CHAPTER TWELVE
Athelfreda shivered quite violently, it was all she could do to keep out the cold night air. Her situation had little improved, and she was fearful that forthcoming events were not going to be to her advantage. One of Rolf’s men began to usher her into the sinister-looking craft which was swaying slowly and almost menacingly tethered in the quay side. It was difficult in the dark to guess the size of the vessel, indeed Athelfreda wondered how Rolf had laid his hands on it, doubtless it had been gained by evil methods, certainly not in the course of honest bargaining. The young woman stumbled slightly on the small gang way but quickly she was aboard and her faithful maid-servant Elle was also now beside her. It required great insight and some experience of shipping to know exactly where she was to go next. This decision was put beyond her when one of her captives pushed her not too roughly down some narrow stairs.
“Ouch! Who are you? How many more people are being forced down here?”
Athelfreda felt an arm grab her. It was quite obvious that Elle and herself were not alone. The flickering light from a taper above, held by one of Rolf’s men momentarily provided some indication of the other inhabitants. In fact there appeared to be four other young women, all attractive and like Athelfreda and Elle having been brought there against their will. The light had dimmed and faded quickly and the rogue who had taken them here was gone with a sharply intoned curse and a cruel half-laugh.
“My name is Athelfreda and this is my maid Elle, do any of you want to tell me your names, after all we could be together for some time.”
“Why yes my name is Flavia and the other ladies are Rosa and Reebald, and there is also Jacquetta my maid. We were brought here under close guard, having been captured by Rolf and his band of ruffians.”
“Same story as ourselves” muttered Athelfreda “but what does Rolf have in mind for us? This is hardly a pleasure trip!”
“Too
true” responded Flavia “he is a clever rogue is that one. He aims to sell us
into slavery, or rather slavery of a sort. Some form of concubinage no doubt.
He has contracts throughout
no one’s business.”
“Surely ransoming us would be a less costly proposition?” inquired Athelfreda.
“Rolf would expose himself too much by that approach. In any case would he be able to obtain all that much? I cannot speak for you, but although we are well bred it would be somewhat arrogant to suggest that we could command huge sums. It is much simpler to dispose of us elsewhere.”
Athelfreda
sighed deeply to herself. It did not seem all that long ago that she was the
prized semi-consort of William Longsword, the King’s half-brother and now - and now - this Living Hell! A ransom could
or should have been obtained. Obviously she could not evaluate these other
women, but her class was undeniable. Why had Rolf not, at least, given her the
opportunity. Freedom was so wonderful, why was she to be denied the sweet smell
of
There is nothing more soul-destroying than wandering in a daze, in a situation where you are oblivious to external stimuli, where day and night are interchangeable, where there are no bench-marks or perameters on which to base progress. This is what Athelfreda went through for seemingly an Eternity. She surmised that her comrades in distress also experienced a similar non-sensation. This was at least Purgatory or more-like a continuing Hell, one that sapped the mind and body of all its exuberance and energy reducing one to a state of almost total apathy.
“You have permission to come aloft and stretch your legs.” A voice sounded from somewhere up above. Hardly the intervention of the Deity probably some unwashed sailor acting on Rolf’s instructions. Anyway better than being incarcerated in the hold with five other women was probably the thought going through Athelfreda’s mind. Her back and legs ached in particular. It was unwise to move about too much in the darkness in case you tripped over someone and an injury was the last thing wanted in already depressing circumstances.
Once
on deck Athelfreda quickly glanced round to check on as many details as
possible. What sort of ship was this, was it well maintained and equipped, what
was their likely destination?
The sea was not exactly calm
but not tempestuous
either rather capriciously choppy but with a dull leaden sky above the weather
conditions were not going to improve.
“Well, well, the Lady herself” a mocking voice grated close to Athelfreda “come for some sport on deck eh”
“Who do you think you are, sirrah?” responded the noble woman eyeing an especially vicious looking individual who was bearded more from want of shaving rather than because he favoured a particular type of appearance. Whatever his culinary fancies the brigand/pirate call him what you wish, had lost most of his front teeth adding to his alarming image.
“A master-mariner of sorts also your jailer or one of them and you are a defenceless woman” sneered the evil sailor.
“In that case I am sure you will be aware of your advantages and being a gentleman will leave me to my own devices.”
“A little cuddle on the deck will do you the world of good, my lass” grinned the adversary “I would not want you to think that I am less than friendly to such a beautiful guest.”
“For God’s sake leave me alone!” snapped Athelfreda “I don’t want anything to do with you.”
The dark-haired pirate seized her roughly by the arm and forcing her against the deck-rail attempted to force his lips against hers. The sweaty stench of his body made Athelfreda cringe with revulsion but try as she might she could not break free from his fierce unwanted embrace.
“Hagon, leave go of the lady. I never told you to behave thus.”
Both Athelfreda and the sailor - obviously called Hagon - looked up to behold Rolf glaring fiercely at them.
“Oh no, your excellency snarled Hagon “you may be our leader but you rely on us to set this ship on its course.”
“No one is irreplaceable and you have irritated me beyond measure.”
The
vicious mariner thrust Athelfreda to one side and drawing an evil looking blade
from his shirt flashed it angrily in Rolf’s direction. Before he could advance
any further the former knight had leapt at him and twisting his arm behind his
back seized
the knife and flung it into the sea. With one blow he sent Hagon reeling
drunkenly against the deck, one of the sailor’s few remaining teeth bounding
out of his mouth and landing near Athelfreda’s feet.
“Good riddance to the rogue” hissed Rolf “have two of your men pitch him overboard. The man is totally unreliable, we will not miss him a jot.”
Two of Rolf’s so-called followers eyed each other with suspicion. There was a tension very evident in the air as neither of them sought to follow their instructions.
“Oh well, we are thinking for ourselves are we now? No matter come with me Athelfreda, you will be more comfortable in my cabin. We are not all mindless cut-throats. I’ll see that no-one interferes with you again on the duration of the trip.”
Athelfreda followed Rolf along the deck until he descended down some rickety steps. Moving carefully she also started to climb down and acknowledging his beckoning hand she entered the cabin opened up for her. Once inside Athelfreda was intrigued by the relative luxury of the surroundings. A faint perfume pervaded the air and in a comparatively small area many requirements of a civilised person seemed available. Already the young woman felt that much better.
“You never cease to amaze me Rolf” commented Athelfreda “what kind of man are you? - I know I’ve probably asked you that question before. One moment you seem almost as bad as your scurvy followers, the next you are indeed the perfect Gentle Knight, the epitome of courtly manners.”
“If fate had been kinder I could still be a knight. Look at some of the barons De Vesci, Fitzwalter are they any better than me. God, if they had been born lesser men....”
“I know, I know, you are far from the first to say that. Surely there is some hope for you, need you lead this sort of life? Just return me to William Longsword my lover”
“Your lover, mistress?” inquired Rolf raising an eye ever so slightly “you are very close I know.”
Enough
of that, my dear de Claimont” responded Athelfreda “William is Earl of
protector.”
“You are a persistent lady, Athelfreda, but I have embarked on a course which I cannot alter, not only from a geographical point of view but from a moral and practical point of view as well.”
“Men are so stubborn” snapped the noble woman “it is never too late to change. The King could well make use of a determined adventurer such as you, think of the routiers he employs. He would not look too closely to examine any stains on your escutcheon.”
“Let us cease these rambling discussions, my lady. Provided that you relax and do not become so fierce and indignant there is no reason why the sea voyage cannot be pleasant. I will willingly act the gentleman and enable your journey to be as free from tension as possible.”
“I will observe your conditions, Rolf, not because I support the present situation but because I have no alternative.”
“Oh , Athelfreda cannot you at least show some affection towards me. At least we have more in common here than most of our fellow voyagers.”
“Yes you have breeding and charm Rolf de Claimont, that I’ll admit. In one sense it gives you less of an excuse than your so-called followers. They have probably lived a disreputable life from their early manhood, were born without privilege or opportunity. You could say they were at a disadvantage for most of their lives - you could have been so much better, Rolf.”
“God, Athelfreda I saved you from being ravished. If you are so sympathetic to that bunch then be my guest go out there and confront them.”
“Alright Rolf, I take your point but don’t get so worked-up no wonder you clashed with authority you should learn to control that temper of yours.”
“Apologies, my Lady, I think that it would be best if I left you here to your own devices for a while, you deserve some privacy. I’ll send your maid Elle to you shortly but treat the cabin as your own. Put the lock firmly on and only let me in - I’ll speak and knock four times as well so you will recognise it definitely is me.”
Athelfreda
smiled at the former knight. She had misjudged him yet again. What a mysterious
person he was, a deep one for sure. How had he received that
terrible scar on his face? Otherwise he would be quite handsome in a rugged
sort of way. Still there was a toughness and a vigour about him that was very
stimulating especially here at sea.
“Rolf!”
The adventurer turned to look at Athelfreda. He smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders. What was it with this beautiful woman, what did she want now?
“Rolf, I do after all probably owe you my life. We may have met in better conditions but here we are in each other’s company. These are strange circumstances and I am not a blushing maid.”
“Nay my Lady you are young and exceedingly beautiful.”
“I thank-you for that but what I really meant was that the World’s pleasures are not exactly unknown to me. After all, my dear de Claimont we have quite a bit of time on our hands.”
“Of course, my Lady”
“Oh come on Rolf don’t be so coy this is a lovely little cabin. By the way I see that you have brought my trunk on board ship. That is particularly valuable because I always carry with me certain protective measures - if you will close your eyes for a minute....”
Rolf was quite dumb-struck but did as he was told. When he opened his eyes Athelfreda was standing before him semi-clad, a picture of supreme loveliness and total divinity. Moving with elegance she began to pull his shirt off him and then leading him gently by the hand she approached the bed with its fleecy coverings. Athelfreda began swaying her body almost in unison with the movement of the ship so that she was virtually level with the pirate leader.
“I
carry expensive oils with me, my captain” purred Athelfreda “lie down and I
will caress your body with such tenderness that you will dream of
Rolf
did as he was instructed closing his eyes and being aware of nothing but the
lapping of the sea against the side of the boat. For the first time he could
remember in many years he felt completely relaxed, no anxieties, no
irritations, his temples ceased to throb. He felt his whole body shiver as
Athelfreda’s soothing yet sensuous hands sought out every muscle in his body,
her soft but exciting touch upon
his shoulders sent him dizzy with ecstasy.
“Now my dear Rolf turn-over and let me see the glory of your whole body.”
The knightly brigand no longer had a mind of his own as he submitted to his guest’s tender ministrations. Who now was the captive? Who now was the master or rather mistress? He felt the oil being poured out of the small metallic conical horn that Athelfreda was holding. The noble lady let it slip through her fingers splashing downwards on to his chest. With kindly but vigorous movements she rubbed it deeply into him, the cloying essence attaching itself to the thick hair on his torso. Rolf’s expression of pleasure turned to slightly quizzical inquiry as Athelfreda moved slowly away from him. With sudden frenetic energy the lady removed what remained of her clothing and began twisting her body into rhythmic patterns reminiscent of Salome’s ‘Dance of the Seven Veils.’ She next threw herself onto the bed beside him and motioning with her right index finger sought to draw him closer to her. Rolf was open-mouthed with amazement, he had never witnessed such exotic and tantalising agility before. This woman was unsurpassed if indeed she was a human being and not a heavenly goddess sent to him in a moment of sheer kindness and beneficence bestowed by the inhabitants of Mount Olympus.
“Here Rolf now it is your turn, rub the oil into my body. Let us see how tender and gentle you can be.”
The brigand again did as he was instructed, displaying in Athelfreda’s opinion considerable sensitivity. She looked intently at him noting his muscular strength highlighted by the liberal administration of the oily substance on his body. The young woman shivered luxuriously as she also felt the essence permeating her whole being. Surely there was nothing more wonderful in Heaven and Earth than two naked bodies in close caress, sparkling with unalloyed joy. Possibly Pope Innocent might demur from that view but churchmen did not know everything and were not always right.
“Rolf” said Athelfreda showing her perfectly formed teeth to advantage “take me as a man would want to take a woman.”
The
former knight never ceased to amaze. With great consideration and almost holy
reverence he placed his arms round Athelfreda’s soft and nubile body. This
merging together of two spirits seemed as if it had been planned by the gods.
For, to be honest, Rolf and Athelfreda’s bodies had now entered on an ethereal
plain and seemed to transcend fleshy desires. Their minds and thoughts subsumed
each other and had moved out of time and space. And yet in a trice Rolf was
very much aware of the perfectly formed figure of his collaborator in this
journey of desire. His body became hard but at the same time considerate and
responsive to his lover’s demands. They swept together on a mountain of
attainment, riding the rapids of physical joy and happiness almost beyond human
belief.
“Oh god! Rolf, take me to the skies!” almost shouted Athelfreda.
Rolf moved with deft control, intensifying in strength and vigour his legs and arms driving with a rhythm almost like poetry from a revered bard. Closer and closer they seemed to become if indeed that situation had not already been achieved. The whole World cascaded before them, shattering and shimmering into a million pieces. There was no pain in this consummation as they both thrilled with pure physical happiness and total satisfaction of the mind and soul.
“Rolf!”
gasped Athelfreda “don’t you dare move we must enjoy this experience to the
full. The sheer sensation is still pulsating through my body. Hold me for a
while so that we may feel what
“My queen!” responded de Claimont “I cannot deny you anything. If you give me such a command how can I as a mere mortal respond other than as a willing slave?”
The two lovers remained motionless for a while, it seemed that time had stood still and all the World’s problems had been pushed into oblivion. They could have been anywhere, where they were going to did not really matter all that much, this truly was a moment to savour, they intended to drink their cup of happiness to the full.
“Captain are you there? Answer me! This is urgent.”
Both Rolf and Athelfreda started suddenly as they heard this sharply spoken statement emanating from outside the cabin door.
“I’m here Hugh. What is it?” responded Rolf, then in whispered tones to Athelfreda “there’s a man I can rely on - the Salt of the Earth.”
“Captain
can you let me in? Please don’t think me presumptuous. Alfred and
William are here with me, and the ladies from the hold if you know what I
mean.... “
“God!” exclaimed Athelfreda “I’d forgotten about Elle and the other women - left to the mercy of your crew.”
“Quite madam!” snapped Rolf stiffening slightly “I know only too well the short-comings of my retainers. Enough of that I suggest we get dressed and let in our friends.”
“Thank God we are in a place of safety at last”. This was the intense voice of Flavia “this ship is going to be a Hell on Earth soon, I can feel, indeed sense, the evil here.”
“Yes skipper” intervened Hugh “the men are more than rebellious, and they have been drinking to excess to make matters worse. They are threatening all sorts of things and have appointed Hagon as their spokesman.”
“Damn and blast him!” snorted Rolf “I should have cast him into the sea. He’s an evil rogue, worse than any of us here.”
“Captain, I have managed to move many of the weapons to our hold but we are considerably outnumbered have you any suggestions as to our plan of campaign?”
“It would only be an arrogant fool who believed that he could hold out against even this disorganised rabble. I’ll tell you what, let me try and treat with them. I don’t believe that this motley band of ours is over-burdened with brains. Here William come with me we’ll approach the scurvy knaves, you good, stalwart Hugh stay inside the cabin with Alfred and the ladies.”
Rolf and Hugh armed to the teeth advanced carefully and with cat-like intensity along the awkward footing of the deck. Watchful for even the slightest movement they continually glanced from side to side. Suddenly a dagger flashed in the air but Hugh moving swiftly flung himself and his captain to the ground narrowly avoiding a painful injury or at worst seemingly excruciating death.
“He’s ours lads, my dagger must have struck its mark.” The swaggering vile tones of Hagon were all too apparent.
“Don’t move, Hugh” whispered Rolf “let them get closer to us.”
Hagon
anxious to be the first one to show his contempt for his, as he thought, dead
skipper leapt forward and aimed a vicious kick at the fallen Paladin. Much to his
surprise the Corpse swivelled away and then reaching out grabbed the
ring-leader’s leg holding it in a vice-like grip. In one savage movement Hagon
was down with Rolf’s own dagger firmly across his throat.
“Call your dogs off!” snarled de Claimont “I mean it, or else your own life is in jeopardy.”
“Alright, alright” responded Hagon “back-off men, we’ll get him sooner or later but don’t be too hasty just yet.....”
“You gutless coward” almost spat Hugh who was now also up on his feet alongside his captain.
“You must realise” commented Rolf “that we are all dependent on the wiles of the Ocean as to whether or not we make it to dry land. It is essential that we all stick together. I am quite willing to forget what has happened here if there is no further trouble on the rest of the voyage.”
There was only sullen unspoken hostility from the small band of men which did not auger well for any new-found spirit of co-operation. Hugh moved swiftly as he saw one of their numbers draw a rusty-looking sword and lunge straight at Rolf and himself. Extricating his own blade from its scabbard he side-stepped adroitly and with a fierce slashing action brought the weapon scything across the villain’s wrist. The adversary reared in pain at the realisation of not only intense pain but the fact that part of his hand was cut-off. Rolf was not idle at this moment and with amazing dexterity had run another of the rogues straight through. Lacking stomach for further conflict the rest of the pirates retreated hastily leaving Rolf and Hugh with a subdued Hagon.
“Well so much for debate and compromise, captain” smiled Hugh, somewhat sardonically “where exactly do we go from here?”
“Back to the cabin for the moment. At least we have their leader captured, I doubt if there is sufficient wisdom amongst the rest of them to develop a strategy that would quickly outwit us. We will go back to our circle of new-found friends and plan our own campaign - God help us all for I foresee some difficult times ahead.”
Go to Chapter 13
| Back to Chapter 11 | Index
Front Page | Home Page for individuals | Business Services Index | Site contents & internal links | Email the Author