Malcolm climbed out of the healing chamber ready for an afternoon with Alice and then Lilly. He knew that he'd experience the women in the opposite order. A very naked Alice grabbed him by the hand and said, "I think you'll only want to take a shower."
"Oh?" asked Malcolm wondering why she wasn't suggesting a bath.
"You've been watching that delectable body for a month. If you aren't horny enough right now to have your way with a knothole in the nearest tree, then you aren't the Hero I think you are," teased Alice as she ran her hands over her bare breasts. She knew that she didn't need to excite him since he was already erect.
"I don't need a tree," Malcolm said leering at her. Raising his hands up in the air like the claws of a monster, he advanced on Alice roaring like some kind of animal. After his first roar, he said, "I have you."
Giggling, she ran to the bathing room followed by a growling Malcolm. She loved it when he felt playful like this. Whenever he came close enough to catch her, he stopped and roared. She screamed, "Help me! I'm being chased by the horny beast!"
Roaring again, he resumed the chase. She skipped ahead to the shower and beckoned him to join her. He followed her into the water still holding his hands out like a monster. When the spray hit his body, he screamed and pretended to melt like the wicked witch of Oz fame.
She attacked him with a bar of soap and a washcloth, shouting, "I, Alice, am triumphant again. The horny beast is stopped with water!"
Malcolm burst out laughing and hugged her to him. He didn't know how she did it, but she always managed to bring out the playful side of him. It was commonly thought that he was overly serious, but that wasn't the case. He liked to play. It was just that it took a special person to bring it out in him.
She squirmed out of his arms and, in a mock serious voice, said, "I must get my Hero ready to claim the Damsel."
The shower lasted only long enough to get him clean, although she did concentrate a bit more than necessary on the naughty bits. She enjoyed washing his erection. Of course, she enjoyed everything about his erection. Once he was clean, she pushed him out of the shower. The tiny woman couldn't really push him, but he went where her pushes directed.
Standing outside the shower, he raised his arms and said, "The horny monster revives!"
She giggled and left the shower. After drying him off, Alice grabbed him by the cock and, as she led him to the bedroom, said, "There's a Damsel just begging to be ravished. Make her pay for having teased you for a whole month of the road!"
The door opened to show Lilly spread out on the bed. She was lying on her stomach with her legs spread. He could see her face and observed that her eyes were closed. Her ass rose and fell in an obscene manner as she rubbed a hand between her legs. It was obvious that she was masturbating herself to orgasm. He watched for a few seconds appreciating the sight of her body covered by her long hair before he approached the bed.
Climbing into the bed, he grasped her hips causing her to gasp in surprise. He pulled her up onto her knees, her right hand stayed between her legs with fingers playing with her clit. Her hot cunt was wet and ready for him. He grabbed a handful of hair in each hand as he entered her with a slow easy thrust.
Feeling his cock press against her pussy, Lilly went into overdrive. She pushed back against him, her body desiring him as much or more than her emotions. Lost in a sexual haze, she moaned, "Fuck me."
Malcolm didn't need any further invitation. The month of frustration he felt while on the trail had returned. His thrusts increased in pace and strength until he was pounding into her with savage thrusts. Like all women of Cassandra, Lilly came easily, quickly, and frequently. She screamed repeatedly as orgasm after orgasm washed over her. After a minute, she shouted, "You're killing me. Don't stop!"
Malcolm increased the pace of his thrusts. He knew from experience that women from Cassandra did not expect endurance. That knowledge made endurance that much easier to achieve. He didn't worry about coming too quickly. As a result, he wasn't in such a rush to come. He released her hair and grabbed her hips.
Her cunt was fluttering around his cock in non-stop orgasms. He tightened his grip on her hips and pulled her onto him as he thrust forward. Delirious, Lilly entered an alternate reality of raw sexual energy. She screamed as she lost control of her body and it started to jerk in uncontrolled spasms. A minute later, she lost consciousness.
Holding the unconscious woman up, Malcolm pulled out and rolled her over onto her back. Her long hair spread out over the bed. He spread her legs and propped up her hips using a pillow. He waited for her to regain consciousness and for his level of excitement to reduce to a controllable level. When her eyes finally fluttered open, he entered her again. Her eyes opened wide at the idea that he was still capable of performing. Awed, she said, "Oh, fuck me!"
Although the month on the trail had prepared Lilly for this, she was incredulous that a man could last so long and be so active in bed. To her way of thinking, she was acting in a masculine manner as far as the standards of Cassandra were concerned. She liked it - she liked it a lot. By the time Malcolm came and pulled out of her, she'd had more orgasms from him than she had ever experienced over her entire life before then.
Malcolm woke to Alice handing him a restorative. He drank it down and threw the glass into the air. It disappeared before it hit the ground. As the energy surged through his body, he said, "Thanks. I needed that."
Delighted that he'd rendered Lilly unconscious and insensible, she said, "Help me wake Lilly and then do her again."
Chuckling, he said, "Do you want me to kill her after I worked so hard to rescue her from certain death?"
"Death by fucking! Oh, I like that idea," she giggled.
"You would," Malcolm said shaking his head.
Looking down at Lilly, she knew the woman would return to Cassandra singing the praises of her Hero. A Caretaker could ask for nothing better. Women all over the world would be envious of her. She gently shook Lilly awake and said, "Here, drink this. It'll give you enough energy for round two."
The woman's eyes grew large at the idea that Malcolm was ready to go once again. In an awed voice, she echoed, "Round two."
Feeling frisky, Malcolm winked at Alice and said, "After round two will be round three."
"Oh my God." Her eyes rolled back into her head when he started kissing her breasts. She really liked having her breasts kissed.
Smiling to herself, Alice whispered, "Show her the gates of heaven, my Hero."
"Now that's a tasty idea," Malcolm murmured as he kissed his way down towards Lilly's gates of heaven.
Several days later, Malcolm, Lilly, and Alice were seated around the dinner table after finishing lunch. Malcolm asked, "So why was Lilly the only Damsel in Distress that I was allowed to rescue? There had to be other Damsels in Distress."
"There are four other Damsels in Distress," replied Alice knowing that she was going to have a lot of explaining to do.
"So why did you say that hers was the only mission available for me?"
"The four Damsels are all in the same kind of distress. It's going to require at least four Heroes to rescue them. By the time you are ready for the adventure, there may be even more Damsels in Distress. The Bureau has discussed this issue and has decided that four Heroes shall have to pursue this together," answered Alice.
Malcolm had spent hours reading the rulebook for Heroes and thought he understood them well enough. What she was suggesting seemed in direct violation of one of the rules. There was no way he would be allowed through the portal if it were with the intent of violating a rule. "I thought that according to the rules, Heroes couldn't go on adventures together."
"This case is different."
"I don't get it," replied Malcolm. He had sufficient resources to raise a small army and would be able to rescue all four Damsels if necessary.
"They were captured by slavers and sold into slavery. They work all day in the fields and rest on little shelves in horrid little buildings at night. There is an entire infrastructure in place to keep them as slaves."
"Organized slavery!" Malcolm shouted in dismay. The idea that organized slavery had started in Chaos was staggering. He'd thought that the multitude of independent cities, citadels, and holdings would keep organized slavery from raising its ugly head. He knew that slavery existed, but it was usually at a local level and took the form of indentured servitude.
"Yes and the practice has spread across an area of a several thousand square miles. You aren't going against a villain, but an evil society united by slavers. This isn't a rescue, but a war," explained Alice. The taking of slaves had started years ago, but none of the Damsels had ever been taken. Then, in the space of two weeks, slavers had taken four Damsels from areas well away from where slavery was practiced.
"A war?"
"Yes. You and the other Heroes will have to raise armies. In accordance with the rules, you'll need to work independently. That doesn't mean that you can't work towards the same goal. In order for it to work, all of you will need to enter Chaos at the same time."
Malcolm was quiet as he thought about what would be involved. A large army would be tens of thousands of men, but he didn't think that four Heroes would be able to gather that many men together. He figured that at best he could raise a hundred men. Shaking his head, he decided that he'd have lots of time to think about it before returning for his next adventure.
Lilly had listened to the exchange with wide eyes. The idea that Heroes wouldn't be able to rescue Damsels in the tried and true fashion was scary. Her ordeal had been spent locked up in a room waiting for someone to pay a ransom. Having to work in a field doing manual labor had to be a thousand times worse. She felt sorry for the Damsels who had been struggling while she had traveled in relative comfort.
"What do I need to do?" asked Malcolm.
"You'll need to get in touch with some of the other Heroes on Earth and arrange for all of them to leave for Crossroads at the same time," answered Alice. The enormity of what they were planning to do was mind boggling.
"According to the rules, we aren't allowed to work together."
"We debated that and got some clarification. You can't go on the adventure together, but the rules do not prevent you from meeting or coordinating your efforts if you pursue your adventures independently of each other."
"So how will we coordinate our efforts and still be independent in our actions?" asked Malcolm still trying to figure out how it would all fit together.
"You'll meet at the closest holding to the territory of the slavers. That would be the Jones Citadel," answered Alice.
"The Jones Citadel? The one started by Gerald Jones?"
"That's the one. Sid's caretaker will give him the necessary credentials to take over the holding on his next visit to Crossroads. He'll host all of the Heroes while you are planning your actions."
Looking thoughtful, Malcolm wondered what would happen having several Heroes gathered together in one place. He asked, "How many Heroes?"
"We need at least four, maybe more," answered Alice.
"You still haven't answered my original question. How do we coordinate our actions and yet act independent of each other?"
"You'll meet and share whatever resources are necessary to raise four armies. Each of you will lead an army on your own front. That way, you won't be fighting each other, but you'll each be on your own."
Almost a month and many discussions about the upcoming war later, Malcolm was relaxing in bed playing with Alice's breasts when Lilly came into the room with an excited expression on her face. Hardly able to contain herself, she announced, "I'm pregnant!"
Alice and Malcolm climbed out of the bed. Reaching her, they hugged and congratulated the mother to be. As the two women talked, Malcolm waited patiently wishing he would have a few more minutes with Alice before he had to leave. It didn't take long before Lilly raced to the door. Turning back to look at him, she said, "Malcolm, thanks a lot."
"You're welcome," he called back to her. He was going to miss her. He always missed the Damsels after they left. She'd been an exceptionally attractive woman and a good lover. She even enjoyed the attentions of Alice.
Malcolm made his way to the portal, but Alice stopped him before he could enter it. She looked up at the ceiling and said, "Contact information for Heroes on Earth."
A sheet of paper appeared on the floor at her feet. She knelt down and picked it up. Already, Malcolm was feeling nauseous from overstaying in Crossroads. She handed him the paper and, pushing him towards the portal, said, "I love you, my Hero."
Looking through the portal door as it closed behind him, Malcolm said, "I love you, my Caretaker."
Malcolm stepped out of the portal into his private room. He turned and looked at the mirror thinking that he had lived two months in heaven and only fifteen minutes had passed on Earth. He would have to wait three weeks before he could return.
Putting down the sheet of paper, he went over to his pile of clothes and dressed trying to remember what he was supposed to do upon his return to Earth. Returning was often rough, since for him weeks may have passed while he had gone through the portal. How many people could remember what they were doing weeks ago?
He was fully dressed and still didn't recall what he had been doing before leaving. Running a hand over the frame, he swung the mirror back into place. When it settled in place, he said, "Until I see you again, Alice."
Carrying the piece of paper in his hand, he left his most cherished room with a sense of sadness. He always felt sad after leaving Crossroads for Earth. His life on Earth was so empty compared to life in Crossroads and Chaos.
On reaching the living room, he placed the paper with the contact information for the other Heroes next to the telephone. He looked out the back window and spotted his neighbor raking his leaves. He watched for a minute before he recalled that he was supposed to talk to the daughter about joining his dojo. He glanced down at the paper knowing that he would get to it after dealing with the neighbor.
Stepping out of the back door, he was greeted by the girl from next door. She was standing sullenly on the patio, arms crossed below her breasts, and one hip thrust out. The expression on her face left no doubts that she didn't want to be there. When she spotted him, she said, "My father said you wanted to talk to me."
"Not really, Susan. He asked if I would train you in the martial arts and I said that I would do that only if you wanted to learn them. You don't, so end of conversation," said Malcolm as he turned to go into the house.
"Hey, wait a minute," said Susan shocked at his dismissal of her without even asking her opinion about her dad's request.
"What? You were standing there like you wanted to be anywhere else but here. We're done. You can go somewhere else," Malcolm said. He wasn't going to waste his time trying to get her interested in learning Aikido. She either had an interest or she didn't.
"My dad says that I have to take it."
"The last thing I need is to have your father breathing down my neck because you aren't willing to put the time, effort, and energy into learning a very ancient and difficult skill. Do all three of us a favor and tell your father that you aren't interested," said Malcolm.
Like most teenage girls of modern times, Susan was used to getting her way. Rather than being relieved that she didn't have to attend martial arts lessons, his attitude had only whetted her appetite. No one was going to dismiss her like that and get away with it. Standing up straight and putting her hands on her hips, she said, "You're going teach me."
"Nope."
"Yes, you are."
"Not until I'm convinced that you're willing to learn. Until then, I won't even invite you to my dojo. Now run along home, little girl," said Malcolm.
Susan spun around and stomped off with her hands in fists. Her rigid arms swung in time with her steps adding to the impression of fury. Her father moved to intercept her, but after one look at the expression on her face he backed away. She brushed past him like he wasn't even there.
Malcolm watched her leave with a smile. She'd be back before the week was over with the proper attitude and interest. Two of his best students had started the same way. When his neighbor headed in his direction, Malcolm held up a hand with his first finger extended and shook him away. Satisfied, he returned to the house.
After pouring an iced tea, Malcolm settled down in his chair and picked up the sheet of paper with contact information. Looking over the names, he wondered how many of them spoke English. He picked up the telephone and dialed the number for Sid Jones. After three rings, a young man answered the phone, "Hello."
"Hello. Do I have the pleasure of speaking with Sid Jones?"
The voice at the other end was cautious, "Yes."
"I'm Malcolm Charles Chandler. Your uncle and I traveled in the same circles. I was quite saddened to hear the news when my caretaker informed me of his death. I offer my condolences. Your uncle was a great man and will be missed by many," Malcolm said.
"Thank you. You say that you and my uncle traveled in the same circles?"
"Yes. We visited many of the same places, although never at the same time," Malcolm said.
"Thank you for calling."
Malcolm could tell that Sid was on the verge of hanging up. He said, "My caretaker informed me that you have taken to traveling in the same circles as well. That is the primary reason that I have called you. There is a problem in Chaos."
"Are you sure that we're allowed to talk with each other?"
"Why not? How can we recruit new heroes if we don't know them? Why should we give up friendships because we are Heroes?" asked Malcolm.
There was a long moment of silence on the other end of the line. Malcolm wondered if he had lost Sid when the young man answered, "What kind of problem is there on Chaos?"
"Organized slavery on a very large scale. The caretakers are convinced that it's too big for one hero. We are to wage a war against slavers and free four Damsels. The caretakers have asked me to get at least three other heroes to come to Crossroads in three weeks. That will be Sunday afternoon, three weeks from today, at one o'clock Eastern Daylight Savings Time."
"I've read the rules. We can't work together."
"We won't be working together. We'll each take charge of an army and wage war on our own front. After we leave your Citadel, we won't have any interactions. The caretakers have given this a lot of thought," replied Malcolm. He was pleased that Sid asked all of the same questions that he had asked.
There was a long pause and then Sid asked, "What Citadel?"
"Your Citadel."
"My Citadel?"
"Yes. Your uncle established the Jones Citadel. You have inherited it," said Malcolm.
"No one said anything about a Citadel to me." There was a definite tone of mistrust in Sid's voice.
Smiling, Malcolm said, "She's giving you credentials to take over it when you get to Crossroads."
"Okay," said Sid having decided that there was something very odd about this discussion.
Malcolm could hear that Sid had doubts about this call. He changed the subject. "Now that I've given you the message from the caretakers, let me pass along my own message."
"What?"
"First, you did an amazing job of taking down the Surgeon. I don't think I could have done that. I once watched him dice a man up into little pieces. It wasn't pretty."
"Thank you."
"Second, you should have killed him. He's a mean bastard who will hunt you down."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Malcolm said, "I'm serious. He's a very nasty customer and doesn't need a reason to kill someone. You've given him a reason to kill you. I just thought I should warn you so that you won't be taken by surprise when he comes after you."
"Thanks."
Malcolm managed to talk Sid into taking down his telephone number. It took some effort, but he managed to get Sid to promise that he would call back after he had a chance to think about it for several days. Knowing Gerald by reputation, Malcolm was satisfied that Sid would keep his promise.
After hanging up, Malcolm studied the contact list. There were close to twenty names on the list with at least half of them from the orient. It made sense that there were so many from the orient since there was still a strong martial arts tradition at work there. A Sensei would introduce his better students to the portal and those that survived would continue their training with even greater diligence. He was planning to do the same for two of his students when they were ready.
Picking up the phone, he went to work trying to line up two more
heroes for this war. He picked a name from Japan hoping the idea of
being a warlord would interest one of the Japanese Heroes. After the
first one hung up on him because he didn't speak Japanese, he decided
that this was going to be far harder than he imagined.