Page 24 of Caveman Alien's Terror

“I think you scare them, too.” I keep testing the ropes. There’s a little bit of slack in it.

“Of course. But the reason they assist is that they think I’ll get my gold, take my true form, and then punish the tribes that cast them out, installing them as the chiefs!”

“But you’re not going to do that?” I start to worry about Anter’az and Alba. They are often in the Krast village, and that’s the tribe Tarat’ex was cast out from.

“They may be surprised about what I’ll do. Now, what did that smelly outcast say just now? I don’t listen much when those slayers speak. Something about heartbeats? But that will be too quiet, surely. Even I can’t really hear your heart beating unless I’m very close. Start making some noises so those other slayers hear you. Go on.” He pokes my side with a claw.

I’m scared, but anger is starting to rise in me, and that’s better. “Take your damn claw off me!”

“Very good,” the dragon beams. “That’s nice and loud. They must have heard that. Keep going.”

But now I’m getting mad for real. Does he think I’m his plaything, to do with as he pleases? After we had that nice moment when his pants were down and he was almost vulnerable for a split second?

“Go fuck yourself,” I seethe.

Praxigor’s hand slides down my dress to right under my ribs. “That’s too quiet. Be louder, woman!” He lightly taps his fingers outside the dress, then drags one claw up my rib cage.

My muscles tense by themselves, and I writhe to get away. “Stop it!”

“This is interesting.” Encouraged, he experiments with what kind of touch makes me jerk and twitch the most.

I try to suppress the giggles that it forces from me, but he learns fast and soon I’m squealing as he tickles me mercilessly.

“They’re coming,” he finally says and vanishes.

“I won’t forget this,” I wheeze to the empty spot where he was just standing, tears of humiliation and forced laughter burning in my eyes.

I’m still trembling, my stomach muscles exhausted and sore. A lingering sensation of his touch remains, as well as the humiliation of losing control like that. But still, I suppose it’s better than most other things he could have done to force me to make noises.

I hear the cavemen coming. They’re whispering and muttering as they come closer, and in between the trees I spot the flickering yellow light from their torches.

I make a final effort to try to free myself, but there’s no give in the ropes. Instead I raise my chin and try to remember how to act like a dignified shaman.

They come towards me, single file, holding their torches up, moving slowly and suspiciously with their swords in their hands.It looks like they have gray stripes, although it’s hard to see in the darkness.

“It’s a woman!” I hear the discovery being relayed back through the row of men. There’s maybe six or seven of them.

Still looking carefully around, the first one in the line raises his torch. “An alien woman. Tied up.”

Another one comes up beside him. “One from the Borok tribe?”

“Why would she be tied up?”

The others stay at a distance, looking around for trouble. They’re all tense, but calm.

I’m not sure what to say. Should I warn them about Praxigor? Or do I want him to get his gold?

I guess it ultimately comes down to who I think will come out ahead. And I strongly suspect that’s not these guys.

“I’m from the Borok tribe,” I confirm, trying to maintain some dignity. “I’m Shaman Astrid. I believe you are what remains of the Skrok tribe. Chief Korr’ax sends his greetings.” Some name dropping feels about right in this situation.

They stare until the leader clears his voice. “Former Shaman Astrid of the Borok tribe, she means. Now the woman of the Skrok tribe!”

They start to grin and slap each other’s back, while still being cautious and staying at a distance. They can’t quite believe their luck.

“Who tied you up?” the leader asks. “Or did you tie yourself, to prepare yourself for us?”

“I don’t know,” I tell them. “I woke up like this. Clearly I was abducted from my tribesmen. They are very close, looking for me. Now, honorable warriors, be so good as to untie me.”

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