Serpent Goddess: The Horse Lords Book 1 Read online

  “This is my house. Come, my friend, here you will come to know our fabled Greek love for strangers. Damara and I plan to hold a small dinner party for you tonight so that more Geloni can come to know you as we have. If the arkhons get to know you first they will be more receptive to your proposal for an alliance. Then you can present your case at the agora.”

  “I thank you Mikon. You have been a great help to our cause.”

  “Take off your belt and kurta Sava. Tonight you will dine in the Greek style. Here, let me help you,” Kleo’s rich voice tempting, luxurious.

  Standing behind him in the dining hall, she drew the kurta off his broad shoulders. Her fingers lingered over his bare skin sending tingles humming through his veins. His body hungered intensely for more of her after that tempting taste on the trail.

  “Your skin is smooth. It shines. I want to lick you.” Her warm breath whispered in his ear.

  “That can be arranged.”

  She giggled and drew a light finger down his sensitive neck and spine. He shivered and repressed the urge to thrust his hips. Meanwhile the servants bustled around, putting the food on low tables and pretending not to notice.

  “I know you barbari are shy and conservative, but we Greeks believe that in all nature, the human body is the gods’ most wondrous work. A man’s body is to be admired. Worshipped.”

  “Kleo you tantalize me beyond bearing.” Sava shot her a look of penetrating lust.

  “Sit here, my noble Sauromatian stallion, so that I may adore you.” She showed him to a padded couch with an armrest at one end. “Relax. Put your feet up. We like to recline as we dine. Since you are the guest of honor I made this for you.”

  Kleo placed a wreath of ivy interspersed with red roses on his head. “Ahh…” She inhaled and sighed. “The scent of these roses makes your radiance come alive.”

  And Sava was glowing. He loved having Kleo hovering over him, touching his bare skin. Within the constriction of his leggings his one-eyed serpent messaged that it was aroused. Down my man. Save it for later - if you are lucky.

  Soon the guests began arriving, all men. Two of the men Sava needed to influence were strategically seated near him. Arkhon Makarios reclined on Sava’s left and Arkhon Levon to his right. Several other notables of Geloni society were also there.

  Low tables in front of the couches were laden with plates of baked fish with cheese and herbs, green vegetables simmered in tasty sauces, lentils in a delicious gravy and thick soft wheat bread to dip with.

  The women did not join the men but stood behind the couches and served. Sava missed the casual comradery of the trail when they all sat together.

  Kleo wore a white linen chiton in the Greek style which bared her arms and shoulders. She proved assiduous in tending to his needs, frequently brushing against his bare shoulder with her own and surreptitiously inhaling the roses crowning his head.

  “More bread my Sauromatian prince? If you need anything, anything at all, just crook your little finger, like this…” She purred, the v-neck of her chiton relaxing to reveal bounteous curves.

  “Saucy vixen, I will find ways to keep you busy. All night.” He murmured, eyes fired with intent.

  Between discussions with the arkhons, Sava’s eyes were drawn inexorably to Kleo’s lush body as she sauntered around, frequently bending over to serve. A fine gold chain crossed over and connected under her breasts, outlining her enticing figure under its chiton of diaphanous white linen.

  Concentrate. You did not come all this way to lose your mind over a beautiful woman.

  After dinner the drinking began, both wine and rakia. Before each toast a few drops were poured on the low tables as a libation to the gods.

  Sava smiled to himself – The `gods’ would go wanting in Sauromatia. Wine and rakia are far too rare to be wasted like that.

  As the drink loosened tongues, questions flowed regarding the Persian invasion and the war council. Arkhon Markarios leaned toward Sava, a grim look in his intelligent brown eyes. His wavy black hair was cut short in the Greek style. His white linen himation with its scarlet border had one end draped over his right shoulder.

  “I will admit Sava, deep down I quiver with fear at the risk of joining an alliance against Persia. For us to even attend this war council is tantamount to resistance in Darius’ all-seeing eyes. And you know what the Persians do to those who resist.”

  It was not a question. Sava waited, giving Makarios his full attention.

  “If we lose, the leaders will have their ears and noses cut off and one eye put out. We will be chained in front of Darius’ palace to be abused by any passersby. We will be crucified, then flayed, our skins stuffed with straw and hung from the palace walls. Our sons not killed will be castrated. Our wives and daughters sold into slavery. Our line, the Geloni people, will be extinguished. Forever”

  “So you would have us suck up to what we once spit upon?” Sava responded.

  “You Sauromatae and your beloved Royal Skythia – War is your profession. You are of the warrior class. Your honor is everything. You nomads have no city, no farms, no homes to defend.” Arkhon Levon’s blue eyes darted around. He looked nervous to be seen even talking to Sava. “For us it is different. We are traders, farmers, builders. You ask us to go up against the greatest empire on earth. Do you understand why we Geloni are shaking in our boots?”

  “Honorable Levon, all that you and Makarios say is true. I have pondered these things many times myself,” Sava said. “But he who becomes a sheep is eaten by the wolf. As for honor aye honor is priceless to us. If the Sauromatae have no honor, then our word is worthless. If our vows of eternal friendship are lies, then we will have no true friends and our days will come to an end just as surely as if we allowed Darius to crush our bodies.”

  “Once the dogs of war are loosed, once we start down the road to war, we won’t be able to stop it. War has its own laws.” Makarios spoke in a mocking falsetto. ”If the war is not going well we won’t be able to send a herald to Darius saying – We are ready to quit now – Truce!”

  “We are kinsman. Skythians, Sauromatae and Greeks are all descended from Herakles.” Sava responded. “Our blood has not turned to water. Yet. We are born free. If we unite as brothers, then let the whole world come against us - We will prevail.”

  “Hah. `Freedom’ is but a cruel joke if your loved ones are dead and dying.” Arkhon Levon shook his head. “Those who resist and lose are punished. Severely. This is the law of war and has been for a thousand years.”

  “All King Raymaxos asks is that the Geloni come to the war council. Our voivode, Skopasis is a master strategos. Come and hear. Then make up your mind.”

  As the discussion went on Sava did not push for the Geloni to join the alliance. He simply encouraged them to attend the council, then decide. After a time Mikon cleared his throat and called out –

  “My friends, tonight we will have a special entertainment. Sava, our guest friend from Sauromatia is not only King Raymaxos’ emissary, but also a talented bard. He has consented to sing for us.”

  I did? However Sava just smiled and nodded agreement. Whatever, as long as it aids our effort.

  Eying Kleo he flicked his head to signal her. Within a heartbeat she was at his side.

  “Is there a drum I can use?”

  “I will bring one for you.”

  Chapter 17 – To Bring Down the Spirit

  Play so that you may be serious –

  Anacharsis – Sage of Royal Skythia, c. 600 BC

  Kleo soon returned with a large hourglass drum. Placing the drum between his knees, Sava’s long flexible fingers thrummed out the opening salvo of a driving, primal beat. The rhythm of hoof beats galloping free across the Sea of Grass. Caught up in the intoxicating beat, the Geloni joined in, clapping in rhythm.

  In his rich melodic timbre the nomad began to sing an old Skythian song. A celebration of life. Kleo and Damara accompanied his song with trilling ululations. Spontaneously, family and guests rose
to dance. Holding hands, shoulders lifting, bodies swaying, feet bouncing with the galloping rhythm of the horse, they circled the room in a serpentine line.

  Soon the servants were dancing in the halls and the kitchen. Neighbors even began walking in unannounced, drawn by Sava’s compelling voice and primal drumming. They too joined in the line dance.

  The rhythmic, drumming hoof beats galloped on into the night. And the Spirit was upon them.

  Stepping and swaying in unison, untiring, gaining energy from each other, the dancers melded into one entity. One vibrant being. And no one wanted IT to end. Inspired, Kleo danced into the center, undulating to the beat with a freedom and rhythm she had never known. And still the hoof beats galloped on. Tireless. Free.

  “Giddy yah! Giddy yah!” The Geloni called out in chorus to the galloping horse.

  The drumming and dancing feet vibrated the house to its foundations, rocking it with trilling ululations as they galloped together across the boundless Sea of Grass.

  “Ai da! Ai da! “

  An accomplished musician, Sava used the uplifting power of song and dance to raise their spirits from fear of Persian retribution and to reinforce Skythian brotherhood. Fruitful ground upon which to build an alliance. When he finally stopped, the Geloni gazed at him with new, appreciative eyes.

  “Sava you are a magician with that drum. And the way you sing, the Musae themselves must have come down to hear you.” Kleo pronounced.

  “It was my pleasure.” Sava bowed his rose-wreathed head, his leonine mane burnished to black gold in the torchlight.

  “Nay the pleasure was ours. All ours, my friend.” Mikon said, eyes alight.

  Impressed, their eyes focused on Sava. Studied this Sauromatian entity. His music had taken them to a higher level. They would never see him in the same light again.He was now viewed as an asset. For who does not value one with the power to bring down the Spirit?

  Sava had the ability to sense peoples’ thoughts, sometimes louder than words. As clearly as if the Geloni had spoken aloud, the nomad heard their thoughts – How can we keep this Sauromatian singer with us?

  I will soon have to leave these good people. And who knows when I will ever see them again? Especially Kleo. Life being so precarious. So fleeting.

  He realized then that he would love to stay with these half-Greek Skythians. Unlike his own people, the Geloni understood his mindset. They respected his refusal to take heads as trophies. But it was not to be.

  But there was one way to bring him back…Warm desire, even adoration radiated from Kleo’s amber eyes. Her pull was primal. Her allure tempting. Despite his better judgment, Sava found himself sinking into her brown eyes. On this wondrous night they glittered with sensual promise.

  “Do you thirst Sava?” Kleo’s bare warm shoulder brushed against his, her voice husky.

  “Aye but not for rakia. I long to drink honey from your lips Beauty.”

  “Go out back as if you are going to relieve yourself. Meet me in the barn.”

  After a time when he saw that Kleo had disappeared, he rose from his couch and stretched, then stalked out, a rakish grin pasted on his face.

  What am I doing? This rakia has taken hold of my senses.

  But he knew exactly what he was doing – inviting trouble.

  Chapter 18 – In Love and War

  Someone asked Sophocles –

  How is your sex life?

  Are you still able to have a woman?

  Hush, most gladly am I rid of it,

  As though I escaped a mad and savage master -

  Sophocles, Greek playwright c. 450 BC

  The barn door creaked open. Sava’s nose was greeted by two of his favorite smells – horses and hay. But the horses were not there. Zlatna and the other horses were out grazing in the cool night air. Gazing around in the darkness he called out in a low husky voice -

  “Kleo…?”

  “Over here.”

  Her body felt warm and tender as he embraced her in the darkness. Overflowing with an intoxicating euphoria, Sava released a low throaty laugh. Pressing firm lips against Kleo’s in a deep succulent kiss, he pressed her against the barn wall to grind his bulge against her core.

  UHHH. Smack.

  “What are you doing?” He drew back as if in shock. “Are you trying to seduce me Kleo?”

  “Hah.” She cuffed his shoulder. “Shameless rogue.”

  Hmmh, kiss, lip smack, tongue suck.

  He pulled back to gaze into her shadowed eyes with an expression of mock horror. “You are. You are trying to steal my innocence. My mother warned me about girls like you…”

  “Shush.” She cuffed him again, laughing against his lips.

  “Mother always told me I was too trusting”. By playing at being shy and insecure, Sava knew exactly what he was doing – making her more aggressive.

  Hmmh, kiss, kiss, lip smack. Grinding hip rock.

  “Come to my room tonight Sava.”

  “Ahhh… Kleo you will be the death of me…How can I repay your parents’ hospitality by seducing their gorgeous daughter?” His expression turned serious. “You must understand something, there is much at stake here. War is coming. We need this alliance. I cannot afford to alienate your father.”

  “All this talk of war. I will give you war. When you come to my room tonight be ready to mount a mighty siege upon my ramparts.”

  Sava loved her taunting challenge. Down below his one-eyed serpent signaled its high arousal.

  “Hmmh is that so? I accept your challenge. I will assault your defenses with every weapon in my… well stocked armory.”

  He cupped her curvy bottom in his palms, molding her core to his rampant bulge. His long thick tongue undulated, mating with hers, slow, deep. In… Out…

  Ahhh, hmmm, kiss, lip smack, kiss...

  “Be ready to defend against my counter attack.” She licked then nipped his left nipple then the right. “Beware for I am ruthless when aroused.”

  “Aaah...” He groaned low in his throat. “As the goddess is my witness, your defenses will collapse. You will surrender to my charms.” His warm breath whispered in her ear.

  Sliding long flexible fingers into her hair he twisted hard, forcing her head back for another deep succulent tonguing. Slowly lifting her dress Sava caressed her silky thigh, then put a resounding smack on her shapely ass.

  “Ahh!” She gasped.

  “That was for being such a sassy vixen at dinner. I could barely keep my mind on the alliance with you sashaying around waving your ass in my face. You need to learn respect Kleo. If I come to your room will you be a good girl? Do as I say? Hmmh?”

  “Hah. Never underestimate your opponent Sava. Others have tried to break through my ramparts. Others have tried to scale my walls. All have failed.”

  Her hands drifted down to pull him against her hot throbbing core, rubbing against his rampant demanding bulge.

  “Are you questioning my valor beautiful princess? You will soon surrender to my... little tail.” His voice a low growl.

  “Your tail?” Kleo laughed and swatted his taut rear end.

  “Shush, Don’t tell anyone. My tail is my secret weapon. No fortress can defend against it for long. Be warned, I take no prisoners. Only you. I will lock you away so that only I can taste your charms and no other.”

  Then it occurred to his lust fogged brain – “No one has ever scaled your ramparts before? - Are you still a maid Kleo?” He fixed her with a penetrating stare.

  She nodded, mute.

  “And yet you play with fire. If you were to get with child from this night…” It would destroy our chance for an alliance with the Geloni. “I just cannot risk it.”

  “Oh Sava…”, she sighed, warm hands stroking his chest and shoulders, circling behind his neck, pulling his panting mouth down to her lips. “We are only playing. Kiss me again…Please?”

  “Oh alright, if I must.”

  Hmmh… Ahh, kiss, lip smack, tongue suck.

  Sava ran war
m sensual palms over her shoulders then slowly, deliberately pulled down the straps of her chiton. Bending his head he sucked her nipple with a hot wet tongue then scraped and tweaked the nub lightly with his teeth.

  “I would treasure the chance to lie with you Kleo…” Grasping her hand he rubbed it over his pulsating bulge. “Ahhh…” He groaned. “Feel how well armed and ready for battle I am. My bow is strung so tight I am ready to snap.”

  “Then come tonight and fight. Take me by storm.” Her mouth a river of golden honey.

  “No quarter given or accepted?”

  “None. I vow never to retreat.”

  Succulent kiss, ahhh… lip smack, tongue suck...

  “Then I will throw myself into the breach and die from the pleasure.” Sava laughed softly, warm lips nuzzling her neck below the ear.

  “Come then. I will leave the window open for you. We will engage in deadly combat all night long.”

  “Kleo, there is more at risk here than one night of pleasure. The future of our people is at stake.” Sava shook his head. “Much as I would love to, I cannot.”

  Kiss, kiss, writhe, grind, hmmm….ahhh...

  Sava was carried away by a wave of euphoric pleasure. His common sense weakening…

  “Kleo where are you?!” Damara’s shrill voice echoed through the darkness.

  “Hnnh! My mother! She’s coming this way! I must go.” Kleo jumped up. “Coming Mother! Wait here a little while, then come back in the house.” She whispered before flitting away into the night.

  “It grows late”, Mikon gestured toward the door. “Time to go home my friends.”

  As the last guests departed he turned to Sava. “Arkhons Levon and Makarios are in agreement that you should present your case for an alliance before the agora. The hearing will take place in two days time”.