Interrogation of an Amazon

INTERROGATION OF AN AMAZON

CHAPTER TWO

Paraded.

Amphora lay on the floor, the stone cold and unforgiving. The flickering torches cast moving shadows, the light reflecting off the damp patches that pitted the walls. Creatures scampered in the corners of the dungeon but, whatever they were, they left her alone.

The Amazon's mind raced. She knew Sempha would come for her. But when? For how long would she have to hold out against these brutes? She remembered Sempha's words when she was first appointed as her bodyguard. "Whatever happens, don't let the Thoranians take you alive. The men are evil beyond words. Their women are ugly so you would be a great prize in their world. But above all else, gold is everything to them. They know that only I hold the secret to the location of the treasure. If they took you they would expect you to co-operate; to tell them where they would find me so that I, in turn, could be abducted and questioned to reveal my knowledge. If you chose to remain silent they would torture you in hideous ways. Even a woman with a body as remarkable as yours would be sacrificed if it meant getting closer to the gold".

"How do you know all this?" she had asked.

Sempha had looked away. A memory had come back to haunt her. He'd had the cruelest mouth and ugliest teeth she'd ever seen.

"I just know".

The words made Amphora shudder just as they had done when she first heard them. The subject was never broached again. It was as if it was too terrible to contemplate.

Amphora's body ached from the beating. But she was fit in the extreme and the discomfort would soon subside. The marks were already dulling. The guard knew how to inflict pain without leaving evidence. There were no bruises.

She ate the food and drank the water knowing she would need all her strength the next day, and probably for several days to come. The food was surprisingly good; fresh raw vegetables, meat and bread. She was under no illusion that catering to her taste buds was their intention; that this was about keeping her in peak condition for the ordeals that lay ahead. Amphora tried not to think about what they might have planned for her.

Despite her efforts to conjure up thoughts of home, the warrior's mind kept returning to the moment of her capture. She remembered killing at least three of the men. It was while withdrawing her sword from the torso of a dead soldier that she had felt the huge weight of the oily net come down on her. She had fought to escape, furiously cutting at the hemp with her dagger, but the men had been quickly upon her. While the soldiers had pinned her down she had heard their leader yelling instructions. "Hold the bitch but don't mark her". Even at that moment of intense stress she knew the full meaning behind the words. That she had been taken alive and that she was to be delivered unmarked because it would increase the pleasure of the Thoranian king. She remembered the net being removed and her hands being tied behind her back. The leader, not satisfied, had bound her elbows too. "This one's too precious. She mustn't get away". The men had removed her armour taking every opportunity to brush themselves against her struggling body. She could almost hear the sound of it being thrown onto a pile. "Gag her", the leader had shouted. "I don't want her Amazon friends alerted to our position. If twenty of them come for her we're doomed". Seeing one of the men removing a yellow-stained cloth from his pocket she had clamped her mouth shut. They had held her head while the rag was put against her lips, held in place by a rope across the front of her mouth that was gathered behind her head by one of the thugs. He had pulled and yanked at the rope until her teeth had been wrenched apart and the filthy thing thrust into her mouth. Having successfully gagged her they had tied the rope tight around her head, her cheeks forced back baring her perfect teeth. Even now she could taste the foul gag. Looking back she wondered again if she could have escaped but it was hard to see how. So many men against just one woman – even for her too great a force to overcome.

Amphora couldn't have known that while the men had been preparing her for their departure, Sempha and Glaina had been watching the scene from a safe vantage point. Sempha's golden hair shone in the sun, tears welling up in her pale blue eyes. Glaina had flung back her mane of curly copper hair, fire in her emerald green eyes, anger welling up inside her at the treatment being metered out to her twin sister. "There's twelve of them and two of us. We can handle those bastards. Let's save her". Sempha had gripped her bodyguard's forearm. "We can't risk it Glaina, much as I'd like to. Amphora can't help us and they still have that net. No. We need to get back and organize a rescue mission. Your sister is strong". "But look how they outnumber her," Glaina had protested. "I understand how you feel", Sempha had said. "I do. Trust me. But it's best we go and get an assault group ready, plan thoroughly, and act". The two warriors had crawled back from the hillside and run home.

It had been a two-day journey back to the Thoranian castle for the soldiers and their beautiful prisoner. They had tied a noose around her neck and made her walk behind one of the horses. Anyone less fit than her would have had difficulty keeping up. As it was, the gag had impeded her breathing. They had only stopped for food and water once each day. "We're the first to have taken an Amazon alive," the Captain had said. "We must get her to the castle as quickly as possible before they can attempt a rescue. We'll be safer once we've crossed the border".

The group had entered friendly territory late that afternoon and just before midnight had holed up for the night at the house of an ally. The owner had been sworn to secrecy about the nature of their captive lest word slip out as to her whereabouts. Amphora had been taken to an upstairs room and tied to a bed. The men had not risked untying her hands or elbows; they had satisfied themselves with spreading her legs wide, tying her ankles to the bed posts, and tying a rope around her neck, each end of the rope reaching to the opposite corner of the bed above her head, tight enough to restrain but not to mark. The leader had reminded his men that she was not to be harmed; that the king was to be the first man to have her. Guards had been stationed at the bedroom door and the leader himself had fed her although he required help from two men to replace her gag. "Mind out, she'll bite you. This one's wild". "Taming her's going to be fun," one of the men had observed. The householder's wife had been instructed to wash the bound warrior as much as was possible without stripping or untying her, and to help her relieve herself. The woman had been kind and respectful but would offer the Amazon no assistance to escape; the price that would have been paid by the householder's family was too high to risk.

The next morning they had come for her early. They had wanted to smuggle her into the castle unannounced. "Nemo will want to be the first to see her". She had been bundled into the back of a covered wagon and hidden under a blanket. It had seemed an age but eventually they had arrived at the castle. She had been taken from the wagon, covered in a black cloak, and taken down to the dungeons. She had fought her abductors as best she could but had been too securely tied to offer any meaningful resistance. Then had followed the humiliation of being stripped. And then the punishment.

She felt her eyes getting heavy. "Come Sempha. Come Glaina. Come soon". She drifted into sleep.

* * *

Elsewhere in the castle, Tevo was surrounded by a bevy of soldiers all anxious to hear the story of the Amazon's capture. Word was beginning to spread that she would be paraded the next day. People started believing that perhaps it was true; that the army really had taken an Amazon warrior alive. Their hearts quickened at the prospect of seeing one of these legendary creatures firsthand.

"……..and you should have seen her struggling under that net! Like a lioness in a trap". He liked an audience; a chance to brag. "By the time Pilo and Chrim got to her she'd almost cut through the damn thing. Then everyone piled on top of her, ripped away the net, and held the bitch against the ground face down - overpowered. Jemius tied her hands behind her back but I wanted to be sure. A couple of guys pulled her elbows together and roped her. I told them not to mark her but they couldn't resist pulling those ropes real tight!" The crowd laughed. "She was thrashing around like a fish out of water. I tell you, it took all their strength to hold her. Then they turned her over – put her on her back. Streuth. She was a sight for sore eyes".

"What do you mean?" a voice asked.

"With her elbows tied together her shoulders had been forced right back thrusting her breasts forward. Never seen such gorgeous tits. Heaving and straining against her top. It took all of my discipline not to rip off her clothes and give her one there and then. But Nemo would have had my balls for breakfast". More laughter. "The king wants a night with her before the dungeon master gets his filthy hands on her".

"Lucky bastard" someone whispered. Murmurs of agreement followed by laughter.

"Jemius tied a rope around the prisoner's neck", Tevo continued, "and hauled her to her feet. She was kicking and struggling but we had her. I was worried she might have tried to call out to her friends so I had her gagged. After a little persuasion, Pilo's handkerchief got stuffed into her mouth".

"That's disgusting" from a number of people.

"The woman was silenced. And we dragged her off. And here we are. You wait till you see her tomorrow boys. Trust me. You've never seen anything like it".

"More" from one man.

"Describe her" from another.

"What's her name?" from a third.

"I'm not good with words," replied Tevo. "You'll see her for yourselves tomorrow. Just this though. Sure, she's pretty as hell. But it's her body. Fuck. I've never seen such a hard body. Every muscle tight and taut. Toned like you wouldn't believe. And so amazingly sexy. So feminine".

"Does she look like a body builder?" asked a soldier.

"No no" answered Tevo. "She's not a body builder. She's just incredibly fit with stunning definition, perfect skin, the thickest silkiest hair, and the horniest smell. Sure, she's a six footer……." whistling from a man at the back "……….but everything's in proportion. I mean, when she was running behind the horse I was wetting myself. The muscles in her flanks like those of a goddess. Her breasts jiggling. Her hair swinging from side to side. And I could see from the way her muscles were working in those rounded shoulders and powerful arms that she was struggling all the while against the ropes. Some woman!"

"But what's her name?" came the question again.

"That's another story," said Tevo. "Listen, it's late. You'll hear more tomorrow. I can tell you this though. That's one tough bitch. She doesn't just look rock hard. She IS rock hard. Glamus, that tall bloke, was told to get her name out of her. There she was, stripped, stretched, tied tight, completely helpless in front of him. He gave her a good beating but to no effect. She's spirited; I'll give her that. She took the punishment and said nothing. And all we wanted was her name!"

"How was she tied?"

"What kind of a beating?"

"No. Not now. It's too late". Tevo got up to go. "I'll tell you who'll be happy though. The dungeon master". Silence. The elusive figure's reputation spoke for everyone. "His dream woman is tall, beautiful, muscled, big-breasted – and feisty. He's got a treat coming his way!"

"Do you think he'll use the device on her?" someone dared to venture.

"For her sake, I hope not". Tevo thought a moment. "He designed that appalling thing a while back but hasn't used it yet. Says he's waiting for the right subject. I'd bet my last shirt she'll be the first".

* * *

The cell door burst open. Amphora awoke immediately. Usually she would have heard them coming and knew she must have been in a deeper sleep than she realized. Tevo was standing in the doorway a wooden club in one hand, a sackcloth dress in the other. She had no idea what time it was.

"Wake up beauty queen. It's show time". He smiled. "Tie her as I described".

Six men stormed into the room. They were well organized. Before she could get up two men grabbed her arms and pulled them out over her head. They slammed Amphora's arms and back against the floor, her lightening reactions tensing her neck at the last moment to prevent her skull from hitting the stone. The men knelt on her biceps to hold her down and unfastened the chain that led from her handcuffs. Her hands remained bound. She struggled fiercely, writhing and bucking in her efforts to escape, her booted ankles held by the manacles. The sides of her breasts smacked against the floor as she arched her back and wrenched her torso from side to side. Her breathing was heavy with the effort. The soldiers pinning her arms looked down the length of her body as she fought. Stretched out in this way her abdomen lay flat, her pelvic bone standing proud bridged by the front of her panties. They both caught a glimpse of her mound and the forest of dark hair that covered it, neatly trimmed into a straight line. They caught each other's eye and grinned.

Two men grabbed her left leg, one sitting on her thigh, the other holding her calf. Another man unlocked the ankle cuff, and the sixth man put on another cuff attached to a length of chain long enough to allow her to walk but too short for her to run. They repeated the exercise with her right leg. She raised her head to look at the men tying her ankles, her stomach tensing into ridges of solid muscle. With the Amazon splayed out, Tevo drove the end of his club into her unprotected abdomen. Wood against flesh. THUD. She gasped. "That's for starters, bitch".

The soldiers hauled Amphora to her feet. Tevo threw the dress to one of the men and, while others forced her arms into the air, it was pulled over her head and down her body, a seam holding it in place above her large breasts. The white garment, slightly fitted at the waist, came down to her mid-thighs leaving a tantalizing glimpse of her muscled bronzed legs just above her black thigh boots. They attached a chain leash around her handcuffs.

"You're coming with us. We don't want to keep your fans waiting".

They pulled her out of the room and along the corridor. She fought in vain against the men; two of them were pulling the leash, the others in support shoving her from behind. The warrior's ankle chain clanked against the stone floor. The soldiers manhandled her up the stairs, the dungeon guards staring at the beautiful Amazon, thick black hair flaying as she struggled. As they neared the exit their ears filled with sound from the waiting mob, like hyenas baying for blood. "AMAZON. AMAZON".

They pushed their prisoner into the open air. She squinted against the glare, instantly feeling the sun's heat on her skin. A huge cheer went up from the crowd. There must have been hundreds of them. Thousands even. Soldiers lining the battlements looked down at the spectacle. Thoranian flags flew from the four towers that marked the corners of the quadrangle, the red Minotaur against a white background a menacing sight. Amphora looked up and saw a wooden platform assembled in the centre of the courtyard on which was positioned a thick oak log supported by two posts set three feet apart. She could just make out two rusty manacles, one at each end of the wood. The posts were topped with a Y-shaped construction holding the log and tall men with ropes dangling from their hands stood one each side of the beam.

The group started making their way to the platform, the throng parting in front of them as their victim was dragged forward. Those at the back could only make out a dark haired figure being pulled along but those close enough were able to witness a sight they thought they'd never see: a live Amazon chained and led like a dog. They saw how she strained against the bonds. The muscles rippling in her strong arms and powerful shoulders were mesmerizing to behold, the glimpse of her thighs below the white skirt electrifying. They took her around the back of the platform and dragged her up onto the stage. They forced her to stand at the front, the log behind her. The spectators shrieked with pleasure. They always loved the parading of war booty, but this captive was a league above anything they had seen previously. Looking out Amphora could see mostly men but there were female faces too; ugly just as she had been told. The women were enjoying the show every bit as much as the men. She was surrounded by six soldiers, two holding each of her arms. Tevo came onto the platform and waved the crowd to hush.

"I present to you the AMAZON!" They roared again. "See. It was no lie. We have taken one alive. Now she is ours. YOURS!" Loud cheers. "What do you want to do with her?"

Chants and yells came from all sides, most of it indecipherable. She could make out a few phrases. "Whip the bitch. Torture her. Skin her alive. Serve her to the dogs". She remained impassive. The crowd grew quiet and a person near the back called out "Give her to the dungeon master". Everyone turned to stare.

"Shall we tie her?" yelled Tevo. Cries of approval.

He turned to the six men. "You know what to do".

Before Amphora knew what was happening one of the guards came up behind her and grabbed her around the neck, his forearm gripping her like a vice. Gasping for breath she was hauled backwards towards the log, the chains at her feet nearly causing her to stumble. She was thrown against the log and, just as she was regaining her balance, another soldier, positioned behind the wood, grasped a clump of her hair. He pinned her head on the top of the log, his arm leaning heavily across her throat. She winced, her face betraying the difficulty she was having breathing. Her eyes bulged, her face started to redden, and her tongue reached for air. They knew she couldn't fight in this position. Even through the dress she felt the wood's roughness across her bare back and shoulders.

Two men grabbed her left leg and undid the metal cuff. They pulled her booted limb across to the post, tied her ankle, and did the same to her right leg. The thugs were aware that this next part was the most dangerous – releasing her hands. Two soldiers held her right arm, two her left. Another of the group undid the cuffs that held her wrists. The moment they were free, the men hauled her arms up to the log. The warrior knew she was to be tied and fought like a wild creature, the muscles in her biceps and triceps flexing as she struggled. The sinews in her shoulders showed through her flesh. Despite the fierceness of her resistance they held her pinned. Five onto one was too many. The men standing at each end of the posts started tying her wrists to the oak. Her head darted from side to side as she fought, her hair flaying. They wound the ropes around her wrists, through the manacles, and around the log time and again until there was no movement in her arms. When he knew their victim was securely restrained the man who held her head released his grip. The soldiers pulled away and there she was for all to see: tied to the log arms outstretched, her legs spread and bound to the posts. They had secured her in such a way that her arms were bent at the elbows. In this position, her biceps and triceps were accentuated, as was the roundness and size of her shoulders. The crowd roared.

Tevo approached the prisoner and pulled her hair away from her face, pushing it down behind her back.

"Is she beautiful enough for you?" he cried out.

Again they cheered. This was the reaction he had hoped for. He knew the king wanted information, and soon, but this exhibition was important moral building for his troops and was worth the extra time. He knew that they would all remember this day; the day they saw their first Amazon in captivity. And they would want more in the future.

"Do you want to see her body?"

The people went berserk.

The Captain smiled and produced a knife. He made as if to check the blade was sharp, acting out as if he'd cut himself. Laughter. He approached the helpless struggling woman and the crowd silenced. She was about to be humiliated further and there was nothing she could do to prevent it.

He stood before her. "So, my proud beauty. What are you going to do to stop me from showing these people your stupendous body? I thought you were supposed to be strong?! Go on. Stop me"

She gnashed her teeth and made a sound like a tigress hissing. "Give me one moment with you, just one moment, even with my hands tied, and I'll beat you to a pulp. You and any of your pathetic soldiers". The crowd cheered. That she was feisty and spirited heightened the drama.

"Be careful what you wish for, Amazon".

He flicked his knife through the seam just above her heaving breasts. Then he went behind her and made the same cut at her back. The dress was held in place by thin material. Coming round to face her again he replaced the knife in his belt. Off in the distance a crow could be heard such was the quiet in the square.

"No one's ever seen you naked before have they? Except last night of course. And now, Amphora, your body is public property. Amphora. Such a pretty name".

She glared at him. In her culture no one called her Amphora unless they were her friend. To hear him use her name sullied its sound.

Tevo moved off to one side to ensure she was in full view of the audience. He signaled to two of the men who came and stood one each side of her. Each grabbed a side of her dress. She thrashed against the ropes harder than ever, her chest rising and falling with her breathing. "Ladies and gentlemen. I present…….Amphora, personal bodyguard to Princess Sempha".

A ripping sound cut through the silence as she was stripped. The crowd got their first look at her magnificent body. Gasps, howls of delight, men suddenly hardening. None of them had seen such beauty.

"Whip the bitch" came from a man in the crowd. "Whip her. Whip her. Whip her," they yelled in unison.

She felt totally vulnerable. So utterly exposed. She desperately wanted to cover her breasts; an instinctive protective reaction. She looked hard to her left at the ropes that held her outstretched arm to the wood. She flexed her hand in and out, the effect of her working muscles rippling through her arm. She looked to her right. The same again. There was no give. Her pectorals ached with the effort of trying to free herself, desperate as she was to cover her bare chest. She was tied spread out for them to take her in. Every time she struggled her breasts swayed from side to side – bounced up and down. The crowd was lapping up the spectacle.

"Shall we take her down?" asked Tevo.

"No. No." screamed the people. "Leave her to bake," a female's voice above the others.

"It seems the crowd wants to drink you in for a while longer. I'll leave them to it". Tevo made as if to leave the platform but remembered one last thing. "You have only to say if it gets too uncomfortable. Tell us where we'll find the Princess and we'll take you down. Your ordeal will be over. Remain silent and………….well, I can't speak of the consequences for your body". He left the platform, the guards staying to enjoy the view close-up.

They left their victim spread-eagled in the fierce heat for two hours. To Amphora it seemed like an eternity. No one was allowed onto the platform but people thronged forward to get a better look. They took in her bronzed flawless skin, her stunning face, her cat-like fiery eyes, her outstretched arms rippling as she fought, her biceps, triceps, and shoulders especially prominent, her astonishing breasts with their distinctive nipples, her flat muscled abdomen, her V-shaped torso, her slim waist, her tiny black panties, her powerful shapely legs so sexy in her thigh boots. She sweated from every pore, the glistening sheen on her body heightening her allure. In his mind e very man had her in his bed, the Amazon crying out in ecstasy or pain depending on the nature of the fantasy he was enacting. The women had her too, either tasting the juice between the warrior's parted legs or scarring her, their jealously for her incredible beauty enraging them.

The log was harsh against Amphora's skin. The sun beat down mercilessly on her naked body. Her mouth was parched with thirst. The worst pain for her, though, was the humiliation. "Thoranian plebs" she screamed. "I will be rescued and you'll pay for this". The crowd liked a fighter.

At the other end of the square, in full view of her vision, she noticed some men erecting a tall thick wooden post on top of another stage. Instinctively she knew that that was her next destination.

Tevo was walking towards the whipping post when a messenger approached him. "The king wants to see you immediately Captain". Tevo made his way to Nemo's quarters and knocked on the door. "Come in." He entered the room and the king beckoned him to take a seat. "Sounds like a popular show going on outside," said Nemo. "She gives a good performance," replied Tevo. "She's the strongest I've seen yet".

Nemo passed the Captain a scroll and sat back in his chair. "Based on what I saw last night", he said. "I think she'll hold out against our questioning for quite a while". He leaned forward, an all-consuming greed etched into the lines on his face. "And I don't feel like waiting. That's a plan I've written. Study it". Tevo unraveled the parchment and read for a moment. "An excellent idea my lord. When shall we leave?"

"Tomorrow if possible. The Amazons will be taking no chances. Although they know Amphora is strong and will resist as long as she can, they'll probably assume that she'll break eventually. They know we'll then come for their Princess. An attempt to rescue our captive is a certainty but they won't risk Sempha. She'll be involved in the preparations but once they're complete she will go deep underground. We need to get to her before that happens. Take the sea route. They will be anticipating a land offensive. Going the longer way round will cost an extra two days but you'll have the advantage of surprise". Tevo nodded as he listened. "The woman being paraded in the courtyard will be handed over to the dungeon master very soon. If she talks," he checked himself, "sorry, WHEN she talks, we'll send you the information she reveals with our fastest riders".

"I'll get on to it right away", said Tevo getting up to leave.

"One more thing Tevo". Nemo held the Captain's eyes. "You did well capturing this one. But I want the Princess. Do what you have to. Bring her here. Alive. I want the treasure and I want it NOW".

At a window high up in the castle, looking down at the perfection of the Amazon woman's struggling outstretched naked body, a man stood and smiled, thin mean lips baring yellowed broken teeth. He'd seen an Amazon once before, in another place, when he was working for a different leader prior to the overthrow of his country by the Thoranians. He remembered how he'd approached her while she was being taken to her cell. The guards had given him a moment and he'd thrust his hand into her honey-blonde hair, yanked back her head, and whispered into her ear, telling her all the gruesome things he was going to do to her once she'd been handed over to him for questioning. He'd released her hair and, even now, all this time later, his face flushed with rage when he recalled how she'd glared at him, mocking him with her cool light-blue eyes, before spitting in his face. The soldiers had whisked her away giving him no opportunity to retaliate.

Those eyes. They taunted him then and they taunted him now. But the idiot guards had let her escape before he'd had a chance to interrogate her. It was that woman who had inspired him to design the new equipment. He'd hoped against hope that one day he would be presented with a suitable victim. He had no intention of wasting the first thrill of its use on any regular prisoner.

He turned away from the window and made for the door muttering to himself. "Tall, beautiful, muscled, big breasts – and very feisty. Just like the note said. Time to prepare the device. At last I have a worthy subject".

To be continued…….

* * *