The Ring Corrupts

The air conditioning in the five star hotel tempered the heat building outside, while I sat having breakfast in Accra Ghana. At the table were my two fellow travellers, Anthony Honnis and Paul Blackwood. We were all employed by Landberry Mining a Company with mining interests in Ghana. Paul's wife Margaret was also breakfasting with us.

I was not happy at the thought of leaving the comfort of the air-conditioned building in the capital, to travel into the Ghanaian interior for meetings with local tribal leaders. However, some of these tribes sat on land that Landberry Mining was keen to explore for minerals.

My co-workers were both senior to me and as such their remuneration was far in excess of what I was being paid by the company. In addition to that, I always drew the short straw when it came to venturing into jungles for meetings with tribal leaders who spoke little or no English. Meanwhile, Anthony and Paul got to meet with Ghanaian leaders in there air conditioned offices in the capital city.

Paul had even been able to bring his wife, Margaret, on the trip, with her expenses paid for. Such a luxury had not been offered to me, not that my wife Penny would have been interested. She was at home caring for our two teenage daughters. I didn't mind Margaret's presence. She was an attractive middle aged woman; quite pleasant company, if a little conservative. I'd learnt at dinner that she spent most days shopping at the westernised shops or reading in her hotel room.

Immediately after breakfast I was collected by a car, which drove me to a helicopter pad. There, a young African man came up and introduced himself as my interpreter. He was different from the one I'd had for my previous journey into the interior, three days earlier.

"Kilani's not well," he told me.

I thought little of it. So long as I had someone who spoke the lingo and assisted me to get a result the company would be happy with. The company liked success. A positive result would see me secure a nice bonus and show me and the small team who worked under me in a good light.

The young African was pleasant enough, his English was good and we soon struck up a conversation. He told me the tribe we were going too was his tribe, so issues around dialect wouldn't be a problem.

The helicopter transported us over a mixture of scrub and jungle into the interior, where a sturdy four-wheel drive waited. The heat was oppressive and the air conditioning in the car did little to alleviate it. After a two hour drive we reached what I thought was our destination. The village was by the river, just as had been described to me.

The interpreter got out and spoke to a man there. After a few minutes he returned to the vehicle, said something to the driver and the vehicle moved on.

When I questioned this, the young African told me that this was not the true seat of power for this tribe. He said any agreement with them could be overruled. We would proceed to the correct village. I saw no problem with this, apart from having to continue in the hot vehicle.

We drove for another hour and a half through jungle, until we came to a clearing with some huts.

"For the seat of power this looks a poor village by comparison to the other," I thought.

In the clearing were probably close to 10 huts, built with traditional materials. My interpreter told me to wait, left and returned with a welcoming party that led me into the village. I'd done this before in Africa and was used to being a high status guest. The villagers were well aware they could gain some considerable wealth via me and my company.

What surprised me on this occasion was when my interpreter indicated to the many villagers seated around the circle, it was a group of older women. I had never come across this previously, but again made no comment.

As usual with these meetings, things moved slowly, with much eating and formal welcoming. I needed the tribe to agree to our trucks crossing their land. After some discussion the Africans started to converse among themselves, ignoring me.

"Do you think the Chief likes what we're proposing?" I asked my interpreter.

"Ashoki is not the Chief. The Chief is back in that first village."

"Then what are we doing here?" I asked, somewhat annoyed.

"Ashoki is the...how do you say...the priestess...the spiritual leader...the witch. She lives alone in the jungle, but comes in times of...uncertainty," he said, clearly choosing his words with care. "The tribe will not agree to anything unless she foresees it bringing good fortune."

"Ok," I agreed, before we sat and waited for the talking to finish.

Eventually the old woman turned and spoke at length. I waited for a detailed interpretation, but all my interpreter did was whisper to me that I was to receive a gift.

When she ceased talking, all eyes turned to one of the huts. Shortly a man emerged. It was hard to work out his age. He was possibly about thirty, but it was difficult to tell.

The man came and sat in front of the old women, between myself and them. I noticed him continually fidgeting with his finger. We sat there in silence for a time, until one of the old women gave what sounded like a curt command.

"She's told him to give you the gift," my interpreter said.

"Well he doesn't appear that keen," I whispered back, noting the pained look on the man's face.

"No; he's not," came the confirmation and then silence.

After a minute dragged by another curt command came from the group of women. With that the man stood and walked to me. He pulled at his finger and I saw he was trying to remove a ring. Eventually it came free. He held it tightly for a second and then held it out to me.

When I hesitated he spoke. Whatever he said caused the women to start calling to him and it didn't sound friendly in any way

"He said he hopes it gives you as much pleasure as it's given him." the interpreter said. "The women do not like him saying that."

"OK. Thank him very much," I replied, taking the ring from him and smiling.

The man didn't return my smile. He merely turned and with slumped shoulders, walked back to sit behind the group. The old women then spoke again.

"She says the ring came into the tribe a year ago. It was traded with people from the north. I'm not sure who...people from the desert I think."

"Ok," I replied, wanting to move things along and get back to civilisation. "Tell her I'm very humbled at receiving this gift."

"She says it belonged to her nephew. The one who just handed it to you. He's not a leader, but had some standing in the tribe. He traded with the tribe from the north and was gifted this ring. She says it has great power of a...of a sexual nature," he said, turning to me and raising an eyebrow.

I smiled back at him. I'd heard such mumbo jumbo before about these tribal gifts. Rhino's horn and snakes balls. I held up the ring and smiled some acknowledgment to the old woman, hoping this would conclude matters, but she continued.

"It can bring great pleasurer for the wearer. Makes women appear very desirable. If they touch another with the ring, both the wearer and the other will feel a surge of feelings," the interpreter told me.

"Feelings?" I queried.

"Sexual feelings."

At this point the interpreter raised a hand to stop the old woman. He turned to me.

"In other words it will cause whoever you touch with the ring to become very horny," the interpreter said with a large smile across his face. "And you will be very horny also."

When I joined in his laughing the whole circle began laughing. I think they saw this as my being happy to accept the gift. The Priestess spoke again and I looked to the interpreter.

"She says your...penis will appear like the most beautiful thing to your lover. Large and firm. When it goes inside her you will both feel as though it is the perfect fit. She will feel it in every nerve ending, no matter how many babies she has pushed out."

"Really?" I replied in disbelief, fully aware that I wasn't hung like a gorilla.

"Yes! It is true. She says your lover will not have experienced such pleasure before."

"Ok, ok; this all sounds amazing," I said, not believing a word of it. "It is a wonderful gift and I accept it with gratitude."

When the interpreter translated this there was widespread smiling among the group and they jabbered away in their language. Suddenly the priestess appeared very solemn as she spoke to me again. Eventually the interpreter had his say.

"She says that the ring is a...how do you say...a two edged sword. While it will bring you unlimited sexual joy; it may also lead to your destruction, unless you are very cautious. She says her Nephew was a weak man and showed little caution. He became too...uninhibited. Too uncaring in the manner he used the ring to entice woman in the tribe. He was not cautious; having relations with many he was not entitled too."

"Oh! You mean he strayed out of the hut?" I said, making light of this little tale.

"Initially out of the Hut and later in the Hut. He had this great gift, but became very...how do you say...indiscriminate. He cared not for age or status. This has caused much anguish and thus he has been made to gift the ring to you. It can only be exchanged as a gift to another man."

"Well it doesn't appear to have caused him too much anguish. He looks very upset at losing his ring," I said, noting the man's sullen look.

"As our witch has told you. It's a double edged sword. It's brought him pleasure and pain. He's a selfish man. Right now he's thinking only of the pleasures he has lost."

"I see."

"You are a white man from far away. You are seen as a wise man, who will not be corrupted by the ring. Do you still want to accept this ring?"

I didn't understand much of what I'd just been told, but it didn't matter. The problem was I had no choice. Landberry Mining wanted to drive trucks through this land, in order to get to the ore that lay beyond. If this tribe had offered me a dead rat I'd have accepted it. I nodded my acceptance of the gift. Now I must reciprocate.

I had the interpreter tell them of the payment, both monetary and in the form of goods that would be coming their way. They all looked very excited at hearing this. When the gift swapping appeared to be at an end, I theatrically slipped the ring onto my wedding finger. A loud cheer went up from the crowd.

"They were very keen for me to take this ring weren't they?" I said to the interpreter.

"They were more keen on you taking the ring, than getting the goods you spoke of," he replied.

Suddenly the sullen man at the back called out. My interpreter spoke.

"He says be careful about leaving it off your finger for too long. The ring doesn't like that and you will begin to get sore balls if you do."

We both burst out laughing at this and the entire gathered group did likewise, even the sullen man. Then we rose to leave, exchanging all the usual tribal formalities, before being walked out of the circle.

I was extremely happy to have secured trucking rights through the tribes land and didn't give the ring much thought once we were back in the car. My interpreter fell asleep, but woke when we arrived at the first village. He said something to the driver who stopped the vehicle.

"I'll get out here if that is alright Robert," he said.

"Sure," I replied a little surprised.

He jumped straight out, wishing me good fortune and I resumed my journey.

Through the rest of the journey to the helicopter I thought about the success of my negotiations and about getting back home in a few days. Then my mind turned to the ring still on my finger.

"Just some mumbo jumbo," I thought, fingering it.

However it was fun to fantasise and the mere thought of some truth to its power saw me travelling with a pleasant erection.

"Just a touch and any random woman will want to jump into bed with me," I dreamed.

By the time we reached the helicopter it was fully night. I didn't enjoy flying at night, but we arrived safely. Soon into the car, I had the driver stop so I could eat at a restaurant frequented by foreigners. By the time we arrived back to the Hotel it was late.

"The others will be in their rooms. My good news will need to wait until the morning" I thought.

Then my thoughts again turned to my gift. I fingered the ring and began to daydream. I'd been ten days away from my wife Penny. I noted my erection had barely left me since the village.

"Aphrodisiac...whoever I touch...instant attraction..." I dreamed. "Is it just old wives tales or...?"

I determined I needed to try this ring out as soon as possible to put my mind at ease. But who with? There wasn't a great deal of choice outside of prostitutes and I didn't require a ring to get them.

As I walked through the doors and looked to Reception an opportunity presented itself. There, behind the Reception desk, stood the hard working Ghanaian Receptionist, who was often on late into the evening. I knew from her name tag that her name was Esi.

She was a tall, attractive, young Ghanaian woman. Her hair was cropped very short which accentuated her natural beauty. She wore the Hotel uniform of white blouse and black skirt. I'd noticed her previously, but she'd never been anything but courteous and attentive, in a professional manner. There had been no sexual signals in the slightest.

"The ideal candidate," I thought, my heart speeding up a notch.

"Can I help you Sir?"

"Do you have todays New York Times?" I asked.

"I think so Sir," she replied in a thick accent, showing the same smile she likely gave all the Hotel guests.

She walked down the desk in search of the paper. Slim waist and tight buttocks. After she'd located the paper and turned, I took in her small breasts and broad African lips. I determined to test the ring on this very attractive young African woman.

"Thank you Esi," I said. "Where's your friend tonight?"

"She's on her 15 minute break Sir."

"Don't you get a break?"

"Oh yes Sir. She'll be returning shortly and then it's my turn," she said pushing the paper across the reception desk.

"Excellent!" I thought. "Now or never."

"I've noticed you before Esi. I was wondering if I might talk further with you; when you go for your break."

Before she had time to pull back I rested my ring hand on hers. I watched intently to gauge her reaction.

Initially her eyes widened. She appeared shocked that a hotel guest would reach across the counter to touch her.

"Oh shit," I thought, pulling my hand back. "That bloody old quack back at the village has dropped me in the shit."

I was certain I was about to be politely told off. Then I noticed Esi lick her lips, her eyes indicating some inner turmoil.

"I...I...well...I," she stuttered now clearly experiencing something.

I decided to follow up my initial touch and reached to lightly touch her again.

"Would you Esi?"

"Yes; Certainly. It would be nice to talk with you Sir."

My heart soared. There was still uncertainty, but Esi was clearly showing some signs of what had been indicated to me would occur.

"Please call me Robert. Where can we go to talk?" I asked, still holding her hand.

"Well Sir...Robert," she said, looking furtively each way, before reaching below the counter. "Here is a key to the bathroom around the corner, past the elevator and along the corridor. Only staff are permitted to use it. Wait by the elevator and when Akwa passes on her way back here, go and unlock the door and wait in there. Then we can...we can talk."

Now she looked quite flushed and her chest was rising a falling rapidly.

"Alright," I said, releasing her arm and taking the key. "I'll see you in there."

"I only have 15 minutes Robert," I heard her call after me.

"That's all the time we'll need," I thought, not bothering to reply.

I stood by the elevator and could see down the corridor to my right. Time dragged and my doubts resurfaced.

"This is too good to be true," I thought. "A beautiful young African woman is going to let me touch her, all because of some magic ring. Get real Robert. "

I considered pressing the elevator button and going directly up to my room. Forgetting all this nonsense, when suddenly the door at the far end of the corridor opened. I saw Esi's fellow receptionist begin to walk my way. I remained rooted to the spot.

I exchanged smiles with Akwa as she passed. When she walked around the corner to where the Reception desk was, I immediately set off down the corridor. Through the end door I saw a kitchenette, to my right, a door, which had a woman's figure on it. I put the key in, opened the lock and went in. I put down the toilet seat, sat and waited; my heart pounding.

"If what I've been told is true, I shouldn't have to touch her again," I thought, fingering the ring.

Soon I heard the door handle move. It opened and Esi slipped in. She was clearly nervous; it showed in her eyes. However there was something else there as well, something that had driven her to come into the small room with me. She bowed her head when I stood; a common trait among Africans.

"Look at me Esi," I commanded standing close to her.

When she slowly raised her eyes I didn't hesitate. I moved my head to hers and kissed her on those full luscious lips. I could tell her initial reaction was to withdraw from this uninvited action. However, as I continued to press my lips to hers I felt her body relax against mine. My heart soared.

"Perhaps the old crone wasn't exaggerating," I thought, as the soft lips parted slightly.

Our tongues touched and my impression was that this young African beauty's actions were being driven by her desires. Pressing her back into the wall, I probed further with my tongue and was further delighted when she opened her mouth to reciprocate.

"Now for the big test," I thought, raising a hand and placing it firmly on her blouse, directly over her breast. I cupped the small globe. She moaned into my mouth, while wrapping an arm around my neck.

My heart was racing a hundred miles an hour, my cock throbbing in anticipation. She was beginning to rub her hand up into my hair. I determined to slow matters down just a little. I broke the kiss.

"Look at me." I again commanded and she looked up at me. "Did you enjoy that Esi?"

"Yes!" she nodded shyly, immediately dropping her eyes again.

"Look at me," I said very forcefully, causing the young black woman to look back sharply.

I saw fire and resistance flare in her eyes, but just as quickly I could see it overwhelmed by the intense arousal she was feeling.

"Unbutton your blouse Esi," I instructed her, while moving my hands to the hem of her skirt and pulling it higher, up her thighs.

Continuing to look me dead in the eye she began to do as I'd instructed. I decided to query her.

"Have you been with a man before Esi?"

"Yes!" she whispered.

"You've been with many men?" I asked, bringing a pause.

"Only my fiancé," she eventually answered, unbuttoning the final button on her blouse.

"And now me," I said pulling the skirt clear of her hips.

She didn't answer. I brought my palm to rest on her panties, cupping her mound. They felt lacey and I looked down to see, what was likely, a matching white lace bra.

"Hmm you like fine underwear? A present?"

"Yes!" she answered quietly.

"From your man?"

"Yes!" she said, with a distinct air of regret.

"The perfect candidate," I thought congratulating myself on my choice. "She's in love and has undoubtedly been faithful to this man. Yet here she is, about to fuck a guest in the Hotel toilet."

I dropped my head to her bra and located her nipple. I sucked on it, feeling it grow harder through the thin material. Then I moved and repeated the process on the other nipple. I felt her hand in my hair again; heard her gentle sighs. I rose up to face her.