Times of war were never easy on the conquered. After all, to the victor go the spoils. The warriors, not paid by any other means, were expected to have first go at what scraps may be offered up by the towns and villages that fell to them. Those that bade them to fight did so for power rather than loot. Of course, "what scraps" always included the women. The old and ugly only sometimes escaped such attentions when there were plenty of comely girls to be had.
Edgewood Village burned bright that day. The season had been rife with conflict and it was only a matter of time before the brushfire skirmishes of clan warfare erupted into serious battle and resulted in the sacking of a township. It could have been Westford instead, and things would have gone much better for Duncan and Seamus had it been. But perhaps it was fate which drew them to the pillaging and burning of Edgewood.
Their fate came not as a result of their being fighters. Rather, it had much more to do with the particular bit of loot they chose to take. That is to say, the two women they chose to rape.
The town was already burning and the last few pockets of resistance had been skewered on pikes or greatswords. Chaos dominated; amidst the burning huts and swirling smoke, victorious MacLellans were quickly taking anything of value. As far as enjoying the flesh of the conquered women, it was mostly a matter of priorities. Some soldiers preferred to be the first to sew their seeds, perhaps finding it distasteful to put their pricks into cunts already well-greased by others' efforts. Others either weren't so fastidious or their loins no longer burned so fiercely with the passion of youth. Duncan and Seamus were of the former type.
"In here!" Seamus pointed.
"Are ya crazy, lad? That's the hag's hut," came Duncan's reply. "Cursa ya, she will, and your willie'll shrivel up and fall off!"
"Yeah, an' next ye'll be tellin' me she sacrifices babies on the Winter Moon, and flies around by stickin' a broomstick up 'er arse."
"Nay, Seamus, they sacrifice the babies on the Autumn Moon."
"Well ye go off and do what you will, then," Seamus chuckled. "Me, I'm going to see if the witch has a sweet young daughter."
Duncan shook his head and followed after his friend.
The inside of the hag's hut was dark. As they stepped inside, the sounds of the cheerful victors' plundering faded. A kettle hung over a pile of embers in the center of the room, emitting a foul stench. Behind it, sitting on the floor and grinning wickedly, was Edgewood's spirit-woman.
"Ahh, right on time," she wheezed, as she brushed aside the small collection of bones and twigs arranged before her. "I expect ye've come for my Lilly."
"If ye mean that stinking wad of pus between your legs that used to be your flower," retorted Seamus, "you could only dream. But if ye have a young'n hidden away in here, we'll just make use of her and be on our merry way."
Duncan thwapped Seamus on the shoulder and pointed. "You were right," he interrupted. "Look over there." The place he indicated was a pile of sleeping furs arranged at the far end of the hut, behind the witch. And sitting up, brushing the topmost furs aside, was a maiden who was very fair indeed.
"Hahh!" shouted Seamus, slapping his thigh. "Oh, even dark as it is, it is easy to see that she is a pretty one indeed! Come here, lass."
The witch tossed something onto the embers, and the fire sprang to life. A strange and not unpleasant aroma filled the room. "Be warned," she intoned. "Lay a hand on my daughter and it will be the end of you both."