My father, as governor of our village, one of eleven in the province, was invited to address our concerns before the Chief and Chieftess every year. My father always grumbled at how cold and distant the Chief and Chieftess were and how he never had a true opportunity to be known by them. Yet at that moment their eyes only casually surveyed the rest of us as they singled out my father. They recognized him. They knew him
Which one of you will speak for the rest? A young man, with a squared jaw and silver hair down his back had spoken on behalf of the Chief. My father rose without hesitation. In unison each of us was untied though our captors stood behind us as we remained on our knees. Our Chief wishes to know why you trespassed at night to steal from us.
We wished for no harm—
Truly? Is that why you came armed with swords and spears? It was not the cleverest of plans, though my father was proud of it. For months my father and men he had appointed scouted out where the storehouses were located near the Fortress, but outside of the stone walls. There were several storehouses surrounding a seemingly unprotected perimeter. Seemingly. My father thought to come with swords and spears not to attack but to dislodge the locks of the storehouses. Foolishly. It was only a matter of moments before we were surrounded.
We truly wished no harm! We were desperate!
Desperate, Aaron? The man said evenly. My father had sucked in a sharp breath at the sound of his name. We have seen you often in our hills, scoping out our land. This was no plan of desperation. This was a calculated attack.
We didn’t wish to attack! The drought has been severe, and we are low on supplies—
The man had rose his hand and my father stopped speaking. He turned to the Chief and said something to him. It was odd to me. We spoke in the united language of the province as was the primary language of most villages in the Fortress. The Chief would be at a disadvantage if he didn’t understand our words. Yet, only after the words were translated, the Chief surveyed us and spoke long sentences. The man turned back to us in response.
Were you not told to make preparations? We had foreseen this drought years ago and had given warning ever since. If you had made the proper preparations, if you had set aside a portion of your harvest every year since the warning was first given 10 years ago, you would not be in need. It seems that you chose to dismiss it. And now you are hungry. Are we the ones to blame for that? No. And yet we pitied you. We have observed that your supplies were low. We had arranged parcels to be sent to you weeks ago. He paused before continuing. That is until we saw you scouting our hills. Then we decided to wait to see what your plans were.
I observed my father as his expression became puzzled. We-we didn’t know. He stammered. The man gave a wry smile and turned back to the Chief and spoke again. I dared to steal a glance then, in my knelt position, at the Chieftess sitting by her father’s side. I had met her eyes. They were steady on me. Unnerved by her stare, I quickly looked toward the black and gray marbled floor.
So, you chose to siege one of our storehouses instead of asking for assistance? An unfortunate decision. The man had let the words linger as lines of fear creased my father’s usually hard face.
The Chief spoke a few short words then that brought alarm to the man’s face as well as to the young woman, who sat upright suddenly and spoke for the first time. She placed a hand gently on her father’s arm until he turned to her. I didn’t understand her words, but they were deep and slow and intricately said. It seemed that she was coaxing him. The Chief seemed to be considering whatever it is she offered. He said something in response to her. She tightened her grip of his arm and spoke again. The Chief nodded to her then nodded to the other man who turned back toward us. He looked skeptical for a moment, holding his gaze with the woman, before turning back to us.
You are fortunate our Chief is merciful. He has decided to spare your lives—
Thank you. Thank you— My father had started in relief, not sensing that there was a condition to this reprieve.
—In exchange for one.
My father’s face fell. What do you mean?
We will take one of your young men as our slave. His eyes rested on the youngest amongst us; my comrades, Benjamin and Jason, then me, before returning to my father. He spread his arms wide as if this was a gesture of generosity. The rest of you we will send back to your village and forget this unfortunate incident.
Murmurs of panic started to surround my men as I remained silent at the words. The woman spoke more words and the man nodded. You may choose whom you wish to leave.
These words silenced everyone. My father opened his mouth a moment and shut it before starting again. Please. My father went to his knees before the Chief. I beg you, show mercy—The silver haired man yanked my father back.
This is your mercy. Unless you’d rather we execute all of you. Choose.
A feeling of foreboding had filled me at that moment. I knew I would be the one chosen. I could feel the eyes of the elder men on me already and guiltily looking at my father to speak the words. I was the one of least consequence. They wouldn’t leave Jason. He was betrothed to a young maiden in our village, Helena. It would be a cruel fate for both of them. Though I couldn’t deny the man’s stupidity for volunteering for this venture so close to his wedding day. Nor would Benjamin be chosen. He was the only man in his family since his father passed. Who would take care of his sisters and mother if he was left here? I however, had no woman waiting for me at home. What I did have was a father and a young brother who could carry on the family name without me. I also couldn’t deny that I was not nearly as well liked as either Jason or Benjamin on account of my visions. I doubted I would be heavily missed or mourned by many. I knew it would be me. It could only be me.
The door to my cellar opened, forcing me out of my musings. For four days now, I was left on my own in a stone cell. There was no window or grate, just stone walls and one wooden door. My only way of telling a new day had come was when the door would open once so porridge and water could be brought to me. No word was spoken by the young, fierce woman who came in. She stared at me with alert green eyes, lined with thin flat golden brows. Her hair shared the same color, tied at the top of her head and braided down in a long tail. A tight fitted cotton garb that revealed a tone midriff, matched trousers that shaped muscular thighs and calves.
There was no porridge and water in hand today. She motioned for me to come out. I stared at her, not understanding until she stomped her left foot hard against the ground. I got up slowly my legs cramping but I steadied myself quickly and followed her. We went up a stone stairway, passed a dark corridor toward an ornate green curtain with intricate gold designs imprinted into it. It seemed to be serving as a door of sorts for the room behind it. Two largely built men stood like statues in front of it. One was pale skinned. His eyes were a light brown and muscles were etched in every inch of him. He wore a vest that hung loosely around him, open in the middle revealing a wide, large chest. The other man was equally fit but slimmer. He had skin like ebony which emphasized the lightness of his eyes. The golden-haired woman said something to them. They looked at me skeptically before starting to laugh. There was a number of things that could have brought on their laughter. My mere demeanor in comparison to theirs was laughable. I was only just slightly less in height, but I had little muscles to add depth to my body. In addition, I had lived in my own filth for the last few days. My facial hair was growing in patches and I was certain my hair was sticking up in erratic edges.
I looked toward the floor in embarrassment, as we entered a room that was simply decorated. The floor was a dark wood that reflected a slight red color which stood in contrast to much of the Fortress which was built with dark stone. There was one bed lined up against a wall. Stacks of shelves built into the walls held a mix of clothing and books. A large ruby curtain blocked off what looked to be an adjoining room. Near it was a single window where a small table and two chairs were placed under it. Everything about the Fortress seemed to lean
toward more humble than bold. Everything except the fierceness of their leaders.
An elder woman came from behind the curtained door and stopped as she saw me. She looked to be in her fifties, with red hair with streaks of gray, bunned tightly at the back of her head. She had a stern face and a stout body. She spoke to the younger woman and glanced at me. The golden-haired woman only nodded. They exchanged a few words, as the elder woman looked concerned and surprised, but she nodded and dismissed the other woman.
“My name is Mara.” She said simply to me. “What is your name?” I stared at her numbly, surprised that I could understand her words. “What is your name?” She said with an edge in her voice.
“Isaac.” I responded as I felt a dull haze surrounding me. My name sounded strange to my ears. It was the first word I had spoken in days.
“What are your skills, Isaac?”
“Skills?” I repeated stupidly. At that moment I could not think of one thing I did with enough proficiency to boast about.
She eyed me up and down. “What did you do in your village?”
“We are—my people are predominantly farmers. I managed my father’s land. I yielded crops when the ground was opulent. I cleared our fields of weeds—”
“Did you work with animals?”
“Oxen mostly— “
“What about steeds?”
“Horses?” I had no opportunity to work with horses. They were considered a luxury in my village since very few people traveled often enough, or far enough to justify owning one and oxen were fine for travel. “No, no one in my village owned a horse—”
“You’ll learn.” She said quickly. She took some things off of a shelf before she found what she was looking for. She handed me a tanned tunic and dark cotton trousers and gestured for me to go beyond the curtain. It wasn’t until I neared it that I realized there were voices behind it.
I gasped as several women were bathing and chatting by a large, rectangular pool of water. The conversations stopped as their eyes stared at me quizzically. I stepped back and averted my eyes as several women were naked or barely covered. Mara said something quickly to them and they started to move out of the area. Some snickered as they passed me. When I looked back up, two young women remained, glancing at me shyly.
“Take off your clothes.” Mara commanded.
Chapter 2
“What? Why?” I said in panic as I began to fear what really were the roles of slaves in the Fortress.
“Do you usually bathe fully dressed? These women will assist you.”
I desperately was in need of a proper bath, but I didn’t want assistance from these women. “I assure you that I have been able to bathe on my own for some time now.”
The woman sighed impatiently. “Well. You will have to be better kept than you have managed in the past. Do not be difficult. Be quick about it.” She turned away and disappeared behind the curtain leaving me alone with the two young women.
I stood motionless for several moments. The young women waited patiently as I tried to steady my increasingly rapid breathing. At home, we had a small, modest bathing chamber outside of our house. We would carry water from the well or the river to the chamber and bathe in private. Though the chamber I was presented with now was grand and seemingly used to bathe many at one time, I didn’t want to bathe in front of strangers. Especially two women.
One of the women, with hair the color of wheat, stepped toward me and I stepped back in defense.
“We are no one to fear. We help our mistress ready all the time—"
“Who is your mistress? Is she someone to fear?” My mind raced. “Who were those women? What is this place? Is this where slaves usually bathe?” I asked the question though I knew the answer had to be no. The women who stepped out of here were tall, strong, beautiful and well kept. They were unlikely to be slaves.
The young women exchanged glances before looking back at me. “No. Slaves usually bathe in the river. This is our Chieftess’ private quarters.”
Private quarters? Fear and dread started to overtake me as my mind went to the most obvious reason why I was here. “Were—Were those women harlots?”
“Have you lost your mind?” The other young woman with dark hair, hissed at me as she quickly went to the partitioned wall. She peeked out and sighed in relief before leveling her eyes at me. “I think it is better for you not to speak anymore.”
“Please. I don’t want to be here. I just want to go home.” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice. I felt myself losing control of my breathing. Bending forward I placed my hands on my knees and closed my eyes tightly. I was a fool. What was I thinking giving myself up? I would never see those I loved again. I would never be able to hug my mother or spin my little brother in my arms.
“You need to calm yourself. It is not as you think.” The light haired one said softly as she approached me. “We cannot delay any longer. You will not want to keep our mistress waiting.” Our mistress. I now answered to a master. I was a slave. I willed myself to straighten. If I thought of my situation as a whole, I knew I would panic. I needed to focus on one thing at a time. I would bathe.
I tried to build a wall around me, numbing myself to the shame and embarrassment at being fully exposed to two strangers. I knew I was far from a man that young women dreamt about but that didn’t stop both of their faces from turning fully crimson as they stripped off my clothes and I stepped into the water. I assumed they were more accustomed to attending maidens than men.
I stayed close to one edge of the bath, so I was still within reach of the women. I submerged myself fully, dunking my head under and contemplating for one moment not coming back up. One of them grabbed a handful of my hair forcing me to come back up.
“Don’t be foolish.” She said simply, scrubbing something into my copper hair. I wiped my hands across my face. I was trembling. I took in a deep breath praying my mind wouldn’t register the fear of the unknown that my body had already recognized, as the other woman grabbed my right hand and started scrubbing my callouses.
They motioned for me to come out of the water, handing me a cloth to tie around my waist. They led me to a clay bench under one high set window in the stone chamber. One of them started to scrub my feet while the other took a blade, shortening my hair and cleaning off my face. I forced my mind to think of anything other than what exactly I was being prepared for as they dressed me.
“I suppose it’s the best we can do until you gain some mass.” The darker haired one said as she gripped a chunk of loose fabric at my ribs. Mara appeared suddenly and waved them off. Her words were quick and in a whisper.
“You have been given a rare opportunity. Do you understand? You will not squander it.”
“What?” What was I supposed to understand? Nothing had been told to me. I had given my life into slavery. By all sense, my life was over.
Mara sighed and looked toward the curtain before speaking quickly again to me. “Lady Kiatra has chosen you to be in her service.” She paused before starting again as if these words should mean something to me. “A privilege she has not granted a slave until now. You will be obedient, and you will learn to be pleasing to her. That is your only duty. You must stay in her favor. Come.”
“Wait.” I said grasping the woman’s hand. “Kiatra?”
“Yes. Our Chieftess. She is next in line to lead our province after her father. There is much to be gained in being in her service. You can live quite comfortably here if she finds you to be a worthy slave.”
“Why has she chosen me? How do I please her? What does she expect of me?” The words flowed out of my mouth uncontrollably. The woman sighed impatiently, but her terse expression eased. She spoke gently, sensing my rising panic.
“I understand you have many questions. I know you are frightened but be at ease. Do as you are told and your mistress will protect you. All will be explained to you soon. Come.” She gripped my hand, but I yanked her back again.
“Protect me from what?”
A criminal. I chewed on the word. Was it a demotion from madman or equal?
“You are not a slave?” I asked Mara.
The women laughed. “No. I have been the head steward in this household for a long time and I am paid handsomely for my efforts. I served Kiatra’s mother and after she passed, I stayed in service to Kiatra. I can speak honestly to you on her behalf. This woman will not abuse you. For whatever reason she wishes for you to be with her, so you will not spoil this offering.” I opened my mouth to speak again but Mara cut me off. “No more questions now. Come!” She gave up on dragging me and walked through the curtain.
I willed myself to move forward passed the curtain and back into the adjourning room, where Mara was speaking feverishly to Kiatra. They both stopped and stared as I entered. Kiatra was seated at the small table by the single window in the room. She wore a cotton frock similar in style as she wore the night of my sentencing. It was a pale blue with a cut deep down her neck, yet still positioned modestly enough to not bear her chest. It had no sleeves covering her shoulders, fully revealing toned arms which were crossed over her body in examination of me. Her eyes wandered fully down my body before she motioned for me to sit across from her, where a plate of bread and meat and a glass of wine were waiting. I sat obediently and stared at her and Mara.
“How old are you, Isaac.” Mara asked.
“Twenty-one this last spring.” Mara spoke softly to Kiatra whose unnerving dark stare was focused on me. She asked something else which Mara translated. The woman and her father both required a translator, yet it seemed that everyone in their service spoke the united language of the Fortress. It would seem to be a disadvantage if only they did not understand the words. I was sure this was an act. Perhaps just to unnerve me. It was more likely that Mara was not translating the words, but they were discussing something privately to themselves on the answers I was giving.
Premonition Page 2