Surrender

[macmillian]

Cassi had his plate ready upon his return and handed it to him along with a tin of coffee. As she sat with her own dish she slowly came to terms that Miz Julia had to ramble on, out there on her own.

Cassi slowly came to terms that with the girl sneaking off, that at least her feeling the loss was akin to the loss of her children being sold off. Cassi sighed as the new hues faded away and she quickly set things right by cleaning up the supper dishes.

She slowly moved to the lean-to and stared up at the stars. "I reckon der be no changin da way things be , will der Masser Alex?"

I took the offered food and sat with Cassi while we ate in silence.

She walked to the leanto and spoke. "I reckon der be no changin da way things be, will der Masser Alex"

"Well CAssi," I replied, "do you want to accept what is happening or fret over it?" I walked over to stand by her side, "Me, I have been fretting for two days now. My emotions have run full tilt and I an still not sure of anything. Anything that is, except for you. For two days now you have been the one thing I could hold onto to." I slid my arm around her waist and took a deep breath before I continued.

"WE traveled for three weeks together and we made good company for each other" I stated, "and now that has all changed the night that I took you and made love to you. My emotions and feelings were crazy and all mixed up." I didn't give you a chance to speak as I continued. "Then I saw your reaction to Julia and that confused me even more. Last night as we laid together I took you again and we loved each other most of the night. This morning when I awoke and you were gone, I was afraid you left."

I shuffled my feet and kicked at a stone on the ground. "I don't want to be your master or anything like that. I want us to be lovers. To give and receive each other's love and affection. Yes I know it sounds crazy, A big strong young white man with a middle aged black woman. When I am in your arms, you make me feel like MAN! I let my arm slip off her waist and I looked around.

"Want to stay another night here" I asked ,"or move a little further down the road There maybe two or three hours of light yet." My last words seemed to hang in the air as we stood there, side by side. My hand reached out to find hers.

 

[landiek]

Cassi listened in silence to respect the importance of his words and even kept silent when he admitted his care.

"Then I saw your reaction to Julia and that confused me even more. Last night as we laid together I took you again and we loved each other most of the night. This morning when I awoke and you were gone, I was afraid you left."

Cassi squirmed a bit feeling guilty for making him worry about that and even more so for lieing about firing a shot.

"I don't want to be your master or anything like that. I want us to be lovers. To give and receive each other's love and affection. Yes I know it sounds crazy, A big strong young white man with a middle aged black woman. When I am in your arms, you make me feel like MAN! "

Cassi reminded herself that she was still considered a slave to many folk and despite the war's changes, emotions mattered more then most laws. She knew that she would have to say something in return to ease the air of fear that rose from honesty.

"Want to stay another night here" I asked ,"or move a little further down the road There maybe two or three hours of light yet."

Cassi took his hand and then smiled. "I'd be plume pleased ta stay with you Masser Alex, but some folk they don't take kindly to us colors ta actin like dem, I's very honored ta be yore woman.. an iffin yore wantin to move on a spell, I's be packed and ready in a bit."

Yet as she looked at him with her caramel eyes she saw the person that saw her for what she was, a woman full of emotion and desire. She whirled back around in her underskirts and kissed him square on the lips as her hand glided over his chest.

 

[macmillian]

I put my arms around Cassi and returned her kiss. A hot passionate kiss that engulf me and reassured me that the right decision was made.

"I really don't want to move on." I answered after we broke off the kiss. "I want to stay here again tonight, swim and wash and I may even make love to you again." I was still holding her in my arms, "Well let us unpack and go for that swim!" I was now smiling, I felt better and now we had like a sort of plan at least for tonight.

 

[landiek]

"I don't need noffin unpacked." Cassi took off the slip and ran towards the water. A loud splash and laughter wafted to the campsite. "Wuts takin so long Masser Alex.... I's not worryin about seein yore neeked butt.. shoots it plume makes me hornee ta see yore manroot flashin too."

 

[rvplymates]

His eyes lit up with laughter. It was a little funny to see this girl having to remove her pants to allow a complete stranger to medicate her. He did not laugh though, knowing she was already shamed enough. He took the same care of her backside as he did her regular back. "It does not look as if the damage is as bad back here. It shouldn't be necessary to bandage, just cleanse." He tore another strip of the shirt and poured alcohol on it before using it to wash her wounds out. "There, that was easy enough and relatively painless eh lass?" He stood up and walked away from her moving to the fire to add more wood, giving her the privacy he knew she probably desperately needed right now.

Julia's face was aflame as she pulled up her pants and buckled it. She was so mortified by the whole ordeal she wished she could walk away but that would seem ungrateful. She walked over to the fire and carefully sat on the log. As her behind touched the log a little groan came from her lips. She quickly looked up at O'Shien but his back was toward her.

"Thank you Mr. O'Shien for cleaning my wounds"

She looked down and blushed again.

 

[gagonthis]

He nodded his head to her after she thanked him and went back to working on the fire. After he was sure it would last for most of the night he returned to cleaning his guns, carefully scraping out the muzzle on all five of his own, two rifles and three revolvers, before moving to the bandits guns and starting to clean them. He sat in silence, not sure what to say to the girl. She seemed apprehensive around him, not scared, but a bit ashamed of the fact that he'd been forced to sterilize her bottom. He sighed softly under his breath before raising his eyes to look at her. "So where ya be headed through these rough lands then?"

 

[rvplymates]

Julia shurgged her shoulders.

"I have been wandering aimlessly now for over a year. I just realized how foolish I've been but what else was there too do. My home burned to the ground, my whole family dead, no place to call my own so I just roamed. I met a couple recently and stayed with them awhile but things became uncomfortable so I left. The man had warned me things had changed and I should stay with them but......"

Her voice trailed off as how could she explain how the sound of their fornification had for some reason upset her.

"I am use to being alone now but the world has changed from mild danger to extreme. Now I do not know what to do. The incident has made me leary to go on as I was. Basically nothing has changed, I am still homeless and without family"

 

[gagonthis]

"Aye it certainly is rough times down here. My condolances fer yer loss." He said awkwardly, as comforting people had never been one of his strong points. "The Union people are supposed to be down here tying up all the loose ends and rebuilding everything, but I think right now they're more worried about getting railways working and trade flowing again. Who knows how long it could be till they send soldiers through here to restore order." He shrugged, not wanting to tell her that he hoped they didn't, as the current chaos was very profitable for him. He narrowed his eyes a little as she mentioned the couple she had stayed with. "Yer not gonna be bringing any sort of danger this way are ya? Cause I'll boot you out of here right quick if someone be huntin' for ya lass."

 

[rvplymates]

His tone had suddenly changed and Julia could find her anger rising. She stood up and glared at him.

"No need to boot me out, I can leave on my own accord"

She turned away from him and grumbled to herself.

"Of all the insufferable, arrogant, rough, ohhh"

She turned back to him.

"I have had enough of you and your attitude, I am clean now and fed, thanks to you and I will be on my way"

She started to walk away and then remembered she had his clothing on and did not want to take another thing from him. She walked to the bush and felt the clothing she had washed. They were damp but would do. She pulled at them and found them stuck. Her anger grew as she could not dislodge them. She pulled with all her might and suddenly the bush let go and she found herself on her back writhing in pain and humilation in front of him.

 

[gagonthis]

He sighed and stood up, going over to her and helping her to her feet despite her protests. "Sorry lass, that looked painful. Ye have to understand, I've been on my own in these woods for a long time now, my social skills be lacking a bit. I just wanted to be sure ye weren't going to be dragging me into some sort of trouble, I've got enough of that on me own without any help." He dusted off her back and checked the bandages. "Doesn't look like ye did anymore damage, but ya might want to try to be a little more careful. Especially if yer serious about going out on yer own this night."

 

[rvplymates]

Julia did not like his lifting of her shirt one little bit and when he pronouced her unhurt she spun around and looked at him coldly.

"Those people were the only people I had seen in over a year. It was me who left them. And just like you my leaving is no big deal. Why would they be looking for me, I am nothing to them but an inconvenience and a disturbance to their fornification"

Her hand went to her mouth as she bluntly spoke something that had disturbed her.

 

[gagonthis]

He took a step backward as she stared daggers at him.
"Ah so that be the reason ye left then?" He smiled slightly. "Aye I could understand that. I'd hate to be the third wheel as well. In any case I did nae mean to offend ya, just concerned about safety. Can't be too safe with groups like these bandits about. He shrugged. "If ya feel the offense was enough to drive ya out into the woods this evenin' then don't let me stop ya, but if ya decide yer a bit safer here I layed out a bedroll for ya near the fire while ye were bathing, don't you worry none, I'll be nowhere near ya this night."

 

[macmillian]

"I don't need noffin unpacked." Cassi took off the slip and ran towards the water. A loud splash and laughter wafted to the campsite. "Wuts takin so long Masser Alex.... I's not worryin about seein yore neeked butt.. shoots it plume makes me hornee ta see yore manroot flashin too."

All I could was stand there with my mouth hanging open and nothing coming out. I watched as she dove into the cool water and had to smile. With Her words of encouragement, I striped out of my clothes, leaving them in a heap and I to dove into the clear cool water.

I surfaced right by Cassi and I took her gently into my arms and she molded herself to me as we kissed and my tongue found her waiting and willing. I held her close and we didn'y say anything for the longest time.

"Cassi!....(a slight pause )....Thank you for listening to me," and with that I kissed her again. "Wait here , I will be right back," and I swam to shore and ran up to the camp, took the blankets of the horses and quickly hobbled them again. I reached into one of the saddlebags and took out a small bar of soap wrapped in a wash rag, I turned and dove back into the water.

I quickly made my way over to Cassi, "Turn aroung and don't look!", I told her as iI dunked her and she came up sputtering, I hooked one arm aroun her waist from behind and with the piece of soap I started to wash her hair. I let go of her waist and used both hands to lather and scrub her hair and scalp.

Satisfied that I got it all I dunked her again and she again rose sputtering and was face to face with her man who grinning from ear to ear at her surprise.

"Surprise, Cassi", I was smiling, "this is for you!" I handed her the last of the soap and the wash rag and swam away to let her wash and to clean herself. Using a nother rag, using water I scrubbed my arms and legs and was working on my chest. Getting clean again would help and tomorrow we could clean all our clothes and equipment. I could work on the saddles and bridles and make sure the horses were clean and ready to go too. One more day and we would have to look for work or a place to hole up and resupply.

 

[landiek]

"Cassi!....(a slight pause )....Thank you for listening to me," and with that I kissed her again. "Wait here , I will be right back,"

Cassi watched him head back to the horses and chuckled. She began to float in the cool water when he came back to her, just as she went to put her feet flat on the sandy bottom he dunked her.

"Turn around and don't look."

At first it hurt having his fingers work thru her heavy locks, She really didn't like having her hair washed by another but didn't fight it cause it truly needed a deep cleaning to keep her from getting lice. Little did she know that very few blacks ever got head lice cause of the oils in their scalp. Yet she wasn't prepared for the second dunking and slipped right under gulping some water in turn.

Cassi coughed a few times and hacked out the water she inhaled, then coughed again. "Yore sure fired set on makin sure I's be awful clean Masser Alex."


"Surprise, Cassi", I was smiling, "this is for you!" I

Cassi stared at the soap for a few minutes. Quickly tears came to her eyes as the soap meant a little more then she was willing to admit. She quickly lathered even inch of her dark skin, so persistent with her cleaning that she nearly rubbed herself raw on her arms and legs. Yet she took the longest bath she ever recalled and felt that she was squeaky clean before she rose from the water and headed to the camp. Pausing near the fire to dry her shivering body and leaving a tiny pool at her small feet, then twisting her left foot back so Alex couldn't see that she was missing three toes, punishment for trying to run to the next plantation to find one of her daughters

"You reckon I could ware a shirt of yores for sleepin, Masser Alex?"

 

[macmillian]

I washed and scrubbed as best I could and when I was satisfied that I was Clean I left the water and walked slowly up to our camp. I stopped by our things and shook out a blanket and went over towards Cassi and draped it around her shoulders.

"You reckon I could ware a shirt of yores for sleepin, Masser Alex?" Cassi asked.

"Of course you can Cassi," I answered, "you are the one who has taken care of them these past few weeks!" I stood there behind Cassi, holding her in my arms and slightly rocking us.

 

[landiek]

Cassi inhaled his aroma, despite the bath he had a male scent and that made her want him. She didn't hid the desire in the slightest as her body turned slightly so she could easily stroke his flesh.

"It's sinful da way I's want yore manroot. Masser Alex." Cassi admitted between soft kisses on his chin.

Instead of pursueing the moment she reached in the pack and pulled out one of his shirts that hung to her thighs. It gave her a nymphly aura as the changing hues settled on the landscape. A tempting sight as she stood there wanting but not asking.

 

[rvplymates]

He took a step backward as she stared daggers at him.
"Ah so that be the reason ye left then?" He smiled slightly. "Aye I could understand that. I'd hate to be the third wheel as well. In any case I did nae mean to offend ya, just concerned about safety. Can't be too safe with groups like these bandits about. He shrugged. "If ya feel the offense was enough to drive ya out into the woods this evenin' then don't let me stop ya, but if ya decide yer a bit safer here I layed out a bedroll for ya near the fire while ye were bathing, don't you worry none, I'll be nowhere near ya this night."

Julia tilted her head as a small smile touched his lips for just a moment, then he was the voice of reason that made her stop and think of what had happened to her. Was she up to another bout of that kind of thing, no she decided. Even his abruptness was more favorable then that. She looked at him and resigned herself to fact that she would have to stay at least the night. Her body hurt and she was tired, bone tired. As he finished his last sentence her eyes shot up at him. What did he mean nowhere near her this night. He better not ever be near her she thought. She shook her head.

"I will stay the night and leave in the morning when I am stronger, I don't even have the energy to fight with you anymore"

She turned on her heel and walked slowly to the fire. Looking down at her hands she saw the damp clothing still clutched in her hands. She moved to a nearby bush and rehung them and walked back to the fire again. She saw the bed that he had created for her and turned to look at him.

"Thank you"

She sat on it and removed her boots and sighed. She laid herself prone finding a makeshift pillow that he had fashioned for her and laid her head on it. She found herself looking at him as he moved about. Her lids kept closing and opening just to make sure he was there. Af few minutes of this and finally she was fast asleep.

 

[macmillian]

Cassi inhaled his aroma, despite the bath he had a male scent and that made her want him. She didn't hid the desire in the slightest as her body turned slightly so she could easily stroke his flesh.

"It's sinful da way I's want yore manroot. Masser Alex." Cassi admitted between soft kisses on his chin.

Instead of pursueing the moment she reached in the pack and pulled out one of his shirts that hung to her thighs. It gave her a nymphly aura as the changing hues settled on the landscape. A tempting sight as she stood there wanting but not asking.

"Well it may be sinful," I said to her, "but you know that I wouldn't want it any other way!" It was a beautiful evening, but the flashes off to the east was not gunn fire, but lighting. "Look's like we are going to have rain before morning"

Islipped my pants on, "Cassi, stow our gear and things in the leanto," I said as I slapped her ass playfully, "and I'll take care of the animals." I picketed the horses just inside the tree line and also left the hobbles on. I didn't want to hunt them down in the morning. I found a large hunk of wood and brought it to the fire. I placed it on the Hot coals and added a little more heavier pieces net to it. That should hold the fire till moring if the rain was not to bad.

I put one of our blankets over a log near our leanto and Asked Cassi to come and join me. "I would just like to sit awhile Cassi," I told her, "and maybe hold you too. To smell you hair, hold hands and kiss." I smiled and held out my hands to her, beckoning her to where I sat.

"Or I just might finish what I started," I chuckled, "a sound spanking on your most delectable ASS." Ohhh Nooo, the look it just got, said my little joke jusf fell flat, we I would not make that mistake again.

"Cassi, Please come sit with me, I was only fooling, please come over and sit. I apologized, I didn't mean it!!!" What do I do now???????

There a quiet silence with a slight breeze that was growing stronger. I rose and walked around the Leanto and all looked to be in order. If it rained tonight, we would stay warm and dry, that is if she slept with me tonight.

 

[gagonthis]

He shrugged. "Glad to see your thinkin' with some reason now then." He stood up, repacking his guns, but leaving one of the rifles and one of the pistols out. He up watch by the fire as she rehung her clothing. He grunted at her seemingly insincere thank you and went back to peering into the woods carefully. He noticed her watching him and noticed the firelight playing off her hazel eyes. She was quite striking he thought to himself and then shook such thoughts away. You don't need anyone else O'Shien he told himself in his head. People only bring complications, and she has no trust in you anyway man.

An hour later, she was in a deep sleep and his eyes were beginning to weigh heavy. He gazed out across the darkness taking in the trees, the moonlight, the pair of gold eyes creeping towards the camp, the shadows the fire was casting across the..... He woke up suddenly as his mind interpreted the golden eyes. Coyotes! He scooped his pistol up and fired a quick shot.
BLAM! catching the creature in the leg it gave a loud yelp and retreated into the woods.
"Bloody scavengers." He muttered, picking up his rifle and circling the camp. For every one you saw there were at least four you didn't...

 

[rvplymates]

Julia sat bolt upright at the sound of the report. She looked about wondering what had happened. She stood up a bit groggy from not sleeping long enough. She couldn't see O'Shien anywhere. She blinked her eye trying to focus them.

"Mr. O'Shien, where are you. Mr. O'Shien.

She was starting to worry.

 

[gagonthis]

He heard her call out to him, but he was too busy to reply, he stalked the edge of the camp peering into the darkness, raising the rifle to his shoulder every couple of minutes when he thought he sensed movement. He heard a growl and turned to see two of the coyotes approaching camp, near where Julia was now sitting up. He swore, knowing he couldn't get the two shots off in time to stop one of them from reaching her. Instead he dropped his pistol and kicked it towards Julia. "TAKE THE SHOT!" He yelled as the pistol twirled along the ground to land at her feet. He swung his own rifle around, steadying his aim and squeezing the trigger. The ball roared out of the rifle and struck the coyote in the chest. He turned his rifle quickly, trying to scope the other coyote in cause Julia wasn't quick enough..

 

[rvplymates]

At first Julia did not know why he was tossing a pistol at her but then she saw the reason. The animal was actually stalking her. She watched it's slow movements and then she dived for the pistol that was at her feet. Her chest and stomach taking most of the impact. The creature started running at her but she kept her calm composure. She slowly and with purpose drew a bead on it. When it was but a scant half a foot from her she pulled the trigger gently. A load report rang out and the coyote dropped like a stone as he leaped for her.

Julia stood up gracefully and walked to the creature prodding it with her toe. She turned to O'Shien.

"I think we are need to find a safer place to rest. Maybe one of the tent things over there"

 

[gagonthis]

"Well that just beats all. Bollocks!" He kicked the dead coyote. "What a day." He sighed. "Good shot though, takes quite a nerve to face a coyote at that range." He smiled at her reassuringly. "I know many a man would have been a meal. You handled yourself well." He shrugged turning away. "As for sleeping arrangements, you're more than welcome to take one of the tents. I think I shall remain up this night. Who knows what kind of trouble may have been drawn by those shots in the night."

 

[rvplymates]

She inclined her head to him as he complimented her abilities.
She knew how to protect herself but got in trouble anyway eariler.

"You are quite an excellent Marksmen yourself now that I have seen you in action. Do you really think you need to stay up all night. The tent thingy is good shelter. I do not think anyone would be up and about this late at night and the tent can be locked from within"

She didnt think he would act on her suggestion but thougt a man with some sleep can protect themself better then one without sleep.

 

[gagonthis]

O'Shien chuckled slightly. "Now ye say I'm a good marksman because I shot a couple of coyotes? Pullin fourteen nasty gents off ya earlier did nae prove it?" He asked jokingly. He considered her suggestion, staying up through the night did not sound like a very good prospect. "Alright then, let me examine what we have." He walked over to the pile of travelling equipment the bandits had. "Hmmm most everything looks pretty messed up. I could possibly salvage one tent from this mess with a little work. That is if you don't mind sharing with me." He turned and started to sort through the pieces before she could answer.