Surrender to the Legions (Closed for Marauder13)

OOC

This is only my second attempt at SRP. I’m grateful to all who are helping me with their advice and suggestions.

Place: West Country between Bath and Bristol in what is now England.Time: Circa AD 50 - 100
Name: Mergan
Age: 18
Sexual history: Virgin. Fiancé murdered by the Romans
Occupation: Warrior Woman with a price on her head.

Mergan looked back at the burning village knowing that any dream of returning had gone for ever. The Romans had swept into that area three times in the past, killing, looting and taking slaves but they had always left the centre of the village standing. Now it was burning with no one left to even attempt to extinguish the flames.

Three years ago, when she was just fifteen the legions came for the first time. Mergan had watched her parents and her brother killed in battle. More by luck than judgement she had escaped into the woods where she had joined with the other Warrior Women and with them formed a resistance army.

After training and making weapons she had, a year later, been part of an attack that had liberated a slave camp. Revenge was swift and deadly as the Romans attacked her village again taking away even more slaves.

After three years of fighting and resisting capture Mergan had built a reputation for herself. Any Roman soldier, most of whom were mercenaries from Spain had been offered a small fortune, promotion and more important citizenship in return for her capture. Tiberius Claudius Varro, the young Tribune in charge of that part of the invasion wanted her alive and, as far as possible, unharmed.

Now, in an attempt to flush her out a final attack on the village was mounted. That final battle lasted less than 30 minutes and at the end the able bodied had been enslaved, the elderly and infirm killed, livestock captured and the village destroyed. Just eighteen years old Mergan knew the only thing she could look forward to was being either killed or captured. There was no alternative. She knew what the Romans did to captured warrior women.

Her mind sprang back to her life back home when her parents were trying to arrange a marriage for her. A Young Man, Viera, was her chosen groom and how she had looked forward to yielding her body to him on her wedding night. But the wedding never took place and Mergan was still a virgin and had resigned herself to dying a virgin.

Riding back into the woods she gathered her warrior women round her. "Let's allow the dust to settle. Then we can make those bastards pay for what they have done!" She sought to rally her demoralised force knowing that Tiberius Claudius Varro would be the greatest challenge any of them would have ever faced.

The troops of Cohort I of Legio II Augusta had made short work of their allotted task, as had been expected. Legatus Legionis Tiberius Claudius Varro had read all he could of the previous efforts of Legio XIV Gemina in trying to deal with the uprisings. One facet that caught his attention was the fact that the main trouble makers were women.

Tiberius Claudius Varro watched as his orders were carried out. The eldery and infirm were butchered where they were found. All other villagers were rounded up and chained. Anything of use or value was also collected, and the rest was torched.

"Ah, Tiberius Sallustius. Would you be so kind as to fetch the commanding officer of Ala I Thracum? Thank you." He didn't even turn to see what the Tribunus Laticlavus thought of his instructions. Tiberius had other things on his mind. A plan was starting to form, one that would help him achieve a great victory for Rome. If he was fortunate enough to pull it off.

"I know that I can't win this war by razing villages. And it is foolish for me to do so. That approach failed for Legio fourteen Gemina. The current leader of these rebels seems to be rather good at leading them. I wonder how they would fare without her."

His musing was interrupted by the arrival of the Ala's commander. "You asked for me, Legatus Varro?"

"Indeed, Aulus Domitius. I have a task for you and your men. If you manage to succeed, you and those responsible will be wealthy men. Come with me while I explain..."


The next morning, the Roman camp had been taken down, and the troops were assembled to move out.

"We return to camp, and in the morning we will return to Glevum with our spoils. Have messengers sent to Glevum to have Cohorts Two and Three join us as soon as possible. We haven't the manpower to protect everything we have captured in this little campaign. Our fighting has been a little too successful it seems. But what should I have expected of the First Cohort." The Legionnaires of Legio II Augusta lifted their voices in a great cheer at the words of their commander. At a simple hand gesture, the signifier blew his horn, informing the Romans that it was time to depart. They commenced their trek back to their main base.

Mergan was angry, very angry but even more she was frustrated. It seemed that Tiberius Claudius Varro was going to be a far harder nut to crack than his predecessors. He was not afraid to spill blood and he only took prisoners that would be worth something to him. Mergan knew that her band alone would not be able to hold out much longer. They needed reinforcements and they could only come from recaptured slaves or an alliance with other groups.

The small group of fighters was sheltering in the woods, afraid to light a fire in case they were seen. Sitting in a makeshift tent captured from the Romans Mergan turned to her fellow warrior Welmon and said “We have to do something. We have to free some of those slaves as they come through towards the channel. My guess is that they will travel through the Darn area on their way to Aquae Calidae and with the recent rain they will get stuck.”

“How many fit women have we got? Twenty? Thirty? How many Romans are there? Around thirty highly trained, fit, well armed men. It’s suicide.” Welmon tried to make Mergan see sense “And you know what they will do to you if they capture you.” Standing up she just muttered “It’s madness, but … I’ll go with you on one condition.” Mergan didn’t answer; instead she just gave a nod showing she expected her comrade to continue “If I see you captured I’ll kill you. And if you see me taken you return the favour.”

Mergan nodded. She and Welmon had been brought up in the same village, had the same dreams, the same longings until the Romans came. Both knew that capture for them would mean rape and humiliation before being sent back to Rome as trophies. Neither would see that happen to the other.

“Meanwhile I’ll send Luan to Abona to ask Rowena if she can spare any warriors to help us. If we do rescue some slaves we know the Romans will come looking for us. We can keep them searching for a week, maybe two. By then Luan might have returned with some more fighters.”

“Don’t fool yourself” Welmon said “You know Rowena hates you. She still blames you for the Romans invading her home village when they were looking for you.”

“Yes, she does” responded Mergan as she arose “but she hates the Romans more than us. We have an understanding that we fight together until the last Roman has left our soil. Only then do we settle our differences in mortal combat.”

With night falling fast and everyone being tired the small camp posted guards while the rest slept.

*****************************************************************

The next day young Luan was sent to Abona to get reinforcements while Mergan led her group to the woods surrounding the Darn area. It wasn’t long before the caravan came in site. About thirty Roman mercenaries in charge of around sixty women bound for the brothels of Rome. Mergan was right; the mud did make it difficult for the soldiers to move. Positioning women with sling shots alongside those with spears she gave the final orders “Make very stone, every spear count. The more we take out that way the less we have to kill in hand to hand conflict.” She waited until the soldiers were in range before giving the order “ATTACK!”

Stones rained down on the soldiers accompanied by spears and at least fifteen fell. Now the women had outnumbered the enemy who were completely taken by surprise. Mergan led the swordswomen into conflict while Welmon released the slaves, smashing chains with stone axes. Within ten minutes the battle was over and the women freed.

*****************************************************************

Back at camp Mergan did not feel like celebrating. “What have we got?” She asked “Sixty women we will have to train before we can deploy them. Some will have already been raped and will be with child, others will be ill.” She looked at Welmon who was giving her a look as if to say “You’re never satisfied.” Mergan continued “It was too easy. Tiberius Claudius Varro has lost thirty mercenaries, and has saved on his budget. He’s lost sixty slaves he hopes to recapture, but in the process he might have found our whereabouts. I expect him to show his hand within days. All we can hope for is that Luan returns before he attacks.” She got up and looked at her friend “Otherwise that could have been the most costly victory we have ever enjoyed!”

Aulus Domitius Clemens Vespillo sat quietly as he watched the small Auxilia detachment being wiped out by the female rebels. He was aware that his importance ranked only slightly higher than the Iberians, mainly due to the fact that he was a horseman rather than just a mere foot soldier. Still, he saw the reason for the move, and it was something that needed to be done for the greater good.

It was easy to pick out the leader of the raid. If what he had been told was correct, that very leader would be none other than Mergan. His thoughts drifted to the reward Legatus Varro offered. He stopped those thoughts when he watched the rebels round up the slaves, and started herding them off.

Aulus Domitius smiled. The rebels picked a muddy ground for their attack, to give them a greater advantage. But it would also make it easier for them to be tracked, both initially through the mud, and afterward when the mud fell off them. That, and the tired slaves would not take much care in their movement, and leave an easy trail to follow.

He rode back to the rest of the Ala where they waited out of sight of the ambush.

"As planned, the slave caravan has been ambushed. Now, we will wait for them to move back to their camp. Remember, we go for those that are armed first. Do not kill any of them, do not harm them if you can. Any of the others that can be retrieved, then do so. But, we are after the rebels."

The rest of the men nodded. Each of the horseman carried a net, as well as enough binding materials to deal with three people. This was in addition to their normal javelins and swords.

They waited for an hour or two, then Aulus Domitius gave the order for them to move out. He sent his scouts ahead of the main body of troops, to make sure that they didn't blunder into the rebels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rebel's camp had been located, and the horsemen got into position, and readied their nets. With a single blast of a horn, they rode into the camp. None of the rebels had much chance to ready themselves as the first nets landed on their targets.

But the women were fighters,and soon they were fighting back, or trying to free their netted sisters. The horsemen followed their orders, even to the cost of their own lives. But they slowly got the upper hand as slaves and other rebels broke and ran.

Aulus Domitius was looking for one person in particular. The leader. The one he hoped was Mergan. In the confusion, he saw the leader starting to rally a small group of rebels against a group of his horsemen. When he knew their attention was fixed on the others, he rode towards her with his net readied.

Mergan’s blood ran cold as soon as she heard the sound of horses. For an experienced warrior she had made a terrible mistake. Yet there was still a chance that help would come providing Luan had got through. Rallying her rebels she marshalled the defences as best as she could but the Romans had surprise on their side and they were making it tell.

Then she noticed that the soldiers were using nets, they wanted to capture the women no doubt to use them for their sport. While some had already been captured others were trying to cut them free leaving even less warriors to defend the camp. Suddenly from the corner of her eye she saw Welmon caught in a net struggling to get free. Remembering her promise Mergan threw her javelin aiming at her friend’s heart extinguishing her life to save her from the ravishment that was bound to be inflicted on her. She then positioned her own sword ready to take her own life.

She halted! She heard Luan’s voice and turned expecting to see reinforcements. Instead she realized that her young friend had not made the trip to Abona at all but had been captured shortly after she left. She watched in horror as one of the soldiers slowly slit the youngster’s throat as if to emphasise the rebel’s defeat.

With a new urgency Mergan decided to postpone her suicide until she had rallied the few survivors she had to take as many Romans with her as she could. Making a stand against the horseman to her right she did not notice Aulus Domitius riding towards her with his net. Before she could react she was entwined and encased in it unable to move her sword. “KILL ME!” She shouted to her comrades “DON’T LET THEM TAKE ME!” But her words brought no response as each warrior who tried to kill Mergan was mercilessly cut down.

Mergan had a sensation of falling and heard the screams of those, who like her, were caught in a net. As the enormity of her defeat became clear Mergan resigned herself to being taken captive and exhibited as a failed heroine before being given as sport to the merciless Tiberius Claudius Varro.

Aulus Domitius had his men round up all the captives, and he selected a specific group of his men to guard them. In short order the captives were chained, and they were leaving the ruins of the rebel camp.

"The Legatus will be very pleased with the outcome of his plan, especially when he discovers who you are," Aulus Domitius said matter of factly to Mergan. She was the one captive that was not walking. She was bound and sitting in front of him upon his horse.

It took a little over two hours to reach the camp of Legatus Varro. The commander was waiting outside his tent as the Ala I Thracum horsemen arrived with their captives.

"Legatus Varro," Aulus Domitius saluted his commander, "I am pleased to inform you that we have captured the rebels' leader. No other than Mergan herself."

"Congratulations, Aulus Domitius. As promised, you shall be rewarded. Now, what of the other rebels? All of them in chains as well?"

Aulus Domitius face lost its pleased expression. "Some of the rebels fought back, Legatus. The guards of the captives were all men who did not obey their orders."

"Centurion!" The man appeared seeming out of nowhere. "Take those men back to the full Ala. Once Aulus Domitius has explained what they did, your men will execute them. Understood?"

The Centurion saluted, then walked off calling for his command to form up. Some of the horsemen attempted to escape their fate, but other horsemen were ready, intercepting them and throwing nets over them. All of the offenders were taken away.

"See that the new slaves are properly dealt with." Another Legionnaire saluted, and started getting the newly captured slaves moving.

"Bring that one into my tent," Tiberius spoke to another Legionnaire as he headed into his tent. The soldier half carried, half dragged Mergan towards Tiberius' tent.

Mergan resisted as much as she could, dug her heals in, kicked, spat and even tried to bite. She could feel the soldier getting angry with her but her struggles were useless as he simply called for assistance and two other soldiers joined him and carried Mergan into the tent, threw her down and chained her to the tent post beside Tiberius’ bed, and left.

Outside there were more scuffles and screams as the offenders were beheaded and the male slaves branded on their left arms to show that they would be sold in the markets of Rome.

She also heard the cries of the female warriors, her band of rebels as well as those she had rescued, as they were touched and felt by men who had not been with a woman for weeks. Mergan understood some of the Common Greek spoken by the Romans and she definitely heard orders being given for a handful of her girls to be assigned to the brothel tent. Some voices she recognised were pleading not to be sent there. Some were young wives, mothers or virgins but the Romans cared nothing about that. They would satisfy their lusts that night and, to them, nothing else mattered.

It was then that Mergan thought of her own fate. It was the talk of the tribes that the rebels were led by a “virgin warrior” and she knew that Tiberius would want to rectify that situation at the first opportunity. Her mind flashed back to her Vieira, the man she was to marry and how she had sworn that after his death she would take her innocence to her grave. Now, that dream was to be shattered and she knew that before the next morning she would have surrendered her virginity to a Roman pig. And not just any Roman pig, but to the man she hated more than any other.

She worried as to how Tiberius would treat her virginity. Would he just rip it from her or would he seek to conquer her emotions and gradually arouse her. Suddenly, she knew she would not have to wait long for the answer to that question as the tent flaps opened and Tiberius stepped inside.

Mergan found herself trembling from head to foot. But what disgusted her even more was that she was not only trembling through fear.

Tiberius entered his tent, seeing that the leader of the rebels was safely secured. He looked her over, admiring her form. Even though she was a lowly Briton, she was rather attractive. He also knew that she had quite a fire within her, as she had shown many times before on the field of battle.

"I must thank you for all you have done for me, Mergan. Without you, I never would have been made Legatus Legionis. What you did to the other legion that went up against you was impressive to say the least." Tiberius commenced to remove his uniform as he spoke, behaving as though the tent was empty.

"You have a fine mind for tactics, though your youth, and your desire to keep striking whenever you could, was your ultimate downfall. Now, as you can tell, you will no longer be leading other women into battle. Fate has a different path for you to walk. If you walk it well enough, you will save countless lives, most of them belonging to inhabitants of this island."

In the process of changing his attire, he stripped himself completely. His body was well developed, the muscles evident as he moved. His body showed the strength it contained, but it was a strength that was part of the whole, not the dominant or sole capability of the body. His body, what she saw of it, was free of scars. But the way he moved showed he knew how to fight, and probably had fought. Soon he was dressed in a toga style outfit. He went to a small table, and poured himself a drink.

"So, Mergan, how are we going to go about this? Are you going to use that brilliant mind of yours and cooperate, or will that fire that burns within you cause you, and your fellow warriors, much suffering?"

He sat down in a chair in front of her. He took a drink, watching her over the rim of the goblet. "The sooner you do as you are told, and you behave, the sooner those who follow you and your example will cease to suffer the indignities that will be inflicted upon them. Of course, they will be slaves, but some slave owners are more gentle that others. And I know which are which."

He took another drink, and let her think on her fortunes, and those of the women she knew, and cared for.

Mergan shivered as Tiberius walked in and was amazed he didn’t just jump on her. Instead he was engaging in conversation! His knowledge of the Celtic brogue was excellent and Mergan realised then that she was not dealing with a savage who had his brain in his private parts.

When he started to undress she braced herself for his assault on her innocence. His body was magnificent and the finest specimen of manhood she had ever seen. Then, to her amazement, he got dressed in a toga. Expecting to be raped, she did not expect him to engage in a conciliatory tone.

"So, Mergan, how are we going to go about this? Are you going to use that brilliant mind of yours and cooperate, or will that fire that burns within you cause you, and your fellow warriors, much suffering?"…. . "The sooner you do as you are told, and you behave, the sooner those who follow you and your example will cease to suffer the indignities that will be inflicted upon them. Of course, they will be slaves, but some slave owners are more gentle than others. And I know which are which."

After a stunned silence that seemed ten minutes but was only ten seconds she replied “First, may I congratulate you on learning our language, not many of our so called conquerors have done that.” She looked for a reaction but receiving none she continued “What did you expect? Your legions sweep into our land, murder our old people, enslave our men, rape our women, burn our homes and destroy our culture. And you expect us to just accept it?” She would have spat but her mouth was still so dry with fear she could not even pretend.

It was obvious that Tiberius had the authority and the power to make life as easy or as difficult as he could. She would have to play him at his own game. All sorts of possibilities arose in her mind, even that of trying to seduce him, if she knew how! What she was not prepared for was what was coming next.

She could swear she could hear Welmon’s voice, but that was impossible as she herself had slain her to save her from capture. But there was a disturbance outside and Tiberius went out of the tent to investigate. Unable to understand what was being said she was shocked when Welmon was thrown bound into the tent.

“YOU’RE DEAD!!” Shouted Mergan. “I KILLED YOU!”

“You killed Lumaire” Replied Welmon. “We swapped clothes to confuse the Romans. I tried to get to you and fulfil my part of the bargain. But this Legion was ready, not like the other conscripts we fought. These are professionals, we didn’t stand a chance”.

Their conversation was cut short as Tiberius re entered the tent.

"Which is why I sent in more professional troops to finally deal with you," Tiberius said as he resumed his seat. "Now, I must make an extra special offering to the Gods when we return to our base.

"Now, as you were saying before this delightful friend of yours arrived, we were discussing our cultural differences. The only reason we go around murdering your old people, enslaving your men, raping your women and taking away anything of value and burning the rest is because of people such as yourselves. We defeated you in battle, and we have been trying to pass on the advantages of our ways. But, as stubborn as you are, you fought back. Such things will not be permitted."

He took another drink, again his eyes locked on Mergan's. He placed the empty goblet back on the small table, then stood up and walked over to the newly deposited rebel woman. He grabbed a handful of hair, lifting her head up to look at her face.

"Hmmm... this one is quite pretty. Yes, she will make your life easier to a degree, Mergan. I have plans for you, but they are difficult ones to bring about. Especially given how stubborn you are. But, now I have this one as well, I think I will be able to do it now. You see, I am but a man, and I have needs that will be satisfied. Now, Mergan, you will satisfy those needs of mine. Repeatedly, and with great delight and pleasure. But you need to be properly educated and trained. Until that is completed, it would not go well for you, and delay what is needed.

"But with this addition, I can see my needs satisfied on her until such time as you are ready. Indeed, she will also feel my frustrations with you as you are prepared for your new role. She shall share your punishments too."

Tiberius stood up and walked back to his chair, sitting down. He ignored the bound woman, focusing fully on Mergan.

"So, the sooner you accept your fate, and embrace it fully, the sooner the life of this one," he nodded to Welmon, "will be far better. But she will be your immediate reminder. Don't forget that even now, women that you know are helping calm my men's desires for female bodies. And they will continue doing that until such time as you accept your fate."

He stood up, walking over to the prone Welmon. He pulled her up and dragged her to his bed. The bound Briton struggled and screamed. He casually backhanded her, sending her to the bed. He found four lengths of cloth, binding them to her wrists and ankles. The ends of them were secured to the corners of his bed. He the removed the binding that held her wrists together, and quickly tightened the cloth bound to her left wrist. He walked around her, and before she could grab the cloth around her left wrist, he drew her right arm tight. With equal ease, he had her legs secured. The end result was Welmon lying spread eagle on his bed. He took a blade to what was left of her clothing, and moments later, she was naked.

"It's up to you, Mergan, as to what happens to this one. Everything that happens from now on is reliant on your decisions." He ran his hand down the side of Welmon's face, as the young woman cried pitifully, trying to keep her face away from his hand.

“LEAVE HER! YOU COWARD!” Shouted Mergan as she saw her friend struggling to keep out of Tiberius’ control. Then quieter she said “If you mean what you say you will leave her.” Noticing Tiberius was at least listening she continued “You claim to have been trying to teach us your culture, your ways. And you accuse us of throwing it back in your faces.”

Trying to make a point she nodded towards the bound Welmon. “What a brave, courageous man you are! LOOK AT YOU! Using a defenceless, bound young girl to get your way with me. How brave, how strong. No doubt all the armies of Rome will be proud of your courage and bravery!”

Trying to stand in spite of her chains Mergan looked directly at Tiberius. “Ok, you want me, EARN THE RIGHT TO HAVE ME!” She stopped and listened as she heard some of her fellow warriors screaming as they were ravished by Tiberius’ men. “Stop this now and meet me in combat. Just you and me with a sword each. Surely you are not scared of a young untrained girl?” She waited for a response but got none. Tiberius had mastered the art of using silence in his conversation and it was drawing more from Mergan. “This is the deal. If I defeat you all my women are released, and the slaves set free. If you defeat me I will willingly come to your bed and satisfy your every need.”

Mergan waited for a response but receiving none she just asked “Are you man enough?”

Tiberius smiled as Mergan completed her demands. He walked over to her, squatting down so that he was on the same level as her.

"No. There is no deal. You have nothing to deal with, nothing to barter with. You offer yourself to me. But you will do it under sufferance. That is not what I want.

"Anyway, Mergan, did you every enter a fight where the odds were 'even'? Of course not. You always chose when to strike to bring maximum advantage. As any good leader would do. I have all the advantages right now, so I will not change anything in that regard."

He stood up and returned to the table, pouring more wine into the goblet. He sat down, casually and at ease.

"I have all that I need to achieve my goals, Mergan. I have you, and I have someone who will assist me in helping you adapt to your new fate. She will keep me from slowing down your progress, at the very least, and maybe even motivate you to embrace the changes that I am going to make with you. On top of that, she will suffer every punishment you do."

He took a sip from his goblet, looking Mergan over as he did so. He like what he saw, particularly with her fire up.

"Mergan, need I remind you that the fates of all the women captured recently is in your hands. The longer it takes for you to come to terms with your fate, the longer they will suffer. Not to mention how many more people will die, and have their lives changed in drastic ways. And I am not making light about how their fates tie into what is happening.

"Unlike many of my fellows, I don't take pleasure in useless waste of lives. I would prefer that the Britons accept our leadership, and their lives will improve. I'd rather that they be free and doing what they normally do. But people like you who fight back in a show of useless, futile resistance, force me to to quell the rebellion. When you fight me, I must fight back. And I will do so in the most efficient way.

"So, if you want more people to die, and be enslaved, then resist me. Otherwise, listen, learn and adapt."

Mergan tried to hide her smile. She didn’t expect Tiberius to accept her challenge. If the roles were reversed she wouldn’t have. But she had succeeded in drawing his attention away from Welmon. She tried to continue the debate. “You say you take no pleasure in wasted lives, that we should accept your leadership. But who invited you in? We don’t want your way of life and you, who claim to be superior, seek to force us to accept it. If you want me to thank you you will wait a very long time.”

By now Welmon had stopped crying. Manoeuvring her chains in a position that meant she could at least stretch her legs out Mergan continued “So you want me! Well, you’ve got me; I’m just a helpless woman with whom you can do what you like. You want to rape me? COME ON THEN BIG MAN DO IT! Prove you are superior by planting your seed in me. Make me the mother of your bastard. I can’t stop you. But I assure you, you will not enjoy it, I’ll just lay there and let you take pleasure. All you will do is relieve yourself; it will be like having a wank. But if that’s what you want, release her and rape me.”

The one thing Mergan struggled with was Tiberius’ silence. She could not tell if she was hitting home. But what did surprise her was her own reaction. Why did she feel something deep within her about this Roman? Why was there a slight murmuring in her most private place when she challenged him to take her? Why were her nipples just beginning to get hard?

Mergan took a deep breath, tried to control her body and waited for Tiberius’ response.

Tiberius took another sip of his wine, watching Mergan quietly while she ranted. Once she finished, he smiled and shook his head. He stood up and walked to the bed. He released Welmon's left leg, and brought it over to her right, bind them together at the ankle. He then release her right arm, and bound it to her left arm at the wrist. He then rolled her over onto her stomach.

He walked over to the far side of the tent, where Mergan could not see, but Welmon could. Welmon started whimpering, calling out "No, please No!"

"Quiet, or your punishment will be increased." Welmon stopped, but kept crying.

Tiberius sighed, and gave Welmon five lashes across her back with a multi tailed leather whip. The broad bladed straps slapped down on her skin loudly, bring forth cries of pain from the bound young woman.

Tiberius walked around in front on Mergan, the whip dangling from his hand. "I told you that I would punish her everytime I punished you. And I shall do so before I punish you. Now, no more outbursts, Mergan."

Mergan fell silent, waiting for Tiberius to turn his whip on her. She was determined that she would not flinch or cry out no matter how many times she was beaten. But it wasn’t her she was worried about. Tiberius had found her weak spot in turning on Welmon and he knew it as well as she did.

As she waited to be beaten she tried to sum up her position. Tiberius wouldn’t kill her, she knew that, because despite her defeat she was of more value to the rebels as a dead martyr than she would be as a live prisoner. Yet she could not surrender and become Tiberius’ bed toy, his play thing. Some of the slaves, her former warrior band would have access to the tent and if they saw her as Tiberius’ lover their will to fight would be destroyed and she would be seen in total humiliation. There had to be a compromise.

“OK Roman” she said “It’s my turn to take a beating, but I won’t cry out or shout. I’ll take it.” She stopped, waiting for a response hating the way Tiberius used silence. “Then, afterwards I’m prepared to negotiate a compromise. You want me in bed willingly? Let’s see if we can strike a deal.”

Clearly those words worried Welmon. Turning to her she said “Don’t worry sister, even Romans have to negotiate sometimes.” Then turning back to Tiberius she said “OK, let’s get on with it.” And she waited for Tiberius response.

Tiberius lifted Mergan and turned her around so her back was away from the bed. He made sure that her back was exposed. He then ran the loose straps the length of her back, from the base up to her neck.

Using all his strength, he landed the first blow across the base of her back. The four that followed were placed randomly but eventually, all of her back felt the kiss of the lashes. All five blows were delivered as hard as he could.

While Mergan sat feeling the pain from her first punishment, Tiberius restored Welmon to her original position. He started casually running his hand over her naked form.

"Mergan, pay close attention to my words. No more outbursts. It will have you punished. No more futile attempts to bargain. You have nothing to bargain with, and you have nothing to bargain for. I find it irritating. Further attempts to bargain shall see you punished."

Tiberius' hand rested on Welmon's breast. With some gentle rubbing and teasing, her nipple darkened and became erect. He continued his gentle ministrations of Welmon's breast, before doing the same with the other.

"Well, it would seem that this one is enjoying what we're doing. This bodes well for you both." Tiberius then continued his manual exploration of Welmon's body, his hand moving slowly to where her thighs met her body. He let his hand rest there, as he looked over at Mergan who had been watching in a mixture of horror and fascination.

Mergan had never felt pain like it and she had to bite into her lip to prevent herself from screaming out. She knew this was a battle of wills and in her mind it was a small victory.

She was not prepared for what followed as Tiberius again tied Welmon to the bed lying spread eagled on her back. Then she saw him begin to assault her nipples making them stand to attention. She wanted to warn that Welmon was still a virgin but thought better of it. "Well, it would seem that this one is enjoying what we're doing. This bodes well for you both." As she observed Mergan had a mixture of both disgust and desire. Disgust at what was being forced on her friend, but desire to finally witness what happened between a man and a woman. To see what would happen to her shortly.

She even thought she heard Welmon moan, but this might have been because of her beating. What she did know was that her own nipples were beginning to rub against what was left of her clothes and she felt them tingle simply by watching Tiberius at work. She hated herself even more when she felt a sensation between her own legs and was just grateful Tiberius did not know what was happening to her. Or, at least she hoped he didn’t.

Tiberius locked his eyes on Mergan's as his hand started to slowly rotate over Welmon's sex. Tiberius could feel the warmth building up with the increase of blood to that region. He stopped his movements after about a minute, changing them to vertical motions. Welmon started to moan louder, and the heat was now noticeable. The first drops of moisture were coming through her lower lips.

Mergan seemed to be getting excited as well, if her face was anything to go by. Mergan's lips were redder, and her cheeks were gaining a little colour too. He wasn't sure, but her breathing might have been getting deeper too. The ever so faintest touches of a smile appeared on his lips.

Tiberius slowly parted the folds of skin, bright red and glistening, to reveal her inner secrets. His middle finger slid along the revealed flesh, slowly moving upward. When he reached the sensitive little nub of flesh hiding under the hood, Welmon took a sharp breath in, moaning as she let the breath out. He slowly moved his finger tip around it, delighting in the responses from the bound girl. Even as he move his finger away, she tried to follow it. It was clear to everyone that Welmon was enjoying it, as her aroma was strong in the tent.

"Nice to see you're not wasting the opportunity to learn, Mergan." He dipped his finger lower, smearing it with Welmon's juices. He walked over to Mergan, and with speed that surprised her, rubbed the soaked finger across her lips.

Welmon started to moan louder, and the heat was now noticeable. The first drops of moisture were coming through her lower lips.
Now there was no doubt at all, whatever his capacity to violence Tiberius knew how to arouse a woman and he was using his expertise to take Welmon into a world she had never experienced before. What’s more her moans were waking something within Mergan that she was going to struggle to control.

Any last hope that Tiberius was unaware of her condition when he said "Nice to see you're not wasting the opportunity to learn, Mergan." Very few things embarrassed Mergan, but if the ground could have opened then she would have willingly been sucked in. The smell of Welmon’s arousal made her own juices begin to flow and she needed to stop it somehow. Her only hope was to concentrate on the pain she had received in her beating and this she did as hard as she could.

Yet all her efforts were undone as Tiberius approached and smeared her lips with Welmon’s juices. She found herself resisting at first but all was in vain as she could not stop her tongue from licking her lips. In that instant she knew she was defeated and was even ready for that final act of total surrender.

Just in time she realised what her surrender would do to her people if she became Tiberius’ lover. Staring at him hard she just said “I’ve tasted better!”

Tiberius smiled as he watched Mergan's tongue slip out and touch the dampness on her lips. He watched her expression closely. She was in no way revolted by what she tasted.

“I’ve tasted better!”

"Really?" Using his other hand, he reached between Mergan's legs, and slid a finger along her damp slit. Once it was sufficiently dampened, he pushed his finger into her mouth, brushing it across her tongue and withdrawing it before she could recover enough to try and bite his finger.

He chuckled at her reaction. She was surprised at his moves against her body, embarrassed that she was as aroused as she was, and something else he missed as he turned his back on her. He resumed his place beside Welmon. This time, his finger moved with more determination, rubbing the small nub of flesh of Welmon's. Her hips started bucking as she moaned and cried out again. Once he got started, Tiberius looked over Mergan.

"Now, your friend here is in quite a good place right now. She might sound like she's in pain, but she's not. She is getting close to a very good feeling. Yes, very close." Welmon started crying out unintelligible words between moans and cries of "Yes" before she cried out loudly, thrashing around on the bed as her nether regions flowed with her juices. Her aroma saturated the tent as she slowly came down from her high.

"Now, was that so terrible? I think you young friend here, who is now named Julia, will like to experience that again. But that is just one of a few ways I can make her feel that way.

"And Mergan, once you embrace your fate, what Julia just experienced will pale compared to what you will."

Using his other hand, he reached between Mergan's legs, and slid a finger along her damp slit.

Mergan was disgusted with herself when Tiberius pushed his finger into her dampness. She actually gasped with desire and prayed to the goddess that he had not noticed. Then when he placed his finger in her mouth she was going to bite as hard as she could. But thought better of it for fear of what he would do to Welmon. Before she could reconsider he had removed it.

Their eyes locked for a second before Tiberius moved back to Welmon. Mergan stared, mouth open as Welmon embraced her orgasm. The smell and the passion started a fire within Mergan that she was struggling to control.

"Now, was that so terrible? I think your young friend here, who is now named Julia, will like to experience that again. But that is just one of a few ways I can make her feel that way.
"And Mergan, once you embrace your fate, what Julia just experienced will pale compared to what you will."

Julia? How dare he rename Welmon “Julia?” This was a liberty too far and it enabled Mergan to snap herself out of her lustful feelings. “It was terrible, it was awful what you did to WELMON. That should have been kept back, saved for her wedding night. The only man who should have ever witnessed that should have been her husband. What you have done to WELMON today is nothing short of robbery.” She thought for a moment wondering what Tiberius’ response would be.

Noticing he was again using silence she tried to take the heat out of the situation by sounding consolatory. “What is it you really want from Welmon and me?”

With the barest of audible sighs, Tiberius rearranged Julia on the bed so that she could be whipped. Julia struggled and cried. "Please, no... don't... please..."

"Don't plead with me, Julia," Tiberius spoke as he walked back to fetch the whip. "It is Mergan that you need to appeal too." He walked back, shaking out the straps before delivering 6 blows to Julia's back and buttocks.

Tiberius then strode over to Mergan, his expression was one of disappointment.

"Now, Mergan, I told you no more outbursts." 6 times the whip landed on her back with the fullest force he could deliver. But this time, he varied the timing of the delivery, giving Mergan as little chance as possible to prepare for each stroke.

He knelt down beside the whimpering Mergan, his mouth close to her ear.

"Mergan, Julia is my slave, and I will name her whatever I like. Just as I shall with you. Julia is also my slave, and I shall do with her as I want, just as I shall with you. Julia will never marry anyone, for she is a slave now. And if you behave yourself, then her lot in life will be a good one.

"Unlike what would have happened to her, married to a man with no experience, she will be shown the ways of a woman from an experienced man. At least, she is not in the brothel where the men will do what they want, regardless of what the woman wants or needs.

"We have a very busy day ahead of us tomorrow, and it would be best if you and Julia got a good night's sleep." Tiberius stood up, and found some furs. He laid Mergan down, and covered her enough to ensure she would remain warm through the night.

Julia was removed from the bed, collared and chained to another tent pole. She too was covered in furs. Tiberius retired to his bed, pleased with the progress that had been made.

Mergan, for the first time in her life, felt totally defeated. She saw Welmon, now Julia wearing her collar like a pet dog. In fact that is how they were being treated, like animals. Weakened by her second beating she whispered to her friend “I’m sorry!” She waited for a response and got none. “I’m sorry you have been beaten because of me. And I’m sorry I didn’t kill you to save you from this.”

“It’s not your fault” Julia said with a sigh “we have never come across anyone like Tiberius before. You must not let him use me to get to you!”

“I have no choice. Tomorrow I will tell him I surrender. I can’t let him put you through that again.” Mergan tried to see her friend but the pain in the back was too much, the wounds stinging “maybe then he will allow us water to wash and at least feed us.”

Lying back down the girls drifted into some much needed sleep.

*****************************************************************

In the morning the activity of the camp made enough noise to wake the two girls. Stirring they saw Tiberius standing over them.

Tiberius was awake before dawn, helping to oversee the disassembling of the camp. Tents were already being taken down as the men took their breakfast in rotations. Tiberius was pleased with the efficiency his legionnaires showed with their preparation to move.

He returned to his tent, and looked down at his two newest slaves. They were about to embark on their first full day in their new lives as slaves. He watched them both stirring into wakefulness.

"Morning, Mergan and Julia. There is a big day awaiting you both." Tiberius walked over to Julia, and took the chain off her collar. He walked over to far end of the tent, removing a collar from a large box. He walked over to Mergan and knelt down in front of her, snapping it closed around her neck. He then removed all of the other manacles, chains and bindings from her.

He stood up just as a man of middle age walked in to the tent. He was dressed in normal civilian clothing, nothing about it making it noteworthy.

"Drusus, excellent timing as always." Tiberius took out a small blade, and dealt with the remaining clothing on Mergan, leaving her like Julia, wearing nothing but their master's collars. "See that these two are feed, and made ready for travel. They are to be kept separate from the other slaves. If there is room, have them ride with the rest of my possessions, otherwise have them walk behind."

"As you desire, Sir." He fixed the other two with a stern look. "Follow me." He turned and walked out of the tent, pausing for them to catch up with him.

For probably since the first time in her life Mergan was speechless. She felt like an animal being prepared for a circus rather than a warrior leader. A collar placed round her neck, her clothes cut away and now arrangements were being made for “feeding time”. This civilian, Drusus, had obviously seen it all before and no doubt, to him, all naked slaves looked the same. As he said “follow me” Mergan felt the emotions getting the better of her and wanted to cry. But she was not going to give Tiberius that satisfaction. She had bent to his will, but if she bent that far she would snap in half.

“I understood some of that” she whispered to Julia “Tiberius wants us to travel with his ‘other possessions’. But if he has got too many chairs or clothes we walk behind. I think that’s what he was saying. My Coin is not that good.”

Walking outside into the daylight the girls noticed that it had been raining during the night and there was dampness in the air that made their nipples stand on end. Other slaves were chained together and two women were even fighting over food. “Stop that immediately!” Mergan said as she passed them by. “Show some dignity!”

To her amazement one of them, Irgano, turned on her “How dare you give orders like that to us. It’s by following you we are in this mess! This time yesterday I would have walked through fire for you. Now I have been raped so many times I’ve lost count and you talk about dignity!”

The companion Irgano was fighting with added to the insults “I see you have done well. You’re not in the brothel like us. Irgano was a virgin until last night. I bet you still are! Waiting for your ‘special moment’ as Tiberius’ plaything. You and your friend Welmon have made sure you will be fine.” With that both women spat on the ground.

Losing the respect of her army was the last straw for Mergan and she just dissolved into floods of tears. “Ahh look, she’s crying, poor Mergan, did the nasty woman upset you?” Taunted Irgano. “Never mind, Tiberius will make it all better!”

With that Drusus lost his patience and asked “Do you want feeding or not?” Mergan stopped, was going to say something but decided against it. Instead she just nodded and starting following Drusus.

Behind her she heard a lash and turned to see Irgano and her companion being lashed as a soldier said “In future respect Tiberius’ possessions.” That remark, more than anything gave free flow to Mergan’s tears.