Message-ID: <21597asstr$944068201@assm.asstr-mirror.org> X-Original-Message-ID: <001401bf3bc2$84903240$99e946cf@lewis> From: "Leviticus" Subject: {ASSM} To Catch a Monster part 5 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2314.1300 Date: Wed, 1 Dec 1999 12:10:01 -0500 Path: assm.asstr-mirror.org!not-for-mail Approved: Newsgroups: alt.sex.stories.moderated,alt.sex.stories Followup-To: alt.sex.stories.d X-Archived-At: X-Moderator-Contact: ASSTR ASSM moderation X-Story-Submission: X-Moderator-ID: dennyw, Lambchop To Catch a Monster Part 5 The noise in the Great Hall was now at the level of a dull roar as hundreds of people now gathered for the evening meal. As Rhianna rejoined Matthew she couldn't help looking around her at the throng. All were dressed in variations of leather and cloth and a lot of the men and some of the women were topless due to the heat generated by all these bodies. Children and dogs ran around the adults, at play with their friends and occasionally Rhianna would see a parent or someone join in the games. "How many of you are there?" Rhianna asked her guide. "Close to five hundred I think. It's a little hard to keep track due to births and people leaving. But it's held steady at that number for the last couple of decades." "I see...." Rhianna stopped, something had caught her eye. Many people were getting seated now and Rhianna's attention had been captured by one couple at a table nearby. They were dressed normally enough, but the woman had her hands bound behind her and a stick tied though her mouth. No one else at the table seemed disturbed by this, even though she didn't look very happy. "Matthew, what's going on here?" Rhianna asked him, pointing. "What? Oh....I told you things were different here. Evidently they had a dispute of some kind or she let her mouth run off at the wrong person. She's being disciplined." "Disciplined?" "Yes. It's okay, she's not getting whipped or anything like that. Here a husband has a perfect right to bind and gag any woman in his household if they break any rules. It's how we dispense law here." "How civilized!" Rhianna said sarcastically. "Use that tone with the wrong person and I would have the right to do the same to you!" Matthew told her sternly. Rhianna shut up. In this crowd there would be nothing to stop him. They continued on toward the far end of the hall, and Rhianna counted three more women of various ages in the same state of bondage. She also counted several woman who just had their hands bound, and unlike the gagged ones these women seemed in good spirits. Rhianna pointed them out to Matthew. He laughed. "They're just having fun, bondage is an acceptable form of affection here too, and recreation!" "So that's where you got it from." Rhianna replied. Matthew grinned. He led her to a table at the far wall. This one was populated mainly with men and women in their later years, the senior citizens of the compound. All smiled and nodded to Rhianna and Matthew as they passed and Rhianna returned their smiles. They stopped at one old gentleman who seemed to have a bright spark in each eye. "Matthew! Good to see you boy!" said the old man brightly. "Hello, Sir. It's good to be back again." "Two years Matthew, that's inexcusable!" "I know Sir, I'll try and make up for it." "I think you have already." he said, turning to Rhianna. "Bringing such beauty to see me is repayment enough!" Matthew chuckled and Rhianna began to blush at the compliment. "I'd like you to meet Rhianna, Sir. Rhianna, this is Gabe Miller, our..." "...Don't you dare say OLD young man!" chuckled Gabe. "...most respected resident." Matthew finished. Rhianna laughed. "Ah, the laugh of a young woman, how I cherish it! So you plan on marrying young Mr. Anderson here." he asked her with a wink. "That's the plan Sir." Rhianna replied, knowing that Gabe was in on the real reason she was there. "Well, since you have no family here, perhaps you will do me the honor of letting me give you away." Rhianna smiled, she liked him already! "I would be honored Sir." There were some chuckles from the other nearby occupants of the table. "Gabe," said one of the women with a toothless grin, "you're a devil!" The others laughed. Gabe gave them all an honest look that fooled no one. "Guilty as charged. Now has a date been set?" Both Rhianna and Matthew opened their mouths to say no, but the other table occupants began talking loudly about what a good date would be. As the discussion raged, Gabe gestured for Rhianna and Matthew to bend close. "I want to see the both of you in my quarters later tonight. We must talk." he said, all serious now. Rhianna saw that despite his age Gabe had lost none of his faculties. Here was a man on top of things. "We will." Matthew told him. Rhianna's attention was drawn back to the discussion of her wedding date. It seemed a date had been settled on. "We've got Christmas in two weeks," one spokesman said loudly enough to be heard over the rest, "and we'll have Lord Song before that every night starting in two nights. It has to be the night after tomorrow. It can't be any later!" There was much agreement from those assembled except for Rhianna and Matthew who looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Even though they talked marriage, there had been no intent on actually having the ceremony. Rhianna found it doubtful that she would get the case wrapped up in two days. "We don't mind waiting until after Christmas." she said. "Impossible, it's bad luck!" someone said. "Tell them Gabe!" Someone else shouted. Gabe nodded. "It's true, it would be a terribly bad omen to marry so soon after the solstice. We don't allow a marriage after that until the first thaw. Spring brings us luck!" Rhianna looked to Matthew for support, but he was nodding, a slight smile on his face. Rhianna realized that he had known this all along. "As you say Sir. We'll be married on the date set." Matthew said. Rhianna was about to object again when a horn sounded nearby. She turned and saw Paul Anderson standing alone on a stage nearby in one corner of the hall. He had a long brass horn at his lips and blew it again. The entire population of the hall quieted down. "Friends." he said in a voice loud enough to carry to all, "before we eat tonight I wish to introduce you to a newcomer in our midst. She will not be here for long I'm afraid, unless you can convince her otherwise, but she is here with good reason. My youngest brother, Matthew, has brought her here to be married in our eyes and hearts, and through this marriage be accepted into this community. I would like you all to welcome her and allow her to get to know you all. Rhianna, come here!" Rhianna turned to look at all the faces now staring at her. She felt quite embarrassed at the attention. "Go, Rhianna." whispered Matthew. Rhianna took a deep breath and made her way to the stage. Climbing it she noticed tucked away in the back corner a lonely piano, and she remembered that it's player was no longer among this group. "Here she is friends. Say hello!" Paul said with a smile, taking her hand. There was a chorus of hello's from the crowd and Rhianna couldn't help smiling and she put a hand up to her face to hide her embarrassment. "Isn't she lovely?" Paul asked the group and wolf whistles could be heard from several parts of the room making people laugh. "You will have to be patient with her." Paul cautioned them all. "She is unaware of a lot of our customs and as you all know there is a period of adjustment you need to allow for. Right Estelle?" Paul shouted at a particular corner. Everyone turned and laughed at an embarrassed young woman who sat next to her new husband, her hands bound behind her. Her husband leaned over and gave the helpless woman a big kiss that had the crowd cheering. Someone came up to Paul and whispered in his ear for a moment before leaving again. "Friends. I just got told that the wedding will be the night before Lord Song begins." The crowd cheered again. One wag shouted that Rhianna could get married tonight once she met his son and fell in love with him. There was a chorus of laughter and Rhianna recognized the humorist as being Johan from the horse barn. Paul chuckled too. "Johan, you need something to fill your mouth before it gets you into trouble! It's time to eat!" The women at the tables all got up and headed for the kitchen end of the hall and Paul led Rhianna down and over to where his own family was sitting. Matthew was already there. "Seeing it's your first meal we wont hold you to custom." Paul told her, seating her next to Matthew. "Normally the women go fetch the food for the family." "Okay." said Rhianna. She was feeling slightly lost, so much was happening. She looked about the table and Paul introduced her to the other family members. There was Adam, the middle brother and Mary, a sister who had her daughters doing the fetching tonight. Their families also sat at the long table and Rhianna almost lost track of all the names as the children and spouses were introduced. One young man she made an effort to remember. A sour looking young man named Sol. This was the son who had been going to marry June, one of the victims of the killer. A plate of food was placed before her by Elizabeth, now dressed again, but still sweaty from her time in the kitchen. Rhianna's plate was full of bread and vegetables. Rhianna looked and saw that the men also had meat on theirs and Matthew caught her look. "Women aren't allowed meat." he told her. Other female members of the family returned with more food, there were cheeses on plates that all could share from, and milk or water in jugs to drink. The men again got something the women weren't allowed, beer, but no one seemed to mind. Rhianna shrugged and dug in, using her fingers as the others did. She was famished and ate without a pause, listening as the extended family caught up on Matthew's where abouts. She also watched a couple at a nearby table, the woman sitting with her hands bound behind her. The couple was grinning and laughing and the husband fed his wife with his own fingers. He would tease her by holding the food just out of her reach and making her stretch. She would eventually grab the food and laugh as she ate it. No one else at that table commented on the game they played. As far as they were concerned it was extremely normal. Matthew talked about his "Import" business as if he was still running it, and Rhianna smiled. He really didn't want them to know where he had been. Looking at them all Rhianna didn't blame them, she wouldn't want her OWN family to know a few things about her either. When they asked how Rhianna and Matthew met, Rhianna expected him to make up something casual. He did, inventing a long friendship between them that culminated in their getting married in the outside world before coming here to "make it official". The group was spell bound by his tale except for Paul who finished his food and sat back silently. Rhianna and Paul exchanged a look. Both recognized in each other that neither of them were letting the real reason she was there leave their minds. Eventually the food was eaten and families began leaving the hall. Rhianna expected that she would be recruited into helping clean up, but Elizabeth said no. "We prepared tonight, dear, there are others for cleanup." Rhianna smiled. "That's great, I could do with a wash." "So could I!" chuckled the older woman. "How about we show her the baths!" Matthew suggested. "Good idea, although it isn't proper for you to go if she does. You know that." Matthew gave a big sigh. "I know. I guess I'll stop by later to see you, Pet." Matthew told Rhianna. "Yes, I'd like that." Rhianna said for the benefit of the listeners. Actually she had a lot of questions for him and there was also that meeting with Gabe. Paul stood up first. "Thank you, it was a good meal." he said solemnly, and started away. "Aren't you coming, Paul?" asked his wife. Paul shook his head. "Please Paul. You've been troubled the last several days, you could use a good soak. I'll rub your back!" Paul turned and Rhianna saw a half smile cross his features. "You always know the best things to say, wife!" he told her. "That's what I learn, being married to you all these years." Paul walked back and took his wife by the hand and everyone go up from the table. Only a few went along to the bathhouse. Paul, Elizabeth, Lilly and Sol. Matthew disappeared with Adam and his family. Rhianna walked with the family only a short distance, passing through none of the passage ways she associated with moving between buildings. They arrived in a largish room populated with men and women in various states of undress. Paul led his group over to a section clear of others and began removing his tunic. The others also began undressing. "You can't take a bath with your clothes on!" giggled Lilly, stepping out of her dress. Rhianna looked around, a little shocked at the fact that this family was calmly getting naked together. "If this makes you uncomfortable, we can do this some other time." Elizabeth said to her, looking concerned. Rhianna thought about it. Looking around she saw nude and dressed men and women who chatted and seemed to take no notice of their nudity. Just like in the kitchen this was nudity for convenience rather than titillation. "I'm fine. It's okay." Rhianna said, reaching back for the laces that held her dress on. "Let me help." Lilly said, naked except for the cord about her waist. The teenager stepped behind the agent and began working on the knot. Elizabeth smiled and she and her equally nude husband pulled some towels and what looked like soap from a shelf and headed through another door. Sol had gotten undressed and was standing with a couple of other young men who were also naked. They were talking solemnly and went through the doors together. "What did you do to this knot?" Lilly asked, tugging hard on the knot Rhianna had tied. "Here, it's a sailors knot, let me show you." Rhianna answered. She reached back and pulled in one place and instead of untying the knot merely slid and loosened up the whole dress. "Nice!" Lilly said with a smile. Rhianna shrugged out of the dress and nervously pulled off her loin cloth. Naked except for her own cord about her waist, Rhianna accepted a towel from her young friend and the twosome headed into the bathhouse. It was large and had about a dozen large wooden tubs sunk into the ground. Steam rose from each of them and Rhianna wondered how they heated the water. She saw many groups of people sharing the tubs and spied Sol with a group of men in the largest. Despite her nervousness Rhianna could still appreciate the sight of a nice naked male, and there were plenty to see. Lilly led Rhianna over to a smaller tub where Paul and Elizabeth already soaked. True to her word Elizabeth sat behind her husband and looked to be in the act of soaping him down, her breasts tipped in foam as she rocked back and forth kneading his shoulders. Rhianna noticed that neither of them had taken off their wrist bands. Paul smiled as Rhianna stepped into the hot water, making her self-conscious about being naked again. No one else seemed to care though and she settled down until she was neck deep in the water, sitting on a submerged bench. The water felt SO GOOD! "Is that a current I feel?" she asked suddenly. "Yes." Paul answered. "Water flows continuously through all the tubs. It helps keep them clean." "How is it heated?" "Hot springs. That's why the founders picked this site. We get free hot water to bathe in. But don't drink it. It will make you sick if you drink too much." "Yes Sir." Rhianna replied. She sat and watched Elizabeth soap and rinse her husband, who then turned around and did the same to her. There was evidently a lot of love between them and Rhianna was happy for them. Despite her surprises at the roles the men and women had taken on here, it evidently hadn't affected how they felt about each other. It made Rhianna feel better to know that despite the obvious BDSM aspects of this society, it wasn't one based on the "Whips and Chains" aspect of the lifestyle. Rhianna stretched and found some soap and began to wash herself down. She took care to wash her long hair and thought nothing of standing up in the tub to reach all her parts. As she was rinsing off she saw a few of Sol's friends watching her with more than casual curiosity, and Rhianna was surprised to find that she wasn't embarrassed by the attention. I guess a woman's body can be exciting after all, she thought! Lilly had finished her own bath and had climbed out to talk to some of her own friends. The girls were joined by a couple of boys their age and Rhianna recognized Lilly's body language as they chatted together. She had a crush on one of those young men. Rhianna looked at the girl's father who had also spotted Lilly's flirting. "Come now Paul," said Elizabeth. "How old were WE when you started courting me, and in this very bathhouse!" Paul smiled and shook his head. "I know, but when it's your own daughter. She's still a baby to me." Rhianna smiled and watched the teenagers. It occurred to her that none of them wore wrist bands like their parents. "Paul, can I ask you something?" Rhianna said. "Certainly." Those leather bands you and Elizabeth wear, do they have a special meaning? I've noticed that most of the adults wear them, but none of the children." Paul smiled. "Yes, they are special. They are a symbol of marriage, like you would use a wedding ring. Each couple wears identical designs as a symbol of united spirits." "I like that!" said the Agent, and she turned back to the teenagers. After a few minutes she realized something that HAD to be unique in the world, or at least here in the states. Most women are very aware of when men check them out, talking to their breasts instead of their faces, that kind of thing. It was normal for a man to shift his eyes back and forth a few times during a conversation and most of the time they were unaware they were doing it. But here Rhianna saw that the boys barely took their eyes off the girls faces. There was a basic once over that both sexes gave each other when they met, something that had to have been genetically programmed into all human beings as part of that primitive search for the perfect mate thing, but that was it. Rhianna was being constantly amazed. Her thoughts were interrupted by a young man who came up to her. Rhianna had a hard time keeping HER eyes on HIS face. "Rhianna?" he said to her. "I'm supposed to tell you that Matthew is waiting outside." "Thank you." Rhianna said. She turned to Paul, somehow she felt that she had to get his permission to go. "Go, see your man. But don't be out too late." Paul said with a grin. "Thanks." smiled Rhianna and she climbed out of the tub. She dried herself with her towel on her way back to the dressing room and quickly dressed. Out in the corridor Matthew stood alone. "Felling better?" he asked. "Yes, thank you." He moved closer. "You certainly smell better." Rhianna gave him a playful punch. Matthew laughed and took her hand. Rhianna smiled and enjoyed his touch, then suddenly let go. "What's up?" Matthew asked. "I'm not here for that." said Rhianna, "We have a job to do." "Fine, Miss Secret Agent Woman." growled Matthew. "Let's go do our job then and you can take me back to prison where I belong!" Rhianna took a breath. "I'm sorry." "Sorry for what? Turning on me now or turning on me two years ago?" "Now isn't the time to talk about this." "We have to talk sometime." Matthew said seriously. "Do we? Why do we have to discuss what happened between us at all! Our being here at all is simply an assignment." "Oh yeah, just like the last time we were together, it was just an assignment." Rhianna felt a surge of anger mixed with something else that shook her. "You bastard." she told him. Matthew moved quickly, he took both her wrists and pushed her backward against the wall. "I'm the bastard? You betrayed ME, remember?" he growled. Rhianna was frightened by his sudden action, she tried to pull away but he was incredibly strong. The door to the dressing room opened and some people came out. Matthew quickly leaned forward and kissed Rhianna hard on the lips. "Hey you two, not before you're married!" one of the newcomers joked and they all laughed. Matthew ended the kiss and let go, smiling at the group. Rhianna stood still, her heart beating. The kiss had brought back memories of when Matthew had kissed her for real. Back then those kisses had melted her knees and this one was no exception. Between his rough handling of her a nd the kiss Rhianna felt confused, turned on and a little frightened. She said and did nothing until she and Matthew were alone again. "Sorry." he told her. "I know you hated that. But it was good cover." "Yeah." she whispered. "Good cover." "Come on, let's go see Gabe." Matthew said, and he began walking. Matthew thought about the kiss. He was sure that Rhianna had enjoyed it rather than hated it. He had actually felt her beginning to melt under him, and it had felt wonderful! He glanced over at her walking barefoot beside him and thought about how she looked naked and in chains back at his New York apartment. She had been a vision then and was a vision now. He wondered if there was another man in her life, he suspected there was. Well, whoever it was was going to have to deal with some stiff competition from now on. Matthew led Rhianna through a maze of passage ways that took them through several of the half buried buildings that the families lived in during the winter. They didn't say a word to each other as they walked, and Rhianna took the opportunity to get a closer look at this strange community. They passed though the center of each building and saw that a playground for the children had been built in each one. Only a few children were at play since it was getting late but the ones Rhianna saw seemed healthy and well adjusted. All were watched over by an attentive adult who usually waved a greeting as they passed. Rhianna also saw evidence of some of the more adult evening activities. In one section they had to stand to one side as a group of women in just their loin cloths came running by screaming in mock fear, their hands bound behind them. They were followed by an equal number of men in masks and loin cloths who chased them whooping and hollering. Rhianna wondered if it was a party game or something. In another section she saw an area set aside where five sets of wooden stocks were set up. Trapped in one set in just his loin cloth was a large man. He didn't look very happy. Rhianna made as if to move closer, but Matthew took her arm. "Don't." he said. "But..." "I'll explain later." Rhianna wondered if this was another punishment. There was so much she wanted to know. They eventually reached a door with Gabe's name on it and Matthew knocked. The door was answered by a grandmotherly looking woman. "Hello Leann. Gabe asked us to drop by." Matthew told her. "Hello Matthew, Rhianna. Come in, he's expecting you." They went inside and Leann took Rhianna's arm. "Let the men greet each other first, child. Come, you can help me with refreshments." Rhianna nodded and followed Leann to a small private pantry. Inside it was cold and Rhianna again wondered how they heated all these buildings. Was it the springs? Leann pored two large mugs of beer from a wooden keg and handed them over to Rhianna. "You can take those in to the men. What would you like for yourself?" "Just water, thank you." Rhianna answered. "I'll bring it in to you." smiled Leann. "Now go, child. They'll be waiting." Rhianna carried the heavy mugs out to where Matthew and Gabe sat by a fireplace. "There she is!" said Gabe with a smile. Rhianna handed him a mug first, and then Matthew. She saw no other chairs, just throw pillows like at Paul's. She sat down on one, curling up her legs under her. Gabe smiled but said nothing. Leann came in and Matthew rose from his chair. "Would you like...?" he asked, gesturing to the chair. "Nonsense young man. You sit. I have work to do anyway." Leann said as she passed Rhianna a tumbler of water. Matthew sat back down. Now clued in on how to tell who the married folk were, Rhianna looked at the wrists of their hosts. She was surprised to see that neither of them wore bands. Rhianna wondered what their relationship was. The threesome sat in silence for a short while, just gazing at the open fire. Rhianna found it quite peaceful, and enjoyed being curled up on a pillow while the men sat in their hard leather chairs. Eventually Gabe broke the silence. "I know who you are Rhianna, and I know all about what happened between you and Matthew here and where he has really been the past two years. I can't say I'm impressed by him or the actions that he took to put him in prison. But I hear he's paying for his crime and that means a lot to me. I'm more impressed by you, girl. To do your duty as hard as it was, took a lot of strength." "It wasn't as hard as they may have made it out to be, Sir." Rhianna said. Gabe looked at her. He saw that it hadn't been as easy as she was pretending either. "No matter. I just wanted you to know that I am fully aware of why you are here and expect to be kept informed." "I'll tell you what I can Sir." Rhianna said. She wasn't about to start talking about an active investigation with anyone who wasn't directly involved. "You will tell me everything." Rhianna remained silent. She looked away from Gabe whose eyes bored into her. "Now girl. What I would like to know is, what do you intend to do next?" Rhianna thought for a moment. "Well Sir. My partner in town is handling all the forensics and any interviews and investigative work that needs to be conducted off the mountain. In many ways he has the bulk of the work to do. But what I need to do is talk to the families of each of the murdered women, their closest friends, the people they had contact with the days they disappeared. I also need to see the ones that found them, and everyone who visited the crime scenes after they were found. I need a map of the area marked with where they were found, and I also need a schedule of their actions prior to when they were taken. THEN, I need to talk to whoever my previous talks have led me to." "That's a lot of talking." said Gabe. "I know, and there is no way I'll be able to get it done in two days." Rhianna said. "Why did you have to talk about setting the date of the wedding? It was only supposed to be a cover!" "It would not have been in character for me NOT to talk about it, Rhianna." Gabe said with a smile. "But there was no intent on our part to actually go through with it!" Rhianna argued. "Isn't there some way it can be postponed?" "No, not unless you plan on staying here the entire winter. Or, you tell everyone the real reason you're here. The entire compound is now set on you marrying young Matthew here, they would not accept a postponement without a very good reason." Rhianna sighed. "I...No disrespect intended, but getting married right now was not exactly part of my plans." Gabe laughed and Matthew offered a slight smile. "Young Lady, when you go back to your world, your marriage to Matthew will only be a valid as you wish it to be. If it disturbs you so much you can forget about what went on here. But, here we take marriage very seriously, it is a cornerstone of our beliefs. My people expect you to be married in two nights and you will give them that wedding!" Gabe's eyes were hard now, and Rhianna sensed a great force of will in the old man. Right now he was an ally in her investigation, but she felt that if she kept protesting he could quickly become an enemy. "Alright, we'll do it." she said. End of Part 5 You can contact me on ICQ #36088062 Or catch up on the Valley and Rhianna Summer stories at http://www.dajungle.com/stories/leviticus -- If you enjoyed this work, take a moment to email the author. Your comments are their only payment. 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