The Bandit Scout

Chapter 18 -- Carmen's Turn

Ralph Rider rode to the crossing point in Arroyo #3, where he saw part of the First Platoon relaxing on the ground. He didn't see Lt. Ed House, but he spotted Sgt. Lee and rode up to the sergeant, dismounting.

"Sgt. Lee, update me on what is happening. Are Carlos, Stella, the Medico, and Lt. House still up at the Comanche camp?"

"Sir, everybody moved down here. The Comanche hurt Stella bad, but she has insisted she must retrieve the Katana Documents now. We fashioned a chair to transport her up the ridge, and twenty of the Platoon went with the Lieutenant, Boss Carlos, and the Medico. You did not miss them by much. They left about half an hour ago."

"Can you tell me more about Stella's condition?" Ralph asked.

"Boss, she should be in an infirmary. But both Boss Carlos and the Medico said they understood her need to retrieve the Katana Documents. We all pitched in to help. To answer your question, they beat her about the face, chest, and stomach. The Medico says she has a cracked rib. They whipped her with a bullwhip that broke the skin on her back. They tied her with her hands pulled high behind her back. It sounds like they left her extended that way for a long time. Then, they tied her spread-eagled off the ground with her arms and shoulders supporting all of her weight. All of this damaged her shoulders.

"The Medico says that she will recover, but she must not use her shoulders for many weeks, and then only with special therapy. Maybe longer. Then she will need therapy. That is everything I know."

Ralph fumed, "Damn woman, she should have waited. She could have described where she hid the documents, and we would have sent trackers to find them. But I understand her, too! She is one brave lady.

"Sgt. Lee, take your men down the arroyo to where we left the wagons. Tell the men there we will set up camp here. I want my tent, one for Carlos and Stella, and one for the Medico, erected. Then help transport food from the Chuck Wagon and any supplies that Sam Briggs says we need. We will plan on returning to the Ranch tomorrow, if Stella's condition permits.

-----

Stella could not remember ever being more tired when they crested the ridge. By sheer determination of will, she told Carlos.

"Move to the right along the ridgeline. We are looking for a big flat rock sitting between two maple trees. The maple trees should be easy to spot. They are not common in the badlands. Within minutes, a trooper scouting ahead called back, "They are here."

Stella said, "Carlos, I want you to do this. Stand on the rock between the trees. Get your compass and find the direction for 20 degrees. Go in that direction 60 meters. That will have you heading down a steep incline with numerous rock formations. At 60 meters, there is an opening in the rock facing that is big enough for you to crawl inside. When you get inside, there is enough room for you to stand. It is a small cave. On one side, the rock makes a shelf that recesses into the rock wall. There you will find the documents wrapped in a leather satchel."

"I'm off. You rest for the return down the ridge." Carlos followed her instructions, and everything worked exactly as she had described. The entrance to the cave was a tight squeeze for him, but not a show stopper. He soon had his hands on the bundle and made his way back to Stella.

Her eyes brightened at the sight of the package, which Carlos put in her lap. Her fingers could feel the two documents through the cloth. She opened the satchel and took a peek to be certain. "Thank you, everyone. We are successful. When you are ready, we can go back down."

Carlos said, "We can avoid the problem descending that the Medico anticipated. Stella doesn't need to see where we are going. If we turn the chair around, she backs down the ridge, and the back of the chair supports her."

It was getting late in the afternoon. They started down without further delay. Stella slept most of the way down.

-----

Chief Gomez, Carmen, and the Comanche rode into Arroyo #3 in the late afternoon. They passed the wagon and soon were at the crossing point. Ralph came out of his tent when he heard the horses approach and raised a hand in greeting when he saw it was Garcia Gomez. He was also pleased to see Carmen with the Chief.

Ralph invited the Chief and Carmen to his tent. Some chairs were set up in front of the tent. The Chief and Carmen were given mugs of coffee and asked to sit. Ralph started by updating the Chief on the situation.

The Chief said, "I am profoundly sorry that Stella was injured. We know the Medico by reputation. If anyone can return her to health, he can. On our ride over here, Carmen told me that she had developed serious feelings for you. I will bluntly ask, how do you stand in this?"

"Chief, I do not have secrets that I keep from Carmen, but this is the time for men to talk. Carmen, would you excuse us for a while? You might check to see if the Comanche have everything that they need."

After her departure, Ralph turned to the Chief. "It does not seem possible that I have developed such deep feelings in such a short time. I want Carmen to be my mate, and she agrees. I had planned to discuss your customs with Medico Stevens, but I haven't had the chance to explore the differences beyond what we saw in the Bucks' Final Courtship with Carlos McTavrish and Stella Brooks.

"Will you tell me what I need to do to receive your blessing for our mating and what traditions I need to follow to do this correctly?"

"Boss Ralph, I thank you for seeking my blessings and for being willing to follow our customs. Taking the last part first, you will find that the Comanche are much more straightforward than the Bucks. I think the Bucks' Final Courtship is a tedious, drawn-out affair. Our objective is the same. We want to ensure that the male is worthy and capable of taking care of the female, and that the female is submissive to the male. Does that present any problems to you?"

"No, I believe that Carmen and I are compatible in every way."

"Do you think that you could tie Carmen up and keep her constrained for an entire night? She will cooperate with the initial binding, but then all cooperation ends, and she becomes your adversary until dawn. Guardians will observe, and if they think Carmen is not doing her best to escape, the Courtship ends. If she escapes, the Courtship ends. The Courtship tests your skills in controlling Carmen. It tests your character as well."

"Chief, I understand it tests my bondage skills. But how does this test my character?"

"A full night of tight bondage can be painful. You are permitted to help her endure the night by massage and by sexual play. It is not easy for a man to keep a woman he loves completely constrained when she is determined to escape, as in this situation."

"How do you pick the Guardians? I assume they will be women."

"You will have to come to my base camp, where I can appoint two to four women as Guardians."

"Chief, could you pick bandit women that are not Comanche?"

"I have never heard of anything like that. At the same time, I have never heard of a rule against it. What are you thinking?"

"Chief Brooks sent a detail of Bucks as security for Stella. There are four women there. They have spent four days being Guardians for Carlos and Stella. They were mated at sunrise yesterday, although it seems like a lot longer ago."

"It speaks well of you that you try to find a way to complete the Courtship sooner. I will speak to the Bucks' Guardians. If I believe that they will follow our traditions, we can proceed."

"Thank you, Chief. Did Carmen tell you that she became a Guardian for the last two days of Stella's Final Courtship? That is what gave me the idea that the Guardians might not be required to be Comanche."

"She did tell me. Her report to me was complete. Ralph, it is time for you to call me Garcis."

Carmen returned and asked, "Have I given you enough time for your talk?"

Her father answered, "Yes, I think you have."

Ralph said, "I have another mission for you, however. The Bucks are here somewhere. Would you go and bring the women Guardians to us? Before you go to find them, confirm to your father that you want us to be mates."

"Father, I do want to be mated to Ralph Rider. He has moved me like no one else ever has. My heart tells me I must follow him. I love him, and he loves me. He accepted my pledge not to escape and is already placing great trust in me. Are we going to have our Final Courtship? I haven't explained that to Ralph, yet."

"We will see after I talk to the Bucks' women." With that, Carmen left and went to Sam Briggs, who told her where the Bucks had set up camp. There, she saw Jane and said to her that her father wanted to see the women Guardians.

Jane called the other three Bucks women, and they all headed back to Ralph's tent. When they arrived, the Chief asked Ralph and Carmen to let him speak to the Guardians alone.

-----

Twilight was falling when Stella's party emerged from the trees and brush at the bottom of the ridge. Stella's bearers turned her chair around so that she could see where they were. Shouts went up from the waiting Hands and Troops that had been waiting for her. The Guardians ran across the bottom of the arroyo to Stella. Jane said, "Stella, we failed to protect you. We know what they did to you. You are the bravest person I have ever known. How can we make this up to you?"

"Jane, even if you had known what I was planning, I am not sure that you could have protected me. The four Comanche who captured me were very skilled. It is over. I will heal. We have the Katana Documents."

At that point, Ralph Rider arrived. "Stella, how are you? You could have waited, and we could have sent others to retrieve the documents."

"Boss Ralph, by my honor, I had to retrieve these papers for you. They are the key to the future success of the Alliance. I would stand and formally present them to you, but Medico James has my promise to be still and not use my shoulders. Would you reach in this chair and take this package from my hands?"

Ralph did as she asked. He was so choked up with emotion that he couldn't speak for a moment. Then he said, "Whatever the Ranch can provide for your recovery, you will have. Carlos, your tent is waiting for you. Take Stella there and make her as comfortable as possible tonight.

"Stella Brooks McTavrish, it is a privilege to be in an alliance with someone with your sense of honor. Having known Medico Frank Stevens and now you and Chief Brooks, I must hold the Bucks in the highest regard. Equally, Chief Gomez and his daughter, Carmen, have shown me that the Comanche are fine men and women, as well. The four who captured Stella were not aware that we are not just at peace, but are close allies. The incident with Stella, while most regrettable, must not reflect on the Comanche as a whole."

Ralph continued, "Medico Frank, I am going into Comanche Courtship with Carmen tonight and won't have time to look at these documents. I think that you can make better use of them." He handed the Katana Documents to the Medico.

The Medico said to Stella, "I have another potion ready for you. It will ease your pain, which I am sure has returned. It is stronger and will help you sleep tonight."

Then Carmen arrived on the run. "Stella, I'm going to take care of you now. Guys," she said to the bearers, "follow me to Carlos's tent. Medico, do you need to check Stella for anything tonight? If not, could you give me the potion you mentioned earlier? I will see that she gets every bit of it."

Carlos, Carmen, and the chair bearers took Stella inside Carlos's tent, setting the chair down beside the bunk. Carlos removed the straps holding Stella in the chair, and the bearers used the blanket to lift Stella out of the chair and onto the bed."

The bearers said, "Call us if you need us for anything, Miss Stella. We have been privileged to help and would be honored to provide any further service that we might."

Carlos said, "First, the potent, then we give it a little time to start working. Many bandages were applied to help her navigate the ridge. We will remove them. We will undress her to remove the bandages."

In half an hour, Stella's eyes were starting to droop. They had left Stella sitting up, but Carlos sat on the bunk behind her so she could lean against him. He untied her halter and removed it. Then he began unwinding the bandages supporting her breasts. Carmen gasped as she saw Stella's breasts with their deep bruises.

"Oh, Stella. How could anyone do this to you?"

Stella was more asleep than awake and didn't answer. Carmen helped with the rib bandages. Carlos gave Carmen the salve the Medico had given him for where the whip had broken her skin. He slid back from Stella while supporting her with his arms. Carmen applied the salve very gently, again tearing up at what had been done to her friend. Then they let her lie down on her right side.

"This is going to be hard. We need to remove Stella's pants. Some of that salve is needed for her butt, too. I will lift her hips while you work her pants down." When they had finished with their medications, they made her as comfortable as possible with pillows and covers. The potion was doing its job. Stella was fast asleep.

Carmen said, "Carlos, you need some sleep too. I will stay awake to watch Stella."

"No, there is no need to watch her. The potion will keep her asleep. If she moves or says anything, I will hear it and wake up. You go back to Ralph. Aren't you in a ritual with him tonight? In the morning, could you help again?"

Carmen leaned down and kissed Stella on the forehead. Then she kissed Carlos on the cheek, and he hugged her. She had not mentioned that there were big plans involving her that night. But everybody seemed to know. She had planned to postpone her Courtship to help Stella. Maybe she wouldn't have to delay.

-----

Chief Gomez, Ralph, and the Guardians were waiting at Ralph's tent. The male Bucks and the Comanche formed a loose perimeter around the tent to ensure privacy. The Chief said, "Carmen will take care of Stella as long as she is needed. If she is not here by midnight, we will do this at the Ranch."

It was well before midnight when Carmen arrived. She went to the Chief and said, "Father, I am ready to begin my Courtship with Ralph Rider."

He answered. "These Bucks will be your Guardians. They understand their role in the Courtship. Ralph, Carmen, do you have any last questions?"

They did not. Ralph, followed by Carmen and the Guardians, went into the tent. The Chief left to have a lonely night by himself.

In the tent, Jane told Carmen to undress. Carmen did and turned to face Ralph. He told her to come and stand by the bunk facing it. "You know that I must tie you up very securely. I know that once you are tied, you will do everything that you can to escape. The Guardians will end the Courtship if you do not do your best to escape. You cramp and ache from the tight, overnight bondage. I can help you as long as I have no penetration with my cock. Is this what you understand?"

"Yes, Ralph. I have tried to make it clear to you during our nights together that I am not delicate. I will struggle. You must do your best job on me."

"Put your hands behind your back with your palms together." Ralph started looping a rope around her elbows and cinching it. Then he looped another rope around her wrists and cinched it also. Next, on his knees, Ralph tied her legs above the knees and then below her knees. Following this, he tied her ankles.

He stood back up and took a long rope, putting a bight in the center. He used this to make a noose around her chest and arms. He positioned it just below her breasts and levered it tight. Then he looped the rope around her twice more. Carmen now had six strands of rope on her ribs below her breasts. Carmen did not complain. She smiled at him when she thought he would see.

The next loop, followed by two more, went around her above her breasts. Now there were six strands of rope above her breasts to match the six below. Ralph wound the remaining part of the rope around all of the loops of rope between her arms and back, cinching it securely.

The next step in Carmen's bondage was to lay the middle of a rope between her arms just below the lowest rope of her elbow tie. The rope, on each side, was wrapped around her arms, coming out immediately below her elbow bands. Continuing on each side, the rope wrapped around all of the elbow bands and was led under her armpits and around her torso to her chest above her breasts. From there, Ralph placed the rope over her clavicle and crossed it behind her neck. The rope was then placed around her sides, pulled downward, and secured between her arms below the elbow bands. The rope then wrapped around and around the elbow bands, cinching them into one thick strand, attaching her arms just above her elbows. This rope was tied somewhat loosely. But if the ropes behind her neck were pulled, they tightened the chest harness while keeping the elbow ropes from slipping below her elbows.

He stood back and gazed at Carmen to appraise his work so far. He did not think she could free herself without help. But she was far too mobile. She commented, "Good, Boss Ralph. Are you ready for me to escape?"

"No, Carmen. You can move around much too easily. And you can talk much too easily also, can't you?"

"Yes, Boss, but I expect that you are going to fix those problems."

"It occurred to me that a sponge could be helpful as a part of a gag. While you were helping with Stella, I soaked some in water so they won't be completely stiff. Open up. These two go between your teeth and your cheeks.

"This next one is larger and stiffer. Open as wide as you can and help me get it past your teeth. Next, I will pack as many of these little sponges between your teeth and the big sponge as possible to keep your mouth wide open. To keep everything in place, I will use this long strip of cloth."

He pushed the cloth between her teeth against the sponges, wrapping it around her head repeatedly and pressing it between her teeth each time. When Ralph had used most of the cloth, he tied it off between her lips.

"Jane, Carmen was very impressed with the hogtie you put on Stella. Would you help me put a good one on her?"

"Of course, we will help. Could I make a suggestion first?"

Jane took a piece of cord and doubled it. She ran the cord between Carmen's tits under the chest harness above and below her breasts. She made a lark's head and cinched the harness together. The cinch put pressure on her tits from the top and the bottom, making them even more prominent.

Jane put her hand on one of Carmen's tits and squeezed. "Try this. You will see how firm that makes her."

Carmen said, "Mmmph, mmph."

Ralph did and smiled. "Thank you, Jane. That is a good thing to know. Don't you agree, Carmen?"

Again, Carmen said, "Mmmph, mmph."

Jane said, "What I just did is just a decoration, and that is okay. But you must do the hogtie as you did the rest of the tying. We will help by lifting and positioning Carmen." Jane and the Guardians then lifted Carmen to the bunk and placed her face down on it.

With a Guardian at each shoulder and knee, Ralph used a rope to pull Carmen's ankles toward the ropes looped behind her neck. The Guardians lifted her knees and shoulders, arching her back. Ralph lashed the hogtie rope down, fixing Carmen into the back-arch position. Her feet were pulled past her hands and over her forearms. Ralph tied her hands to her shins, lifting her hands and arms off her butt.

Ralph said, "I think that will hold her. What do you think, Carmen?" Carmen answered, "Mmmph."

Jane pointed out, "You are not finished quite yet." Jane gathered Carmen's luxurious blond hair in a ponytail and pulled it between her forelegs and around her ankle bindings. With Carmen's feet pulled so far beyond her butt, someone with much shorter hair could have done that as well. Jane wrapped Carmen's hair around her forelegs and forearms several times and used another cord to tie her hair in place. "There, you see. That is another decoration."