Barbarian World

Mark heard real emotion in Amy's voice as she said "I'm sorry Mark. I guess I'm not cut out to be a crusader."

"No, but you ARE cut out to be a moron. I for one do not intend to die on this world. I look like nearly every other warrior on this planet so I can blend in."

Mark repeated the words "blend in" and then turned to Amy.

"Blending in is our only chance Amy. I have a spare collar, as all warriors are required to carry several. If I collar you and we travel as a paired couple we can continue our work and save this expedition from disaster. Our field work can continue, just not under the guises we imagined."

"Me wear a collar?"

"It can't be as bad as being stoned to death, Amy. They are looking for a shaman NOT a collared slave."

"Oh, God, NO!"

Mark considered all of the indignities Amy had heaped upon him since this adventure began.

"Suit yourself, Amy. As I said, I can blend in. I can kick you off the wagon and leave you to your own devices. Think your "self-defense courses" can best a broadsword? If they don't stone you to death they WILL put you up for auction. I'm the one warrior on this planet who can return you to the embassy and home. Of course, I COULD simply say that you were killed in an accident. Perhaps you were eaten by a ferocious beast or tumbled off a cliff?. No one will have a reason to question my report on your "death." I will go on to publish my work, giving you a very sweet and sincere seeming tribute on the dedication page."

Amy faced Mark, her eyes hot. "Back on earth I will denounce you for your threats, I'll get you kicked out of school and you'll never be able to work in our field again."

"Denounce me for what? Saving your life? Preventing your sale to a primitive? Getting you back to earth in one piece? Those things count a lot more than your umbrage and any 'liberties' I may have taken with your person. Amy, you have exactly five minutes to make up your mind. Afterward either you lie across my lap and accept my collar or get off this wagon. You are no longer in charge of this expedition, I am! Your report on the life of a collared slave will be far more interesting than a collection of shaman sermons would have been."

"Oh, God, Mark, you are serious."

"Yes, I am, Amy. AND I expect full submission to me."

"You can go fuck yourself!" screamed Amy at the top of her lungs.

Mark unsheathed the broadsword from his belt.

"Well I suppose I have my answer. Now get off the wagon or I'll run you through with my weapon."

"Mark!" screamed Amy as Mark's blade glinted in the moonlight.

"I'm sure the local girls will be A LOT more affectionate to me than you have ever been." said Mark as he raised the blade.

"NO!"

Amy quickly dismounted the wagon and gasped as it began moving off into the darkness. Before long it was out of sight and Amy was alone with her panicked thoughts and the frightening sounds of the forest. Following the trail by moonlight, Amy soon lost all of her treasured composure. The realization that she would die chilled her. Would it be a beast of the forest? Would she linger until starvation and thirst took her? If the choice were the "hospitality" of a local barbarian or plunge off of a cliff or drowning herself in the river which would she pick? For the first time since she was a very young girl, Amy cried copious tears.

After hours of panicked walking , the morning dawn revealed a wagon parked at the side of the trail. Warily Amy approached the vehicle. A small native tent stood not far from where the Manta was tied to a tree. Amy sought warmth from the rapidly dying fire. Her sojourn in the wilderness had made her sure of only one thing, She wanted to live. No matter what else happened to her, Amy wanted to see the sunrise. She wanted to return to her own world and she could never do that as a corpse.

A naked warrior exited the tent and Amy tried to shrink away. Then she recognized the man.

"Mark?"

"Amy? Well, you have more grit than I imagined. If you are warm you can leave now." replied Mark menacingly,

"No, Mark. Please don't send me away."

"Are you prepared to take my collar, obey me and those in authority over you without evasion, or equivocation. Will you do EVERYTHING I tell you in order to survive and fit in on this world?"

Amy, bit her lip, stamped a sandaled foot and finally replied, "Yes Mark. Yes to all of your questions."

Mark stood by the door of the tent, sword in one hand. Making no effort to conceal his nudity he strode over to wagon and removed something from a compartment. With dread, yet without surprise, Amy noted that the object was a slave collar. Mark gathered up the object and sat on a large rock by the fire close to Amy.

"Very good, Lie across my lap and recite the oath of obedience and receive your first punishment."

Amy found her feet frozen in place for a time but at last she made the few steps between herself and Mark and threw herself across his naked lap.

"I Amy," she repeated at Mark's prompting, "pledge my body and soul to you, my warrior. Use me as you will, treat me as you wish. Keep me safe, clothe me, feed me, and discipline me and I shall be yours for as long as you desire."

"Very good, you WERE paying attention during Doctor Baines's lectures." After a beat, Mark continued, "I Mark, accept you, Amy as my Possession to use as I see fit and share in any way I choose. I shall feed, clothe, and discipline you as I see fit and keep you for as long as I desire."

The last ounce of protest escaped Amy in the form of a small sob as she felt the collar tighten about her neck. Amy knew full well the mechanics of the device. The clasp was designed to yield only under great pressure, few women, certainly not one the size of Amy, possessed the strength to open the collar. Only a warrior could remove it. Now, no matter how much Amy desired otherwise, the collar symbolized to residents of this world her status as chattel. From this point on, in order to survive, she had to become everything she despised.

As Amy lay in Mark's lap, painfully aware of his current state of arousal, she was surprised to find that the man continued to pinon her arms and hands. Out of the morning dimness, like a lightning bolt, came the sudden impact of Mark's hand upon Amy's soft and sensual derriere.

"This is your punishment for your arrogant behavior on the space liner and on earth. This is something that someone should have done to you for a very long time."

Amy screamed, first from shock and then from pain as her new 'owner" rained blow after blow on her posterior. It seemed to Amy a very long time indeed until Mark allowed her to slide off his lap to the ground. For the second time that night Amy cried.

Mark allowed her to remain in a pile and weep as he struck the tent and prepared the wagon for another day's journey. The sun had fully risen by the time the wagon was completely ready. Mark strode over to where Amy knelt. The tears had left her, but the woman felt bereft, the air of surety and her superior intellect were of no use to her now. Mark, handed her a cloth to wipe her face and a bit of food.

"I have done only what is necessary, Amy." he said coolly and deliberately.

Amy blew her nose, took a bite of the food and stared up at Mark. Following was something she had never done before. She was silent as Mark removed the last remnants of her shaman disguise and buried it in a hole off the trail. Without a word she mounted the wagon and took her place next to Mark. To her surprise her butt, while sore, was not too bruised for riding on the jostling wagon. Scarcely aware she was doing so, Amy rested her head on Mark's arm as they continued their journey. She was soon fast asleep.

Mark reveled in the breathtaking morning ad he drove with the ravishing Amy resting against him. Even on the liner, Mark had noticed how utterly beautiful Amy was when she was asleep. As Mark drove the wagon he took as many opportunities as he could to gaze at Amy. Just as he had suspected, Amy's fine breasts quivered most delectably in the thin manta skin as the wagon bounced down the trail. Truth be told, he had often fantasized her in his collar. He began humming to himself as he realized that this expedition had suddenly become far more interesting.

With the sun high in the sky, Mark pulled the wagon off the road to a watering place. Gently he woke Amy. The beautiful woman's green eyes opened slowly. A sudden look of remembrance and realization soon filled them. Amy pulled herself away from Mark and took a good look around.

"Where are we, Mark?'"

"That should be 'Where are we, Master?'" but I will let that slide right now. We are about twenty kilometers from where we were this morning. Other pilgrims should be arriving soon. We can blend in better with this new group of natives. It is also time to water the manta, get ourselves lunch, and answer nature's call."

Just as Mark finished speaking another wagon pulled alongside heir own. Amy gazed at the barbarian in the drivers seat. Te degree to which he resembled Mark was startling. Like mark he was large, dark, well muscled, and tan. The man stared back at Amy, who did not like what she saw in his eyes. Breaking the intensity of his stare, Amy gazed at his companion, she was blonde, blue eyed and a bit taller than herself. The strange woman flashed Amy a friendly smile and said,

"Greetings fellow pilgrims. May we make camp with you.?"

Amy preferred to be alone but before she could raise an objection, Mark answered for both of them,

"It would be an honor and a pleasure friend, my tent is your tent."

With a giggle the blonde haired woman leaped to the ground and ran to take Amy's hand. Instinctively Amy accepted the proffered palm and stepped to ground herself. That Amy's life would never be the same became clear in the next words she heard.

The blonde woman turned to her warrior companion and said, "Master, can you watch out for us while we bathe? The road has made us quite filthy."

Only then Did Amy notice the thick coating of road dust, seemingly covering every inch of her skin.

"My Master calls me, Janna. What are you called?"

"Amy, I am called Amy" the college student from another world answered automatically.

On some level Amy understood that the large barbarian was a few steps behind them but everything seemed to be happening to someone else. A short distance from the place to water the beasts was a lovely pool of shimmering water. The pool would have been equally enticing on any world in the universe. Amy stared at the water, she could not understand why her thinking was so lethargic. She gazed uncomprehendingly as Janna shed her clothes and plunged into the pool. She splashed for a few moments before rising from the water and asking,

"Friend, Amy. Are you unwell? Do you need help undressing?"

Suddenly comprehending, Amy quickly stripped off her form hugging top and brief skirt and plunged into the very inviting pool. That a barbarian, a man whom she had only met moments ago, stood on the shore and watched the two of them scarcely seemed to matter. The water felt very nice indeed and Amy took delight in watching the grime roll off of her body.

Amy tried to remember who the last man to see her naked had been. It was several boyfriends at least. Amy had gone through a long string of men whom she had found unworthy of anything beyond kisses. Even those had been given resentfully. Amy could not help but notice that their barbarian guard was quite intensely examining her as she frolicked in the water.

After they had enjoyed the pool for a while, laughing and playfully splashing each other, Janna announced,

"We must prepare the mid-day meal."

Before Amy could stop her, Janna had rinsed out both her own clothing and Amy's and thrown them over her shoulder. With no alternative, Amy strode naked back to where the wagons were parked. Mark could not believe his eyes as Amy came into view. Not even his most lucid fantasies could match the glory he now beheld. Amy's breasts were fine with light brown Areolas and sharp little nipples. Her long legs seemed carved from the purest ivory and beneath her taut muscular tummy, the red thatch of her womanhood looked supremely inviting. Mark felt himself stiffening.

Forcing his eyes away, his gaze hit upon Janna. Janna's body was every bit as enticing as Amy's. Her legs and butt were equally fine and her blue eyes dazzled. The hair on her head and loins reminded Mark of the freshest honey.

Doing what he understood was expected of him, Mark had busied himself setting up both his own tent and that of the stranger near the rocks that circled the communal fire ring. Janna threw her own and Amy wet clothing atop he tents to dry and then hurried to Amy's side. Mark could tell that his tent raising activity met the approval of his opposite number. Only now did the two men exchange greetings.

"Rusk!"

"Mark!"

The two men shook hands and carefully appraised each other while Janna, completely oblivious to her nudity, aided a rapidly becoming embarrassed Amy remove a portion of meat from Janna's wagon. Amy followed Janna's lead on autopilot. Much of her mind was still awash with memories of the previous evening, the sting in her buttocks had almost completely vanished yet Amy still felt it in ways beyond physical.

Rusk eyed Mark's handiwork and glanced at the busy women.

"Your female is quite enchanting. Have you owned her long, friend Mark?"

"No, not very long, friend Rusk."

Rusk smiled and said, "My female shall make a request after sunset. I hope it is received with pleasure."

Mark fully understood what would be asked of him later. On the one hand Mark had hoped to be the fist to taste Amy's charms. On the other hand, nothing could demonstrate more fully his power over her and her need to completely rely upon Mark than presenting her to another man for his use. Mark took a long appreciative look at the gamboling Janna, and returned Rusk's smile. He would keep news of Amy's expectations for after nightfall to himself until the time was right.

Mark and Rusk each took turns bathing. One stood on shore while the other washed himself. A warrior never let his guard down for long. Mark could not help notice that naked, Rusk was quite the specimen. Though most would not have noticed much difference between them, Mark felt that the Spikan was stronger and tougher than himself. Mark knew that since he lacked the amount of battle experience of virtually any other barbarian, he could not defeat many in battle. The key to his own survival was to remain good natured and non-threatening. It was not hard to envision being pierced by Rusk's broadsword for saying the wrong thing or inadvertently insulting him. Once both had bathed they began to do more than exchange pleasantries.

Mark was amazed at how well he fell into easy conversation with Rusk. They appraised each others weapons, chatted about hunting, fishing, and the day's travels. Mid-way through their conversation, Mark humorously realized that he had had virtually the exact same conversation on earth countless times, the only difference being that, on earth, sports was thrown into the mix.

Amy followed Janna's lead as the two prepared a meal for all. As it happened Amy had a very good sense of what she should be doing. She had studies the known cooking habits of this world as she had not trusted that Mark would be willing to cook for her all the time. As she worked it occurred to her that their current opportunity far excelled their intended expedition. As anonymous warrior and slave they could fully integrate into the pilgrimage to the Idol of Samduk. All that was known about the pilgrimage was that it involved goddess worship of some kind and fertility rights. Dispelling the mystery would give Amy and Mark academic credibility that simply could not be bought. They had hoped to learn much as observers, but now they could learn far more.

Amy, tugged once at her collar, "Perhaps, Mark's original idea was not so foolish after all." thought Amy to herself. Further, the longer she conversed with Janna, the more Amy realized her own ignorance of so many aspects of this world. With a shudder she realized, that not even under the most ideal of circumstances, could she have passed for a shaman for long. Had Mark not come to her rescue, right now Amy would be either dead or languishing in some slave market. For the first time, Amy had an appreciation for Mark Samuels. That did not mean that she liked him any better or would not chafe under his authority. Amy recalled his recent treatment of her. It still stung. A quiet rage seethed in her, one she successfully kept hidden from Janna and everyone else.

As the four ate, Amy found the meal especially delicious. She had properly seasoned the meat, and everyone raved about the flavor. Clad now in her dry clothing, Amy faced the sunset and truly appreciated its beauty. Ordinarily, pilgrims would have departed hours ago, but Rusk pointed out that more pilgrims would arrive in the morning and that would provide enough warriors for such niceties as hunting and wagon repair. To Amy's eyes, Rusk was not unattractive. Yes he resembled Mark a great deal but he seemed somehow more appealing and certainly, he was far less of a jerk.

The sunset became early evening and Amy warmed herself by the fire. She ate the delicious yogurt of this world. Amy had failed to make on her every attempt in practice but Janna was skilled at the art. Amy paid rapt attention and now had a very good idea of what she had done wrong. She noted Janna dart into the tent where Mark was oiling and sharpening his sword. Moments later she stepped out and flashed Amy a knowing smile. A clammy feeling began to creep up Amy's spine.

"Slave Amy!" bellowed Mark from the tent.

Hating every step of the journey, at last Amy entered Mark's tent. Mark sat in the glowlight of the interior, a smug expression on his face. With a condescending tone he began,

"Janna has sent a request to me from her Master. I am inclined to honor it. Warrior Rusk desires use of you this night. You are to go and fulfill his every desire."

"I'm not yours to give away, you cretin!"

"On this world you most certainly ARE mine to give away as I choose. Have no fear, I shall be a benevolent master."

Amy stared up at the cocky college student in warrior guise. She could tell that Mark was enjoying Amy's imagined predicament enormously. She took in his shit eating grin, his cocksure attitude, and his entire odious being. Amy squared her shoulders and responded in a way Mark was most assuredly NOT prepared for.

"Better that barbarian's bed than yours! I would rather be pawed and used by a thousand barbarians than spend a single night with you doing nothing more scandalous than sleeping!"

Mark's jaw fell. He expected tears and pleading, resentment and at last contrition, If anything Amy seemed to hate him more than she did aboard the spaceship, "And I saved her life!" he thought to himself incredulously. Without a word, Amy exited the tent and strode the short distance to where Rusk and Janna waited.

Janna and Rusk smiled when Amy appeared before their tent. The fact that both were glad to see her made Amy feel better about them and herself. Janna passed Amy with a skip in her step as she made her way to the other tent. Amy stared at the barbarian. The fact that he desired her and had asked Mark for permission to use her, meant that he must find Amy quite attractive. Amy thought Janna far prettier than herself so she was very pleased indeed that Rusk desired her. Amy gazed up at the Barbarian and returned his smile.

His grasp, when he embraced her, was surprisingly tender and gentle. Rusk's kiss upon Amy's lips was hot but not demanding. With no alternatives, Amy decided to simply relax in the huge man's arms. She felt certain that he would take what he desired, a fact that enraged her enormously, but Rusk was not Mark and that made all the difference. But then something very strange happened.