special wine

Special Wine

Legal Notice

Violence and Prurient Content Warning

This story contains sex and violence and there are some naked people. Future stories will have a lot of sex and violence and even more naked people. If a little sex and violence and naked people upset you, then don’t read this story.

This story also contains information about ancient world seafaring and Mycenaean history. If ancient world seafaring and Mycenaean history bother you, don’t read this story.

Effen

Art by IHCOYC XPICTOC

Introduction

In this story, I take the liberty of making use of a modern foreign language. I know this language was not in existence in 1300BC. It was only used for effect and to distinguish one cultural group from another, and, hopefully, to aid in adding a little humor. Also, the suggestion of certain technology is well within the abilities of the time period - it’s all a matter of accidental discovery.

The Story

Spring, about 1300BC. The harbor entry at Rhodes.

Rehena was knocking gently at the cabin door, "Captain, Captain," she whispered.

Ursa had stayed awake most of the night with Rehena, but fell asleep toward dawn and then slept the whole day through. The previous day’s experiences had left her both physically and mentally exhausted. As she gradually awoke to the knocking, she could feel the warm pendant against her chest and that brought back thoughts of Athene and the dream and the yellow-haired woman - and making love the morning before; her mind drifted peacefully; she squeezed her eyes shut and tried to ignore Rehena.

"Captain," she whispered again, "it’s nearly sunset. We are entering Rhodes."

"Oh my," she said to herself, "sunset! - Rhodes!" opening her eyes wide now and stretching inside her bedding; and then thinking, "I’ve slept all day, I must get on deck, Rhodes. Bokd must be here with us, he’ll wonder where I am." But she weakened and fell back in a heap and stretched again and snuggled down a little in the warm blankets - the bed had its drawing forces as well. Her bed was a thick mattress of old sailcloth in one corner of the day cabin, which she occasionally even tried to make look reasonably presentable, but Ursa was no housekeeper; it was usually a mess and she wound up in it like ball. She could feel her naked body against the cloth. It felt good. Her eyes drifted lazily around the little room. Her sea tunic hung on a peg on the bulkhead, but it did not sway with the motion of the ship, it was late afternoon and the wind had died to a mere light breeze. Nonetheless, she could sense the lack of even a light roll, they must be entering the protected roadstead, "Oh Hera! I’ve GOT to get up." Forcing herself mightily, she climbed out of bed and staggering about, donned her tunic and ran onto the main deck.

Staring out over the bow, the sun hit her in the face as it sat low over the city. In the brief moment of blinding sunlight she thought how she had seen those same whitewashed buildings three days ago when Bokd and Alkimos had stopped her before she could enter with her cargo of lead, lead indeed, and then diverted her to Herakleia. And last night, the long night with Rehena, talking about the strange dream; but she did not tell Rehena about the pendant, it would only have started another argument over religion. She had been very tired, exhausted even, when Aurora first touched the sky with her gentle glow and she stumbled into bed. Turning sharply away from the sun and to the stern, she could see the Ranger just behind them, the galley’s masts catching the russet sunlight. Running up to the quarterdeck she found Rehena standing as captain, good Rehena, she could always trust Rehena to be there when she needed her.

"What a beautiful finish to the day Ra give us, Captain, no?"

The air had been somewhat heavy in the late afternoon and the sun had taken on a deep orange appearance as it rapidly settled toward a ragged horizon formed by the darkening silhouette of the white buildings.

"Yes, he has. The orange is so deep, red, yet almost golden."

And then she turned back toward the Ranger, dutifully plodding along not far behind. The Isis was moving very slowly in the fading and fitful wind and Bokd, making an entry into his home port before the eyes of his king, was working at forming the best possible impression at this decorous pace. The Ranger was moving under oars alone, her masts bare, and the rowers doing their precision half-stroke thing that looked so well-regulated and military - Bokd loved to show off his crew and ship. The oars would dip and rise, but then stand suspended, held stopped in mid stroke before beginning the next downward thrust into the water; a visible demonstration of the crew’s careful training and command of their art. But even that paled by the effects of the setting sun, whos orange rays reflected from the wet oars and gave them a truly rich copper character. The whole galley seemed bathed in copperish sunlight, but the oars in particular glinted and sparkled in a way that truly stimulated the senses. Rehena was transfixed.

"A galley can be a lovely thing, Captain. A thing of war, but still beautiful to behold at times. Look, even the soldiers’ armor shines in the sun."

True. Bokd had just gotten the soldiers arrayed for the entry and he himself was on the quarterdeck in his best well-polished armor with the plumed helmet and comb. Ursa could see the sunlight glint off him as he moved about the quarterdeck. The Ranger was advancing a little on them and as she began to come alongside Bokd waved at her, resplendent in his full dress of bronze armor and white and red trimmed tunic. She returned the gesture.

As the vessels approached the inner harbor, the palace could be seen rising up from its walls just behind the harbor area. The building was white like the rest but large and sprawling. The Isis did her best to keep going in the dying wind but it was evident that she would soon be merely drifting, windless, in the now darkening glossiness of the undisturbed water. Bokd had a line thrown over the stern of the Ranger, now gone ahead of them, and the Isis made the final leg in tow.

The two vessels dropped their anchors as an official boat from Kossic’s court came alongside the Ranger. It was dusk now and lights could be seen among the waterfront buildings; soon the taverns would be alive with drinkers and fun would be in the offing. Rehena came alongside Ursa as she stared out from the rail.

"Officials from the king, I see. I wonder what they want."

Rehena’s question was soon answered. The official boat pulled away toward shore and a boat from the Ranger came alongside the Isis and asked if Captain Ursa would come aboard the Ranger. Down in Bokd’s cabin she heard the news.

"What? You mean my vessel is impounded?"

"For a brief time only."

Ursa looked hard at Bokd, and it wasn’t a love gaze.

"Don’t worry, you will be compensated at your normal rate; Kossic is a fair man, and very appreciative of what you have done for him. It’s just that he doesn’t want any talking for a while until the bronze is produced and the amour made and shipped out ."

"How long will that take?" she said testily.

"He wants you here a month."

"A month! And what am I supposed to do? Twiddle my thumbs?"

"No, this." Bokd took her shoulders and kissed her.

She smiled back dizzily, "I might like it after all." And then thinking about her ship and snapping back to reality, "What about the crew and the cargo I have to deliver?"

"The cargo will be unloaded and taken care of, don’t worry, just give me the guy’s name, I’ll take care of it; the crew will be kept on board and taken care of as well. They’ll lay about like hogs and love it. You can go visit them whenever you like. He just doesn’t want us around taverns drinking and talking."

Ursa shook her head in agreement. She didn’t like being held this way but she could see the wisdom in it. And she had been paid a lot of money.

Bokd seemed to have something else on his mind. "Look, we are invited to go to court right now."

"Court! Oh great, and what am I to wear, this thing?" she said, pointing to her rough and worn sea tunic. "And this?" flipping her somewhat disarrayed curls with her fingers, "I look like a Fury on a bad hair day."

"Ursa, please, you will be tended by a dozen slavegirls before you see him."

Her eyes brightened. This had never happed to her before, prepared by slavegirls. It was slowly sinking in, they would make her look beautiful, perhaps as she had never been. Her eyes drifted off to one side as her mind wandered, thinking how it would be. Bokd watched her and played it for all it was worth, he wanted her to go along with this and not be difficult - she could get difficult and make things very difficult for him.

"They’ll bathe you, and perfume you and dress you in a lovely gown."

"And jewelry? What about that?" she asked, just making sure everything would be right.

"Oh loads, all you want," he impressively fabricated.

"A nice headband?"

"Yes, yes, you’ll have the pick of a dozen, golden ones."

She liked that - headbands were important, Bokd liked headbands - she liked headbands.

"And where will I stay?’ Ursa left no detail unattended. She was used to bargaining and covering every detail. This business of being feted at court was something new to her.

Bokd sagged a little in exasperation. She glared at him. "Well? I want to know."

"We will be fed and given rooms for the night. You’re to attend a celebration dinner. You will be my guest and the guest of the king. Just don’t haul off and wallop some poor guy in the arm ‘cause he smiles at you, okay?"

She put her hands on her hips and looked offended.

"Oh, worried the rough old sea dog’ll embarrass the important galley captain?"

He felt bad about that, but she could get out of control. He diverted the subject.

"You can stay at the palace all you want for the next month, with me, even."

"Really! You mean like, live together?"

"Well, sort of."

He eyes narrowed.

"I mean, I do have to go to sea on patrols and things but I don’t stay out long. It’s hard to tell, I can’t predict when I’ll be needed or where, but we’ll have time together, lots of time together."

That seemed to placate her. Then she asked, "Anyone else coming tonight"

"Phrontis, my first mate"

Ursa’s eyes brightened.

"And who’s coming to the dinner with him?

"I hadn’t though about that. He could bring someone, if he wanted." That slipped out. He shouldn’t have said that. He was cooked and he knew it; Ursa asked the inevitable question.

"Ask him if he wants to bring Rehena. They like each other, I know," she smiled.

Bokd faltered just a little. The Idea of both these women there was making him nervous, panicky even; and Rehena was even more dangerous than Ursa, you never knew what she would do next. Ursa sensed his hesitation. She wadded up her fist.

"ASK HIM!" she barked. She was a skilled negotiator and was feeling her power; short of throwing her into a cell, he had to deal with her and she was determined to have as much fun as possible.

"Okay, okay. He felt his heart sagging. Kossic had such a high opinion of him, these two could ruin it in a single evening, Hades, a single moment. Ursa had a self-satisfied smile on her face that worried Bokd to no end.

As Bokd finished dressing himself he could not help but wonder about the evening’s events. Ursa had gotten Rehena and both of had been taken to the court by an official boat were they were now likely undergoing that magical process by which women are transformed into things of indescribable beauty. He had never seen Ursa in formal dress, only a couple of times in a gown; usually she was just in a simple tunic. She looked good in a tunic. It suited her muscular body, but she looked good in a gown too. His mind wandered, wondering what she would look like this evening. His thoughts, however, were constantly disrupted by visions of her or Rehena making some outlandish comment or becoming too rough for the company. Both of them acted more like men than women in many ways. He hoped Kossic, a fairly rough character himself who enjoyed a good time, might like her bumptious ways. But there would be other women there as well and he wondered how the girls would get along with them. Kossic frequently allowed women at his court at meal times and even afterward, but toward the latter part of the evening they would leave. Or they would leave if the dancing girls were to perform. But tonight there were to be no dancing girls, just guests and slavegirls attending; and Kossic would have them wear clothes, something they didn’t always do. Since Ursa and Rehena were to be guests he wanted it to be a decent and respectable evening. Bokd wondered if the King knew what was he could be in for.

At the very moment Bokd was pondering these things, Ursa and Rehena were being introduced to the wonders of Kossic’s baths and skilled girls. The two had arrived in haste, dressed as they were, and had been whisked to the baths by the female steward. As they entered they smelled the fragrant perfumes and soaps and felt the warm damp air surround their bodies. The big dimly lit room contained a large shallow bath with the sides shaped as steps, so one could enter and sit at any convenient depth. The floors were of polished stone with couches scattered about and tables covered with cloths and perfumes. Ursa and Rehena stood wide-eyed but smiling. Six lovely young girls, as naked as the gods had made them, were at the far end of the bath bowing politely. The steward led them around to the side and three girls each converged upon the two; artfully undressing them and leading them into the warm steaming water. Ursa felt a little nervous about this, but Rehena smiled at her with a look that said she was going to enjoy every bit of the evening, beginning right here. Rehena had a marvelous capacity to enjoy life as it came. Ursa took her cue and suddenly relaxed and smiled back. This was going to be fun. The girls were very well trained and laughed and giggled as they held their arms and helped them step into the bath. They seemed to be fascinated with Ursa and Rehena’s bodies, big and muscular, not like theirs, soft and delicate. The slavegirls looked at each other and smiled in anticipation of their evening’s work. The steward, a big women herself, stood by and watched everything.

Soon the two girls were sitting up their shoulders in the water and the slavegirls swarming over them with cloths and soaps, cleaning every part of their bodies and washing their hair. The liquid warmth felt wonderful. Ursa had been in public baths before, but never in a private building and attended to in such a manner, it was a little embarrassing. The slavegirls were totally and delightfully uninhibited and thoroughly washed the girls’ most private areas with the same enthusiasm and serene smiles on their faces as when they scrubbed their backs. While the washing was going on, hot cloths were placed on their faces over unguents and various soaps - this was the full treatment.

After the washing was completed, both girls swam around the pool a bit and washed off the soap and floated on the water. The slavegirls swam around them playfully, laughing, their hair floating on the water in beautiful swirls. They were all laughing; just enjoying the warm water. There was still a little time to relax and Ursa and Rehena were encouraged to sit or float in the water and soak. A girl was now sitting off to one side of the room kneeling on a cloth before a harp, playing and singing exquisitely. She was as naked as the rest of them. The room being very warm and damp, the steward, an attractive woman like the rest, had slipped out of her tunic as well and now stood naked; her large and full breasts hanging impressively from her chest. This seemed to be a place for gods and naked people only. It was just too beautiful and peaceful. The heady atmosphere was completed by goblets of wine. They were soon giggling with the evening’s first effects of Dionysus’ magic touch as they swooned languidly in the caressing bath.

Bokd and Phrontis were now approaching the quay in the launch. Bokd sat in the bows as the little vessel glided over the last of her short passage and gently bumped the stoneworks. He jumped out and onto the quayside taking the painter with him and pulling Phrontis out of the boat with a willing arm. The men on shore did not expect him to do that but Bokd was, and always would be, captain or not, a working seaman. He did not feel above exerting himself and his men liked him for that. A popular commander, he always got the best of crews; something which made him less than appreciated by some of the more senior captains.

There was a spring to his step now. Always the optimist, he had convinced himself that the women would behave themselves and the evening would go swimmingly. Bokd was a frequent visitor to the palace and he and Phrontis quickly walked along toward the main gate, where he checked himself through the guard, stepped into the courtyard and headed to the main group of buildings; impressive colonnaded structures with tiled roofs. As they stepped inside he was met by Epikairos, one of Kossic’s advisors and a friend of Bokd’s. Epikairos clapped him on the shoulder and laughed. Phrontis, not so used to being in the palace, junior to the two others, appropriately stood a little stiffly off to one side.

"Come here," Epikairos chuckled to Bokd. Phrontis waited while, they dodged off into an alcove where they could whisper. "The women have been taken to their quarters. I saw them. They are beautiful. And the black one..."

"Rehena."

"Is that her name? Marvelous, exquisite."

"My first mate here is her escort," jerking his thumb back. And then he whispered smiling, "I think he loves her, poor lad. Spent all day with his head up his ass just thinking about tonight."

They both laughed.

Bokd called out in a soft voice. "Phrontis."

"Yes, sir," as he popped up alongside, eager to join the conversation with his captain.

"My friend, Epikairos, thinks Rehena is quite ravishing."

Phrontis looked very pleased with himself at having such a conquest within his grasp.

"She’s wonderful, isn’t she?" his eyes brightening.

Epikairos asked, "Have you…"

Phrontis grinned, "Not yet, but maybe tonight."

Bokd shook his head thinking about poor Perinoos and the tottering wreck Rehena had turned him into only yesterday. Phrontis was bigger though; as tall as Rehena and powerfully built, he might actually last two rounds before hitting the mat.

"Think you’re man enough for her," asked Epikairos, chuckling, "she’s a big one."

"Oh I can handle her," he said, full of confidence that seemed just shy of totally convincing.

"The old boy is in a rare mood tonight gentlemen," Epikairos whispered regarding Kossic. "He’s got a new woman friend, a big one, real beauty; built like a Titan."

Bokd suddenly got nervous again. He didn’t need this, not tonight. Ursa could be sensitive to competition, and Rehena, gods, this could mean trouble. If that woman got nasty everything could go to pieces. Kossic was that breed of warrior king that would take a city, as he had taken Rhodes five years ago, and then organize things and turn it into a thriving place; but never really himself become civilized in the true sense. Always the warrior, the battle fighter, he loved combat and weapons, horses and chariots, and women and wine; and slavegirls were his usual fare, the lustier and bustier the better; big and wild. He himself was a big man, a head taller than most, and muscular with a roaring voice, but withal, a decent and honorable fellow, a great fun lover, but not to be crossed.

Epikairos continued, "She’s wild, got a temper like a Harpie, smiles one minute and then tears after him the next, and he wrestles her down right there in the courtroom. He loves it. And he doesn’t always win, either. She’s blacked the eyes and knocked the wind out of half the palace staff already. And insists on wearing her traditional dress, skins and leather, what there is of it.

Bokd’s heart was sagging. Phrontis was all ears and wide eyes. This was unbelievable.

"Where did she come from - another slavegirl?"

"No, not this one. A chieftains’ daughter, wouldn’t you know. From up north, far up north. She calls herself a Hoon or Hun or something like that, can’t tell exactly, speaks no Achaian. He can’t even talk to her."

"What?" said Bokd.

"That’s right, they can’t understand each other - at all. But all he wants to do is…," and he made a pounding gesture with his fist and his other hand that said it all.

Phrontis laughed. Bokd sighed.

"But she yells in that language of hers and then gets angry if no one can understand her." Now Epikairos laughed. "He met her years ago during his youthful travels; you know, the girl you meet as a young man and can’t forget. Well, he sent for her two years ago. Arrived just as you left. Can’t get enough of each other, if you know what I mean."

Bokd knew; Phrontis grinned broadly, still chuckling. He was relaxing more in the presence of his superiors..

"What’s her name?" asked Bokd.

"Effen"

Bokd turned that one over in his head, "Effen." Odd name. A woman’s name should end in an open sound, like Hera or even Ursa. "What’s it mean?"

"Afraid to ask," he smiled. Then he laughed and slapped him on the shoulders. "Relax, old boy, we’re in for a night to remember." That’s what Bokd was afraid of. "Come-on, lets go. It’s about time to get the girls. I’ve got them in a room, waiting along with mine. We don’t want them to melt away now, do we?"

Epikairos led them to a room not far down the corridor and held the door has they walked in. The pleasantly furnished room contained the three woman. Ursa, Rehena and Aidemosune, Epikairos’s wife; a very lovely, but demure woman who was no doubt finding the her two companions a little eccentric, to say the least, not to mention fascinating and even amusing. Ursa and Rehena were laughing over something they had just said, and Aidemosune was looking a little embarrassed but tittered self-consciously nonetheless. They composed themselves as the men entered, or at least tried to, Rehena was still stifling laughter. The three women were ravishing to look at, especially Ursa and Rehena who had been worked over by Kossic’s handmaidens. Their hair had been done up in the latest fashion, parted in the middle and tucked up under the sides into curls. Each had a lovely headband to hold the arrangement in place. Ursa gave Bokd a pleasant look as if to indicate that she felt good about the way she looked. Bokd responded with a kind and knowing smile - she was, indeed, beautiful.

Epikairos introduced everyone. Aidemosune remained seated as the men bowed politely, while Ursa and Rehena just marched up, smiling; each taking turns happily crushing Epikairos’s hand. Bokd could see him trying to maintain his composure while covertly flexing his fingers at his side. Aidemosune took this all in with an amazed sidelong glance. Ursa sidled up along side Bokd as did Rehena to Phrontis.

This event was Ursa and Rehena’s introduction to court society, not that Kossic was a stickler for protocol; if he was, they would not have been there; but still and all, even freewheeling Kossic had his limits, and with that drawn bow of an Effen, or whatever her name was, raising Hades and flailing about, things could get out of control rapidly.

Sensing the awkward silence and seeing Bokd’s embarrassed glare, and Epikairos still extending and flexing his fingers, the girls composed themselves and put on a rather uncomfortable act of remaining staid and feminine. It was like watching a dog walk on its hind legs; possible, but not natural. Rehena was on the verge of exploding in laughter; if she made a peep Ursa would unravel completely. Bokd shifted his worried eyes toward Rehena. She caught his gaze and began to tremble in silent laughter. Ursa unraveled. Aidemosune looked a little uncomfortable, these girls were very unusual. Phrontis just stood there and silently shook in mirth as well. This was hopeless.

Epikairos looked at Bokd with amused resignation, "Lets go, it’s time. Kossic will be there by now and likely Effen as well, along with the rest. You’re the guests of honor," he said expansively.

As they began to move down the corridor toward main hall sounds of voices could be heard behind the approaching door, many voices all joined in mirth and shouts. A guard stood at each side standing stiffly, shield at the breast and spear in hand. They opened the door and the little group stepped through.

Inside was a sight to behold. At least twenty people, mostly men, all laying about on couches and pillows on the floor. Torches set into the walls gave the room a dim, flickering illumination. He noticed Alkimos, the official who headed off Ursa with him in the boat, Ursa noticed him too and furrowed her eyebrows and narrowed her eyes jokingly in mock annoyance at deceiving her over the tin. He smiled back. The food had not been brought out yet but wine was flowing plentifully and several slavegirls, modestly dressed in short tunics were, walking about giggling, filling cups and getting pinched as men reached under and felt their bare bottoms. At the far end of the room, on a raised platform, itself heaped with pillows, furs and cloths, sat Kossic on a low stool, his feet extended out toward his two hounds; well behaved dogs whose eyes rolled about and tails slapped, but otherwise did not move or make a sound. All the noise from his end was coming from a large, blonde woman at his side; Effen herself. She was indeed as Epikairos had described her, a big muscular woman, incredibly beautiful, and saying something to Kossic in her native tongue and gesticulating and playfully socking him in the arm in the process. While Ursa had dark blonde hair, Effen had astonishingly light golden hair; a leather headband studded in gems held it in place, the rest hanging in waves from her head. Her eyes flashed a brilliant blue and fixed upon Ursa immediately. She jumped up and pointed to her. Bokd’s heart almost stopped.

Now standing, Effen’s body was more visible, indeed she wore a cloth and leather top that cupped her large, full breasts and emphasized her broad shoulders. A short skirt of leather strips, studded in bronze, came to just over her knees. This was certainly not the long gown of an Achaian woman. Her powerful legs were bare except for the leather sandal straps that crossed up to her knees. Ursa and this woman were much the same in many ways. Bokd waited for the collision. It never came.

Effen ran toward Ursa like a giddy child, smiling and happy. Bokd thoughtfully stepped aside as the sinewy woman gracefully charged up before her and put her hands on Ursa’s shoulders and stared at her. She just stood there and smiled for a moment, and then said something completely unintelligible in a manner suggesting that we were to understand completely. The room fell quiet. Effen kept smiling. Ursa just looked. And then Effen burst out laughing and took Ursa’s hand and walked off with her to where she has been sitting - ignoring everyone else. Effen sat Ursa down and began stoking her hair and smiling at her. In a world where all women had black or brown hair, Effen had found a friend who reminded her of home.

Kossic stood up and beckoned the guests to approach while Effen, babbling at Ursa, lay back and absentmindedly pulled in one foot, raising her knee into the air. The studded leather strips of her skirt fell between her legs just barely covering her pubis. Bokd caught himself looking as he approached Kossic - "Gods, those legs," he thought, "oops," recovering quickly. But Kossic either didn’t notice or didn’t care.

Epikairos made the introductions. Bokd and Phrontis and Rehena got through everything well enough while Effen jabbered with Ursa, who looked on and pretended to understand. This was the most bizarre situation Bokd had ever been in, but no one else seemed to mind so he began to relax. After a little chat, in which Kossic thanked everyone for their efforts, he turned to Effen and Ursa and tried to tell Ursa how pleased he was for her success and apologized for the detainment, but the reclining Effen just chattered on and on, stopping only once to kick a foot in his direction to let him know he shouldn’t interrupt her. Bokd could not help but look when she kicked to see if a little more of her extreme upper thighs would be revealed. A little more were, but not quite enough to glimpse the Elysian Fields. He turned his eyes away instantly, Kossic was now busy talking to Rehena and Phrontis. Epikairos and Aidemosune were standing quietly. Bokd was just staring. Ursa was still smiling blandly and Effen yammering and laughing. How long could this insane scene continue, he wondered.

Bokd and company, at Kossic’s suggestion by way of a broad wave of his hand, sat themselves down in an area of low seats and couches set aside for them. Ursa was still with Effen and Kossic managed, with much protestation from Effen, to disengage her and let her sit with Bokd. Effen was now crestfallen and reduced to sitting with Kossic and the dogs. She was obviously a very self centered individual, local royalty, used to having her own way in everything and did not like compromise. Sulking she alternately glared at Kossic and looked wistfully at Ursa, who kindly looked at her from time to time and smiled a little.

Bokd asked, "What did you say to her?"

"I don’t know, nothing really. I just smiled mostly and shook my head. She seemed to like me a lot. Her face is very intelligent, but she is lonely and bored, I can tell - and spoiled."

Rehena chimed in, "I’d like to wrestle her."

"Please no," said Bokd.

Rehena laughed, "I just joking." And then impishly, "But I would."

Ursa laughed as well, "So would I."

Shaking his head, Bokd put his hands to his face.

Aidemosune looked uncomfortable. This was not her style at all. She looked at Epikairos for support and got only laughter. She jabbed him with her elbow. "You’re learning," he said. She looked at the ceiling in annoyance.

A delightful, smiling little serving girl handed everyone cups, poured wine, and then skipped off to refill her jug. Another stopped by with plates of dates and figs and cheese, she skipped away too. Bokd wanted to say how strange it was to see the girls clothed but he held his tongue. He could read Epikairos’s face; he was thinking the same thing. Everyone was behaving a little formally and even stiffly this evening. The presence of the women had taken the roughhewn edge off the atmosphere. The men sat around and talked and looked wistfully at the serving girls, no one wanted to do anything improper - they needed a little more wine.

The food was soon brought out by men carrying large metal dishes shaped like shields heaped with meat and vegetables. The girls brought in metal plates for the diners to put their food in. Mostly the men would grab for the meat as it came around. And dump a leg or breast of deer or goat into a plate and start chomping away and washing it down with wine. The harpist Ursa and Rehena saw in the bath was back, but now with an accomplice on the drum and another on the flute, and were playing more sprightly airs as befitted the cheery mood of the evening, or at least what was supposed to be the cheery mood of the evening. Things had, in fact, fallen a little flat. The men simply did not know how to behave and were wanting the usual fare of naked serving girls and naked dancers dancing up a storm. They were used to serving girls and dancers falling prey to the grasping arms of happy men who would pull them into their arms and ravish them; all accompanied by yells and hearty laughs of successful capture and squeals of playful delight from the girls. But none of that was happening, only quiet conversation punctuated by the occasional cough or self-conscious belch. Even Ursa and Rehena were a little subdued, the mood was catching and even wine did not seem to liven things up. Aidemosune was a pathetic, dainty sipper and Ursa and Rehena seemed not inclined to drink much at all. Effen had become downright sullen and sat quietly, picking at her food and taking little wine. Even the warrior men were not consuming much; this event needed stimulation.

Sensing the evening about to fall into irredeemable malaise, Kossic, a man of vast experience in such matters as a good time, rose and addressed the room. The assembled body leaned in his direction out of polite respect. He began to announce that he had something special for the evening and that he would bring it forth now that the meal was largely eaten. The feeding would go on all night, but the initial engorgement was now ended; the rest would be mere nibbling.

As he stood smiling, the serving girls re-emerged and this time brought out tiny drinking cups and large flasks filled with an amber colored substance. The flasks were emptied into the silver cups clasped in the extended hands of recumbent groups of people, who looked suspiciously at their small size. Kossic urged no one to drink just yet but to wait. When everyone was served he began to speak, holding his own cup in his hand as he did so. Effen just squinted into her cup as if there was possibly something alive in it.

"I have a special treat for you tonight, something made by a local artist here in Rhodes, a new drink."

Faces around the room brightened in expectation of something new to divert them.

"I must warn you I have had some already and is very different from anything you have had in the past. The maker has shown me his workroom and his magic things. He has a tavern in town where this will be served, but I have had it brought here for you tonight, to introduce it and, well…, help you along."

A few titters floated around the room. Effen still continued to look quizzically into her cup, now sniffing. Quite unexpectedly she smiled and uttered a word none had ever heard; "Schnapps!" she said with glee, and downed the whole cup in a gulp; smacking her lips as she finished.

"Ausgezeichnet! (hic!). Ja, gut. Sehr geschmacklich," she commented cheerily, looking toward Kossic. People looked blankly at each other; more nonsense from the foreigner.

Kossic continued as if he had seen and heard nothing, "You should not drink this quickly." His comments seemed superfluous now after Effens’ mighty inhalation, but he laughed. Effen held out her empty cup and with a big smile said with triumphant aplomb, "Mehr!" A slavegirl filled it again.

Kossic continued, "Take as much as you like, but it’s a little stronger than wine."

Effen downed the second cupful. The way she drank, it was obvious this was not new to her. You could almost hear the liquid hit the bottom of her stomach directly, as if it never touched the walls of her throat. Kossic tried to ignore her.

"He won’t tell me how he makes this."

"Mehr!" She interrupted, her arm was extended again and her smile a little brighter, and a little dizzier."

Kossic tried to ignore her. "He won’t tell me how he makes this, but…"

"MEHR!!" She kicked that foot out again. A little golden patch of fur gleamed. She covered herself with an impatient tug of her kilt. The anxious slavegirl poured another bumper. It went the same way as the last two; down in a gulp. "Ah! Ja!" she exclaimed, "Sehr gut! (hic!)," she grinned. No one could understand her but it was obvious she was enjoying herself immensely, and that she had done this before and was looking forward to a rollicking good time.

Kossic at this point gave up and just gestured toward everyone to drink and have fun. They needed no encouragement. Bokd tried some and so did Ursa and Rehena. "Yow!" said Phrontis, his eyes expanding. Similar exclamations emerged from their little group and all over the room as well. In fact the whole room became a buzz of exclamations of varying kinds as the warm liquid drained down the surprised throats.

Ursa could feel the rapid effects of the liquor making her head light. Everyone else was becoming giddy as well. Just then Kossic himself dropped in for a friendly chat. Everyone became a little self-conscious.

"Please, relax." Kossic missed being able to just sit around and gab like everyone else. He was looking forward to the effects of the booze loosening things up a bit and making the formality melt away. He sprawled across a low pile of pillows. "I have to tell you," he looked carefully about a bit to see if Effen was around, she wasn’t, he seemed relieved to be able to talk without her constant interruptions, "the chap that makes this stuff is a bright fellow, always trying something new." Everyone looked at him intently, their eyes just a little too round; the liquor was beginning taking effect. "He’s got a room full of….;" Kossic was searching for words to describe the unusual apparatus he saw; "stuff, eh… curling copper reeds, like a pig’s tail;" he made hopeless gestures trying to describe the condenser pipes he saw; "and bowls," retorts, "and he boils it slow and the special wine," brandy, "drips out of the end of a reed."

It was brandy they were drinking. About four or five times more powerful than anything any of them in that room had ever consumed; and it was working fast. Bokd, who was finishing his third cup, looked at him with a silly smile, as did everyone else; all except Aidemosune, who was getting snitty about the stupid behavior she was seeing and only sipped a little. Epikairos started laughing. Kossic, who might otherwise have been offended, only laughed himself, and then everyone did. Ursa and Rehena had had two cups apiece and were working on their third. Everybody was having a good time. What they were having a good time about seemed to be a mystery to them, however, because nobody was doing anything except laughing at nothing. Aidemosune was the only one who was not laughing, she was also the only one who was not drinking much. Epikairos looked at her, giggled, and took the bottom of her cup and gently raised it upward; draining the contents into the unwilling but compliant mouth of poor Aidemosune. She looked angrily at him, or at least appeared to be attempting anger, while he poured another cupful and handed it to her. "Here, drink." She looked at him but seemed to be a little less upset. She took a sip. He smiled - so did she. Ursa watched the whole proceeding with interest. This was indeed a magical potion of some sort. Kossic, who was watching everyone, laughed heartily and quaffed down the last of his cup; a girl refilled it immediately.

It was not long before everyone was beginning to loosen up considerably and began having good time. Bokd noticed that the music seemed to take on a different flavor, things seemed to be going in and out of focus. Kossic was talking to him but he really could not make out much of what was being said. Much the same appeared to be happening elsewhere throughout the hall. Conversation (or at least fragments of it) flowed in increasing and subsiding waves of sound and at least three slavegirls could be seen squealing and wriggling frantically atop laughing men with their tunics pulled up to their waists and their soft buttocks being massaged. Rehena could be heard behind him above the din howling occasionally, "Poor Phrontis," he thought, as he imagined her working him over. Bokd looked bleary-eyed at the spectacle in front of him as it moved in strange liquid ways. Suddenly, Ursa grabbed him and pulled him atop her and started to pull his tunic up to his armpits. Bokd frantically yanked it down, Ursa laughed and went for him again and rolled him onto his back. Rehena, seeing the fun, took the cue and lunged again for Phrontis, who was sitting goggle-eyed and recovering from her last assault. Knowing the hopeless odds, he obligingly offered only token resistance and went over; Rehena atop him, his legs in the air over her. Even Epikairos and Aidemosune were kissing passionately and in the process of falling over again into a tangled heap.

Kossic, seeing the results of his magic drink, let off a big booming laugh. Everyone, suddenly startled, tried to comport themselves but it was not really possible. They made a brave effort but they just as quickly collapsed again into sagging mirth and drunken passion. By now they had had at least four cups apiece and were drinking the stuff as if it were wine, except the impact was infinitely greater. Just as everyone was getting used to the idea that they were impossibly drunk and did not care what was happening, a new voice was heard and a big body plumped down alongside of Kossic.

"Shatze!" she exclaimed. And gave him a big hug and a smeary, slobbery kiss, spilling her cup of brandy as she did so; but not to fear it was virtually empty. They all hooted with laughter as Kossic went over as well with Effen on top of him, pawing and grabbing away. "Mein shashtze," she slurred, "Kommsht du Effen, ja?" She was rolling him over the floor like rag doll and he seemed to love it.

Everyone was laughing now and getting drunker by the minute. Bokd quite suddenly found himself free from Ursa, she had left the room to take care of matters; special wine has that effect. He sat up briefly just to see what was going on. The music could be heard only faintly as a frantic and silly noise, and the room seemed to be a blur, full of heaps of pulsating people. Girls and men were all over each other, howling and screaming, grabbing and tearing, reaching and clawing in drunken debauchery. The slavegirls, who had been fed as much of the stuff as anyone else, were mostly naked now, their tunics pulled or ripped from them and their soft pink bodies wriggling about like eels. Some were attempting to clamber away, others were being hauled back, most were being held prostrate, men jiggling and licking their breasts for fun, and a few were even engaged in intercourse and crying out in drunken delight. This was powerful stuff, this special wine.

All sense of decorum had left the gathering. Everyone was in a state of abandoned free play. And then it happened. Bokd was violently pushed over onto his back by a woman. Her blonde hair fell into his face as her lips came down upon his. Ursa, he thought. Then he heard close to his face that foreign voice, "Schatze!"

"Great gods!" he thought, "Effen!"

"No," he said, breaking loose from her vice-like lip-lock, "Me not shatzee. He shatzee," trying to tell her that she should be with Kossic. He could feel her breasts on his bare skin. "Zeus! She’s naked!" he thought. And then, "Zeus, I’m naked!" She had pushed his tunic up to his armpits and was grabbing. He frantically struggled to get away but she was too strong and held him pinned to the floor. She had doffed her top and her huge, full breasts swayed about as she bent over him; her addled hands were clumsily groping closer to the intended prize.

"Shatze! Mein liebchen, mein, (hic!) mein…."

"Oh gods," Bokd yelled, she had found what she was looking for and took hold.

"Die SCHATZE!" she laughed. "Ich habe den Schatze gefunden!"

Bokd was becoming frantic. The "treasure" she had found was his exterior plumbing. Not that he minded, but what if Kossic, whom he could see out of the corner of his eye temporarily prostrate and comatose, should awaken and find them in this position. But it wasn’t Kossic who showed up, it was Ursa. She picked up Effen by the armpits and dumped her over to one side on her back. Bokd went over along with her, making agonized cries as he went - she was tenaciously holding on.

"Owww! Great Zeus, she’s got…"

"I know what she’s got, Bokd. I can see."

"It wasn’t my fault, she attacked me."

"BULLSHIT!"

Ursa was making a fist and looking straight at Bokd’s arm. Bokd was on one side, trying not to lean against Effen, who was holding fast and grinning at her prize.

"No, really, look at her. Make her let go."

Ursa relented and took Effen by the wrist and made her release Bokd’s accessories; she didn’t want too, she made a face and resisted, but Ursa pried her fingers apart and got her to let go. Bokd moaned in glad relief as she disengaged. He quickly scuttled aside and wriggled up into his tunic.

"No, no," Ursa said, as if speaking to a child, "mine. Not yours."

But Effen understood nothing and went for the jewels again, flopping on top of Bokd and grabbing at his tunic as if Ursa didn’t exist. Bokd shrieked and covered his crotch with his hands. Ursa, now a little beyond annoyed, pulled her off again and tossed her aside. Effen, who was used to getting what she wanted, was beginning to show signs of anger. She started to go for Bokd yet again. Ursa thew her off a good distance a third time. Now Effen was definitely angry. Bokd looked to Kossic for relief and support, but he was out cold on his back some several feet away. Rehena, her beautiful hair-do a wreck, was crawling over toward Ursa, who also looked a bit untidy by now. Those people left who were not immobilized or unconscious from the wine, were taking a great interest in this developing scene. Effen was on all fours, her breasts big globules hanging and swaying below her, eyes fixed on Ursa and her face set in developing rage. This woman was not used to being pushed about. Ursa got up on her feet, wobbled a bit, did her best to focus, and faced her down. Bokd groaned. The largely irresistible force was about to meet the mostly immovable object.

Effen rose unsteadily as well, the anger suddenly replaced by a wry smile. As she stood unsteadily erect, her breasts fell against her chest, shaped up and took on an impressive look, well formed and full with magnificent aureoles and large hard nipples. She took her hands and squeezed the sides and massaged them a little as if conscious of their shapely bulk and proud to show them off, as if it felt good merely to possess such things. Her hands moved down her sides and to her waist, all the time feeling herself and massaging and flexing her muscles as if preparing herself for exercise. Everyone just looked, even Ursa and Rehena; she was a formidable beast, of that there was no doubt. Finally she reached the waistband of her short kilt-dress and began to untie it. She tossed the leather skirt aside leaving herself utterly naked; a wispy golden bush only partly hid her vulval lips. Her upper legs were a wonder of muscular development, powerful quadriceps to match her solid thighs and calves. She reached down and began to untie her sandals. Soon they fell away as well and she stood as the gods had made her, hands on her hips and a smile now on her face; she was naked and ready to fight, and was looking forward to it with unabashed enthusiasm.

"Kommst du," she said, crooking a finger. "Ich mochte Spiel," she smiled. She wanted to play!

Play indeed. Ursa looked at Rehena. This woman was big, bigger even than Ursa. Rehena was still smiling and wanted to take her on, but the challenge was to Ursa. She looked around the room. Kossic was still supine and unconscious, as were many. The room as in fact a sea of naked bodies. But many were also waiting for the fight to start and random cheers were heard throughout the hall, most for Ursa to "take" the Hun. They had all become fair sick of her over the last several days and would love to see her beaten. Everyone was also so completely intoxicated that good judgement of any kind was long past. For a brief moment the room fell silent; an uneasy silence broken first by a belch, then a hiccup and finally the whulp of a slavegirl vomiting - followed by subdued laughter from the same area.

A voice yelled out, "Ursa, do it, do it. You can take her."

She turned to Bokd. He was sitting in a near stupor and smiling stupidly at Effen’s breasts. Ursa was pretty well loaded herself. It was only fear that was making her so alert. She tried to take a step and nearly fell over. "Gods," she thought, "I’m plastered." Effen, who seemed to be least affected by the special wine, continued to smile and stroke her body. She turned around and tightened her buttocks and flexed her lats; it was magnificent. Her wavy blonde hair hung to the top of her butt.

Ursa did the only thing a person in her position could do, she stripped as well. She undid the shoulder clasps of her gown and let it hit the floor. She had nothing underneath, she was naked. Then she untied her sandals and cast them aside. A quiet inhalation could be heard throughout the hall as Ursa walked toward Effen stroking her body and flexing her muscles as well. Her breasts were not large like Effen’s but large in area and firm with nice hard nipples. Both had bulging chests, swelling arms and wonderful naked buttocks. They looked awesome. Effen backed down a little onto a nice soft area of skins and pillows and strewn cloths. This was to be their wrestling arena. Rehena was wreathed smiles.

"You get her Captain. I know you can."

Bokd cheered her on as well. But he was truly blotto and barely awake. Other voices cheered as well.

Rehena deeply wished it was she out there. She itched to fight the blonde.

And then her wish came true. Effen gestured to her to come out as well.

"Ja! Das anderer Madchen gleichfalls. Ja! Kommen sie," she laughed. "Ich musse mienes Bewegung machen." - she needed to have her exercise.

Effen was really smiling now, as was Rehena as she quickly jumped out of her gown, threw aside her jewelry and sprang forward. Rehena loved a good naked fight. Rehena just loved being naked, especially in front of men. She walked out slowly, like a cat, her arms high over her head moving in liquid motions, and undulating her head from side to side in that way African women do that is so enchanting. She was teasing the men and they responded with moans and sounds of approval. Phrontis was beside himself with lust; to think he would have this vixen tonight was too much to contemplate. Rehena beamed and glowed in reply to the reaction. Effen watched her movements closely, she had never seen anything like this before. For a brief moment she looked uncertain. Perhaps this addition was not a good idea, but it was too late now. Rehena was now next to a somewhat relived Ursa, smiling at her and slapping her arm in comradeship. This was going to be great fun. The three naked women began to slowly circle each other. The noise in the hall was deafening with howls and cheers.

Ursa went first and lunged toward Effen, grabbing her low about the waist in an attempt to lift her over her head, but as Ursa grabbed Effen, Effen grabbed Ursa about the waist from the back as she bent over and pulled her up before her upside down. Ursa’s legs wriggled in the air as she flailed about. Effen merely tossed her aside laughing."

"Schrecklich! Wotan im Himmel!" she said with feigned disgust - terrible.

As Ursa sat up shaking the cobwebs from her head, Rehena now jockeyed for a lunge. Effen just stood back, smiling her childish eager grin, her welcoming arms open. She was having grand time. Rehena tried dancing around her on her long muscular legs looking for an opening. Finally she lunged, going for her waist as did Ursa, but instead quickly diverted her move to a lower leg grab. She got Effen by the calves and pulled her feet out from under her and sent the big blonde toppling over. Rehena jumped on board. But Effen managed to stay on her back even though Rehena tried desperately to roll her over and grab her arms and wrists. Rehena was much faster but Effen’s strength was incredible. The two were now rolling over each other. Rehena working hard and Effen just laughing having a good time. Finally, Rehena scrambled away just as Effen was about to put her into a hold face down. Rehena danced to her feet but she was not smiling. She kept dancing - right over to Ursa.

"She’s amazing. I can’t get near her."

"I know," Ursa said. "Let me have her alone, please." Rehena, disappointed, dropped back; but she understood, Ursa had to beat her alone, she had gone after her man.

Effen just stood and smiled. "Ach! Ein Spatzsiergang. Ein Spass. Ich wunschte eine SCHLACHT!! " she yelled, grinning. This was a mere stroll, a joke; Effen wanted a real battle.

Ursa jumped for her again and both locked arms, each putting a hand on the other’s upper arm. Ursa slipped hers under Effen’s and reached around for a bear hug. This was no time to fool around, just squeeze the woman and get this over with. She reached around and grabbed her left wrist with her right hand and began to squeeze. She could feel their bare breasts against each other and Effen’s breath hot against her neck. Effen let her squeeze and even let her chest collapse a little, but then with a mighty inhalation of air expanded her chest and threw Ursa off and staggering back. This had never happened to her before. She had never been thrown back from a bear hug. Amazed and angry, she tore back after Effen again and got her arms around her once more, the same thing happened, except she landed on her butt and had to frantically scramble to her feet as the big Norse girl stood back and laughed.

"She’s laughing at me!" she thought. "She isn’t even taking me seriously. She could have lunged for me and didn’t. She’s just playing."

Ursa, now enraged, ran around the laughing woman and managed to grab her from the back, or did Effen let her grab her from the back? It was difficult to say. She tried another bear hug, but Effen was just laughing. Suddenly Effen bent forward and whipped Ursa over her head and onto the floor, landing on her back. Luckily she landed on a bunch of soft stuff or she might have been injured, but Effen knew what she was doing. Effen wouldn’t hurt her, she was controlling the whole event. Ursa could sense it now, she was out of control, a plaything. Then, while Ursa was recovering from her flip and hard landing, Effen did the most humiliating thing of all, she sat on her; on her chest, in fact, and looked into her face and smiled condescendingly. Ursa fought back but it was no use, Effen was just too heavy and strong, she was immobilized. She could feel Effen’s naked buttocks resting on her hips, her fur pie against her tummy. And then Effen did something even worse, she took her right forefinger and showed it to Ursa; showed it to her like a weapon and wiggled it just a little, and then took that finger and brought it down to Ursa’s ribs and delicately touched her skin, just a little, just enough to terrorize Ursa; who’s eyes had followed it as if it were a dagger. Effen smiled a fiendish little smile.

"No Effen, no, please not THAT?"

"Ja!"

"NO!"

"Ja!" she smiled. "Ja, ja!!!"

Ursa just looked at the ceiling and held on. She was insanely ticklish, a weakness she did not like known. Bokd had found out years ago when they were teenagers; and when they wrestled for fun, he would torment her to no end, tickling her feet or ribs. He loved to listen to her squeal. When tickled, she lost all of her strength and just flailed about in hysterics.

Effen said, "Tikee, tikee, ja?"

"No, no, NO, tikee, tikee."

"Ja!"

The poor girl’s naked body was totally exposed to Effen’s lethal finger’s. Then Effen began to play with her breasts, absentmindedly caressing them and patting them, dominating the captive; humiliating, but better than "tikee, tikee." Ursa was very drunk and the soothing hands were actually lulling her to sleep when….

"NO, NO , NO!!!! OH PLEEEAAAAASE, NO, NO, NO!!!! OH PLEASE, PLEEEAAAASE!!! …AaaaaaaiiiiiihhhhhHHHH!!!!! Aaaaaaahhh!! Aaaaaaahhhh!!!" Ursa was screaming and twisting in hysteric agony as Effen, suddenly and without warning, began to tickle her unmercifully, relentlessly. Effen, oblivious to Ursa’s torment, was laughing and howled in the joy of conquest. "HAAA!!! Tikee, tikee, Haaaaa!!!! She was laughing insanely. Ursa was writhing and bucking her body wildly. Rehena was laughing as well. She could see that this was going to end well and did not want to intervene. Ursa would have to take the punishment; she had lost. And she just wailed on and on, screaming in abandoned hysterics, her nude body thumping and twisting in every direction, her little feet kicking wildly. The whole hall was roaring with laughter and howls of delight. Effen got her on her stomach and tickled her from behind and even spanked her bottom hard for fun. Ursa really shrieked at that, but could do nothing. Bokd was laughing in his drunken stupor as was everyone else.

Finally, Effen stopped and left poor Ursa panting face down, her bottom red from Effen’s hard slaps, her back heaving. Effen reached down and picked up her victim, naked and beaten, her face red with special wine, and sat her up next to her, holding her close and stroking her hair. Ursa had never been beaten in a fight before. She looked stricken, but leaned against Effen’s shoulder, her strength gone, her head spinning. She was beyond shame and incredibly drunk. Rehena looked at her sadly, but realized that some good had come of this.

Effen said as she stroked her hair, "Mein freund. Ich habe eine freund." And kissed her cheek. And gave her a big hug. Effen needed a friend. Ursa just looked whipped. Bokd was stupidly staring at nothing. Kossic had never awakened.

The next morning was actually next noon as Bokd and Ursa awoke in their bed. Both had miserable hangovers and could not enjoy each other’s morning embrace and cuddle. Each lay on their back, trying to make the pain go away. Ursa was covered with black and blue marks, her bottom was sore, and only had a dim memory of the preceding evening; and what she remembered she tried to forget. She pressed herself against Bokd.

"Quite a night, I guess."

"I’ll say, ughhhooow, my head. It hurts to talk. It hurts to think."

Bokd just wanted to drift off and sleep.

"I can remember some stuff - a fight with Effen… I think I lost. Did I lose?"

"Ehh… I think so…" He knew so.

"It’s coming back to me. She spanked me, didn’t she." Ursa reached down and felt her bottom. She rolled over. "Look at my bottom. Is it red?"

She pulled the covers back and showed him her bottom. The cheeks had Effen’s red hand-prints all over them. Bokd touched it soothingly. They looked nice, all reddened up like that.

"Ouch!" It was sore. She rolled gingerly over under the covers again, lifting her bum up carefully as she did so.

"She tickled me at the end. I remember that, too. How did she know I was ticklish?"

"I don’t know. Maybe she just guessed. You look like the ticklish type."

"Does it show?" she asked with a worried look.

"No, no. Not really, just kidding." This conversation was making him a little nervous.

"I remember her saying, ‘tikee, tikee.’ I could understand that, but nothing else she said. Hmm…," she pondered. "When you tickle me you say, ‘tikee, tikee’.

"Eh…, must just be a coincidence. Lots of languages must say ‘tikee, tikee’ for tickle. It sort of sounds like what a tickle… is, sorta, you know."

"Yeah, kinda…"

"Let’s go back to sleep" He kissed her cheek to distract her.

Ursa’s strength was not linguistics, but something bothered her about this tikee, tikee thing.

The knawing, relentless pain of the hangover would not subside. There was only one thing to do and they both did it - they fell asleep again.

As the days of her detainment rolled by, Ursa found that Effen was determined to be her friend and was determined in everything she did. Effen, as it turned out, was largely bored and uncomfortable having no one to talk with, but was nonetheless temperamental; and spoiled; and willful; but Ursa let her know she would not put up with any abuse and they got along fine. Effen, apparently, had never been forced into a situation where the ultimatum was behave or be lonely - she chose behave, and she got to like it. Effen wanted to teach Ursa how to shoot a bow and engage in a little swordplay, not to mention a little wrestling and arm-wrestling. Ursa’s specialty was arm-wrestling and could beat Effen. Rehena would show up occasionally and beat her at arm-wrestling too - Effen got a sore arm so they dropped the arm-wrestling.

Mostly, Ursa was teaching Effen to speak Achaian. She was actually rather bright and caught on quickly. Kossic had no time or interest in teaching her anything, and Effen had no inclination to learn from anyone else, but she loved to learn from Ursa. In a week, Effen was speaking broken baby-talk Achaian like a veteran; with amusing mangled grammar and lapses into her native tongue.

Ursa also took up much of her time with Bokd, and this consisted mostly of extended and frequent interludes of sexual dalliance. Bokd would be away for two or three days and then come back to find his lover up for fun in bed. Ursa had to admit she liked this life. No responsibilities, eat all you want, sleep when you please and fuck a lot. It was something she could get used to. Sometimes pangs of longing for the sea would creep upon her, but a call to dinner, or a bounce in the sack would wash the blues away.

And Effen’s Achaian got increasingly better and the girls would now chatter away, with Effen making fewer and fewer mistakes and her vocabulary increasing. They would sit in a small room and talk. Effen had given Ursa a leather skirt of studded leather strips like her own and they would lounge about relaxing in near nakedness. Effen would always take her top off and sit with her big breasts sprawling all over her chest. Ursa picking up on her Minoan culture, did the same - well, at least culture was a good excuse. Things were going well until one day Effen started talking about the fight they had. Effen was laughing about the whole thing, as was Ursa, when Effen crooked her finger and said, "tikee, tikee".

Ursa laughed, "I never wanted anyone to know I was ticklish. Bokd tickles me all the time and I kinda like it, but I won’t tell him. It’s kind of a turn-on. It does make me crazy, but it’s kind of fun."

"Yah. I know dat he tikee you."

Ursa looked up. "You know that?"

"Yah, yah. I know," a big smile on her face.

"How?"

"Oh," she was laughing, "He tolt Kossic vonce dat you ver tickly. I vas dere. I not undershant, but I hear him go "tikee, tikee" und make a ting vid his finker like dis und touch his side." She made that wiggly finger motion; that tickling motion. "Dey ver laffink hardt. I tought it funny myself und, re... remeemer… uh…. vaht dat vort, eh…"

"Remembered?"

"Yah, remembert," she said with a big smile, "und I remembert dat night vee fight und say to me-self, Effen, vee haff goot fun now, yah! I not vant to hurt my friend, I tikee she… uh… her; yah, her. I know her tickly… eh, she tickly."

While Effen was mentally reconjugating that last sentence, Ursa was quietly becoming incredibly angry. Bokd had been laughing about their intimate moments and revealing her major weakness. Effen looked at her with concern.

"You not happy? I say sometink bad?"

"No," she said in quiet anger. "Not you, someone else."

That night the weary sailor tramped through the door of his room to thoughts of love and contentment; and he could see that he was not to be disappointed. Ursa was there, all smiles and tucked up under the covers, her breasts bare. It was obvious she was naked and waiting, warming the bed. She slunk down a little further and smiled even more deeply, drawing the covers up to her neck and dropping her eyelashes in feigned modesty. And Bokd, tired and happy, smiled back in innocent gleeful anticipation. As he stepped in the room and began undoing his belt and reaching back to close the door, he did not notice the hulking muscular figure in the dark corner behind him, nor did he see the lengths of rope Ursa had under the covers.

A few moments later Epikairos was walking by the door only to hear a loud shriek and wail from Bokd’s lungs followed by a lot of anguished, "No, no, no, NoooooOOOO!!!"s. The shrieks, interspersed with wild pleadings, continued undiminished. He sounded like a man being attacked. But Epikairos knew better. He just chuckled as he walked along and thought to himself, "Those two - at it again." And then smiling to himself, "tikee, tikee."

Brandy and Tickling!

What a combination! Tickling, like booze, is a release; and when done right, and in combination with a little brandy, can be an incredible turn-on. Many women love it, and guys too, but most have never done it. (And some DO NOT like it.) Bondage and tickling has always been a favorite. Some just like to hold their partner down and tickle them while they squirm and squeal - but you'd better be a lot stronger than they and keep a good grip. Tickling should be handled carefully, though, with safe words. And one DOES have to know when enough is enough. It's at that narrow place between pleasure and pain; right next to hysteria - so be careful. For years there have been magazines on the subject, Tickling Times was one. But now we have the web!

There are a lot of tickling sites on the web. Here are a couple of good places to start:

Variations, Tickling, Laughing love play stories.

Toms Tickling links

Search around, get some ideas. Have fun. "Tikee, tikee..."

Read about how brandy is made and who may have discovered it.

- Plus -

How to drink brandy

Making brandy snaps

Brandy apple sour and other drinks

Brandy pudding

Brandy butter

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