gag.

»Never forget this!«, he said before he closed and locked the door behind him.

Jelena quickly ungagged herself and then Tabea before she began undoing the knots. Before that, however, she pulled down Tabea`s slip so her butt was covered again.

»Creepy old bastard!«, she cursed. Tabea nodded.

»What is worse is that we can`t win. He will either keep us as valuable informants until he has no longer use for us. Then, we may end up in some brothel somewhere. Or he thinks we are liars – which will get us to the brothel immediately!«

When they had freed themselves and drunk a glass of wine each, they felt relaxed enough to forge a plan that could perhaps get them out of their predicament.

***

It was in the midst of the night when fate struck on Janika and Bela – though it actually only hit Bela. It was a clumsy, almost funny incident, but in their situation, it could become a severe problem.

Bela had risen from their makeshift bed when he had thought he had heard a strange noise. It had been just a cat, but when he had wanted to get back to Janika, the floor planks had broken. A second later, a sharp pain had run through his ankle and he had barely been able to oppress his scream.

»Mhhhm, Bela, whassup?«

A drowsy Janika rose from the floor and immediately woke up when she saw Bela lying on the floor, gasping and holding his ankle. She quickly approached and inspected his leg. The diagnosis was simple, but bitter: Bela`s ankle was broken.

»It sure – won`t – kill me!«, he ached and Janika collected some twigs. With strips from her slip, she produced a provisional greave. Bela told her that his leg felt a little better, but when he, assisted by Janika, tried to get up, he found out that he wasn`t able to walk.

»You will need a few days to rest!«, the Blonde concluded though they both knew that this was a problem. They still had enough money for a living for some two weeks, but they had to find Tabea and Jelena. So, Janika developed a plan.

She took the purse and collected their money. Still, twelve and a half Scudi. She counted seven of them and handed them to Bela who looked at her with surprise.

»In a few hours, at sunrise, I will tell the kind owner of that barn what has happened. He will take care of you, at least as long as these seven Scudi will last. He is quite kind, for he let us sleep her for free and so, he will sure take care of you for one week. Meanwhile, I will get over to the main islands and see what I can do!«

Bela wanted to protest, but when he tried to get up again, the pain told him that this would be a bad idea. So, he unwillingly agreed to her idea. Janika kissed him and when she felt him reach for her breast, she decided to try how far they could go before it could become painful for Bela.

***

»They are coming!«

Both Tabea and Jelena had slept little during the night, though they had forced themselves to lie down for a few hours to regain some strength. For some hour now, Jelena had been peeping through the keyhole. The guards – or rather two other men, since they of course had changed their shift – had been there, but the maids arrived when the sun had already risen.

When she heard them chat and flirt with the two men, Jelena and Tabea went to their »battle stations«. In Jelena´s case, it meant that she just went back to the bed, even messing up her hair so she looked as if she had just gotten up. Tabea disappeared behind the screen and squatted over the chamber pot. This part would be quite embarrassing, but it was a detail that would help to weigh Ornella and Fiamma in safety.

After some time, the door was unlocked and the two maids entered. Jelena greeted them with a hearty yawn (of which she hoped it wouldn`t sound fake) and they approached the bed. Ornella carried a tray with some bread, cheese and since Gritti had learned about it from his time in Turkey, the aroma of coffee filled the room. Fiamma was carrying some fresh towels.

The guards had already relocked the door from outside when Ornella asked:

»Hey, where`s Signorina Tabea?«

»Just a moment!«, Tabea said and then, she peed. She knew that the two maids would hear the sound and her cheeks felt hot from embarrassment, but as she had hoped, Ornella and Fiamma giggled and turned their backs towards the screen – totally unaware of what would come next.

On their plate from yesterday`s meal, there had been a small fruit knife. It wasn`t longer than a finger and had turned out to be useless when they had tried to open the side door with it, but it was at least close to a weapon. Tabea now waited for Ornella to put the tray down whilst she sneaked closer to Fiamma. Jelena, who saw her, made Ornella bend forward, pretending she wanted to whisper something the guards shouldn`t hear.

In a quick move, Tabea jumped forward and slung her left arm around the lower half of Fiamma`s face. Before the girl could even utter a sound, she held the knife to her throat and hissed:

»One sound and I will kill you!«

Ornella spun around and opened her mouth to scream, but Jelena had been waiting for that and now pressed her hand on the maid`s mouth so only a muffled sound came out. Tabea now repeated her threat and so, Ornella stopped squirming and just stared at Tabea who was still keeping Fiamma in a chokehold.

The redhead trembled and Tabea hated what they had to do. The maids had been friendly towards them, but it was their only chance to get out. She released her grip on Fiamma`s throat a bit and whispered:

»You promise not to scream?«

With a strange croak, the girl nodded. Tabea didn`t dare to let her go, but she allowed her to breathe freely again whilst Jelena took one of the prepared cloths and stuffed it into the totally perplexed Ornella`s mouth, securing it with a strip of cloth she tied between the girl`s lips. Then, she gagged Fiamma the same way. On the table, she spotted another fruit knife and took it. Now, Tabea let Fiamma go, but both kept their knifes pointed at the frightened girls who didn`t dare to moan through their gags.

»Now, do as we say and you won`t get hurt! One sound or one false move and it will be your last! Is that understood?«

The girls both nodded, glimpsing at the door behind which the two guards were. One scream and they would come in and rescue them, but obviously, their attackers looked more frightening than they felt.  Tabea nodded and ordered:

»Now, remove your clothes!«

***