Richard Parker - The Black Horseman

“The boy has escaped,” Arsinol stated, letting his anger rise, which did not bode well for the Massi women before him, but of course, they were unaware of the danger.

“That is far from certain,” Ja answered, his eyes lingering on the naked bodies of the three before him. The thin woman’s breasts were small, really not much more than nipples and he paid them no mind. His taste did not follow along the lines of his King’s, rather his attention remained fixed on the full breasts of the woman in the center. She was older, though far from old, perhaps thirty, perhaps not, but her breasts were large and swayed as she moved however slightly. Her head hung down so that her face was hidden beneath a swath of black hair, but her hips were wide and her thighs had a milky softness which made her dark triangle of pubic hair stand out all the more. Ja felt a surge from his groin. The King would not choose that one, he was sure. Perhaps, with a bit of persuading, she could be saved just for him, after all what was the fun of conquering new lands without a little rape… a little pillage.

“The storm was a bad one, and it seems unlikely that the Londalay could have survived, she being lighter and less able to handle high surf than our large war ships,” Ja said never taking his eyes from the center girl.

“No,” Arsinol said standing; the eyes of the women tied before him rose in unison, hoping for pity, hoping for mercy, but they saw none in his eyes as he picked the horsewhip from the table. “My heart tells me he has survived. I’ve given my youngest daughter to the High King in exchange for the destruction of the Massi. They must be killed…all of them. There must be proof.”

Ja shrugged. He knew the King doted on the Princess Audra, who, admittedly, was very beguiling for one so young. But even Arsinol must admit that he received a very good price for her, beauty or no. Brude’s attention went back to the hanging women and he unconsciously licked his lips, watching as the three sets of feminine eyes followed the whip in the King’s hand, much like a cornered rodent eyes an approaching snake.

“And Navarra will be laid up for at least a month from his injuries,” the King added as he moved in front of women, becoming excited by the fear freely displayed on their faces. “Injuries caused by Massi treachery,” he added then slowly moved behind the prisoners, taking in the pale plump backsides of the two on the left and the small tight one on the far right. He studied that one, hips narrow. His view was disrupted as the young woman, her curiosity and fear getting the best of her, turned to look back at him.

“Eyes front!” he yelled and lashed out at her, the whip leaving a bright red slash across the lower half of her small globes. The woman cried out in surprise and fear, her breath hissing through her lips as the pain began to spread. Arsinol smiled. Yes, she would be the one for tonight, he thought and with the decision made, concentrated the whip on the center woman, and the one on her left. Their cries rang out in the large hall as stroke after stroke fell. Ja watched avidly, as the two attempted to avoid the lash, but their range of movement was limited. There was no escape for them.

Fifteen minutes later they both hung limp and silent, blood running from numerous cuts, most of which were on their buttocks, but a few were on their lower backs and upper thighs. The girl on the right continued to whimper, waiting for the lash to visit her again. Arsinol watched her as she steadfastly remained looking forward. He smiled to himself. She would do. Then he swung the whip just one more time and slashed across her upper thighs. She screamed in surprise and waited fearfully for more, but the King took his knife and cut her from the scaffold. He pulled her out of the room and to his private chambers without another word. Ja waited until he was gone then moved to the women left standing. He placed his hand on the left breast of the woman he favored, lifting it slightly to feel it’s weight. She remained frozen, head down, though he could tell from her breathing that she was still in quite a bit of pain. He cut her down. He would take her from behind so he could see the welts.

“Give her to the men,” he said, indicating the lone woman left standing. The two remaining guards looked at each other and then back to the woman and smiled.

III

Late the following afternoon Tar Kostek ran along the beach with two of his pupils. They were running on the wet sand right at the water line in an effort to build leg muscle. Both pupils held promise, but the younger female, Vio, was a natural, and Kostek was sure that one day she would be the Island’s top runner. Her stamina now was already extremely impressive and she had no trouble keeping up with either of them, even though Kostek was a Tar, which meant proven one, and Krys was the current top runner in Kostek’s quarter. Young though she was, Vio was second and closing. They were not racing for speed now however, but instead for endurance. Vio, naturally playful, as were most thirteen year olds, noticed a large group of gulls flying up ahead and increased her speed, curious as to what had drawn them all together. Krys, seeing her pulling ahead increased his speed as well, a natural competitor. Kostek let them go. They had already made over five miles and he was beginning to tire. No one could out run age it seemed.

He watched from slightly behind as Krys came up along side Vio, but she was not having it and increased her speed even more. Krys matched her. Kostek sighed and sped up as well, as did Vio and soon they were all racing along close to full speed until Vio suddenly stopped. She bent over breathing hard, but was staring intently at something up ahead. Krys ran past her a ways, thinking she was at the end of her endurance, but he had not gone too far before he came up short also. Kostek slowed, but continued to run until he was even with Vio, who was now walking slowly forward.

The naked bodies that attracted the gulls stood out starkly against the white sand. At first Kostek thought that the birds were feeding on both, but after a moment he could tell that they were for some reason leaving the smaller of the two alone, and instead concentrating on the larger body. He and Vio quickly caught up to Krys, who had stopped moving, then they all rushed forward together. The gulls screamed in protest and scattered up into the air. Kostek ran to the smaller body, because it was very clear that the larger of the two was already dead. Vio and Krys came up behind him.

Kostek turned over the body over. It was a young man, a boy really, whose skin was burnt a blistering red, and whose lips were chapped and swollen. At first Kostek could detect no signs of life, but then he felt a very faint heartbeat.

“Is he alive?” Vio asked, her gaze going from the boy to the decaying body of the larger man and back.

“Yes,” Kostek said. “Please give me your water.” Vio did as she was asked and Kostek very carefully wet his fingers and put them to the boy’s lips. There was no reaction, but the Tar kept at it very patiently. Finally the boy’s tongue moved seeking water.

“Vio, you need to run back and bring help. Krys and I will move the boy to shade,” Kostek said simply, looking about for any possible shelter. “Tell them to bring the wagon.”

Vio nodded, looking down at the boy with concern. Krys handed her his water skin, but said nothing.

“Hurry Vio,” Kostek added without raising his voice. The girl jumped in any event, then without a word headed back the way they had come at a strong, steady pace.

Kostek continued to drip water between the boy’s lips but knew that they had to get him out of the sun, and soon.

“Krys, find some shelter, as close as possible. Needn’t be much, we just have to get him into some shade,” he said and the lad immediately set off. He returned only a few minutes later and together they carried the survivor gently up the beach until they reached a tall dune with wild grasses growing on the seaside. At this time of day the height of the dune effectively blocked the sun. They put the boy down carefully in the sand and then each pulled up clumps of sea grasses. They laid them out carefully, forming a crude bed and then moved the boy one last time. Then they settled down to wait, Kostek tending to his patient almost constantly.