After a while there was the sound of lapping water and the rocking increased. A warm breeze, this one salty and woodsy, wafted over her skin.
The boat shifted directions and moved more swiftly. They were propelled forward, and she heard the men’s breathing quicken. They were working. Rowing? No, there was no sound of oars entering the water.
She tilted her head, listening carefully. She couldn’t tell.
After what felt like an hour or more, the boat slid to a stop. She was lifted up and over the side and carried from it. She shifted, making a questioning sound.
“Almost,” Wex said softly.
It was chilly as they passed through somewhere damp. A cave?
When she was set on her feet and the blindfold removed, her eyes strained. She stood on spongy ground among blue-violet foliage. She turned her head, but behind her was a tangled jungle. She couldn’t even see the path they’d taken.
“This way,” Wex said, guiding her with a hand on her back.
She glanced at Rollow, who was dressed like he’d been in a deep mine if the size of the bulb on his head lamp was to be believed. All three of the men wore large packs. She had nothing. Not even a shirt on her back. She slowed at the sound of humanity up ahead. There were voices and laughter.
From under the jungle canopy, they emerged into blueish light. She looked up at the teal sky in wonder. The clouds were orange. In front of them was a village of people. The dwellings were made of braided fronds and covered in thatch. The people wore a papery kind of fabric on their bodies. From their coloring, they were different races, but they all spoke a common language. One she didn’t know.
She glanced down at her bare breasts. She was the only one who was topless. She couldn’t raise her arms to cover herself, so she circled behind Rollow. After a moment, she found a group around them. Wex spoke to them in their language.
She could tell by the inflection at the end of the phrases that they had questions. She was pulled forward in front of Wex. His left arm came across her belly to anchor her in place. Then his right hand cupped her breast and lifted it. He spoke, squeezing and fondling her.
She jerked, trying to escape the scrutiny and his handling.
“Stay still, girl,” Tok ordered.
She glared at him, which drew laughter from the villagers. A moment later, she knew Wex had said it was all right to touch her because hands began to explore her body.
She froze as fingers pinched her nipples and a hand reached under her skirt. There were three men and two women who touched her and spoke to Wex and each other. Then they smiled, not unkindly, and moved aside.
“They were checking to see whether you had trackers under your skin or slave piercings on your lower lips,” Roll explained.
She glared at him, hoping she communicated without words that she didn’t care what they’d been doing. None of them had any right to touch her.
They followed a path through the village to a wall of rock. Passing around a boulder, they reached a makeshift staircase. Descending into a dark cave, she slowed. Then somewhere in the distance a generator was turned on and light flickered. They were inside a spacious dwelling furnished in the highest style with what must have been stolen furniture and textiles.
The men lowered their packs, and Tok removed her gag. He waited. She remained silent.
“Come on,” Wex said, giving her ass a swat. “I know you want to complain.”
She only stared straight ahead.
“The reason we—” Wex began until he was cut off.
“Don’t explain anything. She’s a temporary handmaiden, not crew,” Tok said. “She’ll talk when she’s ready to.”
Rollow unhooked her wrists and removed the straps from her thighs.
“I’m hungry,” Tok said. “I’ll hunt so we have something to bring.”
“Don’t hunt yet. They know you’re good for plenty of food. Let’s just accept the invitation,” Roll said.
Tok glanced at the steps. “Sure.”
“Good,” Roll said. “I’m starving. She can have one of my shirts—”
“No, she stays here. Bring us back food.”
