Griots

by Charles R. Saunders

  “Me, willingly, for all your carnal fantasies,” she said flatly.

  “You no longer interest me that much, little bird girl.”

  “More gold and diamonds,” suggested Swallow.

  “I’m wealthier than most of the Kings on earth, combined.”

  “Immortality?”

  “I suspect it would be tedious and boring.”

  “The Demon in the Wall is not amused.”

  “Then offer me something I want, before I send 1000 men to utterly slaughter those 6 humans that are so damn important to your Demon Lord. So, think, bird girl. What is it that I want?”

  Swallow frowned, “Fun, entertainment.”

  “YES! Give me a few hours with the Afrikan Witchwoman to do whatever I want. Also, I want the gold, immortality, and of course you, little birdie, willingly into my bed; no, I want you unwilling, scratching and clawing. That is my demand to capture her soul and deliver the final crystal to the Demon in the Wall.”

  After a moment of contemplation, Swallow said with a trace of displeasure, “Done.”

  “Fabulous!” Fabu approached her and cruelly squeezed her small breasts. He pinched her nipples hard between his finger and thumb. Swallow accepted his painful groping with no complaint. Satisfied, he said, “We must play this out elegantly. I will send a token force of men to distract the beautiful Black Goddess. While she is busy, fling this in her sweet brown flesh.” Fabu produced several small darts. “It is coated with a virulent narcotic; one is enough to stop an elephant or at least slowdown a bad tempered witchwoman. But also, you must bind her magics, befuddle her senses, make her more accepting of her fate. Then bring her to my special place.”

  “The enchantment will only last for a few hours. As I said, she is very strong.”

  “Ah, my pleasures are so fleeting.

  “What about the powerful, young male who accompanies her?”

  “Do as you please. Occupy his time until I am finished. Maybe, we should make it a foursome!”

  “I need a few moments to bait the trap.” She quickly stripped off her clothing until she was wearing only a loose, open front vest and short loin cloth around her waist that left very little to the imagination. “As soon as I get to the top of the dune, send a few expendable men to ravish me.”

  “Ohhhh, I truly, truly love this!” Fabu squirmed in anticipation. “If all goes well, I may free your commitment to me after only a single tryst with you.”

  * * *

  “Grandmother, there is a large gathering of soldiers over the next rise in the valley.”

  “We must avoid them for now. We can hide in this maze of dunes. I have allies at the monastery. It is due east. Send our comrades back to our people, to protect them.”

  “But—”

  “There is very powerful magic afoot. We are facing more than an ordinary, cast-out demon. I want the remnants of our family beyond the range of this evil rampage. The demon has influence, guile, and vile humans in its employ. As we approach the center of its power, I can only guarantee a marginal safety for you and me.”

  “Yes, Grandmother.”

  “Grandson.”

  “Yes, Grandmother.”

  “We make a good team; everything will be alright.”

  “My heart is hurting for our missing family,” confessed Zende.

  “My heart hurts too,” said Makhulu. “And I will not lose you.” They embraced tightly.

  #

  Swallow ran barefoot up the sand hill and paused for a moment to allow Fabu’s selected men to see her. Lustily, they gave chase as they were told she was the prize if they could subdue her. She screamed!

  “Grandmother, that girl is in trouble.” Zende charged up the hill.

  “Grandson, wait!” But he easily outdistanced her on foot as he swung his battle ax in a rapid circle over his head. She had no doubt he could handle himself well against mortal men but there were magic forces building up. A tangible thickness in the air that slowed her movements. She stopped to focus her own energies in defense just as Zende clashed into the first wave of attackers. Abandoning her magics for the moment, she considered it more prudent to use traditional methods, as she shook herself free of the lethargy and charged into the fray. Makhulu only spared a moment to glance behind her grandson at the young woman who appeared collapsed from her run on the sand. Six of the enemy fighters were down permanently; several others were grievously wounded beyond the ability to cause mischief but now the entire camp seemed to have been alerted. Zende was grinning like a manic hyena. He held a war ax in each hand and was a truly fearsome sight to behold. However, soon, hundreds of soldiers would be swarming up the dune. She and Zende would have to escape, now. They could lose themselves among the many sand dunes. But as she sought to relay this tactic to him, she felt a sting, burning deep into the back of her neck. Almost immediately, her vision blurred. “Grandson, trickery!”

  Zende had frightened his adversaries such that they all retreated back to wait for reinforcements. He swirled around. “Grandmother!” He caught her in his arms.

  “Grandson, beware.” Her eyes glowed brightly for a moment as she said, “Remember this.” She touched his forehead.

  Suddenly, Zende felt the sting of several poisoned darts on the back of his neck. Rapidly, he slipped into the grasp of black unconsciousness.

  * * *

  “Are you awake?”

  Zende tried to stand but his body wouldn’t obey his wishes. He strained mightily to force his muscles to respond. A lesser man would have fainted from the exertions.

  “Are you awake?” the voice queried again.

  “Grandmother?”

  “The Demon in the Wall took her away. You saved me.”

  “Demon?” asked Zende as once again he strained to sit-up.

  “Don’t hurt yourself. You were poisoned. But the effects should wear off soon. Let me help you.” The woman embraced Zende and helped him to sit up. “Drink this.”

  He slurped noisily a sour smelling liquid but immediately he felt more control over his muscles.

  “My name is Swallow. I was betrayed. The Demon in the Wall is a foul, lying dog! He will rot in the hell, soon. My father will see to that. There was a fierce battle when my father’s loyal guards arrived just in time but we were unable to retrieve your princess from the Demon’s mercenary forces.”

  “She is my grandmother. I must go to her.”

  “Rest. I owe you my life. My father also is very grateful. He will help you vanquish this evil and rescue your grandmother.”

  Indeed, Zende was still very weak. “Water.”

  Swallow poured a generous goblet of cool water. She held it to his lips, allowing him to drink. “Slowly, my hero.” She smiled as her translucent silk robes cling to her small but shapely body. Her perfumed hair filled the room with the scent of lotus blossoms. She openly admired Zende and said, “You are a very strong and quite handsome man. You must have many women.”

  “No.”

  “Are you a male virgin?”

  “NO! I need my weapons,” the closeness of the yellow skinned girl was tantalizing to Zende, but he had more urgent matters to attend.

  “Everything is here.”

  “Where are we?”

  “In my father’s palace near the Monastery.”

  “Where is my Grandmother?”

  “Nearby. My father has gone to repay his debt to you by rescuing her from a dungeon.” Swallow pushed gently on his chest. “You still are too weak. But I can make you strong, stronger than any man alive. You could become a great ruler.” She began to massage his muscles. “This cream will bring back the life that the Demon’s evil poison almost took away.” She straddled Zende’s chest. “While I have you alone, I have to thank you in my own special way.” She pressed her cheek against his forehead.

  At the height of his strength, Zende could have lifted the tiny female with very little effort, but now he was weak as a babe so reluctantly he allowed Swallow’s sensual administrations
as his vigor and enthusiasm improved.

  * * *

  “Are you awake?” whispered a man’s voice in the slimy darkness. Only a distant candle offered slight illumination.

  Makhulu slowly regained some of her senses but she was very weak and seemed incapable of even the slightest magics to free herself. She struggled vainly against the taut leather straps that bound her.

  “What has happened to me?” she croaked. The jail was filthy and sewer water dripped down the fungus stained walls.

  “You were poisoned.”

  “Why am I so weak, powerless?”

  “The Demon in the Wall stole your special abilities as you fell unconscious from a powerful narcotic. It sought to steal your power to free itself and its hordes. We stopped that from happening.”

  “So, the legends are true?”

  “There are ancient deities from the dim past that seek to reclaim the earth and rebirth giant reptiles to rule. Men will perish like worms beneath their feet.”

  “My grandson?”

  “He is dangerously near death. But my daughter Swallow will do her best to save him. Can you dance?”

  “Dance?”

  “When we emerge in the palace you will be disguised as a dancing slave girl. In fact, I will have to buy you to make good your escape.”

  “What is your name?”

  “Fabu, a humble merchant at your service, my lady.”

  “Why do you help me?”

  “Your companion, the dark-skinned gladiator rescued my only daughter from the human mercenaries of the Demon in the Wall. I humbly seek to repay the debt.” Fabu stepped out of the shadows, wearing the generous regalia of a successful merchant prince. He gasped as she saw Makhulu’s tightly muscled body and firm breasts. He said sincerely, “You truly are beautiful. Forgive me for staring.”

  “Cut me loose.”

  “Yes, yes, of course, Please pardon an old fool.” He produced a sharp blade and sliced the leather bindings with ease.

  “Give me the knife.”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Makhulu snatched the blade and pressed it tightly against Fabu’s neck. He didn’t seem distraught. “My lady, have I offended you?”

  “Who stuck me with the poison dart?”

  “My daughter, Swallow, of course. The girl in the sand. It was our ploy to save you. The demon knew you were coming.”

  Makhulu’s eye’s narrowed as she pressed the knife deeper into Fabu’s flabby flesh. “Why?” Her thoughts were still spinning from the effects of the drug.

  “You are a very powerful weaver of Afrikan magic. The Demon in the Wall fears you greatly. That makes you a very valuable ally for anyone opposing the demon. We had to make it appear that you were eliminated at least temporarily. The drug simulates death. The Demon will not sense you. In a few hours, your full powers will return.”

  “I don’t trust you.”

  “The Demon has your family imprisoned in a block of amber. I know where it is hidden.”

  She released him and returned the knife. “I will be watching you closely. Obviously, other than being a rather gaudy, perfumed and large man, there may be some depth to you.”

  Fabu smiled hungrily and replied, “Fabulous! Strong, willful, beautiful. You are a most exquisite woman. I wilt in your holy presence. Pardon, my manners, I brought clothing appropriate for our deception, my lady. I can also provide food and drink in my private quarters; to give you strength before the dancing competition begins.”

  Makhulu welcomed the elegant but sparse clothing, however she complained, “I really need a bath.”

  Fabu’s spontaneous grin nearly split his face. “Of course!”

  “You have a harem, I suppose,” she said as she squeezed into the tight jeweled bodice and narrow skirt.

  “A man in my position is expected to have a harem giddy with females and pre-adolescent boys. But mine consists mostly of deserving orphaned girls that I rescued from poverty. These young ladies are properly instructed and can serve you well as your handmaidens for our limited time together. Quite frankly, I lack a Queen to help manage my rather substantial empire and rule by my side. My table is large enough for two.”

  “You are a smooth talker and a rather massive man. Are you noble or scoundrel?”

  “I am nimble and gentle and generous at times.”

  Makhulu approached and allowed Fabu to hold her hand and escort her out of the foul dungeon. She smiled, “There is considerable strength and grace in your movements. You displayed no fear even with a knife at your throat.”

  He preened proudly and revealed, “In the far east, men of my bulk, muscle, and agility were honored as prized entertainers for the emperors. As a youth, I financed my merchant empire by crushing the life out of more trim and handsome men who underestimated my raw power and speed. Never bet against fast fat.”

  Makhulu paused to place her hand on his massive chest and said simply, “Thank you for rescuing me. I pray I will not regret this. Forgive me, I still must be giddy from the poison.” She planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “Now, I need a gilded tub overflowing with warm, scented water, and I am famished. I hope you have a large feast prepared, perhaps some honey-soaked biscuits and raspberry tea. We can eat and talk while I bath. I have a family to save.”

  Fabu almost reversed his intricate schemes in that moment to pursue another long-lost dream. Unfortunately, mechanisms had been initiated that at the moment even he dared not deviate from.

  * * *

  Zende flexed his arms. He appeared supremely confident as he twirled both his wax axes like feather weight circus batons. His legs had regained their vigor and he had no trouble executing strenuous leaps and back flips.

  Swallow offered a petite tray of chocolate coated crabapples and sparkling wine. She advised, “My hero, do not over exert yourself. Although, for a human, you recuperate very quickly, I beg you to consider more rest. I can be very pleasing to you while we recline. I would enjoy that.”

  “Aieee! Aieee! Father, mother, my brothers and sisters, cousins and companions are vanished! My only duty is revenge!! Sorry.”

  “Your family is not dead. The Demon in the Wall has them. I can take you to him.”

  Zende stopped for a moment, then realized aloud, “No! I must aid Grandmother first. Combining her magic and my ax, we are unstoppable. Where is your father?”

  “Not far.” Swallow stepped to a velvet cord and tugged hard.

  “Which direction?” demanded Zende as his senses prickled. Something was amiss. His grandmother’s last instructions came quickly to mind.

  Swallow yelled angrily. “We could have spent pleasant time together, you witless idiot! You would have enjoyed your last few hours alive. Instead you will suffer.” She turned her head back further than naturally possible and uttered a rapid series of high-pitched clicking noises. “You and your species will no longer be rulers of this planet. We will take back our home.”

  Heavy, clawed feet pounded up a hidden stairwell. Growls and clicks echoed as Swallow began to shed her human skin. She screeched, “I chose the name Swallow not because of a pitiful bird. It describes most accurately what I do to food animals like you.”

  Amazed by the slow transformation, Zende asked, “What are you?”

  “An ancient creature from the bowels of the earth. The God in the Wall promised our resurgence if we did his bidding.”

  Zende frowned, “Glad I didn’t kiss you! Grandmother again was correct in her assumptions! She is a far better sorceress than you.” He attacked his adversaries.

  In her long service to the Demon in the Wall, this was the first time Swallow had experienced fear as she witnessed Zende crash into her reptilian children like a whirlwind blade of death. He slipped between, over and under them with far greater speed and precision than she had ever witness in a battle before. Zende’s weapons cut through her scaly brood as if they were plucked chickens on a butcher block. Grinning ferociously, standing knee deep in blood and guts, Zende screamed, “
AIEEE!! Grandmother! I sense you. Your powers have returned! I will be there quickly.”

  Swallow had nearly finished shedding her human skin. She raged, “Behold! I am one of the transformed, a combination of animal species. In a moment, I will utterly destroy you!” She strained to finish her metamorphosis from frail human to towering ancient killer.

  “Moment’s over!” said Zende as he dissected a stunned Swallow into many small chunks of flesh and bone then dodged past her. In a blur of arms and legs, he sped deep down the dark corridors eager to locate and destroy the nest where the vicious predators had emerged.

  Fabu the Fabulous was extremely pleased with the dance. Never before had he been so thoroughly aroused by a woman who playfully pranced and tickled his belly as he sucked down gallons of bubbling wine. She taunted him in countless ways so that he had dismissed the other girls, sent the musicians away and told all but one of his personal guards to pleasure themselves elsewhere. He made himself more comfortable in his mass of silk pillows chewing greedily into a shank of roast lamb as the final act was concluding and Makhulu was down to her last veil, a shimmering gold strip of cloth that only wrapped twice around her body.

  He burped loudly, “Encore, Encore, my succulent brown queen! If only there was more time. Quickly, let me remove my pantaloon and we may still be able to consummate your freedom.”

  Makhulu’s eyes glowed with renewed awareness. “Of course, my fat king. Let me help you with those bindings.”

  Fabu drooled in utter happiness as she snuggled up close beside him. He eagerly wrapped his flabby arms around her slender waist.

  A guard’s head bloodily bounced across the stage and slid to a messy stop nears Fabu’s padded slippers. Fabu again felt the icy caress of his own blade pressed tightly against his tender windpipe under his chin.

  She hissed, “I want my family back, NOW!”

  The sharp edge of the knife on Fabu’s throat threatened to end his days of breathing forever. He wheezed painfully, “My queen, you wrong me.”

  “Grandson!”

  “Grandmother!” He hurriedly crossed the dancing platform. “Your clothing?!” exclaimed Zende who was covered from head to toe with the messy life fluids of his foes.