The Gelding

by Shelby Stone

  Each movement was pure liquid bliss. Every thrust of Seljuk's organ whetted her appetite for more. Just as Keera picked up on the rocking rhythm of their rut, Seljuk unexpectedly thrust one last time and flooded her with his cum. He still had her ass in both hands, her pussy smashed flat and hot against his black pubic hair. Both his balls and body relaxed involuntarily at the same time. A loud rush of breath left his lungs. She noticed him blinking, as if momentarily blinded.

  Keera was stunned and felt dazed. As Seljuk's erection shrunk, it slipped out of her. She was disappointed and still full of youthful lust. She had not reached her peak as she thought she would. Perhaps a slight fear of the strange man prevented it.

  Seljuk leaned back upon his knees once again. A coat of slick sweat covered his chest and ran down his thick neck. The veins in it stood out as a result of his pumping blood and the energy he spent inside Keera. Drops of his sweat fell upon Keera's stomach. She reached up wordlessly and spread it on her skin.

  "Woman young, tight. Man lose seed fast.” Seljuk fell upon a pillow and drew out his dagger to lay it on his belly. The razor sharp blade lay next to his cock, which was now shrinking but still noble-looking and grand in size.

  Keera lay back with him. He closed his eyes, and quickly fell into a deep sleep. She turned and lay on her side, admiring his naked body close up. The movement caused his seed to flow back out of her, oozing onto her white thighs. It seemed like a great amount, but she was unsure because this was her first time. She did not know if the Breeders at the Pleasure Palace were like this.

  Amazed, she looked at his cock. Sex was nothing like she imagined it would be. Was it better with a Rough than with one of the smooth and gentle Breeders? She thought it was. She wondered if she could playfully pull the knife out of Seljuk's hand, but quickly thought better of it. Instinct told her this had been attempted before and he would awaken from habit and grab the handle to thrust and kill. She lay still.

  After about twenty minutes, his eyelashes flickered and he awoke. He stared at Keera as if in amazement that a Sky City woman was sharing his bed.

  Keera leaned on her elbow and stared into his black eyes. “Am I your first?"

  "First woman?” He laughed uproariously. “Seljuk have many women in life."

  "No.” Keera blushed and stroked the thick hair on his chest. “The first Sky City woman?"

  "Yes. First. Different than Rough woman.” Seljuk took the knife and slowly drew the flat end of the blade up and down Keera's outer thigh. “Skin softer. Eyes light. Lips sweet."

  "So today first for Seljuk too.” Keera shivered from the touch of the cold steel. She unwittingly slipped into Seljuk's speech patterns. It seemed to make sense; everything else was simplified in his world.

  Chapter Four

  The tent seemed to be cooler now in the afternoon shadows. Seljuk pulled up the soft furs around their naked skin. He pulled a yellow one around Keera.

  "This fur matches Keera's hair."

  Soon they were cocooned in a tube of fur. They rubbed together, Seljuk rubbing Keera's back. The actions were soothing to both of them. Neither was skilled in sexual talk, so they were quiet, touching the other's body.

  After a time, Seljuk spoke. “Come, we wash."

  He eased up off the bed and pulled Keera with him. As they stood nude, he pulled her against him and kissed her with surprising ardor. His tongue and lips were wet and burning against Keera's mouth. Everything the man did surprised her. For a hulking Neanderthal type, he was gentle at the most unexpected moments. On impulse, she kissed him back.

  She looked around the tent for a washing bowl and rag, but saw nothing.

  "Go outside to wash.” Seljuk threw on a loose long tunic and tossed Keera a robe. He took her hand and led her outside the tent.

  None of the other Roughs paid them any attention. Seemingly, semi-nudity and other strange habits were natural to them. She was glad none of them looked at her.

  Seljuk led her about a hundred paces to a sort of tall plywood box contraption. A knotty pine stall was erected there with a hide curtain and jugs of some yellow liquid in them. A ceiling with a rope was above their heads. Seljuk stripped off his tunic and unbelted Keera's robe for her. They stood naked for a second and then he pulled her into the box. He tugged the curtain shut around them.

  "Soap.” He put his hand in the jug and smoothed the yellow soap over Keera's body. He covered her hair and breast gently. Taking her elbow, he turned her around and spread the flowery-smelling soap over her back and buttocks. Though some got in Keera's eyes, it did not sting. She wondered where the Roughs got it. It was better than the one they had in her family home in Sky City.

  Seljuk set his knife on the floor of the stall and raised his hands in the air. “Keera soap Seljuk."

  Keera thought on where she would begin on his massive body. She repeated what Seljuk had done, smoothing the soap on him, head first. His hair was coarse in texture and seemed to soak it up. She didn't put much more there when she saw that. Instead, she took a handful and patted it gently on his chest and under his armpits. He kept his eyes open and stared at her.

  "More."

  Keera could see that he had another erection starting. She touched and caressed his cock and balls with the soap. When he twitched his cock a little, she laughed at the joyousness of it all. She hoped her innocence didn't appear as foolishness to him.

  He turned so she could soap his ass as he had done hers. Her attention was now on his ass, how glorious and hard each cheek was. In a playful mood, she stroked him with her soapy fingers to see if he would respond.

  Suddenly, a rush of warm water sprayed over both of them from above. Keera, focusing on soaping his ass, hadn't seen him pull a cord that opened the water hatch above them. He secured the knotted cord on a catch on the wall. The ceiling had been opened so that tubes of vertical reeds gushed out water. The greater the length of rope Seljuk let out, the greater the force of the water. Keera was amazed at its simple ingenuity.

  He reached to lather the soap in Keera's hair. She had never felt such ecstasy with his fingers massaging her scalp. While Keera was lost in the sensations of love making, Seljuk abruptly pulled her close to him. He kissed her deeply, squeezed and pulled her ass up to him. Keera was caught up in his kiss, both earthy and delicately sweet at the same time.

  He dropped his hand to caress between her legs. She sighed and opened her legs to allow him to touch wherever he wanted to touch. Then he inserted two of his fingers again up inside her. This time she welcomed their touch and arched up on her toes to feel his probing. With his other hand, he pulled the cord one last time and released the final supply of warm water on both of them.

  They stood for a minute, the thin rivers of water dripping off their legs. Seljuk threw open the hide and they stepped out onto a reed mat one of the women had moved there a minute earlier. Though they were nude, she felt no shame.

  Rough women brought them thick heavy towels. Seljuk dried off Keera and she did the same to him.

  "We go,” Seljuk said. “To meet Nodrahh."

  "I should go back to my family ... my people.” Keera gazed deeply in Seljuk's eyes. Now she felt torn between two worlds. Though she felt safe with Seljuk, there was still a nagging guilt over her family's fate. She looked over his shoulder towards Sky City, still burning fiercely and with a yellow cloud hanging overhead.

  "Dangerous. Better for us to leave for a day or two. Out into country with fresh air. Visit Nodrahh in the Plains."

  Keera looked in the direction of her home. Indeed, the flames had spread instead of being extinguished. She could imagine the panic and danger that abode there now. She was safer with Seljuk for the present. The future was uncertain. At this time, she just felt a hollow feeling inside for her family and for all of Sky City.

  Seljuk gestured to one of the Rough women to bring their garments. They brought what Seljuk wore before, but a complete set of better fitting garments and footwear for Keera. When they had put them on,
he pulled a whistle off a hook on the side of the shower. He blew on it and a piercing sound emanated. Keera did not know what to expect. After about a minute, a young boy—not a Rough though—arrived with a rickshaw type of vehicle.

  Seljuk helped Keera into the contraption. She was sure she knew the runner, but from where? Obviously somewhere in her past. Then it came to her. It was Dirk, who attended elementary school with her. The last she had seen of him was when they were both in fifth grade. When they separated the sexes, she no longer thought of him. But then she no longer gave much thought to any of the boys who had attended school with her. They all had smooth bodies, soft voices and were always non-aggressive. Though Dirk was thin and scrawny-looking, he pulled the rickshaw with plenty of vigor. She looked quizzically at Seljuk and he motioned for her to keep quiet.

  "There is much you will learn. I show you when we get to Nodrahh's."

  Their runner pulled them along, down smooth dirt roads and across flattened grasslands. They went farther and farther out into the countryside. Keera stared with unabashed amazement at the wildlife and plants she had never seen except in books. She thought some of the animals were extinct, yet here they were, running wild and free. She saw herds of cattle and buffalo, which were being rounded up by Roughs on large horses. Clouds of dust followed the horse's hooves. Even larger clouds were stirred up by the cattle. She settled back to enjoy the ride.

  Chapter Five

  The entire trip took about forty minutes, though Keera felt as if she had traveled a lifetime. She had only been outside Sky City a few times in her young life, and certainly never as far as she was now. She was many miles from its safe walls.

  The runner pulled up to a round log cabin, with a stone paved walkway. He set his traces down and ran up to the door, smartly pulling a bell. He came back to await instructions from Seljuk.

  A large Rough came to the doorway. By all appearances, he was kin to Seljuk. Seljuk jumped from the rickshaw and grabbed his brother's hand.

  "I have news about Sky City—comets landing. Most all is burning and many deaths we think.” Seljuk's back was to Keera, but she heard him clearly. Nodrahh grunted and looked past Seljuk's shoulder at her. His surprised face signaled recognition.

  Keera knew she resembled Suh-Rah. Many times from a distance, they were mistaken for the other.

  "This is Suh-Rah's sister, Keera. She fled comets, fires.” Nodrahh nodded. “I wish you show her books. We spend night."

  Seljuk came back and helped Keera gently from the rickshaw. He told Dirk to return the next day at noon. With this, Dirk left.

  They went into Nodrahh's cabin. He sat them on a comfortable couch made of overstuffed cushions. He signaled for a Rough woman to bring them refreshments.

  "You stay with us?” He was settled across the room from her and Seljuk.

  "I ... I don't know. My family is probably killed."

  Seljuk interrupted. “Seljuk want her stay. Be mate. Am lonely."

  Keera was flattered and confused at the same time. By now, the woman had brought trays of cold sliced meat, round loaves of peasant bread, butter, jellies, fruit juices and a clear glass jug of what appeared to be wine. Nodrahh motioned for them to eat. Keera placed food on her plate with large wooden tongs and spoons. Suddenly she felt famished and realized she had not eaten since leaving her home earlier that day. No wonder she felt weak and shaky. Though she had never drunk alcohol before, she sipped the wine and found it cold and spicy. It refreshed her quickly.

  She and Seljuk curled up on the cushions and enjoyed the food. It was prepared with spices and herbs Keera was unfamiliar with. Everything had a strong, but good flavor. It made all the other foods she had eaten in her lifetime seem bland.

  While they ate the meal, Nodrahh had the women bring in a box of documents. He motioned for her to set them on the floor at their feet.

  "What are these?” Keera questioned the men.

  "These documents you need see. Read. About your past. About FemGov and Sky City.” Nodrahh's voice had a sense of urgency to it.

  "Why?"

  Nodrahh nudged the box with his boot. “They tell about your people. What they did. How they control everyone."

  Keera's curiosity was piqued. What information could these boxes of old documents hold for her? She moved closer to Seljuk, glad to feel his warmth.

  "Please. Eat. Read.” Nodrahh gave her a handful of documents, dated 2010 on the top.

  "I wasn't born yet."

  Keera picked up the top document and frowned. Why did they want her to read about politics? She had no interest in politics, ever. The top paper was stamped Classified. Property of FemGov. Keera knew she shouldn't be looking at these documents, but with Sky City burning, what did it matter? Maybe she might learn something interesting about the Roughs.

  She held a wing of smoked fowl in one hand and began flipping through the papers with the other. They were pages of vaccination records and growth charts of young males. She did not know what this meant.

  "What are these? So what? We were all vaccinated when we were in school."

  Nodrahh grunted and his face darkened.

  "Girls vaccinated different from boys. Boys were chemical castrated."

  "What do you mean? I never saw any of that."

  "You would not. Teachers, nurses did it. Start before you were born."

  Seljuk caressed Keera's hair. As she continued reading, she could feel his fingers gently touching her. She turned to look at him and saw him examining the strands intently.

  "Finish meal. We walk.” He ate more of the smoked meat on the platter and drank from his mug of wine.

  Though Keera could have eaten more, she picked up on the underlying urgency in Seljuk's voice. She wiped her hands on the damp towels that were provided for them. Seljuk gently took her elbow as she rose from the soft cushions. He and Nodrahh exchanged meaningful glances as he and Keera left the cabin.

  They walked down a path to the Roane River. Keera had only seen it in her videoscreen training, never in person. She had never seen any large body of water. Seljuk held her hand as they walked.

  "Many years ago,” he began. “Women want to rule man. Woman know man stronger. Woman weak, but smart. They get in politics."

  Keera nodded in agreement. This much she had been taught in school.

  "Woman know man must be controlled. Man like stallion. Like chase women, wrestle, have sex, use guns, knives. Some kill and hurt.” He seemed troubled to be telling her these things. “Women leaders say ‘control men's chemistry, control men'. Easy. Just like that. Sometimes men, prisoners volunteer to get castrated. This stop problems. They can be in society, world."

  Vaguely Keera knew this, or had read it somewhere. It was when there were still prisons on the continent. Now they were eliminated. With no wars and very little crime, they were unnecessary. Other than the electronic monitoring devices the Breeders wore, the only other punishment Keera knew of was restriction to the violator's property for major infractions of the law. It made life simple and safe for everyone.

  "But very few men volunteer to cut off cock. Men want cock. Like sex, like fight sometimes. Drink beer, ale. FemGov get stronger. Women cannot rule and have power if men have power. Must weaken men once and for all."

  Seljuk and Keera came to a place alongside the river where there were shallow pools. A herd of black-faced sheep separated as they approached. He led her to a fallen tree trunk to sit. There, they soaked up the sunshine and watched the tumbling, gurgling waters.

  Across the water was a playground of sorts filled with Roughs playing and dancing. Keera looked closer and saw it was mainly Rough children with a few women supervising. They were kicking balls, riding ponies, and dancing around a rustic Maypole. Farther in the distance she could see great stone monoliths rising out of the landscape. Keera felt a twinge of sadness. She had never been allowed to play outside as a child. None of them had. Everything was done indoors in climate-controlled gymnasiums.

  "Women get col
lege. Get smart, get education. Begin to band together like Roughs do now. They make secret societies with no men. They finally learn power in numbers, not single. Get along, not fight. Women learn to be chemists. Make chemicals to geld boys. They do not develop sexually."

  Seljuk looked across the river where the children played.

  "Chemists get with nurses. They make plan. Give chemicals to little boys in school. Tell parents vaccinations. Boys take, do not know. Nurses keep records."

  Keera rubbed Seljuk's back. It felt so strong and warm underneath her hands. She knew they would rut again and soon. Seljuk turned and looked in her eyes. He kissed her gently.

  "We come back tonight to bonfire at camp. Adult dance and drink. Spring fertility festival. You like. Nodrahh and I need to show you more books this afternoon."

  They walked back to Nodrahh's cabin. The rest of the afternoon was spent looking at documents, files, and photographs. Everything that had been so shadowy was now clear. Keera saw why they were raised in their odd, sterile manner. She heard how growing boys were chemically emasculated without their parents’ knowledge. Why the FemGov started the Pleasure Palaces and gave weakened men to women, like Keera's mother, for servants. Documents and reports showed how families had broken down.

  Nodrahh told her he planned to somehow infiltrate the Sky City government, perhaps by recruiting runaways. But nothing had been done yet and not enough runaways had been rounded up over the years. Diseased and aged ones were usually too weak and the genetically flawed ones were not mentally strong enough to grasp what needed to be done. Though the Roughs were strong and wily, they didn't have the numbers or weapons to overrun Sky City.

  The afternoon passed quickly as the three of them drank hot drinks and sampled platters of sweets. Finally, all three of them napped in the living room. Nodrahh's woman servant pulled out soft mattresses and the three of them all slept heavily.