‘Look, Katerina, that other one is little more than a baby!’
Katerina fought off a wave of nausea. She had known this would be difficult, but the echoes were stronger than she had anticipated. ‘Anna, your family own slaves, you knew about this place.’
Anna grimaced. ‘Naturally I knew about it, but I have never actually been here myself and…and my parents have always treated their slaves well. I confess, I never gave it much thought. But this…’ Tears welling, she stared at the children. ‘You must buy those two, you must!’
A heavily chained young man stood behind the children. He was swaying on his feet, his fair hair was matted and dull and his cheekbones were bruised.
Anna caught Katerina’s arm. ‘That male slave is hurt, look at that stain on his tunic—it…it’s blood!’
‘You are right.’ The young man’s tunic was splotched with rust-coloured marks. He was very tall and he might be well built, if he were not so thin. A giant. ‘He looks like a brawler to me.’
The little group was herded and, in the case of the male slave, goaded on to the auction block.
‘They are half-starved,’ Anna muttered. Her eyes never left the male slave. ‘Buy him, you must buy him!’
Deeply troubled, Katerina frowned. ‘I don’t think he is a good choice, he looks like a troublemaker.’
‘Why should that matter? You don’t intend to keep him.’
‘No, I told you, I shall feed them and clothe them, give them work for a time and then give them their freedom.’
‘Buy him as well as the children.’ Anna’s fingers dug painfully deep. ‘Please, Ka—my lady, I…I don’t have money of my own, but I will pay you back somehow. You can have my gold bangle, and the rest of my jewellery. You can sell the lot and buy more slaves.’
‘You have no money?’ How odd, Lady Anna’s father had an estate outside the City.
‘My father’s revenues are small, he spent much buying me my place at Court. My lady, I will give you Zephyr, you can sell her too.’
Katerina’s mouth fell open. Zephyr was Anna’s horse, Anna adored her; she had brought Zephyr with her when she had first arrived at the Rascian court.
‘You would sell your Zephyr for a slave?’ She looked doubtfully at the fair young man on the auction block. ‘Anna, he looks…dangerous.’
‘I would sell her for that one. Please.’ Anna clasped her hands together. ‘I will make sure you don’t regret it.’
Back in the women’s quarters of the Boukoleon Palace, Ashfirth rapped on the main door of Princess Theodora’s apartments. A young boy let him in.
‘I need to speak to the Princess,’ Ash said. The reception chamber appeared empty, no one else was about. Hell, where was she?
Ash had a thousand things on his mind, but his conscience would not let him rest until he had made sure that Princess Theodora understood that for her own safety, she must remain in her chambers. He had enough to do without worrying about her, too. Outside the massive city walls, the Imperial generals were banging the battle drums, and the Emperor had abandoned any pretence of being in control. Matters were worsening by the hour.
Would Alexios Komnenos actually break into the city?
The boy—his short tunic marked him out as a slave—looked apologetic. ‘The Princess is not here, sir.’
‘Where is she?’
‘I…I do not know, sir. I am sorry.’
Ash swore and the blood drained from the slave’s face. The boy had the dark eyes and curly black hair that Ashfirth had learned to associate with several of the Armenian tribes.
‘Where are you from, lad?’
‘Armenia, sir.’
‘I have travelled there, I know your people. Are you sick?’
‘No, sir.’
The boy was very pale. And if he wasn’t sick, perhaps he was lying, he was certainly being evasive. ‘Do you know who I am?’
The boy’s Adam’s apple jerked up and down. ‘Yes, sir. You are C-Commander Ashfirth of the Varangian Guard.’
‘Indeed. Now I shall ask you this question again, and I would recommend that you think carefully before you answer. Where is Princess Theodora?’
The boy dropped into a crouch at Ash’s feet and pressed his forehead to the marble tiles. ‘Please, sir, don’t ask me. Please, sir…she ordered me, she ordered me not to tell anyone. Please, sir…’
Ash regarded the dark curls for a moment before lifting the boy to his feet. ‘Go on. Where is the Princess? No harm will come to you, if you tell the truth. Understand this, I need to know because I am pledged to protect her.’ He made his voice stern. ‘On the other hand, if you persist in withholding information concerning her whereabouts, I may have to take strong measures.’
‘S-slave market.’
‘The Princess has gone out to buy slaves?’ Ash swore. Did that woman never listen? He had told her that a visit to the slave market was inadvisable. Despite what had passed between them, she didn’t think enough of him to heed his advice. With General Alexios camped outside the walls, apparently on the point of forcing his way in; with the Imperial throne tottering and Constantinople in turmoil, this was the last thing he needed.
Am I to go chasing all over the city looking for a spoilt princess? Is she so impatient that her whims must be instantly satisfied? Blessed Mary, give me strength!
‘Please sir, don’t tell her I told you, she will have me whipped!’
The boy’s dark eyes filled with tears.
With his mind already halfway to the slave market, Ash shook his head. ‘I doubt that, I doubt it very much. What’s your name, lad?’
‘Orchan, sir.’
‘Thank you, Orchan.’ Ash hurried to the door. To save time, I will have to ride. ‘I will see you do not suffer for the help you have given me.’
Chapter Nine
Ash rode to the slave market with a handful of the Guard, all of whom were wearing ordinary clothes rather than their uniforms. Discretion would be needed.
Somewhat to his surprise, the auction hall was a hive of activity, people were spilling out on to the street. Leaving the horses with one of the men, he forced his way through the group round the slave block. Sigmund and Tidulf were hard on his heels.
Where the devil is she?
There!
She was standing with her lady-in-waiting at the foot of the platform, enveloped in a voluminous brown cloak. Toki stood at her side… Toki was with them?
At least she had had the wit to dress modestly, neither her cloak nor her gown was designed to attract attention. And she had brought an escort, but Ash would have to have words with Toki later. That must wait though, the bidding was starting.
Ashfirth squeezed through. A child in ragged sackcloth was up on the block. Huge eyes, a shivering, unhappy bony body. Ash felt his heart clench. An even smaller child was clinging to the girl’s legs. Behind them, wavering slightly, was a fully grown male. His face was black and blue.
‘That man is barely conscious,’ Ash murmured to Sigurd.
A heavily veiled woman on his right slanted him a knowing glance. ‘Handsome brute, though. I can see why she wants him.’
‘She?’
‘That woman at the front. She seems quite determined to buy him, she has put in three bids already.’ The woman’s smile was suggestive. ‘I expect she hopes he might be tamed. I can see that it might be…interesting, taming a man like that.’
The Princess was bidding! She had mentioned choosing a slave who might become her maidservant—what on earth was she doing bidding for these wretches? She must have taken leave of her senses! Ash forged on until he stood directly behind her.
‘My lady.’ Ash spoke softly, he had no wish to publicise her identity and draw unnecessary attention to her. Or worse, cause a scandal. If it became known that an imperial princess had left the Palace with so insignificant an escort…the best she could hope for was to be named eccentric—imperial princesses simply did not wander the city at will.
Her hand—sh
e had been lifting it to signal a higher bid—froze. ‘Ashfirth!’
She looked different this morning, and it was more than just her everyday clothing. Her face was clear of court paint and she looked much younger. More approachable. She had that vulnerable air that Ash had glimpsed the first time he had seen her through the convent grille.
‘I see you ignored my advice.’ He attempted to take her arm, but she wrenched free and completed her gesture to the auctioneer.
Her bid was bettered. The auctioneer looked her way. She nodded and the bidding continued.
‘I told you, Ashfirth, I wish to buy slaves.’
‘A maidservant! You said you needed a maidservant.’
‘Did I?’
‘You know you did. In any case—’ Ash threw a scathing glance at the pitiful souls on the block ‘—your choice is poor. Those children are far too young to be freed, you will have to look after them for years. And if you have a mind to train them as servants, it will be years before they are of use to anyone. Indeed, it may not be possible to train them at all, they have clearly been badly used. And as for that male slave…he looks to be in a very bad way. I doubt that he will take instruction.’
‘Ka—Theodora!’ Lady Anna nudged the Princess. ‘Bid again, or you will lose them!’
Princess Theodora nodded in the direction of the auctioneer while, up on the auction block, the male slave had noticed that she was bidding for him and was looking intently at her. Willing her to buy him?
Ashfirth’s stomach tightened. He really did not want the Princess to buy the man, though he could not have said why. It was almost as though he felt....jealous, but that was impossible. It was simply that the Princess Theodora had been placed in his charge and, although she was a wilful woman who had clearly been very spoilt, he had a developed a liking for her. He did not want her to waste her wealth on such a poor bargain.
More to the point, though, was the fact that General Alexios might break into the city at any moment. The sooner she was safely back in the citadel, the better, but they could scarcely argue the point in public.
‘Sir, I will make my purchase.’ She raised her hand and nodded yet again to the auctioneer.
Had anyone thought to explain to her how much matters had deteriorated during her long sojourn in Rascia? Did she know her uncle seemed to have lost all reason and that he had practically surrendered the day-to-day running of his affairs to the Empress? He doubted it. If she knew that Constantinople was like so much kindling, ready to burst into flame, she would surely have heeded his advice and remained at the Palace.
Whoever was bidding against her was faltering, Ashfirth craned his neck to see them, but a pillar blocked his view.
The gong rang. ‘Sold!’
The slaves were hustled away and put in a pen under one of the arches. More wretches were dragged on to the block.
The Princess exchanged glances with her lady-in-waiting and gestured at Toki. ‘Here, Toki, take these to seal the deal.’ Taking coins from the red purse at her belt, she handed them to him.
A scribe was sitting at a table near the slave pen, behind a pile of scrolls. Toki cast a sheepish grin at Ashfirth and took the money to the table.
Ash sighed. ‘My lady, you will have to sign the transfer of ownership personally,’ he said.
‘I realise that.’
Her voice was brittle, Ash searched her face. Something was amiss, he was sure of it. When he saw her mouth tremble, the thought came to him that she was concealing some profound hurt. And yet…those brown eyes were alight with triumph and she was smiling. ‘Excuse me, Commander,’ she said. Arm in arm with her lady, she started towards the slave pen.
Ashfirth had no option but to follow her.
Stupid, stubborn woman. What the hell is she intending to do with those infants? And as for that male slave…?
‘That man will cause more trouble than he’s worth,’ Ash muttered, as they reached the slave pen.
She sent him a dismissive glance and then—the idiocy of the woman—gestured at the guard to admit her. Slowly, she approached the male slave.
Fearing for her safety, Ash stuck close, close as her shadow. Not that the poor wretch could do anyone much harm in his current state. He was leaning against a pillar, head drooping, eyes half-closed. He must be in considerable pain, he was white about the mouth and was cradling his right arm in his left. He straightened as she reached him, his chains rattled. He attempted a smile, though Ash could see that it cost him. It came to him that the slave was younger than he appeared, pain did age a man.
Princess Theodora gave her new slave the sweetest of smiles, and a knife twisted in Ash’s insides. When she leaned forwards and murmured in the slave’s ear, the knife turned to fire.
What the hell is she saying to him?
And why the hell had his wayward mind chosen this moment to remind him how the Princess had felt in his arms and of the pleasure that was to be found in her kisses?
Ash flexed his fingers to stop them curling into fists. The heavily veiled noblewoman’s words were echoing in his head, that lascivious murmur was going round and round—Handsome brute…I expect she hopes he might be tamed.
He glared at the Princess’s back. If only I could see into your mind—but what man has ever seen into a woman’s mind? All Ash could see was the knowing smile of the veiled noblewoman. Many of the ladies of the Court entertained themselves by taking unsuitable lovers, but the Princess would not. Would she? She wouldn’t take a slave…
In her apartment, after they had kissed—and that had been a mistake, a pleasant mistake, but a mistake none the less—she had said, ‘You, Ashfirth, are a commander. My commander.’
Had that been her subtle way of propositioning him? At the time, Ashfirth had understood her to be merely flirting with him. His head began to whirl.
Had he got it wrong? Had she in fact been propositioning him? If so, she might believe he had rejected her. Was this her solution? On the other hand, he definitely recalled her mentioning wanting to buy slaves and free them. Had her purchase been motivated by altruism? This man would make a pretty strange maidservant…
He sent the blond slave a black look. Damn it, that woman in the crowd had a point, under the bruises and filth he was handsome. Even Ashfirth could see how such a man might appeal; many women loved nothing better than to nurture a wounded man… Hell. He shook his head. No, no, it was scarcely credible unless…
‘My lady, are you set on angering Duke Nikolaos?’ He had taken her arm, and only realised it when startled brown eyes met his. ‘Is that what you are doing?’
‘Ashfirth?’
‘I know you wanted to delay meeting Duke Nikolaos. Are you set on angering him to such as extent that he will set you aside? Is that it?’ Noticing Lady Anna drifting towards the male slave, Ash gestured at his captain. ‘Sigurd, stand by Lady Anna, lest she should need assistance.’
‘Yes, sir.’
The Princess was staring haughtily at his hand. White fingers—he was holding her too tightly. Ash released her. Their eyes met and his stomach muscles tightened. Leaning towards her, he whispered in her ear in the same way he had seen her whisper into the slave’s ear. ‘You would not take such a slave as your lover…would you, my lady?’
A surprised laugh emerged and her eyes began to dance. Ash caught the faint fragrance of roses and musk and the warm scent of woman. The Princess might have left her purple cloak and her diadem back at the Palace, but she could not change her basic self.
Woman, she smells of woman and I want her. Desperately.
The thought caught him off guard. Ash had never felt desperate for any particular woman before and he did not want to start now. More specifically he did not want to feel desperate for the Princess. Shocked at where his thoughts had taken him, he stepped smartly back.
Her eyes sparkled. ‘Why, Ashfirth—’ her voice softened ‘—don’t tell me you are reconsidering our conversation of yesterday?’
He looked from her
to the blond slave and back again. She was laughing openly now, damn her, while his guts were twisting into knots and some wholly unwanted images of her and that wretched slave began to take shape…
Holy Virgin.
‘Reconsidering what?’
Her lips formed a tempting pout. Brown eyes gleamed up at him from under long lashes, he could see the tiny green flecks. ‘You don’t remember yesterday? Ashfirth, I am devastated, simply devastated.’
Ash gritted his teeth. ‘Naturally I remember.’ And then, oh, Lord, he had done it again—unconsciously reached out and regained possession of her arm. ‘We cannot discuss this here, I have to take you back to the Palace.’
Her lips twitched. ‘That sounds very promising…’
‘Stop that. There are matters, serious matters, that I need to discuss with you.’
She was watching his face most intently, he prayed she was not going to argue. Ash knew he ought not to be addressing her in so familiar a manner, but she drove a man wild. And he could not, he simply could not stand here in the middle of the slave market discussing whether or not she wanted to have an affair with him.
If, indeed, that is what we are discussing.
He dragged his hand through his hair, as a dozen conflicting thoughts warred within him.
A plucked eyebrow arched as she looked at the male slave. ‘You are not jealous, are you, Ashfirth?’
Jealous? Ash opened his mouth to deny it, but thank heaven he had retained some control and the words remained unspoken. He gave her an ironic bow. ‘You are goading me, my lady. I am glad I amuse you.’
‘Mmm.’ The slave slumped against the pillar, and her attention shifted while Lady Anna and Sigurd lowered him to the ground. Nearby, the small girl hugged the infant to her, her eyes huge in the thin, dirt-streaked face.
The Princess sighed, all trace of amusement gone from her face. ‘It is time, I think, to sign those documents.’ With a twist of her wrist, she freed herself and joined Toki at the scribe’s table.
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