The Huntresses of Scythia: Part I
By Nicholas Klinsman  http://www.mindsync.com/rapty/moscow.html
A small but deadly band of female warriors inflicts appalling casualties upon an invading army.


Less than a quarter of the moon was visible, casting darkness on the earth
below. Underneath the black shroud, an umbrella of light projected itself
upward from a scattered cluster of bonfires. Well above the flames, bats could
be seen occasionally darting in and out of the smoke. At the same time, the
glare of the fires illuminated the water rippling in the river next to the
camp. Against a backdrop of chirping crickets and croaking frogs, the sounds
of soldiers speaking Persian and complying with their military duties
dominated the landscape. As the night passed the fires began to extinguish,
while the soldiers weary from the sweat and dust of the march began to lie
down in search of rest.

Meanwhile, across the river from the encampment, behind a thick wall of shrubs
and tall grass, three enemy warriors observed their every move, and skillfully
prepared their weapons. Although sinewy and long limbed, these warriors did
not possess the brute strength or the thick bone structure like their
adversaries camped across the river, while the curvaceous silhouettes of their
bodies indicated they were female. Their otherwise long, dark hair was pulled
back and tautly rolled up into a bun behind their head. Strapped tightly onto
each one of their backs was a quiver of arrows and a bow. Around their thighs
and biceps were tight fitting bands that held sheaths containing razor sharp
knives. The only other thing they each wore was a loincloth and bra made out
of animal hides.

Once the glare on the river had considerably dissipated, they stealthily made
their way to the water's edge. Unfazed by the water's freezing temperatures
they slowly descended into the murky deep until the only part of their body
visible was from the chin up. Using the strength of their legs to propel
themselves, they glided through the water like a pack of sharks smelling blood
in the distance.

Out ahead of the other girls was Edina. Physically, she was the strongest and
most daring of the group. Flanked to her right was Zohra, and to the left was
Aasha. Both were expert archers seemingly without equal. Completely undetected
by their enemy they reached the shallows on the other side. Careful not to
make the slightest sound, the women slowly crawled hand over hand to a
location, which they had predetermined, based upon earlier observations.
Ignoring the stench of refuse coming from the opposite bank, the women could
feel the mixture of mud and pebbles rub against their navels as they slithered
in between the reeds. Once they were in position, Edina extended her neck
upwards and glimpsed into the camp. Her eyes satisfyingly gleamed at what she
saw. With the exception of a few sentries most of the men were sound asleep,
exhausted from a frustrating military campaign in which they chased an elusive
enemy they knew existed, but could not find. By this time tomorrow all of you
will be dead, Edina thought to herself as her face receded back into the
reeds.

Not long thereafter, the opportunity they were waiting for had arrived as two
soldiers wearing black tunics began to unknowingly approach their position.
Because the two men each wore a black turban and a beard, it was difficult to
tell by looking at their faces whether or not they were experienced soldiers
or brand new recruits.

Immediately, Zohra and Aasha each drew an arrow from their quiver and aimed
their bow. Overlooking the river the two soldiers were now only feet away from
Edina. Without any apprehension they then lifted up their tunics to relieve
themselves. At that moment, Zohra and Aasha fired their shots, sending an
arrow directly into each of the soldiers' hearts. For an instant both men
stood motionless, eyes bulging out, and mouths gaping open in surprise.

Without hesitation Edina sprang out of the water and came up from behind the
soldier nearest herself. Before he could call out any kind of alarm, she
cupped her hands over his mouth and dragged him into the reeds. As the other
soldier crumbled to his knees, Zohra and Aasha quickly surged forward. After
quickly gaining control of their victim, they pulled him down the bank as if
they were she wolves dragging a fresh kill to their lair. The triceps muscles
in back of their arms ferociously contracted as they pushed down with their
hands over his mouth. In between their fingers they could hear and feel blood
gurgling from his mouth as he struggled to breathe his last gasps of air.

Edina on the other hand, pinned her victim to the ground. She prevented his
legs from kicking out and possibly alerting others by trapping his lower body
in between her thighs with a leg scissors. Taking no chances Edina coiled her
calves over one another to apply maximum control.

As soon as the soldiers were both dead the girls wasted no time disrobing
them. After the two men were stripped naked, Zohra hid the blood soaked bodies
out of sight, while Edina and Aasha put on the soldiers' clothing, hopeful
that the darkness could disguise who they really were.