Tales of Drysdale House (4)

 

Middle of August, 2016

Narrative of Patrick Masters

(Except for the first  paragraph, this section was supplied by Richard Estey. I thank him very much – Tracker)

For the past few weeks since my return to San Francisco from Pittsburgh, all had gone smoothly and peacefully, The Frick’s trouble with the patent troll Van Rijn was settled and in return I had received my appointment as a consul for the Grand Duchy of Lutha. This permitted me to legally own slaves on consulate territory, my home in Drysdale House. I had acquired a second slave, and my household was run by the formidable Mrs Magruder. Life was smooth and I was happy. Don Emery, the remote Emery cousin had come and measured Juli and Veronika for silks and slave tunics. He was taken with Juli. He was disappointed when I allowed him the use of Veronika instead.

Now was time for some relaxation I knew of a quaint little Italian restaurant outside of San Francisco,  perfect for a master and his slave girl.  Calling up the Maitre ‘d  I booked a private room, one with its own waiter for my dinner with Juli. 

We arrived at the restaurant at 8 PM.  Juli was wearing a short tight red dress with a V plunging neck line , one little longer than slave livery, just enough to cover the brand on her left thigh.  Of course she was not permitted any undergarments.  I had replaced her collar with an anklet to be less conspicuous, heeding the advice of the noted slave writer Trakker that there always be some item of bondage on a slave .  Waiting in the lobby of the restaurant to be taken to our room, Juli’s attire attracted attention.  The eyes of all the males locked onto this alluring creature as lustful thoughts coursed through their heads .  The reactions of the women were in contrast as hateful expressions registered on their faces, one women could be seen mouthing the word “SLUT” as she studied Juli.   The dinner was sumptuous with multiple courses, perfect for celebratory dinner.  I could hardly wait to get Juli home to put her to use.  Little did I realize what would transpire this evening.

The drive home started out uneventfully, but at some point I noticed another vehicle behind us.  For some unknown reason I felt uneasy as the mystery vehicle hung back. I began some maneuvers, speeding up and slowing down, changing lanes.  The mystery vehicle matched all my maneuvers.  We were being followed!   I kept a close watch on the mystery vehicle.  I soon noticed that it was slowly gaining on us.  My senses were now on full alert.  I yelled to Juli

“GET DOWN !   ON THE FLOOR ! “

Juli slipped out her seat belt and crouched in the footwell under the dashboard

As the mystery vehicle pulled alongside my car I suddenly stomped on the accelerator causing the car to shoot forward,  Juli screamed as a blast of gunfire shattered the rear windows of the car.  I floored the accelerator and began weaving in and out of traffic at speeds over 100 mph   trying to shake off my pursuers.  Angry horn blasts and rude gestures followed us as I maneuvered to deny the pursuers a clear shot.   A block away from Drysdale House, I punched a button on the steering wheel opening the gate to the porte cochere.  As the car shot through the gate I punched the button again, closing the gate.  The perusing vehicle screeched to a halt outside the gate. After studying the closed gate for a moment the mystery vehicle peeled out in a cloud of tire smoke.  I walked over to the passenger side viewing the bullet riddled rear of the car. If I had not stomped on the gas at the last moment both Juli and I would have been killed.  I opened the door and extracted her from the footwell under the dashboard.  Juli was shaking with terror.  I took her in my arms and spoke to her in soothing tones, like a parent comforting a frightened child,  I carried  Juli inside.  I did not kennel her, but took her upstairs to my bedroom.  After stripping off her dress and replacing the anklet with her collar I chained her left ankle to the slave ring set in the side of the bed.  Covering her with blanket I started to leave

“Please Master, stay with me’  “Hold me”

“Later” I said

Entering my library, I poured myself a stiff drink and composed several messages.  One to the Fricks describing the incident and my narrow escape.  Second, my fried Jerry Reiss  warning him to be on his guard. 

Nursing my drink, I heard the phone  beep  indicating an incoming call.  Surprisingly it came from Wyandotte Frick himself, head of the Frick clan.   Answering it Wyandotte queried me as to the night’s activities

“Are you hurt Mr Masters? ”  inquired Wyandotte

“No sir, myself and my kajira were able to escape”

“A most fortunate outcome”   “Have you gone to the authorities ?”

“No sir, that would only invite a number of awkward questions and prying into our activities”   “I believe it can better be handled within the Frick organization” 

“A wise choice Mr Masters” 

“Take care Mr Master, we will be in touch” 

Meanwhile across town a man picked up his phone

“This is Vansittart”

“Masters was able to escape” replied the voice on the other end of the line

“A most distressing outcome” 

“Do you want us to try again?”  inquired the mystery voice 

 

After a short pause “No, not right now” “Keep Masters and his associates under observation” “We will wait for an opportune time to strike”  “Take the vehicle you used and leave it at this location for disposal” 

“It will be done sir”

“I must now report what transpired to our superiors, Vansittart out”

Patrick Masters

After finishing my drink and wrapping up the communications I went to my bedroom and slipped into bed with Juli.  I put her to use

“Oh master, I am so frightened” she said as I took her in my arms 

“Hush slave” as I extracted my pleasure from her.

Our love making had a frenetic quality, the result of 2 people having created death and are happy to be alive.   We fell asleep in each other’s arms 

Waking up the next morning we resumed our lovemaking.

When I was finished, I unchained Juli from the slave ring.

“Go and make breakfast” I commanded

“Yes master” She bent down to pick up the dress from the floor

“Leave it” I commanded. “Yes Master” 

I ruminated on waking up with a naked slave girl in your bed.  I would have to have her spend the night in my bed more often

Checking my messages I found another  from the Fricks.  It advised me to remove any items of interest from my car.  A flat bed tow truck would be coming to pick it up for disposal.  The Fricks apparently think of everything, no loose ends to leave around

I put on a robe and went to the kitchen for breakfast, Juli had prepared bacon and eggs, toast, orange juice and coffee. She had prepared a dish for herself, but had not partaken, waiting for me, the master, to eat.   Juli was kneeling naked in nadu, waiting for me   As I started to eat I indicated she may start. “Thank you Master “she whispered 

I wondered who was behind the attack on me and Juli. Wyandotte had forbidden any revenge attacks on VanRijn and his women. Who would be bold enough to carry out such an attack? The Fricks with their numerous contacts would soon find out. Then what?

Lazy F Ranch Montana

Narrative of Smith, Assistant Foreman on the Lazy F

By the middle of August at the foothills of the Rockies the nights are cold, even though the days are still warm. Hawkins, the Assistant Foreman for Special Livestock, and I were both cold, even in our duffle coats. Even colder on that cold night on Priest’s Hill were the naked girls waiting to take the silver ship to Gor. We could stamp our feet and rub our hands, the livestock awaiting transfer could not. Their legs were in close shacks and they were, as a normal matter of procedure, back-braceleted. Hawkins was impatient.

“I hope they are on time. The last ship was two hours late making the rendezvous.”

“That was in the early summer. Before the attacks, even. The one just after was on time, remember? Woodrow Frick tells me this one will be on time. The message said the Master of the Ship is Marius the Mariner, and that Marius is always where he says he will be, and more importantly, when he says he will be.”

Hawkins was still grumpy. It was his nature.

“And why isn’t Mr Woodrow Frick here freezing with us, I would like to know. He was supposed to be here, to oversee the transfer and take care of things.”

“I don’t know why you are so unpleasant. You have more access than most of us to the cargo awaiting shipment. The red-silk ones anyway.”

“It is all part of their training. You don’t think I enjoy it, do you?

Hawkins’ grin showed he enjoyed his duties very much. Custodian and trainer of the coffles being sent off world was work that suited him down to the ground. Many on the ranch envied him.

I tried again.

“Woodrow told me that something had arisen in San Francisco that he needed to take care of, something urgent. He said he would be alone as quickly as he could.

I pointed to the sky, where a silver disk showed against the nearly full moon.

“There it is.”

The girls, despite the rudimentary discipline that Hawkins had been able to instill in them, started talking and some started crying. I think most of them had not believed in the story of being sent off-world until that moment. The started looking wildly around, either for an avenue of escape or to take one last look at the green fields of Earth.

Quietly, without any noise or fuss, the Silver Ship settled at the top of Priest’s Hill. A rectangle of light appeared where a hatch had opened into a stairway to the ground. Immediately the crew, dressed in tunics, some brown, some red, some yellow and blue appeared, dragging capsules, six feet in length, and about 18 inches in diameter. One side was a silver-grey color, the other was curved glass. Ther first two men unlocked the first girl from the front of the kneeling coffle and laid her in the capsule, closing it. They had the keys to the locks we used; we used the common slaver locks of Ar, which I am told is a city on Gor. Immediately the girl lapsed into what seemed a deep sleep. The men guided the capsule, which seemed to float just above the ground, and into the ship. The second  pair did the same with the second girl.

Hawkins needed his whip to settle down the remaining seventeen girls on the grass. They had panicked when the first two had disappeared into the ship.

“Woodrow’s coming.”

He pointed at the headlights of a pick-up truck coming up the hill. Woodrow arrived just as the last of the capsules was being taken on board. Hawkins was conferring with the cargo master when I saw two of the crew emerging from the ship carrying bundles. Two men, one large and one normal sized came out after them. I had not seen them before; they did not look like crew. The normal sized one was dressed all in black, but in Earth-style clothes, black trousers, black shirt, black jacket. The large man, tall and broad, was wearing blue jeans, a pale yellow shirt, and boots.

The large man waved at Woodrow Frick and addressed him.

“Tal, Oudroe! I have come to visit you my friend.”

The man in black said nothing. Woodrow Frick just stared at the large man.

“Scipio Metellus, what are you doing here? Have you mid-deeds and little schemes caught up to you at last.”

Woodrow Frick did not seem angry, just puzzled. The big man hung his head just a little.

“Well, maybe, in a matter of speaking. Can we get out of the cold Maybe something warm to drink?”

“Of course, I will not be remiss in my hospitality. Tal, my old friend. And who is your travelling companion? And why?”

The last question was almost hissed. The man in black said nothing; Scipio Metellus looked a little put out.

“Anders is my friend. He stood by me when I needed one. He and Atticus of Ar.”

“Let us talk indoors at the ranch. You can come with me, Scipio Metellus and Anders can travel back to the house with Hawkins and Smith.”

“Anders should travel with me; he is my friend.” Scipio Metellus sounded a little less jovial. He was intent on getting his way.

Woodrow Frick gave way, he led Scipio Metellus and Anders to his truck. I was very surprised. He did not usually accept anyone disobeying his instructions.

While we had been taking, the Silver Ship had left. The quietness of those craft never ceases to astound me. I looked at Hawkins and shrugged; he shrugged as well. We did not discuss the matter on the way back to the ranch compound. We knew nothing and there was no need to talk about nothing. Anders, though reminded me of some men I have known over the years, silent men, trained by the Company or some foreign counterpart, like MI6. Men with a license to kill.

When we got back to the ranch, Woodrow ordered some coffee and sandwiches and some of Wilson’s excellent whiskey. We were served by Bronwyn, a girl originally from Wales, she had light blonde hair with a just a hint of red. She was formerly a favorite of Wilson Frick’s but he had mostly withdrawn from active running of the ranch; his brother Willard’s death had hit him hard. Bronwyn was aided by two girls from the East who had been sent here after ‘missing the boat’ to Gor. They were now called Stubby and Flutey. Stubby was short, but with a large bosom that found much favor.

The three girls withdrew to a corner of the big two-story room. The large stone fireplace was cold; given the hour was now three o’clock that wasn’t surprising. What was surprising was that Hawkins and I were not sent away. Instead Woodrow Frick introduced,

“These are two important men on the Lazy F, Hawkins, who is in charge of Special Livestock, that is kajirae; and Smith, who is in charge of weapons, These are Scipio Metellus, a slaver of Ko-ro-ba, a city whose Home Stone we share, and Anders, of the Black Caste.”

We nodded and no more was said as we  ate and drank.

After sipping the coffee, and drinking a large tumbler of whiskey, Scipio opened the conversation.

“Very lovely House Slaves you have there, Oudroe. I have always been partial to barbarians.”

“We at House Frick look to provide the best.”

“I will be frank, Oudroe. I have been banished from Gor.”

Woodrow raised an eyebrow. He let Scipio continue.

“When I was visiting my friend Atticus of Ar to collect the proceeds of some slaves he had sold for me, I was summoned to see the HIgh Initiate of Ar. Summoned by a lean hawk-nosed man in a white robe. When I reached the Main Temple of Ar this same Initiate met me at a side door and led me by tortuous passages to a small room. Like a maze it was, and the whole place stunk of Initiates. To shorten the story, I was not meeting the High Initiate, but an assistant. It was just the three of us in the small room. The Deputy High Initiate, the hawk-faced messenger, and me.

They objected to one of my little schemes.

Woodrow smiled. “Fancy that. Why would one of your plans upset the High Initiate of Ar?”

Scipio Metellus grimaced.

“I may have become greedy. I was running a scheme where I would guarantee, with oaths and bonds of money that pilgrims from a particular city would reach the Sardar Fair safely and get home safely. I spent a lot of money on guards and the caravans, the first two anyway, always got back safely.”

Woodrow looked puzzled.

“Why would they trust Scipio Metellus, Slaver of Ko-ro-ba, with the safety of the caravan?”

“I wouldn’t use the name Scipio Metellus of course; and I wore a disguise. I would tell the Ladies of the caravan that to know which Ladies needed special guarding I would have to check them, privately, without their veils or outer robes. Ladies can be so gullible when they see a chance to boast of their beauty to their friends.”

“The third convey from any city, they would let me lead without any bond or promise; by then I was so trusted that Fathers and Mothers begged me to escort their children. Then on the way back from the Sardar, I would scoop the lot.”

Woodrow again interrupted.

“But why would the Initiates object? It is only at the Fair, and for the duration of the Fair, that no violence can be done, or females enslaved.”

“Well Oudroe, sometimes I got greedy and impatient. On the early trips, the ones I used to establish my trustworthiness, sometimes there was a girl or five of surpassing comeliness. So she or they would be scooped into tarn baskets and bound for markets in the South, while I gave out that they had been moved to attempt to climb the mountain and join the Priest-Kings on their mountain.

“The Initiates objected to me taking just a few girls for myself. I don’t know why, they have no use for women!”

Woodrow asked, “So they banished you to Earth”

“No, I was banished from the surface of Gor for seven years on pain of Flame Death. Now practically that means surrendering to go to the Prison Moon, but I sought escape clauses. Frist I thought about going down the mines, but that meant slavery and likely being worked to death. Then I thought living in a cave, but I could not trust I had enough supplies. So Atticus had the idea to seek out Marius the Mariner, who could sneak me to the Slave Planet where I could hide for seven trips around the sun.

“So here I am, can you find my something to do or someplace to go. I have heard of a city named San Francisco.”

Adroitly done, Scipio Metellus, adroitly done, I thought. I have dealt with many slippery characters in my life; I am one myself. But there was something false in the mention of San Francisco. There was a tell in your voice. I don’t know what it is, but you left omitted part of the story there. You don’t want to live on a ranch for seven years, you are a man of the cities, but why San Francisco? You are up to something.

Woodrow surprised me then. He turned from Scipio Metellus and spoke to Hawkins and me.

“There is trouble in San Francisco. Patrick Masters was shot at tonight. I have been talking to Wyandotte in Pittsburgh. I want you to go to San Francisco to watch the house while Patrick is away. Wyandotte wants to talk to him and can’t leave Pittsburgh as the Companionship Ceremony of my half-sister Chelsea is this weekend.”

Woodrow turned back to Scipio Metellus and Anders. I expected that Anders with what I took to be his special skills would be sent to San Francisco with us. But Woodrow surprised me again.

“Scipio, I want you to go to San Francisco. A friend of the Fricks has been attacked. He is in the midst of setting up an Acquisition House. He is new to the work, and has been attacked. I would like you to take over the running of his house until he returns.

“Of course, Oudroe, of course I will.”

I could see that Scipio Metellus was very glad indeed to have achieved his end of going to San Francisco. I assumed that Woodrow, blinded by affection for Scipio and worry about the situation in San Francisco had missed it. I decided to keep an close eye on this Gorean, this shifty man of schemes and plans. I would not denounce him to Woodrow, not without  proof, but I didn’t trust him.

Woodrow turned to Anders. “We of the Red Caste have little to do with the Black Caste. I need to have you meet with my Ubar, Wyandotte Frick before we proceed further with you.”

The man in black showed no upset or emotion, but Scipio Metellus protested.

“But Oudroe, Anders is my friend. I vouch for him unreservedly.”

“It is that which has gained Anders a meeting with Wyandotte. On this matter my mind is made up. Smith and Hawkins, get some sleep, you leave early in the morning. Scipio and Anders, please stay here with me, I have things about the political situation to explain to you.”