Encircled

by Robin Roseau

  The two of them began dragging Gigi away, laughing.

  I couldn’t beat them, not like this. But then Marda yelled, “Claary. Help me!”

  She was grappling with Verla. She wasn’t in trouble. Screw that. I ran back for our wall. It took seconds to tie off a rope to the wall. Then I grabbed a second rope and ran back, tying the two ends together. Still running, I tied a big loop.

  Cerelle saw me coming. So did Gigi. But Sarala had her back to me. Cerelle laughed. Gigi screamed and struggled. And I threw my arms, with the rope, around Sarala. I lassoed her then yanked it tight. Before she could react, I worked on making the biggest, nastiest knot I could, yanking it as tightly as I could.

  She screamed, but Cerelle kept going with Gigi, Sarala as well.

  Until she reached the end of the rope. At that point, she held on tightly to Gigi, and suddenly there was a new tug of war, with Sarala helping me. I stepped forward with the free end of the rope and wrapped it around one of Gigi’s arms, tying it off.

  “No you don’t!” Cerelle yelled, snatching at me. I stepped back and then just ducked under a grab from Verla. But the two laughed. Cerelle untied my hasty knot, and the two of them began dragging Gigi away again, yanking her from Sarala. “We’ll be back for you, Cee,” Verla said. “This is in the bag now.”

  Marda helped me pull Sarala in. We tied her to the wall. I hung my head. “I should have helped you.”

  “I wasn’t in trouble,” she said. “What were you going to do next?”

  “Run to you. I thought Gigi could hold on a little longer, and I don’t think this knot is coming undone any time soon.”

  “You’re right. They’re going to have to cut it later. If I’d kept her busy, we might have captured two, and maybe even saved Gigi. It wasn’t a bad plan.

  * * * *

  I teased our two prisoners, kissing both and fitting Sarala the way I had Sareet. The resin was only to Sareet’s knees, but it was something. I didn’t know if it would matter, but it didn’t take long, and Sareet was squirming, trying to dislodge the device. I played with it for a bit, and she moaned. The resin climbed higher.

  It was now three to two, but Rondi was deeply focused on Lassa. The resin was nearly to Lassa’s breasts, and she wouldn’t last much longer.

  “Don’t worry about that,” Marda said. “She’s going to withdraw the moment she wins.”

  “She’s an easy target. Look at the resin.” It was nearly as high on her as it was on Lassa. “She’s nearly losing just like that.”

  “So, I should go grab her, and you’ll keep the other two busy?”

  “I was wondering if you could keep them busy.”

  “We should focus.”

  “They’re going to grab me, and then you’re alone.” I smiled. “Keep them busy for two minutes. Can you do that?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Then let one of them come for me.”

  “This is a foolish plan.”

  “Maybe it is,” I said. “If they capture me, and you can’t win, offer a trade. I’d rather belong to Sarala than either of them.” I reached up and caressed the woman in question. “You could still have me,” I told her. “Offer to free Sarala and let you keep Sareet. Ask them politely to let her have me. See what happens.”

  She shook her head. “You are a foolish woman.”

  “We’re in this because you couldn’t control the conversation,” I said. “Don’t blame me.”

  “You’re right. All right. I’ll keep them busy, but you’re going to get caught.”

  “We’ll see.” I prepared another two ropes, made a change to how Sareet was tied, and grabbed one of the devices.

  Marda challenged them. “You can play with her after you catch me,” she said.

  “Sure,” they agreed.

  I ran for the far end.

  Lassa was almost done. Gigi and Becksta saw me coming. They had both been prepared like I’d done Sareet and Sarala, but the resin hadn’t gone anywhere yet. Apparently, Cerelle and Verla weren’t very good at this.

  I wet the device as I ran. Rondi never saw me coming. She never heard me. And her resin was to her breasts.

  I threw an arm around her, dragging her backwards. We both fell into the resin. I grabbed her breast and held it then reached lower and found her opening. I teased for a moment, and then her hands were on mine.

  Not forcing me back.

  Guiding me.

  The device slid in, and she gave a wail of pleasure.

  “Hold it there now, Love,” I whispered to her. “You’re going to love belonging to me. I’ll let you play and play.” And then I began pulling her backwards, dragging both of us out of the trough. Rondi not only didn’t fight me, she helped, and she kept pushing the device in and letting it out, in and out, and trembling and moaning as she did it.

  I couldn’t pick her up, but with her half helping, I got her across the field. We reached our wall, and I yanked the shift from her. Then I looped the rope around her and tied her, a simple, safe knot.

  I gave attention to Sareet and Sarala, then bent down and kissed Rondi, putting my hands over hers to guide her. She was nearly gone, very nearly gone, the resin all the way to her neck. And Sareet wasn’t that far behind her.

  Marda yelled, and I grabbed the second rope and dropped it over myself just as Cerelle threw arms around me. She dragged me about six inches before we reached the end of the rope. I tangled myself further in it then pulled myself towards my wall. Cerelle kept yanking on me, but I dropped a hand to Sareet’s breast and played with it. Her eyes were closed, and she was squirming. I tangled myself in the rope better, hugging Sareet, and then used my other hand to help her along.

  Marda kept Verla busy. Cerelle struggled to yank me away, but she was stupid about it.

  Rondi gave a huge moan, calling out my name. Sareet was seconds behind her.

  “That won’t help you,” Cerelle said.

  “I can kneel any time,” I said.

  “You aren’t kneeling!” she yelled, Then she struggled to pull me away. Really, it was quite a mistake on her part. She should have gone and claimed one of the other women. Instead, she was greedy. She had three prisoners to choose from, although she probably knew she couldn’t beat Marda and me if we captured Verla.

  Sareet was mine. Rondi was mine. And Sarala was panting.

  I kissed Sareet. “Wake up, darlings. I need your help.” Then I turned and wrapped my arms around Cerelle.

  She didn’t realize the danger immediately.

  “Help me, darlings,” I said. “Shake off the bliss and help me. There will be more bliss if you help me now.”

  Rondi grabbed a leg. I heaved, and Cerelle fell against Sareet.

  And I reached up and tugged on the knot that would free Sareet’s arms. The ropes fell loose, and she immediately wrapped tightly around Cerelle. Rondi wrapped more tightly around her legs.

  “Marda!” I screamed. “I’ve caught her. Can you help tie her?”

  “A little busy!” she called back.

  “My slaves and I will just have to do it.”

  Cerelle went crazy, but both Rondi and Sareet held on tightly, and while Sareet’s arms were free, she was otherwise securely lashed to the wall. As long as she could hang on, Cerelle wasn’t going anywhere.

  I grabbed rope. Cerelle struggled, but effectively I just webbed her against Sareet, tying off one end on one side, then over both of them, then yanking it tight on the other side. Back and forth a few times, then tie it off.

  It took time. I caught one of her legs and yanked it away. That put her off balance, and so the other one was easy to catch. Her arms took time, but I got one. She struggled to control the other, but I told Rondi to help me. She climbed her way up Cerelle’s body. We struggled with her, but I got a loop over her arm and yanked her wrist to the side. I tied it off. It wouldn’t hold, so I added more and more, webbing her tightly to Sareet.

  And then I stepped around and freed my slave. I helped her squirm out from bet
ween Cerelle and the wall, which took time. We added more ropes, and then I told them, “Play with her now. Enjoy yourselves.”

  They set themselves to her.

  I looked at Sarala. She was watching me. The resin was barely to her knees. “Impressive,” she said.

  “Thank you.” I patted her cheek. “I’m going to go help catch Verla. I won’t fight Marda, but you may request which of us you want to claim you.”

  “You.”

  “All right. You don’t want me to free Gigi, Lassa, or Becksta?”

  “Lassa is done. You.”

  “All right. If you change your mind.”

  “I won’t. Promise to let us play. I like Sareet.”

  “I promise.” I patted her cheek, kissed her, and then grabbed more rope.

  * * * *

  “Well, this is interesting,” I said. “That looks like a standoff.”

  Verla groaned. “I can’t believe that bitch left me here.”

  “Seriously, Marda. Do I have to do everything?”

  “I kept her busy,” Marda said. “But she’s a better wrestler than she is a swordswoman.”

  “I have big brothers,” Verla said. “Come on, you two. Let me go claim one. You can have the rest. Isn’t that enough?”

  “Marda’s choice.”

  “Verla, I’ve wanted you for a long time.”

  “Marda, I can take my three and call it quits, or I can help you. We remain a team. Promise me.”

  “I wouldn’t turn on you, Claary.”

  I uncoiled the rope and helped subdue a struggling Verla. We dragged her to the wall and tied her into place. Marda reviewed the ropes on Cerelle. “How many did you use?”

  “I didn’t want her getting away. Sarala has asked to let me claim her. I haven’t really touched Cerelle. I don’t really want her or Verla. I don’t think I could handle them.”

  “I’ll take them,” she said. “I can handle them.”

  “What about the others?” I asked.

  We both turned and looked. Lassa was, indeed, gone, hanging limply. The other two were red to below their knees.

  “We could free them,” I said.

  “They didn’t come here to walk away,” she replied.

  “I wonder what the rules are? I gave up asking questions. I don’t think the judge likes me.”

  “I think she likes you quite a lot,” Marda said. “Let’s ask her.”

  And so, leaving our prisoners where they were, we strode over to where Judge Jessla sat in the stands, watching. “Your Honor,” I called out. “A question.”

  “I am unsurprised, Ms. Rosebush,” she called back. “What is your question?”

  “We have some work here yet. Do you imagine we have time to finish before sundown?”

  The nearest people, those who heard me, roared with laughter. The judge waited and said, “Perhaps.”

  “Are you asking us to rush?”

  “Not at all.”

  “There is another event.”

  “They are seated beside me and are quite willing to let this come to a conclusion at its own pace, if you won’t truly take all afternoon.”

  “All right. And what of the captured members of our team. One is gone, but I have taken the one who took her. The others are barely begun.”

  “You don’t intend to free them and give them a prisoner or two?”

  “We are asking your wisdom, Your Honor,” Marda responded.

  “Lassa must be reclaimed,” she declared.

  “Yes,” Marda agreed. “But the only people free to do so are on her original team.”

  “Perhaps I should divide the two of you into separate teams.”

  “That would be contrary to an agreement we have made,” Marda said. “I would rather you didn’t.”

  She nodded. “Lassa must be reclaimed. Ms. Rosebush, what would you prefer to do with the others?”

  “The captured members of our opponents will be claimed,” I said. “Lassa will be reclaimed by someone from her original team. The question is simple: what do we do with Gigi and Becksta.”

  “Yes, I agree. What do we do?”

  “I think perhaps I should spend a few minutes with each of them, and we will then let them decide if they wish to be claimed. If not we will free one or both and perhaps even give her first choice, or perhaps not. Will you accept this conclusion?”

  She smiled. “Two minutes.”

  “Five. Each.”

  She inclined her head. “Five. Each.”

  “Thank you, Your Honor.” I offered a small bow and then strode for the prisoners, Marda with me.

  I didn’t address Olivia, seated beside her.

  * * * *

  Lassa was entirely gone. Marda and I stepped up to Gigi and Becksta. I went to work on Gigi’s shift. She watched me, not saying anything. I removed the shift, and then I bent down, collected some of the resin, and began painting her body with it.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Giving you something to think about,” I said.

  Marda amused me. She leaned against the wall on the other side of Becksta, watching the proceedings. “I’m surprised you’re not asking to help.”

  “This is fun to watch,” she said. “Do you really want this many at once?”

  “We’ll let them decide,” I said. “It’s only fair.” I painted more of Gigi then pressed against her. I kissed the corner of her mouth then whispered into her ear, “We’re keeping the five we captured. If you want to play with me or any of them, you’ll surrender to me. If you want Lassa, then you need to convince Becksta to let you have her. If you want Becksta, you must convince her to let herself be claimed.”

  I collected one of the devices. I wet it and then I began teasing her, finally slipping it into her. Then I freed her hand, the one closest to Becksta, and I set it over the device. “If that slides out, Marda gets to play with you.”

  She moaned and closed her eyes.

  I moved to Becksta, who had been watching me. I treated her nearly the same, and whispered nearly the same. She laughed. I offered my ear, and she asked, “Did you tell Gigi the same?”

  “Yes,” I said.

  “Why did you start with her?”

  I whispered back, “Because I don’t think you’ll surrender, but she might.” And then I began working on her anyway.

  * * * *

  A shadow fell over us. I turned around, and Judge Jessla was there. “Time.”

  I nodded, then pulled Becksta’s hand away from her own crotch and shoved it over Gigi’s. I took Gigi’s and moved it to Becksta’s. Then I stepped back.

  The two were to their waists in the resin. I turned to the judge and smiled. “What do you think they will decide?”

  “Ten minutes ago, I thought you would end up releasing them both and give up Lassa and Sarala in the process. Now I don’t know.”

  I stalled, looking for more questions. I wanted the two gone further before we asked them. “Has this event ever ended like this?”

  “Not that I’ve seen,” she said. “Oh, the results can be deeply lopsided, but I have never seen two capture everyone else. Congratulations, both of you. Enough stalling, Ms. Rosebush. Either one of you presents the question, or I will.”

  “Of course, Your Honor.” I stepped back to Gigi. I kissed the corner of her mouth. Her eyes were closed, and she moaned. I set my hand on her breast and then said, “So, Gigi. Do you want this to stop?”

  “No,” she whispered. “No.”

  “I didn’t think so,” I said. “I’ll be back.” I stepped sideways. Becksta opened her eyes, but then she shut them and gave another moan, coupled with a squirm. I kissed her ear and brushed her face. “If you ask, we’ll stop,” I said.

  “Don’t stop. Oh, don’t stop!”

  I stepped away and raised an eyebrow. The judge nodded. “Carry on, then.” And she turned and walked away.

  “Marda,” I said. “So far we’re at two and two. Sarala has asked for me. Will you honor that?”

/>   “I will,” she said. “That leaves these three. I would like one but will take two or three if you don’t want to handle this many.”

  “You don’t ask for an even division?”

  “Frankly, Cerelle and Verla will keep me busy. I’m asking for one more to help distract them.”

  I nodded. “Which do you want?”

  “Lassa and Rondi seem to be challenging each other. Will you accept her? Or should we separate them?”

  “What do you think? I don’t know them any better than you do.”

  “Can you handle them?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then take Lassa and Sarala. I like Becksta, but she wanted you.”

  “So did Gigi,” I said.

  “May I have Becksta?”

  “Did you want them both?”

  “Only if you don’t want Gigi.”

  “Gigi is my favorite of all,” I said. “But I will only take her if you are sure three is enough.”

  “Three is plenty, if you can handle the rest.”

  “I guess we’ll see.”

  * * * *

  By the time I walked from the sands, I was exhausted. But in one afternoon, I had claimed five slaves, albeit temporarily.

  All of them fell asleep or were in such a daze that they may as well have been asleep. And so I accepted help from several guards to get them home. And it was while I was loading them into a carriage that Bess stepped in front of me. “Well, well,” she said.

  “What can I do for you?”

  “I’m going with you,” she said.

  I didn’t argue with her. I got my slaves into the carriage, climbing in after them. Bess climbed up with the driver, and then we were off.

  Sarala was the most awake. She crawled over to me and laid her head in my lap. I leaned back and closed my eyes, but I slowly stroked her. She made little sounds of pleasure, so I bent over and kissed her forehead. “I’ll take care of all of you,” I promised.

  We came to a stop. I sat there for a minute, and then the door opened, framing Bess. “We’re here.”

  I looked out. “That’s not the inn.”