Avarice Desperation Valley

The Fall.

Both men were tired, the overcast skies had allowed them the luxury to keep moving by day, and they had made the return journey swiftly. It would be good to reach the camp and rest up, even better to break the news of their find to his waiting men. Not long now Bennett puffed, the familiar rocky rise of his desert stronghold coming into view.

The fortified city had been more than he had anticipated, never before had his vicious party laid eyes on such a prize. He fretted with the thought of just how he would gain access to such a well defended place, with his meager armaments, and too few men. On his careful reckoning there had to be at least one hundred well armed soldiers waiting within its solid walls. Sure, his own warriors were brave and fierce, and he knew steadfastly that they would not baulk at this new challenge. However his responsibility as a good leader tore at him, making him realize that he would have to tread a fine line between the reckless wishes of his men, and careful tactical planning. If they were to succeed in this difficult act of plunder. The remainder of his journey was taken up for the most part with this rumination, and the dull ache of his weary body due to the hard march home.

Renard ran doggedly by his side, still Bennett had detected no evidence of this man's insubordination. Recognizing he had been edgy lately, and he acknowledged that he was probably seeing things that were not there. With so many pressures it was very easy to see things, where sometimes there was nothing but mere shadows. Well, they would be home by dusk, thankfully just ahead of the malevolent storm that was brewing to the southwest. Racing the rising wind that threw the sand at their backs, pushing on ahead for home.

The storm clouds appeared closer now and more threatening, the wind on the rise, driving the sand before it. It no longer felt comfortable for Raissa to stay brooding where she was, so she collected her sorry thoughts, making her way back slowly to the centre of the camp. Carlos was nowhere to be seen thankfully. Raissa felt she still needed a little more time to compose her wildly churning emotions before joining the others to help prepare the evening meal. Deciding at once to collect her thoughts in the privacy and sanctity of Sven's cabin. It was a relief to be out of the stinging wind, which was now howling through the camp with force. The slight woman struggled to pull the heavy door closed behind her, then all was comfortably still and dark. Much to her surprise and shock the realization she was not alone struck home.

The loaded question came out of the dark. "You have something to tell me Raissa?" Sven's familiar voice. She fought to see him in the gloom with eyes that would not obey. "Don't you?" The dark voice further encouraged. "You've been a bad girl, mmmm......Haven't you?"

Raissa was dumbstruck with fear, and she jumped as her master's calloused fingers alighted on her face ever so gently in a caress. Fear to a certain extent had always been her companion since being captured and brought here, but it had been a long while since she had felt this way, and she found that she no longer had the stomach for such feelings. It was always by far easier to comply. This lesson she had learned through bitter experience. At once she started to shake, panic seizing her soul, what exactly had Sven seen? Her and Carlos together, the knife, or worse still, all? She had no wish to incriminate herself any further than with what Sven already knew, her best policy was to maintain silence in the hope he would give her some clue how to answer.

To buy the precious time she needed Raissa sank pitifully to her knees before him, tears coursing down her face, the very image of penitence. The actress at once taking over to save her. If she could appeal to Sven's vanities this may yet go reasonably easy, she had succeeded with this many times before. The battle hardened warrior rose slowly from the solitary chair, her eyes adjusting to the gloom now took all this in, and he was looking mighty pleased with himself. He crossed the floor and walked about her, taking his time, deliberately drawing out the fear filled moment of uncertainty; finally the big man kneeling down before her, she dared not meet his cruel, cold eyes.

"I know that you have been screwing Bennett's pretty boy, it's been going on now for quite some time, hasn't it?" He shook her roughly then, his cruel grip hurting her slight shoulders.

"Yes,...." She blurted out, fear pressing her swift admission.

"But that's not all of it is it?" Her heart froze. "No, there's more, lots more isn't there?" As he gently yet menacingly stroked the tears from her pretty face. "I notice many things slave, do you really think my little girl that I am that stupid?" With this he thrust her savagely to the ground.

Raissa was not only afraid for herself, but for her unborn baby. She flinched as she hit her head on the hard, unforgiving metal floor, and the actress left her then and she felt the bite of fear. She could tell that Sven would give her no quarter this evening, and she would have to obey to live.

Sven's muscular bulk straddled her as she lay prone on the floor, leisurely his rough, scarred hands began to wander over her breasts beneath her clothing, asserting his ownership of her as she shivered. "I've also noticed other things." His calloused hands wandering still lower to rest on her belly, and lingering there. "A bitch in pup if I'm not mistaken, yes? So I suggest that if you want your pup to live you had better tell me all."

On hearing those horrifying words Raissa made her mercenary decision, she now had a child to consider and that was more important; yes, far more important than a lover who had betrayed her. Carlos must pay the price so her unborn child would have a chance to survive in this cruel and terrible world.

Raissa told Sven all, leaving nothing out, even telling of the knife, feeling like she had killed a little piece of herself with each admission. Bitter tears flowing between ragged sobs. Sven questioned her mercilessly for what seemed like hours, finally he seemed satisfied with the information and got slowly to his feet.

"You are lucky girl that I do not choose to kill you, it is only because there are not many women and you are useful, that I let you live." The powerful warrior stated gruffly without love. "You will never again whore yourself with any other man unless I give you to him. Do you understand!" Controlled aggression evident in his tone. Raissa nodded abjectly quite unable to speak. Knowing she belonged to Sven, and that he would not hesitate to slay her, it was after all his right.

The rules would forever change from this day, never had she felt so drained and low. "Tonight girl you will attend us by the fire and you will behave as normal, if you do so as much as one thing out of place, your baby will die shortly after its first breath. Is that clear!" Came Sven's brutal and chilling command as he turned to leave.

"Yes," she quavered softly, head lowered in subordination. "I understand." As she abjectly stared at Sven's feet.

Sven was mightily pleased with his afternoon's work, and he felt even more triumphant when he spied his leader's broad back as he hurried out of the wind toward the great cave. So Bennett had returned smiled Sven evilly. It would be more than likely that they would have much to tell one another, and Sven could hardly wait to reveal all he had discovered. Hoping this time the pretty boy would pay, and his friend would finally see some sense when it came to the subject of the arrogant, troublesome captive.

Carlos meanwhile, had taken shelter from the vicious wind in the lee of a small cave, there he would wait the turbulent weather out. Despite the harrowing wind and driving sand he had not failed to notice Bennett and Renard's return some moments ago to camp. Acute nervousness arose in him on seeing this, so it would be tonight then, so be it. Everything was as ready as it would be, all he needed now was a little luck. Of course it could all go wrong, but hopefully if it did he would die, and in the simplicity of a warrior's thinking, he pushed such thoughts aside.

Over and over he replayed the steps of his well rehearsed plan, so that it would be fluid in his mind. He would go obediently as always when it grew dark to Bennett's cabin, and the big brute would be close behind blinded by his lust after so many days away. The long trek would have tired him too hopefully, just dulling his senses enough.

The omens augured well for his success. Heavy cloud cover would assist him as well, knowing it would be pitch dark. He would casually loose the knife from its hiding place, and drive its sharpness into that bull neck. At least that was the plan. He prayed that it would not be too messy, and he would find his mark. One good hit would be all he would require. Secure in the knowledge he was good with a blade using one in self defense many times before, not afraid to kill. Soon the moment would arrive, vengeance or death would be his.

The driving wind did not prevail long however, and the brooding clouds did not deliver either to a parched land thirsting for rain. The evening continued oppressive and dark, and it was time to make his move. So doing his best to mask his nervousness Carlos took his usual position in the cave. At once repulsed at the touch of Bennett's massive hand, which had not hesitated to caress his neck and back, claiming him for all to see. Filling Carlos with hot faced shame. Yes, tonight you'll get yours he thought darkly, vengeance firing his resolve.

The evening meal was being served, night had drawn in quickly with the turbulent cloud cover. All the warriors circled the large fire and the air had begun to cool. Clearly tonight with the howling wind there would be no frost. The men ate in comparative silence, all knowing their Lord would soon speak of what he had discovered, every man there eager to hear the news of the latest reconnaissance.

Carlos found he had little appetite, his nerves were getting the better of him. Still he must eat and keep up the pretense of normality, waiting for his moment to strike. Raissa was there evading his every look. She took great pains to keep very busy and avoid him completely he noted. At once regretfully wishing he had not been so harsh with her this afternoon. Still he argued it could not be helped, and it was all for the best. Though somehow he still wasn't convinced in his own mind, that he really had been fair. It was plain to see that she was very angry and upset, and he could expect no future favors.

How foolish he had been to trust another. As all these things and many more besides crowded into his consciousness, Bennett began to speak of what he had discovered to those assembled. Carlos still making every effort to eat what had been placed before him, and cringing inwardly suffering Bennett's occasional, caressing touches.

"The city does exist, and it is every bit as grand as it was described." Bennett announced, leaving off deliberately, letting silence follow for full effect. "It is about five days to the south of here, but it is well fortified, we will not take it by our usual approach. I feel stealth may be our only path to victory."

At this there was a loud murmur of disappointment from the men, they were eager for the kill and had not expected this caution from their leader. Bennett raised his hand for silence immediately quelling the murmurs of discontent from the crowd. "This is not the usual settlement, it is well fortified, organized, and its battlements are manned with archers, this much we have learned. To just attack blindly would be suicide, we must think more on this before we move. The rest of the men are still there covertly watching, and we shall learn something of importance soon that will show us how it may be taken. This city has much to offer, even electric light I saw there by night. I am pretty sure that they have fuel too, and many other good things besides. We cannot spoil all this by rushing in blindly, despite how tempted we may feel." Then he paused, menace in his tone and continued. "And before any of you here think likewise, realize this, if we are seen there is a strong possibility that we will be attacked, and even pursued here by a superior and outnumbering force. None of us want that do we?" Bennett stressed, looking at each man in turn, studying their intent, to see if what he had said had truly sunk in.

Satisfied he continued. "In a couple of days we will all return and see what our men have further discovered, we shall remain hidden and do nothing but watch until we have something that will grant us victory. I will leave only a few men behind." As he said this he meaningfully looked at Pig, the ugly man at once acknowledging his leader's order.

Thus the night wore on, with many questions asked, and many plans of possible attack debated. Still Bennett wisely argued his policy of caution, this finally accepted by the men, though in truth many there felt disappointment, and frustration.

Carlos sat through all this only half listening to what transpired, not caring what they did for tomorrow he would not be here to know. So inward were his thoughts that it took him by absolute surprise when Bennett's hand tangled in his hair bringing him swiftly and painfully to his feet. In the space of a heartbeat he knew he was in serious trouble, something was going down here tonight that he was not privy to. Horror rising in him that somehow he had been sprung.

"So.....?" Bennett's free hand stroked him ever so gently on the side of his face. "Just what did you propose to do with this?" Bennett tossed the little very familiar blade down on to the sand, Carlos' gaze following it, pure panic surging in him as he watched its downward arc. "Well?"

A palpable silence descended then, not a man moved, all eager to see just how their leader would handle this latest act of insubordination, and Sven most keen of all. Carlos stood immobile, Bennett's fingers still entwined firmly in his hair, though his mind was racing fast like a cornered wild animal, feverishly seeking escape. "So you think you can fight me, is that it?" Bennett went on, slowly applying more tension to the glossy dark hair, wrenching Carlos' head further back, threatening to unbalance him. "Then let's see how you do then, shall we?" Bennett at once thrusting Carlos backwards, withdrawing his fingers from his hair, kicking the knife toward him with sneering disdain, exuding all the confidence of a fighter who knew that he had already won. Slowly removing his leather jacket, and weapons belt.

Carlos did not hesitate and grabbed the blade with lightning speed, inciting jeers and laughter from all the men, who had by this stage formed a human wall, thwarting any hope of escape. They crowded around in an unashamed display of eagerness, already wagering on the outcome, rabid for the bloody entertainment that would ensue. "As you can all see I will not need a weapon." Bennett boasted full of himself, rubbing in his superiority as he flexed his massive frame, readying himself for what he was sure would be a one sided fight. A push over he decided, hardly a match at all, he would finish this in but a few moments. Asserting his superiority was what he did best, and his pretty did not stand a chance even with a weapon. Crushing him would be true degradation, indeed he would have him on the floor in moments, so confident was he.

Unseen, Sven just shook his head, dangerous, damn dangerous he thought, why can't he just stop this stupid game. A desperate man is a dangerous man, not to be reckoned with, besides any man there could see that Bennett's little boy was a boy no more. Everyone except Bennett that was.

Carlos readied himself for the inevitable, he had decided that this wasn't what was meant to occur, but if this was how it had to be, he would die an honorable death this night. Even supposing he did best this giant, he would surely be torn to bits afterwards by his men. In all reality he knew that his only advantage lay in speed and stamina, and these he possessed in abundance. The strategy therefore he reasoned would be to quickly slip under the big brute's overconfident guard. If he could wound and weaken his adversary he just might win the day. However the downside to all this was that if Bennett got hold of him just once it would be good night.

Bennett rounded on him slowly, already confident of victory, this would be over in a very short time, and the cheeky whelp would learn the truth of just who the master was. A point that he could not wait to drive home fully, especially in such a public setting. Yes, Bennett loved this game, and his sweet was always ready to play. So he was not ready then as the small but deadly blade bit into the soft flesh of his vulnerable lower torso as Carlos made his first pass. He was also shocked at the speed and accuracy of the well timed attack. An unfamiliar start of fear gripped him as it dawned in his realization that he had greatly underestimated his foe. Carlos meanwhile was buoyed by his first success, and sought desperately to gain a second hit. Though he realized that his element of surprise was gone, as he saw his opponent tighten his guard.

Raissa watched on in abject horror, along with the other slaves from the outer edges of the ring of baying, bloodthirsty men. She could barely look, even then knowing that she still loved the man who at this moment was so desperately fighting for his life. Brave, so very brave he was, so much braver than she had been. With the thought came the tears, and the harsh knowledge, she alone had betrayed him to this. What was worse his sin of betrayal or hers? She knew in her heart that she did the greater evil.

The fight dragged on, with the smaller faster man inflicting yet more damage to his hulking opponent. Bennett had had a long day and already he was tiring, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he fought to gain control, and his seeping wound robbing him of strength. He would have to stop this quickly, he was being made a fool of in front of his own men and this thought stung him more than Carlos' venomous blade. Galvanizing his resolve to finish this once and for all.

Carlos too by this stage had his doubts, knowing he had injured Bennett some but not enough. He would have to try harder and get further under his guard, uneasy with the risk, but the only way. So ever he circled, encouraging an opening with his clever feints, waiting for the opportunity to strike home. Surprisingly he had yet suffered little damage, and the warrior within felt mighty pleased with his efforts. Sensing too his adversary was tiring, gave his attack new energy and focus. Carlos had not expected the bout to go this way, but he had to do a lot more damage to his massive opponent if he was to be victorious. Again he lunged, Bennett all too slow gaining only a handful of hair for his efforts. The underdog drawing more blood.

Bennett had begun to grow wise to Carlos' ways, and he fought on two fronts simultaneously, one the battlefield of his mind which he was winning, the other the ring of sand spattered in the crimson of his gore. Bennett was not leader here without reason, and it was his special gift for clarity in battle that he now drew on, all this time he had been ruthlessly analyzing his opponent's method of attack. Realizing that Carlos was relying on him to open his guard to strike a good blow home. So then he would let him come. Fool him into complacency, let him underestimate his foe. This was a weakness of the young and untried, if he could just sustain a couple more hits he would win.

The men's attitude had sobered considerably since the beginning of the contest, uneasy with the way the battle was panning out. They also had blindly assumed that Bennett would find an easy victory, and the atmosphere was laden with tension. So on it went, two wills engaged in a battle of more than just physical proportions. Both combatants warily circling each other, skin glistening with sweat despite the cool, the only sounds now their rasping breath and the crackling of the all but forgotten, dying fire.