A Flock Leaders Journey by D.A. Sanford - HTML preview

Readers be advised

Warning: Contains adult content due to graphic descriptions of any or all of the following:

Battles, Language, Sexual

Both the cover and images in this book are not photographs or hand drawn art. They were created using AI text to graphics programs by the author.

A flock leader’s journey© 2024 D. A. Sanford

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the author or publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

for permission from the author contact danielsanford@sbcglobal.net

No one knows

No one knows what happened back then. Whether it came from a lab or a natural occurrence, maybe from a meteor it’s too late to even care. We are what is left by whatever hit the global population. Not seeing anyone for untold months is common.

Sometimes it is a god send because people can be more animals than animals.

Humans are the worst. Most of the humanoids will treat you fairly but mainly with indifference.

As expected, from something that killed off the majority of the world population, there were continuing mutations. The mutation variations depend upon the species. The only common thing is rage. If they catch you, you’re doomed. Either eaten or, if you can get away with only a bite, it is a certainty that you will become one of the mutants. Other than the bite, there is an unknown factor that can trigger a community wide mutation to occur. They do eat, they do live, and most seem to not be affected by the cold. So much for a winter break.

I’m Billy Barker. This is how my journey started.

It all started when I was young and traveling alone. I had to find a place to hide for the night. You never went out in the dark. You find somewhere to hide at least two hours before twilight. Felid night stalkers have excellent night vision. They will tear you apart.

Unlike normal cats, they will not play with you before they kill you. I still can see, during the day time, bodies high up in the trees of some fool that tried to stretch the two hour limit.

I will try for a cave with an opening that I can cover. Sometimes hanging a hammock under a bridge that is tight to the under surface of the road. It is surprising how you can get used to skunk lure. For some reason, it can still be found is old country hunting stores. The smell masks your scent. You can sleep. Another good side effect is that you do pick up that smell and any one you do meet, it is a very brief encounter.

Being around the age of twelve when it hit. My father was the first to die but he was quickly followed by my mother. Her last words for me were that I needed to go to my aunt’s house in the next town. I never made it out of my neighborhood.

The streets were a mess. Bodies that were just moved to the sidewalk were rotting in the noonday sun. The dogs were starting their journey towards going feral. They were starting to eat the dead. With in a few blocks from my house, there were gun shots. If I remember right, that was common for those who did not want to turn into mutants.

These shots were directed towards me.

I knew the area well. In the woods was a cave that I used to play in. My mother hated it.

“You’ll be in there and it will cave in.” She would warn but like most kids, it went in one ear, gained velocity and shot out the other ear at sonic speed.

The cave had some of my camping gear and a stash of snacks. I was a kid. Why would I stash canned goods. They were at home. I had used some construction adhesive on a board and put some stones on the board. I think back, todays standard, I would have been the snack.

For a few weeks, everything calmed down. I did not wander at night but in the day, I finally realized, after throwing up a stomach’s worth of junk snacks, that I needed some real food. I was able to go into the stores and get those canned goods. That is when I started the habit of real food as opposed to snacks.

My cave was small but it was home for most of the spring and early summer. I had to leave. There were at first, the human mutations. They appeared to be zombie like but without the rot. Aggressive but not rational. They were like they no longer had any reasoning. Total aggression when they saw prey. They did not shuffle like in the movies.

They took on the swarm instinct and they could run. The only saving grace is that they are not as coordinated as a felid, they tend to stumble and fall. I always ran over rough terrane when they chased me.

First the runners, then the night stalkers. They are nocturnal but can come out in the twilight and cloudy days. Evidently, the mutation has rendered their eyes almost useless during the daytime, too bright. They had been coming closer and closer to my cave.

That is when I found the skunk lure.

When it finally came to fall, I found that I needed heat or freeze to death, I abandoned my cave and found a house on the outskirts that had a fireplace in the basement rec room. It had quite a few cords of wood. That is the biggest reason I chose it. I used my unlimited supply of lure around the outside of the house. I also boarded up both the inside and the outside of all the basement windows. Then I hung blankets over the inside. I needed to make sure that no light from the small fire in the fireplace did not show.

It was cozy for almost the whole winter. I was on starvation rations towards the beginning of spring. Winter had been brutal. Storm after storm. I was the only one in this neighborhood so I was able to take most of the canned and dry foods but the storms kept me inside.

I had brought all the wood inside but I was running low. The wood furniture was first. I stayed in the basement rec room. The main floor furniture would mostly break up by pushing it down the stairs. I just made it to early spring.

With warmer weather, I decided it was time to get out of the area. The runners were still sluggish from the cold. My best bet was to drift further south. It used to be a joke my father would always tell us when he was going to go out to shovel snow.

“One of these days, I’m going to put this shovel on my shoulder and start to walk. When I get to an area where someone asks me what’s that you have on your shoulder, that is where I will live.”

I don’t have a snow shovel but I know one thing, I don’t want to be in the cold any more.

South is the direction. I remember things so, morning sun on my left and afternoon sun on my right, south is in front of me.

As I went south, I found that there were a few more mutants. The biggest I needed to worry about were the biters, which are turned canids. They have the nose to track.

Once they get a scent, there is no stopping them short of killing them.

Then there are the harpy turns. They are the fliers. Normal harpies take great pride in their plumage. Grooming is something they do often. The best sign of a flier is, when you see one, ask yourself, are their large feathers looking ragged?

My familiar safe spot, a cave, now is something that really must be scouted. Look for tracks in the dirt. Those are the best indications that a cave is occupied. If it is, walk slowly backwards, keeping your eyes on the potential threat. When you are far enough away, turn and run away. A basic survival rule.

Walking, on edge you are alive, alone, but alive. Everything is out to eat you. I realized that you must get strong. Stronger but do not turn into an idiot. Muscle brains always find out that there is always something stronger. Usually at lunch time. Theirs not yours.

No, I learned that smarter is better. The mutants are just instincts. It’s the human so called normal that you have to be smarter than. That food offered, the drink, the invite to bed will get you dead. Some humans are worst than mutants. The humans enjoy the kill. Smarter is better. Skunk is a very good defense.

I found my way down to the warm. Spent a few years wandering. Another lesson learned. Every place has it’s own draw and it’s own faults. South is warm during the winter but almost unbearably humid and hot during the summer. Then there non mutants that want to dine on you. Gaters, bugs, snakes, to name a few.

After a few years, I found myself drifting back up north. I had places in both that I could stay in but summer was for the north.

I picked up a cross bow in my travels. I am now very proficient with it. I can eat every day with what I hunt. I also now can pick off some of the mutants at a distance. With a few well placed shots, you can take down a flier.

Night stalkers and biters, the skunk lure usually does the trick. Unlike the old movies, it is best to avoid these two but biters can be taken down with a cross bow. I have tried some of the chemicals to throw their noses off but skunk works best so why bother.

I hate to say this but sometimes you can have fun with the runners.

In the hills, when I spot a small group of runners and there is a cliff or a ravine, I will get them in a frenzy. I will run towards the edge. At the very last moment, I will jump out of the way and watch them plumet. So, sue me. Oh, that’s right no courts anymore. I think of it as population control.

Now it has been nine years since the shit hit. Alone, on guard all the time and the only rest you get is when you can get into a totally safe place. I may go west sometime. I remember the rich made lavish bunkers there to ride a war out. I think about it but what the hell, give all this up just to find that the power has run out and they could not open those bomb proof doors.

I’ll stick to wandering.

Choose your poison

I have been lucky so far. Deep caves are good finds. Once I found that I was able to cover up the crawl way into a cavern. I dusted up my tracks, as usual, put rocks in the entrance of the tunnel and a little skunk lure, I was set for a few days rest. I did not hear anything but err on the side of caution.

It was bound to happen one day. Another cave that I found before the two hours from sunset. I went in only to find that it was occupied.

The only thing I could do is to freeze. She was asleep. There was a lone harpy. She was smaller than average. Very pretty plumage. That’s all I could see. She was curled up in sleep.

Slowly I started to turn to get away but there was a pebble that I kicked and it skittered across the stone floor making a small noise. She woke with a start, saw me and started to cower.

“Please don’t hurt me, I’ll leave.” I tell her

“I did not know that this was your hide. I promise not to tell anyone where you are.

Please don’t kill me.” She cried.

She is crying so much so that you have to know that she has had bad trouble in the recent past.

“I won’t hurt you if you promise not to hurt me. Sound okay with you. This is not my cave. I’ll leave”

“Not your cave, that’s good but please don’t leave. I’m lonely. Please stay.”

“It’s too close to night fall to find any other safe place. I’ll stay.”

I go to the other side of the cave and sit down on the floor.

“Why are you here alone?”

“I was with my flock.” She hangs her head. “I’m the runt, the weakest. The flock found a male and I kept trying to get a turn and was always thrown back. I finally resigned myself that I was not going to mate. After a while, the leader started to eliminate her closest threats. Then I was thrown out of the flock. Worthless. I was told that I was a waste of food. They said that if I was seen, they would kill me. That night, I found a store back room to hide in and slept.

“Hide during the night in a safe place. Store back rooms usually have no windows. I will say one thing, that is a smart solution. For someone just kicked out of her flock, you show some good judgment.”

She is now puffed up.

“You can praise me more. Would it be possible for me to travel with you? I need someone. We harpies are flock oriented. I don’t like being alone. Can I be a flock with you?”

“I’m Billy Barker, may I ask your name?”

“My name is Blaze”

“Blaze, I’m going to ask something. Why haven’t you tried to mate with me yet? You have been very calm”

“Having to try to fight with the others, I gave up. I found that I could keep the urge in check, somewhat.”

She now looks like she is really trying. I haven’t had anything in a very long time. Should I take a chance? Its dumb but I figure she is small, harpies are lite weight. If things get out of hand.

I get up and start to block the entrance with fallen rocks. I look and Blaze looks very puzzled.

“Whenever I hold up in a cave, I try to make the entrance look like a cave in. That’s all I’m doing. Keeps prying eyes out. Now when is the last time you ate?”

Sheepishly she said “I had something yesterday.”

“Anything substantial?”

I dig in my pack and open a large can of beef stew and split it with her. I used my drinking cup for her because it has a handle, and a spoon. She was able to eat but she wolfed it down.

“Yesterday’s meal would not have been a few of these bugs crawling around?”

She looks down and says yes. I had eaten a good lunch. I poured the rest into the cup for her.

Blaze was dumb founded.

“You need to eat too.”

“Large lunch. Not bugs, I caught and ate a squirrel. So, I really am not hungry. Eat up.”

She did and looked like she just had a nine course meal at the best restaurant. Now fed, she had licked the cup and spoon clean, I told her that we need to get some sleep.

“I do not go out until an hour after sunrise but it really looked like it could rain. If it does, I will stay here another day. If we are going to travel together, we travel on my terms.

Only in the day. Now, it looked like you were sleeping. Are you a night or day harpy?”

“I am a day bird, I was sleeping because I am scared of being alone. I will walk when you walk and sleep when you sleep.”

She now is getting an inquisitive look.

“Can we sleep next to each other to keep warm?” she asks, with some desperation in her eyes.

“I can see that you are fighting an urge. Is that, clothes on or off? If it is off, we can do it if you want but one long slow session, Then sleep.”

She squeals. As she takes off her clothes. She then is doing some sort of dance as she sings “Fed and bed” over and over. I lay my bed roll down and she stops.

“You are not going to back out are you?”

“This is our bed. Now I do like what I see. So, if you would lie down on it, I’ll get undressed.”

Blaze’s idea of a long slow session was entirely different from mine. She had a lot of pent up passion. She was just as famished for sex as she was for food and a flock. We went on for a long time. I must say that I missed the companionship and the benefits. I now know that she is a keeper.

I have never seen someone so happy to see it raining when I opened the mouth of the cave. We used the rain to wash up. She spotted a rabbit and in a flash she had it. She presented it to me and I praised her. She seemed like it was praise from the gods. She is very happy. A while back, I found a small cook stove. I would usually cook the rabbit over a fire but the wood is wet with the rain.

“Do you want your portions raw or cooked?” I ask.

“I’ll have it the way you have it.”

As I clean it, I can see that she is looking at the raw meat. Normally, I cook the liver and heart but this time I put it in front of her.

“You caught it, to the victor go the spoils. Eat these up.”

Much to my amazement she also grabs the other innards and eats those. Discretion being the best route, I don’t say anything and cooked the meat with a few vegetables I had and made a soup. We had enough to last a few meals that day.

That night, I insisted that we get a night’s sleep but gave in to one round. This time I took the lead and showed her what a romantic mating was. She had such a blissful look. I could tell that it was something that we will do more often.

The next day, it was bright and sunny. We pack up and leave. Always the first thing is scrounge for whatever can be found.

“First thing, we need to find what food is out there. Any stores in this area or any houses? Are we in your flock’s territory?”

Blaze says that it is on the lower edge so I tell her that we will walk. I pull out my cloak and have her put it on.

“It has a hood so if they fly over you will not be recognized. I’m going to tell you something that is a hard fact. Even if it is your old flock, if they come after us, I will kill if attacked. Can you live with that? “

Without hesitation “I will help. You are my flock leader now. They kicked me out but they always treated me like the runt so I have no love for them. Now there is some houses in this direction.”

With that we take off in that direction. I could tell that her answer was a partial lie. The way she was leading me was out of her flock’s territory. I did not doubt that she would fight but it would hurt her to see others of her old flock killed. I would bet, the way she described the leader, she would not feel bad if I had to kill that one.

Blaze was right. There were quite a few houses and none of them showed that they were occupied. None showed any sign of being searched. Usually, you don’t see someone that has searched a house, close the doors. That is almost a universal sign of being searched

We were able to find a lot of good items, including a side arm with a few boxes of ammunition. Fire arms are used in a last defense, not for hunting. Loud attracts unwanted guests. Kitchen knives on the other hand.

At one house, there was one of the grocery carts that are the small ones on two wheels that you pull along. We are now able to take more. We were caught up in our good fortune when Blaze put a finger to her lips and pointed to a window.

Looking out, I saw a very large harpy flying around. She whispers to me that it is the flock leader.

“She can smell a male. That is why she is circling. It must be that she has caught your scent. We washed in the rain so you don’t stink of skunk.”

Thinking that I may have to shoot that one, I again ask Blaze,

“I’m going to take out the pistol.” But before I could finish, Blaze says

“She has found you! Shoot her before she gets you. You’re mine.”

There was both terror and anger in her voice.

The leader is in a full dive coming straight at this house. I only had one chance. Pulling out the pistol, I fire out a full clip through the glass. The harpy was caught in mid dive. I don’t know how many rounds hit her but it was enough to send her tumbling to the ground. She was alive but not in any shape to defend herself.

The leader recognized Blaze and ordered her to capture me and get help.

I saw a part of Blaze that my timid harpy hadn’t shown.

“I am not of your flock anymore. You threw me out as useless. This is my flock leader now. He took you out.” and she kicked some dirt in her face.

My turn and I know exactly what I am going to say and do.

“You threw Blaze out as garbage. She is a gem. She was the one that helped me find the pistol that shot you. You tried to take me from my wife, now you are on the ground.”

The leader goes to screech for the flock. I put a round in her head before she could do that.

“We need to go now. Those shots will attract all sorts of bad. Let’s go and find somewhere to hide.”

I grab her hand and we start to run towards the woods. This area is rocky with an abundance of caves so it was only a short run until we found a cave that had a cavern. I fixed the entrance and we sat.

All this time, she has not said a word. I think she must be in shock that I had to kill the leader. Even though she was mistreated, she must still have had some loyalty to that leader. There is silence as we listen for any sign of pursuit. There was none.

Finally I started to talk but noticed a serious look on Blaze’s face. I figure that she is going to be mad. She gets up, walks over to where I am sitting, kneels and grabs my face in her hands. Here it comes.

“What did you mean, my wife?”

It’s a good thing that I was sitting.

“I meant what I said. It’s only been a few days since we met but I want you with me always. We have mated. I love you already and will fight to defend you. Are you okay with being my wife?”

She kisses me long and hard. In just that instant, she had the bed roll out and was out of her clothes. Then I was out of mine. We holed up there. Mid-day but.

After a long enjoyable session Blaze is cuddled up tight to me when she reflects her new status.

“Your wife, I like that. Finally, I am first wife. I never thought that it would happen. First wife, does that mean I am Blaze Barker? I never had a last name but I heard that your species takes the husband’s last name. I am going to do that.”

I need to stop her or she is going to explode. I kiss her and draw her into a hug. Those feathers feel nice and are warm. Once she has lost the steam, I realize what she just said. So, I’m slow. I ask.

“What do you mean first wife?”

“We are a flock. You are the leader. There needs to be more wives, more added to our flock. The only thing is that I want to be the only harpy.”

“You are.”

We spent the night. In the morning we went back to the houses. I needed to retrieve to supplies. The leader’s body was still there but showed signs of abuse. I ask Blaze about that.

“She was strong and hated. The flock must have found her. By plucking her and kicking her, she will go on to the next life plucked. She will remember why. That is why she got rid of the next strongest. They were the ones that would have done this when she was alive. Alive or dead, as long as she is plucked, she’ll be bald.”

With that, Blaze plucked one of the last feathers and threw it to the wind.

Getting those supplies, both of us left the area. She seemed that she had a burden taken off her. We walked as she was humming and occasionally would sing “first wife”

over and over.

First wife?

A walk with a wife

Starting this journey at age twelve, alone. Learning how to survive in this fucked up world. In this world, if you are alone and live, you’re an adult no matter what age but that does not imbue wisdom. I have seen the results, or should I say the remains of people young and old that felt they knew better.

Being alone, there is no one around you to make you stop and think before doing something stupid.

Now, not only do I have a companion, I have a wife and she already saved me. She alerted me to a potential danger. She told me that her old flock leader found me. Now we travel. Now I have someone that can scout ahead. My harpy wife, Blaze.

Airborne, she can spy out places. I have told her that she is to go no farther than a few miles. She needs to fly long enough to work her wings. Now that she is free, she can fly free. I can’t help but worry about her every minute she is away. By her flying, she spots places that look unsearched.

The biggest thing is that she is able to find places for our over night hide. She found a wonderful cave that had no tracks around it. When we went in, there was a set up in there that had even a wooden bed platform that we spread our bed roll out on. Better than sleeping on the floor.

Finding a good hide means we will not be disturbed. Both she and I try hard to keep the noise level down but we do not succeed. That hide, we stayed there for almost a week.

Going out for scavenging, a little hunting, Blaze always is happy when I offer the innards to her. Now is does not even phase me to see her devour them. More often than not, her portion of the catch is the last in the pot. The other times I just pour the soup over the raw meat. I have made her a raw meat platter a lot of times. The evenings she really shows her gratitude.

We had to move on due to an increase of mutants.

On our journeys, we had discussions about them. Up to now, we have left an area because of them but there is now a need to settle or go further south. Blaze is one that really likes snow. She would like to stay somewhere for the winter.

“If we stay, we can’t ignore the mutants like we have. We need to start taking them out.”

Blaze is very smart. Most of the time, she can come up with some things that I would never think of. Sometimes though.

“All I need to do is grab them, take them high and drop them. Simple.”

“I won’t let you. While you are climbing, they will be biting and scratching. I will never allow you to get infected, even if it means that I would be bitten.”

She is both in rapture and anguish.

“You would put yourself between me and a mutant. You’re my hero.” Then it sinks in.

“We need to make traps so we can kill them safely. I never want to lose you. You are my life.”

“That is why I don’t want you to put yourself in danger. I like the trap part. We could make a net tied to a fall. While they are swinging we kill them.”

“Why don’t we hunt them? You use your cross bow and I’ll drop rocks on them.”

“You have just given me an idea.” I kiss her and go for our packs. She sees what I get and shies away.

“That is the stinky stuff that you put on those leaves you eat.” She backs away.

I always carry empty bottles. You never know when they come in handy.

“Take one of these bottles up and lets see how high you have to go to have them break on impact.”

She does and we find that she only has to go around twenty feet for it to break. Next, I fill one with water and have her repeat. It was only a little less height. Blaze looks a little confused so I explain.

“If I fill a bottle with the vinegar and drop it on a biter or a night stalker, what would happen to their sensitive noses? You don’t like that smell and your nose is far less sensitive.”

“The smell will cripple them. As long as the bottles are closed when I carry them, I can do this.”

Later in the week, we came across the den of a sleeping night walker. I motioned to Blaze that I was going to throw a bottle in there. It was noon and the sky is clear. I did have my pistol out as I broke the bottle against the wall. Then ran to a safe distance from the opening.

With in seconds, we hear growling and sounds of extreme pain. Then the night stalker came out of it’s den. It hit the light. That plus the pungent smell of the vinegar, the creature curled up into a tight ball. I was able to put it down with one shot.

Blaze went into her dance. “We did it.” She was singing.

I was happy but also sad. I have met quite a few felids over the years. Almost all were friendly, cautious, but friendly. Now being sad that this felid ended up like this. Before all this went down, I had a few felid friends. I even had a female felid that I had a crush on when I was eleven. So having to kill this one was right, sad but right.

Now we had working solutions for the four types of mutants. I have not mentioned the runners in a while, We haven’t run into that many recently. They are so easily tricked

into running off a cliff. I feel that they are self destructing. We may see the end of them in my lifetime.

Only the fliers will be trouble, but at least they don’t seem to stray far from their nest. I have only seen a few. Even though you seldom see them, they’re no less a threat. I decided to take the chance and use the pistol on them. We now have sufficient ammunition to do that.

Again, with solutions to the most immediate three worked out. We needed to make our winter area safe. We used the vinegar method to ferret out the night stalker’s dens in our area. The hours must still be observed. Habits for safety are life savers.

Biters are different. Day walkers, they must be hunted. I gather the wood needed to keep warm while Blaze scouts from the air. She now carries a bottle. The pathetic yelp of the biter being incapacitated. I go to it and put it down.

Working like this, we now have enough wood to last the worse winter. The area has been picked clean, by us, and we have a sufficient quantity of dry goods and home canned that still is sealed. I have been hunting and between smoking and dehydrating we have enough but I will need to go out for the fresh meat that Blaze will need. She says that she can live well on the meat we have but seeing her face when she has raw meat, I will go out. Winter snowshoe rabbits are plentiful in this area.

I did find a few board games and books. The biggest find was a small solar array. It is able to work a small cd player. There are always CD’s around but there never was a way to play then. Blaze was fascinated when she saw me rigging it up so it could get the sun.

There was a small convenience store in the area. Almost picked clean, there were some rechargeable batteries still in their packages. After all this time, there were quite a few that would take a charge.

Blaze jumped when I finally put in a CD. We needed to play it softly but she really took a shine to it. I was amazed when she started to dance to a symphony. She told me that this is the first time she has ever heard these. She had a few in her small treasure. They were shiny.

Hearing that, I got an idea and with a little string and a few small pieces of wood molding from the house, I was able to make a present for her. I kept it a secret. When she made her morning flight to scout the area, I brought it out.

When she landed and came down to the basement, there hanging was a mobile with CD’s just leisurely turning. You would think that it was the most valuable thing in the world. Even when we moved on in the spring, she insisted we bring it with us. She has always kept it with her.

The winter went well. Spring came and we had to move on. I would have been happy to stay there and finally settle but resources ran out. Move or starve. We moved on. She

has a cloth wrapped mobile strapped to her pack and I have rigged that solar panel to the outside of mine. It’s charging the batteries.

We head out in no particular direction Just away. I have to ask.

“Want to circle back here by fall?”

“No. We can find a different area. By that time, I get the feeling that our flock will have grown.”

I don’t even want to ask.

Blaze was right

We headed in no particular direction.

After all this time, people have a tendency to gather. We encountered families and even areas that were close to being a community. It is a good practice to go around these areas. There may be good out there but why take the chance. We are doing okay by ourselves.

This was our practice until one day we heard screaming. You hear it often. The mutants always seemed to scream. It was different. This was the scream of a rational and a mutant.

Growling came from a biter but there was a definite felid scream. Blaze took to the air and almost immediately came back.

“There is a felid that is on the ground and she is holding a biter away with a large stick.

We need to help her.” She grabbed my hand and led me there.

Just in time. As they came into view, I could see that it was more like a staff that the felid was using but it was almost at the point of breaking. Without a thought, I shot the biter, then cautiously turned my attention to the felid.

Blaze was right, it is definitely female. She is now looking at me and Blaze with almost the same horror that she had with the biter. Smaller than the normal felid, she had various shades of tan fur. Modestly built. She now was holding her ankle as if that is why she really could not fight. She, like Blaze, gave me the feeling that this is a runt also.

“Before we do anything,” I say as I’m keeping Blaze from going over, “Have you been bitten by any mutant?” I am keeping my pistol at the ready.

“I haven’t been bitten or scratched. I tripped when that biter came after me. I was using it as a walking staff. Too bad it broke, I liked it.”

Still looking at the both of us, she asks “Would you please get me my pack? I am a healer and I have a potion that will help me heal this ankle. It’s just a sprain.”

Blaze gets the pack but I tell her to bring it to me and open it. There is only some clothes, food and bottles of potions, so I let her bring it to the felid. Then I ask Blaze if she would fly around this area and see it there is a hide somewhere close.

She comes back and says that there is but there are some fresh tracks around it. After asking her where it was, I had Blaze stay with the felid while I checked it out. It was an empty cave that must have been the biter’s hide. I removed its last meal scraps a safe distance from it then went back.

Between Blaze and Myself, we were able to get the felid to the cave. Then I put some skunk lure by the entrance. The felid gasps at the smell but Blaze speaks to her.

“Ginger, I don’t like the smell either but it will keep the mutants away.” She really knows me when she continues. “Billy does that because he will get some game for a meal. He wants us to be safe.”

“Your name is Ginger?” I ask.

“Yes”

“I’m going to get a few squirrels and hopefully a few rabbits. Do you have any other weapon than that stick?”

“Only a camp knife.”

I go out and come back with a sturdy branch. Then I tie my long knife to it and give it to her.

“At least, while I am gone, take care of my wife. She is a scout and a bomber but not a ground fighter.”

I then talk to Blaze. With a cold voice that made no intention to hide my instructions.

“If there is an attack, you leave and find me. I will not lose you for anyone.”

With that I walk out to find the game. I was successful. A rabbit, two squirrels and some wild vegetables. Soup is the usual meal. No real culinary skills but at least, I don’t burn water.

Both women were fine. Surprisingly, Blaze shared the innards with Ginger. They both ate with delight.

As I start to cook, I ask our new felid guest,

“What’s your story Ginger?”

She tells us that, she, like me, was a young child when this happened. The difference is that she was an orphan. She was almost at the age where she could leave to be on her own. She was the only one to survive the initial die off. There were a few books there so when she packed up to leave, she took the one on healing. Practice and the discovery that she did have some healing magic, she was able to live.

“I thought it was all over. A twisted ankle and I was going to die. Thank you both for saving me. Can I come with you when you leave. I don’t want to go it alone anymore.

You know what they said, safety in numbers. I am almost healed with the potion and magic. I’m a good hunter. I can fight”

She is really trying to sell herself but before I could say something, Blaze speaks to her, not me, just Ginger.

“I am his first wife. You need to sell yourself to me. I know what is best for my husband.

Are you a virgin?”

I almost spilled the soup. “Why would you ask such a thing?”

“She will be living with us so I need to know. You are my flock leader so I, as the first wife, need to know how to best serve you. Getting you a virgin, is the best tribute that I can give. After all, I gave you my virginity.”

Now she is acting shy. Blaze goes back to Ginger.

“Will you help me keeping our flock leader happy?”

A very puzzled Ginger answers Blaze.

“I was only asking if I could travel with you. To answer you, Yes, I am a virgin but why would you want to share?”

“I need to get my husband a respectable flock.” I almost expected her to say uh duh!

I step in. “This is something that we need to think about. Yes, you can travel with us. I figure that a few more people will round us out but five in our flock will be the maximum we can safely handle.”

She will never let it alone. Blaze is bouncing. “That means you will accept four wives.”

Then she starts to softly sing “Two more, Two more.” I will say that she does have a beautiful singing voice.

With her healing powers and potions, Ginger was almost completely healed by the time it was time to have supper. More soup. Then it was time. I had pulled Blaze aside and said that we needed to abstain for this night.

“Courtesy. Ginger will probably sleep with us for the warmth. I don’t want to push her into anything.”

Blaze, having been denied access when she was in her original flock, then released when we became her new flock, you would think that she could survive one night. She made it through, an hour. Evidently sex in the flock is a natural group thing. I woke up to being in feathers and friction.

She looks at me and whispers, “I’m being quiet.”

Ginger answers for me. “Like hell you are!” Now with a more urgent tone. “You really need to stop! I hear something outside.”

That put the brakes on. We all went silent. I know it is night out so it can be only one thing, a night stalker.

“I got chased out of my hide by a biter. I killed it but it is night out. I heard you. I won’t cause trouble but I need to hide. Please may I come in.”

Well, I have never heard a night stalker talk so I carefully uncover the opening. There before me is a canid female. No time to wonder, I pulled her in. I went out for a moment to listen.

I covered the entrance back up. Looking at the woman, she told us that she only had been here for less than an hour. She was tucked up against the overhang. Out of sight but not quite out of danger. Then she started to hear first a small noise but after a few minutes, she knew it was not a mutant groaning but someone enjoying themselves.

At that time we were looking at Blaze.

“What?” is all she said in an innocent manner.

“You’re in here for the night. First things first. This is Blaze, my wife, she was the noise maker, Ginger, we just took her in earlier today and I am Billy Barker and you are?”

“Betsey. Thank you for saving me. I thought I would be mutant food. I did not even get a chance to retrieve my back pack. Hopefully it will be there in the morning. I didn’t even have time to get my machete out of the biter. It got stuck. You hear noises in the dark and all I could think of was to creep along until I saw this shallow overhang.”

“Betsey” Blaze said, “You must have been guided here. We are safe here with my husband protecting us.”

“Ya, but no one protected me from an attack that we discussed would not happen tonight!” Looking directly at Blaze then I turned back to Betsey “You see, as I said, we rescued Ginger here from a biter today. She asked to travel with us and Blaze invited her into our flock. We were supposed to have a sleep night but my night owl here could not help herself.”

Ginger says, “Isn’t that just what she did, helped herself?”

We laugh a little, then Betsey yawns.

I tell all of them that it is time for sleep. “Blaze, now there are two extra here. Control yourself.”.

She pouts and then we all go to sleep, or should I say that I really did not. I kept one eye on our newcomers. Trust is an earned thing. It was a long night but there was no trouble with those two. Blaze just cuddled while she slept.

In the morning, the first thing was to get breakfast. There was a little of the soup left but I went out to get a few more wild vegetables to add. I actually was able to find a wild chicken flock’s nest with some eggs. There were some that were fertile, I left those but there was a bonanza. Four just laid eggs.

When I got back, I started to heat the soup, put in the eggs when they weren’t looking and then the vegetables. Let that go for a while. Betsey asked if we could go back and get her stuff.

I get the impression that the discussion was about my flock.

“How far were you from here?” I ask.

“Not too far from here, towards the east.”

“We’ll go after we break camp. I take it that you ladies have come up with something that I should know about.”

Blaze casually informs me that I now have a flock of four. “Both Ginger, your future second wife and Betsey, on the fence about being your third wife. They both want to stay with us.”

I don’t question it, won’t win and don’t want to. We don’t have enough cups, but with the two we have and the one Ginger had, I let them eat first. I watched as they looked then squealed as they saw a luxury, each had a hard boiled egg in their soup. It was going to be a good day.

Eventually I also had my breakfast. To my astonishment, the three kissed me as we broke camp and went to Becky’s hide.

It was what you would expect from a solo traveler, with one exception. She had a very rare item. A dimensional bag. I found it out when I got her machete out of that biter. She accepted it back, wiped it and then put the large blade into what looked like a small shoulder bag.

The three of us just looked with our jaws open.

“What? Haven’t you ever seen one of these bags before. This one is small. It can only hold enough to fill three of the caves we slept in.”

It turns out that she has almost a full year’s worth of food, lots of clothes and a few rifles with the ammo. She said that she still had three quarters of the bag empty. I look at her then Blaze.

Blaze just says, “She fits our flock.”

Daisy’ Farm

On the trail, It turns out that, since she is a healer, Ginger has been welcomed into some of the larger communities. She knows of a few that are struggling because of the mutants. Both of the additions are amazed with the merciless method we use to take care of the mutants.

The methods are efficient and usually quick. They especially like the Blaze bomber tactic. Who would have thought that something as simple as vinegar would cause so much agony to biters and night stalkers.

Ginger tells them that there is a farm around here that is a main food source but it is constantly having to devote labor into protection. If they could simply eliminate the threat, them they could devote more time to production.

“We need to go to Daisy’s farm. We could rest up there for a while and teach them your way of dealing with the problem. It is about four days from here but there are a lot of caves in between. I will warn you Billy, I intend to mate you tonight and officially become your second wife. I need to and tomorrow, Betsey needs to also.”

“Why do I need to?” Betsey inquires.

“Daisy is a canid, extremely attractive and extra friendly towards visitors. She only has females on the farm. Twenty five at my last visit. Not a male in sight.

Betsey seems hesitant but then decides to tell Billy something that shouldn’t be shocking in this world. “I have had sex in the past. One, weeks long. I just wanted you to know. Does that bother you?”

She sees that it hasn’t phased Billy at all. He comments,

“We all have things in the past. What counts is what are you doing going forward? If you are with me, you’re with me.” He leaves it just like that. If you get it, you get it. If you don’t, you don’t.

“Sounds like a good idea.” Billy says “It will be a good test. My gut feels that you will not steer us wrong. Let’s go to that farm. It will be nice to have farm food. Wild is okay but most have a bitter taste.”

Ginger has to laugh he is considering his stomach. He needs to worry a little lower. She needs to clarify what she told him.

“You are thinking about food. Billy, twenty five women, no men around. If you don’t get it by now, Billy, you may not have time to eat …. food.”

Billy is hit in mid thought. He went for a decade a virgin. He ran into a felid that he gave it to her. Since then he had only one other occasion until he met his Blaze. She has

worked the rust off him but now he was going to have Ginger and Betsey. The thought of twenty five scares him. All he wants is food and a safe place to sleep for a few days.

“Are you saying that I may not make it out alive? There better be excellent food. Blaze what do you think? You are first wife. If you have any reservation, we will turn right now.

I don’t want to do anything that will jeopardize what we have.”

I can tell that she is thinking on how to reply. After a moment, she smiles then says,

“As long as we are not settling there, I have no problem but none of them will join the flock. There will only be one more that will be added, but she is not there. She is in another group in this area.”

“Well, as long as you are okay with this, we’ll go but yank me out the second you feel uncomfortable.”

I can tell that Blaze is truly in awe. She is the first wife of the flock. She now really is assuming the role’s responsibility. I draw her in for a hug and then tell her that I am in her care. She turns to the other two.

“You heard our husband, if I say that we run, we run. Our flock leader’s safety is paramount. The farm is secondary. We still have a date with the last of our sisters.

Ginger knows these people. We need to trust her but Ginger, if it starts to get out of hand, say something.”

Now, with a plan, the journey continues. There is about two or three days away from the farm. The plan they had was that Ginger was tonight and Betsey the next but Blaze had different ideas. I found that, after supper, I was ambushed. Ginger was allowed to be the first but the other two had fun. It went on until I was almost a walking emaciated bag of skin and bones. They on the other hand were asleep with satisfied smiles.

In the morning, I was told by my now three wives that they were just training me for what was to come. With that we set out with three giggling women. There is a lot of whispering behind me. I keep on thinking that we had a plan. Even though I did like it, I wished that I had a voice in it.

In the days remaining, we had quite a few of their training sessions. I just think that it is an excuse for an orgy. We did find quite a few day nests of night stalkers. Much to our amazement, we found that there are quite a few cases of there being multiple night stalkers in this area. The effects were the same. No matter how many were in there, the vinegar chases them out and the daylight cripples them. A quick shot kills them. We found that a single or a double, the cross bow will do. If you have more than that, one person needs a pistol but multiple people shooting, the cross bow will do the job.

As the farm comes into view, there is obviously a commotion to one side. It appears that there is a small pack of biters trying to get onto the farm and the people trying to repel them with very little success on driving them off. I give Blaze a few bottles and we start running towards the pack.

As I’m running, I’m thinking on what to do but also, like the night stalkers they are gathering. We can address this later. Now we have six biters to take care of. Almost at the pack, Blaze has the drop time down pat. She drops the bottles, the farm crew are driven back by the odor but they observe the biters whine in pain as they grab to cover their noses.

The farm crew see three people come up on the collapsed biters and just put them down with cross bows. Blaze lands a little way away. She still doesn’t mind dropping it but won’t come near the results.

They cannot believe what they just saw but one of the three comes up to the fence.

“How was that, Daisy? Long time no see. Is everyone ready to get a check up?” Ginger asks but it fell on deaf ears. The drool is flowing as they look at Billy.

“Daisy!” she yells and breaks Daisy away from her fantasy.

“Ginger, I didn’t see you there. All I saw was this man run up and singlehandedly take down those biters. When did you get here?”

“Blind as ever when you sniff a male. What did you think of our way to take care of the biters? It works better on the night stalkers during the day. How about you put us up while we teach you the way?”

“No problem but first introductions. How about you start with the male?”

“Eyes on me ladies! The male is Billy Barker, this is his first wife Blaze, This is his third wife Betsey and I am his second wife.”

Why does it look like the world was jerked out from under them?

Blaze jumps in to save their hopes. “As first wife, I will tell you that we will not accept”

she holds for effect “another wife from here. We will allow you to entertain him”

Why do I feel that I am a piece of meat shown to a hungry crowd. It’s going to be a tough job but I’m up to it.

Now, it’s my turn. “I’m Billy. We have found the most efficient method of taking care of the mutants. I must ask. Have you seen any runners and or fliers?”

“A few fliers but the runners seem to be else where or just dying out.” Daisy tells us.

“We haven’t seen any runners on our way here. They seemed so stupid that I think they are almost gone. The fliers however, I still think of them as a threat to be dealt with but we found that they can be shot with the cross bow. Do you have any or know where to get some?”

“What about the worse, night stalkers?”

“Believe it or not, they may be the easiest. Just throw a small bottle of vinegar into a den on a sunny day. They run out but the light blinds them. All you do then is just hit them with a cross bow and you are done. We have just left them where we killed them but for your farm, I would recommend a rope or hook to drag them away. We’ll make sure that you have the technique before we move on.”

“Move on, why don’t you stay here. There are two other communities in the area. Camp grounds and Grange. There used to be some at Cross Roads but they left.”

“We probably will go to them both after you but I think we may look at the Cross Roads.

I am tired of traveling and think it is time to put down roots. That would mean making the total area safe. Do you think that the other communities will help?”

“They have the same problem. If we could make this area safe, I would bet that there would be more people willing to settle. The more that settle the safer it becomes.

Maybe, just maybe, we can wipe out all the mutants.” Daisy says in almost a plea.

My wives are besides themselves and are in a huddle. My first wife tells us that they want to settle. “We are all tired of moving. With the farm in the area, we can set up trade. I’m sure that we could hunt and trade game for vegetables. We can even have our own small garden. We want to go to Cross Roads to see what condition it is in.”

I tell them that it will be our next stop, after we are finished with the farm. Daisy takes us to the main house and we have a welcoming party. During it, I am getting looks. I still need to negotiate the terms that would be necessary if we settle but I get the feeling that I will be busy.

The wives are shown their rooms but I am given a guest house. This bothers me terribly and insist that I meet with my wives. It does not feel right to me. Within a few minutes, they are here.

“I think that we need to leave. Ginger, this is not right. What are they up to. We need to be together but this really feels wrong. They have seen the way we kill the mutants.

Blaze, why are you giving me that look?”

“We talked about this before, remember. They want to pay their respects.”

“I remember, but separating us is what is wrong. You and I have not been separated for over a year. We never talked about this. I saw their look, they ignored all of you. I have run into slavers. This is not right.”

It really throws me when Blaze, of all people, tells me that they discussed it together and everything is safe.

“If you three are not here, we’re leaving.”

“We’re not leaving.” Betsey tells me.

“I’m sorry.” I get up and head out the door. There already is a line and seeing me leaving produces a lot of complaining.

“I’m not a whore.” I yell and bolt for the fence. I have to get out of here.

Blaze is the first to catch up to me. “Billy, please wait. Don’t leave.”

“I love you Blaze but I’m not a sex toy for people I don’t know. I was willing to get to know them but you saw the line. That I could tolerate but you three being separated from me, you especially. You were okay with that. I thought you knew me. I only just got to know Ginger and Betsey. If that is what you are comfortable with, I really don’t know you.”

By this time, Ginger, Betsey and Daisy caught up with me. They heard what I had to say, so I turned to the other two, shook my head, then turned to Daisy.

“What was going through your mind thinking that I would go along with you taking my wives. Sweet talk them into using their whore!”

Now I am getting really mad.

“We came to your aid. Showed you how to kill the mutants and you thought that a meal entitled you to separate me from my wives. Trust and respect are earned, Ginger knows you but I don’t”

I turned to Ginger “Did you know this was going to happen? You told me to expect them wanting sex but I want an answer, now. Did you know that she was going to do this?”

She hesitated and that is all I needed. “Blaze, staying or going?”

“What do you mean?”

“I guess you’re staying. I was alone before. It was the best time I have had in my life but I will say I’ll miss you.”

I turn and walk. I hear behind me her crying. Daisy calls out to me.

“Please don’t do this. I was wrong and you are right. I should have talked to you first. I just let hormones take over. It was wrong. Please don’t do this to your wives. You stay in the main house. I’ll stay in the guest house. Please stay.”

“Blaze, you coming?”

Ginger says, “She can’t answer you, she has passed out.”

“What have you done to us? Why didn’t you tell us that this is what was going to happen?”

Ginger was silent again.

“Enough!” I pick up Blaze. “We are going to find a hide and then and only then will we discuss this. You two coming?”

“We have to get our things.”

“No, it is now or never. Come as you are or stay here. I really don’t care.”

I start walking. They follow. We don’t talk until Betsey suggests that we go in the direction of Cross Roads. We walk in that direction but we stop. There is a cave and it is getting close to twilight.

“We stop here.” I go in. I finally put down Blaze once we are inside. There is a hot spring in there. It is warm and I set her in it.

“Soak in there for a little then we are going to talk about what just happened. You will hear me out then I will listen to each of you. I expect all of you to say what you feel. The truth, not what you think I want to hear.”

Now, I go out as I have in the past and got us some game and the wild vegetables. Time for soup. I had two that expected to get the innards but I had already gutted them and left it in the forest. It was on purpose. No rewards until they explain.

We eat, then, they were dreading what was going to happen.

“I am open to have casual sex but only with people who respect me for me. Each of you, didn’t you feel that? Did I compare any of you against the others? Ginger, did I ever compare you with a felid I knew? Betsey, did you not understand when you told me about your encounters, did I condemn you? Blaze, did I ever hurt you, especially when we first met? I love each of you, but with that set up, with all of you agreeing with our separation, to me, it was too easy for each of you and when I got worried, each one of you dismissed me like I was an idiot. Now tell me why I am totally wrong. Tell me that there is not a single case in this new world of this type of separation leading to abduction. Tell me that I am just your possession to pass around. What price did they offer you for you to sell me?”

I sit down with my back to the wall. I won’t say I wasn’t moved at all the tears they were shedding but I was betrayed by the ones that I love. They have not said a word. What could they say.

Since they said nothing, “Your silence says it all. Blaze, you have said that I am the flock leader. Am I?”

She can’t or won’t answer.

“ANSWER ME!”

Startled, I have all their undivided attention. Blaze is trembling, I hate it.

She almost couldn’t speak when she just says “Yes”

I ask the same question to the other two and get the same answer.

“You made a decision without consulting the flock leader and as a result insulted the flock idea. Made it a joke. Is this a flock that’s going to hold together, I don’t know but I will tell you three. If you ever do this again, if you ever humiliate me again, if you ever don’t follow instructions I give, ever treat me like you just did. You will never find me. I will leave into the wilderness and you will never hear of me again. I’ll put off this man and take another identity. I now need each of you to promise me that you will never do this again. I need each of you to tell me when you”

Looking at them, I couldn’t finish, I did not want to hear anything, including my own voice. I lay down facing the wall and went to sleep, if you want to call it that.

Morning came and they were walking on eggshells. Rather than telling me what they thought, they were silent and when they talked it was just small talk. I needed to drive home the point.

“Each of you, stay here. I’m going to check out Cross Roads. Don’t even go out of this hide until I get back.” With that I leave. I wander around and find Cross Roads.

The town was recently fixed up but with bones around, it must have been attacked by mutants. That is why they left. There is an open area. A lot of houses that may have been stores at one time. It would be ideal for us. Off to the side is a building that looks like they used it as an infirmary. Ginger would like this. There is a tower that Blaze would like. We could live in that building.

I walk around and find that there is water and large areas that can be used as gardens.

It looks like they tried to make a fence around the town but too little too late. We are going to move here. It is time to walk back. There is enough time so I use the time to think of what has to happen when I get back to the cave.

“We are moving into that town.” Is all I say then I sit down. I had some rabbits and tossed them on the floor by the old fire and sat down. I did not say a thing. The three just looked at me and looked at the rabbits and knew that I was not going to cook.

“Eat or not, I’m not cooking. The flock leader will not cook.” I climb into the water with my back to them. I felt them coming over and sitting facing my back. Blaze is the first.

“I’m so very sorry, I did not do what the first wife should do. I needed to report to the flock leader of our wishes. We allowed someone else to lead us into something that upset you. We let her tell us that you would need to be alone with the farm workers. I don’t deserve to be the first wife.”

Now Ginger speaks, “ I told you of the women there but I also knew that they had that guest house. Daisy put me up in there and they visited me all the time. I should have told you the complete story but I also should have stopped her putting you in there alone. I also do not deserve to be your wife.”

Betsey tells me “I agreed with the separate rooms. I did not think. I have no excuse. I also do not deserve to be a wife of yours.”

“We will leave now and not bother you.” Blaze now says. “We are sorry we dishonored the flock.”

They get up and start to leave. I am now really angry.

“You can’t help yourselves. Trying to disobey me still. Sit down. Did you not hear me say that WE were moving into Cross Roads? Someone cook those rabbits. We go to that village in the morning.”

I hear scrambling and feel the heat from the flame being built under the pot. When it was served, there in my cup was the livers and the hearts. I gave the livers to Blaze and Ginger and one heart to Betsey. We ate in silence and slept.

Tomorrow, Cross Roads.

Owning Cross Roads

It was a somber walk to Cross Roads but when we got there, their mood brightened.

“Blaze, that tower is your observation post, fly up there and see what the surrounding area looks like. Ginger, take a look in that building. It looks like they had a healer and used that as their clinic. Betsey, the house that has that tower. Look into the condition inside. If it is livable, that will be our house.”

This portion does not feel right but I need to be tough on them. I need this command voice. It drove home exactly who is the flock leader. I hated to be that hard on them but they need to learn. I get the feeling that this will wear off. In the back of my mind, I still will need to be on guard. It was too easy for them to forget.

Ginger tells me that it is a clinic and she will set hers up there. Betsey says that there is no sign of leaks and Blaze came out with her report. There is a solid door from the tower top into the house.

“First things first. Blaze how long would it take for you to get to the farm?”

“It would only take about two or three hours since I won’t need to walk.”

“You should be there and back before nightfall. Can you do that?”

She says yes, so I tell her to fly back and, from the air, do not land, tell Daisy that we are here. She is to bring our things here, herself and two others. I tell her to say nothing else but take an hour to rest. I give her my water bottle but tell her not to drink or eat anything they offer. With that she takes off.

True to her estimate, she was back within her lower time.

“Flew there, relayed the message and flew directly back. I would glide for a while to rest.

Landed in a clearing to drink then made it back. Daisy said that she will be here in two days. I took off before she could say or ask anything more.”

I give her a pat on the head. “That is what I expect as first wive. You other two, you are not allowed to quit. You are still my wives. Now let’s see what is left in the town. Time to scavenge.

We turn up quite a few good items. It was a medium sized haul, by today’s standards, of dried food. They must of left with almost nothing. Again with the game I caught, we had our own feast. That night I gave each a hug and a kiss. They were ecstatic. I did tell them that we could sleep in the main room since I was the only one with a bedroll.

In the morning, my three had a better outlook but I did go over what I expected them to do. Blaze and Betsey were to clean up the house. I would go with Ginger and collect her herbs and such so she could make some much needed potions.

Walking in the woods, Ginger found a myriad of plants that she had never seen in this abundance. She gathered as many as she could in my bed roll. She was happy. The clinic had a lot of empties and there was a fire place in there with a cauldron. You would have thought it was a gift from the gods.

“I have always wanted one but too heavy to walk around with. I just hope that Daisy brings our stuff. I need those things in my bag. That has my most needed supplies. A few more trips for ingredients and I’ll be ready. It won’t take long for the word to get out that the clinic is open again.”

“That is one thing that I want to emphasize, they come here. With distances being what they are, people need to come here. I will want you to ask that someone come and be trained in first aid, if they already don’t have someone. You go to them and you will never return. I would have to come and kill everyone in that settlement to get you back.

You don’t go.”

The rest of the day was figuring out what each place would be good for. I did want to do one thing. We need to really fix up that cave. That can be a retreat, a vacation.

Someday.

Ginger was brewing, the other two were cleaning. I could tell because half of the windows were open and dust was flying out. By the end of the day, it was clean but the windows were closed and shuttered. Blaze had given me a report that, from the tower, there seemed to be no problems. There was no sign of Daisy. I expect them tomorrow at the earliest.

It was actually two days later when a cart, being pulled by an animal showed up with Daisy and two others. I did not think that we left that much but the cart seemed to be loaded.

She is very humble and I could tell that it was sincere.

“May we talk?”

“No problem, thank you for bringing our things but what is the rest?”

“A peace offering. I am so sorry for what happened. I have had plenty of time to think of what exactly I did. I just did, I did not ask the most important person, their leader. I thought of the excuse that I deal with women daily but that just does not go. I had to think, what if I was the one being left out of those discussions. I can only say that I am sorry. Let me unload and we will get out of here.”

“I accept your apology. You won’t have to leave. There is a garage that can be locked so you can put the cart and the animal in there. You three are invited to stay with us,” I could not help myself. “Here in the house.”

All of us unloaded and then Ginger showed them the clinic. “I know that you have your own first aid person, but you still can come here for my help.” She is proud of her setup.

With all that she brought as a peace offering, we ate very well. Blaze and Betsey found quite a few blankets. We decided that again we would all sleep in the main room. This time I was the one to take the lead. Daisy and her two were invited into the group activity. She was very happy and so were the others.

In the morning, I explained. “The reason I ran was it was being forced on me. You made a deal with my wives and they were separated from me. That is why I was so harsh on them. They had to choose how they wanted to go forward. I only want to have sex with people I know and trust. You came here with a genuine apology. It was not just to bail you out.”

I tell her that she is welcome to come here any time and you can bring a few, not all, of your ladies. Tell them that if we hit it off, things may happen, but I will consult my wives before anything happens. I want to have a say so they need a say. Knowing in advance, I would stay in that guest house, as long as I arrive alone.

I wished them well. I did notice that they only had one side arm. I had Ginger get me one of the rifles we have found along with a box of ammunition.

“See a flier, don’t hesitate, shoot it. You can let the other places know that if they want to visit or get some medical help, we’re here.”

With that she is off. Fate is sometimes a prankster. As she goes out of sight, from the opposite end of town there is a female felid coming in. We greet her.

“Welcome to Cross Roads. I’m Billy. Are you passing through?”

“Greetings to you. I’m Ann. I had heard that this area was uninhabited. I have nine people camped out north of here. I came here to scout this village out but I see that it is yours. It’s a disappointment. We are tired of traveling.”

“Do you want to still settle? If so. I will offer the opportunity to settle here. I reserve the right to expel any trouble makers.” I tell her.

“Fair enough, I’ll get them.”

“Blaze, follow her from the air only.” Looking back to Ann, “for our own protection. She is my first wife. We want a peaceful community.”

With that, Ann leaves. Blaze tells me that she is the one. My last to join the flock. Then she takes to the air.

It was a short time and Blaze was back. “There are seven women and two men. They don’t look in the best shape. Right now, I would say they need a good meal and Ginger’s help.”

We got into action. With out even asking what to do, Blaze is back in her tower, watching for threats. Ginger is going to the clinic. Betsey is going to help them at the

edge of town and I got out several pots and started to make soup. I can’t help but think that it was fortuitus that Daisy brought so much food.

It was a rag tag group that entered the village. Blaze was right they did look the worse for wear. I had them sit, then I talked to them.

“My name is Billy. I know this will be strange to you but my first wife, being a harpy, started calling our group a flock. I am the flock leader. The one in the tower is Blaze my first wife. The one that helped you in, is my third wife Betsey. My second wife is Ginger.

She is a healer. I want you all to go over to her clinic and have her check you out. First and foremost, I don’t know if Ann told you, but as leader, I reserve the right to expel any trouble makers. Second, in this village we are all people. We treat each other with respect. Finally, my wives, men, hands off. If these rules are too hard for you, get up and walk out.”

None leave.

“Now Ann and Betsey, would you take these people to the clinic. It will still be a while until the soup is ready. You get two bowls. Eat slow. Any more than two bowls could make you throw up. There will be more later.”

They go over to Ginger. When they are done, the soup is served and they do eat slowly.

I let them serve themselves. They ate slowly and stopped at two bowls. Good sign.

Ginger tells me that they have nothing that won’t be fixed with the meals and rest.

Ann now comes over. She thanks us and says that they may have had to break up because of food.

“How are you set up for the night? We have a few more blankets. I’m going to keep you together for a few days. Then, if they want, they can use one of the many vacant houses. The garage is off limits for housing. That is for a friend who visits us. She has a cart and animal. We lock them up there for the night.

Fed and at ease. We show them around, then tell them that they could use the house next to ours. Each house had been modified to suit the times. All had heavy shutters on the windows. I tell them that the shutters need to be closed and locked in place before night fall.

They did have blankets rolled up and tied to their back packs but they look as is they have not been washed in a long time. We gave them new blankets.

“You need to wash your blankets and clothes tomorrow. That goes a long way towards feeling better. This house has a hand pump. Use the fire place to heat up water so you can wash up. Have a nice night. Just a warning. I hope you know by now the difference between a night stalkers screams and pleasurable night music.”

Everyone knew what I meant. Some laughed, some blushed. We bid them a good night and left for our home and some night music.

Ann joins the flock

What a difference a safe night can make. Our new village members come out into the daylight. They looked better. We had them come in and we all ate a full breakfast of some meat, soup and some more vegies. This time I did not restrict them but they know that no one over eats or hordes.

“How’s everyone this morning?” There was a round of thanks from them.

“Anyone up to hunting this morning? We need more game and we need to start to clear the mutants from the area.” All the new ones seemed to be fearful on that, including Ann.

She tells us that they have lost friends to the mutants. “All we do now is run and hide.”

Blaze is puffed with pride as she tells them, “We have a very safe and efficient method of putting down the mutants.”

I tell them, “The solution is right in front of your nose.” There are only two humans in their group. One male and one female. They seem like they are a couple. The rest are a mix of felids and canids so I warn them that they were in for a shock. I uncork a bottle and almost immediately the canids and felids hold their noses. I reseal the bottle.

“A small bottle on a bright day, thrown in a night stalker’s den, drives them into the light where they can only curl up to block the daylight. Put an arrow into them. Biters, Blaze drops a bottle on them with the same reaction. A far as fliers, they need to be taken down by rifle. As we hunt for game, we look for dens. Hunt them not run from them.”

Again, it is as if a light went on.

Ann tells me that there are a few old stores in this relative area. She will make a quick run to see if there are any bottles of vinegar out there. Blaze tells her that I would go out with her. Now empty, Betsey offers her the bag so we can carry the bottles back.

Their plotting again but this time, my three take me aside. Blaze tells me that Ann is the one and we need to get to know each other. She tells me that I have the approval, if I want, to mate with her and bring her into the flock. Ginger and Betsey told me that they will wear side arms but they don’t expect any trouble. The people are still too tired to cause trouble.

Discussion, that is all I had asked for. Good sign but I did notice that they had their discussion first. I’ll dismiss that as flock wives privilege. They at least came to consult me.

I leave with Ann. It was not that far. There was still some pavement sticking out from the almost complete carpet of the wild plants. It is what I remember as a super store. Almost a nostalgic trip to a museum. There was a lot of decay but you could see the flat screens still on the back wall. Black and silent. When once on, they were to draw your attention. There were still some clothes on their hangers. We went through them but

only took the ones that were in good condition. We made our way through the store, the nostalgia wore off by the time we got to the food section. It was almost picked clean very little but there was a complete shelf of the precious fluid. We took the dozen bottles of vinegar.

“Why don’t we check the back, there may be things still in their box’s. most of the goods here came from overseas countries so they may be well packed. We went towards the back but saw signs that there was recent activity. I took one complete bottle out and chucked it in the store room. There were a few screams of night stalkers and the sound of them running. We ran for the outside daylight. Out came two night stalkers. As predicted, they hit the light and curled up. We put them down.

Ann was left with a bewildered look. She realized it was just as I said. That easy.

We went back and found that there were only the two but the smell was over powering even for me and we left the back room for next time. Now only one thing more. Since we had the bag, I went to the rechargeable batteries and took them all. Then the CD’s grabbed most of them and a few bigger players. I was done but thought that if I could find a larger set of solar panels, I would come back for the DVD players and a flat screen.

On our way back, Ann opened up to me.

“I now see that you are telling the truth. The vinegar is simple and effective.” She goes silent. She is in turmoil. I stop and sit on a log. “Come sit for a bit. it looks like you want to shed a large burden. I’m all yours. We are alone here. Tell me what is bothering you.”

For the first time in the two days, we have known each other, she is sullen. Ann is desperately wrestling with herself then comes to a decision.

“It’s just that I am always looked at as the leader because of my personality. Always the responsible one. The one that carries the burden of people lost. I’m tired. Can I be in your flock and have you as my leader. I want to be led. Would you have an objection to pampering me?”

I rub her back, she moans a little. How did they know she would be this way. I tell her that it is alright to be soft. I’ll look after her.

“You can be just a woman with me. If you want me to be your leader, you can become my fourth wife if my wives have no objections. They won’t have any. Blaze has already given permission. In public, you can maintain your persona but in private, do you really want to be guided?”

I take a chance and unbutton one of her shirt buttons. She shivers then stiffens for a second but does not stop me. Button after button is released from it’s function. I now see that she is not wearing any bra. My hands start to wander then I stop, take out a blanket and spread it on the ground.

In a soft but commanding voice, “Lay down here if this is what you want.”

I get a very meek “Yes it is.” and she obeys me.

“Good, you are now mine and mine alone. You now have no say in it. You are my fourth wife. When we are in private, you will call me master.”

“Yes master.” She has the look of happiness. She is getting her wish. For a very long time, out there, on that blanket, I saw a woman become the little girl she wanted to be.

After we were done, I laid there. Ann wrapped her arms around me and cried. For a long time we just laid there.

When she was cried out, we kissed. “That is exactly what I needed. Please master may I have more?”

“Tonight, your sisters will be assisting me, but now we need to get going.” We get up and started to get dressed. I could not help myself. I gave her a smack on the ass. She giggled like the little girl she wanted to be.

We get back into the village. I unload our large supply of vinegar in the pantry while Ann goes to get her things. My wives have given the new people enough supplies for them to be able to cook themselves.

Ann gets back and is immediately taken in to another room for a meeting. I hear squeals coming from that room and a very pleased group come out.

Blaze speaks. “As first wife of the flock, our sister, your fourth wife has made a request of the flock. We will go now to one of the upper rooms to prepare. When ready, I will come and get you. Please close the shutters for the night down here. We will close the ones on the second and third floor.”

With that she leaves. I hear the sound of those shutters being closed so I go about closing the main floor. It’s close to twilight anyways.

In a while, Blaze comes down to get me. She always will be dear to me but when she came down, she was a dream. I could tell that she was completely naked but she used her wings to cover only giving me a tantalizing glimpse of her until she motioned and said

“Please follow me.” I went up two flights watching her ass wiggle.

At the end of a wonderful session of fulfilling her every wish of being dominated, I lay down next to Ann, gave her a kiss and asked her how she felt. All she said was “Every dream.” Then she fell asleep.

The next morning she really did not walk that well. “You tore me up.” She walked over and gave me a kiss. “Who’s next?” They all turned at that.

“Well, I think that this could be a highlight for the week. Since you are the fourth, why don’t we go with the third next.”

I hear groans from the other two. “That is for the third floor. Milder versions can be had any night.”

A visit from Grange

After breakfast, I walked out onto the porch and stretched. Looking around, people were coming out of their house next door and there were a few that started to look at other houses. Good sign.

Last night with Ann, gave me a wild thought. Blaze was in her tower and I knew she was going to do her morning flight. When she left, I went inside and got her treasure out.

Along with newly retrieved items.

Back on the porch, I hung her mobile up. In the slight breeze and sunlight, the CD’s dance and the sunlight reflecting off of them created a sparkling wonderland. I set out the small solar array and fired up one of the bigger CD players, put in a band that I recognized from my childhood and started the music. Then I turned is up.

Everyone came over and Blaze swooped down. She was enamored. Mesmerized by her treasure and the music, she began her dance and sang to the music. The words did not match but her voice was beautiful.

Watching her dance around, “I declare that today is a relax day. Our lives have been on constant alert. Today, as leader of this community, I want each and every one of you to let your inner child out and just play. Do like Blaze is doing. Dance and sing. Do what ever your child wants to do.”

I spot Ann standing there in awe. I can tell that she is back in the leader mode. All of her shirt buttons are buttoned even the collar. Time to end the leader here and now.

“Before we start, Ann expressed her wish to join my flock. My first wife Blaze has called us a flock from when it was just the two of us. I am the flock leader. Ann is now part of my flock. As her flock leader, she must obey my commands. Remember this, my commands, not anyone else.”

“Ann, you are here by ordered that the leader in you, except in battle, is here by dismissed. You especially are to let your inner child out even here in public. You are now my little girl wife. I order you to unbutton that shirt and show some of that beautiful cleavage. You two men, remember she’s mine, now no touching.”

Back to Ann but I address all the people, “I really don’t see any problem with untucking and unbuttoning all your buttons.” With that, I take my shirt off completely. Blaze throws hers on the porch. I join her in the street and follow her dance.

All the people are having a good time dancing and playing around. No one was forced or attacked. It was a glorious sight, especially when I saw Ann sheepishly untuck and unbutton.

I go over, I knew what she wanted to do. My other two followed Blaze. Their shirts were on the porch. I whisper to her “Master wants to see his little girl” and I slip off her shirt.

With that she lets go and dances with my other wives. She is now free. Later she really thanked me.

We all were dancing, singing and having a good time when we noticed a group of seven women. A couple of canids, felid and two humans. They are in shock. Standing there like statues we come up to them and I introduce myself.

“I’m Billy Barker, leader of the village. I have declared that today is a relax day. We are releasing our inner child. Welcome to Cross Roads.”

One human woman steps forward. “I’m Jenny Carmine, mayor of Grange. Aren’t you afraid of mutants? All this noise.”

“That is not noise, it’s music” Blaze chides her. “As far as mutants, they are no threat.

We just kill them.” She goes back to dancing while staring at her treasure.

They are trying not to notice, shall we say, the exposed bouncing. “That is something you will need to get used to. Upper torso bare on a warm day is accepted here. Now, Jenny, what brings you to us today?” I do notice that there are more buttons let loose on them then before.

I need to have us checked out by your healer. Five of these women are not feeling well.

Then she points to a canid. This is Michelle, she is feeling good but is here to help protect.”

Ginger has come over and takes the group to her clinic. I do notice that she has not put on her shirt. I chuckle and say to myself, I like this.

Jenny is the first out. She tells me that she checks out as well. She did say that Ginger had her stick a finger up and get a small stool sample. Jenny has her shirt loose but her bra is sill on. I do notice my pants getting tighter.

All the women are out and then a short time later, she is holding papers in pliers. She sets them down and uses a glass to start a fire and they burn up completely. Then comes over.

“Jenny and Michelle are clean. The five have parasites. The type that you pick up in water. I was told that you get your water from a stream. You need to check up stream for something dead in the water or a beaver dam. You need to boil that water, even if it is for washing your clothes until you find the source. Something dead, pull it far away from the stream and continue boiling for two weeks. Beaver dam, destroy it and all the beaver.”

Now she goes back inside, takes off the long shirt she wears for the clinic and comes back out shirtless again.

All the five are unbuttoned like Jenny but Michelle has her shirt off. She looks like she wants to go total, if she does, we won’t say anything. Maybe I’ll call a nudist day, just a thought.

“How far is Grange?” I ask and Jenny told me that it was a half a day’s walk there.

“Ginger gave the five a potion to kill the parasites but she will want to give one more dose for insurance. Would you be opposed to staying here over night. We’ll put you up in our home. We are about to have lunch and then it will be too late for you to get back before twilight.”

“I was going to ask if we could stay. Yes we will stay.”

Blaze flies up to her tower then yells down, “Three biters coming into town.” She flies down and gives me my cross bow. The Grange people are very nervous but my people start walking up with me. Ann had told them of the night stalkers. They wanted to see.

“Jenny, I want you and your group see why we said the mutants were no bother.” As we get close to the biters, Blaze breaks the bottle. All of our people are taken aback with the potent smell of vinegar. The biters were on the ground writhing in pain. I calmly walk up and put a bolt in each. Instant kill. We all walk away.

“We’ll let the smell dissipate then we hook the bodies to a place where we can burn them.” Jenny is in total shock.

“That was too simple, but what about night stalkers?”

“On a sunny day, throw a small bottle in their den and stand back. They run out and curl up blinded by the light, shoot them. Actually simpler. I do suggest that you hook them to drag them out. I don’t know if it is transferable but, in the beginning, whole groups turned.”

I don’t know and I don’t care why but for some reason, while I walked up to the biters and killed them, Jenny’s shirt and bra are now tucked in her back pocket. Casually I tell her that those can go on our porch so they don’t get lost.

No one seemed to care how Michelle was now walking around. All her clothes were on our porch. Blaze followed her lead. My others looked to see my reaction. I nod yes.

Those men know my feelings and respect them. Look but no touching.

We just relaxed. Ginger went to each and the ones changing to a different shade, she told them to go inside before they got sunburn. She had a lot of plant based creams to give them. No one got sunburn that day.

My flock were getting ideas and had both Jenny and Michelle drawn into the group. It was almost twilight and the residents went to their homes and shuttered up. I, per usual closed up the first floor and sat down.

Ann was the one to come down and get me. I’m torn. All my wives capture my undivided attention when they are walking ahead but first Blaze and now Ann. I love the view.

Blaze was bare ass but Ann has on panties. Titillating sight. Only thing, that tail is dancing in such a way that I couldn’t help myself. I grabbed it and stroked it. Why are her knees buckling, as if I did not know.

In the room, there was six beautiful women. Ann tells me of the night preferences.

These two were offerings to the flock leader. Offerings to be consumed and then turned loose to spread the praise of the flock world.

“Please make us your messengers.” Jenny and Michelle say in tandem.

A performance that is worthy of worldwide fame, it was a herculean job but I was up to it. As long as the flock is full. I feel love for the two but not in the same way as my wives.

I enjoy the pleasure and the pleasuring, with my flock’s consent. It goes both ways.

The two were totally wrecked and collapsed on the bed. The wives cover up them and it is only then that I hear the cheers coming through that open floor heat vent. I look down.

It is one of the old fashion ones that let the heat of the room below, come up. I stand over the open vent so they can see. Casually I tell Ginger that I need to personally examine each in two weeks. Blaze steps over the vent and backs onto me full depth and takes a few then passes me off to the next and the other two. They wanted to give them a preview.

The next morning, that group was now fed and ready to go. There were two that were waddling. Ginger tells them that she and I will be there tomorrow to check the others for the parasite. I add that we will make sure that you have made it.

Michellle holds out her arms and says that she will wait and that I needed to carry her back. Jenny grabs her and they set out.

I tell my wives that I’m going to the garage. There are items there that I need for Ann’s room. And I leave it at that. I walk that way. I am stopped by a few of the women. They want to help. I look back and the wife’s nod. I guess I have help.

We searched a long time. I found most of what it needed and they helped.

At home, I went right to work. I had told them that it was going to be a surprise for all of them.

Grange

Ginger and I are walking and just talking about everything and nothing. The nothing is the examining room that she wants but this one is on the third floor so I can give closer exams.

We’re walking and we hear moaning and growling coming from the brush that is off the trail. Coming up on the source, we find a biter. It looks really sick, emaciated, skin almost translucent, it did not even try to get up to attack us. Ginger looks at it from a safe distance. “Kill it.” Is all she says. She now can get closer. Seen enough. We back away.

She tells me that it must have eaten something that made it sick but it also may be the first indication of a further mutation. “When we get to Grange, I want to see all the canids first.” We now pick up the pace. She could sprint forward so I tell her that it should be only a mile away. “You run as fast as you can. Get Jenny to set that up. This is urgent.”

She agrees and she goes. She can run really fast. I slow down. I want to make sure that I don’t run into any more sick ones. I did run across one biter but it was healthy, I killed it.

Finally, Grange came into view. Or should I say the walls of Grange came into view. It is obvious that it once was a rich persons land. Very high stone walls. There was a tower by the main gate. When the guard sees me, she has the gate opened.

Why does she look hungry. After I hear her say welcome, I then hear a comment that I am supposed to hear. “Boy, I hope I test clean of the parasites. Please go in”

There is Jenny. “I see that you made it back here. I’d like to meet your husband if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t but you won’t. When I made it back, he left word that he was going to explore and he would be back in a week. He is at camp grounds or at Daisy’s farm in the guest house.

I shiver at that thought. We’ll let that drop

“Did anyone find anything in the stream?”

“They went a mile and found nothing.”

“With that mutant biter, we really need to find out is the two are related. I killed another a mile back and that one acted normal. I hope that the sick biter ate some of the body but the parasites affected it differently. Either way, we need to find out. That is why I need three canids. Their tracking abilities excel.”

Michelle and two others are the first out. Ginger sticks her head out and tells us no mutation no parasites. Jenny tells me, here are your three. I tell them that we, hopefully, are looking for a body that has been chewed on. We start with the portion of the stream that is in Grange.

“I tell you what. If we find what we are looking for, and there is still enough time, we will have some fun in the sun. I’m sure Michelle told you about our relax day.”

“She sure did” and then their shirts were gone. Tied around those thin well formed hips.

They too had perfect hand full tits. Around the two mile mark, all three tell me that something is close. We come around the corner and find a partially eaten man. His legs are in the water. From the looks of him, most of his body showed signs of being in the water.

“We need something to lift a leg without touching the body. I will loop a rope round the leg and then we drag it far from the water.” They bring back two good branches. A thick one for lifting and a thinner one to put the rope loop on the leg. Everything went perfect.

No one touched the water and no one touched the body.

“Job done and it is only mid day. We need to go more up stream and find a place to wash off just in case.”

We make it back and they said to Jenny and Ginger. “We had to go further than expected.” And then they ran off. I look at the both “We found a partially eaten around two miles up stream. Got it far away and then needed to go a little farther to find clean water to wash ourselves. Never know.”

They burst out laughing

“I believe the sick biter was the one that ate the body. Now that the body is removed. I would do the boiling for every water use for another couple of weeks.” Ginger tells Jenny in two weeks, after the five are examined, Billy and I will come back with them and run another check. Everyone should be clean but keep an eye out for anyone directly drinking water.”

“Burn your shit pits. They are breeding grounds. Ginger will know because, for the next two months, anyone coming from Grange will be required to be tested. If we still find parasites. We will no longer support Grange.”

“I understand the urgency.” Jenny answers. “New sewage pits will be started tomorrow and the old ones, including the out houses themselves will be burned. We want good relations with Cross Roads. All your suggestions will be followed. There will be a dry spell but at least the distilled is good.”

“Now, the formalities are done, lets go inside my home and get a supper. Fresh made.

Greens were washed in cooled boiled water. Sorry we now are rationing vinegar.

Weapons take priority.”

Returning to Daisy’s

Time has gone by since the fiasco of our first visit to the farm. Daisy has visited many times since and our differences have been put aside. I have allowed her to bring a few of her ladies with her on the visits.

Each of my wives have their own third floor theme room. That does not mean that others are excluded, it means that it is their personal preference. Al of the flock enjoy different moods at different times. They often want another’s room. Usual y the whole flock participates as the one that it is her night is the subject of that rooms theme.

There is the Ann room. That is for times someone wants to be controlled. Blaze’s room is for treating the flock leader to offerings of appreciation. Gingers room is an examination room for closer investigations. Betsey’s room is the winter snake pile. That room needs just a little explanation.

Snakes are cold blooded. There are certain snakes that wil gather together during the cold periods. When you look at them, all you see is a slow writhing mass of snakes. You are not able to distinguish where one ends and another begins. That is all you should need to get the picture.

When Daisy comes here she wil pick different rooms but her favorite is the Ann room. I have found that most of the people in charge of a group, want to step out of that role and into a subservient situation. If only for a night, they can be out of control by being controlled. There are many times that she wants to be strapped to those eyelets that are exposed to the rear window and taken like a captive. Al know that this happens, she knows what will happen, on that night, people wil gather in our back yard and watch the show. Her favorite is blind folded and facing the window.

Mornings after, she likes the compliments she gets from our people. Daisy knows exactly how relaxed we are here, so she can enjoy the thoughts of the night with every compliment she gets.

After one of her visits, it is Blaze that broaches the elephant in the room. Why haven’t I gone back to the farm. At a flock meeting, she suggests that it is time to go there.

“You need to go back and visit Daisy at the farm. This time you know that we are asking you if you want to. We wil stay here, guarded by the community. Go and relax. We would like to have you go to her guest room. She has been entertained here. It’s time to reciprocate.”

“I’d like to go with you,” Ginger asks. “I want to give examinations to those who have not come here. This way you won’t be alone. I wil , with your permission, stay in the main house.”

She reminds me of Grange and the search with Michel e and her friends. “You have gone solo since then.”

“That was only with one or all your permissions. When it comes to our encounters, mutual respect.” I remind them.

Even Blaze shakes her head. I know that I’m missing their point, when, even my Blaze is disappointed. “That is exactly what we are giving you, permission!” Then she looks at her flock sisters. “How can someone so capable be so oblivious to a point.”

Knowing what she is saying, I decide to play, so I just say “What?”

They have all suddenly changed species. Now they are acting like nagas. They are all hissing at me. “Okay, okay. I get it. Ginger, when are we going?”

My flock, I love them all but I know when to take a hint. Ann holds up my backpack as Ginger goes for the door. It is morning, so I guess they want me gone. I kiss each one then say that I think there is enough of the day to get a good start. I run out the door. I do tell them that they need to pick up those things they threw at me.

It is a pleasant walk. Daisy has clearly marked out the hides along the way with cairns. Each are spaced at a normal walking pace of four hours. That way, no matter when you start, you can be safe before twilight. She has put a lot of effort in making the journey to and from Cross Roads safe. I need to especially thank her.

I must say that if you did not know a hide was there, you would miss it. Just because it is not in common sight doesn’t mean that it may or may not be occupied. We stil must be cautious.

Look for tracks, signs that mutants may be in there.

We stopped to inspect each we pass. The second was the one that we stopped at to stay for the night. The hide is stocked for a few days stay but it is also understood that you replace with your traveling supplies.

It was the next day that the third one was occupied. Al signs pointed to a night stalker. We threw in a bottle and heard spoken words. “Oh god this stinks! Who the hel is responsible for this. I’m coming out.”

Coughing and holding her nose, out came a felid. “Why would you ever do that to someone?”

I look at her. “It’s mid day. Why are you stil in the hide? We have the method of culling mutants that involves driving them out with the smell. The prints out here showed night stalker. Vinegar drives them out and the sunlight causes them to curl up. We then kil them. I am sorry to chase you out like that but we have to err on the side of caution. In the future, if you don’t want to be kil ed, put the red ribbon on the outside.”

I point to the hook.

“What red ribbon?” she asks.

I hold my breath and duck in to get it from the hook inside.

She did not even notice and says that in the future, she will do just that and when she leaves, she will return it to the inside.

After all that is settled down, I final y introduce us.

“I’m Bil y Barker and this is Ginger. We are from Crossroads.”

She tells us that she is Reva from camp grounds.

“I have heard about Cross Roads. You are the person who runs the place, aren’t you and is this the healer? I invite you to come to the camp grounds. Ginger, my people could use a look over by you. We have a few elderly there. Aches and pains. By the way, I am the mayor there.”

We talk a little then say that we need to get to the next hide. She asks where we are going. I tell her that we are going to Daisy’s.

“I am headed there also. Can I come along. Safety in numbers”

So, we agree to travel with her. After a few hours, there is a growl coming from the bushes.

Reva is ready to run. I take out a bottle and it covers the biter as it comes out. It falls and I put it down. Reva is stunned. Ginger looks at her and says

“He told you that it was simple. With a stalker, they come out and we kil them.”

On the way, Reva asks us if the rumors are true. “I hear that you have a harem and you have rooms in your home for various group activities. Is that true?”

“Yes,” I say,” but first of al , it’s is not a harem. It is my flock. My first wife if a harpy. She is the one that started to call me her flock leader. We have those rooms and yes we have different themes for each room. Why don’t you visit some time. We allow one or two extras to come with you. You must be open to it, but know this, no men. My flock is alright with participating with other women. They quite enjoy it. They however have vowed never to take on another man.

That would upset the harmony we enjoy.”

I can see that Ginger is already eyeing her. There, most likely be some trying out the services at the night hide. Ginger is already unbuttoning. Then she adds.

“Be prepared, we sometimes declare a day to relax. A random good day to just be a child and dance.”

Now her shirt is off and she was not wearing a bra. That is not unusual now a days.

“We have no rule on nudity on any day with the exception that everyone’s interactions must be mutual. If you are caught, man or woman, forcing yourself on someone, you are gone and I mean that we do not look over our shoulders, if you get the inference.”

I tell her that both Grange and Daisy’s have come over. “I have a felid that was only looked on as a leader. Fierce in battle but she is my little girl in her room. Daisy likes that room and I bet you would like it also.”

Now I take off my shirt.

It is starting to have the sky turn to shades of violet and gray by the time we hit the next hide. I point out that there is no ribbon but, more important, there are no tracks in the dirt or things that look disturbed. I stil approach with both caution and vinegar. I find that it is unoccupied and we all go in.

Reva sees the ribbon this time and put’s it out. I go outside and brush our tracks away. With the rocks in the hide, I make my usual rock slide entrance cover.

“That’s what those rocks are for.” Reba says. “I thought they were for a fire pit.”

I pul out my camp stove, “You can use some of them for a camp fire but I have had this since this world started to go to shit. I prefer to use this, less smoke.”

Using my supplies, I cook up a soup. For whatever reason, I always like soup when traveling. It is satisfying. To me it is a comfort food. The few things that I remember of life before, I

remember my mother making soup. Soup in the dim light of the hide with my wife adds to the flavor.

Starting to settle in for the night. I tell Reva that we like to fool around before we sleep. It was Ginger who told her that she could join in if she wanted but she wanted to cast a heal on her just for our own peace of mind.

“Even if you do not want to join, heal will be beneficial. I did notice that you have a slight limp. I’ll cast it over that leg and that is where it wil start.” Ginger does it and Reva moans a little then is amazed.

“I have had problems with that ankle for a long time. Now it feels like it never had a problem.”

She hugs Ginger and kisses her. Ginger took it further. She broke the kiss. Looking into Reva’s eyes, she asks if Reva wanted to do this. Reva just smiled.

“Master, may I have your permission to entertain you?”

Reva, like my Ann and Daisy, have to carry the fate of those who they care for. I also have that load, but to me it is a load shared with my women. Sometimes, like now, one or more takes over and let me have a release. Ann surrendered that position to me. Daisy comes over and allows the flock to have their way with her. We now can read them. Both Ginger and myself see that look in Reva.

In the morning, Reva is very sore and very happy when she tells me that she wants to try out some or all of the rooms.

“I don’t want to be in your flock but I want to be able to be dominated by al of your flock. At times, I need to be out of control and last night was what was needed.

Plowing at Daisy’s farm

We left the hide. It was a grueling waddle to the farm but mercifully it was only a few hours left from the hide. As we came into view, Daisy comes running with most of her girls.

One look at Reva and Daisy started to laugh. She says, “This looks like she will love the Ann room.” She has two of her ladies carry a thankful Reva to the main house and get her into the tub to soak.

The three of us sit and Daisy tentatively broaches the subject.

“Does this mean what I hope I think it is?”

“My flock has asked my opinion and given me express permission”

Ginger stops me and says, “We told him and he had to be hit in the head to make the blocks to fall into the holes. He now has the understanding that he is to have fun here.

He now understands that I will be staying here in the main house and he will be in the guest house.”

“The one thing.” I tell her, “Is please don’t have them line up. I need to sleep, so have them on a schedule. I will be here for a week. I can do six a night. Now those six can be individually or they can team up. That is up to them. I would like to see the ones that have been to my rooms to be in the last so that the ones who haven’t get a chance.”

Daisy is delighted. She calls them all together and explains to them what was going to happen. They had to have had discussions about this because I heard her say,

“Other than the ones clearing the brush, o hell, no clearing brush. Once you get done with the feeding and milking, we will have a Cross Roads relax day.”.

Daisy strips down and then undressed me. In just a short time, all the clothes were in cubby holes that appear to have been made just for this. I need to make them for our home.

Ginger starts her examinations as a stunned Reva comes out of the main house to a sea of naked. She hesitates but then strips down.

All the women come to me, not in a line but one by one. They embrace me and give me a kiss. By the momentary time that the first embraced me, I was erect. They all cheered.

The first was one of the ones who did not come to our home After she broke the embrace, a few women grabbed her and took her to an area that had a barn with a open porch like structure. There she was strapped spread eagle with leather.

Daisy now speaks, “The first time Billy was here, I over stepped my boundaries. As Billy was running out, this one spoke rudely to him. It is now time for her to do penitence as I have in his room many times since.”

She obviously related the Ann room story about being watched by the community while being taken advantaged of. I am led over to the helpless woman. I am shown that where she is strapped to is an open beam table. At the hands there is a beam that is attached to a swivel. The table, for lack of a better term, is a squared off A. The arms and legs are spread. Other than the swivel cross bar, there is another one mid stomach. They have made it so it can be rotated so she is head down and feet up, horizontal and heads up.

“Billy, this one has asked, of her own free will to be dominated by you and will be your personal servant for your stay here. She will be your toy. First, just like a wild mare, she needs to be broken in. We always watch as a mare is broken.”

I walk up to her. As I go , I get hugs and kisses from the rest. I have fun with the grope fest. Each wants to hold my piston but only hold it. I can see that they want more but don’t push it. They know that, this time all will be satisfied.

The table is interesting. As I inspect the swivel area, I lean closely. In a whisper she says, meatloaf. Then starts to fain panic.

“Please don’t rape me. Unhook me from your torture table.”

I tell her that I will break her to be my gentle ride.

“Like hell I will! You let me loose.” She raves.

There hanging by a loop is a riding crop. I tilt her ass up and take the crop I hit her ass with it. She makes a snide remark that it was nothing. “You’ll need to hit harder if you even can.”

I hear from the crowd “Mark her. Tame the mare.”

Daisy comes up to me and whispers in my ear. “She really want at least two scars on each cheek to prove that she is your servant anytime you are here. There are three others, from the third floor that want the same. This one wants to go to the third floor. All four want you to tell the flock that this is their sign that they really want to be abused by your women and you. The other three want to get their marks when they come to you.”

“Chelse you are going to regret your defiance”

She spits then says, “You ain’t got it in you.”

I whack her again and again. Then I used full force. I hit her diagonally from leg side to the top of her cheek. There is blood. She screams, almost with sheer delight, “That’s one.” As she pisses.

I continue. “You think this is a joke?” I walk over to the other side. A couple of hits on that cheek and then I hit. This time twice. Once to the same cheek I hit but this time I made it an X. then with the next hit I struck the other cheek.

“Oh gods, I needed this. Dominate me totally. Scar my ass as much as you would like. I want my mistresses at your home to know that I am a play toy for all your use. More for my sake more.”

I hit a few more but only completed the final X.

There was some alcohol there and I poured it on the bloody areas. She again screamed with ultimate pleasure “Yes” and then fainted.

I had them loose her from the table and asked them to look after her. There were a few that said that they would like to try that but did not want me to draw blood. I told them maybe later but one a day is all I could do today.

That actually took a lot out of me. I have to say that, even though it was exactly what she wanted and she never said meatloaf, I’m going to make it known that spanking is the furthest I am going to go. It is too easy to go too far.

What a way to start a visit.

I catch up with Daisy and Ginger. Daisy proudly shows me her farm. I will say that they do a fantastic job. They have acres of land where they grow their vegetables. Pasture land for the livestock. They actually have a good life.

None of them are afraid of work, that’s why they are always looking for ways to relax.

Again though, I have to draw lines on the really exotic things. That’s is what the third floor is for. Here I will cater to their whims but within reason.

As for the other three that wanted to be dominated by the flock, I feel that my wives will be discussing that vary subject when they get Ginger’s report at the flock wives meeting. I know they will be inventive with the marking. I feel that I may have to step in.

The women, being farm workers, my flock may try to brand.

I may suggest the old way of tattooing. Ink and a needle through a board. Mark with the ink and while the ink is wet. Tap the board just enough for the needle to prick the skin.

What am I thinking! I am glad that I have them to keep me in check.

Ginger finishes her examinations. There are a few small issues with a few of the women that she wants to have come to Cross Roads next visit. I do believe that it is for other reasons but I won’t judge.

Over the days that we were there, I met with all of Daisy’s farmhands. On the first night, Reva joined, Ginger on the second and Daisy on the third. They each played a role in the entertaining of the farm ladies. I was enjoyable because it was not forced in any way on both sides.

All were satisfied but then it was time to go home.

Reva is going to go back with us but will break off to her home with the promise that we will visit her home and she will visit ours. It was an enjoyable stay but it was good to be going home. I truly miss my flock

I love them all for themselves but my Blaze. She is my first.

Ginger and I stop at the cave that has the hot spring in it. We have set it up as our hide.

We spent an enjoyable night there. I thanked Ginger that night. The next day we were home.

Now, all together, my wives met with Ginger but had me there at the end to say that they would mark the three but were really anxious to see the marks I made on Chelse. They were disappointed when I shot down the branding irons.

Little did I expect that when the first of the three came to us, she brought along a branding iron that she had made at the farm. It had just F T on it. When I asked, I was told that it was Flock Toy. My wives insisted that it was her wish. Ginger said that she could heal it instantly but the woman insisted that Ginger could do that but only after our session was done.

Why did I see Daisy ogling the iron?

I really wonder about this but there is a part of me that keeps saying that it is their wish.

Naked and tied standing up in full view of the window, it was my wives that branded the first two of what would be many walking around with F T on their ass. They were all healed and wore it as a badge of honor.

On warn summer relax days, there are quite a few single women in Cross Roads and other settlements that proudly show their mark. All do not want to be in the flock but want to be controlled by the women of the flock. It is a signal that on those days, my wives will grab one or two of the marks, affix collars on them and lead them to the third floor. On those days, I will stay outside and listen to the music.

Those women come out, all have a very relaxed look to them.

Sometimes one will come over to a wife, whisper to that wife and a collar would be put on her and the leash would be handed to me. I would be told what room to take the toy to and that I would be solo.

During the cold winter days, they come to visit. I have told my wives that they should take each a toy and go to their room and enjoy the whole day. I need a break once in a while. We have rooms with those heat vents in each. It is erotic when I sit in various second floor rooms and just listen.

They are first asked what they would like their session to be like. Most are more insistent than I would expect on being ordered and played with. Sitting there, under the room, listening, it is very hard not to go and watch but listening, I have a very good

imagination. My wives know that almost all the times, I will leave them alone and leave the house. They will tell me in great detail what was done and said.

I am being constantly thanked, by the branded, for allowing them to live out their fantasies with my wives. My wives all show their appreciation to me in their own way.

To the camp grounds

Now that things have settled down after the farm visit, Thoughts turn to the last settlement in our area, the camp grounds.

In the time before, camp grounds was a vacation spot that had cabins around a small lake. The now meeting house was once the office, store and rec room. The second floor was the owner’s home. That is now the mayor’s home. Reva was the first to settle there.

“I want to go to the camp grounds. I need to gather the health records of each. They may have a healer there. That would be a god send. Extra hands. What do you say my husband? Want to see if it is a new field for you to plow?”

Ginger laughs as do my other wives.

“If we are going, what do you say if I said that all of the flock goes?” I ask.

Ann is the first to speak but she reflects Blaze and Betsey’s opinions.

“We had a flock wives meeting when you and Ginger came back from Daisy’s farm. I for one am tired of traveling. If it is not an emergency, we will let you go with Ginger. She always should go to check on their health. You, well let’s just say that you still have a wonder lust. You wonder who you will lust after.”

That caused a few of my wives to laugh so hard that they had to run to the toilet or pee right there.

The three are more than capable of running Cross Roads while I am gone. All of the residents are more than capable of defending our village. Ginger gathers what we need for the trip. This time we will need to scout out hides along the way. Set them up in the fashion that Daisy establish. We take Betsey’s bag with the extras that we may need.

Since these hides will benefit both places, I will get Reva to kick in some supplies to stock on the way back. I will make a map as we go. I do think that it will be a good idea to stock a few bottles of vinegar.

I get the usual night before send off. They miss me as much as I will miss them but they have the rooms to expend their energy and they will involve the FT’s. I really do not want to know and if they want me to know, they will tell me. I have come back sometimes to find them content.

We set out in the morning. All know that this will take a few days to get there. Not because of the distance but setting up those hides. Again, this area is rocky terrain. We should not have trouble finding the needed caves.

Just like Daisy, we walked around until mid day, then explored the area to find suitable hides. Unlike Daisy, I have told Ginger that we will, on the way back, take the extra time and find hides in between the ones we find on the way to the camp grounds.

It was on the third day out that we crest the hill. There in a valley, was a small lake. We walked closer and heard a bell ringing. People were going to what appears to be defensive posts. I need to make our intensions known. I yell,

“Attention camp grounds, we are friendly.” We stop where we are. “You need to tell Reva that Cross Roads Billy and Ginger are here. We will wait here.”

It was only a matter of a minute that we see Reva come out and wave us to come on in.

Caution is paramount to living. I commend her on her people loud enough for them to hear. You could tell that they were appreciative.

Reva invited us to the meeting room along with the residents. She addresses her people then us.

“These are the two that I met along the way to Daisy’s farm. Billy here is the one that introduced himself by driving me out of the hide. I learned so much from them but most important, the red ribbon. Billy, Ginger, I thank you for coming here. I hope that this is more than just a visit.”

I’m not going to misinterpret anything so I keep my mouth shut. Ginger tells them that she is making a complete history for all the residents of both Cross Roads and the farm.

How she wanted to include camp grounds.

“Do you have a healer here?”

A canid raises her hand. “I have the basics in potions but lack the high heal to treat major injuries.”

Ginger tells her and Reva that she will need to come to her clinic.

“It will take about a week but I will be able to teach you how to do that or stabilize them enough for me to get here. Reva, I see a few harpies here, if the needs are urgent, you can send one to the clinic as a messenger.”

Then Ginger looks to the harpies and asks if that is alright with them. They said that it would be their honor to do that.

“Now Billy,” Reva asks, “while Ginger is talking with our healer, why don’t I show you around.” She knows about the first time at Daisy’s so she looks at Ginger.

“Is is okay with you that I show your flock leader around?” To which she tells Reva that it was with the flock wives permission that if he wanted to be shown around, he could with our blessing.

I look out and see the harpies bouncing and raising their hands. I call on them.

“You mention flock, what do you mean but that?” You could almost see the moisture flowing.

“My first wife was a harpy and was without a flock. I met her in a hide a few years ago.

We hit it off and she asked if I would let her travel with me. Said yes. A little later we mated and became a pair. Blaze started to call me her flock leader. Ginger and two others are also my wives.”

Now Ginger pipes in. “We flock wives are now sisters. Blaze is the first wife. She is a harpy, we have two felids and a canid in the flock. Blaze does not want to have any more harpies in the flock but she is not opposed on having Billy share the comfort to others.”

She looks at me and asks me if Blaze was the only harpy that I have been with. I tell her yes. Ginger now looks at Reva.

“I think that you may want to show him where these women live so he can see what he may need to add to the Blaze room.”

By their excited faces at the mention of the Blaze room, they hve heard of our third floor.

I say to Reva.

“Would you please allow one or more of these lovely ladies to fly to Cross Roads to let them know that we have arrived safely. Of course, they would have to stay the night with my wives.”

One of them volunteers and before Reva could say anything, she was off.

Reva assures me that the three others will be able to show me their nest.

“Now why don’t we start to walk around.”

We casually walk around while Ginger talks to their healer. This is a nice place. Plenty of space between cottages. All look well taken care of. They take pride in their community.

The harpies were more than inviting as we were close to their cabin. It seems that they are not obsessed with how much or how little clothing worn. They were already on the nude side. They invite me to see their nest.

I got to know all the residents here. There were actually more closed couples there than single. I found it actually enjoyable just to sit and talk with others. Not that I don’t like the other’s but it is nice to just relax and swap tales. They have quite a few of older people who met after this world went to hell. They are happy to here my tales, especially how I found out that I needed something other than candy to eat.

Even here, there are few human females. The species will eventually die out. In my travels, I have only seen two but here, there are three but all are over sixty. Again, I think that the species will die out. I can see that this world will soon be only populated with the other races.

It’s not that we will be missed, we caused most of the problems.

I have noticed that there are a few of the old cottages on the far end of the lake that are in need of repair. They are on the large side and the occupied ones on this side are couples. The large size would be too much for a couple and would be impossible to heat during the winter. I do feel that if this mutant problem is finally put to rest, I want to fix one of these large ones as a get away but the mutant problem is here to stay. As is the virus.

As long as people are living, we will never run out of the three. The human runners have gone away but so has the human population.

With no human females, other than Jenny, in my life, I don’t need to worry about children. Jenny, does not have any children. I figure that she may not be able to have them or I am sterile. Either way it does not matter. All my wives are different races and I can’t get them pregnant.

We talk to everyone. Ginger has her medical records so, after a few days, we are ready to return home. This time Ginger is having their healer come back with us. It has been decided that we will stay with the four hour travel hides. The extra ones would actually be a waste of resources.

.

Life is settling down

Now that we have visited the major villages in our area, there is now time to do the things that we want to do. Blaze has her morning routine flight and now seldom needs to drop a bottle. It has been a task but it seems that most of the resident mutants have been taken care of. We still will not let our guard down.

It has become a norm in Cross Roads that, on good warm days, clothing is optional.

The only ones that are required to wear clothes are the work crew that is building housing a few miles away. You see, we now are known for our clinic and hospitality.

Over a short time, our population has grown to the point that I worry about group mutations. We have stopped letting people take up residence in our village. That is why the housing. This way the extra’s can come in but their lives will be lived in the new village. All of the couples have moved there. The single man of Ann’s group, found a mate and moved to the new village.

On the days that are warm, almost all the women that are F T will actually have shorts on with a area cut out so they can display their status. Again, it is not uncommon for a wife to take one by the hand and lead that one to the third floor. The Ann room is almost in constant use. It is the favorite room of visitors.

Even though we have Daisy for vegetables, we do have our own gardens. We hunt game but have also found cattle that were wild. We keep track of them and now we have beef.

We have gone back to that store that Ann and I went to when she first came to us.

There was a lot of well packaged items in that store room. Over a period of months, we almost cleared it out. The sealed overseas packaging preserved almost all the clothing from deteriorating.

Household items such as kitchen ware, pots and pans and such are all in new condition.

When salvaging, you always take everything that is in usable condition. Barter is the currency. We did take most of the jewelry but that was for the women of the town.

Grange, Daisy’s farm and the camp grounds are only interested in the basics but we do throw in some jewelry as a bonus.

I find it heartening that we do get the occasional male loner come through but most of them know in advance that there are no whores here. Our women demand respect. We have only had one come through that thought that they could have their way. The women of Cross Roads know how to defend themselves. That one left the village feet first and his chard bones rest in the pit where we throw mutants in.

Life in the flock is also interesting. My four are all devoted but will not let me get out of line. If they think that I am going down the wrong path, they will not hesitate to tell me. I

wanted to go out to explore the area towards the west. I wanted to see if there is a place that we could go to ride out the winter. I wanted a place that the whole village could go but I was shot down.

They reminded me that this is our village. To abandon it for the winter would mean that we could lose possession of it to another group. Betsey said it best.

“Possession is the ownership of that land. If we left and someone came it, we would not have the right to tell them to leave. Would you ever give this village up if the originals returned and demanded that we leave? Why go looking for trouble. You want to do something like that, go make that cave that has the hot spring into a vacation spot for us.”

The flock started to tell me just what they wanted there. I don’t know how they expect all of those things to fit into that space. I am to enlarge the soaking pool. Make cabinets, a cooking counter, a large bed platform and many other modifications.

In my mind only I said that thy would have to settle for what I build. Not out loud but they are now giving me a look that says they know what I am thinking. They tell me to at least build it tastefully.

“It may be a cave but it does not need to be a man cave.” Ann tells me, “But there could be a dungeon look to it.. She is now emitting the feeling of my little girl. Funny, the other three have seen the light and tell me that a dungeon would be fine.

A trip to the garage and a few old barns that I know of and I spent quite a few happy trips to the cave. I was able to expand the pool so that the five of us sit cozy in it. There are elevated areas to cook but there are rings now fastened to the walls. The bed platform is big enough for all of us to sleep in but it also has rings enough for four.

When it was finished, we went to enjoy the atmosphere. It was exactly what An had wanted but I threw them a twist.

“I have all of you to help me out, so the leadership is not a stress.” I look specifically at Ann, walk over and squeeze a breast, give her a kiss then say, “Today, I want to see what it is like to have four women take control of me. I am at my mistresses mercy.”

I just stand there, waiting for that to sink in.

They look at each other. They all know how to dominate but never have given it a reverse thought towards me. I could see each of them thinking so I strip off all of my clothes, grab two straps and fasten them to my wrists.

They now look to Blaze. As first wife, they look to her for permission.

“Tie him to the bed. Arms out and legs spread.”

I feign resistance but they were able to tie me down. Blaze tells them all to strip and she does the same.

“Forth wife, sister Ann, take these four leather laces and tie them together in such a way that we can whip this minion. Then discipline him.”

With that she does and hits me across the chest with enough force to leave red marks.

They are now getting into it. Each one takes turns. From Ann to Betsey to Ginger then to Blaze. She now drags the ends over my hard on and my balls. The sensation is getting to me so I plead

“Please don’t use that there on me. I beg you.”

Blaze gets the hint and playfully hits me there repeatedly. It is hard to describe. Being tied down and not in control, I can let lose, and actually enjoy that feeling. The arousal is something that I have never felt. I now know what they must feel when a tough session sometimes sets them off.

Much to their delight, after a multitude of hits, I started to spill my seed in one of the hardest orgasms I have ever had. They were all giggling in delight.

“Sisters,” Blaze tells them, “Show to him what a bad boy penis. Watch me and do the same.”

She now descends on my dick and takes a lick, then a nibble with teeth. Not hard enough to break skin but hard enough for discomfort. All the others do the same but both Ann and Betsey take a ball in their mouths and lightly bite. Sensations are making me delirious and I shoot again.

They continue with a combination of sitting on my face while others ride me. Yes, turn about is fair play. Each lubed a finger and played in my ass. Towards the end, they let me loose. We then made romantic love to each other and drifted off to sleep.

We spent a few days there. Each of them put on a play for my enjoyment.. They held Blaze on a table face up, I grabbed her legs and forced them up while I drilled her.

Ginger was working her clit. We were really enjoying the time together.

As quickly as we started, the time came for us to return home. Exhausted, but happy, we entered our home. The villagers all had smiles on their faces and corralled my ladies to get their play by play.

It was a flock wives’ decision that their play with me was their secret. They only told about the cave decorations. There are quite a few F T’s that would like to visit it. Just a side note on the Flock Toys. They are not opposed to a one on one with me but they prefer that I watch as they are played with by the flock wives. I much prefer letting them be my wives toys. They let me have side toys myself.

The night after we returned, I told them that I was tired and they were to enjoy their toys themselves. I was under that room and was entertained by my imagination.

The next morning, we were awaken to the news that the camp grounds was being inundated with mutants and desperately needed our help.

The experienced get complacent

We received a message from the camp grounds that they need help. There has been a surge of mutants in their area but there are just to many to be able to rest. The people are near exhaustion. It is not like there is a horde, it is just one or two constantly coming close.

Extra vinegar bottles in our packs, my group head out. From Cross Roads, it will take us almost a full day and a half to get there. We have taken out most of the night stalkers and biters in our area. I hate to think that it is a migration from our area that is pushing them towards the other location. I decided that we would leave just after sunrise, this one time instead of the hour.

In the morning, it was a clear day. Blue skies and sunny so we left. I figured a few quick rest stops and eating while walking, we should make it there by late afternoon. That first hour was tense but we did not see any night stalkers. Now, everyone carries bottles. We have the dimensional bag with the extras.

Now it is almost routine to throw the bottle and kill. We did not even have to stop. To the biters, it must have been like the old drive by shootings. Between cross bows, regular bows and firearms. They came out, they died.

Lunch on the road and we made it just in time to help. The biters were coming in but we ambushed them from behind. We made sure that those being attacked knew we were there. A couple of silent signals told them to get out of the way. Did not even need the bottles. The biters were so intent on the ones they saw, all we needed was to put a bolt in their head.

After a few words exchanged, we were shown to the camp office building. There in the main room were the camp’s noncombatants. The very young and the infirmed. Even those who are old are out repelling the mutants. Not as long as the young, but one old man told me that he is going out because

“The young have their whole life ahead of them. I’m old, I’m irritable. I have trouble sleeping and have to pee a lot. All that makes me want to kill something. I get to take it out on the mutants. They get me, I go to see my wife in the next life.”

He was so easy to figure out. He did not want any of the young to be killed or turned. I was given one last pearl of wisdom from him before he went back out. “I am so old and stringy that a biter will break their teeth on my tough old hide.” He laughed as he went out.

I later learned that, after taking out a few biters himself, he came back to the main house, sat down and went to see his wife. A great man and I will remember him and his words.

They were winding down for the night, but they needed to be on alert until dark. They could rest for a bit but now the night stalkers. Fires on the perimeter kept down the biggest portion.

I sat with Reva and we had a discussion on how to handle the load.

“Why don’t we split my people and one part take the place of some of the night watch.

The other half will sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll have the half that sleep track down the dens. My Blaze will be able to spot them. There is no one better than her in spotting dens. I know that you have had your hands full defending but offence is the one that wins. At least with our ten, that will give ten of yours some much needed rest.”

Reva likes that plan, “We have been on the ragged end of this for almost a week. I figure that it may be an over population mutation. The mutants are coming from that direction. We have, for the first time in a long time, seen some runners. That community is around three or four days from here. I heard that they were thriving since they had almost two hundred people there.”

“Fools, we have almost fifty at Cross Roads. I have told people not to bring in any more.

We have started to make a new area a few hours walk from us. We help them but they know that we have reached our limit. I can’t imagine that many people. That is so far over the tipping point that they were inviting trouble. How many mutants have you killed so far?”

“Almost a hundred, mixed.”

“Let’s go on that community was the ones that turned. We are probably around half that population. You’ll just have to put up with us for around a week. In the morning we will start our search towards that town. Now you pick your people that will get a nights sleep. They will come with me and my five, we’ll teach them how to hunt.”

With that, we’re done for the night. Since I need Blaze for reconnaissance and I’ll take Ann but she’ll be in commando mode. I want Betsey and Ginger on night duty. Ginger will stay in for any injured. Being bit or scratched is a death sentence so injuries are mostly trips and falls.

The next day proved me wrong, One of the camp ground people tripped and put a bolt in his companions ass. She did not like it very well. I had him carry the canid female back and explain to Reva what happened.

It really did not matter. Ten people roaming is too many. Part of the way I told the remaining three to return to their base and get some rest. It was slow, well I used that excuse. We five worked better together. The remainder of the day, we took out four nests, but there were multiples. One nest had four stalkers in it. In total we took out eleven of the stalkers. A good day. We returned to base.

I sat back down with Reva. She shook her head. “How do you shoot someone of your own in the ass with a cross bow? Ginger was able to remove the bolt and heal her but

canid woman told me that she was going to find him and show him how it felt. She caught him and bit him in the ass. Your Ginger healed him but not until quite a few came to look at the injury. She told me that the man wanted someone to shoot him. He did not want to turn.”

“I sent the other three back, ten out hunting, we did not have much success. Only a few biters. After we reduced our numbers we got eleven night stalkers. Tomorrow, I’m going to break my ten into three groups of three. We’ll hunt, you defend. We’ll leave Ginger here for the occasional bolt or bite, friendly bite of course, Before the end of the week, the incidents went way down when the kill total started to reach one hundred and seventy. Things were getting back to normal here. It was floated that we visit that community but I said to Reva that I would not stop them from sending people to investigate but I wanted nothing to do with that area.

“It is almost the source of the turn. Don’t want to have anyone from my place coming in contact with that source and possibly infecting ours. I will tell you that if you send people this year to it, those people and anyone that comes in contact with them are barred from entering Cross Roads. You would be effectively cut off. I’m sorry but I have to think of our greater good. Next year maybe. I’m sorry.”

Reva tells me that it was just a thought but once I voiced my concerns, she saw that it was only curiosity. The risk of infection verses what would be gained does not make it worth the risk.

Now that they can relax, they throw a party for us. They had good food and drink. This was our last night. We need to get back to Cross Roads. It is fun to get away but our community is our home.

Since there is no urgency we can at least take a lunch and we can start an the hour after sunrise. With the major problem taken care of, we can relax, a little. We got near home and we were talking about having a relax day tomorrow.

There was a growl from the woods on the side of the path, Blaze dropped the bottle, I fired the bolt, the biter dropped.

“We are close to home let’s go. It’s dead” I tell everyone. Blaze keeps looking back.

Most mistakes are made by the novice and the old hands, the most experienced fall into complacency.

Billy’s fever

Billy did not realize that he had, not only the slight scratch on his arm, but a long scratch on his back. He had to protect Blaze.

He thought the biter was dead. He wanted to get home. It turned out that it was only knocked out. When we were walking away, it got up and came after Blaze. I had jumped in between her and had to push it away. We struggled until Betsey picked up my cross bow and shot it through it’s head.

Only after it was truly dead, I noticed the scratch on my arm. I poured vinegar on it. It stung but the acid properties of vinegar cleaned the wound. It wasn’t until we made it back to Cross Roads that I started feeling bad. Blaze first noticed my condition and yelled for Ann and Ginger.

Ginger knew of the scratch on my arm but the vinegar should have cleaned it. She had them rush me into the clinic. She quickly cut off my clothes. That’s when she saw the large one on my back.

She frantically told me about it. I told them that they needed to get the straps from the Ann room and tie my arms and legs down to the clinic bed. That was the last thing that I remember saying.

I was delusional in my fever. I realize that I was being turned. I felt the hot iron burn the scratch on my back in an attempt to sterilize the wound. I know that she forced many potions down my throat. Endless sessions of her casting heals on me. But….

There was a white light. I said out loud, “I guess I did not make it. Sorry my ladies that you had to put me down.”

“They did not, and will not need to put you down.” The entity said. “Billy, you are the one that will save the world and allow it to finally rest.”

The white light coalesced into a space. I stood, but there was no floor, nothing but white and a beautiful woman standing in front of me. She has the look of someone that knows all.

“Before you say it, thank you for thinking I’m beautiful. It is not luck that you met all your wives and all those women. You see, my name is April Monday. I am the ethereal known as the Watcher. Your world was devastated by a virus that laid dormant for millions of years in the ice of a permanently frozen section of this world. A very warm trend caused the ice to thaw and the virus awoke.”

“April, why am I here. I have been infected and will need to be put down. I will turn.”

“I arranged that scratch on your back. I directed Ginger to take those actions. Those were needed to change you into what you have to be. You are now no longer human.

You will outwardly look the same but now your DNA has been changed. Your species is now a universal.”

“Universal?”

“You are now the first but all the children born from you will be universals. In time this world will be all one species, universal. You will be able to impregnate any female regardless of their species. Even the infertile. You will now have the endurance that no male has ever had.” She chuckles as she adds, “Even Daisy’s ladies will not tire you out. You will wreck them all.”

Now she gets serious, “One thing, my Blaze needs to be the first. She is my darling.

That is why she was the first you discovered. I made it happen. She was abused because she lacked. She is why I found you. She is why I had you meet. I watch for specials like her. She, along with Ginger, Betsey and Ann, were alone. You needed them, just as much as they needed you.”

I am trying to digest what I am hearing. It suddenly was clear to me. Each told me that they no longer wanted the situation they were in. They wanted to travel with me. They in a matter of minutes knew I was the one for them. I saw each of them as they were before they met me.

Blaze, always the runt, always brutally thrown when she tried to mate with the male. In agony, trying to suppress the natural urge. Her terror of being alone and her thoughts that time I found her. She was going to just starve her self to death.

Ginger, outwardly she looked like she was altogether, but inwardly, she was still that frantic child that watched as all the other children died. Left alone to wander. She compensated by becoming a healer. I saw her at Daisy’s farm in the guest house.

Desperately trying to find that one. Her one, but only finding inner sadness. She actually was at the point of letting the biter, kill her.

Betsey, she too was a wanderer. Like all wanderers, she spent up to a year at a time, not seeing anyone other than mutants. That one week affair. She thought she found the one. The reason she left after a week was because she over heard that one talking to someone else about selling her to that other. She killed those two and is ashamed about it. She was not tucked under the over hang, she was out enough to be seen. She wanted a night stalker to kill her.

Ann, Another sad tale about a young girl, on her own. Raped repeatedly, she also killed.

She got hard and projected it but inwardly she was still that little girl that hated her father for doing that to her. Always looked at for being the leader, she cried out desperately. That little girl wanted to be cuddled, wanted to be caressed and yes she wanted to be dominated, but by someone that was her mate. Someone that would allow her to be a little girl.

“ You have just looked into their soul. Do you see why you are truly the one that each has wanted? What each needed to feel whole? You wondered how Blaze knew about things concerning your flock. She only knows that her feelings are right. Each one of them have had the same feeling.”

Now I am going to voice my deep down emotional hurt.

“If you are watching, if you guided them to their perfect one, Why didn’t you stop them?

Why did you allow them to think that I would be okay with them being separated from me that time at the farm? I was deeply hurt and still harbor a resentment on that.”

“You felt the pain of a deep love betrayed but they needed to see you enraged by that betrayal. They needed to see you walking away, then pick up Blaze and tell them to come as they were or leave. They each doubted love. They each had to have that one fork in the road. They had to decide are we truly in love or just want safety. Love is a trust in what is best for all. They were thinking of you, not your feelings.”

For some reason, those words were soothing. They helped me to release that anger.

“You will no longer have that feeling. You will, however, not forget it. You will succeed in reminding them that love is a shared street. This fever is the last thing they need. The deep fear that they may lose you. That they might have to kill the one they love. One last thing. Every child will have immunity from the virus. Each woman will also have it.

They can pass it on with a single drop of blood dropped into an open cut.”

She steps back and is no longer in focus.

“You are now going to wake. You will remember everything. You must only tell them what the Watcher is and what you have become. Do not ever tell them that you have seen their deepest experiences and thoughts of the time before they met you.”

I hear Blaze desperately calling to me.

“Billy, you need to wake up. I don’t want to be without you.”

I hear the cries of all my wives. I start to blink and slowly say to them.

“What a pretty group to wake up to.”

All of my wives burst into tears of joy and I am buried with hugs. I do see Ann and by her is my pistol. I will never ask but I knew that the watcher took them to the edge. They are now and forever mine and I am theirs.

I am unstrapped and was told that I had been out for a week. That just before I woke, they were sure that I was changing. So now will be a good time to relate the Watcher’s tale.

Being a universal

Even though I am still in the clinic, I sit up. Ginger is ready to tell the waiting crowd that I am awake.

“Please wait. I have something to tell you all first. I am no longer human. I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that I am still a little feverish. I’m not. While I was unconscious, I was taken to meet with the ethereal whose name is the Watcher”

I see Blaze stiffen so I take hold of her hand and squeeze it slightly. Then continue.

“I was guided to Blaze by the Watcher. She knew that I was going to be right for her.

She guided each of you to each of us. According to the watcher, this was your final test.

You all need to feel the true feelings you have for me and each other. That scratch and fever changed me. I know this will sound like a fevers dream.”

Blaze is about to cry but it is happy tears because she had a voice in her head telling her things since she met him. I look at her specifically but talk to the others also.

“Being a new species, a universal, I am now able to get any female pregnant. Any species. I was told that you, Blaze, had to be the first one. Harpies give birth before most others know that they are pregnant. That is why.”

Ginger tells me that it is impossible for a human to inseminate anyone of the non human species.

“But that is what I am saying, I am no longer human. I am the first of a new species that will be, in the future, the only species on this world. Our children will mate with others and after a period there will be no pure blood of any species. All will be changed.”

Now for the Biggy.

“None of our children will ever be affected by the virus. They will be immune, as will be their mothers. You women will become immune. You have a special role in this. With your immunity, once pregnant, with a single drop of your blood in an open cut on someone else, will transfer that immunity. That is why tonight, if she wants to, I will take Blaze first.”

I can see she more than wants to, she wants to right now.

“Have a baby with you. No question, I want to.”

“Let’s keep this quiet from the rest of the community. We need them to see, not question me. I give you one last thing she told me. I am now able to wear out and wreck even Daisy’s girls and still have more. Tonight after Blaze, anyone of you want to prove me wrong? Now let’s help me to our home.”

All the people were here and cheered when, with my wives help, I emerge from the clinic.

“Thank you all for your concern. Soon, very soon, we are going to start a hunt. This hunt will be to find and kill all mutants in our large area. From Daisy’s farm to Grange to the camp grounds. That will be next month.”

Now for something I did not tell my wives but I’ll explain to them inside.

“The month is so I can fully recover. I also have been told that I need to abstain from all night time activities for six weeks. Just to make sure that everything is passed with the infection. Sorry ladies.”

Now my wives take me into our home.

“That was so no one tries to help my recovery but you, my wives. Now how about something to eat, then. Blaze, why are you naked already?”

“It is warm out.” She says coyly.

“I am going to ask a question, even though I already know one of you is eager, How do you feel about having children with me?”

“I’m going to take my potions” Ginger tells me. “I want to have children but I need to wait. By this time next year, I will have both Betsey and Ann trained as midwives through personal experience of their own, to be able to take over. I think, by this time next year, there will be a lot of children in this area.”

Both Betsey and Ann want babies, now. I see Ginger down a potion, then another.

“I’m not missing out, just because I want to wait.”

A few weeks after my recovery, Blaze is very moody and very happy as she announces from the front porch. “Billy knocked me up!!!”

That sends all the town women running to our home.

“Billy was changed by the biter. He now can get anyone pregnant.”

Timing is everything. There, standing in the crowd, is Jenny with Michelle. They came to check up on my health. The Watcher. Michelle is drooling at the prospect but Jenny is down. Then Blaze does something unexpected. She grabs Jenny’s hand and brings her to me.

“Jenny does not believe. Take her and make her believe.”

“It’s not that I don’t believe, I find it hard to believe but it is not for me. I have tried in the past. Nothing. That is why my husband left. He found a young human female who he did get pregnant.”

This time Betsey answers Jenny but has her eye on Michelle.

“I don’t care at this point. I’m not showing, I knew that I was the second he filled me. He can out last anyone. That night he broke me on the fourth time through all of us.”

“I’m going in!” Michelle exclaims as she undresses. Betsey takes her to the third floor while I talk with Jenny.

“I know that this all is hard to believe but I know that I can break you. I know that you like that. I will tell you right now, that I can get you pregnant. I now can get anyone pregnant. To quote Ginger. If she was to take my sperm and inseminate a goat, it would come out a hybrid. What do you say, would you like to have a child?”

Jenny takes my hand and leads me to the third floor.

In the same room that they were first in, Michelle is spread eagle and is waiting. She does not want anything but me inside. We make a romantic love. This time it is slow and at the point of us both climaxing, we both fire off. She is screaming as I fill her to overflowing.

“I’m pregnant, he just got me pregnant. Betsey is right. Thank you Billy.”

She is basking in the glow but when I pull out, she grabs hold of herself and would not let any leak out. “I want a large litter.” She exclaims.

“Jenny, are you ready?” Ginger asks. “I took potions but he over wrote them. I’m pregnant.”

She just nods. “Let’s try this.”

By the time I unload, Jenny is silent. She has her hands over her mouth. Blaze looks into Jenny’s eyes and says.

“Tell me that you did not feel it. Overwhelming isn’t it.”

All she can squeak out is “I’m pregnant.”

Now for the capper. Ginger tells them.

“I personally have checked each one of the four of us and found that Billy is right when he said that the moment you get pregnant by him, you and the babies are permanently and totally immune from any effect of the virus. You now can transfer that immunity to another with a drop of your blood into a scratch that draws blood on someone else. Billy is now the ultimate species that all future people will become in time. He and our babies are of the universal species.”

Both Jenny and Michelle are over joyed. They know that it is true. We knew that this was going to happen. That is why we had Michelle here. Without a stich of clothing, she gets up, hand still at her crotch, she runs outside and proclaims that it is the truth. She stuns the women in the village when she tells them about the link between having Billy get them pregnant and the immunity.

Jenny comes out in the same state of undress.

“I am, or was infertile. The second Billy came in me, I knew I was pregnant. Now both Billy and his wives invite all those women that want this, come in. We will take you to him. Men, they do not want to intrude in your relationships. Talk it over. We do have a way to pass the immunity to you and your mates.”

Jenny was right. We had discussed this. We want to hunt the mutants. If we have the immunity. Scratches and bites won’t affect us. They would be treated like a normal wound. With that we can eradicate the biters and night stalkers. Fliers, we need to find their nesting sites.

That day and well into the night, I satisfied every female in our village. All experienced the same knowing feeling.

A royal pilgrimage

The word is out and now the area surrounding Cross Roads, the population is coming here for the miracle. There are a lot of women that have asked for the blood drop. Every man has gotten it. All these are being done under the supervision of Ginger.

The biggest surprise was when a couple came in for the blood drop. They were a pair of harpies. They said that they were from a flock almost twenty miles away. They heard of Blaze being pregnant from a human. They also heard of the blood transfer of immunity.

Blaze comes over and talks with them. They are amazed to see her baby bump and ask if those rumors are true.

“Did a human get you pregnant?”

“Billy was human but survived a biter infection. He was changed and is now a new species, a universal. He now can get any species pregnant. He is my husband. I was treated badly and thrown out of my flock. Before you ask, you can have the blood drop but I am his only harpy.”

“What was your flocks name, if we can ask?”

“They may have changed their name but when I was with them we called the flock Blue Streak.”

“Thank you. We will not press you. The permission to get the immunity is more than enough.”

She feels good about her first encounter in this many years. Then she feels something.

Blaze yells, “Ginger, help.” The two harpies help her into the clinic.

“You ready sister? The baby is coming.” Ginger says.

Now the whole village is there, mostly to be there to get the news but they also have an order. The order is to keep me from trying to enter the clinic. I have been told that men are not allowed. To quote the women,

“Men do not have the fortitude to handle the birth.”

The visiting harpies were allowed in just in case their expertise is needed. They told the crowd that harpies do lay eggs but they are always infertile. Children are born vaginally.

After a few hours, Ginger tells them to let me in. Everyone is ushered out to leave Blaze to present me the baby. I go in and she is smiling.

“Come hold your son and give him a strong name.”

I hold him and he is beautiful. She tells me that it is extremely rare that a male harpy is born. They are one in a thousand. That is the reason their numbers have drastically declined. Males are highly prized and defended. They are not shared.

“Please give him a good name.”

“I give him the name Adam. He is the first of the new species.”

“I like that name. Billy, I have been very selfish. Before your change, I said that I wanted to be your only harpy. Now I realize that it is no longer right. I need to share you. If more males can be born, the harpy species must continue.”

I tell her, as I hold Adam, “You are my only harpy. To others, all I will be is a sperm doner. That is for later, not now. We will talk with the flock. They need a voice in this.

Now, I’m going out there and telling the crowd about our son but I will only allow your sisters in here. Later today, we will get you home. Then they can see Adam.”

There is anticipation with the crowd as I step out. “My wives, please go in and see your sister. To all our community, we have been blessed with a son. He is named Adam. We ask you to respect our first moments. Later today we will be going home. At that time, you may visit. Two at a time. Thank you.”

Both of the harpies have taken off. They did not even get the blood drop. I go to our home and strap on my side arm. Then go back to the clinic. There, my wives notice the side arm. I am asked why.

“Those two harpies left right after our son was born. I get the feeling that we may get more than a casual visit next. I’m not worried. Adam has four mothers watching out for him.”

Ann is the first to say that no one will even be allowed to have a thought on taking him.

They will die quicker than a stalker in the daylight.”

Adam’s other mothers express the same. Blaze does not feel that is a problem. She has one of her feelings. She says just that. She looks directly at me as she addresses all of us.

“I have a feeling. They asked me for the name of my old flock. They looked at each other and then said that they only needed the blood. They were not from around here and they are not from a normal flock. I get a feeling that something good is coming our way. I will not tell you to stand down. I will say that I know that we are being watched.”

Everyone of the other wives and I smiled. I was told that she was watching. I took off the side arm and hung it over my shoulder. We all walked over to our home. All the women of the town are taking a look at Adam and all have fallen in love. Most touch their baby bump.

It was a wonderfully chaotic few days. There was a constant flow of the women of the community coming to “help.” They were mostly here to see Adam. Blaze let them hold

him. With dreamy eyes, they held him and talked about harpies being lucky. They had quite a longer time to wait. Blaze would always smile and remind them that it will seem quick after they give birth.

“Remember that I get to hold each first after your mate.”

On a sunny day, a week after Adam was born, there was an alarm raised. Someone came in to us and frantically said that the sky is full of harpies. I’m getting my rifle but Blaze calmly stops me.

“The voice tells me that this is the most important thing that will happen to this world after your change and Adam. Do not be afraid, they are not here to take Adam.”

Again, it is her demeaner and her saying the voice that tells me don’t worry. Blaze then says.

“Put on your side arm as a show of your position as our flock leader.”

After I do that, I step out and tell the people that there is no worry, no threat. Then I shout to the harpies.

“I am William Barker, the flock leader. If you come in peace, I give you permission to land and walk into my flock’s territory.”

As directed by Blaze, I have my side arm in my hand. I make it a point to show them as I put it in my holster. They start to land and slowly walk in. They almost appear to be feeling that they are walking on holy ground.

There is a single large female leading them in. Our crowd parts to let the procession approach our porch. To our amazement all take to the knee and bow to us. Blaze steps forward. In a very formal but loving tone she says,

“I see that you are here in peace. My husband has given you permission to land here.

Please rise, I am just a small harpy. I know that you are here to see our flocks son. His name is Adam. I will bring him out.”

As she goes in, they stand and the leader comes forward. Blaze returns with Adam. He now is showing the first vestiges of feathers. Instead of the mottled down feathers, his are showing blue, like his mother’s but he, unlike a normal harpy, he shifts from harpy to human form. It is involuntary right now and they see that happen.

The large harpy comes forward and Blaze walks to her. The loving gaze is also again reverent. She addresses me.

“With your permission, grand flock leader, I am the empress Sky Feather. I am here to pay homage to the new Royal couple. It was an old tale that one day the progenitor and his wife would change the world. They would become the ultimate world savior’s of our race. They would be a changed male and a harpy female. You are that couple of our legends.”

They again bow to us. The empress motions and a group of harpies are brought up.

Blaze gasps, she recognizes them as members of her old flock.

“From the information my two received from you, the day you gave birth, we found these and have brought them to you for your judgement on the way they treated you.”

Blaze gets formal and steps off the porch with Adam. She walks over to Sky Feather and hands Adam to her saying, “Would you please hold him while I address these women.”

I see a scared look come over Sky Feather. I am comforted. It is not a look of I’m going to take him and flee. It is the look of, I’m not worthy. I tell her.

“I can see in your eyes that you mean no ill intent. Please hold Adam.”

There are tears of joy as Sky Feather holds Adam.

Blaze walks over to her old flock and does something that is unexpected. She goes to each and gives them a loving hug. She kisses each, then addresses the total crowd with a statement that will become a large part of the legend told about this day.

She takes Sky Feather, who is still holding Adam, and brings her to the porch. She positions her in front of me and places my hand on Sky Feathers shoulder. I get that voice in my head. This is for the good.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by your gathering here for me and my flock. I have greeted those of my old flock, not with hatred but with love. It was the bad leader, that my new flock leader, Billy, killed. She was the evil one that led these astray. They could not stop her. I now say that I forgive them and ask that no harm come to them. Yes, throwing me out hurt me but it also blessed me. If it was not for the fact that they threw me out, I would not have met my perfect mate.”

Now comes the part that the voice told me about. Blaze partially turns and asks a question to both Sky Feather and then me.

“Empress Sky Feather, would you like to be our fifth wife? My flock leader, my husband, I, your first wife would like you to accept this woman as your fifth wife and fill her with child.“

“If that is your request, I will accept Sky Feather as my fifth wife. Only if she wants that position.“

I then ask. “Sky Feather, can you abide with me as flock leader?”

“Yes.”

“Is it your wish to become a wife and sister to my other wives?”

Now the tears are rivers. She never expected this when she came.

“Yes”

Blaze takes Adam, not for fear of her dropping him, but with knowledge of what will happen. Now the final question.

“Do you want to bare my child?”

It was a shout. “Yes” with a nod from the other wives, I know what is needed and expected. I scoop her up and go to the second floor bedroom. She was trembling.

Overwhelmed by what is happening, I hug her as I kiss her.

I whisper, “Do you really want to be taken as my fifth wife?”

She nods so I start undressing her. I think that she has already orgasmed. I lay her down on the bed. Before I get undressed, I walk over to the window that faces the crowd and open it. The people of the village have seen me but the harpies haven’t. I undress, open the other window then get in bed.

“They expect loud so you don’t need to hold back.”

With my experience with my Blaze, as I am kissing, I lightly stroke her feathers in a grooming manner. She already is moaning. I proceed to slowly hit every spot on her entire body. I caress even her claws. She is losing it and now is very loud.

The biggest reason I opened the windows was that I knew what was going to happen.

Every window had harpies taking turns looking in but I notice that Blaze and the other wives have entered the room. Later Blaze said that it is a harpy requirement that the mating of a new member of the flock had to be witnessed by the flock.

Sky Feather was oblivious when I settled on her clit with my tongue. Apparently, she has a hair trigger. It finally came the time. Blaze asked her, “Are you ready to know a secret?”

Without waiting I slowly plunged in. Her reaction was to scream “Yes my king, take me.”

We hear bumping up against the window glass.

I start to pick up speed and the grunting from her starts. My wives are really enjoying the show. I hear them almost arguing on who is next. They know that I can out last them but the excitement.

Now I approach my point of no return. I let loose and fill her to overflowing. I think, here it comes.

Sky Feather shouts “I’m pregnant! How can that be? I’m not worthy of this miracle.”

Blaze and my wives come over.

“That is what has happened to all the women. The second he fills you, you know.”

The same thing that Blaze did, holding her crotch so she would not lose a drop, she runs to the gathered harpies and shouts. “The legend is true. It’s a blessing from the gods. I’m pregnant.”

The local women explain to the harpies that this is true. They all felt it.

All the harpies were given places to stay because things needed to be ironed out over the next few days. We needed to decide just how this was going to work out. The one thing I wanted to know was, do they know where the fliers nesting sight is.

The next morning, the now five wives all come down the stairs bow legged. I could still go on but they couldn’t. Tonight I can sleep, maybe.

At the table, eating breakfast, we discuss how we see this. I am first. I tell Sky Feather,

“I still would like you to be the harpy leadership face. All that royalty stuff is not for our flock. We can put on a front but the day to day is yours.”

I tell her of our success with the biters and stalkers. How Blaze is able to scout out dens. Then for the part that Blaze never likes, I take out the bottle and quickly open then close it. I try not to laugh. All my ladies still have the same reaction as Sky Feather has.

“Blaze carries a few bottles and flies. She sees a biter, she drops the bottle and we kill it. Blaze will show the harpies how to do that. By the way, all of these harpies cannot stay here, even though they all have had the blood drop.”

I am told that most will leave and spread the immunity. They understand that all the boys born to me will mature at the rate that each species matures. Adam will reach maturity in a few years. The plans are that the far distant flocks will send a few females here.

“Once he reaches the age of twelve” Blaze says, “He will need to assemble a flock of his own and make his own territory.”

“Then I must say that flying over someone’s territory is allowed as long as it is not hunting. That has to be negotiated between each flock. Game poor areas, that flock can come here and ask for a different area or find one not occupied. I will not tolerate poaching.”

The empress agrees. Now she broaches the subject that I wanted.

“Now that we are becoming immune of the mutation, we need to hunt out the nesting places of the fliers, do you have any thoughts on this, my king?”

I like that, my king. I need to find out what twist she likes. Interesting.

“In private, you can call me by my name, Billy.”

She licks her lips then she gets a submissive body posture when she says, “Yes, your majesty.” All the women pick up on this. They look at Ann and then me. I get it but I say to them.

“It still will be called the Ann room.”

Then I ask if there is any place where they will not fly. She tells me of an area they avoid. I am told that no one comes back from those mountains. That has to be where their nest is.

“We will need to have someone watch from a safe distance to see what is flying in the area.”

I get up and get my binoculars. Showing Sky Feather how to use them, I tell her that these can be used to see far off.

“Get a few miles from that area, sit in a dense forest position, you will be able to see the sky. Dots flying means that is the nesting site. the person would have to walk in and out as not to raise notice. A warning to those who scout, always have the sun to your back.

Sunlight will reflect off the glass and will be spotted.”

I give one final warning. “Those who go must be skilled with the sense to know danger.

They must not be forced to go. They must want to.”

The final hunt

It wasn’t in the plan, but what is in this world. Originally, way back on that day we rescued Ginger and brought her to the hide. I told them that the cap on the flock was five but we have someone that does not play by the rules. An ethereal ignored our wishes and showed why she does know best. Because of her, we now have access to a way of gathering information on the one mutant species we had no way of locating them. The fliers.

My fifth wife is the empress of the harpy world. Blaze had given birth to our son Adam and they came to tell us that now we were the rulers of the harpy world. Blaze felt something and, in an instant, Sky Feather, empress of the world harpies is in bed with me.

With the information she has provided, we now have a general area to start searching. I bow to the wisdom of the ethereal but, I won’t let my thoughts be taken as divine inspiration. Blaze has that connection but she did think that all she had to do was grab a mutant and drop it from a height.

The scouts have been out in the areas that are suspected flier nests. Felids paired with harpies. The felid will creep in an area. Stealth is their forte, so they go in closer with the binoculars. Search and then go back to the harpy who flies to report to us.

That information has allowed us to locate what we think are all the nests. All fliers seem to return to the nest around twilight. We now have recalled all our scouts. For this mission we only allowed males and or unpregnant females. Of course all got the blood drop.

With harpies from all areas coming in for the immunization, then spreading it further, it won’t be too long before the entire population, or almost all, will be immune to the virus.

Finish off the existing batches of mutants and we will be free from that worry.

It’s time. I have Sky’s harpies spread the word that anyone that wants to participate in the elimination of the fliers once and for all to be here in a month’s time. All must have received the immunity. That is to prevent the tipping effect that happened to that large village that turned and attacked the camp grounds.

While I am waiting for that day, I now sit with my wives. I need to explain my thoughts and get my, now two, avian expert’s opinions. I look at them and ask a strange but honest question.

“How do you fly?” I am getting the strangest looks.

“We just do” is the answer.

“I should rephrase that question. What would keep you from flying? I need to know how to ground the fliers in their nest. Grounded in the nest, we could kill them easier.”

Now they understand and the answer from the two is feathers.

“When we get our feathers wet, they need to groom until they are clean and dry.

Otherwise, we would not be able to fly well. The feathers need to fluff.”

It suddenly is clear to me and I think out loud. “Could that be the reason that they don’t fly as far. The ones I have seen, their feathers unkempt, looking oily, not well taken care of and not beautiful like you both have.”

They look puffed up and both say, “Praise us more.”

“So, if we were to douse the fliers with something like oil, would that keep them from flying?”

Blaze looks upset at what she is going to say. “If you use oil, shoot them quick. They once were normal. Do it quick. The way we do for the biters and stalkers. Once they are dead. Set fire to the nest. In the next life, they still will have their feathers and will be normal. The leader you shot, she was evil while still being a normal. She was plucked.

Burned up with all their feathers, they will…”

She could not go on but Sky finished for her “They did not ask for this. Like the other mutants, they are victims. Killing them, all the forms of mutants, is a mercy. Please do it quick.”

They are comforted by all of us.

“I will make sure that your wishes are carried out. How does this sound, we have the way of distilling alcohol. We make a large enough quantity so that each team member carries some. The alcohol wets the feathers, we shoot and then lite it.”

Blaze, now composed, “Please make sure that everyone knows kill then burn.”

“That will be a royal order. On the actual attack, I will insist that any harpy that is with us stay out of it. Only to protect their own feathers.” I look at my Ginger, Betsey and Ann.

“I hope you don’t take offence at that. You have participated in killing your own kind’s mutants but with fire and feathers, I don’t want to take the risk.”

Ann answers me by saying that they fully understand. They were going to insist on just that once fire was involved. “I, for one, viewed killing a night stalker as a mercy for them.

I do not like it but I don’t regret it.”

“It is almost an obligation to those who turned.” Betsey added. “Our sisters just said it.

Those mutants did not have a choice.”

We set out only after all were brought up with the plans on destroying the fliers. I made sure that the fears, concerns and wishes of the harpies are related to the group.

“This is to be done so they die quickly. We only torch the lot when we are sure that they are dead. You will make sure that our harpies are far away from the nest. Only then do we burn the bodies.”

Everyone gets the meaning. Almost all have had to put down their own kind. They knew the anguish felt.

We were on our way. I had gotten used to not seeing any runners. They died off, but I am getting spooked. Where are the biters? The harpies are looking for dens. They found a few along the way but they were vacant. The others of the party are also on edge.

Finally we arrive at the first nest area. It is towards twilight, so the fliers should be coming back to the nest, they aren’t. It is now dark, I have to send someone to look into the nest. To our horror, we hear the scout scream but it is words.

“There is nothing here!”

The scout comes back and tells us that the nest appears to have been used but also looks like it was abruptly abandoned almost three weeks ago. Curious, that is just about the time we left.

It is the same for the next few nests. What the hell is happening. Then I felt faint.

Billy is back in that white room. There was April but she is with another. She introduces the ethereal that is with her. “This is the god of mercy. I have brought your situation to her attention. She would like to address your concerns.”

“The Watcher has brought your worlds plight to my attention. Something beyond your control, those unfortunates that were mutated, were causing your people great anguish.

Each time they had to put one down, it tore at their soul. Some even had to kill someone they knew. I could not let this go on. All of your worlds mutants were brought to my room. I have harvested their souls and wiped the mutant part of their memory. They are now reborn on another world with great futures ahead of them. They will lead those worlds to harmony. That is their reward for enduring something that we as gods, should have intervened.”

She faded out. Now it is only the Watcher and myself.

“All the children that you sired, will have only their mother’s DNA. Those children, like Adam, will be able to change from their mother’s species to their father’s human form at their will. They will all have your instincts but interbreeding will not be a problem. Only the ones born to the same mother cannot interbreed. You have now sired the bare minimum to keep populations going, you need to sire lots more, but those children will go on to blanket the world. Now go and tell the people what you have learned. Most will believe but all will see that the threat is gone.”

I thank her and I start to fade, when she remarks, “You are royalty, your flock will reach eleven. You and your flock now have a life time extension. You will now not age from what you are for at least a few hundred years.”

Before I could argue, I was awakened and give them the news that the fliers have vanished. I break out into a large belly laugh and yes, I excused myself to pee.

I sat all of the parties down.

“You will never find any trace of any mutant, ever. They have come to the attention of the god of mercy. She has seen our anguish over having to put down members of our own species. She has taken all of them and erased the mutant memories from them and they are now in other worlds and will live great lives.”

Now to hammer it home, my wives will know. “The ethereal that has watched over my family has told me that all the children that I have sired, have their mother’s genes. Not mine. Once they reach their maturity, they will be able to marry without us worrying about interbreeding. Our people will live. Knowing this, I will take one day a week, I will entertain any ten women. We will live.”

There is a celebration. Most have broken their spirits out and are getting plastered. I can’t help myself, I’m drinking also. My first night that I could look at the stars with out becoming a late night snack for a stalker. That night brought back memories of a young child camping in the backyard.

For some, they were still on edge. They staid vigilant but by the time day broke, each were convinced. They only heard the crickets. Not the slightest hint of their screams.

That morning, I sent back some of the harpies that were with us to let them know that we will be returning shortly. Also that all the mutants are gone.

“Tell Blaze that there were no fliers to kill. We drank our booze. Also there will be a flock meeting as soon as I get back. Tell her to send word to the other communities to give them the good news.”

Because we did not have any encounters with mutants for the first days, I picked up the pace. A cautious three weeks out, was only an eleven days back. We surprised all when we got back so soon.

Blaze saw us on her morning patrol. She did not land but flew over the village yelling that we were back. Then she flew into me, knocking me down and, if I did not stop her, she would have taken me right there.

“She told me, she told me.” She sang over and over. Then led me to the village. My wives came and all were all over me. I wanted so much just to go into our home but the entire village has assembled.

“We went to the nests and found that all were empty. It was then that the entity that has been guiding my flock, told me that the god of mercy has taken all of the mutants to her

realm. All their souls have been healed, but all knowledge of being a mutant has been purged from their memories. They all have been sent to other worlds where they will lead happy lives.”

I then told them of the revelation that my DNA is not in any child of mine. They will be able to mate. As long as they are not brother and sister, there will not be a problem. I also told them that all the children will be changelings like Adam is.

“Now I need to go in and get reacquainted with my wives and son.”

I do notice that all my wives have very large baby bumps. I need to tell them quickly before I am up to my ears in babies. I open the door and there is Adam. It has been over a month and he is in human form.

Blaze picks him up and notices that he is looking at me as if I was someone he should know. She looks at Adam and says, as she points to me. “That’s your dada.”

His eyes open wide, changes to harpy and flies to me. He lands and hugs my neck. The women are shocked. Sky tells me that it is his first flight. I hold on to him and we sit. I need to fill them in on a certain subject that revolves around the flock and the Watcher.

“You heard what I said about the mutants and about my DNA. I was in the white room with the Watcher and the god of mercy. She was the one that said they would have happy next lives. When she faded out, April told me that my flock would not start aging for at least a few hundred years.”

I needed to tell them that they needed to breathe.

Ginger tells me that their live span should only be sixty years. “Now you’re telling us that we won’t start aging for a few hundred years? No joke?”

“No joke. There is more. She told me that I had made only enough children to keep the species going but I needed to sire lots more. That won’t be that hard. Her parting words to me is that our flock will have, there is no way to say this right. The flock will increase to eleven.”

They are already plotting. I hear names being thrown around. I sit and enjoy my son.

Life is turning interesting. It looks like today and tonight will be relax days.

In the far distant future of this world, after all remnants of all the human built civilization have crumbled into dust and are forgotten, a canid mother gave birth to a child that is blessed by the gods with wisdom, strength and compassion. This child is no longer just a canid, he is a lycanthrope. She called his name Zorn. But that is another story

Table of contents

No one knows

Choose your poison

Blaze was right