Disclaimer: This story and all characters are fictional. All characters are 18 years or older. In real life, all non-consensual sex is immoral and illegal, and not condoned by the author. Not for publication.
This story is a fantasy and a work-in-progress. I have some adventures in mind for the main characters, but it is fluid so subject to change. I expect it will run about six parts, but that could change too.
Homecoming
Tina waltzed through the door three days late, to the surprise of her husband Eric.
"Well, I suppose you had to come home sometime," Eric simpered unhappily, fighting to maintain a pleasant demeanor rather than lighting into her for her lack of consideration. He was genuinely pleased she was safe and sound, but couldn't help but be agitated.
"It would have been nice to let me know. I mean...I don't expect you to check in every minute, but it would have saved me some worry," the early-30's man reproached his wife of four years, hugging her closely nonetheless. She returned the embrace, but unexpectedly turned her head when he tried to kiss her on the lips, with the kiss landing on her cheek instead.
"I know...and I'm sorry. It's not like there's a lot of phones out there," Tina explained weakly, dropping her pack and Indiana Jones hat on the hardwood floor of their living room.
"We had a significant find on the last day, and a couple of us stayed back to investigate further," the attractive, mid-30's graduate student added. "I really am sorry to worry you, but it was worth it...it was a tremendous piece."
Those last words hung in Eric's ears with double meaning. A second-year law student, he suspected the real reason for her delay was something...or someone else. But he didn't know who, rather than what, was the 'piece' she so academically referenced.
Kristina, or Tina as she was commonly known, had spent the last two months on an anthropological field trip as a research assistant for a professor in the Anthropology Department at the University of Wyoming. She recently finished her first year of course work on her Master's in Cultural Anthropology, and the opportunity to spend the summer leading a class of undergraduates on a dig in Shoshone country in western Wyoming was a dream come true. Her emphasis was on Native American cultures, and actual field work was both invaluable and a good way to earn several credits.
"I understand. I'm just glad to know you're back. So, it was a good trip...worth doing?" Eric hadn't seen Tina since late June, so didn't really know anything about the success of the adventure and was legitimately curious. It was now early September and the fall term was beginning.
Before the field trip started, Tina had promised to come home every other week. It was only a 3-hour drive, but after only the first visit, she suggested the drive was too much and she was missing out on a lot while not at the camp. Eric thought she was somewhat distant that weekend -- not very affectionate, and unwilling to engage in sex at all. He sensed she only tolerated sleeping in the same bed together.
When Tina had left to return to camp, she asked to take their only car, knowing Eric would be without a vehicle to get to his summer job, but insisting she needed it while out in the hills. That left Eric on his own, with no transportation, and a lot of time to satisfy his curious mind as to why Tina acted so aloof and preoccupied.
As a lawyer-in-training, Eric's mind was keenly analytical, stringing together pieces of evidence to develop a credible story of events. It didn't take him long to surmise his wife was fucking around. Her attitude and distant demeanor were hints, and her paltry excuse for leaving behind her wedding ring, because "it could get lost in the dirt," didn't really hold water.
A quick survey of her dresser drawers provided all the evidence he needed to form a solid theory. Missing were a couple of specialized items of lingerie -- a teddy, some frilly panties, even a garter belt; not the kind of thing a married woman needs on an anthropological dig. Most condemning however, was his discovery her diaphragm was missing from the medicine cabinet.
'Why would a married woman, away from her husband for two months, need her diaphragm?'
Eric wasn't an expert on female birth control issues, but could only come to one conclusion.
'She needed it so she didn't get pregnant by whomever it was she was fucking.'
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Now back home for the semester, Eric's wayward wife carried on the with the conversation, unaware he suspected anything, and confident she had successfully carried off her deception by his genial attitude. She assumed he would be all over her had he known the truth about her infidelity.
"Oh, it was so incredible! I had the most amazing time. We found some historically significant tribal art and implements...and the people I met, well, the students were young, intelligent, and best of all, curious," Tina effusively described her experience.
'Yes, I'm sure they were quite curious,' Eric said facetiously to himself, 'about my wife.'
"I have a few of the items with me until I can get them to the University museum on Monday," Tina commented obliviously. "I'll show them to you once I've had a chance to unpack. I think you'll find them interesting."
Less than an hour later, the two sat, pretending nothing was wrong as Tina unpacked the artifacts she held in custody for the museum; mostly arrowheads, grinding tools and bowls. There were some miscellaneous items however, including a token made of animal bone that caught Eric's eye for its ornate style of carving. It was so much different than the other utilitarian wares.
"We think it's a ceremonial token, used by the medicine woman to convey special powers to the tribal leader, empowering him with wisdom and control over the people," Tina offered at Eric's query about the unique item.
"We've seen them before in other sites, always a little different," his accommodating wife continued. "Like every other culture, the Shoshone had their mystical beliefs and folklore. There was an incantation imbuing it with power. I have a paper on it here somewhere...sort of an instruction manual."
"I do know their belief system was strong, and this particular token belonged to a particularly important chief," Tina elaborated. "It's culturally significant...from a scientific point of view. Of course, today we know the 'mystical' powers are mere superstition."
"That is interesting. So, this thing is supposed to grant power over people, huh? Like a magic wand?" Eric inquired half-jokingly. "Hocus pocus and now you're mine, that kind of thing?"
"Yeah, something like that, I suppose," Tina laughed off her ignorant husband's lack of appreciation for the significance of the find.
Eric, in fact, was intrigued, with an idea forming in his mind about how to deal with his straying wife. Tina was an academic, finding the cultural and spiritual importance of the archaeological artifacts intellectually fascinating, but was too grounded in science to put any faith in the mystical qualities of such items.
