Valencio's Story, Part Two

by Veronice

Most wizards consider Medjkind (muggles) vastly inferior humans, and many use them as they choose. This is the story of Valencio Durano, taken by the Khatabi Family when he was twelve. In this story, the 'Great Wizard,' once known as Harry Potter, finally makes an appearance

29. Chapter 29

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and his world belong to J. K. Rowling. In this story, Harry Potter is very old, and is known as 'The Great Wizard.' His name is Bellamy.

Chapter 29:

Jimmy waited at the small Duich airport. Two guests were arriving by aeroplane. The airport was a regular part of his run, even when there were no guests, as there were often other passengers needing a ride into town. He wasn't expecting Valencio and Tasha, but welcomed them, embracing Tasha, then Valencio, wreathed in smiles.

"I didn't know you were coming!" he exclaimed, and said to Valencio, "You look very tired, Vince."

Valencio nodded, "I am, a bit. The last few weeks were gruelling."

A man and a woman hovered uncertainly, and Vince said to them, "Pam, Judd, this is Jimmy, who drives the bus."

Jimmy turned to them, and greeted them. Guests were not supposed to be ignored just because two of their own had returned unexpectedly.

Jimmy said, "We collect a few more passengers at Duich now, drop off one in Glen Kay, then Loch Lomand, then I pick up the girls from Bogridge, and bring them home. Regular route, though I may change the times in July, when the girls finish at school."

"How are they going?"

"Brigitta and Evita are confident, but Inge plays too much. She insists she's still doing enough to get through."

"The ones at university?"

"Thierry dropped out. Some ignorant young man refused to be put off. He upset her badly. She says she's not budging from home ever again."

Valencio said, "I don't think I will, either. It's the best place."

Tasha started talking to the new guests, describing standard activities. Jimmy chimed in, "Picnic races Saturday, and Connie's doing Origami."

Valencio asked, "What's Origami? Like Kung Fu?"

"Flower arranging."

Pam contradicted, "No, it's not. Origami is paper folding."

"Oh, well, Connie's doing flower arranging. Tickled pink with the gardens, lots of flowers, and we've got Svetlana who knows something about it."

Pam smiled, "I'd like that."

Jimmy continued, "The following Saturday, I'll be taking a busload to Bogridge for some Highland Games."

"Highland Games?"

"You should take part, Vince. See if you can toss a caber."

"What's a caber?"

"Dirty great log, I believe. I haven't seen it done, yet."

Valencio laughed, "I doubt if I can toss a dirty great log!"

They picked up six shoppers in Duich, one to be returned to Glen Kay, three to Bogridge, and Emma and Mary, who both had to hug and exclaim over the returned 'club members.'

"You're too thin," Emma accused Valencio.

He grinned ruefully, "I kept getting into trouble for that. Schuster seemed to think that I was doing it on purpose to annoy him." But he changed the subject. There was no need for either guests or locals to know that he'd done a film. "What have you been buying?"

Emma displayed her purchases for him, and chattered about the horses, two new ones from John's place, small ponies for children, very pretty.

Valencio asked, "Emanuelle's foal?"

"Expected any day."

"It's a shame there'll be none next year," remarked Tasha. "It's so lovely to see new foals."

Emma laughed, "Well, as to that, it appears that Jack may have taken care of it. Not even two years old, and he was found in the paddock with the riding horses, four mares surrounding him and very affectionate. He's gelded now, and we have to wait and see how many mares, if any, he succeeded with."

Jimmy called, "Take you right home, Marj?"

A stout, middle-aged woman answered, "That'd be lovely, Jimmy."

She had three large shopping bags, two of which proclaimed, Kwai-Jeeha's Dress Shop, for relaxed dressing. The large-size specialist dress shop was the result of Anne Corbett's complaints - that she had to go all the way to Edinburgh to find a decent range of large-size clothing. Valencio had repeated her complaint one day at dinner, and Kwai-Jeeha had taken up the challenge.

Loch Lomand next, and one of the women remarked as they drove up the long drive, "The gardens certainly are lovely."

Kaede was waiting to greet the new guests, and only beamed at Tasha and Valencio, who gave her a quick hug each, and started unloading luggage.

Jimmy helped, then said, "Back shortly," and drove the remaining shoppers to their homes in Bogridge, and then picked up the girls from school.

It was good to be home. To be greeted by Shona, ecstatic to see them, to have Ginger stare at them indifferently, and then take up her favourite perch on top of a cupboard as if they'd never been away. She was rather round in the middle, although Dot had been supposed to have treated her with a year-long anti-conception spell. Or was that last year? Belinda, who played the piano, and only nodded vaguely when someone told her that Vince and Tasha were back. Even to note that the paddocks were crying out for a clean-up, and the truck was broken down again.

The following morning, Valencio and Tasha rode the Pamela Track. It was beginning to be a tradition after an absence, and not just for Valencio and Tasha. The Pamela Track, the memorial to those who died, victims of the Khatabis. It was always ridden quietly, respectfully. Crio-magic, especially on start and finish, so that guests might not notice the narrow track, and decide to explore.

They stood together at the top afterwards. They could see for miles from that point. Tasha pointed to where Mary led a gentle ride toward the beginning of the Heidi Track. In the practice paddock, Gloria was watching two of the guests, who wanted to participate in the Picnic Races. If she judged them good enough, one would have Sirius, who nearly always won, and was sufficiently good tempered to tolerate different riders. No guest who won a horse race, ever went home displeased..

Tasha asked, "What are your plans for the afternoon? Entertain guests?"

"I'm taking a week off before taking any notice of guests. Too tired."

"Then what?"

"Would you like to come with me and we'll visit Joe and Anne?"

"Give them my regards, but I like the sound of Svetlana's Ikebana classes."

"Flowers?"

Tasha confirmed, "Flowers," and suggested, "Fast canter home?"

Valencio looked doubtfully at Dragon Breath. "Am I too heavy for him?"

"Of course not. He's a strong pony, and anyway, it's not far, and all downhill."

The dining room seemed almost empty at lunch time, with some outside workers away, some serving, and some being hosts for the guests. Only one of the four long tables was in use. Valencio said, "I hope some decide to stay forever. I want to."

Tasha said, "It can always be our home base, but I want to travel, as well. I've had too few experiences in my life."

"Hollywood was an experience."

Tasha decided it was too early yet to talk of his next film, and asked Gloria about the arrangements for the Picnic Races instead. Gloria never ate with the guests. She didn't mind organising the horse-riding, but she was too impatient to be always polite.

Narzu-Han's report for May. It was Galina this time, and she gave her report personally, thinking that there was really very little new to report. Well and happy, busy, popular with the guests. What else? "Someone told me he burst into the dining room one day, when everyone was in the middle of breakfast to say that Emanuelle had had her foal, and was absolutely beautiful, and they could all go and see it instantly if they wanted. And half of them did, though I really don't know why it couldn't wait until after breakfast."

Narzu-Han laughed. Galina smiled, thinking what else would amuse the boss. "I heard he was pulled up for speeding, given a colossal lecture, but not fined. He was laughing about it, I heard, and said that all one had to do was look at the ground and be very remorseful, and Clem always lets him off."

Narzu-Han smiled fondly, and wished very much that he could go and see him. "Did you hear any more about a possible job that someone spoke of in November?"

"Only that he did a couple of commercials last year, advertising that is, but so have a few of the others."

Narzu-Han sighed. His boy was contented. He must not go near him, must not disturb him in any way. Either Galina or Feena would go back in July, and check on him. The booking was already made, though they could only get three days. School holidays, it seemed, and booked out months ahead.

xdividerx

At the start of summer, Valencio and three male guests helped fence off an area for some new livestock. It was not only for Adolfina and Ingrid, but also for Evita, who wanted to do a course to qualify her as a Veterinary Nurse. The local vet was helpful, and they all knew him well. They wanted a dozen of the Highland black-faced sheep, some dairy cows, and some goats. Evita wanted pigs as well, but Joe Corbett suggested she leave it a little, as pigs could be awkward animals to look after.

They already had poultry, and therefore eggs, though no-one ever suggested that any of their hens should be killed and eaten. There were still about seventy mouths to feed, including the forty guests, and they needed to buy in bulk. Besides, the hens were named, and everyone knows that you can't eat an animal with a name.

Valencio had tan marks now. He liked to work with his shirt off, especially the dirty jobs. He'd almost forgotten Pandragon, deeply involved in the work of Loch Lomand. When this job was finished, he'd start working through the vehicles, servicing each one, though Carol had forbidden him to 'repair' any except his truck. And then there was that narrow valley whose entrance was blocked with thorny berry bushes. Cam said that he was sure he remembered an orchard through there, but it was going to take some work to make a path through.

At the beginning of July, Kane was back, this time with a friend. From then on, Kane and Adam were constantly at his heels, whenever they were not having riding lessons. They were staying a month. Adam's mother was not only working, but very much involved with a new boyfriend, grateful that Kay Stevenson would look after Adam, though she was paying. To their thrilled surprise, they were allocated a cottage right next to Vince and Tasha. There were two other cottages, and they, too, were allocated to families, as almost all the units only had one bedroom.

The riding lessons were every morning, and the boys practised on the spotted ponies, for the pairs, and for a children's jumping event, the jumps no more than two feet high. They were to go to Glen Kay gymkhana, and were practising hard. There were other contestants among the guests. There would also be the girls as usual, Mary and Gloria, as usual, and Tasha was practising for the show jumping, using one of the horses on long term loan from John's place, a middle aged chestnut gelding called Heathcliffe. She would also probably be in the pairs with a guest. They were always needing volunteers for that, and they had several pairs of horses now, trained for the job, one of each pair apt to ignore all signals from his rider, and do instead, what the other horse was doing.

The Loch Lomand contingent was known and expected at all the local gymkhanas now, and they were beginning to think they should work at providing different costumes. Their Mongol hordes were too predictable, though there were always men who loved looking wonderfully fierce, and taking their photos home to show their workmates.

By mid-July, the cars were all serviced, Vince's truck was working, at least for the time being, and the horse paddocks were reasonably clean. At breakfast, Vince said, "If anyone wants a thoroughly uncomfortable ride trying to find somewhere to overlook a particular valley, you're welcome to join me this morning."

"Is that like you're exploring?" asked Adam.

"You could say that. There's supposed to be an old orchard, but the entrance to the valley is choked with prickle trees."

Kay Stevenson remarked, "Maybe there's an enchanted castle behind it with sleeping beauty."

Valencio looked at her, puzzled, and she said, "Don't you know the story?"

Valencio said no, and Kay suggested, "Kane, you tell him."

Kane told him, at length. One of the men remarked, "So if we find her, who gets to do the kiss?"

Two men, as well as the boys, wanted to go exploring, and Valencio suggested tough clothes, as they would probably come back scratched. "Tired, as well, as we may have to walk, even crawl."

Kane said, "Can we have practice with Tiffany first?"

Valencio nodded, "I'll wait for you. We'll take the black ponies, including pack ponies, take the chainsaw, and maybe a few machetes, and if you like, we'll take a picnic lunch."

They definitely wanted a picnic lunch, so straight after breakfast, he placed his order with Bernice, and then joined Thierry, who was working with the young horses, leading them about, handling them, brushing them, all the things that Susan had suggested. Even the foal, only two months old, came in for his share of handling. Emanuelle watched benignly. Thierry, still often frightened of people, never seemed frightened of the horses. Kennedy was hers now, and no-one else rode him.

None of the horses took any notice of Shona, or of Thierry's Labrador. They were all accustomed to the dogs around. Valencio gave Jack a special grooming, sorry for him because he'd been gelded. At least he'd had one fling. Like himself with Gloria that time, when he'd thought it more likely than not, that he'd wake up one morning to find that something was different.

He said to Thierry, "You're doing a great job with them."

Thierry smiled, "I like young things."

"Do you want one of Ginger's kittens?"

"Tasha's promised me two!"

"You're contented here?"

"There's plenty to do, and I help sometimes in Maliwan's shop, sometimes in Mildred's. I'd like to see Paris again one day, but otherwise I think I'll live my life just here."

"John chose well."

Thierry agreed, and said, "I'm glad we're not costing him any money, and even the motel is returning a profit to Paul Pickering, and I don't think he ever expected that."

Valencio checked Gloria's list of available horses, and then saddled five, and equipped two more with pack bags. There were the machetes, and lunch and drinks for five. There was a chainsaw as well, that had a child-repelling crio, like the fences of Bluey's paddock. They probably wouldn't be far away when they had their picnic, but things like that made their guests happy.

In the practice paddock, the boys cantered slowly around Tiffany. There was also Kane's sister, Carrie, and three adult guests of similar standard. In a separate area, three smaller children were bumping around on smaller ponies, Revenge, who hardly ever bit people any more, and the two from Bellamy's place. They were the foals of his beloved Bess, they knew.

Bellamy still dropped in now and then, not very often. He, Najia and Zhor were currently in Lebanon, whose head of wizardry, the moment he knew who his visitors were, nervously promised immediate attention to new laws that protected Medj from harassment by Anirage .

Tiffany called a halt, said they were all doing very well, and Kane called out importantly, "Be there soon, Vince. Just have to settle the horses."

Valencio turned to a tug at his arm, and a little girl said, "Hello, Vince. My name's Laura."

Valencio smiled at her, and said, "You were riding Fairy Floss, weren't you?"

The little girl nodded, and said, "She likes me, but Damir is prettier."

"They're both very pretty, and nice and small, just for people like you."

"I'm going in the gymkhana, as well, but Mum's going to lead me because Fairy Floss is not very experienced and might get frightened."

Kane and Adam must have been very quick, because he noticed them waiting expectantly next to the black ponies. Daniel and Chris were also there, and he said, "Excuse me, Laura, but they're waiting for me."

Laura nodded, liking it that he treated her almost as if she was grown-up.

Ten minutes later, the five started working their way around the side of a mountain. The ponies were sure-footed and placid. Even when a hare ran across in front of Bluejoe, he only pricked his ears and snorted, though Shona took off after it.

"We're following a deer track, I think," commented Valencio, in the lead. "Inge told me there's a clearing ahead where you get a good view."

Kane said nervously, "It's a bit scary!"

Valencio looked back. If they fell, there would certainly be a long fall. He asked, "Would you prefer to walk?" He shouldn't have brought anyone. It hadn't occurred to him that it might be dangerous.

Chris said, "I'll dismount and walk with Kane."

"Are you alright, Adam?"

"I'm not frightened," Adam replied nervously. Without comment, Daniel dismounted, knotted the reins of his pony so they wouldn't drag, and went to the head of Adam's horse.

Valencio said, "I'm sorry. I should have explored it first."

Kane felt happier with Chris holding his pony's reins, and said, "It wouldn't have been a real exploration, then."

Chris pointed out in a matter-of-fact tone, "We can't turn around here in any case. We'll just have to go on for a bit."

The track closed in ahead, and Valencio edged back to Ruby, and picked up a machete. The men stood with the boys, and waited as he slashed at shrubbery, clearing the path ahead. But it was only a little way, and quite suddenly, the path widened. He said cheerfully, "Better now. I think this was a road at some stage."

Chris remarked to Kane, "It's just like life. Difficult patches, and just when you think it's always going to be tough, you come to an easy bit."

Valencio said, coming to a halt, "And just when you think it's plain sailing, you come to a hole in the road."

Chris and Daniel joined him as he stood at the edge of a rockfall. He looked up and around, and then at the boys. "I'll have to take them back. I made a mistake."

Kane called, "Look up there. There's a way around." He was pointing.

Chris's voice was hushed, "There's a deer!"

The doe was regarding them, ears pointed, before, quite slowly, moving away. A fawn followed her closely. No humans had molested the deer here for generations.

Valencio said, "How about you all wait here, and I'll just explore a little way ahead."

Chris said, "Be careful, Vince!"

"I'll be careful."

The track was very narrow, but it was negotiable, even with the horses. Valencio followed it until he was on the wider road again, and then returned, pushing with his feet, making sure it was safe. There would be a jump up for the ponies, and they'd have to go separately, not be ridden. It was possible. He walked back again, and narrowed his eyes. He knew where he was - just a little way across country, and they'd find the Heidi Track. He came back, smiling. "We can go on, and quite safely. Just that we'll have to walk for a little."

Chris said, "Would it be better to take the boys back?"

"I think we'll be able to return by the Heidi Track, which, I think, is only a few hundred metres away, though down and up again. But we might find this road goes somewhere as well."

Kane said, "I want to keep going," and Adam said, "Me, too."

Valencio grinned at them, "I was irresponsible, I shouldn't have brought you here, and Carol's going to go crook. But we're here now, so we might as well continue."

Once past the rockfall, the track was wide and well defined. The boys remounted, but the men continued walking, three abreast now. "It might have been an ancient way," remarked Daniel, "From the time even before the Romans."

Valencio paused, and pointed. There was a tiny stone statue next to a trickling spring which had cut a groove across the road.

Daniel said quietly, "A god, I think. This must be a very old road."

The boys dismounted and came forward, touching the statue. Kane beamed at Valencio, "This is a real exploration, and we found something important."

Chris smiled, "I wouldn't have missed it for the world."

Daniel remarked, "You're a history teacher aren't you, Chris? Have you ever seen anything like this?"

"Only in museums."

Valencio walked cautiously to the dropoff at the edge of the road. It seemed solid enough. He shaded his eyes and peered.

Chris asked, "No binoculars?"

"I should have brought some, didn't think of it." He pointed. "What do you reckon? Do they look like fruit trees?"

"I think so, and some seem to be in rows. Some look dead, and maybe some are even self-sprouted. It could be an old and forgotten orchard."

Valencio said to Kane, "No sleeping beauty castle so far."

"A god, though, and an ancient way, and a deer and a fawn."

Adam asked, "Is it lunch time yet?"

Valencio said, "There should be a clearing ahead. Inge suggested that would be a good place for lunch."

Adam mounted his pony in an obvious hint. The men smiled and mounted their own ponies. Boys were always hungry.

They started descending, steeply enough that first the men and then the boys dismounted, letting the ponies pick their way without the impediments of riders. They found their clearing in the orchard, but Chris and the boys explored, while Valencio and Daniel set out a picnic lunch.

The boys came racing back at Vince's whistle, Adam reporting breathlessly, "There's some graves, and a ruined stone hut, and Kellie and Clara are eating apples, but they don't look ripe."

Valencio said, "I wonder if you can hire some sort of machinery that makes a tunnel in thorn bushes."

Kane looked at him disapprovingly, and said, "There's a pond over there, where you can wash." Valencio looked at his dirty hands, and went and washed.

Afterwards, the men and boys sat around, feeling happy with themselves. They had explored. There had been difficulties, and they had won through. Kane and Adam felt important, part of a gathering of men. In a pause in the conversation, Kane made the most of the opportunity. "Vince, do you know about sex?"

Valencio said uncertainly, "I guess so."

"Then will you tell Adam and me because we need to know, and there's no-one to ask."

"Your fathers?"

"Adam hasn't seen his father for years, and I couldn't ask mine."

Valencio looked at Chris, and said, "Chris is a school teacher. I wouldn't know how to tell you."

Chris said, "You're both only ten. There will be sex education classes at school in a few years. There always are."

Adam said, "We need to know now."

Chris looked thoughtfully at Valencio, who seemed to be looking at him almost as anxiously as the boys. He sighed, and began. The boys listened closely.

Adam asked, "Do men sometimes have sex with other men?"

"Yes. When a man is attracted to other men, rather than women, it's called homosexuality."

"Is it a bad thing?"

"No, it's just that I don't think homosexuals have as satisfactory a life as heterosexuals normally do."

"How would they have sex?"

Chris said briskly, "It's none of your concern. That's for grownups."

Valencio said plainly, "Sometimes, men want boys. If a man says you're beautiful, if a man pulls you close and fondles bottom or genitals, what you do is kick him as hard as you can, run fast, and tell your mother. If your mother doesn't want to know, tell someone else until someone takes notice."

There was a long silence. Neither of the men looked at Valencio.

Kane asked directly, "Vince, how would a man have sex with a boy?"

Valencio said, "He pushes his penis into the boy's bottom, and has sex that way."

"Would it hurt?"

Valencio advised briefly, "Don't let it happen."

Kane glanced at Adam, and said, "Do you want to see the ruins again, Adam?"

Adam rose to his feet, and left with Kane, speeding to a run almost immediately.

Valencio said defensively, "They needed to know, to be warned."

Chris said calmly, "I guess they wouldn't have pressed so hard if they didn't need to know."

Daniel started packing up the remains of the food.

Valencio asked, though looking at the trees, "Chris, how common is it that boys get raped?"

"Very rare, I believe, Vince."

Valencio breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "Maybe it was just general curiosity then."

Daniel pointed at the boys who were running, pushing each other, and then falling, and wrestling. He said, "If there had been anything, maybe with Adam, it couldn't have gone very far. Maybe your warning was enough that it will never happen."

Chris said, "I should have done it myself, shied off from it."

Valencio gave him a smile of gratitude. They were not condemning him, in spite of the strong implication that he'd suffered rape as a boy, but he felt queasy, unsettled. He hid his unease, and pretended to be as cheerful as the boys now seemed to be.

They explored, and Valencio said, "We'll open up a track through the thorn bushes, and it can be the Adam Track, and the top one, made safer, can be the Kane Track, if you like."

The boys gave him enormous grins, and Kane said, "That'd be great."

Adam asked, "Can there be a sign at the start, like for the Heidi Track?"

"Sure."

Chris asked, "You going to open it up, then?"

"I think so. Maybe plant new apple trees, and find out what other fruit grows here."

"Berries, probably."

"Not oranges?"

"Not in this climate!" Valencio was surprisingly ignorant sometimes, Chris thought.

Valencio went to a pack basket that lay on the ground, and pulled out his chainsaw. "Now?" asked Daniel in astonishment.

"There's a bit that looks less dense. If I start from this side, we may even find the old road through. The castle might only be ten minutes away!"

He started to work. His chainsaw was one of his best toys. The boys were happy, and his insides, after a while, stopped churning. Chris said it was very rare that boys were raped by men. The way in front of Valencio suddenly cleared, and he walked fifty metres before the thorn bushes closed in again.

Chris said in a brief pause in the noise, "We won't be able to come back this way. Too many thorns and we'd lame the horses."

Valencio asked, "What time is it?"

"Only three, you can work a while yet."

Another clear piece of road, and another burst with the chainsaw. Valencio grinned, "The back of the machinery shed. The boys can walk home."

But the boys objected strenuously to such a tame end to their adventure, and the ponies instead climbed the steep route to the 'Kane Track,' which Kane said had to be the 'Kane Way,' not the Kane Track, but found that the road petered out next to a waterhole.

Valencio said, "It's what we call the Deep Hole, except that I've never been this side." He pointed, "Just over there is the Heidi Track, and if we want, we can canter home by Gundarrson's Gallop." He grinned at the boys, "Have you done any jumping yet?"

Adam said, "I've jumped two foot six."

Kane nodded. He had, too.

The seven ponies made easy work of the canter, although Valencio had the boys close behind him, and led them around two of the highest obstacles. Chris and Daniel chose to avoid them too, as the ponies were tiring.

For the next several days, Valencio worked on the Adam Track, opening a way into the old orchard, and when Bellamy visited a few days later, he took him on the 'Kane Way,' showed him the god statue, and requested he make some crio-magic so that no visitor tried to take it away.

Oddly, Bellamy paused, cocked his head slightly, as if feeling, and said, "It already has a crio on it. I can feel it. Won't hurt to reinforce it, though." He looked at the statue a moment, presumably making the spell, and then offered, "If you want, I'll ask Peter Barnes to visit, and he can make the narrow track a lot safer using magic."

Valencio hesitated, but then smiled, "That'd be great." Peter was Bellamy's property manager, and Oliver's father.

A fortnight later, Kane and Adam were still at Loch Lomand, though Chris and Daniel were gone. Galina came, stayed three days, and reported that Vince McDonald was fine, working hard to open up what he called 'The Kane Way.'

"He called it after the boy, Kane?"

"There's another named after a boy called Adam. The boys left the same day I did, very happy after doing well in a gymkhana."

"They liked Vince?"

"They appeared to idolise him, and spent hours with him every day."

It didn't seem likely, but Feena was sent to visit Kane again, and reported back. "It seems that they asked Vince about sex, and he told them how a man could rape a boy. Kane said Adam kicked his mother's boyfriend as hard as he could, and Adam hasn't seen him since."

Narzu-Han said, "Can you organise an August report?"

Feena said casually, "Only if you marry me."

Narzu-Han stared at her in blank amazement. A Khatabi didn't marry. He'd never even thought of it.

Feena took in his expression, and walked out of the room. Time to leave him.

Narzu-Han sat down, and thought about his boy. He'd punished him once, brutally, because Valencio had shown him what he thought about his family. The Spell of Pain until he was all but dead. Some people never recovered mentally from something like that, even when they recovered physically. Valencio had. He was a brave boy. And now he was a man, sane, well, and happy, in spite of everything. He was married, though Tasha could never have children, of course.

Feena could probably have children. She was only in her thirties, and she was precious to him. Narzu-Han shook his head and laughed. He'd prided himself on his intelligence, and had never considered doing the obvious thing - making himself happy by having someone close, all the time. Stupid being lonely. He hurried out of his office, calling, "Feena!"

The August report had to wait a little, until Narzu-Han and Feena returned from their honeymoon. Galina smiled at Narzu-Han, who wore an unaccustomed look of content.

"Well?" he asked.

"Same as usual. There was a wedding, and there were a lot more of what they call 'club members' around."

"Who married?"

"Jimmy and Brigitta. They're going to America, where Jimmy has a job."

"So what did you do while you were there?"

"Would you believe that I milked a cow?"

Narzu-Han laughed, and Galina grinned. "Ingrid showed me how. She says she'll start university, but not until next year, and then it's six years before she qualifies as a vet."

So another seven years he had to send annual payments for the support of Ingrid.

xdividerx

September. There was still a bus run, but Farfalla did it now, and sometimes Clarence or Gary. Valencio missed Jimmy, who'd been such a companion for so long. But Jimmy had been feeling confined a long time, and Brigitta had also been looking forward to broadening her horizons. He still had Clarence, his only true male friend for so many years. Clarence might not work with him as much any more, but they were still close.

There was an invitation to go to an advance screening of the Son of Satan, expected to be released in November. It was in Hollywood, and Valencio declined without even consulting Tasha, who would probably have wanted to go. Their bank balance was substantial now, and the fares were no problem. Two weeks later, there was a letter from Laurie Klein, Valencio's agent. Valencio and Tasha could go to Edinburgh, watch the film with him, and then celebrate afterwards.

Valencio showed Tasha this time, very pleased that someone had considered him enough to send the film to Laurie. He was sure it could not be usual practice, advance copies of major films usually being surrounded with enormous security. There was a note that the musical score was not complete, and there could still be minor changes of editing. Yet it was the film he'd made, complete.

Laurie welcomed them with open arms, making a tremendous fuss of both Valencio and Tasha, until Valencio felt frankly embarrassed, though Tasha loved it. "There's a few others to watch, as well," Laurie said. "Dan O'Connor, you know, the studio manager, his wife, Susan O'Connor," and he beamed. "Hermann Schuster, Jean-Pierre Dequienne, Robert Lorusso, Sylvie Staines, even Ernie Schoen made the trip!"

Valencio shook hands all around, but he was guarding his expression now. He didn't understand why they were all here, and he was sure that Inge had told him that Jean-Pierre was in the middle of a new film.

Tasha looked surprised, and said, "I would have thought you would have already seen it! Schuster and Ernie made it!"

Both Tasha and Valencio had spent many years in a wizard enclosure, where even the most powerful were known by their given names. It never occurred to them to say Mr. Schuster, Mr. Schoen, as some of the others did. Hermann Schuster was an exception. He was known universally as just Schuster, as John Bellamy was known, by almost everyone aside from his medj, just as Bellamy.

Jean-Pierre smiled and said, "It's to be released in November, in time for Academy Award nominations in January. We wanted to shake Vince's hand before he was too famous for us ordinary mortals."

Valencio grinned, red-faced, "Don't be silly."

"So what've you been doing lately, Vince?"

"Digging up some land in order to plant apple trees, also maybe some berry bushes," and he said to Schuster, "I now have obvious tan marks, a deep scratch on my back, and a whopping bruise on my shoulder from when I fell off my horse."

Schuster remarked to Laurie, "He didn't always remember to take care of himself. I had to remind him sometimes."

Laurie said, "Dan has everything ready," and he led them to a small screening room and switched off the lights. A sweep of orchestral music sounded.

Valencio said, "I thought the music wasn't finished yet."

"Pretty much finished, just that the composer is still fiddling with bits here and there. She says she wants an award, as well."

Tasha asked, "Is it that good?"

"One of the best I've made," Schuster said.

The picture began. Dawn, and a panoramic view of prairie land, as the opening credits rolled. Produced by ... Directed by... Starring... And Tasha beamed in immense satisfaction as her husband's name appeared in large lettering, straight after Jean-Pierre's.

Laurie noted it, but also that Vince was not smiling, looking instead rather remote, almost as if not interested. He was worrying again about his loss of anonymity.

A little over three hours later, the film technician slowly raised the lighting, giving those with wet eyes a chance to surreptitiously wipe them. Valencio had lived it, and still stared into the distance. He'd had to die, because he could not live. His eyes roamed slowly around the unfamiliar theatre, and then to Tasha, who had her head bowed and was breathing jerkily. He put an arm around her and said teasingly, "Not true, love."

Tasha took a long, shuddering breath, and said, "I was just remembering..."

Laurie said slowly, "There's a theory that an actor cannot convey an emotion he hasn't lived through."

Valencio said briskly, "Nonsense. Just a matter of knowing what to do with your expression, of face and body."

Jean-Pierre regarded him, eyebrow raised. That was what his teacher had told him, and that was how he mostly acted - but it wasn't how Vince acted. And what had Tasha been remembering?

He guessed that it might be true then, though he hadn't believed it before. That Vince McDonald had been Valencio Durano, who'd disappeared only a few weeks after filming had finished for Spindrift. If that was so, he was probably a 'survivor,' who'd reappeared only about three years before. Probably why he couldn't play golf or any other competitive sport, why he hadn't known about the catastrophe in Alaska, or that the Mars space base had been abandoned. He'd been in some sort of a prison from the time he was a child of twelve, up until he was a full grown man.

Laurie said, "Drinks and refreshments in the room next door, and if Jean-Pierre and Vince are willing, a few of the staff want autographs."

Valencio shook his head, and said, "No interviews, no autographs."

Jean-Pierre glanced at him, and said, "I don't mind doing it for a half hour, so you can spread the word, if you like."

Tasha asked Valencio, "Why not, Vince?"

"Because people should have better things to do than waste time collecting signatures!"

Jean-Pierre remarked, "It can be tedious, but a star can become a has-been very quickly. Being nice to fans helps ensure continued popularity."

Valencio shrugged.

Schoen and Schuster were attentive to Tasha, while Jean-Pierre and Bobby talked to Valencio about the sheer fun of a choreographed sword fight. Valencio was amused at the pains they were taking to make Tasha feel important. If that's what they wanted to do... He smiled to himself. He had enjoyed very much making Son of Satan. Maybe he would read a script if they sent him one, even without pressure from Tasha.

Sylvie joined them, and asked, "Did you know that a security video showed you being threatened by a couple of toughs the night of the wrap party?"

Valencio looked his surprise, "I didn't know there were cameras there."

"They're not obvious. Anyway, Phillip Henderson has left Hollywood, and is very unlikely to threaten you again."

"I was immensely relieved when they backed off. It could have been nasty."

"For your next film, you will have two assigned bodyguards, invariably one with you, so that nothing like that happens again."

Valencio hesitated, and finally said, "I doubt I'll be back. Having to have bodyguards - it just shows what a sick environment it is!"

"You were not seriously molested aside from that, were you?"

"Only minor things. I don't care if people look, just as long as they keep their hands off."

"Do you always carry a knife?"

Valencio shook his head, "Just a little piece of harmless glass, usually. You can get into trouble for carrying a knife."

"You said you killed with a piece of glass."

"Of course I didn't kill! I just wanted to frighten them off." He added, "I didn't mention it to Tasha. No need to worry her."

Sylvia asked, "By the way, what languages do you speak?"

"English, Greek, of course, French, German, Japanese. A bit of Dutch, and some Malay."

"All fluent?"

"Conversational, not like a native."

"Arabic?"

"A few words."

"How did you learn them all?"

Valencio shrugged, "The neighbourhoods my family lived in tended to be filled with poor immigrants. I developed an interest, and after the first few, it seems to get easier."

"And that was also how you learned to fight!" put in Bobby.

"That's right," blandly agreed Valencio, and asked Bobby what he was working on now.

"The same film Jean-Pierre's in," Bobby replied. "He always asks them to give me a part, and I'm a competent actor, so it's no skin off their nose."

"What's it about?"

For the next hour, Valencio managed to keep the conversation away from himself. He'd answered the question about languages. He thought that Sylvia might have a script she was considering him for, and quite suddenly, he did, indeed, want to do another movie. There was nothing else that gave him more satisfaction, not even his new orchard.

Schuster joined him, regarded him with a half smile, and asked, "Happy with Son of Satan?"

Valencio grinned, and said, "I knew it could be a great movie!"

Schuster said, as he'd said before, "We'll get awards for Son of Satan, and if there's a bit of controversy about a few of the scenes, then so much the better. Increases demand."

"Quite mild compared to how I remember them."

"Had to be toned down. America's a very conservative market." He asked abruptly, "How do you like Vivienne Lancaster?"

"I never got a chance to know her. She detested me."

"Do you think you can work with her?"

"If she can work with me."

"She did a remake of Gone with the Wind recently. She was stunning."

"She's very beautiful."

"She has to make the most of it. Insufficient talent to continue big, once her beauty fades."

Valencio frowned, "You're wrong. I think Vivienne is capable of a lot more than she's ever had to bother showing."

Schuster said in freezing tones, "I'm wrong?"

Valencio nodded casually, "Wrong."

Schuster looked at him, seething, and abruptly turned and went to get himself another drink.

Bobby grinned, and said, "You're not diplomatic, Vince."

Valencio replied, "Of course I'm diplomatic. I haven't punched anyone in months!"

xdividerx

As was natural, Valencio and Tasha stayed at the Loch Lomand Edinburgh Motel. There was a special dinner that evening for Vince, Tasha, and those of their group who lived in Edinburgh - the eleven going to university, and Hilde and Mariabella, who ran the motel. Shirley, Deirdre, Lucy and Eva also worked in Edinburgh, but only Shirley was present, all the others now married.

"It'll be released in November," Tasha said. "Take no notice of Vince, he gets embarrassed and thinks no-one should actually watch it."

"Good movie?"

"Takes all your attention, and leaves you like a wet rag. If you like that sort of thing, it's a great movie."

Shirley said, "Remember Kaede's plays? Vince was always the star."

Treen asked, "Will this be your second Oscar, Vince?"

"The old one didn't count. Just a gesture because there was a poor kid disappeared. If I get one this time, it'll count!"

"Going to do another one?"

"I don't know."

Dean was visiting his London office, as he did every month or two, and Tasha and Valencio joined him there the following day. He always stayed at quite a modest hotel, as Valencio liked to pay his own way. He didn't quite realise that Valencio and Tasha thought they were rich now, from the proceeds of just one movie. Compared to Dean's wealth, or the money waiting to be claimed by Valencio Durano, their savings were not large. On the other hand, their expenses were low, and about all they'd actually bought was the new car and a few clothes. Carol had refused to accept any of their money, saying that there was not the slightest need.

Dean welcomed them with pleasure, as he always did, listened with interest to what they had to say, and asked them to his wedding, his fifth, in a fortnight's time. Valencio was surprised, and asked, "Grace?"

"No, I took your advice, and looked for an older woman. Her name's Amanda. Not so beautiful, but full of wisdom as well as charm."

Tasha smiled at him warmly, "I hope you'll be very happy."

Dean said contentedly, "I think I will be. If I'm as lucky as Vince in his marriage, I certainly will be."

Tasha was flattered. She still had a need to be appreciated, and not just by Valencio and the others. She asked, "Where are you getting married?"

"Rhodes, and then honeymooning there. I especially want you, and your room's already booked."

Valencio assured him, "Of course we'll be there."

Tasha asked, "Where's Rhodes?"

"One of the Greek Islands."

Valencio said ruefully, "I suppose we should have known that."

"Others of your age probably would have done, but then, some people, some places, scarcely know the next village."

"That's a consolation."

Dean smiled at them, "I'll provide travel details, and I want you to allow me to cover the expense."

"No need. I told you. They gave me a lot of money for the movie."

Dean said gently, "I'd appreciate it, Vince. I have not been able to do much for you, and I want you at my wedding."

Valencio smiled at him, and thanked him.

Tasha said, "Remember our wedding, Vince? No special meal, no real formalities, just the service that Kaede devised, and everyone close."

"You had that much freedom?"

"In many ways, we were treated well. Very well fed, sheltered, and seldom hurt." The pendreiya that Bellamy had put on did not have just the straightforward effect. Without trying, they found they could speak of their captivity, and yet not get tripped into speaking of magic.

Valencio smiled at Tasha. "It was your idea. I'd thought of it before, and dismissed the notion, because I thought we could not be properly married in such an unnatural life. But it was important. Not the frills, but we were married, and it was good."

Tasha smiled back at him, and spoke softly, "We were married, and it was good."

Dean was wondering if there were children there at that time. He didn't ask, not wanting to spoil what Vince and Tasha apparently regarded as a happy and significant day. Instead, after a pause, he asked, "Do you have errands to do in London this time, Vince?"

"An order for fabric for Amreeta, a list of books to order, a visit to a Fancy Dress shop," and he smiled at Tasha. "New clothes. We have a wedding to go to."

Tasha asked Dean, "Shouldn't Vince have a suit or tuxedo or something?"

"Of course."

He looked at their worried faces, and said, "You have no idea what to wear, do you."

Valencio shook his head, and said, "The women always look beautiful, but I have a feeling there's a whole set of rules for men's dressing that I just don't know."

"You're probably right. Do you have any suit at all?"

"Afraid not."

Dean rose, "I'll take you to the tailor I always use. London has the best. We can have some things made up, and I'll give you a written list that explains what's suitable for what occasion."

Valencio was relieved. "That'd be great."

Tasha said, "There could be formal occasions in Hollywood, as well."

Valencio said casually, "We can just not go."

Tasha decided to leave the argument until it was no longer hypothetical.

At the tailors, Valencio frowned at the small and fussy man doing the measurements. Dean watched him, amused, and said casually, "Don't hit him, Vince, just because he has to do an inside leg measurement."

Valencio said, "I've been measured for costumes before, and have never hit anyone."

The tailor took care to be strictly impersonal, only raving afterwards to his colleague - "Such a body! There was a bruise on his shoulder, and it was all I could do not to stroke. He'd just have to snap his fingers, and he'd have me!"

"What's he ordered?"

"Five suits, and Mr. Blockman said we should keep his measurements, so he can just order what he wants by phone. Describe the occasion, and we advise him what to wear."

"Who was paying?"

"On Mr. Blockman's account."

The second man chuckled, and said, "His fiancée would not be happy to know about his young man!"

But Tony shook his head. "I don't think it's like that. There was none of that feel. And he didn't seem the slightest tempted by me, and you know, I'm a bit obvious, I'm afraid."

Timothy grinned, "You are a bit!"

Meantime, Dean, Tasha and Valencio were at a Fancy Dress place, asking about fake sets of armour. The Committee had authorised the expenditure for several knight costumes for their male guests. So now Dean watched as Valencio tried on a knight costume, complete with armour, more sets of armour were ordered, and a single costume for a lady of the middle ages. They would use it as a model, and make variations.

Valencio asked, "Can you get armour for horses?"

The manager hesitated, and then started flicking through catalogues.

Tasha commented, "The armour's good. Not too heavy, but it looks real."

"We'd use the biggest horses, Gloria's Percherons, Madigan maybe, Caesar maybe."

Tasha said to Dean, "Victor was in Fancy Dress on Madigan once, and the horse loved being cheered so much he kept prancing back in front of the grandstand for more."

Dean laughed. He knew where they were, and what they did now, as the secrecy had been relaxed these past few months - although only for families. No reporters had tracked them down, but only due to Daryl's crio-magic.

xdividerx

Tasha loved Rhodes, and said they had to start travelling a lot more. Valencio pointed out, "The money for the film won't last forever."

"Then you do another!" She smiled at her husband, "You always said how you wished you could give me everything I want."

"I do, but..." Valencio was still ambivalent about returning to Hollywood. One day he'd think of the challenge of making a story come real, of living a different role, and the next he'd think of the negative aspects of the life. The starlets who sold sex in exchange for a part, the bullying, the drugs and the sleaze. Ben Bgorn, who groped, others who looked at him, just waiting for an opportunity. He was surprised that Tasha never had any trouble, but she pointed out that Hollywood was full of beautiful women, and she was over forty besides.

Mostly, Valencio was worried about his own weakness. If the circumstances were right, he might want it. And afterwards... But since he'd been free, there had only been that once when he'd completed that first series of advertisements. And he'd have someone with him all the time. He was never tempted if no-one touched.

The script arrived just a few days after their return from Greece. Valencio regarded the cover. The illustration looked like him, and he grinned in appreciation. He had an eye-patch, and a scar. Very dashing. A little behind him was a sultry beauty, in period costume. A romance then? He read the covering letter. 'Sword fighting, and no nudity,' Laurie had written. 'Schuster to produce, with an assistant. A light and amusing romance, film to be only two hours duration, filming expected to take only three months, November to February.' A romance, eh?

He glanced at Tasha, consumed with curiosity, but said, "Hey, Inge. You're the expert on romances. Read this, and tell me if you think I should do it." He was punishing Tasha, a little. She should know he was too weak for Hollywood, and she should not encourage him.

Tasha looked away, and pretended to be unmoved. Silly man. He'd be protected, and surely there was nothing better than doing what you loved, and being rewarded for it with money and fame.

Valencio acted as if he'd forgotten all about acting, instead loading the tray of his tractor with young, dormant apple trees, and showing one of the guests how to drive the tractor, and how to raise and lower the tray. He tossed a few shovels on, and said, "To the orchard."

Mickey grinned. He was an office worker, and had never thought he might one day drive a tractor. Valencio walked after him, Shona at his heels as always. He'd have to leave her again if Tasha had her way. He thought that he was being very foolish. He had so much, and should not risk it. But he could get dressed up and play with swords. And be paid for it! The woman? Was that supposed to be Vivienne Lancaster? It could be, and Schuster would want at least one big name in any film he had a hand in directing.

The apple orchard was in an area where the valley broadened, to give as much sunlight as Scotland could reasonably be expected to provide. Valencio was planting where old, dead trees had been removed, and the ground dug over and fertilized with old horse manure. Valencio's only mistake was to choose a variety that needed a warmer climate, and that was mostly the fault of the nursery man, who'd recommended the variety he'd over-ordered, rather than the variety that would suit the conditions.

Inge handed the script back to Valencio, and said, "You're going to have to learn to dance."

Valencio put it down, "I'll write to Laurie and tell him I can't do it then. There's not enough time to learn to dance." He was relieved. It was a genuine excuse. He'd never danced in his life, and filming was to start in a month, if the casting was finalized in time.

Galina's October report. "It rained solidly for the whole week I was there. There was no riding, which is one of the main activities they offer. But there were other activities, films every day, a few of the men enjoyed playing a game called billiards, some enjoyed making fancy dress costumes, also ball gowns, but old fashioned, and they said they were having a 'Regency Ball' at the end of the month. Others painted designs on shields, and that was for another set of costumes. They're going to be knights."

Narzu-Han was tapping his fingers on the table, waiting. Galina grinned, and continued teasing. "They know me as a regular now, and Carol says that next year there'll be two tennis courts, and a gymnasium. They're to be built during the winter months, when there's no visitors."

Narzu-Han waited.

"Two horses were taken away, retired, and one because she was too old to have a foal, but was in foal anyway. Gloria told me they were to go where they'd be looked after. Better not to have very old horses or risky foalings, when there's visitors who might be upset if they die."

Narzu-Han waited. Sometimes he missed being Khatabi. Khatabi-Richi never teased him like this!

Galina continued, "John Bellamy came once. He was fussed over, and they showed him all the improvements."

"Did Valencio go near him?"

Galina nodded, finally taking pity. "Vince was perfectly friendly to him, as far as I could tell from a distance."

"What was he doing?"

"Just checking up on his medj, I guess."

"Valencio!"

"Every afternoon he was at dancing lessons. He's apparently fairly serious about it, as the women guests complained he only danced with Tasha or Mary or Connie. I didn't go, of course."

"Anything else?"

"I hardly ever saw him, and he wasn't appearing at breakfast. Probably because it was too wet for outside activities anyway. Once I saw him dripping wet after doing something at the dairy, and I think he often helped Gloria clean tack."

Narzu-Han asked, as he always did, "Did he appear happy?"

"Nothing to indicate that he's not happy."

Narzu-Han wasn't quite satisfied, and said, "Can you get another booking for late in November?"

"Already done, and a week first thing in March when they start taking visitors again."

Narzu-Han said grudgingly, "I guess I'll have to be happy with that."

Galina wanted to ask him again what his interest was in the man, but would only invite a curt reply.

Meantime, Valencio and Tasha were back in Hollywood, meeting the cast, meeting Schuster's assistant director, who, he explained, would be doing the bulk of the directing, although Schuster would be on hand if needed. Ashley Vernstein was a man in his early twenties, but had produced some very good work. This would be his first full length movie.

Other main actors, Vivienne Lancaster, as he'd thought likely, and Peter Vojkovic. Vojkovic shook hands, and said, "They call me the Cossack." He was a giant of a man, well over six feet, and with a heavy, muscular build.

Ashley explained, "He's the faithful lieutenant, you, of course, the captain of the pirate ship, and Vivienne, the maiden who hates her captor until she reluctantly falls in love with him."

Schuster added casually, "Tasha, if she likes, can be one of the female entourage who gets dumped in Gibralter, along with the male prisoners."

Tasha beamed, "Can I really do something?"

Schuster smiled slightly, "You have maybe one line to say. And you get written out quite early. It's not a big deal."

Tasha smiled all over her face, "I can't wait!"

Vivienne said caustically, "Ever been strapped into tight corsets? You might change your mind!"

Schuster continued, "Dancing lessons every afternoon, until the ball scene's over. Unless, of course, you're needed on set. We've got Ronny Vale to look after you again, and whenever he's not available, a retired stunt man, Jorg Volker."

Valencio cursed to himself, as he turned to greet the man whose heels he'd once dogged, much as young Kane dogged his heels.

Jorg said casually, "Nice to meet you, Vince." But Valencio looked at him, and knew that he knew. That was the third. He was sure that Sylvie knew, and suspected that Schuster knew, but neither of them had said anything. He greeted him, friendly, but to a stranger.

If Schoen and Schuster had wanted to lure Valencio back into acting, they'd chosen exactly the right movie. Just a day later, he was standing at a railing of a sailing ship as his lieutenant bellowed instructions. He grinned into the wind, loose shirt showing browned chest, with extra painted on hairs, his own pitch black hair whipping in the wind, rather too long, a thin scar down his cheek, and an eye-patch. He appeared the very picture of romance.

There was a week doing similar shots as the actors settled into their roles. The ones handling the ship were not actors. The sailing ship, with minor variations of trim and shape, had been used in dozens of movies, and it had its own permanent crew. They were not far off land, but intrusions such as pleasure yachts could be edited out quite easily with computer technology.

Every afternoon, so far, he'd been collected by either Ronny or Jorg, and taken for dancing lessons. He was supposed to be expert at those dances common in Regency times. He was to win his lady's heart by appearing in disguise, no longer the pirate captain, but the long lost son of a lord. The plot was almost a caricature of a typical romance, and there were hints in the movie that they were laughing at themselves, though few might notice.

While Valencio reported to costumes for fittings, and tried to dance with dashing grace, the sailing ship and its crew were filmed again and again. There would be old film of it used as well, with the needed modifications added by computer, film where it was battered by storms, others in searing heat. There was the day when the 'captain' had to battle to save his ship, wearing oilskins, and periodically drenched anew by the storm machine specialist, who had a definite streak of sadism, Valencio was sure.

He'd gone sprawling once, pulled to his feet again by Dave Lonergan, who was playing one of the crew. Dave had stayed in character, called him 'Cap'n,' and treated him with respect. The initial briefing of the actors and camera crew had included the instruction that accidents could often be incorporated. 'If accidents happen, stay in character and keep filming,' Schuster always said. Schuster was a believer in accidents, and Ashley's instructions included a hint that Valencio could give unexpected aces. 'If he does something unexpected, keep filming. It could be the crux of a scene.'

Vivienne, with her entourage of female servants, was fully involved as well. Tasha was loving it, corsets or not. The other actors were friendly, and very curious about her husband, although Vivienne mostly ignored her. She was the female lead, and in her own view, by far the most important person around. Valencio, on the other hand, the male lead, greeted with friendliness the ones he knew from the previous movie, and soon came to know the new ones. Ashley was relieved. He was easy to work with, and he very much wanted his first full-length film to go well.

The Spanish maiden and the pirate were due to meet soon, and Schuster told Ashley to make the most of Vivienne's dislike, and unwilling attraction for Vince.

Valencio was enjoying himself. It may have involved discomfort sometimes, but it was not demanding, as Son of Satan had been demanding. He didn't even have to worry about tan marks, encouraged to become as tanned as he wished.

On the twenty-third of November, Ernie Schoen put in an appearance, finding Valencio bowing to a starlet as she curtsied. Dancing lessons. Schoen said abruptly, "I hear you're not going to the premiere of Son of Satan, Friday night, Vince."

Valencio had just raised Renee's hand in the preliminary courtesy, but turned to him in surprise, and greeted him.

Schoen looked at him with hostility. "You should be there."

Valencio said, "I don't want to be there. Too many people I detest."

"It's traditional! Jean-Pierre, Nikole, most of the cast will be there. And there's always a big party afterward."

"Tasha's going as Bobby's official partner. I refused to go."

"Why?" demanded Schoen.

"I don't want to go. I don't need to explain my reasons."

Schoen stared at him, and suddenly gave a crack of laughter. "You're embarrassed! You do explicit sex scenes, walk nude through the middle of an unprepared town, and then you're embarrassed to watch the movie."

Valencio grinned, shame-faced, "Maybe I am. I hate to think how they'll treat me when I go home next."

Schoen said, "Never be ashamed of Son of Satan. Your acting was brilliant. But I won't insist. Stay away if you want."

Valencio thanked him, and Schoen left.

Valencio remarked to Renee, "Did he think I'd change my mind if he insisted?"

"Probably. Mr. Schoen mostly gets exactly what he wants."

The dancing instructor said, "Find your place, as if a real interruption had occurred."

Valencio looked confused, but Renee cocked her head, listening to the music, and started moving. With that hint, Valencio could follow.

A battle raged the following day, a sword fight up masts, around desks, jumping over coils of rope, and hanging from rope ladders. Valencio was loving it, his face alight with pleasure, as his sword felled enemy after enemy. There was a blow on his shoulder, and he swung around, and engaged another enemy, his faithful lieutenant just behind him, guarding his back.

Afterwards, a bleeding shoulder wound was bandaged, an excuse to have his shirt off. Then he strolled over to the gathering of prisoners, full of arrogance, to inspect the women of the defeated ship. Vivienne was spitting fire, hating him. He laughed at her, fielded a slapping hand, and raised her chin, to look her in the face. An older woman spat at him to leave the girl alone. With gallant courtesy, the pirate captain bowed to her, and said, "You mistake. I want a ransom for the girl. Nothing else. Her virtue will not be compromised," but his admiring gaze went back to the fiery beauty, and he added, "Unless, of course, I find the temptation impossible to resist!"

Three more times the battle raged, three more times, the pirate captain took the slight wound. Each version was a little different. No matter how carefully choreographed, fight scenes were never the same twice. Afterwards, corpses got up, and a man whose arm had been severed, brought it back from behind his back, rose, and picked up the false arm.

Valencio said with satisfaction, "That was tremendous fun!"

One of the corpses replied, "Alright for you, Vince. You always get to win!"

Valencio put his hand over his heart, looked piteous, and said, "Ah, but I lose my heart!"

The revived corpse chuckled, and said, "A whole film, and you just get one passionate kiss right at the end."

"I'm told traditional romances are always that way - no actual sex, just a hint and a line of asterisks!"

Peter remarked, "I'm looking forward to the premiere Friday. I hear you leave your girlfriends a bit more than merely swooning!"

Valencio glanced at him, and looked for his shirt. A young actor wondered if he was to be replaced. He knew that look in the eye of the Cossack.

Friday morning, Ashley said, "I was thinking about what was said about you always winning. So I've spoken to Mr. Schuster, and there's been some re-writing. Study it now, and we do it today."

Valencio took the re-written segment of script, took a seat at the back of the studio, and started to read. After a while, he stared away, and then read it again. In a break, he called Ashley's attention, and handed it back to him. "I'm sorry. I can't do it."

Ashley looked at him in blank surprise. "It's a standard thing. You get tied up, and whipped." He remembered that Valencio was not experienced, and he said, "It doesn't hurt you, of course. Rarely, there's a bit of a bruise, but we'll have Johno, who always does any whipping scenes."

Valencio shook his head.

Ashley said, exasperated, "Why? Are you frightened of being hurt?"

"Maybe I am. I do not wish to be tied up and whipped, even in pretence."

Ashley took a deep breath, and explained, "It's the dynamics of the relationship between yourself and Renata de Castilla. I want her to see the pirate as only human, and vulnerable. It distresses her. She's doing those scenes now, in the next studio, with Mr. Schuster."

Valencio said stubbornly, "It was perfectly alright without the changes. I'm sorry, Ash, but I can't do it!"

Ashley snapped, "You do whatever's asked of you that's reasonable, and this is reasonable."

Valencio looked away, and Ashley sighed. "We'll have a stunt man to take the blows. Bill maybe. He's a bit more obviously muscular than you are, but will have to do. Maybe after you see it's harmless, you might change your mind."

"What about the face?"

Ashley said sarcastically, "I suppose at least you can be tied up, and just wince a bit when you hear the whip!"

Valencio felt ill. He didn't want to be tied up. But he was a professional, and as Ashley said, it was a standard task. After a long pause, he nodded slightly, briefly. He'd just have to put up with it. He was being silly. It was just acting, and there was no reason he should feel sick.

But two hours later, he was pale and tense, as his wrists and ankles were firmly strapped to a grating. He wore his accustomed breeches and belt, and had his eye-patch still. His shirt had been taken from him in the previous scene. A second grating held Bill, the stunt man, laughing and joking.

Johno strolled around, cracking his whip. He could look ferocious, and barely connect. The sound would be supplied, and Ashley said, "Vince, when you hear the noise, that's the sound of a blow. That's when you grunt or gasp. No screaming. The pirate's not supposed to yell or scream."

Screaming had never done any good when it was Adil. Valencio had seldom screamed when Adil decided to hurt. It was always easier when he'd been able to hold the pain away from him, pretend he wasn't there. He'd usually been able to walk afterwards when he succeeded, and took less time to recover.

He turned his face away from the camera, peering at him for close-ups. Ashley was frowning. Maybe after the first take, he'd relax and do what was required. It was scarcely worth wasting film this first time. But he remembered Schuster's advice. It might not necessarily be printed, but the first take would be filmed.

He inspected again, and said to the cameraman, "Extra shots showing how thoroughly he's tied, so that he can't possibly escape."

The camera scanned. Valencio looked straight downwards to the grate. His face could not be seen.

Ashley said, "Turn your head, Vince."

Valencio didn't move. Ashley put a hand to his shoulder, and he jumped, painfully.

Ashley ordered, "Turn your head to the right."

Valencio turned his head, and looked blindly at the cameraman. He was white. Ashley hesitated, but then checked that Bill and Johno were ready, and said the single word, "Action."

The 'officer' strolled to Valencio, peered at his face, and then walked away, nodding at Johno, "Commence punishment."

Johno displayed his whip, and then raised it, glancing at the officer for his cue. The sound technician was ready. Better if the sound was exactly as the whip struck flesh, much neater than editing.

The sound of the blow. Whip marks would be printed on Bill's back afterwards by computer, though there were faint marks from the red dye in the whip, not much as the blow had been very soft. Valencio made no sound, and only turned his face away from the camera again. Another blow, and suddenly, his control broke, and Valencio fought desperately against the bonds, struggling to pull hands or feet free. It wasn't in the script.

Ashley nodded at Johno, and mouthed, 'Keep going!'

The close-up cameraman was worried, thinking that Vince's face of naked fear did not look quite like acting. But then, quite slowly, Valencio turned his face again to the side, towards the camera, lay down his head and relaxed his body. There was no good fighting when he was fully restrained. You just took what Adil chose to unleash, whether it was a whipping, something worse, or those times when he'd been treated as a tender and precious treasure. Valencio was no longer acting. He was a slave again, at the mercy of his owner.

He wasn't making any indication when the sound of the blows came, and Ashley was resigned to doing it again. He might as well continue, and finish the first take. At length he said, "Cut," and went to Vince, prepared to tell him to pull himself together, and remember he was supposed to be making some effort to earn his money as an actor.

The cameraman said, "Mr. Vernstein, I think Vince is sick."

Ashley went to his star actor, and tried to shake his shoulder. It was slick with sweat, and Vince was still white. The one eye that was visible, was closed. He shook his head. Surely the man hadn't fainted! He said impatiently, "Untie him then. And see if Mr. Schuster's available. Maybe he can talk some sense into the man."

Dave spoke soothingly as he untied ankles, then wrists, and said, "Come away now, Vince. It's alright. No-one's really whipping you. It's just playacting."

Valencio opened his eyes, but his look was blind. He was still in the past. A cameraman started filming again, just in case. Johno came close, grinning a little, still playing with his whip. He started to make a jocular remark. Valencio found himself unrestrained, and the man who hurt, was close. He took a swift step forward, and punched at Johno, who ducked away, swearing.

Peter, who'd been watching him, frowning, grabbed his arm, avoided a blow, and pinned his arms to his sides, hugging him, and said forcefully, "It's only playacting today, Vince. No-one's really being whipped."

Valencio fought, but Peter only tightened his grip.

Schuster snapped, "Come to your senses, Vince. This is now." He stepped forward, and looked straight into Valencio's face, speaking quite quietly. "This is not the past. This is now."

Valencio shuddered, and was still.

After a moment, Peter said softly, "Alright now, Vince?"

Valencio nodded, and he was steered to a chair. Peter stayed close.

Schuster said, "Everybody, take a half hour break. Dave, would you page the studio doctor."

Valencio sat in his chair, head hanging, eye-patch in his hand. After a while, he glanced up at Schuster and Ashley, and said, "Sorry."

Schuster said clearly, "You will never again be asked to be tied up. I should have thought of it."

Ashley said, "Do you mean that you were whipped once?"

Valencio didn't answer. He was trembling, white-faced. He thought he needed a fence to lean against, one that gave pain, to help him be calm. He shook his head. That was insanity, looking for pain in order to feel calm. And after all this time, he suddenly realized why the fence had helped him. It was because the pain was predictable. The fence didn't caress one time, and torture the next.

He rose suddenly and walked swiftly to the bathroom, where he was violently ill. At least he hadn't compounded his disgrace by being sick in front of everyone. The doctor was there when he returned. He was shaking again, and there had been no-one to make a deodorizing spell in the bathroom, though he'd left no visible traces. He said to Schuster, still there, "You must be regretting luring me back."

Schuster said calmly, "The whipping scene wasn't necessary. Just don't go to pieces entirely. There's still half the film to go."

"I won't go to pieces entirely. But I don't think I can act again today."

"You won't need to act again, I just want you to stand in the prison cell, looking out the window. Vivienne will come in. Just as soon as Dani puts on the whip marks. It's not fully scripted. I'll tell Vivienne what to do, you just stay in character."

Valencio's face was still chalk white, but he gave Schuster a bleak look, and said, "I don't think you'll be able to retrieve anything from this mess."

"Leave that to me. You just do what you're told."

The doctor said, "Excuse me, Mr. Schuster. This man cannot be expected to work now. I was going to give him a sedative and send him to bed."

Valencio said defensively, "I'm perfectly alright. I just forgot where I was for a moment, that's all." He glanced at Schuster, and said, "I hit at Johno."

Peter, still close, said, "You tried to hit me, too, but you didn't hurt anyone."

Valencio said, shame-faced, "I'm very sorry."

Peter Vojkovic, the Cossack, said casually, "Don't worry about it." He'd have Vince one day. Feeling him in his arms, his furious struggles, and then his submission - it had been good, exciting. Vojkovic was a very big and strong man. He was probably the only man there who could have muffled his struggles like that. Alternatively, one of the women could have told Valencio to behave. A woman could have calmed him.

Schuster said, "Quick as you can, Dani. Use the marks on Ben as a model, do Vince, and you can do Ben, properly, afterwards."

The prison cell was being put together, hurriedly, a window with bars, behind it a blue sky, glittering ocean, even the masts of sailing ships, the picture printed on the light box. Dani had her make-up box ready, arranged Vince and Ben next to each other, backs to her, and began drawing in red stripes. A few artistic dribbles of blood. Poor Vince. Even now, he was trembling. It made her heart melt. It was the effect it was supposed to have on Renata de Castilla.

There was always 'F-film' taken in conjunction with the good quality film, that needed careful developing. The F-film was poor quality, but could be viewed straightaway. Schuster and Ashley studied the images, and Schuster said, "I should have told you. Don't tell anyone else, but he was Valencio Durano, kept prisoner for many years. I thought he must have been treated reasonably, as he appeared so normal."

Ashley said, "I heard that it was nonsense, that his identity was proven as Vincent McDonald."

"I'm sure. I've never told anyone, as he obviously doesn't want it known, and I don't want you to tell anyone. But if you're directing him, you need to know."

"He didn't want to do the whipping scene, but I insisted. A mistake!"

"It makes you wonder just what they did to him. Besides the obvious, of course."

A few minutes later, Vivienne, garbed in long dresses, corsets, her hair piled in an elaborate hairstyle, watched closely, as three film strips were played one above another. She was told what to say, but asked, "What are his lines?"

"I told him to stay in character. He's still in a state. He might want to kiss, might ignore you, might even cry in your arms. We'll just see what happens."

Vivienne accused, "You're manipulating him, taking advantage of his distress."

Schuster said coolly, "If I am, he knows exactly what I'm doing. Vince is a very intelligent man."

"Why did he react to the whipping like that, do you think?"

"From hints I've picked up, he may have spent some time in gaol at one stage, maybe a reform school where they believe in corporal punishment. It's a weakness, but we'll know in future."

On the set, Valencio still sat in a chair, leaning forward, head down. He was less pale, and his trembling was finally dying down. The doctor hovered, ignored.

Schuster said briskly, "Right. Cameras set?" Camera technicians nodded.

"Vince, you stand next to the window, looking out."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Do what you think the captain would do. Just be the captain. No need to try and memorize lines."

"Don't expect too much."

Schuster said calmly, "It's most unlikely to be used. We'll just go back to the old version, I expect. But just in case."

Valencio readjusted the eye-patch. It was unlikely that he would have been considerately left with an eye-patch if he'd really been being punished, but an ugly scar or missing eye was not a romantic sight. It was supposed to be a romance.

When Vivienne was allowed in the prison room, the pirate captain stood with his back to her, wearing belt and breeches, as he had for the whipping scene, but with bloodied stripes crossing his back. Vivienne just stood, staring. Finally, she said, "Captain?"

Valencio flinched around. The woman he desired, and wished he had the right to love, staring at him in his humiliation. "Get out of here," he said harshly. And when she only stared, tears starting, he said again, "Out!"

But it was only when he took a threatening step towards her that she retreated. The captain stared after her, and he was trembling again. The cameras still filmed. After a while, he went back to the window. A camera was wheeled smoothly closer, and then around to do a close-up of his face, staring bleakly at the scene outside. He gave it a few minutes, but then said, "That's enough, Schuster. I can't do any more today."

Schuster said, "Cut," and went to Valencio. He asked quietly, "Why? Why did you do it like that?"

Valencio explained, "The captain's a proud man, even arrogant, and he's been bitterly humiliated. He doesn't want the woman to see him like that."

Schuster nodded, and said, "We'll page Ronny, and he'll see you home. No filming this weekend. Usual time, Monday."

"What's on Monday?"

"The escape, as scheduled. Today's scenes will be dropped, too much out of context."

But after Vince left with Ronny, Bill was flogged a few more times, his bleeding back was filmed, and Vivienne was called upon to do more acting, especially crying in the arms of her duenna, a stout and matronly woman squeezed uncomfortably into corsets and period costume. There was some frantic writing going on as well, and Vivienne would be needed on both Saturday afternoon, and Sunday. Others would be called in as well, including Tasha. They had to keep on schedule as much as possible, though they usually had Sundays off, sometimes the whole weekend.

Schuster still doubted whether it could be incorporated. Meantime, he watched the segment of F-film again and again - the face of fear, the struggles, and then the relaxation of body when struggles were found to be useless. Putting anything of that in the film would change the nature of the story entirely. Raw fear does not belong in a lighthearted romance.

All the same, Schuster ordered the whole thing to be printed, even the part that showed Vince being released from the grating, and then hitting at Johno.

Tasha came home from the premiere and party very late that night, giggling, and being steered by both Jean-Pierre and Bobby. The starlet who'd been Jean-Pierre's official escort was already home with her real boyfriend. The Son of Satan would open in all major movie theatres the following Saturday. Vince might still not be known as Valencio Durano, but he'd lost his anonymity.

Anirage seldom watched medj films, or read film reviews, and Narzu-Han's November report was unsatisfactory. "He was away, but I couldn't find out just exactly what he was doing. Carol told me he sometimes spends a week or two in Edinburgh or London, and Emma said something about a lecture on growing berry bushes."

Narzu-Han drummed his fingers on the table. They couldn't get anyone in again until March now. He commented, "If they were not under Bellamy's protection, I'd just send you to question one of them."

Galina said, "No way! I don't want to be in trouble with John Bellamy!"

Narzu-Han sighed, and Galina pointed out, "There's no indications that he's not well and happy. His car was at his cottage, his dog was around, and no-one looked worried."

Narzu-Han said, resigned, "March then."

Valencio routinely prepared for work on Monday. It seemed, for him, that the fun had gone out of the movie.

Tasha mentioned, as he breakfasted, "I have a few scenes today, but that's probably the finish for me, and Sonia said I could watch her later, if I want. She's a set designer."

Tasha was more at home in this environment than he was himself now, he thought. She was thrilled that she'd been photographed by a society photographer, and asked for her name. It was because she'd been with Jean-Pierre and Bobby at the premiere, but she'd mentioned that she was the wife of Vince McDonald, although she gave her own name, Natasha Maskkov, and very much hoped that her family would see.

If there was one thing that Valencio had learned in the enclosures, it was that you couldn't hide when you'd made a fool of yourself. Jorg called for him as he was accustomed to, and congratulated him on Son of Satan. "I couldn't get a ticket myself, but everyone's raving over it! Except for Ben Bgorn. I hear he's furious."

"Why?" asked Valencio blankly.

"Well, no-one said exactly why he was furious."

There were others wanting to congratulate him, but he only walked faster, saying he'd be late. He reported to Make-up, and Dani, too, congratulated him on his first movie, said how wonderful it was, that she'd cried and cried, and couldn't forget it, so that it haunted her dreams.

Valencio said with a wry smile, "Is that good or bad?"

Dani said firmly, "Only a great movie is unforgettable."

He waited patiently, as Dani did his face, accustomed to the routine, but was surprised that Dani said to take off his shirt, as the whip marks had to be done.

She explained, "Schuster said that he's not planning on using it, but he'll just show you tenderly putting on your shirt before you make the daring escape. Meantime, I'll spray it to set the make-up, but keep your shirt off. It can still smudge, and I might need to make running repairs, depending on how many takes he wants."

"Does it look like Schuster himself is directing today?"

"They were both there when I looked in."

Dani finished his back, compared it carefully with a large photograph, and reminded him sternly that he was not allowed to sit back in a chair, or lean against a wall. Valencio promised that he'd try not to.

Peter was to lead the rescue of his captain, and looked at him with a desire in his eyes, though quickly looking away when Valencio looked back at him, frowning. The Cossack had no intention of doing anything until the movie was over. A new one was often a little upset for a few days, sometimes even longer, and that would affect the making of the film. He wasn't a rapist, of course. All a young man had to do was to say No, and quite often, that's exactly what happened. His target said No, and he was disappointed, and arranged to have him driven home. The light sedative in the target's drink was only so that he would not become nervous and refuse out of fear, but meant that he should not drive, and sometimes even needed help walking. He always used a muscle relaxant as well, and that was not because it was rape. Just that he was a big man, and hurting was a poor idea.

There were other ways of course, but a slow preparation gave time for a young man to gather his thoughts, and object. Better he was not too much warned. The Cossack never raped, or not in his own mind, but all the same, more often than not, a young man who'd never thought of being used in that fashion, found himself prone on a bed, his head a bit woozy, initiated by Peter Vojkovic, who loved being the first.

Valencio was not at his best that day, finding it difficult to become the part. Schuster did a lot more takes than usual, but did not rebuke him. He'd be right once he overcame his self-consciousness. Valencio asked if he should be moving with difficulty, and Schuster shook his head. Valencio remarked, "It must have been a very mild whipping then, if he can run and jump and fight that same night."

Schuster gave his thin smile, "Romantic heroes run and fight whether they're bleeding to death, have a bullet in their shoulder, or have just revived from being knocked out. They're not ordinary people, who feel sick merely because of a spot of concussion or a broken bone!"

A lot more people had come to the conclusion that if Vince McDonald was not the lost child actor, at the least, some terrible things had happened to him in the past. Some let it affect the way they treated him, leaving him embarrassed and uncomfortable. The premiere that many had gone to, helped. And when Dave teased that he must be feeling deprived, that he hadn't got to take his pants off all movie, he quite suddenly relaxed and his acting improved.

Schuster noted it, suggested to Ashley that it was time to do one of the fight scenes that his star so much enjoyed, and sat back, leaving it to his assistant.

A short time later, Valencio wielded a sword, its edge apparently glittering sharp, taking on those who had tried to guard his ship. He was grinning in his acute pleasure, fighting side by side with his lieutenant, who was taking care not to reveal that Valencio was in his sights to replace Tod just as soon as filming was finished.

Valencio was himself again, and again threw himself into his role. There were more battles, where he could be shown at his most dashing and romantic. There were a few more prison scenes, as well. This time, there was no whipping, no loss of dignity, and the prisoner was allowed to be debonair, rather than humiliated.

There was only a two day break for Christmas, as Schuster had another major film due to start in the middle of February, and this one had to be squeezed in between. Ashley would handle the months of sorting raw film into the finished product.

By the time of the ball, and Valencio's final wooing of the lady, the fuss about Son of Satan had died down, and the whipping scenes were nearly forgotten. The film would not be discarded, but it would not be used. The realism did not belong in a lighthearted romance.

In the middle of January, nominations for the Academy Awards were announced, and that day Schuster had a difficult time preserving his usual calm mask. He didn't want to show that he was thrilled, just as any other ordinary person might be. Best Director. It would be his third Oscar if he won.

Both Jean-Pierre and Valencio were nominated for Best Actor, and Nikole for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. There was even a nomination for cinematography, and for the musical score. And Son of Satan was nominated for Best Motion Picture. A possible reason for Ben Bgorn's annoyance at the premiere became clear. The Centurion was another big picture of the year, and he was also a nomination for Best Actor.

"We'll go to the Nominations Dinner, of course," said Tasha, firmly.

Valencio looked at her face that dared him to argue, and said, "Good thing I packed a suit."

The lighthearted scenes of the ball took place. It was a costume ball, and the pirate was seen behind a mask. That an eye-patch or missing eye might still have been visible was glossed over, his eyes never clearly shown. He wooed the heroine, danced with her, took her breath away, told her casually that she should call him 'My Lord,' and vanished before the unmasking at midnight, leaving her bereft.

The Nominations Dinner, and Tasha was photographed again, this time with her husband. The photographs of the major nominees would appear in the society pages of the magazine that Inge subscribed to. Ben Bgorn did not molest Valencio this time, but another did, though quickly getting the hint when his wrist was hit away with a force almost sufficient to break it. Or at least that's what the man thought, looking at Valencio with watering eyes. Vince McDonald was so beautiful, yet manly, and he was only offering himself. He might like to...

It hadn't even occurred to Valencio that a man might offer, expecting to go underneath. It was not in his experience.

"We go straight after the concluding party," Valencio told Tasha firmly. "I'd really prefer before."

Tasha nodded. "Straight after."

She wouldn't push it, and she knew that Valencio had very much enjoyed doing this movie. He wasn't thin and strained, as he'd been after Son of Satan, and no-one had told her that he'd broken down merely because he was tied to a grating. She'd have him back again, and Schuster had told her that he was just waiting for the right role.

"Don't let him go to another director," he'd said firmly, "He's better with me. We work well together."

"Do you have any ideas?"

"Not yet, but we won't waste him on any more second-rate movies like Aegean Romance. He has more to offer than that."

"He loved making it."

"That was the idea. But for the third one - we'll give him a challenge again."

Tasha smiled at him. It was like a conspiracy between them - for Valencio's own good, of course.

The wrap party, and the plans of the Cossack were not proceeding well. He succeeded in adding a little something to Valencio's drink, but he didn't seem interested in drinking, and it was abandoned, as he spoke instead to Dave. Tasha was close as well. Vojkovic had taken a young man out from under the eyes of a girlfriend once, and thought that a wife would be little different. But Valencio was restless, wanting to go home, and Tasha finally agreed.

Vojkovic decided he couldn't wait any longer, seized the chance when Valencio was momentarily alone, wrapped him in a close embrace, forced his mouth open, kissing passionately, and a hand roamed over back and bottom, squeezing the centre of their bodies together, so that Valencio could feel his hardness for him.

Valencio fought, trying to bite, trying to hit. He managed a couple of fierce kidney punches with his free hand, couldn't get to his bit of glass, but put his hand to the aggressor's neck instead, finding the carotid artery, and pressing hard. Vojkovic twisted, bringing one of his arms lower, so that the hand was no longer free to fight back. Vojkovic was an immensely strong man.

Valencio was physically mastered, helpless in the embrace of a big man, who wanted. He stopped struggling as his excitement took over. Vojkovic laughed his triumph, as he felt that Vince returned his desire. He'd have him in bed in no time, a lot easier than he thought. This was no novice!

Tasha spoke cuttingly, "Leave my husband alone!"

Vojkovic released Valencio, and stepped back, smiling. Vince wasn't going to be her husband long. No woman tolerated her husband being attracted to men. Valencio stared at Vojkovic, flushed, breathing quickly, shallow, wanting him.

Tasha glanced at her husband, took a step forward, and slapped Vojkovic as hard as she could across the face. Vojkovic put his hand to his face, and looked at her in surprise. This was not how he would have expected a normal wife to react.

Tasha said firmly, "Valencio, come with me!"

Valencio tore his eyes away from Vojkovic, and went with Tasha.

After a long time, he muttered, "Sorry."

Tasha said, very calmly, "We all bear scars from the enclosures. There's no need to speak of it again."

The following morning, they were gone, and Vojkovic looked for his target in vain. Tasha had called him Valencio. Vojkovic hadn't missed it, though he hadn't previously believed the rumours, in spite of his unexpected reaction to the whipping scene. Maybe, in view of his history, he should leave him alone.

He acquired his own copy of Son of Satan, and even, surreptitiously, his own copy of the film of the whipping, where he'd had the chance to subdue him. Vince had struggled, in his arms, and against the grating, and had then stopped struggling. The face of undisguised fear, and then the acceptance. There was also the fact that his desire had been returned. He knew it had been returned. Having Vince - Valencio, would not be rape. He was beautiful, he'd had it before, many times no doubt, and he wanted it. Vince might be over thirty, much older than his usual targets, but the Cossack fully intended to have him.

Tod knew his days were numbered with the Cossack, but he'd been a generous lover, his influence had given him a good start in his acting career, and he didn't seem to mind that Tod had a girlfriend. Tod thought that he'd not been damaged by the Cossack, and didn't acknowledge, even to himself, that the first time had been a rape. He'd never been badly hurt, though he'd never enjoyed it, either.

He thought maybe his months with the well-known actor had been a good investment, even told himself it was a deliberate manoeuvre on his part, to get his first break. Tod Morgan didn't expect to become a star, but he fully expected to make a good living in his chosen career. The Cossack had a reputation for continuing his interest, and there were other young men still benefiting from their compliance, long after they stopped sharing his bed.

xchapter endsx