The Bitter Fruit of Home

"I was on my way to the privy-"

"Amina told me she saw something skittering about. You were staying there at the time. She thought it was a ghost. But it wasn't a ghost, was it? It was a tokoloshe."

"Zhura, this isn't possible," Ngo said. "Tell her, Bayati."

I was overcome with sadness as I watched the two women confront each other. All I had was conjecture. The only way I could think to prove Bayati was an agent of the Thandi was to force her to give up her summoning stone. But Zhura had done everything she could to keep her stone, and I had clung so fiercely to Blossom's. Making that demand upon Bayati could only end with bloodshed.

Zhura was fitting the pieces of the mystery together, in doing so breaking her heart asunder. And I had caused it.

"I have always been loyal to you," Bayati said. "You served foreign princes and whores instead of your own kin, yet I loved you. You have so much potential, Zhura! Why won't you use it to help your people?"

The herb-witch seemed to deflate. "If I face Ntoza again, will you still be loyal to me?"

"I will help you to see the truth."

"You have hidden the truth! You stole from my friend."

"Zhura-"

But Zhura turned away. Tears streamed down her face. "Go back to my mother's people. You serve them, since they need it so much."

Bayati took a step towards Ngo, but he backed away.

She grimaced. "Where do you want me to go?"

"Away from me," Zhura said, not looking. "If I see you again, I will consider you my enemy."

"You are wrong to let her go," Talek said. "I will not let her go."

The kukuru tossed its head. Several of Yaro's hunters moved to block the entrance.

Bayati would go right back to the witches, and tell them about all of us. The demon feared the Thandi, just as Blossom did, and for good reason.

"You will let her go," Zhura said to the demon.

What was the just choice? Certainly not to kill Bayati, or to leave her to whatever fate Talek would choose. Nor could the three of us hold her prisoner. Zhura's heart spoke true.

"Holding Bayati was not part of our bargain," I said, quickly, turning to Irri and the demon. "Unless you let her go safely, our agreement is broken."

Talek growled at Irri, and at me. Waving a massive hand, the demon turned and disappeared through the double doors in the back of the chamber.

Bayati gave me one last, sullen look. Then she slid between the guards and out of the hall. I let out a breath of relief.

Zhura's eyes narrowed as she turned to me. "What agreement?"

*

"Oh, I dislike this. Immensely," Zhura said.

I washed, using jugs of warm water and hibiscus oil that Irri had provided. My little room felt cramped with both Zhura and Ngo in it.

Ngo scratched the sparse beard he had grown. "What was the point of us rescuing you if you're just going to rut the demon anyway?"

"Like some unwilling bride," Zhura added.

I crouched in a wooden tray, naked but for a loincloth, and wiped myself down with a wet bit of linen. "Not unwilling. I'd have asked you to join me. You too, Ngo. Talek had two men last night. I've had to listen to the kukuru rut the life out of its servants almost since I arrived," I said. "But given what just happened... perhaps it should only be me."

I was glad to see that Zhura still wore my wards. I didn't think Talek was untrustworthy, but Zhura was more careful than I.

"It feels like losing," Zhura grumbled. "We were going to fight these people to free you, and now..."

"Yaro, Baka, and the rest of them aren't warriors. They never wanted to fight you. We were dancing with them and rutting them two days ago. If not for Bayati's theft, we still would be.

"You are both warriors," I went on, dipping the linen between my legs and under my loincloth. I noted that they each watched me with interest. I had never been unclothed in front of Ngo. Knowing that I was made me shiver. "Both used to vanquishing your adversaries, if you can. But life isn't always about winning and losing. Usually it is about coming to terms, and maintaining relationships."

"You just want to rut the demon," Ngo said. "That's fair. I suppose at least someone is getting rutted tonight."

"Eh, don't think you're getting away that easy," Zhura said to him.

It sounded like a quip, but for the mirthless expressions on their faces.

"I can't believe Bayati was false, all this time," Ngo said. He bent into a corner and sat down, arms around his knees. "She was just manipulating me, to one day turn against you, Zhura."

"She wasn't entirely false," Zhura said. "I believe she cared for us, even if she had secret motives."

"Easy for you to say," Ngo muttered. "She wasn't your betrothed."

"Eh, you're definitely getting rutted tonight," I winked encouragement at Zhura. "Sympathy is worth more than a stack of coins with us."

After I finished washing, Yaro showed my companions additional sleeping quarters. We went down to the hall, where a servant brought food. Many of Yaro's men lingered, and partook of meat, bread, melons, beer and palm wine that had been brought up from the village to feed them.

"Now that you know the secrets of our village you are welcome to return," Yaro said, as we watched the sunset on the terrace. "Your talents are much appreciated here."

Zhura and Ngo still seemed uneasy, and I tried to put their fears to rest. "I am sure my dancing will not be missed," I said.

The headman laughed. "It was quite... vigorous."

"Is it truly like this every night?" Ngo said, watching as one of the hunters embraced and kissed the female servant. "Isn't there jealousy? Children of questionable parentage?"

Yaro shrugged. "It is Talek's influence, and my mother is a wise arbiter. We will miss Keya's talent for moderation too. As to children, we all raise them in common. Who their fathers are does not matter."

"Did I hear someone speak of me?" Irri said, as she joined us. She wore a gown of beige that was cut down to her navel, baring the smooth, dark swell of her breasts. "Zhura, you are a formidable woman. I am pleased that we did not come to blows, and that none were harmed."

Zhura bowed slightly, and managed a polite smile. "It was all an unfortunate misunderstanding, Mama."

"Indeed," the elder woman said. She held out a hand to me.

I walked with her into the hall. "Are you certain that you wish to do this?" she asked in a quiet voice.

"Quite certain, Mama Irri," I said.

"If your womb quickens, the child will always be welcome here. Talek will proudly claim it," she said, conspiratorially. "Even if it is not Talek's."

"I see." Infernals were a peculiar sort.

The kukuru reclined on its side among the cushions in the center of the room, draped only in a red and yellow cloak that cinched at its throat but opened beneath, concealing nothing. For an instant, I wondered that our coupling was going to take place in full view of everyone. Then I remembered where I was.

I shrugged out of my cloak, and sank to my knees before the demon. Irri quietly left us.

"This is your natural home, Keya of Namu," Talek rumbled. "I am your natural mate."

I smiled. "You do not have a natural mate. You are an infernal."

"I have favorites. I do not desire every human equally. There are those that I crave."

The thought of returning to Talek's village was tempting, but not what I wanted to talk about just now. I reached out and stroked the demon's short fur, from its chest and down along its side.

I was reminded of a racing horse, brought as a gift for my father by a trader from the Emirates. Centuries before, when Namu was ruled by the Gujari, Ikanje had been stricken by plagues that felled men, horses and cattle by the thousands. Though the men and cattle recovered, horses were wiped out entirely. Talek had the same thrum of power coiled within its thews, the same sleek coat of mahogany that the racing horse had.

"It thrills me to know that I am craved," I said, edging closer. "But I have obligations."

"To Blossom?"

"Among others," I replied.

"Blossom is faithless and erratic. The creature prefers to enslave humans instead of treating them with dignity. I do not understand your affection for it."

"Nor do I, sometimes."

Talek drew me down, and I stretched alongside it. We kissed. I was overcome by the demon's earthy scent - much more bestial than Blossom, tinged with the distinct fragrance of male and female sex. I was surprised by the creature's gentleness, as its dark lips molded to mine. I expected much rougher treatment.

I was being wooed, and it set me aflame to realize it. Talek's hand ran up the line of my hip, gliding over to squeeze the curve of my ass. In seconds, the hem of my long skirt was rucked up. The infernal's palm was hot on my flesh.

As we held our kiss, the demon rolled me onto my back and began to explore my body. Its thick fingers delved under my tunic and pushed that up. Talek grunted in satisfaction to find my breasts unbound by a halter. Their fondling sent ripples of pleasure through me.

I broke the kiss. "I have wondered something," I said with some difficulty, as Talek continued to caress me, "since I first saw you."

"Yes."

"It is said that Anathe had the favor of a kukuru demon. Do you know of this creature?"

"Some."

"Tell me."

The demon tossed its head, horns slashing the air. "Now?"

I reached down to Talek's cock, where it lay along its massive thigh. "Please?" I ran my fingers lightly along its length. I grasped it and, though I couldn't wrap my hand around it fully, began to stroke.

"Kukuru are impetuous, but once we form bonds, we maintain them. The individual you speak of fathered Anathe. It remained by her side until her death, when it was likely killed as well."

"By whom?"

Talek groaned in response to what I was doing. Its slanted, dark eyes gazed at me with hunger. "Sizwe... Thandi... it is difficult to know. There was much confusion during that time. Kings fell. New ones rose in their place throughout the Nubic realms -- what you call the Hill Kingdoms. I do not concern myself with human politics. Nor should you. They have not served you well."

I was becoming impatient as well. I could feel how flushed my chest was, and how hard the nubs of my breasts were under Talek's teasing. The demon's cock was so thick and heavy in my hand. I grew wet with anticipation.

With a growl, Talek hooked a hand inside the top of my skirt and my loincloth and yanked them down, over my legs and off. I was bare below my tunic, already rucked up over my heaving breasts.

The demon turned me on my side, facing away, so as to spoon me. I lifted my right leg and felt that thick cock push up and over my slit. I groaned as the weight of it spread my nether lips and rubbed against the hood of my pearl.

I licked my hand, sucking on the fingers. The others watched us, Zhura and Ngo standing between Yaro and Irri with cups of beer like they were at one of my mother's gossip feasts. I reached down and grasped Talek's weapon, letting it glide between my dripping fingers and over my slit.

It was divine. Talek pumped its hips behind me, tantalizing me with the delightful friction. My fat nether lips made squelching sounds as they spread open. Talek took hold of its cock and batted it against my drooling slit.

Desire marked the faces of my friends as they watched. I thought that Talek would rut me like a dog in heat, but this teasing was even more exquisite. Though I would have enjoyed being bent over and plowed too, I could endure this much longer.

Zhura was now groping under Ngo's kilt. Behind her, Yaro's hands were under her halter, while Ngo kissed Irri.

"We are provoking them," I whispered.

"Forget them," the kukuru growled, its lips nibbling my neck from behind.

I moaned, throwing my head back to allow the demon better access. I felt its cock slap against me once more, and I trembled through an orgasm.

As I shook through my climax, I felt the flared head of its cock nudge into the entrance of my hole, and push inside. Talek was rutting me.

But not quickly. The demon was bigger than Blossom, and stretching me out was slow going. As my spasms slowed, my muscles relaxed around the intruding monster. Talek pushed, delving deeper with each stroke.

Zhura was crouched down now, pushing up Ngo's kilt to suck his cock. Standing next to him, Yaro opened the folds of his kitenge. Zhura alternated between two hard cocks. Irri held Ngo's head with one hand while she kissed him; the other stroked the herb-witch's bobbing head.

As my body was rocked by Talek's thrusts, I grabbed my breasts. Hefting them from underneath, I could just lick the nipples. Each lash of the tongue was a little dart of bliss, and my wet nipples shivered as the air cooled them.

Talek held my leg up, allowing for even deeper thrusts, the ridge of its cockhead grazing that sensitive spot within me that I knew would make me come again. I threw my head back on the cushions and thrust my hips back against the demon.

I heard groans of pleasure from elsewhere in the hall, and even the beats of a drum. The sounds together blended into a rhythm in my mind that matched our rutting. As we approached another peak in the music, I reached down to rub my pearl and explode in another orgasm.

Though I was barely aware, Talek pulled out of me. The demon piled cushions and then lifted me to drape over them. Instead of being on all fours, my breasts were mashed into the pillows, my ass pointing back at the kukuru like a gift.

Talek pressed into me again. I spread my knees a bit to ease entry. Again the broad head of the shaft squeezed into me, at an angle that massaged that sweetest spot.

Zhura was on all fours, getting plowed from behind by Yaro. Next to them, Ngo sat against the wall. Irri bounced up and down in his lap, her gown piled on the floor, her bare back slender and muscled.

After a few strokes of Talek's fat cock, I began to slip into a haze. All I could think about was my steady march to the next release, and that shattering moment when the demon would flood me with its seed. I trembled with bliss. The kukuru's strong fingers gripped the globes of my ass, holding me in place, reaming my tight cunt.

One of the hunters fed Zhura his cock, even as she was being rutted. Ngo had rolled Irri onto her back. Legs spread, her slim feet twitched in the air. Huntsmen huddled around the female servant, tossing the scraps of her clothing aside. Others pleasured themselves, watching the activities around the chamber. Baka sat alone with a pair of drums, beating out soft music.

Tarek pressed me into the cushions. I could feel my tight sheath clutching the demon's cock on each withdrawal, pulling it back into me. I was deliciously full, so close to coming.

The man Zhura was sucking held her head, swearing as he came. He shuddered, his knees buckling, while the herb-witch eagerly drank his seed. The sight pushed me over the edge. As my cunt convulsed, I felt the warmth of Talek's seed pulsing and spreading within me.

I trembled there, a bit dazed while the aftershocks of my climaxes still rocked me.

"You will need your wits about you on your journey, Keya of Namu. Most likely you will not return," Tarek said in my ear. "Should you survive, remember where your natural home is -- for you and your offspring."

The demon rose and padded over to a pair of masturbating huntsmen.

When I had regained my senses, I got to my feet. I pulled my tunic over my head and kicked off my sandals, luxuriating in the feel of being naked before so many. I took a moment to look at what I had wrought. This could have been a bloodbath. Instead it was an orgy.

Talek's semen rolled down the inside of my thigh.

As much as I wanted to be with Zhura, she was busy with her head between Irri's legs, while the older woman sucked Ngo back to life.

I walked over to Baka, who showed me his crooked smile as he drummed. Behind him, over the terrace, a half-moon rose.

"You look lonely," I said.

"I'm never lonely when I play," he replied.

I knelt, squeezing myself between his drums and his stool. I opened his kitenge, fished out his cock, and dipped my head into his lap. He tasted of salt and maleness.

His drumming slowly stuttered to silence, leaving only the frenzied cries of pleasure by which to dance.

*

We left Talek's tower soon after dawn, following a cold morning meal. Yaro and Irri bid us farewell, but the kukuru had disappeared once more. Baka led us out, under cloudy skies pregnant with rain. Our baskets were stocked full, even with wild honey for Ngo. My cunt still ached deliciously from the last night's stretching.

Baka and Ngo walked ahead, chatting amiably about local game. On the narrow trail, we passed a clearing where one of the rhinos raised its head to munch on low hanging leaves.

"Did you pray to Anathe, to get past them?" I asked Zhura, a few steps behind me.

"Just as you said." Zhura eyed the massive bull, not twenty paces away. The rhino lowered its head and watched us pass. "I'll have to learn more if I want to try to do everything my mother did, but at least I can keep beasts from killing us."

I turned and slowed, wishing there was space to walk beside her. "You know, I was afraid you didn't want me. That you wouldn't come for me."

"I would never abandon a friend," the herb-witch replied. Her eyes flashed desire. "And I do want you."

"I know that now."

"It's... more than that. I love that you are willing to take this journey, even knowing the danger we might face. By all the sleeping gods, I am blessed to have you as my friend, Keya. No one understands me as you do. No one lets me be what I am."

I looked back at her. "I'm sorry about Bayati. She was your friend too, and..."

"If not for you, she would have walked us into an ambush."

"Still. Some part of her loved you."

Zhura sighed. "I should have seen the deception. I marveled that she was so quick and strong. In truth, she was probably holding back to hide what she was. I wondered that she hadn't seen the sanju demon, the first time we met. Now I'm sure she did."

"As you say, Zhura. You would never abandon a friend. Not until her betrayal was beyond dispute. And even then, you showed mercy."

I would be sure to write that into my chronicles.

Baka led us downstream of Kitu, where we crossed and headed north onto the plain, towards the Western Road. "The fastest way west without being on the road," he said, "is to follow the troops of baboons."

The hunter pointed north with his spear. "The road is not far. Occasionally you will spot larger caravans from this distance. Instead of trying to see the road, look for this." Just past his sandaled feet was a small pile of dung.

"There is a path of bent grass, and paw prints here." Ngo pointed.

"Hundreds of troops follow the road," the stout huntsman explained. "They scavenge behind, and sometimes raid the caravans at night for food. Usually they avoid contact with people, and leave the vicinity of the road to sleep in the trees at night. Their trails should skirt the road all the way to Bindi. Just watch for their scat, both underfoot and..." he grimaced, "thrown at you."

Zhura and Ngo said their farewells.

"Thank you," I said, "for showing me kindness."

Baka clasped my hands in his. His headdress trailed in the wind. "I am sorry you did not stay. But you will always dance in my dreams," he grinned. "And perhaps do other things in my dreams."

*

We arrived outside of Bindi after a five-day journey.

Two of those days, we did the best we could not to drown, making scant progress under a downpour. But we reached the border, leaner and stronger. The three of us had also become much closer. We shared one shelter, with two of us in it at any given time, while the third stood watch.