01 Taxilas Children

TAXILA'S CHILDREN
"The river is deeper than it looks. You can wade across but it will come to chest height. If
you want a wet tunic, keep it on. If you want a dry tunic, take it off, fold it and place it on to
your head. I sometimes wonder if you know anything, O Great One from the stars!"
Steve wasn't sure if he knew anything either. She started to undress, turning his back on
him and lifted her tunic over her head. She was naked beneath it and he had trouble with
keeping his breathing steady. She was very beautiful - at least, her back was! She walked into
the water without looking back and waded until it covered her waist. She swam through the
middle section and then started to walk out. One arm held her clothing on her head.
He yanked off his tunic, folded it and placed it on his head, without taking his eyes off her.
He walked quickly into the water, as she reached the other side and climbed out. The river
was icy cold but it did nothing to cool the heat in his blood. He walked in up to his chest and
didn't have to resort to a dog paddle for the central section. The current was swift but it was
easy to keep balance, braced against the stones on the bottom.
She put down her bundle and started to do something with her hair. He climbed out on to
the bank and she turned and looked at him in wide eyed frankness. She was quite
unselfconscious. He stood paralysed and feasted his eyes on her. He still held his tunic
clamped on his head. She was superb, gorgeous. He had always seen her as being the
equivalent of a teenager, little more than a child - but she was revealed as a voluptuous, fully
matured woman. She said quietly.
"You look stupid with one hand on your head - unless that's a pose you men from the stars
hold when you want to attract the attention of a woman!"
"What are you trying to do to me?"
"I read a word in your mind - seducing - I suppose I'm trying to seduce you, Steve Holt!
We have each examined the other. The way of my people is direct. If I hadn't wanted you, I
would never have led you here and allowed you to come so close to me. So, what do you men
from the stars expect now? Do I have to throw myself on you before you do something - like
Hara?"
Steve threw his folded tunic to the ground and reached out for her. He pulled her wet body
against him. She shivered and he suddenly realised she was frightened, despite all her
bravado. He felt flooded with desire for her, he wanted her so badly, but he forced himself to
go slowly. He sensed her inexperience and he knew this was not going to remain a torrid little
rough and tumble in the woods. This was the beginning of something much more.
She gave a sharp little cry when he first took her and then she relaxed and with the
relaxation a response of fire which he had never experienced before. They fulfilled each other
again and again, during the warmth of that afternoon and then slept as the light faded,
entwined together in each other's arms. It was almost dark as they bathed in the stream and
then dressed and picked up their bundle of food. They never did eat the lunch which they had
raided from the kitchen of the Thanehold.
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