The Wanderer, page 10
part #1 of The Nogud Legacy Series
We moved to the sofas and Susan insisted that Viola sit next to her. Paul and I sat in chairs and Tanya and Amanda sat together on a second small sofa.
Susan said, “These are our new friends, Joshua and Viola. Isn’t that a pretty name? And isn’t she a lovely girl. They are both new to the village and they have two more women who’ll join them tomorrow. Joshua came to our shop today and said to me, ‘I have a problem and I need your help and in exchange I’ll bless your shop and your family’. And he captivated your master and I, and the blessing has been marvelous. Paul’s cock has gained new potency I think and I feel like this beautiful girl is a new daughter to our old house. She’s from a far country and an orphan and never got the chance to learn to keep house, and now she has a very splendid man and I want them to stay with us in the spare room. And we’ll teach her and the other two women of her house to cook and clean and mend and sew. She’s very intelligent and graceful and I love her,” and Susan hugged Viola from the side as they sat together.
Tanya smiled and said, “Joshua and Viola, we’re very glad to meet you and you are very welcome here. You have bewitched them! Good. We need it. The house was growing cold and even though Yuki has been with us for several years, she still sleeps alone.”
Paul grinned and said, “Don’t rush me…but don’t discourage me either.”
Yuki called from the other room, “I can hear you! And I’m not entirely sure that I want to!”
Tanya yelled back, “How was it, Yuki?”
Yuki yelled, “It was surprising! Well, but not entirely unpleasant, I guess. I mean, for an old fart like our master. It has certainly been a long time for me. It did make me think of happier and younger days.”
Paul said, “It made me think of breasts that grow too ripe and no one to pick them.”
Yuki screamed, “Old man! If you keep that up, I won’t be responsible if these ripe old breasts do find a man to pick them. Susan, make him behave.”
Susan yelled back, “As far as I can tell he’s behaving like a man should. Did I mention that Paul’s cock seems to have found new life? He asked me to model night dresses for him at the shop in the middle of the day!”
Yuki yelled, “Susan!”
Susan yelled, “Would you like that Yuki? If our man was a bit more energetic? It might not turn out to be, ‘entirely unpleasant’ as you put it!”
Yuki stormed out of the kitchen and standing in front of Paul, hiked up her dress and planted herself on his lap with her breasts in his face and said, “You open the gate with all of this bawdy teasing, so are you going to let the lambs into the yard or not?”
I didn’t know what she meant by her euphemism, but Paul apparently took it to mean that he should take hold of the front of her dress where it crossed the tops of her bosom and pull it down and shove his mouth over her exposed breast. I was shocked, but as they’d said, I guessed that it wasn’t entirely unpleasant. I averted my eyes as Paul took a hard suck at the woman’s nipple and I heard her moan in response. Yuki was a large woman; they all were, and her breasts were apparently in proportion. The women of this house were certainly ‘sturdy’, and I had no doubt that Yuki at least, could lift a calf or a heavy water barrel with little trouble.
As Paul continued to suck and squeeze her, she said, “Come on, take me here in the middle of the floor or just shuck your trousers and I’ll see if here on your lap works just as well.”
Paul pulled off and said, “I have half a mind to!”
Yuki said, “Oh shut up! I need to finish getting dinner. Close the gate and put the lambs away, you tease.”
Paul took another suck at her breast and looked up and grinned at her. He did finally pull her top up and then she stood and left his lap. He patted her behind, but she paid no notice.
I looked at Paul and then at Susan and Susan smiled and said, “No, that’s not the normal custom. We don’t usually get randy with company in the room, but this wasn’t so bad was it? Viola, for as masterful in bed as you say that he is, he is a worrier at times, isn’t he?”
I thought to myself, well, for one thing, I’m not masterful in bed. Viola just orgasms easily. Lucky for me.
Viola smiled and said, “How would I know? He never worries at me.”
Amanda said, “What kind of a blessing did Joshua say over us? Write it down and we’ll sell it and make a fortune.”
Susan said, “Now you know why we need to have he and his women stay with us.”
Tanya said, “I should say so. Viola dear, there is something wonderful about you though you haven’t said more than three words to us so far. I must say that we are somehow very glad for your company and you are very welcome here. We’ll teach you all that we can. You must come from a village too small for a school for women, you poor dear. Did you learn enough at least about the basics of pleasing a mate? Amanda, we’d better get the room ready. For four you say. We’ll put two beds together.”
Paul said, “There will be time for that later. Joshua will stay at the inn tonight and he’ll come here tomorrow when his other women arrive.”
Susan said, “Viola told us that she and the others did get basic instruction and that she was very happy with her first experience.”
Yuki yelled, “Dinner is on. Unless you’re all out there having an orgy.”
Susan looked at me and reassured me, “No, there will be no orgies. It’s all in fun.”
Paul said, “Good. Let’s go to the table. Yuki, are we having chicken? I have a hunger for breasts and thighs.”
Paul’s women laughed and Viola grinned and we headed to the dining room.
Chapter 9 Dinner With Paul and His Household
Dinner was on the table. We were led to seats with Paul at the head of the table and Susan seated at his right. I was on his left and Viola to the left of me. Tanya and Amanda sat to Susan’s right and Yuki sat at the foot of the table, opposite Paul.
When we were seated, Paul said, “We are grateful for our provisions and our friends. I am thankful for my women and my home.”
The others said together, “Well said!”
The food was passed around and the conversation continued.
Amanda said, “So, Viola, your first time was pleasant? Oh, that’s nice! The first experience can be difficult.”
Viola grinned and said, “Not if your master is a magician.”
Amanda laughed and glanced at me and said smiling, “I suppose that could be true. Anyway, I’m happy for you.”
Susan said, “It was just this afternoon.”
Amanda said, “Oh! That is wonderful. Yes, I like this. Go back to the inn tonight and tomorrow morning we’ll have a room for you and we’ll have you as family. Susan, I like this. I like it all. What about the other two women? Are they…”
Susan said, “They are new to the house and they are both maidens as well. Joshua has arranged for them, but he hasn’t even met them yet. It’s a strange story, but it’s a great kindness for these girls that they’ll be with him. They’re as lovely as our dear Viola, but they’ve had terrible fortune until now.”
Tanya asked, “These two, did they come with the Merchant of Women?”
Susan said, “They did. But because arrangements for them to belong with Joshua had already been made, they weren’t presented at the event today. There were special circumstances.”
Amanda asked, “Joshua, do you have a profession that brings you to our village?”
Paul said, “Our friend Joshua is a treasure hunter.”
Amanda and the others gasped quietly and looked at Paul and then at me.
Paul said, “It’s true. He came to the village to conduct business with the collector. Oh, that reminds me. Joshua has some very fine ancient clothing that he has allowed me to have cleaned and pressed and mended if necessary.”
Tanya asked, “Viola, do you have a dress to work in? I see that you have a very nice dress from our shop, but do you have work clothes?”
Viola looked startled and like she’d been found out somehow,
Tanya smiled and said, “Dear, it’s no problem. We’ll get clothes for you. You’ll be taken care of by these four old mothers just fine.”
I said, “May I ask? Yuki, did you also have children?”
Yuki said, “I was married once before I came here. I had two children and they are well grown by now. Two fine girls. They found fine houses and one of them is mated to a fine man. What about a night dress?”
Susan said, “Joshua has dresses like Viola wears for each of the girls in his house and a night dress as well,” and she winked at the other women.
Amanda smiled and asked, “You mean he has a very special night dress?”
Susan said, “He hasn’t seen it yet.”
Amanda smiled even bigger and exclaimed, “Oh, I like all of this a lot! We haven’t had so much fun since…”
Tanya jumped in, “Since ever! I like this too. Paul, eat more fruit and more meat. No potatoes or bread. Yuki, we should change his diet to only energetic foods for a while. There are four of us and we’re getting excited by all of this new life.”
Yuki said, “There are three of you, not four.”
Amanda said, “Oh, don’t quibble. Three or four, who can count? And besides, in the dark, mistakes can be made, can’t they Paul? We may have to use Yuki’s bed for our new…”
Susan said, “Paul says that Joshua is to be like a son-in-law to us.”
Amanda continued, “…for our new son-in-law then. So, Yuki may have to sleep in our bed for a day or two until things are sorted out and..”
Tanya broke in, “…and in the dark, it’s hard to distinguish at times and mistakes can happen.”
Yuki frowned at them and said, “I’m bigger than all of you and there will be no mistakes and no liberties.”
She lowered her eyes and looked at her plate.
After a very short pause, she looked up again and grinned and said, “Unless it’s me who decides to take a liberty as compensation for my long years of service. Who can say? I guess that you’re right. In the dark, who knows what might happen? I’ll clear the dishes,” and she quickly rose from the table and started clearing away the meal.
The rest of us sat where we were, smiling.
Paul said, “So, we do need to make some plans. What do we need?”
Amanda said, “We need to get a room ready for Joshua. We can do it in the morning.”
Susan said, “In the morning, Paul and I need to help Joshua and the girls of his house with a few things. Can you and Tanya and Yuki go and tend the shops in the morning? The room doesn’t need to be ready first thing and if it’s not done, I can use the opportunity to teach the girls and have them to get it in order themselves.”
Amanda said, “Certainly. It isn’t much work. We can do most of it tonight except for decorating and final niceties.”
Susan said, “Then we’ll do the bulk tonight and we’ll let the girls prepare the room for their man as the first act of real service! That’s a great idea! And, even better, I’ll cook the meal and let them help me! Tomorrow, they’ll serve their first supper. Yuki, is that OK with you?”
Yuki picked up more dishes and said, “And give me a break from this? It’s about time.”
She took two steps and then stopped. She turned and looked at all of us. Her face softened and a sadness appeared.
She said, “Mistress. The talk this evening has put me in a terrible mood that excites me very much. I’m cold and hot and I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m surly and blushing at the same time. Please forgive me, all of you. Especially you two fine young friends. Mistress, if you’ll let me, I’d be very pleased to be with you tomorrow afternoon as our daughters prepare their first meal for their young master. If I may, I’ll go to the shop in the morning and come back in time to help here in the afternoon. I could help them arrange the room or anything that you think will help them. If not tomorrow, another day. This is a very good work to help young women this way. If possible, I would devote my remaining years to it.”
Viola looked shocked and she stared at Yuki wide eyed. She grasped my arm tightly, but she kept quiet.
Paul and Susan looked at each other and then at me.
I nodded and said, “Susan, Paul, it seems to me that what’s in Yuki’s heart must have an outlet. If you have no reason that she must be elsewhere, she would be welcome to greet the two women who join me tomorrow when they come to your farm. Yuki, your tenderness warms my heart. Can you sit for a moment and talk? I have a question about customs that I don’t understand. I think that you are the woman to answer me.”
Yuki wiped the beginning of a tear from her eye and said, “Let me finish clearing.”
Amanda and Tanya jumped up and said, “We’ll help you!”
Paul said, “In a minute. Tanya and Amanda, stay here for just a moment. Yuki, they’ll help you in just half a second.”
Yuki left the room with her arms full of dishes and Paul had the women gather around him.
Viola said quietly, “You have awakened her.”
Paul said, “It’s a surprise. Ladies, listen to me. I ask you seriously, do you really want to take away Yuki’s bed?”
Tanya spoke first, “I’d do it. She’s more than she’s ever been allowed. It has pretty much been her choice to stay apart from us until now, but Viola’s right. She awakens now.”
Amanda said, “Paul, we all think it’s for the best. The two of you argue and complain, but she loves you and you love her. Take away the bed where she sleeps alone.”
Susan smiled and said, “My vote is already outnumbered, but I say the same thing. Her lonely bed is like a dress made of rags and it doesn’t suit her. She acts surly so that she can claim that being lonely is her choice. Give a girl a pretty dress and she’ll act like a pretty girl. Paul, be the treasure hunter in your own home, just like Joshua taught us.”
Paul smiled and said quietly, “This is a day for the memory books. OK, go and take away her bed, but don’t tell her until she notices that it’s gone. You’re right. There is treasure here and we will uncover it. See the blessing that comes to our house?”
Amanda said, “We’ll dig through the couch cushions and search every nook and cranny for coins to reward our magician. But, truthfully, what has Joshua done to bring this about? I want to hear the story.”
Susan said, “In a few days perhaps. The story is still unfolding. Let’s hurry and clear the table. If Joshua has a question for Yuki, I think that we’re about to hear a surprising tale. I think that you’ll see our magician at work. Let’s hurry!”
The women rushed to clear and Viola stood and said, “Please let me help you!” But she stopped herself and said sadly, “Oh, but no, it’s dishes.”
Susan said, “Yes! It is dishes and they need to be cleared quickly. Viola, you are family and we have no slackers in this house, even if it is your wedding day. Clear the dishes with us,” and she winked and smiled broadly.
Tanya said, “You might as well start now. You are small thing, aren’t you? And very pretty in a way that I’m not used to. The dress is big on you. No matter. We can tailor it.”
And with that, the four women hurried to help Yuki finish clearing.
Chapter 10 Yuki Tells About the Merchant of Women
When everything was cleared away, the women returned and Paul said, “We don’t have to talk here. Will the front room be more comfortable?”
I said, “Paul, if it’s the same to you, I’d like to ask my questions here. There are some talks that are easier at the dinner table than in any other place.”
Amanda said, “The young man is right. I’d never thought about it, but it’s true, isn’t it? Some talks are most comfortable at the dinner table.”
The girls all sat in the same places that we’d taken while we ate, but Susan said, “Viola, I want you near me. Tanya, for this, will you let Viola sit between Amanda and I, and you keep Joshua company?”
Tanya smiled and changed places with Viola.
When she was seated next to me, she patted my arm and said playfully, “Hello handsome. Are you new in town? I’m thinking that I might be widowed soon. Do you need a good woman?”
I blushed and opened my mouth and Susan laughed and said, “Tanya, if you play with him be careful. You see what blessings we have from him. I would hate to see what would be the result of displeasing him.”
Tanya said, “You don’t think that I could please him? Well, you’re probably right. I will have to make do with what I have and hope that I’m not widowed as soon as I had suggested.”
Paul laughed, saying, “Joshua, this is what awaits you. You’ll have three tomorrow and within a few years they’ll treat you the same as mine do me. I love them all so much. Ask your questions.”
I smiled and said, “My questions are very serious to me. And it’s very important for me to hear Yuki’s answers in particular.”
Yuki said, “I can’t imagine why, but ask me and I’ll tell you what I can. Susan and the others know our customs as well as I do. I won’t bother to ask you how it is that you come to adulthood without knowing them yourself. As it was said, only a fool would offend a powerful wizard.”
I asked, “Do you all really think I’m a wizard?”
Yuki answered, “Young man, we think that what we don’t understand is magic. When a life grows in the womb, is it magic? Certainly. Is it supernatural? No. Is a young man who brings life to an old farm in ways that even the people who see it can’t explain a magician? Certainly? Does he consort with spirits and demons? Certainly not. I expected your question to be more perplexing.”
I smiled and said, “That wasn’t the question. I like you more than you like me, I think. Yuki, if you count yourself among my mothers, I’m a schoolboy for sure. You’ll teach me a lot. I know that for a fact. Here’s my question. As I came to the village today, the Merchant of Women was conducting the sale. Do you call it a sale? It wasn’t truly a sale, was it?”
Yuki said, “That’s your question? No, it’s not a sale. The Merchant of Women is a broker. He collects a fee so that he can travel and find the unattached women and care for them until he finds an arrangement. It’s handled as an auction to be fair to the women. The more that a man is willing to pay, the better the woman can be expected to be treated. If the bids are too low, the Merchant denies the arrangement, or if he has any suspicions about the man, or for any other reason. The bid starts at 100. That’s the average. The bid goes up or down, depending on many things. A low bid won’t be rejected simply because it’s low. If the man bids low because that’s what he has, and if no others want her more, she may find a good home even for a low bid. At times, if the man is well liked and his friends know that he can’t afford much, they’ll withhold their bids and they’ll nod at the Merchant as if to say, ‘let him have her, he’s a good man and we’ll make sure that the village is good to her.’ It’s not truly a sale, just as you suspected. Sometimes a man might see something and get a bargain. Let’s say that a man goes to the event, we call them events, not sales, anyway, he goes to the event and a woman is presented, but the Merchant has little to say about her. Perhaps she doesn’t look especially strong and the men that day need a very strong woman to help with the oxen, so they don’t bid. Perhaps she’s had a difficult life and though she is gracious beyond measure, only one young man sees it in her and he’s more interested in what she is than what she knows. That man would be a treasure hunter indeed. He may get a gem for a bargain, and if he does, the girl should be proud to have been found by such a discerning man.”
