The Bandit Scout

Chapter 10 – Final Courtship

When they entered his lodge, Ralph asked, "Now what am I supposed to do with you? I can't trust you enough to turn you loose."

Carmen said, "Except for part of the feast, the Bucks kept me tied up since yesterday afternoon. I think I had better get used to it. What do you think, Boss Rider?"

"I think you are the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen. With you here alone with me and your hands tied behind your back, the temptation is more than I can handle. I want to put my hands on your tits and twist your nipples until you are gasping. My fingers want to comb through your hair. I want to stop babbling like a first-week student at Unihold."

Carmen felt a tingle in her groin as he talked. She said, "There is a bow tied at my back under my shoulders and another behind my neck. I think you should pull those strings and remove this halter. Then you should do what you said."

Ralph stood behind her and removed the halter. He reached around and cupped her breasts and pulled her back and arms into his chest. He tightened his grip on her breasts and then relaxed it. Ralph repeated that action, kneading over and over.

"Oh, Ralph. That feels so good. I have fooled around with boys, but never with a man like you. What is wrong with me? You are my captor. I am just a prisoner. Weren't you going to twist my nipples?"

Ralph answered by taking each nipple with a thumb and forefinger and rolling the nipple first one way and then the other. It was only moments before Carmen gasped. He spun her around and sucked hard on one tit while manipulating the other. Then he switched tits.

Carmen moaned. "I did not know that being a hostage would bring me feelings like this. Please take my shorts off. Can you tie my legs so that you will have access to my pussy? Do you want to do that? I want you to so very much."

A moment later, Carmen was naked and being marched to the bed. Ralph opened a few drawers and found there was plenty of rope. He placed her in a kneeling position on the bed with her back to him. He started by tying her elbows closer together. Next, he made a chest harness and cinched her arms to her back. It took a long time because, after every loop of rope, he fondled her breasts or kissed them, or both.

"Carmen, I don't know how it would be possible. But if you want me to stop, I will. What do you want me to do?"

"Boss, please, oh please, do not stop. If you change anything, please pay some attention to my pussy. It is aching from your lack of attention."

Ralph finished the last knot in the cinch and pushed her to the side so that she fell over on the bunk. He pushed her to the center of the bunk and took her left ankle and pulled it toward the bottom left corner. With a piece of rope, he tied her ankle to the bunk's left corner with two hand lengths slack. He did the same with her right ankle and the right corner. Ralph removed his clothes and knelt between Carmen's knees. With one hand, he cupped her mons, the other he stroked her body higher and higher until he was cupping a tit.

"I will tell you that if you do not stop me now, in moments, you cannot stop me. You are close to your last moment of control, Carmen."

Carmen shook her head and cried, "No, Boss Ralph, I do not want control. All I want is for you to take me as you should take a woman. This is new to me. I know what to expect, but I have not done this before. Put your cock into my pussy and make me a complete woman."

Ralph paused when he heard that Carmen was a virgin. He said, "You are offering me a splendid gift. I want to be sure this is what you want?"

She answered, "Please don't stop. I do want this with you, now."

Then he said, "You are mine!" and he relieved her of her virginity as gently as he could. Afterward, he asked, "Carmen, I am sorry if that hurt you. Are you alright?"

She answered, "Boss Ralph, there was a pain as expected. It was fleeting. Other feelings were quickly more important."

Later, he untied her ankles. Carmen said, "Now cross my ankles and tie them that way. Then finish by making it a hogtie. I hope that from time to time during the night, you will want to reach out and stroke me. A chill is moving in. These mountains are cooler at night than I am used to. Will you get under the cover and pull me with you?" And the night passed with Carmen hogtied under the cover with Ralph. She felt a contentment she had never experienced before. Occasionally, Ralph reached out to stroke a tit or rub a hand over her vulva, or to finger her clit. Or to rub her back. As dawn broke, Ralph showed Carmen that he could tighten the hogtie, arching her back and moving her crossed ankles over her butt, making her vagina readily accessible to his cock.

Later, the sunrise found them having simultaneous orgasms and starting on a fresh path for both of them, together.

-----

After breakfast, Ralph tied Carmen's hands behind her back and turned her over to the Medico and the Bucks. They all joined Carlos McTavrish, Stella Brooks, and Walter Holt on the ride with the Chief to the big meadow. Walter Holt was the senior Bucks Blacksmith Apprentice.

The sun was still low in the morning sky when they arrived at the meadow. On the ride from the Bucks camp, he had told the Medico that he was declaring Stella and Carlos to be in Final Courtship status and that the Medico would be the Courtship Judge. Chief Brooks assigned a squad of ten Bucks to the Medico as Courtship Guardians and to assist with the escort and protection of Stella. These Bucks and the Medico were the Guardians of the Final Courtship. The squad had six men and four women. They were among the Bucks' finest fighters and had trained under the Medico. The Chief charged the Medico with the duty of explaining the custom to Carlos and with continuing his martial arts training.

Ralph split from the Chief's group to meet with his Mounted Troops and Hands that would return with him to the Ranch. He also wanted to say goodbye to Capt. James and Lt. Daley, who would take the Wagon Train to Kennedy. Carlos split with him to make the last inspection of the Wagon Train before it continued to Kennedy.

Chief Brooks rode up to the Comanche. The Comanche were ready to mount and begin their trek home.

"Chief Gomez, I bid you farewell. I hope we will be better friends in the future and that the Comanche can find their way in the new order of things."

"My thanks to you, Chief Brooks," answered Gomez. "Our lives were in your hands, and you are giving us another chance. Let there be peace between the Comanche and the Bucks from this day forward. And between the Comanche and the Rider Ranch and the Wagon Train."

The Bucks had abused the female Comanche prisoners last night. But the Comanche in that situation would add whippings and floggings. And worse, burning prisoners at the stake. They thought maybe they shouldn't hold grudges for this. They wanted to hear what the Chief had to say.

The Comanche started following the trail to the west.

Chief Brooks joined Ralph and Carlos. He spoke. "Ralph, your mission is the critical element of our alliance. Walter Holt is close to becoming a Master Blacksmith. I am sure that he will be an asset in your efforts, as will Medico Stevens. The Bucks I have assigned to the Medico will also be able to assist you. And you have the use of Carmen, as you requested. We will use riders to keep in touch. I suggest we contact each other once each week for now."

alph replied, "That sounds about right. We can change it if need be."

"Then I bid you farewell," said the Chief, and he and his guards headed back to their camp.

The Wagon Train began its trek north toward Kennedy. Lt. Daley's Mounted Platoon led the way down the mountain and the remaining switchbacks with Capt. James as Wagon Master. Capt. James anticipated no further hostilities. On Newhome, survival required vigilance, and so they proceeded as if they were expecting another attack.

Ralph Rider started his convoy. It began the climb back to the gap. He was leading the remaining two platoons of Mounted Troops, about 50 Ranch Hands, the Medico with his ten Bucks, plus Walter Holt, Carmen, Carlos, and Stella. Ralph asked the Medico if it was necessary to keep Carmen bound.

The Medico answered, "Ralph, a hostage is honor-bound to escape if possible. We must prevent that."Ralph asked Carmen, "Carmen, will you pledge to stay with us and not to escape?"

She said, "No, Boss Ralph, I must escape if I can."

Ralph said to the Medico, "Will you see to it she gets frequent breaks. Untied so she can stretch? Riding tied up is very stressful. We have a responsibility to take care of Carmen."

Stella rode next to Carlos. She thought about the previous night with Carlos. Stella had been free the entire night. While she loved being tied up by him, it was also wonderful to stroke his body and move as she pleased. She believed the future would bring them plenty of both.On horseback, the switchbacks were much easier to negotiate. The only wagons with them were the chuck wagon and a few supply wagons. There were plenty of men to help with the wagons at the tough parts of the trail. One of the Bucks led Carmen's horse. Before noon, they had reached the gap and headed down the south side.

Ralph set a pace that was more leisurely than the pace they had set coming. After three nights on the road, they should arrive at the Ranch late the following day. They were still coming down the mountain from the gap when they stopped for the night.

The Hands raised tents for Ralph, Carlos, and Medico Stevens while the Chuck Wagon crew started cooking fires. Soon the smell of traveling stew was reaching everyone's nose. While the stew was heating, Medico Stevens took Carlos and Stella to the side and asked them to show Martial Arts techniques. The Medico would call out an attack, sometimes with the defense he wanted to see. Carlos would attack four times with that method, switching his lead from left to right each time. Stella would show the defense if specified. If it wasn't specified, she would select a defense herself. Where appropriate, she would do the omote version twice and then the ura version twice.

Many defenses had two versions. One in which the defender, or nage, would move to the front of the attacker, turning the attacker's body. This was the omote version of the defense, meaning in front. In the ura version, meaning in back, the defender would step behind the attacker. Then they would switch and Stella would [erform the attacks while Carlos defended. When the meal was ready, they stopped.

The Medico said, "Carlos, you have been practicing hard with Stella. Your movements reflect your efforts. I will ask Ralph to stop us earlier tomorrow, and we will start formal classes. When we get to Rider Ranch, we will have a formal dojo to use with proper tatami mats."

Ralph Rider was watching and wishing he could join them. The Medico asked, "Boss Ralph, can we stop earlier tomorrow so I can hold a formal class. You can join us if you wish."

Ralph replied, "We can do that. And I would like to join your class."

As the Chuck Wagon crew served the food, Ralph freed Carmen. Two male Bucks kept their eyes on her. Gus Sloan stood near the Chuck Wagon. He watched Stella with an intense gaze as she sat next to Carlos. He was careful not to let Stella see him. He was thinking, "I must bide my time. For now, I will wait and stay out of her sight."

As the meal ended, a Guardian told Carmen to rise, and two of them escorted her to Ralph's tent. A Guardian ordered, "Kneel with your back to the tent pole. Put your hands and feet behind the pole."

As a hostage, she would do what she was told until she could escape. She assumed the position and had her hands and feet bound. A Guardian tied her feet to her hands, putting her into a kneeling hogtie. Another presented a bandanna to her mouth, which she opened. The Guardian stuffed the bandanna inside her mouth. Then she knotted a long bandanna in the center, passed it between Carmen's teeth, and tied it behind her neck.

These bonds were firm but not stressful. Carmen thought she might work her way free with enough time, but she was where she wanted to be, in Boss Ralph's tent. She knew her wait would be short, and she was content. As they were leaving, one of the Bucks patted her on the shoulder and told her it was all right for her to have fun tonight.

-----

While the Guardians took Carmen to Ralph's tent, two other things were happening. The four Guardian women approached Carlos and asked if they could use his tent to talk to Stella. They asked Stella if she would join them for a meeting. As the Guardians walked Stella to Carlos's tent, Medico Stevens asked Carlos if he would join him in his tent so that he could relay a message from the Chief in private.

Carlos thought that there were a lot of meetings going on, but joined the Medico. In the Medico's tent, they took their seats in two camp chairs. The Medico began.

"The bandits have courtship rituals that differ from anything that you have likely seen, Carlos. Bandits, including the Bucks, believe that a woman can be a warrior but that she must still be submissive to her mate. These rituals, or traditions, came about to ensure that the male would be a worthy mate.

"The first step is the 'Right to Courtship'. To enter this stage, a male makes a public declaration of his interest in a woman. If the woman agrees, we schedule a series of personal combat contests for the male. These contests determine the male's combat capability and the strength of his character. For over ten years, I have been in charge of these contests for the Bucks. At the end of the contests, Chief Brooks and I determine the candidates' suitability to enter the Right to Courtship for the woman he has chosen. If, after two months, the male and the female are still in agreement, Chief Brooks moves them to Final Courtship status.

"It has not been the practice of the Bucks to have combat contests between men and women. It would not be fair. As you know, biological differences between the sexes prevent equal opportunities for outcomes.

"Stella Brooks has been an exception. She developed her fighting skills with a passion and dedication that I have never seen in anyone else. Her physical strength, coordination, and reaction time are exceptional. Because of those capabilities, she became the youngest scout ever for the Bucks. She asked the Chief to let her be the opponent in the first combat contest for someone who wanted to court her. After a few contests, there were no more potential suitors.

"I am to tell you that Chief Brooks has declared that you and Stella are in Final Courtship. He considers that you have passed the Right of Courtship. I am the judge of this Final Courtship, and the Bucks with us are its Guardians. I have judged your fighting skills as worthy. Your recent actions have shown your character to Chief Brooks, to me, and to all the Bucks."

Carlos answered, "Somehow, I don't think that it is as simple as that. You understand I want Stella to be my mate for the rest of my life. But, Frank, I would like to know what you have not yet told me."

Frank continued, "Stella knows nothing about this. I didn't know either until the Chief informed me this morning. Stella is being informed and prepared by the women Bucks as we speak. We test men before they enter Right to Courtship. I told you that bandits believe that a woman must be submissive to her mate. A woman's test is during the Final Courtship. She is tested for her submission and her desire to be the man's mate. When you return to your tent, you will find Stella naked and tied spread eagle on your bunk. She submits to this. At any point, should she not be willing, the courtship ends. It is Stella's duty to please you for tonight and each night until the Final Courtship has passed. You can untie her and retie her as you please. But you must have her helpless in bondage by sunrise. You may make love, or have sex, as you will. The Final Courtship will continue only if you both agree each morning, and you present Stella restrained to the Guardians more securely than they left her the previous night.

"At sunrise, Guardians will enter your tent to ensure that you both still desire to continue the Final Courtship and to free Stella. During the day, she will proceed as normal until the evening meal, after which the Guardians will again return her to your tent or quarters and bind her. Each night, the bondage will get more restrictive. If you have not restrained Stella by sunrise, that is your signal that you do not wish to go on the Final Courtship. Guardians will ask Stella if she wishes to continue. Do you have any questions?"

Carlos asked, "Will it always be the women Guardians?"

"Yes, Carlos, we will be careful that no man will see Stella naked. I know this Final Courtship is foreign to your thinking. You and Stella should find this fun. Try to keep that in mind. The men Guardians are security for Stella."

"Oh, I will. I will. How long does the Final Courtship last?" The Medico answered, "Until I judge that you and Stella are right as mates. If the man and the woman show conviction in their desire to mate, it could be as short as three nights. If neither party has called the courtship off, but the guardians or the judge sense a lack of dedication from one party or both, it can continue. I saw one Final Courtship continue for ten days, and the Chief called them in for a talk. After the talk, the Chief declared the Final Courtship was over, and they did not mate."

"Carlos McTavrish, do you want to pursue this Final Courtship with Stella Brooks?"

"Medico Frank Stevens, I do with all my heart," Carlos replied.

-----

In Carlos's tent, the Bucks had told Stella that the Chief had declared that she and Carlos were in Final Courtship. Stella did not need explanations. She stripped and looked questioningly. They gestured toward the bunk, and Stella climbed in. One of the Bucks murmured, "Spread eagle," and Stella assumed the position. The Guardians tied her with considerable tension in her arms and legs to the corners of the bunk.

The Bucks giggled as they gagged her, and if her mouth had not been packed with cloth, Stella would have giggled with them. She was thrilled with this unexpected turn of events.