The Mutant World (21 page)

Maya shook her head. “To be perfectly honest, Mother…I’ve never felt any kind of sexual attraction to a woman…never. I’ve tried love-play with some, here and there, but it really didn’t do anything for me. I’m sorry, but that’s the way it is. If it means anything to you, even I was surprised by my attraction to a man. I
now
realize that the only times I’ve felt anything even
minutely
close to a sexual interest in anyone was when observing men. But these feelings were never very strong or even truly recognized because our men are beaten down and pathetic. I needed but to observe them groveling and walking around with bowed heads for a moment and I was turned off and filled with contempt. Anyway,” said Maya returning to the point, “I don’t like women…in that way. Barrat is my destined mate. I didn’t have any choice in the matter this time. The goddess chose him for me, and I for him, we’re bonded.” Mavie just stood there with her mouth open trying to process everything she’d been told. “Cheer up, Mother!” Maya laughed, “Think of the babies we’ll make. He’s the son of ‘The Great Cat’! Also, that will be a great asset to our standing among the other nations and those of the empire. Having secured heirs of Catonian blood the other lands will be forced to recognize us as equals. Believe me, this union is a blessing from the goddess.”

Two years passed, and to many in the region it seemed that indeed, Nana was smiling on them. The people seemed happier now. The reason for this was simple, the followers of Barrat would not bow to the old traditions and many of the Mavie women now revealed their own hidden distaste for them as well. Many, especially bonded females, wanted the traditional family back, and the queen agreed. The results of her reforms were soon apparent. Already, the birth rate was beginning to rise and certain dubious customs were falling to the wayside. Seemingly overnight, Mavieland was now moving back to the traditional Bellasarian way. Women still ruled, but men now had even more position than even other Bellasarian nations. Because of their own harsh and restrictive laws, the Mavie men now demanded a male council of elders to sit with the women’s council to represent them…and got it. Many understood why this had to be done, but the hardline Mavie conservatives were not happy, chief among the discontent being the former queen and founder of the Mavie society, Mavie herself.

For Mavie and her hardcore followers, it seemed like her entire world was unraveling before her eyes. Everything she had worked for was fading away. Ironically, it was her own daughter that was aggressively pushing this along. She had hoped for a strong heir to continue her cause when she stepped down and she got one. However, Maya had an unforeseen itch for men and, even worse; she had even given birth to one! Yes, to add insult to injury, Maya became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Still…although she hated to admit it, Mavie had become very attached to the little panther cub. At first, she didn’t want to be anywhere near him or his disgusting sire, but of course, that would not be possible for long. At times, when watching her daughter and son-in-law playing with their baby together as a family, even
she
wondered if perhaps she was wrong about her ideals. But then she would steel herself against such notions. Her mothers had taught her different values, to weaken now and go back to the old system would be acknowledging defeat. It was even worse than that. This wasn’t even the old system anymore. The men here were actually becoming more powerful and therefore more dangerous than the men who still lived under the original system elsewhere on Bellasaria. As for Barrat, she had to admit it, she liked him. Yes, it was true. She had long said that the sons of ‘The Cat’ were the admirable exceptions to the rule, as far as men went, but he still had to go. Yes, before everything went to shit any further, he had to go…but how? Killing him was out of the question. He and Maya were bonded. If he died, she might follow soon after, or worse, be in such a state as to be worthless to lead. Then there was the worst scenario, if foul play was discovered, she would avenge him. No, she would have to break the bonding, and there was only one other way to do that. Fortunately, she had some experience in such matters from the early days of her own rule.

******

It was night. Vivian had just left the company of her friends and was heading back to her dormitory. She was a young girl with blond hair and fair skin. She had clear light blue eyes. Short, but shapely, many Mavie females had begun to notice her. Once she reached her full maturity she would be a real beauty. However, some Mavie females were annoyed. From the ways things were going, none of them would be enjoying that girl’s company in the way they desired. Vivian had grown up in the Mavie environment, but like many young girls, was very pleased with the way things were changing. She even had her sights set on a young boy of Barrat’s original band. He was about her age and had his eye on her too. She absolutely adored his red hair and freckles. She had already decided that he would be her first. Indeed, if her feelings were what she thought they might be, he could be her only. As she walked she suddenly felt a presence. She turned and saw Barrat behind her.

“Lord Barrat,” she said smiling. “I didn’t realize you had returned from hunting.” Barrat grinned and exposed his fangs. Vivian suddenly felt a chill. She didn’t like the way the large youth was looking at her. “Well…I must be going now,” she stammered, backing away.

“Come here, girl,” said Barrat.

Vivian swallowed as she looked down. It was blatantly
obvious
what Barrat’s intention was. Many women in the city would be pleased by this development, at least under different circumstances, but not Vivian. Until now she had respected and trusted Barrat, but she never desired him in that way. This was especially true now. Vivian couldn’t believe this. Taking a mutant female by force was a horrid crime even in the lands beyond Mavie, a crime not unheard of, of course, but very rare and unspeakable. Yet obviously this was Barrat’s intention. The girl didn’t have any illusions about being able to fight him off. Barrat was a mighty warrior with strength far surpassing that of most mutants who could be called strong. She, on the other hand, was rather weak. She was physically only as strong as a human. A powerful human
man
, true, but not even worth a sweat for a mutant like Barrat. Running was not an option either. She could never out run him, especially with him already so close. She had to buy time and then call for help.

“Pl…Please, my lord,” begged the girl, slowly backing away.

Barrat didn’t speak. He lunged forward and struck the girl hard in the face and then dragged her into the shadows behind the building they were near. Suddenly Vivian recovered and began to resist fiercely, and surprisingly, Barrat seemed to be having some difficulty subduing her. He began raining blows upon the girl and finally managed to deliver a telling blow to the side of her head. He struck the beaten and semi-conscious girl several times more and then brutally raped her. Vivian had never been with a man before. This would be her first time…and her last for many years. She would not see the red haired boy, think of him or anyone, male
or
female, in that way again, not for a very,
very
long time.

******

Mavie sat in her chambers in semi-darkness. In her hand was a glass of wine, half drunk. It was her third. Slowly, a portion of the wall moved and a tall attractive woman entered. Mavie looked at her and said, “Well?”

“It is done,” said the woman.

“The girl Vivian was chosen for you especially because
physically
she was practically human and was non-feral,” said Mavie. “She would not be able to catch your scent and would be fooled by what her eyes and ears told her. Also, there are those who want the girl and fear that she is getting too close to the males. She needed to be corrected before it was too late. Are you sure you were convincing?”

In reply the woman’s form began to change and soon a large male warrior the very image of Barrat was standing before her.

“I see,” said Mavie. “Well done. It was a foul deed, but one that had to be done for the good of our people. I know it was hard for you.”

Inwardly the other woman smiled. The only hard part was subduing the girl. She quite enjoyed the rest. The best part was that the girl was even a virgin. The other woman then resumed her true form and backed back into the shadows.

“Remember what you promised me in return for my talents,” said the woman.

“Have no fear,” said Mavie. “You are ideal for many reasons. I shall introduce you when the time is right. Have all steps been taken to remove your scent? If a feral should detect a smell not Barrat’s and trace it back to you…or me…”

“All was taken care of by our sisters,” said the woman.

“Good,” said Mavie. “Goddess willing, this will be the only time we’ll have to do this, but be prepared for the worst. I have several weak females targeted that you should be able to overcome easily.”

In the darkness the other woman smiled. Unlike Mavie, she was hoping that the worst
did
happen. She rather enjoyed taking what she wanted by force. She even admitted to herself that she enjoyed brutality as well. Vivian had been clearly incapacitated, yet she beat her brutally more just for the pleasure of it.

“I await your bidding, my lady,” said the woman. She then slipped back from whence she came and the wall slid back into place.

Mavie downed the rest of the wine in her cup and then threw it aside and began to drink directly from the bottle.

“Yes, for the greater good,” she said to herself.

******

Barrat loved his family, but like all his kind, he needed to prowl the forest and hunt from time to time. His mother would occasionally return to this region and was pleased with what she saw on this last visit. She saw her son and grandson enjoying what she had thrown away with a mixture of envy and happiness, but she wouldn’t stay. Lord Cato’s prophecy seemed to had come true, so she returned to her search. The last hunt they had together in the wild would be a pleasant, but ironic memory.

Returning to the capital, Barrat would find the city in an uproar. A mutant woman was attacked and violently sexually assaulted…and she had accused him.

“This is absolute nonsense!” cried Barrat in outrage. “Anyone who knows me knows that I am incapable of the deed! The woman lies!”

“Telepaths have scanned the girl’s mind, my lord. She speaks true,” said Mavie coldly. “Shall we scan your mind as well?”

Barrat was filled with indignation at this suggestion. “My word is not enough?!”

“It was he!” screamed the girl in tears of shame and outrage. “Do you think I could mistake anyone else for
him?!?”

Barrat looked at the girl in shock. She was indeed a sorry sight. Obviously, she did not have advanced regeneration, because her face and body still showed the battered bruises and marks of the assault. There were claw and teeth marks as well. “I have been hunting as is my habit,” said Barrat, not without compassion. “I have not touched you.”

“How do we know you were hunting? Yes, you do leave civilized habitation from time to time, but who’s to say you were truly away this time?” said a woman of the council. Barrat recognized the woman as, Lady Betty. She was one of the hardliners of the old Mavie School. “Is there anyone who can verify this hunting trip? Were you alone?”

“No,” said Barrat, trying to control his temper. “My mother, the Lady Tamara was with me.”

“The whole time?” pressed, Betty.

“Yes,” replied Barrat.

“Excellent!” said, Mavie. “Then when she returns she will verify what you have said.” Then looking to Queen Maya and the council she said, “In the meanwhile I demand that this
man
be held in custody and collard until she returns.”

“My mother will not return for a very long time, if ever,” growled Barrat. “She seeks my father in earnest now that things have changed for the better here.”

“How convenient,” someone said.

“I am innocent!” said Barrat firmly. “The woman is mistaken.”

“It was him!” screamed the battered girl. Several of the assembled women were looking at Barrat with hate. This was a very serious crime anywhere, but in this fragile society this early in its transition, and by someone like Barrat, it was horrendous.

“Because someone says a thing it is?” said Barrat.

“My lord,” said Maya, her voice shaking. “The victim, and clearly she was the victim, has accused you. I must judge this matter fairly.”

“Truly, my lady,” Barrat said in understanding, and then he looked at the others. “I well understand that the guilty man will plead his innocence, but the innocent man will as well. Do you really believe that this woman would even be
alive
if I had attacked her with such obvious force and brutality? Read my mind if you doubt my word, but no collar will come anywhere near
my
neck!”

“He defies the council!” shouted, Lady Betty.

“Hold!” cried, Maya. “Let us scan his mind for the truth first! If he is lying, our telepaths will know.” Five powerful telepaths came forward, two male, three female. For several agonizing moments no one breathed. Then the telepaths looked at the queen and council.

“He is innocent!” said one of the men firmly. Immediately the women looked to the female telepaths.