Food was a delicate issue. Saerula scoffed at him for feeding them at all. He countered that if she wanted them to return to duty, food would be requisite to their recovery. She seemed to revel in the implications of the word “recovery”, but refused to help prepare anything. She maintained that bread was generous enough and water was available by hand pump in the dungeon. Vahn made no apologies for insisting on milk, meat, and vegetables in addition to bread. He was glad Saerula was too busy sulking to help him deliver food.
It was not difficult to smuggle in sleeping comforts. Vahn routinely strolled the dark halls of the keep to be sure the house was in order and to clear his mind before bed. The female slave quarters were near the dungeon stairs. His only concern was Saerula hearing that creaking iron door. So he planned a little farcical playacting, just in case.
After delivering a huge bundle of pillows and blankets, he filled a bucket from the hand pump. He walked to an empty wall. He looked to see if any of his slaves were watching. Nearly all of them were. Most seemed puzzled, but a few nodded their understanding. He flung the water against the wall. Just as it splashed, two girls let out yelps as if they had been awakened with frigid liquid.
Vahn took a dramatic bow and motioned to his accomplices who curtsied. The rest of the slaves bit their lips and clapped their hands over their mouths to keep from giggling aloud. Vahn flashed an impish grin and hurried out.
He’d say nothing unless Saerula asked. Then he would make a statement of truth that implied what he wanted her to think he had done, without lying about it. He rehearsed his speech mentally as he headed to bed—It’s amazing how a bucket of cold water will get a sleeping slave’s attention. He almost hoped she would ask so he could use his brilliant plan. But she was sound asleep and he didn’t tempt fate by waking her.
The suns had climbed well into the sky when the duke and duchess awoke. For a fleeting second, Vahn was irked he hadn’t been awakened at his normal time. But of course, since it was timna’s duty and she was indisposed under his orders, he had no one to blame. Saerula grumbled her irritation over being without a personal attendant. She skipped her bath and dressed awkwardly. Vahn surmised she had never dressed herself before. “Would you admit that you miss having timna here to help you?” he asked.
“I admit I miss having a decent servant to perform all these mundane chores, yes. Whether timna was ever more than mediocre is another subject entirely,” she snapped.
“Is there another you find better suited?” He took a seat across from the bed.
“Not in this house,” she muttered.
“So, even though timna is the highest-scoring Elva to pass through the Ny ITC in ten years, she isn’t good enough? The only way to find any better would be to take an Itzi.”
“Forget the wretched Itzi, Vahn. I could find a better Elva handmaid in Ganluc. They aren’t so permissive and spineless there. Or how about a hired servant?”
“You couldn’t use a crop on a servant.”
“I shouldn’t have to. Besides, you picked all these slaves yourself, to suit your fancy.”
Vahn furrowed his brows and grit his teeth. Everything he’d done for the house had been done with her wishes and peculiarities firmly in mind. He’d only purchased the best slaves. The keep was always immaculate and she’d been coddled and catered to. She had no idea how long he’d waited for an Elva of timna’s caliber to become available. Most would have conceded his house was superior even without her. “Fine,” he said, “then you find and choose your own.”
“I can’t right now and you know it,” she said, rubbing her distended belly.
“You tell me what you want and I’ll have everything arranged. I’ll see a notice is put in the Ny Gazette. Write to Ganluc and I’ll have your letter delivered. Prospects can come here for interviews.”
Saerula smiled and nodded. “I appreciate it, Vahn. Thank you.”
“One last matter. If you are going to say our present house slaves are ‘mine’ and the ones you find are to be ‘yours’, then I insist that you no longer use a crop on my property. It could leave scars and bring down their value. Bring your complaints to me and I will deal with them.”
Saerula frowned. She grumbled, “Fine. But when you’re not around, I want them out of my sight. Once I have staff of my own, the second floor will be off-limits to your cheap little harlots.” Her face reddened and she winced, but she didn’t try to retract her statement.
Vahn scowled, glaring at her for nearly thirty seconds. Finally, he stood. “I am going to pretend I never heard that, Saerula. But don’t you forget who is funding all this. I could take a crop to you for that remark. I’ll be outside. Call me when breakfast is ready.” He knew she would never cook, but it gave him great satisfaction to imply she should. He turned swiftly on booted heel and stormed out the door.
Vahn took the opportunity to check in with his hypaethral division. His Ringed equerry, chupo, oversaw the male slaves with little supervision. Vahn made surprise inspections occasionally and he was never disappointed. The fields produced good crops, the barns were clean, and the animals were meticulously cared for.
chupo was in charge of Vahn’s personal horses: Fortitude, Regalia, and Allegiant. They were widely acclaimed the best in the duchy. Men he assumed were Arx’s proxies had offered him more than double what he paid for them. The duchess had her own horse, and there were several carriage horses, plus two koopchuks for the plows. Daily, the men delivered goat’s milk and eggs to Rebono Keep. Dwarfcattle, pigs, and chickens were also kept for meat.
His male slaves were roughly two-thirds Elva, all Ringed. They wore a black-over-silver livery. Vahn was deep in thought as he toured the barns and fields. The slaves stopped as he passed, bowing their heads. Those who were not prevented by their work knelt in homage. Although he often chatted with his staff, this day he was too preoccupied. He dismissed their kneels with a wave, but he neither slowed nor spoke as he surveyed his properties.
After an hour of walking, Vahn was still angry with his wife. He wished he didn’t have to return to the keep, but it was nearly meridian toll and no one had brought food to the dungeon since the night before. He knew Saerula would not have cared even if she had a key, which she didn’t. Vahn promised himself not to acquiesce no matter how she bemoaned her hunger and begged him to cook. Saerula wouldn’t learn to appreciate timna and the others if he took over their duties.
Reluctantly, he trudged back. He entered through the kitchen and scanned the adjoining rooms. He was glad not to find Saerula. It troubled him that everything had spiraled out of control so quickly. He had never fought with his wife like this before. Maybe she is just so unreasonable because of the pregnancy. Surely, she will regret her brash name-calling and apologize.
He filled a tray with fruit, cheese, and bread. Then he grabbed a pewter pitcher of goat’s milk. Hurrying toward the dungeon stairs, he met Saerula in the hallway.
She glowered at him. “So, the precious little pets eat before I do?”
“You could have eaten sooner, love. They had no choice but to wait. They also have no choice but to eat what I bring. You could have had anything you wanted anytime you wanted to fix it.”
“But I am princess of Ganluc, duchess of Latoph!” she retorted. “I’m nearly ready to burst with child and you want me to prepare my own food? I have half a mind to pack and go home this instant!”
Vahn frowned. Was she serious? Never had she made such threats. He halted, then glanced back and forth between the food tray and his wife. “Saerula, love, please calm down. Let me take this down to timna to feed the others and then when I come back up, we’ll sit and talk this over.” He purposely implied timna was in better condition since she would be imminently released to visit Lady Keedrina. Moreover, he hoped that mentioning timna might direct the argument toward resolution.
“timna can feed them, but not me?”
“Yes, she can. However, I left her down there so you would appreciate her more.”
“Appreciate her more! Vahn, you are insane! We are royalty. We don’t have to appreciate anyone. Peasants grovel at our feet because they were born to be our subjects. Just like slaves exist to serve our whim. Why do you insist on all these foolish notions we have to be kind and appreciative? If they won’t do whatever we want whenever we order it, then we should sell them to the labor camps and find those who will.”
“And what do we do when all of Latoph is in the labor camps and no one is left to make you some crumpets? Do you starve then so that your precious royal pride is vindicated?”
“No. If there is no one in your cowardly country that can serve properly, I go home to Ganluc, where they know how to treat me as the royalty I am.”
Vahn rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Milady, I love you, even if you are a spoiled shrew. Move aside while I feed a few peasants. I’ll deal with you later.” He didn’t wait for her to move, but took a step to the left and proceeded down toward the staircase.
Saerula huffed loudly before stomping off.
Vahn turned the key in the iron door. Was it his imagination, or did he smell Saerula’s perfume? Had she tried to get into the dungeon to check up on his punishments? Vahn shook his head to clear his doubts. Strange, but he was looking forward to the company of his slaves over his wife. He had planned to leave the food and bring timna up, but he changed his mind and decided to stay a while. Anything to be away from Saerula.
The girls fell silent when the door creaked open. They were gathered in a circle, perhaps telling stories. Like an army ordered to “about face” and “attention” all at once, they turned and immediately assumed Standard Kneeling Positions, bowing their heads.
Vahn couldn’t help smiling as he slipped in. “Please, ladies, as you were,” he said. “I’m sorry about breakfast. Without timna’s cheery voice to waken me, I overslept considerably.” He set the food tray down.
The slaves lifted their heads and smiled back. “There was enough food last night to tide us all, Master Vahn. No one has gone hungry,” timna offered for the group.
“Mmmmn. Very pleasing. Now, does anyone mind if I stay a while? I have missed you all upstairs.” The slaves exchanged surprised looks. Vahn settled his tall frame into a wooden chair. “Don’t mind me. Eat as you like. Go back to whatever you were doing before I barged in.” They studied him a while. A few of the oldest approached the food tray.
“Is everything all right, Master?” timna asked.
“Everything is fine, timna. Are you ready to go visit Lady Keedrina?”
“Yes, Master. timna is ready whenever it pleases you.”
“Then you should eat now. You will come up with me when I leave.”
timna nodded, arose from the floor, and headed toward the food. Vahn leaned back in his seat and watched his domestics. He would put them up against anyone in Ganluc that Saerula could find. It didn’t matter what she said; there was no better house in all of Byntar.
The slaves seemed uneasy that he watched as they ate. He decided to make some conversation and Saerula was as good a place to start as any. “I want to retract an order I gave you last night. While you are still not to tell your mistress any details of your punishments from now on, I don’t want you to mislead her either. Don’t pretend to be hurt if you aren’t. There will be no more buckets of water splashed against the wall or playacted groaning to deceive her. When I release you, go clean up immediately. I know this will be hard, but do your best to accommodate Mistress Saerula, all right?”
“Yes, Master,” was the unanimous response.
He couldn’t bring himself to mention that she wanted to replace them and then banish them from her presence. On second thought, perhaps they’d be relieved. dena and pippa bore “21” marks on their forearms; they were due to be freed in two weeks, on Queen’s Jubilee. He sighed as he remembered timna’s release was only a year away. Before the rift with Saerula, he’d hoped to entice the best slaves to remain in the house as hired servants. Now, he wasn’t so sure anyone would be willing to stay without the obligation of the bands. He could hardly blame them.
His youngest girl, a fourteen-year-old, sidled up to his left, slipping to her knees. He stroked her hair before addressing her kindly. “xassa, did you want to ask me something?”
xassa shook her head. “xassa missed you, Master. I just wanted to be with you.”
Vahn was touched by her need and didn’t mention her slip into first person. He patted his lap. “Come, sit with me,” he said. She got up from the floor and sat on his lap. He wrapped a long arm around her. Slowly, others found small ways to be near him as well. One feminine shoulder rested against each knee and several knelt around his chair. One rubbed her face against his boot, and timna stood behind him to massage his neck and shoulders.
He closed his eyes and savored the moment. He was so relaxed that he might have fallen asleep, but he couldn’t get Saerula off his mind. After thirty minutes, he whispered, “I’m sorry, but I have to go now, ladies. Thank you for a most pleasing tea.” The slaves withdrew immediately. “timna, are you ready?”
“Yes, Master Vahn.”
“Then would you mind grabbing the tray from last night?”
She had the tray in hand before she could have declared her willingness to do it. Even if she did mind, she wouldn’t voice such rebellious thought. If a slave couldn’t say something pleasing, she was expected to remain silent. Rarely did he have problems with his slaves, but when he did, it was usually something of this nature—snippy comments, reluctance to obey, or general bad attitudes.
Vahn rounded his Itzi staff and kissed the top of their heads. He turned and made sure timna was following before he headed out the door. Several of the Itzi didn’t wait for the boom of metal on metal before sighing. He turned to timna as he locked up. “They’re bored, aren’t they?”
“Yes, Master. And timna was running out of stories.”
“I should have thought to bring you a book. There’s no sense bringing one now. Itzi can’t read.”
“None of your Itzi can read, Master. Please forgive timna’s boldness, but it is not impossible for Itzi to read.”
Vahn was so surprised by her audacity that it took a while for the statement to sink in. He stopped in the middle of the spiral staircase. “Explain.”
“Lady Keedrina can read. timna saw it herself. She reads as well as any commoner timna has ever met.”
Vahn furrowed his brows in disbelief. Yet, why would timna lie? It could be disproved easily enough. He sighed deeply. “Oh well. I guess she was never meant to be mine.”
“Do you still want timna to go see her, Master?”
“Yes, I’m interested in her welfare whether I will benefit from it or not. It just would have been nice, that’s all.”
timna nodded and waited for him to resume his ascent. He took the tray and sent her to her chamber to bathe and change. He wouldn’t have her in public with disheveled hair or a wrinkled uniform even if she was on her way to a chicken farm.
Chapter 16
timna hurried to her quarters. Since she was optimess, she had a private room on the other side of the sizeable bathing room shared by all the females. Bathing was one amenity that Master Vahn encouraged and insisted on.
She removed her rumpled clothes and drew herself a bath. If there were any enticement that would cause her to consider serving beyond her term, it would have to be this. Most Latophian homes didn’t have tubs, much less running water, and least of all hot water from indoor plumbing.
Rebono Keep was gravity-fed from the highest tower. The hypaethral division pumped the water from the ground to two holding tanks, one for hot, one for cold. Lens-windows magnified the rays of the suns against the iron tank, keeping water scalding. Only when cloud cover persisted beyond two weeks at a stretch did fires have to be built to compensate.
timna only took time for rudimentary cleanliness. She rinsed and stepped from the tub to dry, polishing her silver bands with the towel. The uniforms hung in a huge cher
rywood armoire that dominated an entire wall of the servant’s bathing room. timna located her size and plucked one from a hanger. She slipped it on, inhaling the light scent of starch, then threw her soiled dress and damp towel into the laundry chute. She grabbed an apron and draped it over her arm.
Padding down the empty halls, she couldn’t help feeling strange. This time of day there were normally slaves cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry. The halls would echo with female voices in song. Today, it was silent. Out of nervousness, timna hummed. She hoped she wouldn’t be back before the Itzi were released.
Master Vahn waited in the foyer, scribbling a makeshift map to Lady Keedrina’s farm. timna knelt quietly at his feet, bending all the way over to kiss the top of his boot. Unlike the excitable departure at The Scarlet Dryad, this was not so hurried that she couldn’t perform the proper farewell ritual. Her master spoke softly in a formal tone, repeating the ceremonial words. “timna, optimess of the house of Prince Vahn Rebono, duke of Latoph—I your master send you forth. Whither you go, you represent me and my house.”
“This slave wishes only to bring honor to your house and name, Master,” timna replied, her cheek still resting on his foot.
“I place my trust in you and charge you to return to me. May the Heavenlies deal with you severely if you violate this sacred trust.”
“May this slave’s very life be forfeit if she violates your trust or honor, Master.”
“Rise and hasten to the task, my faithful one,” he finished, lowering his hand to help her up. She sealed the pledge in a final kiss to his boot before she took his hand and rose. He smiled and squeezed her hand. “Thank you,” he whispered.
The Duke's Handmaid (Book 1 of the Ascendancy Trilogy) Page 8