Chapter 8: Departures

The following morning we receive news that the road to the south will reopen later today. That starts a flurry of activity as the three southbound caravans prepare to depart. The masters of the three eastbound caravans are less certain about what to do. The river level is dropping, but it will be at least tomorrow before the water flow is slow enough to ferry heavy loads across. The alternative is to travel south and then east, but that could add two days to the journey. It is the likelihood of the sudden heavy traffic on the south road turning it into a quagmire that encourages the east bound caravans to stay at Wadi Halaf another day.

Caravan masters who stop at Wadi Halaf are never asked to pay for their stay in advance. The tariff for services provided at Wadi Halaf is well established, but that doesn’t stop the quibbling over the amount owed when it comes time to depart. Caravan masters know from experience not to argue with my father, but they obviously consider Aren and me to be open to negotiation. I ultimately hold the upper hand, since the gates of Wadi Halaf will remain closed until Aren confirms that payment has been made and that a caravan may leave. The law entitles a caravanserai to confiscate goods and animals to cover the amount due should the caravan master fail to pay.

Arnolf, the master of the caravan with the elephant, demands that we reduce the cost for the animal’s keep to the same as that for a camel. Aren refuses. There’s an argument, and I’m summoned to settle the dispute.

“Pay the amount due, Arnolf,” I growl. “Or Wadi Halaf will be dining on elephant steaks for the next week. You know we don’t negotiate over the tariff. If you don’t like our service and prices, then go elsewhere in future.”

I’m only taking a slight risk that Arnolf will do so. There are two other caravenserai in the city, but neither of them offers the extensive service Wadi Halaf can provide. Certainly we are the only caravanserai to offer nightly entertainment and sex as part of the package.

“Arnolf is just being grumpy because he missed out on having Dania or Phoebe service his hungry cock last night,” laughs Arnolf’s quartermaster.

“Is that your problem, Arnolf?” I ask. “You didn’t get to sodomise a woman of your choice?”

“Hmm ... Sharina and Mia were good, but Dania or Phoebe would have been my preference,” admits Arnolf. “It’s a shame you no longer work the nights here. From what I remember, that arse of yours can drive a man wild with lust.”

“Well Dania and Phoebe are asleep at the moment, but we can’t have you leaving here dissatisfied. Have your quartermaster pay Aren the amount due while you and I solve your problem.”

Arnolf and I leave Aren and the quartermaster to settle matters. The side room I choose is not ideal, but Arnolf isn’t the only one hungry for sex. There are times when I yearn for the carefree abandon of a slave when it comes to sex. From what I remember of Arnolf’s sexual preferences, he’s a devotee of the back passage ... male or female. That probably explains why Sharina and Mia weren’t his ideal partners. Neither of them likes being sodomised, but being slaves, they have no say in the matter.

I remove my clothes, which in my experience is the quickest way to interest a man in sex. Of course, when I was a slave, my attire was minimal in any case. Arnolf quickly follows my example. I let Arnolf take the lead. He’s not one for kissing or fondling my tits, but he nevertheless gives us both time to prepare for his next move. When he is ready, he spins me around and has me bend over a couch with my arse in the air. Fortunately my extended period of celibacy makes me wet with desire in no time. His cock is soon hard and he starts teasing my cunt until my juices have oiled his cock. I use my flowing juices to prepare my sphincter for Arnolf’s assault. As I anticipated, it is my arse that he wishes to penetrate. Although it has been a while since I last accommodated a man’s shaft in my arse, my sphincter is still distended enough to accept Arnolf’s cock without undue pain. I reach underneath me to tease my clit while Arnolf pumps away with vigour.