4 comments/  125117 views/  27 favorites

Give Me That!

By: Couture



It was morning and the day had already gotten off to a bad start. I was late, having a bad hair day, couldn't find the outfit I planned on wearing, and to top it off, my roomate was pestering the hell out of me.

"Come on Stacy, you're going to make us late for class!" Stacy said, beating on the bathroom door.

"Alright already," I said. "I'm almost finished." I gave my hair a few more sprays, tapped it a few times. Yeah, it was welded together. My own personal hair helmet. I had finally beat the frilly mess into submission, now I only had to pray no one tried to touch it.

I opened up the door and there Stacy was, arms crossed, tapping her foot, wearing an ungrateful look on her face and the clothes I planned to wear on her back. 

"You little bitch! Those are my clothes!" I said.

"No they're not. You said I could have them."

"The hell I did you little thief." The answer to my outfit problem had been answered "Go on. Take them off. We're going to swap right now."

I had given her some old clothes, but certainly not those. We were swapping clothes and that was that. I wanted to make a good impression on this hunk in my Sociology class. I stepped out of my shoes, took off my sweatshirt, and pulled down my jeans. 


"I'm not taking them off," Stacy said. "You gave them to me."

I advanced, grabbed my blouse, the blouse she was wearing. She pushed me. I heard the sound of rending fabric. I was still holding on the part of my blouse, the rest flapped open on her chest.

"You bitch!" she accused. "You fucking ripped my shirt."

"It was my shirt anyway."

"Oh it's on now!" Stacy said advancing on me.

I tried to fend her off, but when she pushed me, I still had me feet tangled up in my jeans. I tripped and fell to the floor. She pounced on my back and pushed my arm up painfully behind my back. Where did she learn this stuff?

"Say uncle," she said.

"Fuck you! Yeowch!" It was useless. She had me. She was smaller, but she had thoroughly trounced me. 

"Say uncle."

"Uncle."

"Now hold real still."

"What are you doing?" I could feel her undoing my bra. 

"Anything I want. Put your other arm behind your back now, and I'm going to let this one go."

I did and she did. She switched arms and I was just as helpless as before. I was also without a bra. I felt her foot wiggle between the cheeks of my bottom and she pushed down stripping me totally naked.

She whispered in my ear. "Guess what, I'm going to have to get a new shirt to wear, but you're going to need a whole new outfit."

I was helpless to stop her as she tossed each article of my outfit into the toilet. 

"And now for the piece de resistance!" Stacy said. She pulled out my sweatshirt from the toilet and wrung it out over my head.  "I bet your classmates would be surprised to find out where you washed your hair."

I bet Billy Morgan would be even more surprised to find out how wet I was. 

"If you tell Mom or try to get me back, I'm going to tell everyone about your toilet head," she warned.

"Okay, okay, you got me. Now let me up you little bitch, my arm is hurting."

She got up; looked back behind her as she was leaving, grinned and said, "Don't make me have to do it again."

Bitch! I had never done anything like that to her and I had the opportunity to many times. I got up, and stretching my sore shoulders. The little bitch was going to have to pay, or I would never hear the end of it.

I tip-toed to her room and waited until her back was turned. It was even better than that, she had her arms over her head, as she put on a sweatshirt. I pounced into action.

I pushed her down and employed her trick with the arm. I was a fast learner. 

"Say Uncle!" I said, tightening my grip.

"Uncle!" she grunted.

"What was it you did to me? Oh yes, you stripped me didn't you. Let's see how you like being stripped." 

I proceeded to strip her of all her clothes, but I wasn't finished, not by a long shot. 

"Put your other hand behind your back."

She did, expecting me to switch grips like she did. Instead, I tied both of her wrists together with some pantyhose she left on the floor.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "What are you doing?"

I rolled her over and sat on her belly. "How does it feel to be helpless, huh?" I looked in her eyes for her submission. Waiting for her to acknowledge my superiority.

Instead she looked down at my crotch. 

"Ewww, disgusting! You are like wet or something." Her lips curled in disgust. "Wait until everyone finds out."

My heart sank. I was in like heaps of trouble. Huge fucking trouble. The kind of trouble that when you get in it, the consequences are so bad you've got no choice but to see it though to the end.

"You're not gonna tell anyone," I said with grim determination.

"Yes I am. Jenny's a lezbo. Jenny's a lezbo. Jenny's a oh God!"

I had grabbed her pussy. "Jenny's a God. I kind of like that, Stacy, but I think I prefer the term Goddess." I pressed a finger into her folds and drew it up and down. Rubbing her off.

She struggled beneath me, but it was useless. I looked down at her and grinned. I could feel her wetness and she knew it to. She refused to meet my eyes.

"Stop it Jenny. This is ah-serious. Okay-okya- I-I won't tell anyone. I promise."

"You don't speak to a Goddess that way." I grabbed a few strands of her pubic hair and pulled. "Now beg the forgiveness of your Goddess." 

She lifted her hips in the air to keep up with the tugging, but I just pulled higher, until her hips were thrust high in the air.

"Ow-ow-ow, please forgive me Jenny-I mean Goddess Jenny."

I let go of her pubic hair and proceeded to finger her once again. "Goddess Jenny accepts your apology," I said.

"Please stop, Ouch!" she cried, as I gave a sharp tug to her pubes again. "I-I mean please stop Goddess. I'm begging you."

I stuck a finger in her tight wet tunnel and pushed my digit in and out. "Why?" I asked.

"B-Because. . ." she stuttered, almost panting. Her voice was thick, her breasts flushed, and her legs were now parted despite her protests.

"Because why?"

She was silent for a while, but my fingers pushed her to admit the truth. "Uhhhha" she whined. "Because you're gonna make me cum."

She struggled again briefly, but in then end, she was just squirming not to get off my fingers, but to get herself off. 

"And what's wrong with that? Hmmmmm? A good Goddess rewards her worshipers."

"Don't- oh God, oh God," she cried, her legs flailing this way and that.

"Goddess," I corrected, tugging at her pubic hair as a brutal reminder.

Faster and faster I frigged her. "Say it again."

"Goddess..." she moaned her long lean legs spreading. Her hips pumping in time with my finger. "Oh Goddess..."

"You're not going to tell anyone are you," I stopped frigging her and lightly teased her clit.

"No."

"No what?"

I pressed my index finger against her tight asshole, teasing her.

"No Goddess,"

I went back to work on her sex, fingers dancing, digits plunging. Stopping briefly to tease her tight hard nipples. 

"Oh Goddess - oh Goddess!" she cried. "Fuck-fuck- oh fuck I'm coming!" 

I held tight while her body bucked underneath me. After she calmed, I moved astride her shoulders. 

"I love it when you pray to me," I said. "But you know what I'd like better?"

Uncertainty clouded her eyes. She shook her head, yet her eyes fixated on my sex.

"I think you do - don't you?" I said playfully.

She nodded slightly. A blush rose to her cheeks.

"Say it." I commanded.

"Worship you." She stuck out a tentative tongue.

And I purred. 

The End

Give Me the Man



The sun was lowering in the summer afternoon heat when the two riders drew rein on the bluff.

"There it is, son." There was a whimsical smile on Gerlan's face as he and Ardan studied the city below them. "The great metropolis."

"Which is the Temple?"

Gerlan pointed. "See where the river bends? The white building?"

His son nodded. "I see it. Is that it?"

"No. Count two to the left, that's it."

"What's the white building?"

"That's the Institute. That's first stop tomorrow. Tonight we find ourselves somewhere to stay and get a meal. Come on." Gerlan gigged his horse into motion and the two riders, easy in the saddle, made their way down the hill and into the city of Jalx.

Stabling was easily found along with comfortable lodgings in a guesting house a couple of blocks from the Institute. The room was small, but clean and comfortable, the beds bright with rugs.

"The necessary is just along the hall, fast-break in the bar, seventh hour." Their host was burly, built like one of the barrels in his bar below. "If you want an evening meal we're serving now."

"We'll be right down," said Gerlan.

The meal was simple fare, but sustaining and in generous portions for hungry travellers and the two made short work of it. Replete, they sat back.

"I'm for a glass of ale and then my bed, I think " Gerlan said, stretching. "You?"

His son smiled. "A walk, and then bed, I think."

Gerlan nodded. "Take care. Not all here are friendly."

"You taught me well, father. I'll be fine," Ardan said, standing and donning his cloak. "I'll see you in an hour or so."

The sun had set, and the evening was fine, bright with the light of the moons, the one full and the other gibbous. Ardan made his way down to the river bank, the river full now with the tidal flow from the sea some four leagues downstream. Lanterns made pools of light between the deep shadows, shadows deepened even more by the contrast with the light. Ardan sat himself in a corner, perched on a barrel, and watched the nightdivers fishing, wings folded, long necks coiled ready to stab out with their long beaks for their prey.

A noise caught his ear, scratching, muffled. Unmoving, he let his eyes take in his surroundings. Stealthy movement caught his eye, Two figures, no, three, and one seemed held captive by the others, struggling. Ardan eased himself from his seat and moved silently towards the three, listening. Closer, he could see that the one apparently captive was a woman and as he watched one of the others hit her in the face. She fell, dazed, and one of the men ripped at her skirts, baring her to the waist while his companion unfastened his breeches.

Ardan had seen enough and moved silently closer as the man went to his knees, groping in his breeches. He didn't even have time to yell before he hit the water, Ardan's blow lifting him cleanly over the dockside. His companion gasped in astonishment, surprise rapidly giving way to pain as the toe of Ardan's boot caught him just where he had anticipated pleasure. The thug went to his knees, gasping and Ardan picked him up and threw him after his accomplice. He turned to the woman, struggling to cover herself. He flipped her skirts down and offered her a hand to rise.

"I trust I arrived in time, madam." He studied her covertly in the dim quayside lighting. Young, not much more than twenty-two or -three, he guessed. Attractive, although a welt on her face from the blow promised temporary loss of beauty.

She studied him in turn for a moment, eyes wide, and then a faint smile crossed her face. "You did, sir." She extended her hand and he helped her to her feet. She frowned. "It puzzles me, why some men feel the need to take by force what is freely offered elsewhere."

"There are fools and misfits in all societies, madam. Some men seek to dominate. I assume Jalx is no different."

"It seems not." She put her hand to her face and winced, then looked back over her shoulder at the river, from where splashing could be heard. She turned to Ardan again. "Probably better if we move away from here. It would appear the rats can swim." 

Ardan smiled. "It would indeed, madam. May I escort you somewhere?"

"To the Temple."

"You must be my guide. I only arrived in the city about two hours ago."

"From my view, a most fortuitous arrival. This way." She pointed and they moved off together. It was a short journey and she led him to a side door, where she turned to him. "Thank you again, sir. I will be safe now. May I ask your name?"

"Ardan, madam. Ardan Tearo. May I ask yours?"

"Officially I am an unnamed servant of the Temple, but my friends call me Arla."

"No family name?"

"I am a servant of the Goddess, Ardan. She is my family."

"Well, in that case, I bid you goodnight, Arla, servant of the Goddess." Ardan bowed and turned to go.

"A moment, Ardan. Are you in Jalx for Initiation?"

Ardan nodded, grateful of the dark as he flushed. "I am. Tomorrow evening."

"I wish you well. My thanks again." Arla stepped forward and kissed him lightly on the lips, then slipped through the door and into the Temple, closing the door quietly behind her.

Ardan stood for a moment, then grinned. An entertaining evening so far. Now to find the guesting house again!

His father was still in the bar when Ardan returned. He waved his son over. "Some wine, son?"

"Please, father."

Gerlan nodded and poured a goblet of wine for Ardan. "Good walk?"

"Yes, quite pleasant."

"See anything interesting?"

"Nothing special, father, just a city at night," said Ardan, deciding not to mention the incident at the dockside. "It's very quiet on the streets. I think I expected more bustle."

"More bustle means pickpockets and the like. Don't mind if it's quiet."

"No, sir. I think I'll go to bed. It could be a long day tomorrow."

His father raised an eyebrow and Ardan flushed, grateful for the dim lighting. "A day you'll finish in a woman's bed. Are you ready, son?" Gerlan's tone was gentle.

"I think so, father. As much as I'll ever be." He grinned. "I'm looking forward to the bed bit."

Gerlan laughed. "Yes, son, it does round the day off nicely. Come on, let's go upstairs."





Give Me the Man Pt. 02



Well, some of you asked for this, so you only have yourselves to blame! Again, it's an extract from a singularly unfinished work-in-progress. There could be more to come, although there is little sex in what remains. We'll see.



Give me the Man, Part two



Ardan's father was just beginning his breakfast when Ardan reached the guesting house. He smiled at his son.

"Was it well for you, my son?"

"Aye father, it was well." He caught the eye of the heavily-pregnant serving-girl and she nodded, turning to the kitchen to fetch him some breakfast.

"I'll say no more, son. 'Tis a personal thing, not to be shared, I feel."

Ardan nodded, grateful for his father's understanding. "When do you leave for home, father?"

"I leave after the noon meal. I should reach the falls comfortably by dusk." He smiled. "I've reserved the room for you for an eightday. Aye, and paid for it, too. If you want to stay longer, you'll need to dip into the purse."

Ardan nodded. "I'll ride part of the way with you, father. I have little doubt that Shadow needs exercise. What of this morning?"

"Have you forgotten the trip to the armourer?"

"Of course! My sword."

Breakfast over, Ardan and Gerlan strolled along in the bright, spring sunshine to the commercial quarter of Jalx. There was bustle everywhere, the shops and markets busy with customers. The armourer was in a side street near the guard barracks, quiet this Thirdday morning. As they entered, the proprietor straightened from some inlay work he was doing on a belt knife. He nodded to them, courteous.

"Gentlemen. May I be of service?"

"You may, indeed. I require a sword for my son, sir."

The proprietor eyed Ardan. "Military or civilian?"

"Military. The Guides."

"Mainly for horseback use, then. I have some here. Please, feel free to examine them. If you'll permit me, I shall continue my work. Just call if you need assistance.

Gerlan and Ardan began to examine the blades. Despite the proprietor's words, he watched them carefully. Gerlan indicated one, slightly curved, a cutting edge on both edges of the blade for two handspans from the point, a further two handspans of cutting edge on the outer side of the curve, the inner curve thickened to strengthen it.

"That one, perhaps?"

Ardan picked it up, checking the balance. "It balances well, father, but I would prefer more protection for the hand."

"Well, how about this one?" An almost identical blade, but with a hammered steel half-basket hilt, the basket extended back and over the hand, to join with the main body of the weapon above the hilt.

Ardan turned it, noting the riveting joining blade, basket and hilt, strengthening the weapon. He checked the balance, liking the slightly angled grip which made the blade almost an extension of his arm. He smiled.

"Yes, father, this one, if you please."

The proprietor came over to them. He smiled at the weapon, and nodded. "An excellent choice, sir. You know your weapons." He gestured. "A scabbard and harness is included in the price."

"My son awaits his Guide entrance exam results. My buying this sword for him is a father's expression of confidence in a son's ability."

The proprietor laughed. "I think if your son has learned his other lessons as well as he has learned the blade, you need have few worries. My nephew, too, awaits the examination results. You may know him," he said to Ardan.

"His name, sir?"

"Jandol. Jandol Traln."

Ardan smiled. "I know him well, sir. He is a friend." Ardan frowned. "He spoke of an uncle in Jalx. What was the name? Ah, yes. Are you by any chance Peralon Traln, sir?"

"I am! I don't suppose by any chance you are Ardan, are you?"

"Yes, sir, I am. Has Jandol spoken of me?" Ardan was surprised, for Jandol said little that wasn't necessary.

"That he has. Tell me, how long are you in Jalx?"

Ardan glanced at his father. He turned to Traln. "Until Lastday, at least."

"Join my wives and I for dinner on Seventhday, if you would. You, too, sir," he said, addressing Gerlan.

Gerlan shook his head. "I leave this afternoon, for home. My affairs will not keep. My son has earned his stay, and I thank you for your invitation."

"Jandol is staying with us for a few days. He arrives on Seventhday. I think he will be glad of your presence, Ardan. My wives and I have no children near his age." Traln laughed. "And the two we have are girls."

"I accept your invitation willingly, Fro Traln. It will be good to see Jandol again."

"If you would let me have your bill, sir, I will settle with you now," said Gerlan.





Give Me the Man Pt. 03



Since every comment and email I've read from readers about part 2 of this opus asked for more, here goes! On your own head, be it - as I said with Part 2, you've only yourselves to blame! The story is still singularly unfinished, but I have ideas. We'll see how things go ... 





Give Me the Man Pt. 04



No sex in this part, I'm afraid. That will come later. Probably. In the meantime our lovely couple have work to do! If you haven't already read the first three parts of the story, may I suggest that you do. This part will then make more sense to you. I think.

The spelling is English. No apology, as so am I! Enjoy, I hope.





Give Me the Man Pt. 05



No sex in this part, I'm afraid. Maybe next time.

Give me the man, Part 5

Ardan and Leara let the horses pick their own way in the dark, keeping the pace to a walk. To think about moving faster was to invite a broken leg or worse.

"How long to get to Jalx?" asked Leara.

"If we can only move at night, it could take three days. If we risk daytime travel, maybe two. I feel we need to take the fewest chances."

"I think you're right." Leara's voice was quiet in the clear night. She glanced up. "Ardan! Look," she hissed.

They drew rein, anxious, watching the invaders' flying machine as it ghosted over their heads, perhaps a hundred feet up. Its route never varied and they breathed a little more easily as it carried on over the ridge behind them. They urged the horses on, moving a little more quickly as the broken ground eased. Near the Ford the trees cut in on them and they slowed to a walk again. A low call stopped them as they neared the Ford.

"Stop there, riders. Give the password or risk death."

"Sana."

"Advance. Slowly." The voice was calm. They eased the horses forward. A shielded lantern was raised briefly, then lowered again. "I thought it was you, young Ardan. The lady I don't know."

"Hello, Bran. All quiet?"

"Aye lad, although that Goddess-damned flying machine gave us a fright."

"Leara, meet Bran Held, a friend of my father. I suspect the other, who probably had an arrow pointed at us, is his wife, Elmana."

Bran chuckled. "Right, lad. Your father sent word you'd be coming, but we had to be sure."

Another figure joined them. Bran's wife, Elmana, in men's clothing, bow in hand. She rested her hand on Ardan's pommel. "Hello, Ardan. Fral."

"Leara, please. A friend of Ardan's is my friend, too," said Leara.

"Leara," said Elmana, nodding. "I scouted a league or two on the back trail towards Jalx," she said. "It was clear. No knowing whether that thing dropped off any invaders, though."

"A chance we'll have to take," said Ardan. "Don't worry, we'll be careful." He glanced across at Leara, pale in the moonslight. "Ready?"

Leara nodded.

"Let's go."

The sky was pinking towards dawn when they spotted a copse of trees. Ardan pointed. "We'll hole up there. If it's the place I think it is, there's a spring where we can water the horses."

It was, and they did. They had just picketed the horses on the sparse grass under the trees when Leara held up her hand. "Listen," she hissed. "Something's coming."

Ardan listened carefully, then dropped to his knees and put his ear to the ground. "A horse. Walking."

He stood again and they waited, Ardan with an arrow nocked to his bow. The faint sound of a walking horse became louder and they saw it approaching, slow, a figure slumped on its back. It came straight towards them. One of their horses whickered and the approaching horse's ears pricked, but the rider made no move. As it entered the copse the horse slowed and stopped. Ardan reached up and touched the figure on its back. It made no move and as he touched it again began to slide slowly from the saddle. Frantically Ardan grabbed the figure and lowered it slowly to the ground.

The man was a stranger, but somehow familiar and Ardan realised with a shock that this was the outlaw who had fled when he rescued Leara and Alna. Leara had been tethering the horse and recognised the man instantly.

"He was one of the bandits who attacked Mama and me, the one who escaped!"

"Just so. I think he may have made his last attack. I can feel no pulse. I need more light to see what killed him."

"The sun is just coming up over the hill. Not long. A few minutes at most," said Leara. "I smell burning," she said, wrinkling her nose in distaste.

"The invaders' tube weapons, perhaps. Although I thought they fired some form of projectile, not a heat source."

"We'll see in a moment. I'll check his saddlebags." Leara went off but was back in moments. "Ardan, look! One of the tube weapons!"

"However did he get that?"

"Maybe he killed one of the invaders and took the weapon, and maybe he was shot as he escaped. His horse has a singe mark on its flank." Leara shrugged. "We'll never know."

"No, I guess not." Ardan straightened. "We'll need to bury him, I think."

"We have no spade."

"I'll use his belt knife. The ground is soft, it shouldn't take too long."

"There's a hollow between the trees. That will reduce the effort."

With two of them working, burying the dead outlaw didn't take too long, but the sun was well up before they took stock. They now had three horses, food and drink, and one of the invaders' weapons. Ardan fingered it gingerly, taking care that the tube pointed nowhere near himself or Leara. At last he put it to one side.

"Time to rest, I think. Try to get some sleep."

Leara sighed. "I suppose so. We'd better take turns to keep watch." She stifled a yawn.

Ardan laughed. "I'll take first watch."

Leara came over to him and put her arms around his waist, looking up into his eyes. "We have to succeed," she said.

Ardan kissed her lightly. "I know, and we need to be fresh to do it, so get some sleep."

Leara nodded. She dropped her arms and moved over to her bedroll. She looked back at him. "I still want you, you know."

Ardan smiled. "No more than I want you. Now sleep!"

They each managed to sleep a little during the day, but Ardan was conscious that it was no more than about four hours each. As the sun dipped towards the horizon he built a smokeless fire and they managed a hot drink and some food. They were ready to move on as soon as it was dark, letting the horses pick their way. The way they had travelled, via Ellor's Ford, took about a half day off their journey but it would be another day of resting up before they would be close enough. Near sunrise they approached a lonely farm, dark. The barn was substantial and they examined the approaches as best they could in the dark.

"It looks like our best option, Lea. It's shelter and cover both."

"What of the farmer. We've seen no light and it's almost time to tend the animals."

"I don't see any animals, though. Do you?"

"No, I don't," said Leara, carefully scanning the terrain as best she could in the dim light.

"We'll go closer. I want to be under cover before light anyway, in case those flying machines are around. Stay close."

Leara took him at his word and they were never more than a horse length apart as they picked their way across the ground and into the farm area. The doors to the barn were open and they moved inside, unsaddling quickly and tethering the horses. Leara was at the door watching the house and she suddenly hissed a warning.

"Someone coming!"

Ardan moved up beside her and saw a figure approaching the barn. A woman by the look of her. Young from the way she moved. As she came nearer they tensed. The woman stopped three paces short of the barn. "I saw you coming in," she said in a low tone. "You have nothing to fear from me. I'm alone here."

Ardan stepped out, hands spread to show he was unarmed. The woman looked past him.

"There were two of you," she said.

Leara stepped out and the woman relaxed a little. She held up the bucket she was carrying. "Grain for the horses. If you're running from those things you'll need the beasts strong." There was loathing and contempt in her voice when she said 'things' and Ardan needed to know what she knew.

"Have they been here?"

The woman nodded. "They took my husband and my brother. They only seemed to want the men, they must have had near two hundred of them. My brother's wife followed them, trying to find out where they were being taken. Someone had to stay here to feed the animals, but yesterday those things took our stock." Silently, the woman began to cry, tears rolling unhindered down her cheeks. Leara stepped forward and put her arms around her, hugging her close. At the touch the woman's tears turned into sobs and she cried as if her heart was breaking.

Leara looked over at Ardan. "I'll take her into the house. You grain the horses and come in when you're finished."

A few minutes later Ardan joined Leara in the house. She was sitting alone at the kitchen table, a mug of steaming tea in her hand. She pushed another across to Ardan and he sat down.

"She's called Lori Pel, she's twenty-two, and she's three months pregnant. She wants her husband back. She also told me something interesting," said Leara.

"Such as?"

"They don't seem to bother women. They leave them alone. Her brother's wife followed the invaders openly and they did nothing to stop her. All they seemed to be interested in was men."

"Why? What do they want with our men? Slaves?"

Leara shrugged. "I have no idea. Lori has given me an idea, though. If we were to travel as women we might be able to travel in daylight. We'd be in Jalx tonight instead of late tomorrow."

"I can shave my beard easily enough, but I can't grow long hair by tonight," said Ardan, fingering his close-cropped head.

"You don't need to," said a new voice. Lori Pel stood in the doorway, eyes red but dried now. "I have some wigs in a trunk in my bedroom, we used them for the Solstice Festival. We can make you look like a woman from a distance, at least." She smiled faintly. "My brother's wife is nigh as big as you. Some of her things will fit you. Three women travelling together might not look too suspicious."

"Three?"

"I'm coming with you. You have three horses." She frowned. "Did one of your party have a mishap?"

"He was an outlaw, Lori. He was one of a gang who took me and my mother. Ardan saved our lives. One of the outlaws got away, but only long enough for one of these invaders to kill him. His horse brought the body into our camp. Somehow he had got one of those alien weapons. We have it now." Leara smiled. "Travel with us and welcome, but at Jalx we leave you."

Lori nodded. "I'll fetch the wig and some clothing. What about you, fral? Have you clothing of your own?"

"I have clothing, but only riding gear, nothing a woman might wear when not riding."

"I'll get you some of mine." She turned and went out, returning in moments with a pile of clothing which she dumped on the table. She handed Ardan a dark wig and he tried it on.

Leara giggled. "Not with that beard. Have you a razor?"

"In my saddlebag. I'll fetch it."

Two hours later, if anyone was watching, they'd have seen three women leave the farm. That one of the women was fighting a fit of giggles and another kept adjusting 'her' hair would not be immediately apparent to a bystander. By noon Ardan was getting used to the wig and could relax a little. Lori and Leara were wearing the usual riding gear of a farmer's wife like Lori. A wide, divided skirt, half-boots and overtunic, a bright kerchief holding their hair back. Ardan had managed the kerchief and overtunic but Hella's divided skirt, while long enough, was too small in the waist for him. Lori had proved enterprising and sewed in a fillet of matching cloth. Beneath the skirt he was still wearing his own breeches and boots, invisible to the casual observer.

It took them most of the day to reach Jalx and the sun was well down as they approached. They had passed occasional patrols of the invaders who had scanned them but left them alone. It was the first time Ardan had seen any of the creatures close up and in daylight, and he liked them even less on close acquaintance. What he had thought of as armour turned out to be just that, but not like any armour Ardan had ever seen before, for it was not made of metal, or at least, not a metal that Ardan had ever seen. It also seemed to be very light in weight. The creatures' helmets had bulges over the ears and watching one cock its head and apparently listen led Ardan to conclude that it must be, or contain, some form of communication device.

Weapons were the tubes, which they had already encountered, and a small hand weapon which seemed to possess the same characteristics as the larger device, albeit on a smaller scale. Ardan noticed also what seemed to be markings of rank on the armour.

The creatures themselves were not quite the stuff of nightmare he had first thought. They were repulsive enough, yes, with dull, grey skin and yellow eyes, no nose, merely two slits which pulsed as the creature breathed, but they walked upright on two legs and were approximately man-shaped, although the tallest he had seen was still half a head shorter than Lori, who herself was a head shorter than Leara. They seemed to communicate with each other in a burst of clicks and whistles, but each group had one member with a device about its neck which seemed to work as a translation device, for after a burst of the invader's speech, the device issued intelligible Ha'aran.

As they approached Jalx Ardan had an idea. "We'll go in by the western gate. There's a guesting house near the gate. We'll stop there. Leara, you go in and ask to see a serving girl called Vella. Bring her out. Lori and I will stay with the horses."

"You know this Vella?" said Leara.

Ardan flushed. "Yes. She's the widow of a friend of mine who used to be a Guide at home."

Leara noticed his flush but said nothing. They stopped outside the guesting house and Leara went inside, returning in moments with a curious Vella, who was wiping her hands on her apron.

"Hello, Vella," Ardan said quietly.

She stared at him, her hands to her mouth. "Ardan, is it you?"

"As ever was, Vella."

She looked around wildly. "Don't come here, they're taking all of the men."

"Where?"

"Downriver. We're hearing wild tales of a mine being dug."

"How far downriver? Can we get there easily?"

"An hour's walk, they say. Why do you risk yourself?"

"To save our people, Vella, as Jonal would do if he was alive," Ardan said quietly. Vella buried her face in her hands at the mention of her dead husband, but composed herself. 

"How can I help? There are only Torbin Hal's wife and me here at the moment. Hal was taken yesterday. All the male guests are either taken or fled."

"Can we stay?"

"Put your horses in the stable, then come into the kitchen. We can talk there."

A few minutes later, the four were sat around the kitchen table. Dela Hal had gone to keep an eye on the bar, 'just in case', promising a warning if any invaders came near.

"Why are you here, Ardan. You risk your life." Vella was agitated.

"We had to come. The invaders are everywhere. Leara's home and mine were both attacked, Lori's husband was taken." Ardan smiled ruefully. "I'm no hero, but Leara and I are the only people with a chance to do anything."

Vella stared at them. Lori was rapt, too, for they had said nothing to her. Ardan took Vella's hand. "Are the Handmaidens still in the temple?"

"Yes, as far as I know. Why?"

"I need to see the Grandmother, but first I have to find out where she is. Lori, stay here with Vella. Leara and I will see if we can find, um, someone I know at the Temple. She can tell me where the Grandmother is."

Leara flashed a glance at him but said nothing. The others nodded. Ardan stood. "We'll be back within three hours. If we're not, we're taken. Don't try to find us, just save yourselves. Understood?"

Lori and Vella nodded unhappily. Leara stood. "Let's go," she said, "and try to take shorter strides. You're a woman, remember?"

They went out. The streets were quiet, too quiet, hardly anyone around. At each major corner, one or two invaders stood, alert, but they took no notice of two women, especially since one was sobbing into her friend's shoulder. No one stopped them and they reached the square where the temple stood. Ardan pointed to an alleyway. "There's a side door. We'll try there, first."

The door was locked. Ardan knocked. Nothing. He knocked again. "Who is it?" a quiet voice asked.

"Someone seeking enlightenment," said Leara. The door opened a crack and a frightened face peered out.

"Is Arla inside?" Ardan asked quietly. The girl's eyes widened at the male voice, but she nodded. "We must see her. Please."

The girl hesitated, then nodded and opened the door, shutting and bolting it hurriedly behind them. "This way."

Four or five women who Ardan assumed to be of the Handmaidens, although none were wearing robes, were sitting in a kitchen, obviously part way through a meal, for dishes were spread about the table. As Leara and Ardan hung back, the girl went to one with her back to them, bending to whisper in her ear. She turned, and Ardan recognised her instantly, for the livid bruise that had so marred her face was not yet completely faded, a dirty yellow remnant still visible. She stood and came across to them.

"This way, please, ladies," she said and led them into an anteroom, carefully closing the door. As soon as it was closed she turned and hugged Ardan. "You're mad," she said.

"Quite probably. Arla, this is my friend Leara. Lea, this is Arla." He flushed slightly. "It was Arla that took my Initiation."

"And none since, once those demons arrived." Arla shook her head. "What do you want of us?"

"Is the Grandmother here?" said Ardan.

Arla stared at him, surprised. "What do you want of her?"

"A moment of her time, no more."

"She is here. I'll go and ask her if she'll see you."

"Tell her Andor sent me for the key," said Ardan. "She'll know what you mean."

Arla made a face. "I wish I did," she said, and went out. She was back in moments, looking surprised. "She'll see you, if you'll follow me. No, just Ardan," she said as Leara made to rise. Ardan paused, but Leara nodded.

"Go, I'll wait here."

Arla led Ardan the few steps to another room, knocked and opened the door. She stepped inside and curtsied. "Ardan Tearo, Grandmother."

The voice was light, but not weak. "Come in, young man. Arla, please wait outside."

"Of course." Arla curtsied again. "I'll be with Leara." She went out.

"Come closer," said the old woman. She was on a couch, propped by pillows. "Let me see you, step forward." A high window illuminated the room and Ardan moved into its light. He paused as the old woman raised a hand.

"Yes, you favour him." She chuckled. "Even more so without that ridiculous wig. No! Keep it on. Your grandfather?"

"Andor? Yes."

"He sent you for a key, did he? And what does this key do?"

"It unlocks a weapon cache made by Terrans just for this kind of emergency, where Terran and Ha'aran together confront a mutual foe."

"Did Andor tell you where the cache is?"

"On top of the Gray Tower."

The old woman nodded. "And how do you propose to get up?"

"Leara, the girl with me, is one of the best climbers of the Hinazi people. She has already saved my life once with her climbing skills."

"In that dresser over there. Bottom drawer. A redwood box. Bring it to me."

When he did so the old woman took from the box a slender rod, finger thick, finger sized, with three buttons, red, green and blue. She held it out to Ardan. "This is your key, Ardan Tearo."

He took it, examined it and looked at her.

"My name, Ardan, is Birga, and it was I who took your grandfather's Initiation those many years ago. I knew he was Terran and when we discussed the weapons, oh, years later, he thought it right that one people should hold the location and the other the key. Press the buttons in the order blue, red, green, and the cache will be opened. Any other way and the key will destroy itself." The old woman chuckled, a whisper of sound in the quiet room. "Remember my name, Ardan, and press the buttons in the order the initial letters occur in that name, and you will be safe. Go now, and may the Goddess guard and guide you."

On impulse, Ardan bowed deeply. "Thank you, Grandmother."

Outside, he paused, thrusting the key deep into the slim pouch hung around his neck, then returned to the room where Arla and Leara waited.




Give Me the Man Pt. 06



An hour later, they reached the top, carefully coiling the rope and stowing the equipment in their backsacks. Not as flat as it had seemed to be from the plain below, the top of the Grey Tower presented a bleak, rocky outlook. Towards the eastern end of the summit plain there was a depression out of which rose a craggy outcrop. Ardan and Leara looked around, but could see no immediate sign of any cache.

"You have the key, don't you?" said Leara.

"Yes, but I thought I'd need it to open something when we'd found it. I see nothing here." Ardan was despondent. Had they climbed up here for nothing?

"We haven't even looked properly yet," said Leara, taking his hand. "Come on, let's have a look at the crag over there. There's something about it that doesn't look quite right."

About to follow Leara's suggestion, a suggestion of movement seen from the corner of his eye made Ardan dive forward and knock Leara flying into the shelter of a pile of rocks, covering her with his body. Apart from a squeal when he knocked her flying she said nothing as he wriggled round to see what had caught his eye. One of the alien flying machines had just lifted over the rim and they watched, hoping, as it settled into the basin.

"It's Jandol," said Leara, "he got it working!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you," said Ardan as he helped Leara to her feet.

She squeezed his fingers. "No harm done. What if it had been invaders? We've seen what their weapons can do. I'd rather be thrown into the rocks by you, and get a few bruises, than shot by one of those tube things."

"Grandfather called them 'guns'. He also said the Terran guns were better." Ardan waved to Jandol as his friend picked his way through the rocks. "Well done, Jandol! You scared us there."

Jandol laughed. "I saw you jump," he said. "I'd have been here earlier, but I was trying to figure out how to get the thing to rise. You saw last night I managed to get it to go back and forward. I found out how to turn left and right, too. Down I found by accident." Jandol laughed. "I almost hit the ground very hard indeed, but there must be some sort of device that stops that, because it slowed up and then just settled very lightly. I was very pleased about that," he said.

"How did you get it to lift?" Ardan said.

"There was another lever. A horizontal one, this time. Whoever is controlling the thing sits at a sort of desk, with the direction control in one hand and the height control in the other. It takes some co-ordination, but I think I've got the hang of it now." He grinned. "Speed depends on how far you push the direction lever."

"That is wonderful news," said Ardan. "But for the moment, we're still trying to find the cache. The greatest problem is that we have absolutely no idea what we're looking for."

"Okay," said Jandol, still pleased with himself, "let's split up and look."

They did, and it was Ardan himself who found the cache. There was a slab of rock facing him. Smooth, it covered an area about twelve feet high and fifteen feet across. Fragments of fallen rock, shattered by winter frosts, lay in profusion nearby, but almost none in front of the slab. He moved closer. The rock was smooth, few flaws and he shrugged his shoulders. 'Just coincidence', he thought, and slapped the rock as he turned to move away. The hollow boom that rang from the rock stopped him in his tracks. He made a fist and rapped the rock with his knuckles. Again that hollow sound. Excited now, he tried to find the edge, wondering if he could lever it up, find out what was behind. The others had heard the boom and were making their way through the rocks, excited.

"Have you found it?" Leara said.

"I don't know. It's hollow, listen - ," he said as he tapped the rock and the hollow boom left little doubt, " - but I can't find how to get behind it."

"Have you tried the key?" said Leara.

"No, not yet."

"Why don't you?"

"I - "

"Hmm?"

Ardan raised his hands. "Okay, but I don't know what good it will do." He pulled at the thong around his neck and retrieved the key from his pouch. Jandol and Leara leaned closer to look.

"I looks like no key I ever saw before," said Jandol. "What are those buttons for?"

"They have to be pressed in a particular sequence," said Ardan, "the same order that the initial letters occur in the Grandmother's name."

"The Grandmother? The Temple Grandmother? No one knows her name. Everyone calls her 'Grandmother'," said Jandol, frowning.

"Birga. Her name is Birga. She told me. B, R, G; blue, red, green," said Ardan, pressing the buttons. Startled, they felt more than heard a hum, then a creak and crash as the slab of rock beside them began to lift away from the rocks on either side. The three watchers hurriedly moved back out of its way as it lifted, revealing a simple pair of doors behind. Large, dull, black metal. Closed. A large metal wheel was mounted at one side. Ardan and Jandol looked at each other, then at Leara.

Leara shrugged. "There's a wheel. We turn it." She stepped forward, grabbed the wheel in two hands and tried to turn it. Nothing.

"Try the other way," said Jandol. Leara did, and after a moments hesitation, the wheel began to turn. As it did, the doors began silently to open. As they did, a blast of stale air came out, but fell away to nothing as the gap widened. A few more turns and the gap was wider than a man's shoulders. Ardan raised his hand.

"Stop there, Lea. I'll just peep in. We may need torches, for light, and I don't think there's much up here to burn."

"Blankets," said Leara promptly.

Ardan chuckled. "Blankets," he agreed. "Wait a moment, I'll just look in." He stepped forward into the gap and as he did a light began to gleam deep inside the cave, followed by others, until the inside of the cave was brightly lit.

The others joined him in the entrance and the three of them stood there, awed by the sight revealed. Jandol reached over and patted his shoulder and Leara squeezed his hand.

"Guns," said Ardan, "lots of guns. Lots and lots of guns. We can fight back," he said, barely able to control the excitement in his voice. "At last, we have a chance of hurting these invaders. Unless I'm having hallucinations, I think we have our own flying machine, too," he said, pointing to the rear of the cave, where a half-familiar shape rested on tripod skids. "I wonder how that one works?"

"We'll find out, Ardan, but even if we don't, we have the means to arm our people, and we have the means to get those arms to them."

Ardan nodded. "Look around, see if there are any instruction books of any kind. We might not be able to read them, but if they have pictures we might be able to work out how things work. Apart from instruction books, bring one example of everything you pick to the front and then we'll take it outside into the daylight and examine it where we can see what we're looking at. Okay?"

"Okay," said Jandol.

"Lea?"

"Yes, indeed. One of each?"

"Yes, but try to pick weapons that can be used by one person."

"Let's get started, then," said Leara, reaching to the nearest rack and selecting one of each of two different guns. She carried them out into the sunlight.