The Mutant World (37 page)

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE DARK PRINCE

Dinos City, Barratia

T
he delegation from Illyria stood before Prince Tidor who appraised them with mixed emotions. The leader of the delegates was a woman. Many saw this (princess or not) as an insult already. Worse, her male retainers jumped at her every command and some of them were clearly mutants. The only one who seemed not as subservient to the woman was a very large female who seemed to be her personal bodyguard. Both women were beautiful and very well-made, but the giantess was quite impressive and in many ways. She had long black hair that reached to the small of her back and her eyes were green and cat-like. Her face was round and her lips full and pleasing. She was light olive of complexion and seemed to be of Asian ancestry, but clearly there was other genetics in the mix there as well. Unlike the smaller woman, who wore robes of state typical of a visiting Illyrian noblewoman of her station, this woman wore much less concealing or constricting clothing and literally had most of the Barratian men panting like dogs.

“My lord Prince,”
said one of his vassals telepathically,
“what do you make of that? I’d say she’s close to seven feet tall!”

“Aye, lord,”
said another grinning,
“and look at the size of those tits! I’d like to climb that mountain! What say you, my lord?”

To be sure both women were very beautiful and impressive. Even the princess was a real beauty. She was curvy and ample in the right places, but the prince found both females excessive of form and not to his liking.

“Yes, my lords. She is indeed impressive and those monsters she has hanging from her chest could no doubt feed an army of little mutelings. But so can a good cow! The same goes for the princess. I hear her mother is made just like her. Or I should say, she is made just like her mother.”

“Actually, my lord prince, I hear that Empress Beral III is shaped like the big woman, just shorter.”
One of the noblemen shook his head as he imagined what the empress must have looked like. In any case, the big female, despite her incredible form was clearly not someone to be taken lightly.

“Welcome Princess Miko,” said Tidor verbally to his kinswoman from the east, “it is a rare honor for a woman of your stature to visits the lowly land of Barrat. If we had the proper tech you would not have had to travel so long by such primitive means…at least by Bellasarian standards.”

“Actually,” said the princess, “I enjoyed traveling by air-car, monorail and horse. We were able to see your lovely country and its people up close and in ways never possible by just popping over by teleport. If you do desire such convenient quick transportation though and other luxuries from the empire, all you need do is change your policies regarding your women and come fully into the imperial fold.”

Prince Tidor grinned and his fangs were fully exposed. The smaller woman jumped a little, but the larger woman stood firm and coolly looked the prince right in the eye, which he liked. Tidor paid little more attention to the warrior though. He was satisfied, albeit surprised, that he had intimidated the daughter of the empress. Tidor looked at the princess. She was short for her family, about five foot seven. Strange, he had heard the empress was short, but her daughters were said to be taller. She had long curly hair, Asiatic eyes and was of medium brown complexion. This made sense to Tidor, her father was reputed to be an extremely dark skinned black man, while her mother was very fair with the same oriental eyes as the woman standing before him. However, they were not green or feline. Almost all of the line of mighty Cato, himself included, had this feline trait. The prince found it curious that she did not. Still, not all of ‘The Cat’s’ descendants had such eyes. The bitch queen of Mavie, Queen Maya, also was descended from Lord Cato, but did not have such eyes. Ironically, the princess’s giant vassal’s eyes had both the epicanthic fold and the feline attributes of the empress. They were even green. She seemed more of Cato’s blood than the princess did. Prince Tidor was disappointed that someone related to him, even a woman, could be frightened so easily. He found himself hoping this sad specimen was not really of his blood, but that was unlikely. In the empire, bloodlines went through the mother, not the father, and the womb cannot lie.

The impression Tidor made on the two women were mixed and equally disappointing. Both found him appealing physically. Like his father and younger brother who they’d seen back home, he was swarthy of complexion, large and well-made. His hair was black, long and wild. His eyes were feral, green and feline. Both girls found him handsome, but neither liked him.

The big girl found very little appealing about him beyond his looks, or any of the men she’d seen in Barrat for that matter. They were the most arrogant, domineering and chauvinistic lot she’d ever seen. In fact, she had seen nothing like them anywhere in the empire…or even Akkadia. And that was shocking. They thought of and treated their women like inferior beings, and made no effort to hide it. Female slaves, and there were plenty of those, were treated the way history had told her mutant females were once treated by their human masters centuries ago. Worst, they made NO distinction between human
or
mutant women. A female slave was a female slave, with all that entailed. As for the princess, Tidor and the men of this land terrified her. She couldn’t wait to go home.

“I am being rude to our guests,” said Prince Tidor looking at Miko’s male retainers with only a little higher esteem. One or two seemed to be holding back their anger at his arrogance with difficulty. Yet they were still dogs to the two women. Even the large female bodyguard seemed to outrank them as they showed her obvious difference. “I will dine you in the great hall tonight. Please follow Sasha.” An attractive young slave girl appeared. She had blond hair and blue eyes. “She will show you to your accommodations and be your personal attendant and guide while you’re here. If any of your men should find her to their liking, they are fully free to use her for their pleasure.” The Bellasarian men were speechless. “Or should she not fit your taste, we have others that can be sent to attend your needs,” said Prince Tidor smiling.

“What if they prefer men?” said the Illyrian Princess in disgust and anger.

“I will see that their
needs
are met,” said Tidor. “There are many men taken captive in our wars with the Mavie. Naturally, having disgraced themselves by being kept for pets and stud service by these females, they cannot be regarded as our equals. We have put them into the service of those warriors among us who prefer men, if you can call such as
them
men. And yes, they do serve women too. But they are used to that, no?” Then Tidor made a face of disgust and indicated the Illyrians should be taken to their rooms, and in fury and disbelief they left. As the slave led the way, the big girl looked at her and the collar around her neck.

“Sasha,” she said finally.

“Yes, mistress?” replied the girl.

“Are you a mutant?”

“Yes, mistress,” she whispered.

The Illyrians were horrified. The people they had seen in this land had seemed happy enough (mostly) in the fortified villages and towns they had passed through, but it was clear who were in charge and who obeyed without question. Telepathic snooping proved that free women were not completely happy with their lot, but they were not abused and were protected by the law. Life was livable and even enjoyable if they accepted their lot. And most did. The alternative wasn’t very appealing. It was now obvious to Princess Miko that things were much worse in this land than she thought. But she hadn’t seen anything yet.

******

Princesses Miko and several of the women of their party looked around themselves nervously. They were in the great hall of the palace. Barratian chiefs and warriors were everywhere and drink was flowing freely. What made several of the Illyrian women nervous and anxious was the way their own men were now warming up to the Barratians. Male bonding if you will. In one way it was good, but it would not be good for them to emulate the Barratians in every way. The princess sent out her thoughts with a stern warning.

“Brothers, learn nothing from these Barratian men where women are concerned, except how not to behave!”

There was good reason for this warning. Although not a single free Barratian woman was present, naked slave girls were everywhere. While most laughed and put on the appearance of good humor it was obvious that this was not sincere. It would be later confirmed that women could be punished for the wrong sort of behavior at these feasts, like defiance or crying. Occasionally one would be grabbed and thrown kicking to her back among the tables. The Illyrian women were speechless. This was clearly
not
the same as the freeness and mutual fun that sometimes went on at one of their feasts back home. What the Barratians were doing could only be called one thing.

Suddenly, the Illyrians noticed a terrified young girl struggling with an incredibly large Barratian chief. At first the man was amused as he tried to catch the illusive little female and the other men cheered as he tried to get ahold of her. The various slave women watched in fear or resignation as the young girl desperately tried to get away from the Barratian. Prince Tidor looked on, but did not interfere. The big Illyrian woman noticed however, that although his men were roaring with laughter and cheering the brute on, the prince’s face was impassive. Now tiring of the game, the big Barratian struck the little female. He had slapped her very lightly as not to kill her, but the blow sent her to the floor. That was enough for the big Illyrian girl. She jumped to her feet and began stalking over to the Barratian despite protests from her comrades and even the princess when suddenly a voice rang out in the great hall.

“My! What a mighty warrior you are, Stragg. Do you enjoy slapping around a female that would be considered tiny and weak even for a human female?” Everyone turned to see a tall black youth striding into the hall. Several of the Barratian chiefs made faces of disgust as the youth walked up to the giant warrior.

The one called ‘Stragg’ glared down at the boy as the young girl, her head still spinning, realized who was now standing there, gasped and scrambled on her knees behind him for protection. This too did not go unnoticed by the big Illyrian girl, or the fact that many of the slave women in the room seemed just as pleased and relieved to see this Barratian as many of the men had not.

“As a matter of fact I do,
Dark Prince.”
said the giant warrior in disgust. “I enjoy slapping them around and then screwing them senseless. Or have you forgotten that it is the Barratian way to crush arrogant females and force them to our will.”

The large youth looked at the trembling slave and shook his head. He then looked at Prince Tidor and smirked in disgust. “Truly a formidable opponent,” he said, “eh, Little Brother?”

“I wonder if that great blond ape would be so brave with a woman who wasn’t wearing a slave collar?” said the giant Illyrian woman. “One not so small or unskilled as that poor little girl there. I think perhaps you need a lesson from a woman more your size.”

The dark youth looked at the big Illyrian who was challenging Stragg and a smile slowly appeared on his face. It was obvious that he liked what he saw.

“Any man who would allow himself to be intimidated by a woman, much less defeated by one, should wear a slave collar himself!” snarled the blond giant. There was laughter at this.

“Really?” said the big woman. “Care to try me?”

The warrior called Stragg looked at the big Illyrian warrior and grinned. “If you should lose, foreign bitch, you will become my slave. That is the way things work here. Then I’ll be screwing you to death right here in front of your princess and people. Do you still want to fight?”

Princess Miko quickly protested.

“No, Your H…I mean, I forbid it! Return to your place!”

“I accept,” snarled the big girl, totally ignoring the smaller female.

The Barratian grinned. He was eight feet tall and all muscle. As big as the Illyrian woman was she was still dwarfed by him. Then the as yet unnamed Barratian prince stood between them, and ignoring Stragg, looked at the Illyrian girl and said, “Let me deal with this, lady. This man is shaming my people with his terrible behavior.” Then looking her up and down he grinned. “Besides…I wouldn’t mind challenging you myself later.”

The Illyrian woman looked down at the Barratian and chuckled. “Little prince, I think I like you. But I don’t believe you could mate with me and survive. Now stand aside. I have to teach this animal a lesson.”

“Stand aside, Brother! Let them fight!” ordered Prince Tidor. The dark youth reluctantly stepped aside. Quickly tables were removed and the feasters made room. The Illyrian Princess was visibly beside herself with distress.

“What is your name, little girl?” said the giant Barratian warrior stepping forward. “I’ll wager
I’m
strong enough to handle you on your back.”

“My name is Lady Gorgo,” replied the big Illyrian girl, “and you do seem strong enough to mate with me. But as is usually the case, especially so in
this
case, you’re NOT my type!”

“Another Gorgo, eh?” laughed Stragg. “That’s a common enough name now for female warriors. If you were the
original
Gorgo I might even be worried, but you’re not. And as far as me not being your type goes, I wouldn’t worry about that. You won’t have a choice in the matter this time!”

The two warriors circled each other slowly and then came together violently, and both were surprised. The Barratian believed that he would quickly overpower the girl by his sheer might, but he soon learned that this woman was incredibly strong! The only warriors he’d ever faced who possessed such might were of the Barratian royal family. As for Gorgo, the feeling was mutual. This man was actually stronger than her! She had never before had such serious competition from anyone not of her own bloodline. She quickly gave up on brute force, and using leverage, threw the giant to the floor with a painful crash. He jumped up and grabbed for her, but she skipped out of his reach, and charging back, sent a blinding barrage of strikes that sent the huge man to the ground again in an embarrassed and dazed heap. The other Barratians were looking on in shocked disbelief, then someone snickered and soon laughter could be heard among the men. Evidently, women were not the only ones intimidated and bullied by Stragg. That he was now having his ass handed to him by a female delighted many to no end.

Red faced with rage and embarrassment, Stragg scrambled quickly to his feet and charged crudely towards Gorgo. However, the big Illyrian girl had now sized up her opponent as being strong, but stupid, and easily overcome by skill. She quickly entered, spun him around and then threw him again to the floor. Now fully enraged and desperate, Stragg pulled his dagger. At this, the Barratian men began to shout in outrage and Prince Tidor jumped to his feet. Stragg seemed to pay no heed to any of this as his mind was set solely on the Illyrian woman now bracing herself for his attack.

Then Tidor’s brother stepped up unnoticed by Stragg and casually place his hand on the giant’s wrist and Stragg cried out in pain. Gorgo and the Illyrians watched in shock and amazement as this youth brought Stragg to his knees and held him there in pain with one hand effortlessly.

“Using a weapon against an unarmed opponent is shameful enough, dog…but a woman?!” said the boy in disgust. Then the ebony colored youth’s hand made a sharp twist and a loud snap could be heard along with a cry of pain. The weapon dropped to the floor from Stragg’s now useless hand. “The match is forfeit by Stragg’s shameful behavior,” said the black youth.

“No!” cried Stragg angrily.

“Silence, dog!” said the youth. “You were outclassed and on the verge of defeat anyway. That is why you resorted to the weapon.”

Much to the Illyrian’s surprise, Prince Tidor seemed pleased for the first time since they saw him, and his words now surprised them even more.

“I agree, Brother.” Then he looked at Stragg. “You said that any man intimidated and defeated by a woman should be collard himself, no? These were
your
words, remember?” Stragg’s face turned white. “You lost your match and must pay the price. I wonder how you will like being Gorgo’s slave.”

“My Prince,” said a man stepping forward, “I would not say that the chief was defeated. Defeat can only be counted on two conditions. One being that the opponent yields. Two being that the opponent is physically incapable of continuing. Neither of these conditions was met. I will concede that his dishonorable behavior warrants forfeiting the match though.”

Tidor frowned and said, “He was
clearly
intimidated if nothing else! Do you deny that?”

“I don’t know about that,” said the man. “Frustrated I would say. The lad has a temper, we all know this.” Several men began to lend support to Stragg’s advocate. Many more protested though. However, few wanted to see Stragg put in a slave collar and handed over to a woman.

“This man is known for his love of brutalizing helpless slave girls,” said the black youth, “but when faced with a female not hampered by an inhibitor collar in a ‘hand-to-hand’ match he performs poorly and then resorts to a weapon to win. I say this man has disgraced the warriors of Barrat before the Illyrian Princess and cannot be allowed to go unpunished for his behavior!” There were angry shouts of agreement from the assembled Barratians. However, it was decide that Stragg would not be collared, but instead would be stripped of his rank in punishment for his offense. Stragg didn’t take this meekly.

“You bastard son of the king and a barbarian slave whore!” roared Stragg looking at the dark youth. “How dare you show your face here and…?”

The ebony complexioned boy whirled around in fury and every man in the room gasped and became silent. Several of the slave girls dropped to their knees in terror, heads to the floor, some screamed. The enraged youth transformed into his transitional form. Now the same size as Stragg and undoubtedly several times stronger his lips pulled back revealing formidable fangs. Stragg literally fouled himself.