My Amazoness from Pellucidar 2 of 6

My Amazoness from Pellucidar Part 2 of 6

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An Amazoness!

As near as I could tell, despite her laughter, she appeared to be almost a textbook example from the MGE. Yet, naturally, there were differences. Appearance wise, she mostly resembled that Site-Engineer who intrigued me so. Back in a place that seemed so far away and long ago then.

She had long black hair, with a pair of long pointed ears that poked out on either side of her head. Her unfettered hair waved in tune with her laughter. On the left side of her head, curled a single twisted horn that bifurcated just before its end.

I couldn’t see any sign of a wing behind her jerkin; which bulged in significant places (guess where), and loosely in others. From her belted waist down, she wore a set of light leather trousers. Her serrated tail poked out from behind them every now and again. Strangely, she held no sword. Only a knife handle stuck out of a boot.

I stared patiently back at her for the longest while, with a frown on my face. Once or twice, during a pause in her mirth. Our eyes would meet and her face would screw up. She’d start all over again.

“ALL RIGHT!” I called out in exasperation when I had had enough.

“Would you please do something?” I finished. For some strange reason, that phrase got her attention.

She stopped in mid-heaving. Then looked up at me with her mouth open in surprise.

“What did you say?” she asked, in what I interpreted to be perfect English.

“I said,” I harrumphed, “Would you please do something? I’d like to be freed of this,…” I shook my hand significantly, as I did, the Fly-trap shuffled its mouth around my hand once, “whatever-it-is!” I finished, and then turned my head back to her.

When I did, I saw that she was looking back at me with something akin to surprise. As I stared back at her, she tilted her head as if I’d grown another body part.

She stepped forwards, until we were about an arms-length apart. She put both her hands behind her back, and spoke.

“That,” She began, a mischievous smile playing on her face, “is a Jiar.” She informed me. Our eyes met again, I noticed that hers were a rich cinnamon brown.

“Thank you.” I replied, annoyed. I was about to say something more, but that was when she rose an eyebrow. At first guess, I’d assumed the words: “Thank You” was something she wasn’t accustomed to hearing before.

“And what, pray tell. Is a Jiar?” I continued.

“You don’t know?”

“I truly do not.”

“It is the tree that bears the flower that holds your hand.”

“I suppose, that is good to know,” I sighed. “But what good does that information do me, in getting it to let go?” I asked, just a bit testily.

“The Jiar is known far and wide as the Jail Tree. It bears, what is known as the Prisoner-Fruit.” She said, as if I were a schoolboy missing an obvious point.

“That is all well and good, Madam. But once again, I fail to see how that is supposed allow me to be freed.” I said, as I did my best to keep from rolling my eyes. My reaction left her perplexed.

“In troth? You do not know how to free yourself?” she asked again, as she began to look to her left and right, suspiciously.

“I assure you, that I do not” I replied. She stopped looking around to turn and face me directly, then stared at me silently for a moment.

“Every jail cell needs a key.” She replied cryptically. Then her tail poked out from behind her back, and bopped me once lightly, on my nose.

“What!” I sputtered, as I did my best to avoid it. But I needn’t have bothered. Because she had turned and walked away from me, straight to my backpack.

“Hey! What are you doing?!” I demanded. She didn’t say anything, she just glanced at me challengingly for a second. Then crouched and grabbed ahold of my pack.

“Oh!” I complained, “A thief eh? I might’ve known.” I hissed. She didn’t say anything in response, other than give me a dirty glare.  Then she stood up with my pack in her hands, and began to fumble at the openings. Within a few seconds, she undid them.

She then upended my pack and shakingly emptied its pitifully few remaining contents, onto the ground at her feet. She then crouched and began poking through them. She seemed to be uninterested with the lot, casually tossing various items aside.

Then she froze. She slowly reached out and grasped at my Rosary, bunching it in one had. Her tail began to lash then, as she swiftly rose to her feet, and then all but ran to me, her eyes flashing.

“What is this!?” She demanded, waving my Rosary around in my face, almost hitting me with her knuckles.

“A trophy of your last kill?” she all but screamed. I goggled at the accusation!

“What are you talking about! That’s my Rosary you’re mistreating! I demand that you stop!” I shouted heatedly back at her.

That stopped her short.

“Rosary?!” She demanded. “What is a Rosary, what is it for?” she asked, much more quietly, but she was still angered.

“I use it as way to pray to the Virgin.” I replied, “Though I doubt you’ve heard of her. The Blessed Virgin Mary?”

 “An adult?” She sneeringly asked. I nodded. “Pah!” she spat. “Adult Virgins are useless.”

“I will thank you to not, disrespect SHE whom I honor.”  I shot back. When I said that, she jerked her head around and glared at me once more, her nostrils flaring. I pressed on.

“Where do you get the notion, that it’s supposed to be a trophy?” I demanded. Silently she handed me my Rosary. Cautiously I retrieved it and let it hang full length. Which made me happy.

Because, if I was going to die soon. Which likely appeared to be the case. At least I could do so with a prayer to the BVM on my lips.

The Amazoness then stepped back, and reached into one of several bags that adorned her belt. And from one, she produced,…what appeared to be her own Rosary?

“What?!” I exclaimed, utterly confused.

“This,” she began, as she pulled it out with both hands. “Is my Jiary.” She finished, and let it hang freely.

“A Jiary?” I began, “What is that for?”

“Like you claim with yours, I use mine to pray.”

“To whom?” I inquired.

“Mara.” She said, one word and no more. To my quizzical expression she continued. “She Who Risked Her Life, to Walk Through Fire.” She intoned.

“Why did she do that?”

“To save the children from certain death.”

“Oh my!” I exclaimed honestly. “She sounds like someone worthy of being honored.” When I said that, the Amazoness’ demeanor changed. Oh, she was still suspicious of me, of that I could tell.

But most important to me then, her hostility vanished as a look of incredulity covered her face.

“What is your name?” she asked me finally, in a softer tone.

“My name? Is Samuel Adams. But please, call me Sam.” I asked, almost begged. She was silent for a moment. She was obviously aware that I was reaching for a connection with her. In the hope that it might just make her hesitant to kill me.

“If I may be so bold? What is yours?” I dared. She looked silently back at me for a long moment.

“You.” She began, “May call me, Maseha’e.” She almost grinned. I blinked. I could see her lips, but I couldn’t quite comprehend what precisely it was she was saying.

“Come again?” I asked, confused.  She gave me an annoyed look.

“Maseha’e.” She said again. Once more, I couldn’t catch it.

“Could I have your permission, to just refer to you as,…’Missy’?” I begged. It wasn’t quite what she said, but it was about as close as I could manage.

She looked at me for another, longer moment. Then she smiled.

“Yes.”

“Can you get me out of this now?”

“Not quite yet.” She replied just a little coldly.

“What do you want?”

“Pray with me, Sam. Pray with me and I’ll not only let you go, I’ll help you to wherever, obviously, it is you need to go.”

“You’ve got yourself a deal!” I shot back, and then added. “Missy.” I smiled. She echoed it. But then her smile vanished.

“I have but one final test.”

“What is it?” I asked, she held up her,..’Jiary’ to my face.

“Take ahold.” She demanded. With a gulp, I did.

‘What’s the worse that can happen? It’s not like I’m deliberately praying to another god.’ I decided. Though to err on the side of caution, I vowed to devote myself to building a church to expiate whatever sins I garnered, once I got home.

“I shall begin,” she started as her eyes bore into mine.

“Hail Mara. Full of Grace,..” she began, and let it hang as she turned her eyes to mine. After a moment’s hesitation. I began.

“Hail Mara.” I began, and swallowed once. “Full of Grace,..” I whispered hoarsely.

“The Lady is with thee,…”

“Uh…” I exclaimed. This was starting to sound just like the ‘Hail Mary’ I’d known ever since my college catechism days. “The,…Lady is with thee,…’

“Profane art thou with women,…”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake! This is Blasphemy!” I cried. To which Missy roughly jerked her hand away from my grasp while keeping ahold of her Jiary. Then she turned and walked away.

“Then rot!” she jeered over her shoulder as she continued walking

“Please! Don’t leave me like this!” I begged. She didn’t stop.

“I’ll do anything! Anything but that!” I called out, but she ignored me, her tail lashing angrily.

“I’M SORRY!” I tried once more. She stopped walking as her tail froze. She looked over her shoulder.

“What did you say?” she asked haughtily, one eyebrow raised.

“I’m sorry. I apologize for giving you offense.” I said meekly.

 She stared back at me for what seemed the longest time. Then my heart leapt, when she turned around and came back.

“Who are you?” she asked,…hesitantly. “That you,…a male, would see it necessary to apologize to me?  A female?” she wondered, as she stared back at me with something akin to,… I don’t know what.

“Well, I gave you my word, and I broke it, willingly.” I replied, and swallowed at the realization.

“So, it’s only natural I should apologize. At the very least.” I swallowed again. She stepped closer to me then. Her face almost touching mine. Her eyes darted back and forth, searching for something in me.

“You’re not from around here, are you?” she said, barely audible.

“No. I’m not.” To that, she stepped back and raised her Jiary once more, close to my hand. It obvious what she expected.

I took ahold of it, and began. I could see the writing on the wall.

“Hail Mara,..” I began without her, “…Full of Grace. The Lady is with Thee. Profane art thou with women.” I recalled, and then waited for Missy to fill me in with the remainder. She got the hint, and continued.

I followed along as best I could, damning my soul to an everlasting fire in the process, no doubt. But I was tired, so damnably tired of being alone!

“And profane is the fruit of thy womb,” I coughed, “Juanita! Unholy Mara, Mother of Desire,” I whimpered. “Prey for us sinners, Now and at in the Hours of Our Orgasms. WOman.” I finished finally. Well aware that I had indeed consigned my immortal soul, to the deepest extent of hell.

When I finished, she smiled. Then reached out and did something to the flower than had ahold of my hand. Which released my now long numbed arm.

I fell to the ground in relief, and began to cry. Bereft.

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“Sam?” Missy asked, as I dried the last of my tears. “Why were you crying?” she wondered. Looking as if I’d done something she’d never seen before. I saw that she was sitting next to me on the ground underneath the,…Jiar Fruit tree, was it?

“I’m tired, I’m hungry, and most of all, I’m lonely. It’s been, I don’t know how long since I’ve seen another person.” I replied, pitifully. She gazed sadly back at me. Then she smiled encouragingly as she got to her feet, and reached out a hand.

“Then come with me.” She said as she reached out an inviting hand. “I’ll get you something to eat, and watch over you as you sleep. It’s the least I can do, for what I just put you through.”

I smiled, feeling a bit heartened, so I took ahold of it, and touched her for the first time. As I did, I felt something pass between us. Something I’d not felt since the first time I touched hands with the woman who eventually became my wife.

Apparently, Missy didn’t feel it, as she easily pulled me to my feet. Not giving off so much as a grunt. I didn’t let on what I felt. It may just as easily have been my over active imagination.

It was an easy enough trap to fall into. Since she was a mighty fine seeming woman. And it had been so very long, since one of those had smiled warmly at me. And not just because of business-politeness.

Not that I was going to act on it. Missy was easily young enough to be a daughter, if not grand-daughter. If the state of her body be any indication.

After retrieving my backpack and its contents, she led me to her horse. Once I arrived, my eyes automatically roved to its hooves. Within a second, I noticed that her horse was missing a shoe.

“So, it has been you I’ve been following for some time.” I stated.

“How do you know?’

“Your horse is missing a shoe, I found one of the nails several days, excuse me,…some time ago.”

The horse was an extraordinary breed. Appearance wise from a distance, I’d have said it was an Appaloosa, what with its white spotted hindquarters. But at 17 hands high, she’d be more accurately described as a Shire.

“Oh hello!” I called out from a fair piece away, upon seeing the beauty. (No I wasn’t referring to Missy). Which got me the attention of both the horse and her owner.

Missy didn’t say anything at first. Instead she silently watched as I made a show of approaching her horse, with my arms wide, smiling without baring my teeth. I kept up a bit of soft chatter every now and again, not really saying anything. Just letting the horse know I was there.

Until I came to within fifteen feet, then I stopped. When I did, the horse looked at me sidelong. One of her ears laid back, listening. I noticed her tail swish once, nervously. Thankfully, she wasn’t flaring her nostrils.

“What’s her name?” I asked Missy, talking out of the side of my mouth.

“Which one?” she whispered. When I turned my head, I saw that she was smiling mischievously.

“Not the one you gave her. The one she told you.” I replied. Causing Missy’s eyes to widen as her mouth made an ‘O’.

“You’ve worked with them before, haven’t you?”

“Yes, I have.” I nodded. After a second more, she answered.

“Pepper.”

“Thank you.” I grinned. She matched it. I turned my attention to Pepper.

“Hello Pepper.” I said mildly. That got her attention. She turned her head to face me fully on. I could feel the weight of both her eyes gazing into mine. I looked away first. “May I say hello?” I asked her gently. She tossed her head once.

I smiled and took a chance. I took a step, slowly of course. She looked at me again and nickered once, low in her throat. That was a good sign.

Within a couple more minutes, I was rubbing Pepper on her head in the spot between her eyes. I had her nickering with pleasure after a few more minutes.

We were fast friends.

“How are you able to do that?” Missy asked, her eyes alight.

“I worked with them growing up, in fact when I was a boy. I had the dream of becoming a farrier.

“Really? Why didn’t you? You seem to be good with them.”

“I did, but as it turned out. I could only scratch out a living.”

“Why is that? Were you a poor farrier?”

“No, there was just too much competition, and not enough horses to go around.”

“That’s odd.” She stated. “Would that we had that problem here. That’s because Pepper here needs the service of one. I’ve had to remove one of her shoes, after a month.”

“What? Really?! That’s not good.” I said, “Any half-way decent farrier would be ashamed, if their work came apart so quickly.”

“Obviously you’ve never met Spartan.” She replied, to which I only paid half a mind. Because then, after hearing about the shoe, I automatically went into operation and had Pepper present her hooves to me.

I was appalled by what I found.

“This is disgusting!” I hissed, my hands shaking with barely repressed anger. “I’d remove all of them right now if I had the proper tools! Why the nailing alone, are cause enough to demand a refund.” I growled.

“I’d not get one. Spartan is the only Farrier in the four nearest provinces.”

“Sounds to me, like he could use a little competition.”

“That would make a lot of locals, happy.” She mused.

“Well tell you what then. If you can get me to a spot with a forge, I’ll do what I can with these. And I guarantee you that I’ll do better.”

“I accept.” She replied, smiling. “After we have a sleep, I can take you to a person along the border, who isn’t actively hostile to Mamono.” She added.

“It sounds good to me.”

And so. My new life began.

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After that, she had me sit down, and pulled out of a saddle bag. What appeared to be a roundish russet potato. It looked good to me. But when you’re hungry, even a cold potato sandwich would be.

At first, I objected, as I would’ve preferred to not use up her resources. She laughed good naturedly. Then she laughed even harder when I told her I’d find a way to eat some of the Prisoner fruit.

“That’s not a good idea.”

“Why is that?” I asked. “is it poisonous?”

“Not in the least.” She laughed. “I’ll tell you later. Right now. Eat!” she ordered, giggling. Rather fetchingly I thought at the time.

“All right.”  I said as I took a bite out of what seemed like a potato, but tasted like a milkshake! I soon gobbled the rest of it down. Upon seeing me do so, she gave me the rest of the bag.

“Try not to eat too many at once.” She warned me.

“Why is that?” I began, in between mouthfuls. “Is there something wrong with it?”

“Not precisely.” She replied mysteriously with an ever-widening grin growing on her face.

I was soon to find out why. Because, after my third one. I felt a certain,…’tightness’ in my pants. A tightness I’d not felt in quite a long while.

“What the,…?!” I exclaimed, once I looked to see if it was in fact what I thought it was.

It was an erection! My penis had spontaneously sprouted to full mast! The veritable cat itself wouldn’t have been able to scratch. It was so stiff!

“Hmmph!” I chuffed, mortified beyond measure. Missy laughed at me then, and laughed even harder when I blushed with embarrassment. She only stopped when I said what I had to say next.

“I suppose this is the point where you’re going to rape me?” I asked. Certain it was so. She stopped laughing and looked at me incredulously.

“What?!” She exclaimed, “Where did you get such an asinine notion?” She finished, looking both shocked and more than a little insulted. Shamefacedly, I began to explain.

I told her about, ‘The Wandering Scholar’ and his works, ‘The Monster-Girl Encyclopedias’ and what his entry was concerning Amazoness. Whereupon, she began to laugh anew. Only this time, harder, much harder. Inevitably, she laughed so long, I couldn’t help but to join in.

Until finally, she came up for air with tears streaming from her eyes. The olive skin of her face flushed with amusement.

“I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard!” she stated, “My belly hurts now, and it’s ALL YOUR FAULT!” she cried as she punched on my shoulder.

Which bowled me over.

“Awk!” I yelped and clutched at my shoulder, wincing.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She said then, eyes wide and suddenly penitent. “Let me take a look.” She asked, eventually she coaxed me into baring my arm.

Sure enough, she’d left behind a massive, and ever-growing bruise upon my arm. She was that strong!

After that, she pulled out a jar from another saddlebag. Then rubbed some of its contents on my shoulder. The pain dissipated almost within the hour, and after the next sleep, just before we started walking, I noticed that my bruise had vanished!

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Even before the first sleep. I had much to learn.

“Sam?” She began, “Now that you’ve eaten, I have to say that you are in dire need of bathing. To be honest, you reek.”

“Oh ummm,…sorry.” I replied. She looked back at me expectantly.

“What do you suggest?”

“There’s a river nearby, we will take turns bathing.” She informed me as she took ahold of Pepper’s reins and began leading her along the trail. I followed.

After a few minutes, we arrived at the river spot. She tied Pepper to a tree, next to some grass for her to graze.

Immediately, she sat down and began to untie the lacings on her knee-high boots. I did the same with my boots. When I did, she looked curiously at mine.

After that, she stood up, undid her belt and placed it atop her boots. Then she began to unbutton her jerkin. While I, by that time had stood up and was only paying half-attention.

It wasn’t until she’d casually removed her jerkin top, that I realized she was half-naked.

“eep!” I yelped, as I turned around rapidly and stared off into the distance, embarrassed.

After a moment’s pause, I heard her speak.

“Sam? What are you doing?”

“I’m,…uh….preserving your modesty.” I whispered hoarsely.

“What?” she asked again.

“Your physical nudity,…” I began.

“Wait!” She interrupted. “I’m well aware of what Modesty is. Why do you feel the need to ‘preserve’ mine?” she demanded.

“Well,…I,..”

“Did I give you any indication that I needed it?” she demanded.

“Well,…no…” I continued. She sighed.

“Sam, this conversation would be a lot easier if you looked at me.”

“I can’t do that!” I half-shouted, “It wouldn’t be….

“SAM!” she shouted. I jumped.

“Stop acting like a Prelate. Turn around and face me! NOW!” she ordered. Slowly, I did as she bade. After a while, I even managed to look at her straight in her eyes. When I did, I could see that she was looking back at me in exasperation.

“No, Sam!” she began, “Look at me! ALL of me. Go ahead, I won’t bite.” She snarked. “Not unless you want me to.” She whispered.

I did, and when I did, I saw that she was now completely undressed. I got to see her in all her glory. Part of me wanted to sing and dance at the sight, she was so wonderful. The other part wanted me to engage in some self-mortification, Opus Dei style, to atone for my visual crime.

After a set of long lingering glances at seemingly delightful spots all over. I forced myself to stop acting like an idiot.

“Do you like what you see?” She challenged. I nodded.

“Would you like to touch me?” she invited.

“Yes,” I began, and as soon as I said that, she took a step towards me. “And No.” I finished quickly. She stopped and gave me a quizzical expression.

“I, uhhhh, it’s difficult to explain.” I tried.

“I need you to be honest, Sam. In all things.” She encouraged. Heartened, I tried to explain.

“What I mean to say is.” I sighed and looked at the ground. “Yes, I find you extremely attractive.” I continued and looked up at her. When I did, I saw that she had a warm smile, obviously complimented. “And I would relish the opportunity to do many,…things with you.” I stopped.

“I sense a ‘but’.” She quipped. I nodded my head.

“Yes,…’But’. I was raised on the notion that a man should only ‘touch’ a woman, ‘that way’, if he is prepared to deal with the consequences.”

“You make it sound like you’re committing a crime.”

“I suppose so.” I agreed. “The main reason being, is that all too often a man departs after he learns that the woman he’s been with, has become pregnant.”

“Ah, I begin to comprehend. If I became pregnant, you’d feel obligated to stay?”

“Yes.”

“Even if I told you, I didn’t require you to?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“My child,…” I began.

“No! MY child. I would be the one to carry it for so long.”

“Even so. I would’ve had a hand to play,..” I stopped when she giggled. “You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do.” She smiled. “I think I understand where you’re coming from. But let’s discuss that later. I’m getting goosebumps.”

“As you wish.”

“Now Sam, this is important. I need you to Watch. Watch over me. The reason being, is that this land is a dangerous one. I don’t know how you’ve managed it, but you’ve been lucky thus far. One can’t always count on luck to survive.”

“Indeed not. What do I need to do?”

“Just keep an eye out, shift your gaze across everything. Watch for anything that stands out, or seems out of place. That is usually the first sign that something is going to attack. No matter what it is, tell me.” She ordered. I smiled.

“I can handle that.” I promised.

“Good.”

I had to admit, it was rather enjoyable watching her bathe. The hard part was shifting my gaze away from her. But I managed.

When she bathed, she used a scoop of sand as makeshift soap. Other than that, she may well have been inside in a washtub.

After she got done, we switched. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to take all of my clothes off at her behest. When I finished, I noticed that she was staring at me in something akin to awe.

“Ahem!” I said, trying to get her to stop.

“Yes?” she replied, not shifting her gaze once as she looked up and down my ancient body.

“Are you looking for something in particular, or are you just browsing?” I snarked.

“What?!” she asked, puzzled, as came out of her trance. Then she smiled again. “Oh.”

“You seemed to be unduly fascinated.”

“It’s your skin, I had no idea it was so pale. She said. That got my attention. Then I realized what she meant. As a white guy, my exposed skin had long since tanned. Whereas my non-exposed remained the usual old-man fade.

“You’re as pale as a tree-grub.”

“I would imagine you find it to be disgusting.”

“On the contrary, I find you to be,…”she paused as she licked the middle of her upper lip, “exotic.” She purred, “In fact, I like the taste of tree grubs.” She added.

“Perhaps we should discuss this another time?” I said, feeling embarrassed by that.

“Oh Mara! Now you’re turning red! What are you? Half-Chameleon?”

I sighed.

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Eventually, I got done washing, and she had me wash my clothes. Big surprise, they were in dire need of a cleaning as well.

As they were hanging from a bush to dry. She had me sit down next to her as she readied a fire for some cooking. After a bit, I volunteered to take over. She allowed it.

After a while of watching me attend to the cooking. She nodded approvingly and then went to set something up. As she did, I observed. She filled an odd looking waterbag, then suspended it over a bowl. Then turned to me.

“Sam.” She began. “I need to get some sleep.” She said, “I will need you to Watch.” She said, emphasizing the ‘watch’ part. “Can you do that?”

“I believe so. How do I know when it is time to wake you up?”

“See that bag, it’s dripping water into the bowl. Isn’t it?” she asked, I looked and nodded when I saw it was so.

“Do you see the marks inside the bowl?”

“Yes.”

“Wake me when the water reaches just above the third mark from the bottom.”

“I understand.” I replied, “I will do as you say.”

“Do you promise? I ask that, because I need you to keep an eye on everything.” She emphasized. I find it odd that she would, but I nodded.

“I promise.” I agreed.

So, without any additional word. She stripped again, and lay herself down on her bedroll. After a moment, she tied a strip of cloth over her eyes.

‘Ah yes, that makes sense.’ I realized, after all I’d done the same myself to block out the Everlasting-Sun’s light.

Everything went well at first. I kept an eye on the cookfire, checking it occasionally. I kept Watch over everything around the pair of us. Looking out for something that might be trying to sneak up on us.

I also kept an eye out on the heavens above, remembering that time an oversized hawk-thing nearly managed to drench me in its feces.

 Every once in a while, I’d look over at Pepper. She seemed quite content to simply chew on her grass. And of course, I snuck the occasional glance at the rather generous curves of Missy.

‘Such a hard life.’ I grinned to myself.

Then, it got interesting. The next time I glanced over at Missy, I noticed that she’d not fallen asleep as quickly as she had hoped. Because it was then, that I noticed that she was pleasuring herself!

“eep!” I suppressed my yelp. Embarrassed, I immediately started looking elsewhere. Anywhere, but at her. I was determined to give her privacy.

Then, just when I thought all was well. I suddenly felt a pair of arms encircle me from behind. Then Missy held me tightly to her ample bosom.

Under any other circumstance, I might’ve enjoyed being embraced by a naked woman of her caliber. Alas, my enjoyment was curtailed by the knife she had pressed to my throat, its edge pressing lightly into the skin above my jugular.

“Missy?” I began.

“Hsst!” she hissed, hushing me. I stopped, and swallowed nervously.

“You broke your word.”

“Uhm, I guess I did.” I admitted, eventually. Sweating bullets.

“Why?” she demanded. I sighed.

“Because you were,…”I hesitated.

“Masturbating?” she said it, matter of fact.

“Yes.”  I admitted, suddenly thinking of her admonishment about her modesty.

She didn’t say anything at first. But then, she pressed her knife lightly into the skin of my throat.  It stung when she did, and I tensed up. After a few seconds, she pulled her knife away from my throat, released me from her embrace and stepped back.

She then sat herself next to me, and held her knife in front her significantly. Its blade now had a sheen of red on it.  When I touched my hand to my throat, it came back wet with blood.

“You’ll heal.” She said when she saw me do that. As she did, she locked her eyes with mine. As she sat there, she lifted her blade and with one swipe, licked it clean with her tongue. I shuddered at the sight.

“Break your word to me again, and I’ll leave you trussed up next to the river. There to be found by whatever happens to come along. Understood?”

“I understand.” I agreed.

“See that you do.” She said fiercely. Then she sighed and relaxed.

“Do you comprehend the lesson?” she asked.  I sighed.

“Hmmm,” I thought, “Perhaps you should spell it out for me. That way I’ll have no excuse.” I replied.

My saying THAT really seemed to get her attention for some reason. She raised a questioning eyebrow at me. Then she sighed, stood up, went over and lay herself down on her bedroll. There she began to make herself comfortable once more.

“After we both get some rest Sam, we will be passing into the Plains of Pellucidar. It is an evil place. But it is the land in which I was born, and grew up in. “

“If by chance, you find yourself in an Amazoness encampment. You will discover that we have no notion of the word, ‘Privacy’.”

“Your ‘Wandering Scholar’ only got half the notion right, when it came to Amazoness and public sex.”

“What your city folks do within the ‘privacy’ of your own homes? We do out in the open. Not because we want to. But because we have to. Why? To keep our people alive Sam. You never know what’s going to be sneaking up on you. Correct?” She challenged.

I didn’t reply at first. Instead, I wiped a finger at my now healing throat cut. It had already started to scab.

“Correct.” I said, humbly. “It was better that you cut me, than some other less desirable creature.” I admitted. “I thank you for the lesson.”

She grinned warmly at me then. I felt relieved. She lay down then. As she did, I returned to my duties.

“Sam?” she asked suddenly.

“Yes?”

“Empty out the bowl.” She ordered.

“Yes, Missy.” I replied, as I moved to do that.

“Oh, and Sam?” She asked, I paused.

“Be careful. I have decided that I like the taste of your juices. I may very well come back for some more.”

“I will keep that in my mind.” I replied. “Rest Well, Missy.” I finished. She didn’t reply.

As I returned to my duties, a sense of familiarity came to my mind.

‘Pellucidar? Where have I heard that word before?’ I contemplated.

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Oh, and by the way. She didn’t get anymore of my ‘juices’ that night.

Much later on though,…

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After she rested, she made me do so. Then, after our respective rests, we took off in the direction of the aforementioned ‘Plains”. Naturally, my lessons continued. She was a good teacher, and I was an apt pupil.

First off, that impression of the Amazoness the Wandering Scholar had created? Ultimately, it could only describe a fraction of their many tribes.

“Yes, there are some of us who act like that. But they’re in the minority.” She instructed, as she followed a trail that I could just barely make out. I followed, alongside her. She had me hold Pepper’s reins.

“So, what are the rest like?”

“It varies from Ring to Ring.”

“Ring?” I asked. She smiled and began to elaborate.

Apparently the average Amazoness ‘Tribe’ couldn’t be accurately described as such. That’s because Tribes, were essentially static. Family members were born, lived, and died. They came and went, but the Tribe remained.

Instead, the ‘Ring’, was more akin to a ring of like-minded people holding hands. Thus, when someone entered that ring, the ring got larger. When they left, the ring got smaller. Simple as that.

Sometimes, the Ring got so large, that it split into two. Thus, two Rings of like-minded peoples, going their separate ways.

Other times, some Rings were short lived. Once the Ring’s goal was achieved, everyone went their separate ways.

Every once in a while. Two, or more Rings, combined.

The rules were fairly much the same for all of them.

“Anyone is free to join, or to leave.” Missy informed me. “But, in order to be accepted. You must have the same drive, or instinct, the Ring you wish to join has. A warrior, for example, wouldn’t fit in well with my Ring.” She explained.

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because the focus of mine, isn’t to make war. Instead we are healers. We gather medicinal herbs and plants, to do what we can to aid those in need. Yes, we sell some of them if need be. We also brew potions for a variety of ailments.”

“So, your Ring has no warriors of any sort?”

“I didn’t say that.” She replied, “Here. Grab my wrist.” She said, as she presented one of hers to me. Like an idiot. I automatically obeyed.

“AAWWWK!” I grimaced, a few seconds later, as I kneeled in front of her, heavily in pain.

“You look good on your knees.” She smiled, then she released me from the wrist-lock.

“whimper.” I replied, as I did my best to rub at my numbed wrist.

“Normally, we Amazoness worship either the God-Ares or Athena.”

“What’s the difference, aren’t they both Gods of War?” I asked.

“Yes, and no.” she smirked. “Brute force or Finesse, respectively.”

“You’re obviously not either” I replied, thinking back to my soul-staining blasphemy she made me do. “You worship Mara. Of what kind of War does she represent?”

“Art.” she shook her head, and smiled at my confused reaction. “Mara is about the Art of Peace.”

“What’s that?”

“One can still fight, but instead of trying to kill the enemy. We subdue them.”

“So, you can turn them into a husband?” I asked, half-cheekily. She chuffed.

“Don’t go on that tangent again!” she cried, giving me an annoyed look, but tempered with a smile.

“No.” she growled. “Once the enemy is no longer attacking you. They are no longer the enemy.” She spoke as if she were saying on often-recited phrase. I should know.

“Besides, we have far more enemies than we have room for husbands.”

“Really? That’s interesting. How well has that worked out so far?”

“Fairly well, actually. Since we’re in the habit of binding the wounds of those we’ve defeated. Then we send them on their way, after they’re healed. Most aren’t inclined to repeat that mistake.”

“Most?” 

“Though there have been a few, less than forgiving folks.” She muttered darkly.

“Such as?” I asked, lightly. She gave me a furtive glance then. Her gaze lingering shortly on the bulge my Rosary made in my pants pocket. (I was sure it was THAT bulge!)

“The Prelate.”

“Who?” I asked, She seemed surprised when I asked that.

“You really are from a long way off, aren’t you?”

“You have no idea.”

“Well, I’ve talked enough for a while. Now I’m curious. Tell me about yourself.”

“So, what do you want to know?” I asked pleasantly.

“What is the name of the land you came from?”

“A place called Oklahoma.”

“Where is that?”

“I wish I knew. I’m not sure precisely where this,…Pellucidar?” I asked, she nodded. “Is, in relation to it.”

“So, what is that band on your left ring finger about?” she asked, pointing to it.

“It’s a Marriage band.” I smiled.

“Oh?” she asked, seemingly crestfallen a bit. “What was she like in life?” she asked. I snapped my head to look at Missy. I was mystified.

“What makes you so sure she’s dead?”

“Several reasons. The first of which, you’ve not broken up with her.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because of the way you smiled when I pointed out that band.” She grinned triumphantly. “Few people can maintain their equanimity after a separation.”

“A valid point. You have good perception.”

“One needs it to survive on the Plains.” She replied. “So, what happened?”

“She came down with a cancer of her uterus. Both of us did our best in following the advice of her healers. But, in the end it proved to be beyond their capabilities to treat.” I finished; her face fell as she looked away.

“Oh..” she replied, obviously distressed.

“Thank you.” I replied. Then I thought of something. “I don’t suppose in your time as an herbal healer,….”

“I’m afraid not.” She interrupted.  “Out of everything we’ve discovered or passed down from old, only one or two do any good. Even then they’re of limited use.” She paused and put a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s all right.” I sniffled, and wiped at my suddenly wet eyes.

“There must be something I’m allergic to out here.” I suggested with my breath getting caught in my throat.

“Would you like to stop?”

“If you don’t mind, I think I need a rest.” I lied, as tears began streaming out of my eyes.

“You’re remembering her aren’t you.” She empathized.

“Yes.” I admitted. And took in a deep shuddering breath. Before I knew it, Missy had embraced me, and gently laid my head to rest on her shoulder.

I needed her then. Not as a woman, but as a comforter. I was happy she was there for me in my hour of need.

Eventually, at an unspoken word, we drew apart. Then we continued in silence for a short while. After about a mile or so, I was feeling better.

“Thank you.” I whispered.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her smile shyly in reply.

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