sailors. They were all very drunk. After examining the girls, the captain, whispering with his comrades, pointed to two slave women, who, in his opinion, were still fit for something. The bandits, grabbing their hair, dragged out of the hold. When the hatch closed behind them, joyful cries came from the deck.

All night long, Dana listened to the sounds coming from the sailors' cabin, but she could not make out anything. And in the morning of the next day one of the girls flew into the hold. From her view a moan broke from the girl. The entire body of the captive was painted with stripes from the whip, the crotch turned out, and a pale pink suckling oozed out of it. Her large, slightly saggy breasts were covered with terrible marks of cuts and burns. There were no nipples at all, but instead two black spots were blackened instead.

The girl did not even chained to the bulkhead. She lay staring blankly at the ceiling and did not answer questions. There were not even tears in her eyes. When Mara asked about the second girl, she closed her eyes and answered in a whisper:

- It is no more.

Inquiries about what happened there, and from what this girl died, remained unanswered. At night, Dana could hear how poor this woman was breathing, but she could not help. By the morning this prisoner also died quietly. Now only three slaves remained in the dark stinky hold.

Sometime in the early morning, when fog was spreading over the water surface, several sailors descended into the hold and began to unfasten the girls from the wall. Shouts of the captain were heard from above, and the pirates, armed with whips, pushed the unfortunate and exhausted captives onto the deck.

The first breaths of fresh air have stupefied the girls. Dana's head was spinning, her legs began to weaken. But strong hands grabbed her by her thin shoulders and shook her sharply.

- Whoa, nigger! - There was a rough shout, - Or lash it!

The poor captive cringed with fear and froze, afraid to move. Resisting a crowd of strong, rude men made no sense. The girl understood that these thugs would stop at nothing.

Through the mist of morning mist soaked in salty sea water, she was able to see that another, even larger, moored on the deck of which they were armed with long sabers, and watched closely.

- Hey, Bross! - shouted the chieftain, - I will be glad to see you on my deck!

“Do not think that I am so naive,” came the cheerful voice from the opposite deck, “I know well what you can do, Gull.”

- And what do you suggest? - the captain of pirates laughed.

“Bring these girls closer to the board,” Bross suggested, “Then we'll talk.”

Three gangsters pushed the girls to the very edge of the deck. The man, who was called Bross, also approached and began to carefully consider the slaves. Dana did not see his eye because of a wide-brimmed hat, but she felt that this tall sailor would not harm her.

- What do you say, Alan? - A slender woman dressed in men's clothes approached him.

Dana suddenly saw how well-built this lady was. Men's tight dress emphasized its natural harmony. Long blond hair, reaching to the waist, slightly swayed in the light wind, slightly stretched face and big eyes, looked attentively and tenderly. A narrow camisole, buttoned all the buttons, indicated a thin waist, and high boots that covered the knees emphasized the slimness and beauty of the legs. The movements of the ladies were elegant and light, like those of a professional dancer who was used more to sign language than to ordinary speech. Over the shoulder was a beautiful ornate sling, to which was hung a graceful sword with a shiny hilt.

“Which of these tinkers did you like?” - the woman asked in a soft voice, gently bowing her head on Bross's shoulder, - I would take everyone.

- Well, dear, - answered Alan, - We take all.

- Hey, Bross! The pirate shouted again. "Do you have enough money?" For these monkeys I will ask for a good price!

- How many? - the woman shouted in response, - Just consider, Gull, that a solid reward is promised for your rotten head.

- Threaten me, wench? - roared chieftain, - Remember better, who she was just recently! How long has she got out of shit?

- I have not forgotten! - the lady put her hand on the hilt of her sword, - And you truly forgot that I had recently picked up stones in penal servitude! I can send you back!

- Stop grinning your teeth! - shouted Bross, - Tell me the price!

- Hehe! - the gangster grinned, - Say, one hundred for each! Is going?

- Damn with you! - A little thought, said Alan, - I take!

Gangway was thrown, and the girls were transferred on board a nearby ship. The woman threw a weighty wallet on her hand and threw it to Gulu. The pirate, like a cat, rushed to the money. His assistants did not even try to interfere with his captain. The purse clattered to the deck with a thud.

- Hey, Hull! - the lady laughed, - And you became clumsy!

- Medusa in your throat! - the pirate snapped, - That devils gobble you up!

- Get off with me! - the woman's eyes flashed with an unkind brilliance, - We'll meet again! Does the shoulder not hurt? And then our duel with you is not over yet!

The ships began to drift apart, and soon the pirate frigate disappeared into the fog. The girls stood on the deck and did not understand what had happened to them. They were sold to other people, so now they are slaves. Or maybe they want to give freedom? Then why not remove the shackles and collars? What do they want to do with them?

While Dana was at a loss, a blond woman came on deck, accompanied by two sailors. The girl noticed that the whole team, unlike the one that she had seen on the pirate ship, was neatly dressed, although she was inconsistent, she did not grunt and pull her hands towards them.

“My name is Helene,” the woman introduced herself. “I am the senior mate here. But you will have to call me Ms, like all the other members of the team. Much depends on how you behave. If you are obedient and diligent, no one will offend you, you will be full and satisfied. If you decide to be lazy and rude, I will punish you. Is everyone clear?

Girls hesitatedly trampled on the spot, jingling shackles.

“I don't hear the answer,” the woman’s voice became firmer, “Or do you not understand me?”

“We understand,” said Mara quietly.

“Repeat,” the lady commanded, holding up her hand with a short whip.

“We understand, madam,” Mara repeated louder.

- That's the same, - the woman grinned, - Do not forget to continue.

“Yes, madam,” said Mara with a trembling voice, with her head down.

- Carter! - the woman shouted, - Remove iron from these cuties and take them to Linda. Just be careful not to hurt.

“It will be fulfilled, madam,” answered the tall sailor in a spacious white shirt and wide belt, for which the dagger was curved.

The woman, shaking her magnificent hair, turned on her heel and left. A small anvil and a wooden toolbox appeared on the deck. The sailor, whom the woman called Carter, carefully examined the bracelets on the wrists and ankles of the slaves and, scratching his stubbled chin, thoughtfully said:

- I have said many times, and now I repeat again: if you can’t do it, don’t touch it.

- What are you talking about? - exclaimed a tanned guy with a slanting scar on his cheek.

“Help me, Steve,” Carter pointed to Mara. “Hold her.” Just tidy. Don't break her arm. And I will try to cut the rivets.

***

“Get up, lord,” Chris opened his eyes and grimaced.

Next to his bed was a man of short stature in a white shirt, tied up with a black narrow belt, and wide, similar to a long female skirt, pants. His black hair was gathered at the back of his head and held together by an intricate clothespin carved from bone. Narrow eyes, similar to slits, gave the elongated face a comical look, as if the person is being pulled back by the ears.

“I want to sleep, Saburo,” the boy said, capriciously, “I won't get up.”

- Then I will punish the young ... Read more →