Afghan Bound by Henry Morgan

them out of the gutter and put food in their bellies.’
    David hungrily fed a roll of lamb stuffed with olives into his mouth and nodded as a token of his appreciation and attention.
    The chief continued. ‘We are on our way to meet the force that attacked your camp. They weren’t supposed to move for several days – until we arrived with the hardware. That is how we survive. I exchange weapons for drugs.’ He rose and motioned for a guard. ‘But that is enough about me. Tomorrow we go on our way and you will go yours, but tonight we shall have a banquet to celebrate the fall of Herat.’
    David wanted to enjoy more of the food and wine, but was taken to a tent where fresh clothes were laid out ready for the night’s festivities.
    By the time the guard came back to fetch him, David felt completely relaxed. Malek’s promise to release him in the morning had removed any remaining anxiety and left him happily looking forward to the evening ahead. The first sight of the tent’s interior did not disappoint and fulfilled his expectations. Flames bobbed and twisted in great braziers that kept the chill of the desert night at bay and threw shadows of the swaying dancers upon the gold and red walls of the tent. Occasionally a servant would throw cakes of incense into the flames and clouds of sweet scented vapours would fill the air, relaxing and soothing the congregation that lay on a great circle of silk cushions. Malek motioned for David to join him and the four women who surrounded his bolster. All four were heavily veiled and seemed anxious to pander to their chief’s needs, offering him wine and food constantly. Of their faces the only part visible was the eyes, but their bodies were unmistakable beneath transparent silk pyjamas. Despite the see-through material no dark triangles were evident between their thighs, confirming David’s belief that most Arab men kept their women shaved.
    â€˜Sit down,’ said Malek. ‘Have some food.’ Trays of kebabs, sheep’s kidneys and liver were immediately brought and laid at his side. The two servant girls who had carried them then sat at his feet awaiting his instructions. David was amazed to see that in sharp contrast to the rest of the women present, one of the two was pure blonde. The surprise on his face was so obvious that Malek laughed out loud and said, ‘Meet Miss Haines, my maths lecturer.’ The economics don lowered her eyes in acknowledgement. ‘She came with me from London. Said she would do anything as long as she was with me. What else could I do?’
    David studied her carefully. Like the others she was veiled, but her eyes were steel-blue and her breasts very much heavier, perfectly complementing the bigger frame of European women.
    â€˜Is she your wife?’
    â€˜One of them,’ answered Malek. ‘Although she no longer sits with me. She’s slipped down the batting order, so to speak.’ The Arab leaned forward to caress her large breasts. If I get the urge for these wonderful orbs I send for her. They are gorgeous, don’t you agree?’
    Before David could react Malek spoke again. ‘Sarah, bare your breasts and show them to our guest.’
    David could only sit transfixed as the beautiful Miss Haines did as she was told without the slightest murmur. The lecturers had never been like this when he was in university. With a straight back she pushed her breasts out for his inspection.
    â€˜Feel them David,’ urged Malek generously. ‘Touch them.’
    David’s fingertips nervously brushed her nipples, until Malek urged him to squeeze them harder. ‘Don’t be afraid, Sarah knows how to please you. There was a time when she wanted to go back to England, but I sent her to my brother in Mashhad for training. Now she lives only to please.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’ David asked. ‘Training?’
    â€˜Your western women are too selfish, only