Part 12
Valentine was curled up in the lap of the Minotaur. His great arms formed a protective cocoon around her, his massive head swinging back and forth as he scanned the dark woods for threats.
They were sitting by a small fire at the edge of a clearing, the woods rising darkly above them, obscuring half the starry sky. Bear, Gracius and Rom were sitting across from her, nervous still around the enormous minotaur.
"If they found you before they will find you again. My brother will have some trinket that might help with that, " said Rom, gruffly. He was scared, Val thought. The enemy had struck in the middle of the forest, undetected. They had known about her. Their power was far greater than they had thought.
"At least now we know what we are up against," said Val quietly. She looked towards the dark lump at the edge of the fire light: the dead lizard man. Three small furry creatures were scurrying around the body, examining it with glass instruments and shards of crystals they pulled from pockets in the colorful vests they were wearing.
"You would have been dead if it wasn't for that thing," said Rom, nodding towards the Minotaur. "He tracked you with his nose. He didn't stop stomping around until he found you."
Val reached up to scratch the furry chin of the beast, smiling.
"Well, he did have some help," muttered Bear.
"He did," said Rom, clapping Bear on the shoulder, " and without your skill with the bow, who knows what might have happened. I would say we should celebrate, like the others, but I'm afraid we have run out of time for that." He fixed his eyes on Val. "You must gather your weapons, and go, as soon as possible. The enemy has his eye fixed on you, and you are no longer safe in the forest."
Val sighed, tired, her nerves still frayed. "Ok," she said finally, "who has my sword?"
"My brother," replied Rom, pointing across the moon-lit clearing. "Don't forget to ask for help, he owes you. It was in his house that you were harmed."
Val looked in the direction Rom had pointed. In the distance, in the middle of the clearing, was the tree Eupraxios called home. In between, under the light of a crescent moon, the satyrs were having an orgy. Bodies were rolling around on the dark grass, or dashing about, the white skin of the fauns glowing in the moon light.
Val tried to stand up, but the minotaur huffed and grunted, closing his arms protectively around her. Val shushed him, placing her small hand on one of his massive forearms. She gently pushed his arms open, standing up in the ring of his folded legs in order to face him.
Bear could only be struck by the sight of this pale naked woman, her hands gently cupping the chin of this massive beast.
"Hush, big guy, it's all good now, we're safe," said Val softly, running her fingers slowly through the hair of his chin. "I'm going to go over there," she said, pointing at Eupraxios' tree, " but I'll be right back."
The minotaur grunted and stood up. Before anyone could react, he scooped Val in his arm and threw her on his shoulder. Val squeaked in surprise and quickly held on to his horns as she threw her legs around his massive neck. Everyone around the camp fire had half stood up at the quick motion, startled, but they soon backed down as the minotaur stood over them, Val seated on his broad shoulders.
He turned and headed across the clearing. Val waved at the rest of the group.
"Bye! I guess we're going now! I'll be right back!" Shouted Val, waving from her tall perch.
The minotaur walked through the dark clearing, stepping over the writhing couples that were drunkenly fornicating. Val could only look, her hands gripping the horns of the beast. A wave of conflicting emotions washed over her. She had just been, what, raped? That didn't feel right. A part of her was yelling that she had just been victimized, violated. And yet the only time she had been in control was when those two lizard cocks had been in her. It was her pussy that had saved her. The violence, the threats of death, those had been the violation. And she was getting her sword and never be in that situation again. Her pussy, her hunger for sex, that had been her salvation. She smiled and pressed her pussy against the hard muscles on the minotaur's neck. The warm wetness of her loins was reassuring. Somewhere, deep, she could feel the Hungry Woman snake her way back up Val's spine. She rocked her clit against the minotaur.
"You know," she said to herself more than anyone, "You saved my life and I don't even know your name. Do you have a name?" She asked, leaning forward to speak into the minotaur's left ear.
The beast could only turn and grunt a question, his large bovine eye swiveling to look at her.
"Hm, " said Val, pouting. "How about...Bruno. I knew a bouncer named Bruno, he was huge, not as huge as you, but still, big. And nice, too. How's Bruno? You like it?
Bruno the Minotaur huffed, his great head slowly nodding. Val took it as a yes.
"Bruno it is then." She said, patting his shoulder.
They crossed the moon-lit clearing, the silence of the night broken by sighs and moans, or the giggles of the fauns as they daintily ran from the huffing satyrs. They reached a small camp of centaurs at the foot of the giant tree that served as Eupraxios' house. A small fire had been lit, illuminating the decorations and baubles hanging from the massive branches, turning the dark tree into a sparkling sight.
A dozen centaurs, both male and female, were sitting or standing about, idly watching the satyrs' orgy. Some were giggling and pointing, a few looking stern and disapproving. But they were all watching.
Val tapped Bruno on the shoulder, motioning to him that she wanted to be let down. He knelt and leaned forward, gently pulling her down with a huge hand. Val let him place her gently on the ground, patting his massive forearm as a thank you. She turned to walk towards the tree, and he stood up and followed her.
Val turned and stopped him.
"You need to stay and wait here. I'll be quick, it's safe, don't worry," she told him.
Bruno just stared at her.
"Stay," Val commanded, feeling a little foolish. She turned and started walking. Bruno followed her.
Val stopped again.
"Ok, " she said, addressing the massive minotaur," you need to stay here." She pointed to the ground. Bruno just stared at her, as before.
Shit, thought Val. She looked around, unsure as to what to do next. She was pretty sure the presence of the massive beast would be considered an affront. At the very least it would not be helpful in getting on Eupraxios' good side. All she saw were the gathered centaurs and, further, the moaning darkness of the satyr's orgy.
