Chapter 3: The Queen Fights

“So my daughter did not break you. She must be getting gentler” I opened my eyes in horror to find myself alone in the hut with Isina. I must have dozed off. “I hope you do as well tonight when you pay your debt to me”. Flushing with embarrassment, I scrabbled to put my pants and trousers back on. “Hah I’ve seen it. Why are you whites so ashamed of your bodies?” she said with a chuckle. I turned in the direction of her voice then gulped as I saw bare flesh and looked away quickly. “Does my body disgust you so? Look at me or I will take it as offence and kill you now” she admonished angrily.

I looked again and watched Isina’s naked form as she stood facing me putting on a long series of golden bracelets that stretched from below her shoulder past her elbow to her wrist. Although tall and lean, her body was firm and well toned. Her bare breasts were quite large and sprouted firmly on her chest with very large aureoles and large nipples. Even without the shiny black substance that her daughter had been oiled with, the older woman’s body was very sexy and stirred my loins. “So my body does not offend you?” she said without trace of a smile as she watched my appreciative stare. “No, not at all. It is very beautiful” I replied watching the way her firm stomach broke into a well-defined six-pack as she breathed. As she fixed an armband of beads to the top of her right arm, I noted that although taller than her daughter, she probably had the same amount of muscle except they were more spread out along her lanky body. The woman now put on what resembled a very short shawl made from several beaded strands, this went on over her head and sat around her shoulders almost resting of the top of her breasts A couple of beaded straps attached to the front circled around the underside of her firm bust. Her lithe naked form was beginning to revive my ardour. As she turned to pick up some more ornaments, I saw that her backside was as tight and compact as her daughter’s causing my groin to stiffen.

Desperate to find a distraction to take my mind off the hot hard body of this tribal queen, I began to examine the rocky wall at the rear of the hut where I spot cave drawings. “They look very old” I say. “Yes, there were done when our ancestors first settled in this place” Isina answered. I saw that she had now put on a short series of golden bracelets around her thin ankles and beaded strands just below each knee. One of the painted figures looks like a nun, with a white face, a black cowl and red eyes. A shiver ran down my spine as the image brought to the surface some memories of what some people had told me in the recent past about ‘red eyed freaks’. The tall lanky woman had now put on a skirt made of skin with one long piece at the back down to the top of her toned calves and a shorter piece dangling in front barely covering her modesty. These pieces of skin overlapped high on each hip and was held in place by an elaborately worked belt and yet more beads. “One of the ancients who visited our ancestors many centuries ago in our home lands and taught us the way of The Hand” she said noticing my interest in the painted figure. “She taught us the strength of women and led us to overthrow the men and seize control so that only women would shape our destiny”.

She turned to pick up what looked like a beaded plate larger than her head with a large hole in the centre. I continued looking at the cave art. Suddenly it was like an electric shock ran through my system. Isina turned to look at me strangely. “What is it Jim? Do you feel unwell? Has my daughter broken you after all?”.”That, that figure” I stammered, pointing to another drawing on the wall. Set into a shrine carved into the rock was a strangely drawn figure that was instantly familiar. “Anahita!” I cried, my finger pointing to what was unmistakably a dusky coloured naked female form with a multitude of arms and legs carrying a variety of weapons. Isina’s eyes widen and her usually expressionless face took on a look of open shock. “Anaheeta. What do you know of our Goddess?” she hissed and grabbed a long iron spear. Sensing my life could be in danger, I told her, as simply as I could, my encounters with the mysterious Sisterhood of Anahita and the strange series of events that had led me into this watery world beneath London. “You must be a distantly related branch of the same Sisterhood” I told her. She looked dubious but put down the spear. “Why hasn’t the tribe tried to leave this place? From what I’ve seen the exits are lightly guarded. You could easily overwhelm them” I said. “Where we would go? This is all we’ve ever known. We’ve never been in the world above. Even our ancient homelands would be strange to us now” she replied with a tinge of sadness. I helped her put on the circular halo neckpiece and an elaborate beaded headpiece. “Maybe I could put you in contact with the Sisterhood. I’m sure that with all their connections, they could help you” I told her. Isina never got the chance to reply.

A commotion breaks outside with shouting, the sound of running feet and many people talking excitedly. I followed Isina to see a crowd forming around the rear of the cavern. At first I couldn’t see what all the fuss was; until we got closer then I could see that a group of young warriors were emerging through a narrow gap that was barely visible in the rocky wall. It was then that I realised that this cavern was just part of a larger network. A female warrior spoke hurriedly to Isina who translated for me. “The Reivers tried to rustle our herds. They were repelled but they have caught the leader” she told me as the crowd parted to make way for their Queen. Just as I was wondering what any livestock down here could graze on, I saw the face of the captive.

It was the pale brown skinned thug from the train being pushed forward at spear point with his arms tied to another across his back. It was unmistakably the same man, although now looking bruised and battered with dirty jeans and a ripped T-shirt. What was his name? Nicholson that was it, Steve Nicholson. A tall topless female warrior behind him sharply kicks the back of his legs causing him to fall to his knees. “Kneel before the Queen light skin” she tells him. His big chubby face looked up towards her, glaring malevolently, although with his cross-eyes it is difficult to tell if he is staring at me or the woman by my side.

“Cunta!” he exclaims. “I didn’t recognise you with your clothes off” he sneers. “I must say you’ve got a nice pair of tits, argh!”. The blunt end of a spear drives against his cheek. “Don’t speak to the Queen like that” says the young male warrior who struck him. “You know the penalty for thieving our herds Reiver” Isina states firmly. “You have no rule over me. You’re just slaves. We’re just enter, arter ... what is the word Templeforth calls us?” he asks. “Entrepreneurial” Isina says. “He just means that you are thieves just like his bankers” she adds. “Anyway that raid was nothing to do with me. I was following you by your stench Cunta” he snaps. The male warrior moves in to deliver another blow but Isina signals him to stop with her hand. “We have unfinished business, you and I” the cross-eyed thug sneers nastily. “Well you’ve found me. Dispose of him” she tells the warriors and turns away. “I claim the right of trial by combat” Nicholson shouts. Isina spins to face him. “With him” he adds glaring googly-eyed and baring his teeth menacingly in my direction. The tribal Queen shakes her head. “He is my guest until he has repaid the debt for saving him from you. The people of The Hand look after our guests. As my guest, it is my right to fight as his champion” she states firmly, turning and starting to walk away before Nicholson has the chance of further discussion.