Between Tradition and Modernity 5

Lieutenant John Blacksmith had distinguished himself in the Crimean War and during the Mutiny, both under fire and in close combat. And yet, he now felt as if the siege of Sevastopol had been a picknick in comparison to what he was enduring right now, surrounded just by three young women.

To the shock of finding a sleeping woman, chained, gagged and clad in nothing but a little piece of lacy cloth covering her crotch, the fact that this was the missing Daisy, the girl for whose disappearance he had been responsible had added. And when Sayana and Nesrin had approached, hugging Daisy and bombarding her with questions she couldn’t answer through the plug in her mouth, he also realized that his two companions also knew that whatever had been done to the girl, it was his fault.

The fact that she was nearly naked didn’t help the matter, and Blacksmith couldn’t help glimpsing at her breasts whilst he had to concentrate on not hurting her when he carefully cut the straps of her harness gag. Sayana still held the girl’s hands and talked to her whilst Nesrin was waiting with a canteen for the gag to come off.

Blacksmith cut the final strap and then, he pulled the plug from Daisy’s mouth. Some drool came out with it, and she panted, unable to say anything. Blacksmith withdrew to the horse, and when he returned, he saw that a blanket had been draped over the girl’s shoulders. He held up some pliers he always had in his saddle bags, in case his horse had a stone stuck in its hooves. With these, he managed to break open the cuffs.

»Th-thank you«, Daisy croaked, and he just nodded, turning his head. A few minutes later, the girl was clad in some of their reserve clothes and had quenched her thirst. Now, she told about her predicament, each word sounding like an accusation to Blacksmith. Still, neither Nesrin nor Sayana had said anything about it. Instead, they told Daisy what had happened to Lilly, Marguerite and Lavinia, and why they were here. Nesrin picked up one of the discarded bootees lying on the ground.

»These are Lilly’s, no doubt!«

Though this meant they were on the right track, it raised more questions than it answered. Blacksmith was almost sure that there was no connection between the two abductions, but he grabbed a lantern and went into the cave, to see if he could find anything of importance.

The sight of the dark and silent prison made his feeling of guilt grow even more, and the fact that this had been meant for another woman didn’t matter: Sayana had proven loyal, though he still didn’t believe her story about being the elder sister of his great-great-grandmother. Nevertheless, she had something on her that was supernatural.

»I didn’t want this to happen! All I wanted was to have her out of the way for a few days!«, he repeated in his head like a mantra when he stepped back into the light. Then, he noticed something else: a track leading away from the place where the coach was standing; it looked as if something heavy had been pulled over the ground, leaving traces wherever the ground was soft enough.

He climbed down the hill to report this, only to see Daisy hold one of the rifles in her hands. He suddenly felt the calmness he remembered from the battlefield.

»Now, she will get her revenge, and I deserve it!«

However, when he approached, Daisy lowered the rifle and just said:

»Seems I am the only one except for you who knows how to use firearms! However, where I am from, we didn’t have muzzle-loaders, so, I could need some advice in reloading!«

When he looked as if she had started to turn green and spit fire, she added:

»Trust me, I am working for the Coast Guard!«

She the chuckled and patted his shoulder.

»Is it so hard to accept that a woman is doing such a job?«

Daisy continued examining the rifle, and Blacksmith looked at the others. Nesrin just slightly shook her head, and Sayana approached him and whispered:

»You are my great-grandson, Johnny! I won’t tell her – but I think you should if the time is ripe!«

***

 When the lid was opened, Lilly felt as if she had just run a marathon – gagged and wearing the corset. She could barely raise her head when she saw them undo the cords binding Lavinia to the wicker box and then lift her out of it. Now, with the redhead no longer lying on top of her, she could breathe easier, and she also could feel a chilly breeze, though it was still broad daylight.

She and Marguerite were also knotted loose and taken from the box. They were leaned against a rock and watched Amal hold Lavinia by her arms, forcing her to crouch. Beside her stood Ajala, poking her sides playfully. Lavinia groaned and cringed; then, she finally couldn’t hold it any longer. Accompanied by a sob, she peed, and Ajala patted her head.

»Good girl! Now, isn’t that better?«

Lavinia’s face was as red as her hair, and she avoided looking at Marguerite and Lilly when she was sat beside them. Lilly had recovered a little and looked around, noticing that they had reached some higher place in the hills; the path had now stopped at what looked like stairs leading into the rock in front of them.

»Almost there, Ladies! The last part, we will have to walk, but it’s just a few steps!«

Jeevan and Amal cut the laces tying their toes and undid the stockings tying their ankles. The latter were then used to connect the nooses still dangling around their necks, with the one around Marguerite’s neck hanging freely. Ajala now produced Lavinia’s earrings and necklace and showed them to their previous owner before handing them to Jeevan.

»He will take the horses and get to your father, to proof that you are really in our hands! You, however, will now get to see the secret palace!«

She took the stocking dangling from Marguerite’s neck and used it like a leash, forcing her to get to her feet and stagger after her. Lilly and Lavinia had little choice than to follow her, and they stumbled up the stairs, followed by Amal and Laya who occasionally prevented them from slipping.

The stairs led to an iron door Ajala opened with a key, carefully locking it from the inside once all had passed. Now, they were inside a corridor, and Laya lit a lantern.

The way now was even, but the corridor seemed to be a veritable labyrinth, and they had to take so many corners and passages that Lilly had completely gotten lost when they suddenly reached a small platform in front of a deep ravine. Over it led a simple plank, and Lilly gulped when she looked down the ravine. One false step and she would fall to her certain death, taking the other girls with her. Ajala picked a pebble and let it fall, and it took some three seconds before they heard the sound.

»A bit dangerous, but luckily, we have a strong man to assist us!«

She loosened the stockings connecting the captives; then, whilst Laya watched them at gunpoint, Ajala slung her arms around Amal’s neck, and he cradled her in his arms and carried her over the plank. When he had let her down, Ajala said:

»Now, who is next? The first one will be carried by Amal, the second goes with Laya, and the last one has to find her way alone!«

»Mhmm? Uuhmmph?«

Marguerite hadn’t understand what Ajala had said, and Lilly had no chance of translating it for her. Amal returned, walking over the plank as if it was steady ground, despite his height and muscular build, and looked questioningly. Since none of the girls moved, he shrugged and did some Indian version of a nursery rhyme before approaching Marguerite. The blonde mewed when, instead of cradling her in his arms, Amal put her over his shoulder, placing his prank on her butt. He then carried her over to Ajala who then told Laya to choose one and get over, too.

»Nnnggg! Mmhrrrmmm!«

Lavinia bucked and shook her head when Laya grabbed the stocking and tried to pull her towards the plank. Ajala watched the struggle for a while before she finally sent over Amal who managed to carry the flailing and moaning girl over the ravine. Lilly had watched the spectacle with widened eyes, and now, Laya approached her.

»Vertigo?«, she asked, and Lilly nodded. The Indian produced a scarf and tied it over Lilly’s eyes. Then, she took the leash.

»Now, you can’t look down! Just follow my lead!«

The blindfolded girl trembled, and her legs felt wobbly, but she followed Laya, not daring to struggle once she felt the plank under her soles. It moved slightly, and Lilly tried to fight down her panic.

»It even carried Amal! And it’s just some six or seven metres! I can do it!«

She panted, and when ever the plank  moved a little, she gasped, but after some time, she could feel cold stone under her foot, and she sank down on the other side of the platform. The blindfold was removed, and they watched Amal remove the plank and place it in the corridor.

»Just in case someone finds the door and also manages to avoid the traps in the labyrinth! Now, there is only one barrier left!«

After another 20 yards, there was another iron door. Amal vanished in a side corridor, and then, there was a screeching, accompanied by the sound of water rushing through a pipe.

»Open Sesame!«, Ajala laughed, and indeed, the door opened. Amal returned, and they were led through the opening. Lilly blinked; though she couldn’t see much without her glasses, what she saw was impressive, and under other circumstances, she would have admired it.

The secret palace was indeed just a few wooden pavilions, but they were located in a veritable Garden Eden, with a pond in the middle. It was a valley basin, just 50 yards in diameter, but it looked as if myriads of orchids and other flowers were blooming.

The girls’ admiration was interrupted by the sound of the door closing behind them, telling them that they were trapped inside the basin now. Lilly sank to her knees, and Marguerite staggered whilst Lavinia mobilized all remnants of her self-control to remain upright. The girls were all covered with sweat, the corsets felt like vice fists clamped around their chests, and Lilly looked longingly at the clear, fresh water of the pond.

On an order by Ajala, Laya went to the water, soaked a cloth and then dabbed Lilly’s forehead with it. The water felt cold, but so refreshing she couldn’t oppress a sigh.

»You would like to take a bath?«, Laya asked, once again showing kindness that made Lilly suspicious. On the other hand, there was no point in denying, and she nodded. Laya now dabbed her cleavage, and Lilly reared up to feel the refreshment more. She offered no resistance when the Indian worked on the laces of her corset, and when it came off, she took a breath as deep as her gag allowed her to do. Her chemise was so sweaty it was almost transparent, but Lilly felt nothing but relief.

»If you promise to follow our orders, you may get into the water and refresh yourself – unrestrained, of course!«

Lilly nodded, the urge to get into the water too strong for her to even hesitate. Laya removed her wrist ties and the gag; then, she ordered:

»Take off your clothes!«

Since the chemise didn’t cover much anyway, Lilly obeyed. The damp silk clung to her skin, and she reflexively crossed her arms in front of her breasts, but Laya told her to fold her hands at the back of her head. Amal watched from a few yards distance, but both Ajala and Laya looked at her with interest, and the Princess asked:

»How comes that your skin is darker everywhere but on your breasts?«

Lilly blushed slightly as she felt everyone staring at her boobs. How could she explain a bikini tan to someone to whom both bikinis and sunbathing were unknown? Laya, however, seemed to have found the explanation herself:

»Seems that she has been in the sun, with only her breasts covered!«

Ajala playfully waved her index finger.

»You naughty English girls! Now, off with the knickers!«

Lilly wanted to protest, but on the pirate ship, she had learned the hard way that she wouldn’t die from humiliation. So, she loosened the laces and peeled the garment down her legs. Of course, now, the different skin tone of her pubic area raised the Indians’ interest. Ajala even encircled her.

»You really didn’t leave much to imagination when you were lying in the sun, Lilly! I hope there weren’t any men around!«

Actually, there had been a whole beach full of people of both sexes, most of them as scantily clad as her. However, Lilly just waited in silence, hoping that the inspection would soon be over.

»Aww, look!«

Laya now pointed at Lilly’s pubic mound, and when Ajala traced her landing strip of pubic hair with her index finger, the girl blushed all over.

»What’s this, Lilly? I mean, you can either shave it off, or stay as nature made you, but this is – quite strange. Or are all Europeans – built like this?«

Despite her embarrassment, Lilly wanted to prevent Ajala from checking on the pubic areas of Marguerite and Lavinia, and so, she breathed:

»It’s – I groomed it that way!«

Now, Laya formed a triangle with her thumbs and index fingers and framed Lilly’s pubic mound.

»I think it was because of these little nothings she preferred wearing instead of knickers!«

Though this was more or less the correct explanation, Lilly was red as a beetroot when she was allowed to get into the pond now. The water was cool, but not freezing cold, but so invitingly refreshing that she sank into it with a sigh once it reached to her knees. Then, she paddled into the middle of the pond, where she no longer could stand, but where the water prevented the others from staring at her naked body. For a few minutes, she just enjoyed the water; then, she noticed that all the others, including Marguerite and Lavinia had gathered at the shore. Since she couldn’t see any details, she went closer and had a look.

Both Marguerite and Lavinia had been stripped of their corsets, but still sported their chemises and knickers. They still were gagged and had their hands tied, and they were kneeling side by side. Then, Lilly noticed another detail: Laya stood between the two and held their neck leashes, so they were forced to remain upright. Both girls were panting from exhaustion. Ajala explained:

»These two don’t want to join you in the water! Seems they are more modest than you!«

Lilly felt her cheeks get hot. In her time, she would have been considered normal when it came to the balance between prudish and open-minded, but this was the Victorian Age where even the bare legs of tables were considered inappropriate. Ajala looked at her and added:

»They might feel a bit overheated, though! You may refresh them a little, if you want!«

Lilly knew that she couldn’t stay in the water forever, but for the moment, she was safe from prying eyes and the restraints their kidnappers had in store for her. However, she could see the state Marguerite and Lavinia were in: both were dehydrated, and only the nooses around their necks seemed to keep them from collapsing.

So, she formed her hands to a bowl and stepped out of the water. She was all too aware how the air, now feeling chilly, made her nipples grow hard and erect, and she also knew that nearly every girl looked desirable when she stepped out of the water. She tried to avoid looking at their captors, and she carefully poured the water over Marguerite’s head. The blonde mmphed, but Lilly just brushed over her hair.

Lilly went back for the pond, almost feeling the eyes on her bare butt when she crouched to get more water. As she approached Lavinia, the redhead shook her head and tried to shy back.

»It’s just some water, and it will do you good!«

»Uuhhmm!«

Looking at Marguerite, Lilly suddenly understood: the water had soaked the blonde’s chemise, making it even more transparent, and Lavinia tried to keep every bit of decentness she could. However, Lilly could see that Lavinia was more dead than alive, and so, she poured the water over her, causing a muffled shriek.

She repeated the procedure a few more times, and though Lavinia stared daggers at her whilst blushing all over, she could see that the two indeed looked better than before. Ajala clapped her hands and told the girls to follow her. Since Laya still held the leashes, and Amal also was close, all of them obeyed and they went over to a place that reminded Lilly of a playground: a circle of archways was built around a flat box of some four square metres, filled with sand.

Marguerite and Lavinia were tied with their hands behind two of the columns, so they looked like on a stake. Both sat down and bent their legs, in a desperate attempt to hide their near bareness. Lilly, however was told to stand on a podium beside the sand box. Amal now approached her with a silver jug, and Ajala told her to stand straight, with her arms to her sides.

The man poured a copious amount of a transparent oil over her body; it had a slight pleasant smell. Then, he stepped back and Ajala ordered:

»Rub yourself with the oil, Lilly! Don’t leave out a piece of your body – unless you want Amal to take care of you!«

Though the man didn’t look as creepy as others Lilly had encountered since her first abduction, she decided to only have her own hands on her body, at least as long as this was an option. She creamed her body, not leaving out her boobs and private parts, and then, she distorted her upper body to also put oil on her back and buttocks. When her whole skin shimmered in the sun, Ajala, who inspected her carefully, seemed satisfied.

»Good! Now, get into the sand and play around! Just roll around, like a little girl!«

It was a strange order, but less humiliating than the oiling, and Lilly threw herself into the sand. After a few minutes, she was covered with it and felt like a breaded Schnitzel. She had to leave the box, and Amal and Laya tied two scarves to her wrists. Lilly was led between two columns, so she was facing Marguerite and Lavinia, and the scarves were tied around these, so she stood with her arms pulled to her sides, though not painfully.

She felt more nervous when similar scarves were applied to her ankles, and though the position still wasn’t straining, Lilly didn’t like the idea of having to spread her legs whilst she was stark naked and in the claws of some criminals.

»Relax, Lilly! I just want to show your friends what they are missing!«

To Lilly’s dismay, Laya now took off her Sari, leaving her in a plain dress with short sleeves. Amal removed his jacket and shirt, and Lilly had to admit that he had been an excellent poster boy for every gym.

Laya brought a box, and Amal took something from it that looked like a small sickle, or a carved knife. Lilly gasped, and Ajala chuckled.

»If I had wanted you dead, you would have been hours ago! What do you think we will do now – sacrifice you, to please Kali?«

She managed that Lilly felt a little stupid and naïve. With a sardonic smile, Ajala added:

»Sometimes, Kali will appreciate human sacrifices, but if we wanted to kill you, we would do so with a sharp knife!«

Amal, who also smiled, let his thumb run over the blade, as if to prove it was dull. Then, he stepped close to her and brushed along her arm with the knife. When he then shook the knife, so the mixture of sand and oil landed in the grass, Lilly understood that this was something like a Roman Strigilis, an ancient version of peeling done by a scraper.

Amal worked with considerable strength, but it didn’t hurt. Instead, it felt like a massage and stimulated her blood circulation. Lilly relaxed and almost enjoyed the procedure. When he scraped over her breasts, she blushed, and her eyes widened a bit when he splayed her buttocks to remove the oil and sand from her cleft.

Now, Amal put on some strange wooden things onto his palms. When his strong hands brushed over her skin, Lilly could feel the pads were made of pumice stone, feeling a bit rough, but also quite pleasant. This time, she could not oppress a sigh when the man massaged her whole body, and her writhing was not from pain or fear.

»Kidnapped into a spa!«, she thought involuntarily, and only the view of Marguerite and Lavinia staring at her with horrified fascination showed her that this wasn’t all fun and pleasure.

Amal continued until her skin was slightly reddened, but Lilly knew that she now would feel smooth and soft. The man then took a brush and began to take care of her hair, gently placing his hand under her chin from behind, so she looked at the sky. She gasped when she felt something wet on her hands, but it was just Laya washing the remaining sand from her. When the nimble fingers wandered over her body, Lilly stiffened. When she opened her mouth to protest, Amal’s grip tightened a little; not painful, but it told her that he could easily break her neck. So, she forced herself to hold still whilst he continued brushing her hair. She panted and occasionally chortled when she felt Laya remove the sand from her feet, also between her toes, or between her legs. The Indian even seemed to have a small comb she used to go through Lilly’s strip of pubic hair.

When she finally was finished, Laya and Amal stepped aside, and Ajala closely inspected Lilly’s body, even testing the smoothness of her skin and the fall of her freshly brushed hair.

»Now, Kali will be pleased!«

When Lilly shrieked, she burst out laughing, and both Laya and Amal were grinning, too. Shaking her head, Ajala meant:

»Whatever they tell you about India, you shouldn’t believe everything! After all, we were an advanced culture when people in Briton shared the pens of their pigs!«

»Oh, once I am back, I will tell everyone that you treat the women you abduct with the greatest courtesy and respect!«, Lilly snapped, knowing she would have sounded more impressive had she not been naked and spread. Ajala playfully squeezed her cheek.

»Aww, you look cute when you are pouting!«

For a terrible moment, Lilly thought that this was more like a 21st century sleepover party than an actual kidnapping. She remained silent when her ties were removed. When she asked for her clothes, however, Ajala shook her head.

»Really? These sweaty and smelly things on your fresh and clean body?«

Lilly forced herself to smile, too, and asked her if she would borrow her some of her own clothes then – given the fact these were fresh and clean.

»You sure agree that this place is like your Christian Paradise – and if your Holy Bible doesn’t lie, you are wearing the same Eve did once! Now, let’s have some food!«

***

The track the kidnappers had left wasn’t easy to follow on the rocky terrain, and in addition, nobody was in a really good condition after the latest events. Had Blacksmith known where their final destination was, he would have forced himself to walk on, but now, he decided that it would be a bad idea to stumble through the hills when it was dark and when they reached a brook where there was also some grass for their horse, he decided to rest there.

»They haven’t abducted the Ladies to kill them! So, a few hours more won’t matter too much, according to their well-being!«

Daisy could have told him a thing or two about the horrors of just a few hours in bondage, but she had to agree he was right, as they had no idea if the two women had accomplices. So, once the tent had been built, she left it to Blacksmith to teach her reloading the rifle whilst Sayana and Nesrin prepared the meal. He was gentle, but she could sense a certain bashfulness on him.

After the meal, they all felt how tiresome the day had been, and so, they withdrew early. Blacksmith insisted to sleep beside the fire, so the girls had the tent for themselves.

»A nice man, our Lieutenant, though he seems a bit shy when it comes to women. Or is it just when it comes to women of colour?«

Neither Sayana nor Nesrin answered. Earlier, Sayana had talked to Nesrin when Daisy had been walking ahead, telling her that it would be better if Blacksmith himself would confess to Daisy why she had been kidnapped. Nesrin had agreed, busy thinking about Marguerite anyway.

Now, it seemed that Daisy misunderstood Sayana’s silence, for she leaned over and put her arm around her.

»Are you- are you – jealous?«

»Hm?«

»I mean, since you – you and me – we-«, Daisy hummed and hawed. Back on Martinique, she and Sayana had gotten quite physical twice, and though it had been more or less a method of strengthening the witch’s powers, there had also been a strong connection between the two. Sayana reached for Daisy’s hand and pressed it.

»Désirée, I want you to be happy! And if it makes you happy talking to Johnny, why should I feel bad about it? After all, he’s family!«

Daisy fell silent, but after some time, she left the tent, apparently to relieve herself. Nesrin turned towards Sayana and whispered:

»You know that if they talk, and she will forgive him what he has done to her, it will maybe come to – well, more than just talking?«

In the dark, Nesrin couldn’t see Sayana’s face. She was quite sure that Daisy would forgive Johnny, and then, things would take their course. However, it would be a short-lived love – at least, that was what Sayana feared.

Her powers were intuitive, and even if she had attended a modern University, she would not have been able to describe them in detail. However, she could sense that the Gods had wanted to go things the way they went – and by sending people through time, she had interfered with these ways. Right now, five people, including herself, were not in the century they belonged, and if this would not soon be cured, it could cause – problems. However, Sayana wanted to keep that for herself, at least for the moment: she didn’t need supernatural powers to sense the connection between Nesrin and Marguerite, and she wasn’t sure if these two could stay together, too. So, she turned towards Nesrin and said:

»Love is the greatest gift the Gods gave to us! Why are you Whites never able to just enjoy it and always search for problems?«

Nesrin scoffed.

»Usually, people don’t call me ›white‹!«

Sayana slung her arms around her, and Nesrin wanted to protest, but then, she thought about Sayana’s last words: she had enough problems, and right now, there was someone to hold her and show some compassion. She cuddled against the other, and though she cried, she also felt the security and tenderness coming from her friend.

***

»Hi!«

Daisy sat down beside Blacksmith who had been sitting by the fire, poking absent-mindedly in the embers with a stick.

»I couldn’t sleep«, she added, reached for another stick and joined in the poking. She sat so close that their shoulders touched, and Blacksmith cleared his throat. Daisy chuckled.

»You want me to keep some distance?«

The Lieutenant looked up, and she could see a strange expression on his face. Was it shyness, or the fact that a British Lieutenant shouldn’t get that close to a black woman, no matter the circumstances? Somehow, she feared the answer when she saw that Blacksmith was literally fighting with himself before he opened his mouth.

»Désirée, I-«

Now, Daisy felt a veritable turmoil of feelings. Most of her friends, and even her brother and her grandma, called her by her nickname, except for when she had done something wrong. Another occasion had been when her last boyfriend had proposed to her, and though the relationship hadn’t lasted, she now was also reminded of that, and she almost waited for him to take her hand.

However, Blacksmith just took a few breaths. Then, he straightened and his expression became sad, but determined:

»Désirée, if I told you what I have done, you would wish me to keep more distance – much, much more!«

He then confessed what he had done, not leaving out any detail: his decision to let Sayana disappear for a few days, and how the criminals he had hired had abducted her instead, leaving her in the hellhole she had been able to escape from. Daisy had indeed moved away from him, but only to look at him. She didn’t interrupt his confession, and when he finally had come to an end, she saw him bury his face in his hands.

»I pushed away Sayana, and I caused your abduction – all because I was so worried about my precious – reputation!«

He literally spat the last word. Daisy, who had tears in her eyes, looked at him, and when she finally spoke, her voice sounded hoarse:

»Does – does Sayana know about this?«

Still not raising his head, Blacksmith nodded. After some more moments of silence, Daisy touched his arm and whispered:

»Well, obviously, she has forgiven you!«

Blacksmith looked up, and in the glooming shimmer of the fire, she could see a single tear in the corner of his eye.

»Even if she did – I didn’t make her suffer half as much as I did you!«

Daisy could see the true regret in his face, and she didn’t remove the hand from his arm. Instead, she forced a smile on her face.

»I’ve been through worse!«

Her hand brushed over his arm, and she leaned forward, so their faced were only inches apart from each other.

»And from all the men who were responsible for me ending up bound and gagged, you are the only one who ever truly apologized!«

Blacksmith reached for her hand and pulled her closer. Daisy sank towards him, and with an impish smile, she breathed:

»So, you no longer want me to keep some distance?«

Their lips met, and though Daisy could feel the Lieutenant didn’t have much experience in kissing, she was sure that he was a quick learner.

***