Blood and Iron Ch. 04

This is a work of fiction any similarities between the characters, events, or locations in this story and actual locations, events, or people are purely coincidental.

*

Along with my hike, the food and mead, even the thinking had taken their toll. I was worn out.

I announced, "I'm tired, ladies. First a nap, then bath before supper."

The response from Cori and Ria was immediate. They swiftly pulled the shifts over their heads and threw them on the floor. They revealed slim shapely bodies. Now both naked, Ria knelt, pulling my pants down, while Cori stood, kissing me. I was hard before Ria ever touched me. She kissed the head of my cock, then opened her mouth as my cock slid in the warmth of her mouth. I knew I wouldn't last. My hands held her head. I was taken by surprise as my cock spasmed. Ria swallowed my spending as she continued to suck, her fingers cradling my balls until my cock softened.

Cori smiled happily, hugging me as Ria stood up, kissing her. Then they both giggled. Cori released me only long enough to turn down the immense bed. I walked over to the shelves to find my pocket watch. I opened the cover and turned on the chiming mechanism; I set the watch on the small table next to the bed.

I crawled into the bed, settling in the soft mattress. Ria climbed in behind me, pressing into my back in a delightful manner, while Cori spooned in front of me. Her tight butt pressed against my cock, while she held my hand covering one of her breasts. I kissed her shoulder, then nuzzled into her blonde mane. My eyes closed, and I was gone.

*****

I woke on my back, with two delightful companions tucked one under each arm. There was a moment of disorientation just before my eyes opened, but my memories came rushing back. The room was in shadow, with dusk outside the windows. I started to reach for my watch. Cori lifted her head, asking, "What do you wish, Brock sir?"

I settled back, saying quietly, "My watch, please." Cori picked it up carefully and handed it to me. I pushed the ‘repeat' and it chimed five times. Cori and Ria looked surprised at this little demonstration. I said, "It's after five. By the time I clean up supper should be ready in the commons room."

Giving the lie to my words, I settled back on my pillow. Ria giggled softly as she cuddled against me.

I had a question for my two bed partners, asking quietly, "How do people feel about traveling in the wooded area even without the highwaymen?"

Cori answered quickly, "Brock sir, we are all of us uncomfortable even on the roads as we go through the woods. We are all most comfortable in inns, cities and towns around other people. No one save hunter travels IN the woodland."

I asked, "What about Trevor and the guards? Don't they patrol?"

Ria spoke up. "Yes, up and down the road, but brave as he is Trevor would no more walk deep in the woods..."

Words simply failed Ria at the thought of Trevor and his men leaving the road and going into the forest.

I mused quietly, wondering, then how do the highwaymen overcome this conditioning to hide out in these deep woods? I sat up, growling, "Enough laying about in this big bed. A bath, please."

Even though my smile belied my tone, Cori and Ria were in motion. Ria scampered out the door to ready the bath, while Cori pulled me from the comfortable bed, saying brightly, "Don't bother to dress, come along."

With a tiny, nagging thought that I really had to start thinking about my security, I gave in to the naked girl, following her down the hallway in the nude.

First, Cori led me to a small room, its only furnishing a low wood box with a hole in its center. Luckily for my comfort, a low shelf filed with sheets of soft paper was close at hand. I had secreted several rolls of toilet paper in my pack basket, and was just as happy not to need them so soon. I'm not sure what happened to the waste. Sometimes, it's just better not to know.

I left the little room much relaxed, to find Cori waiting patiently for me. She led me next door to a somewhat larger room, with a drain in its center and a large copper tub along one wall. Ria was already busily filing the tub with steamy water. Cori had me stand over the floor drain as she sluiced a bucket of warm water over me. She began soaping my damp body, using her soft fingers. Ria joined her in spreading the soap, both scrubbing gently from the soles of my feet to my hair. Cori giggled as she cleaned my ass crease, perhaps, from the constant rubbing, over cleaning it, while Ria was soaping my cock and balls. Both kept at their intimate caresses until my cock sprayed Ria with ropy white spending. That was the signal to begin rinsing me with buckets of warm water until I was free of soap.

Cori led me to the big tub, now that I was clean. I stepped into the hot water, slowly lowered my body until the water surrounded me. Relaxing in the water's warm embrace, I thought about my next moves here in this new world.

How did I feel about being a hunter? I'd killed animals, but could I now kill men? What about this institution of slavery? Could I also be a part of that, not just making use of slaves like Cori and Ria, but also capturing them for return to their masters? And the biggest question; was this all "real," or just some elaborate hallucination?

Of course, the image of my ex, Natalie, wearing only a collar crouched at my feet, while I whipped her back into bloody pulp interfering with any rational thought. This pleasant vision prompted a question as I lazed in the tub. I opened one eye to ask quietly, "Are there limits to how slaves or indentured servants are treated?"

Ria and Cori looked at each other then Cori answered, "For a slave, none. Ownership is total without boundary even to death. For an indentured servant, most are purchased from debtor's prison. That contract is between the debtor, the ruler who keeps the prison, and the buyer. The debts are paid from the price paid by the new owner. Some of those contracts are like an apprenticeship with a specific term, but many, when involving large sums of money, are so close to slavery to be indistinguishable."

Now Ria spoke. "The treatment of the indentured varies from place to place. Duke Edgar of Castle Town has little patience with the pleas of slaves or servants. Owners have a very free hand in their treatment of their chattels. A runaway returned to Edgar's realm can expect a harsh, even fatal reception."

I nodded. The water was cooling rapidly. I stood up, stepping out of the tub. Cori and Ria now rubbed me briskly, with large swaths of thick cotton. I was thoroughly dry and refreshed after their rubdown.

Cori led me back to my room, with Ria following close behind. I dressed in light cotton pants and a cotton shirt. Ria helped me with my money belt while saying, "All men of substance have one. No surprise that a mighty hunter has riches to carry." She was quick to add, "Your secret is safe, Hunter Brock."

I had to smile. Safe except that everyone expected to find such a belt. Oh, well. I strapped on my thigh holster with its throwing knives, and my utility knife. My sword belt, with its Tanto and Katana, was next,. I picked up the small metal case that held my steel knife, fork and spoon. Cori, dressed in her shift again, led me to the stairs and down into the inn's common room.

I walked past the several long tables filled to overflowing with food, each surrounded by men at arms. Trevor greeted me warmly, stopping me to announce to his assembled men in a loud voice, "This is Hunter Brock. Make him welcome and give him every assistance during his stay with us."

There were greetings up and down the tables as his men acknowledged me. I reached in my pocket pulling out the paper showing the saber tooth. I held it up, asking loudly, "Is this cat still around?"

Trevor looked around as one of his men down at the end of the table answered, "A few days ago while patrolling east of the crossroads we found a horse dead on the road, the carcass showed evidence of the long tooth."

Trevor nodded as the other men agreed. Several grizzled veterans shuddered at the mention of the saber tooth. One said softly, "Good luck in your hunts, Brock."

It was a sentiment quickly echoed. I thanked then for their thoughts as I walked toward a smiling, gesturing Luther.

Luther had set a place for me in one of the curtained alcoves next to the front fireplace. The space held a round table surrounded by cushioned chairs. A platter in the center held bubbling cuts of prime rib over an inch thick and several feet across. Next to it was a huge plate with potatoes covered in some kind of cream sauce. Big bowls with carrots and string beans and plates with slabs of bread sat next to bottles of red wine and pitchers of Birch Mead.

I just stood for a moment admiring the presentation before sitting down. Taking one of my all metal throwing knives, I cut a corner from one of the prime ribs. I tasted it, then turned to Luther, saying, "This is an excellent meal, Luther. The meat is superb. Thank you."

Luther beamed as Ria joined us. Now she and Cori took up stations to serve me while Luther chatted away, bringing me the gossip of the day as he diligently kept my glass filled with wine and mug filled with mead.

Given the vast quantity of food on the table I had no hope of finishing it all but I certainly tried. In the end, I sagged back in my chair, completely sated. Cori brought out a coffee service, pouring coffee for me, while Ria offered me a pipe or hand rolled cigarette. I pointed; Ria lit the cigarette and tucked it in my lips, and Luther brought forth a snifter of brandy to sip with my coffee, while two more slaves from the kitchen cleared the table.

I was settled in my chair when the sound of hoof beats echoed through the room with the jingle of horse harness and wheels creaking. The tinkle of the lintel bell was interrupted as the door crashed open and a short figure dressed all in black strode up to the bar, slamming his fist on it yelling loudly:

"Innkeeper, Innkeeper, where's the lazy fucking innkeeper?"

I wouldn't have gotten involved at all but when he glanced over I could see full well he knew Luther was only a few feet away.

I said very softly, "He's busy."

His head snapped around as he regarded me balefully. He had black hair, a black beard and mustache with his black uniform he squared up to me speaking in his loud menacing voice, "Who speaks to Baron Radcliff of the King's Bodyguard?"

Now I could see the stylized Lion on the cloth over his armor and mail. I could also see his lack of stature. This spelled trouble.

I smiled as I spoke slowly and even more softly, "Hunter Brock."

He pointed one mail gloved finger at me as he said, "Hunter this is not..."

And his sneering expression so reminded me of boss Bill's when he told me of his affair with my wife. I moved all in one motion. The throwing knife stuck in the wood post, near the Baron's head. While he started, I unsheathed my katana, taking a middle guard stance staring fixedly at the Baron over the naked blade.

I heard a woman's full-throated laughter in the doorway. I spared a glance to see a tall women warrior also in black mail and armor leaning on a two handed broadsword. She asked in an amused tone, "Who is he?"

One of the other black armored guardsmen answered, "Brock, a hunter."

She continued in her same dismissive tone, "Baron, the hunter seems unimpressed."

The baron's choleric face now twisted in rage. His hand already on the hilt began to draw his sword from the scabbard. Before he could fully react she continued coolly, "Baron, put that away please. Hunter, may I join you? I am Princess Nadia, niece of King Oswald."

CONTINUED

In Chapter Five