Posting of Luckycat's series of Amazon sans men

[TICKLELOVERS]

Chapter One - Short-cut


Cody stepped out of the darkness of the dense humid jungle and into a large open sunlit glade filled with knee-high sawgrass.
Here, in the soft light of mid-afternoon, the sun provided little warmth, and only underscored what she already knew; that the tropical South American rainy season was immanent, perhaps now only days away.

Away from the clammy chill of the forest canopy, a fresh breeze blew, making Cody’s short blonde hair dance above her small ears, tickling and drying her perspiration.
Taking the compass from her belt, she held it out at arms length and examined it carefully. Calling out loudly over her shoulder she said, “Come on Beanie! We have a slight problem here!”

Cody waited patiently for a reply, frowning down at the compass and waving away the last of the buzzing knats that had followed her from the Jungle. Turning, she was about to call out again, when she saw the lanky form of her botanist friend Beatrice emerge from the trees and make her way awkwardly towards her.

“Let me guess!” Cody said smugly. “Another napenthe?”
Bea nodded excitedly. “Yes, the biggest one yet, almost eight inches tall! I took pictures of it from every angle; I only wish that we could take it back to Curevez with us, but of course it could never stand the trip.”
Bea paused to take a quick breath and knitted her brow. “What problem?”
In reply, Cody pointed absently across the glade. “That’s west—the way we need to go.”

Bea shaded her green eyes with one hand and stared across the waving sawgrass. The glade slanted downwards to where the jungle continued on the other side, even darker and more forbidding than from where they had just emerged.
“Looks kind of spooky.” She said.
Cody nodded. “Yeah—and wet! We’ve been moving steadily downwards for the last two hours. If we keep going on like this, we’ll find ourselves wading knee-deep in swamp water.”
Bea shrugged. “So?—”
“So—that means more snakes—and more slow-going.”
“I’m not afraid of stupid snakes.” Bea said bravely.

Cody cocked one eye closed and squinted up at her much taller friend. “Based upon what I’ve seen of the few men you’ve dated, I’d say that that was true.”
“Thanks a lot!” Bea replied haughtily. “And I suppose that the women you date are all perfect?”
“Perfect!” Cody agreed, and smiled showing her sharp white teeth.
“Oh yeah? Well what about your—bosom buddy—that ‘reptile woman’ Beth, the one with the spiked hair and the wrinkled skin?”
Cody grinned. “What, her? Well, maybe she’s not much to look at, but she screws like an animal!”
Bea raised an eyebrow. “I see, and that’s a good thing?”
“From time to time, yes.” Cody said nodding.
“You, my muscle-bound little imp, are seriously fucked-up!”
Cody grinned. “Maybe—probably—but it’s the kind of fucked-up everyone needs from time to time. Maybe you should try it.” She added with a wink.

Ignoring this, Bea asked, “How much longer until where we meet the boat?”
Cody blew out a breath. “Ten hours at least, maybe more. A lot more if we’re bogged down by having to slog our way through a damned swamp.”
“Shit!” Bea said. “Cody, we can’t afford to be late. If we miss that boat we’ll have to wait two whole weeks for another one.”
Cody met her eyes grimly. “I know. And we’re already short of food and water, and if the rain starts…”
“Vell, jus Vhat do you sukjest fearless leader?” Bea said grinning.

Cody pointed to the right of the dark jungle and up to the northwest. “First, we go around it. Then we turn back south to head towards the river. It’d be a little longer, but a whole lot easier going, and we could make good time until dark.”
Bea shrugged. “Fine, whatever. But leaving the low wetland probably means that I won’t see any more nepenthes.”
“Yeah, but if it means that we make our boat on time, I can live with that.”
Bea was disappointed, but finally nodded. “Lead on!”



Name Calling



The two women walked together single-file through the jungle; their steps were unhurried but purposeful. As usual Cody, machete in hand, led the way. She occasionally glanced back over her shoulder to make sure that Bea was still behind her and that she hadn’t been seduced into wandering off somewhere to study or photograph some new and exotic form of carnivorous plant.

Cody, a skilled explorer, knew that contrary to popular belief, the interior of the Amazon jungle can be quite open, and that there are many paths that one can take. Wildlife abounds here, and the game trails—providing that they ran in the right direction—can provide the traveler with many opportunities to advance easily.

They had traveled several miles uphill and in a northwesterly direction. Then as the land slowly began to level out, they gradually turned back to the west, walking in a slow arc that Cody believed would return them onto the correct course to intercept the Ceiavos River where they could await the boat.

“Bingo!” Bea cried out suddenly. “Napenthe!”
Cody turned to see her friend bending down over a foot-high plant that was growing beside an immense acacia tree.
“That is a big one!” Cody remarked.
“Unbelievable!” Bea breathed excitedly, and using a small ruler for scale, she snapped picture after picture of the plant with her small digital camera. She stopped suddenly and turned to meet Cody’s eyes.
“Do you have any idea how important this find is Cody?”
Cody shook her head patiently. “Big?”
“Vast!” Bea said in awe. “Nepenthes are native to the East Indies and Burma, and although found in other locations, none have ever been found in South America. Especially one like this!”

“I’m sorry Bea,” Cody said with a shrug. “But It just looks like another dumb pitcher plant to me. Just what makes this one so special?”
“Most nepenthes are small, about the size of your thumb, and grow from the branches of trees. This one’s absolutely huge, and appears to be growing right from the ground. From the ground Cody!”

Cody shrugged once again. “So? Don’t all plants grow from the ground?”
Bea shook her head. “No, actually there are many varieties that can survive without soil, such as water lilies.”
Cody nodded. “Well you should know, you’re the botanist, I’m only the token anthropologist.”
“The fact that this carnivorous plant is free-standing implies that it actually has roots, and if it wouldn’t kill it, I’d be sorely tempted to dig it up and look.”
“Beanie?” Cody said quietly, addressing her in the pet name she liked to call her.
“What?”
“I know this plant is a big deal to you, but we really need to move on. The boat, remember? If we’re not on time, it’ll leave without us.”

Bea’s body slumped with disappointment and acceptance of Cody’s common sense. She looked down at the bloated round body of the napenthe dejectedly. “I know Cody, It’s just that this little guy here could make my entire career for me.”

Cody attempted to soothe her. “Well, You have your notes and photos to prove its existence, not to mention having me to corroborate your discovery. You can always mount an expedition and come back again. If this discovery is as important as you say it is, you should have no problem in getting funding.”

Bea made a half-hearted attempt to smile. “Assuming that I could even find this same exact spot again, and if by some miracle I did, that this guy wasn’t dead.”
“Hey!” Cody said brightly. “Since it’s your find, doesn’t that give you the right to name it?”
Bea nodded. “Yeah, absolutely.”
“Then how about; Napenthe Beatrice?”

Bea smiled, and considered this for a moment, but then shook her head and met Cody’s eyes squarely. “If it wasn’t for you Cody, I’d never have come here and found it in the first place.” She looked up at Cody slyly. “And since it’s my decision, I’d like to name it in honor of you!”

Despite her ambivalence towards plants, Cody was strangely pleased.
“Thank you Beanie, I’m honored, and touched.”
Bea grinned. “Great, then maybe I’ll just call it Napenthe Codias Lesbos.”

Cody mocked a horror-stricken face. “The fuck you will! We dykes have enough bad press as it is, without having carnivorous plants named after us! Besides, I’m not a real lesbian, I’m bisexual.”
“Oh really?” Bea said smugly. “And just when was the last time you were with a man?”
Cody shrugged. “I don’t know; it’s been a while I guess. But I do enjoy having a man from time to time, they’re a lot easier to control than we women are.”
“You mean—dominate.”
Cody waved this away. “Shut-up Beanie.”

Bea giggled. “You can’t hide your secrets from me little Cody, I’ve seen your little perverted toys; the handcuffs and gags, and what about that black leather hood with the zipper?”

Cody’s face flushed, and she held up a warning hand. “ Hey! That’s personal.”
“I wonder…do you use those on your women, or do they use them…”
“Stop!” Cody said. “Just shut up, and pick a damned name for the damned plant!”
Bea grinned broadly. “Fine, then it’s Napenthe Cody!” She added giggling, “Or would you prefer Napenthe Codias Dominatrix?”

Cody grinned back threateningly. “Napenthe Cody” will do just fine!”



Snake



Dusk had begun to fall as Bea and Cody walked quickly beneath the forest canopy. The sun moved steadily downward to dip below the distant hills. It cast dim lengthening shadows, then finally, none at all.

Bea was incredibly tired and her feet hurt. But Cody prodded her on, wanting to keep moving for as long as possible before darkness forced them to make camp.
The going had not been too bad. Cody had found a narrow game trail that ran roughly in the right direction, and they moved along this at a fast pace.

Bea was staring down at her moving boots, and thinking about how a carnivorous napenthe, a tree-dweller, could ever have evolved into a rooted plant. Absorbed in her thoughts, she failed to notice the outstretched arm in front of her, and collided hard with Cody’s body, nearly knocking her over.

“Look!” Cody warned urgently, and pointed to the path ahead.
Bea stared in horror to see an immense snake that had begun to cross their path only twenty feet away. Its large, blunt head had almost vanished into the brush when it suddenly stopped and turned to regard them with cold menacing eyes. The snake’s mouth opened, its tongue darting in and out, as if trying to taste them from a distance.

“Shit! It’s a reticulated python!” Cody said. “Just look at its size, it must be thirty feet long!”
“Shhh!” Warned Bea.
“It can’t hear us Beanie, snakes are deaf, but they have incredibly sharp eyes. Don’t move, don’t even breathe!”
“Is it—is it dangerous?” Bea whispered.
“Duh!” Cody replied never taking her eyes from the serpent. “Hold perfectly still and don’t try to run!” She cautioned in a loud whisper.
“Why not run?” Bea asked. “Running sounds like an good idea!”
“It’s a conditioned response in predatory animals; they’ll chase after any prey that tries to flee from them, and he’s much faster than us.”
“Maybe he’ll just go away.” Bea said, hopefully.
“Maybe, but I doubt it, he looks hungry.”
“What’ll he do Cody, bite us?”
“He’s a constrictor, if he attacks, he’ll wrap his coils around you and slowly squeeze you to death.”
“Shit!”
“Then, he’ll begin to swallow you alive.”
“I hope he prefers blondes.” Bea said.

The snake’s wide head remained poised several feet above the ground, just hovering there, turning slightly from side to side and looking at each woman in turn. It was trying to decide.

Cody’s mouth tightened into a grim smile. “And that’s where we have the clear advantage.”
“Oh?” Bea said nervously. “Tell me about this…advantage thing.”
“He can’t attack us both at the same time and hope to succeed. When he comes, the one he ignores can use the machete—or a rock—to kill him.”

Bea saw that Cody’s blue eyes now shone with the thrill of the deadly confrontation. The tiny woman seemed to emanate a power far beyond her five-foot, ninety-pound body.
She knew from having lived with Cody for over two years that her friend was absolutely fearless in the face of any type of conflict, and would fight to the death over any esoteric concept, a lover, a chess game, or any other type of physical challenge or clash of ideological thought. Conflict was what empowered Cody; it was her ethos.
“Got a rock in your pocket?” Bea said. “I seemed to have lost mine.”

Cody removed her ceramic bladed machete from its sheath and tossed it to the ground in front of them.
“Move to one side Beanie—slowly! Make him choose. The one of us he picks gets hugged, the other gets the knife!”
Beatrice felt an ice cold drop of sweat travel down her ribs as she moved to one side of the path. She tore her eyes from the snake to dare one quick glance at Cody. The small woman was smiling, her face set with fierce resolve and deadly purpose.

The python became more animated. Its head remained in place watching while the rest of its thirty-foot body withdrew slowly from the thick trees to coil behind it.

Suddenly the snake seemed to come to a decision. Lowering its head, it hissed loudly and leapt to the left, and towards Cody. It traveled the distance between them in an instant, but at the last second it halted, and rearing up on its body, paused to stare into Cody’s eyes as if to say, “I have chosen you, and now you die!”

Bea stepped back, her eyes focused on the machete that lay just in front of the snake.
The python’s mouth opened wide, revealing a double row of curving needle-like teeth. Cody steeled herself, awaiting its cruel bite, and the inevitable embrace of death. She understood fully that there would be no escape, and that her fate now rested solely in her friend’s hands.

Cody understood the snake’s method of execution only too well. It would strike with its mouth and teeth, and then wrap itself around her at lightening speed. Once she was hopelessly trapped inside its coils, it would slowly tighten itself around her with incredible strength. Then, with each breath she exhaled, it would squeeze slowly tighter and tighter until she began to suffocate and grew torpid. Victorious, the snake would unhinge its jaws and begin to swallow her alive.
The serpent reared high and backwards, poised, ready to strike.


Suddenly the snake’s mouth seemed to explode, spraying Cody’s face with blood. The snake shook slightly, something small that resembled a pencil appeared in the center of its mouth. Its eyes rolled up into its head, it stiffened, and with one convulsive final movement, fell forward towards Cody.

Cody jumped away and stared at the back of the python’s head. A feathered arrow protruded from the back of its skull. The huge reticulated python was dead.



Luna



Bea and Cody stared down wide-eyed at the dead serpent, unable to believe their good luck at this startling ‘Deus ex machina’ turn of events.
“Beanie look!” Cody said, pointing a finger.

A very tall woman holding a bow stood at the point where the snake had crossed their path. She was barefooted, and completely nude except for a small brown thong and wide leather belt.

Her hair was jet black, with bangs cut severely straight just above her shoulders. This coupled with her high, elegant cheekbones, caused Bea to immediately think of Egypt, and Cleopatra.

Her bearing was proud, almost haughty as she stared down at the snake, a mocking smile tugged at one corner of her mouth. She raised her piercing ice-blue eyes to stare fiercely at the two other women.

With lightening-like speed, she reached to a quiver that hung from her belt and withdrew a second arrow. She nocked the arrow in place and targeted the bow first at Cody, then at Bea.
The threat was quite clear, and both women instinctively raised their hands in supplication.
“Hi there girl. Nice shot!” Bea said nervously.
“We mean you no harm.” Cody said, smiling, and pointing down to the dead snake. “Thank you!”

The woman approached them warily, continuing to target the arrow on them in turn. She halted about ten feet away and began to speak rapidly in some language that Bea didn’t understand.
Bea turned to Cody—the designated linguist of the two—and asked, “What, is that…Spanish?”
“No.” Cody answered. “I mean its Spanish yes, but there’s something else mixed in—Portuguese maybe—I need to hear more.”

Cody had spoken Spanish fluently since she was a child in New Mexico. She was proud of her ability, and often thought of herself humorously as the bi-lingual bi-sexual.

Trying to appear relaxed, she said in Spanish, “Hello brave woman, my name is Cody, and this is my friend Bea. What’s your name?”
The woman stared intently at Cody for a moment, then stiffened. “Luna.”
“Luna. Well, thanks for helping us Luna, we’re in your debt.”
Luna frowned and stepped forward menacingly. “The serpent is mine!”

For once in her life Cody’s courage seemed to desert her, and she took a quick step backwards. The woman’s height was incredible. Standing so close, Cody realized that she must be at least six and a half feet tall—perhaps taller.
Cody’s position, and small size afforded her an excellent view of Luna’s full round breasts. She found the sight to be quite interesting, but rather intimidating.

“Do—do you really want the snake?” Cody asked.
“Of course little fool! I have stalked it all day, and now I have killed it. It will feed many mouths in my village. It is mine!”
“Then by all means take it!” Cody said. “We have no desire to take from you what is rightfully yours. As you said, it’s your kill.”

“Cody,” Bea said impatiently. “What did she say? Who is she?”
Cody turned. “She says her name is Luna, and she’s pissed-off because she thinks we want to steal the damned snake.”
“Then you can understand her?”
“Mostly yes, but she speaks with an odd dialect. I’ve heard it somewhere before, but…I can’t seem to place it.”

Luna spoke. “Where are you from? You two do not belong here!”
“We come from far away; from the United States. We’re students about to graduate from collage. She—Bea—studies plants. I study different peoples.”

Luna sneered contemptuously down at Cody. “I have never heard of your village. It has a foolish name!” She turned to face to Bea. “She, this Bea, is very pretty and somehow—familiar—to me, and very smart to study plants. Plants can be very dangerous, it is wise to want to understand them.”

Cody felt a flush of anger rise to her cheeks. “Beanie is very smart, but unfortunately, she doesn’t speak your language like I can.”
Luna nodded. “You, I think, are not so smart. Why would you want to study people? That is foolish. People are people. They only live to serve their village.”

Cody snorted. “Well, that’s your opinion. But the understanding of other peoples happens to be extremely important in my view. How else can we ever hope to avoid famine and wars if we don’t study, and try to understand one other?”
“What are wars?” Luna asked narrowing her eyes.

Cody’s mouth dropped. “War? War is the violent struggle between two opposing forces.”
“Oh!” Luna said smiling, and lowering her bow. “I know this—war! I have war with other women in my village at every chance. I like war! It makes me feel happy!”
“Excuse me?” Cody said.
Luna added sadly, “But I never win at war, most women are much stronger than me. Sometimes I think that my toes will point upwards forever.”
“What is she saying? Bea asked.
Cody shook her head. “I have absolutely no idea.”

Luna suddenly reached out and took hold of Cody’s short blond hair, tugging it fiercely.
“Ouch!” Cody cried.
“Why would a man have such foolish straw colored hair?” Luna said, laughing.
“What?—Man!” Cody said angrily. “I’m no man you stupid snake killer! I’m a woman just like you!”

Luna frowned and pulled Cody’s head towards her to examine her face closely. Her grip was like Steel.
“Ouch!” Cody said again.
“What’s she doing?” Bea asked.

Luna released Cody’s hair, and reaching, roughly pulled her tube-top down around her waist. She stared in shock at Cody’s small firm breasts “You are a woman!”
“I told you so!” Cody snapped.
“Then you must be a very young woman!” Luna said.
“Hey! Not all women are as well endowed as you…snake woman! I may not be big, but let me tell you, I could rock your world sister!”
Luna looked confused. “Rocks?” Luna said, returning her eyes to Cody’s breasts. “These look more like pebbles to me.”
“Very funny!” Cody said indignantly.

Luna released Cody, and tossing her bow casually to the ground, moved to stand in front of Bea. She reached out to pull down the botanist’s shirt as well, but seemed confused by the many buttons that ran down the front.
Bea crossed her arms in front of her defensively. “Hey!” She stammered.
Luna snorted and stepped back. “Where are you going?” She asked Cody.
“To the Ceiavos River to meet our boat.”
Luna looked confused. “But there is no food there. What is this boat?”
“A thing that floats on water. It carries people on the river.” Cody said.
Luna nodded. “Yes, I have seen this—boat—with my own eyes. It is foolish!”

Cody shook her head in disgust. “Again, that’s your opinion. But we need the boat of get back home—to our village—how far is the river from here?”
Luna narrowed her eyes. “Not far, an easy walk. Two days.”

“Two days!” Cody said anxiously. “But we need to be there tomorrow, or we’ll be stuck here for another two weeks! Maybe is we leave early and hurry…”
Luna shook her head, causing her black bangs to dance around her forehead. “This is a very bad part of the jungle. If you run, you will only bring to you larger and even fiercer snakes than this one who is now dead.”
“But we’re short of food and water.”

Luna rolled her eyes. As though she were speaking to a child. “Water is everywhere tiny woman. And food can be found behind almost every tree.”
“Yeah, this place is a veritable super market of snack-food!” Cody remarked.
Luna squinted. “What is—snack?”
“Food you eat for fun that has no nutritional value.” Cody said impatiently.
“Oh, I see!” Luna said. “The same way the snake wanted to eat you; a snack!”
“Thanks a lot!” Cody said and broke into a smile.

“What did she say?” Bea asked.
Cody shook her head. “Bad news Beanie; no food, no boat, more snakes.”
Bea pouted. “My feet hurt!”



Dinner



Luna walked back to where the snake had entered the trail, and reaching down, retrieved a small sack woven from some type of rough cloth. Retuning to join the other women, she seated herself comfortably atop the dead serpent. Taking a long sharp knife from her belt, she began to carve pieces from the snake and put them into the sack.

“E-yuck!” Bea said.
“Seems like a waste of a perfectly good snake to me Luna.” Cody commented.
Luna shook her head. “This is for us to eat tonight. Tomorrow, women from the village will come to take the rest of the serpent. Nothing will be wasted.”
“You expect up to eat…snake?” Cody said with revulsion.

Luna shrugged. “You may eat, or not eat as you wish. But this squeezing snake is very delicious. If you don’t wish to accept what I am offering you, then at least you should build a fire so that I can eat.”
Cody nodded; realizing that she had probably just insulted the woman who had only minutes before saved their lives. “Sure, no problem. One fire coming up.”
“What’s up?’ Bea asked.
“Good news. Snake for dinner!” Cody said sticking her finger in her throat.
“My feet hurt!” Bea said.



Food and Feet



The moon had risen and night was falling rapidly. The sounds of the jungle grew steadily louder as creatures both great and small began to stir to embark on their eternal, nocturnal quest for food.
Cody was a knowledgeable fire builder, and their tall new friend watched her carefully and seemed to approve of her skills.

Cody was at the same time both threatened and mesmerized by the sheer size and power of this strange giant woman huntress. A pleasurable feeling stirred between her legs each time the woman’s ice-blue eyes met hers.
“Luna’s the real deal!” Cody thought to herself. “A for-real Amazon!”

Luna sat crossed-legged in front of the fire and served as cook. After first roasting the snake on twigs held above the flames, she spread the meat onto large leaves and presented it to her two companions. She smiled at Cody as she handed her an especially big portion, even larger than her own.
“Eat. You need to grow!” She said.

Cody accepted the leaf and stared down at it dismally. Bea on the other hand for once proved to be the braver of the two, or perhaps the hungrier.
“Mmmm!” She remarked after a small taste. “This is scrumptious!”
“Oh really?” Cody replied skeptically.
“Yeah, it tastes just like chicken. Try it.”
Cody rolled her eyes. “Why is it, that when someone eats something really disgusting, like dog, cat or snake, they always say that it tastes just like chicken?”
“Because it does.” Bea said nodding happily. “Try it.”

Luna watched Cody with a tight smile, and said something in her strange Spanish.
“What did she say?” Bea asked.
Cody’s mouth twisted into a sour grin. “She says that she wants to fuck you!”
“What? Bea said startled.
“I’m kidding Beanie, it’s a joke! She said—that the snake tastes just like chicken.”
Bea smiled and nodded and smiled at Luna. “And she’s right!”

Bea put another large piece of snake into her mouth and chewed happily while continuing to stare at Luna. She thought that their mysterious jungle friend was quite the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Her body was slender and lithe, with full breasts and a tiny waist. Her arms and long legs were well muscled and incredibly fit.

“You know Cody, Luna is absolutely gorgeous.” Bea said quietly.
Hearing her name, the tall woman looked up and smiled up at Bea.
“Yeah, so I’ve noticed.” Cody said quietly.
“What did the bean-woman say?” Luna asked.
“She says that you are very beautiful.” Cody replied. “And I agree. You are.”


Luna’s perfect skin was the color of creamed coffee, and shone softly in the firelight. Flattered, Her ice-blue eyes smiled back. “Thank her for me, and thank you tiny woman. I also find you both very beautiful, but very…different.”

Cody nodded her thanks, and suddenly became aware of a small pendant that hung from Luna’s neck. Setting her snake aside untasted, she leaned forward, and gently taking hold of the pendant, lifted to her eyes. “Look at this Beanie.”

Bea moved to kneel beside her friend and inspected the pendant with interest.
The thing was beautifully made and of solid gold. It was a remarkably accurate depiction of the two soles of a woman’s feet, the toes facing upward.

“This is very beautiful.” Cody said. “What does it represent?”
“It is my tarka, the symbol of my people.”
“A…tarka?”
Luna nodded. “Yes, each of us is given one after we have been chosen by another woman to laugh with her. Do you see the two figures, one on each small foot?”
Perplexed, Cody nodded.
“That is my name; Lu—na. We believe that the soul of a person resides in the soles of their feet. Our feet give us both our belief and our power. They also provide us with much pleasure.”
“Pleasure?” Cody repeated, not sure if she had understood her correctly.

“What did she say?” Bea asked.
“She says she’s into feet.” Cody said, continuing to stare at the pendant. “Beanie, look carefully at these symbols.”
Bea leaned in close. Yeah, I see them. So?—So what?”
“So—I’ve seen these kinds of symbols before, I think they’re Mayan!”

Luna had been watching Cody’s face with quiet interest. “What?” She asked.
“Your name, it’s written with Mayan letters.”
Luna squinted, not understanding. “What is M—Mayan?”
Cody met Luna’s large blue eyes and knew that the tall woman had no idea what she was talking about. “Forget it.” She said smiling. “It’s not important.

“No es importante!” Bea said.
Cody and Luna both stared at Bea.
“Well I’m not completely stupid Cody! Even I know a little Spanish!”
Cody laughed and resumed her seat. Picking up her leaf, she risked a small token bite of snake. “Mayan!” She muttered. “Well I’ll be damned.”

Bea moved to sit on a fallen log beside Cody and unlaced her boots. Removing her socked feet, she said, “Ah, did I mention that my feet hurt?”
“Frequently.” Cody said, chewing her bite of snake warily.

Luna had begun to eat again, but stopped when she saw Bea’s socked foot emerge from her boot. “What is wrong with the bean-woman?” She asked.
Cody smirked. “Her feet hurt her.” Cody said.
“And it is no wonder!” Luna said angrily. “Women’s feet should not be captives who are tortured inside of hot leather shoes; I will soothe her.”

Luna moved to sit crossed-legged in front of Bea. Taking one foot, she pulled it into her lap, and after quickly removing the sock; her long fingers found the sole of Bea’s foot and began to gently massage it.
“Oh my God!” Bea said expelling a deep breath. “That feels wonderful!”

Abruptly, Luna’s head jerked up surprise. Turning to Cody she said, “Her feet are wonderfully soft! I have never known such soft feet as these—never! She must possess a very gentle soul!”

Cody watched carefully for more than twenty minutes as Bea, with her mouth open and sighing with pleasure, allowed the foot massage to continue. When she had finished both feet, Luna turned to Cody and said, “You—tiny woman; shoes off!”
Cody’s blue eyes widened in horror. “Oh no you don’t! My feet are just fine!”
“Shoes—Now!” Luna snapped.
“Absolutely not!” Cody said vehemently. “I’m ticklish. No one touches my feet—ever!”

Luna nodded as though she understood, then without warning, suddenly reached out. Grabbing Cody by both ankles, she pulled them into her lap to tightly trap them with a crossed leg.

Pulled roughly off the log on which she had been seated, Cody put her hands to the ground beside her and pushed frantically in a useless attempt to escape, but Luna, far stronger, held her easily and began to casually unlace her boots.
“Hey!” Cody shouted.
“Be still woman!” Luna said angrily. “You are in pain, and I will help you whether you wish help of not.”
Cody shot a desperate look at Bea.
“Oh no! Don’t you look at me Cody!” Bea laughed. “She’s your problem! Besides, it feels good, you’ll love it.”
“Thanks a lot—friend!” Cody snapped.

Luna grinned, as one by one, she removed Cody’s boots and hurled them over her shoulder far into the jungle behind her. The two socks quickly followed.
“Hey! I need those!” Cody yelled in Spanish.
Luna shook her head. “No. Shoes are not permitted in my village. You would deeply offend the women if you came wearing them. They will stay here!”

“Your Village?” Cody said.
“Yes, you will come with me to my village.”
“But our boat…”
“Forget the boat. It is foolish!
“But…”
“No! I have told you, there is no time for you to find this foolish boat. If you go you will starve or be eaten or even worse.”
“What’s worse than being eaten?”
“There are far worse things Cody woman, I know! No, you will come with me to my village. There you will be given a warm place to sleep, and good food to fill your bellies.”

Luna’s fingers moved skillfully over Cody’s soles and toes, beginning to relax her almost at once.

Cody’s aggressive character instinctively rebelled at the thought of submitting her body to anyone against her will, but she clearly understood the incredible power of this extraordinary woman. She knew that if they fought, that she could only be the looser in any contest of physical strength.
Also, Luna had lived her life in this hostile jungle environment, and Cody knew that they would need her help if they hoped to remain alive until the boat arrived two weeks from now.
Resigned, Cody stopped struggling. Letting out a long breath, she watched impatiently as the foot rub continued against her will.

Luna shook her head in disbelief. “It is wonderful! Your small feet are even softer than the bean-woman’s. How can this be?”
“It’s because we wear shoes snake-killer, Shoes!” Cody said as she breathed the first of many long sighs.
Although she hated to admit it, the tall woman’s fingers felt absolutely wonderful. Cody wondered why she had never allowed herself to experience this amazing sensation before.

“What are you two talking about? Bea asked.
Realizing that she was powerless to stop the mandatory foot-rub, Cody reached to the ground beside her to pick the leaf she had dropped containing the snake. She grimaced, and took a thoughtful bite.
“Luna demands that we go with her to her village.”
“Demands?” Bea said.
Cody nodded, and took another bite. “She says that we’ll get a warm place to sleep and food to eat.”
“Or?”
“Or…we can try for the boat. But Luna says there’s no way; says we’ll starve or get eaten by something.
“Excuse me.” Bea said. “Is there, like a third choice here?”

Luna suddenly cleared her throat loudly. Fixing her gaze on Bea, she raised one eyebrow threateningly, and pointed a finger toward the dark jungle.
Bea hadn’t understood many of Luna’s words, but she understood her body language perfectly. Without hesitation, she stuffed her socks into her boots then threw them both after Cody’s.
Cody looked at her friend with a look of exasperation. “Beanie!”

Bea shrugged. “Well, the way I figure it, is that the rainy season is going to start at any moment. And since there’s no way we can hope to make the boat on time, I for one, would rather spend the next two weeks barefoot in a nice warm village with food in my tummy, than waiting around while staving to death in the cold with my boots on!”

She turned to smile at Luna, adding, “Besides, maybe our tall Amazon friend here will be nice enough to give us more foot rubs. Admit it, you like it too don’t you Cody?”
Cody sighed in ecstasy as the jungle woman’s strong fingers continued to work her feet. “It’s okay—I guess.”
“Cody!” Bea said.

The soothing touch of Luna’s fingers had caused Cody to enter into a state of near nirvana. Her eyelids grew heavy, and as her endorphins seeped into her brain she began to grow sleepy. It was the same peaceful feeling she always had when she went to her stylist to have her hair cut, and felt the woman’s slender fingers running softly through her scalp.
But now, another and even stronger feeling had begun to grow as well.

“Well, I guess it does feel pretty great.” Cody confessed. “But it’s making me horny.”
Bea snorted. “Everything makes you horny!”
Cody smiled. “Actually what you just said is true Bea. She really is an Amazon. But there’s no record of any people living in this part of the jungle.”

Cody regarded Luna curiously. “I have no idea who this woman is, or where her tribe came from, but the fact that there are Mayan markings on her necklace is very suggestive.”
“But how could she be Mayan?” Bea said. “The Mayan ruins are a thousand miles from here.”
Cody nodded. “I know. And she doesn’t even recognize the word. But still, those symbols don’t lie—they’re definitely Mayan.”
“And so?” Bea asked.
Cody smiled tightly and stared at Luna’s hands as they massaged her feet. “And so—I guess that I’d be a rather poor anthropologist if I didn’t go investigate. We’ll accept her offer and go with her to her village.”

Cody felt a warmth growing between her thighs; her nipples had become erect and tight. Embarrassed, she crossed her arms over her tank top.
“Thank you for your kindness Luna, we would be happy to come with you to your village.” She added, “With, or without shoes.”
Luna smiled. “You are welcome little one. But I make this offer for a selfish reason; I want the other women of my village to feel these very soft feet for themselves, otherwise they would think me one who lies.”
“Well, for whatever reason, we both thank you.”

Luna grinned wickedly. “That is good, because you have no choice in this. If you had refused, I would have tied you hands to strong sticks across your shoulders, and then led you to my village by very tight ropes around your necks.”
“Excuse me?” Cody said.
Luna nodded. “I am very skilled at tying captive women.”
“We’re…your captives?” Cody said, her mouth agape.

Luna lifted one dark eyebrow, her soft blue eyes twinkling with amusement. “Did I not catch you on our land and trying to steal our squeezing snake? I think you must both be terrible thieves. So now you are both my captives to do with as I please.
“What?—Thieves!” Cody hissed. “Listen to me snake-killer, we…”
“And you Cody woman, you are the most terrible thief!” Luna winked.
“Me?”
Luna nodded firmly. “Yes, you, wicked Cody woman!” She pointed a long index finger towards the snake. “You are even more sneaky than that dead one!”

Cody knew that this was the tall Amazon’s idea of a joke. She was amused, and decided to play her part.
“Oh, is that right?” Cody said, pretending to be angry
Luna nodded. “Yes! And I think that I will bind you most tightly—to punish you for being so sneaky. I know a way of tying ropes that you would find most terrible!”
Cody smirked. “And just what is that my tall, brave, snake-killer?”

Luna leaned back and wrapped her long arms around her knees, smiling, and watching Cody through squinted eyes.
“I would place a rope around your neck that goes here—she pointed a finger to the crotch of her own thong. “With this rope, I would then bind your hands behind you, and pull it most tightly.” Luna chuckled at Cody, and rocked on her hips.

“Haw! Cody said. “That doesn’t sound so terrible.”
Luna tilted her head to one side. “But that was not the most terrible part!”
Cody giggled softly. “No?”
“No! For before I bound your hands, I would have tied a great knot here—once again she pointed to own crotch—so that when I pull you behind me, the knot will push tightly against your woman’s pleasure-spot with each of your steps!”

Cody had to catch her breath as she thought about this.
Luna raised an eyebrow. “You do you know of a woman’s pleasure-spot, do you not Cody woman?
Cody rolled her gray eyes. “Of course I know!” She added, “In fact, it so happens that my pleasure spot is quite well developed!”

Luna looked puzzled. “What does that mean sneaky thief?”
“It’s big.” Cody said proudly.
“Let me see.” Luna said.
“Hell No!” Cody said, feigning shock.
“Let me see.” Luna repeated.
“Forget it sister!” Cody said, and began to laugh.
“If this is true, my knot will much more terrible for you!”

Cody looked up to gaze at the rising moon. “Oh, I don’t know.” She said idly, It might be interesting to have that knot there. Might be kinda’ fun.”
“What is…fun?” Luna asked.
“You know,” Cody smiled and pretended to laugh. “Haw-haw-haw.”
Luna shook her head. “You would only find the knot to be fun for a very short time little Cody woman. Have trust in my words, I know, for I have had this done to me.”

Cody suddenly became very serious. “You…you have?”
Luna nodded. “Yes. And it was most painful. You do not want me to do this thing to you.” She winked. “Not with such a very large pleasure-spot!”
They were both quiet for a moment as Luna continued to work her feet. Then looked up to catch Cody’s eye and they both began to laugh.

“What did she say?” Bea asked.

“She said that we’re her prisoners, and that we’re going to her village to be fucked by hundreds of women.” Cody said between sighs.
“Oh.” Was Bea’s only reply.

Luna leaned in close to Cody’s bare feet, and with a mischievous look on her face, opened her mouth and began to suck the toes of her right foot.
Caught off-guard, Cody sat up quickly; them lowered herself slowly as Luna’s tongue moved between her toes delightfully.
“Oh shit!” Cody said gasping with pleasure.

Luna raised her head and looked at Cody curiously. “I think that I would enjoy having “war” with you tiny woman.” The added with a shrug, “But I would win, and then your toes would point up!”


****

Chapter Two – Lost




That night, Luna made a bed of soft dried leaves for them to sleep on. Cody and Bea were exhausted from the forced long march of trying to catch the boat, and the frightening near-battle with the huge python. They both had fallen deeply asleep within moments of lying down.



The next morning, Cody awakened before sunrise to hear the sounds of birds twittering and the occasional soft tick of raindrops as they struck the leaves high above in the jungle canopy. The morning air was cool, and smelled of wildflowers and eucalyptus trees.

As she became more fully awake, she realized that during the night she had curled up comfortably against the warm body of Luna, her head resting on her chest. The tall Amazon’s arm was beneath her back and wrapped around her waist, holding her tightly.
Cody knew that if she attempted to extricate herself—which considering Luna’s strength, she doubted was even possible—she would only awaken her. She raised her head to see Bea sound asleep on Luna’s other side, curled up and facing away.

Cody smiled and put her head back down. She studied the huntress’s beautiful face, and watched the nipples of her breasts as they rose and fell in time with her breathing. Lifting one leg, she slid it over Luna’s thighs and snuggled close against her for warmth and protection.

Something tugged at her ankle. She turned to see that a rope had been fastened around it with what looked to be a very complex knot. Slowly lifting her leg she saw that the other end was likewise fastened around Luna’s.
For a single instant Cody’s quick temper flared. Then her lips spread into a slow smile. She shook her head. “Very funny snake-killer!” She whispered.

Cody of course, had slept with many other women. But they had been shy, submissive women whom she had first seduced and then taken forcibly into her bed. She had always been the aggressor, sometimes keeping her lovers tightly bound for hours, teasing them mercilessly with unquenchable arousal before finally forcing them to meet her demands for sexual pleasure and dominance.

Now for the first time in her life she understood what her lovers must have felt; this feeling of complete helplessness and sublime erotic frustration at the hands of an invincible, strong woman, one who could use her for any purpose she wished.
Cody found her situation frustrating and ironic, but also, she felt child-like and safe in Luna’s arms, where she was protected from the horrors of the jungle.
‘I think maybe I could get used to this.’ Cody mused to herself.
Snuggling closer to Luna, in two minutes she had fallen back asleep.

*

They had been walking all morning when Luna announced that it was time to eat. She left them sitting in the shade of magnificent acacia tree while she went off to find some wild vegetables. She told them that vegetables would go well with their second meal of cooked snake.

Cody had asked Luna several times about their direction and when they might expect to arrive at her village. But Luna had seemed almost annoyed by her questions and would only repeat the same monosyllabic response; soon!”

Bea sat watching gloomily as Cody built a fire of dried sticks. “Cody…I think we need to talk. Something’s wrong.”
Cody turned. “What Beanie? Miss not wearing shoes?”
Bea smiled and shook her head. She looked carefully around to make sure that the tall Amazon was still gone from sight. “I think that Luna’s been leading us in circles.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Bea said nodding. “Not exactly on the same paths, but on ones that are close to each other. This morning I saw this strange looking rock; I remembered it because it looked like a fat elephant. Then an hour or so later I saw it again, but this time from a different side. But I’m absolutely sure it was the same rock!”

Cody poked at the fire, her expression unreadable. “You’re right Beanie, I’ve been aware of the fact for several hours.”
“What?” Bea asked.
Cody nodded. “She’s been leading us on a wild goose chase ever since we got up this morning.”
“But—why on earth would she do that? I like Luna. She saved our lives.”
“Inadvertently maybe, but remember, she’s a huntress. Her job was to kill the snake first, saving us was only incidental to her mission.”

Bea shook her head emphatically. “No Cody! Look, consider the timing. She waited until the last possible second to kill the snake with her arrow. I think that if the snake had ignored us and simply moved on, Luna would have just remained hidden and waited for us to pass before pursuing it. No, she intentionally stepped out just in time to save our lives.”
“I hope that you’re right Bea, because I happen I like her too.” Cody smiled and lowered her head. “But is a slightly—different—way that you like her.”

“Shit! Cody. You didn’t—not last night—not with a dead snake—”
Cody held up a hand silencing her. “Relax. I didn’t have sex with her.”
Bea breathed a heavy sigh of relief. “Sorry, I guess I jumped to conclusions. It’s just that when I woke up, you two looked—well—pretty chummy.”

Cody smiled softly, recalling the warmth and feel of Luna’s strong body lying beside hers. Even more, she remembered the terrible erotic frustration she had felt. Cody could never recall a time when she had so desperately wanted to have sex with a woman. The frustration she had felt that morning was acute…divine.

“It’s okay Beanie, I really do like her, you know; in that way. And I would gladly have had sex with her, if one: I’d known for sure that she was a lesbian, and two: that she hadn’t been sound asleep.” Cody winked.
“And three:” Bea continued. “You weren’t a man with such foolish straw-colored hair!”

Cody laughed despite herself. “The question I’ve been considering all morning is—why? Why would she intentionally fool us like this? And the only answer I can come up with is that’s she’s trying to hide the exact location of her village.”

Bea considered this for a moment then nodded her head. “Maybe—possibly. Yes, that makes sense. If her tribe is as isolated and unknown as you say it is, then maybe they want to remain that way.”
“Exactly my thought.” Cody’s voice grew quiet, and there was a hint of sadness in her voice. “She’s probably just making sure that we can never find her again.”

“Do you have any idea where we are?”
Cody shook her head. “Not really. The damned compass seems to be completely useless the higher we climb into the mountains. Sometimes it points directly north, and then a few steps later it swings and points to the south.”
“Is it broken?”
“I don’t think so. I think that there’s some sort of iron, or magnetic mineral in the rocks or ground that keep fooling it.”
“Don’t tell me that you think that Luna planned that too?” Bea said.
Cody smiled. “I doubt if she even knows what a compass is.”
“Well maybe not,” Bea said. “But Luna’s not stupid!”

“I never said that she was stupid Beanie!” Cody said heatedly. “In fact, quite the contrary, I think that she’s very intelligent—and brave! I would never in a thousand years consider hunting down a reticulated python with only a bow and arrow! That’s not the act of a stupid person, it’s the act of someone who is immensely skilled, and supremely confident in their own abilities.”

“Jeez Cody, you really do like her!”
Cody glared angrily at Bea for moment, then she relaxed and poked at the fire again. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“Cody?”
“What Beanie?”
“If you could never find Luna again, would you be terribly upset?”

Cody stopped poking at the fire and turned to meet her friend’s eyes. She spoke calmly. “Not just upset Beanie, I think it would kill me.”



Anger



During the course of their afternoon hike the topography changed markedly. They traveled steadily uphill for several hours on a well-trodden winding path that snaked in and out amongst the tall tropical forest trees.

At times, the jungle became so dark that Cody had to squint to be able to follow the lithe form of Luna as she set a steady fast pace in front of her and Bea.

Luna halted from time to time to allow her companions to rest beside the numerous streams they encountered where they would sit and sip the clear, cold water. Cody, and especially Bea, were becoming exhausted. Sweat rained from both their bodies, and Bea seemed to be having some difficulty breathing in the rare, high altitude air.
Luna however, showed absolutely no sign of fatigue whatsoever. Cody marveled at her apparently limitless strength and incredible stamina.

Without being asked, Luna knelt and massaged Bea’s feet each time they stopped to rest. Bea quickly became spoiled, and began to eagerly anticipate each pause in their journey. Luna never complained however, and in fact seemed to enjoy the task as much as Bea. However, whenever she attempted to touch Cody’s feet, the small blonde woman had quickly stood and moved away.

Once, wearing an injured smile, Luna asked, “Do you not like my touch?”
Cody met her eyes. “The problem Luna, is that I like it far too much.”
Luna said angrily, “You tiny woman, are as stubborn as the wild llamas we use to carry our food! You enjoy the feel of my fingers on the soles of you feet, yet you refuse to let me touch you!”

Cody had turned her back and folded her arms. “I told you, it makes me feel too good! I’m not—like other women Luna, your touch—frustrates me! When you touch my feet, I—I want more, touching just isn’t enough.”

Luna grabbed Cody and spun her around. “And do you not think that it hurts me as well? I cannot explain it, but I want to touch your small feet and taste your toes more than any other women in my village!”

Cody turned and smiled uncertainly. “Really?”
Luna moved close to Cody and grabbed her arms so tightly that Cody thought they might break. “Last night when we lay so together close, I could feel your heart beating against mine, and I wished that you would move your body on top of mine so that we could have laughter together.”
“But…why didn’t you say something?”
“Words do not speak! Actions speak!” Luna said angrily.

Luna pushed Cody roughly away. “Perhaps you will meet another woman in my village that you will find more beautiful!” Then she turned on her heel and strode off waving her hand for them to follow.

“What did she say?” Bea said. “She looks really pissed!”
Cody turned and smiled at Bea with greater happiness that her friend had ever seen on her face. “She said that she likes me too!”



Village



At around four o’clock they reached Luna’s village. The sky had turned a somber gray and the rain had increased to become a miserable shower-like spray. The village was situated high in the mountains far above the jungle. The last several miles had been along a narrow winding path cut sharply into one side of a steep mountain, and as they advanced it became increasingly precipitous.

Cody ventured one look over the side to see an almost straight drop to the jungle five hundred feet below. She turned to look at Bea who was walking nervously behind her pale and frightened, her left hand dragging along the rock face beside her. Cody, terrified of heights, never ventured another look downwards, focusing instead on the slim form of Luna as she walked unconcernedly ahead.

At one point the path widened somewhat where it cut back into the mountain. Here, Luna halted and fell to one knee and began to search through her leather sack. Removing several lengths of rope, she stood and met Cody’s eyes.
“My village lies just ahead. I am sorry Cody woman, but I must bind you and the Bean-woman before we enter.”
Cody stared angrily at the rope. “Bind us? Why?”
“It is our law. All captives must be tightly bound. It is for the safety of all.”

“What did she say?” Asked Bea.
Cody turned to her slender witty friend, who now more resembled an exhausted drowned rat than a pretty biologist.
Cody snorted. “Luna thinks that she’s going to tie us up.”
“Well, I think that’s a pretty smart idea.” Said Bea.
Cody wrinkled her nose. “What?”
“Sure. We’re a pretty dangerous pair. I don’t blame her.”
Cody laughed despite herself.
“What did the Bean-woman say?” Luna asked.
“She says her feet hurt.”

Moving past Cody, Luna lifted Bea’s long French braid and made a single loop of rope around her long neck. After tying a knot in the front, she passed the rope down between her legs. Then crossing Bea’s wrists behind her back, she tied the rope to them and knotted it loosely.
Bea looked completely miserable.

Luna moved to Cody and held out another rope.
“Is this really necessary?” Cody said angrily. “We’re no threat to you!”
Luna nodded. “I know this, but my people do not.”
Cody blew out a disgusted breath. “Very well!” She said at last, and raising her head, presented her neck to Luna to be bound.

Instead of making a single loop of rope around her neck as she had Bea’s, Luna made five around Cody’s. Then after binding her wrists, pulled the rope very snug and knotted it tightly.

Cody tugged on her bonds, testing them. I only took a moment to realize that there would be escape.
“Hey!” Protested Cody. “Bea got off easy, why are my ropes so tight?”
Luna smiled and winked. “Because you are so sneaky!”

Cody knew that she should be angry with Luna, but strangely, she wasn’t. For some reason, the beautiful Amazon woman had singled her out for her jokes and special attention. Cody loved it.

After tying another short rope to Cody’s neck, Luna tugged on it lightly.
“Come. My village is close, and you will not stay bound for long. When all see that you are my captives and belong to me, they will not harm you.”

Easily carrying both women’s heavy backpacks with one hand, Luna led Cody forward by her neck rope. Bea rolled her eyes, and then trailed behind.



As they rounded a turn in the path, Cody drew up to see something that looked like a tall ladder standing upright before them and blocking their way.
Luna turned and spoke. “It is our bridge. The village women already know that we approach. It will be lowered so that we may cross.”

Even as she spoke, the long wooden bridge began to descend. Cody’s eyes followed the ropes attached to the top of the device to see that they descended down to disappear into a two small holes in the ground across from them.

As the bridge settled down into place, across from them, a gigantic woman armed with a bow moved out from among the shadows. Standing to one side of the bridge, she watched them intently.

Without looking back, Luna led them forward and casually stepped across the bridge. Cody stared down at the rough wooden planks and turned to look back at Bea with fear in her eyes. Bea nodded to her encouragingly.
Cody took a deep breath and walked quickly across the giddy bridge never daring to look down.

When all three stood together on the other side they heard the sound of ropes on a windlass. Glancing back, they saw that the bridge was again being raised.
For good or evil, they knew that they were now completely cut-off from home.



Seena



The woman who had been guarding the bridge stepped forward boldly. She regarded Cody and Bea with great interest and apparently some amusement before turning to tenderly embrace Luna.
Cody watched jealously.

The woman’s reddish-brown hair was cut in the same Cleopatra style, and astoundingly, she was even taller than Luna, and considerably more powerful. Like Luna, she had the same high cheekbones, only soft brown eyes. Also like Luna, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

The woman bent her neck to kiss the top of Luna’s head affectionately.
Obviously embarrassed, Luna stood with her arms pressed tightly at her sides, patiently waiting for the woman to cease her display of fondness.

After the kisses had at last ceased, Luna stood on her tiptoes and lifted her lips to the woman’s ear.
With raised eyebrows, the taller woman listened intently for several minutes, occasionally grinning over at the two strangers with amazement. At last, Luna turned and waved her hand, indicating that they were to approach.

“This is Seena, she is my friend, and the most powerful warrior in our village.”
Cody forced a smile. “I am called Cody, and this,” She nodded beside her. “Is my friend Bea, Luna calls her the ‘bean-woman’. We’re thankful to be here, and happy to meet you Seena.”

Cody’s eyes fell upon the tarka that Seena wore around her neck. Like Luna’s, it was made of solid gold and also depicted the soles of a woman’s feet. It differed however in two respects: the markings—which Cody was now doubly certain were Mayan—and the fact that the toes of the feet pointed downwards.

The powerful woman nodded while still continuing to hug Luna with one arm. “You are welcome here tiny captives.” She began to giggle, and looked at Luna questioningly. “Is the one who speaks a woman?”
“Yes, I’m a woman.” Cody said patiently, grinning to show her sharp teeth.
“What has happened to your hair?” Seena asked with apparent concern. “Have you been unwell?”
Cody shook her blonde head. “No, I keep it short because I like it that way; It’s less trouble.”

Seena considered this for a moment. “How—old are you tiny one?”
“Twenty-seven.”
Seena looked at Luna in surprise. “Then you are ten years younger than me, and two years older than Luna.”
Then squinting skeptically at Cody she asked. “In your village, how do you measure years? How many sunrises?”

Cody was surprised by this rather perceptive question. “Three hundred and sixty-five.” She replied.
Seena’s eyes looked skyward in thought.
“That is twenty-six years, and four months by our calendar.” Luna said quickly.

“What did she say?” Bea asked.
“She says that she wants to fuck you.”
“Cody!” Bea said, embarrassed. “Be serious!”
“I am being serious, she says she wants to fuck you right now—on top of the bridge. Should I ask her to lower it back down first?”
“Demon!! Shut up!” Bea said.
“She only asked my age Beanie.”
“Oh.” Bea said disappointedly, then added, “I think maybe I liked your first answer better.”

Cody gazed at her friend oddly for a moment. When she turned, she saw that Seena was staring down at her bare feet with a broad smile that was almost a leer.
“Stop Seena!” Luna said firmly and placed a restraining hand on the tall woman’s elbow. “I have already claimed this Cody to laugh with. Only if I fail may you then try to bind her. And this time, I will not fail, she is the one!”

Seena’s brown eyes flashed angrily for a moment, but then softened. She let out a long sigh and said, “Very well little Luna, you have made your claim on her and I shall respect it. But know well, that if you do fail, then I will make her laugh very hard indeed!”

Feeling rather vulnerable, Cody again tugged at the tight ropes on her wrists.
“Luna, just how long do you intend to keep us tied?”
“Until the time it pleases me to free you.” She winked. “It is not yet time.”

Seena squinted at Cody. “How many children do you have?”
“No children, neither Bea nor I are married.”
Seena gave Luna a puzzled expression.
“What is…married?” Luna asked.
Cody seemed bewildered. “It’s the life-long joining of two people who love one another.”
Luna and Seena continued to stare blankly, not seeming to understand Cody’s words.
“For companionship, and for the purpose of having children.”
Dead silence.
“People who want to spend the rest of their lives together.” Cody elaborated. “And want to be able to have sex with each other whenever they wish.”

“What is—sex?” Seena asked, tasting the word in her mouth.
Cody only stared back at her stupidly.
Luna suddenly snapped her fingers. “I know! It’s having war with another. Seena and I have had war many times, we both like it very much!” Then she added pouting, “But she always wins.”

Once more jealousy flared dangerously in Cody’s eyes. “I see. And have the two of you had many children together?”
Both Luna and Seena laughed uproariously at this comment.
“I have one child.” Seena said proudly. “My daughter Syral.”
“But…” Cody stammered. “It takes a man to produce children.”
Seena laughed. “Well of course! And I have been most fortunate. My man Mirock has given me a beautiful tall girl who will soon take her place to stand beside me here in the upper city as a powerful warrior.”
It was now Cody’s turn to be confused. “Upper city?”

Luna held out the palm of her right hand. “Stop! The time for talking will come later. You and the bean-woman need to rest. I will take you to a place where you can become clean and discard your hot dirty clothes.”
“Fine.” Cody said. Then added uneasily, “But what will we wear?”
Luna glanced down at her own thong. “The same as me of course, a teeta. Or if you prefer, nothing at all.” She added smiling, “But I think that I would prefer the second!”



Chapter Three - The Upper City



The late afternoon view from this height was breathtaking. To the west, the sun, now hidden from view by the mountains, cast soft gray shadows on the city, making its features stand out in sharp relief. Seemingly just above their heads, thick gray clouds raced furiously towards mist-covered mountains far to the east. Thunder sounded dimly in the distance, and the air smelled of ozone and of coming rain.

Luna led them northward along a wide, brick tiled path. To their left was the high outer wall of a city that had been completely hewn into the solid rock face of the mountain.
Unlike similar buildings made by the cliff dwellers of the American southwest that are crude and unadorned, all of the structures here were perfectly proportioned, and highly ornamented. Prodigious bass-relief’s depicting women, plants and jungle animals abounded, having been carved laboriously and artfully into the sandstone face of the rock.
Cody saw that not only were these people great hunters, but also were clearly consummate builders as well as being exquisitely talented artists.

To they’re right, a sheer drop descended to the jungle floor hundreds of feet below. Looking down, she could see a palm bordered stream that curved serpent-like through the many hills to finally disappear out of sight far to the south.

Many thick vines and brightly flowered creepers scaled the walls of the city. They rose high along its face, twisting and turning past the many windows to finally blend into the verdant jungle mountaintop far above. The nearness and intimacy of the city was magnificent, and suggested nothing in common with the prosaic world the two women explorers knew.


At one point Luna halted to quickly unbind her two captives.
Returning the ropes to her leather sack she said, “The bridge has been raised, and my friend Seena stands watch. Do not try to escape, for you cannot.”
“And if we did try?” Cody said, rubbing her sore wrists.
“You will fail. Seena is very strong and will only catch you and give you to the Torturess to be punished.”
“The…the Torturess?” Cody said, clearly interested.

Luna nodded severely. “Yes. In our village it is the Torturess’s task to punish those who have done bad things. And once she has bound you in her ropes there is nothing I could do to help you; you would suffer most terribly!”

Cody felt an unaccountable, pleasant tightening in her groin.
“Just…just how would she torture me?”
“Most terribly! She is most skilled, and very clever at her art.”
“Oh?” Cody said, showing more fascination than fear.
“Please Cody woman, do not try to escape, for if you do I will be punished as well.”
“You?”
Luna nodded. “Even more terribly than you.”
Cody smiled softly. “I wouldn’t want that to happen Luna.”
“And it would be foolish for you to try to escape. You would only die in the jungle. Here as my captives, you will be safe.”



As they walked, Bea couldn’t resist running her hands along the markings cut deep into the sandstone, exploring them with her fingertips. This world was so strange, so outré, that it was as though she had to actually touch it, feel it, to prove its existence.

As they passed, the curious faces of women began to appear behind the open windows and doors to stare out at the two strangers with great interest.

Cody became aware of one especially prominent building that rose upwards more than a hundred feet. Carved into the mountain, it had been built in tiers and set back a small distance from the path on which they stood.
Its bold markings were amazingly intricate and even more highly detailed than its ornate neighbors. The carvings wound about its face in elaborate symmetrical swirls that rose to where they finally disappeared from sight into the gray mist high above.

“Wow!” Said Bea.
“What is this place?” Cody asked Luna. “A temple?”
Luna turned and stared with reverence at the structure. “Yes, it is the sacred temple of our Goddess Ixabala. The space inside is vast and reaches far back into the mountain. There are also many stairs and turning passages behind and below.”
“Like a maze, or labyrinth?” Cody asked.

Luna nodded. “Where they lead has long been forgotten. We often speak of exploring them to re-discover where they go, but it would take all of the village women working together to do this in safety, for there are many terrible dangers there.”
“Dangers?” Cody asked, peering into the dark open doorway.

“Yes. The passages are very old. Rainwater and the ages have injured them. There are also many serpents from whose bite you would die.”
Cody nodded. “Poisonous snakes.”
“However, the most dangerous thing is…” Here, Luna said a Spanish word that Cody didn’t understand, and when she asked Luna to explain, the tall woman locked her two thumbs together and wiggled her long fingers while raising her hands slowly up in the air.
“Spiders?” Cody said at once. “There are dangerous spiders?”

“Excuse me!” Bea said irritably. “What spiders? Is this a private conversation, or can I join the club?”
“Sorry Beanie.” Cody said. “This building is a temple to some Goddess named Ixabala. Luna says that are so many passages inside that even they don’t remember where they lead.”
“Oh?” Bea asked with some interest.
“Yeah, and that there are poisonous snakes, and deadly spiders.”
Bea grinned and straightened her long neck proudly. “Well I’m not afraid of snakes, I eat them!”

“What did the bean-woman say?” Luna asked.
Cody’s face twisted into a sly grin. “She says that her feet are beginning to hurt again and that she can hardly wait for you to rub them.”

Luna’s questioning eyes moved slowly down Bea’s slender body to come to rest on her sunburned bare feet. “Tell her that she need not fear, for there are many women here who will be most anxious to soothe her soft feet!”
Cody grinned, knowing that her little joke had probably just gotten her best friend into a lot of bad foot trouble.

“I myself,” Luna continued. “Will be too busy attending to Cody’s small feet.”
“Oh?” Cody said gulping. “That’s really not necessary, I…”
“But the bean-woman will not be too sad, for there are many others whose skills at rubbing the feet of women is far greater than mine.”
“That’s fine Luna, but I…”
Luna lifted an eyebrow. “But, if last night my touch was not pleasing to you, then perhaps I should allow another woman to…”
Cody threw up a palm. “No! You’re touch was wonderful! I was quite—pleased.”

Luna regarded Cody with sparkling eyes. “So I saw. My touch seemed to make you most—friendly. It is sad that we had to go before we could make war together, for I am most anxious to learn from you your secrets.”

Bea watched with some surprise as Cody’s face turned a bright crimson red.
“I’m sure Luna, that you can teach me a few things too.” Cody stammered.
“We will have many days to teach each other new things.” Luna said. “I am also very much interested in this tickle thing you spoke of, and wish to learn of it.”
Cody swallowed hard and changed the subject. Turning toward the temple, she said, “Can we go inside?”

Luna frowned and grabbed Cody’s arm to restrain her. “No, your foolish clothes would deeply offend Ixabala! Her anger toward my village would be like red-hot fire, and our punishment swift and terrible if I were to permit you to enter. No clothes of any kind must ever be worn inside, not even teetas.”
Cody nodded apologetically. “I’m sorry Luna, I meant no disrespect to Ixabala.”
Luna nodded curtly. “I know this, and when I do present you to her, I’m certain that despite your offensive odor, she will love and accept you as her sister.”

“My—my odor?” Cody said.
“I am sorry tiny Cody, I meant no offense, but both you and the bean-woman have the—foulest—smell! It is like nothing I have ever known before, sweet…like dying flowers and most terrible!”

Cody’s eyes lit with understanding. “Deodorant! You don’t like the underarm deodorant we wear?”
“No!” Luna said with disgust. “Whatever you call it, it is vile, and I do not like it! Why do you inflict this evil thing on others?”
“We wear it hide our natural body odors.”
“But the smells of a woman are most wonderful and inviting.” Luna said, shaking her head with incredulity. “I think that your U-nited States must be a most backwards village. You are both indeed very fortunate that you have come here so that you can learn from us.”

“Duh!” Bea said hotly. “I’m still here!”
Cody began to laugh. “Sorry Beanie. Luna says that her Goddess has no desire to meet any women wearing clothes, and that we both stink.”
“Oh.” Bea said, smelling her own underarms. “Doesn’t Luna like Right Guard?”

“Come!” Luna commanded. “We will go to the bath where you can become free of your foolish apparel, and wash this terrible smell from your beautiful bodies.”

As Luna turned to go, Cody spoke. “Luna, may I ask a question of you?”
Luna nodded.
“The bridge we came across appears to be the only way in or out of the village, am I right?”
“Still thinking of trying to escape sneaky one?”
Cody smiled. “No, we want to stay with you Luna, I’m just curious.”

Luna nodded. “The bridge serves to keep out our enemies and dangerous animals. If you were my prisoners, we would have already tortured and killed you both.” She then added with a satisfied smile, “You are my captive guests.”
“I see.” Cody turned to Bea. “Come on Beanie, let’s go get naked.”


Oola


But Bea wasn’t listening and seemed distracted. She looked at Cody, and then nodded her head back in the direction they’d just come. “We’ve got company.”

A group of around ten women was approaching them cautiously. They were smiling, their wide eyes filled with curiosity and playful interest.

In the center, a woman with red hair, who was much shorter than the others, stared boldly back at them with an amused, impish grin.
Bea wiggled the fingers of one hand nervously and said, “Hi girls.”
The women whispered to one another and giggled with delight.
The red-haired woman laughed and imitated Bea by waving her own fingers back at her in the same manner.

Although Cody sensed no real threat from these women, she seemed to be unable to tear her gaze from the shorter one. Not only was her hair of a different color, but there was something peculiar about her, something that niggled in the back of Cody’s mind, something obvious, yet elusive.

“Go away!” Luna called out. “These two women are my captives, they are tired and need to bathe themselves.”
“No woman should bathe alone Luna.” The red-haired woman called out teasingly. “We’ll help them.”
The band of Amazons giggled.

“You foolish women will only drown them, now go away!” Luna said, frowning.
“Is it true what Seena says; that they both have extremely soft feet?” The redhead asked boldly. “I must feel these soft feet for myself!”
“All you will feel Oola, is my soft foot on your behind!” Luna said.

At this, the Amazon women began to laugh so hard that it become infectious. Cody snickered, and Bea, who hadn’t the slightest understanding of what was being said, began to laugh as well. Soon the iron mask of disapproval on Luna’s face broke, and she too laughed uproariously.
“Come.” Luna said smiling, Pay no attention to these fools.” And led Cody and Bea onward.



Bath



The three continued to walk until Luna halted in front of the very last of the rock-hewn buildings at the extreme northern end of the path.
Water trickled out from four terra cotta pipes that protruded from the front of the structure that dripped noisily into a channel at the base of the building. The channel spanned the entire front of the city, serving as a kind of primitive gutter.
Standing aside from the doorless entryway, Luna motioned for them to enter.

Steps carved into sandstone led several feet upwards into a large central room with a high ceiling. The air inside was close and humid, and upon looking around Cody quickly understood why.

Set against the right-hand wall was large tub several feet high and about ten feet square. It appeared to be made of some type of dark wood, and was filled to the top with steaming hot water. The water overflowed, trickling down the sides in little streams that ran across the floor to form small shallow puddles.

“This is our bath house.” Luna said with obvious pride. “Remove your clothes and get in. The water is clean and warm, and you will find it quite wonderful!”

The large tub did look inviting and Cody didn’t have to be asked twice.
Quickly pulling off her clothes, she said, “Come on Beanie, last one in’s snake food!”
“So much for vanity I guess.” Bea said. “Now we go native.”

The water was wonderful. It reminded Cody of her teenage years, when late at night she would sneak young lovers—alternately male and female—into her parents hot tub to have sex with them in the surging, foaming water.
Bea smiled as though she had gone to heaven. She untied her long ‘Lara Croft’ braid. Then without the benefit of any soap, washed her long chestnut hair.

Luna disappeared for a short time, having taken away their discarded clothes and backpacks. She returned a few minutes later to quickly slip out of her teeta and join Cody and Bea in the warm water. There was more than enough room for all three women, and they sat beside one another luxuriating, and relaxing quietly.

They had been soaking for some time when Cody asked, “Luna…where does all this water come from?”
“From high up on the mountain.” Luna replied. “It travels through pipes that lie under the ground and lead to this place.”
“What about the heat? How can it be so warm? Surely the water from the mountain is cold.”
“Very cold. But under this room lies yet another, where a woman keeps a wood fire burning beneath the stone floor where we now sit. She is very skilled at keeping the bath at just the right heat.”
“She must work very hard indeed.”
“Yes, it is her sole task in our village. Her name is Elani.”
“And that’s all that Elani does? Just keeps a fire going?”

Luna looked at Cody with some impatience. “Elani works hard to provide us with the great pleasure of this bath. It is available to every woman in our village anytime of the day or night. Elani sleeps little, and often misses her meals to provide us this luxury. It is a difficult task, and I, a simple huntress, admire and respect her greatly.”

“I’m sorry Luna.” Cody said with sincerity. “I meant no disrespect to Elani.”
“I know little one.” Luna said softening. “I know also that you must not have such great luxuries as this bath in your U-nited States village, but remember, each of us has her duties to perform. There are no small tasks, only small minded women.”

Cody smiled, recalling having read the almost identical words of the great acting teacher, Boleslovsky from acting class. “I’ll remember that.”
Luna nodded and leaned back against the edge of the tub.

“How many villagers live here?” Cody asked.
“There are now ninety of us women, some twelve men and twenty children.” Luna replied.
“We haven’t seen any men or children. Where are they?”
Luna shrugged. “They do not stay here in the upper village with us women, they live below in the lower village, inside huts.”
Cody was confused. “Your men don’t stay here with you at night?”
Luna laughed shortly. “Praise Ixabala no! Why would we wish that? No, they stay below where they belong and care for the children.”

Cody had opened her mouth to ask yet another of the thousand questions she had about Luna and her people, when without warning a group of six women led by the red-haired woman Oola, suddenly rushed up the steps and stood smiling down at the three bathers. They were obviously up to no good and were out for fun.

Bea’s reaction was to sit up nervously with her hands covering her breasts. Cody’s was to sink down into the water up to her neck. Luna pretended to be annoyed while trying to conceal her smile.

“What do you foolish women want now?” She said.
Oola stood boldly with her hands on her hips and her legs apart. “We want the same thing as we did an hour ago; to feel the soft feet of the two captives!”

Once again, Cody experienced the same peculiar feeling about this woman as she had had when she had seen her earlier on the path. It was something right in front of her, something obvious, but still, she couldn’t seem to put her finger on it.

She studied Oola carefully. Her hair was cut into the same Cleopatra style as the other women but in a rich titian red color. She was more slender and less endowed than her friends, and her skin somewhat lighter in hue.
Oola’s face was stunningly beautiful, but unlike the savage, imperious beauty of Luna’s, hers was elegant, refined; the face of an artist.

Oola’s most singular feature however, was the gleam of pure devilment she had in her piercing blue eyes. Cody understood that here was a woman for whom nothing, or no one was sacred. She lived only to laugh and raise hell with the world. Oola was the quintessential tomboy.
Cody liked her instinctively; she and Oola were cut from the same whole cloth. Still, there was that niggling feeling.

“Go away! Leave them alone!” Luna said. “They are tired and need to rest.”
“Oh I see!” Said Oola—who was obviously the instigator of this little visit.
“And just where I wonder, are these soft-footed women going to sleep tonight? Could it possibly be in your house Luna?”
“It is my business where they sleep.” Luna said coolly.
“No, It is monkey business! I know what you intend to do with them only too well Luna! Perhaps tomorrow you will be asking the priestess Arris for a new necklace, one with downward toes!”

Luna looked away. “You do not understand, these women are my friends.”
Oola wore a wry expression on her face. “Oh, I see.” She nodded. “Seena tells us that you feel especially friendly towards the small captive…what is her name?”
Cody knelt forward in the water and reached out her hand. “Hi Oola, my name is Cody.”

Momentarily caught off-guard, the red-haired woman paused for only a second before stepping forward to take Cody’s extended hand.
“And I am Oola!” She said holding her hand in a vise-like grip. Without releasing it, she turned to look at Bea questioningly.
“I’m Bea.” Bea said pointing to herself, having understood that introductions were being made.
“Bea!” Oola said, as if tasting the word in her mouth. “That is pretty!”

“What did she say Cody?” Bea asked, excitedly.
“She said that she wants to fuck you!”
“CODY!”
“What she said—was that your name is very pretty.” Cody said laughing.
“Well thank her for me, and tell her that I think that her name—Oola—is pretty too! And tell her that I love her red hair. She’s absolutely gorgeous Cody!”

Cody translated Bea’s words to Oola in Spanish—and for once accurately.
Oola smiled at Bea and nodded her appreciation. Her eyes moved down to Bea’s breasts, and the smile became an impish grin.

Turning back, she examined Cody’s hand carefully, turning it over and running her fingers softly across the palm.
She said in awe, “Soft—so soft! How can a woman’s hands be this soft? This Cody-woman must do no work at all. Luna…surely the soles of her feet cannot be as soft as this hand?”

Luna stared back, her expression haughty and superior. “Her wonderful small feet are even softer! I know! I have touched them with my own fingers.”
Oola released Cody’s hand and made a sour face. “And just what do you know Luna? Yours are only the hands of a huntress! Mine are those of an artist, and I shall judge the softness of her feet for myself!”

Oola knelt down quickly, and reaching into the water grabbed hold of Cody’s right ankle. With startling strength, she pulled her foot up and onto the wide edge of the tub.
Caught off-guard, Cody slipped and fell backwards beneath the water. She surfaced a second later, sputtering and holding herself upraised with her arms at her sides.
“Hey! Cody said laughing.

Luna looked at Oola in disgust. “Stop this foolishness Oola! Go away and leave this small woman alone! It is our bath time!”

A very tall woman spoke. “The bath does not belong you alone Luna. It belongs to each of use to freely, whenever we wish!”
“That is true Xantha.” Luna said. “But we were here first, and are not yet done. And besides, I am sure that you and Oola have already had your baths today.”
“Take all the time you wish snake hunter.” Oola said smiling. “We are not here to bathe, we are here to test the feet of these two women. Now be silent, or we will bind you with ropes and leave you helpless in the temple for the spiders!”

For Luna, this was apparently something more than an idle threat. Seeing the grim determination on the faces of the other women, she became silent and sat back sullenly with her arms folded across her ample breasts.

Still holding Cody’s bare foot, Oola spun about backwards to sit on her ankle, holding it wedged between her buttocks. As her fingers began to move lightly across the sole, Oola’s eyes widened in delight. “Luna speaks the truth! The Cody woman’s foot is the softest I have ever known!”

The other women’s eyes grew wide, and they murmured to one another excitedly. Cody gritted her teeth as she squirmed trying to free the trapped foot. “Hey! Stop, that tickles!” She said anxiously.

Luna sat bolt upright, her face ablaze with excitement. “Tickles? That—is tickle? Let me see Oola!” She rose to her knees, and leaning over the edge of the tub watched in fascination as Oola’s long fingernails moved up and down the smooth sole of Cody’s small right foot.

“Oh my God! Stop!” Cody shrieked. “Bea, make her stop! I can’t stand having my feet tickled!”

Bea began to giggle. She moved safely away to rest comfortably with her back against the side of the tub, her breasts just above the water and her fingers laced behind her neck. “No way!” She said with a curt laugh. “I like watching you squirm. Maybe in the future this will teach you include me in your conversations too.”
“Bea!!!” Cody pleaded, and began to laugh hysterically.
“Nope—suffer!” Bea said and giggled again.

“Look sisters!” Oola said in amazement. “The Cody woman has smiling feet!”
The other five tall women all chuckled and grinned, hopping about in delight. “Let us see!” Xantha cried excitedly. “We want to feel these soft smiling feet for ourselves!”

Sobbing with laughter, Cody held herself up with both arms, and placing her free foot against Oola’s back, pushed with all her might in an attempt to shove her off.
This however, proved to be a serious mistake. Oola’s strong body was as immovable as a rock, and only resulted in her reaching behind her back to grab Cody’s left foot as well. In a trice the foot had also been trapped beneath her thighs.
“Shit!” Cody screamed in frustration and bent forward trying to reach Oola.

The tallest woman, Xantha, seeing that a new foot was now available, raced forward. Kneeling down, she began to use her fingertips to lightly stroke it as well.
Cody let out a deafening scream and fell backwards beneath the water.

Luna watched with amusement as Cody resurfaced a second later shaking her head and spitting water. “Poor Cody-woman.” Luna said. “Your small feet smile more loudly than any I have ever heard! I fear this will prove a very serious weakness for you when you make war with me.”
Cody couldn’t reply as she had already begun to laugh again.

“She is wonderful!” Xantha said, and giggled loudly.
Oola nodded in agreement. “She is wonderful!” She turned to Luna with sudden seriousness, “This Cody wears no tarka, have you already claimed her?”
“Yes!” Luna said fiercely. “I have already told Seena so, and Cody will laugh only with me! Tomorrow she will wear her own tarka, one with upward pointing toes!”

Oola looked down sadly at Cody’s feet and pouted. “I see!” Suddenly she brightened. “And what about the Bea woman? Has anyone claimed her?”
Luna looked at Bea, who smiled back expectantly. “No, you are most fortunate Oola, she is still alone. And not only are her feet as soft as the Cody woman’s, but she is very clever as well. She knows all there is to know about plants.”

Oola stood, and still holding Cody’s ankles pinned said, “Xantha, take her and have your turn with her smiling feet.”
The taller woman clapped her hands in delight, and quickly took the red-haired woman’s place to sit on Cody’s ankles. The tickling resumed at once.

Oola jumped into the tub, and reaching beneath the water to take hold of Bea’s ankles, dragged her forward to the edge of the tub. In a second, she had Bea tightly secured in the same position that Xantha held Cody.
Oola looked down in delight. “This Bea’s feet are even softer than the Cody woman’s! But they even larger, and there is more to touch!”
“Let me see!” Said one of the women.
“NO!!” Oola screamed hotly. “This Bea woman is mine! I claim her!”

Bea sat up and leaned forward with her hands on Oola’s hips. However, instead of laughing or trying to push the other woman away, she only smiled and seemed confused.

“How can you stand it Bea?” Cody said between wild fits of laughter.
Bea slid the palms of her hands gently around Oola’s small hips, exploring them, and making slow circles around her hipbones. “I guess I’m not that ticklish, it just feels really good.”

With tremendous strength, Cody bent forward and grabbed Xantha around the waist and held on tightly. But when she moved her hands to try to cover her feet, the much stronger woman simply swatted them away. Then reaching behind her, she gave a gentle push that sent Cody flying backwards and beneath the water once again.

Bea wrapped her arms around Oola’s waist and pressed herself against the red-haired woman’s warm back. She still seemed confused, but began to sigh with pleasure as Oola steadily worked the soles of her feet with her fingertips.

Oola was a little disappointed that these wonderfully soft feet were not smiling feet like Cody’s, and decided to try something else instead.
Bending forward, she lowered her head to take Bea’s toes into her mouth, sucking and teasing them with her tongue.

Bea held tightly to the red-haired woman’s small waist, sighing over and over.
“Oh God! Oh God!”

 

[TICKLELOVERS]

Chapter Four - Bath


Hi all! Do to a number of requests—and several rather interesting threats—I have decided to post two parts of Amazon each week. Look for them on Wednesday and Saturday. And as always, please feel free to share any thoughts you may have about the story. Your comments are very much apprecitated!
Thanks, Luckycat



For all of her bravado, Cody was a realist. She fully understood the true hopelessness of their situation knowing that any one of these Amazon women were far stronger than either her or Bea. She could only wait patiently for them to tire of their little game and release her from the tickle torture.

She felt anger and outrage at having her body used so mercilessly by these silly women, but then when she saw Luna turn and smile back at her, the feeling of anger suddenly dissipated into something else entirely different; in an instant, Cody had become strongly aroused.

Oola also seemed to somehow sense a change in her captive. Releasing Bea’s ankles, she stood and turned around slowly. Stepping into the warm water, she moved to sit astride her thighs. Bea remained very still, watching Oola with a soft questioning smile.
Folding her long arms around Bea’s shoulders, Oola pressed her body tightly against her. “Would you not like to laugh with me Bea?” Oola asked seductively.

Not understanding the red-haired woman’s words, Bea looked to Cody for help, but saw that her friend was staring at Luna, her mind occupied and distant. She turned back to face Oola, and for some strange reason that she couldn’t explain, bent forward to lightly kiss the Amazon woman’s mouth.

Oola smiled and giggled softly, her face assuming a quizzical aspect. Then leaning forward, she took hold of Bea’s head, and twisting it, carefully inspected her face and her profile as though she were buying a carpet.
Apparently pleased, she gently returned Bea’s kiss. Turning to her friends, she shouted in a loud, clear voice; “Take notice! I Oola—now claim this Bea- woman as my own, to have war and to laugh with!”

Xantha and the five other tall women looked at her in surprise. Luna smiled knowingly and nodded her approval.
“But how can you know that she is the right one for you Oola?” A woman asked. “You have just met her.”
“I am certain, quite certain.” Oola said nodding. “I have long dreamed of finding one as pretty and as smart as this Bea woman. Her face is somehow—familiar to me, and pleases me greatly. Surely in our past lives we were as one.”

Xantha released Cody’s ankles and stood. And then with a mixture of both happiness and disappointment, she and the other women walked quietly from the room.

Luna moved in close to hold Cody’s feet and began to massage them lovingly, bending down to kiss the tops of the toes and to tease them with her tongue.
Cody’s passion mounted. Blushing, she turned to look at Bea.
Bea tore her eyes reluctantly from Oola’s. “What did Oola say Cody?”
“I’m not completely sure Beanie, something about tarkas. But I’m pretty certain that she just said that she’s claimed your body.”
“Oh…I see.” Bea said, and turned to shyly smile at Oola.

Through a pure force of will, Cody made an effort to remove her mind from Luna’s tongue. “Beanie, I don’t think that you understand. Oola wants your body, she wants to have sex with you!”
Bea’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yes! Let me explain to her that you’re not like her, that you’re not gay.”
Bea looked at Oola, then at Cody. “Are you sure? Maybe she’s just being… friendly.”
“Duh!! Come on Bea, Wake up! She’s trying to seduce you!”
“Is—is that a bad thing Cody?”
Cody shook her head in frustration. “For you, yes! Let me talk to her, and try to explain things gently so that maybe she’ll just go away.”

Luna had been listening and raised her head. Although she didn’t understand their words, she clearly understood their meaning.
“Oola!" Luna said. "The bean-woman is not yet ready to laugh with you. Her soul is very fragile and she needs time to consider what you ask. Go away now, and give her time to choose.”

Oola’s eyes flashed angrily. “It is not for her to choose! It is for me to take her as I choose!”
Luna shook her head firmly. “If she were a village woman who wore a tarka yes, but she is a stranger, and must be allowed to choose for herself.”

Oola glared at Luna hotly. But in a moment her anger had passed, and she nodded. “Your words are fair Luna, I will wait. But I have chosen this Bea, and I shall not wait long for her to decide.” Bending forward, she kissed Bea with such fervor and tenderness that for an instant, Cody became jealous.


It was at the exact moment of this kiss, that the pieces of the puzzle fell neatly into place for Cody.

Staring at her friend and the woman astride her, Cody realized that with the exception of their hairstyle and color, the two women could pass for identical twins. Their faces, eyes, mouths and even their small ears were incredibly alike.

“My God,” Cody exclaimed. “Bea, she looks just like you!”
“What?” Bea said, reluctantly meeting Cody’s eyes.
“Oola! She’s your double, she could pass for your twin sister!”
Bea blinked, looking confused. Taking Oola’s face in her hands she examined her closely. “I don’t see any resemblance,” She said.
Cody blew out a breath. “No? Well just trust me beanie, it’s there!”


Cody, Bea and Luna sat silently for some moments after Oola had left the bathhouse. Cody was embarrassed for having interfered in Bea’s apparent infatuation, but it was only out of her love for her friend that she had deemed to do so.
Luna was silent and stared at Bea, her ice blue eyes full of concern.
Despite the warmth of the water, Bea felt oddly cold without Oola’s warm slender body on hers. She felt a loss, as though a part of her had been stolen from her, taken away.

“It grows dark.” Luna said at last. “It is yet early, but you are both tired and should rest. We will go to my house and sleep now.”
Cody smiled up at Luna. “I’ll come, but I don’t think that I’ll want to sleep.”
Luna stroked the sole of Cody’s foot. “Sleep first, I will awaken you later so that we may have war with one another, this I promise.”
Cody grinned. “Good news Bea, bed time!”
“I’m not the least bit sleepy,” Bea said sadly. “I want to see Oola again.”



Bedroom



Luna’s house proved to be a single small room set high above the city. Exhausted by the events of the long day, Cody and Bea trudged wearily up the many stone steps of the long twisting staircase to enter a small room with a low ceiling.

Luna’s life was a simple one. The room displayed no adornment or sign of any frivolous self-indulgence or personal possessions. The only furnishings were a large bed mounted upon a wooden platform and a small table and a chair that sat before a small open window.
Several coarsely woven blankets lay upon the bed, and taking one, Bea spread it out on the floor beside the window. “You two take the bed, I think that you’ll need it more than I will. I’ll be fine right here.”
“Bea…” Cody said.
“I’m just fine! Now go to sleep or…whatever!”
Cody opened her mouth to protest, but her words seemed to stick in her throat. At last she said, “Thanks Bea.” She lay down quietly on the bed, patting the mattress for Luna to lie beside her.
All three were sound asleep in minutes.



Oola



They had been asleep for some time when Cody felt a gentle tug at her arm. Waking quickly, she turned towards Luna to see her pointing at the doorway.
Framed in the opening and wearing only her teeta, Oola stood silently watching, her expression a curious blend of embarrassment and boldness.
“I have come for Bea.” She said simply.

At the sound of her name, Bea opened her eyes and looked about her dazedly. When she saw Oola, her mind cleared instantly and she sat up with a wide smile.
“Oola!”
The red-haired woman turned and her eyes became alight with passion. “Hello pretty one. I hoped that you might be ready to come with me, have you decided?”
Without taking her eyes from Oola, Bea asked Cody, “What did she just say?”

“She wants to know if you want to go on a—date—with her. But I think that…”
“Yes!!! Bea said excitedly, jumping to her feet.
“Bea.” Cody said gently. “Think about what your doing. We know absolutely nothing about these people.”
“Oh, is that right Cody? Well you seem to know enough about Luna to be in bed with her, so you must know something.”

Cody lowered her head, shook it, and blew out a breath. “I trust her Bea.”
“Oh really? I wonder why? First she threatened us with a bow and arrow, and then led us in circles trying to hide the location of this village from us. And when we were in the bathhouse, she didn’t lift a single finger to help us out. And, she still refers to us as her captives—yet you still trust her?”
Cody met her eyes. “Yes.”

Bea was silent for moment, her eyes flicked to Oola who stood watching patiently. Turning, Bea said, “Well so do I Cody! And despite the events of this crazy day, just like you, I know that we can trust Luna. Being able to read other people accurately is a gift we both seem to have, and I also know that I can trust Oola.”

Cody Leaned on one arm and was silent for a moment, rubbing her hair with her fingers. “Look Beanie,” She said finally. “I know you like Oola—I like her too. She’s smart, and quick-witted, and full of life.”
Bea nodded.
“And very beautiful!” Cody added.
Bea nodded again and grinned softly. “Like me?”
Cody smiled ironically. “Just like you!”
“So where’s the problem?”
“The problem Beanie—is that Oola is a lesbian and you’re not!”

Oola raised an eyebrow and gave Cody an impatient stare. She was tiring of this conversation and motioned Bea to come with her.
“Well—maybe she is!” Bea said angrily. “So what?” Her eyes narrowed. “It so happens that my very best friend is a lesbian, and I don’t avoid her company simply because she’s gay!”
“Bisexual.” Cody said evenly.
“Sure, whatever.”
Cody nodded. “Point taken. I just don’t want you get hurt Bea.”
Bea stood and moved to sit on the bed beside Cody. “I know Cody, and I love you for that.”
“Then why Beanie? Why risk having a relationship with a person you know nothing about and could hurt you? You don’t even speak the same language.”

Bea looked at Oola and smiled sadly. Why Cody? Because she makes me feel different…alive! I feel something very special for her that I’ve never felt with anyone else before. And if I don’t see this through I might never find out who I really am, and hate myself for the rest of my life.”
Cody looked into her friend’s eyes, and then lowered her head.
“Besides,” Bea continued. “We don’t have to speak the same language, we can speak the language of love!”

Cody grimaced and rolled her eyes. “Oh my God Bea! Do you have any idea just how stupid that sounded?”
Bea grinned. “Pretty stupid huh?”
“Yeah, real stupid. Mall-hair stupid!”
Bea shrugged. “Oh well, there it is; I guess that I’m just stupid.”
“And this stupid girl is still going to go with Oola?”
Bea nodded curtly. “Yes, I am.”
“Is there nothing I can say to change you mind?” Cody asked, already knowing the answer.
“No.” Bea said, and stood. “Any advice—Mom?”
Cody laughed shortly. “Yeah, don’t wreck the llama, and be home by eleven.”

Bea walked to Oola and slid her arms around the red-haired woman’s waist. Standing on tiptoes, she kissed her mouth gently with both passion and fear.
As Cody watched the two women embrace, it seemed as though Bea was standing before a mirror to kiss her own image.

Then without ever looking back, Bea took Oola by the hand and led her out into the dark hall. The red-haired woman briefly turned to meet Luna’s eyes. Luna pointed a warning finger at her. Oola nodded once, and followed Bea from the room.


War



Cody lay quietly, listening as the soft patting of the two women’s bare feet as they receded down the steps. The sound faded slowly and then was gone.
She was still worried about Bea, and cursed the fact that her friend could at times be so headstrong.

Worse, she blamed herself for having constantly extolled the virtues of two women being together. She wondered that if in the four years they had known each other if their endless frank and open discussions hadn’t served to chip away at Bea’s natural wall of defense, slowly seducing her into a lifestyle that was unnatural, and wrong for her.

Cody had been open about her sexuality with Bea from the first day they had met in the campus bookstore. On the second day, she had made a half-hearted pass at her and had been good-naturedly, but firmly rebuffed.
Although Cody had found Bea to be very attractive and incredibly smart, she hadn’t after all really been her type. Her type was any passive, sexually needy woman who would allow Cody to dominate her in bed.

Bea was far too intelligent and proud to allow anyone to do that. Moreover, she seemed totally uninterested in casual dating, and frequently told Cody of her desire to meet the man of her dreams. She assured Cody that she would recognize him in an instant, and the need for playing the field and filling her bed with an unending stream of sexual partners was both pointless and huge waste of her time.
Cody shook her head, thinking how ironic it was that the first time Bea had shown any real type of erotic interest in someone, it had been for Oola—a woman!”


A warm arm suddenly enfolded her waist, and turning, she saw the face of Luna smiling at her with concern.
“The bean-woman will be safe. Oola can be a wild one at times; she is full of tricks and has a spirit of fire! But she is also a good woman. Your friend is in no danger with her.”
Cody turned and smiled softly, then pulling herself against Luna, kissed her lips tenderly. “I know that Luna, it’s just that Bea doesn’t have any idea what she’s gotten herself into. She’s not a lesbian.”
Luna blinked. “What is that?”
Cody giggled and poked Luna playfully with her finger. “You know! A woman who likes to have sex with another woman instead of a man.”
“Sex? What is this…sex?”
Cody rolled her eyes. “Sex! You know…War.”
Luna grinned broadly. “Yes, war! Oola will want to have war with the bean-woman tonight, and she will win too, she is small but very strong!”
“Win? What do you mean? When two people have sex they both win.”
Luna shook her head firmly. “No! They both laugh, but only one can win!”

Cody felt as though she were making a career of being confused around this Amazon woman. “I think Luna, that you need to explain to me exactly how this war thing works—slowly!”

In answer, Luna jumped over Cody’s body and knelt down beside the bed. She fumbled about for something underneath, then smiled as she pulled out a number of hemp ropes and tossed them at Cody.
Cody sat up with her legs crossed, staring at Luna. “What are these?”
“Ropes.”
“I know they’re ropes snake-killer, what are they for?”
“To bind your hands and feet when I defeat you at war.”

Cody smirked. “So in addition to your foot-fetish, you’re into bondage too?”
Luna looked at Cody questioningly.
“You want to try and tie with these?”
Luna nodded excitedly. “Yes, and struggle as you will, you will never escape from my knots!”
Cody bristled. “Oh, and I suppose that you think that I’m just going to lie back quietly and let you tie me up?”
Luna frowned. “I pray not little one! Where would be the fun of war if you refused to make war back with me?”

“Oh!” Cody exclaimed. “I get it, we’re supposed to fight to see who gets tied.”
Luna nodded eagerly. “Yes, the loser becomes tied and the winner has her at her mercy.” She added sweetly, “But I shall not show you any mercy!”
Cody nodded. “Oh you won’t huh? Well what if I defeat you? Maybe I won’t show you any mercy either! I’m very strong you know!”

Luna covered her mouth to hide her smile. “Oh yes, I know that you are most strong indeed! I am very much afraid of you fierce Cody!”
“And you should be!” Cody said with bravado. “Come on! Just try and use these damned ropes on me, and I’ll teach you a lesson that you’ll never forget!”



Temple



The evening was warm and beautiful. And although the soft rumble of thunder could still be heard to the west, the steady slow rain had finally stopped.

It was well after midnight as Bea and Oola walked together along the path in front of the city. The only light was from the moon and the few occasional torches set in open windows high above the path. Bea’s arm was about the red-haired woman’s waist, Oola’s around Bea’s hips possessively, as though she owned her body.

Bea had no idea where Oola was leading her and didn’t really care. Despite Cody’s concern for her welfare, Bea knew that for once in her life she had done something for herself. She knew without the slightest doubt that coming with Oola had been the right thing for her to do.


They had walked together in silence for some moments when they drew up in front of the large temple dedicated to the Goddess Ixabala.
Oola turned to Bea and nodded several times quickly. Then after slipping out of her teeta, she took Bea’s hand and led her inside the temple.

They entered through the open central door and down a long, wide hallway. A few paces down Oola paused to hang her teeta from one of the many pegs that stuck out from the side wall.
It was pitch black inside and Bea had to depend on Oola to lead her forward. Soon, she could see a dim glow ahead of them. A few steps farther brought them into the large central room; the very heart of the stone-hewn structure. Flickering torches hung at regular intervals around the periphery, allowing them to see the room dimly.

The interior of the temple was incredible. Bea marveled at its size, and wondered how such a small number of people could ever have removed so much sandstone as to have created this vast space. But then she realized that all this hadn’t been accomplished in a single lifetime, but in many.

Set against the wall on either side, a series of highly adorned square pillars rose towards the nearly indiscernible ceiling far above their heads. The scale of the room was breathtaking, but what most arrested Bea’s attention was what she saw standing directly ahead of them.


Over twenty feet in height and cut from the same sandstone as the temple, stood a magnificent statue of a nude woman. She stood erect with one leg forward as though she were approaching. Her left hand was at her side, and in it she held the handle of a small cage.

Within the cage Bea could make out the small figures of many women. They were all smiling. Some had their hands wrapped around the bars, while several had their heads pressed against them, looking up to gaze lovingly at the tall woman. Tiny hands reached out from inside the cage, and from the bottom, several shapely legs hung down.
The right hand of the Goddess was raised, her index finger pointing forward and toward Oola and Bea as if beckoning them, commanding them.

Bea had seen carved figures made by the Mayans and the Aztecs, but they were crude, square-headed, grinning little parodies of people and animals. But this statue was incredibly life-like and anatomically accurate in every detail, no work of the Italian Renaissance was finer. The strong, well-muscled arms and legs were perfectly proportioned, and shone with a rich wet luster in the glow of the torchlight. The stone woman’s eyes, and even her Cleopatra-style hair had been rendered with absolute perfection.

But it was the statue’s beautiful face that held Bea spellbound. The high cheekbones, fine raised eyebrows and amused devious smile had already been ingrained into her mind forever. Except for its colossal size, the features of the statue were the exactly the same as the woman who now stood beside her.
They were Oola’s.

The red-haired woman took a half step forward, and pointing, said, “Ixabala!”


War


Cody had fought furiously, and had actually managed to pin the much larger woman twice. The battle had lasted for the better part of an hour, and she had met her opponent savagely and bravely.

Cody had wrestled all four years in high school, and still remembered the many holds she had used to defeat her larger opponents quickly and easily.
She had drawn on that knowledge now, but eventually had run out of things to try, as Luna slipped easily from each of her holds like a greased snake. But brave, stubborn, and unwilling to accept defeat, Cody continued to fight on.

The outcome however, was never in question. Luna was nearly two feet taller and incredibly strong. The Amazon woman was obviously enjoying her contest with Cody, intentionally bating her with insults, laughing, and prolonging Cody’s agony.

At last, raining with sweat and near complete exhaustion, Cody lay trapped beneath the weight of Luna’s body. Taking a length of rope, Luna pulled Cody’s left arm toward the bed frame and began to tie her wrist. Panting and struggling feebly, Cody could only watch helplessly as first one wrist was secured, and then the other.

Luna took a great deal time and care in tying Cody. And at last the small woman lay on her back powerless, her legs and arms spread wide. As Luna had promised, her knots were incredibly tight, and cunningly placed where Cody couldn’t reach them with her fingers. There would be no easy escape.

Luna knelt to sit on Cody’s stomach, giggling while tapping her nose with one finger. “You have fought most fiercely little-one, and have made me very happy. But you have lost at war to me, just as I said would happen.”
“Yeah? And so what?” Cody hissed angrily.
Luna looked surprised. “So…I am now the winner, and will receive a new tarka for my victory over you, one with toes that point down!”

Cody eyed her suspiciously. “Okay—so? Exactly what does that mean? What’s the big deal about these tarkas and which way the toes point?”
Luna narrowed her eyes. “Truly? You do not understand?”
Cody shook her blonde head. “No!”

“Then I will make it clear it to you. The tarka shows the feet of two women that lie together in bed having laughter with each other…what you call sex. If you were a small snake upon the floor, you would look up to see that one woman’s toes, the defeated one, point up. The other woman, the strong conqueror like me, has toes that point down. Do you understand now little Cody?”
“Yes, I understand snake-woman.” Cody said. “And please stop tapping me with your finger, it’s driving me crazy!”
“No.” Luna said with broad smile. “You are crazy already, and it gives me pleasure to torture you this way.”
“Fine!” Cody said. “Then tell me why the hell it’s so important which way the damned toes point.”

Luna smiled sadly. “The woman whose feet point up is at the mercy of any more powerful woman who desires her body, and must have laughter with her whenever the stronger woman says.”
Luna brightened. “But the strong woman whose feet point down, may laugh with any woman in the village she chooses, and refuse others she does not desire.”
“So then its either slavery or freedom of choice.” Cody murmured. “But Luna, the feet on your tarka point up.”
“Yes, as yours will when Arris places your tarka around your neck. I am much smaller that most other women, and until this night I have never been able to defeat another woman at war. I have spent many, many nights bound as you are now.”
“Really? But you’re so strong.” Cody asked, her anger fading. “You’ve always lost at war?”

Luna nodded. “Yes, above all by Seena. She especially likes to laugh with my weak body and ties me often. She is most powerful, and laughs very hard! But I think it is seeing me bound so tightly with ropes that makes her laugh the loudest.”
“It excites her, she’s a pervert.” Cody said nodding her head.
“What is that little one?” Luna asked.
“A woman who takes pleasure from binding and torturing other women.”

Luna considered this. “I think then that I am a pervert also.”
Cody grinned. “Well join the club, so am I. So I guess that maybe we shouldn’t be too hard on Seena for having her fun.”
“I do not blame Seena, I care for her as my sister. When the sun has risen, my body hurts from the binding of her ropes, but my belly also smiles from laughing.”

Despite her awkward position, Cody smiled. “Okay, so now that you have me tied and helpless, what happens next?”
“Next?”
“Yeah, you’ve won. You’ve earned your new damned tarka. So untie me, let me loose. I give up!”
Luna smiled and shook her head. “No little Cody, you do not understand. You must stay as you are until tomorrow morning when I ask someone to come to see that I have defeated you.”
“What!!” Cody said and began to struggle.
Luna nodded. “Yes. It is the only way they will believe me. The only way for me to receive my new tarka.”
Cody blew out an impatient breath. “But I can’t stay tied like this all night, these ropes are way too tight, they hurt!”

Luna raised her body to inspect Cody’s wrists. She sat back down and said, “The ropes are good. I have waited the whole night in Seena’s much tighter ones. I think that you will be fine.”
“You think so?” Cody said with exasperation.
“Yes. And you may even find the time you must wait most—pleasant!”
“Oh?” Cody Said.

Luna’s hands move to Cody’s breasts, where her long fingers began to stroke and tease her nipples gently, making them erect in seconds. Cody gasped and sighed with pleasure. After a time, Luna’s body slid downward until her chin rested just below Cody’s vagina.
“No more talk, now it is time for us laugh little captive.”

Like the rest of her tall body, Luna’s tongue was also amazingly long.

Chapter Four


Bea


Oola led Bea by the hand across the stone floor to a flight of moss-covered steps. The climb proved steep and perilous, as the stairs were completely open on one side and extremely slippery. The steps led upward, turning back again on themselves to finally reach a narrow tier high above the front of the temple.

They passed along a short hallway until they came to a wide balcony that spanned the full width of the temple several stories above the door where they had first entered.

The fresh air and warmth of the moonlit night came as a relief after the temple’s cold, clammy interior. Oola led Bea to the edge of the tier and stood looking out towards the distant mist shrouded mountains, barely discernible across the high jungle plateau.

As thunder rumbled softly, Bea gazed in the soft silver moonlight at the exquisite profile of her new friend. “Muy bonita.” She said softly.
Oola tuned with a delighted smile. “Si!” And pointing to the east said, “Es verdad. Es muy Bonita!”
“No.” Bea said touching the Amazon’s face gently. “Ustedes!—You—are very beautiful!”

Oola turned and looked deeply into Bea’s eyes, then bent to kiss her mouth tenderly. Bea closed her eyes, savoring the confusing rush of emotions as they washed violently, savagely through her body.
Oola suddenly pushed herself roughly away from Bea. Her eyes blazed like burning embers, her breaths came quickly, her breasts heaving. She bit her lip in frustration, but strangely, she was smiling.

Taking Bea by the hand, Oola pulled her quickly along the high walkway at a near run. When they had almost reached the far end, she released Bea’s hand and moved to stand beside a small mattress that lay beside the wall of the temple.
Kneeling, she reached down into a leather sack and withdrew a number of ropes and began to separate them.

Confused but smiling, Bea looked about to see a variety of stone working tools, mallets and chisels, lying scattered about on the floor.
Looking up, she saw that the entire length of the outside wall of the temple was filled with magnificent art. The hewn bass-reliefs stretched from almost floor to ceiling. Each depicted the Goddess Ixabala as she smiled benevolently at different women and various animals that offered her gifts of adoration.

Stepping forward, Bea ran her hand against one stone carving that remained yet unfinished. It was a jungle scene, and depicted the Goddess seated upon a fallen tree. While creatures of the forest looked on, a young woman with a look of complete rapture on her face knelt before her in homage, kissing her feet.

Bea turned to Oola. “You did this Oola? It’s wonderful!”
“Que?” Oola asked, smiling, and tossed the ropes onto the mattress.
Bea pointed to the wall. “Ah…muy—bonita!”
Oola narrowed her eyes and looked at the wall with a skeptical expression and shrugged indifferently. “Me arte? Si.”
“No. It’s absolutely splendid! Did you do all of these? It must have taken you years!”
Not understanding her words, Oola ignored her. Taking Bea by her wrist she said, “Venido!” and kicking the ropes to one side, pulled her down onto the mattress to lie beside her.

Oola turned crossways and slid one leg over Bea’s thighs. Then her hand reached and began to softly stroke her breast. “Usted es tan bonito!” She purred softly.
Bea said. “Usted—you, es—are, tan…what’s tan? Bonito—pretty.” You are—pretty!” Then she asked. “What is…I mean…Que es—tan—Oola?”
“Tan es…Muy.” The Amazon replied.
“Oh. You are so very pretty! Thank you Oola, I mean—Gracias!”

Bea didn’t know what Oola was planning to do to her. Even after her many conversations with Cody, her concept of how two women made love to one another was still vague at best. She was nervous, but the touch of Oola’s fingers was gentle and reassuring.
She knew that whatever happened, that she must see this through, and prove to herself what her heart already knew; that this might be right for her, and despite her sex, that Oola might be that one person she had sought her entire life.

Oola’s hand moved from Bea’s breast and down across her abdomen until her index finger rested on the lips of her vagina. It teased for a moment, and then began to gently push inside her.

Bea stretched her arms wide and gasped as the finger touched her most sensitive secret place and stroked it exquisitely. Absently, her right hand came to rest on the pile of ropes. Sighing with pleasure, she raised one to Oola’s face and asked softly, “What is this Oola?—Que es?”
Oola raised her head and smiled. “Cuerda.”
“Cuerda.” Bea repeated, wanting to learn Oola’s language as quickly as possible. “Cuerda…cord…rope!”
“Ropas, si!” Oola whispered as her finger moved deeper inside.
“What are they for?—Que la Cuerda?”
Oola grinned. “Por Lazo me bonito mujeres!”

Bea didn’t understand. It was hard to learn Oola’s words while her fingertip was touching her in this way.
To Bea’s disappointment, Oola suddenly withdrew her finger and moved to kneel astride her stomach. Cupping Bea’s face in her hands, she kissed her mouth passionately, licking her lips with the tip of her tongue. Then with a mysterious smile, she took hold of Bea’s wrists, pinning her down. The kisses continued.


Bea’s anxiety grew. She wanted to please Oola, but she was frightened, unsure what to do. She was perplexed, but offered no resistance when Oola took a rope and began to wrap it tightly around her right wrist.

Bea didn’t understand why she was doing this, but she knew that Oola meant to tie her. The knowledge of this didn’t frighten her, somehow it oddly reassured her. Tied, she wouldn’t have to worry about what to do to please another woman. Any choice she might have in resisting Oola’s erotic intentions would be nullified. Bound, she would be free to experience her lover’s lust, unburdened by her own ignorance of the ways of lesbian love.
Bea held out her wrist willingly. Oola accepted it, but seemed somehow disappointed. It was almost as though she expected Bea to resist her, to struggle, and fight against her.


The soft crunch of footsteps walking on the gravel below caught the attention of both women. Glancing quickly over her shoulder, Oola turned back to Bea with a questioning frown and held a cautioning finger to her lips.

The footsteps approached and grew louder until they stopped directly below the balcony. Lifting her body from atop Bea’s, Oola crept silently to the edge of the balcony and stared down intently. Bea waited for several seconds before joining her, dragging the rope from her still bound wrist behind her.

The tall slender figure of a woman wearing a black robe stood below them. A hood covered her head, concealing her face. As they watched, she drew back the hood and gazed up at the threatening sky above the temple.

Clouds had begun to gather and the night had grown quite dark. Thunder still sounded softly to the west, and occasionally a large drop of rain could be heard as it spattered loudly beside them on the balcony tiles.
Oola and Bea continued to peer down, when suddenly a flash of heat lightening revealed the face of the night visitor.
“Arris!” Oola whispered.


Arris


Bea guessed the woman to be in her mid-fifties. Like all of the other village women Bea had seen, she was very tall with high cheekbones and a startlingly beautiful, if somewhat severe face. Her skin was pale, but instead of being cut into the popular Cleopatra style, her hair was close-cropped and of the purest white.
The woman continued to stare upwards for moment longer and then moved forward into the temple and out of sight.

“Who was that? You’re priestess?” Bea asked.
Oola gave her a warning glance and returned her finger to her lips. “Silenciosa!” A devious smile spread slowly across her face. Then quickly untying Bea’s wrist, she said, “Venido!”, and led Bea across the balcony back the way they had come.

Still cautioning Bea to be quiet, they descended the steps on tiptoe. As they reached the ground floor of the temple, Oola pulled Bea behind a stone pillar. They peered out beyond the edge to see the robed figure standing in front of the stature of Ixabala.

With Her clenched fists raised and pressed against the tops of her breasts, She stood silently staring up at the face of the Goddess. Then she began to beat them against her breasts gently and rhythmically. Bea saw that the woman’s lips moved, silently repeating the same words over and over. She thought that is must be some sort of prayer, or mantra.

This continued for some moments until at last the priestess—for this must surely be who she was—knelt down before the statue to reverently kiss the extended right foot. She then stood, and with a casual unhurried manner stepped past the right side of the statue and out of sight.

Oola’s eyes were full of wicked merriment as she pulled Bea to follow her. They moved cautiously around the statue’s pedestal to discover a small opening in the wall concealed behind a stone column. A dim red glow came from within the opening, but was fading rapidly.

Oola got to her knees and quickly crawled into the opening. She seemed to pause for a moment with only the white soles of her bare feet still visible. Then she moved farther inside. Seconds later, a hand appeared motioning for Bea to follow.

The two women stood side-by-side looking down a long stone corridor with a low vaulted roof. Far ahead of them, a single torch quavered, seeming to float in the air as it moved steadily away.
Oola cocked her head anxiously in the direction of the torch’s receding penumbra and moved to follow.

Bea had become increasingly nervous about sneaking around in this manner. Always a straightforward person, she neither liked nor understood it whenever other people acted in a deceitful manner.
However, she knew from first hand experience that Oola was a terrible tomboy and mischief-maker. Her impish behavior in the bathhouse had proved this only too well. Now her new friend was at it again, up to no good and into some new type of new devilment that might amuse her.

Bea considered herself to be a guest here, and she didn’t wish to get off on the wrong foot by angering anyone, and certainly not their priestess!
But Oola hadn’t left her much choice but go along with this little intrigue. She didn’t want to offend her red-haired friend, and was terrified that Oola might just decide to go on by herself and leave her alone inside the clammy dark temple.

Bea shivered, remembering the statue’s piercing, commanding eyes, and the cage full of smiling, trapped women.
Besides, she felt a certain degree of resentment towards the white haired priestess. After all, hadn’t this woman interrupted her first attempt at making love with Oola?—she remembered the ropes—and just when it was starting to get interesting too!
With a final baleful glance back toward the small opening, Bea turned and hurried to catch up to Oola.



Cody


Their lovemaking had continued for hours. Luna had moved slowly and taken her time and at pleasuring her captive in new and thrilling ways that Cody had never before even imagined possible.

At first, being so tightly bound and at the complete mercy of another woman was alien to her. But as the moments had passed, she had begun to experience a new and incredibly intense feeling of complete surrender to her captor. Now, she understood what her submissive lovers must have felt as she herself had tied and tormented them.

Luna had worked every part of Cody’s body slowly and carefully, retuning again and again to those areas that had brought forth the strongest responses and the greatest number of sighs.

Cody soon became in awe of her Amazon lover’s skills. Although she had attempted to retain some shred of power by concealing her body’s strong reactions to the tall woman’s touch and mouth, Luna had somehow sensed this, and only worked Cody harder, breaking down her defenses until she screamed in ecstasy.

Luna had frequently demanded her own pleasure from Cody as well. She sat with her groin pressed tightly against the bound woman’s face, as Cody with her tongue inside her, pressed the tip firmly against her clitoris and stroked it softly.

With her heart racing, Luna’s orgasms had come fiercely and repeatedly as she squirmed in delight above Cody. After she would climax, Cody would try to raise her head and pull away, only to have Luna’s strong hands pull it back in place, demanding yet more.

Cody was surprised to learn how much she really loved having her feet touched, and how deeply it seemed to arouse her sexually. Thankfully, Luna made no attempt to tickle them, but seated on the floor, gently massaged the soles, bringing forth sighs of contentment and moans of pleasure from the bound woman.

Luna seemed to enjoy it even more, and taking each of Cody’s small toes into her mouth in turn, she used her teeth to gently bite down at the base while stoking the soft underside with her tongue.

She had been doing this for some minutes when Cody suddenly felt Luna’s tongue begin to move rapidly. Raising her head, she watched as the Amazon experienced yet another and even more powerful orgasm.

Finally, spent and exhausted, Luna lay astride Cody’s with her elbows taking her weight off the much smaller woman’s body. Resting her head beside Cody’s, she licked the inside of her ear playfully.
Cody lay contentedly, her face flushed in the afterglow of having experienced such wonderful sexual abandon, and so many deep, powerful orgasms.

“Luna?” Cody said softly.
“What little one?”
“Are you happy?”
“Mmmm, very happy!” Luna said nibbling at the small ear.
“Are you just happy because you’ve won your new tarka, or because you enjoyed being with me?”

Luna raised her head and stared into Cody’s eyes. “The tarka of the downward toes is the greatest thing a woman of my village can ever hope for. Only Seena, and four others wear them around their necks. But I would refuse my new tarka forever if I could have one more night like this one with you little Cody-woman.”

Cody grinned. “Thank you Luna, it was wonderful for me as well.” Her eyes narrowed as she added cunningly, “What part did you like the best?”
“That is easy; Your soft little toes and your rough tongue!”
Cody giggled.
“What was for you the best part?” Luna asked with a scowl.
“Everything was absolutely perfect, but I think that I liked your toe sucking the best of all.” She added, “And you obviously enjoyed it too!”
Luna smiled and nodded.

“Luna…Am I really going to be given my own tarka?”
Luna nodded again. “Yes, just as I have promised you. This morning when your tied body offers proof of my victory, I will ask the priestess Arris to make a tarka for you from the purest gold.”
Cody smiled. “Thank you, I’ll love wearing it knowing that you were the one who gave it to me,.” She added. “Bea will be very jealous.”
Luna laughed shortly. “I think that you are wrong little one! Last night I saw the look of strong hunger in Oola’s eyes. Unless I am wrong, at this moment the Bean-woman lies tied beneath Oola’s laughing body!”

The two women lay together quietly, each savoring the touch and closeness of each other’s body.
In time, Luna moved to bring her legs up beside Cody’s hips, and then seated on her chest, leaned forward to carefully inspect the knots on Cody’s wrists. Not wishing to take any chances of loosing her new tarka, she re-tightened them.

“Thank you snake-killer!” Cody said contemptuously. “Those poorly tied knots were almost ready to fall off!”
Luna laughed and used her long fingernails to lightly stroke the palms of Cody’s hands.
“Hey stop! That tickles!” Cody said, and wiggled her fingers frantically.
“As much as when it is done to your feet? “Luna asked, squinting her eyes. “Which is best for you? Maybe we should play a little game and see?”
“No!! Your fingers are just fine—right where they are!!”

Luna fingernails continued to move. “Little one?”
“What Luna?”
“Do you know how a squeezing snake kills a woman who is not quick enough with her bow?”
Cody giggled. “Of course, but why don’t you just tell me your version.”

Luna slid her body backwards, and crossing her ankles above her hips she waggled her feet happily. Then bending down, she lowered her body so that her large full breasts surrounded Cody’s head.
“Hey!” Cody said as Luna let her full weight come to bear on top her captive.
“Hey fat snake-killer! I can’t breathe!” Cody mumbled, her mouth tightly pressed into Luna’s cleavage.
“That is right!” Luna said pushing herself down even harder. “I am now the snake! But before I may take you inside my belly, I must squeeze you to drive the air from your body!”
“Stop!” Cody screamed and began to laugh.
“I am sorry little one, but you are not yet dead. Please tell me when you are, so that I may eat you!”

Cody frantically twisted her head back and forth between the two breasts, laughing uncontrollably while gasping for air. “All right stupid snake, you’ve killed me! I’m dead!”
Luna raised herself up from Cody’s head. “Then you are now ready for me to eat you little snake-food woman?”
Cody giggled and nodded.
Luna stretched her body out full-length on Cody’s, and pretending to act like a giant python, slithered snake-like down her torso until her mouth was once again at her captive’s vagina.
“Are you prepared to be eaten alive little one?” Luna asked in a gruff voice.
“Yes, oh fearsome snake! Will it hurt very much?” Cody asked giggling.
“Very much indeed! But I think that you might also just enjoy it a little!”



Volcano



Bea looked about fearfully, remembering Luna’s words about the frightening labyrinth that lay behind the temple, and of and the poisonous snakes and dreadful spiders it contained. She was ready to flee instantly should one rear its hideous head.
Oola also appeared apprehensive, and although she kept a steady pace behind the robed figure of Arris, her head was in constant motion, turning to examine every corner of the tight passageway.

Equally disturbing was the fact that the stone passage they trod meandered so crazily through the mountain. It weaved, twisting and turning without any apparent rhyme or reason. Their course had been for the most part downward, but occasionally it rose steeply, as if to intentionally avoid something unspeakable buried deep beneath the rock.

As they advanced, they encountered numerous dark tunnels and corridors that intersected the one they traveled. Each of these varied in size, and no two were ever the same. Even worse, they crossed at oblique angles that made no logical sense.

The passage they walked forked often, and only by keeping the receding figure ahead of them in sight were they able to know which direction they were to follow.
Bea tried to keep a running mental tally of the many turns they had made, but confused by constant changes of direction Arris made, she soon lost count.


Once she became truly terrified, when without warning the constant reassuring glow of the torch ahead of them suddenly faded and went out leaving them in total darkness.

Oola had quickly taken hold of Bea’s hand and pulled her hurriedly back the way they had just come. A few steps later they saw the dim glow of the torch around a turning to their right. Without realizing it they had taken the wrong tunnel and had almost become lost. Together, they hurried forward to catch up to Arris.
Bea was certain that without the Priestess to guide them, they would never be able to find their way out of this frightening dark labyrinth.

They had continued on in this manner for some time, when the light from Arris’s torch seemed to change. The glowing penumbra surrounding the priestess’s moving bare feet lessened, and the reflection of the torch’s light against the damp wall disappeared entirely.

The sounds within the passage had changed as well. The constant drip of water and the reverberation of their footsteps faded to be replaced by the sound of wind, and the steady soft spatter of raindrops.
Bea inhaled deeply. The air smelled richly of plants and earth. Without being able to actually see it, she knew that they had left the labyrinth behind and entered into the dark jungle night.

As Bea looked skyward the clouds parted to reveal the full moon shining brightly. High up above, a circle of soft light filled with clouds and stars was bordered by an inky blackness. The sight confused Bea for a moment, but then the only possible explanation occurred to her.
“Volcano!” Oola whispered matter-of-factly.

Bea and Oola followed Arris for another two minutes until the moving torch in front of them suddenly went out. They pulled up, peering into the darkness ahead. In a moment, a pinpoint of buttery yellow light appeared, to be followed by another, then another. They moved forward cautiously.

Arris moved about the center of a small clearing. As they watched, she lit the last of four torches that boarded a large rectangular block of stone. After the darkness of the passage the light was nearly blinding, and both women blinked as their eyes gradually grew accustomed to the brilliance.
The light revealed what they already knew; tall vine-covered trees surrounded them; they were in the open Jungle.

Lighting yet another torch, Arris moved into the trees beyond the Stone block. Oola and Bea followed behind silently with earth-dampened footsteps.

They had walked only about a hundred paces when an outcropping of rock presented itself. A small doorway had been cut into the side into which Arris stooped and disappeared.

Oola put a restraining hand on Bea’s chest. They waited in silence, listening to the soft steady drip of falling rain, and the rustling leaves moved by the gentle wind.
Occasionally as a cloud moved past the moon, for a brief moment all became total blackness, then it would pass, and they could see clearly again.
Once, the moon shone so brightly, that Oola nervously pulled Bea behind a large tree and motioned for her to bend down and hide.


Arris reappeared holding a small leather pouch in her hand. Placing her torch into a crack in the face of the rock, she walked purposely past the two concealed women and then back the way they had come.
Again, Oola and Bea followed.

Returning to the clearing, Arris set the leather pouch down upon the stone block and opened it. The pouch proved to contain a simple meal, and after seating herself atop the block, she began to eat.
As she quietly ate, Arris reached into her robe to removed an item that she laid onto the stone beside her, something that glittered dully in the moonlight.

Oola became suddenly excited, and grasping Bea’s hand, pulled her back the way they had just come. Returning to the wall of rock she took the torch and moved quickly inside.
A narrow tunnel led inwards several hundred feet, growing wider and taller as they progressed. I took a sudden turn to the right then opened up into a small domed room.
The room was filled with piles of gold.

****

Continued in chapter five.

 

[Volsung1]

Hello you two. First of all let me say that I was flattered that you wanted my advice.

Now let's cut to the chase. Mostly this post is too long. Your not going to get the response you want if the readers won't read it because it's too long. I would break this up in chapters. Well you all ready have. Post like one chapter a week. This will give the readers something to look forward to and heighten their expectation.

To be perfectly honest, I haven't read this yet. But I'm going to right now!

Give me a moment... <time passing>

 

[Volsung1]

WOW... :coolthumbup A fantastic read. Very descriptive. Nice plot... kinda reminds of the 3 Stooges episode Space Ship Sappy. The only thing I could add is not to make the single post too long (as I have stated before) The tickling and sexual stuff could maybe have been a bit earlier in the story... remember, this is a tickling forum, tickling scenes are what we want to read... I would have drawn out these tickle/sex scenes with more description. You really want the reader to cum in their pants here... :blush.

I was really being critical here and others would probably take a different view. I look at it like what you get when you are going thorough the college experience...

"You take what you want, and discard all the rest."

You have a real gem here, and enjoyed reading this very much. Continue please...