Qwang Gui was gratified to hear a whimper escape the red-headed girl’s lips. He had been raping her for over an hour now, and this was the first real indication of the pain he was causing her. She was confined in a painful bondage position, her body force back at a seventy degree angle to the floor by an iron collar he had placed about her throat. Attached to the collar was an iron rod that slanted down from her neck at an angle equal to the incline of her body. It was attached to the floor by an iron ring that allowed the rod to move back and forth. Halfway between the floor and her neck a horizontal bar extended from the rod and locked onto her arms just above the elbows. By pressing on the floor with her palms, she could help support her weight. To add to her discomfort, her legs were folded beneath her in a kneeling position and held there by shackles that kept her ankles anchored to the floor. Enough flexibility had been left in the shackles for Qwang Gui to spread her legs so that he could have his way with her. Forced to support most of her weight on her hands, and unable to move her arms in front of her in any case, she was helpless to prevent him from doing whatever he wanted to her. And Qwang Gui was quite inventive at ensuring that his sexual fantasies were as painful and humiliating for her as possible.

He had started this particular rape session gently enough, if shackling her in her present painful condition could be considered gentle. Even before he started by licking her breasts, Melissa was shaking with the strain of the unnatural position Qwang Gui had chained her in. She had already been taught a violent lesson earlier in the week.

The day after she had been captured Qwang Gui had decided that Melissa should learn some of the Shang language. He had taught her twenty words. Still weak from her ordeal of the previous day, she had not been able to concentrate properly and the Shang language was a difficult one for her to learn in any case. He had gone over the words three times, having Melissa repeat each one. And then he had tested her. She had not been able to recall or pronounce six of the twenty words. Six soldiers had been marched into the cabin and been allowed to enjoy her for two hours. She got the message. The next time he went over the vocabulary she had been much more attentive.

After that she merely had to put up with Qwang Gui’s attention. The Shang leader was not as well endowed as most men, but he more than made up for it by refusing to violate her without forcing her to undergo some sort of painful bondage. He had started the night of her vocabulary lesson.

She had been served the same sort of evening meal as the night before. The food and drink was of good quality and she had eaten her fill. She didn’t remember falling asleep, but realized that she must have when she awoke to find herself in a most perilous predicament. She had been wearing a simple cotton dress when she had eaten, but when she woke she was naked. While she slept someone (she suspected it was Qwang Gui since he was there to greet her) had secured her in some sort of harness.

A heavy leather belt had been strapped about her waist. On either side of the belt was a heavy metal ring. A leather armband had been placed just above each of her elbows and attached to the rings on the belt around her waist. It allowed her a fair bit of freedom of movement in her arms, but prevented her from offering any real opposition to anything that Qwang Gui might want to do to her. Her legs had been spread wide and secured in that position by fastening chains to each of her ankles and attaching the chains to rings about ten feet apart in the ceiling beam of the cabin. She was left with her arms pinned to her sides and her legs spread-eagled in a “V.” It would have been impossible to offer a more inviting target to a rapist. However, there was one more twist to her position. She was lying face down on the bed; her sweet derriere presented to her attacker And Qwang Gui had taken full advantage of her vulnerable position. He had started with a conventional rape, forcing his shaft into her quivering vulva. Melissa had endured it with fortitude, gritting her teeth against the pain and thankful of the fact that at least her humiliation was not taking place in front of hundreds of leering soldiers. But it had taken a nasty twist, when Qwang Gui had pulled his dripping phallus from her vagina before ejaculating and then parted the cheeks of her bottom. Realizing that she was to experience a new form of torment, she had clenched her buttocks, but Qwang Gui had been patient. Slowly but surely he had forced his way into her tight anus. She had screamed in anguish and tried to twist away from him, but he had been relentless. He had buried himself to the hilt and then pounded her unremittingly, ignoring her pleas for mercy.

After that, Melissa had been subjected to one bondage position after the other. Qwang Gui seemed incapable of having normal sex. And he seemed to have an inexhaustible supply of ropes, shackles, and mechanical contraptions to confine and torture his victim. Her current situation was typical of a night of “entertainment” at his hands. It had begun with him securing her in the various rods and shackles that now prevented her from escaping his attentions. He had started gently, licking and caressing her breasts and foundling every part of her body. He seemed especially fascinated by her large breasts, probably due to the fact that Shang women were much less well endowed, and had spent a good deal of time sucking and biting her nipples. Melissa had endured it all without protest, but then he had entered her defenseless vagina and as she sweated through the ordeal of yet another rape he had intensified his assault by forcing an ivory dildo into her anus. It was this that had caused her to whimper. It seemed that inflicting pain was also part of sex for Qwang Gui. He never failed to make her cry out. If she attempted to deny him this pleasure he just kept on hurting her until she gave in. Sometimes she wondered why she did not just give him what he wanted as soon as he started on her, but some sort of stubborn pride made her fight him as best she could. And so each night, she and the Shang lord played their little game. And each night he won, reducing her to tears. Only then was he satisfied.

By the third week of her captivity Melissa had settled into a routine. The black ship had been sailing steadily eastward for the entire time, pushed by a steady east wind. Melissa began to wonder just how wide the ocean was. The Shang Empire seemed to be incredibly far away. Her sessions with Qwang Gui continued as before. She now accepted the nightly rounds pain and humiliation as part of her life. She was learning to be obedient; learning to please her master. Her vocabulary was also expanding. By now she had mastered over six hundred Shang words. It was a large enough vocabulary that she could now engage in limited conversation with her Shang conqueror. She also began to learn a bit more about the structures of the Shang language.

One of the first words she had been required to learn was the Shang term for master sheu dai. She learned that the term really did not mean master; but rather translated as “I am your slave.” At least that is what she thought at first. Upon further investigation she discovered that it more properly meant “I am your dog.” It was a revelation. She now understood that in the eyes of the Shang there was no one who ranked lower than she did. She was even less than a mistress or concubine. Each time she bowed before Qwang Gui she was affirming her lack of worth. But prostrating herself before her master was something that had become automatic. Qwang Gui insisted upon the most abject demonstration of her servitude. She was forced to prostrate herself before him, going to her knees and then bowing her head until it touched the floor and touching her palms to the floor over her head. It was a position the Shang called duja and it signified complete subjugation.

After being taken prisoner she had been confined to Qwang Gui’s cabin. Except for the time she had been given a lesson by being gang raped, she had seen no one else. It was her job when she was not “entertaining” the Shang lord to keep the cabin clean and serve as his servant. Qwang Gui expected abject servitude. It was as if he could not humiliate her enough. She was forced to perform the most demeaning of tasks in the most meticulous manner. And that included the nightly sex sessions. Qwang Gui always insisted that she use her mouth to stimulate him to readiness before he had his fun with her. He was most particular about how she did it and she had received a slap more than once for being too rough or not enthusiastic enough. She had learned that absolute obedience was her only choice.

On this particular day she was going about her chores as expected when something different happened. Qwang Gui returned to the cabin early. Melissa performed the duja as expected. Her eyes on the floor, she did not see the figure who came into the cabin behind the Shang lord. Only when he ordered her to rise did she see that he was not alone. It took a supreme act of will not to show her fear. Standing beside the Shang lord was the dark clad figure who had so easily defeated her and Vandar. Not knowing how to respond, Melissa kowtowed as she would have done for her master.

Qwang Gui nodded his approval. “You see, Chang Jao,” he said to the dark-clad figure, “she has learned to show the proper respect.”

Chang Jao did not reply and Qwang Gui’s next remark was addressed to Melissa. “From now on dai lu,” he said, using the Shang term for ‘white dog,’ you will respond to Chang Jao as you do to me. You are as much his slave as you are mine and may not refuse him anything.”

Melissa remained with her forehead pressed to the floor, in total submission. She was now conditioned to obey Qwang Gui’s orders without thought, but the fear of what the mysterious Chang Jao might do to her filled her with apprehension. She tried to control her trembling as she awaited further instruction. But none were forthcoming from the Shang lord. Instead, bowing to Chang Jao he left the cabin, leaving Melissa alone with her new master.

“Up,” ordered Chang Jao. Melissa was soon to learn that he was a man of few words, but one who, like Qwang Gui, expected to be obeyed without hesitation.

She rose as ordered. She was dressed in what Melissa had come to think of her slave costume; a loose fitting silk vest and pantaloons of the same material. Cotton slippers covered her feet. Both the vest and pantaloons were so sheer as to show every curve of her graceful body. Dark eyes scrutinized her intently. Strangely, she found herself blushing as Chang Jao’s dark eyes peered at her from between the folds of the scarf that hid his features. For a full minute he did not speak and then he uttered just one word. “Come.” He turned and left the cabin. Without a word Melissa trotted behind him like a faithful dog.

For the first time since she had been captured she was allowed on deck and she tried to look about her while following dutifully behind her master. She hoped that she would not be punished for her curiosity. The ship was as she remembered it, except that the deck was no longer covered with blood. Sailors went about their duty and here and there soldiers stood on guard. She wondered where Vandar had been imprisoned and what was being done to him. Had he been forced to undergo an ordeal similar to hers?

They walked right across the deck, from the stern castle where Qwang Gui had his cabin to the forecastle where the crew bunked. Chang Jao entered the forecastle through a small door and went down a companionway. Melissa found herself in a small dark room. The strange Shang warrior went to a small chest and took out a white coloured garment. He tossed it to her. “Dress,” he ordered.

Melissa stripped off her clothing. It was an action that she had performed dozens of times in front of Qwang Gui and she no longer felt any shame. Then she put on the much heavier garments that Chang Jao had given her. They were made of thick cotton and consisted of a long-sleeved open shirt that closed in front with a set of ties, and a pair of pants. When she had dressed to her surprise Change Jao approached her carrying a white belt. He wrapped it about her waist and tied it for her. Melissa noticed that a similar belt, but one the same colour as his black costume was wrapped about his middle. He had tied hers in the same way as his, and she supposed that there was something significant about the way it was tied. Chang Jao stepped back and gave her a quick look and a nod of approval. Then he turned on his heel and went back the way he had come. Melissa trotted along behind as before. This time, however, she was barefoot. Her cotton slippers had been left behind.

They returned to Qwang Gui’s cabin. There, to her surprise, Chang Jao bowed to her. It was only a little bow, but it was a bow nevertheless. Melissa fell to her knees as she had been shown. Chang Jao then motioned for her to sit up and began to perform a series of strange exercises in front of her. As Melissa watched mystified, he spoke. “Do as I do.” He did not elaborate, but continued the exercises as if she was not even there.

Awkwardly, she tried to copy his actions. Chang Jao moved so gracefully, that the movements seemed quite simple, but Melissa found to her surprise, that copying even the simplest of exercises was amazingly difficult. Chang Jao did not seem to notice her awkwardness, but continued to move gracefully about the cabin. Melissa noticed that he actually covered very little distance, returning again and again to the place from which he had started. Melissa tried to follow him and after a few minutes, Chang Jao stopped his own exercises and approached her. She felt a thrill of fear as the strange man touched her arm, fearing that she was going to be punished for not doing as she had been instructed, but to her relief he did not hurt her, but instead moved her arm and then her legs so that she followed his movements more accurately. Then he stepped back to watch how she did. This time, Melissa copied him a little more exactly. He did not comment, but simply watched her as she continued.

The exercises went on for over four hours. Melissa was amazed at how much sweat poured from her body as she attempted to copy the seemingly simple moves Chang Jao was trying to show her. They broke for the midday meal. By now Melissa was becoming used to the Shang diet. She had no choice noting else was offered. It was wholesome fare, even if it was a little heavy on fish and rice. The Shang seems to have what she regarded as a strange affinity for raw seafood. It had bothered her at first, but she had since learned to tolerate it, if not enjoy it.

Lunch was followed by another four hours of strenuous stretching and exercising. Then with a slight bow Chang Jao left her. Melissa as was proper prostrated herself until the strange Shang warrior had left the cabin. For a few minutes she was alone and then Qwang Gui entered. Melissa immediately performed the duja, and pressed her face to the deck.

“Stand,” he ordered, and then stood, eying her sweating body with obvious interest. “Disrobe,” he continued.

He spoke in Shang, but Melissa’s vocabulary had progress enough that she understood. “Yes, sheu dai,” she replied bowing almost to the floor. With tired fingers she stripped off the sweat soaked garments, hanging them carefully by the hammock she slept in when she was not serving Qwang Gui. She stood naked as the Shang lord scrutinized her. By now she was used to this inspection and it did not bother her as he walked around her in a complete circle admiring the supple curves of her body. He nodded in approval, and began to remove his robe. He motioned to the bed as he finished and Melissa obediently trotted over and lay down, her legs slightly spread as she had been taught. Without further ado, Qwang Gui mounted her.

It was not a pleasant experience, but Melissa had learned to pretend that she enjoyed it. Soon she was gasping in simulated passion. She also cried out on cue when he bit down hard on her nipples. That was much less difficult to fake, as it really did hurt. For some reason on this night that was as far as he went; forgoing his usual experiments in bondage. Melissa wondered at this, but did not question her good fortune. After only a half hour it was over. Qwang Gui seemed to have been excited by the sight of her sweat-soaked body and gave vent to his lust much earlier than usual.

When he was finished he ordered to dress in her usual diaphanous garments and serve him supper. Then, after they both had eaten her gave her another lesson in Shang. But this time he went one step further. In addition to adding to her vocabulary and explaining a bit more of the structure of the Shang language, he took out a quill and showed her the Shang alphabet. Tired as she was, Melissa was raptly attentive. Not to learn everything taught would bring her humiliating punishment. At the end of the session, she had learned another twenty Shang words, and had mastered twenty letters of the fifty-one letter Shang alphabet. Qwang Gui nodded his approval. He seemed more than pleased.

“Tonight,” he said, “you have earned the honour of sharing my bed until morning. And then you will continue your lessons with Chang Jao. It seems to agree with you.”

Melissa bowed low. “I am honoured sheu dai,” she said, but as she hid her emerald eyes from him, she was thinking not of what lay ahead, but of her lost love. She knew nothing of what had happened to Vandar. She could only hope that the Shang had not treated him too badly. She did not dare ask, fearing to bring punishment upon herself and her lover. But even as Qwang Gui took her to bed once more, and she responded to his ardor with pretended pleasure, he mind was on the corsair captain. It was his memory that kept her going. One day, she hoped, they would be reunited. It was the only thing that kept her going.