At the center of this orgy Ship Leader Bazutha lay with arms spread eagle upon soft furs, her defined legs encircled the broad shoulders of a bountifully breasted woman as she undulated to the oral pleasure the woman was providing. Another, muscular woman lowered herself onto the furs from a close circle of onlookers as she delicately kissed the darker tips of her leader's breasts. Her hand glided up to the face and traced the full lips. Bazutha sleepily turned her head and snatched the fingers with her mouth, sucking gently. The muscular one took hold of her leaders arm with her free hand and guided it between her own legs. Fingers probed and massaged; exciting the warrior as she watched her husky companion providing gratification to their lover. The curvaceous one was eager, adroitly utilizing her mouth as she firmly massaged a flexing buttock with one hand. It elicited the soft intake of breath as brows furrowed and full lips curled to a smile of ecstasy from the recipient of the pleasuring.

The animal hide curtain which covered the doorway was pushed aside by a tall warrior with smooth, small breasts and a thick belly, permitting another woman and diffused lamplight from the main deck admittance to the room. Their entrance halted the groups pursuit of pleasure as most turned to curiously view the latest entrant to their quarters. Priestess Shaykra, a short strapping woman with a darker tan, dark hair Mohawk, and dark eyes lined by crows feet walked directly to the ship's master and stood beside the central pile of cushions, furs, and females.

"I see by your expressions you are awash in the …raw lusts of the pleasuring, victorious warriors, please let me not disturb your proceedings. Bahkraine's fire is within you this night; it is your fervor and desires which do her tribute."

Many faces turned back with unbridled lust towards another and continued their hedonistic pursuits with zeal. The burly priestess adjusted her stance, shifting her weight to her right leg for support as she serenely stood and bore witness to the proceedings with a mask of disciplined calm within the rising warmth of the room. She stood impassive as pelvises ground and moans issued from lips eager for another. By custom and decree of their demigoddess Queen Ithokura the Priestesses of Bahkraine were forbidden to openly consort with lesser castes such as warriors. However, It did not mean they could not take lovers in private nor enjoy the spectacle of their followers lusts.

The priestess patiently waited and watched the women at their carnal exercises with practiced bland expression. One or two of the naked warriors approached her with wild lust in their eyes and a hand ready to pull their next would-be lover to the floor. Each time the priestess deflected their advances and firmly guided them to another who would accept them.

Forgetting her place and drunkenly lost in her lust, one fat bottomed participant became insolent, finding the gentle rebuff of her advances towards the holy woman unacceptable. She pounced from behind; clasping both hands upon the ample mounds of the priestess as she straddled the woman's left thigh with an ecstatic leer and the scented breath of Bahkrain's Nectar. Her enjoyment was brief as the priestess twisted out of the warriors grasp and placed her in a tight chokehold. At first the warrior chuckled, not immediately realizing the effect of the embrace the priestess had upon her as she mistook it for something else. Soon her predicament became evident to the warriors inebriated awareness as she registered the extreme tightness upon her throat and lack of breath. Hands raised and pulled at the limbs of the priestess' to pry loose the hold, but to no avail. Moments later the woman's insentient body was tossed aside to thump upon an open sleeping area.

Ship leader Bazutha noted the altercation dreamily as three of her warriors writhed with her in heated sensuality. The rhythm of the robust warriors head at her crotch. increased as newfound feeling washed over her frame. Minutes flowed in this pleasurable sensation until its finish with a slight shuddering. The thickset woman arose with a sleepy eyed smile of contentment as another older woman with rosebud lips delivered a deep soul kiss. As this occurred their leader twisted her head sideways and looked to her priestess with upraised eyebrows. The priestess's face remained unmoved but her eyes darted towards the entryway to signal need of a private conference. She acknowledged it with a slow blink as a third girl nibbled at her ear playfully and groped at a breast.

Bazutha reluctantly detached herself from her lovers and clothed herself in the leather and cloth uniform denoting her station. A gesture signaled the others to continue .

"Could it not wait till morning Shaykra?" ; queried the ships leader.

I would not intrude if it were not important, Bazutha and these details need to be addressed lest we find more troubles on the morrow.

"Then let us find better surroundings above deck then for thoughtful contemplation. Bahkraine's sensual fire still effuses my being and drives me to dive onto another warrior and partake of her pleasuring. This cabin holds too much temptation."; the Commander said huskily.

The priestess and ship leader stepped through the leather curtain and left the shadowy confines inside for the overcast night sky outside. They walked up a three step set of inset steps and looked across the long length of the top deck of the ship. A handful of warriors rose to stand at attention on deck.

The duo moved to the front of the ship where a young girl stood watch. Bazutha silently signaled the warrior to leave, and was promptly obeyed. Her subordinate scampered towards another position further along the ships length to join another in their vigil. The ship's leader stood at the edge of the ship and looked out into the dark choppy waters and inhaled heavily for a few moments.

This is about our provisions, isn't it priestess?

The elder woman cast a glance along the length of the ship to assure that no others would hear their conversation.

Yes, It is. The Amyrran vessel only provided enough supplies for three or four more days. There are just too many mouths to feed and not enough to sustain our journey back to Ahmyrran, even if our slaves are neglected further. As to that matter our slaves are in grave condition. As it goes another eight slaves will have to be tossed overboard for they are too weak to serve. Sickness is beginning to strike others. Our priority, therefore, should be the re-supply of our stores before weakness and hunger strikes our warriors. As they are already on half rations I would not be surprised to find some, who have not yet complained, to be weakened so.

I have meditated upon this dilemma; praying to our goddess and her daughter, our holy queen for wisdom. By divine inspiration I looked over the maps we had taken from the Amyrran and have found the closest point for gathering supplies to be a chain of isles a day or two more along our present course.

There is nothing closer?

Nothing for possibly two weeks if the scale of the maps are accurate. I do not count it so. As you know our own charts do not cover this region well. Each navigational bearing of their maps are ciphered so as to keep others from using such lore without knowledge of their key. I've yet to decipher the code. The chase of these Amyrran heathen have placed us in a dire predicament daughter of the hosts. Thankfully they have indirectly guided us in a direction whereupon we may escape its disastrous consequence if we but follow their present course.

As to these isle's there is a strangeness. The notations on it are more than the standard few lines of script. The inhabitants, if there are any, could be allied, an Amyrran Colony, or even another city state we have not met yet. Caution should be therefore applied to their approach.

Sage advise, holy woman. I shall order three full contubera aboard the smaller vessel. With its greater speed they should arrive sooner that this ship to our destination. They shall be tasked with the goal of seeking food, supplies, and information on these isles. If there are allies there, then the prize ship may be expected and provide some surprise in a fight. If the enemy is stronger they can come back to us and an appropriate strategy can be devised.

The elder woman nodded approvingly, and smiled. Yes, Bazutha your wisdom is sound. Yet it is wise to not count on their success alone, so I need of at least two of your warriors for the purpose of torturing the Amyrran sub-commander and learning the secret to the code. Granted, it may take some time, but under Bahkraine's favor we may see her broken within days."

Bazutha casually raised her right hand towards the priestess, palm up with her left hand pressed into the soft trace of her left breast upon the cloth shirt she wore; a sign of presentation for acceptance by Shikhatta custom. You may have whatever you require to extract the information, priestess. I, as my warriors, depend upon your guidance and are nourished by your continued presence.

-----

The captured ship slid upon the sand with a loud crunching hiss as several near bald amazons of Shikhatta, adorned in the traditional reddish leather armor which guarded shoulders and protected lower abdomen and crotch, leaped off the sides and ran up the beach with scimitars and shields at the ready. Their half naked bodies glistened with effort in the hot afternoon. Bare breasts bobbed with each exertion and their dark pony tales of hair which began near the back of their sweating bald shaven heads, whipped about as they ran. Two that leapt from the fighting ship secured ropes to boulders buried in the sand higher up on the beach.

The ship was firmly set until the tide rose, dug into the sand by the impetus of its arrival. Onboard, its leader surveyed her warriors from the front of the ship as they monitored the slaves working to secure the rigging. She stood tall among her own kind with a thick, ornate headband making her moreso. Her thin frame and sparse curves of her body further accentuated her height. A small scar along the cheek and upper right arm gave evidence of her experience in battle. A greatly decorated shield and scimitar made the fact of her leadership and skill more evident.

Two groups of amazon formed themselves along the left side as other warriors directed two or three malnourished slave women each in the tasks of securing the ship. When finished their charges received a scrap of food and water they hurriedly ate before they were directed below decks to wallow among the other slaves.

The small ships appointed leader strode to the two assembled contubera of twenty four women as the last of the slaves finished their tasks and were sent below. She walked before their lines looking over the women she had been assigned. Each stood straight; eyes forward with right hand upon the pommel of their scimitar and left upon the haft of the sheath. She stopped at intervals to scrutinize the female before her, then continued on satisfied.

"Today,"; she began curtly, "we serve not only our goddess, our holy queen and her people, but our fellow amazon by appropriating supplies from this isle. Our sword sisters are dependant on us to gather these provisions in preparation of their arrival! This is my wisdom, my sisters; two contubera shall travel into the isle before us by two separate paths, hunt the game that can be found, and find fresh water. You will be allotted the best tended of our slaves with which to carry your prizes. Our third group shall remain to set camp and stay with this vessel until your return."

Know that time is of the essence. Return here in three days with what you have gathered. Sooner if you hunt well and game is plentiful. If you find any sign of habitation, which is a possibility I've been informed of, return with a prisoner for questioning if feasible.

Two amazons with less ornate headbands separated themselves from the throng of warriors and bowed silently, eyes cast towards the deck. Swiveling smartly, they stood at the head of each row and silently awaited assignment of the slaves for their task. A large group of hairless nude slave women were lead above decks by the prods of their overseers below, split into two groups, and directed to either leader. After looking over their charges both bellowed orders to disembark.

-----

The full contubera of warriors from the Shikhattan warship advanced deeper into the isle in double line, following the natural curving trail through the dense vegetation. Around them a multitude of wild clinging vines embraced broad trunk, thin barked trees that towered above the flora. A leafy canopy provided by their high branches overhead opened sporadically to allow in smoky streams of sunlight to spots among the diffused green shadow land of the immediate area. The high dipping caws of multi-plumed birds, the loud droning buzz of insects, and the rare shoof of small animal movements provided a backdrop of noises for the amazons to discern. To the Shikhatta amazon warriors it was a strange world they were unused to as their lands were primarily made up of grassy plains and rolling hills, but one they faced with little unease.

Two warriors roughly five meters from the main body silently moved ahead with scimitar in hand, scouting the small trail for sign of game or possible threat. Dark eyes scanned the foliage with an intensity of purpose. The main body of ten warriors followed quietly, four with short bow strung and arrow ready; letting fly with an arrow rarely when small game made itself known. But the green tangle made it difficult to hit the small beasts as it snagged the shafts with an errant branch moved by a warm gust of wind or the quick duck to cover of an alert creature. Still, the huntress's did gain food by their efforts, their shafts slaying or severely wounding that which would feed the large host of warriors back upon their warship.

Between the group traveled eight haggard nude slave women; identified as property of the Shikhatta temples by their hairless head and crotch and the dyed symbolic mark just above the cleft between their legs. In pairs they carried the ships water casks by means of slightly bowed poles atop their shoulders with sacks within to fill with fruit and game. At a sign by one of the warriors two would place their container on the ground and scramble off to retrieve the carcass and returned scant seconds later to place the prize in a sack for later dressing.

Their leader stood at the front of the foraging party, shaven bald as her warriors with a braided tale of dark black hair that hung down to her lower back. Her headband possessed the single carved ivory horn of leadership. Dual parallel scars ran down the left side from her pate down to the notched ear to distinguish itself among a host of near indistinguishable battle scars of this veteran. Wide set dark brown eyes, thick nose and firm square jaw along with a thick neck gave her more of a brutish look than her sisters. The typical ring of crimson leather adorned her shoulders. An athletic trunk with smooth rounded bosom rippled with defined muscle that lent no question to the strength of the warrior. Unlike her unit's arms the leader had a long bladed weapon in a sheath hanging along her left thigh; a Kurosh she had won in battle from an Amyrran enemy. In her left arm she held the atypical square shield. Thick legs propelled her on through the green as her foraging unit followed.

For hours the group moved inland from the beach, marking their trail for its return by cutting small marks into the trunks of trees. The humidity and heat of the area kept them slick with sweat and casting eyes towards the small water container they shared. They traveled till mid day, then rested for a short time and carefully consumed a portion of the sparse rations they were given from what remained of the ships stores. After a short rest they continued, driving deeper into the isle for signs of plentiful fresh water and larger game.

About mid afternoon the warriors on point called for a halt at something they discovered. Their leader and one of her warriors moved to quietly join the two ahead. They gathered at a small hillock topped by the huge stump and fallen rotting trunk of a tree, craning their heads over the remains carefully. From this point was spread a gradually declining emerald carpet of low foliage and brush running to the edge of a deep and moderately long gorge that split the land to their left and right. Beyond this, the burgeoning mist shrouded greenery could be seen rising gradually into a valley between two prominent rises within a small range of mountains.

The two scouts pointed to the item that gained their notice and looked to their leader for comment. Her dark eyes followed what they had assumed a natural trail they had been pursuing then rested upon the first sign of civilization they had come across thus far; a crude rope bridge that spanned the natural divide.

"Have we any sign along this trail of recent use?", questioned the veteran warrior calmly as she scratched her left arm to sate an itch.

None, Unit Leader, but as you can see by the clinging vines at the base of this side of the bridge it has been there some time and endured no activity. I would guess nothing short of an animal has been this way for at least a few months.

Their commander looked to the setting sun for a moment, then nodded.

We must make sure that is so before settling. You three advance to the bridge and check its durability and the surrounding area. The rest of the contubera shall join you there, provided you have nothing to report. We shall make camp near the ravine and cross tomorrow. Check it for signs of water, I am certain if we follow either the trail or ravine we should find fresh water.

All three nodded acknowledgement and drew their scimitars as they returned to the trail and made for the bridge. Their walk was as uneventful as the passing day had been, with no surprises upon their arrival. Examination of the immediate area provided verification of a lack of activity and the discovery that water was not to be found within the dry gulch.

-----

The night was hot and humid as the foraging party rested from their day's travel. The quarter moon beamed down from the sky as shadowed creatures took flight with strange bird calls and disappeared from view. Drifting clouds made luminescent by the soft play of light exuding from the sky borne body traveled slowly. The buzz of insects and the rare call of unknown beasts sounded from the surrounding darkness made sinister by unfamiliarity.

The camp itself was quiet save for the sound of the crackling wood coming from its primary source of light. Placed a few meters before the foot of the rope bridge and just off a clearing of the natural trail a fire burned from a shallow pit. The nude forms of the slave women rested huddled together upon a trampled area of grass nearest the fire, just a few meters from the ravines edge. Deep shadows made detail impossible to discern of their bodies. Beyond lay most of the remainder of the party. Soft thick earth tone bedrolls that earlier served as prayer mats in their evening ritual to their goddess Bahkraine were laid out upon the ground in even spacing in a crescent formation from the pit. All but four were occupied by Shikhatta amazons sprawled upon their open sleeping pads slumbering. On rare occasion snores could be heard drifting up from the small group, tapering off with a grunted roll and shift in position for better comfort that did not last.

Four stood watch at points surrounding the camp. One paced between the fire pit and the foot of the bridge. Another stood back along the first rise in the trail they had originally come down. Between these two positions and furthest out from the main trail a third watched from a small hillock topped by a fallen trunk. Closer in to the camp and placed between the amazon nearest the bridge and the one positioned at the trunk a fourth sat in the crook halfway up a split trunk tree that reached four and a half meters into the night sky.

Near the center of the encampment quiet desperate slaves lay with open eyes whispering of a risky hope of escape. Hidden by shadows and the huddle of their bare bodies the hint of their plotting went imperceptible to their overseers.

"I tell you this is the best chance of escape I've seen in the years of slavery I've endured. They are weakened by lack of food, unfamiliar with this place, and will not be able to give chase safely till morning.", stressed a blue eyed, wide jawed, girl vehemently.

"Your asking us to flee into the dark jungle without clothing or any idea of what lies beyond, but I'll take that chance for the opportunity to fight along side you." hissed a thin dusky skinned woman with a thin scar separating her left eyebrow. Dark brown eyes deep in shadow burned in eager anticipation of the bloodletting. Weakening hunger had not quelled this woman's thirst for freedom and vengeance.

Just remember that our escape hinges on our being able to get over to the other side of the rope bridge and not staying to fight all of them. If we put down that guard by the fire immediately then we have a good chance of success.

"I will not partake this crazy scheme!" whispered another girl with fear etched into her thin nosed haggard face; soft blue eyes nervously looking towards the guard by the fire. If you want to risk your life then I will do nothing to stop you, but I believe these zealots will thwart your attempt. They are much healthier than us even if they eat much less now. Each will die happily to recapture and kill you slowly for this rebellion to their will.

The leader let her blue eyes roll around the shadowed emaciated faces of the small band of slaves and paused a moment in thought. She had hoped that all would flee with her. This group was the hardiest of the picked slave women from the overcrowded hold of the Shikhatta warship. Some she knew for a short time since her placement as rower aboard the warship; others for longer as they had survived other assignments together. She should have considered that a few would lose hope over time and would remain docile to their mistresses. But there were others such as the erstwhile slave girl that she could count on to fight until their last breath for the promise of retribution and independence.

"I will not begrudge a woman her choice."; she said calmly. We face a horrible, lingering death if we fail and are recaptured. I for one wish to gamble on our success, rather than languish in the possibility of failure. Tis better I die sudden than toil to the crack of a whip, endure another rape session with their men, or birth another babe to their service. So I put it to you, who shall join me in freedom whatever its form?

Smiles and nods came from six that wished to leave with her. The two who would not join in the attempt shifted slowly to move closer to each other and huddle in fear of what was to come. Both attempted to sleep as the others watched their overseers and made ready their escape.

As the quarter moon drifted across the ebon canvas of night the slave women worked slowly and carefully on digging into the soft earth in the center of their huddle in search of rocks to be used as weapons. One among them was chosen to remain watchful of the sentinels and give silent warning to halt the activity if anything suspicious arose that made detection possible. She did so several times as the evening progressed. The effort produced two fist sized rocks without their overseers knowledge.

By this time the guards of the first shift had fulfilled their duty and joined the rest of the group in slumber as another four replaced them; watching with placid expression for dangers to the band. A wide mouth woman in her early thirties with thin gangly frame and small cleavage sat hunched between the fire and the bridge facing the ravine with a hand upon her short spear and shield. Yards back along the path from her and the bridge another woman with broad shoulders, large drooping breasts, and thick torso and wide hips stood looking back along the trail they had come. She held her short spear and shield casually; allowing it to dangle lengthwise along her right thigh. The third sentry placed off the trail on a rise was a woman in her late twenties with wide shoulders and teardrop shaped mammaries on an athletic frame. This one sat upon the thick trunk of the fallen tree and looked towards the dark forest paralleling the trail further back from their clearing; keeping her unsheathed scimitar in her lap and her shield and throwing spear at the base of her seat. The fourth warrior, a diminutive girl in her late teens with pert rounded breasts and defined abdomen, relaxed in the crook of the tree overlooking the crescent formation of sleepers holding her short bow close to her bosom. A large light crimson stained leather quiver swung along a branch just above her.

Six nude slaves adjusted their sleeping poses, rolling slowly to their hands and knees low to the ground, following their blue eyed leader's movements. She handed the darker skin woman a rock, keeping the other for herself. Mouths went dry as a nervous fear pervaded the tense moments between action with the realization of the dire risk they faced. The leader rose to a crouch with set expression of determination and signaled the others to move forward quickly.

The guard nearest the bridge sat hunched over with slightly bent, wide spread legs as the glimmer of the campfire light coming from her left flowed over her form. Her left hand rose to touch her braided tail of hair at its base near the back of her head and pulled it forward in habit to hang over her bosom and dangle to her gut. She looked out to the other end of the rope bridge and wondered whether the movement in the shadows was again just the vegetation stirred by wind or something more. Her reverie halted as she became aware of motion out of the corner of her eye and instinctively reached for her weapons. As one, three slaves leapt upon the seated amazon and grappled. A crouching almond skin slave girl wrapped a thin muscled left arm tight about the sentry's throat. A brown eyed slave girl with thin aquiline nose dropped to keep the legs of the Shikhatta constrained. A tall slave with dark rings under her eyes joined the fight by holding their victim about the lower arms and torso. Their victim responded with gritted teeth squirming against her naked captors in hope of breaking free of their hold. Around came the blue eyed leader to stand before the guard with clenched jaw. With a fist sized stone in her right hand she swung in a low wide arc; striking the left side of the warriors temple with a soft thwuck. The bare head jerked and rolled to the left. Eyes glazed in shock as the Shikhatta exhaled; stunned at the pain. Blood flowed along left side of the face and neck from the fresh cut of the strike and splattered along the circular crimson shoulder armor.

The remainder of the group passed the held Shikhatta and cantered lightly towards the swayed rope bridge with its promise of freedom as the blue eyed leader stared at their captive. In a breath the rock was dropped, the warrior's scimitar dangling from its scabbard unsheathed, and its bladed edge placed upon the Shikhatta's exposed throat. With a motion the blade sliced crosswise smoothly and the severed jugular spewed hot blood as the other escapees released the guard. The gangly sentry fell back with a wet gurgle and weakly reached for her throat as amber liquid ran in rivulets down the upper torso with each spurt. Dropping back to the ground, the hands settled weakly upon the shoulder and slashed throat as her face relaxed with half lidded eyes.

A hazel eyed slave in the second group with several old scars along her back quickly bent down to retrieve the short spear and curved knife left by the Shikhatta sentry with an eager grin while her leader retrieved the shield. Rising to a crouch and holding her weapons casually, she began to back away from the dying body and towards the bridge as the rest moved to do likewise. Her eyes shifted to activity in the camp and locked upon the warrior girl in the crook of the tree.

The Shikhatta was glaring slightly agape at the sight before her; a slain sister with several slaves slinking away towards their freedom. She raised and placed her hands onto the trunks to each side of her and hauled her body forward to rise to her feet.

The slave, realizing something had to be done quickly before the alarm could be sounded, hefted her short spear to shoulder and took a breath before digging her heals in readiness.. The scarred woman aimed and threw her shaft expertly. It flew; bending and shaking slightly as it followed its arc towards its intended target. The young Shikhatta scantly had time to note its flight and consider her actions when the pointed shaft's tip pierced just below the sternum and drove itself in deeply. The amazon youth was knocked from her perch, falling back upon thick bramble a little less than a meter beyond the base of the tree with limbs splayed outward. Thicker branches drove into the warrior's back with multiple snaps as she landed, insuring her death with their jagged penetration.

"One at a time quickly, or we all die!" Whispered the blue eyed slave leader still holding the bloody blade as she joined the group at the bridge. "I'll hold off the these fanatics if they note us to allow the rest of you time to cross."

"No!"; growled the dusky girl, "You go with the others. Ill take your place to cover our escape. I have fought in the pits for the entertainment of the depraved citizens these savage warriors serve, it is about time that skill be used for something better! Have you that experience?"

They both locked stares a second. Then the slave leader, realizing argument would be useless and time consuming, nodded and handed her scimitar to the other. She pushed the thin nosed slave woman forward to prompt her to cross. The dusky slave smiled as she shifted her grip on the scimitar to hold it with both hands and awaited the camp to come fully to life.

A sudden warbling warcry pierced the night, stunning all with its strength. Warriors awoke with a reactive jerk and sleepy-eye dumbfounded looks as they sat up. The startled slaves turned to see the stocky sentry positioned further back along the rise of the trail running towards them with short spear and shield in hand. Her large boobs flayed about as she closed, bloodlust and wide eyed fervor set into her squarish face. Further back in the darkness the last of the four watch women could be seen turning towards camp as she grabbed her weapons as well.

The hefty Shikhatta was first before the earnest defender; beginning with a thrust that was aptly dodged. A swing of the slaves scimitar clanged off her wood shield. She feinted another thrust, then followed with a straight armed sidelong slash which produced a thin slash bleeding along her adversary's shoulder. The darker skin woman backed away with a start as the Shikhatta smiled in growing elation of battle and the knowledge of first blood. The two shifted and moved, utilizing weapons with matched skill; beginning a deadly dance of naked blade and flesh as the second sentry joined in with her scimitar.

The rope bridge was triangular shaped with two thick length ropes covered by a thin walk made up of bamboo at its foot and one support rope higher up. Interspersed at equal lengths were taunt lines that both secured the three main ropes and provided places to grip for guidance and security. At her leaders prompting a woman began to cross nervously with wide-eyed awareness. As she strode the bridge began to sway and buck to her movements, slowing progress slightly as she took care to be sure of her footing. Within the deepening darkness below she could barely make out the gorges bottom, but it was certain a fall meant death. The tall girl with dark circles under her eyes followed the first slave onto the swaying span when the other was halfway across, setting the jarring buck and swing of the bridge to a stronger level. Her movement was sporadic but progressive as the blue eyed leader waited for her to reach the middle of the bridge and then followed suit.

By now the encampment was fully aware and was making ready to face the escapees. Their unit leader had just risen with her Kurosh in hand, assessing the situation with a characteristic scowl. A simple set of gestures from the veteran directed the female force against the fleeing group of slaves. Her eyes narrowed as she assessed the distance between the length of the bridge and the tree her last archer had occupied. Another motion of the scarred veteran sent a broad shouldered warrior with sloped breasts and muscular limbs up the tree to replace the previous occupant.

Near the base of the bridge the former gladiator remained to defend her fleeing companions; exchanging and avoiding the strokes of the two warriors with serious determination on her face. From her wound blood still trickled to mix with the sweat and grime of her body. She had little opportunity to staunch its flow. Her opponents continued to rain blows upon her with increasing ferocity. For them wounding the slave proved difficult. Each swing and thrust found a raised shield or curved blade deflecting their weapons.

Upon the bridge moved the last three slaves; carefully making their way forward with the rope bridge creaking and jostling erratically. The blue eyed leader was at the fore, already three quarters the way across. At the lowest point in the bridges sway, the halfway point, the hazel eyed slave woman with whip-scarred back traveled slowly and nervously with an almond skin girl following closely to her.

An object whisked by and struck the flat walk ahead; clattering off into the unknown. Looking back nervously, the last slave girl on the bridge increased her pace; recognizing their predicament with the sound of the arrow and a look towards the camp. She could see the archer in the tree already readying another arrow. Moving closer to the woman before her, she reached forward with her left hand and pressed into the scarred slaves shoulder, applying increasing pressure to prod the woman forward. A silent twist of the prodded woman's torso indicated her dislike of this treatment. The darker skin slave's hand fell away as her companion increased her hesitant pace with a fearful look into the deep gorge. By now the two were just beyond the middle of the swayed bridge when a third arrow passed over the shoulder of the nervous girl and struck just below the left shoulder of the woman before her. The scarred woman screamed shrilly and stopped; crouching low and clinging to a support rope in white knuckled pain. A moment passed. Tottering up, she reached forward for the next guide line with an expression of pained wonderment and toppled forward. Her inarticulate scream continued as the darkness swallowed her in the gorge.

The slave girl following her looked down horrified and gulped in fear when a sickening, wet thunch sounded from below. A quick look back to the tree where the archer was pulling another shaft from her quiver was all the motivation she needed to prompt her to continue. She moved forward quickly, arms reaching for guidelines smoothly as she strode quickly to the other end of the bucking bridge.

At the other end of the gorge the slave women gathered to look back along the bridge. The dusky slave still fought on the opposite side at the base. Backdrop by the light of the camp; she swung her weapon with practiced moves. Several other Shikhatta warriors had joined the first two in surrounding the slave in a half circle, feinting and dodging to provoke their foe into making some mistake. They were like a pack wild dogs upon their prey. It was their only recourse since her position stood between them and the crossing.

"I don't like leaving a comrade behind. However, we had best go now while the darkness conceals our movements and before the fanatic bitches come sniffing after us."; said the blue eyed leader sadly before turning from the light of the distant encampment and moving away from the bridge. The others joined her in the concealing wall of shadow and foliage.

Across the bridge the former gladiator staggered back and onto the bridge with another deflected blow of the stocky sentry's short spear. Instead of advancing, her opponent wiped her sodden brow with her shield forearm and grimaced worriedly. The warrior was hunched over; thick limbed flexed legs, ample cleavage rising and falling with each deep breath. The other Shikhatta advanced and swung her scimitar with a scream; a strike that forced the tiring slave to stagger back another half meter further along the jolting bridge. The former gladiator gripped her resulting new wound, a light slash along the right ribcage, with gritted teeth. She ducked another swing as it whisked close and partially cut a guide rope. Rope strands splayed. With each following swing the exhausted slave retreated further back towards the center of the bridge.

Back among the pack of warriors the unit leader smiled and moved forward with two others to join her sword sister on the rope span. The small group strode quickly along the bridge as the two fighters continued their duel in the semidarkness a little less than halfway across. As they moved their added weight and movements set the bridge to plunge and rise more violently, forcing most along its length to grab hold of guide ropes and slow their pace. The fanatic woman, seeing her adversary lowering her guard as she moved to grip the nearest rope, availed herself of the momentary opportunity afforded her and took a risky leap forward. Bodies impacted with a smack as the two staggered along the twisting floor. Dusky bloody, sweat -coated skin pressed tight to tanned oiled flesh; locked in a close squirming grapple for a few hesitant moments. Balance was simultaneously sought, found briefly, and lost as their feet lost purchase upon the shifting bridge. Both toppled along the edge, flailing wildly as they released each other in a bid for self-preservation.

Quick reaction by both halted their deadly plunge into darkness as panicked adrenaline driven-muscle set an iron grip to their precarious holds along the rocking span. The Shikhatta's scimitar fell into the darkness as the warrior woman hung onto the edge of the bridges flooring with both hands, legs wide and slightly bent. The slave's purchase was more precarious as she grasped the lowest portion of a guide rope. Still, she retained her scimitar in her right hand as she twisted towards her foe. A grim smile stretched wide as the hairless slave saw her adversary's predicament. She swung; slicing just below ribs into the warrior's muscled belly with slitch of sliced meat. Her foe jerked reactively with the blow as her grip loosened and slid from its purchase. The fanatic fell screaming in wild eyed fear into the darkness curled about her slowly opening wound with limbs wide.

As the sound of her sword sister's body struck below with a muffled splunch the veteran moved forward with grim expression towards the slave girl. The target of her ire weakly pulled herself back onto the bridge and raised her bloody weapon. The scimitar wobbled greatly in the former gladiator's hand as dark eyes burned in weary defiance. She began to rise, meeting the veterans gaze, and angrily spitting once.

"Look at you, slave"; said the scarred veteran evenly as she lightly tapped her own weapon against the shaking curved blade, "You have no more energy with which to fight. What was this endeavor for, you and your comrades freedom? They have scurried off into the night to save their own skins without a thought of you. I applaud your temerity, but not your wisdom. We will recapture, then punish you for this wasteful foolishness. You are alike to mindless animals, and animals need caging, khunt."

A swift stroke with a resulting krang of metal sent the slave's weapon spinning into the darkness. Its former wielder still held up her open weapon hand; her body teetering in fatigue as eyes looked about in tired desperation. The expression calmed, replaced by a look of resignation. Tears welled and rolled down her face as she slowly folded before the unit leader to sit on her knees, grasping a line for support and bowing her head.

The veteran relaxed, elated at the ease of the capture, and turned to signal for the others behind her to join in taking the slave back to their encampment. She did not see the naked slave launch herself forward with the last reserves of her strength in a desperate bid to wrest the weapon. She wrapped her arms about the sword arm of the startled unit leader and began to twist it down quickly with the weight of her body. The keenly sharp blade lodged itself into one of the lower support ropes of the bridge floor and remained as the girl lay hand on it and tugged. The weapon remained as the other warriors on the span increased their pace to the fight.

The surprise attack evoked a maddened cry from the Shikhatta veteran as she withdrew the blade from the furrow in the support rope. The former gladiator looked at the unit leader in trepidation and began to back away towards the other end of the bucking bridge with arm out as though she could ward the next blow. The veteran warrior followed with little thought of capture and a fervent rage wrought from the slave's deception. Her arm rose and fell. The sharp blade split the soft flesh of the right breast and continued down into the stomach in a fatally deep slash. A moment froze as the split flesh and slashed muscle slowly separated and blood flowed. The dusky slave tipped sidelong over the bridge in silence as her body pinwheel head over heals into the darkness.

The slayer watched the body as it fell while three other Shikhatta pounded up to their commander with expectation on their faces. A soft meaty thunch announced her opponent's landing below.

"Now the way is open to us unit leader" said a thin girl in her early twenties with a gap tooth smile, " and we can hunt these lesser khunts. What is your wisdom. Should we await morning light or hunt in this partial darkness?"

The veteran's elated smile fell to her characteristic scowl as she considered; scratching her right forearm. She looked back to a trio of warriors stripping their slain comrade near the fire. A conflict of interests warred in her thoughts. Her orders were to gather supplies and return to their beach encampment. If their band were to return in failure she would find herself disgraced before all. By the strictures of her lifelong training no foe should be allowed to best a Shikhatta and live free. Still her people would need food.

The contubera's leader turned back towards the encampment and gestured for her two warriors to do likewise. She walked along the rope bridge in silence; pondering the problem as she returning to its foot where the others waited with hand to pommel and wrathful faces.

We have a conflict between duty and vengeance, my lusty she-devils, for we cannot forget our purpose and the empty bellies of our fellows. However, by our oaths to our ever hungering goddess we must recapture these slaves. Two must remain behind and see to the return of the supplies to our beach encampment. It shall be their duty to inform the ships company of our slaves escape as well.

The remainder of our contubera will hunt upon first light. Recall that the slaves have no clothing or illumination with which to travel. This will hamper them considerably and make our task of recapturing them easy unless some other factor introduces itself into this struggle. I will lead this group myself. By Bahkraine's ever lusting eyes we shall lay low these transgressors and bring forth their torturous ending or find ourselves with our ever hungering goddess in the afterlife!

With the death of your second-in-command by the hand of a soulless unbeliever you have no one to entrust leadership, sister. Have you a replacement in mind?" queried one of the warriors, looking to the gorge.

As a matter of course I already have one in mind."; Her commander replied looking to the thick bodied sentry among the warriors. "This alert sentry who had awaken us shall be my second in command. Twice recently she has proven meritous in service to Bahkraine; once playing her part in the capture of the Amyrran ship, and tonight alerting her brethren of the escape before the slaves could gain distance.

Many faces of the contubera looked to the buxom amazon, assessing their comrade before nodding to indicate assent of the woman's new rank among them. When all had done so she approached the contubera's leader and bowed low with a slight smile of acceptance.

End (for now)