Barbarian Bait

The skirmishes ranged in length from a few minutes to what I guess was almost a half hour. Since I could not focus on all the battles I paid particular attention to the little war over my cousin Mara. Even under his armor I recognized the boy as one who had been pursuing Mara rather heavily of late. I'm not even sure if Mara liked him, but he sure liked HER. He must have really sold himself to Mara and her parents to end up as her defender. I'm sure his size helped as well. Bouts lasted until one of the men was either disarmed or incapacitated. Deaths were extremely rare, major injuries common. I thought the boy defending Mara quite overmatched. All he was able to do was hold his own for several minutes but apparently he discovered some flaw in his opponent's technique. All at once he moved like lightning and slammed his sword down on the barbarian's hand causing it him to drop it to the ground. The surprised barbarian uttered a stream of oaths that could be heard for miles.

Mara's ardent suitor grinned broadly, cast off his helmet and received a very deep kiss from Mara. I am absolutely certain that it was the first kiss she had ever granted that boy, and Mara confided in me that she really enjoyed kissing boys. After freeing Mara, she embraced him. When their clinch was over the boy bent, retrieved Mara's robe and helped her put it on. The two exited to applause from the crowd of city folk. The barbarian exited to a torrent of boos and invective from his own people.

Next came the first wave of barbarian girls. When they cast off their robes, the city men roared. I could see why, I thought every one of them was far more beautiful than myself. The line of tall lithe, mostly fair-haired women rolled their eyes at the city men who assessed them as they hung there in their cuffs. To my total astonishment, I recognized Dar amongst the appraising men from the city. Apparently Dar had been completely serious in telling my parents that I was the only girl in the city worth battling for! Something inside my heart broke. Dar and I would have been a perfect couple, we could have made each other extremely happy. Apparently he felt much the same way. Since he could not have me, he decided to try to win a barbarian girl! For the longest moment, I envisioned a life that could never be. I wanted to cry, but I knew that I could not.

I watched, my heart in my throat, the intense battle between Dar and an equally hulking barbarian for a statuesque woman with a lovely face, flowing hair the color of straw, long legs, and huge breasts. Somehow I knew exactly how the contest would end. After twenty minutes of intense battle, Dar's sword pinned his barbarian opponent's forearm to his chest, ending the contest.

The blonde uncivilized woman yielded a very sensual kiss to Dar before he freed her. Their subsequent embrace made me feel the most jealousy ever. He gently assisted her back into her concealing robe before, in a feat of showmanship, he hefted her over his head and carried her off the battle plain to a huge ovation from the city folk and a grudging applause from the assembled barbarians.

All at once it was my turn! I touched Mom's pearls for luck and fell into line with the other girls in my heat in post position order. I was so glad I did not have to be first in line. A referee halted me at my pole. I opened my gown and let it flutter to the ground, eliciting a tremendous roar from both sides. It was much worse than my initial embarrassment of being naked in front of Dar. This made me feel like a side of beef being prepared for butchering. It only got worse when a steady stream of brutish looking barbarians began giving me the once over. It was like I could actually feel their eyes touring my skin. And the things they said! I will concede that some of the men were handsome enough. More than one reminded me a great deal of Dar. My overarching desire was just to get this over with as soon as possible.

Right on time, Tye arrived looking supremely confident. He looked at me winked and said, "Gee, Sis, you look great!"

"Stow it you jerk! Just focus on getting me out of here." I replied in my most irritated older sister voice.

Apparently I was a hot property, five titanic barbarians were on the ground rolling dice under the watchful eyes of a civilized and barbarian referee for the "honor" trying to win me. Three rolls later one of the giants flashed me a very salacious leer and strode to battle circle.

Tye gazed up at me and said, "Piece of cake, Sis."

It is a really really strange feeling to watch two men battle over your fate, even if one of them is your kid brother. I felt like I was observing things through someone else's eyes at the two bruisers faced off. Tye's talents were obvious early. He seemed in total control at the outset, almost toying with his uncivilized opponent and playing to the response of the crowd. I shouted out to him that this was not one of his practice sessions at home or with his fencing instructor. Tye never heard me. Or, if he did, he ignored my advice. This was his moment in the spotlight and he was going to put on a good show for the crowd. I wanted to kick him firmly in the nuts. While making a showy gesture, his opponent seized the moment and slammed into Tye's jaw with the hilt of his sword and fist. I saw my brother's eyes roll white in his head before he collapsed into a heap on the ground. There was a shocked hush from the city crowd and I heard a pained female scream that could only have been my mother's. I hung there uncomprehending as the barbarian loomed into my vision. I screamed and attempted to shrink away but was held fast by the pillar and cuffs. The barbarian took a kiss I most surely did not want to surrender before he freed my wrists and clasped me in his thick muscled arms. I tried to squirm away but I was no match for him. He threw me over his shoulder like a sack of flour and began toting me towards the barbarian side. I stared at my concealing robe lying on the dusty ground and my still supine brother. Barbarian cheers filled my ears and I knew my life would never be the same again. There were a thousand things on my mind but for some reason I mostly thought about my horses, "I didn't even say goodbye to Fig!" Somehow, that was the most crushing thought of that horrific moment.

My barbarian carried me to a tent where I encountered other city girls, all bound and gagged. The barbarian who had won me removed my mother's pearls from around my neck and pocketed them. In short order, I too was bound and gagged and placed on a pillow on the ground. With some sort of grease pencil, he wrote a design of some kind on my back. I deduced he had written his name, or whatever the barbarian equivalent was, on his property. It was then that I really began to cry.

It was several hours later when my tears left me. I knew my face must have been a mess. With difficulty, I sat up and drank in my surroundings. Most of the girls were strangers to me, but a few I recognized. It was very easy to read their eyes. The girls that knew me were incredulous to find me among their midst. Certainly, however, they were not as surprised as me. As bad as my current situation was, I would not have wanted to be in Tye's place. My father's anger is not something you want to provoke and he would be lucky if mother ever spoke to him again. Also, everyone in the city would know of his failure and he would never be able to go anywhere for a very long time without hearing the mockery and laughter following him. His showboating had landed me here, meaning his reputation among the elite of the city's swordsman was forever tarnished. When I considered that Tye was having a day nearly as awful as mine, it almost forced a bitter laugh from my throat.

There was one barbarian in a chair wielding a crossbow In the tent, any chance of escape was impossible. From time to time, a positively ancient female barbarian circled the tent with a chamber pot and helped us answer nature's call, Eventually it grew dark outside the tent and I heard the unmistakable strains of "Evening Has Come" played by all of the bands simultaneously and in perfect harmony. It was always a beautiful and poignant song. The end of the peace fair had arrived. I would never be this close to home again.

The victorious barbarians began tumbling into our tent of captives. I recognized the barbarian who had "won" me. He loosed my bonds and gag, helped to my feet and smacked me smartly in the ass causing me to gasp. He laughed and asked,

"What is your name beautiful?"

"Luz." I at last sputtered.

"Pretty, just like you."

He led me out of the tent, holding tight to me. It had just gotten dark. There was a huge bonfire in the center of the barbarian camp. I was marched over to it. Once I was at fireside my barbarian tore the scanty treflia from my body and tossed it into the flames. As I shivered naked in the dark, My barbarian stated simply, "Your name is all that you are permitted to carry into your new life, Luz. My name is Ruk, but you don't have to use my name until you are comfortable. For the time being I will answer to "Hey you," or "Barbarian."

I did not know how to respond. I just stood there numb.

"You are very very beautiful, Luz, you will ride by my side and share my tent. You will bear very lovely barbarian maidens and very strong and handsome barbarian warriors."

At last I was able to force some words out of my throat. "What happens now?"

"First we ride to camp and feast. If you are an obedient and honest, little girl, by morning you will have earned yourself some clothing. The longer you are resentful and dishonest, the longer you stay naked." He paused, looked at me hungrily and asked, "How about a kiss, Luz?"

I gazed at my barbarian in the firelight. With his helmet off, and not covered in sweat, he was quite pleasant to look at. He had more than a passing resemblance to Dar. I knew my old life was irrevocably lost. I could be miserable in this new world or I could try to fit in. I turned my head upwards and the barbarian's hot lips met my own. It was not a bad kiss. He threw his arms around me and we kissed some more. I thought of my day at the pond with Dar.

"By the gods, I would take you now,"' stated the barbarian to me hotly, "but the rules of fair day are firm."

I and the other girls were led to a line of horses with thickly padded blankets for saddles. Every one of us was as naked as the day we were born. We mounted the horses. Some of the city girls had never ridden before and need help in straddling their rides. The barbarians who had won us pulled alongside on their massive horses and took the bridles of our smaller horses. Facing westward, we were led further into barbarian territory. Some girls cried but most of us were in quiet reflection or simply numb with terror. Despite the darkness, I took a long look at the massive walls of the city, trying to commit every arch and brick to memory. I was still watching when the last of the city's signal fires vanished over the horizon. Only then did I realize that it was a rather chilly night.

We arrived at one of those great sod lodges the barbarians build. It was a huge oval-shaped structure with windows and doors regularly spaced around it surmounted by a roof of straw mats. I'd read about them in school but never imagined I would see one. Sounds of music and bacchanalia emanated from it.

Ruk dismounted and had me follow suit. A barbarian in a leather apron came forward to collect the horses. I recognized a farrier when I saw one. Not far away, I saw a small creek and green fields. I knew that the barbarians were rather proud of their horses and took excellent care of them. I had a passing hope that, perhaps if I was given the job of tending to the horses of these uncivilized people, I could almost be content.

"You ride very well." Ruk told me once I was back on the ground.

I thanked him and was about to tell him about Fig and my other horses when Ruk tugged my arm and we entered the torchlit structure. Ruk's name was announced and a round of applause and loud and somewhat bawdy cheers greeted him. Grasping hands pulled us apart and I soon found myself on the dining table that spanned the length of the sod building. Still completely naked, I was forced to walk the entire span of the table several times while the barbarians leered at me as they ate and drank. It was revolting, but many of the men called me beautiful as I walked past them. One after another all of the captured girls followed me onto the table.

Once we had all been publicly displayed we were escorted to a side table where a feast awaited. We were encouraged to eat even if we did not feel hungry. A tall and beautiful barbarian woman, the first we had encountered, came forward and spoke to us.

"Eat hearty girls, your night will be long. I can not tell you what is in store for you, but I will say that it will be vastly different from you quiet city lives. Barbarians don't want quiet girls, we want loud and proud, independent girls, women who can share their husband's burdens and put up with the nomadic life. Tonight is the first step in toughening you up."

She clapped her hands and a steady stream of beautiful barbarian woman appeared behind her toting wineskins and enticing desserts on trays. They bowed to us and then began filling our goblets. I felt so insignificant and plain next to these statuesque women in polished leather and silk. I noted that every one of them wore a sword or a dagger. Abstractly I wondered if I would, one day, be given one as well. At that point, I realized that I was starving. I reached for one of the spicy fowl that the barbarian's prepare. It had always been my favorite at the peace fair when I was growing up.

While we were eating the barbarian woman who had first spoke to us as a group, carefully studied me and said, "Surely, girl, you have some barbarian blood?"

I told her about my grandmother several generations back.

She smiled and said, "That is why you are with us now! The spirit of every barbarian girl ALWAYS returns to the plains, even if it takes many generations. You were born, girl to ride the plains, feel your blood thunder in your ears and be an equal of any man in bed!"

I stared at her open-mouthed. She lightly touched my cheek and said, "Deep down in your soul you know it is true, girl." Then she disappeared from view for a time before returning with more food. I wondered about her words. Us city folk did not follow the beliefs of the folks of the plains. The barbarians believe in a world where everything teems with life, a fortress in the afterlife for warriors, and that no soul truly ever dies. In the city, we had worship and instruction twice a week

and strived to live right so that in the afterlife our souls could move on. If we failed to enter the afterworld our souls were cast into the pit for all eternity, I had never questioned my beliefs, but neither had I been especially devout. I wondered if the great arbitrator could hear my prayers out here on the plains. Would I want him to?

I looked around at the girls sharing my table. some were still crimson and crying from shame, others tried to cover themselves with an arm or hand while they ate. A few were like me, now beyond the reach of humiliation, we sat naked and unabashed. I had never been naked in front of any other man but Dar. My parents were not as strict as other parents I knew, but they had always insisted that I be fully covered when I left the house. Only on girls' outings could skin be exposed, and that only if necessary. I was not sure how I felt about my current nudity, I was not especially humiliated or overly embarrassed. It was simply a fact of my new life, something I did not have any control over. It was not like I was parading naked down Main Street at home. It helped, somewhat, that barbarian wine is really potent.

I ate until I was full, from time to time one of the barbarian women would ask one of the girls or myself about themselves. Mostly our likes and dislikes. They were impressed that I knew so much about horses. "You are already an asset to your man, young one." a middle-aged but still lovely barbarian woman told me. "He will wear your pelt with pride."

"Pelt?" I asked

"Yes, she replied tonight, after you are bonded, your man will talk your pelt." she stated, not clearing up the mystery at all.

From where I sat, I could observe the men at their table. While most of the men were drinking heavily, the warriors who had won brides limited how much they drank and were much more subdued. They sat in a group casting their eyes upon us from time to time it was as though they were waiting for something or someone.

I realized that is in fact what they were doing when he door opened and a group of people entered. The smoky raucous, room fell deathly silent once they crossed the threshold. Most of them were tall and clad in green robes with olive branches affixed to their caps. There was a beautiful red-haired woman who wore very little and, most shockingly, two blindfolded men wearing the garb of city priests.

A green-robed man wearing elk horns rose his hand and asked, "Were any warriors successful at the peace fair?"

A thundering affirmation nearly lifted the roof from the building.

The men wearing them had their blindfolds removed. It turned out that the two men were priests from the city! I was thoroughly confused.

The elk horned man said, "Husbands, gather your brides."

Ruk and all of the other victors approached our table and extended their hands. Some of the girls resisted. That caused one of the priests to speak He spoke in our direction, trying very hard to not look at either our faces or bodies,

"Brides of the city do not resist! No man knows the will of the great arbitrator before it comes to flower. I can not say why he has allowed you to fall into the hands of the pagan horde, all I CAN say is that it MUST be his will or your champions would not have failed. My comrade and I allowed ourselves to be abducted from the city this day. Like you, we have no idea where we are.

Blinded we came. Blinded we shall go. Even if we could, we would not rescue you, for all the gods, the many of this people and the one of the civilized man believe in peace over all things. Were any man to break the peace, I fear what any god would do to him. We shall not officiate at these proceedings in any way. Our purpose is to bear witness that all of the girls won today are fairly married and not taken merely to be used as low women. The great arbitrator and the many gods of this people agree on that value at least. The great arbitrator will never lift his blessing from you sweet and wonderful girls. May you find his smile and obey his call as well as you can in your new lives."

The beautiful redheaded woman strode in front of the priest, wiggled her body provocatively and stated, "Well said, Padre. Well said."

The priests were led to raised chairs off to one side. They were then gagged and a hulking warrior stood between them with a primed crossbow.

From the dining tables, an altar was hastily constructed. In a daze, I allowed Ruk to take my arm. All of the taken girls and their warriors were soon arranged in two semicircles in front of the altar.

One green-robed figure handed small bouquets of white flowers to each girl. Another robed figure spread salt upon the ground and then poured wine over it. The woman with flowing red hair slipped out of her minuscule clothing and performed the loveliest dance I had ever witnessed while the final robed figure played some sort of stringed instrument. When the dance had concluded, the horned man began to speak.

"Five hundred years ago the people of the plains and the people of the city made peace. Sometimes that peace lies heavy, sometimes it lays light, but it endures. Daughters of the city, tonight you become brides of the plain. You will ride with pride next to your warrior, you will warm each other on cool nights and nurse each other when ill. He will proudly wear your pelt and you shall proudly wear his totem. You will bear fine sons and beautiful daughters, some of whom may, one day, be lost at the peace fair, but the goddess knows her own and eventually she will be returned to us. Now girls take the hand of your man and repeat after me."